bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photo-Based Evaluation: A Method for Participatory Evaluation With Adolescents
Authors: Exner-Cortens Deinera , Sitter Kathleen C. , Van Bavel Marisa , Wright Alysia
Published: February 2021

Actively engaging adolescents in meaningful program evaluation is a topic of growing interest. One possibility for such engagement is the use of photographs as part of visual evaluation, so that youth can directly engage with the research process. In this Method Note, we describe the development and implementation of a participatory, photo-based evaluation method for youth health promotion/prevention programs. Youth in this study were participants in a gender-transformative healthy relationships program for boys. We present literature supporting the use of photographs as a visual research method and for involving youth as active participants in evaluation, and explore the feasibility, utility, and acceptability of this innovative application of existing methods based on researcher experience and youth feedback. We conclude with implications for photo-based evaluation of health promotion/prevention programs, highlighting the promise of this method for promoting critical youth engagement in evaluation and the creation of meaningful knowledge translation tools.
Creation of a dedicated line team for critically ill patients with COVID-19: A multidisciplinary approach to maximize resource utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Nawathe Pooja , Wong Robert , Pollock Gabriel , Green Jack , Kissen Michael , Ng Phillip , Cohen Samuel , Barron Joel , Robert Stephen , Slingwine Christy , Frank Paul , Navab Kaveh , Kim Doran , Yang Michael , Gouvea Tyler , Johnson Calvin , Pedraza Isabel , Zahn Evan
Published: February 2021

Background:

Pandemics create challenges for medical centers, which call for innovative adaptations to care for patients during the unusually high census, to distribute stress and work hours among providers, to reduce the likelihood of transmission to health care workers, and to maximize resource utilization.

Methods:

We describe a multidisciplinary vascular access team’s development to improve frontline providers’ workflow by placing central venous and arterial catheters. Herein we describe the development, organization, and processes resulting in the rapid formation and deployment of this team, reporting on notable clinical issues encountered, which might serve as a basis for future quality improvement and investigation. We describe a retrospective, single-center descriptive study in a large, quaternary academic medical center in a major city. The COVID-19 vascular access team included physicians with specialized experience in placing invasive catheters and whose usual clinical schedule had been lessened through deferment of elective cases. The target population included patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 in the medical ICU (MICU) needing invasive catheter placement. The line team placed all invasive catheters on patients in the MICU with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Results and conclusions:

Primary data collected were the number and type of catheters placed, time of team member exposure to potentially infected patients, and any complications over the first three weeks. Secondary outcomes pertained to workflow enhancement and quality improvement. 145 invasive catheters were placed on 67 patients. Of these 67 patients, 90% received arterial catheters, 64% central venous catheters, and 25% hemodialysis catheters. None of the central venous catheterizations or hemodialysis catheters were associated with early complications. Arterial line malfunction due to thrombosis was the most frequent complication. Division of labor through specialized expert procedural teams is feasible during a pandemic and offloads frontline providers while potentially conferring safety benefits.
Intraosseous vascular access using the EZ-IO can be safely maintained in the adult proximal humerus and proximal tibia for up to 48 h: Report of a clinical study
Authors: Philbeck Thomas E , Puga Tatiana A , Montez Diana F , Davlantes Chris , DeNoia Emanuel P , Miller Larry J
Published: February 2021

Background:

Historically, intraosseous (IO) vascular access devices cleared to market by the US FDA have been restricted to 24-h use. An observational study was conducted to determine the safety of IO access for a period up to 48 h in adult volunteers.

Methods:

A 2-arm randomized, stratified, parallel assignment, prospective interventional study was conducted at ICON Early Phase Services in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Study subjects were adult volunteers who were healthy or with a history of mild to moderate renal disease and/or controlled diabetes. Subjects were randomized to receive IO access (Arrow EZ-IO Vascular Access System, Teleflex Medical Incorporated, Morrisville, NC, USA) in the proximal humerus or the proximal tibia and maintain the indwelling catheter for 48 h. Subjects were monitored for the entire dwell time. A culture specimen was drawn from the indwelling catheter tip before removal and insertion site x-rays were taken.

Results:

121 subjects were randomized: 79 healthy, 39 with diabetes, and three with diabetes and renal insufficiency. The mean catheter dwell time was 48.0 ± 0.2 h. Overall first attempt success rate was 98.4%. Infusion pain was the most commonly reported adverse event. There were no serious complications or unanticipated adverse events.

