bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation Failure Risk by 0.5-mm Differences in Autologous Hamstring Graft Diameter in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Itoh Masafumi , Itou Junya , Okazaki Ken , Iwasaki Kiyotaka
Published: March 2023

Background:

Because grafts are made in 0.5-mm increments clinically for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, it is important to clarify how the failure rate decreases as the diameter increases. Moreover, it is important to know whether even a slight increase in the graft diameter decreases the risk of failure.

Hypothesis:

The risk of failure decreases significantly with each 0.5-mm increase in hamstring graft diameter.

Study Design:

Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

The systematic review and meta-analysis have estimated the diameter-specific failure risk for each 0.5-mm increase in ACL reconstruction using autologous hamstring grafts. We searched for studies describing the relationship between graft diameter and failure rate published before December 1, 2021, in leading databases, such as PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We included studies using single-bundle autologous hamstring grafts to investigate the relationship between failure rate and graft diameter of 0.5-mm intervals with >1-year follow-up. Then, we calculated the failure risk caused by 0.5-mm differences in autologous hamstring graft diameter. Assuming Poisson distribution for the statistical model, we employed an extended linear mixed-effects model in the meta-analyses.

Results:

Five studies containing 19,333 cases were eligible. The meta-analysis revealed that the estimated value of the coefficient of diameter in the Poisson model was −0.2357 with a 95% CI of −0.2743 to −0.1971 ( P < .0001). With every 1.0-mm increase in diameter, the failure rate decreased by 0.79 (0.76-0.82) times. In contrast, the failure rate increased by 1.27 (1.22-1.32) times for each 1.0-mm decrease in diameter. The failure rate significantly decreased with each 0.5-mm increase in graft diameter in the range of <7.0 to >9.0 mm from 3.63% to 1.79%.

Conclusion:

The risk of failure decreased correspondingly with each 0.5-mm increase in graft diameter in the range of <7.0 to >9.0 mm. Failure is multifactorial; however, increasing the graft diameter as much as possible to match each patient’s anatomic space without overstuffing is an effective precaution that surgeons can take to reduce failures.
Effect of bonding techniques on thermal insulation and biodegradation of banana fiber/recycled polyester nonwovens
Authors: N Muthukumar , G Thilagavathi , T Kiruba
Published: March 2023

In this research, the needle punched and chemical bonded nonwovens were developed by blending banana fiber and recycled polyester (r-PET) in three blend ratios (90% banana/10% r-PET, 70% banana/30% r-PET, 50% banana/50% r-PET). The developed nonwovens were characterized by thermal insulation and biodegradation properties. Results showed that all developed nonwovens have an excellent insulation performance; the thermal resistance value is in the range of 0.299 to 0.248 m2K/W. It was observed that nonwovens made from 90% banana/10% r-PET have better thermal insulation compared to other blend ratios in both techniques. It was also observed that the chemical bonded nonwovens had a 6.69% higher thermal resistance value compared to the needle punched nonwovens. A bi-layer hybrid structure made with chemical bonded nonwoven and needle punched nonwoven provided a thermal resistance value of 0.43 m2K/W. The chemical bonded nonwovens showed lower biodegradation compared to needle punched nonwovens.
Characteristics of Children With Cerebral Palsy in the Post–Therapeutic Hypothermia Era
Authors: Pekeles Heather , Al Amrani Fatema , Perez-Morgui Marta , Wintermark Pia , Shevell Michael
Published: March 2023

