bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban Secularism
Authors: Dejean Frédéric
Published: September 2023

This article offers critical and complementary commentary on the new book Urban Secularism: Negotiating Religious Diversity in Europe by Julia Martínez-Ariño.
Taxonomic study of the Japanese endemic genus Yukikoa M. Satô (Coleoptera, Cantharidae) with descriptions of two new species
Authors: NAKAMURA RYO , KUBOTA KÔHEI
Published: September 2023

Two new species of the genus Yukikoa M. Satô, 1976 are described from Honshu, Japan: Y. mashimai sp. nov. from Niigata Prefecture and Y. nishimotoi sp. nov. from Fukui Prefecture. A revised key to the described species of Yukikoa and a distribution map are provided.
An observer-rated strategy for differentiating schizophrenic and manic states in inpatient settings
Authors: Parker Gordon , Spoelma Michael J , Skidmore Samuel J , Reid Amelia , Morris Samuel , Ferguson Greta , Connors Michael H
Published: September 2023

Objectives:

Differentiating schizophrenia from mania in acutely psychotic patients can be difficult, but is important in determining immediate and subsequent management. Such differentiation is generally addressed by clinical interviews, but an observational approach may assist. This paper therefore describes the development of a relevant observational measure.

Methods:

We developed a provisional list of 49 items (weighting features with suggested specificity to schizophrenia and mania) for independent completion by two nurses and judged its ability to predict diagnosis provided by consultant psychiatrists.

Results:

Eighty-seven psychotic patients were recruited, and 173 completed data sets were analysed. We refined the item set to two sets of 10 items that best-differentiated schizophrenia from mania and vice versa. Optimal differentiation was achieved with a score of at least 7 on both the schizophrenia and mania item sets. Difference scores (i.e. schizophrenia items affirmed minus mania items affirmed) were also generated, with a difference score of +1 (i.e. one or more schizophrenia items being affirmed than mania items) showing optimal differentiation (sensitivity 0.67, specificity 0.82) between the two conditions. Evaluating all potential difference scores, we demonstrated that, as difference scores increased, diagnostic accuracy in identifying each condition was very high.

Conclusion:

Analyses allow the properties of an observational measure (the 20-item Sydney Psychosis Observation Tool) to be described. While a single cut-off difference score was derived with acceptable discriminatory ability, we also established the capacity of varying difference scores to assign both schizophrenia and mania diagnoses with high accuracy.
Mental ill-health and substance use among sexuality diverse adolescents: The critical role of school climate and teacher self-efficacy
Authors: Bailey Sasha , Newton Nicola C , Perry Yael , Lin Ashleigh , Grummitt Lucinda , Barrett Emma L
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

Mental ill-health, substance use and their co-occurrence among sexuality diverse young people during earlier adolescence is relatively understudied. The preventive utility of positive school climate for sexuality diverse adolescents’ mental health is also unclear, as well as the role of teachers in conferring this benefit.

Method:

Using Wave 8 ‘B Cohort’ data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian children ( N = 3127, Mage = 14.3), prevalence ratios and odds ratios were used to assess prevalence and disparities in mental ill-health and substance use, and multinomial logistic regression for co-occurring outcomes, among sexuality diverse adolescents relative to heterosexual peers. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between school climate and teacher self-efficacy with sexuality diverse adolescents’ mental health.

Results:

Mental ill-health prevalence ranged from 22% (suicidal thoughts/behaviour) to 46% (probable depressive disorders) and substance use between 66% (cigarette use) and 97% (alcohol use). Sexuality diverse participants were significantly more likely to report self-harm and high levels of emotional symptoms in co-occurrence with cigarette, alcohol and/or cannabis use. For each 1-point increase in school climate scores as measured by the Psychological Sense of School Membership scale, there was 10% reduction in sexuality diverse adolescents reporting high levels of emotional symptoms, probable depressive disorder, self-harm thoughts/behaviour and suicidal thoughts/behaviour. For each 1-point increase in lower perceived (worse) teacher self-efficacy scores as measured by four bespoke teacher self-efficacy items, odds of sexuality diverse adolescent-reported suicidal thoughts/behaviour increased by 80%.

Discussion:

Mental ill-health, substance use and especially their co-occurrence, are highly prevalent and pose significant and inequitable health and well-being risks. Schools represent a potential site for focusing future prevention efforts and educating and training teachers on sexuality diversity is a promising pathway towards optimising these.
A big, big house(hold): John 14:1–7 as a response to Roman imperial violence
Authors: Wright Arthur M.
Published: September 2023

