bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A simulation approach for COVID-19 pandemic assessment based on vaccine logistics, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and spread rate
Authors: Erkayman Burak , Ak Ferhat , Çodur Sadrettin
Published: September 2022

Despite advances in clinical care for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, population-wide interventions are vital to effectively manage the pandemic due to its rapid spread and the emergence of different variants. One of the most important interventions to control the spread of the disease is vaccination. In this study, an extended Susceptible-Infected Healed (SIR) model based on System Dynamics was designed, considering the factors affecting the rate of spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The model predicts how long it will take to reach 70% herd immunity based on the number of vaccines administered. The designed simulation model is modeled in AnyLogic 8.7.2 program. The model was performed for three different vaccine supply scenarios and for Turkey with ~83 million population. The results show that, with a monthly supply of 15 million vaccines, social immunity reached the target value of 70% in 161 days, while this number was 117 days for 30 million vaccines and 98 days for 40 million vaccines.
Heritage and the ‘Heartland’: Architectural and urban heritage in the discourse and practice of the populist far right
Authors: Blokker Johanna M.
Published: September 2022

The role of architectural heritage in the discourse and practice of the populist far right is examined, referring to examples in Germany and focusing on the Alternative für Deutschland. The findings reveal that the Alternative für Deutschland appropriates historic buildings and sites in a number of ways, including visual and oral rhetoric and embodied performance, and instrumentalizes them to specific ends. Built heritage in particular serves to naturalize and therefore to legitimize and authorize populist positions by anchoring them not only in time but also at places, thus reinforcing populism’s exclusionary logic along territorial lines – including those describing the space of ‘European civilization’. This implies challenges for heritage professionals and institutions, as actors such as the Alternative für Deutschland attempt to map the notion of a national or a civilizational ‘Heartland’ onto existing heritage objects and sites or else engage in ‘making’ heritage in the urban environment.
Balint in the Animal World: Balint Groups for Veterinary Professionals
Authors: O’Marra Shana K , Romm Jillian S
Published: September 2022

Objective

Veterinary medical providers face many of the same stressors related to the therapeutic relationship that human medical providers face, and have reported high rates of emotional distress as an aspect of Veterinary practice. Balint Group work is relatively novel in Veterinary Medicine, and the Balint method has yet to be evaluated in the veterinary community. We hypothesized that applying the Balint method in veterinary medicine would be feasible and offer similar benefits to veterinary providers.

Method

The authors offered monthly in-person Balint groups, co-led by two American Balint Society trained leaders and evaluated feedback from Balint group attendees to determine the value and feasibility of adapting Balint groups from Human Medicine to veterinary professionals. Balint groups were offered to the veterinary community at a non-profit urban specialty and emergency hospital. During the pandemic, the group transitioned to an online format. All participants were sent an anonymous email survey to collect feedback about their experience.

Results

Monthly Balint Groups were offered to veterinary professionals, with traditional Balint structure and parameters and co-led by ABS trained leaders. Feedback was obtained, indicating that Balint Group discussions were helpful to Veterinarians.

Conclusions

Balint Groups are a useful tool for veterinary professionals and are likely to provide similar benefits to those enjoyed by human healthcare providers.
“Tokowa po ya ekolo”: The Military Body Within the Congolese Army
Authors: Lakika Dostin , Essex Ryan
Published: September 2022

This article explores the conceptualization of the body among former Congolese soldiers living as refugees in Johannesburg. The article draws on extensive fieldwork in Johannesburg, South Africa and employs the concept of deterritorialization and reterritorialization to explain the bodies of those who have decided to join the Congolese Army. The article reveals the complex ways in which the army manipulates soldiers’ bodies to generate diverse lines of connection, coalition, and removal (or disconnection). We support that the soldiers’ bodies are not necessarily owned by the country, but that soldiers’ bodies become owned by military institutions, who employ nationalist rhetoric to justify their existence and actions. The act of joining the army could be considered a way of cutting ties with civilian life and joining a new world in which the individual is socialized into military culture. Through initiation, the soldier’s body is reterritorialized; it becomes a national asset. While this study focuses on former Congolese soldiers, it has broader relevance, giving insight into how soldiers perceive their body shifting from individual possession to be reterritorialized as the body of the nation.
Wisdom and the fear of YHWH: Rethinking their relationship in Proverbs 1–9
Authors: O’Kelly Matthew A.
Published: September 2022

The significance of the fear of YHWH for the theology of Proverbs 1–9 is incontrovertible. In the present essay it is argued firstly that, in light of numerous parallels between Proverbs 1–9 and Deuteronomy, the fear of YHWH in the former should be understood in light of the latter, denoting a response of exclusive allegiance to YHWH. This prompts a reconsideration of how Proverbs 1–9 presents the relationship between the fear of YHWH and wisdom. The scholarly consensus has been that wisdom follows from the fear of YHWH; in the present essay, this consensus is challenged. Following the pattern set out in Deuteronomy, where the fear of YHWH follows from YHWH’s instruction, it is argued that Proverbs 1–9 presents the fear of YHWH as the result, rather than the source of, wisdom. This would have been especially pertinent in the early post-exilic setting in which Proverbs 1–9 was most likely written.
Can’t Shake the Prison Guard Blues: Examining the Effects of Work Stress, Job Satisfaction, Boundary Violations, and the Mistreatment of Inmates on the Depressive Symptomatology of Correctional Officers
Authors: Worley Robert M. , Lambert Eric G. , Worley Vidisha Barua
Published: September 2022