Objectives: To explore the profile of children with cerebral palsy secondary to intrapartum asphyxia treated with therapeutic hypothermia after birth and to compare characteristics of children treated with therapeutic hypothermia with mild vs severe cerebral palsy outcome. Study Design: We identified all children treated with therapeutic hypothermia for intrapartum asphyxia in a single-center tertiary-level neonatal intensive care unit from 2008 to 2018 with a cerebral palsy outcome. We collected perinatal and outcome measures from patient charts. We searched the literature for characteristics of children with cerebral palsy prior to therapeutic hypothermia (historical cohort) to compare to our cohort. We subdivided our cohort into mild vs severe cerebral palsy and compared neonatal characteristics to identify predictors of severe phenotype. Results: Thirty of 355 cooled neonates (8%) developed cerebral palsy. More children had spastic quadriparesis and epilepsy, and fewer had visual impairment in the post–therapeutic hypothermia era compared to the historical cohort, but had similar Gross Motor Function Classification System scores. In our cohort, more children had severe (19 of 30, 63%) compared to mild cerebral palsy (11 of 30, 37%). The severe group had higher mean birth weight, lower 5- and 10-minute Apgar scores, and more often white matter injury with associated deep gray matter injury or near-total injury pattern ( P < .05). Conclusions: Our data demonstrated more infants with severe rather than mild cerebral palsy in our cohort treated with therapeutic hypothermia. Birthweight, 5- and 10-minute Apgar scores, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were significantly different between mild and severe phenotype groups. Our findings can guide clinicians how to better weigh these factors, when counseling parents in the neonatal period.
Adjunctive Hydrocortisone Improves Hemodynamics in Critically Ill Patients with Septic Shock: An Observational Study Using Transpulmonary Thermodilution
Authors: Jochheim Leonie , Jochheim David , Habenicht Livia , Herner Alexander , Ulrich Jörg , Wiessner Johannes , Heilmaier Markus , Rasch Sebastian , Schmid R.M. , Lahmer T. , Mayr Ulrich
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Septic shock is associated with high mortality and hemodynamic impairment. The use of corticoids is a common therapeutic tool in critically ill patients. However, data on the mechanisms and prognostic ability of hemodynamic improvement by adjunctive steroids are rare. This study primarily aimed to evaluate short-term effects of hydrocortisone therapy on catecholamine requirement and hemodynamics derived from transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) in 30 critically ill patients with septic shock and a 28 days mortality rate of 50%. Methods: Hydrocortisone was administered with an intravenous bolus of 200 mg, followed by a continuous infusion of 200 mg per 24 h. Hemodynamic assessment was performed immediately before as well as 2, 8, 16, and 24 h after the initiation of corticoids. For primary endpoint analysis, we evaluated the impact of hydrocortisone on vasopressor dependency index (VDI) and cardiac power index (CPI). Results: Adjunctive hydrocortisone induced significant decreases of VDI from 0.41 (0.29-0.49) mmHg−1 at baseline to 0.35 (0.25-0.46) after 2 h ( P < .001), 0.24 (0.12-0.35) after 8 h ( P < .001), 0.18 (0.09-0.24) after 16 h ( P < .001) and 0.11 (0.06-0.20) mmHg−1 after 24 h ( P < .001). In parallel, we found an improvement in CPI from 0.63 (0.50-0.83) W/m2 at baseline to 0.68 (0.54-0.85) after 2 h ( P = .208), 0.71 (0.60-0.90) after 8 h ( P = .033), 0.82 (0.6-0.98) after 16 h ( P = .004) and 0.90 (0.67-1.07) W/m2 after 24 h ( P < .001). Our analyses revealed a significant reduction in noradrenaline requirement in parallel with a moderate increase in mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance index, and cardiac index. As a secondary endpoint, our results showed a significant decrease in lung water parameters. Moreover, changes in CPI (ΔCPI) and VDI (ΔVDI) after 24 h of hydrocortisone therapy revealed accurate prognostic ability to predict 28 days mortality (AUC = 0.802 vs 0.769). Conclusion: Adjunctive hydrocortisone leads to a rapid decrease in catecholamine requirement and a substantial circulatory improvement in critically ill patients with septic shock.
Research on optimal multivariate thermal error modeling based on finite-element analysis
Authors: Peng Liang , Chen Zhenlei , Cheng Leilei , Wang Changfa
Published: March 2023

To improve the nonlinear fitting ability of multiple linear regression model in thermal error prediction of machine tools, an optimized thermal error modeling method based on test and simulation is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the finite-element analysis is used to complete the thermal-structure coupling analysis of the CNC machine tool. Based on the simulation results of temperature and deformation field of the machine tool, temperature-sensitive points (TSPs) are selected with fuzzy cluster analysis and correlation analysis. According to the simulation results, TSPs of the machine tool are fitted by quadratic polynomial from temperature to deformation. Finally, taking the deformation value of TSPs as the intermediate variable, the multiple linear regression model is established, and the optimized quadratic multiple regression thermal error model is obtained. The results show that the prediction curve of the optimized thermal error model based on on test and simulation is closer to the test curve, and the fitting index is better than that obtained from the traditional model. This method can effectively improve the nonlinear fitting ability of the thermal error model of CNC machine tools. Based on the thermal error model established in this paper, the compensation value of thermal error can be obtained by inputting the real-time measured temperature data of TSPs, which can effectively improve the machining accuracy of CNC machine tools.
Influence of ballast bulk density and loading conditions on lateral resistance of concrete sleeper components
Authors: Aela Peyman , Jitsangiam Peerapong , Li Xinjie , Jing Guoqing
Published: March 2023

From the perspective of the ballast railway track lateral stability, the sleeper-to-ballast interface has a vital role in the interaction between the sleeper and shoulder, crib, and base of the ballast layer. In this paper, ballast bulk density, vertical loading exerted by trains, and type of loading were considered as influencing factors on the variation of ballast components' contribution to the lateral resistance using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). For static tests, four vertical loadings of 0, 50, 100, and 150 kN, as well as three bulk densities of 1400, 1500, and 1600 kg/m3 of ballast, were prepared. For cyclic tests, four loading frequencies of 5, 10, 20, and 30 Hz were considered for a panel with a constant bulk density of 1500 kg/m3 subjected to 100 kN vertical loading. Simulations demonstrate that the lateral sleeper resistance is maximum when the ballast bulk density is approximately 1500 kg/m3.
If not a ‘macho’, then who did it? Social actors and the violence of Mexico
Authors: Tomczak-Boczko Justyna
Published: March 2023

