bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvisation
Authors: Benson Bruce Ellis
Published: December 2020

Contrary to many popular and even official definitions, improvisation is possible only by way of musicians being situated within an improvisational tradition and working with pre-existing musical elements. It is never purely spontaneous. This chapter argues that improvisation is grounded in everyday, practical human activity which is itself—more broadly—improvisational in nature. We improvise on the basis of what Aristotle terms phronesis, practical wisdom or the ability to act appropriately in a given situation. As something we do together, improvisation is fundamentally an ethical phenomenon. In this chapter, improvisation is seen as a musical dialogue that requires “taste” both for its aesthetic beauty and its ethical engagement. At its core is respect for the tradition in which it arises, for other people with whom one improvises, and for those who improvise by listening.
Popular Music
Authors: Gracyk Theodore
Published: December 2020

This chapter aims to determine whether there is a principled distinction between popular music and other music. Rejecting a quantitative interpretation of “popular” as anything that is widely enjoyed, this essay defends a model in which popular music stands in a contrastive relationship to so-called “art” music, where particular examples of either may possess greater or lesser quantitative popularity. The essay outlines the significant historical precedent for understanding the contrast as one between two musical cultures, differing with respect to functionality, accessibility, and ease of comprehension. This approach has the additional advantage of explaining why popular music was so frequently marginalized within aesthetic theory, which privileged modes of appreciation aligned with art music, and then concludes by reflecting on recent signs of a more receptive attitude as philosophers of music increasingly grant that music aesthetics is an impoverished and myopic enterprise if it neglects popular music.
Nature
Authors: Smith Stephen Decatur
Published: December 2020

This essay explores ways in which a notion of “weak nature” drawn from certain strains of recent philosophy (especially works by Adrian Johnston and Leonard Lawlor) might be mobilized in critical engagements with contemporary and historical writings on music and sound. To thematize nature’s weakness in this context means to understand ecological phenomena as rooted in contingency, transience, non-identity, and non-presence. Through readings of texts by Timothy Morton, Charles O. Nussbaum, Gary Tomlinson, and G. W. F. Hegel, this essay shows how philosophical thought on music often works to deny or foreclose nature’s weakness, rooting accounts of musical experience or music history (including music’s deep evolutionary history) in visions of nature as consistent, gapless, and present. This same inquiry, however, suggests that musical thought that gives fuller rein to nature’s inconsistency can do greater justice to the spectra of difference that range across the many phenomena of musicking.
Making Sense
Authors: Bowie Andrew
Published: December 2020

The existing forms of “philosophy of music” may not always be adequate to the task of making sense of music. Music is usually regarded in such philosophy as an object like any other that is to be explained by analysing the concepts we use to talk about it. The philosophical sense which is generated by music may not be reducible to concepts, because it is only manifest in active participation in music. This essay outlines often neglected developments in modern philosophy, in which the expressive dimensions of language are given full weight, rather than the essence of language being regarded as residing in its representational aspect. Focusing on the expressive dimensions of language opens up ways of thinking about the relationship between music and verbal language that can have major consequences for how we think about philosophy.
Beauty
Authors: Zangwill Nick , Hinton Stephen
Published: December 2020

A philosopher and a musicologist each discuss musical beauty from their own disciplinary perspective. Both authors devote attention to Eduard Hanslick’s On The Musically Beautiful (1854) as a key starting point. The philosopher draws on Hanslick’s idea of musical beauty in order to consider and defend its application to a broad repertory of music, while the musicologist contextualizes Hanslick’s thinking in the history of aesthetic discourse. In combination, they provide the reader with a transdisciplinary account of contested issues in the aesthetics of music, including the relationships between the sublime and the agreeable, the subjective and objective, and form and content, as well as the roles of emotion, pleasure, and play in formulating aesthetic value.
Analytic Philosophy of Music
Authors: Davies David
Published: December 2020

Analytic philosophy of music is identified in terms of its being oriented towards, and drawing upon resources available in, a particular historical tradition. A brief historical overview of contemporary analytic philosophy of music is provided, beginning with the work of Goodman and Wollheim in philosophy of art more generally. Treatments of two central themes are explored in greater depth: the nature of musical expression, and the ontological status of musical works and the relationships in which they stand to musical performances. Platonist and materialist musical ontologies are surveyed, as is the significance of authentic performance in the classical paradigm. In the final section, actual and possible engagements between analytic philosophy of music and studies of music in other philosophical and disciplinary traditions are considered. Traditions discussed include phenomenology, “performance” philosophy, cognitive science, and musicology. Particular attention is paid to the importance of grounding philosophical reflections on music in the diversity of musical practice.
Emotion
Authors: Spitzer Michael , Matravers Derek
Published: December 2020

This chapter considers the expression of emotion by music, the most interesting of the relations between music and the emotions. It is written from the dual perspective of Anglo-American philosophy and of musicology. The former focuses on the conceptual analysis of emotion, the latter on the underlying causes of the listeners’ experience. The theories of Stephen Davies and Jerrold Levinson are considered and criticized, and recent work in the psychology of music is examined in the light of the pioneering account of expression from Leonard Meyer. Finally, there is some speculation as to the future of work in this area.
Expectations
Authors: Judge Jenny , Nanay Bence
Published: December 2020

