bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and correlates of burn-out among Nigerian medical doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Pius Ruth Eshikotse , Ajuluchukwu Janet Ngozi , Roberts Alero Ann
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Physician burn-out was an issue before the pandemic. Medical personnel have faced several clinical and non-clinical challenges because of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, which predisposes them to burn-out. There is a paucity of studies that shed light on the level of burn-out and its association with work-related factors for Nigerian medical doctors. This study aims to examine the level of burn-out among Nigerian medical doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore possible associations between burn-out and sociodemographic, work-related and COVID-19-related factors.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 251 medical doctors in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic history, work-associated factors, COVID-19-related parameters and burn-out history. Personal, work-related and patient-related burn-out were evaluated with the use of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory.

Results

The number of doctors enrolled in this study was 251 with a median age of 34; 51.4% were males. The percentage of doctors who had personal, work-related and patient-related burn-out were 62.2%, 52.2 % and 27.5%, respectively. The univariate analysis revealed a correlation between burn-out scores and cadre, age, sex, years of experience, marital status, weekly work hours and number of calls. After multiple regression, female gender (p=0.012), those with less than 6 years of work experience (p=0.004) and those working for at least 71 hours in a week (p=0.0001) remained correlated with higher burn-out scores. Additionally, physicians who had a person with COVID-19 in their immediate environment had an independent correlation with higher work-related burn-out scores (p=0.043).

Conclusion

The prevalence of burn-out is high among Nigerian doctors and is linked to some sociodemographic, work-related and COVID-19-related factors. Due to the adverse effects of burn-out on physician well-being and patient care, strategies need to be put in place to identify and mitigate burn-out among Nigerian physicians.
Prevention of psychosocial distress consequences in somatic hospital inpatients via a stepped and collaborative care model: protocol of SomPsyNet, a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial
Authors: Meinlschmidt Gunther , Frick Alexander , Baenteli Iris , Karpf Christina , Studer Anja , Bachmann Marco , Dörner Andreas , Tschudin Sibil , Trost Sarah , Wyss Kaspar , Fink Günther , Schwenkglenks Matthias , Caviezel Seraina , Rocco Tabea , Schaefert Rainer
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Approximately 30% of somatic hospital inpatients experience psychosocial distress, contributing to increased (re-)hospitalisation rates, treatment resistance, morbidity, and direct and indirect costs. However, such distress often remains unrecognised and unaddressed. We established ‘SomPsyNet’, a ‘stepped and collaborative care model’ (SCCM) for somatic hospital inpatients, aiming at alleviating this issue through early identification of distress and provision of appropriate care, providing problem-focused pathways and strengthening collaborative care. We report the protocol of the ‘SomPsyNet’ study, aiming to evaluate implementation and impact of the SCCM on distressed patients’ health-related quality of life. Secondary objectives include assessing efficacy of the screening procedures, influence of SCCM on other health outcomes and associated costs.

Methods and analysis

Our stepped wedge cluster randomised trial conducted at three tertiary hospitals comprises three conditions: treatment as usual (TAU) without screening for distress (phase 0), TAU with screening but without consequences (phase I, main comparator) and TAU with screening and psychosomatic-psychiatric consultations for those distressed (phase II). The time-of-transition between phases I and II was randomised. Sample size target is N=2200–2500 participants, with 6 month follow-up for distressed (anticipated n=640–700) and a subsample of non-distressed (anticipated n=200) patients. Primary outcome is mental health-related quality of life (SF-36 ‘Mental Health Component Summary score’); secondary outcomes include psychosocial distress, anxiety, depressive and somatic symptoms, symptom burden and distress, resilience, social support and qualitative of life, assessed by internationally accepted instruments, with good psychometric properties. Further, health claims data will be used to assess SCCM’s impact on direct and indirect costs.

Ethics and dissemination

SomPsyNet adheres to the Helsinki Declaration and is approved by the ‘Ethikkommission Nordwest- und Zentralschweiz’ (2019–01724). Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and communicated to participants, healthcare professionals and the public.

Trial registration number

Swiss National Clinical Trials Portal; ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04269005, updated 19.09.2023).
Determinants of implementing deprescribing for older adults in English care homes: a qualitative interview study
Authors: Warmoth Krystal , Rees Jessica , Day Jo , Cockcroft Emma , Aylward Alex , Pollock Lucy , Coxon George , Craig Trudy , Walton Bridget , Stein Ken
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To explore the factors that may help or hinder deprescribing practice for older people within care homes.

Design

Qualitative semistructured interviews using framework analysis informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

Setting

Participants were recruited from two care home provider organisations (a smaller independently owned organisation and a large organisation) in England.

Participants

A sample of 23 care home staff, 8 residents, 4 family members and 1 general practitioner were associated with 15 care homes.

Results

Participants discussed their experiences and perceptions of implementing deprescribing within care homes. Major themes of (1) deprescribing as a complex process and (2) internal and external contextual factors influencing deprescribing practice (such as beliefs, abilities and relationships) were interrelated and spanned several CFIR constructs and domains. The quality of local relationships with and support from healthcare professionals were considered more crucial factors than the type of care home management structure.

