bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Comparative Analysis of Life Satisfaction Among Syrian, Iranian, and Afghan refugees in Turkey: The case of Denizli
Authors: Maqul Sayed Alawadin , GüneŞ Sevcan , Akin TuĞba
Published: June 2020

In this study, the survey method was used to analyse the life satisfaction of three different refugee groups that are Syrian, Iranian, and Afghan who lives in the Denizli province of Turkey. According to the outcomes of in-depth interviews and surveys conducted on 150 refugees, the most common reason for immigrating to Turkey is the civil war-factor. The survey results show that the Afghan refugees’ level of income increased compared to that of before immigration. Afghan and Syrian refugees are more satisfied with their lives in Turkey compared to Iranian immigrants. Besides, uneducated and male refugees, living in a country with the same religion as the departure country are more satisfied than other immigrants. Therefore Iranian immigrants, most of whom are not Muslim, are planning to migrate again from Turkey to more advanced economies. In sum, the results of this study indicate that the major factors affecting life satisfaction of immigrants are educational status, religion, gender, and income.
Policies of Exclusion: The Case of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
Authors: Kikano Faten , Fauveaud Gabriel , Lizarralde Gonzalo
Published: June 2020

When the Syrian war erupted in 2011, the Lebanese government withdrew from managing the influx of Syrian refugees. Three years later, Lebanon’s Council of Ministers set new regulations for Syrians with the purpose of reducing access to territory and persuading refugees to leave the country. This article analyses the reasons for and the outcomes of Lebanon’s response to the refugee crisis before and after 2014. It then examines, through a qualitative exploratory approach and based on two longitudinal case studies, the impact of Lebanese regulations. In both cases, the so-called ‘temporary gatherings’ became permanent settlements beyond the government’s control. The government’s strategy backfired: in attempting to avoid ghettos, it created them. We conclude that when refugee situations become protracted, most efforts aimed at excluding refugees fail. Excluding refugees increases their vulnerability and reduces their chances of repatriation or resettlement. To prevent this, we argue that hosting policies must lead to the temporary integration of refugees within urban systems and public institutions.
Esophageal stent migration to the transverse colon, entrapped within a hiatal hernia status post esophagectomy
Authors: Mahan Mark E , Baig Imran , Trivedi Apurva K , Oxenberg Jacqueline C , Khan Yakub , Chu Kyo U
Published: June 2020

Self-expandable metal stents are used in both benign and malignant esophageal conditions for the treatment of strictures, leaks and perforations. With this intervention, the most common complication is stent migration. Those in whom migration occurs are subject to additional procedures with significant risk. We present a unique case of stent migration in a 61-year-old male who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy secondary to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Postoperatively, two covered stents were applied to relieve anastomotic stricture and proximal esophageal occluding web. Several months thereafter, the initial stent was found to have migrated to the transverse colon subsequently entrapped in a hiatal hernia defect. Fortunately, the migrated stent was amenable to colonoscopic retrieval. As endoscopic stent use grows, it is important to recognize that covered stents may migrate through anatomic narrowing’s such as pylorus and ileocecal valve, but can also become entrapped in nonanatomic narrowing’s such as a hernia leading to further complications.
Primary mesenteric gastrointestinal stromal tumor presented with acute small bowel obstruction
Authors: Sembawa Hatem Adel
Published: June 2020

Primary mesenteric gastrointestinal stromal tumors may give rise to abdominal emergencies like bowel obstruction and should be considered in the differential diagnosis to reduce morbidity and mortality. The present study presents an unusual case of primary mesenteric gastrointestinal stromal tumor presenting with small bowel obstruction. A 44-year-old healthy male presented with abdominal pain for 2 days. Detailed examination revealed presence of a 4 × 4 cm mass in the small bowel mesentery with multiple small bowel loops adherent to it, together with their mesentery. The patient was diagnosed with primary gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the small bowel mesentery. He had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged on the second postoperative day in a good condition. The case analysis showed that the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor is likely with the emergence of CD117, despite of its occurrence at rare sites and it is a vague clinical picture.
Targeting Key Survey Variables at the Unit Nonresponse Treatment Stage
Authors: Haziza David , Chen Sixia , Gao Yimeng
Published: June 2020

In the presence of nonresponse, unadjusted estimators are vulnerable to nonresponse bias when the characteristics of the respondents differ from those of the nonrespondents. To reduce the bias, it is common practice to postulate a nonresponse model linking the response indicators and a set of fully observed variables. Estimated response probabilities are obtained by fitting the selected model, which are then used to adjust the base weights. The resulting estimator, referred to as the propensity score-adjusted estimator, is consistent provided the nonresponse model is correctly specified. In this article, we propose a weighting procedure that may improve the efficiency of propensity score estimators for survey variables identified as key variables by making a more extensive use of the auxiliary information available at the nonresponse treatment stage. Results from a simulation study suggest that the proposed procedure performs well in terms of efficiency when the data are missing at random and also achieves an efficient bias reduction when the data are not missing at random. We further apply our proposed methods to 2017–2018 National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey.
Type I H+-pyrophosphatase regulates the vacuolar storage of sucrose in citrus fruit
Authors: Hussain Syed Bilal , Shi Cai-Yun , Guo Ling-Xia , Du Wei , Bai Ying-Xing , Kamran Hafiz Muhammad , Fernie Alisdair R , Liu Yong-Zhong
Published: June 2020

