bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of serum myonectin concentrations with the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Zou Huili , Yang Weiyi , Liu Yan
Published: November 2020

Objective

Myonectin, a newly discovered myokine, enhances fatty acid uptake in cultured adipocytes and hepatocytes and suppresses circulating concentrations of free fatty acids in mice. This study is performed to evaluate the association between serum myonectin concentrations with the presence and severity of OSAS.

Methods

This study was performed in a population of 191 patients with OSAS and 105 control subjects. Serum myonectin concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.

Results

Lower serum myonectin concentrations were found in OSAS patients than in the controls. Serum myonectin concentrations were associated with a reduced risk of OSAS (OR: 0.988, 95% CI: 0.984–0.993, P <  0.001). Severe OSAS patients had significantly lower myonectin concentrations compared with mild and moderate OSAS patients ( P <  0.001 and P  =   0.001, respectively). There are lower serum myonectin concentrations in moderate patients compared with mild patients ( P  =   0.024). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that serum myonectin concentrations were negatively correlated with the severity of OSAS (r = −0.344, P <  0.001). Simple linear regression analysis showed that serum myonectin concentrations in OSAS patients were negatively correlated with body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apnoea hypopnea index. Multiple stepwise regression analysis shows that body mass index (β = −0.289, P  =   0.03), HOMA-IR (β = −0.19, P  =   0.003), total cholesterol (β = −0.155, P  =   0.016), LDL-C (β = −0.176, P  =   0.006) and apnoea hypopnea index (β = −0.263, P <  0.001) remained to be associated with serum myonectin.

Conclusion

Serum myonectin concentrations are inversely correlated with the presence and severity of OSAS.
Acceptability of alcohol-free dance in place of traditional alcohol-focused events
Authors: Brown Kyle , Hill Kimberley M. , Smith Joanne , Johansson Mattias , Davies Emma L.
Published: November 2020

Objective:

Alcohol misuse prevention often fails to account for or replace the pleasurable benefits of drinking such as relaxing and socialising with friends. Increasingly, alcohol-free dance music events are emerging, allowing people to gain the positive outcomes of dancing without recourse to alcohol. This study sought to explore whether conscious-clubbing would be rated as an acceptable alternative to traditional alcohol-focused events.

Design/Setting:

An online cross-sectional survey was completed by 281 young respondents (80.4% female; mean age = 22).

Method:

Health-related cognitions (attitudes, intentions), perceived acceptability towards alcohol-free dance events and the extent to which these were predicted by demographics and individual differences were assessed in the survey.

Results:

T-tests indicated overall positive attitudes, acceptability, support towards and intention to attend alcohol-free clubbing events regardless of drinking status, with the exception of drinkers’ intentions to attend an event. Exploratory multiple regression analyses indicated that young women and individuals who had previously attended these events held more positive attitudes. These attitudes were associated with acceptability and support, but more favourable attitudes towards alcohol consumption were inversely related to acceptability. More positive attitudes, previous attendance and lower life satisfaction associated with higher intentions to attend an event.

Conclusion:

Results indicate that alcohol free events may provide an alternative socialising experience, with greater potential utility for young women, non-drinkers and individuals who have previously attended these events. This is of particular importance given that recent literature highlights the need for (non-alcohol) alternatives to socialise among a growing number of individuals.
Forehead plaque in a child with epilepsy: A clue for tuberous sclerosis
Authors: Singanamalla Bhanudeep , Bhagwat Chandana , Madaan Priyanka , Saini Lokesh , De Dipankar
Published: November 2020

Tuberous sclerosis complex is a common neurocutaneous disorder that predominantly affects the brain, skin, eyes, heart and kidneys. The management of tuberous sclerosis complex has been revolutionised with vigabatrin for spasms and everolimus for angiomyolipomas and seizures. We describe a 10-year-old girl with generalised tonic-clonic seizures whose diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex was made in view of the presence of a forehead plaque. Certain clinical pointers such as ashleaf macules, café-au-lait spots, shagreen patches and forehead plaques must therefore be looked for in a child with unprovoked seizures.
Global health: A new paradigm for medical mission?
Authors: Cattermole Giles N
Published: November 2020

This article explores the practice of Christian mission in the developing field of global health care. First, the definition and context of global health is discussed. Second, the history of medical missions is traced, from their origins in biblical healing, through traditional medical missions in the 19th century, to today’s global health-care paradigm. Third, the situation of Christian medical mission today is described – in hospitals and non-governmental organisations, and in partnerships with governments and other secular agencies delivering health care. Two key challenges for Christian mission in the global health-care context are then discussed: increasing distance from individuals and increasing pressure not to evangelise. The reasons for evangelicals sometimes appearing to succumb to this latter pressure are considered. Finally, an attempt to resolve this tension is made in the context of Christian calling and the task all Christians have to make disciples, whatever their role in life.
Static output feedback control of switched nonlinear systems with time-varying delay and parametric uncertainties under asynchronous switching
Authors: Taghieh Amin , Shafiei Mohammad Hossein
Published: November 2020