Conclusions

Several influencing social and contextual factors need to be considered for implementing deprescribing for older adults in care homes. Additional training, tools, support and opportunities need to be made available to care home staff, so they can feel confident and able to question or raise concerns about medicines with prescribers. Further work is warranted to design and adopt a deprescribing approach which addresses these determinants to ensure successful implementation.
Using coercion in mental disorders or risking the patient’s death? An analysis of the protocols of a clinical ethics committee and a derived decision algorithm
Authors: Steinert Tilman
Published: November 2023

While principle-based ethics is well known and widely accepted in psychiatry, much less is known about how decisions are made in clinical practice, which case scenarios exist, and which challenges exist for decision-making. Protocols of the central ethics committee responsible for four psychiatric hospitals over 7 years (N=17) were analysed. While four cases concerned suicide risk in the case of intended hospital discharge, the vast majority (N=13) concerned questions of whether the responsible physician should or should not initiate the use of coercion in patients lacking mental capacity. The committee’s recommendations were non-uniform. Forced feeding and electroconvulsive therapy were endorsed in each one case. In two cases of intermittent loss of capacity due to heavy drinking or intermittent severe suicidal ideation, a self-binding contract was recommended and the use of coercion was considered as justified for a very limited period. In all other cases, most of which involved involuntary treatment, the use of coercion was not endorsed. Without exception, the recommendations were accepted with relief by the physicians and their treatment teams, who feared liability in the event of harm to the patient. Eventually, a model of a decision algorithm was derived from the ethical arguments in the protocols.
Reducing unwarranted variation: can a ‘clinical dashboard’ be helpful for hospital executive boards and top-level leaders?
Authors: Tjomsland Ole , Thoresen Christian , Ingebrigtsen Tor , Søreide Eldar , Frich Jan C
Published: November 2023

Background/aim

In the past decades, there has been an increasing focus on defining, identifying and reducing unwarranted variation in clinical practice. There have been several attempts to monitor and reduce unwarranted variation, but the experience so far is that these initiatives have failed to reach their goals. In this article, we present the initial process of developing a safety, quality and utilisation rate dashboard (‘clinical dashboard’) based on a selection of data routinely reported to executive boards and top-level leaders in Norwegian specialist healthcare.

Methods

We used a modified version of Wennberg’s categorisation of healthcare delivery to develop the dashboard, focusing on variation in (1) effective care and patient safety and (2) preference-sensitive and supply-sensitive care.

Results

Effective care and patient safety are monitored with outcome measures such as 30-day mortality after hospital admission and 5-year cancer survival, whereas utilisation rates for procedures selected on cost and volume are used to follow variations in preference-sensitive and supply-sensitive care.

Conclusion

We argue that selecting quality indicators of patient safety, quality and utilisation rates and presenting them in a dashboard may help executive hospital boards and top-level leaders to focus on unwarranted variation.
Random walks in correlated diffusivity landscapes
Authors: Pacheco-Pozo Adrian , Sokolov Igor M.
Published: November 2023

In recent years, several experiments have highlighted a new type of diffusion anomaly, which was called Brownian yet non-Gaussian diffusion. In systems displaying this behavior, the mean squared displacement of the diffusing particles grows linearly in time, like in a normal diffusion, but the distribution of displacements is non-Gaussian. In situations when the convergence to Gaussian still takes place at longer times, the probability density of the displacements may show a persisting peak around the distribution’s mode, and the pathway of convergence to the Gaussian is unusual. One of the theoretical models showing such a behavior corresponds to a disordered system with local diffusion coefficients slowly varying in space. While the standard pathway to Gaussian, as proposed by the Central Limit Theorem, would assume that the peak, under the corresponding rescaling, smoothens and lowers in course of the time, in the model discussed, the peak, under rescaling, narrows and stays sharp. In the present work, we discuss the nature of this peak. On a coarse-grained level, the motion of the particles in the diffusivity landscape is described by continuous time random walks with correlations between waiting times and positions. The peak is due to strong spatiotemporal correlations along the trajectories of diffusing particles. Destroying these correlations while keeping the temporal structure of the process intact leads to the decay of the peak. We also note that the correlated CTRW model reproducing serial correlations between the waiting times along the trajectory fails to quantitatively reproduce the shape of the peak even for the decorrelated motion, while being quite accurate in the wings of the PDF. This shows the importance of high-order temporal correlations for the peak’s formation.

