bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum Creatinine and Amylase in Drain to Predict Pancreatic Fistula Risk after Pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Song Yunda , Zhang Subo
Published: October 2023

Introduction: The identification of patients with low risk of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) and postoperative hemorrhage (PPH) can guide drain removal after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). However, drain fluid amylase (DFA) ≤5,000 U/L on postoperative day (POD) 1 does not robustly predict the absence of CR-POPF. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing PD at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between July 2018 and October 2021 were analyzed. Recursive partitioning analysis was used to classify patients into groups with different risks of CR-POPF and PPH. Results: Among 288 consecutive patients included, 99 patients (34.38%) developed CR-POPF (86 grade B and 13 grade C). Patients with CR-POPF had increased levels of preoperative creatinine (CRE) and POD1 CRE. The combination of POD1 CRE (>104 μmol/L or not) and POD1 DFA (>5,000 U/L or not) stratified patients into subgroups with the maximum difference in CR-POPF risk. The CR-POPF rates were 17.82% (36/202) in group A (POD1 CRE ≤104 μmol/L and POD1 DFA ≤5,000 U/L), 53.33% (8/15) in group B (POD1 CRE >104 μmol/L and POD1 DFA ≤5,000 U/L), and 77.46% (55/71) in group C (POD1 DFA >5,000 U/L). The PPH rates were 1.98% (4/202), 20.00% (3/15), and 19.72% (14/71) in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Conclusion: Patients with POD1 DFA ≤5,000 U/L and POD1 CRE >104 μmol/L have a high risk of CR-POPF and may not benefit from early drain removal. Patients with POD1 DFA ≤5,000 U/L and POD1 CRE ≤104 μmol/L have low risk of CR-POPF and PPH.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Reference Values for Two-Dimensional Quantitative Brain Metrics in a Cohort of Extremely Preterm Infants
Authors: Buchmayer Julia , Kasprian Gregor , Jernej Raphaela , Stummer Sophie , Schmidbauer Victor , Giordano Vito , Klebermass-Schrehof Katrin , Berger Angelika , Goeral Katharina
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) is an important diagnostic tool in neonatology. In addition to qualitative analysis, quantitative measurements may help identify infants with impaired brain growth. This study aimed to create reference values for brain metrics of various brain areas in neonates without major brain injuries born before 28 weeks of gestation. Methods: This retrospective study analyzes cMRI imaging data of high-risk patients without severe brain pathologies at term-equivalent age, collected over 4 years since November 2017. Nineteen brain areas were measured, reference values created, and compared to published values from fetal and postnatal MRI. Furthermore, correlations between brain metrics and gestational age at birth were evaluated. Results: A total of 174 cMRI examinations were available for analysis. Reference values including cut-offs for impaired brain growth were established for different gestational age groups. There was a significant correlation between gestational age at birth and larger “tissue” parameters, as well as smaller “fluid” parameters, including intracerebral and extracerebral spaces. Discussion: With quantitative brain metrics infants with impaired brain growth might be detected earlier. Compared to preexisting reference values, these are the first of a contemporary collective of extremely preterm neonates without severe brain injuries. Measurements can be easily performed by radiologists as well as neonatologists without specialized equipment or computational expertise. Conclusion: Two-dimensional cMRI brain measurements at term-equivalent age represent an easy and reliable approach for the evaluation of brain size and growth in infants at high risk for neurodevelopmental impairment.
Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Impairment among Very Preterm Infants with Sepsis, Meningitis, and Intraventricular Hemorrhage
Authors: Zhou Qi , Ong Melissa , Ye Xiang Y. , Ting Joseph Y. , Shah Prakesh S. , Synnes Anne , Luu Thuy Mai , Lee Shoo ,   Canadian Neonatal Network & Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network Investigators
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Sepsis and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) are associated with poorer long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in very preterm infants (VPIs), but less is known about the long-term effect of meningitis and the combined impact of both meningitis and IVH. Our objective was to examine the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of VPIs with late onset sepsis and meningitis, with and without IVH, in Canada. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all infants <29 weeks GA who were admitted to 26 tertiary-level neonatal intensive care units in the Canadian Neonatal Network (CNN) and Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network (CNFUN) databases, from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2016. Results: Of the 6,322 infants in the cohort, 4,575 had no infection, 1,590 had late onset culture-positive bloodstream infection (CPBSI) only, and 157 had late onset meningitis. There was a significant (p < 0.05) trend of increasing rates of significant neurodevelopmental delay (sNDI) when comparing infants with no infection (sNDI rate 15.0%), late onset CPBSI (sNDI rate 22.9%), and late onset meningitis (sNDI rate 32.0%), even after adjustment for infant characteristics. Similar trends were observed for neurodevelopmental impairment, cerebral palsy, and individual Bayley-III scores <85 for cognitive, language, and motor development. There was an additive effect of IVH in all infant categories, but there was no multiplicative effect between IVH and late onset meningitis. Conclusion: There was an increasing trend of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes when infants with no infection, late onset CPBSI and late onset meningitis are compared. IVH had an additive effect.
Treatment of Cutaneous Neurofibromas in Patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Authors: Wozniak Bartosz , Bove Torsten , Zawada Tomasz , Calik Jacek
Published: October 2023

