bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Crash Frequency Models Using Surrogate Safety Measures from Connected Vehicle Fleet
Authors: Lee Taehun , Rouphail Nagui
Published: July 2023

As connected vehicle data became available, efforts to employ surrogate safety measures (SSMs) for crash frequency modeling were undertaken. For road safety evaluation, traffic conflicts are quantitatively measured by various SSMs in two dimensions: spatial/temporal proximity (e.g., time-to-collision, TTC) and evasive action (e.g., deceleration rate, DR). However, a single SSM or a single dimension only represents partial images of the true severity of traffic conflicts. Therefore, this study investigates possible enhancements in crash frequency modeling by concurrently using proximity and evasion SSMs. For rear-end crash frequency estimation, five negative binomial regression models and two tree-based models (a regression tree and random forest) were developed. All models were estimated using crashes, traffic volume, and segment length, along with three SSMs (DR, TTC, and modified TTC) extracted from connected vehicle data in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Results show that the multi-SSM model produced a 19.3% reduction in mean absolute error (MAE) compared to the baseline model with no SSM variable, which was significantly higher than those of single-SSM models (4.5−6.9% reductions in MAE). Between all models, the random forest, which is the ensemble machine learning model, produced the highest error reductions (a 44.3% reduction in MAE). These findings show that the concurrent use of proximity and evasion SSMs can yield further enhancements in crash frequency models compared to the singular use of either type of SSM. The proposed modeling method can be used for proactive safety management and assessment using connected vehicle data collected over a short period.
U.S. Breastfeeding Outcomes at the Intersection: Differences in Duration Among Racial and Ethnic Groups With Varying Educational Attainment in a Nationally Representative Sample
Authors: Butler Margaret S. , Smart Britney P. , Watson Elijah J. , Narla Shreya S. , Keenan-Devlin Lauren
Published: July 2023

Background:

As breastfeeding rates in the United States increase, barriers persist for Black, Latine, and low-socioeconomic status household dyads when compared to White and high-socioeconomic status household dyads. Previous breastfeeding disparities research has almost exclusively considered the influence of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status separately, although these attributes are not randomly distributed across the population.

Research Aim:

To identify breastfeeding duration patterns by race/ethnicity and educational attainment in a nationally representative U.S. National Immunization Survey sample.

Method:

We conducted a cross-sectional, secondary analysis of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2020 National Immunization Survey–Child public-use data. To examine breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding durations at the intersection of race/ethnicity and educational attainment, we created a 12-item, cross-classified variable using three educational attainment groups and four race/ethnicity groups. We used linear regressions to test these associations.

Results:

In all, 83% of the sample breastfed. Mean durations of breastfeeding were 7.5 ( SE = 1.95) months and exclusive breastfeeding duration was 4.9 ( SE = 0.87) months. In adjusted models, multi-race/other high-educational attainment participants had the longest breastfeeding duration by almost 3 weeks (β: 19.53, 95% CI [5.27, 33.79]), and Black low-educational attainment participants exclusively breastfed for 1 month less than White high-educational attainment participants (β:−30.23, 95% CI [−40.87, −19.58]).

Conclusions:

Examining race/ethnicity and educational attainment together provides an intersectional understanding of breastfeeding outcomes and can inform targeted, culturally appropriate interventions.
Neurodiversity and Thriving: A Case Study in Theology-Informed Psychology
Authors: Leidenhag Joanna , King Pamela Ebstyne
Published: July 2023

The concept of ‘neurodiversity’ to speak of conditions such as autism, dyslexia, and others as differences, not disorders or pathologies, relies on a robust account of human flourishing that can incorporate these conditions. Conceptions of illness and well-being are always partially theological, whilst also having to be grounded in the empirical realities of the present time. Therefore, positive developmental psychology is a particularly apt field for developing a theology-informed psychology. This article argues that recent work in theology-engaged psychology of thriving, as opposed to subjective flourishing, is the best approach to securing a vision of well-being for neurodiverse persons.
Design and fluid analysis of the microsegment gear tooth profile for pump operating at high speed and high pressure
Authors: Huang Kang , Han Guangzhi , Xiong Yangshou , Cheng Zhenbang , Sang Meng
Published: July 2023

