bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Speed Feedback Signs Are Effective in Reducing Driver Speeds: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Flynn Dan F.B. , Breck Andrew , Gillham Olivia , Atkins Randolph G. , Fisher Donald L.
Published: October 2020

Excess speed contributes to over a quarter of all fatal automobile crashes in the United States, costing society billions of dollars each year. Lowering excess speeds to reduce these human, societal, and economic costs is therefore a major focus of safety officials and highway engineers. This study presents a quantitative review of the effectiveness of dynamic speed feedback signs (DSFS), which provide drivers with real-time feedback on their speed so that drivers traveling above the posted speed can slow appropriately. Using a meta-analysis of 43 publications, this study demonstrates that DSFS can effectively reduce speeds in different contexts (e.g., school and work zones) and for different vehicle types (e.g., heavy and light duty). Across all types of contexts and vehicle types that were analyzed, the meta-analysis identified statistically significant reductions in speeds when DSFS are installed. Overall, reductions of 4 mph were detected as a result of DSFS installation for passenger cars, and reductions between 2 and 4 mph were detected across vehicle types in the different contexts assessed. As reductions in speed of just 4 mph of vehicles traveling 30–35 mph can reduce fatal pedestrian-vehicle strikes by upwards of 40%, these findings demonstrate that the reductions in speed at DSFS were not only statistically significant, but also practically significant in areas such as school zones and work zones.
Family Secrecy: Experiences of Danish German Children Born of War, 1940–2019
Authors: Koegeler-Abdi Martina
Published: October 2020

Families with children born to Danish mothers and German soldiers during WWII often resorted to secrecy to ward off discrimination and harm. Not knowing their origins, though, could have long-term consequences for the identity formation of these children born of war (CBOW). Based on a qualitative analysis of personal testimonies and interviews, this paper shows that the secret burdened, protected, and implicated the CBOW in the case studies in different ways at different points in their lives. This article approaches secrecy not only as a root cause of CBOW identity crisis, but also as a potential resource for resilience through memory work.
Changing in gender prevalence of nephrolithiasis
Authors: Cicerello Elisa , Mangano Mario S , Cova Giandavide , Ciaccia Matteo
Published: October 2020

Although nephrolithiasis is a more common disease in men rather than women, several studies over the last decades show that the male to female ratio 3:1 is narrowing. These finding may be associated to modified risk factors for stone formation between females and males. Changes in lifestyle and increasing obesity in women may play a role in shifting of gender disparity. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated an increase of kidney stones in women which have necessitated emergency department visits (ED). Therefore, females show a greater percentage of mortality rate if compared to males, especially if stone disease is associated to urosepsis and requires the admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This article reviews recent insights into changing gender prevalence in urinary calculi and into identifying the relation between gender and risk factors for stone disease, that in case of severe urosepsis might also lead to mortality.
The Association of Preoperative Hematocrit With Adverse Events Following Exploratory Laparotomy in Septic Patients: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Chaturvedi Rahul , Burton Brittany N. , Trivedi Suraj , Schmidt Ulrich H. , Gabriel Rodney A.
Published: October 2020

Background:

Sepsis continues to be the leading cause of death in intensive care units and surgical patients comprise almost one third of all sepsis patients. Anemia is a modifiable risk factor for worse postoperative outcomes in sepsis patients. Here we aim to evaluate the association of preoperative anemia and postoperative mortality in sepsis patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy.

Methods:

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry was used to query for preoperative sepsis patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy between 2014 and 2016. Preoperative hematocrit was stratified into 4 categories: ≥30% to polycythemia, <21%, 21 and less than 30%, and polycythemia. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of preoperative hematocrit with primary and secondary endpoints. The multivariable analysis included preoperative hematocrit, gender, age, BMI, smoking status, functional status, hypertension, steroid use, bleeding disorder, and sepsis. The odds ratio (OR) with associated 95% confidence interval (CI) is reported for all outcomes. A p-value of less than <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

The unadjusted 30-day death rate was the highest for patients with preoperative hematocrit <21% (p < 0.001) compared to the other hematocrit cohorts. The odds of 30-day death was significantly increased for patients with preoperative hematocrit <21% (OR 2.39 95% CI: 1.28-4.49, p = 0.006) and 21-30% (OR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.05 -1.72, p = 0.017) compared to patients with preoperative hematocrit of ≥30% and less than polycythemic ranges (reference cohort).

