bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Expandable Nitinol Stents for the Treatment of Nonmalignant Deep Venous Obstruction
Authors: Sebastian Tim , Gnanapiragasam Suvetha , Spirk David , Engelberger Rolf Peter , Moeri Laura , Lodigiani Corrado , Kreuzpointner Robert , Barco Stefano , Kucher Nils
Published: December 2020

Background:

Angioplasty with stent placement is a therapeutic option for patients with acute thrombotic, postthrombotic, and nonthrombotic obstruction of the iliofemoral veins or inferior vena cava. Previous studies of steel-alloy stents described variable patency rate across indications.

Methods:

The prospective Swiss Venous Stent Registry includes patients treated with self-expandable nitinol stents for deep venous obstruction. Routine follow-up visits include serial duplex ultrasound for stent patency assessment. The primary outcome was primary stent patency. The secondary outcome was venous thromboembolisms. We studied the rate of stent occlusion and potentially contributing factors.

Results:

We included 379 patients: 160 with acute thrombotic, 193 with postthrombotic, and 26 with nonthrombotic deep vein obstruction. The mean age was 46±18 years; 55% were women. The cumulative 3-year primary patency rate was 80.5% (95% CI, 73.0%–88.0%) for acute thrombotic, 59.2% (95% CI, 50.4%–68.0%) for postthrombotic, and 100% for nonthrombotic obstruction (log-rank,
P
<0.0001). Annualized rates of stent occlusion or venous thromboembolism were 7.8 (acute thrombotic), 15.0 (postthrombotic), and 0 (nonthrombotic) events/100 patient-years. In a multivariable Cox regression model, postthrombotic femoral veins at baseline (hazard ratio, 2.64 [95% CI, 1.53–4.56]) and the number of stents (hazard ratio, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.06–1.40]) were associated with stent occlusion after conditioning for age, sex, and clinically relevant factors.

Conclusions:

The rate of stent occlusion (patency loss) and venous thromboembolism varies substantially across indications, also with dedicated venous nitinol stents. Patients with postthrombotic femoral veins and those who received multiple stents were characterized by the highest risk.

Registration:

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02433054.
Incidence and Outcome of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Schatlo Bawarjan , Fung Christian , Stienen Martin N. , Fathi Ali R. , Fandino Javier , Smoll Nicolas R. , Zumofen Daniel , Daniel Roy Thomas , Burkhardt Jan-Karl , Bervini David , Marbacher Serge , Reinert Michael , D´Alonzo Donato , Ahlborn Peter , Mendes Pereira Vitor , Roethlisberger Michel , Seule Martin , Kerkeni Hassen , Remonda Luca , Weyerbrock Astrid , Woernle Kerstin , Venier Alice , Perren Fabienne , Sailer Martin , Robert Thomas , Rohde Veit , Schöni Daniel , Goldberg Johannes , Nevzati Edin , Diepers Michael , Gralla Jan , Z’Graggen Werner , Starnoni Daniele , Woernle Christoph , Maldaner Nicolai , Kulcsar Zsolt , Mostaguir Khaled , Maduri Rodolfo , Eisenring Christian , Bernays René , Ferrari Andrea , Dan-Ura Hiroki , Finkenstädt Sina , Gasche Yvan , Sarrafzadeh Asita , Jakob Stephan M. , Corniola Marco , Baumann Fabian , Regli Luca , Levivier Marc , Hildebrandt Gerhard , Landolt Hans , Mariani Luigi , Guzman Raphael , Beck Jürgen , Raabe Andreas , Keller Emanuela , Bijlenga Philippe , Schaller Karl
Published: December 2020

Background and Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to assess nationwide incidence and outcomes of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The Swiss SOS (Swiss Study on Subarachnoid Hemorrhage) was established in 2008 and offers the unique opportunity to provide this data from the point of care on a nationwide level.

Methods:

All patients with confirmed aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2014, within Switzerland were recorded in a prospective registry. Incidence rates were calculated based on time-matched population data. Admission parameters and outcomes at discharge and at 1 year were recorded.

Results:

We recorded data of 1787 consecutive patients. The incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in Switzerland was 3.7 per 100 000 persons/y. The number of female patients was 1170 (65.5%). With a follow-up rate of 91.3% at 1 year, 1042 patients (58.8%) led an independent life according to the modified Rankin Scale (0–2). About 1 in 10 patients survived in a dependent state (modified Rankin Scale, 3–5; n=185; 10.4%). Case fatality was 20.1% (n=356) at discharge and 22.1% (n=391) after 1 year.

Conclusions:

The current incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in Switzerland is lower than expected and an indication of a global trend toward decreasing admissions for ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT03245866.
Intravenous Thrombolysis With Tenecteplase in Patients With Large Vessel Occlusions
Authors: Katsanos Aristeidis H. , Safouris Apostolos , Sarraj Amrou , Magoufis Georgios , Leker Ronen R. , Khatri Pooja , Cordonnier Charlotte , Leys Didier , Shoamanesh Ashkan , Ahmed Niaz , Alexandrov Andrei V. , Tsivgoulis Georgios
Published: December 2020

Background and Purpose:

Accumulating evidence from randomized controlled clinical trials suggests that tenecteplase may represent an effective treatment alternative to alteplase for acute ischemic stroke. In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, we sought to compare the efficacy and safety outcomes of intravenous tenecteplase to intravenous alteplase administration for acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusions (LVOs).