In order to solve the problem of oil trapping in involute gear pumps, a new tooth profile based on the microsegment tooth profile and incorporating the circular arc tooth profile theory has been designed in this study. Firstly, the tooth profile equation of the microsegment gear profile for the pump has been derived. Then, the spatial tooth surface equation of the helical microsegment gear for the pump has been derived, and the feasibility of the new tooth profile has been verified using the contact spot experiment. The characteristics of the new gear profile without oil trapping and the closed “8” type mesh line have been analyzed, from which the output flow rate of the microsegment gear pump has been verified to be constant. A conclusion has been drawn on the applicability of the microsegment gear tooth profile for the pumps. Further, the fluid analysis model of the microsegment gear pump has been proposed to analyze the oil pressure distribution and state of fluid motion at high pressures in the microsegment gear pump. A comparison of the performances of the involute and the microsegment gear pumps shows that the output pressure and maximum pressures of the microsegment gear pump are smoother than that of the involute gear pump. Analysis of the effect of the high rotational speed on the output oil pressure and the maximum pressure shows that the former increases, whereas the latter varies very little with the rotational speed.
The development of arable cultivation in the south-east of England and its relationship with vegetation cover: A honeymoon period for biodiversity?
Authors: de Vareilles Anne , Woodbridge Jessie , Pelling Ruth , Fyfe Ralph , Smith David , Campbell Gill , Smith Wendy , Carruthers Wendy , Adams Stacey , le Hégarat Karine , Allot Lucy
Published: July 2023

The onset of prehistoric farming brought unprecedented changes to landscapes and their biodiversity. Past biodiversity patterns are broadly understood for different parts of Europe, and demonstrate trajectories that have been linked to prehistoric and historic demographic transitions, and associated land-use practices. To our knowledge, this paper is the first attempt to directly link evidence of agricultural practice from the archaeological record to biodiversity patterns. Records of fossil pollen are used to estimate plant and landscape diversity patterns, and novel approaches are employed to analyse 1194 harmonised archaeobotanical samples (plant macrofossil remains) spanning the prehistoric and Roman periods, from southern England. We demonstrate changes in the use of crops and gathered edible plants and non-linear trends in cultivation practices. Whilst, overall, cereal production is characterised by ever larger and extensive regimes, different trajectories are evident for most of early prehistory, the Middle Iron Age and the Late Roman period. Comparisons with the Shannon diversity of fossil pollen records from the same region suggest a positive relationship between developing agricultural regimes and landscape scale biodiversity during the prehistoric period. The Roman period represents a tipping point in the relationship between expanding agriculture and pollen diversity, with declining pollen diversity evident in the records from the region.
Toward a persuasive academic library website
Authors: Shabani Shayeh Maryam , Tajafari Masoumeh , Sanatjoo Azam
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to investigate users’ perspectives on the significance of the library website features missing from an academic library website according to PD criteria. Based on a valid and reliable checklist of the PD criteria and their features, an academic library website was carefully explored to identify the features under each PD criterion which were missing from the website. The resulting data was used to design a researcher-developed questionnaire to investigate users’ views on the significance of these missing features. The findings highlighted the significance of the PD criteria features missing from the library website. Finally, several courses of action for librarians and website designers are suggested. They can be used as a guide to designing more effective library websites, and this can ultimately result in the increased use of libraries and their services.
Reducing the false discovery rate of preclinical animal research with Bayesian statistical decision criteria
Authors: Kelter Riko
Published: July 2023

The success of preclinical research hinges on exploratory and confirmatory animal studies. Traditional null hypothesis significance testing is a common approach to eliminate the chaff from a collection of drugs, so that only the most promising treatments are funneled through to clinical research phases. Balancing the number of false discoveries and false omissions is an important aspect to consider during this process. In this paper, we compare several preclinical research pipelines, either based on null hypothesis significance testing or based on Bayesian statistical decision criteria. We build on a recently published large-scale meta-analysis of reported effect sizes in preclinical animal research and elicit a non-informative prior distribution under which both approaches are compared. After correcting for publication bias and shrinkage of effect sizes in replication studies, simulations show that (i) a shift towards statistical approaches which explicitly incorporate the minimum clinically important difference reduces the false discovery rate of frequentist approaches and (ii) a shift towards Bayesian statistical decision criteria can improve the reliability of preclinical animal research by reducing the number of false-positive findings. It is shown that these benefits hold while keeping the number of experimental units low which are required for a confirmatory follow-up study. Results show that Bayesian statistical decision criteria can help in improving the reliability of preclinical animal research and should be considered more frequently in practice.
Situatedness of School Choice among Muslim Students: An Intersectional Approach
Authors: Amatullah Shaima , Dixit Shalini
Published: July 2023

