bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Food can help numb the pain’: A mixed methods exploration of disordered eating, shame and self-compassion in an international community sample of men and women
Authors: Wang Zhi Yi , Rawstorne Patrick , Reynolds Rebecca C
Published: September 2023

Background: Research into disordered eating (DE), shame and self-compassion (SC) has poorly represented men, general populations and non-Western communities. Aim: To explore associations between these variables in an international community sample of men and women. Methods: An online exploratory sequential mixed methods cross-sectional survey assessed levels of (quantitative Phase 1) and perceptions of (qualitative Phase 2) eating behaviours, external shame and body image shame (BIS) and SC. Results: Phase 1: Nearly 60% of our 142 survey participants were male (82/142) and about one-third were from India (43/142). About one-third of people (41/142) had a high-level concern regarding dieting, body weight, or eating (based on Eating Attitudes Test scores), and they had significantly higher levels of external shame, BIS and (SC-related) self-judgement and overidentification – compared to the 101/142 participants with low concern. Men had healthier levels of study outcomes than women. Phase 2: Four key themes were identified using inductive thematic analysis of the responses of 55 survey participants: (T1) DE as a Psychological Issue, (T2) DE as a Social Issue, (T3) The Vicious Cycle of Shame and (T4) Seeking Help. Conclusion: In participants in Phase 1 of our study – who were mostly male – DE behaviours were related to more external shame and body image-specific shame, and to less SC. Men had healthier levels of study variables than women. In Phase 2, participants talked about a vicious cycle of pathological eating and shame.
Impact of carbonated beverages on early onset of osteoporosis: A narrative review
Authors: Khalid Nauman
Published: September 2023

Background: Processed and semi-processed foods are getting popular in the diets of the Western population. The Western diet is almost coupled with consuming carbonated beverages, either alcoholic or nonalcoholic. The presence of sugar, caffeine, and alcohol in different carbonated beverages and detrimental dietary patterns are leading causes of obesity, diabetes, and periodontal diseases in the young population. Aims: This article aims to review the impact of carbonated beverages on early onset of osteoporosis. Methods: A nonsystematic literature review searches in PubMed and Google Scholar electronic databases with predefined terms relating to carbonated beverages, caffeine intake, childhood obesity, osteoporosis, and bone softness. Results: Bone diseases significantly increase due to early exposure to caffeine and phosphoric acid in the pubertal period. Musculoskeletal growth is a dynamic and complex process, and bone mass achievement is of great importance in this process. According to the global burden of diseases, bone disorders consist of “6.8% of total disability-adjusted life-years.” The consumption of soft drinks and their impact on bone accretion and bone mineral density in the young population is under research in the current literature on osteoporotic disorders. Since bone is a metabolically active tissue, it's in constant reconstruction mode. This process is regulated by genetic, hormonal, nutritional, and physical factors. Any imbalance in one of these processes might lead to mineral deposition and osteoporosis. Conclusion: Habitual intake of carbonated drinks with added sugars and caffeine is associated with increased body weight and bone fragility; stringent regulations are needed for proper education.
Co-production in syringe service programs: Implementation in a changing organisational field
Authors: ANASTI THERESA
Published: September 2023

Co-production in the human services is a way of working that includes the expertise of service users in service implementation. While co-production is often considered a net positive for the co-producing organisation, this can depend on how, with whom, and to what extent co-production is conducted. This study uses qualitative interview data from 26 employees at syringe service programs (SSPs) in a midwestern US state to examine how SSPs implement co-production, and how this challenges or maintains current power dynamics. As the structure of SSPs has been changing from a grassroots, peer-based model to one that includes the expertise of professional medical staff, it is important to consider what these changes might mean for co-production in the field. SSPs have a rich history of being peer-led, and this project uses interviews with SSP staff to determine how the transition into professional and bureaucratic organisations has affected co-production, and in turn, organisational power dynamics. Findings show that respondents reiterate the importance of co-producing services, although there are significant challenges in implementing co-production in an equitable and liberatory way. Staff (both peer providers and non-peer providers alike) remain enthusiastic about the role that peers play in the organisation and are able to acknowledge barriers in collaborative efforts. Implications for the use of co-production in rapidly changing fields is discussed.
Modernism in the present tense: “Dangerous” Scandinavian suburbs and their hereafters
Authors: Mack Jennifer
Published: September 2023