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a genetic disorder impacting approximately 2.5 million people worldwide, often leading to development of numerous benign yet disfiguring cutaneous neurofibromas (cNF). Removal of cNF is limited to excision or laser ablation with common post-operation complications and scarring. The current case explores a new approach to removal or reduction of cNF by a minimally invasive and pain-reduced treatment modality. A 40-year-old female patient with numerous cNF across her body underwent a single treatment using a 20 MHz dermatologically focused ultrasound device on seven selected cNF on the upper back. Each cNF was treated in a single session of 20–60 s without anesthesia due to manageable pain. Only one minimal adverse reaction in the form of dyspigmentation in a single treated tumor was noted from treatment or during the healing of a thin scab that formed on each cNF a few days after treatment. At the 12-month follow-up, four out of seven treated cNF showed full remission, two showed partial or significant reduction in tumor volume, while two did not respond to treatment. The reason for the variability is not fully understood, but speculations include difference in tissue content, e.g., due to tumor age. The method is concluded to be a promising candidate for a new safe and minimally invasive treatment that can potentially be used for single-session removal/reduction of a large number of cNF. Further research should focus on refining treatment parameters and strategies to enhance response predictability.
When the penny drops: sharks outsmart cichlids in serial reversal learning
Authors: Schluessel V. , Leo V. , Bawolt M. , Kreuter N.
Published: October 2023

Two species of fish were tested in a serial reversal learning task using two dimensional objects varying in colour and/or form. After reaching the learning criterion (LC) in the original discrimination task, individuals reversed for up to ten times, i.e., stimulus association was switched and animals rewarded for choosing the stimulus that had not been rewarded in the previous learning phase. This was conducted using the two stimuli green diamond (S+) vs. red square (S−) for the training of eight cichlids, and black star (S+) vs. black circle (S−) for the training of seven bamboo sharks. All fifteen animals completed the initial training phase and reversed successfully at least three times, indicating an ability to forsake a previously learned stimulus association in favour of a new one. Sharks, but not cichlids, also showed a decrease in the number of sessions needed to reach LC with an increase in the number of reversals conducted, showing that some sort of learning strategy, i.e., rule learning, had been applied. Animals that improve their performance within such learning paradigms are considered to possess more behavioural flexibility and advanced cognitive abilities than those who do not. More flexibility could specifically aid species living in complex habitats, social groups and subjected to changing environmental conditions.
Distributional patterns and habitat association of sympatric carnivores in Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan, and a comparison of conventional versus molecular identification in carnivore scatology
Authors: Fatima Hira , Mahmood Tariq , Hennelly Lauren M. , Farooq Muhammad , Munawar Nadeem , Ali Waqas , Sacks Benjamin N.
Published: October 2023

Knowledge of a species’ distribution is important for developing effective conservation programs. In Pakistan, little is known about the status or distribution of most carnivores coexisting in the same landscape. To address this knowledge gap, we studied distribution patterns of coexisting carnivores in Margalla Hills National Park, using both conventional as well as DNA-identified scats, and other signs. Although scat surveys remain a popular approach to study carnivores, scat identification based on morphology alone is error-prone. As part of our study, we therefore evaluated accuracy of morphological identification of scats using genetic techniques. Field surveys were conducted from September 2015 to December 2018. Using 593 direct (sighting, camera trapping, road kills) and indirect (scats, footprints) field signs, we detected total 11 carnivore species in the park, including 10 that were represented in the subset of 248 (47.7%) scats identified from DNA. The molecular analyses confirmed that the misidentification rate was highest for red fox (Vulpes vulpes) (8.47%), followed by Asiatic jackal (Canis aureus) (7.66%), but least for small Indian civet (Viverricula indica) (3.63%). For investigating habitat association of carnivores, and to test for the associations between species presence and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), we compared the mean and standard deviation of NDVI of each species’ presence locations with the mean and standard deviation of NDVI along the 23 sampling transects. Based on DNA-verified and all scats, carnivore species showed a range of mean NDVI, suggesting, preliminarily, some species may utilize a greater diversity of habitat types than others.
Supporting English Learners in Music Classrooms
Authors: Bannerman Julie
Published: October 2023

This article offers music educators ideas for supporting English learners in music classrooms. Music teachers across all grade levels work with English Learners, a diverse group of students with varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds. In the classroom, planning specific instructional supports can increase English Learners’ participation and achievement in music. This article encourages educators to approach English learners from an assets-based perspective, creating a welcoming classroom environment that positively benefits students. With the goal of providing access to music education for all students, music teachers can become advocates for English learners in their classrooms and schools.
Connective Mourning: The Case of Mourning and Memorialization Practices on X
Authors: Uwalaka Temple
Published: October 2023

