bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphology of ctenostome bryozoans: 3.Elzerina,Flustrellidra,Bockiella
Authors: Schwaha Thomas
Published: February 2021

Ctenostome bryozoans are a small group of bryozoans whose soft‐tissue morphology has received only little attention. The present study represents the third in a series of articles dealing with the morphology of this clade of bryozoans. The morphology of three genera of Alcyonidioidea, that is,Bockiella(Alcyonidiidae),ElzerinaandFlustrellidra(both Flustrellidridae), are analyzed using histology and 3D‐reconstruction techniques. The general zooidal morphology is similar and externally differs by the shape of the aperture. Zooids ofElzerina binderiare elongated in the fronto‐basal axis, whereas the other two are more flattened in this axis. All species show multiple pore‐complexes in their zooidal walls ranging from ~66 inE. binderi, to ~30 inF. hispidaand to less than 10 inBockiella. The aperture is bilabiate in flustrellidrids and roundish inBockiella. Apertural muscles are present as parieto‐diaphragmatic muscles. The flustrellidrids have a large frontal duplicature band that further splits into four separate bands. The collar is diaphragmatic inBockiella, but vestibular in the flustrellidrids. Lophophores are similar among the investigated species with a rejection tract in the flustrellidrids. The digestive tract shows differences in the extent and proportions of the caecum, which is large in the flustrellidrids and small inBockiella; the anus is vestibular in all species. A funicular muscle of variable location is present in each species.Elzerina binderihas additional thin strands emanating from the digestive tract to the body wall. The parietal muscles show a unique situation inE. binderiwith five bundles being present, two laterals and one distal. Several features aid in defining characters for the entire superfamily and the families Flustrellidridae and Alcyonidiidae. Besides the shape of the aperture, the frontal duplicature band, the vestibular collar and the large caecum are important. The set of characters also confirms recent notions thatBockiellabelongs to the Alcyonidiidae.
The rapid identification of chemical constituents in Fufang Xiling Jiedu capsule, a modern Chinese medicine, by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry and data mining strategy
Authors: Cao Gui‐yun , Geng Shao‐xuan , Luo Yi , Tian Shuo , Ning Bo , Zhuang Xue‐song , Meng Zhao‐qing
Published: February 2021

Fufang Xiling Jiedu capsule is an effective Chinese medicine widely used for the treatment of cold and influenza. However, its chemical constituents had not been determined, which entailed a huge obstacle to further pharmacological studies, clinical‐safe medication administration, and quality evaluation. To identify the chemical constituents in Fufang Xiling Jiedu capsule, an efficient and systematic approach using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with a quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry in conjunction with a data mining strategy was adopted in this study. As a result, 145 compounds were qualitatively identified, including 26 phenolic acids, 46 flavonoids, 39 triterpenes, and 34 other compounds, among which 6 were potentially new and 144 were being reported from Fufang Xiling Jiedu capsule for the first time. This research not only provides useful information for quality control of Fufang Xiling Jiedu capsule and its involved single herbs but also serve as basis data for further study of Fufang Xiling Jiedu capsule in vivo. Moreover, it provides a reference for the characterization of the chemical constituents of other Chinese medicine preparations.
What Is It to Implement a Human-Robot Joint Action?
Authors: Clodic Aurelie , Alami Rachid
Published: February 2021

Joint action in the sphere of human–human interrelations may be a model for human–robot interactions. Human–human interrelations are only possible when several prerequisites are met, inter alia: (1) that each agent has a representation within itself of its distinction from the other so that their respective tasks can be coordinated; (2) each agent attends to the same object, is aware of that fact, and the two sets of “attentions” are causally connected; and (3) each agent understands the other’s action as intentional. The authors explain how human–robot interaction can benefit from the same threefold pattern. In this context, two key problems emerge. First, how can a robot be programed to recognize its distinction from a human subject in the same space, to detect when a human agent is attending to something, to produce signals which exhibit their internal state and make decisions about the goal-directedness of the other’s actions such that the appropriate predictions can be made? Second, what must humans learn about robots so they are able to interact reliably with them in view of a shared goal? This dual process is here examined by reference to the laboratory case of a human and a robot who team up in building a stack with four blocks.
Renewable Energy Deployment to Stimulate Energy Transition in the Gulf Cooperation Council
Authors: Bhatt Yagyavalk
Published: February 2021

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region plays a vital role in shaping the global energy markets because of its substantial amount of hydrocarbons resources. Although the GCC has abundant hydrocarbon resources, countries in the region have also shown their commitment and intent to become the global leaders in alternate energy, especially, renewable energy through their “Visions and Laws”. Further, All the countries in the Middle East have also set targets for the deployment of renewable energy at the federal or local level.

For several decades, there has been steady economic and population growth of the Middle East countries, with most of the region’s wealth and socio-economic development, tied to its substantial oil and gas resources. Renewable energy can provide an alternative to their energy landscape, which holds a vast potential to cut fuel costs, reduce GHG emissions.

To promote renewable energy, in the last five years, renewable energy has gained a lot of interest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Low tariffs bids for renewable energy generation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia since 2016 have made renewable energy, especially solar power competitive with conventional energy (International Renewable Energy Agency. Renewable Energy Market Analysis-GCC 2019. s.l.: International Renewable Energy Agency, 2019).

