bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite-volume approximation of the invariant measure of a viscous stochastic scalar conservation law
Authors: Boyaval Sébastien , Martel Sofiane , Reygner Julien
Published: May 2021

We study the numerical approximation of the invariant measure of a viscous scalar conservation law, one-dimensional and periodic in the space variable and stochastically forced with a white-in-time but spatially correlated noise. The flux function is assumed to be locally Lipschitz continuous and to have at most polynomial growth. The numerical scheme we employ discretizes the stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) according to a finite-volume method in space and a split-step backward Euler method in time. As a first result, we prove the well posedness as well as the existence and uniqueness of an invariant measure for both the semidiscrete and the split-step scheme. Our main result is then the convergence of the invariant measures of the discrete approximations, as the space and time steps go to zero, towards the invariant measure of the SPDE, with respect to the second-order Wasserstein distance. We investigate rates of convergence theoretically, in the case where the flux function is globally Lipschitz continuous with a small Lipschitz constant, and numerically for the Burgers equation.
Morita Equivalence of Formal Poisson Structures
Authors: Bursztyn Henrique , Ortiz Inocencio , Waldmann Stefan
Published: May 2021

We extend the notion of Morita equivalence of Poisson manifolds to the setting of formal Poisson structures, that is, formal power series of bivector fields $\pi =\pi _0 + \lambda \pi _1 +\cdots $ satisfying the Poisson integrability condition $[\pi ,\pi ]=0$. Our main result gives a complete description of Morita equivalent formal Poisson structures deforming the zero structure ($\pi _0=0$) in terms of $B$-field transformations, relying on a general study of formal deformations of Poisson morphisms and dual pairs. Combined with previous work on Morita equivalence of star products [ 5], our results link the notions of Morita equivalence in Poisson geometry and noncommutative algebra via deformation quantization.
Exposure to maternal feces in lactation influences piglet enteric microbiota, growth, and survival preweaning
Authors: Nowland Tanya L , Kirkwood Roy N , Plush Kate J , Barton Mary D , Torok Valeria A
Published: May 2021

It is known that gilt progeny performance is reduced compared with sow progeny. Previous research suggests that the presence of maternal feces in early life improves the health and survival of offspring. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether contact with feces from multiparous (MP) sows would improve the growth and survival of piglets born and reared on primiparous (P1) sows and if so, whether these differences are associated with the gut microbiota. Four treatments were applied for 10 days: Donor (n = 29) piglets had limited access to maternal feces as, each morning, sow feces were removed and placed in the crate of a P1 sow (P1-FT; n = 30 piglets) and P1-Con (n = 29) and MP-Con (n = 33) piglets had access to their own mothers’ feces. All piglets were weighed on days 1, 3, 10, and 18. Fecal samples were collected from a subset of sows (n = 10/treatment) 3 days post farrow and from two female piglets/litter on days 10 and 18 (n = 20/treatment) and subject to 16S rRNA amplicon analysis. Escherichia, Clostridium, Campylobacter, and Treponema were more abundant in MP sows, while P1 sows had a higher abundance of Lactobacillus and Prevotella. At 10 days, P1 progeny fecal microbiota differed, and growth and survival were reduced when compared with MP progeny. No treatment effect was observed for P1-FT piglets (P > 0.05). Donor piglets had a different fecal microbiota and improved weight and survival then all other treatments (P < 0.05). Overall, the removal of sow feces from the farrowing crate improved piglet microbiota development, growth, and survival.
Explaining Wage Losses After Job Displacement: Employer Size and Lost Firm Wage Premiums
Authors: Fackler Daniel , Mueller Steffen , Stegmaier Jens
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates whether wage losses after job displacement are driven by lost firm wage premiums or worker productivity depreciations. We estimate losses in wages and firm wage premiums, the latter being measured as firm effects from a two-way fixed-effects wage decomposition. Using new German administrative data on displacements from small and large employers, we find that wage losses are to a large extent explained by losses in firm wage premiums and that premium losses are largely permanent. We show that losses strongly increase with pre-displacement employer size. This provides an explanation for large and persistent wage losses reported in previous displacement studies typically focusing on large employers, only.
Social Workers as Local Human Rights Actors? Their Response to Barriers in Access to Care and Support in the Netherlands
Authors: Dibbets Alicia , Eijkman Quirine A M , Claessen Dorien , Lamkaddem Majda
Published: May 2021

