bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain Volumes in Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Ataxia Syndrome: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Almudhry Montaha , Wagner Matthias W. , Longoni Giulia , Yea Carmen , Vidarsson Logi , Ertl-Wagner Birgit , Yeh E. Ann
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Little is known about the longitudinal trajectory of brain growth in children with opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome. We performed a longitudinal evaluation of brain volumes in pediatric opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome patients compared with age- and sex-matched healthy children.

Patients and Methods

This longitudinal case-control study included brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from consecutive pediatric opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome patients (2009-2020) and age- and sex-matched healthy control children. FreeSurfer analysis provided automatic volumetry of the brain. Paired t tests were performed on the curvature of growth trajectories, with Bonferroni correction.

Results

A total of 14 opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome patients (12 female) and 474 healthy control children (406 female) were included. Curvature of the growth trajectories of the cerebral white and gray matter, cerebellar white and gray matter, and brainstem differed significantly between opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome patients and healthy control children (cerebral white matter, P = .01; cerebral gray matter, P = .01; cerebellar white matter, P < .001; cerebellar gray matter, P = .049; brainstem, P < .01).

Discussion/Conclusion

We found abnormal brain maturation in the supratentorial brain, brainstem, and cerebellum in children with opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome.
Perceived Balance, Balance Performance, and Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Dolan Hanne R. , Pohl Janet , Pituch Keenan , Coon David W.
Published: March 2024

Objectives: To examine the extent to which older adults’ perceived balance, a balance performance test, and fear of falling (FOF) were associated with falls in the last month. Methods: The Health Belief Model served as the theoretical framework. A retrospective, cross-sectional, secondary analysis using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study was conducted ( N = 7499). Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of reporting a fall in the past month were 3.3 times ( p < .001) greater for participants who self-reported having a balance problem compared to those who did not. The Short Physical Performance Battery and FOF were not uniquely associated with falls. Discussion: Our findings support limited evidence suggesting that older adults’ perceived balance is a better predictor of falls than balance performance. Assessing older adults’ perceived balance may be a new way to assess older adults’ fall risk to prevent future falls.
LIFNS: Design of a novel Lidar-IMU fusion navigation system for AGVs in smart factories
Authors: Li Yiduo , Li Peiqing , Li Qipeng , Wu Xinzhao , Li Zhuoran
Published: March 2024

Traditional Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) robots commonly employ 2D plane navigation systems. However, with the expansion of AGV application scenarios and the increasing complexity of structures, the limitations of existing 2D navigation systems have become more pronounced, rendering them inadequate for addressing these challenges. To tackle this issue, this paper proposes a novel navigation system suitable for AGV robots composed of fused Lidar and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), named as Lidar-IMU Fusion Navigation System (LIFNS). LIFNS primarily comprises mapping, localization, and fused path planning modules. In the mapping module, a 3D point cloud map for precise 3D localization and a 2D grid map for path planning are constructed using multiple-line Lidar and IMU. For the localization module, a fusion localization approach is introduced, combining IMU data with Normal Distributions Transform (NDT) point cloud registration through Unscented Kalman Filtering (UKF). Finally, global path planning is executed using the A* algorithm on the grid map, while local path planning utilizes the Timed-Elastic Band (TEB) algorithm. The effectiveness and universality of LIFNS are validated through simulation experiments and real-world deployment tests. The experimental results demonstrate that LIFNS achieves centimeter-level accuracy in both mapping and localization, effectively alleviating the issues of low precision and significant limitations present in traditional AGV robots. This positions LIFNS with promising applications in enclosed settings such as smart factories, industrial parks, and healthcare facilities.
Parametric analysis of the oil pressure limiter built on the influence on the diaphragm compressors for hydrogen refueling stations
Authors: Ren Shengdong , Zhao Bin , Diao Anna , Jia Xiaohan , Peng Xueyuan
Published: March 2024

The oil pressure limiter is crucial for ensuring the steady operation of the diaphragm compressor, but there is a lack of systematic research on its design method. This study conducted a theoretical analysis of the operation characteristics of the oil pressure limiter in diaphragm compressors, and established a simulation model. Furthermore, a test rig for the oil system of a 90 MPa diaphragm compressor was built to verify the accuracy of the model. The results indicated that the simulated oil pressure curve was in good agreement with the measured curve during the oil overflow process, which confirmed the reliability of the model used to study the oil pressure limiter. The study found that the operational stability of the pressure limiter was significantly influenced by the spring stiffness and valve ball diameter. The oil overflow pressure of the compressor could be made more precise and stable by increasing the valve ball diameter, but the structural size should also be sensible.
What if migrants were only people and relatives? Designations used to name people on the move in the Belgian media
Authors: Mistiaen Valériane
Published: March 2024