The article examines how the Mexicans represent in their discourse the perpetrators of everyday violence. Ethnographic data that I collected during in-depth interviews recorded in Guadalajara, Mexico, are analyzed employing Theo van Leeuwen’s tools of CDA as presented in Discourse and Practice. New Tools for Critical Discourse Analysis. Comparing extracts from recorded interviews discussing violence against women, men, and children proves that the representation of social actors differs depending on the victim and thereby normalizes violent behavior. Although the main explanation of high rates in violence is the machismo – the cult of macho, the low frequency of the terms macho, machos, machista, or machismo in the corpus demonstrates that for the informants the concept of macho is remote and does not serve to justify the violence.
Acceptance and Dropout Rates of Individuals with Asthma Approached in Self-management Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Eilayyan Owis J. , Arafah Alaa M.
Published: March 2023

Objective

The objectives of this systematic review were to assess the acceptability of self-management interventions for people with asthma and identify contributing factors.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE (OVIDWEB), CINAHL and Cochrane databases. Clinical trials design was included if they met specified criteria. A random-effect meta-regression analysis was conducted to estimate the overall acceptance and drop-out rates and to assess the potential factors that may influence the outcomes.

Results

A total of 64 studies were included and 8,092 participants were recruited and participated in the trials. The estimated acceptance rate was 51.1%, while the estimated drop-out rates in the intervention and control groups were 18.2% and 15.6%, respectively. Lack of interest was the main reported reason for refusing to participate and dropping out from the program. Study-related and program-related factors influenced the acceptance and drop-out rates statistically and clinically.

Conclusion

The acceptance rate of self-management programs among asthmatic people was not high and the dropout rate was somewhat low. The review suggests optimizing the design of self-management studies and modifying the implemented self-management programs to increase the acceptance rate and decrease the dropout rate.
Unhealthy Shock: Changes in Household Expenditures in the First Wave of COVID-19 in India
Authors: Balaji Akshaya , Tagat Anirudh
Published: March 2023

This article uses nationally representative household survey data between June 2019 and 2020 from India to examine changes in household consumption expenditure following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that across rural and urban households, there was a strong reduction in overall expenditures, in particular, related to food and health. This corroborates findings from existing literature on food insecurity during the first lockdown in India (March–April 2020) and provides the first set of estimates on changes in health expenditure for this period. Although there were expansions to health insurance and subsidized COVID-related healthcare costs in India, our findings likely do not reflect this. We discuss implications for policy and outline future work.
Factors Associated With Nosocomial COVID-19 Infection Among Health Care Workers in an Urban-Setting Malaysia Hospital
Authors: Yap Jun Fai , Ng Rui Jie , Chin Si Ming , Mohammed Abu Bakar Rafidah , Nik Jaafar Nik Zulhakim , Mohamad Razali Siti Zuhairah , Ahmad Siti Nadhila , Ng Chiu Wan , Ahmad Zaki Rafdzah , Syed Omar Sharifah Faridah , Kamarulzaman Adeeba , Hasnan Nazirah , Ponnampalavanar Sasheela Sri La Sri , Cheng Lim Yin , Hoe Victor Chee Wai
Published: March 2023

This single-center study aimed to explore the factors associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission in a hospital. All laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases among health care workers (HCWs) in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia were analyzed cross-sectionally from January 25, 2020, to September 10, 2021. A total of 897 HCWs in the hospital had laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection during the study period. Around 37.4% of HCWs were suspected to acquire COVID-19 infection from the hospital workplace. Factors associated with lower odds of workplace COVID-19 transmission were being females, ≥30 years old, fully vaccinated, and working as clinical support staff. Involvement in COVID-19 patient care was significantly associated with higher odds (adjusted odds ratio = 3.53) of workplace COVID-19 transmission as compared with non-workplace transmission. Most HCWs in the tertiary hospital acquired COVID-19 infection from non-workplace settings. During a pandemic, it is important to communicate with HCWs about the risk of both workplace and non-workplace COVID-19 transmission and to implement measures to reduce both workplace and non-workplace COVID-19 transmission.
Parents’ Perspectives of Center-Based Early Intervention Services for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children
Authors: Rufsvold Ronda , Smolen Elaine , Hartman Maria , Fleming Lauren
Published: March 2023

