bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telehealth use and receipt of recommended services within one-year postpartum
Authors: Kishkovich Thomas P , James Kaitlyn E , Orona Katie C , Bernstein Sarah N , Cohen Jessica L , Clapp Mark A
Published: December 2024

Introduction

In obstetrics, telehealth is widely used in the provision of prenatal and postpartum care. The objective was to compare the utilization of commonly recommended services after delivery among individuals receiving telehealth versus in-person postpartum care.

Study Design

We performed a retrospective cohort study of individuals receiving postpartum care at a single institution between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2023. The primary exposure was the exclusive use of telehealth versus an in-person visit for postpartum care. Two primary outcomes were assessed between 0 and 365 days after the delivery: 1) long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method use and 2) pap smear screening. Secondary outcomes occurring between 0 and 365 days after delivery included: clinic-based weight assessment, clinic-based blood pressure assessment, any prescription contraception use, primary care visit, and pregnancy within 1 year.

Results

Among the 9953 individuals, 9058 (91.0%) had a postpartum visit. 1811 (19.9%) utilized telehealth exclusively, which peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exclusive telehealth users were less likely to have a pap smear (21.6 vs. 40.1%, p < 0.001) or use LARCs (8.6 vs. 19.4%, p < 0.001) than those receiving in-person care. In the adjusted analysis, the odds ratio for receiving a pap smear was 0.38 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32–0.47) and for using a LARC was 0.38 (95% CI 0.31–0.47) when comparing telehealth to in-person care. Reduced odds of all secondary outcomes were seen in the exclusive telehealth use compared to the in-person cohort, with the exception of subsequent pregnancy within 1 year, which was not significantly different.

Discussion

Acknowledging that telehealth now has become an important means for patients to access medical care, these findings should prompt clinicians to consider when an in-person postpartum visit should be offered or recommended over telehealth, especially when a patient may not have a preference or reported barriers to accessing an in-person visit.
Otherness as a Commodity: Rethinking Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in Central and Eastern Europe from the time of ‘Global Socialism’
Authors: Trupia Francesco
Published: December 2024

This article investigates the phenomena of contemporary Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in Central and Eastern Europe by tracing out the genealogy of far-right tradition from the time of ‘global socialism’. It precisely explores how Communist Bulgaria’s and Communist Poland’s rhetoric of internationalism and unity was instrumentally exploited to deploy eugenic policies against the Muslim and Jewish population, respectively. The article is organised into three parts. First, it discusses how socialist authorities reordered domestic heritage and cultural landscapes to enhance ruling ethnic majorities. Second, it shows how the reaction of the Bulgarian Communist Party and the Polish United Workers’ Party to the international turmoil in the Mediterranean region was strategically performed to scapegoat internal dissidents and ascribe them to Turkish nationalism or Zionism. Third, it postulates how such an instrumentalisation became the Party’s ideological commodity during the decolonisation age, in turn provoking a decoupling from the Global South even before 1989. As a result, this investigation shows how extreme far-right cultures have penetrated the postsocialist predicament and continue to operate culturally by dismissing otherness from the Polish and Bulgarian national identity.
Technologies of the self(-deception): Confidence, optimism and effort of Chinese esports players
Authors: Lin Zhongxuan , Zhong Yifan , Zhao Yupei
Published: December 2024

Researchers have begun to focus on the esports player community and suggest that governments and industries take external means to address the difficulties of players. In contrast, this study investigated the subjectivity of professional players and technologies of the self in neoliberal esports. Based on 30 in-depth interviews with active and retired Chinese esports players, we found that esports players typically employ three self-technologies when facing challenges, namely practices of (fluctuating) confidence, (cruel) optimism and (limited) effort. These technologies construct players’ autonomy and legitimacy but can result in self-deception. We suggest that the self-technologies of esports players and the remote governance of China’s sports sector are two different perspectives on the same situation. Finally, we argue that exploring China’s esports industry can also promote understanding of the nature of Chinese neoliberalism.
Legal obstacles jeopardise research in personalised medicine – experiences from a Nordic collaboration within rheumatology
Authors: Glintborg Bente , Hansson Mats , Hammer Hilde Berner , Klareskog Lars , Saevarsdottir Saedis , Westerlind Helga , Rönnelid Johan , Gehring Isabel , Benson Mikael , Esbensen Bente Appel , Hetland Merete Lund , Padyukov Leonid , Kragstrup Tue Wenzel , Hauge Ellen-Margrethe , AxnÄs Barbara Bislawska , Krogh Niels Steen , Johannesson Martina , Askling Johan
Published: December 2024

Aims:

Personalised medicine in chronic complex diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is within reach but requires international multi-stakeholder collaboration. We exemplify how national implementations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) have introduced administrative delays and created disincentives for data sharing and collaborative research.

