bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracing the career arc of Joost A. M. Meerloo: Prominence, fading, and premonitions of menticide
Authors: Woody William Douglas
Published: December 2022

This article traces the career arc of Dutch psychoanalyst Joost A. M. Meerloo by examining his biography and his psychology of interrogation and confession. His life story, particularly his experiences during the German occupation of the Netherlands and his escape to England during World War II, shaped his views on these issues, as well as his rise to prominence as an expert on these topics in the United States. His psychoanalytic perspectives on interrogation and confession, including false confession, reflected the zeitgeist of the First Wave of Cold War interrogation tactics and related scholarship. His career as a scholar of interrogation faded with the study of distinct interrogation tactics used by communists during the Korean War, the emergence of experimental social psychology, and a growing cohort of scholars who rejected his psychoanalytic views in favor of more contemporary approaches. For these reasons, his work remains undervalued, increasing the risks that today’s scholars will fail to recognize his larger contributions and his warnings about vulnerability and psychologists’ roles in military interrogations. The article reviews the rise and fall of the career of Joost A. M. Meerloo as a scholar of Cold War interrogation, including his contributions and his unheeded warnings about vulnerability and psychologists’ roles in military interrogations.
A probabilistic framework for product health monitoring in multistage manufacturing using Unsupervised Artificial Neural Networks and Gaussian Processes
Authors: Papananias Moschos , McLeay Thomas E , Mahfouf Mahdi , Kadirkamanathan Visakan
Published: December 2022

The emergence of highly instrumented manufacturing systems has enabled the paradigm of smart manufacturing that provides high levels of prognostics functionality. Of particular interest is to precisely determine geometric conformance or non-conformance of workpieces during manufacturing. This paper presents a new dimensional product health monitoring system that learns from in-process sensor data and updates the prediction of the product quality as the product is manufactured. The system uses data from multiple manufacturing stages, unlike from a single stage at a time, to predict the dimensional quality of the finished product that is updated with subsequent measurements such as On-Machine Measurements (OMMs), in on-line incremental learning fashion. It is based on self-supervised neural networks for dimensionality reduction, Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) models for probabilistic prediction about the end product condition and the associated uncertainty, and Bayesian information fusion for updating the conditional probability distribution of the end product quality in the light of new information. The monitoring approach was tested on the prediction of diameter deviations with validation results showing its ability to achieve an average accuracy better than 5 μm in terms of the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE). Having obtained a Probability Density Function (PDF) for the measurand of interest, the conformance and non-conformance probabilities given the tolerance specifications are computed to support the principle of inspection by exception. This ability to construct a conformance probability-based product quality monitoring system using probabilistic machine learning methods constitute a step change to manufacturing prognostics.
Experimental study of model-free vibration control based on a virtual controlled object considering parameter uncertainty of actuator
Authors: Yonezawa Ansei , Yonezawa Heisei , Kajiwara Itsuro
Published: December 2022

This study experimentally verifies robustness of a model-free vibration controller based on a virtual controlled object (VCO) considering parametric uncertainty of actuator. A proof-mass actuator, which can be modeled as a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system, is used. A VCO, which is defined as an SDOF structure, is introduced between a real controlled object and the actuator model. The parameters of the VCO are determined so as to achieve model-free vibration control. A state equation to derive the model-free controller is constructed using the two-degree-of-freedom (2DOF) structure composed of the actuator model and the VCO. The parametric uncertainty of the actuator is quantitatively characterized in the 2DOF structure. The mixed [Formula: see text] control theory is used to design a model-free controller. The vibration suppression performance and robustness to the actuator uncertainty of the proposed method are validated by experiments. Simulation studies are also conducted to enhance the validity of the experimental results. As a result, the proposed damping method exhibits good damping performance and strong robustness to the actuator uncertainty and characteristic changes in controlled object.
Microstructure and hot corrosion characteristics evaluation of high-velocity oxy-fuel sprayed Ni–20%Cr coating on AISI 321 steel with Na2SO4–60%V2O5 salt deposits
Authors: Muthu Shanmugam Mannan , Arivarasu Moganraj , Sanford Babu Rebin , Dinakaran Veeman , Gupta Shubham
Published: December 2022

The high-temperature corrosion is a crucial issue of stainless-steel components such as boilers and superheaters in power plant industries when it operates at elevated temperatures due to impurities in the environment, which deteriorate the properties of the materials. The current research work goal is to investigate the cyclic corrosion characteristics of the bare and Ni–20%Cr, a high-velocity oxy-fuel sprayed coating on AISI 321 steel in Na2SO4–60%V2O5 salt atmosphere at 900 °C. Thermogravimetric study was used to examine the corrosion kinetics by weight change technique. Surface morphology and compositions of the coating and oxide scale morphology were characterized. X-ray diffraction analysis divulges that Fe2O3 is the primary scale in the uncoated specimen. Corrosion attack across the depth and scale thickness is analyzed by a cross-sectional study. More oxide scales spalling could be observed in the uncoated specimen during the corrosion study due to nonprotective Fe2O3 formation. Compared with the bare specimen, the coated steel provides superior corrosion resistance at 900 °C. This is ascribed to the occurrence of NiO, NiCr2O4, and Cr2O3 scales in the coated specimen, which provides sufficient protection to the specimen.
Q-learning–based practical disturbance compensation control for hypersonic flight vehicle
Authors: Li Xu , Zhang Ziyi , Ji Yuehui , Liu Junjie , Gao Qiang
Published: December 2022

