bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation of pre-service music teachers’ preferences and willingness to teach six ethnic music styles in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Chia-Chieh
Published: November 2024

The study aimed to examine Taiwanese fourth- and fifth-year pre-service music teachers’ preferences, familiarity, and willingness to teach six ethnic music styles (Chinese, Hokkien, Hakka, Taiwanese Aboriginal, Vietnamese, and Indonesian) to the largest ethnic student groups in Taiwan. Participants ( N = 126) listened to 18 ethnic music excerpts and rated their preferences, familiarity, and willingness to teach using 7-point Likert-type scales. As a validity check, the pre-service music teachers were required to identify the ethnic language in which each music example was performed. However, their ability to identify the languages did not strongly correlate with their preferences, familiarity, and willingness to teach the music examples.The findings indicated that the pre-service music teachers’ preferences and familiarity were positively correlated with their willingness to teach the six ethnic music styles. Moreover, the year of enrollment and the interaction between enrollment year and certificate level significantly influenced participants’ familiarity with the ethnic music styles. Furthermore, music training was a significant variable affecting the willingness to teach Hokkien music.
Re-examining our evolutionary propensities toward snakes: Insights from children's inattentional blindness
Authors: Zhang Hui , Liang Feng , Wang Fen , Feng Na , Yan Congcong , Hewett Cathrine N. , Chen Hui
Published: November 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the divergent viewpoints regarding fearful stimuli in young children by analyzing variations in eye movement tracking and detection rates when confronted with the sudden appearance of either snakes or lizards. A total of 137 five to six-year-old Chinese children (43.8% male) participated in the study, which utilized the inattentional blindness paradigm. The results indicated that young children did not display any attentional bias toward snakes when compared with lizards, as evidenced by their detection rates and eye movement tracking. Interestingly, the children fixated on lizards earlier than snakes. These findings suggest that the notion of an evolution bias toward ancestral threats may not be as credible as previously believed.
Kinetics of medium-manganese steel prepared by solid-state decarburisation
Authors: Liqun Ai , Na Qian , Lukuo Hong , Yaqiang Li , Meijie Zhou , Caijiao Sun
Published: November 2024

This paper analyses solid-state decarburisation kinetics with the aim to clarify the transition rule of restrictive links in the process of decarburisation, providing a theoretical basis for regulating the solid-state-decarburisation rate. Experimental calculation of the Fe–Mn–C ternary alloy phase diagram using FactSage thermodynamic software, with medium manganese cast steel as the research object, experiments conducted at [Formula: see text] and a total gas flow rate of 1500 mL·min−1.The results show that the increase in manganese content has little effect on the carbon equivalent of solid solution in the γ-phase. This is because the proportion of γ-phase in the manganese cast steel decreases as the manganese mass fraction increases, but the increase in the γ-phase-carbon mass fraction makes the change in the carbon equivalent of solid solution in the small manganese cast steel plate. At 950°C, the internal diffusion of carbon in a 1 mm manganese cast steel plate has an obvious limiting effect on the decarbonisation process. When the decarburisation temperature rises to 1090°C, the effect of carbon diffusion on the whole decarburisation process decreases. The limiting factors inhibiting the whole decarbonisation process are the surface chemical reaction, that is, the temporary surface chemical reaction, as well as the internal diffusion limit of solid carbon, which leads to cementite decomposition. In the entire process of solid decarbonisation, a higher manganese content is beneficial for improving the reaction rate because, at the temperature of this experiment, manganese carbide dissolved into solid carbon, thus reducing the restrictive effect of the cementite decomposition on the decarbonisation process.
Developing Diverse Leaders for Diverse Churches (Part 2): Desired Outcomes for Effective Leadership in Diverse Churches
Authors: Rothschild Joshua F.
Published: November 2024

Part 2 of 2. This study explores the essential traits for effective leadership in multiethnic evangelical churches in the United States using Krispin's leader development outcomes framework. Part 2 of the series examines the desired outcomes of leadership development programs among these churches. A questionnaire derived from Krispin's framework was distributed to multiethnic churches with successful leadership development programs. The findings offer insights into the knowledge, skills, and character qualities these churches consider crucial for future multiethnic church leadership. This article details the project's methodology, research findings, and discusses their implications.
Rehabilitation in emergency departments: A regional scan and future opportunities
Authors: Ocampo-Chan Sharon A. , Levy Charissa
Published: November 2024

Emergency Departments (EDs) have faced mounting pressures in recent years as greater volumes of patients seek care, many with increasingly complex clinical and social needs. However, the potential contributions of rehabilitation professionals to help alleviate these pressures in the ED are not well understood or leveraged. To address this knowledge gap, the authors conducted a literature review of rehabilitation models of care and the impact of rehabilitation professionals in the ED, as well as an environmental scan to understand rehabilitation models of care across two large regions in Ontario. This article outlines these findings, as well as future opportunities related to leading care and patient flow practices based on rehabilitation models in the ED.
Fast estimation method for lithium battery state of health based on incremental capacity curve peak characteristics
Authors: Huang Bixiong , Xuan Yan , Liu Xintian , Liu Dong
Published: November 2024