The aim of this work was to evaluate the general role of the vacuolar pyrophosphatase proton pump (V-PPase) in sucrose accumulation in citrus species. First, three citrus V-PPase genes, designated CsVPP-1, CsVPP-2, and CsVPP-4, were identified in the citrus genome. CsVPP-1 and CsVPP-2 belonging to citrus type I V-PPase genes are targeted to the tonoplast, and CsVPP-4 belonging to citrus type II V-PPase genes is located in the Golgi bodies. Moreover, there was a significantly positive correlation between transcript levels of type I V-PPase genes and sucrose, rather than hexose, content in fruits of seven citrus cultivars. Drought and abscisic acid treatments significantly induced the CsVPP-1 and CsVPP-2 transcript levels, as well as the sucrose content. The overexpression of type I V-PPase genes significantly increased PPase activity, decreased pyrophosphate contents, and increased sucrose contents, whereas V-PPase inhibition produced the opposite effect in both citrus fruits and leaves. Furthermore, altering the expression levels of type I V-PPase genes significantly influenced the transcript levels of sucrose transporter genes. Taken together, this study demonstrated that CsVPP-1 and CsVPP-2 play key roles in sucrose storage in the vacuole by regulating pyrophosphate homeostasis, ultimately the sucrose biosynthesis and transcript levels of sucrose transport genes, providing a novel lead for engineering or breeding modified taste in citrus and other fruits.
The role of the nuclear envelope in the regulation of chromatin dynamics during cell division
Authors: Fernández-Jiménez Nadia , Pradillo Mónica
Published: June 2020

The nuclear envelope delineates the eukaryotic cell nucleus. The membrane system of the nuclear envelope consists of an outer nuclear membrane and an inner nuclear membrane separated by a perinuclear space. It serves as more than just a static barrier, since it regulates the communication between the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm and provides the anchoring points where chromatin is attached. Fewer nuclear envelope proteins have been identified in plants in comparison with animals and yeasts. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of the nuclear envelope in plants, focusing on its role as a chromatin organizer and regulator of gene expression, as well as on the modifications that it undergoes to be efficiently disassembled and reassembled with each cell division. Advances in knowledge concerning the mitotic role of some nuclear envelope constituents are also presented. In addition, we summarize recent progress on the contribution of the nuclear envelope elements to telomere tethering and chromosome dynamics during the meiotic division in different plant species.
Opacity modelling of heavy-metal hot subdwarfs: photoionization of Sr0, Y+, and Zr2 +
Authors: Fernández-Menchero L , Jeffery C S , Ramsbottom C A , Ballance C P
Published: June 2020

Heavy-metal hot subdwarfs (sdB and sdO) represent a small group of stars with unusually high concentrations of trans-iron elements in their atmospheres, having abundances ${\sim } 10\, 000$ times solar. One example is LS IV-14 116, where a number of heavy-metal absorption lines of Sr ii, Y iii, and Zr iv have been observed in the optical band $4000\!-\!5000\, {\mathring{\rm A}}$. We use a fully relativistic Dirac Atomic R-Matrix Code (darc) to calculate photoionization cross-sections of Sr0, Y+, and Zr2 + from their ground state to the 20th excited level. We use the cross-sections and the oscillator strengths to simulate the spectrum of a hot subdwarf. We obtain complete sets of photoionization cross-sections for the three ions under study. We use these data to calculate the opacity of the stellar atmospheres of hot subdwarf stars, and show that for overabundances observed in some heavy-metal subdwarves, photoexcitation from zirconium, in particular, does contribute some back warming in the model.
Thermophysical modelling and parameter estimation of small Solar system bodies via data assimilation
Authors: Hamm M , Pelivan I , Grott M , de Wiljes J
Published: June 2020

Deriving thermophysical properties such as thermal inertia from thermal infrared observations provides useful insights into the structure of the surface material on planetary bodies. The estimation of these properties is usually done by fitting temperature variations calculated by thermophysical models to infrared observations. For multiple free model parameters, traditional methods such as least-squares fitting or Markov chain Monte Carlo methods become computationally too expensive. Consequently, the simultaneous estimation of several thermophysical parameters, together with their corresponding uncertainties and correlations, is often not computationally feasible and the analysis is usually reduced to fitting one or two parameters. Data assimilation (DA) methods have been shown to be robust while sufficiently accurate and computationally affordable even for a large number of parameters. This paper will introduce a standard sequential DA method, the ensemble square root filter, for thermophysical modelling of asteroid surfaces. This method is used to re-analyse infrared observations of the MARA instrument, which measured the diurnal temperature variation of a single boulder on the surface of near-Earth asteroid (162173) Ryugu. The thermal inertia is estimated to be 295 ± 18 $\mathrm{J\, m^{-2}\, K^{-1}\, s^{-1/2}}$, while all five free parameters of the initial analysis are varied and estimated simultaneously. Based on this thermal inertia estimate the thermal conductivity of the boulder is estimated to be between 0.07 and 0.12,$\mathrm{W\, m^{-1}\, K^{-1}}$ and the porosity to be between 0.30 and 0.52. For the first time in thermophysical parameter derivation, correlations and uncertainties of all free model parameters are incorporated in the estimation procedure that is more than 5000 times more efficient than a comparable parameter sweep.
VLA imaging of the XMM-LSS/VIDEO deep field at 1–2 GHz
Authors: Heywood I , Hale C L , Jarvis M J , Makhathini S , Peters J A , Sebokolodi M L L , Smirnov O M
Published: June 2020

