bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trans-Clot MAP gradient: A novel innovative technique during thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke with potential applications for assessing collateral circulation, determining clot etiology, informing device selection, and predicting first-pass success
Authors: Chaudhari Amit , Majali Mohammad Al , Lin Eugene I , Zaidat Osama O
Published: September 2024

Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy has significantly improved recovery in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). While traditional patient selection has relied on factors such as last known well and penumbra volume, emerging research highlights the importance of collateral circulation in influencing thrombectomy success. However, current methods to assess collateral circulation are often unreliable and lack standardization, limiting their integration into clinical decision-making and prompting the need for innovative approaches. This study introduces trans-clot manometry as a promising approach for quantitatively assessing collateral blood flow before thrombectomy. Two patients were included in this study: a 64-year-old female with a left M1 near-complete occlusion and an 81-year-old male with a left P1 occlusion. After receiving intravenous tenecteplase, each patient underwent emergent thrombectomy where intraoperative trans-clot manometry revealed significant trans-clot mean arterial pressure (MAP) gradients (66.7% for Patient 1 and 96.9% for Patient 2). Both patients had successful first-pass thrombectomy (Patient 1: TICI 3; Patient 2: TICI 3), with substantial clinical improvement (Patient 1: NIHSS 11 to 1; Patient 2: NIHSS 19 to 8). Intraoperative trans-clot manometry offers a simple yet powerful, objective, and generalizable measure of collateral circulation, applicable to a wide range of AIS cases regardless of clot location or vessel size. In addition, real-time correlations with heart-rate variability and radial artery pressures provide an intrinsic quality control, ensuring proper execution of the technique and accuracy of the resulting MAP gradient. Future research will focus on validating this approach, determining its generalizability, and establishing MAP gradient thresholds to enhance device selection and predict first-pass success.
Perspectives on prior preparation for menstrual experience from women and female health workers in Malawi
Authors: Mwalabu Gertrude , Mbewe Safari , Namathanga Annie , Masese Rodney , Kabondo Charity , Katuya Leah , Petrucka Pammla , Mapulanga Patrick
Published: September 2024

Background:

While studies have explored various aspects of menstruation, an evident gap remains in the literature concerning the perspectives of young women and female health workers. By shedding light on this unexplored terrain, the study provides novel insights that can inform targeted interventions and foster a more inclusive understanding of menstrual health. As such, this investigation stands at the forefront of academic endeavour in menstrual health research, making an original and valuable impact in the field.

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of reproductive-aged women during menstruation in Malawi. The specific objectives were to examine the experiences of reproductive-age women related to menstrual preparation, identify factors influencing the choice of menstrual products for women in Malawi, and identify the public health implications of menstrual products.

Design:

This cross-sectional study employed qualitative research methods to explore the acceptance and implementation of menstrual cups as a feminine hygienic product for women in Malawi.

Methods:

The study involved focus group discussions and interviews with reproductive-age women aged 18–54 years and health providers at Bwaila and Mitundu family clinics and Lighthouse HIV management centres. Thematic content analysis was performed using NVivo 12. Ethical approval was obtained from the College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee (P.08/21/3379).

Results:

Education on menstruation is provided as early as 10 years before menarche by sisters, friends, mothers, aunties and grandmothers. Parents remain silent on menstrual issues. Commonly used menstrual products include disposable pads, cloths, reusable pads and cotton wool. While a few mentioned using tampons, pieces of blankets and flex foam, the majority demonstrated widespread ignorance about menstrual cups. Mentors or counsellors, affordability, accessibility, comfort and disposal issues influence women’s choice of products being used.

Conclusion:

Parents need to break the silence on menstrual issues. Messages on menstruation and menstrual products are explicit in forming female adolescents what to expect with menarche, how to manage menses including health-related impacts, and ways of mitigating menses-related misconceptions, discrimination and stigma, and could be incorporated into the primary school curriculum. Safe menstrual products are accessible free of charge or at a subsidised cost.
One-step preparation and characterization of an imidazolium-contained fluorocarbon surfactant and its potential application in aqueous film-forming foam
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhang Yicheng , Gao Fangyu , Zhu Xinhua , Liu Quanyi , Jia Xuhong
Published: September 2024

