bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient and physician perspectives of a smartphone application for depression: a qualitative study
Authors: Patoz Marie-Camille , Hidalgo-Mazzei Diego , Blanc Olivier , Verdolini Norma , Pacchiarotti Isabella , Murru Andrea , Zukerwar Laurent , Vieta Eduard , Llorca Pierre-Michel , Samalin Ludovic
Published: January 2021

Background

Despite an increasing number of smartphone apps, such therapeutic tools have not yet consistently demonstrated their efficacy and many suffer from low retention rates. To ensure the development of efficient apps associated with high adherence, we aimed to identify, through a user-centred design approach, patient and physician expectations of a hypothetical app dedicated to depression.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with physicians (psychiatrists and general practitioners) and patients who had experienced a major depressive episode during the last 12 months using the focus group method. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis to define codes, categories and emergent themes.

Results

A total of 26 physicians and 24 patients were included in the study. The focus groups showed balanced sex and age distributions. Most participants owned a smartphone (83.3% of patients, 96.1% of physicians) and were app users (79.2% of patients and 96.1% of physicians).

The qualitative content analysis revealed 3 main themes: content, operating characteristics and barriers to the use of the app. Expected content included the data collected by the app, aiming to provide information about the patient, data provided by the app, gathering psychoeducation elements, therapeutic tools and functionalities to help with the management of daily life and features expected for this tool. The “operating characteristics” theme gathered aims considered for the app, its potential target users, considered modalities of use and considerations around its accessibility and security of use. Finally, barriers to the use of the app included concerns about potential app users, its accessibility, safety, side-effects, utility and functioning. All themes and categories were the same for patients and physicians.

Conclusions

Physician and patient expectations of a hypothetical smartphone app dedicated to depression are high and confirmed the important role it could play in depression care. The key points expected by the users for such a tool are an easy and intuitive use and a personalised content. They are also waiting for an app that gives information about depression, offers a self-monitoring functionality and helps them in case of emergency.
Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of neuroinflammation in children with hydrocephalus and shunt malfunction
Authors: Harris Carolyn A. , Morales Diego M. , Arshad Rooshan , McAllister James P. , Limbrick David D.
Published: January 2021

Background

Approximately 30% of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt systems for hydrocephalus fail within the first year and 98% of all patients will have shunt failure in their lifetime. Obstruction remains the most common reason for shunt failure. Previous evidence suggests elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines in CSF are associated with worsening clinical outcomes in neuroinflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute towards shunt failure in hydrocephalus.

Methods

Using multiplex ELISA, this study examined shunt failure through the CSF protein concentration profiles of select pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as select MMPs. Interdependencies such as the past number of previous revisions, length of time implanted, patient age, and obstruction or non-obstruction revision were examined. The pro-inflammatory cytokines were IL-1β, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17, TNF-α, GM-CSF, IFN-γ. The anti-inflammatory cytokines were IL-4 and IL-10, and the MMPs were MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9. Protein concentration is reported as pg/mL for each analyte.

Results

Patient CSF was obtained at the time of shunt revision operation; all pediatric (< 18), totaling n = 38. IL-10, IL-6, IL-8 and MMP-7 demonstrated significantly increased concentrations in patient CSF for the non-obstructed subgroup. Etiological examination revealed IL-6 was increased in both obstructed and non-obstructed cases for PHH and congenital hydrocephalic patients, while IL-8 was higher only in PHH patients. In terms of number of past revisions, IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-7 and MMP-9 progressively increased from zero to two past revisions and then remained low for subsequent revisions. This presentation was notably absent in the obstruction subgroup. Shunts implanted for three months or less showed significantly increased concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and MMP-7 in the obstruction subgroup. Lastly, only patients aged six months or less presented with significantly increased concentration of IL-8 and MMP-7.

Conclusion

Non-obstructive cases are reported here to accompany significantly higher CSF cytokine and MMP protein levels compared to obstructive cases for IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-7 and MMP-9. A closer examination of the definition of obstruction and the role neuroinflammation plays in creating shunt obstruction in hydrocephalic patients is suggested.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: An experimental study on stress-shielding effects of locked compression plates in fixing intact dog femur
Authors: Zhao Xinwen , Jing Wensen , Yun Zhe , Tong Xun , Li Zhao , Yu Jiajia , Zhang Yaohui , Zhang Yabin , Wang Zhixue , Wen Yanhua , Cai Heping , Wang Jun , Ma Baoan , Zhao Haien
Published: January 2021

Background

In orthopedic application, stress-shielding effects of implant materials cause bone loss, which often induces porosis, delayed bone healing, and other complications. We aimed to compare the stress-shielding effects of locked compression plate (LCP) and limited-contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) in dogs with plate-fixed femurs.

Methods

Bilateral intact femurs of 24 adult dogs were fixed by adult forearm 9-hole titanium plates using minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) technology, with LCP on the left and LC-DCP on the right femurs. Dogs were sacrificed at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks after surgery, and bone specimens were used to evaluate the efficacies of different fixing methods on bones through X-ray, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), histology, MicroCT, and biomechanics analyses.

