bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seeking Information: A Survey of Rural Spinal Patients’ Internet Use and Pain Catastrophizing
Authors: Thomas Kelly A. , Sedney Cara , Gross Richard 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Objective Clinicians are beginning to evaluate the effects that Internet use has on patients. The aim of this study is to provide descriptive information on patients’ use of the Internet in regard to their spinal pain. Additionally, this study aims to examine the patient’s type of Internet usage (information vs. support) and its relationship to pain-related distress.

Materials and Methods This quantitative-descriptive, survey-based, correlational, cross-sectional design surveyed 143 spinal surgery patients from the Appalachian region. Participants were administered a demographic questionnaire, the pain catastrophizing scale, and an Internet Use and Spine Patients Questionnaire. Descriptive information on patient Internet use was collected through a retrospective recall of the participants’ Internet use and was analyzed utilizing a frequency distribution. A Pearson (r) correlation was conducted to determine the relationship between Internet use and the severity of pain catastrophizing.

Results Spinal surgery patients more frequently use the Internet for information than for support. For the individuals who do utilize the Internet for information, most are finding this tool to be somewhat helpful. For spinal patients who do use the Internet for support, there was a positively correlated relationship with magnification, helplessness, and overall pain catastrophizing.

Conclusion Patients who present for spinal surgery are generally using the Internet to gain information on their diagnoses. Pain catastrophizing was elevated in relation to Internet use for support. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Anxiety in Parkinson’s Disease: Correlation with Depression and Quality of Life
Authors: Upneja Ankush , Paul Birinder S. , Jain Dinesh , Choudhary Rupesh , Paul Gunchan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Introduction Anxiety is common in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Its prevalence ranges from 20 to 40% but despite that, the high prevalence anxiety in PD is often undiagnosed and untreated. This research was aimed to study the pattern of anxiety with regard to its prevalence and risk factors and to establish the association of anxiety with depression and quality of life (QOL) in patients with PD.

Methods A total of 105 patients with PD were prospectively observed. Demographic and clinical variables were recorded and patients were assessed for anxiety (the Parkinson anxiety scale [PAS]), depression (geriatric depression scale [GDS]), and QOL (Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 [PDQ-39]). Multiple forward logistic regression analysis was done for parameters showing association with anxiety. Pearson’s correlation was used to calculate the strength of association of depression and QOL with anxiety.

Results Anxiety was present in 56 PD patients (53.3%). Episodic anxiety was noted in 50%, avoidance behavior in 35%, and persistent anxiety in 15% of these patients. There was significant association of anxiety with duration of disease (p = 0.001), severity (p < 0.005), levodopa equivalent dose (LED; p = 0.001), and tremor phenotype of PD (p = 0.004). Anxiety coexisted with depression in 50 patients (79.4%), which was statistically significant in our cohort (p = 0.001). There was significant linear relationship between the PAS and PDQ-39.

Conclusion Anxiety exerts a negative impact on the QOL as revealed by proportionately worsening PDQ-39 and PAS scores. Screening for anxiety will allow efficient delivery of support and treatment to patients with PD and their families.
Hydrocephalic Dementia: Revisited with Multimodality Imaging and toward a Unified Imaging Approach
Authors: Mangalore Sandhya , Vankayalapati Sriharish , Gupta Arun Kumar 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Objective Overlap of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and pathology proven cases of dementia is known. The objective of this paper is to correlate both the clinical and multimodality imaging findings in patients with imaging diagnosis NPH and give a hypothesis for association of clinical findings.

Methods This is a retrospective observational analysis of 13 cases patients who were referred to molecular imaging center for imaging in 2016 to 2019, and they were divided into four groups based on structural imaging findings. Group 1 had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of diffuse effacement of sulcal spaces (DESH) and flow void, whereas Group 4 had none of these two. Group 3 had MRI findings of DESH but no flow void, and Group 2 had flow void but no DESH. Clinical presentation, MRI-PET findings of four groups are assessed.

