bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of motor recovery after stroke: being pragmatic or innovative?
Authors: Rosso Charlotte , Lamy Jean-Charles
Published: July 2020

Purpose of review

This review considers both pragmatic and cutting-edge approaches for predicting motor stroke recovery over the period 2017–2019. It focuses on the predictive value of clinical scores and biomarkers including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and MRI as well as more innovative alternatives.

Recent findings

Clinical scores combined with corticospinal tract (CST) integrity as assessed by both TMS-induced motor-evoked potential (MEP) and MRI predict motor recovery with an accuracy of about 75%. Therefore, research on novel biomarkers is still needed to improve the accuracy of these models.

Up to date, there is no consensus about which predictive models should be used in clinical routine. Decision trees, such as the PREP2 algorithm are probably the easiest approach to operationalize the translation of predictive models from bench to bedside. However, external validation is still needed to implement current models.
Seasonal shifts in the gut microbiome indicate plastic responses to diet in wild geladas
Authors: Baniel Alice , Amato Katherine R , Beehner Jacinta C , Bergman Thore J , Mercer Arianne , Perlman Rachel F , Petrullo Lauren , Reitsema Laurie , Sams Sierra , Lu Amy , Snyder-Mackler Noah
Published: July 2020

Animals have evolved numerous strategies to cope with energetic challenges, with dynamic changes to the gut microbiome potentially constituting one such strategy. We tested how proxies of food availability (rainfall) and thermoregulatory stress (temperature) predicted gut microbiome composition of geladas (Theropithecus geladas), a grazing, high-altitude primate inhabiting a seasonal environment. The gelada gut microbiome varied across seasons, reflecting more efficient digestion of the primary foods eaten at certain times of year. In rainier periods, the gut was dominated by cellulolytic/fermentative bacteria that specialized in digesting grass, while during dry periods the gut was dominated by bacteria that break down starches found in underground plant parts. Temperature had a smaller, but detectable, effect on the gut microbiome. We found an increase in microbes involved in metabolism and energy production during cold and dry periods, suggesting buffering when thermoregulatory and nutritional stress co-occurred. Our results suggest that the gelada gut microbiome may shift to compensate for host diet and energetic demands.
Differential regulation of local mRNA dynamics and translation following long-term potentiation and depression
Authors: Donlin-Asp Paul G , Polisseni Claudio , Klimek Robin , Heckel Alexander , Schuman Erin M
Published: July 2020

Decades of work have demonstrated that mRNAs are localized and translated within neuronal dendrites and axons to provide proteins for remodeling and maintaining growth cones or synapses. It remains unknown, however, whether specific forms of plasticity differentially regulate the dynamics and translation of individual mRNA species. To address these issues, we targeted three individual synaptically-localized mRNAs,CamkIIa,Beta actin,Psd95, and used molecular beacons to track endogenous mRNA movements and reporters and Crispr-Cas9 gene editing to track their translation. We found widespread alterations in mRNA behavior during two forms of synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD). Changes in mRNA dynamics following plasticity resulted in an enrichment of mRNA in the vicinity of dendritic spines. Both the reporters and tagging of endogenous proteins revealed the transcript-specific stimulation of protein synthesis following LTP or LTD. The plasticity-induced enrichment of mRNA near synapses could be uncoupled from its translational status. The enrichment of mRNA in the proximity of spines allows for localized signaling pathways to decode plasticity milieus and stimulate a specific translational profile, resulting in a customized remodeling of the synaptic proteome.
Mitosis without DNA replication in mammalian somatic cells
Authors: Ganier Olivier , Lutzmann Malik , Cau Julien , Peiffer Isabelle , Lemmers Céline , Zitouni Sihem , Theillet Charles , Méchali Marcel
Published: July 2020

DNA replication initiates with pre-replication complex (pre-RC) formation at replication origins in G1 (replication origin licensing), followed by activation of a pre-RC subset in the S phase. It has been suggested that a checkpoint prevents S phase entry when too few origins are licensed. Yet, we found that in normal cells, complete DNA synthesis inhibition by overexpression of a non-degradable geminin variant, or by CDT1 silencing prevents DNA replication without inducing any checkpoint. Cells continue cycling and enter mitosis, despite the absence of replicated DNA. Most of these unlicensed cells exit mitosis without dividing and enter senescence; however, about 25% of them successfully divide without previous DNA replication, producing daughter cells with half the normal diploid complement of chromosomes (1C). This suggests a potentially attractive strategy to derive haploid cells from any somatic cell type and unveil undescribed aspects of the coordination between DNA replication and cell division in mammals.
Evolutionary Action Score ofTP53Mutations: Integrated Clinico-pathologic And Protein Structural Analysis in Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Authors: Kanagal-Shamanna Rashmi , Montalban-Bravo Guillermo , Katsonis Panagiotis , Sasaki Koji , Class Caleb A. , Benton Christopher , Jabbour Elias , Chien Kelly S. , Luthra Rajyalakshmi , Bueso-Ramos Carlos E. , Kadia Tapan , Andreeff Michael , Short Nicholas , Daver Naval , Routbort Mark J. , Khoury Joseph D. , Patel Keyur , Ganan-Gomez Irene , Wei Yue , Borthakur Gautam , Ravandi Farhad , Do Kim-Anh , Soltysiak Kelly A. , Lichtarge Olivier , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Kantarjian Hagop , Garcia-Manero Guillermo
Published: July 2020