This paper presents the design of a static output feedback controller for a class of switched nonlinear systems subject to time-varying delay and uncertainties under asynchronous switching. Based on the Lyapunov-Krasovskii approach and the average dwell time technique, sufficient conditions are derived in the form of linear matrix inequalities to design a static output feedback controller for robust stabilization of a switched system. These conditions rely on the upper bounds of the switching lag between the controllers and subsystems, time-varying delay, and uncertain parameters. Using affine parametric uncertainties leads to a conservatism reduction in the control problem. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The Internet of Futures Past: Values Trajectories of Networking Protocol Projects
Authors: Paris Britt
Published: November 2020

The Internet was conceptualized as a technology that would be capable of bringing about a better future, but recent literature in science and technology studies and adjacent fields provides numerous examples of how this pervasive sociotechnical system has been shaped and used to dystopic ends. This article examines different future imaginaries present in Future Internet Architecture (FIA) projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) from 2006 to 2016, whose goal was to incorporate social values while building new protocols to replace Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol to transfer and route information across the ever-expanding Internet. I examine the findings from two of the NSF’s FIA projects—Mobility First (MF) and eXpressive Internet Architecture—to understand the projects’ trajectories and values directives through their funding cycle and their projections into the future. I discuss how project documentation and participant articulations fall into the following three distinct themes about past experience and speculation: understanding the public, negotiating resources, and carrying project values into the future. I conclude that if the future Internet is to promote positive sociotechnical relationships, its architects must recognize that complex social and political decisions pervade each step of technical work and do more to honor this fact.
Keep Calm and Carry On: Climate-ready Crops and the Genetic Codification of Climate Myopia
Authors: Silva Diego
Published: November 2020

The diverse ways that extreme climate events are expressed at the local level have represented a challenge for the development of transgenic “climate-ready” (resilient to environmental stress) seeds. Based on the Argentinean “HB4” technology, this paper analyzes how ignorance and a sunflower gene are mobilized to overcome this difficulty in soy and wheat. HB4 seeds can be understood as myopic: the technology does not obstruct the capacity of soy and wheat plants to sense droughts, but it prevents their natural reaction, which would be to put a halt on crop production and redirect their energy toward survival. Plants thus become “short-sighted” to droughts. Informed by ignorance studies and by the immunological concept of tolerance, this paper analyzes HB4 myopia as a type of nonhuman ignorance: an asset that allows plant breeders to achieve varied plant responses to droughts and to encode their capitalist values (that prioritize production over survival) into plants’ DNA. Moreover, ignorance becomes a molecular commodity that can be selected, transferred between organisms, and traded in markets. HB4’s prioritization of production resonates with other technologies of climate adaptation and mitigation that do not promote structural changes to the capitalist system.
Association Between Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss and History of Statin Use: A Nested Case‐Control Study
Authors: Kim So Young , Wee Jee Hye , Min Chanyang , Yoo Dae Myoung , Choi Hyo Geun
Published: November 2020

Objective

The effect of statin on sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between prior statin use and SSNHL.

Study Design

A nested case‐control study.

Setting

Participants aged ≥40 years were enrolled from the 2002‐2015 Korean National Health Insurance Service–Health Screening Cohort.

Methods

A total of 5876 patients with SSNHL were matched with 23,504 control participants for age, sex, income, and region of residence. History of statin use for 2 years before SSNHL onset was investigated between the groups. The odds ratios (ORs) of the length of statin use for SSNHL stratified by age, sex, income, and region of residence were analyzed with conditional logistic regression. Dyslipidemia, total cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose, hemoglobin, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score were adjusted. The adjusted variables were subjected to subgroup analyses.

Results

The SSNHL group had a longer duration of statin use than the control group (mean [SD], 81.9 [197.7] days vs 72.7 [188.0] days; P =. 001). However, statin use was not associated with SSNHL after adjusting for the confounders (adjusted OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.98‐1.11; P =. 245). There was a positive correlation between statin use and SSNHL in the crude model (crude OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04‐1.16; P =. 001). However, there was no association between statin use and SSNHL in all subgroup analyses.

Conclusion

Previous statin use was not associated with SSNHL.
Influence of Surgical Techniques on Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Vinciguerra Alessandro , Nonis Alessandro , Resti Antonio Giordano , Barbieri Diego , Bussi Mario , Trimarchi Matteo
Published: November 2020

Objective

Endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (END‐DCR) has increased as a valid alternative to the classic external approach to treat distal lacrimal obstruction. Different surgical varieties of the END‐DCR approach have been proposed with no clear understanding of the best surgical technique.

Data Source

A comprehensive research was performed in PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases with a final search on March 2020.

