bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic, bacteriostatic effect of propolis and glycerol against Listeria monocytogenes in chocolate milk under refrigerated storage
Authors: Michailidis Georgios F , Thamnopoulos Ioannis-Angelos I , Fletouris Dimitrios J , Angelidis Apostolos S
Published: June 2020

Propolis ethanolic extracts, with or without glycerol, were added into pasteurized, non-fat chocolate milk, which was artificially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The addition of propolis ethanolic extracts dissolved into glycerol led to a definite anti-listerial effect in milk stored at 4 ℃, with both propolis concentrations tested (2 or 4 mg of dry propolis ethanolic extract per milliliter of chocolate milk) leading to inhibition of L. monocytogenes growth throughout 20 days of storage. The combined addition of propolis ethanolic extracts with glycerol was also effective in significantly reducing the rate of growth of L. monocytogenes in chocolate milk stored under improper (10 ℃) refrigeration storage conditions (more than five-fold increase in the generation time of L. monocytogenes compared to control trials). Finally, the combined addition of a deodorized propolis ethanolic extract with glycerol resulted in a significant anti-listerial effect upon storage of contaminated milk at 4 ℃ (more than three-fold increase in the generation time of L. monocytogenes compared to controls) and in a smaller anti-listerial effect upon milk storage at 10 ℃ (two-fold increase in the generation time of the pathogen compared to controls). Of note, chocolate milk containing deodorized propolis ethanolic extract and glycerol received a positive consumer acceptability score on the nine-point hedonic scale (median acceptability score of “7”). Hence, propolis may possess a promising role as a natural anti-listerial preservative in dairy drinks.
Evaluation and grading of Kayser–Fleischer ring in Wilson disease by Scheimpflug camera
Authors: Degirmenci Cumali , Palamar Melis
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

Evaluation the anterior segment parameters of Wilson disease patients with Kayser–Fleischer ring, the diagnostic power of Scheimpflug imaging for Kayser–Fleischer ring and suggest a scoring system.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 44 eyes of 22 Wilson disease patients with Kayser–Fleischer ring and 40 right eyes of 40 healthy age matched subjects were enrolled to the study. Serum ceruloplasmin and urine copper/24 hours levels were recorded. Anterior segment parameters including steep and flat keratometry, corneal thickness at central, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mm, anterior chamber angle width, volume and depth, corneal volume, pupillary diameter were evaluated by Scheimpflug imaging. Images of cornea were scored according to Kayser–Fleischer ring size.

Results:

Serum ceruloplasmin level was below 10 mg/dL in 17 patients and was 12, 18.5, 20, 22, 37 mg/dl in the remaining five patients. Urinary copper/24 hours was 249.55 ± 304.14 (23–1050) µg/day. Central corneal thickness and corneal thickness at 2 mm were statistically different ( p values 0.02, 0.04, respectively). Scheimpflug images apparently showed Kayser–Fleischer ring as a hyper-reflective band at the corneal endothelial surface. Kayser–Fleischer ring in 24 eyes was grade 1, 16 eyes were grade 2 and 4 eyes were grade 3.

Conclusion:

Scheimpflug imaging seems to be a helpful diagnostic tool for detecting and grading the Kayser–Fleischer ring. Corneal thickness in Wilson disease patients with Kayser–Fleischer ring tends to be higher, so that the possible affection in corneal thickness should be kept in mind for clinical evaluation of these patients.
Biometric and refractive errors evaluation in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Vagge Aldo , Corazza Paolo , Vagge Roberta , Agosto Giulia , Iester Michele , Camicione Paola , Ferro Desideri Lorenzo , Traverso Carlo E
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

To analyze biometric changes and prevalence of refractive in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

Methods:

Retrospective, case-controlled study involving patients affected by NF1 and healthy control subjects. Data on biometric measurements such as axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), keratometry (K1 and K2) values, and white-to-white (WTW), obtained by use of optical low-coherence reflectometry on a Lenstar LS 900® (Haag-Streit AG, Switzerland) were collected and analyzed. Cycloplegic refractions were then performed.

Results:

Overall, 166 eyes of 83 patients diagnosed with NF1 (mean age 21.6 ± 9.8) were enrolled and compared with 178 eyes of age-matched healthy subjects (mean age 22.6 ± 6.6). One hundred sixty-six (22.8%) and 33 of 178 (18.5%) eyes were myopic in NF1 patients and healthy subjects, respectively. The prevalence of hyperopia in the NF1 group was 12 of 166 (7.2%) whereas in the healthy control group was 14 of 178 (8.9%). Twenty-nine of 166 (17.4%) and 34 of 178 (19.1%) eyes presented astigmatism in NF1 and control group, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant ( p-values > 0.05). Refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism were similar between the two groups. The difference of AL, CCT, ACD, LT, K values, and WTW were no statistically significant between the two groups ( p-values > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Refractive errors and ocular biometric parameter seem not to be an addition findings of NF1.
Outcomes of total hip arthroplasty using dual-mobility cups for femoral neck fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mufarrih Syed H , Qureshi Nada Q , Masri Bassam , Noordin Shahryar
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

Femoral neck fractures (FNFs), with up to 15% mortality, are prominent orthopaedic emergencies. After treating FNFs, dislocation is another challenge increasing morbidity, mortality and treatment costs substantially. The emerging dual-mobility cup (DMC) may decrease dislocation rates following total hip arthroplasty (THA) for FNFs. We performed a systematic review of literature reporting dislocation and mortality rates with DMC-THA for the treatment of FNFs.