This article focuses on denominations that are used to name people on the move in Belgian media discourse, but that are not specifically related to migration. It specifically studies the nominal syntagms formed with the noun people ( people on the run, people in need) and words of kinship ( mother, brother). A Discursive Semantics analysis implemented through Corpus Linguistics is run on a corpus of Belgian news items issued from March 2015 to July 2017. The corpus gathers 13,391 newspaper articles and 3490 TV news items (representing 7,637,986 words). The mention of words of kinship and designations formed with people shows that there is a willingness to humanise media discourses on migration. However, although their mention encourages a humanitarian vision of people on the move, these usually positively connotated designations also foster a vision of people on the move as victims and does not discourage the mention of controversial denominations.
Heteronormative discourse: Therapist social constructions of intimate partner violence in queer relationships
Authors: Bytheway Siouxsie , Stephens-Lewis Danielle
Published: March 2024

Researchers have suggested the victim/perpetrator paradigm for understanding intimate partner violence (IPV) is limited when considering queer relationships. Instead, some propose a poststructural feminist approach as better suited for understanding the complexities involved. However, in the UK, this approach is rarely adopted. We therefore put a poststructural feminist approach to research into practice. Despite IPV occurring in queer relationships at similar or higher levels compared to heterosexual relationships, queer individuals rarely use mainstream IPV services, owing to real and perceived barriers, and access local therapy services instead. However, outside of queer-specific services in city-centre areas, there is little knowledge of the approaches used or the outcomes achieved by these therapeutic services. Our research contributes to addressing this knowledge gap. We investigate how therapists make sense of IPV in queer relationships, conducting five semistructured interviews with therapists working in small-town/rural settings in Southwest England. Despite claims of inclusivity and liberal humanist values, our Foucauldian discourse analysis highlights the dominance of a heteronormative discourse in the therapists’ accounts, and shows how heterosexual privilege is embedded in a range of discourses deployed. In light of these findings, we explore implications for practice and areas for future research in this underresearched area.
Dueling COVID-19 misinformation: Perceptions and behavior of the rural population from South Asian countries
Authors: Gala Bhakti , Lamba Manika , Batool Syeda Hina , Islam Md Anwarul , Bhardwaj Raj Kumar
Published: March 2024

This multi-lingual study presents the awareness, perceptions, and behavior regarding COVID-19 “misinformation” and “fake news,” among the rural population of the South Asian (SA) countries of Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. The survey questionnaire was distributed to a convenient sample of 400 respondents from the three most populated SA countries selected due to their shared socio-cultural history; limited by fund availability and travel restrictions due to the prevailing lockdowns during the data collection period of early 2022. Results indicate that 92.98% of the participants perceived the presence of COVID-19 misinformation to varying degrees around them with less than 10% finding it easy to verify the accuracy of the information. The results indicate that the participants initially believed the made-up news and information to be true and then experienced fear or uncertainty upon realizing that it was fake. Results further show significant differences in perception and behavior when analyzed with the parameters of gender, age, education, and religion. Our study highlighted that female respondents perceived less than male respondents that fake news was around them, and younger participants of the study had less perception of the presence of fake news around them. The present study also found that the education level of respondents is a strong predictor of their perception of COVID-19 misinformation. Respondents with high school degrees perceived less made-up news and information than associate and master-level degree holders. The findings indicate a lack of media literacy, with a vast majority of individuals being susceptible to false information. The findings of the study will help healthcare professionals, information professionals, social workers, extension workers, and policymakers to deal with the Infodemic and further also assist in designing shared health information literacy programs across the region.
‘Suspension Palatoplasty’ – A method of surgical correction of VPI post Cleft Palate repair
Authors: Damalachervu Mukunda Reddy , Yellinedi Rajesh , Dharanipriya A. , Lalasa Mary V. , Nuvvula Rambabu
Published: March 2024

Objective

To design the technique of ‘Suspension Palatoplasty’ for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI) post Cleft Palate (CP) based on optimal spatial positioning of palate at the time of VPI correction, by using a non-obstructive, high, midline pharyngeal flap for predictable velopharyngeal closure and normal speech. To evaluate the results of CP patients with VPI operated using the technique of ‘Suspension palatoplasty’.

Design

An ambi-spective longitudinal clinical study.

Setting

Comprehensive cleft care clinic in a private trust hospital.

Patients, Participants

Patients operated using the ‘Suspension Palatoplasty’ technique for VPI post CP repair between 2014 and 2018 with a minimum follow-up period of 5 years.

Interventions

‘Suspension Palatoplasty’ - Double Opposing Z (DOZ) plasty with palatal myoplasty is used to revise soft palate and a narrow superiorly based pharyngeal flap is used to suspend it for a dynamic velopharyngeal closure.

Main outcome measure

Speech outcome and surgical complications.

Results

70 out of 119 studied were found to have normal speech (59%), and another 25 patients (21%) had acceptable speech. Thus 95 out of 119 patients (80%) had normal or near-normal speech and did not require any further speech therapy or surgeries. 12 patients had snoring without difficulty in breathing. One patient had symptoms suggestive of obstructive sleep apnea. Younger patients had a higher percentage of normal speech outcomes. Many of our adult patients also attained normal speech.