Methods:

Our Danish/Swedish/Norwegian research collaboration (the 3-year NordForsk-funded “NORA” project) aims to develop a personalised medicine approach for the management of RA, built on the exploitation of unique existing data sources: longitudinal data from clinical rheumatology registries, research cohorts, nationwide health care registries, and biobank material from >20 sample collections. Data and results are shared and accessed remotely by collaborators at secure servers. New biomarker assays and patient-centric implementations of the results are to be explored, validated, and disseminated to patients and health care via the development of digital tools.

Results:

Following the advice of legal experts at the involved academic or public institutions and private companies, GDPR compliance resulted in >20 legal documents to govern the collaboration (consortium-, joint controller-, research collaboration-, data sharing-, and a series of unique two-way data processing-, and material transfer agreements). Lack of agreed-upon templates, policies, procedures, and a shortage of legal resources have caused considerable delays. Thus, our research consortium has spent more time ensuring GDPR compliance than on actual research activities.

Conclusions:

The current interpretation and implementation of the legal premises (rather than the GDPR per se) for research collaborations caused unnecessary barriers and delays. Our experiences call for Nordic trust-based code-of-conduct-like framework agreements, and for harmonisation of procedures and templates, lest the Nordic advantage in research be lost.
The re-emergence of police education
Authors: Martin Denise
Published: December 2024

In the past 25 years growing complexities of the policing landscape and emerging challenges, like technology, increased vulnerability and new crimes, mean that police officers require different skills and knowledge than previously. One way to enable this has been the increasing professionalisation of the police service including the academisation of police learning and an emphasis of developing better police knowledge informed by evidence. Increased professionalisation is viewed as one of the solutions to resolving some of the problems often associated with policing like the negative effects of police culture. The process of embedding higher education into policing has been slow, fragmented and challenging at times, and influenced by a broader set of political and external dynamics. Critics argue that policing is a more practical occupation in which the best way to develop is to learn on the job or develop craft knowledge. The intention of this article is to discuss the relationship between police and education particularly in the recent past. It will explore why higher education has become increasingly important, explore why resistance to the academisation process continues and look at the developing relationship between academia and the police. Finally, the future of higher education and policing is discussed.
Unraveling the dynamics of perceived smartphone overuse and disconnection strategies: Longitudinal insights
Authors: Dekker Cynthia A , Sumter Sindy R , Baumgartner Susanne E
Published: December 2024

This six-wave longitudinal survey study investigated associations between perceived smartphone overuse and the use of technology-based disconnection strategies. The sample was representative of the Dutch population regarding age, gender, and education level ( N = 1674). Linear mixed models showed that perceived overuse was positively related to self-reported screen time and motivations to reduce screen time. People with higher perceived overuse were more likely to adopt disconnection strategies in the following 2 months. Yet, surprisingly, at the within-person level, we found that when someone experienced more overuse than they normally do, they were not more likely to adopt disconnection strategies. Moreover, using disconnection strategies in the previous 2 months was related to higher perceived overuse and self-reported screen time. Together, these findings suggest that people do not always take action when unsatisfied with their smartphone use, and when they do, technology-based disconnection strategies are not effective in reducing perceived smartphone overuse.
Estimation of the health economic benefit of widening pulmonary rehabilitation uptake and completion
Authors: Steiner Michael , Mahon James , Fuld Jonathan , Hex Nick
Published: December 2024

Objectives: Increasing uptake and completion of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in people with COPD has the potential to deliver health benefit and reduce health inequalities. We have quantified the cost-effectiveness of enhancing PR access and completion by reviewing the cost-effectiveness literature for PR in COPD. Methods: A literature review identified studies that provided cost-effectiveness evidence for PR compared to no PR. The key metrics of interest were healthcare resource use and cost savings, and quality adjusted life year (QALY) gains. Healthcare resource use data were valued using the UK NHS National Tariff 2022/23. From the literature search we identified the QALY gain resulting from completion of PR. The value of the QALY gain resulting from PR completion was calculated using the standard willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000 considered by the UK National Institute for Health and care Excellence (NICE). Results: We estimated a QALY gain resulting from completion of PR of 0.065 and value of the QALY gain was therefore calculated to be £1300 per person completing PR. We estimated the 12 month reduction in hospitalisation following completion of PR to be 8.2% giving a total cost reduction per patient of £245. We therefore calculated that up to £1545 could be spent per person with COPD to deliver PR cost-effectively. Conclusion: Our analysis provides commissioners with the information they need to make informed decisions about planning and provision of PR. The data allows estimation of additional resources that could be deployed in addressing inequitable access to PR among disadvantaged and underserved populations whilst retaining cost effectiveness of the intervention.
Composites techniques optimization and finite element analysis of kenaf fiber reinforced epoxy nonwoven composite structures for renewable energy infrastructure
Authors: Owen Macaulay M , Wong Leong Sing , Achukwu Emmanuel O , Romli Ahmad Zafir , Nazeri Muhammad Naufal , Shuib Solehuddin
Published: December 2024