Conclusions:

This is the first known study examining the safety of IO access over a 48-h dwell time. The study corroborates the literature findings, demonstrates device safety, and provides evidence supporting the extended indication for a dwell time to 48 h in adult patients. IO placement and infusion best practices/guidelines were confirmed or established.
Habermas and the public sphere: Rethinking a key theoretical concept
Authors: O’Mahony Patrick
Published: February 2021

The challenge of realizing the democratic power of publics through public sphere remains acute but not hopeless. While claiming that Habermas communicative social theory offers a way forward in spite of a productive but constraining turn towards a modified social liberal frame, nonetheless three limitations of the theory are identified. The first bears on the insufficiency of the sociological evolutionist description of society relevant to the public sphere drawn from classical sociological accounts of differentiation and integration. The second identifies learning theoretical limitations of the normative interactionist, proceduralist account of democracy and democratization potentials. And the third observes on the disconnection between the theory of communicative reasoning from, on the one hand, the critique of pathologies of reasoning, and, on the other, from its implications for lifeworld rationalization. These identified limitations are intended to provide new impetus to radically rethink the public sphere as intrinsic to solving contemporary problems of democracy that Habermas’s more recent account of deliberative theory, with the public sphere merely supplementary, cannot fully do. Yet, with Habermas, this should be on the basis of advancing the communication theory of democracy.
Experimental study on duplex assembled I-shaped steel panel dampers strengthened by CFRP sheets
Authors: Lin Yu , Liu Zhuoqun , Guo Zhengxing , Yang Sen , Guan Dongzhi
Published: February 2021

The shear steel panel damper (SPD) is gradually used in the seismic design owing to the stable energy dissipation capacity. To date, most shear panels in the conventional SPD are welded with stiffeners against excessive local buckling. In this study, a duplex assembled I-shaped steel panel damper strengthened by CFRP sheets (C-DAISPD) is proposed to avoid the failure owing to undesired cracks in the web plate. A hot-rolled H-beam is processed to an energy dissipation unit with the web strengthened by the carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets and stiffeners welded to the flanges. Then, two units are assembled back-to-back to form a damper. The C-DAISPD is developed to enhance the effect of buckling restraint, the ductility, and the sustainable stable energy absorption. Quasi-static tests of three specimens and numerical models were conducted to investigate the strengthening effect on the damper. The results indicated that the CFRP sheets benefited the hysteretic performance and the ductility of the C-DAISPD. The bearing capacity and the energy dissipation capacity could be significantly improved with the four-edge weld connection and the increase in the width of the web.
The performance of a novel window with energy-saving potential in cold regions of China
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Akhlaghi Yousef G , Tian Qi , Cheng Yuanda
Published: February 2021

The thermal insulation performance of a building's windows can have an important role in its energy-saving capability. In this work, we proposed a novel, energy-saving insulated window (ESIW) and investigated its winter insulation ability by conducting temperature, comfort, energy and entropy analyses of a house outfitted with the ESIW system. The natural indoor temperature of houses with ESIW(A) structure windows was generally higher than that with some single-layer functional glasses. Furthermore, it costs less, and therefore demonstrated the highest cost benefit performance. Then, four different ESIW structures (A to D) were designed and tested. The inner ESIW(D) system with 3-cm insulator thickness and an 8-cm air layer had 4.3% superior performance in energy saving relative to the outer ESIW(A) system, which was comprised of 2-cm insulator thickness and an 8-cm air layer. The lower the insulation level, the greater the energy loss with a decrease in the predicted mean vote of occupants. While the predicted percentage dissatisfied of occupants, entropy of energy loss ( Sg), and entropy difference of the whole insulation system ( ΔSiso) would be increased. Finally, the period from 22:00 to 8:00 appears to be the optimal time interval for the use of a roller curtain.
The limited effectiveness of bedside positive pressure irrigation on pistol projectile wound contaminant: A biomechanics study
Authors: Colen Alexander J , Boyd Sara K , Nielsen Ryan C , Ali Reehan M , Brossy Kelley J , Ablove Robert
Published: February 2021

Background

Pistol caliber gunshot wounds (PC GSW) are the most common mode of firearm injury treated in the civilian emergency setting, but there is a paucity of data guiding best practice treatment. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of bedside positive pressure irrigation (PPI) on removal of gross debris from PC GSW.

Methods

Fourteen bovine shanks were prepared with metal impregnated fabric placed in front of the impending impact zones to mimic radio-opaque clothing-like material. They were then shot with a 9 mm bullet from a distance of 3 meters. Specimens were imaged three separate times with standardized computer tomography: immediately after impact, after 250 ml irrigation, and after a total of 750 ml of irrigation. Scanned images were examined for change in radio-opaque contamination at both the entry site and within the wound cavity.

Results

No samples demonstrated a decrease of debris contamination within the cavity of the wound after 250 ml of irrigation and only one did after 750 ml. Six (42.86%) samples demonstrated a shift of debris without decrease in cavity contamination after 250 ml of irrigation and ten after 750 ml total irrigation. Five samples demonstrated decrease in debris at the entry site of the gunshot projectile wound after 250 ml of irrigation and two showed further superficial decrease with additional irrigations up to 750 ml. No statistically significant differences were found between 250 ml and 750 ml PPI treatments in both superficial and cavity contamination categories.

