bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deficits, Debt and Interest Rates in Sri Lanka: Does the Spillover of Foreign Interest Rates Matter?
Authors: Mondal Suvra Prokash , Maitra Biswajit
Published: February 2022

Fiscal policy’s impact on the interest rate has a controversial background. To reconcile theoretical uncertainties, researchers and policymakers often relied on empirical exploration. This article appraises the impact of external debt, domestic debt, the budget deficit, and foreign interest rates on interest rate variations in Sri Lanka, for the period when interest rates were deregulated. It applies the bounds testing procedure to the cointegration and error correction models within an autoregressive distributive lag framework. A set of relevant variables like the exchange rate, trade openness and money supply is controlled to corroborate whether such impacts are robust. It is found that the budget deficit elevates interest rates both in the long and short runs; external debt raises interest rates only in the long run; and domestic debt lowers interest rates both in the long and short runs. The spillover of foreign interest rates has a positive impact on Sri Lanka’s interest rate. As interest rates respond to domestic fiscal policy, they can induce fiscal discipline by affecting the cost of borrowing. On the other hand, the significant impact of foreign interest rates on Sri Lanka’s interest rate is a critical issue, as domestic macroeconomic policy has to face challenges to achieve its goal.

JEL Classification: E62, E43, E52, H60
Financialisation of Commodity Markets: Evidence from India
Authors: Abraham Rose Mary K.
Published: February 2022

The known circumstances that favour financialisation of commodity markets which result in unidirectional co-movement of equity and commodity indices are either weak or non-existent in India. Yet, after 2015, there has been a greater correlation between equity and commodity markets even when decoupling is observed in global markets. Results from the rolling regression attest to the shift in response of commodity and equity indices to wholesale price inflation (WPI) and call rate after 2015, indicating that post 2015 co-movement could have been a result of inflation targeting regime. The linear regression as well as the Granger causality analysis based on vector autoregression (VAR) framework, which accounts for simultaneity, confirms that commodity markets are moving on its own supply-demand factors. The rolling regression also brings to light the disciplining effect of regulatory scrutiny and audit trail in the Indian commodity market around July 2013, when National Spot Exchange Ltd. (NSEL) payment crisis and commodity transaction taxes (CTT) occurred.

JEL Classifications: G180, G28, C580, G1, G100. G130
Stigma in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry: A Qualitative Study of Trainee Psychiatrists
Authors: Helingoe Kate Elizabeth , Cullum Sarah , Ng Lillian
Published: February 2022

Objective

Stigma related to mental illness can impact service-user care and clinician wellbeing. The aim of this study was to explore experiences of stigma in consultation-liaison psychiatry from the perspectives of trainee psychiatrists and suggest interventions to tackle stigma within a hospital environment.

Method

Ethics approval and consent were obtained for the study. In-depth interviews were conducted by telephone with six participants in four New Zealand district health boards. De-identified data was analysed using thematic analysis. An independent co-coder was employed to enhance analytic rigour.

Results

Participants experienced stigma during their consultation-liaison rotations. Some felt isolated and undervalued. Education, intergration and role clarification within the hospital environment were identified as ways to reduce stigma.

Conclusions

Stigma experienced by trainee psychiatrists completing consultation-liaison rotations may lead to them feeling devalued and perceiving service-users to experience poorer care. Multidisciplinary education may potentially combat stigma and contribute to improved integration of services.
“Would You Like to Hear a Story?”: Collaborating With Families Using Photo-Elicitation
Authors: Hile Kimberly A. , Santos Rosa Milagros
Published: February 2022

Research related to family empowerment and capacity-building suggests that families facing multiple risk factors (e.g., presence of a disability, poverty, single parents, low levels of maternal education, etc.) may experience feelings of powerlessness when asked by professionals to make decisions on behalf of their families. The purpose of this study was to explore a particular strategy for engaging families experiencing multiple risk factors, including caring for young children with disabilities, to work collaboratively with Head Start professionals when planning and implementing family-centered interventions. Specifically, we examined how photo-elicitation may empower families to share their personal stories as a pathway to building meaningful relationships with their Head Start family service workers. A qualitative approach via thematic analysis was used. Findings begin to address the need for identifying innovative strategies for building family capacity with Head Start families, specifically those caring for young children with disabilities.
Predictive value of D-dimer in the clinical outcome of severe COVID19 patients: Are we giving it too much credit?
Authors: Cidade José P. , Coelho Luís , Costa Vasco , Morais Rui , Moniz Patrícia , Morais Luís , Fidalgo Pedro , Tralhão António , Paulino Carolina , Nora David , Valerio Bernardino , Mendes Vítor , Tapadinhas Camila , Póvoa Pedro
Published: February 2022

Background

COVID-19 is a new form of acute respiratory failure leading to multiorgan failure and ICU admission. Gathered evidence suggests that a 3-fold rise in D-dimer concentrations may be linked to poor prognosis and higher mortality.

