bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing general relativity with the Doppler magnification effect
Authors: Andrianomena Sambatra , Bonvin Camille , Bacon David , Bull Philip , Clarkson Chris , Maartens Roy , Moloi Teboho
Published: July 2019

The apparent sizes and brightnesses of galaxies are correlated in a dipolar pattern around matter overdensities in redshift space, appearing larger on their near side and smaller on their far side. The opposite effect occurs for galaxies around an underdense region. These patterns of apparent magnification induce dipole and higher multipole terms in the cross-correlation of galaxy number density fluctuations with galaxy size/brightness (which is sensitive to the convergence field). This provides a means of directly measuring peculiar velocity statistics at low and intermediate redshift, with several advantages for performing cosmological tests of general relativity (GR). In particular, it does not depend on empirically calibrated scaling relations like the Tully–Fisher and Fundamental Plane methods. We show that the next generation of spectroscopic galaxy redshift surveys will be able to measure the Doppler magnification effect with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio to test GR on large scales. We illustrate this with forecasts for the constraints that can be achieved on parametrized deviations from GR for forthcoming low-redshift galaxy surveys with DESI and SKA2. Although the cross-correlation statistic considered has a lower signal-to-noise ratio than RSD, it will be a useful probe of GR since it is sensitive to different systematics.
Perceived Pain and Smoking Interrelations and Expectancies Are Associated With Pain and Smoking Cessation in Individuals With Mobility Impairments
Authors: Endrighi Romano , Rueras Nicolle , Dunsiger Shira I , Borrelli Belinda
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Smoking and pain are highly prevalent among individuals with mobility impairments (MIs; use assistive devices to ambulate). The role of pain-related smoking motives and expectancies in smoking cessation is unknown. We examined cross-sectional and prospective associations between a novel measure of pain-related smoking motives (how smokers with pain perceive their pain and smoking to be interrelated) and pain and smoking behavior in smokers with MI.

Methods

This is a secondary data analysis of a smoking cessation induction trial (N = 263; 55% female) in smokers with MI. Participants did not have to want to quit to enroll. Pain-related smoking motives and expectancies were assessed at baseline with the pain and smoking inventory (PSI) which measures perceived pain and smoking interrelations in three distinct but related domains (smoking to cope with pain, pain as a motivator of smoking and as a barrier to cessation). Other measures included pain occurrence and interference, nicotine dependence, motivation and self-efficacy to quit smoking, and number of cigarettes per day. Biochemically verified smoking abstinence was assessed at 6 months.

Results

PSI scores were significantly higher among smokers with chronic pain occurrence compared to occasional and to no occurrence (p < .002) and were associated with greater pain interference (ps < .01) and lower self-efficacy to quit smoking (ps < .01). In prospective analyses adjusted for age, treatment group, and chronic pain, only expectancies of smoking to help cope with pain predicted lower odds of abstinence.

Conclusions

Targeting expectancies of smoking as a mechanism to cope with pain may be useful in increasing smoking cessation in pain populations.

Implications

Individuals with MI have a high prevalence of smoking and pain, yet the extent to which this population perceives pain and smoking to be interrelated is unknown. This is the first article to examine prospective associations between a novel measure of perceived pain and smoking interrelations (PSI) and smoking outcomes. The PSI was associated with greater pain and lower self-efficacy for quitting. Prospectively, the PSI subscale tapping into expectancies that smoking help coping with pain predicted a lower probability of smoking abstinence. In smokers with MI, expectancies of smoking as pain-coping mechanism may be an important clinical target.
Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Improves Shoulder Function in Women Who Are Overweight or Obese and Have Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sweeney Frank C , Demark-Wahnefried Wendy , Courneya Kerry S , Sami Nathalie , Lee Kyuwan , Tripathy Debu , Yamada Kimiko , Buchanan Thomas A , Spicer Darcy V , Bernstein Leslie , Mortimer Joanne E , Dieli-Conwright Christina M
Published: July 2019

Abtract

Background

Adverse upper limb musculoskeletal effects occur after surgical procedures and radiotherapy for breast cancer and can interfere with activities of daily living.

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a 16-week exercise intervention on shoulder function in women who are overweight or obese and have breast cancer.

Design

This study was a randomized controlled trial.

Setting

The study was performed at the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California.

Participants

One hundred women with breast cancer were randomly allocated to exercise or usual-care groups. The mean (SD) age of the women was 53.5 (10.4) years, 55% were Hispanic white, and their mean (SD) body mass index was 33.5 (5.5) kg/m2.

Intervention

The 16-week exercise intervention consisted of supervised, progressive, moderate to vigorous aerobic and resistance exercise 3 times per week.

Measurements

Shoulder active range of motion, isometric muscular strength, and patient-reported outcome measures (including Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and the Penn Shoulder Scale) were assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up (exercise group only). Differences in mean changes for outcomes were evaluated using mixed-model repeated-measures analysis.

