bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dry Ice Self-Pressurised Rapid Freezing (DryIce SPRF): all you need to cool for cryofixation of nematodes is dry ice
Authors: Claeys Myriam , Yushin Vladimir V. , Bert Wim
Published: May 2021

Cryofixation immediately arrests all biochemical, physiological and dynamic processes underway in the sample in their present state, resulting in both excellent preservation of the specimen’s ultrastructure and its antigenicity. Cryofixation involves extremely rapid cooling of specimens, creating an amorphous, or ‘non-crystalline’, state of water containing no detectable ice crystals, a process dependent on pressure, medium composition and temperature. Self-Pressurised Rapid Freezing (SPRF) employs plunge freezing of specimens in a sealed copper tube into a cryogen such as nitrogen slush (−210°C), liquid nitrogen (−196°C), ethane (−183°C) or propane (−120°C). In this study we have explored the use of SPRF with cooled acetone on dry ice (−80°C) as the cryogen, a method named DryIce SPRF. Although with this relatively high temperature amorphous water cannot be formed, we have demonstrated that the ultrastructural and antigenicity results after DryIce SPRF on Caenorhabditis elegans are perfectly comparable with those achieved using High Pressure Freezing and SPRF. Thus, with sufficient pressure optimal results, with ice crystals below the resolution of transmission electron microscopy, can be achieved even at −78°C. Furthermore, a huge advantage of DryIce SPRF over other techniques is its use of affordable, easily available and safe products.
Zaynab Fawwāz’s Feminist Locutions
Authors: Booth Marilyn
Published: May 2021

Lebanese-Egyptian Zaynab Fawwāz (ca. 1850-1914) was an unusual presence in 1890s Egypt: an immigrant from Shīʿī south Lebanon, without major family support, she created an intellectual place for herself in the Cairo press, generating a forthright voice on women’s needs as distinct from “the nation’s.” Like most Arabophone writers on “the Woman Question,” Fawwāz addressed girls’ education, but she focused less on domestic training than on work and income, gender-defined dependency, and exploitation. She highlighted gender-prejudiced uses of religious knowledge to further masculine privilege. Framing her arguments within terms of engagement defined by Islamic sharīʿah, she appropriated and redefined keywords for an indigenous feminism. She repurposed the Islamic-Arabic genre of biographical writing for feminist-inflected history writing. I consider how Fawwāz deployed terminology and genre to contest patriarchal readings of Islamic practice sustained by assumptions of masculinist authority. Fawwāz’s writings remind us that secularism was never inherent in Arabophone feminist theorizing, nor were the earliest Arab feminisms Western derivatives. Historical assemblages shaped by Islamic (and Christian) worldviews yielded creative syntheses that were firmly indigenous.
The Polemics of Iltizām: Al-Ādāb’s Early Arguments for Commitment
Authors: Al-Attabi Qussay
Published: May 2021

The Lebanese monthly Al-Ādāb is accredited with the dissemination of iltizām, the Arabic rendition of Jean-Paul Sartre’s engagement (commitment). The concept assumed significance throughout the 1950s–1970s. In fact, it is often singled out as the most important literary term of the period. Surprisingly, however, a closer look at Al-Ādāb’s early issues reveals that, despite the forceful circulation of iltizām, indeterminacy and confusion continued to plague the term. Through archival research of Al-Ādāb’s early numbers, this article shows that this indeterminacy contributed to iltizām’s popularity and argues that the dissemination of the term was characterized by an intriguing paradox: while iltizām failed as a term of literary criticism (due in large part to the inconclusive nature of its meaning), it succeeded in fueling robust literary and critical output.
Review of Lypusinae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Lypusidae) from Korea with a description of a new species of Agnoea Walsingham, 1907
Authors: SOHN JAE-CHEON , LVOVSKY ALEXANDER L.
Published: May 2021

The subfamily Lypusinae of Korea is reviewed with three species including a new species, Agnoea danguni Sohn, sp. nov. belonging to nominotypical subgenus, and two species of Agnoea belonging to the subgenus Tubuliferodes Toll, 1956: A. (T.) digitiella Kim, 2020 and A. (T.) josephinae (Toll, 1956). The female characters of A. digitiella are described for the first time. Additional collecting records are provided for A. digitiella and A. josephinae. Photographs of the habitus and the genitalia are provided for all three species of Agnoea known so far from Korea.
Key factors influencing the severity of fluvial flood hazard from tropical cyclones
Authors: Titley H. A. , Cloke H. L. , Harrigan S. , Pappenberger F. , Prudhomme C. , Robbins J. C. , Stephens E. M. , Zsoter E.
Published: May 2021

