bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of macular retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer thickness measurements in a healthy pediatric population
Authors: Jiménez Santos Maria , Acebal Montero Alejandra , Sáenz-Francés San Baldomero Federico , Valverde-Megias Alcia , Gómez de Liaño Rosario
Published: August 2020

Purpose:

To evaluate the reproducibility of Spectralis spectral domain-OCT segmented ganglion cell layer (GCL) and macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL) measurements in a healthy children population.

Methods:

An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out on 79 children to measure the intraobserver reproducibility and the repeatability between a novel and an experienced operator of the segmented macular GCL and mRNFL. Interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility were defined by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficients of variation (COV). Kruskal–Wallis test was used to determine statistical significance in the COV of three age groups children (younger than 6 years, between 6 and 12, and older than 12 years old).

Results:

The results from the intraoperator GCL thickness analysis were highly reproducible (COV < 6%) and reliable (ICCs > 0.81). When the measurements were compared between a novel and an experienced examiner lower ICCs and higher COV were found. COVs ranged from 1.85% (total volume area) to 5.57% at the central ETDRS subfield while the ICC vary from 0.632 (outer inferior) to 0.832 (inner inferior). The repeatability and reproducibility of the mRNFL thickness were lower, with ICCs ranging from 0.428 to 0.872 in the interobserver analysis and from 0.897 to 0.346 in the interobserver one.

Conclusion:

In the present study, we establish substantial reliability of the GCL thickness in children with Spectralis® SD-OCT in all the sectors, albeit lower than the reported in the literature with other SD-OCTs and in adults. The reproducibility and repeatability of the mRNFL were significantly lower. We were unable to find consistent statistical significant differences between the COV of the three age groups.
Understanding ‘risk’ in families living with mixed blood-borne viral infection status: The doing and undoing of ‘difference’
Authors: Persson Asha , Smith Anthony KJ , Wallace Jack , valentine kylie , Bryant Joanne , Hamilton Myra , Newman Christy E
Published: August 2020

‘Risk’ has long been at the centre of expert and popular perceptions of transmissible and stigmatised blood-borne viral infections, such as HIV and viral hepatitis. There is a substantial body of research on transmission risk among couples with mixed viral infection status (serodiscordance). But we know very little about how families affected by HIV and viral hepatitis engage with understandings of infectiousness and how these shape family relationships in different ways. Guided by cultural theories of risk that build on Mary Douglas’ work, we draw on qualitative interviews to explore the ‘performativity’ of risk in serodiscordant families in Australia. We show how the ‘doing’ of risk could be constitutive of difference, which unsettled the family connection or deepened existing fault lines. Conversely, the ‘undoing’ of risk enabled the preservation of the family bond by rejecting difference and reframing risk as an external threat to the family in the form of stigma. We conclude that risk in the context of serodiscordant families had relational implications far beyond viral transmission and consider what our findings might mean for service provision and health promotion campaigns related to blood-borne viruses.
‘If the rise of the TikTok dance and e-girl aesthetic has taught us anything, it’s that teenage girls rule the internet right now’: TikTok celebrity, girls and the Coronavirus crisis
Authors: Kennedy Melanie
Published: August 2020

During the global lockdowns brought about by the Coronavirus crisis, TikTok saw a phenomenal rise in users and cultural visibility. This short essay argues that the media attention paid to TikTok during this time can be read as a celebration of girlhood in the face of the pandemic, and can be seen to contribute to the transformation of girls’ ‘bedroom culture’ (McRobbie and Garber, 2006) from a space previously conceptualised as private and safe from judgement, to one of public visibility, surveillance and evaluation. Focusing on Charli D’Amelio, this essay argues that the increasing visibility of TikTok and rising celebrity of D’Amelio during the Coronavirus crisis continues and intensifies the longer history of young female celebrity culture, and obscures the dangers and impacts faced by girls around the world who are situated outside of the ideals embodied in TikTok stars like D’Amelio.
Survey on virtual coaching for older adults
Authors: Lete Nerea , Beristain Andoni , García-Alonso Alejandro
Published: August 2020

Virtual coaching has emerged as a promising solution to extend independent living for older adults. A virtual coach system is an always-attentive personalized system that continuously monitors user’s activity and surroundings and delivers interventions – that is, intentional messages – in the appropriate moment. This article presents a survey of different approaches in virtual coaching for older adults, from the less technically supported tools to the latest developments and future avenues for research. It focuses on the technical aspects, especially on software architectures, user interaction and coaching personalization. Nevertheless, some aspects from the fields of personality/social psychology are also presented in the context of coaching strategies. Coaching is considered holistically, including matters such as physical and cognitive training, nutrition, social interaction and mood.
Computerized provider order entry–related medication errors among hospitalized patients: An integrative review
Authors: Elshayib Manal , Pawola Lawrence
Published: August 2020

The Institute of Medicine estimates that 7,000 lives are lost yearly as a result of medication errors. Computerized physician and/or provider order entry was one of the proposed solutions to overcome this tragic issue. Despite some promising data about its effectiveness, it has been found that computerized provider order entry may facilitate medication errors.

