bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Sports Medicine Fellowship Class of 2020
Authors: Perrone Michael A. , Youssefzadeh Keon , Serrano Brian , Limpisvasti Orr , Banffy Michael
Published: July 2020

Background:

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many US health systems suspended elective surgery at the recommendation of the US Surgeon General. This dramatically decreased case volumes for orthopaedic sports medicine fellows at academic institutions.

Purpose:

To describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the education of the sports medicine fellowship class of 2020 as well as the subsequent effects on their career plans and psychological well-being.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

A 33-item survey was distributed via email to all American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) 2020 fellow members on April 22, 2020. Frequencies are presented as raw totals and percentages of respondents. The Fisher exact test was used to determine statistical significance between nominal variables, with significance set at P < .05.

Results:

Of 210 registered fellows, 101 (48.1%) responded. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, the typical case volume per week for most fellows (47.5%) was 11 to 15 cases. From the enactment of COVID-19 mitigation policies to the date of survey completion, 90.1% of fellows had performed fewer than 20 cases. A total of 32 fellows were presented with redeployment options by their fellowship program, with 10 redeployed mandatorily to other hospital departments. Fellows reported that web-based didactics (n = 100) and web-based journal clubs (n = 72) were utilized as alternative supplements in the absence of clinical education. There were 8 respondents who had either their prior contract or job offer rescinded, while 1 had a signed contract voided. As a result, 6 fellows now plan to matriculate into a previously unplanned fellowship. Also, 10 respondents’ intended practice start date was being delayed by their employer. Respondents whose postfellowship plans were affected were statistically more likely to experience doubts about readiness for practice (58.8% vs 20.3%, respectively; P = .005), anxiety about future career plans (94.4% vs 63.8%, respectively; P = .01), anxiety about their financial situation (86.7% vs 50.8%, respectively; P = .018), stress in personal relationships (58.8% vs 29.9%, respectively; P = .045), and signs or symptoms of depression (41.2% vs 11.1%, respectively; P = .007) compared with those whose plans were not affected.

Conclusion:

This survey illustrates that during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent suspension of elective surgery, there have been downstream effects to this group’s education, careers, board certification timeline, and potentially their social and/or emotional well-being.
A Review of the Literature on Deinstitutionalisation and Child Protection Reform in South Asia
Authors: Forber-Pratt Ian , Li Qiuchi , Wang Zijing , Belciug Connie
Published: July 2020

Knowledge about child protection system reform and deinstitutionalisation in South Asian countries is scarce. This study explores the legislative frameworks and literature on deinstitutionalisation in eight South Asian countries, to consolidate the knowledge, explore the challenges and propose strategies to overcome the difficulties associated with this reform. South Asia, home to almost 25per cent of the world’s population, or 1.8 billion people ( The World Bank, 2019 ), is culturally complex and requires a variety of solutions to keep all its children safe. This study introduces three strategies that could promote deinstitutionalisation in South Asia: (1) utilising a regional approach, (2) decentralised implementation and (3) capitalising on traditional alternative care practices. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in each country.
Cholecystectomy outcomes after endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with choledocholithiasis: a meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Jie , Yang Chuang
Published: July 2020

Background

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) is the standard treatment for common bile duct stones. The reported findings regarding complications, such as biliary pancreatitis and cholangitis, differ between cholecystectomy after ES. The purpose of this study is to compare cholecystectomy outcomes after endoscopic treatment of common bile duct stones whether or not the incidence of recurrent pancreatitis and cholangitis is reduced, especially in high-risk patients.

Methods

We analyzed 8 studies, including 7 randomized controlled trials retrieved from the PubMed (1990–2019), Embase (1990–2019), and Cochrane (1990–2019) databases for trials comparing the two strategies for treatment of gallstones after ES. A related study on gallbladder removal after ES was acquired, followed by analysis of each group using RevMan. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated for categorical variables and differences in means were calculated for continuous variables.

Results

We retrieved a total of 8 studies, including seven randomized controlled trials and one retrospective study. A total of 12,717 patients were included in the study (4922 in the early cholecystectomy group and 7795 in the gallbladder in situ group). During the follow-up period, 41 patients had pancreatitis after ES in the cholecystectomy group and 177 patients in the wait-and-see group. The incidence of pancreatitis in the cholecystectomy group was significantly reduced (RR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.27–0.53; P < 0.00001; I2 = 0%). The incidence of cholangitis and jaundice in the cholecystectomy group was also less than the preserved gallbladder group (RR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.26–0.38; P < 0.00001; I2 = 0%). There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.52–1.02; P = 0.07; I2 = 14%). There was a significant difference in cholecystitis and biliary colic (RR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.24–0.32; P < 0.00001; I2 = 17%).