The realization of human rights standards depends in part on the commitment of local actors. It can be argued that local public service professionals such as social workers can also be regarded as key players. The possible role of social workers becomes imperative if these professionals are working in a policy context that is not congruent with human rights. If existing laws or policies cause or maintain disrespect for human rights, social workers are in a position to observe that this is having an adverse impact on clients. When social workers are regarded as human rights actors, the question arises how they can or should respond to law and policy that impedes them in carrying out their work with respect for human rights. This article adds to existing theories on social workers as human rights actors by examining the practices of social professionals working in such a challenging policy context. The research took place among professionals in social district teams in the city of Utrecht, the Netherlands. Following a series of decentralizations and austerity measures the social care landscape in the Netherlands has changed drastically over the last few years. As a result, social workers may find themselves on the one hand trying to realize the best possible care for their clients while on the other hand dealing with new laws and policy expectations focused on self-reliance and diminished access to specialist care. The article explores how social professionals’ responses to barriers in access to care affect human rights requirements. In doing so, this socio-legal study provides insight into the ways in which everyday social work relates to the realization of human rights at the local level.
Intra-abdominal foreign body as unexpected discovery mimicking suspicious malignancy
Authors: Kastiunig Theresa , Sortino Rosita , Vines Larissa Clea , Benigno Luca
Published: May 2021

Although rare, postoperatively retained foreign bodies in the abdominal cavity still represent a serious issue for the surgical team as for the patients. Its clinical manifestation is often unspecific and the cases are therefore only irregularly registered.

There are several known factors that increase the risk of retention of a foreign body, for example emergency surgeries, unplanned changes in procedure or a high body mass index.

In this article, we would like to report the case of a male patient with a foreign body in the right lower quadrant after open appendectomy mimicking a tumor.
Profiling native and introduced perennial garden plants in Puerto Rican urban residential yards
Authors: Meléndez-Ackerman Elvia J , Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: May 2021

Worldwide the number of non-native species escaping from cultivation into native habitats is steadily increasing with no signs of saturation. Species that eventually become invasive may generate unwanted social and ecological conditions especially in areas of conservation concern. This study built upon prior biodiversity work from 432 residential yards in the San Juan Metropolitan Area of Puerto Rico to evaluate the natural history and functional traits of native and non-native plant species in these green spaces. We reviewed the literature for a total of 361 plant species to extract information on their taxonomy, native distribution range, invasive status (casual, naturalized or invasive), life-form and ecological and biological species attributes. We then evaluated the relationship between their attributes and their probability of escaping cultivation and become invasive. Our results show that non-native species growing in yards are more likely to succeed in becoming invasive if they have vegetative growth, a mixed breeding system, and an unspecialized dispersal mode. We also found that native and non-native species occurring in residential yards share similar adaptive strategy scores. Most plant species that have already become invasive originated from Asia and America a fact that is likely tied to the US nursery trade. We used the combined results of this and prior studies to understand the factors facilitating plant invasion and to generate recommendations for the development of management strategies that may limit the spread of non-native ornamentals with the potential to escape cultivation and become invasive on this island.
CLUMP-3D: the lack of non-thermal motions in galaxy cluster cores
Authors: Sayers Jack , Sereno Mauro , Ettori Stefano , Rasia Elena , Cui Weiguang , Golwala Sunil , Umetsu Keiichi , Yepes Gustavo
Published: May 2021

We report the non-thermal pressure fraction (Pnt/Ptot) obtained from a three-dimensional triaxial analysis of 16 galaxy clusters in the CLASH sample using gravitational lensing (GL) data primarily from Subaru and HST, X-ray spectroscopic imaging from Chandra, and Sunyaev–Zel’dovich effect (SZE) data from Planck and Bolocam. Our results span the approximate radial range 0.015–0.4 R200m (∼35–1000 kpc). At cluster-centric radii smaller than 0.1 R200m the ensemble average Pnt/Ptot is consistent with zero with an upper limit of 9 per cent, indicating that heating from active galactic nuclei and other relevant processes does not produce significant deviations from hydrostatic equilibrium (HSE). The ensemble average Pnt/Ptot increases outside of this radius to approximately 20 per cent at 0.4 R200m, as expected from simulations, due to newly accreted material thermalizing via a series of shocks. Also in agreement with simulations, we find significant cluster-to-cluster variation in Pnt/Ptot and little difference in the ensemble average Pnt/Ptot based on dynamical state. We conclude that on average, even for diverse samples, HSE-derived masses in the very central regions of galaxy clusters require only modest corrections due to non-thermal motions.
Crystal structure of parallel G-quadruplex formed by the two-repeat ALS- and FTD-related GGGGCC sequence
Authors: Geng Yanyan , Liu Changdong , Cai Qixu , Luo Zhipu , Miao Haitao , Shi Xiao , Xu Naining , Fung Chun Po , Choy To To , Yan Bing , Li Ning , Qian Peiyuan , Zhou Bo , Zhu Guang
Published: May 2021

The hexanucleotide repeat expansion, GGGGCC (G4C2), within the first intron of the C9orf72 gene is known to be the most common genetic cause of both amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The G4C2 repeat expansions, either DNA or RNA, are able to form G-quadruplexes which induce toxicity leading to ALS/FTD. Herein, we report a novel crystal structure of d(G4C2)2 that self-associates to form an eight-layer parallel tetrameric G-quadruplex. Two d(G4C2)2 associate together as a parallel dimeric G-quadruplex which folds into a tetramer via 5′-to-5′ arrangements. Each dimer consists of four G-tetrads connected by two CC propeller loops. Especially, the 3′-end cytosines protrude out and form C·C+•C·C+/ C·C•C·C+ quadruple base pair or C•C·C+ triple base pair stacking on the dimeric block. Our work sheds light on the G-quadruplexes adopted by d(G4C2) and yields the invaluable structural details for the development of small molecules to tackle neurodegenerative diseases, ALS and FTD.
LCD-Composer: an intuitive, composition-centric method enabling the identification and detailed functional mapping of low-complexity domains
Authors: Cascarina Sean M , King David C , Osborne Nishimura Erin , Ross Eric D
Published: May 2021

