bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the impact of COVID‐19 in ethnically diverse families with young children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: Neece C. , McIntyre L. L. , Fenning R.
Published: August 2020

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic introduced challenges to families with young children with developmental delays. Beyond the widespread concerns surrounding illness, loss of employment and social isolation, caregivers are responsible for overseeing their children's educational and therapeutic programmes at home often without the much needed support of professionals.

Method

The present study sought to examine the impact of COVID‐19 in 77 ethnically, linguistically and socioeconomically diverse families with young children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) in California and Oregon, who were participating in larger intervention studies. Parents responded to five interview questions about the impact of the pandemic, services for their child, silver linings or positive aspects, coping and their concerns about the long‐term impact of the pandemic.

Results

Parents reported that their biggest challenge was being at home caring for their children with the loss of many essential services. Parents reported some positive aspects of the pandemic, especially being together as a family. Although there were positive aspects of the situation, many parents expressed concern about long‐term impacts of the pandemic on their children's development, given the loss of services, education and social engagement opportunities.

Conclusion

Results suggest that parents of young children with IDD report significant challenges at home during the pandemic. Professional support, especially during the reopening phases, will be critical to support family well‐being and child developmental outcomes.
Phosphorylation of Syntaxin‐1a by casein kinase 2α regulates pre‐synaptic vesicle exocytosis from the reserve pool
Authors: Shi Vanilla (Hua) , Craig Tim J. , Bishop Paul , Nakamura Yasuko , Rocca Dan , Wilkinson Kevin A. , Henley Jeremy M.
Published: August 2020

The t‐soluble NSF‐attachment protein receptor protein Syntaxin‐1a (Stx‐1a) is abundantly expressed at pre‐synaptic terminals where it plays a critical role in the exocytosis of neurotransmitter‐containing synaptic vesicles. Stx‐1a is phosphorylated by Casein kinase 2α (CK2α) at Ser14, which has been proposed to regulate the interaction of Stx‐1a and Munc‐18 to control of synaptic vesicle priming. However, the role of CK2α in synaptic vesicle dynamics remains unclear. Here, we show that CK2α over‐expression reduces evoked synaptic vesicle release. Furthermore, shRNA‐mediated knockdown of CK2α in primary hippocampal neurons strongly enhanced vesicle exocytosis from the reserve pool, with no effect on the readily releasable pool of primed vesicles. In neurons in which endogenous Stx‐1a was knocked down and replaced with a CK2α phosphorylation‐deficient mutant, Stx‐1a(D17A), vesicle exocytosis was also increased. These results reveal a previously unsuspected role of CK2α phosphorylation in specifically regulating the reserve synaptic vesicle pool, without changing the kinetics of release from the readily releasable pool.

image
An evaluation of electrocoagulation and thermal diffusion following radiofrequency microneedling using an in vivo porcine skin model
Authors: Wootten Shaun , Zawacki Zosia E. , Rheins Lawrence , Meschter Carol , Draelos Zoe Diana
Published: August 2020

Background

Few studies exist that examined the role of radiofrequency microneedling (RFMN) in skin electrocoagulation. This research utilized a porcine model to understand bipolar dermal delivery from an RFMN device.

Aims

The objective of this study was to elucidate and compare the dermal thermal effects of a RFMN device producing 1 and 2 MHz signal amplitudes, with respective voltage and current gradients, utilizing noninsulated and insulated needles by examining the histologic effects on porcine skin.

Methods

Two separate animal studies were conducted to evaluate the electrocoagulation and thermal diffusion effects using the RFMN device. The electrocoagulation effects were assessed histologically using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and heating effects were assessed through thermal imaging.

Results

Histology results of the thermal injury induced by insulated needles demonstrated that 2 MHz resulted in a narrow and concentrated coagulation zone as compared to 1 MHz. Further, the 1 MHz insulated needle resulted in ovular shaped tissue coagulation as compared to 2 MHz tissue coagulation that was columnar. Finally, full thermal diffusion occurs seconds after the set RF conduction time.

Conclusion

The findings showed that 1 MHz insulated needle produces larger coagulations with an increase in power level, the 1 MHz noninsulated array was comparable to the 2 MHz insulated array with similar histologic features, and heat dissipates seconds after the set conduction time.
Nurses’ experiences regarding shift patterns in isolation wards during the COVID‐19 pandemic in China: A qualitative study
Authors: Gao Xiaoyue , Jiang Lili , Hu Yinqing , Li Li , Hou Lili
Published: August 2020

Aim and objective

To explore nurses’ experiences regarding shift patterns while providing front‐line care for COVID‐19 patients in isolation wards of hospitals in Shanghai and Wuhan during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Our findings will help to optimise shift work scheduling, use the existing nursing workforce more efficiently and improve nursing quality.

Background

Nurses are one of the main professionals fighting against COVID‐19. Providing care for COVID‐19 patients is challenging. In isolation wards, the workload has increased, and the workflow and shift patterns are completely different from the usual. More importantly, there is a shortage of nurses. Therefore, it is essential and urgent to arrange nurses’ shifts correctly and use the existing workforce resources efficiently.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study of 14 nurses in Chinese hospitals was conducted.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were used based on the phenomenological research method; data were analysed using Colaizzi's method of data analysis. This study aligns with the COREQ checklist.