Many correctional officers who work in close proximity with inmates are at a heightened risk of experiencing feelings of psychological distress. We analyzed 501 surveys collected from correctional officers within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to identify characteristics of officers who are likely to exhibit signs of depression. Our findings reveal that female officers, as well as officers who work in higher custody levels, are more likely than other officers to report higher levels of depressive symptomatology. We also found that officers who experienced high levels of self-reported job-related stress were more likely to suffer from depression. Officers with attitudes favorable to the mistreatment of inmates also reported higher levels of depression. Officers who perceived their coworkers were engaging in boundary violations were no more or less likely to exhibit signs of depression. Given these findings, we conclude that organizational and supervisory support, coupled with positive incentives and employee assistance programs, may help mitigate the risks of depression for correctional officers, thereby making these salient staff more efficient and effective in the prison workplace.
Scoping Review: Neurocognitive Outcome Assessments After Critical Illness in Children
Authors: Biagas Katherine V. , Heneghan Julia A. , Abu-Sultaneh Samer , Geneslaw Andrew S. , Maddux Aline B. , Pinto Neethi P. , Murphy Sarah A. , Shein Steven L. , Cronin Michael T.
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To map the literature regarding assessment of neurocognitive outcomes in PICU survivors. Secondary objectives were to identify literature gaps and to provide data for development of a Core Outcome Measures Set in the domain.

Methods

Planned, a priori analysis was performed of data from an over-all scoping review of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome-pediatrics (PICS-p) functional outcomes. English-language databases and registries from 1970 to 2017 were searched by a medical librarian to identify manuscripts reporting on Post Intensive Care Syndrome-pediatrics (PICS-p). Further, detailed data extraction for neurocognitive outcomes was performed focusing on study characteristics, instruments used, and populations.

Results

114 instruments evaluated neurocognitive function in 183 manuscripts. 83% of manuscripts were published after 2000. Median of 3 (IQR 2-5) neurocognitive instruments per manuscript were reported. Wechsler Scales (45%), clinical neurologic evaluations (21%), Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (20%), Bayley Scales of Infant Development (16%), and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (11%) were the most commonly used instruments. Median sample size was 65 (IQR 32-129) subjects. Most (63%) assessments were conducted in-person and parents/guardians (40%) provided the information. Patients with congenital heart disease and traumatic brain injury were most commonly evaluated (31% and 24% of manuscripts, respectively). Adolescents were the most commonly studied age group (34%). Baseline function was infrequently assessed (11% of manuscripts); most studies assessed patients at only one time point after PICU discharge. Within studies, neurocognitive assessments were often combined with others – especially social (18%) and physical (8%).

Conclusions

183 manuscripts studied the neurocognitive domain of PICS-p. Studies were quantitative and tended to focus on populations with anticipated cognitive impairment. Considerable variability exists among the chosen 114 instruments used; however, 4 instruments were frequently chosen with focus on intelligence, cerebral functioning, and developmental and adaptive behavior. The literature is marked by lack of agreement on methodologies but reflects the burgeoning interest in studying PICS-p neurocognitive outcomes.
Career Self-Efficacy, Future Perceptions, and Life Satisfaction: Investigating Two Adolescent Career Development Models
Authors: Ran Galia , Cinamon Rachel Gali
Published: September 2022

This study examined two models of adolescents’ future perceptions and life satisfaction through a sense of career self-efficacy. Derived from the satisfaction model proposed by social cognitive career theory (SCCT), both examined models address work and family domains but differ in how career self-efficacy is appraised. The integrative model considers career self-efficacy a latent variable, incorporating three self-efficacy types as follows: occupational, spousal, and managing work and family roles. The alternative discrete model considers these three self-efficacy types separately. Israeli Jewish adolescents ( N = 264) completed measures of the three self-efficacy domains, future perceptions, and life satisfaction. Findings for both models extended the SCCT’s satisfaction model’s applicability to adolescents. The broader, integrative definition of career self-efficacy proved superior to the alternative model, reckoning the self-esteem types discretely. Research and practice implications are discussed.
Stratification Among In-Home Care Workers in the United States
Authors: Milkman Ruth
Published: September 2022

Domestic workers—specifically in-home health care workers, childcare providers, and house cleaners—are generally concentrated at the bottom of the US labor market. Yet, there is also substantial stratification among and within each of these occupations. This article explores the heterogeneity in pay and working conditions among domestic workers in the 21st-century United States, which has been understudied to date. After sketching national patterns of stratification in this set of occupations, the focus shifts to qualitative evidence on inequalities among domestic workers drawn from focus groups conducted in New York City shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the impact of the pandemic on in-home domestic workers is briefly considered.
Study on preparation and performance of sulfonated polyaryl ether nitrile@Im-MOF-801 (SPEN@Im-MOF-801) composite proton exchange membrane
Authors: Meng Yawei , Sun Jichang , Li Zekun , Liu Quanyi
Published: September 2022

