bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Support and Help-Seeking Among Suicide Bereaved: A Study With Italian Survivors
Authors: Entilli Lorenza , Leo Diego De , Aiolli Fabio , Polato Mirko , Gaggi Ombretta , Cipolletta Sabrina
Published: June 2021

Background

Research over how suicide survivors approach services is limited. Aims: This cross-sectional study explores the psychological state and perceived social support of Italian survivors, including those who have not sought for help, and investigates differences for gender or kinship with the departed. Methods: Rule-based system (RBS) analyses identified relationships between social support and reported formal/informal help-seeking behavior. One-hundred thirty-two (103F; 27M) suicide survivors (53 having never sought for support) answered an anonymous online survey. Life satisfaction, wellbeing, perceived social support, suicidal ideation and formal/informal help-seeking were investigated. Results: RBS analysis identified different help-seeking behaviors: survivors lacking social support may avoid reaching a psychologist and prefer GPs, look for advice in online forums and rely on people out of their narrower network such as co-workers. Conclusion: These unique study’s results offer insight to identify which specific areas would be fruitful to investigate while assessing social support in bereaved individuals.
Fast calculation method of transient temperature rise of motor for electro-mechanical braking
Authors: Tang Yongming , He Xiangshen , Cao Jiawei
Published: June 2021

Electro-mechanical braking is a new braking mode of rail vehicles, which has the advantages of compact structure, fast response speed, and high precision. It is a new braking technology that conforms to the development trend of full electrification and full intelligence of rail transit brake devices. Due to the special power demand of the electro-mechanical braking device, the electro-mechanical braking motor has a short-time and intermittent working mechanism and is in the state of blocking during working, resulting in its high-temperature rise. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the temperature rise of the motor quickly and accurately at the beginning of its design. To address this problem, based on the coupling calculation of the equivalent thermal circuit method and the equivalent magnetic circuit method, a fast temperature rise calculation method of the motor is proposed. Then, using the fast calculation method, the temperature rise of the electro-mechanical brake motor under different working periods and wind speed is calculated. By function fitting the calculated results, the motor temperature rise curve fitting function is obtained, which can accurately predict the temperature rise of the motor under different working conditions. It provides a theoretical basis for the use of electro-mechanical braking motor in different working conditions and also provides a reference for the design of the electro-mechanical braking motor.
Fear Not Scarcity but Inequality, Not Poverty but Instability
Authors: An Weihua
Published: June 2021

This special issue, “New Quantitative Approaches to Studying Social Inequality”, aims to present some of the latest methodological innovations that arise from new analytical methods, innovative study designs, and novel and large-scale data that are particularly useful for studying social inequality. The articles included in the special issue not only showcase methodological innovations but also share the common theme that social inequalities are often interconnected across domains of life, time, space, or different policies.
Organic petrology, geochemistry, and hydrocarbon generation capacity of Permo–Carboniferous source rocks in the Mahu Sag, northwestern Junggar Basin, China
Authors: Qin Zhijun , Zhi Dongming , Xi Kelai
Published: June 2021

The Mahu Sag in the Junggar Basin, China, is a hydrocarbon-rich sag. Abundant hydrocarbon source rocks were developed in the late Paleozoic there across the Carboniferous–Permian boundary. However, studies of the source rocks have focused mainly on the lower Permian Fengcheng Formation. Here we compare the Fengcheng Formation with other Carboniferous rocks and those of the lower Permian Jiamuhe and middle Permian Lower-Wuerhe formations. Based on organic petrological and geochemical data, the organic matter precursors, sedimentary facies, and resource potential of these source rocks were investigated. The bio-precursors of Carboniferous, Jiamuhe, and Lower-Wuerhe Formations were dominantly estuarine higher plants, Nematothallus -higher plants, and spores, respectively. The bio-precursors of Fengcheng Formation were mainly bacteria and algae, and the organic matter is abundant, with a high hydrocarbon-generating capacity and significant shale oil potential. In contrast, the other three formations contain poor-quality source rocks, although the Lower-Wuerhe Formation has a higher organic matter abundance than the Jiamuhe Formation. The Carboniferous organic matter contains mainly type II kerogen, whereas the Jiamuhe and Lower-Wuerhe formations contain type III kerogen. The thermal maturities determined from Tmax values is larger than those indicated by biomarkers. The biomarkers show that the three studied formations contain a mixture of terrestrial higher plants and bacteria–algae, with the contribution of green algae being higher than that of bacteria in most samples. However, the ratio of algae to bacteria is lower than that of the Fengcheng Formation. The Fengcheng Formation was deposited in a strongly reducing, high-salinity, and water-stratified sedimentary environment. The other three formations were deposited in an oxidizing–reducing, low-salinity, and water-unstratified environment. They are characterized by the predominance of mudstone over carbonate rocks and the descending distribution type of tricyclic terpenes. Our results provide a basis for research on upper Paleozoic source rocks in western China, and useful information for oil and gas exploration in the Mahu Sag.
Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis Prior to Otolaryngology Referral: An Opportunity for Quality Improvement
Authors: Jang David W. , Lee Hui‐Jie , Chen Philip G. , Cohen Seth M. , Scales Charles D.
Published: June 2021

Objective

The management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) by a nonotolaryngologist prior to otolaryngology referral is an important component of the patient care pathway. The purpose of this study is to characterize CRS management during this period and to identify areas of quality improvement.