Methods:

2 authors independently searched PubMed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar and Cochrane library for studies reporting dislocation and mortality rates for FNFs treated with DMC-THA since inception up to January 2019. Data on outcomes of interest was extracted from all studies and assessed for eligibility for a meta-analysis.

Results:

Out of 522 search results, 18 studies were included in the systematic review and 4 in the meta-analysis. The mean rate of dislocation following DMC-THA for FNFs was found to be 1.87% ± 2.11, with a 1-year mortality rate of 14.0% ± 10.55. Results of meta-analysis showed that dislocation and 1-year postoperative mortality rates were significantly lower for DMC-THA with a risk ratio 0.31 (95% CI, 0.16–0.59; I2 = 0%, p  = 0.0003) and 0.55 (0.40, 0.77; I2 = 0%, p = 0.003) respectively when compared to biploar hemiathroplasty (BHA).

Conclusions:

The mean dislocation and mortality rates in DMC-THA are lower than previously reported rates for THA with single cup and comparable to unipolar and bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Further research involving randomised control trials to assess differences in outcomes, longevity and cost-effectiveness needs to be conducted to make recommendations for the use of DMC in treating FNFs.
Peripherally inserted central catheter placement in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit: A preliminary study demonstrating safety and procedural time in critically ill subjects
Authors: Smith Ryan J , Cartin-Ceba Rodrigo , Colquist Julie A , Muir Amy M , Moorhead Jeanine M , Callisen Hannelisa E , Patel Bhavesh M
Published: June 2020

Objective:

Peripherally inserted central catheters are a popular means of obtaining central venous access in critically ill patients. However, there is limited data regarding the rapidity of the peripherally inserted central catheter procedure in the presence of acute illness or obesity, both of which may impede central venous catheter placement. We aimed to determine the feasibility, safety, and duration of peripherally inserted central catheter placement in critically ill patients, including obese patients and patients in shock.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study was performed using data on 55 peripherally inserted central catheters placed in a 30-bed multidisciplinary intensive care unit in Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona. Information on the time required to complete each step of the peripherally inserted central catheter procedure, associated complications, and patient characteristics was obtained from a prospectively assembled internal quality assurance database created through random convenience sampling.

Results:

The Median Procedure Time, beginning with the first needle puncture and ending when the procedure is complete, was 14 (interquartile range: 9–20) min. Neither critical illness nor obesity resulted in a statistically significant increase in the time required to complete the peripherally inserted central catheter procedure. Three (5.5%) minor complications were observed.

Conclusion:

Critical illness and obesity do not delay the acquisition of vascular access when placing a peripherally inserted central catheter. Concerns of delayed vascular access in critically ill patients should not deter a physician from selecting a peripherally inserted central catheter to provide vascular access when it would otherwise be appropriate.
Relations among Externalizing Behaviors, Alcohol Expectancies and Alcohol Use Problems in a Multi-Ethnic Sample of Middle and High School Students
Authors: Regan Timothy , Tubman Jonathan G. , Schwartz Seth J.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Alcohol expectancies and externalizing behaviors, that is, aggression and rule-breaking behaviors, are associated with underage alcohol use. The interactive influence of these risk factors on problem alcohol use among minority adolescents is investigated in the present study.

Objectives:

This study examined the unique and interactive influences of alcohol expectancies and externalizing problems on specific measures of adolescents’ (a) past three-month binge drinking episodes and (b) negative consequences of alcohol use.

Methods:

Cross-sectional self-report data were collected in 2014 via tablet-based computerized assessments from a predominantly minority sample of 762 (404 females, Mage = 13.73 years, SDage =1.59) 6th, 8th, and 10th grade students recruited from public middle and high schools in Miami-Dade County, FL and Prince George’s County, MD. Students completed surveys on tablets in school settings regarding alcohol expectancies, expectancy valuations, externalizing problem behaviors, past 3-month binge drinking episodes, and experiences of alcohol-related negative consequences.

Results:

Zero-inflated negative binomial regressions indicated: (1) older adolescents were more likely to report binge drinking; and (2) a significant main effect for externalizing problem behaviors on binge use. Logistic regressions indicated (1) older adolescents were more likely to endorse an alcohol-related negative consequence and (2) the interaction between positive alcohol expectancies and externalizing behaviors was associated with endorsing an alcohol-related negative consequence.

