bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management education and the theatre of the absurd
Authors: Starkey Kenneth , Tempest Sue , Cinque Silvia
Published: October 2019

In this article, we recommend the drama of theatre of the absurd as a novel space for critically reflecting upon management and management education as shaped by the forces of emotion, irrationality and conformism rather than reason. We discuss the theatre of the absurd as uniquely relevant to understanding our troubled times. We present a brief overview of the history of business schools and management education. We apply the idea of absurdity to the world of business schools and management education, focusing on the work of one of the theatre of the absurd’s leading proponents, Eugène Ionesco. We emphasise the importance of fiction and fantasy as key aspects of organisation and education. We contribute to debates about management education by reflecting on possible futures for management education and the business school, embracing the humanities as a core disciplinary focus. We suggest that this will help rebalance management education, retaining the best of the existing curriculum, while re-situating the study of management in its broader historical and philosophical nexus.
Optimism and depressive symptoms following a diabetes diagnosis: Results from the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Xie Elisabeth B , Burns Rachel J
Published: October 2019

Depression is common among individuals with diabetes and contributes to poorer prognoses. Optimism is associated with enhanced mental health. Therefore, this study tested whether optimism buffered against increases in depressive symptoms following a diabetes diagnosis. Participants were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study ( n = 328, Mage = 65.8). Optimism, assessed before diagnosis, was inversely associated with depressive symptoms within 2 ( B = −.30, p = .004, Δ R2 = .02) and 6 ( B = −.29, p = .008, Δ R2 = .02) years of a diabetes diagnosis. Results suggest that optimism is a protective factor for comorbid depressive symptoms.
Graphene sensing meshes for densely distributed strain field monitoring
Authors: Gupta Sumit , Vella Gianmarco , Yu I-No , Loh Chin-Hsiung , Chiang Wei-Hung , Loh Kenneth J
Published: October 2019

The objective of this study is to design and validate distributed strain field monitoring using a patterned nanocomposite “sensing mesh” that is coupled with an electrical impedance tomography (EIT) measurement strategy and algorithm. Although EIT has been used in other studies and in conjunction with a piezoresistive thin film for spatial damage detection, different strain components cannot be directly extracted from reconstructed EIT conductivity maps. Therefore, this study seeks to address this issue by patterning piezoresistive graphene-based thin films to form a mesh-like pattern. The high aspect ratio of each nanocomposite grid interconnect acts as a linear distributed strain sensor, capable of resolving strains along the entire length and direction of the element. This study first began with the design, fabrication, and characterization of the strain sensing response of a graphene-based thin film of high strain sensitivity. Second, the strain-sensitive film was spray-coated onto patterned polymer substrates to form the sensing meshes, which were then subjected to load tests. Upon validating distributed strain field monitoring through EIT, its applicability for field implementation and damage characterization was also demonstrated by instrumenting sensing meshes in the column of a seven-story reinforced-concrete building subjected to shaking table earthquake excitations. The large-scale shaking table test results successfully validated distributed damage detection.
A Systematic Review of Interventions to Improve the Occupation of Play in Children With Autism
Authors: Kuhaneck Heather , Spitzer Susan L. , Bodison Stefanie C.
Published: October 2019

Play in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often atypical, yet consensus regarding effective occupational therapy strategies for improving play is not established. To examine the efficacy of strategies used in occupational therapy to improve play in ASD, authors completed a systematic review of papers from January 1980 through January 2019. Search terms included autism, Asperger’s, ASD, autistic in combination with play, playfulness, pretend, imagination, praxis, creativity, and generativity. Twenty papers met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Reviewed interventions included parent education, modified play materials or environments, imitation of the child, and modeling by an adult, a peer, or video. Moderate to strong support exists for the specific strategies of imitation of the child and modeling for the child, with lesser or mixed support for other strategies. Certain strategies commonly used in occupational therapy may be effective in improving the occupation of play in ASD.
A Plant-Based Dietary Intervention for Preoperative Glucose Optimization in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty
Authors: Drost Jennifer M. , Cook Curtiss B. , Spangehl Mark J. , Probst Nicholas E. , Mi Lanyu , Trentman Terrence L.
Published: October 2019

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a whole food plant-based diet (WFPBD) to improve day of surgery fasting blood glucose (FBG) among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Patients and Methods. Ten patients with T2D scheduled for a total hip or total knee replacement were recruited. For 3 weeks preceding their surgeries, subjects were asked to consume an entirely WFPBD. Frozen WFPBD meals were professionally prepared and delivered to each participant for the 3 weeks prior to surgery. FBG was reassessed on the morning of surgery and compared with preintervention values. Compliance with the diet was assessed. Results. Mean age of subjects and reported duration of diabetes was 65 and 8 years, respectively, average hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was 6.6%, and 6 were women. Mean FBG decreased from 127 to 116 mg/dL ( P = .2). Five of the subjects experienced improvement in glycemic control, with an average decline of 11 mg/dL. Conclusion. A WFPBD is a potentially effective intervention to improve glycemic control among patients with T2D during the period leading up to surgery. Future controlled trials on a larger sample of patients to assess the impact of a WFPBD on glycemic control and surgical outcomes are warranted.
Microstructure design and degradation performance in vitro of three-dimensional printed bioscaffold for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Jin Hongyu , Zhuo Yue , Sun Yang , Fu Hongya , Han Zhenyu
Published: October 2019

