bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Democratizing the Economy or Introducing Economic Risk? Gig Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Auguste Daniel , Roll Stephen , Despard Mathieu
Published: September 2023

Though the growth of the gig economy has coincided with increased economic precarity in the new economy, we know less about the extent to which gig work (compared with other self-employment arrangements and non-gig work) may fuel economic insecurity among American households. We fill this gap in the literature by drawing on a sample of 4,756 workers from a unique national survey capturing economic hardships among non-standard workers like app- and platform-based gig and other self-employed workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from generalized boosted regression modeling, utilizing machine learning to account for potential endogeneity, demonstrated that gig workers experienced significantly greater economic hardship than non-gig and other self-employed workers during the pandemic. For example, gig workers were more likely to experience food insecurity, miss bill payments, and suffer income loss compared with non-gig and other self-employed workers during the pandemic. While household liquid assets endowment prior to the pandemic reduced the effect of gig work on experiencing economic hardships, having dependent children in the household increased this effect. Thus, contrary to democratizing entrepreneurship opportunities, these findings suggest that the expansion of the gig economy may exacerbate labor market inequality, where wealth-endowed families are protected against adverse economic consequences of the gig economy. We discuss the implications of these findings for inequality-reducing labor market policies, including policies that account for the interconnectedness of family and the labor market.
Examining the Effects of Perceptions of Police Effectiveness, Procedural Justice, and Legitimacy on Racial Differences in Anticipated Cooperation With Law Enforcement in Pennsylvania
Authors: Kruis Nathan E. , Donohue Richard H. , Glunt Nicholas , Rowland Nicholas J. , Choi Jaeyong
Published: September 2023

Perceptions of law enforcement ineffectiveness, injustice, and illegitimacy are prevalent among individuals living in Black communities in the United States. Prior research links these attitudes with differential orientations toward cooperation with police. The current study used data collected from a representative sample of 522 Pennsylvania residents to measure public perceptions of police. Analyses examined racial differences in perceptions of police and determined whether normative (i.e., perceptions of procedural justice) and/or instrumental (i.e., perceptions of police effectiveness) assessments of police could explain racial differences in anticipated cooperation with law enforcement through perceptions of legitimacy. Findings revealed the presence of a significant indirect relationship between race and perceptions of legitimacy through perceptions of police effectiveness and procedural justice, as well as a significant indirect relationship between race and cooperation through police effectiveness, procedural justice, and legitimacy. Theoretical and practical implications stemming from these findings are discussed within.
Effects of Smoking Marijuana on the Respiratory System: A Systematic Review
Authors: Vásconez-González Jorge , Delgado-Moreira Karen , López-Molina Belén , Izquierdo-Condoy Juan S. , Gámez-Rivera Esteban , Ortiz-Prado Esteban
Published: September 2023

Background:

The prevalence of marijuana use and its derivatives has surged over the past century, largely due to increasing legalization globally. Despite arguments advocating its benefits, marijuana smoking exposes the lungs to harmful combustion byproducts, leading to various respiratory issues such as asthma, pneumonia, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Methods:

We embarked on an extensive literature search, utilizing PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, identifying 200 studies. After the elimination of duplicates, and meticulous review of abstracts and full texts, 55 studies were included in our analysis.

Results:

Current literature demonstrates that marijuana use negatively impacts lung function, triggering symptoms like chronic cough, sputum production, and wheezing, and diminishing FEV1/FVC ratio in spirometry tests. Moreover, prolonged or chronic marijuana use augments the risk of respiratory function impairment. While the carcinogenic effects of marijuana are still contested, a weak correlation between marijuana use and lung cancer has been observed in some studies. Additionally, instances of other pathologies linked to marijuana use have been reported, including the development of COPD, pulmonary bullae, spontaneous pneumothorax, pleuritic pain, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, hemoptysis, and pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Conclusions:

The evidence underscores that marijuana use is detrimental to respiratory health. In light of the escalating trend of marijuana use, particularly among the youth, it is imperative to advocate public health messages discouraging its consumption.
Starting the Discussion: A Call to Enhance Care for People With Stimulant Use Disorder
Authors: Alves Justin , Rust Victoria , Baldwin Marielle , Puleikis Logan , Claude Ann , Brett Meghan , LaBelle Colleen T. , Ventura Alicia S.
Published: September 2023