Parents of children who are newly identified as deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) face many decisions surrounding communication and intervention, including where to receive early intervention (EI) services. This study explored the experiences and perspectives of parents of DHH children enrolled in a center-based, family-centered EI program focused on developing listening and spoken language in California. Seventeen families participated in biannual focus groups following a semi-structured interview protocol that focused on parental decision-making and experiences receiving center-based services. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to code transcripts of the focus groups. The data coalesced around three main themes: (a) a variety of influences on technology and communication decisions, (b) the value of center-based services, and (c) a sense of empowerment and drive for advocacy. Caregivers particularly valued connections to other families of DHH children and the expertise of center-based EI providers as they navigated the first few years following identification.
Tracking Changes in the Endorsement of Injunctive Drinking Norms in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Longitudinal Alignment Analysis
Authors: Wickham Robert E. , Steers Mai-Ly N. , Ward Rose Marie , Liu-Pham Ryan
Published: March 2023

The onset of the pandemic saw shifts in messaging around the acceptability of alcohol consumption at different times and contexts. A psychometric analysis of responses to injunctive norms may reveal important differences in specific aspects of norms that were influenced by the pandemic. Study 1 used alignment analysis to evaluate measurement invariance in low- and high-risk injunctive norms across samples of Midwestern college students from 2019 to 2021. Study 2 used an alignment-within-confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach to replicate the solution from Study 1 in an independent longitudinal sample ( N = 1,148) who responded between 2019 and 2021. For Study 1, the latent mean for high-risk norms was significantly higher in 2021, and the endorsement of four specific norms also differed. In Study 2, increases in latent means for low- and high-risk norms were observed across 2020 and 2021, and differential endorsement emerged for one high-risk norm item. Examining scale-level changes in injunctive drinking norms provides insight into how college students’ perceptions changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Detection of Hypercoagulability in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction Using a Clot Waveform Analysis
Authors: Kamon Toshitaka , Horie Shotaro , Inaba Tomoya , Ito Nobuo , Shiraki Katsuya , Ichikawa Yuhuko , Ezaki Minoru , Shimpo Hideto , Shimaoka Motomu , Nishigaki Akisato , Shindo Akihiro , Wada Hideo
Published: March 2023

A few studies concerning hypercoagulable states have sufficiently been reported in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI), as ACI is generally considered to be caused by platelet activation. Clot waveform analyses (CWA) for activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and small amount of tissue factor FIX activation assay (sTF/FIXa) were examined in 108 patients with ACI, 61 patients without ACI, and 20 healthy volunteers. CWA-APTT and CWA-sTF/FIXa showed that the peak heights were significantly higher in ACI patients without anticoagulant therapy than in healthy volunteers. Absorbance exceeding 78.1 mm on the 1st DPH in the CWA-sTF/FIXa showed the highest odds ratio for ACI. The peak heights were significantly lower in the CWA-sTF/FIXa of ACI patients receiving argatroban therapy than in those of ACI patients without anticoagulant therapy. CWA can suggest a hypercoagulable state in ACI patients and may be useful for monitoring the need for anticoagulant therapy.
Attorneys’ Questions and Children’s Responses Referring to the Nature of Sexual Touch in Child Sexual Abuse Trials
Authors: Szojka Zsofia A. , Moussavi Nika , Burditt Cara , Lyon Thomas D.
Published: March 2023

Eliciting clear descriptions of sexual body parts and abusive touch in child sexual abuse trials is challenging because of children’s immaturity and embarrassment. This study examined references to sexual body part knowledge and sexual touch in attorneys’ questions and 5- to 10-year-old children’s responses ( N = 2,247) in 113 child sexual abuse trials. Regardless of children’s age, attorneys and children primarily used unclear colloquialisms to refer to sexual body parts. Questions asking children to name sexual body parts elicited more uninformative responses than questions about the function of sexual body parts. In turn, questions about the function of sexual body parts were more likely to increase the specificity of body part identifications than questions about the location of sexual body parts. Attorneys predominantly used option-posing (yes-no and forced choice) questions to ask about sexual body part knowledge, the location of touch, the method or manner of touching, skin-to-skin contact, penetration, and how the touching felt. Generally, wh- questions were no more likely than option-posing questions to elicit uninformative responses, and consistently elicited more child-generated information. The results question the legal assumption that children’s uninformative responses when testifying about sexual abuse should be overcome by asking option-posing questions.
“Transforming” Personality Scale Development: Illustrating the Potential of State-of-the-Art Natural Language Processing
Authors: Fyffe Shea , Lee Philseok , Kaplan Seth
Published: March 2023

Natural language processing (NLP) techniques are becoming increasingly popular in industrial and organizational psychology. One promising area for NLP-based applications is scale development; yet, while many possibilities exist, so far these applications have been restricted—mainly focusing on automated item generation. The current research expands this potential by illustrating an NLP-based approach to content analysis, which manually categorizes scale items by their measured constructs. In NLP, content analysis is performed as a text classification task whereby a model is trained to automatically assign scale items to the construct that they measure. Here, we present an approach to text classification—using state-of-the-art transformer models—that builds upon past approaches. We begin by introducing transformer models and their advantages over alternative methods. Next, we illustrate how to train a transformer to content analyze Big Five personality items. Then, we compare the models trained to human raters, finding that transformer models outperform human raters and several alternative models. Finally, we present practical considerations, limitations, and future research directions.
How Do You Sleep? The Impact of Sleep Apps on Generation Z's Well-Being
Authors: Attie Elodie , Meyer-Waarden Lars
Published: March 2023