Conclusion

Positive pressure irrigation with up to 750 ml of 0.9% normal saline at a rate of 20 ml/sec has limited effect on the removal of gross debris within the cavity of pistol caliber gunshot wounds. The data within this study bring into question the benefits of attempted removal of pistol caliber gunshot wound contaminants utilizing bedside positive pressure irrigation.
Predicting support for community corrections: Crime type and severity, and offender, observer, and victim characteristics
Authors: Levy Inna , Cohen-Louck Keren , Herzog Sergio
Published: February 2021

The aim of the current research was to examine the contribution of crime type and severity as well as offender, observer, and victim characteristics to prediction of perception of community correction (CC) as an appropriate punishment. We conducted a telephone survey among Israeli citizens. A random and representative sample of 573 respondents, aged 20 to 74, evaluated the seriousness of crime scenarios and the appropriateness of CC for each scenario. In different versions of crime scenarios, we manipulated offence type as well as offender and victim characteristics. The results of a logistic regression indicate that perceived lower crime severity, a crime that is not murder, older offender age, and being a secular observer are related with an increased likelihood of supporting community corrections. The discussion addresses these findings in the context of punitive goals (e.g., revenge, retribution), public perception of offender dangerousness, and social identity theory.
The emotional experience of caregiving in dementia: Feelings of guilt and ambivalence underlying narratives of family caregivers
Authors: Caputo Andrea
Published: February 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore narrative domains of family caregivers’ emotional experiences, beyond intentional and explicitly reported contents, and to examine their associations with subjects defining characteristics, such as gender, kinship, duration of caregiving, and burden levels.

Methods

The study participants were 17 Italian family caregivers (88.23% women) with a mean age of 59.14 years ( SD = 7.76), who provided their loved ones affected by dementia with in-home care. Structured interviews and Caregiver Burden Inventory were administered according to a mixed method design. A computer-aided text analysis was used which allowed the detection of shared narrative domains (cluster analysis) and latent factors organizing the contraposition between them (multiple correspondence analysis).

Findings

Five narrative domains emerged which were respectively referred to as perceived formal support (14.38% of the overall textual corpus), devotion (33.56%), anger (13.70%), sense of loss (18.49%), and feeling of uncertainty (19.86%). Kinship, duration of caregiving, and burden levels were differently associated with such domains. Two latent factors dealing with feelings of guilt and ambivalence explained 62.92% of overall data variance.

Conclusion

Guilt feelings should be carefully taken into account in support intervention with caregivers, with specific regard to stress and anger management. As well, a greater focus on caregivers’ emotion regulation and on the promotion of their problem-solving skills is needed when faced with contrasting beliefs about care decisions or role conflicts.
The “Trump” Effect: Political Elite and Support for Free Trade in America
Authors: Essig Joseph , Xu Ping , Garand James C. , Keser Ceren
Published: February 2021

While previous literature has offered two broad categories of explanation for individual trade preferences: economic self-interest and non-economic factors, we contend that during times of intensified elite discourse on trade, individuals may follow elite opinions to form their opinions on trade. Utilizing data from the 2016 American National Election Survey, we examine the effect of Trump’s protectionist views and rhetoric on public trade opinion. We argue that there was a “Trump effect” on trade attitudes among the mass public in 2016 and this effect went beyond the party line, meaning that Trump supporters, regardless of their partisanship, were more likely to be influenced by his protectionist views and to adopt anti-free trade positions. Moreover, we suggest a conditional effect of political knowledge on the “Trump effect” of trade opinion. Our empirical tests offer strong support for both hypotheses, suggesting a significant “Trump effect” on public trade opinion in 2016.
A Randomized, Controlled, Parallel-Group, Trial on the Effects of Melatonin on Fatigue Associated with Breast Cancer and Its Adjuvant Treatments
Authors: Sedighi Pashaki Abdolazim , Mohammadian Kamal , Afshar Saeid , Gholami Mohammad Hadi , Moradi Abbas , Javadinia Seyed Alireza , Keshtpour Amlashi Zahra
Published: February 2021

Objective:

Fatigue associated with malignant conditions and their treatments is a disabling condition. This trial assessed the anti-fatigue effects of melatonin coadministration during adjuvant treatment of patients with the breast cancer.

Material and Methods:

Patients with breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive melatonin or placebo during adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Thirty-seven patients were randomly enrolled in each group. The mean ages of patients in the intervention and control groups were 50.47 ± 10.79 and 46.05 ± 10.55 years, respectively ( P = .223). The intervention group received oral melatonin (18 mg/day) from 1 week before until 1 month after the adjuvant radiotherapy. The level of fatigue was assessed before and after intervention using Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) in both groups. To analyze data, the Student’s t-test and the Chi-square test were used at a significance level of P ≤ .05.

Results:

The BFI score was similar before the intervention in both groups, however, after the intervention, it was significantly lower in the melatonin group ( P < .001). Moreover, the frequency of severe fatigue in the melatonin group was significantly lower than in the placebo group after intervention (42.1% vs 83.3%, P < .001).

Conclusion:

Coadministration of melatonin during adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy of women with breast cancer decreased the levels of fatigue associated with the malignant condition and its treatments.
Effect of On-Site Cardiac Surgery Program on General Thoracic Surgery Outcomes
Authors: Nguyen Andrew B. , Selevany Mariam , Turner Amber L. , Langan Russell C. , Sesti Joanna , Paul Subroto
Published: February 2021

Objective

Limited data exist exploring the relationship between multispecialty surgical collaboration and outcomes in general thoracic surgery. To address this, the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was analyzed to determine whether the presence of an on-site cardiac surgery program is associated with improved general thoracic surgery outcomes.

