bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unpacking Parenting Intervention Content for Child Maltreatment: A Systematic Review Examining Core Components
Authors: Younas Fatima , Gutman Leslie Morrison
Published: December 2024

This systematic review synthesized evidence from parental child maltreatment (CM) interventions by reviewing intervention evaluation studies on potentially effective intervention components and delivery techniques as well as identifying differences in the presence of these components based on maltreatment type. Quantitative intervention evaluations with an explicit parental CM outcome published in a peer-reviewed journal were considered for inclusion. This resulted in 60 final studies for the systematic review. The quality appraisal did not exclude any studies. Results were narratively synthesized using the Risk and Resilience Ecological framework and the behavior change techniques taxonomy with the help of systems mapping. Findings revealed the prevalence of intervention components among effective interventions, including parental emotional regulation (micro-individual level), managing child misbehavior (micro-family) and home visiting (mezzo). Prevalent behavior change techniques included “social support” and “instruction on how to perform a behavior” across all ecological levels. Physical abuse had the most maltreatment-type-specific intervention components (e.g., cognitive appraisal and parental motivation) and neglect only had one (management of parental risky health behaviors). No unique components targeting emotional and sexual abuse were identified. Findings highlighted potentially effective intervention components and the way they are delivered along with specific components aimed at types of maltreatment. Intervention provision can utilize these findings to tailor and develop effective provisions for parental CM. Researchers can shift attention to areas requiring more evidence such as the inclusion of a cultural perspective and evaluation of intervention provision for fathers, who are currently under-represented.
A fuzzy systems approach to modeling the US-China arms race
Authors: Santo Pedro Simões Francielle
Published: December 2024

This paper presents a fuzzy approach to modeling the arms race between the United States and China. In the proposed model, we integrate fuzzy logic with differential equations, enabling the modeling of strategic interactions between the two nations in a non-linear manner, differing from the original Richardson model. This methodology allows for the incorporation of quantitative data and expert knowledge on conflicts into the differential equations-based mathematical model. By studying the phase plane of the fuzzy model, it is possible to analyze scenarios of stability and tension escalation in the dynamics of the arms race.
Teenage mothers’ perspectives, knowledge, and attitudes toward pregnancy and the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services in the Eastern Province of Rwanda
Authors: Nshutiyukuri Claudine , Uwingabire Fauste , Musabwasoni Marie Grace Sandra , Rutayisire Jean Bosco , Rutayisire Reverien , Kaberuka Gerard , Ishimwe Bazakare Laetitia , Benimana Immaculée , Mutabazi Leon , Mukeshimana Madeleine
Published: December 2024

Background:

Adolescents worldwide engage in sexual activity, with the proportion rising gradually from the middle to late stages of adolescence. The incidence of early sexual initiation among female youth in sub-Saharan Africa is reported to be 46%. The increasing number of teenage pregnancies in Rwanda indicates that adolescents do not correctly use sexual and reproductive health services. In 2019, the Eastern Province of Rwanda documented 36% of all teenage pregnancies. Despite the availability of these services to youth through adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) focal persons, nurses, or midwives leading youth corners at the Health Center level, why they are not used remains unknown.

Objectives:

To explore teenage mothers’ perspectives, knowledge, and attitudes toward pregnancy and the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services in the Eastern Province of Rwanda.

Design:

Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods:

A qualitative descriptive design combined with the theory of reasoned action was used to capture teenagers’ unique perspectives on knowledge about teenage pregnancy and attitudes toward ASRH service utilization. An in-depth interview was used to collect data from 25 informants across 3 districts in the Eastern Province of Rwanda, followed by traditional content analysis.

Results:

Three major themes emerged, including lack of knowledge about teenage pregnancy, unfavorable attitudes toward ASRH service utilization, and the perceived negative impact of teenage pregnancy, including disrupting education, limiting career opportunities, and posing health risks to both mothers and infants.