Low complexity domains (LCDs) in proteins are regions predominantly composed of a small subset of the possible amino acids. LCDs are involved in a variety of normal and pathological processes across all domains of life. Existing methods define LCDs using information-theoretical complexity thresholds, sequence alignment with repetitive regions, or statistical overrepresentation of amino acids relative to whole-proteome frequencies. While these methods have proven valuable, they are all indirectly quantifying amino acid composition, which is the fundamental and biologically-relevant feature related to protein sequence complexity. Here, we present a new computational tool, LCD-Composer, that directly identifies LCDs based on amino acid composition and linear amino acid dispersion. Using LCD-Composer's default parameters, we identified simple LCDs across all organisms available through UniProt and provide the resulting data in an accessible form as a resource. Furthermore, we describe large-scale differences between organisms from different domains of life and explore organisms with extreme LCD content for different LCD classes. Finally, we illustrate the versatility and specificity achievable with LCD-Composer by identifying diverse classes of LCDs using both simple and multifaceted composition criteria. We demonstrate that the ability to dissect LCDs based on these multifaceted criteria enhances the functional mapping and classification of LCDs.
Comparison of the Safety of Prophylactic Anticoagulants After Intracranial Surgery
Authors: Bell Joseph S , Florence T J , Phillips H Westley , Patel Kunal , Macaluso Nicholas J , Villanueva Paulina G , Naik Priyanka K , Kim Won
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a rare but preventable postoperative complication. Unfractionated heparin (UH) and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) are used to prevent VTE, but comparative studies of their safety and efficacy in the neurosurgical context are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relative safety and efficacy of UH and LMWH for prophylaxis after cranial surgery.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 3204 elective intracranial surgical admissions in 2901 patients over the period 2013 to 2018. From chart review, we extracted demographic and clinical features, including diagnosis and procedure, drugs administered, and the occurrence of VTE events. To compare postoperative outcomes, we performed propensity score matching of patients receiving different drugs, and reviewed postoperative cranial imaging. To contextualize our results, we selected 14 prior neurosurgical studies of VTE prophylaxis to compare our outcomes to the existing literature.

RESULTS

In our sample of 3204 admissions, the overall rate of VTE was 0.8% (n = 27). Rates of VTE were not statistically different in matched cohorts receiving UH and LMWH (1.7% vs 1.0%, respectively); however, LMWH was associated with a higher rate of clinically significant intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) (3.4% vs 0.5%, P = .008). Literature review and meta-analysis supported these findings. Across studies, UH and LMWH were associated with similar rates of VTE. Studies in which patients received LMWH reported significantly higher rates of ICH (4.9% higher, P = .005).

CONCLUSION

We find that LMWH and UH show similar efficacy in preventing VTE; however, LMWH is associated with higher rates of ICH.
The Role of Gender in Neurosurgical Residency Applicants’ Letters of Recommendation
Authors: Field Nicholas C , Pilitsis Julie G , Paul Alexandra R
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Letters of recommendation (LORs) are one of the most important components of the neurosurgical residency application. Studies in other fields and surgical subspecialties have found gender bias.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether neurosurgical LORs contain significant linguistic gendered differences.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review and linguistic analysis of all LORs submitted on behalf of applicants offered an interview invitation to a single neurosurgical residency program at an academic medical center between 2015-2016 and 2018-2019.

RESULTS

A total of 599 letters from 156 applicants (120 males and 36 females) were included. Background demographics, including United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score and publications, were not significantly different between applicants. Male faculty authored 93% of all letters. Female faculty were more likely to write letters for female applicants than male applicants (12.1% vs 5.5%, P < .001). Letters for women were significantly longer (334 words vs 277 words, P < .001). Overall, 1754 agentic terms and 854 communal terms were coded. Letters for men contained significantly fewer agentic terms (10.7 vs 13.1, per applicant, P < .01) and communal terms (5.2 vs 6.4, P < .034). This difference, however, is nonsignificant when word count was used as a covariate. Female applicants were more significantly likely to be labeled “Outstanding” (2.4 vs 1.6 mentions per applicant).

CONCLUSION

Overall, there are more similarities than differences between genders in LORs for neurosurgical applicants. This finding is at odds with what has previously been reported in most other surgical specialties.
Smoking Is Independently Associated With an Increased Risk for COVID-19 Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Based on Adjusted Effect Estimates
Authors: Hou Hongjie , Li Yang , Zhang Peihua , Wu Jian , Shi Li , Xu Jie , Diao Jie , Wang Yadong , Yang Haiyan
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Smoking can cause mucociliary clearing dysfunction and poor pulmonary immunity, leading to more severe infection. We performed this study to explore the association between smoking and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients utilizing a quantitative meta-analysis on the basis of adjusted effect estimates.

