bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotional Empathy in the Social Regulation of Distress: A Dyadic Approach
Authors: Brown Casey L. , West Tessa V. , Sanchez Amy H. , Mendes Wendy Berry
Published: September 2020

Although research suggests distressed individuals benefit from others’ empathy, it is unclear how an individual’s level of empathy influences dyadic responses during emotional situations. In the current study, female participants ( N = 140; 70 dyads) were paired with a stranger. One member of each dyad (the experiencer) was randomly assigned to undergo a stressful task and disclose negative personal experiences to their partner (the listener). Experiencers paired with listeners higher in dispositional emotional empathy had less negative affect during emotional disclosure and lower sympathetic nervous system reactivity during the stressful task and disclosure. Listeners higher in emotional empathy reported more negative affect in response to their partner’s distress. Furthermore, for listeners higher in emotional empathy, those who more accurately rated their partner’s emotions were more physiologically influenced by their partners. Findings shed light on interpersonal functions of empathy and suggest a stranger’s level of emotional empathy regulates distressed partner’s emotions and physiology.
Right-wing populism and the criminalization of sea-rescue NGOs: the ‘Sea-Watch 3’ case in Italy, and Matteo Salvini’s communication on Facebook
Authors: Berti Carlo
Published: September 2020

The contemporary outbreak of right-wing populism in combination with increasing migratory flows toward Europe raises concerns about the social construction of migrations and migrants and the policy orientations toward them. Research indicated worrying tendencies to perceive migrations negatively and criminalize migrants. However, this paper focuses on a different tactic adopted by a number of populist forces: the criminalization of sea-rescue NGOs. In particular, it presents the case-study of Sea-Watch 3, an NGO sea-rescue vessel which docked in Italy with several migrants on board in June 2019, after a long struggle with Minister of Internal Affairs Matteo Salvini, the leader of the League (a right-wing, anti-migrants populist party). By means of content analysis, the paper discusses Salvini’s Facebook communication strategy about the event. The aim of this study is to cast new light on how the criminalization of NGOs can be exploited to reinforce other aspects of right-wing populism, such as anti-elitism, nationalism, exclusionary politics, personalization, and polarization. In this respect, the implications of criminalizing sea-rescue NGOs for policy orientations and policymaking are also highlighted.
Do Aging Employees Benefit from Self-Regulative Strategies? A Follow-Up Study
Authors: Mauno Saija , Minkkinen Jaana
Published: September 2020

SOC-strategies (selection, optimization, and compensation) are crucial for well-being and adaptation throughout the life course. The workforce is aging rapidly, thus the age-conditional premises of SOC theory require attention. This study explored (1) whether older employees used SOC strategies more often (compared to younger employees), and (2) whether older employees benefited more from SOC strategies in relation to occupational well-being (job burnout, work engagement). The study was based on follow-up data including three occupational subsamples of different age ( N = 1,020). There were no significant age-conditional differences in the take-up of SOC strategies. However, older (white-collar) employees benefited more from compensation and elective selection in relation to occupational well-being. Moreover, older employees also benefited more from using all SOC strategies concerning occupational well-being. Strengthening older employees’ SOC strategies needs more attention as the workforce is aging.
Exploring parents’ ongoing role in romantic development: Insights from young adults
Authors: Jamison Tyler B. , Lo Hung Yuan
Published: September 2020

Important decisions about romantic relationships are often made during adulthood, but the foundations for healthy relationships begin during childhood. Romantic development is related to experiences in the family of origin such as parenting, parents’ romantic history, and patterns of interaction within families. In order to better understand how this process unfolds into adulthood, we used relationship history interviews from 35 young adults (ages 24–40) to explore the mechanisms through which parents influence their children’s romantic development. We used Applied Thematic Analysis to guide our secondary analysis of relationship histories data. The findings suggest adult children internalize and apply the examples of parents whom they perceive to be good role models. When parents are seen as poor role models, young adults engage in trial and error as they look for partners that will help them avoid their parents’ mistakes and/or they commit to a partner at a young age to form a family of their own. Adult children also seek love, affirmation, and support from their romantic partners when they feel those things were lacking from their parents. We explore implications of these findings for future research on romantic development.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage leads to early and persistent functional connectivity and behavioral changes in mice
Authors: Chung David Y , Oka Fumiaki , Jin Gina , Harriott Andrea , Kura Sreekanth , Aykan Sanem A , Qin Tao , Edmiston William J , Lee Hang , Yaseen Mohammad A , Sakadžić Sava , Boas David A , Whalen Michael J , Ayata Cenk
Published: September 2020

