bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing an intuitionistic fuzzy rough new correlation coefficient approach for enhancing robotic vacuum cleaner
Authors: Noorjahan Shaik , Sharief Basha Shaik
Published: September 2024

An intuitionistic fuzzy rough model is a powerful tool for dealing with complex uncertainty and imprecision in graph-based models, combining the strengths of intuitionistic fuzzy sets and rough sets. In this research, a correlation coefficient is an established tool for finding the strength of the relationship between two intuitionistic fuzzy rough graphs since correlation coefficients are very capable of processing and interpreting data. Furthermore, an intuitionistic fuzzy rough environment is integrated with attribute decision-making based on correlation coefficients. In order to measure the correlation between two intuitionistic fuzzy rough graphs, this suggests utilising the correlation coefficient concept and weighted correlation coefficient. In order to identify decision-making issues that are supported by intuitionistic fuzzy rough preference relations, the Laplacian energy and new correlation coefficient of intuitionistic fuzzy rough graphs are calculated in this study. We propose a new approach to computing the relative position loads of establishments by adjusting the correlation coefficient between one personality's intuitionistic fuzzy rough preference relation and the other items, as well as the undecided corroboration of the intuitionistic fuzzy rough preference relation. This paper determines the ranking order of all alternatives and the best one by using the correlation coefficient between each option and the ideal choice. In the meantime, the appropriate example improves decision-making for robotic vacuum cleaners by effectively handling uncertain and imprecise data, thereby optimising cleaning performance.
Youth Leadership and Intersectionality: Which Youth Have a Say in School Decision-Making?
Authors: Bertrand Melanie , Deolindo Thainá Ferrari , Garcia Leyda W. , Domínguez Ashley D.
Published: September 2024

Research has shown that youth participation in school decision-making is hindered by both racism and adultism. However, less is known about the implications of intersecting forms of injustice for youth leadership to advance social justice. We address this area using the lens of intersectionality in a qualitative study of youth leadership at a school in an urban area. Our findings point to the complexity of representation in youth leadership, considering the intersections of not only age and race but also disability and language. Ultimately, our research indicates that efforts to increase youth influence should consider intersectionality.
Privatised urbanism: The making of new cities and the self-organising mosaic
Authors: Korah Prosper Issahaku , Cobbinah Patrick Brandful
Published: September 2024

Sub-Saharan African cities have experienced significant spatial transformation in recent years. This transformation, in part, has been characterised by the proliferation of new cities and the privatisation of urban spaces. Yet, an understanding of how the growing trend of privatised urbanism is producing marginalisation and exclusion hurdles for the majority of urbanites in the context of self-organisation remains limited. In response to this knowledge gap, this article investigates patterns of self-organisation in new cities. We demonstrate how the production of new cities and the privatisation of urban spaces have shaped land use planning and led to the marginalisation of local communities. Using the Greater Accra Region, Ghana as a case study, fieldwork involving interviews with urban planners, community leaders and key informants was conducted. The findings show that the forms of self-organisation inherent in new cities tend to perpetuate and deepen inequalities and exclusion in the peri-urban area. Rather than being an avenue for the marginalised to intervene in space and realise their ambitions, self-organisation serves the interests of the wealthy and powerful. We conclude that self-organisation may not always be a means to promote an inclusive and just society. Recommendations for creating a more equitable and inclusive urban futures are proffered.
Strengthening Clinician-Researchers’ Communication and Knowledge Translation Skills: An Innovative Game Model From the Breathe Well Group
Authors: Williams Siân , Fernandes Genevie , Adab Peymané , Adams Rachel , de Sousa Jaime Correia , Chi Chunhua , Dickens Andrew P. , Enocson Alexandra , Farley Amanda , Maglakelidze Mariam , Maglakelidze Tamaz , Martins Sonia , Sitch Alice , Stamenova Aleksandra , Stavrikj Katarina , Stelmach Rafael , Turner Alice , Pan Zihan , Pang Hui , Zhang Jianxin , Jordan Rachel E.
Published: September 2024

Communication is a core component of a clinician’s role; however, when clinicians conduct research, communicating the emerging findings and recommendations to different types of stakeholders can be unfamiliar territory. Communicating research to advocate for change can be even more challenging. Clinician researchers seeking to be agents for change need to conceive and craft specific, evidence-based messages and communicate these effectively to different stakeholders to negotiate action. As part of a global health research program, we developed and tested a novel game-based model to strengthen the communication skills of clinician researchers, from 4 countries, for improving services for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This model focused on communication with 3 key stakeholder groups for knowledge translation: Patients/carers, healthcare providers and policy makers/healthcare managers. Delivered through a series of facilitated, online meetings, this model consisted of 2 parts: developing and rehearsing advocacy messages with coaching support, and then testing them with a panel of 3 representative stakeholders, and an audience of fellow researchers. All the country teams reported increased confidence in crafting advocacy messages for specific stakeholders and have applied lessons learned from the model. Delivering this model within a global health research program requires mentoring, time, commitment, resources and translation support to address language barriers. It offers an exemplar to build the communication skills of clinician and non-clinician researchers so that they can go beyond dissemination toward translation of evidence into policy and practice.
Validity and Reproducibility of a Culture-Specific Electronic Food Frequency Questionnaire: A Trinidad and Tobago Diet Assessment Study
Authors: Foster-Nicholas Lesley Ann , Shavlik David , Heskey Celine , Dyett Patricia , Segovia-Siapco Gina
Published: September 2024