Sulfonated polyaryl ether nitrile (SPEN) is some of the most viable novel materials to replace the Nafion membrane. To resolve the issue of proton conductivity in fuel cells with poor sulfonation degree polyaryl ether nitrile cell membranes. A metal-organic structure (MOF-801) was added as a filler, and imidazole was loaded by the MOF-801 structural skeleton via a chemical ligand to improve the SPEN’s proton conductivity. The expected chemical structure of im-MOF-801 and SPEN@Im-MOF-801 was confirmed by using FTIR and 1H NMR. Loading im-MOF-801 into SPEN resulted in SPEN@Im-MOF-801 composite proton exchange membranes. The impacts of the metal-organic framework on the performance of SPEN composite membranes were explored by assessing their mechanical characteristics, thermal stability, proton conductivity, and methanol permeability. The results show that the composite has outstanding thermal and mechanical stability. The tensile strength of membranes rose from 25.92 MPa to 39.34 MPa compared to the castings SPEN membrane, which was attributable to creating a hydrogen-bonding network between im-MOF-801 and SPEN, which boosted intermolecular forces. The carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in im-MOF-801 gave additional acceptors and donors that expanded the proton conductivity of SPEN, which was 16.19 ×10−2 S·cm−1 and expanded continuously, followed by a decrease with increasing temperature. Proton conductivity of SPEN@Im-MOF-801–3 and im-MOF-801–9 comes to 18.46 and 17.07 ×10−2 S·cm−1 at 80°C. Moreover, the methanol penetration of SPEN@Im-MOF-801 decreased reliably (from 5.32 to 1.02 ×10−7 S·cm−1 which was much lower than that of the Nafion film 21.87 ×10−7 S·cm−1). Subsequently, the most noteworthy selectivity of SPEN@Im-MOF-801–3 comes to 2.93×105 S·cm−3·s−1, which is approximately 8.9 times higher than that of Nafion (0.33×105 S·cm−3·s−1). The comes about demonstrates that these composites have potential applications in DMFCs.
Investigation of the mechanical and corrosion properties of Mg-Hydroxyapatite composite by addition of rare-earth oxide particulates for biomedical applications
Authors: Aggarwal Divyanshu , Singla Vinod Kumar , Sharma Siddharth
Published: September 2022

Magnesium has gained much attention as advanced light-weight material and have been extensively used in orthopedic applications. Its bone-like properties and non-toxic behavior have established it as a splendid bone implant with excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility; however, its corrosion properties have exploited its usage and need to be addressed. The current study emphasized the influence of rare-earth oxide, that is, Neodymium oxide (Nd2O3/NdO) on the mechanical and corrosion properties of Mg-Hydroxyapatite (HAP) composite. In this work, Mg-HAP-xNdO ( x = 1%, 1.5%, and 2%) was fabricated via powder metallurgy route using Box-Behnken design methodology with different sintering temperatures (400°C, 450°C, and 500°C) and sintering time (1, 2, and 3 h). The results showed that the addition of NdO to the composite developed various intermetallic phases such as Mg12Nd and Nd0.5Ca0.5 as analyzed through FESEM, XRD, and EDS techniques, producing refined microstructure. It was formalized that Mg-HAP composites containing 1.5% NdO, sintered at 400°C for 2 h showed the lowest corrosion rates as compared to other samples. Moreover, the secondary β-phase developed provided necessary reinforcement to the Mg-HAP composites and prevented deformation, resulting in improved microhardness (48.50 HV), ultimate compressive (UCS) (116.57 MPa), tensile strength (UTS) (154.23 MPa) at 1.5% NdO (400°C-2 h). In addition, the statistical analysis performed via the ANOVA technique confirmed the experimental results by revealing significant effects of sintering temperature and combination of all the three parameters on the microhardness and compressive strength of the composites. Hence, these findings concluded that the Mg-HAP-NdO composite could be a promising candidate for orthopedic implant applications.
Investigation of AA6061-T6's mechanical and microstructural properties by modification on the tool path in friction stir welding
Authors: Jayabalakrishnan D , Balasubramanian M , Jayaseelan V , Muthuramalingam T
Published: September 2022

