bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bovine ossein powder: effect of particle size on its physicochemical and functional characteristics and its application in emulsion‐type sausage
Authors: Srimarut Yanee , Malila Yuwares , Kittiphattanabawon Phanat , Dumnil Jureeporn , Artpradid Princeya , Visessanguan Wonnop
Published: February 2021

Ossein (OS) powder was prepared from bovine bone, ground and sieved through mesh screens to obtain two different particle sizes of 50 (OS50) and 200 mesh (OS200). Regarding OS property determination, average particle diameters of the OS50 and the OS200 were 260.08 ± 6.48 μm and 51.79 ± 0.39 μm, respectively. Based on non‐reducing electrophoresis, both OS samples consisted of α1‐ and α2‐chain of type I collagen. Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed the presence of triple helical structure with partial unfolding of which the OS200 showed the greater denaturation extent. The OS200 also showed higher emulsion activity but lower oil absorption than those of the OS50. The emulsion‐type sausages containing OS powders (0.5% w/w) exhibited significantly lower total fluid, water, and fat releases than those of the sausages without OS. The OS200‐containing sausages exhibited the lowest expressible water and received the highest hedonic scores in texture and overall acceptance from consumer panel.
Schistocyte quantitation, thrombotic microangiopathy and acute kidney injury in Australian snakebite coagulopathy [ASP28]
Authors: Noutsos Tina , Currie Bart J. , Brown Simon G. , Isbister Geoffrey K.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

The major systemic manifestation of hemotoxicity in human snakebite envenoming is venom‐induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC). A subset of patients with VICC develop thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), in which acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs. We aimed to investigate the association between schistocytosis in snakebite patients with VICC and AKI, compared to non‐envenomed patients.

Methods

Serial blood films collected from a prospective cohort of snakebite patients (Australian Snakebite Project) were examined. Cases were classified a priori as non‐envenomed snakebites (normal controls), envenomed without VICC, partial VICC without AKI, complete VICC without AKI, and VICC with AKI based on defined clinical and laboratory criteria. The percentage of schistocytes between groups was compared and correlated by Kendall's tau b test.

Results

Seven hundred and eighty blood films from 234 snakebite cases were analyzed. There was a statistically significant correlation (τ = .69, SE .03, P < .001) for schistocytosis between the ordered groups of non‐envenomed snakebites, envenomed without VICC, partial VICC without AKI, complete VICC without AKI, and VICC with AKI groups. Patients with VICC and AKI had a platelet nadir median of 42 × 109/L (interquartile range [IQR] :25‐130 × 109/L), hemoglobin nadir of median 107 g/L (IQR 66‐122 g/L), and maximum LDH median of 1128 U/L (IQR 474‐3255 U/L). A 1.0% threshold for schistocytosis yielded 90% sensitivity (95% CI: 67%‐98%) and 71% specificity (95% CI: 62%‐79%) for predicting AKI in patients with VICC.

Conclusion

Schistocyte quantitation has good diagnostic utility in snakebite patients with VICC. A definition of snakebite TMA as MAHA with ≥1.0% schistocytes and thrombocytopenia, would appear to be appropriate.
Promoting employee’s self‐change skills: The role of job characteristics, goal clarity and learning goals
Authors: Matsuo Makoto
Published: February 2021

Personal growth initiative (PGI), i.e., self‐change skills, is necessary for employees to adapt to changing environments, but research examining the antecedents of PGI in an organizational context is limited. The present research investigated the antecedents of PGI in the workplace. Using a two‐wave questionnaire survey, data were collected from 204 employees, including nurses, medical technicians and administrative staff, at six healthcare organizations in Japan. The results of hierarchical regression analyses showed that goal clarity and learning goal orientation were positively related to PGI, whereas autonomy, skill variety and job complexity were not significantly related to PGI. The results also showed that goal clarity positively moderated the effect of skill variety on PGI, yet, negatively moderated the effect of job complexity on PGI. This study contributes to the existing literature by demonstrating how personal and situational factors influence employees’ self‐change skills in the workplace.
Day‐case catheterless and drainless minimal‐access pyeloplasty in adults: A single‐center experience of 13 years
Authors: Murali Vinodh , Donati‐Bourne Jack , Thomas Megan , Luscombe Christopher , Golash Anurag , Fernando Herman
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To analyze our practice of drainless and catheterless day‐case minimal‐access pyeloplasty with regard to feasibility, safety and long‐term outcomes.

Methods

Patients undergoing minimal‐access pyeloplasty (laparoscopic, with or without robotic assistance) in a single center between 2007 and 2020 were included in this retrospective observational study. Patient demographics and the success rate of day‐case discharge along with postoperative outcomes were analyzed.

