bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lifetime and Jail-Specific Suicidal Ideation: Prevalence and Correlates in a Sample of People in Jail in the United States
Authors: Stoliker Bryce E. , Wangler Haile , Abderhalden Frances P. , Jewell Lisa M.
Published: April 2023

Despite high suicide mortality in U.S. jails, there is limited research into precursors for suicide in this population, such as suicidal ideation. The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of lifetime and jail-specific suicidal ideation among a sample of 196 individuals (137 men) in custody in a U.S. jail. Nearly half the sample had reported lifetime suicidal ideation (45%), whereas 30% had reported jail-specific suicidal ideation. Adjusted correlates of lifetime suicidal ideation included a history of mental illness (OR = 2.79) and drug use (OR = 2.70). Adjusted correlates of jail-specific suicidal ideation included a history of mental illness (OR = 2.74), drug use (OR = 3.16), and a dehumanizing custodial environment (OR = 3.74). Some theoretically and empirically relevant factors were not significantly associated with suicidal ideation. Both expected and unexpected findings are discussed within the context of suicide theory and research, and practical implications are explored.
Concomitant intra-aortic balloon pump and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock
Authors: Arafat Amr A , Almedimigh Abdulmalik A , Algarni Khaled D , Ismail Huda H , Pragliola Claudio , Adam Adam I , AlBarrak Mohammed , Osman Ahmed , Albabtain Monirah A , Tantawy Tarek M
Published: April 2023

We aimed to compare the outcomes of ECMO with and without IABP for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. The study included 103 patients who needed ECMO for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. Patients were grouped according to the use of IABP into ECMO without IABP ( n = 43) and ECMO with IABP ( n = 60). The study endpoints were hospital complications, successful weaning, and survival. Patients with IABP had lower preoperative ejection fraction ( p = 0.002). There was no difference in stroke ( p = 0.97), limb ischemic ( p = 0.32), and duration of ICU stay ( p = 0.11) between groups. Successful weaning was non-significantly higher with IABP (36 (60%) vs 19 (44.19%); p = 0.11). Predictors of successful weaning were inversely related to the high pre-ECMO lactate levels (OR: 0.89; p = 0.01), active endocarditis (OR: 0.06; p = 0.02), older age (OR: 0.95; p = 0.02), and aortic valve replacement (OR: 0.26; p = 0.04). There was no difference in survival between groups ( p = 0.80). Our study did not support the routine use of IABP during ECMO support.
A Profile of the Direct Care Workforce in Home- and Community-Based Services
Authors: Kelly Christopher M. , Deichert Jerome A.
Published: April 2023

We used data from the 2020 American Community Survey to compare direct care workers (DCWs) in home and community-based services (HCBS) with workers in other long-term supportive services (LTSS), such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and assisted living facilities (ALFs). Compared to DCWs in SNFs and ALFs, a higher proportion of DCWs in HCBS were over age 65, Latino/a, and single. A lower proportion of DCWs in HCBS worked for a for-profit company, worked year-round and full-time, and had employer-based health insurance.
Sustainable Urban Form and the Creative Class: Insights from Southern California
Authors: Natekal Asiya
Published: April 2023

This research examines the extent to which the presence of the creative class (CC) is associated with the promotion of sustainability, particularly as reflected in development regulations adopted by cities in Southern California. Conducted in two phases, this study employed a mixed-methods approach. Considerable variation was found in the promotion of sustainability among cities. Generally, cities with a higher proportion of the CC integrated Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design at the neighborhood level sustainability principles to a greater extent; however, not all cities with a higher proportion of the CC addressed more sustainability principles and to a stronger extent than those with a lower proportion.
Socioeconomic, Clinical, and Laboratory Parameters Differentiating Pediatric Patients With MOG Antibody–Associated Disease and Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Florenzo Brian , Brenton J. Nicholas
Published: April 2023

Studies indicate differences in the clinical phenotypes and neuroimaging of children with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody–associated disease (MOGAD) compared to multiple sclerosis; however, there are limited data assessing the socioeconomic and paraclinical differences between these distinct disorders. This retrospective study identified patients aged <18 years at time of diagnosis with MOGAD or multiple sclerosis. Demographics, birth history, socioeconomic factors (insurance type, median income, parental education level), and paraclinical features (clinical manifestations, laboratory evaluation) were recorded for eligible participants. Seventy-eight patients (28 MOGAD, 50 multiple sclerosis) met inclusion criteria. Mothers of MOGAD children were more likely to have attended college compared to the mothers of children with multiple sclerosis (80% vs 49%; P = .02). Though MOGAD patients had greater rates of day care attendance (81% vs 57%), lower rates of birth complications (7% vs 21%), and higher rates of being breastfed (65% vs 46%), these findings did not meet predefined statistical significance. Clinically, children with MOGAD exhibited a lower body mass index percentile at presentation (58th ± 27th percentile vs 83rd ± 20th percentile; P = .0001) and were younger (7.6 ± 4.1 vs 14.8 ± 1.6 years; P < .0001) and more likely to exhibit an infectious prodrome (57% vs 10%; P < .0001). MOGAD patients were less likely to have evidence of remote Epstein-Barr virus infection (29% vs 100%; P < .0001) and less likely to have ≥3 unique oligoclonal bands in the cerebrospinal fluid (5% vs 87%; P < .001). Compared with multiple sclerosis, children with MOGAD exhibit lower body mass index percentiles at presentation, are more likely to have mothers with higher education levels, and are less likely to have had prior Epstein-Barr virus infection. Our data confirm that MOGAD patients are younger, more likely to exhibit infectious prodrome, and are less likely to exhibit intrathecal synthesis of oligoclonal bands. These features provide new insights into the differentiating pathobiology of MOGAD and may be helpful in differentiating these children from multiple sclerosis early in the diagnostic evaluation.
Sleep Problems After Concussion Are Associated With Poor Balance and Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms
Authors: Magliato Samantha N. , Wingerson Mathew J. , Seehusen Corrine N. , Smulligan Katherine L. , Simon Stacey L. , Wilson Julie C. , Howell David R.
Published: April 2023