Has modernism evolved from a means to create a utopian future to an architectural discontent co-opted for racist purposes? The planners who built mid-20th century Scandinavian, modernist suburbs conceived of them as places of innovation, possibility, and visionary thinking. By the 1970s, however, this assessment had shifted dramatically: near-monolithic media and popular representations depicted environments of failure, insecurity, and ugly architecture – despite the half-finished states of the projects at the time. As these opinions evolved into “facts,” the areas became linked to ideas of intractably dangerous designs and, later, dangerous people. This set the stage for near-continuous physical and social interventions, beginning in the 1970s and continuing into the present. Today, in Sweden and Denmark, modernist neighborhoods are labeled “problem areas,” “concrete suburbs,” “vulnerable areas,” or even “ghettos,” where residents, often with family histories of migration, live in so-called “parallel societies.” Politicians have persistently positioned them as perilous places that never joined the present. This attitude renders them symbolically malleable sites, paving the way for recent radical densifications, privatizations, and demolitions, whereby the (half-century) histories of these suburbs are typically ignored. This history of the recent past focuses on how the “blame” for the problems of modernist urbanism – especially around perceived dangers – has shifted from buildings to people to a politically convenient combination of the two, or what I label “hereafters.” I contend that discourses of “unfinished” and “dangerous” places with “criminal” residents have made modernist urbanism a perfect target for xenophobic political discourse, where buildings and landscapes have become scapegoats for less socially acceptable feelings and concerns. Yet caricatures of modernist suburbs as “dangerous” obscure the fact that these supposedly failed cities of the future are now, decades later, places with both long histories and abundant everyday life. I therefore call for new “hereafters” for modernist suburbs: narratives that understand them as living neighborhoods in the present tense.
Digital tools for public policy reflection: Features of monitoring Internet communities in Russia and China
Authors: Sokolovskiy Konstantin , Zueva Victoria , Kolosova Olga
Published: September 2023

The relevance of this study stems from the gradual development of the global information space, which promotes an effective harmonization of digital markets of countries participating in international relations. An interesting area of study involves examining the development processes of the Internet and social networks, particularly in the context of their use in public administration, as demonstrated by Russia and China, where this area has become a priority in recent years. This study aims to develop a conceptual framework of factors influencing the adoption of social media in the public sector. In addition, this paper attempts to examine the prospects for further organization of this process. The method used was comparative analysis, which affected the systems of countries with different political regimes with variable information policies. Also, the paper disclosed the appropriateness of taking precautions against the activity of internet users, based on Russian and Chinese regulation policies. We obtained results suggesting that social media helps public authorities engage in discussions and broaden the boundaries of the public sphere, engaging people in new formats of digital communications. The data obtained will be of practical value for the representatives of public authorities, educational organizations, and socio-cultural institutions.
Direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists: Which one is more effective in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Khodadadiyan Alireza , Jazi Kimia , Bazrafshan drissi Hamed , Bazroodi Helia , Mashayekh Mina , Sadeghi Erfan , Gholamabbas Ghazal , Bazrafshan Mehdi , Rahmanian Mahdi
Published: September 2023

Background

The optimal approach for anticoagulation in patients with bioprosthetic valves and atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a subject of debate. A meta-analysis using updated evidence to evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with AF and bioprosthetic valves to address this controversy.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted in multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, up until March 2023. The search aimed to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the efficacy and safety outcomes of both direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with bioprosthetic valves and atrial fibrillation. The primary outcomes of interest were major bleeding and all-cause mortality.

Results

Our study demonstrated that despite the difference was not significant, the hazard of all-cause mortality was 2.5% higher in the DOAC group (HR = 1.03, 95% CI = [0.88, 1.19], p-value = .75). Similarly, the hazard of stroke (HR = 1.03, 95% CI = [0.87, 1.32], p-value = .71) and major bleeding (HR = 1.11, 95% CI = [0.89, 1.38], p-value = .36) were found to be respectively 3.2 and 10.7% higher in the DOAC group, although the difference was not significant. However, the hazard of intracranial hemorrhage was found to be 28.8 lower in the DOAC treatment group (HR = 0.71, 95% CI = [0.39, 1.31], p-value = .27), which again was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis demonstrates that in patients undergoing bioprosthetic valve surgery and presenting with AF afterward, DOAC and VKA are similar regarding life-threatening and all-cause mortality outcomes, including major bleeding, stroke, and intracranial hemorrhage.
Efficacy of combined ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation with hyaluronic acid and physical therapy in patients with adhesive capsulitis: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wu Shang-Yu , Hsu Po-Cheng , Tsai Yuan-Yuan , Huang Jian-Ru , Wang Kevin A , Wang Jia-Chi
Published: September 2023

Objective

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of combining ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation with hyaluronic acid and physical therapy compared with physical therapy alone in patients with adhesive capsulitis.

Design

A prospective, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Single medical centre.

Participants

Patients with adhesive capsulitis ( N = 62) were divided into group A: ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation with hyaluronic acid + physical therapy ( N = 31) and group B: physical therapy alone ( N = 31).

Interventions

Group A received three doses of ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation with hyaluronic acid-based injectates (20 mL in total). Both groups underwent structured physical therapy.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome measure was Constant score, while secondary outcomes included Shoulder Pain and Disability Index score, numerical rating scale (at rest, night, and during motion), 36-item Short Form Health Survey, and range of motion of the shoulder. All measurements were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks post-injection.