Conclusion

Early cholecystectomy after removal of common bile duct stones can effectively reduce biliary complications. This is still true for high-risk patients and has no significant effect on the mortality of patients. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended after ES.
Correction to: Are the Global Strategic Directions for Strengthening Nursing and Midwifery 2016–2020 being implemented in countries? Findings from a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Ajuebor Onyema , McCarthy Carey , Li Yin , Al-Blooshi Sumaya Mohamed , Makhanya Nonhlanhla , Cometto Giorgio
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Full-length genome sequences of the first H9N2 avian influenza viruses isolated in the Northeast of Algeria
Authors: Barberis Abdelheq , Boudaoud Amine , Gorrill Angelina , Loupias Josianne , Ghram Abdeljelil , Lachheb Jihene , Alloui Nadir , Ducatez Mariette F.
Published: July 2020

Background

H9N2 avian influenza viruses (AIV) has a worldwide geographic distribution and affects poultry of different types of production. H9N2 AIV was first reported in the Northeast of Algeria in April 2017, following an outbreak associated with high mortality, in broiler flocks. In the present study, we report full-length genome sequences of AIV H9N2, and the detailed phylogeny and molecular genetic analyses.

Methods

Ten AIV H9N2 strains, collected in broiler flocks, were amplified in 9-day-old embryonated specific pathogen free (SPF) chicken eggs. Their full-length genomes were successfully sequenced and phylogenetic and molecular characterizations were conducted.

Results

Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolates were monophyletic, grouped within the G-1 lineage and were very close to Moroccan and Algerian strains identified in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The low pathogenicity of the strains was confirmed by the sequence motif (335RSSR/GLF341) at the hemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site. An exclusive substitution (T197A) that had not been previously reported for H9N2 viruses; but, conserved in some pandemic H1N1 viruses, was observed. When compared to the G1-like H9N2 prototype, the studied strains showed one less glycosylation site in HA, but 2–3 additional ones in the stalk of the neuraminidase (NA). The HA protein harbored the substitution 234 L, suggesting binding preference to human-like receptors. The NA protein harbored S372A and R403W substitutions, previously detected in H9N2 from Asia and the Middle East, and especially in H2N2 and H3N2 strains that caused human pandemics. Different molecular markers associated with virulence and mammalian infections have been detected in the viral internal proteins. The matrix M2 protein possessed the S31N substitution associated with drug resistance. The non-structural 1 (NS1) protein showed the “GSEV” PDZ ligand (PL) C-terminal motif and no 80–84 deletion.

Conclusion

Characterized Algerian AIV isolates showed mutations that suggest increased zoonotic potential. Additional studies in animal models are required to investigate the pathogenicity of these H9N2 AIV strains. Monitoring their evolution in both migratory and domestic birds is crucial to prevent transmission to humans. Implementation of adequate biosecurity measures that limit the introduction and the propagation of AIV H9N2 in Algerian poultry farm is crucial.
Elliptic shape prior for object 2D-3D pose estimation using circular feature
Authors: Li Cui , Chen Derong , Gong Jiulu , Wu Yangyu
Published: July 2020

Many objects in real world have circular feature. It is a difficult task to obtain the 2D-3D pose estimation using circular feature in challenging scenarios. This paper proposes a method to incorporate elliptic shape prior for object pose estimation using a level set method. The relationship between the projection of the circular feature of a 3D object and the signed distance function corresponding to it is analyzed to yield a 2D elliptic shape prior. The method employs the combination of the grayscale histogram, the intensities of edge, and the smoothness distribution as main image feature descriptors that define the image statistical measure model. The elliptic shape prior combined with the image statistical measure energy model drives the elliptic shape contour to the projection of the circular feature of the 3D object with the current pose into the image plane. These works effectively reduce the impacts of the challenging scenarios on the pose estimate results. In addition, the method utilizes particle filters that take into account the motion dynamics of the object among scene frames, and this work provides the robust method for object 2D-3D pose estimation using circular feature in a challenging environment. Various numerical experiments are illustrated to show the performance and advantages of the proposed method.
Double controlled metric-like spaces
Authors: Mlaiki Nabil
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we introduce a new extension of the double controlled metric-type spaces, called double controlled metric-like spaces, by assuming that the “self-distance” may not be zero On the other hand, if the value of the metric is zero, then it has to be a “self-distance” (i.e., we replace $[\varsigma(g,h)=0 \Leftrightarrow g=h]$
[
ς
(
g
,
h
)
=
0
⇔
g
=
h
]
by $[\varsigma(g,h)=0 \Rightarrow g=h]$
[
ς
(
g
,
h
)
=
0
⇒
g
=
h
]
). Using this new type of metric spaces, we generalize many results in the literature. We prove fixed point results along with examples illustrating our theorems. Also, we present double controlled metric-like spaces endowed with a graph along with an open question.
The rapid and visual detection of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using multiplex loop-mediated isothermal amplification linked to a nanoparticle-based lateral flow biosensor
Authors: Chen Xu , Ma Kai , Yi Xu , Xiong Lijuan , Wang Yu , Li Shijun
Published: July 2020

Background

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), including methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is an eminent human pathogen that can colonize the human host and cause severe life-threatening infections. The development of a reliable, simple and rapid assay for detecting S. aureus and identifying MRSA is important for diagnosis and follow-up treatment.