Conclusion:

Preoperative anemia in sepsis patients undergoing surgery can lead to increased mortality, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay. Diagnosing sepsis early in the hospital course can allow physicians more time to titrate anticoagulation medications and treat preoperative anemia.
Dementia-Like Symptoms Associated With Posaconazole
Authors: Corallo Carmela E. , Ivulich Steven P. , Kotecha Dr Sakhee , Morrissey Orla
Published: October 2020

Posaconazole is widely used in lung transplant recipients as pre-emptive therapy or universal fungal prophylaxis. In this patient group, posaconazole is increasingly used instead of voriconazole due to the concerns of an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with voriconazole, particularly with its long-term use. Dose dependent toxicity has not been identified for posaconazole in the registration trials of intravenous (IV) and modified-release tablet formulations. This is supported by post-marketing experience. We describe a lung transplant recipient who experienced dementia-like symptoms almost 3 years after commencing posaconazole for treatment of Aspergillus fumigatus complex and Lomentospora prolificans (formerly Scedosporium prolificans) fungal infections. Symptoms resolved upon discontinuation of posaconazole, but recurred when re-challenged at a lower dose more than a year later. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reporting a dementia-like state with posaconazole.
Impact of Thrombocytopenia on Postoperative Bleeding Incidence in Patients Receiving Aspirin Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Rodino Anne M. , Henderson James B. , Dobbins Kelsey F. , Rubin Deanna T. , Hollis Ian B.
Published: October 2020

Background:

Early postoperative aspirin following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has been shown to maintain bypass graft patency, reduce mortality, and prevent adverse cardiovascular events. Despite this known benefit, aspirin may be delayed due to thrombocytopenia and perceived higher bleeding risk. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of postoperative platelet count on bleeding in patients receiving aspirin after CABG.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis included all patients who underwent CABG surgery at our institution from April 2014 to June 2018 and received aspirin within 24 hours. The primary outcome was International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) major bleeding within 7 days (or up to discharge) following CABG surgery compared between patients with and without postoperative thrombocytopenia.

Results:

This study included 280 patients. Major bleeding occurred in 24.6% of the population, with no difference when stratified by the presence or absence of postoperative thrombocytopenia (27.3% versus 23.8%, p = 0.571). There was no significant difference in hemoglobin fall (13.6% versus 14%, p = 0.948), transfusion requirement (6.1% versus 4.2%, p = 0.531), or critical site bleeding (12.1% versus 7.9%, p = 0.298).

Conclusion:

In this single-center analysis of patients who received aspirin within 24 hours of CABG, postoperative thrombocytopenia was not associated with an increase in bleeding.
Neurobiological limits and the somatic significance of love: Caregivers’ engagements with neuroscience in Scottish parenting programmes
Authors: Broer Tineke , Pickersgill Martyn , Cunningham-Burley Sarah
Published: October 2020

While parents have long received guidance on how to raise children, a relatively new element of this involves explicit references to infant brain development, drawing on brain scans and neuroscientific knowledge. Sometimes called ‘brain-based parenting’, this has been criticised from within sociological and policy circles alike. However, the engagement of parents themselves with neuroscientific concepts is far less researched. Drawing on 22 interviews with parents/carers of children (mostly aged 0–7) living in Scotland, this article examines how they account for their (non-)use of concepts and understandings relating to neuroscience. Three normative tropes were salient: information about children’s processing speed, evidence about deprived Romanian orphans in the 1990s, and ideas relating to whether or not children should ‘self-settle’ when falling asleep. We interrogate how parents reflexively weigh and judge such understandings and ideas. In some cases, neuroscientific knowledge was enrolled by parents in ways that supported biologically reductionist models of childhood agency. This reductionism commonly had generative effects, enjoining new care practices and producing particular parent and infant subjectivities. Notably, parents do not uncritically adopt or accept (sometimes reductionist) neurobiological and/or psychological knowledge; rather, they reflect on whether and when it is applicable to and relevant for raising their children. Thus, our respondents draw on everyday epistemologies of parenting to negotiate brain-based understandings of infant development and behaviour, and invest meaning in these in ways that cannot be fully anticipated (or appreciated) within straightforward celebrations or critiques of the content of parenting programmes drawing on neuropsychological ideas.
Immunogenetics and human papillomavirus (HPV) in male genital lichen sclerosus (MGLSc)
Authors: Shim Tang Ngee , Harwood Catherine A , Marsh Steven GE , Gotch Frances M , Quint Wim , de Koning Maurits N , Francis Nick , Jameson Charles , Freeman Alex , Minhas Suks , Dinneen Michael , Muneer Asif , Bunker Christopher B
Published: October 2020

Background

The pathogenesis of male genital lichen sclerosus (MGLSc) is controversial. Incriminated factors include infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and autoimmunity (e.g. Human Leukocyte Antigen [HLA]). To address the roles of HLA and HPV in MGLSc we studied adult Caucasian males with a clinical and histological diagnosis of MGLSc. The men in the study attended two specialised Male Genital Dermatoses Clinics between July 2011 and September 2012 and were selected and phenotyped from the clinical records. DNA was extracted from blood and paraffin-embedded biopsy sections, for HLA and HPV typing, respectively. HLA allele frequencies were compared with those derived from the UK-based Caucasian population. Eighty-eight cases of MGLSc were identified. HPV DNA was detected in 33/88 (37.5%) cases of MGLSc. HPV16 was the most prevalent type found: 11/88 (12.5%) MGLSc. No statistically significant HLA associations were established but HLA-B*35, -B*51, -C*15, -DRB1*04, -DRB1*10 (predisposition) and -DQA1*01 (protection) were revealed as alleles of interest. HPV16-associated MGLSc cases showed no statistically significant association with HLA genotype. The relationship between HPV and MGLSc suggests a passenger effect rather than a pathogenic role. HLA is not associated with MGLSc nor co-existent HPV16.
Determinants of Empowerment: An Insight from the Study of the Female Domestic Workers
Authors: Bhattacharjee Sanghita , Goswami Bhaskar
Published: October 2020