Results

At week 12, the Constant scores were 68.29 ± 14.55 and 62.77 ± 14.44 for groups A and B, respectively. There was a greater reduction in the Constant score, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and numerical rating scale between the baseline and 6 weeks and between the baseline and 12 weeks in group A (Constant score: p < 0.05, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index: p < 0.01, and numerical rating scale: p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The combination of ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation with hyaluronic acid in conjunction with physical therapy provides additional benefits compared to physical therapy alone for the treatment of adhesive capsulitis at up to 12 weeks.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02708706.
Public Service Motivation and Trust in Government: An Examination Across the Federal, State, and Local Levels in the United States
Authors: Jensen Colt , Piatak Jaclyn
Published: September 2023

In the United States, trust in government across the federal, state, and local levels has been on the decline for decades. With increasing polarization and politicization, the work of public administrators is frequently made more difficult by challenges that stem from low levels of public trust—responding to these challenges as well as recent calls that encourage public administrators to regain the trust of the public they serve. Could public service motivation (PSM) promote trust in government? We examine the association between PSM and trust in government across the federal, state, and local levels of government in the United States. We find that the association between PSM and governmental trust varies by level of government. At the state and local levels, PSM is positively associated with trust in government. However, we find no significant relationship between PSM and trust at the federal level. Thus, there exists the potential for state and local administrators to use PSM to build trust in the government and to facilitate improved policy implementation. Our findings also provide insight into how key predictors of public trust in government vary at the federal, state, and local levels of the U.S. government.
Attitudes toward COVID-19 pandemic measures and clinical symptom severity in schizophrenia patients: a preliminary cross-sectional study
Authors: Onur Durmaz , Usta Haluk , Ayık Batuhan , Sönmez Ekin , Özdemir Cemre
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The study aim was to compare clinical symptom severity and quality of life (QoL) among schizophrenia patients according to their attitudes toward pandemic measures and reported lockdown-related disruption.

Methods

Patients with schizophrenia attending follow-up sessions at two community mental health centers were included in this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients were assessed using a standardized form and the following psychometric instruments: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Heinrich–Carpenter Quality of Life Scale and Clinical Global Impressions Ratings-Severity scale. Patients were grouped according to their attitudes toward pandemic measures (positive attitudes or non-positive attitudes).

Results

No significant differences were found in sociodemographic and clinical variables, clinical symptom severity or QoL between schizophrenia patients with positive attitudes and those without positive attitudes toward pandemic measures. Guilt feelings and trait anxiety levels were positively related to lockdown-related disruption.

Conclusions

Positive attitudes toward pandemic measures may be affected by factors other than the sociodemographic and clinical status of schizophrenia patients. It is important that such factors are assessed in future studies to better manage pandemic-related challenges among schizophrenia patients.
SARS-CoV-2 inactivation in laboratory animal tissues with 4% formaldehyde or 5% glutaraldehyde for transfer to biosafety level 1 laboratories
Authors: Pilchová Veronika , Elmontaser Mergani Ahmed , Clever Sabrina , Ciurkiewicz Malgorzata , Becker Kathrin , Gerhauser Ingo , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Volz Asisa , von Köckritz-Blickwede Maren , Schulz Claudia
Published: September 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic required the immediate need to transfer inactivated tissue from biosafety level (BSL)-3 to BSL-1 areas to enable downstream analytical methods. No validated SARS-CoV-2 inactivation protocols were available for either formaldehyde (FA)-fixed or glutaraldehyde (GA)-fixed tissues. Therefore, representative tissue from ferrets and hamsters was spiked with 2.2 × 106 tissue culture infectious dose 50% per ml (TCID50/ml) SARS-CoV-2 or were obtained from mice experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 inactivation was demonstrated with 4% FA or 5% GA at room temperature for 72 hours by a titer reduction of up to 103.8 TCID50/ml in different animal tissues with a maximum protein content of 100 µg/mg and a thickness of up to 10 mm for FA and 8 mm for GA. Our protocols can be easily adapted for validating the inactivation of other pathogens to allow for the transfer of biological samples from BSL-3 areas to BSL-1 laboratories.
Improving film adhesive joining performance of poly(phenylene sulfide)/carbon fiber thermoplastic composite laminates by plasma surface treatment
Authors: Uşak Adem Can , Kaynak Cevdet
Published: September 2023