Results

Compared with the usual-care group, the exercise group experienced significant increases in shoulder active range of motion (the mean between-group differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were as follows: shoulder flexion = 36.6° [95% CI = 55.2–20.7°], external rotation at 0° = 23.4° [95% CI = 31.1–12.5°], and external rotation at 90° = 34.3° [95% CI = 45.9–26.2°]), improved upper extremity isometric strength, and improved Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and Penn Shoulder Scale scores.

Limitations

Limitations include a lack of masking of assessors after the intervention, an attention control group, and statistical robustness (shoulder function was a secondary end point).

Conclusions

A 16-week exercise intervention effectively improved shoulder function following breast cancer treatment in women who were overweight or obese, who were ethnically diverse, and who had breast cancer.
What Is the Effect of Health Coaching Delivered by Physical Therapists? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Rethorn Zachary D , Pettitt Cherie D
Published: July 2019

Background

Health coaching has emerged as an intervention for improving health behaviors. Given the recent increased integration of health coaching into physical therapist practice, there has been a subsequent rise in research examining the effects of health coaching provided by physical therapists. However, there is a lack of literature summarizing the effectiveness of health coaching delivered by physical therapists in changing patient health behaviors.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the effects of health coaching delivered by physical therapists on promoting participant health behaviors.

Data Sources

Cochrane, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PEDro, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to May 26, 2018, to identify randomized controlled trials examining the effects of health coaching delivered by physical therapists.

Study Selection

Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts according to inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine study eligibility.

Data Extraction

Methodological quality was assessed using Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scores. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias assessment tool. Data were extracted using a standardized data extraction form describing study methods, design, and outcomes.

Data Synthesis

Eleven trials met the inclusion criteria for this study. Health coaching produced positive effects on physical activity (6 studies) as well as physiological and psychological secondary outcomes.

Limitations

The inclusion of only 11 randomized controlled trials in this review could limit the generalizability of the findings. The heterogeneity of the findings precluded the performance of a meta-analysis.

Conclusions

Research on the effectiveness of health coaching delivered by physical therapists on health behavior outcomes is mixed. Data indicate statistically significant changes in some health behavior, physiological, and psychological outcomes.
Frequency and distribution of various rheumatic disorders associated with checkpoint inhibitor therapy
Authors: Abdel-Wahab Noha , Suarez-Almazor Maria E
Published: July 2019

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have advanced the treatment paradigm of various cancers, achieving remarkable survival benefits. However, a myriad of immune-related adverse events (irAE) has been recognized in almost every organ system, presumably because of persistent immune system activation. Rheumatic symptoms such as arthralgia or myalgia are very common. More specific irAE are increasingly being reported. The most frequent ones are inflammatory arthritis, polymyalgia-like syndromes, myositis and sicca manifestations. These rheumatic irAE can develop in ∼5–10% of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, although true incidence rates cannot be estimated given the lack of prospective cohort studies, and likely underreporting of rheumatic irAE in oncology trials. In this review, we will provide a summary of the epidemiologic data reported for these rheumatic irAE, until more robust prospective longitudinal studies become available to further define the true incidence rate of rheumatic irAE in patients receiving these novel cancer therapies.
A scent of romance: human putative pheromone affects men’s sexual cognition
Authors: Oren Chen , Peled-Avron Leehe , Shamay-Tsoory Simone G
Published: July 2019

Previous studies suggest that the putative human pheromone estratetraenol affects several systems underlying human functioning and appears to activate neural systems that are known to affect sexual behavior. In this study, we investigated whether exposure to estratetraenol affects men’s social cognition abilities. In the first experiment, men performed the Interpersonal Perception task while being exposed to estratetraenol and to a control solution. Men performed the task with better accuracy while being exposed to estratetraenol. This improvement was evident especially in the Intimacy category where participants evaluated romantic relationships. In a second experiment, we exposed a different sample of men to estratetraenol and to a control solution while performing a task that implicitly measured their emotional reaction to photos depicting two humans either romantically touching or not, with a control condition of two inanimate objects either touching or not. We found that the participants’ emotional reaction to touch was stronger under exposure to estratetraenol. Together, these results suggest that exposure to estratetraenol may trigger a change in men’s social cognition, especially in sexually related situations.
Universal Basic Income, Poverty, and Social Justice: A Moral and Economic Imperative for Social Workers
Authors: Hamilton Leah , Martin-West Stacia
Published: July 2019

Modern technology threatens to dramatically alter the U.S. labor economy, but the crumbling social safety net may be insufficient for affected workers. Some advocates propose to address these converging problems through universal basic income (UBI). Authors conducted a preliminary review of social work perspectives on the topic of UBI. They found very little relevant literature, especially among American scholars. Existent social work literature frames UBI as an alternative to the neoliberal welfare state and mass unemployment. Social workers also contribute a critical social justice orientation to UBI scholarship in other disciplines. Grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics, authors argue that it is imperative for American social workers to seriously consider UBI as an answer to growing inequality and the unique expertise that social workers offer as allies of marginalized populations.
Consumer Activism for Social Change
Authors: Lightfoot Elizabeth Bradford
Published: July 2019