Stimulant use disorder (StUD) significantly contributes to substance-related morbidity and mortality in the United States. Overshadowed by the country’s focus on opioid-related overdose deaths, stimulant and stimulant/opioid overdose deaths have increased dramatically over the last decade. Many individuals who use stimulants illicitly or have StUD have multiple, intersecting stigmatized characteristics which exacerbate existing barriers and create new obstacles to attaining addiction treatment. Illicit stimulant use, StUD, and stimulant-related overdose disproportionately impact minoritized racial and gender, and sexuality diverse groups. Historically, people who use illicit stimulants and those with StUD have been highly stigmatized, criminalized, and overly ignored by health care providers, policymakers, and the public compared to people who use other drugs and alcohol. As a result, most people needing treatment for StUD do not receive it. This is partly due to the lack of evidence-based treatment for StUD, which has resulted in few programs specializing in the care of people with StUD. The lack of available treatment is compounded by high rates of StUD in marginalized groups already reluctant to engage with the health care system. As health care professionals, we can improve outcomes for people with StUD by changing how we talk about, document, and respond to illicit stimulant use, related characteristics, behaviors, and social and structural determinants of health. To do this, we must seek to understand the lived realities of people with StUD and illicit stimulant use and use this knowledge to amend existing models of care.
Co-use of Opioid Medications and Alcohol Prevention Study (COAPS)
Authors: Cernasev Alina , Hohmeier Kenneth , Field Craig , Gordon Adam J. , Elliott Stacy , Carlston Kristi , Broussard Grace , Cochran Gerald
Published: September 2023

While there is limited research in the field regarding the various dimensions of co-use of alcohol and opioid medication, particularly related to co-use and levels of severity, our research has shown 20% to 30% of community pharmacy patients receiving opioid pain medications are engaged in co-use. Co-use of alcohol and opioid medications is a significant risk factor for opioid-related overdose. Community pharmacy is a valuable yet underutilized resource and setting for addressing the US opioid epidemic, with an untapped potential for identification of and intervention for risks associated with co-use of alcohol and opioids. This commentary describing the “Co-use of Opioid Medications and Alcohol Prevention Study (COAPS)” offers an innovative and promising approach to mitigating serious risks associated with co-use of alcohol (risk and non-risk use) and opioids in community pharmacy. COAPS aim 1involves adapting an existing opioid misuse intervention to target co-use of alcohol and opioid mediations. COAPS aim 2 involves testing the adapted intervention within a small-scale pilot randomized controlled trial (N = 40) to examine feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of the intervention versus standard care. COAPS aim 3 involves conducting key informant interviews related to future implementation of larger scale studies or service delivery in community pharmacy settings.
The Makeshift Careers of Women in Malawi: Neither Traditional Nor Flexible
Authors: Chikapa Tiyesere Mercy , Rubery Jill , Távora Isabel
Published: September 2023

Through qualitative research into the career experiences of two groups of Malawian professional women, this article reveals the value of expanding research into women’s careers to the global south. Although displaying elements of western-focused traditional and new career models, these women’s careers did not conform to either. Instead, due to heavy family responsibilities for both care and breadwinning, including for the extended family, and faced with inflexible human resource practices, their careers were mostly characterised by serial compromises necessary to maintain full-time continuous employment while dealing with life events and workplace setbacks. These accommodations to the realities of their complicated lives often resulted in second-best, far-from-ideal solutions. This career form, conceptualised here as a makeshift career, extends career models to fit the Malawian context and the global south but also expands conceptual understandings of women’s careers in ways also applicable to the north.
Governance principles and regulatory needs for a national digital education platform
Authors: Gleiß Alexander , Degen Konrad , Knoth Alexander , Pousttchi Key , Lucke Ulrike
Published: September 2023

The educational sector currently faces a massive digital transformation with various digital offerings entering the market. To provide some orientation in this transforming space, a national digital education platform (NDEP) is under development in Germany as part of a nationwide flagship project. On the one hand, in efficiently connecting the relevant stakeholders to each other and to value-adding education-related offerings, various benefits emerge. On the other hand, monopolising the educational sector and influencing the respective market through a state-controlled platform bears potential regulatory risks from misuse of power by the platform to malpractice by the users. Against this background, we aim to identify and systematise these potential drawbacks prior to the platform’s actual development and implementation. We pursue a qualitative, interpretivist approach for policy analysis, based on ten elite interviews and two workshops. Our results are threefold: (1) We capture the consolidated NDEP architecture; (2) We categorise the range of relevant functions and value propositions of the NDEP; (3) We derive 23 regulatory areas of conflict across the three building blocks that result from the potential ecosystem and function scope configurations of the NDEP. As a contribution to research, we shed new interdisciplinary light on the governance and infrastructure of public-private platforms that enable innovation and collaboration while integrating respective market segments. As a contribution to practice, we provide clear guidance for policy-makers in strategizing the development and governance of and through national digital platforms in education.
Legal certainty in automated decision-making in welfare services
Authors: Carlsson Vanja
Published: September 2023

