bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New type of shear connector for square concrete-filled tubular columns
Authors: Chen Cheng-Cheng , Wu Pin-Da , Zhang Guang-Yao
Published: May 2022

Concrete-filled tubes (CFT) are economical and easy to fabricate. As the cross-sections of CFTs are small, the interface shear between steel tube and concrete can be transferred by direct bond. As the cross-sectional dimension increases, shear connectors may be required to transfer the interface shear. However, welding shear connectors inside the steel tube is difficult. In this study, a new type of shear connector that could be installed from outside the steel tube was developed. A pilot test on five specimens demonstrated that the corner shear connector, which is a steel plate located at the corner of a square steel tube, at a 45° angle to the tube wall, is much superior to shear studs in terms of transferring the interfacial shear force. Furthermore, push-out tests of 18 CFT specimens were performed to investigate the strength and the behavior of the corner shear connectors. The strength of the specimens is found to be independent of the cross-sectional area of the shear connector. Instead, the jointed bearing area, which is defined as the cross-sectional area of the shear connection combining the area enclosed by the shear connector and the steel tube, is the major parameter that is closely correlated with the strength of the specimens. Furthermore, the ultimate strength of the specimens is positively correlated with the bearing distance, which is the distance between the loading point and the bearing surface of the connector. In addition, the strength of the corner shear connectors, which have a total jointed bearing area equaling 10.8% of the total concrete area in the steel tube, can adequately satisfy the strictest requirement for the shear transfer.
Engineering masculinity: A multimodal critical discourse analysis of trans masculine embodiment in magazines for trans men
Authors: Korobacz Randos Jackalas , Cook Peta S
Published: May 2022

Masculinity studies has been slow to explore trans men's lives including how trans masculine embodiments are represented in the media. In this article, we examine how the masculinities of trans men are represented in the context of sport through two issues of two print magazines specifically targeting trans men audiences: The Jock Issue of Original Plumbing and The Sport Issue of FTM Magazine. Through combining body-reflexive practices and gender as a social structure in our trans gaze framework, our multimodal critical discourse analysis reveals that trans masculinity is presented as hegemonic, diverse, reflexive and subordinated within the micro, meso and macro levels of social life. As trans people continue to experience social marginalisation that adversely impacts on their health and wellbeing, how they are represented within the media – particularly by those media specifically targeted towards them – is important to examine and recognise.
Erosion wear characteristics of step-wise layered polymer composite materials by silica sand particles
Authors: Boggarapu Vasavi , Jain Satish , Ojha Shakuntala , Bandaru Aswani Kumar , Gujjala Raghavendra
Published: May 2022

Polymer composite materials (PCMs) can sustain themselves in harsh environments without suffering any loss of properties of the constituents. The present study focussed on erosion wear behavior of step-wise layered polymer composite materials (LPCMs). Samples were fabricated with epoxy as matrix and aluminum as filler particles using hand lay-up technique. Volume fraction of the filler was varied at four different layers along the direction thickness. Experiments were conducted at room temperature using angular shaped silica sand erodent impacting at 151 m/s and at impingement angles of 30°, 45°, 60° and 90°. Due to the variation in filler content, testing of samples was performed at two different orientations: i) top to bottom (T-B) and ii) bottom to top (B-T). The increased filler content reduced the erosion wear as tested from B-T, while a reverse trend was observed along T-B. Moreover, erosion wear was found to be higher at 45° impingement angle indicating the semi-ductile nature of LPCMs. At this angle, the erosion wear rate at top layer was 76.47% lower compared to bottom due to the presence of high filler content.
The blurring line between freelance journalists and self-employed media workers
Authors: Josephi Beate , O’Donnell Penny
Published: May 2022

This study uses the question, ‘what makes a freelancer specifically a journalist’ as a starting point for investigating the ways Australian freelance journalists experienced and managed precarious employment in COVID-19 impacted 2020. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 32 self-identified freelance journalists, we analyse the types of work they did, the influence of the precarious job situation on their work choices and the consequent ways they chose to display their identity as journalists. Our findings reveal a complex picture, which calls into question some of the binaries established around journalism. While nearly all participants had to resort to work outside journalism in 2020, at least half still displayed strong links to journalism, demonstrated by their sense of belonging to a community of journalists, and their continued interest in doing self-funded public interest journalism as ‘passion projects’. However, we also noticed a blurring between the descriptors of journalist and writer, based partly on employment opportunities but also, importantly, on interest in increasing creativity in the journalistic space. These results lead us to question work-test definitions as a signifier of a freelancer’s bond to journalism and to propose, instead, that freelancers merit a new standing in the flattening hierarchy of journalism.
Mechanisms of Epistemic Change: The Roles of Reflection and Social Interaction
Authors: Rosman Tom , Kerwer Martin
Published: May 2022

