bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acral Lentiginous Melanoma: A Clinicoprognostic Study of 149 Cases at a Single Institution
Authors: Zheng Xuejing , Wu Wence , Yu Shengji
Published: September 2023

Objective

The objective of this study is to investigate the epidemiological features, clinical characteristics, and pathological characteristics of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) and identify prognostic factors.

Methods

A total of 149 patients diagnosed with ALM between August 2008 and December 2019 at the National Cancer Center (NCC) of China were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up data on patient survival status were collected. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and statistical significance was assessed using the log-rank test. Additionally, a Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to identify prognostic factors.

Results

All patients included in this study were of Chinese ethnicity, with an average age of 52.4 ± 14.8 years (range, 15-80 years) at the time of diagnosis. No gender predilection or genetic susceptibility was observed. The plantar region was the most frequently affected site among primary lesions. Notably, only 17 (11.4%) patients reported a history of trauma. Statistical analysis revealed that a lesion duration of ≤2.5 years, Breslow thickness >4.0 mm, high mitotic rate (>6 mm−2), presence of vascular invasion, and regional lymph node metastasis were identified as independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that a lesion duration of ≤2.5 years, Breslow thickness >4.0 mm, high mitotic rate (>6 mm−2), presence of vascular invasion, and regional lymph node metastasis are significantly associated with a poorer prognosis for patients with ALM.
Impact of COVID-19 Induced Economic Hardships on Women Participation in MGNREGA Works During the Financial Year 2020–2021
Authors: Abhishek
Published: September 2023

Impact of COVID-19 induced lockdown has been massive for the Indian economy; it witnessed a contraction in gross domestic product and massive employment loss. India being a poor country and a huge population having insignificant to no social security, a large number of those workers who lost employment were not having option to remain unemployed. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) which is a job-guarantee programme launched a decade earlier and that has been instrumental in providing employment opportunities to rural women casual workers witnessed a huge increase in demand as both men and women flocked to it. For the financial year 2020–2021 the share of women in the person-days worked under MGNREGA fell. The article using data from MGNREGA public data portal and the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy seeks to explain the reasons behind this fall and suggest that MGNREGA needs to be expanded and modified in favour of women casual workers till the recovery on the employment front does not happen.

JEL Codes: H53, I38, J08, J16, J23, J30, J48, J71, J78
Research on self-coupling PID for multi-driven synchronization control with ring adjacent compensation
Authors: Liu Dejun , Song Chao , Du Ming , Chen Guangda , Liu Peilin , AL-Shurufa Mahmoud A , Cheng Yanming
Published: September 2023

Multi-motor synchronous drive system is increasingly widely used in industry and manufacturing, where its control structure and control strategy affect the quality and efficiency of production. In order to solve the contradiction between fastness and overshoot, and the difficulty in determining the compensation law in the conventional PID, cross-coupling control, and master-slave control strategies used in multi-motor control, this paper proposes a self-coupling PID control strategy based on ring adjacent compensation to reduce the complexity of the control structure. Furthermore, this paper analyzes the self-coupling PID parameter tuning rules and establishes the control structure of the ring coupling strategy, and proves its validity mathematically. The simulation results verify that the proposed strategy provides a fast response speed, high control precision, good disturbance rejection, and synchronization performance.
Political elite cues and attitude formation in post-conflict contexts
Authors: Garbiras-Díaz Natalia , García-Sánchez Miguel , Matanock Aila M
Published: September 2023

Civil conflicts typically end with negotiated settlements, but many settlements fail, often during the implementation stage when average citizens have increasing influence. Citizens sometimes evaluate peace agreements by voting on referendums or the negotiating leaders, and, almost always, they decide whether to cooperate. Yet, despite their role, we do not know much about how citizens form attitudes toward peace agreements. In this article, we assess how citizens form attitudes toward settlements, specifically the policy provisions that emerge from them, which are central in shaping the post-conflict context. These are complex policy changes, involving deeply factionalized actors, and the citizens evaluating them are often focused on rebuilding their lives. We therefore theorize that citizens use stark cues from political elites with whom they have affinity to form their attitudes. We test our theory using survey experiments in Colombia. We find that citizens rely on political elites’ cues to decide their stance on the settlement’s provisions. These cues appear to supply easily-accessible information that respondents use over other information. In contrast to work positing that peace agreements are exceptional and weary citizens are stabilizing forces, our results suggest that even these decisions are politics as usual, where divisions among political elites drive the outcome.
The Elusive Effect of Political Trust on Participation: Participatory Resource or (Dis)incentive?
Authors: Ouattara Ebe , Steenvoorden Eefje
Published: September 2023