Review Methods

The aim of this search was to identify relevant END‐DCR procedures performed with mechanical (Mecn‐END‐DCR) and powered (Pow‐END‐DCR) approaches to compare their functional success rate. In addition, the influence of mucosal flaps was evaluated. Articles were selected only if they were published later than 2000 and had at least 50 single‐clinician surgical procedures performed. Excluded articles included acute infections, cancers, mixed cohort study, and revision cases.

Results

A total of 11,445 publications were identified and 2741 reviewed after screening; 15 articles were included after full‐text review (0.6% of the initial articles reviewed). The mean success rate was 91.34% (95% CI, 87.1%‐94.3%) for Pow‐END‐DCR and 89.5% (95% CI, 86.5%‐91.9%) for Mecn‐END‐DCR with no significant difference between the surgical approaches (P =. 43). For mucosal flaps performed during END‐DCR, the mean success rate was 89% (95% CI, 86%‐91%) if mucosal flaps were used and 92% (95% CI, 88%‐95%) if they were not used, with no statistical difference present (P =. 14).

Conclusions

Our analyses suggest that there are no differences in outcomes between mechanical and powered approaches in END‐DCR and that mucosal flap preservation is not essential to achieve a superior END‐DCR outcome.
Impact of COVID‐19 on Presentation of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss at a Single Institution
Authors: Chari Divya A. , Parikh Ayush , Kozin Elliott D. , Reed Meaghan , Jung David H.
Published: November 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic resulted in widespread unprecedented changes to the health care system. Herein, we sought to assess the impact of the viral outbreak on clinical presentations of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) at a single academic center. Our results demonstrate a decrease in the absolute number of patients presenting with SSNHL to our institution during the initial onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to an analogous time frame 1 year prior. However, the ratio of patients with SSNHL compared to total patients evaluated was largely similar during the 2 time periods. Based on data from our institution, the COVID‐19 virus does not appear to confer a significantly increased risk for the development of SSNHL.
High‐Risk Human Papillomavirus–Related Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Among Non‐Indigenous and Indigenous Populations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ju Xiangqun , Canfell Karen , Smith Megan , Sethi Sneha , Garvey Gail , Hedges Joanne , Logan Richard M. , Antonsson Annika , Jamieson Lisa M.
Published: November 2020

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of oral high‐risk human papillomavirus (hr‐HPV) infection and the proportion of hr‐HPV–related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) among Indigenous and non‐Indigenous populations.

Data Source

Electronic database searches of PubMed, PubMed Central, Embase, MEDLINE, Scope, and Google Scholar were conducted for articles published from January 2000 until November 2019.

Review Methods

Studies were included with a minimum of 100 cases assessing hr‐HPV infection in either population samples or oropharyngeal cancer tumor series. The objective was to conduct meta‐analyses to calculate the pooled prevalence of oral hr‐HPV infection by adjusting for age group or sex in primary studies, the incidence of OPSCC, and the proportion of hr‐HPV–related OPSCC in Indigenous people and non‐Indigenous/general populations.

Results

We identified 47 eligible studies from 157 articles for meta‐analyses. The pooled prevalence of oral hr‐HPV infection was 7.494% (95% CI, 5.699%‐9.289%) in a general population, with a higher prevalence among men (10.651%) than women (5.176%). The pooled incidence rate was 13.395 (95% CI, 9.315‐17.475) and 7.206 (95% CI, 4.961‐9.450) per 100,000 person‐years in Indigenous and non‐Indigenous populations, respectively. The overall pooled proportion of hr‐HPV–related OPSCC was 50.812% (95 CI, 41.656%‐59.969%). The highest proportion was in North America (60.221%), while the lowest proportion was in the Asia‐Pacific (34.246%).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that in the general population, the prevalence of oral hr‐HPV infection is lower among females and those in younger age groups. The incidence of OPSCC was higher among Indigenous than non‐Indigenous populations, with the proportion being highest in North America.
Swiss-cheese ventricular septal defect closure by combination sandwich patch
Authors: Sakurai Hajime , Nonaka Toshimichi , Sakurai Takahisa , Ohashi Naoki , Nishikawa Hiroshi
Published: November 2020

A 7-year-old boy with a history of neonatal pulmonary artery banding underwent almost complete closure of a sieve-like “Swiss-cheese” ventricular septal defect, using a combination sandwich patch technique through a right ventriculotomy. Although defects existed in the high-, mid-, and low-trabecular septa, a right ventriculotomy and division of the muscle trabeculations continuing the septal and moderator bands helped delineate the edges of the defects. Although patients with “Swiss-cheese” ventricular septal defects may be candidates for a Fontan operation conventionally, a combination patch technique could be considered the procedure of choice.
The impact of intellectual property types on the performance of business start-ups in the United States
Authors: Power Bernadette , Reid Gavin C
Published: November 2020