Results

A total of 129 patients underwent minimal‐access pyeloplasty in this time period, of whom 116 met the inclusion criteria. The mean patient age was 48 years. A total of 65% of the patients (n = 75) were discharged on the same day and 88% (n = 101) were discharged within 23 h of surgery. Of the 14 patients with a hospital stay of >24 h, pain was the most common reason (60%) for delayed discharge. The overall subjective (pain‐free status) and objective (unobstructed drainage) success rates were 91% and 86%, respectively.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that routine drains or urethral catheters are not necessary in minimal‐access pyeloplasty, and their omission could facilitate early recovery and day‐case discharge without compromising long‐term surgical outcomes. Large randomized controlled studies are required to prospectively evaluate outcomes.
We are not heroes—The flipside of the hero narrative amidst the COVID19‐pandemic: A Danish hospital ethnography
Authors: Halberg Nina , Jensen Pia Søe , Larsen Trine Schifter
Published: February 2021

Aim

To explore how the media and socially established hero narrative, affected the nursing staff who worked in the frontline during the first round of the COVID19‐pandemic.

Background

During the COVID19‐pandemic, both media, politicians and the public have supported and cheered on the frontline healthcare workers around the world. We have found the hero narrative to be potentially problematic for both nurses and other healthcare workers. This paper presents an analysis and discussion of the consequences of being proclaimed a hero.

Design

Hospital ethnography including fieldwork and focus groups.

Method

Empirical data was collected in a newly opened COVID19‐ward in a university hospital in the urban site of Copenhagen, Denmark. Fieldwork was performed from April until the ward closed in the end of May 2020. Succeeding focus group interviews with nursing staff who worked in the COVID19‐ward were conducted in June 2020. The data were abductively analysed.

Results

The nursing staff rejected the hero narrative in ways that show how the hero narrative leads to predefined characteristics, ideas of being invincible and self‐sacrificing, knowingly and willingly working in risk, transcending duties and imbodying a boundless identity. Being proclaimed as a hero inhibits important discussions of rights and boundaries.

Conclusion

The hero narrative strips the responsibility of the politicians and imposes it onto the hospitals and the individual heroic health care worker.

Impact

It is our agenda to show how the hero narrative detaches the connection between the politicians, society and healthcare system despite being a political apparatus. When reassessing contingency plans, it is important to incorporate the experiences from the health care workers and include their rights and boundaries. Finally, we urge the media to cover a long‐lasting pandemic without having the hero narrative as the reigning filter.
Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Quek Sabrina Xin Zi , Loo Evelyn Xiu Ling , Demutska Alla , Chua Chun En , Kew Guan Sen , Wong Scott , Lau Hui Xing , Low En Xian Sarah , Loh Tze Liang , Lung Ooi Shien , Hung Emily C W , Rahman M. Masudur , Ghoshal Uday C , Wong Sunny H , Cheung Cynthia K Y , Syam Ari F , Tan Niandi , Xiao Yinglian , Liu Jin‐Song , Lu Fang , Chen Chien‐Lin , Lee Yeong Yeh , Maralit Ruter M , Kim Yong‐Sung , Oshima Tadayuki , Miwa Hiroto , Pang Junxiong , Siah Kewin Tien Ho
Published: February 2021

Background and Aim

Gastrointestinal manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic may mimic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and social distancing measures may affect IBS patients negatively. We aimed to study the impact of COVID‐19 on respondents with self‐reported IBS.

Methods

We conducted an anonymized survey from May to June 2020 in 33 countries. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices on personal hygiene and social distancing as well as psychological impact of COVID‐19 were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences in well‐being and compliance to social distancing measures between respondents with and without self‐reported IBS. Factors associated with improvement or worsening of IBS symptoms were evaluated.

Results

Out of 2704 respondents, 2024 (74.9%) did not have IBS, 305 (11.3%) had self‐reported IBS, and 374 (13.8%) did not know what IBS was. Self‐reported IBS respondents reported significantly worse emotional, social, and psychological well‐being compared with non‐IBS respondents and were less compliant to social distancing measures (28.2% vs 35.3%, P = 0.029); 61.6% reported no change, 26.6% reported improvement, and 11.8% reported worsening IBS symptoms. Higher proportion of respondents with no change in IBS symptoms were willing to practice social distancing indefinitely versus those who deteriorated (74.9% vs 51.4%, P = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, willingness to continue social distancing for another 2–3 weeks (vs longer period) was significantly associated with higher odds of worsening IBS.

Conclusion

Our study showed that self‐reported IBS respondents had worse well‐being and compliance to social distancing measures than non‐IBS respondents. Future research will focus on occupational stress and dietary changes during COVID‐19 that may influence IBS.
Hematology and blood chemistry reference values of free‐ranging Callithrix geoffroyi in Urban environment in Espírito Santo state, Brazil
Authors: Gariglio Ana Clara R. S. , Boere Vanner , Malukiewicz Joanna , Abreu Fonseca Leandro , Calais Antonio , Silva Ita Oliveira
Published: February 2021

Background

The Callithrix geoffroyi are increasingly present in Brazilian urban areas, where they are vulnerable to health problems. The purpose of this study was a description of hematology and nine blood chemistry parameters of free‐ranging C. geoffroyi.

Methods

Thirty individuals were captured in urban‐forested settings. The marmosets were anesthetized, venopunctioned, and released shortly after recovery. The analysis was carried on in a veterinary laboratory, using automatic cells counter, staining methods, and an automatic biochemical analyzer.