Results

Four themes were extracted: assess the competency of nurses to assign nursing work scientifically and reasonably, reorganise nursing workflow to optimise shift patterns, communicate between managers and front‐line nurses to humanise shift patterns, and nurses’ various feelings and views on shift patterns.

Conclusion

It is necessary to arrange shift patterns scientifically and allocate workforce rationally to optimise nursing workforce allocation, reduce nurses’ workload, improve nursing quality and promote physical and mental health among nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study emphasised nurses’ experiences on shift patterns in isolation wards, providing useful information to manage shift patterns. Nursing managers should arrange shifts scientifically, allocate nursing workforce rationally, formulate emergency plans and establish emergency response rosters during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Looking under the tinfoil hat: Clarifying the personological and psychopathological correlates of conspiracy beliefs
Authors: Bowes Shauna M. , Costello Thomas H. , Ma Winkie , Lilienfeld Scott O.
Published: August 2020

Objective

We sought to replicate and extend provisional research on the personological correlates of conspiracy beliefs by examining their associations with abnormal‐ and normal‐range personality domain‐level traits and, for the first time, lower‐order personality facets; we also examined internalizing symptoms.

Method

The study comprised four samples of community and student participants (Ntotal = 1,927), and examined the cross‐sectional relations between self‐reported conspiratorial ideation and measures of (a) the six‐factor model of general personality, (b) intellectual humility (IH), (c) traits relevant to certain personality disorder features (narcissism, psychopathy, disinhibition), and (d) internalizing symptoms (depression, anxiety, anger).

Results

Agreeableness and conscientiousness were significant, albeit modest, negative correlates of conspiracy beliefs, although other general personality dimensions tended to manifest negligible associations. Significant associations between lower‐order personality facets and conspiracy beliefs, not evident at the domain level, emerged. Indices of IH were significant negative correlates. Conspiracy beliefs were also associated with a range of personality disorder features and internalizing symptoms.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the nonclinical individual prone to conspiratorial ideation is somewhat likely to display a complex mixture of traits including distress, immodesty, impulsivity, and negative affect. Future research should investigate potential multiplicative relations among personological variables in predicting conspiracy beliefs.
The political economy of enforcer liability for wrongful police stops
Authors: Friehe Tim , Mungan Murat C.
Published: August 2020

This article questions whether excessive policing practices can persist in an environment where law enforcement policies are subject to political pressures. Specifically, it considers a setting where the police decide whether to conduct stops based on the suspiciousness of a person's behavior and the potential liability for conducting a wrongful stop. We establish that the liability level that results in a voting equilibrium is smaller than optimal, and consequently, that excessive policing practices emerge in equilibrium.
A multi‐centre study of trends in hepatitis B virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma risk over time during long‐term entecavir therapy
Authors: Kim Seung Up , Chon Yong Eun , Seo Yeon Seok , Lee Hye Won , Lee Han Ah , Kim Mi Na , Min In Kyung , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Ahn Sang Hoon , Tak Won Young , Kim Beom Kyung , Park Soo Young
Published: August 2020

The risk of developing hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is reduced by antiviral therapy. Here, we evaluated the chronological trends in HCC development risk starting in 2007, when entecavir reimbursement was first initiated in South Korea. Treatment‐naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving entecavir 0.5 mg/d were stratified into three groups according to entecavir start time: early (2007‐2010), middle (2011‐2012) and late (2013‐2014) cohorts Among 2442 patients, cumulative probabilities of developing HCC after 1, 3 and 5 years were, respectively, 1.7%, 5.1%, and 8.2% (early cohort; n = 672); 1.5%, 5.1% and 8.9% (middle cohort; n = 757); and 1.2%, 5.3% and 10.6% (late cohort; n = 1013; P > .05 between each pair). Older age, male, positive hepatitis B e antigen, liver cirrhosis, Child‐Pugh class B (vs A) and lower platelet count significantly predicted HCC development in univariate analysis (P < .001), whereas entecavir start time (early vs middle vs late cohorts) did not affect the risk of HCC development (P = .457). A multivariate analysis revealed that older age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=1.041), male gender (aHR = 2.069), liver cirrhosis (aHR = 3.771) and Child‐Pugh class B (vs A, aHR = 1.548) were independently associated with an increased risk of HCC development, whereas higher platelet count was independently associated with a reduced risk of HCC development (aHR = 0.993; all P < .05). In conclusion, the risk of developing HCC among patients receiving entecavir in South Korea has been stable since 2007. To establish more effective HCC surveillance programs, further studies regarding the carcinogenic roles of nonviral factors are required.
Reappraisal of the diagnostic value of alpha‐fetoprotein for surveillance of HBV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma in the era of antiviral therapy
Authors: Qian Xiangjun , Liu Shuhong , Long Huiling , Zhang Siyu , Yan Xiaotong , Yao Mingjie , Zhou Jiyuan , Gong Jiao , Wang Jianwen , Wen Xiajie , Zhou Tao , Zhai Xiangwei , Xu Qiang , Zhang Ting , Chen Xiangmei , Hu Guoxin , Wang Jie , Gao Zhiliang , Nan Yuemin , Chen Junhui , Hu Bo , Zhao Jingmin , Lu Fengmin
Published: August 2020

