bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Clinical Trial Data to Estimate the Costs of Behavioral Interventions for Potential Adopters: A Guide for Trialists
Authors: Russell Louise B. , Norton Laurie A. , Pagnotti David , Sevinc Christianne , Anderson Sophia , Finnerty Bigelow Darra , Iannotte Lauren G. , Josephs Michael , McGilloway Ryan , Barankay Iwan , Putt Mary E. , Reese Peter P. , Asch David A. , Goldberg Lee R. , Mehta Shivan J. , Tanna Monique S. , Troxel Andrea B. , Volpp Kevin G.
Published: November 2020

Behavioral interventions involving electronic devices, financial incentives, gamification, and specially trained staff to encourage healthy behaviors are becoming increasingly prevalent and important in health innovation and improvement efforts. Although considerations of cost are key to their wider adoption, cost information is lacking because the resources required cannot be costed using standard administrative billing data. Pragmatic clinical trials that test behavioral interventions are potentially the best and often only source of cost information but rarely incorporate costing studies. This article provides a guide for researchers to help them collect and analyze, during the trial and with little additional effort, the information needed to inform potential adopters of the costs of adopting a behavioral intervention. A key challenge in using trial data is the separation of implementation costs, the costs an adopter would incur, from research costs. Based on experience with 3 randomized clinical trials of behavioral interventions, this article explains how to frame the costing problem, including how to think about costs associated with the control group, and describes methods for collecting data on individual costs: specifications for costing a technology platform that supports the specialized functions required, how to set up a time log to collect data on the time staff spend on implementation, and issues in getting data on device, overhead, and financial incentive costs.
A social support scale for music students in music schools, academies, and conservatories: An adaptation into Spanish and a factorial invariance study
Authors: Orejudo Santos , Candela Carlos , Casanova Oscar , Cuartero Luis Manuel
Published: November 2020

Social support is one of the variables that exert the greatest influence on the motivation of music students, as well as on emotional aspects that affect their results. Research, however, is limited by the current scarcity of evaluation tools. This article thus presents the process of adaptation into Spanish of the Social Support Scale. We report on the elaboration of the questionnaire’s exact wording through direct and reverse translation. We subsequently present analysis of internal reliability and validity based on a sample of 668 music students in music schools and university-level music academies, aged 12–60 (mean 16.9). The study is complemented by an analysis of factorial invariance comparing secondary education and university. The results reproduce the social support factors stemming from parents and teachers; peer support is subdivided into two subcategories. Discrepancies with the original version are not so much due to the adaptation process, but can be attributed, for the most part, to differences between the sample compositions. Our results indicate that Spanish music students perceive a considerable amount of social support for their music learning activities; differences stand out, however, in terms of age, gender, and educational level.
The effect of custom carbon ankle-foot orthosis alignment on roll-over shape and center of pressure velocity
Authors: Russell Esposito Elizabeth , Ruble Mitchell D , Ikeda Andrea J , Wilken Jason M
Published: November 2020

Background:

Maintaining an optimal rolling of the foot over the ground is thought to increase the stability and efficiency of pathologic gait. Ankle-foot orthoses are often prescribed to improve gait mechanics in individuals with lower extremity injuries; however, their design may compromise how the foot rolls over the ground.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the sagittal plane ankle-foot orthosis alignment on roll-over shape and center of pressure velocity in individuals with lower limb reconstructions.

Study design:

Randomized cross-over study with a control group comparison.

Methods:

In total, 12 individuals with lower limb reconstruction who used a custom carbon ankle-foot orthosis and 12 uninjured controls underwent gait analysis. Ankle-foot orthosis users were tested in their clinically-provided ankle-foot orthosis alignment, with an alignment that was 3° more plantarflexed, and with an alignment that was 3° more dorsiflexed. Components of roll-over shape and center of pressure velocity were calculated from heel strike on the ankle-foot orthosis limb to contralateral heel strike.

Results:

Roll-over shape radius was not affected by 3° changes to alignment and was not significantly different from controls. Aligning the ankle-foot orthosis in more dorsiflexion than clinically provided resulted in a smaller peak center of pressure velocity that occurred later in stance.

Conclusion:

Individuals using custom carbon ankle-foot orthoses can accommodate 3° alterations in the dorsiflexion or plantarflexion alignment.
Efficiency improvement of a variable speed wind turbine: Effect of controller design and generator speed range
Authors: Fazlollahi Vahid , Taghizadeh Mostafa , Shirazi Farzad A
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a theory and practice-based research is conducted using real data, in order to increase the efficiency of a Vestas 660 kW wind turbine. The data obtained from Binalood’s wind farm, shows the degraded performance of these turbines. This is mainly because of the weak performance of the classical controller in tracking to reach the maximum power in the partial load region. Another factor with a negative effect on efficiency of the turbines, is the low range of generator speed variation. In this research, two solutions are proposed to solve these problems. First, a nonlinear state feedback controller with wind speed calculator is designed which improves the turbine performance. Second, it is shown by simulation results that the turbine efficiency is improved by increasing the range of generator speed variation. Also, the model is validated using actual data and FAST model.
Optimal Time Interval for Investigating Prior Information in Network Sensor Location Problem
Authors: Xie Congcong , Shao Minhua
Published: November 2020