Results and Conclusions

Male and female free‐ranging C. geoffroyi have similar hematological and blood chemistry values. The adults presented higher concentrations of erythrocytes (P <.02) and hemoglobin (P <.02) than young marmosets. The platelet concentration was lower (P <.05) in adults comparing to young marmosets. There were not statistically significant differences between young and adult blood chemistry concentrations. This is the first time that are presented hematology and blood biochemistry data on free‐ranging C. geoffroyi.
Histopathological findings in the landscape of IgG4‐related pathology in patients with pituitary dysfunction: Review of six cases
Authors: Vasaitis Lilian , Wikström Johan , Ahlström Sengul , Gudjonsson Olafur , Kumlien Eva , Edén Engström Britt , Casar‐Borota Olivera
Published: February 2021

IgG4‐related hypophysitis (IgG4‐RH) is increasingly being reported as an isolated entity or, less frequently, as a manifestation of a multiorgan IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD), in which typical histopathology is a cornerstone for the diagnosis. We aimed to describe the histopathological changes in the surgical specimens from patients with clinical signs of pituitary disease that fulfilled the current diagnostic criteria for IgG4‐RH. Histopathological features were correlated with clinical and radiological findings. Of 19 patients with pituitary dysfunction and inflammatory changes in the surgical pituitary specimen operated on during 2011‐2019, we identified five patients with typical IgG4‐related pathology (lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with more than 10 IgG4‐positive plasma cells per one high power microscopic field, representing at least 40% of all plasma cells and at least focal storiform fibrosis). One patient with diabetes insipidus and pachymeningitis with IgG4‐related changes in a biopsy from the dura was also included. Additional histopathological changes that typically are not part of the IgG4‐RH were observed: Rathke's cleft cyst in four and granulomatous changes in two patients. One patient had an elevated serum IgG4 level and systemic manifestations that could be associated with the systemic IgG4‐RD. Our findings indicate that pure IgG4‐RH is uncommon. All patients with pituitary dysfunction, beyond typical IgG4‐related pathology, had other pathological findings that could trigger the secondary IgG4‐response. Both primary pathology and secondary IgG4‐related features should be reported in patients with pituitary dysfunction because their co‐occurrence may cause atypical clinical and imaging features, and unexpected response to surgical and pharmacological treatment. The current criteria for the diagnosis of IgG4‐RH can lead to overdiagnosis of IgG4‐RH if additional pathological changes are not taken into consideration. The classification criteria of IgG4‐RD proposed by the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism could help classify patients more properly as IgG4‐RH if applied to the pituitary gland.
Rare case of late‐onset chronic purulent skin and soft tissue infection after nonabsorbable thread lifting and treatment
Authors: Wang Yongjie , Yang Lichang , Li Mengke , Long Jianhong
Published: February 2021

Background

Infection is a common complication after the thread‐lifting procedure, but the late‐onset chronic purulent skin and soft tissue infection (SSTIs) after nonabsorbable thread lifting is quite rare.

Aim

To alert physicians should be aware of this kind of late‐onset complication after nonabsorbable thread lifting.

Patients/Methods

A 54‐year‐old woman who accepted a facial lifting procedure 4 years ago visited our hospital with three recurrent abscesses protruding masses on the right side of the parietal area for 8 months. Bacterial culture of the white pus was positive for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). During the drainage and excisional biopsy, two knots of barbed threads and three smooth threads were detected and removed. Consequently, she was treated with systemic antibiotics for 72 h and partial wound dressing changes.

Results

The wound was fully healed 7 days after surgery.

Conclusion

Removal, drainage, and antibiotics are effective methods of this kind of late‐onset complication after nonabsorbable thread lifting.
Association of β‐arrestin1 and p53‐Mdm2 signaling in the development of missed abortion
Authors: Liu Ting , Ma Yuyan , Yin Qihui , Zhou Huanyu , Fang Yan
Published: February 2021

Background

Missed abortion is a peculiar form of spontaneous abortion before 20 weeks' gestation. The definite etiology and pathogenesis are not fully understood. Recent studies have demonstrated that p53/Mdm2‐mediated ubiquitination of the IGF‐1R may be closely related to G‐protein‐coupled receptor kinases (GRK)/β‐arrestin1 system. Our previous studies have confirmed that the elevated expression of p53 and Mdm2 may be responsible for apoptosis during missed abortion. However, there was no information surrounding β‐arrestin1 in missed abortion.

Methods

The mRNA levels of β‐arrestin1 in villous samples of 30 missed abortion patients and 31 healthy controls were determined by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Immunohistochemistry was used to explore the expression and location of β‐arrestin1, p53, Mdm2, VEGF and HIF‐lα in trophoblasts. Transwell assays were performed to examine the influences of β‐arrestin1 expression on cell invasion. Furthermore, we tested the effect of β‐arrestin1 on the expression of p53, Mdm2, ERK, AKT and NF‐κB.

Results

The expression of β‐arrestin1 in the villous samples of missed abortion group was dramatically lower than control group by quantitative real‐time‐PCR and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the patients with missed abortion showed significantly higher levels of p53, Mdm2, HIF‐lα and lower level of VEGF than healthy controls by immunohistochemistry. Functional studies showed that suppression of β‐arrestin1 in HTR‐8 cells inhibited cell invasion. The protein expressions of ERK and AKT in HTR‐8 cells were significantly downregulated by reducing the expression of β‐arrestin1, while the expressions of p53, Mdm2, NF‐κB were enhanced. Overexpression of β‐arrestin1 exhibited the adverse effect.

