bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Smart Should a Service Robot Be?
Authors: Schepers Jeroen , Belanche Daniel , Casaló Luis V. , Flavián Carlos
Published: June 2022

Service robots are taking over the frontline. They can possess three types of artificial intelligence (AI): mechanical, thinking, and feeling AI. Although these intelligences determine how service robots can help customers, not much is known about how customers respond to robots of different intelligence. This paper addresses this gap, builds on the appraisal theory of emotions, and employs three online experiments and one field study to demonstrate that customers have different emotional responses to the three types of AI. Particularly, the influence of AI on positive emotions becomes stronger as the AI type becomes more sophisticated. That is, feeling AI relates more strongly to positive emotions than mechanical AI. Also, feeling AI and thinking AI increase spending and loyalty intention through customers’ positive emotions. We also identify important contingency effects of service tiers: mechanical AI is more suitable for low-cost firms, whereas feeling AI mainly benefits full-service providers. Remarkably, none of the three intelligences are directly related to negative emotions; perceived robot autonomy is an important mediator in these relationships. The findings yield concrete managerial guidance as to how smart a service robot should be by pinpointing the right type of AI given the market segment of the service provider.
Pegylated asparaginase in feline high-grade lymphoma: clinical results of single injection and continued incorporation into a modified COP regimen
Authors: Krupa Adriana , de Vos Johan , Van Eetvelde Lynn , Teske Erik
Published: June 2022

Objectives

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the response to a single injection of pegylated asparaginase (‘pegaspargase’) and to assess the tolerability and outcome of prolonged incorporation of pegaspargase into a modified COP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone) regimen in pegaspargase sensitive cats.

Methods

Fifty-six client-owned cats with confirmed macroscopic high-grade lymphoma at any anatomical site were included. Treatment was commenced with a single pegaspargase injection. Cats showing an objective response were eligible to continue therapy with pegaspargase incorporated into a modified COP protocol and had their survival analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test.

Results

Objective response to pegaspargase was reported in 46 cats (82%), including 21 (38%) complete and 25 (44%) partial responses. Thirty-four responders continued therapy with pegaspargase-COP as the first-line treatment. Of these, 31 cats (92%) achieved complete remission with a median duration of the first remission (disease-free survival [DFS]) of 816 days. The median overall survival time (OST) for all 34 cats treated with pegaspargase-COP was 181 days. Response to the initial pegaspargase injection before COP initiation was significantly associated with DFS ( P = 0.04) and OST ( P = 0.001). Median DFS/OST for cats with complete response to initial pegaspargase injection was significantly longer compared with those with partial remission (>1273 days/>2066 days vs 77 days/108 days, respectively). Cats with gastric lymphoma showed a significantly longer survival (OST 854 days, 1- and 2-year survival rate 57.1%) compared with cats with intestinal lymphoma (OST 102 days, 1-year survival rate 0%). The pegaspargase-COP protocol was generally well tolerated, but two deaths were likely attributable to treatment-related toxicity during the maintenance phase. Importantly, none of the cats experienced hypersensitivity, despite multiple repeated treatments with pegaspargase.

Conclusion and relevance

Pegaspargase is an effective agent for feline lymphoma. Its incorporation into a COP chemotherapy protocol may confer a survival benefit, especially in cats with complete response to pegaspargase. Treatment is generally well tolerated, but careful monitoring is recommended. Further studies are required to assess the benefits of pegaspargase as monotherapy or as part of different multi-agent chemotherapy regimens.
Evaluating the Performance of AquaCrop Model for Potato Production Under Deficit Irrigation
Authors: Wale Aemro , Dessie Mekete , Kendie Hailu
Published: June 2022

Crop modeling is a powerful tool for estimating yield and water use efficiency, and it plays an important role in determining water management strategies. Under the condition of scarce water supply and drought, deficit irrigation can lead to greater economic gains by maximizing yield per unit of water. Studies have shown that deficit irrigation significantly increased yield, crop evapotranspiration, and water use efficiency as compared to full irrigation requirement. However, this approach requires precise knowledge of crop response to water as drought tolerance varies considerably by growth stage, species and cultivars. This study was conducted in Lasta district, for two successive years to evaluate the effects of water shortage on potato production and water use efficiency, as well as to test the AquaCrop model for potato-producing areas. The irrigation water levels for potatoes were 100%, 75%, and 50% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Six treatments were arranged using a randomized complete block design. Climate, soil, and crop data were calibrated using observed weather parameters, and measured crop parameters conducted in the 2018/19 growing season. The model was validated using the observed data conducted in the 2019/20 growing season. The calibration of the model revealed a good fit for canopy cover (CC) with a coefficient of determination ( R2) = .98, Root mean square error (RMSE) = 9.6%, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency ( E) = 0.92, index of agreement ( d) = 0.98, and coefficient of residual moss (CRM) = −0.07, and good prediction for biomass ( R2 = .98, RMSE = 1.8 t ha−1, E = 0.96, d = 0.99, CRM = −0.13). Similarly, the validation result showed good fit for CC by 100% water application at development and mid growth season and a 75% water applied at the other stages ( R2 = .98, RMSE = 9.4%, E = 0.94, d = 0.98, CRM = −0.12). The AquaCrop model is simple to use, requires fewer input data, and has a high level of simulation precision, making it a useful tool for forecasting crop yield under deficit irrigation and water management to increase agricultural water efficiency in data-scarce areas.
Privatization, Corporatization, and Public-Private Partnership in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Khan Caroline , Nasrulddin Vivian
Published: June 2022

