bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving functional properties of PVA/starch-based films as active and intelligent food packaging by incorporating propolis and anthocyanin
Authors: Mustafa Pakeeza , Niazi Muhammad Bilal Khan , Jahan Zaib , Rafiq Sikander , Ahmad Tahir , Sikander Umair , Javaid Farhan
Published: November 2020

An active and intelligent starch-based biodegradable food packaging system is developed in this work. The growing environmental protection concerns have motivated researchers to look for biodegradable yet sustainable products for food packaging. The packaging is able to resist against undesirable bacterial attack and color-change response due to pH change in food. Polyvinyl alcohol and starch are cross-linked with Glutaraldehyde to improve their mechanical strength. Propolis Extract (PE) and anthocyanin (ATH) were added as an active and intelligent material, respectively. Different film formulations were prepared by varying concentration of PE. All film formulations were characterized by SEM, FTIR and XRD. The results proved good compatibility of the film mixture. The mechanical strength and other physical properties like water vapor transmission rate, moisture retention capability, swelling degree and biological leaching ability were investigated. Films containing 20% PE showed the best results alongside maximum mechanical strength of 15.9 MPa. Furthermore, the same formulation has shown maximum zone of inhibition of 25 mm and 20 mm against E. Coli and MRSA, respectively. Moreover, there was a clear color-change response when films were immersed in different pH solutions ranging from 1 to 14. Finally, to validate the potential application of prepared film formulations, films were tested on pasteurized milk and a color-change response is observed along with the anti-bacterial activity. Hence, this active and intelligent food packaging system is capable of inhibiting and alerting food spoilage.[Formula: see text]
International usage of an English language oncology pharmacy podcast
Authors: Bossaer John B
Published: November 2020

Background

Pharmacy-specific podcasts are widely available and appear to be widely consumed. However, little is known about consumption of such podcasts. Objective: To describe the scope of listenership to OncoPharm, an oncology pharmacy podcast, and determine if any episode category is more popular than another. Methods: OncoPharm episodes released from Jan. 1, 2018 to May 10, 2019 were analyzed. The number of downloads or listens (DLs) was extracted from the podcast's hosting platform for evaluation. The number of DLs were tabulated from episode release date through May 31, 2019. The nation of DL was also extracted. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze DL numbers. One-way ANOVA was used to determine if any episode category (Foundational Topic, New Approval, Updates, Landmark Study, or Other) was more popular than another. Student's t-test was used to compare the mean DLs for the first 20 OncoPharm episodes to the last 20 episodes of the evaluation period. Results: Seventy-one podcast episodes were included in the evaluation period. These episodes were downloaded or listened to 17,816 times in 71 nations and territories. The average DLs per episode were 250.9 (SD 87.7). There was no difference in mean DLs by podcast episode category (p = 0.078). The last 20 episodes had more average DLs than the first 20 episodes (p = 0.04). Conclusion: OncoPharm has found a broad and growing audience interested in a variety of oncology pharmacy topics. This expanding and international audience suggests OncoPharm is filling an unmet educational need.
Theoretical solution for the axial vibration of functionally graded double-lap adhesive joints
Authors: Sindi Shadi A , Othman Ramzi , Almitani Khalid H
Published: November 2020

Adhesively bonded joints have widely been used in a number of engineering applications, owing to their improved mechanical performance as compared with other mechanical joining techniques, such as rivets or bolts. In this study, a theoretical solution of double-lap joints is established, with functionally graded adhesive and isotopic adherends, under harmonic loads. Assuming a parabolic distribution of the adhesive shear modulus along the overlap length, the analytical harmonic solution is expressed in terms of the solution of the nonlinear Heun differential equation. Furthermore, a two-dimensional finite-element model was developed to validate the analytical solution. We show that using softer adhesive at the edges of the bond line leads to less stress concentration. We also conclude that the adhesive’s shear modulus gradient along the bond line should be greater as the ratio of the adhesive’s shear stiffness to the adherends’ shear stiffness increases. An equation has also been established to determine the optimal shear modulus gradient in terms of the stiffness ratio.
Anticipating and Addressing the Politicization of Research
Authors: Chelli Mohamed , Cunliffe Ann L.
Published: November 2020

We examine an underaddressed issue in organizational research, the nature of the politicization of knowledge and its consequences for conducting research. Drawing on an illustrative case from a PhD research study and the underutilized theory of politicization, we go beyond previous work on politics in organization and management research to offer three contributions. First, we develop a process model underscoring the potentially emergent and interwoven nature of the politicization of research. In particular, we suggest politicization be seen as a trajectory of moments of difference in which researchers may or may not be aware of the potential political significance. Second, we offer four analytical resources to help researchers make sense around why politicization may occur: disputes over the “ownership” of knowledge, clashes of representational logics, ideological differences, and identity struggles. Third, we argue that politicization can be a catalyst, rather than an obstacle, for knowledge production and propose ways of anticipating and negotiating differences. Our aim is to raise awareness of the importance of understanding and anticipating the politicized situations researchers may encounter in their work.
Evaluation Criteria for Evaluating Transformation: Implications for the Coronavirus Pandemic and the Global Climate Emergency
Authors: Patton Michael Quinn
Published: November 2020

