bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes and Disparities: What Characteristics of Chronic Stressors are Linked to HPA-Axis Dysregulation?
Authors: Allen Julie Ober , Mezuk Briana , Byrd DeAnnah R. , Abelson James L. , Rafferty Jane , Abelson Jamie , White Christopher , Jackson James S.
Published: April 2022

Objectives: Chronic stressors are associated with cardiometabolic health conditions and disparities. Mechanisms linking stressors and health remain poorly understood. Methods: Two cohort studies (Cardiac Rehabilitation And The Experience [CREATE] and Tracking Risk Identification for Adult Diabetes [TRIAD]) with harmonized variables were used to examine relationships between six types of chronic stressors in adulthood and Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, as indicated by blunted diurnal cortisol slopes, which are stress-sensitive biomarkers implicated in cardiometabolic health (merged N = 213, mean age 61, 18% Black). A secondary aim was to explore whether these chronic stressors accounted for Black–White disparities in HPA axis regulation. Results: Some chronic stressors were linked to HPA axis dysregulation, with recent stressors most salient ( b = 0.00353, SE = 0.00133, p = .008). Black–White disparities in HPA axis regulation persisted after controlling for racial differences in chronic stressors, which reduced the disparity 11.46%. Discussion: Chronic stressors in adulthood may increase risk for HPA axis dysregulation and associated cardiometabolic health outcomes but may not be a key factor in racial disparities.
Academia–business cooperation: A strategic plan for an innovative executive education program
Authors: Djoundourian Salpie , Shahin Wassim
Published: April 2022

A major challenge facing institutions of higher learning is academia–business cooperation. To achieve it, some universities have introduced modest university–industry initiatives and executive education programs that in general have remained strategically inefficient. Meanwhile, in the last 20 years various researchers have called for the development of fully fledged entrepreneurial universities. However, according to many studies in the literature, the guidelines and standards that define these universities remain hard to adopt in conventional institutions as they reshape their whole mission and vision, organizational structure, leadership, culture, academic programs, type of research, incentives and rewards, and influence within the ecosystem. This paper argues that, given the inefficiencies in executive education programs and the difficulties and challenges in transforming conventional universities into entrepreneurial universities, a special efficient entity for executive education adopting an entrepreneurial approach should be developed in higher learning institutions to improve academia–business cooperation and to provide a potential pathway for a gradual transformation into an entrepreneurial university. Thus, the authors develop an innovative executive education strategic plan for universities to consider, coining the 10 Cs of the executive education alphabet—Commitment, Command, Collaboration, Capacity, Content, Cohesiveness, Competition, Cost, Cognizance and Communication—with the broad goal of building an efficient link between universities and the industrial and corporate sectors.
Fault-tolerant consensus of nonlinear agents considering switching topology in the presence of communication noise
Authors: Mondal Sabyasachi , Tsourdos Antonios
Published: April 2022

In this paper, the consensus of nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) is discussed, considering actuator fault and switching topology in the presence of communication noise. The actuator fault and communication noise are both considered to be random. The switching of the topologies is considered random as well. These issues are handled by Distributed Nonlinear Dynamic Inversion (DNDI), which is designed for Multi-Agent Systems (MASs) operation. The convergence proof with actuator fault is provided, which shows the robustness of the controller. The simulation results show that DNDI successfully dealt with the actuator fault and communication events simultaneously.
Modelling cell deformations in bioprinting process using a multicompartment-smooth particle hydrodynamics approach
Authors: Das Samir , Chowdhury Amit Roy , Datta Pallab
Published: April 2022

Bioprinting using cell-laden bioink is a rapidly emerging additive manufacturing method to fabricate engineered tissue constructs and in vitro models of disease biology. Amongst different bioprinting modalities, extrusion-based bioprinting is the most conveniently adopted technique due to its affordability. Bioinks consisting of living cells are suspended in hydrogels and extruded through syringe-needle assemblies, which subsequently undergo gelation at the collector plate. During the process, pressure is exerted on living cells which may cause cell deaths. Thus, for selected combination of cell and hydrogel, exerted pressure and the extrusion play key roles in determining the cell viability. Experimental evaluation to characterise stresses experienced by the cells in a bioink during bioprinting is a tedious exercise. Herein, computational modelling can be applied efficiently for rapid screening of bioinks. In the present study, a smoothed particle hydrodynamics model is developed for the analysis of stresses exerted on the cells during bioprinting process. Cells are modelled by assigning different mechanical properties to nucleus, cytoskeleton and cell membrane regions of the cell to get a more realistic understanding of cell deformation. The cytoplasm and nucleus are modelled as finite element meshes and a spring model of the cell membrane is coupled to the finite element model to develop a three-compartment model of the cell. Cell deformation is taken as a potential indicator of cell death. Effect of different process parameters such as flow rate, syringe-nozzle geometry and cell density are investigated. A submodeling approach is further introduced to predict deformation with higher resolution in a unit volume containing 104 to 108 cells. Results suggest that the generated bioink flow dynamic model can be a useful tool for the computational study of fluid flow involving cell suspensions during a bioprinting process.
Preempting the past: How the future space unfolds in political discourse of Iran
Authors: Basarati Ali
Published: April 2022