There are different governmental reasons and technologies for seeking public-private partnerships throughout the developed countries. Significant motives have been to improve efficiency and risk distribution in comparison to traditional financing techniques and to lessen budget and borrowing limits. In this study, the movement toward privatization enhancing the efficiency of MoH’s hospitals has been assessed using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) from 1979 to 2020. Moreover, the efficiencies of the individual hospital were estimated through the DEA model, which includes: scale efficiency (SE), pure technical efficiency (PTE), and overall technical efficiency (OTE). In addition, factor affecting such efficiencies was analyzed through Tobit regression. The VRS results suggest that the numbers of hospitals benefiting from the complete corporatized phase are greater than those benefiting from the last phase (and vice versa in the case of DRS). The variance between inefficient hospitals in the less corporatized phase (2000-2020) was more prominent than in the fully corporatized phase (1988-1999). In conclusion, fully corporatized hospitals (on average) achieve relatively better overall efficiency. It is recommended that additional corporatization might be stimulated by a standardized set of performance measures, which cover both the quality criteria and economic efficiency measurements from a healthcare perspective.
Understanding Differences in Health Care Spending: A Comparative Study of Prices and Volumes Across OECD Countries
Authors: Lorenzoni Luca , Dougherty Sean
Published: June 2022

Variations across OECD countries in the prices of health care and hospital services can be vast. These price differences mean that comparisons of such services should be adjusted to reflect the ‘real’ volumes consumed. Purchasing power parities (PPPs) can be used to make such comparisons more accurately, going beyond simple GDP-based comparisons, by aggregating the prices of actual individual consumption of health items. These health and hospital PPPs demonstrate that GDP PPPs are a weak substitute, as price structures vary widely. Moreover, there is tentative evidence that higher relative prices for health care tend to bloat health expenditure and are associated with lower life expectancy.
Animal-Based Dietary Protein Intake Is Not A Risk Factor For Metabolic Syndrome Among Young Or Middle-Aged Females
Authors: Sawyer Bailee , Stone Kara A. , Kotarsky Christopher J. , Johnson Nathaniel , Bradley Adam , Scheffert Rachel A. , Hackney Kyle J. , Byun Wonwoo , Stastny Sherri
Published: June 2022

Background:

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases risk for morbidity and premature mortality. Blood pressure, waist circumference, and fasting triglycerides (TG), blood glucose (BG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) are factors for determining MetS. The Simple Method for Quantifying Metabolic Syndrome (siMS) score and risk score estimate risk of MetS. The purpose for this study was to exam the relationship of animal-based (ABP) and plant-based protein (PLP) with MetS as estimated by siMS score and risk score. Physical activty is another important consideration in MetS as it can reduce blood pressure, waist circumference and blood glucose, and affect blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study examined whether physical activity (PA) level and dietary protein source (i.e., animal- or plant-based) among young (18-24 years) and middle-aged (45-60 years) females were associated with siMS score and siMS risk score. Average time spent in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA; min/wk), steps (steps/day), energy intake (kcal/day), percent dietary protein to total energy intake, ABP and PLP dietary intake, and ABP:PLP ratio (g/day) were included in the analysis. Volunteers were recruited from North Dakota and Minnesota from 2017 to 2019.

Results:

Eighty-one female participants (mean ± SD; young, n = 38, 20.4 ± 1.7 years, middle-aged, 52.5 ± 4.8 years) were included in the independent t-tests used to examine group differences in age, body mass index, HDL, BG, TG, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, energy intake, energy intake percentage of total carbohydrates, fat, protein, ABP, and PLP, ABP:PLP, siMS score, and siMS risk score. Stepwise linear regressions were used to evaluate whether PA level and dietary protein source were predictors of siMS score and siMS risk score among young and middle-aged adult females. There was an inverse relationship between PLP intake and siMS score. The model explained 6.9% of the variance in siMS risk score (F1, 80 = 5.93). Plant-based protein intake was inversely related to siMS risk score while light PA was positively associated with siMS risk score. The model explained 16% of the variance in siMS risk score (F1, 80 = 7.53). Animal-based dietary protein intake did not impact siMS score ( p = 0.180) and siMS risk score ( p = 0.283).