Fundamental systems transformations are needed to address the global emergency brought on by climate change and related global trends, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which, together, pose existential threats to the future of humanity. Transformation has become the clarion call on the global stage. Evaluating transformation requires criteria. The revised Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development/Development Assistance Committee criteria are adequate for business as usual summative and accountability evaluations but are inadequate for addressing major systems transformations. Six criteria for evaluating transformations are offered, discussed, and illustrated by applying them to the pandemic and the Global Alliance for the Future of Food. The suggested criteria illustrate possibilities. The criteria for judging any intervention should be developed in the context of and aligned with the purpose of a specific evaluation and information needs of primary intended users. This article concludes that the greatest danger for evaluators in times of turbulence is not the turbulence—it is to act with yesterday’s criteria.
Application of Remote Sensing for Ex Ante Decision Support and Evaluating Impact
Authors: Thieme Alison , Glennie Erin , Oddo Perry , McCartney Sean , Ruid Madeline , Anand Anupam
Published: November 2020

Deforestation is an environmental stressor that dramatically threatens biodiversity while having adverse, deep-rooted, socioeconomic impacts. Interventions to address deforestation require considerable long-term investments; therefore, assessing their impact is crucial. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity encourages establishing protected areas (PAs) as a strategy to conserve biodiversity, secure ecosystem services, support local livelihoods, and reduce climate change impacts. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has supported the conservation and management of PAs, yet site accessibility and data availability present challenges in assessing PAs using traditional evaluation methods. We present a novel application of satellite Earth observations for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of PAs as a deforestation mitigation strategy. Geospatial analysis and ecological forecasting methodologies provide an efficient way to quantify land cover change, estimate above ground carbon stock, and evaluate ecosystem services provided by the PAs ex ante. We demonstrate the value of a geospatial approach through the evaluation of GEF-supported PAs in Kenya.
Feline giant-cell pleomorphic sarcoma: cytologic, histologic and immunohistochemical characterization
Authors: de Cecco Bianca S , Argenta Fernando F , Bianchi Ronaldo M , De Lorenzo Cíntia , Wronski Júlia G , Bandinelli Marcele B , da Costa Fernanda VA , Driemeier David , Pavarini Saulo P , Sonne Luciana
Published: November 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to characterize the cytologic, pathologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) aspects of feline giant-cell sarcoma.

Methods

Biopsy and necropsy reports from the Department of Veterinary Pathology were retrieved, and 13 cases of pleomorphic sarcoma (PS) were selected according to the established epidemiologic, pathologic and IHC criteria. All samples were fixed in 10% formalin, routinely processed for histology, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Samples also underwent IHC testing for vimentin, ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), desmin, actin and S-100.

Results

The mean age of the affected cats was 9.5 years, and females were over-represented. Most neoplasms were observed in the flank, lateral thorax, limbs and interscapular region, and were >2 cm in diameter. Cytology analysis revealed highly cellular preparations with three distinct populations (spindle cells, small round cells and multinucleated giant cells) in a dense eosinophilic stroma. Histologically, PS was composed of a combination of these three populations. IHC labeling for vimentin and Iba-1 was strongly positive for spindle cells and multinucleated giant cells, respectively. Desmin/actin showed variable labeling among the samples. S-100 was negative in all samples.

Conclusions and relevance

PS is a neoplasm of mesenchymal origin, also known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The predominant subtype in this study that affected the cats was the giant-cell type, characterized by the presence of multinucleated giant cells among spindle-shaped cells. These findings are similar to those described in human patients; thus, a comparison between the neoplasms seen in these species might be useful, and the knowledge of biologic behavior and overall treatment approach for humans could be extrapolated to cats.
COVID-19 in patients with multiple sclerosis undergoing disease-modifying treatments
Authors: Laroni Alice , Schiavetti Irene , Sormani Maria Pia , Uccelli Antonio
Published: November 2020

The CoronaVirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic is a threat of particular concern for people affected by chronic immune-mediated diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), who are often treated with immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive drugs, which may increase the risk of infections in general. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, empirical guidelines on how to manage treatments for immune-mediated diseases, including MS, were released. Subsequently, the first clinical pictures and data sets have been published, describing the outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with MS treated with immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive drugs. Here we will review available information on how infections by human coronaviruses affect the immune system in untreated subjects and in patients affected by MS treated with drugs which modulate the immune system.
Sex differences in presentation, management, and outcomes among patients hospitalized with acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Pribish Abby M , Beyer Sebastian E , Krawisz Anna K , Weinberg Ido , Carroll Brett J , Secemsky Eric A
Published: November 2020