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) leads to significant long-term cognitive deficits, which can be associated with alterations in resting state functional connectivity (RSFC). However, modalities such as fMRI—which is commonly used to assess RSFC in humans—have practical limitations in small animals. Therefore, we used non-invasive optical intrinsic signal imaging to determine the effect of SAH on RSFC in mice up to three months after prechiasmatic blood injection. We assessed Morris water maze (MWM), open field test (OFT), Y-maze, and rotarod performance from approximately two weeks to three months after SAH. Compared to sham, we found that SAH reduced motor, retrosplenial, and visual seed-based connectivity indices. These deficits persisted in retrosplenial and visual cortex seeds at three months. Seed-to-seed analysis confirmed early attenuation of correlation coefficients in SAH mice, which persisted in predominantly posterior network connections at later time points. Seed-independent global and interhemispheric indices of connectivity revealed decreased correlations following SAH for at least one month. SAH led to MWM hidden platform and OFT deficits at two weeks, and Y-maze deficits for at least three months, without altering rotarod performance. In conclusion, experimental SAH leads to early and persistent alterations both in hemodynamically derived measures of RSFC and in cognitive performance.
Hippocampal blood–brain barrier permeability is related to the APOE4 mutation status of elderly individuals without dementia
Authors: Moon Won-Jin , Lim Changmok , Ha Il Heon , Kim Yeahoon , Moon Yeonsil , Kim Hee-Jin , Han Seol-Heui
Published: September 2020

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption, modulated by APOE4 mutation, is implicated in the pathogenesis of cognitive decline. We determined whether BBB permeability differed according to cognitive functioning and APOE4 status in elderly subjects without dementia. In this prospective study, 33 subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 33 age-matched controls (normal cognition [NC]) underwent 3 T brain magnetic resonance imaging. The Patlak model was used to calculate tissue permeability (Ktrans). A region-of interest analysis of Ktrans was performed to compare relevant brain regions. Effects of Ktrans on cognitive functioning were evaluated with linear regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors. NC and MCI groups did not differ in terms of vascular risk factors or hippocampal Ktrans, except for hippocampal volume. Hippocampal Ktrans was significantly higher in APOE4 carriers than in non-carriers ( p = 0.007). Factors which predicted cognitive functioning included hippocampal volume (beta=−0.445, standard error [SE]=0.137, p = 0.003) and hippocampal BBB permeability (beta = 0.142, SE = 0.050, p = 0.008) after correcting for age, education, and APOE4 status. This suggests that hippocampal BBB permeability is associated with APOE4 mutation, and may predict cognitive functioning. BBB permeability imaging represents a distinct imaging biomarker for APOE4 mutations in NC and MCI subjects and for determining the degree of APOE4-related pathology.
4D flow MRI for non-invasive measurement of blood flow in the brain: A systematic review
Authors: Morgan Alasdair G , Thrippleton Michael J , Wardlaw Joanna M , Marshall Ian
Published: September 2020

The brain’s vasculature is essential for brain health and its dysfunction contributes to the onset and development of many dementias and neurological disorders. While numerous in vivo imaging techniques exist to investigate cerebral haemodynamics in humans, phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a reliable, non-invasive method of quantifying blood flow within intracranial vessels. In recent years, an advanced form of this method, known as 4D flow, has been developed and utilised in patient studies, where its ability to capture complex blood flow dynamics within any major vessel across the acquired volume has proved effective in collecting large amounts of information in a single scan. While extremely promising as a method of examining the vascular system’s role in brain-related diseases, the collection of 4D data can be time-consuming, meaning data quality has to be traded off against the acquisition time. Here, we review the available literature to examine 4D flow’s capabilities in assessing physiological and pathological features of the cerebrovascular system. Emerging techniques such as dynamic velocity-encoding and advanced undersampling methods, combined with increasingly high-field MRI scanners, are likely to bring 4D flow to the forefront of cerebrovascular imaging studies in the years to come.
Remote ischemic conditioning enhances oxygen supply to ischemic brain tissue in a mouse model of stroke: Role of elevated 2,3-biphosphoglycerate in erythrocytes
Authors: Wang Lin , Ren Changhong , Li Yang , Gao Chen , Li Ning , Li Haiyan , Wu Di , He Xiaoduo , Xia Changqing , Ji Xunming
Published: September 2020

Oxygen supply for ischemic brain tissue during stroke is critical to neuroprotection. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) treatment is effective for stroke. However, it is not known whether RIC can improve brain tissue oxygen supply. In current study, we employed a mouse model of stroke created by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to investigate the effect of RIC on oxygen supply to the ischemic brain tissue using a hypoxyprobe system. Erythrocyte oxygen-carrying capacity and tissue oxygen exchange were assessed by measuring oxygenated hemoglobin and oxygen dissociation curve. We found that RIC significantly mitigated hypoxic signals and decreased neural cell death, thereby preserving neurological functions. The tissue oxygen exchange was markedly enhanced, along with the elevated hemoglobin P50 and right-shifted oxygen dissociation curve. Intriguingly, RIC markedly elevated 2,3-biphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG) levels in erythrocyte, and the erythrocyte 2,3-BPG levels were highly negatively correlated with the hypoxia in the ischemic brain tissue. Further, adoptive transfusion of 2,3-BPG-rich erythrocytes prepared from RIC-treated mice significantly enhanced the oxygen supply to the ischemic tissue in MCAO mouse model. Collectively, RIC protects against ischemic stroke through improving oxygen supply to the ischemic brain tissue where the enhanced tissue oxygen delivery and exchange by RIC-induced 2,3-BPG-rich erythrocytes may play a role.
Valuation of Metro Crowding Considering Heterogeneity of Route Choice Behaviors
Authors: Shin Hosuk , Kim Dong-Kyu , Kho Seung-Young , Cho Shin-Hyung
Published: September 2020

