bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability-based topology optimization of large-tonnage crane boom head with stress constraint
Authors: Yang Shangbin , Yang Jinde , Cai Jiabin
Published: February 2024

This study proposes a reliability-based topology optimization model reconstruction method considering stress constraints to solve the problem of high stress on the crane boom head in the working process. Firstly, the empty area of the crane boom head model is filled as the design region. Next, random variables and reliability indexes are set, and the reliability-based topology optimization considering stress constraints is performed for the design region. Finally, the filled boom head model is reconstructed in professional software. The irregular uplift and entity parts are designed as ribbed plates and support structures to obtain the regular optimized boom head model. Meanwhile, finite element analysis is performed on the reconstructed model to determine its maximum equivalent stress during the working process. The results show that the optimized boom head has better mechanical properties than the original.
Mechanical characterization of novel Parthenium hysterophorus and Jute reinforced polymer matrix composites for light weight medium load applications and application of MADM-VIKOR approach
Authors: Mahesh Vishwas
Published: February 2024

This study explores the use of natural fibers in composite materials to enhance mechanical properties and reduce water absorption for lightweight medium load applications. The approach involves hybridizing Parthenium hysterophorus (PH) and Jute with epoxy L-12 matrix in different stacking sequences to create four tri-layer composites. Mechanical tests following ASTM standards revealed that composites with Jute fibers on top and PH fibers in the middle exhibit superior mechanical performance and reduced water absorption, making them suitable for such applications. The tensile strength of composite (CP4) with PH fiber at center and Jute fibers at extreme was found to be 1.7 times higher compared to composite with all three layers of PH fiber (CP1). Similarly, the flexural strength and compressive strength of CP4 is found to be 60% and 80.5% more compared to CP1. Shore D hardness of CP4 is found to be 1.29 times better compared to CP1. Whereas the energy absorption due to impact load of CP1 is better compared to its counter parts wit CP1 exhibiting 71.15 times better compared to CP4. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of fractured surfaces provides insights into fiber bonding and fracture mechanisms. Overall, this research underscores the potential of natural fiber hybrid composites for improved mechanical characteristics and water resistance in various applications, highlighting specific fiber combinations and stacking sequences.
Classification of cognitive impairment using electroencephalography for clinical inspection
Authors: Easwaran Karuppathal , Ramakrishnan Kalpana , Jeyabal Senthil Nathan
Published: February 2024

Impairment in cognitive skill though set-in due to various diseases, its progress is based on neuronal degeneration. In general, cognitive impairment (CI) is divided into three stages: mild, moderate and severe. Quantification of CI is important for deciding/changing therapy. Attempted in this work is to quantify electroencephalograph (EEG) signal and group it into four classes (controls and three stages of CI). After acquiring resting state EEG signal from the participants, non-local and local synchrony measures are derived from phase amplitude coupling and phase locking value. This totals to 160 features per individual for each task. Two types of classification networks are constructed. The first one is an artificial neural network (ANN) that takes derived features and gives a maximum accuracy of 85.11%. The second network is convolutional neural network (CNN) for which topographical images constructed from EEG features becomes the input dataset. The network is trained with 60% of data and then tested with remaining 40% of data. This process is performed in 5-fold technique, which yields an average accuracy of 94.75% with only 30 numbers of inputs for every individual. The result of the study shows that CNN outperforms ANN with a relatively lesser number of inputs. From this it can be concluded that this method proposes a simple task for acquiring EEG (which can be done by CI subjects) and quantifies CI stages with no overlapping between control and test group, thus making it possible for identifying early symptoms of CI.
Numerical analysis of brake squeal noise – Application to the disk brake systems
Authors: Bouazizi Maher , Soula Mohamed , Lazghab Tarek
Published: February 2024

Exploring Noise Reduction in Automotive Disc Brake Systems: Investigating the Impact of Viscoelastic Core Sandwich Plates. This study delves into the phenomenon of brake squeal noise generated by automotive disc brake systems. It focuses on analyzing the response of sandwich plates with viscoelastic cores, which are employed within brake systems to mitigate squeal noise arising from friction between brake pads and the brake disk. Through a series of finite element analyses conducted under varying operational conditions, including friction coefficient and angular velocity, the research aims to ascertain the complex eigenvalue of the disc brake system in order to identify unstable modes. The findings underscore that the incorporation of viscoelastic layers within preloaded, slender sandwich plates introduces nonlinear dynamic characteristics that contribute to the reduction of squeal noise within braking systems.
Central Argentina vegetation characteristics linked to extinct megafauna and some implications on human populations
Authors: Rindel Diego D , Moscardi Bruno F , Cobos Virginia A , Gordón Florencia
Published: February 2024

