bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weighted functional linear Cox regression model
Authors: Yang Hojin , Zhu Hongtu , Ahn Mihye , Ibrahim Joseph G
Published: July 2021

The aim of this paper is to develop a weighted functional linear Cox regression model that accounts for the association between a failure time and a set of functional and scalar covariates. We formulate the weighted functional linear Cox regression by incorporating a comprehensive three-stage estimation procedure as a unified methodology. Specifically, the weighted functional linear Cox regression uses a functional principal component analysis to represent the functional covariates and a high-dimensional Cox regression model to capture the joint effects of both scalar and functional covariates on the failure time data. Then, we consider an uncensored probability for each subject by estimating the important parameter of a censoring distribution. Finally, we use such a weight to construct the pseudo-likelihood function and maximize it to acquire an estimator. We also show our estimation and testing procedures through simulations and an analysis of real data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative.
Between-group comparison of area under the curve in clinical trials with censored follow-up: Application to HIV therapeutic vaccines
Authors: Alexandre Marie , Prague Mélanie , Thiébaut Rodolphe
Published: July 2021

In clinical trials, longitudinal data are commonly analyzed and compared between groups using a single summary statistic such as area under the outcome versus time curve (AUC). However, incomplete data, arising from censoring due to a limit of detection or missing data, can bias these analyses. In this article, we present a statistical test based on splines-based mixed-model accounting for both the censoring and missingness mechanisms in the AUC estimation. Inferential properties of the proposed method were evaluated and compared to ad hoc approaches and to a non-parametric method through a simulation study based on two-armed trial where trajectories and the proportion of missing data were varied. Simulation results highlight that our approach has significant advantages over the other methods. A real working example from two HIV therapeutic vaccine trials is presented to illustrate the applicability of our approach.
Fear of Rejecting Others: An Overlooked Construct in Dating Anxiety
Authors: Rizvi Myles S. , Tram Jane M. , Bergström Björn
Published: July 2021

Dating anxiety may significantly impair the formation of romantic relationships. Given the clinical importance of dating anxiety, understanding underlying cognitive features is imperative to determine appropriate treatment. Research on romantic relationship termination and partner choice suggests individuals with dating anxiety, in addition to fearing rejection, may fear rejecting potential romantic partners. This study examined the relation between dating-specific fear of negative evaluation (DFNE), fear of positive evaluation (FPE), and fear of rejecting others (FRO) to identify potentially relevant cognitive factors to dating anxiety. We found that FRO and FPE were significantly and positively related to DFNE. We also found that FRO had a significant relation to DFNE after accounting for FPE. Implications of our findings are discussed.
Why Do Women Support Wife-Beating More Than Men in India? Evidence From the National Family Health Survey (2015–2016)
Authors: Chowdhury Soumi Roy , Mathur Kopal
Published: July 2021

The motivation of this article comes from the observation that in India, more women than men justify violence. This study seeks to analyze this issue through an interplay of familial relationships along with micro-level factors in explaining attitudes. Also, this article aims to associate women’s perception of subjugation level with her lower sense of entitlement toward medical care and child vaccination. We use the National Family Health Survey 2015–2016 data of India of 47,514 married couples to analyze the above issues. Logistic odds ratios predict the factors of violence justification, and a bivariate probit model is used to analyze the joint probability of seeking antenatal care (ANC) and complete child vaccination. We find that (a) there is a significant variation within couples in their responses to the justification variables; even when both spouses disapproved of violence, around 18% of women reported facing the same. This number is 40% when both justified, (b) the higher the number of marital controls women face, the odds of justifying violence increases by three times, (c) also, the joint probability of utilizing both full ANC and Vaccination decreases by 11 percentage points with women living in the most restrictive marital environment. When international conventions and countrywide efforts are geared toward eliminating domestic violence, it is surprising that women themselves justify getting beaten by their husbands over domestic issues. Therefore, policies need to break the vicious chain of normalizing social norms that promote violence.
Perspectives on the Initial Adoption of Multitiered Systems of Support for Behavior
Authors: Lloyd Blair P. , Carter Erik W. , Shuster Brooke C. , Axelroth Tara L. , Davis A. Dia , Hine Melissa C. , Porritt Marilynn M. , Haynes Rebecca L. , Fareed Sunya A. , Slaughter James C.
Published: July 2021

Although the number of U.S. schools implementing multitiered systems of support for behavior (MTSS-B) continues to grow, most schools have still not adopted these evidence-based frameworks. We examined the views of educators ( N = 561) at the outset of adopting MTSS-B in their schools or districts. Our survey addressed the (a) reasons schools and districts decided to adopt MTSS-B, (b) challenges they anticipated with respect to implementation, and (c) expected outcomes of MTSS-B. We also compared views across three groups of stakeholders: local school team members, building administrators, and district representatives. Although most participants reported multiple motivations for adopting MTSS-B, concerns about student behavior and the need for staff support in this area were among the primary reasons. Anticipated challenges varied by group, with district representatives affirming those challenges most strongly. Responses also suggest these stakeholders have high expectations regarding the impact of MTSS-B in their school or district. We discuss implications for technical assistance providers related to supporting a more widespread adoption of MTSS-B.
CMS ESRD quality incentive program has not improved patient dialysis vascular access
Authors: Shah Sapan , Feustel Paul J , Manning Christina E , Salman Loay
Published: July 2021

Purpose:

Over 468,000 patients in the United States use hemodialysis to manage End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the dialysis access Clinical Performance Measures (CPMs) of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ESRD Quality Incentive Program (QIP) have increased arteriovenous fistula (AVF) rates and decreased long-term tunneled hemodialysis catheter (TDC) rates among hemodialysis patients in United States.