The main purpose of this study was to observe the degree of the improvement on the film adhesive joining performance of Poly(phenylene sulfide)/Carbon Fiber (PPS/CF) thermoplastic composite laminates when their surfaces were treated by atmospheric plasma technique. For this purpose, plasma treated surfaces were compared with untreated and the traditional grit-blasted surfaces. Treated surfaces were characterized by various techniques including contact angle, surface energy, surface roughness, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Then, joining performance of the PPS/CF composite samples bonded by an epoxy-based film adhesive was determined by using three different mechanical tests; single-lap shear strength, mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness energy, and drop-weight impact toughness. Grit-blasting surface treatment increased surface roughness of the specimens enormously (7 times more), leading to mechanical interlocking as the dominant bonding mechanism. Contrarily, plasma surface treatment resulted in formation of chemically reactive sites, thus dominant bonding mechanisms in the film adhesive joining were certain polar interactions and chemical bonding. Mechanical tests pointed out that compared to grit-blasting, plasma surface treatment resulted in considerably higher joint performance regarding interlaminar shear strength (35% more), interlaminar fracture toughness (67% more) and impact toughness (28% more), with the cohesive failure mode. Accordingly, it could be stated that traditional grit-blasting could be replaced with plasma surface treatment applied before film adhesive joining of PPS/CF composite parts in aircraft industry.
Alzheimer’s Centers in US Hospitals: Enough to Adequately Address Dementia Care Nationwide?
Authors: Gutiérrez Ángela , Cronin Cory E. , Franz Berkeley , Muniz-Terrera Graciela
Published: September 2023

Objectives: To investigate the availability of Alzheimer’s Centers (ACs) in US hospitals. Methods: Utilizing the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, Area Health Resource File, and US Census ( n = 3251), we employed multivariable logistic regression to examine hospital, county, and regional predictors of AC availability. Results: Large hospitals (>399 beds) had approximately 14 times higher odds of having an AC than small hospitals (<50 beds; OR = 14.0; 95% CI = 6.44 – 30.46). Counties with a higher proportion of Latino residents, relative to non-Latino Whites, had lower odds of having an AC (OR = .05; 95% CI = .01 – .41). Northeastern (OR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.15 – 3.22) and Midwestern (OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.34 – 3.37) hospitals had higher odds of having an AC than Southern hospitals. Discussion: To address dementia needs and disparities, investment in a national infrastructure is critical.
Does the digital economy reduce carbon emissions? The role of technological innovation and trade openness
Authors: Wang Qiang , Cheng Xinchen , Li Rongrong
Published: September 2023

In order to better understand the digital economy on carbon emissions, the intermediary effect model based on technological innovation and the panel threshold model based on trade openness and energy intensity are used to study the relationship between the digital economy and carbon emissions in G7 countries. In addition, a quantile regression analysis on the impact of the digital economy under different carbon emission levels is also conducted. The empirical results show that: (i) the digital economy has a significant inhibitory effect on per capita carbon emissions. (ii) The mechanism analysis shows that the digital economy can indirectly affect per capita carbon emissions by affecting technological innovation. (iii) The threshold effect of trade openness and energy intensity is significant. Under high openness and low energy intensity, the digital economy has a stronger inhibitory effect on per capita carbon emissions. (iv) The quantile regression results show that the carbon emission reduction effect of the digital economy is greater at the low-carbon emission level.
A dual-path model: Bridge between heterogeneous environmental regulations and enterprise green innovation
Authors: Chen Silu , Tian Chenling , Jiang Xia , Lai Jiaxin
Published: September 2023

Although environmental regulations are effective forces to conduct green innovation, the existing research has not yet reached a consensus on the relationship between environmental regulations and enterprise green innovation. The objective of this study is to explore the influence mechanism of environmental regulations (i.e., market-based and command-based) on enterprise green innovation from the perspective of social information processing theory and regulatory focus theory. A time-lagged survey based on a Chinese sample of 184 firms supports the hypothesized moderated mediation model. The results show that (a) environmental regulations positively impact enterprise green innovation; (b) top management team (TMT) harmonious environmental passion climate fully mediates the relationship between market-based environmental regulation and enterprise green innovation, while TMT environmental performance anxiety climate partially mediates the relationship between command-based environmental regulation and enterprise green innovation; (3) chief executive officer (CEO) promotion regulatory focus moderates the positive impact of TMT harmonious environmental passion climate on enterprise green innovation, and CEO prevention regulatory focus moderates the positive impact of TMT environmental performance anxiety climate on enterprise green innovation. These findings extend the green innovation literature on how and when environmental regulations affect enterprise green innovation.
Combining war damages accounting and accounting for the natural world with social-organisational repercussions
Authors: Modarelli Giuseppe , Amelio Stefano , Rainero Christian
Published: September 2023

The authors propose a critical reinterpretation of a case study embedded in the historical period of post-WWII in Southern Italy. This period is characterised by relevant socio-political and economic consequences at a global scale, and it has been scarcely investigated from a business perspective. The authors consider the connections between war damages accounting, adverse collateral events, and agricultural accounting as tools to claim for social changes. The analysis specifically concerns the damages caused to the warehouses of hemp growers in the province of Caserta (Campania region, Italy). This area was known as Terra di Lavoro (‘land of work’ (authors’ translation)) since the Middle Ages to outline the poor conditions of hemp growers. The features of the accounting analysed herein, in the light of neo-institutional theory, show how it was used as a technology for problem-solving and a potential trigger for the agrarian reform of 1950.
The Influence of Family Communication on Experienced Relief and Burden at the End of Life—An Explorative Analysis of Qualitative Data of Parent–Adult Child Dyads
Authors: Roewer Hanna A. A. , Stiel Stephanie , Herbst Franziska A.
Published: September 2023