Using a large, longitudinal panel of US start-ups collected between 2004 and 2011, this article shows the extent to which intellectual property (IP) types, for example trademarks, patents, copyrights and outward licensing, enhance multidimensional performance. An ordered probit analysis corrected for sample selection bias, estimates performance to derive the following conclusions. First, trademarks and out-licensing IP types increase a firm’s chances of being a high performer, confirming the importance of certain forms of IP protection for start-ups. Second, patenting significantly reduces the chances of being a high performer, suggesting patenting has limited performance benefits for start-ups. Third, few performance synergies exist in the joint use of IP types, suggesting that strong complementarities among IP types are limited. While out-licensing patents and out-licensing copyrights increase performance, out-licensing patents and out-licensing trademarks diminish it. Furthermore, registering more trademarks and out-licensing more trademarks also diminishes performance, suggesting start-up firms should keep trademarks in-house.
Sniffing out fugitive methane emissions: autonomous remote gas inspection with a mobile robot
Authors: Arain Muhammad Asif , Hernandez Bennetts Victor , Schaffernicht Erik , Lilienthal Achim J
Published: November 2020

Air pollution causes millions of premature deaths every year, and fugitive emissions of, e.g., methane are major causes of global warming. Correspondingly, air pollution monitoring systems are urgently needed. Mobile, autonomous monitoring can provide adaptive and higher spatial resolution compared with traditional monitoring stations and allows fast deployment and operation in adverse environments. We present a mobile robot solution for autonomous gas detection and gas distribution mapping using remote gas sensing. Our “Autonomous Remote Methane Explorer” ([Formula: see text]) is equipped with an actuated spectroscopy-based remote gas sensor, which collects integral gas measurements along up to 30 m long optical beams. State-of-the-art 3D mapping and robot localization allow the precise location of the optical beams to be determined, which then facilitates gas tomography (tomographic reconstruction of local gas distributions from sets of integral gas measurements). To autonomously obtain informative sampling strategies for gas tomography, we reduce the search space for gas inspection missions by defining a sweep of the remote gas sensor over a selectable field of view as a sensing configuration. We describe two different ways to find sequences of sensing configurations that optimize the criteria for gas detection and gas distribution mapping while minimizing the number of measurements and distance traveled. We evaluated an [Formula: see text] prototype deployed in a large, challenging indoor environment with eight gas sources. In comparison with human experts teleoperating the platform from a distant building, the autonomous strategy produced better gas maps with a lower number of sensing configurations and a slightly longer route.
Plastic-yielding analysis in the pipe-bending process of AZ31 and AA7050 using the normalized Cockcroft and Latham criterion
Authors: Xue Fengmei , Niu Haotong
Published: November 2020

Compared with other sheet-metal-forming processes, the deformation conditions of pipe bending are affected by the material, equipment, die, and multiple other factors. Therefore, it is urgent to explore methods that avoid forming defects and improve the bend-forming quality. Wall-thinning induced ductile fracture is one of the dominant defects in the pipe-bending process, especially for materials with lower ductility. In this study, the normalized Cockcroft and Latham criterion is embedded into the user subroutine USDFLD within the Abaqus finite element (FE) software to predict the fracture tendency of a bent pipe. Through a comparison of theoretical calculations and simulation results, a simplified FE model of rotary draw bending was established, and the damage evolution and distribution of bent pipes composed of AZ31 and AA7050 materials were investigated. The results show that the two materials have similar regularity, and damage mainly generates and accumulates in the outer surface of the deformation zone due to wall thinning. The damage value remains at a certain level after the bending deformation enters the stable stage. This study provides a concept and strategy for more efficiently predicting the fracture tendency of a bent pipe.
Young Women’s Sex Talk Online: Roles of Anonymity, Social Closeness, and Cultural Background on Perceived Appropriateness and Behavioral Intention
Authors: Taniguchi Emiko , Lee Hye Eun , Guan Xiaowen
Published: November 2020

In this study, we examined the roles of anonymity and social closeness in predicting young women’s perceptions of “sex talk” (i.e., communication about sexual interests, enjoyment, and experiences) and intentions to post such content in cyberspace. We also examined cultural differences among Asian, Latina, and European Americans. A total of 466 undergraduate women from the three cultural groups participated in the online experiment. Participants were randomly assigned to either a low anonymity condition (i.e., Facebook) or a high anonymity condition (i.e., an anonymous online forum) where they were exposed to identical sex talk stimuli. The main findings showed that greater anonymity increased both the level of perceived appropriateness of sex talk posted by other female users and participants’ intentions to post sex talk online themselves. Compared to European American women, Asian and Latina Americans reported greater intentions to post sex talk online and perceived other female users’ sex talk posts as more appropriate. The results of this study prompt educators and practitioners to help young women strategically manage their impressions of sex talk online while being sensitive to women’s cultural backgrounds. They also suggest the need for further support from practitioners, educators, and parents to construct safe spaces for young women to engage open conversations about sexual matters in the digital space.
The fear of contagion and the contagion of fear
Authors: von Sommaruga Howard Teresa
Published: November 2020