Purpose

To describe D-dimer admission profile in severe ICU COVID19 patients and its predictive role in outcomes and mortality.

Methods

Single-center retrospective cohort study. All adult patients admitted to ICU with COVID19 were divided into 3 groups: (1) Lower-values group (D-dimer levels < 3-fold normal range value [NRV] [500ng/mL]), Intermediate-values group (D-dimer ≥3-fold and <10-fold NRV) and Higher-value group (≥10-fold NRV).

Results

118 patients (mean age 63 years, 73% males) were included (N = 73 Lower-values group, N = 31 Intermediate-values group; N = 11 Higher-values group). Mortality was not different between groups (p = 0.51). Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed no differences (p = 0.52) between groups, nor it was verified even when gender, age, ICU length of stay, and SOFA score were considered as covariables.

Conclusions

In severe COVID19 patients, the D-dimer profile does not retain a predictive value regarding patients’ survivability and should not be used as a surrogate of disease severity.
Fuzzy logic and proportional integral derivative based multi-objective optimization of active suspension system of a 4×4 in-wheel motor driven electrical vehicle
Authors: Bingül Ömer , Yıldız Ahmet
Published: February 2022

This paper considers fuzzy logic and proportional integral derivative based multi-objective optimization of a non-linear active suspension system of a 4 × 4 in-wheel motor-driven electric vehicle by using the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II. The active suspension system of the electric vehicle and its controllers are optimized to achieve International Organization for Standardization2631-1 ride comfort and health criteria, also providing the actual working conditions such as roll angle and tire load transfers simultaneously for driving safety. In this regard, a non-linear full electrical vehicle model with quadratic tire and cubic suspension stiffnesses with 11 degrees of freedom and a seat-driver model with 5 degrees of freedom are implemented and optimized regarding seven objective functions determined from the root mean square of head and seat accelerations, crest factor , vibration dose value , the ratio of head and seat accelerations, the ratio of the upper torso and seat acceleration, root mean square upper torso acceleration, and root mean square of suspension, tire, and in-wheel motor displacements. The design variables of the optimization problem are chosen as the stiffnesses and damping coefficients of the suspension, in-wheel motors, and seat, as well as the parameters of the proportional derivative and fuzzy logic controllers. The obtained results demonstrate that significant improvements can be achieved by using a controller over the passive systems. It is also noted that the fuzzy logic controller improves ride comfort and the health criterion over proportional derivative system up to 13%, while the load transfer ratio index showed no adverse change between models concerning the rollover condition. The outcomes of this work clearly state that significant improvements, in terms of vibration exposure, can be achieved with the help of reducing the vibration amplitude of an in-wheel motor-driven electrical vehicle active suspension system by using multi-objective optimization considering a non-linear full vehicle model and realistic working conditions such as tire load transfer and vehicle body roll during cornering circumstances. Thus, obtained results are of utmost importance for manufacturers about the active suspension design process providing both a safe and comfortable driving of in-wheel driven electric vehicles.
On the adaptive synchronous control of a large-scale dual-shaker platform system
Authors: Li Xinhui , Yang Tiejun , Li Wenke , Brennan Michael J , Zhu Minggang , Wu Lei
Published: February 2022

There is an ever-increasing requirement for higher power vibrating platforms to test large-scale structures. Whilst this may be achieved with a single shaker, this is an expensive option. An alternative solution is to drive a platform with two or more smaller shakers. To do this effectively, however, requires the identical amplitude and phase response of the shakers. In practice, due to manufacturing tolerances and uneven loading, this is not possible without a control system. The design and implementation of such a system is the objective of this paper. An adaptive FxLMS algorithm is used in the synchronous control of a dual-shaker system, considering the dynamic coupling between the shakers. A simulation is presented to verify the effectiveness of the control algorithm before the control system is integrated with practical a dual-shaker system driving a vibrating platform. It is shown that there are significant differences between the controlled and the uncontrolled system, demonstrating the efficacy of the control approach.
Indentation of a periodically layered, elastic half-space by a rigid sphere
Authors: Sachan Deepak , Sharma Ishan , Muthukumar T
Published: February 2022