With the push from the decision-makers to reduce the risk of dependence fossil fuels, the renewable energy plans can be implemented in the GCC. Decision-makers in the GCC have recognized the need for a plan for the post-oil era. This chapter will explore the GCC long term policies and government’s role in shaping the renewable energy market. Further, the chapter will also explore the challenges & opportunities related to the renewable energy sector in GCC (International Renewable Energy Agency. Renewable Energy Market Analysis-GCC 2019. s.l.: International Renewable Energy Agency, 2019).
Messung von schmerzbezogener Erlebensvermeidung: Analyse des Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II-Pain bei Patienten mit chronischem Schmerz
Authors: Majeed Ronja , Faust Ira , Hüppe Michael , Hermann Christiane
Published: February 2021

Einleitung und Fragestellung

Erlebensvermeidung („experiential avoidance“) stellt einen zentralen störungsrelevanten Prozess im Rahmen der Akzeptanz- und Commitment-Therapie (ACT) dar. Zur Erfassung wurde der Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQ-II) entwickelt und in den Niederlanden für eine Patientengruppe mit chronischem Schmerz adaptiert und validiert (AAQ-II‑P). Hohe Werte im AAQ-II‑P bedeuten hohe schmerzbezogene Erlebensvermeidung. Ziel unserer Untersuchung ist die Erfassung von schmerzbezogener Erlebensvermeidung mit einer deutschen Version des AAQ-II‑P bei chronischen Schmerzpatienten und die Prüfung psychometrischer Merkmale des Messverfahrens.

Methodik

Der AAQ-II wurde mittels eines Vorwärts-Rückwärts-Verfahrens ins Deutsche übersetzt, für chronischen Schmerz adaptiert (AAQ-II‑P) und von 168 Patienten einer universitären Schmerzambulanz beantwortet. Zusätzlich wurden Daten zu schmerzbedingter Beeinträchtigung (CPG: Schweregrad nach von Korff) und Schmerzkatastrophisieren (PCS) erhoben sowie zu gesundheitsbezogener Lebensqualität (SF-12), Angst und Depressivität (HADS-D). Ebenfalls erfasst wurden allgemeine Persönlichkeitsmerkmale (BFI‑K) und habituelle Achtsamkeit (KIMS-S). Ausgewertet wurden Reliabilität und faktorielle Validität des AAQ-II‑P sowie seine Beziehung zu den anderen psychometrischen Verfahren.

Ergebnisse

Der AAQ-II‑P erzielte eine hohe interne Konsistenz mit α = 0,89 sowie eine eindimensionale Faktorenstruktur mit 61 % aufgeklärter Varianz. Geringe Korrelationen ergaben sich zu Persönlichkeitsdimensionen (maximal r = 0,44 zu Neurotizismus) und Achtsamkeit (maximal r = −0,43 zu Akzeptanz). Ein hoher Zusammenhang fand sich zu Schmerzkatastrophisieren (r = 0,75), Depression (r = 0,73) und Angst (r = 0,66). Die Beziehung zu Lebensqualität war am stärksten ausgeprägt auf der Psychischen Summenskala (r = −0,58).

Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung

Die deutsche Version des AAQ-II‑P hat eine gute Reliabilität und weist hinsichtlich Zuverlässigkeit und Faktorenstruktur hohe Vergleichbarkeit mit der Originalversion auf. Die Beziehungen zu den Skalen der psychometrischen Verfahren sind zumeist in erwarteter Richtung und Höhe. Patienten mit chronischem Schmerz und hoher schmerzbezogener Erlebensvermeidung tendieren deutlich zum Schmerzkatastrophisieren und zeichnen sich durch schlechtere psychische Lebensqualität aus. Dies spricht für die Relevanz des Konstrukts hinsichtlich therapeutischer Zielvariablen.
The impact of pandemics: revising the Spanish Flu in Italy in light of models’ predictions, and some lessons for the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Berbenni Enrico , Colombo Stefano
Published: February 2021

We consider some descriptive analysis of the main short- and medium-term economic indicators in Italy in the aftermath of the Spanish Flu pandemic. We analyse them in the light of the main neoclassical macroeconomic models of pandemics. Since most of the existing economic models about the consequences of a pandemic deal the pandemic event merely as a negative labour supply shock, we observe that some predictions of the theory about the economic impact of a pandemic seem not to be confirmed in the case of the Spanish Flu in Italy. In particular, economic indicators in Italy in the upsurge of the Spanish Flu need to be explained also in light of the consequences of the First World War. We use this evidence to discuss the predictions on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. We stress the importance of putting the analysis of the economic consequences of the current pandemic into the appropriate historical context.
Prediction of aircraft engine emissions using ADS-B flight data
Authors: Filippone A. , Parkes B. , Bojdo N. , Kelly T.
Published: February 2021