Methods:

We searched MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online) and Scopus for published randomized controlled clinical trials providing outcomes of acute ischemic stroke with confirmed LVO receiving intravenous thrombolysis with either tenecteplase at different doses or alteplase at a standard dose of 0.9 mg/kg. The primary outcome was the odds of modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2 at 3 months.

Results:

We included 4 randomized controlled clinical trials including a total of 433 patients. Patients with confirmed LVO receiving tenecteplase had higher odds of modified Rankin Scale scores of 0 to 2 (odds ratio, 2.06 [95% CI, 1.15–3.69]), successful recanalization (odds ratio, 3.05 [95% CI, 1.73–5.40]), and functional improvement defined as 1-point decrease across all modified Rankin Scale grades (common odds ratio, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.18–2.87]) at 3 months compared with patients with confirmed LVO receiving alteplase. There was little or no heterogeneity between the results provided from included studies regarding the aforementioned outcomes (I
2
≤20%). No difference in the outcomes of early neurological improvement, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, any intracranial hemorrhage, and the rates of modified Rankin Scale score 0 to 1 or all-cause mortality at 3 months was detected between patients with LVO receiving intravenous thrombolysis with either tenecteplase or alteplase.

Conclusions:

Acute ischemic stroke patients with LVO receiving intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase have significantly better recanalization and clinical outcomes compared with patients receiving intravenous alteplase.
Linoleic Acid Status in Cell Membranes Inversely Relates to the Prevalence of Symptomatic Carotid Artery Disease
Authors: Lázaro Iolanda , Cofán Montserrat , Amor Antonio J. , Ortega Emilio , Freitas-Simoes Tania-Marisa , Llull Laura , Amaro Sergio , Mestres Gaspar , Yugueros Xavier , Harris William S. , Riambau Vicente , Sala-Vila Aleix
Published: December 2020

Background and Purpose:

The red blood cell fatty acid composition objectively reflects the long-term dietary intake of several fatty acids. In patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, we explored whether red blood cell status of selected fatty acids related to symptomatic carotid artery disease.

Methods:

We included patients with symptomatic (n=22) and asymptomatic (n=23) carotid artery disease. We determined all-C18:1 trans, linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n6), alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n3), and the omega-3 index (sum of eicosapentaenoic [C20:5n3] and docosahexaenoic [C22:6n3] acids) in both red blood cells and carotid plaque phospholipids by gas-chromatography.

Results:

In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, we only observed a significant association for LA, whose red blood cell status was inversely related to symptomatic carotid artery disease (odds ratio, 0.116 [95% CI, 0.022–0.607],
P
=0.011, for each 1-SD increase). A similar result was observed for LA in carotid plaque phospholipids.

Conclusions:

Cell membrane enrichment in LA, which reflects its intake, was inversely related to symptomatic carotid disease. This increases evidence supporting a favorable role of dietary LA in vascular health.
Exploratory Discoveries from Eye-Tracking Tests of
Wertheimer’s Gestalt Patterns
Authors: Hu Xinran , Bačić Dinko
Published: December 2020

In this study, the authors use a novel eye-tracking technology to determine how viewing behavior complies with Wertheimer’s descriptions of Gestalt principles of similarity, proximity, continuation and closure. The results show that viewers respond predictably to most Gestalt principles and that there are nuances to note when it comes to better understanding the role of visual attention in the closure principle and competing principles. In addition, the results reveal a fundamental distinction between visual attention and visual perception. By grasping this critical difference between attention and perception, designers may become more successful in applying Gestalt principles to their design.
Mobile Communications Technologies in Tree Time: The Listening Wood
Authors: Lovett Leah , Hay Duncan , Hudson-Smith Andy , de Jode Martin
Published: December 2020

This article presents a practice-led investigation by a cross-disciplinary team of artists and computer scientists into the potential for mobile and digital communications technologies to engage visitors to London's Hampstead Heath with the histories of its veteran urban trees. Focusing on the application of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies within the arboreal environment for the digital poetic walk, The Listening Wood, it considers the reciprocal impact of “tree time” on the development of “slow tech.”
oLMpics-On What Language Model Pre-training Captures
Authors: Talmor Alon , Elazar Yanai , Goldberg Yoav , Berant Jonathan
Published: December 2020