While the presence of gender disparities in cardiovascular disease have been described, there is a paucity of data regarding the impact of sex in acute pulmonary embolism (PE). We identified all patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital with acute PE between August 1, 2012 through July 1, 2018. We stratified the presenting characteristics, management, and outcomes between women and men. Of the 2031 patients admitted with acute PE, 1081 (53.2%) were women. Women were more likely to present with dyspnea (59.8% vs 52.0%, p < 0.001) and less likely to present with hemoptysis (1.9% vs 4.0%, p = 0.01). Women were older (63.8 ± 17.4 years vs 62.3 ± 15.0 years, p = 0.04), but had lower rates of myocardial infarction, liver disease, smoking history, and prior DVT. PE severity was similar between women and men (massive: 4.9% vs 3.6%; submassive: 43.9% vs 41.8%; p = 0.19), yet women were more likely to present with normal right ventricular size on a surface echocardiogram (63.2% vs 54.8%, p = 0.01). In unadjusted analyses, women were less likely to survive to discharge (92.4% vs 94.7%, p = 0.04), but after adjustment, there was no sex-based survival difference. There were no sex differences in the PE-related diagnostic studies performed, use of advanced therapies, or short-term outcomes, before and after adjustment ( p > 0.05 for all). In this large PE cohort from a tertiary care institution, women had different comorbidity profiles and PE presentations compared with men. Despite these differences, there were no sex disparities in PE management or outcomes.
How metaphors shape the particularities of illness and healing experiences
Authors: Gibbs Raymond W.
Published: November 2020

Metaphors are frequently seen in individuals’ descriptions of their illness and healing experiences. These figurative phrases are not ornamental, or distracting, but often reveal the particularities of what it is like to be ill or healing. Culture plays a big role in shaping the particular metaphors employed to express one’s thoughts about illness and different healing rituals. However, a significant reason why metaphor emerges in illness narratives is because people ordinarily reason via embodied simulation processes in which they imaginatively project themselves into different real-world and fantastic situations, such as imagining one’s struggle with cancer as being a complex dance with the disease. These simulations can play a major role in therapeutic interventions to help those who are ill and in distress.
Digitalisation and social security in the EU. The case of platform work: from work protection to income protection?
Authors: Schoukens Paul
Published: November 2020

Platform workers face problems in accessing effective social protection schemes. Furthermore, these workers are not always in a position to build up robust social protection rights even in case they can participate in the schemes. Compared to standard workers, they work in a precarious situation. The small tasks they perform, their geographical mobility and their low earnings are issues that create problems for social security systems’ ability to accommodate these workers. In this contribution, attention to the specific working conditions of platform workers is given; starting from the concept of standard work and a discussion of the way platform work deviates from that performed by standard workers (the original basis used to design traditional social protection schemes). In a second part of this paper, the various challenges that platform work create for social protection schemes are enunciated. In the third part of the contribution, the recent EU Recommendation on access to social protection is used as a yardstick to discuss what kind of answers should be given to accommodate platform workers in social protection schemes. In the final part, conclusions around three elements that are characteristic of platform work, yet not sufficiently addressed in national social protection schemes, nor in the EU Recommendation, are developed. These observations help to establish findings on the future outlook of social protection schemes, which should be inclusive and accommodative for all (new) types of work.
“Bullet colic” following renal gunshot wound
Authors: Kaestner L , Moore A , Salukazana S , Howlett J , De Jager S , De Wet E , Lazarus J
Published: November 2020

Selective non-operative management for penetrating injuries to the kidney is widely accepted. The management of a retained projectile within the kidney remains unclear. We present a case of bilateral renal gunshot wound (GSW) which was managed non-operatively. The patient presented with a peculiar complication of renal colic due to a migrated projectile 5 months post injury. Retained projectiles within the renal collecting system have a risk for stone formation and migration.
H∞ optimization of Maxwell dynamic vibration absorber with multiple negative stiffness springs
Authors: Hao Yan , Shen Yongjun , Li Xianghong , Wang Jun , Yang Shaopu
Published: November 2020