Conclusions:

Engaging adolescents who exhibit serious externalizing behaviors and report positive alcohol expectancies via developmentally appropriate, tailored interventions is one feasible strategy to address escalation of binge alcohol use and related negative consequences among minority youth.
Interventions to promote work ability by increasing physical activity among workers with physically strenuous jobs: A scoping review
Authors: Mänttäri Satu , Oksa Juha , Lusa Sirpa , Korkiakangas Eveliina , Punakallio Anne , Oksanen Tuula , Laitinen Jaana
Published: June 2020

Aims: The potential benefits of workplace physical activity (PA) interventions are in improving both health and important workplace outcomes. Despite the differences in PA level between physically strenuous and inactive work, the literature reporting the effectiveness of the interventions does not usually differentiate physically active and inactive jobs. The aim of the current study was therefore to collect and synthesise research evidence on workplace PA interventions to promote work ability specifically among workers in physically strenuous jobs by means of a scoping review. Methods: The databases Medline, Cochrane Central and Scopus were used to identify interventions to promote work ability by increasing PA among workers in physically strenuous jobs. An iterative method was used to obtain an overview of the study elements and to extract details on the study design, sample, intervention, outcomes and effectiveness. Results: A total of 47 studies evaluating eight categories of interventions were found. Out of these, 18 reported significant effects on work ability. Positive results came from a range of different interventions, including aerobic exercise, strength training, combined aerobic exercise and strength training, stretching, yoga, consultation and tailored physical exercise programmes. Conclusions: Few interventions were effective in promoting work ability by increasing PA among workers in physically strenuous jobs. In particular, trials based on the demands of work, multimodal interventions and applying wearable technology are needed.
The effects of combined cyclic close die forging and aging process on microstructure and mechanical properties of AA7075
Authors: Moazam MA , Honarpisheh M
Published: June 2020

It is well known that applying severe plastic deformation methods on the precipitation hardenable aluminum alloys at room temperature is very difficult because of crack formation and segmentation of the specimen during the processes. In this study, several procedures were experimentally examined for performing the cyclic close die forging (CCDF) and improving the mechanical properties of AA7075. The experimental tests revealed that supersaturated solid solution of AA7075 after water quenching is formable for only about 5 min and performing the CCDF process in this limited time is possible. Optical and scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the microstructure of the processed samples. It was observed that by applying two passes of CCDF, the grain size of the material reduced from 30 µm to about 200–300 nm. In addition, the X-ray diffractometer results demonstrated that Guinier–Preston zone picks of the processed samples are very weak and the equilibrium η-phase does not exist in none of the suggested procedures. Furthermore, it was found that by combining CCDF and aging processes according to the proposed procedures, the mechanical properties of the processed AA7075 were improved when compared with the AA7075-T6. To put it more clearly, micro-hardness, yield strength and ultimate tensile stress of the processed sample were improved as much as 38.6%, 25% and 23%, respectively.
Why are journalists threatened and killed? A portrait of neo-paramilitary anti-press violence in Colombia’s Bajo Cauca
Authors: Charles Mathew
Published: June 2020

Anti-press violence in Colombia’s Bajo Cauca is an inherent part of the structures, which underpin the region’s alternative social ( dis)order. Through ethnographic interviews with four members of Colombia’s neo-paramilitary group, Los Urabeños, who have perpetrated attacks against journalists, this study argues that anti-press violence can co-exist alongside a sense of respect for journalism. It identifies a direct link between a journalist’s style of reporting and the level of risk to which they might be exposed, as well as between neo-paramilitary decisions to kill or intimidate and the level of law enforcement in operation. It is argued that anti-press violence is connected to the perpetrators’ democratic and economic survival. In these circumstances, anti-press violence is presented as a tool of criminal governance to maintain the alternative social ( dis)order and protect the neo-paramilitaries’ brutal act of ‘insurgent citizenship’. Such analysis moves beyond the consideration of the wider democratic implications of anti-press violence to provide a more nuanced understanding of the provocative, deliberative and structural determinants, which underpin it on the violent margins of Colombia.
Deciphering Food Hawkerpreneurship: Challenges and success factors in franchising street food businesses in Malaysia
Authors: Chong Ka Leong , Stephenson Marcus Lee
Published: June 2020

This study investigates the challenges and identifies the critical success factors in transforming traditional hawker food into a franchisable business, principally within the context of Malaysia. This study aims to provide guidelines that could support the process of enterprising traditional street food businesses, especially to assist the mobilization and promotion of hawkerpreneurship for existing traditional food hawkers and future adopters. A total of five hawkerpreneurs and four traditional hawkers were qualitatively assessed through semi-structured interviews. As a result, four critical challenges that both hawkerpreneurs and traditional hawkers encountered were identified, namely: (1) exploring the unknown (2) high capital investment for total ‘make-over’ (3) lack of knowledge in brand repositioning and (4) resistance to automation and standardization, particularly as a way to retain authenticity. By considering these concerns, young entrepreneurs and financial investors can assess the potentiality and feasibility of hawker food, and identify areas to focus on in running a successful traditional street food business. The results of this study could further assist in developing the support mechanisms and start-up strategies that encourage the adoption of hawker food entrepreneurship among Malaysians.
Transnational agency and domestic policies: The case of childcare deinstitutionalization in Georgia
Authors: Ulybina Olga
Published: June 2020