This study offers a conceptual framework of connective mourning. The case of mourning and memorialization practices on X. The study demonstrates the crucially different memorialization, and mourning practices and the various resulting parasocial practices and dynamics that they enable. Using the mourning and memorialization of Queen Elizabeth II as a case study, the study point to an emerging practice where through high centrality and density of reciprocity, and low modularity, mourners on X stimulate commonality via decentralized and loose networks that allow for solidarity building during crisis such as mourning. On the Queen specifically, the study grouped those that posted about her death into four categories: the Grievers, the Lauders, the Accusers, and the Defenders. This study concludes that when collective mourning occurs, individuals have more reciprocal relationships on a dyadic level which decreases modularity of the network.
Quantitative analysis of the relationship between the male body shape and block pattern based on the three-dimensional human model
Authors: Xia Ming , Lu Hongyv , Xu Xiao , Zhang Lixiang
Published: October 2023

As consumers increasingly demand more diversified and personalized clothing options, personalized customization has become a hot topic in the garment industry. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the male body shape and block pattern by flattening the prototype surface and conducting quantitative analysis. The study established a three-dimensional box prototype wire frame model on a human body model to obtain the prototype’s characteristic size automatically. This enabled the creation of two-dimensional personalized prototypes using surface flattening and the geometric expansion principle. The study also summarized a prototype pattern correction rule by establishing a regression relationship among the human characteristic parameters and the size of the prototype site and the coordinates of the shoulder and back control points. Finally, the correction rule was validated through virtual fitting of a special body model. The result shows that the prototype generated using the flattening method presented in this paper has a high fitness degree and short time consumption and the correction rules can effectively improve the problems of prototype misfit, which can provide an idea and data reference for clothing personalized customization.
Resistance to Change: Unraveling the Roles of Change Strategists, Agents, and Recipients
Authors: Mikel-Hong Kris , Li Ning , Yu Jia (Joya) , Chen Xiao
Published: October 2023

Departing from traditional conceptualizations of resistance to change as a systemic phenomenon, a significant and increasing body of organizational research has examined how change and resistance to change occur through individuals in strategist, agent, and recipient roles. Yet despite this perspective's rising prominence, the literature lacks an integrative framework to organize how these roles separately and interactively shape resistance to change. This review synthesizes this fragmented literature, providing a holistic perspective structured around change roles. Categorizing the literature in terms of the three roles, we organize the role combinations into levels of analysis. We use this combined framework to describe the current state of theory building and testing, which guides our identification of important future research directions. Through our analysis, we capture the nuanced dynamics of resistance to change and the need for further understanding of how differently situated individuals shape the overarching change effort.
Hysteroscopic suture of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system: learning curve for in vitro simulation training
Authors: Huang JinCheng , Zhang WenJian , Tang Kun , Liu XiaoMei , Tian ZengSai , Li CuiFen , Jiang SuZhen
Published: October 2023

Objective

To simulate hysteroscopic suturing in vitro and analyze the learning curve of gynecologists with different experience levels.

Methods

Three gynecologists were trained on uterine models in a circulating water box. The posterior uterine wall was sutured 10 times under hysteroscopy for 5 consecutive days, and the time of each suture procedure was recorded.

Results

Doctors A, B, and C completed 50 posterior uterine sutures. After Dr. C completed 50 sutures on the posterior wall, he added 50 sutures on the anterior wall (Group D). The mean suturing time was 71.54 ± 68.158 s in Group A, 50.10 ± 28.060 s in Group B, 34.04 ± 10.457 s in Group C, and 30.38 ± 8.734 s in Group D. The difference between Groups C and B and between Groups B and A was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference between Groups C and D. Simulation curves were created using the number of features as the abscissa and cumulative sum as the coordinate, with peak curves of 19, 27, and 18 cases for Group A, B, and C, respectively.

Conclusion

Doctors with experience in single-hole laparoscopic surgery or hysteroscopic suture surgery can significantly shorten the hysteroscopic suturing time.
Canagliflozin and irbesartan ameliorate renal fibrosis via the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in Dahl salt-sensitive rats
Authors: Zhai Jianlong , Wang Zhongli , Zhang Tingting , He Lili , Ma Sai , Zuo Qingjuan , Zhang Guorui , Wang Xinyu , Guo Yifang
Published: October 2023

Objectives

This study assessed the antifibrotic effects of canagliflozin, with or without irbesartan, on renal injury in Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats fed a high-salt (HS) diet.

Methods

After the preconditioning stage, Dahl SS rats (n = 47) were divided into five experimental groups as follows: low-salt (LS, n = 7), HS (n = 10), HS with canagliflozin (n = 10), HS with irbesartan (n = 10), and HS with canagliflozin and irbesartan (n = 10).