Study Design

Retrospective review of a national claims database.

Setting

Academic institution.

Methods

Data were analyzed from the IBM Health MarketScan Research Databases (2013‐2017). Patients with 3‐year enrollment data were identified who were initially diagnosed with CRS by a nonotolaryngologist and subsequently seen by an otolaryngologist. Management of CRS by the nonotolaryngologist was assessed in terms of duration, demographics, health care resource utilization, and health care expenditure.

Results

A total of 51,273 patients met inclusion criteria. The median length of the referral period was 142 days, with variations according to geography. Patients with a delayed referral period had higher health care resource utilization in terms of visits for CRS (mean, 1.8 vs 1.2), total visits (mean, 12.6 vs 3.9), and medication prescriptions (especially antibiotics; mean, 5.8 vs 2.1). Health care expenditure was almost twice as high for the delayed referral group (mean, $986 vs $571), mainly due to CRS‐related medication costs (mean, $578 vs $214).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that there are wide variations in how CRS is managed prior to referral to an otolaryngologist. The dissemination of clinical practice guidelines to primary care providers may help to increase efficiency of CRS care and offers a unique opportunity for quality improvement that extends beyond the bounds of our own specialty.
Education and learning about research methodology: Views of LIS authors in Pakistan
Authors: Ullah Ahsan , Rafiq Muhammad
Published: June 2021

Research is vital for generating knowledge and methodology is a core component for the execution of research ideas. Research methodology education is considered to be a core area of the degree in LIS education programs of almost every school worldwide. The aim of the study is to explore the status of methodology education in the LIS field in Pakistan. In depth interviews were used to explore empirical data. The recorded interviews were transcribed, translated, and thematic analysis was conducted. Patronage and instruction by faculty, effective education on quantitative methodology and tools and openness of students were major strengths of library schools. Over reliance on theoretical education, absence of PhD teachers, lack of coordination and discussion, less focus on qualitative methodology and lower interests of students were major flaws in the education of methodology at library schools. Private library schools were ranked lower because students pursue education for sake of the degree and teachers’ focus was on exposure and earning. Reading, writing and publishing, enrolment in research degree programs, peer learning, advice from experts and participation in workshops were major strategies of learning used by Pakistani authors. The respondents proposed an effective role of library schools, revision of course contents, development of collaboration and promotion of reading culture for enhancing the of methodology. Research methodology is always in a state of rapid change, so the understanding of challenges related to education and learning of methodology may contribute to enhance the quality of research methodology education and its competence.
Mapping and navigating context for opportunity development: The Context Hive – a research-based framework
Authors: Ramsgaard Michael Breum , Thomassen Mette Lindahl , Williams-Middleton Karen , Neergaard Helle
Published: June 2021

Contextual elements play an important role in entrepreneurial activities and learning processes. However, context is often taken for granted rather than being viewed as an asset, which may lead to missed opportunities, missed potential solutions and missed learning. Entrepreneurship education should therefore prepare and empower students to act entrepreneurially in their individual, unique context. A student-centric pedagogical approach is required to build this metacognitive understanding and enable students to ultimately self-manage their own process, embedded in and influenced by context. This paper presents a framework, the Context Hive, which enables students to understand and work with the impact of context on their entrepreneurial activity. The Context Hive translates entrepreneurship and context theories into educational (and entrepreneurial) practice by structuring complexity and uncertainty in ways that help students to better grasp, adapt or adjust to contextual elements. Using the research-based framework facilitates dialogue, builds awareness and enables prioritization of actions based on contextual analysis. In this way, the classroom is no longer limited to one perspective and educator and student share responsibility for how learning is designed, which provides a means for educators and students to raise awareness of how context influences entrepreneurial activity, making it navigable.
Research based on scientific realism should not make preliminary assumptions about mathematical structure representing human behavior: Cronbach and Gleser’s measure as an example
Authors: Linkov Václav
Published: June 2021