Almost every facet of the experience of musical listening—from pitch, to rhythm, to the experience of emotion—is thought to be shaped by the meeting and thwarting of expectations. On the assumption that these components of the phenomenal character of musical experience are indeed shaped by expectations rather than some other kind of mental state (an assumption we do not challenge in this chapter), it is unclear what kind of mental states these expectations are. In particular, it is unclear what their format is, and whether they are conscious or unconscious. The chapter distinguishes between different modes of musical listening, arguing that expectations play different roles in each, and pointing to the need for increased collaboration between music psychologists and philosophers in order to arrive at a more detailed characterization of conscious musical experience and the role of expectations therein than has previously been offered.
Response to Christopher Peacocke: Perception
Authors: Cook Nicholas
Published: December 2020

Aestheticians set out principled ways of thinking about music, but usually at the expense of the inclusive approach demanded by today’s pluralistic musical culture. In this response I welcome the openness of Peacocke’s approach, suggesting some relational properties of music additional to those he discusses: the “topics” of eighteenth-century music, which condense metaphorical “hearing-as” into historical stereotypes; performance style, which always involves reference to or play with other styles; the constructions of social relationship that music affords, whether real or imagined; and history, which raises the issue of the relationship between aesthetics and the historical other. When Peacocke, like other aestheticians, says “we hear structure”, who are “we”? And who does “we” exclude? If we define music as “ours” in relation to historical or cultural others, can there actually be an aesthetics that is both principled and inclusive?
Patterns of Sitting, Standing, and Stepping After Lower Limb Amputation
Authors: Miller Matthew J , Blankenship Jennifer M , Kline Paul W , Melanson Edward L , Christiansen Cory L
Published: December 2020

Objective

The objectives of this study were to describe sitting, standing, and stepping patterns for people with lower limb amputation (LLA) and to compare sitting, standing, and stepping between people with dysvascular LLA and people with traumatic LLA.

Methods

Participants with dysvascular or traumatic LLA were included if their most recent LLA was at least 1 year earlier, they were ambulating independently with a prosthesis, and they were between 45 and 88 years old. Sitting, standing, and stepping were measured using accelerometry. Daily sitting, standing, and stepping times were expressed as percentages of waking time. Time spent in bouts of specified durations of sitting (<30, 30–60, 60–90, and >90 minutes), standing (0–1, 1–5, and >5 minutes), and stepping (0–1, 1–5, and >5 minutes) was also calculated.

Results

Participants (N = 32; mean age = 62.6 [SD = 7.8] years; 84% men; 53% with dysvascular LLA) spent most of the day sitting (median = 77% [quartile 1 {Q1}–quartile 3 {Q3} = 67%–84%]), followed by standing (median = 16% [Q1–Q3 = 12%–27%]) and stepping (median = 6% [Q1–Q3 = 4%–9%]). One-quarter (median = 25% [Q1–Q3 = 16%–38%]) of sitting was accumulated in bouts of >90 minutes, and most standing and stepping was accrued in bouts of <1 minute (standing: median = 42% [Q1–Q3 = 34%–54%]; stepping: median = 98% [Q1–Q3 = 95%–99%]). Between-etiology differences included proportion of time sitting (traumatic: median = 70% [Q1–Q3 = 59%–78%]; dysvascular: median = 79% [Q1–Q3 = 73%–86%]) and standing (traumatic: median = 23% [Q1–Q3 = 16%–32%]; dysvascular: median = 15% [Q1–Q3 = 11%–20%]).

Conclusion

Participants had high daily volumes of long durations of sitting. Further, these individuals accumulated most physical activity in bouts of <1 minute.

Impact

High levels of sedentary behavior and physical inactivity patterns may place people with LLA at greater mortality risk relative to the general population. Interventions to minimize sedentary behaviors and increase physical activity are potential strategies for improving poor outcomes of physical therapy after LLA.
The impact of household energy poverty on the mental health of parents of young children
Authors: Mohan G
Published: December 2020

Background

Energy poverty, typified by cold homes and/or an inability to afford energy bills, presents risks to the mental health of occupants. Parents of young children may be especially susceptible to a mental health toll from energy poverty since they have a significant care obligation and spend much of their day at home.

Methods

Data from the Growing Up in Ireland study inform this longitudinal analysis.

Results

A 1.64 greater odds of maternal depression were estimated for households containing young children characterized by energy poverty [P = 0.000; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31–2.05]. For energy poor households with older children (9 years and above), the odds of maternal depression were also higher [odds ratio (OR) 1.74, P = 0.001; 95% CI: 1.27–2.39]. Fathers of young children had greater odds of depression in energy poor households (OR 1.59, P = 0.002; 95% CI: 1.19–2.12), though the deleterious effect on mental health was not statistically significant for fathers of older children.