Real-time flight data from the Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) has been integrated, through a data interface, with a flight performance computer program to predict aviation emissions at altitude. The ADS-B, along with data from Mode-S, are then used to ‘fly’ selected long-range aircraft models (Airbus A380-841, A330-343 and A350-900) and one turboprop (ATR72). Over 2,500 flight trajectories have been processed to demonstrate the integration between databases and software systems. Emissions are calculated for altitudes greater than 3,000 feet (609m) and exclude landing and take-off cycles. This proof of concept fills a gap in the aviation emissions inventories, since it uses real-time flights and produces estimates at a very granular level. It can be used to analyse emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide ($\mathrm{CO}_2$), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides ($\mathrm{NO}_x$) and water vapour on a specific route (city pair), for a specific aircraft, for an entire fleet, or on a seasonal basis. It is shown how$\mathrm{NO}_x$and water vapour emissions concentrate around tropospheric altitudes only for long-range flights, and that the cruise range is the biggest discriminator in the absolute value of these and other exhaust emissions.
Work Characteristics and Psychosomatic Health Complaints of Private Security Personnel
Authors: Herrmann Alexander , Glaser Jürgen
Published: February 2021

Abstract. The present study reports a broad perspective on work characteristics related to private security work and identified predictors of health impairments in a German-speaking sample ( N = 683). Occupational conditions, exposure to violence/aggression, and psychosocial work characteristics each significantly explained incremental variance in psychosomatic complaints. Detailed findings revealed that average weekly working hours (and unusual working hours) substantially exceeded those of other service sector occupations (or the general population) in Germany. Exposure to violence/aggression was also substantial in regard to the European average. Participants reported low social status, promotion opportunities, and pay while their work offered substantial learning demands. Possibilities to acquire relevant skills, supervisor feedback, job control, or participation opportunities seem to provide little support at work. Excessive working hours, worries about violence, social status, and lone work emerged among the strongest predictors of psychosomatic complaints. Additionally, unusual working hours and job stressors (physical workload, quality impairments) increased the prevalence of psychosomatic complaints.
Salutogene Führungskräfte-Coachings auf der Grundlage des Systemisch-Salutogenen Interaktionsmodells (SSIM)
Authors: Eberz Stefan , Antoni Conny Herbert
Published: February 2021

Zusammenfassung. Die vorliegende Fallstudie beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, ob sich die theoretischen Annahmen des Systemisch-Salutogenen Interaktionsmodells (SSIM) Gewinn bringend in die Praxis übertragen lassen. Im Rahmen eines Coaching-Projektes für Führungskräfte der Polizei wurden erstmals individuelle SSIM-Modelle entwickelt, vor deren Hintergrund die aktuelle Führungssituation gemeinsam mit den Führungskräften reflektiert wurde. Auf dieser Grundlage wurden Coaching-Ziele auf den Kerndimensionen salutogener Führung (Vertrauen, Störungsmanagement und Druck) abgeleitet und umgesetzt. Die Wirksamkeit dieses salutogenen Führungskräfte-Coachings wurde in einer quasiexperimentellen Untersuchung mit einem Drei-Gruppen-Pretest-Posttest-Design mit zwei Interventions- und einer Wartekontrollgruppe analysiert. Es konnten erste Hinweise darauf gefunden werden, dass sich das Kohärenzerleben von Teammitgliedern am Arbeitsplatz (Work-SoC) hinsichtlich der erlebten Bedeutsamkeit der Arbeit positiver entwickelt, wenn sich Führungskräfte mit Hilfe eines individuellen SSIM-Modells salutogene mitarbeiterorientierte Ziele auf den Kerndimensionen salutogener Führung setzen (Interventionsgruppe 1), als wenn sie im Coaching andere Ziele verfolgen (Interventionsgruppe 2) oder kein Coaching erhalten (Wartekontrollgruppe). Damit liefert diese Studie erste Hinweise darauf, dass sich die theoretischen Postulate des SSIM in die Praxis übertragen lassen und Interventionen auf dieser Grundlage salutogene Entwicklungsprozesse fördern.
Trachytic Melt Inclusions Hosted in Clinopyroxene Offer a Glimpse Into Samoan EM2‐Endmember Melts
Authors: Adams J. V. , Spera F. J. , Jackson M. G.
Published: February 2021

We present major and trace element data on clinopyroxene‐hosted, glassy melt inclusions (MIs) from a highly enriched (high 87Sr/86Sr = 0.71856) lava (ALIA‐D115‐18) from the Samoan hot spot. Following correction for post‐entrapment crystallization, the MIs are trachytic (62.6–65.4 wt% SiO2, 1.5–3.0 wt% MgO, and 7.2–10.6 wt% total alkalis (Na2O + K2O)) ALIA‐D115 lavas dredged off the submarine flanks of Savai'i Island, western Samoa have previously been suggested to exhibit binary endmember magma mixing between a mafic, low 87Sr/86Sr magma and an evolved, high 87Sr/86Sr magma (the Enriched Mantle 2 endmember; EM2). In major and trace element space, these ALIA‐D115 lavas form a mixing trend between more primitive Samoan shield lavas and the MIs of this study, suggesting the MIs could represent the EM2‐derived mixing endmember. Recent efforts to constrain the EM2 mixing endmember composition shows remarkable overlap with the MI compositions, supporting the argument they could represent the 87Sr/86Sr mixing endmember to the ALIA‐D115 lavas and are derived from the EM2 endmember. Additionally, one melt inclusion contains Fo73 olivines not in equilibrium with the trachytic melt, suggesting the melt interacted with a mafic magma prior to entrapment within host clinopyroxene. Projecting the ALIA‐D115 mixing trend in 87Sr/86Sr versus SiO2 and K2O space shows that the trend intersects an average MI composition at 87Sr/86Sr values of ∼0.725, thereby offering a window into more extreme compositions associated with the EM2 endmember.
On the Initiation of Upward Negative Lightning by Nearby Lightning Activity: An Analytical Approach
Authors: Sunjerga Antonio , Rubinstein Marcos , Rachidi Farhad , Cooray Vernon
Published: February 2021

