bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Explaining Socio-Economic Inequalities in Survival from Colon Cancer: A Causal Mediation Analysis
Authors: Afshar Nina , Dashti S. Ghazaleh , te Marvelde Luc , Blakely Tony , Haydon Andrew , White Victoria M. , Emery Jon D. , Bergin Rebecca J. , Whitfield Kathryn , Thomas Robert J.S. , Giles Graham G. , Milne Roger L. , English Dallas R.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Socio-economic inequalities in colon cancer survival exist in high-income countries, but the reasons are unclear. We assessed the mediating effects of stage at diagnosis, comorbidities, and treatment (surgery and intravenous chemotherapy) on survival from colon cancer.

Methods:

We identified 2,203 people aged 15 to 79 years with first primary colon cancer diagnosed in Victoria, Australia, between 2008 and 2011. Colon cancer cases were identified through the Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR), and clinical information was obtained from hospital records. Deaths till December 31, 2016 (n = 807), were identified from Victorian and national death registries. Socio-economic disadvantage was based on residential address at diagnosis. For stage III disease, we decomposed its total effect into direct and indirect effects using interventional mediation analysis.

Results:

Socio-economic inequalities in colon cancer survival were not explained by stage and were greater for men than women. For men with stage III disease, there were 161 [95% confidence interval (CI), 67–256] additional deaths per 1,000 cases in the 5 years following diagnosis for the most disadvantaged compared with the least disadvantaged. The indirect effects through comorbidities and intravenous chemotherapy explained 6 (95% CI, −10–21) and 15 (95% CI, −14–44) per 1,000 of these additional deaths, respectively. Surgery did not explain the observed gap in survival.

Conclusions:

Disadvantaged men have lower survival from stage III colon cancer that is only modestly explained by having comorbidities or not receiving chemotherapy after surgery.

Impact:

Future studies should investigate the potential mediating role of factors occurring beyond the first year following diagnosis, such as compliance with surveillance for recurrence and supportive care services.
Prenatal and Perinatal Factors and Risk of Cancer in Middle and Older Adulthood among Men
Authors: Fu Benjamin C. , Chowdhury-Paulino Ilkania M. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Mucci Lorelei A.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Prenatal factors have been associated with risk of cancers later in life, although studies in men have largely been case–control and focused on birth size only.

Methods:

We used data from 5,845 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) to prospectively examine associations between several prenatal and perinatal factors and incident adult cancer risk. In 1994, mothers of participants reported information on characteristics and behaviors related to their pregnancy with their sons. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to calculate HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of associations between prenatal and perinatal risk factors and cancer risk.

Results:

During 20 years of follow-up, 1,228 incident cases of overall cancer were documented. Men with a birth weight of ≥4 kg had a 21% increased risk of overall cancer (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.02–1.43) compared with those with a birth weight of 2.5 to 3.9 kg. Greater weight gain during pregnancy (>13.6 kg vs. 6.8–8.6 kg) was also associated with a higher risk of overall cancer (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.02–1.46), and was stronger for men whose mothers had a prepregnancy BMI<21 kg/m2 (HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.00–1.67) compared with body mass index (BMI) ≥21 kg/m2 (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.85–1.51). There was no association between maternal age and overall cancer risk.

Conclusions:

Higher birth weight and maternal weight gain are associated with increased cancer risk in adult men.

Impact:

Our findings support the hypothesis that the in utero environment plays a role in the etiology of cancer in middle and older adulthood.
Psoriasis, Vitiligo, and Biologic Therapy: Case Report and Narrative Review
Authors: Burlando Martina , Muracchioli Andrea , Cozzani Emanuele , Parodi Aurora
Published: July 2021

Psoriasis and vitiligo are 2 multifactorial immune-mediated diseases, partially sharing pathogenetic underpinnings. Their coexistence in the same patient, although uncommon, is documented in the literature. Further, several cases of vitiligo induced by biological drugs in psoriatic patients are reported. However, improvements in psoriasis and pre-existing vitiligo after the introduction of biological therapy are also described. To date, anti-TNF-alpha is the most cited group of biological drugs that induce new-onset vitiligo or progression of pre-existence vitiligo in psoriatic patients. Even anti-IL-12/23 class would seem to induce vitiligo (as in our case) or even worse it. Anti-IL-17 drugs induce a progression of pre-existing vitiligo while, to date, no cases are reported in literature considering anti-IL-23 class.
The Combined Usage of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition Criteria and Controlling Nutrition Status Score in Acute Care Hospitals
Authors: Mitani Asako , Iwai Takahito , Shichinohe Toshiaki , Takeda Hiroshi , Kumagai Satomi , Nishida Mutsumi , Sugita Junichi , Teshima Takanori
Published: July 2021