In exploring the viability of kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy nonwoven composites (KFRECs) for renewable energy infrastructure, the optimization of their manufacturing techniques for maximum performance remains a significant research gap. This study addresses this challenge by investigating the optimization of nonwoven composites’ fabrication techniques to enhance their mechanical, thermal, and microstructural robustness. Thus, an innovative vacuum double-bagging technique was compared with single-bagging and hand lay-up methods aimed at evaluating their impact on tensile and flexural strength, hardness, impact, and thermal resistance. The obtained results indicate that the vacuum single-bagging method significantly improved tensile and impact strength by 16% and 38.5%, respectively, while the vacuum double-bagging offered the greatest improvements in flexural strength and hardness, with increases of 112.6% and 15.3%, respectively, compared to the hand lay-up technique. SEM analysis confirmed the vacuum processing techniques produced well-consolidated composite structures with uniform fiber distribution, complete wettability, a good fiber-matrix interface, and a reduced void content, leading to improved material properties. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations revealed a variation in tensile stress of approximately 22.4% and a close agreement with a minimal variation of 2.1% in flexural stress, further validating these optimized techniques. The results also correlate with enhanced thermal behavior and rigidity at elevated temperatures, with the vacuum double-bagging technique exhibiting the highest thermal stability for the demanding conditions of the energy infrastructure sector. The study concludes that the choice of fabrication technique is pivotal for advancing the design, properties and performance of KFRECs, for sustainable energy structures.
Scoping Review of Naturalistic Decision Making Studies Among Mental Health Professionals: Coverage of Characteristics and Contexts
Authors: Ahuna Jonathan K. , Becker Kimberly D.
Published: December 2024

The Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM) paradigm is an emerging shift in how researchers study decision making in complex, real-world situations and design decision supports. The purpose of this scoping review was to describe how the NDM paradigm was applied in studies of mental health professionals. Six bibliographic databases were searched to identify NDM studies. Each study was charted for study features, participant demographics, decision contexts, and the essential characteristics of NDM research. The search identified 26 studies published from 1989 to June 2023. Approximately 35% of studies were published in a peer-reviewed journal. Quantitative (30.8%), qualitative (34.6%), and mixed (34.6%) methods were utilized in similar percentages of studies, with social workers (61.5%) most frequently represented in these studies. Approximately 69% of studies examined assessment decisions (versus diagnosis or treatment) and roughly 96% of studies examined individuals (versus teams). Most studies explored professionals’ decision making process (73.1%) and how proficient decision makers utilized their experience to make decisions (38.5%). The NDM literature among mental health professionals is growing, with many opportunities to understand clinical decision making using well-established NDM concepts and methods. The review concludes with recommendations for both NDM and mental health services researchers.
Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRt) and Critical Race Theory (CRT): When Is CRt not CRT?
Authors: Roberts LaSonja , Wong Lok-Sze , Ebejer Mary
Published: December 2024

Florida’s Banyan School District attempts to implement culturally responsive teaching (CRt) in the midst of critical race theory (CRT) challenges. This case illustrates how negotiations among the superintendent and stakeholders are multifaceted and fraught with the dynamics of political pressures, funding issues, personal beliefs, professional goals, and students’ preferences. When given the opportunity to listen and respond to the requests of students of color and their families while implementing new state policies, what factors influence educators’ abilities to serve all stakeholders well? This case explores CRt and CRT as frames for educators to use as they reflect on personal and systemic beliefs and practices at their school site.
“Middle School Is Gonna Cost My Kid a Career in STEM”: Understanding the Implications of the Excellence Gap in K-12 Education
Authors: Stacy Jaime
Published: December 2024

Like other administrators serving low-socioeconomic areas and/or minoritized populations of students, Assistant Principal Mackenzie Riley is struggling to ensure systems are in place to ensure all students in their building, regardless of ability level, have access to high-quality instruction. This case examines how efforts to close the “Achievement Gap” in a suburban middle school are at the same time widening the “Excellence Gap” for some high-achieving students of color, and the events that take place when an angry parent calls administration out on the issue.
Integration of the 5A’s Framework in Research on Obesity and Weight Counseling: Systematic Review of Literature
Authors: Shieh Carol , Hardin Heather K. , Doerstler Mandelle Dreu , Jacobsen Anna Liss
Published: December 2024