Interview data from the Dy@EoL project reveal changes in parent–adult child communication in end-of-life situations (Gawinski et al., 2021). The present study investigated the presence of commonly known facilitating and inhibiting factors for relieving communication in interviews of dyads comprised of: (a) terminally ill adult children and their parents and (b) terminally ill parents and their adult children. Additionally, the research examined the extent to which participants experienced the dyadic communication as burdensome or relieving, and compared the experiences of dyad partners. Study participants were interviewed as part of the Dy@EoL project, using semistructured interviews. The interviews of 9 dyads and 14 dyads were analyzed using qualitative content analysis in MAXQDA. Both dyad partners took part. All facilitating factors and some inhibiting factors, as identified in the literature, were evident in the interviews. Some dyads reported the presence of facilitating factors prior to the end-of-life situation, while others began to employ them (or employed them more intensively) in the end-of-life situation. Dyads showed similar experiences of burden and relief, through communication. Both parties should be offered psychosocial support, even when a burden is reported on only one side.
What Comes After Black Swans and Gray Rhinos? An Organizational Perspective of Disruption
Authors: Caner Turanay , Madhavan Ravi
Published: September 2023

The interface between organizations and their environments greatly interests organizational scholars. A key research stream—how changes in the external environment produce changes within organizations—is especially relevant in today’s turbulent economic and political context. We develop a theoretical model that considers external events and organizational routine changes as key components of disruption. We first draw on event system theory to derive and describe the external event dimensions of magnitude, coupling, clustering, and space, presented in a circumplex model. Then, we use an information-processing lens to theorize how those dimensions directly and contingently influence organizational routine change. We discuss our model’s implications for the effective management of organizations amid constant disruption.
Adverse Events After Ankle Fracture Open Reduction Internal Fixation Among Patients With and Without Documented Cannabis and Tobacco Use
Authors: Dhodapkar Meera M. , Oghenesume Oghenewoma P. , Halperin Scott J. , Modrak Maxwell , Yoo Brad J. , Grauer Jonathan N.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Ankle fractures are common orthopaedic injuries that may be indicated for open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). Although the negative impact of tobacco use on perioperative outcomes of ankle fracture ORIF has been described, the potential impact of cannabis use on related outcomes is not as well established.

Methods:

Retrospective database study of adult patients undergoing ankle ORIF for closed, isolated, ankle fractures from the 2010-2021 Q1 PearlDiver M151 data set. Subcohorts without and with cannabis and/or tobacco use were identified based on coding and matched based on patient age, sex, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI) scores to yield groups of nonusers, tobacco users, tobacco and cannabis users, and cannabis users. Ninety-day adverse events were assessed between matched subcohorts with multivariable logistic regression controlling for age, sex, and ECI.

Results:

A total of 149 289 patients met study inclusion criteria for whom tobacco only use was documented for 14 989 (10.0%), tobacco and cannabis use for 2726 (1.8%), and cannabis only use for 867 (0.6%). Matching yielded 823 for each group. On multivariable analyses, isolated tobacco users were at higher odds of 90-day urinary tract infections (UTIs) (odds ratio [OR] 2.64), minor adverse events (OR 2.33), all-cause adverse events (OR 2.17), readmissions (OR 1.85), and severe adverse events (OR 1.84). Tobacco and cannabis comorbid users were at a marginally higher odds of 90-day UTI (OR 2.82), minor adverse events (OR 2.51), readmissions (OR 2.39), and any adverse events (OR 2.22). Cannabis only users were not at greater odds of 90-day adverse events relative to nonusers.

Conclusion:

Patients with tobacco use (alone or with cannabis) were at greater odds of 90-day adverse events following ankle fracture ORIF, but cannabis only users were not.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, Retrospective database study.
Effect of Peritalar Subluxation Correction for Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity on Patient-Reported Outcomes
Authors: de Cesar Netto Cesar , Barbachan Mansur Nacime Salomao , Lalevee Matthieu , Carvalho Kepler Alencar Mendes de , Godoy-Santos Alexandre Leme , Kim Ki Chun , Lintz Francois , Dibbern Kevin
Published: September 2023

Background:

Peritalar subluxation (PTS) is part of progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD). This study aimed to evaluate initial deformity correction and PTS optimization in PCFD patients with flexible hindfoot deformity undergoing hindfoot joint-sparing surgical procedures and its relationship with improvements in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at latest follow-up. We hypothesized that significant deformity/PTS correction would be observed postoperatively, positively correlating with improved PROMs.