To determine the impact ofTP53mutations on the phenotype and outcome of myelodysplastic syndromes, we quantified the deleterious effects of missenseTP53mutations using the computationally-derived evolutionary action score (higher score indicates worse impact), based on the phylogenetic divergence of the sequence position and amino acid change perturbation, and correlated with clinico-pathologic-genomic features in 270 newly-diagnosedTP53-mutant patients primarily treated with hypomethylating agents. Using recursive partitioning and regression trees, we identified a subset of patients with low-EAp53 mutations (≤52) with improved overall survival (OS) (n=17, 6%) compared to high-EAp53 (n=253, 94%) [median OS, 48 vs. 10 months; p=0.01]. Compared to high-EAp53, low-EAp53 patients had lower cytogenetic complexity, lower TP53 protein expression, lacked multi-allelicTP53alterations, but had more somatic mutations in other genes. There was no difference in medianTP53variant allele frequency or distribution of R-IPSS. 3D-protein modeling showed clustering of poor-outcome mutations, indicating structural location influences outcome.
Cortical Localization of the Sensory-Motor Transformation in a Whisker Detection Task in Mice
Authors: Zareian Behzad , Zhang Zhaoran , Zagha Edward
Published: July 2020

Responding to a stimulus requires transforming an internal sensory representation into an internal motor representation. Where and how this sensory-motor transformation occurs is a matter of vigorous debate. Here, we trained mice in a whisker detection go/no-go task in which they learned to respond (lick) following a transient whisker deflection. Using single unit recordings, we quantified sensory-, motor- and choice-related activities in whisker primary somatosensory cortex (S1), whisker primary motor cortex (wMC) and anterior lateral motor cortex (ALM). Based on the criteria of having both strong sensory and motor representations and early choice probability, we identify whisker motor cortex as the cortical region most directly related to the sensory-motor transformation. Our data support a model of sensory amplification occurring between S1 and wMC, sensory-motor transformation occurring within wMC, and propagation of a motor command occurring between wMC and ALM.
Application of discrete differential operators of periodic functions to solve 1D boundary-value problems
Authors: Sobczyk Tadeusz , Jaraczewski Marcin
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Discrete differential operators (DDOs) of periodic functions have been examined to solve boundary-value problems. This paper aims to identify the difficulties of using those operators to solve ordinary nonlinear differential equations.

Design/methodology/approach

The DDOs have been applied to create the finite-difference equations and two approaches have been proposed to reduce the Gibbs effects, which arises in solutions at discontinuities on the boundaries, by adding the buffers at boundaries and applying the method of images.

Findings

An alternative method has been proposed to create finite-difference equations and an effective method to solve the boundary-value problems.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed approach can be classified as an extension of the finite-difference method based on the new formulas approximating the derivatives. This can be extended to the 2D or 3D cases with more flexible meshes.

Practical implications

Based on this publication, a unified methodology for directly solving nonlinear partial differential equations can be established.

Originality/value

New finite-difference expressions for the first- and second-order derivatives have been applied.
Thermal stress analysis of functionally graded solid and hollow thick-walled structures with heat generation
Authors: Eker Mehmet , Yarımpabuç Durmuş , Çelebi Kerimcan
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present thermal and mechanical stresses in solid and hollow thick-walled cylinders and spheres made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) under the effect of heat generation.

Design/methodology/approach

Constant internal temperature and convective external conditions in hollow bodies along with internal heat generation with a combination of outer convective conditions in solid bodies are investigated individually. The effect of the heat convection coefficient on solid bodies is additionally discussed. The variation of the FGM properties in the radial direction is adapted to the Mori–Tanaka homogenization schemes, which produces irregular and two-point linear boundary value problems that are numerically solved by the pseudospectral Chebyshev method.

Findings

It has been shown that the selection of the mixtures of FGMs has to be made correctly to keep the thermal and mechanical loads acting on objects at low levels.

