bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical impairment characteristics and a novel constitutive model for rocks subjected to uniaxial loading process
Authors: Chen Kai , Cudmani Roberto , Pena Olarte Andres Alfonso
Published: March 2024

The study of constitutive relationship and damage degradation is crucial in solving the stability challenges faced in the rock engineering. In this work, the stress-strain relationships of different type of rocks subjected to uniaxial loading processes are investigated in details. Experimental results demonstrate measurements, such as uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), tangent deformation modulus, peak strain, and Poisson’s ratio ([Formula: see text]). A novel piecewise constitutive model is proposed that utilizes both a constitutive model during compaction and a conventional damage model using the strain equivalence assumption and logistic growth theory to represent the characteristics of stress-deformation curves during both compaction and post-compaction stages. The performance of the proposed constitutive models in capturing deformation characteristics of damaged rocks is demonstrated to be more outstanding in comparison to existing models. In all experimental cases discussed in this study, the proposed model outperforms existing reference models in terms of the coefficients of determination ([Formula: see text]), with the former having coefficients of determination greater than 0.95. Furthermore, physical meanings of relevant model parameters are found to be closely associated with properties of experimental stress-strain curves.
Differentiating on Diversity: How Disclosing Workforce Diversity Influences Consumer Choice
Authors: Balakrishnan Maya , Nam Jimin , Buell Ryan W.
Published: March 2024

Many companies are making efforts to diversify their workforces, motivated by documented operational performance benefits and increased pressure to “walk the talk” on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. One specific call to action from stakeholders is the public disclosure of intersectional diversity data in EEO-1s, which companies with 100+ employees must report each year to the federal government, but which companies rarely make publicly available. Conducting five online experiments to examine how consumers perceive transparency into an operation’s workforce diversity, we find no evidence that disclosing workforce diversity data undermines customer attitudes or behaviors toward the company, even when the disclosures reveal racial disparities across job categories. Instead, we find that consumers perceive firms that disclose their workforce diversity data to be more committed to DEI initiatives, view disclosing firms more positively, and are more likely to choose their offerings over those of non-disclosing firms. We find these attitudinal and behavioral differences to be especially pronounced when the disclosures reveal progress in diversification.
A Grassroots Alternative to Urban Shrinkage? A Comparative Analysis of Place Reputational Remaking in Buffalo and Cleveland
Authors: Hohle Randolph
Published: March 2024

This article explores how local actors in Buffalo and Cleveland mobilized through garden tourism as a form of alternative urbanism to rehabilitate heavily stigmatized places and remake their city's reputations. Buidling off the concepts of civic action and scene styles, I compare how grassroots actors in Buffalo mobilized through a symbolic purity scene style to deracialize urban stigmas to how grassroots actors in Cleveland mobilized through a diversity scene style to create an inclusive place reputation that addressed the city's internal racial and ethnic divsions. I found that in the process of rehabbing their communities, grassroots actors in both cities replaced racialized urban stigmas with a different form of Whiteness, and when residents and elites shared the same scene style, they were more likely to cooperate, which entrenched the garden tour with local elites and other organizations in the cultural tourism field. Cultural variables like a place's reputation matter in how and what kind of Rust Belt city will emerge from the era of urban shrinkage. Data for this article comes from 50 semistructured in-depth interviews, fieldwork, and archival data.
Burdens and trends of blindness and vision loss among those aged 55 years and older: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Zhao Congling , Ding Qiang , Yang Zhikuan
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To systematically analysis the burden and trends of blindness and vision loss for those aged ≥55 years from 1990 to 2019 and to predict trends over the next few years.

Methods

The data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019. Trends from 1990 to 2019 were calculated using average annual percentage change (AAPC) by joinpoint regression analysis. Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) models were used to predict future trends.

Results

In 2019, the global prevalence of blindness and vision loss was 471.1 million with 15.9 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for those aged ≥55 years. These numbers will reach 640.3 million cases and 18.9 million DALYs in 2030. The prevalence rate (per 100,000 population) increased from 32,137.8 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 26,307.9–39,246.3) in 1990 to 33,509 (95% UI, 27,435.5–40,996.2) in 2019, with an AAPC of 0.143 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.125–0.161; P < 0.001). The DALY rate (per 100,000 population) decreased from 632.9 (95% UI, 447.7–870.9) in 1990 to 579.3 (95% UI, 405.2–803.4) in 2019, with an AAPC of −0.293 (95% CI, −0.323–[-]0.263). Although the prevalence rates of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and near vision loss showed increasing trends from 1990 to 2019, the DALY rates indicated a downward trend for all blindness-causing diseases. The burden is heavier for women and in low Socio-demographic Index (SDI) regions.

