bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparedness and Experiences of Novice Teachers in the Sociopolitical Context of Heightened Immigration Enforcement: Evidence From a Survey of California Teachers
Authors: Kirksey J. Jacob
Published: September 2021

For teachers of immigrant-origin students and their peers, emerging research notes the challenge of facilitating a high-quality education for students subject to traumatic events related to harsh immigration enforcement policies. This study examines whether new teachers from seven teacher preparation programs experienced the impacts of immigration enforcement and felt prepared to support students who were impacted. I surveyed new teachers in preservice and after 1 year of teaching ( N = 473) using survey instruments developed by Cohen and colleagues along with additional constructs developed via pilot testing. New teachers reported that immigration enforcement negatively impacted their students and their job satisfaction. Teachers exposed to discussion of immigration policy and teachers who reported engaging with immigrant families in preservice were more likely to view themselves as prepared to support students. I discuss differences for teachers in urban, Title I, and elementary settings.
The Relation Between Accounting Comparability and Firm Productivity
Authors: Chircop Justin
Published: September 2021

Using a comprehensive sample of U.S. manufacturing firms from 1992 to 2015, I test for the association between accounting comparability and firm productivity. I posit that increased accounting comparability facilitates learning from peer firms ultimately increasing firm productivity. Results show that accounting comparability is positively related to firm productivity and that one channel for this relation is improvement in inventory management. In cross-sectional analysis, I find that the relation between accounting comparability and firm productivity is stronger when (a) peer firms exhibit higher productivity and provide more informative filings; (b) subject firms exhibit higher product similarity with peer firms and face stiffer competition, and (c) subject firms operate in industries characterized by higher accounting quality.
Parental Race/Ethnicity and Children’s Summer Activities: A Critical Race Approach
Authors: Nomaguchi Kei , Allen Amira , Aldrich Lindsey , Confer Leanne
Published: September 2021

Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010–2011 ( N = 3,748), we examine how children’s summer activities vary across White, Black, Latino, and Asian American families, net of socioeconomic and other characteristics. Overall, a majority of children play outside and use screen media daily, do learning activities three days or more per week, and take family trips. Attending summer school or camps is less common. As predicted from critical race perspectives, Black parents have children spend more time attending camps than other parents. Compared with White parents, Black and Asian parents have their children engaged in academic activities more and play outside less; Latino parents do learning activities with their children less, but are more likely to have them tutored. All the three non-White groups allow children to spend more time using screen media. More quantitative research using critical race perspectives in conceptualizing racial/ethnic differences in parenting is warranted.
High school learners’ perceptions of value as motivation to choose music as an elective in Gauteng, South Africa
Authors: Venter Lauren , Panebianco Clorinda
Published: September 2021

A growing concern is the low number of learners who choose to participate in music during their high school years. Extending previous research by McPherson and O’Neill, this study explored South African high school learners’ motivation and value perceptions to continue with music as an elective in grade 10. A further objective was to understand how value perceptions vary according to grade, gender, and intention to continue with music. 180 music leaners in grades 9 and 10 completed questionnaires modeled on those by McPherson and O’Neill, based on the expectancy-value framework. Results show that learners value music less than physical sciences and life sciences/biology, but more than history, geography, and accounting/EMS. Overall, outcomes show that learners who select music exhibit higher (and more intrinsic) value perceptions for music than for other electives and hold a higher value perception for all electives combined. Males hold higher value perceptions for music than females.
Probation officer discretion in monitoring and violating supervision conditions
Authors: Ruhland Ebony , Scheibler Esther
Published: September 2021

Probation is a sentence served in the community and includes a number of supervision conditions. If the conditions are violated, individuals could receive a sanction, including revocation. Not every violation, however, may receive a consequence. Probation officers have discretion for how they manage individuals on the caseloads. This study used qualitative data from two departments in a MidWest state in the United States, one rural and one urban, to explore officer decision-making in supervision. It is critical to examine these factors due to the high number of individuals revoked from probation each year. The study findings illustrate the factors officers use in monitoring conditions, as well as in violations and revocations.
What the analytic versus holistic scoring of international teaching assistants can reveal: Lexical grammar matters
Authors: Ma Wenyue
Published: September 2021

Second-language (L2) testing researchers have explored the relationship between speakers’ overall speaking ability, reflected by holistic scores, and the speakers’ performance on speaking subcomponents, reflected by analytic scores (e.g., McNamara, 1990; Sato, 2011). These research studies have advanced applied linguists’ understanding of how raters view the components of effective speaking skills, but the authors of the studies either used analytic composite scores, instead of true holistic ratings, or ran regression analyses with highly correlated subscores, which is problematic. To address these issues, 10 experienced ITA raters rated the speaking of 127 international teaching assistant (ITA) candidates using a four-component analytic rubric. In addition, holistic ratings were provided for the 127 test takers from a separate (earlier) scoring by two experienced ITA raters. The two types of scores differentiated examinees in similar ways. The variability observed in students’ holistic scores was reflected in their analytic scores. However, among the four analytic subscales, examinees’ scores on Lexical and Grammatical Competence had the greatest differentiating power. Its scores indicated with a high level of accuracy who passed the test and who did not. The paper discusses the components contributing to ITAs’ L2 oral speaking proficiency, and reviews pedagogical implications.
Environmental activists’ hysteresis as a driving force for establishing environmental actions against urban forest privatization in Bandung, Indonesia
Authors: Alam Meredian
Published: September 2021