I am writing from my perspective as a white woman and a mother, who specialises in working with group-analytic larger groups. It was written in the UK, in May 2020, five months after the virus, COVID-19, first spread to Europe and threatened to destroy life as we had known it. My experience of working with and participating in larger groups online is described. I also make some observations about the possibility of emerging into, what many express hope for; a more equitable ‘new normal’ worldwide.
Teacher-Student Relationships and High School Drop-out: Applying a Working Alliance Framework
Authors: Noble Rick N. , Heath Nancy , Krause Amanda , Rogers Maria
Published: November 2020

Relationships with teachers are a central component of a student’s school environment, and have been shown to be related to school engagement and persistence in secondary school. Working alliance is a conceptualization of professional relationships that emphasizes not only the emotional bond between a professional and their client, but also their collaboration on the goals and tasks of their work together. While this theory has garnered considerable support in the fields of counseling and healthcare, working alliance has only recently begun to be investigated in an education setting. The present study sought to investigate working alliance between students and teachers as a broader framework for relationships in a high school setting. Specifically, the primary objective was to examine the use of the working alliance framework in teacher-student relationships to predict risk of high school student drop-out. A series of multiple regressions was used to test this objective. Results demonstrated that student-rated school working alliance predicted risk of drop-out, and that the relationship was partially mediated by student engagement. These results provide evidence for the validity of the construct of working alliance as a useful conceptualization for teacher-student relationships, and enhance our understanding of working alliance in a secondary school setting. Implications for educators and practitioners are discussed.
Maternal Infection During Pregnancy and Risk of Cerebral Palsy in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Ayubi Erfan , Sarhadi Saeedeh , Mansori Kamyar
Published: November 2020

Background and aim:

The association between maternal infection during pregnancy and the risk of cerebral palsy has been previously reported. However, their results were relatively inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to investigate the association between maternal infection during pregnancy and the risk of cerebral palsy in children.

Methods:

PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences databases were searched from inception to October 28, 2019. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 value. In case of substantial heterogeneity (I2 > 50%), a random effects model was applied, otherwise, a fixed effects model was used. The pooled associations were expressed as relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Publication bias and quality of studies included in the systematic review were checked using the Egger’s regression test and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), respectively.

Results:

Thirty-seven studies were included in the systematic review. Among them, 21 studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled RR of cerebral palsy risk was 2.50 (95% CI 1.94, 3.21; I2 = 88.7%, P < .001) among children born to mothers who had any infection during pregnancy. The risk was increased to 2.85 (95% CI 1.96, 4.15; I2 = 75.9%, P < .001) when the mother was diagnosed with chorioamnionitis. Publication bias tests suggested no evidence of potential publication bias and 76% of the studies included in the meta-analysis were of high quality (NOS ≥ 6).

Conclusion:

This systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence that maternal infection during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy in children.
Questioning the Hope in Science and Schooling
Authors: Dores António Pedro de Andrade
Published: November 2020

The succession of extraordinary traumatic events, such as the poles defrosting, the fires in Australia and Amazon, the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial global crises revival, the Black Lives Matter movement, seems to call for science (to solve problems) and schooling (to make time to the unemployed) for help.

Science and schooling are some of the big successes of post-modern culture and states. Given these successes, questions remain. Why do they not deliver hope? We are left to ponder (a) why these extreme events takes us by surprise; (b) why those who have been afforded the best education ever are so anxious, so frozen; (c) why is it that our best policies, science, and minds continue to fail us when it comes to solving the problems associated with the environment, this pandemic, capitalism, and racism; and (d) given the promise of science, why are we so in need of solutions?
Mechanical testing of glutaraldehyde cross-linked mitral valves. Part one: In vitro mechanical behaviour
Authors: Northeast Rhiannon , Constable Matthew , Burton Hanna E , Lawless Bernard M , Gramigna Vera , Lim Goh Kheng , Buchan Keith G , Espino Daniel M
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to perform an initial assessment, in vitro, of the feasibility of using a glutaraldehyde cross-linked porcine mitral valve to retain acute functionality, focusing on assessing mitral regurgitation. Six porcine hearts were tested using an in vitro simulator. Testing was repeated following cross-linking of mitral valves; where cross-linking was achieved by placing them in a glutaraldehyde solution. The simulator enabled systolic pressure on the ventricular side of the valve to be mimicked. Following testing, mitral valve leaflets underwent Scanning Electron Microscopy of the ventricular surface of both the anterior and posterior leaflets (1 cm2 samples). The peak pressure withstood by cross-linked valves was significantly lower than for untreated valves (108 mmHg cf. 128 mmHg for untreated valves; p  < 0.05). The peak pressure was typically reached 0.5 s later than for the untreated valve. While both cross-linked and untreated valves exhibited endothelium denudation, the unfixed valve had less endothelial loss. Glutaraldehyde cross-linking of porcine mitral valves may be of potential value in assessing improved bioprosthetic mitral valve replacements. However, a more immobile valve exhibiting endothelial denudation (i.e. sclerosis) was a possible concerns identified following in vitro acute assessment.
Human intestinal spirochetosis, a sexually transmissible infection? Review of six cases from two sexually transmitted infection centres in Barcelona
Authors: Garcia-Hernandez David , Vall-Mayans Marti , Coll-Estrada Susanna , Naranjo-Hans Lola , Armengol Pere , Iglesias Mireia Alberny , Barberá María Jesús , Arando Maider
Published: November 2020

