bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping the post-bureaucratic landscape: project managers’ perception of bureaucracy in European Union Cohesion policy projects
Authors: Vento Isak , Kuokkanen Kanerva
Published: November 2020

New post-bureaucratic organizational forms, such as projects, are increasingly used in policy implementation. Their assumed benefits in decreasing bureaucracy and increasing flexibility have, however, been questioned. It has been argued that public projects increase red tape (or bureaucracy perceived as a nuisance) because of the formal rules associated with them. Despite the topicality of the subject, we do not know how public project bureaucracy is perceived by the actors involved. This article explores the bureaucracy of public projects by analysing project managers’ perceptions of them with data from European Union Cohesion policy projects in Finland. The data consist of project register data and a survey to project managers ( N = 728). The study finds that when talking of the perception of bureaucracy, it is relevant to distinguish between a general attitude towards bureaucracy and a specific perception of the task at hand. The general attitude seems more negative than the specific perception of bureaucracy. We also show that project managers’ experience, institutional background and share of administrative tasks in the project condition the extent to which bureaucracy is perceived as red tape. To conclude, the findings are discussed in relation to previous research on red tape in public administration.

Points for practitioners

Project organization connotes flexibility and innovation but involves also bureaucracy, which can be received as red tape, especially for inexperienced managers. In general, managers consider project bureaucracy as red tape, while in their own projects, bureaucracy is seen as less burdensome. Public managers have an advantage over managers from non-public organizations by perceiving public project bureaucracy as less burdensome.
Customer Satisfaction and Firm Profits in Monopolies: A Study of Utilities
Authors: Bhattacharya Abhi , Morgan Neil A. , Rego Lopo L.
Published: November 2020

There is a growing body of evidence that customer satisfaction is predictive of firms’ future financial performance. However, studies of this relationship have been limited to competitive markets, and monopolistic markets have been largely ignored. This study explores the large and important utilities market and exploits its unique regulatory requirements that generate detailed and reliable operating and accounting data to examine the overall relationship between customer satisfaction and utility profit and establish the causal mechanisms involved. Using data from U.S. public utility firms, the authors show that even when customer satisfaction does not affect future revenues, it does positively predict future profitability by reducing utility firm operating costs. More specifically, they find that higher satisfaction reduces the costs of utility firm distribution, customer service, and sales and general administration expenses. These findings and additional post hoc evidence are consistent with the notion that customer satisfaction (1) generates efficiency-enhancing benefits for utility firms by lowering the direct and employee engagement costs of dealing with dissatisfied customers and (2) fosters greater trust and cooperation from customers. This study has important implications for both managers and regulators and provides important new insights for market-based asset theory and regulatory economic theory.
Neighbourhood accessibility and walkability of subsidised housing in shrinking US cities
Authors: Yin Li , Patterson Kelly , Silverman Robert , Wu Laiyun , Zhang Hao
Published: November 2020

This article advances the discussion of subsidised housing and accessible and walkable neighbourhoods by focusing on the characteristics of cities experiencing population decline. We examine the neighbourhood context of subsidised housing with respect to walkability and accessibility in shrinking cities using Walk Score and a walkability index that considers the unique neighbourhood dynamics in these cities and access to anchor institutions and transit. Our results confirm recent studies that the majority of HUD units are in less walkable neighbourhoods and with low access to anchor institutions. Our results support the inclusion of more refined walkability and accessibility measures in affordable housing siting criteria. These measures would encourage the development of revitalisation strategies with enhanced walkability, services and transit.
Impact of haemolysis on vancomycin disposition in a full-term neonate treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Pokorná Pavla , Šíma Martin , Tibboel Dick , Slanař Ondřej
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a lifesaving support technology for potentially reversible neonatal cardiac and/or respiratory failure. Pharmacological consequences of ECMO-induced haemolysis in neonates are not well understood.

Case report:

We report a case report of a full-term neonate treated for congenital diaphragmatic hernia and sepsis with ECMO and with vancomycin. While the population elimination half-life of 7 h was estimated, fitting of the simulated population pharmacokinetic profile to truly observed drug concentration points resulted in the personalized value of 41 h.

Discussion:

The neonate developed ECMO-induced haemolysis with subsequent acute kidney injury resulting in prolonged drug elimination. Whole blood/serum ratio of 0.79 excluded possibility of direct increase of vancomycin serum concentration during haemolysis.