Despite the huge and growing environmental movement to protect urban forests in Indonesia, the tensions between environmental activists’ past engagements with nature and the emerging environmental problems are under-studied. The inner contradiction between the intensive nature of the connections and experiences that the actor maintains and the recent external threat to the environment is the key energizer of an environmental movement. Through Pierre Bourdieu’s seminal concept of hysteresis, this article explores how activists’ previous experiences with nature suffer disjuncture caused by the threat of urban forest privatization occurring in their neighborhood. Drawn from in-depth interviews with the co-founders of an environmental movement organization, the activist narratives in this article reveal that the development of their current struggles was driven by feelings of disappointment, anxiety, anger and a fear of losing the urban forest. The urban forest, for them, not only constitutes a physical space, but serves social and spiritual purposes, represents local identity and is the basis for everyday life.
Absolute Temperature Thresholds for Detection of Skin Wetness and Dampness on the Hand and their Variation with Sex and Age
Authors: Kumar Sandhya , Kumar Surabhi
Published: September 2021

The human body has dedicated receptors for sensing temperature and touch, but not wetness. How then is wetness perceived? To test if wetness perception arises from the sensory integration of touch and temperature, and to quantify its measurement in humans, we designed a wetness perception monitor (WPM) which enabled variation of temperature at the fingertips of participants while measuring the pressure exerted on a test surface in the controlled environment of a moisture-free chamber. Thirty randomly selected adults (18+ years) were tested for their perception of dampness/wetness using the WPM. Our data suggest that humans perceive dampness and wetness at average temperatures of 22 ± 0.4°C and 18 ± 0.5°C, respectively, and these sensations are extinguished at temperatures below 16 ± 1°C. Measurements were obtained at an average tactile pressure of 1.5 ± 0.3 kPa. Young adults (18–35 years) sensed wetness at significantly higher temperatures than middle-aged adults (36–55 years) or mature adults (56+ years), who sensed wetness at similar temperatures. We found a surprising sex difference in wetness perception, with females sensing wetness at higher temperatures than males. When the data were screened for outliers, we found that participants whose readings were outside normal ranges, self-reported sensory deficits suggesting that wetness perception could potentially be used as a noninvasive biomarker.
The uneven geography of innovation in Turkey: Visualizing the geography and regional relatedness of patent production
Authors: Erdem Umut , Mert Cubukcu K.
Published: September 2021

Economic geography studies revealed that regional economies are heavily dependent on path-dependent network-based complexities. Innovation and technology are the key concepts for regional economic growth and the uneven geography of innovation is quite decisive for the regional stability of the countries. In this regard, the network topology of the regional relatedness of patent production is embedded on unequal population cartograms in order to better display the uneven geography of innovation in Turkey. The study reveals that the geography of the patent production has a dynamic pattern that it spreads from patent-producing hubs to their surrounding regions that have never produced. Besides, an increasing variety of classes indicates that new technologies are emerging in some regions. Istanbul covers almost 60% of the patent production of the country. There are around 10 industrialized secondary hub regions existing which the two out of them (Adana and Gaziantep, cities of the east closest to the West and Mediterranean zone) are located in eastern Turkey. Eastern regions have medium size connections with the western hub regions which they are attaching to existing major nodes.
Validity of the Severity of Dependence Scale for detecting dependence behaviours in chronic migraine with medication overuse
Authors: Bottiroli Sara , Galli Federica , Ballante Elena , Pazzi Stefania , Sances Grazia , Guaschino Elena , Allena Marta , Tassorelli Cristina
Published: September 2021

Aims

In this study, we tested the validity of the Severity of Dependence Scale in detecting dependence behaviours in patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse (CM + MO) using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire as gold standard measures.

Methods

Four hundred and fifty-four patients with CM + MO filled in the Severity of Dependence Scale and the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire and underwent a psychological evaluation for the diagnosis of substance dependence according to the DSM-IV criteria.

Results

Sixty-nine percent of subjects (n = 313) presented substance dependence according to the DSM-IV criteria. These patients scored significantly higher than those without substance dependence in Severity of Dependence Scale total score ( Z = −3.29, p = 0.001), and in items 1 ( Z = −2.44, p = 0.015), 2 ( Z = −2.50, p = 0.012), 4 ( Z = −2.05, p = 0.04), and 5 ( Z = −3.39, p = 0.001). Severity of Dependence Scale total score ( β = 0.13, SE = 0.04, z = 3.49, p < 0.001) was a significant predictor for substance dependence. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves showed that Severity of Dependence Scale discriminated patients with or without substance dependence.