State of Health (SOH) estimation for lithium-ion batteries is a complex task, often plagued by issues such as slow estimation speed and high practical application difficulty in existing methods. In this paper, capacity is established as the criterion for defining State of Health. We conducted an analysis of Incremental Capacity (IC) curves, examining the characteristic features of the incremental capacity curves throughout the entire lifecycle of lithium-ion batteries at different temperatures and charge-discharge rates. The investigation revealed that the peaks in the incremental capacity curves correspond to nearly constant State of Charge (SOC) values. Building upon this discovery, a rapid SOH estimation method based on IC curves is proposed. The method was validated using data from the complete lifecycle of 18,650 cells, yielding a maximum SOH estimation error of 3%. Furthermore, the proposed method was applied to 240 cells in an energy storage battery pack at a specific station, resulting in a maximum SOH estimation error of 3.9%. This demonstrates the feasibility of the method under practical conditions, highlighting its high precision in SOH estimation. The proposed approach holds significant promise for real-time and rapid SOH estimation and detection, offering valuable insights for battery health monitoring.
The interaction of contributing factors and prediction on injury severity of accident for motor vehicle drivers
Authors: Yin Aoqi , Gao Hui , Wang Yu , Pan Yingjiu
Published: November 2024

Each year, numerous motor vehicle drivers (MVD) suffer injuries or fatalities in traffic accidents. Many factors are related to the severity of injuries sustained by MVD in traffic accidents. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the interaction of factors influencing injury severity of MVD and to predict injury severity. Using the traffic accident data collected from a city in China between 2018 and 2023, we employed the multinomial logistic regression model to identify significant factors affecting injury severity of MVD. Subsequently, these significant factors were incorporated into a stepwise logistic regression model to analyze the relationship between the interaction of factors and injury severity of MVD. Furthermore, the significant factors in the logistic regression model were taken as independent variables, and Random Forest, XGBoost, and LightGBM were used to construct the prediction model of injury severity of MVD. The results indicate that 13 factors have significant meaning for MVD. The stepwise logistic regression model reveals that nine interactions have the most significant impact on injury degree of MVD. The quantitative analysis of the relationship between injury severity and interaction indicates individuals aged 66 and above with abnormal vehicle status, individuals aged 26–45 with guardrails, individuals aged 46–65 and special road, vehicles with normal status and no lighting at night, vehicles with normal status and other driving state, green plants and green belts and early morning, sand, gravel, or dirt roads and cloudy day, mountain and no lighting at night can lead to increased injury severity of MVD. Among the prediction models, the XGBoost model with SMOTE sampling achieved the highest accuracy, macro-averaged precision, macro-averaged recall, and macro-averaged F1 score, with an accuracy of 0.907. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for traffic management authorities to improve traffic safety and reduce the severity of MVD injuries in traffic accidents.
Numerical and experimental investigation of nickel-deposited 410 stainless steel using the laser cladding process
Authors: Raj Dhiraj , Das Bipul , Maity Saikat Ranjan , Singh Anmol
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the laser cladding (LC) of pure nickel onto AISI 410 stainless steel using a low-power pulsed diode laser. The process parameters included scanning speeds of 0.5–1.5 mm/s and average laser powers of 20–40 W, with a fixed pulse width of 110 ns and pulse frequency of 50 kHz. Microhardness, clad geometry, and microstructure at the clad-substrate interface were analyzed using optical microscopy, FE-SEM, and EDS. At 40 W, successful nickel deposition was achieved, demonstrating optimal metallurgical bonding. The clad depth decreased from 364.7 to 170.0 µm as the scanning speed increased, with the best microstructure and highest microhardness observed at 1 mm/s. A 3D finite element model was developed to complement the experimental findings and to gain a deeper understanding of the LC process, particularly in terms of temperature distribution, and the resulting clad geometry. The simulations revealed that increasing scanning speed significantly reduced the peak temperature, from 3121 K at 0.5 mm/s to 2445 K at 1.5 mm/s. The nickel deposition was unsuccessful at 20 and 30 W due to insufficient peak temperatures of 1468 and 1899 K, respectively. At 40 W, a peak temperature of 2879 K was achieved, aligning well with the experimental results and confirming the accuracy of the simulation in predicting the effects of processing parameters.
Research on nonlinear second-order multi-agent systems containment control method with inherent time-delay based on compensator
Authors: Chen Guanwen , Yang Ruitian , Wang Lei , Li Tai , Xu Keer
Published: November 2024