Upward lightning occurs generally from tall structures. The mechanism of the initiation of upward lightning is not yet fully understood. Upward lightning can be classified into two categories based on either the absence or the presence of other lightning activity prior to the upward flash. This work proposes an explanation of how upward lightning flashes can be triggered by nearby lightning activity. It is generally thought that the lightning activity prior to the flash will intensify the electric field at the tip of the tall structures. However, to the best of our knowledge, no attempt has been made to evaluate theoretically this hypothesis. In this paper, we derive analytically the electric field enhancement on the ground (or at the top of tall structures) based on different triggering scenarios. These fields are later used in a simplified corona model to evaluate if they are able to trigger upward lightning. It is shown that both slow processes such as leader propagation and faster return strokes can trigger an upward negative flash from relatively short structures of a few tens of meters, even without any slowly varying background electric field. This study confirms theoretically experimental observations and it provides new insights into the mechanisms of initiation of upward flashes from tall structures.
Attaining Carnot efficiency with quantum and nanoscale heat engines
Authors: Bera Mohit Lal , Lewenstein Maciej , Bera Manabendra Nath
Published: February 2021

A heat engine operating in the one-shot finite-size regime, where systems composed of a small number of quantum particles interact with hot and cold baths and are restricted to one-shot measurements, delivers fluctuating work. Further, engines with lesser fluctuation produce a lesser amount of deterministic work. Hence, the heat-to-work conversion efficiency stays well below the Carnot efficiency. Here we overcome this limitation and attain Carnot efficiency in the one-shot finite-size regime, where the engines allow the working systems to simultaneously interact with two baths via the semi-local thermal operations and reversibly operate in a one-step cycle. These engines are superior to the ones considered earlier in work extraction efficiency, and, even, are capable of converting heat into work by exclusively utilizing inter-system correlations. We formulate a resource theory for quantum heat engines to prove the results.
DNA methylation status correlates with adult β-cell regeneration capacity
Authors: Khurana Ishant , Al-Hasani Keith , Maxwell Scott , K.N. Harikrishnan , Okabe Jun , Cooper Mark E. , Collombat Patrick , El-Osta Assam
Published: February 2021

The role of DNA methylation in β-cell neogenesis is poorly understood. We report that during the process of induced cell reprogramming, methylation content of the Ngn3 and Sox11 genes are diminished. These findings emphasise DNA methylation is a barrier in β-cell regeneration in adulthood, a well described pathophysiological phenomenon of major significance in explaining β-cell deficiency in diabetes in the adult pancreas.
Diagnosis of coronary artery spasm by ergonovine provocation test of radial artery
Authors: Li Ye-fei , Zhang Yu , Chen Liang , Zheng Kou-long , Lu Hui-he , Sheng Zhen-qiang
Published: February 2021

We investigated the sensitivity, specificity and safety of ergonovine provocation test of radial artery in the diagnosis of coronary artery spasm (CAS). The patients who came to our hospital for chest pain from January to June 2020 as well as had coronary stenosis < 50% and no radial artery stenosis, were enrolled in this study. These patients were divided into CAS group and control group after intracoronary ergonovine provocation test. All patients underwent ergonovine provocation test of radial artery, the inner diameter (D0 and D1) and the peak systolic velocities (PSV0 and PSV1) of the radial artery were measured by ultrasound before and after ergonovine provocation. The predictive value of ergonovine provocation test of radial artery for the diagnosis of CAS was analyzed using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. There were 19 patients in the CAS group and 28 patients in the control group. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol and smoking rate were significantly higher in the CAS group than in the control group (all P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in other items (P > 0.05) between the two groups. In the ergonovine provocation test of radial artery, degree of radial artery stenosis was significantly higher in the CAS group [41.50% (35.60%, 50.00%)] than in the control group [11.25% (5.15%, 23.00%)] (P = 0.000), but there were no siginificant differences in D0, PSV0 and PSV1 between the two groups (P > 0.05). The area under ROC curve of ergonovine (120 µg) provocation test of radial artery for the diagnosis of CAS was 0.912 with 95%CI: 0.792–0.975, P = 0.001, cut-off of 31%, specificity of 92.86% and sensitivity of 84.21%. The ergonovine (120 µg) provocation test of radial artery did not cause any adverse reactions. We concluded that the ergonovine provocation test of radial artery has high sensitivity, specificity and safety in the diagnosis of CAS.
PD-L1 immunohistochemistry for canine cancers and clinical benefit of anti-PD-L1 antibody in dogs with pulmonary metastatic oral malignant melanoma
Authors: Maekawa Naoya , Konnai Satoru , Nishimura Maki , Kagawa Yumiko , Takagi Satoshi , Hosoya Kenji , Ohta Hiroshi , Kim Sangho , Okagawa Tomohiro , Izumi Yusuke , Deguchi Tatsuya , Kato Yukinari , Yamamoto Satoshi , Yamamoto Keiichi , Toda Mikihiro , Nakajima Chie , Suzuki Yasuhiko , Murata Shiro , Ohashi Kazuhiko
Published: February 2021

