bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy absorption parameters of multi-cell thin-walled structure with various thicknesses under lateral loading
Authors: Kazemi M , Serpoush J
Published: November 2020

Energy absorbers are widely used in many engineering structures, especially mobile ones to prevent or alleviate the impact damages. Thin-walled structures are employed as an important category of energy-absorbing systems. In this study, the effect of thickness variations in different parts of a particular structure is investigated on the energy absorption behavior. The geometry of the considered structure is a four-cell squared-section of aluminum alloy 6061 that is subjected to the lateral loading and the thicknesses of the sides are defined as the input variables. For the systematic investigation of the input variables effect, design of experiments procedure is utilized. The simulations are performed by the LS-Dyna software using the finite element method based on the output data of design of experiments. Moreover, in order to ensure the accuracy and validity of the simulations, an experimental investigation has been conducted for one of the scenarios and the results are confirmed. According to the results of numerical investigations, it was found that all the input variables of the problem are effective with distinct and considerable trend in energy absorption of the structures. These trends are generally nonlinear and relative extremum can be observed in some of them. Finally, by analyzing the energy absorption process of the structures by response surface methodology, an optimal sample is selected and simulated; moreover, the identical sample is also subjected to experimental tests. The results showed approximately 272% enhancement in the specific energy absorption of the optimal sample in design of experiments table compared to the weakest one.
UV-visible photodegradation of naproxen in water – Structural elucidation of photoproducts and potential toxicity
Authors: Cazzaniga Noemi , Varga Zsuzsanna , Nicol Edith , Bouchonnet Stéphane
Published: November 2020

The UV-visible photodegradation of Naproxen (6-methoxy-α-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid, CAS: 22204-53-1), one of the most used and detected non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the world, and its ecotoxicological consequences were investigated in an aqueous medium. The photo-transformation products were analyzed and the structures of photoproducts were elucidated using gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultrahigh-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (LC-FTICR-MS). Seven photoproducts were detected and characterized, photo-transformation mechanisms have been postulated to rationalize their formation under irradiation. In silico Q.S.A.R. (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) toxicity predictions were performed with the Toxicity Estimation Software Tool (T.E.S.T.) and in vitro assays were carried out on Vibrio fischeri bacteria. Some of the obtained photoproducts exhibit higher potential toxicity than Naproxen itself but the whole toxicity of the irradiated solution is not of major concern.
Where has vulnerability gone?
Authors: Phillips Catherine R
Published: November 2020

During Covid-19, health care workers have been vulnerable to death, and at the same time, in response to their vulnerability, heroic. Heroism is one of the most ubiquitous narratives during this pandemic. In this article, I am interested in the juncture between vulnerability and heroism, the discursive privileging of a hero and the implications of this for social workers in health and social care.

I use the writings of Judith Butler to ask, where has vulnerability gone? I argue that it is not that vulnerability is erased or suppressed, or comes second in the public imaginary, but rather, vulnerability is reconstituted as heroic and becomes unrecognisable. Vulnerability is an under-examined concept in social work and an analysis of its cultural representation during the outbreak of Covid-19, can contribute to our knowledge about how vulnerability operates in health and social care, as well as how vulnerability conditions the cultural spaces we operate within. Can new insights, provoked by the cultural responses to this pandemic, lead to a reorientation for social work politics and the politics of vulnerability?
The imaginative failure of normal: Considerations for a post-pandemic future
Authors: Leotti Sandra M
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has struck a forceful blow to an already faltering economic and political system. Decades of neoliberal capitalism have left us with extreme domestic and global inequality, a climate disaster, and the death of democracy. Now, in the midst of a global pandemic, any solace found in the toxic status quo has all but vanished. We are faced with an event of major historical significance, the effects of which are sure to be vast and enduring. As we emerge from this crisis and rebuild, we have a tremendous opportunity to (re)consider and (re)formulate the kind of world we want to live in. This essay reflects on the limitations of an uncritical desire for a return to “normalcy.” Further, it asks social workers to engage in a process of imaginative and speculative thinking to envision possibilities for our inevitably changed world.
On information modeling in structural integrity management
Authors: Ali Kashif , Qin Jianjun , Faber Michael Havbro
Published: November 2020

Value of information analyses in structural integrity management has gained significant interest over especially the last decade. The concept of value of information analysis provides a methodical framework facilitating for the optimization of strategies for information collection through inspections and structural health monitoring. The information, which is collected, represents indications of the condition and performance of the structure and is generally subject to significant uncertainties. An important part of this uncertainty is directly related to the quality of the techniques that are utilized for collecting information. Whereas such uncertainties are generally appreciated and accounted for in the research literature, it is generally assumed that information of relevance of integrity management, collected over space and time, is unbiased and independent. In the present contribution, we investigate the possible consequences of such assumptions. To this end, we model the value of information associated with information collection and evaluate the effect of introducing biases and dependencies on the value of information. Two different probabilistic models are introduced to represent and study the effect of possible biases corresponding to the case where biases in information collected at different times are independent or fully dependent, respectively. The study is supported by the address of two different integrity management problems considering (1) an oil well tubing system subject to scaling and (2) a welded detail in steel structures subject to fatigue degradation.
Pulmonary gene delivery—Realities and possibilities
Authors: Baliga Uday K , Dean David A
Published: November 2020