Originality/value

In this study, both solid and hollow functionally graded cylinders and spheres for different boundary conditions that are as their engineering applications are examined with the proposed method. The results have demonstrated that the pseudospectral Chebyshev method has high accuracy, low calculation costs and ease of application and can be easily adapted to such engineering problems.
From experienced to professional practitioners: a participatory lesson study approach to strengthen and sustain English language teaching and leadership
Authors: Alwadi Hasan Mohsen , Mohamed Naashia , Wilson Aaron
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study arises from a recent school-based professional development (PD) programme conducted for English language teachers (ELTs) in a secondary school in the Kingdom of Bahrain, where a participatory lesson study (PLS) strategy was implemented to develop four ELTs' teaching skills and their senior teacher's leadership. The influence of the PLS on creating a participatory PD experience for the participants was investigated through exploring their perceptions of their professional growth during their PLS experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative interpretive approach, a total of eight lesson study cases and 16 meetings were conducted and analysed.

Findings

The main factors that influenced the participants' perceptions of their professional growth in PLS were high self-efficacy and confidence; dominancy of their peers; the informality of the PLS practice; and reflective practice. Relatedly, the results revealed critical thoughts about PLS as a means for ELT's self-directed PD in non-native English-speaking contexts.

Originality/value

The study provides an alternative approach to PD that can be offered for ELTs in any ESL/EFL context that focusses on supporting non-native English-speaking teachers' practices by associating theory with practice. This approach has enabled them to gain the practical skills they need and develop their awareness about the theoretical principles of these practices. For the first time, teachers were given the role to act as the trainers and the theorisers of their own teaching practices.
Friction coefficient study of nanocomposite Al2O3–NbC obtained by spark plasma sintering-SPS
Authors: Dantas Susan Meireles C. , Cuppari Marcio G. Di Vernieri , Hernandes Vania Trombini
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the friction coefficient of Al2O3–NbC nanocomposite obtained by spark plasma sintering sliding against a steel ball.

Design/methodology/approach

Tribological tests were carried out using a reciprocating nanotribometer in a ball on flat configuration with normal loads in the range from 10 to 100 mN under dry conditions. Surface changes were analyzed by confocal microscopy and 3D profilometry.

Findings

The values of the friction coefficient varied from 0.15 to 0.6 and are independent of the applied load.

Originality/value

The tribological behavior is attributed to fracture in the contact region and the effect of wear debris.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-08-2019-0356/
The role of interactive practice in business performance
Authors: Feng Chao , Xi Nannan , Zhuang Guijun , Hamari Juho
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Despite the relatively long research continuum on IT capability and performance, the “IT capability-performance” link has remained hazy especially related to the mediating role of IT-based communication and networking overall. Therefore, this study investigates how IT capability affects Internet interactive practice and how it further affects marketing effectiveness and firm success.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected the survey data from 504 manufacturers in China, and structural equation modeling is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that (1) IT capability has positive effects on both interorganizational systems (IOS)-enabled and social media (SM)-enabled interactive practice; (2) IOS-enabled interactive practice has a significant positive effect on both marketing and financial performance while SM-enabled interactive practice has a positive effect on marketing performance but no effect on financial performance; (3) IOS-enabled interactive practice mediates the effect of IT capability on marketing and financial performance while SM-enabled interactive practice only mediates the effect of IT capability on marketing performance; (4) marketing performance mediates the impact of IOS-enabled and SM-enabled interactive practice on financial performance.

Originality/value

This study has highlighted the role of social media practice in the relationship between IT capability and firm performance, which makes certain theoretical contributions to the existing research.
Impact of romantic Facebook “crush pages” on the Egyptian youth
Authors: Saleh Alamira Samah
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Like many social media trends, the romantic craze charms Egyptian youth. Romantic Facebook crush pages popped up locally in the past few years among university students particularly. They expressed a new aspect of online social interaction that has raised red flags with some adults, while thought to be a new healthy way to pour youth’s hearts out anonymously in a so-called a conservative society for others. Some crush pages, in particular, drew concerns of several parents for they are more vulgar and aggressive submissions. Laying between the two arguments, this study aims to examine the extent to which Facebook users make use of it to pursue romance, if Facebook’s characteristics and social context reflected in users’ perceptions of romantic relationships, the implications of being in a romantic relationship on Facebook and if such FB practices could pose a state of moral panic or a public concern.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 200 Facebook users between 18 and 25 years was gathered. Furthermore, a content analysis of three Egyptian universities’ “crush pages” posts was applied.

Findings

The study highlighted the conflicting ideals of today’s Egyptian youth moral lives. Ultimately, there is an evidence that practices of using Facebook online crush pages have been creating new contested but delightful moral normative rules around love.

