bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Olfactory Dysfunction in Patients With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Disease-Modifying Therapies
Authors: Wnuk Marcin , Drabik Leszek , Marona Monika , Szaleniec Joanna , Bryll Amira , Karcz Paulina , Kolasinska Justyna , Kolasinska Monika , Ziekiewicz Maciej , Skladzien Jacek , Popiela Tadeusz , Slowik Agnieszka
Published: November 2020

Background:

Olfactory dysfunction evaluated with time-consuming tests was more common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in controls and correlated with neurological deficit. The aim of the present study was to compare olfactory function between patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and controls with short and simple screening tool—the Sniffin’ Sticks Identification Test (SSIT)—and search for its association with clinical and radiological features of the disease.

Methods:

The study included 30 controls and 30 patients with RRMS treated with disease-modifying therapies—injectables (interferon β or glatiramer acetate, N = 18) and oral drugs (dimethyl fumarate or fingolimod, N = 12). Hyposmia was defined as a score of 6 points or fewer in the SSIT olfactory test. The data concerning number of previous relapses, disability in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and recent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan were collected. Moreover, thalamic volume and third ventricle width were recorded in every patient. Additionally, cognition and fatigue in patients were evaluated 24 months after olfactory assessment with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC), respectively.

Results:

Patients with RRMS had a higher risk of hyposmia than controls (66.7% vs 36.7%, OR = 1.82, 95% CI, 1.10-3.67, P = .02). Neither inflammatory (number of previous relapses or new brain MRI lesions) nor neurodegenerative (EDSS, SDMT, and FSMC scores; thalamic volume; third ventricle width) MS features did not correlate with SSIT score ( P > .05). In patients treated with oral drugs, olfactory dysfunction correlated with FSMC cognitive subscale ( r = −0.90, P = .006).

Conclusions:

Olfactory dysfunction is nearly twice as common in RRMS as in controls and correlates with fatigue level in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate or fingolimod.
The Effect of an Educational Intervention Based on the Health Belief Model on Preventive Behaviors of Prostate Cancer in Military Men
Authors: Abhar Rasoul , Hassani Laleh , Montaseri Maryam , Ardakani Mahdi Paydar
Published: November 2020

Background

Prostate cancer is the most common malignant cancer, and after lung cancer, is the second cause of death among all types of cancer in men. This study was done to assess the educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model on the promotion of preventive behaviors of prostate cancer among military men.

Methods

The present study is a semi-experimental study that was conducted on 80 men of a military collection by using randomized-stratified sampling with proportional allocation approach in BandarAbbas in 2017. The individuals were randomly divided into two groups, intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 40). The data collection tool was a questionnaire including demographic questions, knowledge questions and questions about Health Belief Model constructs and efficiency of preventive behavior that was completed in two stages and PSA Test doing. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software-version 21-, descriptive statistics (frequency, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent T-test and paired T-test).

Results

After three months intervention, the mean score of Perceived Susceptibility, Severity, Benefits, Barriers, Self-Efficacy, and preventive behavior performance were seen significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05), 52.5% of them was done PSA Test.

Conclusions

Based on the health belief model, educational intervention has been effective in promoting preventive behaviors. According the effect of Health Belief Model components on preventive behaviors it is suggested that health care providers identify the benefits and barriers of preventative behaviors and through enhancing the benefits and reducing the barriers, help men to prevent prostate cancer.
Evaluation of Lip Position in Esthetically Pleasing Profiles Using Different Reference Lines: A Photographic Study
Authors: Pandey Shweta , Kapoor Sudhir , Agarwal Sonahita , Shukla Ivy
Published: November 2020

The aim of this article is to assess the lip position using five different reference lines in individuals with a pleasing profile.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample size of 200 subjects chosen from the local North Indian population. Non-growing subjects, between the age group of 18 years and 25 years with a pleasing facial profile were screened for the study via a questionnaire-based method to confirm their North Indian ancestry (history of past two generations from North India). All subjects included in the study gave their due consent to be a part of the study.

The following conclusions were derived: Norms for the horizontal lip position were derived for the North Indian population. Upper lip position in relation to S1 (Steiner’s) line and Ricketts’ E line showed females having protrusive lips, while S2 (Sushner’s) line showed protrusive upper lip in males. S1 (Steiner’s) line, showing protrusive lower lip in females. The norms derived in this study showed statistically significant difference with retrusive upper and lower lips when compared to normative values of Ricketts’ E plane and retrusive lower lip when compared to normative values of Sushner’s line. Sushner’s S2 line showed the maximum stability and consistency; hence, it is the line of choice to judge the sagittal lip positions in profile analysis.
Is IR Theory White? Racialised Subject-Positioning in Three Canonical Texts
Authors: Sabaratnam Meera
Published: November 2020