Consumer activism, or activism taken by consumers through participating in the market such as through boycotts or ethical shopping, is the most common form of political action in the United States aside from voting. Although consumer activism was a popular macro practice social work intervention by social work pioneers and has been an important part of many social change movements internationally, it is rarely discussed formally in the field of social work in the United States today. This article provides an overview of consumer activism as a social work intervention, describes historical and 21st century examples of consumer activism, and discusses the effectiveness of consumer activism. The article ends with a discussion of the strengths and challenges of consumer activism for social workers who engage in it either professionally or personally.
Does the structure (tunneled vs. free-roam) and content (if-then plans vs. choosing strategies) of a brief online alcohol intervention effect engagement and effectiveness? A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Norman Paul , Webb Thomas L , Millings Abigail , Pechey Laura
Published: July 2019

Participants who interacted with an online alcohol intervention in a predetermined order viewed more pages than those who could free roam the intervention. Nonetheless, both groups reduced their alcohol consumption at follow-up.
Response of Pseudoperonospora cubensis to Preventative Fungicide Applications Varies by State and Year
Authors: Keinath Anthony P. , Miller Sally A. , Smart Christine D.
Published: July 2019

A cucumber bioassay to assess the response of Pseudoperonospora cubensis to preventative applications of fungicides is a useful, rapid method to determine which fungicides are most likely to be effective at the beginning of a cucurbit downy mildew epidemic.
Treating the “Not-Invented-Here Syndrome” in Medical Leadership: Learning From the Insights of Outside Disciplines
Authors: Myers Christopher G. , Sutcliffe Kathleen M. , Ferrari Bernard T.
Published: July 2019

Physicians are being increasingly called upon to engage in leadership at all levels of modern health organizations, leading many to call for greater research and training interventions regarding physician leadership development. Yet, within these calls to action, the authors note a troubling trend toward siloed, medicine-specific approaches to leadership development and a broad failure to learn from the evidence and insight of other relevant disciplines, such as the organizational sciences. The authors describe how this trend reflects what has been called the “not-invented-here syndrome” (NIHS)—a commonly observed reluctance to adopt and integrate insights from outside disciplines—and highlight the pitfalls of NIHS for effective physician leadership development. Failing to learn from research and interventions in the organizational sciences inhibits physician leadership development efforts, leading to redundant rediscoveries of known insights and reinventions of existing best practices. The authors call for physician leaders to embrace ideas that are “proudly developed elsewhere” and work with colleagues in outside disciplines to conduct collaborative research and develop integrated training interventions to best develop physician leaders who are prepared for the complex, dynamic challenges of modern health care.
Decline in Racial Disparities in Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Analysis from 1998 to 2014
Authors: Sergesketter Amanda R. , Thomas Samantha M. , Lane Whitney O. , Orr Jonah P. , Shammas Ronnie L. , Fayanju Oluwadamilola M. , Greenup Rachel A. , Hollenbeck Scott T.
Published: July 2019

Background:

Despite increasing emphasis on reducing racial disparities in breast cancer care in the United States, it remains unknown whether access to breast reconstruction has improved over time. The authors characterized contemporary patterns of breast reconstruction by race and ethnicity.

Methods:

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to identify women undergoing mastectomy for stage 0 to III breast cancer from 1998 to 2014. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association of demographic factors with likelihood of postmastectomy reconstruction. Multivariable logistic regression was used to predict reconstruction subtype. Patients undergoing reconstruction were grouped by diagnosis year to assess change in the population over time by race and ethnicity.

Results:

Of 346,418 patients, 21.8 percent underwent immediate reconstruction. Non-Hispanic black race (OR, 0.71) and Hispanic ethnicity (OR, 0.63) were associated with a decreased likelihood of reconstruction (all p < 0.001). Race was predictive of reconstruction type, with non-Hispanic black (OR, 1.52) and Hispanic women (OR, 1.22) more likely to undergo autologous versus implant-based reconstruction (p < 0.001). Although rates of reconstruction increased over time across all races, non-Hispanic black and Hispanic patients had a higher adjusted per-year increase in rate of reconstruction compared with non-Hispanic white patients (interaction p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Rates of postmastectomy reconstruction have increased more quickly over time for minority women compared with white women, suggesting that racial disparities in breast reconstruction may be improving. However, race continues to be associated with differences in types and rates of reconstruction. Further research is necessary to continue to improve access to breast reconstruction in the United States.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Risk, III.
Nasal Analysis: Considerations for Ethnic Variation
Authors: Villanueva Nathaniel L. , Afrooz Paul N. , Carboy Jourdan A. , Rohrich Rod J.
Published: July 2019