Nutritional epidemiologists use culture-specific food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) to assess the dietary intake of groups based on country, region or ethnic groups. This study aimed to validate a culture-specific semi-quantitative electronic Food Frequency Questionnaire (e-FFQ) to estimate food group intake in the adult population of Trinidad and Tobago. A 139-item semi-quantitative e-FFQ containing local dishes and street food was administered twice to adults 18 years and older and compared against four 1-day food records (FRs) using digital photographs, which served as the reference method. The validity and reproducibility of the e-FFQ food group intake estimates were determined using paired t-tests, bivariate correlations, and cross-classifications. Reproducibility correlations between the reported food group intakes in the first and repeat administration of the e-FFQ ranged from moderate ( r = .44, P ≤ .0001) for sweetened beverages to high ( r = .91 P ≤ .0001) for alcohol. The cross-classification agreements ranged from 70% (street food) to 92% (alcohol). Energy-adjusted deattenuated validity correlations between the e-FFQ and FR ranged from ( r = .08) for water to ( r = .81) for food from animal sources, with a mean validity correlation of .36. An average of 68% of the e-FFQ estimates was correctly classified within the ±1 quintile of the exact agreement with the FRs. Agreements between the e-FFQ and FRs ranged from 55% for street foods to 95% for water, all significant at P ≤ .0001. This study shows that the culture-specific e-FFQ is a valid tool for assessing and ranking food category intake estimates of the adult population living in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Distorted Gaze? Travel Photo Editing in the Social Media Era
Authors: Li Ningqiao , Meng Fang , Martin Drew
Published: September 2024

Photo editing has emerged as a common practice among tourists when documenting experiences and sharing photos on social media. Examining this understudied phenomenon, the following study explores the motivations behind travelers’ photo-editing behavior and their perceptions on authenticity. Qualitative research methods were utilized, including 23 semi-structured interviews with a photo elicitation method and two focus groups for data triangulation. The results revealed that people edit travel photos to enhance the photo presentation, self-presentation, social connection, and destination presentation. This study introduces the distorted gaze and advances the traditional tourist gaze framework. Through photo editing behavior, tourists interpret authenticity in various ways; authenticity becomes less critical than the travelers’ own visual pleasure, self-image management, and social conformity/compliments from their social media audience. This study investigated new perspectives on people’s travel photo editing behavior and a new form of tourist gaze in the social media era.
Flexible Work in the Public Sector: A Dual Perspective on Cognitive Benefits and Costs in Remote Work Environments
Authors: Barbieri Barbara , Bellini Diego , Batzella Federica , Mondo Marina , Pinna Roberta , Galletta Maura , De Simone Silvia
Published: September 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of flexible work arrangements within the Italian public administration. While much of the existing research has focused on the drawbacks of such arrangements, there has been less exploration of their benefits. Cognitive demands related to the structure of work activities, planning of working hours, planning of workplaces, and coordination with others, under flexible working conditions, might be considered as job resources that act as challenging demands within the Job Demand-Resource (JD-R) model. This study aimed to explore how the “cognitive challenge of flexible work” (CCFW) impact job satisfaction through home-based performance, taking into account the role of weekly working hours on home-based performance. Furthermore, the potential moderating role of cognitive and physical job demands between CCFW and home-based performance was explored. Using structural equation modeling on data from 484 public employees, the findings confirmed the positive impact of the structure of work tasks and planning of working times on both job satisfaction and home-based performance. In addition, cognitive demands (i.e., perception of cognitive work overload) played a moderating role in the mediated relationship between coordinating with others on job satisfaction and the structure of working tasks on job satisfaction through home-based performance.
Information and Communication Technology Adoption, Administrative Discretion, and Innovative Mindsets in Public Organizations
Authors: Lee Kyungmin , Yeo Jungwon
Published: September 2024

This article examines how information and communication technology (ICT) adoption and administrative discretion are associated with the innovative mindsets of public employees in South Korea. Employing moderated multiple regression analysis, the authors examined secondary survey data on South Korean public employees’ perceptions collected by the Korea Institute of Public Administration in 2021. The findings support a direct and positive impact of ICT adoption and administrative discretion on the innovative mindsets of public employees. Moreover, the results highlight the moderating influence of (perceptual) administrative discretion on the relationship between ICT adoption and innovative mindsets of public employees. The authors discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the findings and contributions of this study.
Does Lecture Style Matter in Asynchronous Online Interteaching?
Authors: Gayman Catherine M. , Jimenez Stephanie T. , Herron Jennifer
Published: September 2024

Background

Although substantial empirical evidence supports interteaching, few studies have investigated the clarifying lecture component, and none have evaluated it in an online course format.

