bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In search of social equity in entrepreneurialism: The case of Israel’s municipal regeneration agencies
Authors: Geva Yinnon , Rosen Gillad
Published: March 2022

This article examines the roles of municipalities in Israel’s national, state-led urban regeneration program, contributing to the scholarship on the varied agendas of municipal entrepreneurialism. The Israeli urban regeneration program promotes the densification of private residential properties by incentivizing property deals between homeowners and developers. It has been criticized for attracting predatory practices and spurring conflicts between state, market, and community stakeholders. New intermediary bodies—Municipal Regeneration Agencies—were established as an effective policy response to both criticisms. We rely on 36 interviews and extensive document analysis to examine the roles and agendas of Municipal Regeneration Agencies, vis-à-vis the equity concerns associated with state-led urban regeneration. Municipal Regeneration Agencies support homeowners, increase regulation over private deal-making, and in two cases, direct entrepreneurial development of urban regeneration projects. We argue that these roles represent a model of equitable entrepreneurialism that attempts to reconcile the neoliberal logic of urban regeneration with a municipal commitment to social equity. This model allows municipalities to reassert their position in Israel’s centralized housing and planning policy but faces limitations due to municipalities’ varying capacities and continued reliance on market relations.
Perception of violin performance expression through expressive musical terms
Authors: Sulem Aviel , Bodner Ehud , Amir Noam
Published: March 2022

Expressive musical terms (EMTs) are often used in classical Western music as verbal instructions to performers to convey particular forms of expression. Recently, Sulem et al. (2019) analyzed the perception of EMTs by professional string players without reference to heard musical performances, defining four representative categories of EMTs located in the four quadrants of the two-dimensional model of affect whose parameters are valence and arousal. The present study focuses on listeners’ perceptions of musical expression in short excerpts from the violin repertoire, played according to the four representative categories and in a Neutral (i.e., non-expressive) manner. In Experiment 1, listeners’ perceptions of the performances were examined in terms of these five categories. In Experiment 2, listeners concentrated on the playing and sound characteristics of the performances, and paired-comparison analysis was used to estimate the perceived similarities between the performances in terms of their expression. The findings of the two experiments show that performances can be mapped in a three-dimensional perceptual space in which the valence and arousal dimensions are supplemented by a third dimension that can be associated with degree of expressiveness. This demonstrates the relevance of valence and arousal as fundamental parameters for characterizing the musical expression conveyed by the EMTs, as perceived by listeners, and introduces the concept of degree of expressiveness, reflecting the contrast between Neutral and expressive performances.
Patients’ Plasma Activity of Heparin, low-Molecular-Weight Heparin or no Anticoagulants on Urine Based DOAC Test Strips
Authors: Harenberg Job , Hetjens Svetlana , Weiss Christel
Published: March 2022

DOAC Dipstick determines specifically the presence and absence of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) from patients’ urine samples and handmade test strips performed as well as the commercial version. To compare plasma activity (chromogenic substrate assays) from plasma samples with results from urine samples (DOAC test strips) of patients treated with heparin, low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and without anticoagulation. Plasma anti-factor Xa (aXa) activity was determined by Coamatic chromogenic substrate assay and compared to the presence of anticoagulants in urine by DOAC test strips. Patients were treated for least 5 days and samples were taken 4 hrs after administration in comparison to no treatment with an anticoagulant (n = 42). A total of 100 patients were included treated with heparin (n = 29), LMWH nadroparin (n = 29) or no anticoagulants (n = 42). Plasma aXa levels of patients treated with heparin (2 × 7.500 IU daily subcutaneously, 12 male, age 67.4 ± 11.5 years) were 0,18 IU/ml ± 0,15 IU/ml (mean, standard deviation), with LMWH (1 × 3000 IU daily subcutaneously, 15 male, age 64.2 ± 14.1 years) 0,17 IU/ml ± 0,16 IU/l, and with no anticoagulants (28 male, age 64.2 ± 15.6 years) 0,02 IU/ml ± 0.01 IU/ml. All factor Xa and thrombin inhibitor pad results of test strips were negative. We conclude that DOAC Dipstick has a high probability of not detecting heparin and LMWH in patients on treatment as well as in urine samples of patients not treated with an anticoagulant.
Men’s and women’s endorsement of hegemonic masculinity and responses to COVID-19
Authors: Schermerhorn Nathaniel EC , Vescio Theresa K
Published: March 2022

Using a gendered psychology of health approach, we examine the effects of the culturally idealized form of masculinity—hegemonic masculinity—for both men and women’s health attitudes and behaviors. Using data collected across four studies ( N = 805) during the COVID-19 pandemic, we found that stronger endorsement of hegemonic masculinity related to health attitudes antithetical to mitigation strategies (e.g. more engagement in risky behaviors, less support for federal mandates) and evaluations of how political leaders have responded to COVID-19. These effects did not differ by gender suggesting that hegemonic masculinity has implications for both men and women’s health.
How are we going to treat Chinese people during the pandemic? Media cultivation of intergroup threat and blame
Authors: Ma Rong , Ma Zexin
Published: March 2022