Methods:

Retrospective observational study: evaluated reported AVF and long-term TDC rates of 4804 dialysis facilities which reported dialysis access data as part of the ESRD QIP from Payment Year (PY) 2014–2020. Facilities were also sorted by specific additional criteria to examine disparities in dialysis access.

Results:

Mean AVF rates of included facilities increased from 63.7% in PY 2014 to 67.2% in PY 2016 ( p < 0.05), did not change in PY 2017 ( p > 0.05), and declined significantly in PY 2018–2020 to 64.1% in PY 2020, near AVF rates at the inception of program. Long-term TDC rates decreased from 10.4% in PY 2014 to 9.88% in PY 2015 ( p < 0.05), then increased in PY 2015–PY 2020 to rates higher than at the inception of program, at 11.8% in PY 2020 ( p < 0.05). Facilities serving majority Black ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) or ZCTAs with median income <$45,000 achieved significantly lower AVF rates ( p < 0.05) with no significant difference in long-term TDC rates ( p > 0.05). AVF rates correlated positively and long-term TDC rates correlated negatively with star rating of facilities ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

As one of the first financial QIPs in healthcare, the ESRD QIP has not achieved the stated goals of the CMS to increase AVF access rates above 68% and reduce long-term TDC clinical rates below 10%. Systemic disparities in race, geographic region, economic status, healthcare access, and education of providers and patients prevent successful attainment of goal metrics.
Voters’ short-term responsiveness to coalition deals
Authors: Plescia Carolina
Published: July 2021

Government formation in multiparty systems requires election winners to strike deals to form a coalition government. Do voters respond and how do they respond to coalition government deals? This paper examines the short-term consequences of coalition government formation on voters in European democracies relying on survey panel data and original content analysis of coalition agreements. It tests theoretical expectations that deal with both the actual and perceived ideological shifts parties make when joining coalition deals as well as the effect of a much simpler heuristic cue based on preferences. The findings indicate that coalition deals have consequences on party preferences, but voter perceptions play a much stronger effect than the actual content of coalition deals. These results have important implications for our understanding of public opinion and provide important insights into the current difficulties and challenges of government formation and representative democracy.
General practitioner responses to concerns in chronic care consultations for patients with a history of cancer
Authors: Arreskov Anne Beiter , Lindell Johanna Falby , Davidsen Annette Sofie
Published: July 2021

We investigated general practitioners’ (GPs’) responses to patients’ concerns in chronic care consultations. Video recordings of 14 consultations were analyzed with conversation analysis. We found two categories of responses: exiting and exploring the patient’s concerns. Most GPs exited the concern by interrupting the patient, acknowledging the concern but then referring back to the progression of the consultation, or affiliating with the concern without exploring it. Only a few raised concerns were explored, and then most often the somatic rather than the emotional aspects of them. The findings point to the risk of missing patients’ voiced concerns in consultations with a fixed agenda.
Validating a model for indicating the professionalisation of social work in China
Authors: Lei Jie , Luo Mengsha , Wang Yean
Published: July 2021

The social work profession has developed at an unprecedented rate in the past decade in China. This article addresses the much-debated question of whether the international standards of social work can be applied in the Chinese context. Employing Weiss-Gal and Welbourne’s conceptual framework of the professionalisation of social work, this study aimed to identify validated indicators to define social work professionalisation in China. A questionnaire with 11 indicators was designed, and responses were received from 748 social workers in Guangzhou. Formative measurement was adopted as an analytic strategy.

Findings

Five of the 11 indicators were validated: perception of public recognition, perceived adequacy of the knowledge base, involvement in professional organisations, congruence with ethical standards, and perception of professional autonomy. Contrarily, six indicators had no significant impact on social work professionalisation in China: public recognition in terms of qualification levels, professional education, satisfaction with professional organisations, monopoly (self-perception and entrance criteria) and prestige and remuneration.

Applications

This study extends the application of Weiss-Gal and Welbourne’s conceptual framework to China. Utilisation of this framework suggests that social work professionalisation in China may diverge from international standards in social work, while the professionalisation measures for social work implemented by the Chinese governments may be ineffective. In particular, this study highlights the continuing challenges for the development of social work in China and provides evidence of the need to strengthen the professional power of Chinese social work.
The Accuracy of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in the Medical Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Tingsarat Wannita , Buranasupkajorn Patinut , Khovidhunkit Weerapan , Boonchaya-anant Patchaya , Laichuthai Nitchakarn
Published: July 2021

Objective:

To assess the accuracy of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in medical intensive care unit (MICU) patients.