Conclusion:

Vancomycin elimination may be severely prolonged due to ECMO-induced haemolysis and acute kidney injury, while hypothesis of direct increase of vancomycin levels by releasing the drug from blood cells during haemolysis has been disproved.
Psychology and politics of COVID-19 misinfodemics: Why and how do people believe in misinfodemics?
Authors: Mukhtar Sonia
Published: November 2020

Misinfodemics related to COVID-19 have negatively impacted people’s lives, with adverse health and psycho-sociopolitical outcomes. As the scientific community seeks to communicate evidence-based information regarding misplaced preventive strategies and misinformed help-seeking behaviors on global multifaceted systems, a secondary risk has emerged: the effects of misinfodemics on the public. Published articles on PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar and Elsevier about COVID-related misinfodemics have been considered and reviewed in this article. This review examines the mechanisms, operational structure, prevalence, predictive factors, effects, responses and potential curtailing strategies of misinfodemics of COVID-19. The present article shows that the popular variants of COVID-19 misinfodemics could be the joint product of a psychological predisposition which is either to reject information from experts or perceive the crisis situation as a product of misinfodemics mechanisms and partisan ideological motivations. The psychological foundations and political disposition of misinfodemics have implications for the development of strategies designed to curtail the negative consequences on public health.
Child marriage and its impact on fertility and fertility-related outcomes in South Asian countries
Authors: Kamal SM Mostafa , Ulas Efehan
Published: November 2020

Although South Asia (SA) is reported as a home of child marriage, the association of child marriage with fertility and fertility-related outcomes in this region is poorly explored. The most recent data of the Demographic and Health Survey of six SA countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan – have been used in this article. The unit of analysis is 584,213 currently married women aged 20–49. The outcomes of interest are fertility and fertility-outcomes. Quantitatively important and reliable estimates were obtained from the statistical analyses. The results are presented by odds ratios with 95% CIs. Findings reveal that, overall, 42.1% of the respondents were married-off before age 18. The prevalence of child marriage was lowest in the Maldives and highest in Bangladesh at 20.5% and 74.4% respectively. The likelihood of early childbirth and repeated childbirth were significantly ( p < 0.001) lower and that for high fertility, unintended pregnancy, lifetime pregnancy termination and use of a modern contraceptive method was significantly higher in the child married women compared to their adult married counterparts. Reforms should aim to have more girls remain in schooling for both personal and overall societal development and also to reduce adverse reproductive outcomes caused by child marriage.
Factors Affecting the Utilization of Maternal and Child Health Care Services in Tribal Dominated Population States of India
Authors: Chauhan Bal Govind , Jungari Suresh
Published: November 2020

The present study intended to examine that factors affecting the utilization of maternal health services in the Three tribal-dominated states of India namely Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. The study used National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) data. Both bivariate and multivariate techniques have been applied for data analysis. Logistic regression techniques and concentration curve and index have been used . Findings of the study indicate that there were wider socio-economic differential exits in the utilization of MCH services (full ANC, Safe delivery and post-natal care) in all the three states under study. The regression result shows that the tribal population is less likely to utilize maternal and child health care services than other Caste groups. The economic inequality in accessing the all three components of maternal health care utilization was higher in the Jharkhand than Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Further, economic inequality was higher in accessing the full ANC than safe delivery and post-natal care across all the states under study. From policy point of view, the government schemes to provide maternal health services to tribal communities should consider the community-level factors affecting maternal health care utilization and should extend its operations in the small villages.
Food and Nutrition Security Theory
Authors: Simelane Kwanele Siyabonga , Worth Steve
Published: November 2020

Background:

Food and nutrition insecurity continue to affect societies in both developed and developing countries even in years of bounty harvest. This confirms that availability of food does not automatically translate to food and nutrition security (FNS). Even when food is available it may not be accessible to everyone who needs it, and sometimes available and accessible food may not provide all the nutrients required to nourish the body to develop, grow, resist diseases, and meet ordinary physiological demands. Sometimes, food is plenty and accessible but not acceptable or sustainable. All such instances constitute potential food and (especially) nutrition insecurity.

Objective:

We intend to establish a theoretical framework for investigating food and nutrition security.

Method:

This is a theoretical paper drawing on previous publications within the scope of food security and nutrition security.

Results:

The review found that it is imperative to consider carefully the definition of FNS to ensure the two concepts (food security and nutrition security) are adequately and sufficiently addressed in the implementation of food policies and strategies without sacrificing one concept over the other. This balance can be achieved through a thorough needs assessment analysis following the livelihood and the vulnerability approaches to FNS. The analysis should take into account the four conceptual dimensions to FNS to holistically cover every aspect of FNS.