In antiquity, the entire Roman Empire itself was imagined as a household, with its inhabitants obedient children to their symbolic father, the emperor. The language and the literary context of John 14:1–7 suggest significant interplay with this way of conceptualizing the empire. The Fourth Gospel imitates imperial structures with its household imagery, in which God takes the place of “Father” and believers as “children.” The community of believers is thus imagined as an alternative household to Caesar’s empire, one with its own unique values and priorities. In this article, I suggest that Johannine believers are engaged in imperial negotiation by imagining themselves as an alternative household living under threat of imperial violence. Whereas traditional interpretations of John 14 that equate “my Father’s house” with “heaven” suggest an escapist strategy, in which believers will one day be whisked safely out of their imperial context, this interpretation suggests a more nuanced strategy of negotiating imperial power from within. The divine response to the threat of imperial violence is to establish a beloved household of God.
Variation in Skin Red and Yellow Undertone: Reliability of Ratings and Predicted Relevance for Social Experiences
Authors: Branigan Amelia R. , Nunez Johanna G. , Adnan Khan Mariya , Gordon Rachel A.
Published: September 2023

It is well established that skin lightness-darkness is associated with social outcomes, but little is known regarding the social salience of skin undertones (redness and yellowness). Our study addresses two related research questions on this topic: first, we ask whether red and yellow undertones are consistently perceived by observers; second, we ask whether red and yellow undertones are associated with expectations of discrimination across a range of social settings. We address these questions using novel survey data in which skin lightness-darkness and undertones are captured using CIELAB measurements and a two-dimensional categorical skin color scale. Although we find skin lightness-darkness to be the strongest and most consistent predictor of discrimination expectations, respondents also perceived skin undertones consistently, and skin yellowness was associated with a higher predicted likelihood of discrimination net of lightness-darkness in certain social settings. Our findings suggest that colorism can extend beyond a light-dark binary and emphasize the value of capturing undertones, particularly yellowness, in social surveys assessing skin color.
Capitalism and contested publicity. A conversation with Nancy Fraser
Authors: Kempf Victor , Sevignani Sebastian
Published: September 2023

Following a workshop on ‘Wildening the public sphere’ with Nancy Fraser at the Berlin Centre for Social Critique in June 2022, we had the chance to continue the discussion via Zoom in November 2022. We start by illuminating the relation between ‘subaltern counterpublics’ and the public-at-large, the rise of right-wing counterpublics and the impact of so-called ‘social media’ on the public sphere. That brings us to the question how publics are situated within capitalism, and how they are able to politicize issues that are traditionally considered private in capitalist societies. This is particularly interesting in regard to the pressing political task of forming an extended and non-essentialist working class identity that is able to mediate different ‘faces of labour’, as Fraser puts it in her recent Benjamin Lecture (2022a).
Closeness and Direct Engagement: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Non-Resident Father Involvement
Authors: O’Gara Jaimie L.
Published: September 2023

Measures of father involvement have predominantly comprised quantitative/frequency measures of direct engagement activities with children. Such measures tend to show that non-resident fathers are less involved than resident fathers and limit our understanding of non-resident fathering. This study’s purpose was to identify a construct of non-resident fathering that included an affective dimension, father–child closeness, among racially/ethnically diverse fathers and their nine-year-old children ( N = 1267). A confirmatory factor analysis using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study was conducted using father- and mother-reports of paternal direct engagement and child reports of father–child closeness. Results indicated a good model fit and that father–child closeness and direct engagement were appropriate indicators of non-resident father involvement. Results suggest that researchers should consider including both affective and frequency measures when studying father involvement, and practitioners should attend to the potential value of promoting father–child closeness among racially/ethnically diverse, low-income fathers.
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Food Resource Acceptability Questionnaire
Authors: Hardin-Fanning Frances , Mensah Kofi Amoh , Sha Shuying
Published: September 2023

The stigma associated with food assistance is a significant barrier to resolution of food insecurity. Interventions and policies aimed at reducing food insecurity would benefit from the inclusion of strategies aimed at minimizing food assistance stigma. We developed the Food Resource Acceptability Questionnaire (FRAQ), a scale that measures the perceptions of stigma associated with food assistance. Qualitative interviews, modified Delphi technique, and exploratory factor analysis were used to develop and evaluate the 17-item scale. The FRAQ consists of two subscales (stigma and the belief that food is a basic right) to measure the likelihood of individuals perceiving food assistance as socially and culturally acceptable. Cronbach’s alphas were 0.85, 0.80, and 0.89 for the Stigma subscale, Food as a Basic Right subscale, and the overall FRAQ, respectively. Additional research is needed to determine the applicability of the FRAQ in diverse populations.
Misalignments: House money and inflationary experiences
Authors: Motta Eugênia , Neiburg Federico
Published: September 2023

This article deals with how residents of a favela region known as the Complexo da Maré (Maré Complex), in the city of Rio de Janeiro, experienced price increase, particularly in food and energy, during 2021 and 2022, still in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We use the concept of alignment (and its derivatives, such as misalignment and realignment) to analyse the different ways of navigating an increase in the cost of living through accommodating material changes and future perspectives at different scales: from the ideals of a good life desired by people and families to decisions that need to be taken immediately or in a proximate future. We call alignment work the daily activities through which people and families deal with the instability of income, variation in money flows, the management of frustrations with the restrictions imposed by inflation, and the maintenance of significant ties which are altered or placed at risk by the crisis.
The potential importance of exploiting export markets for CO2 transport and storage services in realising the economic value of Scottish CCS
Authors: Turner Karen , Katris Antonios , Karim Zanhouo Abdoul , Calvillo Christian , Race Julia
Published: September 2023