Conclusion

Severity of Dependence Scale could represent an interesting screening tool for dependency-like behaviors in CM + MO patients.
Efficacy and safety of exogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate for preventive treatment in episodic migraine: A single-centred, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial
Authors: Putananickal Niveditha , Gross Elena C , Orsini Anna-Lena , Schmidt Simone , Hafner Patricia , Gocheva Vanya , Nagy Sara , Henzi Bettina C , Rubino Daniela , Vogt Deborah R , Cichon Sven , Sandor Peter , Fischer Dirk
Published: September 2021

Background

Several studies propose that brain energy deficit might be partially involved in the pathophysiology of migraine. Previously, studies demonstrated that ketogenic diet causes a substantial reduction in migraine frequency. Since the ketogenic diet is restricting and its adherence is difficult, we proposed to supplement ketone bodies exogenously to provide a prophylactic effect in migraineurs.

Aim

To evaluate the prophylactic effect of exogenous DL-beta-hydroxybutyrate supplementation in episodic migraineurs.

Methods

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised crossover trial was conducted, involving 41 patients with episodic migraine. Patients were randomised 1:1 into placebo or beta-hydroxybutyrate group before entering the first treatment period. Each treatment period was 12 weeks long, followed by four weeks of washout phase and four weeks of run-in phase before entering into the corresponding second treatment period. The primary endpoint was the number of migraine days in the last four weeks of treatment, adjusted for baseline.

Results

We observed no clinically significant amelioration of migraine frequency or intensity under DL-beta-hydroxybutyrate treatment as compared to placebo regarding number of migraine days (mean difference [95% CI]: −1.1[−5.07, 2.85]), migraine intensity (0–10 VAS: 1.5[−0.8, 3.7]).

Conclusion

The selected dose of supplemented exogenous DL-beta-hydroxybutyrate did not demonstrate efficacy in episodic migraineurs. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03132233
Surgical Management of Focal Chondral Defects of the Talus: A Bayesian Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Migliorini Filippo , Maffulli Nicola , Schenker Hanno , Eschweiler Jörg , Driessen Arne , Knobe Matthias , Tingart Markus , Baroncini Alice
Published: September 2021

Background:

No consensus has been reached regarding the optimal surgical treatment for focal chondral defects of the talus.

Purpose:

A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted to compare the clinical scores and complications of mosaicplasty, osteochondral auto- and allograft transplant, microfracture, matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplant, and autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) for chondral defects of the talus at midterm follow-up.

Study Design:

Bayesian network meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

This Bayesian network meta-analysis followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) extension statement for reporting of systematic reviews incorporating network meta-analyses of health care interventions. PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases were accessed in February 2021. All clinical trials comparing 2 or more surgical interventions for the management of chondral defects of the talus were accessed. The outcomes of interest were visual analog scale (VAS) score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, rate of failure, and rate of revision surgery. The network meta-analysis were performed through the routine for Bayesian hierarchical random-effects model analysis. The log odds ratio (LOR) effect measure was used for dichotomous variables, and the standardized mean difference (SMD) was used for continuous variables.

Results:

Data from 13 articles (521 procedures) were retrieved. The median length of the follow-up was 47.8 months (range, 31.7-66.8 months). Analysis of variance revealed no difference between the treatment groups at baseline in terms of age, sex, body mass index, AOFAS score, VAS score, and mean number of defects. AMIC demonstrated the greatest AOFAS score (SMD, 11.27) and lowest VAS score (SMD, –2.26) as well as the lowest rates of failure (LOR, 0.94) and revision (LOR, 0.94). The test for overall inconsistency was not significant.

Conclusion:

At approximately 4 years of follow-up, the AMIC procedure for management of focal chondral defects of the talus produced the best outcome.
A case study on establishing the state of decomposition of municipal solid waste in a bioreactor landfill in India
Authors: Mohammad Arif , Osinski Piotr , Koda Eugeniusz , Singh Devendra Narain
Published: September 2021