Methods

The NIS (1999-2008) was utilized to identify 389,959 patients who had a lobectomy, pneumonectomy, or esophagectomy. Short-term outcomes of patients undergoing these procedures were compared between hospitals with and without an on-site cardiac surgery program. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine patient and hospital predictors of mortality and morbidity.

Results

During the study period, patients undergoing lobectomy ( n = 314,130), pneumonectomy ( n = 34,860), or esophagectomy ( n = 40,969) were identified. Univariate analysis demonstrated lower mortality for lobectomy ( P < 0.001) and esophagectomy ( P < 0.001) but not pneumonectomy ( P = 0.344) in hospitals with a cardiac surgery program. All-cause morbidity was significantly lower for all 3 procedures in hospitals with a cardiac surgery program. However, multivariate analysis demonstrated that a cardiac surgery program was not an independent predictor when adjusted for known confounders, particularly procedure volume and hospital academic teaching status.

Conclusions

The presence of an on-site cardiac surgery program is not in and of itself associated with improved general thoracic surgery outcomes. The presence of a cardiac surgery program is likely a surrogate for other known predictors of improved outcomes such as hospital teaching status and procedure volume.
Clinician engagement in the ADAPTABLE (Aspirin Dosing: A Patient-centric Trial Assessing Benefits and Long-Term Effectiveness) trial
Authors: Kochar Ajar , Summers Mary B , Benziger Catherine P , Marquis-Gravel Guillaume , DeWalt Darren A , Pepine Carl J , Gupta Kamal , Bradley Steven M , Dodson John A , Lampert Brent C , Robertson Holly , Polonsky Tamar S , Jones W Schuyler , Effron Mark B
Published: February 2021

Background:

ADAPTABLE (Aspirin Dosing: A Patient-centric Trial Assessing Benefits and Long-Term Effectiveness) is a pragmatic clinical trial examining high-dose versus low-dose aspirin among patients with cardiovascular disease. ADAPTABLE is leveraging novel approaches for clinical trial conduct to expedite study completion and reduce costs. One pivotal aspect of the trial conduct is maximizing clinician engagement.

Methods/Results:

Clinician engagement can be diminished by barriers including time limitations, insufficient research infrastructure, lack of research training, inadequate compensation for research activities, and clinician beliefs. We used several key approaches to boost clinician engagement such as empowering clinician champions, including a variety of clinicians, nurses and advanced practice providers, periodic newsletters and coordinated team celebrations, and deploying novel technological solutions. Specifically, some centers generated electronic health records–based best practice advisories and research dashboards. Future large pragmatic trials will benefit from standardization of the various clinician engagement strategies especially studies leveraging electronic health records–based approaches like research dashboards. Financial or academic “credit” for clinician engagement in clinical research may boost participation rates in clinical studies.

Conclusion:

Maximizing clinician engagement is important for the success of clinical trials; the strategies employed in the ADAPTABLE trial may serve as a template for future pragmatic studies.
Inflammatory cytokines, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and risk of one-year vascular events, death, and poor functional outcome after stroke and transient ischemic attack
Authors: Coveney S , Murphy S , Belton O , Cassidy T , Crowe M , Dolan E , de Gaetano M , Harbison J , Horgan G , Marnane M , McCabe JJ , Merwick A , Noone I , Williams D , Kelly PJ
Published: February 2021

Background

Inflammation driven by pro-inflammatory cytokines is a new therapeutic target in coronary disease. Few data exist on the association of key upstream cytokines and post-stroke recurrence. In a prospective cohort study, we investigated the association between pivotal cytokines, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and one-year outcomes.

Methods

BIO-STROKETIA is a multi-center prospective cohort study of non-severe ischemic stroke (modified Rankin score ≤ 3) and transient ischemic attack. Controls were patients with transient symptoms attending transient ischemic attack clinics with non-ischemic final diagnosis. Exclusion criteria were severe stroke, infection, and other pro-inflammatory disease; hsCRP and cytokines (interleukin (IL) 6, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) were measured. The primary outcome was one-year recurrent stroke/coronary events (fatal and non-fatal).

Results

In this study, 680 patients (439 stroke, 241 transient ischemic attack) and 68 controls were included. IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and hsCRP were higher in stroke/transient ischemic attack cases (p ≤ 0.01 for all). On multivariable Cox regression, IL-6, IL-8, and hsCRP independently predicted one-year recurrent vascular events (adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) per-quartile increase IL-6 1.31, confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.68, p = 0.03; IL-8 1.47, CI 1.15–1.89, p = 0.002; hsCRP 1.28, CI 1.01–1.62, p = 0.04). IL-6 (aHR 1.98, CI 1.26–3.14, p = 0.003) and hsCRP (aHR 1.81, CI 1.20–2.74, p = 0.005) independently predicted one-year fatality. IL-6 and hsCRP (adjusted odds ratio per-unit increase 1.02, CI 1.01–1.04) predicted poor functional outcome, with a trend for IL-1β (p = 0.054).