Conclusions

Energy poverty increases the likelihood of depression in parents. These findings merit policy attention since a mental health burden is in itself important, and more widely, parental well-being can influence child development and outcomes.
Mirror, mirror on the wall: is economics the fairest of them all? An investigation into the social sciences and humanities in Vietnam
Authors: Vuong Quan-Hoang , Bui Anh-Tuan , La Viet-Phuong , Nguyen Minh-Hoang , Pham Hung-Hiep , Pham Thanh-Hang , Vu Thi-Hanh , Vuong Thu-Trang , Ho Manh-Toan
Published: December 2020

Three major scientific policies implemented in 2008, 2014, and 2017 have pushed Vietnam’s social sciences and humanities (SSH) toward higher international standards. This study uses descriptive and Bayesian approaches on a dataset of 1,564 Vietnamese authors in the 2008–18 period to understand the changes under the new policies and the remaining challenges. The findings indicate that Economics is the most productive SSH field, with 858 publications in 11 years. Even though the number of authors has risen rapidly, gender disparity is still an issue. Economics has benefitted the most from Vietnam's development, and to a lesser extent, so have Education and Social Medicine. Future policies should aim to provide an enabling environment for female and early career researchers in every SSH field in Vietnam. The study calls for responsible usage of cross-discipline publication data to maintain a transparent source of information.
No time for that now! Qualitative changes in manuscript peer review during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Horbach Serge P J M
Published: December 2020

The global Covid-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on the scientific enterprise, including scholarly publication and peer-review practices. Several studies have assessed these impacts, showing among others that medical journals have strongly accelerated their review processes for Covid-19-related content. This has raised questions and concerns regarding the quality of the review process and the standards to which manuscripts are held for publication. To address these questions, this study sets out to assess qualitative differences in review reports and editorial decision letters for Covid-19 related, articles not related to Covid-19 published during the 2020 pandemic, and articles published before the pandemic. It employs the open peer-review model at the British Medical Journal and eLife to study the content of review reports, editorial decisions, author responses, and open reader comments. It finds no clear differences between the review processes of articles not related to Covid-19 published during or before the pandemic. However, it does find notable diversity between Covid-19 and non-Covid-19-related articles, including fewer requests for additional experiments, more cooperative comments, and different suggestions to address too strong claims. In general, the findings suggest that both reviewers and journal editors implicitly and explicitly use different quality criteria to assess Covid-19-related manuscripts, hence transforming science’s main evaluation mechanism for their underlying studies and potentially affecting their public dissemination.
Salivary glands involvement: a new indicator of juvenile idiopathic oligoarticular arthritis (preliminary results)
Authors: Defabianis Patrizia , Garofalo Franco , Romano Federica
Published: December 2020

Objective

Early diagnosis is critical to reduce long-term disability in patients with JIA by ensuring prompt treatment. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the salivary gland function in JIA, addressing specifically oligoarticular (JIA1) and polyarticular (JIA2) subtypes, compared with healthy controls. This may contribute to the identification of salivary risk indicators of the disease that may help diagnosis at an early stage or even before the onset of other clinical evidence.

Methods

Twenty-eight patients with JIA1, 28 patients with JIA2, according to the ILAR criteria, and 28 healthy controls (C) were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were any concurrent medical condition. Data on medication, dietary and oral hygiene habits were collected using a questionnaire. All patients underwent oral examination and saliva measurement.

Results

While stimulated salivary flow rate (SFR) was significantly lower in JIA1 compared with JIA2 and C (P < 0.001), both salivary buffer capacity and pH were similar in the two JIA groups but statistically different from C (P = 0.002 and P = 0.010, respectively). Children with very low SFR (<3.5 ml) exhibited a 16-fold higher likelihood of being affected by JIA1 rather than JIA2 (P = 0.003), while no association was observed between low flow rate and JIA subtype (P = 0.744).

Conclusion

These preliminary data suggest impairment of salivary gland function as a risk indicator for JIA1 with no association with dietary habits and drug intake.
Demyelination with autoimmune features: a distinct clinical entity? Results from a longitudinal cohort
Authors: Nikolopoulos Dionysis , Kitsos Dimitris , Papathanasiou Matilda , Chondrogianni Maria , Theodorou Aikaterini , Garantziotis Panagiotis , Pieta Antigone , Doskas Triantafyllos , Bertsias George , Voumvourakis Konstantinos , Boumpas Dimitrios T , Fanouriakis Antonis
Published: December 2020

Objective

CNS demyelinating syndromes occurring in the context of SLE may represent a manifestation of neuropsychiatric lupus, or an overlap of SLE and multiple sclerosis (MS). We evaluated prospectively patients presenting with demyelinating syndrome for clinical and serological evidence of SLE and characterized the evolution of their clinical syndrome to a defined disease.

Methods

Patients with CNS demyelinating syndromes not fulfilling the criteria for MS were evaluated in a rheumatology unit for features of SLE and followed longitudinally (enrolment period 2016–20). Clinical, laboratory and neuroimaging data were recorded at every visit, following multidisciplinary evaluation. At end of follow-up, patients were assessed for their final neurological and rheumatological diagnosis, and classified accordingly.