Aims and Methods

We conducted a systematic search of the online databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase. Only articles reporting adjusted effect estimates on the association between smoking and the risk of mortality among COVID-19 patients in English were included. Newcastle-Ottawa scale was fitted to assess the risk of bias. A random-effects model was applied to calculate the pooled effect with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

A total of 73 articles with 863 313 COVID-19 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Our results indicated that smoking was significantly associated with an increased risk for death in patients with COVID-19 (pooled relative risk = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.12–1.27). Sensitivity analysis indicated that our results were stable and robust.

Conclusions

Smoking was independently associated with an increased risk for mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Implications

This present study may contribute to summarizing the association between smoking and the risk of COVID-19 mortality based on adjusted effect estimates. More detailed and complete data on smoking status should be collected to more accurately estimate the effect of smoking on COVID-19 mortality.
Cefiderocol Pharmacokinetics in a Patient Receiving Continuous Venovenous Hemodiafiltration
Authors: Kobic Emir , Gill Christian M , Mochon A Brian , Nicolasora Nelson P , Nicolau David P
Published: May 2021

Antimicrobial dosing in patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy is a continued clinical challenge. We describe a case of a patient receiving cefiderocol 2 g intravenously every 8 hours as a 3-hour infusion for a multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia and bacteremia while undergoing continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. The clinical course and cefiderocol pharmacokinetics are described.
Resolution of primary hepatic marginal zone lymphoma in a hepatitis C virus-infected patient treated with a direct-acting antiviral
Authors: Pellicelli Adriano , Giannelli Valerio , Zoli Valerio , Regine Giovanni , Cortese Andrea , Ettorre Giuseppe M , Carmenini Enrico , Pellicelli Valeria , Rigacci Luigi
Published: May 2021

The favorable impact of antiviral therapy on low-grade hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma manifesting as marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) has been reported in some clinical studies. However, primary HCV-related marginal zone lymphomas (MZLs) confined to the liver have not been described in the literature nor have the resolution of liver lymphoma through anti-HCV eradication treatment. The authors report a genotype 1b HCV-positive patient with chronic hepatitis who exhibited lesions involving both hepatic lobes resembling hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver biopsy revealed an MZL of the liver. Antiviral treatment using sofosbuvir associated with simeprevir as unique treatment was started and resulted in complete haematological response. In HCV-related MZL isolated to the liver, antiviral treatment has led to the eradication of viral infection and a complete haematological response. Antiviral therapy should be considered as a first-line treatment for HCV-related primary MZLs of the liver.
Transfusion-dependent anaemia treatment using continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (epoetin β pegol) and roxadustat after darbepoetin treatment failure in low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome: a case report
Authors: Ikenoue Tatsuyoshi , Furumatsu Yoshiyuki , Kitamura Tetsuya
Published: May 2021

Treatment of anaemia and reduction of transfusion are major therapeutic goals in patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Although erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are widely used to reduce transfusion requirement, ESAs lose effectiveness within 12 months.

We report a 65-year-old Japanese woman diagnosed with low-risk MDS who underwent long-term use of continuous epoetin β pegol, an erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA), and her treatment after CERA failure. She received darbepoetin alpha (DPO) for transfusion-dependent anaemia and was free from transfusion. However, after 8 months, DPO lost effectiveness. She then received CERA and recovered from anaemia. Her haemoglobin level remained >10 g/dl for 3 years and 4 months. However, even CERA lost effectiveness, and she received roxadustat treatment with CERA, leading to recovery from anaemia again.

Although further evidence is required, the extension of the no-transfusion period provided by ESAs and roxadustat is important and is awaited among low-risk MDS patients.
Synchronous pituitary and pineal gland lesions presenting with panhypopituitarism in a patient with widespread colorectal cancer: a case report
Authors: Struja Tristan , Capraro Joël
Published: May 2021

A 60-year-old man presented to our hospital because of febrile neutropenia due to chemotherapy for his metastasized colon cancer. During hospital stay, polyuria and polydipsia were noted. He reported that his thirst had become increasingly intolerable over the last weeks. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed. Polyuria and polydipsia persisted despite euglycemia under insulin treatment. Because of thirst and high urine volumes during the night, diabetes insipidus was suspected. Endocrinological work up revealed complete panhypopituitarism with impairment of all anterior and posterior axes. After substitution with hydrocortisone, levothyroxine and desmopressin symptoms resolved. MRI of the brain revealed one round, contrast enhancing lesion in the pituitary stalk and one in the pineal gland. Because of extensive extracerebral metastasis and poor performance status, the patient opted for radiation therapy only. He died 2.5 months later due to non-cerebral manifestations of his cancer before cerebral radiotherapy could be initiated.
Differential Impact of Advanced Age on Clinical Outcomes After Vestibular Schwannoma Resection in the Very Elderly: Cohort Study
Authors: Helal Ahmed , Graffeo Christopher S , Perry Avital , Van Abel Kathryn M , Carlson Matthew L , Neff Brian A , Driscoll Colin L W , Link Michael J
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Vestibular schwannomas (VS) have a peak incidence in the sixth and seventh decades of life. Stereotactic radiosurgery is often the preferred treatment for VS among patients of advanced age. The fraction of elderly patients potentially requiring consideration for surgical treatment is anticipated to expand, mandating an update to management paradigms in this population.