Knowledge of the key drivers of the severity of river flooding from tropical cyclones (TCs) is vital for emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction activities. This global study examines landfalling TCs in the decade from 2010 to 2019, to identify those characteristics that influence whether a storm has an increased flood hazard. The highest positive correlations are found between flood severity and the total precipitation associated with the TC. Significant negative correlations are found between flood severity and the translation speed of the TC, indicating that slower moving storms, that rain over an area for longer, tend to have higher flood severity. Larger and more intense TCs increase the likelihood of having a larger area affected by severe flooding but not its duration or magnitude, and it is found that the fluvial flood hazard can be severe in all intensity categories of TC, including those of tropical storm strength. Catchment characteristics such as antecedent soil moisture and slope also play a role in modulating flood severity, and severe flooding is more likely in cases where multiple drivers are present. The improved knowledge of the key drivers of fluvial flooding in TCs can help to inform research priorities to help with flood early warning, such as increasing the focus on translation speed in model evaluation and impact-based forecasting.
Dynamic analysis of a novel spatial multiple-loop mobile lunar landing mechanism: An efficient approach based on explicit dynamics
Authors: Jia Shan , Zhou Jinhua , Xiao Yunchen , Chen Meng , Chen Jinbao
Published: May 2021

The Movable lunar landing leg is a novel multi - closed parallel mechanism with sub-closed loop. Moreover, there are multiple passive and active joint variables in the mobile lunar landing legged mechanism (MLLLM), Due to the complex dynamic relationship between the passive joint variables and the active joint variables, it is difficult to derive the dynamic modeling of parallel mechanisms by the non-redundant parallel mechanism using the traditional Lagrangian formulation method. In order to solve this problem, the utilization of the virtual work principle makes the application of the Lagrangian formulation for parallel mechanisms possible and efficient. The MLLLM is divided into several serial open-loop sub-chains. Explicit dynamic equations of each sub-chain can be derived by using the Lagrangian formalism straightforwardly with respect to their own local generalized coordinates. Secondly, when transforming between different generalized coordinates, the dynamic equation is transformed into different coordinate subsystems by using the principle of virtual work, and the Jacobian matrix and Hessen matrix are introduced as constraints to ensure the explicit form of the dynamic equation, by combining the differential dynamics equations of each subsystem with the virtual work principle, the explicit dynamics model of the MLLLM under the active generalized coordinates is obtained. Finally, the position error of the end-effector caused by the active and passive joints of the parallel mechanism was evaluated. Compared with the previous methods, the inverse dynamic analysis formula presented in this paper is more concise, the calculation efficiency is higher, and the position error evaluation method is more accurate than the traditional method.
Mechanical, microstructure, and dynamic mechanical analysis of nano-shell and plant fiber hybrid biocomposite
Authors: Gbadeyan OJ , Adali S , Bright G , Sithole B , Lekha Prabashni
Published: May 2021

This study deal with the development and investigation of a novel hybrid nano-shell plant fiber biocomposite. Nano-calcium carbonate CaCO3 ranging from 1 to 5 wt% and 20 wt% banana fiber-filled hybrid biocomposite were prepared using a hand lay-up process followed by applying load on a closed mold. Nano-CaCO3 of near-uniform size and shape was synthesized from Achatina Fulica through a mechanochemical technique. The effect loading fiber of uniform 30 mm size on the mechanical, physical, thermal properties of greenpoxy composite was investigated. The influence of nano-CaCO3 loading (1 to 5 wt%) on banana fiber-filled greenpoxy composite, dynamic mechanical properties, tensile, flexural, impact strength was further investigated. The result showed that the loading of banana fiber improved mechanical properties and negatively affected temperature dependence storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan δ. Better load carrying and stress distribution capacity of the fiber within the biocomposites can be attributed to the high strength and stiffness observed for these series. The poor thermal properties of banana fiber can be ascribed to a decrease in the temperature dependence properties. The loading of nano-CaCO3 improved most of the banana-filled greenpoxy biocomposite, and hybrid composite with 2 wt% nano-CaCO3 offered superior properties. Uniform dispersion, excellent matrix/nano-CaCO3/banana fiber adhesion provided a strong structure, resulting in improved mechanical and temperature-dependant properties.
The Effects of Biofeedback on Performance and Technique of the Boxing Jab
Authors: Chen Mark A. , Spanton K. , van Schaik P. , Spears I. , Eaves D.
Published: May 2021

A growing body of research has addressed the application of movement-based biofeedback techniques for improving sports performers’ gross motor skills. Unlike in previous research, we aimed in this study to quantify the effects of this “external” biofeedback on selected performance and technique variables for the boxing jab among both novices and experts. The technical setup included two inertial measurement units linked wirelessly to a video game system with audio output. The units were configured to provide auditory external biofeedback, based on the peak acceleration of the bag (i.e., biofeedback with an external attentional focus). Sixteen participants (8 novices and 8 experts) performed boxing jabs against the bag in blocked phases of biofeedback. When compared to baseline, the acute effects of externally focused biofeedback on peak bag acceleration were possibly positive in both retention phases for novices (d = 0.29; d = 0.41) and likely positive for experts (d = 0.41; d = 0.30), respectively. The experts’ performance improvements were accompanied by substantive increases in trunk rotation, though this was not true for the novices. Thus, technique improvements can be promoted indirectly via externally focused biofeedback, but only when these actions are within the performers’ motor repertoire. Overall, biofeedback via inertial sensors appears to be a potent technique for modifying human movement patterns in both experts and novices. This low-cost technology could be used to support training across sports, rehabilitation and human-computer interactions.
The Sufficiency of Scripture and Holistic Care: A Cursory Introduction
Authors: Lelek Jeremy
Published: May 2021