Results

A total of 79 patients were included in the study [91.1% female, mean (s.d.) age at first demyelinating episode 38.4 (10.3) years, median (interquartile range) observation period 39 (57) months]. At last follow-up, 38 patients (48.1%) had evolved into MS. Of the remaining patients, 7 (17.1%) had SLE, while 34 (82.9%) had features of systemic autoimmunity without fulfilling classification criteria for SLE. The most common rheumatological features of these patients were inflammatory arthritis (73.5%), acute cutaneous lupus (47.1%) and positive ANA (72.1%). Importantly, these patients were less likely to have elevated IgG index (odds ratio 0.11, 95% CI 0.04, 0.32) and positive oligoclonal bands (odds ratio 0.21, 95% CI 0.08, 0.55).

Conclusion

A significant number of patients with demyelination do not fulfill criteria for either MS or SLE at follow-up. These patients exhibit lupus-like autoimmune features and may represent a distinct entity, ‘demyelination with autoimmune features’.
RELATIVE HCP THERMOLUMINESCENCE AND OPTICAL ABSORPTION EFFICIENCIES: THE DEMISE OF TRACK STRUCTURE THEORY
Authors: Eliyahu I , Oster L
Published: December 2020

The thermoluminescence relative efficiency, ηTST, of LiF:Mg,Ti and LiF:Mg,Cu,P following heavy charged particle irradiation is calculated using track structure theory and compared with experimental measurements. The calculations use both 60Co generated values of secondary electron dose response and values of the dose response at lower photon energies. In both materials there is poor agreement with experiment. Optical absorption relative efficiencies are also in disagreement. For the F band, ηexpt’l/ηTST = 2.0 and 2.6 for He ions and protons, respectively. The values of ηexpt’l/ηTST for the 4.0-eV band, resulted in 0.18 (protons) and <0.12 (He ions). An indication that the 4.0-eV trapping structure is either destroyed or de-populated during the heavy charged particle (HCP) slowing down. The large deviations of ηexpt’l/ηHCP from unity demonstrate that TST, which predicts HCP induced radiation effects from the exclusive action of the released secondary electrons, is woefully inadequate.
Effect of high-phytase supplementation in lactation diets on sow and litter performance
Authors: Batson Kelsey L , Calderón Hilda I , Goodband Robert D , Woodworth Jason C , Tokach Mike D , Dritz Steve S , DeRouchey Joel M
Published: December 2020

A total of 109 sows (Line 241; DNA, Columbus, NE) were used to evaluate the effect of increasing dietary phytase in lactation diets, already adequate in P, on sow and litter performance. On d 107 of gestation, sows were blocked by body weight and parity and allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments of increasing phytase concentration (0, 1,000, or 3,000 FYT/kg; Ronozyme HiPhos GT 2700, DSM Nutritional Products, Inc., Parsippany, NJ). The control diet contained no phytase and was formulated to contain 0.50% standardized total tract digestible phosphorus (STTD P; 0.45% available P) and 0.62% STTD calcium (0.90% total Ca). The phytase diets that contained 1,000 or 3,000 FYT/kg were also formulated to 0.50% STTD P and 0.62% STTD Ca including the release of 0.132% STTD P and 0.096% STTD Ca. Diets were balanced for net energy and fed from d 107 of gestation until weaning (d 18 ± 3). All farrowings were monitored, with farrowing duration starting at the time the first pig was born until the first dispersal of placental tissues with no subsequent pigs born. Litters were cross-fostered within treatment until 48 h postfarrowing to equalize litter size. There were no differences among treatments in sow body weight at d 107 of gestation, 24 h after farrowing, or at weaning. Sow average daily feed intake from farrowing to weaning tended to increase (linear, P = 0.093) as phytase increased. There was no evidence for difference in the number of total born pigs, as well as the percentage of stillborns, mummies, and born alive pigs at the completion of farrowing. Similarly, phytase supplementation did not influence (P > 0.05) wean-to-estrus interval or litter size after cross-fostering among dietary treatments. Although not significant (linear, P = 0.226), farrowing duration decreased as added phytase increased with a decrease of 47 min (12%) for 3,000 FYT compared with the control. There were no differences in pig weight at weaning, but as a result of increased survivability (linear, P = 0.002), litter weaning weight and overall litter weight gain increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) up to 1,000 FYT of added phytase with no further benefit observed in sows fed 3,000 FYT. In conclusion, sow feed intake tended to increase linearly with increasing added phytase. Feeding 1,000 FYT/kg maximized overall litter gain and weaning weight; however, a larger-scale study with more sows is needed to determine the addition of phytase in lactation diets to reduce farrowing duration.
Effect of feeding dry-rolled corn or whole shelled corn during the finishing phase on growth performance and carcass characteristics
Authors: Freitas Tiago B , Felix Tara L , Clark Chris , Fluharty Francis L , Relling Alejandro E
Published: December 2020