Conclusions:

The information gathered from the analysis will help prioritize and focus food and nutrition support efforts to the people who really need it, yielding impact measured in public health indicators, education, productivity and the broader national/regional economy.
Defending the role of rationality in the social sciences, rationally
Authors: Rutar Tibor
Published: November 2020

Peter T. Leeson and Tobias Wolbring agree with me that rationality, properly clarified, should continue to assume an important theoretical role in modern social science. We disagree, however, about the precise extent of its role. In my reply to the debate I focus on two related issues that have emerged. First, can and should the concepts of rationality, or rational choice theory (RCT) more generally, be employed as something more than just one tool among many? Second, can all cases of norm-following be satisfactorily subsumed by rationality and RCT analysis?
Recycling of electrode materials from spent lithium-ion power batteries via thermal and mechanical treatments
Authors: Wu Zhongwei , Zhu Huabing , Bi Haijun , He Ping , Gao Song
Published: November 2020

This study developed a physical separation process that recovers active cathode materials from current collectors in spent lithium-ion power batteries (LIBs). The physical separation process, implemented via thermal and mechanical treatments, was examined based on cohesive zone models (CZMs) and verified by physical separation experiments. The most efficient condition was determined by optimising the key parameters (temperature and time) of selective heating. Among several mechanical separation methods, high-speed shearing best separates positive electrode materials into active cathode materials (LiFePO4) and current collectors (Al fragments). The separation effect was verified by computing the dissociation rate and microscopic observation of the separated materials. The feasibility and efficiency of the above process were assessed in a work-of-force analysis, flow field simulation, high-speed crushing experiment and material property analysis. The above analyses realised a feasible, efficient and environmentally friendly separation route without changing the chemical structure and properties of the electrode materials. Under non-high (energy-conserving) temperature conditions, the LiFePO4 dissociation rate stabilises at 80–85%. Under high-speed crushing, the LiFePO4 dissociation rate reaches 85% at 32,000-r/min crushing and a maximum shearing velocity of the blade edge v ≈ 500 m/s. This approach can effectively recycle electrode materials, gain valuable resources and can be used to recycle and utilise spent LIBs, thus addressing two grave issues – environmental pollution and resource wastage to achieve the sustainable development of LIBs and electric vehicle industry.
Optic Neuritis During Lactation: A Case Series
Authors: Jeslin Johnson , Seetharaman C. , Shah Virna M.
Published: November 2020

Background

Optic neuritis is a rare condition that can lead to sudden blindness and also could be a precursor to multiple sclerosis. When it occurs postpartum during lactation, it is called lactation optic neuritis.

Main issue

We present four cases of optic neuritis in lactating mothers, two of which had additional features of demyelinating disease upon neurological imaging.

Management

All participants were treated with high dose intravenous steroids followed by 11 days of oral steroids, per the optic neuritis treatment trial, which led to complete recovery of vision. Two participants with demyelinating disease on magnetic resonance imaging scans were advised to wean, because of a need for immunosuppressive therapy later.

Conclusion

Optic neuritis during lactation should be suspected following acute loss of vision. Prompt referral to an ophthalmologist is mandated for early diagnosis and treatment to prevent long-term co-morbidities.
How Occupational Pensions Shape Extended Working Lives: Gender, Class and Chance after the Norwegian Pension Reform
Authors: Grødem Anne Skevik , Hippe Jon M
Published: November 2020

Individuals’ need for extended working lives depends on the design of pension systems, including occupational pensions. This article examines variation in occupational pension generosity and coverage in Norway’s private sector. The analysis consists of microsimulations of future pension outcomes for cohorts born in 1953, 1963, 1973 and 1983. The first set of calculations estimate average pension levels for individuals with different pension packages who retire at 67; the second, how much longer workers in different cohorts will have to work in order to obtain a replacement rate of 70%. The overall finding is that while all workers in Norway must extend working life in the future, those with the most generous occupational pensions can retire about four years earlier than those with the least generous packages. This shows that the design and regulation of occupational pensions are crucial to the debate on extended working lives.
COVID-19 responses: infrastructure inequality and privileged capacity to transform everyday life in South Africa
Authors: De Groot Jiska , Lemanski Charlotte
Published: November 2020

Throughout the early months of 2020, COVID-19 rapidly changed how the world functioned, with the closure of borders, schools and workplaces, national lockdowns, and the rapid normalization of “self-isolation” and “social distancing”. However, while public health recommendations were broadly universal, human capacity to accordingly transform everyday life has differed significantly. We use the example of South Africa to highlight the privileged nature of the ability to transform one’s life in response to COVID-19, arguing that the virus both highlights and exacerbates existing inequalities in access to infrastructure. For those living in urban poverty in South Africa, where access to basic infrastructure is limited, and where overcrowding and high density are the norm, it is frequently impossible to transform daily life in the required ways. The failure of global public health recommendations to recognize these inequalities, and to adapt advice to national and local contexts, reveals significant limitations that extend beyond this specific global pandemic.
Communicating an Institutional Mission in Online Courses: A Mixed-Method Approach to Improve Student Experience
Authors: Lean Emily R. , Emery Brooke Glover
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine which techniques work best to positively communicate an institutional mission in an online education format. The overarching goal of our research is to better understand how to create and maintain online classes that help universities pursue a specific mission while offering a high-quality education. Whatever the mission, be it religion, equality, social responsibility, or environmental sustainability, students must see and feel it in all interactions. Overall, personalization of online courses seems to be the overarching request of students, with the opportunity to cocreate the learning environment favored. By giving students the option to be involved in the look and development of the course as well as professors expressing their beliefs and being more personal and intentional, the mission is more authentically perceived in the online environment. Although this study was framed in the context of a religion-based mission, the findings from this study can be applied to any organization with a strong mission.
Synaptic Dysfunction in Huntington’s Disease: Lessons from Genetic Animal Models
Authors: Cepeda Carlos , Levine Michael S.
Published: November 2020