Results

X-ray results showed significant callus formation and periosteal reaction in the LC-DCP group. Bone cell morphology, degree of osteoporosis, and bone mineral density (BMD) changes of the LCP group were significantly better than that of the LC-DCP group. MicroCT results showed that the LCP group had significantly reduced degree of cortical bone osteoporosis than the LC-DCP group. Tissue mineral density (TMD) in the LCP group was higher than that in the LC-DCP group at different time points (6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks). Biomechanics analyses demonstrated that the compressive strength and flexural strength of bones fixed by LCP were better than that by LC-DCP.

Conclusions

Stress-shielding effects of LCP are significantly weaker than that of LC-DCP, which is beneficial to new bone formation and fracture healing, and LCP can be widely used in clinic for fracture fixation.
Minimally invasive surgery total knee arthroplasty is less popular, but the prosthesis designed specifically for MIS provides good survival and PROMs with a minimum follow-up of 10 years
Authors: Toyoda Shinya , Kaneko Takao , Mochizuki Yuta , Hada Masaru , Takada Kazutaka , Ikegami Hiroyasu , Musha Yoshiro
Published: January 2021

Background

The concept of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) was introduced in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the late 1990s. The number of MIS TKAs has clearly decreased in recent years. An implant designed specifically for MIS TKA has been used all over the world, but there are no reports of long-term postoperative results. The purpose of this study was to characterize long-term clinical results with a minimum follow-up of 10 years.

Methods

This retrospective study included 109 consecutive patients with 143 NexGen CR-Flex prostheses, which are MIS tibial component prostheses designed specifically for MIS TKA. Twelve-year survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method. Revision surgery for any reason was the endpoint. Long-term clinical and radiographic results of 74 knees (55%) in 60 patients with more than 10 years of follow-up were analyzed.

Results

The cumulative survival rate of the single-radius posterior-stabilized TKA of 74 knees was 94.7% (95% confidence interval, 90–99%) at 12 years after surgery. Seven knees (9%) required additional surgery during the 10-year follow-up because of periprosthetic infections. Mean postoperative Knee Society knee score and functional score were 91 and 74 points, respectively. There were no cases of prosthesis breakage, polyethylene wear, or aseptic loosening of the prosthesis.

Conclusion

The prosthesis designed specifically for MIS TKA is associated with good survival and clinical results with a minimum follow-up of 10 years, even though MIS TKA has become less popular.

Level of evidence

III
Quantitative imagery analysis of spot patterns for the three-haplogroup classification of Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille, 1811) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), an important vector of Chagas disease
Authors: Cruz Daryl D. , Denis Dennis , Arellano Elizabeth , Ibarra-Cerdeña Carlos N.
Published: January 2021

Background

Spots and coloring patterns evaluated quantitatively can be used to discriminate and identify possible cryptic species. Species included in the Triatoma dimidiata (Reduviidae: Triatominae) complex are major disease vectors of Chagas disease. Phylogenetic studies have defined three haplogroups for Mexico and part of Central America. We report here our evaluation of the possibility of correctly discriminating these three T. dimidiata haplogroups using the pattern of the dorsal spots.

Methods

Digital images of the dorsal region of individuals from the three haplogroups were used. Image processing was used to extract primary and secondary variables characterizing the dorsal spot pattern. Statistical analysis of the variables included descriptive statistics, non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis tests, discriminant function analysis (DFA) and a neural classification network.

Results

A distinctive spot pattern was found for each haplogroup. The most differentiated pattern was presented by haplogroup 2, which was characterized by its notably larger central spots. Haplogroups 1 and 3 were more similar to each other, but there were consistent differences in the shape and orientation of the spots. Significant differences were found among haplogroups in almost all of the variables analyzed, with the largest differences seen for relative spot area, mean relative area of central spots, central spots Feret diameter and lateral spots Feret diameter and aspect ratio. Both the DFA and the neural network had correct discrimination values of > 90%.

Conclusions

Based on the results of this analysis, we conclude that the spot pattern can be reliably used to discriminate among the three haplogroups of T. dimidiata in Mexico, and possibly among triatomine species.

Graphical Abstract
Comparative efficacy of pharmacological agents on reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in the hypertriglyceridemia population: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Qi Yan-yan , Yan Li , Wang Zhong-min , Wang Xi , Meng Hua , Li Wen-bo , Chen Dong-chang , Li Meng , Liu Jun , An Song-tao
Published: January 2021

Background

Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is considered an independent risk factor for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Methods

This study analyzed the effects of various agents on MACE risk reduction in HTG (serum triglyceride ≥ 150 mg/dl) populations by performing a network meta-analysis. We performed a frequentist network meta-analysis to conduct direct and indirect comparisons of interventions. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library were searched for trials until Jul 6, 2020. Randomized controlled trials that reported MACE associated with agents in entire HTG populations or in subgroups were included. The primary outcome was MACE.