Results Groups with presence of flow void showed hypometabolism in the medial frontal and medial temporal lobe. Groups with presence of DESH has effacement of parietal sulci showed parietal hypo metabolism with clinical presentation AD/mixed dementia and absence of parietal effacement showed FTD-like presentation. Groups without flow void or DESH showed only mild medial temporal hypometabolism and presented with classical signs of NPH. ASL perfusion changes are in correlation with metabolism on positron emission tomography (PET)-MRI.

Conclusion This study has led us to hypothesize the lack of outflow of brain protein and their deposition in parenchyma based on pressure gradient would be easier explanation to go with cluster of findings. MR-PET and other investigations each had different specificity and sensitivity and different pattern of presentation.
Pseudocyesis Leading to Folie-à-Deux
Authors: Nagdive Amit B. , Bhainsora Ravi Singh , Fernandes Rouchelle , Behere Prakash B. , Sethi Siddharth 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Pseudocyesis or false belief of pregnancy is the emergence of classical manifestations of pregnancy—nausea, breast enlargement and pigmentation, abdominal distention, amenorrhea, and labor pains—in a nonpregnant woman. It is a multifactorial disease and its development is influenced by many different elements such as neuroendocrine, social, psychodynamic, and cultural issues. “Folie-à-deux,” is shared psychotic disorder, describes a syndrome in which delusion is transferred to another person who is more susceptible. Both individuals are closely related or know each other for a long time and typically live together in relative social isolation. In its commonest form, the individual who first develops the delusion (the primary case) is often chronically ill and typically is the dominant member in a close relationship with a more suggestible person (the secondary case) who also develops the delusion. Treatment options should also be kept in mind as antipsychotics themselves can increase prolactin levels and can lead to amenorrhoea and galactorrhea and can further strengthen patient’s belief about her pregnancy. This case highlights that the most important therapeutic step in the treatment of folie-à-deux is separation of the inducer and the induced. Here we describe a case of folie-à-deux of a married couple in which the female had delusional pregnancy while the husband shared and supported her delusion against substantial medical evidence.
Increased VWF and Decreased ADAMTS-13 in COVID-19: Creating a Milieu for (Micro)Thrombosis
Authors: Favaloro Emmanuel J. , Henry Brandon Michael , Lippi Giuseppe 
Published: April 2021