Conclusions

Despite a decline from 2001 to 2019, the burden of blindness and vision loss, measured by prevalence and DALYs, continues to rise after adjusting for population growth and aging. Blindness and vision loss are significant public health burdens, especially for women and in low-SDI regions.
The next seven generations: at the heart of care alongside Mi’kmaw women
Authors: Hurley Erica Samms
Published: March 2024

The strawberry is connected to heart teachings for many Indigenous people. The strawberry plant produces beautiful things. However, when exploring the topic of Indigenous women and heart health, the focus of the conversation is most often around deficits. Indigenous women have diseases related to the heart at a higher proportion than both non-Indigenous women and Indigenous men. There is a lack of understanding specific nations’ relationships to heart, and there is little to no research available specific to Mi’kmaw (adjective for a Mi’kmaq (First Nations people, Atlantic provinces, Canada, who call themselves L’nu) person) women and heart health. The focus of this Mi’kmaq research, which aligned with community-based participatory research, was to explore and gain a better understanding of what heart means to Mi’kmaw women on the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Four Mi’kmaw women joined the research and shared their experiences to co-create knowledge about heart health. This knowledge in turn shaped my understanding of nursing practice.
Effect of Blue Agave (Agave tequilana Weber) Management on Soil Erosion
Authors: Guevara-Gutierrez Ruben Dario , Palomera-Garcia Carlos , Olguin-Lopez Jose Luis , Mancilla-Villa Oscar Raul , Rosales-Almendra Manuel Pio , Barreto-Garcia Oscar Arturo
Published: March 2024

The expansion of blue agave ( Agave tequilana Weber) plantations beyond the plant’s original distribution range in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, has caused a drastic change in land use and crop patterns, exerting pressure on natural resources. This study originated based on a request from landowners who leased their land to a tequila company to grow agave in the municipality of Autlán. Therefore, this study records the effect of crop management on the degradation of non-renewable soil and water resources in plots conventionally managed by the company compared to the one managed by a private owner The sampling unit was 2 m × 5 m runoff lots, with a repetition and a control lot (without vegetation cover) with a 6% slope. Sampling was carried out in the rainy season from July to October, 2020. The results showed different behavior between repetitions. Total sediment yield in the farmer’s plot was 9.260 t ha−1 and in its control 6.844 t ha−1 versus the company’s plot of 13.796 t ha−1 and its control 5.233 t ha−1. These values reflect an increase in soil loss by 26% and 62%, respectively, due to management effects. The difference between sites is due in part to the different rainfall intensities and distribution of recorded rainfall separates the two sites. Given these results, there is a lack of knowledge of the impact of crop management on soil degradation by companies and farmers who lease or plant blue agave, in addition to the absence of a sustainable project that considers the conservation of soil and water, based on agronomic and cultural measures before, during, and after the harvest season by the municipality and state authorities and the agave-tequila companies.
Bidirectional graphics-based digital twin framework for quantifying seismic damage of structures using deep learning networks
Authors: Zhai Guanghao , Xu Yongjia , Spencer Billie F.
Published: March 2024

Tremendous effort has been devoted toward developing automated post-earthquake inspection techniques, including automated image collection and damage identification. However, few studies have attempted to establish the complex relationship between visible damage and structural conditions. Moreover, the lack of training data further hinders the potential use of deep learning algorithms. This paper proposes a framework, termed Bidirectional Graphics-based Digital Twin (Bi-GBDT), that allows for assessment of the structural condition based on post-earthquake photographic surveys. The procedure contains two parts: (i) A GBDT of a target structure, containing a computer graphics model and a finite element (FE) model, is developed (ii) Synthetic data subsequently is generated from the GBDT to train neural networks to predict the damage measures and structural conditions. To demonstrate the proposed approach, a seismically-designed reinforced concrete shear wall is considered. First, the GBDT of the shear wall is constructed and calibrated so that the associated damage patterns simulated by the corresponding FE model match well with the experimental results. Next, synthetic images of the damage patterns are created from the validated GBDT, along with the corresponding structural damage measures, and used to train Residual Neural Network and Conditional Generative Adversarial Networks to determine the maximum drift, the stress/strain fields and the structural condition. The neural networks trained on synthetic data are shown to perform well for the experimental data, confirming the proposed approach. Subsequently, the neural networks are tested on the synthetic data for a wide variety of loading conditions to demonstrate the robustness of the approach. In addition, the realistic images rendered from the GBDT are utilized as input to predict the structural condition, showcasing the comprehensive Bi-GBDT framework. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach to generate accurate digital twins and point toward its future application for development of automated post-earthquake assessment strategies.
Investigating VET teachers’ experiences during and post COVID
Authors: Nakar Sonal , Trevarthen Rachel
Published: March 2024

Vocational education and training teachers play an integral role in ensuring students, both international and domestic, gain quality learning experiences and positive outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic caused rapid changes and abruptly shifted vocational education from face-to-face teaching to teaching at a distance. This study aims to investigate vocational education and training teachers’ experiences during and post COVID-19. A systematic review and analysis of 26 publications, published between 2019 and 2022 in English-language peer-reviewed journals, revealed areas that were underexamined and warranted deeper exploration, including the impacts on pedagogy and recognition of the precarity under which many vocational teachers work. Such challenges impact students and teachers economically and mentally. Investigation of teacher experiences can aid management and policymakers to respond to the uncertainties of the post-pandemic world as it provides us with critical moments to rethink the management of professional development and support for teachers to be able to provide equitable opportunities to students’ differentiated needs.
A Common Good-Based Justification for Non-Compliance with the Political Obligation of Homeland Defence
Authors: Sekerák Marián
Published: March 2024

