bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do College Social Justice Activists Stop When They Graduate? Explaining Volunteer Activist Participation in a Life Course Transition
Authors: Horowitz Jonathan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWhy does volunteer participation by college social justice activists decline dramatically following graduation? Using a new, multimethod longitudinal study that spans college and the early post-graduate years, I test existing theory about how changes in time constraints, social support, and organizational opportunities affect volunteer activist participation in social justice movements. Analyzing qualitative data from semi-structured interviews to further understand decreases in activism, I find no evidence showing that changes in time constraints or social support lead to changes in activist volunteering, but there is evidence to support the effects of organizational opportunities. Findings from the qualitative data further emphasize that activist opportunities are easier to access on college campuses, specifically because activism is physically convenient to the potential participant. Future research and practice should explicitly address the spatial proximity of potential activists to social movement opportunities, and should additionally remain sensitive to different needs of activists at different points in the life course.
Postgraduate Assessment Approaches Across Surgical Specialties: A Systematic Review of the Published Evidence
Authors: Hanrahan John Gerrard , Sideris Michail , Pasha Terouz , Dedeilia Aikaterini , Papalois Apostolos , Papalois Vassilios 
Published: September 2020

Purpose
Ensuring competence for surgical trainees requires holistic assessment of the qualities and competencies necessary to practice safely and effectively. To determine the next steps toward achieving this aim, the authors conducted a systematic review to summarize and appraise the available evidence related to any assessment approach to postgraduate surgical training and to identify the dominant themes for assessment approaches across different specialties or countries.

Method
Medline and Embase were searched on January 10, 2019, without language or time restrictions. Any peer-reviewed study that described an assessment framework (in practice or novel) throughout postgraduate surgical training globally was included. An iterative review and thematic analysis were performed on full-text articles to determine assessment themes. Studies were then grouped by assessment themes. A tailored quality assessment of the studies included in the final analysis was conducted. Assessment themes and validity were compared across surgical specialties and countries.

Results
From an initial 7,059 articles, 91 studies (evaluating 6,563 surgical trainees) were included in the final analysis. Ten defined assessment themes were extracted. Ten studies (11.0%) were deemed low risk of bias based on the quality assessment tool used and thus were determined to be high quality. Minor differences in assessment themes were observed between specialties and countries. Assessment themes neglected by individual surgical specialties and assessment themes that need validated assessment tools were identified.

Conclusions
This review highlights the low quality of evidence and fragmented efforts to develop and optimize surgical assessments. The minor differences observed demonstrate a common approach, globally and across specialties, related to surgical assessments. A paradigm shift in assessment approaches, which will require national and international collaboration, is required to optimize design and validation so that a comprehensive assessment of surgical competence can be implemented.
Comparative analysis of immune-associated genes in COVID-19, cardiomyopathy and venous thromboembolism
Authors: Castaneda Grant , Lee Abby C , Li Wei Tse , Chen Chengyu , Chakladar Jaideep , Chang Eric Y. , Ongkeko Weg M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAs of 28 August 2020, there have been 5.88 million Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) cases and 181,000 COVID-19 related deaths in the United States alone. Given the lack of an effective pharmaceutical treatment for COVID-19, the high contagiousness of the disease and its varied clinical outcomes, identifying patients at risk of progressing to severe disease is crucial for the allocation of valuable healthcare resources during this pandemic. Current research has shown that there is a higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities amongst patients with severe COVID-19 or COVID-19-related deaths, but the link between cardiovascular disease and poorer prognosis is poorly understood. We believe that pre-existing immune dysregulation that accompanies cardiovascular disease predisposes patients to a harmful inflammatory immune response, leading to their higher risk of severe disease. Thus, in this project, we aim to characterize immune dysregulation in patients with cardiomyopathy, venous thromboembolism and COVID-19 patients by looking at immune-associated gene dysregulation, immune infiltration and dysregulated immunological pathways and gene signatures.
The Uncertain COVID-19 Spread Pattern in India: A Statistical Analysis of the Current Situation
Authors: Baruah Hemanta K. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThere are standard techniques of forecasting the spread of pandemics. Uncertainty however is always associated with such forecasts. In this article, we are going to discuss the uncertain situation currently prevailing in the COVID-19 spread in India. For statistical analysis, we have considered the total number of cases for 60 consecutive days, from June 23 to August 21. We have seen that instead of taking data of all 60 days together, a better picture of uncertainty can be observed if we consider the data separately in three equal parts from June 23 to July 12, from July 13 to August 1, and from August 2 to August 21. For that we would first need to ascertain that the current spread pattern in India is almost exponential. Thereafter we shall show that the data regarding the total number of cases in India are not really behaving in an expected way, making forecasting the time to peak very difficult. We have found that the pandemic would perhaps change its pattern of growth from nearly exponential to nearly logarithmic, which we have earlier observed in the case of Italy, in less than 78 days starting from August 2.
Prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among pregnant women during COVID-19-related lockdown in Abakaliki, Nigeria
Authors: Nwafor Johnbosco I. , Okedo-Alex Ijeoma N. , Ikeotuonye Arinze C. 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTIntroductionSeveral studies on COVID-19 and pregnancy have been published recently, but few studies have evaluated the impact of this pandemic on maternal mental health particularly in low-resource setting.AimTo determine the prevalence and predictors of COVID-19-related depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among pregnant women.Materials and methodsThis was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted among 456 pregnant women attending prenatal care at Abakaliki, Nigeria during COVID-19-related lockdown. They were screened for psychological morbidities using DASS 21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale).ResultsSevere and extremely severe depression were reported in 33 (7.2%) and 29 (6.4%) participants respectively. 15 (3.3%) and 35 (7.7%) women had severe and extremely severe anxiety respectively. 105 (23%) had severe anxiety whereas 76 (16.7%) reported extremely severe stress. Multiparity (2 - 4) and occupations such as trading and farming were predictors of depression whereas grandmultiparity, urban residence and trading were identified as predictors of anxiety and stress.ConclusionDepression, anxiety and stress symptoms were relatively common among pregnant women during COVID-19-related lockdown in Abakaliki, Nigeria. There is a need to integrate screening for depression, anxiety and stress in existing antenatal care programs so as to identify and prevent long term adverse psychological outcome related to COVID-19 pandemic.
ASSOCIATION OF HYPERGLYCEMIA WITH HOSPITAL MORTALITY IN COVID-19 PATIENTS WITHOUT DIABETES: A COHORT STUDY
Authors: Mamtani Manju , Athavale Ambarish M. , Abraham Mohan , Vernik Jane , Amarah Amatur R , Ruiz Juan P. , Joshi Amit J. , Itteera Mathew , Zhukovski Sara D , Madaiah Ravi Prakash , Hart Peter , Kulkarni Hemant 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveDiabetes is a known risk factor for mortality in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Our objective was to identify prevalence of hyperglycemia in COVID-19 patients with and without diabetes and quantify its association with COVID-19 disease course.Research Design and MethodsIn this observational cohort study, all consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to John H Stroger Jr. Hospital, Chicago, IL from March 15, 2020 to May 15, 2020 were included. The primary outcome was hospital mortality and the main predictor was hyperglycemia (any blood glucose ≥7.78 mmol/L during hospitalization).ResultsOf 403 COVID-19 patients studied, 228 (57%) developed hyperglycemia. Of these, 83 (21%) had hyperglycemia without diabetes. A total of 51 (12.7%) patients died. Compared to the reference group no-diabetes/no-hyperglycemia patients the no-diabetes/hyperglycemia patients showed higher mortality (1.8% versus 20.5%, adjusted odds ratio 21.94 (95% confidence interval 4.04-119.0), p < 0.001); improved prediction of death (p=0.0162) and faster progression to death (p=0.0051). Hyperglycemia within the first 24 and 48 hours was also significantly associated with mortality (odds ratio 2.15 and 3.31, respectively). Further, compared to the same reference group, no-diabetes/hyperglycemia patients had higher risk of ICU admission (p<0.001), mechanical ventilation (p<0.001) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (p<0.001) and a longer hospital stay in survivors (p<0.001).ConclusionsHyperglycemia in the absence of diabetes was common (21% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients) and was associated with an increased risk of and faster progression to death. Development of hyperglycemia in COVID-19 patients who do not have diabetes is an early indicator of poor prognosis.