Based on various types of prior information, the network sensor location problem (NSLP) optimizes the locations of sensors in a network, providing comprehensive traffic flow information with a minimum number of sensors. However, few studies have considered the accuracy of prior information, and it is obvious that prior information inconsistent with reality will affect the results of NSLP. Generally, prior information can be obtained from other flow information. When solving NSLP, prior information requires additional or specialized field flow investigations to ensure its accuracy. In general, short-term prior information is adopted to infer the flow of information of interest. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to select the optimal time interval for investigating prior information. This study analyzed the types and characteristics of prior information, and proposed a mathematical method based on Pareto Optimality to identify the optimal time interval for investigating prior information, which can not only ensure the accuracy of prior information, but also reduce the investigation cost. Taking the turning ratio as an example, the traffic flow collected by sensors located at nine intersections on Zhongshan North Road in Shanghai, China was analyzed, and the turning ratios were calculated. Using the proposed method, the optimal time interval for investigating the turning ratio was determined to be 20 to 25 min. In addition, the most representative time intervals were identified as 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. It is recommended that investigating prior information in the early morning and in the morning and evening peaks be avoided.
Vehicle speed preview control with road curvature information for safety and comfort promotion
Authors: Zhou Hongliang , Gao Jinwu , Liu Haifeng
Published: November 2020

Vehicle lateral acceleration is a critical state and index for vehicle safety and ride comfort. To limit it in high speed cornering situation, a vehicle speed preview controller is proposed with the information of future road curvature, just as a human driver behavior. The future road curvature can be obtained from high definition map in intelligent vehicle control, and to implement it, model predictive control method (MPC) is implemented taking advantage of its preview nature. In this preview speed control framework, a novel kinematics model with vehicle location, speed and track curvature is established for vehicle states prediction. The control performance index of MPC is constructed with vehicle road following index and lateral acceleration index with the aiming of promoting safety and ride comfort. The controller is evaluated during cornering with different road trajectory, initial speed, preview time and road adhesion coefficient in a hardware-in-the-loop simulation platform. It is testified that vehicle slows down before cornering as human driver does to decrease lateral acceleration and steering angle with the benefit of promoting comfort and safety.
Holocene subalpine forest-parkland dynamics in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Wasatch Mountains, Utah, USA
Authors: Rhode David , Louderback Lisbeth A , Brugger Sandy O
Published: November 2020

Understanding long-term responses of subalpine forest-parklands to Holocene climate variability in local context is critical for better managing those ecosystems under future climate change. Available records suggest that western North American subalpine forest-parkland ecosystems responded to Holocene climate in various ways at different places. Here we present a Holocene record of upper montane forest-parkland dynamics from Silver Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Wasatch Range, on the Great Basin’s eastern margin. Our results show that at the end of the Younger Dryas, Silver Lake was surrounded by open Pinus/Picea parkland mixed with Artemisia subalpine steppe. By ~9.0 cal ka BP Picea began to expand in response to early Holocene summer warming and enhanced winter moisture. Picea-dominated forests prevailed from ~8.0 to 5.0 cal ka BP, after which time a more open Picea parkland developed. By ~3.5 cal ka BP Pinus increased under cooling conditions, and Picea gradually rebounded to form the mixed conifer forest present today. The Silver Lake long-term record of moderate shifts within an upper montane ecosystem is consistent with other regional sites in the timing of major vegetation changes reflecting large-scale climatic forcings, but distinct in response to local factors including the importance of enhanced lake-effect snowpack and the absence of competing lower montane Pinus. These local factors may help account for the long-term stability of Picea-dominated forests in the area.
Archaeobiogeography of extinct rice rats (Oryzomyini) in the Lesser Antilles during the Ceramic Age (500 BCE–1500 CE)
Authors: Durocher Marine , Nicolas Violaine , Perdikaris Sophia , Bonnissent Dominique , Robert Gwenola , Debue Karyne , Evin Allowen , Grouard Sandrine
Published: November 2020