Delivery of genetic material to tissues in vivo is an important technique used in research settings and is the foundation upon which clinical gene therapy is built. The lung is a prime target for gene delivery due to a host of genetic, acquired, and infectious diseases that manifest themselves there, resulting in many pathologies. However, the in vivo delivery of genetic material to the lung remains a practical problem clinically and is considered the major obstacle needed to be overcome for gene therapy. Currently there are four main strategies for in vivo gene delivery to the lung: viral vectors, liposomes, nanoparticles, and electroporation. Viral delivery uses several different genetically modified viruses that enter the cell and express desired genes that have been inserted to the viral genome. Liposomes use combinations of charged and neutral lipids that can encapsulate genetic cargo and enter cells through endogenous mechanisms, thereby delivering their cargoes. Nanoparticles are defined by their size (typically less than 100 nm) and are made up of many different classes of building blocks, including biological and synthetic polymers, cell penetrant and other peptides, and dendrimers, that also enter cells through endogenous mechanisms. Electroporation uses mild to moderate electrical pulses to create pores in the cell membrane through which delivered genetic material can enter a cell. An emerging fifth category, exosomes and extracellular vesicles, may have advantages of both viral and non-viral approaches. These extracellular vesicles bud from cellular membranes containing receptors and ligands that may aid cell targeting and which can be loaded with genetic material for efficient transfer. Each of these vectors can be used for different gene delivery applications based on mechanisms of action, side-effects, and other factors, and their use in the lung and possible clinical considerations is the primary focus of this review.
Influence of Pseudomonas autoinducer N-3-oxododecanoyl homoserine lactone on human corneal epithelial cells
Authors: Hu Renjian , Yuan Kelan , Zhou Jie , Zhang Yue , Zheng Jiao , Zhao Yingying , Huang Xiaodan , Jin Xiuming
Published: November 2020

The quorum-sensing (QS) signaling-dependent extracellular virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause infections such as P. aeruginosa keratitis. P. aeruginosa communicates by secreting and sensing small chemical molecules called autoinducers in QS system. The key QS signal molecule, N-3-oxododecanoyl-homoserine lactone (3OC12HSL), can affect the behavior of host cells and initiate immune response. In this report we investigated the influence of 3OC12HSL on human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and the mechanisms of 3OC12HSL on activated toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-dependent interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion in HCECs. Cells were cultured under different concentrations of 3OC12HSL. Cell viability was assessed using Crystal violet staining and the cell counting kit-8 assay. We demonstrated the administration of 3OC12HSL decreased HCEC viability and survival in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. At high concentrations, 3OC12HSL rapidly promoted a time-dependent increase in the expressions of TLR2 and TLR4. It was found that the nuclear translocation and expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were also increased in response to 3OC12HSL treatment. The significantly elevated expressions of TLR2, TLR4, and NF-κB, encouraged us to further test their mechanisms that cause inflammatory response. Among the inflammatory factors examined (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α), we found that IL-8 was significantly increased after treatment with 3OC12HSL and its expression was inhibited when TLR2 was specifically blocked or silenced. These results indicated that the QS signaling molecule 3OC12HSL could be recognized by the host innate immune system in HCECs. This recognition then triggered an immune inflammatory response involving the activation of TLR2 and an increase in expression of IL-8. This crosstalk between 3OC12HSL and host immunity in HCECs contributes to the development and progression of P. aeruginosa keratitis.
Stent-assisted coil embolization for an unruptured vertebral artery–posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm with retrograde access via type 1 persistent primitive proatlantal artery: A case report
Authors: Nariai Yasuhiko , Takigawa Tomoji , Suzuki Ryotaro , Hyodo Akio , Suzuki Kensuke
Published: November 2020

Vertebral artery (VA)-posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms are rare lesions that are difficult to treat with both endovascular and surgical techniques. Tight angulation of the PICA from VA may make access to the PICA difficult from ipsilateral VA if adjunctive techniques are needed. Recently, the safety and efficacy of retrograde access have been reported. We report a case of endovascular treatment for a VA-PICA aneurysm with a stent-assisted technique using retrograde access via contralateral persistent primitive proatlantal artery (PPA).

The patient was a 76-year-old woman with an unruptured VA-PICA aneurysm on the dominant VA side. Coil embolization with a stent-assisted technique using retrograde access seemed appropriate. However, the origin of the left VA was not confirmed. Left common carotid artery angiography demonstrated that the PPA (type 1) branching from external carotid artery joined the VA V4 segment.