Conclusion

‘Suspension Palatoplasty’ aims to achieve normal speech with little effort. It has minimal side effects. The author has performed 403 cases to date.
Trends and Patterns in the Key Attributes of the 24 Top Business Journals: 2001–2021
Authors: Mithas Sunil , Silveira Alysson
Published: March 2024

We document trends and patterns in the key attributes of the 24 top journals during 2001–2021 using data from the Web of Science. These trends include growth by disciplines and journals represented among selected journals in terms of growth in publications, relative publication share of disciplines, number of unique authors, attributes of prolific authors, and the extent of interdisciplinary contributions. We compare and contrast our findings with prior studies and offer a few conjectures on similarities and differences in the findings. We hope that our descriptive findings will spur further research on the production function of science and help identify the determinants of research productivity in top journals.
Does Artificial Intelligence Speak Our Language?: A Gadamerian Assessment of Generative Language Models
Authors: Pinell Phillip
Published: March 2024

The language argument is a classic argument for human distinctiveness that, for millenia, has been used to distinguish humans from non-human animals. Generative language models (GLMs) pose a challenge to traditional language-based models of human distinctiveness precisely because they can communicate and respond in a manner resembling humanity’s linguistic capabilities. This article asks: have GLMs acquired natural language? Employing Gadamer’s theory of language, I argue that they have not. While GLMs can reliably generate linguistic content that can be interpreted as “texts,” they lack the linguistically mediated reality that language provides. Missing from these models are four key features of a linguistic construction of reality: groundedness to the world, understanding, community, and tradition. I conclude with skepticism that GLMs can ever achieve natural language because they lack these characteristics in their linguistic development.
The Dueling Ambitions of High Achieving Women: A Family Development Pilot Case Study
Authors: Smedley Diane
Published: March 2024

At some point prior to their children turning 18, roughly 70% of mothers will hold the position of breadwinner in their family. The increasing number of breadwinning mothers is reflective of the shifting roles of women in families. Although a family role shift is evident for mothers, the centrality of women in the development of families across the lifespan remains unchanged. The centrality of mothers to family development is obvious in the family life cycle. Embedded in the traditional family structure, the family life cycle is a commonly used assessment model for family lifespan development despite its incongruence with professional counseling ethics and curriculum standards. The incongruence highlights the need for a family development model appropriate for diverse family structures. Therefore, a pilot case study approach guided this study as an initial exploration into the family development of high achieving women. An in-depth semi-structured interview with a single participant was conducted and then analyzed using a phenomenological approach. Four themes emerged from the participant's experience: self-efficacy and hustle, supportive relationships, resources used, and barriers faced. The findings from this study demonstrated a clear need for additional research. Additionally, the researcher recommends that counselor educators and family counselors should be cautious in their utilization of existing family development assessment models with diverse families.
Schadenfreude and Sympathy: Observer Reactions to Malicious Joy During Social Media Service Recovery
Authors: Bacile Todd J. , Elmadag A. Banu , Okan Mehmet , Dineva Denitsa , Rynarzewska Ania Izabela
Published: March 2024

Complex social dynamics occur when complaints are voiced on firms’ social media channels. In combination, a complainer criticizes a firm, which may be responded to uncivilly by different online personas (i.e., internet trolls or loyal customers), with virtually present observers watching how a firm responds. This research examines customer-to-customer (C2C) uncivil commentary from troll and loyal customer personas perceived by observers to elicit schadenfreude (malicious joy due to another's adverse event). Three studies show how C2C schadenfreude targeting a complainer elicits sympathy from observers, which influences observers’ future purchase intent. Study 1's online content analysis using field data shows the frequency of C2C schadenfreude during social media service recovery. Study 2 uncovers moderated mediation of C2C schadenfreude–sympathy–purchase intent, with loyal customer persona comments producing more observer sympathy than troll persona comments. Study 3 finds the harmful effect of observer sympathy on purchase intent varies based on how or if a firm addresses the C2C dialogue. This research uses a novel cognition (perceived schadenfreude from another's comment), examines a lesser-studied emotion in marketing (sympathy), and is the first marketing-related work to incorporate backlash theory from organizational management to exemplify how loyal customer comments produce a backlash effect in observers.
Successfully removing a knotted epicutaneo-caval catheter inserted in a neonate: A case report and literature review
Authors: Shi Zeyao , Zeng Zhaolan , Li Xiaowen , Song Yan
Published: March 2024

Epicutaneo-caval catheter (ECC) has been widely used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). ECC line Knots in intravascular is an unexpected complication and has been reported in adults mostly. Few cases reported knot formation during ECC insertion and removal in neonates. In this case, we introduced a spontaneous knot formation during the insertion of the central catheter, which was finally successfully removed.
Body alteration: On the mental function of body modification and body decoration
Authors: Weiler Selina M. , Mühlenbeck Cordelia , Jacobsen Thomas
Published: March 2024