In bone tissue engineering, three-dimensional printed biological scaffolds play an important role in the development of bone regeneration. The ideal scaffolds should have the ability to match the bone degradation rate and osteogenic ability. This article optimizes the unit cell model of the microstructure including spherical pore, gyroid, and topology to explore degradation performance of scaffolds. Boolean operation of array microstructure unit cells and selected part of a computer-aided design (CAD) femur model are adopted to create a reconstructed scaffold model. Polylactic acid/[Formula: see text]-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite scaffolds with spherical pore, gyroid, and topology-optimized structures are manufactured by three-dimensional printing utilizing the composition of bio-ink including polylactic acid, [Formula: see text]-tricalcium phosphate, and hydroxyapatite. After degradation of the scaffolds in vitro for several days, the mechanical properties are analyzed to study the effects of different microstructures on the degradation properties. The results show that the gyroid scaffolds with favorable degradability still maintain excellent mechanical properties after degradation. Mechanical properties of the scaffolds with topology-optimized structure and spherical pore microstructure scaffolds have a significant decrease after degradation.
Consensus-based adaptive guaranteed-performance formation control for second-order multi-agent systems
Authors: Xie Xueli , Yao Hui , Xi Jianxiang , Hu Bo
Published: October 2019

Adaptive guaranteed-performance formation analysis and design problems for second-order multi-agent systems are studied, where the global information is not required, which means the main results of this article are fully distributed. First, an adaptive guaranteed-performance formation control protocol is presented for second-order multi-agent systems, where the control input is constructed using neighboring state errors and adaptively adjustable interaction weights. Then, an adaptive guaranteed-performance formation control is proposed based on Riccati inequalities. Furthermore, the guaranteed-performance cost is determined and the adjusting approach of the formation control gain is presented in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, a numerical simulation is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
A comparative study of two key algorithms in multiple objective linear programming
Authors: Nyiam Paschal B , Salhi Abdellah
Published: October 2019

Multiple objective linear programming problems are solved with a variety of algorithms. While these algorithms vary in philosophy and outlook, most of them fall into two broad categories: those that are decision space-based and those that are objective space-based. This paper reports the outcome of a computational investigation of two key representative algorithms, one of each category, namely the parametric simplex algorithm which is a prominent representative of the former and the primal variant of Bensons Outer-approximation algorithm which is a prominent representative of the latter. The paper includes a procedure to compute the most preferred nondominated point which is an important feature in the implementation of these algorithms and their comparison. Computational and comparative results on problem instances ranging from small to medium and large are provided.
Elevated plasma CXCL12/SDF-1 levels are linked with disease severity of postmenopausal osteoporosis
Authors: Yang Xian-Wen , Huang Hong-Xing , Wang Fei , Zhou Qi-Lin , Huang Yan-Qiang , Qin Ru-Zi
Published: October 2019

This study was designed to determine whether plasma CXCL12 levels in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) patients are related to disease severity. A total of 91 PMOP females were recruited, and 88 postmenopausal non-osteoporotic (PMNOP) women and 90 healthy females were incorporated as controls. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was utilised to explore bone-mineral density (BMD). The Genant semi-quantitative grading scale was used for vertebral fractures, and plasma CXCL12/SDF-1 levels were investigated by ELISA. Plasma TNF-α and C-telopeptide cross-linked collagen type 1 (CTX-1) were also tested. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) were completed in order to assess clinical severity. Plasma CXCL12 levels were considerably elevated in PMOP females compared to PMNOP women and healthy controls. Plasma CXCL12 concentrations were positively correlated with the Genant grading system. We observed significant and negative correlations of plasma CXCL12 levels with lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip BMD. Moreover, plasma CXCL12 concentrations were positively correlated to VAS and ODI, as well as plasma TNF-α and CTX-1 levels. In conclusion, elevated plasma CXCL12 levels are correlated with disease severity in PMOP females.
The effect of breastfeeding on postpartum fructosamine and HbA1c values after normal pregnancy
Authors: Kearse Cynthia , Carson Michael P , Kane Maureen , Fitzgerald Rosemary , Ragone Patricia , Plante Lauren
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Breastfeeding can lower postpartum oral glucose tolerance test results by 5%. Similar data do not exist regarding fructosamine and HbA1c. The primary outcome was to determine if breastfeeding would lower fructosamine values by 5%.