Within the context of digital automation and profiling in the public sector, the rule of law and its inherent principle of legal certainty are highly debated concepts in relation to the desirable values and norms of equal treatment, transparency, and impartiality. However, scholars and policymakers disagree over whether automated decision-making (ADM) is beneficial for legal certainty. This debate highlights the ambiguity embedded in the substantive meaning of legal certainty. This article aims to analyze how the principle of legal certainty is interpreted and defined during the practical application of ADM in welfare services and to discuss the theoretical prerequisites for these definitions to be realized in ADM processes. The empirical case is the Swedish Public Employment Service, which makes extensive use of a statistical ADM tool for decision-making about whether or not to provide support to jobseekers. While the implementation of ADM by welfare institutions has been encouraged due to the assumption that it strengthens public and democratic principles, the study shows that, in practice, ADM processes are perceived as non-transparent and generate a relatively large proportion of incorrect decisions. This may be specifically disadvantageous for vulnerable individuals, who run the risk of being incorrectly denied the right kind of support while at the same time having a greater need for welfare support. The widespread future use of ADM in welfare services may affect how welfare rights and obligations and public principles are met in a new technological era.
Assessing and improving the quality of guideline-adherent hepatitis B virus care in people with HIV: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Oomen Patrick GA , van Kraaij Vincent JP , Gerritsma Anna M , Verduyn Lunel Frans M , Boland Greet J , Hoepelman Andy IM , van Welzen Berend J
Published: September 2023

The increasing use of non-tenofovir containing antiretroviral regimens calls for renewed attention to the prevention and management of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in people with HIV (PWH). We retrospectively assessed adherence to HBV guidelines, including complete HBV screening in PWH. In people with HIV/HBV co-infection, this included HBV therapy, screening for hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and on-therapy virologic response monitoring. HIV/HBV co-infection in PWH was defined as the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at the last measurement before study entry or detectable HBV-DNA for ≥6 months. After assessment, missing laboratory tests were performed to optimize HBV monitoring and screening for co-infections. Of all PWH under follow-up, 1484/1633 (90.9%) were adequately screened for HBV. After performing missing screening tests, 466 of 1618 PWH with complete screening results (28.8%) were non-immune for HBV infection. Fifty-one (3.2%) with HIV/HBV co-infection were identified. HBV treatment was adequate in 51/51 (100%). Screening for hepatitis A, C and delta virus antibodies and fibrosis was performed in 51/51 (100%), 49/51 (96.1%), 17/51 (35.3%) and 38/51 (74.5%). Annual HBV-DNA or HBsAg monitoring was done in 18/51 (35.3%) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance in 2/9 (22.2%) of those indicated. Additional testing in those with missing data identified 4/34 (11.8%) persons with HDV antibodies and 3/30 (10%) with HBsAg seroclearance. Our study demonstrates the feasibility and added value of evaluating HBV care components and performing missing laboratory tests, identifying a large number of HBV vaccination candidates and HDV antibody screening, HBsAg monitoring and HCC surveillance as key areas for improvement.
Intergovernmental environmental affairs division and environmental public services supply: Evidence from 289 cities in China
Authors: Li Guoxiang , Zong Qingqing , Chen Xueli , Song Malin
Published: September 2023

The reasonable division of intergovernmental environmental affairs is the institutional basis for solving environmental pollution problems. This paper conducts an empirical test using panel data from cities in China. We find that: (a) environmental decentralization significantly improves the supply efficiency of environmental public services (ESE). It's mainly because of the increased capacity for green technology innovation and urban environmental infrastructure development brought about by environmental decentralization. (b) Environmental decentralization will improve the ESE more effectively in regions with the central government acting as a binding force, high environmental preferences, governance capacity of local governments, and pollutant emission intensity. (c) Higher promotion incentives for officials may distort the pollution control effect of environmental decentralization and inhibit the ESE. Appropriate central government transfer payments can better utilize the positive role of environmental decentralization.
Perceived stress and secondary traumatization in social workers during coronavirus disease 2019: The moderating effect of psychological capital and social work supervision
Authors: Gur Ayelet , Peled-Avram Maya , Itzchak Gili , Megira Sharon , Reich Ari , Farchi Moshe
Published: September 2023

Social workers have had a pivotal role in handling the challenges faced by people dealing with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Supporting clients who have undergone traumatic experiences during a global pandemic may increase the risk of experiencing secondary traumatic stress. This study examined two protective factors that may be key in the association between stress and social workers’ secondary traumatic stress: Psychological capital (internal protective factor) and satisfaction with supervision (external factor). The study sample included 104 Israeli social workers who worked in their profession during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. A regression-based path analysis was conducted to test the moderation model with the PROCESS software.

Findings

Self-efficacy significantly moderated the association between perceived stress and intrusion; increasing self-efficacy decreases perceived stress's effect on intrusion. Although no significant moderating effect was found for the existence of supervision, the interaction between perceived stress and satisfaction with supervision was significant in predicting secondary trauma.

Applications

Social workers’ unions must work to improve the quality of supervision and raise awareness of the importance of supervision in general and particularly during times of crisis. Manageable workloads, a reasonable balance between work and home, and verbal and financial encouragement to seek professional psychological assistance would all be to the advantage of social workers at risk for secondary trauma.
Surgeon-Modified Fenestrated Stent-grafts for Zone 2 Endovascular Repair of Blunt Traumatic Thoracic Aortic Injury: Early and Midterm Results
Authors: Mavioglu Levent , Iscan Hakki Zafer , Askin Goktan , Akkaya Bekir Bogachan , Tumer Naim Noran , Karahan Mehmet , Unal Ertekin Utku
Published: September 2023

Aim:

Blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is a highly fatal surgical emergency and is treated with endovascular procedures. We aimed to analyze and report the early and midterm outcomes of surgeon-modified fenestrated stent-grafts (SMFSG) compared with other conventional endovascular methods in patients with BTAI repaired with zone 2 endovascular surgery.