Fostering students’ epistemic beliefs is key for achieving a more nuanced approach to psychological knowledge. The Bendixen-Rule model on epistemic change posits epistemic doubt (questioning one's prior epistemic beliefs), epistemic volition (the will to change one's beliefs) and resolution strategies (strategies to overcome epistemic doubt by epistemic change) as three interrelated process components that lead to the development of more advanced epistemic beliefs. However, while the model has risen to relative prominence over the last years, the postulated mechanisms of change still lack empirical backing. In this article, we report on an experimental study with N = 153 psychology students that aimed at testing the effects of two specific resolution strategies—reflection and social interaction. This was realized by developing intervention components that target the two strategies, and by analyzing these components’ incremental effects on epistemic change. Results showed that reflection and social interaction might be promising strategies to address epistemic doubt. Psychology lecturers should thus give students room for reflecting on and discussing their beliefs once doubt has arisen.
The development and initial validation of an instrument measuring levels of violence suffered and practiced by students in higher education
Authors: Guilherme Alexandre A , de Lara Machado Wagner , Monteiro Sanchez Guilherme , de Oliveira Rosa Leticia
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we discuss the development and initial validation of an instrument, namely IV-SOPRA (Index of Violence Suffered and Practiced), measuring levels of violence suffered and practiced by students in Higher Education institutions; thus, seeking to advance research into the issue of violence connected to Higher Education. Participants are undergraduate students ( n = 1188), who responded to an online questionnaire from a university in the south of Brazil. This was a convenience sample. The population was from all undergraduate courses offered at the partner university (i.e. Arts and Humanities; Social Sciences; Sciences; Medicine). Data analysis was conducted using R environment (R Core Team, 2020), and lavaan package (Rosseel, 2011). Confirmatory factor analysis was carried to investigate model fit to the data according to theorised structure of the IV-SOPRA subscales. Each subscale demonstrates good to excellent fit to the data, according to fit measures and reliability indices. The instrument provides Higher Education institutions with a tool for evaluating and diagnosing levels of prejudice and bullying on campus, so that effective measures can be put in place to deal with problems at hand.
Technology-Facilitated Abuse in Intimate Relationships: A Scoping Review
Authors: Rogers Michaela M. , Fisher Colleen , Ali Parveen , Allmark Peter , Fontes Lisa
Published: May 2022

Technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) is a significant, harmful phenomenon and emerging trend in intimate partner violence. TFA encompasses a range of behaviours and is facilitated in online spaces (on social media and networking platforms) and through the misuse of everyday technology (e.g. mobile phone misuse, surveillance apps, spyware, surveillance via video cameras and so on). The body of work on TFA in intimate relationships is emerging, and so this scoping review set out to establish what types of abuse, impacts and forms of resistance are reported in current studies. The scoping review examined studies between 2000 and 2020 that focused on TFA within intimate partnerships (adults aged 18+) within the setting of any of these countries: the UK and Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The databases MEDLINE, CINAHL and Scopus were searched in December 2020. A total of 22 studies were included in the review. The main findings were that TFA is diverse in its presentation and tactics, but can be typed according to the eight domains of the Duluth Power & Control Wheel. Impacts are not routinely reported across studies but broadly fall into the categories of social, mental health and financial impacts and omnipresence. Similarly, modes of resistance are infrequently reported in studies. In the few studies that described victim/survivor resistance, this was in the context of direct action, access to legal or professional support or in the identification of barriers to resistance.
‘Supertanker is a Hero, the Government a Villain’: Politicization of Chile’s 2017 Forest Fires in the Media
Authors: Undurraga Tomás , Güell Pedro , Fergnani Mario
Published: May 2022

This article analyses the politicization of natural disasters in the media and the narratives of crisis that contribute to these dynamics. In particular, it studies media coverage of the 2017 mega-fires in Chile and the way in which this coverage was framed by pre-existing political disputes over the performance of Michelle Bachelet’s government (2014–2018). It examines the print press coverage of the mega-fires, and the framing contests used to interpret the fire crisis. It pays special attention to the controversies that erupted over the foreign planes that were sent to help fight the fires: the American Supertanker and the Russian Ilyushin. We argue that press coverage of the mega-fires transformed a natural-social phenomenon into an emotionally charged political drama in which the Supertanker airplane was signified as the hero, and the Chilean government the villain. The Supertanker played a condensation symbol role. It was cast in the media as an external hero promising to control the fires that had overwhelmed local capabilities, and to overcome a government that was portrayed as inefficient and late to respond. The media functioned as an echo chamber for the cultural battle between the government and opposition. This article contributes to a cultural sociology of disasters, paying special attention to the role played by the symbolic representation of nature and socio-technical artefacts in political disputes.
Hemodynamic deterioration due to increased anterior and posterior cardiac compression during posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis with pectus excavatum
Authors: Adachi Ryota , Nishihara Tasuku , Morino Tadao , Sekiya Keisuke , Kitamura Sakiko , Konishi Amane , Takasaki Yasushi , Miura Hiromasa , Abe Naoki , Yorozuya Toshihiro
Published: May 2022