Although political trust has long been linked to political participation, its effects remain elusive. Trust in political institutions may enhance levels of participation, diminish political engagement, or yield distinct effects depending on the activity. This article examines these diverging effects through a rational choice framework, with which we theorize and test whether political trust functions as a resource or a (dis)incentive to participate. Specifically, we assess the direct effects of political trust on intended participation and its moderating effects on outcome-related motivations and activity type. To this end, we use a factorial survey experiment in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to isolate the effects of outcome-related motivations and to disentangle participation from the effectiveness of action and the effect of activity type, factors that remain confounded in existing survey measures of participation. Overall, our findings suggest that political trust operates as a (dis)incentive, rather than a resource spurring participation.
Entrepreneurial Risk Attitude in Micro and Small Enterprises: Evidence From Urban Ethiopia
Authors: Abdelkerim Araar , Awel Yesuf , Boka Jonse , Menkir Hiwot , Shafi Ajebush , Yitbarek Eleni , Zerihun Mulatu
Published: September 2023

We analyze the risk attitude of women and men entrepreneurs in the micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and investigate the factors that influence the risk attitude of MSE owners. The empirical analysis of the study consists of two parts. First, we use a moment-based approach to estimate the risk preferences of male and female entrepreneurs. Second, we estimate a regression model to understand the correlates of risk attitude and decompose the gender difference in risk aversion using the Oaxaca-Blinder technique. The results indicate that MSE entrepreneurs are risk-averse, with a relative risk premium of 1.5%. We also find that females are slightly more risk-averse than male entrepreneurs. Our regression estimates show that entrepreneurs’ risk attitude is significantly correlated with the age and experience of the entrepreneur, marital status, education level and financial literacy, wealth, sector, and business form. Furthermore, the predictor variables significantly explain the gender difference in risk aversion, while the unexplained component is insignificant. This suggests that the gender difference in risk aversion is due to disparities in socioeconomic factors than a biological difference in risk preference.
Freeway work zone effects on vehicular fuel consumption explored by a four-lane model
Authors: Huang Zhongmin , Smirnova MN , Bi Jiarui , Smirnov NN , Zhu Zuojin
Published: September 2023

A four-lane model is put forward to explore the effects on vehicular fuel consumption of a freeway work zone which has a length of 100 m and occupies lanes III and IV. The model equations are solved numerically in the simulation of vehicular flows by a method called WENO5–RK3. A vehicular fuel consumption model is presented, with an additional fuel consumption defined in comparison with the case in the absence of a work zone. Simulation results show that the freeway work zone affects vehicular fuel consumption significantly, triggers a traffic jam as soon as initial density normalized by jam density is beyond 0.18.
Mental Health on the Go: Navigating Travel and Travel Eligibility
Authors: Hu Fangli , Wen Jun , Lim Weng Marc , Hou Haifeng , Wang Wei
Published: September 2023

The 21st century has seen tourists from various source markets significantly impacted by non-communicable diseases, including mental disorders. Yet, research and practice frequently overlook tourists with mental disorders. Building on Buckley’s discussion in the Journal of Travel Research about tourism and mental health, this study examines the travel eligibility of tourists diagnosed with four prevalent mental disorders: major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), schizophrenia, and dementia. We present preliminary recommendations for accommodating these tourists and highlight the urgent need for collaborative efforts between stakeholders in tourism, hospitality, and medicine.
When Essence is Lost: The Consequences of Commercialization in Historical Towns
Authors: Lyu Jiaying , Huang Yi , Wang Lili
Published: September 2023

With the progress of tourism commercialization, historical towns are becoming more accessible and vulnerable than ever before. Drawing on psychological essentialism theory, in this research, a theoretical framework for understanding the consequences of commercialization is developed and tested. Through one field survey and three experimental studies, we reveal that commercialization has a negative effect on tourist preference (attitude and visit intention) for historical towns and that this negative effect is mediated by perceived essence loss. Furthermore, our moderating analysis reveals that the detrimental effect of commercialization can vary by development mechanism (e.g., exogenous mode or endogenous mode) and individual characteristics (e.g., nostalgia-proneness).
Predicting energy consumption through the LEAP model based on LMDI technique along with economic analysis: A case study
Authors: Abbas Zeshan , Waqas Muhammad , Lun Zhao , Saleem Khan Saad , Amjad Mohsin , Larkin Stephen
Published: September 2023