Immunotherapy targeting programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) represents promising treatments for human cancers. Our previous studies demonstrated PD-L1 overexpression in some canine cancers, and suggested the therapeutic potential of a canine chimeric anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (c4G12). However, such evidence is scarce, limiting the clinical application in dogs. In the present report, canine PD-L1 expression was assessed in various cancer types, using a new anti-PD-L1 mAb, 6C11-3A11, and the safety and efficacy of c4G12 were explored in 29 dogs with pulmonary metastatic oral malignant melanoma (OMM). PD-L1 expression was detected in most canine malignant cancers including OMM, and survival was significantly longer in the c4G12 treatment group (median 143 days) when compared to a historical control group (n = 15, median 54 days). In dogs with measurable disease (n = 13), one dog (7.7%) experienced a complete response. Treatment-related adverse events of any grade were observed in 15 dogs (51.7%). Here we show that PD-L1 is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy in dogs, and dogs could be a useful large animal model for human cancer research.
Design and basic properties of polyester vitrimers combined with an ionomer concept
Authors: Hayashi Mikihiro , Obara Haruna , Miwa Yohei
Published: February 2021

The preparation of vitrimers with ionic components was demonstrated to investigate the effects of ion-rich domain formation on vitrimer properties, revealing that the degree of ion aggregation can be a factor in tuning the bond-exchange properties.
Strain-gradient effects in nanoscale-engineered magnetoelectric materials
Authors: Nicolenco Aliona , de h-Óra Muireann , Yun Chao , MacManus-Driscoll Judith , Sort Jordi
Published: February 2021

Understanding strain gradient phenomena is of paramount importance in diverse areas of condensed matter physics. This effect is responsible for flexoelectricity in dielectric materials, and it plays a crucial role in the mechanical behavior of nanoscale-sized specimens. In magnetoelectric composites, which comprise piezoelectric or ferroelectric (FE) materials coupled to magnetostrictive (MS) phases, the strain gradient can add to any uniform strain that is present to boost the strength of the coupling. Hence, it could be advantageous to develop new types of functionally graded multiferroic composites (for information technologies) or magnetic-field-driven flexoelectric/magnetostrictive platforms for wireless neurons/muscle cell stimulation (in biomedicine). In MS or FE materials with non-fully constrained geometries (e.g., cantilevers, porous layers, or vertically aligned patterned films), strain gradients can be generated by applying a magnetic field (to MS phases) or an electric field (to, e.g., FE phases). While multiferroic composites operating using uniform strains have been extensively investigated in the past, examples of new nanoengineering strategies to achieve strain-gradient-mediated magnetoelectric effects that could ultimately lead to high flexomagnetoelectric effects are discussed in this Perspective.
Development of an online research platform for use in a large-scale multicentre study
Authors: Godden A R , Micha A , Pitches C , Barry P A , Krupa K D C , Rusby J E
Published: February 2021

Background

Participation in research can be beneficial for patients and healthcare providers, but may prove demanding at patient, clinician and organizational levels. Patient representatives are supportive of online research to overcome these challenges. The aim of this pilot study was to develop an online recruitment platform and test its feasibility and acceptability while evaluating the accuracy of participant-reported data.

Methods

The online research platform was developed in a 1-day ‘hackathon’ with a digital design company. Women who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction in 2011–2016 were invited by letter containing the web address (URL) of the study site and their unique study number. Once online, participants learned about the study, consented, entered data on demographics, treatment received and patient-reported outcome measures (BREAST-Q™), and booked an appointment for a single hospital visit for three-dimensional surface imaging (3D-SI). Real-time process evaluation was performed. The primary endpoint was recruitment rate.

Results

The recruitment rate was 40 per cent. Of the 100 women, 50 logged on to the platform and 40 completed the process through to 3D-SI. The majority of discontinuations after logging on occurred between consenting and entering demographics (3 women, 6 per cent), and between completing the BREAST-Q and booking an appointment for 3D-SI using the online calendar (3 women, 6 per cent). All women completed the online BREAST-Q™ once started. Participants took a median of 23 minutes to complete the online process. Patient-reported clinical data were accurate in 12 of 13 domains compared with electronic records (95 per cent concordance). Process evaluation demonstrated acceptability.

