bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracing divergence in crisis governance: responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in France, Germany and Sweden compared
Authors: Kuhlmann Sabine , Hellström Mikael , Ramberg Ulf , Reiter Renate
Published: January 2021

This cross-country comparison of administrative responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in France, Germany and Sweden is aimed at exploring how institutional contexts and administrative cultures have shaped strategies of problem-solving and governance modes during the pandemic, and to what extent the crisis has been used for opportunity management. The article shows that in France, the central government reacted determinedly and hierarchically, with tough containment measures. By contrast, the response in Germany was characterized by an initial bottom-up approach that gave way to remarkable federal unity in the further course of the crisis, followed again by a return to regional variance and local discretion. In Sweden, there was a continuation of ‘normal governance’ and a strategy of relying on voluntary compliance largely based on recommendations and less – as in Germany and France – on a strategy of imposing legally binding regulations. The comparative analysis also reveals that relevant stakeholders in all three countries have used the crisis as an opportunity for changes in the institutional settings and administrative procedures.

Points for practitioners

COVID-19 has shown that national political and administrative standard operating procedures in preparation for crises are, at best, partially helpful. Notwithstanding the fact that dealing with the unpredictable is a necessary part of crisis management, a need to further improve the institutional preparedness for pandemic crises in all three countries examined here has also become clear. This should be done particularly by way of shifting resources to the health and care sectors, strengthening the decentralized management of health emergencies, stocking and/or self-producing protection material, assessing the effects of crisis measures, and opening the scientific discourse to broader arenas of experts.
How Life-Role Transitions Shape Consumer Responses to Brand Extensions
Authors: Su Lei , Monga Alokparna (Sonia) Basu , Jiang Yuwei
Published: January 2021

Life-role transition is a state wherein people pass through different life stages, involving changes in identities, roles, and responsibilities. Across six studies, the current research shows that consumers under life-role transition have more favorable attitudes toward distant (i.e., low- or moderate-fit) brand extensions than consumers who are not under life-role transition. The effect is driven by a sense of self-concept ambiguity associated with life-role transition, which subsequently prompts dialectical thinking that helps improve perceived fit between a parent brand and its extension, finally resulting in more favorable brand extension evaluation. This effect diminishes for (1) near (i.e., high-fit) brand extensions that do not require dialectical thinking for perceiving fit; (2) for sub-brand (vs. direct brand) architecture, for which there is less of a need to use dialectical thinking to reconcile the inconsistencies between a parent brand and its extension; and (3) when consumers perceive they have resources to cope with the life-role transition, which attenuates self-concept ambiguity. This research offers important theoretical and managerial insights by focusing on life-role transition—an important aspect of consumers’ lives that has been largely underresearched—and by demonstrating how and why it elicits more favorable attitudes toward brand extensions.
Appearance change for colored spun yarn fabric based on image color transfer
Authors: Zhang Ning , Hu Qun , Wang Lei , Meng Shuo , Pan Ruru , Gao Weidong
Published: January 2021

The fabric of colored spun yarn has ever-changing appearances and styles with different fancy yarns. The fabric image is commonly designed by the designer using the software, which needs complex user interactions and difficult image segmentation. In this paper, a modified color transfer method was proposed to generate the fabric appearance of colored spun yarn. Given the color card as the target image, the style fabric image was matched as the reference image based on the dominant luminance. After transferring the two images to lαβ color space, Wavelet transform and luminance sampling were utilized to filter the redundant high-frequency information and select the representative pixels, respectively. Then, the chromatic channels were transferred based on the best matched luminance and the neighborhood relation. Finally, the image after color transfer was reconstructed by wavelet reconstruction. The proposed reference image matching maintained the result to be the ground truth. For the samples selected, the combined methods based on wavelet transform and luminance sampling improved the efficiency and performance of the proposed scheme. Experiments were conducted on different fabrics with different colors and styles. Experiments demonstrated the validity and superiority of the proposed method, which can provide referential assistance for the designer and save considerable amounts of labor.
The double burden of treating traumatic stress in low-resource communities: experiences and perspectives of non-specialist health workers in South Africa
Authors: Booysen Duane D. , Kagee Ashraf
Published: January 2021

Considering the global trend towards the dissemination and implementation of trauma-focused treatments in the majority of the world, it is imperative to ascertain the contextual factors which affect the treatment of traumatic stress, especially in low- and middle-income countries characterised by ongoing adversity such as poverty and increased levels of trauma exposure. We explored the experiences of non-specialist health workers whose work involved providing trauma-focused services in low-resource communities in South Africa. Participants ( n = 18) worked at four non-governmental organisations in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape of South Africa. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted and analysed using a phenomenologically informed thematic analysis. Two superordinate themes were identified, namely, adjusting to trauma-focused work and trauma in the social context. Five themes that made up the superordinate themes were Encountering Trauma Narratives, Support and Resilience, Going the Extra Mile, Helplessness, and Social Factors. The findings are not only in keeping with the psychological risks of trauma-focused work (e.g., vicarious traumatisation) but also highlighting the impact of the social context on the provision of trauma-focused work. Participants reported experiencing an added burden of helplessness due to social factors, such as poverty and high levels of trauma exposure, which affect the process of treating traumatic stress in low-resource settings. We discuss how these findings can contribute to efforts to implement trauma-focused services in low- and middle-income countries.
The development of preverbs in Northern East Cree: A longitudinal case study
Authors: Brittain Julie , Rose Yvan
Published: January 2021