Recent success of pre-trained language models (LMs) has spurred widespread interest in the language capabilities that they possess. However, efforts to understand whether LM representations are useful for symbolic reasoning tasks have been limited and scattered. In this work, we propose eight reasoning tasks, which conceptually require operations such as comparison, conjunction, and composition. A fundamental challenge is to understand whether the performance of a LM on a task should be attributed to the pre-trained representations or to the process of fine-tuning on the task data. To address this, we propose an evaluation protocol that includes both zero-shot evaluation (no fine-tuning), as well as comparing the learning curve of a fine-tuned LM to the learning curve of multiple controls, which paints a rich picture of the LM capabilities. Our main findings are that: (a) different LMs exhibit qualitatively different reasoning abilities, e.g., RoBERTa succeeds in reasoning tasks where BERT fails completely; (b) LMs do not reason in an abstract manner and are context-dependent, e.g., while RoBERTa can compare ages, it can do so only when the ages are in the typical range of human ages; (c) On half of our reasoning tasks all models fail completely. Our findings and infrastructure can help future work on designing new datasets, models, and objective functions for pre-training.
Amended description of the rarely reported bryophilous ascomycete Octospora svrcekii (Pyronemataceae) with notes on the phylogeny of the section Wrightoideae
Authors: SOCHOROVÁ ZUZANA , MATOČEC NEVEN , KUŠAN IVANA , JANOŠÍK LUKÁŠ , ECKSTEIN JAN , VEGA MARCEL , MEŠIĆ ARMIN , SEDLÁŘOVÁ MICHAELA , Martínez-Gil RUBÉN , SOCHOR MICHAL
Published: December 2020

The bryophilous ascomycete Octospora svrcekii, belonging to the section Wrightoideae, has so far been reported from only three localities in the world. New collections from Albania, Austria, Croatia, France, Slovakia and Spain have enabled a better understanding of its variability, ecology, distribution and phylogenetic relationships with other taxa within the section Wrightoideae. Octospora svrcekii was always found associated with Cratoneuron filicinum growing in constantly humid habitats (brooks, rivers or waterfalls), on calcareous bedrock. A species description based on both living and dead material is provided and compared with previous observations. A phylogenetic analysis of the section Wrightoideae, performed using the EF1α, SSU rDNA and LSU rDNA loci, revealed that Octospora svrcekii forms a monophyletic group with O. wrightii, O. erzbergeri, O. hygrohypnophila and O. americana, all of which are characterised by subglobose to broadly ellipsoid ascospores ornamented with isolated warts, and infect mosses in the order Hypnales, inducing galls on their rhizoids. Based on the molecular analysis, O. orthotrichi and O. affinis, formerly also considered as members of the section Wrightoideae, do not belong to the group.
Heimioporus subcostatus, a new Boletaceae species from northern and northeastern Thailand

Authors: VADTHANARAT SANTHITI , RASPÉ OLIVIER , LUMYONG SAISAMORN
Published: December 2020

A novel bolete species, Heimioporus subcostatus, is described from northern and northeastern Thailand. It can be distinguished from the other Heimioporus species by its reddish brown to brownish red basidiomata when young becoming dull red to pale red at maturity, with raised and prominent reticulation on stipe, yellow pores, basidiospores with incomplete reticulation, and occurrence in dipterocarp forest dominated by Dipterocarpus spp. and Shorea spp. In a phylogenetic tree based on a three-gene (atp6, tef1, rpb2) data set, the new species formed a clade sister to H. sinensis within the supported Heimioporus clade in the Xerocomoideae (Boletaceae). Macroscopic and microscopic descriptions, as well as illustrations of the new species are presented.
Sanghuangporus vitexicola sp. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) from tropical Taiwan
Authors: WU SHENG-HUA , WEI CHIA-LING , CHANG CHIUNG-CHIH
Published: December 2020

Sanghuangporus vitexicola (Hymenochaetales) is described as a new species based on collections made from Pingtung County, tropical South Taiwan. All studied basidiocarps grew on living trunks of Vitex negundo. This new species is characterized by having perennial, pileate basidiocarps; pore surface yellowish brown, pores 6–8 per mm; context 0.7–1.5 cm thick; setae ventricose to subulate, dark brown, 17–30 × 5–8 μm; basidiospores broadly ellipsoid, brownish, smooth, 4.2–4.8 × 3.2–3.7 μm, with 0.2–0.5 μm thick walls. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenies inferred from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA indicated that six strains of Sanghuangporus viexicola formed a monophyletic group which is sister to S. zonatus. An identification key to known species of Sanghuangporus is provided.
Earning your stripes: a second species of striped gecko in the New Zealand gecko genus Toropuku (Gekkota: Diplodactylidae)
Authors: HITCHMOUGH RODNEY A. , NIELSEN STUART V. , BAUER AARON M.
Published: December 2020

The New Zealand diplodactylid gecko genus Toropuku is currently monotypic, but the sole member of the genus, T. stephensi, is distributed in two disjunct, geographically distant regions of New Zealand – the islands of Cook Strait (which includes the type locality, Stephens Island), between New Zealand’s North and South Islands, and the Coromandel Peninsula, in the northeastern North Island. Previously published phylogenetic results, based on three total individuals, recognized substantial—possibly species-level—diversity between these disparate localities, although no taxonomic decisions were made at that time. More recently, additional animals have been found on the Coromandel Peninsula. We here present phylogenetic and morphological evidence based on this expanded dataset to formally describe the populations on the Coromandel Peninsula as a new species, Toropuku inexpectatus sp. nov. The specific epithet refers to the species’ surprise discovery in a herpetologically well-surveyed area. The recognition of T. inexpectatus sp. nov. as a distinct species has implications for the conservation status of T. stephensi, which is now considered restricted to three islands in Cook Strait.
A Large-Eddy Simulation Study on the Diurnally Evolving Nonlinear Trapped Lee Waves over a Two-Dimensional Steep Mountain
Authors: Xue Haile , Giorgetta Marco A.
Published: December 2020

