bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The gender gap in stone-related surgery: A comprehensive analysis from an Israeli perspective
Authors: Golomb Dor , Cooper Amir , Raz Orit
Published: April 2024

Objective:

To investigate the gender gap in the context of stone-related surgery within an Israeli population.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using administrative databases from Clalit Health Services to identify adults aged 18 and above who had their initial surgical treatment for upper tract urolithiasis. We employed descriptive statistics to outline the baseline patient characteristics, and the Cochran–Armitage test for trend was utilized to analyze surgical trends.

Results:

Between 2003 and 2020, a total of 36,624 adult patients underwent surgical treatment for upper tract urinary stones. The mean age of patients was 55.01 years (standard deviation (SD) 16.6) for ureteroscopy (URS), 55.05 years (SD 15.1) for percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL), and 51.07 years (SD 15.1) for shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). When considering the distribution of procedures by gender, males accounted for 69.5% of URS cases, 58.3% of PCNL cases, and 70.6% of SWL cases, whereas females represented 30.5%, 41.7%, and 29.4% of URS, PCNL, and SWL cases, respectively. Across all surgical modalities, the male-to-female ratio exhibited fluctuations without a consistent trend, with both increases and decreases observed. In URS, the ratio saw a modest increase from 1.967 in 2003 to 2.173 in 2020. For PCNL, the ratio initially increased from 2.361 in 2003 to 2.549 in 2014, followed by subsequent fluctuations, but an overarching trend was not apparent. In contrast, for SWL, the ratio decreased from 2.15 in 2003 to 1.32 in 2020, with varying changes in between.

Conclusion:

This study highlights the dynamic nature of gender gap in stone-related surgery outcomes. While the male-to-female ratio exhibited fluctuations over a 17-year period, no consistent trend emerged. The absence of a clear trend underscores the complex and multifaceted factors influencing the gender gap in urolithiasis.
Mentalizing between groups. A Response to ‘On the relationship between group analysis and mentalization-based group therapy’ by Karterud, Gunnarsen, Gordon, Kongerslev, Staun and Schultz-Venrath
Authors: Staats Hermann
Published: April 2024

MBT-G and Group Analysis (GA) have common ‘breeding grounds’ but differ in central aspects of their theoretical framework and their level of abstraction. MBT-G can be considered both a setting variant of a primary individual Method (MBT) and a development within the realm of group analysis. The description of MBT-G and GA as two ‘camps’ (Karterud et al.) is discussed. If the ‘camp’ metaphor is used at all, the author suggests MBT-G may be better considered as one of many camps within the area of group analysis. In line with the wish of Karterud et al. for open discussion and dialogue in and about groups, the response addresses developments in group theory and practice besides MBT-G.
Influence of moisture and salinity on property degradation of nano-engineered epoxy polymers for offshore applications
Authors: Sindu B. S. , Sasmal Saptarshi
Published: April 2024

This study has attempted to investigate the influence of major environmental degradation factors for offshore and coastal structures, such as moisture and salinity, on epoxy-based bonded composite systems and to identify the means of degradation of the same. Exhaustive experimental investigations have been carried out with different salinity levels (0%, 2.5% and 5%) and exposure periods (45 days to longer time periods (>1 year)) to determine the influence of the same on the mechanical property degradation of epoxy polymers. The effect of degraded properties on the performance degradation of bonded epoxy composite systems in terms of damage pattern and load-carrying capacity has been investigated using numerical simulations with non-linear material models and traction-separation interface behaviour. Further, it is also attempted to fundamentally engineer the epoxy polymers using nanosilica to improve their mechanical properties and environmental resistance. Finally, diffusion tests have been performed on the plain and nanoengineered epoxy polymers to understand the change in diffusion mechanisms due to nanoengineering, and a correlation has been established between the diffusion behaviour and the mechanical property degradation. The findings of this study will lead towards the development of stronger and more durable epoxy-bonded composite systems for marine applications.
Z-printing of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoset composites: The process development, and mechanical properties evaluation
Authors: Najafloo Behzad , Rezadoust Amir Masood , Latifi Masoud
Published: April 2024

This study presents a process development and mechanical characterization for through-the-thickness yarns (TTYs) incorporated into continuous fiber-reinforced thermoset composites (CFTCs) using a 3D printing system with photopolymer curing technology. Two types of CFTCs were prepared with different ply orientations and placement of TTYs. The mechanical properties of the samples were evaluated through three-point flexural strength tests and numerical simulations. The experimental and numerical results exhibited acceptable agreement up to the first peak of the reaction force. The presence of TTYs reduced the maximum stress and altered the failure mechanisms, while improving resistance to delamination cracking. The energyabsorption capacity of the samples with TTYs was increased by 23% to 53%. However, the flexural strength of the samples decreased by 14% to 23% with the incorporation of TTYs due to the formation of small sections with low fiber content around TTYs and the concentration of von Mises stress.
Perceived Ageism in Health Care: A Hybrid Concept Analysis
Authors: Liu Xinyi , Wang Dan , Gu Chunyan , Bao Haoying , Luo Yu
Published: April 2024