Objective

This study evaluated the necessity of a clarifying lecture in an asynchronous online course and compared a clarifying lecture (based on student feedback) to brief standard lecture (covering material the instructor thought was difficult).

Method

Participants were undergraduates ( N = 116) across three sections of an online Psychology of Learning course. An alternating treatments design was used to vary the order of three brief lecture conditions across weeks in the courses: (a) clarifying lecture; (b) standard lecture; and (c) no lecture.

Results

There were no significant differences in exam scores across the three conditions. However, students scored significantly higher on weekly exams when the lecture conditions were collapsed and compared to no lecture. Most students reported a preference for the clarifying lecture.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that both styles of asynchronous lectures positively impacted weekly (but not cumulative final) exam scores.

Teaching Implications

The efficacy of interteaching was not decreased by altering lecture style. This flexibility eases the course preparation burden on instructors given they could prepare lectures prior to gathering student feedback.
Evaluating whole life carbon impact of climate control systems in net-zero building designs
Authors: Elsarrag Esam
Published: September 2024

This paper proposes a methodology for the early-stage selection of climate control systems in building design, focusing primarily on minimising whole life carbon (WLC) emissions. A significant obstacle is the limited availability of comprehensive data on the carbon footprint of Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment and materials, along with the challenges or absence of early-stage energy models and detailed HVAC designs. This paper presents and compares the WLC for seven different HVAC systems and designs for an office building. The study demonstrates how HVAC engineers and designers can make informed decisions by selecting HVAC systems, materials, and components in the early stages. It illustrates the outcomes of a typical project design from both WLC and operational energy perspectives. Additionally, the paper provides normalised WLC benchmarks for each system in terms of kgCO2e per square metre of floor area.

Practical Applications: This study provides practical guidance for HVAC engineers and designers in achieving net-zero building goals by minimising Whole Life Carbon (WLC) across seven climate control systems. The developed benchmarking tool enables early-stage selection of these systems by normalising embodied and operational carbon data per square metre of floor area, facilitating direct comparisons. Insights into the benefits of low-GWP refrigerants and efficient designs support the adoption of sustainable solutions. The integration of operational energy and consideration of decarbonising grids ensure future-proof designs that remain effective under evolving energy conditions. The study offers valuable benchmarks and actionable strategies to support industry decision-making and policy development for reducing the environmental impacts of HVAC systems.
The Role of Immunosuppression on Postoperative Outcomes in Facial Fracture Repair
Authors: Eberly Hänel W. , Rothka Andrew J. , Sciscent Bao Y. , Lighthall Jessyka G.
Published: September 2024

Objectives: To assess postoperative outcomes in immunosuppressed patients with facial fractures. Methods: TriNetX, a large de-identified health research database, was utilized to compare outcomes within 30 days of treatment between immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients with facial fractures. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on use of immunosuppressive therapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Results: Nine thousand four hundred seventy-five patients were identified. On subgroup analysis, 555 patients were on immunosuppressants, 429 patients had HIV, 619 patients had CKD, 1322 patients with liver disease, and 3133 had diabetes. Immunosuppressed patients more frequently experienced postoperative infections [odds ratio (OR) 1.37 (1.9-1.54), P < .001], thromboembolic events [OR 1.71 (1.33-2.20), P < .001], hemorrhage [OR 1.46 (1.10-1.92), P = .0087], hospital readmission [OR 1.36 (1.28-1.44), P < .001], subsequent emergency department encounters [OR 1.08 (1.01-1.15), P = .0249], and wound disruptions [OR 1.52 (1.17-1.97), P = .0017]. Analyses comparing outcomes by immunosuppression type found increased rates of infection [OR 1.59 (1.25-2.01), P < .001], thromboembolic events [OR 1.56 (1.07-2.26), P = .0196], wound disruption [OR 1.57 (1.03-2.39), P = .0357], and hospital readmission [OR 1.28 (1.16-1.42), P < .001] in diabetic patients. Patients with CKD [OR 1.7 (1-2.90), P = .0478] had higher rates of infection [OR 2.02 (1.18-3.46), P = .0092] and readmission [OR 1.43 (1.14-1.79), P = .0017]. Patients with liver disease had higher rates of infection [OR 1.54 (1.07-2.23), P = .0210], thromboembolic events [OR 2.84 (1.37-5.87), P = .0033], and readmission [OR 2.14 (1.83-2.51), P < .001]. No significant differences were seen between groups for HIV patients. Conclusions: Immunosuppressed patients with facial trauma have a higher prevalence of postoperative complications compared to immunocompetent patients. Diabetics had a higher prevalence of most complications while patients with CKD and liver disease had higher rates of infections. Surgeons may consider measures to decrease postoperative risk in these patients and to provide preoperative patient counseling.
Age-Related Trends of Thyroidectomies in Saudi Arabia: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Alalawi Hassan , Alharbi Abdullah F. , Alsayid Hoda , Merdad Mazin , Rammal Almoaidbellah , Algarni Mohammed A. , Al-Hakami Hadi A. , Alzahrani Rajab A. , Nujoom Mohammed , Alhozali Amani , Samargandy Shaza , Marzouki Hani Z.
Published: September 2024