Hemodynamics may deteriorate during the perioperative period when performing posterior spinal fusion in patients with pectus excavatum and scoliosis. A 13-year-old teenager diagnosed with Marfan syndrome had thoracic scoliosis and pectus excavatum. Thoracic scoliosis was convex to the right, and a right ventricular inflow tract stenosis was observed due to compression induced by the depressed sternum. The patient underwent T3–L4 posterior spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis. Deterioration of hemodynamics was observed when the patient was placed in the prone position or when the thoracic spine was corrected to the left front. Postoperative computed tomography examination showed that the mediastinal space was narrowed due to the corrected thoracic spine. Special attention should be paid in the following cases: (1) severe pectus excavatum, (2) right ventricular inflow tract compression due to depressed sternum on the left side, (3) correction of the thoracic spine on the left front, (4) long-term surgery, and (5) risk of massive bleeding. In some cases, pectus excavatum surgery should be prioritized.
A Systematic Literature Review Exploring Achievement Outcomes and Therapeutic Factors for Group Counseling Interventions in Schools
Authors: Steen Sam , Melfie Jennifer , Carro Annie , Shi Qi
Published: May 2022

This article presents a systematic review of group counseling interventions facilitated by school counselors that included academic achievement as outcome targets. We examined the articles that met the criteria to identify any therapeutic factors within the group interventions. A total of 18 articles met the criteria and all of the studies with the largest effect size (i.e., above .8) were found to have imparting information as one of the therapeutic factors coded as part of the intervention. Five articles were either qualitative in nature or did not present enough descriptive data to calculate effect size. These articles included at least three therapeutic factors and raised an important implication for mixed-method research studies to ensure more inclusive approaches in the future. We provide recommendations for practice and research and conclude this article with a call for more group counseling research in schools.
School Counselor and Environmental Educator Partnerships: Reducing Eco-Anxiety From Climate Change, Increasing Self-Efficacy, and Enhancing Youth Advocacy
Authors: Nice Matthew L. , Forziat-Pytel Kellie , Benoit Carol , Sturm Debbie C.
Published: May 2022

School counselors hold unique roles as collaborative partners in schools and the community. These roles position school counselors as leaders in responses to addressing existential threats related to a changing environment. This article provides a review of literature highlighting the role school counselors maintain in partnering to reduce eco-anxiety and implications for how school counselors can incorporate the ASCA National Model framework to increase students’ self-efficacy and ecowellness to reduce eco-anxiety from climate change.
A Model to Explore how Communal Traits Affects Stay Intent Amongst Taiwanese Nurses
Authors: Chang WenYing , Lee YiHsuan
Published: May 2022

Aims

This study discusses the model built to explore low levels of communal traits’ influence on nurses’ stay intent.

Background

The high turnover rate and low stay intent amongst Taiwan's nurses is a serious issue. One reason for the low stay intent is nurse-to-nurse interpersonal conflict. Surface-level difference, such as low levels of communal traits, may be an important antecedent factor. Previous studies have found that this type of conflict can frequently arise in female-to-female relationships.

Design

This was quantitative, cross-sectional research using a questionnaire survey.

Method

249 registered nurses participated in the survey, which employed convenience sampling. The data was collected from January 10th 2020 to February 10th 2020. Results/Findings: We found that nurses with low levels of communal traits become frustrated, creating psychological need thwarting and decreasing stay intention. Belonging perception appears to weaken this. In addition, autonomy and relatedness of need thwarting but not competence mediates the relationship between frustration experience and stay intent. Unlike in past studies, this was not found to be an exclusively female phenomenon.

Conclusion

Improving belonging perception may be the answer to overcoming negative outcomes caused by surface-level difference in the nursing profession. However, why surface-level difference has a negative influence remains a question that needs to be further explored. In addition, Taiwanese nursing managers in this low status and relationship-oriented nursing culture should also focus on improving frontline nurses’ confidence and self-conceptualizations.
Book review: Ashoka Kumar Sen, The Making of a Village: The Dynamics of Adivasi Rural Life in India
Authors: Pattanaik Nupur
Published: May 2022

Ashoka Kumar Sen, The Making of a Village: The Dynamics of Adivasi Rural Life in India. London and New York, Routledge, 2021, 227, pp., ₹995 (Hardback). ISBN: 978–0–367–37403–7.
The Effects of the COVID-19 Confinement on Screen Time, Headaches, Stress and Sleep Disorders among Adolescents: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Wehbe Andrew T. , Costa Tarek E. , Abbas Samar A. , Costa Jad E. , Costa George E. , Wehbe Tarek W.
Published: May 2022

Background

Headache is a common symptom affecting children and adolescents. The medical literature over the last three decades reveals a variable prevalence and triggers in different countries, regions, circumstances and times. This study aims to assess the prevalence, frequency and quality of headaches in the Lebanese adolescent population under the COVID-19 confinement and study its triggers and relationship to screen time, self-reported anxiety, and sleep.