Retrograde access via the PPA for stenting was performed. A microcatheter for stenting was retrogradely advanced to the right PICA at ease. After deploying the stent, coil insertion was completed from the right VA, and the final angiogram showed adequate occlusion of the aneurysm with preservation of the PICA.

Thus, PPA may be an approach route in the treatment of VA-PICA aneurysms with unconfirmed contralateral VA orifice and apparent PPA on angiography, when retrograde access is needed.
Design, analysis and experiment of finger soft actuator with nested structure for rehabilitation training
Authors: Meng Ning , Kun Wang , Mingxin Li , Ke Yu , Zhi Wu
Published: November 2020

Compared with the rigid hand rehabilitation robot, the soft hand rehabilitation robot has the advantages of good flexibility, which is of great significance to its research. In order to make the soft hand rehabilitation robot have the advantages of high stiffness and simple manufacturing process, a nested structure is proposed for finger soft actuator in this paper. The nested structure consists of outer restraint structure and inner core structure. The inner core structure can realize deformation under the action of air pressure. The outer restraint structure can improve bending efficiency by restraining deformation in non-functional direction of inner core structure. On this basis, the processing technology of nested structure is designed, and the effect of structural parameters on performance is analyzed. In order to illustrate the advantages of nested structure, the performance of nested structure and fiber-constrained structure is compared by simulation, which includes bending angle, gripping force and expansion amount (by measuring the deformation of the cross section). The simulation results show the advantages of the nested structure. A prototype of the soft hand rehabilitation robot is developed with nested structure as finger soft actuator, and the experimental results prove the feasibility of design. The results of this study provide a reference for the structure design of soft hand rehabilitation robot.
Physician-modified fenestrated endovascular repair of type 1A endoleaks from polymer-based low-profile endografts
Authors: Zhang Louis , Magee Gregory A , Ziegler Kenneth R , Weaver Fred A , Han Sukgu M
Published: November 2020

Purpose

There have been increasing number of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair performed in hostile necks using newer generation technology including polymer-based proximal sealing devices such as the Ovation system. Unique design features of the device can pose challenges during endovascular salvage of type 1A endoleak. We describe two cases of successful application of physician-modified fenestrated endografting, in order to repair type 1A endoleaks following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair with ovation system.

Technique

In both cases, multi-fenestrated endografts were custom-modified using preloaded wire technique on Cook Zenith Alpha thoracic stent grafts at the back table. Under general anesthesia, left brachial cut down and a single percutaneous femoral access were performed. Staggered deployment of fenestrated endograft, accompanied by sequential catheterization of target vessels, facilitated correct alignment of fenestrated endograft. Infolding of fenestrated endograft inside the Ovation main body resulted in leg claudication, and repaired with balloon expandable covered tent. Prophylactic deployment of balloon expandable covered stent was performed in the second case. Both cases showed resolution of type 1A endoleak.

Conclusion

Fenestrated endovascular repair is feasible for proximal failure of Ovation endografts. Careful planning and advanced skill set in complex endovascular aortic repair are required, as well as detailed knowledge of the failed endografts.
Contextual culpability: How drinking and social context impact sentencing of violence
Authors: Lightowlers Carly , Pina-Sánchez Jose , Watkins Emma D
Published: November 2020

The controversial effect of intoxication on sentencing outcomes has received renewed attention with a series of new empirical studies. However, these studies have relied on survey data that conflate alcohol and drug intoxication and miss pertinent contextual features of the offence. This article explores how alcohol intoxication, and its social context, impact sentence outcomes for violent offences. To do so, the probability of custodial sentence severity is modelled using multilevel Cox regression using data from online sentence transcripts. Findings contribute insights into how punishment is shaped by not only the presence of alcohol intoxication in offending but also in which contexts by highlighting the significant punitive effects of reference to concomitant drug use, the defendant drinking together with the victim and if the offence occurred in a private setting. This helps clarify complex considerations taken into account by sentencers when processing cases and the need for clearer guidance.
Slowing of brain atrophy with teriflunomide and delayed conversion to clinically definite MS
Authors: Zivadinov Robert , Dwyer Michael G. , Carl Ellen , Poole Elizabeth M. , Cavalier Steve , Briassouli Paraskevi , Bergsland Niels
Published: November 2020

Background:

We explored the effect of teriflunomide on cortical gray matter (CGM) and whole brain (WB) atrophy in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) from the phase III TOPIC study and assessed the relationship between atrophy and risk of conversion to clinically definite MS (CDMS).