Preparing fluorocarbon surfactant for aqueous film-forming foam is a complex process. Overcoming steric hindrance when introducing imidazolium to the fluorocarbon chain is a key challenge. In this significant work, we proposed a simple one-step route to prepare imidazolium-contained fluorocarbon surfactant under mild conditions. The FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS, and TG technologies characterized the imidazolium-contained fluorocarbon surfactant by analyzing functional groups, molecular weight, and thermal stability. An equimolar mixture of imidazolium-contained fluorocarbon surfactant and C6H13NaO3S demonstrated high surface activity, enabling the foam to spread effectively on commercial fuels. The spreading coefficient of foam on n-cyclohexane met the US Military Specification. Coordinatively, the foam drained in time to maintain the stability and completeness of the aqueous layer, with a moderate 25% drainage time of 317 s and a proper foam expansion ratio of 10.5. In extinguishing experiments, the imidazolium-contained fluorocarbon surfactant/C6H13NaO3 mixture extinguished test fires in 65 s, suggesting an essential potential in the aqueous film-forming foam formula.
Streptococcus pyogenes flexor tenosynovitis
Authors: Frith Katie , de Lima Corvino Daniela , Wollstein Ronit
Published: September 2024

We describe a case of Group A streptococcal infection originally presenting as flexor tenosynovitis. Group A Streptococcus outbreaks have been recently described in developed countries, which constitutes an epidemiological shift that hand surgeons should be aware of.
Healthcare-associated infections and nursing leadership: A systematic review
Authors: Cappelli Eva , Zaghini Francesco , Fiorini Jacopo , Sili Alessandro
Published: September 2024

Background

Healthcare-associated infections are strictly related to healthcare practices. A head nurse stimulates and motivates nurses, boosts nurses’ job performance and satisfaction, and can influence adverse event development.

Aim

To explore the relationship between healthcare-associated infections and head nurse leadership style.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted. The search was conducted from 1973 until March 2022 on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, and APA PsycInfo databases. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. A thematic synthesis and critical appraisal of the included studies have been conducted.

Results

Eight articles were included in this review. Head nurses’ leadership, supported by the organization, can positively influence the job performance and job satisfaction of nurses by reducing infection rates associated with vascular access and urinary catheters.

Discussion

Authentic and transformational nurse leadership styles can foster targeted interventions and improvements tailored to preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections. Even if there is limited evidence, the results support that the occurrence of infections can be reduced by leadership strategies implemented by head nurses.
How Does Topical Diversity Affect Source Credibility? Fact-Checking Coverage of Politics, Science, and Popular Culture
Authors: Shin Hwayong
Published: September 2024

News sources that correct misinformation seek to foster an informed citizenry and promote democratic accountability. One such effort is being made by fact-checking sites across the globe. However, public trust in these outlets remains limited. Is their politics-focused coverage one factor behind the limited trust? Politics-focused coverage highlights partisan competition, which can harm credibility by activating identity-protective biases or resistance to persuasive intent. Prior research suggests depoliticized contexts can help mitigate defensive psychological tendencies in news source assessments. Thus, a potential approach to build broad-based trust could be to broaden the scope of coverage to include nonpolitical topics. Through a preregistered survey experiment in the United States, I test how the topical scope of coverage affects source credibility perceptions. Compared to politics-focused coverage, science-focused coverage improves credibility assessments. Focusing solely or partially on popular culture topics such as entertainment, sports, and lifestyle reduces source credibility. The effects of nonpolitical coverage on source credibility perceptions are similar across partisan groups. The results suggest the public shares the notion that serious public affairs coverage is central to reputable journalism. Overall, coverage of politics and science fares relatively well in building source credibility, whereas coverage of popular culture undermines credibility assessments. People find news sources that correct misinformation more credible when they cover a range of serious topics, but less credible when they cover lighter topics.
An enhanced approach to assess the reduction of flexural ductility of reinforced/steel fiber reinforced concrete beams and slabs
Authors: Gebreyesus Yosef Y , Karinski Yuri S , Dancygier Avraham N
Published: September 2024

Application of steel fibers in RC elements in protective structures decreases the damage caused under extreme loads but can lead to reduced ductility of beams and slabs with low conventional reinforcement. This paper presents an investigation of the effect of fibers on the flexural ductility, depending on the amount of conventional reinforcement, its mechanical properties, as well as cracking localization. The former parameters are integrated into a single variable, ρ eff, where ρ eff is a value determined as the product of longitudinal reinforcement ratio, ρ s, and the quotient of the ultimate and yield strengths of rebars. It is shown that for a given amount of steel fibers, at low values of ρ eff the ductility increases with increasing ρ eff unlike plain RC flexural elements. It is also shown that a higher cracking localization level causes lower structural ductility. This correlation was observed only for low effective reinforcement ratios up to a certain transition point. Findings of this study suggest that in order to resolve this conflict and to guarantee sufficient ductility of R/SFRC flexural elements, their minimum reinforcement ratio should be increased, compared with the values given for plain RC beams and slabs.
Sex-specific impact of GCKR rs1260326 polymorphism on metabolic traits in an older Japanese population: the Bunkyo Health Study
Authors: Sakamoto Shota , Kakehi Saori , Abudurezake Abulaiti , Kaga Hideyoshi , Someya Yuki , Tabata Hiroki , Yoshizawa Yasuyo , Naito Hitoshi , Tajima Tsubasa , Ito Naoaki , Kawamori Ryuzo , Watada Hirotaka , Tamura Yoshifumi
Published: September 2024