Mobile health (mHealth) apps have fundamentally changed the usage of smartphones in people's daily lives. In this context, sleep apps, the most popular mHealth apps, can track and enhance user well-being. Understanding the antecedents of the usage of sleep apps is of timely research interest. This study focuses on whether and how sleep apps influence Generation Z users’ well-being (as this generation represents a promising market segment for smart devices). More precisely, the authors enhance the technology acceptance model with the uses and gratifications theory, and they test the perceptions of a sleep app before and after use. Structural equation modeling shows that the sleep app positively influences perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, intention to use, real usage, and perceived well-being. Consumers rate higher levels of well-being and usefulness regarding the sleep app before use than after use. Perceived usefulness can enhance usage and, in turn, well-being. Privacy concerns and personality traits moderate the direct effects on well-being. Health app managers should understand the importance of the utilitarian benefits of disruptive technologies, which can be enhanced through empowerment (i.e., self-tracking, self-knowledge, and self-management) and well-being benefits. However, privacy concerns remain the primary reason for consumers’ reluctance toward mHealth apps.
Spaces of Exclusion and Neglect: The Impact of COVID-19 on People With Disabilities in Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, and Uganda
Authors: Thompson Stephen , Rohwerder Brigitte
Published: March 2023

This research investigates how COVID-19 has affected experiences of people with disabilities in low- and middle-income contexts. A qualitative approach was used to collect data as the pandemic progressed from 75 participants in Nigeria, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kenya, and Uganda. The research aimed to be inclusive of people with disabilities by asking the participants directly about their perspectives with a narrative interview method being employed to gain each person’s unique insights. A participatory thematic analysis of the data, followed by a spatial analysis process, produced rich and highly individualized accounts of the spatiocultural experiences relating to how people with disabilities had occupied both private and public space during the pandemic. Differing factors, such as the dominant culture, gender, a person’s impairments, and the social environment, are shown to shape people’s experiences. Across cultures, COVID-19 is shown to have presented new challenges for people with disabilities while preexisting disadvantages have been exacerbated.
A systematic review of the psychometric properties of the sibling perception questionnaire
Authors: Gutierrez Abbigail , Horan Madeline , Limbers Christine A
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of the psychometric properties of the Sibling Perception Questionnaire (SPQ) in children with a sibling with a chronic illness. Full-text journal articles were located in APA PsycInfo and PubMed databases and by searching the reference lists of studies. Studies included reported on the psychometric properties of at least one domain of the SPQ in children under 18 years who had a sibling with a chronic health condition. Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria. The quality of the evidence was assessed with the COSMIN Risk of Bias Checklist. None of the included studies reported on all 10 properties recommended by COSMIN and there was extensive variability in the quality of methods used to assess the psychometric properties of the SPQ across studies. The negative adjustment scale demonstrated the strongest internal consistency reliability across the studies included in the review. Eight studies assessed convergent validity, with all but one demonstrating the SPQ total score to be adequately correlated with like constructs. The studies included in the review provided preliminary support for the responsive of the SPQ in detecting clinically significant changes due to an intervention. Taken as a whole, findings from this review provide preliminary evidence for the SPQ as a reliable, valid, and responsive measure in children who have a chronically ill sibling. Future studies with stronger methodological quality and that assess test re-test reliability, known groups validity, and the factor structure of the SPQ are needed. This work did not receive any funding and the authors have no competing interests to declare.
Passive building design for improving indoor thermal comfort in tropical climates: A bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace
Authors: Kolani Kibir , Wang Yupeng , Zhou Dian , Nouyep Tchitchui Junel Urlin , Okolo Chukwuemeka Valentine
Published: March 2023

This paper reviews the literature on passive building design for improving indoor thermal comfort in tropical climates through a bibliometric analysis. The Web of Science database and CiteSpace were searched, and 722 articles were selected and analyzed to form the body of this article. An overview of the evolution of publications from 1984 to 2021 is first presented, followed by an examination of the co-citation networks of journals, countries, keywords, documents and authors. Co-occurrence analysis of 391 keywords, 861 highly cited publications and the top 15 most frequently mentioned publications and most salient were used to identify research methodologies and to analyze the correlation search of articles. Some notable work on thermal comfort models and passive design strategies suitable for a warm climate is also discussed. The results show that real-time field studies compared to dynamic simulations represent the most outstanding research on passive design and thermal comfort of buildings in tropical climates. In addition, standards such as ASHRAE Standard 55 and ISO Standard 7730 have played an essential role in the evolution of the subject. The results of this study may inspire other researchers and policy makers.
Emission and occupational health risk assessment of harmful contaminants in various processes in a typical semiconductor manufacturing industry building
Authors: Zhang Xianglan , Wang Zhichao , Li Xiaofeng , Deng Gaofeng
Published: March 2023