Methods

A cross sectional design was used to collect two survey results by snowball distribution using social media targeting adolescents aged 15 to 17 years of age. The first survey included 13 questions with a single best answer about screen time, feeling anxious, sleep time, schedule and consistency, and headaches. The second survey included 3 questions about the quality of the headaches, anxiety and its triggers.

Results

Among 433 responders to the first survey, the prevalence of headaches, especially pressure points and band-like pressure was higher than any previously reported among adolescents in the literature, reaching 93.4%. Screen time was also higher than any previous reports with 95.6% spending 9 hours or more on screen while 64% of adolescents spending at least 12 hours a day on screen. In addition, the majority (82%) don't have consistent sleep habits and 41.8% consider themselves anxious. School was considered the main source of stress by 82.8% of the responders. The frequency of headache correlated significantly with increased screen time, self-reported anxiety and inconsistent sleep habits.

Conclusions

Headaches among adolescents are associated with increased screen use, sleep disorders, and self-reported anxiety. It is one of the primary somatization symptoms in this group expressing their extreme stress under the current economic, political, and health crisis. The present trends are likely to have major long term implications on adolescents’ health and academic achievements and should alarm educators and health officials to intervene in this situation.
Putting Hemodynamics at the Center: A Systemic Approach to Teaching Vascular Ultrasound
Authors: Teft Miriam
Published: May 2022

A systemic framework for teaching vascular sonography that is centered on hemodynamics is useful to unify the initial test-by-test approach that developed with the pioneering and expansion of the field. Vascular sonography education is most powerful when taught with a system-level view of the circulation that connects how vascular anatomy (form) and physiology (function) are inextricably linked with hemodynamics (flow). Furthermore, understanding hemodynamic principles is key to using waveform morphology as a diagnostic tool. Teaching a system-based, hemodynamic-centered perspective aligns with the objectives of the recent Consensus Statement on Doppler Waveforms by the Society for Vascular Medicine and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound and equips the vascular sonography student to recognize, understand, and appropriately document vascular findings.
Vaccine-induced T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 and its Omicron variant in patients with B cell–depleted lymphoma after CART therapy
Authors: Atanackovic Djordje , Luetkens Tim , Omili Destiny , Iraguha Thierry , Lutfi Forat , Hardy Nancy M. , Fan Xiaoxuan , Avila Stephanie V. , Saharia Kapil K. , Husson Jennifer S. , Niederhaus Silke V. , Margiotta Philip , Lee Seung T. , Law Jennie Y. , Mannuel Heather D. , Vander Mause Erica , Bauman Sherri , Lesho Patricia , Hankey Kim , Baddley John , Kocoglu Mehmet , Yared Jean A. , Rapoport Aaron P. , Dahiya Saurabh
Published: May 2022

Patients receiving CD19 CAR T-cell therapy for relapsed/refractory lymphoma experience prolonged and profound B-cell aplasia and hypogammaglobulinemia, placing them at a higher risk for severe COVID-19. Independently, Oh et al and Atanackovic et al demonstrate that despite attenuated humoral response to mRNA-based vaccines, patients demonstrate normal or heightened functional T-cell responses, including antiviral T-cell activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants including Omicron. Collectively, these data reinforce the importance of COVID-19 vaccination following CD19 CAR T-cell therapy, despite long-term B-cell aplasia.
Long-term archival of environmental samples empowers biodiversity monitoring and ecological research
Authors: Zizka Vera M. A. , Koschorreck Jan , Khan Collins C. , Astrin Jonas J.
Published: May 2022

Human-induced biodiversity loss and changes in community composition are major challenges of the present time, urgently calling for comprehensive biomonitoring approaches to understand system dynamics and to inform policy-making. In this regard, molecular methods are increasingly applied. They provide tools for fast and high-resolution biodiversity assessments and can also focus on population dynamics or functional diversity. If samples are stored under appropriate conditions, this will enable the analysis of DNA, but also RNA and proteins from tissue or from non-biological substrates such as soil, water, or sediments, so-called environmental DNA (eDNA) or eRNA. Until now, most biodiversity studies using molecular methods rely on recent sampling events, although the benefit of analyzing long-time series is obvious. In this context Environmental Specimen Banks (ESBs) can play a crucial role, supplying diverse and well-documented samples collected in periodically repeated sampling events, and following standardized protocols. Mainly assembled for integrative monitoring of chemical compounds, ESB collections are largely accessible to third parties and can in principle be used for molecular analysis. While ESBs hold great potential for the standardized long-time storage of environmental samples, the cooperation with Biodiversity Biobanks as scientific collections guarantees the long-time storage of nucleotide (DNA, RNA) extracts together with links to analytical results and metadata. The present contribution aims to raise the awareness of the biodiversity research community regarding the high-quality samples accessible through ESBs, encourages ESBs to collect and store samples in DNA-friendly ways, and points out the high potential of combining DNA-based approaches with monitoring chemicals and other environmental stressors.
Acute myocardial infarction with simultaneous total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery successfully treated with percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Saito Ryuhei , Koyama Kohei , Kongoji Ken , Soejima Kyoko
Published: May 2022