Originality/value

Crushes pages have been sweeping across Egyptian colleges and faculties; however, almost no Arabic study was done to figure out its impact. Furthermore, the study takes into account the socio-cultural background of the Egyptian society.
The determinants of opening account with Islamic banks
Authors: Sen Shuvro , Antara Neel , Sen Shusmita
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The Islamic banking system is not very primordial, but recently it is getting popular. Now it becomes a prominent topic to investigate what are the reasons behind it and how it happens. This study aims to identify the influencing factors in the time of opening account in Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive and factor analysis method were carried out to collect the quantitative data using a validated structured questionnaire. This study is based on a survey of 300 clients from Bangladesh who have at least one bank account in any Islamic banks in Bangladesh.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that the most important factors influencing the people to open an account in Islamic banks including high Riba (Interest) on saving, ATM facility, confirmation SMS on the transaction, availability of branch service in several locations, lower cost on financing (loan), low initial deposit fee for account opening, employees’ prompt service and their behavior, etc. Also, the other religious people, rather than Islam, start a banking relationship with Islamic banks without any obligation.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused only on a certain area of Bangladesh. This study could be extended for a different target market, creative strategy, other media and more countries.

Practical implications

The paper provides guidelines to the management of Islamic banks to decide to attract more customers by focusing on the influencing factors that manipulate a person to open a bank account.

Originality/value

The research is original. There are very few studies available on this topic, particularly focusing on Bangladesh. Consequently, the research findings have significant implications for Islamic banks functioning in a predominantly Islamic atmosphere.
Perceived instructional requirements of soft-skills trainers and hard-skills trainers
Authors: Wisshak Susanne , Hochholdinger Sabine
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether soft-skills trainers and hard-skills trainers have different perspectives regarding their required instructional knowledge and skills.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was completed by 129 soft-skills trainers and 61 hard-skills trainers. The authors used 14 items covering relevant instructional knowledge and skills based on the training literature.

Findings

An exploratory factor analysis identified the following two factors: managing interactions and instructional activities. A multivariate analysis of variance showed significant differences in the assessments of managing interactions (p = 0.00) and instructional activities (p = 0.01) between soft- and hard-skills trainers. The differences in managing interactions were larger than those in instructional activities. The soft-skills trainers showed higher agreement with all items. Most individual items had medium effect sizes. The differing perspectives of soft- and hard-skills trainers are not an effect of different educational backgrounds.

Research limitations/implications

These findings suggest that differences exist in the required instructional knowledge and skills depending on whether trainers teach soft or hard skills. Further research should consider the training content.

Practical implications

Practitioners can ensure that soft-skills trainers meet the respective requirements.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate the differences in soft- and hard-skills trainers’ perceptions of instructional requirements.
Competitive intelligence as a coping strategy for academic libraries in South Africa
Authors: Moyane Smangele P. , Dube Luyanda , Nkomo Ntando , Ngulube Patrick
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study examined the extent to which public academic libraries in South Africa coped with the changing information environment by using competitive intelligence (CI) to attain competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted positivism as the main philosophical lens and also incorporated qualitative elements to augment the quantitative data through a survey research design. Questionnaires were e-mailed to 25 directors of public academic libraries in South Africa and 17 were returned, yielding a 68% response rate. Attempts were made to reach to the 25 directors through semi-structured telephonic interviews, and only eight responded some through their representatives, yielding a 32% response rate. Using two instruments permitted the triangulation of data. A noted limitation of the study is that some library directors neither responded to the questionnaire nor the interview.

Findings

Findings revealed that various competitive intelligence techniques were employed; however, their implementation was not formalised. Competitiveness was driven by various factors such as rivalries in the information value chain; relevance; financial and budgetary constraints; changing user expectations and evolving technology.

Originality/value

This study is novel because there is a dearth of literature on implementation and use of competitive intelligence in academic libraries in South Africa.
Model of surface roughness and material removal using abrasive flow machining of selective laser melted channels
Authors: Ferchow Julian , Baumgartner Harry , Klahn Christoph , Meboldt Mirko
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Internal channels produced by selective laser melting (SLM) have rough surfaces that require post-processing. The purpose of this paper is to develop an empirical model for predicting the material removal and surface roughness (SR) of SLM-manufactured channels owing to abrasive flow machining (AFM).

Design/methodology/approach

A rheological model was developed to simulate the viscosity and power-law index of an AFM medium. To simulate the pressure distribution and velocity in the SLM channels, the fluid behavior and SR in the channels were simulated by using computational fluid dynamics. The results of this simulation were then applied to create an empirical model that can be used to predict the SR and material removal thickness. To verify this empirical model, it was applied to an actual part fabricated by SLM. The results were compared with the measurements of the SR and channel diameter subsequent to AFM.

Findings

The proposed model exhibits maximum deviation between the model and the measurement of −1.1% for the down-skin SR, −0.2% for the up-skin SR and −0.1% for material removal thickness.