Conclusion:

While all young mothers were under pressure from the multitude of impacts of teenage pregnancy, parenthood, and social responsibilities, they had limited knowledge and selective utilization of ASRH services, mimicking potential gaps in education and mobilization of youth on available ASRH services with special emphasis on preventive components. Exploring the perceived enablers and challenges facing ASRH service utilization among the study population is necessary.
The effectiveness of weighted blankets on sleep quality in intensive care unit patients: A prospective randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hasegawa Takayuki , Yoshida Keisuke , Hakozaki Takahiro , Inoue Satoki
Published: December 2024

Background:

Sleep deprivation is frequently observed among critically ill patients, and sleep aids still lack robust evidence of efficacy. Thus, the present randomised controlled study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of weighted blankets as non-pharmacological sleep aids for patients in the intensive care unit.

Methods:

Patients scheduled to be admitted to the intensive care unit after elective hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a weighted blanket group or a normal blanket group. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Japanese version of the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire.

Results:

A total of 50 patients were included in this study: 25 in the weighted blanket group and 25 in the normal blanket group. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the average total score of Japanese version of the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire: 46 [interquartile range = 30–70] versus 56 [36–70] ( p = 0.62). All five domains of Japanese version of the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire also showed no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion:

The results of this study did not show an improvement in the Japanese version of the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire scores in intensive care unit patients following major abdominal surgery with the use of weighted blankets, indicating a lack of efficacy as a sleep aid for acute sleep deprivation.
Declining trends in the incidence of Parkinson's disease: A cohort study in Germany
Authors: Fink Anne , Pavlou Maria Angeliki S , Roomp Kirsten , Schneider Jochen G
Published: December 2024

Background

Epidemiologic evidence from different countries shows both increasing and decreasing incidence rates of Parkinson's disease over time without clear trends.

Objective

We aimed to investigate age-specific incidence rates of Parkinson's disease and possible explanations for the observed trends in Germany over a 10-year period.

Methods

Two different random samples of subjects aged ≥50 years included in 2004–2009 and 2014–2019, each consisting of 250,000 individuals, were drawn from Germany's largest health care insurance company followed up for new Parkinson's disease cases. We compared the age-specific incidence rates of Parkinson's disease for both cohorts and performed Cox regression models to calculate the hazard ratios (HR) of PD in the second period compared with the first period, adjusted for age, sex, and risk factors for Parkinson's disease.

Results

For most age groups in men and in women, we found lower age-specific Parkinson's disease incidence rates in the second period. Cox regression analysis showed an overall 18% risk reduction in Parkinson's disease incidence (HR = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [0.76–0.89]). Mean age at diagnosis increased in men (+1.9 years) and women (+0.8 years). After adjustment for risk factors, the HR was 0.78 [0.72–0.85]. Sensitivity analysis considering the competing event of death showed an HR of 0.79 [0.73–0.86]), demonstrating the independence of time trends from changes in death rates.

Conclusions

Our data show that the risk of Parkinson's disease has decreased over time and that this decrease is independent of factors such as changes in death rates, age structure, sex, and specific risk factors.
Full-mouth rehabilitation of a patient with implant-supported fixed dental prostheses using CAD-CAM frameworks
Authors: Turkyilmaz Ilser , Feldman Danielle Zoe , Suer Berkay Tolga
Published: December 2024

Conventional complete denture wearers often complain of lack of stability and overall discomfort with their prostheses. The advent of dental implants and advanced prosthetic methods have greatly improved this struggle for edentulous patients. The utilisation of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technology has only further enhanced the capabilities of dental practitioners to rapidly and accurately restore edentulism. This report details the advantages of using CAD-CAM technology compared to analogue methods for titanium framework design and fabrication. It discusses the decrease in framework distortions, ease of communication with laboratories, and amount of time saved from the implementation of this technology. The results of this clinical report suggest that fixed dental prostheses with titanium frameworks fabricated using the software and scanner presented in this report fit accurately and may be a viable option to restore edentulous arches.
Data, anecdotes, anecdotal data: Feminist data activism against gendered violence post #Metoo
Authors: Le Trang
Published: December 2024