The 5A’s Framework (Assess, Advise, Assist, Agree, and Arrange) has been recommended as a practice guide for obesity counseling. Its integration in research, however, is not well known. This systematic review was to find how the 5A’s Framework was integrated in research on obesity and weight counseling. Methods: A systematic search of four databases was conducted combining two concepts: “5 A’s Framework” and “obesity, body size, dieting/eating, exercise, weight loss.” Inclusion criteria were quantitative studies with the 5A’s Framework as a singular intervention or combined with others to influence patients’ healthy eating, physical activity, and weight outcomes or care providers’ counseling behaviors. Twenty-two studies were included in the final analysis. Results: Most studies were conducted in the primary care setting. The 5A’s Framework was (1) integrated in training interventions as formal medical curricular and on-the-job education workshops to influence obesity/weight counseling skills, (2) utilized to develop assessment tools to evaluate counseling behaviors, and (3) combined with behavior change strategies to impact the patient’s weight management behaviors and outcomes. Conclusion: The integration of the 5A’s Framework in obesity and weight counseling research is wide-ranging. The findings have implications for clinicians to use the framework to better obesity/weight counseling.
Topology synthesis based on FIS theory of double-layer parallel mechanism with all drives fixed
Authors: Qi Yang , Meng Zhiyong
Published: December 2024

The manipulation of large workpieces often requires manipulators with complex structures and high stiffness to ensure stability and precision during operation. In situ processing equipment is typically employed for this purpose, comprising a mobile carriage (CGA), mechanical arms, and parallel processing units. The end mechanism of in situ processing equipment must exhibit high rigidity and a wide range of motion in order to effectively satisfy the high-efficiency processing requirements of large and complex structural components. This paper presents a comprehensive process for the topology synthesis of double-layer parallel mechanisms and conducts research on its topology synthesis. Firstly, a comprehensive analysis is conducted on the number and types of degrees of freedom required for basic tasks such as stretching, derotating, twisting, and grasping. This results in the simplest mathematical expression for continuous motion corresponding to the processing tasks. Subsequently, the double-layer superimposition principle of the parallel mechanism is elucidated in accordance with the requirements of the processing tasks. Proposed are anticipated motion patterns and allocation methods. Furthermore, the standard chains are analyzed and characterized based on the desired motion patterns. Derived standard chains that satisfy the desired motion patterns are obtained through joint equivalent transformations. Finally, the assembly conditions are determined in order to obtain the various available configuration structures that satisfy the processing requirements. This study proposes a novel manipulator design that can precisely control the motion of the end platform using only one set of drives, significantly improving the stability and precision of large workpiece manipulation, a challenge that has not been fully addressed in the existing literature. This provides a robust theoretical foundation for the subsequent development of in situ processing equipment.
LiDAR Point Inpainting Model Using Smoothness Loss for SLAM in Dynamic Environments
Authors: Han Changwan , Winata I Made Putra Arya , Oh Junghyun
Published: December 2024

Since performing simultaneous localization and mapping in dynamic environments is a challenging problem, conventional approaches have used preprocessing to detect and then remove movable objects from images. However, those methods create many holes in the places, where the movable objects are located, reducing the reliability of the estimated pose. In this paper, we propose a model with detailed classification criteria for moving objects and point cloud restoration to handle hole generation and pose errors. Our model includes a moving object segmentation network and an inpainting network with a light detection and ranging sensor. By providing residual images to the segmentation network, the model can classify idle and moving objects. Moreover, we propose a smoothness loss to ensure that the inpainting result of the model naturally connects to the existing background. Our proposed model uses the movable object’s information in an idle state and the inpainted background to accurately estimate the sensor’s pose. To use a ground truth dataset for inpainting, we created a new dataset using the CARLA simulation environment. We use our virtual datasets and the KITTI dataset to verify our model’s performance. In a dynamic environment, our proposed model demonstrates a notable enhancement of approximately 24.7% in pose estimation performance compared to the previous method.
Can high-involvement management enhance teacher professionalism in China? A structural equation modeling analysis
Authors: Ma Lichao , Feng Xiaoxiao , Wang Chunxiao , Yao Hao
Published: December 2024