Human intestinal spirochetosis (HIS) is a possible cause of chronic diarrhoea and affects mainly men who have sex with men (MSM) and people living with HIV. Diagnosis is based on colon biopsy, where spirochetes can be observed on the luminal surface, especially with the Warthin-Starry stain or similar silver stains. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of all HIS cases diagnosed in two sexually transmitted infections (STI) centres in Barcelona from 2009 until 2018. The medical histories were reviewed to gather epidemiological, clinical, and diagnostic variables. Six patients were diagnosed with HIS. All the individuals were MSM, with a median age of 31.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 29.5;49.25) and half of them were living with HIV. Five patients reported condomless anal intercourse and 4 patients had practised oro-anal sex previously. Concomitantly, two of them had rectal gonorrhoea, one had rectal Chlamydia trachomatis and none of them had syphilis. The predominant clinical symptom was diarrhoea (5 patients). All cases were diagnosed by a Warthin-Starry stain on a colon biopsy specimen, and mild inflammatory changes were found in 5 cases. Five patients were treated with metronidazole and one with benzathine penicillin G. Treatment was successful in all the patients. HIS should be considered in patients with chronic diarrhoea who report risky sexual practices and/or concomitant STI. HIS may also be sexually transmitted according to the context.
New materialism and postmodern subject models fail to explain human memory and self-awareness: A comment on Tobias-Renstrøm and Køppe (2020)
Authors: Trnka Radek
Published: November 2020

Tobias-Renstrøm and Køppe (2020) show the several conceptual limits that new materialism and postmodern subject models have for psychological theory and research. The present study continues this discussion and argues that the applicability of the ideas of quantum-inspired new materialism depends on the theoretical perspectives that we consider for analysis: be it the first-person perspective referring to the subjective experience of a human subject, or the third-person perspective, in which a human subject is observed by an external observer. While the arguments of new materialism are in accordance with the analysis of the act of observation performed by an external observer, some problems arise when trying to theoretically approach the first-person subjective experience of a human subject. For example, new materialism fails to explain why human minds can maintain the awareness of a subject’s identity throughout their lives and to recall the memories about their past personal experiences.
Small sample sizes: A big data problem in high-dimensional data analysis
Authors: Konietschke Frank , Schwab Karima , Pauly Markus
Published: November 2020

In many experiments and especially in translational and preclinical research, sample sizes are (very) small. In addition, data designs are often high dimensional, i.e. more dependent than independent replications of the trial are observed. The present paper discusses the applicability of max t-test-type statistics (multiple contrast tests) in high-dimensional designs (repeated measures or multivariate) with small sample sizes. A randomization-based approach is developed to approximate the distribution of the maximum statistic. Extensive simulation studies confirm that the new method is particularly suitable for analyzing data sets with small sample sizes. A real data set illustrates the application of the methods.
A comparative analysis of two alternative programmes to counter stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness delivered to medical students
Authors: Gordon Sarah E , Kininmonth Leah A , Newton-Howes Giles , Purdie Gordon L , Gardiner Tracey
Published: November 2020

Objective:

To assess and compare attitudes of medical students in response to two service-user-led anti-stigma and discrimination education programmes.

Method:

Two programmes, consistent with the key elements of effective contact-based anti-stigma and discrimination education programmes for healthcare providers, were delivered to medical students in their penultimate and final year: a more intensive version of the programme in 2015/2016 and a briefer programme in 2016/2017. Attitudes were assessed using the Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ) and the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers (OMS-HC-20) at the beginning and end of their final year.

Results:

There were no significant differences between the years in initial scores on either scale. Both cohorts showed statistically significant reductions in scores on both scales after completion of the programme, indicating overall improvements in students’ attitudes with reductions in stigma, and more positive attitudes towards recovery of those in mental distress. The more intensive programme led to significantly greater improvement in reductions in stigma than the less intensive programme.