Abstractvon Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large adhesive multimeric protein involved in hemostasis. The larger the size (or number of VWF multimers), the greater the functionality of the protein. A deficiency or defect of VWF can lead to von Willebrand disease (VWD) and cause bleeding. Conversely, an increase in VWF may create an environment that promotes thrombosis. ADAMS-13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13), sometimes called VWF-cleaving protease, is primarily responsible for controlling the size of VWF. The most severe deficiency (<10% of normal levels) of ADAMTS-13 arises in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a condition characterized by the presence of ultralarge VWF and clinically resulting in enhanced risk of thrombosis. However, ADAMTS-13 deficiency may result from other pathological processes. Of relevance is the recent finding that COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is associated with both increased levels and activity of VWF as well as generally decreased (or occasionally normal) activity levels of ADAMTS-13. Thus, in COVID-19 there is an alteration in the VWF/ADAMTS-13 axis, most often described by increased VWF/ADAMTS-13 ratio (or reduced ADAMTS-13/VWF ratio). COVID-19 is also associated with high prothrombotic risk. Thus, the imbalance of VWF and ADAMTS-13 in COVID-19 may be providing a milieu that promotes (micro)thrombosis, in a clinical picture resembling a secondary thrombotic microangiopathy in some patients. This review therefore assesses the literature on VWF, ADAMTS-13, and COVID-19. Whenever reported in COVID-19, VWF has always been identified as raised (compared with normal reference ranges or control populations). Reports have included VWF level (i.e., VWF antigen) and in some cases one or more VWF “activity” (e.g., collagen binding; platelet glycoprotein Ib [GPIb] binding, using ristocetin cofactor or more modern versions including VWF:GPIbR [recombinant] and VWF:GPIbM [mutant]). Whenever reported, ADAMTS-13 has been reported as “normal” or reduced; however, it should be recognized that “normal” levels may still identify a relative reduction in individual cases. Some reports also discuss the raised VWF/ADAMTS-13 (or reduced ADAMTS-13/VWF) ratio, but very few provide actual numerical data.
Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Discharged after COVID-19 Hospitalization
Authors: Engelen Matthias M. , Vandenbriele Christophe , Balthazar Tim , Claeys Eveline , Gunst Jan , Guler Ipek , Jacquemin Marc , Janssens Stefan , Lorent Natalie , Liesenborghs Laurens , Peerlinck Kathelijne , Pieters Griet , Rex Steffen , Sinonquel Pieter , Van der Linden Lorenz , Van Laer Christine , Vos Robin , Wauters Joost , Wilmer Alexander , Verhamme Peter , Vanassche Thomas 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication of COVID-19, so that the importance of adequate in-hospital thromboprophylaxis in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 is well established. However, the incidence of VTE after discharge and whether postdischarge thromboprophylaxis is beneficial and safe are unclear. In this prospective observational single-center study, we report the incidence of VTE 6 weeks after hospitalization and the use of postdischarge thromboprophylaxis.
Methods Patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 were invited to a multidisciplinary follow-up clinic 6 weeks after discharge. D-dimer and C-reactive protein were measured, and all patients were screened for deep vein thrombosis with venous duplex-ultrasound. Additionally, selected high-risk patients received computed tomography pulmonary angiogram or ventilation–perfusion (V/Q) scan to screen for incidental pulmonary embolism.
Results Of 485 consecutive patients hospitalized from March through June 2020, 146 patients were analyzed, of which 39% had been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Postdischarge thromboprophylaxis was prescribed in 28% of patients, but was used more frequently after ICU stay (61%) and in patients with higher maximal D-dimer and C-reactive protein levels during hospitalization. Six weeks after discharge, elevated D-dimer values were present in 32% of ward and 42% of ICU patients. Only one asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (0.7%) and one symptomatic pulmonary embolism (0.7%) were diagnosed with systematic screening. No bleedings were reported.
Conclusion In patients who had been hospitalized with COVID-19, systematic screening for VTE 6 weeks after discharge revealed a low incidence of VTE. A strategy of selectively providing postdischarge thromboprophylaxis in high-risk patients seems safe and potentially effective.
Prostate-Specific Antigen: From Promising to Disappointment Tool for Diagnosis of Chronic Renal Failure in Predialysis Patients
Authors: Al-Janabi Ali Abdul Hussein S 
Published: April 2021

Introduction Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a biomarker commonly used for detection of prostate cancer. Its viability as a marker for diagnosis of chronic renal failure (CRF) in predialysis patients was investigated.Methods Sera from 230 patients with CRF were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for determining total PSA (tPSA) levels before hemodialysis.Results Of the patients investigated, 98.69% had a normal PSA level with a value less than 4 ng/mL. Three elderly men with both kidney failure showed a moderate elevation of PSA level.Conclusion PSA is considered a nonsignificant indicator for diagnosis of CRF.
Planning for sustainable tourism development in Bhutan.
Authors: Pratt Stephen , Suntikul Wantanee 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

This chapter investigates the ways in which tourism planning and policies in Bhutan promote, reinforce and constrain sustainability. The scope of this work covers food and beverage purchasing decisions, human resources, transportation and souvenir sales in the tourism and hospitality industry in Bhutan. To achieve these research objectives, 19 in-depth interviews were conducted with hotel general managers in the main tourism areas of Thimphu and Paro. The findings reveal that, while the controlled nature of tourism in Bhutan certainly protects its residents from the negative excesses of global tourism, numerous policies also impede tourism and hospitality from spreading their benefits more widely. Policy makers in Bhutan would rather adhere to the precautionary principle than allow detrimental practices or risk irreversible impact on Bhutanese culture.
Tourism development and its impact on economic growth in Pakistan.
Authors: Fauzel Sheereen , Jaffur Zameelah Khan , Seetanah Boopen 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