Practical implications

The results of this study show that the proposed model can avoid expensive iterative tests to determine whether a given channel design leads to the desired SR after smoothing by AFM. Therefore, this model helps to design an AFM-ready channel geometry.

Originality/value

In this paper, a quantitatively validated AFM model was proposed for complex SLM channels with varying orientation angles.
Constructive approach to reduce the influence of temperature on spring suspension eigenfrequencies
Authors: Baranov Pavel , Nesterenko Tamara , Barbin Evgenii , Koleda Aleksei
Published: July 2020

Purpose

One of the problems encountered by developers of inertial systems, such as gyroscopes and accelerometers, is the critical dependence of the eigenfrequencies of elastic suspensions (ES) on temperature when using substrates for sensors made of dielectric materials, such as borosilicate glass. The internal stresses arising in the ES caused by the difference in the temperature coefficients of linear expansion (TCLE) lead to deformation of the sensor and complication of the electronic part of the sensor. The purpose of this paper is to approach for in-plane and out-of-plane ES are considered that allow for minimization of the influence of internal stresses on eigenfrequencies.

Design/methodology/approach

Analytical, finite element and experimental results are considered. The temperature coefficient of thermal expansion, the Young’s modulus and the Poisson ratio are given as a function of temperature. The shape of the spring elements (SEs) and the construction of the elastic suspension are the main topics of focus in this study. The authors’ out-of-plane ES based on a meander-like spring element implemented via finite element modeling show good agreement with the experimental results.

Findings

Meander-like SEs have been developed that have lower temperature errors in comparison with traditional types of SEs. The main contribution to the change in the eigenfrequency from temperature is made by internal stresses that arose from the deformation of the bonded materials with different TCLE. The change of eigenfrequency from the temperatures that were calculated by finite element method did not exceed 0.15%, however, in practice, the scatter of the obtained characteristics for different samples showed a change of up to 0.3%.

Originality/value

This study shows a way to design and optimize the structure and theoretical background for the development of the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) inertial module combining the functions of gyroscope and accelerometer. The obtained results will improve and expand the manufacturing technology of MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers.
Results of recording electrophysiological signals by nanosensors during tests on volunteers
Authors: Аvdeeva Diana K. , Guo Wenjia , Nguyen Dang Quang , Yuzhakov Mikhail M. , Ivanov Ivan L. , Turushev Nikita V. , Maksimov Ivan V. , Balakhonova Maria V.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the results of recording electrophysiological signals by nanosensors during tests on volunteers using neutral questions and questions that cause excitement.

Design/methodology/approach

The nanosensor-based hardware and software complex (HSC) was used for simultaneous recording of electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram and galvanic skin response during tests on volunteers using neutral questions and questions that cause excitement. The recording was carried out in real time without averaging and filtering in the extended frequency range from 0 to 10,000 Hz, level of more than 1 µV and sampling frequency equal to 64 kHz.

Findings

For the first time, the following signals were recorded by nanosensors without filtering and averaging in the measuring channels: real-time micropotentials on an electrocardiogram with a duration of 0.2 ms and a level of 1 µV or more. Also, for the first time, changes in the shape and amplitude of the P wave, slow waves on the electroencephalography (EEG), high impulse activity of the EEG and impulse activity of short duration on the GSR were recorded in response to questions that cause excitement.

Practical implications

The obtained results will be used for high-resolution equipment to develop additional measuring channels in existing types of equipment for psychophysiological studies.

Originality/value

For the first time, new data undistorted by filters was obtained on the amplitude and time parameters of electrophysiological signals in the frequency range from 0 to 10,000 Hz in response to questions that cause excitement, which was due to high sensitivity and noise immunity of nanosensors in comparison with existing electrodes for biopotential recording.
Association of traction force and adverse neonatal outcome in vacuum‐assisted vaginal delivery: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Pettersson Kristina A. , Westgren Magnus , Blennow Mats , Ajne Gunilla
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Traction force is a possible risk factor for adverse neonatal outcome in vacuum extraction delivery, but the knowledge is scarce and further investigation is needed. Our hypothesis was that high‐level traction force increases the risk of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Material and methods

The study was a hospital‐based prospective cohort study on low‐ and mid‐vacuum extractions at the labor and delivery ward, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden. Traction forces were measured in 331 women. An electronical handle was used to measure and register traction force. The main exposure variable was high‐level traction force (≥75th percentile) during the first three pulls and the primary outcome was admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted risk.

Results

Among the exposed, 14/84 (16.7%) were admitted to neonatal intensive care, and among the unexposed 10/247 (4%). The crude odds ratio (OR) of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit when exposed to high‐level traction force was 4.7, and the adjusted (birthweight, gestational length, cup detachment, number of pulls, duration, duration >15 minutes, mid‐cavity fetal head station, failed extraction, indication and parity) OR was 2.85 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09‐7.48). No significant effect was seen in Apgar scores <7 at 5 minutes or pH <7.1.