As the United States continues to be more ethnically and racially diverse, it is important for the rhinoplasty surgeon to have an appreciation and understanding of nasal variations that exist to plan for and execute ethnically congruent results. The nasal analysis is a critical component of the patient evaluation, which has been used as a tool by surgeons to identify deviations from anatomical norms or canons. In this article, the authors describe common nasal anatomical variations that exist between ethnic groups as a guide for nasal analysis. Understanding these variations will facilitate and help define important cultural aesthetics, which can be used to plan for rhinoplasties in a diverse patient population.
Stacked Lateral Thigh Perforator Flap as a Novel Option for Autologous Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Tessler Oren , Guste John , Bartow Matthew J. , Torabi Radbeh , Gimenez Alejandro , Patel Shukan B. , Matatov Tim , Torabi Rozbeh , St. Hilaire Hugo , Allen Bob
Published: July 2019

Background:

Autologous breast reconstruction using perforator flaps offers excellent outcomes, minimizes donor-site morbidity, and allows for precise donor-site selection. The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator, profunda artery perforator, and gluteal artery perforator flaps along with the stacked flap technique are the most common options. This study reports the first series of the stacked lateral thigh perforator flap.

Methods:

A retrospective review of all stacked lateral thigh perforator flaps done by a single group of surgeons was performed. Demographics, flap weights, complications, indications, and surgical technique were tabulated for each patient.

Results:

Eight female patients with a history of breast cancer underwent delayed unilateral breast reconstruction with stacked lateral thigh perforator flaps for a total of 16 flaps. Mean patient age, body mass index, flap weight, and stacked flap weight were 47.3 years, 26.2 kg/m2, 333.1 g, and 666.1 g, respectively. Microsurgical revascularization was completed in anterograde and retrograde fashion to the internal mammary vasculature. Flap survival was 100 percent and one subsequent flap revision was performed. Two patients developed a seroma at the donor site. Indications included insufficient abdominal tissue, prominent lateral thigh lipodystrophy, prior abdominal surgery, and failed prior abdominally based autologous reconstruction.

Conclusions:

This series demonstrates that the lateral thigh perforator flap is a reliable and effective option for a stacked breast reconstruction. Its ease of harvest (stemming from reliable anatomy), straightforward dissection, and intraoperative positioning make it an appealing flap option. The stacked lateral thigh perforator flap allows the reconstructive surgeon to tailor breast reconstruction to the patient, focusing on body habitus and minimizing morbidity.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Non-Canonical Regulation of Phosphatidylserine Metabolism by a Phosphatidylinositol Transfer Protein and a Phosphatidylinositol 4-OH Kinase
Authors: Wang Yaxi , Yuan Peihua , Tripathi Ashutosh , Rodriguez Martin , Lönnfors Max , Eisenberg-Bord Michal , Schuldiner Maya , Bankaitis Vytas A.
Published: July 2019

The phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) decarboxylase Psd2 is proposed to engage in an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi/endosome membrane contact site (MCS) that facilitates phosphatidylserine decarboxylation to phosphatidylethanomaine (PtdEtn) inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. While this MCS is envisioned to consist of Psd2, the Sec14-like phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PITP) Sfh4, the Stt4 phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 4-OH kinase, the Scs2 tether, and at least one other uncharacterized protein, functional data that address key foundations of this model are sparse. We now report that Psd2, Sfh4 and Stt4 are the only components individually required for biologically sufficient Psd2-dependent PtdEtn production. Surprisingly, neither the PtdIns-transfer activity of Sfh4 nor its capacity to activate Stt4 is required to stimulate the Psd2 pathway. Instead, Sfh4 activates the Psd2 pathway via a specific Sfh4-Psd2 physical interaction. Whereas the data indicate an Sfh4-independent association of Stt4 with Psd2 as well, we find Stt4 also regulates Psd2 activity indirectly by influencing the PtdSer pool accessible to Psd2 for decarboxylation. These collective results demonstrate that the proposed ER-Golgi/endosomal MCS model fails to provide an accurate description of the Psd2 system in yeast, and provide an example where the biological function of a Sec14-like PITP is uncoupled from its ‘canonical’ activity as a PtdIns transfer protein.
Comparison of human population receptive field estimates between scanners and the effect of temporal filtering
Authors: Morgan Catherine , Schwarzkopf D Samuel
Published: July 2019

Population receptive field (pRF) analysis with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is an increasingly popular method for mapping visual field representations and estimating the spatial selectivity of voxels in human visual cortex. However, the multitude of experimental setups and processing methods used makes comparisons of results between studies difficult. Here, we show that pRF maps acquired in the same three individuals using comparable scanning parameters on a 1.5 and a 3 Tesla scanner located in two different countries are very similar. As expected, the signal-to-noise ratio for the 3 Tesla data was superior; critically, however, estimates of pRF size and cortical magnification did not reveal any systematic differences between the sites. Moreover, we tested the effect of low-pass filtering of the time series on pRF estimates. Unsurprisingly, filtering enhanced goodness-of-fit, presumably by removing high-frequency noise. However, there was no substantial increase in the number of voxels containing meaningful retinotopic signals after low-pass filtering. Importantly, filtering also increased estimates of pRF size in the early visual areas which could substantially skew interpretations of spatial tuning properties. Our results therefore suggest that pRF estimates are generally comparable between scanners of different field strengths, but temporal filtering should be used with caution.