So far research on school choice sets (decision about choosing a school from an available set of schools) has primarily regarded parents as key actors. Moving beyond, this article emphasises that children are important actors as they inform parental decisions to co-produce certain choice sets. This article foregrounds how school-going Muslim children’s experiences interact with their families to produce school choices across public and private schools in Bangalore, India, while accounting for their marginalisation at the intersections of religion, class and gender. Data were collected from 4 school sites using 21 focus group discussions with 190 children and in-depth interviews with 56 children, 14 teachers and 3 parents and analysed using an intersectional framework. Our findings suggest that factors like heterogeneities in social class, differential levels of religious discrimination/exclusion in schools and a need to protect their faith through education and the complex overlap between these were crucial in shaping choices.
Relationships Between Social Media Use, Exposure to Vaccine Misinformation and Online Health Information Seeking Behaviour
Authors: Kim Lyounghee , Hong Yangsun , Abrar Sumaira , FitzGerald Courtney A
Published: July 2023

This study examines the relationships between social media use for health information, exposure to HPV vaccine misinformation, and online health information-seeking behaviours from institutional sources (i.e., professional health websites and search engines) among college students. The results show that people who seek health information from social media tend to have more experiences of encountering HPV vaccine misinformation during their social media use, while there was no significant relationship between general social media use and exposure to HPV vaccine misinformation. This study also found that people with many experiences of encountering HPV misinformation on social media are more likely to use professional health websites when they look for health information online. However, there was no relationship between exposure to misinformation on social media and the use of search engines for health information seeking.
The Effect of Social Media on Preventive Behavioural Intention During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mediating Roles of Interpersonal Communication, Social Media Expression and Knowledge
Authors: Yoo Woohyun , Oh Sang-Hwa , Kim Taemin
Published: July 2023

Given the vast amount of possibly relevant information that circulates on social media during epidemics, it is imperative to examine how exposure to such information influences preventive practices. Using a communication mediation framework, this research investigates the underlying mechanisms of how exposure to COVID-19 information on social media affects the willingness to conduct COVID-19 preventive measures in South Korea. A structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis of survey data from 1,209 Korean adults showed that social media exposure indirectly influenced the intention to take preventive actions through interpersonal communication, social media expression and knowledge. The findings also revealed that social media exposure exerted differential effects on the intention to adopt preventive measures depending on the types of reasoning, including interpersonal communication and social media expression. The findings provide important implications for health communication.
Communication Strategies in Relation to COVID-19 in South Africa and Ghana: A Systematic Review
Authors: Boateng Akwasi Bosompem , Gumede Nkonzo
Published: July 2023

COVID-19 is a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SAR–CoV-2) spread from person to person through infected air droplets of saliva and discharged from sneezes and coughs. This study seeks to contribute to knowledge and understanding of how coronavirus outbreaks could be addressed by examining communication and media strategies used by governments and public health institutions in South Africa and Ghana during the coronavirus pandemic. The study systematically analysed published data on COVID-19 in South Africa and Ghana from 2019 to 2020 to identify recurring themes to discuss issues regarding communication strategies in response to the outbreak. This study found various inadequacies and challenges to communication and media strategies to address the spread of COVID-19. The governments and public health institutions in South Africa and Ghana used multiple mass media channels to communicate different messages and create awareness about COVID-19. This article recommends the improvement of communication and media engagements between governments and health stakeholders in South Africa and Ghana to increase public awareness of the risks, threats and outcomes of COVID-19. The media in South Africa and Ghana must conduct fact finding of information about coronavirus from official sources in government and health institutions before dissemination to the public to minimise fake news, misinformation and disinformation. The governments and health institutions must not rely solely on traditional mass media strategies but also integrate indigenous communication strategies for engagements to address the challenges of mass media to increase public awareness about COVID-19 in South Africa and Ghana.
COVID-19: Examining the Roles of Traditional and Social Media Attention in the Amplification of Risk
Authors: Kinnally William , Kohl Patrice A. , Collins Steven , Eichholz Martin , Schafer Chelsea
Published: July 2023

This study used a nationally representative survey of U.S. residents ( N = 1,969) to examine whether attention to information about COVID-19 in traditional news media sources and on social media correlated with a higher perceived risk of personal and public harm. As anticipated, we found a positive association between attention to COVID-19 information in traditional news media sources and the perceived risks of COVID-19. We also found a positive association between attention to COVID-19 social media posts and perceived risks but only among Republicans. Other predictors of increased risk perception included age, being female and awareness of a local stay-at-home order.
Juries and the ‘detective juror’: Improving public discussion about juries and jurors
Authors: Byrne Greg
Published: July 2023

In a high-profile trial, jury verdicts, jury questions, and the conduct of a so-called ‘detective juror’, may ignite public discussion and criticism of the role of juries in criminal trials. If, in the course of this discussion, a juror or jury is criticised, the voice of jurors is rarely heard in response. Through the examination of several high-profile cases, this article examines the role and limitations of a judge, Juries Commissioner, Attorney-General and academics in promoting informed public debate about jury trials. This article then discusses how a Juries Advisory Council could improve public discourse about juries and juror misconduct.
Using the System of Least Prompts to Teach Pretend Play to Preschoolers With Developmental Disabilities in Contexts With Their Peers
Authors: Bancroft Jennifer C. , Barton Erin , Schulte Lauren E.
Published: July 2023