Results

Of the 2005 articles screened, 21 trials including 56,471 patients were included in the analysis. The network meta-analysis results for MACE risk based on frequency data showed that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (OR: 1.32; 95% CI 1.19–1.46), gemfibrozil (OR: 1.53; 95% CI 1.20–1.95), niacin plus clofibrate (OR: 2.00; 95% CI 1.23–3.25), pravastatin (OR: 1.32; 95% CI 1.15–1.52), simvastatin (OR: 2.38; 95% CI 1.55–3.66), and atorvastatin (OR: 0.55; 95% CI 0.37–0.82) significantly reduced the risk of MACE compared to the control conditions. In the subgroup analysis of HTG patients with triglycerides ≥ 200 mg/dL, bezafibrate (OR: 0.56; 95% CI 0.33–0.94), EPA (OR: 0.72; 95% CI 0.62–0.82), and pravastatin (OR: 1.33; 95% CI 1.01–1.75) significantly reduced the MACE risk.

Conclusions

Simvastatin had a clear advantage in reducing the risk of MACE in the entire HTG population analyzed in this meta-analysis. EPA, but not omega-3 fatty acid, was considered an effective HTG intervention. Among fibrates, gemfibrozil was most effective, though bezafibrate may significantly reduce the risk of MACE in populations with triglyceride levels of 200–300 mg/dL.

Trial registration retrospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020213705).
The visceral fat area to leg muscle mass ratio is significantly associated with the risk of hyperuricemia among women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Xiao-He , Jiang Wei-Ran , Zhang Min-Ying , Shi Ying-Xin , Ji Yun-Ping , Li Chun-Jun , Lin Jing-Na
Published: January 2021

Background

A significant positive association was found in previous studies among obesity, visceral fat accumulation, and hyperuricemia. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between the ratio of visceral fat area to leg muscle mass (VFA-to-LMM) and hyperuricemia, and verify the role of gender differences in the association.

Methods

A total of 3393 (43.3% are men) participants from Tianjin Union Medical Center-Health Management Center were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The VFA-to-LMM ratio was used as the independent variable. Hyperuricemia, a serum uric acid level ≥ 416 μmol/L in men and in menopausal women and ≥ 357 μmol/L in premenopausal women, was used as the dependent variable. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio and the 95% confidence interval between the VFA-to-LMM ratio and hyperuricemia.

Results

The overall prevalence of hyperuricemia was 14.8% (8.9% in women, and 22.5% in men). After adjustment by age, smoking status (for males), menopause status (for females), drinking status, exercise frequency, blood pressure, alanine aminotransferase, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, and history of diseases, a strong positive association was found between the VFA-to-LMM ratio and hyperuricemia in both men (4th vs. 1st quartile 1.60, 95%CI: 1.03–2.49) and women (4th vs. 1st quartile 5.22, 95%CI: 2.44–12.56). After additional adjustment by BMI, there was still a significant positive association in women (4th vs. 1st quartile 2.57, 95%CI: 1.06–6.77). The results of subgroup analysis showed that pre-menopausal women (4th vs. 1st quartile OR: 3.61) have a higher risk of hyperuricemia than postmenopausal women (4th vs. 1st quartile OR: 1.94) with the increase of the VFA-to-LMM ratio. Besides, the interaction analysis results showed the highest risk of hyperuricemia when VFA and LMM were both in the highest quantile (OR: 11.50; 95% CI: 4.86–31.98).

Conclusion

The VFA-to-LMM ratio was positively associated with the risk of hyperuricemia in women after adjustment by confounders. Pre-menopausal women have a higher risk of hyperuricemia than postmenopausal women with the increase of the VFA-to-LMM ratio. In addition, the highest risk of hyperuricemia was demonstrated when both VFA and LMM were at the highest quartile.
Association of menopausal status with COVID-19 outcomes: a propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Wang Xing-Wang , Hu Hao , Xu Zhi-Yong , Zhang Gong-Kai , Yu Qing-Hua , Yang Hui-Lan , Zheng Ji-Hua
Published: January 2021

Background

Despite the growing number of studies on the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), little is known about the association of menopausal status with COVID-19 outcomes.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective study, we included 336 COVID-19 inpatients between February 15, 2020 and April 30, 2020 at the Taikang Tongji Hospital (Wuhan), China. Electronic medical records including patient demographics, laboratory results, and chest computed tomography (CT) images were reviewed.

Results

In total, 300 patients with complete clinical outcomes were included for analysis. The mean age was 65.3 years, and most patients were women (n = 167, 55.7%). Over 50% of patients presented with comorbidities, with hypertension (63.5%) being the most common comorbidity. After propensity score matching, results showed that men had significantly higher odds than premenopausal women for developing severe disease type (23.7% vs. 0%, OR 17.12, 95% CI 1.00–293.60; p = 0.003) and bilateral lung infiltration (86.1% vs. 64.7%, OR 3.39, 95% CI 1.08–10.64; p = 0.04), but not for mortality (2.0% vs. 0%, OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.04–19.12, p = 1.00). However, non-significant difference was observed among men and postmenopausal women in the percentage of severe disease type (32.7% vs. 41.7%, OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.37–1.24, p = 0.21), bilateral lung infiltration (86.1% vs. 91.7%, OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.22–1.47, p = 0.24), and mortality (2.0% vs. 6.0%, OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.06–1.69, p = 0.25).