Workers in semiconductor factories have occupational health risks from exposure to chemical substances. This work analyzed hazardous chemical substances in the key process of a semiconductor factory in China, and studied cancer and non-cancer health risks and occupational health risks of workers. Research results show that more than half of the processes contain compounds such as hydrogen fluoride, chlorine, hydrogen chloride, ammonia and 2-propanol, and their concentrations vary greatly depending on the process. The occupational exposure index (Ei) of some processes is greater than 1, which means that there are adverse occupational health risks, including wet etching (WETCH), physical vapour deposition (PVD), furnace process (FUR), chemicals storehouse (CS) and diffusion (from inspection area). The pollutants with a high contribution rate to Ei vary with the process, and WETCH (operating area) has the highest contribution rate of sulphuric acid (93.33%). The Hazard Quotient (HQi) of PVD and CS is far greater than 1, indicating that there is a non-cancer risk. The lifetime cancer risk (LCRi) of wastewater treatment and CS is greater than 10−4, which indicates a risk of cancer. The General Engineer has higher health risks than the Duty Engineer due to the higher exposure frequency.
Sequence-initial pointing: Spotlighting what just happened as a cause of a new sequence
Authors: Yasui Eiko
Published: March 2023

Drawing on microanalysis of interaction, this study examines the practice a pointing gesture accomplishes in initiating a new sequence in relation to what just happened when another line of interaction is still developing. Specifically, it is an investigation of the cases in which a participant points at a current or adjacent prior speaker with their index finger, comments on their current or adjacent prior action, and laughs. Such pointing spotlights what the target is currently doing or just did and locates them as a cause of the laughter. The pointing participant then invites laughter from others by shifting their gaze toward others while continuing to point. The analysis shows that such practice presents new participation statuses of the recipients and enables the producer of the pointing to initiate a teasing sequence; the gaze shift can invite laughter from others while the pointing indicates the target of the teasing. The study thus reveals interactional tasks of pointing gestures beyond their referential function.
How long-term emancipatory programming facilitates participatory evaluation: Building a methodology of participation through research with youth in Honduras
Authors: Dodd Warren , Wyngaarden Sara , Humphries Sally , Lobo Tosta Esmeralda , Zelaya Portillo Veronica , Orellana Paola
Published: March 2023

Empowerment and participation are promoted as critical factors in meaningful development processes; however, action-oriented researchers face challenges in fostering genuine empowerment and meaningful participation within traditional funding cycles and research timelines. This case study illustrates a participatory methodology employed by researchers in partnership with one Honduran non-governmental organization (NGO) to conduct ‘practical’ participatory evaluation with rural Honduran youth. Through collaborative autoethnography, two components of this methodology are identified and described. The first component – ‘foundational elements’- includes the NGO’s culture of transformative participation and the organization’s attention to synergies in the insider/outsider identities of research partners. The second component includes the ability of the research team to leverage this foundation for the participatory evaluation with rural youth. Importantly, this ability was grounded in and shaped by long-term, trust-based relationships between research partners. These relationships were the catalyst for success in this participatory initiative, connecting the ‘foundational elements’ identified to the collaborative outcomes experienced. Overall, this case study contributes to current and ongoing scholarly discussions on how to facilitate meaningful participation and capability expansion in research and evaluation contexts.
“It's Just Hard Reaching Out”: Factors Affecting Help-Seeking Behaviors among Independent College Students
Authors: Sapiro Beth , Shpiegel Svetlana , Ramirez Quiroz Silvia , Ventola Marissa , Nwankwo Oomi Helen , Munyereyi Tariro
Published: March 2023

Independent students pursue higher education without financial, practical, and sometimes emotional support from family. For these students, asking for assistance when needed is key for college persistence. Decisions around help-seeking are shaped by multiple factors but are often portrayed as a solely individual decision. This study examined factors affecting help seeking among independent students enrolled in a four-year university. Within a process evaluation of a campus support program for independent students, we conducted in-depth, individual interviews with 23 independent students ages 18–23, as well as 5 university staff. Students described a range of psychological and relational factors influencing their willingness to seek assistance and identified significant barriers to help-seeking. In contrast, staff interviews focused more on perceived student deficits in help-seeking. Both groups also identified institutional factors that influenced student efforts to seek assistance. Findings can inform the development of effective campus-based services to support the retention of independent students.
The Political Philosophy of the Dark Knight Trilogy
Authors: Ashbach Jonathan
Published: March 2023