This article describes a policy adoption case study about deinstitutionalization of childcare in Georgia since independence. It highlights the evolving and non-homogeneous nature of transnational agency in the area of childcare deinstitutionalization, and offers insights into the complex relationship between transnational agency and national policymaking. The analysis draws on national policy documents, reports of United Nations agencies, the European Union, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and non-governmental organizations that contributed to the evolution of childcare deinstitutionalization in Georgia. We trace several developments: evolution of Georgian domestic policy versus the changing role of childcare deinstitutionalization in activities of various transnational actors. We find that Georgian childcare was shifting towards deinstitutionalization at the same time as global policy actors were developing their interventions in this policy area, showing how a lower middle-income country can develop its domestic social policies in conditions of an incoherent external environment.
Comparative study of robotic artificial actuators and biological muscle
Authors: Liang Wei , Liu Hao , Wang Kunyang , Qian Zhihui , Ren Luquan , Ren Lei
Published: June 2020

Biological muscles exhibit a high level of integration, in which actuators, sensors and transmission elements can be included in one component. Artificial muscles or actuators refer to intelligent stimuli-responsive materials that could reversibly deform with the trigger of various external stimuli. These materials, which have attracted tremendous attention, produce natural muscle-like actuation performance and show promising applications in robotics. After an introduction of various actuator technologies that contribute to robotic applications, a comparative analysis of the main actuation parameter is provided. The comprehensive comparisons of each kind of artificial muscle are summarised, and the promising properties that are required in robotics are presented, which highlight the development of their actuation performances and the challenges that limit their further employments. Future developmental prospects and perspectives of artificial actuators are discussed.
Singing as a health-promoting activity in elderly care: a qualitative, longitudinal study in Norway
Authors: Batt-Rawden Kari Bjerke , Stedje Kristi
Published: June 2020

Background

The current standards of care of the older person recommend employing non-pharmacological approaches to challenges, including safe approaches to managing pain and stress, enhancing symptom relief, and fostering independent lifestyles with the highest quality of life possible. More research is needed to enable nurses and other medical staff to use singing and music-based interventions, to access singing-based programmes, and promote a greater use of choirs in nursing homes. A solid basis of positive experiences and feedback through evidence in practice is required to help promote support for such activities.

Aims

To identify, explore and describe experiences, attitudes, beliefs, issues, processes and changes among nurses, carers and leaders in reference to implementation of the educational programme ‘Singing Nursing Homes’, Norway. To increase knowledge and understanding of how an educational song programme could become an integral part of nursing practice and quality of care in nursing and care homes, and identify why this would be constructive. Since its inception in 2015, ‘Singing Norway’ wanted to offer a professional, evidence-based programme for nursing homes throughout the country.

Methods

A longitudinal, qualitative and explorative approach. In-depth interviews and focus group interviews of female employees ( n = 19) from three nursing homes in Norway, 2018.

Results

Nursing home employees perceived singing to have potential benefits for their patients, such as reducing uneasiness, increased comfort, well-being and joy, improved sleep, and believed singing had the potential to reduce the need for medication and prevent accidents among their patients. By facilitating opportunities for learning and practice, staff in nursing homes were able to use singing as part of their ‘art of caring’, enhancing environmental care for the older person. Singing was found to have positive effects for the patients, their relatives and the staff, which improved the psychosocial working climate overall.

Conclusions

Singing interventions could be a vital component for the enhancement of health, well-being and quality of life for the patients and staff in nursing homes.
Eye movements reveal a similar positivity effect in Chinese and UK older adults
Authors: Wang Jingxin , Xie Fang , He Liyuan , Meadmore Katie L , Paterson Kevin B , Benson Valerie
Published: June 2020

The “positivity effect” (PE) reflects an age-related increase in the preference for positive over negative information in attention and memory. The present experiment investigated whether Chinese and UK participants produce a similar PE. In one experiment, we presented pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral pictures simultaneously and participants decided which picture they liked or disliked on a third of trials, respectively. We recorded participants’ eye movements during this task and compared time looking at, and memory for, pictures. The results suggest that older but not younger adults from both China and UK participant groups showed a preference to focus on and remember pleasant pictures, providing evidence of a PE in both cultures. Bayes Factor analysis supported these observations. These findings are consistent with the view that older people preferentially focus on positive emotional information, and that this effect is observed cross-culturally.
Discrepancy between post-treatment infarct volume and 90-day outcome in the ESCAPE randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ganesh Aravind , Menon Bijoy K , Assis Zarina A , Demchuk Andrew M , Al-Ajlan Fahad S , Al-Mekhlafi Mohammed A , Rempel Jeremy L , Shuaib Ashfaq , Baxter Blaise W , Devlin Thomas , Thornton John , Williams David , Poppe Alexandre Y , Roy Daniel , Krings Timo , Casaubon Leanne K , Kashani Nima , Hill Michael D , Goyal Mayank
Published: June 2020

Background

Some patients with ischemic stroke have poor outcomes despite small infarcts after endovascular thrombectomy, while others with large infarcts sometimes fare better.