This research reports the implementation of logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) and categorizes the growth of total energy usage in three different industrial sectors for the years of 2010 to 2021. Furthermore, it classifies and evaluates the factors influencing on energy consumption in Punjab province thru a sustainable way. The growth consumption is classified into scale influence, structure influence, and efficiency influence. Likewise, the long-term energy alternatives planning-Punjab model is executed with the energy consumption, scale impact, structure impact, and efficiency impact. Besides, comprehensive adjustment scenarios are also introduced to examine the impact of three different factors on overall energy usage. The results from the qualitative decomposition of LMDI indicate that the high scale can lead to high-energy consumption in Punjab Province. However, it can be reduced by high-efficiency reinforcement. The total energy consumption in 2024, 2036, and 2044 under reference scenario is 304.12, 460.01, and 590.04 million tons compared to structure influence analysis for slow terminology (SIAS) and comprehensive scenario. For that reason, it can predict and provide earlier energy management planning for the province. Conversely, the structure factor does not display obvious effect on the energy use. Equally, the quantitative results of the long-term energy alternative planning (LEAP) model are relatively consistent with those of LMDI model, whose advantageous impact on the structure influence is reasonably extrapolated. This phenomenon indicates that the structure influence and efficiency influence will maintain the disruptive impact on increasing overall energy use for the future perspectives. Consequently, the LEAP model predicts the energy consumption of Punjab Province among the years of 2020 to 2040 under medium-term development framework.
Germany and the Indo-Pacific in an age of superpower competition
Authors: Ulatowski Rafał
Published: September 2023

The world is multipolar once again and superpower competition is back, concentrated this time in the Indo-Pacific region. In 2020, Germany published its Indo-Pacific ‘guidelines’, which lead to three questions: why does Germany engage in the region? How does Germany shape its Indo-Pacific policy? What is the importance of Germany’s engagement in the region, for Germany itself and for regional powers? By exploring economic, security and normative elements, this articles advances three arguments. Firstly, Germany’s engagement in the region is due to the ever-growing strategic and economic importance of the Indo-Pacific. Secondly, Germany attempts to build constructive relations with all the region’s powers, China included, but increasingly prioritizes democracies which share the same values as Germany. Thirdly, because the area of superpower competition has shifted from Europe to the ‘distant’ (from Germany’s perspective) Indo-Pacific, Germany can follow a restrained foreign policy and focus on its economic interests.
How Should Doctors Frame the Risk of a Vaccine’s Adverse Side Effects? It Depends on How Trustworthy They Are
Authors: Juanchich Marie , Sirota Miroslav , Holford Dawn Liu
Published: September 2023

Background

How health workers frame their communication about vaccines’ probability of adverse side effects could play an important role in people’s intentions to be vaccinated (e.g., positive frame: side effects are unlikely v. negative frame: there is a chance of side effects). Based on the pragmatic account of framing as implicit advice, we expected that participants would report greater vaccination intentions when a trustworthy physician framed the risks positively (v. negatively), but we expected this effect would be reduced or reversed when the physician was untrustworthy.

Design

In 4 online experiments ( n = 191, snowball sampling and n = 453, 451, and 464 UK residents via Prolific; Mage≈ 34 y, 70% women, 84% White British), we manipulated the trustworthiness of a physician and how they framed the risk of adverse side effects in a scenario (i.e., a chance v. unlikely adverse side effects). Participants reported their vaccination intention, their level of distrust in health care systems, and COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs.

Results

Physicians who were trustworthy (v. untrustworthy) consistently led to an increase in vaccination intention, but the way they described adverse side effects mattered too. A positive framing of the risks given by a trustworthy physician consistently led to increased vaccination intention relative to a negative framing, but framing had no effect or the opposite effect when given by an untrustworthy physician. The exception to this trend occurred in unvaccinated individuals in experiment 3, following serious concerns about one of the COVID vaccines. In that study, unvaccinated participants responded more favorably to the negative framing of the trustworthy physician.

Conclusions

Trusted sources should use positive framing to foster vaccination acceptance. However, in a situation of heightened fears, a negative framing—attracting more attention to the risks—might be more effective.

Highlights

How health workers frame their communication about a vaccine’s probability of adverse side effects plays an important role in people’s intentions to be vaccinated. In 4 experiments, we manipulated the trustworthiness of a physician and how the physician framed the risk of adverse side effects of a COVID vaccine. Positive framing given by a trustworthy physician promoted vaccination intention but had null effect or did backfire when given by an untrustworthy physician. The effect occurred over and above participants’ attitude toward the health care system, risk perceptions, and beliefs in COVID misinformation.
Integration of Nanobioadhesion in Orthodontic Bonding: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Nethivalavan Mohana , Parihar Ajit Vikram , Upadhyay Chandan , Sharma Vipul Kumar , Chaturvedi T. P. , Das Arya K.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the bioactive glass-bonds to inhibit the demineralization surrounding the orthodontic brackets and evaluate the physical and mechanical properties in order to be accepted as an orthodontic bonding agent.