In this paper we study the relationships between plants and extinct megafauna by examining the characteristics of the vegetation in the central region of Argentina (i.e. Espinal, Monte, and Chaco phytogeographic regions). First, we study the size, shape, quantity, and characteristics of fruits and seeds. We also evaluate the presence of mechanical (spinescence and wood density) and chemical (secondary metabolic compounds) defenses against high rates of herbivory. Complementarily, we assess the importance these plants had for human populations, using archeological, ethnographic, and current data. A high percentage of the analyzed plants met the criteria proposed for fruits and seeds dispersed by megafauna, together with a high frequency of spinescence, high density woods, and secondary metabolites. We propose that these traits cannot be explained by the herbivory pressure of extant fauna in the area, but rather developed in interaction with currently extinct fauna. We suggest that Pleistocene megafaunal extinction had important consequences in the region due to their role as ecosystem engineers and to vegetation’s characteristics, which were probably strongly shaped by megafauna activities. Among these consequences, we discuss the loss of certain interactions between these animals and vegetation, such as loss of seed dispersal mechanisms, shrub invasion, and increased susceptibility of vegetation to fire. Other effects for hunter-gatherer groups were the generation of highly regulated mobility patterns and the formation of barriers for the dispersal of prey. Finally, we also discuss the importance of these plants for human populations as food, construction material, medicines and firewood. Likewise, the role of humans as “heirs” of the megafauna in the propagation of tree and shrub species is highlighted.
Experimental investigation of a novel high performance multi-walled carbon nano-polyvinylpyrrolidone/silicon-based shear thickening fluid damper
Authors: Sun Li , Wang Geng , Zhang Chunwei
Published: February 2024

A novel high performance multi-walled carbon nano-polyvinylpyrrolidone/silicon-based shear thickening fluid (MWCNTs-PVP/SiO2-STF), abbreviated and subsequently referred to as MPS-STF, is developed in this paper. The rheological properties of the MPS-STF are investigated, and the viscosity model of MPS-STF is established. Furthermore, the MPS-STF based viscous fluid damper (MPS-STF-VFD) is designed according to the rheological characteristics of the novel fluid. The impact of loading frequencies, displacement amplitudes and the numbers of piston holes on the dynamic performance of the damper is studied through sophisticated multiple cases loading tests using MTS facility. The test results show that the loading frequency, displacement amplitudes and the number of piston holes have great influence on the rheological properties of MPS-STF. This directly affects the maximum damping force and heat dissipation capacity of MPS-STF-VFD. Finally, the mechanical model of the damper is established based on the principle of fluid mechanics. The simulation results agree well with the experimental data. The high damping performance of the MPS-STF-VFD can be achieved based on the characteristics of the modified fluid. Relevant results reported in this paper can provide an important solution for the development and application of damping technology in engineering structures.
Modal signal analysis of parabolic shell structures with flexoelectric sensors
Authors: Zhang Jie , Fan Mu , Tzou Hornsen
Published: February 2024

The flexoelectric effect, garnering extensive attention in recent years, is an electro-mechanical coupled gradient effect that widely exists in dielectric materials and holds great potential for applications in structural sensing and actuation. The parabolic shell structure, characterized by line focusing, finds widespread use in key structural components such as solar trough collectors and communication antennas. Distributed sensing of the structural states of these parabolic shells is critical for vibration control, health monitoring, and shape control of precision structural systems. Therefore, flexoelectric sensing research based on parabolic shell structure has become an important topic. This study establishes a mathematical model for flexoelectric sensing in a parabolic shell with four-sided simply supported boundary conditions. The model is based on the direct flexoelectric effect, and thin shell assumption, and incorporates specific Lamé parameters and curvature radius. The electro-mechanical strain gradient/signal generation characteristics and distributed modal flexoelectric signals on the parabolic shell are investigated. The sensing signal under the open-circuit conditions is deduced, and the flexoelectric sensing signal and sensing characteristics of different modes are analyzed. The formulation of the flexoelectric neural sensing signal for the parabolic shell structure is provided and divided into two components: a circumferential bending component and a longitudinal bending component. In the case studies, the effects of design parameters such as flexoelectric sensor thickness, size, and aspect ratios are evaluated and compared. The analysis and results of this study offer a theoretical foundation and reference for refining the design parameters of the flexoelectric sensor and determining its optimal sensing position, and potentially paving the way for new applications of flexoelectric sensing technology.
Attuning to the World of Peace of Mind and Trust: Women’s Lived Experience of the Woman–Midwife Relationship in Japan
Authors: Doering Keiko , McAra-Couper Judith , Gilkison Andrea
Published: February 2024