Non-compliance with compulsory military service as a form of homeland defence (i.e. conscription) is typically justified by various types of conscientious objections. However, in this article, I offer an alternative type of justification that is based on the common good. To achieve this, I present the concept of the common good and its relationship to the political obligation of homeland defence from the perspective of different traditions of political thought. Subsequently, I outline two types of exceptions to this political obligation: the liberal type of exceptions and the membership-based ones.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Litigation in Organ Transplantation for Allegations of Insufficient Policy Coverage, Discrimination and Malpractice
Authors: Mago Jacob , Tandon Mihir , Koizumi Naoru , Firlie Marissa , Fang Lauren , Serpico Scott , Ortiz Alejandro Chiodo , Inoue Megumi , Baxter Patrick Raymond , Yu Yang , John Monique , Abbas Kassem-Ali Jihad , Dinka Liban , Ekwenna Obi , Li Meng-Hao , Ortiz Jorge
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Transplantation is a field with unique medical and administrative challenges that involve an equally diverse array of stakeholders. Expectantly, the litigation stemming from this field should be similarly nuanced. There is a paucity of comprehensive reviews characterizing this medicolegal landscape. Design: The Caselaw Access Project Database was used to collect official court briefs of 2053 lawsuits related to kidney, liver, heart, lung, and pancreas transplantation. A thematic analysis was undertaken to characterize grounds for litigation, defendant type, and outcomes. Cases were grouped into policy, discrimination, poor or unsuccessful outcome, or other categories. Results: One hundred sixty-four court cases were included for analysis. Cases involving disputes over policy coverage were the most common across all organ types (N = 55, 33.5%). This was followed by poor outcomes (N = 51, 31.1%), allegations of discrimination against prison systems and employers (N = 37, 22.6%) and other (N = 21, 12.8%). Defendants involved in discrimination trials won with the greatest frequency (N = 29, 90.62%). Defendants implicated in policy suits won 65.3% (N = 32), poor outcomes 62.2% (N = 28), and other 70% (N = 14). Of the 51 cases involving poor outcomes, plaintiffs indicated lack of informed consent in 23 (45.1%). Conclusion: Reconsidering the informed consent process may be a viable means of mitigating future legal action. Most discrimination suits favoring defendants suggested previous concerns of structural injustices in transplantation may not be founded. The prevalence of policy-related cases could be an indication of financial burden on patients. Future work and advocacy will need to substantiate these concerns and address change where legal recourse falls short.
Closing ranks: Leadership and the mundanization of the extraordinary in military history
Authors: Grint Keith
Published: March 2024

Using examples from military history, this paper takes Alvesson and Sveningsson’s ‘Extraordinarizaton of the Mundane’ article and inverts it. They suggested that what counted as ‘leadership’ was not the acts of formal leaders but the interpretive work of subordinates, who rendered mundane actions by leaders – such as chatting to employees – as extraordinary. Here, I suggest that the reverse process also occurs – the mundanization of the extraordinary. In this case subaltern groups are given mundane tasks to inhibit their achievement of extraordinary tasks, or, when extraordinary tasks are achieved, those same tasks are rendered mundane by their superordinates and thus devalued. Even when successful challenges to this hierarchy of value are made the superordinate culture tends to close ranks against the upstarts and reaffirm the status quo ante, or simply deny the possibility of subaltern groups achieving something so extraordinary.
The experience of women researchers during the Covid-19 pandemic: a scoping review
Authors: Inguaggiato Giulia , Pallise Perello Claudia , Verdonk Petra , Schoonmade Linda , Andanda Pamela , van den Hoven Mariette , Evans Natalie
Published: March 2024

Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic globally disrupted lives and contributed to the exacerbation of pre-existing inequalities. Women in research were also affected. The prominent role that women played in professional and personal care duties had a detrimental effect on their research outputs, potentially hindering their career progression. Moreover, the challenges faced by women academics during the pandemic, including job loss, increased mental health issues, and the intersection of gender with other socio-demographic traits exacerbated existing gender disparities within academia. By systematically scoping the qualitative literature on the experiences of women researchers during the pandemic, this study sought to explore how women experienced and reacted to the challenges generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative meta synthesis of the included studies revealed three themes: gendered professional expectations, colliding identities and coping strategies. These themes show how gendered roles such as teaching and professional care work, associated with the hierarchical and gendered division of tasks both at home and in the workplace, made women feel unsupported and alienated as relevant agents in the academic context. The study reveals the importance of pastoral care, teaching and service work as the essential backbone of the academic infrastructure, especially in times of crises. It also exposes how productivity-focused researcher assessment criteria, rewarding mainly individual results and unrewarding of care and service work, can be viewed as perpetuating structural inequalities based on gender, parenting situations, contractual situations and background. In conclusion, this study exposes the need to proactively address the gendered practices and implicit biases which reproduce inequalities within academia and highlights how paying attention to the experiences and needs of women researchers is essential for improving the resilience and crises preparedness of academic the system.
Targeted augmented reality-guided transperineal prostate biopsies study: initial experience
Authors: Theivendrampillai Shenthiuiyan , Yang Bob , Little Mark , Blick Christopher
Published: March 2024