OBJECTIVE

To describe our experience with surgical management of VS in patients aged 75 yr and older.

METHODS

Cohort study of all patients aged ≥75 yr with sporadic VS requiring surgical treatment at our institution between 1999 and 2020. Data included preoperative baseline characteristics and outcome data including extent of resection, facial nerve and hearing status, functional outcome, length of stay, and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 24 patients were included, spanning an age range of 75 to 90 yr. Average tumor size was 2.76 ± 1.04 cm, and average baseline Modified 5-item Frailty Index (mFI-5) score was 1.08 ± 0.93. Extent of resection was gross total in 5 (20.8%), near total in 3 (12.5%), and sub-total resection in the remaining 16 (66.7%). One patient died in the postoperative period because of an acute sub-dural hematoma. Favorable facial nerve function (HB1-2) was preserved in 12 patients (75%) between 75 and 79 yr and 2 patients (28.6%) aged ≥ 80 yr. No cerebrospinal fluid leak or surgical site infection was observed; 3 patients developed hydrocephalus requiring ventriculo-peritoneal shunt placement. Nine patients required out-of-home disposition; all patients eventually returned to independent living.

CONCLUSION

Microsurgical resection of VS can be safely undertaken in patients greater than 75 y/o but may carry an increased risk of poor facial function.
Role of source-to-sink transport of methionine in establishing seed protein quantity and quality in legumes
Authors: Garneau Matthew G , Lu Ming-Zhu , Grant Jan , Tegeder Mechthild
Published: May 2021

Grain legumes such as pea (Pisum sativum L.) are highly valued as a staple source of protein for human and animal nutrition. However, their seeds often contain limited amounts of high-quality, sulfur (S) rich proteins, caused by a shortage of the S-amino acids cysteine and methionine. It was hypothesized that legume seed quality is directly linked to the amount of organic S transported from leaves to seeds, and imported into the growing embryo. We expressed a high-affinity yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) methionine/cysteine transporter (Methionine UPtake 1) in both the pea leaf phloem and seed cotyledons and found source-to-sink transport of methionine but not cysteine increased. Changes in methionine phloem loading triggered improvements in S uptake and assimilation and long-distance transport of the S compounds, S-methylmethionine and glutathione. In addition, nitrogen and carbon assimilation and source-to-sink allocation were upregulated, together resulting in increased plant biomass and seed yield. Further, methionine and amino acid delivery to individual seeds and uptake by the cotyledons improved, leading to increased accumulation of storage proteins by up to 23%, due to both higher levels of S-poor and, most importantly, S-rich proteins. Sulfate delivery to the embryo and S assimilation in the cotyledons were also upregulated, further contributing to the improved S-rich storage protein pools and seed quality. Overall, this work demonstrates that methionine transporter function in source and sink tissues presents a bottleneck in S allocation to seeds and that its targeted manipulation is essential for overcoming limitations in the accumulation of high-quality seed storage proteins.
Predictors and Consequences of Pediatric Pain Symptom Trajectories: A 14-Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Mun Chung Jung , Lemery-Chalfant Kathryn , Wilson Melvin , Shaw Daniel S
Published: May 2021

Objective

The present study had three primary objectives. First, pain trajectory from early childhood to early adolescence were modeled. Second, we examined how early childhood individual-, parental-, and family-level factors predict pain trajectories. Third, we evaluated consequences of pain trajectories in terms of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and substance use at age 16 years.

Design

The current paper is a secondary data analysis of a multisite longitudinal study. A total of 731 children and their families were followed from ages 2 to 16 years.

Methods

A growth mixture model (GMM) was used to identify pain trajectories from ages 2 to 14 years.

Results

The GMM revealed three distinct pain trajectories: (1) Low Pain Symptom (n = 572); (2) Increasing Pain Symptom (n = 106); and (3) U-shaped Pain Symptom (n = 53). Children who experienced greater harsh parenting and sleep disturbances in early childhood were more likely to belong to the Increasing Pain Symptom group, and those with greater anxious-depressed symptoms at age 2 years were more likely to belong to the U-shaped Pain Symptom group than the Low Pain Symptom group. Additionally, those youth in the Increasing Pain Symptom group, compared to the Low and U-shaped Pain Symptom groups, showed elevated anxiety symptoms at age 16 years.