Christopher Nolan once described The Dark Knight as massively subversive, but scholars have been slow to realize just how accurate that confession was. Nolan’s Batman trilogy shows little interest in propagandizing on behalf of ephemeral partisan politics, but its films deeply engage fundamental political questions. Batman Begins explores the violent nature of governance as the wielding of fear and compares three different theories of justice to suggest the virtue is best defined by its fostering of social harmony. The Dark Knight centers on the question: Who rules? Nolan’s masterpiece sharply critiques democratic legitimacy in favor of something more primal: Those who can rule well should. And The Dark Knight Rises explores the nature of the demagogic class struggle most likely to lead to the collapse of social order. These films are not mere entertainment–they also constitute one of our age’s great meditations on power.
Utilizing Scapula Retraction Exercises With or Without Glenohumeral Rotational Exercises With a Gradual Progression for Subacromial Pain Syndrome
Authors: Eraslan Leyla , Yar Ozan , Ergen Fatma Bilge , Huri Gazi , Duzgun Irem
Published: March 2023

Background:

Although exercise interventions are recommended in the management of subacromial pain syndrome (SPS), there is a lack of data regarding the exercises focusing on the principal biomechanical deficiencies that cause symptoms.

Hypothesis:

Utilizing progressive scapula retraction exercises (SRE) and glenohumeral rotation exercises (GRE) in the scapula stabilization program may lead to more reduction in symptoms and greater acromiohumeral distance (AHD) values.

Study Design:

A double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Level of Evidence:

Level 2.

Methods:

A total of 33 patients were assigned randomly to either SRE or SRE+GRE. Both groups received a 12-week supervised rehabilitation program, including manual therapy and exercises (stretching and progressive scapula stabilization exercises). In addition, the SRE+GRE group performed GRE exercises at gradual elevation angles. From 12 to 24 weeks, patients performed exercise programs less frequently (3 times per week). Disability (shoulder pain and disability index [SPADI]), AHD (at 5 active abduction angles), pain intensity (visual analogue scale [VAS]), and patient satisfaction were recorded at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. A total of 16 healthy individuals were recruited as a control group to compare AHD values. Data were analyzed using mixed model analyses of variance.

Results:

A statistically significant group-by-time interaction was found for AHD values ( F4,92 = 6.38; P = 0.001), a significant group-by-time interaction for SPADI-disability ( F1,33 = 5.148; P = 0.01), SPADI-total ( F1,32 = 4.172; P = 0.03), and for pain during activity ( F2,62 = 3.204; P = 0.05). However, no significant group-by-time interaction for SPADI-pain (F1,33 = 0.533; P = 0.48), for pain at rest (F1,31 < 0.001; P = 0.99), and at night (F1,32 = 2.166; P = 0.15). Yet, a significant time effect was observed.

Conclusion:

Progressive SRE and GRE in the scapula stabilization program lessens symptoms and improves AHD values in patients with SPS. Moreover, this program could preserve outcomes and further increase AHD when applied less frequently.

Clinical Relevance:

Utilizing SRE and GRE in the scapula stabilization program at gradual shoulder abduction angles provides better rehabilitation outcomes.
Surgical Mitral Valve Replacement Using a Catheter-Based MelodyTM Valve in a Landing Zone Constructed With a PTFE-Covered Expandable Cheatham-PlatinumTM Stent
Authors: El-said Howaida , Hussein Amira , Ganta Srujan , Ryan Justin , Nigro John
Published: March 2023

Mitral valve replacement using a Melody valve is a promising solution to the challenge of surgical mitral valve replacement in infants with a hypoplastic annulus. We report the creation of a landing zone in the mitral valve annulus using a Cheatham-Platinum (CP)-covered stent that facilitates Melody valve placement, helps prevent paravalvular leak, minimizes left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and allows for potential future dilation of the valve.
Application of 3D Modeling Software to Preoperative MRI for Prediction of Surface Area of Tissue Applied During Osteochondral Allograft Reconstruction of the Knee
Authors: Moulton Samuel G. , Provencher Matthew , Vidal Armando , Wiedrick Jack , Arnold Kaytee , Crawford Dennis
Published: March 2023

Background:

Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to estimate the quantity of tissue provided for fresh osteochondral allograft (FOCA) in the knee. Use of 3-dimensional (3D) MRI modeling software for this purpose may improve defect assessment, providing a more accurate estimate of osteochondral allograft tissue required and eliminating the possibility of acquiring an inadequate quantity of tissue for transplant surgery.

Purpose:

To evaluate the capacity of damage assessment (DA) 3D MRI modeling software to preoperatively estimate the osteochondral allograft surface area used in surgery.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

Included were 36 patients who had undergone FOCA surgery to the distal femur. Based on the preoperative MRI scans, the DA software estimated the total surface area of the lesion as well as the surface areas of each subarea of injury: full-thickness cartilage injury (International Cartilage Repair Society [ICRS] grade 4), partial-thickness cartilage injury (ICRS grade 2-3), bone marrow edema, bone loss, and bone cyst. The probability of overestimation of graft tissue areas by the DA software was calculated using a Bayes-moderated proportion, and the relationship between the prediction discrepancy (ie, over- or underestimation) and the magnitude of the DA estimate was assessed using nonparametric local-linear regression.