Background:

Transperineal biopsy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected prostate lesions is now the established technique used in prostate cancer (CaP) diagnostics. Virtual Surgery Intelligence (VSI) Holomedicine by Apoqlar (Hamburg, Germany) is a mixed reality (MR)/augmented reality (AR) software platform that runs on the HoloLens II system (Microsoft, Redford, USA). Multiparametric prostate MRI images were converted into 3D holograms and added into a MR space, enabling visualization of a 3D hologram and image-assisted prostate biopsy.

Objective:

The Targeted Augmented Reality-GuidEd Transperineal (TARGET) study investigated the feasibility of performing AR-guided prostate biopsies in a MR framework, using the VSI platform in patients with MRI-detected prostate lesions.

Methods:

Ten patients with a clinical suspicion of CaP on MRI (Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System, PI-RADS 4/5) were uploaded to the VSI HoloLens system. Two MR/AR-guided prostate biopsies were then acquired using the PrecisionPoint Freehand transperineal biopsy system. Cognitive fusion biopsies were performed as standard of care following the MR/AR-guided prostate biopsies.

Results:

All 10 patients successfully underwent MR/AR-guided prostate biopsy after 3D MR images were overlaid on the patient’s body. Prostatic tissue was obtained in all MR/AR-guided specimens. Seven patients (70%) had matching histology in both the standard and MR/AR-guided biopsies. The remaining three had ISUP (International Society of Urological Pathology) Grade 2 CaP. There were no immediate complications.

Conclusion:

We believe this is a world first. The initial feasibility data from the TARGET study demonstrated that an MR/AR-guided prostate biopsy utilizing the VSI Holomedicine system is a viable option in CaP diagnostics. The next stage in development is to combine AR images with real-time needle insertion and to provide further data to formally appraise the sensitivity and specificity of the technique.
Why America is Downloading the News: A Study on Daily News Podcasts and Why U.S. Audiences Listen
Authors: Whittle Chad
Published: March 2024

Daily news podcasts continue to grow as a source of news and information for media consumers as more are seeking to consume news on digital platforms. However, studies on news podcasting are still a new area of research. This study expands a preliminary study to a broader, more national U.S. audience. The current research used an online survey to gather data and provides a broader demographic sample size with various participants across the United States. In addition, this study used the uses and gratifications approach to provide a more thorough analysis of why U.S. listeners choose to listen to daily news podcasts and what gratifications consumers receive. This study also provides new data on whether listeners consume a variety of news podcasts with differing political viewpoints and which medium podcast listeners consider the most trustworthy for news.
Novel Automated Self-adjusting Subcutaneous Insulin Algorithm Improves Glycemic Control and Physician Efficiency in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Mehta Paras B. , Kohn Michael A. , Rov-Ikpah Esther , San Luis Craig , Johnson Craig , Lee Gwendolyn , Koliwad Suneil , Rushakoff Robert J.
Published: March 2024

Background:

Hyperglycemia occurs in 22% to 46% of hospitalized patients, negatively affecting patient outcomes, including mortality, inpatient complications, length of stay, and hospital costs. Achieving inpatient glycemic control is challenging due to inconsistent caloric intake, changes from home medications, a catabolic state in the setting of acute illness, consequences of acute inflammation, intercurrent infection, and limitations in labor-intensive glucose monitoring and insulin administration.

Method:

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis at the University of California San Francisco hospitals between September 3, 2020 and September 2, 2021, comparing point-of-care glucose measurements in patients on nil per os (NPO), continuous total parenteral nutrition, or continuous tube feeding assigned to our novel automated self-adjusting subcutaneous insulin algorithm (SQIA) or conventional, physician-driven insulin dosing. We also evaluated physician efficiency by tracking the number of insulin orders placed or modified.

Results:

The proportion of glucose in range (70-180 mg/dL) was higher in the SQIA group than in the conventional group (71.0% vs 69.0%, P = .153). The SQIA led to a lower proportion of severe hyperglycemia (>250 mg/dL; 5.8% vs 7.2%, P = .017), hypoglycemia (54-69 mg/dL; 0.8% vs 1.2%, P = .029), and severe hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dL; 0.3% vs 0.5%, P = .076) events. The number of orders a physician had to place while a patient was on the SQIA was reduced by a factor of more than 12, when compared with while a patient was on conventional insulin dosing.

Conclusions:

The SQIA reduced severe hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and severe hypoglycemia compared with conventional insulin dosing. It also improved physician efficiency by reducing the number of order modifications a physician had to place.
Factors Affecting Reproducibility of Change in Glucose During Exercise: Results From the Type 1 Diabetes and EXercise Initiative
Authors: Li Zoey , Calhoun Peter , Rickels Michael R. , Gal Robin L. , Beck Roy W. , Jacobs Peter G. , Clements Mark A. , Patton Susana R. , Castle Jessica R. , Martin Corby K. , Gillingham Melanie B. , Doyle Francis J. , Riddell Michael C.
Published: March 2024

Aims:

To evaluate factors affecting within-participant reproducibility in glycemic response to different forms of exercise.