During the Ceramic Age (500 BCE–1500 CE), Lesser Antilles rice rats (Tribe Oryzomyini) made up a significant portion of the diet of Caribbean islanders. Archaeological excavations across the archipelago resulted to the discovery of large quantities of remains from to these now extinct taxa. It offers a unique opportunity to investigate the past biogeography of this taxon of high cultural and ecological importance. We have studied 1140 first lower molars originating from 40 archaeological sites across eleven islands of the Lesser Antilles archipelago using two-dimensional geometric morphometric approaches to establish spatiotemporal patterns relying on phenotypic variations. This study identified three morphological groups, present in all chrono-cultural periods, that were geographically restricted and consistent with published ancient mitochondrial DNA clusters. These three geographically-separate groups likely represent three distinct genera of rice rats. The first group includes specimens from the North of the archipelago (Saint-Martin, Saba, Saint-Eustatius, Saint-Kitts, and Nevis) and likely referable to as Pennatomys sp.; the second, occurring in the South (Martinique), is assigned to Megalomys desmarestii; and the third corresponds to specimens from the center of the Lesser Antilles (Antigua, Barbuda, Marie-Galante, and Guadeloupe) and likely corresponds to Antillomys sp. These oryzomyine morphotypes are present during all studied periods and support an older presence of these rodents in the region. Our results are congruent with ancient DNA studies that favor the hypothesis of a natural introduction of the group in the archipelago before settlement of human populations. Moreover, the observed phenotypic homogeneity and stability over the 2000 years of Pre-Columbian occupation suggests that rice rats were not part of long-distance inter-island exchanges by humans. Instead, rice rat human consumption was likely based on in-situ hunting of local populations.
Linking testate amoeba assemblages to paleohydrology and ecosystem function in Holocene peat records from the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Bysouth David , Finkelstein Sarah A
Published: November 2020

Peat cores from boreal bog and fen sites in the Hudson Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario, Canada, were analysed to calculate Holocene carbon accumulation rates, and to show how testate amoeba taxonomic assemblages, inferred depths to water table, and four morpho-traits that may be linked to function (mixotrophy, aperture size, aperture position, and biovolume) changed since peatland initiation. Carbon accumulation rates were on average higher for the Holocene in the fen record (19.4 g C m−2 yr−1) in comparison with the bog record (15.7 g C m−2 yr−1), which underwent a fen-to-bog transition around 6900 cal yr BP. Changes in rates of carbon accumulation were most strongly driven by changes in rates of peat vertical accretion, with more rapid rates in the fen record. Carbon accumulation rates were highest following peatland initiation when reconstructed water tables were highest, and in the late Holocene, when water table positions were variable. Taxa with larger biovolumes and apertures were generally more abundant when reconstructed water tables were higher, most notably following peatland initiation. Mixotrophic taxa were more prevalent in drier conditions and in the bog record. Changing frequencies of morpho-traits suggest that testate amoebae may occupy a higher trophic position in the microbial food web during wetter periods, signaling the possibility of internal feedbacks between peatland ecohydrology and critical ecosystem functions including long-term carbon accumulation.
Does Career Planning Drive Agri-entrepreneurship Intention Among University Students?
Authors: Banerjee Mohua , Biswas Sayoni , Roy Poulomi , Banerjee Sharmistha , Kunamaneni Suneel , Chinta Alfred
Published: November 2020

The rationale behind this study is to test the apathy of the rural youth to engage in agriculture as their profession. This research was conducted across five universities in eastern India on a sample of 345 postgraduate students to analyse their agri-entrepreneurship intent and the determinants of agri-entrepreneurship. The findings of the study show a significant positive correlation among the variables of agri-entrepreneurship intent and career planning and agri-entrepreneurship intent and entrepreneurial capabilities. Regression analysis reveals that career planning, entrepreneurship capabilities and family background (FB) in agriculture have a significant contribution as predictors of agri-entrepreneurship intent. Categorizing the respondents based on their career planning and entrepreneurship capability tendencies, the findings indicate that career planning and FB explain the growth of agri-entrepreneurship intent. This article will be of great value to educationists to carry out the pedagogical transformations and include career planning programmes and capacity-enhancing training in their curriculum for students. It will also be relevant to agri-business entities who explore growth opportunities in agri-allied sectors.
Book review: Ania Loomba. 2019. Revolutionary Desires: Women, Communism and Feminism in India
Authors: Roy Mallarika Sinha
Published: November 2020

Ania Loomba. 2019. Revolutionary Desires: Women, Communism and Feminism in India. London and New York: Routledge. 322 pp., £29.99. ISBN 978-0-8153-8174 (paperback).
Labour Market Adjustment and Intra-Industry Trade: Empirical Results from Indian Manufacturing Sectors
Authors: Aggarwal Sakshi , Chakraborty Debashis
Published: November 2020

During the last two decades, India has witnessed several trade and industrial policy reforms. The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between dynamism of India’s two-way trade, measured through Marginal Intra-Industry Trade (MIIT) index, and labour market adjustments, reflected through absolute employment changes, in select manufacturing sectors over 2001–2015. India’s MIIT in select sectors generally display an upward trend over the sample period, while a mixed dynamics is observed on the employment front. The generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation results indicate that MIIT, increase in productivity, skilled workforce intensity, industrial concentration, incremental FDI inflows and trade openness positively influence absolute employment changes, whereas unskilled wage exerts a negative impact on the same. The analysis further concludes that high relative growth rate, skill-intensity, incremental FDI inflows and higher productivity in a sector, also characterized by higher MIIT, may lead the firms to employ more productive and competitive resources, resulting in higher absolute changes in employment. The obtained results do not support the Smooth Adjustment Hypothesis (SAH) predictions in the Indian context.
Poverty in Multidimensional Perspective: Policy Insights from Selected North Indian Districts
Authors: Mishra P. K. , Kumar Sandeep , Arif Mohd. , Niyazi Atta-Ula , Kaur Kiranpreet
Published: November 2020