The Maxwell model with viscoelastic material and multiple negative stiffness springs is introduced into dynamic vibration absorber system, and all the system parameters are optimized in detail. The analytical solution of the primary system is exhibited according to the established motion differential equation. The dimensionless system parameters, including the optimum natural frequency ratio, the optimum damping ratio and the first optimum negative stiffness ratio of dynamic vibration absorber, are obtained based on H∞ optimization principle and the fixed-point theory. Considering system stability, the other optimum negative stiffness ratio is also determined. Furthermore, by the comparisons of the presented dynamic vibration absorber with other traditional dynamic vibration absorbers, it is found that the dynamic vibration absorber in this paper has better vibration reduction effect in the case of both harmonic and random excitation.
A Survey on Cardiovascular Nursing Occupational Standard: Meeting the Needs of Employers
Authors: Matić Ivica , Froelicher Erika S. , Uzokov Jamol , Ljubas Ana
Published: November 2020

Occupational standard is the result of the agreement between relevant stakeholders in the labor market and education on optimal content for a particular occupation. While drafting occupational standard, the primary instrument for researching competencies at a workplace is a survey on occupational standard. This study identifies key competencies, roles, and responsibilities that are deemed necessary by employers of cardiovascular nurses. The survey addressed the responses of 41 organizations from 11 out of 21 counties in Croatia which were represented by the head nurses of cardiology departments in the hospitals. The survey consisted of 24 questions that covered the main responsibilities, competencies, generic skills, and psychometric abilities. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Conducting diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, health care, education, administration of medications, monitoring, and documentation were listed as the main responsibilities of cardiovascular nurses. The most common skills included assessment, monitoring patient’s condition, knowledge of the diagnostic or therapeutic procedures and cardiovascular diseases, interpreting the electrocardiograms, preparing patients for checkups, conducting patient’s education, and following practice guidelines. Generic skills included communication and organizational skills, teamwork, and responsibility. Reaction time and attention span were the most assessed psychomotor abilities. Artificial lighting and radiation were the most important environmental risk factors. The most appropriate level of education for cardiovascular nursing was specialist graduate studies. The results of the study could be used to develop occupational standards for cardiovascular nursing and to guide the curriculum for the educational program development.
A Minimally Invasive Approach to Left Ventricular Assist Device Insertion Facilitates Subsequent Explant
Authors: Ziegler Luke A. , Bittle Gregory J. , Klass Wyatt J. , Sorensen Erik N. , Madathil Ronson J. , Feller Erika D. , Griffith Bartley P. , Kaczorowski David J.
Published: November 2020

A minimally invasive approach to left ventricular assist device (LVAD) insertion may benefit patients at the time of implant, but whether the approach to LVAD insertion influences the outcome of subsequent cardiovascular reoperations is unknown. Here we present the case of a 50-year-old male who underwent LVAD insertion through a minimally invasive approach and subsequently had left ventricular recovery. LVAD explant was performed without the use of any blood products or inotropic support. This case demonstrates that a minimally invasive approach to LVAD insertion may also facilitate subsequent device explant.
Computational analysis of water based Cu - Al2O3/H2O flow over a vertical wedge
Authors: Abbas Nadeem , Nadeem S , Saleem Anber
Published: November 2020

Theoretical and numerical investigation of the fluctuating mixed convection of hybrid nanofluid flow over a vertical Riga wedge is considered in this analysis. Two kinds of solid nanoparticles with base fluid at vertical Riga wedge is studied. Thermal and velocity slip impacts on vertical Riga wedge are investigated in the current study. We discussed both the unsteady and steady cases. The water has low thermal conductivity. We added the nanoparticle [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] which increases the thermal conductivity of the base fluid. This phenomena increase the heat transfer rate at the surface Riga plate. Partial differential equations are reduced into an ordinary differential equation by means of dimensionless similarity variables. The resulting ordinary differential equations are further solved through numerical and perturbation methods. Thickness of momentum boundary layer is reduced because of the solid nanoparticle rises in all cases of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]and[Formula: see text]. Our results are more agreeing with the decay results of Bachok et al. and Yacob et al. when rest of the physical parameters dimensions.
Recommendations for lipid modification in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack: A clinical guide by the Hellenic Stroke Organization and the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society
Authors: Sagris Dimitrios , Ntaios George , Georgiopoulos Georgios , Kakaletsis Nikolaos , Elisaf Moses , Katsiki Niki , Korompoki Eleni , Kypreos Kyriakos E , Boutari Chrysoula , Bilianou Helen , Makaritsis Konstantinos , Nomikos Tzortzis , Papavasileiou Vasileios , Pitsavos Christos , Plomaritoglou Androniki , Spengos Konstantinos , Tziomalos Konstantinos , Tselepis Alexandros , Vemmos Konstantinos , Liberopoulos Evangelos , Milionis Haralampos
Published: November 2020

This document presents the consensus recommendations of the Hellenic Stroke Organization and the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society for lipid modification in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. This clinical guide summarizes the current literature on lipid management and can be of assistance to the physicians treating stroke patients in clinical practice.
Strategic communications: The Pakistan military’s use of social media against terrorism
Authors: Khan Muhammad Khalil , Pratt Cornelius B
Published: November 2020