The understanding of the functional and structural changes occurring in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia in Huntington’s disease (HD) has benefited considerably from the generation of genetic animal models. Most studies of synaptic alterations in HD models have focused on the striatum, but a more complete picture of synaptic dysfunction in the cortico-basal ganglia-cortical loop is emerging. Here, we provide a review and analysis of current developments in the study of synaptic alterations in these areas using HD rodent models. Recent evidence indicates that cortical maldevelopment plays a role in synaptic dysfunction along the corticostriatal pathway that may have its roots in the way mutant huntingtin interacts with synaptic proteins. Furthermore, a progressive disconnection in the corticostriatal pathway leads to abnormal function engaging extrasynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptors that contribute to eventual cell degeneration. In addition, biphasic increases followed by decreases in glutamate and dopamine release in the striatum could explain contrasting symptomatology in early and late stages of the disease. Changes in striatal output regions also are beginning to be examined. Finally, we highlight some therapeutic avenues aimed at rescuing synaptic dysfunction.
Gender Perspectives on National and Nation-State Animal Symbolism
Authors: Alonso García Enrique
Published: November 2020

The aim of this article is to revisit the significance of national and nation-state animal symbolism within the context of modern constitutionalism and its democratic emphasis on equal rights, regardless of gender. I discuss the problematic conveyance of gender inclusiveness through the animal sign, and how both at a linguistic and at a visual level (through sexual monomorphism and dimorphism), gender politics may become inscribed within the anthropomorphized animal and its body. I then turn to examine recent examples in which women’s inclusion within the animal symbol has been debated or once again dismissed through a reinstatement of patriarchal expectations. I close the article with a few questions regarding how (and/or whether) the type of gender equality desired and proclaimed by modern nation-states could potentially become encrypted within the animal body.
Hot deformation behavior and dynamic recrystallization constitutive modeling of Al–Cu–Mg powder compacts processed by extrusion at elevated temperatures
Authors: Bharath Katti , Khanra Asit Kumar , Davidson MJ
Published: November 2020

The deformation behavior of Al–Cu–Mg sintered preforms has been investigated by extrusion in the temperature range of 450–550°C and strain rate range of 0.1–0.3 s−1, respectively. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of initial preform relative density on the hot deformation behavior and to model and predict the flow stress of extruded samples using constitutive equations. The true stress–strain curves exhibit three stages of deformation, which represent work hardening, dynamic recovery, and dynamic recrystallization during deformation at different temperatures, strain rates, and initial preform relative densities of 70%, 80%, and 90%, respectively. The results show that the flow stress values are influenced by initial preform relative density, deformation temperature, and strain rate. Microstructural examination of extruded specimens has been performed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Arrhenius-type constitutive equations are developed to predict the flow stress of hot-extruded powder metallurgy processed aluminum alloy (Al–4%Cu–0.5%Mg). Zener–Hollomon parameter is used to explain the relationship between peak flow stress, temperature, and strain rate in an exponential equation containing the deformation activation energy and material constants. Subsequently, the statistical indicators correlation coefficient ( R) and the average absolute relative error are assessed to confirm the validity of constitutive equations. The results indicate the experimental and predicted peak flow stress values are in good agreement, which indicate the accuracy and reliability of the developed model for powder metallurgy processed Al–4%Cu–0.5%Mg preforms.
Investigation of low-density parity check codes concatenated multi-user massive multiple-input multiple-output systems with imperfect channel state information
Authors: Bhardwaj Lokesh , Mishra Ritesh Kumar , Shankar Ravi
Published: November 2020

In this era of communication technology, it is desirable to increase the data rate while minimizing the error to improve the system’s reliability. One of these techniques is massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO), which increases the spectral efficiency by providing the data to multiple users simultaneously through spatial multiplexing. The mMIMO system processes the received signal by prior estimation of the channel, which has a finite variance leading to imperfect channel state information (ICSI) at the receiver. In the fifth-generation technology, spectral efficiency using mMIMO may decrease as the number of subscribers increases, resulting in more interference and affecting system capacity. The ICSI provides another challenge, as the processed data at the receiver’s output may now be more erroneous. Thus, this article provides an insight into the impact of an increase in the number of users on the variation in bit error rate with the signal-to-noise ratio in multi-user mMIMO (MU-mMIMO) and low-density parity check (LDPC) codes concatenated MU-mMIMO systems having ICSI at the receiver for quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and 16-QAM as modulation techniques. It has been shown that the performance of the concatenated scheme outperforms the conventional mMIMO system.
Dynamic weight-based learning method for data detection in manufacturing
Authors: Lin Tsun-Kuo
Published: November 2020