This article examined the multidimensional aspects of poverty in selected North Indian districts using the Alkire–Foster counting method of estimating poverty incidence and intensity. Whereas more than half of the sample households are found to be vulnerable to poverty, about a quarter of households are observed to be in the grip of poverty in these districts. Among the dimensions of deprivations, education, standard of living and economic and social security are critical in contributing to multidimensional poverty and vulnerability. In these dimensions, people are mostly deprived of fuel for cooking, sanitation, ownership assets, informal jobs and social security measures. Therefore, the policymakers ought to be proactive in understanding the socio-economic structure of these districts to formulate inclusive distributive policies as appropriate area wise. However, policies such as urbanization, promotion of technical/vocational education, initiation of micro and small entrepreneurial activities completing and supplementing to farm activities and introducing measures of social protection can help people come out of the tragedies of poverty.
Associated Factors of Behavioral Intention Regarding Childhood Influenza Vaccination Among Parents of Ever-Vaccinated and Never-Vaccinated 24- to 59-Month-Old Children in Hong Kong
Authors: Lau Joseph T. F. , Wu Anise M. S. , Ma Yee Ling , Lau Mason M. C.
Published: November 2020

The World Health Organization recommends young children receive influenza vaccination (IV) annually. Stratified by children’s previous IV status, this study investigated the associated factors of parental intention to let their children aged 24 to 59 months receive IV in the next 12 months in Hong Kong, China. We conducted a cross-sectional population-based telephone survey among 540 Chinese parents of children aged 24 to 59 months. The prevalence of parental intention regarding their child’s IV was 68.9% and 19.8%, respectively, in the ever-vaccinated and never-vaccinated groups. Adjusted for background factors, perceived susceptibility (adjusted odds ratio [ORa] = 3.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-9.54), perceived benefit (ORa = 4.77, 95% CI = 2.52-9.05), perceived barrier (ORa = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.17-0.84), cue to action (ORa = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.88-6.78), subjective norm (ORa = 11.23, 95% CI = 6.17-20.46), and having family members vaccinated (ORa = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.09-2.96) were associated with parental intention for ever-vaccinated children’s IV, while only perceived benefit (ORa = 8.85, 95% CI = 3.36-23.34) and subjective norm (ORa = 21.66, 95% CI = 9.25-50.71) were significant for never-vaccinated children. Our findings showed that the identified factors and applicability of the health belief model varied according to child’s vaccination status. Health promotion should consider segmentation principles. Besides modifying related cognitions like perceived benefit and barrier (only for the ever-vaccinated group), such programs should improve cue to action involving health professionals and family members and create supportive subjective norms.
Challenges in Obtaining and Assessing Salivary Cortisol and α-Amylase in an Over 60 Population Undergoing Psychotherapeutic Treatment for Complicated Grief: Lessons Learned
Authors: Bell Jesse M. , Mason Tina M. , Buck Harleah G. , Tofthagen Cindy S. , Duffy Allyson R. , Groër Maureen W. , McHale James P. , Kip Kevin E.
Published: November 2020

Biomarkers may serve as objective measures in complicated grief (CG) potentially capturing responses to stress reduction treatment. This paper reports challenges in obtaining and assessing salivary cortisol and α-amylase (sAA) for a recent randomized clinical trial. Within-session changes in salivary cortisol and sAA for 54 older adults with CG who received Accelerated Resolution Therapy were compared with perceived stress measured by Subjective Units of Distress Scale. Bivariate correlations and multiple regressions examined changes in biomarkers. Protocols, study logs, and audit reports identified challenges. Challenges included obtaining unstimulated passive drool salivary samples and their analyses. Our sample of older females on multiple medications may have resulted in a perfect storm of moderating and intervening variables which affected the stress response. This paper contributes to the discussion on designing clinical trials for older adults which must account for physiologic changes, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy common in this population and makes recommendations moving forward.
Hindfoot Alignment Change After Total Ankle Arthroplasty for Varus Osteoarthritis
Authors: Son Hyuck Sung , Choi Jung Gyu , Ahn Jungtae , Jeong Bi O
Published: November 2020

Background:

In patients with end-stage varus ankle osteoarthritis (OA), hindfoot varus malalignment resulting from the varus deformity of the ankle joint is common. Although total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) performed to correct varus deformity of the ankle joint has the effect of correcting hindfoot alignment, no reports to date have described how much hindfoot alignment correction can be achieved. The purpose of this study was to identify correlation between ankle deformity correction and hindfoot alignment change after performing TAA in patients with end-stage varus ankle OA.