More than seven million people rely on the metro system daily in Seoul, South Korea. The metro system plays a vital role in connecting passengers to desired locations with the advantage of allowing for travel reliability and relative safety, all the while being an environmentally friendly alternative to other transport systems. Despite the benefits mentioned above, crowding on the metro can contribute significantly to deterioration of the individual’s travel experience and necessitates its proper evaluation, so that user experience may be improved. To achieve this, this study quantifies the level of crowding by deriving estimates for route choice models with crowding as one of the main attributes for metro passenger decisions. The data used in the model are obtained through a stated preference survey, which was conducted at five major transfer stations in Seoul to estimate factors such as travel time, transfers, travel cost, and crowding level. These attributes are then analyzed using homogeneity and heterogeneity models of different trip purposes. Furthermore, crowding multipliers (CMs) for Seoul are estimated and compared with those of other cities around the world. Estimation results pinpoint crowding as one of the main factors in route choice for passengers for all types of trips, with multiplier values reaching the highest of all cities around the world for sitting CM and standing CM at 2.15 and 3.22, respectively. Our results indicate that Seoul metro passengers are more sensitive to crowding than any of the passengers analyzed in 18 major city metros around the world.
Performance Evaluation of Reflective Crack Mitigation Techniques for Soil-Cement Bases
Authors: Reza-Ul-Karim Bhuyan Mohammad , Jamal Khattak Mohammad
Published: September 2020

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), U.S., has been using chip seal as an interlayer over cement stabilized base courses over the last several years to mitigate the reflective cracking for flexible pavements. Furthermore, DOTD is also changing the soil-cement base type from traditional cement stabilized design (CSD) to cement treated design (CTD) as another technique to control reflective cracks. There have been no large-scale studies conducted to determine the effectiveness of chip seal interlayer over CSD bases or CTD bases (without any interlayer) as a way of reflective crack control. Therefore, the focus of this study is to evaluate both these techniques by using the available time-series distress data (roughness, cracking, and rutting) in the pavement management system. With the help of this distress data, the performance of all different categories of projects was evaluated by two parameters: average service lives (SL) and benefit areas. Along with the ascertained cost, the SL and benefit areas were also used to determine benefit/cost (B/C) ratios for each category of projects. Subsequently, the cost-effectiveness of chip seal interlayer over CSD bases and CTD bases was assessed by the comparison of the B/C ratios. The performance and cost-effectiveness of few stone interlayer projects were also reported in this study. Finally, it was concluded that the chip seal interlayer is the least cost-effective option and CTD bases without any interlayer appeared to be the most cost-effective technique for reflective crack mitigation in Louisiana.
Travel Time Variability and Congestion Assessment for Origin–Destination Clusters through the Experience of Mobility Companies
Authors: Ale-Ahmad Haleh , Chen Ying , Mahmassani Hani S.
Published: September 2020

Reliability is a measure of network performance that reflects the ability of the network to provide predictable travel times. Deviations from planned travel times can increase travel costs for users. To improve the system's performance, it is crucial to identify sources of unreliability, particularly the location on the network of unreliable performance. The large amount of travel time data recorded by Transportation Network Providers (TNPs) in recent years has enabled researchers to study the performance of entire networks. In this study, a real-world dataset provided by TNPs in Chicago is used to determine time of day, and day of week distribution of travel time per unit distance for origin–destination (OD) pairs. Eight measures of reliability are calculated for OD pairs in the network. Standard deviation (SD), planning time index (PTI), and on-time measure (PR) are used for a network-wide comparison of reliability performance. K-means clustering is performed on more than 21.3 million trips to divide 3,450 eligible OD pairs in the Chicago network into three groups with low, medium, and high intensity of each reliability metric. Lastly, metrics in each cluster of SD, PTI, and PR are compared. The results show that ranking PTI and PR is not sufficient for identifying unreliable/congested OD pairs in the network. Approaches for comparing reliability performance over different periods of the day for the same segment and over different segments in the network are discussed, along with network-wide measures of reliability.
Driver Behavior at a Freeway Merge to Mixed Traffic of Conventional and Connected Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Chityala Sneha , Sobanjo John O. , Erman Ozguven Eren , Sando Thobias , Twumasi-Boakye Richard
Published: September 2020