As a multifaceted concept, teacher professionalism lays particular emphasis on strong moral purposes and commitment to the teaching profession in the Chinese cultural context, compared with teacher agency, but it is not yet known whether it can be enhanced by high-involvement management in Chinese schools. By conducting a questionnaire survey of primary and secondary school teachers, this study used structural equation modeling to unpack the relationship between high-involvement management and teacher professionalism. The results showed that high-involvement management had a significant positive effect on career commitment and positive emotions of teachers, which both exerted the positive effects on professionalism. Career commitment and positive emotions play the single mediation and sequential mediation between high-involvement management and teacher professionalism. The high-involvement management model cannot directly facilitate professionalism, but only have an indirect positive impact through the full mediation of career commitment and positive emotions.
The experience of parents of children with intellectual disabilities/autism who experienced the Kahramanmaraş earthquake in Türkiye
Authors: ŞAHİN Candan Hasret , KAYA Ali
Published: December 2024

In the Kahramanmaraş earthquake on February 6, 2023, which was described as the most severe earthquake on land worldwide and the disaster of century, the loss of life and material losses reached serious levels. In this study, it was aimed to examine the experiences of 21 individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquake by interviewing their families regarding this process. Fifteen parents of one/more children diagnosed with intellectual disability/autism spectrum disorder participated in this study, which was conducted with a phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research designs. These themes are (a) the impact of the earthquake on the child with autism spectrum disorder/intellectual disability, (b) the impact of the earthquake on the parents, (c) difficulties experienced and (d) requirements. When the themes are examined, parents state that their children face serious physical, psychological and educational harm, their behavioral problems increase due to trauma they experience.
“It’s easy to be burned out in this line of work”: Experiences of burnout among Black women pelvic floor therapists in the United States
Authors: Thorpe Shemeka , Iyiewuare Praise , Duroseau Brenice , Malone Natalie , Palomino Kaylee A
Published: December 2024

Background:

Burnout disproportionately affects professionals who spend much of their time in direct patient care. The physical and emotional demands of pelvic floor therapists, coupled with identity-based stressors, may place Black women pelvic floor therapists at an increased risk for experiencing burnout.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of burnout among Black women pelvic floor therapists in the United States.

Design:

This is a short-form qualitative study with data collected from an online survey.

Methods:

We recruited Black women pelvic floor therapists from November 2023 to February 2024 to complete an online survey comprised of open-ended questions about their experiences of burnout. The coding team analyzed the short-form qualitative data using inductive structural tabular thematic analysis.

Results:

Of the 59 participants in the total sample, 37 reported experiencing professional burnout. Main themes were: (1) contributors to burnout, (2) signs of burnout, and (3) consequences of burnout. Notably, contributors to burnout were predominantly structural and included workplace factors, such as unrealistic productivity standards and experiences of discrimination and microaggressions. Signs of burnout were primarily emotional. Consequences of burnout included leaving the current work setting, a strong desire to transition to a different setting, or taking a break from the profession overall.

Conclusion:

This study revealed that it is not only the intensity of Black women pelvic floor therapists’ workload but also the nature of their tasks and the contexts within which they operate that contribute to burnout.
Flipped classroom approach for gymnastics learning in physical education: A quasi-experimental study
Authors: Ghorbel Ahmed , Trabelsi Omar , Yaakoubi Mohamed , Souissi Mohamed Abdelkader , Gharbi Adnene
Published: December 2024

The flipped classroom (FC), a blended learning approach where students engage with lesson content remotely before in-person class, is increasingly recommended in different educational settings. Advancing its integration within genuine physical education (PE) settings, this research explores the effects of an innovative FC model on the learning experiences of secondary school students in gymnastics. This study presents data from 42 students, aged 17.42 ± 0.80 years, divided quasi-randomly between 19 in the flipped classroom (FC) group and 23 in the traditional approach (TA) group. Data were collected before and after a six-week intervention, assessing motor learning through gymnastics floor routines, knowledge acquisition in gymnastics via a custom-designed written test, and both autonomous (AMI) and controlled motivation indexes (CMI) through the “Situational Motivation Scale” (SIMS). During the intervention, physical engagement was quantified through direct observation as the number of gymnastics skill repetitions per session. Results showed that the FC group significantly outperformed the TA group in motor learning and knowledge acquisition, with p < 0.001. The FC group also exhibited a significant increase in AMI ( p < 0.001) and a decrease in CMI ( p < 0.01), opposite to the TA group. With mean repetitions ranging from 41 to 47.67 compared to TA group's 21.17 to 25.83, the FC model significantly enhanced phsycial engagement in the FC group ( p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). This research underscores the efficacy of the suggested FC model in boosting motor, cognitive, and affective outcomes in gymnastics. Recommendations for optimal implementation are discussed.
Hard to swallow? A critical animal studies perspective on the discursive recontextualisation of the reality of dairy farming
Authors: Brookes Gavin , Chałupnik Małgorzata
Published: December 2024