Conclusion

Our data indicated that β‐arrestin1 play an important role in maintaining the maternal‐fetal tolerance, the decreased expression of β‐arrestin1 in the villous samples may be related with the development of missed abortion.
High neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio is a predictor of short‐term survival for patients with recurrent cervical cancer after radiation‐based therapy
Authors: Taguchi Ayumi , Nakajima Yujiro , Furusawa Akiko , Yoshino Yasunori , Takao Maki , Kashiyama Tomoko , Kino Nao , Yasugi Toshiharu
Published: February 2021

Aim

Patients with recurrent cervical cancer after radiotherapy have poor prognoses because of the lack of effective treatment options. Biomarkers to predict survival outcomes for recurrent cervical cancer are warranted because patients with limited life expectancy sometimes benefit from less aggressive treatment in combination with early palliative care. Therefore, we aimed to explore a predictive biomarker for the outcomes of patients with recurrent cervical cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 231 patients initially treated with radiation‐based therapy between January 2004 and December 2015. The associations between clinicopathological features at the time of relapse and overall survival after relapse were assessed. As factors which reflect patients' conditions, we particularly focused on C‐reactive protein‐to‐albumin ratio (CAR) and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at the time of relapse. Additionally, we investigated biomarkers predictive of short‐term survival.

Results

Among 231 patients, 91 patients experienced relapse and 74 patients died during the follow‐up period. Multivariate analysis revealed that treatment after relapse, CAR, and NLR was significantly associated with overall survival. Among them, treatment after relapse significantly affected survival outcomes, and patients who received definitive local treatment had a better 3‐year survival rate than those who received other treatments. Conversely, NLR was the most influential biomarker for short‐term survival, and the prognosis of patients with high NLRs was much worse than those with low NLRs.

Conclusions

This study thus demonstrated that, for the patients with recurrent cervical cancer who received radiation‐based therapy, definitive local treatment can provide long‐term survival and extremely high NLRs are predictive of short‐term survival.
Case report of an un‐usually large hematosalpinx
Authors: Sulaman Hira , Hussain Syeda Areeba , Nawaz Shahnaz , Anwar Amina
Published: February 2021

Hematosalpinx is the accumulation of blood in fallopian tubes. Its most common cause is ectopic pregnancy, but the other causes include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis and pelvic trauma. We report a rare case of hematosalpinx in a 45‐year‐old female with no obvious cause. She presented with acute sharp right iliac fossa pain not relieving with analgesics. She did not have a history of fever, PID, endometriosis, or trauma. Her menstrual cycle was also normal and β‐hcG was negative. Ultrasound showed the right ovarian cyst and was suggesting of hemorrhagic. She was operated and a large hematosalpinx was observed. This rare case suggests the possibility of Hematosalpinx in the mid‐40s besides ruling out the possibility of some of the causes hypothesized in the relevant literature. The case highlights the need to better understand the pathophysiology of hematosalpinx.
Biochemical Correlations with Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Detected by MR 2D Localized Correlated Spectroscopy
Authors: ARM Jameen , Al‐iedani Oun , Ribbons Karen , Lea Rod , Lechner‐Scott Jeannette , Ramadan Saadallah
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Fatigue is the common symptom in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), yet its pathophysiological mechanism is poorly understood. We investigated the metabolic changes in fatigue in a group of relapsing‐remitting MS (RRMS) patients using MR two‐dimensional localized correlated spectroscopy (2D L‐COSY).

METHODS

Sixteen RRMS and 16 healthy controls were included in the study. Fatigue impact was assessed with the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). MR 2D L‐COSY data were collected from the posterior cingulate cortex. Nonparametric statistical analysis was used to calculate the changes in creatine scaled metabolic ratios and their correlations with fatigue scores.

RESULTS

Compared to healthy controls, the RRMS group showed significantly higher fatigue and lower metabolic ratios for tyrosine, glutathione, homocarnosine (GSH+Hca), fucose‐3, glutamine+glutamate (Glx), glycerophosphocholine (GPC), total choline, and N‐acetylaspartate (NAA‐2), while increased levels for isoleucine and glucose (P ≤ .05). Only GPC showed positive correlation with all fatigue domains (r = .537, P ≤ .05). On the other hand, Glx‐upper, NAA‐2, GSH+Hca, and fucose‐3 showed negative correlations with all fatigue domains (r = –.345 to –.580, P ≤ .05). While tyrosine showed positive correlation with MFIS (r = .499, P ≤ .05), cognitive fatigue was negatively correlated with total GSH (r = –.530, P ≤ .05). No correlations were found between lesion load or brain volumes with fatigue score.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that fatigue in MS is strongly correlated with an imbalance in neurometabolites but not structural brain measurements.
Neuroimaging in Children with Ophthalmological Complaints: A Review
Authors: Rootman Mika Shapira , Dotan Gad , Konen Osnat
Published: February 2021