In this study, a nonlinear second-order multi-agent systems containment control method based on compensator is discussed. In order to deal with nonlinear systems with inherent time delay, a new compensator-based control algorithm is proposed. The fully distributed compensator is designed to effectively converge the states of all followers to the convex hull formed by the states of leaders. By introducing a compensator, the errors in the system can be corrected and the influence of time delay on the system can be compensated to ensure that the system can achieve the desired performance and stability. Then, the original system is transformed into an error system by using matrix theory, and the stability of the error system is analyzed by using Lyapunov method, and the sufficient conditions for the solvability of the control problem are obtained. Finally, the effectiveness of the control algorithm is verified by matlab simulation.
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) as Sustainable Transition Intermediaries: Insights from India
Authors: G. L. Pallavi , Saxena Abhishek , Pastakia Astad , Oza Sachin
Published: November 2024

The scholarship on sustainability transitions has surprisingly few studies on agriculture and food systems, especially from emerging economies such as India. The role of firms and businesses, especially cooperatives and producer organisations in agri-food systems transitions, has not been explored as much. Over the past decade, many Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) have been formed, primarily focused on facilitating the supply of agro-chemical inputs, while offering limited support to farmers in transitioning towards ecologically sustainable agricultural practices. This study looks at four case studies FPOs from across geographies in India, providing an opportunity to look at these FPOs as intermediaries of sustainable transitions and how they situate themselves in the agricultural ecosystem that has mainstream market actors as well as FPOs that are not engaged in sustainable agriculture. Additionally, to understand the intermediary role of FPOs, it is essential to examine how key actors—such as civil society organizations, financial institutions, marketing partners, and government agencies—contribute to and influence the intermediary role of FPOs in sustainable transition. These FPOs that are engaged in and promote sustainable agricultural practices bring out their strong potential transition intermediaries of the future.
Cinnamon Polyphenols Ameliorate the Dysregulation of Cardiac Energy and Autophagic Homeostasis in Rats with Diabetic Cardiomyopathy via the mTOR/PGC1α Pathway
Authors: Zhang Xu , Zhang Xiao-Ting , Wu Shi-Yu , Hu Ming-Qiao , Xu Xu , Gao Jian-Ping
Published: November 2024

Background

Inflammation mediated by hyperglycemia, lipid metabolism disorders, abnormal myocardial energy metabolism, myocardial cell damage, and changes in ventricular structure are important mechanisms in the occurrence and development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Cinnamon polyphenols (CP) are extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine cinnamon, which is believed to have cardioprotective effects and has been used in China for hundreds of years.

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of CP on DCM and its possible mechanisms.

Methods

The DCM model was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of 85 mg/kg 1% streptozotocin in rats. The treatment group was orally administered 135 mg/kg CP for 28 consecutive days, a dosage verified by experiments on AC16 myocardial cells and detecting liver and kidney injury markers.

Results

CP could reduce high blood sugar, high blood lipids, left ventricular mass index, levels of myocardial injury markers, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the model group. It also improved weight loss, and increased myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), phosphocreatine (PCr), and ATP/ADP, AMP/ATP, and PCr/ATP ratios. The expression of p-mTOR/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p62, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α) in the myocardium of the CP group was enhanced, while the expression of LC3II/LC3I was inhibited.

Conclusion

CPs can alleviate myocardial damage by reducing blood sugar, blood lipids, and abnormal autophagy levels while promoting the restoration of myocardial energy metabolism homeostasis.
Role of Prebiotics in Preventing Phototherapy-range Hyperbilirubinemia in Preterm Neonates: An Open-labelled Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Mankar Aniket , Joshi Trupti , Sawlani Pooja , Khaire Prabha , Joshi Amol , Deshmukh Laxmikant
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Prebiotics help develop early microbiota and increase stool frequency, reducing enterohepatic circulation, a vital mechanism in managing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate role of prebiotics in preventing phototherapy-range hyperbilirubinemia in preterm neonates. Secondary objectives were to assess 24-hour transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB) levels, peak TCB levels, stool frequency and side effects of prebiotics. This study also assessed 24-hour serum bilirubin levels and duration of phototherapy in all those requiring phototherapy.

Materials and Methods

An open-label randomised controlled trial conducted at a tertiary-care centre from Nov-2019 to Oct-2021 in exclusively breastfed/expressed breast milk-fed preterm (32-37 weeks) neonates. Babies having respiratory distress, perinatal asphyxia, formula-fed, haemodynamically unstable, inborn errors of metabolism, gastrointestinal congenital anomalies, severe neonatal sepsis and those whose mothers could not express at least 10 mL of breast milk were excluded from the trial. Those randomised to the prebiotic group received 0.5 gm/kg/day of fructo-oligosaccharide powder mixed in expressed breast milk in three divided doses for seven days or omission of phototherapy (if required), whichever later and standard preterm care was provided to control group. The primary outcome measure was to assess whether prebiotic administration prevents phototherapy-range hyperbilirubinemia in preterm neonates.