Racism is a historically specific structure of modern global power which generates hierarchies of the human and affirms White supremacy. This has far-reaching material and epistemological consequences in the present, one of which is the production and naturalisation of White-racialised subject positions in academic discourse. This article develops a framework for analysing Whiteness through subject-positioning, synthesising insights from critical race scholarship that seek to dismantle its epistemological tendencies. This framework identifies White subject-positioning as patterned by interlocking epistemologies of immanence, ignorance, and innocence. The article then interrogates how these epistemological tendencies produce limitations and contradictions in international theory through an analysis of three seminal and canonical texts: Kenneth Waltz’s Theory of International Politics (1979), Robert Keohane’s After Hegemony (1984) and Alexander Wendt’s Social Theory of International Politics (1999). It shows that these epistemologies produce contradictions and weaknesses within the texts by systematically severing the analysis of the international system and the ‘West’ from its actual imperial conditions of possibility. The article outlines pathways for overcoming these limitations and suggests that continued inattention to the epistemological consequences of race for International Relations (IR) theory is intellectually unsustainable.
Cycles of invisibility: The limits of transparency in dealing with scientific misconduct
Authors: Hesselmann Felicitas , Reinhart Martin
Published: November 2020

Sanctions for plagiarism, falsification and fabrication in research are primarily symbolic. This paper investigates sanctions for scientific misconduct and their preceding investigation processes as visible and legitimate symbols. Using three different data sources (retraction notices, expert interviews, and a survey of scientists), we show that sanctions for scientific misconduct operate within a cycle of visibility, in which sanctions are highly visible, while investigation and decision-making procedures remain mostly invisible. This corresponds to high levels of acceptance of sanctions in the scientific community, but a low acceptance of the respective authorities. Such a punitiveness in turn exacerbates confidentiality concerns, so that authorities become even more secretive. We argue that punitiveness towards scientific misconduct is driven by such a cycle of invisibility.
Accurate Arthroscopic Cam Resection Normalizes Contact Stresses in Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement
Authors: Van Houcke Jan , Khanduja Vikas , Audenaert Emmanuel A.
Published: November 2020

Background:

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is increasingly recognized as a cause of hip pain in young adults. The condition leads to chondrolabral separation and chondral delamination and eventually predisposes to osteoarthritis of the hip. FAI that inflicts cartilage damage has been observed in hips with abnormal morphological characteristics and is related to a long-term evolution toward osteoarthritis. Arthroscopic surgery, which allows for correction of morphological characteristics and restores impingement-free motions, is the current standard of treatment.

Hypothesis:

Arthroscopic cam resection can restore the normal mechanical environment of the hip joint in cam-type FAI.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

Patient-specific discrete element models from 10 patients with cam-type FAI (all male; age, 18-40 years) were defined based on preoperative computed tomography scans and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Complete cam resection postoperatively on MRI was confirmed with alpha angles <55°. The preoperative and postoperative peak contact stress findings during impingement testing were compared against a matched control group.

Results:

Peak contact stress was significantly elevated in patients with cam-type FAI during impingement testing, with increasing amounts of internal hip rotation (26.6 ± 11.64 MPa in cam patients preoperatively, 12.1 ± 4.62 MPa in those same patients postoperatively, and 11.4 ± 1.72 MPa in the virtual control group during impingement testing at 20° of internal hip rotation; P < .01). This effect was normalized after arthroscopic cam resection and loading patterns matched those of the control group.

Conclusion:

Accurate arthroscopic cam resection restored the normal peak joint contact stresses in the hip joint. This highlights the importance of early and complete cam resections in the face of a positive diagnosis of cam-type FAI.

Clinical Relevance:

Treatment of cam-type FAI effectively normalizes hip joint contact mechanics.
Early Tracheostomy Is Associated With Shorter Ventilation Time and Duration of ICU Stay in Patients With Myasthenic Crisis—A Multicenter Analysis
Authors: Angstwurm Klemens , Vidal Amelie , Stetefeld Henning , Dohmen Christian , Mergenthaler Philipp , Kohler Siegfried , Schönenberger Silvia , Bösel Julian , Neumann Ursula , Lee De-Hyung , Gerner Stefan T. , Huttner Hagen B. , Thieme Andrea , Dunkel Juliane , Roth Christian , Schneider Hauke , Schimmel Eik , Reichmann Heinz , Fuhrer Hannah , Berger Benjamin , Kleiter Ingo , Schneider-Gold Christiane , Alberty Anke , Zinke Jan , Schalke Berthold , Steinbrecher Andreas , Meisel Andreas , Neumann Bernhard
Published: November 2020

Background:

Myasthenic crisis (MC) requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) is a rare and serious complication of myasthenia gravis. Here we analyzed the frequency of performed tracheostomies, risk factors correlating with a tracheostomy, as well as the impact of an early tracheostomy on ventilation time and ICU length of stay (LOS) in MC.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review on patients treated for MC in 12 German neurological departments between 2006 and 2015 to assess demographic/diagnostic data, rates and timing of tracheostomy and outcome.