Introduction: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) lacks reliable blood tests for evaluating the nutrition status. We retrospectively compared the GLIM criteria, Controlling Nutrition Status (CONUT) score, and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) to establish effective malnutrition screening and provide appropriate nutritional interventions according to severity. Methods: We classified 177 patients into 3 malnutrition categories (normal/mild, moderate, and severe) according to the GLIM criteria, CONUT score, and SGA. We investigated the malnutrition prevalence, concordance of malnutrition severity, predictability of clinical outcome, concordance by etiology, and clinical outcome by inflammation. Results: The highest prevalence of malnutrition was found using the GLIM criteria (87.6%). Concordance of malnutrition severity was low between the GLIM criteria and CONUT score. Concordance by etiology was low in all groups but was the highest in the “acute disease” group. The area under the curve of clinical outcome and that of the “with inflammation group” were significantly higher when using the CONUT score versus using the other tools (0.679 and 0.683, respectively). Conclusion: The GLIM criteria have high sensitivity, while the CONUT score can effectively predict the clinical outcome of malnutrition. Their combined use can efficiently screen for malnutrition and patient severity in acute care hospitals.
Comparing the Temporal Aspects of Velopharyngeal Closure in Children with and without Cleft Palate
Authors: Ozkan Hilal Burcu , Kulak Kayikci Mavis Emel , Gunaydin Riza Onder , Ozgur Fatma Figen
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Children with cleft palate exhibit differences in the 4 temporal components of nasalization (nasal onset and offset intervals, nasal consonant duration, and total speech duration), with various patterns having been noted based on different languages. Thus, the current study aimed to examine the temporal aspects of velopharyngeal closure in children with and without cleft palate; this is the first study to do so in the Turkish language. Methods: This study evaluated and compared the 4 temporal characteristics of velopharyngeal closure in children (aged 6–10 years) with (n = 28) and without (n = 28) cleft palate using nonword consonant and vowel speech samples, including the bilabial nasal-to-stop combination /mp/ and the velar nasal-to-stop combination /ηk/. Acoustic data were recorded using a nasometer, after which acoustic waveforms were examined to determine the 4 temporal components of nasalization. Flexible nasoendoscopy was then used to evaluate velopharyngeal closure patterns. Results: With regard to the 4 closure patterns, significant differences in the nasal offset interval (F4–25 = 10.213, p = 0.04; p < 0.05) and the nasal consonant duration ratio (F4–25 = 12.987, p = 0.02; p < 0.05) were observed for only /ampa/. The coronal closure pattern showed the longest closure duration (0.74 s). Children with cleft palate showed prolonged temporal parameters in all 4 characteristics, reflecting oral-nasal resonance imbalances. In particular, the low vowel sound /a/ was significantly more prolonged than the high vowel sounds /i/ and /u/. Conclusions: The examined temporal parameters offer more accurate characterizations of velopharygeal closure, thereby allowing more accurate clinical assessments and more appropriate treatment procedures. Children with cleft palate showed longer nasalization durations compared to those without the same. Thus, the degree of hypernasality in children with cleft palate may affect the temporal aspects of nasalization.
The Role of Prostaglandin E2 Synthesized in Rat Lateral Parabrachial Nucleus in LPS-Induced Fever
Authors: Cheng Yongjing , Xu Jianhui , Zeng Ruixin , Zhao Xi , Gao Wenmin , Quan Junru , Hu Xiaosong , Shen Ziling , Zhang Jie
Published: July 2021

Introduction: The lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) is considered to be a brain site of the pyrogenic action of prostaglandin (PG) E2 outside of the preoptic area. Yet, the role of the LPBN in fever following a systemic immune challenge remains poorly understood. Methods: We examined the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and microsomal PGE synthase-1 (mPGES-1) in the LPBN after the intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We investigated the effects of LPBN NS-398 (COX-2 inhibitor) on LPS-induced fever, the effects of direct LPBN PGE2 administration on the energy expenditure (EE), brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis, neck muscle electromyographic activity and tail temperature, and the effects of PGE2 on the spontaneous firing activity and thermosensitivity of in vitro LPBN neurons in a brain slice. Results: The COX-2 and mPGES-1 enzymes were upregulated at both mRNA and protein levels. The microinjection of NS-398 in the LPBN attenuated the LPS-induced fever. Direct PGE2 administration in the LPBN resulted in a febrile response by a coordinated response of increased EE, BAT thermogenesis, shivering, and possibly decreased heat loss through the tail. The LPBN neurons showed a clear anatomical distinction in the firing rate response to PGE2, with the majority of PGE2-excited or -inhibited neurons being located in the external lateral or dorsal subnucleus of the LPBN, respectively. However, neither the firing rate nor the thermal coefficient response to PGE2 showed any difference between warm-sensitive, cold-sensitive, and temperature-insensitive neurons in the LPBN. Conclusions: PGE2 synthesized in the LPBN was at least partially involved in LPS-induced fever via its different modulations of the firing rate of neurons in different LPBN subnuclei.
documento dos Quatro e as origens da Comunidade Andina
Authors: Araujo Flavia Loss de
Published: July 2021