Conclusion

The results of this pilot demonstrate the online platform to be acceptable, feasible, and accurate for this population from a single institution. The low-burden design may enable participation from centres with less research support and participants from hard-to-reach groups or dispersed geographical locations, but with online access.
Cardiovascular biomarkers in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Mueller Christian , Giannitsis Evangelos , Jaffe Allan S , Huber Kurt , Mair Johannes , Cullen Louise , Hammarsten Ola , Mills Nicholas L , Möckel Martin , Krychtiuk Konstantin , Thygesen Kristian , Lindahl Bertil ,   ESC Study Group on Biomarkers in Cardiology of the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association
Published: February 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased awareness that severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) may have profound effects on the cardiovascular system. COVID-19 often affects patients with pre-existing cardiac disease, and may trigger acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), venous thromboembolism (VTE), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and acute heart failure (AHF). However, as COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory infectious disease, there remain substantial uncertainty and controversy whether and how cardiovascular biomarkers should be used in patients with suspected COVID-19. To help clinicians understand the possible value as well as the most appropriate interpretation of cardiovascular biomarkers in COVID-19, it is important to highlight that recent findings regarding the prognostic role of cardiovascular biomarkers in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are similar to those obtained in studies for pneumonia and ARDS in general. Cardiovascular biomarkers reflecting pathophysiological processes involved in COVID-19/pneumonia and its complications have a role evaluating disease severity, cardiac involvement, and risk of death in COVID-19 as well as in pneumonias caused by other pathogens. First, cardiomyocyte injury, as quantified by cardiac troponin concentrations, and haemodynamic cardiac stress, as quantified by natriuretic peptide concentrations, may occur in COVID-19 as in other pneumonias. The level of those biomarkers correlates with disease severity and mortality. Interpretation of cardiac troponin and natriuretic peptide concentrations as quantitative variables may aid in risk stratification in COVID-19/pneumonia and also will ensure that these biomarkers maintain high diagnostic accuracy for AMI and AHF. Second, activated coagulation as quantified by D-dimers seems more prominent in COVID-19 as in other pneumonias. Due to the central role of endothelitis and VTE in COVID-19, serial measurements of D-dimers may help physicians in the selection of patients for VTE imaging and the intensification of the level of anticoagulation from prophylactic to slightly higher or even therapeutic doses.
Aspiration Thrombectomy: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Turner Raymond , Turk Aquilla , Chaudry Imran , Vargas Jan ,   Endovascular Neurosurgery Research Group, Arthur Adam , Bain Mark , Bendock Bernard , Binning Mandy Jo , Boulos Alan S , Crowley Webster , Fessler Richard , Grande Andrew , Guterman Lee , Hanel Ricardo , Hoit Daniel , Hopkins L Nelson , Howington Jay , James Robert , Jankowitz Brian , Kan Peter , Khalessi Alex A , Kim Louis , Langer David , Lanzino Giuseppe , Levitt Michael , Levy Elad , Lopes Demetrius , Mack William , Mericle Robert , Mocco J , Ogilvy Chris , Pandey Aditya , Replogle Robert , Riina Howard , Ringer Andrew , Rodriguez Rafael , Saugaveau Eric , Schirmer Clemens , Siddiqui Adnan , Spiotta Alex , Sultan Ali , Tawk Rabih , Thomas Ajith , Turner Raymond , Veznedaroglu Erol , Welch Babu , White Jonathan
Published: February 2021

Acute ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. There have been significant improvements to the treatment of acute ischemic stroke over the past 5 yr, specifically related to strokes caused by large vessel occlusions. Stent retrievers with and without local aspiration and direct aspiration alone have all been demonstrated as viable treatment options for this patient population. This case represents the surgical technique for direct aspiration for the treatment of large vessel occlusion.

A 76-yr-old man presented with right-sided weakness and aphasia. His last known normal was 5 h ago. His NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) was 18. The noncontrast computed tomography (CT) did not show a significant infarct burden and ASPECTS (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score) of 9. CT angiogram demonstrated a left M1 occlusion. The patient was not a candidate for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) because of time to presentation; however, the patient was deemed to be a candidate for emergent thrombectomy. Consent was obtained per institutional guidelines for the emergent procedure and the video recording. The video demonstrates a direct aspiration thrombectomy technique for the treatment of stroke.

The patient successfully underwent direct aspiration thrombectomy with a TICI 3 (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction) recanalization.
Management of Thromboembolic Complications During Aneurysm Coiling: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Domingo Ricardo A , Martinez Santos Jaime L , Ravindran Krishnan , Tawk Rabih G ,   We thank the ENRG Research Group, Arthur Adam , Bain Mark , Bendock Bernard , Binning Mandy Jo , Boulos Alan S , Crowley Webster , Fessler Richard , Grande Andrew , Guterman Lee , Hanel Ricardo , Hoit Daniel , Hopkins III L Nelson , Howington Jay , James Robert , Jankowitz Brian , Kan Peter , Khalessi Alex A , Kim Louis , Langer David , Lanzino Giuseppe , Levitt Michael , Levy Elad , Lopes Demetrius , Mack William , Mericle Robert , Mocco J , Ogilvy Chris , Pandey Aditya , Replogle Robert , Riina Howard , Ringer Andrew , Rodriguez Rafael , Saugaveau Eric , Schirmer Clemens , Siddiqui Adnan , Spiotta Alex , Sultan Ali , Tawk Rabih , Thomas Ajith , Turner Raymond , Veznedaroglu Erol , Welch Babu , White Jonathan
Published: February 2021

Thromboembolic complications during aneurysm coiling are rare, with higher rates noted in ruptured aneurysms as patients are not usually premedicated with dual antiplatelet therapy.
1,2
Management includes a series of escalating strategies, including medical therapy and intra-arterial thrombolysis.
3-6
Additional strategies include mechanical thrombectomy with suction aspiration and stent retrievers.
3
Intracranial stenting can be used as a last resource, especially in ruptured cases given the need for dual antiplatelets to prevent stent thrombosis.
2