Friction stir welding employs an axis-lead tool movement pattern, in which the tool revolves around its axis while moving in the xy plane at the same time. As a process, every tool may come into prolonged contact with the workpiece. Because of this, the two parent materials are completely mixed, yielding a high-quality weld. This study attempted to characterize the butt joints of AA6061-T6, 6 mm thick sheets using axis-lead (xy tool movement) on friction stir welding. The importance of specific tool movement patterns was examined by mechanical testing, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and microstructure analysis. A combination of 1500 rpm, 1.0 mm step size, and 150 mm/minute weaving rate was found to have excellent mechanical attributes. By combining a square wave tool pattern with a 1.0 mm step size, microstructural studies revealed improved grain refinement and homogeneous dispersion of micro components. The results revealed that 1.0 step size /150 mm/minute /1200 rpm combination parameters exhibited the highest tensile strength of 232 N/mm2 and hardness value of 76 HV. The use of a square wave tool pattern provided improved grain refinement and homogeneous dispersion of micro components and confirmed the performance of the axis-lead approach in a normal manner.
Stagnation heat flux estimation in spherically blunt axisymmetric hypersonic models
Authors: Irimpan Kiran J , Menezes Viren
Published: September 2022

Hypersonic flows have high heat transfer rates, and their management is essential to avoid detrimental effects. Since accurate prediction and measurement of heat flux in hypersonic test facilities are complicated, heat flux at the stagnation point is mostly estimated using Fay and Riddell formulation with Newtonian tangential velocity gradient approximation. Although it is relatively accurate and reliable, some errors creep in due to incompetent modelling of the tangential velocity gradient. This article studies the applicability of Olivier's tangential velocity gradient formulation for a sphere in the estimation of stagnation heat flux for spherically blunt axisymmetric hypersonic models. Oliver’s estimation accurately models the tangential velocity gradient of spherically blunt axisymmetric hypersonic models as the heat flux estimates deviated only by approx. 2%–4% from the measured heat flux. A simplified model for tangential velocity gradient using Shock Standoff Distance and density ratio is also derived and tested for accuracy.
Multi-agent behavior strategy game and evolutionary simulation analysis under environmental regulation
Authors: Zhong Zhaoqiang , Peng Benhong
Published: September 2022

To avoid severe environmental pollution, the government actively implements environmental regulation (ER) to ensure that enterprises carry out green innovation (GI), and the public participation in supervision has become an important part of the process of environmental governance. In this study, we incorporated the three parties of enterprise, government, and public into one framework and constructed a tripartite evolutionary game model. On this basis, combined with the system dynamics simulation, the behavioral strategy selection and influencing factors of the tripartite agents were analyzed. The results indicate that no matter what the initial strategy of the enterprise, government, or the public is, after a continuous evolutionary game, the three parties will reach a stable and balanced state, that is enterprises carry out GI, governments implement ER, and the public participates in supervision. Whether the government implements ER has a great impact on the enterprises’ decision-making. The public's strategic choices have no obvious influence on the governments’ strategies. Notably, GI costs and government subsidies and fines are the main factors that affect the enterprises’ GI initiatives. Government subsidies are suitable for short-term and appropriate subsidies. Finally, we proposed strategies that could optimize the management processes of ER, while ensuring the effective contributions of enterprises, governments, and the public in a seamless manner. Our study can be used as a reference for the implementation of effective ER and serve policymakers in decision-making, to promote sustainable development at a regional and global scale.
Francis Fontan (1929-2018): Pioneer pediatric cardiac surgeon
Authors: Huynh Elisah , Chernick Rebecca , Desai Manisha
Published: September 2022

Up until the mid-1900s, tricuspid atresia - a birth defect of the tricuspid valve, was once categorized as a “death sentence.” The challenge of achieving positive health outcomes for affected patients was compounded by a hesitancy to operate on children. The main concern was safely administering anesthesia to young patients who were going through a strenuous operation that was often poorly tolerated. Despite these assumed limitations, Francis Fontan, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at the Hospital of Tondu in Bordeaux, was able to redirect blood flow from the superior and inferior vena cava to the pulmonary arteries in 1971, which elucidated the process of advancing clinical practice in medicine. With the support of mentors and a firm belief in this new technique, Fontan pioneered his eponymous procedure and ultimately paved the way for modern cardiovascular surgical techniques that helped to prolong the life of those with single functioning ventricles. The aim of this study is to examine the genesis and the evolution of the Fontan procedure to elucidate the process of advancing clinical practice in medicine by utilizing personal interviews, Fontan's works, associated primary and secondary sources in the context of 20th century cardiothoracic surgery and innovations.
A new method for location of the main contribution modes by the decomposed sound pressure
Authors: Gao Shuna , Dong Hongliang
Published: September 2022

The control of loud structure-borne noise inside car cabins is commonly by analyses such as panel acoustic contribution analysis, sensitivity analysis, and optimization analysis, to find suitable and practical structural modifications. However, these analyses are usually repeated dozens of times before accessing effective structural modifications, which requires more computation and time. This paper presents a new way to decompose sound pressure and quickly locate structural and acoustic modes of the main contribution for efficient access of feasible structural modifications. The decomposition process of the sound pressure inside structure-acoustic coupled systems was summarized by analyzing specific mathematical formulas. The details for locating the structural and acoustic modes of the main contribution by the decomposed sound pressure were investigated, taking a typical structure-acoustic coupled system of a rigid box with one flexible wall at bottom as an example. To evaluate the correctness of the main contribution modes, modifications were suggested in the structural modes of the main contribution, based on the mechanics of structure-acoustic coupling. The results indicated that the interior sound pressures of structure-acoustic coupled systems are decomposed into matrices by certain mathematical formulas. The main contribution modes are located by analyzing larger data in the decomposition matrices. The modifications in the structural modes of the main contribution reduce the corresponding sound pressure, which shows the correctness of the main contribution modes found. Furthermore, one way for quick suggestion of effective structural modifications was proposed, which offers a potential option for the reduction of structure-borne noise inside car cabins.
Experimental study on the behaviour of grid-scored foam-cored sandwich composites under low-velocity and quasi-static punch shear loads
Authors: Balıkoğlu Fatih , Demircioğlu Tayfur Kerem , Kandaş Halis
Published: September 2022