Methods:

A prospective comparative study was performed with 26 flexible PCFD patients undergoing hindfoot joint-sparing reconstructive procedures, mean age 47.1 years (range, 18-77). We assessed weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT) overall deformity (foot and ankle offset [FAO]) and PTS markers (distance and coverage maps) at 3 months, as well as PROMs at final follow-up. A multivariate regression model assessed the influence of initial deformity correction and PTS optimization in patient-reported outcomes.

Results:

Mean follow-up was 19.9 months (6-39), and the average number of procedures performed was 4.8 (2-8). FAO improved from 9.4% (8.4-10.9) to 1.9% (1.1-3.6) postoperatively ( P < .0001). Mean coverage improved by 69.6% ( P = .012), 12.1% ( P = .0343) and 5.2% ( P = .0074) in, respectively, the anterior, middle, and posterior facets, whereas the sinus tarsi coverage decreased by an average 57.1% ( P < .0001) postoperatively. Improvements in patient-reported outcomes were noted for all scores assessed ( P < .03). The multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that improvement in both FAO and PTS measurements significantly influenced the assessed PROMs.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated significant improvements in the overall 3D deformity, PTS markers, and PROMs following hindfoot joint-sparing surgical treatment in patients with flexible PCFD. More importantly, initial 3D deformity correction and improvement in subtalar joint coverage and extraarticular impingement have been shown to influence PROMs significantly and positively. Addressing these variables should be considered as goals when treating PCFD.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, prospective cohort study.
Investigating effective methods of clinical pharmacy training on oncology for community pharmacists: An observational study
Authors: Fukawa Takahiro , Mohri Junichi , Inano Hiroshi , Atsuda Koichiro , Otori Katsuya
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Kitasato University Hospital offers a training course for community pharmacists that focus on advanced pharmacy management care in outpatient cancer chemotherapy. The objective of this training program is to facilitate the transition from general to oncology certification for community pharmacists with limited experience in outpatient oncology to support the acquisition of an oncology specialty.

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between the changes in awareness, knowledge, and self-assessment that advanced pharmacy management care traineeship in an outpatient oncology unit for community pharmacists brings to trainees and the duration of training.

Methods

A quantitative text analysis was conducted of the daily training reports of six community pharmacists who had participated previously in the training course and had received in-service training in oncology for at least 30 days. The pre- and post-training results of the knowledge tests and self-assessments of confidence, understanding, and performance were compared. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Kitasato Institute Hospital in October 2019 (Study No. 19044).

Results

The terms Prescription, Recommendation were extracted from the daily report after the 21st day of oncology in-service training. Furthermore, factors such as knowledge of cancer pharmacotherapy, confidence in patient education regarding the side effects of chemotherapy, and understanding of the work of pharmacists in outpatient cancer chemotherapy significantly increased at the end of the training.

Conclusions

Community pharmacists with limited experience in outpatient oncology could improve their knowledge, understanding, and awareness of outpatient oncology patient care through 30 days of in-service oncology training in a hospital setting. The issues that emerged included training pharmacists to send follow-up documents on the patients’ side effects and medication status as well as developing the literature search environment in community pharmacies.
Medium-term visual and refractive outcomes in patients with pseudoexfoliation implanted with a toric or multifocal intraocular lens
Authors: Rementería-Capelo Laureano A. , Villar Ester , Puerto Beatriz , López-Caballero Cristina , Fernández-Cuenca Sara , Contreras Inés
Published: September 2023

Purpose

To report medium-term visual acuity and refractive outcomes of patients with pseudoexfoliation implanted with toric or multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with pseudoexfoliation who had undergone phacoemulsification between 2016 and 2020 with at least 24 months follow-up.

Results

Mean follow-up was 44.17 ± 14.95 months. Toric IOLs were implanted in 48 eyes: mean uncorrected LogMAR visual acuity one month after surgery was 0.03 ± 0.09, decreasing to 0.08 ± 0.11 at the last visit ( p = .01). Mean refractive cylinder was −0.12 ± 0.36 diopters one month after surgery and −0.25 ± 0.44 diopters at the last follow-up visit, p = .012. Multifocal IOLs were implanted in 42 patients: binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity was −0.02 ± 0.04 one month after surgery and 0.01 ± 0.05 at the last visit ( p = .004); near acuity was 0.01 ± 0.03 and 0.04 ± 0.06 respectively ( p = .001). In eyes with pseudoexfoliation, absolute spherical equivalent prediction error was 0.22 ± 0.20 diopters for toric and 0.21 ± 0.19 diopters for multifocal IOLs. One month after surgery 68.6% of eyes with toric IOLs and 74.2% of eyes with multifocal IOLs were within ±0.25 diopters of target spherical equivalent and 91.6% and 90.5% were within ±0.5 diopters, respectively. Spherical equivalent did not change significantly during follow-up for either group.