Methods:

Patients (per McDonald 2005 criteria) were randomized 1:1:1 to placebo, teriflunomide 7 mg, or teriflunomide 14 mg for ⩽108 weeks (core study). In the extension, teriflunomide-treated patients maintained their original dose; placebo-treated patients were re-randomized 1:1 to teriflunomide 7 mg or 14 mg. Brain volume was assessed during years 1–2.

Results:

Teriflunomide 14 mg significantly slowed annualized CGM and WB atrophy versus placebo during years 1–2 [percent reduction: month 12, 61.4% (CGM; p = 0.0359) and 28.6% (WB; p = 0.0286); month 24, 40.2% (CGM; p = 0.0416) and 43.0% (WB; p < 0.0001)]. For every 1% decrease in CGM or WB volume during years 1–2, risk of CDMS conversion increased by 14.5% ( p =  0.0004) and 47.3% ( p < 0.0001) during years 1–2, respectively, and 6.6% ( p =  0.0570) and 35.9% ( p = 0.0250) during years 1–5. In patients with the least (bottom quartile) versus most (top quartile) atrophy during years 1–2, risk of CDMS conversion was reduced by 58% (CGM; p = 0.0024) and 58% (WB; p = 0.0028) during years 1–2, and 42% (CGM; p = 0.0138) and 29% (WB; p = 0.1912) during years 1–5.

Conclusion:

These findings support the clinical relevance of CGM and WB atrophy and early intervention with teriflunomide in CIS.
Determination of the Solubility, Dissolution Enthalpy, and Entropy of Icariin in Acetone, Acetoacetate, Chloroform, and Light Petroleum
Authors: Xie Jiao , Zhang Kanghuai , Wang Haitao , Yang Xin , Mao Wenbin , Liu Chenwei , Wang Na
Published: November 2020

The solubility of icariin in acetone, acetoacetate, chloroform, and light petroleum in the 283.2‐318.2 K range was measured by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. As the temperature increased, the solubility of icariin in the 4 solvents gradually increased. The solubility data correlated with the modified Apelblat equation. The dissolution enthalpy and entropy of icariin were determined using van’t Hoff plots. The dissolution enthalpy and entropy of icariin in the 4 solvents increases as acetone >acetoacetate >chloroform >light petroleum, which can be explained by the difference of the polarity indices between them. The polarity indices of the solvents affect the solubility behavior.
Spiritual Formation: Race, Racism, and Racial Reconciliation
Authors: Chandler Diane J.
Published: November 2020

The telos of Christian spiritual formation is to love God and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. However, racism undermines loving one’s neighbor, which weakens the Christian witness and contributes to division within American culture and the church. Unfortunately, racism is seldom viewed as a spiritual formation issue, nor is it specifically addressed as such in the spiritual formation literature. Therefore, this essay focuses on four primary areas: (1) spiritual formation and race from a biblical perspective, including a definition of terms; (2) biblical examples of racial reconciliation; (3) four critical periods of US history that have contributed to racial trauma and inequality; and (4) suggested steps toward racial reconciliation. Healing collective racial wounds begins with recognizing the truth related to America’s past and requires a disposition to listen, learn, lament, repent, repair, and relate to one another.
Radiotherapy for malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac
Authors: Cheng Tiffany W , Yu Nathan Y , Seetharam Mahesh , Patel Samir H
Published: November 2020

Malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac is an exceptionally rare tumor with a poor prognosis. We report two cases of malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac: a 73 year-old female treated with primary surgical resection and a 75 year-old male treated with surgical resection, adjuvant proton beam radiotherapy, and adjuvant immunotherapy. We discuss the role of post-operative proton beam therapy and recent advancements in immunotherapy. These cases highlight the importance of early diagnosis and multi-modality treatment in this aggressive malignancy.
Emerging treatment options for patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Bewersdorf Jan Philipp , Carraway Hetty , Prebet Thomas
Published: November 2020

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis with peripheral blood cytopenias, dysplastic cell morphology, and a variable risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The hypomethylating agents (HMA) azacitidine and decitabine have been used for over a decade in MDS treatment and lead to a modest survival benefit. However, response rates are only around 40% and responses are mostly transient. For HMA-refractory patients the prognosis is poor and there are no therapies approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Combinations of HMAs, especially along with immune checkpoint inhibitors, have shown promising signals in both the frontline and HMA-refractory setting. Several other novel agents including orally available and longer acting HMAs, the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax, oral agents targeting driver mutations ( IDH1/2, FLT3), immunotherapies, and new options for intensive chemotherapy have been studied with variable success and will be reviewed herein. Except for the minority of patients with targetable driver mutations, HMAs – likely as part of combination therapies – will remain the backbone of frontline MDS treatment. However, the wider use of genetic testing may enable a more targeted and individualized therapy of MDS patients.
“Rewarding Good Creators”: Corporate Social Media Discourse on Monetization Schemes for Content Creators
Authors: Kopf Susanne
Published: November 2020