Conclusion:

Findings support the need for contact-based anti-stigma and discrimination education programmes for medical students that are both intensive and repeated over time.
School Nurses Matter: Relationship Between School Nurse Employment Policies and Chronic Health Condition Policies in U.S. School Districts
Authors: McCabe Ellen M. , Jameson Beth E. , Strauss Shiela M.
Published: November 2020

The increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions (CHCs) in school-aged children highlights the need to better understand school health services’ role regarding CHCs. Using U.S. nationally representative district-level data from the 2016 School Health Policies and Practices Study, we examined whether having policies on school nurses’ employment was associated with having policies on CHCs and whether having such policies varied by geographic location. Compared to districts without such employment policies, districts with such policies (52.3%) were significantly more likely to have CHC management policies. For each CHC policy examined, more than 20% of school districts did not have the CHC policy, with Northeast districts having the greatest proportion of such policies and West districts having the least. Thus, many students’ CHC needs may not be met at school. It is important for school nurses to play a key role in advocating for the development of school-based policies on CHCs.
The Development and Validation of a Scale Measuring Postgraduate School Application Self-Efficacy
Authors: Rowe-Johnson Meaghan K. , Rice Alex , Ali Saba R.
Published: November 2020

This study introduces a new construct to the literature that may impact students’ entrance into postgraduate programs: postgraduate school application self-efficacy. Although previous scholars have explored the admissions processes for a variety of disciplines and have developed a measure for graduate education self-efficacy, no measure has been developed to assess postgraduate school application self-efficacy (PSASE). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a measure of 423 undergraduate students’ PSASE. Parallel analyses, exploratory factor analyses, and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine the underlying factor structure of the PSASE scale. Reliability and correlational analyses were also conducted to assess convergent and discriminant validity. Results revealed a conceptually interpretable, 16-item, four-factor solution that accounted for 80.88% of the total variance. Correlational analyses with graduate education self-efficacy and self-esteem provided evidence of convergent and discriminant validity for the PSASE subscales. Implications and future directions were explored.
Free vibration and response of a variable speed rotating cantilever beam with tip mass
Authors: Yun-dong Li , Wen Hua-bin , Ning Wen-Bo
Published: November 2020

The study shows a new nonlinear model of a rotating cantilever beam with tip mass. The nonlinear model is built with considering axial geometric nonlinear and large curvature. On the basis of the nonlinear Green strain–displacement relations, the nonlinear motion equations are derived using the Hamilton principle. Applying the proposed dynamic model, the effect of various parameters on the natural frequency and stability is performed. The angular velocity value of frequency veer is obtained under different parameters. The dynamical response is calculated with variable rotating velocity. The comparison of numerical results shows good consistency with the other literature.
Comparison of consumer-based methodologies for optimizing the development of new products: A case study with probiotic chocolate flavored milk
Authors: Oliveira Denize , Deliza Rosires
Published: November 2020

Several studies have reported that most new products do not achieve satisfactory results when launched on the market. There is a need to increase the efficiency of the methodologies used in the development of new products to increase success rates. Rapid sensory methodologies named Polarized Sensory Positioning (PSP), Check-all-that-apply (CATA), Projective mapping (PM) or Napping were applied to obtain sensory and hedonic information of a new product, probiotic-added chocolate flavored milk, aiming at determining preference guides that can be used to obtain a high overall liking level. It was possible to develop a probiotic chocolate flavored milk with general positive overall liking. The preferred sample was formulated with high content of sugar and chocolate, concluding that these characteristics are preference guides. The results supplied by the consumers using different methodologies were consistent, although the methodologies differed in their ability for sample differentiation. CATA methodology allowed better discrimination between samples than the other methodologies, followed by Projective Mapping, PSP with scales and triadic PSP. We could confirm that those rapid methodologies of sensory characterization are efficient when applied to product development.

Practical applications

 Using those methodologies, it was possible to develop a probiotic chocolate flavored milk that meets both, consumer’s expectations in relation to nutrition and taste and functionality. The methodologies proved to be efficient in characterizing consumer preference guides, and therefore fundamental to the development of a product with higher overall liking.
A Multivariate Prediction Copula Model to Characterize the Expenditure Categories in Tourism
Authors: Brida Juan Gabriel , Lanzilotta Bibiana , Moreno Leonardo , Santiñaque Florencia
Published: November 2020

The aim of this article is to introduce a multivariate statistical model that represents the expenditure of tourists disaggregated by categories. The model is applied to study the distribution of the expenditure of cruise passengers in Uruguay, using data of the 2016-2017 cruise season survey (collected by the Ministry of Tourism). Given the mixed distribution in each component of the main variable, the model is implemented in two stages and using copulas to obtain a conditional distribution of the different items of expenditure, characterizing the dependence between them. The empirical results show that the key variables that determine the average spending of cruise tourists are their residence and the port of arrival of the cruise. The parameters representing dependence of the copula show moderate association between the different categories of expenditure, in particular for cruisers disembarking in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. In addition, it can be noted that the expenditure pattern in each item shows time dependence. In general, the empirical results show that a cruiser that spends more on one item is likely to spend more (less) on a complementary (noncomplementary) items of expense.
Hummelsheim procedure combined with medial rectus recession in complete sixth nerve palsy and esotropic Duane Retraction Syndrome
Authors: Bagheri Abbas , Veisi Amirreza , Tavakoli Mehdi
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of half tendon vertical rectus muscle transposition (HVRT) combined with medial rectus muscle recession (MRrec) in complete sixth nerve palsy (CSNP) and esotropic Duane Retraction Syndrome (eDRS).