In this study, a dynamic weight-based method combined with principal component analysis (PCA) was developed for the first time for detecting measurement data in manufacturing. This weight-based learning technique can learn and train the measurement data sequence to isolate incorrect data sources for achieving high accuracy when detecting various types of data. Research has revealed that unsuitable image or data features might cause poor performance in industrial inspections. In contrast to the previous inspection methods, the weight-based learning method proposed in this study employs a dynamic learning algorithm for effectively and adaptively selecting optimal principle components to the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm and then establishes indicators. Finally, these PCA-based indicators act as substitutes for massive amounts of data in data processing and can be applied to timely detect data when the data contain redundant and incorrect inputs in a sequence. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method, which combines dynamic weight-based feature extraction with PCA, can provide useful indicators for detecting various types of manufacturing data and exhibited satisfactory performance in the data detection.
Transnational co-production, multiplatform television and My Brilliant Friend
Authors: Dunleavy Trisha
Published: November 2020

Rai/HBO co-production L’Amica Geniale/ My Brilliant Friend (2018–) provides an illuminating example of changing strategies for transnational drama co-production in television’s burgeoning ‘multiplatform’ era. Foregrounding institutional over textual analysis, the article places My Brilliant Friend ( MBF) within the industrial, creative and cultural contexts that have facilitated it. Important to these contexts is that transnational co-productions between non-US broadcasters and US-based premium networks are not only increasing but also exhibiting a new degree of cultural diversity. The article examines MBF’s origination as a literary adaptation, its genesis as a ‘cross-platform’ co-production, and its exemplification of changing drama commissioning strategies for Rai and HBO.
Is additive manufacturing improving performance in Sports? A systematic review
Authors: Novak James I , Novak Andrew R
Published: November 2020

Sport is an industry that may benefit from the opportunities offered by additive manufacturing (AM), and the media has portrayed increasing adoption of the technology in sports products. This systematic review aimed to consolidate and interpret the available empirical evidence concerning applications of AM in sports following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015. Four databases were searched within the date range of January 1984 to May 2019, using 28 broad and specific search phrases. This search resulted in 26 articles for analysis, the first appearing in 2010. Twelve sports in total were identified across the literature, with running/walking the most popular sport with ten articles (38%) investigating AM, followed by cycling with four articles (15%) and badminton with three articles (12%). Ten articles (38%) observed improvements in performance of products developed via AM compared to conventionally manufactured products, eight articles (31%) found a similar performance, and five articles (19%) found a lower performance. From a technical perspective, powder bed fusion technologies were the most utilized with 50% of articles using either selective laser sintering (SLS) or selective laser melting (SLM), although 52% of articles did not name the 3D printer used and 36% did not name any software used to design or optimize products. 3D scanning technology was also utilized in 11 articles (42%). Results indicate that AM has been slow to permeate sports research, and while considered across a variety of potential applications, has largely resulted in singular studies with potentially limited opportunities or funding for follow-up investigations.
Rethinking urban environmental and infrastructural governance in the everyday: Perspectives from and of the global South
Authors: Truelove Yaffa , Cornea Natasha
Published: November 2020

In the global South, urban infrastructures and environments are marked by significant heterogeneity and the presence of multiple overlapping systems, configurations and actor networks that keep the city working – water flows, electricity is available, and waste is collected. This occurs in the face of what has been traditionally characterized as failed or incomplete infrastructures and the presence of governance practices that often deviate from formalized norms and policies. However, increasingly academics are arguing that such heterogeneity represents not failure but spaces of possibility and transition. This introduction lays out some of the theoretical underpinnings and conceptual ideas that frame urban environmental and infrastructural governance in the everyday. We then outline how the contributions of this Special Issue (SI) reveal the contested, negotiated, and situated nature of everyday urban governance and the multiple ways that politics become spatialized and power shapes contemporary cities, urban environments, and infrastructures. The SI brings together an interdisciplinary and diverse range of contributions focusing on case studies in secondary and metropolitan cities in India, Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya and Guinea-Bissau, and Brazil. Read together, the papers in this issue contribute to four primary debates and discussions in urban studies and social science studies of the urban environment. These include responding to noted absences in studies of urban political ecologies, contributing to new understandings of the urban political, focusing on the practices that produce political subjectivity and render groups governable, and highlighting everyday spaces of possibility for a more equitable urban future.
Use of Holmium YAG laser in circumcision: a novel, less complicated and alternative procedure for adolescent
Authors: Huang Pei-Lin , Lee I-Ching , Tsai De-Chan , Tsai Jen-Ho , Tsai Vincent F. S. , Pong Yuan-Hung
Published: November 2020

Background

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Holmium YAG laser circumcision in adolescents.