This paper reports on a multimodal critical discourse analysis of the representations of social actors and processes involved in the production of dairy products. Focussing on the website of the UK’s largest dairy company, Arla Foods UK, the analysis interrogates both linguistic and visual choices in representing dairy farmers, dairy cows and the process of dairy farming itself. The analysis demonstrates how recurrent representations function to construct a decidedly favourable image of the dairy industry, which often diverges significantly from the more complex and less palatable realities of dairy production. In particular, the website evidences a range of discursive choices which serve to recontextualise dairy farming, including the anthropomorphising of cows, the portrayal of farms as bucolic idylls, and the omission of less favourable aspects of the process (e.g., its environmental impacts and animal welfare issues). These representational strategies are designed, we argue, to align consumer perceptions with a sanitised version of dairy production, facilitating continued consumption under the guise of ethical engagement. Viewed through the lens of Critical Animal Studies, the public discourse that emerges from the website is argued to be one which serves the ideological and commercial interests of dairy industry actors, by obscuring the intensive and industrial reality of modern dairy farming, all the while constructing an (idealised) image of sustainability and animal care.
The Feeling “Without Any Name”
Authors: Dror Otniel E.
Published: December 2024

In this commentary, I briefly present in chronological order several historical developments which can explain some of the confusions with respect to arousal that have become entrenched in the contemporary debate. These historical developments include: Immanuel Kant's eighteenth-century division of the affects into sthenic vs. asthenic; the emergence of modern conceptions of pleasure and displeasure in the West; the nineteenth-century alignment of pleasure and displeasure with “sthenic” and “asthenic” in psycho-physiology; the early-twentieth-century disruption of this nineteenth-century alignment; the establishment of a new-physiological order of emotions; and the emergence of “emotional excitement” as the new feeling of the new emotion order of physiology.
On the Nature of Nostalgia: A Psychological Perspective
Authors: Sedikides Constantine , Wildschut Tim
Published: December 2024

We raise issues about the philosophical claims made in this article regarding the nature of nostalgia. Drawing on psychological research, we contend that nostalgia is rooted in memory rather than time, is directed toward specific objects rather than being object-free, is predominantly positive rather than a form of mourning, and is focused on the past rather than the present or future.
Rubus ulmifolius schott: A comprehensive review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological effects
Authors: Mehiou Afaf , Alla Chaimae , Akissi Zachee L. E. , Lucau-Danila Anca , Bouanani Nourelhouda , Legssyer Abdelkhaleq , Hilbert Jean-Louis , Sahpaz Sevser , Ziyyat Abderrahim
Published: December 2024

Rubus ulmifolius Schott commonly known as wild blackberry, is a perennial shrub native to North Africa and Europe. It has been used for both medicinal and food purposes. Different parts of the plant have been used in herbal medicine for a long time to treat numerous diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, gastro-intestinal disorders, mouth ulcers, heart ailments, menstrual pain, hemorrhoids, tonsillitis, skin diseases, etc. Its fruits are consumed fresh or in jams, juices, and marmalades. The shoots are used in omelets and soups. The present review aims to summarize data on ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, botanical description, geographical distribution, and toxicity studies of Rubus ulmifolius over a period covering the last 23 years using online scientific databases such as Science direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed and Springer. Various studies have shown that Rubus ulmifolius possesses different biological activities in vitro and in vivo, including antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, anticoagulant, antiproliferative, antioxidant, wound healing, amoebicidal, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, antihyperglycemic, and antihyperlipidemic properties. Phytochemical studies of Rubus ulmifolius have revealed the presence of various constituents belonging to different classes, such as flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and phenolic acids. We hope that our review will serve as an important source of information that can trigger further scientific research on this species.
Exploring global trends in scientific research on Rubus glaucus Benth.: A comprehensive analysis integrating bibliometrics, LDA, and HJ-Biplot
Authors: Abril-Espin Edy , Montes-Escobar Karime , de la Hoz-M Javier , Garcés-Fiallos Felipe R. , Salas-Macias Carlos A.
Published: December 2024

Background

Rubus glaucus Benth, called Andean blackberry, is a species of significant economic and ecological importance. Despite its relevance, scientific research on this plant remains fragmented and scattered across disciplines.

Objective

This study aims to systematically assess the state of scientific knowledge on R. glaucus, identifying research trends, collaborations, and thematic evolutions within the global research community.

Methods

We employed a comprehensive bibliometric analysis integrated with Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and HJ-Biplot methodologies to analyze publications from Scopus and Web of Science databases.