Aiming at the attitude control problem of hypersonic flight vehicle, a compound control strategy based on the disturbance compensation technique and Q-learning optimization is proposed. Firstly, a three-channel independent control scheme based on the super-twisting extended state observer (STESO) is proposed such that coupling among channels, uncertainties, and external disturbances can be estimated and compensated in real time. Secondly, the Q-learning mechanism is introduced to optimize the control parameters while keeping the control structure unchanged. Lastly, the convergence of the STESO is analyzed by the Lyapunov theory, and some numerical simulation results are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. Compared with the traditional linear active disturbance rejection control, the proposed method can avoid a lot of manual parameter tuning process and also has better performance.
Quality of sleep in people living with HIV in the era of highly active antiretroviral treatment
Authors: Petrakis Vasileios , Steiropoulos Paschalis , Papanas Nikolaos , Trypsianis Grigorios , Papazoglou Dimitrios , Panagopoulos Periklis
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Although HIV infection has become a chronic disease, people living with HIV (PLWHIV) often develop disorders that affect their quality of life. Sleep disturbances could occur in all stages of infection and lead to fatigue, increased risk for comorbidities and reduced adherence to treatment. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the quality of sleep in PLWHIV monitored at the HIV Unit of the University General Hospital of Evros (Greece).

Methods

Patients completed self-reported questionnaires including restless legs syndrome (RLS) questionnaire, the Epworth Scale, the Athens Insomnia Scale, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - HADS, the SleepF Quality Scale MOS, the STOP BANG questionnaire for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, data of HIV infection and clinical factors were recorded.

Results

A total of 154 patients, 120 males, were included in the study. The percentage of patients diagnosed with RLS was 26.6% and the corresponding percentage of insomnia 55.2%. OSA was documented in 35% of patients. High prevalence of depression (46.1%) and anxiety (54.54%) was reported. Detectable viral load, low CD4 cell count and limited physical activity ( p < 0.001) were significant risk factors for increased incidence rate of sleep disturbances. Sleep disorders were not proven to be associated with newer antiretroviral regimens.

Conclusions

Sleep disturbances were reported in high frequency in PLWHIV affecting their quality of life and increasing symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is vital to add sleep assessment into routine care and find efficient interventions in order to improve quality of life, mental health and adherence to antiretroviral treatment.
Sexually transmitted infections and sexual behaviour among men having sex with men from Tshwane, South Africa
Authors: Le Roux Marcelle , Ngwenya Innocent K , Nemarude Avhammbudzi L , De Villiers Barbara E , Mathebula Matsontso , Nchabeleng Maphoshane
Published: December 2022

Background

Men having sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including extra-urethral infections. This study aimed to provide information on the presence of genital and extra-genital non-viral STIs and associated risk factors among MSM in the Tshwane district of South Africa.

Method

Samples were collected from 200 MSM in the North-western area of Tshwane. After the completion of a questionnaire including demographics and sexual history and an HIV test, three swabs (pharyngeal, rectal, and urethral) were collected and tested for the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV).

Results

Data were collected from 199 participants and 77/199 (38.7%) participants had at least one infection regardless of specimen site. Of these 34 (17.1%) were infected with NG; 36 (18.1%) with CT, 16 (8.1%) with MG and 14 (7.0%) with TV. NG and CT were most frequently detected in rectal specimens. The HIV prevalence in this study was 66.8% (133/199), with 56 (28.1%) of participants both STI and HIV positive. Being between 18 and 20 years, and difficulty having safe sex (more sex partners and more often condomless anal sex) when high/drunk were significantly associated with having an STI. Factors with increased odds of having an STI were being HIV positive, having two or more sexual partners, depending on partner financially, performing and receiving rimming, or receiving anal sex.