Materials and Methods

Preparation of mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) used an improved sol-gel method. The samples were prepared with different surfactant to oil ratio with 12 groups and one control group with six samples each. The debonding characteristics were analyzed using an Instron Universal Testing Machine (UTM). After six months of pH cycling in vitro saliva solution to simulate the oral environment, the microstructure was analyzed using a field emission gun-based scanning electron microscope (SEM). The sample, which is viable in terms of physical and mechanical properties, is converted into a single paste form by addition of resins and compared with the control group Transbond XT adhesive.

Results

SEM analysis showed that the prepared MBG particles possess spherical morphology. Novel orthodontic bonding material (BG) provides adequate mechanical properties with bond strength of 7.2 MPa ( p = .304) in order to be accepted as an orthodontic bonding agent since its bond strength both at the time of bonding ( p = 1) and after six months ( p = .325) in simulated salivary conditions is in par with conventional bonding resin (TBXT) with reduced demineralization potential.

Conclusion

This novel adhesive results in reduced demineralization surrounding orthodontic brackets and possesses optimal physical and mechanical properties to be accepted as an orthodontic adhesive.
Data on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-Owned Businesses: What's Out There and What Can Be Done?
Authors: Finio Nicholas , Fang Li , Prendergast Caila , Knaap Gerrit-Jan
Published: September 2023

Decades into the digital era, publicly available data on Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) owned businesses are still remarkably lacking. In this commentary piece, the authors cover recent literature on the importance of BIPOC-owned businesses for equitable growth and BIPOC wealth-building. The authors then examine the sources of data that are available – public and private – for tracking the success or failure of such businesses. A BIPOC business database was constructed from a variety of sources and used by the authors to examine the potential pitfalls of such exercises. The authors close with a call for better data collection on BIPOC businesses.
Is rapid urbanization of low-elevation deltas undermining adaptation to climate change? A global review
Authors: McGranahan Gordon , Balk Deborah , Colenbrander Sarah , Engin Hasim , MacManus Kytt
Published: September 2023

Climate change is putting low-lying coastal zones at increased risk, through higher sea levels and changes in the weather. Deltas are subsiding, compounding such risks. Confirming past research, we find roughly 10 per cent of the world’s population and an even higher share of its urban population are located in coastal areas under 10 metres in elevation (LECZ10), with Asia dominating these statistics. However, according to our estimates for 2015, the deltaic LECZ10 is 2.6 times as densely populated and 1.7 times as built-up as the non-deltaic LECZ10. The deltaic LECZ10 accounts for only 0.35 per cent of the world’s land, but over 10 times the population share (279 million people). Population and built-up area growth rates remain higher in the deltaic LECZ10, and especially its cities. Indeed, for 1990–2015 the urbanization rate of the deltaic LECZ10 is double that in the non-deltaic LECZ10. Given the path dependency of urbanization, this risks locking in maladaptive settlement patterns.
Ride comfort analysis of vehicle seat suspension systems: A co-simulation study
Authors: M Ramalingam , T Arun K , Jebaseelan Davidson , Choi Seung-Bok , C Jebaraj
Published: September 2023

In this study, the vehicle seat suspension system installed with a semi-active magnetorheological (MR) damper is excited by the power spectral density (PSD) and its vibration control performance is evaluated using finite element analysis (FEA). The control system receives the velocity of the sprung and unsprung mass from the seat mounting locations and calculates the desired controllable damping forces available from MR damper. The effectiveness of the control systems is demonstrated by adopting ride quality evaluation method. To predict a better ride comfort and ride quality, co-simulation methodology is utilized considering the dynamic behavior of the real-world seat system. In this case, the multi-body dynamics and control system are coupled by solving the mechanical equations and the control logic. Then, the computed damping force is exchanged between the dynamics and controller in an iterative manner by passing state variables. The simulation results achieved from co-simulation methodology associated with the controller are analyzed by comparing with ISO 2631-1. The co-simulation results studied using vibration dose value (VDV), crest factor (CF) and seat effective amplitude transmissibility (SEAT) in terms of percentage improvement were found to be 44.33%, 26.66% and 17.65% respectively which were better than that for the passive suspension for a random rough road profile. Modified skyhook controller delivers superior performance for vibration suppression of the vehicle seat suspension as compared to other control policies. The application of co-simulation methodology can reduce time and cost for the development of a semi-active seat suspension system.
Acoustic response of bi-directional functionally graded beam under axially varying load
Authors: Balireddy Somi Naidu , Pitchaimani Jeyaraj , Mailan Chinnapandi Lenin Babu
Published: September 2023