In Japan, many pregnant women and mothers suffer from anxiety, depression, and other postnatal issues that can be exacerbated by their birth experiences. While benefiting from advanced medical care, these women’s mental and psychological health may be disregarded in their maternity care. Midwives have the potential to play a significant role in improving women’s birth experiences. Hence, this study aimed to explore the meaning of the woman–midwife relationship, with a specific focus on sensing peace of mind and trust to improve women’s birth experiences. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, 14 Japanese women were interviewed. Sensing peace of mind and trust was one of the significant meanings of the woman–midwife relationship and is articulated across five themes: (1) attuning to the world, (2) different kinds of safety and trust, (3) relying on and entrusting midwives, (4) making a mother, and (5) an emotional bridge. The positive relationship with midwives enhanced the women’s mental well-being through allowing the women to attune to the peaceful mind which directed their future perspectives and sustained them in motherhood. They became confident mothers by trusting their midwives. The maternity care system in Japan needs to shift to more relationship-based care to ensure continuity of midwifery care that will improve women’s birth experiences and their long-term well-being.
The Impact of Methylphenidate on Pubertal Maturation and Bone Age in ADHD Children and Adolescents: Results from the ADHD Drugs Use Chronic Effects (ADDUCE) Project
Authors: Carucci Sara , Zuddas Alessandro , Lampis Angelico , Man Kenneth K. C. , Balia Carla , Buitelaar Jan , Danckaerts Marina , Dittmann Ralf W. , Donno Federica , Falissard Bruno , Gagliano Antonella , Garas Peter , Häge Alexander , Hollis Chris , Inglis Sarah K. , Konrad Kerstin , Kovshoff Hanna , Liddle Elizabeth , McCarthy Suzanne , Neubert Antje , Nagy Peter , Rosenthal Eric , Sonuga-Barke Edmund J. S. , Wong Ian C. K. , Banaschewski Tobias , Coghill David
Published: February 2024

Objective:

The short-term safety of methylphenidate (MPH) has been widely demonstrated; however the long-term safety is less clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of MPH in relation to pubertal maturation and to explore the monitoring of bone age.

Method:

Participants from ADDUCE, a two-year observational longitudinal study with three parallel cohorts (MPH group, no-MPH group, and a non-ADHD control group), were compared with respect to Tanner staging. An Italian subsample of medicated-ADHD was further assessed by the monitoring of bone age.

Results:

The medicated and unmedicated ADHD groups did not differ in Tanner stages indicating no higher risk of sexual maturational delay in the MPH-treated patients. The medicated subsample monitored for bone age showed a slight acceleration of the bone maturation after 24 months, however their predicted adult height remained stable.

Conclusion:

Our results do not suggest safety concerns on long-term treatment with MPH in relation to pubertal maturation and growth.
Qualitative Study on Internet Use and Care Impact for Black Men With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Loeb Stacy , Sanchez Nolasco Tatiana , Byrne Nataliya , Allen Laura , Langford Aisha T. , Ravenell Joseph E. , Gomez Scarlett Lin , Washington Samuel L. , Borno Hala T. , Griffith Derek M. , Criner Nickole
Published: February 2024

Black men have a greater risk of prostate cancer as well as worse quality of life and more decisional regret after prostate cancer treatment compared to non-Hispanic White men. Furthermore, patients with prostate cancer who primarily obtain information on the internet have significantly more decisional regret compared to other information sources. Our objective was to explore the perspectives of Black patients on the use and impact of the internet for their prostate cancer care. In 2022–2023, we conducted seven virtual focus groups with Black patients with prostate cancer ( n = 22). Transcripts were independently analyzed by two experienced researchers using a constant comparative method. Online sources were commonly used by participants throughout their cancer journey, although informational needs varied over time. Patient factors affected use (e.g., physical health and experience with the internet), and family members played an active role in online information-seeking. The internet was used before and after visits to the doctor. Key topics that participants searched for online included nutrition and lifestyle, treatment options, and prostate cancer in Black men. Men reported many downstream benefits with internet use including feeling more empowered in decision-making, reducing anxiety about treatment and providing greater accountability for research. However, they also reported negative impacts such as feeling overwhelmed or discouraged sorting through the information to identify high-quality content that is personally relevant, as well as increased anxiety or loss of sleep from overuse. In summary, online sources have the potential to positively impact the cancer journey by reinforcing or supplementing information from health care providers, but can be harmful if the information is poor quality, not representative, or the internet is overused.
Prokaryotic Community Composition and Diversity in Sediments from Choctafaula, Uphapee, and Cubahatchee Creeks in the Lower Tallapoosa River Basin, Macon County, Alabama: An Observational Study
Authors: Hossain Tanzir , Shange Raymon S , Ankumah Ramble O , Fall Souleymane , McElhenney Wendell H , Quansah Joseph E , Sarker Taposh K , Aun Jacob J
Published: February 2024