Phenomena in the world we study can often be described by various mathematical structures. If a psychologist who studies human behavior takes a realist position, they should not choose a mathematical structure that represents this behavior without examination as to whether the phenomenon could be represented by this structure, but they should eventually choose the mathematical structure after thorough reasoning based on full knowledge of the problem. Using Cronbach and Gleser’s measure for assessing the similarities between psychological profiles, I show that psychologists often simply copy the mathematical structure used in other research without thoroughly reasoning about the problem. As Arocha (2021) shows, researchers should prefer approaches that include no unjustified assumptions about the mathematical structure that represents the behavior.
Forms and Functions of the Social Emotions
Authors: Sznycer Daniel , Sell Aaron , Lieberman Debra
Published: June 2021

In engineering, form follows function. It is therefore difficult to understand an engineered object if one does not examine it in light of its function. Just as understanding the structure of a lock requires understanding the desire to secure valuables, understanding structures engineered by natural selection, including emotion systems, requires hypotheses about adaptive function. Social emotions reliably solved adaptive problems of human sociality. A central function of these emotions appears to be the recalibration of social evaluations in the minds of self and others. For example, the anger system functions to incentivize another individual to value your welfare more highly when you deem the current valuation insufficient; gratitude functions to consolidate a cooperative relationship with another individual when there are indications that the other values your welfare; shame functions to minimize the spread of discrediting information about yourself and the threat of being devalued by others; and pride functions to capitalize on opportunities to become more highly valued by others. Using the lens of social valuation, researchers are now mapping these and other social emotions at a rapid pace, finding striking regularities across industrial and small-scale societies and throughout history.
Resisting racial militarism: War, policing and the Black Panther Party
Authors: Manchanda Nivi , Rossdale Chris
Published: June 2021

The past ten years have witnessed a revival in scholarship on militarism, through which scholars have used the concept to make sense of the embeddedness of warlike relations in contemporary liberal societies and to account for how the social, political and economic contours of those same societies are implicated in the legitimation and organization of political violence. However, a persistent shortcoming has been the secondary role of race and coloniality in these accounts. This article demonstrates how we might position racism and colonialism as integral to the functioning of contemporary militarism. Centring the thought and praxis of the US Black Panther Party, we argue that the particular analysis developed by Black Panther Party members, alongside their often-tense participation in the anti–Vietnam War movement, offers a strong reading of the racialized and colonial politics of militarism. In particular, we show how their analysis of the ghetto as a colonial space, their understanding of the police as an illegitimate army of occupation and, most importantly, Huey Newton’s concept of intercommunalism prefigure an understanding of militarism premised on the interconnections between racial capitalism, violent practices of un/bordering and the dissolving boundaries between war and police action.
In situ suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride/3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (MPTMS)-intercalated Mg-Al-hydroxide layered double hydroxide: I. Grain properties
Authors: Darvishi Reza , Bijhanmanesh Mohammad Javad , Payam Ghasem
Published: June 2021

Suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride (VCM) was carried out in the presence of particle of both pristine Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) and LDH intercalated by 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (MPTMS-LDH) in a pilot-scale reactor. The experiments were conducted at different concentrations of each type of the particles (0, 1, 3, 5, 7 wt. % of VCM). The pure LDH and MPTMS-intercalated LDHs were used as co-monomer for fabrication of LDH or MPTMS-LDH/PVC nanocomposites; the particles were directly pre-dispersed in monomer phase before dispersing in the continuous aqueous phase and starting the suspension polymerization. The basal spacing obtained from the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) showed that the reaction between VCM and MPTMS-LDH was effective, with a further intercalation of PVC chains in the interlayer space. The molecular characterization showed that the polydispersity index (PDI) and molecular weight of the poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) resin do not change in the presence of the pristine LDH. The MPTMS-LDH, however, decrease the molecular weight and increase the PDI of PVC resin. Also, from the morphological point of view, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that PVC grains produced with high particles content had a smoother surface with more regular shape. Moreover the incorporation of nanoparticles in the VCM suspension polymerization, made particles with a narrower size distribution. The LDH results in the formation of smaller primary particles with higher internal porosity whereas, the larger primary particles with lower internal porosity in the presence of modified particles was observed.
Fabrication and characterization of polyaniline functionalized graphene nanosheets (GNSs)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposite films
Authors: Altin Yasin , Unsal Omer Faruk , Bedeloglu Ayse Celik
Published: June 2021