Methods:

A total of 61 cases that underwent TAA for end-stage varus ankle OA and followed up for at least 1 year were enrolled for this study. Correlation between changes of tibial-ankle surface angle (TAS), talar tilt (TT), and tibiotalar surface angle (TTS) and changes of hindfoot alignment angle (HA), hindfoot alignment ratio (HR), and hindfoot alignment distance (HD) measured preoperatively and at postoperative year 1 was analyzed.

Results:

TAS, TT, and TTS changed from 83.9 ± 4.1 degrees, 5.8 ± 5.0 degrees, and 78.1 ± 5.9 degrees, respectively, before operation to 89.2 ± 2.1 degrees, 0.4 ± 0.5 degrees, and 88.7 ± 2.3 degrees, respectively, after operation. HA, HR, and HD also changed from −9.2 ± 4.6 degrees, 0.66 ± 0.18, and −11.2 ± 6.9 mm to −3.7 ± 4.1 degrees, 0.48 ± 0.14, and −5.0 ± 5.3 mm. All the changes were statistically significant ( P < .001, respectively). The regression slope of correlation was 0.390 ( R2 = 0.654) between TTS and HA; 0.017 ( R2 = 0.617) between TTS and HR; and 0.560 ( R2 = 0.703) between TTS and HD.

Conclusion:

In patients with end-stage varus ankle OA, changes of hindfoot alignment could be predicted based on degree of ankle deformity corrected with TAA.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) Interrater Reliability in a Brazilian Adolescent Sample and Comparisons With Three Other Studies
Authors: Schneider Andréia Mello de Almeida , Bandeira Denise Ruschel , Meyer Gregory J.
Published: November 2020

We examine interrater reliability for scoring the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) in a sample of 89 adolescents ( MAge = 13.2, SD = 1.01) from Brazil using exact agreement intraclass correlations coefficient (ICCs) for the 60 protocol-level scores that are the focus of interpretation. The first author completed or reviewed all of the primary coding, and seven R-PAS proficient psychologists trained at different sites independently produced secondary coding. Overall, excellent agreement was found ( M ICC = 0.89; SD = 0.09). When averaged across this study and three other comparison studies, stronger reliability was present, in general, for commonly coded variables ( M = 0.87) as opposed to rare or infrequent variables ( M = 0.78). In addition, 78.3% of the variables showed excellent interrater reliability and an additional 20.0% had good reliability. The results also showed that the ICCs for most variables had low variability across studies, suggesting clear coding guidelines. However, variables with higher ICC variability across studies indicated domains where it would be desirable to expand guidelines with more detailed parameters. Overall, the findings indicate excellent interrater reliability for the great majority of codes and present solid grounds for future research on interrater reliability with R-PAS.
The Effects of ACA Medicaid Expansions on Health After 5 Years
Authors: Semprini Jason , Lyu Wei , Shane Dan M. , Wehby George L.
Published: November 2020

We examine the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion effects on self-rated health status over 5 years. The study uses data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 2011-2018 and a difference-in-differences design. There is improvement in health status on a 1 to 5 point scale from poor to excellent health among individuals below 100% of the federal poverty line by 0.031, 0.068, 0.031, 0.064, and 0.087 points in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. Changes in 2015, 2017, and 2018 are statistically significant ( p < .05), and the 2014 change is marginally significant. The difference between 2014 and 2018 effects is statistically significant ( p < .05). In most years, we cannot distinguish changes in days not in good physical or mental health from no effect. Overall, there is only minimal evidence for effects intensifying over time, suggesting that health gains thus far have mostly occurred early on due to unmet needs among those previously uninsured.
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the conjunctiva masquerading as ocular surface squamous neoplasia
Authors: Singh Manpreet , Saini Manu , Chatterjee Debajyoti , Mehta Aditi , Kaur Manpreet , Gupta Pankaj
Published: November 2020

A 63-year-male had painless, progressive, yellowish-pink, immobile conjunctival mass with prominent feeder vessels in the right eye of 1-year duration. The rest of the ophthalmic examination was unremarkable. MRI showed no extension into orbit or extraocular muscles. An excision biopsy with the amniotic membrane patch was performed. Histopathology confirmed inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) with SMA and calponin positivity on immunohistochemistry. Complete surgical excision, amniotic membrane, and oral steroids provided long-term relief from recurrence. The conjunctiva is a rare site for IMT, and IMT should be kept in the differentials for atypical cases of ocular surface neoplasia.
Efficacy of Vincamine treatment in a rat model of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Authors: Li Lu , Su Yu , Liu Juejun , Chen Changzheng
Published: November 2020