Decorating the body as well as (semi-)permanent bodily modifications are a longstanding human practice, together with spending a great amount of time and effort on such body alterations. The present article reviews the mental functions of body-altering behavior. The primary aim is to identify and elucidate the predominant mental function underpinning these body alterations. Following several guidelines for reviews, we synthesized the literature, including several categories of body-altering entities from different eras. We argue that there are two crucial commonalities for individuals engaging in body-altering behavior that comprise the mental functions for doing so: aesthetics and group affiliation (dynamics), including the latter’s subfunctions of supporting individuality, resistance, personal narrative, physical endurance, and sexual motivation. Incorporating the existing literature, we find that aesthetic motivation takes precedence over group affiliation, thereby establishing aesthetics as the primary mental function of body-altering behavior; factors substantiating this conclusion are explored in detail within the article.
Five-year outcomes of the GORE VIABAHN Endoprosthesis for the treatment of complex femoropopliteal lesions from a Japanese postmarket surveillance study
Authors: Iida Osamu , Ohki Takao , Soga Yoshimitsu , Suematsu Nobuhiro , Nakama Tatsuya , Yamaoka Terutoshi , Tobita Kazuki , Ichihashi Shigeo
Published: March 2024

Introduction: The safety and effectiveness of the GORE VIABAHN Endoprosthesis for treatment of symptomatic patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and complex femoropopliteal (FP) lesions was assessed in a real-world Japanese practice setting. Methods: A prospective, multicenter, postmarket surveillance study was conducted from 2016 to 2017 at 64 sites in Japan. Symptomatic patients with PAD and FP lesions ⩾ 10 cm and reference vessel diameters ranging from 4.0 to 7.5 mm were eligible for enrollment. Outcome measures evaluated at 5 years were primary patency (PP), primary-assisted patency (PAP), secondary patency (SP), freedom from target lesion revascularization (fTLR), occurrence of device- or procedure-related serious adverse events (SAEs), and stent fractures. Results: A total of 321 patients were enrolled and were a mean age of 73.9 ± 8.7 years; 77.3% were men and 26.5% had chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). The mean lesion length was 23.6 ± 6.6 cm and the frequency with TASC II C/D lesions and chronic total occlusions was 86.6% and 70.4%, respectively. The Kaplan–Meier estimated PP, PAP, SP, and fTLR at 5 years was 62.4%, 74.1%, 82.3%, and 75.9%, respectively. The mean ankle–brachial index was 0.92 ± 0.15 and the mean improvement in Rutherford class was 2.3 ± 1.4, which was maintained through 5 years. The rate of cumulative device- or procedure-related SAEs through 5 years was 19.9% with only 9.3% of those occurring after the first year. No stent fractures were observed through 5 years by x-ray evaluation. Conclusion: The 5-year safety and efficacy outcomes of the endoprosthesis were clinically acceptable for treating complex FP lesions in a real-world cohort of Japanese patients with PAD. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04706273)
Scalar tensions and the representation of the queer Spanish nation-state: A thematic analysis of Drag Race Spain
Authors: Stieve Thomas
Published: March 2024

RuPaul’s Drag Race has globally produced 16 nationally franchised versions of the show. Queer scholarship has studied this franchising of queer culture by applying the model of glocalization, where the U.S. show is adapted to the local queer market in the franchising nation-state. I thematically analyzed the first two seasons of Drag Race Spain (DRS) and viewership in the Països Catalans region of Spain to investigate how three scalar tensions (U.S. Superstructure, Defining Spain, and Exporting Spain) structure queer culture on the show. I concluded that the representation of the nation-state on DRS masks the queer geographic diversity of Spain and the international market’s influence on the country’s representation.
Experimental investigation on the effect of hoop spacing and crosstie configuration on the cyclic performance of reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Lee Tai-Kuang , Chen Cheng-Cheng
Published: March 2024

According to ACI 318-19(SI), in the plastic hinge zone of RC beams, the longitudinal reinforcement at each corner and every other longitudinal reinforcement must be enclosed by the corner of the closed hoop or the hooks of crossties. However, in RC construction practice, the longitudinal reinforcement of RC beams is densely arranged, making construction difficult. In this study, four large RC beam specimens were designed and fabricated to conduct experiments to verify the effect of hoop spacing and crosstie configuration on the cyclic performance of reinforced concrete beams. It is found that: (1) The crosstie configuration with seismic hook engaging the longitudinal reinforcement at the bottom is recommended and that during construction, within the range of twice the beam depth from the RC column outer face, the bottom and side formwork should be completed after the crossties are assembled, which should solve the problem of difficult construction. (2) The transverse reinforcement spacing between 4 and 6 times the smallest longitudinal reinforcement diameter of RC beams may have no significant effect on the cyclic performance of RC beams. (3) The requirement that in the plastic hinge zone of RC beams, every corner and alternate longitudinal bar on the perimeter must have lateral support provided by the corner of a tie or crosstie in ACI 318-19(SI) may not have a major impact on the cyclic performance of the RC beam. (4) The ultimate drift angle of each specimen in the negative direction was between 4.3% rad and 4.5% rad; thus, all the specimens satisfied the ACI requirement. However, the cyclic performance (plasticity rotation angle) of all specimens basically did not meet the requirement of 3.0% rad for earthquake-resistant structures.
Publishing during a sociology PhD in Australia: Differences by elite and non-elite universities and gender
Authors: Rajčan Adam , Burns Edgar A
Published: March 2024