Sedimentary prokaryotes are primarily responsible for metabolic activity in rivers. They are subjected to a variety of natural and anthropogenic pressures, allowing us to use the composition and diversity of their communities as indicators of ecological health. For our investigation, we looked at sediments from three ecologically critical streams in the Lower Tallapoosa River Basin (Choctafaula, Uphapee, and Cubahatchee Creeks). The prokaryotic community was characterized using molecular approaches, and elemental concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. This research demonstrated that Proteobacteria (45.02–80.73%), Bacteroidetes (1.98–26.52%), Firmicutes (1.36–50.67%), Actinobacteria (1.55–16.81%), and Acidobacteria (0.13–8.77%) were the most prevalent phyla. Key physicochemical parameters, core communities at multiple taxonomic levels, and several pathogenic genera shifted radically between streams. Weighted and unweighted unifrac distance metrics based PCoA plots indicated the structural and membership similarity of samples from specific creek ecosystems. Based on our research findings, it is evident that the composition and diversity of prokaryotic communities in sediment could serve as significant indicators in stream ecosystems. Further investigation and application of these indicators could prove valuable in assessing the health of streams, particularly in light of the accelerated changes resulting from climate change within a condensed timeframe.
Getting into top-ranked management journals from business schools at the periphery: The role of doctoral education and co-authorship
Authors: Üsdiken Behlül , Duygulu Ozan , Altunsu Betül
Published: February 2024

Drawing upon recent extensions of the centre–periphery model, we examine research and publications by academics at the periphery within the present environment of increasing institutional pressures to publish internationally. Reviewing the emergence and the historical development of management as a discipline, we describe the fragmentation in approaches to research that has arisen in this field among countries that are typically considered as the ‘centre’ of worldwide scholarship. We propose and empirically demonstrate that the differentiation within the ‘centre’ becomes largely mirrored at the periphery with respect to attention to societal contexts, research methodology and publishing. Our companion argument that doctoral education in and/or co-authorship ties to various parts of the ‘centre’, or a lack thereof, serve as the main vehicles in generating heterogeneity and some degree of agency at the periphery receives strong support. We also find that when ties to the ‘centre’ are absent contributions from the periphery remain limited. In addition, we show that tendencies towards decontextualized research, quantitative methodologies and publishing in US-based journals have become stronger over time. The article concludes with a discussion of the theoretical contributions, main findings and the implications of our study for the possible futures of research at the periphery.
Mediating Gender Norms Through the ‘Foodies’ Culture as Romantic Emotions
Authors: Chen Wei-Ping
Published: February 2024

This study explores how intimacy is shaped through mobile-mediated dating, which is seasoned with culinary preferences and gendered conventions. Drawing on the sociological concept of mediated intimacy and attending to emotionalised culinary experiences and gendered individualism, this study asks three questions. First, how is intimacy represented by dining-dating apps? Second, how do these dining-dating apps approach ‘being single’? Third, what gender relations and what contradictions between romance and consumerism can be identified in dating that is managed by an app and that trades in intimate commodities? By analysing the advertising text, testimonials, and reviews posted online, I demonstrate that individuals are not only invited to manage their intimate life through cultural consumption but are also compelled to adopt accelerated and mediated ways of engaging. I reveal that the limited and regulated access to communicative exchanges and the extended follow-up dinner dates in dining-dating apps is related to concerns about personal and relational investment. Furthermore, I argue that dining-dating apps participate in the mediation of emotions and gender relations by introducing intimate commodities that blur the borders between individualist aspiration and gendered and classed ways of experiencing intimacy. Together, these findings provide a particularly interesting context and open up new avenues for studying intimacy, gender, and cultural consumption in sociology and media studies.
The Broad Autism Phenotype–International Test (BAP-IT): A two-domain-based test for the assessment of the broad autism phenotype
Authors: Godoy-Giménez Marta , García-Pérez Ángel , Cañadas Fernando , Estévez Angeles F , Sayans-Jiménez Pablo
Published: February 2024