Modern radio telescopes are routinely reaching depths where normal star-forming galaxies are the dominant observed population. Realizing the potential of radio as a tracer of star formation and black hole activity over cosmic time involves achieving such depths over representative volumes, with radio forming part of a larger multiwavelength campaign. In pursuit of this, we used the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to image ∼5 deg2 of the VIDEO/XMM-LSS extragalactic deep field at 1–2 GHz. We achieve a median depth of 16 µJy beam−1 with an angular resolution of 4.5 arcsec. Comparisons with existing radio observations of XMM-LSS showcase the improved survey speed of the upgraded VLA: we cover 2.5 times the area and increase the depth by ∼20 per cent in 40 per cent of the time. Direction-dependent calibration and wide-field imaging were required to suppress the error patterns from off-axis sources of even modest brightness. We derive a catalogue containing 5762 sources from the final mosaic. Sub-band imaging provides in-band spectral indices for 3458 (60 per cent) sources, with the average spectrum becoming flatter than the canonical synchrotron slope below 1 mJy. Positional and flux density accuracy of the observations, and the differential source counts are in excellent agreement with those of existing measurements. A public release of the images and catalogue accompanies this article.
A random-walk model for dark matter halo spins
Authors: Benson Andrew , Behrens Christoph , Lu Yu
Published: June 2020

We extend the random-walk model of Vitvitska et al. for predicting the spins of dark matter haloes from their merger histories. Using updated merger rates, orbital parameter distributions, and N-body constraints, we show that this model can accurately reproduce the distribution of spin parameters measured in N-body simulations when we include a weak correlation between the spins of haloes and the angular momenta of infalling subhaloes. We further show that this model is in approximate agreement with the correlation of the spin magnitude over time as determined from N-body simulations, while it slightly underpredicts the correlation in the direction of the spin vector measured from the same simulations. This model is useful for predicting spins from merger histories derived from non-N-body sources, thereby circumventing the need for very high resolution simulations to permit accurate measurements of spins. It may be particularly relevant to modelling systems that accumulate angular momentum from haloes over time (such as galactic discs) – we show that this model makes small but significant changes in the distribution of galactic disc sizes computed using the galacticus semi-analytic galaxy formation model.
Periodicity in recurrent fast radio bursts and the origin of ultralong period magnetars
Authors: Beniamini Paz , Wadiasingh Zorawar , Metzger Brian D
Published: June 2020

The recurrent fast radio burst FRB 180916 was recently shown to exhibit a 16-d period (with possible aliasing) in its bursting activity. Given magnetars as widely considered FRB sources, this period has been attributed to precession of the magnetar spin axis or the orbit of a binary companion. Here, we make the simpler connection to a rotational period, an idea observationally motivated by the 6.7-h period of the Galactic magnetar candidate, 1E 161348–5055. We explore three physical mechanisms that could lead to the creation of ultralong period magnetars: (i) enhanced spin-down due to episodic mass-loaded charged particle winds (e.g. as may accompany giant flares), (ii) angular momentum kicks from giant flares, and (iii) fallback leading to long-lasting accretion discs. We show that particle winds and fallback accretion can potentially lead to a sub-set of the magnetar population with ultralong periods, sufficiently long to accommodate FRB 180916 or 1E 161348–5055. If confirmed, such periods implicate magnetars in relatively mature states (ages 1−10 kyr) and which possessed large internal magnetic fields at birth Bint ≳ 1016 G. In the low-twist magnetar model for FRBs, such long period magnetars may dominate FRB production for repeaters at lower isotropic-equivalent energies and broaden the energy distribution beyond that expected for a canonical population of magnetars, which terminate their magnetic activity at shorter periods P ≲ 10 s.
On decoupling the integrals of cosmological perturbation theory
Authors: Slepian Zachary
Published: June 2020

Perturbation theory (PT) is often used to model statistical observables capturing the translation and rotation-invariant information in cosmological density fields. PT produces higher order corrections by integration over linear statistics of the density fields weighted by kernels resulting from recursive solution of the fluid equations. These integrals quickly become high dimensional and naively require increasing computational resources the higher the order of the corrections. Here, we show how to decouple the integrands that often produce this issue, enabling PT corrections to be computed as a sum of products of independent 1D integrals. Our approach is related to a commonly used method for calculating multiloop Feynman integrals in quantum field theory, the Gegenbauer Polynomial x-Space Technique. We explicitly reduce the three terms entering the 2-loop power spectrum, formally requiring 9D integrations, to sums over successive 1D radial integrals. These 1D integrals can further be performed as convolutions, rendering the scaling of this method Nglog Ng with Ng the number of grid points used for each fast Fourier transform. This method should be highly enabling for upcoming large-scale structure redshift surveys where model predictions at an enormous number of cosmological parameter combinations will be required by Monte Carlo Markov Chain searches for the best-fitting values.
RADX condenses single-stranded DNA to antagonize RAD51 loading
Authors: Zhang Hongshan , Schaub Jeffrey M , Finkelstein Ilya J
Published: June 2020