In this study, graphene nanosheets (GNSs)/poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) nanocomposites and the novel polyaniline (PANI)-functionalized graphene nanosheets (GNSs)/poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) nanocomposites were fabricated successfully. GNSs and PANI-functionalized GNSs were dispersed in PDMS matrix at different nanofiller concentration and nanocomposites were prepared via solution casting method. PANI functionalization were performed by in-situ polymerization of aniline in the presence of GNSs and was used in order to be dispersed homogenously and efficiently in the PDMS matrix. Besides graphene layers were also isolated to hinder aggregation in the polymeric matrix. The effect of PANI functionalization of GNSs and filler concentration on dielectric, electrical and mechanical properties of nanocomposite films were investigated. According to dielectric measurements, the dielectric constant of polymer nanocomposites highly dependant on frequency, so dielectric constant was characterized in a wide frequency range (1 Hz–10 MHz) at room temperature, in this study. The dielectric constant of PDMS nanocomposites containing 1.50% GNSs and 1.50% PANI-GNSs increased by 111 times and 24 times, at 1 Hz, compared to pure PDMS, respectively. Besides, electrical conductivity increased 6868 and 1474 times with the addition of GNSs and PANI-GNSs, respectively. Optimized GNSs/PDMS and PANI-functionalized GNSs/PDMS nanocomposites can be candidate for soft actuators to be used in artificial muscle applications, in the future.
Toward Islam Through Political Parties, Ideology, and Democracy: A Discourse Analysis on Turkey’s AK Party, Tunisian Ennahda, and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
Authors: Islam Md. Nazmul , Bingöl Yılmaz , Nyadera Israel Nyaburi , Dagba Gershon
Published: June 2021

This article aims to examine the legacy and policy of AK Party in Turkey, Ennahda’s political movement in Tunisia, and Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) in Bangladesh, which is ostensibly identified with Islamic political ideology and acquainted with the world as a ‘moderate-conservative political Islam party.’ The study interrogates the nature, processes, and the characteristic features of the three countries’ administrative system, comparatively from three regions of the world, particularly from the Middle East and Europe region, Africa and Arab region, and the South Asian region. This study also highlights these political parties’ history, political ideology differences, and their practices reflective of democratic principles from a theoretical perspective on politics, policy, and philosophy. It also acknowledges whether the political development of Turkey from 2002 onward is feasible for Bangladeshi and Tunisian Islamic political parties to accept as a role model in their political arena.
Demoralization in End-of-Life Cancer Patients’ Family Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bovero Andrea , Vitiello Ludovica Panzini , Botto Rossana , Gottardo Francesco , Cito Alessandra , Geminiani Giuliano Carlo
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of demoralization in a sample of end-of-life cancer patients’ family caregivers and investigate the association between demoralization and different factors, such as distress, hope, quality of life, and caregiver burden.

Methods:

The study used a cross-sectional design and 142 participants were sampled. Family caregivers were included if they were caring for a cancer patient in palliative care with a limited life expectancy. Socio-demographic data were gathered, and Italian versions of the following scales were administered: Demoralization Scale (DS), Herth Hope Index (HHI), Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA), Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and Distress Thermometer (DT).

Results:

The average total demoralization score was 29.04 (SD = 13.62). 19.50% of caregivers was the low scorers at DS (0-25th percentile), 27.50% was the middle scorers (25th-75th percentile), and 39.00% was the high scorers (75th-100 percentile). 19.50% of the caregivers showed mild demoralization, 27.50% moderate demoralization, and 39.00% showed severe demoralization. Strong Moderate correlations were found between the total DS score and the Temporality and Future HHI subscale (ρ = .520); the HHI total score (ρ = .528); the Social functioning (ρ = .536) and Mental health (ρ = .675) SF-36 subscales. The HHI total score and the Mental health SF-36 subscale emerged as the main predictors of demoralization.

Conclusions:

The results show that not only end-of-life patients but also family caregivers may experience demoralization. This demoralization seems to be more associated to spiritual and psychological suffering rather than difficulties relating to caregivers’ personal time, social roles, physical states, and financial resources.
The Ubiquity of Meeting Lateness! A Cross-Cultural Investigation of the Small to Moderate Effects of Workplace Meeting Lateness
Authors: Allen Joseph A. , Lehmann-Willenbrock Nale , Meinecke Annika L. , Landowski Nicole , Rogelberg Steven G. , Lucianetti Lorenzo , Tong Jiajin , Madrid Hector P.
Published: June 2021

Meeting lateness—that is, meetings starting past the pre-scheduled time—can be viewed as a disruption to the temporal pacing of work. Previous research in the United States indicates that late meetings produce less optimal outcomes, but empirical insights concerning the extent to which experiences of meeting lateness are similar or different across different cultures remain sparse. While prior work suggests differences in how individuals from different cultures experience time-related phenomena, globalization trends suggest increasing similarities in employees’ work experiences, and potentially similar experiences of meeting lateness across different cultural settings. We explore this idea in a cross-cultural study of meeting lateness in China, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States. We empirically establish the cross-cultural relevance of meeting lateness and their generally negative outcome. We show how meeting lateness relates to perceptions of impaired meeting processes, meeting outcomes, and group-related attitudes across cultures. We discuss these findings in light of extending meeting science to different cultures as well as contributions to the debate between cross-cultural differences versus globalization tendencies.
Mental health of children with neurodevelopmental disorders during COVID-19: A brief report of family experiences from a low and middle income country
Authors: Kaku Sowmyashree M
Published: June 2021