The objectives of this trial were to evaluate the effect of corn processing during the finishing phase on feedlot cattle performance and carcass characteristics. We hypothesized that steers fed dry-rolled corn would have better feed efficiency (less feed necessary to the same amount of gain) than steers fed whole shelled corn. Ninety-five backgrounded Angus-cross cattle (initial body weight [BW] = 263 ± 9.8 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design in a feedlot setting. Cattle were divided in to 3 blocks: heifers (n = 31, 4 pens; initial BW = 267 ± 1.3 kg), light steers (n = 32, 4 pens; initial BW = 253 ± 1.3 kg), and heavy steers (n = 32, 4 pens; initial BW = 279 ± 1.4 kg). Diets contained 70% corn (experimental treatment), 15% dried distiller’s grains with solubles, 7% grass hay, and 8% supplement, on a dry matter basis. Cattle were fed for 217, 224, and 231 ± 8 d for the heifer, heavy steer, and light steer blocks, respectively. Two pens within each block were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: (1) dry-rolled corn (DRC) or (2) whole-shelled corn (WSC). Animal growth performance and carcass characteristics were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, including the fixed effect of treatment. Pen and block were included as random effects. Carcass characteristics USDA Yield Grade and Quality Grade distributions were compared using the GLIMMIX procedure of using the same model than the growth performance data. Data are presented as LSMeans. Cattle fed DRC had greater average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.02) and final BW (P < 0.01) when compared with cattle fed WSC. Even though ADG was greater for the DRC treatment, feed efficiency was similar (P = 0.45) because dry matter intake was also greater (P = 0.04) for DRC when compared with the WSC treatment. Cattle fed DRC also had greater hot carcass weight (P < 0.01), dressing percentage (P < 0.01), and Longissimus dorsi muscle area (P < 0.01) than cattle fed WSC. No differences (P ≥ 0.18) were observed for marbling score, USDA Yield Grade or USDA Quality Grade. In conclusion, feeding DRC to feedlot cattle improved ADG, hot carcass weight, and Longissimus dorsi muscle area, without affecting feed efficiency or meat quality.
Rapid Visual Detection Method for Barley Yellow Mosaic Virus Using Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP)
Authors: Chen Zhiwei , Mao Shuihua , Zhang Wan , Fan Xiaorui , Wu Wenjing , Liu Chenghong , Zhao Kai , Lu Ruiju
Published: December 2020

Barley yellow mosaic disease, caused mainly by Barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) and Barley mild mosaic virus, is a devastating disease of barley and is a threat to Eurasian barley production. Early detection is essential for effective management of the pathogens and to assure food security. In this study, a simple, rapid, specific, sensitive, and visual method was developed to detect BaYMV using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Two pairs of oligonucleotide primers (inner and outer primers) were designed to amplify the gene encoding the coat protein of BaYMV. The optimal conditions for the LAMP method were determined, and a one-step reverse transcription (RT)-LAMP method was also developed. Subsequently, the fastest processing time for RT-LAMP was determined. Among eight plant viruses examined using the LAMP method, only BaYMV was detectable, suggesting that the assay was highly specific. The RT-LAMP method was 10 times more sensitive than the RT-PCR method in the sensitivity test. To further shorten the virus detection process, a dye was added to the RT-LAMP products, and positive reactions were simply read by the naked eye via a color change (from orange to light green) under visible light. Barley samples from the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin, where BaYMV broke out very seriously in 1970s, were detected by the newly established RT-LAMP method. The results showed that all samples were positive for BaYMV, indicating the potential risk of the virus in these areas. This newly established LAMP/RT-LAMP method could be a promising tool for barley protection and food security control.
Spontaneous and Fungicide-Induced Genomic Variation inSclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Gambhir Nikita , Kamvar Zhian N. , Higgins Rebecca , Amaradasa B. Sajeewa , Everhart Sydney E.
Published: December 2020

Stress from exposure to sublethal fungicide doses may cause genomic instability in fungal plant pathogens, which may accelerate the emergence of fungicide resistance or other adaptive traits. In a previous study, five strains of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were exposed to sublethal doses of four fungicides with different modes of action, and genotyping showed that such exposure induced mutations. The goal of the present study was to characterize genome-wide mutations in response to sublethal fungicide stress in S. sclerotiorum and study the effect of genomic background on the mutational repertoire. The objectives were to determine the effect of sublethal dose exposure and genomic background on mutation frequency/type, distribution of mutations, and fitness costs. Fifty-five S. sclerotiorum genomes were sequenced and aligned to the reference genome. Variants were called and quality filtered to obtain high confidence calls for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions/deletions (INDELs), copy number variants, and transposable element (TE) insertions. Results suggest that sublethal fungicide exposure significantly increased the frequency of INDELs in two strains from one genomic background (P value ≤ 0.05), while TE insertions were generally repressed for all genomic backgrounds and under all fungicide exposures. The frequency and/or distribution of SNPs, INDELs, and TE insertions varied with genomic background. A propensity for large duplications on chromosome 7 and aneuploidy of this chromosome were observed in the S. sclerotiorum genome. Mutation accumulation did not significantly affect the overall in planta strain aggressiveness (P value > 0.05). Understanding factors that affect pathogen mutation rates can inform disease management strategies that delay resistance evolution.
A Pilot Study of Automated Pupillometry in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Peeler Crandall E. , Gorgy Merit , Sadlak Natalie , Sathe Shaleen , Tamashunas Nina , Fiorello Marissa G. , Cabral Howard , Paasche-Orlow Michael K. , Weinstein Zoe M.
Published: December 2020

Introduction/Background:

A rough, visual estimate of pupil size is used in grading the severity of opioid withdrawal. Few studies have examined the clinical utility of more precise automated pupillometry measurements.