This study integrates cultivation and intergroup threat theories to examine media cultivation effects during the COVID-19 pandemic. We argue that U.S. media have consistently portrayed China as a threat and target of blame. The cultivation of media has thus resulted in perceived threat of and blame on Chinese people for the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of a cross-sectional survey in two samples (MTurk: N = 375; college: N = 566) showed that the amount of media consumption predicted stronger perceptions that Chinese people were a health threat, and also predicted blame on Chinese people for the COVID-19 outbreak. Threat perception and blame were further associated with support of media content that derogated China, stronger intentions to attack, and weaker intentions to help Chinese people. The findings have profound implications for intergroup threat and cultivation research, and practical importance for intergroup relations, especially when the global community finds itself in a public crisis.
Effect of welding current on the microstructure, residual stresses, mechanical properties and nano-mechanical behaviour of P-TIG welded TiNi binary shape-memory alloy
Authors: Asif Huzaifa , Imran Khan M. , Shehbaz Tauheed , Nawaz Khan Fahd , Iltaf Asim , Junaid Massab
Published: March 2022

In the present work, an autogenous TIG welding technique was used to join 2 mm thick sheets of a TiNi binary shape-memory alloy at three different values of current (80 A, 90 A and 100 A). The effects of the welding current on microstructures, residual stresses, mechanical properties and nano-mechanical behaviour were investigated. Microstructure analysis revealed that with an increase in current, the columnar grain size decreased, which had a significant effect on mechanical properties. The tensile strength of the weldment at 100 A was ∼92% of that base alloy’s (BA) and elongation of approx. 14%. The reduction in elongation was due to the formation of Ti2Ni and Ti3Ni4 type precipitates. The microhardness profile in all the weldments showed an increase of approx. 30% between the base alloy and the fusion zone due to the formation of Ti2Ni and Ti3Ni4 type precipitates during welding. Residual stress analysis suggested the tensile residual stresses in the longitudinal direction are minimum in the weldment performed at 100 A. The nanoindentation results revealed that the weldment obtained at 100 A had the least plastic deformation (∼45.5% less than the 80 A weldment) owing to a decrease in inter-dendritic spacing and high proportion of IMCs: Ti2Ni and metastable Ni4Ti3.
Employee Networking Behavior: Sources, Challenges, and Support
Authors: Kumar Manish , Carvalho Sheldon , Carvalho Charles
Published: March 2022

Networking behavior helps enhance employees’ success in work and career domains, but importantly, it may be helpful for organizations in improving their ability to coordinate, internally and externally, and innovate. Based on existing literature, critical factors that serve as antecedents of employee networking within organizations, including individual and organizational factors, are identified. Next, potential challenges employees may encounter in networking are highlighted. To conclude, several actions human resource development (HRD) practitioners can take to promote networking behavior within organizations and its associated benefits are discussed.
The Role of Puerarin in Chronic Wounds: A Review of its Mechanism of Action and Potential Novel Applications
Authors: Anvery Noor , Selim Abdulhafez , Khachemoune Amor
Published: March 2022

Chronic wounds have a high disease burden and significantly influence patient quality of life. The development of chronic wounds is multifactorial and thus adequate management and care is often difficult to achieve. Chronic diseases, malnutrition, smoking, immune dysregulation, and age contribute to chronic wound development. Treatment options include adequately addressing underlying conditions and selecting appropriate topical preparations which enhance and promote healing of different wounds based on an understanding of wound healing pathophysiology. Puerarin, a naturally occurring flavinoid, may offer therapeutic potential for addressing etiologies as well as managing wound beds due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, pro-angiogenic, and anesthetic properties.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Treatment of Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Hashempour Sara , Ansari Sahar , Arbabi Mohammad , Etesam Farnaz , Sharafi Sayedeh Elham , Khaje vand Mansooreh , Noorbala Ahmad Ali
Published: March 2022