The current article is an attempt to honor the tenets of the biblical counseling movement while providing schemata that encourages interaction with extra-biblical data. A biblical systematic care of souls is presented, and empirical data are offered to serve as an adjunct to formulate a holistic care of souls. Empirical inquiry is encouraged so long as a biblical foundation serves as the basis of interpretation.
Asymmetric Timing of Gain and Loss Recognition and Insider Trading Profitability
Authors: Tang Michael , Xin Hua (Christine)
Published: May 2021

We provide evidence that the profitability of corporate insiders’ trading decreases in the degree of asymmetric timely loss recognition (TLR) of their firms’ financial reporting. Consistent with TLR reducing insiders’ information advantage over outside shareholders regarding future negative news about the firm, we find that reduced insider trading profitability is mainly driven by (a) stock sales, as opposed to purchases; (b) the price change component of trading, as opposed to its volume; and (c) insiders’ nonroutine trades, as opposed to less information driven routine trades. Although CEOs/CFOs are more likely to influence TLR, the effect is more pronounced for non-CEO and non-CFO insiders, inconsistent with reverse causality. Overall, our findings suggest that TLR reduces managers’ ability to extract rents from investors via insider trading.
Perceptions of Safety Climate and Fatigue Related to ACGME Residency Duty Hour Restrictions in Otolaryngology Residents
Authors: Carr Michele M. , Friedel Jonathan E. , Foreman Anne M. , O’Brien Daniel C. , Wirth Oliver
Published: May 2021

Objective

To compare otolaryngology residents’ perceptions of safety climate with respect to duty hour compliance and self‐perceived fatigue.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Forty‐one otolaryngology residencies distributed across the United States.

Methods

A national sample of otolaryngology residents was surveyed electronically in 2019. The survey included demographic details, on‐call descriptors, an 18‐point Safety Climate Survey (SCS) modified to measure perceptions of program attitudes and practices around resident duty hour compliance, and the 33‐point Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ).

Results

Of 397 surveyed residents, 205 (51.6%) responded. The mean modified SCS score was 11.29 out of 18 (95% CI, 10.76‐11.81). Respondents were most likely to disagree with “Residents are told when they are at risk of working beyond ACGME [Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education] duty hour restrictions,” where 100 (48.8%) disagreed or strongly disagreed. The mean CFQ score was 15.99 of 33 (95% CI, 15.17‐16.81). As the modified SCS score improved, CFQ scores decreased, indicating an inverse relationship between duty hour safety climate and fatigue. Having a protected postcall day off and having the program director, chief resident, or senior resident decide that a resident should take a postcall day off were all associated with higher modified SCS scores.

Conclusion

Otolaryngology residents perceived a safety climate that is suboptimal with regard to duty hour restriction issues. Additionally, an inverse relationship between fatigue and modified SCS scores suggests that fatigue among residents may be lower in programs where residents perceive that ACGME duty hour compliance is more important.
Pediatric Hearing Loss Management in the COVID‐19 Era: Possible Consequences and Resources for the Next Future
Authors: Brotto Davide , Sorrentino Flavia , Favaretto Niccolò , Bovo Roberto , Trevisi Patrizia , Martini Alessandro
Published: May 2021

Pediatric hearing loss early diagnosis and treatment have been limited by the current restrictions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The difficulty in accessing the multiple facilities required for the rehabilitative process is influencing the timing of each step of the process. Auditory hearing screening programs, etiological characterization, surgical timing, and speech therapies have all been limited in the past year. The current conditions have forced us to adopt different strategies to overcome the necessary social distancing prescriptions. Although their efficacy should be proved over time, some of these resources will be probably useful even in a nonpandemic future.
Drivers of egovernment adoption amidst COVID-19 pandemic: The Information Adoption Model (IAM) approach
Authors: Mensah Isaac Kofi , Adams Samuel , Adjei Joseph Kwame , Mwakapesa Deborah Simon
Published: May 2021

The study scrutinized the behavioral adoption of informational e-government services among Chinese citizens in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was applied for the data analysis using Smart PLS 3.0 statistical software. The results show that information quality, information credibility, and ease of COVID-19 informational e-government services are significant in determining citizens’ perception of the usefulness of COVID-19 information shared on e-government platforms. Also, the study revealed that the perceived usefulness of COVID-19 informational e-government services was significant in predicting citizens’ intention to adopt and recommend COVID-19 informational e-government services. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are interrogated further.
Validity and reliability of Persian version of the Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire
Authors: Afshar Sara , Akbarfahimi Nazila , Rassafiani Mehdi , Vahedi Mohsen , Azimian Mojtaba , Pashang Shaghayegh , Etemadifar Masoud
Published: May 2021

Introduction

This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire which is a self-report questionnaire for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Method

This methodological study was performed in the following stages: translation, validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability of Persian-AMSQ. The Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), Coin Rotation Task (CRT), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) for construct validity were used. Psychometric testing was done to ascertain the validity and reliability of the questionnaire.