The diurnally evolving trapped lee wave over a small-scale two-dimensional steep mountain is investigated in large-eddy simulations based on a fully compressible and nonhydrostatic model [Icosahedral Nonhydrostatic (ICON)] with triangular grids of 50-m-edge length. An idealized atmospheric profile derived from a realistic case is designed to account for influences from the stagnant layer near the surface, the stability of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and the upper-level jet. First, simulations were done to bridge from the linear regime to the nonlinear regime by increasing the mountain height, which showed that larger-amplitude lee waves with longer wavelength can be produced in the nonlinear regime than in the linear regime. Second, the effects of the stagnant layer near the surface and the ABL stability were explored, which showed that the stagnant layer or the stable ABL can play a similar wave-absorbing role in the nonlinear regime as in linear theories or simulations. Third, the role of the upper-level jet was explored, indicating that a stronger (weaker) upper-level jet can help to produce longer (shorter) lee waves. The stable ABL with a stagnant layer can more (less) efficiently absorb the longer (shorter) lee waves due to the stronger (weaker) jet, so that the wave response is more sensitive to the wave-absorption layer when an upper-level jet is present. Finally, the momentum budget was analyzed to explore the interaction between the upper and lower levels of the troposphere, which showed that the momentum flux due to the upward-propagating waves and trapped waves varies with the upper-level jet strength and low-level stagnancy and ABL stability.
Real-Time Identification of Equatorial Waves and Evaluation of Waves in Global Forecasts
Authors: Yang Gui-Ying , Ferrett Samantha , Woolnough Steve , Methven John , Holloway Chris
Published: December 2020

A novel technique is developed to identify equatorial waves in analyses and forecasts. In a real-time operational context, it is not possible to apply a frequency filter based on a wide centered time window due to the lack of future data. Therefore, equatorial wave identification is performed based primarily on spatial projection onto wave mode horizontal structures. Spatial projection alone cannot distinguish eastward- from westward-moving waves, so a broadband frequency filter is also applied. The novelty in the real-time technique is to off-center the time window needed for frequency filtering, using forecasts to extend the window beyond the current analysis. The quality of this equatorial wave diagnosis is evaluated. First, the “edge effect” arising because the analysis is near the end of the filter time window is assessed. Second, the impact of using forecasts to extend the window beyond the current date is quantified. Both impacts are shown to be small referenced to wave diagnosis based on a centered time window of reanalysis data. The technique is used to evaluate the skill of the Met Office forecast system in 2015–18. Global forecasts exhibit substantial skill (correlation > 0.6) in equatorial waves, to at least day 4 for Kelvin waves and day 6 for westward mixed Rossby–gravity (WMRG), and meridional mode number n = 1 and n = 2 Rossby waves. A local wave phase diagram is introduced that is useful to visualize and validate wave forecasts. It shows that in the model Kelvin waves systematically propagate too fast, and there is a 25% underestimate of amplitude in Kelvin and WMRG waves over the central Pacific.
District and University Partnerships in Support of a High Needs Urban Elementary School
Authors: Kearney Wowek Sean , Murakami Elizabeth , Entzi Theresa
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study was to identify the strengths and challenges that emerged from the first year of a district and university partnership focused on improving a high needs urban elementary school. This research utilizes an instrumental case study design. The elementary school and the university involved in this study are both public serving institutions located in south central Texas in the United States. This paper examines the partnership after the first year of implementation. Feedback was solicited from district, campus, and university personnel regarding the successes and challenges they encountered. Three themes emerged: administrative support, challenges presented by a change in principal, and a focus on mutual self-interest and common goals. Implications are discussed.
The Gospel of Matthew and Apocalyptic Discourse
Authors: Wenkel David H.
Published: December 2020

This study considers how ‘apocalyptic discourse’ functions within Matthew’s Gospel. Of the four gospels, Matthew has been called the most ‘apocalyptic’ in nature but most of the discussion of this literary feature has been limited to chapters 24-25. However, the violent scenes in Matthew 2 along with 24-25 form an inclusio for the whole of Matthew’s Gospel and provide a basis for relating other apocalyptic discourses. This study maintains that Matthew is a bios with elements of apocalyptic discourse woven throughout it. This paper offers a theological interpretation of Matthew that integrates the concepts of apocalyptic warfare and a three-tiered symbolic universe.
From resistance and control to normative orders: The Wire’s Cedric Daniels as an ethical bureaucrat
Authors: Dallyn Sam , Marinetto Mike
Published: December 2020

While the categories of control and resistance have provided important frames of reference to understand workplace relations, we argue that they offer a limited analytical range when investigating conduct in public institutions where work still has sizeable elements of discretion – despite the increasing demands of performance measurement that have been a central component of new public management. Here, we investigate the HBO series, The Wire, and situate it as a piece of social science fiction. By affording more attention to the different ‘codes’ of policework depicted on the show we develop a more pluralistic understanding of workplace conduct. In tracing out different normative orders that characterize these codes, we consider The Wire’s Cedric Daniels’ distinctive positioning in relation to performance measurement and the predominant normative order of ‘the numbers game’ and argue that he consistently displays the code of an ethical bureaucrat.
Lay Meanings and Associated Experiences of Nonattachment (Anasakti): A Study From India
Authors: Gupta Kriti , Agrawal Jyotsna
Published: December 2020