We investigate indentation by a smooth, rigid, spherical indenter of a heterogeneous half-space made up of layers of two different linear-elastic materials arranged periodically, parallel to the free surface. We utilize homogenization theory to approximate the heterogeneous material by a linear-elastic, homogeneous, but transversely isotropic material. This replaces the original system by an analytically tractable indentation problem, whose solution is then compared with that of the former obtained through the finite element (FE) method. We find that the contact pressure obtained through homogenization is a good approximation to that on the layered half-space, and the approximation improves if (1) the layer thickness is reduced, or (2) the indented force is augmented, or (3) the two layers exhibit closer elastic response. We demonstrate that the difference between the pressures obtained from FE and homogenization has an upper bound that depends only upon the materials’ Poisson’s ratio, the ratio of their Young’s moduli, and their volume fractions. We then show that the penetration depth of the indenter in the layered half-space converges to that in the homogenized material as the layers become thinner. Finally, we find that the homogenized material captures well the discontinuous variation of von Mises stress in the layered medium.
Effect of laser photocoagulation, antiangiogenic therapy or a combined treatment on refractive outcomes of newborns with ROP
Authors: Del Portillo María Catalina , Navarro Pedro Ivan , Duran Daniela , Serrano Juan Carlos
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To determine the refractive outcome after treatment with laser photocoagulation, intravitreal antiangiogenic injection or both, for the treatment of type 1 ROP and/or aggressive posterior ROP using defocus equivalent terms. These results will be compared with the spherical equivalent (SE) notation in an initial refraction (during the first 3 years after treatment) and in a final evaluation (three years after treatment).

Methods

Clinical charts review of preterm patients who developed type 1 ROP and/or aggressive posterior ROP who were treated with laser photocoagulation, intravitreal antiangiogenic injection, or both, between January 2007 and December 2014 at Fundación Oftalmológica de Santander were reviewed. Refractive error was evaluated at two different time points in three different treatment groups.

Results

Seventy-seven eyes (56 patients) with ROP diagnosis treated with laser, antiangiogenics or in a combined scheme were included. Median gestational age was 29 weeks (IQR = 3), median birth weight was 1100 (IQR = 335) and mean corrected age at the time of treatment was 37.3 weeks (SD 2.2). Refractive outcomes in SE terms for the first refraction had a median of −0.50 diopters and in defocus terms, 4.00 diopters (D). For the second refraction, −3.00 diopters and 4.00 diopters (D), respectively. Pearson correlation test result for the first measurement was 93% (p = 0.000) and for the second evaluation was 99% (p = 0.000).

Conclusions

Low birth weight had a statistically significant association to the increase of the refractive outcome. The high correlation between SE and DE for refractive errors allows us to confirm that DE is an appropriate metric to report refractive outcomes in this group of patients due to the presence of combined refractive ametropias.
Fluocinolone acetonide implant in diabetic macular edema: International experts’ panel consensus guidelines and treatment algorithm
Authors: Kodjikian Laurent , Bandello Francesco , de Smet Marc , Dot Corrine , Zarranz-Ventura Javier , Loewenstein Anat , Sudhalkar Aditya , Bilgic Alper , Cunha-Vaz José , Dirven Werner , Behar-Cohen Francine , Mathis Thibaud
Published: February 2022

Center-involving diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision impairment in working-age adults. While its management is particularly challenging in a poorly compliant population, continuous innovation and the advent of new molecules have improved its outcome. The control of glycemia and of systemic aggravating factors remain essential to slow down progression of disease complications including DME. The indications for macular laser photocoagulation has progressively been phased out as a standard of care and replaced by local intraocular anti-VEGFs biologics and glucocorticoids (GCs). Intravitreal GCs in controlled-release drug delivery systems have allowed to reduce injection frequency and treatment burden. The non biodegradable Fluocinolone Acetonide (FAc) implant allows a long-lasting stabilization of both functional and anatomic improvements. However, adequate patient selection and monitoring through regular follow-up are essential for optimal results. Based on their experience and the latest literature, the aim of the present review is to provide international expert panel consensus on the place of the FAc implant in the treatment algorithm of DME, as well as its safety profile and how to manage it.
Contemporary outcomes of precision banding for high flow hemodialysis access
Authors: Soo Hoo Andrew J , Scully Rebecca E , Sharma Gaurav , Patterson Suzannah , Walsh Jillian , Voiculescu Adina , Belkin Michael , Menard Matthew , Keith Ozaki C , Hentschel Dirk M
Published: February 2022

Objective:

High-flow hemodialysis accesses are a well-recognized source of patient morbidity. Among available management strategies inflow constriction based on real-time physiologic flow monitoring offers a technically straightforward data-driven approach with potentially low morbidity. Despite the benefits offered by this approach, large contemporary series are lacking.

Methods:

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained clinical database was undertaken to capture patients undergoing precision banding within a signal tertiary care institution between 2010 and 2019. Multivariable logistic regression modeling of thrombosis within 30 days and re-banding within 1 year were performed.

Results:

In total, 297 patients underwent banding during the study period for a total number of 398 encounters. Median [IQR] follow-up was 157 [52–373] days. Most accesses were upper arm with brachial artery inflow (84%) and half of the banding procedures were performed for flow imbalance based on exam, duplex, or fistulogram. Median flow rate reduction was 58%. The 30-day thrombosis rate after banding was 15 of 397 (3.8%) with a median time to event of 5.5 days (2–102). The re-banding rate within a year was 54 of 398 (14%) with a median time to re-banding of 134 days [56–224]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using a univariate screen did not identify any predictors of 30-day thrombosis. Having a forearm radial-cephalic AVF compared to all other access types was protective against need for rebanding at 1 year (OR 0.12 95% CI 0.02–0.92, p = 0.04), as was flow imbalance as the indication for banding (OR 0.43 95% 0.23-0.79, p = 0.006).