Previous research investigating the UK economy impacts of introducing a new Scottish CO2 Transport and Storage (T&S) industry linked to carbon capture and storage (CCS) has focussed on supply chain and funding requirements in introducing such a new sector to service proximate Scottish industrial emissions via onshore pipelines. However, Scottish plans extend to shipping CO2 from outside Scotland for storage in North Sea reservoirs by also servicing sequestration requirements from elsewhere in the UK and/or overseas. This will involve investment in greater industry capacity but could ease associated domestic funding requirements. Here, we introduce improved economy-wide structural (input-output) data reflecting how a Scottish T&S sector may emerge from current Oil and Gas industry supply chain capacity to a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, extending to simulate emergence of an export base. Our central finding is that exploiting overseas T&S export opportunities is crucial where the policy aim is to generate greater economic activity without increasing demands on the public purse. However, any extent of real wage bargaining and consequent producer cost pressure as labour demand increases will act to dampen expansionary power, displacing export production and employment, while driving consumer price impacts that limit real income and public budget gains.
Association of ulnar variance with three-dimensional carpal alignment and demographics in asymptomatic volunteers
Authors: Waris Eero , Höglund Theresa , Sippo Robert , Aspinen Samuli
Published: September 2023

Background

Several carpal pathologies are considered to be related to ulnar variance. Recently, computer-aided computed tomography (CT) analysis software was introduced to quantify three-dimensional (3D) carpal alignment with high accuracy and reliability.

Purpose

To determine the association of ulnar variance with 3D carpal alignment and demographics.

Material and Methods

A wrist of 121 asymptomatic volunteers (69 men, 52 women; mean age = 38 ± 10.4 years) was imaged in the neutral wrist position with cone-beam CT. Computer-aided CT analysis software (Bonelogic), based on segmentation and numerical modelling, was used to define ulnar variance and standardized 3D axes for all carpal bones. The association of ulnar variance with 3D carpal alignment, age of the volunteer, and side and dominance of the imaged wrist was assessed.

Results

The mean ulnar variance was −1.6 ± 1.5 mm (range = −5.3 to 2.4 mm). The mean ulnar variance was −1.9 mm and −1.1 mm in men and women ( P = 0.007), respectively. Of the imaged 121 wrists, 18 (15%) had positive and 103 (85%) negative ulnar variance. There was no association between ulnar variance and any of the radio- or intercarpal angle values in either the sagittal or coronal plane (ρ = −0.16…0.17, r = −0.13….0.12). The ulnar variance showed no association with side ( P = 0.51) or dominance ( P = 0.27) of the imaged wrist.

Conclusion

3D carpal alignment is not affected by ulnar variance. The association of ulnar variance with sex may in part explain the difference in reported prevalence of some carpal pathologies, such as ulnar impaction syndrome and Kienböck’s disease.
Les marques devraient-elles cultiver le FoMO de leurs followers sur Instagram en publiant du contenu éphémère ?
Authors: Maar Daniel , Kefi Hajer , Orhan Mehmet A.
Published: September 2023

Plusieurs blogs et sites Web axés sur le marketing des réseaux sociaux suggèrent que, pour les marques possédant un compte Instagram, il peut s’avérer profitable de cultiver l’anxiété de ratage, c’est-à-dire la peur de rater quelque chose («  fear of missing out », «  FoMO » en anglais), de leurs followers en publiant du contenu éphémère. En s’appuyant sur une enquête en ligne réalisée auprès de 550 followers de comptes Instagram de différentes marques et sur une expérience basée sur des scénarios impliquant 535 participants, le présent article montre que le caractère éphémère du contenu déclenche le FoMO chez les followers, ce qui influe positivement sur l’engagement et la fatigue envers le compte de la marque. L’engagement (resp. la fatigue) envers le compte de la marque, à son tour, est lié(e) positivement (resp. négativement) à l’attitude envers la marque et à l’attachement à celle-ci. Des analyses plus approfondies révèlent que l’effet total du FoMO chez les followers sur l’attachement à la marque est positif et significatif, tandis que l’effet total du FoMO sur l’attitude envers la marque n’est pas significatif. De plus, le caractère éphémère du contenu a un effet total négatif et significatif sur l’attitude envers la marque. Ces résultats indiquent donc notamment qu’il n’est pas avantageux pour les marques de favoriser le FoMO chez leurs followers Instagram en publiant du contenu éphémère.
Searching for institutions: upgrading, private compliance, and due diligence in European apparel value chains
Authors: Hammer Nikolaus
Published: September 2023