We examined the association of self-reported sleep problems with clinical measures of postural stability, memory performance, symptom burden, and symptom duration following youth concussion. Patients 6-18 years of age presenting ≤21 days postconcussion underwent a clinical evaluation including modified Balance Error Scoring System, single- and dual-task tandem gait, immediate and delayed recall, and symptom severity. We calculated time from injury until symptom resolution and determined the proportion of patients who developed persistent postconcussion symptoms, defined as a symptom duration >28 days postconcussion. We grouped patients based on whether they reported sleep problems at their postconcussion clinical evaluation and compared symptom-based and functional outcomes between groups. Of the 207 patients included, n = 97 (14.3 ± 2.9 years; 49% female; initial visit 10.2 ± 5.8 days postconcussion) reported sleep problems postconcussion and n = 110 (14.3 ± 2.4 years; 46% female; initial visit 9.3 ± 5.4 days postinjury) did not. Those reporting sleep problems postconcussion had significantly more modified Balance Error Scoring System errors than those without (8.4 ± 5.5 vs 6.7 ± 4.7; P = .01), but similar tandem gait and memory performance. A significantly greater proportion of those who reported sleep problems postconcussion experienced persistent postconcussion symptoms than those who did not (53% vs 31%; P = .004). After adjusting for time from concussion to clinical visit and preconcussion sleep problems, postconcussion sleep problems were associated with a 2 times greater odds of developing persistent postconcussion symptoms (adjusted odds ratio = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.01, 4.06; P = .049). Identifying sleep problems early following concussion may allow clinicians to implement targeted treatment recommendations to improve sleep and provide an optimal recovery environment.
A National, Electronic Health Record–Based Study of Perinatal Hemorrhagic and Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Fraser Stuart , Levy Samantha M. , Talebi Yashar , Savitz Sean I. , Zha Alicia , Zhu Gen , Wu Hulin
Published: April 2023

Background

Perinatal stroke occurs in approximately 1 in 1100 live births. Large electronic health record (EHR) data can provide information on exposures associated with perinatal stroke in a larger number of patients than is achievable through traditional clinical studies. The objective of this study is to assess prevalence and odds ratios of known and theorized comorbidities with perinatal ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Methods

The data for patients aged 0-28 days with a diagnosis of either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke were extracted from the Cerner Health Facts Electronic Medical Record (EMR) database. Incidence of birth demographics and perinatal complications were recorded. Odds ratios were calculated against a control group.

Results

A total of 535 (63%) neonates were identified with ischemic stroke and 312 (37%) with hemorrhagic stroke. The most common exposures for ischemic stroke were sepsis (n = 82, 15.33%), hypoxic injury (n = 61, 11.4%), and prematurity (n = 49, 9.16%). The most common comorbidities for hemorrhagic stroke were prematurity (n = 81, 26%) and sepsis (n = 63, 20%). No perinatal ischemic stroke patients had diagnosis codes for cytomegalovirus disease. Procedure and diagnosis codes related to critical illness, including intubation and resuscitation, were prominent in both hemorrhagic (n = 46, 15%) and ischemic stroke (n = 45, 8%).

Conclusion

This electronic health record–based study of perinatal stroke, the largest of its kind, demonstrated a wide variety of comorbid conditions with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Sepsis, prematurity, and hypoxic injury are associated with perinatal hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, though prevalence varies between types. Much of our data were similar to prior studies, which lends validity to the electronic health record database in studying perinatal stroke.
Mysteries, Battles, and Games: Exploring Agency in Metaphors About Sexual Harassment
Authors: Malvini Redden Shawna , Scarduzio Jennifer A.
Published: April 2023