Conclusions:

Precision banding offers an effective, low-morbidity approach for high-flow hemodialysis accesses. Early thrombosis is a rare event after precision banding, although in the long term, one in four patients will require re-banding to maintain control of flow volumes.
Cortical lesion hotspots and association of subpial lesions with disability in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Beck Erin S , Maranzano Josefina , Luciano Nicholas J , Parvathaneni Prasanna , Filippini Stefano , Morrison Mark , Suto Daniel J , Wu Tianxia , van Gelderen Peter , de Zwart Jacco A , Antel Samson , Fetco Dumitru , Ohayon Joan , Andrada Frances , Mina Yair , Thomas Chevaz , Jacobson Steve , Duyn Jeff , Cortese Irene , Narayanan Sridar , Nair Govind , Sati Pascal , Reich Daniel S
Published: February 2022

Background:

Dramatic improvements in visualization of cortical (especially subpial) multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions allow assessment of impact on clinical course.

Objective:

Characterize cortical lesions by 7 tesla (T) T2*-/T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); determine relationship with other MS pathology and contribution to disability.

Methods:

Sixty-four adults with MS (45 relapsing–remitting/19 progressive) underwent 3 T brain/spine MRI, 7 T brain MRI, and clinical testing.

Results:

Cortical lesions were found in 94% (progressive: median 56/range 2–203; relapsing–remitting: 15/0–168; p = 0.004). Lesion distribution across 50 cortical regions was nonuniform ( p = 0.006), with highest lesion burden in supplementary motor cortex and highest prevalence in superior frontal gyrus. Leukocortical and white matter lesion volumes were strongly correlated ( r = 0.58, p < 0.0001), while subpial and white matter lesion volumes were moderately correlated ( r = 0.30, p = 0.002). Leukocortical ( p = 0.02) but not subpial lesions ( p = 0.40) were correlated with paramagnetic rim lesions; both were correlated with spinal cord lesions ( p = 0.01). Cortical lesion volumes (total and subtypes) were correlated with expanded disability status scale, 25-foot timed walk, nine-hole peg test, and symbol digit modality test scores.

Conclusion:

Cortical lesions are highly prevalent and are associated with disability and progressive disease. Subpial lesion burden is not strongly correlated with white matter lesions, suggesting differences in inflammation and repair mechanisms.
Visualization as infrastructure: China’s data visualization politics during COVID-19 and their implications for public health emergencies
Authors: Zhao Luming , Ye WeiMing
Published: February 2022

In this article, we analyze the rise of data visualization in social and political contexts. Against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, we consider a case in Shenzhen, China, and demonstrate the impact of visualization as intermediation for data on policies and society. We propose an epistemology of visualization as infrastructure. In China, visualization has been developed as a technological system to support information dissemination and collective action in public crises. Three characteristics are proposed to describe China’s data visualization politics during the pandemic, in particular, to summarize the power relationships between visual brokers, policymakers, and public users in data visualization. Further, based on the conceptualization of the links between visualization, infrastructure, and data politics, visualization serves as an important component of information infrastructure, and is an easily overlooked technical process. The creation and use of data may seem like normalized actions, but data visualization in fact supports the perception, participation, proposal, and critique of data politics issues. Via a focus group discussion with members of the Shenzhen public health sector and in-depth interviews with Shenzhen residents, we developed a qualitative effectiveness measurement framework highlighting the potential for the involvement of visualization in politics and activism.
Is VR always better for destination marketing? Comparing different media and styles
Authors: Griffin Tom , Guttentag Daniel , Lee Seung Hwan (Mark) , Giberson Juleigh , Dimanche Frédéric
Published: February 2022

The increasing popularity and accessibility of virtual reality (VR) presents an opportunity for destination marketers to leverage its strengths to attract visitors. However, VR's benefits over more traditional media formats remain unclear. This paper reports results from two experiments that compared the impacts of consuming destination marketing material through VR with other media formats. The measured impacts include destination image, perceived advertising effectiveness, and behavioral intentions. Further, the dual experiments allowed for a comparison between different VR content styles (i.e. active vs. passive). Results show that more active VR content largely outperformed other media formats, but with a more passive style of VR these benefits were mostly muted. The findings have direct theoretical and practical implications relating to VR tourism marketing.
Physical fitness standards: An assessment of potential disparate impact for female state police applicants
Authors: Williams Frederick A , Higgins George E
Published: February 2022