Results:

The DA total surface area measurement overestimated the actual area of FOCA tissue transplanted 81.6% (95% CI, 67.2%-91.4%) of the time, corresponding to a median overestimation of 3.14 cm2, or 1.78 times the area of FOCA transplanted. The DA software overestimated the area of FOCA transplanted 100% of the time for defect areas measuring >4.52 cm2. For defects <4.21 cm2, the maximum-magnitude underestimation of tissue area was 1.45 cm2 (on a fold scale, 0.63 times the transplanted area); a plausible heuristic is that multiplying small DA-measured areas of injury by a factor of ∼1.5 would yield an overestimation of the tissue area transplanted most of the time.

Conclusion:

The DA 3D modeling software overestimated osteochondral defect size >80% of the time in 36 distal femoral FOCA cases. A policy of consistent but limited overestimation of osteochondral defect size may provide a more reliable basis for predicting the minimum safe amount of allograft tissue to acquire for transplantation.
“Just Move It . . . Move It”: A Multidisciplinary Motivational Approach to Improve Physical Activity in Children With Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Sputael Valérie , Gaspar Véronique , Weber Valentine , Soussi Kawtar , Knoop Christiane , Hanssens Laurence
Published: March 2023

Regular physical activity (PA) is essential in cystic fibrosis (CF). This study assessed the impact of a motivational interviewing (MI)-based project titled “Just move it . . . move it,” aimed at improving the PA of pediatric CF patients. At baseline and month 6, body mass index, spirometric values, and duration of extracurricular sport activities were collected. Concurrently, the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was estimated. MI was performed during each visit. Overall, 19 CF children were included. Ten patients (52.7%) increased their regular PA (mean 1.9 hours/week) between both visits (PA+ group), while 9 did not (PA− group). No significant differences in functional and nutritional values were observed between the groups, while extracurricular sport time significantly increased in the PA+ group. “Just move it . . . move it” seems to be an efficient approach, as it was able to motivate several CF patients to initiate or increase their PA, yet without improving functional parameters.
Punctuated growth of InAs quantum dashes-in-a-well for enhanced 2-μm emission
Authors: Chu R. J. , Kim Y. , Woo S. W. , Choi W. J. , Jung D.
Published: March 2023

InAs quantum dashes (Qdash) engineered to emit near 2 μm are envisioned to be promising quantum emitters for next-generation technologies in sensing and communications. In this study, we explore the effect of punctuated growth (PG) on the structure and optical properties of InP-based InAs Qdashes emitting near the 2-μm wavelength. Morphological analysis revealed that PG led to an improvement in in-plane size uniformity and increases in average height and height distribution. A 2 × boost in photoluminescence intensity was observed, which we attribute to improved lateral dimensions and structural stabilization. PG encouraged formation of taller Qdashes while photoluminescence measurements revealed a blue-shift in the peak wavelength. We proposed that the blue-shift originates from the thinner quantum well cap and decreased distance between the Qdash and InAlGaAs barrier. This study on the punctuated growth of large InAs Qdashes is a step toward realizing bright, tunable, and broadband sources for 2-μm communications, spectroscopy, and sensing.
Engineering M1-derived nanovesicles loading with docosahexaenoic acid synergizes ferroptosis and immune activation for treating hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Meng Ming , Zhang Xia , Li Qian , Han Jingjing , Chen Yu , Qiao Haishi , Yang Yonglin , Huang Xin
Published: March 2023

Ferroptosis represents an innovative strategy to overcome the resistance of traditional cancer therapeutic through lethal lipid peroxidation leading to immunogenic cell death. However, the inefficiency of ferroptosis inducers and mild immunogenicity restrict the further clinical applications. Herein, engineering exosome-mimic M1 nanovesicles (MNV) were prepared by serial extrusion of M1 macrophage and served as an efficient vehicle for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) delivery. MNV loaded with DHA (MNV@DHA) could promote more DHA accumulation in tumor cells, depletion glutathione and reduction of lipid antioxidant glutathione peroxidase-4 facilitating the occurrence of ferroptosis. Furthermore, MNV were able to induce the polarization of M1 and repolarize M2 macrophages to activate tumor immune microenvironments. The activated immune cells would further trigger the ferroptosis of tumor cells. In a murine orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma model, MNV@DHA could significantly target tumor tissues, increase the proportion of M1 macrophages and CD8+ T cells and lessen the infiltration of M2 macrophages. Accordingly, MNV@DHA characterized with positive feedback regulation between ferroptosis and immune activation exhibited the strongest in vivo therapeutic effect. The synergism of ferroptosis and immunomodulation based on the dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and engineered exosome-mimic nanovesicles may serve as a promising modality to efficiently complement pharmacological approaches for cancer management.