This paper investigates the effects of bi-directional gradation, length-to-height ratio, and end conditions on the acoustic behaviour of bi-directionally varying functional graded beams. The acoustic responses, including sound-power level (dB), sound-pressure level (dB), and sound-radiation efficiency, are evaluated using Rayleigh’s integral and modal superposition method. The sound power levels are presented up to the selected bandwidth, as well as the octave band center frequency. In contrast, the sound pressure levels are presented as contour plots and in directivity pattern. The buckling load, calculated for quadratically decreasing axial load, is applied in increments from 0 to its highest value. The study reveals that the highest value in the gradation indexes in both directions significantly influences the sound power levels. It is also evident from the study that thin beams have higher sound power levels compared to thick beams. The directivity pattern reveals that bi-directional functionally graded beams predict higher sound pressure levels at the critical buckling load. From the current acoustic study, it is observed that both structural and end stiffness are influential factors in sound power levels (dB) and sound pressure levels (dB).
Environmental contaminants, endocrine disruption, and transgender: Can “born that way” in some cases be toxicologically real?
Authors: Holladay Steven David
Published: September 2023

Gender is viewed by many as strictly binary based on a collection of body traits typical of a female or male phenotype, presence of a genotype that includes at least one copy of a Y chromosome, or ability to produce either egg or sperm cells. A growing non-binary view is that these descriptors, while compelling, may nonetheless fail to accurately capture an individual’s true gender. The position of the American Psychological Association (APA) agrees with this view and is that transgender people are a defendable and real part of the human population. The considerable diversity of transgender expression then argues against any unitary or simple explanations, however, prenatal hormone levels, genetic influences, and early and later life experiences have been suggested as playing roles in development of transgender identities. The present review considers existing and emerging toxicologic data that may also support an environmental chemical contribution to some transgender identities, and suggest the possibility of a growing nonbinary brain gender continuum in the human population.
Logistic regression vs. predictive mean matching for imputing binary covariates
Authors: Austin Peter C , van Buuren Stef
Published: September 2023

Multivariate imputation using chained equations (MICE) is a popular algorithm for imputing missing data that entails specifying multivariate models through conditional distributions. For imputing missing continuous variables, two common imputation methods are the use of parametric imputation using a linear model and predictive mean matching. When imputing missing binary variables, the default approach is parametric imputation using a logistic regression model. In the R implementation of MICE, the use of predictive mean matching can be substantially faster than using logistic regression as the imputation model for missing binary variables. However, there is a paucity of research into the statistical performance of predictive mean matching for imputing missing binary variables. Our objective was to compare the statistical performance of predictive mean matching with that of logistic regression for imputing missing binary variables. Monte Carlo simulations were used to compare the statistical performance of predictive mean matching with that of logistic regression for imputing missing binary outcomes when the analysis model of scientific interest was a multivariable logistic regression model. We varied the size of the analysis samples ( N = 250, 500, 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000) and the prevalence of missing data (5%–50% in increments of 5%). In general, the statistical performance of predictive mean matching was virtually identical to that of logistic regression for imputing missing binary variables when the analysis model was a logistic regression model. This was true across a wide range of scenarios defined by sample size and the prevalence of missing data. In conclusion, predictive mean matching can be used to impute missing binary variables. The use of predictive mean matching to impute missing binary variables can result in a substantial reduction in computer processing time when conducting simulations of multiple imputation.
Investigation of Fusarium damage in wheat using hyperspectral imaging: An independent component analysis approach
Authors: Nadimi Mohammad , Saccon Fernando AM , Elrewainy Ahmed , Parcey Dennis , Sherif Sherif S , Paliwal Jitendra
Published: September 2023

With the continuously growing world population in the 21st century, the agri-food industry is in dire need of adopting rapid, eco-friendly, and reliable technologies to improve the quantity, quality, and safety of agri-food products to fulfill the world's future food needs. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI), a technique to glean a sample's spectral and spatial information, is an emerging non-destructive technique that can characterize the quality parameters of agri-food products such as Fusarium damage. Despite its vast potential, HSI systems suffer from enormous data sizes, requiring high computational time and power. One potential solution to overcome the aforementioned challenge is to reduce the data size by removing redundant information. However, detecting small optimum features from a large dataset is not trivial. To this end, an exploratory novel HSI data reduction and analysis technique was investigated and validated to identify Fusarium damage in wheat kernels. Wheat samples at three moisture contents (19, 27, and 35%, wet basis) and seven infection levels (ranging from 0 to 56 days after infection) were imaged at 256 equally spaced wavelengths from 820 to 1666 nm. Firstly, complete HSI data was utilized to successfully characterize sound and Fusarium-damaged wheat kernels using independent component analysis (ICA) algorithm. Then, a genetic algorithm optimization approach was used to reduce the data to ten wavelengths for ICA-based analysis. This data reduction approach reduced the computation time to approximately 1.31% of the original time taken for analyzing the full HSI data without compromising the performance of the system. This preliminary study suggests that such wavelength tailoring could reduce the complexity and price of the imaging hardware, e.g., the use of inexpensive non-tunable filters, and less expensive computational hardware, thereby enabling fast and affordable real-time exploration and sorting of grains. This study, while exploratory, fosters advancements in HSI data processing and identifies certain limitations that open new avenues for future research.
The Behavioural Pattern of Investment in the Financial Market: A Study of the Individual Investors
Authors: Dar Bakir Illahi , Kumar Jatinder
Published: September 2023