Methods:

A Medtronic Enlite® sensor accuracy was assessed versus capillary blood glucose (CBG) and plasma glucose (PG) using the mean absolute relative difference (MARD), surveillance error grid (SEG) analysis and modified Bland-Altman plots.

Results:

Using CBG as a reference, MARD was 6.6%. Overall, 99.7% of the CGM readings were within the “no risk” zone. No significant differences in accuracy were seen within vasopressor subgroups. Using PG as the reference, MARD was 8.8%. The surveillance error grid analysis showed 95.2% of glucose readings were within the “no risk” zone. There were no device-related adverse events.

Conclusion:

The CGM sensor showed acceptable accuracy in MICU patients, regardless of vasopressor use.
Zombie Disciplines: Knowledge, Anticipatory Imagination, and Becoming in Postnormal Times
Authors: Mayo Liam , Miah Shamim
Published: July 2021

This article does three things: first, it explores the erosions of traditional forms of knowledge and how this is impacting the way change is approached and understood; second, it expands on Ziauddin Sardar’s notion that imagination is central to unlocking new ways of being and knowing the world—and in particular, explores Marcus Bussey’s anticipatory imagination further; and third, we address notions of agency and suggest how, through a reimagining, an ontological shift from Enlightenment notions of Being to new notions of Becoming is available to us, which we believe is worth consideration given our postnormal context.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in spinal cord injury, early to advance to clinical trials? A systematic review and meta-analysis on animal studies
Authors: Alavi Seyedeh Niloufar Rafiei , Neishaboori Arian Madani , Yousefifard Mahmoud
Published: July 2021

Background

As there is no consensus over the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in the management of spinal cord injury complications, the current meta-analysis aims to investigate preclinical evidence on the matter.

Methods

The search strategy was developed based on keywords related to ‘spinal cord injury’ and ‘extracorporeal shockwave therapy’. A primary search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science until the end of 2020. Studies which administered extracorporeal shockwave therapy on spinal cord injury animal models and evaluated motor function and/or histological findings were included. The standardised mean difference with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

Results

Seven articles were included. Locomotion was significantly improved in the extracorporeal shockwave therapy treated group (standardised mean difference 1.68, 95% CI 1.05–2.31, P=0.032). It seems that the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy with an energy flux density of 0.1 mJ/mm2 is higher than 0.04 mJ/mm2 ( P=0.044). Shockwave therapy was found to increase axonal sprouting (standardised mean difference 1.31, 95% CI 0.65, 1.96), vascular endothelial growth factor tissue levels (standardised mean difference 1.36, 95% CI 0.54, 2.18) and cell survival (standardised mean difference 2.49, 95% CI 0.93, 4.04). It also significantly prevents axonal degeneration (standardised mean difference 2.25, 95% CI 1.47, 3.02).

Conclusion

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy significantly improves locomotor recovery in spinal cord injury animal models through neural tissue regeneration. Nonetheless, in spite of the promising results and clinical application of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in various conditions, current evidence implies that designing clinical trials on extracorporeal shockwave therapy in the management of spinal cord injury may not be soon. Hence, further preclinical studies with the effort to reach the safest and the most efficient treatment protocol are needed.
A proposed framework for cerebral venous congestion
Authors: Arun Anirudh , Amans Matthew R , Higgins Nicholas , Brinjikji Waleed , Sattur Mithun , Satti Sudhakar R , Nakaji Peter , Luciano Mark , Huisman Thierry AGM , Moghekar Abhay , Pereira Vitor M , Meng Ran , Fargen Kyle , Hui Ferdinand K
Published: July 2021

Background

While venous congestion in the peripheral vasculature has been described and accepted, intracranial venous congestion remains poorly understood. The characteristics, pathophysiology, and management of cerebral venous stasis, venous hypertension and venous congestion remain controversial, and a unifying conceptual schema is absent. The cerebral venous and lymphatic systems are part of a complex and dynamic interaction between the intracranial compartments, with interplay between the parenchyma, veins, arteries, cerebrospinal fluid, and recently characterized lymphatic-like systems in the brain. Each component contributes towards intracranial pressure, occupying space within the fixed calvarial volume. This article proposes a framework to consider conditions resulting in brain and neck venous congestion, and seeks to expedite further study of cerebral venous diagnoses, mechanisms, symptomatology, and treatments.

Methods

A multi-institution retrospective review was performed to identify unique patient cases, complemented with a published case series to assess a spectrum of disease states with components of venous congestion affecting the brain. These diseases were organized according to anatomical location and purported mechanisms. Outcomes of treatments were also analyzed. Illustrative cases were identified in the venous treatment databases of the authors.