The purpose of this review is to summarize current evidence of computerized provider order entry -related medication errors and address the sociotechnical factors impacting the safe use of computerized provider order entry. By using PubMed and Google Scholar databases, a systematic search was conducted for articles published in English between 2007 and 2019 regarding the unintended consequences of computerized provider order entry and its related medication errors. A total of 288 articles were screened and categorized based on their use within the review. One hundred six articles met our pre-defined inclusion criteria and were read in full, in addition to another 27 articles obtained from references. All included articles were classified into the following categories: rates and statistics on computerized provider order entry -related medication errors, types of computerized provider order entry -related unintended consequences, factors contributing to computerized provider order entry failure, and recommendations based on addressing sociotechnical factors. Identifying major types of computerized provider order entry -related unintended consequences and addressing their causes can help in developing appropriate strategies for safe and effective computerized provider order entry. The interplay between social and technical factors can largely affect its safe implementation and use. This review discusses several factors associated with the unintended consequences of this technology in healthcare settings and presents recommendations for enhancing its effectiveness and safety within the context of sociotechnical factors.
Liking as taste making: Social media practices as generators of aesthetic valuation and distinction
Authors: Paßmann Johannes , Schubert Cornelius
Published: August 2020

Much research has been conducted on how social media platforms are used as outlets of taste expression, displaying cultural preferences acquired outside the platforms. This research largely builds on the cultural sociology of Pierre Bourdieu and his analysis of taste as a medium of social distinction. We propose to shift the emphasis from the study of taste expression to an analysis of taste making on social media. This shift is occasioned by broader cultural transformations since the 1990s as well as developments on social media since the late 2000s. We see that rather than merely performing a taste learned elsewhere, users cooperatively develop sensitivities on social media platforms, constituting practices of joint observation, evaluation, and distinction. We call this the triangle of taste in which subjects, objects, and media mutually co-produce each other.
Boogaloo and Civil War 2: Memetic antagonism in expressions of covert activism
Authors: Wiggins Bradley E
Published: August 2020

Internet memes are remixed images, videos, GIFs, hashtags, and similar content that usually incorporates humor but also some form of political or cultural critique. Several studies have previously examined the ways in which minority groups curate Internet memes for the purpose of protest or other forms of activism. This article examines user-generated tweets including any of the following hashtags: boogaloo, boogaloo2020, and/or civilwar2. The time period of interest on Twitter concerns any and all images posted between 15 and 25 January 2020, exactly 5 days before and after a controversial gun rally held in Richmond, Virginia. Drawing on Eco’s theory of semiotics, the results from a critical discourse analysis reveal a tendency toward a preference for antagonism as a means to consolidate identity for individuals engaged in online discursive practice within hybrid structures. Findings include the presence of deeply contextualized and situated logics within an emergent boogaloo discourse. In addition, the study found that hypernarrative storytelling serves the movement in terms of identity negotiation and consolidation.
The value of a semi-formal peer mentorship program for first-year students’ studies, socialization and adaptation
Authors: Tsang Art
Published: August 2020

Mentoring is a widespread practice in different sectors in society. It is particularly prevalent in higher education. Many have acknowledged the various transitional challenges encountered by first-year tertiary-level students. Greater support is therefore needed for this particular student group. This mixed-methods year-long case study examined the value of a semi-formal peer mentorship program for 10 first-year students who were low-achievers. It focused on the assistance provided by peer mentors for their studies, socialization, and adaptation to college/university life. The three mentors’ views of the program were also explored. Data were collected via questionnaires administered three times to the mentees and end-of-program group interviews for both the mentees and mentors. The overall findings show that the students perceived the assistance from the mentors to be useful for academic studies, socialization, and adaptation to college/university life. However, their perceptions varied across the entire year. The metaphors used by the mentees to describe their mentors—shepherds, torches and candlewax—depicted different facets of the mentee-mentor relationships and the value of the program. The study highlights the value of such semi-formal peer mentoring for low-achieving first-year students especially for institutions which lack resources.
What counts and matters in early childhood: Narratives of interests and outcomes
Authors: Hedges Helen
Published: August 2020