Freeway merge ramps serve as one of the most challenging areas in traffic operations. This paper primarily focuses on creating a mixed traffic of conventional and connected/autonomous vehicles (CAVs) on freeways, and capturing driver behaviors both for the merging vehicle on the ramp and the freeway vehicles. The mixed distribution of vehicle headways of the freeway vehicles, developed based on various market penetration rates of the CAVs, was used to randomly generate vehicles through Monte Carlo simulation, and assigned as headways in a driving simulator. Based on perception, young drivers on the merge ramp were observed to choose critical headway gaps of 2.9 s, 1.8 s, and 1.7 s for freeway traffic of 0%, 50%, 75% penetration rates, respectively. For similar CAV penetration rates, the critical gaps observed for elderly drivers were 3.5 s, 2.0 s, and 1.9 s, respectively. When actually driving in the simulator, for the scenarios of 0% CAVs and 50% CAVs on the freeway, the values of average headway gaps accepted by young drivers were estimated as 2.36 s and 1.53 s, respectively. For the elderly drivers driving the simulator, the average headway gap values accepted were estimated as 2.72 s and 1.55 s, respectively, in the 0% and 50% penetration rates on the freeway traffic. Analyses of the speed profiles of the vehicles showed the effects of the acceleration/deceleration of merging vehicles, for both young and older drivers, on the freeway vehicles, including a few cases of collision. Overall, it was observed that the subject drivers accepted shorter headway gaps for increased CAV penetration levels.
Reproducing the Working Class? Incongruence between the Valuation of Social-Emotional Skills in School and in the Labor Market
Authors: Han Siqi
Published: September 2020

The power of social-emotional skills to improve student achievement has been hailed in recent literature. Yet foundational work in sociology of education indicates that these skills may benefit the status attainment of middle-class students more than lower-class students, as schools cultivate class-specific social-emotional skills appropriate to a student’s perceived future occupation, reproducing the class structure in the labor market. Drawing on a high school student sample from Add Health, I examine the GPA and career rewards for two types of social-emotional skills, engagement with teachers and with peers. Results suggest that engagement with teachers benefit students’ educational achievement and occupational status, and engagement with peers benefit their income, but a distinct class-based effect heterogeneity of engagement with teachers is only seen in school: middle-class students benefit from it more than lower-class students. I discuss the implications of these findings for research on social-emotional skills and social stratification.
Performance of Dual-Source CT in Calculi Component Analysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 2151 Calculi
Authors: Yu Juan , Zhou Qingchun , Lin Fan , Cui Enming , Zhang Han-wen , Lei Yi , Luo Liangping
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the performance of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) in the component analysis of all types of calculi by doing a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods:

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and CNKI up to February 28, 2020, for in vivo studies investigating the performance of DSCT in the component analysis of calculi. We pooled the sensitivity, specificity, and areas under the summary receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves using a random-effect model in the meta-analysis. Publication bias was evaluated using Deek’s funnel plot asymmetry test.

Results:

This analysis included a total of 37 studies in 1840 patients with 2151 calculi (462 uric acid [UA], 1383 calcium oxalate [CaOx], 55 cystine [Cys], 197 hydroxyapatite [HA], and 54 struvite [SV]). Using DSCT, the pooled accuracy for diagnosing UA (sensitivity, 0.95; specificity, 0.99), CaOx (0.98; 0.93), Cys (0.99; 0.99), HA (0.91; 0.99), and SV (0.42; 0.98) was calculated, respectively. The AUROC value was 0.99, 0.99, 1.00, 0.99, and 0.93, respectively. The P values for publication bias test were .49, .70, .07, .04, and .19, respectively.

Conclusion:

Dual-source computed tomography has high sensitivity and specificity for the component analysis of UA, CaOx, Cys, and HA calculi in vivo. This tool may have the potential to replace the current analysis tool in vitro in diagnosing calculi.
Flipping the Passive Radiology Elective by Including Active Learning
Authors: Wu Yuhao , Theoret Christina , Burbridge Brent Edward
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

Exposure to radiology in undergraduate medical education is often restricted by other curriculum demands. Designing an effective radiology elective for medical students who choose to supplement their education can be challenging as it is often a passive observership-style elective. In this study, we examined the impact of incorporating an online learning platform and electronic book into radiology electives to stimulate active learning.

Materials and Methods:

We enrolled 23 students who pursued a 2-week diagnostic radiology elective at our institution. Their radiology knowledge prior to the elective was assessed using 2 pretests. Students had opportunities to work with radiologists to review clinical imaging, attend academic rounds, and learn from the online learning resources. Their knowledge after the elective was assessed by readministering the 2 tests as “posttests.” Students also ranked their perception of the elective experience and educational resources on a Likert scale from 1 to 5.

Results:

There were statistically significant increases of 13.4% ( P < .0001) in mean test 1 scores and 6.8% in mean test 2 scores ( P = .001). Students also had favorable perceptions of the radiology elective experience and rated the electronic book (median score: 5 of 5) and online learning platform (4.5 of 5) as valuable educational resources.