Conclusions

High‐level traction force may be a risk factor for neonatal complications. Although these results do not mandate any alterations in clinical guidelines, perioperative feedback on traction force may be useful to alert the obstetrician to a timely conversion to cesarean section. To study plausible traction force specific outcomes such as head traumas, a larger sample size is required.
Initial cardiovascular treatment patterns during the first 90 days following an incident cardiovascular event
Authors: Ma Tian‐Tian , Wong Ian C.K. , Whittlesea Cate , Mackenzie Isla S. , Man Kenneth K.C. , Lau Wallis , Brauer Ruth , Wei Li
Published: July 2020

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the initial cardiovascular prescription patterns in patients after their first cardiovascular events, and to identify factors associated with cardiovascular polypharmacy.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study including patients aged ≥ 45 years with the first record of coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke between 2007 and 2016 using The Health Improvement Network database. This study investigated the patterns of cardiovascular drugs prescribed during the first 90 days after the first cardiovascular events. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between patients' baseline characteristics and cardiovascular polypharmacy (≥5 cardiovascular drugs).

Results

A total of 121,600 (59,843 CHD and 61,757 stroke) patients were included in the study. The mean age was 69.5 ± 11.9 years. The proportion of patients who were prescribed 0–1, 2–3, 4–5 drugs and ≥6 drugs were 11.0%, 29.8%, 38.6% and 20.5%, respectively. Factors associated with cardiovascular polypharmacy were sex (female: OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.72–0.76 vs male), age (75–84 years old: OR 0.50, 0.47–0.53 vs 45–54 years old), smoking status (current smoking: OR 1.29, 1.15–1.24 vs never), body mass index (obesity: OR 1.38, 1.34–1.43 vs normal), deprivation status (most deprived: OR 1.09, 1.04–1.14 vs least deprived) and Charlson comorbidity index (index ≥5: OR 1.25, 1.16–1.35 vs index 0).

Conclusion

Multiple cardiovascular drugs treatment was common in patients with CVD in the UK. High‐risk factors of CVD were also associated with cardiovascular polypharmacy. Further studies are warranted to assess the impact of cardiovascular polypharmacy and its interaction on CVD recurrence and mortality.
What counts as happiness for young people: A qualitative study
Authors: Sutton Cordelia
Published: July 2020

Limited research exists on young people's own views on their happiness, with research dominated by adult‐led, quantitative well‐being studies. This article discusses a qualitative study on young people's happiness which draws on both Psychology and Childhood and Youth Studies. In all, 42 young people completed writings and a new method of ‘happiness maps’, together with discussion groups and interviews, which were analysed within a constructivist grounded theory approach. Happiness is revealed as wide‐ranging, complex, and individually variable. Family and friends were important, but these relationships were qualified and contingent in how they contributed to happiness. Importantly, discussions of happiness also incorporated unhappiness.
A report on a fisheries conflict management training workshop in Laos
Authors: Bond Jennifer , Loury Erin , Ounboundisane Sinsamout
Published: July 2020

A conflict management training workshop was delivered in October 2019 in Vientiane, Laos, to fisheries practitioners. Discussions held during the workshop highlighted conflict as a key issue within community‐based fisheries management and the need for fisheries staff from various sectors, and the communities they work with, to have an understanding of conflict management concepts and related skills. Key themes of the discussions of fisheries conflict in Laos were related to property rights, lack of adherence of fishers to regulations, funding for local community activities and weak governance structures. The key learnings of the training workshop are that fisheries practitioners are dealing with social conflict in their work activities and need support in managing these conflicts, as for many fisheries professionals this work is outside their main area of expertise. There is a role for further research into fisheries conflict in Laos to provide context‐specific insight, but this must be accompanied by appropriate knowledge exchange to allow practitioners to make use of these insights for real‐world conflict management activities.
Experimental and numerical evaluations on the effects of adhesive fillet, overlap length and unbonded area in adhesive‐bonded joints
Authors: Wu Guanghan , Li Dayong , Lai Wei‐Jen , Chen Qiuren , Shi Yandong , Huang Li , Huang Shiyao , Kang Hongtae , Peng Yinghong , Su Xuming
Published: July 2020