Methods

A novel molecular diagnosis technique, named multiplex loop-mediated isothermal amplification linked to a nanoparticle-based lateral flow biosensor (m-LAMP-LFB), was applied to detect all S. aureus species and identify MRSA. Two sets of primers were designed based on the femA gene (S. aureus-specific gene) and the mecA gene (encoding penicillin-binding protein 2a), and the multiple-LAMP products were analyzed using LFB. The m-LAMP-LFB amplification conditions, including the target DNA concentration, reaction temperature and time, were optimized. The sensitivity and specificity of the m-LAMP-LFB method were tested in the current study, and the multiple-LAMP-LFB technology was applied to detect the MSSA and MRSA strains from clinical samples.

Results

The S. aureus- and MRSA-specific primers based on the femA and mecA genes allowed the multiple-LAMP technology to detect S. aureus and MRSA, respectively. The multiple-LAMP conditions were optimized at 63 °C for 40 min. The full process, including genomic DNA template preparation, LAMP, and product identification, could be achieved in 80 min. The limit of detection (LoD) of the multiple-LAMP assay for femA and mecA detection was 100 fg of genomic DNA template per reaction. The specificity of m-LAMP-LFB detection was 100 %, and no cross-reactions to non-S. aureus strains were observed.

Conclusion

The multiple-LAMP-LFB technique developed in the current study is a reliable, simple, rapid, specific and sensitive method to identify MSSA and MRSA infections for appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Isotopic composition of lead white pigments on qeros: implications for the chronology and production of Andean ritual drinking vessels during the colonial era
Authors: Curley Allison N. , Thibodeau Alyson M. , Kaplan Emily , Howe Ellen , Pearlstein Ellen , Levinson Judith
Published: July 2020

For millennia, qeros have been a primary component of ceremonially and politically important toasting rituals in the Andes and retain their cultural significance to this day. These wooden drinking vessels underwent a stylistic and technical revolution in the colonial period (1532–1821 AD). Among an array of features that distinguish colonial qeros from their Inka predecessors is the presence of lead white, a pigment that was introduced to the Andes by the Spanish. Here, we present lead (Pb) isotope measurements of lead white pigments from 20 colonial qeros from the collections of the National Museum of the American Indian, the American Museum of Natural History, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and in a private collection. Although most of the vessels are not known to be associated with one another, their lead white pigments fall into three distinct and internally consistent groupings in Pb isotope space. We interpret the isotopic signatures of two of the groups to indicate that the lead white was imported from Europe. We suggest that the largest grouping (comprising pigments sampled from 12 qeros) is decorated with lead white of Andean origin. These isotopic signatures may have a chronological component, and strongly suggest some form of centralization in pigment acquisition, manufacture, and/or distribution in the colonial period.
Significant delayed aortic dilatation after tetralogy of Fallot repair: a case report
Authors: Nishimura Yosuke , Yasutsune Toru , Shimajiri Shohei , Jinzai Yuki , Ikushima Eigo , Kishigami Takehiro , Takigawa Tomoya
Published: July 2020

Background

Aortic dilatation may occur in some patients even after complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The progression rate of the aortic diameter is so slow, and the incidence of aortic dissection is so low that it is suspected that frequent imaging of the aorta may not be necessary.

Case presentation

We describe an asymptomatic 41-year-old man with hypertension in whom aortic dilatation was accidentally discovered 39 years after TOF repair. He underwent ambulatory follow-up without any difficulty for 21 years after the repair. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed significant aortic dilatation (maximum diameter of 88 mm at the sinus of Valsalva), and echocardiography revealed severe aortic regurgitation, which seemed to progress during the last 18 years without any evaluation or follow-up. The Bentall procedure was successfully performed using a valved graft, under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with antegrade cerebral perfusion, and his postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathological examination of ascending aorta specimens revealed severe cystic medial degeneration.

Conclusions

Keeping in mind that a patient with rapid progression of the aortic dilatation after TOF repair exist, periodic follow-up for evaluation of the aorta is essential in patients with TOF.
State level water security indices in Mexico
Authors: Arreguin-Cortes Felipe I. , Saavedra-Horita J. Raul , Rodriguez-Varela J. Manuel , Tzatchkov Velitchko G. , Cortez-Mejia Petronilo E. , Llaguno-Guilberto Oscar J. , Sainos-Candelario Arizabeth
Published: July 2020

Background

As tends to be the case in large, developing countries, Mexico is a nation of notable meteorological, hydrographic and social contrasts throughout its territory, which impact the various population strata in different ways. The public administration in Mexico is divided into federal (nationwide), state and municipal levels. In this sense, it is desirable to have water security metrics not only for the country as a whole but also for each state. The current paper seeks to show how these contrasts create different water-security scenarios using pertinent indices. This is particularly relevant for large countries such as Mexico, with approximately two-thirds of its territory in arid or semiarid areas, which face natural water scarcity, and only one-third has a very high relative water abundance.