Results:

In 107 out of 215 MC (49.8%), a tracheostomy was performed. Patients without tracheostomy were more likely to have an early-onset myasthenia gravis (27 [25.2%] vs 12 [11.5%], p = 0.01). Patients receiving a tracheostomy, however, were more frequently suffering from multiple comorbidities (20 [18.7%] vs 9 [8.3%], p = 0.03) and also the ventilation time (34.4 days ± 27.7 versus 7.9 ± 7.8, p < 0.0001) and ICU-LOS (34.8 days ± 25.5 versus 12.1 ± 8.0, p < 0.0001) was significantly longer than in non-tracheostomized patients. Demographics and characteristics of the course of the disease up to the crisis were not significantly different between patients with an early (within 10 days) compared to a late tracheostomy. However, an early tracheostomy correlated with a shorter duration of MV at ICU (26.2 days ± 18.1 versus 42.0 ± 33.1, p = 0.006), and ICU-LOS (26.2 days ± 14.6 versus 42.3 ± 33.0, p = 0.003).

Conclusion:

Half of the ventilated patients with MC required a tracheostomy. Poorer health condition before the crisis and late-onset MG were associated with a tracheostomy. An early tracheostomy (≤ day 10), however, was associated with a shorter duration of MV and ICU-LOS by 2 weeks.
Determinants of Antidepressant Treatment and Outpatient Rehabilitation Within the First Year After Stroke
Authors: Ladwig Simon , Werheid Katja
Published: November 2020

This study aims to identify individual determinants of antidepressant treatment and outpatient rehabilitation after stroke. People with ischemic stroke ( N = 303) recruited at 2 inpatient rehabilitation clinics were included into a prospective longitudinal study with follow-up telephone interviews 6 and 12 months later. Participants reported on their use of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy as well as physical, occupational, speech, and neuropsychological therapy. The use of antidepressants at discharge ( n = 65, 23.8%) was predicted by the severity of depressive symptoms, severity of stroke, history of depression, and use of antidepressants at admission (all p < .05, R2= .55). The number of outpatient rehabilitation services used at follow-ups was predicted by higher functional and cognitive impairment, higher education, younger age, severity of depressive symptoms, and lower self-efficacy (all p < .05; R26M = .24, R212M = .49). The relevance of identified determinants for the improvement of treatment rates after stroke is discussed.
Development of a parametric packaging and sizing tool for autonomous electric bus system
Authors: Sethuraman Ganesh , Tran Phi Robert , Ongel Aybike , Lienkamp Markus , Raksincharoensak Pongsathorn
Published: November 2020

The demand for autonomous electric public transport is increasing globally. New vehicle models and variants are increasing the development complexity and hence the overall development time. Therefore, there is a requirement for a vehicle-packaging tool that can translate user inputs into an optimised vehicle package and can be visualised instantly. The aim of this paper is to develop a parametric tool for designing different concepts for electric autonomous buses. The scope of application is intended in the early phase of the vehicle development process to enable a fast and efficient creation of a flexible bus concept. Through a graphical user interface (GUI), the user is able to size and select all the required components for the autonomous vehicle concepts. The vehicle specification is initiated by selection of one of the three classes of vehicle, the desired number of passengers and then the bus interior’s seat arrangement design. An appropriate powertrain and chassis will then automatically be configured in the next steps. The HVAC simulation allows for the design of different components of the refrigeration circuit to ensure proper cabin temperature. For evaluating the concept, the energy consumption is analysed through simulations, and an estimated initial cost of vehicle concepts and individual systems completes the concept. A spider chart summarises all characteristics and offers an overview of the vehicle concept, providing the possibility to compare with other concepts simultaneously. The tool can create 9600 different bus concepts and provides interfaces for expansion.
Implementation of anisotropic soft pads in a surgical gripper for secure and gentle grip on vulnerable tissues
Authors: van Assenbergh Peter , Culmone Costanza , Breedveld Paul , Dodou Dimitra
Published: November 2020

Current surgical grippers rely on friction grip, where normal loads (i.e. pinch forces) are translated into friction forces. Operating errors with surgical grippers are often force-related, including tissue slipping out of the gripper because of too low pinch forces and tissue damaging due to too high pinch forces. Here, we prototyped a modular surgical gripper with elastomeric soft pads reinforced in the shear direction with a carbon-fiber fabric. The elastomeric component provides low normal stiffness to maximize contact formation without the need of applying high normal loads (i.e. pinch forces), whereas the carbon-fiber fabric offers high shear stiffness to preserve the formed contact under the lateral loads (i.e. shear forces) that occur during tissue lifting. Additionally, we patterned the pads with a sub-surface micropattern, to further reduce the normal stiffness and increase shear stiffness. The body of the prototype gripper, including shaft, joints, and gripper tips, was fabricated in a single step using 3D printing, followed by manual attachment of the soft pads to the gripper. The gripping performance of the newly developed soft gripper on soft tissues was experimentally compared to reference grippers equipped with metal patterned pads. The soft-pad gripper generated similar gripping forces but significantly lower pinch forces than metal-pad grippers. We conclude that grippers with anisotropic-stiffness pads are promising for secure and gentle tissue grip.
High prevalence of recreational and illicit drug use in German people living with HIV with a potential for drug–drug interactions with antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Funke B , Spinner CD , Esser S , Stellbrink HJ , Stoehr A , Wolf E , Koegl C , Bruening J , Witte V
Published: November 2020