Conclusions

This study has highlighted the high burden of STIs in MSM in the local community, especially the prevalence of these pathogens in extra-genital sites.
LINC00599 influences smoke-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and regulates CSE-induced epithelial cell apoptosis and inflammation by targeting miR-212-5p/BASP1 axis
Authors: Xu Liyun , Dong Zhiyi
Published: December 2022

LINC00599 has been reported to be upregulated in response to cigarette smoking. However, the effect and underlying mechanism of LINC00599 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are still under exploration. In this study, LINC00599 was upregulated in the COPD patients and was of clinical value to distinguish COPD patients. COPD cell models were established using 16HBE cells under cigarette smoke extract (CSE) treatment. LINC00599 levels were elevated in a dose and time-dependent way in response to CSE stimulation. The effect of LINC00599 on CSE-induced 16HBE cells was explored. The results showed that LINC00599 deficiency reversed the CSE-induced inhibition on cell viability and proliferation, and rescued the CSE-induced enhancement on cell 16HBE cell apoptosis and inflammation response. Moreover, LINC00599 bound with miR-212-5p to upregulate the BASP1 (brain abundant membrane attached signal protein 1) expression. MiR-212-5p was expressed at a low level in the tissue samples of COPD patients, and its levels were upregulated in LINC00599 silenced cells. BASP1 was targeted by miR-212-5p and its upregulation was identified in the tissue samples of COPD patients and cell models. BASP1 levels were downregulated after miR-212-5p overexpression or LINC00599 silencing. Moreover, the rescue assays demonstrated that BASP1 overexpression reversed the effect of silenced LINC00599 on 16HBE cells after CSE treatment, which indicated that LINC00599 promoted the COPD development by regulating BASP1 expression. In conclusion, LINC00599 facilitated CSE-induced cell apoptosis and inflammation response, while inhibiting the cell viability and proliferation in COPD progression via modulating miR-212-5p/BASP1 axis.
Defining artificial intelligence for librarians
Authors: Cox Andrew M. , Mazumdar Suvodeep
Published: December 2022

The aim of the paper is to define Artificial Intelligence (AI) for librarians by examining general definitions of AI, analysing the umbrella of technologies that make up AI, defining types of use case by area of library operation, and then reflecting on the implications for the profession, including from an equality, diversity and inclusion perspective. The paper is a conceptual piece based on an exploratory literature review, targeting librarians interested in AI from a strategic rather than a technical perspective. Five distinct types of use cases of AI are identified for libraries, each with its own underlying drivers and barriers, and skills demands. They are applications in library back-end processes, in library services, through the creation of communities of data scientists, in data and AI literacy and in user management. Each of the different applications has its own drivers and barriers. It is hard to anticipate the impact on professional work but as information environment becomes more complex it is likely that librarians will continue to have a very important role, especially given AI’s dependence on data. However, there could be some negative impacts on equality, diversity and inclusion if AI skills are not spread widely.
Information literacy, well-being, and rural older adults in a pandemic
Authors: Lund Brady D , Wang Ting
Published: December 2022

Many older adults residing in rural communities faced particularly damaging consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Given the impact of the pandemic on the ability to rely on traditional forms of information (i.e. interpersonal communication), reliance on digital technology and other non-traditional sources of information grew. Those who lacked the information literacy, defined in this study as the ability to find and evaluate the reliability of information to address an information need, may have faced psychologically damaging consequences caused by the proliferation of misinformation and information poverty. Informed by an ecological understanding of human information behavior, this paper reports on the findings of a study of rural older adults’ information literacy skills and sense of well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. A mail survey, based on concepts from psychology and information science and question wordings adapted from the 2021 Health and Retirement Survey and Jones-Jang et al.’s study of literacies and fake news, was distributed in the summer of 2021 to older adults living in rural Kansas. About 206 valid responses to the survey were received. These were analyzed using correlation and regression testing. The findings indicate a significant relationship between information literacy skills and one’s overall sense of well-being. Personal (age, gender, health, life control), economic (employment, finances), and social-relational resources (social engagement, relationship quality) all were shown to relate positively to information literacy skills. These findings provide definition to our understanding of the importance of information literacy in modern understandings of psychological well-being.
Access to Latrine Facilities and Associated Factors in India: An Empirical and Spatial Analysis
Authors: Mondal Dinabandhu
Published: December 2022

Access to adequate sanitation facilities is a basic human right and fundamental to good health. Inadequate and unhygienic sanitation practices have severe consequences for public health and socio-economic development. This study examines the levels and trends in access to latrine facilities, spatial variations and the associated socio-economic factors in India. Data drawn from the National Sample Survey Organization’s (NSSO) 69th (2012) and 76th rounds (2018) were used in this study. Moran’s ‘I’ statistic and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) were applied to assess the spatial variations in access to latrine facilities. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were employed to examine the factors associated with latrine use. The findings revealed that access to sanitation facilities is unsatisfactory, and there is a huge rural–urban gap in latrine use. Unequal access among socio-economic groups is also very prominent. The study found substantial geographical variations in latrine use across the country; open defecation is highly prevalent in eastern and central regions of the country, while the north and north-eastern regions have better access to latrine facilities. Factors like education, occupation, socio-religious affiliation, water availability, and economic status are significant determinants of accessibility to latrine. It is recommended that targeted interventions for the socio-economically disadvantaged groups, spreading awareness about the importance of latrine use and hygienic practices, and proper assistance for construction and maintenance of toilets could be helpful to combat the harmful practice of open defecation and ensure adequate and equitable sanitation for all.
Outcomes of fracture-related infections – do organism, depth of involvement, and temporality count?
Authors: Wong Janus S H , Lee Alfred L H , Fang Christian , Leung Henry C H , Liu Alicia H Y , So Ryan C K , Yung Colin S Y , Wong Tak-Man , Leung Frankie
Published: December 2022

Purpose: To determine mortality and outcomes of patients diagnosed with fracture-related infections (FRIs).