COVID-19 has grossly impacted lives of people across the globe. In particular, children have also been affected due to closure of schools, therapy, and day care centers. Families have been challenged with new circumstances, and mental health professionals are coming up with novel ways to help these families who have children with mental health issues. This article describes experiences of families who have children with a diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder with comorbid mental health difficulties and their ways of coping with the pandemic challenges. The series will throw light on ground level experiences of families during the pandemic, give insights into their ways of adapting, and brings out problem areas which healthcare professionals must work on, to design novel ways of care. The case series is novel and a similar report has probably not been presented from India or other low and middle income countries.
Multilingualism in eastern Indonesia: linguistic evidence of a shift from symmetric to asymmetric multilingualism
Authors: Moro Francesca Romana
Published: June 2021

Aims and Objectives/Purpose/Research Questions:

The Alorese in eastern Indonesia are an Austronesian community who have inhabited two Papuan-speaking islands for approximately 600 years. Their language presents a paradox: contact with the neighbouring Papuan languages has led to both complexification and simplification. This article argues that these opposite outcomes of contact result from two distinct scenarios, and formulates a hypothesis about a shift in multilingual patterns in Alorese history.

Design/Methodology/Approach:

To formulate a hypothesis about the discontinuity of multilingual patterns, this article first sketches the past and present multilingual patterns of the Alorese by modelling language contact outcomes in terms of bilingual optimisation strategies. This is followed by a comparison of the two scenarios to pinpoint similarities and differences.

Data and Analysis:

Previous research shows that two types of contact phenomena are attested in Alorese: (a) complexification arising from grammatical borrowings from Papuan languages, and (b) morphological simplification. The first change is associated with prolonged child bilingualism and is the result of Papuan-oriented bilingual strategies, while the latter change is associated with adult second language (L2) learning and is the result of universal communicative strategies.

Findings/Conclusions

Complexification and simplification are the results of two different layers of contact. Alorese was first used in small-scale bilingual communities, with widespread symmetric multilingualism. Later, multilingualism became more asymmetric, and the language started to undergo a simplification process due to the considerable number of L2 speakers.

Originality:

This article is innovative in providing a clear case study showing discontinuity of multilingual patterns, supported by linguistic and non-linguistic evidence.

Significance/Implications:

This article provides a plausible explanation for the apparent paradox found in Alorese, by showing that different outcomes of contact in the same language are due to different patterns of acquisition and socialisation. This discontinuity should be taken into account by models of language contact.
Acute traumatic brain injury and the use of head computed tomography scans in the emergency department
Authors: Rogan Alice , Patel Vimal , Birdling Jane , Lockett Jessica , Simmonds Harnah , McQuade David , Larsen Peter
Published: June 2021

Introduction

The use of CT head scanning for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a vital diagnostic tool, guided by risk stratification tools. This study aims to review the use of CT head scans and adherence to guidelines for TBI in two New Zealand emergency departments (EDs).

Methods

Retrospective observational study of patients referred for head CT from EDs to exclude a significant intracranial injury between 1st September 2018 and 31st August 2019. Clinical data were collected regarding presenting patterns, identification of injuries on CT scan and adherence to National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) CT head guidelines.

Results

Out of 425 included cases, 41 (10%) patients had an intracranial injury seen on their CT head scan. Patients who reported loss (32% vs 20%, p < 0.05) or possible loss of consciousness (34% vs 22%, p < 0.05) and had a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) <13 (17% vs 8%, p < 0.05) or focal neurology (10% vs 3%, p < 0.05) were more likely to have an intracranial injury on CT. Interestingly, 17 (41%) patients with CT diagnosed injuries had a GCS 15 and no focal neurology. NICE guidelines were adhered to in 364 (86%) of CT requests. In the 14% of cases that did not meet guideline criteria, all CT head scans were negative.