This chapter discusses in the first instance the development of tourism in Pakistan, delving into the government's support of it and its potential as well as the challenges of the industry. The chapter subsequently investigates the impact of tourism development on economic growth in Pakistan over the period 1980 to 2018 using a dynamic time-series analysis, namely a vector autoregressive framework, which allows for the possibility of endogeneity and causality issues. The results proved the existence of the tourism-led growth hypothesis and that tourism development has contributed to economic growth in the long run; perhaps not as much as it could have given the potential of this sector. A bidirectional causality is also reported between tourism development and economic growth, confirming the self-reinforcing nature of the tourism-growth nexus.
The role of international tourism in the Maldives.
Authors: Sathiendrakumar Rajasundram , Jaffur Zameelah Khan , Seetanah Boopen 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

This chapter considers the development of tourism in the Maldives and delves into tourism planning and promotion since the 1970s. It also empirically investigates the impact of tourism on economic growth in the Maldives from 1995 to 2016 in both static and dynamic time-series analysis settings. Both the static and dynamic regression results depicted a positive and quite sizeable relationship between tourism and economic growth. It is noteworthy that the analysis could not confirm any relationship in the short run, suggesting that tourism development has its full effect on the economy with time.
Bactrocera dorsalis (oriental fruit fly).
Authors: Leblanc Luc 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Bactrocera dorsalis is a highly invasive species. Native to Asia, Oriental fruit fly is now found in at least 65 countries, including parts of America and Oceania, and most of continental Africa (sub-Saharan countries). The potential risk of its introduction to a new area is facilitated by increasing international tourism and trade, and is influenced by changes in climate and land use. After introduction, it can easily disperse as it has a high reproductive potential, high biotic potential (short life cycle, up to 10 generations of offspring per year depending on temperature), a rapid dispersal ability and a broad host range. The economic impact would result primarily from the loss of the export markets and the costly requirement of quarantine restrictions and eradication measures. Furthermore, its establishment would have a serious impact on the environment, following the initiation of chemical and/or biological control programmes. Invasive B. dorsalis has been shown to be highly competitive with native fruit flies where it has established, quickly becoming the dominant fruit fly pest (Duyck et al., 2004; Vargas et al., 2007; Vayssières et al., 2015). Oriental fruit fly is of quarantine significance to EPPO (European Plant Protection Organization), APPPC (Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission), COSAV (Comité de Sanidad Vegetal del Cono Sur), CPPC (Caribbean Plant Protection Commission), IAPSC (Inter-African Phytosanitary Council) and OIRSA (Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria) countries.
The hits and misses of Namibia’s attempt to implement the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) Management
Authors: Iitembu Johannes A. , Erasmus Victoria N. , Uanivi Uatjavi , Nakwaya Dietlinde , Horaeb Richard R. , Nangolo Ester , Nashima Festus P. , Iita Theopolina K. , Mwandemele Osmund 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) management is a concept aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of the entire ecosystem. While EAF is a noble approach, its implementation has been challenging. Although Namibia has committed to the implementation of EAF, only limited assessment has been done of Namibian fisheries management processes and instruments concerning EAF. A qualitative assesment was done to ascertain if the Namibian fisheries management processes and instruments conform to the EAF principles. Namibian fisheries management processes and instruments largely conform to the EAF principles, although there are notable areas needing improvements. The conformities were pronounced in the total allowable catch setting, rebuilding depleted stocks, minimizing bycatch, and fishing impact minimization. The polluter pays, and user pays principles were also applied. Areas that were found lacking in this study included setting the indicators for EAF and ecosystem integrity. The assessment also noted the absence of guidelines for the precautionary approach principle and a transparent policy for quota and right allocation processes. The strategies for managing transboundary fish species are also not formulated. Overall, this assessment showed the complexities and challenges that Namibia and other countries need to overcome to implement EAF successfully.
Final report of the new BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Tb-161 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 161Tb including the 2019 result of the IRA (Switzerland)
Authors: Michotte C , Courte S , Nonis M , Coulon R , Judge S , Juget F , Nedjadi Y , Durán M T 
Published: April 2021