Results

Baseline characteristics were comparable between prebiotic and control groups. In prebiotic group, 23.25% (10 out of 43) required phototherapy, and 35.7% (15 out of 42) required phototherapy in control group ( P = .30). Twenty-four-hour TCB and peak TCB levels were significantly lower in the prebiotic group than in the control group after 24 hours of enrolment. Moreover, frequency of stools was substantially higher in the prebiotic group than in control group after 24 hours of enrolment with no adverse effects. Though 12-hour serum bilirubin levels amongst those who required phototherapy were comparable between the groups, the duration of phototherapy in the prebiotic group was less.

Conclusion

Enteral supplementation with prebiotics at a dose of 0.5 gm/kg/day in preterm (32-37 weeks) neonates leads to increased stool frequency and lower TCB levels but does not prevent phototherapy-range hyperbilirubinemia. Prebiotic supplementation may help reduce the phototherapy duration in preterm neonates with phototherapy-range hyperbilirubinemia.
Comparison of Cemented and Cementless Fixation in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of RCTs
Authors: Liu Zirui , Wen Lei , Zhou Libo , Liu Zhongcheng , Chen Yi , Geng Bin , Xia Yayi
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study aimed to compare infection, aseptic loosening, revision, operation time, function scores, and the radiographic radiolucent line (RLL) between cementless and cemented fixation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

Articles reporting the outcomes of cemented and cementless TKA were searched in Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. The search was conducted from articles published from January 1996 to May 2024. Odds Ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) were used to measure the results. Cochrane Collaboration’s Review Manager software was used to perform the meta-analysis.

Results

Sixteen randomized controlled trials containing 2358 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled data found that, in TKA, there were no significant differences between cemented fixation and cementless fixation for a prosthesis in infection, aseptic loosening and revision. The subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis results of the knee society score (KSS) showed a significant difference favoring cementless fixation in a follow-up of less than 5 years (MD = −2.30, 95%CI –3.85 -0.74, p = .001) while favoring cemented fixation in a follow-up over 5 years (MD = 2.79, 95%CI 0.95 4.63, p = .003). The operation time of cementless was less than that of cemented (MD = 12.03, 95%CI 8.30 15.77, p < .00001). No significant difference was detected in knee society function score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index, and RLL. There was no heterogeneity across studies ( p > .1), and most studies have a low risk of bias.

Conclusions

Within a follow-up period of less than 5 years, cementless TKA had better KSS, while over 5 years, KSS was better in cemented TKA, and cementless TKA required less operation time.
Pain, Shame, and Power: An Autoethnographic Exploration of Chronic Pain
Authors: Wakelin Katharine
Published: November 2024

In this autoethnographic study, I explore my lived experience of a chronic pain condition, the difficulty in writing about embodied experience, and the links between pain, shame, and power. Neglecting neither the complex emotional world of the individual nor the embedded cultural and social themes that continuously impact on the individual, at its best, autoethnography bridges the divide between personal writing and social influences. In this paper, I aim to combine my lived experience of a pain condition without any apparent biological cause, to the wider issue of how we conceive and attend to embodied experience, shame, and power in qualitative health research. The implications from the study include personal emancipation, challenging the mind/body split, and emphasizing the interconnections between emotion and embodied experience, and the need for a pluralistic approach to treatment. The autoethnographic approach aims to embrace situated subjectivity and to include the experience of being a pain sufferer in the research community.
Work needs of long-term mental health care users: Is vocational rehabilitation enough?
Authors: Tsatsi Itumeleng , Bosman Lienke , de Wet Shine , du Preez Sandra , Kruger Veronique , van Dyk Klarise , Voogt Anri , Truter Kariena
Published: November 2024

Background

Mental health care users (MHCUs) have needs resulting from their participation in work-related-interventions. In long-term institutions, however, work interventions are neglected due to insufficient resources and knowledge needed to respond to these work needs.

Objective

To identify and describe the work needs of long-term MHCUs.

Method

A descriptive, qualitative inquiry study was conducted with 18 participants using semi-structured interviews.

Results

The need to improve quality of life and the need to fulfil contextual and societal demands emerged.

Conclusion

MHCUs not only appreciate work to earn a living, but also to achieve a sense of health and well-being, fulfil life-roles, and possibility for community reintegration.
Effect of Self-Proning on Respiratory Functions, Pneumonia Severity, and Mortality Risk Among Patients Diagnosed With Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Nursing-Based Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Abd El-Monem El-Deeb Hoda Abdou , Abd El Hafeez Naglaa Abd Allah , Rashwan Manar Ali , El-Sayed Mona Metwally , Khedr Mahmoud Abdelwahab , Fathy Ahmed Dawood Rasha
Published: November 2024