Female domestic workers (FDW) are one of the most vulnerable segments of a society facing adverse social domination and economic discrimination. The present article aims at investigating to what extent the participation of poor women in economic activities empowers them. The study amalgamates data collected from 334 female domestic workers living in different areas of South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal through a semi-structured questionnaire during a period of 6 months from January 2016 to June 2016. This district was chosen on the basis of existing inter-linkage between the growth and expansion of the city of Kolkata in her southern part, existence of a large number of Bangladeshi migrants in South 24 Parganas ( Kumar, 2010 ), evidences of large scale commuting of unorganized workers ( Roy, 2003 ) and the expanding informal market where the supply of manual labour comes from the fringes of the district. The article tries to explore the different dimensions of empowerment from the study of female domestic workers. This includes workers’ involvement in taking household decision, free movement, possession of assets and restricting domestic violence. By adding the obtained scores and weights of the indicators, a cumulative empowerment index is constructed. Restrictions in mobility and lack of ownership of permanent assets amongst workers indicate their subordination in the household hierarchy and highlight that women are excluded from asserting influence over household properties. Severe domestic violence against women is common and visible even when husbands are unemployed. About 69 per cent of female domestic workers report incidences of physical assault at home. The index, thus, establishes that the majority of the domestic workers level of empowerment is between low to moderate.
The Impact of Social Support on Nurses’ Motivation: A Cross-Sectional Study in Malaysia
Authors: Nasurdin Aizzat Mohd , Tan Cheng Ling , Khan Sabrina Naseer
Published: October 2020

Motivation is exceptionally crucial in influencing the quality of health care work outcomes. In view of the mounting challenges and stressful work environment faced by nurses, social support has been identified as an essential resource that helps promote their work motivation. The central aim of this study is to explore three forms of social support (perceived organizational support, perceived supervisory support, and perceived peer support) on nurses’ motivation. Cross-sectional data were collected via questionnaires from a sample of 354 nurses working in Malaysian public hospitals. The hypothesized model was tested using partial least squares method. Our results disclosed that all forms of social support have positive effects on motivation.
Canonical Babbling and Early Consonant Development Related to Hearing in Children With Otitis Media With Effusion With or Without Cleft Palate
Authors: Lohmander Anette , Westberg Liisi Raud , Olsson Sofia , Tengroth Birgitta Ingrid , Flynn Traci
Published: October 2020

Objective:

To investigate and compare babbling, early consonant production and proficiency from 10 to 36 months of age and its relationship with hearing in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) with or without cleft palate.

Design:

Prospective, longitudinal group comparison study.

Setting:

University hospital.

Participants:

Fifteen children born with nonsyndromic cleft palate with or without cleft lip (CP±L) and 15 age-matched children with hearing loss (HL) associated with OME but without cleft palate (noncleft group).

Main Outcome Measures:

Canonical babbling (CB) and early consonant variables (presence of oral stops, anterior stops, dental/alveolar stops, number of different true consonants) at 10 and 18 months, and percentage of consonants correct proficiency (PCC) at 36 months.

Results:

A total of 54% of the CP±L group and 77% of the noncleft group had CB. The noncleft group had a significantly higher prevalence of all consonant variables. Percentage of consonants correct was 61.9% in the CP±L group and 81.6% in the noncleft group. All early consonant variables except CB were significantly related to PCC. Hearing sensitivity at 18 and 30 months correlated with PCC and explained 40% of the variation.

Conclusions:

Mild HL impacted presence of CB at 10 months and was related to consonant proficiency at 36 months in children with HL associated with OME and children with cleft palate. The noncleft group showed results at 36 months similar to children with normal hearing; however, the CP±L group did not. Although the cleft palate may have a bigger impact on the speech development, management of hearing sensitivity would also be beneficial.
What Motives Drive Pornography Use?
Authors: Esplin Charlotte R. , Hatch S. Gabe , Hatch H. Dorian , Deichman Conner L. , Braithwaite Scott R.
Published: October 2020