Conclusions

Men had higher disease severity than premenopausal women, while the differences disappeared between postmenopausal women and men. These findings support aggressive treatment for the poor prognosis of postmenopausal women in clinical practice.
Unfolded protein response in colorectal cancer
Authors: Huang Jingjing , Pan Huayang , Wang Jinge , Wang Tong , Huo Xiaoyan , Ma Yong , Lu Zhaoyang , Sun Bei , Jiang Hongchi
Published: January 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a gastrointestinal malignancy originating from either the colon or the rectum. A growing number of researches prove that the unfolded protein response (UPR) is closely related to the occurrence and progression of colorectal cancer. The UPR has three canonical endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane protein sensors: inositol requiring kinase 1 (IRE1), pancreatic ER eIF2α kinase (PERK), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). Each of the three pathways is closely associated with CRC development. The three pathways are relatively independent as well as interrelated. Under ER stress, the activated UPR boosts the protein folding capacity to maximize cell adaptation and survival, whereas sustained or excessive ER triggers cell apoptosis conversely. The UPR involves different stages of CRC pathogenesis, promotes or hinders the progression of CRC, and will pave the way for novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. Meanwhile, the correlation between different signal branches in UPR and the switch between the adaptation and apoptosis pathways still need to be further investigated in the future.
Prion-induced photoreceptor degeneration begins with misfolded prion protein accumulation in cones at two distinct sites: cilia and ribbon synapses
Authors: Striebel James F. , Race Brent , Leung Jacqueline M. , Schwartz Cindi , Chesebro Bruce
Published: January 2021

Accumulation of misfolded host proteins is central to neuropathogenesis of numerous human brain diseases including prion and prion-like diseases. Neurons of retina are also affected by these diseases. Previously, our group and others found that prion-induced retinal damage to photoreceptor cells in mice and humans resembled pathology of human retinitis pigmentosa caused by mutations in retinal proteins. Here, using confocal, epifluorescent and electron microscopy we followed deposition of disease-associated prion protein (PrPSc) and its association with damage to critical retinal structures following intracerebral prion inoculation. The earliest time and place of retinal PrPSc deposition was 67 days post-inoculation (dpi) on the inner segment (IS) of cone photoreceptors. At 104 and 118 dpi, PrPSc was associated with the base of cilia and swollen cone inner segments, suggesting ciliopathy as a pathogenic mechanism. By 118 dpi, PrPSc was deposited in both rods and cones which showed rootlet damage in the IS, and photoreceptor cell death was indicated by thinning of the outer nuclear layer. In the outer plexiform layer (OPL) in uninfected mice, normal host PrP (PrPC) was mainly associated with cone bipolar cell processes, but in infected mice, at 118 dpi, PrPSc was detected on cone and rod bipolar cell dendrites extending into ribbon synapses. Loss of ribbon synapses in cone pedicles and rod spherules in the OPL was observed to precede destruction of most rods and cones over the next 2–3 weeks. However, bipolar cells and horizontal cells were less damaged, indicating high selectivity among neurons for injury by prions. PrPSc deposition in cone and rod inner segments and on the bipolar cell processes participating in ribbon synapses appear to be critical early events leading to damage and death of photoreceptors after prion infection. These mechanisms may also occur in human retinitis pigmentosa and prion-like diseases, such as AD.
Examining the Effect of a 1-yr Lifestyle Intervention on Cardiometabolic and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Youth with Overweight or Obesity: A Pilot Study
Authors: Moore Justin B. , Benítez-Porres Javier , Skelton Joseph A. , Vargas-Candela Antonio , South Andrew M. , Gómez-Huelgas Ricardo , Bernal-López M. Rosa
Published: January 2021

Physical activity and healthy eating are key to managing overweight/obesity but may not induce adequate improvements in biomarkers of health. Characterizing the effect of behavioral interventions on cardiometabolic and inflammatory biomarkers could help guide a personalized approach to lifestyle change; however, little is known about the relationship between lifestyle changes and biomarkers in youth with overweight/obesity. We sought to determine how cardiometabolic and inflammatory biomarkers change in metabolically healthy youth with overweight/obesity in response to a 1-yr-long physical activity and healthy eating lifestyle intervention. Fifty children (8.7 ± 1.1 yr, 52% male) provided complete data on physical activity, dietary intake, body composition, blood pressure, and fasting biomarkers (insulin, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, adiponectin, resistin, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor α). A series of t-tests were conducted to assess change over time, with a series of ordinary least squares regressions conducted to examine the association between change in markers responsive to the intervention and changes in macronutrient intake and physical activity, controlling for sex and change in percent body fat. Significant health-enhancing changes were seen over 1 yr in moderate and vigorous physical activity, percent body fat, macronutrient intake, insulin, and inflammatory markers, whereas sedentary time and resistin increased and light physical activity decreased. When change in biomarkers was regressed on behavior changes and change in percent body fat, changes in carbohydrate intake and body fat predicted change in insulin, change in fat intake predicted change in adiponectin, and change in carbohydrate intake predicted interleukin-6 in fully adjusted models. A lifestyle intervention over 1 yr was effective in producing positive changes in moderate and vigorous physical activity, macronutrient intake, insulin, and inflammatory markers, but these changes were not associated with changes in physical activity. Macronutrient changes were modestly associated with changes in insulin, resistin, and interleukin-6.
Strategic Experimentation with Congestion
Authors: D. Thomas Caroline
Published: January 2021