Identifying perceived ageism is a critical step in eliminating ageism. This hybrid concept analysis aims to describe the concept of perceived ageism in health care. In the theoretical phase, a scoping review was conducted. In the field phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine community-dwelling older adults. In the final analytical phase, results from the theoretical phase were integrated with those from the fieldwork phase. The perceived ageism in health care includes four dimensions: self-internalization (self-denial, a sense of unease, and passivity of behavior in seeking health care), interpersonal interaction (perceived negative perceptions, neglected attitudes, and unfair care behaviors), organization system (perceived strangeness caused by unfamiliar technology, unsupportive environment, and inadequate resources), and procedure policy (perceived uniformity of healthcare process and lack of targeted practice policies). Research related to this concept has contributed to developing measurement tools for assessing perceived ageism in healthcare practice and subsequent research.
Association Between Arterial Pulse Waveform Analysis and Mortality in Patients With Septic Shock: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination Data
Authors: Endo Koji , Mizuno Kayoko , Yoshida Satomi , Kawakami Koji
Published: April 2024

Purpose: Specialized pressure transducers for arterial pulse waveform analysis (S-APWA) devices are dedicated kits connected to an arterial pressure catheter that monitors hemodynamic parameters, such as cardiac output, pulse pressure variation, and stroke volume variation, less invasively. While the association between the use of S-APWA devices and clinical outcomes in perioperative patients has been previously evaluated, its assessment in patients with septic shock remains inadequate. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized a nationwide Diagnosis Procedure Combination database in Japan. Adult patients with septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with arterial pressure catheter placement on the admission day from August 2012 to February 2021 were included. Hospitalizations meeting the eligibility criteria were categorized into groups based on S-APWA device usage. The primary outcome, evaluated using Cox regression analysis, was 30-day all-cause mortality in the propensity score overlap-weighted population. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, ICU duration, and overall hospital stay. Results: Among 5130 eligible hospitalizations, 643 were in the S-APWA group and 4487 were in the conventional pressure transducer group. Cox regression analysis within the propensity score overlap-weighted population showed no significant difference in 30-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.94; 95% confidence interval: 0.9-1.38; P = .58). Logistic regression analysis indicated no significant differences in the in-hospital mortality. While the S-APWA group had prolonged ICU stays, no significant difference in the overall hospital stay was observed according to linear regression analyses. Conclusions: Our study found no significant association between S-APWA use and 30-day mortality in patients with septic shock. These findings offer insights into optimizing monitoring systems in ICUs.
Impact of Humidification Modality on Incidence of Endotracheal Tube Occlusion in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Mattson James Richard , Gada Kunal Dhiren , Jawa Randeep , Zhang Xiaoyue , Ahmad Sahar
Published: April 2024

Background: Endotracheal tube (ETT) occlusion is reported at a higher frequency among coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, literature examining patient and ventilator characteristics, including humidification, as etiologies of ETT occlusion yielded mixed results. Our study examines the relationship of humidification modality with ETT occlusion in COVID-19 patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of COVID-19 patients requiring IMV at a tertiary care center in New York from April 2020 to April 2021. Teleflex Neptune heated wire heated humidification (HH) and hygroscopic Intersurgical FiltaTherm and Sunmed Ballard 1500 heat and moisture exchangers (HME) were used. Episodes of ETT occlusion were recorded. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between humidification modality and the occurrence of ETT occlusion. Findings: A total of 201 eligible patients were identified. Teleflex HH was utilized in 50.2% of the population and the others Intersurgical and Sunmed HME devices. Median age was 62 years and 78.6% of patients had at least one medical comorbidity. Precisely, 24% of patients experienced an ETT occlusion after a median of 12 days. The HME group was younger (58.5 vs 64 years), predominantly male (75% vs 59.4%), and experienced more total ventilator days than the HH group (24 vs 12). Those using the studied HME devices had significantly higher odds of ETT occlusion (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.8-10.6, P = .0011). Three patients (6.1%) experienced cardiac arrest as a consequence of their occlusion. There were no deaths directly attributed to ETT occlusion. Conclusions: The studied HME devices were significantly associated with higher odds of ETT occlusion in COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. These events are not without significant clinical consequences. Prolonged use of under-performing HME devices remains suspect in the occurrence of ETT occlusions.
A Proof-of-Concept Model for Implementing a “Smart-NICU” to Improve Infant Mortality
Authors: Hilker Sidney , Mancho Amundam , Srivatsava Geetanjali , Raman Dileep , Mathias Sitarah , Brewster Ryan , Britto Carl
Published: April 2024