Results

In this study, 155 people with MS participated. There were no major linguistic or cultural difficulties in the translation of AMSQ. Face and content validity confirmed by experts and people with MS. The internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.99). Test–retest reliability, as measured with intra-class coefficient, was 0.98. Correlations with 9HPT (r = 0.54), CRT (r = 0.16), and FIM (r = −0.54) were significant ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The Persian-AMSQ appears to be a valid and reliable questionnaire for measuring upper extremity dysfunction in MS.
Improving occupational therapists’ confidence in completing the Allied Health Professions Health and Work Report: Results from the CREATE feasibility study
Authors: Ablewhite Joanne , Coole Carol , Konstantinidis Stathis T , Fecowycz Aaron , Khan Sayeed , Drummond Avril
Published: May 2021

Introduction

There is a concern that occupational therapists lack confidence in advising on fitness to work. The aim of this study was to compare two training methods of improving occupational therapists’ confidence in completing the Allied Health Professions Health and Work Report (AHP H&WR).

Method

A mixed-methods study was conducted. Occupational therapists were recruited to face-to-face ( n = 14) or online ( n = 18) training. Data were collected via questionnaires at baseline, one week and eight weeks post-training, and using semi-structured telephone interviews. Questionnaire data were analysed descriptively; interviews were analysed thematically.

Results

It was possible to recruit and retain participants to the study. Occupational therapists from both groups reported that the training improved their confidence in completing the AHP H&WR. However, the majority did not have the opportunity to complete an AHP H&WR in practice during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Similar results for both training methods shows promise for further development and testing. There is therefore potential to conduct a definitive study in this area.
The politics of comparing capitalisms
Authors: Bruff Ian
Published: May 2021

Research engaged in the comparison and analysis of different forms of capitalism has been a significant growth area of political economy scholarship in the 21st century. Yet this scholarship, referred to in the article as the Comparative Capitalisms literatures, has struggled to respond to the challenges posed by post-2007 developments in and across the global political economy. This article engages with the critique offered by a number of critical-geographical interventions: the variegated impacts and experiences of conditions of crisis highlight the fact that questions of variety and unevenness necessitate a considerably more holistic methodological approach to comparison than a singular ‘national state as container’ focus would allow for. While important, these ‘variegated capitalism’ interventions have not said enough about comparison as an intrinsically political research practice. Building on the work of especially Juliet Hooker, Reecia Orzeck and Heloise Weber, the article makes the case for (i) being explicit about what is analytically and politically at stake in the act of comparing, and (ii) putting analytical and political concerns on an equal footing. It further argues that a broadly conceived critical political economy approach, discussed in the final section, is best-placed to make the most of the potential of such an understanding of comparison. This makes it possible to deploy research strategies that juxtapose different constellations of crises, conflicts and contradictions in order to articulate critiques of capitalism and/or focus on social and political struggles taking place in, against and potentially beyond the ‘cases’ being considered.
Urbanized Defense Communities: A Literature Review on the Policies, Politics, and Planning of Military Readiness and Local Land Use in the United States
Authors: Clanahan Christopher M.
Published: May 2021

Propelled in the United States during the twentieth century, land use compatibility issues between military installations and neighboring communities amplified due to rapid population growth, sprawling regional development, and limited intergovernmental planning. This literature review examines how the policies, politics, and planning practices aimed at combating land use incompatibilities in defense communities changed from the early twentieth century to today. Through the consolidation of established theories, this article reveals a reactive paradigm shift in institutional responses. The triaxial spectrum presented in this review offers a theoretical framework for future empirical studies of defense land use policies, politics, and planning practices.
The Entrepreneur in “Transformation Cinema”: Representing the Economic Changes of the 1990s in Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia
Authors: Pehe Veronika
Published: May 2021