Results

Our findings reveal a substantial increase in research interest from the 1990s, reaching a peak in the early 2010s before a recent decline. The study highlights significant contributions from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and Colombia, with notable international collaborations. Thematic analysis underscored the ecological role, nutritional benefits, and genetic improvement of R. glaucus as focal areas of research, pointing out gaps in pest management and sustainable cultivation practices.

Conclusions

This comprehensive bibliometric analysis offers valuable insights into the research landscape of R. glaucus, underscoring the need for focused research efforts on underexplored areas. The study lays the groundwork for future research directions, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration to leverage the plant's full potential for agricultural innovation.
Hydrogen-rich water treatment maintains the quality and prolongs the shelf-life of postharvest table grapes by regulating respiratory and energy metabolisms
Authors: Yu Peng , Zheng Fangying , Shi Qiaofang , Zhao Anqi , Peng Xingyuan , Zhang Lixiang , Yang Yingjun , Yu Yihe
Published: December 2024

Background

Table grapes suffer from a dramatic deterioration in quality, a reduction in shelf life and commercial value resulting from allivated postharvest respiratory metabolism and excessive energy consumption after harvest.

Objective

In this study, effects of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on berry quality, respiratory metabolism, and energy level were investigated by multi concentration gradient tests (0% (control), 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%).

Methods

To achieve this goal, by measuring fruit quality, respiratory metabolism, related enzyme activities, energy status, and other related indicators, to study its impact on postharvest fruit quality and further explore the mechanism of maintaining fruit quality after harvest.

Results

Compared to the control group, samples treated with HRW exhibited higher fruit firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), and titratable acids (TA), with the most prominent effect observed after treatment with 60% HRW. Compared with the control group, grapes treated with 60% HRW exhibited more effective regulation in the expression of GPI, AOX, SDH1, COX6a, G6DH, 6PGD, NADK, and AGPase gene, which helped maintain normal respiratory metabolism and energy levels in the fruit samples.

Conclusions

Our results showed that HRW treatment could potentially maintain the quality and prolong the shelf life of postharvest grapes by regulating gene expression and the activity of key enzymes involved in respiratory and energy metabolisms.
Multiple Central Nervous System Cryptococcomas Masquerading as Lymphoma
Authors: Ortiz Alexander V. , Mehta Dhruven , Horton Juli , Jarquin-Valdivia Adrian A.
Published: December 2024

Cryptococcal meningitis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. In over 90% of cases, it occurs at CD4 T lymphocyte (CD4) cell counts of less than 100 cells/mm3. Cryptococcomas are rare granulomatous lesions that can occur in disseminated central nervous system cryptococcal infection, primarily in immunocompetent hosts. Here we report a case of disseminated cryptococcal meningitis with numerous cryptococcomas mimicking metastases in a patient with HIV and a CD4 count of 115. The patient’s serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cryptococcal antigen, CSF cryptococcal polymerase chain reaction, and serum and CSF cryptococcal cultures were all negative. Brain biopsy pathology confirmed the diagnosis. In this paper, we highlight the importance of early cerebral biopsy in the diagnosis and management of cryptococcoma.
Relationship Between the Subchondral Trabecular Bone Microstructure in the Hip Joint and Pain in Patients with Hip Osteoarthritis
Authors: Kaneta Hiroki , Shoji Takeshi , Kato Yuichi , Shozen Hideki , Ueki Shinichi , Morita Hiroyuki , Kozuma Yosuke , Adachi Nobuo
Published: December 2024

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between clinical findings and the trabecular microstructure of the subchondral bone in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) due to developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) using multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT).

Design

A total of 63 patients (69 hips) with OA due to DDH were retrospectively reviewed, with 12 healthy controls being included for comparison. Clinical evaluation was performed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ). The trabecular bone microstructure was analyzed using MDCT. Regions of interest in the subchondral trabecular bones of the acetabulum and femoral head were defined in the coronal view, and various trabecular microstructural parameters were evaluated.

Results

Bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) exhibited a significant positive correlation with the OA stage, whereas trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) showed a negative correlation. In addition, BV/TV and Tb.Th were negatively correlated with the JHEQ total and pain scores, whereas Tb.Sp was positively correlated with the pain score in all regions.

Conclusions

This is the first study to evaluate the bone microstructure and its relationship with clinical findings in patients with hip OA due to DDH. Our findings suggest that as OA progresses, osteosclerotic changes increase in the acetabulum and femoral head; these changes are associated with worsening clinical symptoms, particularly pain. Targeting the subchondral bone may emerge as a novel treatment strategy for patients with OA due to DDH; nevertheless, further comprehensive studies are required.
Exploring the Efficacy of Joint Lavage in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Focus on Cytokines, Degrading Enzymes, and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Dinç Mustafa , Cevdet Soydemir Ömer
Published: December 2024

Purpose/Aim

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of joint lavage in managing knee osteoarthritis (OA) by evaluating its effect on pain relief, inflammatory markers, cartilage-degrading enzymes, and oxidative stress.