Methods:

This prospective cohort study enrolled 27 patients receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT) to treat cravings or withdrawal during an acute hospitalization. Six sets of automated pupillometry measurements were obtained at regular intervals before and after administration of OAT. Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale measurements were performed pre and post OAT. Primary outcomes included pupil size in dark and bright illumination (mm). Latency of the pupillary light response (s), constriction and dilation velocity (mm/s), and percent constriction (%) were secondary outcomes.

Results:

The mean predosing pupil size in dark and bright illumination was 4.33 ± 1.40 mm and 2.96 ± 0.79 mm, respectively. A significantly decreased mean pupil size was first detected at 15 minutes postdosing (4.01 ± 1.34 mm, P = 0.0115 for dark illumination; 2.71 ± 0.72 mm, P = 0.0003 for bright illumination) and this reduction in pupil size persisted at later postdosing timepoints. Those with Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale <5 after dosing had a greater decrease in dark pupil size (10.6% ± 13.2 vs 3.2% ± 3.2, P = 0.043). There was no significant change in the remaining pupil reactivity parameters.

Conclusions:

Automated pupillometry demonstrated a small but significant change in mean pupil size that occurred within 15 minutes of OAT dosing and was associated with low withdrawal scores. This pilot may inform future work to incorporate pupillometry measurement into OAT dosing assessments.
Decreasing Radiation Exposure in Pediatric Clavicle and Metatarsal Fractures: A QI Initiative
Authors: Brown Zoe , Perry Michael , Wozniak Amy W. , Cappello Teresa
Published: December 2020

Background:

Protecting the pediatric population from unnecessary medical radiation is an important public health initiative. Efforts have been made to reduce radiation exposure in the treatment of pediatric fractures without compromising quality of care. Using a standardized protocol for imaging of pediatric clavicle and metatarsal fractures is a reliable method for reducing pediatric radiation exposure in the management of these fractures.

Methods:

In the year 2015, the senior author altered follow-up imaging practices for 2 common pediatric fractures: metatarsal and clavicular. Initial radiographic evaluation included the standard 3 views for metatarsal fractures and 2 views for clavicle fractures. This standard diagnostic procedure remained constant throughout the study. Follow-up x-rays from 2009 to 2014 routinely included 3 views of the foot and 2 views of the clavicle. The protocol was changed and from 2016 to 2019, follow-up x-rays for fractures routinely included 2 views of the foot and 1 view of the clavicle, thereby decreasing the number of x-rays utilized to manage these fractures.

Results:

There was a significant reduction in the number of clavicle x-rays (P<0.001) and metatarsal x-rays (P=0.004) taken in follow-up between the time-periods. Median values for metatarsal views decreased by 1, matching the adjustment in protocol. In addition, the vast majority of clavicle fractures (90.80%) were managed with 1 follow-up view in 2016 to 2019 compared with 2 views (72.48%) from 2009 to 2014.

Conclusions:

This study achieved a reduction in radiation exposure in pediatric patients with nonoperatively managed clavicle and metatarsal fractures. Improving the quality of care of patients through decreasing the number of x-rays taken protects individuals from adverse side effects, as well as offers various public health benefits in terms of reduction in expenditures.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—retrospective comparative study.
Estimating the Unknown
Authors: Labgold Katie , Hamid Sarah , Shah Sarita , Gandhi Neel R. , Chamberlain Allison , Khan Fazle , Khan Shamimul , Smith Sasha , Williams Steve , Lash Timothy L. , Collin Lindsay J.
Published: December 2020

Background:

Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous persons in the United States have an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and death from COVID-19, due to persistent social inequities. However, the magnitude of the disparity is unclear because race/ethnicity information is often missing in surveillance data.

Methods:

We quantified the burden of SARS-CoV-2 notification, hospitalization, and case fatality rates in an urban county by racial/ethnic group using combined race/ethnicity imputation and quantitative bias analysis for misclassification.

Results:

The ratio of the absolute racial/ethnic disparity in notification rates after bias adjustment, compared with the complete case analysis, increased 1.3-fold for persons classified Black and 1.6-fold for those classified Hispanic, in reference to classified White persons.