Aims

We explored factors associated with such discrepancies between post-treatment infarct volume (PIV) and functional outcome.

Methods

We identified patients with small PIV (volume ≤ 25th percentile) and large PIV (volume ≥ 75th percentile) on 24–48-h CT/MRI in the ESCAPE randomized-controlled trial. Demographics, comorbidities, baseline, and 24–48-h stroke severity (NIHSS), stroke location, treatment type, post-stroke complications, and other outcome scales like Barthel Index, and EQ-5D were compared between “discrepant cases” – those with 90-day modified Rankin Scale(mRS) ≤ 2 despite large PIV or mRS ≥ 3 despite small PIV – and “non-discrepant cases”. Multi-variable logistic regression was used to identify pre-treatment and post-treatment factors associated with small-PIV/mRS ≥ 3 and large-PIV/mRS ≤ 2. Sensitivity analyses used different definitions of small/large PIV and good/poor outcome.

Results

Among 315 patients, median PIV was 21 mL; 27/79 (34.2%) patients with PIV ≤ 7 mL (25th percentile) had mRS ≥ 3; 12/80 (15.0%) with PIV ≥ 72 mL (75th percentile) had mRS ≤ 2. Discrepant cases did not differ by CT versus MRI-based PIV ascertainment, or right versus left-hemisphere involvement ( p = 0.39, p = 0.81, respectively, for PIV ≤ 7 mL/mRS ≥ 3). Pre-treatment factors independently associated with small-PIV/mRS ≥ 3 included older age ( p = 0.010), cancer, and vascular risk-factors; post-treatment factors included 48-h NIHSS ( p = 0.007) and post-stroke complications ( p = 0.026). Absence of vascular risk-factors ( p = 0.004), CT-based lentiform nucleus sparing ( p = 0.002), lower 24-hour NIHSS ( p = 0.001), and absence of complications ( p = 0.013) were associated with large-PIV/mRS ≤ 2. Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results.

Conclusions

Discrepancies between functional ability and PIV are likely explained by differences in age, comorbidities, and post-stroke complications, emphasizing the need for high-quality post-thrombectomy stroke care.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01778335 .
Mobile stroke unit versus standard medical care in the management of patients with acute stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fatima Nida , Saqqur Maher , Hussain M Shazam , Shuaib Ashfaq
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Mobile stroke units have recently been introduced in the care of patients suspected of having an acute stroke, leading to shortening in the time to thrombolytics. We aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness in terms of functional outcome and survival among patients treated in mobile stroke unit and/or conventional care.

Methods

A systematic search of electronic databases, comparing the clinical outcomes among patients with acute stroke in the same study was conducted from 1990 to 2019. Pooled and subgroup analysis were performed using the random- and fixed-effect model based upon the I2 heterogeneity.

Results

A total of 21,297 patients from 11 publications (seven randomized controlled trials and four non-randomized controlled trials including prospective cohort studies) were retrieved. This included 6065 ( n = 28.4%) of the patients treated in the mobile stroke unit and 71.6% ( n = 15,232) of the patients managed in the conventional care. The mean age at clinical presentation (70.1 ± 14.5 vs. 71.05 ± 15.8) and National Institute Health Stroke Scale (9.8 ± 1.7 vs. 8.4 ± 1.5) was comparable ( p > 0.05) in patients treated with mobile stroke unit and conventional care, respectively. The mean time-to-treatment window was significantly shorter among the patients treated in mobile stroke unit compared to conventional care (62.0 min vs. 75.0 min; p = 0.03, respectively). The pooled analysis of clinical outcome at day 7 indicated that patients treated in mobile stroke unit had 1.46-folds higher likelihood of better clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale 0–2) than those in the hospital (odds ratio: 1.46, 95% confidence interval: 1.306–2.03, p = 0.02). However, there was no significant difference in terms of mortality (odds ratio: 0.98, 95% confidence interval: 0.81–1.18, p = 0.80), stroke-related neurological deficits (odds ratio: 1.37, 95% confidence interval: 0.81–2.32, p = 0.24), and other serious adverse events (odds ratio: 0.69, 95% confidence interval: 0.39–1.20, p = 0.19) among patients treated in mobile stroke unit versus conventional care.