RADX is a mammalian single-stranded DNA-binding protein that stabilizes telomeres and stalled replication forks. Cellular biology studies have shown that the balance between RADX and Replication Protein A (RPA) is critical for DNA replication integrity. RADX is also a negative regulator of RAD51-mediated homologous recombination at stalled forks. However, the mechanism of RADX acting on DNA and its interactions with RPA and RAD51 are enigmatic. Using single-molecule imaging of the key proteins in vitro, we reveal that RADX condenses ssDNA filaments, even when the ssDNA is coated with RPA at physiological protein ratios. RADX compacts RPA-coated ssDNA filaments via higher-order assemblies that can capture ssDNA in trans. Furthermore, RADX blocks RPA displacement by RAD51 and prevents RAD51 loading on ssDNA. Our results indicate that RADX is an ssDNA condensation protein that inhibits RAD51 filament formation and may antagonize other ssDNA-binding proteins on RPA-coated ssDNA.
Bulk and single-molecule analysis of a bacterial DNA2-like helicase–nuclease reveals a single-stranded DNA looping motor
Authors: Wilkinson Oliver J , Carrasco Carolina , Aicart-Ramos Clara , Moreno-Herrero Fernando , Dillingham Mark S
Published: June 2020

DNA2 is an essential enzyme involved in DNA replication and repair in eukaryotes. In a search for homologues of this protein, we identified and characterised Geobacillus stearothermophilus Bad, a bacterial DNA helicase–nuclease with similarity to human DNA2. We show that Bad contains an Fe-S cluster and identify four cysteine residues that are likely to co-ordinate the cluster by analogy to DNA2. The purified enzyme specifically recognises ss-dsDNA junctions and possesses ssDNA-dependent ATPase, ssDNA binding, ssDNA endonuclease, 5′ to 3′ ssDNA translocase and 5′ to 3′ helicase activity. Single molecule analysis reveals that Bad is a processive DNA motor capable of moving along DNA for distances of >4 kb at a rate of ∼200 bp per second at room temperature. Interestingly, as reported for the homologous human and yeast DNA2 proteins, the DNA unwinding activity of Bad is cryptic and can be unmasked by inactivating the intrinsic nuclease activity. Strikingly, our experiments show that the enzyme loops DNA while translocating, which is an emerging feature of processive DNA unwinding enzymes. The bacterial Bad enzymes will provide an excellent model system for understanding the biochemical properties of DNA2-like helicase–nucleases and DNA looping motor proteins in general.
Dynamic prediction models for graft failure in paediatric kidney transplantation
Authors: Kaboré Rémi , Ferrer Loïc , Couchoud Cécile , Hogan Julien , Cochat Pierre , Dehoux Laurène , Roussey-Kesler Gwenaelle , Novo Robert , Garaix Florentine , Brochard Karine , Fila Marc , Parmentier Cyrielle , Fournier Marie-Cécile , Macher Marie-Alice , Harambat Jérôme , Leffondré Karen
Published: June 2020

Background

Several models have been proposed to predict kidney graft failure in adult recipients but none in younger recipients. Our objective was to propose a dynamic prediction model for graft failure in young kidney transplant recipients.

Methods

We included 793 kidney transplant recipients waitlisted before the age of 18 years who received a first kidney transplantation before the age of 21 years in France in 2002–13 and survived >90 days with a functioning graft. We used a Cox model including baseline predictors only (sex, age at transplant, primary kidney disease, dialysis duration, donor type and age, human leucocyte antigen matching, cytomegalovirus serostatus, cold ischaemia time and delayed graft function) and two joint models also accounting for post-transplant estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) trajectory. Predictive performances were evaluated using a cross-validated area under the curve (AUC) and R2 curves.

Results

When predicting the risk of graft failure from any time within the first 7 years after paediatric kidney transplantation, the predictions for the following 3 or 5 years were accurate and much better with the joint models than with the Cox model (AUC ranged from 0.83 to 0.91 for the joint models versus 0.56 to 0.64 for the Cox model).