Materials and Methods:

Before and after the study was performed, from January 2015 to January 2020 for a period in which conventional endovascular treatments were used and from January 2020 to January 2023 for the second period in which the SMFSG technique was used. A total of 25 patients who underwent zone 2 endovascular repair for BTAI were included. The patients treated with conventional endovascular methods in the first period, chimney thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) (n=3 patients); Left subclavian artery (LSA)-covered (intentionally total) (n=12 patients) LSA-covered (LSAC) TEVAR; carotid-subclavian bypass TEVAR (n=2 patients) was defined as group 1, and the group of patients treated with SMFSG in the second period was defined as group 2. The primary endpoints of the study were technical success, defined as complete closure of BTAI, and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were aortic pathology-related morbidity, mortality, and re-interventions during the follow-up period.

Results:

The mean age was 42.6±14.3 years, and 21 (84%) of the patients were male. The patients were compared with respect to the proximal landing zone, fluoroscopy time, duration of the procedure, length of intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay, no statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups (p>0.05). The mean follow-up time of patients in group I was 46±9 months, while in group II, it was 14±6 months (p<0.001). While no TEVAR-related complications were detected in group II throughout follow-up, they occurred in 4 patients (28.6%) in group I.

Conclusion:

TEVAR is the most appropriate treatment for BTAI in the modern era, especially for polytrauma patients with successful outcomes. Intentional coverage of the LSA can be performed, but SMFSG is an effective, economical, rapid, and available technique for endovascular revascularization of the LSA.

Clinical Impact

Altough intentional left subclavian artery coverage is preferred routinely in patients with blunt traumatic aortic injury (in Zone 2) which is a highly fatal surgical emergency, surgeon-modified fenestrated stent-grafts is also effective, economical, rapid and available technique.
Barriers and Challenges Experienced by Latina Nurse Leaders
Authors: Canli Ursula , Aquino Elizabeth
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Leadership reflecting and representing the diversity of the workforce and patient population has been an ongoing challenge for healthcare institutions. As hospitals strategically plan to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion within their intuitions, especially in executive and other leadership roles, it must be acknowledged that only about 5.3% of the nursing workforce is Latinx and few serve in leadership positions. This study aims to learn about the barriers and challenges Latina nurse leaders have experienced in their ascension into leadership roles. Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive study approach, Latina nurse leaders were interviewed one-on-one about their nursing journey and the challenges experienced. A conventional thematic content analysis approach was used to identify common themes. Results: Seventeen Latina nurse leaders shared their experiences. The themes that emerged included: imposter syndrome being the only one, the need to work harder to be seen, age discrimination, racism and racial discrimination, lack of mentorship, and motherhood. Conclusion: Findings from this study help to highlight barriers to leadership development and success of Latina nurses. The findings can be used to encourage, mentor, and support Latina nurses throughout their careers, so they are provided with opportunities for advancement and nurtured as they become leaders.
Numerical simulation and experimental study on hot rolling forming of spur face gears
Authors: Deng Jing , Jiang Chuang , Deng Xiaozhong , Fu Yunlong , Wang Zilin
Published: September 2023

Face gear transmission is the transmission mechanism composed of cylindrical gear and face gear. At present, the tooth making method of face gear is still tooth cutting, with low material utilization and low production efficiency. The metal streamlines are cut off, resulting in low fatigue strength of gear teeth. In this paper, the forming of hot rolling was numerically simulated, with which the characteristics of equivalent stress field, equivalent strain field, rolling force variation, and metal flow in the process of rolling were analyzed. Finally, a hot rolling experimental device was set up, by which the face gear test piece was rolled. Then its tooth surface precision was investigated. The research reveals that hot rolling spur face gears is technological feasible and has promising prospects in industrial applications.
High order multi-resolution WENO scheme with AUSMV numerical flux for solving the two-phase flows
Authors: Mehmood Shahid , Rehman Asad , Zia Saqib
Published: September 2023