This paper is to analyse 180 speeches of the Iranian Supreme Leader (SL), Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, from 2005 to 2013 which are concentrated upon characterising the threats of doshman [enemy] and depicting the future space of Iran. Adopting the Proximisation Theory, the investigation of the Iranian Supreme Leader’s speeches reveals that doshman poses futuristic spatial-axiological threats to the central values, programmes and policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI). Furthermore, the future space of Iran is figured in multifarious policies to preempt the construed spatial-axiological threats of doshman. In this regard, I indicated that the Supreme Leader resorts to the characterisation of the pre-revolutionary states of affairs (the past) to analogously characterise the opposite futures space of the IRI. Therefore, the SL programmes to mould the futures based on the present time values and programmes in order to abort the re-birth of the past. It was also indicated that the future space in this discourse serves to preempt the reification of the construed threats in the future.
LncRNA SNHG12 ameliorates bupivacaine-induced neurotoxicity by sponging miR-497–5p to upregulate NLRX1
Authors: Sun Lijie , Yuan Ru
Published: April 2022

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12) has been reported to participate in the regulation of various nervous system disorders. Bupivacaine (BV), a commonly used local anesthetic, could generate neurotoxicity in neurons. This work intended to investigate the role and specific mechanism of SNHG12 in BV-induced neurotoxicity. In this study, we established an in vitro cell model of BV-induced neurotoxicity by exposing human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) to BV. It was found that SNHG12 and NLRX1 levels were gradually downregulated, while miR-497–5p enrichment was upregulated accordingly with the increase of BV concentration. As indicated by functional assays, SNHG12 overexpression promoted cell viability but inhibited cell apoptosis and oxidative stress in BV-treated SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, it was identified that SNHG12 directly targeted miR-497–5p and attenuated BV-induced neurotoxicity via interaction with miR-497–5p. Besides, it was confirmed that SNHG12 could upregulate NLRX1 expression by absorbing miR-497–5p. Moreover, miR-497–5p decreased cell viability and induced cell apoptosis and oxidative stress, which was partly reversed by NLRX1 upregulation. In conclusion, our findings indicated that SNHG12 might relieve BV-associated neurotoxicity by upregulating NLRX1 via miR-497–5p in vitro, providing novel clues and biomarkers for the treatment and prevention of BV-associated neurotoxicity.
Prognostic factors of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with pulmonary embolism: An 11-year cohort study
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Huang Can , You Hanxiao , Zhao Jiuliang , Wang Qian , Tian Xinping , Zhao Yan , Li Mengtao , Zeng Xiaofeng
Published: April 2022

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have a higher risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) which is life-threatening, but there has been no research focusing on the prognosis of SLE patients with PE. This study was conducted to explore the prognostic factors of mortality in SLE patients with PE.

Methods

In this observational cohort study, SLE inpatients with PE treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2010 and December 2020 were included and age, gender, smoking history, the onset of SLE and PE, organ involvement, SLE disease activity index-2000 (SLEDAI-2K), severity of PE, and treatment regimen were collected. Kaplan–Meier survival curve and univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis were used to explore the prognostic factors of SLE patients with PE.

Results

A total of 86 SLE patients with PE were enrolled, with the age of 37.72±15.79 years old and the average lupus duration of 46.5 months. 17 patients (19.77%) died. 1- and 3-year survival rates were 83.40% and 79.40%. Thrombocytopenia (log-rank p = 0.004) and lymphocytopenia (log-rank p = 0.030) were predictors of mortality, and effective anticoagulation (log-rank p = 0.032), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) (log-rank p = 0.021) were protective factors of mortality in SLE patients with PE. Effective anticoagulation was an independent protective factor of mortality in SLE patients with PE (HR = 0.14, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Patients with thrombocytopenia and lymphocytopenia are more likely to develop a poor prognosis. Effective anticoagulation and HCQ could improve the prognosis.
Sensitivity analysis for calibrated inverse probability-of-censoring weighted estimators under non-ignorable dropout
Authors: Su Li , Seaman Shaun R , Yiu Sean
Published: April 2022