Conclusion

Baseline inflammatory cytokines independently predicted late recurrence, supporting a rationale for randomized trials of anti-inflammatory agents for prevention after stroke and suggesting that targeted therapy to high-risk patients with high baseline inflammation may be beneficial.
A new front in the history wars? Responding to Rubenhold’s feminist revision of the Ripper
Authors: Bleakley Paul
Published: February 2021

Hallie Rubenhold’s The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed By Jack the Ripper has drawn the criticism of the community of amateur sleuths dubbed ‘Ripperologists’ for its revisionist perspective, which claims that the canonical five victims of Jack the Ripper were not all sex workers. Rubenhold’s victim-centred approach has opened a new front in the history wars, as Ripperologists accuse her of historical denialism in pursuit of a feminist agenda. This article assesses Rubenhold’s methods, and her contribution to historical criminology, as well as considering why dominant historical narratives of crime prove so resistant to reinterpretation.
Day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Identifying patients for a ‘COVID-Cold’ isolated day-case unit during the pandemic
Authors: Hinchcliffe Zoe , Mohamed Imran , Lala Anil
Published: February 2021

Background

The UK practice of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic due to cancellation of non-urgent operations. Isolated day-case units have been recommended as ‘COVID-cold’ operating sites to resume surgical procedures. This study aims to identify patients suitable for day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DCLC) at isolated units by investigating patient factors and unexpected admission.

Method

Retrospective analysis of 327 patients undergoing DCLC between January and December 2018 at Ysbyty Gwynedd (District General Hospital; YG) and Llandudno General Hospital (isolated unit; LLGH), North Wales, UK.

Results

The results showed that 100% of DCLCs in LLGH were successful; 71.4% of elective DCLCs were successful at YG. Increasing age ( p = 0.004), BMI ( p = 0.01), ASA Score ( p = 0.006), previous ERCP ( p = 0.05), imaging suggesting cholecystitis ( p = 0.003) and thick-walled gallbladder ( p = 0.04) were significantly associated with failed DCLC on univariate analysis. Factors retaining significance (OR, 95% CI) after multiple regression include BMI (1.82, 1.05–3.16; p = 0.034), imaging suggesting cholecystitis (4.42, 1.72–11.38; p = 0.002) and previous ERCP (5.25, 1.53–18.00; p = 0.008). Postoperative complications are comparable in BMI <35kg/m2 and 35–39.9kg/m2.

Conclusions

Current patient selection for isolated day unit is effective in ensuring safe discharge and could be further developed with greater consideration for patients with BMI 35–39.9kg/m2. As surgical services return, this helps identify patients suitable for laparoscopic cholecystectomy at isolated COVID-free day units.
COVID-19 pathway signage for operating theatres
Authors: Hayman Gareth , Britton Carolina R
Published: February 2021

On 20 August 2020, Public Health England released a new version of the ‘COVID-19: Guidance for the remobilisation of services within health and care settings: infection prevention and control recommendations’, superseding that of 18 June 2020. In this document, the infection prevention and control principles determine that the treatment, care and support of patients are to be managed in three COVID-19 pathways. These are: ‘high risk’, ‘medium risk’ and ‘low risk’. In the operating theatre, where procedures may be urgent or planned, and where various surgical and anaesthetic procedures generate airborne particles (aerosols), it is crucial to communicate the infection prevention and control recommendations in a way that is easily understood and followed by all healthcare professionals. The theatre team at one hospital in the East of England produced local alternating signage to communicate the COVID-19 pathway risk during cases in theatres. This signage – named the ‘COVID-19 Flag’ – is placed outside of the individual theatre to ensure that staff are informed of the infection risk with the cases underway. Furthermore, it is a quick visual guide to be used in conjunction with national guidance and local protocols for appropriate decisions regarding the treatment and care of patients in the operating theatres.
Concentric-Only Versus Touch-and-Go Bench Press One-Repetition Maximum in Men and Women
Authors: García-Ramos Amador , Janicijevic Danica , Jukic Ivan
Published: February 2021

Background:

One-repetition maximum (1RM) tests are time-consuming, and they might not always be logistically possible or warranted due to increased risk of injury when performed incorrectly or by novice athletes. Repetitions-to-failure tests are a widespread method of predicting the 1RM, but its accuracy may be compromised by several factors such as the type of exercise, sex, training history, and the number of repetitions completed in the test.

Hypothesis:

The touch-and-go bench press would provide a higher 1RM than the concentric-only bench press for both genders regardless of whether the 1RM was obtained by the direct or repetitions-to-failure method and the error in the 1RM prediction would be positively correlated with the number of repetitions performed to failure and negatively correlated with the 1RM strength and resistance training experience.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

A total of 113 adults (87 men and 26 women) were tested on 2 sessions during the concentric-only and touch-and-go bench press. Each session consisted of an incremental loading test until reaching the 1RM load, followed by a repetitions-to-failure test.