Background:

Metabolic syndrome involves health problems influenced by aging and genetics. The glucokinase regulatory protein ( GCKR) rs1260326 polymorphism (Leu446) is associated with metabolic traits. This study explores the impact of the GCKR rs1260326 polymorphism on metabolic traits in older Japanese with focusing on sex-specific differences.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study from the Bunkyo Health Study in Tokyo, Japan, examined 883 participants aged 65–84 years. Participants were excluded with diabetes, or on drug treatment for diabetes or dyslipidemia. The GCKR P446L polymorphism was analyzed and compared their characteristics of physical activity, dietary intake, body composition, and metabolic parameters.

Results:

Study participants with GCKR rs1260326 genotypes (C/C 20.7%, C/T 47.6%, T/T 31.7%) had a median age of 72 years, and 60.4% were women. Men with the T/T genotype, as compared to the C/C genotype, had a lower body weight, body mass index (BMI), and skeletal mass index. This genotype also associated with lower fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and higher Matsuda index, but not after adjustment for age, BMI, and physical activity. In contrast, women with the T/T genotype, compared to the C/C genotype, showed higher C-reactive protein, fibroblast growth factor 21, and Matsuda index. They also had lower fasting insulin, insulin area under the curve, and HOMA-IR; with these associations being independent of age, BMI, and physical activity.

Conclusion:

The GCKR rs1260326 genotype-affected metabolic traits differentially by sex in older Japanese. This highlights the need to consider sex differences in GCKR-related metabolic outcomes.
Fever and reversible laboratory abnormalities associated with prolonged use of piperacillin/tazobactam: A case report
Authors: Shen Ling
Published: September 2024

Piperacillin/tazobactam is a widely used anti-infective agent. However, prolonged use can lead to adverse drug reactions, primarily presenting as fever and various abnormal laboratory test results. Certain abnormal test outcomes may mislead clinical assessments. We present a case of a 50-year-old Chinese woman who developed a fever and abnormal blood tests after receiving piperacillin/tazobactam for more than 2 weeks. These tests showed elevated levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, transaminases, myocardial enzymes, and a significant increase in D-dimer. After stopping piperacillin/tazobactam, all relevant test results returned to normal within 10 days. It is imperative for clinicians to be vigilant of this adverse effect in patients undergoing extended piperacillin/tazobactam treatment, as early recognition can prevent unnecessary diagnostic tests and therapeutic interventions.
Automatic selection model to identify neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Sánchez-DelaCruz Eddy , Loeza-Mejía Cecilia-Irene , Primero-Huerta César , Fuentes-Ramos Mirta
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study evaluates machine learning algorithms’ effectiveness in classifying Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease based on biomarker data obtained non-invasively from patients and healthy controls.

Methods

Datasets containing biomarker data ( x, y, and z values of accelerometers) from sensors were collected from Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease patients, and healthy controls. An automatic selection model method was implemented for disease classification, using a unique Mexican database of human gait biomarkers, which we consider the only one of its kind. Random forest, random subspace method, and K-star algorithms were employed, with parameters optimized through an automated model selection.

Results

The study achieved a 0.893 precision rate for Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease using the random subspace method. The findings underscore the potential of machine learning techniques in medical diagnosis, particularly in neurological disorders.

Conclusion

The automatic selection model method demonstrated efficacy in classifying Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease based on non-invasive biomarker data. This research contributes to advancing non-invasive diagnostic approaches in neurological disorders, highlighting the significance of machine learning in healthcare.
Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Need for Privacy Scale
Authors: Wang Hao , Cheng Ming , Zhu Wenlan
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The need for privacy is a high-order psychological need of human, which is closely related to human mental health problems in the digital age. The Need for Privacy Scale (NFP-S) is a reliable measure of need for privacy. This study tested its psychometric characteristics among Chinese populations.

Methods

Firstly, we modified and translated the NFP-S into Chinese version (NFP-SC). Subsequently, we invited 15 participants to complete pre testing of the NFP-SC and determined the final version. Next, we collected questionnaire data from 1130 participants for confirmatory factor analysis to confirm factor structure and validate convergent validity.

Results

The results showed that the bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (bifactor-ESEM) could better reflect the potential structure of NFP-SC, which included one general factor of need for privacy and three specific factors which were the informational need for privacy, the psychological need for privacy, and the physical need for privacy. Based on the bifactor-ESEM model, the measurement invariance of NFP-SC was demonstrated across gender groups. The general factor and specific factor of NFP-SC showed good reliability with high McDonald's coefficient omega. Convergent validity was tested by verifying the relationship between NFP-SC and four covariates.