The broad autism phenotype is the phenotypic expression of the primary characteristics of autism. However, currently available tests do not agree with the two-domain operationalization of broad autism phenotype or autism, and their internal structure has shown instability across applications. This study presents the Broad Autism Phenotype–International Test, the first such test designed to target a two-domain operationalization in Spain and the United Kingdom. A broad pilot study was conducted in three community samples, two from Spain (ES1, N = 970; ES2, N = 460) and one from the United Kingdom ( N = 530). The Broad Autism Phenotype–International Test consists of 20 items distributed into the SOCIAL-BAP and RIRE-BAP dimensions, representing the seven autistic subdomains. Common factor approaches were used to find a simple and invariant factor structure between countries. The Broad Autism Phenotype–International Test presents full metric invariance between two Spanish samples, partial invariance between countries, and adequate omega reliability estimation. Evidence-based results on the relationships of the SOCIAL-BAP and RIRE-BAP to other variables (the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 and the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire) support the interpretation of its scores for the intended uses. The evidence provided in this article shows that the Broad Autism Phenotype–International Test functions adequately compared to other available broad autism phenotype tests, such as the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire.

Lay abstract

The broad autism phenotype refers to a group of behaviors related to autism spectrum disorder, but that appear to a lesser extent. Its assessment has been performed through outdated broad autism phenotype/autism spectrum disorder definitions and tests. To address this problem, this study presents the development of a new test, the Broad Autism Phenotype–International Test, a 20-item measure consisting of two dimensions, SOCIAL-BAP and RIRE-BAP, targeting the two-domain operationalization of autism spectrum disorder in Spain and the United Kingdom. Unlike the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire, this test received empirical support as a quick and effective broad autism phenotype measure that can facilitate both broad autism phenotype/autism spectrum disorder research and interventions. This is the first step to studying the BAP in several Spanish and English-speaking countries.
Detecting atypical alert behavior through statistical process control: Clinical decision support alert frequency visualizations
Authors: Kindler Kevin E , Martinson Peter J
Published: February 2024

Clinical decision support (CDS) alerts are designed to work according to a set of clearly defined criteria and have the potential to improve clinical care. To efficiently and proactively review abnormally functioning CDS alerts, we postulate that the introduction of a dashboard with statistical process control (SPC) charting will lead to effective detection of erratic alert behavior. We identified custom CDS alerts from an academic medical center that were recorded and monitored in a longitudinal fashion and the data warehouses where this information was stored. We created a dashboard of alert frequency using SPC charts, applied SPC rules for classification of variation, and validated dashboard data. From June-August 2022, the dashboard effectively pulled in data to visually depict alert behavior. SPC-defined parameters for standard deviation from the mean were applied to visualizations and allowed for rapid review of alerts with greatest variation. These alerts were subsequently investigated, and it was determined that they were functioning correctly. The most profound abnormalities detected during implementation reflected changes in practice and not system errors, though further investigation into thresholds for statistical significance will benefit this field. We conclude that SPC visualizations are a time-efficient and effective method of identifying CDS malfunctions.
Instantaneous frequency identification for nonstationary signals of time-varying structures using enhanced synchroextracting wavelet transform and dynamic optimization
Authors: Jiang Yang , Wang Xin-Yu , Zhang Xi-Ling , Zhang Kai , Liu Jing-Liang
Published: February 2024

Civil engineering structures under ambient excitations are essentially time-varying and nonlinear structural systems and the resultant response signals exhibit non-stationarity. To reveal the time-varying characteristics of non-stationary signals, time frequency analysis methods with high resolutions are required. Although synchroextracting short time Fourier transform (SESTFT) is able to generate more energy concentrated time frequency representations and allow signal reconstruction, its major disadvantage is the window function is fixed. To address this issue, an enhanced synchroextracting wavelet transform (ESEWT) method is proposed to refine frequency bands by combing synchroextracting and continuous wavelet transform. After that, dynamic optimization (DO) is used to extract instantaneous frequency (IF) curves within the refined frequency bands. Two numerical examples and an experimental study case are investigated to illustrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method. The results demonstrate that the proposed ESEWT is capable of extracting frequency bands more accurately and its combination with DO identifies IFs of non-stationary signals better than current time frequency analysis methods such as SESTFT.
The

#PantamiMustGo

political activism: A textual analysis of narrative agency in protest discourse
Authors: Chiluwa Innocent , Ononye Chuka Fred
Published: February 2024

This study analyses the narrative structure of the #PantamiMustGo hashtag activism in Nigeria. Applying qualitative textual analysis, the study examines the issues that were made salient in the protests and how they were constructed. Through the analysis of narrative agency, the study finds that activists constructed Ali Pantami as a threat to national security and called for his resignation. Two discourse structures were salient in the discursive construction of Ali Pantami and the Buhari government, namely the use of comparison to link the past with the present and the use of labelling as means of constructing social and political insecurity in Nigeria. This study contributes to stressing the role of social media in political activism through narrative agency analysis in the process of negotiating change by people who feel threatened by the apparatus of the state.
Time-oriented decisions in Palliative Care team meetings
Authors: Monteiro David , Brás Oriana Rainho , Binet Michel
Published: February 2024