Results

The HS diet increased systolic blood pressure (SBP), renal fibrosis, fibrotic protein expression, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad2/3 pathway protein expression compared with the findings in the LS group. Irbesartan reduced SBP and slowed the loss of renal function. Canagliflozin significantly reduced body weight and renal fibrosis and suppressed the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway. The combined therapy exerted better renoprotective effects on all outcome parameters.

Conclusions

These results indicate that canagliflozin and irbesartan exert different effects on renal injury in SS hypertensive rats, and the combined regimen could have stronger effects than either monotherapy.
The Violence of Settler Imperialism – and Why the Concept of Coloniality Cannot Grasp It
Authors: Rosenow Doerthe
Published: October 2023

Against a background of ongoing public and academic debate about how to best address the legacies of colonialism and slavery, there is now an ever-expanding body of International Relations (IR) literature that makes use of the concept of ‘coloniality’. Indeed, coloniality, which attempts to make sense of past and ongoing colonial oppression in global terms, seems a particularly apt concept for IR, which, after all, is interested in understanding the nature of global power. This article is critical of the way that coloniality is increasingly used in a unitary ‘catch-all’ manner to describe global colonial domination in often unspecific ways. It argues, based on an in-depth exegesis of key Latin American decolonial texts, that the way the concept has been developed makes certain colonial violence, and the resistance against it, invisible; with the violence of (global) settler colonialism being a prominent example. Using and further developing Jodi Byrd’s concepts of transit and settler imperialism, in dialogue with Latin American settler colonial literature and radical Black thought, this article aims to bring this violence to the forefront of IR debate. I will conclude by elaborating on the concrete consequences that understanding ongoing colonial violence with the help of these concepts has for thinking about decolonisation in IR.

La violence de l’impérialisme colonial, et pourquoi le concept de colonialité ne peut l’appréhender
Social Support From Family and Friends, Educational Attainment, and Cognitive Function
Authors: Moorman Sara M. , Pai Manacy
Published: October 2023

This study assessed the extent to which associations between perceived and received social support from family and friends and changes in older adults’ cognitive function were moderated by educational attainment. Sibling pairs in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) ( N = 4,297) completed a survey about social support in 2011 and a cognitive battery in 2011 and 2020. Participants’ mean age in 2020 was 80.2 years old. Multilevel linear regressions indicated that perceived, but not received, support from friends was associated with better cognitive function 9 years later. Perceived family support was cognitively advantageous for older adults at most levels of educational attainment. However, among postgraduates, perceived family support was unrelated to cognitive function. That the association between perceived support and cognitive function differs based on educational attainment gives interventionists additional information needed to identify groups of older adults most susceptible to cognitive impairment.
Loneliness Among Older Indian Workers: Findings From the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India
Authors: Shankar Aparna , Ravi Chaitanya
Published: October 2023

The number of adults aged 60 years and over who work is growing. However, there has been relatively limited research assessing the determinants of wellbeing in this cohort. Given the known relationship between loneliness and socioeconomic disadvantage, the present analysis assessed the role of working conditions and food security on loneliness among employed Indians aged 60 years and over ( N = 9035), using data from wave 1 of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India. Just over 11% of participants reported being lonely most or all of the time. Food insecurity and work that involved exposure to unpleasant conditions was associated with increased loneliness, while work requiring more mental effort was associated with lower loneliness. Policies that ensure skills training to support job transitions for older adults working in unpleasant conditions, and greater food security in later life are important to ensure wellbeing in this group.
The role of innovative technologies in reducing health system inequity
Authors: Sadri Hamid , Fraser Neil D.
Published: October 2023

The scarcity of Health Human Resources (HHR), regional disparities, and decentralized healthcare systems have profoundly affected health equity in Canada. Adequate HHR allocation is essential for equitable healthcare delivery, and the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the importance of resilient and culturally diverse organizational HHR. Geography and infrastructure shortcomings aggravate healthcare equity. This study examines the role of innovative technologies in reducing inequity and provides four practice-based examples in different therapeutic areas. Long-term solutions such as collaborative networks, infrastructure improvements, and effective HHR planning can mitigate current challenges. However, in the short and medium terms, advanced medical technologies, digital health, and artificial intelligence can reduce health inequities by improving access, reducing disparities, optimizing resource utilization, and providing skill development opportunities for healthcare professionals.
Disease-modifying effect and long-term safety of belimumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A single-center retrospective study
Authors: Nakai Takehiro , Fukui Sho , Sawada Haruki , Ikada Yukihiko , Tamaki Hiromichi , Kishimoto Mitsumasa , Okada Masato
Published: October 2023

Background

Disease modification in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is important for minimizing disease activity while limiting treatment-associated toxicities. Belimumab can be used as a remission-induction/maintenance systemic lupus erythematosus therapy; however, its disease-modifying effects are unclear. We aimed to determine these effects in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Methods

This single-center retrospective cohort study included 92 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with belimumab. We analyzed the changes in flare free rate/lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) attainment rate/glucocorticoid dosage/Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics and American College of Rheumatology damage index (SDI) score/drug retention rate after treatment initiation.