Conclusions:

Plant-based protein intake was associated with a lower risk of MetS via siMS scores, while ABP was not associated. Given the nature of the cross-sectional design of this study, no causal relationship can be determined, but longitudinal studies or randomized control trials to confirm the results from this study are needed in the future.
Alopecia in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Disease Modifying Therapies
Authors: Porwal Mokshal H. , Salter Amber , Patel Dhruvkumar , Obeidat Ahmed Z.
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

There is currently limited literature addressing the reporting of alopecia in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Anecdotal reports of hair thinning from patients on various DMTs prompted further investigation of a large database.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze total reports, source of reporting, age distribution, and sex distribution of alopecia associated with DMTs.

METHODS

FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) public dashboard and OpenFDA database were analyzed for alopecia reports between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2020, attributed to usage in MS of FDA approved DMTs. The main outcomes included total reports for each drug, age, sex distribution, and reporting source. OpenFDA data was used for statistical analyses including reporting odds ratios (ROR) and information components.

RESULTS

8759 alopecia reports were identified among 44 114 adverse events in skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (19.9%). 3701 (42.3%) with teriflunomide, 1675 (19.1%) with dimethyl fumarate, 985 (11.2%) with natalizumab, 926 (10.6%) with fingolimod, 659 (7.5%) with interferon beta-1a, 257 (2.9%) with glatiramer acetate, 243 (2.8%) with ocrelizumab, 124 (1.4%) with interferon beta-1b, 117 (1.3%) with alemtuzumab, 36 (.4%) with siponimod, 24 (.3%) with cladribine, and 12 (.1%) with rituximab. Reports were mostly made by patients (78.3%) and highest in fifth and sixth decades of life. OpenFDA analyses showed increased ROR (ROR 95% confidence interval) of alopecia in females with teriflunomide (18.00, 17.12-18.93), alemtuzumab (1.43, 1.16-1.76), dimethyl fumarate (1.26, 1.18-1.34), and ocrelizumab (1.28, 1.11-1.49). Increased ROR in males was associated with teriflunomide (24.65, 20.72-29.31).

CONCLUSION

We identified many reports of alopecia for DMTs in addition to teriflunomide. Within the limitations of the database, increased RORs of alopecia were observed for females treated with alemtuzumab, dimethyl fumarate, and ocrelizumab. The source of reporting was largely driven by female patients. Possible alopecia, even if transient, should be considered during patient education when starting DMTs.
Comparing medical student experience of face-to-face and remote access consultations during the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Patterson Caitlin , Collins Kathleen , Hunter Ian
Published: June 2022

Introduction

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, outpatient consultations in National Health Service Lanarkshire were conducted using various forms of teleconsultation. A qualitative study was undertaken to ascertain how senior medical students valued the experience of outpatient teleconsultations in comparison to face-to-face consultations during the pandemic.

Methods

Anonymised, voluntary surveys were emailed to all medical students who attended clinical placements in specialties utilising teleconsultations. Participants were asked to compare their experience of and perceived value of virtual consultants to face-to-face consultations. Thematic and statistical analysis was performed on the collected data.

Results

Participants unanimously agreed face-to-face consultations enabled learning, with 71.4% (n = 7) having similar experiences in video consultations if a senior was physically present beside them. Video consultation, when the senior clinician was also present virtually, was deemed useful to a lesser extent (66.7%, n = 6). Only half (57.1%, n = 14) valued the learning from telephone consultations. Qualitative analysis revealed that although face to face was the preferred consultation style, there was useful learning gained in all modalities. Students appreciated discussion with senior clinicians to facilitate learning and valued involvement in the consultation through history taking, especially in teleconsultations.

Discussion

Teleconsultation was an effective learning tool for medical students during the coronavirus pandemic, which preserved student exposure to patients during lockdown. This study is optimistic that widespread incorporation of teleconsultation, in all modality, has the ability to support students’ clinical exposure and learning, which is becoming increasingly limited as medical student numbers continue to rise and with the ongoing effects of the pandemic.
Key socio-demographic characteristics of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria: A British Isles surveillance study
Authors: Khadr Sophie , Masic Una , Clarke Venetia , Lynn Richard M , Holt Victoria , Carmichael Polly
Published: June 2022