Conclusion

This framework is the first clinically structured description of venous pathologies resulting in intracranial venous and cerebrospinal fluid hypertension. Our proposed system highlights unique clinical symptoms and features critical for appropriate diagnostic work-up and potential treatment. This novel schema allows clinicians effectively to approach cases of intracranial hypertension secondary to venous etiologies, and furthermore provides a framework by which researchers can better understand this developing area of cerebrovascular disease.
Risk assessment of coronavirus disease 2019 among healthcare workers in Neyshabur, 2020
Authors: Shamshirgaran Seyed Morteza , Aminisani Nayyereh , Abasi Hamid , Mollanoroozy Ensiyeh , Mohammad Malekzadeh Masoud , Fazel Hadi , Ghasemi Ahmad , khorashadizade Fatemeh , Moshar-Movahed Ghasem , Alimardani Amir Sadegh , Gholami Ali
Published: July 2021

Background:

Since the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the world, healthcare workers have been exposed to this virus due to their important roles and responsibilities in the care and treatment of patients with COVID-19. In this regard, doing risk assessments in healthcare centres helps significantly to control and reduce COVID-19. Therefore, this study aimed to assess COVID-19 risk and its association with clinical symptoms among healthcare workers in Neyshabur.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 483 healthcare workers of Neyshabur medical centres in 2020. In order to collect the data, a checklist consisting of three sections of demographic variables, risk assessment and clinical symptoms was used. Statistical analyses were performed by using the STATA software version 14. The significance level was set at P<0.05.

Results:

The mean ± standard deviation age of the study population was 34.2 ± 8.4 years. Out of 483 participants, 55 (11.4%) were identified as high-risk exposure category, 52 (10.8%) as medium-risk category and 77 (15.9%) as low-risk category. According to multiple logistic regression models, it was observed that cough (odds ratio (OR)=2.2; P=0.001), running nose (OR=3.3; P<0.001), suffocation (OR=3.2; P<0.001), shivering (OR=3.4; P=0.001), nausea (OR=3.3; P=0.001), vomiting (OR=7.2; P=0.025), diarrhoea (OR=3.0; P=0.001), muscular pain (OR=2.1; P=0.005), joint pain (OR=2.2; P=0.005) and fatigue (OR=2.1; P=0.003) were significantly associated with risk assessment.

Conclusions:

The findings showed that more than one-fifth of studied healthcare workers were at high or medium-risk exposure of COVID-19. Cough and fatigue had the most frequencies in healthcare workers with high or medium-risk exposure, and also, vomiting and shivering had a stronger association with risk assessment status.
The ‘post’ as powerful specific vocabulary
Authors: Drozdzewski Danielle
Published: July 2021

On several occasions through her article, ‘Keeping You Post-ed: Space-Time Regimes, Metaphors, and Post-Apartheid’, Houssay-Holzschuch (2021) prompts us to consider suitable vocabulary for analysing ‘post’ situations. In this commentary, I pursue the notion that the ‘post’ discourse already has a specific vocabulary. Taking Houssay-Holzschuch’s lead and drawing from Massey’s conception of space-time regimes, I argue that ‘post’ is used powerfully to fasten the past to a place’s present, bounding certain geopolitical discourses to people and places and overshadowing experiential memories of place. This powerful lexicographic move is shrouded by cruelly optimistic rhetoric that otherwise links ‘post’ with newly opened spaces of possibility, positive change, and hope.
The Role of Suspended Accounts in Political Discussion on Social Media: Analysis of the 2017 French, UK and German Elections
Authors: Majó-Vázquez Silvia , Congosto Mariluz , Nicholls Tom , Nielsen Rasmus Kleis
Published: July 2021

Content moderation on social media is at the center of public and academic debate. In this study, we advance our understanding on which type of election-related content gets suspended by social media platforms. For this, we assess the behavior and content shared by suspended accounts during the most important elections in Europe in 2017 (in France, the United Kingdom, and Germany). We identify significant differences when we compare the behavior and content shared by Twitter suspended accounts with all other active accounts, including a focus on amplifying divisive issues like immigration and religion and systematic activities increasing the visibility of specific political figures (often but not always on the right). Our analysis suggests that suspended accounts were overwhelmingly human operated and no more likely than other accounts to share “fake news.” This study sheds light on the moderation policies of social media platforms, which have increasingly raised contentious debates, and equally importantly on the integrity and dynamics of political discussion on social media during major political events.
Demonstrating the Therapeutic Values of Poetry in Doctoral Research: Autoethnographic Steps from the Enchanted Forest to a PhD by Publication Path
Authors: Lazarus Suleman
Published: July 2021