Inverse probability of censoring weighting is a popular approach to handling dropout in longitudinal studies. However, inverse probability-of-censoring weighted estimators (IPCWEs) can be inefficient and unstable if the weights are estimated by maximum likelihood. To alleviate these problems, calibrated IPCWEs have been proposed, which use calibrated weights that directly optimize covariate balance in finite samples rather than the weights from maximum likelihood. However, the existing calibrated IPCWEs are all based on the unverifiable assumption of sequential ignorability and sensitivity analysis strategies under non-ignorable dropout are lacking. In this paper, we fill this gap by developing an approach to sensitivity analysis for calibrated IPCWEs under non-ignorable dropout. A simple technique is proposed to speed up the computation of bootstrap and jackknife confidence intervals and thus facilitate sensitivity analyses. We evaluate the finite-sample performance of the proposed methods using simulations and apply our methods to data from an international inception cohort study of systemic lupus erythematosus. An R Markdown tutorial to demonstrate the implementation of the proposed methods is provided.
Synthesis and characterization of nearly monodisperse superparamagnetic (Fe3O4/Poly(methyl methacrylate))-SiO2 nanoparticles with raspberry-like morphology
Authors: Moaref Roxana , Pourmahdian Saeed , Zahedi Farzad , Tehranchi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: April 2022

Uniform and nearly monodisperse superparamagnetic Fe3O4/Poly(methyl methacrylate) (core)/SiO2 (shell) nanoparticles with raspberry-like morphology and high saturation magnetization were prepared in three different steps. At first, a facile, one-shot procedure to synthesize hydrophobic Fe3O4 nanoparticles through a modified co-precipitation method was implemented. Based on the hydrophobic interactions, these nanoparticles were used directly in a mini-emulsion polymerization resulting in encapsulation with PMMA. Then, for the covering with a silica shell, the surfaces of the Fe3O4/PMMA nanospheres were hydrolyzed in alkaline media and became hydrophilic through hydrolyzation. In the last step shell deposition of the Fe3O4/PMMA nanospheres through a modified Stober method was implemented. The surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the core-shell structure and the prepared products’ diameters were measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM); the size of the magnetic nanospheres was approximately 83 nm. Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) showed high magnetic saturation and superparamagnetic characteristics of the particles. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used as a supplementary test and, based on the mass loss at high temperature (600°C), the magnetic (Fe3O4) and non-magnetic content (PMMA) of the Fe3O4/PMMA nanospheres was measured as 81 and 19%, respectively. The narrow polydispersity of the nanospheres, measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS), was approximately 0.101. In every preparation step, the synthesized products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Our study focused on designing two-layered magnetic nanoparticles with drug delivery potential using two-layer encapsulation based on the hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface characteristics of the PMMA core and silica shells, respectively.
The justification for strike action in healthcare: A systematic critical interpretive synthesis
Authors: Essex Ryan , Weldon Sharon Marie
Published: April 2022

Strike action in healthcare has been a common global phenomenon. As such action is designed to be disruptive, it creates substantial ethical tension, the most cited of which relates to patient harm, that is, a strike may not only disrupt an employer, but it could also have serious implications for the delivery of care. This article systematically reviewed the literature on strike action in healthcare with the aim of providing an overview of the major justifications for strike action, identifying relative strengths and shortcomings of this literature and providing direction for future discussions, and theoretical and empirical research. Three major themes emerged related to (1) the relationship between healthcare workers, patients and society; (2) the consequences of strike action; and (3) the conduct of strike action. Those who argue against strike action generally cite the harms of such action, particularly as it relates to patients. Many also argue that healthcare workers, because of their skills and position in society, have a special obligation to their patients and society more generally. Those who see this action as not only permissible but also, in some cases, necessary have advanced several points in response, arguing that healthcare workers do not necessarily have any special obligation to their patients or society, and even if so, this obligation is not absolute. Overwhelmingly, when talking about the potential risks of strike action, authors have focused on patient welfare and the impact that a strike could have. Several directions for future work are identified, including greater explorations into how structural and systemic issues impact strike action, the need for greater consideration about the contextual factors that influence the risks and characteristics of strike action and finally the need to tie this literature to existing empirical evidence.
How Japanese Universities Develop Study Abroad Programs in Southeast Asia: A Sensemaking Perspective
Authors: Hoshino Akinari
Published: April 2022

Despite extensive research on the push-pull factors of student motivation to study abroad, there has been little examination of university academics’ and administrators’ attitudes as program developers and providers. This research draws upon the literature of sensemaking to investigate how and why Japanese university academics and administrators develop study abroad programs in Southeast Asia. The analysis reveals that university academics and administrators balance the characteristics of their university and student demands with advantages to themselves. Involvement with study abroad allows academics to promote their research, attract students to their field, and compete with other departments. Administrators seek to increase their involvement in education through collaboration with academics. Furthermore, both academics and administrators recognize that the involvement of Southeast Asian graduates of Japanese universities can facilitate the development of study abroad programs in Southeast Asia. This social analysis highlights the historical and educational relationships between Japan and Southeast Asia and provides a new perspective for the analysis of not only motivations, but also the processes that lead from motivations to actions.
Multicultural Vocational Research: Critique and Call to Action
Authors: Kantamneni Neeta , Fouad Nadya A.
Published: April 2022