Objective. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a frequent and disabling neuropsychiatric disorder with a lifetime prevalence of 3%. About 40% to 60% of patients show no or just partial symptom improvement to treatment with a first-line drug and cognitive behavior therapy. Ten percent of patients remain treatment refractory despite several treatments. For these patients, repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) has been suggested as a treatment option. Method. We investigated the efficacy of rTMS on the Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) in 16 right handed pharmaco-resistant OCD patients in an outpatient setting. The patients have been diagnosed with OCD by two psychiatrists and referred for rTMS intervention. Patients received 16 sessions of low frequency (0.5 HZ) rTMS on SMA,100% motor threshold, 1200 stimuli/day for 40 minutes every other day. OCD, depression, and anxiety symptoms were measured at baseline, 2, 6, and 12 weeks by Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale(Y-BOCS) and Hamilton Depressive and Anxiety rating scales (HAM-D and HAM-A). We assessed the side effects of rTMS by a self-administrative questionnaire. Results. Patients’ scores in Y-BOCS, HAM-D, and HAM-A were significantly decreased following rTMS treatment. The baseline and 12 weeks scores of Y-BOCS were 28.94 and 18.31 (P-value < 0.01), HAM-D were 14.69 and 7.94 (P-value <0.01) and HAM-A were 16.38 and 6.94 (P- value < 0.01), respectively. The patients reported no serious side effects of rTMS except two case that reported light headach. Conclusion. This study showed that low-frequency rTMS on SMA improved OCD, anxiety, and depression symptoms after 16 sessions.
Primary Distal Interphalangeal Joint Tenosynovial Chondromatosis of the Small Finger: A Case Report With Literature Review
Authors: Benvenuti Hunter , Liao Christopher D. , Pinsky Brian , Christy Michael
Published: March 2022

Primary synovial chondromatosis is a rare, benign proliferative disease of the joint synovium, tenosynovium, or bursal lining, in which cartilage metaplasia leads to the development of multiple intra-articular and periarticular loose osteocartilaginous bodies. This disease usually involves larger joints (knee, hip, elbow, and shoulder), but it has also rarely been reported in the hand. Patients with this disease complain of pain, swelling, nodules, and decreased range of motion of the affected joint. Due to its nonspecific symptoms and low prevalence, this disease often goes misdiagnosed, leading to delays in patient treatment. In the literature to date, there are only a few reports of primary synovial chondromatosis. In this case report, we present a patient with a rare case of primary synovial chondromatosis localized to right small finger distal interphalangeal joint.
Numerical modeling of unsteady MHD flow of Casson fluid in a vertical surface with chemical reaction and Hall current
Authors: Rasheed Haroon Ur , Islam Saeed , Zeeshan  , Khan Waris , Khan Jahangir , Abbas Tariq
Published: March 2022

The non-Newtonian fluid flow plays an important role in industrial and manufacturing processes such as painting, printing, coating, and biomechanical. In the present paper, the steady two-dimensional MHD free convective flow of Casson fluid over a vertical surface is elucidated numerically with the impact of thermal radiation and chemical reaction are offered. The interaction of transverse magnetic field, viscous dissipation, and Hall current are taken into the account. A nonlinear flow system is developed to decompose the heat and mass transmission effects of this liquid, which is done by taking an appropriate extreme boundary condition. Non-dimensional nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are diminished from governing partial differential equations (PDEs) via fitting transformations. The fundamental model of nonlinear constitutive flow laws is tackled numerically through the ND-solve technique in a Mathematica 11.0 environment. The computational upshot is also described explicitly to examine the consequences pertinent parameters. The attained sundry parameters are analyzed expediently, which include magnetic factor, radiation, chemical reaction, Prandtl number, heat source, modified Grashof number, and Schmidt number. The features of the governing relevant parameters on the flow frameworks are analyzed correctly via plots and tables. Additionally, the drag force, heat, and mass transference coefficients outlines are examined.
Structural parameters identification for industrial robot using a hybrid algorithm
Authors: Liu Kejin , Xia Junyong , Zhong Fei , Zhang Li
Published: March 2022

To improve the precision and reduce the movement uncertainty of the industrial robot, a novel hybrid optimization algorithm which combines adaptive genetic algorithm with simulated annealing algorithm is proposed in this article. First, for the sake of increasing the global exploring ability of relevant individuals, the adaptive crossover and mutation operator are used in the phase of adaptive genetic algorithm. If the population optimized by adaptive genetic algorithm is trapped in the local optimal area and simultaneously meets the transformation rule, then it is consequently optimized by simulated annealing to enhance the population diversity and hunt for a better solution so that the probability of finding the global optimal solution is greatly increased. Then, corresponding experiments based on single point repeatability are conducted to acquire data and identify the structural parameters of the industrial robot. Moreover, the single point repeatability test and length test are all implemented at the same time to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. At last, the result reveals that the proposed method is effective to identify the real structural parameters of the industrial robot, thus enormously decreasing the single point repeatability and length deviation at the same time, which extremely increases the precision and decreases the movement uncertainty of the industrial robot.
The Working Conditions of Performance Analysts in Oceania
Authors: Dickey Leaha , Ramsey Codi , Humphrey Richard , Middlemas Simon , Murray Eoin , Spencer Kirsten
Published: March 2022