Background

Simultaneous thrombosis in more than one coronary artery is an uncommon angiographic finding in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. It is difficult to identify using 12-lead electrocardiography and usually leads to cardiogenic shock and fatal outcomes, including sudden cardiac death. Therefore, immediate revascularization and adequate mechanical circulatory support are required.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 58-year-old man who presented with vomiting and chest pain complicated by cardiogenic shock and complete atrioventricular block. Electrocardiography revealed ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, aVF, and V1–V6. Emergency coronary angiography revealed total occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery. The patient successfully underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention with ballooning and stenting for both arteries. An Impella CP was inserted during the procedure. Fifty-seven days after admission, he had New York Heart Association class II heart failure and was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital.

Conclusions

Acute double-vessel coronary thrombosis, a serious event with a high mortality rate, requires prompt diagnosis and management to prevent complications such as cardiogenic shock and ventricular arrhythmias. A combination of judicious medical treatment, efficient primary percutaneous coronary intervention, and early mechanical support device insertion is crucial to improve the survival rate of patients with this disease.
High burden of untreated syphilis, drug resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and other sexually transmitted infections in men with urethral discharge syndrome in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Hamill Matthew M. , Onzia Annet , Wang Tza-Huei , Kiragga Agnes N. , Hsieh Yu-Hsiang , Parkes-Ratanshi Rosalind , Gough Ethan , Kyambadde Peter , Melendez Johan H. , Manabe Yukari C.
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are essential to combat the STI epidemic in resource-limited settings. We characterized the burden of 5 curable STIs chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, Mycoplasma genitalium, syphilis, and HIV infection in Ugandan men with urethritis.

Methods

Participants were recruited from a gonococcal surveillance program in Kampala, Uganda. Questionnaires, penile swabs were collected and tested by nucleic acid amplification. Gonococcal isolates were tested for antimicrobial sensitivity. Sequential point-of-care tests on blood samples were used to screen for syphilis and HIV. Bivariable and multivariable multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios for preselected factors likely to be associated with STIs. Adherence to STI treatment guidelines were analyzed.

Results

From October 2019 to November 2020, positivity (95% CI) for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and Mycoplasma genitalium, were 66.4% (60.1%, 72.2%), 21.7% (16.8%, 27.4%), 2.0% (0.7%, 4.9%), and 12.4% (8.7%, 17.3%) respectively. All Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, penicillin, and tetracycline, but susceptible to extended spectrum cephalosporins and azithromycin. HIV and syphilis prevalence was 20.0% (50/250) and 10.0% (25/250), and the proportion unaware of their infection was 4.0% and 80.0% respectively. Most participants were treated per national guidelines. Multivariable analysis demonstrated significant associations between curable STI coinfections and younger age, transactional sex, but not HIV status, nor condom or alcohol use.

Conclusions

STI coinfections including HIV their associated risk factors, and gonococcal AMR were common in this population. The majority with syphilis were unaware of their infection and were untreated. Transactional sex was associated with STI coinfections, and > 80% of participants received appropriate treatment.
The relationship between online courses and mental health among Chinese children
Authors: Zhou Shuang , Jin Chu-Yao , Guo Jing , Liu Zheng , Feng Qiang , Wang Jia , Xu Xiang-Rong , Wang Shi , Wan Zhong-Shang , Obel Carsten , Liu Hui , Wang Hai-Jun
Published: May 2022

Background

Previous studies on the association of online courses and mental health were mainly conducted in universities, and no study investigated the relationship between characteristics of online courses and children’s mental health in primary and secondary school. This study aimed to explore the association of online courses and children’s mental health in primary and secondary school.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey among 540 primary and secondary school students and their parents in the eastern, central and western region of China from April to May in 2020. Children’s mental health was assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Borderline mental health problems (SDQ total difficulties score ≥ 16) and mental health problems (SDQ total difficulties score ≥ 20) were defined according to Goodman’s standard. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to examine the association between online courses and children’s mental health.

Results

Compared with those who did not have problems of online courses, children having the difficulty in understanding the content of online courses had a higher SDQ total difficulties score [β = 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89, 2.71] and a higher risk of borderline mental health problems [odds ratio (OR) = 1.93, 95%CI: 1.07, 3.49], while device or internet connection problems were not significantly associated with children’s mental health. Compared with children who had live courses, those having video-recorded courses had a higher SDQ total difficulties score (β = 0.90, 95%CI: 0.01, 1.80). Children who spent more than 4 h on online courses had a higher SDQ total difficulties score than those of less than or equal to 4 h (β = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.09, 1.81).