This study examines the Pakistan military’s strategic use of social media in encouraging and sustaining public support for the ongoing war against terrorism in Pakistan. Its findings indicate that the military used significantly different types of strategic frames in response to a fast-changing, evolving security situation in the country. Framing was used strategically to facilitate public–military and people-to-people engagements. Motivational frames were the most dominant forms of communication used to generate dialogue between the military and the public in the war against terrorism and to enhance public participation in it. This study also indicates that different frames used by Pakistan’s military on social media significantly mediated military engagement with different segments of society during the critical phases of Pakistan’s ongoing war against terrorism.
Can Healing Architecture Increase Safety in the Design of Psychiatric Wards?
Authors: Lundin Stefan
Published: November 2020

Objectives:

The objective of this discussion paper is to deepen the discourse on the complex interrelationship between “healing architecture” and “safe architecture,” here labeled “ The healing and safety complex,” for the benefit of those who want to make informed decisions in the design of future psychiatric wards.

Background:

Today’s psychiatric care sets the patient at the forefront. As a part of this ambition, the discussion regarding the patient’s physical environment has also advanced. At the same time, staff are exposed to increasing threats and violence in their everyday work, which can lead to severe personal psychological suffering as well as physical injuries. The requirements of patients and staff are sometimes conflicting which has ethical implications.

Methods:

The reasoning and arguments presented here mainly derive from discussions and dialogue with psychiatric facility management and other healthcare professionals in multidisciplinary working groups during the design process.

Results:

Offering patients and staff a healing and safe environment is the most important architectural challenge in the design of psychiatric wards. How architects, management, and staff evaluate and balance the two aspects will have a crucial impact on the building’s final design and atmosphere and thereby influence staff and patient safety as well as civil protection.

Conclusions:

In everyday practice, it is up to the multidisciplinary design teams and management to become better informed in order to make “the right decisions to the best of their ability” as evidence is still limited when it comes to “ The healing and safety complex.”
How Do Children Experience the Embodied Communication and Leadership of Teachers? Expressing the Voices of Children Through Artistic, Sensual, and Multimodal Methods in Educational Research
Authors: Berg Mathias Sune , Winther Helle
Published: November 2020

This article focuses on children’s lived experiences with teachers in school, and shows how a multimodal methodological perspective can strengthen the voices of children in educational research. The authors illustrate how a strong children’s perspective can be established with a methodical starting point inspired by phenomenology, critical utopian action research, and arts-based research. The inquiry is especially focused on how the embodied communication of the teacher’s professional practice is experienced by children and transformed from an often silent bodily knowledge to esthetic, artistic, and verbal formats. In order to understand the children’s lived experiences of life in school, they were invited into an open and playful future workshop. The workshop creates a dialogical space where the verbal, sensuous, emotional, and bodily expressions of both criticism and dreams can be articulated. It’s a space that can be seen as potentially activist material, because it allows for the dominance of the already existing structures to possibly be exceeded. Therefore, the article also includes children’s concrete artistic interpretations of the embodied leadership of their teachers. The empirical material shows how the artistic, visual, and aesthetic practices can transform the child’s lived experiences and contribute to creating an open space, where images, imagery, and metaphorical explorations are possible. The children’s voices show how they experience being seen, being invisible, or being touched by their teachers. They also show how they experience being afraid and exposed in the classroom. It is perhaps just here that the forms of expression in art offer a dialogic, collaborative foundation, where embodied experiences can be transformed into forms of knowledge that are more accessible to reflection and exploration. This could be a first step toward change.
Early labor force exits in patients with treatment-resistant depression: an assessment of work years lost in a Danish nationwide register-based cohort study
Authors: Bang Madsen Kathrine , Vogdrup Petersen Liselotte , Plana-Ripoll Oleguer , Musliner Katherine L. , Philippe Debost Jean-Christophe , Hordam Gronemann Frederikke , Mortensen Preben Bo , Munk-Olsen Trine
Published: November 2020

Background:

Depression is one of the leading causes of premature workforce exit in many Western countries, but little is known about the extent to which treatment-resistance reduces number of work-years. We compared the risk of premature workforce exit among patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) relative to non-TRD patients and estimated work years lost (WYL) before scheduled retirement age.

Methods:

The study population, identified in the Danish National Prescription Registry, included all individuals born and living in Denmark who redeemed their first antidepressant (AD) prescription for depression at age 18–60 years between 2005 and 2012. TRD was defined as failure to respond to at least two different treatment trials. Premature workforce exit was measured using disability pension records. We used Cox regression to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for premature workforce exit in TRD relative to non-TRD patients, adjusting for calendar year, psychiatric and somatic comorbidity, and educational level. Differences in WYL in patients with TRD and all depression patients were estimated through a competing risks model.