This study was designed to explore if antiviral treatment influences the performance of serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among the high‐risk chronic HBV‐infected patients. A total of 5936 patients who had evidence of chronic HBV infection were enrolled from four independent centres in this retrospective study, including 1721 chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 2286 liver cirrhosis (LC), 798 HCC within Milan criteria and 1131 HCC beyond Milan criteria patients. Stratified by whether they received treatment or not, the patients were further divided into antiviral and non‐antiviral groups. Then, the performance of AFP for discriminating HCC was evaluated. Patients receiving antivirals had significantly lower median levels of AFP compared with the non‐antiviral patients (P < .001), and there were significantly less patients with abnormal AFP levels in antiviral groups (P < .001). Antiviral therapy improved the AUROCs of AFP for discriminating HCC within Milan criteria. When setting the cut‐off values at 20 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL as surveillance and confirmatory tests respectively for HCC among patients receiving antiviral treatment, AFP exhibited a significantly higher sensitivity than those of 200 ng/mL and 400 ng/mL, which are currently recommended by some guidelines, without compromising specificity. Further analysis in antiviral patients revealed that serum AFP had better performance for discriminating HCC within Milan criteria in ALT ≤ 1ULN patients than that in ALT > 1ULN patients. In conclusion, in the era of antiviral therapy, serum AFP's surveillance performance was substantially improved for HCC within Milan criteria among the high‐risk population of CHB and LC patients.
An integrated transport and economic equilibrium model for autonomous transportation systems considering parking behavior
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Robson Edward , Waller S. Travis
Published: August 2020

This study investigates whether the expected travelling and parking behavior of autonomous vehicles (AVs) could lead to positive or negative societal impacts, both in terms of transport and the economy, which have been missed in previous studies. To capture transport performance and economic responses in the AV environment, we develop an integrated transport and economic equilibrium model that consists of the proposed autonomous traffic equilibrium and computable general equilibrium submodels. A modeling framework with a proposed solution methodology is presented to investigate the AV situation. A case study on Sydney, Australia shows that AV parking patterns can cause deterioration in traffic conditions with fewer completed journeys and greater travel time costs, which results in significant losses of social welfare. Furthermore, the disbenefit of AV travel behavior would become even larger with population growth.
Magnetic resonance imaging‐guided focused ultrasound bilateral thalamotomy for essential tremor: A case report
Authors: Ito Hisashi , Yamamoto Kazuaki , Fukutake Shigeru , Odo Takashi , Yamaguchi Toshio , Taira Takaomi
Published: August 2020

We herein report a 57‐year‐old man with medication refractory essential tremor (ET), who underwent magnetic resonance imaging‐guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) staged bilateral thalamotomy. Both hands tremor disappeared by contralateral thalamotomy, respectively. No serious complications occurred. Further investigations concerning the efficacy, safety, and appropriate intervals of this treatment are necessary.
Individuals with obesity and COVID‐19: A global perspective on the epidemiology and biological relationships
Authors: Popkin Barry M. , Du Shufa , Green William D. , Beck Melinda A. , Algaith Taghred , Herbst Christopher H. , Alsukait Reem F. , Alluhidan Mohammed , Alazemi Nahar , Shekar Meera
Published: August 2020

The linkage of individuals with obesity and COVID‐19 is controversial and lacks systematic reviews. After a systematic search of the Chinese and English language literature on COVID‐19, 75 studies were used to conduct a series of meta‐analyses on the relationship of individuals with obesity–COVID‐19 over the full spectrum from risk to mortality. A systematic review of the mechanistic pathways for COVID‐19 and individuals with obesity is presented. Pooled analysis show individuals with obesity were more at risk for COVID‐19 positive, >46.0% higher (OR = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.30–1.65;p< 0.0001); for hospitalization, 113% higher (OR = 2.13; 95% CI, 1.74–2.60;p< 0.0001); for ICU admission, 74% higher (OR = 1.74; 95% CI, 1.46–2.08); and for mortality, 48% increase in deaths (OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.22–1.80;p< 0.001). Mechanistic pathways for individuals with obesity are presented in depth for factors linked with COVID‐19 risk, severity and their potential for diminished therapeutic and prophylactic treatments among these individuals. Individuals with obesity are linked with large significant increases in morbidity and mortality from COVID‐19. There are many mechanisms that jointly explain this impact. A major concern is that vaccines will be less effective for the individuals with obesity.
Overcoming the constraints of spiral growth: the case of shell remodelling
Authors: Vermeij Geerat J.
Published: August 2020