Pediatric patients are commonly referred to imaging following abnormal ophthalmological examinations. Common indications include papilledema, altered vision, strabismus, nystagmus, anisocoria, proptosis, coloboma, and leukocoria. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and orbits (with or without contrast material administration) is typically the imaging modality of choice. However, a cranial CT scan is sometimes initially performed, particularly when MRI is not readily available. Familiarity with the various ophthalmological conditions may assist the radiologist in formulating differential diagnoses and proper MRI protocols afterward. Although MRI of the brain and orbits usually suffices, further refinements are sometimes warranted to enable suitable assessment and accurate diagnosis. For example, the assessment of children with sudden onset anisocoria associated with Horner syndrome will require imaging of the entire oculosympathetic pathway, including the brain, orbits, neck, and chest. Dedicated orbital scans should cover the area between the hard palate and approximately 1 cm above the orbits in the axial plane and extend from the lens to the midpons in the coronal plane. Fat‐suppressed T2‐weighted fast spin echo sequences should enable proper assessment of the globes, optic nerves, and perioptic subarachnoid spaces. Contrast material should be given judiciously, ideally according to clinical circumstances and precontrast scans. In this review, we discuss the major indications for imaging following abnormal ophthalmological examinations.
Three Rothkos
Authors: McNamara Tim
Published: February 2021

What makes the work of the American Abstract Expressionist, Mark Rothko, great? Critics and the galleries of the world which hold his paintings, especially those he painted in his typical style of vertically arranged blocks of colour after the critical year 1949, often present his work using terms such as ‘ethereal’, ‘spiritual’, ‘luminous’, ‘mystical’, ‘sublime’. But this discourse about Rothko appears at odds with Rothko's own way of talking about his paintings, which he looked at as ‘dramas’ whose subject was ‘the basic human emotions – tragedy, ecstasy, doom and so on’. The article proposes that the mature paintings share a principle of organization, a syntax, which allows the expression of specific dramas of feeling in each painting. First, I suggest that the separate blocks of colour are to be read vertically, from top to bottom. Second, each block of colour is made up of multiple fine layers of paint of different colours. I argue that Rothko exploits the layering to enact a drama of feeling in each panel. I test out this argument by offering readings of three characteristic works of Rothko, and relate the discussion to Jaffe's (2016) discussion of indexical fields.
Neuronal activation and performance changes in working memory induced by chronic sleep restriction in adolescents
Authors: Alsameen Maryam , DiFrancesco Mark W. , Drummond Sean P. A. , Franzen Peter L. , Beebe Dean W.
Published: February 2021

Summary

Most adolescents get less than the recommended 8–10 hr of sleep per night. Functional deficits from lack of sleep include disruption of working memory. Adult neuroimaging studies of sleep deprivation suggest diminished responses in task‐related brain networks if performance degrades, but compensatory increased responses with maintained performance. This study utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine compensatory and diminished brain responses in adolescents during working memory performance, comparing chronic sleep restriction and healthy sleep duration. Thirty‐six healthy adolescents, 14–17 years old, experienced a 3‐week protocol: (a) sleep phase stabilization; (b) sleep restriction (~6.5 hr nightly); and (c) healthy sleep duration (~9 hr nightly). After each sleep manipulation, we acquired functional magnetic resonance imaging with an NBack working memory task with four difficulty levels (0 to 3‐back). NBack performance degraded with higher task difficulty, but without a detectable effect of sleep duration. ANOVA revealed main effects of both NBack difficulty and sleep in widespread brain networks. Planned contrasts showed that, compared with healthy sleep, sleep restriction resulted in greater medial prefrontal activation and weaker activation in the precuneus for the most difficult task condition. During sleep restriction, we found compensatory functional responses in brain regions that process sensory input and vigilance. However, adolescents also showed impaired performance and diminished brain responses during the hardest task level under a week of chronic sleep restriction. Chronic sleep restriction during adolescence is common. Understanding the impact of ongoing functional compensation and performance breakdown during this developmental period can have important implications for learning and educational strategies.
Home range size, space use and resource selection of griffon vultures in an insular environment
Authors: Xirouchakis S. M. , Grivas C. , Andreou G. , Georgopoulou E.
Published: February 2021

The extent of home ranges of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) was studied on Crete (Greece) during 2005–2015 by monitoring 27 individuals with very high frequency radio‐telemetry. Radio‐tagged birds were followed for an average period of 13.1 months (n = 7–22), where a total of 1615 days of fieldwork produced 4420 radiolocations (x = 163.5 radiolocations per tagged bird,n = 142–328). Overall, the mean home range and mean core area of griffon vultures were estimated at 1560 ± 140 km2(KDE 95%) and 373 ± 36 km2(KDE 50%) respectively with significant age‐related differences within seasons. Immature griffon vultures ranged on average about double the area ranged by adults in winter and occupied significantly larger core areas. The home range overlap in per cent and utilization distribution between adult and immature birds was also significantly less in winter than in summer. Foraging griffon vultures avoided northern slopes with unfavourable flight conditions and selected sites within rangelands with low diurnal temperature variations where overwintering livestock and suitable nesting cliffs occur. Foraging adults were restricted to the vicinity of the breeding colonies and favoured sites away from urban zones. In contrast, immature griffon vultures selected pastoral zones in marginal areas with mild winters and rugged terrain. The existence of predictable food sources in combination with suitable roosting sites and favourable flight conditions were the main factors differentiating the space‐use pattern between the two age classes. We recommend that apart from the maintenance of traditional farming practices, sites, such as large communal roosts and flight corridors or entire ‘hotspot’ activity zones of immature birds, should be taken into account in conservation planning and sensitivity mapping for the species.
Culturally Sustaining Practices in Content Area Instruction for CLD Students with Learning Disabilities
Authors: Freeman‐Green Shaqwana , Driver Melissa K. , Wang Peishi , Kamuru Jessica , Jackson Dia
Published: February 2021