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is characterized by the progressive and irreversible death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) which is caused by the insufficient blood supply to the optic nerve (ON) head. At present, hormone therapy is used to reduce optic edema, followed by nerve nutrition therapy to protect the ON. However, no surgical or medical therapy has proven to be beneficial consistently in treating NAION. Vincamine is an alkaloid extracted from the Apocynaceae Vinca plant. Vincamine and its derivatives acting as cerebral vasodilators can easily cross the blood-brain barrier, improve the metabolism of ischemic tissue and protect the neuron. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential neuroprotection of Vincamine in the photodynamic induced rat model of NAION (rAION), to evaluate its effects and possible mechanisms. We found that Vincamine can rescue RGC death and reduce the number of apoptotic cells. The protection of Vincamine might play through the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway. Therefore, Vincamine can be an effective therapy method for NAION.
Bilateral choroidal detachment and myopic shift after acetazolamide intake for laser capsulotomy
Authors: Musetti Donatella , Nicolò Massimo , Bagnis Alessandro , Cutolo Carlo Alberto , Traverso Carlo Enrico
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

To report a case of bilateral choroidal effusion after laser capsulotomy.

Case description:

A healthy 85 years old white woman was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of posterior capsule opacification in the left eye. The patient was treated with laser capsulotomy and oral acetazolamide was administered after the procedure. The day after, the patient visited the emergency room complaining bilateral blurred vision. A myopic shift and peripheral choroidal detachment was noted in both eyes. Discontinuation of acetazolamide and treatment with topical steroid and cyclopentolate resulted in a significant improvement in visual acuity and the complete resolution of the choroidal detachment in 1 week.

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of choroidal detachment and acute transient myopia following the administration of oral acetazolamide after laser capsulotomy.
Fovea-sparing coats disease: A rare clinical entity
Authors: Girolamo Matteo Maria , De Francesco Sonia , Salvoldi Federica , Barchitta Matteo , Menicacci Cristina , Hadjistilianou Theodora
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

To evaluate the rarity, clinical features and management of Coats disease characterized by fovea-sparing enhancing the importance of pediatric retinal screening and early management to maintain a good visual acuity.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of approximately 40 patients affected by Coats disease between 2000 and 2020 at the Retinoblastoma Referral Center and Ophthalmology unit of the University of Siena in Italy.

Results:

Two patients with fovea sparing Coats disease were included. Both presented an extrafoveal Coats disease (stage 2A by Shields classification) when they were 5 and 6 years old respectively. They had no anterior findings and a presenting visual acuity of 20/20 reflecting the early stage and a milder phenotype of the disease which are indeed more likely to be found in patients older than 3 years at presentation. Both presented telangiectasia and retinal exudation in the affected eye. Standard Argon laser photocoagulation and subsequently Cryotherapy were performed in the telangiectatic retinal periphery of both patients obtaining an excellent control and regression of the disease.

Conclusions:

Careful pediatric retinal screening and early management are crucial to ensure a good visual prognosis in such an early feature of Coats disease as fovea sparing since this condition unfortunately tends to recall the physician’s attention in more advanced stages. Due to the extremely poor number of articles regarding such a rare feature of Coats disease like fovea sparing, we report our experience.
Late-stage sequela of an isolated optic neuropathy after acute magnesium valproate overdose: A case report
Authors: Chen Xuhao , Di Haohao , Hong Ying , Zhang Chun
Published: November 2020

Background:

Magnesium valproate is a valproic acid (VPA) derivative that is widely used for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorders. Acute overdose of VPA may cause complicated systemic syndromes; however, the reports of ocular sequelae caused by toxic optic neuropathy (TON) are rare.

Case presentation:

We present a case of a 19-year-old female with bilateral damage to visual function after acute VPA overdose. She was comatose and received systemic treatments for 1 month, during which she suffered a substantial loss of visual function without any evident neurological sequelae. The first recorded visual acuity was no light perception in the right eye (OD) and hand motion in the left eye (OS). Her best-corrected visual acuity improved to 20/100 OS after 4 months of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and neurotrophic treatments. Her visual field was limited to an inferior nasal area OS. Therefore, a diagnosis of TON was made. Her visual function remained stable in the left eye, but did not recover in the right eye during the 5-month follow-up. We found damage to the optic nerve pathway during ophthalmic examinations.

Conclusion:

We report a rare case of TON caused by acute VPA overdose. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and neuroprotective and neurotrophic treatments might be effective at the early stage but cannot fully reverse the damage to the optic nerve. The present case indicates the potential neurotoxicity of VPA. It is crucial to determine the severity of an isolated optic nerve sequela caused by VPA overdose, though it might be rare as observed in previous reports. Further confirmation of the likelihood of its causation and its pathophysiology is needed in the future.
A “gestalt” framework of emotions and organizing: integrating innate, constructed, and discursive ontologies
Authors: Town Sophia , Donovan Matthew C. J. , Beach Emily
Published: November 2020