This discourse analytical article deals with the power relations between social media corporations and content creators in the context of monetization schemes of social media businesses, i.e., schemes that allow creators to monetize their social media content. Specifically, this study presents an analysis of discourse material pertaining to YouTube’s monetization scheme (the YouTube Partner Program [YPP]) to shed light on the broader point of how social media corporations position themselves in relation to creators who (seek to) earn money on social media. While some research on social media has focused on their potential to empower users/content creators, less optimistic scholars have addressed social media corporations generating massive profits by exploiting creators, for example, in the form of free digital labor. By comparison, there is a lack of research, especially empirical discourse analytical research, on creators’ paid digital labor and on how social media corporations conceptualize paid creators. This study redresses this gap regarding one of the oldest monetization schemes—the YPP. Using corpus linguistic tools to explore textual data from 46 YouTube sites detailing the YPP, this study homes in on references to content creators, YouTube, and how these players are connected to one another. The findings show that although the name YPP elicits the impression of cooperation on equal terms, YouTube represents itself as legislator, judge, and executive authority. This indicates that despite the ability of partnered content creators to share in the social media businesses’ profits, they do not inhabit a particularly empowered position.
Depression Screening and Measurement-Based Care in Primary Care
Authors: Siniscalchi Kimberly A. , Broome Marion E. , Fish Jason , Ventimiglia Joseph , Thompson Julie , Roy Pratibha , Pipes Ronny , Trivedi Madhukar
Published: November 2020

The health issue addressed is the unmet need to universally screen and treat depression, which is one of the most common mental health disorders among adults in the United States. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults for depression in primary care and using evidence-based protocols. This quality improvement project implemented VitalSign6, a measurement-based care program, to improve depression screening and treatment of adults in primary care at an academic medical center. A pre-post design was used to determine effectiveness of changes in screening, outcomes, and satisfaction. Of 1200 unique adult patients, 95.4% received initial screening. Providers diagnosed and administered measurement-based care to 236 patients. After 14 weeks, 27.5% returned for at least 1 follow-up. Results showed a statistically significant decrease in self-reported depression scores from baseline to follow-up. VitalSign6 was effective in improving identification and management of depression in primary care.
How Does Sustainable Leadership Influence Sustainable Performance? Empirical Evidence From Selected ASEAN Countries
Authors: Iqbal Qaisar , Ahmad Noor Hazlina , Halim Hasliza Abdul
Published: November 2020

Presently, sustainable leadership has emerged as an effective leadership style to cope with sustainable challenges. Extent literature has recommended exploring the mechanism and conditional boundaries for the significant effect of sustainable leadership on sustainable performance. Therefore, this study would investigate the mediating mechanism of organizational learning and the psychological empowerment as conditional factor on the sustainable leadership–sustainable performance relationship. The cluster-sampling approach was employed to collect data from 369 small medium enterprises in selected ASEAN countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei Darussalam. The response rate is 41%. Structural equation modeling (variance-based) analysis was performed to empirically confirm the proposed hypotheses. By running PROCESS Macro in SPSS, the moderated-mediation analysis was conducted in this study. The research outcomes revealed that higher level of psychological empowerment will result in a higher indirect effect of sustainable leadership on sustainable performance through organizational learning. Based on the present empirical evidences, implications and future research directions have also been added at the end of study. To date, this study has preliminary investigated the interplay of sustainable leadership, organizational learning, empowerment, and sustainable performance.
Managing Diabetes in the Workplace
Authors: McCarthy Margaret , Vorderstrasse Allison , Yan Joeyee , Portillo Angie , Dickson Victoria Vaughan
Published: November 2020

Background:

Although many adults with diabetes are productive members of the workforce, loss of work productivity has been associated with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to explore the interrelationship between work-related factors and current work ability in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods:

This study used a convergent mixed-method design. We assessed the relationship between work-related factors and work ability using bivariate statistics and logistic regression. Work ability was measured using the Work Ability Index and Karasek’s Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) was employed to measure job demands. Qualitative interviews ( n = 30) explored the relationship between diabetes and work.

Findings:

The sample ( n =101) was mostly female (65%) and White (74%). Most worked full-time (65%), had T2D (87%), an elevated glycated hemoglobin A1c ≥ 7% (56%), and were overweight (22%) or obese (68%). Only 33% of subjects self-reported their work ability as excellent. Four of the JCQ subscales (skill discretion, psychological demands, supervisor support, and coworker support), and work–life balance were significantly associated with work ability (all p < .05). In adjusted models, better coworker support (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = [1.04, 1.9]) and better work–life balance (OR = 1.3; 95% CI = [1.1, 1.5]) were associated with excellent work ability. Many stated their diabetes impacted them at work and spoke of the effects of stress. Few engaged in workplace wellness programs.