We examined the latest decade of Australian sociology PhD completions for differences in the number and quality of research outputs students published during doctoral enrolment. There was no evidence of a statistically significant difference between Go8 PhD students and their non-Go8 PhD counterparts in terms of either the quantity of research publications achieved, or the quality of these publications as measured by high-impact journals. There was also insufficient evidence statistically to conclude that Go8 men and Go8 women differed from one another, or that non-Go8 men and non-Go8 women differed from one another in overall quantity of outputs and publishing in high-impact journals. However, publishing success of men and women, when combined, regardless of whether they were at elite Go8 or non-Go8 institutions, showed gender had a marginally significant effect on publication productivity, men outperforming women, in both publication counts and in publishing in high-impact journals.
Meaningful co-production to bring meaningful change: Developing the Allied Health Professionals Dementia Framework for Wales together
Authors: Braithwaite Stuart Laura , Elliott Natalie , Hanmer Rebecca , Woodhead Andrew
Published: March 2024

In line with increasing participatory approaches to service and research design, there is a growing appreciation of the need to understand the lived experience of people accessing care and support, including people living with dementia, their carers and supporters. This article describes the process and value of co-production, used alongside principles of appreciative inquiry and evidence-informed practice, as an approach to developing a strategic workforce framework, aimed at increasing access to Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) for people living with dementia and their carers. Engaging in the co-production approach throughout the project lifecycle resulted in positive outcomes as reported by people with lived experience and professionals who were involved, as well as a published national framework that is rooted in the first-hand experiences of people living with dementia, their carers and supporters.
From word clouds to Word Rain: Revisiting the classic word cloud to visualize climate change texts
Authors: Skeppstedt Maria , Ahltorp Magnus , Kucher Kostiantyn , Lindström Matts
Published: March 2024

Word Rain is a development of the classic word cloud. It addresses some of the limitations of word clouds, in particular the lack of a semantically motivated positioning of the words, and the use of font size as a sole indicator of word prominence. Word Rain uses the semantic information encoded in a distributional semantics-based language model – reduced into one dimension – to position the words along the x-axis. Thereby, the horizontal positioning of the words reflects semantic similarity. Font size is still used to signal word prominence, but this signal is supplemented with a bar chart, as well as with the position of the words on the y-axis. We exemplify the use of Word Rain by three concrete visualization tasks, applied on different real-world texts and document collections on climate change. In these case studies, word2vec models, reduced to one dimension with t-SNE, are used to encode semantic similarity, and TF-IDF is used for measuring word prominence. We evaluate the technique further by carrying out domain expert reviews.
Always-On: The Gendered Economies of Filipina Migrant Care Work and Social Media Platforms
Authors: Heberer Feng-Mei
Published: March 2024

Though the political economy of Filipina care workers and their lives on the ground might appear to be a world distinct from that of digital platforms, this article explores their continuity: between the multiple demands for Filipina care workers in Taiwan to relentlessly serve the demands of others, and thus to be “always-on,” and the logics of the platforms that they use to stay in touch with loved ones and chill during down time. Based on interviews and online observation, I argue that examining the lives of women OFWs in Taiwan helps us understand how platforms that require their users to be always online remediate the asymmetries of global care work and the longstanding demands for feminized and racialized servitude that have historically been made upon various “others,” including migrants, people of color, and residents of the Global South. Such demands, I further show, cannot be divorced from U.S.-driven developmentalist policies that continue to “modernize” the Asia Pacific into a readily extractable market.
Additive technologies use to create structures for technical fabric replacement
Authors: Tkac Jozef , Hajnys Jiri , Mizera Ondrej , Molnar Vieroslav , Fedorko Gabriel , Cepova Lenka
Published: March 2024

The production technology of one of the essential structural parts of rubber-textile conveyor belts, the textile carcass, has not changed much since the start of their use. Specific changes occurred only in the material used when various synthetic fibres gradually replaced cotton. However, with the development of additive technologies, the possibility of changing the production technology is coming to the fore, when industrial textiles produced by classic weaving will not be used to make the carcass but a structure built by 3D printing. Confirmation of this change would represent a revolutionary breakthrough in the technology for rubber-textile conveyor belt production. Based on these facts, the possibility of using continuous 3D printing technology was verified to print a structure that would replace the technical fabric used in the conveyor belt carcass. As part of the research, the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), and Stereolithography (SLA) technologies were verified. Experimental specimens with the dimensions of 145 x 145 x 185 mm were produced in three different positions: at an angle (45°), horizontally, and vertically. The specimens were made of three types of filament: SLA (Elastic 50A), SLS (TPU 1301), and FDM (Flexfill 92A); for each of the three positions of the specimen, filament consumption and printing time were determined due to the use of support material. Created specimens were then assessed regarding their production possibility and achievement of the desired structure.
Partisan Bias in Episodes of Political Violence
Authors: Zyla Justin Michael
Published: March 2024