We present the case of a 42-yr-old man with a ruptured left internal carotid artery aneurysm with associated intracranial and intraventricular hemorrhage. The patient was initially presented to an outside facility after he was found in bed unable to speak and with right hemiparesis. The patient consented for surgery and underwent external ventricular drain (EVD) placement for the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus, followed by diagnostic cerebral angiogram and aneurysm coiling. After the deployment of the last coil, control angiogram showed a small filling defect at the interface between the aneurysm neck and the distal vessel. The patient received intravenous heparin for therapeutic ACT and aspirin load. After progressive enlargement of the thrombus, the patient received intra-arterial glycoprotein (GP) IIB/IIIA inhibitors with a microcatheter positioned proximal to the thrombus. As the thrombus mass continued to enlarge, mechanical thrombectomy with an aspiration catheter was performed twice. Follow-up angiogram 20 min after the second aspiration demonstrated near-complete resolution of the thrombus. The patient recovered from his right hemiparesis, and he was discharged to rehabilitation on POD #21.
Modification of intraocular lens insertion using 4-flanged fixation with a standard cartridge and a 2.4 mm corneal incision in eyes with no capsular support
Authors: Mahler Ori S. , Einan-Lifshitz Adi , Hecht Idan , Biron Roy , Pras Eran , Dubinsky-Pertzov Biana
Published: February 2021

A modification of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, using the 4-flanged IOL fixation technique, through a 2.4 mm corneal incision using a standard cartridge and injector, is presented. An IOL with 4 eyelets is used, through which a 6-0 polypropylene suture is threaded on one side and then loaded into a provided cartridge and inserted to the anterior chamber through a 2.4 mm corneal incision. Using the handshake technique, the suture ends are eventually threaded through the eyelets and secured outside the eye with the creation of 4 flanges. This technique was used in 6 eyes of 5 consecutive patients with the absence of capsular support. During all follow-up visits, the IOLs were well centered and stable, and the flanges were buried in the sclera and covered with the conjunctiva. No complications were recorded. This modification simplifies the technique and reduces the well-known complications of large corneal incisions.
The effects of brand equity and failure severity on remedy choice after a product recall
Authors: Raithel Sascha , Mafael Alexander , Hock Stefan J.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

There is limited insight concerning a firm’s remedy choice after a product recall. This study aims to propose that failure severity and brand equity are key antecedents of remedy choice and provides empirical evidence for a non-linear relationship between pre-recall brand equity and the firm’s remedy offer that is moderated by severity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses field data for 159 product recalls from 60 brands between January 2008 to February 2020 to estimate a probit model of the effects of failure severity, pre-recall brand equity and remedy choice.

Findings

Firms with higher and lower pre-recall brand equity are less likely to offer full (vs partial) remedy compared to medium level pre-recall brand equity firms. Failure severity moderates this relationship positively, i.e. firms with low and high brand equity are more sensitive to failure severity and then select full instead of partial remedy.

Research limitations/implications

This research reconciles contradictory arguments and research results about failure severity as an antecedent of remedy choice by introducing brand equity as another key variable. Future research could examine the psychological process of managerial decision-making through experiments.

Practical implications

This study increases the awareness of the importance of remedy choice during product-harm crises and can help firms and regulators to better understand managerial decision-making mechanisms (and fallacies) during a product-harm crisis.

Originality/value

This study theoretically and empirically advances the limited literature on managerial decision-making in response to product recalls.
Reading literacy practices among retirees in Kenya: why and how public libraries matter to them
Authors: Mose Peter , Mose Everlyn
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to establish reading practices among retirees and to what extent public libraries in Kenya are a source of information and knowledge to them.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a qualitative study whose research questions were; what are retirees' reading practices? why do retirees engage in the reading practices they engage in? and to what extent do retirees use the public library for their reading practices? Purposive and snowballing were used as sampling techniques and interview was used for data collection. Data were analysed thematically.

Findings

The findings were that retirees' reading practices are fragmentary and erratic; retirees mainly engage in reading practices for spiritual reasons and for access of current information; and that retirees do not use the services of the public library for their reading activities.

Research limitations/implications

The research sample is 16 subjects who might not represent features of the whole population. The findings are, however, an index to what the situation might be.

Originality/value

The findings are the result of actual qualitative research.
Active and healthy: a ten year group history designed to support relapse prevention for older people suffering with anxiety and/or depression
Authors: Cole John Charles
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this project was to determine if consumers of Older People’s Mental Health (OPMH) recovering from depression and/or anxiety would benefit, in terms of a reduction in symptomatology and an increase in overall quality of life, from a group program approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The Active & Healthy Group Program was developed drawing on evidenced-based psycho-education, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and research on the effects of diet and activity on well-being. The program consists of six weekly sessions, each consisting of 50 min of psycho-education followed by physical and social activity of similar duration. Pre-and post-testing was undertaken using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Kessler 10 (K10) and European Health Interview Survey-Quality of Life-8 Item Index. In addition, participants completed a qualitative post-group survey focussing on their evaluation of the group, strengths and suggested improvements. The pre- and post-group measures were subjected to statistical analysis.