From critiques of baked-in sexism in data science, to the use of data in the service of feminism, feminist data activism has emerged as a new form of feminist activism. This paper approaches feminist data activism from a data imaginary perspective, focusing on a prominent feminist initiative from Australia called She's A Crowd, an organization that claims to have crowdsourced the world's largest dataset of gendered violence. Through interviews with 11 participants who volunteered their “datafied stories” to the organization, I explore the grassroots imaginaries about what data is and what it can do for the collective struggle against gendered violence. I show that participants’ experiences with not being believed led them to see data-driven stories as having superior epistemic value over qualitative narratives. Paradoxically, even when data is viewed as superior due to its detachment from the personal, concerns about its authenticity and quality persist. Consequently, participants advocated for increased data collection as the ultimate solution to address these limitations. Thus, if the imaginary of a binary between “data” and “stories” privileges data as a superior epistemic solution, the imaginary of limitation reinforces more data collection as the only solution imaginable. I argue that at stake is how these imaginaries locate the legitimacy of marginalized experiences within the dataset, obscuring how data collected from the grassroots might circulate within and be interpreted by hegemonic knowledge practices. This paper opens a conversation about feminist data activism and the power relations it is enmeshed within, an area that remains under explored.
In sickness and in health—A scoping review on social virtual reality clinical applications
Authors: Belina Stephanie P , J Czaja Sara , Difede JoAnn , Pain Kevin J , Reid Carrington M , Won Andrea Stevenson
Published: December 2024

Objective

Evidence of virtual reality's (VR) efficacy in hospital settings coupled with the rise of inexpensive consumer devices have led to the development of social virtual reality (SVR) applications being incorporated in hospital settings. SVR provides opportunities for social interactions in virtual environments, allowing individuals to virtually socialize, regardless of geographic or mobility constraints. However, the full range of potential applications and the challenges of deploying SVR in hospital settings remain unexplored. We conducted a scoping review to characterize SVR applications studied in hospital settings to better understand SVR use for inpatient populations overall and in preparation for a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded project investigating SVR use with a specific clinical population.

Methods

In this scoping review, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, IEEE, and ACM Digital Library. After screening 2334 studies and reviewing 146 full texts, we identified 12 studies as eligible for analysis. Eleven of the 12 were published in the past 7 years, with none older than 12 years.

Results

As this is an emerging field, many publications were case or pilot studies, with small sample sizes ranging from 3 to 200 participants, and with mean participant ages that ranged from 9 to 75 years. Patient populations included those with stroke, cancer, COVID, as well as other health conditions.

Conclusion

Discussion of privacy and accessibility concerns was limited, as was the reported influence of SVR on measures associated with inpatient medical treatment (such as, adherence to clinical treatment while in the hospital while in a SVR intervention), which we highlight as critical issues for SVR's clinical use. We discuss our findings in the context of potential future directions for research in this area.
Peroneal Tendon Dislocation after Talus Fracture
Authors: Cho Elizabeth , Perez Aidimer , Akwuole Frances , Pinzur Michael S. , Schiff Adam , Hamid Kamran
Published: December 2024

Category:

Trauma; Ankle

Introduction/Purpose:

Traumatic peroneal tendon dislocation (PTD) have been described in association with fractures of the pilon and calcaneus, however, the incidence of PTD after fractures of the talus has not been previously reported in the U.S.

Methods:

This was a retrospective review of adult patients with operatively treated fractures of the talus treated at a level I academic trauma center between 2007 and 2021. Charts, radiographs, and advanced imaging, when available, were reviewed for patient demographics, injury characteristics, and complications including diagnosis of peroneal tendon dislocation.

Results:

126 patients with 128 talus fractures were included. Incidence of peroneal tendon dislocation was 21.1% (n=27). Peroneal rupture was found separately in 3 instances (2.3%). Among 27 cases of PTD, 14 (51.9%) were diagnosed based on advanced imaging, 7 (25.9%) by review of the operative report, and 6 (22.2%) based on both. 89.3% (n=25) of PTDs were diagnosed at time of injury, whereas 7.4% (n=2) were diagnosed several months after. Three PTDs underwent delayed surgical intervention due to delayed diagnosis (n=1), or missed dislocation by the surgeon, although evident on injury scans (n=2). Lateral process fractures had increased odds of PTD (OR 3.4, 95% CI: 1.3-8.9, p=0.012), as well as fractures with a positive fleck sign on radiographs (OR 14.3, 95% CI: 4.0-50.7, p=0.0001).