The present research used linked surveillance systems (British Paediatric Surveillance Unit; and the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System) over a 19 month period (1 November 2011–31 May 2013) to notify of young people (4–15.9 years) presenting to secondary care (paediatrics or child and adolescent mental health services) or specialist gender services with features of gender dysphoria (GD). A questionnaire about socio-demographic, mental health, and GD features was completed. Presence of GD was then assessed by experts in the field using then-current criteria (DSM-IV-TR). Incidence across the British Isles was 0.41–12.23 per 100,000. 230 confirmed cases of GD were noted; the majority were white (94%), aged ≥12 years (75.3%), and were assigned female at birth (57.8%). Assigned males presented most commonly in pre-adolescence (63.2%), and assigned females in adolescence (64.7%). Median age-of-onset of experiencing GD was 9.5 years (IQR 5-12); the majority reported long-standing features (2–5 years in 36.1%, ≥5 years in 26.5%). Only 82.5% attended mainstream school. Bullying was reported in 47.4%, previous self-harm in 35.2%, neurodiversity in 16%, and 51.5% had ≥1 mental health condition. These findings suggest GD is rare within this age group but that monitoring wellbeing and ensuring support for co-occurring difficulties is vital.
A holistic perspective on continuing care for substance use and dependence: Results and implications from an in-depth study of a Norwegian continuing care establishment
Authors: Høyland Sindre Aske , Schuchert Astrid , Mamen Asgeir
Published: June 2022

This article explores, systematically and in depth, users’ perceptions of participating in a Norwegian non-profit establishment that provides a continuing care programme for substance use and dependence. Identified results are linked to a holistic system perspective, where human, technology, and organisation (HTO), as well as external environment, are viewed as intertwined. At the establishment level, i.e., where the continuing care programme is delivered, we find that a clear holistic and user-oriented profile – comprising combined interventions including physical and social activities – can create a safe and stable environment that exerts a positive mental and physical influence on the user and thereby promotes abstinence from substances. However, our results suggest that the internal environment needs to connect more strongly with the external environment, such as a substance-free network, close family, and working life. At the establishment level, we conclude that there is a need to develop an explicit strategy and practice for collaborating with the external environment, built on systemisation and application of individual users’ insights into the design of the current interventions. Further research should explore the presence and absence of interplays between elements of human, technology, and organisation and the external environment, and the associated consequences for intervention processes and users’ health outcomes. Our holistic system model, empirically informed by data from a Norwegian context, can represent a starting point for such endeavours. The holistic system model also constitutes an original and novel contribution to research on continuing care interventions.
Persistent post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism: A multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lončar Ivona , van Kinschot Caroline M.J. , van Dijk Sam P.J. , Franssen Gaston J.H. , Visser Edward E. , Peeters Robin P. , Eijck Casper J.H. van , van Noord Charlotte , van Ginhoven Tessa M.
Published: June 2022

Background and objective:

The reported incidence of persistent hypoparathyroidism varies widely, and consensus on a definition is lacking. The objective was to evaluate the real-life incidence of persistent hypoparathyroidism by investigating a new pragmatic definition.

Methods:

This retrospective multicenter cohort study evaluated the effect of different definitions for persistent hypoparathyroidism on the incidence of hypoparathyroidism. In addition, risk factors for hypoparathyroidism were analyzed.

Results:

In total, 749 patients were included. Using the new pragmatic definition, we report an incidence of 7.9% of persistent hypoparathyroidism. When applying other commonly used definitions, incidence varied between 11.8% and 22.1%. Risk factors were parathyroid autotransplantation, presence of another surgical complication, and low postoperative serum calcium.

Conclusions:

Our data show that the incidence of persistent hypoparathyroidism in the literature may vary through the use of different definitions. This study indicates that a new pragmatic definition of persistent hypoparathyroidism has the potential to enable unbiased comparison between studies.
Insights to improve the tribo-performance of materials used under slurry erosion applications: A review
Authors: Kumar Yadav Yogesh , Kumar Singh Akant , Siddhartha
Published: June 2022

Slurry erosion usually results in the form of damage to the materials of different components having underwater working domain. Numerous industries have suffered due to this kind of wear resulting in frequent breakdowns demanding repeated financial assistance and poor productivity. Properties and tribo-performance of materials related to distinct slurry applications play a significant role in arresting the slurry erosion wear. Slurry erosion depends on different parameters such as impact velocity, impingement angle, shape and size of erodent, slurry concentration and so on. These parameters differ from one application to another and accordingly, specific materials are selected knowing the extent and severity of slurry erosion wear. In the last decade, many authors studied parametrically the tribo-slurry erosion performance of materials, few of them correlated their investigations to the actual in situ conditions of applications. Various authors have analyzed the effect of operating parameters on the mechanism of erosion and conducted the comparative studies of different materials. Many of the investigators attempted to improve the properties and tribo-slurry erosion performance of materials through surface modification techniques; coating, reinforcement, heat treatment, thermo-mechanical process etc. This review is an effort to covers all such kind of explorations.
Securing citizens’ social rights under neoliberal welfare governance: the case of Israeli social services
Authors: Bracha-Sadowitz Sigal , Feldman Guy , Levin Lia
Published: June 2022

While scholars have examined how neoliberal ideas and policies manifest at the front lines of the welfare state, far less is known about how the neoliberal approach prevalent in such states shapes decisions that senior state actors make about social welfare policy. The current study advances the literature by examining the processes and motivations behind the decision to withdraw from enacting a law designed to secure the social rights of all Israeli citizens. The study is rooted in a critical research paradigm, combining both inductive and deductive analyses of in-depth interviews with 15 senior officials and legislators in the field of social services.