This paper considers a two-player game of strategic experimentation with competition. Each agent faces a two-armed bandit problem where she continually chooses between her private, risky arm and a common, safe arm. Each agent has exclusive access to her private arm. However, the common arm can only be activated by one agent at a time. This congestion creates negative payoff externalities. Our main finding is that congestion gives rise to new strategic considerations: players perceive a strategic option value from occupying the common arm, making it more attractive than in the absence of competition or when switching is irreversible. (JEL C72, C73, D62, D83)
A Leverage Theory of Tying in Two-Sided Markets with Nonnegative Price Constraints
Authors: Choi Jay Pil , Jeon Doh-Shin
Published: January 2021

Motivated by recent antitrust cases in markets with zero-pricing, we develop a leverage theory of tying in two-sided markets. In the presence of the nonnegative price constraint, the Chicago school critique of tie-ins fails to hold. In the independent products case, tying provides a mechanism to circumvent the constraint in the tied market without inviting aggressive responses by the rival firm. In the complementary products case, the “price squeeze” mechanism cannot be used to extract surplus from the more efficient rival firm without tying. We identify conditions under which tying in two-sided markets is profitable and explore its welfare implications. (JEL D42, K21, L12, L41)
Organizing Time Exchanges: Lessons from Matching Markets
Authors: Andersson Tommy , Cseh Ágnes , Ehlers Lars , Erlanson Albin
Published: January 2021

This paper considers time exchanges via a common platform (e.g., markets for exchanging time units, positions at education institutions, and tuition waivers). There are several problems associated with such markets, e.g., imbalanced outcomes, coordination problems, and inefficiencies. We model time exchanges as matching markets and construct a non-manipulable mechanism that selects an individually rational and balanced allocation that maximizes exchanges among the participating agents (and those allocations are efficient). This mechanism works on a preference domain whereby agents classify the goods provided by other participating agents as either unacceptable or acceptable, and for goods classified as acceptable, agents have specific upper quotas representing their maximum needs. (JEL C78, D47, D82)
Connecting Disconnected Financial Markets?
Authors: Wittwer Milena
Published: January 2021

In most financial markets, securities are traded in isolation. Such a disconnected market design can be inefficient if agents trade more than one security. I assess welfare effects of connecting markets by allowing orders for one security to depend on prices of other securities. I show that everyone trades identical amounts under both market structures if and only if the clearing prices are perfectly correlated or all are price-takers. Prices in disconnected markets might allow strategic traders to extract higher rents from nonstrategic traders. In expectation, connected markets generate higher welfare, but all markets become efficient as they grow large. (JEL D44, D47, G10, H82)
The relationship between technical high school students’ career decision making ability and family
Authors: Kounenou Kalliope
Published: January 2021

The present paper focused on the exploration of the relationship between family variables (family cohesion & adaptability), parental authority style and technical high school students’ career decision making ability. The sample of the study consisted of 150 students (males & females) enrolled in electro logical & graphical courses of two public technological high schools. FACES III was used for the measurement of family variables, Parental Authority Questionnaire- PAQ was used for the measurement of parental authority style, and Career Decision Making Scale was used for the assessment of students’ career decision making difficulties. The results showed that authoritarian style positively correlated with family obstacles and total score in decision making difficulties. Authoritative style was negatively related to family obstacles and positively to lack of clear career interests; permissive style was negatively related to family obstacles. Results also revealed gender differences in career decision making ability, while descriptive characteristics of family variables did not permit any further examination. Implications for practice and limitations of present research are discussed.
Αλληλοσυντονισμός της προσοχής και γλωσσική ανάπτυξη σε νήπια με σύνδρομο Down
Authors: Φ. Παπαηλιού Χριστίνα , Ε. Πολεμικός Νικήτας , Φρυσίρα Ελένη , Κοντάκος Αναστάσιος , Καΐλα Μαρία , Μιχαηλίδης Κωνσταντίνος , Στρογγυλός Βασίλης , Πολεμικού Άννα
Published: January 2021