Pornography use has become widespread and mainstream in American society, with estimates that 60% of men and 35% of women have viewed pornography at some time in the last year. Pornography use has been associated with both positive and negative outcomes depending on the user, and some of these conflicting results may stem from problematic measurement. Using a newly validated measure that assesses frequency, duration, arousal, and deliberate or accidental exposure to seven common types of pornography, we sought to understand whether the motivations to view pornography differed depending on biological sex of the user and the type of use they engaged in. With an MTurk.com sample of 312 participants, we used a variable selection to explore the most consistent predictors of pornography use. Results found that sexually based motivations were consistent motivations to use pornography for both males and females. Educationally based motivations reliably predicted accidental exposure to pornography, while emotions like sadness and tiredness reliably predicted longer durations of pornography use. These results indicate that motivations to view pornography are similar for males and females and that sexually based reasons and emotions are primary in an individual’s decision to use pornography.
Thrombotic Complications in Venous Malformations: Are There Differences Between Facial and Other Localizations?
Authors: Soudet Simon , Dakpe Stephanie , Le Gloan Sandra , Carmi Esther , Arnault Jean Philippe , Testelin Sylvie , Plancq Marie-Christine , Devauchelle Bernard , Sevestre Marie Antoinette
Published: October 2020

Venous thrombosis (VT) is a frequent complication in venous malformations (VM) in relation with blood stasis and localized intravascular coagulopathy (LIC). Our aim was to describe the clinical characteristics and the treatment of patients with facial and non facial VM with VT. We implemented an observational retrospective study of patients with VM followed between 2002 and 2017. We compared features of facial and non facial VM. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed and the P value was set at 0.05. Fifty patients were included between 2002 and 2017. 24 of them were women (44%). The median age of the patients at diagnosis was 16,5 [8-31] years. The median follow up was 2 [2; 4] years. In non facial VM venous thrombosis occurred in 12 cases. In facial VM, 3 patients had thrombotic complication (15%). We demonstrate no difference of VT between facial VM and other localization. No patients had clinical risk factors for VT at diagnosis. Our study showed that VT is a frequent complication of VM and its proportion is not different between facial and non facial VM. Studies are needed to confirm the role of LIC in VT in VM, particularly in facial VM.
Theorizing News: Toward a Constitutive Model of Journalistic Discourse
Authors: Bogdanić Aleksandar
Published: October 2020

The article views news as an archetypal journalistic genre. Informed by different approaches to theorizing journalism and communication, it proposes a constitutive model of journalistic metadiscourse, based on features of news, journalistic practices, and theoretical underpinnings. The proposed model is a metaparadigm composed of fundamental ethical principles and attributes comprising several dimensions of metatheoretical orientations. The principles and attributes constitute a framework for interpreting journalistic discourses. The article offers conceptual tools that can be used in researching and reflecting upon contemporary journalistic discourses.
Missed Opportunities for Addressing Intimate Partner Violence Through Microcredit: Qualitative Findings From Bangladesh
Authors: Robinson Amber B. , Stephenson Rob , Merrill Katherine G. , Morse Sophie , Surkan Pamela J.
Published: October 2020

Microcredit has shown mixed results when used to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV). This study explored microcredit and IPV in Bangladesh by conducting 12 focus groups with married men and women. Participants described challenges to microcredit participation highlighting “missed opportunities” for reducing IPV, including needs to (a) prevent violence sparked by loan disputes, (b) incorporate skill development to improve women’s agency as a means of reducing IPV, and (c) mindfully engage men in the loan process to help address men’s unequal gender ideologies. These modifications to microcredit programs are proposed to maximize positive change on gender and IPV.
Pensions in the Trenches: How Pension Spending Is Affecting U.S. Local Government
Authors: Anzia Sarah F.
Published: October 2020

Some experts claim that U.S. local governments are experiencing dramatic increases in pension expenditures and that pension spending is crowding out government services. Others maintain that serious pension problems are limited. This issue is important to political scientists, urban scholars, and policy practitioners, but no existing studies—nor the datasets they rely on—allow evaluation of whether pension expenditures are rising or how they are affecting local government. This article analyzes a new dataset of the annual pension expenditures of over 400 municipalities and counties from 2005 to 2016. I find that pension expenditures rose almost everywhere over this period, but there is significant variation in that growth. On average, local governments are not responding to rising pension spending by increasing revenue. They are instead shrinking their workforces. Moreover, I find that the magnitude of the employment reductions due to pensions varies with key features of the political environment.
Effects of the SNAP25 on Integration Ability of Brain Functions in Children With ADHD
Authors: Yang Yue , Peng Gang , Zeng Hongwu , Fang Diangang , Zhang Linlin , Xu Shoujun , Yang Binrang
Published: October 2020

Objective:

The present study aimed to examine the effects of SNAP25 on the integration ability of intrinsic brain functions in children with ADHD, and whether the integration ability was associated with working memory (WM).

Methods:

A sliding time window method was used to calculate the spatial and temporal concordance among five rs-fMRI regional indices in 55 children with ADHD and 20 healthy controls.