Conclusion

CT head scans are a valuable tool in TBI, and guidelines successfully identify those with significant intracranial injuries. However, the rate of significant injury for the total population requiring head CT remains low, with over 90% of head CTs in the population normal, despite high guideline compliance, perhaps identifying a role for novel objective tests in ED guidelines internationally.
Republicans, Not Democrats, Are More Likely to Endorse Anti-Vaccine Misinformation
Authors: Motta Matthew
Published: June 2021

Vaccine safety skeptics are often thought to be more likely to self-identify as Democrats (vs. Independents or Republicans). Recent studies, however, suggest that childhood vaccine misinformation is either more common among Republicans, or is uninfluenced by partisan identification (PID). Uncertainty about the partisan underpinnings of vaccine misinformation acceptance is important, as it could complicate efforts to pursue pro-vaccine health policies. I theorize that Republicans should be more likely to endorse anti-vaccine misinformation, as they tend to express more-negative views toward scientific experts. Across six demographically and nationally representative surveys, I find that—while few Americans think that “anti-vaxxers” are more likely to be Republicans than Democrats—Republican PID is significantly associated with the belief that childhood vaccines can cause autism. Consistent with theoretical expectations, effect is strongly mediated by anti-expert attitudes—an effect which supplemental panel analyses suggest is unlikely to be reverse causal.
Endovascular surgery is not protective against new persistent opioid use development compared to open vascular surgery
Authors: Brown Craig S , Osborne Nicholas H , Hu Hsou M , Coleman Dawn , Englesbe Michael J , Waljee Jennifer F , Brummett Chad M , Vemuri Chandu
Published: June 2021

Objective

Endovascular techniques continue to be increasingly utilized to treat vascular disease, but the effect of these minimally invasive techniques on opioid use following surgery is not known.

Methods

Using Medicare data, we identified opioid-naive patients undergoing vascular procedures between 2009 and 2017. We selected patients ≥65 years old with continuous enrollment 12 months before and 6 months after surgery and had no additional operations. We defined new persistent opioid use (NPOU) as one or more opioid prescription fills both between 4–90 and 91–180 days postoperatively. Multivariable regression was performed for risk adjustment, and frequencies of NPOU were estimated between endovascular and open techniques to compare surgical approach.

Results

A total of 77,767 patients were identified, with 2.6% of all patients developing new persistent use. In addition to the identification of several risk factors for new persistent use, patients undergoing endovascular carotid or vertebral interventions were found to have higher adjusted frequencies of persistent use compared to those undergoing open interventions (3.0% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.001) as did those undergoing endovenous compared to open vein procedures (2.2%, vs. 1.6%, p = 0.019). We found no difference for peripheral vascular or aortic/iliac procedures.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing vascular surgery are at high risk for new persistent use. Undergoing endovascular carotid or venous surgery was associated with an increased risk of NPOU, whereas no differences were found between endovascular and open approaches for peripheral arterial or aortic disease.
Cartilage Injuries and Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis in the Wrist: A Review
Authors: Andersson Jonny K. , Hagert Elisabet , Brittberg Mats
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Focal cartilage injuries, and posttraumatic osteoarthritis (OA) in the wrist are likely common and a cause of wrist pain. To estimate the incidence of cartilage lesions and to understand the pathomechanisms leading to wrist cartilage injuries and OA, a literature review on the subject was performed combined with a presentation of one of the authors’ own experience.

Design:

This study includes a literature review of the topic. As a comparison to the review findings, the observations of one of the authors’ consecutive 48 wrist arthroscopies, were assessed. PubMed, Scholar, and Cochrane databases were searched using the keywords “cartilage injury AND wrist AND treatment” and “wrist AND cartilage AND chondral AND osteochondral AND degenerative OA.”

:Result

A total of 11 articles, including 9 concerning chondral and osteochondral repair and treatment and 2 regarding posttraumatic OA, were retrieved. The cartilage repair treatments used in these articles were drilling, osteochondral autograft, juvenile articular cartilage allograft, and chondrocyte implantation. One article displayed concomitant cartilage injuries in displaced distal radius fractures in 32% of the patients. The review of our findings from a 1-year cohort of wrist arthroscopies showed 17% cartilage injuries.

Conclusion:

There is a lack of knowledge in current literature on cartilage injuries and treatment, as well as posttraumatic OA in the wrist. Cartilage injuries appear to be common, being found in 17% to 32% of all wrist arthroscopies after trauma, but no guidelines regarding conservative or surgical treatment can be recommended at the moment. Larger prospective comparative studies are needed.
Forecasted E/P Ratio and ROE: Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), China
Authors: Arshad Muhammad Usman
Published: June 2021