This study is based on naturalistic speech samples produced by one child learning Cree as her first language (2;01-4;03) and presents the first investigation into the development of preverbs in the language. Preverbs are an optional class of morpheme which precede the lexical verb stem, dividing into grammatical, lexical and directional (deictic) subclasses. Of nine preverb types in the child’s inventory, 47/48 tokens are grammatical. We argue that these appear early because they exhibit phonological transparency (do not alternate in form) and positional predictability (are restricted to preverb position). Lexical and directional preverbs, however, alternate in form and may appear in either preverb position or within the lexical stem. Furthermore, the child first began to use preverbs with the grammatically simpler independent (default) inflection (2;04), and 7 months later with the more syntactically restrictive conjunct inflection (2;11). She also used each preverb with one inflection type only, even where a choice of inflections was available, and she never produced more than one preverb per verb complex although multiple preverbs are common. In sum, grammatical complexity appears to be a driving factor in determining the child’s development pattern.
Media framing of COVID-19 pandemic in the transitional regime of Serbia: Exploring discourses and strategies
Authors: Milutinović Irina
Published: January 2021

The subject of this study is media discourse on the Covid-19 pandemic in the Republic of Serbia. The study seeks to contribute to the understanding of the communication aspects of the current public health crisis within the transitional (hybrid) regime of Serbia. One of the paper’s objectives is to explore how Serbian media frame the discourse on the Covid-19 pandemic. The second objective is to examine whether journalists produce investigative and analytical contents on this pressing topic independently or just mediate to the public patterns created by the public health crisis management. By applying language analysis and intertextual analysis methods to a sample of 230 media texts, we point to the incoherence of media discourse on the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as to the lack of media independence in an environment of the permanent political campaign.
International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria (INHAND): Nonproliferative and Proliferative Lesions of the Minipig
Authors: Skydsgaard Mikala , Dincer Zuhal , Haschek Wanda M. , Helke Kris , Jacob Binod , Jacobsen Bjoern , Jeppesen Gitte , Kato Atsuhiko , Kawaguchi Hiroaki , McKeag Sean , Nelson Keith , Rittinghausen Susanne , Schaudien Dirk , Vemireddi Vimala , Wojcinski Zbigniew W.
Published: January 2021

The INHAND (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions) Project ( www.toxpath.org/inhand.asp ) is a joint initiative of the Societies of Toxicologic Pathology from Europe (ESTP), Great Britain (BSTP), Japan (JSTP), and North America (STP) to develop an internationally accepted nomenclature for proliferative and nonproliferative lesions in laboratory animals. The purpose of this publication is to provide a standardized nomenclature for classifying microscopic lesions observed in most tissues and organs from the minipig used in nonclinical safety studies. Some of the lesions are illustrated by color photomicrographs. The standardized nomenclature presented in this document is also available electronically on the internet ( http://www.goreni.org/ ). Sources of material included histopathology databases from government, academia, and industrial laboratories throughout the world. Content includes spontaneous lesions as well as lesions induced by exposure to test materials. Relevant infectious and parasitic lesions are included as well. A widely accepted and utilized international harmonization of nomenclature for lesions in laboratory animals will provide a common language among regulatory and scientific research organizations in different countries and increase and enrich international exchanges of information among toxicologists and pathologists.
Improving Hands‐free Speech Rehabilitation in Patients With a Laryngectomy: Proof‐of‐Concept of an Intratracheal Fixation Device
Authors: Leemans Maartje , van Alphen Maarten J.A. , Dirven Richard , Verkerke Gijsbertus J. , Hekman Edsko E.G. , van den Brekel Michiel W.M.
Published: January 2021

Permanent hands‐free speech with the use of an automatic speaking valve (ASV) is regarded as the optimal voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy. Due to fixation problems, regular ASV use in patients with a laryngectomy is limited. We have developed an intratracheal fixation device (ITFD) composed of an intratracheal button augmented by hydrophilic foam around its shaft. This study evaluates the short‐term effectiveness and experienced comfort of this ITFD during hands‐free speech in 7 participants with a laryngectomy. We found that 4 of 7 participants had secure ASV fixation inside the tracheostoma during hands‐free speech for at least 30 minutes with the ITFD. The ITFD’s comfort was perceived positively overall. The insertion was perceived as being mildly uncomfortable but not painful. This proof‐of‐concept study demonstrates the feasibility of the ITFD that might improve stomal attachment of ASVs, and it provides the basis for further development toward a prototype suitable for long‐term daily use.
Primary Surgical Treatment in Very Advanced (T4b) Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Patel Evan J. , Oliver Jamie R. , Vaezi Alec , Li Zujun , Persky Michael , Tam Moses , Hu Kenneth S. , Jacobson Adam S. , Givi Babak
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To describe patterns of primary surgical treatments in patients with T4b oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC).