Results:

The SNAP25 exhibited significant interaction effects with ADHD diagnosis on the voxel-wise concordance in the right posterior central gyrus, fusiform gyrus and lingual gyrus. Specifically, for children with ADHD, G-carriers showed increased voxel-wise concordance in comparison to TT homozygotes in the right precentral gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and middle frontal gyrus. The voxel-wise concordance was also found to be related to WM.

Conclusion:

Our findings provided a new insight into the neural mechanisms of the brain function of ADHD children.
The Divergent Roles of Symptom and Performance Validity in the Assessment of ADHD
Authors: White Daniel J. , Ovsiew Gabriel P. , Rhoads Tasha , Resch Zachary J. , Lee Mary , Oh Alison J. , Soble Jason R.
Published: October 2020

Objective:

This study examined concordance between symptom and performance validity among clinically-referred patients undergoing neuropsychological evaluation for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Method:

Data from 203 patients who completed the WAIS-IV Working Memory Index, the Clinical Assessment of Attention Deficit-Adult (CAT-A), and ≥4 criterion performance validity tests (PVTs) were analyzed.

Results:

Symptom and performance validity were concordant in 76% of cases, with the majority being valid performance. Of the remaining 24% of cases with divergent validity findings, patients were more likely to exhibit symptom invalidity (15%) than performance invalidity (9%). Patients demonstrating symptom invalidity endorsed significantly more ADHD symptoms than those with credible symptom reporting ( ηp2 = .06–.15), but comparable working memory test performance, whereas patients with performance invalidity had significantly worse working memory performance than those with valid PVT performance ( ηp2 = .18).

Conclusion:

Symptom and performance invalidity represent dissociable constructs in patients undergoing neuropsychological evaluation of ADHD and should be evaluated independently.
The impact of anti-establishment parties on the electoral success of independent local lists: Evidence from Germany
Authors: Jankowski Michael , Juen Christina-Marie , Tepe Markus
Published: October 2020

Independent local lists (ILL) have become an important non-partisan actor in many local elections. However, little is known about which factors explain their electoral success. Drawing on recent contributions regarding the anti-establishment attitudes of many ILL, we argue that the rise of anti-establishment parties, especially the rise of populist radical-right parties, potentially harms the electoral success of ILL. Our main argument is that both actors attract voters that are dissatisfied with established parties. To test this hypothesis, we draw on the case of municipal elections in the German federal state of Lower Saxony. In the election of 2016, the populist radical-right party AfD competed in only a subset of all municipalities, meaning that some voters could cast their vote for the AfD in only some of the municipalities. We use a difference-in-differences approach to estimate the effect of the AfD on independent local list’s vote share and demonstrate that ILL suffered strongly from the entrance of the AfD to the electoral arena. More specifically, our findings demonstrate that the increase in the success of ILL was halted in municipalities in which the AfD competed, while it continued to increase in regions where the AfD was absent. These findings suggest that the increasing success of ILL is due to voters’ dissatisfaction with the established parties and not necessarily due to an increasing interest in local issues.
Disparities in the use of telehealth at the onset of the COVID-19 public health emergency
Authors: Pierce Robert P , Stevermer James J
Published: October 2020

Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in an unprecedented expansion in telehealth, but little is known about differential use of telehealth according to demographics, rurality, or insurance status.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 7742 family medicine encounters at a single USA institution in the initial month of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). We compared the demographics of those using telehealth during the PHE to those with face-to-face visits during the same time period; we also compared the demographics of those using full audio-video to those using audio-only.

Results

The likelihood of any telehealth visit in the first 30 days of telehealth expansion was higher for women, those age 65 years and older, self-pay patients, and those with Medicaid and Medicare as primary payers. The likelihood of a telehealth visit was reduced for rural residence and Black or other races. Among all telehealth visits, the likelihood of a full audio-video telehealth visit was reduced for patients who were older, Black, from urban areas, or who were self-pay, Medicaid, or Medicare payer status.

Discussion

Significant disparities exist in telehealth use during the COVID-19 PHE by age, race, residence and payer.
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis exploring how psychiatrists conceptualise conduct disorder and experience making the diagnosis
Authors: Staniford Jessica Amy , Lister Matthew
Published: October 2020

The way professionals conceptualise CD likely impacts the identity of children given the diagnosis, yet how psychiatrists conceptualise CD, and experience making the diagnosis, is under-researched. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis explored how psychiatrists conceptualise CD and experience making the diagnosis. Semi-structured interviews captured participants’ lived experiences and associated meanings. Four superordinate themes emerged: ‘Parents and professionals are overwhelmed by their struggles with CD’; ‘What is CD? Uncertainty regarding the cause, but clarity that it is a severe problem’; ‘CD as a controversial construct’; and ‘Whose issue is it anyway? Battles with blame and responsibility’. The emerging problem-saturated narrative is discussed. Clinical implications include increased training, reflective practice and using a formulation-based approach.
Relationship between adherence to diet and physical activity guidelines and self-efficacy among black women with high blood pressure
Authors: Kang Augustine , Dulin Akilah , Risica Patricia Markham
Published: October 2020