O presente trabalho reflete sobre a importância do documento “Proposiciones para la Creación del Mercado Común Latinoamericano” para a Comunidade Andina (CAN). Originalmente, o texto visava reformar a Associação Latino-Americana de Livre Comércio (ALALC) e, apesar de não ter alcançado este objetivo, serviu de base para a construção da CAN, primeiro processo de integração sub-regional da América do Sul. Embora imbuído do pensamento integracionista da década de 1960, o documento contém um diagnóstico preciso de problemas que acometem a região até hoje e algumas diretrizes para a atuação da América do Sul no cenário internacional que continuam válidas.
Comunidad e identidad colectiva. los desafíos de la integración: el caso de Palmira en Guantánamo, Cuba
Authors: Rubio Mendez David
Published: July 2021

El presente artículo aborda el proceso de formación y consolidación de las comunidades urbanas no planificadas en la ciudad de Guantánamo, Cuba. La investigación realizada en la comunidad Palmira, entre los años 2011 y 2019, sostuvo como objetivo: Analizar el proceso de configuración de la identidad colectiva, y su relación con las estrategias de integración social comunitaria. Se aplicaron varios métodos y técnicas de investigación empíricas: encuesta, observación etnográfica, historias de vida, entrevistas en profundidad y análisis del discurso; como método teórico fundamental se aplicó el análisis y síntesis de las teorías que abordan la identidad colectiva desde una perspectiva sociológica. La muestra escogida para el estudio fue de 777 personas (63.5 % de la población estimada hasta 2019). El estudio permitió la descripción y análisis del proceso de reconfiguración identitaria en la comunidad, que transita desde la formación de conglomerados familiares y de lugar de origen, hacia la etapa de consolidación comunitaria y construcción de la identidad colectiva. En este proceso se establecen nuevas formas de relacionamiento social, lo que facilita la integración al amplio y complejo entramado urbano, brindando a los individuos nuevos atributos identificativos en torno a la comunidad como estructura proveedora de integración social.
Turismo esportivo: um estudo de caso sobre o Ultimate Fight Championship (UFC) 198 em Curitiba – Brasil
Authors: Oliveira Jonathan , Pereira Bruna Opieco , Lise Riqueldi , Capraro André
Published: July 2021

O presente estudo investigou os dados fornecidos pela Prefeitura Municipal de Curitiba, pelo Instituto Municipal de Turismo de Curitiba em parceria com o Observatório de Turismo do Paraná e o Observatório do Turismo do Rio de Janeiro, pelo Jornal Gazeta do Povo e pelo website do Clube Athletico Paranaense, para compreender os fatores que tornaram o evento esportivo do UFC 198 um atrativo turístico bem-sucedido na cidade de Curitiba. Os resultados indicaram que o evento gerou, direta e indiretamente, cerca de 45 milhões de reais ao destino e influenciou positivamente o fluxo turístico de Curitiba. Cerca de 45.207 pessoas compareceram ao estádio no dia do evento e identificou-se que 42.37% do público foi composto por turistas e 8.49% por excursionistas, que vieram 22 estados brasileiros (e Distrito Federal). Em contraste, a taxa de turistas internacionais foi pouco significativa (2.60%). As características da cidade sede influenciaram o sucesso do evento, como o fato do reconhecimento do local como “solo sagrado das artes marciais”, além da estrutura já instaurada por conta de eventos anteriores como a Copa do Mundo da FIFA em 2014, bem como as características positivas do estádio. Por fim, a atuação do governo municipal e estadual não foi significativa e, se tivesse sido mais relevante, o evento poderia ter gerado ainda mais benefícios.
Mais do que dinheiro: pink money e a circulação de sentidos na comunidade LGBT+
Authors: Oliveira Arize Souza Fernandes de , Machado Mônica
Published: July 2021

Diante da crescente investida das marcas em campanhas publicitárias de apoio à diversidade de orientação sexual e de gênero, o presente artigo busca apontar alguns argumentos da comunidade LGBT+ a respeito do tema. Os discursos foram analisados a partir da observação participante de eventos realizados no Rio de Janeiro em 2019. As principais reflexões relevam que, para além da visibilidade auferida pelas iniciativas das marcas, as discussões circulantes demonstram especial preocupação dos participantes com os afetos dos indivíduos representados pelas campanhas e com seu impacto nas relações socioeconômicas.
Consubstancialidade: uma reflexão conceitual para pesquisas em publicidade
Authors: Silva Carolina Minuzzi Murari da , Petermann Juliana
Published: July 2021

O objetivo deste artigo é discutir as possibilidades conceituais de uso do conceito da consubstancialidade nas pesquisas em publicidade. Dessa forma, iremos (a) discorrer sobre a importância dos marcadores sociais da diferença; (b) comparar os conceitos de consubstancialidade e interseccionalidade; e (c) apontar as situações mais adequadas para o uso do termo consubstancialidade. A partir de um resgate histórico conceitual com base em Kergoat, entendemos que, ao analisar as práticas de trabalhadores em publicidade, a consubstancialidade é uma alternativa fértil, já que parte da compreensão materialista histórica e das relações sociais fundamentais (de gênero, classe e “raça”) em toda sua complexidade e dinâmica, sendo fundamental para pesquisas que abordam questões de gênero na publicidade.
Politização via comunicação organizacional: um estudo de caso sobre o quadro “Solidariedade S.A.”
Authors: Postinguel Danilo
Published: July 2021