Conclusion:

The implementation of an electronic book and online learning platform improved knowledge in radiology and resulted in positive student perceptions of the elective experience. This supports the use of online resources to facilitate independent self-learning for future radiology electives.
Secondary Narcolepsy in Children
Authors: Madan Riya , Pitts Jennifer , Patterson Marc C. , Lloyd Robin , Keating Gesina , Kotagal Suresh
Published: September 2020

Secondary narcolepsy occurs as a consequence of lesions involving the hypothalamic region that subserve wakefulness. Although observations on the characteristics of secondary narcolepsy have been published in adults, information on this topic in children is sparse. This is a retrospective study of characteristics and outcome of secondary narcolepsy in children. The medical records of 10 children with this condition at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, were reviewed. Characteristics of the underlying neurologic disorder, narcolepsy subtype, multiple sleep latency tests, medications used and outcome were extracted. Age at diagnosis of narcolepsy was between 6 and 17 years. Five of 10 patients had onset of excessive sleepiness within 1 year of diagnosis of the primary neurologic disorder. Six of 10 patients had type 1 narcolepsy (with cataplexy) whereas 4/10 had type 2 (without cataplexy). The clinical course was variable, with 8/10 continuing to require treatment for sleepiness at a mean period 6.6±6.2 years after diagnosis. One patient with narcolepsy type 1 due to Niemann Pick type C disease had died. One patient with narcolepsy type 2 due to craniopharyngioma had spontaneous remission of sleepiness. The 5/10 patients surviving with narcolepsy type 1 have continued to require pharmacotherapy for both sleepiness and cataplexy. This study draws attention to an important chronic sequel of childhood brain lesions that has variable, etiology-specific outcome. The rare occurrence of spontaneous resolution of childhood narcolepsy symptoms, not previously described, is also discussed.
Medical Malpractice Claims Involving Physicians in the Intensive Care Unit: A Cohort Study
Authors: Myers Laura C.
Published: September 2020

Background:

The intensive care unit (ICU) is a fast-paced setting, in which physicians from different specialties work. The goal of this study is to understand whether characteristics of medical malpractice claims occurring in the ICU differ by physician specialty.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study was performed using a national database called the Comparative Benchmarking System, which is operated by Harvard’s malpractice insurer. Claims were included if the harm events occurred in the ICU and closed between 2007-2016. Claims were analyzed according to physician specialty of the “primary responsible provider,” which was the physician most directly involved in the harm event. Patient-, provider- and claim-level characteristics were compared among the 6 most common physician specialties that were identified as “primary responsible provider.” Multivariable regression was performed to identify factors associated with claim payment.

Results:

Of 54,772 claims, 1,113 resulted from harm events in the ICU, of which 843 involved the following physician specialties: internal medicine (305), cardiology (163), pulmonary medicine (149), general surgery (98), neurology (97) and anesthesia (31). The minority of claims across physician specialties originated in academic medical centers (<30%). The most common severity of harm was death (Range 42-72%, P = 0.0001). The frequency with which claims involved procedures varied by physician specialty (Range 24-84%, P < 0.0001). The 3 most common contributing factors (patient assessment, selection/management of therapies and communication among providers) did not differ by physician specialty. In multivariable regression, claims that were procedure-related were statistically more likely to result in payment (Odds Ratio 2.29, 95% Confidence Interval 1.64-3.20), after adjusting for physician specialty.

Conclusions:

There were few unexpected differences in malpractice claims occurring in the ICU by physician specialty. Prevention efforts could focus on procedures, regardless of physician specialty, including: 1) maintaining procedural skills, 2) framing procedural risks well and 3) accurately describing procedural complications after they happen.
Counter-Elite Populism and Civil Society in Poland: PiS’s Strategies of Elite Replacement
Authors: Bill Stanley
Published: September 2020

This article shows how Poland’s ruling party, Law and Justice (PiS), is attempting to apply its general strategy of “elite replacement” in a modified way to civil society. Since independent civil society organizations are not subject to arbitrary state control of appointments (unlike public institutions), this strategy has required a more complex dual approach of pressure and promotion. Organizations perceived as hostile to the party and its values have been subject to the withdrawal of state support and smear campaigns. By contrast, organizations that are politically or ideologically linked to the party have found support in the form of new public funds and other institutional assistance. This article examines the practical functioning and consequences of these processes through two main examples: (1) a state-sponsored campaign against one of Poland’s largest independent charity organizations, the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity and (2) the funding of multiple right-wing NGOs friendly to PiS by the newly established National Freedom Institute. The article shows how PiS’s dual strategy in civil society reinforces its political narratives through support of the broader right-wing cultural narratives that underpin them. At the same time, it demonstrates how funding of friendly organizations directly strengthens party structures by fostering the development of new political and administrative cadres. By analysing PiS’s specific methods of pressure and promotion in the sphere of civil society, the article shows the intertwining of political and cultural narratives and goals within a right-wing populist framework.
Significant Publications on Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy in 2019
Authors: Hendrickson Joshua A. , Spitznogle Sarah L. , Gonzales-Luna Anne J. , Babic Jessica T. , Britt Rachel S. , Knight Joshua M. , Pham Selena N. , McDaneld Patrick M.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To provide a summary of the most prominent peer-reviewed infectious diseases (ID) pharmacotherapy and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-related articles published in 2019.