Performance analysis (PA) has become an essential tool in the sports industry and employment in this sector is growing across all levels in Oceania. Despite the continued growth of research on PA there is little known about the specific working conditions of the analysts. The aim of this research is to understand the working conditions of performance analysts employed in the Oceania region and to and identify ways to better support practitioners. An online survey distributed to performance analysts in Oceania collected data on PA demographics, job type, remuneration and job satisfaction. Sixty-five performance analysts across a wide range of the industry completed the survey. Data analysis involving descriptive statistics, a T-test and a Mann Whitney U test showed that responding performance analysts were predominantly young males earning an average of $62,000 per annum, with six years of experience and a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification. Pay varied significantly across the industry and analysts frequently travelled and worked above their agreed hours without extra remuneration, all conditions that have been shown to lead to burnout and poor long-term retention in similar industries. However, the participants primarily responded ‘strongly agree’ or ‘somewhat agree’ to six out of the nine intrinsic work quality questions and overall, the analysts felt valued in their workplace and were satisfied with their job.
Solar keratosis
Authors: Mishra Apurva
Published: March 2022

Solar keratosis is a common skin condition characterised by scaly skin lesions, usually found on sun-exposed areas of the body. It is also known as actinic keratosis, senile keratosis and solar keratosis; the name originates from Latin and means ‘skin thickening due to sun'. It was first described by Dubreuilh in 1826, and for many years was known as ‘keratoma senilis’. In 1958 it was finally named actinic keratosis, by Pinkus. Solar keratotsis represents dysplastic proliferations of keratinocytes, secondary to chronic sun exposure, especially ultra-violet radiation. Solar keratosis is the most common pre-malignant skin condition; however, it is increasingly thought to represent a spectrum of disease in between photo-damaged skin and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A small proportion of solar keratosis progresses to become SCC, and the chances of progression increase with the increase in the number of lesions. Incidence of solar keratosis in the UK is increasing due to an ageing population, leading to increased burden on the healthcare system.
Laparoscopic portosystemic shunt attenuation in two cats
Authors: Izzo Francesca , Poggi Edoardo , Pérez Duarte Francisco J , Cinti Filippo
Published: March 2022

Case series summary

Gradual attenuation of an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt using cellophane banding was achieved with a laparoscopic technique in two cats. The portosystemic shunts were treated via a right or left lateral laparoscopic approach. Ultrasonography or CT angiography were used to verify the results of surgery. The success of the procedure was confirmed by normalisation of serum bile acid concentrations and clinical signs at the final re-evaluation.

Relevance and novel information

The aim of this case series was to determine the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopy for portosystemic shunt attenuation in two cats. Laparoscopic portosystemic shunt attenuation appeared to be a feasible, safe and effective procedure in cats.
Health System Access for Precariously Housed Youth: A Participatory Youth Research Project
Authors: Nichols Naomi , Malenfant Jayne
Published: March 2022

This article builds from young people’s experiences navigating health system organizations to identify concrete institutional and policy processes that pose problems for youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness, as well as those that show promise in terms of health promotion. Our participatory youth research team explored homeless youth’s health-seeking practices, the specific barriers they face, and relations between their health-seeking efforts and their homelessness. Youth and adult co-researchers interviewed 38 individual youth (aged 16–29) who completed 64 qualitative institutional history interviews. Their accounts illuminate a systemic lack of capacity to address the mental health needs of homeless youth. Unable to secure access to timely, sufficient, and suitable programs and services, youth navigate patchwork of crisis and emergency supports that undermine their autonomy, their health, and their housing stability. Finally, youth without stable housing—particularly those who are Trans* and non-binary youth and/or who use drugs—report discrimination in health care settings. Our results suggest that access to timely, appropriate, de-stigmatizing, and consistent (mental) health services is one way to prevent youth homelessness.
China–Pakistan Economic Corridor: Macro Environmental Factors and Security Challenges
Authors: Surahio Muhammad Kashan , Gu Shengyu , Mahesar Hakim Ali , Soomro Mansoor Mumtaz
Published: March 2022

Pakistan, excepting external issues, has been enduring from chronic problems, that is, political-military anarchy, bad-governance, interprovincial conflicts, social divisions, sectarian influence, and terrorism resulting negatively on inland politics, economics, socioculture, and techno-industry (PEST). This amplified domestic instability and governmental dependency toward external support. Appropriately, China’s recent FDI for CPEC is aimed to revive Pakistan’s energy, transport, infrastructure, industries and also procure China’s energy and trade transmission, and opportunities. So far, some studies separately have reported favorable and unfavorable effects emerged between projects and local PEST domains. Apart from numerous advantages, the drawbacks are also found many that are not limited to institutional concerns, project misappropriations, ethnic and provincial reservations, opposition, and targeted terrorism. Therefore, current study systematically revolves around exploring, comparing, and analyzing the cross-impact among CPEC, PEST, and Security concomitantly. Employing qualitative interviews, all-round literature, and statistical index datasets, study determines that the security risk is critical for Chinese manpower whereas the concerns of inter-government, projects, institutions, civil-military, and ethnicities are somehow manageable. Results show positive trend in Pakistan’s many PEST indicators except political violence, corruption, security costs and threats, electricity costs and supply, debts, imports, and forestry that are in continuous negative impact. Moreover, opposition, trust-deficit, and attacks against CPEC are yet unchanged factors. The study, therefore, argues that if negative impact factors are recognized for elimination, the CPEC as a result will improve the both host and investor environments with promised socioeconomic advantages, and minimize challenges including terrorism. In last, study also suggests various practical and policy implications.
Contextualization of Communicative Language Teaching in Confucian Heritage Culture: Challenging Pedagogic Dichotomization
Authors: Han Insuk
Published: March 2022