Conclusions

Our study results showed that NFP-SC exhibited satisfactory psychometric properties in the Chinese context, meaning that it could be applied for future studies on investigating need for privacy in Chinese populations. Future research could build panel data by gathering data from different periods, and supplement the test-retest reliability of NFP-S to improve its application effect.
How can physicians adopt AI-based applications in the United Arab Emirates to improve patient outcomes?
Authors: Mansour Tarek , Bick Markus
Published: September 2024

Objective

The enabling and derailing factors for using artificial intelligence (AI)-based applications to improve patient care in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the physicians’ perspective are investigated. Factors to accelerate the adoption of AI-based applications in the UAE are identified to aid implementation.

Methods

A qualitative, inductive research methodology was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 12 physicians practicing in the UAE. The collected data were analyzed using NVIVO software and grounded theory was used for thematic analysis.

Results

This study identified factors specific to the deployment of AI to transform patient care in the UAE. First, physicians must control the applications and be fully trained and engaged in the testing phase. Second, healthcare systems need to be connected, and the AI outcomes need to be easily interpretable by physicians. Third, the reimbursement for AI-based applications should be settled by insurance or the government. Fourth, patients should be aware of and accept the technology before physicians use it to avoid negative consequences for the doctor–patient relationship.

Conclusions

This research was conducted with practicing physicians in the UAE to determine their understanding of enabling and derailing factors for improving patient care through AI-based applications. The importance of involving physicians as the accountable agents for AI tools is highlighted. Public awareness regarding AI in healthcare should be improved to drive public acceptance.
Maternal health applications: Qualitative findings of user needs
Authors: Babu Suhas , Park Nicolas , Woodland Gracie , Garcia Nydia , Page Walter , Page Robin
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study sought to understand the current experiences and subsequent needs of digital maternal health application users based on an interdisciplinary analysis of features currently available in the digital marketplace (including mobile applications and mobile-friendly websites).

Methods

Following secondary analysis of previously collected interview and focus group data, we used qualitative thematic analysis to observe recurring themes within current maternal health applications and prospective augmentation of related technology for future development.

Results

Study findings suggested tailored features would best serve the target population, and eleven unique themes comprising additions and improvements to maternal health applications emerged. These included seven major areas: improved mental health support, need for forums and support groups, lack of lactation and breastfeeding support, lack of quality food and nutrition access and product finders, minimal financial literacy information, tailored culturally competent information, and need for localized information and resources. Findings also suggested four main improvements for digital offerings in the current maternal health space: increased emphasis on resources available for postpartum care, importance of minimizing the number of hubs used, need for making information more digestible by ensuring it is written, edited, and provided at appropriate reading levels by more coordinated interaction of words and graphics, and ensuring the trust and credibility of such applications.

Conclusions

Maternal health applications are improving; however, more features can be added in a localized manner. Additional improvements could be made to current offerings, maximizing the utility of applications, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as maternity care deserts. With the advent of artificial intelligence, developers are poised with the ability to make platforms more focused and tailored for their users.
Construction, evaluation, and application of an electronic medical record corpus for cerebral palsy rehabilitation
Authors: Xiao Meirong , Pang Qiaofang , Zhu Yean , Shuai Lang , Jin Guoqiang
Published: September 2024

Objective

The electronic medical records (EMRs) corpus for cerebral palsy rehabilitation and its application in downstream tasks, such as named entity recognition (NER), requires further revision and testing to enhance its effectiveness and reliability.

Methods

We have devised an annotation principle and have developed an EMRs corpus for cerebral palsy rehabilitation. The introduction of test-retest reliability was employed for the first time to ensure consistency of each annotator. Additionally, we established a baseline NER model using the proposed EMRs corpus. The NER model leveraged Chinese clinical BERT and adversarial training as the embedding layer, and incorporated multi-head attention mechanism and rotary position embedding in the encoder layer. For multi-label decoding, we employed the span matrix of global pointer along with softmax and cross-entropy.

Results

The corpus consisted of 1405 EMRs, containing a total of 127,523 entities across six different entity types, with 24,424 unique entities after de-duplication. The inter-annotator agreement of two annotators was 97.57%, the intra-annotator agreement of each annotator exceeded 98%. Our proposed baseline NER model demonstrates impressive performance, achieving a F1-score of 93.59% for flat entities and 90.15% for nested entities in this corpus.