Conclusion:

Peroneal tendon dislocation with fracture of the talus is relatively common and was identified in one out of five fractures within the studied cohort. Surgeons and radiologists should be cognizant of this injury, especially in the setting of a lateral process fracture and a positive fleck sign.
Peroneal Tendon Repair with Retrofibular Groove Deepening Is Associated with Decreased Rates of Revision Peroneal Tendon Repair Procedures Compared to Repair without Groove Deepening
Authors: Sequeira Sean , Gould Heath P. , Hembree Walter C.
Published: December 2024

Category:

Ankle; Sports

Introduction/Purpose:

Peroneal tendon injury is a common sequela of recurrent lateral ankle instability. Surgical repair of the peroneal tendons can be performed in isolation or concomitantly with a retrofibular groove deepening procedure. Although some prior studies with limited follow-up have suggested a potential return-to-sport benefit associated with groove deepening, no previous study has evaluated the impact of retrofibular groove deepening on long-term reoperation rates. The purpose of this investigation was to compare reoperation rates among patients who underwent peroneal tendon repair with groove deepening versus without groove deepening.

Methods:

A large, nationwide insurance database was retrospectively reviewed to identify all patients who underwent peroneal tendon repair with and without retrofibular groove deepening and from 2010 and 2019. Patients who underwent peroneal tendon repair without groove deepening were matched to patients who underwent repair with groove deepening using a propensity scoring algorithm. The rates of reoperation including revision peroneal tendon repair as well as progression to ankle arthrodesis and total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) were compared between groups.

Results:

Patients who underwent peroneal tendon repair without groove deepening had a significantly higher risk (OR: 16.20; p < 0.001) of requiring a revision peroneal tendon procedure within two years postoperatively. However, there was no difference between groups with regard to the comparative risk of subsequent TAA and ankle arthrodesis within ten years (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Patients who underwent peroneal tendon repair without retrofibular groove deepening were over 15 times more likely to require revision peroneal tendon surgery compared to their propensity-matched counterparts who underwent groove deepening at the time of the index peroneal tendon repair. Whereas surgeons commonly reserve the groove deepening procedure for patients with a convex retrofibular morphology, the results of this study suggest that the indications for groove deepening may be expanded to reduce the risk of reoperation following peroneal tendon repair.
Primary Lateral Ankle Ligament Repair is Associated with Increased Reoperation Rates Compared to Secondary Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction: A Propensity-Matched Analysis
Authors: Sequeira Sean , Gould Heath P. , Hembree Walter C.
Published: December 2024

Category:

Ankle; Sports

Introduction/Purpose:

Lateral ankle ligament stabilization is indicated for patients with chronic ankle instability that persists despite nonoperative management. The purpose of this investigation was to compare reoperation rates in patients who underwent a primary repair versus those who underwent a secondary reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments.

Methods:

A large, nationwide insurance database was retrospectively reviewed to identify all patients who underwent isolated primary repair and/or secondary reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligamentous complex from 2010 and 2019. Patients who underwent primary repair were matched using a propensity-scoring algorithm to patients who underwent secondary lateral ankle reconstruction. Reoperation rates including ankle arthroscopy and revision lateral ankle ligament repair/reconstruction were compared between groups at two years postoperatively. Complication rates within 90 days postoperatively were also evaluated and compared between groups.

Results:

41,452 patients who underwent primary lateral ankle ligament repair were matched to 41,452 patients who underwent secondary reconstruction. Patients who underwent primary repair had an increased risk of undergoing a subsequent ankle arthroscopy (OR: 1.15; p < 0.001) or revision stabilization procedure (OR: 1.30; p < 0.001) within two years postoperatively. Moreover, the risks of sustaining complications such as wound dehiscence (OR 1.34; p < 0.001) or surgical site infection (OR 1.43; p = 0.008) within 90 days were higher for the primary ligament repair group compared to the secondary reconstruction group.