Conclusion/Application to Practice:

Social support and work–life balance were associated with excellent work ability. Engaging workers with diabetes in workplace educational programs may take strategic efforts by occupational health staff.
Autistic Young Adults’, Parents’, and Practitioners’ Expectations of the Transition to Adulthood
Authors: Curtiss Sarah L. , Lee Gloria K. , Chun Jina , Lee Heekyung , Kuo Hung Jen , Ami-Narh Danielle
Published: November 2020

Parental expectations are important for autistic youth during the transition to adulthood, but less is known about the expectations of other stakeholder groups. The current study examines the similarities and differences in expectations among autistic youth, parents, and professionals. Data were collected through six focus groups with 24 participants (7 parents, 11 professionals, and 6 young adults on the autism spectrum). Thematic analysis was used to identify five themes: normative hopes, living with uncertainty, mismatch of reality and expectations, impairments shape expectations, and services dictate expectations. Autistic youth expressed the most optimism for the transition to adulthood. All stakeholder groups touched on the tension between matching expectations with abilities; however, only professionals indicated a direct relation between expectations and abilities. Both parents and professionals highlighted the role of service availability in shaping expectations.
Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Meniscal Repair Versus Partial Meniscectomy for Medial Meniscus Root Tears: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Ro Kyung-Han , Kim Jun-Ho , Heo Jae-Won , Lee Dae-Hee
Published: November 2020

Background:

Given the superiority of meniscal repair over partial meniscectomy according to biomechanical data, the clinical outcomes of meniscal repair are likely to be better than those of partial meniscectomy for a medial meniscus root tear (MMRT).

Purpose/Hypothesis:

This review was designed to compare the clinical and radiological results between meniscal repair and partial meniscectomy for MMRTs. It was hypothesized that meniscal repair would result in better clinical and radiological results compared with partial meniscectomy.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Studies were included in the review if they (1) included patients with MMRTs who underwent primary arthroscopic meniscal repair or partial meniscectomy and (2) analyzed validated patient-reported outcomes and/or radiological evaluations. Summary odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were calculated to compare partial meniscectomy with meniscal repair for each outcome.

Results:

A total of 13 studies were included. The mean duration of follow-up was 33.5 and 47.2 months in the meniscal repair group and partial meniscectomy group, respectively. The change in the Lysholm score from preoperatively to postoperatively was statistically significantly in favor of meniscal repair (OR, 2.20 [95% CI, 1.55-3.12]), while no difference was found with respect to the change in the Tegner score between the 2 surgical approaches (OR, 1.21 [95% CI, 0.65-2.24]). The prevalence of postoperative severe knee osteoarthritis (OR, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.17-0.54]) as well as that of reoperations (OR, 0.05 [95% CI, 0.01-0.19]) were significantly in favor of meniscal repair.

Conclusion

Better outcomes were seen after meniscal repair compared with partial meniscectomy for MMRTs, with greater improvements in Lysholm scores, and lower rates of progression to knee osteoarthritis, and lower reoperation rate.
Neural Tube Defects and Associated Factors among Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia
Authors: Edris Yunus , Abdurahman Hanan , Desalew Assefa , Weldegebreal Fitsum
Published: November 2020

Background:

Neural tube defects are a major public health problem and substantially contribute to morbidity and mortality, particularly in low-income countries, including Ethiopia. There are a paucity of data on the magnitude and associated factors of neural tube defects in Ethiopia, particularly in the study setting.

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the magnitude of neural tube defects and associated factors among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia.

Methods:

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was employed from October 2019 to January 2020. A total of 420 newborn-mother pairs were included consecutively. Data were collected using a face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire and clinical examination. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using the statistical package for Social Sciences version 20.0 software. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify the associated factors. A p-value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

The magnitude of neural tube defects was 5.71% (95% CI: 3.5-7.9). Approximately 83.5% of infants had spinal bifida and 16.5% anencephaly. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, preterm birth (32-34 weeks) (AOR= 3.84; 95% CI: 2.1,10.7), low birth weight (1000-1500 g) (AOR = 4.74; 95% CI: 1.8, 9.1), 1500-2500 g (AOR = 3.01; 95% CI: 2. 1, 13.2), maternal coffee consumption (AOR = 11.2; 95% CI: 3.1, 23.7), a history of abortion or stillbirth (AOR = 9.6; 95% CI:7.6,19.4), radiation exposure (AOR = 5.0; 95% CI:1.6,14.3), and intake of anticonvulsant drugs during pregnancy (AOR = 4.75; 95% CI: 1.5,16.2) were factors associated with neural tube defects.