Vocational psychology has long argued that career opportunities differ for individuals from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. Yet, despite decades of research, are we closer to understanding the role of race and ethnicity in career development? The purpose of this article is to systematically review and critique research on racial/ethnic minorities in vocational psychology since critique of the research, with a particular emphasis on whether research with racial/ethnic minorities is theory-based, incorporates an intersectional framework, focuses on aspects of identity, and examines environmental and societal aspects of career development. We use our conclusions from that review to make a set of recommendations that we hope will stimulate future research.
Testing the Career Construction Model of Adaptation in a Sample of Afghanistan’s Working Adults: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Green Zane Asher , Yıldırım Murat , Jalal Rahmatullah
Published: April 2022

This study tested the Career Construction Model of Adaptation (CCMA) in a sample of Afghanistan’s working adults amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures of adaptation were applied at three time points, that is, positive orientation toward future (adaptive readiness) at Time 1, career adaptability (adaptability resources) and competence need satisfaction at work (adapting responses) at Time 2, and meaningful work (adaptation result) at Time 3. Testing the model through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that the indirect effect of positive orientation toward future at Time 1 on meaningful work at Time 3 via the combination of career adaptability and competence need satisfaction at work at Time 2 was significant and positive. Results support Afghan employees’ career construction over time. Theoretical contribution of the results and strategies for assisting Afghan employees in crafting their careers in the current political situation are discussed. Study limitations and prospects for future research are also discussed.
Development and Validation of a New Integrative Score Based on Various Systemic Inflammatory and Nutritional Indicators in Predicting Prognosis in Patients With Resectable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Feng Ji Feng , Wang Liang , Chen Qi-Xun , Yang Xun
Published: April 2022

Background

Recent studies revealed that various inflammatory and nutritional indexes were associated with prognosis in esophageal cancer (EC). However, these studies only evaluated one or two indexes, and the prognostic value of these indexes individually or in combination is unclear. This study aimed to construct an integrative score based on various inflammatory and nutritional indexes for prognosis in resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

A total of 421 consecutive patients were randomly divided into either a training or validation cohort at a ratio of 7:3 for retrospective analysis. Using logic regression analyses, independent risk factors from peripheral blood indexes were screened to construct an integrative score. The associations regarding the integrative score, clinical characteristics, cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

Results

Out of 20 indexes, hemoglobin (HB), C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR), and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were independent risk factors based on logical regression analyses. Then, an integrative score with the optimal cut-off value of .67 was established according to the Combination Of HB, CAR, and PLR (COHCP). The area under the curve (AUC) indicated higher predictive ability of COHCP on prognosis than other indicators. Multivariate analyses revealed that COHCP serves as an independent prognostic score. Patients with COHCP low group (≤.67) had better 5-year CSS (57.3% vs 13.5%, P < .001) and OS (51.1% vs 12.3%, P < .001) than those with high group, respectively. Finally, the nomogram based on COHCP was established and validated regarding CSS and OS, which can accurately and effectively predict individual survival in resected ESCC.

Conclusion

The COHCP was a novel, simple, and useful predictor in resectable ESCC. The COHCP-based nomogram may accurately and effectively predict survival.
Acute pancreatitis secondary to tamoxifen-associated hypertriglyceridemia: A clinical update
Authors: Goraya Muhammad Hassan Naeem , Abbasi Ehsan ul Haq , Amin Muhammad Kashif , Inayat Faisal , Ashraf Muhammad Junaid , Qayyum Mahrukh , Hussain Nadeem , Nawaz Gul , Zaman Muhammad Adnan , Malik Adnan
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Drug-induced pancreatitis has been increasingly recognized, but it is frequently encountered as an inconspicuous etiology. The underlying mechanisms of injury vary with different drugs. Tamoxifen is a frequently used anticancer drug that acts by selective modulation of the estrogen receptor in patients with breast cancer. Tamoxifen-induced hypertriglyceridemia is a relatively rare etiological factor for acute pancreatitis. However, acute pancreatitis secondary to this adverse effect remains an exceedingly important clinicopathologic entity.

Case report

We hereby delineate a rare case of acute pancreatitis secondary to hypertriglyceridemia in a patient who was on tamoxifen treatment for the past 3 years. Her serum lipase and triglyceride levels were markedly elevated at 14,285 IU/L and 20,344 mg/dL, respectively. The diagnosis was considered based on the findings of a standard diagnostic workup and exclusion of alternative causes of acute pancreatitis.

Management and outcome

The patient was instituted prompt treatment with intravenous insulin infusion and gemfibrozil. The clinical outcome was favorable with no complications. Tamoxifen was permanently discontinued and was replaced with letrozole.