This article argues that key avenues to improve working conditions – value chain integration, on the one hand, and lead firms’ compliance processes, on the other – have not resulted in improvements in the European apparel industry. Evidence is drawn from economic and social up-/downgrading trajectories in major apparel producing countries as well as a case study on social audits and labour market enforcement in the United Kingdom. Both suggest that institutions to prevent labour exploitation in supply chains have largely been ineffective. Institutional experimentation, which has been hybrid in combining hard and soft law as well as public and private governance elements, underlined the role of lead firms but continued to exclude civil society actors. It is argued that human rights due diligence, at the heart of many institutional experiments, draws on a deficient private compliance model, rather than building in worker-driven elements that could lead towards a better alternative.
Associations Between Serum Soluble Toll-like Receptors 4 and 9 and Breast Cancer in Egyptian Patients
Authors: Moaz Inas , Fouad Fayrouz A. , Elmasry Hossam , Tarek Gehad , Elzoheiry Aya , Elgamal Manar , Ibrahim Randa , Hisham Yasmin , Safwat Gehan , Kamel Mahmoud M. , El-Batal Heba M. , Fouda Merhan
Published: September 2023

Background

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in regulation of immune cells and are vital in tumorigenesis due to its crucial role in inflammatory microenvironment regulation, as they promote the synthesis and release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Toll-like receptors 4 and TLRs 9 were found to be highly expressed in breast cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the soluble toll-like receptors 4 and 9 (sTLR4 and sTLR9) as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer and their association with the clinicopathological parameters of breast cancer.

Patients and Method

In this retrospective case-control study, 186 female subjects were recruited and divided into three groups, Group I: 62 healthy control, Group II: 62 subjects diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer, and Group III: 62 subjects diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to quantify the levels of sTLR4 and sTLR9 in serum.

Results

Both non-metastatic and metastatic groups showed significant higher levels of both serum sTLR4 and sTLR9 expression compared to healthy controls. Only sTLR9 was significantly increased among metastatic patients compared to non-metastatic group. Serum levels of sTLR9 and sTLR4 were still significantly associated with breast cancer in a multiple logistic regression model ( P = <.001). ROC curves showed that both sTLR4 and sTLR9 can be a significant parameter to discriminate between normal females and breast cancer patients.

Conclusion

Soluble toll-like receptors 4 and sTLR9 are over-expressed in patients with metastatic and non-metastatic BC than in benign cases. The expression levels of sTLR4 and TLR9 have clinical interest as indicators of tumor aggressiveness suggested to be prognostic biomarkers. Toll-like receptors may represent therapeutic targets in breast cancer.
Amyl Acetate and Isoamyl Acetate
Authors: Cherian Pryia , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Cohen David E. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Rettie Allan E. , Ross David , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Fiume Monice , Heldreth Bart
Published: September 2023

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety reviewed newly available studies since their original assessment in 1988, along with updated information regarding product types and concentrations of use, and confirmed that Amyl Acetate and Isoamyl Acetate are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the practices of use and concentration as described in this report.
Optical coherence tomography versus other biomarkers: Associations with physical and cognitive disability in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Cerdá-Fuertes Nuria , Stoessel Marc , Mickeliunas Gintaras , Pless Silvan , Cagol Alessandro , Barakovic Muhamed , Maceski Aleksandra Maleska , Álvarez González Cesar , D’ Souza Marcus , Schaedlin Sabine , Benkert Pascal , Calabrese Pasquale , Gugleta Konstantin , Derfuss Tobias , Sprenger Till , Granziera Cristina , Naegelin Yvonne , Kappos Ludwig , Kuhle Jens , Papadopoulou Athina
Published: September 2023

Background:

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a biomarker of neuroaxonal loss in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective:

The objective was to assess the relative role of OCT, next to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and serum markers of disability in MS.

Methods:

A total of 100 patients and 52 controls underwent OCT to determine peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layers (GCIPL). Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL), total lesion volume (TLV), and brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) were also assessed. The associations of OCT with disability were examined in linear regression models with correction for age, vision, and education.

Results:

In patients, pRNFL was associated with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT; p = 0.030). In the multivariate analysis including sNfL and MRI measures, pRNFL (β = 0.19, p = 0.044) and TLV (β = −0.24, p = 0.023) were the only markers associated with the SDMT. pRNFL ( p < 0.001) and GCIPL ( p < 0.001) showed associations with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). In the multivariate analysis, GCIPL showed the strongest association with the EDSS (β = −0.32, p < 0.001) followed by sNfL (β = 0.18, p = 0.024).