Anasakti, translated as “nonattachment” in English, is one of the important philosophical concepts of Hinduism and Buddhism. It has also been studied in contemporary psychology using various measures of anasakti. However, there is a dearth of studies that have qualitatively investigated anasakti from the lay or “folk” perspective. This mixed-method study aimed to uncover subjective meanings and personal belief systems related to anasakti, as well as practices and experiences related to the lay understanding of anasakti among a sample of 240 urban educated adults (female = 104, male = 136) in India. Three structured scales (Test of asakti –anasakti, Scale of anasakti, Nonattachment Scale) were used to assess the levels of anasakti, while a semistructured questionnaire elicited personal meanings, experiences, and associated behaviors and beliefs related to anasakti. Thematic analysis revealed five broad thematic categories covering the qualitative data: personal meanings of anasakti, experiences, benefits, efficacy, and pathways. Roles of desire and attachment were also discussed. Quantitative results indicated higher levels of anasakti in older age groups, suggesting that anasakti may progress with age. These findings have several implications for future research and interventions.
Indigenous and Roman Catholic Canonizations of Nicholas Black Elk: Postcolonial Issues and Implications of Black Elk Speaks
Authors: Stoeber Michael
Published: December 2020

This article explores questions surrounding the status and teachings of Nick Black Elk, in dialogue with certain postcolonial and decoloniality theorists, as well as with commentators on Black Elk’s spirituality. It highlights liberation spirituality and theology in analyzing the religious hybridity of Black Elk and his actions of decoloniality. It also shows how Black Elk’s recent nomination for Roman Catholic canonization might continue to support certain shifts in various areas of Christian spirituality in light of Lakota influences: to respectful approaches to visionary mysticism and dreams; to positive affirmations of embodied spirituality; to ecological connections, consciousness and responsibility; and to a transformed sense of spiritual intimacy with nature.
Responsive and Responsible: Customizing Management Responses to Online Traveler Reviews
Authors: Zhang Xiaowei , Yang Yang , Qiao Shuchen , Zhang Ziqiong
Published: December 2020

The helpfulness of online reviews greatly facilitates travelers’ information searches, and helpful reviews can popularize travel service providers within a virtual environment. This study examines how the helpfulness of travel reviews is influenced by customized management responses from a linguistic perspective. Based on TripAdvisor data for 946 hotels in the state of Texas, we apply an econometric model to understand which management response style most effectively promotes customers’ perceived helpfulness of the corresponding review. Empirical results show that a matched linguistic style and low similarity in management responses can motivate consumers to leave a “helpfulness” vote to the corresponding review; the review rating, hotel class, and respondent’s job title are found to significantly moderate these effects. Lastly, pertinent managerial implications are provided.
Ostracism Disrupts Self-Continuity
Authors: Jiang Tonglin , Chen Zhansheng , Wang Shiyao , Hou Yubo
Published: December 2020

We conducted six studies to test our hypotheses that ostracism disrupts self-continuity and that self-affirmation counters ostracism’s negative influence on self-continuity. Participants who experienced more ostracism in their daily lives (Study 1), imagined being ostracized (Studies 2 and 5), recalled a past ostracism experience (Studies 3 and 6), and were ostracized in a ball-tossing game (Study 4) reported lower levels of self-continuity than their counterparts. Moreover, neither violations of expectation nor negativity of the experience was sufficient in decreasing self-continuity (Study 5). Finally, self-affirmation weakened the negative effect of ostracism on self-continuity (Study 6). Taken together, our findings provide converging causal evidence for our hypotheses and provide novel insights for the literature on how daily interpersonal interactions influence individuals’ sense of an enduring self. In addition, the moderation of self-affirmation reported in our research indicates an effective approach to diminishing the negative influence of ostracism.
Measures of financial burden for families dealing with serious illness: A systematic review and analysis
Authors: Lee Joonyup , Cagle John G
Published: December 2020

Background:

Many families coping with serious illness report experiencing financial burden, which negatively impacts coping and quality of life. Financial burden, however, is a complex construct that has been inconsistently operationalized in the literature.

Aim:

To review the available literature to identify, and describe the properties of, measurement tools or scales used to assess financial burden, including financial stress and strain, for families dealing with serious illness.

Design:

A systematic review.

Data sources:

Six databases were searched for articles published between 2006 and 2020. The review included studies in English, that reported empirical data, and used at least one measure of financial burden. To obtain a full copy of measures, an environmental scan was conducted.

Results:

A total of 31 measures were included. Only five of the total were designed for patient self-report, 23 of the total were designed for caregiver report. Whereas 11 measures relied on a single-item, 17 were multi-item. The remaining measures provided no information about target population and items. The most popular measures—based on Google Scholar citations—tended to only include one financial burden item. Given the complexity of financial burden, and its subjective and objective aspects, the utility of these single item measures remains questionable. Also, although patients may experience financial burden, there is a lack of patient-reported measures.