Discussion

This article illustrates that acute pancreatitis should be considered in the differential diagnoses of abdominal pain and elevated pancreatic enzymes in patients undergoing tamoxifen treatment. It also underscores the importance of pre- and post-tamoxifen lipid screening, especially in patients with a history of dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus. It will facilitate an expedient detection of hypertriglyceridemia, potentially saving patients from associated morbidity and mortality.
Pitchfork bifurcations in simple hyperelastic orthotropic arterial models and their constitutive implications
Authors: Horgan Cornelius O , Murphy Jeremiah G
Published: April 2022

This paper is concerned with the response of orthotropic hyperelastic incompressible materials in the homogeneous deformation of simple tension. The problem of out-of-plane simple tension of a cuboid reinforced with two in-plane families of mechanically equivalent initially straight fibres is considered. For this deformation, the material characterisation test where the normal in-plane stresses are equal is examined. Analytical results are obtained for the special case of orthonormal fibres that is where the fibres are initially perpendicular to one another in the undeformed state. It is shown that in this case, there are two distinct solution branches namely the symmetric solution in which the in-plane stretches are equal and an asymmetric solution where this is not the case. The results are illustrated for two specific strain energy densities one of which has been used to model the mechanical response of arteries. For these two models, the asymmetric solution is shown to be energetically favourable at a sufficiently large critical out-of-plane stretch. For small enough out-of-plane stretch, for weakly anisotropic materials, the symmetric solution branch is unique and stable while beyond this critical stretch, this solution is unstable and a pitchfork bifurcation into two stable asymmetric branches is demonstrated. For slight departures from orthonormality of the fibres, a numerical approach is used for one of these models to demonstrate that the response undergoes a significant change. A constitutive restriction is suggested that eliminates the general non-uniqueness demonstrated in this work.
Assessment of the impact of N95 respirators or surgical masks use on the retinal microvasculature
Authors: Gündoğan Medine , Akkaya Serkan , Bayram Nurettin
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To determine the possible impact of wearing N95 respirator or surgical masks on retinal vessel diameters and choroidal thickness in healthy healthcare workers.

Methods

Diameters of peripapillary retinal arteries and veins and choroidal thickness values at the foveal center and at 1000 μm distances from the foveal center in both nasal and temporal directions were measured before mask wearing using a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. After four hours (h) of N95 or surgical mask wearing vessel diameter and choroidal thickness measurements were repeated.

Results

A total of 52 eyes from 52 participants (28 F [53.8%]; 24 M [46.2%]) were enrolled in this study. The mean age of patients was 34.58 ± 5.24 years (25–44 years). The diameters of all measured arteries [inferior temporal artery (p = 0.003), superior temporal artery (p < 0.001), inferior nasal artery (p = 0.003), and superior nasal artery (p = 0.004)] and veins,with the exception of superior nasal vein, (inferior temporal vein (p = 0.031), superior temporal vein (p = 0.027), inferior nasal vein (p < 0.001), and superior nasal vein (p = 0.063)] increased significantly after four hour use of N95 respirators and surgical maskswhen compared to baseline. There was also a significant diameter increase of the superior temporal (p < 0.001), inferior nasal veins (p < 0.001), and superior temporal artery (p = 0.037) for N95 respirators and surgical masks use, respectively. The differences in central subfoveal, temporal, and nasal choroidal thickness between baseline and after 4 h use of N95 respirators were statistically significant (From 366.73 ± 70.81 μm to 381.23 ± 69.29μm,p < 0.001 for the subfoveal; from 324.00 ± 64.13μm to 335.40 ± 61.35 μm, p = 0.007 for the temporal; from 297.40 ± 68.18 μm to 308.23 ± 74.51μm, p = 0.002 for the nasal thicknesses). Choroidal thickness values were also increased with surgical mask use. But only the increase in central subfoveal thickness was statistically significant (From 366.78 ± 71.00 μm to 372.58 ± 76.56 μm, p = 0.031 for the central subfoveal; from 297.42 ± 68.35 μmto 302.79 ± 73.05 μm, p = 0.068 for the nasal; from 324.01 ± 64.21μm to 330.33 ± 65.84, p = 0.117 for the temporal thicknesses).

Conclusion

With four hours use of N95 respirators or surgical face masks, retinal vessel diameters and choroidal thicknesses showed an increase in comparison to baseline measurements. Hemodynamic changes seen secondary to hypercapnia due to prolonged use of N95 respirators or surgical masks may also be observed in the retinal and choroidal circulation. Furthermore, the use of face masks should be taken into account while assessing the retinal microvasculature.
Environmental and Behavioral Factors Associated With Handwashing With Soap After Defecation in a Rural Setting of 2 Districts of the Jimma Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Soboksa Negasa Eshete
Published: April 2022

Background:

Handwashing with soap can prevent the spread of fecal oral microbes in the home environment. Despite the lack of water and for a variety of reasons, soap-based handwashing is not practiced in developing countries after defecation.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to determine the environmental and behavioral factors associated with hand washing with soap after defecation of respondents with children under the age of 5 years in a rural setting.

Methods:

Data used were taken from 756 households with children under the age of 5 that participated in a cross-sectional study conducted from July 22 to August 9, 2018, in 2 selected districts in the Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. It included post-defecation hand washing with soap and other variables such as sociodemographic information, environmental and behavioral factors. Stata version 16 was used to analyze the data. We use binary logistic regression models. To declare statistical significance, a P-value of less than .05 with an adjusted odds ratio and a confidence interval of 95% was used.