Grid-scored foams are core materials adapted to resin infusion systems used in marine vessels and aerofoil shell structures of wind turbine blades. Perforation resistance is critical in such constructions, and so the goal of this research is to analyse the energy absorption ability of sandwich composites with grid-scored foam core. Grid-scored foam contributed more to the energy absorption capacity of sandwich structures due to causing higher contact force compared with rigid foam under low-speed and quasi-static punch shear loads. At quasi-static punch shear tests, the energy absorption capability of grid-scored foams is more sensitive to test speed. Grid-scored foam improved the elastic energy absorption values of the sandwich structure under quasi-static punch shear tests. The perforation energy results obtained from the quasi-static tests of the grid-scored specimens showed a similar trend to the results obtained from the low-velocity impact tests. Compared with the damaged rigid-cored counterparts, grid-scored foam-cored sandwich specimens demonstrated higher damage tolerance in dynamic and static testing by limiting core crushing and face sheet-foam core delamination between resin channels.
Marketing-as-practice: A framework and research agenda for value-creating marketing activity
Authors: Skålén Per , Cova Bernard , Gummerus Johanna , Sihvonen Antti
Published: September 2022

This paper draws on practice theory and a review of practice theoretical studies in marketing, management, consumer, and markets research to advance our knowledge of marketing as a value-creating activity within firms. Building on previous research, the paper contributes to the literature by advancing a Marketing-as-Practice (MAP) framework based on three key concepts: marketing practices, marketing practitioners, and marketing praxis. The structures and interrelationships between these key concepts are also outlined. The framework can be used to study value-creating marketing activities within firms as well as between firms and their stakeholders which is in line with the American Marketing Association’s definition of marketing. This paper also contributes by presenting a MAP research agenda to guide future research on value-creating marketing activity.
Performance Quality Preference Heterogeneity in Major League Baseball
Authors: Mills Brian M. , Fort Rodney
Published: September 2022

With few exceptions, the sports attendance demand literature assumes the intensity of fan responses to home and visiting team quality are homogeneous across the markets in a league. However, the theory of sports leagues makes no such assumption. In this paper, we empirically investigate heterogeneity in fan win preference intensity using Major League Baseball attendance. Using a generalized linear mixed model, we find evidence of substantial fan preference heterogeneity, toward both home and visiting team quality, across Major League Baseball markets. In addition to the demonstrated importance for empirical analysis, we detail how this also matters for league policy design.
The Action Project Method Applied in Nursing Home Settings
Authors: Jensen Charlotte , Hoben Matthias , Chamberlain Stephanie A. , Marshall Sheila K. , Easterbrook Adam , Gruneir Andrea
Published: September 2022

The Action-Project Method (A-PM) is a qualitative research approach used to understand the actions and experiences co-constructed by individuals. We applied the A-PM in a nursing home (NH) setting with the aim to explore how NH residents and the people closest to them describe their priorities for care and act on these priorities. Due to the health of residents, the demands on staff and family members, and general issues around scheduling, applying the A-PM in the setting required adaptations. The core focus of this article is on the necessary adaptations to apply the A-PM in a NH setting. (1) The A-PM is typically longitudinal with multiple data collection cycles; however, given the circumstances surrounding the residents’ health and the highly structured institutional setting, we opted for a single round of data collection. (2) During recruitment, three residents asked to participate alone, which we accommodated to acknowledge their experiences. (3) The setting posed challenges to data collection such as ensuring privacy and avoiding interruptions, but these challenges often reinforced participants’ experiences. With the necessary adaptations the A-PM in NHs gives voice to participants while contextualizing that within their core relationships.
Surfactant proteins and innate immunity of otitis media
Authors: Abdel-Razek Osama , Audlin Jason , Poe Dennis S. , Wang Guirong
Published: September 2022

Otitis media (OM) is the most common disease among young children and one of the most frequent reasons to visit the pediatrician. Development of OM requires nasopharyngeal colonization by a pathogen which must gain access to the tympanic cavity through the eustachian tube (ET) along with being able to overcome the defense mechanisms of the immune system and middle ear mucosa. OM can be caused by viral or bacterial infection. The three main bacterial pathogens are Streptococcus pneumoniae, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), and Moraxella catarrhalis. Innate immunity is important in OM resolution as the disease occurs in very young children before the development of specific immunity. Elements of innate immunity include natural barriers and pattern recognition receptors such as Toll like receptors (TLRs), and Nod like receptors (NLRs). Surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) act as pattern recognition receptors and are found in the lung and many other tissues including the ET and the middle ear where they probably function in host defense. Surfactant has a potential for use in the treatment of OM due to surface tension lowering function in the ET, and the possible immune functions of SP-D and SP-A in the middle ear and ET.
Moral framing in health promotion: lessons from an Indonesian case study
Authors: Magrath Priscilla , Nichter Mark
Published: September 2022

Objective:

In this article we illuminate the important, yet typically underreported, role played by moral framing in public health messaging. We present case studies from West Java, Indonesia to demonstrate how moral framing is used to motivate health volunteers and to promote behavior change in line with government health policies.