Conclusion

Prediction error in eyes with pseudoexfoliation implanted with toric or multifocal IOLs was low and similar to values reported for normal eyes. Postoperative refractive cylinder with toric IOLs was low, with little change during follow-up. Visual function in patients receiving multifocal IOLs was excellent. Therefore, the implantation of these IOLs in eyes with pseudoexfoliation does not seem to cause medium-term problems.
Beyond a paradigm shift: a self-study story of an embodied educational experience
Authors: Sunchild Lydia , Gorecki Laryssa
Published: September 2023

Educators have been called to follow the tide of advancing research that upholds Indigenous voices. In the spring 2019, we embarked on a cross-cultural exchange that profoundly changed our lives. We wanted to document this deep and personal learning through a collaborative self-study, detailing our unique journeys of relationship-building, informed by Indigenous Knowledge paradigms. Told through a relational approach, our self-study is grounded in our conversations about the interweaving of our experiences. A holistic approach was at the heart of making meaning through our experience by following the teachings within the Nēhiyawak (people of the land) Medicine Wheel framework. This self-study has invited us to learn more about educational possibilities, at both personal and professional levels, and has the potential to inform practicing and pre-service educators about the impact of intra-community engagement between Indigenous and settler groups.
Numerical study on sealing performance after wear of plug valve during opening–closing process
Authors: Lu Junjie , Zhu Changsheng , Lu Daixing
Published: September 2023

The failure of the plug valve seal may result in dangerous accidents in the production and transportation process of petroleum and chemical products. In the paper at hand, the operating life of the plug valve is studied in the opening–closing process. The adhesion wear between the sealing surface of the plug valve is numerically studied in micro-scale, and the contact force between the sealing surface is balanced with the internal flow field of the plug valve and the deformation force between the set screw and the spool. The internal flow field of the plug valve in opening–closing process is calculated by finite element method. The deformation coupling model between the set screw and the spool is built to analyze the structure and the mechanics of the plug valve. Then, a leakage identification algorithm based on auto-correlation function is implemented for analyzing contact stress of the plug valve's sealing surfaces after wear. Finally, taking plug valve F-2 ISO-STANDARD as an example, the force of turbulent flow field on the spool is calculated during the closing process. Results show, that while the maximum contact stress increases, the pressure decreases, and the displacement trajectory of spool increases. The operating life decreases by increasing the roughness of the spool sealing surface. The model proposed provides a new practical method to evaluate the operating life of the plug valve, which is a good guidance for the design of the valve.
Effect of the near-surface pore volume evolution on graphite migration of copper-based graphite composite during friction
Authors: Chen Kun , Wei Xiaofei , Zhang Qinglin
Published: September 2023

The discrete element method was used to simulate the friction process of copper-based graphite composite materials in order to analyze the influence of pore structure on the solid lubricants migration in metal-based self-lubricating materials. And the near-surface pore volume evolution was considered in the simulation. The simulation results showed that the graphite particle motion depth and the migration channel increased gradually and tended to stable during friction. The near-surface pore structure has an important influence on the graphite migration and the tribological properties of the composite: the larger the migration channel was, the greater the graphite migration speed was; with the increase in migration channel, the graphite average critical migration depth decreased first then increased, the number of the film-forming particles first increased and then decreased; the greater the migration channel volume was, the more worn particles number were. The numerical simulation was confirmed by experimental analysis on a self-made in-situ observation tribometer, the experimental results were consistent with the numerical simulation results.
Distinct intrathecal inflammatory signatures following relapse and anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bruno Antonio , Buttari Fabio , Dolcetti Ettore , Azzolini Federica , Borrelli Angela , Lauritano Gianluca , Di Caprio Veronica , Rizzo Francesca Romana , Gilio Luana , Galifi Giovanni , Furlan Roberto , Finardi Annamaria , Guadalupi Livia , Musella Alessandra , Mandolesi Georgia , Centonze Diego , Stampanoni Bassi Mario
Published: September 2023

Background:

The role of vaccine-mediated inflammation in exacerbating multiple sclerosis (MS) is a matter of debate.

Objective:

In this cross-sectional study, we compared the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflammation associated with MS relapses or anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Methods:

We dosed CSF cytokines in 97 unvaccinated RRMS patients with clinical relapse within the last 100 days. In addition, we enrolled 29 stable RRMS and 24 control patients receiving COVID-19 vaccine within the last 100 days.

Results:

In RRMS patients, a negative association was found between relapse distance and the CSF concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-2 (beta = −0.265, p = 0.016), IL-6 (beta = −0.284, p = 0.01), and IL-17 (beta = −0.224, p = 0.044). Conversely, vaccine distance positively correlated with a different set of cytokines including IL-12 (beta = 0.576, p = 0.002), IL-13 (beta = 0.432, p = 0.027), and IL-1ra (beta = 0.387, p = 0.05). These associations were significant also considering other clinical characteristics. No significant associations emerged between vaccine distance and CSF molecules in the control group.