Methods: FRI patients treated at a trauma centre between 2001 and 2020 were analysed. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality; mortality associations with FRI organism, depth of involvement, and temporality were investigated with multivariable survival analysis. Healthcare-associated and serological outcomes were reported as secondary outcomes. Results: 311 FRIs with mean age of 67.0 and median Charlson comorbidity index of 0 were analysed. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (29.9%) was the most frequently implicated organism. The majority of FRIs were deep infections (62.7%). FRIs were diagnosed at a median of 40 (IQR 15–200) days post index surgery. The mean follow-up was 5.9 years. One-year mortality amounted to 17.7%. MSSA FRIs were associated with better survival (adj HR 0.34, 95%CI 0.15–0.76, p = 0.008). There was no difference in survivorship between deep or superficial FRI (adj HR 0.86, 95%CI 0.62–1.19, p = 0.353) or in relation to onset time (adj HR 1.0, 95%CI 0.99–1.00, p = 0.943). Implant removal or debridement alone was performed in 61.7% and 17% respectively. Antibiotics was prescribed for 53 (IQR 23–110) days, and patients were hospitalised for 39 (IQR 19–78) days. CRP and ESR normalised in 70.3% (median 46 days) and 53.8% (median 86 days) patients respectively. Conclusion: Fracture-related infections are associated with significant mortality and morbidity regardless of depth and temporality. Non-MSSA FRIs are associated with inferior survival.
Denosumab versus zoledronic acid in elderly patients after hip fracture
Authors: Kim Seung-Ju , Kim Ji Woon , Lee Dong-Woo
Published: December 2022

Background

Two injectable anti-osteoporosis medications, denosumab and zoledronic acid, have been widely used to treat patients with severe osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the real-world effectiveness and adherence of denosumab compared to zoledronic acid in geriatric patients after a hip fracture.

Methods

A total of 282 patients treated with osteoporotic hip fracture between March 2014 and Aug 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were asked to select the anti-osteoporosis medication after surgery. Treatment persistence was monitored by follow-up visit to the outpatient clinic at postoperative 2 years.

Results

Of 282 individuals with baseline data, 162 patients took subcutaneous denosumab and 120 patients took intravenous zoledronic acid. At postoperative 2 years, the change in bone mineral density (BMD) from baseline was greater in the denosumab group compared with the zoledronic acid group ( p < 0.001). The rate of persistence to denosumab was significantly higher than that for 12-months zoledronic acid ( p = 0.01). Serious adverse events were similar in the two groups.

Conclusions

Our study revealed the effectiveness and patients' persistence for two commonly used anti-osteoporosis agents after hip fracture. In this frail, elderly population, half-yearly denosumab was superior to yearly zoledronic acid in BMD and demonstrated significant higher persistence rate, indicating a potential therapeutic advantage that warrants further validation.
Advance Care Planning Among Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Rahemi Zahra , Malatyali Ayse , Adams Swann A. , Jarrín Olga F. , Demiris George , Parker Veronica , Ghaiumy Anaraky Reza , Dye Cheryl J.
Published: December 2022

In this study, we used data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to investigate factors associated with older adults’ engagement with advance care planning (ACP) across varying levels of cognitive functioning status. Our analysis used a sample of 17,698 participants in the HRS 2014 survey. Survey descriptive procedures (Proc SurveyMeans, Proc SurveyFreq) and logistic regression procedures (Proc SurveyLogistic) were used. Race, ethnicity, level of cognition, education, age, and number of chronic diseases consistently predicted ACP. Participants with lower levels of cognition were less likely to have a living will and durable power of attorney for healthcare (DPOAH). African American and Hispanic participants, younger participants, and those with lower cognition and education levels were less likely to engage in ACP. Marital status and loneliness predicted ACP engagement. Some results varied across the cognition cohorts. Our results indicated that sociodemographic status, together with health and cognitive status, has a significant role in predicting ACP. The results can provide valuable insights on ACP for older adults with or at risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia and other cognitive impairments, caregivers, families, and healthcare providers.
Bridges to Civic Health: Enhancing Shared Service-Learning Collaboration in Nursing and History
Authors: Sundberg Adam D. , Koehler Echo N.
Published: December 2022