Low- and middle-income countries face limited critical care capacity due to constraints in staffing, resources, and technology. “Smart ICUs” that integrate telehealth to augment care delivery, communication, and data integration have the potential to bridge these gaps and reduce preventable morbidity and mortality. While their efficacy has been well validated in adult populations, applications of Smart-ICU services in the neonatal population have not been studied. Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in India using a common Smart-NICU platform, developed by CloudPhysician, utilize a hub-and-spokes framework along with locally designed technology to facilitate remote patient care in collaboration with local health systems. In this article, we investigate the operational characteristics and performance outcomes for Smart-NICU deployment from the 18 NICUs and 214 beds deployed to date. These findings highlight the potential impact of Smart-NICUs and establish generalizable principles for implementation in low-resource settings.
Covering the Campaign: Computational Tools for Measuring Differences in Candidate and Party News Coverage With Application to an Emerging Democracy
Authors: Erlich Aaron , Jung Danielle F. , Long James D.
Published: April 2024

How does media coverage of electoral campaigns distinguish parties and candidates in emerging democracies? To answer, we present a multi-step procedure that we apply in South Africa. First, we develop a theoretically informed classification of election coverage as either “narrow” or “broad” from within the entire corpus of news coverage during an electoral campaign. Second, to deploy our classification scheme, we use a supervised machine learning approach to classify news as “broad,” “narrow,” or “not election-related.” Finally, we combine our supervised classification with a topic modeling algorithm (BERTTopic) that is based on Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT), in addition to other statistical and machine learning methods. The combination of our classification scheme, BERTTopic, and associated methods allows us to identify the main election-related themes among broad and narrow election-related coverage, and how different candidates and parties are associated with these themes. We provide an in-depth discussion of our method for interested users in the social sciences. We then apply our proposed techniques on text from nearly 100,000 news articles during South Africa’s 2014 campaign and test our empirical predictions about candidate and party coverage of corruption, the economy, health, public infrastructure, and security. The application of our method highlights a nuanced campaign environment in South Africa; candidates and parties frequently receive distinct and substantive coverage on key campaign themes.
Cross-border surrogacy and the European Convention on Human Rights: The Strasbourg Court caught between “fait accompli”, “ordre public”, and the best interest of the child
Authors: Lemmens Koen
Published: April 2024

Surrogacy is a form of family creation that raises many medical, ethical, and legal questions. This article examines how the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) deals with the issue of cross-border surrogacy and its legal consequences in its recent case law. It will demonstrated that the Strasbourg Court has developed a nuanced case law that leaves it in the first place to the national authorities to deal with the complex issue of surrogacy, whereby it is nevertheless clear that further to the Strasbourg case law even if legislators rule out the possibility of surrogacy on their territory, they will have to find solutions to “‘regularise”’ the de facto situation of the child, taking into account its best interests.
Positive Distance Learning Perception, Personal Resources, and Loneliness Among Higher Education Students With ADHD and/or SLD
Authors: Sharabi Adi , Shelach Inbar Orit
Published: April 2024

This study assessed the positive perception of distance learning of undergraduate students with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or specific learning disorder (SLD), and examined their personal resources (academic self-efficacy [ASE] and sense of coherence [SOC]), and social vulnerability (loneliness) in predicting their positive distance learning perception. Participants were 276 Israeli undergraduates, 138 diagnosed with ADHD/SLD and 138 in a comparison group without disabilities. Students’ positive perceptions toward distance learning, ASE, SOC, and loneliness were assessed via self-report questionnaires. Students with ADHD/SLD reported a less positive perception of distance learning, lower ASE and SOC, and higher loneliness than students without disabilities. In both groups, females had a more positive perception of distance learning than males. ASE uniquely contributed to a positive perception of distance learning only for students with ADHD/SLD. As hybrid learning becomes more and more common in higher education, it is critical to understand the unique needs and adaptation to distance learning of students with ADHD/SLD.
Upscaling policy pilots: Four tales in Chinese health governance
Authors: Song Yunpeng , Li Yanwei
Published: April 2024

Governments have widely applied policy pilots to test new policy initiatives before their full rollout. However, little is known about their upscaling styles. In this contribution, in relation to two attributes of the issues that policy pilots attempt to resolve – ambiguity and salience – we construct an analytic framework consisting of four policy-pilot upscaling styles: command replication, refinement by doing, waiting by doing, and putting on hold. Four representative cases in Chinese health governance, namely, the Sanming healthcare reform, the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme, medical staff’s salary reform in public hospitals, and income–expenditure two-line management in primary healthcare institutions, have been investigated to exemplify them. Our study contributes to the existing governance and policy literature by adding new building blocks to the upscaling of policy pilots.
Techno-economic optimization of a photovoltaic-wind energy-based hydrogen production system: A case study of different cities of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mansir Ibrahim B , Okonkwo Paul C , Farouk Naeim
Published: April 2024