Based on the comprehensive comparison of the principles of communicative language teaching (CLT) and the pedagogic ideas of Confucian heritage culture (CHC), this study discusses the conceptual common ground, where both principles can be reconciled, and considers practical, negotiated pedagogic forms with the suggestion of some cases of contextualization of CLT in CHC. In summary, CLT and CHC can be reconciled in their pursuit of education for the whole person, cooperative learning, teaching language structures and content, and task completion orientation. Thus, by distributing more responsibilities to learners and encouraging their participation, students in CHC can experience more communicative lessons. By balancing teaching language forms and content, they can learn language in a more comprehensive way, and by applying task-based learning with precise procedures and controls, their task-orientation tendency can enable students to participate in more communicative activities. These comprehensions and discussions, as a challenge to pedagogic dichotomization, will help English teachers in CHC or intercultural classrooms to flexibly construct context-sensitive pedagogies.
Architectural Anthropology in Urban Housing Complex: A Spatial Study on the Culture Construct of a Community Design Architecture
Authors: Guha Sankha Priya
Published: March 2022

The science and art of architecture skilfully relate parts to a greater whole as well as creates a form, which is uniquely appropriate for the exercise of a specific set of functions. There is no single approach to the study of architecture, but many. Anthropological approach considers buildings as cultural artefacts and can be revealing of the relationship of dwellings to family, social structure and mores. Architectural anthropology is an emerging discipline which has its scope in the interface of physical and cultural spaces of a community. The present study is an empirical attempt to understand the anthropological and phenomenological dimensions of architecture in two urban housing complexes located in Kolkata in India. The key concept to be used in the present study is space both in terms of theoretical discourse and empirical representation. The study do establish the fact that buildings have social lives with physical structure, needs, uniqueness, characters as well as cognitive identity. The social identity of these buildings is drawn from a number of socio-economic variables of the residents guided by time–space determinants.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship in India: A Comparative Case Study of Social, Economic and Environmental Outcomes
Authors: Khokhawala Shirin M. , Iyer Radha
Published: March 2022

There is an increasing interest in how sustainable entrepreneurship can balance people development, profit generation and planet protection to create better social, economic and environmental outcomes. Firms need to develop sustainable business processes, stakeholder engagement and sustainable innovations to achieve venture success. This comparative case study method uses primary research, literature review and the evaluation of secondary sources to bring more depth to the cases. Primary data are collected through detailed interaction with the Indian founders and the key stakeholders to study the phenomenon of sustainable entrepreneurship. One company designs and produces premium handmade leather footwear using traditional techniques, while the other firm designs and creates fabrics for global fashion houses using artisanal methods. The sustainability practices are contributing to social upliftment and positively impacting the environment as both the ventures were set up with a desire to support India’s artisanal networks. The social, economic and environmental outcomes create the theoretical framework of sustainable entrepreneurship. The sustainable innovation processes implemented by these companies filter out the detrimental effects of innovation to create socially responsible and environmentally friendly products. While sustainability-driven costs are higher for both companies, they are creating value-added products to build long-term profitability and growth. Some sustainability challenges like reduction in carbon footprint through greater efficiency in power consumption and transportation remain to be tackled. This applied research on sustainable best practices adds to the area of entrepreneurship. The cases may guide other entrepreneurs on how they could build and grow sustainable ventures. Policy implications for promoting sustainable entrepreneurship, the governmental role in supporting local artisan networks and the need for greater environmental awareness are discussed.
Who Deserves Protection? How Naming Potential Beneficiaries Influences COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions
Authors: Lee Jina , Seo Minjae , Leahey Erin
Published: March 2022