Methods:

Structured exercise sessions ~30 minutes in length from the Type 1 Diabetes Exercise Initiative (T1DEXI) study were used to assess within-participant glycemic variability during and after exercise. The effect of several pre-exercise factors on the within-participant glycemic variability was evaluated.

Results:

Data from 476 adults with type 1 diabetes were analyzed. A participant’s change in glucose during exercise was reproducible within 15 mg/dL of the participant’s other exercise sessions only 32% of the time. Participants who exercised with lower and more consistent glucose level, insulin on board (IOB), and carbohydrate intake at exercise start had less variability in glycemic change during exercise. Participants with lower mean glucose ( P < .001), lower glucose coefficient of variation (CV) ( P < .001), and lower % time <70 mg/dL ( P = .005) on sedentary days had less variable 24-hour post-exercise mean glucose.

Conclusions:

Reproducibility of change in glucose during exercise was low in this cohort of adults with T1D, but more consistency in pre-exercise glucose levels, IOB, and carbohydrates may increase this reproducibility. Mean glucose variability in the 24 hours after exercise is influenced more by the participant’s overall glycemic control than other modifiable factors.
Perceptions of Learners and Specialists Toward ECHO Palliative Care Project in Thailand
Authors: Buawangpong Nida , Chutarattanakul Lalita , Dejkriengkraikul Nisachol , Chumintrachark Alicha , Ratanasiri Thawalrat , Pinyopornpanish Kanokporn , Nantsupawat Nopakoon , Angkurawaranon Chaisiri , Jiraporncharoen Wichuda
Published: March 2024

Introduction:

The Extension of Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) is a global movement that aims to decentralize the knowledge of specialists to primary care. A pilot, ECHO palliative care project in Thailand, was introduced to enhance the implementation of palliative care practice.

Objective:

To assess learners’ and palliative care specialists’ perceptions toward the ECHO palliative care project to improve and expand the project in the future.

Setting:

A total of 15 hospitals in 7 provinces in Northern Thailand, including provincial and district hospitals.

Methods:

A qualitative study was conducted among learners (primary care providers) and palliative care specialists who participated in the pilot program. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore the potential impact of the project on clinical practice, the strengths and weaknesses of the ECHO program and platform in the Thai context, and suggestions for expansion. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative analysis. Pre- and post-confidence scores, using a 5-point Likert Scale, for palliative care practice among learners were analyzed using paired T-tests.

Results:

Twenty participants were interviewed: 15 learners and 5 palliative care specialists. The confidence in practicing palliative care after participating in the ECHO palliative care project significantly increased for the learners, from 2.93 (95% CI, 2.49-3.38) to 3.93 (95% CI, 3.68-4.19) points ( P = .003). Three themes emerged through the process evaluation of the pilot ECHO palliative care project: (1) applicable lessons that can translate to practice, (2) an effective learning program and assessable platform, and (3) suggestions for expansion.

Conclusion:

The ECHO palliative care project increased confidence in providing palliative care for primary care providers in Thailand. Through capacity building, participants reported applying the knowledge to improve local health services and develop a network for consultations and referrals. There is potential for expansion of the ECHO palliative care project in Thailand.
Does Patient Blood Management Affect Outcomes in Metastatic Spine Tumour Surgery? A Review of Current Concepts
Authors: Kumar Naresh , Lee Eunice Xin Yi , Hui Si Jian , Kumar Laranya , Jonathan Tan Jiong Hao , Ashokka Balakrishnan
Published: March 2024

Study Design

Narrative review.

Objective

The spine is the most common site of metastases, associated with decreased quality of life. Increase in metastatic spine tumour surgery (MSTS) has caused us to focus on the management of blood, as blood loss is a significant morbidity in these patients. However, blood transfusion is also not without its own risks, and hence this led to blood conservation strategies and implementation of a concept of patient blood management (PBM) in clinical practise focusing on these patients.

Methods

A narrative review was conducted and all studies that were related to blood management in metastatic spine disease as well as PBM surrounding this condition were included.

Results

A total of 64 studies were included in this review. We discussed a new concept of patient blood management in patients undergoing MSTS, with stratification to pre-operative and intra-operative factors, as well as anaesthesia and surgical considerations. The studies show that PBM and reduction in blood transfusion allows for reduced readmission rates, lower risks associated with blood transfusion, and lower morbidity for patients undergoing MSTS.

Conclusion

Through this review, we highlight various pre-operative and intra-operative methods in the surgical and anaesthesia domains that can help with PBM. It is an important concept with the significant amount of blood loss expected from MSTS.