Background: Understanding the relationship between aging and postoperative complications is critical because it may influence how the condition is managed. The safety of thyroidectomy in the older age group is debated in literature. All previous studies were conducted outside of the Middle East, and there is a scarcity of data in the literature describing the relationship between age and postoperative outcomes after thyroidectomy. This study aimed to compare the clinical trends of patients undergoing thyroidectomy between younger and older age groups. Methodology: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted at 3 tertiary care centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Our inclusion criteria consisted of patients of all ages of both sexes who underwent thyroidectomy. Patients were divided into 2 age groups, <60 years and ≥60 years. Chi-square test and independent t test were used to evaluate the differences between qualitative and continuous variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed with postoperative complications and length of hospitalization as the dependent variables. Results: A total of 798 patients were included in this study. The <60 years age group was comprised of 81% female patients and 19% male patients, compared to 63.4% female patients and 36.6% male patients in the ≥60 years age group ( P < .001). The ≥60 years age group had a statistically significant longer mean postoperative length of hospitalization (5.37 ± 7.21 days) compared to the <60 age group (3.33 ± 4.24 days; P = .003). A total of 14.4% of the patients in the <60 years age group developed at least one postoperative complication compared to 17.9% of the patients in the ≥60 years age group ( P = .385). Seroma and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury occurred more commonly in the ≥60 years age group compared to the <60 years age group with a statistically significant difference ( P = .003 and P < .001, respectively). In contrast, hypocalcemia occurred more commonly in patients of the <60 years age group with a statistically significant difference ( P = .044). These findings were further verified by multivariate logistic regression after adjustment for gender, type of procedure, and type of diagnosis. Conclusion: In our region, the overall risk of developing postoperative complications was not different between the younger and older age groups. However, certain complications were more likely to develop in the older age group which requires vigilance from surgeons performing thyroidectomy. Likewise, the length of hospitalization was significantly longer in the older population. Awareness of complications and challenges of thyroidectomy in the older age group is crucial to improve care.
Coexistence of Tuberculosis and Malignancy in a Single Cervical Lymph Node: A Case Series
Authors: Mezri Sameh , Jemli Safa , Zitouni Chaima , Thabet Wadii
Published: September 2024

Background: The coexistence of tuberculosis (TB) and malignancy within the same lymph node is a rare, if not exceptional, pathology, with only a few cases reported. Methods: We collected patients who presented concomitant TB and malignancy within the same cervical lymph node diagnosed during the period (2010-2023). Results: Ten patients were included. They received or were receiving treatment for cancer or TB in 7 cases. All patients presented with recurrent or new lymph nodes despite being under treatment. The 3 remaining patients did not have a history of cancer or TB. Histopathological examination confirmed the coexistence of TB and malignancy within the same lymph node. Histological types of diagnosed cancers included laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland, Hodgkin lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. All patients received treatment for TB and cancer. Two patients died from septic complication in 1 case and from pulmonary complication due to miliary TB in 1 case. Conclusions: Concomitant TB and malignancy are possible, especially in countries with a high incidence of TB. Immunocompromised states related to cancer, and its treatments can add the risk of flare-up of a latent infection.
Prevalence and Pattern of Ear Disease Among Primary School Students in Samoa: Preliminary Results from ENT Clinic Outreach to Urban, Rural and Remote Settings
Authors: Kaspar Annette , Pifeleti Sione , Driscoll Carlie , Ah Kuoi Maria
Published: September 2024