Play skills are a behavioral cusp as they provide the foundation for the development of other related skills in young children. Children with developmental disabilities often demonstrate significant delays in their play skills. When children do not engage in play at the same rates or in the same ways as their peers or siblings, their ability to learn and practice other skills such as communication and social interactions is negatively impacted. We used a concurrent, multiple probe design across participants to assess the efficacy of using a system of least prompts (SLP) intervention package to teach pretend play to three children with disabilities in contexts with their peers. The SLP intervention package was related to increases in target pretend play behaviors for all three children. Also, parents and teachers reported observed changes in play across both the classroom and the home environments.
Family Owner–Nonfamily CEO Relational Practices Shaping CEO Succession: Handling Equivocality and Relational Balancing
Authors: Lambrechts Frank , Kelleci Rüveyda , Voordeckers Wim , Huybrechts Jolien
Published: July 2023

This study focuses on family owner–nonfamily CEO relational practices and what these relational practices constrain and potentiate in family firm CEO succession. Our main contribution is developing a constructionist relational practice perspective and approach as an alternative to the entitative view that dominates the family business literature. We illustrate the relational practice perspective through our dialogically structured inquiries with family owners and nonfamily CEOs. We co-develop practical wisdom on how family owner–nonfamily CEO relational practices can construct stuckness in organizing or, conversely, open up new possibilities to go on depending on (i) the way the family owner and nonfamily CEO “handle” equivocality and tension they continuously (re)produce through their relational practices and (ii) the way they enact “relational balancing” to equilibrate their relation in the making in terms of value/self-worth maintenance by involving other actors, such as board members, management team members, or a coach.
Dosing and Administration Strategies of Tocilizumab in Patients With COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Steuber Taylor D. , Rosandich Thomas , Cadwallader Tiffany , Steil Lauren , Belk Madeline , Yendrapalli Usha , Hassoun Ali , Edwards Jonathan
Published: July 2023

Background:

Tocilizumab may reduce the risk of death, length of stay, and time of mechanical ventilation in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Limited data are available evaluating low-dose subcutaneous administration of tocilizumab in this setting.

Objective:

To compare outcomes of 2 tocilizumab dosing and administration strategies in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Methods:

A retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted to compare clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 receiving tocilizumab 400 mg intravenously (400 mg IV) or 162 mg subcutaneously (162 mg SC). Hospitalized patients receiving a single dose of tocilizumab were eligible for inclusion and grouped by dosing and administration strategy. The primary endpoint was ventilator-free days at day 28. Secondary endpoints included length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, mechanical ventilation required after dose, 28-day readmission, 28-day mortality, and change in inflammatory markers.

Results:

A total of 303 patients were included, with 147 who received tocilizumab 400 mg IV and 156 who received 162 mg SC. There was no significant difference in average ventilator-free days at day 28 in patients receiving 400 mg IV compared with 162 mg SC (26.4 ± 5.3 vs 25.6 ± 6.8 days, respectively; P = 0.812). There was also no difference in LOS (10.4 ± 12.6 vs 10.5 ± 14.0 days; P = 0.637), ICU LOS (3.9 ± 9.0 vs 3.5 ± 8.3 days; P = 0.679), mechanical ventilation after dose (15.6% vs 19.2%; P = 0.412), 28-day readmission (6.1% vs 9.6%; P = 0.268), or 28-day mortality (23.1% vs 25.6%; P = 0.611). Finally, there was no difference regarding change in inflammatory markers at 48 hours ( P > 0.05 for all interactions).

Conclusion and Relevance:

In this retrospective study involving hospitalized patients with COVID-19, there was no difference between tocilizumab 162 mg SC and 400 mg IV in terms of efficacy. The 162 mg SC dose may be a reasonable alternative to traditional doses.
Association of Socioeconomic Disparities With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Survival in an Endemic Area, China
Authors: Meng Dong-Fang , Zhang Hai-Bo , Liu Guo-Ying , Peng Li-Xia , Yang Qi , Liu Zi-Hao , Tian Yaru , Ma Ji , Fu Lei
Published: July 2023

Objectives

This retrospective cohort study investigated the association of socioeconomic status with survival outcomes among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in an endemic area of China.

Methods

The primary endpoint was overall survival. Survival outcomes were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test, and the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios, 95% CIs, and independent prognostic factors.