Neste estudo de caso problematizamos a politização via comunicação organizacional. Para isso, analisamos as 40 primeiras exibições do quadro “Solidariedade S.A.”, do telejornal Jornal Nacional, da Rede Globo de Televisão. Partindo de um estado da arte sobre “comunicação organizacional”, “politizações” e “engajamentos” que emergem de discursos e de produções audiovisuais e adotando a análise de conteúdo como recurso analítico, observarmos no corpus coletado um movimento de estreitamento entre jornalismo e branding de empresas/marcas engajadas com suas realidades sociais e mercadológicas.
Core Outcome Measures for Palliative and End-of-Life Research After Severe Stroke: Mixed-Method Delphi Study
Authors: Mason Bruce , Boyd Kirsty , Doubal Fergus , Barber Mark , Brady Marian , Cowey Eileen , Visvanathan Akila , Lewis Steff , Gallacher Katie , Morton Sarah , Mead Gillian E.
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose:

Stroke is the second commonest cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of severe disability, yet there are no published trials of palliative care in stroke. To design and evaluate palliative care interventions for people with stroke, researchers need to know what measurable outcomes matter most to patients and families, stroke professionals, and other service providers.

Methods:

A multidisciplinary steering group of professionals and laypeople managed the study. We synthesized recommendations from respected United Kingdom and international consensus documents to generate a list of outcome domains and then performed a rapid scoping literature review to identify potential outcome measures for use in future trials of palliative care after stroke. We then completed a 3-round, online Delphi survey of professionals, and service users to build consensus about outcome domains and outcome measures. Finally, we held a stakeholder workshop to review and finalize this consensus.

Results:

We generated a list of 36 different outcome domains from 4 key policy documents. The rapid scoping review identified 43 potential outcome measures that were used to create a shortlist of 16 measures. The 36 outcome domains and 16 measures were presented to a Delphi panel of diverse healthcare professionals and lay service users. Of 48 panelists invited to take part, 28 completed all 3 rounds. Shared decision-making and quality of life were selected as the most important outcome domains for future trials of palliative care in stroke. Additional comments highlighted the need for outcomes to be feasible, measurable, and relevant beyond the initial, acute phase of stroke. The stakeholder workshop endorsed these results.

Conclusions:

Future trials of palliative care after stroke should include pragmatic outcome measures, applicable to the evolving patient and family experiences after stroke and be inclusive of shared decision-making and quality of life.
Category Mismatches in Coordination Vindicated
Authors: Patejuk Agnieszka , Przepiórkowski Adam
Published: July 2021

Bruening and Al Khalaf (2020) deny the possibility of coordination of unlike categories. They use three mechanisms to reanalyze such coordination as involving same categories: conjunction reduction, super-categories, and empty heads. We show that their proposal leaves many cases of unlike category coordination unaccounted for, and we point out various methodological, technical, and empirical problems that it faces. We conclude that the so-called Law of the Coordination of Likes is a myth. Instead, all conjuncts must satisfy any external restrictions on the syntactic position they occupy. Such restrictions may be rigid, resulting in categorial sameness, but when they are underspecified or disjunctive, category “mismatches” may arise.
Preferences and Predictions Regarding Palliative Care in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Kelley Katherine M. , Proksch Daisy , White Sasha , Collins Jay , Martyak Michael , Britt L. D. , Burgess Jessica
Published: July 2021

Introduction

In the older intensive care unit (ICU) trauma population, it is common to have to make decisions about end-of-life. We sought to demonstrate uncertainty of patients and providers in this area.

Methods

Our study is a prospective observational study of trauma patients 50 years and older admitted to the ICU. Patients or surrogates completed a survey including questions regarding end-of-life. Team members were surveyed with their expectation for patient outcome and appropriateness of palliative or comfort care. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Chi-square analysis and Fisher’s exact test were performed.

Results

100 patients had data available for analysis. Surveys were completed by the patient for 39 while a surrogate completed the survey for 61 patients. There was a significant increase in uncertainty if a surrogate answered or if there had been no prior discussions about end-of-life. Nurse, resident, and attending predictions about hospital survival were similar with all groups predicting survival in 82%. 6-month survivors were only predicted to be alive 75% of the time. Ideas about comfort care were similar but there was more variation regarding a palliative care consult with nurses saying yes in 27% of surveys while physicians only said yes in 18%.