Conclusion:

In this study, the burden of neural tube defects was 5.71% among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, which was a public health concern. Increased attention to the monitoring of neural tube defects in eastern Ethiopia is crucial to improve birth outcomes in the study setting.
An Agile Approach to Service Innovation: Creating Valuable Service Innovation with Agile Resource Integration
Authors: Findsrud Rolf
Published: November 2020

Value creation through service innovation is challenging in complex, changing markets. Agility may be the key to understanding resource integration in dynamic contexts and what drives and enables service innovation. To understand service innovation, 12 interviews were conducted in four innovative companies. This study’s findings indicate that agility links adaptive and creative resource integration efforts in organizations, enabling actors to function smoothly together in dynamic contexts while engaging in disruptive activities. Creative resource integration is experimenting and reusing resources and practices in new contexts for the purpose of improving value creation. In retrospect, creative resource integration activities, which may not be considered innovative in the moment, are labelled as innovation based on aggregation. Being truly innovative requires the ability to be agile by proactively and reactively balancing adaptive and creative resource integration, the drive to constantly improve, and embracing a culture for agility congruent throughout the organization.
Many Labs 5: Replication of van Dijk, van Kleef, Steinel, and van Beest (2008)
Authors: Skorb Lauren , Aczel Balazs , Bakos Bence E. , Feinberg Lily , Hałasa Ewa , Kauff Mathias , Kovacs Marton , Krasuska Karolina , Kuchno Katarzyna , Manfredi Dylan , Montealegre Andres , Pękala Emilian , Pieńkosz Damian , Ravid Jonathan , Rentzsch Katrin , Szaszi Barnabas , Schulz-Hardt Stefan , Sioma Barbara , Szecsi Peter , Szuts Attila , Szöke Orsolya , Christ Oliver , Fedor Anna , Jiménez-Leal William , Muda Rafał , Nave Gideon , Salamon Janos , Schultze Thomas , Hartshorne Joshua K.
Published: November 2020

As part of the Many Labs 5 project, we ran a replication of van Dijk, van Kleef, Steinel, and van Beest’s (2008) study examining the effect of emotions in negotiations. They reported that when the consequences of rejection were low, subjects offered fewer chips to angry bargaining partners than to happy partners. We ran this replication under three protocols: the protocol used in the Reproducibility Project: Psychology, a revised protocol, and an online protocol. The effect averaged one ninth the size of the originally reported effect and was significant only for the revised protocol. However, the difference between the original and revised protocols was not significant.
Renal trauma: a 5-year retrospective review in single institution
Authors: Syarif  , Palinrungi Achmad M. , Kholis Khoirul , Palinrungi Muhammad Asykar , Syahrir Syakri , Sunggiardi Reinaldo , Faruk Muhammad
Published: November 2020

Background

Renal trauma occurs in up to 5% of all trauma cases and accounts for 24% of abdominal solid organ injuries. Renal trauma management has evolved over the past decades, and current management is transitioning toward more conservative approaches for the majority of hemodynamically stable patients. The objective of this study was to analyze the mechanism of injury, management, and outcome in renal trauma.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with renal trauma in Makassar, Indonesia, from January 2014 to December 2018 were identified retrospectively by the ICD-10 code. Data were collected from medical records. Imaging was classified by radiologists. Variables analyzed included age, sex, mechanism of injury, degree of renal trauma, related organ injury, management, and outcome.

Results

Out of the 68 patients identified, the average age was 23.9 ± 0.6 years, and most were male (83.8%). Blunt trauma accounted for 89.7% of all cases. The most common renal injuries were grade IV (42.6%), and 14% of the cases had no hematuria. Most patients were treated with non-operative management (NOM). Nephrectomy was performed in 16.2% of cases, and 5.9% of cases underwent renorrhaphy. It was found that 58.8% of cases had isolated renal trauma, and the overall mortality rate (2.9%) was due to related injuries.

Conclusions

The majority of blunt and penetrating renal trauma cases that are hemodynamically stable have a good outcome when treated with NOM. The presence of injury in other important organs both intra- and extra-abdominally aggravates the patient’s condition and affects the prognosis.
Climatic and topographic changes since the Miocene influenced the diversification and biogeography of the tent tortoise (Psammobates tentorius) species complex in Southern Africa
Authors: Zhao Zhongning , Heideman Neil , Bester Phillip , Jordaan Adriaan , Hofmeyr Margaretha D.
Published: November 2020

Background

Climatic and topographic changes function as key drivers in shaping genetic structure and cladogenic radiation in many organisms. Southern Africa has an exceptionally diverse tortoise fauna, harbouring one-third of the world’s tortoise genera. The distribution ofPsammobates tentorius(Kuhl, 1820) covers two of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world, the Succulent Karoo and Cape Floristic Region. The highly divergedP. tentoriusrepresents an excellent model species for exploring biogeographic and radiation patterns of reptiles in Southern Africa.