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and pattern of ear disease among students attending primary school in urban, rural, and remote regions of Samoa in order to develop an evidence-based national school ear and hearing health program. Methods: Retrospective clinical data review of all primary school students seen by the Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic of Samoa during school-based outreach visits from March 2022 to April 2024. A purposefully designed spreadsheet was created to extract the following information from the clinical records: school location (urban, rural, remote), gender (male, female), age (years), age category (0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15+ years), right ear diagnosis, left ear diagnosis. Data were entered into the SPSS statistical software package for descriptive statistical analysis and association tests of significance. Results: A total of 1491 primary school students were seen for ear health examinations (51.1% male, 48.9% female), with a mean age of 9.1 years (SD = 2.3). Five primary schools were included, representing urban (n = 865), rural (n = 258), and remote (n = 368) settings. Overall, 682 (45.7%) students had normal ear examination results for both ears, 237 (15.9%) had an ear pathology in 1 ear only, and 568 (38.1%) had ear pathology in both ears. Bilateral ear pathology was significantly higher among students who were in the 5 to 9 age group ( P < .00001), female ( P = .035), and from rural settings ( P = .0001). The most common pathology was impacted cerumen (36.8%), followed by otitis media with effusion (7.5%). Overall prevalence of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) was 2.6% (n = 39 students). Following the school visits, no further intervention was required for 1180 students (79%), mostly due to successful cerumen and foreign body removals for 468 students (31.4%). Conclusion: Impacted cerumen is a significant issue among Samoan school-aged students, and future school-based ear health programs should include staff members trained in cerumen removal. CSOM prevalence suggests an avoidable burden of disease that must be addressed.
A Mark-Recapture Approach to Estimating Item Pool Compromise
Authors: Feinberg Richard A.
Published: September 2024

Testing organizations routinely investigate if secure exam material has been compromised and is consequently invalid for scoring and inclusion on future assessments. Beyond identifying individual compromised items, knowing the degree to which a form is compromised can inform decisions on whether the form can no longer be administered or when an item pool is compromised to such an extent that serious action on a broad scale must be taken to ensure the validity of score interpretations. Previous research on estimating the population of item compromise is sparse; however, this is a more generally long-studied problem in ecological research. In this note, we exemplify the utility of the mark-recapture technique to estimate the population of compromised items, first through a brief demonstration to introduce the fundamental concepts and then a more realistic scenario to illustrate applicability to large-scale testing programs. An effective use of this technique would be to longitudinally track changes in the estimated population to inform operational test security strategies. Many variations on mark-recapture exist and interpretation of the estimated population depends on several factors. Thus, this note is only meant to introduce the concept of mark-recapture as a useful application to evaluate a testing organization’s compromise mitigation procedures.
Do Technology Transfer Networks Impact Urban Innovation Capacity? Evidence From Chinese Cities
Authors: Fan Fei , Wen Zilin , Shao Xiaoyu , Zhang Hong , Yang Bihong
Published: September 2024

As the flow of innovation elements breaks through geographical boundaries, patent transfer has become an important way for cities to enhance their competitive advantages. This study crawls technology transfer data through Big Data mining and uses social network analysis to construct an intercity technology transfer network among 286 Chinese cites at the prefecture-level and above, between 2000–2020. The study explores the influence of technology transfer networks on urban innovation capacity. The results indicate that: (1) Embeddedness of cities in technology transfer networks is conducive to cities acquiring more information and resources through external interactions, thereby promoting urban innovation capability. (2) External knowledge acquisition and knowledge absorption capacity positively moderate the effect of technology transfer networks on urban innovation capacity. (3) A significant spatial correlation exists between technology transfer and innovation activities, and technology transfer networks promote innovation in cities with similar spatial characteristics through spatial knowledge spillover effects.
Immigration and the Boundaries of Black Political Subjecthood in Argentina and Chile
Authors: Mardones Marshall Antonia
Published: September 2024

In the last two decades, the Argentine and Chilean states have passed laws and policies targeting Afro-descendant populations. But while Argentine law has institutionalized Afro-descent through a broad notion of African ancestry and African-based culture, the Chilean state has legally defined Afro-descent in relation to a particular history, culture, and identity connected to a long-standing presence in the national territory. In this paper, I examine the role of immigration in explaining how Afro-descendant subjecthood has been legally constructed and institutionalized in each national context. Through archival and interview-based research, I analyze how classification struggles within each Afro-descendant movement and between Afro-descendant activists and the state frame claims and strategies for legal inclusion, ultimately impacting how the boundaries of Afro-descent are defined and institutionalized in each national context. Immigrants’ early participation within the Afro-Argentine movement promoted heterogenous political framings, but feelings of threat drove some Afro-Argentine activists to emphasize nativist claims. This has produced a diversity of legislation and policies that target different populations, including immigrants—what I refer to as a “transnational-racial” model. In Chile, immigrants have not participated prominently in the Afro-descendant movement, but they have been present in the imaginaries of activists and state officials debating legislative and policy measures. Afro-Chileans’ political success requires not being seen as foreigners by state officials, driving them to emphasize their national belonging. Thus, Black subjecthood has been institutionalized targeting Afro-Chileans who share a common history and culture while excluding immigrants—what I refer to as a “national-ethnic” model.
Rethinking Queer Migration: The Case of Skilled Chinese LGBTQ+ Migrants in North America
Authors: Yang Tori Shucheng
Published: September 2024