Study Design

Historical cohort study.

Setting

National Cancer Database.

Methods

Review of the National Cancer Database between 2004 and 2017 for all T4b OCSCCs. Only patients with curative treatment methods were included in the survival analysis. Surgical and nonsurgical outcomes were compared by multivariable and propensity score matching analysis.

Results

A total of 1515 cases of T4b OCSCC were identified. A minority of patients (n = 363, 24.0%) underwent curative treatment; among these, 206 (56.7%) underwent primary surgery. Median length of follow‐up was 24 months. The 90‐day mortality of patients who underwent surgical treatment was 1.0%. The 2‐year survival was higher for patients who underwent surgery + chemoradiotherapy (CRT) as compared with CRT (64.6% vs 45.2%, P <. 001). On multivariable analysis, surgery + CRT was associated with longer survival. In a propensity score–matched cohort of 312 patients, 2‐year survival remained higher in the surgical group versus the nonsurgical group (59.4% vs 45.5%, P =. 02). Among patients who underwent surgery + CRT, there was no difference in 2‐year survival between clinical T4a and T4b (59% vs 64.6%, P =. 20).

Conclusions

A minority of patients with T4b OCSCC undergo treatments with curative intent. A subset of patients underwent primary surgical treatment, which was associated with longer survival. The T4b classification might entail a heterogenous group, and further studies in revision of this classification might be justified.
Efficacy of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor modulator augmentation in schizophrenia: A meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled trials
Authors: Goh Kah Kheng , Wu Tzu-Hua , Chen Chun-Hsin , Lu Mong-Liang
Published: January 2021

Background:

Dysfunction of the N-methyl- D-aspartate glutamate receptor is involved in the putative pathology of schizophrenia. There is growing interest in the potential of N-methyl- D-aspartate receptor modulators to improve the symptoms of schizophrenia, but the evidence for the use of glutamatergic agents for augmenting schizophrenia remains inconclusive.

Aims:

We conducted a meta-analysis to test the efficacy and safety of N-methyl- D-aspartate receptor modulator supplements in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods:

Following a systemic search in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane and Scopus, 40 double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled trials involving 4937 patients with schizophrenia were included in this meta-analysis. The change in the severity of symptoms among patients with schizophrenia was defined as the primary outcome, whereas the safety profiles of the intervention, including the discontinuation rate and adverse events, were defined as secondary outcomes.

Results:

When added to antipsychotic treatments, N-methyl- D-aspartate receptor modulators improved multiple schizophrenia symptoms, particularly negative symptoms, and had satisfactory side effects and safety profile. Among the seven glutamatergic agents analysed, glycine, D-serine and sarcosine had better treatment profiles than other agents, and NMDA receptor co-agonists, as a group, provided a reduction in schizophrenia symptoms compared to antipsychotic treatments without supplementation. Augmentation with N-methyl- D-aspartate receptor modulators was only effective among patients treated with antipsychotics other than clozapine.

Conclusions:

The results indicate that N-methyl- D-aspartate receptor modulators, particularly with glycine, D-serine and sarcosine, are more beneficial than the placebo in treating schizophrenia, and the effects extended to both positive and negative symptoms, when augmented with antipsychotics other than clozapine.
Cariprazine modulates sleep architecture in rats
Authors: Nyitrai Gabriella , Kiss Béla , Farkas Bence , Balázs Ottilia , Diószegi Pálma , Lendvai Balázs , Czurkó András
Published: January 2021

Background:

Cariprazine is a dopamine D3-preferring D3/D2 receptor partial agonist compound recently introduced to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Although cariprazine is clinically classified as a low-somnolence drug, to date no detailed polysomnographic study is available on its effect on sleep.

Aims:

This study examined the acute systemic effects of cariprazine on the rat sleep architecture and electroencephalography spectral power.

Methods:

Sprague Dawley rats were recorded during their normal sleep period for four hours, and their sleep stages were classified.

Results:

Cariprazine (0.3 mg/kg i.p.) reduced the time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and increased REM latency. This dose of cariprazine decreased the gamma (40–80 Hz) band frequency oscillations and increased the theta (4–9 Hz) and alpha (9–15 Hz) frequencies during the wake periods but not during slow-wave sleep. The 0.03 mg/kg dose of cariprazine only increased the alpha power during the wake periods, while the 0.003 mg/kg dose was without any effect.