Estimation of temporal changes undergone by municipal solid waste (MSW) in its physico–chemico–geomechanical properties in a bioreactor landfill (BLF) is essential for: (i) efficient landfilling, (ii) establishing the state of decomposition of MSW with time and (iii) deciding upon the appropriate time to initiate landfill mining. To achieve this, a series of destructive (DTs) and non-destructive tests (NDTs) can be conducted on the MSW samples in the BLF. With this in view, several DTs were conducted on these samples retrieved from different depths of the two cells of a fully operational BLF in Mumbai, India. Subsequently, the physical and chemical properties of these samples such as composition, moisture content, volatile solids (VS), elemental content, lignocellulosic content (i.e. cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content) and bio-methanation potential, were determined by following the laboratory testing, as a function of time. Also, NDTs such as cone penetration test and multichannel analysis of surface waves were conducted on these cells of BLF to obtain geomechanical parameters (viz. cone resistance, sleeve resistance, friction ratio and shear wave velocity) of the MSW. Based on the data obtained from these tests, and reported in the literature, it has been observed that the VS, elemental content, lignocellulosic content and bio-methanation potential of MSW exhibits very well-defined trends, as compared to the geomechanical parameters, with time. Furthermore, it has been observed that the VS, hydrogen-, carbon- and nitrogen-content reduce significantly (≈62%, 70%, 50% and 30%, respectively), following an exponential decay, until the critical time ( tcr) (≈4 years) has been achieved. As, beyond tcr these parameters remain practically unchanged, which corresponds to the ‘stabilized MSW’, mining of the BLF can be initiated without further delay.
Transesophageal Echocardiography Performed by Intensivist and Emergency Physicians—A 5-Year, Single-Center Experience
Authors: Wray Trenton C. , Johnson Molly , Cluff Shelby , Nguyen Fiona T. , Tawil Isaac , Braude Darren , Hanna Wendy , Azevedo Keith , Venkataramani Ranjani , Dettmer Todd S. , Marinaro Jonathan
Published: September 2021

Purpose: Data on the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) by intensivist physicians (IP) and emergency physicians (EP) are limited. This study aims to characterize the use of TEE by IPs and EPs in critically ill patients at a single center in the United States. Materials and Methods: Retrospective chart review of all critical care TEEs performed from January 1, 2016 to January 31, 2021. The personnel performing the exams, location of the exams, characteristics of exams, complications, and outcome of the patients were reviewed. Results: A total of 396 examinations was reviewed. TEE was performed by IPs (92%) and EPs (9%). The location of TEE included: intensive care unit (87%), emergency department (11%), and prehospital (2%) settings. The most common indications for TEE were: hemodynamic instability/shock (44%), cardiac arrest (23%), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) facilitation, adjustment, or weaning (21%). The most common diagnosis based on TEE were: normal TEE (25%), left ventricular dysfunction (19%), and vasodilatory shock (15%). A management change resulted from 89% of exams performed. Complications occurred in 2% of critical care TEEs. Conclusion: TEE can be successfully performed by IPs and EPs on critically ill patients in multiple clinical settings. TEE frequently informed management changes with few complications.
A Contextual Approach to the Psychological Study of Identity Concealment: Examining Direct, Interactive, and Indirect Effects of Structural Stigma on Concealment Motivation Across Proximal and Distal Geographic Levels
Authors: Lattanner Micah R. , Ford Jessie , Bo Na , Tu Wanzhu , Pachankis John E. , Dodge Brian , Hatzenbuehler Mark L.
Published: September 2021

Psychological theories of identity concealment locate the ultimate source of concealment decisions within the social environment, yet most studies have not explicitly assessed stigmatizing environments beyond the immediate situation. We advanced the identity-concealment literature by objectively measuring structural forms of stigma related to sexual orientation (e.g., social policies) at proximal and distal geographic levels. We linked these measures to a new, population-based data set of 502 gay and bisexual men (residing in 44 states and Washington, DC; 269 counties; and 354 cities) who completed survey items about stigma, including identity-concealment motivation. Among gay men, the association between structural stigma and concealment motivation was (a) observed across three levels (city, county, and state), (b) conditional on one’s exposure at another geographic level (participants reported the least motivations to conceal their identity if they resided in both cities and states that were lowest in structural stigma), and (c) mediated by subjective perceptions of greater structural stigma.
Medical assistance in dying legislation: Hospice palliative care providers’ perspectives
Authors: Joolaee Soodabeh , Ho Anita , Serota Kristie , Hubert Matthieu , Buchman Daniel Z
Published: September 2021

Background:

After over 4 years since medical assistance in dying legalization in Canada, there is still much uncertainty about how this ruling has affected Canadian society.

Objective:

To describe the positive aspects of medical assistance in dying legalization from the perspectives of hospice palliative care providers engaging in medical assistance in dying.

Design:

In this qualitative descriptive study, we conducted an inductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with hospice palliative care providers.

Participants and setting:

Multi-disciplinary hospice palliative care providers in acute, community, residential, and hospice care in Vancouver and Toronto, Canada, who have engaged in end-of-life care planning with patients who have inquired about and/or requested medical assistance in dying.

Ethical considerations:

The research proposal was approved by University of British Columbia Research Ethics Board in Vancouver and University Health Network in Toronto. Participants were informed regarding the research goals, signed a written consent, and were assigned pseudonyms.