Conclusions:

These results highlight that complete case analyses may underestimate absolute disparities in notification rates. Complete reporting of race/ethnicity information is necessary for health equity. When data are missing, quantitative bias analysis methods may improve estimates of racial/ethnic disparities in the COVID-19 burden.
SYSTEMIC MEDICATION USE AND THE INCIDENCE AND GROWTH OF GEOGRAPHIC ATROPHY IN THE COMPARISON OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATMENTS TRIALS
Authors: Song Delu , Hua Peiying , VanderBeek Brian L. , Dunaief Joshua L. , Grunwald Juan E. , Daniel Ebenezer , Maguire Maureen G. , Martin Daniel F. , Ying Gui-Shuang ,   the CATT Research Group
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

To determine associations of systemic medications with the incidence and growth of geographic atrophy (GA) in participants of the comparison of age-related macular degeneration treatments trials.

Methods:

Participants of comparison of age-related macular degeneration treatments trials with new untreated choroidal neovascularization in the study eye (one study eye per participant) were randomized to receive treatment with bevacizumab or ranibizumab. Participants were released from clinical trial treatment at 2 years and examined at approximately 5 years. Color fundus photographs and fluorescein angiograms taken at baseline, Years 1, 2, and 5 were assessed for the presence and size of GA by two masked graders. Participants were interviewed about systemic medication use at baseline. Systemic medications previously reported to be associated with age-related macular degeneration were evaluated for associations with GA incidence in study eye using univariable and multivariable Cox models and for association with the GA growth using linear mixed effects models.

Results:

In multivariable analysis of 1,011 study eyes without baseline GA, systemic medications, including cholinesterase inhibitors, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, diuretics, aspirin, steroids, statins, hormone replacement therapy, antacids, and drugs targeting G protein-coupled receptors, were not associated with GA incidence in the study eye (all adjusted hazard ratios ≤1.86, P ≥ 0.18). In multivariable analysis of 214 study eyes with longitudinal GA size measurements, calcium channel blockers were associated with a higher GA growth rate (0.40 vs. 0.30 mm/year, P = 0.02).

Conclusion:

None of the systemic medications analyzed were associated with GA incidence. However, calcium channel blockers were associated with a higher growth rate of GA in the study eye.
Remodeling of Cornea With Isotretinoin Treatment
Authors: Ozyol Pelin , Ozyol Erhan , Yildirim Fatma Elif
Published: December 2020

Objectives:

To evaluate the change of corneal epithelial thickness (ET) in subjects using isotretinoin with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and further to explore reflection of changes on corneal topography.

Methods:

Forty eyes of 40 subjects with acne vulgaris scheduled for oral isotretinoin were included in this prospective study. Subjects were examined with RTVue-XR and Pentacam at baseline, 1th, 3rd, and 6th months of treatment, and 3rd month of isotretinoin cessation.

Results:

A statistically significant increase was detected in each sector of ET map except inferonasal 7 to 9 mm between baseline and following visits (P<0.05, for all visits). The increase in superior (2–7 mm), inferior (2–7 mm), and maximum values in epithelium statistics and the decrease in superior (2–7 mm), inferior (2–7 mm), minimum, and maximum values in stroma statistics at follow-up visits were significant (P<0.05, for all visits). Central corneal thickness, maximum Ambrosio-relational thickness, average pachymetric-progression index at 1th, 3rd, and 6th months, and thinnest pachymetry, index of surface variance (ISV) at 3rd, and 6th months differed significantly (P<0.05, for specified visits). The regression in parameters was observed at 3rd month of isotretinoin cessation.

Conclusions:

Isotretinoin treatment induces epithelial thickening and stromal thinning. Remodeling of corneal layers causes statistical differences in ISV and pachymetry-related parameters of Pentacam. The pachymetry changes in cornea return to baseline at the 3rd month of discontinuation of treatment.
Healthcare Technology Management Professionals Are Influential for Device Safety and Reliability
Authors: Morabito Julie , Mariani Angela M.
Published: December 2020

Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) professionals are key stakeholders in the medical device ecosystem. When HTMs report medical device concerns to Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they contribute to patient safety, as FDA ensures that medical devices remain safe and effective throughout their use across the continuum of patient care. The HTM's perspective provides valuable context and insights to medical device problems and can lead to device improvements. We present a device concern reported to FDA by HTMs and analyze the strengths of each report. The HTM's perspective, shared clearly and thoroughly, resulted in improvement to the device design to mitigate a recurrent malfunction.
Vision-Based Patient Monitoring and Management in Mental Health Settings
Authors: Lloyd-Jukes Hugh , Gibson Oliver John , Wrench Tracey , Odunlade Ade , Tarassenko Lionel
Published: December 2020

Successful adoption of novel noncontact physiological measurement and physical monitoring requires analysis of how they support patient care. We review available technologies and present our vision-based patient monitoring and management system, supported by a framework enabling its integration within clinical workflows. The framework links tasks such as assessing patients to elements of the patient journey (eg, risk factors and early warning signs). The system enabled insights from patient activity reports and noncontact vital sign measurements. It supports staff in ensuring patients' health follows desired trajectories, avoiding adverse events, making observations without disrupting patients' rest, intervening proactively, and learning from incidents.
Continuous insulin therapy versus apheresis in patients with hypertriglyceridemia-associated pancreatitis
Authors: Araz Filiz , Bakiner Okan Sefa , Bagir Gulay Simsek , Soydas Baris , Ozer Birol , Kozanoglu Ilknur
Published: December 2020

Background

The optimal treatment modality for lowering the triglyceride level in patients with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG)-associated acute pancreatitis is unknown. We evaluated the efficacy of continuous insulin infusion and apheresis procedures as triglyceride-lowering therapy.