Precis

Population Receptive Field mapping performed with similar protocols at two different sites, a 1.5T MRI scanner in London, and a 3T scanner in Auckland, yielded comparable results. Temporal filtering of the fMRI time course increased concordance of modelled pRFs, but introduced a bias in pRF size.
RPS28B mRNA acts as a scaffold promoting cis-translational interaction of proteins driving P-body assembly
Authors: Fernandes Nikita , Buchan J. Ross
Published: July 2019

P-bodies (PBs) are cytoplasmic mRNA-protein (mRNP) granules conserved throughout eukaryotes which are implicated in the repression, storage and degradation of mRNAs. PB assembly is driven in part by proteins with self-interacting and low-complexity protein domains. Non-translating mRNA is also required for PB assembly, however no studies to date have explored whether particular mRNA transcripts are more critical than others in facilitating PB assembly. A previous genome-wide microscopy screen in yeast revealed that rps28bΔ (Ribosomal protein subunit-28B) mutants do not form PBs under normal growth conditions. Here, we demonstrate that the RPS28B 3’UTR is important for PB assembly, consistent with the fact that this is a known binding site for the PB assembly protein Edc3. However, expression of the RPS28B 3’UTR in isolation is insufficient to drive normal PB assembly. Intriguingly, chimeric mRNA studies revealed that Rps28 protein, translated in cis from an mRNA bearing the RPS28B 3’UTR, physically interacts more strongly with Edc3 than Rps28 protein synthesized in trans. This Edc3-Rps28 interaction in turn also facilitates PB assembly. In summary, our work indicates that PB assembly may be preferentially nucleated by specific RNA “scaffolds”, which may be a common theme in RNP granule assembly. Furthermore, this is the first description in yeast to our knowledge of a cis-translated protein interacting with another protein in the 3’UTR of the mRNA which encoded it, which in turn has functional consequences for assembly of cellular structures.
New barium, strontium and strontium-doped barium squarates: synthesis, crystal structures and DNA/BSA binding, antioxidant and in vitro cytotoxicity studies
Authors: Priya Vadhana K. T. , Parveen S. , Ushadevi B. , Selvakumar R. , Sangeetha S. , Vairam S.
Published: July 2019

A new set of differently hydrated barium and strontium squarates, namely poly[[triaqua(μ-1,2-dioxocyclobut-3-ene-1,2-diolato)barium] monohydrate], {[Ba(C4O4)(H2O)3]·H2O}
n
(1), poly[[diaqua(μ-1,2-dioxocyclobut-3-ene-1,2-diolato)strontium] monohydrate], {[Sr(C4O4)(H2O)2]·H2O}
n
(2), and poly[[triaqua(μ-1,2-dioxocyclobut-3-ene-1,2-diolato)barium/strontium(0.85/0.15)] monohydrate], {[Ba0.85Sr0.15(C4O4)(H2O)3]·H2O}
n
(3), is reported. The study of their crystal structures indicates that all the complexes crystallize in the triclinic space group P\overline{1}. Complexes 1 and 3 have a rare combination of squarate units coordinated through monodentate O atoms to two different metal atoms and through two bidentate O atoms to three different metal atoms. Furthermore, they have three coordinated water molecules to give a coordination number of nine. The squarate ligands in complex 2 exhibit two different coordination modes: (i) monodentate O atoms coordinated to four different Sr atoms and (ii) two monodentate O atoms coordinated to two different metal atoms with the other two O atoms bidentate to four different Sr atoms. All the compounds decompose to give the respective carbonates when heated to 800 °C, as evidenced by thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), which are clusters of nanoparticles. Complexes 1 and 3 show additional endothermic peaks at 811 and 820 °C, respectively, indicating the phase transition of BaCO3 from an orthorhombic (α-Pmcn) to a trigonal phase (β-R3m). All three complexes have significant DNA-binding constants, ranging from 2.45 × 104 to 9.41 × 104 M
−1 against EB-CT (ethidium bromide–calf thymus) DNA and protein binding constants ranging from 1.1 × 105 to 8.6 × 105 with bovine serum albumin. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes is indicated by the IC50 values, which range from 128.8 to 261.3 µg ml−1. Complex 3 shows better BSA binding, antioxidant activity against the DPPH radical and cytotoxicity than complexes 1 and 2.
Stigma on mental illness in the Arab world: beyond the socio-cultural barriers
Authors: Merhej Rita
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Research on mental illness stigma in the Arab world has traditionally focused on socio-cultural barriers that deprive persons with mental illness from their fundamental human right for privacy and informed consent. The purpose of this paper is to address the question whether or not mental health legislations in a number of Arab countries effectively safeguard the human rights of people with mental illness and protect them from stigmatizing and discriminatory practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative review of literature was performed over two rounds of search, targeting published research on mental illness stigma in the Arab world from year 2000 until now and existing national mental health legislations in the Arab world, using English and Arabic databases.