In a wide diversity of workplaces time and temporality are an omnirelevant feature of the praxeological and material environment, as observable by the pervasiveness of chrono-metrical and chronological technologies and artifacts, and by workers’ orientation to matters of punctuality, productivity and other aspects of task dispatch and managerial organization. Professionals’ orientation to time takes an additional complexity in healthcare settings, given the multiple temporalities involved – biological, institutional, social – and the implications of timely professional intervention in the progression of patients’ health. In palliative care, we argue, a practical concern with time and temporality is a constitutive feature of the work of professionals and teams, visible in and built in their interactions. Furthermore, such orientation to time is related to the collective production of justifications for actions. Drawing on conversation analysis of a corpus of audio recordings, we examine how, in team meetings and interactions with other healthcare staff, palliative care professionals make sense of patients’ end of life trajectories in a situated and joint manner, grounding their proposals for action in terms of timeliness – or lack thereof – concerning patients’ current situation and prognoses on their more-or-less foreseeable unfolding, accomplishing a valid rationale for palliative intervention.
‘Thanks for being here with us’: Para-social interaction and the effects of pundit talk on the Hannity and Maddow shows
Authors: McDonnell Andrea , Silver Adam
Published: February 2024

Contemporary American television news centers pundits as key voices in national political discourse. The most prominent pundits anchor their own programs, often during primetime hours, reaching large audiences . This paper analyzes pundits’ performance of a type of news talk that is designed to appear unscripted and therefore authentic, enhancing parasocial interaction (PSI) with viewers and affirming pundits’ roles as experts. Data collected from two of the most-watched pundit-helmed news shows— Hannity and The Rachel Maddow Show—suggests that pundits use greeting tokens, personal pronouns, repetition, and rhetorical questions during their opening monologues. We discuss the mechanisms through which punditry may contribute to political polarization by creating emphasis frames.
Cambodia’s aspirations to become a knowledge-based society: Challenges and recommendations
Authors: Heng Kimkong , Doeur Bunhorn
Published: February 2024

Cambodia aspires to become a knowledge-based society to remain relevant in the context of the global knowledge-based economy. However, it remains uncertain how this aspiration can be realized considering the low quality of the country’s education system. Drawing on secondary sources, this article aims to shed light on Cambodia’s aspirations for a knowledge-based society. The article begins by defining the term “knowledge-based society” before providing an overview of the Cambodian education system and discussing key challenges that limit Cambodia’s ability to realize its vision to become a knowledge society. Key challenges were related to low higher education enrollment, a shortage of educational staff with doctoral degrees, a weak innovation capacity, and other critical challenges such as low academic salaries, a lack of clear academic career pathways, limited research funding, and limited knowledge about research. The article provides a set of recommendations that concerned stakeholders should consider to improve the quality of the Cambodian education system and support the country to achieve its goal in developing into a knowledge-based society. It concludes with suggestions for future research to generate new knowledge about Cambodia—a context underrepresented in international literature.
Pathways to Authoritarian Adaptation: How State–Society Interactions Push the Window of Policy Change in China
Authors: Chang Chun-chih , Zeng Yang , Guo Xuyi
Published: February 2024

Under what conditions might authoritarian states adapt public policies to social preferences? How could social actors push the window for policy change? How might state–society interactions induce policy change as the practice of authoritarian adaptation? This article utilizes a new database of case evidence and the qualitative comparative analysis method to explore the relationship between state–society interaction and policy change as the practical manifestation of authoritarian adaptation in China. The study presents three approaches to policy change: state–society interactive strategies, policy entrepreneurs and the political opportunity structure. The empirical results reveal three patterns of state–society interaction leading to policy change, while submission is not a viable option for society under state suppression. Media presence may impede policy change, and the diverse functions of social organizations should be related to interactive strategies. In addition, social actors may identify political opportunities through multiround interaction, while the role of joint administration in effecting policy change remains unclear. This study offers a novel understanding of authoritarian adaptation.
False memories through auditory distraction: When irrelevant speech produces memory intrusions in the absence of semantic interference
Authors: Kattner Florian
Published: February 2024