Conclusion:

Taken together, the present results suggest that the REM-suppressing effect of cariprazine may be related to its effectiveness in improving depressive symptoms, as various drugs with similar REM-reducing properties effectively treat the depressive state, whereas the gamma power-reducing effect of cariprazine may be indicative of its efficacy in schizophrenia or mania, as similar effects have been observed with other D2 and 5-HT2 receptor antagonist drugs. These data contribute to our understanding of the complex mechanism of action that may stand behind the clinical efficacy of cariprazine.
Internet Addiction and Its Relationship to Gender, Depression and Anxiety Among Medical Students in Anbar Governorate-West of Iraq
Authors: Al Shawi Ameel F , Hameed Aseel K , Shalal Aatika I , Abd Kareem Sara S , Majeed Mujtabaa A , Humidy Sara T
Published: January 2021

Introduction

The rapid increase of internet using was associated with a rise in internet addiction (IA) especially among adolescent and young adults that may associated with underlying psychological disorders. The aims of the study: a) to estimate the prevalence of internet addiction among medical students in Anbar governorate, b) to assess the effect of internet addiction on mental health by measuring the association of IA with depression and anxiety among the students.

Methods

A cross sectional study was carried out during the period from February to April 2019. A self-administered questionnaire was used which consisted from demographic questions, the Young Internet Addiction test to evaluate the internet addiction among the subjects and the Depression Anxiety stress scales (DASS) for assessing the depression and anxiety symptoms among the medical students.

Results

47.5% of the subjects had mild internet addiction, proportion of moderate addiction among the participants was 23%. There was a significant association between internet addiction with depression and anxiety. The subjects with internet addiction had OR = 2.302 for depression development (P < 0.001), also the students with internet addiction had OR= 3.088 for anxiety development (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

High rate of internet addiction among medical students in Anbar city- west of Iraq and there was significant association between internet addition and mental disorders of the subjects.
Multimodal recognition of emotions in music and language
Authors: Proverbio Alice Mado , Russo Francesca
Published: January 2021

We investigated through electrophysiological recordings how music-induced emotions are recognized and combined with the emotional content of written sentences. Twenty-four sad, joyful, and frightening musical tracks were presented to 16 participants reading 270 short sentences conveying a sad, joyful, or frightening emotional meaning. Audiovisual stimuli could be emotionally congruent or incongruent with each other; participants were asked to pay attention and respond to filler sentences containing cities’ names, while ignoring the rest. The amplitude values of event-related potentials (ERPs) were subjected to repeated measures ANOVAs. Distinct electrophysiological markers were identified for the processing of stimuli inducing fear (N450, either linguistic or musical), for language-induced sadness (P300) and for joyful music (positive P2 and LP potentials). The music/language emotional discordance elicited a large N400 mismatch response ( p = .032). Its stronger intracranial source was the right superior temporal gyrus (STG) devoted to multisensory integration of emotions. The results suggest that music can communicate emotional meaning as distinctively as language.
Garvey-Rodney-Marley: a Pan-African bridge over Cuba
Authors: Davis Samuel Furé
Published: January 2021

The race/colour question and its political implications in Cuba have been foregrounded recently. A cross-section of Cuban society has encouraged discourses on racial awareness and anti-racist epistemologies as direct or indirect, but positive, outcomes of the encounter with ideas of decolonisation promoted by Black movements and readings of Black Caribbean intellectuals. Through history and the multidisciplinary nature of cultural studies, this article explores regional intersections among Pan-Africanism, Caribbean social and intellectual thought, and some expressions of these ideas in Cuba. It focuses on identity, Black consciousness and the tangential impact of Pan-Africanism as a political ideology on Cuba in three different periods. The author argues that the ideas of Marcus Garvey, Walter Rodney and Bob Marley provide ideologically connecting points in the assessment of cross-cultural connections between Cuba and the Caribbean.
Outcomes After Arthroscopic Surgery for Anterior Impingement in the Ankle Joint in the General and Athletic Populations: Does Sex Play a Role?
Authors: Gianakos Arianna L. , Ivander Axel , DiGiovanni Christopher W. , Kennedy John G.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Although anterior ankle impingement is a common pathology within the athletic population, there have been limited data evaluating outcomes of arthroscopic intervention and whether patient sex affects treatment outcomes.

Purpose:

To provide an overview of the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic procedures used as a treatment strategy for anterior ankle impingement and to determine if patient sex affects outcomes.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed during August 2019. The following combination of search terms was utilized: “ankle,” “impingement,” “talus,” “osteophyte,” “arthroscopy,” “surgery,” “procedures,” and “treatment.” Two reviewers independently performed data extraction.