Hypertension prevalence is highest among Black women in America. Understanding the relationship between adherence to diet and physical activity using socio-cognitive approaches (e.g. self-efficacy and social support) may be effective approaches in understanding hypertension management. This study found that dietary self-efficacy was associated with dietary adherence, and family social support was associated with both diet and physical activity self-efficacy. Social support mediated the relationship between dietary self-efficacy and dietary adherence. A paradoxical finding emerged where participants in the highest self-efficacy tertile also had higher measured systolic blood pressure. More research is necessary to explore culture-specific factors underlying hypertension treatment management among Black women.
Direct and indirect dimensional compensation: Is there a difference between observers and group members?
Authors: Schmitz Mathias , Yzerbyt Vincent
Published: October 2020

Dimensional compensation takes place when perceivers judge one of two social targets higher on one of the two fundamental dimensions while judging the other target higher on the second dimension. Interestingly, the majority of studies on the dimensional compensation effect focused on direct measures, with almost no attempt to rely on more indirect measures. We tested whether dimensional compensation also takes place at a more indirect level (Brief-IAT). In Experiment 1, observers presented with unknown groups dimensionally compensated both directly and indirectly. Experiment 2 had participants assigned to one of two novel groups. Whereas low-competence group members dimensionally compensated on both direct and indirect measures, high-competence group members dimensionally compensated at the direct level but did not conceed any advantage to the low-competence group at the indirect level. As a set, our findings shed new light on direct and indirect dimensionally compensatory judgments as a function of perceivers’ vantage points as observers and group members.
Effects of mixing water salinity on the properties of concrete
Authors: Dhondy Tanaz , Xiang Yu , Yu Tao , Teng Jin-Guang
Published: October 2020

The use of seawater and sea-sand in producing concrete has attracted increasing research attention in recent years to address the shortage of river sand and in certain applications the shortage of freshwater. In particular, reinforced concrete structures made of seawater sea-sand concrete (SSC) and corrosion-resistant fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) are particularly attractive for the development of coastal and marine infrastructure (e.g. on remote islands) as durable structures can be created using locally available materials. Existing studies on SSC or seawater concrete have been largely limited to the use of mixing water with a salinity level close to the world-average ocean salinity. Against this background, the present paper reports the first ever systematic study on the effect of salinity of mixing water on the properties of concrete. The present study covered a wide range of salinity levels from 16.5 g/L to 82.5 g/L, and examined a wide range of short-term concrete properties including the heat of hydration, shrinkage, compressive strength and modulus of elasticity. The test results show that the salinity of mixing water has a considerable effect on the rate of hydration heat and shrinkage at early ages, as well as the cumulative release of hydration heat. It is also shown that the water salinity has a slight negative effect on the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of concrete at ages older than 14 days.
Technology as a source of complexity and challenge for special victims unit (SVU) investigators
Authors: Watson Colin , Huey Laura
Published: October 2020

Although there has been significant public and academic interest in the ability of police to harness new technologies in order to solve crimes, there has been significantly less focus on how the proliferation of new technologies has impacted police workloads. In this exploratory study, we begin the process of rectifying this oversight by exploring some of the challenges mobile technologies pose to investigators working in a special investigations unit. Our work is informed by an analysis of data collected through in-depth interviews with police investigators to address the following research question: “To what extent has the complexity of special victims (sex crimes) investigations changed over time?”. Our findings indicate that technology is the most prominent factor leading to increased complexity of investigations. Specifically, technology adds to the volume of evidence that must be examined and managed, rapid advances in technology require additional training and expertise, and despite technological advances to assist in investigations, the process remains largely manual.
The moral foundations of crime control in American presidential platforms, 1968–2016
Authors: Brown Elizabeth K , Silver Jason R
Published: October 2020

The present research for the first time uses Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) as an analytical framework for evaluating the moral foundations of prescriptive presidential party platform statements on crime control from 1968 through 2016. We use summative content analysis to consider the politics of crime control at a broad, foundational level. Our analysis brings data to bear on previously observed trends in the politics of crime control (e.g., Democrats became increasingly conservative on crime in the 1990s) and deepens our understanding by illuminating and contextualizing the latent ideologies and implicit moral orientations to crime of both parties over time. Our findings speak to the prominence of certain moral foundations, authority and care in particular, in partisan frameworks on crime control and indicate trends in reliance on individualizing foundations ( fairness and care) and binding foundations ( authority, loyalty, purity). We consider the implications of these findings for future research on the politics of crime control.
PLEK2 Gene Upregulation Might Independently Predict Shorter Progression-Free Survival in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Wenqian , Li Tong , Hu Bin , Li Hui
Published: October 2020

Objective:

This study aimed to explore PLEK2 expression profile, its prognostic value, and the potential genomic alterations associated with its dysregulation in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC).

Materials and methods:

Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), and Kaplan-Meier plotter were used in combination for bioinformatic analysis.