As animals grow in size, their relationship to the physical environment necessarily changes, but molluscs and brachiopods whose accretionary skeletons expand at one end of a hollow cone conform to logarithmic‐spiral growth and retain a constant shape. Dissolution and remodelling of previously formed parts of the skeleton can alleviate the constraints of strict logarithmic‐spiral growth. How, when, where and in which clades mineral skeletal resorption has evolved are important questions because they relate to the conditions and history of skeletal formation and to the way in which ocean acidification in the past influenced that history. A synthesis of data on mineral dissolution in shells shows that resorption from the inner surface of bivalve shells occurs under temporarily anaerobic conditions within the closed shell, but functional remodelling is unknown in bivalves. Resorption and functional remodelling occur in brachiopods, gastropods and terrestrial hermit crabs, and to a lesser extent in scaphopods and cephalopods. Internal whorl resorption leading to a more compact visceral mass has evolved at least ten times in gastropods. Contrary to expectations stemming from patterns in the availability of calcium, gastropod remodelling is a phenomenon of warm, calcium‐rich environments and not of cold acidified conditions. There is therefore no evidence that internal whorl resorption increases calcium‐use efficiency. Resorption is one of several mechanisms that have enabled animal skeletons to become more dynamic and adaptable during ontogeny.
Stomatal size, ploidy and polyembryony in Eriotheca Stellate Trichome Species Complex (Bombacoideae – Malvaceae) in the Cerrados of Brazil
Authors: Marinho R. C. , Mendes‐Rodrigues C. , Bonetti A. M. , Oliveira P. E.
Published: August 2020

Geographic parthenogenesis, range expansion of apomictic plants after climate changes, has been described for Northern Hemisphere gametophytic apomicts. But similar trends have been observed for sporophytic apomicts of Cerrado, the savannas in Brazil. Eriotheca pubescens is a common Cerrado tree, an agamic complex of either hexaploid/polyembryonic apomicts or tetraploid/monoembryonic sexual individuals. Some populations have been described as a new species, Eriotheca estevesiae, all included in the Eriotheca Stellate Trichome Species Complex (ESTSC). Since breeding systems and ploidy are clearly associated with polyembryony and stomatal size, we used these ancillary features to map the reproductive and ploidy level traits of E. pubescens and E. estevesiae.

Leaves and seeds were collected from individuals of 19 populations. Seeds were evaluated for the presence of polyembryony and leaves for stomatal measurements.

Eight populations were monoembryonic while another eight were polyembryonic and for other three, the embryonic pattern was not readily verified. E. pubescens polyembryonic and hexaploid populations formed a homogeneous group, but monoembryonic plants were more variable. E. estevesiae populations were monoembryonic with smaller stomata. In contrast, some E. pubescens monoembryonic populations further south presented larger stomata. Despite these outliers, possibly mixed populations, stomatal size and embryonic pattern differed from northern to southern populations.

Embryonic pattern and stomatal size indicated that northernmost populations of Eriotheca STSC (E. estevesiae) are diploid and sexual. Southernmost populations, mostly polyembryonic and with large stomata, are hexaploid and apomictic. This is in agreement with geographic parthenogenesis and range expansion of apomictic lineages to southern habitats available after the last glacial maximum.
Markov Switching Modelling of Shooting Performance Variability and Teammate Interactions in Basketball
Authors: Sandri Marco , Zuccolotto Paola , Manisera Marica
Published: August 2020

In basketball, measures of individual player performance provide critical guidance for a broad spectrum of decisions related to training and game strategy. However, most studies on this topic focus on performance level measurement, neglecting other important factors, such as performance variability. Here we model shooting performance variability by using Markov switching models, assuming the existence of two alternating performance regimes related to the positive or negative synergies that specific combinations of players may create on the court. The main goal of this analysis is to investigate the relationships between each player's performance variability and team line-up composition by assuming shot-varying transition probabilities between regimes. Relationships between pairs of players are then visualized in a network graph, highlighting positive and negative interactions between teammates. On the basis of these interactions, we build a score for the line-ups, which we show correlates with the line-up's shooting performance. This confirms that interactions between teammates detected by the Markov switching model directly affect team performance, which is information that would be enormously useful to coaches when deciding which players should play together.
Transitional ‘hospital to home’ care of older patients: healthcare professionals’ perspectives
Authors: Dolu İlknur , Naharcı Mehmet İlkin , Logan Patricia A. , Paal Piret , Vaismoradi Mojtaba
Published: August 2020

Background

Transitional care is a key area of care provision to older people with chronic and complex health conditions and is associated with the quality of care delivered in the healthcare system.

Aims

This study aimed to explore the perspectives of healthcare providers, including nurses and physicians, regarding transitional care from hospital to home in an urban area of Turkey.

Methods

A qualitative study using a thematic analysis method was carried out. In‐depth semi‐structured interviews were held with eight clinical nurses and five general physicians involved in the provision of healthcare services to older patients in the transitional care process from hospital to home.

Findings

The thematic analysis of in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with 13 healthcare professionals led to the development of the following themes: ‘uninterrupted chain of care transfer’, ‘commitment to meet patient’s needs’ and ‘support and removing ambiguities’.