Many studies demonstrate that in typically developing (TD) children joint attention constitutes a prerequisite for language development. However, data on the development of joint attention and its relation to language development in Down syndrome (DS) are contradictory. The present study aims to examine joint attention in toddlers with DS as well as its association with language comprehension and production. Participants were 10 toddlers with DS (mean chronological age: 58 months) and 10 TD toddlers matched for language comprehension (mean chronological age: 32 months). Language Comprehension and language production were assessed using the Müllen Scales of Early Learning, expressive vocabulary was assessed using the Language Development Survey, and the communicative behaviors were assessed through observation of interactions with the mother in a semi-structured condition with toys. According to the findings, toddlers with DS exhibit significantly morejoint attention behaviors compared to TD toddlers. Moreover, it was shown that in toddlers with DS language production was significantly negatively correlated with initiating request gestures. Conclusively, it seems that in toddlers with DS the transition from pre-linguistic to linguistic period follows a similar developmental path as in TD toddlers, although a severe delay is observed.
Real world word learning: Exploring the development of children’s lexical representations
Authors: M. Ralli Asimina , E. Dockrell Julie
Published: January 2021

The ability to acquire new words draws on cognitive, linguistic and socialcompetencies. Assessments of lexical acquisition are often limited to studies using multiple choice comprehension measures in contrived experimental contexts. To address these limitations the current study assessed the ways in which children developed their semantic representations of animal and artefact terms. Children differed in their knowledge of the target terms and experienced different linguistic exposures over a four week period. One hundred and thirty preschool children (mean age = 5;6) were randomly assigned to five conditions (one control and four experimental conditions). For the control and the phonological group, the knowledge children acquired about the target words was assessed at two points, baseline and at a three week follow up. For the remaining experimental groups their understanding of the terms was assessed at five points in time (baseline, 1st week, 2nd week and 3rd week post test). A range of assessment tasks were used to assess lexical knowledge: confrontational naming, multiple choice comprehension measures, sorting, short questions, identification of relations, (association task) definitions and a story generation task. Children’s word knowledge from the different conditions/groupswas compared across tasks and time. The analysis focused on the depth and breadth of knowledge that the children acquired for the target words. Independent variables included previous knowledge of the target words, lexical knowledge of other words from the same semantic domain, semantic domain of the target words and type of lexical exposure. There were subtle and complex effects of the different exposure contexts for word learning. Children’s performance was significantly better for items that were partially represented than for the unknown words. Children’s existing vocabulary knowledge for animals was positively correlated with the acquisition of the target words describing animals. However, this was not the case for artefacts. Theassessments of word knowledge revealed different aspects of depth in lexical knowledge.
Κοινωνικές μνήμες και "αμνησίες" του ιστορικού παρελθόντος της Ελλάδας
Authors: Μαντόγλου Άννα
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT IS AVAILABLE IN THE PDF
Το σύνδρομο ψυχολογικής παρενόχλησης στο χώρο εργασίας
Authors: Μακρυγιάννη Δωροθέα , Κουλιεράκης Γιώργος
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT IS AVAILABLE IN THE PDF
Words and deeds: A psychological perspective on the active nature of learning and understanding in higher education
Authors: Francis Hazel
Published: January 2021

This paper addresses the question of how it comes about that a student who has given plenty of indication that he can understand work in higher education nevertheless can feel that he has failed to understand a sizable chunk of work that others have managed successfully. It follows a line of thought developed during the author’s own teachingand research experience with young children and with tutors of students in further and higher education, concerning variation in understanding what is to be learned. It combines a prior interest in Pask’sconversation theory of learning with appreciation of the socio-cultural shaping of learning practices as expressed in such work as that of Säljö. Pask’s work is explored in terms of its helpfulness in examiningthe nature of success and difficulty in learning under tutorial instruction, in particular in pointing to the importance of defining those aspects of what might be called the architecture of a learning conversation thatare essential for the growth of understanding. It calls on consideration of understanding as a process towards, and achievement of, agreement between learner and tutor about the procedures of expressing andexplaining the conceptualisation of a topic in a knowledge domain. This leads to the need for recognition of the way practices in the acquisition and transmission of knowledge vary across different subject fields.Säljö’s work is particularly illuminating with its emphasis on the ways cultural practices as language impregnate activities, and shape the substance and nature of learning. The route to answering the originalquestion is seen as suggesting a set of possibilities that provide challenge and guidance for the conduct and understanding of learning and teaching in higher education.
Conceptualising students’ experiences of understanding in medicine
Authors: Scheja Max , Bonnevier Anna
Published: January 2021

This paper draws on ongoing work into student learning in higher education to consider a basis for conceptualising students’ experiences of understanding in medicine. Starting with a modest overview of research on the nature of students’ experiences of understanding the paper goes on to consider research on students’ personal understandings in terms of knowledge objects. Linking on to research on students’ epistemological beliefs the paper forges connections to recent research on threshold concepts and related research on conceptual change. Against the background of this brief overview the paper surveys the research on medical education, and then draws on interview data, currently being collected in a Swedish research project, to offer a preliminary conceptualisation of students’ experiences of understanding in medicine.
The imaginative function in student learning: Theory and case study data from third year neuroscience
Authors: B. Hay David
Published: January 2021