Assessing and monitoring respiratory parameters, such as respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and lung sounds, is crucial for the management and prognosis of pneumonia patients. Prone positioning has been shown to improve oxygenation in patients with respiratory disorders, including pneumonia, by reducing ventilation/perfusion mismatch. However, there is a lack of evidence supporting the benefits of self-proning in spontaneously breathing pneumonia patients. This study aims to evaluate the effect of self-proning on respiratory functions, pneumonia, and mortality risk among patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia. The study used a pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design with a control group, adhering to the Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs guidelines. It was conducted in the Medical Respiratory Department inpatient wards at the Respiratory Diseases Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. The study recruited 128 patients with community-acquired pneumonia, conveniently assigned to an intervention group ( n = 64) and a control group ( n = 64). Data were collected using socio-demographic and historical data sheets, respiratory parameters assessment sheets, the confusion uremia respiratory rate and blood pressure (CURB-65) severity of pneumonia score, and the Pneumonia Severity Index. Prone positioning significantly positively impacted respiratory parameters in the intervention group compared to the control group. Specifically, the intervention group exhibited improvements in respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, reduced need for supplemental oxygen, and cough ( p < .05). Furthermore, the intervention group exhibited fewer changes in findings from chest inspection, palpation, and auscultation. In addition, the severity of pneumonia was reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group, as indicated by lower CURB-65 ( p = .014) and pneumonia severity index scores ( p = .005). The study demonstrated that self-proning interventions significantly improved respiratory functions and reduced the risk of death among participants with community-acquired pneumonia. These findings suggest that self-proning is a beneficial technique for managing respiratory distress, particularly in non-intubated patients, and can be an effective strategy to improve patient outcomes in clinical settings.
Healthcare Trajectories of Adolescent Patients With Cleft Lip and/or Palate According to Health Insurance Coverage in Medellin, Colombia
Authors: Cerón-Zapata Ana María , Segura-Cardona Ángela María , González-Robledo María Cecilia
Published: November 2024

To describe and compare the healthcare trajectories of patients with CL/P under two different income-based programs for health coverage in Colombia, known in Colombia as a health insurance regime (contributory and subsidized), in Medellín, 2021.

Non-experimental, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.

Primary level of clinical care in Medellín, Colombia.

Twenty-eight 15- to 21-year-olds with CL/P and primary caregivers.

Individuals with CL/P answered the survey. Patients with syndromic CL/P and patients with cognitive disabilities were excluded. The calculation of the probabilistic sample was performed based on the formula for finite populations using databases from 2 health insurance companies. The analysis was descriptive and bivariate. Chi-square and Fisher tests were used to analyze the variables of interest.

Continuity of the care pathway was measured with proxy indicators: (1) access to comprehensive CL/P treatment; (2) timeliness of access to comprehensive CL/P treatment; (3) differences in access to and timeliness of comprehensive CL/P treatment between patients under both health insurance coverage.

No differences were found when comparing the healthcare trajectories of young patients with CL/P who were in both health coverage. Differences were observed in the timeliness of care for patients with CL/P under the subsidized coverage who were more economically vulnerable. Delays in care were mainly linked to administrative procedures required for orthodontic procedures, bone grafts, and maxillofacial surgeries.

Despite the health system's guarantee of equal care across income levels, differences in the timeliness of care persist for patients from lower-income families.
Olıgosarcoma: A Rare Case Report Wıth Dıstınct Features
Authors: Calim Gurbuz Begum , Soylemez Akkurt Tuce , Kusku Cabuk Fatmagul , Sencan Fahir , Tugcu Bekir , Ersen Danyeli Ayca
Published: November 2024

Oligosarcoma is a recently identified entity characterized by sarcomatous changes originating from oligodendroglioma. As of our current understanding, sarcomatous components are infrequent in glial tumors. The World Health Organization (WHO) classification describes sarcomatous features as a rare pattern in grade 3 oligodendrogliomas. In this report, we present a 42-year-old man diagnosed with oligosarcoma. The patient initially presented with a lesion in the right parietotemporal area 9 years ago, and the pathological diagnosis was oligodendroglioma. Nine years later, a recurrent lesion in the same area was observed. Histomorphological evaluation of the recurrent lesion revealed distinct glial and sarcomatous components. The diagnosis of oligosarcoma was made based on histologic assessment; however, additional histochemical (reticulin-rich sarcomatous area), immunohistochemical, and molecular evaluations were also conducted. Immunohistochemical marker expression patterns in oligosarcoma have been reported variably in the literature. In our patient, the sarcomatous component exhibited p53 and OLIG2 immunohistochemical expression. Molecular analysis revealed IDH and TERT mutations, as well as 1p/19q and CDKN2A deletions.
Sarcoid-like Reaction in a Patient With Colon Cancer: A Case Report and Mini-Review
Authors: Ikeshita Chiaki , Hotta Eri , Mochizuki Satoshi , Miyagawa Koji , Fuji Nobuaki , Konishi Eiichi
Published: November 2024