Results

Fifty-two weeks after initiating belimumab, the flare rate decreased from 82.6% to 14.1% ( p < .01). Until week 52 and 1000 days after initiating belimumab treatment, > 70% and ∼90% of the patients attained lupus low disease activity state, respectively. Belimumab treatment significantly reduced glucocorticoid demand (initiation day, 8.88 (6.00–15.00) mg/d; week 52, 5.00 (2.00–7.00) mg/d; final day of the study period, 3.00 (0.46–6.06) mg/d, initiation day vs. week 52: p < .01, initiation day vs. final day: p < .01); at the end of the study period, 68.5% of patients required ≤5 mg/d prednisolone, and 22.8% discontinued glucocorticoids. Most patients were SDI progression-free (week 52, ∼95%; day 1000, ∼90%), and belimumab showed a high drug retention rate (week 52, 90%; day 1000 > 80%).

Conclusion

Most patients experienced lupus low disease activity state, reduced flare rate and glucocorticoid demand, and a stable SDI trend after belimumab treatment initiation. Given its efficacy and retention rate, belimumab treatment may serve as a fundamental strategy in disease modification.
Modified interactive Q-learning for attenuating the impact of model misspecification with treatment effect heterogeneity
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Vock David M , Patrick Megan E , Murray Thomas A
Published: October 2023

A sequential multiple assignment randomized trial, which incorporates multiple stages of randomization, is a popular approach for collecting data to inform personalized and adaptive treatments. There is an extensive literature on statistical methods to analyze data collected in sequential multiple assignment randomized trials and estimate the optimal dynamic treatment regime. Q-learning with linear regression is widely used for this purpose due to its ease of implementation. However, model misspecification is a common problem with this approach, and little attention has been given to the impact of model misspecification when treatment effects are heterogeneous across subjects. This article describes the integrative impact of two possible types of model misspecification related to treatment effect heterogeneity: omitted early-stage treatment effects in late-stage main effect model, and violated linearity assumption between pseudo-outcomes and predictors despite non-linearity arising from the optimization operation. The proposed method, aiming to deal with both types of misspecification concomitantly, builds interactive models into modified parametric Q-learning with Murphy’s regret function. Simulations show that the proposed method is robust to both sources of model misspecification. The proposed method is applied to a two-stage sequential multiple assignment randomized trial with embedded tailoring aimed at reducing binge drinking in first-year college students.
Book review: Vasanthi Raman, The World of the Banaras Weaver: A Culture in Crisis
Authors: Chakravarti Uma
Published: October 2023

Vasanthi Raman, The World of the Banaras Weaver: A Culture in Crisis, Second South Asia edition (Routledge, 2020), xxiii + 339 pages, ₹1495 (Hardback), ISBN 978-0-367-44351-1.
The spectrum of gastrointestinal functional bowel disorders in joint hypermobility syndrome and in an academic referral center
Authors: Loganathan Priyadarshini , Herlihy Daniel , Gajendran Mahesh , Gonzalez Zorisadday , Chavez Luis O , Espino Karina , McCallum Richard W.
Published: October 2023

Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is a non-inflammatory hereditary disorder of connective tissue with varied clinical presentations, including frequent joint dislocations, hyperextensible skin, easy bruising, and abnormal paper-thin scar formation. Many of these patients have unexplained gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of JHS in a tertiary gastroenterology motility clinic and the spectrum of functional bowel disorders in JHS patients. In this retrospective case series, we screened the medical records of 277 patients seen over 4 years at an academic GI Motility Center. The patients who met the criteria for JHS by Beighton hypermobility score were evaluated for the presence of functional GI disorders by Rome IV criteria. They also underwent gastric emptying study and glucose breath testing for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. The prevalence of JHS in the study population was 9.7%. The mean age was 27 years, and 92.5% were female. The symptoms experienced by these patients include nausea/vomiting (89%), abdominal pain (70%), constipation (48%), and bloating (18.5%). The disorders associated with JHS include gastroparesis (52%), irritable bowel syndrome (55.5%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (30%). Also, 10 patients (37%) were diagnosed with postural hypotension tachycardia syndrome secondary to autonomic dysfunction. Approximately 10% of patients with suspected functional bowel disorders have hypermobility syndrome. Hence, it is crucial to familiarize gastrointestinal practitioners with the criteria utilized to diagnose JHS and the methods to identify physical examination findings related to this condition.
A Multimodal Analysis to Explore Upper Limb Motor Recovery at 4 Weeks After Stroke: Insights From EEG and Kinematics Measures
Authors: Antonioni Annibale , Galluccio Martina , Toselli Riccardo , Baroni Andrea , Fregna Giulia , Schincaglia Nicola , Milani Giada , Cosma Michela , Ferraresi Giovanni , Morelli Monica , Casetta Ilaria , De Vito Alessandro , Masiero Stefano , Basaglia Nino , Malerba Paola , Severini Giacomo , Straudi Sofia
Published: October 2023