Methods

At the 4–8 week postpartum visit, women with uncomplicated pregnancies were given a questionnaire and had blood drawn for fructosamine and HbA1c.

Results

Breastfeeding ( n = 22) and non-breastfeeding women ( n = 28) were demographically similar, including postpartum weight loss. The respective values among breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women were: fructosamine 2.20 versus 2.21 mmol/L; HbA1c 5.2% versus 5.2%. Only two of the seven women with an HbA1c of 5.7% or more had an abnormal fructosamine.

Conclusion

After uncomplicated pregnancies, breastfeeding was not associated with lower levels of postpartum fructosamine or HbA1c. Future research to improve screening for persistent postpartum dysglycemia in high-risk populations can utilize these tests without concern that results will be confounded by breastfeeding.
microRNA-329 reduces bone cancer pain through the LPAR1-dependent LPAR1/ERK signal transduction pathway in mice
Authors: Wu Xian-Ping , Yang Yan-Ping , She Rui-Xuan , Xing Zu-Min , Chen Han-Wen , Zhang Yi-Wen
Published: October 2019

Background:

Bone cancer pain (BCP) is a common symptom occurring among patients with cancer and has a detrimental effect on their quality of life. Growing evidence has implicated microRNA-329 (miR-329) in the progression of bone diseases. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the potential effects of miR-329 on BCP in a BCP mouse model via binding to lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1) through the LPAR1/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway.

Methods:

Initially, a BCP mouse model was established via injection of 4 × 104 murine breast tumor (4T1 cell) cells (4 μl). The interaction between miR-329 and LPAR1 was identified using a bioinformatics website and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. The modeled mice were subsequently treated with miR-329 mimic, LPAR1 shRNA, or both, in order to examine the effect of miR-329 on the paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) of mice, the expression of LPAR1/ERK signaling pathway-related genes.

Results:

The positive expression rate of LPAR1 protein and extent of ERK1/2 phosphorylation were increased in BCP mouse models. LPAR1 is a target gene of miR-329, which can inhibit the expression of LPAR1. In response to miR-329 overexpression and LPAR1 silencing, BCP mice showed increased PWT and PWL, along with decreased LPAR1 expression and ratio of p-ERK/ERK.

Conclusions:

Altogether, the results obtained indicated that miR-329 can potentially alleviate BCP in mice via the inhibition of LPAR1 and blockade of the LPAR1/ERK signaling pathway, highlighting that upregulation of miR-329 could serve as a therapeutic target for BCP treatment.
Zoledronic acid plus methylprednisolone versus zoledronic acid or placebo in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cai Guoqi , Laslett Laura L , Aitken Dawn , Cicuttini Flavia , March Lyn , Hill Catherine , Winzenberg Tania , Jones Graeme
Published: October 2019

Background:

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid (ZA) plus intravenous methylprednisolone (VOLT01) to ZA, and placebo for knee osteoarthritis.

Methods:

A single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was carried out. Adults (aged ⩾50 years) with knee osteoarthritis, significant knee pain [⩾40 mm on a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS)], and magnetic resonance imaging-detected bone marrow lesion (BML) were randomized to receive a one-off administration of VOLT01, ZA, or placebo. The primary hypothesis was that VOLT01 was superior to ZA in having a lower incidence of acute phase responses (APRs) over 3 days. Secondary hypotheses were that VOLT01 was noninferior to ZA, and both treatments were superior to placebo in decreasing BML size over 6 months and in improving knee pain [Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and VAS] and function (WOMAC) over 3 and 6 months.

Results:

A total of 117 patients (62.2 ± 8.1 years, 63 women) were enrolled. The incidence of APRs was similar in the VOLT01 (90%) and ZA (87%) groups ( p = 0.74). VOLT01 was superior to ZA in improving knee pain and function after 6 months and noninferior to ZA in reducing BML size. However, BML size change was small in all groups and there were no between-group differences. Compared with placebo, VOLT01 but not ZA improved knee function and showed a trend toward improving knee pain after 6 months.

Conclusions:

Administering intravenous methylprednisolone with ZA did not reduce APRs or change knee BML size over 6 months, but in contrast to ZA or placebo, it may have a beneficial effect on symptoms in knee osteoarthritis.

Trial registration:

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12613000039785.
Patterns of Sharps Handling and Disposal Among Insulin-Using Patients With Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Montoya Jordan M. , Thompson Bithika M. , Boyle Mary E. , Leighton Melinda E. , Cook Curtiss B.
Published: October 2019

Background:

The objective of this study was to assess disposal patterns for “sharps” among a cohort of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) receiving insulin therapy.