We rarely acknowledge the achievements of doctoral candidates who fought with all they had but still lost the battle and dropped out – we know so little about what becomes of them. This reflective article is about the betrayals of PhD supervisors in one institution, the trauma and stigma of withdrawing from that institution, writing poetry as a coping mechanism and the triumph in completing a Thesis by Publication (TBP) in another institution. Thus, I build on Lesley Saunders’s idea about using poetry to operate on ‘a personal capacity’ in educational research. Accordingly, I present an original autoethnographic poem and other poetic artefacts as well as reflections to sharpen the sociological eye of my story. In it, I merge two different segments of experiences in poetry – trauma and triumph – to draw an image of my doctoral journey, in the moment and in retrospection. By doing so, I illuminate the struggles involved in becoming an independent researcher. I also encourage practitioners to conceive that their negative experiences in doing educational research can be transformed into an achievement depending on the stand they take when faced with it. Certainly, poor academic performance can be closely associated with abandoning doctoral studies, but that is not always the case. Therefore, it is my hope that this autoethnographic work may instill hope in doctoral candidates who are still in the struggle to find a voice.
The myths and mysteries of leadership in higher education
Authors: Goedegebuure Leo
Published: July 2021

In his seminal work “How Colleges Work” Bob (Robert) Birnbaum poses the ultimate question on the paradox of universities and colleges in the US. How comes, he asks, is it that they are amongst the largest industries in the country with an unparalleled reputation for diversity and quality, but are also regarded as poorly managed. In this paper I explore the evidence for a relationship between leadership, management and performance, or not.
Report of a Child With Febrile Status Epilepticus and Post-COVID Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome
Authors: Appleberry Holly C. , Begezda Alexis , Cheung Helen , Zaghab-Mathews Soriayah , Mainali Gayatra
Published: July 2021

Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a post infectious inflammatory syndrome following COVID infection. Previous case series have demonstrated that CNS involvement is less common and presents heterogeneously. The following case describes an infant with an initial presentation of refractory febrile status epilepticus. Genetic testing later showed multiple variants of uncertain significance. The patient met clinical criteria for MIS-C and had a markedly abnormal brain MRI with bilateral diffuse restricted diffusion (anterior > posterior). Clinically, the patient improved with pulse steroids and IVIg. This case highlights the importance of maintaining MIS-C in the differential as a trigger of Febrile Infection Related Epilepsy Syndrome (FIRES) with multi-organ involvement presenting 2-4 weeks after infectious symptoms and COVID exposure.
Impact of COVID-19 on resource families: Unique challenges and strengths
Authors: Langley Audra K. , Ruderman Matthew A. , Waterman Jill , Franke Todd
Published: July 2021

The emergence of COVID-19 forced significant adaptations for families worldwide. Children and youth in foster care and their caregivers or resource parents experience unique stressors. The current study aimed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and “Safer-at-Home” orders on resource parents in Los Angeles County. Resource parents (n = 648) were surveyed about COVID-19 concerns, positive impact and strengths, access to and helpfulness of provided resources, visits with birth parents, children joining their families during the pandemic, and transition to telehealth. Between one-third and half of resource parents with foster or foster-adoptive children in their home reported significant anxiety about issues such as getting infected, uncertainty about the future, and financial hardship. In contrast, most resource parents reported some perceived benefits, such as increased family closeness. The most helpful resource reported was video visitation by social workers. A quarter of resource parents experienced in-person birth parent visits. Developmentally, parents with a foster or fosteradoptive child 0–5 years old reported significantly more worries related to COVID-19, while those with children of multiple ages reported feeling less valued as a resource parent and expressed more concerns about children falling behind with school, mental health and developmental services, birth parent visits, and delayed reunification. Lastly, younger parental age, fewer foster children in the home, and the less negative impact from COVID-19 a resource parent reported having were associated with an increased likelihood of resource parents welcoming a child into their home. Implications for policy and recommendations for practice are discussed.
Coordination of m6A mRNA methylation and gene transcriptome in rice response to cadmium stress
Authors: Cheng Qin , Wang Peng , Wu Guangliang , Wang Yanning , Tan Jingai , Li Caijing , Zhang Xiangyu , Liu Shilei , Huang Shiying , Huang Tao , Yang Mengmeng , He Haohua , Bian Jianmin
Published: July 2021

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal modification present in the mRNAs of all higher eukaryotes. However, the role of the m6A methylomes in rice is still poorly understood. With the development of the MeRIP-seq technique, the in-depth identification of mRNAs with m6A modification has become feasible. A study suggested that m6A modification is crucial for posttranscriptional regulation related to Cd2+-induced malignant transformation, but the association between m6A modification in plants and Cd tolerance has not been reported. We investigated the m6A methylomes in the roots of a cadmium (Cd)-treated group and compared them with the roots in the control (CK) group by m6A sequencing of cv. 9311 and cv. Nipponbare (NIP) plants. The results indicated that Cd leads to an altered modification profile in 3,406 differential m6A peaks in cv. 9311 and 2,065 differential m6A peaks in cv. NIP. KEGG pathway analysis of the genes with differentially modified m6A peaks indicated that the “phenylalanine”, “tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis”, “glycine”, “adherens junctions”, “glycerophospholipid metabolism” and “threonine metabolism” signalling pathways may be associated with the abnormal root development of cv. 9311 rice due to exposure to Cd. The “arginine”, “proline metabolism”, “glycerolipid”, and “protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum” metabolism pathways were significantly enriched in genes with differentially modified m6A peaks in cv. NIP. Unlike that in Arabidopsis, the m6A-modified nucleotide position on mRNAs (m6A peak) distribution in rice exhibited a preference towards both the stop codon and 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs). These findings provide a resource for plant RNA epitranscriptomic studies and further increase our knowledge on the function of m6A modification in RNA in plants.
Laboratory study of the effects of flexible vegetation on solute diffusion in unidirectional flow
Authors: Lou Sha , Wang Hao , Liu Hongzhe , Zhong Guihui , Radnaeva Larisa Dorzhievna , Nikitina Elena , Ma Gangfeng , Liu Shuguang
Published: July 2021