Despite their purported support for equality in the provision of social services, their acknowledgment of the shortcomings of current legislation in this respect, and their active role in promoting an alternative thereto, participants were persuaded to act in such a way as to support free-market measures. These findings illustrate an arena of policymaking wherein some state actors “purchase” other actors’ cooperation and compliance with the neoliberal approach.

The “behind-the-scenes” account of the legislative process, set against the backdrop of neoliberal welfare governance, provides insights useful to all those who seek to promote parity-enhancing legislation aimed at supporting marginalized social service recipients, in Israel and beyond.
COVID-19 and Memory: A Novel Contamination Effect in Memory
Authors: Thiebaut Gaëtan , Méot Alain , Witt Arnaud , Prokop Pavol , Bonin Patrick
Published: June 2022

The Behavioral Immune System (BIS, Schaller & Park, 2011) is a defense system whose function is to protect against pathogen exposure. Memory is an important component of this system (Fernandes et al., 2017). We investigated “contamination effects” in memory in relation to COVID-19. Photographs of everyday objects were shown to adults ( N = 80) in the hands of either a healthy or a contagious person who had contracted SARS-CoV-2. “Contaminated objects” were recalled better than “non-contaminated objects” suggesting that a contamination effect in memory in humans is easily acquired in the absence of apparent visual cues of disease.
Does the use of Gender-Fair Language Impair the Comprehensibility of Video Lectures? – An Experiment Using an Authentic Video Lecture Manipulating Role Nouns in German
Authors: Friedrich Marcus C. G. , Muselick Jennifer , Heise Elke
Published: June 2022

Gender-fair language makes women and other genders, their interests, and their achievements more visible and is particularly relevant to grammatical gender languages such as German, in which most nouns and personal pronouns are assigned to a specific gender. The present study tested the often repeated critical claims that gender-fair language impairs the comprehensibility and aesthetic appeal of videos. In an experiment with N = 105 students, participants watched a video on self-determination theory, either with masculine-only forms or using the glottal stop, a form of spoken gender-fair language that inserts an abrupt and sustained closure of the vocal cords in the larynx between the masculine form or the stem and the feminine ending of words (e.g. in German “Leserʔinnen”, ∼feʔmale readers). Subsequently, participants completed a questionnaire regarding the video's comprehensibility. The results show no statistically significant impairment regarding the general subjective comprehensibility (partial η2 < .01), the ease of ascribing meaning to the words (partial η2 < .01), the ease of decoding the syntax of the sentences (partial η2 = .03), or the aesthetic appeal of the videos (partial η2 = .02). The critics’ claims are therefore questioned.
Hormonal Male Contraception: Formative Research to Develop and Test Communication Messaging
Authors: Ramos-Ortiz Jaziel , King Hannah , DeMaria Andrea L.
Published: June 2022

Male-controlled contraception is limited, yet a promising hormonal male contraceptive (HMC) development in may increase options for men to share in the work of pregnancy prevention. This study examined college-aged (18–26 years) men’s and women’s perceptions of influential marketing strategy for an experimental novel HMC method, a transdermal gel. Six focus groups ( n = 29) were conducted to glean insights for ad prototype creation. Ad prototypes were designed and then tested in semi-structured interviews ( n = 20) to understand whether the messages were adequately representing the attributes intended while also allowing participants to contribute insights on improving appeal. A constant comparative approach was used for data contextualization and theme identification. Results provided a foundation for the creation of HMC message prototypes, aimed at increasing knowledge and uptake of a novel family planning method for men. Representation of a relatable character, or drawing on authentic experiences, aligned best with participant values. Focus groups illuminated salient concepts for HMC marketing, including humor, destigmatization, information, and credibility. Interview message testing yielded an understanding of elements participants responded most strongly to, including (1) ad sentiment and (2) trustworthiness. Findings provide a basis for understanding the placement of a potential marketing campaign to effectively frame HMC uptake as easy to use, safe, and popular while building on peer norms and group acceptability among a college-aged demographic. Healthcare providers and other practitioners can utilize these findings while engaging in family planning conversations, interventions, and message development.
Attitudes Toward Gender-Based Violence Among Sexually Active Adult Men at High Risk for HIV in Rustenburg, South Africa
Authors: Makkan Heeran , Maenetje Pholo , Chetty-Makkan Candice M. , Muchiri Evans , Latka Mary H. , Edward Vinodh A. , Price Matt A. , Omosa-Manyonyi Gloria , Lindan Christina
Published: June 2022