This paper combines critique of learning theory and case study data from two third-year Neuroscience students. The results and conclusions show how higher education learning research can be developed by focusing on students’ changing locution of their study-subjects. A shift from the cognitive perspectives of assimilation learning theory, towardsvisualising dialogue is described and used to foreground the ways that the cognitive and dialogic “positions” construe learning differently. The analysis shows that theories and methods addressing language use provide richer learning data and a more explanatory account of understanding in an academic context. The data provide empirical evidence for the function of imagination in learning. They also illustrate two different ways in which the re-patterning of text leads to insight. The data of the first case study is ostensibly formal, comprising creativity in a continuous semiotic extension as the student shifts from one mode of representation (writing) to another (drawing). Here, however, the locution of the subject rarely goes “beyondthe-given” of the pre-existing discourse. The work of the second student is more conspicuously inter-textual, involving the active postponement of commitments to form, as multiple texts and text-types are read intheir relations. This depends on reading and re-writing each separate lecture or paper from a growing apprehension of the perspectives of yet another (lecture or paper). Thus the student’s academic subject iseventually re-patterned originally in an inter-animation of all these texts together: an imaginative process that includes awareness of the context of text (i.e. the relativized positions of particular authors), as well asaffective relationship towards the subject and its speakers. The discussion focuses on academic reading/writing as a simultaneous process of dialogue and design and a view of the imaginative function is developed that is relevant to science education, as much as toliterary criticism. The implications for university teaching are considered and some suggestions are made for future research.
Ανάπτυξη δεξιοτήτων συμβολικού παιχνιδιού: Μελέτη περίπτωσης παιδιού με διαταραχή στο φάσμα του αυτισμού
Authors: Λουκρέζη Σμαράγδα , Γενά Αγγελική , Μπεζεβέγκης Ηλίας
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT IS AVAILABLE IN THE PDF
Επηρεάζουν διάφορες παρεμβάσεις ψυχαναλυτικού τύπου την πορεία της θεραπευτικής συμμαχίας;
Authors: Αναστασιάδης Νικόλας , Γρυμάνη Ειρήνη , Λαμνίδης Νίκος
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT IS AVAILABLE IN THE PDF
How Many Children? A Comparison of the Influence of Individual and Country-Level Predictors on Female Childbearing Behavior in 25 OECD Countries
Authors: BOEHNKE MANDY , FELDHAUS MICHAEL
Published: January 2021

Utilizing a multi-level analytic approach (HLM), the present study analyzes reasons for variations in the number of children among 4069 25- to 34-year old women in 25 OECD countries, surveyed in the World Value Survey (WVS). Educational attainment, household income, age, and pro-child attitudes were included as individual-level predictors, whereas on the country-level, individualism and masculinity (as conceptualized by Hofstede), the Human Development Index (HDI), marriages rates, female employment rates, and early childcareenrolment rates were used as predictors. On the individual level, pro-child attitudes and age covaried positively with number of children, educational attainment did so negatively, whereas household incomewas unrelated. Beyond the overall finding that more highly educated women have fewer children, analyses revealed that the impact of education on fertility varies significantly between countries. Of the macro-level indicators, HDI had the strongest impact in that women in countries higher on HDI have fewer children. Country-specific individualism predicted individual number of children positively after partialing for HDI. This result was, however, not sustained, once female employment rates were included in the prediction model: Against age-old folklore convictions, 25- to 34-year-old woman in countries with a high female employment rate have more not fewer children.
Greek students’ attitudes toward rape
Authors: Gari Aikaterini , Georgouleas George , Giotsa Artemis , Stathopoulou Eleni Anna
Published: January 2021

Literature on sexual harassment and violence against women describes a variety of myths and stereotypes regarding partial or total responsibility of rape victims and their “enjoyment” of sexual violence. Rape stigma and rape myths are aspects of generalized attitudes toward victims of rape and rapists, while it seems that sexual violence remains a taboo in today’s western societies. This study explores Greek university students’ attitudes towards rape. A questionnaire created for the purpose of this study was administered to 950 Greek students at the University of Athens and at the University of Ioannina, divided into three groups: a group of students from the Faculty of Law, a group from Departments orientated to Humanistic and Social Sciences and a group of students from other Faculties and Departments of Applied Sciences. Factor analysis revealed four factors: “Rape victim’s responsibility”, “Defining the concept of rape”, “Rape motivation” and “Rapist’s characteristics”. In line with previous research findings, the results indicated that women were less accepting of conservative attitudestowards rape than men; they also seemed to reject attitudes of “blaming the victim” more, and to hold negative views of rapists. Additionally, the results showed that students of rural origin retain more conservative attitudes with respect to the victim’s responsibility and the rapist’s characteristics than students of urban origin. Finally, students in Law Departments seemed to have accepted more moderate attitudes than the other two groups of students; they mostly disagree with conservative attitudes regarding victim’s responsibilities along with the Social Science students, but they agree more with Applied Sciences students in defining rape.
Happy and shameful experiences among ethnic groups in Indonesia: Cognitive, affective and behavioral Dimensions
Authors: Wirawan Djiwatampu Lalita
Published: January 2021