To realize robust structural design, the effects of the adhesive fillet, overlap length and unbonded area in adhesive‐bonded joints need to be fully understood and incorporated into a fatigue life estimation method. In the present work, both static and fatigue experiments are performed on six types of adhesive‐bonded joints to illuminate these effects systematically. A straightforward total fatigue life evaluation method is proposed to address these effects. A statistical crack initiation model is established based on the fatigue data of bulk adhesive specimens. Growth life is calculated using the interfacial crack model and mixed mode crack growth method. Good correlation is observed between the calculated and experimental fatigue lives. Furthermore, the effects of the adhesive fillet, overlap length and unbonded area are analysed based on both calculated and experimental results. Results indicate that adhesive fillet postpones crack initiation by reducing local strain level, both overlap length and unbonded area change the growth life by length. Besides, overlap length promotes the fraction of mode II strain energy release rate in total, reducing crack growth rates and extending growth life.
Automated office blood pressure is in agreement with awake and mean 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure at the lower blood pressure range
Authors: Andreadis Emmanuel A. , Geladari Charalampia V. , Angelopoulos Epameinondas T.
Published: July 2020

Automated office blood pressure measurement eliminates the white coat effect and is associated with awake ambulatory blood pressure. This study examined whether automated office blood pressure values at lower limits were comparable to those of awake and mean 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure. A total of 552 patients were included in the study, involving 293 (53.1%) men and 259 (46.9%) women, with a mean age 55.0 ± 12.5, of whom 36% were treated for hypertension. Both systolic and diastolic automated office blood pressures exhibited lower values compared to awake ambulatory blood pressure among 254 individuals with systolic automated office blood pressure <130 mm Hg (119 ± 8 mm Hg vs 125 ± 11 mm Hg, P < .0001 and 75 ± 9 mm Hg vs 79 ± 9 mm Hg, P < .0001 for systolic and diastolic BPs, respectively). Furthermore, the comparison of systolic automated office blood pressure to the mean 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure levels also showed lower values (119 ± 8 vs 121 ± 10, P = .007), whereas the diastolic automated office blood pressure measurements were similar to 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure values. Our findings show that when automated office blood pressure readings express values <130/80 mm Hg in repeated office visits, further investigation should be performed only when masked hypertension is suspected; otherwise, higher automated office blood pressure values could be used for the diagnosis of uncontrolled hypertension, especially in individuals with organ damage.
Dyadic teams and nursing care: A critical incident study of nurses in the emergency medical service
Authors: Holmberg Mats , Nørgaard Jockum , Eriksson Mats , Svensson Anders
Published: July 2020

Aim and objectives

The aim of the study was to describe Emergency Medical Services (EMS) nurses’ experiences of and coping with critical incidents, when providing nursing care as a member of a dyadic team.

Background

Nursing care in EMS is a complex task, taking into account the physical, psychological as well as existential dimensions of the patient's suffering. In this, EMS nurses are dependent on the dyadic team. Teams in EMS are described as essential for providing safe medical care. However, nursing care also comprises relationships with patients as a means of reducing patient suffering.

Design

The study has an inductive descriptive qualitative design, in adherence to the COREQ‐checklist.

Methods

A critical incident technique was used. Thirty‐five EMS nurses were interviewed individually, with a focus on dyadic teams providing nursing care. The interviews were analysed with the aim of defining main areas, categories and sub‐categories.

Results

The experiences of critical incidents emerged to form two main areas: “Functional co‐operation” and “Dysfunctional co‐operation,” comprising seven categories and sixteen sub‐categories. Their coping with critical incidents encompassed two main areas: “Adapting oneself” and “Adapting nursing care and the colleague,” comprising four categories and eight sub‐categories.

Conclusions

Reflection as part of the daily practice emerges as important for the development of nursing care both in relation to individual team members and also the dyadic team as a unit. In addition, the results highlight consensus within dyadic teams regarding the objectives of nursing care, as well as the importance of defined roles.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study underlines the importance of strengthening the dyadic EMS team's ability to co‐operate using common goals and knowledge within clinical nursing care. The individual team members’ different roles have to be explicit. In addition, clinical care has to be organised to generate preconditions for mutual performance monitoring through collegial feedback and reflection.
Meta‐analysis of angiotensin‐converting enzyme insersion/delection polymorphism and pre‐eclampsia susceptibility
Authors: Liu Yun , Li Ping
Published: July 2020

Aim

In recent years, there were many studies on angiotensin‐converting enzyme insersion/delection (ACE I/D) polymorphism and pre‐eclampsia susceptibility, but the conclusion was still inconclusive. Our study is to explore the relationship between the ACE I/D polymorphism and the risk of pre‐eclampsia.

Methods

The literature on the relationship between ACE I/D gene polymorphism and Pre‐eclampsia susceptibility was obtained by searching the databases of Wanfang, VIP, Medline, CNKI, Embase, Pubmed and Springerlink, which was published from the establishment of the databases to October 2019. Taking the odds ratio (OR) value and its 95% confidence interval (CI) as the effect size, the Meta‐analysis was carried out by using stata 15.0 software.