The study employed Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables software and two-hybrid energy systems configurations to ascertain the most effective approach for generating hydrogen and electrical power in the designated three cities of Dammam, Jeddah and Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. To reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, improve energy security and encourage sustainable development, this study was motivated by the need to address the urgent need to switch to renewable energy sources like solar and wind based on Saudi Arabian's Vision 2030 initiative. To achieve these objectives, this research investigates the techno-economic feasibility of producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources to promote energy independence and economic growth in the region of Saudi Arabia. The novelty of the study provides a regional view of the use of renewable energy sources for hydrogen production by concentrating on several Saudi Arabian cities. It is essential for successful energy planning and policy formation to have insights suited to unique regional settings as demonstrated in this study. According to the findings of the study, the electrical and hydrogen requirements of the selected cities in Saudi Arabia can be fulfilled using renewable energy sources, as sufficient wind speed and sunlight are available to produce renewable hydrogen. The outcomes of the study demonstrated that the electricity and hydrogen generated in the city of Dammam were found to be significantly higher than in the other two cities resulting in high hydrogen production at the city of Dammam compared to the cities of Tabuk and Jeddah. The hybrid energy system in Dammam was identified as the most practical option for fulfilling Saudi Arabia's electricity and hydrogen production requirements based on the analysis and optimization, with low net present cost, levelized cost and levelized cost of hydrogen values of $235235, 0.316 $/kWh and 4.16 $/kg, respectively. The outcome of the study suggests that incorporating a renewable energy system in Dammam may diminish the country's reliance on fossil fuels and decarbonize its transportation sector. The results of this study could be employed by members of the Saudi hydrogen industry to promote increased hydrogen production and make Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure more resilient and sustainable.
Event-triggered sliding mode control for trajectory tracking of robotic system with signal quantization
Authors: Gao Hang , Ma Chao , Zhang Xiaodong , Zheng Jun
Published: April 2024

This paper deals with robotic systems trajectory tracking problems by designing a new event-triggered sliding mode control (ET-SMC) algorithm with signal quantization. More precisely, an event-triggered control strategy is introduced to the sliding mode control algorithm with robustness to reduce the controller update frequency, so as to reduce the network communication resources consumption and maintain the control accuracy. In addition, the dynamic quantization method is adopted between the controller and the actuator for more communication efficiency. Unlike periodic time-triggered control strategy, a novel event triggering condition which requires no state-dependent variables is discussed for less triggering threshold computations. Furthermore, the minimum interval of adjacent triggering instant based on the new triggering condition can be obtained to avoid the Zeno phenomenon. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the validity of the presented control algorithm and practical experiments with a PHANToM Omni robotic device are given to verify the advanced performances. As a result, the trajectory tracking error is limited within a small range and the control update frequency is evidently reduced.
Serum long non-coding Ribonucleic Acid H19 serves as a biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus and participates in the disease progression
Authors: Yang Hongyu , Wang Shuping , Wang Fei , Bai Xuemei , Ren Juan
Published: April 2024

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the expression of H19 and its possible molecular mechanism in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

The expression of H19 and miR-19b in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum H19 in SLE. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between serum levels of H19 and miR-19b. Flow cytometry and Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay were performed to detect cell apoptosis and viability. The levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted to verify the interaction between H19 and miR-19b.

Results

The expression of H19 and miR-19b in SLE group were up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively. Serum H19 has certain clinical diagnostic value in SLE. In in vitro studies, overexpression of H19 can significantly inhibit the viability of PBMCs and promote apoptosis and inflammatory response of PBMCs by interacting with miR-19b.

Conclusions

The expression of H19 is upregulated in patients with SLE and plays a role in cell function and inflammation by targeting miR-19b in PBMCs, which may be one of the pathological mechanisms of SLE.
Inhabiting Adamancy: Contributions Toward a Queer Feminist Theology
Authors: Contreras Mercedes Aguilar
Published: April 2024

This article seeks to demonstrate that the myth of creation, written in Genesis, originates in the history of the different technologies of power. Judaism, in the myth of origin, established a hermeneutic with ontological status on the creation of man. This has severely affected the theological work of sex–gender diversity groups, including feminist and queer theology. Since the myth of origin has been one of the foundational narratives of the history of Christianity, it is the theological matrix where the binary oppositions are constructed: man-woman in which a cis-heteropatriarchal theology of the texts is articulated.
Toward a Positive hiv Theology: A Queer Hermeneutic Reading of the Book of Job
Authors: Torres Cruz Edgardo , Quero Hugo Cordova
Published: April 2024