Houston Infectious Diseases Network (HIDN) members were asked to nominate articles that they believed were most influential within the ID and HIV pharmacotherapy science communities. A total of 48 general ID and 6 HIV-related articles were nominated. Following nominations, an online survey was distributed via e-mail to Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) members, with a total of 156 and 54 members voting for general ID and HIV-related articles, respectively. The results of this survey were ranked to determine the top 10 general ID and top HIV articles. The top articles were then summarized by HIDN members, including residents, fellows, and clinical pharmacists.

Conclusion

This review covers many of the most influential ID articles published in 2019, including 3 practice guideline updates. Due to the high rate of ID literature published each year, this review continues to help summarize these articles for the ID community, allowing clinicians to remain up-to-date on practice-changing publications in ID and HIV pharmacotherapy.
ABC’s of Vitamin Supplementation in Critical Illness
Authors: Chudow Melissa , Adams Beatrice
Published: September 2020

Critical illness commonly presents as a systemic inflammatory process. Through this inflammation, there is an enhanced production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species combined with marked reductions in protective plasma antioxidant concentrations. This imbalance is referred to as oxidative stress and is commonly encountered in numerous disease states in the critically ill including sepsis, trauma, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and burns. Oxidative stress can lead to cellular, tissue and organ damage as well as increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Supplementation with exogenous micronutrients to restore balance and antioxidant concentrations in critically ill patients has been considered for several decades. It is proposed that antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamins A and C, may minimize oxidative stress and improve clinical outcomes. Vitamin B formulations may play a role in curtailing lactic acidosis and are recently being evaluated as an acute phase reactant. However, few large, randomized trials specifically investigating the role of vitamin supplementation in the critically ill patient population are available. This article seeks to review recently published literature surrounding the role of supplementation of vitamins A, B and C in critically ill patients.
Social conflict, property rights, and the capital–labor split
Authors: Stefanadis Christodoulos
Published: September 2020

I examine some political economy aspects of the capital–labor split. In a game-theoretic general equilibrium model, rent-seekers attempt to appropriate the output of manufacturing firms on the offensive end, while such firms safeguard their income on the defensive end. Then the presence of imperfect property rights is a breeding ground for social conflict and has two indirect consequences. First, it evens out changes in the gross (before-social-conflict) labor and capital shares of total output that are caused by changes in the aggregate factor endowments, leading to more rigid equilibrium factor shares. Second, if social conflict is more labor-intensive than manufacturing, weaker property rights lead to a larger equilibrium labor share.
Power transfers, military uncertainty, and war
Authors: Spaniel William
Published: September 2020

In many contexts, patrons wish to simultaneously increase a protégé’s military power while reducing the probability of war between that protégé and its enemy. Are these goals compatible? I show that the answer is yes when states face uncertainty over a class of military allotments. Arms transfers mitigate the information problem by making both strong and weak types behave more similarly. This encourages uninformed states to make safer demands, which decreases the probability of war. As a result, transfers to the informed actor both increase bargaining power and enhance efficiency under these conditions.
DCB tests at constant strain rate using crash-resistant epoxy adhesives: A numerical and experimental approach
Authors: Nunes PDP , Marques EAS , Carbas RJC , Akhavan-Safar A , da Silva LFM
Published: September 2020

The use of adhesive joints in the automotive industry has increased significantly as it enables the design of multi-material structures with a high strength-to-weight ratio. Considering the high safety standards held by the automotive industry, especially regarding collisions, there is a need to fully understand the behaviour of adhesives when subjected to dynamic loads if bonded connections are to be used in structural applications. The automotive industry is, therefore, constantly searching for numerical tools that are able to simulate the behaviour of bonded joints under impact. Fracture mechanics tests such as the double cantilever beam (DCB) test are valid and proven tools for the determination of adhesive toughness and to provide critical data for the development of damage models, able to predict adhesive behaviour. However, when loaded at high strain rates, these specimens load the adhesives at strain rates that vary significantly as the testing progresses. The present work describes a special testing procedure that precisely controls and varies the loading rate applied to DCB specimens to ensure that a consistent strain rate is generated in the adhesive layer. The variable loading rate is calculated using a finite element model and then programmed into a servo-hydraulic testing machine for experimental testing. The results of this study demonstrate that the R-curves obtained using the suggested procedure, are similar to those obtained by testing the DCB at constant test speed, although the results appear to be more consistent, a conclusion sustained by the decrease in the standard deviation of the results.
Kinematic accuracy of picking robot constructed by wire-driven continuum structure
Authors: Gao Guohua , Liu Cong , Wang Hao
Published: September 2020