Conclusions

Key factors impacting on the quality and safety of transitional care and continuity of healthcare are communication and collaboration between healthcare staff and settings, and older patients’ as well as family caregivers’ awareness and their feelings of responsibility towards the continuity of care at home.
Joint Retirement in Couples: Evidence of Complementarity in Leisure*
Authors: Kruse Herman
Published: August 2020

In this paper, I examine leisure complementarities in the joint retirement decisions of couples by quantifying the effect of the 2011 Norwegian pension reform. The reform abolished an earnings test on early retirement benefits for private‐sector workers, but not for public‐sector workers. I analyze population‐wide registry data on labor market participation, and I consider couples where the focal partner works in the public sector with a spouse employed either in the private sector (treatment group) or the public sector (control group). I find that spousal spillovers account for over 40 percent of the aggregate employment effect for women. They claim fewer early retirement benefits, and both men and women pay additional labor income taxes. In total, government budgets improved by approximately $46 million as a result of the spousal spillover effect between 2012 and 2015.
Sample size and spatial configuration of volunteered geographic information affect effectiveness of spatial bias mitigation
Authors: Zhang Guiming , Zhu A‐Xing
Published: August 2020

Volunteered geographic information (VGI) can provide field samples for predictively mapping geographic phenomena. Yet the biased spatial coverage of VGI observations often undermines the fitness of use of VGI samples for predictive mapping. Although methods have been developed to mitigate spatial bias in VGI samples to improve predictive model performance, there exist limited investigations into the impacts of VGI sample size and spatial distribution characteristics on the effectiveness of the methods. This article presents an empirical evaluation on how the two factors affect the effectiveness of bias mitigation methods with a case study of mapping habitat suitability of the red‐tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) using eBird data. Results reveal positive correlations between model performance improvement and sample size, given samples of similar spatial configuration. VGI samples with more spread‐out spatial coverage (i.e., more representative) are more amenable to bias mitigation. However, performance improvement plateaued beyond a certain sample size and sample representativeness thresholds.
Aural CT characteristics of American Cocker Spaniels have features of both mesaticephalic and brachycephalic breeds
Authors: Kaimio Mirja L. M. , Lappalainen Anu K. , Rahmani Vahideh , Männikkö Sofia , Laitinen‐Vapaavuori Outi M.
Published: August 2020

Otitis externa and otitis media are common in American Cocker Spaniels, however breed‐specific aural CT descriptions are currently lacking. This prospective and retrospective, observational, analytical study aimed to describe quantitative CT characteristics of the horizontal ear canal and the tympanic bulla in American Cocker Spaniels versus similar‐sized mesaticephalic dogs. We prospectively performed clinical examinations and aural CT scanning for 38 American Cocker Spaniels. Computed tomographic transverse area of the osseous horizontal ear canal (TA1), transverse area of the widest air‐filled part of the cartilaginous horizontal ear canal (TA2), tympanic bulla volume, and tympanic bulla wall thickness were measured. The TA1 and TA2 measurements were compared with those of 23 retrospectively recruited, similar‐sized mesaticephalic dogs that had undergone CT‐scanning of the head for non‐ear‐related reasons. The TA1 and TA2 did not differ for healthy American Cocker Spaniels and mesaticephalic dogs. Severely affected American Cocker Spaniels had significantly smaller TA2 (P < .001). The intraclass correlation coefficient for intraobserver and interobserver repeatability was 0.972 and 0.983 for TA1 and 0.994 and 0.998 for TA2, respectively. Variation between individuals was subjectively noted in healthy and affected American Cocker Spaniels, but mean tympanic bulla volume was slightly smaller in relation to body weight, and the tympanic bulla wall was thicker than in previous reports for mesaticephalic dogs. The tympanic bulla wall appeared thicker rostro‐ventrally than caudo‐ventrally in 44% of the dogs. Our results imply that a relatively thick tympanic bulla wall may be a normal CT variation and should be interpreted cautiously in this breed.
Isotropy in decaying reverberant sound fields
Authors: Nolan Mélanie , Berzborn Marco , Fernandez-Grande Efren
Published: August 2020

A method of evaluating sound field isotropy in decaying reverberant sound fields is presented. The proposed method extends the experimental framework outlined in [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 143(4), 2514–2526 (2018)] and analyzes the decaying sound field in a reverberation room. Spatio-temporal measurements of the sound field are obtained, and a wavenumber decomposition is performed as a function of time, which serves to examine the directional properties of the sound field and its angular symmetry. Experimental results are obtained in a reverberation room in four different configurations (the empty room, with an absorber on the floor, with panel diffusers, and without them). The results demonstrate how isotropy tends to increase or decrease as a function of time, depending on the disposition of the diffusing and absorbing elements. Diffusers are found to effectively redirect the energy in the room, although they do not succeed in generating a uniform incidence on the sample. The proposed approach makes it possible to analyze the specific processes occurring in a reverberation chamber and can provide valuable insights in the process of standardization to verify the directional properties found in each reverberation room.
Rheology and granular texture of viscoinertial simple shear flows
Authors: Vo Thanh-Trung
Published: August 2020