Results:

A total of 28 articles evaluating 1506 patients were included in this systematic review. Among the studies, 60% (17/28) and 14% (4/28) assessed anterolateral and anteromedial impingement, respectively. Good to excellent results were reported after arthroscopy in patients with anterior ankle impingement, with a success rate of 81.04%. All studies that evaluated functional outcomes (16/16; 100%) cited improvements in American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society scale, visual analog scale, and Foot Function Index. The average complication rate was 4.01%, with the most common complications being mild nerve symptoms and superficial infection. The most common concomitant pathologies included synovitis, osteophytes, meniscoid lesions, and anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament injury. Four studies (15%) failed to report sex as a demographic variable. Only 7 (25%) studies included analysis by sex, with 4 (57%) of these demonstrating differences when comparing outcomes by patient sex. When compared with male patients, female patients exhibited higher rates of traumatic ankle sprains, chondral injury, and chronic ankle instability associated with anterior ankle impingement.

Conclusion:

Our systematic review demonstrates that arthroscopic treatment for anterior ankle impingement provides good to excellent functional outcomes, low complication rates, and good return-to-sports rates in both the general and the athletic population. This study also reports a lack of statistical analysis evaluating outcomes comparing male and female populations. The included studies demonstrate that, compared with male patients, female patients have higher rates of traumatic ankle sprains, chondral injury, and chronic ankle instability associated with anterior ankle impingement; therefore, particular attention should be paid to addressing such concomitant pathology.
Patient-Reported Activity Levels Correlate With Early Cartilage Degeneration After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Friedman James M. , Su Favian , Zhang Alan L. , Allen Christina R. , Feeley Brian T. , Souza Richard , Li Xiaojuan , Ma C. Benjamin , Lansdown Drew A.
Published: January 2021

Background:

The association between activity level after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) and development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship of patient-reported outcomes and progressive cartilage degenerative changes at 3 years after ACLR.

Hypothesis:

Higher activity levels, as measured by Marx scores, are significantly correlated with early cartilage degeneration after ACLR.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A total of 35 patients (16 women; mean age, 31.0 ± 7.6 years) with isolated ACLR and without pre-existing arthritis were prospectively enrolled. Patients reported Marx activity scores and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) scores and underwent T1ρ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) preoperatively, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after ACLR with soft tissue graft (22 autograft). The change in cartilage relaxation times between preoperative and 3-year imaging was used to identify cartilage degeneration, defined as an increase in T1ρ values by 14.3%. Correlation between Marx activity levels, KOOS scores, and T1ρ degeneration was performed with the Spearman rank test. The Fisher exact test was used to test for association between Marx activity score cutoffs and degeneration. The Student t test was used to compare Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) and T1ρ relaxation times. Significance was defined as P < .05.

Results:

Sixteen patients (45.7%) showed evidence of cartilage degeneration at 3 years, most frequently in the medial compartment (n = 12; 34%). Higher Marx activity scores at 3 years correlated with cartilage degeneration in the medial femur (rho = 0.34; P = .045), and medial tibia (rho = 0.43; P = .01). A Marx score of 11 or greater at 3 years was significantly associated with medial compartment degeneration ( P = .03), with a positive predictive value of 52.6%. No Marx score cutoff at years 1 or 2 predicted future cartilage degeneration. The KOOS Quality of Life score was inversely correlated with cartilage degeneration (rho = 0.38; P = .02). WORMS did not correlate with degeneration of the medial compartment.

Conclusion:

Increased activity at 3 years after ACLR was significantly associated with increased risk of medial compartment PTOA. While further research is needed to fully define these relationships, patients may be counseled that return to Marx activity levels of greater than 11 may be associated with a higher risk of medial compartment cartilage degeneration.
Bladder cancer in the time of machine learning: Intelligent tools for diagnosis and management
Authors: Gandi Carlo , Vaccarella Luigi , Bientinesi Riccardo , Racioppi Marco , Pierconti Francesco , Sacco Emilio
Published: January 2021

Machine learning (ML) is the subfield of artificial intelligence (AI), born from the marriage between statistics and computer science, with the unique purpose of building prediction algorithms able to improve their performances by automatically learning from massive data sets. The availability of ever-growing computational power and highly evolved pattern recognition software has led to the spread of ML-based systems able to perform complex tasks in bioinformatics, medical imaging, and diagnostics. These intelligent tools could be the answer to the unmet need for non-invasive and patient-tailored instruments for the diagnosis and management of bladder cancer (BC), which are still based on old technologies and unchanged nomograms. We reviewed the most significant evidence on ML in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of bladder cancer, to find out if these intelligent technologies are ready to be introduced into the daily clinical practice of the urologist.
Combustion of pellets produced from the powders of coconut and cashew nut shells: Chemical, thermal and emission analyses
Authors: dos Santos Gilvan R , de Sousa Allison M , Lima Brenna KS , Moreira Fabriciany L , Gondim Fladimir L , da Silva Gardilene M , Ratts Mônica GAC , Serra Daniel S , de Oliveira Mona LM , Cavalcante Francisco SÁ
Published: January 2021