Conclusion:

To measure financial burden, we identified a need to develop and test multi-item measures, measures appropriate for patient populations and greater attention to the temporal aspects of self-report assessments.
MicroRNA-195 predicts olanzapine response in drug-free patients with schizophrenia: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Huang Xinxin , Bao Chenxi , Lv Qinyu , Zhao Jing , Hu Guoqin , Wu Haisu , Li Zezhi , Yi Zhenghui
Published: December 2020

Background:

Disturbances of microRNA-195 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. However, microRNA-195 levels in schizophrenia are controversial.

Aims:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine microRNA-195 levels in untreated schizophrenia patients and their relationship to olanzapine response.

Methods:

We recruited 81 untreated schizophrenia patients and 96 healthy controls. The patients received 2 months olanzapine treatment. MicroRNA-195 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction testing. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.

Results:

No significant differences in microRNA-195 levels were found between patients and healthy controls ( p > 0.05). Olanzapine significantly reduced microRNA-195 levels after 2 months treatment ( p = 0.003). Interestingly, microRNA-195 levels decreased significantly in responders ( p = 0.010), but not in non-responders ( p > 0.05). Both baseline microRNA-195 levels ( p = 0.027, p = 0.030) and the reduction rate of microRNA-195 levels ( p = 0.034, p = 0.044) were positively associated with the reduction rate of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score and general psychopathological subscale score. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that baseline microRNA-195 level was an independent contributor to the reduction in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score and the general psychopathological subscale score ( p = 0.018, p = 0.030). Finally, logistic regression analysis suggested that baseline microRNA-195 level can serve as a biomarker for response to olanzapine ( p = 0.037).

Conclusions:

Our data indicate that microRNA-195 level may predict symptomatic improvement and olanzapine response in schizophrenia patients, suggesting that microRNA-195 should be considered as a potential therapeutic target for antipsychotics.
Presynaptic vesicular accumulation is required for antipsychotic efficacy in psychotic-like rats
Authors: Uzuneser Taygun C , Weiss Eva-Maria , Dahlmanns Jana , Kalinichenko Liubov S , Amato Davide , Kornhuber Johannes , Alzheimer Christian , Hellmann Jan , Kaindl Jonas , Hübner Harald , Löber Stefan , Gmeiner Peter , Grömer Teja W , Müller Christian P
Published: December 2020

Background:

The therapeutic effects of antipsychotic drugs (APDs) are mainly attributed to their postsynaptic inhibitory functions on the dopamine D2 receptor, which, however, cannot explain the delayed onset of full therapeutic efficacy. It was previously shown that APDs accumulate in presynaptic vesicles during chronic treatment and are released like neurotransmitters in an activity-dependent manner triggering an auto-inhibitory feedback mechanism. Although closely mirroring therapeutic action onset, the functional consequence of the APD accumulation process remained unclear.

Aims:

Here we tested whether the accumulation of the APD haloperidol (HAL) is required for full therapeutic action in psychotic-like rats.

Methods:

We designed a HAL analog compound (HAL-F), which lacks the accumulation property of HAL, but retains its postsynaptic inhibitory action on dopamine D2 receptors.

Results/outcomes:

By perfusing LysoTracker fluorophore-stained cultured hippocampal neurons, we confirmed the accumulation of HAL and the non-accumulation of HAL-F. In an amphetamine hypersensitization psychosis-like model in rats, we found that subchronic intracerebroventricularly delivered HAL (0.1 mg/kg/day), but not HAL-F (0.3–1.5 mg/kg/day), attenuates psychotic-like behavior in rats.

Conclusions/interpretation:

These findings suggest the presynaptic accumulation of HAL may serve as an essential prerequisite for its full antipsychotic action and may explain the time course of APD action. Targeting accumulation properties of APDs may, thus, become a new strategy to improve APD action.
Cryptococcal endocarditis of native valves without immunodeficiency or drug abuse: a case report
Authors: Li Yimin , He Shenghu , Lu Zhiping , Ding Chang , Wang Qian , Li Quanyi , Pan Yang , Huang Jin
Published: December 2020

Cryptococcal endocarditis has rarely been reported. Most patients with this condition are associated with risk factors, such as structural heart disease/valve replacement, immunodeficiency/immunosuppression or drug abuse. We report a case of cryptococcal endocarditis of the native valves without any risk factors. A 50-year-old Chinese man was admitted to hospital with fever for 1 month without any underlying heart disease, immunodeficiency, or drug use. He was diagnosed as having Cryptococcus neoformans infective endocarditis and was discharged after valve replacement surgery and long-term antifungal therapy.
Legal geography III: Evidence
Authors: Jeffrey Alex
Published: December 2020

This report explores scholarship at the interface of geography and law engaging with the concept of evidence. As with the first two reports, this is not a summary of a predefined field, but rather a consideration of how ideas of what constitutes evidence have been differentially understood across geographical and cognate studies. The discussion spans work that has considered the formal barriers to the production of evidence at trials, the politics of silencing certain evidential practices and interpretive questions relating to claims of expertise.
Evaluation of Centerline Audible Roadway Delineators (CARDs) in New York State
Authors: Zitowsky Robert
Published: December 2020