This article analyses how economic change after 1989 was perceived and rooted in society through cultural representations, specifically in the film production of Poland and Czechoslovakia (and later the Czech Republic and Slovakia). The starting premise of this investigation is that popular commercial films, alongside the media and discourse of politicians and other key actors of the systemic transformation, also informed ideas about the free market circulating in the public sphere. Filmmakers, faced with the new realities brought about initially by the gradual liberalization of the economy in the late 1980s and later the systemic change of the economic transformation in both countries, immediately turned to capturing and fictionalizing the changes surrounding them. They presented audiences with role models of what it means to be a capitalist, but also tales of warning. This article investigates the “transformation cinema” of the 1990s, focusing on the figure of the entrepreneur and private enterprise. It examines how filmmakers searched for a visual language to critique or affirm the new social order, but also continued to work with inherited modes from the late socialist era. The article asserts that while the economic expectations conveyed through cinema focused largely on structuring the imagination of a new middle class in Poland, Czech(oslovak) cinema adopted a more sceptical outlook, suggesting that the promises of the free market were not available to “ordinary” working people.
A novel design approach for micro-robotic appendages comprised of active and passive elements with disparate properties
Authors: Milojević Andrija , Shin Minchul , Oldham Kenn R
Published: May 2021

Recent innovations in microsystems materials and fabrication permit the creation of complex microactuation mechnisms with heterogeneous properties and behaviors. Meanwhile, emerging applications such as micro-robotics extend the environments in with microsystems may operate. This introduces substantial challenges for the design given the wide range of feasible devices. This paper describes a novel synthesis method based on structural topology optimization for the automated design of micro-robotic appendages realized by utilizing heterogeneous materials and embedded actuation. A typical mechanism designed by this approach, inspired by innovations in thin-film piezoelectric integration with other microstructures and materials, might include active smart actuators, elements formed from traditional semiconductor materials, and comparatively soft polymer flexures. We will introduce the framework for design optimization, and detailed procedure for problem definition, parameterization, and optimization. The focus of the synthesis is on realizing micro-robotic appendages that can achieve control of an end-effector in different directions (one and two). Original formulations of the optimization objective functions that lead to desired micro-robotic solutions are presented. Examples of different optimized designs are presented, with novel micro-robotic appendage solutions that can realize large in-plane displacement compared to prior devices, controllable actuation in largely-decoupled axes, and/or generation of unusual rotational displacement from initially planar geometries. Performance predicted by the design optimization algorithm is compared to simulated behavior through computational modeling. The presented synthesis method can be utilized by others to design micro-robotic solutions for different applications.
A Scoping Review and Content Analysis of Common Depressive Symptoms of Young People
Authors: Guo Jia-Wen , Keeshin Brooks R. , Conway Mike , Chapman Wendy W. , Sward Katherine A.
Published: May 2021

School nurses are the most accessible health care providers for many young people including adolescents and young adults. Early identification of depression results in improved outcomes, but little information is available comprehensively describing depressive symptoms specific to this population. The aim of this study was to develop a taxonomy of depressive symptoms that were manifested and described by young people based on a scoping review and content analysis. Twenty-five journal articles that included narrative descriptions of depressive symptoms in young people were included. A total of 60 depressive symptoms were identified and categorized into five dimensions: behavioral ( n = 8), cognitive ( n = 14), emotional ( n = 15), interpersonal ( n = 13), and somatic ( n = 10). This comprehensive depression symptom taxonomy can help school nurses to identify young people who may experience depression and will support future research to better screen for depression.
Exploring Potential Carcinogenic Activity of Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances Utilizing High-Throughput Toxicity Screening Data
Authors: Singh Nalin , Hsieh Ching Yi Jennifer
Published: May 2021

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous, persistent, and toxic chemicals that pose public health risks. Recent carcinogenicity concerns have arisen based on epidemiological studies, animal tumor findings, and mechanistic data. Thousands of PFAS exist; however, current understanding of their toxicity is informed by studies of a select few, namely, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. Hence, the computational, high-throughput screening tool, the US EPA CompTox Chemical Dashboard’s ToxCast, was utilized to explore the carcinogenicity potential of PFAS. Twenty-three major PFAS that had sufficient in vitro ToxCast data and covered a range of structural subclasses were analyzed with the visual analytics software ToxPi, yielding a qualitative and quantitative assessment of PFAS activity in realms closely linked with carcinogenicity. A comprehensive literature search was also conducted to check the consistency of analyses with other mechanistic data streams. The PFAS were found to induce a vast range of biological perturbations, in line with several of the International Agency for Research on Cancer–defined key carcinogen characteristics. Patterns observed varied by length of fluorine-bonded chains and/or functional group within and between each key characteristic, suggesting some structure-based variability in activity. In general, the major conclusions drawn from the analysis, that is, the most notable activities being modulation of receptor-mediated effects and induction of oxidative stress, were supported by literature findings. The study helps enhance understanding of the mechanistic pathways that underlie the potential carcinogenicity of various PFAS and hence could assist in hazard identification and risk assessment for this emerging and relevant class of environmental toxicants.
Tell Me What You See: An Arts-Based Health Education Program for Youth
Authors: Edmondson Bonnie J.
Published: May 2021