Background: Faculty in nursing and history at Creighton University directed two service-learning courses on the history and public health implications of lead (Pb) exposure in Omaha, NE. As part of their service requirements, students conducted or observed blood lead screenings in area schools and reflected on these shared experiences in discipline-specific coursework. Strong student response encouraged the faculty to enrich transdisciplinary teaching and learning between these two courses. Although studies supply numerous best practices to develop collaborative experiences and service-oriented pedagogies, little work focuses on enriching collaborations between preexisting courses. Purpose: This study examines the outcomes of a partnership between nursing and history and presents a practical model that instructors can use to foster and deepen transdisciplinary service-learning. Methodology: Employing a hybrid grounded theory/topic modeling analysis of student reflection papers, we identify course outcomes of closest convergence. Findings/Conclusions: We argue that instructors can deepen transdisciplinary partnerships between service-learning courses by focusing on a common exemplar, encouraging collaborative experiences in the classroom and at service sites, and employing civic health as a shared concept in curricula. Implications: Beyond nursing and history, our model may be employed by faculty in preexisting service-learning courses to bring their courses into transdisciplinary convergence.
“Don’t Touch My Body!” Child Sexual Abuse Training Program for Future Pre-School Educators: A Single-Blind, Pre-Test/Post-Test, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Altundağ Sebahat
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the “Don’t Touch My Body” Training Program (DTMB-TP) and raise awareness of child sexual abuse (CSA) among future pre-school teachers enrolled in a Turkish university. The study design was quasi-experimental and employed two groups (intervention and control) with pre-test/post-test. Convenience sampling method was used. The study sample included participants ( n = 218) enrolled in an academic degree program to become pre-school teachers. Data were collected using a descriptive information form and the “DTMB” awareness form. The data collection forms were administered to the study and control groups at baseline (pre-test) and 4 weeks after the intervention. The intervention applied to the experimental group was conducted face-to-face in one class hour (40 minutes) under the leadership of a nurse. There was a statistically significant increase in the knowledge of the children’s private body parts, good/bad touch, reactions to strangers, and the family security password in the intervention group in the post-test ( p < .05). In the post-test, no increase was observed in the control group’s CSA knowledge level score ( p > .05). The DTMB-TP effectively increased the awareness of preventing sexual abuse in participants. This study concluded that education effectively raised awareness to prevent CSA and provided basic data for larger-scale studies.
Falls in Patients With Communication Disability Secondary to Stroke
Authors: Sullivan Rebecca , Harding Katherine , Skinner Ian , Hemsley Bronwyn
Published: December 2022

Patients with stroke are at high risk of falls during inpatient rehabilitation admission. Communication disability is common following stroke; however, this population is often excluded from falls research. This study aimed to examine the falls of patients with communication disability following stroke, including the circumstances, contributing factors, and outcomes of the fall. This medical record review used the Generic Reference Model of patient safety as the analytical lens and data were analyzed descriptively. The study included 109 patients who experienced 308 falls. The most common type of fall was an “unwitnessed roll from bed.” Patient factors contributed to half of all falls, injuries occurred in 15% of falls, and impacts to the hospital system included additional costs and staffing. Understanding the reasons why patients are attempting to get out of bed may identify ways to reduce the risk and incidence of falls in this population.
Bite Force, Masticatory Performance, and Nutritional Status of Adult Individuals With Treacher Collins Syndrome
Authors: Medeiros Laís Hollara , de Barros Suely Prieto , Fidelis da Silva Leide Vilma , Bueno Patricia Martins , Garcia-Usó Michele , Trindade-Suedam Ivy Kiemle
Published: December 2022

Objective

To characterize the stomatognathic system of individuals with Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) by assessing bite force (BF) and masticatory performance (MP) and to evaluate the nutritional status (NS) of this population through anthropometric measurements.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

A public tertiary care hospital.

Patients

Forty-one individuals were divided into 2 groups: (1) Control (CON): 20 control adults with class I skeletal pattern and (2) TCS: 21 adults with TCS.

Interventions

BF measurement was assessed using a gnathodynamometer (IDDK Kratos). MP assessment was done using Image J-NIH software, by calculating the particles size of food submitted to standard chewing cycles ). NS was assessed based on body mass index (BMI).

Main Outcome Measures

Based on the craniofacial dysmorphology, it is our hypothesis that this population present a dysfunctional masticatory system, which can negatively impact NS.

Results

Means BF values for the TCS were significantly reduced when compared with the CON group and corresponded to 170.9  ±  109.4N and 431.6  ±  134.1N (right molar [RM]) and 171.2  ±  93.9N and 427.4  ±  147.8N (left molar [LM]), respectively ( P < .05). Although no significant differences were observed, the mean particle size of the TCS was greater when compared with the CON group and corresponded to 1.58  ±  1.93 mm2 and 0.66  ±  0.52 mm2, respectively. Although statistically similar mean values of BMIs were observed on both groups (CON  =  23.4  ±  4.7/TCS  =  23.4  ±  6.1), underweight and overweight individuals were found in 48% of the individuals with TCS and in 15% of the CON group participants.