Results

The concept of the global water security index was adapted to the state level in Mexico and calculated for each Mexican state in accordance with the worldwide analysis methodology proposed by other authors, which considers water availability, accessibility, safety and quality, as well as management. The proposed methodology was applied in a geographic information system environment, and it was used to obtain water security indices for all Mexican states. The states in which the situation was found to be critical, according to the computed global index, are Sonora, Baja California and Guanajuato, followed by Mexico City, Colima, Aguascalientes and Sinaloa.

Conclusions

Although the vast majority of the most vulnerable states and municipalities that have the highest drought risk are located in the north of the country in the Mexican highlands, even southern states such as Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Tabasco (which are typically characterized as rainy) have municipalities with a high drought vulnerability degree and are also severely affected by this phenomenon, especially in those years in which El Niño manifests itself, as was the case in 2015. The proposed methodology may serve as an example of how to assess water security using mainly free and officially published information, combined with international comparative country information, especially for countries where such information is limited.
Relationship among subjective responses, flavor, and chemical composition across more than 800 commercial cannabis varieties
Authors: de la Fuente Alethia , Zamberlan Federico , Sánchez Ferrán Andrés , Carrillo Facundo , Tagliazucchi Enzo , Pallavicini Carla
Published: July 2020

Background

Widespread commercialization of cannabis has led to the introduction of brand names based on users’ subjective experience of psychological effects and flavors, but this process has occurred in the absence of agreed standards. The objective of this work was to leverage information extracted from large databases to evaluate the consistency and validity of these subjective reports, and to determine their correlation with the reported cultivars and with estimates of their chemical composition (delta-9-THC, CBD, terpenes).

Methods

We analyzed a large publicly available dataset extracted from Leafly.com where users freely reported their experiences with cannabis cultivars, including different subjective effects and flavour associations. This analysis was complemented with information on the chemical composition of a subset of the cultivars extracted from Psilabs.org. The structure of this dataset was investigated using network analysis applied to the pairwise similarities between reported subjective effects and/or chemical compositions. Random forest classifiers were used to evaluate whether reports of flavours and subjective effects could identify the labelled species cultivar. We applied Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools to free narratives written by the users to validate the subjective effect and flavour tags. Finally, we explored the relationship between terpenoid content, cannabinoid composition and subjective reports in a subset of the cultivars.

Results

Machine learning classifiers distinguished between species tags given by “Cannabis sativa” and “Cannabis indica” based on the reported flavours:  = 0.828 ± 0.002 (p < 0.001); and effects:  = 0.9965 ± 0.0002 (p < 0.001). A significant relationship between terpene and cannabinoid content was suggested by positive correlations between subjective effect and flavour tags (p < 0.05, False-Discovery-rate (FDR)-corrected); these correlations clustered the reported effects into three groups that represented unpleasant, stimulant and soothing effects. The use of predefined tags was validated by applying latent semantic analysis tools to unstructured written reviews, also providing breed-specific topics consistent with their purported subjective effects. Terpene profiles matched the perceptual characterizations made by the users, particularly for the terpene-flavours graph (Q = 0.324).

Conclusions

Our work represents the first data-driven synthesis of self-reported and chemical information in a large number of cannabis cultivars. Since terpene content is robustly inherited and less influenced by environmental factors, flavour perception could represent a reliable marker to indirectly characterize the psychoactive effects of cannabis. Our novel methodology helps meet demands for reliable cultivar characterization in the context of an ever-growing market for medicinal and recreational cannabis.
Poor Biological Factors and Prognosis of Interval Breast Cancers: Long-Term Results of Bahçeşehir (Istanbul) Breast Cancer Screening Project in Turkey
Authors: Cabioğlu Neslihan , Gürdal Sibel Özkan , Kayhan Arda , Özaydın Nilüfer , Şahin Cennet , Can Ömür , Özçınar Beyza , Aykuter Gönül , Vatandaş Gülçin , Aribal Erkin , Özmen Vahit
Published: July 2020

PURPOSE

The Turkish Bahçeşehir Breast Cancer Screening Project was a 10-year, organized, population-based screening program carried out in Bahçeşehir county, Istanbul. Our aim was to examine the biologic features and outcome of screen-detected and interval breast cancers during the 10-year study period.

METHODS

Between 2009 and 2019, 2-view mammograms were obtained at 2-year intervals for women aged 40 to 69 years. Clinicopathological characteristics including ER, PR, HER2-neu, and Ki-67 status were analyzed for those diagnosed with breast cancer.