Level of Evidence

Not applicable.
Middle-Range Theory of Occupational Stress in Health Professionals
Authors: Almino Romanniny Hévillyn Silva Costa , Pereira da Silva Ana Beatriz , Dantas Anna Lívia de Medeiros , Menezes Harlon França de , da Costa Prado Nanete Caroline , Stefany da Costa Santos Rebecca , Manso Roberta Keile Gomes de Sousa , Targino Ferreira Thais , Silva Richardson Augusto Rosendo da
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Occupational stress affects health professionals; however, no literature was found on the middle-range theory for this outcome in health professionals.

Methods

Methodological study for the theoretical validation of a nursing diagnosis using the theoretical framework of Walker and Avant and the Betty Neuman systems models. The research was conducted in five stages: comprehension of the system model; selection and review of studies; development of the conceptual–theoretical–empirical structure; elaboration of a diagram and proposition of a nursing diagnosis; and evaluation of the empirical adequacy of the theory and validity of the system model. These steps were conducted using a scoping review and a sample of 138 articles selected in the Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, LILACS, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. A data extraction instrument was developed, and study variables (attributes, antecedents, and clinical consequences) were analyzed using descriptive statistics (absolute and relative frequencies) and presented in tables.

Results

The middle-range theory comprised 16 concepts, 20 propositions, and one diagram. A total of 15 related factors, 29 defining characteristics, six at-risk populations, and one associated condition were indicated to propose the nursing diagnosis for occupational stress.

Conclusion

The middle-range theory supported elaborating elements to propose a nursing diagnosis for occupational stress.
Interpretive Methods as Policy Tools: The COVID-19 Migration Crisis in India and the Case for Policy Innovation
Authors: Srinivasan Aditya
Published: March 2024

Attempts to quantify and measure migration in India have proved inadequate as far as policy change is concerned. The Census of India 2011 and the National Sample Surveys (particularly the 64th Round conducted between 2007 and 2008), while useful, are too infrequent and temporally limited to offer insights into real-time movements and seasonal migration. On the other hand, even when data is available, it can be difficult to use it to understand future patterns and reactions to policy changes, as the COVID-19 pandemic-induced crisis showed. It was not just the number of migrants residing in major cities that was unanticipated. The government and local authorities also failed to anticipate the impetus for migrant labourers to move back to their hometowns once their revenue streams were cut off. This suggests that the government had not considered the subjective, emotional concerns that migrants had about their well-being, and consequently failed to predict how they would react. This article argues that a paradigm shift towards a deeper, more wide-ranging use of qualitative-interpretive methods is in order if we are to obtain a fuller picture of migrant needs and actions. This qualitative data may then be used in tandem with surveys, enumerations and quantitative studies to predict both the quantum and the direction of migrant movements, actions and reactions. These methods are, therefore, not just supplementary, but critical policy tools in themselves, allowing policymakers to craft interventions and responses that account for the subjective considerations surrounding migrant mobility.
Medical Nutrition Therapy, In-Person, or Telephone Group Lifestyle Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes? A Qualitative Study of Patient Perceptions and Treatment Preferences
Authors: McCarthy Jeanna , Psaros Christina , Wexler Deborah J. , Delahanty Linda M.
Published: March 2024

Purpose:

The purpose of the study was to explore the thoughts, feelings, motivations, and assignment preferences of community health center patients with type 2 diabetes considering participation in a 2-year lifestyle intervention trial aimed at weight loss and increased physical activity. The reasons for patients’ delivery mode preferences were also explored to aid in the design of future interventions for controlled trials.

Methods:

Using structured telephone interview guides, 57 patients with type 2 diabetes receiving primary care at 3 community health centers affiliated with an academic medical center were interviewed regarding the perceived pros and cons of each of the 3 possible treatment assignments: telephone conference group, in-person group, or individual medical nutrition therapy. The interview data were organized using NVIVO and analyzed using content analysis. Findings on whether preferences varied by age, gender, or diabetes duration were also examined.

Results:

Six categories related to patient treatment preferences were identified: (1) perception of time, (2) learning style, (3) comfort, (4) prior experience with weight loss programs and conference calls, (5) desire for support/idea exchange, and (6) accountability. Preferences did not seem to vary by age, gender, or diabetes duration.

Conclusions:

Key factors influencing preference of treatment assignment included schedule demands, belief about learning style, and past experiences. These findings demonstrate the importance of having a variety of nutrition and lifestyle treatment options available to meet the needs of people with type 2 diabetes.
Transitioning From an In-Person Intervention to Augmented Text Messaging During COVID-19 in Mexican Americans With Prediabetes: The Starr County Diabetes Prevention Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Brown Sharon A. , Winter Mary A. , Becker Heather A. , García Alexandra A. , Velasquez Mary M. , Tanaka Hirofumi , Perkison William B. , Brown Eric L. , Aguilar David , Hanis Craig L.
Published: March 2024

Purpose:

The purpose of the study was to explore the feasibility of using commonly available technology, such as text messaging, for diabetes prevention in rural Mexican American communities during COVID-19.