To improve diversity in hiring, this quantitative study examines the applicant physical fitness testing standards of the Kentucky State Police (KSP) to determine whether the test or specific events have a disparate impact for female state police applicants. A sample of 427 state police applicants was collected from applicant fitness testing conducted by the KSP between 2014 and 2019. Bivariate analysis was used to compare the output of males and females. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors for passing fitness testing. The results show a potential disparate impact based upon significant performance differences in three of the five fitness events: bench press, 300-meter run, and push-ups. Predictors for passing applicant fitness testing were being male, having a lower body weight and having 2 years of military service. Sex was found to be a predictor for passing push-ups and 300-meter run. Recommendations suggest amending the fitness events, establishing equitable scoring criteria based upon sex without averaging, and reassessment and evaluation. Provisions for evaluation were provided.
Revisiting the Ferguson effect: Law enforcement perception of recruitment in the post George Floyd era
Authors: Copeland Christopher , del Carmen Alex , Semukhina Olga B.
Published: February 2022

Mainstream media have argued that prolonged and harsh criticism of police officers prompted by death of Michael Brown at the hands of Ferguson police has had a major negative effect on the US law enforcement community. This phenomenon, known as the “Ferguson effect”, was exacerbated in the following years by the availability of other violent public–police interactions propagated through social media. The academic literature found almost no evidence that the Ferguson effect had any impact on crime rates and only limited evidence that it resulted in de-policing in the United States. Missing from this conversation is research on how the Ferguson effect impacted the ability of police departments to maintain staffing levels and recruit new officers nationwide. This article fills this gap in the research literature by examining levels of officer retention and recruitment from an organizational perspective. Police chiefs in Texas were surveyed about their perceptions of the Ferguson effect on department recruitment and retention efforts. The results found that the Ferguson effect is related to increased difficulty in officer recruitment but its impact is relatively small when compared with traditional recruitment challenges such as limited budgets and competitive job markets. The findings also reported no impact of the Ferguson effect on police departments’ retention issues. This article discusses these findings within the scope and context of George Floyd's death and current civil rights issues in the United States.
Cruising Boston and Providence: The roles of place and desire for reflexive queer research(ers)
Authors: Lauder Landon H
Published: February 2022

Feminist methodological interventions have advanced our understanding of reflexivities, leading us to question our own positions and intersections in relation to the field and those we study. More recent methodological contributions from queer authors add notions of fluid researcher identities and researcher erotics to reflexivities. However, such interventions frame reflexivity as a research practice applied to the research process or occurrences in the field. This article argues for a continuous, although never complete, use of reflexivity that addresses the researcher’s personal desires and orientations—there before the research started—that can influence what topics we study, the questions we ask, the methods and sites we choose, how we interact with others in the field, and our analyses. I use ethnographic data on gay and queer spaces in Boston, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island, to demonstrate the utility of this reflexivity, especially for sex research.
A Neural Network Extension for Solving the Pareto/Negative Binomial Distribution Model
Authors: Xie Shao-Ming
Published: February 2022

This research proposes a new estimation scheme to solve the estimation burden of the Pareto/NBD model and to release its power in out-of-sample prediction and then builds a neural network-based model (NNA-based model) for parameter estimation of the Pareto/NBD model, by designing a loss function to include the likelihood of the Pareto/NBD model and the mean absolute error. Following empirical analysis with a real dataset and simulation datasets, the main results are as follows. (1) The NNA-based model encounters a relatively skewed prediction in inactive prediction and focuses more on inactive prediction, while the heuristic method has a balanced prediction. (2) The Pareto/NBD model has better repeat purchase prediction compared to that under the mean absolute error, but the NNA-based model has a better fitting in the repeat purchase distribution. (3) The distribution of estimated parameters between these two models is quite different, but is able to realize the same prediction purpose. The NNA-based model also has greater application opportunities in the commercial environment because the learned estimator is applicable to different transaction timing patterns. These findings clarify that the NNA-based model solves the estimation burden and releases the predictive power of the Pareto/NBD model.
“Conscious compassion”: A co-created poetic representation of social workers’ experiences with compassion
Authors: Clark Shelby L , Jen Sarah
Published: February 2022

Arts-based research methods have an important place in social work scholarship. Arts-based research methods, such as poetic inquiry, highlight lived experiences through creativity, emotion, and embodiment. This paper shares findings from a qualitative study that investigated social workers’ experiences with compassion in their professional practice through poetic inquiry. Findings are disseminated in a found poem that was collaboratively co-created by the researcher and study participants. The found poem highlights how compassion is a central and guiding force within social work practice. Compassion and connection remain core dimensions of the social work discipline and social work education, scholarship, and practice may benefit from continued exploration of compassion and related constructs.
Preventing Youth Suicide: A Review of School-Based Practices and How Social–Emotional Learning Fits Into Comprehensive Efforts
Authors: Posamentier Jordan , Seibel Katherine , DyTang Nell
Published: February 2022