Graphical abstract
Thermodynamics of charged accelerating AdS black hole
Authors: Sudhanshu Himanshu Kumar , Upadhyay Sudhaker , Veer Singh Dharm , Myrzakulov Yerlan , Myrzakulov Kairat
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we provide a thermodynamical study of charged accelerating AdS black holes in the [Formula: see text]-metric. In this connection, we first determine the mass of the given black hole and study their dependence on horizon radius and acceleration. Furthermore, following black hole mechanics, we also derive various quantities like Hawking temperature, entropy, pressure, volume, internal energy, Gibbs energy and Helmholtz energy. With the help of a graph, we study the effect of acceleration on these thermal quantities. Here, we observe that the impact of acceleration becomes more significant on the large horizons. To discuss stability and phase transition, we calculate specific heat. The graphical analysis suggests multiple phase transitions occur for the charged accelerating black hole in AdS spacetime. The system changes state at the critical point, where phase transition occurs. For the small black holes, the critical point at which the phase transition occurs is independent of the acceleration parameter. However, the critical horizon radius for large black holes depends on the acceleration parameter. For fast-accelerating black holes, a phase transition occurs at a small horizon radius to that of slowly accelerating black holes.
Energy deposition rate for neutrino pair annihilation in the presence of quintessence near neutron star
Authors: Aydin Coskun
Published: November 2023

By using the minimal extension of the standard model and considering the general relativistic effects near the surface of a static neutron star in the presence of quintessence fields, we drive analytical expressions for the cross-section and energy deposition rate of the process ([Formula: see text]). We have also obtained the ratio of energy deposition to total Newtonian energy deposition ([Formula: see text]). We have displayed that the contributions of the electron neutrino’s charge radius are more effective than the dipole moment in this process. The obtained solutions indicate that the contribution of the electron neutrino charge radius changes the results approximately (1–5)% depending on the [Formula: see text] value of the star.
Landau theory for ferro-paramagnetic phase transition in finitely-strained viscoelastic magnets
Authors: Roubíček Tomáš
Published: November 2023

The thermodynamic model of viscoelastic deformable magnetic materials at finite strains is formulated in a fully Eulerian way in rates. The Landau theory applied to a ferro-to-paramagnetic phase transition, the gradient theory (due to an exchange energy) for magnetization with general mechanically dependent coefficient, hysteresis in magnetization evolution by the Gilbert equation involving an objective corotational time derivative of magnetization, and the demagnetizing field are considered in the model. The Kelvin–Voigt viscoelastic rheology with a higher-order viscosity (exploiting the concept of multipolar materials) is used, allowing for physically relevant frame-indifferent stored energies and for local invertibility of deformation. The model complies with energy conservation and Clausius–Duhem entropy inequality. An existence and a certain regularity of weak solutions are proved by a Faedo–Galerkin semi-discretization and a suitable regularization.
Local well-posedness for the compressible Navier–Stokes–BGK model in Sobolev spaces with exponential weight
Authors: Choi Young-Pil , Jung Jinwook
Published: November 2023

Sprays are complex flows constituted of dispersed particles in an underlying gas. In this paper, we are interested in the equations for moderately thick sprays consisting of the compressible Navier–Stokes (NS) equations and Boltzmann BGK equation. Here the coupling of two equations is through a friction (or drag) force which depends on the density of compressible fluid and the relative velocity between particles and fluid. For the NS–BGK system, we establish the existence and uniqueness of solutions in Sobolev spaces with exponential weight.
Constraints for eliminating the Gibbs phenomenon in finite element approximation spaces
Authors: ten Eikelder Marco F. P. , Stoter Stein K. F. , Bazilevs Yuri , Schillinger Dominik
Published: November 2023

One of the major challenges in finite element methods is the mitigation of spurious oscillations near sharp layers and discontinuities known as the Gibbs phenomenon. In this paper, we propose a set of functionals to identify spurious oscillations in best approximation problems in finite element spaces. Subsequently, we adopt these functionals in the formulation of constraints in an effort to eliminate the Gibbs phenomenon. By enforcing these constraints in best approximation problems, we can entirely eliminate over- and undershoot in one-dimensional continuous approximations, and significantly suppress them in one- and higher-dimensional discontinuous approximations.
N2O ADSORPTION OVER FLAT AND DEFECTIVE Cu (110) SURFACES: PURE DFT AND DFT+U STUDIES INCLUDING vdW FORCES
Authors: MOUSSOUNDA MBA G. M. , BOUNGOU C. C. , BOUKA-PIVOTEAU G. B. , N’DOLLO M. , MOUSSOUNDA P. S. , DINTZER T.
Published: November 2023

The adsorption of N2O on flat and defective Cu (110) surfaces has been studied using pure density functional theory (DFT) and DFT with Hubbard U, including van der Waals (vdW) corrections of the form vdW-DF. The calculations show that for GGA-PBE, as the exchange-correlation and vdW-DF functionals are considered, N2O molecule interacts very weakly with the flat Cu (110) surface, while the presence of the Cu-adatom results in better stability of adsorbed N2O compared to one on the perfect surface. Also, the inclusion of U parameter to PBE and vdW-DF functionals reduces the values of the adsorption energy relative to the standard PBE and vdW-DF functionals with or without spin-polarization. Finally, the analysis of the projected density of states shows a strong hybridization between the Cu-3d band and N-2p orbital. Our investigation suggests that the Cu (110) surface can serve as a catalytic medium that is able to adsorb the harmful N2O molecule.
Ternary Instantaneous Noise-Based Logic with Exponential Hilbert Space
Authors: Kish Laszlo B.
Published: November 2023

A tree-valued instantaneous noise-based logic with exponential Hilbert space is proposed. The third value is an uncertain bit value, which can be useful in artificial intelligence applications. The signal carrying the ternary universe has a significant advantage over the signal of the standard binary universe: its amplitude is never zero during any clock period. All known binary logic gates for exponential Hilbert space work for the binary sub-space in the ternary logic in the same way as they do in binary logic. This is useful when zeros cause problems in the exponential Hilbert space version of binary logic. Ternary logic is advantageous in various applications, including AI and natural language processing.
On some generalizations of abelian rings
Authors: Lam T. Y.
Published: November 2023

Semiabelian rings, defined by the property that each of their idempotents is either left semicentral or right semicentral, are one among several natural generalizations of abelian rings. In this semi-expository paper, we review a number of interesting properties of semiabelian (and other closely allied) rings that are so far well known only for abelian rings. For instance, semiabelian rings [Formula: see text] are always “J-abelian” in the sense that each idempotent of [Formula: see text] maps onto a central idempotent in [Formula: see text]/rad([Formula: see text]). On the other hand, J-abelian rings turn out to be precisely the “strongly perspective rings” as well as the “strongly IC rings”, and the von Neumann regular elements in such rings are automatically strongly regular and are closed under taking [Formula: see text]-th powers. In addition, all J-abelian exchange rings have idempotent stable range one, and are in particular clean (although not necessarily strongly clean) rings.
Graded trace generating functions of Aut(ΓKn) acting on A(ΓKn)
Authors: de Vasconcelos José Eder Salvador , de Lima Márcio Dias , Fernandes Karoline Victor
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we describe the algebras [Formula: see text] associated with the Hasse graph of the poset of the faces of the complete graph at n vertices [Formula: see text]. Present the relations that define this algebra, calculate the Hilbert series of quadratic grade algebra [Formula: see text] and the graded trace generating functions of [Formula: see text] acting on [Formula: see text] and show that [Formula: see text] is a Koszul algebra. The methodology adopted in this paper consists of building the algebra [Formula: see text] using [I. Gelfand, V. Retakh, S. Serconek and R. L. Wilson, On a class of algebras associated to directed graphs, Selecta Math. 11(2) (2005) 281], giving a presentation based on what was established by [V. Retakh, S. Serconek and R. L. Wilson, On a class of koszul algebras associated to directed graphs, J. Algebra 304(2) (2006) 1114–1129] in terms of the vertices of the graph [Formula: see text]. After that, we use [V. Retakh, S. Serconek and R. L. Wilson, Hilbert series of algebras associated to directed graphs, J. Algebra 312(1) (2007) 142–151] to determine the Hilbert series of [Formula: see text] and use [9] again to show that this algebra is a Koszul algebra. We use [J. Caldeira, A. De Souza Lima and J. Eder Salvador De Vasconcelos, Representations of automorphism groups of algebras associated to star polygons, J. Algebra Appl. 18(10) (2019) 1950197; C. Duffy, Representations of Aut(A([Formula: see text])) acting on homogeneous components of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], Adv. Appl. Math. 42(1) (2009) 94–122] to determine the generating functions of the graduated trace of [Formula: see text] acting on [Formula: see text].
E-solid rings, strongly IC rings and the Jacobson radical
Authors: Mary Xavier
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we prove that the well-known semigroup property of being E-solid is actually equivalent to abelianness modulo the Jacobson radical in the case of (possibly non-unital) non-regular rings. We also give various other characterizations of such rings.
Canonical nilpotent structure under bounded Ricci curvature and Reifenberg local covering geometry over regular limits
Authors: Jiang Zuohai , Kong Lingling , Xu Shicheng
Published: November 2023

It is known that a closed collapsed Riemannian [Formula: see text]-manifold [Formula: see text] of bounded Ricci curvature and Reifenberg local covering geometry admits a nilpotent structure in the sense of Cheeger–Fukaya–Gromov with respect to a smoothed metric [Formula: see text]. We study the nilpotent structures over a regular limit space with optimal regularities that describe the collapsing of original metric [Formula: see text], and prove that they are uniquely determined up to a conjugation by diffeomorphisms with bi-Lipschitz constant almost [Formula: see text], and are equivalent to nilpotent structures arising from other nearby metrics [Formula: see text] with respect to [Formula: see text]’s sectional curvature bound.
A generalization of uniqueness theorems of meromorphic mappings from complete Kähler manifolds
Authors: Nhung Nguyen Thi , Quynh Le Ngoc , Thoan Pham Duc
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we generalize and extend some recent unicity theorems for meromorphic mappings of a complete Kähler manifold into [Formula: see text] sharing few hyperplanes as well as hypersurfaces in subgeneral position without counting multiplicity, where all zeros with multiplicities more than a certain number do not need to be counted. Further, the assumption of nondegeneracy of the mappings is omitted in some of our results.
Phase diagrams of bismuth ferrite barium titanate thin films with misfit strains and their improved electrical properties
Authors: Dong Hanting , Ke Liang , Hui Xiangjun , Mao Jiangfeng , Du Haiqing , Gao Qifeng
Published: November 2023

Phase diagrams of BiFeO3-BaTiO3 (BF–BT) thin films were constructed via thermodynamic model calculation, as well as their electrical properties. The calculated morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) of BF–BT thin films without strain is located near the composition of 0.663BF–0.337BT, which agrees well with the experimental results of reported BF–BT ceramics (between 0.66BF–0.34BT and 0.71BF–0.29BT). The permittivity, tunability and [Formula: see text]of BF–BT thin films on Si substrates are higher than those on SrTiO3(ST) plates, which are also in accordance with the measured data in the literature. Further calculation indicates that 0.7BF–0.3BT and 0.6BF–0.4BT thin films can achieve enormous piezoelectric coefficient [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]1200 and [Formula: see text]1000 pm/V, respectively) by selecting the substrates with the TEC respectively of 0.3 and 3.1 × 10[Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text]C, because of the phase transition from aa phase to rhombohedral phase. Such results help to clarify the phase diagrams of BF–BT thin films, implying that huge [Formula: see text]can be achieved by choosing the composition near MPB on the substrates with small TEC.
3D active fault kinematic behaviour reveals rapidly alternating near-surface stress states in the Eastern Alps
Authors: Baroň Ivo , Melichar Rostislav , Sokol L´uboš , Rowberry Matt , Plan Lukas , Stemberk Josef
Published: November 2023

Stress variations in the Earth's crust need to be understood in both the spatial and temporal domains to address a number of pressing societal issues. In this paper, precise three-dimensional records of fault kinematic behaviour obtained by mechanical extensometers are used to investigate changes in stress states along major faults in the Eastern Alps. The monitored faults are fractures with evident Upper Quaternary displacement and are directly attributed to their master tectonic structures. The results demonstrate that activity at the submillimetric scale is highly episodic; periods of repose are punctuated by conspicuous reactivation events affecting one or more of the displacement components. An original approach named the SMB2018 method is used to define the stress state associated with each fault reactivation event. The outputs evidence significant short-term changes in the local stress regime. The directions of the principal normal stresses calculated from these reactivation events present generally similar patterns for both compressional and extensional stress states. Consequently, submillimetric fault activity cannot be controlled by a rotating stress field; such shifts can only be caused by a change in the magnitude of the individual principal normal stresses so that the maximum compression changes to the minimum and vice versa.
Preserving Southern Thai Traditional Manora Dance Through Mobile Role-Playing Game Technology
Authors: Rattanarungrot Sasithorn , Kalarat Kosin , White Martin , Chaisriya Kannattha
Published: November 2023

Manora or Nora has been added to the heritage list of UNESCO as Thailand's intangible cultural heritage since 2021. This performance has been presented as a regional form of entertainment and traditionally passed down through generations within certain families. Nowadays, young people are able to learn and practice Manora instructed by their masters or their successors. However, there is currently no digital content of Manora that could support awareness and enrichment of cultural safeguarding, so this article proposes the design and development of a mobile 3D game representing Manora, which is Southern Thai dance-drama performing art. The aim of this game is to increase citizens’ engagement with their intangible cultural heritage and preservation by delivering novel digital heritage content specifically designed for a role-playing mobile game called Nara. The Nara game is used to enhance the perception of Manora dance and provide new experience of playing a culture-based game through costume and its material items. The game design process takes Manora's significant identities, including the costume, dance postures, and music along with players’ requirements to create a game player character, non-player characters, storytelling, challenges, and level design. The development of the game is done on Unity game engine, which provides a mobile 3D game platform to integrate all the designed content and generate the interactive Nara game. The experimentation results conclude that utilizing the unique identity of Manora in gameplay successfully enhances the audience's experience and recognition. This result indicates the effective use of creativity and interactive multimedia technology to create attractive content and enjoyment that can encourage intangible cultural heritage preservation in an innovative manner.
Effectiveness of 730 nm Picosecond Laser for the Treatment of Freckles and Solar Lentigines: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Che Qilei , Wa Qingbiao , Liu Lufeng , Tang Qiuyue , Gao Yulian , Lu Jie , Zhou Zixuan , Xie Yuhong
Published: November 2023

Background. Freckles and solar lentigines are epidermal pigmentation disorders that affect the face and impact the quality of life of affected individuals. Aims. We aimed to observe and evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a 730 nm picosecond laser for the treatment of freckles and solar lentigines. Methods. We retrospectively collected patient information on freckles and solar lentigines and observed and evaluated the clinical outcome of a 730 nm picosecond laser. These included lesion clearance and recurrence rates, adverse reactions, and patient satisfaction. Results. Fifty cases of freckles and solar lentigines reported between January 1, 2022, and July 1, 2022, were included. All patients received two 730 nm picosecond laser treatments. The lesion clearance rates after one and two treatments were 53.1% and 78.4%, respectively, and the rates after one and six months of treatment were 78.7% and 78.4%, respectively. 90% of the patients reported ≥95% clearance of lesions after six months via a questionnaire survey. Among the patients, 86.0% were satisfied with their treatment. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation occurred in two patients, both of whom had Fitzpatrick skin type IV. There was no recurrence of lesions. Conclusions. The 730 nm picosecond laser treatment for freckles and solar lentigines has the advantages of a high clearance rate, low recurrence rate, and high patient satisfaction. This trial is registered with ChiCTR2200058573.
The Relationship between Moral Sensitivity and Professional Behaviour and Its Comparison in First- and Last-Year Undergraduate Nursing Students
Authors: Bagheri Maryam , Shahriari Mohsen , Hassanvand Pegah , Mohammadi Pelarti Akram , Ghanavatpour Afarin
Published: November 2023

Background. Nursing students should be equipped with ethical sensitivity and professional behaviour because they will face challenging ethical issues in their future work environment. This study aimed to determine the relationship between moral sensitivity and professional behaviour and compare it in first- and last-year undergraduate nursing students. Methods. This study was a cross-sectional, correlational study that was conducted at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2019. The sample size of this study was 238 nursing students. The tools used in this study were the Persian versions of the moral sensitivity questionnaire and the professional behaviour questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS 18 software. Results. Linear regression showed that the total score of moral sensitivity of nursing students had a significant relationship with their professional behaviour

p
 
<
 
0.05

. The result of the univariate analysis showed that the mean total score of moral sensitivity and professional behaviour was significantly higher in the last year than in first-year students

p
 
<
 
0.05

. Conclusion. Considering the relationship between moral sensitivity and the professional behaviour of nursing students, the promotion of moral sensitivity can become the basis for the development of the professional behaviour of nursing students. Therefore, it is suggested to focus on teaching the principles of nursing ethics to develop the moral sensitivity of undergraduate nursing students.
Endoscopic Lung Volume Reduction Prior to Lung Transplantation Does Not Increase Postoperative Pulmonary Complications
Authors: Kornyeva Anastasiya , Semmelmann Axel , Ogutur Ecem Deniz , Jungraithmayr Wolfgang , Loop Torsten , Moneke Isabelle
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Lung transplantation (LTx) remains the only therapeutic option for selected patients with end-stage lung disease. In comparison to surgical lung volume reduction, few data exist on the risks and benefits of pretransplant endoscopic lung volume reduction (eLVR). Here, we investigate the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after LTx in patients with emphysematous lung disease bridged with eLVR until transplantation. Methods: Eighty-two patients with emphysematous lung disease who underwent double-LTx (DLTx) were included and retrospectively evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and GraphPad Prism software. Results: 28/82 patients underwent eLVR prior to DLTx. eLVR patients spent comparable time on the waitlist; however, they were older at the time of DLTx (median 60 vs. 58 years, p = 0.02). Both groups showed comparable 90-day (92%) and long-term survival (eLVR 1-/5-/10-year survival: 92/88/77%, vs. control: 89/77/67%, p = 0.5). The odds for PPCs were similar in patients with and without eLVR (OR 0.7; 95% CI: 0.3–1.7), as well as major perioperative surgical and cardiovascular complications. In the entire cohort, we found ≥1 PPC to be a risk factor for death within 90 days (OR 9.7, 95% CI: 1.3–110). Among the PPCs, pneumonia (HR 4.6 95% CI: 1.1–14.9, p = 0.02) and ARDS (HR 11.2 95% CI: 1.6–229.2, p = 0.04) were identified as independent risk factors for reduced long-term survival. Conclusions: eLVR does not increase the risk for PPCs, surgical complications, or reduced survival after LTx in patients with emphysematous lung disease and can serve as a bridge to LTx.
Developing and Validating a Simple Risk Score for Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ge Zheng-Yang , He Yang , Jiang Ting-Bo , Tao Jian-Ying , He Yong-Ming
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Mortality from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains substantial. The current study is aimed at developing a novel simple risk score for AMI. Methods: The Coronary Artery Tree description and Lesion EvaluaTion (CatLet) extended validation trial (ChiCTR2000033730) and the CatLet validation trial (ChiCTR-POC-17013536), both being registered with chictr.org, served as the derivation and validation datasets, respectively. Both datasets included 1,018 and 308 patients, respectively. They all suffered from AMI and underwent percutaneous intervention (PCI). The endpoint was 4-year all-cause death. Lasso regression analysis was used for covariate selection and coefficient estimation. Results: Of 26 candidate predictor variables, the four strongest predictors for 4-year mortality were included in this novel risk score with an acronym of BACEF (serum alBumin, Age, serum Creatinine, and LVEF). This score was well calibrated and yielded an AUC (95% CI) statistics of 0.84 (0.80–0.87) in internal validation, 0.89 (0.83–0.95) in internal-external (temporal) validation, and 0.83 (0.77–0.89) in external validation. Notably, it outperformed the ACEF, ACEF II, GRACE scores with respect to 4-year mortality prediction. Conclusion: A simple risk score for 4-year mortality risk stratification was developed, extensively validated, and calibrated in patients with AMI. This novel BACEF score may be a useful risk stratification tool for patients with AMI.
Testing a Conceptual Model of Physiologic Reserve, Intrinsic Capacity, and Physical Resilience in Hospitalized Older Patients: A Structural Equation Modelling
Authors: Hu Fang-Wen , Yueh Fang-Ru , Fang Tzu-Jung , Chang Chia-Ming , Lin Chung-Ying
Published: November 2023

Introduction: The relationship among physiologic reserve, intrinsic capacity, and physical resilience has not been examined, and a conceptual model that includes these key determinants of healthy ageing is needed. This study aimed to test a conceptual model using real-world data to determine the relationships among physiologic reserve, intrinsic capacity, physical resilience, and clinical outcomes. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted at a 1,343-bed tertiary-care medical centre. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were 65 years of age or older and able to communicate independently. Demographic factors, cumulative illness rating scale for geriatrics [CIRS-G] (assessing physiologic reserve), intrinsic capacity, physical resilience instrument for older adults [PRIFOR] (assessing physical resilience), and clinical frailty scale [CFS] were collected at admission. The CFS and EuroQoL 5-dimension 3-level questionnaire [EQ5D] were administered at discharge. Results: The mean age of the 413 patients was 76.34 ± 6.72 (52.5% female). Two conceptual models were identified and supported. Specifically, the path coefficients in the two models showed that the CIRS-G had diverse associations with each intrinsic capacity domain, and that all intrinsic capacity domains (except vitality) were significantly associated with PRIFOR. Moreover, PRIFOR was significantly associated with follow-up CFS, baseline control, and EQ5D scores. Conclusion: Physiologic reserve positively correlated with the cognitive and locomotive domains of intrinsic capacity. Moreover, older patients with better intrinsic capacity may have improved physical resilience, which may lead to better clinical outcomes. Efforts to improve the intrinsic capacity and physical resilience of older patients are necessary to promote healthy ageing.
On a new tribe, genus and species of Cypricercinae McKenzie, 1971 (Crustacea, Ostracoda, Cyprididae) from New Caledonia (Pacific Ocean)
Authors: MARTENS KOEN , ALMEIDA NADINY MARTINS DE , PÁLL-GERGELY BARNA , HIGUTI JANET
Published: November 2023

The New Caledonian Archipelago is a hot spot for biodiversity and endemism. Here, we describe Lithocypris peyia gen. et spec. nov. Martens, Almeida & Higuti from a single locality (a lithotelma, or rockpool) on “Grande Terre”, the main island of the archipelago. The new genus belongs to the subfamily Cypricercinae and to the new tribe Lithocypridini trib. nov. based on the absence of a groove and anterior inner lists in the left valve, on several aspects of the chaetotaxy, of the prehensile palps and of the hemipenis, and on the fact that the Triebel’s Loop is situated in the dorsal branch of the attachment of the caudal ramus. Lithocypris gen. nov. can further be distinguished from the other genera in the subfamily by a combination of features: carapace elongated in lateral view and narrow in dorsal view, left valve with a weak ventral and posterior inner list only, antennule with both Wouters and Rome organs, maxillula with elongated and rectangular second palp segment and very short sideways directed bristles, first thoracopod with setae a, b and d present and with female palp short and plump, second thoracopod with setae d1 and d2 very short, third thoracopod with seta f missing and Zenker organ with a crown.
Book review: Ebba Koch, The Planetary King: Humayun Padshah, Inventor and Visionary on the Mughal Throne
Authors: Anooshahr Ali
Published: November 2023

Ebba Koch, The Planetary King: Humayun Padshah, Inventor and Visionary on the Mughal Throne. Ahmedabad: Mapin Publishing, 2022, 384 pp.
Book review: Farhat Hasan, Paper, Performance, and the State: Social Change and Political Culture in Mughal India
Authors: Kaicker Abhishek
Published: November 2023

Farhat Hasan, Paper, Performance, and the State: Social Change and Political Culture in Mughal India. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021, xv+155 pp.
The Intercultural Sensitivity of Italian Correctional Officers Between Life Satisfaction and Burnout
Authors: Coppola Ilaria , Morelli Mara , Rania Nadia
Published: November 2023

Correctional officers (COs) play a crucial role within prisons. The purpose of this study is to analyze the intercultural sensitivity and individual and organizational well-being perceptions of COs. The participants were 400 COs employed in different prisons in northwestern Italy. Analysis of the results shows that there is a significant relationship between intercultural sensitivity and perceived emotional exhaustion and that this affects life satisfaction and thus the entire organization. More attention needs to be paid to the figure of the CO who interacts with people from different backgrounds often under difficult circumstances.
Explanations for Individual Secularization: Exploring the Effects of Life Course Events on Religious Decline in the Netherlands Between 2009 and 2020
Authors: Kregting Joris , Scheepers Peer , Vermeer Paul , Eisinga Rob
Published: November 2023

The process of secularization in Western societies, in terms of the decline of individual religiosity, is often explained by way of cohort and period effects. In addition, there are many studies that focus on micro-level life course events that are considered to change individual religiosity. In this article, we use excellent panel data for the years 2009 to 2020 to distinguish the effects of 10 life course events on individual religiosity from cohort and period effects. Our object of study is the Netherlands, a forerunner in the process of secularization. The analyses, that is, mixed-effect regression models with almost 42,000 observations, reveal that completing an education, getting married or divorced, starting to cohabite, and receiving a higher income all affect individual religiosity. However, period effects and cohort differences are more important for Dutch secularization than life course events.
Chinese seafarers’ use of the Internet and social media to promote labor rights
Authors: Tang Lijun
Published: November 2023

Research on seafarers and the Internet so far has focused primarily on Internet access onboard ships. It frames Internet access as a welfare issue concerning seafarers’ communication with their families. This paper expands the focus to examine how seafarers use the Internet and social media to build and extend their social networks for reciprocal support and solidarity. Taking a case study approach, this paper examines two cases of Chinese seafarers protecting their rights online. The data were collected from relevant Internet and social media sites in 2022. The two cases demonstrate that the Internet and social media provide social spaces for Chinese seafarers to expand their social networks and form online professional communities, which afford them new resources to defend their rights and protect their interests. In the context that the Chinese seafarers’ union does not function to represent and help seafarers in labor and employment matters, these resources are particularly salient.
Assistive Technology Use Among Students with Visual Impairments in Academic Classes
Authors: Tuttle Michael , Carter Erik W.
Published: November 2023

Assistive technology (AT) is a critical in providing students with visual impairments (VI) access to classroom information. However, little is known about how the fluid and diverse experiences across core-content classrooms that impact the nature of AT use among students with VI. We conducted three classroom observations of 10 secondary-age (i.e., 6th through 12th grade) students with VI in core-content classrooms (i.e., math, English, social studies, or science). Wide variations in AT use suggest that AT needs are individualized. Additionally, writing tasks, reading tasks, and independent instructional groupings were associated with the highest rates of AT usage. However, students receive little support for using their AT in classrooms. We offer implications and recommendations for research and practice aimed at increasing AT use in core-content classrooms.
Revisiting emergencies, disasters, & catastrophes: Adding duration to the hazard event classification
Authors: Montano Samantha , Savitt Amanda
Published: November 2023

Disaster researchers have long sought to classify hazard events using various characteristics. Despite varying perspectives on how hazard events differ, the most commonly used classification in disaster scholarship categorizes hazard events as either emergencies, disasters, or catastrophes, which generally are described as being distinguished based on impacts, needs, stakeholder involvement, and management approach. Although this hazard event classification is useful, disaster scholars have noted it needs further refinement and development. In an effort to address these calls from disaster scholars and create a more robust hazard event classification, the traditional classification is revisited and expanded. Specifically, this article proposes the addition of a second dimension, response duration, to the existing hazard event type classification, which to this point has largely been defined by scale of impacts, needs, stakeholder involvement, and management approach. This paper argues short and long-duration emergencies, disasters, and catastrophes are categorically different and therefore require different management approaches, and can be used to categorize and distinguish between events such as COVID-19 and Hurricane Katrina and the Levee Failure. The proposed change would have important implications for emergency management practice and policy and would encourage a re-evaluation of the kinds of hazard events considered to be part of the academic purview of emergency management.
Diagnostic value of a logistic model of occupational lead poisoning using hematological parameters
Authors: Sun Guokang , Xiang Pinpin , Chen Yiping , Li Zheng , Wu Bo , Rao Yanping , Zhu Zheng
Published: November 2023

Objective

We investigated the predictive value of a logistic model utilizing hematological parameters in diagnosing occupational lead poisoning.

Methods

This retrospective study (September 2020–December 2022) included patients with occupational lead poisoning. Differences in hematological parameters were compared between individuals with occupational blood lead poisoning and healthy individuals. We used logistic regression analysis to develop a diagnostic prediction model for occupational blood lead poisoning. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and corresponding area under the ROC curve values were used to assess the diagnostic value of hematological parameters and logistic models.

Results

Compared with controls, several indicators were significantly higher in the group with blood lead poisoning, but others were significantly lower. Logistic regression analysis showed that the red blood cell distribution width coefficient of variation (RDW-CV), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and percentage of small red blood cells (Micro%) were independent factors in diagnosing occupational blood lead poisoning. The logistic regression model constructed based on these three parameters had sensitivity 78.7% and specificity 83.8% for diagnosing occupational lead poisoning.

Conclusion

We identified RDW-CV, NLR, and Micro% as independent predictors in the diagnosis of occupational lead poisoning. A logistic regression model that includes these may contribute to better detection of occupational lead poisoning.
Ptah of the Place of Beauty
Authors: Ghabriel Ikram
Published: November 2023

This paper offers new insights into the worship of Ptah of the Place of Beauty in Thebes by analysing a range of evidence, including tomb scenes, graffiti, stelae, ostraca, and other resources. It aims to provide a better understanding of the development of the cult of this local Theban form of Ptah, as well as his iconography, cult centre(s), and his worshippers. In addition, the article investigates the connection between Ptah of the Place of Beauty and the Valley of the Queens and explores whether the rock-cut chapels between Deir el-Medina and the Valley of the Queens could be considered as the cult centre of Ptah of the Place of Beauty, as proposed by Bruyère.

[Formula: see text]