This article presents the development of a fifth-order multi-resolution finite volume weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) scheme combined with the advection upstream splitting method based on flux vector splitting (AUSMV) numerical flux for analyzing two-phase flow in both horizontal and vertical pipelines. The drift flux flow model comprises of two separate mass conservation equations for each phase for liquid and gas and one momentum equation for mixture and submodels for thermodynamics and hydrodynamics. The two mass conservation equations describe the behavior of each phase in the flow. The mixture-momentum equation takes into account the frictional and gravitational forces acting on the mixture of both phases. The thermodynamic and hydrodynamic submodels provide additional information to fully describe the flow and close the drift flux model. In the presence of these source terms and submodels, it is a challenging task to develop a high order efficient and accurate numerical schemes. The proposed numerical technique captures the peaks of pressure wave, suppresses the erroneous oscillations at the transition zones and resolves the discontinuities more efficiently and accurately. The accuracy of proposed numerical technique is verified by solving the various test problems. Furthermore, the solution obtained by developed numerical technique are compared to those attained with the high-resolution improved CUP and simple finite volume WENO numerical schemes.
Jet characteristics and optimal design of hydraulic perforating nozzles for natural gas hydrate reservoirs
Authors: Gao Yu , Xu Zhenqiang , Shen Kaixiang , Wu Shilei
Published: September 2023

Jet nozzle is a core component of the hydraulic perforating fracturing tool, and the design of the nozzle structure directly affects the perforating effectiveness and efficiency. In this paper, the flow field characteristics of hydraulic perforating nozzles are calculated by the SST k- ω turbulence model. The results show that the nozzle structure parameters significantly influence the jet performance. Through orthogonal experiments, the conical-cylindrical nozzle geometric parameters are preliminarily optimized as follows: the cylindrical segment diameter is 6 mm, the contraction angle is 10°, the contraction segment length is 8 mm, and the cylindrical segment length is 12 mm. The results can provide theoretical guidance for later experimental research on jet rock breaking and optimization design of the jet tools.
Magnetic resonance imaging analysis of the distribution of cartilage damage in scaphoid nonunion
Authors: Jung Hyoung Seok , Kim Sujin , Chung Bo Mi , Lee Hyun il , Lee Jae-Sung
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the distribution and severity of cartilage damage using magnetic resonance imaging in patients with scaphoid nonunion without advanced wrist arthritis. We retrospectively analysed MRI of patients who underwent osteosynthesis for scaphoid nonunion. Cartilage damage was assessed in eight wrist regions using a modified Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score. The frequencies of regions affected by any cartilage damage (Score ≥2.5) depicted on MRI were analysed. The study included 32 patients (31 men and one woman), with a mean age of 32 years (SD 11). The distal radioscaphoid (29/32), scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) (22/32), proximal radioscaphoid (14/32) and scaphocapitate (11/32) joints were most commonly affected by degenerative cartilage damage. The STT and proximal radioscaphoid joint were especially likely to be involved in early-stage scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse. We recommend that surgeons should investigate the cartilage status of these joints during decision-making for scaphoid nonunion surgery.

Level of evidence: III
Correlation between histopathological nerve assessment and clinical recovery in brachial plexus birth injuries
Authors: Moulinier Caroline , Bellity Lorie , Saghbiny Elie , Bachy-Razzouk Manon , Hanneur Malo Le , Fitoussi Frank
Published: September 2023

In the management of brachial plexus birth palsies, the quality of the roots eligible for reconstruction is thought to be a key issue. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlations between pathological root examination and motor recovery after brachial plexus reconstructions. Quantitative histopathological analysis of intraneural fibrosis was conducted on 72 nerve transections (40 roots, 18 trunks and 14 suprascapular nerves) in 20 patients. Clinical recovery of targeted muscles after surgery was assessed by standardized functional scores. After a mean follow-up of 32 months, patients with a lower fibrosis rate for the suprascapular nerve had greater global Mallet scores (r = −0.57; p = 0.042) as well as a greater active shoulder flexion (r = −0.66; p = 0.015). Correlations were also found between C6 root and upper trunk fibrosis rate and some of the subsections of the Mallet score, active movement scale for the biceps and active elbow flexion. These results seem to confirm the relevance of intraoperative pathological evaluation of the roots and nerves after neuroma resection to optimally define the reconstruction strategy.

Level of evidence: IV
Selective Hypothesis Reporting in Psychology: Comparing Preregistrations and Corresponding Publications
Authors: van den Akker Olmo R. , van Assen Marcel A. L. M. , Enting Manon , de Jonge Myrthe , Ong How Hwee , Rüffer Franziska , Schoenmakers Martijn , Stoevenbelt Andrea H. , Wicherts Jelte M. , Bakker Marjan
Published: September 2023

In this study, we assessed the extent of selective hypothesis reporting in psychological research by comparing the hypotheses found in a set of 459 preregistrations with the hypotheses found in the corresponding articles. We found that more than half of the preregistered studies we assessed contained omitted hypotheses ( N = 224; 52%) or added hypotheses ( N = 227; 57%), and about one-fifth of studies contained hypotheses with a direction change ( N = 79; 18%). We found only a small number of studies with hypotheses that were demoted from primary to secondary importance ( N = 2; 1%) and no studies with hypotheses that were promoted from secondary to primary importance. In all, 60% of studies included at least one hypothesis in one or more of these categories, indicating a substantial bias in presenting and selecting hypotheses by researchers and/or reviewers/editors. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find sufficient evidence that added hypotheses and changed hypotheses were more likely to be statistically significant than nonselectively reported hypotheses. For the other types of selective hypothesis reporting, we likely did not have sufficient statistical power to test for a relationship with statistical significance. Finally, we found that replication studies were less likely to include selectively reported hypotheses than original studies. In all, selective hypothesis reporting is problematically common in psychological research. We urge researchers, reviewers, and editors to ensure that hypotheses outlined in preregistrations are clearly formulated and accurately presented in the corresponding articles.
ALBAIK Restaurant: International Expansion to United Arab Emirates
Authors: Hanaysha Jalal Rajeh , Hasouneh Lana Omar
Published: September 2023