Dealing with Covid-19 infections in Kolkata, India: A GIS based risk analysis and implications for future scenarios
Authors: Nath Bibhash , Majumder Santanu , Rahman Mohammad Mahmudur , Sen Jayanta 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe Covid-19 pandemic has inherently affected daily lives of people around the world. We, the people, have already started to live in a new-normal way, such as wearing masks, keeping a safe distance from others and maintaining higher level of health & hygiene standards. However, because of this pandemic, the global economy has taken a major blow. Many people have lost their livelihood, and now facing challenges in getting better healthcare facilities and food for survival. Given the serious challenges to the problem, this paper analyzes demographic data to predict vulnerable areas in Kolkata metropolitan city that houses nearly one-third of its population in slums and one-fifth below poverty level, under compromised living conditions. The analysis revealed that the highest risk areas are located in the east and west of the city, the area to a great extent overlapped with wards containing larger share of population below poverty level and are also living in slums. The analysis of publicly accessible Covid-19 case records and containment zones data indicate the hardest hit areas lies in the central Kolkata and several wards along the eastern and northeastern border of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. The data further revealed that the virus infections have extended to the south Kolkata with increasing number of ‘broad-based’ containment zones with heightened cases. The analysis of demographic characteristics of the hardest hit wards revealed that not a single variables are directly associated with the increase in the number of containments for a particular ward. The ranking of wards based on four intervention criterion have suggested that the ‘lack of social awareness’ along with ‘lack of social distancing’ have dominantly contributed to the increasing number of containments of Covid-19 cases in Kolkata. Determination of optimized ranking and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient of the wards based on four intervention criterion provided a basis for the policy makers to assess ward-based interventions criterion to control further spread of the disease and/or prevent second wave of infections. Given that the effective antiviral drugs is far away from common publics reach, the application of our study approach would benefit saving lives of many vulnerable populations.
Married Women’s Decision-Making Autonomy on Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare Utilization and Associated Factors in Debretabor, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Azmeraw Ambachew , Eriku Getachew Azeze , Taye Birhan Tsegaw , Chanie Wagaye Fentahun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundWomen’s decision-making autonomy is very crucial for the improvement of maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare utilization. However, there is limited evidence on women’s decision-making autonomy on maternal and neonatal health in the study area. Therefore, this study assessed married women’s decision-making autonomy on maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization and associated factors in Debretabor, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1st to 30th, 2019. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 730 married women. A structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire was employed. Data were entered into epi info 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 23. Multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with women’s decision-making autonomy on maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization. Odds ratio with 95 % confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance.ResultThree-fourths (75.1%) of women had higher decision-making autonomy regarding their health, neonatal health, and other social and economic aspects. Besides, the proportion of at least four antenatal visits, delivery at a health facility, postnatal checkup, knowledge of neonatal danger signs, and appropriate health-seeking practices for sick newborns among autonomous women were 52.1%, 56.1%, 71.4%, 32%, and 80% respectively. Age greater than 35 years (AOR=2.08; 95%CI: 1.19, 3.62), monthly income of 5000 ETB and above (AOR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.36, 7.07), husband involvement (AOR=2.36; 95%CI: 1.55, 3.43) and knowledge of neonatal danger signs (AOR=2.11; 95%CI: 1.4, 3.2) were factors independently associated with women’s decision-making autonomy on maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization.ConclusionOur findings show that women’s decision-making autonomy on maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization was optimal. Increasing the household income level through different means, the promotion of husband’s involvement, and increasing women’s knowledge of maternal and neonatal danger signs will have a great role in the improvement of women’s decision-making autonomy.
Trunk sensory and motor cortex is preferentially integrated with hindlimb sensory information that supports trunk stabilization
Authors: Nandakumar Bharadwaj , Blumenthal Gary H. , Pauzin Francois Philippe , Moxon Karen A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSensorimotor integration in the trunk system has been poorly studied despite its importance for examining functional recovery after neurological injury or disease. Here, we mapped the relationship between thoracic dorsal root ganglia and trunk sensory cortex (S1) to create a detailed map of the extent and internal organization of trunk primary sensory cortex, and trunk primary motor cortex (M1) and showed that both cortices are somatotopically complex structures that are larger than previously described. Surprisingly, projections from trunk S1 to trunk M1 were not anatomically organized. We found relatively weak sensorimotor integration between trunk M1 and S1 and between trunk M1 and forelimb S1 compared to extensive integration between trunk M1 and hindlimb S1 and M1. This strong trunk/hindlimb connection was identified for high intensity stimuli that activated proprioceptive pathways. To assess the implication of this integration, the responses in sensorimotor cortex were examined during a postural control task and supported sensorimotor integration between hindlimb sensory and lower trunk motor cortex. Together, these data suggest that trunk M1 is guided predominately by hindlimb proprioceptive information that reached the cortex directly via the thalamus. This unique sensorimotor integration suggests an essential role for the trunk system in postural control, and its consideration could be important for understanding studies regarding recovery of function after spinal cord injury.SignificanceThis work identifies extensive sensorimotor integration between trunk and hindlimb cortices, demonstrating that sensorimotor integration is an operational mode of the trunk cortex in intact animals. The functional role of this integration was demonstrated for postural control when the animal was subjected to lateral tilts. Furthermore, these results provide insight into cortical reorganization after spinal cord injury making clear that sensorimotor integration after SCI is an attempt to restore sensorimotor integration that existed in the intact system. These results could be used to tailor rehabilitative strategies to optimize sensorimotor integration for functional recovery.