Methods:

We used qualitative research including participant observation, job shadowing, interviews and focus groups with health promotion workers and community members. Findings were analyzed using thematic and discourse analysis.

Results:

We identified three moral frameworks typically used to encourage shifts in normative health practices in Indonesia: Islamic values, right to health, and evidence-based public health policy, represented as indicative of modernity. Health workers tailor these moral frameworks to audiences in their health promotion work. While the immediate goal is to meet health performance targets, the broader goal is to generate forms of health citizenship commensurate with Indonesia’s political environment of democratic decentralization.

Conclusion and Lessons:

COVID-19 presents an opportune moment for the public health community to reevaluate the power of moral framing in health messaging, and how it can be used both as a compelling means of establishing community norms toward the common good, as seen in our Indonesia case study, and also as a mechanism used by counterpublics to challenge these norms and appeal to alternative values and versions of reality.
A randomized trial of blood donor iron repletion on red cell quality for transfusion and donor cognition and well-being
Authors: Hod Eldad A. , Brittenham Gary M. , Bitan Zachary C. , Feit Yona , Gaelen Jordan I. , La Carpia Francesca , Sandoval Luke A. , Zhou Alice T. , Soffing Mark , Mintz Akiva , Schwartz Joseph , Eng Connie , Scotto Marta , Caccappolo Elise , Habeck Christian , Stern Yaakov , McMahon Donald J. , Kessler Debra A. , Shaz Beth H. , Francis Richard O. , Spitalnik Steven L.
Published: September 2022

Although altruistic regular blood donors are vital for the blood supply, many become iron deficient from donation-induced iron loss. The effects of blood donation–induced iron deficiency on red cell transfusion quality or donor cognition are unknown. In this double-blind, randomized trial, adult iron-deficient blood donors (n = 79; ferritin < 15 μg/L and zinc protoporphyrin >60 μMol/mol heme) who met donation qualifications were enrolled. A first standard blood donation was followed by the gold-standard measure for red cell storage quality: a 51-chromium posttransfusion red cell recovery study. Donors were then randomized to intravenous iron repletion (1 g low-molecular-weight iron dextran) or placebo. A second donation ∼5 months later was followed by another recovery study. Primary outcome was the within-subject change in posttransfusion recovery. The primary outcome measure of an ancillary study reported here was the National Institutes of Health Toolbox–derived uncorrected standard Cognition Fluid Composite Score. Overall, 983 donors were screened; 110 were iron-deficient, and of these, 39 were randomized to iron repletion and 40 to placebo. Red cell storage quality was unchanged by iron repletion: mean change in posttransfusion recovery was 1.6% (95% confidence interval −0.5 to 3.8) and −0.4% (−2.0 to 1.2) with and without iron, respectively. Iron repletion did not affect any cognition or well-being measures. These data provide evidence that current criteria for blood donation preserve red cell transfusion quality for the recipient and protect adult donors from measurable effects of blood donation–induced iron deficiency on cognition. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02889133 and NCT02990559.
The relationship of early-life household air pollution with childhood asthma and lung function
Authors: Dai Xin , Dharmage Shyamali C. , Lodge Caroline J.
Published: September 2022

The increase in childhood asthma over the past few decades has made it an important public health issue. Poor lung function growth associated with some phenotypes of asthma compounds its long-term impact on the individual. Exposure to early-life household risk factors is believed to be linked with respiratory health while infants’ lungs are still developing. This review summarises epidemiological studies and mechanistic evidence focusing on the detrimental effects of early-life household air exposures on the respiratory health of children, in particular effects on asthma and lung function. Many early-life household air exposures, including tobacco smoke, gases from heating and cooking, mould/dampness and cleaning products are associated with childhood asthma development and lung function growth. These exposures may alter structural and mechanical characteristics of infants’ lungs and contribute to deficits in later life. In addition, some risk factors, including tobacco smoke and cleaning products, can transmit effects across generations to increase the risk of asthma in subsequent generations. This review supports the hypothesis that risks of asthma and accelerated lung ageing are established in early life. The timing of exposure may be critical in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases, in terms of future risk of asthma and reduced lung function in adults.
Age-dependent variations in rumen bacterial community of Mongolian cattle from weaning to adulthood
Authors: Ahmad Anum Ali , Zhang Jianbo , Liang Zeyi , Du Mei , Yang Yayuan , Zheng Juanshan , Yan Ping , Long RuiJun , Tong Bin , Han Jianlin , Ding Xuezhi
Published: September 2022

Background

Rumen microbes play an important role in ruminant energy supply and animal performance. Previous studies showed that the rumen microbiome of Mongolian cattle has adapted to degrade the rough forage to provide sufficient energy to tolerate the harsh desert ecological conditions. However, little is known about the succession of rumen microbes in different developmental stages of post-weaning Mongolian cattle.