RESULTS

In 8,758 screened women, 131 breast cancers (1.5%) were detected. The majority of patients (82.3%) had prognostic stage 0-I disease. Contrarily, patients with interval cancers (n = 15; 11.4%) were more likely to have a worse prognostic stage (II-IV disease; odds ratio [OR], 3.59, 95% CI, 0.9 to 14.5) and high Ki-67 scores (OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 0.9 to 11.2). Interval cancers detected within 1 year were more likely to have a luminal B (57.1% v 31.9%) and triple-negative (14.3% v 1%) subtype and less likely to have a luminal A subtype (28.6% v 61.5%; P = .04). Patients with interval cancers had a poor outcome in 10-year disease-specific (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) compared with those with screen-detected cancers (DSS: 68.2% v 98.1%, P = .002; DFS: 78.6% v 96.5%, P = .011).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest the majority of screen-detected breast cancers exhibited a luminal A subtype profile with an excellent prognosis. However, interval cancers were more likely to have aggressive subtypes such as luminal B subtype or triple-negative cancers associated with a poor prognosis requiring other preventive strategies.
Neratinib Plus Capecitabine Versus Lapatinib Plus Capecitabine in HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Previously Treated With ≥ 2 HER2-Directed Regimens: Phase III NALA Trial
Authors: Saura Cristina , Oliveira Mafalda , Feng Yin-Hsun , Dai Ming-Shen , Chen Shang-Wen , Hurvitz Sara A. , Kim Sung-Bae , Moy Beverly , Delaloge Suzette , Gradishar William , Masuda Norikazu , Palacova Marketa , Trudeau Maureen E. , Mattson Johanna , Yap Yoon Sim , Hou Ming-Feng , De Laurentiis Michelino , Yeh Yu-Min , Chang Hong-Tai , Yau Thomas , Wildiers Hans , Haley Barbara , Fagnani Daniele , Lu Yen-Shen , Crown John , Lin Johnson , Takahashi Masato , Takano Toshimi , Yamaguchi Miki , Fujii Takaaki , Yao Bin , Bebchuk Judith , Keyvanjah Kiana , Bryce Richard , Brufsky Adam ,   for the NALA Investigators
Published: July 2020

PURPOSE

NALA (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01808573 ) is a randomized, active-controlled, phase III trial comparing neratinib, an irreversible pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), plus capecitabine (N+C) against lapatinib, a reversible dual TKI, plus capecitabine (L+C) in patients with centrally confirmed HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with ≥ 2 previous HER2-directed MBC regimens.

METHODS

Patients, including those with stable, asymptomatic CNS disease, were randomly assigned 1:1 to neratinib (240 mg once every day) plus capecitabine (750 mg/m2 twice a day 14 d/21 d) with loperamide prophylaxis, or to lapatinib (1,250 mg once every day) plus capecitabine (1,000 mg/m2 twice a day 14 d/21 d). Coprimary end points were centrally confirmed progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). NALA was considered positive if either primary end point was met (α split between end points). Secondary end points were time to CNS disease intervention, investigator-assessed PFS, objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DoR), clinical benefit rate, safety, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

RESULTS

A total of 621 patients from 28 countries were randomly assigned (N+C, n = 307; L+C, n = 314). Centrally reviewed PFS was improved with N+C (hazard ratio [HR], 0.76; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.93; stratified log-rank P = .0059). The OS HR was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.72 to 1.07; P = .2098). Fewer interventions for CNS disease occurred with N+C versus L+C (cumulative incidence, 22.8% v 29.2%; P = .043). ORRs were N+C 32.8% (95% CI, 27.1 to 38.9) and L+C 26.7% (95% CI, 21.5 to 32.4; P = .1201); median DoR was 8.5 versus 5.6 months, respectively (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.74; P = .0004). The most common all-grade adverse events were diarrhea (N+C 83% v L+C 66%) and nausea (53% v 42%). Discontinuation rates and HRQoL were similar between groups.

CONCLUSION

N+C significantly improved PFS and time to intervention for CNS disease versus L+C. No new N+C safety signals were observed.
The Role of Age and Excess Body Mass Index in Progression to Type 1 Diabetes in At-Risk Adults
Authors: Ferrara Christine T , Geyer Susan M , Evans-Molina Carmella , Libman Ingrid M , Becker Dorothy J , Wentworth John M , Moran Antoinette , Gitelman Stephen E , Redondo Maria J ,   Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Study Group
Published: July 2020

Background

Given the global rise in both type 1 diabetes incidence and obesity, the role of body mass index (BMI) on type 1 diabetes pathophysiology has gained great interest. Sustained excess BMI in pediatric participants of the TrialNet Pathway to Prevention (PTP) cohort increased risk for progression to type 1 diabetes, but the effects of age and obesity in adults remain largely unknown.

Objective

To determine the effect of age and sustained obesity on the risk for type 1 diabetes in adult participants in the TrialNet PTP cohort (i.e., nondiabetic autoantibody-positive relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes).

Research Design and Methods

Longitudinally accumulated BMI >25 kg/m2 was calculated to generate a cumulative excess BMI (ceBMI) for each participant, with ceBMI values ≥0 kg/m2 and ≥5 kg/m2 representing sustained overweight or obese status, respectively. Recursive partitioning analysis yielded sex- and age-specific thresholds for ceBMI that confer the greatest risk for type 1 diabetes progression.

Results

In this cohort of 665 adults (age 20 to 50 years; median follow-up, 3.9 years), 49 participants developed type 1 diabetes. Age was an independent protective factor for type 1 diabetes progression (hazard ratio, 0.95; P = 0.008), with a threshold of >35 years that reduced risk for type 1 diabetes. In men age >35 years and women age <35 years, sustained obesity (ceBMI ≥5 kg/m2) increased the risk for type 1 diabetes.

Conclusions

Age is an important factor for type 1 diabetes progression in adults and influences the impact of elevated BMI, indicating an interplay of excess weight, age, and sex in adult type 1 diabetes pathophysiology.
Tracheal Diverticulum: Rare Presentation of Known Entity: A Case Report
Authors: Chakraborty Adhara , Vaish Richa , Chatterjee Aparna , Sable Nilesh , Chaukar Devendra
Published: July 2020

Paratracheal air cyst encompasses conditions including tracheoceles, bronchogenic cysts, lymphoepithelial cysts, and tracheal diverticula. The occurrence of tracheal diverticulum is rare and usually does not manifest clinically or may cause symptoms like chronic cough. However, it may have a rare presentation—like in our case—where rupture of tracheal diverticulum post-intubation and assisted ventilation for elective surgery led to pneumothorax, pneumopericardium, pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, and pneumoretroperitoneum. It may pose diagnostic dilemmas in such cases. An understanding of the underlying mechanism helps in the management, which in majority of cases is conservative.
Intraoperative Coronary Artery Spasm Likely Triggered by Surgical Gallbladder Manipulation: A Case Report
Authors: Nakayama Junko , Seki Hiroyuki , Kadota Yoshie , Innami Yasushi , Ouchi Takashi
Published: July 2020

Although the association between cholecystitis and acute coronary syndrome–like symptoms, including chest pain with electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, has been reported previously, it is unclear whether these symptoms can be provoked by direct stimulation to the gallbladder. We present the case of a 44-year-old man who developed coronary artery spasm (CAS) with ST-segment–elevation followed by nonsustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The change in ECG occurred only when the gallbladder was manipulated, suggesting that direct stimulation to the gallbladder can cause CAS. Clinicians should be aware that careful ECG monitoring is necessary, especially while the gallbladder is manipulated.
Troubling Signs
Authors: Schütte Uwe
Published: July 2020

This essay argues that any critical engagement with the literary writings of W. G. Sebald requires a thorough understanding of both contemporary German cultural history as well as his largely untranslated critical corpus. I further contend that scholars who lack proficiency in German are disadvantaged because they are barred not only from a wealth of research and scholarship but also from unpublished papers at the German Literary Archives in Marbach. My argument is supported by a case study at the end of the essay that explores an overlooked facet of Sebald’s writing in German—namely, the persistent use of the word Neger, which translates as both “Negro” and “nigger” but has been silently neutralized in English translation.
Penelope’s Crossword
Authors: Elsaghe Yahya
Published: July 2020

Why does W. G. Sebald’s Austerlitz escape from the laws of fictionality and factuality? How do so many of the people and place names inside of it start so improbably with the letter A? Why do so many iterations of A—as initials, as markings, or as individual letters—appear somewhat frequently and prominently? Why does the return of the repressed coincide with the completion of a crossword puzzle taking place in a used bookstore? Why is the puzzle located in the Telegraph? Why, of all people, is the owner of the bookstore named Penelope? What role do the bookstores, museums, and libraries play? Finally, what is the question that Sebald’s Austerlitz is supposed to answer? To answer these questions, a historically problematized rereading of the text is necessary. In terms of the History of Ideas, these questions recall Walter Benjamin’s interpretation of Proust and his Arcades Project; in terms of cultural history, the rise of the crossword puzzle; and in terms of the sources behind Austerlitz, a book and a radio program that have been either ignored or underappreciated in the criticism.
Introduction
Authors: Ghabrial Sarah
Published: July 2020

The main intervention of this special section is to identify and reposition race and colonial law as (conspicuously) absent referents in widely accepted genealogies of the state of exception—most notably, that of Giorgio Agamben—and to offer methodological pathways, based on historical and contemporary examples, of how colonial legal histories might be “written back” into this history. Collectively, these essays attempt to show how race thinking and exception each operate as the other's alibi: exception instantiating and substantiating race difference, and race difference justifying exception and ushering its expansion and normalization in steadily more realms of law and life. In so doing, this special section proposes at least three possible avenues of further inquiry, each of which builds on and into the other: First, by virtue of their geographic and temporal scope, these essays signal a way of approaching sovereignty and exception not as totalizing and synthetic, but rather as multivalent, recursive, and regenerative. Second, the designation of “partial personhood” or “disabled citizenship” is offered as a way of conceptually traversing trans-Mediterranean and trans-Atlantic historical experiences and legal traditions. Third, these essays signal the need for more sustained exploration at the nexus of law, labor, and violence.
Thoracic extradural malignant melanoma with unknown primary
Authors: Takagi Yasutaka , Yamada Hiroshi , Ebara Hidehumi , Hayashi Hiroyuki , Kidani Satoshi , Okamoto Shunro , Toyooka Kazu , Nanpo Kazuhiro , Kitano Yoshiyuki , Terahata Shintaro , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki
Published: July 2020

Primary extradural spinal melanoma is a very rare lesion. Here, we report a thoracic extradural malignant melanoma in a 77-year-old male. MRI showed a dorsal spinal extradural tumour at the T6–T8 level. The tumour showed hyperintensity on T1W imaging and mixed hypointensity and hyperintensity on T2W imaging. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI showed high enhancement on the lesion. Information on imaging findings for extradural spinal melanoma appears very limited. We discuss the MRI findings from this case, which can be considered typical of extradural spinal melanoma and review the literature.
Effects of the physical form of diet on growth performance, ascites and sudden death syndrome incidences in broiler chickens
Authors: AZIZIAN M. , SAKI A.A.
Published: July 2020

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of the diet physical form, Mash (M), Pellet (P) and Extruded (E) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and metabolic disorders ascites (AS) and as well as sudden death syndrome (SDS) in the broiler chickens. In this respect, feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and mortalitywere recorded throughout the experiment and biochemical parameters, hematology and carcass characteristics were tested at 35 and 42 days of age respectively. The results showed that with the increase of the average daily weight gain (ADWG) (p<0.01), the relative breast weight to the carcass weight (p<0.05), better feed conversion ratio (p<0.01), the lower relative cecum weight and gizzard to the carcass weight (p<0.05) were observed by applying the E diet form, as compared with the other treatments. A significant increase in the average daily feed intake (ADFI) was also observed by using the P diet form (p<0.01). Hematological parameters including hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), urea, uric acid, triglyceride, the ratio of low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein (LDL/HDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of the blood serum were lowered by applying the M treatment, as compared with the other treatments (p<0.05). The results indicated that the performance and carcass characteristics were improved by the E and P diet forms; also, with raising the hematology parameters in these treatments, the mortality of ascites and SDS was increased.
Supporting communities of practice – A Journey to effective problem-solving
Authors: Hanschke Christina , Baer James , Gangaramany Alok , Verheijen Janneke , Kilonzo Nduku , Okiya Bryan , Ranji Leonard Kibe , Amolo Stephen Amolo , Zwane Simon , Nkambule Rejoice , Buluma Violet , Ojoo Sylvia , Kim Susan , Kibwana Sharon , Dybul Mark , Kretschmer Steve
Published: July 2020

In contexts of scarce resources, varied assets, and diverse communities, engaging local stakeholders in the problem-solving process is critical to develop interventions for HIV prevention and treatment. Communities of practice (CPs) – groups of people organized around a key purpose and a delivery point – can develop expertise in identifying their local community’s key challenges and selecting viable solutions. We propose a framework for systematically understanding the stages a CP may go through as it develops its capacity to identify and solve problems and implement good practices. Our framework is based on the experience of practitioners of the LISTEN model (Local Initiatives Scaled Through Enterprise Networks) in eight local-level CPs in Kenya and Eswatini. LISTEN seeks to help CPs integrate continuous improvement processes, data, and human-centered design into their development and solutioning activities. The four stages in our framework for a CP’s problem-solving journey are: 1) Community Identity: Identify and understand the community’s purpose and goals, and build rapport with its members and leaders; 2) Quick Win: Use a process of human-centered design to obtain a rapid and clear success in addressing a problem that the local community has identified for itself and which it can tackle with its own resources; 3) Stewardship: Support the CP in addressing more complex or long-term issues, including links to other CPs at the local-community or higher levels to disseminate knowledge and obtain resources and support, where needed; and 4) Evolution: Support the CP as it transitions into potentially new structures or functions. For each stage of the framework, we describe the kinds of support that may be provided to the CP in the LISTEN model, and the types of tools that could be developed to assist them in problem-solving and in disseminating sustainable solutions.
Evaluation of the Competitive Environment in the Market for Medical Services: View of Consumers
Authors: Davydovich Anna
Published: July 2020

The article presents the assessment of the competitive environment in the market of medical services (on the example of Krasnodar region) using the main criteria of consumer behaviour, such as the degree of public satisfaction with the level of prices for medical services, the quality and accessibility of health services; identified the main factors affecting consumer choice of medical organization; provided direction to improve the situation on the market of medical services.

The purpose of the study is to assess the state of the competitive environment in the medical services market using the main criteria of consumer behavior (for example, in the Krasnodar region).

The achievement of the research goal predetermined the formulation and consistent solution of the following interrelated tasks:

 analyze the state of the competitive environment in the medical services market of the Krasnodar territory;

 determine the factors that influence the consumer's choice of primary care organizations; the level of consumer satisfaction with the availability of primary care organizations, the quality and cost of medical services;

 based on the results of the study, assess the state of the competitive environment in the medical services market of the Krasnodar territory.

When compiling a review of literature sources on the research topic, the method of content analysis was used. Analytical results of assessing the state of the competitive environment in the medical services market of the Krasnodar territory were obtained using statistical and sociological research methods – a survey and survey of medical services consumers.

The results obtained during the research will be useful in the development of strategic documents and initiatives to create a favorable competitive environment in the medical services market of the Krasnodar region.
Assessment of the Creative Component of Human Capital Formation: Model Approach
Authors: Logvinov Syergyey
Published: July 2020

The method of assessing the features of competence formation based on various knowledge and skills based on a systematic approach and the use of multidimensional statistical analysis using artificial neural networks is considered. As an example of competence formation, the results of training of a group of students studying in two training profiles "Economics" and "Technology" (the direction of pedagogical education) are considered.
Polityczne i ekonomiczne problemy rozwoju strefy euro
Authors: Kupczyk Radosław
Published: July 2020

Political and Economic Problems of the Euro Area Development

The aim of the article is to examine how political and economic changes introduced in the field of economic governance as a result of the economic crisis will affect the effectiveness of economic policy at the supranational level. The first part presents problems related to the political conditions of the functioning of the euro area. In the second part, proposals for institutional changes affecting the improvement of economic policy coordination were analysed. The research was based on the theory of the optimal currency area using the system method.
Strategic Risk Shifting and the Idiosyncratic Volatility Puzzle: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Chen Zhiyao , Strebulaev Ilya A. , Xing Yuhang , Zhang Xiaoyan
Published: July 2020

We find strong empirical support for the risk-shifting mechanism to account for the puzzling negative relation between idiosyncratic volatility and future stock returns. First, equity holders take on investments with high idiosyncratic risk when their firms are in distress and receive less monitoring from institutional holders as well as when the aggregate economy is in a bad state. Second, the strategically increased idiosyncratic volatility decreases equity betas, particularly in bad states when the market risk premium is high. The negative covariance between the equity beta and the market risk premium causes low and negative returns and alphas in firms with high idiosyncratic volatility.

This paper was accepted by Tomasz Piskorski, finance.
Student Retention in Graduate Education in Turkey: Role of Organizational Factors on the Degree Completion in Graduate Education
Authors: ERTEM Hasan Yücel , GÖKALP Gökçe
Published: July 2020

Graduate education leads students to follow a career in their expertise fields. In this respect, graduate education is attractive to students. However, in graduate education, there are several factors affecting the students’ degree completion. This study aims to check the student attrition rates for master’s and doctoral education and to investigate the role of organizational factors on the degree non-completion in graduate education. This study was designed as a correlational study using secondary data. The non-completion rate was the criterion variable, while the university type, the students per faculty member, and the articles published per faculty member were the predictors. Descriptive statistics and Simultaneous Multiple Regression Analysis were performed to achieve the purpose of the study. The findings of the current study showed that the student attrition rates for master’s education were higher than those for doctoral education. Furthermore, the articles per faculty member predicted the non-completion both in master’s and doctoral degree, while the university type predicted only the non-completion in master’s degree. It was recommended that the performance of the academic staff should be taken into consideration to increase the degree completion rates.
Coercive control of women as mothers via strategic mother–child separation
Authors: Monk Laura , Bowen Erica
Published: July 2020

This study extends existing research into abusive men’s use of children as part of their strategies to undermine mothering roles: target women as mothers, damage mother–child relationships and cause mother–child separations. It is the first British study into strategic mother–child separation to be conducted with mothers who were actually separated from their children. The purpose of the study was to illuminate the tactics used in this type of coercive control, to assist women and practitioners to address this problem using recent UK coercive control legislation. Qualitative accounts of six women who described having their children turned against them by abusive ex-partners (who were also the children’s fathers) were examined. Thematic analysis identified eight themes as perpetrator tactics of strategic separation: 1) Lying to and manipulating children; 2) Sabotaging children’s contact with their mothers; 3) Weaponising children; 4) Conditioning children through reward and punishment; 5) Exploiting women’s vulnerability, particularly as mothers; 6) Threatening mothers with taking their children from them; 7) Actively employing mother-blaming by exploiting mother-blaming institutions and practices; and 8) Denigrating mothers and elevating themselves in order to supplant mothers as children’s primary caregivers and attachment figures. Because service responses fail to address this aspect of men’s violence against women and children, the article is positioned to inform policy, practice and service provision. Limitations are outlined and areas for further research highlighted.
DESIGNING A LINGUISTIC PROFILE OF KHORTHA: A LESS RESOURCED LANGUAGE SPOKEN IN THE STATE OF JHARKHAND, INDIA.
Authors: AMAN Atul , Sekhar DASH Niladri , CHAKRABORTY Jayashree
Published: July 2020

This paper describes the linguistic outline of Khortha language, which is spoken in the state of Jharkhand, India. Khortha is the second most spoken language after Hindi in the state of Jharkhand, with approximately 80 million speakers (As per the Govt. of India, census reports 2011). The paucity of the language resources in Khortha played a vital role in motivating us for the present work. The methodology adopted for the present study comprises linguistic field surveys (Dash & Aman 2015) and reviews on the earlier literature of Khortha. The current status and demographic profile of Khortha suggest its usage as a link language among the other indigenous language communities (i.e. Munda, Bedia, Kurmali, etc.) as well. The scope (usage) of the Khortha language within the various domains (i.e. administration, education, mass media, social divisions and religion, judiciary and interpersonal communication), as discussed in the paper, gives a clear idea of its usage and linguistic identity. This paper can be a helpful resource for the researchers in order to portray the current linguistic status of the language.