Results

A total of 11 069 adult patients with NPC were enrolled and included in the analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that overall survival was significantly different among socioeconomic status. Compared with high socioeconomic status patients, low socioeconomic status patients (HR, 1.190; 95% CI, 1.063-1.333) and medium socioeconomic status patients (HR, 1.111; 95% CI, 1.006-1.226) were associated with increased hazard ratio (HR) of overall survival.

Conclusion

This analysis highlights patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who had high socioeconomic status had better overall survival compared with those who had low and medium socioeconomic status.
The Response of Hospital at Home Services During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review
Authors: Toal Deborah , Ryan Assumpta , Ryan Kathryn
Published: July 2023

The aim of this scoping review was to examine the national and international literature on the response of adult Hospital at Home (HAH) services to the global Covid-19 pandemic and explore key themes to emerge and make recommendations for further research. The databases were searched using agreed search terms and Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework was utilized and papers were identified and analyzed for common themes. Thirty-one papers were included in the review. Of the papers included, general adult medicine was the largest service group (n = 15) with geriatric services the next largest (n = 12). Most papers were European in origin (n = 19). Key themes to emerge include (1) similar outcomes for HAH patients compared with traditional inpatient care, (2) expansion of capacity for inpatient care due to HAH use, (3) growth of virtual monitoring in HAH setting, (4) reduction in infection transmission in HAH setting, and (5) cost reduction due to HAH utilization. Hospital at home demonstrated good outcomes for both patients with Covid-19 and other conditions during the pandemic. These services also expanded capacity during a global healthcare crisis. Remote monitoring played a major role in the expansion of capacity and the reduction of infection transmission during the pandemic. Although some papers discuss how HAH is more cost effective than traditional hospital, more work is needed around this as many of the patients may not have been as sick as those admitted to traditional hospital during the pandemic.
Why Sex Technology Will Not Fix the Incel Problem
Authors: Sharp Robert
Published: July 2023

In his book Artificial Intimacy, evolutionary biologist Rob Brooks provides yet another example of an attempt to use upcoming technology advances to provide a solution to grievances expressed by the Incel (Involuntarily celibate) community. While countering the Incel movement is important, since they have recently begun to engage in acts of domestic terrorism, sex technology cannot provide any sort of solution to the problem they represent, regardless of how advanced that technology becomes. This essay aims to make that clear and end such approaches more generally.
Structural-Based Virtual Screening of FDA-Approved Drugs Repository for NSP16 Inhibitors, Essential for SARS-COV-2 Invasion Into Host Cells: Elucidation From MM/PBSA Calculation
Authors: Kumar Subodh , Singh Harvinder , Prajapat Manisha , Sarma Phulen , Bhattacharyya Anusuya , Kaur Hardeep , Kaur Gurjeet , Shekhar Nishant , Kaushal Karanveer , Kumari Kalpna , Bansal Seema , Mahendiratta Saniya , Chauhan Arushi , Singh Ashutosh , Soloman Singh Rahul , Sharma Saurabh , Thota Prasad , Avti Pramod , Prakash Ajay , Kuhad Anurag , Medhi Bikash
Published: July 2023

NSP16 is one of the structural proteins of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) necessary for its entrance to the host cells. It exhibits 2’O-methyl-transferase (2’O-MTase) activity of NSP16 using methyl group from S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) by methylating the 5-end of virally encoded mRNAs and shields viral RNA, and also controls its replication as well as infection. In the present study, we used in silico approaches of drug repurposing to target and inhibit the SAM binding site in NSP16 using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved small molecules set from Drug Bank database. Among the 2 456 FDA-approved molecules, framycetin, paromomycin, and amikacin were found to be significant binders against the SAM binding cryptic pocket of NSP16 with docking score of –13.708, –14.997 and –15.841 kcal/mol, respectively. Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and molecular mechanics Poisson−Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA)-based binding free energy calculation depicted that all these three framycetin, paromomycin, and amikacin might be promising therapeutic leads towards SARS-CoV-2 infections via host immune escape inhibition pathway.
Evaluating Groundwater Quality in the Asante Akyem Central District of Ghana
Authors: Owusu Sekyere Augustine , Essandoh Helen , Wemegah David Dotse , Otoo Amponsah Lydia
Published: July 2023