Conclusion:

The associations of OCT measures with cognitive and physical disability were independent of serum and brain MRI markers of neuroaxonal loss. OCT can be an important tool for stratification in MS, while longitudinal studies using combinations of biomarkers are warranted.
The ethics of representing perpetrators in documentaries on genocide
Authors: Koch Julian Johannes Immanuel
Published: September 2023

Current discourse on the representation of genocide claims that we are currently experiencing ‘the shift from the era of the witness to the era of the perpetrator’. This raises ethical concerns over why and how documentaries engage with perpetrators. Based on an assessment of 203 documentaries on seven genocides, my article makes three kinds of contribution in addressing these concerns: (1) It discusses the ethics of representing perpetrators in archival footage, reenactments or interviews in a wider corpus than those covered in recent discussions. (2) It uncovers a broad range of ethical reasons for why documentary filmmakers engage with perpetrators, rather than seeking to establish a singular ethical ground for this engagement. This approach can do better justice to the varying cultural, historical and political contexts of the respective genocides, the different production contexts and target audiences of the documentaries, and the different styles and types of documentaries that inform the ethics of perpetrator representation. (3) It introduces two broad categories of perpetrator representation in documentaries that conceptualize the ethical purposes of this engagement differently.
Justice Under Microscope: Analysing Mandarin Chinese Markers in Virtual Courtroom Discourse
Authors: Yi Ran
Published: September 2023

As codified in professional guidelines, professional interpreters should faithfully interpret everything that has been said exactly as the original speakers. In other words, court interpreters are expected to adequately interpret both the content and the manner of original utterances into their pragmatic equivalence to the best of their knowledge. However, little has been known about the court interpreters’ accuracy in rendering the manner of speech in remote settings in non-European languages. The present paper reports initial findings from a larger experiment research study that assesses Australia-based professional interpreters’ accuracy in interpreting discourse markers and speech style in court-related remote settings. This paper focuses on the way in which discourse markers were used by the Mandarin Chinese-speaking defendant in courtroom examination answers and interpreted by practitioners. Mandarin Chinese markers ‘呗(bēi)’, ‘啦(à)’, ‘啊(a)’, ‘吧(bā)’ and ‘嘛(mà)’ were analysed using a collection of models of markers in Mandarin Chinese. A general disregard for discourse markers was found in remote settings, as reflected by omissions, mistranslation and moderations of illocutionary forces, particularly the use of the monotone in practitioners’ renditions of some attitudinal markers in Mandarin Chinese. Such disregard may have further implications for the accuracy of court interpreting in remote settings. The findings of the present study intend to inform future interpreter education and contribute to interprofessional collaboration between interpreting service users and providers.
Outside-in: Co-production and the spatial planning systems in Italy and England
Authors: Bragaglia Francesca , Caldarice Ombretta , Janin Rivolin Umberto
Published: September 2023

This article concerns the growing interest in ‘co-production’ in spatial planning, focusing on its relationship with planning systems. The article refers to Italy and England – two institutional contexts with different planning systems – and concludes that co-production can operate outside or inside the planning system. Both models have pros and cons. However, the critical factor determining co-production regarding the planning system appears to be related to how land use rights are allocated. While prior allocation through prescriptive plans keeps co-production out of the system, only allocation as a final case-by-case decision allows co-production to be part of it.
A novel dual power-driven electric power steering system for electric commercial vehicles
Authors: Fu Zhijun , Lu Yan , Zhao Dengfeng , Yuan Peixin , Guo Yaohua
Published: September 2023

To solve the power limitation problem faced by the development of EPS system for commercial vehicles and achieve the high-performance steering, this article presents a novel dual power-driven electric power steering system (DPEPS) for commercial vehicles by using the open winding permanent magnet synchronous motor (OPMSM) fed by dual inverter with high and low DC voltage supplies. First, the two-level control strategy is introduced for the developed DPEPS system, where the upper control is designed to make the actual steering follow the expected steering performance as determined by the assistant torque curve and to generate the appropriate target current according to the vehicle speed and steering torque. And then the lower control consists of the synthetical space vector control scheme and dual PI control loop is used to execute commands from the upper control, which can make the motor execute the appropriate power supply method according to the steering torque and assist current. Finally, a co-simulation model is carried out for an electric bus, and based on which the proposed DPEPS system is validated.
The experiences of women seeking help for vaginismus and its impact on their sense of self: An integrative review
Authors: Pithavadian Rashmi , Chalmers Jane , Dune Tinashe
Published: September 2023

Background:

There is low social awareness of vaginismus despite it being a relatively common female sexual dysfunction that makes vaginal penetration painful, difficult, and/or impossible. While existing literature on vaginismus has had a clinical focus on the affected genitalia, there is a lack of research on women’s help-seeking experiences of vaginismus from their perspective.

Objectives:

This integrative review’s objective was to explore: women’s help-seeking experiences of vaginismus, and how such help-seeking experiences impact their sense of self.

Design:

Cooper’s five-step integrative review approach was followed to develop a research question, a search strategy, selection criteria, and data evaluation, analysis, and presentation.