Typically, vaccination is perceived as self-interested act, but it is also a community-oriented action that benefits other members in society, as high vaccine uptake reduces disease transmission. Drawing on the notion of deservingness, the authors ran an online experiment ( n = 516) to assess whose interests motivate people from across the political spectrum to engage in a community-oriented action: the intention to receive a coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine. Results show that liberals and conservatives resonate with self-oriented and community-oriented message frames differently. When a community-oriented message focuses on hard-hit groups such as racial minorities, this increases vaccine intent among liberals but decreases vaccine intent among conservatives. A message focusing on community in a generic sense is the only message frame that increases vaccine intent among moderates and the message that induces the least resistance among conservatives. The findings suggest that members of racial and ethnic minority groups are still excluded from boundaries of moral concern.
Perspective of a Teaching Fellow: Innovation in Medical Education: The Changing Face of Clinical Placements During COVID-19
Authors: Gami Mayur , Shah Shilen , Hossain Sabir , Hartland Alexander
Published: March 2022

The Mid Essex teaching team have adapted and innovated to ensure delivery of the curriculum to over 150 students from two medical schools during COVID-19. A fully immersive education experience was created through protected teaching time, the introduction of a simulation package (virtual reality simulation, ward simulation and bleep simulation), the proactive recruitment of fourteen dedicated teaching fellows, and the procurement of technology-based platforms. The blended learning approach we designed supplemented student-patient interaction on the ward with virtual and face-to-face teaching sessions where appropriate. Preliminary data from student feedback suggests that the pandemic induced adaptations, technological innovations and simulation-based teaching have been successful. Students have rapidly gained confidence, knowledge and skills that they need to progress. It may be a consideration for teaching hospitals elsewhere to consider such methods to ensure students are prepared for life as a doctor both in the midst of and after the pandemic.
Genetic variants associated mRNA stability in lung
Authors: Li Jian-Rong , Tang Mabel , Li Yafang , Amos Christopher I. , Cheng Chao
Published: March 2022

Background

Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) analyses have been widely used to identify genetic variants associated with gene expression levels to understand what molecular mechanisms underlie genetic traits. The resultant eQTLs might affect the expression of associated genes through transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulation. In this study, we attempt to distinguish these two types of regulation by identifying genetic variants associated with mRNA stability of genes (stQTLs).

Results

Here, we presented a computational framework that takes advantage of recently developed methods to infer the mRNA stability of genes based on RNA-seq data and performed association analysis to identify stQTLs. Using the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) lung RNA-Seq data, we identified a total of 142,801 stQTLs for 3942 genes and 186,132 eQTLs for 4751 genes from 15,122,700 genetic variants for 13,476 genes on the autosomes, respectively. Interestingly, our results indicated that stQTLs were enriched in the CDS and 3’UTR regions, while eQTLs are enriched in the CDS, 3’UTR, 5’UTR, and upstream regions. We also found that stQTLs are more likely than eQTLs to overlap with RNA binding protein (RBP) and microRNA (miRNA) binding sites. Our analyses demonstrate that simultaneous identification of stQTLs and eQTLs can provide more mechanistic insight on the association between genetic variants and gene expression levels.
Characterization of the WRKY gene family in Akebia trifoliata and their response to Colletotrichum acutatum
Authors: Wen Feng , Wu Xiaozhu , Li Tongjian , Jia Mingliang , Liao Liang
Published: March 2022

Background

Akebia trifoliata, belonging to the Lardizabalaceae family, is a well-known Chinese traditional medicinal plant, susceptible to many diseases, such as anthracnose and powdery mildew. WRKY is one of the largest plant-specific transcription factor families and plays important roles in plant growth, development and stress response, especially in disease resistance. However, little was known about the numbers, characters, evolutionary relationship and expression of WRKY genes in A. trifoliata in response to plant disease due to lacking of A. trifoliata genome.

Results

A total of 42 putative AktWRKY genes were identified based on the full-length transcriptome-sequencing data of A. trifoliata. Then 42 AktWRKY genes were divided into three major groups (Group I-III) based on the WRKY domains. Motif analysis showed members within same group shared a similar motif composition, implying a functional conservation. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that AktWRKY genes could be detected in all tissues, while few AktWRKY genes were tissue specific. We further evaluated the expression of AktWRKY genes in three varieties in response to Colletotrichum acutatum by qRT-PCR. The expression patterns of AktWRKY genes were similar between C01 and susceptible variety I02, but distinctly different in resistant variety H05. In addition, it showed that more than 64 percentages of AktWRKY genes were differentially expressed during fungal infection in I02 and H05. Furthermore, Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that AktWRKY genes were categorized into 26 functional groups under cellular components, molecular functions and biological processes, and a predicted protein interaction network was also constructed.

Conclusions

Results of bioinformation analysis and expression patterns implied that AktWRKYs might play multiple function in response to biotic stresses. Our study could facilitate to further investigate the function and regulatory mechanism of the WRKY in A. trifoliata during pathogen response.
Association of early-onset breast cancer with body mass index, menarche, and menopause in Taiwan
Authors: Yang Pei-Jing , Hou Ming-Feng , Ou-Yang Fu , Tsai Eing-Mei , Wang Tsu-Nai
Published: March 2022

Background

The trend of women suffering from early-onset breast cancer is increasing in Taiwan. The association of early-onset breast cancer with body mass index (BMI), menarche, and menopausal status has focused interest on the field of cancer epidemiology; however, few studies have explored the interaction of these factors on early-onset risk. This study aimed to estimate the interaction effects of BMI, menarche, and menopausal status on 40-year-old early-onset breast cancer.