Gender-based violence (GBV) toward women is widespread and has been associated with increased HIV risk. We investigated attitudes toward GBV among men living in Rustenburg, South Africa, who were enrolled in a longitudinal HIV incidence study. Participants were 18 to 49 years old, reported high risk sexual activity in the last 3 months, and were HIV-uninfected. Attitudes toward GBV were evaluated using responses to a five-item standardized questionnaire about men perpetrating physical violence on a female spouse; responses to each item were scaled from 1 ( no agreement) to 4 ( strong agreement) and summed. Total scores >10 were considered permissive toward GBV. Among the 535 men analyzed, nearly half ( N = 229, 42.8%) had a GBV score >10. Being young (18–24 years) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.06, 2.22]), having less years of education (aOR = 1.61, 95% CI [1.11, 2.32]), and reporting no current sexual partner at baseline (aOR = 2.10, 95% CI [1.06, 4.14]) were independently associated with permissive attitudes toward GBV. The following behaviors reported in the last 3 months were also associated with high GBV scores: having a new female partner (aOR = 1.78, 95% CI [1.02, 3.10]), and having had an STI (aOR = 1.85, 95% CI [1.15, 2.99]). Consuming alcohol prior to sex in the last month (aOR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.09, 2.31]) was also associated with high GBV scores. A large proportion of South African HIV-uninfected men in this analysis reported permissive attitudes toward GBV. These attitudes were associated with HIV risk behavior. Integrating GBV and HIV prevention programs is essential.
Development and characteristics research of flexible manufacturing cell for optical free-form surface
Authors: Li Qi , Yu Tianbiao , Wang Zixuan , Wang Wanshan
Published: June 2022

The manufacturing of optical free-form surface is a difficult point in industry, so the development and research of the integrated manufacturing equipment for optical free-form surface has become a key issue. In the paper, the flexible manufacturing cell for optical free-form surface with four Z-axis closed modules is developed, which includes 3D printing module, milling module, grinding module, and polishing module successively, the columns of the flexible manufacturing cell adopt a mechanical shunt design, the optical component is transferred from one module to another by the robot, positioned by the zero-point positioning system, and can be processed in each module in turn by coordinate transformation. The processed optical component has low surface roughness, low surface residual stress and surface damage, ensuring the optical component has good optical performance, the flexible manufacturing cell can achieve high-quality and high-efficiency machining of optical free-form surface. Because each module has similar structure, the milling module is carried out the static and dynamic simulation research using finite element (FE) method and virtual prototype (VP) method, the simulation results show that the milling module has excellent performances, the gravity balance device combined with the mechanical shunt column can significantly improve the precision of the milling module.
Influence of drill-string lateral collision on wellbore stability of a horizontal well
Authors: Ma Tianshou , Huang Jin , Li Zhilin , Shi Yufan , Jia Lichun , Zhong Chengxu
Published: June 2022

A finite element model of wellbore stability was proposed for a horizontal well, and drill-string friction and lateral collision in the process of rotary motion were taken into account. An unconfined compression test was used for model validation, the normalized yielded zone area (NYZA) was employed to analyze wellbore stability, and the influence of a lateral collision on wellbore stability was simulated. The results indicated that the stress-strain curve of numerical simulation consists with unconfined compression test, and the maximum relative error is <2.2%. The evolution of NYZA can be divided into three typical stages: stage I (static balance), stage II (dynamic growth), and stage III (dynamic balance). Both normal and shear stresses reach to the peak value in stage II, while they always fluctuate in a relatively small range in stage III, so that the wellbore stability mainly affected by the first collision of drill-string. Both lateral acceleration and friction effects have significant impact on wellbore stability. The initial collision position and the size of drilling tool have a certain influence on wellbore stability, while the revolving speed of drill-string almost has no impact. The present paper has guiding significance for wellbore collapse prevention and drilling parameter optimization.
Toward devising pilot experiments to establish parameter window for FSP of aluminum alloys
Authors: Dwivedi Pooja , Maheshwari Sachin , Abidi Mustufa Haider , Siddiquee Arshad Noor , Haider Julfikar , Alkhalefah Hisham
Published: June 2022

One of the major challenges encountered during friction stir processing (FSP) is the establishment of a process parameter window in order to achieve processed surfaces with an acceptable quality as it is an exhaustive task that involves enormous resources, time, and efforts. Sometimes this task is so difficult that the trial may run into futility. This work belongs to a theme of FSP that is not much reported in the literature. This is a maiden work to lay a roadmap for the FSP parameter range in a quick and effective manner. The present study results from first-hand experiments performed to produce surface composites on AA6063 alloy using a mixture of SiC + Fe + Mn + Sn as reinforcement in such a manner that a novice professional can pan out ways to identify and classify irregularities/defects, associate them with the causes and obtain feasible parameter window. In this work, a methodology for identification and selection of optimum tool speed (rpm), processing speed, and plunge depth has been demonstrated. The parameter window was established by analyzing main surface irregularities associated with the parameters and taking corrective modification to eventually arrive at the feasible range. The established range was validated through an experiment performed with the parameters lying within the established window. The validation was supported with microstructural characterization, micro-hardness measurement, thermal analysis, corrosion analysis, and the comprehensive analysis presented in this work has been done with the help of the image processing technique. Results show that grain refinement and homogeneous distribution of reinforcement present in the stir zone developed during FSP at the appropriate process parameters. Furthermore, grain refinement enhances the hardness by 28.29% and the corrosion resistance by 13.6%. The highest temperature that is, 423.25°C is achieved on the advancing side of the processed zone.
Improving access to maternal health services among rural hard-to-reach fishing communities in Uganda, the role of community health workers
Authors: Ssetaala Ali , Ssempiira Julius , Wambuzi Mathias , Nanyonjo Gertrude , Okech Brenda , Chinyenze Kundai , Bagaya Bernard , Price Matt A , Kiwanuka Noah , Degomme Olivier
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