Queer migration scholarship has established sexuality as an important axis of power that shapes and is shaped by migration processes. To further conceptualize how and when sexuality matters, this article bridges queer migration with other modes of migration. Drawing from in-depth interviews with 48 skilled Chinese LGBTQ+ migrants in North America, I examine the organization of sexuality in queer migration through the pathway of international student migration/mobility. My findings reveal how sexuality has transitioned from hidden to affirmed, and finally to unconstrained across three stages of the migration trajectory in shifting institutional contexts. By examining the temporal variation of queerness in the process of migration, I show the co-evolution of identity and mobility mediated by migration pathways.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Nursing Staff Toward Patients Who Attempted Suicide at Tertiary Care Hospital of Central Gujarat, India
Authors: Vaghela Prashant V , Shah Saurabh , Desai Nimisha D  , Shah Sandip H
Published: September 2024

Background:

Looking at the alarming increase in the incidence of attempted suicide worldwide, having adequate expertise in managing people with attempted suicide is imperative. Therefore, healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, must be provided training exclusively on managing patients with attempted suicide and preventing suicide in the near and distant future. Nursing staff play a major role as a point of first contact for suicide survivors, and therefore, it is of utmost importance that they are adequately trained and knowledgeable in this area. To understand their knowledge, the authors decided to do this study to measure knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among nurses in suicide survivors.

Aim:

The aim of this article was to study the KAP of nursing staff toward patients with suicide attempts.

Methods:

A hospital-based cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted among nursing staff. All nurses ( n = 300) were approached in small groups between July and November 2023 via a convenient sampling. Written informed consent from participants was taken. The semi-structured questionnaire included sociodemographic details, their professional experience, their training and experience in managing suicidal patients, and KAP questions. The KAP questions were on patients with suicide attempts and were derived from the suicide knowledge and skill questionnaire (SKSQ), suicide attitude questionnaire, and practice guidelines of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Data was analyzed by using MS Excel version 6.2.14.

Result:

In this study, a total of 200 nursing staff participated. The majority were female (80%), with a mean age of 37 years and a mean professional experience of 12 years. Out of all participants, 68% had experience managing patients with suicide attempts, but only 27% of them were trained in suicide prevention. The mean score of knowledge and attitude among study participants were 65.25/100 and 3.24/5, respectively. Nursing staff had higher scores in questions of suicide risk assessment and statements related to attitudes like “they deserve respect in society.” In practice assessment, more than 80 % of nurses were keenly observant, empathetic, and nonstigmatized for hospitalized patients of suicide attempts. The nurses took measures like restricting access to harmful objects (medicines, sharp objects) and giving medicines under supervision.

Conclusion:

The nursing staff had adequate knowledge, a nonstigmatized attitude, and appropriate clinical practices toward patients with suicide attempts, but they lacked formal training. So, hands-on training for suicide management at regular intervals is the need of the hour.
Striving Through Adversities of Professional Life to Provide Better Care: A Content Analysis of News Articles and Online Blogs on Deteriorating Mental Health of Medicos
Authors: Saxena Swati , Rathore Bhanupriya
Published: September 2024

Background:

One of the noblest professions is medicine, which comprises ancillary services, medical students, and other paramedics. The challenges faced by the medical fraternity are infinite and uncertain.

Aim:

This study aims to thoroughly understand the professional challenges faced by medical professionals that can lead to mental health issues.

Methods:

A content analysis of 64 news articles and online blogs was done. The articles and blogs that addressed mental health issues among medical professionals were shortlisted. The data retrieved was accessed digitally between 2016 and 2024. Frequency analysis was done using QDA Miner Lite (free version).

Results:

The findings were summarized into six themes and 17 sub-themes, showing a high frequency of rising mental health issues among medicos, lack of organizational support, poor work-life balance, violence, and sacrificed health, with other less frequent codes like toxic seniority, hostile work culture, negative consequences of reporting mental health problems and hiding vulnerability to protect self-efficacy.