Methods

Breast cancer patients were recruited from Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital from 2013 to 2020. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for early-onset breast cancer risk associated with menarcheal age stratified by sociodemographic factors and for the interaction between BMI and menopausal status on early-onset risk.

Results

A total of 775 participants were divided into 131 early-onset cases (≤ 40 years) and 644 late-onset cases (> 40 years). Compared to the age of 13 years at menarche, the age ≤ 11 years was significantly positively associated (OR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.38–4.97) and ≥ 16 years was negatively associated (OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.03–0.53) with 40-year-old early-onset breast cancer respectively. In an adjusted model, the status of BMI < 24 and premenopause had 1.76- and 4.59-fold risk of early-onset breast cancer respectively. Especially in BMI < 24 status, premenopause also had a 6.47-fold early-onset risk and the early-onset risk increased by a significant amount per one year younger at menarche (aOR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03–1.55). There was also a positive interaction effect on an additive scale between BMI and menopausal status on early-onset breast cancer (RERIOR = 4.62, Pinteraction = 0.057). Compared to both BMI ≥ 24 and peri-/postmenopausal status, both the status of BMI < 24 and premenopause were associated with early-onset breast cancer (aOR: 7.16, 95% CI: 3.87–13.25).

Conclusions

This study suggests that the status of BMI < 24 and premenopause were associated with an increased risk of early-onset breast cancer and there was a positive interaction on an additive scale. Understanding how obesity and menopausal status affect early-onset breast cancer is important for drafting preventive measures for early-onset breast cancer in Taiwan.
Comparison of iridolenticular contact area under different light brightness between post primary acute angle closure and cataract eyes
Authors: Liu Fuyao , Lin Danting , Zheng Ce , Wang Geng
Published: March 2022

Background

To study the iridolenticular contact area (ILCA) under different light conditions in acute primary angle closure (APAC).

Methods

This cross-sectional, observational study involved 22 unilateral APAC patients and 59 cataract patients (59 eyes). Images of the APAC eyes, fellow eyes and cataract eyes were collected by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT) under different light conditions respectively. The ILCA, anterior chamber width (ACW), anterior chamber area (ACA), lens vault (LV), angle opening distance at 750 μm (AOD750), trabecular iris space area at 750 μm (TISA750) and iris area at 750 μm (IA750) were measured using Image J software.

Results

The ILCA of cataract eyes were significantly larger than APAC eyes (4.424 ± 1.208 vs 4.049 ± 2.725mm2, P = 0.034) and fellow eyes (4.424 ± 1.208 vs 3.651 ± 1.629 mm2, P = 0.008) under dark condition. Under dark condition, ILCA of APAC eyes was negatively correlated with AOD750 (r = -0.444, P = 0.038), TISA750 (r = -0.498, P = 0.018). The ILCA of cataract eyes under dark condition was significantly greater than under bright condition (4.424 ± 1.208 vs 2.526 ± 0.992 mm2, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study showed that ILCA in both APAC eye and fellow eye were smaller than cataract eye. Future study should focus on both the contact area and force at the interface of lens and iris with larger sample size.
Clinical outcomes one year after a digital musculoskeletal (MSK) program: an observational, longitudinal study with nonparticipant comparison group
Authors: Wang Grace , Yang Manshu , Hong Mindy , Krauss Jeffrey , Bailey Jeannie F.
Published: March 2022

Background

The evidence base for the impact of digital health on musculoskeletal (MSK) outcomes is growing, but it is unclear how much digital MSK programs address pain and function in the intermediate and long term.

Methods

This observational study of digital MSK program participants versus nonparticipants (n = 2570) examined pain, function, depression, and anxiety at 3, 6, and 12 months, and health care use at 12 months. The intervention group engaged in a digital MSK program that included exercise, education, and coaching for at least 3 months. The nonparticipant group registered, but never started the program. We collected data in app or by emailed survey at 3, 6, and 12 months after registering for the program. We conducted descriptive analyses and unadjusted and adjusted regression modeling.