An ongoing debate exists regarding the ontology of emotions; that is, whether emotions are innate biological artifacts, social/discursive constructions, or—although less common in emotion research—both. Growing neuroscientific research provides strong evidence for the third perspective. Yet, this work foregrounds the individual’s experience, overlooking the role and context of organizing. In this article, we developed a new perspective of emotions and organizing. Our “gestalt” framework unites innate, socially constructed, and discursive ontologies to explain how emotions exist as innate yet latent organizational potentialities, become salient through social interaction, and are embedded in organizations through discourse. Together, these aspects comprise the gestalt emotion experience—where the whole is something more than its parts. The gestalt view offers organizational actors and scholars practical wisdom for navigating and analyzing emotions in organizations.
Theoretical perspectives on organizations and organizing in a post-growth era
Authors: Banerjee Subhabrata Bobby , Jermier John M. , Peredo Ana Maria , Perey Robert , Reichel André
Published: November 2020

The fundamental assumption we base this Special Issue on is that narrow concepts of growth have become the ruling ideas of this age, entrenched both in everyday life and to a considerable extent in the theoretical thinking and traditions of research conducted by organization and management studies scholars. We explain how tacit (or overt) endorsement of unbridled economic growth (the growth imperative) has pernicious practical effects and how it tends to restrict the intellectual base of the field. We argue that notions of degrowth present scholars with challenges as well as opportunities to reframe core assumptions and develop new directions in theory and research. Envisioning a post-COVID 19 world where societies and organizations can flourish without growth is one of the most difficult tasks facing theorists. We approach this challenge first by discussing the hegemonic properties of growth ideology and second by sketching an alternative political economy as a context for reimagining social and economic relations within planetary capacities in a post-growth era. Drawing on degrowth literature in ecological economics, sociology and political ecology, we identify key principles relevant to processes of organizing for a more just and environmentally sustainable future: frugal abundance, conviviality, care, and open relocalization. We conclude by introducing the three articles we feature in this issue along with some thoughts about theorizing policy and regulatory changes needed to generate transformational change and a future research agenda.
Low levels of circulating anti-ageing hormone Klotho predict the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Corcillo Antonella , Fountoulakis Nikolaos , Sohal Angela , Farrow Frederick , Ayis Salma , Karalliedde Janaka
Published: November 2020

Background:

Klotho is a circulating anti-ageing hormone that predicts progression of cardiovascular and renal disease. The role of Klotho in diabetic retinopathy is unknown.

Methods:

We performed a single-centre observational study of 81 people (males 62%) with type 2 diabetes followed for a median of 44 months. Circulating levels of Klotho and other markers, were measured from stored samples. The primary outcome was progression of retinopathy defined as new onset retinopathy or step change in retinopathy grading.

Results:

During follow-up, 46 (57%) people reached the primary outcome. People with progression of retinopathy had lower levels of serum Klotho as compared to those without (median (interquartile range) 226.9 (171.1–394.0) vs 484.5 (221.8–709.9) pg/ml, p = 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, baseline Klotho level was the only variable independently associated with reduced risk of progression of retinopathy. Our results suggest that a halving of circulating Klotho levels increases the risk of retinopathy progression by 44%.

Conclusion:

In people with type 2 diabetes, lower circulating levels of the vascular protective hormone Klotho are associated with increased risk of progression of diabetic retinopathy. Klotho may be a novel biomarker and potential treatment target for diabetic eye disease.
The Changing Learning Technological Landscape for Trainers in the Wake of COVID-19
Authors: Hughes Claretha
Published: November 2020

The Problem

Due to the unexpected and rapid spread of COVID-19 throughout the world, training professionals are faced with three distinct problems: (1) lack of technological infrastructure; (2) the conflict between essential and non-essential workers; and (3) the ability to rapidly train workers to use new technology while working from home. Trainers are seeking to help workers and organizations use learning technologies to navigate the continuously changing workplace landscape in the midst of and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Recommendation

Forced expansion of learning technologies by trainers during COVID-19 provides an opportunity to expand worker development. Not only will trainers expand their knowledge of the use of technology, they will also become better proficient at selecting appropriate technology for employee development. Trainers should become better advocates for the use of technology by demonstrating their own expertise in using learning technologies; use their communication skills to teach workers about context and how to transition current skills into new jobs; and help workplace leaders better understand how technology and people can co-exist in the workplace.

Stakeholders

The stakeholders who can benefit from this article are trainers, workplace leaders, workers who are forced to work from home, essential workers who must go to work each day, displaced workers, furloughed workers, and laid off workers.
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost: Critically Reflective Research for a New HRD Landscape
Authors: Crocco Oliver S. , Grenier Robin S.
Published: November 2020

The Problem

The pandemic and subsequent changes to norms and practices in the workplace mean that for many, existing meaning-making structures are challenged and the limits of existing ways of knowing are revealed. The problem for HRD scholars and practitioners is that dominant approaches to research are largely insufficient for understanding individuals’ meaning making in response to the pandemic.

The Recommendation

Two critically reflexive method/ologies are presented and overlaid with Constructive-Developmental Theory (CDT) to offer not only a means of capturing data about individuals’ experiences during/post-pandemic but for interpreting the data with an understanding of the mental complexities associated with capturing an emic perspective.