Results:

Out of the total sample of patients with depression ( N = 129,945), 7478 (5.75%) were classified as having TRD. During follow up, 17% of patients with TRD and 8% of non-TRD patients received disability pension, resulting in a greater than three-fold larger risk of premature workforce exit [adjusted HR (aHR) 3.23 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.05–3.43]. The TRD group lost on average six work-years (95% CI 5.64–6.47) more than the total sample due to early labor force exit. The association between TRD and age at premature workforce exit was inversely U-shaped; the hazard rate of premature workforce exit for patients with TRD compared with non-TRD patients was highest in the age groups 31–35, 36–40, and 41–45 years.

Conclusion:

Patients with TRD constitute a small group within depression patients, but contribute disproportionally to societal costs due to premature workforce exit at a young age.
The 13th International Conference of Students of Systematic Musicology (SysMus20)
Authors: Peck Landon S. L.
Published: November 2020

Held entirely online, the 13th International Conference of Students of Systematic Musicology (SysMus20) saw early stage researchers sharing ideas at the intersection of musicology and empirical scientific research. At this student-led conference, presenters were able to showcase exciting research projects, disseminate findings from recent studies, and learn valuable skills from virtual workshops. Keynote addresses were held by Dr Freya Bailes (University of Leeds) and Prof. Ian Cross (University of Cambridge). A summary of the sessions and an overview the conference is here presented by this report.
Alive and Well: Encouraging Long Term Health Habits Through Implementation of Student Driven Wellness Programs in Medical Schools
Authors: Salana Kristen , Maty Shauna , Hage Robert
Published: November 2020

Purpose

A lack of coping mechanisms has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and imposter syndrome among medical students. In response, schools have been searching for methods to negate these results through wellness programs focused on student life.

Methods

A survey comprised of three multiple choice questions was disseminated amongst first year basic science medical students to determine their current state of well-being and potential interest in an educational course focused on wellness. Questions inquired about students’ current coping strategies and their interest in engaging in wellness focused activities. Participants’ responses were then used to create a Well-being selective. The course design was centered around a small points reward system in order to promote autonomous decision making and encourage balance of body, mind, and spirit.

Results/Discussion

Initial survey data suggests student interest in the creation of a wellness centered selective. Students engaged in a diverse array of activities to support the whole of their being. By tracking student choices of activities to engage in and feedback sent to the selective director, the selective design is being adapted to fit the needs of the student body.

Conclusion

Through promotion of on and off-campus extracurricular activities, the Well-being selective offers a non-threatening and self-paced approach to a balanced mind, body, and spirit. In this selective, students participate in diverse activities that support health and life balance, ranging from sunset group yoga to local botany. Student feedback suggests that through the selective they have experienced increased community engagement and support during their basic sciences medical education.
Exploring Discourses About Race/Ethnicity in a Spanish TV Football Program
Authors: Longas Luque Carmen , van Sterkenburg Jacco
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to examine discourses about race/ethnicity in Spanish football commentary, where this type of research is scarce. Previous research in other countries has found that football commentators tend to draw on racial/ethnic stereotypes when commenting on players. This, combined with the large audiences that televised football attracts, may contribute to the (re)production of racialized discourses. In this study, we conducted a content analysis of ten broadcasts of televised post-match Spanish football commentary, using an in-depth qualitative approach. We conceptualized race/ethnicity as a layered concept instead of the commonly used Black–White dichotomy, taking into consideration the complexity of racial/ethnic categories in the Spanish context. We didn’t find evidence for the reproduction of some dominant discourses; however, we did find evidence for the reproduction of some hegemonic discourses that reinforce an “us” vs. “them” discourse. In our discussion we place these results within the larger societal and historical context.
Sacral Agenesis: A Neglected Deformity That Increases the Incidence of Postoperative Coronal Imbalance in Congenital Lumbosacral Deformities
Authors: Zhang Tianyuan , Shu Shibin , Jing Wenting , Gu Qi , Liu Zhen , Sun Xu , Wang Bin , Qiu Yong , Zhu Zezhang , Bao Hongda
Published: November 2020

Study Design:

A retrospective study.

Objectives:

To identify if there is a link between sacral agenesis (SA) and post-operative coronal imbalance in patients with congenital lumbosacral deformities.

Methods:

This study reviewed a consecutive series of patients with congenital lumbosacral deformities. They had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. According to different diagnosis, they were divided into SA and non-SA group. Comparison analysis was performed between patients with and without post-operative coronal imbalance and risk factors were identified.