Results:

The prevalence of soap-based post defecation hand washing practices among respondents was 64.4%. Hand washing practice after defecation with soap has a significant association with having more than 1 child under 5 years of age (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.05-2.45), households living with cattle (AOR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.30-3.07), use of unimproved latrine (AOR = 0.55; 95%CI: 0.31-0.98), with the presence of feces in the compound of the households interviewed (AOR = 7.08; 95% CI: 4.07-12.35) and regular cleaning water containers before filling drinking water (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.13-4.15).

Conclusions:

Most of the study participants washed their hands with soap after defecation. The presence of feces in the compound, having more than 1 child, living with cattle, and cleaning water containers routinely before filling drinking water all enhanced post-defecation handwashing with soap. However, when using unimproved latrines, respondents’ post-defecation handwashing behavior with soap may be significantly reduced.
Utilization of Latrine and Associated Factors Among Rural Households in Takussa District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Omer Nuruhusan , Bitew Bikes Destaw , Engdaw Garedew Tadege , Getachew Atalay
Published: April 2022

Background:

The use of sanitation facilities is known to interrupt the transmission of fecal-oral related diseases. However, the evidence was limited about the utilization of latrines within the rural community of Takussa district. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the utilization of latrines and associated factors among households in Takussa district, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods:

A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed to survey 801 rural households among initially computed 812 participants from February 15 to March 15, 2019. A structured questionnaire with face-to-face interviews was used to collect the data. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the completed data. A binary logistic regression model was used to process bivariate and multivariable analysis of the data. The adjusted odds ratio was used for the interpretation of the data after controlling for the confounders.

Results:

The proper latrine utilization rate was 41.9%, with a 95% confidence interval of (38.8, 45.3). Households with school-aged children (AOR: 2.27, 95% CI: (1.44, 3.56), a clean latrine (AOR: 3.34, 95% CI: (1.26, 4.93), the optimal distance from the living room (AOR: 1.56, 95% CI: (1.09, 2.25), and perceived benefit (AOR: 3.64, 95% CI: (1.13, 11.67) were statistically associated factors.

Conclusion:

The Proper utilization of latrines was low among rural households in the Takussa district. School children, distance, cleanliness, and the benefit of latrines were statistically associated factors. As a result, encouraging health extension workers integrated into district schools to pay special attention to frequent follow-up in order to promote proper latrine utilization at the household level.
Formation of electrostatic solitary and periodic waves in dusty plasmas in the light of Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft and Freja satellite observations
Authors: Shohaib Muhammad , Masood Waqas , Siddiq Mohsin , Alyousef Haifa A , El-Tantawy Samir A
Published: April 2022

Motivated by the observations of Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft and Freja satellite observations in Saturn’s magnetosphere, the formation of dust-acoustic (DA) localized and periodic waves in a complex plasma having superthermal electrons and ions are reported. In this regard, a modified Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (mKP) equation is derived by employing the weak turbulence theory for studying the characteristics of the nonlinear dust-acoustic waves (DAWs) in the model under consideration. The localized and periodic wave solutions to the mKP equation are derived using ansatz method in terms of Jacobi elliptic functions (JEFs). It is reported that the phase velocity of the DAWs in the Saturn’s magnetosphere is lower for kappa distributed ions and electrons by comparison with regions of space plasmas where the electrons and ions follow the Maxwellian distribution. The conditions for the existence of both localized and periodic waves are also presented. Estimates are also given of the spatial scales over which the dust-acoustic solitary/periodic structures form in Saturn’s magnetosphere.
A crypto-tourism case study of agnes water/seventeen seventy, Australia
Authors: Chen Shu-Hsiang (Ava) , Tham Aaron
Published: April 2022

This research note explores the under-investigated assumption that cryptocurrencies are a panacea to stimulate regional tourism demand. Through the application of Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory, a case study was designed to examine the cryptocurrency effect on two adjacent towns of Agnes Water and 17 70 in Central Queensland, Australia. The findings revealed three major factors that led to merchant receptivity for adopting cryptocurrencies - First, a novelty effect perceived as a good strategy to induce consumer spend. Second, the low entry barriers for merchants adopting cryptocurrencies to conduct transactions. Third, cryptocurrencies incurred zero overhead costs. Nevertheless, the favorable attitudes of these merchants towards cryptocurrencies require a demand-side intention to use such tools during tourist visits to these regional destinations. Other regional tourism destinations will need to consider other ways of integrating such digital innovations to their landscapes.
MYP Coordinators: Differences in Job Satisfaction Levels based on the Number of IB Programmes
Authors: Barker Megel R
Published: April 2022