This study evaluated the safety effectiveness of the systemic implementation of centerline rumble strips on New York State-owned roads. In New York State, rumble strips installed on the centerline are referred to as centerline audible roadway delineators (CARDs). The effect of CARDs on head-on sideswipe (HO/SS), run-off-road (ROR), injury crashes, and fatal crashes was analyzed. This was an observational, naïve before–after with comparison group study. The treatment group included all segments where CARDs were installed in 2013, 2014, and 2015 in New York State Department of Transportation Regions 1 and 4, and Dutchess County in Region 8. Eligible segments without CARDs in those regions constituted the control group. The crashes comprised 2009 to 2017 HO/SS and ROR fatal, all injury, and property damage only crashes. The study showed that CARDs are an effective treatment to reduce ROR and HO/SS crashes. There was a decrease of 24 ROR and 9 HO/SS crashes on CARDs segments installed in 2013, a decrease of 12 ROR and 27 HO/SS crashes on CARDs segments installed in 2014, and a decrease of 40 ROR and 35 HO/SS crashes on CARDs segments installed in 2015. Crash modification factors (CMFs) developed for CARDs included ROR crashes (a CMF of 0.774 [expected reduction of 22.6%] in all ROR crashes); HO/SS crashes (a CMF of 0.623 [expected reduction of 37.7%] in HO/SS total crashes); and HO/SS injury crashes (a CMF of 0.572 [expected reduction of 42.8%] in injury HO/SS crashes).
Truck Platooning to Minimize Load-Induced Fatigue in Steel Girder Bridges
Authors: Couto Braguim Thales , Lou Peng , Nassif Hani
Published: December 2020

Truck platooning has been demonstrated to possess several advantages in relation to energy savings. To implement this technology in the future, a better understanding of the effects of truck platooning on bridges is needed in relation to safety, serviceability, and remaining service life. This research aims at investigating the effects of truck platooning on the fatigue of steel girder bridges. Different types of platoons are simulated in line girder analysis for simple spans and two-equal continuous spans bridges. Then the rainflow counting method is applied to obtain the stress ranges and cycles. Miner’s rule is used to quantify the fatigue damage. The fatigue damage of different platoons is normalized by American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials Load and Resistance Factor Design Fatigue Load for comparison. The effects of the number of trucks and gap distances of truck platoons are further investigated. In some cases, truck platooning helps decrease the fatigue damage since, although truck platooning brings higher load effects, it also decreases the number of cycles. For platoons with different truck wheelbases, there are specific span to wheelbase ratios, beyond which fatigue damage decreases as gap distance increases. In addition, depending on the platoon configurations, there are ranges of span lengths where it is more beneficial to travel as truck platoons rather than traveling individually in relation to fatigue damage.
Persistent, Historic Factors Correlated with Airport Bond Returns
Authors: Arora Shivam
Published: December 2020

The factors that are associated with returns on airport bonds are explored, using a proxy for an airport bond portfolio with the S&P Municipal Bond Airport Index. Six spread-based factors representing the tax status, term length, credit quality, bond type, infrastructure, and insurance status of airport bonds provide the independent variables. Five models are developed to test for bonds’ risk exposure to these characteristics and to analyze how these exposures for airport bonds differ from those of general transportation bonds or municipal bonds. Over 90% of the variation in returns on the airport index is explained by these factors. When determining risk premiums on airport bonds relative to other transportation bonds, investors appear to consider the bond type and infrastructure factors as being most relevant. However, when transportation bonds are compared with other municipal bonds, all factors except the insurance factor act as risk premiums. The component of airport bond returns not associated with these factors is partially explained by monthly changes in jet fuel prices and enplanements across all U.S. airports. These results can help airport bond issuers to evaluate the relative costs of raising funds through debt issues, and understand the trends in the bond market that are more strongly associated with prices and expected returns in the airport bond sector. Hedges against fuel price, enplanement changes, or both, may also be actions that airport bond issuers could consider outside of traditional financial planning practices to manage trends in the bond markets.
Social Reactions Received by Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Validation of Key Constructs From the Social Reactions Questionnaire
Authors: Ahrens Courtney E. , Dworkin Emily R. , Hart Angela C.
Published: December 2020

The majority of intimate partner violence survivors tell at least one person about the abuse, and the reactions of these support providers can have a profound impact on survivors’ recovery. In recent years, the Social Reactions Questionnaire (SRQ) has become the predominant measure of social reactions toward intimate partner violence survivors, but the SRQ was developed based on the experiences of sexual assault survivors only. To determine how well intimate partner violence survivors’ descriptions of social reactions from informal support providers align with constructs in the SRQ, we examined qualitative interview data about survivors’ interactions with informal support providers obtained from a larger study with 113 female survivors of intimate partner violence. Excerpts were coded inductively, and a total of 12 types of social reactions emerged. Seven of these social reactions aligned with existing social reactions in the SRQ: (a) emotional support, (b) tangible aid, (c) blame, (d) took control, (e) treated differently, (f) egocentric reactions, and (g) distraction. An additional six reactions emerged as separate constructs, including (h) minimization, (i) told to leave, (j) advice, (k) interventions, and (l) indifference. These findings highlight the need for direct interventions with friends and family members to improve social reactions toward intimate partner violence survivors. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684320975663
Painting a Way Out of a Corner: An Assessment of the Relationship of Public Art with Neighborhood Violence
Authors: Barton Michael S. , Rizzuto Tracey E. , Valasik Matthew A.
Published: December 2020