Conclusions

We believe that the proposed annotation principle, corpus, and baseline model are highly effective and hold great potential as tools for cerebral palsy rehabilitation scenarios.
Development of a low-cost upper-body rehabilitation robot for home use
Authors: Breton David , Laliberté Thierry , Campeau-Lecours Alexandre
Published: September 2024

The inability to use one’s hands or arms greatly restricts the ability to perform daily activities. After a developmental or acquired injury, the intensity and frequency of rehabilitation exercises are essential. To alleviate the burden on the healthcare system, robotic systems have been developed to support clinicians’ interventions. However, these systems are often bulky and expensive, limiting their use to specific clinical settings and making them impractical for home use. This paper presents the development of an affordable and easy to install 2-DOF five-bar linkage robot designed to be used at home. This work aims to reduce the cost of the robot through actuation optimization, mechanical optimization and 3D printing. The architecture and links length are chosen to optimize the robot’s performance in the required workspace. Using sensor feedback, impedance control algorithms and multiple types of exercise such as virtual walls guidance are implemented. Finally, a user interface was programmed to facilitate the robot’s use.
Co-Utilization of HIV, Substance Use, Mental Health Services Among Women With Current Substance Use: Opportunities for Integrated Care?
Authors: Fujita Ayako W. , Ramakrishnan Aditi , Mehta C. Christina , Yusuf Oyindamola B. , Thompson Azure B. , Shoptaw Steven , Carrico Adam W. , Adimora Adaora A. , Eaton Ellen , Cohen Mardge H. , Jain Jennifer P. , Adedimeji Adebola , Plankey Michael , Jones Deborah L. , Chandran Aruna , Colasanti Jonathan A. , Sheth Anandi N.
Published: September 2024

Background:

The syndemic of HIV, substance use (SU), and mental illness has serious implications for HIV disease progression among women. We described co-utilization of HIV care, SU treatment, and mental health treatment among women with or at risk for HIV.

Methods:

We included data from women with or at risk for HIV (n = 2559) enrolled in all 10 sites of the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) from 2013 to 2020. Current SU was defined as self-reported, non-medical use of drugs in the past year, excluding use of only marijuana. Tobacco and alcohol were assessed separately. We described co-utilization of SU treatment, tobacco and alcohol use treatment, HIV care, and mental health care in the past year among women who were eligible for each service. We compared service utilization by those who did/did not utilize SU treatment using Wald Chi-square tests.

Results:

Among women with current SU (n = 358), 42% reported utilizing SU treatment. Among those with current SU+HIV (n = 224), 84% saw their HIV provider, and 34% saw a mental health provider. Among women with current SU+heavy alcohol use (n = 95), 18% utilized alcohol use treatment; among current SU+tobacco use (n = 276), 8% utilized tobacco use treatment. Women who utilized SU treatment had higher utilization of alcohol use treatment (59% vs. 5%; P < .001) and tobacco use treatment (12% vs. 5%; P = .028). HIV care engagement was high regardless of SU treatment.

Conclusions:

We found high engagement in SU and HIV care, but low engagement in alcohol and tobacco use treatment. Integrated SU treatment services for women, including tobacco/alcohol treatment and harm reduction, are needed to optimize treatment engagement and HIV care continuum outcomes.
“We Need to Know These Things”: Use Cases for Combined Social and Clinical Data Among Primary Care-Based Clinical and Social Care Providers
Authors: Cartier Yuri , Fichtenberg Caroline , Grounds Karis , Blumenfeld Nicole , Gottlieb Laura , Hessler Jones Danielle
Published: September 2024

Introduction/Objectives:

Primary care organizations are increasingly collecting data on patients’ social risks, bringing forth an unprecedented opportunity to present combined health and social data that clinical and social care providers could leverage to improve patient care and outcomes. Little is known, however, about how these data could be used and what combinations of specific data elements are most helpful. We explored how primary care staff who provide clinical or social care services view potential benefits of and use cases for combined patient-level clinical and social data.

Methods:

We conducted qualitative interviews or focus groups with 39 social and clinical care providers representing 6 healthcare organizations in San Diego County, California. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a deductive thematic analysis approach.

Results:

Overall, both clinical and social care providers noted the value of access to both types of data. Participants highlighted 3 benefits from integrating social and clinical data. The data could: (1) offer providers a more holistic view of patients’ circumstances; (2) strengthen their ability to tailor care to patients’ medical and social conditions concurrently; and (3) enhance coordination across care team members. Interviewees cited specific examples of ways social and clinical data could be paired to improve care.