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students comprise a substantial population of students with learning disabilities, and are historically disproportionately represented in special education. To effectively teach CLD students with learning disabilities, teachers should integrate evidence‐based practices and culturally sustaining pedagogy in their practice. This article highlights several practical examples of culturally sustaining evidence‐based practices across the content areas of mathematics, reading, and writing. Suggestions for practice and future research are presented in the article.
Urban ideals and rural realities: Physiotherapists navigating paradox in overlapping roles
Authors: Gingerich Andrea , Van Volkenburg Kevala , Maurice Sean , Simpson Christy , Roots Robin
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Rural practitioners who develop a sense of belonging in their community tend to stay; however, belonging means neighbours become patients and non‐clinical encounters with patients become unavoidable. Rural clinical experiences expose students to overlapping personal and professional relationships, but students cannot be duly prepared to navigate them because ethical practice standards primarily reflect urban, and not rural, contexts. To inform such educational activities, this study examines rural physiotherapists' strategies for navigating overlapping relationships.

Methods

Constructivist grounded theory guided iterative recruitment of 22 physiotherapists (PTs) living and practising in rural, northern or remote (RNR) communities in British Columbia, Canada, and analysis of their experiences navigating overlapping relationships.

Results

PTs routinely navigate overlapping relationships while mindful of practice standards, neighbourly and community expectations, personal well‐being and patient welfare. While off‐duty, they balance opposing expectations and manage various responsibilities to achieve contradictory goals such as being a professional who protects patient confidentiality while being an active and cordial community member. While on‐duty, they face ethical dilemmas where deciding not to treat acquaintances potentially denies access to care but allows for clearer personal‐professional boundaries and deciding to treat contravenes (urban) practice standards but could allow for customised patient care based on knowledge gained through both clinical and social interactions.

Conclusion

Overlapping relationships are a rural norm. Urban ethical practice standards imposed on rural contexts put RNR practitioners in a paradoxical situation where clinical and social interactions must be but cannot be partitioned. Examining the identified strategies through the lens of paradox theory shows sophisticated cognitive framing of the conflicting and interrelated aims inherent to living and practising in RNR communities. Consequently, introducing a paradox mindset in educational activities could be explored as a way to prepare students for the ethically complex overlapping relationships that they will need to navigate during RNR clinical experiences.
A learning heuristic for integrating spatial and temporal detail in forest planning
Authors: Henderson Eric B. , Hoganson Howard M.
Published: February 2021

We present a learning heuristic using dynamic programming (DP) formulations to address both spatial and temporal detail in multiobjective forest management planning. The problem is decomposed into smaller problems to avoid the curse of dimensionality associated with DP. The heuristic learns from multiple decomposed problem formulations to identify stands assigned the same management option regardless of formulation. Consistently managed stands are recognized, and the problem is eventually distilled to the most difficult to solve portions of the forest. The heuristic is demonstrated on a forest management problem with short‐lived core area wildlife habitat, where temporal detail is important. The problem is large due to the number of stand‐level management timing options and associated interactions with the management timings of nearby stands. Results show solution improvement along with substantial time savings over previously used heuristics. The learning heuristic enables analysis of large problems that emerge with high levels of spatial and temporal detail.

Recommendations for Resource Managers:

Adding spatial and temporal detail to forest planning models can improve the utility of the solution for some applications such as wildlife habitat management.

Decomposing a large optimization problem into linked, smaller subproblems can speed the solution search time.

Learning from problem decomposition solutions to formulate subsequent search attempts can improve the quality of a solution.
The role of dietary diversity in preventing metabolic‐related outcomes: Findings from a systematic review
Authors: Mozaffari Hadis , Hosseini Zeinab , Lafrenière Jacynthe , Conklin Annalijn I.
Published: February 2021

Dietary diversity has been linked to insulin resistance; however, studies are inconsistent on whether dietary diversity protects against metabolic‐related outcomes. We aimed to comprehensively assess metabolic‐related outcomes of greater diversity across the diet and within major food groups. A systematic search of peer‐reviewed literature was done in bibliographic databases (Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science) for longitudinal studies that reported on original research. Data extraction and quality appraisal used predefined criteria; reported findings were synthesized through a narrative approach. Fourteen studies were identified as eligible. Greater dietary diversity across major food groups, and diversity within fruits and/or vegetables, was associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Effects varied based on exposure definition and adjustment for known confounders. While diversity of less healthy foods was associated with greater adiposity, diversity of all foods and healthy foods was associated with reduced incidence of depression and cognitive decline. Evidence supports the protective effect of dietary diversity against cognitive decline and T2D. The association between dietary diversity and adiposity may be dependent on the healthiness of foods. Public health efforts to prevent metabolic‐related diseases should include an emphasis on a varied diet as a healthy eating strategy.
Trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 expression predicts outcome in oral squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Dourado Mauricio Rocha , Machado Renato Assis , Paranaíba Lívia Máris Ribeiro , González‐Arriagada Wilfredo Alejandro , da Silva Sabrina Daniela , Sawazaki‐Calone Íris , Graner Edgard , Salo Tuula , Coletta Ricardo D.
Published: February 2021