Background. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide and there is a very short period of increased synaptic plasticity, fundamental in motor recovery. Thus, it is crucial to acquire data to guide the rehabilitation treatment. Promising results have been achieved with kinematics and neurophysiological data, but currently, few studies integrate these different modalities. Objectives. We explored the correlations between standardized clinical scales, kinematic data, and EEG measures 4 weeks after stroke. Methods. 26 patients were considered. Among them, 20 patients also performed the EEG study, beyond the kinematic analysis, at 4 weeks. Results. We found correlations between the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity, movement duration, smoothness measures, and velocity peaks. Moreover, EEG measures showed a tendency for the healthy hemisphere to vicariate the affected one in patients characterized by better clinical conditions. Conclusions. These results suggest the relevance of kinematic (in particular movement duration and smoothness) and EEG biomarkers to evaluate post-stroke recovery. We emphasize the importance of integrating clinical data with kinematic and EEG analyses from the early stroke stages, in order to guide rehabilitation strategies to best leverage the short period of increased synaptic plasticity.
Effects of perceived social isolation, fear of social isolation, and gratitude during COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety in Malaysia
Authors: Tan Cher Yi , Ng Jia Yi , Lin Mei-Hua , Yong Min Hooi
Published: October 2023

Many governments including Malaysia imposed movement restrictions as a public health measure to minimize COVID-19 (coronavirus) risks. Due to prolonged isolation, poorer physical and mental health are expected in the general population. Our aims were to examine (1) the mediating role of perceived social isolation (SI) and fear of social isolation (FSI) on the relationship between gratitude and anxiety, and (2) to explore the moderating role of age, education, and socioeconomic status (SES) on the mediation model. A total of 427 participants currently living in Malaysia ( Mage = 37.90, SD = 16.51, 313 females) completed a survey on isolation, gratitude, and anxiety during a period of national lockdown. Results showed that that those with higher gratitude reported having less SI and FSI and less anxiety (Model 1). In Model 2 with age as moderator, young adults (YA) and middle-aged adults (MA) who had higher gratitude experienced lower SI and in turn had lowered anxiety, but such a mediating role of SI was not observed among older adults (OA). As for FSI, MA who had higher gratitude had lower FSI and also lower anxiety but this relationship was not observed in YA or OA. We also examined the role of education and SES as moderators in the parallel mediation analysis. Results showed that the indirect association of gratitude with anxiety via FI and FSI was moderated by both education and SES. Specifically, among those with low education levels (regardless of SES), those with higher gratitude had lower SI and FSI, which in turn reduced anxiety. This relationship is similar for those with medium levels of education and from low and middle levels of SES as well. Our findings highlight the importance of having some coping mechanism, for example, gratitude and social connection, during the pandemic to have higher well-being and quality of life, especially for MA sample and people from low education and SES backgrounds.
Bacterial bloodstream infection in critically ill patients with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bartoszewicz Mateusz , Czaban Sławomir Lech , Bartoszewicz Klaudia , Kuźmiuk Damian , Ładny Jerzy Robert
Published: October 2023

Background:

Intensive care unit (ICU) patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), have a high risk of developing bloodstream infections (BSIs). However, the characteristics of and risk factors for BSIs in these patients remain unclear.

Objective:

We aimed to identify prevalent causative pathogens of BSI and related factors in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Design:

This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

We analyzed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of 201 ICU patients with COVID-19. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with BSI occurrence. Furthermore, we identified the primary causative pathogens of BSIs. The study outcomes were death or ICU discharge.

Results:

Among the 201 included patients, 43 (21.4%) patients developed BSI. The mortality rate was non-significantly higher in the BSI group than in the BSI group (65.1% versus 58.9%, p = 0.487). There were significant between-group differences in the obesity prevalence and sex distribution, but not corticosteroid usage. BSI occurrence was significantly associated with duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), presence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, use of neuromuscular blocking agents, length of stay in ICU (ICU LOS), high body mass index (BMI), and male sex. The main causative pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterococcus faecalis. Multi-drug-resistant pathogens were found in 87% of cases. Regardless of the origin, the common risk factors for BSI were ICU LOS and MV duration. All BSIs were acquired within the hospital setting, with ≈60% of the cases being primary BSIs. A small proportion of the BSI cases were catheter-related (four cases, 6.2%). Ventilator-associated pneumonia and urinary tract infections were present in 25% and 9.4% of the BSI cases, respectively. On average, the first positive blood culture appeared ≈11.4 (±9.7) days after ICU admission.