Methods:

A retrospective study of patients with unilateral CSNP or eDRS who underwent HVRT combined with medial rectus recession over the course of 18 years. The patients with previous strabismus surgery and follow up less than 3 months were excluded. Overcorrection was defined as any amount of exotropia, and undercorrection was defined as residual esotropia of ⩾10 prism diopter (PD).

Results:

A total of 39 patients were enrolled including 22 CSNP and 17 eDRS patients. Esotropia improved from 45.8 ± 22 and 22.5 ± 6.4 PD to 0.8 ± 2.5 and 0.3 ± 1 PD in CSNP group and eDRS group respectively. The angle of face turn improved from 34.3 ± 8.4° and 26.5 ± 9° to 0.6 ± 2.4° and 0.8 ± 1.6° in the CSNP group and eDRS group respectively. Abduction limitation improved from −4.5 ± 0.5 and −4 ± 0 units to −2.9 ± 0.5 and −2.7 ± 0.5 units in CSNP group and eDRS group respectively. No patient developed a new vertical deviation. An overcorrection occurred in one patient of the eDRS group who improved after botulinum toxin injection in the ipsilateral lateral rectus muscle. Undercorrection was seen in two patients.

Conclusion:

HVRT combined with MRrec is an effective procedure to improve esotropia, face turn, and abduction limitation in CSNP and eDRS.
Assessing Grief in Family Caregivers of Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder or Substance Use Disorder using the Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory Short Form (MM-CGI-SF)
Authors: Priddis DeAnne , Asbury Mary Beth
Published: November 2020

This study assessed grief in caregivers of family members with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and substance use disorder (SUD) using the Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory Short Form (MM-CGI-SF). We used snowball sampling to recruit participants who had family members with AUD and SUD. The sample was comprised of 100 caregivers of family members with AUD and 75 caregivers of family members with SUD. The original MM-CFI-SF was modified by changing the wording to reflect those with AUD and SUD. The 18-item instrument consisted of 3 factors: personal sacrifice burden, sadness and longing, and worry and felt isolation. The professional care of caregivers with family members with AUD and SUD should be addressed by health professionals in the same manner as dementia caregivers. AUD and SUD caregivers may also downplay the distress, require social support, or have a common reaction to the stress and grief encountered. The correlations were moderate to strong and significant between each of the factors for both AUD and SUD caregiver scale.
Pleomorphic Invasive Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast With Extracellular Mucin and HER2 Amplification
Authors: Burky Matthew J , Ray Emily M , Ollila David W , O’Connor Siobhan M. , Hertel Johann D. , Calhoun Benjamin C
Published: November 2020

Invasive lobular carcinoma with extracellular mucin is an uncommon pattern of invasive breast carcinoma. The 5th Edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Breast Tumors states that it is unknown whether these tumors are a subtype of mucinous carcinoma or invasive lobular carcinoma. Invasive lobular carcinoma with extracellular mucin frequently presents as a palpable mass and may be more likely to be grade 2 to 3 and HER2-positive than classic invasive lobular carcinoma. This case of pleomorphic invasive lobular carcinoma with extracellular mucin was detected by imaging only and was HER2-amplified, suggesting that a subset of these tumors may be clinically occult with an aggressive phenotype. Invasive lobular carcinoma with extracellular mucin is infrequently encountered and awareness of this entity is helpful in avoiding misdiagnosis.
The mark of the researcher’s hand: the imperfections of craft in the process of becoming a qualitative researcher
Authors: Brown Anna
Published: November 2020

This article draws on insights from the author’s doctoral training and fieldwork in pottery making to extend conversations about the ‘craft’ of qualitative research. Specifically, the imagery of potter and clay is introduced to explore the unfolding of craft – or the development of well-thought-out research – in the process of becoming a qualitative researcher. A longitudinal account of making research and making pottery zooms in on the deeply personal relationship between the craftsperson and their materials to explore the affective relations that emerge in craftwork. By tilting the emphasis towards the processes that bring things into being, rather than the objects that are produced, craft-in-research is conceptualised as a reciprocal shaping of bodies that unfolds in and through the simultaneous becoming of researcher and research.