A cross-sector collaboration among a community-based organization, a prison arts program, and state departments of Public Health, Education, and Correction was established to address critical health education prevention efforts for at-risk high school–aged youth. The Tell Me What You See initiative utilizes artwork and poetry created by incarcerated youth to promote sexually transmitted disease (STD), HIV, and hepatitis prevention with students in public high schools and juvenile justice facilities. This innovative intervention integrates functional health knowledge and skills-based education through an art-based interdisciplinary approach reaching various populations of youth in multiple settings across a state. Evaluation results indicated that the materials effectively engage youth and open up a critical dialogue among peers and adults by addressing the role personal behavior can have in the prevention of STDs, hepatitis, and HIV. Lessons learned and recommendations are provided.
A Historical Perspective from Folklorist Henry Glassie: Roots of Folk Songs in Music Education
Authors: Cicco, M.M.Ed. Ian
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the sociocultural roots of folk songs from the perspective of renowned folklorist Henry Glassie. Dr. Henry Glassie holds the rank of Professor Emeritus at Indiana University, where he previously served on the faculty for the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology. Primary sources included Glassie’s archived collection of folk song transcriptions, recordings, and field notes from the Appalachian region between 1961-1967, housed at the Archives of Traditional Music at Indiana University. A total of 1,665 titles from elementary general music sources were cross-referenced with Glassie’s collection, 26 of which appeared in the archived account. Two oral history interviews with Glassie revealed that folk songs that are commonly used in elementary general music classrooms have historical roots of which teachers may be unaware. The songs in this study raise ethical and moral questions regarding their use in the general music classroom and suggest that teachers carefully research folk songs and their related meanings.
Decolonizing Methodologies in Qualitative Research: Creating Spaces for Transformative Praxis
Authors: Thambinathan Vivetha , Kinsella Elizabeth Anne
Published: May 2021

Though there is no standard model or practice for what decolonizing research methodology looks like, there are ongoing scholarly conversations about theoretical foundations, principal components, and practical applications. However, as qualitative researchers, we think it is important to provide tangible ways to incorporate decolonial learning into our research methodology and overall practice. In this paper, we draw on theories of decolonization and exemplars from the literature to propose four practices that can be used by qualitative researchers: (1) exercising critical reflexivity, (2) reciprocity and respect for self-determination, (3) embracing “Other(ed)” ways of knowing, and (4) embodying a transformative praxis. At this moment of our historical trajectory, it is a moral imperative to embrace decolonizing approaches when working with populations oppressed by colonial legacies.
Dysfunctional energy metabolisms in fibromyalgia compared with healthy subjects
Authors: Jung Ye-Ha , Kim Hyeonjin , Lee Dasom , Lee Jae-Yeon , Moon Jee Youn , Choi Soo-Hee , Kang Do-Hyung
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to investigate the levels of creatine (Cr) metabolites in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), thalamus, and insula of patients with fibromyalgia (FM) using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The levels of Cr and phosphocreatine (PCr) relative to total Cr (tCr), which includes Cr and PCr, in the ACC, thalamus, and insula were determined using MRS in 12 patients with FM and in 13 healthy controls. The FM group had lower levels of PCr/tCr in the ACC and right insula compared to healthy controls. There was a negative correlation between Cr/tCr in the ACC and total pain levels (McGill Pain Questionnaire-Total; r = −0.579, p = 0.049) and between Cr/tCr in the left insula and affective pain levels (McGill Pain Questionnaire-Affective; r = −0.638, p = 0.047) in patients with FM. In addition, there were negative correlations between stress levels (Stress Response Inventory) and Cr/tCr in the right (r = −0.780, p = 0.005) and left thalamus (r = −0.740, p = 0.006), as well as in the right insula (r = −0.631, p = 0.028) in patients with FM. There were negative correlations between symptom levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; PTSD checklist) and Cr/tCr in the right (r = −0.783, p = 0.004) and left thalamus (r = −0.642, p = 0.024) of patients with FM. These findings are paramount to understanding the decisive pathologies related to brain energy metabolism in patients with FM.
Crisis Communication Preparedness Practices Among U.S. Charitable Organizations: Results From a National Survey
Authors: Fuller Ryan P. , La Sala Antonio
Published: May 2021

Organizations should prepare for crises, through identifying crisis concerns, having written crisis communication plans, and designating teams for crisis planning and response, for example. Nonprofit organizations, which represent an important sector of U.S. society, are no different in needing to prepare, but to date, a review of their crisis communication preparedness is lacking. Therefore, a national online survey of 2,005 U.S. charitable organizations was administered to determine nonprofit organizations’ adoption of an anticipatory perspective of crisis management. The anticipatory perspective shifts the organization’s focus from reaction to crises to anticipation of them. According to the survey, 75% of organizations reported at least one organizational crisis in the 24 months prior to taking the survey (circa 2017–2019). Loss of a major stakeholder was the most common organizational crisis that had occurred and the greatest future concern. Most nonprofits (97.5%) reported implementing some crisis communication preparedness tactics. Importantly, charitable organizations can enact communication preparedness tactics without significantly detracting from program delivery. Moreover, given the general concerns within the sector, nonprofit organizations should prepare specifically for loss of a major stakeholder and technologically created crises such as data breaches and negative word of mouth on social media.
Interprofessional Communication—A Call for More Education to Ensure Cultural Competency in the Context of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine
Authors: Hunter Jennifer , Majd Iman , Kowalski Matthew , Harnett Joanna E
Published: May 2021