The Stakeholders

Stakeholders include HRD scholars and practitioners who conduct research in organizations.
Accuracy of the Upper Limb Prediction Algorithm PREP2 Applied 2 Weeks Poststroke: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
Authors: Lundquist Camilla Biering , Nielsen Jørgen Feldbæk , Arguissain Federico Gabriel , Brunner Iris Charlotte
Published: November 2020

Background

The Predict Recovery Potential algorithm (PREP2) was developed to predict upper limb (UL) function early after stroke. However, assessment in the acute phase is not always possible.

Objective

To assess the prognostic accuracy of the PREP2 when applied in a subacute neurorehabilitation setting.

Methods

This prospective longitudinal study included patients ≥18 years old with UL impairment following stroke. Patients were assessed in accordance with the PREP2 approach. However, 2 main components, the shoulder abduction finger extension (SAFE) score and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were obtained 2 weeks poststroke. UL function at 3 months was predicted in 1 of 4 categories and compared with the actual outcome at 3 months as assessed by the Action Research Arm Test. The prediction accuracy of the PREP2 was quantified using the correct classification rate (CCR).

Results

Ninety-one patients were included. Overall CCR of the PREP2 was 60% (95% CI 50%-71%). Within the 4 categories, CCR ranged from the lowest value at 33% (95% CI 4%-85%) for the category Limited to the highest value at 78% (95% CI 43%-95%) for the category Poor. In the present study, the overall CCR was significantly lower ( P < .001) than the 75% reported by the PREP2 developers.

Conclusions

The low overall CCR makes PREP2 obtained 2 weeks poststroke unsuited for clinical implementation. However, PREP2 may be used to predict either excellent UL function in already well-recovered patients or poor UL function in patients with persistent severe UL paresis.
Disregarded Measurement Uncertainty Contributions and Their Magnitude in Measuring Plasma Glucose
Authors: Petersmann Astrid , Macdonald Rainer , Nauck Matthias
Published: November 2020

Background:

Each measurement is subject to measurement uncertainty (MU). Consequently, each measurement of plasma glucose concentration used for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus (DM) is affected. Although concepts and methods of MU are well established in many fields of science and technology, they are presently only incompletely implemented by medical laboratories, neglecting MU of target values of internal quality control (IQC) materials.

Methods:

An empirical and practical approach for the estimation of MU based on the analysis of routine IQC using control samples with assigned target values is presented. Its feasibility is demonstrated exemplarily by analyzing IQC data from one year obtained for glucose employing the hexokinase method with IQC of two different concentrations.

Results:

Combined relative extended ( k = 2) MU comprising bias, coefficient of variation (CV), and MU of the target values assigned to control materials were about 9% with a lower (~ 56 mg/dL; ~3.1 mmol/L) and 8% with a higher (~ 346 mg/dL; ~19.2 mmol/L) concentration sample, analyzing IQC of one year from three different devices.

Conclusions:

Estimation of MU in this study is quite reliable due to the large number of IQC data from one year. The MU of the target values of the commercial control material in this study was considerably larger than other MU contributions, ie, standard deviation and bias. In the future, the contribution of MU of commercial IQC should be addressed more carefully and technologies to measure glucose should be geared toward smaller MU possible, as needed, especially for glucose concentration measurements in diagnosis and management of DM.
Replay Simulations with Personalized Metabolic Model for Treatment Design and Evaluation in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Hughes Jonathan , Gautier Thibault , Colmegna Patricio , Fabris Chiara , Breton Marc D
Published: November 2020

Background:

The capacity to replay data collected in real life by people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) would lead to individualized (vs population) assessment of treatment strategies to control blood glucose and possibly true personalization. Patek et al introduced such a technique, relying on regularized deconvolution of a population glucose homeostasis model to estimate a residual additive signal and reproduce the experimental data; therefore, allowing the subject-specific replay of what-if scenarios by altering the model inputs (eg, insulin). This early method was shown to have a limited domain of validity. We propose and test in silico a similar approach and extend the method applicability.

Methods:

A subject-specific model personalization of insulin sensitivity and meal-absorption parameters is performed. The University of Virginia (UVa)/Padova T1DM simulator is used to generate experimental scenarios and test the ability of the methodology to accurately reproduce changes in glucose concentration to alteration in meal and insulin inputs. Method performance is assessed by comparing true (UVa/Padova simulator) and replayed glucose traces, using the mean absolute relative difference (MARD) and the Clarke error grid analysis (CEGA).

Results:

Model personalization led to a 9.08 and 6.07 decrease in MARD over a prior published method of replaying altered insulin scenarios for basal and bolus changes, respectively. Replay simulations achieved high accuracy, with MARD <10% and more than 95% of readings falling in the CEGA A-B zones for a wide range of interventions.

Conclusions:

In silico studies demonstrate that the proposed method for replay simulation is numerically and clinically valid over broad changes in scenario inputs, indicating possible use in treatment optimization.