To explore whether community health worker household-based maternal health visits improve antenatal care and skilled birth attendance among hard-to-reach fishing villages on Lake Victoria, Uganda.

Methods:

This quasi-experimental 18-month prospective study involved 486 consenting women aged 15–49 years, who were pregnant or had a pregnancy outcome in the past 6 months, from 6 island fishing communities. The community health worker household-based intervention (community health workers’ household visits to provide counseling, blood pressure measurement, anemia, and HIV testing) involved 243 women from three fishing communities. Random effects logistic regression was used to determine the association between the community health worker intervention and antenatal care and skilled birth attendance among women who had at least 5 months of pregnancy or childbirth at follow-up.

Results:

Almost all women accepted the community health worker intervention (90.9% (221/243)). Hypertension was at 12.5% (27/216) among those who accepted blood pressure measurements, a third (33.3% (9/27)) were pregnant. HIV prevalence was 23.5% (52/221). Over a third (34.2% (69/202)) of women tested had anemia (hemoglobin levels less than 11 g/dL). The community health worker intervention was associated with attendance of first antenatal care visit within 20 weeks of pregnancy (adjusted odd ratio = 2.1 (95% confidence interval 0.6–7.6)), attendance of at least four antenatal care visits (adjusted odd ratio = 0.9 (95% confidence interval 0.4–2.0)), and skilled birth attendance (adjusted odd ratio = 0.5 (95% confidence interval 0.1–1.5)), though not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

Community health workers have a crucial role in improving early antenatal care attendance, early community-based diagnosis of anemia, hypertensive disorders, and HIV among women in these hard-to-reach fishing communities.
Socio-culturally adapted educational videos increase maternal and newborn health knowledge in pregnant women and female community health volunteers in Nepal’s Khotang district
Authors: Maharjan Sajana , Dhakal Liladhar , George Linda , Shrestha Bhagawati , Coombe Helen , Bhatta Surya , Kristensen Sibylle
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

While Nepal has made significant improvements in maternal and newborn health overall, the lack of maternal and newborn health–related knowledge in the more rural parts of the country has led to significant disparities in terms of both maternal and newborn health service utilization and maternal and newborn health outcomes. This study aimed to assess whether viewing culturally adapted maternal and newborn health educational films had a positive impact on (1) the maternal and newborn health knowledge levels among pregnant women and (2) the postpartum hemorrhage–related knowledge levels among Female Community Health Volunteers in rural Nepal.

Methods:

Four locations were selected for their remoteness and comparatively high number of pregnancies. A convenience sample of 101 pregnant women and 39 Female Community Health Volunteers were enrolled in the study. A pre- and post-test design was employed to assess this intervention. Paired t-tests were used to analyze the change in number of correct responses by knowledge domain for multi-film participants, producing a numeric “mean knowledge score,” and McNemar’s tests were used to calculate the change and significance among select questions grouped into distinct themes, domains, and points of “maternal and newborn health–related knowledge” based on the priorities outlined in Nepal’s maternal and newborn health 2030 goals.

Results:

There was a significant improvement in knowledge scores on maternal and newborn health issues after watching the educational films for both types of participants. The mean knowledge score for pregnant women improved from 10 to 15 (P < 0.001) for the Understanding Antenatal Care (ANC) film, 3 to 10 (P < 0.001) for the Warning Sign in Pregnancy film, and 6 to 14 (P < 0.001) for the Newborn Care film. For the Female Community Health Volunteers, knowledge also significantly improved (P < 0.05) in all except one category after watching the postpartum hemorrhage film. The percent that correctly answered when to administer misoprostol (80%−95%) was the only variable in which knowledge improvement was not significant (P < 0.057).