Data Sources and Methods:

A systematic search of the literature was completed in the following seven databases in January 2023: PsycINFO, ProQuest Central, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Embase. Out of the 373 articles found through database searches and additional citation searching, 22 studies were included in this review for meeting the eligibility criteria of having an empirical design, being written in English, and examining women’s help-seeking experiences for vaginismus and its impact on their sense of self.

Results:

Thematic analysis was used to summarize the findings from the included studies which were informed by 1671 participants. Help-Seeking Process, Medical Management, Help-Seeking and Sense of Self, and Holistic Care Recommendations from the Findings emerged as four major themes with corresponding subthemes.

Conclusion:

This review indicates that women continue to face difficulties in seeking and receiving help for vaginismus even through the healthcare system. However, the studies did not explicitly discuss how women’s help-seeking for vaginismus impacted their sense of self. This highlights an epistemological gap on how women’s help-seeking for their vaginismus impacts their sense of self, which can affect their treatment responses. Recommendations are provided for future healthcare and research to improve health outcomes for women with vaginismus.
Dynamic dosing for continuous renal replacement therapy: Service evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of titrating dose to biochemistry
Authors: Eldridge Jack C , Bhardwaj Shah Aroon , Lucena-Amaro Susana , Kirwan Christopher J , Prowle John R , Wan Yize I
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) dose is usually fixed and primarily weight-based. Whilst this is safe, theoretically, underdosing or overdosing may occur in those requiring acute versus maintenance CRRT respectively. We have developed a dynamic dosing protocol for CRRT which individualises and updates dosing according to biochemistry. Here we describe the protocol and compare it to a fixed dose protocol to evaluate its safety and effectiveness.

Methods:

We conducted a service evaluation of this novel protocol using data from consecutive non-COVID-19 admissions receiving CRRT within Barts Health NHS trust, United Kingdom (UK). Fifty admissions using the dynamic protocol were compared to historically collected data from 108 admissions who used the fixed protocol. Acute and maintenance CRRT subgroups were analysed.

Results:

For the dynamic protocol 49 patients were treated with 135 CRRT circuits. One patient had two admissions. Protocol compliance (compared in one ICU) was 76% (dynamic) vs 61% (fixed) ( p < 0.05). For the dynamic versus fixed protocol, median CRRT lifespan censored for reasons other than clotting was: 56 h vs 58 h RCA (ns), 27 h versus 20 h heparin (ns) and 79 h versus 22 h no anticoagulation ( p < 0.05). The dynamic vs fixed protocol average CRRT dose was: 30 ml/kg/h (14–57) vs 26 ml/kg/h (20–62) ( p < 0.05). The dynamic protocol generated a similar rate of increase of bicarbonate in an acute phase (RCA: 0.2 mmol/l/h vs 0.21 mmol/l/h, ns) and maintained a more stable level in a maintenance phase (RCA: −0.01 mmol/l/h vs 0.07 mmol/l/h, p < 0.05).

Discussion:

Dynamic dosing for CRRT in this institution was safe and may lead to more tailored maintenance of biochemical homoeostasis.
10 years of biologic use patterns in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: treatment persistence, switching and dose intensification – a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Koo Hee Moon , Jun Yu Kyung , Choi Yonghoon , Shin Cheol Min , Park Young Soo , Kim Nayoung , Lee Dong Ho , Shin Young Kee , Yoon Hyuk
Published: September 2023

Background:

Treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have evolved in the era of biologics. However, the real-world data on their usage patterns and sequencing are still limited.

Objectives:

We aimed to investigate treatment persistence and dose intensification of first- and second-line biologics in patients with IBD.

Design:

In this retrospective, cohort study using nationwide claims data, 13,087 patients with IBD initiating biologic therapy between 2010 and 2020 were identified.

Methods:

Treatment persistence and dose intensification during the first 2 years and switching patterns of biologics were analysed while identifying predictors of non-persistence.

Results:

As a first-line treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD), ustekinumab had a lower risk for non-persistence compared to infliximab [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 0.69, p = 0.048]. Second-line ustekinumab and vedolizumab showed the highest and lowest persistence (79.2% and 54.9%), respectively. As a first-line treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), golimumab had a higher risk for non-persistence compared to infliximab (aHR, 1.68, p < 0.001). Second-line golimumab also showed a significantly lower persistence rate than adalimumab and vedolizumab. The risk of non-persistence was higher in UC than in CD (first line: aHR, 1.97; second line: aHR, 1.39; p < 0.001), and in the second-line treatment than in the first-line treatment for CD (aHR, 1.55; p < 0.001). The cumulative rate of dose intensification was highest with ustekinumab for CD (first line, 43.3%, second line, 69.1%) and adalimumab for second-line UC (40.7%). It was significantly increased in second-line therapy in CD, but not in UC. Among switchers of first-line anti-tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitor therapy, after all biologics were approved, 69% of CD patients and 78.4% of UC patients switched to other classes of second-line treatment.