Methods:

Participants were selected from a diabetes prevention study funded by the National Institutes of Health that, prior to COVID-19, involved in-person group intervention sessions. Participants were predominantly female adults born in Mexico and Spanish-speaking. A subsample (n = 140) was divided into 3 cohorts: (1) 50 who completed the initial in-person intervention prior to the COVID-19 research pause, (2) 60 who needed additional support sessions to complete the intervention and thus received 10 text messages with links to relevant online diabetes prevention videos (TM+), and (3) 30 who received enhanced usual care involving health guidance offered during data collection (control). Repeated measures analysis of covariance was used to evaluate cohort differences at 24 months post baseline.

Results:

No significant cohort differences were found for depression, eating self-efficacy, alcohol intake, fat avoidance, or sedentary behaviors. Differences in A1C showed both in-person and TM+ cohorts having lower mean A1C levels (5.5%) than the control cohort (5.7%). The TM+ cohort had lower body mass index than other cohorts and a lower diabetes conversion rate (22.2%) compared to the control cohort (28%). Participants indicated preferences for in-person/TM+ combination interventions. The strongest positive feedback was for the TM+ intervention cooking demonstration videos.

Conclusions:

Augmented text messaging combined with in-person sessions had similar outcomes to the all in-person strategy and thus has the potential for expanding the reach of diabetes prevention to many Mexican American communities.
“You’re so Brave”: Unpacking Fatphobic (Micro)Aggressions with “Body-Positive” Influencers and Activists
Authors: Chen Yea-Wen , Kalaydjian Victoria , Dwyer Alyssa
Published: March 2024

Research on microaggressions has grown, especially race-, gender-, and sexuality-based microaggressions. This study examines how #BodyPositive influencers and activists navigate anti-fat or fatphobic microaggressions in ways that impact them, their activism, and their relationships. We interviewed nineteen self-identified women and non-binary influencers and activists with a minimum of 5000 followers to unpack explicit and subtle forms of fatphobic microaggressions. Following analytical steps of thematic analysis, we identify three interrelated themes: (a) becoming accidental #BodyPostive influencers and activists online and offline; (b) naming “healthy = thin = moral” fatphobic (micro)aggressions; and (c) navigating (micro)aggressions from hate to “ you’re so brave”. We conclude with urging social media platforms to establish rules and guidelines for handling (micro)aggressions, including resources to support influencers.
Perception and Correlates of Opioid Overdose Risk Among Overdose Survivors Who Use Nonprescribed Opioids in San Francisco and Boston
Authors: Chang Yi-Shin Grace , McMahan Vanessa M. , Marti Xochitl Luna , Pope Emily , Wolfe Shae , Majeski Adam , Reed Gabriela , Walley Alexander Y. , Coffin Phillip O.
Published: March 2024

Background:

Understanding opioid overdose risk perception may inform overdose prevention strategies.

Methods:

We used baseline data from a randomized overdose prevention trial, in San Francisco, CA, and Boston, MA, among people who used nonprescribed opioids, survived an overdose in the past 3 years, and had received naloxone. Participants were asked how likely they were to overdose in the next 4 months. We combined “extremely likely” and “likely” (higher risk perception) and “neutral,” “unlikely,” and “extremely unlikely” (lower risk perception). We performed bivariate analyses and separate multivariable logistic regression models of risk perception across (1) sociodemographic, (2) substance use, and (3) overdose risk behavior measures. Covariates were selected a priori or significant in bivariate analyses.

Results:

Among 268 participants, 88% reported at least 1 overdose risk behavior; however, only 21% reported higher risk perception. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of higher risk perception was 2.41 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-5.30) among those unhoused in the past 4 months, 2.06 (95% CI: 1.05-4.05) among those using opioids in a new place, and 5.61 (95% CI: 2.82-11.16) among those who had overdosed in the past 4 months. Living in Boston was associated with higher risk perception in all 3 models (AOR = 2.00-2.46, 95% CI: 1.04-4.88).

Conclusions:

Despite prevalent risk behaviors, a minority of participants perceived themselves to be at higher risk of overdose. Nonetheless, some known risk factors for overdose were appropriately associated with risk perception. Fentanyl has been prevalent in Boston for longer than San Francisco, which may explain the higher risk perception there.
C-terminal binding protein 2 is a novel tumor suppressor targeting the MYC-IRF4 axis in multiple myeloma
Authors: Cheung Coty Hing Yau , Cheng Chi Keung , Leung Kam Tong , Zhang Chi , Ho Chi Yan , Luo Xi , Kam Angel Yuet Fong , Xia Tian , Wan Thomas Shek Kong , Pitts Herbert Augustus , Chan Natalie Pui Ha , Cheung Joyce Sin , Wong Raymond Siu Ming , Zhang Xiao-Bing , Ng Margaret Heung Ling
Published: March 2024