Conclusion

Our results corroborate that patients treated in mobile stroke unit lead to short-term recovery following acute stroke without influencing the mortality rate. Further prospective studies are needed to validate our results.
Selectfluor-triggered fluorination/cyclization of o-hydroxyarylenaminones: A facile access to 3-fluoro-chromones
Authors: Wang Yanqin , Hu Biao , Zhang Qiaohe , Zhao Siyun , Zhao Yuxuan , Zhang Biao , Yu Fuchao
Published: June 2020

A fast and efficient Selectfluor-triggered fluorination/cyclization reaction of o-hydroxyarylenaminones has been successfully developed. The reaction successfully provides an expedient method for the synthesis of 3-fluoro-chromones promoted by potassium carbonate, which shows readily available starting materials and is easy to operate. In addition, a plausible mechanism of this tandem cyclization reaction was proposed where 4 H-chromen-4-one, 2-(dimethylamino)-3,3-difluorochroman-4-one, and 3,3-difluoro-2-hydroxychroman-4-one were not found to be the reactive intermediates. Moreover, these novel compounds have been obtained in moderate to good yields, and their structures have been confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry.
On missions’ quality of performance for systems with partially or completely observable degradation
Authors: Finkelstein Maxim , Levitin Gregory
Published: June 2020

At some instances, it is better to terminate operation of a system than to wait for its failure or completion. However, in this article, we are mostly interested in missions that are cost-effective during the whole mission time and, therefore, do not require termination. Moreover, some requirements for parameters of the considered models that guarantee this cost-effectiveness are analyzed. We consider two failure models for systems executing missions of the fixed duration. In the first model, degradation is partially observed via the number of shocks experienced by a system. Shocks act directly on the failure rate forming the shot-noise process. In the second model, degradation is completely observed and is modeled by the Poisson process. Thus, the number of shocks or the number of failed components is the degradation parameters in our models, respectively. The detailed numerical examples illustrate our findings. Specifically, the bounds for the number of events (shocks or component’s failures) observed at each instant of time that guarantee cost-effectiveness of a mission are obtained.
Fighting antibiotic resistance: a narrative review of public knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of antibiotics use
Authors: Antwi AN , Stewart A , Crosbie Michelle
Published: June 2020

Aims:

The aims of this study were to ascertain the comprehensive knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of people from varying socioeconomic regions towards antibiotic use; identify the misperceptions and malpractices; and inform health policy and practice.

Method:

EBSCO host databases, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched to obtain relevant primary research papers within the years 2010–2018. Search phrases included the following: ‘antibiotics use’, ‘community perceptions’, ‘public opinion, knowledge, behaviour, practices, perceptions’. Initially, selected papers were screened using the Preview, Question, Read, Summarize (PQRS) model.

Results:

Review of the 20 articles selected was based on six identified themes. It was found that insufficient knowledge and awareness of antibiotics use; self-medication and the use of leftover antibiotics; treating viral diseases with antibiotics or used as painkillers; expecting antibiotic prescription as a culmination of consultation; and the credibility of information obtained are issues that cut across different countries.

Conclusion:

Evidence from this review suggests that misconceptions of antibiotic use are similar in different countries. Therefore, the need for the development and implementation of transferable policies as well as educating the public is necessary for the fight against ABR.
Association of Autonomic Storming with Urinary Catheter Removal in NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: A Case Report
Authors: Neale Natalie , Nathan Cody , Lee Sok , Kalanuria Atul
Published: June 2020

We present a case of a 47-year-old female who presented with altered mental status and was found to have severe anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Her intensive care unit course was complicated by paroxysmal sympathetic storming. She also had urinary retention for which a catheter was placed early in her admission, but attempts at removal were associated with worsening storming. Her average Clinical Features Scale score was 5.9 when the catheter was not in place compared to 3.6 with the catheter in place. This is the first case report to our knowledge demonstrating an association between urinary catheter removal and autonomic storming in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.
Perils of data-driven equity: Safety-net care and big data’s elusive grasp on health inequality
Authors: Cruz Taylor M
Published: June 2020

Large-scale data systems are increasingly envisioned as tools for justice, with big data analytics offering a key opportunity to advance health equity. Health systems face growing public pressure to collect data on patient “social factors,” and advocates and public officials seek to leverage such data sources as a means of system transformation. Despite the promise of this “data-driven” strategy, there is little empirical work that examines big data in action directly within the sites of care expected to transform. In this article, I present a case study on one such initiative, focusing on a large public safety-net health system’s initiation of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data collection within the clinical setting. Drawing from ethnographic fieldwork and in-depth interviews with providers, staff, and administrators, I highlight three main challenges that elude big data’s grasp on inequality: (1) provider and staff’s limited understanding of the social significance of data collection; (2) patient perception of the cultural insensitivity of data items; and (3) clinic need to balance data requests with competing priorities within a constrained time window. These issues reflect structural challenges within safety-net care that big data alone are unable to address in advancing social justice. I discuss these findings by considering the present data-driven strategy alongside two complementary courses of action: diversifying the health professions workforce and clinical education reform. To truly advance justice, we need more than “just data”: we need to confront the fundamental conditions of social inequality.
Vicarious trauma and emotional labour in researching child sexual abuse and child protection: A postdoctoral reflection
Authors: Guerzoni Michael A.
Published: June 2020