Background

Flexible vegetation is an important part of the riverine ecosystem, which can reduce flow velocity, change turbulence structure, and affect the processes of solute transport. Compared with the flow with rigid vegetation, which has been reported in many previous studies, bending of flexible vegetation increases the complexity of the flow–vegetation–solute interactions. In this study, laboratory experiments are carried out to investigate the influence of flexible vegetation on solute transport, and methods for estimating the lateral and longitudinal diffusion coefficients in the rigid vegetated flow are examined for their applications to the flow with flexible vegetation.

Results

The experimental observations find that vegetation can significantly reduce flow velocity, and the Manning coefficient increases with increasing vegetation density and decreases with inflow discharge. Under all the cases, the vertical peak of the solute concentration moves towards the bottom bed along the flow, and the values of vertical peak concentration longitudinally decreases from the injection point. The lateral diffusion coefficients Dy increase with vegetation density, while the longitudinal diffusion coefficients DL are opposite. Both Dy and DL increase with the inflow discharge. To estimate the Dy and DL in the flow with flexible vegetation, an effective submerged vegetation height considering vegetation bending is incorporated in the methods proposed for flow with rigid vegetation (Lou et al. Environ Sci Eur 32:15, 2020). The modified approach can well predict the diffusion coefficients in the experiments with the relative errors in the range of 5%–12%.

Conclusions

The methods proposed in this study can be used to estimate the lateral and longitudinal diffusion coefficients in flows through both rigid and flexible vegetations using the effective submerged vegetation height.
Wdpcp regulates cellular proliferation and differentiation in the developing limb via hedgehog signaling
Authors: Langhans Mark T. , Gao Jingtao , Tang Ying , Wang Bing , Alexander Peter , Tuan Rocky S.
Published: July 2021

Background

Mice with a loss of function mutation inWdpcpwere described previously to display severe birth defects in the developing heart, neural tube, and limb buds. Further characterization of the skeletal phenotype ofWdpcpnull mice was limited by perinatal lethality.

Results

We utilized Prx1-Cre mice to generate limb bud mesenchyme specific deletion of Wdpcp. These mice recapitulated the appendicular skeletal phenotype of the Wdpcp null mice including polydactyl and limb bud signaling defects. Examination of late stages of limb development demonstrated decreased size of cartilage anlagen, delayed calcification, and abnormal growth plates. Utilizing in vitro assays, we demonstrated that loss of Wdpcp in skeletal progenitors lead to loss of hedgehog signaling responsiveness and associated proliferative response. In vitro chondrogenesis assays showed this loss of hedgehog and proliferative response was associated with decreased expression of early chondrogenic marker N-Cadherin. E14.5 forelimbs demonstrated delayed ossification and expression of osteoblast markers Runx2 and Sp7. P0 growth plates demonstrated loss of hedgehog signaling markers and expansion of the hypertrophic zones of the growth plate. In vitro osteogenesis assays demonstrated decreased osteogenic differentiation of Wdpcp null mesenchymal progenitors in response to hedgehog stimulation.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate how Wdpcp and associated regulation of the hedgehog signaling pathway plays an important role at multiple stages of skeletal development. Wdpcp is necessary for positive regulation of hedgehog signaling and associated proliferation is key to the initiation of chondrogenesis. At later stages, Wdpcp facilitates the robust hedgehog response necessary for chondrocyte hypertrophy and osteogenic differentiation.
Factors associated with survival in adult patients with traumatic arrest: a retrospective cohort study from US trauma centers
Authors: Ariss Abdel-Badih , Bachir Rana , El Sayed Mazen
Published: July 2021

Background

Traumatic arrests increasingly affect young adults worldwide with low reported survival rates. This study examines factors associated with survival (to hospital discharge) in traumatic arrests transported to US trauma centers.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used the US National Trauma Databank 2015 dataset and included patients who presented to trauma centers with “no signs of life”. Univariate and bivariate analyses were done. Factors associated with survival were identified using multivariate regression analyses.