Methods

Eighty-one patients underwent circumcision for medical reasons, and patients’ requests were collected retrospectively during February 2017 to February 2019. They were divided into two groups: Holmium YAG laser (group 1, n = 41) and conventional group (group 2, n = 40). The guillotine method with a Holmium YAG laser was applied for circumcisions, and all the procedures were performed by a single urologist who was well-experienced with circumcision practices.

Results

The average age of group 1 was 15.53 ± 7.35 years old, and the average age was 16.34 ± 9.22 years old in group 2. There was no significant difference in age and indications. The average operative time was significantly shorter in group 1 than in group 2 (24.40 ± 3.94 vs. 27.25 ± 4.35 min, p < 0.01). The estimated blood loss was less in group 1 compared to group 2. There were fewer complications in group 1 than in group 2 (3/41 vs. 10/40, p < 0.01) and patients also felt less pain in group 1 (p < 0.01). All patients tolerated this procedure without severe side effects.

Conclusions

The use of Holmium YAG laser in circumcision is a novel, less complicated, easy, and less painful alternative procedure for circumcision in young males.
Genomic analysis of worldwide sheep breeds reveals PDGFD as a major target of fat-tail selection in sheep
Authors: Dong Kunzhe , Yang Min , Han Jiangang , Ma Qing , Han Jilong , Song Ziyi , Luosang Cuicheng , Gorkhali Neena Amatya , Yang Bohui , He Xiaohong , Ma Yuehui , Jiang Lin
Published: November 2020

Background

Fat tail is a unique trait in sheep acquired during domestication. Several genomic analyses have been conducted in sheep breeds from limited geographic origins to identify the genetic factors underlying this trait. Nevertheless, these studies obtained different candidates. The results of these regional studies were easily biased by the breed structures.

Results

To minimize the bias and distinguish the true candidates, we used an extended data set of 968 sheep representing 18 fat-tailed breeds and 14 thin-tailed breeds from around the world, and integrated two statistical tests to detect selection signatures, including Genetic Fixation Index (FST) and difference of derived allele frequency (ΔDAF). The results showed that platelet derived growth factor D (PDGFD) exhibited the highest genetic differentiation between fat- and thin-tailed sheep breeds. Analysis of sequence variation identified that a 6.8-kb region within the first intron of PDGFD is likely the target of positive selection and contains regulatory mutation(s) in fat-tailed sheep. Histological and gene expression analyses demonstrated that PDGFD expression is associated with maturation and hemostasis of adipocytes. Further retrospective analysis of public transcriptomic datasets revealed that PDGFD expression is down-regulated during adipogenesis in both human and mouse, and is higher in fat tissues of obese individuals than that in lean individuals.

Conclusions

These results reveal that PDGFD is the predominant factor for the fat tail phenotype in sheep by contributing to adiopogenesis and maintaining the hemostasis of mature adipocytes. This study provides insights into the selection of fat-tailed sheep and has important application to animal breeding, as well as obesity-related human diseases.
Correction to: Attenuated self-serving bias in people with internet gaming disorder is related to altered neural activity in subcortical-cortical midline structures
Authors: Wang Yifan , Zheng Li , Wang Chenggong , Guo Xiuyan
Published: November 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Correction to: Evaluating the efficacy and safety of human anti-SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasma in severely ill adults with COVID-19: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Eckhardt Christina M. , Cummings Matthew J. , Rajagopalan Kartik N. , Borden Sarah , Bitan Zachary C. , Wolf Allison , Kantor Alex , Briese Thomas , Meyer Benjamin J. , Jacobson Samuel D. , Scotto Dawn , Mishra Nischay , Philip Neena M. , Stotler Brie A. , Schwartz Joseph , Shaz Beth , Spitalnik Steven L. , Eisenberger Andrew , Hod Jessica Justman Eldad A. , Cheung Ken , Lipkin W. Ian , O’Donnell Max R.
Published: November 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Depression-level assessment from multi-lingual conversational speech data using acoustic and text features
Authors: Demiroglu Cenk , Beşirli Aslı , Ozkanca Yasin , Çelik Selime
Published: November 2020