Task-irrelevant speech is known to cause disruption of short-term memory, either through specific interference with encoding processes (e.g., seriation, semantic processing) or by diverting attention from the focal task. Previous studies found that semantically related background speech can induce memory intrusions of words that were not part of the to-be-remembered list. While these findings suggest false memories due to semantic interference, the present study aims to test whether the presence of task-irrelevant speech affects the susceptibility to memory intrusions also in the absence of semantic interference. Therefore, incomprehensible to-be-ignored speech was presented during encoding of semantically related words. It was found across three experiments that incomprehensible changing-state speech increased the rate of false memories of non-presented but semantically related words in a subsequent recognition (Experiments 1 and 2) or recall test (Experiment 3), compared with white noise or steady-state speech. The findings indicate that speech interfered with serial-order processing of the to-be-remembered items, thus urging participants to rely on semantic information to encode and retrieve the presented words. While a focus on semantic information enabled participants to correctly recollect the majority of presented words, it most likely also increased the proportion of false memories of words with semantic associations to the presented words both in recall and recognition tests. In all three experiments, the presence of an auditory deviant in background speech did not increase the rate of false memories, suggesting that attentional capture alone does not necessarily induce source monitoring errors. However, Experiment 3 revealed that an increase in visual task-encoding load attenuated the changing-state effect on the production of false memories. This indicates that the semantic organisation processes initiated as a result of the loss of order information in case of changing-state speech may be sensitive to attentional control.
Brachial plexus birth injury: advances and controversies
Authors: Leblebicioğlu Gürsel , Pondaag Willem
Published: February 2024

While there is considerable spontaneous recovery in most cases of brachial plexus birth injury, many children are left with significant problems that may lead to lifelong functional limitations, loss of work and social isolation. Detailed treatment with the right strategy can provide very valuable improvement in function. Over the past few years, the clinical approach to brachial plexus birth palsy has entered a new era in both diagnostic and surgical treatment methods. This article reviews four areas of management, the role of imaging in defining the severity of the injury, the optimal timing of for nerve exploration and reconstruction in appropriate cases, the advantages and potential complications of nerve transfers, and the role of physiotherapy. Available evidence is considered. Although it is difficult to make clear and precise inferences on a subject where there are many variables and considerable uncertainties, some currently accepted views will be summarized.

Level of evidence: V
Periprosthetic radiolucency in total wrist arthroplasty: a radiographic study
Authors: Holzbauer Matthias , Raher Wolfgang , Kobler Erich , Froschauer Stefan M.
Published: February 2024

This retrospective study investigates the incidences of periprosthetic radiolucency and the position of the prosthesis in patients who underwent total wrist arthroplasty. A total of 50 patients with a mean age of 58 years (SD 11) were included. The available dorsopalmar and lateral radiographs were categorized into the following groups: immediately postoperative and 1, 2, 3, 5 and beyond 6 years postoperatively. The findings of this study indicate that periprosthetic radiolucency is a progressive phenomenon that originates at the bone adjacent to the joint line, possibly due to stress shielding. The size of the periprosthetic radiolucency showed no correlation with any clinical parameter, nor can its size be predicted by intraoperative implant positioning. However, a significant correlation was observed between a reduced implant-middle finger carpometacarpal distance and higher postoperative pain levels as well as patient dissatisfaction. Revision surgery after total wrist arthroplasty should not be solely guided by radiological signs of periprosthetic radiolucency. Instead, this study suggests that consideration for revision surgery should be reserved for symptomatic patients experiencing persistent pain and swelling accompanied by radiographic evidence of carpal implant subsidence.

Level of evidence: IV
Incision techniques for trigger thumb release: a comparison of outcomes of four types of skin incision
Authors: Koopman Jaimy E. , Smit Jeroen M. , Wouters Robbert M. , Selles Ruud W. , Michiel Zuidam J. ,   Hand-Wrist Study Group, Hundepool Caroline A.
Published: February 2024

Although trigger thumb release is commonly performed, there is no consensus on the optimal skin incision. This study aimed to compare outcomes of four incision techniques, including V-shaped, oblique, transverse and longitudinal incisions. Outcomes included the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, satisfaction with the treatment and postoperative complications. The results of 875 patients who underwent trigger thumb release were assessed. All groups demonstrated improvement in self-reported hand function (range of 10–14 points), pain (25–27 points) and aesthetics (4–7 points) from baseline to 3 months postoperatively with no differences between incision techniques. Of the patients, 76% reported good or excellent satisfaction with the outcome of treatment. Satisfaction and complication rates of the different incision techniques were similar. These findings imply that there is no clear benefit of one type of incision over another for trigger thumb release, suggesting that surgeons may use the technique of their preference.