Conclusion

We found that online courses with inappropriate characteristics were associated with children’s mental health. The findings called for the efforts to optimize the online courses and improve children’s mental health.
The combined impact of LLINs, house screening, and pull-push technology for improved malaria control and livelihoods in rural Ethiopia: study protocol for household randomised controlled trial
Authors: Asale Abebe , Kassie Menale , Abro Zewdu , Enchalew Bayu , Belay Aklilu , Sangoro Peter O. , Tchouassi David P. , Mutero Clifford M.
Published: May 2022

Background

The combined application of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are commonly used malaria interventions that target indoor Anopheles vectors. Recent studies on the effects of house screening (HS) and LLINs have demonstrated a reduction in indoor vector densities and malaria when the interventions are combined. In addition, complementary interventions are needed to curb co-occurring pest populations which pose menace to agricultural crop productivity and food security. However, interventions that impact malaria mainly centre on public health strategies, overlooking subtle but important component of agricultural measures. Addressing the coexisting risks of malaria and crop pests could contribute to improved livelihood of communities.

Methods

A four-armed household, cluster-randomized, controlled study will be conducted to assess the combined impact of HS, LLINs and push-pull agricultural technology (PPT) against clinical malaria in children in Ethiopia. The unit of randomization will be the household, which includes a house and its occupants. A total of 838 households will be enrolled in this study. In this trial 246 households will receive LLINs and HS, 250 will receive LLINs, HS and PPT, 175 households will receive LLINs and PPT. The remaining 167 houses which receive LLINs only will be used as control. One child aged ≤14 years will be enrolled per household in each treatment and followed for clinical malaria using active case detection to estimate malaria incidence for two malaria transmission seasons.

Discussion

Episodes of clinical malaria, density of indoor biting malaria vectors, sporozoite infection rate, improved crop infestation rate, crop yield gain, livestock productivity and cost effectiveness analysis will be the end points of this study. Socio-economic, social demographic, cost-effectiveness analysis will be conducted using qualitative and participatory methods to explore the acceptability of HS and PPT. Documenting the combined impact of LLINs, HS and PPT on the prevalence of clinical malaria and crop pest damage will be the first of its kind.

Trial registration

Pan African Clinical Trials Registry, PACTR202006878245287. 24/06/2020. https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=11101.
Beliefs and misperceptions about naloxone and overdose among U.S. laypersons: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Agley Jon , Xiao Yunyu , Eldridge Lori , Meyerson Beth , Golzarri-Arroyo Lilian
Published: May 2022

Background

Overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) to laypersons are key approaches to reduce the incidence of opioid-involved overdoses. While some research has examined attitudes toward OEND, especially among pharmacists and first responders, our understanding of what laypersons believe about overdose and naloxone is surprisingly limited. Further, some scholars have expressed concerns about the prevalence of non-evidence-based beliefs about overdose and naloxone. We designed this study to analyze the prevalence, nature, and context of beliefs about naloxone and overdose among U.S. laypersons.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study (n = 702) using Prolific.co (representative of the U.S. population by age, gender, and race). Primary outcomes were the believability of six statements about overdose/naloxone on a seven-point Likert-type scale. Five statements were unsupported, and one was supported, by current scientific evidence. We used latent profile analysis to classify participants into belief groups, then used regression to study correlates of profile classification.

Results

Believability of the statements (7: extremely believable) ranged from m = 5.57 (SD = 1.38) for a scientifically supported idea (trained bystanders can reverse overdose with naloxone), to m = 3.33 (SD = 1.83) for a statement claiming opioid users can get high on naloxone. Participants were classified into three latent belief profiles: Profile 1 (most aligned with current evidence;n = 246), Profile 2 (moderately aligned;n = 351), and Profile 3 (least aligned,n = 105). Compared to Profile 1, several covariates were associated with categorization into Profiles 2 and 3, including lower trust in science (RRR = 0.36, 95%CI = 0.24–0.54; RRR = 0.21, 95%CI = 0.12–0.36, respectively), conservative political orientation (RRR = 1.41, 95%CI = 1.23–1.63; 3:RRR = 1.62, 95%CI = 1.35–1.95, respectively), and never being trained about naloxone (Profile 3: RRR = 3.37, 95%CI = 1.16–9.77).

Conclusions

Preliminary evidence suggests some U.S. laypersons simultaneously believe that bystander overdose prevention with naloxone can prevent overdose and one or more scientifically unsupported claims about naloxone/overdose. Categorization into clusters displaying such belief patterns was associated with low trust in science, conservative political orientation, and not having been trained about naloxone.