Method:

A convenience sample of inpatients and outpatients was surveyed about how they disposed of sharps, how often they reused lancets and needles, and what education they had received about proper disposal. Safe disposal was defined as discarding sharps into a formal sharps or sealable container; otherwise, disposal was categorized as unsafe.

Results:

Of 150 respondents, 56% were men and 75% were white. The mean (SD) age was 56 (15) years; duration of DM, 20 (13) years; and hemoglobin A1c, 8.1% (2.0%). Half the respondents reused a lancet two or more times, and 21% reused an insulin needle two or more times. Thirty-eight percent of respondents discarded lancets unsafely, and 33% discarded insulin needles unsafely, typically by throwing these items into household trash. Most respondents (75%) discarded insulin pens, vials, cartridges, insulin pump supplies, and continuous glucose monitor sensors into household trash. Most (64%) indicated that they had not received education on safe sharps-disposal practices, and 84% had never visited their municipal website for information on medical waste disposal.

Conclusion:

Approximately one-third of patients unsafely disposed of sharps. Unsafe disposal could cause millions of sharps to appear in the municipal solid waste stream, thereby posing a substantial public health hazard. Point-of-care patient education is important, but a broader public health campaign may be required.
System Accuracy Assessment of a Combined Invasive and Noninvasive Glucometer
Authors: Pfützner Andreas , Demircik Filiz , Pfützner Johannes , Kessler Kim , Strobl Stephanie , Spatz Jan , Pfützner Anke H. , Lier Alexander
Published: October 2019

Background:

The pain associated with pricking the fingertip for blood glucose self-testing is considered to be a major burden in diabetes treatment. This study was performed to evaluate the system accuracy of the invasive TensorTip Combo Glucometer (CoG) device component in accordance with ISO15197:2015 requirements and to explore the accuracy of the noninvasive tissue glucose prediction component.

Methods:

One hundred samples were obtained from people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and healthy volunteers (43 females, 57 males; age: 53 ± 16 years), with glucose distribution as requested by the ISO standard. Three strip lots were tested twice by healthcare professionals in comparison to YSI 2300 Stat Plus reference method followed by a noninvasive tissue glucose reading (NI-CoG). Mean Absolute (Relative) Difference (MARD) was calculated and a consensus error grid (CEG) analysis was performed.

Results:

The ISO system accuracy criteria were met with the invasive strip technology by 586/600 of the data points (97.1%) and for each strip lot separately. All invasive results (100%) were within CEG-zone A and total MARD was calculated to be 7.1%. With the noninvasive reading, 99% of raw data points were in A + B (91.1% and 7.8%), and the total MARD was calculated to be 18.1%.

Discussion:

The invasive component of the CoG device was shown to be in full compliance with the current ISO15197 criteria. Good results were also obtained with the NI-CoG tissue glucose prediction. This noninvasive technology would potentially be suitable for frequent pain-free glucose monitoring in many people with diabetes.
Constipation, the sole presentation of primary renal carcinoid tumor: A case report
Authors: Salehipour Mehdi , Mostaghni Amir Ahmad , Geramizadeh Bita , Makarem Alireza , Rezvani Alireza
Published: October 2019

Primary renal carcinoid tumors are quite rare. The pathogenesis of these tumors is unknown due to lack of enterochromaffin cells in the kidney. Because of nonspecific clinical manifestations and radiologic features, they are commonly misdiagnosed. Hence, Primary renal carcinoid tumors should be considered in differential diagnosis of any renal mass. In the present case, a 26-year-old woman was presented with a renal mass and constipation. After partial nephrectomy, diagnosis of carcinoid tumor was confirmed.
Comparison of non-exercise cardiorespiratory fitness prediction equations in apparently healthy adults
Authors: Peterman James E , Whaley Mitchell H , Harber Matthew P , Fleenor Bradley S , Imboden Mary T , Myers Jonathan , Arena Ross , Kaminsky Leonard A
Published: October 2019

Aims

A recent scientific statement suggests clinicians should routinely assess cardiorespiratory fitness using at least non-exercise prediction equations. However, no study has comprehensively compared the many non-exercise cardiorespiratory fitness prediction equations to directly-measured cardiorespiratory fitness using data from a single cohort. Our purpose was to compare the accuracy of non-exercise prediction equations to directly-measured cardiorespiratory fitness and evaluate their ability to classify an individual's cardiorespiratory fitness.

Methods

The sample included 2529 tests from apparently healthy adults (42% female, aged 45.4 ± 13.1 years (mean±standard deviation). Estimated cardiorespiratory fitness from 28 distinct non-exercise prediction equations was compared with directly-measured cardiorespiratory fitness, determined from a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Analysis included the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure to compare estimated cardiorespiratory fitness with directly-measured cardiorespiratory fitness, Pearson product moment correlations, standard error of estimate values, and the percentage of participants correctly placed into three fitness categories.