Most of the energy consumed worldwide comes from non-renewable sources, such as oil derivatives, making it necessary to search for renewable, clean energy sources, with emphasis on biomass from agricultural and industrial waste. Coconut shell pellets (CSPs) and cashew nut shell pellets (CNSPs) were manufactured and subsequently subjected to chemical, thermal and exhaust gas analyses of their combustion. Mean temperature results in the combustion area were 366.44 ± 84.79°C (CSPs) and 295.00 ± 89.47°C (CNSPs). The exhaust gas combustion values were 19.43 ± 0.57% (CSPs) and 18.75 ± 0.77% (CNSPs) of O2, 2348 ± 1241 ppm (CSPs) and 2901 ± 499 ppm (CNSPs) of CO, 14.92 ± 5.06 ppm (CSPs) and 39.83 ± 10.91 ppm (CNSPs) of NOx, and 441.25 ± 130.41 ppm (CSPs) and 2841.50 ± 765.26 ppm (CNSPs) of CH4. In conclusion, the combustion process of CSPs proved to be less polluting and more energy efficient when compared with CNSPs. The analyses of the exhaust gases from the combustion of these biomasses can serve as a basis for the creation of safety parameters and public policies to regulate the use of biomass for energy purposes.
A Comparison of Prothrombin Complex Concentrate and Recombinant Activated Factor VII for the Management of Bleeding With Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Katz Alyson , Ahuja Tania , Arnouk Serena , Lewis Tyler C. , Marsh Kassandra , Papadopoulos John , Merchan Cristian
Published: January 2021

Bleeding following cardiac surgery that warrants transfusion of blood products is associated with significant complications, including increased mortality at 1 year following surgery. Factor concentrates, such as prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), or recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) have been used off-label for bleeding in cardiac surgery that is refractory to conventional therapy. The objective of this retrospective study is to assess the hemostatic effectiveness of 4-factor PCC or rFVIIa for bleeding after a broad range of cardiac surgeries. Patients were included if they were at least 18 years of age and had undergone cardiac surgery with bleeding requiring intervention with 4-factor PCC or rFVIIa. There were no differences observed in the number of packed red blood cells (4-factor PCC: 2 units vs. rFVIIa: 2 units), fresh frozen plasma (0 units vs. 1 unit) or platelet (2 units vs. 2 units) transfusions following the administration of 4-factor PCC or rFVIIa. The patients in the rFVIIa group, required more cryoprecipitate than those in the 4-factor PCC group (4-factor PCC: 2 units (range 0-6) vs. rFVIIa: 2 units (range 0-8), p = 0.03). There were no differences in secondary outcomes of chest tube output at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours, nor was there a difference in reexploration rates or the median length of stay in the intensive care unit. Thromboembolic complications at 30 days were similar between the two groups (4-factor PCC: 13% vs. rFVIIa 26%, p = 0.08). The total median dose requirement for 4-factor PCC was 1000 units (15 units/kg) and 2 mg (20 mcg/kg) for rFVIIa. The results demonstrate feasibility of utilizing the minimum amount of drug in order to achieve a desired effect. Both 4-factor PCC and rFVIIa appear to be safe and effective options for the management of bleeding associated with cardiac surgery.
GSH triggered intracellular aggregated-cisplatin-loaded iron oxide nanoparticles for overcoming cisplatin resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Bejjanki Naveen Kumar , Xu Hongfa , Xie Minqiang
Published: January 2021

Platinum-based combined chemo-radiotherapy is the most commonly used approach against Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, off target effect and poor efficiency are the two main concerns regarding this approach. Therefore, it is an urgent need to explore novel therapeutic modalities to meet clinically standards. In this work we have established a new anti-cancer drug delivery system, composed of cisplatin (CDDP)-loaded magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4), further functionalized with surface modification of folic acid (FA) and intracellular aggregation ability peptide (Cys(StBu)-Lys-CBT), named as (FA-MNP-CDDP-CBT). FA-MNP-CDDP-CBT was much more effective on the reversal of CDDP resistance with an average reduction in half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of 40.9% and 59.1% in HNE-1 cells and HNE-1/DDP resistant cells respectively compared to CDDP alone. Moreover, FA-MNP-CDDP-CBT had also shown a superior targeted uptake effect and higher ROS generation. Convincingly, we observed a remarkable increase in the apoptosis rate of NPC cells by using western blot and flow cytometry. Thus, this newly design nano-system provides a facile approach to enhance the antitumor activity by reducing the side effects of chemotherapy, minimizing systemic toxicity, and reversing CDDP treatment resistance, which could be proposed for NPC patients with primary or secondary chemo-resistance in the future.
Intimate Partner Violence Against Pregnant Jordanian Women at the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic’s Quarantine
Authors: Abujilban Sanaa , Mrayan Lina , Hamaideh Shaher , Obeisat Salwa , Damra Jalal
Published: January 2021