Recreational drug use is higher in people living with HIV (PLHIV) than in the general population in Europe. This use increases the risk for drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and adverse events. We assessed the prevalence and clinical consequences of substance abuse among PLHIV. BESIDE was a cross-sectional, multi-center study in 2016/18, evaluating comorbidities, polypharmacy and recreational/illicit drug use in PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Germany. Legal and illicit drug use was recorded using two anonymous patient questionnaires one year apart (Q1 and Q2). The BESIDE study population consisted of 453 PLHIV (22% female, median age 46 years). Recreational drug use was reported by the majority (Q1: ever used 73%, within previous 6 months 56%): nitrite inhalants (“poppers”), cannabis and PDE-5 inhibitors were common across all age groups; ecstasy, (meth-)amphetamine and gamma-hydroxybutyrate/gamma-butyrolactone were predominantly reported by younger PLHIV. Based on Q2, two-thirds of PLHIV (67%) had been informed about potential risks of drug abuse by their doctors, whereas one-third (33%) had talked to their doctors on their own initiative with only 7% considering drug use in combination with ART a problem. Strikingly, 44% and 42% had undergone medical treatment or had been hospitalized due to drug use. These data emphasize the high clinical relevance of recreational drug use in PLHIV and the need for treating physicians to pro-actively communicate the potential risks.
Employing a latent variable framework to improve efficiency in composite endpoint analysis
Authors: McMenamin Martina , Barrett Jessica K , Berglind Anna , Wason James MS
Published: November 2020

Composite endpoints that combine multiple outcomes on different scales are common in clinical trials, particularly in chronic conditions. In many of these cases, patients will have to cross a predefined responder threshold in each of the outcomes to be classed as a responder overall. One instance of this occurs in systemic lupus erythematosus, where the responder endpoint combines two continuous, one ordinal and one binary measure. The overall binary responder endpoint is typically analysed using logistic regression, resulting in a substantial loss of information. We propose a latent variable model for the systemic lupus erythematosus endpoint, which assumes that the discrete outcomes are manifestations of latent continuous measures and can proceed to jointly model the components of the composite. We perform a simulation study and find that the method offers large efficiency gains over the standard analysis, the magnitude of which is highly dependent on the components driving response. Bias is introduced when joint normality assumptions are not satisfied, which we correct for using a bootstrap procedure. The method is applied to the Phase IIb MUSE trial in patients with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus. We show that it estimates the treatment effect 2.5 times more precisely, offering a 60% reduction in required sample size.
When Ignoring Negative Feedback Is Functional: Presenting a Model of Motivated Feedback Disengagement
Authors: Grundmann Felix , Scheibe Susanne , Epstude Kai
Published: November 2020

Contrary to popular belief, negative feedback occasionally hinders performance improvements. Investigations targeting this feedback-performance gap usually rest on two assumptions: (a) Feedback recipients want to improve their performance (have an improvement goal), and (b) feedback recipients engage with the negative feedback. We argue that people sometimes disengage from negative feedback for hedonic-goal attainment (to feel good). To explain such functional feedback disengagement, we conceptualize feedback processing from an emotion-regulation perspective, the model of motivated feedback disengagement. We posit that feedback-induced negative affect may render hedonic goals more salient than improvement goals, motivating emotion regulation. After forming the intention to regulate their emotions, feedback recipients select and implement an emotion-regulation strategy. We consider two common engagement strategies (reappraisal and feedback focus) and two common disengagement strategies (distraction and feedback removal). These strategies differentially impact recipients’ affect and feedback processing. Strategy-, person-, and situation-related factors influence strategy choice. Feedback processing is cyclical and dynamically unfolds over time. The model provides novel directions for future investigations and practical implications for stakeholders in negative-feedback contexts.
Exploring the Relationship Between Celebrity Worship and Brand Equity: The Mediating Role of Self-brand Connection
Authors: Parmar Yadvinder , Mann Bikram Jit Singh
Published: November 2020