ALBAIK is one of the leading fast-food brands that has been known for its high-quality food offered at affordable prices in a courtesy and inviting environment. The story of ALBAIK restaurant started in 1974 in the city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, and recently, it has been able to achieve international expansion in other countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. This case study presents about the success story of ALBAIK restaurant in relation to its expansion in the UAE. Specifically, it focuses on the entry mode used by ALBAIK as well as the benefits from expansion to UAE market. Also, comprehensive analysis about the political, economic, cultural, technological and legal environment of UAE, which would have significant implications on doing business in the country are presented. Finally, the case study aims to enrich our understanding about the fast-food industry in UAE as well as the contributions of ALBAIK to CSR, which have enabled it to position itself as a market leader in the industry.
HAHNet: a convolutional neural network for HER2 status classification of breast cancer
Authors: Wang Jiahao , Zhu Xiaodong , Chen Kai , Hao Lei , Liu Yuanning
Published: September 2023

Objective

Breast cancer is a significant health issue for women, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) plays a crucial role as a vital prognostic and predictive factor. The HER2 status is essential for formulating effective treatment plans for breast cancer. However, the assessment of HER2 status using immunohistochemistry (IHC) is time-consuming and costly. Existing computational methods for evaluating HER2 status have limitations and lack sufficient accuracy. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an improved computational method to better assess HER2 status, which holds significant importance in saving lives and alleviating the burden on pathologists.

Results

This paper analyzes the characteristics of histological images of breast cancer and proposes a neural network model named HAHNet that combines multi-scale features with attention mechanisms for HER2 status classification. HAHNet directly classifies the HER2 status from hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained histological images, reducing additional costs. It achieves superior performance compared to other computational methods.

Conclusions

According to our experimental results, the proposed HAHNet achieved high performance in classifying the HER2 status of breast cancer using only H&E stained samples. It can be applied in case classification, benefiting the work of pathologists and potentially helping more breast cancer patients.
Physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) adapts to extreme freezing stress during winter by regulating cell wall structure
Authors: Luo Jinlei , Huang Shuangjie , Chang Yali , Li Hui , Guo Guiyi
Published: September 2023

Tea plants grown in high-latitude areas are often damaged by extreme freezing temperatures in winter, leading to huge economic losses. Here, the physiological and gene expression characteristics of two tea cultivars (Xinyang No. 10 (XY10), a freezing-tolerant cultivar and Fudingdabaicha (FDDB), a freezing-sensitive cultivar) during overwintering in northern China were studied to better understand the regulation mechanisms of tea plants in response to natural freezing stress. Samples were collected at a chill (D1), freezing (D2) and recovery (D3) temperature in winter. TEM analysis of integrated leaf ultrastructure at D2 revealed lower malondialdehyde and relative electrical conductivity in XY10 than in FDDB, with serious cell structure damage in the latter, indicating XY10 was more resistant to freezing stress. Differential gene expression analysis among the different samples over winter time highlighted the following gene functions in cell wall metabolism (CesAs, COBLs, XTHs, PGs, PMEs), transcription factors (ERF1B and MYC2), and signal transduction (CDPKs and CMLs). The expression pattern of cellulose and pectin-related genes suggested higher accumulation of cellulosic and pectic materials in the cell wall of XY10, agreeing with the results of cell wall and its components. These results indicated that under the regulation of cell wall genes, the freezing-resistant tea cultivar can better maintain a well-knit cell wall structure with sufficient substances to survive natural freezing damage. This study demonstrated the crucial role of cell wall in tea plant resistance to natural freezing stress and provided important candidate genes for breeding of freezing-resistant tea cultivars.
Effect of medication therapy management services on medication-burden quality of life in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Naga Yasmine Salah , Hamdy Noha Alaa , Bassiouny Amany El , Selim Mohamed , ElHafeez Samar Samy Abd
Published: September 2023

Background

Hemodialysis (HD) patients commonly receive polypharmacy leading to increased likelihood of drug related problems (DRPs) and poor quality of life. Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services discover and resolve DRPs and may specifically improve Medication-burden Quality of life (MBQoL) in HD patients. We aimed to assess the effect of MTM services on DRPs and MBQoL among HD patients.