The way people experience emotion depends on how they appraise the event. If the event is congruent with the individual’s goal and beliefs, she/he is likely to experience a positive emotion, but if it is incongruent, then she/he is likely to experience a negative emotion. Moreover, the process of appraisal is influenced by “what is taught” in a particular culture, so, what is considered shameful in one culture may have little significance for another culture. This study compares happiness and shameful experience in four ethnic groups, the Javanese, the Balinese, the Minang, and the Dayakis, in the islands of Java, Bali, West Sumatera, and South Kalimantan, respectively. Each one of these ethnic groups has unique characteristics in terms of the power system in the family and openness to external world. It is assumed that the norms and beliefs in each group have significant impact on emotional experiences. Each participant was asked to share his/her happy andshameful experience and afterwards to answer several questions in regard to the cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions of those experiences. The study revealed that among three of the ethnic groups, the Minang, the Balinese and the Dayakis, there are no substantial differences in happy experiences with only the Javanese differing slightly, but there is an indication that shameful experience seems to be more culture specific than happy experience.
Προαγωγή της ψυχικής ευεξίας στη σχολική κοινότητα: Εφαρμογή παρεμβατικού προγράμματος σε επίπεδο συστήματος
Authors: Χατζηχρήστου Χρυσή , Δημητροπούλου Παναγιώτα , Λυκιτσάκου Κωνσταντίνα , Λαμπροπούλου Αικατερίνη
Published: January 2021

Abstract is available in the PDF
Case Report: Don’t chew the fufu: a case report of suspected drug body stuffing
Authors: Jimenez Naya , Tran Nguyen Toan , Poletti Pierre-Alexandre , Platon Alexandra , Meach Francesco , Juillerat André , Getaz Laurent , Wolff Hans
Published: January 2021

Background: Intrabody concealment of illicit substances is a common practice in the trafficking chain. Body packing is a technique used in drug trafficking that consists of deliberately ingesting many drug pellets. Body stuffing consists of precipitously swallowing packets of substances, which are smaller and more fragile than body-packing pellets, for concealment from law-enforcement officers in anticipation of impending search or arrest. Therefore, body stuffing is particularly dangerous due to the rupture risk of the loosely wrapped drug packets, which could lead to substance intoxication or even death.

Case presentation:  This article reports the case of a young man who was taken by law enforcement authorities to our Emergency Department for investigation of suspected body stuffing. Although the patient denied the facts, the initial reading of the computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the presence of multiple images compatible with drug pellets, which were mostly in the stomach. The pellet findings were more consistent with body packing than body stuffing as initially suspected by the police. However, upon admission to our secured inpatient ward for clinical surveillance of pellet evacuation, the patient denied again having ingested such pellets, and declared that he only ate ‘fufu’. Fufu is a traditional food of central and western Africa consisting of a starchy preparation compacted by hand into small balls. Fufu balls are usually swallowed without chewing to allow a sensation of stomach fullness throughout the day. Considering the fufu intake history, a careful reassessment of the imaging confirmed the presence of food content.

Conclusions: This case study offers an example of suspected intrabody concealment of illicit substances, which turned out to be false positive due to fufu. It illustrates the importance of a history of food intake that could bias the interpretation of CT scan images.
Vaccination against hepatitis B virus in hemodialysis patients: trends in dialysis centers of Northern Pakistan
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Shah Syed Asim Ali , Arshad Naveed , Riaz Faiza , Kiani Rizwan Saeed , Quddus Muhammad Abdul
Published: January 2021

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, especially those on hemodialysis, are at increased risk of developing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Guidelines suggest that all patients with CKD should be vaccinated against HBV, but these guidelines are usually not followed. We conducted this study to know the status of vaccination against HBV in CKD patients on regular hemodialysis.

Methods: This observational descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Teaching Hospital, Poonch Medical College Rawalakot , and POF Teaching Hospital, Wah Medical College Wah Cantt, from March to July 2019. Patients reporting to the dialysis center of both hospitals on regular dialysis were included in the study. Patient information (HBV vaccination status, age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, duration of CKD and duration of dialysis) were collected on a specially designed questionnaire. The statistical analysis of data was done in SPSS for Windows, version 20.

Results: A total 149 patients were included in the study, 63.1% were male and 36.9% were female. Out of these 24.2% were uneducated, 33.6% had 1-10 years school education, 38.2% had 10-14 years education, and 4% had more than 14 years education. About 35% patients were from low socioeconomic class, 54% from middle and 11% from higher class. Only 45.6% (n=68) of patients were vaccinated and 54.4% (n=81) were not vaccinated against HBV. Vaccination status was significantly associated with education (p=0.004) and socioeconomic status (p=0.008).

Conclusion: The HBV status of patients on regular hemodialysis is not satisfactory at the two centers observed. It is associated with education and socioeconomic status of the patient.