Evidence of outcomes of the early years is highly dependent on what is considered as an outcome, the curriculum and relationships children experience, and the research designs and methods used to ascertain the value of early childhood education. This article reports from an original study in New Zealand that used narrative inquiry to interview young adults about their interests as children, ways these interests were stimulated and responded to, and the trajectory and outcomes of the interest in their lives-to-date. The findings suggest that interests provided sources of motivation, achievement, enjoyment and satisfaction in their lives, sustained the participants during difficult times, and led to a range of outcomes. This article argues that the evidence base for early childhood education needs to incorporate a broader view of what counts as outcomes and considers children’s interests thoughtfully as part of what matters. It also needs to include qualitative methodologies in studies seeking evidence of outcomes to enable the richness of human life experience and the social and cultural contexts of children’s upbringings to be captured.
Determinants of Time to Care for Children and Adolescents With Disabilities
Authors: Dutra Letícia Rocha , Coster Wendy J. , Neves Jorge A. B. , Brandão Marina de Brito , Sampaio Rosana Ferreira , Mancini Marisa Cotta
Published: August 2020

Time use studies uncover the organization of daily routine of families of children with disabilities. The objective of this study is to identify determinants of time spent caring for children/adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and typical development (TD). Participants were caregivers of children/adolescents with/without disability. Structural equation modeling tested a proposed model of time spent in child care. The variables in the model were as follows: questionnaire (families’ socioeconomic status [SES]), children’s functioning (The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory–Computer Adaptive Test [PEDI-CAT]); hours of care (daily diaries), number of adaptations used, and help with child care (parents’ report). Distinct variable combinations explained 78% of the variation in the time to care (TD model), followed by 42% (ASD) and 29% (CP). Adaptations indirectly affected time to care through its effect on functioning (CP); family’s SES affected functioning through its effect on adaptation use (ASD). In conclusion, knowledge of factors affecting caregivers’ time spent on children’s care help occupational therapists implement family-centered strategies.
Personalized Approach for the Management of Exercise-Related Glycemic Imbalances in Type 1 Diabetes: Comparison with Reference Method
Authors: Ajčević Miloš , Candido Riccardo , Assaloni Roberta , Accardo Agostino , Francescato Maria Pia
Published: August 2020

Background:

One of the most frequently adopted strategies to counterbalance the risk of exercise-induced hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes is carbohydrates supplement. Nevertheless, the estimation of its amount is still challenging. We investigated the efficacy of the personalized Exercise Carbohydrate Requirement Estimation System (ECRES) method compared to a tabular approach to estimate the glucose supplement needed for the prevention of exercise-related glycemic imbalances.

Method:

Twenty-six patients performed two one-hour constant intensity exercises one week apart; the amount of extra carbohydrates was estimated, in random order, by the personalized ECRES method or through the tabular approach; glycemia was determined every 30 minutes. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics were calculated over the 48 hours preceding, and the afternoon and night following the trials.

Results:

Applying the personalized ECRES method, a significantly lower amount of carbohydrates was administered to the active patients compared to the tabular approach, median (interquartile range): 9.0 (0.5-21.0) g vs 23.0 (21.0-25.0) g; P < .01; the two methods were similar for the sedentary patients, 18 (13.5-36.0) g vs 23.0 (21.0-27.0) g; P = NS. After overlapping CGM metrics before the exercises, both methods avoided hypoglycemia and resulted in similar glucose levels throughout them. The ECRES method led to CGM metrics within the guidelines for either the afternoon and the night just following the trials, whereas the tabular approach resulted in a significantly greater time below range in the afternoon (11.8% ± 18.2%; P < .05) and time above range during the night (39.3% ± 29.8%; P < .05).

Conclusions:

The results support the validity of the personalized ECRES method: although the estimated amounts of carbohydrates were lower, patients’ glycemia was maintained within safe clinical limits.
The Golden Ratio of Algorithms to Artists? Streaming Services and the Platformization of Creativity in American Television Production
Authors: Navar-Gill Annemarie
Published: August 2020

In this article, I examine how and why “platformization” was initially made sense of by writers in the American television industry. As streaming platforms entered the production space and became important homes for the commissioning of longform television content, they sought to build brand images as places that were both “data-driven” and characterized by work cultures of “creative freedom.” At least for a time in the mid-2010s, they succeeded in selling this conceptual link to the professional culture of Hollywood television screenwriters. Drawing on fieldwork and interviews from 2017 as well as a longer ranging analysis of trade press, I identify those features of the production culture established at major streaming platforms that forged the somewhat counterintuitive notion that “being data-driven” created an environment of greater “creative freedom” in the mid-2010s. However, these were the very early days of streaming platform production cultures, and norms began to crystallize, it was these very same features that began to undermine creative comfort with streaming platforms.
What You Can Scrape and What Is Right to Scrape: A Proposal for a Tool to Collect Public Facebook Data
Authors: Mancosu Moreno , Vegetti Federico
Published: August 2020