Criminology almost inevitably involves the study of sensitive and sorrowful research topics. Consequently, criminologists fall victim to the inherent risks of exposure to vicarious trauma, requiring many to practice emotional labour in the field, in the lecture hall, and perhaps, even along the corridors of the university campus itself. This article offers a reflective account of the experiences of vicarious trauma and the self-imposed, protective practice of emotional labour within doctoral research on child protection initiatives within a religious institution. It explores my experience of self-regulating my emotions in response to the reading of disturbing content, and of the active filtering of points of conversation when asked about my research within professional, familial and social settings, to prevent disturbing the emotions of others. The article encourages potential doctoral students to consider how they might prepare for themselves emotionally, socially and physically, for their inevitable encounter with difficult content, prior to the commencement of candidature, thereby increasing their resilience in facing the difficult components of a doctoral degree tasked with exploring content of a bleak and emotionally unnerving nature.
Radiographic Features Associated With Increased Surgical Invasiveness in Pyogenic Vertebral Column Osteomyelitis
Authors: Purea Tangi , Vettivel Jeevan , Hunt Lyn , Passias Peter G. , Baker Joseph F.
Published: June 2020

Study Design:

Single center retrospective cohort study.

Objectives:

Assess the association between well-known radiographic features for spinal instability from the Spinal Instability in Neoplasia Score (SINS) and surgical invasiveness in treating vertebral column osteomyelitis (VCO). This will potentially help surgeons in surgical planning and aid in developing a pathology specific score.

Methods:

Patients with VCO were identified from hospital coding. On preoperative computed tomography radiographic features, including spinal alignment, vertebral body collapse, location, type of bone lesion, and posterolateral involvement were assessed and scored 0 (stable) to 15 (highly unstable). Surgical invasiveness was graded as 0 = no surgery, 1 = decompression alone, 2 = shortening or posterior stabilization, or 3 = anterior column reconstruction.

Results:

A total of 41 patients were included. The mean age of the cohort was 63.3 years (SD 12.0) with male comprising 78%. The mean total radiographic score for the nonsurgical group was 6.39 (3.14) and for the surgical group 10.38 (3.06), P < .001. Spinal alignment, vertebral body collapse, type of bone lesion, and posterolateral involvement correlated with surgical invasiveness (all Ps < .05). Subgroup comparison following analysis of variance showed that only spinal alignment was significantly different between groups 2 and 3.

Conclusions:

Our findings show correlation of the radiographic components of the SINS with surgical invasiveness in management of pyogenic VCO—these findings should aid development of an “instability score” in pyogenic VCO. While most radiographic features assessed correlated with surgical invasiveness spinal alignment appears to be the key feature in determining the need for more invasive surgery.
Development of Interest and Role of Choice During Sequential Knowledge Acquisition
Authors: Fastrich Greta M. , Murayama Kou
Published: June 2020

Interest is an important motivational element for learning in the school environment. However, little research has directly addressed how interest changes over time as knowledge accumulates. To gain a better understanding of how knowledge acquisition influences intraindividual change of interest, we developed a novel paradigm in which participants gain step-by-step information about lesser known countries. After reading each piece of information, participants rated their interest in the country. Growth-curve modelling showed that interest grows during knowledge acquisition until it eventually stalls and starts to decline. We also found that the opportunity to choose information boosted the growth in interest and delayed its decline. Further analysis revealed that people disengaged from a topic (i.e., stopped accessing information about a particular country) when their interest started to decrease.
The Mental Health of Individuals With Post-Traumatic Lower Limb Amputation: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Şimsek Nuray , Öztürk Gülhan Küçük , Nahya Zeliha Nilüfer
Published: June 2020

Aim:

The study was performed in order to identify how the post-traumatic amputation of the lower extremity affects the mental health of the individuals.

Methods:

This study is a qualitative study. A total of 12 individuals with post-traumatic lower extremity amputation were interviewed. The data were collected using the personal information form and the interview form that includes the questions on the effect of amputation on mental health, which were designated by the researchers. Data obtained from the survey were evaluated to attain descriptive situation determination. Based on the analysis, the effects of post-traumatic lower extremity amputation on mental health were found 5 themes.

Results:

In the study, it was found that individuals with post-traumatic lower limb amputation changed their emotions and behaviors after amputation, their body image and self-esteem were negatively affected, their families and the society differentiated themselves, they had negative feelings about their future, and they needed mental support to develop coping skills.