Culturally appropriate communication between healthcare professionals and with patients is widely recognised as a cornerstone of high quality, patient-centred care. The widespread use of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) necessitates that patient-centre communication and cultural competency in healthcare extends beyond race, ethnicity, and languages spoken to also include an awareness of, and respect for the diverse range of healthcare practices, paradigms, and lexicons that patients and practitioners use. Education can equip practitioners with the necessary communication skills and expand their knowledge about the therapies and practices that patients are accessing. In this viewpoint essay, we aim to 1) emphasise the importance of respectful, culturally competent interprofessional communication and collaboration that mutually supports patients’ care needs; 2) note the impact of a political agenda that perpetuates medical hegemony and has discriminated against, and marginalised TCIM practitioners and the people who use these services; and 3) highlight the importance of educational initiatives that support inclusive, culturally competent, interprofessional communication and collaboration between conventional and TCIM healthcare practitioners.
Fragmenting Feminine-Athletic Identities: Identity Turning Points During Girls’ Transition into High School
Authors: Zanin Alaina C. , Martinez Laura V. , Niess Lucy C.
Published: May 2021

This study employed a turning point analysis to document events that influence the development of athletic identities in female athletes transitioning into high school. All participants ( N = 28), between the ages of 14–15 years old, belonged to a competitive club soccer team located in the southwestern United States. Through an analysis of pre- and post-season interviews and bi-weekly video journal entries, data revealed several fragmenting turning point events related to participants’ athletic identity development. These fragmenting turning points paired with the communication theory of identity (CTI) framework highlighted three identity gaps: (a) athletic-relational, (b) athletic-communal, and (c) athletic-enacted. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed regarding turning points in relation to athletic identity development and gender disparities in sport participation.
CRISPR-edited megakaryocytes for rapid screening of platelet gene functions
Authors: Montenont Emilie , Bhatlekar Seema , Jacob Shancy , Kosaka Yasuhiro , Manne Bhanu K. , Lee Olivia , Parra-Izquierdo Ivan , Tugolukova Emilia , Tolley Neal D. , Rondina Matthew T. , Bray Paul F. , Rowley Jesse W.
Published: May 2021

Human anucleate platelets cannot be directly modified using traditional genetic approaches. Instead, studies of platelet gene function depend on alternative models. Megakaryocytes (the nucleated precursor to platelets) are the nearest cell to platelets in origin, structure, and function. However, achieving consistent genetic modifications in primary megakaryocytes has been challenging, and the functional effects of induced gene deletions on human megakaryocytes for even well-characterized platelet genes (eg, ITGA2B) are unknown. Here we present a rapid and systematic approach to screen genes for platelet functions in CD34+ cell-derived megakaryocytes called CRIMSON (CRISPR-edited megakaryocytes for rapid screening of platelet gene functions). By using CRISPR/Cas9, we achieved efficient nonviral gene editing of a panel of platelet genes in megakaryocytes without compromising megakaryopoiesis. Gene editing induced loss of protein in up to 95% of cells for platelet function genes GP6, RASGRP2, and ITGA2B; for the immune receptor component B2M; and for COMMD7, which was previously associated with cardiovascular disease and platelet function. Gene deletions affected several select responses to platelet agonists in megakaryocytes in a manner largely consistent with those expected for platelets. Deletion of B2M did not significantly affect platelet-like responses, whereas deletion of ITGA2B abolished agonist-induced integrin activation and spreading on fibrinogen without affecting the translocation of P-selectin. Deletion of GP6 abrogated responses to collagen receptor agonists but not thrombin. Deletion of RASGRP2 impaired functional responses to adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP), thrombin, and collagen receptor agonists. Deletion of COMMD7 significantly impaired multiple responses to platelet agonists. Together, our data recommend CRIMSON for rapid evaluation of platelet gene phenotype associations.
A cluster randomized trial evaluating a teachable moment communication process for tobacco cessation support
Authors: Flocke Susan A. , Albert Elizabeth L. , Lewis Steven A. , Love Thomas E. , Rose Jeanmarie C. , Kaelber David C. , Seeholzer Eileen L.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

This study examines the uptake of a clinician-focused teachable moment communication process (TMCP) and its impact on patient receipt of tobacco cessation support. The TMCP is a counseling method that uses patient concerns to help clinicians guide behavior change discussions about tobacco. We evaluate the added value of the TMCP training in a health system that implemented an Ask-Advise-Connect (AAC) systems-based approach.