In reaction to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook has restricted the access to its Application Programming Interface (API). This new policy has damaged the possibility for independent researchers to study relevant topics in political and social behavior. Yet, much of the public information that the researchers may be interested in is still available on Facebook, and can be still systematically collected through web scraping techniques. The goal of this article is twofold. First, we discuss some ethical and legal issues that researchers should consider as they plan their collection and possible publication of Facebook data. In particular, we discuss what kind of information can be ethically gathered about the users (public information), how published data should look like to comply with privacy regulations (like the GDPR), and what consequences violating Facebook’s terms of service may entail for the researcher. Second, we present a scraping routine for public Facebook posts, and discuss some technical adjustments that can be performed for the data to be ethically and legally acceptable. The code employs screen scraping to collect the list of reactions to a Facebook public post, and performs a one-way cryptographic hash function on the users’ identifiers to pseudonymize their personal information, while still keeping them traceable within the data. This article contributes to the debate around freedom of internet research and the ethical concerns that might arise by scraping data from the social web.
Measuring the quality of the Working Alliance in Flemish community supervision practice: A validation study of the Working Alliance for Mandated Clients Inventory
Authors: Boxstaens Johan , Depauw Jan
Published: August 2020

This article describes the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Working Alliance for Mandated Clients Inventory (WAMC-I). First, we explain how, in contrast to other European jurisdictions such as England and Wales, community supervision in Belgium remains a specific form of social work practice, which is referred to as “social work under judicial mandate” (Devos, 2009: 18). Just as in general social work practice, the professional relationship between practitioners and clients1 is considered to be of paramount importance in community supervision practice. To capture the essence of this professional relationship, we draw on the pan-theoretical concept of the Working Alliance (WA) (Bordin, 1979) and a theoretical adaptation of this concept for the field of community supervision (Menger, 2018). Building on this theoretical adaptation, an instrument to measure the WA was developed for the Dutch context of community supervision: the WAMC-I. The objective of the present study is to assess the psychometric properties and factor structure of the WAMC-I with a sample of justice assistants2 and clients in the Flemish Houses of Justice. This study offers an elaborated conceptualization and operationalization of the concept of the WA. Preliminary tests on the psychometric properties and factor structure of the WAMC-I show that three factors on the WAMC-I for professionals proved valid and reliable: trust, clarity of rules and regulations and reactance. However, tests on the WAMC-I for clients showed no factor solution. Based on the theoretical framework of the WA and scientific-methodological arguments we express our reservations about the use of the WAMC-I and offer suggestions for improvement.
Modeling Blog Usage From a Developing Country Perspective Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)
Authors: Alzahrani Ahmed Ibrahim , Ramayah T. , Suppiah Nalini , Alfarraj Osama , Alalwan Nasser
Published: August 2020

The manner in which activities are now conducted online has largely transformed as a result of the prevalent digitally rich environment. With the evolution of the Internet, channels utilized for knowledge and information sharing have also changed. Both organizations and individuals have largely benefited from the use of various Web 2.0 features. Innovative interaction channels are now available, and the concept is increasingly being applied to other areas. Social networking opportunities have increased manifold, and different kinds of web technologies are being utilized for communication. The online community has also embraced the multi-interactive dimension of Web 2.0, as inherent in various blogging activities. This study analyzed why people choose to engage in web technologies such as blogging. As the growth of web technology is rather parallel with that of digital marketing, the research also focused on how these aspects can enhance marketing strategies in the future. The results of the study have various implications, as marketing is significantly influenced by blog readers’ level of engagement, including word-of-mouth marketing, purchasing decisions, and even brand building. Both awareness and trust play significant roles in the process, and they are often utilized to justify the risk inherent in the online environment.
Workflow for Intensive Care Unit Nurses: A Time and Motion Study
Authors: Han Binru , Li Qiuping , Chen Xi , Zhao Guoguang
Published: August 2020

This time and motion study aimed to explore the nursing workflow of intensive care unit (ICU) registered nurses in mainland China. We identified 107 kinds of nursing activity (six categories and 20 subcategories), observed 30 nurses for a total period of 580.8 hr, and analyzed 5,588 nursing activities. The nurses spent most of their time in direct nursing care (51.27% of the total working time), nursing documentation (17.91%), and communication (17.61%). Direct nursing care was the most time-consuming activity between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m. and the least time-consuming between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 and 2:00 a.m. Although nursing records were kept by an information system, documentation still required a large percentage of the nurses’ working time. It was found that the time-consumption for each nursing activity varied during the day among the studied Chinese ICUs. Hence, nursing managers should arrange shift dynamics based on nurses’ actual workflow and load.
Using the Job Demands–Resources Model to Evaluate Work-Related Outcomes Among Norwegian Health Care Workers
Authors: Kaiser Sabine , Patras Joshua , Adolfsen Frode , Richardsen Astrid M. , Martinussen Monica
Published: August 2020