Multiple myeloma (MM) cells are addicted to MYC and its direct transactivation targets IRF4 for proliferation and survival. MYC and IRF4 are still considered “undruggable,” as most small-molecule inhibitors suffer from low potency, suboptimal pharmacokinetic properties, and undesirable off-target effects. Indirect inhibition of MYC/IRF4 emerges as a therapeutic vulnerability in MM. Here, we uncovered an unappreciated tumor-suppressive role of C-terminal binding protein 2 (CTBP2) in MM via strong inhibition of the MYC-IRF4 axis. In contrast to epithelial cancers, CTBP2 is frequently downregulated in MM, in association with shortened survival, hyperproliferative features, and adverse clinical outcomes. Restoration of CTBP2 exhibited potent antitumor effects against MM in vitro and in vivo, with marked repression of the MYC-IRF4 network genes. Mechanistically, CTBP2 impeded the transcription of MYC and IRF4 by histone H3 lysine 27 deacetylation (H3K27ac) and indirectly via activation of the MYC repressor IFIT3. In addition, activation of the interferon gene signature by CTBP2 suggested its concomitant immunomodulatory role in MM. Epigenetic studies have revealed the contribution of polycomb-mediated silencing and DNA methylation to CTBP2 inactivation in MM. Notably, inhibitors of Enhance of zeste homolog 2, histone deacetylase, and DNA methyltransferase, currently under evaluation in clinical trials, were effective in restoring CTBP2 expression in MM. Our findings indicated that the loss of CTBP2 plays an essential role in myelomagenesis and deciphers an additional mechanistic link to MYC-IRF4 dysregulation in MM. We envision that the identification of novel critical regulators will facilitate the development of selective and effective approaches for treating this MYC/IRF4-addicted malignancy.
Gene expression of Pocillopora damicornis coral larvae in response to acidification and ocean warming
Authors: Sun Youfang , Lan Yi , Rädecker Nils , Sheng Huaxia , Diaz-Pulido Guillermo , Qian Pei-Yuan , Huang Hui
Published: March 2024

Objectives

The endosymbiosis with Symbiodiniaceae is key to the ecological success of reef-building corals. However, climate change is threatening to destabilize this symbiosis on a global scale. Most studies looking into the response of corals to heat stress and ocean acidification focus on coral colonies. As such, our knowledge of symbiotic interactions and stress response in other stages of the coral lifecycle remains limited. Establishing transcriptomic resources for coral larvae under stress can thus provide a foundation for understanding the genomic basis of symbiosis, and its susceptibility to climate change. Here, we present a gene expression dataset generated from larvae of the coral Pocillopora damicornis in response to exposure to acidification and elevated temperature conditions below the bleaching threshold of the symbiosis.

Data description

This dataset is comprised of 16 samples (30 larvae per sample) collected from four treatments (Control, High pCO2, High Temperature, and Combined pCO2 and Temperature treatments). Freshly collected larvae were exposed to treatment conditions for five days, providing valuable insights into gene expression in this vulnerable stage of the lifecycle. In combination with previously published datasets, this transcriptomic resource will facilitate the in-depth investigation of the effects of ocean acidification and elevated temperature on coral larvae and its implication for symbiosis.
Unveiling biological activities of biosynthesized starch/silver-selenium nanocomposite using Cladosporium cladosporioides CBS 174.62
Authors: Elkady Fathy M. , Hashem Amr H. , Salem Salem S. , El-Sayyad Gharieb S. , Tawab Ahmed Abdel , Alkherkhisy Mohammad M. , Abdulrahman Mohammed S.
Published: March 2024

Background and objectives

Microbial cells capability to tolerate the effect of various antimicrobial classes represent a major worldwide health concern. The flexible and multi-components nanocomposites have enhanced physicochemical characters with several improved properties. Thus, different biological activities of biosynthesized starch/silver-selenium nanocomposite (St/Ag-Se NC) were assessed.

Methodology

The St/Ag-Se NC was biosynthesized using Cladosporium cladosporioides CBS 174.62 (C. cladosporioides) strain. The shape and average particle size were investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), respectively. On the other hand, the St/Ag-Se NC effect on two cancer cell lines and red blood cells (RBCs) was evaluated and its hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging effect was assessed. Moreover, its effects on various microbial species in both planktonic and biofilm growth forms were examined.

Results

The St/Ag-Se NC was successfully biosynthesized with oval and spherical shape and a mean particle diameter of 67.87 nm as confirmed by the HR-TEM analysis. St/Ag-Se NC showed promising anticancer activity toward human colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines where IC50 were 21.37 and 19.98 µg/ml, respectively. Similarly, little effect on RBCs was observed with low nanocomposite concentration. As well, the highest nanocomposite H2O2 scavenging activity (42.84%) was recorded at a concentration of 2 mg/ml. Additionally, Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) ATCC 12,228 and Candida albicans (C. albicans) ATCC 10,231 were the highly affected bacterial and fungal strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 18.75 and 50 µg/ml, respectively. Moreover, the noticeable effect of St/Ag-Se NC on microbial biofilm was concentration dependent. A high biofilm suppression percentage, 87.5% and 68.05%, were recorded with S. epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) when exposed to 1 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml, respectively.

Conclusion

The biosynthesized St/Ag-Se NC showed excellent antioxidant activity, haemocompatibility, and anti-proliferative effect at low concentrations. Also, it exhibited promising antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities.