bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of aortoceliac angle in implantation of subcutaneous hepatic artery port-catheter system for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy via femoral approach
Authors: Kim Su Ho , Chun Ho Jong , Kim Youdong , Oh Jung Suk , Choi Byung Gil , Lee Hae Giu
Published: June 2023

Background

In patients with an acute aortoceliac angle, the diagnostic catheter often fails to enter the common hepatic artery.

Purpose

To retrospectively evaluate the impact of aortoceliac angle on the implantation of a port-catheter system via a femoral approach for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Material and Methods

A total of 399 patients with advanced HCC underwent percutaneous implantation of a port-catheter system for HAIC. Among these patients, 383 underwent successful implantation via a femoral artery approach (success group). In 16 patients, port-catheter systems were implanted via a subclavian artery approach (failure group) after failure of the initial attempt via the femoral artery due to failed catheter tip fixation to the gastroduodenal artery. We statistically analyzed aortoceliac angle, ostial celiac stenosis, sex, age, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) between groups.

Results

The average aortoceliac angle, weight, and BMI were significantly different between the two groups ( P < 0.001, P = 0.02, P < 0.001, respectively). Among them, only the aortoceliac angle was a significant risk factor in logistic regression analysis. The smaller the aortoceliac angle, the more often the femoral approach failed ( P < 0.001, odds ratio = 0.817, 95% confidence interval = 0.752–0.887). There were no significant differences in ostial celiac stenosis, sex, or age between the two groups ( P = 0.549, 0.056, 0.173, and 0.773, respectively).

Conclusion

For patients with an acute aortoceliac angle, the femoral approach is likely to fail. A subclavian artery approach should be preferentially considered for percutaneous implantation of a port-catheter system in such patients.
Reframing talent acquisition, retention practices for organisational commitment in Malaysian SMEs: A managerial perspective
Authors: Abraham Mathew , Kaliannan Maniam , Avvari Mohan V , Thomas Susan
Published: June 2023

This paper explores whether employee commitment to the organisation is influenced by talent acquisition and retention practices. How do SMEs retain talent and encourage commitment and job embedding when their very existence is in doubt? The talk these days is about layoffs, terminations, reduced pay, no-pay leave and redeployment; how will SMEs fare in this scenario? This qualitative study includes in-depth interviews conducted using a social constructivism approach in order to gain a better understanding of the world in which we live and work. Individual meanings are formed not entirely within the individual, but through interaction with others, the social, where meaning is given. The template analysis method is used to analyse the interviews, which include specific themes. The findings point to a misalignment between talent acquisition, talent retention practices and organisational commitment. There has been no clear development in terms of how both can complement each other. As a result, the dimensions of person-organisation and person-job fit serve as a link between talent acquisition, retention and commitment. This contributes to higher levels of employee commitment, job embeddedness and an internal culture that may influence employee retention decisions. At the interpersonal level, SME owners must understand, nurture and motivate their talent. As an effective employee retention tool, monetary incentives play only a minor role. Talent retention is based on implementing a structured talent acquisition practice that includes a highly targeted cost-effective hiring plan. Talent acquisition includes fit dimensions that demonstrate a nuanced perception of individualised consideration, such as flexible work, belonging, career growth and interpersonal relationships.
Transit Safety System Evaluation and Hotspot Identification Empowered by Edge Computing Transit Event Logging System
Authors: Ke Ruimin , Lutin Jerome M. , Wang Yinhai , Cui Zhiyong , Yin Shuyi , Zhuang Yifan , Yang Hao (Frank)
Published: June 2023

This paper discusses the importance of near-crash events and associated metadata as valuable sources for smart transit applications, such as surrogate safety measures for transit safety research. The STAR Lab at the University of Washington, sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration, has developed an edge computing system that processes onboard videos for near-crash detection. This paper builds on previous work by addressing two research questions: first, how to leverage the near-crash detection system to synthesize rich data sources on transit vehicles, and second, how to use the smart data hub to support transit operation and safety studies. The proposed procedures for event-based transit data collection, evaluation of commercial collision avoidance warning systems (CAWS) technologies, and transit safety hotspot identification are detailed. CAWS’ performance was benchmarked on four transit buses that were operated for almost a year in Pierce County, WA, U.S. Furthermore, the meta-information of near-crash events enables hotspot analysis and the identification of several exemplar clusters that can be explained by driver behavior and roadway geometries. The results of the experiments demonstrate the system’s promising performance and its applicability to addressing various transit operation questions.
Roadside LiDAR Sensor Configuration Assessment and Optimization Methods for Vehicle Detection and Tracking in Connected and Automated Vehicle Applications
Authors: Ge Yi , Jin Peter J. , Zhang Tianya T. , Chen Anjiang
Published: June 2023

This paper develops an assessment and optimization model for configuring roadside LiDAR (Line Detection and Ranging) installation. More specifically, an analytic and a simulation model have been developed to analyze the detection blind zones and their impact on vehicle detection and tracking capabilities in Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) applications. The proposed model can derive the area and height of the detection blind zones from a given roadside LiDAR location and road geometry. Evaluation metrics are also proposed to assess the severity of the blind zone including laser beam density, blind zone height and duration, vehicle trajectory missing rate and duration. The simulation model can be used to evaluate and identify optimal configurations for different installation scenarios. To validate the proposed model, the 15-min US101 NGSIM (Next Generation SIMulation) dataset was used for validating the proposed model. Different configuration settings were simulated and compared. The evaluation results demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed models in planning for optimal roadside LiDAR sensor installation for vehicle detection and tracking.
Exploring the Relationship Between Extent of Person-Centered Care Implementation and Staffing Levels in Ohio Nursing Homes
Authors: Kunkel Miranda C. , Bowblis John R. , Straker Jane K. , Van Haitsma Kimberly , Abbott Katherine M.
Published: June 2023

Background: The Preferences for Everyday Living Inventory (PELI) is a person-centered care (PCC) tool that uncovers/honors older adults’ important preferences. PCC implementation in nursing homes (NHs) often requires additional resources, such as staff time. We explored if PELI implementation is associated with NH staffing levels. Methods: Using NH-year as the unit of observation ( n = 1307), 2015 and 2017 data from Ohio NHs was used to examine the relationship between complete versus partial PELI implementation and staffing levels, measured in hours per resident day, for various positions and total nursing staff. Results: Complete PELI implementation was associated with higher nursing staff levels in both for-profits and not-for-profits; however, total nursing staff levels in not-for-profits were higher than for-profits (0.16 vs. 0.09 hours per resident day). The specific nursing staff associated with PELI implementation varied by ownership. Discussion: For NHs to fully implement PCC, a multifaceted approach to improve staffing is needed.
Comparison of COVID-19 Preprint and Peer-Reviewed Versions of Studies on Therapies for Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Morin Conor , Padki Anirudh , Wong Adrian , Miano Todd , Kane-Gill Sandra L. , Cozzi Gabrielle , Deveau Robert
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Significant increases in the volume of preprint articles due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we examined the reliability of preprint articles compared to their peer-reviewed publications.

Materials and Methods

Preprint articles evaluating experimental studies of select treatment options (anticoagulation, dexamethasone, hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, and tocilizumab) for COVID-19 in the critically ill, available in a peer-reviewed publication were screened for inclusion within Altmetric (n = 2040). A total of 40 articles met inclusion criteria, with 21 being randomly selected for evaluation. The primary outcome of this evaluation was a change in a study's reported primary outcome or statistical significance between preprint and peer-reviewed articles. Secondary outcomes included changes in primary/secondary outcome effect size and change in study conclusion.

Results

One article (4.8%, 95% CI 0.12%-23.8%) had a change in the primary outcome. Seven articles (33.3%, 95% CI 14.6%-57.0%) had a change in the primary outcome's effect measure. Five studies (23.8%, 95% CI 8.2%-47.2%) had changes in statistical significance of at least one secondary outcome. Four studies (19.0%, 95% CI 5.4%-41.9%) had a change in study conclusion.

Conclusions

In preprint articles of COVID-19 treatments, the provided primary outcome is generally reliable, while interpretation of secondary outcomes should be made with caution, while awaiting completion of the peer-review process.
Hyaluronic acid–gold nano-optical probes and determination of their effect on the inhibition of osteoarthritis progression
Authors: Chen Qirui , Zhou Bin , Zhang Hongjun , Fu Xiaoling
Published: June 2023

Osteoarthritis seriously affects the health of elderly individuals. In this study, hyaluronic acid–gold nano-optical probes (HA–GNPs) were prepared, and their effect on osteoarthritis and its underlying mechanism were explored. The HA–GNPs were synthesised via a one-step synthesis method and characterised and detected via ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering (particle size analysis), zeta potential analysis, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The cytotoxicity of the probes was determined using CCK-8 detection, fluorescent staining of dead and living cells, and an in vivo animal model, and related staining methods were established to identify the potential therapeutic capabilities of the probes. Our study showed that the synthesised HA–GNPs were more stable and suitable for probe construction than traditional sodium citrate–gold nanoparticles. The HA–GNPs were also found to be biocompatible and suitable for in vitro and in vivo experiments and clinical applications. These findings showed that HA–GNPs exert a substantial inhibitory effect on osteoarticular chondrocytes and offer a promising method for improving healing from osteoarthritis in the clinical setting in the future.
Compound Odontoma and Dentigerous Cyst Associated With an Unerupted Maxillary Canine Tooth in a Weimaraner Dog: A Case Report
Authors: Bartl Lara , Bell Cynthia
Published: June 2023

A 7-month-old, male, Weimaraner dog was presented for maxillary swelling. Clinical evaluation including radiographs and computed tomography revealed a large cystic lesion, unerupted right maxillary canine tooth, and mass presumed to be a compound odontoma. The cyst and mass were expansile and occupied a large portion of the nasal cavity displacing anatomical structures of the maxilla. The mass was excised via curettage through an intraoral surgical approach and the unerupted tooth and cystic lining were removed. Histopathology supported dentigerous cyst and compound odontoma. This case confirms the first report of concurrent development of dentigerous cyst and compound odontoma in a dog with successful treatment and 18-month follow-up with no recurrence.
Analysis of gas-solid two-phase flow characteristics of mobile shot blasting machine recovery device based on CFD-DEM
Authors: Zhang Yinhang , Men Xiuhua , Wang Shuai , Zhang Tianyi , Jiang Zhenfeng , Fu Xiuli
Published: June 2023

The shot blasting machine recovery device is an important part of the operation of the shot blasting machine to recover solid particles and reduce environmental pollution. The recovery efficiency of solid particles has an important influence on their processing efficiency and service life. The computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method (CFD-DEM) simulation method is applied to study the gas-solid two-phase flow characteristics and solid particle recovery efficiency of shot pellet recovery unit. The results show that the simulation results of outlet and inlet wind speeds and pressures are in good agreement with the experimental data, which verifies the accuracy of the simulation model. The existence of particle phase divides the recovery pipeline into inner high-speed flow area and outer low-speed flow area, which has little influence on the air flow distribution inside the recovery bin. The results of solid particle recovery efficiency show that with the increase of incident angle, the recovery efficiency of waste particles and shot particles first decreases and then increases, and the recovery efficiency is the lowest when the incident angle is 30°. With the increase of particle formation rate, the efficiency of shot recovery first increases and then decreases. When the particle formation rate is 2000 n/s, the efficiency of shot recovery is the highest, which has little influence on the efficiency of waste recovery.
Model detection for semiparametric accelerated failure additive model with right-censored data
Authors: Lu Fang , Huang Xiaoyan , Lu Xuewen , Tian Guoliang , Yang Jing
Published: June 2023

Censored data frequently appeared in applications across a variety of different areas like epidemiology or medical research. Traditionally statistical inference on this data mechanism was based on some pre-assigned models that will suffer from the risk of model-misspecification. This article proposes a two-folded shrinkage procedure for simultaneous structure identification and variable selection of the semiparametric accelerated failure additive model with right-censored data, in which the nonparametric functions are addressed by spline approximation. Under some regularity conditions, the consistency of model structure identification is theoretically established in the sense that the proposed method can automatically separate the linear and zero components from the nonlinear ones with probability approaching to one. Detailed issues in computation and turning parameter selection are also discussed. Finally, we illustrate the proposed method by some simulation studies and two real data applications to the primary biliary cirrhosis data and skin cutaneous melanoma data.
Critical evaluation of strategies to achieve direct real-time PCR detection of swine pathogens in oral fluids
Authors: Armenta-Leyva Betsy , Munguía-Ramírez Berenice , Giménez-Lirola Luis G. , Lin Xue , Ye Fangshu , Zimmerman Jeffrey
Published: June 2023

Based on publications reporting improvements in real-time PCR (rtPCR) performance, we compared protocols based on heat treatment or dilution followed by direct rtPCR to standard extraction and amplification methods for the detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), influenza A virus (IAV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), or Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHP) in swine oral fluids (OFs). In part A, we subjected aliquots of positive OF samples to 1 of 4 protocols: protocol 1: heat (95°C × 30 min) followed by direct rtPCR; protocol 2: heat and cool (25°C × 20 min) followed by direct rtPCR; protocol 3: heat, cool, extraction, and rtPCR; protocol 4 (control): extraction and then rtPCR. In part B, positive OF samples were split into 3, diluted (D1 = 1:2 with Tris–borate–EDTA (TBE); D2 = 1:2 with negative OF; D3 = not diluted), and then tested by rtPCR using the best-performing protocol from part A (protocol 4). In part A, with occasional exceptions, heat treatment resulted in marked reduction in the detection of target and internal sample control (ISC) nucleic acids. In part B, sample dilution with TBE or OF produced no improvement in the detection of targets and ISCs. Thus, standard extraction and amplification methods provided superior detection of PRRSV, IAV, PEDV, and MHP nucleic acids in OFs.
Overall US Hospice Quality According to Decedent Caregivers—Natural Language Processing and Sentiment Analysis of 3389 Online Caregiver Reviews
Authors: Hotchkiss Jason , Ridderman Emily , Buftin William
Published: June 2023

Objectives: With an untapped quality resource in online hospice reviews, study aims were exploring hospice caregiver experiences and assessing their expectations of the hospice Medicare benefit. Methods: Topical and sentiment analysis was conducted using natural language processing (NLP) of Google and Yelp caregiver reviews (n = 3393) between 2013-2023 using Google NLP. Stratified sampling weighted by hospice size to approximate the daily census of US hospice enrollees. Results: Overall caregiver sentiment of hospice care was neutral (S = .14). Therapeutic, achievable expectations and misperceptions, unachievable expectations were, respectively, the most and least prevalent domains. Four topics with the highest prevalence, all had moderately positive sentiments: caring staff, staff professionalism and knowledge; emotional, spiritual, bereavement support; and responsive, timely or helpful. Lowest sentiments scores were lack of staffing; promises made, but not kept, pain, symptoms and medications; sped-up death, hasted, or sedated; and money, staff motivations. Significance of Results: Caregivers overall rating of hospice was neutral, largely due to moderate sentiment on achievable expectations in two-thirds of reviews mixed with unachievable expectations in one-sixth of reviews. Hospice caregivers were most likely to recommend hospices with caring staff, providing quality care, responsive to requests, and offering family support. Lack of staff, inadequate pain-symptom management were the two biggest barriers to hospice quality. All eight CAHPS measures were found in the discovered review topics. Close-ended CAHPS scores and open-ended online reviews have complementary insights. Future research should explore associations between CAHPS and review insights.
Influence of Weight and Body Size on the Pharmacokinetics of Heart Failure Pharmacotherapy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hindi Jessica , Fréchette-Le Bel Myriam , Rouleau Jean Lucien , de Denus Simon
Published: June 2023

Objective:

To conduct a review of studies evaluating the influence of body size and weight (WT) on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of drugs recommended for heart failure (HF) treatment.

Data Sources:

A systematic search of the MEDLINE (1946 to April 2023) and EMBASE (1974 to April 2023) databases was conducted for articles that focused on the impact of WT or body size on the PK of drugs of interest used in HF patients.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Articles written in English or French related to the aim of our study were retained for analysis.

Data Synthesis:

Of 6493 articles, 20 were retained for analysis. Weight was associated with the clearance of digoxin, carvedilol, enalapril, and candesartan as well as the volume of distribution of eplerenone and bisoprolol. There was no documented direct impact of WT on the PK of furosemide, valsartan, and metoprolol, although these studies were limited or confounded by the small sample size, adjustment of PK factors by WT, or the use of the Cockroff-Gault equation for the evaluation of creatinine clearance, which includes WT.

Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice:

This review highlights and summarizes the available data on the importance of WT on the PK of HF treatment.

Conclusion:

Considering the significant impact of WT on most HF drugs in this review, it may be important to further investigate it in the context of personalized therapy, particularly in patients presenting extreme WTs.
Compliance with Public Health Orders: The Role of Trust, Representation, and Expertise
Authors: Stauffer Katelyn E. , Miller Susan M. , Keiser Lael R.
Published: June 2023

Governments rely on citizen compliance to implement policies. Yet, in the current climate where citizens express low levels of trust in government, gaining compliance can prove challenging. Scholarship suggests other factors that might promote compliance even in the absence of trust. We examine two: expertise and descriptive representation across race, gender, and partisanship. We experimentally activate general (dis)trust in government and use a conjoint experiment to examine multiple factors that might shape citizens’ willingness to comply with and trust government guidance related to COVID-19. We find that shared partisanship and consultation with experts have the largest effects. We also see an effect of shared racial identity on compliance for Black Americans, at least when trust is relatively low. As we consider the role of trust, expertise, and descriptive representation across race, gender, and partisanship simultaneously, the results offer important insights into factors that underpin citizens’ willingness to comply with government mandates. Our results have important real-world implications, highlighting the importance of bipartisan responses to crises as well as ensuring racial representation in government. They also demonstrate that explicitly involving experts in decision-making processes increases citizens’ willingness to comply with policy.
Psychometric Properties of Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA) Test and Associations With Education and Bilingualism in American Indian Adults: The Strong Heart Study
Authors: Suchy-Dicey Astrid M. , Vo Thao T. , Oziel Kyra , King Roxanna , Barbosa-Leiker Celestina , Rhoads Kristoffer , Verney Steven , Buchwald Dedra S , French Brian F.
Published: June 2023

The Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA) test is used to assess phonemic fluency and executive function. Formal validation of test scores is important for accurate cognitive evaluation. However, there is a dearth of psychometric validation among American Indian adults. Given high burden of dementia risk and key contextual factors associated with cognitive assessments, this represents a critical oversight. In a large, longitudinal population-based cohort study of adult American Indians, we examined several validity inferences for COWA, including scoring, generalization, and extrapolation inferences, by investigation of factor structure, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and differential test functioning. We found adequate unidimensional model fit, with high factor loadings. Internal consistency reliability and test–retest reliability were 0.88 and 0.77, respectively, for the full group. COWA scores were lowest among the oldest, lowest education, bilingual speakers; group effects for sex and bilingual status were small; age effect was medium; and education effect was largest. However, Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) score effect was stronger than education effect, suggesting better contextualization may be needed. These results support interpretation of total COWA score, including across sex, age, or language use strata.
Implications for Home Health Care: Perceived HPV Vaccination Barriers and Recommended Sources among Hispanic/Latino College Students
Authors: Tung Wei-Chen , Corral Gonzalez Itzel , Dawkins Denise , Tung Ho-Jui
Published: June 2023

Low HPV vaccination rates among US Hispanics/Latinos remain a public health issue. This cross-sectional study investigated the perceived barriers and recommended sources related to HPV vaccination among 209 Hispanic/Latino college students in the United States. From a self-report questionnaire, barriers were insufficient provider recommendations and not having a regular care provider. Doctors, parents, and nurses were identified as the most effective sources for recommending HPV vaccination. Uncertain effectiveness was more likely to be reported as a barrier to HPV vaccination by participants who identified as Catholic. Participants born outside the U.S. were more likely to report “no recommendation received” and “not knowing where to get vaccine.” Health care providers can promote HPV vaccination by acknowledging familial allegiances of Hispanic/Latino college students. The role of religion and cultural beliefs in HPV vaccination among Hispanics/Latinos underscores the need for further research in this area. Universities could be a place of HPV awareness initiatives, as having more formal education does not translate into having more HPV knowledge. To decrease HPV vaccination barriers, the home-based vaccination program could potentially impact HPV vaccine uptake among Hispanic/Latino populations and should be further explored.
Development and Validation of a Service Captivity Scale
Authors: Rayburn Steven W. , Makarem Suzanne C. , Mohan Mayoor , Arnold Todd J. , Jackson Yamile C.
Published: June 2023

Service captivity is a customer’s perception of being constrained regarding choice, voice, and power during service provision. Customers in many contexts experience service captivity, and some do so daily. Service captivity experiences in extended and complex services are related to increased vulnerability, helplessness, and negative well-being. In more mundane services, it is associated with reduced fairness and quality perceptions, as well as heightened negative word-of-mouth and dissatisfaction. In short, customer and organizational outcomes are influenced by perceptions of service captivity. To better understand customers’ experiences of service captivity and facilitate research on this phenomenon, the current research is the first to develop and validate a robust measure of service captivity, which it does across six studies. The resulting unidimensional scale, which captures the reflective latent construct of service captivity as a manifestation of limited choice, voice, and power, is helpful for research aimed at understanding customers’ constrained service experiences and exploring the role of service captivity in service research models and service delivery outcomes.
How to enhance online reputation? An empirical study from a joint customer–firm perspective
Authors: Peco-Torres Francisco , Polo-Peña Ana I. , Frías-Jamilena Dolores M.
Published: June 2023

Online reputation is critical for hotel firms, as evidenced by consumer ratings in online media. The present study aims to develop insights into the antecedents of the hotel firm's online reputation and thus make a dual contribution to the literature by (a) examining the strategies implemented via online media as antecedents and (b) combining the firm's perception of the value it has delivered with the market's perspective. A quantitative empirical study on hotel firms and their consumers was conducted. The results show that the firm's perception of the value it has delivered (“firm perceived value”)—the antecedents of which are strategic online reputation-management and the strategic use of revenue-management—has a positive and significant effect on online reputation (as measured from the customer perspective), and that strategic online reputation-management has a positive and significant effect on the strategic use of revenue-management.
Hysteretic behavior simulation based on pyramid neural network: Principle, network architecture, case study and explanation
Authors: Xu Yongjia , Lu Xinzheng , Fei Yifan , Huang Yuli
Published: June 2023

An accurate and efficient simulation of the hysteretic behavior of materials and components is essential for structural analysis. The surrogate model based on neural networks shows significant potential in balancing efficiency and accuracy. However, its serial information flow and prediction based on single-level features adversely affect the network performance. Therefore, a weighted stacked pyramid neural network architecture is proposed herein. This network establishes a pyramid architecture by introducing multi-level shortcuts to integrate features directly in the output module. In addition, a weighted stacked strategy is proposed to enhance the conventional feature fusion method. Subsequently, the redesigned architectures are compared with other commonly used network architectures. Results show that the redesigned architectures outperform the alternatives in 87.5% of cases. Meanwhile, the long and short-term memory abilities of different basic network architectures are analyzed through a specially designed experiment, which could provide valuable suggestions for network selection.
The Effects of Anthropomorphised Virtual Conversational Assistants on Consumer Engagement and Trust During Service Encounters
Authors: Fakhimi Arezoo , Garry Tony , Biggemann Sergio
Published: June 2023

Drawing on social exchange and anthropomorphism theory, this research examines the role of virtual conversational assistants (VCA) as frontline employees. Specifically, we investigate the effects of AI-derived features, such as anthropomorphism, in building Human-Machine relationships. Drawing on a qualitative interpretivist approach, 31 semi-structured interviews were conducted with global users of Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant. Our findings suggest anthropomorphism is an important factor in understanding the development of trust within Human-Machine interactions. More specifically, the effects of a humanised voice, interactive communication capability and cognitive features evoke a sense of social presence that may positively or negatively impact user trust. We propose that the interplay between a user’s perceptions of the bright and dark sides of interacting with an AI-empowered anthropomorphised machine determines categories of trust and subsequent customer engagement behaviours with this embedded form of organisational frontline.
External perceptions of the European Union in Israel—the role of norms and culture
Authors: Zahavi Hila , Ariely Gal
Published: June 2023

This article examines the role of norms and culture in perceptions of the European Union. Conceptually, it offers a distinction between the image of the European Union as a normative actor and attitudes toward one's country's relations with the European Union. It also explores whether the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), a cultural event which symbolizes the cultural understanding of contemporary Europe, is related to perceptions of the European Union. Empirically, it uses a public opinion survey ( n = 1050) following Israel's hosting of the ESC in 2019. The findings indicate that Israelis distinguish between the image of the European Union as an entity with positive features and their attitudes toward Israel's connections with the European Union.
Benefit-triggered or trust-guided? Investigation of customers’ perceptions towards AI-adopting hotels amid and post COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ghazi Karam , Kattara Hanan , Salem Islam Elbayoumi , Shaaban Mohammad Nabil
Published: June 2023

This research exhibits and empirically validates an expansion of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) and integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and pandemic threats to explain customers’ utilitarian-versus-emotional behavioral intentions towards AI-adopting hotels amid and post-COVID-19. Utilizing data gathered from 416 customers, the findings confirmed that customers’ perceived importance of AI amid and post-COVID-19 has a direct positive effect on their behavioral intentions towards hotels adopting those technologies, with perceived benefits of technology playing a more significant mediating role than customers’ trust intervening in that correlation. This provides evidence for the utilitarian perception of customers during crises and offers updated insights into the dynamics that constitute and trigger hotel customers’ behavioral intentions toward AI. The results provide hoteliers with a valid understanding and rationalization of how to utilize AI to address customers’ crucial concerns and interests amid and post-COVID-19 and in similar crises.
Understanding youth circumstances in workforce development programs: Opportunities for social work
Authors: Collins Mary Elizabeth , Spindle-Jackson Adrianna
Published: June 2023

Youth who are disconnected from both education and work are at risk for a difficult life trajectory. This population requires policy and practice attention from social work. In this article, we report results from two research studies in the United States focused on the workforce development system serving the disconnected youth population. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 61 respondents in various geographic areas.

Findings

The focus of the analysis was data related to youth strengths and employment-related realities. Additionally, we examined the extent to which social work was reportedly engaged in this work. Respondents identified strengths of the youth population to include resilience, creativity, and willingness to contribute their perspectives. The described realities of employment suggest many challenges (e.g., employer reluctance, limited information on opportunities, and immediate economic realities). Social work was only mentioned in a few instances but in a positive light.

Applications

The findings have direct application for guiding further social work engagement in this practice and policy area. These applications include providing leadership to workforce development systems in the use of strengths perspectives, meeting youth where they are at, engaging in holistic interventions to address basic needs, and strengthening collaborations. Applications to social work research and education are also identified.
Viability, abortion and extreme prematurity: a critique
Authors: De Proost Lien , Verweij EJ (Joanne) , Geurtzen Rosa , Zuijdwegt Geertjan , Verhagen Eduard , Ismaili M’hamdi Hafez
Published: June 2023

This article examines the ethical validity of using viability as the cutoff point for abortion in the Netherlands, in view of potential changes to the Dutch perinatal care guideline. According to the Dutch Penal Code, abortion is permitted until viability: the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb with technological assistance. Since the law was enacted in 1984, viability has been set at 24 weeks gestational age. Currently, in the Netherlands, the treatment limit for extreme prematurity is also set at 24 weeks. The potential revision of the guideline could lower this threshold. Such a change could have implications for abortion in the Netherlands. We critically evaluate the use of viability within the Dutch context and offer recommendations for modifying the legal framework concerning abortion. We conclude that relying on any interpretation of viability is morally problematic for abortion regulation, as it is too indeterminate a concept to establish a threshold in a morally relevant way.
Paradoxical Embolism Is an Unusual Etiology of Acute Limb Ischemia in Patients Suffering from COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Lu Jeffrey , Morton Claire , Hall Michael , Nagarsheth Khanjan
Published: June 2023

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a large contributor to morbidity and mortality annually and can be managed either operatively or medically. ALI is most often caused by arterial embolism or in situ thrombosis and treatment is often dependent upon the severity. Anticoagulation is considered standard of care and first line therapy. However, more severe cases of ALI require surgical intervention.

Paradoxical emboli are a rare and potentially under-appreciated cause of ALI. They arise when venous emboli, from a variety of sources, traverse a patent foramen ovale (PFO) to enter the arterial system, compromising blood flow to the affected end organ. In most cases, they can only be proven if the thrombus is identified as it crosses the cardiac defect, at which point it is an indication for surgery requiring PFO closure, management for the ischemia itself, and possible intervention for the embolism.

In this report, we identify and discuss management of a series of cases where ALI was precipitated by PFOs that were discovered in the context of a pulmonary emboli that developed into paradoxical emboli. All patients had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 which has been associated with a state of hypercoagulability and subsequent thrombus formation.
Ethical Challenges of Cross-Cultural Research – The Example of a Psychological Research Project in the Andean Context
Authors: Wefers Helen , Krüger Vanessa , Iza Simba Nancy Beatriz , Guandinango Yuri Amaya
Published: June 2023

Using the example of a psychological research project in the Andean context, this explorative interview study adds to the current debate about ethical challenges of psychological cross-cultural research projects by being one of the first to address those challenges empirically. Using a multilevel approach, we conducted interviews with three groups of experts (study participants, i.e., Kichwa mothers, research assistants and experts on research in Indigenous communities in Ecuador; N = 10). Overall, the thematic analysis identified that the establishment of horizontal research relationships allows the best adaption to context-specific values (e.g., balance between giving and receiving), norms and societal structures. On the grounds of the analysis, we derived reflective questions for addressing the complex ethical challenges in future cross-cultural projects.
“A Group of Guys is Enough to Really Scare Me in General”: Sexual Minorities’ Vetting of Athletic Spaces
Authors: Voyles Casper H. , Spohn Shelby , Wilson Kaylee , Sell Randall
Published: June 2023

Athletic spaces are often perceived as unwelcoming by sexual minority (SM) athletes, contributing to disparities in sports persistence in early adulthood. Further examination of how SM navigate decisions about sports participation during the transition to college is needed to develop and maintain inclusive campus athletic offerings, including recreational sports. By analyzing interview data from 23 SM college students, we found that SM find supportive athletic community through important vetting of these spaces prior to initiation. SM look at two aspects of a program's makeup—its’ values and visible diversity of its members—through one's own personal “vibe check” either in-person or online. SM men in particular look for gender “outsiders,” as all-male spaces threaten their perceived safety. Among those who had previously dropped out of sports, finding mixed-gender teams through this vetting process provided promise for an eventual return to sport, highlighting the importance of recreational sports in engaging underrepresented groups of athletes.
Vitamin B12 deficiency in long-term metformin treated type 2 diabetic patients: Prevalence and risk factors in a Tunisian population
Authors: Yazidi Meriem , Kamoun Elyes , Hadj Taieb Sameh , Rejeb Ons , Mahjoub Sonia , Maryam Sellami , Feki Moncef , Oueslati Ibtissem , Chihaoui Melika
Published: June 2023

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in a Tunisian population with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on metformin treatment for more than three years and to identify its risk factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 257 patients with T2D treated with metformin for at least three years. Patients were divided into two groups according to their vitamin B12 status. Low vitamin B12 was defined as ≤ 203 pg/mL. Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.8  ±  7.9 years. The mean duration of metformin use was 10.2  ±  5.2 years. The mean vitamin B12 level was 294.9  ±  156.4 pg/mL. The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was 28.4%. Male gender, HbA1c < 7% and hyperhomocysteinemia were significantly associated with vitamin B12 deficiency (respectively p  =  0.02, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). Homocysteine level was negatively correlated with vitamin B12 level ( r  =  −0.2, p  =  0.001). Dose and duration of metformin treatment, peripheral neuropathy and anemia were not associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. On multivariate analysis, HbA1c < 7% and hyperhomocysteinemia were independently associated with vitamin B12 deficiency (respectively OR = 3.2, 95%CI  =  [1.6–6.3] and OR = 2.3, 95%CI  =  [1.2–4.2]). Discussion: The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with T2D on metformin treatment was high. Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with vitamin B12 deficiency suggesting that the deficit occurs at the tissue level.
Afghan undergraduate students’ perceptions toward e-learning
Authors: Monib Wali Khan
Published: June 2023

E-learning provides teachers and students with great opportunities and benefits, by enhancing teaching and learning experiences. Although e-learning is widely adopted in educational systems, some countries still use traditional teaching methods with limited use of technology as a medium of teaching and learning. This study investigates the perceptions of Afghan EFL undergraduate students toward e-learning at a public university in Afghanistan. Few studies have investigated the use of e-learning in tertiary-level education in Afghanistan, indicating the need to understand the perceptions of undergraduate students toward it. Students who were the primary beneficiaries of e-learning were included. This quantitative study was conducted in the form of a survey using data gathered via questionnaires. In total, 140 randomly selected respondents participated in the survey. The key finding of this study was that e-learning is perceived to be useful in higher education. However, it was also realized that electronic education is not only expensive but also require strong Information and Communication Technology skills. Additionally, more than half the participants preferred hybrid learning, a combination of online and face-to-face learning methods. The Chi-square test results indicated a significant association between gender and the perceived ease of use of e-learning, whereby a large proportion of males perceived e-learning as user-friendly in education, but females disagreed. However, the Mann-Whitney U test results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between freshman students and senior students’ attitudes toward e-learning. These findings contribute to the field of tertiary-level education regarding the usefulness and flexibility of e-learning. As most participants favored hybrid learning, the implementation of hybrid learning was recommended. These results have significant implications for higher education institutions that use e-learning for teaching and learning. The conclusions of this study might not be generalizable to all universities in Afghanistan; however, to some extent, are reflective of the situation in other universities.
A Researcher With Conclusions in Search of Questions: On Wandering Toward Ignorance
Authors: Corson Jordan
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provoke new understandings of the roles and uses of research. Specifically, I argue for the productive and creative potential of ignorance in educational research.

Design/Approach/Methods

This conceptual paper undertakes a playful experiment, beginning with conclusions and working backward to create a paper within a paper based on these conclusions. The paper then offers philosophical critiques on the generation and use of research.

Findings

It is a thinkable discourse that educational research begins with conclusions and works backward to justify those prefigured conclusions. It would make sense, therefore, to suggest a re-centering of inquiry. Yet, this approach to research remains grounded in stable understandings of knowledge. Rather than the transcendent approach to research, which moves from ignorance toward knowledge, this paper finds that ignorance resides in a plane of immanence, situated within and pursuing new questions. It calls for ignorance not as a means of research but as an ends.

Originality/Value

The paper contributes new understandings of how research can be conducted and used, welcoming new playful understandings of research, attending to shifting roles, and blurring the lines drawn between the researcher and research subjects or academic research and creative projects.
Patient-Partners as Educators: Vulnerability Related to Sharing of Lived Experience
Authors: Metersky Kateryna , Rahman Rezwana , Boyle Jennifer
Published: June 2023

Patient-partners are invaluable in health professions’ education. Sharing their lived experiences with prospective and current healthcare providers can provide an opportunity for these participants to hone their patient-centric skills. However, sharing stories publicly is a vulnerable role and may feel emotionally risky for patient-partners. Using reflective dialogue, this manuscript outlines recommendations through the Sender-Receiver Model of Communication for Patient-Partners encounters when working with patient-partners in health professions’ education. These recommendations include recognizing that: Patient-partners need to consider if they are ready to share their story. Some stories are wounds requiring further healing; other stories are scars fully processed by patient-partners and ready to be shared publicly. The audience should differentiate between questions that can promote critical thinking versus feel like a “personal attack.” Audiences should recognize vulnerability patient-partners may experience in sharing their stories and engage accordingly. Pre-session and post-session debriefs are important. Shared stories may elicit intense emotions from patient-partners and audiences. Both groups should be given an opportunity to process and work through emotions.
“Expectations and Perceptions of Medical Students From a 4-Week Research Module: A Longitudinal Cohort Survey”
Authors: Manzoor Shamaila , Minhas Rafia , Gulzar Zain , Sherwani Bushra , Shahid Noor
Published: June 2023

OBJECTIVES

Clinical decision-making revolves around evidence-based medicine. Evidence-based medicine entails research problems, their evaluation against available scientific literature and implementing the results into practice. Medical undergraduates lack experience in the research process. This study aimed to analyze the difference between the precourse expectations and postcourse perception of students after an interventive, mandatory research module.

METHODS

This longitudinal cohort survey was conducted at Azad Jammu Kashmir Medical College, Muzaffarabad. Fourth-year medical students were included in this study. After ethical review board approval, online survey questionnaires were circulated at 2 data points: before starting the research module and after it ended. Data were analyzed and nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon tests were applied to compare the difference in responses, regarding expectation and perception of the research module.

RESULTS

Total participants were 104; the response rate was 100% for the expectation questionnaire, whereas it dropped to 77% for the perception questionnaire. Female students had a higher response rate. In comparison of the 2 questionnaires, a statistically significant difference was observed in the student's ability to conduct literature search and critical literature appraisal ( P = .000 and .00, respectively). There was also a perceived improvement in scientific writing, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills. Overall, a significant difference was found between the expectation and perception of students.

CONCLUSION

Students had high expectations from the research module. After the course, their perception of their own communication skills, research abilities, scientific writing, and research aptitude has significantly improved.