Results:

The 48 participants included hospice palliative care physicians (n = 22), nurses (n = 15), social workers (n = 7), and allied health providers (n = 4). The average interview length was 50 min. Positive aspects of medical assistance in dying legalization were identified at (1) the individual level: (a) a new end-of-life option, (b) patients’ last chance to express control over their lives, (c) patient and family comfort and relief, and (d) a unique learning experience for hospice palliative care providers; (2) the team level: (a) supportive collegial relationships, (b) broadened discussions about end-of-life and palliative care, and (c) team debriefs provide opportunities for education and support; and (3) the institutional level: (a) improved processes to facilitate the implementation logistics.

Conclusion:

While being involved in the medical assistance in dying process is complex and challenging, this study sheds light on the positive aspects of medical assistance in dying legalization from the hospice palliative care provider’s perspectives. Medical Assistance in Dying legalization has resulted in improved end-of-life conversations between hospice palliative care providers, patients, and their families. Improved communication leads to a better understanding of patients’ end-of-life care plans and bridges some of the existing gaps between hospice palliative care and medical assistance in dying.
Psychometric evaluation of the Involuntary Musical Imagery Scale (IMIS) in a South African sample
Authors: Pitman Michael M. , Geffen Thomas , Nettleton Philippa
Published: September 2021

Involuntary musical imagery (INMI) is a common variety of musical imagery (MI) that has been a key research interest in the psychology of music over the last ten years. The Involuntary Musical Imagery Scale (IMIS), a closed-ended self-report instrument that offers a standardized means of assessing different aspects of earworm experience, has previously been evaluated psychometrically in at least two predominantly Euro-American samples. This report extends the study of INMI, and of the IMIS in particular, into a multicultural and multilingual African context. Responses to the IMIS from a South African student sample were subjected to factor analysis, reliability analysis, and a series of correlational analyses in order to assess its robustness and suitability for cross-cultural research. Results suggest the IMIS has a robust factor structure, reliability characteristics, and internal intercorrelation patterns when compared to previous findings, even outside a Global North setting. Item and subscale scores generally converged with other indicators of MI and INMI frequency, as well as INMI pleasantness and levels of disturbance. In contrast to the findings of much previous research, IMIS Negative Valence correlated negatively with earworm frequency, section length, and episode length, providing support for the claim that earworms are generally a positive rather than aversive experience. Although IMIS earworm frequency was strongly and positively correlated with INMI frequency, they shared only 36.8% variance – a result consistent with concerns that MI/INMI definitions have considerable impact on self-reports of these phenomena, and specifically that the earworm experience should not be equated with or considered prototypical of INMI experience.
Enhancing the inclusion of gender and sexually diverse populations in evaluation: Reflections grounded in practice
Authors: Adams Jeffery , Neville Stephen
Published: September 2021

Evaluators are committed to practice that is high quality and conducted ethically. Despite this, gender and sexually diverse populations are not always adequately considered in evaluation practice. Ensuring fuller inclusion of gender and sexually diverse people is required to give effect to human rights obligations and to enable comparatively poorer wellbeing outcomes for these groups to be addressed. Based on our experience conducting evaluation (and research) with both general populations and gender and sexually diverse populations, we suggest a need to build inclusive practice among evaluators. To guide inclusive evaluation practice, we outline three domains for consideration – terminology and language, processes of research inclusion and implications of inclusion. These are not offered as a checklist but as a way to encourage reflexive practice among evaluators. Given evaluators are often concerned with promoting equity and social justice, we are hopeful that actions taken by evaluators can enhance the inclusion of gender and sexually diverse people in evaluation activities and contribute to better wellbeing outcomes for them.
Conversations About Children When an Important Adult Is at End of Life: An Audit
Authors: Hanna Jeffrey R. , Rapa Elizabeth , Miller Mary , Turner Madeleine , Dalton Louise J.
Published: September 2021

Purpose:

Health and social care professionals report it challenging to have conversations with families when an important adult in the life of a child is at end of life, often feeling this aspect of care is the responsibility of other colleagues. This study aimed to understand professionals’ perceived role in family-centered conversations as part of routine care at end of life, and how to promote this element of care in clinical practice.

Methods:

An audit was completed with 116 professionals who work in palliative care including doctors and nurses that attended a 2-day virtual congress.

Results:

Professionals (73.2%) felt confident about starting a conversation with adult patients at end of life about important children. However, enquiring about relationships with children was largely dependent on the age of the patient. 64.7% of respondents reported signposting families to websites and services that provide family support. Most professionals (76.7%) wanted training to equip them with the skills and confidence to having family-centered conversations at end of life, with videos demonstrating how to provide these elements of care the most preferred option.