Results:

PLEK2 mRNA was significantly upregulated in both LUAD and LUSC compared with their respective normal controls. PLEK2 upregulation showed independent prognostic value in progression-free survival (PFS) (HR: 1.169, 95%CI: 1.033 -1.322, p = 0.014). PLEK2 mRNA expression was positively correlated with invasion, cell cycle, DNA damage, and DNA repair of LUAD cells at the single-cell level. Genomic analysis showed that gene-level amplification might not directly lead to increased PLEK2 expression. Methylation profile analysis found 4 CpG sites (cg12199376, cg14437634, cg17641252, and cg06724236) had at least a weakly negative correlation with PLEK2 expression, among which cg12199376, cg14437634 and cg17641252 locate around the first exon of the gene.

Conclusions:

Increased PLEK2 expression might be a specific prognostic biomarker of poor PFS in LUAD patients. Its expression had significant positive correlations with invasion, cell cycle, DNA damage, and DNA repair of LUAD cells at the single-cell level. Promoter hypomethylation might be a potential mechanism leading to its upregulation.
Serum lncRNA TINCR Serve as a Novel Biomarker for Predicting the Prognosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Wang Xiaojie , Li Shuang , Xiao Huiyu , Deng Xiaoqin
Published: October 2020

Background:

Tissue differentiation-inducing non-protein coding RNA (TINCR) has been shown to play a crucial role in pathogenesis of various types of human cancer including breast cancer (BC). The purpose of this study was to determine the potential prognostic value of serum lncRNA TINCR in BC.

Methods:

Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect serum lncRNA TINCR levels in 72 triple-negative BC (TNBC) patients, 105 non-TNBC patients, 60 benign breast disease patients and 86 healthy subjects.

Results:

The results showed that serum lncRNA TINCR level was significantly increased in BC, especially in TNBC. High circulating lncRNA TINCR was significantly correlated with worse clinicopathological features and clinical outcome of TNBC. Multivariate analysis revealed that serum lncRNA TINCR was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival of TNBC. However, little association was found between serum lncRNA TINCR and the prognosis of non-TNBC.

Conclusions:

Taken together, our findings demonstrate that serum lncRNA TINCR might be a useful novel and non-invasive biomarker for the prognosis prediction of TNBC.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Immune-Related Adverse Events of Anti-PD-1 Drugs in Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wang Yukun , Kong Dejiu , Wang Chaokun , Chen Jing , Li Jing , Liu Zhiwei , Li Xinyang , Wang Ziming , Yao Ge , Wang Xinshuai
Published: October 2020

Objective:

We aimed to evaluate immune-related adverse events occurring in clinical trials of anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) drugs, compared with control treatments, including chemotherapy, targeted drugs, or placebo. Further we compared the occurrence of immune -related events in patients treated with different anti-PD-1 drugs.

Data Sources:

Randomized controlled trial (RCT) data were sourced from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials combined with https://clinicaltrials.gov .

Methods:

Randomized controlled trial of anti-PD-1 drugs compared with control treatments published between January 1, 1970 and March 1,2019, were searched and data on trial patient characteristics, and adverse events extracted, reviewed, and subjected to meta-analysis.

Results:

Eighteen Randomized controlled trials were included in our study. The Randomized controlled trials compared nivolumab (n = 12), pembrolizumab (n = 6), with chemotherapy (n = 13), targeted drugs (n = 2), or placebo (n = 3). Compared with the control group, the risk of any immune-related adverse events in patients treated with anti-PD-1 drugs was increased (RR, 2.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.84–3.83; P < 0.00001). Of the immune-related adverse events, the risk rates of pneumonitis (risk ratio, 2.10; 95% CI, 0.85-5.18), colitis (2.96;1.62-5.38), hypophysitis(4.79;1.54-14.89), hypothyroidism(7.87;5.36-11.57), hyperthyroidism (7.03;4.35-11.34), rash (1.58;0.98-2.54), pruritus (2.28; 1.38-3.76), and hepatitis (9.31;2.18-39.85) were increased by anti-PD-1 drugs. Further, the risk of immune-related adverse events was similar for patients treated with pembrolizumab and nivolumab ( P = 0.14).

Conclusions:

In addition to previously reported organ-specific immune-related adverse events, we found that the risk of hyperthyroidism was also increased, in anit-PD-1-treated patients, relative to control treatments. The risk of total immune-related adverse events, was similar for pembrolizumab and nivolumab.
Optimization of Best Practice Wound Care in the Netherlands
Authors: Brekelmans Wouter , Borger van der Burg Boudewijn L. S. , Leurs Liesbeth N. , Hoogendoorn RobertJan , Zuure Frank B. J. M. , Hoencamp Rigo
Published: October 2020