By means of extensive particle dynamics simulations in a three-dimensional model, we analyze the rheology and granular texture in the steady-state of the viscoinertial granular flow. The interactions between dry particles are added by the theoretical description of the capillary cohesion forces and viscous forces due to the presence of the viscous liquid bridge. We show that the rheology of such flow characterized by the apparent friction coefficient and packing fraction can be nicely described as a function of the viscoinertial number combining the particle inertia and viscous stress of the liquid bridge by keeping the constant value of the liquid-vapor surface tension. Furthermore, the flow behavior can alternatively be described by the effective viscosities (normal and shear components) as a function of the imposed volume fraction, which is in good agreement with previous numerical simulations of particles immersed in a viscous fluid and experiments in dense suspensions. Interestingly, the granular texture characterized by the fabric and force anisotropies and the bond coordination number is also well-described by this modified inertial number. Remarkably, the stress transmission ratio reflects the intermediate relationship between microstructure and mechanical behavior of wet granular flow, expressed as a function of the viscoinertial number. We also find that shearing leads to variations of the compressive and tensile interactions between neighboring particles.
Do We Really Want Sports Public Relations to Return to Normal?
Authors: Kleinmann Christie M.
Published: August 2020

Sports public relations has long been used to promote the big game and highlight key players. Then, the coronavirus crisis halted sports, and the constant stream of public relations content fell silent. There was no game to hype, no sports moment to celebrate. This essay is about the public relations lessons learned during the pandemic. It discusses how sports public relations prior to COVID-19 often valued relational breadth over depth. As a result, sports public relations operated at a superficial level of momentary engagements sustained by creative content rather than the deeper relational connections that public relations purport. The essay then illustrates how COVID-19 cultivated opportunities for relational breadth and depth to grow between players and fans. Finally, the essay questions if we really want sports public relations to return to normal or if sports public relations professionals should incorporate these lessons into sustainable, postpandemic public relations practice.
Making an Impact: An Initial Review of U.S. Sport League Corporate Social Responsibility Responses During COVID-19
Authors: Smith Danielle K. , Casper Jonathan
Published: August 2020

COVID-19 has brought about an unprecedented time where a majority of major American sporting organizations have ceased competition. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions, historically an avenue for sport organizations to positively impact society, provide a compelling avenue of study during this time. While researchers have observed the role of CSR and crisis communication when the crisis arises from within the organization, there is a need to understand CSR shifts and responses when the crisis is on a societal level. This commentary examines efforts of major U.S. sport league CSR programs (National Basketball Association/Women's National Basketball Association, National Football League, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and National Hockey League), starting in mid-March when the majority of organizations ceased competition. Data were gathered using a mixed-methods approach of qualitative interviews, secondary research, and social media sentiment analysis. Key findings included the emergence of two different approaches to CSR communication strategies among U.S. sport leagues as well as three clear themes of COVID-19-related communication: educate, assist, and inspire. In addition, this commentary provides an initial glance at consumer response to CSR programs, showing both positive and negative sentiment trends.
Motor Cognition: The Role of Sentience in Perception and Action
Authors: Morsella Ezequiel , Velasquez Anthony G. , Yankulova Jessica K. , Li Yanming , Wong Christina Y. , Lambert Dennis
Published: August 2020

The function of the conscious field remains mysterious from a scientific point of view. This article reviews theoretical approaches (passive frame theory and ideomotor approaches) that elucidate how the conscious field is intimately related to a special kind of action selection. This form of action selection is peculiar to the skeletal-muscle output system. The notion of encapsulation and how it explains many properties of the conscious field are discussed, including why the conscious field, though in the service of adaptive action, contains contents that are not action-relevant; why the field has a first-person perspective; and why the field is so thorough, in terms of its contents, the contrasts among contents, and the representation of spatial layout. The authors discuss subordinate encapsulation and the hypothesis that the conscious field is what allows for encapsulated conscious contents to influence action selection collectively, yielding what in everyday life is called voluntary behavior.
R
93
P Substitution in the PmrB HAMP Domain Contributes to Colistin Heteroresistance in Escherichia coli Isolates from Swine
Authors: Kuang Qihong , He Dandan , Sun Huarun , Hu Huihui , Li Fulin , Li Wenya , Hu Gongzheng , Wu Hua , Yuan Li
Published: August 2020

Here, the mechanisms of colistin heteroresistance (CHR) were assessed in 12
Escherichia coli
isolates from swine in China. CHR was investigated by population analysis profile tests. CHR stability was studied by culturing isolates for five overnight incubation periods in colistin-free medium. Subsequently, the
mcr-1
gene and mutations in PmrAB, PhoPQ, and MgrB were screened in parental isolates and resistant subpopulations. Additionally, the expression levels of
phoPQ
, its target gene
pagP
, and its negative regulator gene
mgrB
, as well as
pmrAB
and its target genes
pmrHFIJKLM
and
pmrC
, were determined by real-time relative quantitative PCR.
Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Temporally Modulates the Enteric Microbiota and Host Responses To Overcome Colonization Resistance in Swine
Authors: Bescucci Danisa M. , Moote Paul E. , Ortega Polo Rodrigo , Uwiera Richard R. E. , Inglis G. Douglas
Published: August 2020