Conclusions:

Short training resources should be developed to equip professionals with the necessary skills toward having conversations about children with patients and relatives in clinical appointments. There is a need for professionals to ask every patient about important relationships with children.
Meta-analysis of Different Pressing Time on the Incidence of Subcutaneous Hemorrhage of Low Molecular Weight Heparin Administration
Authors: Fang Juan , Pan Gefeng , Bao Xufei , Wang Yanhong
Published: September 2021

To investigate the effect of different pressing time on the incidence of subcutaneous hemorrhage of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) administration by meta-analysis. Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMbase, Springer, EBSCO, China Biomedical Literature Database, CNKI, Wanfang Database, and VIP Database were searched. To screen the literature of randomized controlled trials with different pressing time in patients with subcutaneous LMWH injection from the establishment of the database to December 2020. The quality of the literature was evaluated and the data were extracted. Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3. A total of 17 randomized controlled trials were included. Meta-analysis showed that the bleeding rate of pressing for 5 min odds ratio (OR  =  3.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.68-5.64, P < .05) or pressing for 10 min (OR  =  1.99, 95% CI: 1.34-2.95) was significantly lower than that of pressing for 3 min. Moreover, the bleeding rate was significantly lower in the 5 min pressing (OR  =  1.47, 95% CI: 1.18-1.82) and 10 min pressing(OR  =  2.12, 95% CI: 1.61-2.77) than in the no compression group. It is the most suitable time to press 5 min after subcutaneous LMWH injection, which can better control the incidence of bleeding.
Concern About the Adverse Effects of Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis After Adenovirus-Vectored COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Haimei MA
Published: September 2021

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in December, 2019, scientists worldwide have been committed to developing COVID-19 vaccines. Only when most people have immunity to SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 can reduce even wholly overcome. So far, nine kinds of COVID-19 vaccines have passed the phase III clinical trials and have approved for use. At the same time, adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination have also reported. This paper focuses on the adverse effects of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia caused by the COVID-19 vaccine, especially the adenovirus-vector vaccine from AstraZeneca and Pfizer, and discusses its mechanism and possible countermeasures.
Prevalence of groin pain after primary dual-mobility total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Lenartowicz Karina A , Wyles Cody C , Carlson Samuel W , Sierra Rafael J , Trousdale Robert T
Published: September 2021

Background:

Instability remains a challenging problem following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Dual-mobility (DM) components are used with increasing frequency to mitigate this potential complication. As has been shown with larger metal-on-metal (MoM) THA, the larger size femoral head may pose an increased risk of groin pain. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of groin pain following primary DM THA compared to other THA constructs.

Methods:

We identified 190 primary THAs (183 patients) performed with DM components at a single academic institution from 2008 to 2017. We retrospectively reviewed standardised patient questionnaires and the electronic medical record to determine the prevalence of groin pain. DM patients were compared to historical controls of 39 MoM hip resurfacing, 26 large-head MoM THA, and 217 conventional THA. Mean age was 64 years, 58% were female, mean body mass index was 30 kg/m2, and mean follow-up was 3.5 years (range 2–8 years).

Results:

The prevalence of groin pain in patients with DM components was 5%, similar to the prevalence reported by patients with conventional THA (7%). There was a decreased prevalence of groin pain in DM patients compared to hip resurfacing (18%) and MoM THA (15%). Among the 9 DM patients with groin pain, 1 was treated with iliopsoas injection, and 1 underwent radiofrequency ablation of the articular nerve.

Conclusions:

This study documents a relatively low prevalence of groin pain among primary DM THA patients. This is comparable with historical controls of conventional THA and decreased compared to hip resurfacing and large head MoM THA.
Mechanical stretching induces calcification and cartilage matrix metabolism, causing degeneration of the acetabular labrum
Authors: Kawamura Yoshi , Tetsunaga Tomonori , Yamada Kazuki , Sanki Tomoaki , Sato Yoshihiro , Yoshida Aki , Furumatsu Takayuki , Ozaki Toshifumi
Published: September 2021

Purpose:

The acetabular labrum plays an important role in joint lubrication, and damage to this structure leads to osteoarthritis. This study aimed to histologically classify the degree of degeneration of the acetabular labrum and to investigate the changes in gene expression induced by mechanical stretching.

Methods:

We obtained acetabular labrum cells from patients with hip osteoarthritis during total hip arthroplasty ( n = 25). The labrum was stained with safranin O, and images were histologically evaluated using a new parameter, the red/blue (R/B) value. The samples were divided into the degenerated group (D group: n = 18) and the healthy group (H group: n = 7) in accordance with the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade. The cultured acetabular labral cells were subjected to loaded uniaxial cyclic tensile strain (CTS). After CTS, changes in gene expression were examined in both groups.

Results:

Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that the R/B value was significantly correlated with the KL grade and the Krenn score. The expression levels of genes related to cartilage metabolism, osteogenesis and angiogenesis significantly increased after CTS in the H group, while gene expression in the D group showed weaker changes after CTS than that in the H group compared to the nonstretched control group.