Conclusions

The significantly higher rates of uncertainty for both surrogates or in cases where no prior discussion had been had highlight the importance of having more conversations about end-of-life and documentation of advance directives prior to traumatic events. The difference in team member ideas about palliative care demonstrates a need for improved team communication.
New Realms of Influence: Infrastructure Development, Financial Institutions and Markets
Authors: Sengupta Anita
Published: July 2021

The renewed emphasis on Asia’s connectivity infrastructure has brought into focus the complex relationship between pursuing economic development through trans-state linkages and promoting political agendas. The formalizing of transit flows across the Asian space has involved financial, technical and regulatory relations bringing together the interests of actors at various levels. This article examines how these have been used by China to create new realms of influence through a study of the working of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Chinese markets across Central Asia, in order to demonstrate the complex role that these play in determining the contours of a relationship based on infrastructural financing and trade. The extent to which these globalized corridors and systems of governance might be impacted by the pandemic, however, remains to be seen.
Do not resuscitate: Lawful or unlawful?
Authors: Samuels Alec
Published: July 2021

When is it lawful not to resuscitate and when is it unlawful? What is the meaning of mental capacity on the part of the patient and what is meant by patient autonomy? What is the extent of clinical discretion in decisions not to resuscitate? Does the presumption in favour of life still obtain? What about the risks in cardiopulmonary resuscitation? What have the judges decided about decisions not to resuscitate, and what is the contemporary role of the doctor in this area? Is there any need for change or reform?
Police education and role play: Insights from the literature
Authors: Turner Allison
Published: July 2021

This article provides a literature review into the utilisation of role play and reflection, as valuable teaching strategies which should be considered for implementation, within the Police Education Qualification Framework. The aim of this article is to challenge the current pedagogical teaching methods utilised as part of the National Policing Curriculum, by highlighting the benefit of a more experiential-based learning strategy, for Professional Policing Degree students, based within England and Wales.
Anxiety Screening in Polytrauma Patients by Use of Single-Item Reporting With the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory: How Brief Is Too Brief?
Authors: Palmer Glen A. , Palmer Daniel G.
Published: July 2021

Purpose/Objective:

This study examined the clinical utility of a single item for anxiety from the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) in determining the need for mental health referral for veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Research Method/Design:

Three hundred eighty veterans referred for TBI evaluation were administered the NSI and a common anxiety screening measure (Beck Anxiety Inventory; BAI). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to determine ideal BAI total cutoff scores for a single item of the NSI pertaining to anxiety (i.e., “anxious or tense”).

Results

Using multiclass ROC curve analyses, NSI scores of 3 and 4 for the sample were comparable to scores of 11 and 22 on the BAI, respectively. Post hoc ROC curve analyses were then conducted on the sample after removal of potentially invalid NSI protocols (i.e., Validity-10 scores greater than 22), and NSI scores 3 and 4 corresponded with scores of 11 and 20, respectively.

Conclusion/Implications

A minimum score of 3 (severe) on the NSI item was deemed sufficient to indicate the need for further mental health referral without warranting additional screening for anxiety. Further analyses also revealed that removal of positive Validity-10 protocols did not significantly change ROC curve findings, suggesting that the particular NSI item for anxiety can still be used for clinical purposes despite an otherwise invalid protocol. Implications for treatment and recommendations pertaining to when additional screening might be required are discussed.
Freedom of Religion in post-secular Australia
Authors: Possamai Adam , Possamai-Inesedy Alphia
Published: July 2021

Habermas coined the term post-secularism to reflect a time period in which religions are given a more central part in social and political life. Even if there is more openness to religion, many religious groups would claim that Western societies are nevertheless still dominated by secularism and want to ensure that freedom of religion and belief remain protected and promoted. This article explores the recent Australian Religious Freedom Review as a case study of the social tension between freedom for and from religion to argue that we might have moved beyond a post-secular sphere in this country. In this phase, what is meant by freedom of religion has shifted from a focus in having all religious groups being able to freely practice their faith to a focus by some mainstream religions to remain free to discriminate on the basis of their faith.
‘Your daily reality is rubbish’: Waste as a means of urban exclusion in the suspended spaces of East Jerusalem
Authors: Baumann Hanna , Massalha Manal
Published: July 2021

Drawing on ethnographic and visual research, this article examines the role of waste in two areas of occupied East Jerusalem cut off from the city by the Separation Wall and military checkpoints, Kufr Aqab and Shuafat Refugee Camp as well as their immediate surroundings. In asking how urban exclusion operates on the margins of the city, we argue that rubbish can disclose broader socio-spatial relations at work in Jerusalem from the ground up. We find that waste serves to reduce the ambiguity at work in these interstitial zones by furthering exclusion – it operates through the urban everyday where the legal and political situations are in suspension. Conceptually, we contribute to the discussion on spatial stigma associated with infrastructural violence by arguing for a multi-layered understanding of the way waste ‘works’ in urban exclusion. Three registers mutually constitute each other in this process: the materiality of waste with its embodied and affective interactions, the symbolic and discursive violence associated with waste, as well as spatialised stigma and bordering processes.
Towards a post-COVID geography of economic activity: Using probability spaces to decipher Montreal’s changing workscapes
Authors: Shearmur Richard , Ananian Priscilla , Lachapelle Ugo , Parra-Lokhorst Manuela , Paulhiac Florence , Tremblay Diane-Gabrielle , Wycliffe-Jones Alastair
Published: July 2021