Methods

Here, we examined the succession of the rumen microbial composition and structure of 15 post-weaning Mongolian cattle at three developmental stages i.e., 5 months (RM05), 18 months (RM18) and, 36 months (RM36) by using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing method.

Results

We did not find any age-dependent variations in the ruminal concentrations of any volatile fatty acid (VFA) of Mongolian cattle. The diversity of the rumen bacterial community was significantly lower in RM05 group, which reached to stability with age. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the two dominant phyla among all age groups. Phylum Actinobacteria was significantly higher in RM05 group, phyla Spirochaetes, and Tenericutes were highly abundant in RM18 group, and phyla Proteobacteria and Epsilonbacteraeota were enriched in RM36 group. Genera Prevotella_1, Bacteroides, and Bifidobacterium were abundant in RM05 group. The short chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing bacteria Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group showed high abundance in RM18 group and fiber degrading genus Alloprevotella was highly abundant in RM36 group. Random forest analysis identified Alloprevotella, Ileibacterium, and Helicobacter as important age discriminatory genera. In particular, the genera Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Bacteroides, Saccharofermentans, and Fibrobacter in RM05, genera [Eubacterium] coprostanoligenes_group, Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-004, Helicobacter, Saccharofermentans, Papillibacter, and Turicibacter in RM18, and genera Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, and Papillibacter in RM36 showed the top interactions values in the intra-group interaction network.

Conclusions

The results showed that rumen microbiota of Mongolian cattle reached to stability and maturity with age after weaning. This study provides some theoretical evidence about the importance of functional specific rumen bacteria in different age groups. Further studies are needed to determine their actual roles and interactions with the host.
Validation of a modified questionnaire to assess Ukrainian Family Physicians’ readiness to implement the evidence-based screening recommendations into their clinical practice, using a mixed method study
Authors: Shushman I. , Kolesnyk A. , Kolesnyk P. , Kuodza G. , Mykyta I. , Bayen S. , Frese T.
Published: September 2022

Background

Ukrainian Family Doctors' knowledge and readiness for the implementation of new guidelines recommendations into practice has to be evaluated and taken into consideration, meanwhile they often use the old protocols of annual checkups. This study aimed to perform a linguistic and cultural validation of Ukrainian adopted questionnaire designed on the German prototype “Readiness of general practitioners to recommend and implement evidence-based screening recommendations questionnaire”.

Methods

This was a mixed method study. The English version of the original German prototype questionnaire was translated into Ukrainian with forward–backward method. Additionally Ukrainian version was modified by including an extra questions about evidence based screening of cardiovascular risks, infectious diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, depression, and some old-fashioned annual checkups which are still commonly used in routine family doctors’ practice. During the face validation process, 10 practicing general practitioners assessed all the items in the questionnaire as adequately structured, grammatically correct, and understandable. During qualitative part of content validation process 11 experts found and corrected some grammatical errors, indicated that items of the questionnaire were comprehensible and related to Ukrainian culture. During the quantitative part of content validation process experts accessed 5 of 6 items as essential, relevant, and clear. Internal consistency of the items, assessed by using Cronbach’s alpha method was acceptable. To access how stable can be results provided by the questionnaire, test–retest reliability was performed, where 19 general practitioners filled in the same questionnaire twice over a period of two weeks.

Results

In our study CVR > 0.79 and CVI > 0.59 were acceptable. The internal consistency was evaluated by using Cronbach’s alpha method and had to be above 0.7. According to the test–retest reliability results of weighted kappa and Cohen's kappa coefficients, test–retest agreement of the questionnaire was moderate for 29%, substantial for 38%, and almost perfect for 5% of the items (p ≤ 0.05). Kappa coefficients were not computed for 10% of items as there was no variability in the assessments.

Conclusions

The Ukrainian version of the questionnaire can be used for the assessment Ukrainian Family Doctor’s readiness to implement the evidence-based screening recommendations into their clinical practice.
Explaining health care providers’ perceptions about the integration of palliative care with primary health care; a qualitative study
Authors: Hojjat-Assari Suzanne , Rassouli Maryam , Kaveh Vahid , Heydari Heshmatolah
Published: September 2022

Background

Easy access to palliative care is one of the basic needs of cancer patients, and this can be achieved by providing such services at the community level. One approach to provide community-based palliative care is to integrate it with primary health care (PHC). Considering the antiquity and extension of the PHC system in Iran and the importance of being aware of stakeholders’ views in order to integrate a palliative care provision model into a country’s health care system, we aimed to explain health care providers’ perception of the integration of palliative care with PHC.