Conclusions:

The degree of labral degeneration could be classified histologically using the R/B value and the KL grade. Mechanical stretching caused changes in gene expression that support the pathological features of labral degeneration.
A Computational Approach to Modeling an Antagonistic Angiogenic VEGFR1-IL2 Fusion Protein for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Shafique Qurrat ul Ain , Rehman Hafiz Muzzammel , Zaheer Tahreem , Tahir Rana Adnan , Bhinder Munir Ahmad , Gul Roquyya , Saleem Mahjabeen
Published: September 2021

In cancer treatment, immunotherapy has great potential for improving the prognosis of patients with hematologic and solid malignancies. In this study, various bioinformatics tools and servers were used to design an antiangiogenic fusion protein. After comprehensive evaluation, an antiangiogenic fusion protein was designed using a soluble extracellular domain of human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (sVEGFR-1) and human interleukin-2 (IL-2) joined by a flexible linker. The final construct was composed of 875 amino acids. The secondary structure of the fusion protein, obtained by CFSSP, PSIPRED, and SOPMA tools, consisted of 14.17% helices, 29.71% extended strands, 4.69% beta turns and 51.43% random coils. Tertiary structure prediction by Raptor X showed that the fusion protein comprises 3 domains with 875 modeled amino acids, out of which 26 positions (2%) were considered disordered. The Ramachandran plot revealed 89.3%, 7.1%, and 3.6% amino acid residues in favored, allowed, and outlier regions, respectively. Physical features of the Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulated system such as root mean square deviation, root mean square fluctuation, solvent-on hand surface region, and radius of gyration identified the fusion construct as a stable and compact protein with few fluctuations in its overall structure. Docking of the fusion protein showed that interaction between sVEGFR-1/VEGFA and IL-2/IL-2R still exists. In silico analysis revealed that the fusion protein comprising IL-2 and sVEGFR-1 has stable structure and the selected linker can efficiently separate the two domains. These observations may be helpful in determining protein stability prior to protein expression.
Transient Impact of Dysglycemia on Sputum Conversion among Smear-Positive Tuberculosis Patients in a Tertiary Care Facility in Ghana
Authors: Yorke Ernest , Boima Vincent , Dey Ida Dzifa , Amissah-Arthur Maame-Boatemaa , Ganu Vincent , Amaning-Kwarteng Ernest , Tetteh John , Charles Mate-Kole C.
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Apart from increasing the risk of tuberculosis (TB), diabetes may be associated with more severe disease and lower rates of sputum conversion among TB patients.

METHODS

We conducted a baseline cross-sectional study with a longitudinal follow-up of newly diagnosed smear-positive TB patients for 6 months. Sputum conversion rates between those with dysglycemia and those without were compared at 2 months (end of the intensive phase) and 6 months (end of the treatment). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were computed to assess factors associated with dysglycemia as well as sputum conversion.

RESULTS

A significantly higher proportion of normoglycemic patients had negative sputum compared with those with dysglycemia (83% vs 67%, P-value < .05) at 2 months but not at 6 months (87% vs 77%, P-value > .05). After controlling for age group and adjusting for other covariates, patients with dysglycemia were 66% less likely to convert sputum than those with normoglycemia. Females were at least 7 times more likely than males and those with high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) of 88% were less likely compared with those with low WHR for sputum conversion at 2 months, respectively. At 6 months, females (compared with males) and those with high WHR (compared with those with normal WHR) were at over 9 times increased odds and 89% less likely for sputum conversion, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A significantly lower proportion of smear-positive TB patients with dysglycemia converted to smear negative after 2 months of treatment but not at the end of the treatment, thus suggesting a transient impact of dysglycemia on sputum conversion.
Early Identification, Intervention and Management of Post-stroke Spasticity: Expert Consensus Recommendations
Authors: Bavikatte Ganesh , Subramanian Ganesh , Ashford Stephen , Allison Rhoda , Hicklin Dawn
Published: September 2021

Stroke patients with spasticity usually require long-lasting care and interventions but frequently report that outpatient and community treatment is limited, reflecting a significant unmet need in health and social care provision. Rehabilitation and spasticity management services are essential for patient recovery, with improvements in both activity and participation reducing the burden on patients, family and society. Current clinical guidance provides scope for improvements in both post-stroke management and spasticity prevention. However, access to specialist services can be limited and the patient journey does not always match national recommendations. Identification of spasticity and its predictors and lack of subsequent referral to rehabilitation or specialist spasticity services are key issues in the management of post-stroke spasticity. Implementation of a traffic light classification system prioritises patients at an increased risk of spasticity and promotes early and consistent management across the spectrum of primary and secondary care. The proposed system is based on clinical evidence, expert consensus and recent clinical guidelines. It provides simple and straightforward criteria for management, multidisciplinary consultation and referral to specialist spasticity services, with patients allocated by monitoring requirements and a low (green/periodic monitoring), medium (amber/routine referral) or high risk (red/urgent referral) of spasticity.
Combating workplace discrimination on the basis of HIV status through disability law in Zambia
Authors: Ngoma Dumisani J
Published: September 2021