This article aims to trace the history of hiv/aids in Central America, with particular attention to El Salvador. Its first section presents a periodization that details the evolution of the response and understanding of the region in the social context. The second section focuses on a detailed periodization of how faith communities reacted to the presence of hiv/aids, especially highlighting their responses to the affected people. The third section of the article provides a biblical, theological, and pastoral perspective from the early days to the current response of faith communities to hiv/aids.
Queer Theology and a Synodal Catholic Church
Authors: Ruiz Ish
Published: April 2024

The emerging field of queer theology presents both a challenge and an opportunity to contemporary Catholic theology for deeper self-examination. In the context of a synodal Church, whereby the Catholic hierarchy consults and seriously considers the Spirit-guided insights of the sensus fidelium, queer theology can adequately respond to some of the challenges levied against Pope Francis’s inclusive vision. In order to do so, queer theology must be reframed as a project that stems from the lived experiences of the oppressed and their quest toward liberation. This article explores the field of queer theology and addresses some of the most contentious questions among theorists about the scope of the queer project. More importantly, the article synthesizes a historically conscious, eschatologically oriented, liberatory queer theology with Pope Francis’s synodal vision. The first part of this article explores contemporary theology on synodality. The second part explores the genealogy of queer theology. Finally, the third part constructs a Catholic queer theological framework that aids a synodal project. The conclusion will outline and explore some questions for future research.
The Transfigurations/Twists of the Religious: An Introduction to the Theological Epistemology of Marcella Althaus-Reid
Authors: Montoyo Ángel Méndez
Published: April 2024

Latin American cuir/questioning theology is a recent field of critical studies that not only draws on queer/questioning thought and activism but also contributes to contemporary sex-gendered dissident proposals. This article presents some epistemic contributions from the transfigurations, twists, “indecencies,” and resignifications of the religious. It is presented as an example of this theological integration to the program of the Doctorate in Critical Gender Studies of the Universidad Iberoamericana. In particular, the proposal of this article aims to analyze the intersection body–gender–religion from a hermeneutic approach of the book Dios cuir, by the Argentinean theologian Marcella Althaus-Reid.
Investigating Factors Associated with Drug Adherence Among Individuals with Hyperuricemia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Andala Sri , Sofyan Hizir , Hasballah Kartini , Marthoenis
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

The prevalence of hyperuricemia is on the rise in specific populations, and there are difficulties in maintaining medication adherence. This study aims to investigate the factors linked to drug adherence in individuals with hyperuricemia.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study, which was conducted in 2023 by recruiting respondents with hyperuricemia. The demographic data collected included age, gender, occupation, body height and weight, education, marital status and ethnicity. Furthermore, drug adherence was determined based on the response to the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8. Acceptance and knowledge were measured using questionnaires given to the participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was then used to obtain the determinants of drug adherence.

Results:

Among 524 respondents who participated in the study, 60.3% and 30.15% had moderate and high adherence to serum uric acid-lowering drugs, respectively. The results showed that older age had a strong association with lower adherence ( p < .01), while high disease acceptance significantly predicted higher levels ( p < .01). Knowledge about gout symptoms ( p = .003; OR: 0.28 [95% CI: 0.12-0.65]), causal factors ( p < .001; OR: 2.63 [95% CI: 1.48-4.65]) and uric acid-lowering alternatives ( p < .001; OR: 8.17 [95% CI: 4.11-16.25]) also had a positive correlation with higher levels.

Conclusion:

Knowledge and acceptance had a significant correlation with drug adherence among individuals with hyperuricemia in Aceh Province, Indonesia.
Forced migration, resettlement, and sport: Lessons from the Kabul-Edmonton soccer team
Authors: Scherer Jay , Amiri Ashraf , Ansell Dallas B , Nya Paul , Spencer Nancy LI , Holt Nicholas L
Published: April 2024