Imagine two incidents of political violence. In the first, you share political affiliation with the victim. In the second, they reside in the opposite party. How would this minor change – a shifting label, the difference of a word – impact your reaction? This article offers empirical insight through an experiment: U.S. participants read a mock college controversy, where a student sent death threats to, and doxed, a professor. The treatment varied whether the perpetrator described the professor as a Democrat, Republican, or used otherwise non-descript (e.g., “political”) adjectives. A posttreatment survey then measured respondents’ discrete emotions, the penalties they preferred the student receive, and their partisan group identity strength. Participants who read about violence against a copartisan victim showed a statistically significant increase in preferred penalty severity. But violence against an outparty victim mirrored the control, with subjects reacting as if they didn’t know the political affiliation of anyone involved. Posttreatment measures also demonstrated the potential for anxiety (but not anger or partisan strength) to mediate this underlying partisan bias.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Patterns of Common Injuries in Pediatric and Adolescent Athletes
Authors: Uppstrom Tyler J. , Pascual-Leone Nicolas , Bram Joshua T. , Bennett Dylan , Kolin David A. , Greditzer Harry G.
Published: March 2024

Injuries in pediatric and adolescent athletes continue to rise in the United States, with increases in year-round sports participation, earlier sport specialization, and inadequate access to neuromuscular training programs. In this setting, the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a critical diagnostic tool. This review article describes the utility of MRI in diagnosing common pediatric and adolescent sports injuries and presents imaging findings associated with these pathologies.
Assessment of paclitaxel drug-coated balloon angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerotic disease based on high-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Jiang Shu , Dong Dong , Chen Kunjian , Zhang Chao , Dou Weiqiang , Wang Xinyi
Published: March 2024

Background

To accurately assess the treatment effect of paclitaxel drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty is essential for intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) patients. This study aimed to investigate the clinical feasibility of high-resolution vessel wall MRI (HR-VWI) in assessing ICAD with DCB angioplasty.

Methods

Forty-five patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis ≥ 70% confirmed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) underwent HR-VWI before and after DCB angioplasty. Postoperative follow-up was performed after 6 months (±1 month). The differences of pre- and postoperative HR-VWI characteristics, including vessel and lumen area at maximal lumen narrowing (MLN), plaque area and length, degree of stenosis, plaque burden (PB), remodeling index, and plaque enhancement amplitude (PEA) were compared. The relationship between stenotic rate obtained using HR-VWI and DSA was evaluated. Each HR-VWI characteristic and clinical factor before DCB angioplasty was separately evaluated for the association with postoperative restenosis.

Results

After six months, lumen area of MLN, plaque length and area, degree of stenosis, PB, and PEA showed a significantly difference relative to the value before DCB angioplasty (all P < 0.05). Spearman correlation coefficients of 0.865 and 0.932 were revealed between DSA and HR-VWI regarding the stenotic rate analysis pre- and post-operation (both P < 0.05). ROC analysis showed PEA, plaque length, and PB before DCB angioplasty separately provided robust prediction of postoperative restenosis (area under the curve = 0.909, 0.814 and 0.743; all P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis revealed that PEA was an independent predictor of prognosis.

Conclusions

The HR-VWI can accurately assess the treatment effect of DCB and robustly predict prognosis.
Risk factors for repeated percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of hemodialysis vascular access after initial intervention
Authors: Tang Bin , Xiong Yuwan , Zhong Yingxue , Hao Guojun , Liu Yuanhao , He Wei , Wong Tak-sui , Yu Zongchao , Hu Bo
Published: March 2024

Background/Aims

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a significant intervention to deal with occlusion and stenosis of vascular access. The study aimed to explore the risk factors of repeated PTA (re-PTA) after the initial intervention in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods

This retrospective study included 180 patients who underwent successful PTA for the first time between March 2016 and December 2020. Information on demographic, clinical, anatomical, and medication variables was collected. Survival curves were plotted using Kaplan–Meier analysis and the risk factors associated with re-PTA were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses.

Results

The primary clinical patency rates at 6, 12, and 24 months after PTA were found to be 85.2%, 70.7%, and 58.6%, respectively. The univariate Cox proportion hazards analysis revealed the association of non-antiplatelet agents (HR 2.368 95% CI 1.351 to 4.150, p = .003) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) (HR 2.096 95% CI 1.147 to 3.831, p = .016) with re-PTA. However, only non-antiplatelet therapy showed statistical significance (HR 2.368 95% CI 1.351 to 4.150, p = .003) in multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis.