In March 2020, many workers were suddenly forced to work from home. This brought into stark relief the fact that urban economic activity is no longer attached to specific workplaces. This detachment has been analysed in research on organisations and workers, but has not yet been incorporated into concepts used to document and plan the economic geography of cities. In this article, three questions are explored by way of an original survey: first, how can a shift in the location of economic activity be measured at the urban scale whilst incorporating the idea that work is not attached to a single location? Second, what is the nature of the shift that occurred in March 2020? Third, what does this tell us about concepts that have underpinned the study of urban economic form by geographers and planners? Applying concepts developed in organisation studies and sociology, we operationalise the idea that economic activity happens across multiple spaces: it occurs within a probability space, and since March 2020 it has shifted within this space. To better understand and interpret the longer-term impact of this shift on cities – downtowns in particular – we draw upon interviews with people working from home.
The gifted city: Setting a research agenda for philanthropy and urban governance
Authors: Fuentenebro Pablo , Acuto Michele
Published: July 2021

With billions worth of funding to city-based projects, urban dwellers and city leaders the world over, philanthropy is no small matter. It might shape the form, politics and direction of urban development worldwide, yet little discussion of its role is present in urban studies. In this commentary, we call for urban scholars and practitioners to become more explicitly conversant in its investment dynamics in cities and their impact on urban governance. We highlight a two-pronged research agenda focused on institutions and individuals. First, we argue that we need to understand the impact of philanthropic institutions not just generally on cities but specifically on urban governance. Second, we call for nuanced attention to the philanthropy of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and its relationship to urban policymaking and wealth redistribution in cities. Third, we highlight the value of a more ‘global urban’ outlook onto the landscape of philanthropic funding in cities, starting with greater attention to philanthropic practices beyond the Global North. We conclude by sketching possible empirical steps towards an action research agenda, whilst underlining the necessary reflexivity that urban scholars should have in their positioning vis-a-vis philanthropy and its engagement in urban academia.
Evaluation of constipation in children using high-resolution anorectal manometry
Authors: Poojari Vishrutha S , Mirani Sonal , Shetty Naman S , Shah Ira
Published: July 2021

This prospective, cross-sectional study, conducted from July 2018 to March 2019, aimed to determine the causes of constipation using high-resolution anorectal manometry. Among 33 children enrolled in the study, 31 (94%) children presented with complaints of constipation with mean duration of 2.3 ± 2.5 years and 12 (36.4%) children also had associated complaints of faecal incontinence with mean duration of 3.5 ± 2.8 years. Seven children (21.2%) had normal high-resolution anorectal manometry parameters; anal sphincter hypotonia with decreased squeeze in one child, anal sphincter hypertonia with other abnormal parameters were noted in 25 and absent recto-anal inhibitory reflex in two. The causes of constipation determined were functional constipation in 30 (91%) children, suspected Hirschsprung’s disease in two and suspected dyssynergic defecatory disorder in one. Almost 90% had functional constipation of which anal hypotension and anal hypertension may be a part of chronic functional constipation.
Perceived stress in different countries at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Gamonal-Limcaoco Sinta , Montero-Mateos Enrique , Lozano-López Maria Teresa , Maciá-Casas Ana , Matías-Fernández Juan , Roncero Carlos
Published: July 2021

Objective

The coronavirus has spread around the world, causing an ongoing pandemic. After the lockdown and quarantine protocols, an evaluation of the population's current emotional state was made through a web-based survey available in both English and Spanish. The objective was to observe how respondents perceived stress and worry as a result of COVID-19.

Methods

The survey gathered data across three sections: socio-demographic data, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) by Cohen, and additional queries on current worries and behaviors due to this pandemic.

Results

The survey received 1523 respondents from 48 countries. The mean of the PSS-10 score was 17.4 (SD 6.5). Significantly higher scores were observed among women, young adults, students, and those who expressed concern about getting infected and considered themselves high-risk. No significant differences were observed between health professionals and other professions.

Conclusions

We describe an increase in stress levels due to the COVID-19 and point out groups at high risk. These findings could help to address the mental health care that is needed.
The impact of disability on performance in a high-stakes postgraduate surgical examination: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ellis R , Cleland J , Scrimgeour DSG , Lee AJ , Brennan PA
Published: July 2021

Objective

Despite rising numbers of doctors in the workforce with disabilities, little is known about the impact of disabilities on postgraduate performance. To ensure all groups are treated fairly in surgical training, it is essential to know whether any attainment differences exist in markers of surgical performance. To address this gap, we assessed the impact of disabilities on performance on the Intercollegiate Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons examination (MRCS).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Secondary care.

Participants

All UK MRCS candidates attempting Part A ( n = 9600) and Part B ( n = 4560) between 2007 and 2017 with linked disability data in the UK Medical Education Database ( https://www.ukmed.ac.uk ) were included.