The main objective of this research is to investigate the triadic relationship among celebrity worship, self-brand connection and brand equity. Specifically, it aims to investigate the role of self-brand connections as a mediating variable in the relationship between celebrity worship and brand equity. The results of the conditional process analysis revealed that celebrity worship influences brand equity through direct as well as indirect pathways. It reveals that there is a direct and positive influence of celebrity worship on brand equity. It also finds that the consumer self-brand connection mediated the effect of celebrity worship on brand equity, extending support for the indirect influence on brand equity enrichment. The findings of the study offer key insights for academicians and marketing practitioners. It is one of the pioneering studies in the field of celebrity worship which helps academicians decipher the impact of celebrity as idols on the endorsed brand equity. Brand managers can use the findings for targeting niche consumer segments who are celebrity worshippers as they are more likely to remain loyal to the brand. They can also benefit from developing relationships with consumers as these may transform into long-lasting benefits for the brand.
Cancer Incidence in Samoa: A 10-Year Retrospective Survey (2007-2016)
Authors: Amosa-Lei Sam Filipina , Akinremi Ayodele , Mery Les , Sarfati Diana , Stanley James , Gurney Jason
Published: November 2020

Samoa is not immune to the growing global incidence of cancer, which is disproportionately high in low- and middle-income countries. As a preliminary step to upscale our population-based cancer registry initiatives in Samoa, we conducted a 10-year survey of cancer incidences in Samoa from 2007 to 2016. We reviewed all laboratory and clinically confirmed cases of cancer from 2007 to 2016 covering both government and nongovernment facilities. Cancer incidence increased steadily from 2007 (28.5 per 100 000) to 2012 (67.1 per 100 000). The incidence rate decreased in 2013 (from 67.1 cases in 2012 to 51.4 cases per 100 000 in 2013); and in 2015 (from 65.1 cases in 2014 to 54.3 cases per 100 000 in 2015). From 2012 to 2016, the incidence rate fluctuates between 50 and 65 cases per 100 000. Cancers of female genitalia, breast, and digestive system were the most common types in female and males, respectively.
Cost-Effectiveness of Instructional Coaching: Implementing a Design-Based, Continuous Improvement Model to Advance Teacher Professional Development
Authors: Knight David S. , Skrtic Thomas M.
Published: November 2020

Schools devote substantial resources to teacher professional development each year. Yet studies show much of this investment is directed toward ineffective short-term workshops that have little impact on instructional change or student outcomes. At the same time, more intensive job-embedded forms of professional learning, such as instructional coaching, require substantially more resources than traditional professional development. We report the results of a two-year study assessing the cost-effectiveness of instructional coaching through a design-based, continuous improvement research model. We study iterative, inquiry cycles in which educators collect data and make changes to the coaching model based on multiple rounds of implementation. We determined the effectiveness of coaching during each iteration by tracking the number of times teachers and coaches reached student-outcome based goals set during the coaching cycle. We assess the cost of implementing the coaching model for each of the three iterations by monitoring staff time allocations and other resource use. Results show that across five schools, the cost of the coaching intervention decreased substantially from the first iteration to the second iteration but increased moderately during the third iteration. Our findings suggest that coaching programs can become more cost-effective over time, as coaches and teachers refine their work together. While specific design features of the study limit generalizability of our findings, the study demonstrates how improvement science or design-based research can be combined with cost-effectiveness research to improve practice in local settings.
Distributed min-projection control: A switching consensus protocol for switched affine multi-agent systems
Authors: Sinafar Behzad , Badamchizadeh Mohammad Ali , Kharrati Hamed , Baradarannia Mahdi
Published: November 2020

In this study, a distributed control problem is addressed for switched affine multi-agent systems. In dynamical systems with an affine control input, the use of error feedback is essential for the realization of consensus protocols, but different from most existing results with affine control multi-agent systems, switched affine multi-agent systems face additional difficulties in the analysis and control; meanwhile, affine diffusive coupling consensus algorithms are not applicable. For this reason, a switching signal is considered as a control mechanism. We study switched networks in which the leader’s state is accessible only for a portion of agents, and the Lyapunov matrix-based min-projection control strategy is proposed to determine the active mode for each agent based on the state information of the neighbors. Using parameter-dependent stability analysis, a range of different reference points can be tracked by distributed min-projection switching without any redesigning. Also, benefiting from the hybrid dynamical system, min-projection switch is modified such that a periodic time-triggered sampled control is introduced to obtain finite switching frequency. Finally, a multi-motor system fed by DC–DC buck–boost converters is simulated for a stepwise changing of leader signal and different dwell-time switching, and the effectiveness of proposed method is assessed.
When the Aims and the Ends of Health Care Misalign
Authors: Berry Leonard L. , Attai Deanna J. , Scammon Debra L. , Awdish Rana Lee Adawi
Published: November 2020