Results

The odds ratio of achieving a minimally clinically important difference (MCID) in pain improvement for the intervention versus the nonparticipant group was 1.97 (95% CI: 1.28, 3.02; p = .002) at 3 months, 1.44 (95% CI: 0.91, 2.25; p = .11) at 6 months, and 2.06 (95% CI: 1.38, 3.08; p = .004) at 12 months in adjusted models. The odds ratio of achieving a MCID in functional improvement for the intervention versus the nonparticipant group was 1.56 (95% CI: 1.03, 2.38; p = .01) at 3 months, 1.55 (95% CI: 1.02, 2.37; p = .04) at 6 months, and 1.35 (95% CI: 0.89, 2.06, p = 0.16) at 12 months in adjusted models. For those with moderate to severe depression or anxiety at baseline, we observed statistically significant lower odds of moderate to severe depression or anxiety at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months for the intervention versus the nonparticipant group in adjusted models (p < .05). At 12 months, the percentage with invasive, imaging, and conservative services was higher for the nonparticipant versus intervention group by 5.7, 8.1, and 16.7 percentage points, respectively (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

A digital MSK program may offer participants sustained improvement in pain, depression, and anxiety with concomitant decreases in health care use.
Impact of next-generation hormonal agents on treatment patterns among patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: a real-world study from the United States, five European countries and Japan
Authors: Leith Andrea , Ribbands Amanda , Kim Jeri , Clayton Emily , Gillespie-Akar Liane , Yang Lingfeng , Ghate Sameer R.
Published: March 2022

Background

Until five years ago, the metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) treatment landscape was dominated by the use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) alone. However, novel hormonal agents (NHAs) and chemotherapy are now approved for male patients with mHSPC. This study aimed to understand the impact NHA approvals had on mHSPC real-world treatment patterns and to identify the key factors associated with NHA or chemotherapy (± ADT) usage vs ADT alone.

Methods

Data were collected from the Adelphi Prostate Cancer Disease Specific Programme (DSP)™, a point-in-time survey of physicians and their consulting patients conducted in the United States (US), five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom), and Japan between January and August 2020. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics for individual countries, regions, and all countries combined. Pairwise analyses were used to further investigate differences between treatment groups at global level.

Results

336 physicians provided data on 1195 mHSPC patients. Globally, at data collection, the most common mHSPC regimen initiated first was ADT alone (47%), followed by NHAs (± ADT) (31%, of which 21% was abiraterone, 8% was enzalutamide, and 2% was apalutamide) and chemotherapy (± ADT) (19%). The highest rates of ADT alone usage were observed in Japan (78%) and Italy (66%), and the lowest in Spain (34%) and in the US (36%). Our results showed that clinical decision making was driven by patient fitness, compliance, tolerance of adverse events, and balance of impact on quality of life vs overall survival.

Conclusions

This real-world survey offered early insights into the evolving mHSPC treatment paradigm. It showed that in 2020, ADT alone remained the most common initial mHSPC therapy, suggesting that physicians may prefer using treatments which they are familiar and have experience with, despite clinical trial evidence of improved survival with NHAs or chemotherapy (± ADT) vs ADT alone. Results also indicated that physicians prescribed specific mHSPC treatments primarily based on the following criteria: patient preference, disease burden/severity, and the performance status and comorbidities of the patient. To fully appreciate the rapidly changing mHSPC treatment landscape and monitor NHA uptake, additional real-world studies are required.
Personal positioning of oncology patients in palliative care: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Silva Hellen Luiza Meireles , Valério Pedro Henrique Martins , Barreira Cristiano Roque Antunes , Peria Fernanda Maris
Published: March 2022

Background

Advanced oncological disease requires comprehensive health care, although attention is predominantly paid to the physical dimension of care. The consideration of personal positioning encompasses other dimensions of patients’ management of their illness, such as existential management and expanding forms of care. The objective of this study was to understand the personal positioning of cancer patients in palliative care.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study using the mixed convergent parallel method. The sample consisted of 71 cancer patients in palliative care, of whom 14 participated in the qualitative and quantitative portions and 57 participated in only the quantitative portion. Phenomenological interviews were performed, and qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect meaning of life (PIL-Test), quality of life (EORTC QLQ C-30), anxiety and depression (HADS) and sociodemographic data. The interview results were analysed according to the principles of classical phenomenology, and the quantitative data were analysed using the generalized structural equations model.

Results

The results showed that the patients turned to living, focusing on their possibilities and distancing themselves from the impact of the illness and the factuality of death, which the patients themselves associated with not succumbing to depression, a condition whose signs were exhibited by 21% of the sample. Sustaining this positioning required a tenacious fight, which feeds on sensitivity to life. Linked to this position was the belief in the continuation of life through religious faith, together with the patients’ realization of the meaning of their lives. In this same direction, there was a direct association between awareness of the meaning of life and increased scores on the functional scales (p <  0.01) and decreased scores for symptoms (p <  0.01), anxiety (p = 0.02) and depression (p < 0.01). The last element that emerged and structured this experience was the intense will to live and a sense of the value of life.

Conclusions

Through the use of mixed methods, the present study recognized the existential positioning of cancer patients in palliative care. This understanding can aid in the realization of more comprehensive and meaningful treatment plans and can contribute to the goal of achieving humanization in this area of treatment.