Findings

The review reveals that beyond society and culture, persistence of mental illness stigma in the Arab world may be explained by absent or inefficient monitoring mechanisms of mental health legislations and policies within the health-care setting. Although integration of mental health services into the primary health care system is being gradually implemented as a step toward de-stigmatization of mental illness, more remains to be done to change the stigmatizing behavior of the health personnel toward mental illness.

Originality/value

Mental health authorities in the Arab world need to be more aware of the public perceptions explaining people’s fear and reluctance to seek mental health care, so as to ensure that the control and monitoring mechanisms at both the primary and mental health care levels foster a human rights, culturally competent, patient-friendly and non-stigmatizing model of mental health care.
The added value of a new interviewing tool for the selection of candidates for the teaching profession
Authors: Levy-Feldman Irit , Libman Zipora
Published: July 2019

Purpose

An interview is one of the most widely used tools in the admission of candidates for an academic study, particularly in the applied professions. The purpose of this paper is to present a study that assesses the quality of a new interview tool for the selection of teacher-training candidates, in order to find out its added value over other selection tools in use and to justify the effort invested in it.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was longitudinal and was conducted over the course of a three-year period. The study population consisted of all the college’s undergraduate students that were candidates for the teaching profession. The information was processed quantitatively using descriptive as well as inferential statistics while addressing diverse comparisons.

Findings

The main findings indicate a high quality of the new tool. The usage of the tool improved the selection procedure of qualified candidates, especially borderline candidates who would be rejected if using only the matriculation and the psychometric admission tools. A logistic regression model revealed the admission new interview tool to be the sole statistically significant predictor of enrollment in the college. The study reported the interview score to be the sole statistically significant predictive factor in the model that forecasts student field-practice grades, particularly in their first year of study.

Originality/value

This information further corroborates that a good interview tool allows a more in-depth and well-based discussion about worthy candidates who do not meet the strict grade admission requirements. This invites discussion regarding the critical place of the interview in selection of candidates, especially in applied professions.
Incentive contract design for internet referral services: cost per click vs cost per sale
Authors: Zhou Chi , Xu Geni , Liu Zhibing
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Internet referral services are a common form of online marketing operating activities. To incentivize infomediaries and improve referral performance, brand retailers typically apply the cost-per-click (CPC) or the cost-per-sale (CPS) payments. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of referral services on the optimal contract with CPC or CPS payments.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper studies a mechanism design problem for internet referral services. To maximize the expected utility of the brand retailer, an uncertain contract model is established in which the brand retailer's assessment of the infomediary's referral service capability is characterized as an uncertain variable. Then equivalent models under CPC and CPS payments are presented to obtain the optimal solutions.

Findings

The results demonstrate that under CPC payments, as the referral service capability increases, the optimal sales volume is increasing, and the optimal transfer payment first shows a declining and then a rising trend. The brand retailer is less likely to raise the optimal transfer payment for the infomediary given a higher CPC revenue-sharing fee percentage, which is counterintuitive. Under CPS payments, the optimal sales volume and transfer payment are also increasing in the referral service capability. In addition, an increase in the click-through rate leads to the infomediary's incremental marginal utility.

Originality/value

The value of this research is its application of incentive contracts to the internet referral services considering CPC or CPS payments. The results of this research can serve as a guide for retailers and infomediaries in their decision-making around online retailing.
Workplace incivility and work outcomes: cross‐cultural comparison between Australian and Singaporean employees
Authors: Loh Jennifer M I , Thorsteinsson Einar B , Loi Natasha M
Published: July 2019

Workplace incivility is a common issue experienced by employees around the globe. However, research has found cultural variability in how workplace incivility is perceived and interpreted. Studies have shown that employees from high power distance societies tend to be more accepting of workplace mistreatment than employees from low power distance societies. Adopting Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and national culture as theoretical frameworks, we tested a moderated mediation model that linked the experience of workplace incivility, burnout/exhaustion, job satisfaction and work withdrawal between Australian and Singaporean white‐collar employees. Data were collected through an online survey of 301 Australian and 303 Singaporean employees. Results indicated that workplace incivility contributed to burnout/exhaustion, which in turn predicted employees’ job dissatisfaction and work withdrawal. Specifically, Australians were more negatively affected by workplace incivility than Singaporeans. The findings suggest the need to consider employees’ national culture/ethnicity when examining relationships between mistreatment in different workplaces and the outcomes.
Near‐infrared spectroscopy monitoring in a pre‐hospital trauma patient cohort: An analysis of successful signal collection
Authors: Weatherall Andrew , Poynter Elwyn , Garner Alan , Lee Anna
Published: July 2019

Background

Noninvasive monitoring of cerebral physiology could potentially guide pre‐hospital management of patients with traumatic injuries. Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is one such modality but the consistency of monitoring performance remains unclear. This study assessed the proportion of successful signal collection during pre‐hospital care.