Conclusion

Accounting for post-transplant eGFR trajectory strongly increased the accuracy of graft failure prediction in young kidney transplant recipients.
Eco-chemical mechanisms govern phytoplankton emissions of dimethylsulfide in global surface waters
Authors: Deng Xuwei , Chen Jun , Hansson Lars-Anders , Zhao Xia , Xie Ping
Published: June 2020

The anti-greenhouse gas dimethylsulfide (DMS) is mainly emitted by algae and accounts for more than half of the total natural flux of gaseous sulfur to the atmosphere, strongly reducing the solar radiation and thereby the temperature on Earth. However, the relationship between phytoplankton biomass and DMS emissions is debated and inconclusive. Our study presents field observations from 100 freshwater lakes, in concert with data of global ocean DMS emissions, showing that DMS and algal biomass show a hump-shaped relationship, i.e. DMS emissions to the atmosphere increase up to a pH of about 8.1 but, at higher pH, DMS concentrations decline, likely mainly due to decomposition. Our findings from lake and ocean ecosystems worldwide were corroborated in experimental studies. This novel finding allows assessments of more accurate global patterns of DMS emissions and advances our knowledge on the negative feedback regulation of phytoplankton-driven DMS emissions on climate.
The Effects of Smoke-Free Workplace Policies on Individual Smoking Behaviors in China
Authors: Lin Hao-xiang , Liu Zhao , Chang Chun
Published: June 2020

Objective

Studies have shown that smoke-free (SF) workplace policies can create an SF environment, but most of them have focused only on reducing secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure or changing smoking behavior. Our study aims to explore the effects of SF workplace policies and the pathway between workplace SF policies and SHS exposure.

Method

14 195 employees from 79 companies in China participated in this survey. Binary logistic regression is used to examine the direct effects of SF workplace policies. Structured Equation Modeling approach is used to test other indirect effects. The Sobel test is used to estimate the mediation effect.

Results

Working in a company with SF policies was associated with lower SHS exposure (odds ratio = 0.56; 95% confidence interval = 0.51 to 0.60). Such policy were associated with lower smoking prevalence (Coef. = −0.05, p < .05) and positively associated with smoking harm awareness (Coef. = 0.07, p < .05) and SHS harm awareness (Coef. = 0.05, p < .05). Sobel test suggests that approximately 16.3% of the effects on SHS exposure reduction are mediated through the channel of lower smoking prevalence for males. For smokers, we did not identify a direct effect of such policies on quitting intentions, but a significant indirect effect via increased smoking harm awareness (Coef. = 0.07, p < .05) and lower smoking consumption (Coef. = −0.10, p < .05) were found.

Conclusion

This study finds that SF workplace policies are not only associated with lower SHS exposure but also related to some indirect effects. Further mediation analyses for males confirmed that the effect on SHS exposure reduction is mediated through the channel of lower smoking prevalence.

Implications

This study joins the debate in recent years on the effects of workplace SF policies and provides evidence with more comprehensive data from Asia Best Workplace Mainland China program. It shows that SF workplace policies not only can reduce SHS exposure but also are associated with lower smoking prevalence, fewer cigarettes smoked, and higher smoking harm-related awareness. These findings provide valuable evidence to promote such policies in all workplaces and underline the need for more stringent SF policies to be enacted in all countries.
Invasive Aspergillosis as an Under-recognized Superinfection in COVID-19
Authors: Thompson III George R , Cornely Oliver A , Pappas Peter G , Patterson Thomas F , Hoenigl Martin , Jenks Jeffrey D , Clancy Cornelius J , Nguyen M Hong
Published: June 2020

Pulmonary aspergillosis has been increasingly reported following severe respiratory viral infections. Millions have been infected by SARS-CoV-2, placing large numbers of patients at-risk for COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). Prompt recognition of this syndrome and is paramount to improve outcomes.
After the lockdown: macroeconomic adjustment to the COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Adam Christopher , Henstridge Mark , Lee Stevan
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is ripping around most of the world, but not in Africa; at least, not yet. At the same time, the policy response is remarkably uniform: most of sub-Saharan Africa went into lockdown from the second week in March. What happens next for the pandemic across Africa is uncertain, but the March lockdowns are unlikely to have contained the epidemic by themselves.

What is clear is that the combination of domestic lockdowns and the spill-over from the global recession means immediate and severe hardship. This paper looks beyond the public health aspects of the pandemic to examine the medium-term macroeconomic adjustment challenge confronting domestic policy-makers and international donors. We combine epidemiological and macroeconomic models to calibrate the scale of the combined shock to a representative low-income African economy and to show how alternative policy options for slowing transmission of COVID-19 impact on public revenue, and on GDP in the short run, and hence shape the path to recovery. Noting that the first lockdown, however costly, does not by itself eliminate the likelihood of a re-emergence of the epidemic, we then frame the agenda for key macroeconomic and public finance policies to sustain recovery, growth, and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa.

The initial hit to consumption will be up to one-third. All the public policy options are grim. International donor finance of US$40–50 billion, together with domestic reform to accelerate recovery, would make a significant difference to the outlook for poverty.
Why Do Short Selling Bans Increase Adverse Selection and Decrease Price Efficiency?
Authors: Dixon Peter N
Published: June 2020

When short selling is costly, owners of an asset have greater incentive to become informed than nonowners because trading on negative information is easier for them. Thus, information acquisition concentrates among investors owning the asset. A short selling ban restricts selling to only the relatively more informed investors who own the asset, increasing adverse selection but only on the sell side of the market. Price efficiency declines due to less overall information acquisition because a ban magnifies the disincentive to gather information for investors not owning the asset. Empirical evidence from the 2008 U.S. short selling ban is consistent with these theoretical predictions.
Serum urate is related to subclinical inflammation in asymptomatic hyperuricaemia
Authors: Luis-Rodríguez Desirée , Donate-Correa Javier , Martín-Núñez Ernesto , Ferri Carla , Tagua Víctor G , Pérez Castro Atteneri , Mora-Fernández Carmen , Navarro-González Juan F
Published: June 2020

Objective

Asymptomatic hyperuricaemia (AHU) is associated with inflammatory disorders, including cardiovascular disease. Uric acid (UA) lowering therapies may reduce the risk of appearance or the progression of these comorbidities. In this work, we investigated the relationship between serum UA levels and inflammation in subjects with AHU.