In Jordan, women experience considerable levels of different types of violence. The emerging data from different countries indicate that intimate partner violence (IPV) has intensified since the COVID-19 outbreak. The main purpose of the current study is to find out whether there is any difference in the incidence of IPV during and before the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine and whether any sociodemographical factors are related to the incidence of IPV against pregnant women during quarantine. A cross-sectional, correlational design was in this study. The snowball sampling technique was adopted to select the participants, which produced a nonrepresentative sample of 215 pregnant women. The participants completed the Arabic version of the World Health Organization’s Domestic Violence Questionnaire Screening Tool (DVQST). We found that women were exposed to different types of IPV before and during the quarantine. The most prevalent form of IPV was control and humiliation ( n 172, 80%) and the least prevalent was sexual violence (( n 33, 15.3%), ( n 24, 11.2%), respectively). However, there were statistically significant lower DVQST scores during the COVID-19 quarantine than before the quarantine. All types of IPV are significantly correlated with each other and with relationship problems (marital conflict, verbal fighting, understanding each other). While the findings are not generalizable to the general population of pregnant women in Jordan because the sample consisted only of women of high socioeconomic status due to the use of a nonprobability sampling technique, national campaigns should be developed and implemented in order to reduce IPV and change community behaviors and attitudes toward violence against women. It is also recommended that policymakers develop plans to help pregnant women during quarantine by, for example, training care providers on how to access vulnerable women.
The Psychological Foundations of Management in Family Firms: Values, Biases, and Heuristics
Authors: Picone Pasquale Massimo , De Massis Alfredo , Tang Yi , Piccolo Ronald F.
Published: January 2021

Considering the heterogeneity of family firm behaviors as reflecting the values, biases, and heuristics of individuals, we discuss the implications of the psychological foundations of management in family firms. We develop a conceptual framework for investigating how the values, biases, and heuristics of family and nonfamily members affect strategic decision-making and the outcomes of family firms. To advance the field, we put forward some relevant questions and offer a future research agenda at the intersection of the psychological foundations of management and family business.
Building Transversal Solidarities in European Cities: Open Harbours, Safe Communities, Home
Authors: Ataç Ilker , Rygiel Kim , Stierl Maurice
Published: January 2021

Over the past years, we have seen a rise in political mobilisations in EUrope and elsewhere, by and in solidarity with migrant newcomers. This article focuses on specific examples of what we conceptualise as transversal solidarities by and with migrants, and rooted in the city, the focus of this special issue. The examples we explore in this article include: Trampoline House, a civil society organisation which provides a home to migrant newcomers in Copenhagen; Queer Base, an activist organisation in Vienna providing support for LGBTIQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer) migrants; and finally, the Palermo Charter Process, a coalition of diverse groups seeking to create open harbours and ‘corridors of solidarity’, from the Mediterranean to cities throughout EUrope. While these examples are situated in and across different urban spaces, they share a common grounding in building solidarity through spaces of encounters related to ideas of home, community, and harbour. By exploring these distinct solidarity initiatives in tandem, we examine, on the one hand, how the production of spaces of encounters is linked to building transversal solidarities and, on the other, how transversal solidarities also connect different spaces of solidarity across different political scales.
Survey of Health-System Pharmacy Leadership Pathways: A 10-Year Revisit
Authors: Jones Adam M. , Deloney Sacha Pollard , Clark John S.
Published: January 2021

Objective:

To compare health-system pharmacy leadership pathways and opinions in the last decade.

Methods:

A 33 question survey was recreated from the 2009 survey of health-system pharmacy leadership pathways and reviewed and modified by the original creators. In November 2019, investigators sent two invites to complete a QualtricsXM survey to individuals listed on the ASHP Connect Pharmacy Practice Leaders listserver. The survey closed on December 15, 2019.

Results:

Two-hundred-thirteen pharmacy leaders responded to the survey. Survey respondents identified completing a pharmacy practice (PGY1) residency as the most common health-system pharmacy leadership pathway. Respondents stated on-the-job experience contributed most to their leadership development. Interpersonal skills (20%), human resource management (19%), and finance and budget management (13%) were classified as the most valuable skill-sets to a health-systems leader. Thirty-nine percent of eligible respondents stated they were interested in seeking a health-system pharmacy director position and 23% stated they may be interested. The majority of directors stated that they preferred to hire those with previous on-the job experience into leadership positions.