The job demands-resources (JD-R) model was used to evaluate work-related outcomes among 489 health care professionals working in public health services for children and their families in Norway. In accordance with the JD-R model, the relationship of job demands and job resources with different outcomes (turnover intention, job satisfaction, and service quality) should be mediated through burnout and engagement. The results of the multilevel structural equation model analysis indicated good model fit: The χ2/degrees of freedom ratio was 1.54, the root mean square error of approximation was .033, and the Tucker Lewis index and comparative fit index were both .92. Job demands were positively associated with burnout; job resources were positively related to engagement and negatively related to burnout. Burnout was positively related to turnover intention and negatively related to job satisfaction and service quality. Engagement was inversely related to the outcome variables. Both job demands and job resources are important predictors of employee well-being and organizational outcomes.
Optimal Standards to Measure the Quality of Higher Education Institutions in Oman: Stakeholders’ Perception
Authors: Al-Amri Amal Said , Mathew Priya , Zubairi Yong Zulina , Jani Rohana
Published: August 2020

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly being held accountable for maintaining quality in their activities by governments, industry, students, and the community as a whole. Accreditation agencies formulate assessment criteria covering the entire range of HEI activities so that the quality of HEI activities can be measured. However, as the perceptions of stakeholders varies of what makes a good HEI, it is crucial to investigate their opinions about the standards set by these agencies. This study uses focus group discussions involving Omani HEI stakeholders, including students, HEI staff, and employers, to gain insights into their perceptions on the most significant standards set by Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA) in measuring the quality of HEIs. It was found that stakeholders’ views of the key standards that measure HEI quality varies. Students were in favor of the standards related to the quality of teaching and learning. Students also show a good level of awareness about employers’ priorities. Employers were more concerned about the research skills of graduates and their industry and community involvement. There was also some agreement between staff and employers on the importance of governance and management. This study provides HEIs, OAAA, and partner universities insights into stakeholder priorities and concerns.
Acute Interstitial Nephritis: A Rare and Unusual Side Effect of Omalizumab
Authors: Yang Rocky , Moosavi Leila , Eppanapally Sabitha , Aboeed Ayham , Munoz Augustine
Published: August 2020

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a relatively common cause of acute kidney injury with etiologies that include drug therapy, infections, and systemic diseases. Of these etiologies, drug therapy accounts for ~70% of AIN cases. Although any drug can cause AIN, there are no reported cases of AIN caused by omalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits circulating immunoglobulin E. In this article, we share the first reported case of AIN following administration of omalizumab for the treatment of moderate to severe persistent asthma.
Idiopathic Left Ovarian Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Trang Ngon , Kalluri Manasa , Bajaj Tushar , Petersen Greti
Published: August 2020

Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) was first described in 1956 and is well known for its association with gynecological malignancy, pregnancy, postpartum, pelvic diseases, surgeries, and other thrombophilic etiologies. Most commonly OVT presents on the right ovarian vein. We report a rare case of a 47-year-old Caucasian female G7P7 with no significant past medical history who presented to the emergency room for acute nonspecific back pain and left lower quadrant pain of 1 day. Imaging with a computed tomography with contrast demonstrated a new left OVT. After a thorough literature review, this is presumed to be the third reported case of idiopathic left OVT.
Low Income and Nonadherence to Health Supervision Visits Predispose Children to More Emergency Room Utilization
Authors: Shi Qiyun , Castillo Fiorella , Viswanathan Kusum , Kupferman Fernanda , MacDermid Joy C.
Published: August 2020

Social inequity can have broad health impacts. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of low income and nonadherence to health supervision visits on emergency room (ER) utilization in Eastern Brooklyn, New York. This study surveyed parents/guardians of children who received routine medical care at Brookdale ambulatory clinics from June 2017 to February 2018. Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire on social demographics, food insecurity, and relocation. Electronic medical records (EMRs) were reviewed to retrieve numbers of missing health supervision and ER visit in past 12 months. Comorbidity was identified through EMR by International Classification of Diseases. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the effects of nonadherence to health supervision visits on ER utilization when controlling for demographics, food insecurity, recent moving, and comorbidity. Among 268 participants, 56.0% reported their household income was less than $20,000 annually, 39.6% missed at least 1 health supervision visit, and 31.7% had at least 1 ER visit within the past 12 months. Younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.86-0.97, P < .01), household income less than $20,000 (aOR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.02-3.39), preexisting comorbidity (aOR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.26-4.42), and nonadherence to health supervision visits (aOR = 5.83, 95% CI = 3.21-10.56) were associated with increased ER utilization. Nonadherence to health supervision visits is an independent risk factor and potentially modifiable. Evaluation and remediation should be pursued as a means of improving health outcomes of children in vulnerable circumstances.
Comparative Studies on Two-Dimensional (2D) Rectangular and Hexagonal Molybdenum Dioxide Nanosheets with Different Thickness
Authors: Wazir Nasrullah , Ding Chunjie , Wang Xianshuang , Ye Xin , Lingling Xie , Lu Tianqi , Wei Li , Zou Bingsuo , Liu Ruibin
Published: August 2020