Given the personal nature of sexual harassment and the typically confidential, bureaucratic reporting processes in organizations, first-person stories about sexual harassment reporting are somewhat rare. In fact, targets of harassment are routinely silenced by the reporting process, with confidentiality rules protecting harassers, organizations, and only occasionally, harassment targets. Consequently, we know little about how those who experience sexual harassment from coworkers make sense of their experiences, what their experience reporting is like, and how they navigate the stigma of sexual harassment after they report. In this study, we draw upon in-depth interviews with a diverse group of workers to understand how they metaphorically frame their experiences as mysteries, battles, and games. We argue that these metaphors direct attention to the ways people make sense of harassment in wholly negative symbolic frames, with diminished agency, and implicate organizations as agents in the harassment process.
Partners or Providers? An Analysis of Nonprofit Federal Contractor Performance
Authors: Brunjes Benjamin M.
Published: April 2023

As competition over grant funding increases, nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are increasingly likely to enter into contracts with government agencies to ensure funding stability and accomplish organizational goals. Public agencies seek to reduce the possibility of contractor performance problems. Unlike profit-seeking firms that may need constant monitoring, NPOs could be more likely to serve as stewards of public resources, delivering services consistent with shared goals. However, few empirical studies have assessed the comparative performance of private and nonprofit contractors to determine whether there are meaningful differences in practice. This study analyzes nearly 25,000 U.S. federal definitive contracts that concluded between 2005 and 2015. Using predictive statistical analyses, findings indicate that nonprofits deliver more complex work than their for-profit counterparts, are less likely to be terminated early, do not require additional contract modifications, and are treated similarly to other vendors. Taken together, the results suggest that there are mutual benefits when governments and nonprofits engage in contracts.
Activity and Identity: Uncovering Multiple Institutional Logics in the Nonprofit Sector
Authors: Ressler Robert W. , Fulton Brad R. , Paxton Pamela
Published: April 2023

Nonprofit organizations are influenced by multiple institutional logics. However, data and methodological limitations have restricted scholars to classifying organizations solely according to activity-based logics and hindered investigation of alternative logics. This article presents a method for measuring organizational identity—a critical component of the multiple logics framework. To illustrate our method, we focus on religious identity. Using dictionary-based text analysis, we analyze Form 990 data to identify nonprofit organizations that share the same activity-based logic (e.g., education, arts, and health care) but operate with different identity-based logics (religious vs. secular). To demonstrate the value of measuring organizational identity at scale, we compare religiously identified organizations with their secular counterparts. Results suggest there are approximately 670,000 religious and religiously identified organizations in the nonprofit sector and illustrate the importance of operationalizing multiple institutional logics for nonprofit research. Extensions include creating additional dictionaries and large-scale measures of other organizational identities, including race/ethnicity, gender, LGBTQIA+, and politics.
Plazas of sovereignty: Curatorial imagination in times of expanded borders
Authors: Vergara Leire
Published: April 2023

This article explores the dispersed geography of the so-called plazas of sovereignty, the Spanish strongholds formed by a group of rocks, islets and archipelagos, that stretch along the northern coast of Morocco, from a curatorial perspective. These territories, which have been occupied by Spain since the end of Middle Age, are today inaccessible to documented or undocumented citizens. My curatorial research Dispositifs of Touching has created a space for studying the enclaves through the activation of a methodology that has helped to approach and generate knowledge around their forbidden status. Their lack of accessibility has encouraged the development of a curatorial production that included site-visits, reading groups, public platforms for debate, documentary materials, artistic productions and installations. Beyond this, the study of the strongholds facilitates the configuration of a criticality ( Rogoff, 2003 ) on terms that are fundamental for curatorial research and practice as much as for contemporary urgencies related to the contemporary migratory crisis between Africa and Europe.
Redundancy resolution of 9-DOF machine through synthesized global and local performance indices
Authors: Yang Qian , Yang Di , Qu Weiwei , Guo Yingjie , Huang Qiwei , Wang Yanzhe , Ke Yinglin
Published: April 2023

The 9-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) machine is used to lay the rotating mold driven by the positioner. In order to reduce the 9-DOF machine to a 6-DOF non-redundant structure, this paper proposes a redundancy resolution method based on synthesized global and local performance indices. Since the number of non-redundant machine types is enormous, all non-redundant machines are divided into six classes depending on the redundant joints, called axis assignment schemes. After defining the global and the local performance indices of the non-redundant machine, the redundancy resolution method is proposed. It consists of three parts: Firstly, refine the machine types of each axis assignment scheme based on the average global indices. Then, select the best axis assignment scheme by comparing the scheme’s local indices for a given mold. Finally, optimize the non-redundant machine type contained in the optimal scheme with the objective of superior local indices and continuous positioner rotation space. In the experiment, using the air-inlet as an example, two motion planning methods gave different motion trajectories for the 7-DOF layup system. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified analytically by comparing the joint motion and fiber placement speed of the optimal machine type with other types.
Streamline analysis of MHD flow in a double lid-driven cavity
Authors: Çelik Ebutalib , Gürbüz-Çaldağ Merve
Published: April 2023