Conclusion:

Patients who underwent primary lateral ankle ligament repair were more likely to require subsequent ankle arthroscopy or revision ankle stabilization within two years postoperatively, compared to those who underwent secondary reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligament complex. Although secondary reconstruction procedures (e.g. Watson-Jones, Colville) are conventionally utilized in the revision setting, surgeons may consider expanding the indications for reconstruction to the primary setting, particularly in surgical candidates who are identified preoperatively as high-risk for recurrent instability.
Rate of Infection and Causative Organisms in a Lateral Approach Total Ankle Replacement
Authors: Wines Andrew , Alhaddab Yasser Ahmed A , Symes Michael , Mittal Rajat
Published: December 2024

Category:

Ankle Arthritis; Other

Introduction/Purpose:

Although the rate of both superficial and deep infection in total ankle replacement (TAR) can reach up to 13% as reported in the literature, there is little information on the causative organisms, especially in laterally implanted prosthesis. This study aims to identify organisms causing infections to ultimately guide to better antibiotic prophylaxis.

Methods:

Between September 2016 and April 2021, we retrospectively reviewed patients who had an infection after a lateral TAR. Cause of the infection, causative organisms, and implant survival were recorded.

Results:

10 of 130 patients (7.6%) had a superficial infection whereas 3 of 130 patients (2.3%) had a deep infection. Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species were found to be the most common. No significant difference was found between the type of plate used for fibula fixation regarding wound dehiscence.

Conclusion:

Infection after lateral TAR is generally polymicrobial in nature with Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species being the most common.
Recent Trends in Utilization and Medicare Physician Reimbursement for Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) and Ankle Arthrodesis (AA) from 2010-2021
Authors: Shelby Tara , Grisdela Phillip , Bernstein David N. , Bejarano-Pineda Lorena , Waryasz Gregory R. , Kwon John Y. , DiGiovanni Christopher W. , Ashkani-Esfahani Soheil , Guss Daniel
Published: December 2024

Category:

Ankle; Trauma

Introduction/Purpose:

There has been limited investigation into physician reimbursement trends in foot and ankle procedures. The objective of the present study is to query a large, national insurance claims database to assess how utilization and reimbursement has evolved for ankle arthrodesis (AA) and total ankle arthroplasty (TAR) procedures from 2010 to 2021.

Methods:

A large national insurance claims database was queried for ankle arthrodesis and total ankle arthroplasty from 2010 to 2021 using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Utilization rates, hospital reimbursement rates by payor (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, Government, cash, other) and demographic data including gender, age, region, payor type, and service location were extracted. Subsequently, physician Medicare reimbursement rates were obtained from 2010 to 2021 using the Physician Fee Look-up Tool from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Dollar values were then adjusted using the Consumer Price Index and are reported in 2023 US dollars. Trend analysis of utilization and reimbursement rates was then performed, with a p value of < 0.05 as significant.

Results:

A total of 16833 TAR patients and 33109 AA patients were identified by the query. Both procedures demonstrated a significantly positive linear trend in volume over the included time period, with increase from 2010 to 2021 of 30.28% (2453 to 3196 patients; p< 0.001) for AA cases and 140.64% for TAR (994 to 2392 patients; p< 0.001). Without consideration of inflation, Medicare physician reimbursement values were stable, demonstrating a non-significant increase for both AA (+2.67%) and TAR (+3.40%) over the included time period. On the other hand, after accounting for inflation, values declined across both AA and TA, with decrease from 2010 to 2021 of 16.78% ($1194.24 to $993.81; p< 0.001) for TAR procedures and 17.37% ($1368.26 to $1130.62) for AA procedures (Figure 1).

Conclusion:

Despite the growing number of Medicare beneficiaries and utilization of TAR and AA, the present data has demonstrated a decrease in Medicare reimbursement. Knowledge of such trends is important for the orthopedic field in order to advocate for sustainable reimbursement that supports the consistent delivery of high-quality patient care.
Return to Play and Functional Outcomes Following Treatment of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Seow Dexter , Bak Braydon , Teo Yu Ze Evan , Hasan Muhammed Yaser , Pearce Christopher J.
Published: December 2024

Category:

Ankle

Introduction/Purpose:

Acute Achilles tendon rupture (AATR) is a common injury. Return to play (RTP) and functional outcomes are critical to treatment success for acute Achilles tendon rupture (AATR). This systematic review and meta-analysis explored treatment superiority essential in optimal treatment selection concerning individual patients and their expectations regarding RTP and functional outcomes.

Methods:

A systematic review was conducted with specific search terms. Potentially relevant studies were identified via a search of the PubMed® and Embase databases by two authors. This study was in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The inclusion criteria were: randomized controlled trials that reported RTP rates and/or continuous functional outcome scores following the treatment of AATR, full-text studies published in a peer-review journal, published year ≥ 1990, and written in English. The exclusion criteria were: animal studies, in vitro studies, non-randomized clinical studies, and reviews. The included studies were assessed regarding the level and quality of evidence. Fixed-effects models were employed for I2 < 25% and random-effects models for I2 ≥ 25%.

Results:

The literature search included 46 studies. The LoE of all studies was per eligibility criteria. The mean QoE (modified Jadad Scale) was 5.7. The RTP rate meta-analysis of surgical versus conservative treatment revealed no significant difference. This was similar to the subgroup analysis of open repair and conservative treatment. The RTP rate and Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) meta-analysis of open repair + earlier rehabilitation (ER) versus + later rehabilitation (LR) also revealed no significant differences. The mean time to RTP meta-analysis of open repair + ER versus + LR showed that open repair + ER was significantly favored (-4.19 weeks; P = 0.002). The ATRS meta-analysis of conservative treatment with ER versus with LR revealed no significant difference.

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis has revealed that the RTP rates following treatment of AATR are high. The decision for surgical versus conservative treatment or open repair + ER versus + LR for AATR should not be selected based on the expectation of RTP. However, open repair + ER can be advocated over + LR for reduced mean time to RTP.
Hidden cultural divergences: A study of two creation myths of a Naxi script
Authors: Li Zihan
Published: December 2024

Scripts not only describe reality, but also reflect the social stratification, identity, and even power distribution among those who use them. These are often embedded in the creation myths told about writing systems. Concerning the famous pictographic script of the Naxi people, there are two distinct accounts of its invention. One is a myth spread orally in Baidi, the sacred land of the Naxi people, which tells that the script was created by a Tibetan-trained Naxi who became an ancestor of the Dongba, the Naxi religious specialists who use the script. The other is a record in the Genealogical Chronicles of the Mu Family, written in Chinese, which states that it was invented by an ancestor of the Naxi ruling chiefs in Lijiang named Maicong. These two sources thus clearly give very different accounts of the geographic origin of the script. In addition, the oral myth and the written genealogies attribute the creation of the script to persons with very different social backgrounds. This raises the question: how did these two sources’ completely different accounts of the same script come about? And how can we understand these two narratives? By examining these sources from anthropological and historical perspectives, this study analyzes the social conditions under which the two narratives were created, and discusses the roles played by creation myths of the Naxi script in social stratification, identity, and power distribution in Naxi society.
The origin and era of Harvard's collection of “double red” circle Naxi Dongba manuscripts
Authors: Li Xiaoliang , Peters Andrew
Published: December 2024

Among the 598 volumes of Naxi Dongba manuscripts held by the Harvard-Yenching Library, some bear a singular adornment: two prominent crimson circles. These “double red” manuscripts boast a unique artistic flair. Due to excellent preservation and delicate illustration, they are of high value for academic research. Through systematic fieldwork and careful analysis of the postscript, we have rigorously confirmed that the source of these “double red” Dongba manuscripts is Xiachangshui (下长水) Village, Huangshan (黄山) Town, Yulong (玉龙) County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. The scribe has been verified as the Qing dynasty's priest Mu Zhi (木知) (1814–1874 to 1892). The lineage of transmission for this set of manuscripts is also very clear, passing from Mu Zhi to his grandson Mu Fuguang (木福光), and then through the US scholar Joseph Rock, before finally being collected by the Harvard-Yenching Library.
Coming full circle on cash holdings and firm value: A comment on Kim and Bettis (2014), Theissen et al. (2023), and Souder et al. (2024)
Authors: Jung Christopher , Graf-Vlachy Lorenz
Published: December 2024

In their recent article, Theissen et al. (2023) re-examined the seminal study of Kim and Bettis (2014) on the positive relationship between firms’ cash holdings and firm value. Theissen et al. (2023) improved on the original Tobin's q measure used to capture firm value and found that—in contrast to the results of Kim and Bettis (2014) –there are not decreasing but increasing returns to holding cash. Separately, Souder et al. (2024) made various methodological improvements and developed a new measure of forward-looking firm value, ultimately finding no relationship between cash holding and value at all. In this article, we combine all methodological refinements made after the original study of Kim and Bettis (2014) into a single analysis. We find that Kim and Bettis’ (2014) original results are correct, despite the numerous limitations of their method.
Cardiac damage staging in heart valve diseases. “Metastatic disease or synchronous neoplasms”
Authors: Salaun Erwan , Rodés-Cabau Josep
Published: December 2024