In health care, a high-emotion service, unintended consequences can be especially problematic. People’s physical, psychological, and financial well-being—even their lives—are at stake. As scientific, technological, and demographic changes make health care a much more complex service to deliver, efforts to anticipate, avoid, and correct unintended consequences become more crucial. Using narrative examples and an extensive review of the data and the literature, we explore these efforts in four domains of U.S. health care: (1) the increasingly widespread, often challenging use of electronic health records; (2) the threat to the patient-clinician relationship from a greater, sometimes narrow emphasis on productivity metrics; (3) the culture of medicine’s frequently misguided prioritizing of treatment over true healing; and (4) the overreliance on family caregivers who are often poorly prepared to care for the seriously ill. We then apply lessons from health care’s unintended consequences to non-health-care services and suggest opportunities for service researchers to contribute to improving health care delivery, a service that all of us need.
Intraocular mitomycin C use in the treatment and prophylaxis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy in severe traumatic retinal detachments
Authors: Gürelik Gökhan , Sül Sabahattin , Üçgül Ahmet Yücel
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

To evaluate the anatomic and visual outcomes of a new intraocular mitomycin c (MMC) application technique in the treatment of severe traumatic retinal detachment (RD) with advance proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

Methods:

The records of 15 eyes of 14 patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery and intraoperative MMC application were reviewed retrospectively.

Surgical technique:

After performing complicated vitreoretinal surgical procedures (Pars plana vitrectomy, PVR membrane stripping, large retinotomy/retinectomies and intraocular foreign body removal if found etc. . .) retina was attached with perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) and partial fluid-air exchange. Endolaser was performed. PFCL was removed to the posterior borders of retinochoroidal wounds, breaks or retinectomy sites. The remaining PFCL was enough to cover and prevent MMC contact with the posterior vital structures including optic disc, macula and underlying RPE and major vascular arcades. Ciliary epithelium and other anterior segment structures were protected from MMC contact with the use of air in the rest of the eye. Then, a 10 µg/mL concentrated MMC solution was carefully injected above the PFCL bubble until it covered PVR or potential areas of PVR development and removed after 60 s. Finally, the remaining PFCL was removed and all eyes were filled with silicone oil. The patients were followed at least 6 months after silicone oil removal. Visual and anatomic outcomes were determined during follow-up period.

Results:

The mean follow-up time was 19.6 ± 6 months (range 12–27 months). About 100% retinal attachment was achieved with one vitreoretinal surgery during the follow-up period. PVR was not detected around the retinal breaks or retinotomy sites in any eye. Limited macular epiretinal membrane was detected in two eyes and subsequently peeled during silicone oil removal. Preoperative visual acuities were hand motions in seven eyes and light perception in eight eyes. Nine of 15 eyes had a visual acuity of ⩾0.1 during the follow-up period. The mean preoperative visual acuity was logMAR 2.16 ± 0.15 and postoperative visual acuity was 0.80 ± 0.50 ( p = 0.001). There were no additional complications related to intraoperative MMC use during follow-up period.

Conclusion:

Temporary intraocular MMC use in vitreoretinal surgery yielded good anatomic and visual outcomes after the treatment of traumatic RDs with PVR or those with high risk of PVR development. Furthermore, MMC application appeared to prevent further PVR development after vitreoretinal surgery.
Validation of virtual reality system based on eye-tracking technologies to support clinical assessment of glaucoma
Authors: Martínez-Almeida Nistal Ignacio , Lampreave Acebes Paula , Martínez-de-la-Casa José María , Sánchez-González Patricia
Published: November 2020

Aim:

The aim was to develop and implement a virtual reality tool based on eye-tracking technologies that allow to evaluate the characteristics of the gaze patterns of glaucoma patients in order to have a better understanding of the limitations that these patients experience in their daily life.

Setting:

This study took place on the Ophthalmology department of Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.

Methods:

In total, 56 participants collaborated in the study. They were divided in two groups, a group composed of 33 glaucoma patients selected by the Ophthalmology department and a control group composed of 23 healthy individuals. Both groups completed two virtual tasks while their gaze was being monitored. The first task, defined as “static” consisted in two exercises based on the observation of images. The second task, defined as “dynamic,” consisted in a virtual driving simulator. Number of fixations, fixations duration, saccades amplitude and velocity, fixations/saccades ratio, total execution time, and other specific metrics were measured. These are the total search time for the second exercise of the first task and the number of collisions for the dynamic task. In addition, the dispersion of fixations was also discussed.

Results:

For the two exercises of the static task, patients exhibited significative differences in terms of number of fixations ( p = 0.012 in free observation exercise), mean saccadic velocity ( p = 0.023 and 0.017), fixations/saccades ratio ( p = 0.035 and 0.04), and also the search and total execution times of the visual search exercise ( p = 0.004 and 0.027, respectively). For the dynamic task, significative differences were found on average saccades amplitude ( p = 0.02), average saccades velocity ( p = 0.03), and the number of collisions ( p = 0.02).