The magnetohydrodynamic flow of an incompressible, steady and electrically conducting fluid is considered in double lid-driven square cavity under an inclined magnetic field. The non-dimensional governing equations are solved numerically using a radial basis function (RBF) approximation meshless method in order to obtain the flow patterns. Hartmann number [Formula: see text] and the inclination angle of magnetic field [Formula: see text] are taken as a problem variables that produce various flow transformations by their variation for [Formula: see text]. Streamlines are examined topologically, and it has been observed that the inclination angle and strength of magnetic field have different influence on the bifurcation of flow structures.
Modeling and performance analysis of elastostatic stiffness of kinematically redundant parallel mechanisms
Authors: Wu Zhen , Chen Qiaohong , Ye Wei
Published: April 2023

An analytical elastostatic stiffness modeling approach for kinematically redundant parallel mechanisms (KR-PMs) according to screw theory and the second theorem of Castigliano is proposed. The 2-UPR/PRPU and 2-PUPR/PRPU KR-PMs are used as two examples of KR-PMs to validate the precision of the proposed approach. The relative error is less than 1.55% when the theoretical model is compared to the FEA model. The PM’s stiffness performance is assessed using the minimum linear displacement stiffness performance index, which is based on the theoretical model. By integrating Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) with polynomial fitting technology, an analytical mapping model of the response surface between the optimal actuating distances and the moving platform (MP)’s given position and orientation is established. It is demonstrated that 2-UPR/PRPU and 2-PUPR/PRPU KR-PMs can significantly enhance the stiffness performance when compared to the stiffness performance of 2-UPR/RPU PM.
Performance comparison of organic Rankine cycles integrated with solar based combined cycle: A thermodynamic and exergoenvironmental analysis
Authors: Khan Yunis , Mishra Radhey Shyam , Singh Abhendra Pratap
Published: April 2023

In the present study, the two configurations of the combined intercooled cascade supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) cycle/organic Rankine cycle (ORC) (configuration-1) and the combined intercooled cascade sCO2 cycle/parallel double evaporator ORC (PDORC) (configuration-2) were considered for the comparison on the basis of thermodynamic performance. Solar power tower (SPT) was considered as heat source for both the configurations. The effects of SPT design parameters on the systems were investigated. It was concluded that the addition of basic ORC and PDORC to the standalone intercooled cascade sCO2 cycle enhanced the thermal efficiency by 2.26% and 6.66% respectively, at 950 W/m2 of direct normal irradiation (DNI). In the case of basic ORC and PDORC, the waste heat recovery ratios were 0.1197 and 0.1775, respectively. It was also discovered that configuration-2 performed better than configuration-1 in terms of waste heat recovery and its optimized thermal efficiency was found as 52.34%. An exergoenvironmental analysis also performed on the present systems. Exergoenvironmental impact index decreases from 1.6504 to 0.6801 with increase in DNI while the exergetic stability factor increase from 0.3773 to 0.5952 with DNI.
Numerical simulation of wear particle deposition in ferrograph based on coupled analysis of magnetic, fluid and solid field
Authors: Fan Hongwei , Liu Qi , Zhang Xuhui , Cao Xiangang
Published: April 2023

Ferrography is a significant means of wear particle detection for mechanical equipment. In view of the issue that the wear particle deposition process by a ferrograph is difficult to accurately adjust to avoid accumulation or escape, the deposition behavior of wear particles coupled with the magnetic, fluid and solid field in a ferrograph is studied by the finite element method. The wear particle force and its deposition principle are first analyzed, and the theoretical deposition law is obtained. By building 3D finite element model, setting the magnetic, flow field and wear particle parameters, the coupled simulation based on the particle tracking is carried out. According to the process of wear particles flowing out of the oil tube and then depositing on the ferrogram slide, the effect of oil pressure, viscosity, density, ferrogram slide inclination angle, distance between oil tube and ferrogram slide and the particle release mode on the particle deposition behavior is studied. Based on the velocity and displacement of particles, the reasonable parameter ranges are obtained, and the sensitive variables are determined. In order to verify the numerical law through experiments, the area and perimeter of wear particles are adopted, meanwhile the oil viscosity is selected as the adjustable parameter, and the tested results prove the numerical simulation correct.
Thermo-electro-mechanical dynamic and free vibration analysis of FGPM nanobeam with initial stress
Authors: Kammoun Nouha , Feki Nabih , Hentati Hamdi , Bouaziz Slim , Amar Mounir Ben , Soula Mohamed , Haddar Mohamed
Published: April 2023