Most financial theories are based on the assumption that everyone is logical and considers all available information before making decisions, which is not the case in reality. This study aims to analyse the behavioural determinants that drive the investment decision of individual investors in J&K. Non-probability convenience sampling was adopted; through which 392 responses from individual investors were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire. The t-test and ANOVA were used to determine the effect of demographics on investment behaviour (IB), whereas logistic regression was used to determine the impact of IB determinants on investment decision-making. The findings show that the investment decisions of investors in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) are significantly influenced by age and occupation. The results also indicate that cognitive bias, investment goals and saving orientation have a substantial influence on IB but overconfidence, risk perception and decision influencers do not have any significant impact on the investment decision of individual investors in J&K. By gaining awareness of these determinants, investors can make more rational investment decisions, leading to enhanced market efficiency and achieving better outcomes in the financial market.
Evaluation of the Active Nursing Management on the Nonreactive Nonstress Test of Antenatal Mothers Above 32 Weeks of Gestation
Authors: Ngahneilam L. , Kaur Sukhjit , Das Karobi , Saha Pardip Kumar
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

Nonstress test (NST) is a part of routine monitoring of pregnant women before delivery. It is the most common and significant test performed for assessing the well-being of the fetus by observing the fetal heart rate and its acceleration in response to fetal movement.

Objective:

To evaluate the active nursing management on the nonreactive NST of antenatal mothers above 32 weeks of gestation.

Material and Methodology:

A descriptive study was conducted at an obstetrics and gynecology OPD of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Chandigarh, India, for a period from October to December 2020. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institute Ethics Committee, PGIMER, Chandigarh. The total sample for the study includes 60 antenatal mothers above 32 weeks of gestation, who were enrolled by enumeration sampling technique. The tools used for collecting the data were as follows: (1) interview schedule that comprised of (a) sociodemographic profile and (b) obstetric profile, and (2) NST graph and pro forma to record the result of NST. The NST was performed in the left lateral position for 20 min and extended to 40 min if desired results were not obtained. Antenatal mothers with nonreactive NST were given active nursing management, such as having breakfast/juice and ambulation/walking around. Again, a half-hour later, NST was repeated. A Philips Avalon FM 30 fetal monitor was used to record all the NST tracings. The results obtained were evaluated by the same obstetrician and gynecologist. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20.

Result:

Findings revealed that the majority (85%) of the antenatal mothers had a reactive NST, whereas 10% of antenatal mothers had a nonreactive NST. Out of the 6 (10%) antenatal mothers who were nonreactive, five antenatal mothers were changed into reactive NST after the active nursing management, i.e., maternal ambulation, having breakfast/juice for hydration after half-hour elapsed, whereas one antenatal mother who remained nonreactive NST was referred to a clean labor room after an abnormal ultrasound biophysical profile result by the obstetrician and gynecologist for induction of labor.

Conclusion:

It is concluded that NST is a significant test to prevent stillbirth. Active nursing management, such as maternal ambulation, well-fed, and well hydration, of the antenatal mothers can change the nonreactive NST to a reactive NST result.
Core Temperature Within First Seven Days After Birth, of Hemodynamically Stable Preterm Neonates Born Before 34 Weeks of Gestation: A Prospective Study
Authors: Kumari Nisha , Kaur Sukhwinder , Saini Shiv Sajan
Published: September 2023

Background

Prematurity contributes to neonatal mortality and morbidity. There are many complications that can contribute to preterm morbidity and mortality. One of the complications is an alteration in temperature.

Objective

To assess the core temperature within the first seven days after birth, of hemodynamically stable preterm neonates born before 34 weeks of gestation.

Methodology

A total of 120 neonates were enrolled by using the total enumeration technique from the various neonatal units of PGIMER, Chandigarh. Permission from Institutes Ethic Committee was obtained, and consent was taken from parents of preterm neonates. The tools used for data collection were: (a) Interview schedule—it comprised of sociodemographic profile. (b) Temperature monitoring sheet. Protocol for recording core temperature was developed and validated by experts in nursing and pediatrics. Demographic profile of neonates was collected. Core temperature was recorded as per protocol in three shifts, i.e., morning, evening, and night time, by using a digital thermometer for the first seven days after birth. Temperature recording sheet was used to record the core temperature.