Conclusion:

Elucidating the risk factors for and common pathogens of BSI can inform prompt management and prevention of BSIs.
Perspectives on Musical Care Throughout the Life Course: Introducing the Musical Care International Network
Authors: Spiro Neta , Sanfilippo Katie Rose M. , McConnell Bonnie B. , Pike-Rowney Georgia , Bonini Baraldi Filippo , Brabec Bernd , Van Buren Kathleen , Camlin Dave , Cardoso Tânya Marques , Çifdalöz Burçin Uçaner , Cross Ian , Dumbauld Ben , Ettenberger Mark , Falkenberg Kjetil , Fouché Sunelle , Frid Emma , Gosine Jane , graham-jackson april l. , Grahn Jessica A. , Harrison Klisala , Ilari Beatriz , Mollison Sally , Morrison Steven J. , Pérez-Acosta Gabriela , Perkins Rosie , Pitt Jessica , Rabinowitch Tal-Chen , Robledo Juan-Pablo , Roginsky Efrat , Shaughnessy Caitlin , Sunderland Naomi , Talmage Alison , Tsiris Giorgos , de Wit Krista
Published: October 2023

In this paper we report on the inaugural meetings of the Musical Care International Network held online in 2022. The term “musical care” is defined by Spiro and Sanfilippo (2022) as “the role of music—music listening as well as music-making—in supporting any aspect of people's developmental or health needs” (pp. 2–3). Musical care takes varied forms in different cultural contexts and involves people from different disciplines and areas of expertise. Therefore, the Musical Care International Network takes an interdisciplinary and international approach and aims to better reflect the disciplinary, geographic, and cultural diversity relevant to musical care. Forty-two delegates participated in 5 inaugural meetings over 2 days, representing 24 countries and numerous disciplines and areas of practice. Based on the meetings, the aims of this paper are to (1) better understand the diverse practices, applications, contexts, and impacts of musical care around the globe and (2) introduce the Musical Care International Network. Transcriptions of the recordings, alongside notes taken by the hosts, were used to summarise the conversations. The discussions developed ideas in three areas: (a) musical care as context-dependent and social, (b) musical care's position within the broader research and practice context, and (c) debates about the impact of and evidence for musical care. We can conclude that musical care refers to context-dependent and social phenomena. The term musical care was seen as useful in talking across boundaries while not minimizing individual disciplinary and professional expertise. The use of the term was seen to help balance the importance and place of multiple disciplines, with a role to play in the development of a collective identity. This collective identity was seen as important in advocacy and in helping to shape policy. The paper closes with proposed future directions for the network and its emerging mission statement.
Individual differences in personality factors as predictors of performance and situation awareness in Stealth Adapt simulated search and rescue missions
Authors: Crofton Anna , Ferraro James C. , Mouloua Mustapha
Published: October 2023

The present study empirically examined personality factors as predictors of participants’ performance in a simulated search and rescue (SAR) task. Thirty-eight participants completed the IPIP-300 before completing nine simulated SAR, unmanned aerial system (UAS) missions. A game-based task (Stealth Adapt) simulated these missions, and recorded participants’ scores. It was hypothesized that extraversion and neuroticism predict performance and situation awareness. It was also hypothesized that there are gender differences in the outcome variables. Controlling for gender, results showed no significant correlations between the personality factors and outcome variables, and regression analyses were not significant. Results showed significant correlations between the personality factors and gender-separated performance; however, only the regression model for the personality factors on male performance was significant. There were no significant correlations between the personality factors and situation awareness for either gender group. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed, and future directions for research are also presented.
The effects of human-robot interaction modality on workers’ mental stress
Authors: Su Bingyi , Jung SeHee , Lu Lu , Wang Hanwen , Qing Liwei , Xie Ziyang , Xu Xu
Published: October 2023

Advances in robotics have contributed to the prevalence of human-robot collaboration (HRC). Working and interacting with collaborative robots in close proximity can be psychologically stressful. Therefore, it is important to understand the impacts of human-robot interaction (HRI) on mental stress to promote psychological well-being at the workplace. To this end, this study investigated how the HRI presence, complexity, and modality affect psychological stress in humans and discussed possible HRI design criteria during HRC. An experimental setup was implemented in which human operators worked with a collaborative robot on a Lego assembly task, using different interaction paradigms involving pressing buttons, showing hand gestures, and giving verbal commands. The NASA-Task Load Index, as a subjective measure, and the physiological galvanic skin conductance response, as an objective measure, were used to assess the levels of mental stress. The results revealed that the introduction of interactions during HRC helped reduce mental stress and that complex interactions resulted in higher mental stress than simple interactions. Meanwhile, the use of certain interaction modalities, such as verbal commands or hand gestures, led to significantly higher mental stress than pressing buttons, while no significant difference on mental stress was found between showing hand gestures and giving verbal commands.
Bringing the Human Factor to DEI: Increasing Inclusion and Accessibility from Academia and Industry to our Everyday Lives
Authors: Bhushan Anant , Figueroa-Jacinto Rosemarie , Quiroz Brissa , Berrett Bryan D , Pitts Brandon
Published: October 2023