Conclusions

Reducing harsh parenting and children’s sleep disturbances could be important targets for preventing pediatric pain problems. Children with increasing pain symptoms may also benefit from learning adaptive pain management skills to lower the risk of developing anxiety problems in late adolescence.
Sharing Data Collected with Smartphone Sensors
Authors: Struminskaya Bella , Lugtig Peter , Toepoel Vera , Schouten Barry , Giesen Deirdre , Dolmans Ralph
Published: May 2021

Smartphone sensors allow measurement of phenomena that are difficult or impossible to capture via self-report (e.g., geographical movement, physical activity). Sensors can reduce respondent burden by eliminating survey questions and improve measurement accuracy by replacing/augmenting self-reports. However, if respondents who are not willing to collect sensor data differ on critical attributes from those who are, the results can be biased. Research on the mechanisms of willingness to collect sensor data mostly comes from (nonprobability) online panels and is hypothetical (i.e., asks participants about the likelihood of participation in a sensor-based study). In a cross-sectional general population randomized experiment, we investigate how features of the request and respondent characteristics influence willingness to share (WTS) and actually sharing smartphone-sensor data. We manipulate the request to either mention or not mention (1) how participation will benefit the participant, (2) participants’ autonomy over data collection, and (3) that data will be kept confidential. We assess nonparticipation bias using the administrative records. WTS and actually sharing varies by sensor task, participants’ autonomy over data sharing, their smartphone skills, level of privacy concerns, and attitudes toward surveys. Fewer people agree to share photos and a video than geolocation, but all who agreed to share photos or a video actually did. Some nonresponse and nonparticipation biases are substantial and make each other worse, but others jointly reduce the overall bias. Our findings suggest that sensor-data-sharing decisions depend on sample members’ situation when asked to share and the nature of the sensor task rather than the sensor type.
SARS-CoV-2-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome is a para-infectious disease
Authors: Li X , Wang Y , Wang H , Wang Y
Published: May 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been linked to the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The objective of the present study is to identify specific clinical features of cases of GBS reported in the literature associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We searched Pubmed, and included single case reports and case series with full text in English, reporting original data of patients with GBS and a confirmed recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical data were extracted. We identified 28 articles (22 single case reports and 6 case series), reporting on a total of 44 GBS patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed through serum reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction in 72.7% of cases. A total of 40 patients (91%) had symptoms compatible with SARS-CoV-2 infection before the onset of the GBS. The median period between the onset of symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptoms of the GBS was 11.2 days (range, 2–23). The most common clinical features were: leg weakness (61.4%), leg paresthesia (50%), arm weakness (50.4%), arm paresthesia (50.4%), hyporeflexia/areflexia (48%) and ataxia (22.7%). In total, 38.6% (n = 17) were found to have facial paralysis. Among 37 patients in whom nerve-conduction studies and electromyography were performed, of which 26 patients (59.1%) were consistent with the acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy subtype of the GBS. The present retrospective analysis support the role of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the development of the GBS, may trigger GBS as para-infectious disease, and lead to SARS-CoV-2-associated GBS.
Hrólfs saga Gautrekssonar and the Originality of Beowulf
Authors: Grant Tom
Published: May 2021

For over a century and a half, scholars have worked to establish links between medieval Scandinavian saga material and the Old English alliterative epic Beowulf. The present article investigates connections between the Anglo-Saxon poem and Hrólfs saga Gautrekssonar—an Old Norse saga unique for preserving a story about a Geatish monster-killer who, like Beowulf, is active in Denmark and then returns to rule his homeland as king. This investigation is first situated within the broader currents of the research field and some key assumptions about the relationship between Beowulf and its Old Norse analogues are set out. The parallels between the monster-fights of Beowulf and Hrólfr Gautreksson are then considered in detail. Hrólfr’s slaying of Grímarr in Denmark, and of his vengeful relative Grímnir further afield, are compared in turn with Beowulf’s fateful encounters with Grendel and his mother. Consideration is then given to the links between the careers and movements of these two heroes. It is demonstrated that intriguing parallels exist between the early life, fosterage and accession of these figures. The narrative links established in this article between Beowulf and Hrólfs saga Gautrekssonar shed new light upon the shape of the folktale from which both texts may ultimately derive. It is argued that the political and geographical connections between these narratives tentatively point to a more significant conclusion: that both Beowulf and Hrólfs saga perhaps draw upon an older narrative concerning a Geatish monster-killer. This allows for a new insight into the relative originality of the Old English epic.
Improving SOGI Asylum Adjudication: Putting Persecution Ahead of Identity
Authors: Dustin Moira , Ferreira Nuno
Published: May 2021