The concept of cardiac damage staging in left-sided heart valve disease, adapted from the oncological approach, has been developed recently in order to improve the management of patients who may benefit from valve repair or replacement interventions. However, the cardiac damage is frequently not directly related to the valve disease, and cardiac and extra-cardiac non-valvular comorbidities influence the staging, unlike oncological staging where the associated damage all comes from the primary tumor. In practice, the cardiac damage classification is more an assessment of overall heart health than the direct consequences of valvular heart disease, and some cardiac damages are independent of the valve disease. Anyway, the cardiac damage staging remains a powerful predictor of outcome, especially after valve intervention. This viewpoint explores the concept of cardiac damage staging and the impact of the valve intervention on this classification.
Extracellular matrix dynamics in aortic valve health and disease: Insights into fibrocalcific remodeling and creation of biomimetic platforms
Authors: Scott Patterson Ashley J. , Patil Vaidehi A. , Figueroa-Rios Lysmarie , Borelli Alexandra N. , Masters Kristyn S.
Published: December 2024

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the aortic valve plays a pivotal role in maintaining valve function and becomes profoundly altered during the progression of calcific stenosis of the native aortic valve (CAS). CAS involves fibrocalcific ECM remodeling characterized by increased proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, enhanced collagen deposition, and fragmentation of elastic fibers, all of which contribute to valve thickening, fibrosis, and calcification. In this brief review, we provide an overview of these ECM changes and discuss the relationship between aberrant ECM remodeling and other pathological features of CAS - namely, differentiation of the resident valve cell types, inflammatory activity, lipid deposition, and relative hypoxia. Sexual dimorphism in ECM dynamics and the creation of disease-inspired scaffold environments to mimic CAS fibrosis are also discussed. Overall, understanding the complex interplay between cell phenotypes and ECM remodeling is crucial for elucidating the pathophysiology of CAS and developing novel treatment strategies.
Novel treatment strategies for chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Cruz-Rodriguez Nataly , Deininger Michael W.
Published: December 2024

Starting with imatinib, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have turned chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) from a lethal blood cancer into a chronic condition. As patients with access to advanced CML care have an almost normal life expectancy, there is a perception that CML is a problem of the past, and one should direct research resources elsewhere. However, a closer look at the current CML landscape reveals a more nuanced picture. Most patients still require life-long TKI therapy to avoid recurrence of active CML. Chronic TKI toxicity and the high costs of the well-tolerated agents remain challenging. Progression to blast phase still occurs, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged parts of the world, where high-risk CML at diagnosis is common. Here, we review the prospects of further improving TKIs to achieve optimal suppression of BCR::ABL1 kinase activity, the potential of combining different classes of TKIs, and the current state of BCR::ABL1 degraders. We cover combination therapy approaches to address TKI resistance in the setting of residual leukemia and in advanced CML. Despite the unprecedented success of TKIs in CML, more work is needed to truly finish the job, and we hope to stimulate innovative research aiming to achieve this goal.
Stress Corrosion Behavior of MIG Welded Joints of 6082-T6 Aluminum Alloy at Different Temperatures
Authors: Qu Guanda , Guo Wei , Zhang Hongqiang , Shen Zhikang , Zhang Lijiao , Dai Wei , Xiao Jun , Xue Junliang , Zhu Hongbin , Li Minggao , Ren Xin
Published: December 2024