Results

All of the estimated cardiorespiratory fitness values from the equations were correlated to directly measured cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.001) although the R2 values ranged from 0.25–0.70 and the estimated cardiorespiratory fitness values from 27 out of 28 equations were statistically different compared with directly-measured cardiorespiratory fitness. The range of standard error of estimate values was 4.1–6.2 ml·kg−1·min−1. On average, only 52% of participants were correctly classified into the three fitness categories when using estimated cardiorespiratory fitness.

Conclusion

Differences exist between non-exercise prediction equations, which influences the accuracy of estimated cardiorespiratory fitness. The present analysis can assist researchers and clinicians with choosing a non-exercise prediction equation appropriate for epidemiological or population research. However, the error and misclassification associated with estimated cardiorespiratory fitness suggests future research is needed on the clinical utility of estimated cardiorespiratory fitness.
Prognostic relevance of GRACE risk score in Takotsubo syndrome
Authors: Scudiero Fernando , Arcari Luca , Cacciotti Luca , De Vito Elena , Marcucci Rossella , Passaseo Ilaria , Limite Luca Rosario , Musumeci Maria Beatrice , Autore Camillo , Citro Rodolfo , Bossone Eduardo , Sanna Giuseppe D , Bacchi Beatrice , Volpe Massimo , Di Mario Carlo , Parodi Guido
Published: October 2019

Background:

Takotsubo syndrome is an increasingly recognised cardiac condition that clinically mimics an acute coronary syndrome, but data regarding its prognosis remain controversial. It is currently unknown whether acute coronary syndrome risk scores could effectively be applied to Takotsubo syndrome patients. This study aims to assess whether the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score can predict clinical outcome in Takotsubo syndrome and to compare the prognosis with matched acute coronary syndrome patients.

Methods:

A total of 561 Takotsubo syndrome patients was included in this prospective registry. According to the GRACE score, the population was divided into quartiles. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and the secondary endpoints were cardiocerebrovascular events (a composite of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, recurrence of Takotsubo syndrome and stroke).

Results:

The median GRACE risk score was 139±27. Takotsubo syndrome patients with a higher GRACE risk score mostly have a higher rate of physical triggers and lower left ventricular ejection fraction on admission. During long-term follow-up, all-cause mortality rates were 5%, 11%, 12% and 22%, respectively, in the first, second, third and fourth quartile (P<0.001). After multivariate analysis, the GRACE risk score was found to be a strong predictor of all-cause mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–2.20; P=0.001) and cardiocerebrovascular events (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.26–2.11; P=0.001). Moreover, all-cause mortality in Takotsubo syndrome patients was comparable with the matched acute coronary syndrome cohort.

Conclusion:

In Takotsubo syndrome, the GRACE risk score allows us to predict all-cause mortality and cardiocerebrovascular events at long-term follow-up.
Hear my screams: An auto-ethnographic account of the police
Authors: Javaid Aliraza
Published: October 2019

Other writers, notably police researchers, infrequently discuss the problems and difficulties that they encounter in and outside of fieldwork when doing research on the police. In this article, I piece together some critical and personal reflections of researching the police to provide nuanced information that can help other writers to learn from my own experiences of researching the police and also help them to navigate their own experiences of working with the police for research purposes. These reflections of mine emanate from fieldwork notes and my research diary. I use Ahmed’s The Promise of Happiness as a lens to theorise and make sense of such experiences, understanding how my presence gets in the way of the happiness of others because of my affiliation to sexual violence work. By naming a problem, rape as a problem, I became the problem. The article outlines some of the chief ethical, personal and pragmatic issues that can surface when researching the police. For example, I frequently encountered interrogative questions whereby officers questioned my sexuality, asking ‘are you gay?’ I became a nuisance for the police, a problem by highlighting the issue of male rape as a problem given that it challenges the status quo of normative heterosexuality. I argue that, doing research on the police, which can involve sensitive and challenging work that affects one emotionally, socially and physically, impacts not only the officers being interviewed, but also the researchers themselves. The latter group should be identified much more readily than seems to be the case in the social sciences.
Assessment of the Readability, Adequacy, and Suitability of Online Patient Education Resources for Benign Vascular Tumours Using the DISCERN Instrument
Authors: Huynh Minh N.Q. , Hicks Katie E. , Malic Claudia
Published: October 2019

Objective:

This study aims to assess the quality and readability of Internet-based patient resources for vascular tumours in order to understand which areas require improvement.

Methods:

A World Wide Web search was performed, in addition to a literature review using PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and EMBASE. Any material that contained information on vascular tumours pertaining to patient education was included. We evaluated resources with DISCERN and Flesch Reading Ease scores when applicable. The language of publication was restricted to English and French. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018087885).