Groundwater is the primary water supply source for many people living on the surface of the earth. They depend on this valuable resource for their daily needs. But this natural resource is continuously being threatened by both natural and anthropogenic activities. Therefore, continuous monitoring and assessment of the water quality of this resource is important to keep check of the effects of water contaminants especially on human health. This study assessed the levels of Fe, Cd, Mn, and Hg in hand-dug wells at 4 communities (Ahyiayem, Odumasi Zongo, Apeboaso, and Kwaakyewaso) in the Asante Akyem Central District of Ghana and evaluated its sources and potential health risk associated with their exposure. These communities are known for illegal small-scale mining. The analysis also included other water quality parameters such as pH, nitrate, potassium, sodium, total hardness, calcium hardness, Phosphate, chloride, and total dissolved solids. From the research, there was no carcinogenic health risk to the communities concerning Fe, Mn, and Hg through ingestion and dermal contact because the hazard quotients and health hazard indices recorded in both adults and children were below one (<1). However, from the research, Cd exhibited carcinogenic health risk because its Cancer risk (CR) index exceeded 10-6 for both adults and children. This implies that there is a risk of cancer infection from ingesting water from the hand-dug wells in the study areas. According to the analysis of the Water Quality Index (WQI), the wells at Ahyiayem, Apeboaso, and Kwaakyewaso recorded indexes that were between 15 and 50, signifying that the hand-dug wells in these communities are safe for human consumption. However, about 90% of the wells at Odumasi Zongo recorded WQI values that were between 80 and 320. This means the hand-dug wells at Odumasi Zongo are highly polluted and not safe for human consumption.
Neurodivergent culture and embodied knowledge beyond neoliberal identity politics
Authors: Beck Timothy J
Published: July 2023

The neurodiversity movement has influenced the way people think about mental health and disability around the world. Emerging during the turn of the 21st century, it has simultaneously incorporated ideas from mainstream science and challenged the authority of scientists and clinical professionals as the sole arbiters of what those diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders are capable of. In the process, it has spawned a unique approach to identity politics, evoking questions about the body, mind, and culture too often ignored in critiques commonly directed at it. This paper combines concepts from posthumanist, feminist, and queer theorists with writings from neurodiversity scholars and activists to highlight how differences in embodied disposition are policed under neoliberal capitalism. This sets a foundation for a nuanced understanding of neurodivergent identity as an expression of neurodiversity culture. Drawing on Karen Barad’s agential realism, neurodivergence is construed as a form of agency produced through processes of disidentification with mainstream cultural norms rather than identification with a particular social category. It is suggested that any critique of the neurodiversity movement should account for how those who participate in it use its language to distance themselves from neoliberal institutional norms and engender community through a counterculture of embodied knowledge.
Bringing researchers to the consumer table: The process and outcomes of a consumer roundtable on telehealth
Authors: Jenkinson Bec , Maxwell Jo , Bell Alison , Young Adrienne , Smith Anthony C , Christoffersen Anja , Trevor Dale , Young Leonie , Russell Trevor
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Despite the significant expansion and rapid uptake of telehealth services as a COVID-19 response, the pandemic restricted opportunities to involve health consumers in telehealth research. Authentic consumer and community involvement in research begins with engagement in priority-setting. We report here on the process and outcomes of a consumer-led event intended to support involvement of consumers, from early in the research process.

Methods

In 2022, The University of Queensland's Consumer and Community Network hosted a Consumer Roundtable to ‘bring researchers to the consumer table’ and explore emerging issues and priorities for future research. The event used World Café Method, with three 20-min rounds of small group discussion centred on questions about telehealth experiences, followed by a facilitated harvest discussion about future research directions. Participants’ notes from small group discussions were subjected to conventional inductive content analysis, and a visual record was created in real-time by a graphic artist.

Results

Twenty-eight consumers and 22 researchers took part. Content analysis identified three main foci from discussions: person-centred care, better access to better care, the (unrealised) potential of telehealth. Research questions prioritised by consumer vote focussed on marginalised groups and stigmatised conditions; differences between telehealth and face-to-face healthcare delivery; and the experience of conveying and receiving compassion via telehealth.

Discussion

The Consumer Roundtable created early engagement between health consumer representatives and telehealth researchers, which has yielded ongoing partnerships. World Café method proved particularly useful for seeding relationships between researchers and consumers. However, there was limited opportunity to generate consensus about research priorities.
Using genetic algorithms to optimize the location of transducers for an active noise barrier
Authors: Sohrabi Shahin , Pàmies Gómez Teresa , Romeu Garbí Jordi
Published: July 2023