Methods

Serum levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), TNF-α and IL-6, and mRNA expression of TNFa and IL6 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured in individuals with AHU and without comorbid conditions and in a control group with similar characteristics and normal serum UA levels. Additionally, we determined the variations in the inflammatory profile in a subgroup of subjects after 6 months of treatment with allopurinol.

Results

Subjects at higher tertiles of serum UA presented higher levels of hsCRP and increased serum and mRNA expression levels of both cytokines (P < 0.001). UA levels constituted an independent predictor of increased levels of inflammatory parameters in multiple regression models (P < 0.001) and a risk factor for the presence of a subclinical inflammation in multivariate logistic regression (P < 0.001). Allopurinol reduced UA and serum and mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between the variations in serum UA and the variations in serum TNF-α (P < 0.01) and IL-6 (P < 0.05), and mRNA expression of these cytokines (P < 0.05). This association remained significant and independent (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

In subjects with AHU, serum UA may be an inductor of subclinical inflammation. Therapeutic reduction of serum UA was associated with a modulation of the inflammatory profile.
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers' mental health
Authors: Hall Heather
Published: June 2020

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, commonly presents as a severe acute respiratory disease referred to as coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The rapid spread of the disease created challenges for healthcare systems and forced healthcare workers to grapple with clinical and nonclinical stressors, including shortages of personal protective equipment, mortality and morbidity associated with COVID-19, fear of bringing the virus home to family members, and the reality of losing colleagues to the disease. Evidence from previous outbreaks, along with early evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic, suggests that these events have significant short- and long-term effects on the mental health of healthcare workers. All healthcare stakeholders should create short- and long-term plans to support the mental health of workers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
We Solve It! Immersing the Quality Enhancement Plan in a Traditional and Online Baccalaureate Nursing Program
Authors: Derico Sherika , Hawkins Amanda , Grissette Brittany , Mathis Elizabeth , Herring Tonya , Izumi Mariko
Published: June 2020

Problem-solving and critical thinking are essential in nursing; therefore, nurse educators must equip students with these skills. Through a campus-wide initiative to foster problem-solving skills (Quality Enhancement Plan), five school of nursing faculty implemented new pedagogical approaches in face-to-face and online courses. This article discusses the problem-based approaches in nursing education implemented at a state university and their effects on student learning.
Implementation science
Authors: Berger Carol , Tokac Umit , Fish Anne F. , Dane John N.
Published: June 2020

Caries remain the most common preventable chronic childhood disease. One state oral health program including fluoride varnish showed a decrease in presence of decay and improvement in overall oral health; however, early childhood caries did not improve. Implementation of an oral health preventive program during well-child medical visits may address this gap.
Operative time in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery: a need for a standard definition
Authors: Wagala Nyaluma N. , Marasigan Joanne Abby M. , Mian Humza M. , Schwend Richard M.
Published: June 2020

Our objective is to report and define ‘operative time’ in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) posterior spinal fusion surgeries. Documenting key times during surgery are important to compare operative risks, assess learning curves, and evaluate team efficiency in AIS surgery. ‘Operative time’ in literature has not been standardized. Systematic review was performed by two reviewers. Keywords included operative time, duration of surgery, and scoliosis. One thousand nine hundred six studies were identified, 1092 duplicates were removed and 670 abstracts were excluded. Of the 144 articles, 67 met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies were evaluated for number of patients, operative time, and definition of operative time. Meta-analysis was not performed due to confounders. Of the 67 studies (6678 patients), only 14 (1565 patients) defined operative time, and all specified as incision to closure. From these 14 studies, the median operative time was 248 minutes (range 174–448 minutes). In the 53 studies (5113 patients) without a definition, one study reported time in a non-comparable format, therefore, data were analyzed for 52 studies (5078 patients) with a median operative time of 252 minutes (wider range 139–523 minutes). A clear standardized definition of operative or surgical time in spine surgery does not exist. We believe that operative time should be clearly described for each published study for accurate documentation and be defined from incision time to spine dressing completion time in order to standardize study results. Level of evidence: IV.
Inter-rater and Intrarater Reliabilities of the Identification of a “Gothic Arch” in the Acetabulum of Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Miller Stacey , Habib Eva , Bone Jeffrey , Schaeffer Emily , Yang Brian W. , Shea Jodie , Maleki Ava , Shore Benjamin J. , Mulpuri Kishore
Published: June 2020

Background:

Progressive hip displacement in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is monitored by measuring migration percentage (MP) on anteroposterior (AP) pelvis radiographs. Accurate measurement of MP requires the lateral margin of the ossified acetabulum to be identified for the placement of Perkin’s line. It has been suggested that when there is an erosion of the acetabular rim, described as a gothic arch, the midpoint of the arch be used for the placement of Perkin’s line. However, this requires that there be agreement on what constitutes a gothic arch. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter-rater and intrarater reliabilities of identifying a gothic arch on pelvis radiographs.