Methods

Seventy patients with Kellgren–Lawrence grade 2 or 3 knee OA were selected for this single-center study. Joint lavage was performed, and pain and function were measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores at baseline and 24 weeks postintervention. Synovial fluid samples were collected at baseline, before lavage, and 24 weeks postintervention. Samples were stored at −80°C and analyzed in batches to minimize variability. At the time of analysis, the samples were thawed and evaluated for levels of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI).

Results

Postintervention, VAS, and WOMAC scores significantly decreased ( P < 0.001), with 100% achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) rates varied: VAS (80%), WOMAC pain (50%), function (81.4%), and total (84.3%). Cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and MMP-3 significantly decreased ( P < 0.001), along with TOS and OSI. Baseline TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels were significantly correlated with improvements in VAS and WOMAC scores. Moderate correlations were observed between reductions in IL-6/TNF-α and improvements in VAS/WOMAC. No significant associations were found between confounders and outcomes.

Conclusions

Joint lavage resulted in marked pain relief and functional improvement while significantly reducing inflammatory markers, cartilage-degrading enzymes, and oxidative stress.
Women in newsroom-A study of selected prominent media organizations in Guwahati
Authors: Handique Rabha Florence , Chandra Nayak Suresh
Published: December 2024

Women journalists face many challenges in the field of media, and their jobs in newsrooms, their views on the media, and the nature of their work have all been studied for a long time by many scholars. Numerous studies have explored varied issues in the journalism profession, such as the underrepresentation of female journalists in newsrooms, gender discrimination, the glass ceiling, and the patriarchal structure of the industry, etc. Despite the established pattern of media ownership, women journalists have significantly impacted the media landscape. Their struggle to enter and establish themselves in journalism has been extended. Women formally entered the field in the 19th century in various countries, including Britain. During this era, newspapers recognized the importance of financial considerations and advertisements. As a result, they strategically decided to engage women to write women’s sections to appeal to female readers as potential shoppers. Historically, women journalists were predominantly restricted to writing for women’s sections and covering social issues, frequently focusing on light-hearted and humorous matters.
The Psychiatry Clerkship at Nassau University Medical Center: A Mentorship Model in the Post-COVID-19 Era
Authors: St. Victor Guitelle , Ajeti Albulena , Ahmed Saeed , Jain Lakshit , Sarfraz Zouina , Person Ulziibat
Published: December 2024

Background:

This study evaluated the impact of the mentorship model used in the psychiatry clerkship at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC), with a focus on its effectiveness in improving medical knowledge and professional development in psychiatry.

Methods:

This survey-based study at NUMC involved 16 attending psychiatrists and 13 past medical student mentees. Data were collected via electronic surveys from March to May 2022, examining effectiveness of mentorship and mentees’ experiences. Descriptive analyses were performed using R (v. 4.1.2).

Results:

The attendings were mostly in the 46 to 55 years age group (37.5%), and a gender distribution showing a slight majority of females (56.25%). Regarding the mentorship, 75% of attendings reported that mentoring was not time-consuming, and all of them found it beneficial. All mentees (100%) confirmed that the clerkship improved their understanding of psychiatric disorders and interviewing skills. A significant 69.2% of mentees believed the mentorship model should be an essential component of the Psychiatry Clerkship, and 92.3% did not find the management of psychiatric disorders overly challenging.

Conclusion:

NUMC’s Psychiatry Clerkship employs a strong mentorship model that markedly enhances medical education and prepares mentees effectively for psychiatric practice. Emphasizing empathy and interdisciplinary understanding, this model shows positive outcomes. Future research should include larger and more diverse cohorts to further substantiate and refine these mentorship practices in medical education.
Classical Ozaki Procedure in a Seven-Month-Old Infant
Authors: Chernogrivov Aleksei Ye. , Kim Aleksei I. , Cetta Frank , Rogova Tatyana V. , Nefedova Inessa Ye. , Chernogrivov Igor E. , Esayan Aleksandr A. , Dontsova Vera I. , Sarkisyan Alina S.
Published: December 2024

We present a case study of neotricuspidization of the aortic valve with neocusp suturing based on templates similar to those used in the Ozaki procedure but adapted for infants. This is an alternative for patients when valve reconstruction is impossible or risky. A good postoperative hemodynamic outcome was obtained, but it is necessary to evaluate this approach on the basis of long-term results.