Preregistration

This cross-sectional study was preregistered prior to any data collection using the Open Science Framework:https://osf.io/c6ufv
A comparative cross-sectional evaluation of the Field Epidemiology Training Program-Frontline in Ethiopia
Authors: Kebebew Tolcha , Takele Tariku , Zeynu Neima , Muluneh Abraham , Habtetsion Medhanye , Kezali Jafer , Demelash Sileshi , Assefa Zewdu , Hu Audrey E. , Woldetsadik Mahlet A. , Turcios-Ruiz Reina M. , Cassell Cynthia H. , Harris Julie , Sugerman David E.
Published: May 2022

Background

The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)-Frontline is a three-month in-service training aimed at improving surveillance officers’ capacity to collect, analyze, and interpret surveillance data, and respond to health emergencies. We evaluated the effectiveness of the FETP-Frontline which was introduced in Ethiopia in 2016.

Methods

We conducted a comparative, randomized cross-sectional study to assess surveillance-related knowledge, skills, and performance among trained and untrained officers using a structured questionnaire and observation checklist. We compared the knowledge, skills, and performance scores of trained and untrained officers using the Fisher’s Exact test, chi-square test, and t-test at p-value < 0.05 for statistical significance.

Results

We conducted the study among 74 trained and 76 untrained surveillance officers. About three-quarters of all participants were male, and the average age was 34 (± 8.6) years. Completeness and timeliness of surveillance reports were significantly higher among trained than untrained surveillance officers. The trained officers were more likely to have produced epidemiologic bulletins (55% vs 33%), conducted active surveillance six months before the survey (88% vs 72%), provided surveillance training (88% vs 65%), conducted strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis (55% vs 17%), and utilized Microsoft Excel to manage surveillance data (87% vs 47%). We also observed improved surveillance officers’ perceived skills and knowledge, and the availability and quality of surveillance formats and reports among the trained group.

Conclusions

FETP-Frontline trained surveillance officers demonstrated better knowledge, skills, and performance in most surveillance activities compared to the untrained officers. FETP-Frontline can address competency gaps among district surveillance officers in Ethiopia and other countries. Scaling up the program to cover unreached districts can enable achieving the human resource development core capacity requirement of the International Health Regulations 2005.
Influential factors for COVID-19 related distancing in daily life: a distinct focus on ego-gram
Authors: Kim Kyu-Min , Rhee Hyun-Sill
Published: May 2022

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has necessitated that individuals comply with personal quarantine rules in daily life. South Korea is implementing the concept of “distancing in daily life” to raise awareness on personal quarantine measures, which is communicated through various media channels and platforms. The continued rise in COVID-19 cases demands that all individuals strictly adhere to personal quarantine rules. It is worth paying particular attention to the college student group, which has the highest percentage of confirmed cases among all age groups in South Korea. This group understands and practices “distancing in daily life” but with drastic variations among individuals. Previous studies have reported that the level of adherence to social norms is different according to each ego stated, and media exposure level is reported as a major influencing factor. Therefore, this study examined the media exposure level to COVID-19 prevention rules and its effect on the observance of distancing in daily life; it also verified the moderating effect of ego-gram on the relationship between media exposure level and distancing in daily life.

Methods

The participants comprised Korean university students (men = 143, women = 188,N = 331) aged 18–30 years, who were recruited through an online survey. The survey was conducted over 20 days from January 27 to February 15, 2021. Data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.4) to calculate hierarchical regression.

Results

First, media exposure level and distancing in daily life among Korean university students was above average. Second, media exposure level (β = .161, P < .01) was identified as the most influential factor for distancing in daily life. Third, ego-grams had a moderating effect (β = .136, P < .05) on the relationship between media exposure levels and distancing in daily life.

Conclusions

This study examined the policy implications related to the development of diverse quarantine-related programs while considering influential factors and differences in how individuals’ compliance with quarantine rules were presented. Considering the situation in which new infectious diseases such as COVID-19 occur every 4–5 years, this study serves as a preparation for future pandemics and is an important framework to enhance the level of personal quarantine.
Perceived importance of pandemic interventions for attending cultural events – findings from Germany
Authors: Weber Michaela , Plew Manuel , Neumann Christine , Ostendorf Marietta , Herr Raphael , Fischer Joachim
Published: May 2022

Background

During the first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, many cultural and sporting events were held without spectators or had to be cancelled. Therefore, several containment strategies to provide requirements for safe events were developed and tested. Nonetheless, every second (50.7%) is afraid of becoming infected on an event. We therefore investigated which hygiene and containment measures are perceived to be important from the visitor’s point of view and thus might increase subjective sense of safety.

Methods

This online study was carried out in November 2020. A total of 1,004 persons, who regularly attended events before the pandemic, took part in the study. The importance of different hygiene and containment measures was evaluated using a 5-point Likert-scale (1 “unimportant” to 5 “extremely important”). Potential statistical differences in socio-demographical aspects (age, gender, net disposable income for leisure activities) and attendance on events were tested with analyses of variance.