Methods:

An online survey with 100 AP pelvis images (200 hips) of children with CP was sent to international experts. Participants were asked to identify which hip(s) had a gothic arch (left, right, both, and neither). The Fleiss κ statistic for inter-rater reliability was calculated. Eight weeks later, the images were shuffled and redistributed to calculate intrarater reliability.

Results:

The initial survey was completed by 10 participants with 9 participants completing the second survey. The average inter-rater κ value was 0.18 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14-0.23] and 0.19 (95% CI, 0.14-0.24) for the 2 surveys, respectively. Among the pediatric orthopaedic surgeons subgroup, the κ values were 0.06 (95% CI, 0.02-0.1) and 0.08 (95% CI, 0.03-0.13). The average intrarater reliability κ value was 0.61 (95% CI, 0.2-1), ranging from 0.32 to 0.86.

Conclusions:

There were poor inter-rater and moderate intrarater reliabilities in identifying a gothic arch on AP pelvis radiographs in children with CP. Further characterization and clarification of what constitutes a gothic arch are required. The lack of agreement on the identification of a gothic arch may negatively impact the measurement of MP and referrals to a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon.
Treatment for Clubfoot: Stockinette Versus Webril Cast Padding in the Ponseti Method
Authors: Marien Meaghan , Abouassaly Marcel , Jarvis James , Smit Kevin , Kontio Ken
Published: June 2020

Background:

The Ponseti method of serial manipulation and casting revolutionized the treatment of one of the most common congenital orthopaedic conditions—clubfoot—resulting in less surgical morbidity and better functional results. Several studies have examined aspects of nonoperative treatment but none have explored the effect of different types of undercast padding.

Methods:

The authors performed a randomized controlled trial comparing cotton Stockinette and Webril undercast padding using the Ponseti method. They included 56 patients under the age of 6 months who had an untreated idiopathic clubfoot. For treatment, the padding was randomized to double-layer Stockinette (29 patients) or standard 2- to 3-layer Webril (27 patients). The primary analysis consisted of a 2-sample t test comparing the mean number of casts required for correction in each group. Secondary outcomes included initial and final standardized clubfoot scores (Pirani and Dimeglio scores) and adverse events.

Results:

Baseline demographics were not statistically different between groups, with respect to mean age, sex, and side being treated, nor were the baseline Dimeglio and Pirani scores. The primary outcome analysis revealed an equivalent number of casts (about 4) required before tenotomy. The secondary analysis on complications did not show any significant difference, with 10 events documented in the Webril group and 9 in the Stockinette group (P=1.00). At the end of the study, the mean Dimeglio (3.9±2.1 vs. 3.9±1.8, P=0.99) and Pirani (2.1±0.8 vs. 2.2±0.8, P=0.70) scores were not significantly different. Subjectively, parents and doctors indicated a substantially more positive experience for the Stockinette group.

Conclusions:

Webril and Stockinette paddings provide equivalent clubfoot deformity correction while applying a similar number of casts before tenotomy. Although minor skin complications were observed, these were not significantly different between groups.
Gender Difference Is Associated With Severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection: An Insight From a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ueyama Hiroki , Kuno Toshiki , Takagi Hisato , Krishnamoorthy Parasuram , Vengrenyuk Yuliya , Sharma Samin K. , Kini Annapoorna S. , Lerakis Stamatios
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a novel infection now causing pandemic around the world. The gender difference in regards to the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 infection has not been well described thus far. Our aim was to investigate how gender difference can affect the disease severity of coronavirus disease 2019 infection.

Data Sources:

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and Embase databases was conducted from December 1, 2019, to March 26, 2020. An additional manual search of secondary sources was conducted to minimize missing relevant studies. There were no language restrictions.

Study Selection:

Studies were included in our meta-analysis if it was published in peer-reviewed journals and recorded patient characteristics of severe versus nonsevere or survivor versus nonsurvivor in coronavirus disease 2019 infection.

Data Extraction:

Two investigators independently screened the search, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of the study.

Data Synthesis:

Our search identified 15 observational studies with a total of 3,494 patients (1,935 males and 1,559 females) to be included in our meta-analysis. Males were more likely to develop severe coronavirus disease 2019 infection compared with females (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07–1.60). There was no significant heterogeneity (I
2 = 12%) among the studies.

Conclusions:

This meta-analysis suggests that the male gender may be a predictor of more severe coronavirus disease 2019 infection. Further accumulation of evidence from around the world is warranted to confirm our findings.
Multislice spiral computed tomography imaging in evaluating hemophilic arthropathy
Authors: Zhang Yu-Xia , Li Mei-Xia , Wei Shu-Fang , Zhang Lu , Cheng Tian-Ming , Ge Ying-Hui
Published: June 2020

Background

Certain hemophilia patients are unable to cooperate with or afford magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. The purpose of our study was to explore the value of multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in evaluating hemophilic arthropathy (HA).