Currently, nanostructures such as nanobeams, nanomembranes and nanoplates have been a hot area of research triggering. The contribution of this research article deals with both the effect of the free and dynamic vibration of a nanobeam as well as the use of the FGM material by integrating the piezoelectric effect. In fact, incorporating the initial stress for a nanoscale beam has not been considered yet. This paper displays an analysis of dynamic and free vibration of power-law functionally graded piezoelectric materials (FGPM) subjected to thermal-electro-mechanical loads with initial stress. The model was resolved based on nonlocal Timoshenko beams theory. The dimensionless fundamental frequency gradually improved with the new configuration of the FGPM nanobeam by 5% compared to the FGM nanobeam. The accuracy of this model is highlighted via numerical examples for different boundary conditions. To solve the governing equations, the polynomial differential quadrature method (PDQM) was elaborated and resolved numerically using MATLAB. For various configurations of the FGPM nanobeams, the effect of scaling parameters, volume fraction and slenderness ratios were discussed. In addition, for different edge conditions, variations of the first four frequencies with volume fraction indices and for different scaling parameters were set forward. This study corroborated that the power exponent, nonlocal parameter, slenderness ratio and thermo-electro-mechanical loads have significant effects on the dimensionless frequencies of various FGPM nanobeams. The present work provides an enlightening as guideline for the draft of a nanoscale beams based thermo-electro-mechanical actuators.
Evaluation of microstructural, tribological and tensile characteristics of AA7075 surface composites fabricated through friction stir process
Authors: Suganeswaran K. , Muthukumar P. , Sathiskumar R. , Parameshwaran R. , Nithyavathy N.
Published: April 2023

Superior wear resistance and a high level of tensile strength in piston ring materials are achieved using AA7075 surface composites (SCs) that are fabricated by reinforcing the steel slag (SS) particulates through proper selection of friction stir process (FSP) parameters using the multipass technique. The optical structure elucidates that fine and equi-axed grains are ascertained in the stir zone of the processed region, and by increasing the number of passes from one to three, a homogenous dispersion of particulates and a reduced grain size (9 µm) is obtained. In particular, a clear and defect-free interface is prominent on the resulting composite surface. Field emission – scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) identifies the dispersion of reinforcements, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mapping confirm the existence of reinforcing elements. The Orowan strengthening effect and reduced oxygen content around the SiO2 and CaO elements in the three-pass FSP SC specimen tend to increase its load-bearing capacity and result in superior hardness (353.3 VHN) and tensile strength (792.6 MPa). However, the same specimen exhibits a reduced percentage (%) elongation due to multiplied fragmentation of reinforcements, which eventually restricts the plastic movement of the AA7075 matrix. The SEM fracture morphology indicates that failure occurred through a combination of ductile and brittle modes. Furthermore, the SC specimen with two passes prominently decreases the wear rate (333 × 104 mm3/m), which can be attributed to the commendable trilayer formation, and the worn morphology indicates the abrasive wear was the dominant wear mechanism. This fabricated specimen with high-strength characteristics can be beneficial for design engineers. During piston ring design, an increased level of the factor of safety can be achieved.
Effect of wear damage on aero-thermal performance of the film-cooled squealer tip in a turbine stage
Authors: Ye Mingliang , Yan Xin , He Kun
Published: April 2023

Effects of wear damage on the aerodynamic performance, heat transfer and film cooling effect in the squealer tip region of a gas turbine stage were investigated under engine condition. Two wear parameters, including the starting-location of wear ( sl) and wear depth ( wd), were introduced to describe the degree of wear damage. Three starting-locations of wear ( sl = 32% C ax, 58% C ax and 79% C ax) and three wear depths ( wd = 0.33 mm, 0.67 mm and 1.0 mm) were selected to compute the heat transfer coefficient and film cooling effectiveness on the squealer tip at four blowing ratios ( M = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0). The pressure loss and isentropic efficiency of the turbine stage were calculated to assess the aerodynamic performance degradation induced by the tip wear. The results indicate that the pressure loss in the blade passage near tip region is increased and the stage efficiency is decreased with the increase of wd. Compared to the original design case at M = 0.75, the pressure loss in the rotor blade passage is increased by 7.39% and the stage efficiency is decreased by 2.22% at most after wear. As wd increases, the area-averaged heat transfer coefficient on the cavity floor is increased and film cooling effectiveness is decreased. For the worn cases at M = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1, the area-averaged heat transfer coefficient on the cavity floor is increased respectively by 87.7%, 62.3%, 71.3% and 88.0% at most, and the area-averaged film cooling effectiveness is decreased respectively by 37.2%, 26.8%, 26.7% and 22.2% at most, as compared to the original design cases.
Rhamnetin alleviates polystyrene microplastics-induced testicular damage by restoring biochemical, steroidogenic, hormonal, apoptotic, inflammatory, spermatogenic and histological profile in male albino rats
Authors: Hamza Ali , Ijaz Muhammad Umar , Anwar Haseeb
Published: April 2023