Conclusion:

The data retrieved from various news articles and blogs presents the personal experiences and real-life struggles of medical professionals. The outcome of this study is to understand the key issues affecting medicos at personal, professional, social, emotional, and spiritual levels.
Oxidative Stress in Depression: A Case-control Study of Serum MDA Levels and Lipid Levels in Patients With Depression in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India
Authors: Bondade Swapna , Das Keya , Supriya R  , Vignesh Ramakrishna , Varghese Sinu
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Numerous theories have been proposed to substantiate the etiopathogenesis of depression. Recently, the hypothesis involving the oxidative stress (OS) pathway has been explored. Hence, potential markers are also being investigated for their role in depression. We aimed to assess the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum lipid levels in individuals with depression and controls and explore associated factors.

Methodology:

A semi-structured questionnaire, complete with a mandatory consent form and a reliable, validated scale, namely the Hamilton Depression scale (HAM-D), was used. The method of sampling was purposive, with 100 depression cases in the psychiatry outpatient being included and 50 age-matched, gender-matched controls. Blood was collected from both groups to evaluate serum MDA and serum Lipid levels. Appropriate statistics using SPSS 20 were administered.

Results:

Our study had a female preponderance in cases, with 38% having major depressive disorder (MDD), 50% of whom showed suicidal ideas, and 10% had a prior history of deliberate self-harm. Mean HAM-D scores were higher in cases than controls, 18.57 ± 6.02, and mean MDA levels were higher in cases, 2.5 ± 1.02 mmol/L. HDL levels were lower in depression cases compared to controls, 38.34 ± 7.442. An inverse correlation was seen between mean serum MDA levels and HDL levels in depression cases. A significant relationship was observed between the parameters of depression and serum MDA levels.

Conclusion:

Significantly elevated mean serum MDA levels were observed in depression cases, along with significantly lowered mean HDL values compared to controls. We found a positive correlation between serum MDA levels and the severity, recurrence, and suicidality of depression. An inverse relation was observed between serum MDA values and mean HDL levels in depression. This emphasizes the need for clinical vigilance in employing these biomarkers not merely for assessment but also for HDL as a preventive measure in depression.
Validation of a Malayalam Version of the Apathy Evaluation Scale
Authors: Cotton Kelly , Sivaraman Shaji Kunnukattil , Sathyan Sanish , Ayers Emmeline , Adhikari Dristi , Ceïde Mirnova E. , Sigamani Alben , Kumar Pradeep , Verghese Joe
Published: September 2024

Background:

The apathy evaluation scale (AES) measures apathy, but its usefulness as a screening tool in diverse populations is limited without translation into more languages. To date, there is no reported translation of the AES into Malayalam, a language spoken by over 32 million people in the southern Indian state of Kerala. In the present study, we aimed to validate the Malayalam version of the AES.

Methods:

Six hundred sixty-one community-dwelling older adults without dementia participating in the Kerala Einstein study completed the Malayalam AES. We assessed the internal consistency and the validity of the Malayalam AES, using another measure of apathy, as well as measures of depression and anxiety. We also used principal component analysis (PCA) to determine the dimensionality of the Malayalam AES. Finally, we assessed possible sex differences in apathy.

Results:

The Malayalam AES demonstrated high internal consistency and good validity, and the results of our PCA indicate that it has a three-component structure, as in the original English version and other translated versions. We found that while overall apathy scores were similar, the relationship with other neuropsychiatric symptoms differed by sex, with stronger relationships found in male participants compared to female participants.

Conclusion:

Our study provides another tool to screen for apathy in non-English-speaking populations, an important early risk factor for cognitive and functional decline, and enables future research across diverse cultures.
The TAZAMA pipeline from visions to reality
Authors: Scotto Giulia
Published: September 2024

This paper aims to expand and refine our understanding of infrastructure’s multifaceted roles in the African post-independence context. It does so through the study of the TAZAMA pipeline built to overcome the “oil crisis” that affected Zambia after Southern Rhodesia’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965. The new infrastructure effectively put an end to the “oil crisis” and contributed to Zambia’s emancipation from colonial infrastructural and territorial constrains. However, it also created new dependencies and bolstered the extractive industry both locally and globally. Drawing upon archival material and a series of interviews conducted along the pipeline, this paper explores TAZAMA’s longue durée geopolitical, financial, and labor history, the ways in which the project was mobilized as a tool of propaganda but also individual and collective expectations and lived experiences associated with it. While acknowledging the role of infrastructure as tools of domination and exploitation, the paper foregrounds local agencies and aspirations, pan-African struggles, and state-led decolonization processes. This approach allows for a deeper comprehension of the varying degrees of ambition underlying the project while also elucidating the constraints and interests that perpetuate the reproduction of extractive and neo-colonial dynamics.
In-situ CrFeCoNi medium entropy alloying coating via electrospark powder deposition
Authors: Yan Jihui , Zhang Kaiping , Zhou Norman Y. , Peng Peng
Published: September 2024