Findings

According to pre- and post-test measures, the majority of group participants showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms and psychological distress (GDS and K10). This aligned with an overall increase in measures of quality of life (WHO QOL 8).

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the emerging evidence that older people are often open to education and change, given a friendly non-confrontational environment where evidence is presented that challenges the negative stereotypes so often put forward about old age. Given the nature of the outcomes, Active & Healthy, perhaps, has the potential to impact on service transformation to incorporate group work of this type as a valuable adjunct to core service provision.
miRNAs as biomarkers for diagnosis of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review
Authors: González‐Sánchez Luis Edgar , Ortega‐Camarillo Clara , Contreras‐Ramos Alejandra , Barajas‐Nava Leticia Andrea
Published: February 2021

Background

This systematic review summarizes results of studies that evaluated the expression of microRNAs (miRs) in prediabetes or type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

The information was obtained from PubMed, EMBL‐EBI, Wanfang, Trip Database, Lilacs, CINAHL, Human microRNA Disease Database (HMDD) v3.0, and Google. A qualitative synthesis of the results was performed and miRs frequency was graphically represented. From 1893 identified studies, only 55 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. These 55 studies analyzed miRs in T2D, and of them, 13 also described data of prediabetes.

Results

In diabetics, 122 miRs were reported and 35 miRs for prediabetics. However, we identified that five miRs (‐122‐5p, 144‐3p, 210, 375, and ‐126b) were reported more often in diabetics and four (144‐3p, ‐192, 29a, and ‐30d) in prediabetics.

Conclusions

Circulating miRs could be used as biomarkers of T2D. However, it is necessary to validate these microRNAs in prospective and multicenter studies with different population subgroups, considering age, gender, and risk factors.
Loss of fidelity in scanned digital images compared to glass slides of brain tumors resected using cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator
Authors: Cadwell Cathryn R. , Bowman Sarah , Laszik Zoltan G. , Pekmezci Melike
Published: February 2021

Conversion of glass slides to digital images is necessary to capitalize on advances in computational pathology and could potentially transform our approach to primary diagnosis, research, and medical education. Most slide scanners have a limited maximum scannable area and utilize proprietary tissue detection algorithms to selectively scan regions that contain tissue, allowing for increased scanning speed and reduced file size compared to scanning the entire slide at high resolution. However, very small and faintly stained tissue fragments may not be recognized by these algorithms, leading to loss of fidelity in the digital image compared to the glass slides. Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) is frequently used in brain tumor resections, resulting in highly fragmented specimens that are used for primary diagnosis. Here we evaluated the rate of loss of fidelity in 296 digital images from 40 CUSA‐resected brain tumors scanned using a Philips Ultra Fast Scanner. Overall, 54% of the slides (at least one from every case) showed loss of fidelity, with at least one tissue fragment not scanned at high resolution. The majority of the missed tissue fragments were small (<0.5 mm), but rare slides were missing fragments greater than 5 mm in greatest dimension. In addition, 19% of the slides with missing tissue showed no indication of loss of fidelity in the digital image itself; the missing tissue could only be appreciated upon review of the glass slides. These results highlight a potential liability in the use of digital images for primary diagnosis in CUSA‐resected brain tumor specimens.
Effects of temperature on survival, oviposition, and development rate of ‘greenhouse’ and ‘lupin’ strains of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis
Authors: Nielsen Mette‐Cecilie , Teulon David A.J. , Chapman R. Bruce , Butler Ruth C. , Drayton Gabby M. , Phillipsen Holger
Published: February 2021

Two strains of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), are found in New Zealand. One strain was recorded in 1934 mainly from outdoor Lupinus arboreus Sims (lupin strain, a non‐pest); the other strain was first recorded in 1992 and is found mostly on greenhouse crops (greenhouse strain, a pest). To test whether this differential pest status may be explained by different temperature requirements, a comparative life‐history study was carried out assessing the effects of temperature on life‐history traits and thermal requirements for development. Thrips strains were verified using sequence alignment of the COI gene. Thrips from each strain were fed sucrose solution and pollen, and they were reared at 8, 10, 12, 17, 22, and 27 (± 2) °C, respectively (>80% r.h., L16:D8 photoperiod). Longevity decreased with increasing temperature for both strains; however, the greenhouse strain had a significantly longer lifespan at all temperatures. Overall, the greenhouse strain laid more eggs than the lupin strain at all temperatures, with the highest mean number laid at 22 °C for the lupin strain (36.3 total eggs/female) and at 17 °C for the greenhouse strain (63.2 total eggs/female). No significant difference between the two strains was found in regards to the effect of temperature on development rate, Tmin (minimum temperature required for development), and Do (degree days). We estimated that 227 degree‐days, above a threshold temperature of 7.7 °C, were required to complete development of the greenhouse strain. No life‐history data of either strain were obtained for 8 °C as eggs did not hatch or development had not completed. The lupin strain required 261 days above 5.7 °C for complete development. The results of the study did not support the hypothesis that the lupin strain’s outdoor non‐pest status was due to different temperature requirements compared with those of the greenhouse strain.