Limited information is available on host and enteric microbiota responses incited bySalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium in swine and on possible mechanisms by which the bacterium overcomes colonization resistance to incite salmonellosis. Temporal characterization of a variety of host metrics in piglets (e.g., physiological, histopathological, and immunological) showed the importance of studying the progression of salmonellosis. A number of host responses integrally associated with disease development were identified. Utilization of next-generation sequence analysis to characterize the enteric microbiota was found to lack sufficient resolution; however, culture-dependent and -independent methods in combination identified taxon- and location-specific changes to bacterial communities in infected piglets. The study identified bacterial and host responses associated with salmonellosis, which will be beneficial in understanding colonization resistance and in the development of effective alternatives to antibiotics to mitigate salmonellosis.
Airblasts caused by large slope collapses
Authors: Penna Ivanna M. , Hermanns Reginald L. , Nicolet Pierrick , Morken Odd Andre , Dehls John , Gupta Vikram , Jaboyedoff Michel
Published: August 2020

Large slope collapses have been known to trigger extreme rushes of air loaded with projectiles (airblasts) capable of causing destruction and fatalities far beyond run-out of the rock mass. An appraisal of the likelihood of a destructive airblast should be a component of landslide risk assessments. Yet there is an absence of risk studies directly examining landslide-related airblasts. In this work we back-analyze an unreported airblast in the Sikkim Himalayas (India) and several other airblasts documented around the world. We explore the conditions a large slope collapse should meet to trigger a significant airblast, and we establish a semi-empirical relationship linking the potential energy in a collapse with airborne trajectory and the extent of the related airblast. The collapse of thousands or millions of cubic meters falling from a significant height results in a sudden release of energy (1011J to 1013J) and a high degree of comminution of rocks, causing a violent displacement of air. Average wind speeds of airblasts following impacts with airborne trajectory can be double the speed of rock avalanches. The size of the damage zone depends on the potential energy of the falling rock mass and can be amplified or reduced depending on how confined the valley is where the airblast occurs.
What can anisometropia tell us about eye growth?
Authors: Flitcroft Ian , Mccullough Sara , Saunders Kathryn
Published: August 2020

Background/Aims

Both eyes of one individual share the same environment and genes. We examined interocular differences in biometry to determine the potential role of other factors in refractive development.

Methods

362 subjects (6–7 years) from the Northern Ireland Childhood Errors of Refraction study were studied. Cycloplegic autorefraction was measured with a Shin-Nippon open-field autorefractor. Axial length and corneal curvature were measured with a Zeiss IOLMaster.

Results

257 subjects had an interocular difference of <0.50 D (ISO group) and 105 (29%) a difference of ≥0.50 D (ANISO group). Twenty-five subjects (6.9%) had anisometropia ≥1.00 D and 9 (2.5%) had anisometropia ≥1.50 D. The two groups, ISO and ANISO, showed different refractive distributions (p=0.001) with the ISO group showing a nearly Gaussian distribution and the ANISO group showing positive skew, a hyperopic shift and a bi-Gaussian distribution. A marker of emmetropisation is the poor correlation between refraction and corneal curvature seen in older children. There was no significant correlation between refraction and corneal curvature of each eye in the ISO group (r=0.09, p=0.19), but these parameters were significantly correlated in the ANISO group (r=0.28, p=0.004).

Conclusion

In young children, small degrees of anisometropia (≥0.5 D) are associated with impaired emmetropisation. This suggests that anisometropia is a marker for poorly regulated eye growth, indicating that, in addition to environmental and genetic influences on eye growth, stochastic processes contribute to refractive outcomes.
Visual outcomes after cataract surgery among the elderly residents in the ‘homes for the aged’ in South India: the Hyderabad Ocular Morbidity in Elderly Study
Authors: Marmamula Srinivas , Barrenakala Navya Rekha , Challa Rajesh , Kumbham Thirupathi Reddy , Modepalli Satya Brahmanandam , Yellapragada Ratnakar , Bhakki Madhuri , Reddy Jagadesh C , Friedman David S , Khanna Rohit C
Published: August 2020

Background/Aim

To report visual outcomes and factors associated with good visual outcomes after cataract surgery among the elderly residents in ‘homes for the aged’ in Hyderabad, India.

Methods

Individuals aged ≥60 years were recruited from 41 ‘homes for the aged’. All participants had a detailed eye examinations including visual acuity (VA) assessment , refraction, slit-lamp examination and fundus imaging by trained professionals. A detailed history of cataract surgery was recorded. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with good visual outcomes after cataract surgery which was defined as presenting VA of 6/18 or better in the operated eye. Visual impairment (VI) is defined as presenting VA worse than 6/18 in the operated eye.