Forced migration is one of the most pressing crises of our lifetime. Of the millions forced to migrate, many come to know the brutality of state-managed migration that habitually denies asylum seekers and places substantive restrictions on refugees who have been resettled. Sociologists of sport and leisure have examined the sporting experiences of refugees through an intersectional lens, foregrounding how displacement and resettlement are differently lived and negotiated across overlapping power structures and markers of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and legal status. Through a participatory and collective photovoice project, this article explores the experiences of an all-Afghan soccer team that played in a social, co-ed soccer league in the spring of 2022, just after they arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. In photovoice narratives and subsequent interviews, team members underlined many of the barriers they faced as they navigated the formal and informal rules and dominant norms of this seemingly inclusive sports landscape. In doing so, they revealed some of the limits of official discourses of Canadian multiculturism, which rarely accommodate more significant forms of difference, and which reproduce racial and ethnic hierarchies that powerfully discipline newcomers who are encouraged to embrace their precarious status as model minorities.
The Experience of Cervical Cancer Patients Undergoing Hysterectomy: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Liu Xiao-Qin , Wang Lan , Gu Xuan , Shan Xiao , Xie Juan , Gao Wen-Ying , Gu Yu-Hui , Zhang Yan , Gu Dong-Mei
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Due to different social and cultural backgrounds, cervical cancer patients’ experience of the treatment process and quality of life after treatment will be different. This study sought to gain in-depth understanding of the experiences of Chinese cervical cancer patients as regards their quality of life and physical symptoms.

Methodology:

Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. We recruited 15 women with cervical cancer in eastern China for in-depth interviews. All data were entered into the NVivo 12 software program for analysis.

Results:

Four themes emerged from the data: (a) uncertainty; (b) physical suffering; (c) psychological pressure; and (d) challenges of marriage and family.

Discussion:

Cervical cancer patients showed concerns about the disease itself and the physical discomfort it causes, as well as changes in social relations. Health professionals need to talk about these issues and develop strategies to address them accordingly.
Comparisons of Self-Report With Objective Measurements Suggest Faster Responding but Little Change in Response Quality Over Time in Ecological Momentary Assessment Studies
Authors: Hernandez Raymond , Schneider Stefan , Pinkham Amy E. , Depp Colin A. , Ackerman Robert , Pyatak Elizabeth A. , Badal Varsha D. , Moore Raeanne C. , Harvey Philip D. , Funsch Kensie , Stone Arthur A.
Published: April 2024

Response times (RTs) to ecological momentary assessment (EMA) items often decrease after repeated EMA administration, but whether this is accompanied by lower response quality requires investigation. We examined the relationship between EMA item RTs and EMA response quality. In one data set, declining response quality was operationalized as decreasing correspondence over time between subjective and objective measures of blood glucose taken at the same time. In a second EMA study data set, declining response quality was operationalized as decreasing correspondence between subjective ratings of memory test performance and objective memory test scores. We assumed that measurement error in the objective measures did not increase across time, meaning that decreasing correspondence across days within a person could be attributed to lower response quality. RTs to EMA items decreased across study days, while no decrements in the mean response quality were observed. Decreasing EMA item RTs across study days did not appear problematic overall.
Longitudinal Measurement Invariance of the ASEBA Youth/Adult Self-Reports Across the Transition From Adolescence to Adulthood
Authors: Moriarity Daniel P. , Mac Giollabhui Naoise , Cardoso Melo Dener , Hartman Catharina
Published: April 2024

The ability to quantify within-person changes in mental health is central to the mission of clinical psychology. Typically, this is done using total or mean scores on symptom measures; however, this approach assumes that measures quantify the same construct, the same way, each time the measure is completed. Without this quality, termed longitudinal measurement invariance, an observed difference between timepoints might be partially attributable to changing measurement properties rather than changes in comparable symptom measurements. This concern is amplified in research using different forms of a measure across developmental periods due to potential differences in reporting styles, item-wording, and developmental context. This study provides the strongest support for the longitudinal measurement invariance of the Anxiety Scale, Depression/Affective Problems: Cognitive Subscale, and the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Scale; moderate support for the Depression/Affective Problems Scale and the Somatic Scale, and poor support for the Depression/Affective Problems: Somatic Symptoms Subscale of the Dutch Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment Youth Self-Report and Adult Self-Report in a sample of 1,309 individuals ( N = 1,090 population-based, N = 219 clinic-based/referred to an outpatient clinic before age 11 years) across six waves of data (mean ages = 11 years at Wave 1 and 26 years at Wave 6).
Sliding mode disturbance observer based control with arbitrary convergence time
Authors: Moosapour Seyyed Sajjad
Published: April 2024

In this study, an arbitrary finite-time backstepping control method for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems in the presence of external disturbance is proposed based on disturbance observer. Motivated by the desire to attain external disturbance compensation, a sliding mode disturbance observer with arbitrary convergence time is presented to estimate the disturbance. This arbitrary prespecified time is independent of initial conditions and system parameters. The designed observer is very simple with only one tuning parameter used to tune the convergence rate. Only the upper bound of the first derivative of the disturbance is necessary. Then, based on the proposed disturbance observer, a backstepping control technique is developed in which the convergence time can be chosen arbitrarily. Utilizing the Lyapunov stability criterion, it is proven that the system states, as well as the disturbance observer error converge to the origin in arbitrarily chosen time. Finally, some numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the proposed disturbance observer-based controller.
Clinico-Epidemiological Profile, Trends, and Health-Related Outcomes of Snakebite Victims: A One-Year Prospective Study from Eastern India
Authors: Stephen Shine , Mohanty Chitta Ranjan , Radhakrishnan Rakesh Vadakkethil , Issac Alwin , Jacob Jaison , Krishnan Nadiya , VR Vijay , Guru Satyabrata , Muhammed Shaji Ijas , Aggarwal Achala
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Snakebite envenomation is a significant life-threatening public health problem in Southeast Asia (SEA). In this region, India reported the largest number of snakebite deaths from 2000 to 2019 (1.2 million), with an average of 58,000 deaths yearly.