Background

Trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (TROP2) has unclear clinical role in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). Here, we investigated the association of TROP2 immunoexpression with clinicopathological parameters and survival of OSCC patients.

Subjects and Methods

Cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) were assessed in a cohort composed of 266 OSCC. An independent cohort with 88 OSCC samples matched with the normal oral tissue, as well as 17 metastatic lymph nodes, was used for validation.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed TROP2 as an independent marker of favorable prognosis for both CSS (HR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.40–0.90, p = .01) and DFS (HR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.36–0.89, p = .01). Furthermore, TROP2 protein expression was significantly higher in morphologically normal tissues compared to primary tumors (p < .0001) and lymph node metastases (p = .001), and it was significantly associated with CSS (HR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.09–0.74, p = .008) in the validation cohort. A pooled mRNA analysis performed on the Oncomine™ database confirmed the underexpression in OSCC compared with normal tissues (p = .014).

Conclusions

In summary, our results point to a favorable prognostic significance of TROP2 overexpression in a large cohort of oral cancer patients, suggesting it as an attractive clinical marker.
Vertebral Collapse Prevented Following Teriparatide Treatment in Postmenopausal Kümmell's Disease Patients with Severe Osteoporosis
Authors: Gou Peng‐guo , Zhao Zhi‐hui , Zhou Jia‐ming , Ren Lin‐hui , Wang Xiao‐yun , Mu Yu‐feng , Wang Yun‐guo , Chang Feng , Xue Yuan
Published: February 2021

Objective

To compare the preventive effects of teriparatide and alendronate on the progression of vertebral body collapse in postmenopausal single‐level Kümmell's disease (KD).

Methods

From March 2013 to December 2020, the medical records for 53 postmenopausal single‐level KD patients who received conservative treatment with teriparatide (25 patients, teriparatide group) or alendronate (28 patients, alendronate group) were retrospectively reviewed. Midsagittal computed tomography (CT) images were analyzed by ImageJ to assess the intravertebral bone formation (mineralized bone) by calculating the ratio of area of intravertebral mineralized bone (AIMB) to the area of fractured vertebral body (AFVB). The changes in radiological parameters of the fractured vertebral body including kyphosis angle (KA), anterior and posterior border heights (ABH and PBH) and spinal canal diameter (SCD), bone turnover biomarkers (BTMs), and bone mineral density (BMD) were analyzed to evaluate the therapeutic effect.

Results

At month 12, the ratio of AIMB to AFVB was significantly greater in teriparatide group (54.28% ± 15.30%) than in alendronate group (35.57% ± 17.61%) (P < 0.001). Sagittal CT substantiated the formation of bone bridge in 16 patients in teriparatide group. No bone bridge was detected in alendronate group. The KA was significantly smaller and the ABH, PBH, and SCD was greater in teriparatide group than in alendronate group (all P < 0.001). The KA increments were significantly smaller in teriparatide group (3.98° ± 1.30°) than in alendronate group (11.43° ± 3.73°) (P < 0.001). The ABH and PBH decrement were significantly lower in teriparatide group (11.96% ± 1.93% and 2.80% ± 2.52%) than in alendronate group (37.04% ± 8.00% and 19.50% ± 8.22%) (both P < 0.001). The BTMs and BMD were significantly greater in the teriparatide group than in the alendronate group. In teriparatide group, KA increment was negatively correlated with the change in PINP (r = −0.781, P < 0.001) and the ratio of AIMB to AFVB (r = −0.592, P = 0.002) from baseline to month 12. The ABH decrement was negatively correlated with the change in PINP (r = −0.612, P = 0.001) and the ratio of AIMB to AFVB (r = −0.806, P < 0.001) from baseline to month 12.

Conclusions

In postmenopausal single‐level KD patients, conservative treatment with teriparatide was better than alendronate at preventing the progressive vertebral collapse.
Understanding Change in Social‐Movement Participation: The Roles of Social Norms and Group Efficacy
Authors: Smith Elaine M. , González Roberto , Frigolett Cristián
Published: February 2021