Results

Out of the total 120 hospitalized preterm neonates, 55.8% of the study participants were females, and the mean gestational age of the study participants was 31.5 ± 1.79 weeks. The mean values of core temperature of hemodynamically stable preterm neonates recorded in the morning, evening, and night of day 1 and day 2 were less than 36.5°C. From day 3 to day 7, the mean value of core temperature in morning, evening, and night was more than 36.5°C.

Conclusion

The study findings suggest that the core temperature, when monitored for first seven days after birth in hemodynamically stable preterm neonates, was low for the first two days, but normal for the next five days.
Community Preparedness Towards Home Care of COVID-19 Patient: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Kavita  , Thakur J. S. , Saini Sushma , Pebma Monika , Das Karobi , Narang Tarun
Published: September 2023

Background

Adequate knowledge and favourable attitude are paramount for management of COVID-19 patients at home.

Objectives

To assess the knowledge and attitude of community participants towards home care of COVID-19 patients.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was undertaken. Snowball sampling technique was used to enrol the individuals aged 18 years and above. An online questionnaire was developed on Google Forms and its link was circulated at various social media platforms. Data was collected from 352 individuals.

Results

A total of 352 participants took part in the survey. The average knowledge score of the participants was 16.2 (SD = 1.9, range 10–20). Nearly two-thirds (63.9%) of the participants had more accurate knowledge and 60.8% of the participants had more positive attitude towards home care of COVID-19 patients.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of more intensive, tailored education programmes to enhance knowledge and develop more favourable attitude towards home care of COVID-19 patients.
Assessment of the Posture of Adults at Their Workplace
Authors: Sharma Anjana , Kalia Raman
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

“Body mechanics” is a term used to describe the ways we move and go about in our lives. It includes how we hold our body while sitting, standing, lifting, bending, carrying, or moving. Poor body mechanics can often lead to poor body posture, back pain, and related discomfort. Workers in industries and offices are exposed to various types of risk factors such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures, and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively, causing morbidity. Taking care of the back is a lifelong project, and use of proper body mechanics is an effective way to maintain health and fitness of the back.

Objective:

To assess the posture of adults at their workplace with an aim to develop a health education package on body mechanics.

Methodology:

Non-experimental descriptive design was used for the study. The study was conducted among 50 subjects from various organizations at Kurali, Punjab. Sociodemographic data sheet and an observation checklist were used to observe the body mechanics practices of the subjects.

Results:

The findings of the study revealed that 27 (54%) subjects had good body mechanics practices, 17 (34%) had average practices, whereas 6 (12%) had poor body mechanics practices.

Conclusion:

Only half of the workers were practicing good body mechanics; hence, there is a need to educate the workers regarding good practices.
How the Birth of a Girl Child with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Changed the Mother’s Life: A Case Study
Authors: Verma Poonam , Sharma Sunita , Dayal Devi , Malhi Prahbhjot
Published: September 2023

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disorder that disturbs the process of adrenal steroidogenesis. A variety of symptoms are produced in the body of children born with this disease. In a girl child, the genitalia is ambiguous with an elongated clitoris and fusion of labia which makes it difficult to declare the gender at birth or mistakenly declared as male. Parents often go through a variable period of uncertainty about the gender of their child. Although most families adjust with time, some blame the mother for giving birth to a child with such abnormality. The present study was undertaken in the form of a case study on the mother of a girl child with CAH enrolled from Pediatric Endocrinology OPD, PGIMER, Chandigarh. The current case study highlights the effect of a female born with CAH on the life of a mother. Although the child was well managed on treatment, due to the stigma attached to the condition, was abandoned by the father.
Social Work Research and Mixed Methods: Stronger With a Quality Framework
Authors: Foote Lori A.
Published: September 2023

Mixed methods are a useful approach chosen by many social work researchers. This article showcases a quality framework using social work examples as practical guidance for social work researchers. Combining methodological literature with practical social work examples, elements of a high-quality approach to mixed methods are showcased in this article. Specific components of a quality framework are used to ground the discussion. This framework helps researchers attend to important aspects of a mixed methods project's design, particularly as related to integration. Additional resources are provided for those interested in further deepening their mixed methods capabilities. Attending to components within this quality framework will help the researcher or consumer of research to think carefully about how the design helps to maximize the benefits that can be achieved by taking a mixed methods approach.
Validity of the Center-Center Method for the Syndesmotic Fixation Axis Compared to the Transsyndesmotic Axis
Authors: Nakajima Hirofumi , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Kimura Seiji , Mikami Yukio , Watanabe Shotaro , Toguchi Kaoru , Ito Ryu , Sakamoto Takuya , Sasho Takahisa , Ohtori Seiji
Published: September 2023

Background:

Placement of clamp forceps along the transsyndesmotic (TS) axis reduces the risk of iatrogenic syndesmotic malreduction during ankle fracture surgery with tibiofibular diastasis. This study aimed to measure the difference between the TS axis and the axis determined by an intraoperative fluoroscopic technique using the center-center (CC) method. We also compared the values obtained when the CC method was performed at different heights from the tibial plafond.