This article addresses the concern that decision-making in sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI) asylum claims in Europe is often unfair, and that one way to remedy this is by improving the guidance provided to decision-makers when interpreting the Refugee Convention in respect of these claims. We begin by interrogating a number of different decision-making guidelines and models to assess whether they contribute to a fairer asylum system. We show that, for claims based on SOGI, success invariably depends on the decision-maker’s assessment as to whether a claimant is, or would be perceived in their home country to be, a member of a SOGI minority, and so belongs to a Particular Social Group. Such focus risks neglecting analysis of the actual risk of persecution. We set out our own recommendation for a fairer approach based on prioritising SOGI-specific Country of Origin Information (COI) and the risk of persecution, rather than focusing on whether applicants are ‘genuinely’ members of a SOGI minority. We argue that this will lead to fairer outcomes that are less likely to be overturned on appeal and more consistent with the Refugee Convention’s spirit and letter.
Relations Among Anhedonia, Reinforcement Learning, and Global Functioning in Help-seeking Youth
Authors: Akouri-Shan LeeAnn , Schiffman Jason , Millman Zachary B , Demro Caroline , Fitzgerald John , Rakhshan Rouhakhtar Pamela J , Redman Samantha , Reeves Gloria M , Chen Shuo , Gold James M , Martin Elizabeth A , Corcoran Cheryl , Roiser Jonathan P , Buchanan Robert W , Rowland Laura M , Waltz James A
Published: May 2021

Dysfunction in the neural circuits underlying salience signaling is implicated in symptoms of psychosis and may predict conversion to a psychotic disorder in youth at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis. Additionally, negative symptom severity, including consummatory and anticipatory aspects of anhedonia, may predict functional outcome in individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. However, it is unclear whether anhedonia is related to the ability to attribute incentive salience to stimuli (through reinforcement learning [RL]) and whether measures of anhedonia and RL predict functional outcome in a younger, help-seeking population. We administered the Salience Attribution Test (SAT) to 33 participants who met criteria for either CHR or a recent-onset psychotic disorder and 29 help-seeking youth with nonpsychotic disorders. In the SAT, participants must identify relevant and irrelevant stimulus dimensions and be sensitive to different reinforcement probabilities for the 2 levels of the relevant dimension (“adaptive salience”). Adaptive salience attribution was positively related to both consummatory pleasure and functioning in the full sample. Analyses also revealed an indirect effect of adaptive salience on the relation between consummatory pleasure and both role (αβ = .22, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.48) and social functioning (αβ = .14, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.30). These findings suggest a distinct pathway to poor global functioning in help-seeking youth, via impaired reward sensitivity and RL.
Long-term sequelae of congenital gambiense human African trypanosomiasis
Authors: Mudji Junior , Künzli Esther , Molyneux David , Blum Johannes
Published: May 2021

Background

The clinical presentation of gambiense human African trypanosomias (gHAT) is generally considered to be the same among children and adults. In general, when describing the clinical presentation of children with gHAT, no differentiation is made between congenital gHAT and gHAT acquired later. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the signs and symptoms attributable to congenital gHAT and its long-term sequelae.

Methods

Following an evaluation of the hospital register for gHAT, the authors observed that six children born to mothers with gHAT during their pregnancies still had sequelae of the infection. The six mothers were interviewed about their respective pregnancies and the developmental history of the children borne to the infected mothers. Furthermore, the children then underwent a complete physical examination with a focus on neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms.

Results

Five of the six patients are still seriously disabled. Behavioral changes are present in four patients, tremor, speech impairment, involuntary movements and pathologic the Barrés test and Mingazzini test in three patients and convulsions, pyramidal signs and decreased muscle tonus in two patients. Two patients cannot work and one has a sphincter disorder.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that congenital gHAT may lead to long-lasting sequelae in babies born to mothers treated after delivery. The risk of embryo toxicity of treatment of mothers with gHAT must be balanced against the risk of congenital gHAT with long-term sequelae.
Assessing the phacoemulsification learning curve using duration of each step
Authors: Rali Aditya , Grosel Timothy , Fontus Jerry , Aaron Maria , Jones Jeremy , Moore Elliot , Khalifa Yousuf M.
Published: May 2021

Purpose:

To assess the phacoemulsification learning curve for ophthalmology residents using duration for each step.

Setting:

Single tertiary, training site hospital.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

Emory ophthalmology postgraduate year (PGY) 3 and PGY-4 residents operating at Grady Memorial Hospital between April 2017 and February 2018 were eligible to participate. Duration in seconds for each step of surgery was calculated for incisions, continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC), hydrodissection, nucleus disassembly, quadrant removal, cortical cleanup, intraocular lens insertion, and closure, and this outcome was analyzed as a function of different experience levels.

Results:

A total of 528 surgeries were included of 549 total surgeries recorded. 6 categories of experience levels were established as A to F, increasing by increments of 50. There was an overall downward trend across various steps across the 8 case categories, and several adjacent categories demonstrate statistically significant differences. The 3 most time-intensive steps early in training were nucleus disassembly (336.5 ± 16.5 seconds), quadrant removal (275.1 ± 18.0 seconds), and cortical cleanup (244.2 ± 24.6 seconds). There was a sustained drop in mean duration for all steps through at least category D, with most steps showing a drop through category F.