Main text
In 2019, the IRA (Switzerland) submitted a sample of 161Tb to the International Reference System (SIR) for activity comparison at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), with comparison identifier BIPM.RI(II)- K1.Tb-161. As IRA is the first participant in the comparison no key comparison reference value (KCRV) and no degrees of equivalence can be calculated.
To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
CCQM-K146.1 subsequent comparison low-polarity analyte in high fat food: benzo[a]pyrene in olive oil
Authors: Li Xiaomin , Li Hongmei , Zhang Qinghe , Lu Xiaohua , Kakoulides Elias , Quinn L , Fernandes-Whaley M , Bucar-Miklavcic Milena , Bester Erika , Butinar Bojan , Gokcen Taner , Bilsel Mine 
Published: April 2021

Main text
The Track A key comparison on the determination of benzo[a]pyrene in olive oil (CCQM-K146) organized by the CCQM was finished in 2020. This key comparison was related to low polarity analytes in a high fat, low protein, low carbohydrate food matrix and was the model system selected to align with the OAWG strategy for comparisons to underpin the food sector. Due to requests from the participants of this comparison, CCQM organized a supplementary comparison CCQM-K146.1 for those NMIs or DIs who did not participate in CCQM-K146 or wished to improve their results from CCQM-K146.
5 NMIs and DIs participated in CCQM-K146.1. Different extraction methods and SPE cartridges were applied in the sample pre-treatment. HPLC-FLD, GC-MS/MS and GC-TOF MS were applied for detection by the participants. Certified reference materials (CRMs) were adopted or pure materials assessed in house to guarantee traceability to SI for the calibrants.
NIM's result for CCQM-K146 was equivalent with the CCQM-K146 KCRV, thus they demonstrated acceptable performance in determining the measurand and their result for CCQM-K146.1 was used as the KCRV. The KCRV and u(KCRV) values were 8.69 μg/kg and 0.18 μg/kg, respectively. The random effects model obtained in CCQM-K146 suggests a dark uncertainty term (tau) is present, and the tau of CCQM-K146 normalized to CCQM-K146.1 measurand level is included in the estimation of degrees of equivalence (DoE) for the participants in CCQM-K146.1. This helps establish a consistent expectation of performance amongst the two studies, even when comparing to a different anchor KCRV.
One participant demonstrated their capabilities for this analysis, whereas the other three were all deviated from the KCRV. This supplementary comparison directly illustrates the capabilities in determining mass fraction of organic compounds, with molecular mass of 100 g/mol to 500 g/mol, having low polarity pKow < -2, in mass fraction range from 0.1 μg/kg to 1000 μg/kg in a high fat, low protein, low carbohydrate food matrix.
To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
A new interpretation of (Tikhonov) regularization
Authors: Gerth Daniel 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Tikhonov regularization with square-norm penalty for linear forward operators has been studied extensively in the literature. However, the results on convergence theory are based on technical proofs and sometimes difficult to interpret. It is also often not clear how those results translate into the discrete, numerical setting. In this paper we present a new strategy to study the properties of a regularization method on the example of Tikhonov regularization. The technique is based on the well-known observation that Tikhonov regularization approximates the unknown exact solution in the range of the adjoint of the forward operator. This is closely related to the concept of approximate source conditions, which we generalize to describe not only the approximation of the unknown solution, but also noise-free and noisy data; all from the same source space. Combining these three approximation results we derive the well-known convergence results in a concise way and improve the understanding by tightening the relation between concepts such as convergence rates, parameter choice, and saturation. The new technique is not limited to Tikhonov regularization, it can be applied also to iterative regularization, which we demonstrate by relating Tikhonov regularization and Landweber iteration. All results are accompanied by numerical examples.