Molybdenum dioxide (MoO2) a kind of semi-metal material shows many unique properties, such as high melting point, good thermal stability, large surface area-to-volume ratio, high-density surface unsaturated atoms, and excellent conductivity. There is a strong connection between structural type and optoelectronic properties of 2D nanosheet. Herein, the rectangular and hexagonal types of thin and thick MoO2 2D nanosheets were successfully prepared from MoO3 powder using two-zone chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with changing the experimental parameters, and these fabricated nanosheets displayed different colors under bright-field microscope, possess margins and smooth surface. The thickness of the blue hexagonal and rectangular MoO2 nanosheets are ~ 25 nm and ~ 30 nm, respectively, while typical thickness of orange-colored nanosheet is around ~ 100 nm. Comparative analysis and investigations were carried out, and mix-crystal phases were indentified in thick MoO2 as main matrix through Raman spectroscopy. For the first time, the emission bands obtained in thick MoO2 nanosheets via a Cathodoluminescence (CL) system exhibiting special properties of semi-metallic and semi-conductors; however, no CL emission detected in case of thin nanosheets. The electrical properties of thin MoO2 nanosheets with different morphologies were compared, and both of them demonstrated varying metallic properties. The resistance of thin rectangular nanosheet was ~ 25 Ω at ± 0.05 V while 64 Ω at ± 0.05 V was reported for hexagonal nanosheet, and observed lesser resistance by rectangular nanosheet than hexagonal nanosheet.
Attitudes about and practices for skin cancer prevention among patients with dermatological issues in Hanoi, Vietnam: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Nguyen Trang H. T. , Tran Bach X. , Nguyen Sau H. , Latkin Carl A. , Nguyen Cuong T. , Nguyen Son H. , Pham Hai Q. , Ho Cyrus S. H. , Ho Roger C. M. , Oh Jin-Kyoung
Published: August 2020

Background

Raising awareness and educating people regarding practices for skin cancer or melanoma prevention are critical in the context of the adversely increasing effects of global climate change. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding skin cancer prevention and to determine the associated factors to knowledge, attitudes, and practices among dermatological patients in Vietnam.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 590 dermatological patients between 18 and 82 years of age, who received an examination or treatment from the National Hospital of Dermatology in Hanoi, Vietnam, from September to December 2018. The respondents’ attitudes on skin cancer and cancer prevention were assessed via face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire conducted by trained interviewers.

Results

Of the 590 respondents, the majority of people had correct responses to the question regarding skin cancer knowledge. Among the total participants, 39.8% thought that they were at risk of skin cancer, and 13.8% believed their occupation increased their skin cancer risk. The majority of respondents used hats (94.9%) and sunscreen skin coats (89.5%) and went into the shade (86.3%) when exposed to the sun. Women were less likely to be aware of their skin cancer risk but were more likely to practice prevention behaviors.

Conclusion

Our results show that dermatological patients have acceptable knowledge towards skin cancer prevention, but still need to change their behavior to prevent the risk of skin cancer. This study highlights the importance of education to raise awareness regarding skin cancer in order to promote practice prevention strategies for skin cancer in Vietnam.
Exonuclease resistant 18S and 25S ribosomal RNA components in yeast are possibly newly transcribed by RNA polymerase II
Authors: Fleischmann Jacob , Rocha Miguel A. , Hauser Peter V. , Gowda Bhavani S. , Pilapil Mary Grace D.
Published: August 2020

Background

We have previously reported 18S and 25S ribosomal RNA molecules in Candida albicans resistant to processive 5′ → 3′ exonuclease, appearing as cells approached stationary growth phase. Initial analysis pointed to extra phosphate(s) at their 5′- end raising the possibility that they were newly transcribed. Here we report on additional experiments exploring this possibility and try to establish which of the RNA polymerases may be transcribing them.

Results

Oligo-ligation and primer extension again showed the presence of extra phosphate at the 5′-end of the reported processing sites for both 18S and 25S ribosomal RNA components. Inhibition of Pol I with BMH-21 increased the presence of the molecules. Quantitation with an Agilent Bioanalyzer showed that resistant 18S and 25S molecules are primarily produced in the nucleus. Utilizing an RNA cap specific antibody, a signal could be detected on these molecules via immunoblotting; such signal could be eliminated by decapping reaction. Both the cap specific antibody and eIF4E cap-binding protein, increased fold enrichment upon quantitative amplification. Antibodies specific for the RNA Polymerase II c-terminal domain and TFIIB initiator factor showed the presence of Pol II on DNA sequences for both 18S and 25S molecules in chromatin precipitation and qPCR assays. Rapamycin inhibition of TOR complex also resulted in an increase of resistant 18S and 25S molecules.