Conclusion:

Using culturally adapted educational films is an effective intervention to improve short-term maternal and newborn health–related knowledge among rural populations with low educational levels. The authors recommend additional larger-scale trials of this type of intervention in Nepal and other low- and middle-income countries to determine the impact on long-term maternal and newborn health knowledge and behaviors among rural populations.
Advancing the Study of Resilience to Daily Stressors
Authors: Ong Anthony D. , Leger Kate A.
Published: June 2022

Historically, studies of childhood and adult resilience have typically focused on adaptation to chronic life adversities, such as poverty and maltreatment, or isolated and potentially traumatic events, such as bereavement and serious illness. Here, we present a complementary view and suggest that stressors experienced in daily life may also forecast individual health and well-being. We argue that daily process approaches that incorporate intensive sampling of individuals in natural settings can provide powerful insights into unfolding adaptational processes. In making this argument, we review studies that link intraindividual dynamics with diverse health-related phenomena. Findings from this research provide support for a multiple-levels-analysis perspective that embraces greater unity in pivotal resilience constructs invoked across childhood and adult literatures. Drawing on insights and principles derived from life-span theory, we conclude by outlining promising directions for future work and considering their broader implications for the field of resilience.
Cognitive control mechanisms in language processing: are there both within- and across-task conflict adaptation effects?
Authors: Simi Nicoletta , Mackenzie Ian Grant , Leuthold Hartmut , Janczyk Markus , Dudschig Carolin
Published: June 2022

Cognitive conflict is regarded as a crucial factor in triggering subsequent adjustments in cognitive control. Recent studies have suggested that the implementation of control following conflict detection might be domain-general in that conflict experienced in the language domain recruits control processes that deal with conflict experienced in non-linguistic domains. During language comprehension, humans often have to recover from conflicting interpretations as quickly and accurately as possible. In this study, we investigate how people adapt to conflict experienced during processing semantically ambiguous sentences. Experiments 1 to 3 investigated whether such semantic conflict produces the congruency sequence effect (CSE) within a subsequent manual Stroop task and whether Stroop conflict leads to adjustments in semantic processing. Experiments 4 to 6 investigated whether semantic conflict results in conflict adaptation in subsequent sentence processing. Although processing conflict was consistently experienced during sentence reading and in the Stroop task, we did not observe any within-task or cross-task adaptation effects. Specifically, there were no cross-task CSEs from the linguistic task to the Stroop task and vice versa (experiments 1–3)—speaking against the assumption of domain-general control mechanisms. Moreover, experiencing conflict within a semantically ambiguous sentence did not ease the processing of a subsequent ambiguous sentence (experiments 4–6). Implications of these findings will be discussed.
History and Place in Television Drama: Liverpool in Cilla and Boys From the Blackstuff
Authors: Mahoney Cat
Published: June 2022

This article explores historical representations of Liverpool in two television dramas: ITV’s Cilla (2014) and the BBC’s Boys from the Blackstuff (1982). It is concerned with the ways that television drama can both record and recreate places from the past. Focussing on two dramas set in Liverpool at formative moments in the city’s past, it considers the centrality of an evocation of place and specifically the space of the city to both series and the ways that television dramas that mobilise such a strong sense place can become intrinsic to the heritage and history of the places they depict.
Mortality association of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection requiring treatment in Taiwan: a population-based study
Authors: Chen Hsin-Hua , Lin Ching-Heng , Chao Wen-Cheng
Published: June 2022

Background:

Infection due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is an emerging issue worldwide, and we aimed to address the epidemiology and mortality association of NTM infection requiring treatment in Taiwan.

Methods:

We used the 2003–2018 data of 2 million representative individuals in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. We identified patients with newly diagnosed NTM infection and received treatment as NTM cases. Age- and sex-matched (1:40) as well as propensity score-matched (PSM) (1:2) non-NTM individuals were selected as non-NTM controls. We used a Cox proportional hazard model to determine hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results:

We identified 558 patients with NTM infection requiring treatment. The mean age was 62.5 ± 15.4 years, and 57.5% of them were male. The incidence increased from 0.54 per 100,000 person-year in 2003 to 3.35 per 100,000 person-year in 2018. The overall mortality was 35.2%, with a mean follow-up duration of 4.1 ± 3.6 years. We found that NTM infection was independently associated with a greater risk of mortality (HR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.47–1.98) compared with age- and sex-matched controls, and the association remained consistent (HR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.19–1.75) compared with propensity-matched controls. We also found that old age, male, high Charlson comorbidity index, and the use of steroids or anti-neoplastic agents/immunosuppressants were associated with mortality risk.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, we found a steady increase in patients with NTM infection requiring treatment in Taiwan and further demonstrated that NTM infection was associated with greater risk of mortality using two comparable non-NTM control subjects.
Food allergy in adults
Authors: Wardman Hannah , Simpson Angela
Published: June 2022

An adverse reaction to food is a common presenting complaint in primary care. However, not all adverse reactions to food are a food allergy. The challenge for the clinician is to determine whether the reaction is a true allergy or an intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, food poisoning, a toxin, chronic spontaneous urticaria, angioedema or something else altogether Differentiating patients at risk of a life-threatening reaction from those with troublesome symptoms is of key importance. The aim of the current article is to better equip clinicians to diagnose and manage IgE-mediated food allergy in adults and consider differential diagnoses.