Conclusions:

There is a benefit to a higher caseload, well above the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–mandated 86 cases. Improvements in efficiency were observed after 250 cases, with nuclear disassembly and CCC demonstrating a significant decrease in operative time.
Dietary Guidance on Food Processing for Safe, Healthy, and Sustainable Diets
Authors: Kraak Vivica I.
Published: May 2021

Food processing has many benefits to accommodate modern lifestyles. How food processing is understood by public health nutritionists and registered dietitian nutritionists has important implications for translating and communicating food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) to promote safe, healthy, and sustainable eating patterns. Using a classification system, such as a typology or taxonomy, can help practitioners understand food processing within the broader context of national FBDGs in modern food systems. This article explores how food processing fits into traditional, evolving, and modern diets and food systems. It also examines how food processing is described by different food typologies and taxonomies for new product development, marketing, and research; monitoring food safety standards; and enforcing international trade policies. It examines how food typologies are used to organize national dietary guidelines translated into pictorial FBDGs to communicate healthy and sustainable eating messages to the public. The article concludes with policy, practice, and research implications to enable public health nutritionists and registered dietitian nutritionists to translate the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 into FBDGs to educate consumers about choices that can support safe, healthy, and sustainable diets and food systems.
The Decision-Making Experiences of Caregivers Regarding Feeding Tube Placement in Community-Dwelling Adults
Authors: Muoki Deltra C. , Cesario Sandra , Landrum Peggy , Littles Sabrenda
Published: May 2021

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tube placement is multifactorial and considered a lifesaving mechanism, which leads to a host of thoughts and feelings that affect the decision-making experience. As people live longer and the population ages, these decisions often involve the caregivers who have their own experience and therefore can result in caregiver burden and anxiety. A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted to describe and understand the caregiver's decision-making experience regarding percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tube placement in community-dwelling adults. Edmund Husserl's philosophical underpinnings were utilized in conjunction with Colaizzi's (1978) method of data analysis to maintain the rigor of the study. Sixteen adult caregivers of patients from six rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities were interviewed using a semistructured interview guide. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was conducted. The study results yield four main themes: “Survival ... that was the determining factor”; “The doctor decided”; “More education ... just make sure they understand”; and “It makes me very scared.” Implications for practice, policy, and future research are thoroughly discussed.
Knowledge of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Aspects of IBD Among Nurses Working in Digestive Endoscopy
Authors: Napolitano Daniele , Scaldaferri Franco , Fiorino Gionata , Spagnuolo Rocco , Leonetti Alessia , Lopetuso Loris Riccardo , Cocchieri Antonello
Published: May 2021

The importance of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) dedicated nurses in endoscopy services is poorly explored. Non-IBD healthcare professionals who work in endoscopy units may underestimate the discomfort and the secondary psychological distress that endoscopic procedures cause in IBD patients. We performed a nationwide survey to evaluate the level of knowledge of nurses working in endoscopy facilities throughout Italy related to IBD patients' needs undergoing endoscopic procedures. A non-validate 45 items questionnaire divided into six sections was assembled by a group of experts and supervised by nurses and IBD-physicians as part of the board of IGIBD, ANOTE-ANIGEA and AGGEI. The questionnaire was sent to 397 nurses of which 335 (84.4%) responded to the questionnaire. The median level of knowledge registered was 29 ± 12, corresponding to a medium level of knowledge based on the scores described in the method section. One hundred eighty-three nurses (54.6%) reported a high score, 113 (33.7%) a medium score, and 39 (11.6%) a low score. The majority of nurses worked in high volume endoscopy centers, where the 48% were educated in IBD management. A Low level of knowledge was recorded regarding disease severity definition, bowel preparation strategies in severe colitis and evaluation of perianal fistula. This nationwide survey clearly shows that there is a need for endoscopic nurses to acquire specific knowledge in the IBD field. Dedicated pathways for IBD management in endoscopy, continuous educational programs for nurses and further studies to improve nurse education are needed.
Spatial connectivity in mosquito-borne disease models: a systematic review of methods and assumptions
Authors: Lee Sophie A. , Jarvis Christopher I. , Edmunds W. John , Economou Theodoros , Lowe Rachel
Published: May 2021

Spatial connectivity plays an important role in mosquito-borne disease transmission. Connectivity can arise for many reasons, including shared environments, vector ecology and human movement. This systematic review synthesizes the spatial methods used to model mosquito-borne diseases, their spatial connectivity assumptions and the data used to inform spatial model components. We identified 248 papers eligible for inclusion. Most used statistical models (84.2%), although mechanistic are increasingly used. We identified 17 spatial models which used one of four methods (spatial covariates, local regression, random effects/fields and movement matrices). Over 80% of studies assumed that connectivity was distance-based despite this approach ignoring distant connections and potentially oversimplifying the process of transmission. Studies were more likely to assume connectivity was driven by human movement if the disease was transmitted by anAedesmosquito. Connectivity arising from human movement was more commonly assumed in studies using a mechanistic model, likely influenced by a lack of statistical models able to account for these connections. Although models have been increasing in complexity, it is important to select the most appropriate, parsimonious model available based on the research question, disease transmission process, the spatial scale and availability of data, and the way spatial connectivity is assumed to occur.