Methods

This prospective observational study was carried out among snakebite victims at the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary care public sector hospital in eastern India.

Results

A total of 145 cases of venomous snakebite were investigated. More than half ( n = 81, 56%) of the snakebite victims were between 17 to 45 years. Most of the snakebite victims were male (68%) and were farmers (53%) by occupation. The majority of snakebites occurred during the daytime (76%) and while outdoors (67%). Most victims sustained a bite on the lower extremity (71%). The peak incidence of snakebites occurred from June to September (69%). Three-quarters of all patients were unaware of the required first aid measures following a snakebite. Among the 145 venomous snakebites, 48 were presumptively identified as the Indian cobra, 32 by the Indian krait, 56 by the Russel's viper, and 9 by saw-scaled viper. The mean duration from the snakebite to the onset of systemic effects in the Indian cobra was 52 ± 14.28 min, 66 ± 18.35 min in the Indian krait, 42 ± 13.47 min in Russel's viper, and 48 ± 16.38 min in saw-scaled viper. Respiratory failure was the commonly observed complication following an elapid envenomation. The mortality rate was 2.1% among the patients treated with antivenom.

Conclusions

Snakebite is considered an occupational hazard in India, commonly affecting the young population in their productive period. The peak incidence was during monsoon season, and the majority had neurotoxic envenomation following an elapid bite (55%) that contributed to the increased mortality and morbidity among young adults. Of the 145 patients, the majority (84%) recovered fully with treatment; 16% of the victims developed morbidity viz cellulitis, respiratory failure, acute renal failure, compartment syndrome, local tissue necrosis, intracerebral hemorrhage, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Appropriate first aid measures and timely medical intervention can significantly improve the treatment outcome following snakebites.
The HUC progression score: A new method for determining KERATOCONUS progression
Authors: Eguileor Beatriz de Luis , Zorrozúa Borja Santos , Ecenarro Jaime Etxebarria
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To establish new criteria for the progression of keratoconus, taking into account a Pentacam HR (high resolution) tomographeŕs repeatability limit.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational study, including 224 eyes in 154 patients diagnosed with keratoconus and patients treated with crosslinking, with a follow-up of at least one year, in which the new progression score of the Cruces University Hospital for keratoconus progression was analyzed. This score takes into account: maximum keratometry, thinnest corneal thickness, maximum posterior elevation, vertical coma and RMS of high order aberrations, all based on the tomographer repeatability limit. The effectiveness or not of crosslinking was determined.

Results

The Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves obtained in our validation met the criteria by being far from the reference diagonal. Moreover, young patients are more likely to have keratoconus that progresses, and the percentage of patients that showed progression was 14.3% of the eyes studied, with the most advanced keratoconus showing the least progression. Taking into account the new progression score of the Cruces Hospital, we would have indicated crosslinking in 2 eyes only and we observed that none progressed one year after treatment.

Conclusions

The the new progression score of the Cruces University Hospital is a method based on the real repeatability limit for keratoconic eyes. Moreover, it is easy to interpret and can be implemented with Pentacam software. It provides a numerical value that evaluates both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea and corneal aberrations in the evolution of keratoconus.
Telemedicine for obesity management among United States adults: A systematic and meta-analysis of intervention studies
Authors: Adebile Tolulope V , Adebile Temitayo M , Oloyede Tobi F , Asifat Olamide A , Biswas Purbasha , Sejoro Sarah , Kersey Jing X
Published: April 2024

Obesity is projected to affect 86% of United States adults by 2030. Recent data show a surge to 41.9%, with the highest proportion in the 40–59 age group (44.3%). Obesity is linked to various health issues and preventable deaths. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising avenue for addressing obesity. This systematic review and meta-analysis examine the effectiveness of telemedicine interventions for managing obesity in US adults aged 40 and above. Through a thorough Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis-guided search, 16 studies meeting inclusion criteria were identified. These studies employed diverse telemedicine technologies, including video-based and telephone sessions or a mixture of technologies. The analysis reveals a statistically significant mean difference of 0.93 in favor of telemedicine interventions for weight loss. Subgroup analysis suggests that intervention durations of 6–12 months and telephone-based sessions correlate with more substantial mean differences. This study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of telemedicine in managing obesity, emphasizing the importance of intervention type and duration. Study limitations include variability and potential biases. Customized telemedicine strategies have the potential to combat the obesity epidemic among older adults in the United States, offering guidance to healthcare professionals aiming to reduce health risks and enhance overall well-being.
Engaging the present, embracing the past: Pop culture museums and cultural continuity in Fukushima
Authors: Longo Angela
Published: April 2024