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic and chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by the manifestation of epithelioid cell granulomas in various organs. Sarcoid-like reactions occur in patients who do not fulfill the diagnostic criteria for sarcoidosis but present with similar clinical and histological features. An 80-year-old man presented to our hospital with several subcutaneous nodules on the extremities. Based on clinical and pathological findings, the subcutaneous nodules were diagnosed as sarcoid nodules. However, the patient did not meet the diagnostic criteria for sarcoidosis. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography revealed abnormalities in several uptakes in the extremities that matched with the subcutaneous nodules and transverse colon. Additional examinations using lower gastrointestinal endoscopy, pathological examination, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed tubular adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon. The patient underwent partial colon resection and lymph node dissection. The sarcoid nodules disappeared within 2 months postoperatively. Approximately 2 years later, there were no signs of recurrence of subcutaneous nodules, colon cancer, or additional findings suggestive of sarcoidosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a sarcoid-like reaction developing in the subcutaneous tissues of the extremities, associated with colon cancer, wherein the sarcoid nodules disappeared after the operation.
Occupational Noise Exposure in Foot and Ankle Surgery and the Risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Authors: Kohring Adam S. , McCahon Joseph A.S. , Bridges Tiffany N. , Buchan Levi , Kwan Stephanie , Sherman Matthew , Biasotti Lori , Parekh Selene G. , Daniel Joseph N.
Published: November 2024

Background:

Occupational exposure to high levels of noise increases the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), resulting in significant long-term quality of life implications. Hearing protection is recommended if occupational noise exposure routinely exceeds 85 decibels (dB). The purpose of this study was to determine if foot and ankle surgeons are exposed to excessive levels of noise, thus putting them at an increased risk for NIHL.

Methods:

A prospective review was conducted of intraoperative recordings during a variety of foot and ankle procedures. Recordings were categorized into 3 subgroups: trauma, deformity correction and degenerative conditions, and soft tissue procedures. Noise levels were reported as maximum dB level (MDL) and time-weighted average (TWA), defined as the average dB level projected over an 8-hour period. Dose was reported as the percentage of allowable daily noise, with projected dose reported as the measured dose projected over an 8-hour period.

Results:

A total of 147 operative recordings consisting of 64 (44%) deformity correction and degenerative conditions, 40 (27%) soft tissue procedures, and 43 (29%) trauma cases were collected. Maximal and average noise exposures were similar for all procedures ( P = .077; P = .090), with an average MDL of 98.9 dB (range, 87.9-109.2) and TWA of 60.5 dB. Procedures also did not significantly differ in dose ( P = .273), even when projected over an 8-hour period ( P = .362). The average MDL of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and hindfoot arthrodesis procedures was 101.5 dB (range, 93.9-109.2), with 52% of all deformity correction and degenerative procedures having an MDL over 100.0 dB.

Conclusion:

Foot and ankle surgeons are typically not exposed to dangerous levels of occupational noise as per National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommendation; however, specific procedures, such as arthrodesis and TAA, routinely achieve noise levels that are above the recommended limits.
Assessment of the Ergonomic Exposures for Home Healthcare Workers in the United Kingdom
Authors: Dondi Amour C. , Bellacov Ryan , Fray Mike , Davis Kermit G.
Published: November 2024

Home healthcare has been identified amongst the most hazardous industries in healthcare. Many of the tasks being conducted by home healthcare workers are associated with significant demands including physical demands such as mobility and repositioning activities as well as psychological demands which is attributed by dealing with a complex environment whilst administering medical and life saving care to patients, and social demands that encompasses dealing with dying and grieving patients. With the homes in United Kingdom having potentially unique exposures due to the healthcare system and design of the homes such as multi-floors, smaller condensed rooms, and limited ventilation, the purpose of this study was to investigate the exposures for home healthcare workers in the United Kingdom. Ergonomic hazards were observed through various tasks such as repositioning in bed (34.8%), transfer from bed to chair (30.4%), transfer from bed to chair (26.1%), and transfer from chair to chair (26.1%) and particularly for nursing aides. Lifting hoists were only used 13 times (19%) and predominantly by nursing aides (12 of 13, 92%). A slip sheet or slide board was used 7 times (10.1%), all being nursing aides using them.
Theory-Based Message Design for Recruitment of Underrepresented Racial/Ethnic Groups Into Alzheimer’s-Focused Research Registries
Authors: Bleakley Amy , Maloney Erin K. , Hennessy Michael , Hull Shawnika , Harkins Kristin , Largent Emily , Ashford Miriam , Kwang Winnie , Byrd DeAnnah R. , Nosheny Rachel , Karlawish Jason , Langbaum Jessica B.
Published: November 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-focused recruitment research registries can help identify eligible participants for AD studies, but registry participation is limited among racial and ethnic groups most at risk for AD. Using the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA), this study is part of a larger project to design theory-based persuasive recruitment messages that would encourage registry enrollment among underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. National survey data were collected in May/June 2021 from adults aged 50–80 years old living in the United States ( n = 1,501) with oversamples of non-Hispanic Black ( n = 334) and Hispanic ( n = 309) adults for group comparisons. Regression analysis was used to estimate the relationship of the attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control on intention to sign up for an AD-focused research registry for each racial/ethnic and sex group (i.e., Black women, Black men, Hispanic female, Hispanic men, non-Hispanic White women, and non-Hispanic White men), followed by an audience segmentation analysis based on intender status. Across almost all target groups, attitudes were an important determinant of intention, and norms and capacity were secondary determinants for Black and Hispanic adults, respectively. There was considerable overlap in attitudinal beliefs most salient to the behavior which focused on benefits to society in some way, either generally (i.e., “helping others in the future”; “advancing science”) or more specifically (i.e., “helping others like you”). Differences between groups were more apparent regarding norms and capacity. Targeted recruitment messages based on beliefs that were common across the groups could be an efficient way of recruiting people of color into AD research registries.
Prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression in diabetic retinopathy patients: A cross-sectional study using multiple scales
Authors: Qiu Hui
Published: November 2024