Methods

A prospective pre-post study was conducted on 104 patients in an HD unit in Alexandria, Egypt. MBQoL was assessed at baseline and after three months of MTM sessions, using the Arabic, validated version of the Patient Reported Outcomes Measure of Pharmaceutical Therapy (PROMPT) questionnaire. Cohen’s d test and multiple linear regression were used to assess the effect size of MTM and the factors affecting MBQoL, respectively. DRPs, adverse events and adherence were also monitored.

Results

MBQoL improved significantly after the implementation of MTM (Cohen’s d=0.88, p < 0.01) with the largest effect size in the “medicine information and relation with healthcare providers” domain. DRPs decreased significantly after MTM implementation (11.97 ± 4.65 versus 7.63 ± 3.85 per patient, p<0.001). The mean adverse events per patient were also reduced (9.69 ± 4.12 versus 6.56 ± 3.77, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Applying MTM services presents an opportunity to improve care for HD patients by improving MBQoL, decreasing DRPs and adverse events.
The association between contraceptive use and desired number of children among sexually active men in Zambia
Authors: Bwalya Bwalya Bupe , Kasonde Mwewa E. , Mulenga James Nilesh , Mapoma Chabila Christopher , Wamunyima Nayunda , Siamianze Billy , Onukogu Obinna
Published: September 2023

Background

Contraceptive methods have been used to space births, but also to limit a couple’s desired number of children. Efforts of family planning programmes have mainly concentrated on females, even though males tend to have large say on the desired number of children a couple should have. In our study, we sought to determine linkages between contraceptive use and desired number of children, as well as associated demographic and socio-economic characteristics, among sexually active males in Zambia.

Methods

The main outcome variable of interest was desired number of children as measured by ideal number of children which is a count variable. Data for this paper was the male dataset from the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey, a cross-sectional national survey. Binary logistic regression was performed to determine odds ratios of contraceptive use by selected characteristics of sexually active males. Multivariate Poisson Regression Model was used to establish factors associated with desired number of children.

Results

Age of men (20–29, 30–39 and 40–49 years), residence in rural areas, wealth quintile, Protestant or Muslim religious affiliation, media exposure, and having discussed family planning with a health worker in the last few months prior to the survey were associated with contraceptive use. Sexually active males who reported using any contraception method reported 3% less desired number of children compared to those who were not using any method. Older males (age group 30–49 years), resident in rural areas, with primary education, married, employed, Protestant religion, and those labelling women who use contraceptives “as promiscuous” had more desired number of children.

Conclusions

There were minimal differences in the desired number of children among males who reported using and not using any contraceptive method. Strategies aimed at encouraging contraception use should cover all categories of males to achieve universal involvement of men in family planning in Zambia. Future research may consider combining both qualitative and quantitative methods to look holistically at the demographic, socio-economic and cultural factors associated with non-contraception use and desired number of children among sexually active men in Zambia.
Revolutionizing healthcare: the role of artificial intelligence in clinical practice
Authors: Alowais Shuroug A. , Alghamdi Sahar S. , Alsuhebany Nada , Alqahtani Tariq , Alshaya Abdulrahman I. , Almohareb Sumaya N. , Aldairem Atheer , Alrashed Mohammed , Bin Saleh Khalid , Badreldin Hisham A. , Al Yami Majed S. , Al Harbi Shmeylan , Albekairy Abdulkareem M.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Healthcare systems are complex and challenging for all stakeholders, but artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed various fields, including healthcare, with the potential to improve patient care and quality of life. Rapid AI advancements can revolutionize healthcare by integrating it into clinical practice. Reporting AI’s role in clinical practice is crucial for successful implementation by equipping healthcare providers with essential knowledge and tools.

Research Significance

This review article provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the current state of AI in clinical practice, including its potential applications in disease diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and patient engagement. It also discusses the associated challenges, covering ethical and legal considerations and the need for human expertise. By doing so, it enhances understanding of AI’s significance in healthcare and supports healthcare organizations in effectively adopting AI technologies.

Materials and Methods

The current investigation analyzed the use of AI in the healthcare system with a comprehensive review of relevant indexed literature, such as PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and EMBASE, with no time constraints but limited to articles published in English. The focused question explores the impact of applying AI in healthcare settings and the potential outcomes of this application.

Results

Integrating AI into healthcare holds excellent potential for improving disease diagnosis, treatment selection, and clinical laboratory testing. AI tools can leverage large datasets and identify patterns to surpass human performance in several healthcare aspects. AI offers increased accuracy, reduced costs, and time savings while minimizing human errors. It can revolutionize personalized medicine, optimize medication dosages, enhance population health management, establish guidelines, provide virtual health assistants, support mental health care, improve patient education, and influence patient-physician trust.