Depression is a widespread mental health problem around the world with a significant burden on economies. Its early diagnosis and treatment are critical to reduce the costs and even save lives. One key aspect to achieve that goal is to use technology and monitor depression remotely and relatively inexpensively using automated agents. There has been numerous efforts to automatically assess depression levels using audiovisual features as well as text-analysis of conversational speech transcriptions. However, difficulty in data collection and the limited amounts of data available for research present challenges that are hampering the success of the algorithms. One of the two novel contributions in this paper is to exploit databases from multiple languages for acoustic feature selection. Since a large number of features can be extracted from speech, given the small amounts of training data available, effective data selection is critical for success. Our proposed multi-lingual method was effective at selecting better features than the baseline algorithms, which significantly improved the depression assessment accuracy. The second contribution of the paper is to extract text-based features for depression assessment and use a novel algorithm to fuse the text- and speech-based classifiers which further boosted the performance.
Moral diversification and moral agency: contesting business ethics among Chinese e-commerce traders
Authors: Qian Linliang
Published: November 2020

Scholarship on morality in contemporary Chinese society is divided. Some studies concur with the public discourse that a moral crisis is occurring. Others argue that there has been a continuity or revival of morality. By examining the divergent ethical trajectories of Chinese e-commerce traders in their business encounters, this study identifies more complicated moral states in these business people, who join a newly emerging industry but are undifferentiated from other ordinary Chinese people in terms of their political, social, and cultural backgrounds. The coexistence of moral, immoral, and morally divided personhoods indicates the diversification of the understandings and practices of morality in Chinese society. This article suggests that this diversification has roots in the moral agency of Chinese individuals, which comes into being in a relatively free space that has been created both by China’s changing sociopolitical structure and by people’s strategies and tactics in everyday life.
Acromegaly and thyroid cancer: analysis of evolution in a series of patients
Authors: Danilowicz Karina , Sosa Soledad , Gonzalez Pernas Mariana Soledad , Bamberger Elizabeth , Diez Sabrina Mara , Fainstein-Day Patricia , Furioso Alejandra , Glerean Mariela , Guitelman Mirtha , Katz Débora , Lemaitre Nicole , Lowenstein Alicia , del Valle Luna Mariela , Martínez María Paz , Miragaya Karina , Moncet Daniel , Ortuño María Victoria , Pignatta Analía , Ramacciotti Constanza Fernanda , Reyes Adriana , Rogozinski Amelia Susana , Slavinsky Patricia , Tkatch Julieta , Pitoia Fabián
Published: November 2020

Background

Acromegaly is associated with higher morbidity and mortality mainly due to cardiovascular disease. Data on the incidence and evolution of thyroid cancer in acromegaly are controversial. Our objective was to describe the characteristics of a group of acromegalic patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and analyze their evolution.

Methods

This is a retrospective multicenter study of 24 acromegalic patients with DTC. The AJCC Staging System 8th Edition was used for TNM staging, and the initial risk of recurrence (RR), initial response and response at the end of follow-up (RFU) were defined according to the 2015 ATA Guidelines. As a control group, 92 patients with DTC without acromegaly were randomly included. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS Statistics 20.0.

Results

Median age of patients at diagnosis of acromegaly was 49.5 years (range 12–69). The median delay in diagnosis of acromegaly was 3 years (range 0.5–23). Mean baseline IGF-1 level was 2.9 ± 1.1 ULN. Median age at DTC diagnosis was 51.5 years (18–69).

At the moment of diagnosis of DTC, 58.3% of the patients had active acromegaly. Median time from DTC diagnosis to acromegaly control was 1.25 years (0.5–7). Mean DTC tumor diameter of the biggest lesion was 14.6 ± 9.2 mm, being multifocal in 37.5%. All tumors were papillary carcinomas, two cases being of an aggressive variety. Lymph node dissection was performed in 8 out of 24 patients and 62.5% had metastases. Only one patient had distant metastases. Radioiodine ablation was given to 87.5% of patients. Nineteen patients (79%) were stage I, four (17%) stage II and one (4%) stage IVb.

Initial RR was low in 87% (21/24), intermediate in 9% (2/24) and high in 4% (1/24) patient. RFU was: 83% (19/23) patients with no evidence of disease, 9% (2/23) with indeterminate response, 4% (1/23) with biochemical incomplete response and 4% (1/23) with structural incomplete response, at a median time of FU of 36.5 months.

When comparing RFU between acromegalics and controls no statistically significant differences were found.