The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is one of four programmes offered by the International Baccalaureate, together with the Diploma Programme, Career-related Programme and Primary Years Programme. This study investigated the difference in job satisfaction levels of MYP Coordinators based on the number of IB programmes delivered in the school. Schools offering the MYP are required to appoint a member of staff to the role of MYP Coordinator. MYP Coordinators differ by age, gender and experience, and work in diverse school environments. The purpose of this study was to explore the job satisfaction of the critical role of MYP Coordinator. Using Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory as the theoretical framework, a modified version of the Job Satisfaction Survey was distributed to all registered Coordinators via email. 344 participants responded to eighteen items addressing the central question: What is the difference in job satisfaction levels of active MYP Coordinators based on demographic factors? The independent variables were age, gender, experience as a coordinator, number of IB programmes in school and eAssessment implementation. Using one-way ANOVA tests and t-tests, no statistical difference in job satisfaction was found for age, gender, experience as a Coordinator or the implementation of eAssessments. There was a difference in job satisfaction levels for MYP Coordinators working in 3-programme (MYP plus Diploma Programme and Primary Years Programme) schools compared with those in MYP-only schools, with the former recording higher job satisfaction levels. This finding demonstrates the need for whole-school alignment in the promotion of an atmosphere that is conducive to effective MYP coordination.
To conform or not to conform: An in-depth analysis of teacher–child interaction and the role of emotions in social adaptation in preschool
Authors: Nilfyr Katarina , Aspelin Jonas , Lantz-Andersson Annika
Published: April 2022

Early childhood education (ECE) presupposes a balance between emotionally supportive interaction and pre-academic teaching instruction, and research indicates an increasing pressure on preschool teachers’ communicative competence. This study focuses on the functions of emotions in the teacher–child relationship in a situated context. Such studies are scarce in the research on ECE, which mainly concerns children’s socioemotional learning. Using a micro-sociological approach, characterized by an in-depth analysis of interaction, we explore the ways in which emotions may foster conformity in goaloriented preschool activities. Verbal and nonverbal utterances between a preschool teacher and a child in a video-recorded episode were transcribed and analyzed meticulously. The findings reveal an informal, subtle system of social sanctions within which the emotions of shame and pride have important functions, which leads to social adaptation to goal-oriented expectations. The study also discusses how emotional processes during interaction can be understood in light of the institutional context of current ECE.
Playing the harmonica with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A qualitative study
Authors: Lewis Adam , Conway Joy , Middleton Jack , Startup Chris K , Wyatt James
Published: April 2022

Objectives: To investigate the experience of playing the harmonica for individuals with COPD.

Methods: A qualitative, phenomenological study using semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: Eight people living with COPD (six females, two males) were recruited, who had attended at least six weeks of harmonica group sessions, either face-to-face prior to the COVID-19 pandemic or remotely. Five themes were generated. Themes included ‘hard in the beginning’, ‘holding the condition’, ‘breathing control’, ‘gives you a high’ and ‘needing the Zoom class’.

Discussion: Playing the harmonica with COPD is difficult at first, particularly drawing a breath through the harmonica. With practice, experience in a fun activity and quality teaching, individuals were able to become more attuned and embodied with their breathing, and playing the harmonica offered a breathing control strategy. Songs, rather than breathing, became the focus, and participants were able to escape living with respiratory disease when playing. Participants reported the harmonica helped mucous expectoration. The group was a priority in the weekly lives of participants, even though the ‘buzz’ of being part of a group was lost when participating online. Further mechanistic studies and randomised controlled trials are needed to investigate the biopsychosocial benefits of playing the harmonica with COPD.
Clinical Practice Issues for Liver Transplantation in COVID-19 Recovered Recipients
Authors: Shetty Kirti , Lominadze Zurabi , Saharia Kapil , Challa Suryanarayana Reddy , Montenegro Maria , Meier Raphael P. H. , Malik Saad , Alvarez-Casas Josue , Sakiani Sasan , Jakhete Neha , Urrunaga Nathalie , Gray Stephen H. , Maluf Daniel G.
Published: April 2022

The ongoing burden of COVID-19 in persons with end stage liver failure necessitates the development of sound and rational policies for organ transplantation in this population. Following our initial experience with two COVID-19 recovered recipients who died shortly after transplant, we adjusted our center policies, re-evaluated outcomes, and retrospectively analyzed the clinical course of the subsequent seven COVID-19 recovered recipients. There were two early deaths and 5 successful outcomes. Both deceased patients shared common characteristics in that they had positive SARS-CoV2 PCR tests proximal to transplant (7-17 days), had acute on chronic liver failure, and suffered thromboembolic phenomena. After a careful review of clinical and virological outcome predictors, we instituted policy changes to avoid transplantation in these circumstances. We believe that our series offers useful insights into the unique challenges that confront transplant centers in the COVID-19 era and could guide future discussions regarding this important area.
Pink1 promotes cell proliferation and affects glycolysis in breast cancer
Authors: Li Jing , Xu Xuting , Huang Huilian , Li Liqin , Chen Jing , Ding Yunfeng , Ping Jinliang
Published: April 2022