Conclusion:

Regardless of leadership pathway, those interested in pursuing health-system pharmacy leadership positions should pursue as much on-the-job experience as possible, build relationships through networking, and find a strong, helpful mentor.
Modeling human-like longitudinal driver model for intelligent vehicles based on reinforcement learning
Authors: Xie Ju , Xu Xing , Wang Feng , Jiang Haobin
Published: January 2021

The driver model is the decision-making and control center of intelligent vehicle. In order to improve the adaptability of intelligent vehicles under complex driving conditions, and simulate the manipulation characteristics of the skilled driver under the driver-vehicle-road closed-loop system, a kind of human-like longitudinal driver model for intelligent vehicles based on reinforcement learning is proposed. This paper builds the lateral driver model for intelligent vehicles based on optimal preview control theory. Then, the control correction link of longitudinal driver model is established to calculate the throttle opening or brake pedal travel for the desired longitudinal acceleration. Moreover, the reinforcement learning agents for longitudinal driver model is parallel trained by comprehensive evaluation index and skilled driver data. Lastly, training performance and scenarios verification between the simulation experiment and the real car test are performed to verify the effectiveness of the reinforcement learning based longitudinal driver model. The results show that the proposed human-like longitudinal driver model based on reinforcement learning can help intelligent vehicles effectively imitate the speed control behavior of the skilled driver in various path-following scenarios.
Children Show a Gender Gap in Negotiation
Authors: Arnold Sophie H. , McAuliffe Katherine
Published: January 2021

In the United States, there is an unfortunate yet pervasive gender gap in wages: Women tend to make less than men for doing the same work. One prominent account for why this wage gap exists is that women and men negotiate differently. However, we currently do not know whether differences in negotiation are a product of extensive experience or are deeply rooted in development. Here, we brought data from children to bear on this important question. We gave 240 children between the ages of 4 and 9 years old a chance to negotiate for a bonus with a female or a male evaluator. Boys asked for the same bonus from a male and a female evaluator. Older girls, in contrast, asked for a smaller bonus from a male than a female evaluator. Our findings suggest that a gender gap in negotiation emerges surprisingly early in development, highlighting childhood as a key period for interventions.
FOXM1 regulates the proliferation, apoptosis and inflammatory response of keratinocytes through the NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Zhou Mi , Shi Jing , Lan Shaobo , Gong Xianjun
Published: January 2021

Psoriasis is a common immune-mediated and genetic skin disease. Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) is a member of FOX family that has been found to modulate skin disorders. However, its role in psoriasis remains unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of FOXM1 on keratinocytes in response to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The expression levels of FOXM1 in psoriasis tissues and normal skin tissues were examined using qRT-PCR and western blot. HaCaT cells were stimulated by TNF-α to mimic psoriasis in vitro. MTT assay was performed to assess cell proliferation. The caspase-3 activity and expression levels of bcl-2 and bax were determined to indicate cell apoptosis. The mRNA and secretion levels of IL-6, IL-23 and TGF-β were determined by qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The NF-κB activation was assessed using western blot analysis. Our results demonstrated that FOXM1 was highly upregulated in psoriatic skin tissues and TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT cells. Knockdown of FOXM1 repressed cell proliferation of TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT cells. Knockdown of FOXM1 caused significant increases in caspase-3 activity, bax expression and decrease in bcl-2 expression in TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT cells. Moreover, FOXM1 knockdown also suppressed the TNF-α-induced production of IL-6, IL-23, and TGF-β in HaCaT cells. However, FOXM1 overexpression showed the opposite effect. Furthermore, the TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation was prevented by FOXM1 knockdown. Additionally, inhibition of NF-κB reversed the effects of FOXM1 on HaCaT cells. Taken together, these findings indicated that FOXM1 regulated cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation in TNF-α-induced HaCaT cells. The effects of FOXM1 were mediated by NF-κB pathway.
A trial of antithrombotic therapy in patients with refractory migraine and antiphospholipid antibodies: A retrospective study of 75 patients
Authors: Schofield Jill R , Hughes Hannah N , Birlea Marius , Hassell Kathryn L
Published: January 2021

Objective

It has been reported that patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and refractory migraine may experience symptomatic improvement with antithrombotic therapy, but this phenomenon has not been well studied. This study was undertaken to detail the response to trials of antithrombotic therapy in these patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 75 patients with refractory migraine and aPL who were given a 2–4 week trial of aspirin, clopidogrel and/or anticoagulation. Major response was defined as 50–100% improvement in frequency and/or severity of migraine; minor response: 25–49% improvement; no response: <25% improvement.

Results

66 patients were given a trial of aspirin: 47% responded (21% major); 60 patients were given a trial of clopidogrel: 83% responded (67% major); and 34 patients were given a trial of anticoagulation (usually apixaban): 94% responded (85% major). The response rate to any anti-thrombotic therapy was 89% (83% major). Many patients also noted improvement in non-headache symptoms. No patient experienced stroke. There was no major bleeding during any 2–4 week treatment trial and only 3 of 69 patients maintained on an antithrombotic regimen for a median follow up of 29.9 months (5–100) experienced major bleeding.

Conclusions

There was a high rate of symptomatic response to antithrombotic therapy in this context and long-term follow up suggested an individualized symptom-derived antithrombotic regimen may be associated with a low bleeding risk. Our data support consideration of a 2–4 week trial of antithrombotic therapy, usually starting with antiplatelet therapy, in aPL-positive patients with refractory migraine, particularly if other treatment options have been exhausted. As a retrospective study, our data provide only Class IV level of evidence, but they suggest randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate these encouraging findings.