Conclusions

These data raise the possibility of a role for RNA Polymerase II in the production of 18S and 25S molecules and indicate that efforts for more direct proof may be worthwhile. If definitively proven it will establish an additional role for RNA Polymerase II in ribosomal production.
Molecular epidemiology of Aleutian mink disease virus from fecal swab of mink in northeast China
Authors: Tong Mingwei , Sun Na , Cao Zhigang , Cheng Yuening , Zhang Miao , Cheng Shipeng , Yi Li
Published: August 2020

Background

Aleutian mink disease parvovirus (AMDV) causes Aleutian mink disease (AMD), which is a serious infectious disease of mink. The aim of this study was to get a better understanding of the molecular epidemiology of AMDV in northeast China to control and prevent AMD from further spreading. This study for the first time isolated AMDV from fecal swab samples of mink in China.

Results

A total of 157/291 (54.0%) of the fecal swab samples were positive for AMDV. Of these, 23 AMDV positive samples were randomly selected for sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis based on the acquired partial fragments of VP2 gene with the hypervariable region. Comparative DNA sequence analysis of 23 AMDV isolates with a reference nonpathogenic (AMDV-G) strain revealed 8.3% difference in partial VP2 nucleotide sequences. Amino acid alignment indicated the presence of several genetic variants, as well as one single amino acid residue deletion. The most concentrated area of variation was located in the hypervariable region of VP2 protein. According to phylogenetic analysis, the Chinese AMDV strains and the other reference AMDV strains from different countries clustered into three groups (clades A, B and C). Most of the newly sequenced strains were found to form a Chinese-specific group, which solely consisted of Chinese AMDV strains.

Conclusion

These findings indicated that a high genetic diversity was found in Chinese AMDV strains and the virus distribution were not dependent on geographical origin. Both local and imported AMDV positive species were prevalent in the Chinese mink farming population. The genetic evidence of AMDV variety and epidemic isolates have importance in mink farming practice.
Deciphering the archaeal communities in tree rhizosphere of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau
Authors: Zhang Mengjun , Chai Liwei , Huang Muke , Jia Weiqian , Guo Jiabao , Huang Yi
Published: August 2020

Background

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau represents one of the most important component of the terrestrial ecosystem and a particularly vulnerable region, which harbouring complex and diverse microbiota. The knowledge about their underground microorganisms have largely been studied, but the characteristics of rhizosphere microbiota, particularly archaeal communities remains unclear.

Results

High-throughput Illumina sequencing was used to investigate the rhizosphere archaeal communities of two native alpine trees (Picea crassifoliaandPopulus szechuanica) living on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The archaeal community structure in rhizospheres significantly differed from that in bulk soil. Thaumarchaeota was the dominant archaeal phylum in all soils tested (92.46–98.01%), while its relative abundance in rhizospheres were significantly higher than that in bulk soil. Ammonium nitrogen, soil organic matter, available phosphorus and pH were significantly correlated with the archaeal community structure, and the deterministic processes dominated the assembly of archaeal communities across all soils. In addition, the network structures of the archaeal community in the rhizosphere were less complex than they were in the bulk soil, and an unclassified archaeal group (Unclassified_k_norank) was identified as the keystone species in all archaeal networks.

Conclusions

Overall, the structure, assembly and co-occurrence patterns of archaeal communities are significantly affected by the presence of roots of alpine trees living on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. This study provides new insights into our understanding of archaeal communities in vulnerable ecosystems.
Identification and characteristics of a novel cecropin from the armyworm, Mythimna separata
Authors: Lian Kaiqi , Zhang Mingliang , Liang Xiuli , Zhou Lingling , Shi Zhiqi , Tang Yajie , Wang Xueping , Song Yuwei , Zhang Yuanchen
Published: August 2020

Background

The recent emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria has increased the need to develop effective alternatives to antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides have been considered as a promising product with several advantages.

Results

In this present study, we identified a novel cecropin from the armyworm, Mythimna separata (armyworm cecropin 1, AC-1) by transcriptome sequencing and multi-sequence alignment analysis. The AC-1 precursor comprised 63 amino acid residues, containing a conserved cleavage site of the signal peptide, Ala23-Pro24, while the mature AC-1 included 39 amino acid residues. Chemically synthesized AC-1 exhibited low hemolytic activity against chicken red blood cells, low cytotoxicity against swine testis cells, and effective antimicrobial activity against Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Its antimicrobial activity against Salmonella remained after incubation for 1 h at 100 °C or in 250 mM NaCl, KCl, or MgCl2 solution, implying good thermal- and salt-resistant stabilities. The bactericidal effect of AC-1 on E. coli gradually increased with increasing AC-1 concentration, resulting in deformation, severe edema, cytolysis, cell membrane damage, and reducing intracellular electron density. Additionally, recombinant AC-1 protein expressed in E. coli was digested by enterokinase protease to obtain AC-1, which showed similar antimicrobial activity against E. coli to chemically synthesized AC-1.