Results

1215 eyes of 703 individuals had cataract surgery. The mean age of these participants was 77.5 years (SD: 8.2 years; range: 60–108 years), 66.8% were women, 29.9% reported diabetes and 61% reported hypertension. 406/1215 (33.4%; 95% CI 30.8 to 36.1) eyes had VI after cataract surgery. Posterior capsular opacification (31.8%; n=129) was the leading cause of VI followed by uncorrected refractive error (24.1%; n=98). The prevalence of good outcomes was 66.6% (95% CI 63.8 to 69.2). On applying multivariable analysis, younger age, self-reported hypertension, independent mobility, surgery in a non-government (as opposed to private) hospital and undergoing paid surgery were associated with good outcomes.

Conclusions

One-third of the eyes of elderly individuals living in homes for the aged that had previously undergone cataract surgery had VI. Regular eye examinations with the provision of laser capsulotomy and appropriate refractive correction can substantially improve their vision.
Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for a degenerative meniscus tear: a 5 year follow-up of the placebo-surgery controlled FIDELITY (Finnish Degenerative Meniscus Lesion Study) trial
Authors: Sihvonen Raine , Paavola Mika , Malmivaara Antti , Itälä Ari , Joukainen Antti , Kalske Juha , Nurmi Heikki , Kumm Jaanika , Sillanpää Niko , Kiekara Tommi , Turkiewicz Aleksandra , Toivonen Pirjo , Englund Martin , Taimela Simo , Järvinen Teppo L N
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To assess the long-term effects of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) on the development of radiographic knee osteoarthritis, and on knee symptoms and function, at 5 years follow-up.

Design

Multicentre, randomised, participant- and outcome assessor-blinded, placebo-surgery controlled trial.

Setting

Orthopaedic departments in five public hospitals in Finland.

Participants

146 adults, mean age 52 years (range 35–65 years), with knee symptoms consistent with degenerative medial meniscus tear verified by MRI scan and arthroscopically, and no clinical signs of knee osteoarthritis were randomised.

Interventions

APM or placebo surgery (diagnostic knee arthroscopy).

Main outcome measures

We used two indices of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (increase in Kellgren and Lawrence grade ≥1, and increase in Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) atlas radiographic joint space narrowing and osteophyte sum score, respectively), and three validated patient-relevant measures of knee symptoms and function (Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET), Lysholm, and knee pain after exercise using a numerical rating scale).

Results

There was a consistent, slightly greater risk for progression of radiographic knee osteoarthritis in the APM group as compared with the placebo surgery group (adjusted absolute risk difference in increase in Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥1 of 13%, 95% CI −2% to 28%; adjusted absolute mean difference in OARSI sum score 0.7, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.3). There were no relevant between-group differences in the three patient-reported outcomes: adjusted absolute mean differences (APM vs placebo surgery), −1.7 (95% CI −7.7 to 4.3) in WOMET, −2.1 (95% CI −6.8 to 2.6) in Lysholm knee score, and −0.04 (95% CI −0.81 to 0.72) in knee pain after exercise, respectively. The corresponding adjusted absolute risk difference in the presence of mechanical symptoms was 18% (95% CI 5% to 31%); there were more symptoms reported in the APM group. All other secondary outcomes comparisons were similar.

Conclusions

APM was associated with a slightly increased risk of developing radiographic knee osteoarthritis and no concomitant benefit in patient-relevant outcomes, at 5 years after surgery.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01052233andNCT00549172).
Optical coherence tomography: a novel imaging approach to visualize and quantify cutaneous microvascular structure and function in patients with diabetes
Authors: Argarini Raden , McLaughlin Robert A , Joseph Simon Z , Naylor Louise H , Carter Howard H , Yeap Bu B , Jansen Shirley J , Green Daniel J
Published: August 2020

Introduction

The pathophysiology of microvascular disease is poorly understood, partly due to the lack of tools to directly image microvessels in vivo.

Research design and methods

In this study, we deployed a novel optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique during local skin heating to assess microvascular structure and function in diabetics with (DFU group, n=13) and without (DNU group, n=10) foot ulceration, and healthy controls (CON group, n=13). OCT images were obtained from the dorsal foot, at baseline (33°C) and 30 min following skin heating.

Results

At baseline, microvascular density was higher in DFU compared with CON (21.9%±11.5% vs 14.3%±5.6%, p=0.048). Local heating induced significant increases in diameter, speed, flow rate and density in all groups (all p<0.001), with smaller changes in diameter for the DFU group (94.3±13.4 µm), compared with CON group (115.5±11.7 µm, p<0.001) and DNU group (106.7±12.1 µm, p=0.014). Heating-induced flow rate was lower in the DFU group (584.3±217.0 pL/s) compared with the CON group (908.8±228.2 pL/s, p<0.001) and DNU group (768.8±198.4 pL/s, p=0.014), with changes in density also lower in the DFU group than CON group (44.7%±15.0% vs 56.5%±9.1%, p=0.005).

Conclusions

This proof of principle study indicates that it is feasible to directly visualize and quantify microvascular function in people with diabetes; and distinguish microvascular disease severity between patients.