Schools in the United States increasingly incorporate social–emotional learning (SEL) as a part of comprehensive youth suicide prevention programs in schools. We reviewed the literature to investigate the inclusion of SEL in youth suicide prevention efforts. We identified several known risk factors to youth suicide, namely, hopelessness, anxiety, substance use, and child sexual abuse, then cross-walked that review to SEL competencies shown to mitigate each of those known risk factors. We found all SEL competencies, to some extent, across all the evidence-based, school-based youth suicide prevention programs we identified. Further, we found that all five SEL competencies are shown directly to address and mitigate the major, known risk factors for youth suicide. These findings suggest that SEL can play a productive role in upstream youth suicide prevention. State-level policy makers and school administrators should consider the inclusion of evidence-based SEL in efforts to address youth suicide prevention.
Rural Libraries as Resources and Partners for Outside Active Play Streets
Authors: Lenstra Noah , Slater Sandra , Pollack Porter Keshia M. , Umstattd Meyer M. Renée
Published: February 2022

Background

Urban and rural areas have different types of built environments and community infrastructure, which lead to different types of successful community-based physical activity initiatives. Temporary Play Streets are a supported way to increase physical activity and perceptions of the built environment as a space for active lifestyles.

Purpose

Within the field of public health, public libraries constitute an underutilized community partner. To begin to understand the capacity of rural librarians to support rural Play Streets, a cross-sectional questionnaire was developed for distribution to rural librarians.

Methods

The sampling frame targeted members of the membership-based U.S. Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL). Among respondents, 65% reported offering outdoor physical activity programs in the past, and 61% reported continuing to offer versions of this programming during the COVID-19 pandemic. Librarians work with a broad range of community partners on this programming, and already own much of the equipment necessary for a successful Play Streets initiative.

Conclusions

The results of this study corroborate claims from previous research, which shows that in small and rural communities, public libraries have the capacity to play a role in promoting physical activity through involvement in community partnerships. Additional work is needed to understand, evaluate, and support this opportunity to weave rural librarians into community-based physical activity promotion efforts more fully.
Resting-state EEG, Substance use and Abstinence After Chronic use: A Systematic Review
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Yujie , Fraga-González Gorka , Szpak Veronica , Laverman Judith , Wiers Reinout W. , Richard Ridderinkhof K.
Published: February 2022

Resting-state EEG reflects intrinsic brain activity and its alteration represents changes in cognition that are related to neuropathology. Thereby, it provides a way of revealing the neurocognitive mechanisms underpinning chronic substance use. In addition, it is documented that some neurocognitive functions can recover following sustained abstinence. We present a systematic review to synthesize how chronic substance use is associated with resting-state EEG alterations and whether these spontaneously recover from abstinence. A literature search in Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus resulted in 4088 articles, of which 57 were included for evaluation. It covered the substance of alcohol (18), tobacco (14), cannabis (8), cocaine (6), opioids (4), methamphetamine (4), and ecstasy (4). EEG analysis methods included spectral power, functional connectivity, and network analyses. It was found that long-term substance use with or without substance use disorder diagnosis was associated with broad intrinsic neural activity alterations, which were usually expressed as neural hyperactivation and decreased neural communication between brain regions. Some studies found the use of alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, cannabis, and methamphetamine was positively correlated with these changes. These alterations can partly recover from abstinence, which differed between drugs and may reflect their neurotoxic degree. Moderating factors that may explain results inconsistency are discussed. In sum, resting-state EEG may act as a potential biomarker of neurotoxic effects of chronic substance use. Recovery effects awaits replication in larger samples with prolonged abstinence. Balanced sex ratio, enlarged sample size, advanced EEG analysis methods, and transparent reporting are recommended for future studies.
Efficacy of Intra-Articular Injection of Biofermentation-Derived High-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid in Knee Osteoarthritis: An Ultrasonographic Study
Authors: Lee Chia-Ling , Wang Ying-Chun , Huang Hsuan-Ti , Chen Chia-Hsin , Chang Kee-Lung , Tien Yin-Chun
Published: February 2022

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular injection with HYAJOINT Plus, a biofermentation-derived, high-molecular hyaluronic acid (HA), on the progression of structural changes of cartilage in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) by using objectively promised ultrasonography (US) evaluation.

Design

In this prospective clinical trial, 56 OA patients completed the study. One single dose of injection of HYAJOINT Plus into the knee cavity was performed. The primary efficacy outcome measure for structural change of knee joint was evaluated by US using a semiquantitative grading system. Secondary efficacy outcome measures included Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) total and subscale scores. All efficacy outcomes were measured at baseline and at first, third, and sixth month following treatment.

Results

There were significant US grade-improvement changes of cartilage between baseline and follow-up visits over medial femoral condyle and transverse overall evaluation at 3- and 6-month follow-ups, and over lateral femoral condyle, intercondylar notch, and medial longitudinal area at 6-month follow-up. The improved score change of WOMAC from baseline was significant at 1- and 3-month follow-ups in pain subscale, whereas score change from baseline was significant at 6-month follow-up in total score and all 3 subscale scores.