Medium or high-entropy alloys have led to widespread interest in their preparation, property control, and applications. The ability to apply these new alloys as coatings on conventional materials allows alternative surface treatment methods. This study used electrospark deposition with powder feedstock, to form MEA coating with fine-tuned compositions on steel substrate. Single-phase CrFeCoNi MEA using optimized ESD parameters and powder formulation. The phase and composition of MEA coatings and their hardness were also characterized. The coating showed two orders of magnitude reduction in specific wear rate coefficient compared with that of bare A516 steel substrate. This study demonstrates that the powder-based ESD technique can be used to create in-situ M/HEA coatings for applications requiring improved properties.
Public service media and public service internet as a counterweight to media concentration
Authors: Thomass Barbara
Published: September 2024

This article will discuss the question of whether and to what extent private ownership of media is the appropriate form for organising the infrastructures of social communication, or whether media oriented towards the common good and not profit-driven are better suited to the requirements of democratic communication in a pluralistic society. Starting from the dual character of media as merit goods and commodities, the connection between media concentration and democracy will be discussed based on concentration theories. In view of the fears that this connection might lead to negative excesses, media policy has long been attempting to curb media concentration. These efforts are shortly presented and discussed. Possibilities of balancing the dual character of the media within the framework of different ownership structures lead to the idea that public service media can form a counterweight to media concentration. This is as well an option for an internet oriented towards the common good. The suggestion of a Public Service Media and Public Service Manifesto that was published in 2021 and supported by more than 1000 subscribers from the academic and media community worldwide illustrates this possibility.
Rasch Analysis of the Chinese Version of the Nociception Coma Scale–Revised in Patients with Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness
Authors: Zheng Yuhang , Lin Xinyou , Huang Yuehong , Laureys Steven , Di Haibo
Published: September 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to analyze the Chinese version of the Nociception Coma Scale–Revised in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness within the framework of Rasch modeling, including investigating the invariance of total scores across different etiologies of disorders of consciousness.

Design

Prospective psychometric study.

Participants

Patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness from the Rehabilitation and Neurology units in hospital.

Interventions

None.

Main Outcome Measure

The Nociception Coma Scale–Revised was undertaken by trained raters and the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised was used to assess patients’ consciousness. The psychometric properties within the Rasch model including item-person targeting, reliability and separation, item fit, unidimensionality, and differential item functioning were assessed.

Results

84 patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (mean age 53 years; mean injury 5 months; 42 with Minimally Conscious State and 42 with Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome) of 252 observations were enrolled in the study. Through the procedure of repeated assessment and differential item function, a lower item bias Rasch set was purified. The Rasch model assumptions were examined and met, with item reliability and validity meeting the recommended threshold.

Conclusions

The Chinese version of the Nociception Coma Scale–Revised demonstrated unidimensionality, good reliability and separation, and good item fit, but dissatisfied person fit and item-person targeting. The verbal subscale showed a notable discrepancy between person responses and the difficulty of the items, suggesting limited clinical significance.
Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) improves cholinergic signaling and protects against chronic Scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice
Authors: da Costa Pauline , Schetinger Maria Rosa C , Baldissarelli Jucimara , Stefanello Naiara , Lopes Thauan F , Reichert Karine P , Assmann Charles E , Bottari Nathieli B , Miron Vanessa V , Vargas Fermina Francesca A , Gutierres Jessié M , da Cruz Ivana Beatrice M , Morsch Vera Maria
Published: September 2024

Background:

Blackcurrant ( Ribes nigrum L.) is a berry rich in anthocyanins, bioactive compounds known for their antioxidant and neuroprotective properties that benefit human health.

Aims:

This study aimed to investigate the effects of blackcurrant and its association with Donepezil on memory impairment, cholinergic neurotransmission, and antioxidant systems in a mouse model of amnesia induced by chronic administration of Scopolamine.

Methods:

Adult male Swiss mice were given saline, blackcurrant (50 mg/kg, orally), and/or Donepezil (5 mg/kg, orally) and/or Scopolamine (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally).

Results:

Behavioral tests revealed that blackcurrant and/or Donepezil prevented the learning and memory deficits induced by Scopolamine. In the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, blackcurrant and/or Donepezil treatments prevented the increase in acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities induced by Scopolamine. Scopolamine also disrupted the glutathione redox system and increased levels of reactive species; nevertheless, blackcurrant and/or Donepezil treatments were able to prevent oxidative stress. Furthermore, these treatments prevented the increase in gene expression and protein density of acetylcholinesterase and the decrease in gene expression of the choline acetyltransferase enzyme induced by Scopolamine.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest that blackcurrant and Donepezil, either alone or in combination, have anti-amnesic effects by modulating cholinergic system enzymes and improving the redox profile. Therefore, blackcurrant could be used as a natural supplement for the prevention and treatment of memory impairment in neurodegenerative diseases.