This paper is to explore the motion accuracy of a novel picking robot constructed by wire-driven continuum structure and liner screw platform. The continuum structure features the hollow configuration, by which the object could be transported along its internal space, such as fruits harvesting. For discussing the precision theoretically and driving the presented robot, the kinematic model and workspace were established, also the instantaneous kinematics based on Jacobian matrix was analyzed. Further, the motion precision with different postures in the workspace were analyzed based on dexterity index by decomposing Jacobian matrix. Finally, as a typical tracking, the circular trajectory are deployed for demonstrating the theoretical modelling through the simulations and experiments in different region of workspace. The results of comparison of experiments and planned trajectories showed that the average error of the end point is about 2.538% with the proposed method by adjust the position of robot into a higher precise region, while without adjusting the robot's position, the average error of the end point reached 4.537%. The proposed method could be extended to a control strategy for rigid-flexible coupled robot.
Theoretical and experimental study on sealing performance of a novel ultra-high pressure bursting disc
Authors: Yang Chao , Hui Hu , Huang Song
Published: September 2020

Bursting disc overpressure relief device services as the last safety barrier in preventing catastrophic overpressure of the pressure vessel. The design of ultra-high pressure bursting disc device is a tough engineering issue as it requires both strength and sealing reliability under ultra-high working pressure. In this paper, a novel ultra-high pressure bursting disc device is proposed as well as the sealing structure is designed. Firstly, the novel bursting disc device structure is introduced. Then, the wall thickness of the sealing ring is designed based on elastoplastic mechanical analysis. Numerical simulation is also conducted to investigate the mechanical and sealing performance theoretically. At last, the strength and the reliability of the sealing performance is proved by hydraulic burst test.
In vivo assessment of bisphenol A induced histopathological alterations and inflammatory gene expression in lungs of male Wistar rats
Authors: Rehman A , Akhtar T , Hameed N , Sheikh N
Published: September 2020

Bisphenol A (BPA), an imperative environmental contaminant used in polycarbonate plastics. Due to limited information concerning the effect of BPA on lungs, this study design to assess whether BPA cause alterations in histopathology and trace metal content in lungs of rats. They were divided into five groups with five rats per group. Group I was named as control group. Group L6 and L12 were received BPA (10 mg/kg body weight/day) for 6 weeks and 12 weeks respectively. Group H6 and L12 were given BPA (25 mg/kg body weight/day) for 6 weeks and 12 weeks respectively. Considerable alteration in Cu, Zn and Fe was detected in experimental groups. BPA also caused significant increase in the expression of tumor necrosis factor α that mediate the pulmonary inflammatory response. Comparative study of resolved proteins i.e. 72 KDa (matrix metalloproteinase 2 fragment) and 109 KDa (nucleolin) on SDS-PAGE showed their altered expression in experimental groups. Histopathology of experimental groups revealed altered architecture of lungs. Special staining of BPA treated groups showed significant number of mast cells in alveoli and bronchioles. Prolonged administration of BPA causes deleterious aggravating lung damage even at extremely low dose, so the use of BPA should be prohibited in plastic synthesizing industries.
Melatonin attenuates chemical-induced cardiotoxicity
Authors: Zare S , Heydari FS , Hayes AW , Reiter RJ , Zirak MR , Karimi G
Published: September 2020

Environmental chemicals and drugs can induce cardiotoxicity, mainly by generating free radicals. Reactive oxygen species play a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiac tissue injury. This highlights a need for prevention of cardiotoxicity by scavenging free radicals. Melatonin has been shown to act as a protector against various conditions in which free radicals cause molecular and tissue injury. Some of the mechanisms by which melatonin operates as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant have been identified. The importance of endogenous melatonin in cardiovascular health and the benefits of melatonin supplementation in different cardiac pathophysiological disorders have been shown in a variety of model systems. Melatonin continues to attract attention for its potential therapeutic value for cardiovascular toxicity. The therapeutic potential of melatonin in treatment of cardiotoxicities caused by various chemicals along with suggested molecular mechanisms of action for melatonin is reviewed.
Health Investment Priorities in India: A New Methodology-based Analysis of State Budgets
Authors: Gupta Indrani , Chowdhury Samik , Ranjan Avantika
Published: September 2020

Classification and measurement issues—especially definitions and estimates of primary, secondary and tertiary care—are the major impediments to an informed discussion around type and quality of health spending in India. One area of concern worldwide has been the level of investment in primary care. This article reviews different definitions of primary, secondary and tertiary care, and applies a new methodology on sub-national budget data for classifying and estimating these aggregates. Government spending on health by five states of India is grouped into primary, secondary, tertiary, medical education, social security for health and administration applying the new methodology. The Detailed Demand for Grants of each state for 2014–2015, 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 was used for classifying budget items. Each line item is assigned to one of the six types of spending, with additional algorithms and assumptions, wherever a straightforward classification was not possible. The results indicate a lack of uniformity in spending across these six aggregates. However, states are spending a significant part of their health resources on primary care. The results and the methodology can pave the way for a much needed discussion around standardisation of definitions and formats for data collection on budget aggregates to track types of health spending.
Optimizing Own Mother’s Milk Supply for NICU Babies
Authors: Gupta Sneha , Parikh Tushar
Published: September 2020