Methods

Thirty-eight patients with 73 joints of HA were consecutively selected from January 2016 to May 2018 for this prospective study. All 73 joints were examined by X-ray, CT, and MRI within 2 days. The MRI scores of the joints were determined by the International Prophylaxis Study Group (IPSG) standard. The CT findings were quantified according to the IPSG standard, except for cartilage injury, which was quantified by joint space narrowing using the X-ray Pettersson score. The CT and MRI scores were compared by the paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The correlations between the CT score of joint space narrowing and MRI score of cartilage injury and the total CT and MRI scores were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation. The kappa test was used to compare the consistency of CT and MRI scores.

Results

MRI was superior to CT based on the scores for small amount of effusion (P < 0.05), synovial hypertrophy and hemosiderin deposition in the mild groups (P < 0.05). The CT and MRI scores were not significantly different for moderate and massive effusion, synovial hypertrophy, and hemosiderin deposition in the moderate and severe groups, bone erosion or cystic changes (P > 0.05), and there was a high degree of consistency between the two scores (kappa > 0.81). The consistency between the Pettersson scores of joint space narrowing on CT and the IPSG scores of cartilage injury on MRI was high (kappa = 0. 774, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The image scores of MSCT are generally consistent with MRI except for mild synovitis, which can be used as an alternative for the evaluation of HA.
Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases demonstration project: aerosol pollution and its seasonal peculiarities in primary schools of Vilnius
Authors: Prokopciuk Nina , Franck Ulrich , Dudoitis Vadimas , Tarasiuk Nikolaj , Juskiene Izabele , Cepuraite Daiva , Staras Kestutis , Valiulis Algirdas , Ulevicius Vidmantas , Valiulis Arunas
Published: June 2020

Background

The growing public health concern caused by non-communicable diseases in urban surroundings cannot be solved by health care alone; therefore a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory. This study aimed to evaluate the airborne aerosol pollution level in primary schools as possible factor influencing origin and course of the diseases in children.

Methods

Seasonal aerosol particle number concentration (PNC) and mass concentration (PMC) were studied in the randomly selected eleven primary schools in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, as model of a middle-size Eastern European city. Total PNC in the size range from 0.01 to >1.0 μm in diameter was measured using a condensation particle counter. Using an optical particle sizer, PNC was measured and PMC estimated for particles from 0.3 to 10.0 μm. A descriptive statistics was used to estimate the aerosol pollution levels.

Results

During all seasons, local cafeterias in the absence of ventilation were the main sources of the elevated levels of indoor PMC and PNC (up to 97,500 particles/cm3). The other sources of airborne particulates were the children's activity during the lesson breaks with PMC up to 586 μg/m3. Soft furniture, carpets in the classrooms and corridors were responsible for PMC up to 200 μg/m3. Outdoor aerosol pollution (up to 18,170 particles/cm3) was higher for schools in city center. Elevated air pollution in classrooms also resulted from intermittent sources, such as construction work during classes (200–1000 μg/m3) and petrol-powered lawn trimmers (up to 66,400 particles/cm3).

Conclusion

The results of our survey show that even in a relatively low polluted region of Eastern Europe there are big differences in aerosol pollution within middle-sized city. Additional efforts are needed to improve air quality in schools: more frequent wet cleaning, monitoring the operation of ventilation systems, a ban on construction works during school year, on a use of sandblasting mechanisms in the neighborhood of schools.
Quantitative and semiquantitative estimates of mold exposure in infancy and childhood respiratory health
Authors: Cox Jennie , Ryan Patrick , Burkle Jeff , Jandarov Roman , Mendell Mark J. , Hershey Gurjit Khurana , LeMasters Grace , Reponen Tiina
Published: June 2020

Background:

Previous epidemiologic studies of dampness and mold relied on metrics that did not fully assess exposure–response relationships. Our objective was to examine quantitative metrics of dampness and mold during infancy and respiratory health outcomes during childhood.

Methods:

In-home visits were conducted before age 1 for children in the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study. Respiratory outcomes included age 3 wheeze and age 7 asthma and wheeze. The associations between home exposure and respiratory outcomes were evaluated for 779 children using logistic regression adjusting for household income, neighborhood socioeconomic status, and the presence of pests.

Results:

Children residing in homes with ≥0.29 m2 of moisture damage were significantly more likely to have wheezing at age 3 and persistent wheeze through age 7 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0, 4.3 and aOR = 3.2; CI = 1.3, 7.5, respectively). Additionally, homes having ≥0.19 m2 of mold damage were associated with wheezing at age 3 and early transient wheeze assessed at age 7 (aOR = 2.9; CI = 1.3, 6.4 and aOR = 3.5; CI = 1.5, 8.2, respectively). Mold damage <0.19 m2 and moisture damage <0.29 m2 were not associated with health outcomes. Mold and moisture damage were also not associated with asthma.

Conclusion:

Our data indicate that only the highest categories analyzed for mold (≥0.19 m2) and moisture damage (≥0.29 m2) in homes at age 1 were significantly associated with wheeze at ages 3 and 7; however, data below these levels were too sparse to assess the shape of the relationship or explore potential health-relevant thresholds.