Level of evidence: III
Spirituality and Theological Formation: Seven Critical Considerations
Authors: de Kock Jos
Published: February 2024

What is meant by spirituality and spiritual development in the context of theological formation, and why is it important to incorporate spirituality in theological formation? This article addresses these questions by reviewing scholarly literature and applying the results to the context of Christian academic faculties of theology. The author argues the interdependence of theological and spiritual formation. Also presented are examples of unsound argumentation as to why spirituality would be important in the context of academic theology. The article concludes with the presentation of seven critical considerations for incorporating spirituality in theology in practices within academic faculties of theology. The article argues that paying attention to spirituality in the context of theological formation is an intrinsic part of striving toward both academic and professional excellence. Theology, including academic theology, gains in expressiveness and relevance when it contributes to the development of personal and communal spirituality.
Opioids and Youth Athletes
Authors: Benjamin Holly J. , Perri Molly M. , Leemputte Jacqueline , Lewallen Laura , DeVries Clarabelle
Published: February 2024

Context:

The ongoing opioid epidemic and associated adverse effects impart a large burden on our current healthcare system. The annual economic and noneconomic cost of opioid use disorder and fatal opioid overdose is currently estimated at $1 trillion.

Objective:

This review presents the prevalence, frequency of use, need, and effectiveness of opioid analgesia in the youth and adolescent athlete population. It identifies current indications for opioid versus nonopioid analgesic use in the setting of acute orthopaedic injuries, postoperative management, concussion, and chronic pain. Current knowledge of youth athlete opioid use, risks related to use, misuse, diversion, and addiction are reviewed.

Data Sources:

A PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Library search was conducted in February 2023 to review opioid pain management strategies in the pediatric athlete population from 2000 to present.

Study Selection:

Searches were restricted to English language articles and human subjects. Initial reviews of titles and abstracts were performed by all authors and relevant full-text articles were selected. Priority was given to systematic and narrative reviews, meta-analyses, and prospective studies.

Study Design:

Narrative review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Data Extraction:

First author name, publication year, study design, study country, subject demographics, and data on the frequency, type, and duration of analgesic treatments for musculoskeletal injuries, postsurgical care, chronic pain disorders, and concussion were extracted.

Results:

Pediatric athletes comprise a high-risk population seeking analgesic relief for injury-related pain. Participation in high school sports is associated with increased risk of opioid use. An average of 28% to 46% of high school athletes have used opioids in their lifetime. Participation in ≥1 high school sport puts adolescents at 30% greater odds of future opioid misuse.

Conclusion:

The use of opioids in the pediatric athlete population is common and associated with both short- and long-term risks of misuse and addiction.
Prognostic Factors for Clinical Outcome and Cartilage Regeneration after Implantation of Allogeneic Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Large-Sized Cartilage Defects with Osteoarthritis
Authors: Jung Se-Han , Jung Min , Chung Kwangho , Kim Sungjun , Park Jisoo , Hong Junseok , Choi Chong-Hyuk , Kim Sung-Hwan
Published: February 2024

Objective

To analyze the prognostic factors for clinical outcomes and cartilage regeneration after the implantation of allogeneic human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell (hUCB-MSC) for treating large-sized cartilage defects with osteoarthritis.

Design

This study is a case-series with multiple subgroup analyses that divides the included patients into multiple subgroups based on various factors. Overall, 47 patients who underwent hUCB-MSC implantation were included. The patient-reported outcomes, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and second-look arthroscopy were used to assess the outcomes.

Results

Combined realignment surgery significantly correlated with clinical outcomes, particularly pain. No other factors significantly influenced the clinical outcomes in short-term period. Subgroups with large defect sizes or meniscal insufficiency showed significantly poor MRI and arthroscopy outcomes (MRI, P = 0.001, P = 0.001; arthroscopy, P = 0.032, P = 0.042). The logistic regression showed that patients with a 1 cm2 larger defect size were 1.91 times less likely to achieve favorable MRI outcomes ( P = 0.017; odds ratio [OR], 1.91). Cut-off value to predict the poor outcome was >5.7 cm2 (area under the curve, 0.756). A cartilage defect size >5.7 cm2 was the major poor prognostic factor for cartilage regeneration on MRI ( P = 0.010; OR, 17.46). If the postoperative alignment shifted by 1° opposite to the cartilage defect, it was 1.4 times more likely to achieve favorable MRI outcomes ( P = 0.028; OR, 1.4).

Conclusion

Combining realignment surgery showed a better prognosis for pain improvement. Cartilage defect size, meniscal function, and postoperative alignment are significant prognostic factors for cartilage regeneration. A cartilage defect size >5.7 cm2 was significantly related to poor cartilage regeneration.