Conclusion

Individuals with TCS showed a significant BF reduction, but no differences were observed in MP and NS when compared with the control individuals.
Aiding Animals: Does Foreign Aid Reduce Wildlife Crime?
Authors: Gamso Jonas
Published: December 2022

The illegal wildlife trade has come to the forefront of global politics, driven by concerns about biodiversity loss, illicit markets, and animal-borne infectious diseases. Yet, poaching remains common in many countries. The persistence of illegal hunting is attributable to (among other factors) poverty and poor labor market opportunities, which leave individuals in some communities with few viable alternatives to wildlife crime. Foreign aid that alleviates poverty and unemployment may, therefore, lead to a reduction in illegal hunting. However, cross-national research on aid and economic development offers mixed findings, suggesting a conditional effect. Against this backdrop, I theorize that aid reduces the economic pressures that contribute to poaching, but only in countries with representative political institutions. I test a corresponding hypothesis using data on elephant poaching in African and Asian countries. My findings show that aid is accompanied by a reduction in elephant poaching in democracies, but not in authoritarian countries.
Quality Assessment of Cervical Cytology Practices in Estonia From 2007 to 2018
Authors: Orumaa Madleen , Innos Kaire , Suurna Maria , Salumäe Liis , Veerus Piret
Published: December 2022

Background

Cervical cancer incidence and mortality in Estonia are among the highest in Europe, although the overall coverage with cervical cytology is high. This indicates potential issues with the quality of collection and/or laboratory evaluation of cervical cytology.

Objectives

The aim of the retrospective observational study was to assess the quality of cervical cytology specimen collection, evaluation, and reporting using laboratory reports in Estonia.

Methods

The study included women with a cervical cancer diagnosis in 2017−2018. Cervical cytology and histology reports for these women in 2007−2018 were obtained from ten laboratories. We described the quality of cytology specimen collection and reporting of cytology results. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to identify factors associated with NILM as the last cervical cytology result within 5 or 2 years before the cervical cancer diagnosis. Also, we calculated cytology-histology correlation (CHC).

Results

We identified 503 cytology and 100 histology reports from 138 women. The laboratories differed greatly regarding human resources, work capacity and volume. Differences between local and regional laboratories were observed in reporting specimen adequacy (P < .001). We found that local laboratories had 3 times higher odds (OR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.05−8.33) of reporting normal results 2 years before cancer diagnosis than regional laboratories. According to the CHC, 58.9% of pairs were in agreement.

Conclusions

The study showed considerable heterogeneity and suboptimal performance of cervical cytology practices in Estonia, particularly at local laboratories. Efforts to improve laboratory quality assurance are crucial.
Measuring Evaluator Competencies: Developing and Validating the Evaluator Competencies Assessment Tool
Authors: Cho Minji , Castleman Ann Marie , Umans Haley , Mwirigi Mike Osiemo
Published: December 2022

Evaluation scholars have committed decades of work to the development of evaluator competencies. The 2018 American Evaluation Association (AEA) Evaluator Competencies may be useful for evaluators to identify their strengths and weaknesses to improve their practice; however, a few empirically validated self-assessment tools based on the competencies exist. Two studies were conducted to develop a validated tool. The first study ( N = 170) developed the Evaluator Competencies Assessment Tool (ECAT), a self-assessment tool based on the AEA, 2018 Evaluator Competencies. This study provided evidence for structural validity via confirmatory factor analysis. The second study ( N = 142) reconfirmed structural validity with a new sample and examined variables that are associated with evaluator competencies through correlation and t-test analyses. Having a mentor, years of evaluation experience, age, evaluation training, and education level were positively related to evaluator competencies. The ECAT can be used to foster self-reflection for practitioners to improve evaluation competence.
Fidelity and Adaptation of Programs: Does Adaptation Thwart Effectiveness?
Authors: Nolt Kate L. , Leviton Laura C.
Published: December 2022

Evidence-based programs and grassroots programs are often adapted during implementation. Adaptations are often hidden, ignored, or punished. Although some adaptations stem from lack of organizational capacity, evaluators report other adaptations happen in good faith or are efforts to better fit the local context. Program implementers, facilitators who need to adapt during implementation, do not always report adaptations because they fear losing funding if the program is not implemented with fidelity. Program personnel including program evaluators need this information to improve effectiveness of programs, and to determine whether an adaptation is still consistent with the theory of change. Evaluators also need this information for generalizing results to varied settings and populations. Following the PRECEDE–PROCEED model, we recommend a hybrid approach to fidelity and adaptation. We argue in favor of advance planning to accommodate potential adaptations. Such planning also establishes evaluation criteria for determining whether adaptations are helpful, harmful, and appropriate to the context. We illustrate some types of adaptations that can occur, why they may be needed, and how to structure transparent reporting about adaptations to program developers and funding organizations.
Risk factors for in-stent restenosis in maintenance hemodialysis patients with central venous occlusive disease and biomechanical assessment of stents
Authors: Yu Yang , Xiong Yuqin , Li Tao , Zhou Jingyuan , Yan Weijie , Xiong Yan , Chen Yu , Fu Ping
Published: December 2022

Objectives:

To investigate the risk factors and biomechanical mechanisms of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in central venous occlusive disease (CVOD).