Results:

The 1RM was higher for the touch-and-go bench press using both the direct (men, 7.80%; women, 7.62%) and repetitions-to-failure method (men, 8.29%; women, 7.49%). A significant, although small, correlation was observed between the error in the estimation of the 1RM and the number of repetitions performed ( r = 0.222; P < 0.01), 1RM strength ( r = −0.169; P = 0.01), and resistance training experience ( r = −0.136; P = 0.05).

Conclusion:

The repetitions-to-failure test is a valid method of predicting the 1RM during the concentric-only and touch-and-go bench press variants. However, the accuracy of the prediction could be compromised with weaker and less experienced individuals and if more than 10 repetitions are completed during the repetitions-to-failure test.

Clinical Relevance:

The repetitions-to-failure test does not require any sophisticated equipment and enables a widespread use in different training environments.
The Effect of Straight-Line Long-Toss Versus Ultra-Long-Toss Throwing on Passive Glenohumeral Range of Motion Recovery After Pitching
Authors: Luo T. David , Sciascia Aaron D. , Stone Austin V. , Gwam Chukwuweike U. , Grimes Christopher A. , Strahm Jeffrey G. , Mannava Sandeep , Naugher G. Lane , Waterman Brian R. , Freehill Michael T.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Repetitive throwing in baseball pitchers can lead to pathologic changes in shoulder anatomy, range of motion (notably glenohumeral internal rotation deficit), and subsequent injury; however, the ideal strengthening, recovery, and maintenance protocol of the throwing shoulder in baseball remains unclear. Two strategies for throwing shoulder recovery from pitching are straight-line long-toss (SLT) throwing and ultra-long-toss (ULT) throwing, although neither is preferentially supported by empirical data.

Hypothesis:

ULT will be more effective in returning baseline internal rotation as compared with SLT in collegiate pitchers after a pitching session.

Study Design:

Cohort study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

A total of 24 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball pitchers with mean age 20.0 ± 1.1 years were randomized to either the ULT group (n = 13; 9 right-hand dominant, 4 left-hand dominant) or SLT group (n = 11; 10 right-hand dominant, 1 left-hand dominant). Measurements (dominant and nondominant, 90° abducted external rotation [ER], internal rotation [IR], and total range of motion [TROM]) were taken at 5 time points across 3 days: before and immediately after a standardized bullpen session on day 1; before and immediately after a randomized standardized ULT or SLT session on day 2; and before practice on Day 3.

Results:

ULT demonstrated significantly greater final ER compared with baseline (+10°; P = 0.05), but did not demonstrate significant IR changes. Similarly, SLT demonstrated significantly greater post-SLT ER (+12°; P = 0.02) and TROM (+12°; P = 0.01) compared with baseline, but no significant IR changes. Final ER measurements were similar between ULT (135° ± 14°) and SLT (138° ± 10°) ( P = 0.59). There was also no statistically significant difference in final IR between ULT (51° ± 14°) and SLT (56° ± 8°) ( P = 0.27).

Conclusion:

The routine use of postperformance, ULT throwing to recover from range of motion alterations, specifically IR loss, after a pitching session is not superior to standard, SLT throwing. Based on these findings, the choice of postpitching recovery throwing could be player specific based on experience and comfort.

Clinical Relevance:

The most effective throwing regimens for enhancing performance and reducing residual impairment are unclear, and ideal recovery and maintenance protocols are frequently debated with little supporting data. Two strategies for throwing shoulder recovery from pitching are SLT and ULT throwing. These are employed to help maintain range of motion and limit IR loss in pitchers. The routine use of ULT throwing for recovery and to limit range of motion alterations after a pitching session is not superior to SLT throwing.
Do anti-poverty policies sway voters? Evidence from a meta-analysis of Conditional Cash Transfers
Authors: Araújo Victor
Published: February 2021

Since the 1990s, many governments in middle and low-income countries have used conditional cash transfers to alleviate poverty. However, the evidence of the electoral consequences of this type of anti-poverty intervention remains inconclusive. Do voters reward politicians when they implement conditional cash transfers? This study conducts a meta-analysis using a sample of 10 randomized controlled trials and regression discontinuity designs (35 estimates from six countries in Latin America and Asia) to address this question. The result shows a positive effect of conditional cash transfers on voter support for the incumbents and no evidence of publication bias in the selected sample. Estimated effect sizes tend to be larger in observational studies, unpublished manuscripts, and articles published in political science. These results provide more conclusive evidence that poor voters also respond to non-clientelistic strategies of electoral targeting in developing countries.
Quantifying upper limb tremor in people with multiple sclerosis using Fast Fourier Transform based analysis of wrist accelerometer signals
Authors: Teufl Stefan , Preston Jenny , van Wijck Frederike , Stansfield Ben
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Tremor is a disabling symptom of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The development of objective methods of tremor characterisation to assess intervention efficacy and disease progression is therefore important. The possibility of using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method for tremor detection was explored.

Methods

Acceleration from a wrist-worn device was analysed using FFTs to identify and characterise tremor magnitude and frequency. Processing parameters were explored to provide insight into the optimal algorithm. Participants wore a wrist tri-axial accelerometer during 9 tasks. The FAHN clinical assessment of tremor was used as the reference standard.