Human belief state-based exploration and exploitation in an information-selective symmetric reversal bandit task
Authors: Horvath Lilla , Colcombe Stanley , Milham Michael , Ray Shruti , Schwartenbeck Philipp , Ostwald Dirk 
Published: September 2020

AbstractHumans often face sequential decision-making problems, in which information about the environmental reward structure is detached from rewards for a subset of actions. In the current exploratory study, we introduce an information-selective symmetric reversal bandit task to model such situations and obtained choice data on this task from 24 participants. To arbitrate between different decision-making strategies that participants may use on this task, we developed a set of probabilistic agent-based behavioral models, including exploitative and explorative Bayesian agents, as well as heuristic control agents. Upon validating the model and parameter recovery properties of our model set and summarizing the participants’ choice data in a descriptive way, we used a maximum likelihood approach to evaluate the participants’ choice data from the perspective of our model set. In brief, we provide quantitative evidence that participants employ a belief state-based hybrid explorative-exploitative strategy on the information-selective symmetric reversal bandit task, lending further support to the finding that humans are guided by their subjective uncertainty when solving exploration-exploitation dilemmas.
White matter tract-oriented deformation is dependent on real-time axonal fiber orientation
Authors: Zhou Zhou , Domel August G. , Li Xiaogai , Grant Gerald , Kleiven Svein , Camarillo David , Zeineh Michael 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTraumatic axonal injury (TAI) is a critical public health issue with its pathogenesis remaining largely elusive. Finite element (FE) head models are promising tools to bridge the gap between mechanical insult, localized brain response, and resultant injury. In particular, the FE-derived deformation along the direction of white matter (WM) tracts (i.e., tract-oriented strain) has been shown to be an appropriate predictor for TAI. However, the evolution of fiber orientation in time during the impact and its potential influence on the tract-oriented strain remains unknown. To address this question, the present study leveraged an embedded element approach to track real-time fiber orientation during impacts. A new scheme to calculate the tract-oriented strain was proposed by projecting the strain tensors from pre-computed simulations along the temporal fiber direction instead of its static counterpart directly obtained from diffuse tensor imaging. The results revealed that incorporating the real-time fiber orientation not only altered the direction but also amplified the magnitude of the tract-oriented strain, resulting in a generally more extended distribution and a larger volume ratio of WM exposed to high deformation along fiber tracts. These effects were exacerbated with the impact severities characterized by the acceleration magnitudes. Results of this study provide insights into how best to incorporate fiber orientation in head injury models and derive the WM tract-oriented deformation from computational simulations, which is important for furthering our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of TAI.
Electric Egg-Laying: Effect of Electric Field in a Microchannel onC. elegansEgg-Laying Behavior
Authors: Youssef Khaled , Archonta Daphne , Kubiseski Terrance J. , Tandon Anurag , Rezai Pouya 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTIn this paper, the novel effect of electric field (EF) on adultC. elegansegg-laying in a microchannel is discovered and correlated with neural and muscular activities. The quantitative effects of worm aging and EF strength, direction, and exposure duration on egg-laying is studied phenotypically using egg-count, body length, head movement, and transient neuronal activity readouts. Electric egg-laying rate increases significantly when worms face the anode and the response is EF-dependent, i.e. stronger (6V/cm) and longer EF (40s) exposure result in a shorter egg laying response duration. Worm aging significantly deteriorates the electric egg-laying behaviour with 88% decrease in the egg-count from Day-1 to Day-4 post young-adult stage. Fluorescent imaging of intracellular calcium dynamics in the main parts of the egg-laying neural circuit demonstrate the involvement and sensitivity of the serotonergic hermaphrodite specific neurons (HSNs), vulva muscles, and ventral cord neurons to the EF. HSN mutation also results in a reduced rate of electric egg-laying allowing the use of this technique for cellular screening and mapping of the neural basis of electrosensation inC. elegans. This novel assay can be parallelized and performed in a high-throughput manner for drug and gene screening applications.