Conclusion:

Ustekinumab had higher persistence in the first-line treatment of CD, while golimumab had lower persistence for first- and second-line treatments of UC. Dose intensification rates varied, with the highest cumulative rates observed for ustekinumab in CD and adalimumab in second-line UC.
Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy in ER-positive breast cancer: evolution, indication, and tailored treatment strategy
Authors: Jeong Hyehyun , Kim Sung-Bae
Published: September 2023

In recent years, endocrine therapy (ET), an effective systemic treatment for the management of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers, has regained interest as a neoadjuvant therapy based on evidence that ET can fulfill the aim of neoadjuvant systemic treatment for tumor shrinkage as well as elucidate important clinical information on endocrine sensitivity that enables the prognostication of patients. Moreover, neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) potentially provides an opportunity for early assessment of the clinical efficacy of novel agents. Furthermore, recently reported trials have generated evidence for a more tailored approach for perioperative management of ER-positive breast cancer using clinical and molecular biomarkers, and this has provided a rationale that enables the broadening of clinical indications for NET. This review discusses the current evidence for NET, the evolution of NET trials, clinical indications, and NET-based treatment strategies.
DECENT: A sociotechnical approach for developing mobile health apps in underserved settings
Authors: Ikwunne Tochukwu , Hederman Lucy , Wall P. J.
Published: September 2023

Objective

Despite the fact that user engagement is critical to the efficacy of mobile health (mHealth) interventions in the Global South, many of these interventions lack user engagement features. This is because sociotechnical aspects of such initiatives are frequently ignored during the design, development, and implementation stages. This research highlighted the importance of considering sociotechnical factors when developing mHealth apps. The intended users for the mHealth technologies in this study are care professionals.

Materials and Methods

Five semi-structured interviews and a pilot interview were conducted to identify user engagement facilitators and barriers. The interview data were analysed using NVivo. The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour (COM-B) model is then used to map the facilitators and barriers to mHealth app engagement, allowing researchers to better understand how users engage/disengage with mHealth apps.

Results and Discussion

Capability facilitators included features that assist users in learning more about the app (e.g. a user manual and statistical data) as well as features that assist users in developing a routine. The lack of app skills and cognitive overload limit capability. While social connectedness and offline functionality were identified as facilitators of user engagement, non-user-friendly design and cultural dimensions were identified as barriers. Early user engagement and rewards were identified as motivational facilitators that influence user engagement. Furthermore, perceived non-utility and a lack of encouragement were identified as motivational barriers to engagement.

Conclusion

Several factors were discovered across all COM-B model components that could be used to develop more engaging mHealth apps. Adopting a techno-centric approach that ignores sociotechnical factors can reduce user engagement. The design process engagement enhancement system (DECENT) framework was proposed based on the findings.
Teledentistry in pediatric dentistry: Postgraduate dental students’ knowledge, practice, and attitudes
Authors: Aktas Nagehan , Palaz Zeliha H , Akal Nese
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study aimed to investigate postgraduate pediatric dental students’ knowledge, practice, and attitudes toward teledentistry and identify potential applications of this technology in pediatric dentistry.

Methods

An online questionnaire was sent to all students through Google Forms. The questionnaire included questions about socio-demographic information, knowledge, practice, and attitudes regarding teledentistry and the use of teledentistry during coronavirus disease 2019.

Results

Before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, only 8.2% of students knew teledentistry. However, this increased to 45% after the pandemic, with differences depending on the student's clinical experience. Teledentistry was reported as useful for medicine taking, follow-up consultations, and diagnosing soft tissue problems.

Conclusions

Integrating teledentistry topics into the dental curriculum can increase awareness and adoption of this technology in pediatric dentistry. Dental students need to be aware of its potential applications.
Assessment of articular cartilage of ankle joint in stable and unstable unilateral weber type-B/SER-type ankle fractures shortly after trauma using T2 relaxation time
Authors: Lehtovirta Sami , Casula Victor , Haapea Marianne , Nortunen Simo , Lepojärvi Sannamari , Pakarinen Harri , Nieminen Miika T. , Lammentausta Eveliina , Niinimäki Jaakko
Published: September 2023

Background

Early detection of post-traumatic cartilage damage in the ankle joint in magnetic resonance images can be difficult due to disturbances to structures usually appearing over time.

Purpose

To study the articular cartilage of unilateral Weber type-B/SER-type ankle fractures shortly post-trauma using T2 relaxation time.

Material and Methods

Fifty one fractured ankles were gathered from consecutively screened patients, compiled initially for RCT studies, and treated at Oulu University Hospital and classified as stable ( n = 28) and unstable fractures ( n = 23) based on external-rotation stress test: medial clear space of ≥5 mm was interpreted as unstable. A control group of healthy young individuals ( n = 19) was also gathered. All ankles were imaged on average 9 (range: 1 to 25) days after injury on a 3.0T MRI unit for T2 relaxation time assessment, and the cartilage was divided into sub-regions for comparison.