Results

Participants perceived the use of disinfectant (M = 4.10) as the most important element of containment strategies, followed by transparent information on the hygiene strategy (M = 4.00), reduced occupancy (M = 3.98), and optimized ventilation (M = 3.97). Body temperature measurement at the entrance (M = 3.27), a negative SARS-CoV-2 test (M = 3.11), completion of a health questionnaire (M = 3.05), and abandoning breaks and catering (M = 2.98) were considered as less important.

Analyses of group differences in socio-demographical aspects found abandoning breaks and catering to be more important to men than to women. This strategy is also more important to people aged 66 and above than to younger age groups (e.g., age 20–40). For women, the use of disinfectant is considerably more important. No other significant differences exist.

Conclusion

Combining relevant measures appears to be important to provide a safe containment strategy. Measures aimed at positively influencing people’s sense of safety do not fully correspond to researched knowledge of effectiveness.

There are also target group-specific differences in the rating of measures, which should be considered while preparing containment strategies. To describe the dynamic development of changes in subjective rating of containment strategies, continuing research is needed.
Comparison of anterior or posterior approach in surgical treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis: a retrospective case–control study
Authors: Qiu Jincheng , Peng Yan , Qiu Xianjian , Gao Wenjie , Liang Tongzhou , Zhu Yuanxin , Chen Taiqiu , Hu Wenjun , Gao Bo , Deng Zhihuai , Liang Anjing , Huang Dongsheng
Published: May 2022

Background

With the widespread use of the posterior surgery, more and more surgeons chose posterior surgery to treat thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. But others still believed that the anterior surgery is more conducive to eradicating the lesions, and easier to place larger bone pieces for bone graft fusion. We compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior and posterior surgical approaches and presented our views.

Methods

This study included 52 thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis patients at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from January 2010 to June 2018. All cases underwent radical debridement, nerve decompression, intervertebral bone graft fusion and internal fixation. Cases were divided into anterior group (24 cases) and posterior group (28 cases). Statistical analysis was used to compare the clinical effectiveness, radiological outcomes, complications and other related information.

Results

Patients in the anterior group and the posterior group were followed up for an average of 27.4 and 22.3 months, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in the preoperative, postoperative and last follow-up VAS score, ASIA grade and Cobb angle of local kyphosis. Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences in the improvement of neurological function, loss of kyphotic correction, total incidence of complications, operative time, intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay between the two groups (P > 0.05). But there was greater correction of kyphosis, earlier bone fusion, lower incidence of poor wound healing, less interference with the normal spine and less internal fixation consumables and medical cost in the anterior group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Both anterior and posterior approaches are feasible for thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. While for thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis patients with a single lesion limited in the anterior and middle columns of the spine without severe kyphosis, the anterior approach surgery may have greater advantages in kyphosis correction, bone fusion, wound healing, protection of the normal spine, and medical consumables and cost.
A spiral cystic fibroma originating from left ventricular fascicular muscle: a case report
Authors: Luo Chong , Wu Zhong , Jiang Lijie , Liang Weitao
Published: May 2022

Background

In adults, cardiac fibromas are fairly rare, mostly round in shape, and few cases of ventricular fibromas of other morphology have been reported.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 47-year-old male patient admitted with recurrent nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea, diagnosed by transthoracic cardiac ultrasound, transesophageal ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT) as a left ventricular occupancy with a spiral shape resembling a conch with a fixed base and a free distal end.

Conclusion

This case reports a rare but noteworthy morphological features of the adult uncommon ventricular tumor pathological type. Furthermore, the patient had no notable postoperative issues and was followed up on for a year following surgery, with no residual tumors or arrhythmias discovered during the examination.
On prioritising global health’s triple crisis of sepsis, COVID-19 and antimicrobial resistance: a mixed-methods study from Malawi
Authors: Kawale Paul , Kalitsilo Levi , Mphande Jessie , Romeo Adegbite Bayode , Grobusch Martin P. , Jacob Shevin T. , Rylance Jamie , Madise Nyovani J.
Published: May 2022

Sepsis causes 20% of global deaths, particularly among children and vulnerable populations living in developing countries. This study investigated how sepsis is prioritised in Malawi’s health system to inform health policy. In this mixed-methods study, twenty multisectoral stakeholders were qualitatively interviewed and asked to quantitatively rate the likelihood of sepsis-related medium-term policy outcomes being realised. Respondents indicated that sepsis is not prioritised in Malawi due to a lack of local sepsis-related evidence and policies. However, they highlighted strong linkages between sepsis and maternal health, antimicrobial resistance and COVID-19, which are already existing national priorities, and offers opportunities for sepsis researchers as policy entrepreneurs. To address the burden of sepsis, we recommend that funding should be channelled to the generation of local evidence, evidence uptake, procurement of resources and treatment of sepsis cases, development of appropriate indicators for sepsis, adherence to infection prevention and control measures, and antimicrobial stewardship.