Conclusion

AI can be used to diagnose diseases, develop personalized treatment plans, and assist clinicians with decision-making. Rather than simply automating tasks, AI is about developing technologies that can enhance patient care across healthcare settings. However, challenges related to data privacy, bias, and the need for human expertise must be addressed for the responsible and effective implementation of AI in healthcare.
Prenatal exposures to organophosphate ester metabolite mixtures and children’s neurobehavioral outcomes in the MADRES pregnancy cohort
Authors: Hernandez-Castro Ixel , Eckel Sandrah P. , Howe Caitlin G. , Niu Zhongzheng , Kannan Kurunthachalam , Robinson Morgan , Foley Helen B. , Yang Tingyu , Vigil Mario J. , Chen Xinci , Grubbs Brendan , Lerner Deborah , Lurvey Nathana , Al-Marayati Laila , Habre Rima , Dunton Genevieve F. , Farzan Shohreh F. , Aung Max T. , Breton Carrie V. , Bastain Theresa M.
Published: September 2023

Background

Evidence suggests organophosphate esters (OPEs) are neurotoxic; however, the epidemiological literature remains scarce. We investigated whether prenatal exposures to OPEs were associated with child neurobehavior in the MADRES cohort.

Methods

We measured nine OPE metabolites in 204 maternal urine samples (gestational age at collection: 31.4 ± 1.8 weeks). Neurobehavior problems were assessed among 36-month-old children using the Child Behavior Checklist’s (CBCL) three composite scales [internalizing, externalizing, and total problems]. We examined associations between tertiles of prenatal OPE metabolites (> 50% detection) and detect/non-detect categories (< 50% detection) and CBCL composite scales using linear regression and generalized additive models. We also examined mixtures for widely detected OPEs (n = 5) using Bayesian kernel machine regression.

Results

Maternal participants with detectable versus non-detectable levels of bis(2-methylphenyl) phosphate (BMPP) had children with 42% (95% CI: 4%, 96%) higher externalizing, 45% (-2%, 114%) higher internalizing, and 35% (3%, 78%) higher total problems. Participants in the second versus first tertile of bis(butoxethyl) phosphate (BBOEP) had children with 43% (-1%, 109%) higher externalizing scores. Bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BCIPP) and child sex had a statistically significant interaction in internalizing (p = 0.02) and total problems (p = 0.03) models, with 120% (23%, 295%) and 57% (6%, 134%) higher scores in the third versus first BCIPP tertile among males. Among females, detectable vs non-detectable levels of prenatal BMPP were associated with 69% higher externalizing scores (5%, 170%) while the third versus first tertile of prenatal BBOEP was associated with 45% lower total problems (-68%, -6%). Although the metabolite mixture and each CBCL outcome had null associations, we observed marginal associations between di-n-butyl phosphate and di-isobutyl phosphate (DNBP + DIBP) and higher internalizing scores (0.15; 95% CrI: -0.02, 0.32), holding other metabolites at their median.

Conclusions

Our results generally suggest adverse and sex-specific effects of prenatal exposure to previously understudied OPEs on neurobehavioral outcomes in 36-month children, providing evidence of potential OPE neurotoxicity.
FTO-targeted siRNA delivery by MSC-derived exosomes synergistically alleviates dopaminergic neuronal death in Parkinson's disease via m6A-dependent regulation of ATM mRNA
Authors: Geng Yan , Long Xinyi , Zhang Yuting , Wang Yupeng , You Guoxing , Guo Wenjie , Zhuang Gaoming , Zhang Yuanyuan , Cheng Xiao , Yuan Zhengqiang , Zan Jie
Published: September 2023

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and striatum of brain, seriously threatens human health, and is still lack of effective treatment. Dysregulation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification has been implicated in PD pathogenesis. However, how m6A modification regulates dopaminergic neuronal death in PD remains elusive. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) have been shown to be effective for treating central nervous disorders. We thus propose that the m6A demethylase FTO-targeted siRNAs (si-FTO) may be encapsulated in MSC-Exo (Exo-siFTO) as a synergistic therapy against dopaminergic neuronal death in PD.

Methods

In this study, the effect of m6A demethylase FTO on dopaminergic neuronal death was evaluated both in vivo and in vitro using a MPTP-treated mice model and a MPP + -induced MN9D cellular model, respectively. The mechanism through which FTO influences dopaminergic neuronal death in PD was investigated with qRT-PCR, western blot, immumohistochemical staining, immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry. The therapeutic roles of MSC-Exo containing si-FTO were examined in PD models in vivo and in vitro.

Results

The total m6A level was significantly decreased and FTO expression was increased in PD models in vivo and in vitro. FTO was found to promote the expression of cellular death-related factor ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) via m6A-dependent stabilization of ATM mRNA in dopaminergic neurons. Knockdown of FTO by si-FTO concomitantly suppressed upregulation of α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and downregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and alleviated neuronal death in PD models. Moreover, MSC-Exo were utilized to successfully deliver si-FTO to the striatum of animal brain, resulting in the significant suppression of α-Syn expression and dopaminergic neuronal death, and recovery of TH expression in the brain of PD mice.

Conclusions

MSC-Exo delivery of si-FTO synergistically alleviates dopaminergic neuronal death in PD via m6A-dependent regulation of ATM mRNA.