This study explores the influence of forecasted earnings to price ratio (E/P) and ROE to explain the part of the variation in the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) returns. The study analyzed the explanatory capacity of fundamental, risk, and combined valuation approaches variables on comparative mode between static and dynamic models with the induction of un-balanced panel data estimation. A linear dynamic panel technique is being undertaken to forecast the variables. The research findings indicate that the forecasted E/P ratio and ROE significantly explain the variation in SSE stock return and remain highly statistically significant after incorporating risk proxy variables. Moreover, the author also confirms the existence of size, momentum, liquidity, and dividend yield in the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The study introduces the fundamental valuation approach to the Chinese market based on its unique features and designs a log-linear model, which comprises forecasted E/P and ROE in addition to current E/P as an estimator for future stock returns. The incorporation of Driscoll and Kraay standard errors (DKSE) and Panel Corrected standard error (PCSE) under static while difference and system GMM under the scope of dynamic panel estimation is considered to be another contribution of the study.
Obesity and Spine Surgery: A Qualitative Review About Outcomes and Complications. Is It Time for New Perspectives on Future Researches?
Authors: Cofano Fabio , Perna Giuseppe Di , Bongiovanni Daria , Roscigno Vittoria , Baldassarre Bianca Maria , Petrone Salvatore , Tartara Fulvio , Garbossa Diego , Bozzaro Marco
Published: June 2021

Study Design:

Literature review.

Objectives:

An increasing number of obese patients requires operative care for degenerative spinal disorders. The aim of this review is to analyze the available evidence regarding the role of obesity on outcomes after spine surgery. Peri-operative complications and clinical results are evaluated for both cervical and lumbar surgery. Furthermore, the contribution of MIS techniques for lumbar surgery to play a role in reducing risks has been analyzed.

Methods:

Only articles published in English in the last 10 years were reviewed. Inclusion criteria of the references were based on the scope of this review, according to PRISMA guidelines. Moreover, only paper analyzing obesity-related complications in spine surgery have been selected and thoroughly reviewed. Each article was classified according to its rating of evidence using the Sacket Grading System.

Results:

A total number of 1636 articles were found, but only 130 of them were considered to be relevant after thorough evaluation and according to PRISMA checklist. The majority of the included papers were classified according to the Sacket Grading System as Level 2 (Retrospective Studies).

Conclusion:

Evidence suggest that obese patients could benefit from spine surgery and outcomes be satisfactory. A higher rate of peri-operative complications is reported among obese patients, especially in posterior approaches. The use of MIS techniques plays a key role in order to reduce surgical risks. Further studies should evaluate the role of multidisciplinary counseling between spine surgeons, nutritionists and bariatric surgeons, in order to plan proper weight loss before elective spine surgery.
The Relevance of Inequality Research in Sociology for Inequality Reduction
Authors: DiPrete Thomas A. , Fox-Williams Brittany N.
Published: June 2021

Social inequality is a central topic of research in the social sciences. Decades of research have deepened our understanding of the characteristics and causes of social inequality. At the same time, social inequality has markedly increased during the past 40 years, and progress on reducing poverty and improving the life chances of Americans in the bottom half of the distribution has been frustratingly slow. How useful has sociological research been to the task of reducing inequality? The authors analyze the stance taken by sociological research on the subject of reducing inequality. They identify an imbalance in the literature between the discipline’s continual efforts to motivate the plausibility of large-scale change and its lesser efforts to identify feasible strategies of change either through social policy or by enhancing individual and local agency with the potential to cumulate into meaningful progress on inequality reduction.
Retinal Vasculitis Associated With Dermatomyositis Treated With Intravenous Steroids
Authors: Knapp Austen N. , Arshad Jawad I. , Martin Daniel F. , Hajj-Ali Rula , Baynes Kimberly , Lowder Careen Y. , Srivastava Sunil K.
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

This work aims to present treatment and long-term follow-up of a 31-year-old woman with dermatomyositis who presented with hemorrhagic retinal vasculitis and macular edema.

Methods:

A retrospective case report is presented.

Results:

A 31-year-old woman with dermatomyositis treated with systemic immunosuppression was evaluated for acute, reduced vision. Best-corrected visual acuity was hand motion in the right eye and 20/200 in the left eye. Fundus examination revealed diffuse intraretinal hemorrhages, cotton-wool spots, and vascular sheathing with a frosted branch angiitis–like appearance. Optical coherence tomography revealed significant macular edema and subretinal fluid that quickly resolved after admission and treatment with intravenous steroids. Multimodal imaging at 7-year follow-up disclosed long-term sequelae including peripheral nonperfusion and retinal neovascularization.