Conclusion:

The study shows that after amputation, individuals have severe mental problems such as anger, introversion, helplessness, and decreased self-esteem. Negative attitude of their families, who are expected to be supportive during this period, negatively affect the adaptation process of the individuals. A notable point is that the individuals stated that they could talk and feel relieved and get supported if they had access to a mental health professional.
Pediatric Telehealth Experiences: Myths and Truths About Video Visits From a Parent
Authors: Rosler Greta
Published: June 2020

Coronavirus has shifted routine care to a telehealth, virtual experience in most cases. As a parent, an appointment conducted by video presents worries about connection and engagement with providers while advocating for a child. While uncertainty arises about provider connection and understanding via telehealth, dynamics of the experience in a pediatric visit prove reassuring. With intentional communication skills and tactics to overcome potential barriers in telehealth patient engagement, the virtual visit can heighten the patient’s experience of empathy, provider connection, and trust in the clinician or provider.
Soluble CD30 Levels in the Sera of Patients With Psoriasis in Myanmar
Authors: Kyaw Myat Sanda , Tsuchihashi Hitoshi , Ogawa Hideoki , Ikeda Shigaku
Published: June 2020

Background:

Although psoriasis is a Th1-dominant disease, certain investigations have also revealed the involvement of Th2 cells in the disease. Soluble CD30 (sCD30) is predominantly associated with various Th2 diseases. Therefore, the role of sCD30 in psoriasis requires further evaluation.

Objectives:

To evaluate the association between sCD30 and psoriasis.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional analytical study, the association between serum sCD30 levels and psoriasis was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in sera obtained from patients with psoriasis.

Results:

The results indicated elevated sCD30 levels in 79 patients with psoriasis, and the levels were significantly higher in those with a prolonged duration of disease (duration > 10 years). Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between the duration of disease (years) and sCD30 (pg/mL) levels. These findings suggest that sCD30 is a useful marker for chronicity of psoriasis.

Conclusion:

Elevated sCD30 levels in psoriasis are associated with disease duration, and they may reflect the chronicity of psoriasis. Further research is required to determine the role of sCD30 in psoriasis.
Intensity-based demand and capacity factor design: A visual format for safety checking
Authors: Jalayer Fatemeh , Ebrahimian Hossein , Miano Andrea
Published: June 2020

Quantitative safety checking is an essential part of performance-based design and retrofit of new and existing construction. The intensity-based demand and capacity factor design (DCFD) is a practical closed-form safety-checking format that lends itself quite well to visual interpretation. Adopting the critical demand to capacity ratio as a global damage measure directly, skipping the engineering demand parameter, helps in identifying the onset of the prescribed performance levels. For each intensity level, the contribution to the error in the DCFD format in logarithmic domain is visualized as the distance between the hazard curve and its tangent at median intensity at the onset of the performance level weighted by the probability density of the intensity-based capacity. The latter reaches its maximum value at the median intensity at the onset of the performance level, where the error in hazard is zero, and decays with a rate that depends on the logarithmic standard deviation of fragility. The proposed intensity-based DCFD provides accurate safety-checking estimates that are always on the safe side for concave mono-curvature hazard curves in the logarithmic scale.
Seismic design loads of cylindrical liquid tanks with insufficient freeboard
Authors: Goudarzi Mohammad Ali , Moosapoor Mojtaba , Nikoomanesh Mohammad Reza
Published: June 2020

Cylindrical liquid tanks are essential elements of lifelines that should maintain performance during and immediately after an earthquake. Sloshing of liquid in a tank without sufficient freeboard in response to an earthquake can redistribute the hydrodynamic pressure on the tank shell. This study aims to explore changes in the seismic design load caused by insufficient freeboard using experimental and numerical methods. A series of shaking table tests on a small-scale tank subjected to seismic excitation are performed and the effects of insufficient freeboard on the hydrodynamic base shear are investigated. By altering the liquid height-to-tank radius ratio and freeboard, 190 cases were considered. An equivalent simplified mass spring model of the corresponding regular tank for experimental cases is adjusted in the numerical study and a simple analytical solution to estimate the hydrodynamic force on a tank with insufficient freeboard is suggested and validated using the experimental results.
Exploring city propensity for the market success of micro-electric vehicles
Authors: Loustric Ilona , Matyas Melinda
Published: June 2020

As a subset of increasing EV growth and micro-mobility technology trends, micro-electric vehicles (micro-EVs) have the potential to address many transport system issues. Little research quantifies micro-EV potential, increasing investment risks. This paper builds an index to explore city propensity for micro-EV market success by incorporating differentiation, implementation, commercialisation, consumer and manufacturer requirements, and economic stability and viability aspects. The results highlight that micro-EV market success could most likely be influenced by the lock-in of the city’s transport system. Despite inherent difficulties due to lock-in, our index suggests that there could be windows of opportunity for micro-EVs to be successful. Although both cities show a propensity for market success, Shanghai scores higher than London, highlighting that these opportunities may exist particularly in developing countries as they experience less lock-in and have more consumer incentives. Implementing micro-EVs in cities with higher propensity could have the domino effect of motivating change in other locations.