Materials and methods

Clinical, demographic, and laboratory data were retrospectively evaluated for patients with HTG-associated pancreatitis who received continuous insulin infusion or apheresis in a single tertiary center. The endpoints were modality effectiveness and clinical outcomes.

Results

The study included 48 patients (mean age, 40.4 ± 9.9 years). Apheresis and insulin infusion were performed in 19 and 29 patients, respectively, in the first 24 h of hospital admission. Apheresis procedures included therapeutic plasma exchange in 10 patients and double filtration plasmapheresis in nine patients. Baseline mean triglyceride level was higher in the apheresis group. The two groups were similar in terms of other baseline clinical and demographic characteristics. Seventeen patients (58.6%) in the insulin group and nine patients (47.4%) in the apheresis group exhibited Balthazar grades D–E. There was a rapid reduction (78.5%) in triglyceride level after the first session of apheresis. Insulin infusion resulted in a 44.4% reduction in mean triglyceride level in the first 24 h. The durations of fasting and hospital stay, and the rates of respiratory failure and hypotension, were similar between groups. More patients in the apheresis group experienced acute renal failure or altered mental status. Prognosis did not significantly differ between groups.

Conclusion

Although apheresis treatments are safe and effective, they provided no clear benefit over insulin infusion for HTG-associated pancreatitis.
Controlled Drinking Behaviors Among Korean American and Korean Male Workers
Authors: Kim Younkyoung , Lowe John , Hong OiSaeng
Published: December 2020

Background

A permissive drinking culture is one reason for the high level of alcohol consumption among Korean men. Despite shared experiences of the Korean drinking culture that often encourages social drinking, Korean American and Korean male workers may differ in their drinking behavior. This study examines the predictors of controlled drinking behavior and between these two groups.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the predictors of controlled drinking behavior between Korean American and Korean male workers.

Methods

Two hundred eighty-two male participants (141 Korean Americans and 141 Koreans) who engaged in social drinking were surveyed. Ajzen's theory of planned behavior was used to examine the predictors of controlled drinking behavior. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the theoretical model for each group, followed by multiple-group analyses.

Results

Most participants were college-educated and white-collar workers. Korean American workers had fewer heavy episodic drinking days in the past month than Korean workers. Model testing for each group revealed that subjective norms and perceived behavioral control predicted intentions of controlled drinking, but only perceived behavioral control was a significant predictor of controlled drinking behavior. Multiple-group analyses indicated no difference between the two groups regarding the predictors of controlled drinking behaviors.

Discussion

Programs to promote controlled drinking for Korean American and Korean male workers should incorporate strategies to increase perceived behavioral control, such as training on how to decline drinking. In addition, early education for healthy drinking culture with a strict drinking environment needs to be considered to improve controlled drinking behaviors.
Associations Among Nitric Oxide and Enkephalinases With Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Authors: Aguilar-Ferrándiz María Encarnación , Casas-Barragán Antonio , Rus Alma , Tapia-Haro Rosa María , Martínez-Martos José Manuel , Molina Francisco , Correa-Rodríguez María
Published: December 2020

Background

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex syndrome of uncertain etiology, characterized by the presence of widespread pain. Both nitric oxide and enkephalinases modulate pain perception.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships among serum nitric oxide levels, oxytocinase activity, and enkephalin-degrading aminopeptidase (EDA) activity with pain-related clinical manifestations in women with FM.

Methods

We performed an observational case study in a population of 58 women diagnosed with FM. Serum nitric oxide levels were analyzed by an ozone chemiluminescence-based assay. Both serum oxytocinase and EDA activities were fluorometrically determined. Pain threshold and pain magnitude were evaluated using the PainMatcher. The pressure pain thresholds were measured using a digital pressure algometer. We used a visual analog scale, the Central Sensitization Inventory, the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory to assess the global level of pain, the symptoms associated with the central sensitization syndrome, the severity of FM, and the anxiety level, respectively.

Results

Multiple linear regression analysis adjusted by age, body mass index, and menopause status revealed significant associations between nitric oxide levels and dominant occiput pressure pain thresholds, nondominant occiput pressure pain thresholds, and FM effects. Significant associations of oxytocinase activity with the visual analog scale and dominant knee pressure pain thresholds were also found. Moreover, results showed a significant association between high EDA activity levels and dominant second-rib pressure pain thresholds.

Discussion

Our data have shown significant relationships of serum nitric oxide levels and oxytocinase and EDA activities with some body pressure pain thresholds, the daily activity level, and the global intensity of pain in women with FM. These results suggest that pain, which is the main symptom of this syndrome, may be related to alterations in nitric oxide levels and in oxytocinase and EDA activities in patients with FM.