Conclusion:

The results show that eye-tracking technologies can be used as a tool for evaluating the gaze patterns of glaucoma patients and differentiate them of healthy individuals. However, further studies with a larger cohort of participants and additional tasks are needed.
A case study of acoustic intervention in classrooms
Authors: Abraham Ajish K , Ravishankar M S
Published: November 2020

High reverberation times (RTs) have always been an acoustic barrier to effective learning in classrooms. Acoustic corrections to reduce RT involve complex acoustic treatment. Previous studies have indicated that classrooms in most schools do not meet the established acoustic criteria, as the school authorities refrain from such acoustic treatment. Aim of the study was to optimize the RT within classrooms through easily-implementable acoustic corrections. Different combinations of acoustic corrections have been experimented in eight classrooms, through a step-by-step approach to optimize RT. After each acoustic modification, the RT was measured and the speech clarity parameter C50, was estimated. At the final step, RT of the classrooms was diminished to a mean value of 0.74 s (standard deviation = 0.04) from the initial mean value of 4.37 s (standard deviation = 0.42). C50 values corresponding to the final acoustic correction were found to fall within good speech intelligibility scale.
Men’s psychiatric distress in context: Understanding the impact of masculine discrepancy stress, race, and barriers to help-seeking
Authors: Berke Danielle S , Liautaud Madalyn , Tuten Madeleine
Published: November 2020

This study examined perceived barriers to help-seeking as mechanisms by which masculinity may generate risk for psychiatric distress in men. An online sample of 558 men completed self-report measures of masculine discrepancy stress (i.e. distress about one’s perceived gender nonconformity), barriers to help-seeking, and psychiatric distress. A significant indirect effect of masculine discrepancy stress on psychiatric distress emerged through perceived barriers to help-seeking; notably, this effect was stronger among Men of Color (vs White men). The promotion of optimal psychiatric functioning in men may necessitate interventions that target the effects of masculine socialization and race-related stress on help-seeking attitudes.
Why do so few people share fake news? It hurts their reputation
Authors: Altay Sacha , Hacquin Anne-Sophie , Mercier Hugo
Published: November 2020

In spite of the attractiveness of fake news stories, most people are reluctant to share them. Why? Four pre-registered experiments ( N = 3,656) suggest that sharing fake news hurt one’s reputation in a way that is difficult to fix, even for politically congruent fake news. The decrease in trust a source (media outlet or individual) suffers when sharing one fake news story against a background of real news is larger than the increase in trust a source enjoys when sharing one real news story against a background of fake news. A comparison with real-world media outlets showed that only sources sharing no fake news at all had similar trust ratings to mainstream media. Finally, we found that the majority of people declare they would have to be paid to share fake news, even when the news is politically congruent, and more so when their reputation is at stake.
Helping Deluxe Beds to sleep easy: A case study of agile project management
Authors: Javed Sammar , Bamford Jim , Abualqumboz Moheeb
Published: November 2020

This case study describes the embedding of the Scrum project management framework as an innovation and operational improvement tool within a manufacturing Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) in the UK. The teaching notes inform 1) other UK manufacturing SMEs with novice teams, and 2) students at undergraduate and postgraduate level exploring innovation and operations management/improvement. The case advances our understanding of how small family-run manufacturing businesses can use contemporary frameworks such as Scrum to improve business operations and innovation.

Deluxe Beds Ltd is a family SME manufacturing beds and mattresses with a technically novice workforce mainly with no formal educational background.
Feedback in Reflective Journals Fosters Reflection Skills of Student Teachers
Authors: Pieper Martin , Roelle Julian , vom Hofe Rudolf , Salle Alexander , Berthold Kirsten
Published: November 2020

The main goal of this study was to test whether feedback from a lecturer and tutor on an initial reflective journal entry fosters reflection quality in a subsequent journal entry and reflection skills in student teachers. To address these questions, we, a team of educators and psychologists, conducted a field experiment during the practical semester. Student teachers ( N = 54; 40 female) wrote two reflective journals about their own classroom teachings on an online-platform and were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (a) reflective journaling with feedback (experimental condition, n = 27) or (b) reflective journaling without feedback (control condition, n = 27). Feedback in reflective journaling fostered reflection quality in the subsequent journal entry and conceptual knowledge about reflection. These findings indicate that feedback in reflective journal-keeping exerts a powerful influence in fostering reflection in student teachers during their practical semester.
Crowdsourcing Campaigns: A New Dataset for Studying British Parties’ Electoral Communications
Authors: Milazzo Caitlin , Trumm Siim , Townsley Joshua
Published: November 2020

Parties’ electoral communications play a central role in British campaigns. Yet, we know little about the nature of the material contained in these communications and how parties’ campaign messages differ across constituencies or elections. In this article, we present a new dataset of 8600 election leaflets from four recent general elections that relies on crowdsourced information. We illustrate the utility of the OpenElections dataset by comparing the use of negative campaign messaging across parties and over time.
Regional heterogeneity in rat Peyer’s patches through whole transcriptome analysis
Authors: Phillips Charles L , Welch Bradley A , Garrett Michael R , Grayson Bernadette E
Published: November 2020