Methods

As part of a prospective observational study, an independent study observer placed three sensors for a Nonin 7610 NIRS device; two on the forehead and one on the forearm. NIRS records were analysed for time of adequate monitoring signal in each sensor (>70% of total pre‐hospital time). We also compared pre‐hospital scene and transport times for patients with or without NIRS monitoring.

Results

Sixty‐three patients with monitoring sensors applied were compared to 255 patients where no study observer was on board and 97 without NIRS monitoring for various reasons within the same time period. The proportion of pre‐hospital time with successful monitoring (>70%) was 71.4% (45 of 63) for all three sensors, with at least two sensors functional in 90.4% (57 of 63). The median (interquartile range) scene time was 19 (11‐23) minutes in patients with NIRS monitoring compared to 18 (11‐27) minutes without NIRS monitoring (P = .570). There was no difference in the median (interquartile range) total pre‐hospital time between patients with or without monitoring sensors (72 [59‐89] versus 72 [59‐80] minutes; P = .605).

Conclusions

In this pre‐hospital observational feasibility study with dedicated personnel an acceptable proportion of measurement time was achieved in over 90% of monitored subjects. Addition of NIRS monitoring did not alter pre‐hospital scene or transport times in this research setting.
Comparing diabetic retinopathy lesions in scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and colour fundus photography
Authors: Nghiem Allan Zhifa , Nderitu Paul , Lukic Marko , Khatun Mumina , Largan Ross , Kortuem Karsten , Balaskas Konstantinos , Sim Dawn
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the detection of different lesions of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) compared to colour fundus photographs within the same retinal field.

Methods

Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and colour fundus photographs of 67 eyes taken on the same day of dilated patients with different grades of diabetic retinopathy were retrospectively examined. SLO images were then cropped to match the size and position of its 45‐degree colour fundus photograph equivalent. Five independent masked graders assessed the images. Features of DR including haemorrhages, microaneurysms, exudates, cotton wool spots, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities, venous beading and neovascularization were analysed. Additionally, each image was classified according to Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grading and English Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) grading.

Results

There was moderate to good agreement in ETDRS and DESP grading between SLO and colour fundus photographs within individual graders (weighted kappa range 0.45–0.65). The average number of microaneurysms for SLO and colour photographs showed a high degree of agreement (ICC: 0.92). Equally, the average number of blot haemorrhages in SLO and colour images showed strong agreement (ICC: 0.98) and the average number of cotton wool spots in SLO and colour images correlated well (ICC: 0.92). For these three lesions, the intergrader reliability was good (ICC ≥0.66) for both modalities.

Conclusion

There was good correlation in detected microaneurysms, blot haemorrhages and cotton wool spots between SLO and colour fundus photographs. However, there was intergrader variability in flame haemorrhage, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities, venous beading and neovascularization grading with both modalities.
Detection of Chlamydiaceae in ocular swabs from Australian pre‐export feedlot sheep
Authors: Jelocnik M , Laurence M , Murdoch FR , Polkinghorne A
Published: July 2019

Infectious Ovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IOK) is a contagious ocular disease of sheep. A range of organisms have been observed as the aetiological agents of IOK. In this study, the presence of chlamydial pathogens (C. pecorum, C. abortus, C. psittaci) in conjunctival swabs was tested for. The swabs were collected from sheep with varying grades of IOK in an Australian pre‐export feedlot. The sheep had been rejected from a shipment because of the eye disease. The relative contribution of chlamydial pathogens to IOK and the rejection of animals was evaluated.

In total, 149 conjunctival swabs were taken from rejected sheep (IOK Grades 1 to 6; n = 126) as well as those with healthy eyes (Grade 0; n = 23). Screening for chlamydial pathogens was done using species–specific qPCR assays. Chlamydial DNA was detected in 35.6% (53/149) of conjunctival samples. C. pecorum was the most predominant species with an overall prevalence of 28.9% (43/149). C. psittaci prevalence was 6.7% (10/149). Both organisms were detected in healthy as well as IOK‐affected eyes. All swabs tested negative for C. abortus.