Results

Thirty articles, consisting of 3184 patients and 3912 controls, were included. The results showed that allele D was compared with allele I, with the OR value of 1.29 (95% CI: 1.12 ~ 1.50, P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that in Caucasians, allele D was associated with OR of 1.28 (95% CI: 1.08 ~ 1.53, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in Asians. There was statistical significance in recessive gene model and homozygous gene model, as well as in that of Asian and Caucasian. In homozygous model, there was statistical significance, but subgroup analysis showed there was no statistical significance in Asian and Caucasian. There was no statistical significance in dominant model and heterozygous model.

Conclusion

The polymorphism of ACE I/D gene was associated with the risk of pre‐eclampsia. Allele D and genotype DD may increase the risk of Pre‐eclampsia in pregnant women.
Dissemination of Evidence‐Based School Asthma Management Programs: Piloting Asthma 411 in an Urban Texas School District
Authors: Allsopp Leslie , Sterling David A. , Spence Emily , Aryal Subhash
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

The dissemination and implementation (D&I) of evidence‐based initiative (EBIs) is critical to improved public health. The Asthma 411 EBI was piloted in Texas from 2013 to 2015. The pilot's evaluation assessed its effectiveness and identified approaches to support D&I of school‐health EBIs.

METHODS

The pilot study was conducted in two schools; service categories included: a consulting physician, enhanced school asthma services, and support for links to community health resources. Data was collected on Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls, aggregated nursing services, demographic characteristics, availability of medication provided through existing policies, and informal interviews.

RESULTS

During the pilot, school‐day asthma‐related Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls were eliminated. Documented asthma self‐management education, authorization for rescue medication, and efforts to communicate with parents and health providers increased. Between year‐1 and year‐2, the gap between unadjusted, weighted mean absences among students with and without asthma was reduced by 1.1 days. However, this difference was not seen in a fully adjusted negative, binomial regression model.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluation of the Asthma 411 pilot suggests many EBI benefits were retained and identifies factors that may facilitate D&I of school health EBIs. Future research will clarify impacts on absenteeism and determine if observed benefits are sustained.
A biological foundation for spatial–numerical associations: the brain's asymmetric frequency tuning
Authors: Felisatti Arianna , Laubrock Jochen , Shaki Samuel , Fischer Martin H.
Published: July 2020

“Left” and “right” coordinates control our spatial behavior and even influence abstract thoughts. For number concepts, horizontal spatial–numerical associations (SNAs) have been widely documented: we associate few with left and many with right. Importantly, increments are universally coded on the right side even in preverbal humans and nonhuman animals, thus questioning the fundamental role of directional cultural habits, such as reading or finger counting. Here, we propose a biological, nonnumerical mechanism for the origin of SNAs on the basis of asymmetric tuning of animal brains for different spatial frequencies (SFs). The resulting selective visual processing predicts both universal SNAs and their context‐dependence. We support our proposal by analyzing the stimuli used to document SNAs in newborns for their SF content. As predicted, the SFs contained in visual patterns with few versus many elements preferentially engage right versus left brain hemispheres, respectively, thus predicting left‐versus rightward behavioral biases. Our “brain's asymmetric frequency tuning” hypothesis explains the perceptual origin of horizontal SNAs for nonsymbolic visual numerosities and might be extensible to the auditory domain.
To what extent are surgeons capable of establishing the difficulty degree of lower third molar surgery pre‐operatively?
Authors: Pippi R. , Sallemi K.
Published: July 2020

Background

Several methods and variables have been proposed to evaluate surgical difficulty in lower third molar extraction.

Aims

The main aim of the present study is to identify which variable influences most the surgeon’s judgment on technical difficulty and which patient‐ and tooth‐related variables are directly associated with an increase in surgical difficulty.

Materials & Methods

A prospective observational study was performed. Assessment of the difficulty of surgery was conducted both asking surgeons to subjectively evaluate the difficulty of each procedure, pre‐ and post‐operatively, and using a modified Pederson anatomical variable score.

Results

Patients with high positive scores for Factor 1 of the principal component analysis underwent third molar surgeries evaluated as difficult by surgeons and were also associated with longer durations of tooth sectioning, ostectomy, flap incision and detachment, luxation/extraction, as well as a greater overall duration of surgery. Teeth with slightly divergent or fused roots were associated with shorter surgeries, which were evaluated as easier by surgeons in comparison to cases of teeth with apical anomalies. When the position of the tooth was vertical, surgery was evaluated as easier by surgeons and lasted less, compared to when the tooth was in a horizontal position. When the roots were slightly divergent or fused, suture and flap incision and detachment lasted longer, and surgery was evaluated as relatively easier compared to when the tooth presented apical anomalies.

Conclusion

Surgeons evaluated the difficulty of lower third molar surgery in a substantially different manner compared to the anatomic variable score used.