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression, and explore their related factors in all types of diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients more precisely and accurately by multiple scales.

Methods

Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), beck depression inventory (BDI), and self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores were assessed in 247 DR patients and 250 non-retinopathic diabetes mellitus (NRDM) patients.

Results

In DR patients, there were 32 patients with proliferative DR and 115 patients with impaired visual acuity. The prevalences (95% confidence interval) of anxiety were 38.5% (32.4%–44.6%) and 32.0% (26.2%–37.8%) by BAI and SAS, while those for depression were 31.6% (25.8%–37.4%) and 25.1% (19.7%–30.5%) by BDI and SDS in DR patients. BAI score ( P = 0.003), BAI-defined anxiety rate ( P = 0.010), SAS score ( P = 0.001), SAS-defined anxiety rate ( P = 0.006), BDI score ( P = 0.005), BDI-defined depression rate ( P = 0.028), and SDS score ( P = 0.001) were increased in DR patients versus NRDM patients. In DR patients, proliferative DR independently related to BAI-defined anxiety ( P < 0.001) and SAS-defined anxiety ( P < 0.001). Female ( P = 0.016) and proliferative DR ( P < 0.001) independently associated with BDI-defined depression; female ( P = 0.007), DM duration ( P = 0.025), triglyceride (TG) ( P = 0.026), and proliferative DR ( P = 0.014) independently associated with SDS-defined depression. The combination of these independent factors showed acceptable abilities in predicting BAI-defined anxiety, SAS-defined anxiety, BDI-defined depression, or SDS-defined depression in DR patients, with area under curves of 0.626, 0.656, 0.696, and 0.741, respectively (all P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Anxiety and depression are prevalent; meanwhile, proliferative DR, female, DM duration, and TG independently relate to anxiety or depression in DR patients.
Transparency after Fish Legal: Private actors and access to environmental information in the United Kingdom
Authors: Ferguson Erin C.
Published: November 2024

This article examines the meaning of ‘public authorities’ under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) since 2015, when it was decided in Fish Legal that private water companies in England and Wales are public authorities for EIR purposes. Whilst that decision was considered a victory for transparency as it now means that private water companies have a legal obligation to provide access to environmental information, this article argues that the tests established in Fish Legal have introduced a high threshold that relatively few other private bodies have met, despite performing what are arguably public functions. As a result, access to environmental information is effectively limited due to the increasing participation of the private sector in delivering public services. Through an examination of the decisions taken since Fish Legal, this article exposes the limitations of the current functional approach to designation and argues that a renewed approach to environmental transparency is needed to ensure that information and participation rights are not diminished by privatisation.
Young white children's (not so) innocent wonderings about skin color
Authors: Klarsgaard Nadia Norling Tshili
Published: November 2024

Issues of race and racism in early childhood education remain under-researched in Denmark—a country where the ideology of equity is particularly prevalent. However, international research on race and racism has long shown that children as young as three to four years of age can express stereotypes and develop prejudicial attitudes related to race, leading to exclusionary social behaviors. This article presents a microsocial analysis of how skin color becomes a socially constructed site of power and access in children's social processes of differentiation. The article is written from the perspective of childhood sociology and is based on participant observations from critical ethnographic-inspired fieldwork conducted in a Danish kindergarten. The analysis shows how normative whiteness orientates two white five-year-old boys’ interpretations of a four-year-old Black girl's dark-complexioned skin. By extension, the article discusses why young white children's meaning-making wonderings about skin color should not be considered an innocent everyday part of kindergarten life. Finally, the article considers the role of early childhood educators when emphasizing the importance of recognizing early childhood education settings as critical sites in the (re)production and disruption of contemporary issues of race and racism.
Youth Choreographing Peace: Dance in and Beyond the Refugee Camp
Authors: Parkes Nicola , Pruitt Lesley
Published: November 2024