Results

Control group displayed significantly higher T2 values in tibial cartilage compared to stable (six out of nine regions, p-values = .003–.043) and unstable (six out of nine regions, p-values = .001–.037) ankle fractures. No differences were detected in talar cartilage. Also, no differences were observed between stable and unstable fractures in tibial or talar cartilage.

Conclusions

Lower T2 relaxation times of tibial cartilage in fractured ankles suggest intact extra cellular matrix (ECM) of the cartilage. Severity of the ankle fracture, measured by ankle stability, does not seem to increase ECM degradation immediately after trauma.
Parents’ Needs and Satisfaction Levels for Parenting Support Schemes Provided by Local Government: Secondary Analysis of Cross-Sectional Survey Data
Authors: Arai Takehiro , Goto Aya
Published: September 2023

We conducted a secondary analysis of the data derived from a cross-sectional survey among parents of school-age children in Japan. The present study explored variables associated with parents’ satisfaction with the local parenting environment. Multivariable logistic regression was used by entering parental satisfaction as a dependent variable and basic and parenting-related items as independent variables. A total of 2218 respondents were stratified by self-determined financial circumstances. A higher proportion of respondents stated low satisfaction with the local parenting environment and support schemes among the financially struggling group (50.4%) than among the non-struggling group (33.8%). Among the financially struggling group, the variables significantly associated with low satisfaction were a lack of parenting support (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.612) and being unable to use after-school children’s clubs (aOR = 1.747). Our exploratory analysis suggests that after-school children’s clubs can be expected to play a role in widening social networks and community connectedness among parents struggling financially. This role should be reflected in municipal welfare policy.
The Application of Language Proficiency Scales in Education Context: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Zhu Aihua , Mofreh Samah Ali Mohsen , Salem Sultan
Published: September 2023

The application of the language proficiency scales (LPS) in education validates its function, as it can explore the value in-depth. However, little systematic research on applying LPS has been conducted due to the complex intertwining of stakeholders and a lack of theoretical framework and practical approaches. Adopting the framework proposed by Y. Jin and Jie (2020), this study explored how the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and China’s Standards of English (CSE) were used and impacted various stakeholders in the education context. The literature search was taken from WoSCC, Scopus, and CNKI from 2018 to 2022. Qualitative content analysis was used for systematic review. Results showed that policymakers used LPS in education policy guidance; teachers applied them as the benchmark of diagnostic assessment to get accurate language profiles of students and create new approaches to teaching; students used them as goal-setting guidance and self- or peer assessment criteria to track progress; test developers aligned them with tests to obtain reliable results; curriculum designers tailored descriptors and scales from CEFR to develop new curricula, align, or revise the existing ones; researchers used LPS as references to develop new rubrics, frameworks and assessing models. This study could provide insight in scientific application of LPS. However, it focused mainly on the CEFR and CSE with a framework for exploring the impact of language testing. Studies containing more scales and theorizing the framework of aftereffects of LPS should be encouraged.
Home and Away: Drivers and Perceptions of Migration Among Urban Migrants and Their Rural Families in the Lower Mekong River Basin of Cambodia
Authors: Shaikh Sabina , Kolata Alan L. , Johnson Jonathan , Binford Michael W.
Published: September 2023

Cambodian cities continue to experience major growth, due principally to in-country migration. However, the recent trajectory and historical context of urbanisation differs from other Asian countries and as such are less investigated. Using a framework of interconnected migration factors, this article reports on rural-to-urban migration in five provinces around Phnom Penh—from the perspective of both urban migrants and their rural family members. The work examines the economic, environmental, and sociocultural factors influencing migrants’ current and desired movements, changing livelihood activities, and the permanency of migration choices. While there is evidence to support three major theories of migration—income differentials, environmental change, and social networks—it is argued that none of these alone explains current migration patterns. Explanations of Cambodian migration must account for the powerful attraction of home villages and kin relations, as well as the inseparability of two exogenous factors: the proliferation of microfinance (MFI) and the rise of the garment industry. The results show distinct patterns of migration with implications for adaptation, precarity, and rural livelihoods.
Gender Disparity in Crop Productivity and Input Usage: Evidence from an Empirical Study
Authors: Panda Raj Kishore
Published: September 2023

The study aims at examining the disparity in crop productivity and input usage between male- and female-headed self-cultivating farm households in the coastal region of Odisha, India. Field-level data from 221 sample households are collected and analysed following a multi-stage sampling procedure. The findings reveal that the male-headed farms have both higher productivity and better use of inputs in realizing returns than the female-headed farms. Within the female-headed farms, the de facto ones have an edge over their de jure counterparts in both these respects. Since the study area is a disaster-prone area, adding further to the gender-constraints of female-headed farms in the use of inputs and realizing commensurate yield, the study suggests for measures to build capacity among women farmers to produce efficiently.