Methods:

We evaluated the computed tomography scans of 150 patients with normal syndesmosis. The CC method was simulated using digitally reconstructed radiographs. The TS and CC axes were projected onto an axial computed tomographic image linked to digitally reconstructed radiography. The angle between the two axes (interaxis angle) and the distance between the intersection of these axes and the medial tibial cortex (interaxis distance) were measured. The procedures were performed 0, 10, and 20 mm proximal to the tibial plafond, and the measurements were compared among the different heights using a 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance.

Results:

The TS axis was found to be externally rotated to the CC axis, with an interaxis angle of 8.5 degrees (SD, 6.8 degrees). The interaxis angle increased from 1.9 degrees at a height of 0 mm to a greater angle at higher heights ( P < .001). The overall interaxis distance was 7.7 (SD, 6.3) mm, increasing from 2.0 mm at a height of 0 mm to a greater distance at higher heights ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

The TS axis was externally rotated relative to the CC axis, and the difference between the 2 axes was greater when the CC method was performed on the higher heights from the tibial plafond. To clamp the syndesmosis along the TS axis, the CC method should be applied close to the ankle joint.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Changes in Psychiatric Symptoms in Swedish Mothers Who Took Part in Project Support: An Intervention for Mothers Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence With Children Who Have Developed Conduct Problems
Authors: Draxler Helena , Hjärthag Fredrik , Tillfors Maria , Almqvist Kjerstin
Published: September 2023

Project Support (PS) is an evidence-based individual support and parenting program developed for mothers exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) whose children have developed conduct disorders. This Swedish feasibility study focuses on changes in the mothers’ psychiatric symptoms, in relation to social and emotional support received as part of PS. In a within-subject design in a naturalistic setting (i.e., 10 social service units), mothers ( n = 35) reported a significant decrease in symptoms, but from an individual perspective, most mothers still suffered from clinical levels of psychiatric symptoms. The need for additional interventions for mothers exposed to IPV is discussed.
Relationship Between Anatomic Features of the Placenta, the Type of Abnormal Placental Cord Insertion and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Singleton Pregnancies: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Fakehi Maliheh , Hajari Parisa , Nobatiani Negin , Mazloomi Maryam , Hivechi Nafiseh , Kalati Mahnaz , Motamedi Nadia , Ghaemi Marjan
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

This study aimed to evaluate the potential value of placental anatomic features and various types of normal and abnormal cord insertion types in predicting adverse maternal-fetal outcomes in singleton pregnancies. We also tried to assess the association between these outcomes and various types of placental cord insertion.

Method:

This prospective observational study was performed on singleton pregnancies. For each patient placental features including diameter, thickness, type of cord insertion, and the shortest distance between the cord insertion point and placental edge were recorded. The relationship between these factors and the development of multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm labor, intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), and the rate of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions were evaluated and reported.

Results:

Overall 308 patients were enrolled in the study. Smoker mothers had significantly smaller placentas ( P-value = .008), and those with lower diameter placentas were more likely to suffer from IUFD ( P-value = .0001). Shorter placental cord insertion distances led to more episodes of preterm labor ( P-value = .057). Eccentric-type placental cord insertion was significantly associated with the development of preeclampsia ( P-value = .006).

Discussion:

Abnormalities in placental diameter and cord insertion can lead to significant maternal-fetal complications including preterm labor, IUFD, and preeclampsia.
Perceptions of climate change and tourism: A deep dive into the forums of Reddit
Authors: Nilsson Vestola Jenny
Published: September 2023

Tourism contributes to climate change through CO2 emissions, and stakeholders must work together to reduce the negative impact of the industry. Therefore, this study explores online travel discussions on Reddit to investigate consumers’ beliefs regarding self-efficacy and barriers to climate change mitigation. The study relies on combining machine learning and thematic analysis. The results show that the intersection of tourism and climate change fosters extensive online engagement, indicating that many users are aware that travel and climate change are connected. However, self-efficacy was low overall, or not manifested in users’ contributions. Further, at least 10 barriers to climate change mitigation were identified. Suggestions on how to overcome such barriers and increase efficacy beliefs are discussed, and directions for future research are given.