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-induced kinase 1 ( Pink1) is regarded as a tumor suppressor and plays an important role in cancer cell biology, while relatively few studies have examined Pink1 in breast cancer, especially in vivo. The aims of this study were to investigate Pink1 expression in different subtypes of breast cancer tissues and cell lines and explore the effect of Pink1 protein on breast cancer. In these experiments, Pink1 expression was investigated using the tissue microarray immunohistochemistry (TMA-IHC) method in 150 samples of breast cancer tissues with different subtypes, and strong staining of Pink1 was significantly correlated with the histological grade of breast cancer ( p = 0.015). In addition, Pink1 messenger RNA (mRNA) displayed much higher expression levels in breast cancer cell lines than in MCF-10A breast epithelial cells. Moreover, proteomic data obtained by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) showed that Pink1 deletion induced a distinct proteomic profile in MDA-MB-231 cells, and enrichment analysis showed that the differential proteins were concentrated mainly in energy metabolism-related pathways. Moreover, Seahorse XF analysis showed that Pink1 knockout reduced the glycolytic ability of MDA-MB-231 cells. Our findings indicated that Pink1 may be an indicator of malignancy in breast cancer and that it presents oncogenic properties in breast cancer, which raises another perspective for understanding the regulatory role of Pink1 in breast cancer.
Laparoscopic Management of Concomitant Sigmoid Colon Cancer and Type 2 Endoleak Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Bakopoulos Anargyros , Koliakos Nikolaos , Papaconstantinou Dimitrios , Bistarakis Dimitrios , Zymvragoudakis Vassilios , Schizas Dimitrios , Pikoulis Emmanouil , Lazaris Andreas M.
Published: April 2022

The co-occurrence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and colorectal malignancy creates a significant surgical dilemma over which entity should be addressed first. A 73-year-old male was referred to our hospital due to a painful pulsatile abdominal mass. Computed tomographic angiography revealed an infrarenal aortic aneurysm measuring 5.8 cm in diameter and incidentally, a synchronous mass lesion in the sigmoid colon. The patient underwent an emergency EVAR using a Gore Excluder endograft. Postoperative CT staging for colon cancer revealed a type 2 endoleak on the grounds of a patent wide inferior mesenteric artery. The patient underwent a standard laparoscopic left colectomy with high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery in order to simultaneously address the ongoing type 2 endoleak. Follow-up examinations with computed tomographic angiography were performed confirming the resolution of the endoleak. Synchronous laparoscopic sigmoidectomy and high ligation of inferior mesenteric artery for type 2 endoleak treatment appears to be applicable with hopeful results.
Black and Blue Butterflies: The Transformative Journeys of Mothers Who Lost a Child to Suicide
Authors: Whalen Gina C. , Tisdell Elizabeth J.
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study is to understand the experience of mothers who lost a child to suicide, and how they have learned to cope with their devastating loss. The study is grounded in transformative learning (TL) theory; the study design combined narrative inquiry and the first author’s autoethnographic experience. Data collection consisted of two sets of semi-structured interviews with each of the participants, and narrative analysis combined with thematic analysis revealed five interrelated themes regarding how the mothers learned to cope and move forward after their loss: experiencing distress, trying to make sense, making use of meaningful sources of comfort, taking action, and deepening reflection through metaphor and autoethnographic sharing. A concluding discussion offers implications for TL theory around extremely emotional events and the changing circumstances brought on by suicide loss.
Effect of the Temporal Window of Integration of Speech Sound on Mismatch Negativity
Authors: Hoshino Hiroshi , Shiga Tetsuya , Mori Yuhei , Nozaki Michinari , Kanno Kazuko , Osakabe Yusuke , Ochiai Haruka , Wada Tomohiro , Hikita Masayuki , Itagaki Shuntaro , Miura Itaru , Yabe Hirooki
Published: April 2022

Speech-sound stimuli have a complex structure, and it is unclear how the brain processes them. An event-related potential (ERP), known as mismatch negativity (MMN), is elicited when an individual's brain detects a rare sound. In this study, MMNs were measured in response to an omitted segment of a complex sound consisting of a Japanese vowel. The results indicated that the latency from onset in the right hemisphere was significantly shorter than that in the frontal midline and left hemispheres during left ear stimulation. Additionally, the results of latency from omission showed that the latency of stimuli omitted in the latter part of the temporal window of integration (TWI) was longer than that of stimuli omitted in the first part of the TWI. The mean peak amplitude was found to be higher in the right hemisphere than in the frontal midline and left hemispheres in response to left ear stimulation. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that would be incorrect to believe that the stimuli have strictly the characteristics of speech-sound. However. the results of the interaction effect in the latencies from omission were insignificant. These results suggest that the detection time for deviance may not be related to the stimulus ear. However, the type of deviant stimuli on latencies was found to be significant. This is because the detection of the deviants was delayed when a deviation occurred in the latter part of the TWI, regardless of the stimulation of the ear.