The results from this study demonstrate that Chlamydia spp can be readily detected in sheep presenting with IOK. The zoonotic C. abortus was not detected in any of the samples in this study, providing further evidence to the suggestion that this pathogen remains absent from Australia. Although the exact contribution of Chlamydia spp in the IOK pathogenesis is unclear, such studies are anticipated to be of benefit to Australian domestic and live export production systems.
Effects of scripting on dialogues, motivation and learning outcomes in serious games
Authors: van der Meij Hans , Veldkamp Sabine , Leemkuil Henny
Published: July 2019

Research on serious games shows that complementary design measures are often needed to increase effectiveness. The present study investigated the role of scripted collaboration. In such a collaboration, players are assigned roles or given specific tasks to stimulate them to communicate more about essential game aspects (eg, arguing why a move should be made versus merely suggesting a move), and thereby raise learning. A risk of scripted collaboration is that it can constrain communication so much that motivation drops. An experiment with eighth‐grade students is reported in which a scripted and non‐scripted condition were compared for their effects on the level of dialogic acts, motivation and learning outcomes. In the scripted condition, players were assigned opposing roles in a game that revolved around making smart choices by considering each perspective. The findings supported the prediction that scripting would raise the level of the dialogues. Scripting led to significantly more dialogic acts about deeper level game features. In addition, players in the scripted condition achieved a significantly higher mean score on a knowledge posttest. An exploratory analysis showed that higher level dialogic acts correlated with higher posttest scores. Motivation was the same in both conditions.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Without complementary support, serious games may yield low learning effects.

Collaborative game‐play helps raise the effectiveness only moderately.

What this paper adds

The effectiveness of learning from a serious game was investigated for a conflict script that stimulated players to adopt opposing roles.

The conflict script did not affect the amount of talking.

Gaming‐the‐game expressions predominantly coincided with relevant observations about game content.

Scripted collaboration increased the level of the dialogic acts, and raised learning. Higher levels of dialogic acts were also positively related with higher learning outcomes.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Collaboration scripts can contribute substantially to game‐based learning. They have the advantage that they can be constructed by educators.

The design of a collaboration script requires careful balancing the need to stimulate certain kinds of game communications and avoiding imposing too much constraints on these communications.
Automatic Design of Cable‐Tensioned Glass Shells
Authors: Laccone Francesco , Malomo Luigi , Froli Maurizio , Cignoni Paolo , Pietroni Nico
Published: July 2019

We propose an optimization algorithm for the design of post‐tensioned architectural shell structures, composed of triangular glass panels, in which glass has a load‐bearing function. Due to its brittle nature, glass can fail when it is subject to tensile forces. Hence, we enrich the structure with a cable net, which is specifically designed to post‐tension the shell, relieving the underlying glass structure from tension. We automatically derive an optimized cable layout, together with the appropriate pre‐load of each cable. The method is driven by a physically based static analysis of the shell subject to its service load. We assess our approach by applying non‐linear finite element analysis to several real‐scale application scenarios. Such a method of cable tensioning produces glass shells that are optimized from the material usage viewpoint since they exploit the high compression strength of glass. As a result, they are lightweight and robust. Both aesthetic and static qualities are improved with respect to grid shell competitors.
Horizontal ridge augmentation using GBR with a native collagen membrane and 1:1 ratio of particulate xenograft and autologous bone: A 3‐year after final loading prospective clinical study
Authors: Meloni Silvio Mario , Jovanovic Sascha Alexander , Urban Istvan , Baldoni Edoardo , Pisano Milena , Tallarico Marco
Published: July 2019

Background

Cawood‐Howell class IV atrophies, also known as “knife‐edge” ridges, represent a serious horizontal defect, making the placement of regular implants challenging.

Aim

To clinically and radiographically evaluate bone regeneration of severe horizontal bone defects with 3 years of follow‐up.

Materials and Methods

This study was designed as a single cohort, prospective clinical trial. Patients having horizontal bone width of 4 mm or less in the posterior mandible or maxilla were treated with resorbable collagen membranes and a 1:1 mixture of anorganic bovine bone (ABB) and autogenous bone. Implants were inserted and loaded 7 months later. Outcomes were implant and prosthetic survival rates, any biological and prosthetic complications, horizontal and volumetric bone dimensional changes measured on cone beam computer tomography (CBCT), peri‐implant marginal bone level (MBL) changes measured on periapical radiographs, plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP).

Results

Eighteen patients received 55 implants. No patient dropped‐out. No implant and prosthetic failures and no complications were recorded. Super imposition of pre and 7‐month postoperative CBCT scans revealed an average horizontal bone gain of 5.03 ± 2.15 mm (95% CI: 4.13‐5.92 mm). After 3 years, mean MBL was 1.15 ± 0.28 mm (95% CI 0.84‐1.22 mm). The PI was 11.6%, and BOP was 5.2%.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of the present study, high implant survival rate and high average bone augmentation seem to validate the use of collagen resorbable membranes with a 1:1 mixture of particulate ABB and autogenous bone for the reconstruction of Cawood‐Howell class IV alveolar ridge atrophies.