The current research was performed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of Rhamnetin (RHM) on polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs)-instigated testicular dysfunction in male albino rats. 48 albino rats were distributed in four groups, i.e., control, PS-MPs treated, PS-MPs + RHM co-treated and RHM only supplemented group. PS-MPs exposure considerably reduced anti-oxidant enzymes i.e., catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GPx) activities. Whereas, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level along with malondialdehyde (MDA) was considerably escalated in PS-MPs treated rats as well as a potential decline was observed in sperm progressive motility. Additionally, a substantial upsurge was noticed in the count of dead sperms, deformity in the tail, mid-piece and head of sperms in PS-MPs treated rats. PS-MPs exposure also decreased steroidogenic enzymes, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) expressions. Moreover, the levels of inflammatory indices i.e., Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity were also increased in PS-MPs administrated group. Besides it increased the expression of apoptotic markers (Bax and caspase-3) expression. Whereas, anti-apoptotic marker i.e., Bcl-2 expression was reduced. Moreover, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) as well as plasma testosterone levels were also decreased. PS-MPs exposure also led to a substantial histopathological damage in testicular tissues. However, RHM supplementation potentially reduced the damaging effects of PS-MPs in the reproductive tissues of male albino rats. Thus, the current study revealed, RHM possesses potential to prevent PS-MPs-induced testicular damage due to its anti-oxidant anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory as well as androgenic properties.
Establishment of an animal model of sciatic nerve injury induced by local anesthetics
Authors: E Qi , Wu Yunlin , Liang Xiaoxia , Chen Meixin , Peng Jiayi , Zhou Ziyin , Wen Xianjie
Published: April 2023

Peripheral neurotoxicity injury caused by local anesthetics is a common complication of clinical anesthesia. The study of its mechanism is helpful to prevent and treat the neurotoxic injury of local anesthetics. Previous studies on peripheral neurotoxicity injury caused by local anesthetics have mainly focused on in vitro cell experiments. Due to the lack of an animal model of peripheral neurotoxicity damage caused by local anesthetics, there are few in vivo experimental studies regarding this topic. Herein, 1% ropivacaine hydrochloride was injected into the sciatic nerve by direct incision and exposure of the sciatic nerve to create a local anesthetic neurotoxic injury model. The results showed that 1% ropivacaine hydrochloride could reduce the lower limb motor score and mechanical paw withdrawal threshold in mice 48 hours after injection. Pathological sections showed that 48 hours after treatment with 1% ropivacaine hydrochloride, the sciatic nerve showed increased axonal edema and degeneration, edema between nerve fiber bundles, increased degeneration of axon and myelin sheath vacuoles, edema of nerve bundle membrane and local degeneration and necrosis, and a large number of inflammatory cells around the nerve adventitia were soaked. The above results show that under open vision, 1% ropivacaine hydrochloride can cause injury to the sciatic nerve after 48 h of treatment, which can simulate the neurotoxic damage of local anesthetics. This animal model provides a research tool for studying the mechanism of neurotoxic injury caused by local anesthetics.
A silica/epoxy resin nanocomposite exhibiting high thermal stability and low thermal expansion based on the uniform dispersion of hydrophilic colloidal silica nanospheres
Authors: Tanahashi Mitsuru , Hirota Kazuma
Published: April 2023

The present study fabricated high-performance silica/epoxy resin nanocomposites having a low coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CTE) and a high glass transition temperature ( Tg). This was accomplished by dispersing colloidal silica nanospheres having hydrophilic surfaces in epoxy resins, which limited the motion of the polymer chains. Nanocomposites were produced wherein isolated primary particles of colloidal silica without silane surface modification were dispersed uniformly. These particles were generated via the breakdown of loosely bound agglomerates of spherical silica particles during the agitation of a dispersion in an epoxy resin solution. Hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups on the hydrophilic surfaces of the dispersed silica nanoparticles and the cross-linked epoxy polymer network evidently limited thermally-induced motion of the polymer chains, resulting in a considerable reduction in the CTE and an increase in the Tg for the nanocomposite.
Is Fieldwork Losing its Grace? Encountering Western and Indian Experience
Authors: Midya Dipak K.
Published: April 2023

Anthropology is primarily a field science, as a field provides the basic platform for critical scrutiny of ideas and theories of the discipline. Fieldwork is also an extremely indispensable tool to understand the culture of the “observed.” Magnificent outcomes of fieldwork in the hands of Malinowski, Mead, Evans-Pritchard, Barth, Firth, Bohannan, Levi-Strauss, Powdermaker, and others have been instrumental in the development of various discourses in anthropology and allied disciplines. Contributions of Indian anthropologists in field studies are also no less significant, as these reflect renewed interest in empiricism and the reflexive understanding of the culture of the “others.” But nowadays, fieldwork is getting less importance in western as well as in Indian academics. In this article, the author has tried to critically examine various issues in connection with the present days’ fieldwork enterprise, which is getting a diminishing importance.
Thinking clearly about climate change and mental health
Authors: James Amos Andrew
Published: April 2023

Objective

To examine the quality and strength of evidence for an association between temperature increases caused by climate change and suicide used in policy documents to advocate for radical changes to healthcare systems in pursuit of decarbonisation.

Method

The designs of articles collected in a systematic review which concluded that there was an association between climate change and increased rates of suicide were analysed for their capacity to support this conclusion. Complete US data covering temperatures and suicide rates between 1968 and 2004 was aggregated and analysed using linear regression to evaluate evidence for an association between temperature and suicide.

Results

None of the articles collected in the review has a design capable of investigating whether there is an association between temperature increases caused by climate change and rates of suicide. At the national level increased annual US temperatures were associated with a decrease in the rate of suicide, and at the state level it was common for high average temperature states to have low rates of suicide and vice versa.