Across the globe, collective action has been a notable driver of social change. Previous research has identified numerous psychological antecedents of collective action participation, such as group efficacy. The mobilizing influence of social norms, however, has been comparatively neglected. Among a nationally representative Chilean sample (N = 3328), a three‐wave longitudinal study tested the relationship between the perceived frequency of family and friends' participation in social movements (norms of close social networks) and change in the frequency of participants' own engagement over time. Perceived efficacy of social movements to facilitate social change was tested as a mediator of this relationship. A fully constrained bidirectional cross‐lagged panel model revealed that norms of close social networks significantly predicted social‐movement participation over time. This longitudinal relationship was also significantly mediated by group efficacy. Direct reverse paths were also observed, with social‐movement participation predicting norms of close social networks over time. Considering low degrees of political participation often seen in societies, these results suggest that utilizing the normative context to promote participation in social movements may prove fruitful in mobilizing the drive for social change.
Ontological Security in Times of Global Transformations? Bureaucrats' Perceptions on Organizational Work Life and Migration
Authors: Schütze Carolin
Published: February 2021

Processes of globalization have accelerated over the last decades with profound consequences at the individual and societal level. This article discusses the repercussions of global changes in welfare organizations. In this context, migration is often portrayed as the main cause of the multiple insecurities caused by global transformations. It is examined how ontological insecurity caused by global transformations influences individuals and how these influences manifest themselves in the working life of bureaucrats. The aim is to explore how bureaucrats express themselves regarding their work with migrants and about migration in general and how we can understand these perceptions. A sample of 130 open‐ended responses that were part of a nationwide survey directed towards bureaucrats from two of the main Swedish welfare institutions was analyzed through systematic content analysis. The results show that bureaucrats use different identity strategies, namely, retreatism in the form of distancing oneself, essentialism in the form of resentment towards migrants, and engagement in the form of mutual dialogue. These strategies are used to handle uncertainties and overcome complexities not only as professionals in their work life, but also as private individuals.
Seeding or planting to revegetate the world's degraded land: systematic review and experimentation to address methodological issues
Authors: Leverkus Alexandro B. , Lázaro González Alba , Andivia Enrique , Castro Jorge , Jiménez María Noelia , Navarro Francisco B.
Published: February 2021

Revegetation is key to achieve the goals of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. For many situations and plant species, selecting direct seeding or planting can define revegetation success. However, there is no clarity about when one method should be preferred over the other, partly driven by methodological difficulties that preclude avoiding bias during experimentation. To move the debate forward, (1) we propose a systematic review of the studies that compare seeding and planting, including how they have handled bias; and (2) we describe an ongoing experiment that tests different ways to handle bias when comparing seeding with planting.
Life insurance demand and borrowing constraints
Authors: Srbinoski Bojan , Poposki Klime , Born Patricia H. , Lazzari Valter
Published: February 2021

The literature devoted limited attention to exploring the relationship between financial development and life insurance demand. Financial development supports life insurance supply by providing confidence in the financial system, more efficient payment systems, and higher availability of financial instruments. However, financial development reduces households' needs to save by relaxing borrowing constraints, indirectly affecting life insurance demand. We contribute by providing a demand‐driven explanation of the negative consequences of financial development on life insurance development. We find that more credit‐constrained countries have higher life insurance penetration on average. Indirectly, the role of borrowing constraints signifies the importance of life insurance policies as a financing tool in case of the realization of various background risks. This study integrates the knowledge from life insurance theory, life insurance lapse, policy loans demand, and saving under liquidity constraints literature and produces implications for researchers, policymakers, and life insurers.
Isomonodromy sets of accessory parameters for Heun class equations
Authors: Xia Jun , Xu Shuai‐Xia , Zhao Yu‐Qiu
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we consider the monodromy and, in particular, the isomonodromy sets of accessory parameters for the Heun class equations. We show that the Heun class equations can be obtained as limits of the linear systems associated with the Painlevé equations when the Painlevé transcendents go to one of the actual singular points of the linear systems. The isomonodromy sets of accessory parameters for the Heun class equations are described by Taylor or Laurent coefficients of the corresponding Painlevé functions, or the associated tau functions, at the positions of the critical values. As an application of these results, we derive some asymptotic approximations for the isomonodromy sets of accessory parameters in the Heun class equations, including the confluent Heun equation, the doubly‐confluent Heun equation, and the reduced biconfluent Heun equation.
Factors Influencing the Sex Ratio at Birth in India: A New Analysis based on Births Occurring between 2005 and 2016
Authors: Singh Abhishek , Kumar Kaushalendra , Yadav Ajit Kumar , James K. S. , McDougal Lotus , Atmavilas Yamini , Raj Anita
Published: February 2021

Previous research on sex ratio at birth (SRB) in India has largely relied on macro‐analysis of census data that do not contain the breadth of factors needed to explain patterns in SRB. Additionally, no previous research has examined the differentiation of factors associated with SRB across birth orders, a key determinant in societies affected by son preference. This study aims to fill these gaps using micro‐data related to 553,461 births occurring between 2005 and 2016 collected as part of the 2015–2016 National Family Health Survey. Analyses used multivariable logistic regressions stratified by birth order to examine associations with SRB at the national level. The SRB at birth order 1 was outside the biological normal limit, and generally increased with birth order. First births in households with wealth in the middle and richest quintiles, with mothers who desired a higher ideal number of sons than daughters, and in lower fertility communities had a higher probability of being male. Most SRB correlates were visible at birth orders 3 or higher. Programs and policies designed to address India's male‐skewed SRB must consider the diverse factors that influence SRB, particularly for higher order births.