Conclusions

It was determined that significant improvement was found on cartilage by US after intra-articular injection with high-molecular weight, biological fermentation–derived HYAJOINT Plus. The semiquantitative grading system by US is a promising tool to identify the efficacy on cartilage band after interventions.
Collaborative Playlist-Making: Musical Interaction via Digitally Mediated Co-Curation
Authors: Harris Ilana
Published: February 2022

Collaborative playlist-making (CPM), a form of music co-curation where two or more people select and order recorded music together, is a form of group musical engagement that has recently risen to prominence among musicians and nonmusicians in the general population. This paper presents CPM as a form of technologically mediated group musical engagement and informs researchers as to how CPM and its constituent behaviors may be studied in relation to other forms of musical engagement, particularly group music-making. In addition, specific psychological processes expected to be elicited by CPM—self-other merging, cognitive perspective-taking, and shared intentionality—are explicated in an effort to evince how CPM may give rise to socio-cognitive transfer effects in line with Goldman's reconstructive route to empathy. The main purpose of this paper is to promote music psychologists’ study of CPM to probe how musical interaction occurring within everyday contexts can harness music's potential to facilitate communication and bring about social benefits.
Changes in Outpatient Opioid Prescribing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis
Authors: Rikin Sharon , Perez Hector R. , Zhang Chenshu , Khalid Laila , Groeger Justina , Deng Yuting , Starrels Joanna L.
Published: February 2022

Objectives:

Changes in health care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted opioid prescribing. This study evaluated the impact of restrictions on in-person care on opioid prescribing in the outpatient setting. The hypothesis was that after restrictions to in-person care were implemented, there would be a reduction in the number of chronic and non-chronic opioid prescriptions.

Methods:

An interrupted time series analysis was conducted to compare the number of weekly opioid prescriptions between baseline (1/1/2019-3/14/2020), restriction (3/15/2020-6/6/2020), and reopening (6/7/2020-10/31/2020) periods at outpatient practices within a health system in Bronx, NY. Analyses were stratified by prescription type (chronic if the patient had been prescribed opioids for >90 days, or non-chronic).

Results:

For chronic opioid prescriptions, the week restrictions were implemented, there was an increase in the number of prescriptions compared to what was predicted if there had been no interruption (34.8 prescriptions, 95% CI: 8.0, 61.7). Subsequently, the weekly trend in prescribing was not different in the restriction period or in the reopening period compared to the previous time periods. For non-chronic opioid prescriptions, during the restriction period, the weekly trend in prescribing decreased compared to baseline (−5.0 prescriptions/week, 95% CI: −9.0, −1.0). Subsequently, during the reopening period, the weekly trend in prescribing increased compared to the restriction period (6.4 prescriptions/week, 95% CI: 2.2, 10.7).

Conclusions:

Despite abrupt restrictions on in-person care, chronic opioid prescriptions did not decrease, which is evidence that providers evolved to meet patient needs. Changes in non-chronic prescriptions are likely related to patients electing not to pursue care for acute pain or challenges with appointment availability.
COVID-19 Patients’ Satisfaction Levels with Nursing Care: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alhowaymel Fahad , Abaoud Abdulaziz , Alhuwaimel Abdullah , Alenezi Atallah , Alsayed Nahed
Published: February 2022

Introduction

COVID-19 is the most recent coronavirus diseases that was first identified in December 2019 and began its exponential spread globally. The critical role of nurses can be severely impacted during pandemics such as COVID-19 when the world is less prepared.

Objective

To investigate and measure COVID-19 patients’ satisfaction levels with the quality of nursing care provided in the Riyadh Province of Saudi Arabia.

Methods

The study used a cross-sectional questionnaire to collect data from COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized or quarantined for at least 48 h or more. The study utilized the Arabic version of the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire (PSNCQQ-Ar) to assess patients’ satisfaction levels with nursing care. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to examine the objectives of the study.

Results

Ninety-six patients reported relatively high satisfaction levels with the overall nursing care. Patients also reported high satisfaction levels with the provided care, and the information that was provided. There were statistically significant differences in the mean score of patients satisfaction in relation to age, educational level, where patients are originally from, and patients recommendation of the hospitals.