Results:

A total of 117 online resources were screened, with 73 resources included in the final analysis. The overall DISCERN rating for the patient resources was 1.8 (0.8). The majority of online resources failed to depict the entire spectrum of benign vascular tumours. The mean Flesch score was 36 (19), which translates to a college-level readability.

Conclusion:

The majority of resources were not adequate or comprehensive and were written at a much higher level than the average reader would be expected to comprehend.
Interrupted Nutrition Support in Patients With Burn Injuries: A Single-Centre Observational Study
Authors: Coutris Nancy , Gawaziuk Justin P. , Cristall Nora , Logsetty Sarvesh
Published: October 2019

Background:

Enteral nutrition (EN) is essential to meet the increased metabolic requirements of burn-injured patients. However, feeds are often suspended for care. This study examines the interruptions in EN (IEN).

Objective:

To determine the frequency and duration of IEN and whether these interruptions are predictable or unpredictable.

Design:

This retrospective chart review of 27 adult burn patients examined age, sex, body mass index, percentage of total body surface area, length of hospital stay, predicted energy requirements from equations and indirect calorimetry, EN start time, time EN reached goal rate, and interruptions to EN.

Results:

Predictable interruptions accounted for 74.5% (frequency) and 81.6% (duration) of total interruptions. The most frequent and time-consuming interruptions were perioperative period, extubation, and tests/procedures (predictable) versus high gastric residual volume, emesis/nausea, and feeding tube displacement (unpredictable).

Conclusions:

Most IEN were due to predictable events. Based on these findings, compensating for predictable interruptions to meet nutritional requirements in burn patients is recommended.
Hip arthroscopy-assisted reduction and fixation for femoral head fracture dislocations: Clinical and radiographic short-term results of seven cases
Authors: Hsu Shan-Ling , Chen Chung-Yang , Ko Jih-Yang , Hsu Chi-Hsiang , Liu Hao-Chen , Lu Yu-Der
Published: October 2019

Purpose:

Femoral head fracture dislocations are serious articular fractures that are associated with soft tissue injuries and are challenging to treat. Arthroscopic surgery may be a way to treat fracture reduction and fixation, thereby avoiding the need for extensive arthrotomy.

Methods:

We followed up a consecutive series of seven patients with femoral head fracture dislocation via a scope-assisted percutaneous headless screw fixation between 2016 and 2017. The clinical and radiological results were assessed.

Results:

The locations of the fracture were all involving infra-foveal area. The mean follow-up duration was 18 (range 12–24) months. The mean Harris hip score was 90.8 (range 88–93) at the latest follow-up. None of the patients showed early osteoarthritis, heterotopic ossification, or avascular necrosis. The average maximal displacement of the fracture site was improved from preoperative 6.79 mm (range 4.21–12.32) to postoperative 2.76 mm (range 0.97–3.97). Concomitant intra-articular hip lesions secondary to traumatic hip dislocation can also be treated.

Conclusion:

Managing the infra-foveal fracture of the femoral head using arthroscopic reduction and fixation with headless screws can be a safe and minimally invasive option. More patients and longer follow-up are needed for a definite conclusion.
Functional Outcomes and Complications Following Pectoralis Major Tendon Allograft Reconstruction in a Military Population
Authors: Nute Drew W. , Kusnezov Nicholas , Waterman Brian R.
Published: October 2019

Background:

There are limited data available regarding outcomes following pectoralis major tendon (PMT) reconstruction with allograft.

Purpose:

To evaluate the functional outcomes and complication profile following PMT reconstruction with allograft in a military population.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

All active duty military personnel who underwent PMT allograft reconstruction between 2008 and 2013 were identified. Demographics, injury characteristics, and surgical technique were recorded from the electronic medical record. Self-reported pain scores and manual strength were evaluated pre- and postoperatively, as recorded in physician electronic medical record notes, in addition to the ability and degree to which each patient was able to return to function. Standardized outcome measures included the Bak criteria; visual analog scale for pain; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score; and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Complications, including rerupture and reoperation, were additionally recorded.

Results:

Nine male patients (mean ± SD age, 35.7 ± 5.8 years) underwent allograft PMT reconstruction. Mean improvement in self-reported pain score at a mean 53.5 months (range, 31.1-110.9 months) was 2.1 ± 1.3 points ( P = .08). Improvements in manual strength during forward flexion (0.5 ± 0.7; P = .03), adduction (0.6 ± 0.6; P = .01), and internal rotation (0.5 ± 0.7; P = .03) were significant. Seven patients (78%) returned to full preinjury level of occupational function, and 88% returned to performing the bench press, although maximum weight decreased by a self-reported mean of 141.3 lb. According to the Bak criteria, 5 (56%) patients had excellent outcomes, 2 (22%) had fair outcomes, and 2 (22%) had poor outcomes. Mean visual analog scale for pain (1.9 ± 2.8), DASH (10.8 ± 17.4), ASES (88.1 ± 20.3), and SF-36 scores (96.3% ± 6.9%) were obtained for the 8 patients available at final follow-up. Complications included 2 cases (22%) of persistent shoulder pain leading to military separation, 1 rerupture (11%), and 1 (11%) surgical scar revision.