Patients and methods:

This retrospective study consecutively included 77 maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with CVOD who received the first percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting (PTS) due to symptomatic CVOD in a tertiary hospital. The mean age was 59.7 ± 14.0 years, and 51.9% of patients were male. The clinical characteristics, occurrence of ISR and patency rates were recorded. Finite element method was applied to assess the biomechanical properties of stents.

Results:

Among 77 patients with a mean CVS score of 8.0 ± 2.8, 20.8%, 62.3%, and 16.9% of patients had the main vein of CVOD in the subclavian vein, brachiocephalic vein, and superior vena cava, respectively. A total of 72 (93.5%) patients received successful PTS treatment, for which the stents implanted were mainly Fluency covered stent (48.6%) and SMART bare stent (31.9%). During 15 (10–24)-months of follow-up, ISR occurred in 36.1% of the 72 patients. The primary and assisted primary patency rates at 12, 18, and 24 months were 78%, 56%, 42% and 95%, 90%, 87%, respectively. A prolonged dialysis vintage was an independent risk factor for ISR, yet the stent type or the main vein location was not correlated with ISR. Among three laser-engraving stents, the SMART stent was the best in terms of flexibility, stress, and strain on stents but worst in stress or strain on vessels. The Luminexx stent was the best in radial force and worst in stress or strain on stents. The Vici stent was the best in stress and strain on vessels and worst in radial force and flexibility.

Conclusions:

An unsatisfactory comprehensive biomechanical performance from configurations rooted in existing stents may account for the high incidence of ISR in CVOD.
The conflict between environmental justice and culture
Authors: Song Kuoyung-Silan , LePage Ben A , Fang Wei-ta
Published: December 2022

During a study of Taiwan’s Indigenous Tayal people and their symbiotic relationship with the environment, a conflict between environmental justice and culture was identified. The conflict is driven by environmental laws developed to protect society and the environment. Although Indigenous people such as the Tayal are part of a larger society, they are a distinct people with their own culture, language, and laws that are protective of the people and environment. By simply following their culture, sustainable environmental practices, and protecting the environment, they violate the laws developed to protect all people. Every culture on the planet has cultural practices that probably violate an environmental law. Indigenous people are generally not included in the law-making process and their inclusion developing environmental law is essential to respect and protect a people’s culture and to manage the planet’s environmental resources in a responsible manner without reprisal.
Improvement in time to multiple sclerosis diagnosis: 25-year retrospective analysis from New York State MS Consortium (NYSMSC)
Authors: Jakimovski Dejan , Kavak Katelyn S , Zakalik Karen , Coetzee Timothy , Gottesman Malcolm , Coyle Patricia K , Zivadinov Robert , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca
Published: December 2022

Judicious multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and early start of disease modifying therapy significantly improves long-term disability outcomes in persons with MS (pwMS). Retrospective analysis based on 25-year New York State MS Consortium (NYSMSC) data determined the effect of changes in the respective diagnostic criteria in shortening the time between symptom onset to MS diagnosis. Based on 9378 current and historical MS cases, there was a significant decrease in time to diagnosis in pwMS from 1982–2001 to >2017 periods (average 4.2 vs. 1.1 years, p < 0.001). Additional improvements and better implementation of the MS diagnostic criteria can further decrease the diagnosis lag.
The Beauty of Unfulfillment
Authors: Castelli Alberto
Published: December 2022

The dialectic between transitory pleasure and permanent values, between the nature of life and the ideal, finds one of its representations in the experience of unfulfilled loves. Cyrano de Bergerac and Baudelaire’s poem A une passante have already received extensive scholarly attention but never as a theory of desire. Can a love still be real if it cannot be undertaken and experienced? The texts in analysis re-think the role of the object of love, and therefore the metaphysics of love, through the dynamic of lack and desire. Desire needs to replicate itself in order to exist, thus the object of love must remain unattainable.
Prison order through the hyperopticon, collectivism, and atomisation: The surveillance and disciplining of Ukrainian prison officers
Authors: Symkovych Anton
Published: December 2022

Bentham's idea of the panopticon has long influenced the theorisation of prison order. However, this model of control has been applied almost exclusively to prisoners. Drawing on ethnographic work in Ukraine, I argue that the disciplining of prison officers through institutionalised mutual surveillance was just as important to the maintenance of prison order. Broadening the theorisation of prison order by introducing the concept of hyperopticon, I argue that prison order in a Ukrainian prison hinged on two opposites: collectivism of prisoners and atomisation of prison officers, both depending on the system of multifaceted and excessive surveillance.
A longitudinal study of episodic memory recall in multilinguals
Authors: Vega-Mendoza Mariana , Eriksson Sörman Daniel , Josefsson Maria , Ljungberg Jessica K.
Published: December 2022

Aim:

This study investigates the effects of degree of multilingualism on cognitive functions in adulthood, with focus on episodic memory recall and including measures of verbal fluency as well as global cognition.