Results:

A total of 45 patients (18 in SA group and 27 in non-SA group) were recruited into this study, among whom 33 patients maintained coronal balance while 12 demonstrated postoperative coronal imbalance at last follow-up (14.32 ± 7.67 mm vs 35.53 ± 3.91 mm, P < 0.001). Univariate analysis showed that preoperative lumbar Cobb angle, immediate postoperative coronal balance distance and diagnosis of SA were significantly different between patients with and without post-operative coronal imbalance (P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that SA was an independent risk factor for postoperative coronal imbalance.

Conclusions:

As an independent risk factor for postoperative coronal imbalance, high level of suspicion of SA should be aware in children with congenital lumbosacral deformities. Sufficient bone grafts at sacroiliac joint are recommended for SA patients to prevent postoperative coronal imbalance.
Diversity and Equality Management System and Perceived Organisational Performance: A Mediating Role of Organisational Citizenship Behaviour
Authors: Patnaik Bignya , Shukla Mahendra Kumar
Published: November 2020

A structured diversity and equality management system (DEMS) contributes to the smooth and peaceful functioning of organisations. The review of literature shows that the impact of DEMS on organisational performance and growth is found to be positive in Western countries. However, there appears to be a lack of research on the role of DEMS in Indian organisations, especially in the IT industry. This study makes an attempt to assess the impact of DEMS on perceived organisational performance and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and empirically validate the mediating role of OCB in Indian IT firms. This study used descriptive research design, and the nature of research questions mandated the primary cross-sectional data collection method. The online questionnaire was e-mailed to human resource managers as well as executives of IT firms in India. Responses of 220 respondents were analysed to test the hypotheses of the research using CB-SEM. The results confirm a mediating role of OCB on the linkage between DEMS and perceived organisational performance. Findings suggest that organisations should promote OCB as it contributes significantly in establishing a positive, committed and conflict-free work environment.
Stock Market Asymmetry and Investors’ Sensation on Prime Minister: Indian Evidence
Authors: Roy Subrata
Published: November 2020

This study empirically examines the growth of return, volatility shocks, market efficiency and investors’ sentiment on prime ministers during their administration as a prime minister. Thus, various volatility forecasting measures are applied. It is observed that BSE return does not follow a random walk and inefficient during their tenures as a prime minister. ARCH measure confirms about volatility clustering. According to the EGARCH measure leverage effect does not exist, but the presence of this effect based on TARCH during the tenure of few prime ministers. Finally, the investors are trustful to those prime ministers who are elected from the Indian National Congress according to the growth of return.
Beyond Land Redistribution: A Case for Stewardship in Land Reform
Authors: Musendekwa Menard , Tinarwo Munyaradzi , Chakauya Rumbidzayi , Chakauya Ereck
Published: November 2020

The right to own and derive value out of the land, (cf. ownership) is a human right enshrined in the constitution of most democratic countries. Land reform is arguably the most emotional, socio-economic, and political subject of the colonial and post-colonial era of the African continent. It is a subject that has remained sacred and a taboo creating a fertile ground for protracted political, social, economic, and religious conflicts. Many African indigenous communities are genuinely struggling to address inequality and deprivation. Despite the overwhelming economic demand to address the land question, only a handful of African countries have been bold enough to tackle the issue head-on, sometimes with dire consequences. In the current article, we use the Zimbabwe land reform programme as a case and through a biblical lens show cause for land not just as a commodity where belonging is the ultimate deciding factor but rather emphasise ownership by stewardship. This perspective is compatible with modern systems of governance, ubuntu in the African traditional culture, and encourage efficiency of production to achieve food security despite the polarised discourse of land reform in most countries.
COVID-19 Reminds Us Why We Must Invest More on Family-Based Alternatives for Children
Authors: Keshri Ankit Kumar
Published: November 2020

The emergence of COVID-19, followed by the subsequent lockdowns, is the reason why childcare practitioners, across the globe, are predicting an increase in the number of children requiring assistance for their care and protection. To fulfil those needs, increasing institutionalization of children is also expected. However, in the given circumstances, it is essential to bring in the findings of previous researches, establishing the fact that growing up in institutions causes long-term damages to the social, psychological and developmental wellbeing of children. This paper attempts to contextualize these aspects by underscoring the need for family-based alternatives and describing the existing situation of South Asia.
Solving Post-acquisition Integration Failure from the Outside-in
Authors: Takhtehkar Jawad Sayadi , Rademakers Martijn F.
Published: November 2020