Conclusion:

While allograft reconstruction is a reliable option to decrease pain and improve function in patients with tears not amenable to primary repair, patients should be educated about the risk profile and fitness limitations after surgery.
Palm oil, power, and participation: The political ecology of social impact assessment
Authors: Delabre Izabela , Okereke Chukwumerije
Published: October 2019

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, as a form of neoliberal environmental governance operating beyond-the-state, seeks to address its democratic deficit and gain legitimacy through deliberative and consultative processes. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil requires companies to conduct participatory social impact assessment for both new developments and existing operations in an attempt to identify and address the critical social impacts associated with palm oil production. Using a political ecology framework, and a mixed methods approach, this study explores social impact assessments as sites of power struggles, to understand the contestations, inequities, and marginalizations that occur in social impact assessment processes. By exploring the nature of social impact assessment as a market-led regime that privileges certain knowledges and politics, and is co-opted and controlled by powerful actors, the paper challenges the notion that social impact assessment can ensure the inclusion of previously marginalized people in decision-making processes. Participation in social impact assessment is found to be, at most, consultative and top-down, and risks the further disempowerment of affected peoples. By viewing social impact assessment as a discrete intervention, without a clear wider political project for social change for local peoples and workers, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil risks ‘rendering technical’ and ‘marketable’ the multifaceted social impacts associated with palm oil production as it simultaneously enacts particular global, neoliberal ‘participatory’ strategies that are applied locally in ways that (re-)produce hegemony and legitimacy.
Past and possible future influence of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation on the climate responsible for concentration of geopolitical power and wealth in the North Atlantic region
Authors: Railsback L Bruce
Published: October 2019

Previous research has shown that nations that controlled global-scale empires over the most recent centuries and presently possess great per-capita wealth are in Earth’s two largest regions of regular moderate rainfall. That rainfall regime is the pattern of atmospheric precipitation most supportive of agriculture and water-wheel-powered industry, both of which presumably contributed to those nations’ advancement. Those regions of regular moderate rainfall ring the North Atlantic, and this article reviews the evidence that the Gulf Stream delivers warm vapor-releasing water in the upper limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, generating the distinctive climate of western Europe and eastern North America. Ocean circulation’s control on continental climate has thus contributed significantly to the Euro-American concentration of wealth and geopolitical power that has dominated the last few centuries of human history. However, comparison of the present apparent weakening or failure of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation with both the early Holocene 8.2 ka event and modeling of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation’s diminished generation of water vapor suggests that Europe and eastern North America may lose their beneficent climate pattern as rainfall there lessens.
Community-Based Interventions for Adolescent Psychosexual Health: The Use of Life Skills Training Approaches in Sexuality Education
Authors: Ramaswamy Sheila , Seshadri Shekhar
Published: October 2019

In recent years, with increasing awareness and reports of child sexual abuse, government and nongovernment agencies working in the areas of child and adolescent health, education, welfare, and protection are increasingly looking to implement initiatives on child safety and psychosocial health, both from preventive and curative perspectives. It is critical, however, to recognize that the child sexual abuse programming needs to take into consideration the age and the developmental stage of children. Childhood encompasses the period from 0 to 18 years; however, sexuality-related issues of adolescents are vastly different from younger children. While the adolescent sexual rights’ debates (for adolescents) to engage in physical intimacy and sexual behavior or not may continue, most childcare workers unanimously agree on adolescents’ need for sexuality awareness and education. Adolescent sexual issues range from sexual abuse to mutually consenting romantic and sexual relationships and engagement in sexually inappropriate behaviors with young children; for the last-mentioned point, adolescents also come into conflict with the law. This article discusses the need for public health and community-based approaches to address this range and complexity in adolescent sexuality, also sharing concrete field-based, pilot-tested methodologies and resources to work on this issue.
Physiological effects of visual stimulation with full-scale wall images composed of vertically and horizontally arranged wooden elements
Authors: Nakamura Masashi , Ikei Harumi , Miyazaki Yoshifumi
Published: October 2019