Conclusion:

Vaccine for COVID-19 induces a central inflammatory response in RRMS patients that is qualitatively different from that associated with disease relapse.
Finding tourism niche on image-based social media: Integrating computational methods
Authors: Yoon Ho Young , Yoo Seung-Chul
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this research is to examine one of the most effective approaches for locating niche tourism attractions that varies by people, using a methodology that combines statistical analysis, deep learning visual image detection, and text mining. Using 30,013 posts with the hashtag #Seoul in English, the analysis focused on the Instagram posts’ time, dominant color, image visual content, and hashtag to identify niche tourism attractions. The analysis result shows that Instagram posts hashtag #Seoul that depicted “young women” and was uploaded in the evening with warm colors such as orange, yellow, and green received more “likes” than other postings. Furthermore, deep learning and text mining analysis were used to identify and forecast the actual image with the most likes in each sectoral domain, as classified by topic modeling, such as “young, woman, outdoor” and “table, plate, indoor.” Through these findings, this study identified niche hotspots of tourism attractions based on those destination image attributes in Instagram photos, which contributes to the popularity of Instagram postings. The methods and results will be particularly useful to marketers and researchers looking to uncover specialized tourism themes and combine popularity measurement with visual image analysis.
Drivers of Corporate Investment in India: Assessing the Impact of Monetary Policy and COVID
Authors: Gupta Kashyap , Kumar Sunil , Gulati Sarthak
Published: September 2023

Empirical investigation finds that firm-specific factors, namely deleveraging of balance sheets, comfortable cash flows and improving debt servicing capacity impact fixed investment in private corporate sector positively. Monetary policy impacts fixed assets investment growth of financially constrained firms more compared to non-financially constrained firms. Furthermore, the impact of COVID pandemic on investment was more adverse in case of weak firms.

JEL Codes: G3, E22, O16, E52
Interpreter services for immigrants in European healthcare systems: a systematic review of access barriers and facilitators
Authors: Vange Sif Sofie , Nielsen Maj Rørdam , Michaëlis Camilla , Smith Jervelund Signe
Published: September 2023

Background:

Language barriers have been identified as a key access barrier to healthcare services for immigrants. The aim of this study was twofold: to investigate immigrants’ and healthcare professionals’ experiences with barriers and facilitators of interpreter services, and to examine the influence of barriers to interpreter services on the quality of care from immigrant and healthcare professional perspectives.

Methods:

We searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, SocINDEX and PsycINFO, resulting in 1425 studies. A total of 21 original quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies published between 1996 and 2021 were assessed as eligible for inclusion.

Results:

Identified barriers included: lack of immediately available interpreter services, cost, lack of knowledge about availability, and attitude towards interpreter services. Facilitators included: a high number of interpreters in the requested language, awareness among healthcare professionals and patients of the patient’s rights to interpreters, and a positive attitude towards use of interpreter services. Regarding quality of care, language barriers created safety risks for the patients, made patients feel unsafe, or delayed patient contact with the healthcare system.

Conclusions:

Immigrant patients and healthcare professionals experience barriers in using interpreter services due to restrictive policies regarding user fees and limitations to entitlement to interpreters, a limited number of qualified interpreters and lack of knowledge. Medical encounters with unaddressed language barriers can put patients at risk and reduce quality of care for immigrants, which calls for strengthening formal and informal access to interpreters.
Health care use after severe respiratory tract infections in children aged 0 to 5 years
Authors: Larsen Vilde Bergstad , Størdal Ketil , Telle Kjetil , Methi Fredrik , Magnusson Karin
Published: September 2023

Aim:

To explore whether children in specialist care with COVID-19 have increased post-discharge health care use when compared with children in specialist care with 1) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, and 2) other respiratory tract infections (RTIs).

Methods:

In 34,214 children aged 1 month to 5 years who were registered as having one or more hospital visit (outpatient or inpatient) with a diagnosis of COVID-19 ( N = 128), RSV infection ( N = 4,009), or other RTIs ( N = 34,458) from 2017 to 2021, we used a difference-in-differences study design to investigate individual all-cause primary and specialist health care use from 12 weeks prior to 12 weeks after the hospital visit, stratified by infants (1 to 11 months) and children (1 to 5 years).

Results:

We found a slight increase in primary health care use in the first 4 weeks after the hospital visit for infants with COVID-19 when compared with infants with RSV infection (6 per 10,000; 95% CI [2, 13], a 0.52% relative increase). For infants diagnosed with COVID-19, we found a similar post-visit increase in inpatients when compared with infants with RSV infection, which lasted for 12 weeks.

Conclusions:

Our findings imply a slightly increased health care use among infants after a hospital visit for COVID-19 than among infants with other RTIs, the potential etiological mechanisms of which deserve future clinical research. Severe COVID-19 in young children will not represent any markedly increased burden on the health services.