Methods

A stepped wedge cluster randomized trial included eight community health centers. Training involved a web module and onsite skill development with standardized patients and coaching. Main outcome measures included contact and enrollment in cessation services among patients referred for counseling, prescription of cessation medications and quit attempts.

Results

Forty-four of 60 eligible clinicians received the TMCP training. Among TMCP-trained clinicians 68% used a TMCP approach (documented by flowsheet use) one or more times, with the median number of uses being 15 (IQR 2–33). Overall, the TMCP was used in 661 out of 8198 visits by smokers (8%). There was no improvement in any of the tobacco cessation assistance outcomes for the AAC + TMCP vs. the AAC only period. Visits where clinicians used the TMCP approach were associated with increased ordering of tobacco cessation medications, (OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.9, 3.5) and providing advice to quit OR 3.2 (95% CI 2.2, 4.7).

Conclusions

Despite high fidelity to the training, uptake of the TMCP approach in routine practice was poor, making it difficult to evaluate the impact on patient outcomes. When the TMCP approach was used, ordering tobacco cessation medications increased.

Implications

Tobacco cessation strategies in primary care have the potential to reach a large portion of the population and deliver advice tailored to the patient. The poor uptake of the approach despite high training fidelity suggests that additional implementation support strategies, are needed to increase sustainable adoption of the TMCP approach.

Trial Registration

clinicaltrials.gov #NCT02764385, registration date 06/05/2016.
A Niemann‐pick C1 disease child with BCG-itis: a case report and analysis
Authors: Lin Jing-jing , Liu Xu-hui , Xia Lu , Feng Yan-ling , Xi Xiu-hong , Lu Shui-hua
Published: May 2021

Background

Niemann-Pick C disease is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal lipid storage disorder. Some primary immunodeficiency diseases patients developed regional disease or disseminated disease after vaccinating BCG. It is unclear whether NPC gene deficiency is associated with Mycobacteria infection.

Case presentation

We report and discuss a case of a child who presented at the age of 6 months with NPC1 and BCG-itis. The patient was treated with Miglustat and the symptom of lymphadenopathy was improved.

Conclusions

We reasonably speculate that NPC1 is a susceptibility gene of Mtb infection and mainly affects innate immunity. Once diagnosed, the infant should not be vaccinated with BCG and early treated.
Assessment of the tuberculosis case-finding and prevention cascade among people living with HIV in Zambia – 2018: a cross-sectional cluster survey
Authors: Melgar Michael , Shiraishi Ray W. , Tende Clifford , Mwanza Sydney , Mulenga Joyce , Khondowe Shepherd , Mwakazanga David , Kapungu Kelvin , Tembo Mathias , Nota Amos , Lungu Patrick , Moore Brittany , Podewils Laura J.
Published: May 2021

Background

The Ministry of Health Zambia recommends tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) with 6 months daily isoniazid for all people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) after ruling out active tuberculosis disease. We sought to estimate the percentage of people living with HIV who progress through each stage of the tuberculosis case-finding and prevention cascade in two provinces with the highest tuberculosis burden in Zambia.

Methods

In this cross-sectional survey, we used a two-stage cluster sampling method. We sampled 12 healthcare facilities with probability proportional to size. Patient volume determined facility cluster size. During October 2018, from each facility we systematically sampled medical records of adults and children living with HIV. Our primary outcome of interest was TPT initiation rate among eligible people living with HIV, weighted for complex survey design. The Rao-Scott adjusted chi-square test was used to test for differences in TPT initiation rate and other indicators from the tuberculosis prevention cascade by age group and province of residence. Additionally, we conducted semi-structured interviews with healthcare workers at each facility to assess TPT knowledge and identify challenges to its implementation.

Results

We sampled 482 records of people living with HIV (including 128 children living with HIV). Excluding two people diagnosed with tuberculosis disease before enrollment in HIV care, 93.4% underwent tuberculosis symptom screening. Of those, 4.7% were diagnosed with tuberculosis disease and 95.3% were TPT-eligible, of whom 24.7% initiated TPT. TPT initiation was lower among eligible children (7.7%) compared with adults (25.2%, p = 0.03) and Copperbelt residents (3.1%) compared with Lusaka residents (35.8%, p < 0.01). TPT completion rate was 38.4% among people living with HIV who initiated the 6-month course. Among interviewed healthcare workers, 58.3% (unweighted) incorrectly relayed the number of symptoms needed for a positive tuberculosis symptom screen, 83.3% (unweighted) reported insufficient isoniazid stockpile for completion at the time of TPT initiation, and only 27.3% (unweighted) reported receiving TPT-specific training.

Conclusions

TPT uptake among people living with HIV in Zambia is challenged by inconsistent tuberculosis screening, lack of TPT training for healthcare workers, and supply chain inefficiencies. Addressing these barriers may increase TPT initiations and improve outcomes among people living with HIV.