Results

Five people with MS and tremor (57.6 ± 15.3 years, 3 F/2M) and ten disease-free controls (42.4 ± 10.9 years, 5 M/5F) took part. Using specific algorithm settings tremor identification was possible (peak frequency 3–15Hz; magnitude greater than 0.06 g; 2 s windows with 50% overlap; using 2 of 3 axes of acceleration), giving sensitivity 0.974 and specificity 0.971 (38 tremor occurrences out of 108 tasks, 1 false positive, 2 false negatives). Tremor had frequency 3.5–13.0 Hz and amplitude 0.07–2.60g.

Conclusions

Upper limb tremor in people with MS can be detected using a FFT approach based on acceleration recorded at the wrist, demonstrating the possibility of using this minimally encumbering technique within clinical practice.
Percutaneous Kyphoplasty Versus Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Neurologically Intact Osteoporotic Kümmell’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Baoliang , Chen Guanghui , Yang Xiaoxi , Fan Tianqi , Chen Zhongqiang
Published: February 2021

Study Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective:

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) are minimally invasive techniques widely used for the treatment of neurologically intact osteoporotic Kümmell’s disease (KD), but which treatment is preferable remains controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to shed light on this issue.

Methods:

Six databases were searched for all relevant studies based on the PRISMA guidelines. Two investigators independently conducted a quality assessment, extracted the data and performed all statistical analyses.

Results:

Eight studies encompassing 438 neurologically intact osteoporotic KD patients met the inclusion criteria. Compared to PVP, PKP was associated with greater improvement in the short- and long-term Cobb angle [SMD = −0.37, P = 0.007; SMD = −0.34, P = 0.012], short-term anterior vertebral height [SMD = 0.43, P = 0.003] and long-term middle vertebral height [SMD = 0.57, P = 0.012] and a lower cement leakage rate [SMD = 0.50, P = 0.003] but produced more consumption (cement injection volume, operative time, fluoroscopy times, intraoperative blood loss and operation cost). However, there were no differences between the 2 procedures in the short- and long-term VAS and ODI scores, long-term anterior vertebral height, overall complications or new vertebral fractures.

Conclusions:

Both procedures are equally effective for neurologically intact KD in terms of the clinical outcomes, with the exception of a lower cement leakage risk and better radiographic improvement for PKP but greater resource consumption. Based on the evidence available, good clinical judgment should be exercised in the selection of patients for these procedures.
Does Organizational Culture Matter in Managerial Role and High-Performance Achievement? Lessons from Nigeria SMEs
Authors: Ugheoke Solomon Ozemoyah
Published: February 2021

Managerial role and organizational performance has long been highlighted by previous researchers, but majority of the researches was conducted in developed economies. Relatively small firms in developing economies are under research as the legal institutional framework and strategic markets are not well developed. Our aim is to examine how managers influence high performance achievement among small firms, and how their role is being strengthened by organizational culture. A sample of 250 managers in small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) was used. The hypothesis was tested through multiple and hierarchical regression analysis. Result showed that managerial role has direct and indirect influence on high performance achievement among small firms. The study recommended that managerial practical knowledge or skills has a stronger influence on high performance achievement if the institutional environments of small firms permit managers to explore the resources generated by their experience and skills. This suggests that managerial resources alone cannot contribute to high performance achievement without strong and supportive organizational culture. SMEs should focus on building market related competitive capability in an effort to capture the emerging market prospects in these economies.
Pediatric Health Outcome Evaluation in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review of NGO Practice
Authors: Taylor Jennifer , Forgeron Paula , Vandyk Amanda , Finley Allen , Lightfoot Sophie
Published: February 2021

Objective. The purpose of this study was to explore the research on the delivery and evaluation of pediatric health services by non-governmental organizations in low-and middle-income countries to better understand how they contribute to positive and sustainable health outcomes. Methods. A scoping review was completed using a 2-step study selection procedure. Results. Of the 5742 studies, 17 met criteria, including quantitative and mixed method designs, representing 10 different non-governmental organizations with programs in 33 low-and middle-income countries. Health outcomes were reported 89 times across the studies. A total of 56 different outcomes were identified in total, of which 24 were positive, 27 were negative, and 5 were unchanged. Conclusions. Widespread variation between non-governmental organizations exist, however, comprehensive pediatric health outcome evaluation is growing. Further emphasis should be given to adolescent specific research and robust measurement of quality of life.
Anatomy of the Intermetatarsal Facets of the Fourth and Fifth Metatarsals
Authors: Qatu Mossub , Borrelli George , Traynor Christopher , Weistroffer Joseph , Jastifer James
Published: February 2021

Background:

The intermetatarsal joint between the fourth and fifth metatarsals (4-5 IM) is important in defining fifth metatarsal fractures. The purpose of the current study was to quantify this joint in order to determine the mean cartilage area, the percentage of the articulation that is cartilage, and to give the clinician data to help understand the joint anatomy as it relates to fifth metatarsal fracture classification.

Methods:

Twenty cadaver 4-5 IM joints were dissected. Digital images were taken and the articular cartilage was quantified by calibrated digital imaging software.