Design:

We studied a large population-based cohort cross-sectionally, and we also assessed changes over time through longitudinal measurements on four time-points over a 15 year period. Participants were drawn from the Betula prospective cohort study in Umeå, Sweden. The participants included in this study at baseline ( n = 894, mean age = 51.44, 59.4% females) were divided according to number of languages into bilinguals ( n = 395), trilinguals ( n = 284), quadrilinguals ( n = 169), and pentalinguals ( n = 46).

Data and analysis:

We analysed performance on tasks of episodic memory recall, verbal fluency (letter and category) and global cognition (Minimental State Examination, MMSE) both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The control background variables were baseline age, gender, years of education, general fluid ability Gf (Wechsler Block Design Test), and socioeconomic status. We employed a linear mixed modelling approach with entropy balancing weights to assess effects of degree of multilingualism on cognitive functions.

Findings and conclusions:

Using bilinguals as the reference group, our results indicated that all the other multilingual groups exhibited superior performance on episodic memory recall than bilinguals at baseline. The rate of change over time did not differ for trilinguals and pentalinguals compared to bilinguals. While quadrilinguals declined more over time than bilinguals, they still scored significantly higher than bilinguals at the last test wave. For letter fluency, similarly, all language groups scored higher than bilinguals at baseline, and none of the groups differed from bilinguals in rate of change over time. With regard to category fluency, quadrilinguals scored higher than bilinguals at baseline, but trilinguals and pentalinguals did not differ from bilinguals and none of the groups differed in change over time compared to bilinguals. Finally, for global cognition (MMSE), trilinguals and quadrilinguals scored significantly higher than bilinguals at baseline with no differences in change over time for any of the groups relative to bilinguals. Our study contributes to the understanding of multilingual cognition and sheds light into an under-researched cognitive domain known to decline in normal ageing, namely episodic memory recall.

Significance:

Our study emphasizes the importance of researching less explored aspects of multilingualism on cognition, in particular on episodic memory recall, to aid our understanding of factors that could potentially aid cognitive decline in later adulthood.
Studying occupant’s heat exposure and thermal comfort in the kitchen through full-scale experiments and CFD simulations
Authors: Luo Maohui , Guo Junjie , Feng Xiwen , Chen Wenhua
Published: December 2022

This study investigated kitchen heat exposure and thermal comfort through full-scale experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Experiments were conducted in a kitchen-style climate chamber with three stove conditions, three exhaust flowrates of range hood, three external conditions and three makeup air sources. CFD simulations were conducted accordingly to explore more nuances aspects of kitchen thermal environment. The experimental results showed that as the existence of a high-temperature stove, the air temperatures around the cooking staff, the net thermal radiations and local skin temperatures at exposed body parts increased significantly during the cooking period. External conditions and the makeup air source can significantly affect thermal distributions across the kitchen space and the heat exposures around the cooking staff. By adding partitions, using induction cooktops, and turning on the kitchen air conditioner can help to reduce cooking staff’s heat exposure from the gas-burning stove. The CFD simulations were consistent with the measured experimental results. The heat exposure in the cooking zone is shown to be dominated by horizontal thermal asymmetry. The occupants’ thermal comfort in the kitchen can be improved if the makeup air source came from the cooler side with a higher flowrate of range hood.
Student drinking cultures in tertiary education residential accommodation: A contextual research study
Authors: Leontini Rose , Corney Tim
Published: December 2022

Background: In Australia, harmful drinking among students aged 18–24 years in tertiary education residential accommodation (TRA) remains high, placing students at higher risk of harms than non-TRA and university peers. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the context-specific factors distinctive to TRAs that supported a heavy drinking culture among students. Conducted across three sites in Melbourne, Australia, the purpose of the study was to inform the development of context-specific harm reduction interventions for these sites. Methods: Five focus groups were conducted with 32 students to examine their lived experience of drinking within the distinctive environments of their TRAs. The data were examined using thematic data analysis. Results: Three themes were identified: (1) routine drinking in TRAs; (2) drinking for social inclusion in the TRA; and (3) TRA alcohol governance and students’ self-regulation. The data show that factors contributing to these TRA drinking cultures included: liberty to store alcohol and drink on campus; freshers’ belief that admission to the TRA was conditional on “partying hard”; students’ belief that staff supported the TRA drinking culture; and poor dissemination and operationalisation of TRA alcohol policy. Collectively, these factors fostered an environment that enabled frequent and heavy alcohol consumption among residents. Conclusions: The TRA drinking cultures were supported by social and regulatory factors specific to these institutions and, in particular, by a liberal approach to TRA alcohol governance and poorly disseminated alcohol policy that made widespread heavy drinking possible. Drinking cultures in TRAs can be changed through appropriate interventions that include nuanced policy and effective governance.