Wood is a raw material that is used not only in the production of structural members for various buildings, but also in the interior finishes that are directly seen and touched by the occupants. Wood has also been recognized as a human-friendly material, but few studies have experimentally confirmed the physiological benefits it brings to humans. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the physiological effects of visual stimulation with wood. Two types of full-scale square, wooden-wall images composed of vertically or horizontally arranged lumber, were prepared using computer graphics and projected onto a large display to create the visual stimuli, and a gray image was also prepared as a control. Twenty-eight female Japanese university students participated in the study. The participants initially spent 60 s viewing the gray background (rest period) and then observed each of the wooden-wall images and the gray image separately in a random order for 90 s each. During the visual stimulation, the oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentration as an indicator of prefrontal brain activity and heart rate variability as an indicator of autonomic nervous activity were continuously measured in each participant. Subjective evaluation of each visual stimulus was then performed using a modified semantic differential method and the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition test. It was found that visual stimulation with either of the wooden interior wall images induced a significant decrease in oxy-Hb concentration in the left and right prefrontal cortex compared with the gray image. Furthermore, the subjective evaluation showed that the wooden-wall images provided a significantly more “comfortable,” “relaxed,” and “natural” impression than the gray image and decreased the negative mood states, with the vertically arranged wooden-wall image having a more positive effect than the horizontally arranged image.
GRP78 regulates milk biosynthesis and the proliferation of bovinemammaryepithelial cells through the mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Ying , Wang Xuemei , Zhen Zhen , Yu Yanbo , Qiu Youwen , Xiang Wensheng
Published: October 2019

Background

Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a member of the HSP70 protein family and a key endoplasmic reticulum chaperone. It has been revealed to play important roles both in the maturation, folding and transport of proteins and in cellproliferation. However, its involvement in milk biosynthesis or the proliferation of bovine primary mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) has yet to be established.

Methods

The expressions of GRP78 in BMECs stimulated with methionine, leucine, estrogen and prolactin were determined using western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. To explore the function of GRP78 in BMECs, the protein was overexpressed or knocked down, respectively using an overexpression vector or an siRNA mixture transfected into cells cultured in vitro. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell proliferation and cell activity. The contents of lactose and triglyceride (TG) secreted from the treated BMECs were measured using lactose and TG assay kits, respectively. Western blotting analysis was used to measure the β-casein content and the protein levels of the signaling molecules known to be involved in milk biosynthesis and cell proliferation.

Results

GRP78overexpression significantly stimulated milk protein and milk fat synthesis, enhanced cell proliferation, positively regulated the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and increased the amount of protein of cyclinD1andsterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c). GRP78 knockdown after siRNA transfection had the opposite effects. We further found that GRP78 was located in the cytoplasm of BMECs, and that stimulating methionine, leucine, estrogen and prolactin expression led to a significant increase in the protein expression of GRP78 in BMECs.

Conclusions

These data reveal that GRP78 is an important regulator of milk biosynthesis and the proliferation of BMECs through the mTOR signaling pathway.
African Americans in evolutionary science: where we have been, and what’s next
Authors: Graves Joseph L.
Published: October 2019

In 2017 National Science Foundation data revealed that in the United States the professional biological workforce was composed of ~ 69.5% “whites”, 21.3% “Asians”, and only 3% “African American or Blacks” (National Science Foundation, 2017, https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/doctoratework/2017/html/sdr2017_dst_03.html). There are problems with the categories themselves but without too deep an investigation of these, these percentages are representative of the demography of biology as a whole over the latter portion of the twentieth and beginning of the twenty-first century. However, evolutionary biologists would argue (and correctly so) that the representation of persons of African descent in our field is probably an order of magnitude lower (0.3%). This commentary focuses on the factors that are associated with underrepresentation of African Americans in evolutionary science careers.
Psychometric properties of the geriatric quality of life-dementia in older adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment living in nursing homes
Authors: Park Eun-Young , Park Seon-Min , Kim Jung-Hee
Published: October 2019

Background

Given the theoretical and methodological limitations, there is insufficient knowledge about the psychometric properties and internal structure of quality of life (QOL) measurements for patients with dementia living in nursing homes. The present study aimed to confirm the validity and reliability of the Geriatric Quality of Life-Dementia scale (GQOL-D) to measure the QOL of patients with dementia in nursing homes and analyze their QOL based on the validated GQOL-D factor structure.

Methods

The GQOL-D was used to assess QOL. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment from six nursing homes in two cities. In order to confirm the validity and factor structure of the scale, both exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were employed. An independent t-test and a one-way analysis of variance were performed to examine the difference in the QOL across general characteristics.

Results

The original factor model was not appropriate to assess the QOL of dementia patients living in nursing homes because the models did not show adequate fit indices. The results support a two-factor structure: environmental and personal factors. Our findings suggest that the internal consistency and construct validity of the proposed two-factor model are adequate, and the GQOL-D is a useful tool for assessing the QOL of dementia patients living in nursing homes.

Conclusions

This factor structure model of environmental and personal aspects is a useful theoretical framework for designing and evaluating interventions for people with dementia and providing integrated person-centered care for people with dementia in nursing homes.