Estimates regarding the prevalence of chronic wounds in the Netherlands vary from 350 000 to 500 000. The cross-sectional multicenter study presented here provides evidence for the incidence and prevalence of wounds and chronic wounds. The primary aim of the present study was to provide evidence for incidence and prevalence of (chronic) wounds outside the hospital. The secondary aim was to optimize the organization for chronic wounds care within our region. From January 2017 until January 2018, information was prospectively collected of patients with new onset of wounds in 2 general practitioner practices to which 19 100 patients are enrolled. For the patients with new onset of wounds the “fast track protocol” was used and outcomes including etiology and wound healing were measured. This protocol included a structured treatment protocol and predetermined triage moments. The Alrijne Wound Centre database 2014 was used as a control group (469 records). The incidence of new onset of wounds was 364/19 100 (1.9%). The prevalence of wounds was 405/19 100 (2.1%). The prevalence of chronic wounds, that is, wounds that did not show a sufficient healing rate after 4 to 6 weeks, was 78/19 100 (0.4%). Time to referral to a wound physician (the triage moment) was 5 weeks versus 19 weeks in 2014 ( P < .001). Unnecessary referrals to the hospital was reduced by 17.4% ( P = .007). In conclusion, the prevalence of the chronic wounds was 4 per 1000 patients. The use of the “fast track” protocol optimizes wound care, wounds heal faster, and unnecessary referrals decrease significantly.
Bacterial-Infection-Associated Polyarteritis Nodosa Presenting as Acute, Rapidly Progressive Multiple Hepatic Artery Aneurysms
Authors: Li Long , Lao Yong-Hao
Published: October 2020

A 26-year-old male soldier was clinically characterized by transient fever, persistent right upper quadrant pain, hypertension, and elevated inflammatory biomarkers associated with bacterial infection. On the fifteenth day after the onset of symptoms, he had typical CT findings in polyarteritis nodosa involving only the hepatic arteries. Transcatheter arterial coil embolization of the right hepatic artery was performed due to ruptured hepatic aneurysms. Combination therapy with antibiotics and antihypertensives was administrated after embolization. The intrahepatic aneurysms completely vanished and inflammatory biomarkers returned to normal on the tenth day after embolization. The current case highlights the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial-infection-associated polyarteritis nodosa involving only the hepatic arteries, coexisting with hypertension.
3D-Printed Surgical Steel Curettes for the Treatment of Perianal Fistula
Authors: Pérez Lara Francisco Javier , Diaz de Tuesta Revilla Ignacio , Moya Donoso Francisco Javier , Hernández González Jose Manuel , Prieto-Puga Arjona Tatiana
Published: October 2020

Need. The diversity of approaches proposed for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas reflects the fact that no method has yet been shown to be fully satisfactory. We believe the successful treatment of this condition is directly proportional to the amount of fibrous tissue that can be removed. Technical solution. We use a kit of small curettes, of different thicknesses and sizes, incorporating spicules that enable the physician to remove fibrous tissue from the fistula tract. The small size and varying thicknesses of the curettes enable them to mould to the curves of the fistula tract and to remove tissue by deroofing from the shallowest to the deepest layers, thus excising the entire fibrous tract. Our hospital has recently incorporated into clinical practice a new model of 3D-printed surgical steel curette, flanked by 2 lateral rings through which the suture is threaded. The central part of the curette contains radially graduated discs, the tips of which perform the debriding action, removing the fibrous tissue from the tract. Proof of concept. By using these curettes in conjunction with our standard technique (plugging the tract with platelet-rich fibrin), we have improved the success rate from 67% to 88%. Next steps. We have contacted several companies with a view to marketing this product. Conclusion. The results obtained are significantly better than those offered by the techniques in current use for the treatment of complex fistulas, without prejudice to outcomes such as anal continence and morbidity and mortality.
Periodic Kinesthetic Guidance Cannot Expedite Learning Surgical Skills
Authors: Lu Fangshi , Wang Betty , Sanchez Paola , Kathrada Ahmad I. , Tavakoli Mahdi , Zheng Bin
Published: October 2020

Introduction. Connecting multiple haptic devices in a master-slave fashion enables us to deliver kinesthetic (haptic) feedback from 1 person to another. This study examined whether inter-user feedback delivered from an expert to a novice would facilitate skill acquisition of the novice in learning laparoscopic surgery and expedite it compared to traditional methods. Methods. We recruited fourteen novices and divided them into 1 of 2 training groups with 6 half-hour training sessions. The task was precision cutting adopted from one of the tasks listed in Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery using laparoscopic instruments. In the haptic feedback group (haptic), 8 subjects had the chance to passively feel an expert’s performance before they started to practice in each training session. In the self-learning group (control), 6 subjects watched a video before practicing. Each session was video recorded, and task performance was measured by task completion time, number of grasper adjustments, and instrument crossings. Cutting accuracy, defined as the percentage of deviation of the cutting line from the predefined line, was analyzed via computer analysis. Results. Results show no significant difference among performance measures between the 2 groups. Participants performed similarly when practicing alone or with periodic haptic feedback. Discussion. Further research will be needed for improving our way of integrating between-person haptic feedback with skills training protocol.