Conclusions

Patients with acromegaly and DTC mostly had a low initial RR. When compared with the control group, we found that DTC patients with acromegaly did not have a worse evolution.
Stem cell behaviors on periodic arrays of nanopillars analyzed by high-resolution scanning electron microscope images
Authors: Kang Jihun , Kang Eun-Hye , Yun Young-Shik , Ji Seungmuk , Yun In-Sik , Yeo Jong-Souk
Published: November 2020

The biocompatible polyurethane acrylate (PUA) nanopillars were fabricated by soft lithography using three different sizes of nanobeads (350, 500, and 1000 nm), and the human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) were cultured on the nanopillars. The hASCs and their various behaviors, such as cytoplasmic projections, migration, and morphology, were observed by high resolution images using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). With the accurate analysis by SEM for the controlled sizes of nanopillars, the deflections are observed at pillars fabricated with 350- and 500-nm nanobeads. These high-resolution images could offer crucial information to elucidate the complicated correlations between nanopillars and the cells, such as morphology and cytoplasmic projections.
Results of total knee arthroplasty for painless, stiff knees
Authors: Choi Young-Joon , Seo Dong-Kyo , Lee Ki Won , Ra Ho Jong , Kang Hyun Wook , Kim Jin Kyung
Published: November 2020

Background

Stiff knees, like completely ankylosed or arthrodesed knees, can be painless. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for these painless, stiff knees is technically demanding. However, it can correct the alignment and advance the range of motion to improve quality of life. So, we reviewed the preoperative and postoperative results of functional and pain scores, range of motion (ROM) and complications in painless, stiff knees treated by TKA.

Methods

Fifteen painless, stiff knees underwent TKA from January 1998 to January 2017. The mean follow-up period was 15.4 (2.4–22.2) years. All the knees were completely ankylosed or arthrodesed. Clinical outcome and complications were evaluated using medical record review, serial plan radiography, ROM assessment, Knee Society score (KSS), Knee Society function score (FS), and a visual analog scale for pain (VAS).

Results

All patients were satisfied with their operated knees. Mean KSS and FS scores were improved from 36 and 50.9 to 76.9 and 67.2, respectively (P < 0.001 andP = 0.01). The mean ROM increased from 0º preoperatively to 77.6º (15–130) at the final follow-up (P < 0.001). The mean VAS had worsened from 0 preoperatively to 0.2 postoperatively, however it was not significant (P = 0.1). Major postoperative complications were reported in five of the knees (33.3%).

Conclusions

The results of TKA for painless, stiff knees were satisfactory with improved ROM and quality of life. Although some patients had mild pain and complications postoperatively, they were satisfied with the result. However, our study recommends that surgeons should consider the high rate of complications in the completely ankylosed or arthrodesed knees.

Level of evidence

A retrospective case series, Level IV.
COVID-19 pandemic crisis—a complete outline of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Shaikh Sana Saffiruddin , Jose Anooja P. , Nerkar Disha Anil , Vijaykumar KV Midhuna , Shaikh Saquib Khaleel
Published: November 2020

Background

Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of COVID-19, a fatal disease emerged from Wuhan, a large city in the Chinese province of Hubei in December 2019.

Main body of abstract

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic due to its spread to other countries inside and outside Asia. Initial confirmation of the pandemic shows patient exposure to the Huanan seafood market. Bats might be a significant host for the spread of coronaviruses via an unknown intermediate host. The human-to-human transfer has become a significant concern due to one of the significant reasons that is asymptomatic carriers or silent spreaders. No data is obtained regarding prophylactic treatment for COVID-19, although many clinical trials are underway.

Conclusion

The most effective weapon is prevention and precaution to avoid the spread of the pandemic. In this current review, we outline pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, ongoing clinical trials, prevention, and precautions. We have also highlighted the impact of pandemic worldwide and challenges that can help to overcome the fatal disease in the future.
Effectiveness of link workers providing social prescribing on health outcomes and costs for adult patients in primary care and community settings. A protocol for a systematic review of the literature.
Authors: Kiely Bridget , Croke Aisling , O'Shea Eamon , Connolly Deirdre , Smith Susan M.
Published: November 2020

Introduction:The use of link workers for social prescribing and health and social care coordination is increasing, but there is insufficient data to demonstrate their effectiveness or for whom they work best. Multimorbidity is increasing in prevalence and affects those living in deprived areas ten years earlier than affluent areas. This systematic review aims to examine the evidence for the effectiveness and costs of link workers in improving health outcomes. We will also look for evidence for the use of link workers specifically for people living with multimorbidity and in deprived areas.

Methods:Databases of published and grey literature will be searched for randomised and non-randomised controlled trials examining use of link workers based in primary care for community dwelling adults compared to usual care. Primary outcomes will be health related quality of life and mental health. Data on costs will be extracted. Studies will be selected for inclusion by title and abstract review by two reviewers. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) flow diagram will document the selection process. A standardised form will be used to extract data. Data quality will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomised controlled trials, a narrative synthesis will be completed and the GRADE assessment tool used to comment on evidence quality. A meta-analysis of effect size of primary outcomes and subgroup analysis for multimorbidity and social deprivation will be performed if there are sufficient comparable data.

Conclusion:This systematic review will give an important overview of the evidence for the use of link workers providing social prescribing and health and social care coordination in primary care. This will help inform intervention development and guide policy makers on whether these interventions are cost effective and which groups stand to benefit most.Prosperoregistration:CRD42019134737 (04/07/2019)