Conclusions

This study identified a novel antimicrobial peptide that may represent a potential alternative to antibiotics.
Problems of subgroup analysis in randomized controlled trial
Authors: Priebe Hans-Joachim
Published: August 2020

Multiple subgroup analyses of the same data increase the risk of generating false positive findings. All outcomes and planned subgroup analyses should thus be prespecified and described in the original trial registry. When outcome changes during an ongoing trial seem justifiable, publications must disclose and explain such changes.
Effects of anesthetic method on inflammatory response in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Hwang Won Jung , Joo Min A. , Joo Jin
Published: August 2020

Background

The pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) involves degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, which is influenced by innate and adaptive immunity. IL-17 is a characteristic cytokine secreted by Th17 cells, which acts as a powerful stimulator of neutrophil migration and infiltration and promotes the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. General anesthesia and surgical stress induce immune and inflammatory responses that activate the immunosuppressive mechanism in the perioperative period. The present study investigated changes in levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-17, IL-1β, and TNF-α, in patients with PD undergoing general anesthesia with inhalational anesthetics or TIVA.

Methods

Adult patients, aged 40–75 years, scheduled for cerebral stimulator implantation were enrolled. Upon arrival at the operating theater, patients were allocated to the inhalational (I) or TIVA (T) group using block randomization. In group I, anesthesia was induced by tracheal intubation 1–2 min after intravenous administration of propofol (1–2 mg/kg) and rocuronium (0.6–1 mg/kg). Thereafter, anesthesia was maintained with 1–2 vol% sevoflurane, 0.01–0.2 μg/kg/min remifentanil, and O2/air (FiO2 0.4). In group T, propofol (3–6 μg/mL), remifentanil (2–6 ng/mL), and rocuronium (0.6–1 mg/kg) were administered using target controlled infusion (TCI) for induction of anesthesia. Blood samples were obtained preoperatively (T0), 2 h after induction of anesthesia (T1), and 24 h after surgery (T2). IL-17, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels were evaluated by ELISA.

Results

Serum levels of IL-17 were elevated at T2 in group I compared to group T but the difference was not statistically significant. IL-1β tended to be greater in group I compared to group T, but the differences were not significant. TNF-α was slightly higher at all time points in group T and showed a tendency to increase at T2 in both groups, but this was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

TIVA may be useful for inhibiting neuroinflammation by inhibiting the increase in serum levels of IL-17 24 h after implantation surgery. Serum IL-17 level may be used as a biomarker for PD progression.

Trial registration

Clinical Research Information Service of Korea National Institute of Health (CRIS) Identification number: KCT0002061. Registered 25 October 2019 - Retrospectively registered, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01.jsp?seq=15125
Navigating complexity of child abuse through intuition and evidence-based guidelines: a mix-methods study among child and youth healthcare practitioners
Authors: Erisman Jetske C. , de Sabbata Kevin , Zuiderent-Jerak Teun , Syurina Elena V.
Published: August 2020

Background

Dutch child and youth health care (CYHC) practitioners monitor and assess the well-being of children. One of their main concerns is identifying cases of child abuse, which is an arduous and sensitive task. In these contexts, CYHC-practitioners use both evidence-based guidelines aimed at increasing the quality of care through rationalised decision-making, and intuition. These two practices are seen as being at odds with each other, yet empirical research has shown that both are necessary in healthcare. This study aims to unravel how intuition is perceived and used by Dutch CYHC-practitioners when identifying and working with cases of child abuse, and how this relates to their evidence-based guidelines.

Methods

A sequential exploratory mixed-methods design: in-depth semi-structured interviews with CYHC-physicians focused on perceptions on intuition, which were followed by a survey amongst CYHC-practitioners on the recognition and use of the concept.

Results

The majority of CYHC-practitioners recognise and use intuition in their daily work, stating that it is necessary in their profession. CYHC-practitioners use intuition to 1) sense that something is ‘off’, 2) differentiate between ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’, 3) assess risks, 4) weigh secondary information and 5) communicate with parents. At the same time, they warn of its dangers, as it may lead to ‘tunnel vision’ and false accusations.

Conclusion

Intuition is experienced as an integral part of the work of CYHC-practitioners. It is understood as particularly useful in cases of child abuse, which are inherently complex, as signs and evidence of abuse are often hidden, subtle and unique in each case. CYHC-practitioners use intuition to manage and navigate this complexity. There is an opportunity for guidelines to support reflection and intuition as a ‘good care’ practice.