Conclusions

Among the patients undergoing hemodialysis, the use of antiplatelet agents was associated with a lower risk of re-PTA. Therefore, the use of antiplatelet drugs may reduce the rates of re-PTA and help in maintaining the patency of vascular access.
Baseline clinical and neuroradiological predictors of outcome in patients with large ischemic core undergoing mechanical thrombectomy: A retrospective multicenter study
Authors: Alexandre Andrea M , Monforte Mauro , Brunetti Valerio , Scarcia Luca , Cirillo Luigi , Zini Andrea , Scala Irene , Nardelli Vincenzo , Arbia Francesco , Arbia Giuseppe , Frisullo Giovanni , Kalsoum Erwah , Camilli Arianna , De Leoni Davide , Colò Francesca , Abruzzese Serena , Piano Mariangela , Rollo Claudia , Macera Antonio , Ruggiero Maria , Lafe Elvis , Gabrieli Joseph D , Cester Giacomo , Limbucci Nicola , Arba Francesco , Ferretti Simone , Da Ros Valerio , Bellini Luigi , Salsano Giancarlo , Mavilio Nicola , Russo Riccardo , Bergui Mauro , Caragliano Antonio A , Vinci Sergio L , Romano Daniele G , Frauenfelder Giulia , Semeraro Vittorio , Ganimede Maria P , Lozupone Emilio , Romi Andrea , Cavallini Anna , Milonia Luca , Muto Massimo , Candelaresi Paolo , Calabresi Paolo , Pedicelli Alessandro , Broccolini Aldobrando
Published: March 2024

Background:

Recent randomized trials have shown the benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) also in patients with an established large ischemic core.

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to define baseline predictors of clinical outcome in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation and an Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) ⩽ 5, undergoing MT.

Material and methods:

The databases of 16 comprehensive stroke centers were retrospectively screened for patients with LVO and ASPECTS ⩽5 that received MT. Baseline clinical and neuroradiological features, including the differential contribution of all ASPECTS regions to the composite score, were collected. Primary clinical outcome measure was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2. Statistical analysis used a logistic regression model and random forest algorithm.

Results:

A total of 408 patients were available for analysis. In multivariate model, among baseline features, lower age (odd ratio (OR) = 0.962, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.943–0.982) and lower National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR = 0.911, 95% CI = 0.862–0.963) were associated with the mRS score 0–2. Involvement of the M2 (OR = 0.398, 95% CI = 0.206–0.770) or M4 (OR = 0.496, 95% CI = 0.260–0.945) ASPECTS regions was associated with an unfavorable outcome. Random forest analysis confirmed that age and baseline NIHSS score are the most important variables influencing clinical outcome, whereas involvement of cortical regions M5, M4, M2, and M1 can have a negative impact.

Conclusion:

Our retrospective analysis shows that, along with age and baseline clinical impairment, presence of early ischemic changes involving cortical areas has a role in clinical outcome in patients with large ischemic core undergoing MT.

Data access statement:

The data that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request.
An automated flowchart for the Modified Rankin Scale assessment: A multicenter inter-rater agreement analysis
Authors: C de Andrade Joao Brainer , Quinn Terence J , Carbonera Leonardo Augusto , Montanaro Vinicius Viana Abreu , Robles Alexandre C , Pádua Gomes Rafael , Ribeiro Saulo , Sampaio Silva Gisele
Published: March 2024

Background and objective:

The Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is a widely adopted scale for assessing stroke recovery. Despite limitations, the mRS has been adopted as primary outcome in most recent clinical acute stroke trials. Designed to be used by multidisciplinary clinical staff, the congruency of this scale is not consistent, which may lead to mistakes in clinical or research application. We aimed to develop and validate an interactive and automated digital tool for assessing the mRS—the iRankin.

Methods:

A panel of five board-certified and mRS-trained vascular neurologists developed an automated flowchart based on current mRS literature. Two international experts were consulted on content and provided feedback on the prototype platform. The platform contained five vignettes and five real video cases, representing mRS grades 0–5. For validation, we invited neurological staff from six comprehensive stroke centers to complete an online assessment. Participants were randomized into two equal groups usual practice versus iRankin. The participants were randomly allocated in pairs for the congruency analysis. Weighted kappa (kw) and proportions were used to describe agreement.

Results:

A total of 59 professionals completed the assessment. The kw was dramatically improved among nurses, 0.76 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.55–0.97) × 0.30 (0.07–0.67), and among vascular neurologists, 0.87 (0.72–1) × 0.82 (0.66–0.98). In the accuracy analysis, after the standard mRS values for the vignettes and videos were determined by a panel of experts, and considering each correct answer as equivalent to 1 point on a scale of 0–15, it revealed a higher mean of 10.6 (±2.2) in the iRankin group and 8.2 (±2.3) points in the control group (p = 0.02). In an adjusted analysis, the iRankin adoption was independently associated with the score of congruencies between reported and standard scores (beta coefficient = 2.22, 95% CI = 0.64–3.81, p = 0.007).