Zambia has within the last two decades enacted several pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing equality in the labour market and the workplace. However, despite being one of the countries that has been severely devastated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Zambia does not yet have specific legislation targeted at HIV-related stigma and discrimination in the labour market and workplace. Apart from the general prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of health or social status, it remains to be seen whether concepts such as reasonable accommodation have a place in the fight against discrimination and stigma of HIV/AIDS in the Zambian workplace. The purpose of this article is not to argue for the enactment of HIV/AIDS specific legislation in Zambia but to instead argue that despite the absence of such legislation, HIV/AIDS discrimination and stigma can be addressed within the context of the Country’s existing disability discrimination law. The arguments advanced in this article are considered largely within the context of the Zambian High Court case of Stanley Kingaipe & Another v The Attorney General.
The ‘feminisation’ of psychiatric discourse: A Marxist analysis of women’s roles in neoliberal society
Authors: Cohen Bruce MZ , Hartmann Rearna
Published: September 2021

In analysing the increasing rates of female ‘mental illness’ in neoliberal society, this article draws on Marxist and feminist theory to conceptualise psychiatry as an institution of patriarchal and capitalist power, responsible for reinforcing traditional gender roles. Through outlining the changing circumstances of women, including the recent ‘feminisation’ of the labour force, we argue that there has been a more acute need for patriarchal capitalism to curtail the emancipatory potential of women through the heightened enforcement of sex-role ideology. This is demonstrated through a profile of ‘feminised’ mental disorders which have appeared in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM) since 1980 – including premenstrual dysphoric disorder and female sexual interest/arousal disorder – which we argue purposely reproduce a discourse which restricts women’s advancements in paid employment while reinforcing the cliché of ‘respectable femininity’ as still primarily associated with the family and the home. We conclude the article by suggesting that, under the conditions of neoliberalism, the mental health system is becoming an increasingly powerful institution for the social control of gender.
Let’s WhatsApp! Generation X couples’ online and offline relationship patterns in the digital age
Authors: Nadel Harony Tal , Einav Gali , Galily Yair
Published: September 2021

This article proposes that WhatsApp can offer insights into couples’ relationships. Based on Gottman’s therapy model, which mathematically analyzes marital conflicts, this study focuses on couples’ WhatsApp correspondence and asks to what extent it reflects the offline relationships of Generation X. The research was conducted over a year using semi-structured interviews with 18 couples who have been in a relationship for at least 5 years. The couples described their discourse on WhatsApp and the dynamics of their relationship offline. The findings indicate that WhatsApp use mirrors offline relationships. The following four types of interaction were identified: (1) technical, (2) practical, (3) casual, and (4) emotional. In addition, the following three patterns of conflictual behavior that correspond with Gottman’s distinctions were identified: (1) logical, (2) emotional, and (3) avoidant. The article cites WhatsApp’s potential for behavioral observation and the possibility of using it to change relationship dynamics.
Riding shotgun – Front-seat research and the socio-material considerations of ethnography on the move
Authors: Dahl Johanne Yttri , Tjora Aksel
Published: September 2021

In this article, we explore methodological considerations of using the car as space for ethnographic research on police work. With a socio-material perspective, we are concerned about how the car’s particular materiality and mobility shapes social interaction that takes place within it. We argue that this affects the researcher role, and that the researcher’s spatial position in the car affects the researcher role further. The position’s impact on interaction is made evident when the researcher is ‘riding shotgun’, rather than being placed in the back seat. We argue that this front-seat role comes with increased reciprocity towards the driver/officer, demanding a more (inter) active research practice. Hence, the riding shotgun position potentially increases the empirical input with the closer interaction between the researched and the researcher. More generally, the case illustrates the very delicate considerations of researcher positioning within ethnography on the move.
Primary school expectations: the invisible curriculum as a tool for understanding learning inequalities
Authors: Netter Julien
Published: September 2021

This paper reports the results of a study aimed at understanding the processes governing the construction of educational inequalities in French classrooms, the French school system being particularly unequal. Traditional explanations have focused on the factors governing the production of inequalities but have not always shown how these factors translate into learning inequalities in class. Consistent with relational approaches, the study draws on ethnographic research conducted over an 18-month period in 6 socially contrasting Parisian schools. Both students from wealthy families considered to be ‘high-achieving’ and students from poor families viewed as being ‘low-achieving’ were observed over the course of full school days to understand the factors that lead them to develop different activities. The evidence suggests that children interpret teacher expectations very differently, although the same expectations were observed in all the classes observed during the study. These expectations point to an invisible curriculum operating alongside the formal curriculum and generally perceived only by high-achieving students, who are able to grasp and understand it through their prior socialization. A further characteristic of the invisible curriculum is that it is rarely made explicit by teachers. This finding highlights the need to further examine explicitation strategies in schools.