Main outcome measures

Chi-square tests and correlation coefficients established univariate associations with MRCS performance, while multiple logistic regressions identified independent predictors of success.

Results

Though MRCS Part B pass rates were similar ( p = 0.339), candidates with registered disabilities had significantly lower first-attempt Part A pass rates (46.3% vs. 59.8%, p < 0.001). Candidates with disabilities also performed less well in examinations taken throughout school and medical school, and after adjusting for prior academic performance and sociodemographic predictors of success, logistic regression found that candidates with disabilities were no less likely to pass MRCS than their peers (odds ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.66 to 1.62). No significant variation was found in MRCS performance between type of disability or degree of limitations caused by disability ( p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Although candidates with registered disabilities performed less well in formal, written examinations, our data indicate that they are as likely to pass MRCS at first attempt as their peers who achieved similar grades at high school and medical school. In order to enable equity in career progression, further work is needed to investigate the causes of attainment differences in early career assessments.
Can Parents Manage Their Children’s Future Happiness?—: A Retrospective Inquiry
Authors: Barokas Guy , Shavit Tal , Sherman Arie
Published: July 2021

The article addresses a novel concept: Parental Happiness Management (PHM)—which refers to parents’ educational or decisions aimed to improve their children’s well-being in adulthood. We ran a survey among 1,110 adults and asked them to retrospectively assess four types of parental decisions: discipline, autonomy, pro-social preferences, and parental acceptance. The results confirm the association between retrospective assessments of PHM and adults’ subjective well-being as measured by global life evaluation, positive, and negative feelings, and a sense of meaning in life. We report a positive association between discipline and meaning in life, but also between discipline and negative feelings. Education for pro-social preferences was found to be positively associated with all components of subjective well-being. The child’s autonomy was found to be positively associated with global life evaluation. We view parents as managers, who allocate their limited parental resources so as to maximize their children’s well-being in adulthood.
Effect of patient education on quality-of-life, pain and fatigue in breast cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Martínez-Miranda Patricia , Casuso-Holgado María Jesús , Jesús Jiménez-Rejano José
Published: July 2021

Objective:

To synthesise the existing evidence about the effect of patient education, either used alone or as adjunctive therapy, on the improvement of quality of life, pain and fatigue in adult breast cancer survivors.

Data sources:

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Cochrane Plus, PEDro, Dialnet and Clinicaltrials.gov databases.

Methods:

We conducted this systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Only randomised controlled trials with adult breast cancer survivors were included. We assessed the methodological quality of the studies using the PEDro scale and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. We synthesised evidence using the GRADE tool.

Results:

We included 14 studies (PEDro 4–8 points) comprising 1749 adult women who survived breast cancer, of which we included 12 in the quantitative analysis. There were statistically significant short-term benefits for improved global quality-of-life (standardised mean difference [SMD] = 0.43, P = 0.05, 95% CI [0.00, 0.85]; GRADE: low certainty; not important), emotional quality-of-life (SMD = 0.32, P = 0.04, 95% CI [0.02, 0.62]) and fatigue (SMD = 0.24, P = 0.0004, 95% CI [0.11, 0.37]; GRADE: low certainty; not important). However, there were not statistically significant for pain severity (SMD = −0.05, P = 0.67, 95% CI [−0.26, 0.17]; GRADE: low certainty; not important) and fear to recurrence (SMD = −0.05, P = 0.68, 95% CI [−0.31, 0.20]; GRADE: moderate certainty; not important).

Conclusion:

Patient education have a significative effect in short-term global quality-of-life, emotional quality-of-life and fatigue, though all the results were classified as ‘not important’.
Accuracy of State-Level Surveillance during Emerging Outbreaks of Respiratory Viruses: A Model-Based Assessment
Authors: Gu Yuwen , DeDoncker Elise , VanEnk Richard , Paul Rajib , Peters Susan , Stoltman Gillian , Prieto Diana
Published: July 2021

It is long perceived that the more data collection, the more knowledge emerges about the real disease progression. During emergencies like the H1N1 and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemics, public health surveillance requested increased testing to address the exacerbated demand. However, it is currently unknown how accurately surveillance portrays disease progression through incidence and confirmed case trends. State surveillance, unlike commercial testing, can process specimens based on the upcoming demand (e.g., with testing restrictions). Hence, proper assessment of accuracy may lead to improvements for a robust infrastructure. Using the H1N1 pandemic experience, we developed a simulation that models the true unobserved influenza incidence trend in the State of Michigan, as well as trends observed at different data collection points of the surveillance system. We calculated the growth rate, or speed at which each trend increases during the pandemic growth phase, and we performed statistical experiments to assess the biases (or differences) between growth rates of unobserved and observed trends. We highlight the following results: 1) emergency-driven high-risk perception increases reporting, which leads to reduction of biases in the growth rates; 2) the best predicted growth rates are those estimated from the trend of specimens submitted to the surveillance point that receives reports from a variety of health care providers; and 3) under several criteria to queue specimens for viral subtyping with limited capacity, the best-performing criterion was to queue first-come, first-serve restricted to specimens with higher hospitalization risk. Under this criterion, the lab released capacity to subtype specimens for each day in the trend, which reduced the growth rate bias the most compared to other queuing criteria. Future research should investigate additional restrictions to the queue.
Reproductive tract neoplasia in adult female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)
Authors: Landolfi Jennifer A. , Gaffney Patricia M. , McManamon Rita , Gottdenker Nicole L. , Ellis Angela E. , Rech Raquel R. , Han Sushan , Lowenstine Linda J. , Agnew Dalen , Garner Michael M. , McAloose Denise , Hollinger Charlotte , St. Leger Judy , Terrell Scott P. , Duncan Mary , Pessier Allan P.
Published: July 2021