Given the definitions of such fields, Human Factors, Ergonomics (HF/E), and UX professionals and academics should aim to embed inclusion in their everyday lives. The objective of this panel is to offer tangible examples of how to use our Human Factors and Ergonomics background to be effective allies/advocates towards inclusion. The panelists aim to provide their views and experiences on how we, as HF/E and UX professionals, can translate what we learn and profess to increase accessibility for those around us. The specific theme of this discussion panel is to bring together practitioners, university leads, and consultants to focus a discussion on learning about tools and initiatives that we all, as individuals, can use to be more inclusive in our practice, at work, as well as in our everyday lives. This is an interactive session between the attendees and panelists, guided by the moderator, Mr. Anant Bhushan, co-chair of the HFES’s DCI AG.
A Mixed-Methods Approach to Understanding Nursing Students’ Cognitive Challenges and Workarounds during EHR-related Tasks
Authors: Vaughn Austin , Son Changwon , Baek Seungyeon , Caballero Sandra , Decker Sharon
Published: October 2023

Although electronic health record (EHR) systems are intended to improve patient safety and standardize patient data entry, rapid integration has led to increased medical errors and user frustrations. Previous research has analyzed the usability of these platforms for professional user groups; however, limited research has studied the novice users or users' cognitive challenges with EHR use throughout the data lifecycle. Therefore, a mixed-methods research approach was adopted to identify nursing student's cognitive challenges and efforts along the EHR data lifecycle. The current study identifies the cognitive work of five critical tasks through the construction of Hierarchical Task Analyses (HTA). Current findings indicate that nurses can encounter environmental interruptions and conflicting mental models, which impacts how data is extracted and entered into the system. Findings from later studies could be incorporated to better comprehend the challenges encountered by novice users.
Effects of Biofeedback on Muscle Effort Reduction when Holding Positions with a Powered Upper Limb Exoskeleton
Authors: Peng Xiangyu , Stirling Leia
Published: October 2023

Exoskeletons have the potential to support daily activities by assisting the movement performance. Previous studies have shown that powered elbow exoskeletons can reduce muscle effort during continuous cyclic movement. However, natural movements have embedded stationary hold periods as well as transitions between postures. The human performance when using exoskeletons for more natural movements should be evaluated. In this study, we implemented visual and haptic electromyography (EMG) biofeedback to help people use an upper limb exoskeleton to perform a target position matching task. Participants (n=36) did not significantly reduce their muscle effort during hold periods when provided with biofeedback. Participants had difficulty relaxing their muscles at more flexed postures during hold periods, suggesting that they continued to provide effort instead of taking advantage of the device. To fully benefit from robotic exoskeletons, additional training and more advanced controllers might be needed.
Workers Standing Times with Use of Sit-Stand Desks and Social Influences: An Investigation of Two Months of Office Workers’ Sit-Stand Desks Utilization
Authors: Duffie Holden , Barbieri Dechristian Franca , Fuller Patrick , Lin Jia-Hua , Cha Jackie S.
Published: October 2023

The use of sit-stand desks (SSD) has shown positive results in reducing sitting time for office workers. Different factors can help with the use of the table, such as participatory ergonomics and an SSD reminder system. However, little is known about the influence of social factors at work, such as the influence of peers or supervisors using the device. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of SSDs and how the location and proximity of office workers affects SSD utilization over the course of two months. One-hundred eighty workers with SSDs participated in this study, and their desk locations and utilization were documented. It was observed that office workers spent on average (standard deviation) 7.1% (20.8%) of their time standing at their desks each day. Among these users, 12 participants were categorized as high SSD users, which spent more than two hours a day standing on average. It was found that during the study period, participants located next to high SSD utilizers did not change the SSD usage by increasing or decreasing their time spent standing. The results from the study suggest that the relative locations and proximity of workers do not significantly influence users to increase SSD use, and high users do not impact the SSD use of other users. These results showed that SSD use by peers or supervisors is not a strong social factor in improving the worker’s behavior of using the table and that other combined strategies are necessary.
Assessing Laparoscopic Surgical Skills of Trainees with Scene Independent and Dependent Eye Gaze Metrics
Authors: Deng Shiyu , Oh Jinwoo , Wang Tianzi , Parker Sarah Henrickson , Lau Nathan K.
Published: October 2023

Eye metrics have been used to objectively evaluate proficiency levels in psychomotor tasks, including aviation, driving, sports, and surgery. Despite extensive research devoted to developing and utilizing eye metrics, the literature does not contain any explicit comparison between scene independent and dependent eye metrics for understanding skill acquisition or characterizing expertise. This study collected eye tracking data from medical students practicing the peg transfer task and computed both scene independent and dependent eye metrics to indicate proficiency. K-means clustering analysis on the eye metrics yielded three clusters corresponding to three proficiency levels which showed significantly different trial completion time. The box plots of the eye-gaze metrics illustrated different patterns of scene independent and dependent eye metrics with respect to proficiency levels, highlighting the need for further examination of these metrics for accurate and useful applications.