Conclusions:

Social and clinical care providers alike envisioned multiple uses and benefits of accessing combined individual-level clinical and social data, highlighting the potential for practice and policy innovations to facilitate access and uptake of combined data. Future research should focus on ways to increase accessibility of cross-sector data and evaluate the impact of care informed by combined data on patient social and health outcomes.
Pulmonary Overcirculation Requiring Surgical and Pulmonary Flow Restrictor Device Intervention in Critical Coarctation of the Aorta—A Case Series
Authors: Medar Shivanand S. , Kumar T.K. Susheel , Choi Esther Yewoon , Cha Christine , Saharan Sunil , Argilla Michael , Mosca Ralph S. , Chakravarti Sujata B.
Published: September 2024

The use of prostaglandin infusion to maintain patency of the ductus arteriosus in patients with critical coarctation of the aorta (CoA) to support systemic circulation is the standard of care. However, pulmonary overcirculation resulting from a patent ductus arteriosus in patients with critical CoA is not well described in the literature. We report two cases of critical CoA that required invasive measures to control pulmonary blood flow before surgical repair of the CoA. Both patients had signs of decreased oxygen delivery, hyperlactatemia, and systemic to pulmonary flow via the ductus arteriosus. One patient required surgical pulmonary artery banding and the second patient underwent pulmonary flow restrictor device placement for the control of pulmonary blood flow. A rapid improvement in oxygen delivery and normalization of lactate levels were observed after control of pulmonary overcirculation. Both patients underwent successful surgical repair of the coarctation A and were discharged home.
Evaluation of the Effect of Social Care Collaboration on the Psychological State of the Parents of Children with Leukemia
Authors: Wang Cui , Zhao Bo , Fang Ping
Published: September 2024

The quality of life of children with leukemia can be affected by their parents’ emotional stress. We examined the effects of social care collaboration on the psychological states of parents of children with leukemia. This was a prospective, single-center, randomized study. The parents of children diagnosed with leukemia between January 1 and December 31, 2021, were divided randomly into experimental and control groups, in which the health education model and psychological counselling by medical social workers paired with online health education by nurses were used, respectively. Questionnaire surveys were used to evaluate their psychological state. Data were analyzed using t-test and linear regressions. Varying degrees of anxiety and depression were present in 94% of the participants. Anxiety and depression scores were significantly different between the groups, as indicated by the SAS ( p = .002), SDS ( p = .016), and SCL-90 ( p = .015) scales. Income level was related to the degree of anxiety ( p = .047). Although anxiety and depression scores of both groups declined with time, the trend showed no significant difference (anxiety: p = .957; depression: p = .776). Social care collaboration was beneficial in relieving negative emotions in parents of children with leukemia.
English Foreign Language Reading Anxiety and Reading Strategies: A Positive or Negative Correlation?
Authors: Dang Van T. T.
Published: September 2024

Anxiety, an affective factor, is pivotal in language learners’ success or failure. Findings pointed to its correlation with oral performance, test results, and language skills, namely listening and writing, but only a little with reading. At the current research site, a Vietnamese context, very little evaluation on reading anxiety in English foreign language learning could be found. Therefore, this investigation aimed to explore learners’ English foreign language reading anxiety levels, reading techniques used, and the correlation between foreign language reading anxiety (FLRA) and reading strategies (RS). A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 324 university students (including 152 females and 172 males) in a private educational Vietnamese context with two main data-gathering instruments: the Foreign Language Reading Anxiety Scale (FLRAS) and Survey of Reading Strategies (SORS). Results revealed a moderate level of reading anxiety among 68.5% of respondents, while 31.4% had hi- and lo-anxiety levels with the same percentage of 15.7% each. Regarding reading techniques, Problem-Solving Strategies were found to be the most favorable, and those with lo-anxiety used strategic reading more regularly than the others (hi- and mid-anxiety level groups). When it comes to the correlation between FLRA and RS, a statistically negative correlation was found. It means FLRA could decrease when RS increases. Additionally, FLRA was negatively correlated with three RS subscales. Based on the findings, several pedagogical implications were also discussed.
The Effect of Work Connectivity Behavior After-Hours on Emotional Exhaustion: The Role of Psychological Detachment and Work-Family Segmentation Preference
Authors: Hu Yue , Kuang Tingyue , Lu Yan
Published: September 2024

The increasing advancement of communication technology has led to a rise in the prevalence of work connectivity behavior after-hours, which offers employees greater flexibility in their work schedules but also has certain drawbacks. In this paper, 308 retail employees in Shanghai were selected as the research participants. The effort-recovery model and work-family boundary theory were applied to investigate the effect of work connectivity behavior after-hours on emotional exhaustion. The results show that work connectivity behavior after-hours positively affects emotional exhaustion. Psychological detachment mediates work connectivity behavior after-hours and emotional exhaustion. Work-family segmentation preference moderates work connectivity behavior after-hours and psychological detachment, and when work-family segmentation preference is higher, the negative effect of work connectivity behavior after-hours on psychological detachment is stronger. Given that work connectivity behavior after-hours is a relatively new work phenomenon, this study explores the mechanism of its impact on the emotional exhaustion of employees in the retail industry and provides some practical implications for human resource management in the retail industry.
Digital Transformation, Supply Chain Integration and Supply Chain Performance: Evidence From Chinese Manufacturing Listed Firms
Authors: Jing Hui , Fan Yuwei
Published: September 2024

With the rapid development of digital technologies, digital transformation is becoming a critical way for enterprises to improve their performance. However, the current literatures lack sufficient research on whether and how the usage of digital technology improve supply chain performance. Based-on resource-based view and information processing theory, this study examines the impact of digital transformation on supply chain performance, as well as the mediating role of supply chain integration. The proposed hypotheses are tested empirically using data collected from Chinese A-share listed manufacturing firms for the years 2015 to 2022. The results show that digital transformation has a significant impact on supply chain performance, in which supply chain integration plays a partial mediating role. After a series of endogeneity and robustness tests, the results remain valid. Further analysis also reveals that the impact of digital transformation on supply chain performance is more significant for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) than for large enterprises. In addition, firm size has a significant heterogeneous effect on this relationship, which implies that digital transformation is better able to improve SMEs’ supply chain performance. The findings provide guidance for enhancing supply chain performance through digital transformation and supply chain integration.
The Role of AI-Enabled Human Resource Practices Towards Task Satisfaction and Employee Creative Willingness
Authors: Sweiss Mohammad Ibrahim Kamel , Yamin Mohammad Ali Yousef
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this study is to investigate that how AI enabled HR practices impact employee task satisfaction and creative willingness. Therefore, an amalgamated research framework is established to determine employee task satisfaction and employee creative willingness with smart HR technology, disruptive technology, task technology interdependence, high performance work system, work environment, resource availability, and leader trustworthiness. Data are collected from employee working in manufacturing firms. In this research survey overall 305 employees have voluntarily participated. Findings indicate that exogenous factors have revealed substantial variance [Formula: see text] 82.1% in employee task satisfaction. Similarly, task satisfaction and leader trustworthiness have explained [Formula: see text] 73.4% sizable variance in employee creative willingness. Practically, this study has suggested that smart human resource technology, work environment, leader trustworthiness, and task technology interdependence have shown sizable impact in measuring employee task satisfaction and employee creative willingness and therefore these factors must be considered for managerial implications. This study is first to examine the impact of AI enabled human resource practices towards employee task satisfaction and creative willingness. Another uniqueness of this research is that it has conceptualized moderating effect of leader trustworthiness between employee task satisfaction and creative willingness.
The Child Opportunity Index and Outcomes After Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Yang Daniel , Orellana Kevin , Lee Julianna , Bram Joshua , Sarkar Sulagna , Renjilian Christopher B. , Ganley Theodore J.
Published: September 2024

Background:

Research at the intersection between social determinants of health (SDOH) and orthopaedics remains an area of active exploration, with recent literature demonstrating significant disparities in a wide array of orthopaedic outcomes in patients with different SDOH.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to use a validated composite measure of SDOH mapped to census tracts (Child Opportunity Index [COI]) to explore disparities in functional outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. It was hypothesized that patients with a lower COI score would have delayed surgical care and worse functional outcomes after ACL reconstruction.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Demographic, surgical, and functional outcomes data were extracted for all patients aged ≤18 years who underwent primary ACL reconstruction at our institution between 2009 and 2019. Strength deficits were calculated, and COI quintile scores were obtained. One-way analysis of variance, the chi-square test, and the Fisher exact test were used to compare variables of interest between the lower 2 quintiles (low group) and the upper 2 quintiles (high group).

Results:

Of the 1027 patients, 226 (22.0%) were in the low group, while 801 (78.0%) were in the high group. There was a significantly greater time from injury to surgery in the low group than in the high group (98.15 ± 102.65 vs 71.79 ± 101.88 days, respectively; P < .001). The low group had a significantly lower extension-flexion range of motion at 1- and 3-month follow-up ( P = .03 and P = .02, respectively) but no difference at 6-month follow-up ( P = .27). The low group attended fewer physical therapy visits than the high group (24.82 ± 10.55 vs 37.81 ± 18.07, respectively; P < .001). The low group had significant deficits in quadriceps strength at 3, 6, and 9 months at 180 deg/s ( P = .03, P < .001, and P = .01, respectively) and at 6 months at 300 deg/s ( P = .002).

Conclusion:

In this study, we found that the COI was associated with disparities in key clinical outcomes including time to surgery, postoperative range of motion, and postoperative strength.
Risk for Revision ACLR After Primary All-Inside Quadrupled Semitendinosus Hamstring Tendon Autograft ACLR With Independent Suture Tape Augmentation: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Daniel Adam V. , Smith Patrick A.
Published: September 2024

Background:

The rate of failed anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) remains high in the younger and more active patient populations. Suture tape augmentation (STA) in addition to ACLR may reduce the risk for revision surgery.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to compare patient outcomes between patients who underwent primary all-inside quadrupled semitendinosus hamstring tendon autograft (QST-HTA) ACLR with and without STA. It was hypothesized that the STA cohort would demonstrate a lower incidence of subsequent revision ACLR while maintaining comparable patient-reported outcomes.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

All patients ≤40 years of age who received primary all-inside QST-HTA ACLR with and without independent STA augmentation were identified. The following validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected: visual analog scale for pain, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subscales, and Tegner activity scale. KT-1000 arthrometer measurements were collected pre- and postoperatively. Cox proportional hazards model and nominal logistic regression analysis were used to assess additional variables associated with revision ACLR.

Results:

A total of 104 patients with a mean age of <22 years were included in the final data analysis (STA: 36 patients; control: 68 patients). Significantly fewer patients in the STA group sustained a graft failure necessitating revision surgery at the final follow-up (5.6% vs 24%; relative risk, 0.24 [95% CI, 0.06-0.97]; P = .017). Four-year graft survival was significantly higher in the STA group (97.2% vs 82.4%; P = .031). All PROMs significantly improved postoperatively except for Tegner levels, which decreased in both groups compared with their preinjury levels ( P < .001). Return to sports was similar in both groups with >70% of patients returning to their previous level of competition. Regression analysis demonstrated increased risk for revision ACLR in younger patients, high school athletes, and those with higher postoperative activity levels.

Conclusion:

QST-HTA ACLR with STA was associated with reduced risk for revision ACLR compared with nonaugmented QST-HTA ACLR in this young patient population. Furthermore, the addition of suture tape did not appear to affect postoperative patient-reported and return-to-sports outcomes.
The Black Teacher Pipeline: Insights From a State Longitudinal Data System
Authors: Bardelli Emanuele , Truwit Matthew , Choi Jae Eun , Ronfeldt Matthew
Published: September 2024

We use longitudinal data across public postsecondary institutions in Tennessee to examine the stages at which potential Black educators disproportionately exit the teacher pipeline. Black and White bachelor’s graduates declare and complete teaching-related majors at similar rates, suggesting comparable levels of initial interest in teaching careers; moreover, newly certified Black college graduates are more likely than their White peers to gain employment in the state. However, in between those points, Black undergraduate program completers are substantially less likely to become licensed. Additionally, Black graduate students are less likely to complete master’s degrees in teaching-related majors and receive teaching licenses, though newly certified Black master’s graduates are again more likely to gain employment than their White peers. These results suggest that the largest loss of potential Black teachers occurs at the end of teacher preparation, which can be explained partially but not fully by inequities in certification exam passage rates.
Generational and Sociodemographic Differences in the Impact of Educational Expectations on Bachelor’s Degree Completion: The Monitoring the Future Study
Authors: Buszkiewicz James H. , Henderson Andrea K. , Xie Yanmei , Patrick Megan E. , Fleischer Nancy L.
Published: September 2024

Previous work has documented the rise of educational expectations among U.S. adolescents and the change in its ability to predict future educational attainment. However, studies have yet to examine these longitudinal changes across generational birth cohorts defined by ever-shifting social norms, cultural contexts, and social policies. Using Monitoring the Future Study panel data, we conducted cohort-stratified modified Poisson regression models to estimate the probability of bachelor’s degree completion by educational expectations overall and by gender, race and ethnicity, and parental educational attainment. We found that despite high educational expectations, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and first-generation students had a low likelihood of bachelor’s degree completion. These relationships persisted across generational cohorts. These findings suggest that social and economic resources remain salient factors that structure educational opportunities for students from minoritized racial and ethnic backgrounds and first-generation students.
Necessity or Luxury? Air Conditioning and Support for Utility Assistance in the Context of Climate Change
Authors: Stewart Evan
Published: September 2024

Studies of climate attitudes are increasingly concerned with support for mitigation policies such as adequate indoor cooling to address heat exposure. Air conditioning has historically been marketed as a luxury good, but polling shows Americans are evenly split in whether they consider it a necessity or a luxury. Do they support utility aid programs that would increase access to air conditioning? Results from an original survey vignette experiment (N = 1,200) show respondents are less likely to support government aid to help low-income people pay utility bills when policy frames invoke air conditioning rather than heat. A replication (N = 703) finds this effect is most pronounced among White respondents. These findings have important implications for research and policy advocacy because they demonstrate a potential obstacle for public support in addressing the negative impacts of extreme heat in climate change.