All babies, including the ones admitted to NICU, should receive their mother’s milk for their reduced morbidity and mortality in short-term and optimal growth and cognitive development in the long run. NICU babies are at the highest risk of lactational failure and formula feeding due to a variety of reasons. Various barriers for exclusive breastfeeding, the quality indicators of optimal lactational supply, and interventions to improve own mother’s milk supply for NICU babies is discussed in this article.
Successful Use of Propranolol in a Symptomatic Giant Congenital Hepatic Hemangioma
Authors: Florian-Tutaya Luis S. , Cuba-Valencia Lizet , Bustamante-Encinas Sandra F. , Vela-Alfaro Fernando M.
Published: September 2020

Congenital hepatic hemangiomas are rare benign vascular tumors present at birth. They often are asymptomatic but can have significant complications and mortality that directly correlate with the tumor characteristics and size. Congenital hemangiomas generally regress during the first year of life and are managed medically or surgically depending on its course. We present a case of a full-term newborn with a symptomatic giant congenital hepatic hemangioma that received propranolol and corticosteroid therapy.
Modeling and analysis of an electro-pneumatic braided muscle actuator
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Ghosh Saswath , Roy Sitikantha , Santapuri Sushma
Published: September 2020

The present study deals with static modeling and analysis of a novel electro-pneumatic braided muscle (EPBM) actuator. The EPBM actuator is a hybrid McKibben-type actuator, made of a dielectric polymeric bladder enclosed in a braided mesh sleeve. A continuum mechanics-based electromechanical model is developed to predict the response of the actuator for a combined pressure and voltage loading. The model also incorporates braid-to-braid frictional effects. The model agrees well with existing experimental results for the special case of zero input voltage. Parametric studies are subsequently performed for varying braid angle, input pressure, and voltage. Finally, the model is utilized to study the impact of fiber-reinforcement in the bladder on the actuator performance.
Rapid Electronic Capturing of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Older Adults With End-Stage Renal Disease: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Gabbard Jennifer , McLouth Christopher J. , Brenes Gretchen , Claudel Sophie , Ongchuan Samantha , Burkart John , Pajewski Nicholas , Callahan Kathryn E. , Williamson Jeff D. , Murea Mariana
Published: September 2020

Background:

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have a high burden of physical and psychological symptoms. Many remain unrecognized for long periods of time, particularly in older adults. The best strategy to monitor patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) has not been identified.

Objective:

To assess the feasibility of implementing an iPad-based symptom assessment tool in older adults with ESRD on hemodialysis (HD).

Methods:

We designed an iPad application-delivery system for collecting electronic PROMs (ePROMs). Patient’s ≥60 years of age with ESRD on HD were recruited from a single outpatient dialysis unit. Feasibility was evaluated based on recruitment, retention, and the system usability score (SUS). Assessments were completed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after enrollment. ANOVA was used to assess longitudinal symptom variability.

Results:

Twenty-two patients (49% recruitment rate) were enrolled, with an 82% retention at 6 months. Mean age was 69.4 years (SD 6.6), 63.6% were female, and 81.8% were African American. Participants reported minimal difficulty in using the app, with an overall SUS score of 77.6. There were no significant relationships between demographic characteristics (age, race, or education) and SUS. Baseline SF-12 physical score and SF-12 mental score were 40.4 (SD 9.1) and 33.9 (SD 6.7), respectively. No significant changes were seen in longitudinal ePROMs of pain, depression, or anxiety; but was seen in the dialysis symptom index.

Conclusion:

In older patients with ESRD, collection of iPad-based ePROMs is feasible. This process can overcome inefficiencies associated with paper questionnaires and enable systematic monitoring of symptom burden.
Researching Home-Based Technical and Professional Communication: Emerging Structures and Methods
Authors: Bay Jennifer , Sullivan Patricia
Published: September 2020

With the massive shift to remote work, what does researching home-based workplace writing look like? We argue that the collapse of traditional work–life boundaries might allow for a renaissance of feminist research methods in technical and professional communication, specifically because the home is a domestic space largely associated with women. Inspired by methodologies like apparent feminism and examinations of positionality, privilege, and power, the authors suggest three research methods that help capture the intricacies of blurred personal and professional lives: time-use diaries, embodied sensemaking, and participatory data collection and coding. These methods seek to illuminate the invisible work of women, as well as the diversity and range of experiences of home-based workplace communicators.
Creating Scripts for Crisis Communication: COVID-19 and Beyond
Authors: St.Amant Kirk
Published: September 2020

Individuals act on information that connects to their daily lives. In emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, these connections are central to maintaining individual health and community safety. Making such connections requires an understanding of audience perceptions; the better technical communicators address these perceptions, the more successful their materials can be. This article presents a cognitive framework, based on script theory, to help identify and address such factors in the COVID-19 crisis and in future public health challenges.