Conclusions:

When vasculitis associated with dermatomyositis is treated aggressively with intravenous steroids at initial presentation, good visual acuity outcomes can be achieved, but long-term consequences of retinal nonperfusion and neovascularization persist.
Writing media, script styles and literary forms: Reasons behind the development of the writing system during the Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern dynasties and its significance
Authors: Zang Kehe
Published: June 2021

The graph zhi 纸 in the Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern dynasties is of great significance and profound influence. The writing system during this period experienced a rapid development, leading to various script styles that met the demand of all kinds of literary forms and occasions. The development of script style is more directly related to the development of literary forms, especially written literature. Besides the development in the regularization of the writing system, the full preparation of script styles results mainly from material and social factors. Material factors refer to the change of writing media, namely the fact that paper became daily writing material during the Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern dynasties, and social factors are the accumulation of family education and the social atmosphere of advocating calligraphy. The literature of the Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern dynasties has its own track of development and its particular literary forms and genres. The consideration of the development of script style and the transformation of writing media during this period will help us discover some internal connection.
Design and Analysis of a Multi-Legged Robot with Pitch Adjustive Units
Authors: Ruan Qiang , Wu Jianxu , Yao Yan-an
Published: June 2021

The paper proposes a novel multi-legged robot with pitch adjustive units aiming at obstacle surmounting. With only 6 degrees of freedom, the robot with 16 mechanical legs walks steadily and surmounts the obstacles on the complex terrain. The leg unit with adjustive pitch provides a large workspace and empowers the legs to climb up obstacles in large sizes, which enhances the obstacle surmounting capability. The pitch adjustment in leg unit requires as few independent adjusting actuators as possible. Based on the kinematic analysis of the mechanical leg, the biped and quadruped leg units with adjustive pitch are analyzed and compared. The configuration of the robot is designed to obtain a compact structure and pragmatic performance. The uncertainty of the obstacle size and position in the surmounting process is taken into consideration and the parameters of the adjustments and the feasible strategies for obstacle surmounting are presented. Then the 3D virtual model and the robot prototype are built and the multi-body dynamic simulations and prototype experiments are carried out. The results from the simulations and the experiments show that the robot possesses good obstacle surmounting capabilities.
Identifying prognostic lncRNAs based on a ceRNA regulatory network in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Shi Yong , Yang Dongli , Qin Yixiao
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Growing evidence demonstrates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in tumor occurrence. The lncRNAs’ functions and clinical significance in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remain unclear. The study aims to reveal the lncRNA-associated ceRNA regulatory network of LSCC and clarify its clinical relevance.

Methods

Here, we obtained LSCC transcriptome data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and identified the differential expression profile of lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs by the EdgeR R package. The function enrichment analysis of mRNAs was performed using clusterProfiler R package and GSEA3.0. Then, we constructed a ceRNA network and prognosis model based on lncRNAs through bioinformatic methods. Moreover, we explored the functions of prognosis-related lncRNA in LSCC by CCK-8 and transwell assay.

Results

1961 lncRNAs, 69 miRNAs, and 2224 mRNAs were identified as differentially expressed genes in LSCC tissues. According to the transcriptome differential expression profile, a ceRNA network containing 61 lncRNAs, 21 miRNAs, and 77 mRNAs was established. Then, four lncRNAs (AC011933.2, FAM30A, LINC02086, LINC02575) were identified from the ceRNA network to build a prognosis model for LSCC patients. And we found that LINC02086 and LINC02575 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of LSCC cells while AC011933.2 and FAM30A inhibited these biological functions in vitro. Furthermore, we validated that LINc02086/miR-770-5p/SLC26A2 axis promoted migration in LSCC.

Conclusion

Four lncRNAs of the ceRNA network were abnormally expressed and related to patient prognosis in LSCC. They played a significant role in the progress of LSCC via affecting the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells.
Association of circulating omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids with gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review
Authors: Hosseinkhani Shaghayegh , Dehghanbanadaki Hojat , Aazami Hossein , Pasalar Parvin , Asadi Mojgan , Razi Farideh
Published: June 2021

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with increased risks of disease for mother and child during pregnancy and after that. Early diagnosis of GDM would promote both maternal and fetal health. Metabolomics can simplify and develop our understanding of the etiology, manifestation, or pathophysiology of the disease. This systematic review investigates the association of circulating omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids with GDM.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases up to May 8, 2020, using the key term combinations of all types of omega fatty acids with gestational diabetes mellitus. Additional articles were identified through searching the reference lists of included studies.

Results

This systematic review included 15 articles. Five were cohort studies, four included nested case-control studies and four were case-control studies. The results of this study demonstrate an increasing trend in the amount of oleic acid and palmitoleic acid in the second trimester and an increase in decosahexanoic acid in the third trimester of GDM mothers. The changes in other fatty acids of interest are either not significant or if significant, their results are inconsistent with the other existing articles.

Conclusions

Omega fatty acids, as potential biomarkers, are considered to be associated with GDM risk and thus provide useful information regarding the prevention and early diagnosis of GDM. Moreover, existing metabolomic studies on GDM are shown to provide conflicting results about metabolite profile characteristics. This systematic review was registered at PROSPERO (www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO) as CRD42020196122.