Recent scholarship examines key roles the arts may play in peacebuilding and highlights the importance of youth-led peacebuilding. Building on these literatures, we investigate how young people displaced by conflict dance for peace and in doing so offer insights into peacebuilding theory and practice. Drawing on the first author's experience working in Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi from 2018–2019 and 12 semi-structured interviews conducted from August–October 2021 with young people living and/or working in the camp, we argue that young people affected by conflict can and do use dance in various ways to create peaceful social change. This case study explores how displaced young people come together in Dzaleka Refugee camp to use dance to lead for peace. In doing so, they deploy dance to practice freedom and mobility, challenge negative representations of refugee young people, and create and access social and economic opportunities.
Impact performance of the marine rotating machinery coupled with floating raft-airbag-limiter under heaving motion
Authors: Li Zhenhua , Li Ming , Zhu Guanghong
Published: November 2024

A dynamic model of an asymmetric system is developed with limiter under heave conditions to explore the impact characteristics of a marine rotating machinery coupled airbag-floating raft-limiter systems. The steady-state response of the system is numerically solved using the Runge-Kutta theory. Nonlinear dynamic analysis methods, including energy trajectories and time-averaged energy diagrams, have been introduced to examine the influence of rotor speed, heaving amplitude, limiter clearance, and contact stiffness on the dynamic characteristics of the system. The results show that the amplitude of the heave increases, the system collides with the limiter, resulting in a significant reduction in amplitude. Meanwhile, the dynamic behavior of system transitions from quasi-periodic motion to chaotic state. After the impact, the energy of the system begins to concentrate in the region of impact, and the higher the time-averaged energy value, the more severe the impact of the system. The method proposed in this paper can provides an optimization scheme and theoretical reference for the impact problem of this system.
Relationship between resilience, social support and psychological well-being in nursing students
Authors: Naz Afshan Mehwish , Khan Shaier , Manzoor Samina , Rehman Khubaid Ur , Aslam Zeenaf , Noor Nazi
Published: November 2024

Background:

Nursing students face significant academic stress, often surpassing that of other disciplines, due to exposure to diverse clinical settings and challenging patient conditions. This stress can lead to psychological issues like anxiety and depression, impacting their well-being.

Aim and Methods:

This study aimed to assess resilience and social support levels among 160 Generic BS Nursing students in five Public and Private nursing education institutions of Lahore, Pakistan and explore their relationship with psychological well-being by using a cross-sectional correlational study. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Results showed 47.5% of participants were aged 17–21, and 52.55% were older than 22. Most (88.8%) were female. Resilience scores were low-to-moderate (mean: 66.50 ± 14.7), psychological well-being was moderate (mean: 56.35 ± 18.98) and social support was low (mean: 5.07 ± 1.21). Notably, no significant differences were found between third and fourth-year students.

Conclusion:

This study highlighted the positive relationship between resilience, social support and psychological well-being among nursing students. Resilience plays a vital role in mitigating stress’s adverse effects, and strong support from family and friends contributes to positive psychological health.
A new adaptive analysis method based on the Kriging model for structural reliability analysis
Authors: Wang Tianzhe , Li Guofa , Zhu Haoming , Chen Zhongshi , Wang Xiaoye
Published: November 2024

Widespread uncertainty in engineering problems makes it necessary to carry out structural reliability analysis. The crude Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method can obtain accurate results, but it requires a large number of model evaluations. The Kriging-based method is a feasible way to reduce the computational cost. This study proposes a novel adaptive analysis method. Firstly, the convergence condition based on estimation accuracy is introduced. This condition focuses on the precision of the failure probability rather than the state of the points in the candidate sample pool. Then three extended U learning strategies are proposed. Sequence strategy (#1) focuses on evenly selecting samples by exploiting information on both sides of the limit state function. Strategy (#2) adopts the parallel adaptive learning technique to simultaneously select samples in both the safe and failure domains. Strategy (#3) pays attention to low-precision domains and can adaptively choose between sequential and parallel analysis modes. The choice of the three strategies can be based on the parallel computing resources available to researchers. Finally, three numerical cases and one engineering case are presented. This study provides an efficient tool for reliability evaluation of practical engineering problems.
‘I am in Great Pain, Please Help Me’: Nihilism, Humour, and Rick and Morty
Authors: Holm Nicholas , Donian Jennalee
Published: November 2024

One of Cartoon Network’s most successful shows ever, Rick and Morty (2013–present) has established a cult following for its blend of dark humour and existential themes. However, the show is more than just a representation of popular nihilism; through its sustained engagement with nihilistic themes, it also demonstrates how nihilism can be embraced, exhausted, and potentially eventually surpassed in a popular context. Drawing on Richard Hoggart’s model of “social hermeneutics,” this article analyses key episodes as a means to think through the broader trajectory of nihilism as an influential element of twenty-first century popular culture.