Results

We investigated genetic structure and radiation patterns against temporal and spatial dimensions since the Miocene in thePsammobates tentoriusspecies complex, using multiple types of DNA markers and niche modelling analyses. Cladogenesis inP. tentoriusstarted in the late Miocene (11.63–5.33 Ma) when populations dispersed from north to south to form two geographically isolated groups. The northern group diverged into a clade north of the Orange River (OR), followed by the splitting of the group south of the OR into a western and an interior clade. The latter divergence corresponded to the intensification of the cold Benguela current, which caused western aridification and rainfall seasonality. In the south, tectonic uplift and subsequent exhumation, together with climatic fluctuations seemed responsible for radiations among the four southern clades since the late Miocene. We found that each clade occurred in a habitat shaped by different climatic parameters, and that the niches differed substantially among the clades of the northern group but were similar among clades of the southern group.

Conclusion

Climatic shifts, and biome and geographic changes were possibly the three major driving forces shaping cladogenesis and genetic structure in Southern African tortoise species. Our results revealed that the cladogenesis of theP. tentoriusspecies complex was probably shaped by environmental cooling, biome shifts and topographic uplift in Southern Africa since the late Miocene. The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) may have impacted the distribution ofP. tentoriussubstantially. We found the taxonomic diversify of theP. tentoriusspecies complex to be highest in the Greater Cape Floristic Region. All seven clades discovered warrant conservation attention, particularly Ptt-B–Ptr, Ptt-A and Pv-A.
A multi-breed GWAS for morphometric traits in four Beninese indigenous cattle breeds reveals loci associated with conformation, carcass and adaptive traits
Authors: Vanvanhossou Sèyi Fridaïus Ulrich , Scheper Carsten , Dossa Luc Hippolyte , Yin Tong , Brügemann Kerstin , König Sven
Published: November 2020

Background

Specific adaptive features including disease resistance and growth abilities in harsh environments are attributed to indigenous cattle breeds of Benin, but these breeds are endangered due to crossbreeding. So far, there is a lack of systematic trait recording, being the basis for breed characterizations, and for structured breeding program designs aiming on conservation. Bridging this gap, own phenotyping for morphological traits considered measurements for height at withers (HAW), sacrum height (SH), heart girth (HG), hip width (HW), body length (BL) and ear length (EL), including 449 cattle from the four indigenous Benin breeds Lagune, Somba, Borgou and Pabli. In order to utilize recent genomic tools for breed characterizations and genetic evaluations, phenotypes for novel traits were merged with high-density SNP marker data. Multi-breed genetic parameter estimations and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for the six morphometric traits were carried out. Continuatively, we aimed on inferring genomic regions and functional loci potentially associated with conformation, carcass and adaptive traits.

Results

SNP-based heritability estimates for the morphometric traits ranged between 0.46 ± 0.14 (HG) and 0.74 ± 0.13 (HW). Phenotypic and genetic correlations ranged from 0.25 ± 0.05 (HW-BL) to 0.89 ± 0.01 (HAW-SH), and from 0.14 ± 0.10 (HW-BL) to 0.85 ± 0.02 (HAW-SH), respectively. Three genome-wide and 25 chromosome-wide significant SNP positioned on different chromosomes were detected, located in very close chromosomal distance (±25 kb) to 15 genes (or located within the genes). The genes PIK3R6 and PIK3R1 showed direct functional associations with height and body size. We inferred the potential candidate genes VEPH1, CNTNAP5, GYPC for conformation, growth and carcass traits including body weight and body fat deposition. According to their functional annotations, detected potential candidate genes were associated with stress or immune response (genes PTAFR, PBRM1, ADAMTS12) and with feed efficiency (genes MEGF11 SLC16A4, CCDC117).

Conclusions

Accurate measurements contributed to large SNP heritabilities for some morphological traits, even for a small mixed-breed sample size. Multi-breed GWAS detected different loci associated with conformation or carcass traits. The identified potential candidate genes for immune response or feed efficiency indicators reflect the evolutionary development and adaptability features of the breeds.
Malignant acanthosis nigricans: a case report
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Liu Rongjun , Liu Yiyun , Zhang Shuang , Qi Hong
Published: November 2020

Background

To report a case of malignant acanthosis nigricans with two unusual aspects, including the patient’s young age and the development of filiform papillomas on the eyelid margins.

Case presentation

A 30-year-old woman presented with dry eye symptoms. Examination revealed filiform papillomas on the eyelid margins, gums, lips, hands, and axillae and excessive pigmentation localized to the neck, axillae, and groin. Biopsies of stomach, pancreatic, and thyroid lesions revealed gastric adenocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and thyroid cancer, respectively. Systemic investigations showed gastric adenocarcinoma with metastatic spread. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with malignant acanthosis nigricans and died 4 months later.

Conclusions

Acanthosis nigricans on the eyelid margins with a velvety overgrowth is highly suggestive of an internal malignancy, and full systemic investigations are warranted in these cases. In this patient, early signs were ignored, leading to the loss of a timely diagnosis and treatment.