The effectiveness of an active noise barrier is heavily dependent on the positioning of secondary sources and error sensors. Typically, these components are located at the edge of the barrier; however, research suggests that alternative distributions may improve the performance of the active barrier. This paper utilizes a genetic optimizer to determine optimal transducer locations based on specific criteria. Two approaches are employed: the Two-step approach which, first identifies optimal control source positions and then seeks the best error microphone locations, and the Multi-parameter approach, which optimizes all active noise control parameters simultaneously. The acoustic fields of primary and secondary sources are analyzed for various numbers of control sources progressively increasing from 2 to 10 units. Results indicate that the Multi-parameter approach achieves higher outcomes and requires less computational effort. This approach is more desirable than the Two-step approach. The best configuration for the active noise barrier is determined to be control sources and error microphones placed at a height below the barrier’s edge and are distributed with an interval between a half and a full wavelength. The number of error sensors should be close to the number of secondary sources and both transducers should be placed at the farthest distance from the barrier surface, but oppositely. Furthermore, the study shows that when the primary noise source is close to the barrier adjacent transducers should not be spaced uniformly.
Bursts of contemporaneous publication among high- and low-credibility online information providers
Authors: Budak Ceren , Bozarth Lia , Bond Robert M , Margolin Drew , Jones Jason J , Garrett R Kelly
Published: July 2023

In studies of misinformation, the distinction between high- and low-credibility publishers is fundamental. However, there is much that we do not know about the relationship between the subject matter and timing of content produced by the two types of publishers. By analyzing the content of several million unique articles published over 28 months, we show that high- and low-credibility publishers operate in distinct news ecosystems. Bursts of news coverage generated by the two types of publishers tend to cover different subject matter at different times, even though fluctuations in their overall news production tend to be highly correlated. Regardless of the mechanism, temporally convergent coverage among low-credibility publishers has troubling implications for American news consumers.
Exploring citizen discussions’ potential to inform smart city agendas: Insights from German-city-centered online communities
Authors: Schindler Max , Domahidi Emese
Published: July 2023

With more than 50% of the world’s population living in urban areas, the smart city concept has been introduced as a solution to urbanization problems, with a focus on technological and social innovation. However, critics argue that the concept is more about marketing than actual benefits for citizens. Given the limitations of conventional and formalized e-participation and smart city procedures, we highlight the value of shared citizen knowledge and the potential of e-interaction in this context by analyzing city-related informal social media communication, following recent calls to embrace citizens’ opinions in the smart city framework. This work focuses on major German cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. The authors identify nine categories of interest in citizens’ discussions. Unlike official channels, citizens tend to focus on social and societal issues. The results of this study can complement existing tools by including citizens’ perspectives in smart city decision-making processes.
Book review: Onuora-Oguno, A. C. Development and the Right to Education in Africa
Authors: Ojo Olayiwola Victor
Published: July 2023

Onuora-Oguno, A. C. Development and the Right to Education in Africa (Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 2019). 239 pp., €23.36 (hardcover), €69.99 (softcover), €58.84 (eBook). ISBN: 978-3-319-90334-7 (hardcover), 978-3-030-07994-9 (softcover), 978-3-319-90335-4 (eBook).
Book review: Regilme Jr, S. S. F. Aid Imperium: United States Foreign Policy and Human Rights in Post-Cold War Southeast Asia
Authors: Bautista Francisco (Kiko)
Published: July 2023

Regilme Jr, S. S. F. Aid Imperium: United States Foreign Policy and Human Rights in Post-Cold War Southeast Asia (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2021), 308 pp. £64.95, ISBN 9780472132782 (e-book).
Methodologies for Researching Feminization of Agriculture: What Do They Tell Us?
Authors: Farnworth Cathy Rozel , Lecoutere Els , Galiè Alessandra , Van Campenhout Bjorn , Elias Marlène , Ihalainen Markus , Roeven Lara , Bharati Preeti , Valencia Ana Maria Paez , Crossland Mary , Vinceti Barbara , Monterroso Iliana
Published: July 2023