Results:

For the lateral fourth proximal intermetatarsal articulation, the mean area of articulation was 188 ± 49 mm2, with 49% of the area composed of articular cartilage. The shape of the articular cartilage had 3 variations: triangular, oval, and square. A triangular variant was the most common (80%, 16 of 20 specimens). For the medial fifth proximal intermetatarsal articulation, the mean area of articulation was 143 ± 30 mm2, with 48% of the joint surface being composed of articular cartilage. The shape of the articular surface was oval or triangular. An oval variant was the most common (75%, 15 of 20 specimens).

Conclusion:

This study supports the notion that the 4-5 IM joint is not completely articular and has both fibrous and cartilaginous components.

Clinical Relevance:

The clinical significance of this study is that it quantifies the articular surface area and shape. This information may be useful in understanding fifth metatarsal fracture extension into the articular surface and to inform implant design and also help guide surgeons intraoperatively in order to minimize articular damage.
ComHub: Community predictions of hubs in gene regulatory networks
Authors: Åkesson Julia , Lubovac-Pilav Zelmina , Magnusson Rasmus , Gustafsson Mika
Published: February 2021

Background

Hub transcription factors, regulating many target genes in gene regulatory networks (GRNs), play important roles as disease regulators and potential drug targets. However, while numerous methods have been developed to predict individual regulator-gene interactions from gene expression data, few methods focus on inferring these hubs.

Results

We have developed ComHub, a tool to predict hubs in GRNs. ComHub makes a community prediction of hubs by averaging over predictions by a compendium of network inference methods. Benchmarking ComHub against the DREAM5 challenge data and two independent gene expression datasets showed a robust performance of ComHub over all datasets.

Conclusions

In contrast to other evaluated methods, ComHub consistently scored among the top performing methods on data from different sources. Lastly, we implemented ComHub to work with both predefined networks and to perform stand-alone network inference, which will make the method generally applicable.
Family-effects in the epigenomic response of red blood cells to a challenge test in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.)
Authors: Krick Madoka Vera , Desmarais Erick , Samaras Athanasios , Guéret Elise , Dimitroglou Arkadios , Pavlidis Michalis , Tsigenopoulos Costas , Guinand Bruno
Published: February 2021

Background

In fish, minimally invasive blood sampling is widely used to monitor physiological stress with blood plasma biomarkers. As fish blood cells are nucleated, they might be a source a potential new markers derived from ‘omics technologies. We modified the epiGBS (epiGenotyping By Sequencing) technique to explore changes in genome-wide cytosine methylation in the red blood cells (RBCs) of challenged European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), a species widely studied in both natural and farmed environments.

Results

We retrieved 501,108,033 sequencing reads after trimming, with a mean mapping efficiency of 73.0% (unique best hits). Minor changes in RBC methylome appeared to manifest after the challenge test and a family-effect was detected. Only fifty-seven differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) close to 51 distinct genes distributed on 17 of 24 linkage groups (LGs) were detected between RBCs of pre- and post-challenge individuals. Thirty-seven of these genes were previously reported as differentially expressed in the brain of zebrafish, most of them involved in stress coping differences. While further investigation remains necessary, few DMC-related genes associated to the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor, a protein that favors stress adaptation and fear memory, appear relevant to integrate a centrally produced stress response in RBCs.

Conclusion

Our modified epiGBS protocol was powerful to analyze patterns of cytosine methylation in RBCs ofD. labraxand to evaluate the impact of a challenge using minimally invasive blood samples.This study is the first approximation to identify epigenetic biomarkers of exposure to stress in fish.
Unique niche-specific adaptation of fructophilic lactic acid bacteria and proposal of three Apilactobacillus species as novel members of the group
Authors: Maeno Shintaro , Nishimura Hiroya , Tanizawa Yasuhiro , Dicks Leon , Arita Masanori , Endo Akihito
Published: February 2021

Background

Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) found in D-fructose rich niches prefer D-fructose over D-glucose as a growth substrate. They need electron acceptors for growth on D-glucose. The organisms share carbohydrate metabolic properties. Fructobacillus spp., Apilactobacillus kunkeei, and Apilactobacillus apinorum are members of this unique group. Here we studied the fructophilic characteristics of recently described species Apilactobacillus micheneri, Apilactobacillus quenuiae, and Apilactobacillus timberlakei.

Results

The three species prefer D-fructose over D-glucose and only metabolize D-glucose in the presence of electron acceptors. The genomic characteristics of the three species, i.e. small genomes and thus a low number of coding DNA sequences, few genes involved in carbohydrate transport and metabolism, and partial deletion of adhE gene, are characteristic of FLAB. The three species thus are novel members of FLAB. Reduction of genes involved in carbohydrate transport and metabolism in accordance with reduction of genome size were the common characteristics of the family Lactobacillaceae, but FLAB markedly reduced the gene numbers more than other species in the family. Pan-genome analysis of genes involved in metabolism displayed a lack of specific carbohydrate metabolic pathways in FLAB, leading to a unique cluster separation.

Conclusions

The present study expanded FLAB group. Fructose-rich environments have induced similar evolution in phylogenetically distant FLAB species. These are examples of convergent evolution of LAB.