This study examines the relationship of blight reduction with violent crime in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We examine whether an initiative to paint murals in high-crime areas was associated with declines in calls for service for violent crime. This relationship was assessed by analyzing variation in calls for service in the areas within 500 feet of mural installations and at the block group level over a nine-year period. Our findings suggest the influence of blight reduction strategies for violence can vary by unit of analysis and that such strategies by themselves are unlikely to be strongly associated with reductions in violence.
Research for Practitioners: The Growing Complexity of Benefit Design
Authors: Flannery Thomas P. , Bloom Brian
Published: December 2020

Benefit strategies are undergoing a major transformation and repurposing as organizations shift their focus from attraction and retention to engagement and performance. This research brief highlights the variety of innovative offerings now in play, the strategies that drive them, and key issues HR and compensation practitioners need to address.
Bringing Women on Board? Family Policies, Quotas and Gender Diversity in Top Jobs
Authors: Kowalewska Helen
Published: December 2020

An influential body of work has identified a ‘welfare-state paradox’: work–family policies that bring women into the workforce also undermine women’s access to the top jobs. Missing from this literature is a consideration of how welfare-state interventions impact on women’s representation at the board-level specifically, rather than managerial and lucrative positions more generally. This article contributes to addressing this ‘gap’. A fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis of 22 industrialised countries reveals how welfare-state interventions combine with gender boardroom quotas and targets in (not) bringing a ‘critical mass’ of women onto private-sector corporate boards. Overall, the analysis finds limited evidence in support of a welfare-state paradox; in fact, countries are unlikely to achieve a critical mass of women on boards in the absence of adequate childcare services. The results further suggest that ‘hard’, mandatory gender boardroom quotas are not necessary for achieving more women on boards; ‘soft’, voluntary recommendations can also work under certain family policy constellations.
Assessing the Coronavirus Research Output: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Ali Asifa , Hakak Irfan Ahmad , Amin Faseeh
Published: December 2020

The aim of this article is to examine the bibliometric analysis of global publication output on coronavirus, as covered in Web of Science during the period from 2000 to 2019. A total of 10,861 documents were found during a 20-year period spanning from 2000 to 2019 published in the ISI Web of Science. The study analyses annual productivity, most productive source titles, prolific countries, eminent institutions, linguistic analysis and productivity of authors and their contribution in the subject area. The findings reveal that the most productive year of publication was 2004 that included 782 publications with the majority published in the Journal of Virology. The result further indicates that the USA, China and Germany are the most productive countries in the field of Coronavirus research output. In terms of institutional output, University of Hong Kong emerged as the most productive institution; Yuen KY from Hong Kong is the most prolific author. In the subject category type, the most prominent subject field is Virology, Infectious Disease and Veterinary Science. The findings of the study are limited to the data harvested from ‘Web of Science’. This study is of immense relevance to researchers and academicians who are searching for answers to this pandemic. This will provide insights to academicians to collaborate with other researchers based on the quality of the research produced by other countries and institutes. The study is useful for researchers, immunologists and epidemiologists who are interested in the field of Coronavirus and serves as a base for future research.
Impact of Microcredit on Employment Generation and Empowerment of Rural Women in India
Authors: Datta Srimoyee , Sahu Tarak Nath
Published: December 2020

This study examines the responsibility of microfinance institutions towards changes in the livelihood practices of the borrowers. Considering a total of 350 borrowers of West Bengal, the impact of microfinance on their lives has been observed empirically by applying different statistical tools. In this study, it has been observed that MFIs with its offerings support to shape up the lifestyle practices of the beneficiaries over time. The microcredit utilisation helps the borrowers to start up income-generating activities and engagement of manpower within their household and beyond. This study contributes to the extant literature on microfinance by comparing pre-loan and post-loan phases and identifies the contemporary role of MFIs. By considering the appropriate framework and approach, this study is explicable towards policymakers for designing further policies in this context and helps identify resources that need to flourish the current state in the future.
Expertise Diversity and Transactive Memory Systems: Insights From a Conflict Perspective
Authors: Todorova Gergana
Published: December 2020

Transactive memory systems (TMS) facilitate the utilization and coordination of diverse knowledge inputs, and therefore TMS should be particularly important for teams with expertise diversity. However, TMS in diverse teams may be inhibited by conflict. Adopting a conflict perspective, this study examines whether expertise diversity fosters or inhibits TMS in creative teams. Using longitudinal data, TMS was inhibited when team members engaged in relationship conflict. In contrast, task conflict fostered TMS. Furthermore, the results showed that expertise diversity affected TMS through task conflict and relationship conflict. I discuss the implications for management theory and practice.