Conclusions

Policy recommendations for radical changes in healthcare services have been based on misrepresented evidence. Policy makers should beware of recommendations that ignore scientific evidence to pursue faith-based goals.
The Impact of Cancer Relapse and Poor Patient Outcomes on Health Care Providers Practicing in the Oncology Field
Authors: Alwhaibi Abdulrahman , Alenazi Miteb , Almadi Bana , aljabali Nora , Alkhalifah Sahar , Syed Wajid , Alsaif Reem , Bablghaith Salmeen D , Al-Arifi Mohammed N
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Devastating cancer-related events are not uncommon, and these events have weakened communication performance and induced stress among health care providers (HCPs), particularly physicians. This study aimed to investigate the perspective of HCPs emotionally affected by poor clinical outcomes due to the failure of cancer therapy.

Methods

A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted over 3 months among HCPs practicing in the field of oncology in Saudi Arabia, comprising physicians, pharmacists, and nurses. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26.0. A P -value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

This study demonstrated a positive correlation between HCPs’ length of experience and emotional impact of treatment failure, albeit this was not statistically significant (P = .071). Analysis of their perspective toward failure of cancer therapies revealed a significant impact of occupation and sex (P = .014 and P = .047, respectively). Moreover, occupation played a significant role in shaping the viewpoint of HCPs toward the need for conducing further research to test the appropriateness of treatment protocols on local patients (P = .022). Despite the emotional responses of HCPs to suboptimal clinical outcomes, factors such as work burnout, lack of concentration and patience, work or personal problems, and under appreciation were frequently identified as triggers of such outcomes.

Conclusion

Our results revealed that poor clinical outcomes observed among cancer patients are emotional triggers for HCPs practicing in the oncology field. The emotional response is often perceived negatively, and can potentially lead to a decline in the quality of care provided to these patients.
H∞ performance tracking and group consensus of delayed multiagent systems under attack
Authors: Nasir Muhammad , Ahmed Zahoor , Ali Nihad , Saeed Muhammad A
Published: April 2023

This paper deals with the problem of performance tracking and group consensus control of a multiagent system (MAS) under deception attack in the frequency domain. Deception attack, a type of network attack, is modeled and analyzed in a MAS where each agent is a continuous-time system. In contrast to prior works on group consensus, modeling of the attack and its impacts on the MAS are analyzed in the frequency domain. To overcome these effects, an H ∞ robust controller is proposed using the internal stability method. The proposed controller is optimized analytically for H ∞ performance tracking of the MAS and mitigation of deception attack simultaneously. Unlike attacks on communication links, this scheme considers attacks on nodes. The impacts of attacks on the MAS are eliminated without the removal of the compromised nodes. A numerical example demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Optimization study on the influence of rearview mirror and side window glass on interior noise
Authors: Hu Xingjun , Shi Keyuan , Mao Jingming , Guo Peng , Yu Tianming , Wang Jingyu
Published: April 2023

Based on the LES model, the compressible transient CFD simulation combined with the acoustic finite element method optimizes the effect of the rearview mirror and side window glass on in-vehicle noise from the perspective of sound source and transmission. The primary and secondary orders of the influence of different mirror shape and side window glass geometric parameters on the noise in the car were obtained through the design and analysis of orthogonal experiments, and the results of the flow and sound fields were compared. The following results are presented: acoustic source noise reduction from the rearview mirror is mainly affected by acoustic pressure excitation. The proportion of the mirror body of the rearview mirror, the angle of the lower edge, and the length of the mirror column affect the noise in the car in turn. The noise reduction control with PVB laminated glass as the transmission path is mainly limited by the low frequency turbulent pressure excitation. The inner and outer thicknesses of PVB laminated glass have different influences on the noise in the car under different frequency bands, and the results in the full frequency band are mainly affected by the low frequency band.
Adoption and Value of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Hamer Mika K. , DeCamp Matthew , Bradley Cathy J. , Nease Donald E. , Perraillon Marcelo C.
Published: April 2023

Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) was introduced in 2011 to encourage the utilization of preventive services, but many clinicians and patients still do not participate in the visit. We qualitatively and quantitatively assessed motivations and clinical and financial value of AWVs from a primary care perspective using interviews and Medicare claims from 2012 to 2019. Primary care providers with the highest acuity patients had AWV utilization rates 11.2 percentage points lower than providers with the lowest acuity patients; utilization rates were 3.8 percentage points lower in rural counties. Adoption was motivated by patient needs and financial incentives. AWVs closed gaps in preventive care, strengthened patient–provider relationships, facilitated advance care planning, and provided an opportunity to improve quality metrics. Overall, the AWV has the potential to increase the use of high-value preventive services although not all clinics have an economic incentive to adopt the visit, which may explain some of the variability in utilization rates.
Cohort study on immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated acute kidney injury: Incidence, risk factors, and management strategies
Authors: Panich Jennifer , Irwin Craig , Bissonette Adam , Elkhidir Sabri , Lodhi Fahad , Folz Connie , Lee Joshua , Pulipati Soumya , Fatima Zebi , Gopinath Prathima , Blonsky Rebecca , Abboud Leon Chady , Kattamanchi Siddhartha
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Case studies and retrospective chart reviews of health system data have demonstrated an increased risk of nephrotoxicity in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors compared to clinical trials. This study investigated the frequency, causes, and risk factors for acute kidney injury in a real-world, rural setting.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who received at least one dose of a checkpoint inhibitor at a rural health system from May 2013 to February 2020 and who received at least one dose of a checkpoint inhibitor. Electronic and manual chart review helped to determine the incidence of, risk factors for, and renal outcomes and management strategies of checkpoint inhibitor-related acute kidney injury. Multivariable Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard models were used to assess the impact of patient characteristics on the incidence of sustained acute kidney injury and checkpoint inhibitor-induced acute kidney injury.

Results

After exclusion criteria, 906 patients who received at least one dose of a checkpoint inhibitor at Marshfield Clinic Health System during the study period were included. The incidence of acute kidney injury of any duration and due to any cause was 36.1%, while sustained acute kidney injury occurred in 28.7% of patients. Checkpoint inhibitor-related acute kidney injury was thought to have occurred in 2.7% of patients. Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 was the sole predictor of checkpoint inhibitors-related acute kidney injury. Most patients with suspected checkpoint inhibitor-related acute kidney injury were managed with corticosteroids, and 62.5% experienced complete renal recovery.

Conclusions

Ours is the first retrospective cohort study to test whether baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score and checkpoint inhibitor place in therapy were associated with checkpoint inhibitor-related acute kidney injury, and neither of these data points were found to be predictive. Even after expanding the parameters and methodologies of our study as compared to other retrospective cohort studies, we found only three baseline characteristics to be predictive of sustained acute kidney injury: Baseline eGFR, loop diuretic, and spironolactone use. For checkpoint inhibitor-related baseline, eGFR alone was predictive.
Exploring Female Students’ Experiences of ADHD and its Impact on Social, Academic, and Psychological Functioning
Authors: Morley Eden , Tyrrell Aimee
Published: April 2023

Objective:

The aim of research is to provide greater understanding of ADHD in adult females by exploring first-hand experiences of female university students with ADHD in the UK, and the impact of such experiences on social, academic, and psychological functioning.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight adult women attending university in the UK—all clinically diagnosed with ADHD during adulthood.

Results:

Participants experiences were rich and insightful, identifying that many women with ADHD experience stigmatization and social discrimination, amongst other social, academic, and psychological difficulties.

Conclusion:

Overall, the research identifies the pressing need for greater understanding and appreciation of ADHD in females, particularly amongst health professionals.
“Not as Bad as the ‘90s”? Firearm Violence in Small, Mid-Size, and Large US Cities, 2015–2021
Authors: Wade Magic M.
Published: April 2023

I examine firearm homicide and injury data from more cities ( N = 1,328) during a longer timespan (2015–2021) than previous research on firearm violence encapsulating the Covid-19 pandemic. I contextualize the historic 2020 spike in gun violence within a broader trend of worsening gun violence impacting hundreds of US cities since 2015. More cities (364) are surpassing adverse homicide rate benchmarks observed during the 1980s–1990s, and US states situated in all regions contain numerous peak gun violence cities. Examining gun violence trends outside of the largest US cities is imperative, since 42% of all firearm homicides occur in places with populations <250,000, and over two-thirds of peak violence cities (243) have fewer than 100,000 residents. A shared sense of the scope and severity of the problem of gun violence is also urgently needed. For too many American communities, it’s not as bad as the 1990s, it’s worse.
The Influence of Employee Accent on Customer Participation in Services
Authors: Bourdin David , Sichtmann Christina , Davvetas Vasileios
Published: April 2023

The increase of immigrant employees in services has made intercultural service encounters a commonplace phenomenon. In these encounters, customers frequently use service employees’ accent to infer their ethnic background, often eliciting cultural stereotypes. However, it is still unknown how accent-based stereotyping impacts customer participation (CP), that is, the degree to which customers engage in the service process by contributing effort, knowledge, and information to improve their service experience. Addressing this question in four experimental studies ( Ntotal = 1,027), we find that (1) customers contribute less to the service encounter voluntarily when the employee has an unfavorable foreign (compared to a local) accent, (2) the negative effects of unfavorable accents on voluntary CP are stronger than the positive effects of favorable ones, (3) accent-based employee stereotypes (superiority, attractiveness, dynamism) mediate the impact of accents on CP, (4) unfavorable accents impede even participatory tasks mandatory for service completion, and (5) accent effects on CP are dampened for customers with a high need for interaction and can be managerially neutralized through self-service options that offer customers higher control over the service delivery. Our findings inform staffing and training decisions for frontline service roles commonly undertaken by immigrants and assist the design of intercultural service delivery systems.