An increasing body of literature suggests that agriculture is ‘feminizing’ in many low- and middle-income countries. Definitions of the feminization of agriculture vary, as do interpretations of what drives the expansion of women’s roles in agriculture over time. Understanding whether, how, and why the feminization of agriculture is occurring requires effective research methodologies capable of producing nuanced data. This article builds on six research projects that set out to deepen narratives of feminization of agriculture by empirically exploring the dynamics and impacts of diverse processes of feminization of agriculture. The researchers working on these projects reflect on how their methodological innovations enabled them to obtain new, or more nuanced, insights into the processes of feminization of agriculture. A first insight is that the way ‘feminization of agriculture’ is defined and operationalized plays a decisive role in the evidence we produce on the process. Second, bias in data on feminization can arise unless researchers examine well-recognized gender norms that mediate whether women are acknowledged by wider society as legitimate farmers. Third, the feminization of agriculture should be understood as a non-linear continuum. Research methodologies need to be capable of capturing dynamics, complexity, as well as multiple and diverse context- and time-specific drivers. Researchers need to exercise critical awareness of such biases when they are constructing data to measure or proxy aspects of feminization to avoid significantly underestimating women’s roles in agriculture.
Critical Care Length of Stay and Support Requirements for Patients Postpancreas Transplant
Authors: Wu Dominic , Hanison James
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Pancreas transplant is one of the UK’s less commonly done solid abdominal organ transplants. The transplant is reputed for its high-risk postsurgical complications due to multiple patients, procedures, and immunological factors. For this reason, patients are habitually admitted to the intensive care unit for postlaparotomy care, physiological support, and graft function monitoring during their immediate postoperative course. Project Aim: This program evaluation analyzed the trend in critical care length of stay and organ support requirements for patients following whole pancreas transplantation. The aim was to use these baseline data as performance metrics to enable a safer transition and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles in improving the delivery of enhanced recovery service. Design: A retrospective chart review was performed using records from Phillips IntelliSpace Critical Care and Anaesthesia system to evaluate the institutional outcomes of patients < 18 years admitted to intensive care following pancreas transplantation between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2021. Islet-cell transplant recipients were excluded as there is a different postoperative recovery. Results: The data suggested that although patients require a higher level of observations, blood pressure management, blood gas, and glucose monitoring during their first week of transplant, these patients did not routinely require the full range of critical care support. Conclusion: The present evaluation reported the organ support requirements for these transplant recipients. The results will generate further interest in enhanced recovery and service evaluation projects to streamline the postoperative care of these patients from the operating theatre back to the transplant wards.
A systematic review of informatics competencies: requirements for nurse managers in healthcare organisations
Authors: Hajizadeh Alireza , Khodavandi Milad , Eslami Zahra , Irannejad Behrooz , Monaghesh Elham
Published: July 2023

Introduction:

One vital strategy for the success of healthcare organisations currently resides in the capacity of the nurse managers (NMs) to develop informatics competencies in management.

Aim:

The aim of this review was to synthesise the evidence related to the informatics competencies of NMs in healthcare settings.

Methods:

The databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Education Resources Information Center were searched. All publications were accepted if they had been published in English and full texts were accessible. The study was carried out using a systematic literature search of work published between January 2000 and December 2021. The Endnote v.17 software was used to facilitate reference management. Quality assessment of publications was carried out independently by two reviewers using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme guidance. A descriptive summary with data tables was produced to summarise the literature.

Results:

After screening the search results, 12 studies published between the period 2001 and 2019 met the inclusion criteria. Analysis of the included studies led to the classification of informatics competencies in three main themes: skills related to work with computers (four sub-themes), informatics skills of NMs (three sub-themes) and knowledge of NMs about informatics (five sub-themes).

Conclusion:

These systematic review results can lead to the identification of informatics competency gaps and recommend and provide solutions to address these gaps and increase competencies for nursing managers.
Graphic Paper: Moving and handling care of bariatric patients: a survey of clinical nurse managers
Authors: Brenchley Alex
Published: July 2023

Background:

The prevalence of obesity is rising, and obese persons are more likely to use healthcare services and require moving and handling care.

Aims:

This study explored the frequency, logistics and barriers to the provision of bariatric patient-handling care including equipment availability in acute hospitals.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study design using an anonymous 24-item questionnaire was used to survey 322 clinical nurse managers. Completed hard-copy questionnaires ( n = 132) were returned by post.

Results:

Most clinical nurse managers (93.1%) provided care for bariatric patients and 85.6% reported barriers to the provision of bariatric care within their clinical area. The principal barriers were lack of equipment (75%), staff (65.2%) and training (57.6%). Only 11.4% owned all the required equipment. Owning equipment provided significantly greater access to a hoist ( P = 0.001) and chair ( P = 0.032) than renting. Only 9.5% reported that rented equipment always arrives on time. The majority (74.4%) did not have guidelines for caring for bariatric patients, and 46.2% considered this to be a barrier.

Conclusions:

Barriers to caring for bariatric patients were identified. Most of the equipment was rented, and significant delays in its delivery were reported. The need for education and training and the dissemination of policies and guidelines were identified.
Seronegative arthritis
Authors: Gabbott Julie-Anne , Mishra Apurva
Published: July 2023

The seronegative arthritides are a heterogeneous family of rheumatological conditions that are characterised by joint pain and inflammation but without the presence of autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide. They feature articular, axial and/or peripheral, and extra-articular manifestations. In this article we will discuss the clinical presentation and management of the seronegative arthritides. We hope to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of these diseases to permit a timely referral to rheumatology, which should equate to improved outcomes for patients in terms of joint damage, pain, fatigue, loss of function and quality of life.