Peyer’s patches are gut-associated lymphoid tissue located throughout the intestinal wall. Peyer’s patches consist of highly organized ovoid-shaped follicles, classified as non-encapsulated lymphatic tissues, populated with B cells, T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells and function as an organism’s intestinal surveillance. Limited work compares the gene profiles of Peyer’s patches derived from different intestinal regions. In the current study, we first performed whole transcriptome analysis using RNAseq to compare duodenal and ileal Peyer’s patches obtained from the small intestine of Long Evans rats. Of the 12,300 genes that were highly expressed, 18.5% were significantly different between the duodenum and ileum. Using samples obtained from additional subjects ( n = 10), we validated the novel gene expression patterns in Peyer’s patches obtained from the three regions of the small intestine. Rats had a significantly reduced number of Peyer’s patches in the duodenum in comparison to either the jejunum or ileum. Regional differences in structural, metabolic, and immune-related genes were validated. Genes such as alcohol dehydrogenase 1, gap junction protein beta 2, and serine peptidase inhibitor clade b, member 1a were significantly reduced in the ileum in comparison to other regions. On the other hand, genes such as complement C3d receptor type, lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1, and lysozyme C2 precursor were significantly lower in the duodenum. In summary, the gene expression pattern of Peyer’s patches is influenced by intestinal location and may contribute to its role in that segment.
Stacked generalizations in imbalanced fraud data sets using resampling methods
Authors: Kerwin Kathleen R , Bastian Nathaniel D
Published: November 2020

Predicting fraud is challenging due to inherent issues in the fraud data structure, since the crimes are committed through trickery or deceit with an ever-present moving target of changing modus operandi to circumvent human and system controls. As a national security challenge, criminals continually exploit the electronic financial system to defraud consumers and businesses by finding weaknesses in the system, including in audit controls. This study uses stacked generalization using meta or super learners for improving the performance of algorithms in step one (minimizing the algorithm error rate to reduce its bias in the learning set) and then in step two the results are input into the meta learner with its stacked blended output (with the weakest algorithms learning better). A fundamental key to fraud data is that it is inherently not systematic, and an optimal resampling methodology has yet not been identified. Building a test harness, for all permutations of algorithm sample set pairs, demonstrates that the complex, intrinsic data structures are all thoroughly tested. A comparative analysis on fraud data that applies stacked generalizations provides useful insight to find the optimal mathematical formula for imbalanced fraud data sets necessary to improve upon fraud detection for national security.
Relationship between the first pass effect and the platelet-lymphocyte ratio in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Sarioglu Orkun , Capar Ahmet Ergin , Bas Sokmez Demet Funda , Topkaya Pelin , Belet Umit
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and first pass effect (FPE) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Our secondary goal was to investigate other laboratory, demographic or technical parameters that may be related to FPE and to search for independent predictors of FPE.

Materials and methods

Patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in our hospital between January 2017 and February 2020 were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: FPE and non-FPE. Demographic features, laboratory parameters, pretreatment imaging and clinical features, angiographic and clinical outcomes were recorded and compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the independent predictors and a predictive model was produced for demonstrating the possibility to achieve FPE.

Results

The study consisted of 83 patients (37 female, 46 male; mean age 62.69 ± 15.16) who were treated by MT. FPE was achieved in 32 patients (32/83, 38.6%). PLR was higher in the non-FPE group (195.35 ± 101.49) when compared to the FPE group (103.17 ± 37.06). A PLR value of <126.3 and female sex were found as independent predictors of FPE. Our predictive model estimated the chance of FPE as 77.9% in female patients who had PLR values lower than 126.3 while it was 77.1% when only using the PLR cutoff value.

Conclusions

High levels of PLR were associated with the failure of FPE. High values of PLR may be considered as a negative predictor for FPE achievement prior to MT in patients with AIS.
A fairly simple mechatronic device for training human wrist motion
Authors: Gonçalves Rogério Sales , Brito Lorena Souza Furtado , Moraes Lucas Pinheiro , Carbone Giuseppe , Ceccarelli Marco
Published: November 2020

This article proposes a novel device for wrist motion rehabilitation. The proposed mechatronic architecture is based on a simple user-friendly design, which includes a mobile platform for hand support, which is operated by a single actuator. A dedicated assist-as-needed control is designed to operate the device for the required movements. The proposed control strategy is also integrated into a gaming software for stimulating the exercising by means of various interactions with patients. Experimental tests are carried out with 14 healthy subjects at the Physiotherapy Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlandia. Also, three patients with stroke have been enrolled in a pilot clinical testing. Each of the patients has been involved in four sessions per month with 15 min of assisted treatment. Results of experimental tests are analyzed in terms of improvements and amplitude gains for the flexion and extension wrist movements. Experimental results are reported as evidence for the feasibility and soundness of the proposed device as a tool to assist professionals in procedures of wrist rehabilitation.