Conclusions

Individual characteristics and attributes played a role in the process of evaluating nursing care services. Measuring nursing care quality clarified the significant role of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study provides valuable information that could help in identifying weaknesses and reinforcing strengths about nursing care to be fully prepared against pandemics and other health-related crises and emergencies in the future.
Multimodality, where next?–Some meta-methodological considerations
Authors: Bateman John A
Published: February 2022

In this position statement, I draw broadly on approaches and theories relevant to the phenomena of multimodality to propose some methodological directions for further cycles of development and application. Two apparently opposed goals are accepted and reconciled: on the one hand, increased attention needs to be paid to empirical studies and, on the other, highly exploratory and smaller scale case studies with more conjectural analyses need to be continued and expanded. To achieve an integrative view spanning both forms of approach, methodological refinements capable of reducing the gap between theoretical metalanguages and larger-scale empirical research are required. Multimodality is consequently reconstrued not as a field of study in its own right, but as a stage of development through which many disciplines naturally pass. Means are then explored for securing access to the various theoretical frameworks and methodological tools disciplines provide by combining new models of disciplinary triangulation with a more finely articulated notion of materiality.
Salient visual foci on human faces in viewers’ engagement with advertisements: Eye-tracking evidence and theoretical implications
Authors: Chen Yixiong
Published: February 2022

Multimodal theories informed by Systemic Functional Linguistics involve postulations on users’ interactions with multimodal artifacts which need to be tested with behavioral data. Studies empirically testing the postulations are of great theoretical and methodological significance for multimodal research but have so far remained nascent. To open up new avenues of research in this area, findings from an eye-tracking experiment designed to test social semiotic postulations are reported and discussed. Specifically, the experiment adopted a between-group matched design and involved 44 viewers and 10 trials in each of which a print advertisement was randomly presented to the viewers who were instructed to perform a group-specific ad viewing task. Eye movement metrics obtained from the experiment were analyzed by descriptive statistics based on Areas of Interest and the Scanpath Trending Algorithm to link fixation metrics to semantic components of the ads and to calculate the common viewing path per group and trial, respectively. Data analysis results revealed, among others, a concentration of visual attention on human faces placed at various regions of the ads. The findings are then channeled into discussions on information value theory in the grammar of visual design to explicate its implications for theorizing multimodal communication.
Single-cell transcriptional analysis of human endothelial colony-forming cells from patients with low VWF levels
Authors: Ng Christopher J. , Liu Alice , Venkataraman Sujatha , Ashworth Katrina J. , Baker Christopher D. , O’Rourke Rebecca , Vibhakar Rajeev , Jones Kenneth L. , Di Paola Jorge
Published: February 2022

von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays a key role in normal hemostasis, and deficiencies of VWF lead to clinically significant bleeding. We sought to identify novel modifiers of VWF levels in endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). ECFCs were isolated from patients with low VWF levels (plasma VWF antigen levels between 30 and 50 IU/dL) and from healthy controls. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used as an additional control cell line. Cells were characterized for their Weibel Palade body (WPB) content and VWF release. scRNA-seq of all cell lines was performed to evaluate for gene expression heterogeneity and for candidate modifiers of VWF regulation. Candidate modifiers identified by scRNA-seq were further characterized with small-interfering RNA (siRNA) experiments to evaluate for effects on VWF. We observed that ECFCs derived from patients with low VWF demonstrated alterations in baseline WPB metrics and exhibit impaired VWF release. scRNA-seq analyses of these endothelial cells revealed overall decreased VWF transcription, mosaicism of VWF expression, and genes that are differentially expressed in low VWF ECFCs and control endothelial cells (control ECs). An siRNA screen of potential VWF modifiers provided further evidence of regulatory candidates, and 1 such candidate, FLI1, alters the transcriptional activity of VWF. In conclusion, ECFCs from individuals with low VWF demonstrate alterations in their baseline VWF packaging and release compared with control ECs. scRNA-seq revealed alterations in VWF transcription, and siRNA screening identified multiple candidate regulators of VWF.
How I treat refractory/relapsed hairy cell leukemia with BRAF inhibitors
Authors: Falini Brunangelo , De Carolis Luca , Tiacci Enrico
Published: February 2022

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) responds very well to frontline chemotherapy with purine analogs (cladribine and pentostatine). However, approximately half of patients experience 1 or more relapses, which become progressively resistant to these myelotoxic and immunosuppressive agents. At progression, standard therapeutic options include a second course of purine analogs alone or in combination with rituximab and, upon second relapse, therapy with the anti-CD22 immunotoxin moxetumomab pasudotox. Furthermore, blockade of the mutant BRAF-V600E kinase (the pathogenetic hallmark of HCL) through orally available specific inhibitors (vemurafenib or dabrafenib) effaces the peculiar morphologic, phenotypic, and molecular identity of this disease and its typical antiapoptotic behavior and is emerging as an attractive chemotherapy-free strategy in various clinical scenarios. These include patients with, or at risk of, severe infections and, in a highly effective combination with rituximab, patients with relapsed or refractory HCL. Other treatments explored in clinical trials are BTK inhibition with ibrutinib and co-inhibition of BRAF (through dabrafenib or vemurafenib) and its downstream target MEK (through trametinib or cobimetinib). Here, we focus on our experience with BRAF inhibitors in clinical trials and as off-label use in routine practice by presenting 3 challenging clinical cases to illustrate their management in the context of all available treatment options.