This article delves into the collaborative efforts that unfolded in the creation of the 2012 exhibition ‘TOKUSATSU: Special Effects Museum – Craftsmanship of Showa and Heisei Eras Seen through Miniatures’, which in turn paved the way for the establishment of institutional facilities for popular culture. Specifically, this article explores the collaborative dynamics of two recently established facilities: the Anime Tokusatsu Archive Center in Tokyo (2017) and the Sukagawa Tokusatsu Archive Center (2020) in Sukagawa, Fukushima. Sukagawa, Tsuburaya Eiji's hometown, has played a pivotal role in mobilising artists and communities to engage with these cultural spaces. Artist groups dedicated to tokusatsu and anime began to consider preservation and exhibition strategies to convey these art forms to other generations. This article analyses the building process, and the social cooperation in building these facilities, connecting them to broader popular culture movements in Japan.
Brake squeal finite element performance comparison between commercial and coconut shell-reinforced material drum brake linings
Authors: Maciel Mateus Holanda Cardoso , Rodrigues Romulo do Nascimento , Costa Camilo Augusto Santos , Bezerra Roberto de Araujo , Gonçalves Vanessa Vieira , de Freitas Thiago Victor Albuquerque
Published: April 2024

Brakes play a vital role in vehicles, converting kinetic energy into heat and vibration. Brake squeal, an uncomfortable noise phenomenon, has been thoroughly researched in both drum and disc brakes. Many studies have explored how factors such as material, temperature, and operations impact brake instability and noise. Yet, commercial drum brake linings often contain hazardous asbestos. This poses health risks, exposing individuals to harmful airborne particles, particularly affecting lung health. Hence, current research aims to develop asbestos-free alternative linings, prioritizing reduced wear rates while maintaining effectiveness comparable to traditional ones. These alternatives primarily use organic materials for reinforcement. However, few studies have evaluated the performance of these biomaterial-based linings against commercial counterparts. This study aims to bridge this gap by analyzing a rear-axle drum brake from a heavy vehicle, comparing two linings: One commercially available and the other specially made with coconut shell reinforcement, in a finite element software. Five similar simulation stages were set for both linings in the ANSYS software. Each stage comprises transient thermal and static simulations. The input parameters were chosen to simulate a real braking situation, and the resulting pre-stress state was used to conduct complex modal analysis, which extracted the eigenvalues and values responsible for stability. The results proved that biomaterials such as coconut shells can be used for industrial purposes, such as the manufacture of a brake pad or lining, creating a cheaper, less polluting, and less brake squeal-inducing material.
The observer observed: Ethnographic discomforts and (a)symmetrical relationships in a digital ethnography
Authors: Begueria Arantza , Beneito-Montagut Roser
Published: April 2024

This paper engages in a reflection about the use of social media to carry out fieldwork online for contemporary ethnography. The reflection is based on the ethnographer’s experiences of discomforts and affects in digital fieldwork, in which she used her own social media accounts to interact with the interlocutors recruited for the project as a means to create reciprocity with them. This article uses these discomforts as generators of ethical, epistemological and political reflections by discussing the positionality of the ethnographer in a digital fieldwork. Firstly, it delves into the potential of these discomforts as a reflective tool for knowledge generation. It also reflects on the power dynamics consequence of the position that the anthropologist occupies in the field. Finally, the article initiates a political reflection on academic life when extensive exposure to fieldwork breaks down the boundaries between work and personal life.
Australian author, student and publishing perspectives on marketing knowledge
Authors: Burgess Jacqueline , Williams Paul , Curran Amy
Published: April 2024

This research sought to explore how creative writing university students’ knowledge aligned with published authors and marketing professionals within the publishing industry. Participants from all three groups were recruited for semi-structured interviews, and the transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Overall, both published authors and creative writing students’ knowledge was misaligned with industry perspectives, practices, and expectations, despite both authors and students generally believing marketing was important. Both the authors and students overall possessed a limited understanding of marketing and so their marketing knowledge did not appear to greatly increase after graduating. Given that authors found it difficult to build their marketing knowledge and skills due to time constraints, it would appear useful to embed marketing and entrepreneurial knowledge in creative writing university curricula to ensure students graduated with knowledge that would enhance their entrepreneurial and marketing skills and their income opportunities.