Results

The study included 5980 patients with traumatic arrests. Only 664 patients (11.1%) survived to hospital discharge. Patients were predominantly in age group 16–64 (84.6%), were mostly males (77.8%) and white (55.1%). Most were admitted to Level I (55.5%) or Level II trauma centers (31.6%). Injuries were mostly blunt (56.7%) or penetrating (39.3%). The median of the injury severity score (ISS) was 19 (interquartile range [IQR]: 9–30). Factors associated with decreased survival included: Age group ≥ 65 (Ref: 16–24), male gender, self-inflicted and other or undetermined types of injuries (Ref: assault), injuries to head and neck, injuries to torso and ISS ≥ 16 (Ref: < 16) and ED thoracotomy. While factors associated with increased survival included: All injury mechanisms (with the exception of motor vehicle transportation) (Ref: firearm), injuries to extremities or spine and back and all methods of coverage (Ref: self-pay).

Conclusion

Patients with traumatic arrests have poor outcomes with only 11.1% surviving to hospital discharge. Factors associated with survival in traumatic arrests were identified. These findings are important for devising injury prevention strategies and help guide trauma management protocols to improve outcomes in traumatic arrests.

Level of evidence

Level III.
Noncollapsibility and its role in quantifying confounding bias in logistic regression
Authors: Schuster Noah A. , Twisk Jos W. R. , ter Riet Gerben , Heymans Martijn W. , Rijnhart Judith J. M.
Published: July 2021

Background

Confounding bias is a common concern in epidemiological research. Its presence is often determined by comparing exposure effects between univariable- and multivariable regression models, using an arbitrary threshold of a 10% difference to indicate confounding bias. However, many clinical researchers are not aware that the use of this change-in-estimate criterion may lead to wrong conclusions when applied to logistic regression coefficients. This is due to a statistical phenomenon called noncollapsibility, which manifests itself in logistic regression models. This paper aims to clarify the role of noncollapsibility in logistic regression and to provide guidance in determining the presence of confounding bias.

Methods

A Monte Carlo simulation study was designed to uncover patterns of confounding bias and noncollapsibility effects in logistic regression. An empirical data example was used to illustrate the inability of the change-in-estimate criterion to distinguish confounding bias from noncollapsibility effects.

Results

The simulation study showed that, depending on the sign and magnitude of the confounding bias and the noncollapsibility effect, the difference between the effect estimates from univariable- and multivariable regression models may underestimate or overestimate the magnitude of the confounding bias. Because of the noncollapsibility effect, multivariable regression analysis and inverse probability weighting provided different but valid estimates of the confounder-adjusted exposure effect. In our data example, confounding bias was underestimated by the change in estimate due to the presence of a noncollapsibility effect.

Conclusion

In logistic regression, the difference between the univariable- and multivariable effect estimate might not only reflect confounding bias but also a noncollapsibility effect. Ideally, the set of confounders is determined at the study design phase and based on subject matter knowledge. To quantify confounding bias, one could compare the unadjusted exposure effect estimate and the estimate from an inverse probability weighted model.
Home-based light therapy for fatigue following acquired brain injury: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Connolly Laura J. , Rajaratnam Shantha M. W. , Murray Jade M. , Spitz Gershon , Lockley Steven W. , Ponsford Jennie L.
Published: July 2021

Background and objectives

Fatigue and sleep disturbance are debilitating problems following brain injury and there are no established treatments. Building on demonstrated efficacy of blue light delivered via a lightbox in reducing fatigue and daytime sleepiness after TBI, this study evaluated the efficacy of a novelin-homelight intervention in alleviating fatigue, sleep disturbance, daytime sleepiness and depressive symptoms, and in improving psychomotor vigilance and participation in daily productive activity, following injury

Methods

The impact of exposure to a dynamic light intervention (Treatment) was compared to usual lighting (Control) in a randomized within-subject, crossover trial. Outcomes were fatigue (primary outcome), daytime sleepiness, sleep disturbance, insomnia symptoms, psychomotor vigilance, mood and activity levels. Participants (N = 24,M ± SDage = 44.3 ± 11.4) had mild-severe TBI or stroke > 3 months previously, and self-reported fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale ≥ 4). Following 2-week baseline, participants completed each condition for 2 months in counter-balanced order, with 1-month follow-up. Treatment comprised daytime blue-enriched white light (CCT > 5000 K) and blue-depleted light (< 3000 K) 3 h prior to sleep.

Results

Random-effects mixed-model analysis showed no significantly greater change in fatigue on the Brief Fatigue Inventory during Treatment, but a medium effect size of improvement (p = .33,d = -0.42). There were significantly greater decreases in sleep disturbance (p = .004), insomnia symptoms (p = .036), reaction time (p = .004) and improvements in productive activity (p = .005) at end of Treatment relative to Control, with large effect sizes (d > 0.80). Changes in other outcomes were non-significant.

Conclusions

This pilot study provides preliminary support forin-homedynamic light therapy to address sleep-related symptoms in acquired brain injury.