Conclusion:

The iRankin adoption led to a substantial or near-perfect agreement in all analyzed professional categories. More trials are needed to generalize our findings. Our user-friendly and free platform is available at https://www.irankinscale.com/ .
Representaciones de masculinidades en las políticas públicas de salud en Chile
Authors: Saez Sebastián , Bernales Margarita
Published: March 2024

Objetivo:

comprender las representaciones de las masculinidades en las políticas públicas de salud en Chile.

Método:

desde un diseño metodológico cualitativo, se realizó una revisión documental de programas y políticas del área de la salud sexual y reproductiva, salud mental, violencia y ciclo vital, incluyendo adicionalmente el análisis de 10 entrevistas realizadas a trabajadores de la salud, actores claves y expertos. Se realizó un análisis de contenido temático, utilizando software NVivo.

Resultados:

los principales resultados constatan que la presencia masculina es menor que la femenina en las políticas públicas de salud, y que las representaciones de los varones suelen tener una perspectiva socio-comportamental donde se concibe que la masculinidad es perjudicial para la salud.

Conclusión:

los hallazgos instan a incluir una mirada inclusiva de hombres y masculinidades, su contexto social y capacidad de cambio a fin de poder abordar vulnerabilidades y necesidades específicas de la salud de hombres en Chile.
Should organized sport characteristics be considered as a strategy for meeting physical activity guidelines in children?
Authors: Rodrigues Daniela , Machado-Rodrigues Aristides M. , Gama Augusta , Silva Maria-Raquel G. , Nogueira Helena , Padez Cristina
Published: March 2024

Background:

A clearer understanding of the relationships between specific sport context with overall physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) may contribute to the development of more accurate preventive strategies to increase children’s engagement in PA.

Purpose:

This study aimed to examine how different organized sports contributed to children’s daily PA and ST.

Methods:

PA was measured for seven days via accelerometers, in 410 children aged 6–10 years (49.8% boys). Of those, 332 (53.0% boys) were engaged in an organized sport and were further considered for statistical analyses. Parents reported children’s sport participation (e.g. which sport, number of times per week, duration). The sports were classified into: indoor vs. outdoor; individuals vs. team; combat vs. individual aesthetic vs. racing vs. invasion. Children’s height and weight were objectively collected. Multiple one-way analyses of covariance were used to examine the effects of sport characteristics on PA and ST. A linear regression, adjusted for children’s sex, age, body mass index and father’s educational level, determined the relationship between being involved in multiple PA and sedentary behaviours with Moderate to Vigorous PA (MVPA) levels.

Results:

Although engaged in an organized sport, only 30% of the children achieved the PA recommendations. Sport (compared with active commute and active play) was the best contributor to daily MVPA. Outdoor sports ( vs. indoor) contributed the most to vigorous PA (VPA) and MVPA. Team sports ( vs. individual) were significantly associated with lower ST. Children in combat sports accumulated more VPA and MVPA, while those in racing sports showed a higher ST.

Conclusions:

Sport participation alone does not guarantee children will reach the PA guidelines, and the type of sport can influence children’s PA levels. Gender-stereotypes in sports may prevent girls from achieving their 60 minutes of MVPA daily.
Impact of Pavlik Harness treatment on motor skills acquisition: A case–control study
Authors: Jesus Ana Rita , Pinto Silva Catarina , Romão Luz Inês , Mendes José Eduardo , Balacó Inês , Alves Cristina
Published: March 2024

Purpose:

Our purpose was to analyze the impact of Pavlik Harness treatment on children motor skills development, comparing to a control group.

Methods:

A total of 121 children were included: 55 cases (children with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip) and 66 healthy controls. Cases were recruited from 2017 to 2021 and followed up to 2022. Controls (healthy children without orthopedic pathology) were recruited from 2020 to 2022. The primary endpoint was the time of achievement of three gross motor milestones (sitting without support, hands-and-knees crawling, and walking independently).

Results:

The groups had no differences regarding sex distribution, gestational age, birth weight, and rate of twin pregnancy. The prevalence of positive family history of Development Dysplasia of the Hip (20.0% vs 3.0%, p < 0.003), breech presentation (38.2% vs 1.5%, p < 0.001), and C-section delivery (60.0% vs 19.7%, p < 0.001) was significantly higher in Development Dysplasia of the Hip group. Children with Development Dysplasia of the Hip achieved the three gross milestones evaluated 1 month later than healthy controls, although this was not statistically significant (p = 0.133 for sitting, p = 0.670 for crawling, and p = 0.499 for walking).

Conclusion:

Children with Development Dysplasia of the Hip, treated by Pavlik harness, do not have significant delays in motor skills acquisition.