Recent reports have highlighted a lower-than-expected prevalence of neoplasia in elephants and suggested mechanisms for cancer resistance. But despite infrequent reports in the literature, uterine neoplasia is common in managed Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus). This study is an archival review of reproductive tract neoplasia in 80 adult female Asian elephant mortalities in managed care facilities in the United States from 1988 to 2019. Neoplasms occurred in 64/80 (80%) of cases. Most were in the uterus (63/64; 98%) with only a single case of ovarian neoplasia. Myometrial leiomyomas were present in 57/63 (90%) cases with uterine neoplasia. Uterine adenocarcinoma was present in 8/63 (13%) cases. Remaining cases included endometrial adenoma (2), focal carcinoma in situ in endometrial polyps (1), anaplastic carcinoma (1), endometrial hemangioma (1), primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET; 1), and angiosarcoma (1). One case with uterine adenocarcinoma had a separate pelvic mass histologically characterized as an anaplastic sarcoma. Distant metastases were documented in 5/8 (63%) cases of uterine adenocarcinoma, and in the uterine anaplastic carcinoma, PNET, and angiosarcoma. Four uterine adenocarcinomas and one carcinoma in situ were examined immunohistochemically for pan-cytokeratin, vimentin, and estrogen receptor. In all, neoplastic cells were pan-cytokeratin positive and vimentin negative, and in 2 cases were immunoreactive for estrogen receptor. Results show that female reproductive tract neoplasia, particularly of the uterus, is common in Asian elephants and is not limited to leiomyomas. Importantly, uterine neoplasms have the potential to impact fecundity and may represent obstacles to conservation in managed care.
Reproductive fitness of honey bee queens exposed to thiamethoxam during development
Authors: Kozii Ivanna V. , Barnsley Sarah , Silva Marina Carla Bezerra da , Wood Sarah C. , Klein Colby D. , de Mattos Igor M. , Zabrodski Michael W. , Silva Roney de C. M. , Fabela Claudia I. O. , Guillemin Leland , Dvylyuk Ihor , Ferrari Maud C. O. , Simko Elemir
Published: July 2021

The productivity and survival of honey bee ( Apis mellifera) colonies depend on queen bee health. Colony-level neonicotinoid exposure has negative effects on reproductive fitness of honey bee queens. However, it is unclear if the observed effects are a direct outcome of neonicotinoid toxicity or result from suboptimal care of developing queens by exposed workers. The aim of this study was to evaluate larval survival, reproductive fitness, and histopathology of honey bee queens exposed to incremental doses (0, 5, 50 ng) of the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam (THI) applied directly to individual late larvae (7 days post-oviposition) of queens. The 5 ng dose represents a calculated high environmental level of exposure for honey bee queen larvae. Morphometric evaluation revealed that the total area of mandibular gland epithelium in queens exposed to 5 and 50 ng THI was reduced by 14% ( P = .12) and 25% ( P = .001), respectively. Decreased mandibular gland size may alter pheromone production, which could in part explain previously observed negative effects of THI on the reproductive fitness of queens. We also found that late larval exposure to THI reduced larval and pupal survival and decreased sperm viability in mated queens. These changes may interfere with queen development and reproductive longevity.
Coordinated control of VFT and fuzzy based FESS for frequency stabilisation of wind penetrated multi-area power system
Authors: Manzoor Saira , Bakhsh Farhad Ilahi , Mufti Mairaj-ud-din
Published: July 2021

This article investigates the effect of coordinated control of variable frequency transformer and fuzzy based flywheel energy storage system for frequency stabilisation of wind penetrated two area power system. Wind turbine generator and fuzzy based flywheel energy storage system are incorporated in two different areas. Variable frequency transformer, set up in series with the tie-line near wind-embedded area, is modelled as a tie-line power flow controller between interconnected areas. Variable frequency transformer introduces the phase angle shift between interconnected areas in accordance with the power demand on account of load and wind speed variations in wind-embedded area, while actual power is supplied from fast acting flywheel energy storage system incorporated in other area. Fuzzy controller for flywheel energy storage system is designed in such way that frequency deviations are mitigated continuously during disturbances and nominal storage capacity of flywheel energy storage system is restored on incessant basis, after every load and wind disturbance is tackled.