Methods

The present qualitative research was conducted using the conventional content analysis method in Iran from October 2016 to July 2020. The participants of the study included the stakeholders involved in providing palliative care to cancer patients, as well as PHC system experts. The participants were selected purposefully using the snowball sampling method. Data were collected through holding 21 semi-structured interviews and one focused group session and analyzed based on the method proposed by Lundman and Graneheim.

Results

Qualitative data analysis revealed three main categories and ten subcategories. The main categories included the health system’s structure as an opportunity (with the subcategories of employing the network system for providing health services, establishment of a referral system, and establishment of the family physician program and manpower diversity), requirements (with the subcategories of the position of home care centers and their relationship with PHC, opioid use management, equipment management, financial support, and legal issues), and outcomes (with the subcategories of facilitated access to services and good death).

Conclusion

Iran’s health system possesses adequate infrastructure for providing palliative care to cancer patients within the context of PHC. Beside available opportunities, there are also problems that need to be resolved so that families can meet their patients’ care needs and provide them with an easy death by having access to home-based palliative care.
Brain regions involved in fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in cluster headache patients: a resting-state functional MRI study
Authors: Chen Yun , Xing Xinbo , Dai Wei , Tian Lixia , Dong Zhao , Yu Shengyuan
Published: September 2022

Background

We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) to assess the possible pathogenic role of fALFF in CH. A limited number of studies have reported on fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) in cluster headache (CH).

Methods

RS-fMRI scans of 23 patients with CH were obtained (11with left-sided headache and 12 with right-sided headache), along with scans of 23 age- and sex-matched normal controls. The RS-fMRI data were analyzed to explore abnormal brain activity in the left CH and right CH patients during the non-painful state in one cluster period. fALFF was compared between patients and controls, and correlation analysis between the regional mean fALFF values and clinical characteristics was performed.

Results

A decrease in fALFF was detected in the left cerebellum, left lentiform nucleus, left frontal lobe, left anterior cingulate, and right postcentral gyrus in the left CH group compared to the controls, while a decrease of fALFF was detected in the right cerebellum, right cingulate gyrus, right superior parietal lobule, right inferior parietal lobule, right postcentral gyrus, and left precuneus in the right CH group. No patient had a region with increased fALFF. A moderate correlation was observed between some regional mean fALFF values and the clinical characteristics.

Conclusions

We deduced that dysfunction in multiple brain areas is involved in the non-painful state of CH during a cluster period.
Validation of the Asia-Pacific colorectal screening score and its modified versions in predicting colorectal advanced neoplasia in Chinese population
Authors: Kong Yunxin , Zhuo Lin , Dong Dong , Zhuo Lang , Lou Peian , Cai Ting , Chen Siting , Pan Jianqiang , Gao Yihuan , Lu Hang , Ma Yue , Dong Zongmei , Luo Xiaohu , Zhao Hongying
Published: September 2022

Background

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Several studies suggest using the Asia-Pacific colorectal screening (APCS) score and its modified versions to select high-risk populations for early colonoscopy, but external validation remains rare, and which score should be selected for CRC screening in China is unclear. Validation of multiple scores in the same population might help to choose the best performing score.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study under the framework of Cancer Screening Program in Urban China, data from asymptomatic colorectal cancer screening in Xuzhou was used to validate the APCS score, the colorectal neoplasia predict (CNP) score, the Korean colorectal screening (KCS) score, the Modified APCS score and the 8-point risk score in predicting colorectal advanced neoplasia (CAN).

Results

1804 subjects were included in the analysis and 112 CAN (6.21%) was detected. In each score, the detection rate of CAN was higher in the high-risk group than in the non-high-risk group (P < 0.05), and the RR (95%C.I.) ranged 2.20 (1.50–3.22) [8-point risk] to 4.00 (2.41–6.65) [Modified APCS]. The c-statistics (95%C.I.) of the scoring systems ranged from 0.58 (0.53–0.62) [8-point risk] to 0.65 (0.61–0.69) [KCS]. The sensitivity (95%C.I.) of these systems ranged from 31.25 (22.83–40.70) [8-point risk] to 84.82 (76.81–90.90) [Modified APCS], while the specificity (95%C.I.) ranged from 43.50 (41.12–45.90) [Modified APCS] to 83.81 (81.96–85.53) [8-point risk]. Using the APCS scoring system as a comparator, the net reclassification improvement (NRI) of each modified version ranged from − 10.34% (95%C.I.: − 22.63 to 1.95%) [8-point risk] to 4.79% (95%C.I.: − 1.50% to 11.08) [KCS]. The colonoscopy resource load (95%C.I.) ranged from 9 [1–3] [8-point risk] to 11 [3–5] [APCS and Modified APCS].

Conclusions

The APCS score and its modified versions have certain ability to predict the risk of advanced neoplasia and reduce the resource load. The modified APCS score and the KCS score seemed the preferable systems to classify high risk subjects based on its high RR, sensitivity and predictive ability in the selected population. Future research could focus on adding risk factors or combining with laboratory test results to improve the predictive power of the scoring system.