Trial registration

This trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on 13 June 2017,www.anzctr.org.au, ACTRN12617000866303.
Development of clinical guidelines for service provision of functional electrical stimulation to support walking: mixed method exploration of stakeholder views
Authors: Bulley C , Meagher C , Street T , Adonis A , Peace C , Singleton C , Burridge J.
Published: July 2021

Background

Over the past 20 years Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) has grown in clinical use to support walking in people with lower limb weakness or paralysis due to upper motor neuron lesions. Despite growing consensus regarding its benefits, provision across the UK and internationally is variable. This study aimed to explore stakeholder views relating to the value of a clinical guideline focusing on service provision of FES to support walking, how people might use it and what should be included.

Methods

A mixed methods exploration sought the views of key stakeholders. A pragmatic online survey (n = 223) focusing on the study aim was developed and distributed to the email distribution list of the UK Association for Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology (ACPIN). In parallel, a qualitative service evaluation and patient public involvement consultation was conducted. Two group, and seven individual interviews were conducted with: FES-users (n = 6), their family and carers (n = 3), physiotherapists (n = 4), service providers/developers (n = 2), researchers (n = 1) and distributors of FES (n = 1). Descriptive analysis of quantitative data and framework analysis of qualitative data were conducted.

Results

Support for clinical guideline development was clear in the qualitative interviews and the survey results. Survey respondents most strongly endorsed possible uses of the clinical guideline as ensuring best practice and supporting people seeking access to a FES service. Data analysis and synthesis provided clear areas for inclusion in the clinical guidelines, including current research evidence and consensus relating to who is most likely to benefit and optimal service provision as well as pathways to access this. Specific areas for further investigation were summarised for inclusion in the first stage of a Delphi consensus study.

Conclusions

Key stakeholders believe in the value of a clinical guideline that focuses on the different stages of service provision for FES to support walking. A Delphi consensus study is being planned based on the findings.
Does workplace social capital predict care quality through job satisfaction and stress at the clinic? A prospective study
Authors: Berthelsen Hanne , Owen Mikaela , Westerlund Hugo
Published: July 2021

Background

Welfare societies like Sweden face challenges in balancing the budget while meeting the demand for good quality healthcare. The aim of this study was to analyse whether care quality, operationalized as survival of dental fillings, is predicted by workplace social capital and if this effect is direct or indirect (through stress and/or job satisfaction among staff at the clinic), controlling for patient demographics.

Methods

The prospective design includes A) work environment data from surveys of 75 general public dental clinics (aggregated data based on 872 individual ratings), and B) register-based survival of 9381dental fillings performed during a 3-month period around the time of the survey, and C) patient demographics (age, gender, income level and birth place). Using a multi-level discrete-time proportional hazard model, we tested whether clinic-level social capital, stress, and job satisfaction could predict tooth-level filling failure, controlling for patient demographics. One direct and two indirect pathways, moderated by filling tooth, location, and filling type, were tested.

Results

High workplace social capital reduced the risk of early failure of fillings in molar teeth, mediated by group-perceived job satisfaction (indirect path: OR = 0.93, p < .05, direct path from job satisfaction: OR = 0.89, p < .05). Contrary to expectations, we found no support for a direct effect from social capital on care quality or for the indirect pathway via stress at the clinic level.

Conclusions

Workplace social capital boosted the quality of dental fillings through increased levels of job satisfaction. In addition, staff at clinics with higher social capital reported less stress and higher levels of job satisfaction. These results indicate that promotion of social capital may improve both occupational health and care quality.
Prevalence of hookah smoking and associated factors among male high school students in Iraq
Authors: Al-Delaimy Ahmed K. , Al-Ani Waleed A. T.
Published: July 2021

Background

The use of the hookah-smoking device is increasing at a large scale in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Hookah users are exposed to an array of chemical compounds and may suffer several chronic diseases as a result. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hookah use among male high school students in the region and to study different associated factors in order to provide local tobacco control officials with an understanding of this public health problem.

Methods

A convenient non-probability sampling study was conducted among students in three high schools in Al-Karkh district, Baghdad. The study period was from October 2017 till January 2019 and included 847 male students aged 15–18 years old. Using a simple random technique to select the high schools from a list of schools we chose one school from each directorate. Descriptive, chi-square test of significance, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses of data were carried out for identifying the risk factors associated with hookah smoking among these high school adolescent males.

Results

The overall prevalence of hookah smoking in the last 30 days among male high school students was 46.1% while in the past 6 months it was as high as 85.7%. More than two-thirds (70.6%) of the students thought that hookah smoking was more socially acceptable than cigarette smoking. Factors such as having first heard about it from friends, the media, or the presence of a hookah café near their residence were significantly associated (p > 0.05) with hookah smoking among the students. Similarly, being surrounded by friends who used hookah was also found to be significantly associated with hookah smoking, with an odds ratio of 0.18, 95% CI (0.087–0.394). Hookah smokers were less likely than non-hookah smokers to report its use as forbidden in Islam and more likely to say it is allowed in Islam.

Conclusions

We found an alarmingly high use of hookah smoking among male high school students in this study. Family members and peers had an important role in the prevention of hookah smoking among these students. There is a need for students to be educated about the toxicity of hookah tobacco smoking and its direct effect on their health.