In this article, we argue that post-acquisition performance can be improved by adding an outside-in business-level strategy to synergy-driven corporate-level strategy. Multinational companies (MNCs) frequently opt to accelerate new business development through the acquisition of innovative companies. We present an in-depth case study of an integration failure after a multi-million-dollar acquisition and also explore how the integration was eventually turned into a success. Initially, the synergies between the MNC legacy business and the acquired company do not play out as expected. As new business development stalls and important growth markets are missed, corporate value destruction occurs. As often happens, consultants are hired to fix the problem, but cannot turn the tide. Eventually, the MNC empowers key people inside the company and finds a way to solve the problem. The essence of the solution lies in deep, genuine, outside-in strategizing at the business level. In hindsight, the MNC suffered from corporate strategy myopia relying on high-level analyses and net-present value (NPV) calculations of potential synergies as a starting point for post-acquisition integration, instead of a clear, outside-in view of the strategic business model required to create value.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in systemic sclerosis: Yes!! BUT. . .
Authors: AlOdhaibi Khitam A , Varga John , Furst Daniel E
Published: November 2020

Systemic sclerosis is a chronic multisystem, autoimmune disease with high mortality, and to date, has no effective approved therapy. For patients with the most severe forms of systemic sclerosis, autologous hematopoietic stem cell therapy has been proven to be effective, as demonstrated by three randomized controlled clinical trials and at least two registry studies. In the controlled studies, autologous hematopoietic stem cell therapy was shown to improve mortality, skin involvement, quality-of-life, and function compared with patients treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide. There is significant transplant-related mortality associated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell therapy, as well as infectious and noninfectious serious adverse events, including cardiac and renal compromise. Although the results of autologous hematopoietic stem cell therapy clinical trials to date are highly encouraging, a number of important unanswered questions remain. These include the following: What is the optimal transplant regimen; can the spectrum of systemic sclerosis patients who respond to autologous hematopoietic stem cell therapy be expanded; how can disease relapse following autologous hematopoietic stem cell therapy be predicted and managed; can treatment-related toxicity and mortality be mitigated; can response or toxicity be predicted; and finally, is there a place for allogeneic stem cell transplants in systemic sclerosis? Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease with multiple immunological, vascular, and fibrotic abnormalities. Immunosuppressive therapy is frequently used, but to date its efficacy has been generally modest. Stem cell transplantation is the most potent immunosuppressive therapy currently available, and as discussed below, may have an important role in the management of systemic sclerosis.
A Rare Case of Brugada Phenocopy in A Patient With Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Masquerading as an Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Mahadevappa Manjappa , Kulkarni Prashanth , KS Poornima
Published: November 2020

Brugada phenocopies (BrP) are clinical entities that are etiologically distinct from true congenital Brugada syndrome. BrP are characterized by type 1 or 2 Brugada electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns in precordial leads V1-V3. However, BrP is elicited by various underlying clinical conditions such as myocardial ischemia, pulmonary embolism, electrolyte abnormalities, or poor ECG filters. Upon resolution of the inciting underlying pathological condition, the BrP ECG subsequently normalizes.

Takotsubo (octopus fishing pot) cardiomyopathy (TCM) also known as stress cardiomyopathy is an acute cardiac condition characterized by transient systolic dysfunction of the left ventricular apex and mid-ventricle with depressed LV function mimicking acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and recovers within a few weeks. TCM is most commonly seen in postmenopausal women with intense physical and or emotional stress. We are reporting a rare case of BrP in a patient with TCM masquerading as ACS posing a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.
Management of ureteric avulsion during ureteroscopy: a systematic review and our experience
Authors: Shekar P. Ashwin , Kochhar Gaurav , Reddy Dinesh , Dumra Anuj
Published: November 2020

Background

Ureteric avulsion is a disastrous intraoperative complication that can happen to any urologist during a common endoscopic procedure like ureteroscopy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the various management options of ureteric avulsion during ureteroscopy and also report our relevant experience in this topic.

Results

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of existing literature in English language was used in the period 1967–2019 with a literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. Forty-three patients in twenty-three articles who had undergone management of ureteric avulsion during ureteroscopy were identified for review. There were 15 proximal, 19 two-point (“scabbard”) and 9 distal avulsions. All distal avulsions were managed successfully with ureteroneocystostomies or Boari flaps. Boari flaps and ureteropyelostomy with ureterovesicostomy were the common procedures used for proximal avulsions. Proximal avulsions had more varied outcomes with salvage rates of 86.9%. Procedures which incorporated the avulsed distal ureter for reconstruction had poor results.

Conclusion

Management of ureteric avulsion during ureteroscopy is a surgical challenge. While management of distal avulsions is straightforward in the form of ureteroneocystostomies and has uniformly good results in most hands, proximal avulsions need expertise in management and choosing ideal reconstruction, with variable results following reconstruction. Extended Boari flaps, ileal ureter and autotransplantation are good options for proximal avulsions. Reconstruction using the distal avascular ureter should be avoided for better long-term results.