6082-T6 aluminum alloy is a commonly used aluminum alloy material in the field of rail transit because of its good molding properties, high mechanical properties, excellent corrosion resistance and weldability. In the high temperature and humid environment, the temperature change is bound to affect the stress corrosion resistance of the aluminum alloy and their welded joint. However, the influence mechanism of temperature on its stress corrosion resistance has not been explained in the existing research. In this paper, the mechanical properties and stress corrosion behaviors of melt-inert gas welded (MIG) 6082-T6 aluminum alloy welded joints were systematically studied under various temperatures condition. Results indicated the temperature scarcely affected stress corrosion cracking susceptibility index (PSCC) of base metal, while significantly affected the welded joint and higher temperature caused lower PSCC. After slow strain rate tensile test, a corrosion layer was formed, which was a typical brittle-toughness mixed failure, and the degree of brittleness increased with the increasing of temperature. Electrochemical analysis showed that corrosion resistance of the joint slightly decreased due to aluminum alloy accelerated dissolution caused by increasing of temperature. The proposed research will provide a theoretical basis for solving aluminum alloys used in rail transit, ship accessories and other industrial fields.
Network effects in C-ITS – an analysis approach based on conditional probability and system characteristics
Authors: Öörni Risto
Published: December 2024

The paper presents an approach for analysing network effects in cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS). The approach is based on the conditional probability of an already-equipped user receiving a warning or other required information, and a framework is provided for analysing the conditional probability of a successful exchange of information. The approach and the framework are validated by applying them to the road hazard warning use case of C-ITS implemented with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication. The results suggest that even relatively low fleet penetrations may allow communicating a road hazard warning as a decentralized environmental notification message (DENM), with a high probability of success, when the hazard is detected and the related DENM transmitted by an oncoming vehicle travelling in the opposite direction to the user’s vehicle on a single-carriageway interurban road. The approach used in the paper and the analysis results for the road hazard warning contribute to the understanding of network effects in C-ITS use cases and their relationship to the operational context of C-ITS systems, such as parameters related to traffic flow.
Implementing HIV teams to improve HIV indicator condition-guided testing in general practitioner centers in the Netherlands
Authors: Jordans Carlijn C. E. , Niemantsverdriet – Rokx Lotte , Struik Jan L. , van der Waal Eva C. , van der Voorn Paul V. J. M. , Bakker Nienke , Verbon Annelies , Bindels Patrick J. E. , Rokx Casper
Published: December 2024

Background

HIV indicator condition-guided testing is recommended by guidelines to identify undiagnosed HIV infections. However, general practitioners (GPs) frequently see patients for indicator conditions without testing them for HIV. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether implementing HIV teams, using trained GP ambassadors, promoted local HIV indicator condition-guided testing practices in urban GP centers in the Netherlands.

Methods

We conducted a prospective implementation study between May 2021 and March 2023. Patients ≥ 18 years newly diagnosed with HIV indicator conditions in three GP centers were included. The intervention consisted of HIV expert led education for GPs with a stepwise implementation of point-of-care testing (phase 1), followed by adding peer-to-peer case feedback by trained GP ambassadors (phase 2). Questionnaires were used to assess the experiences and beliefs of HIV indicator condition-driven testing in patients and GPs. The primary outcome was the overall HIV testing rate in patients diagnosed with indicator conditions compared to pre-implementation. Secondary outcomes were HIV testing rate per phase and per indicator condition, HIV positivity rate, and patients’ and GPs’ experiences with this testing strategy.

Results

In 132,338 patient visits, 846 (0.6%, 95%CI 0.6–0.7%) HIV indicator conditions were diagnosed, including 485 sexually transmitted infections (57.3%). Overall, 215 (25.4%) indicator conditions were tested for HIV after the implementation of HIV teams. The testing rate was comparable between the two phases (25.2% versus 25.9%, p = 0.83). The testing rates pre- and post-implementation were comparable (21.3% versus 25.4%, p = 0.33). The most frequently tested HIV indicator conditions were unexplained weight loss (n = 13, 41.9%), unexplained lymphadenopathy (n = 8, 38.1%), and sexually transmitted infections (n = 161, 33.2%). Three patients (1.4%, 95%CI 0.3–4.0%) tested positive for HIV. Test acceptance in patients was high as was the self-perceived knowledge of GPs on HIV indicator conditions.

Conclusions

Implementing HIV teams did not enhance HIV indicator condition-guided testing in urban GP centers from a low HIV prevalence setting. The high patients acceptance rate and self-perceived knowledge among GPs regarding HIV indicator conditions did not manifest in high HIV testing rates. Patients accepted testing, but a gap was found between the self-perceived knowledge of GPs regarding HIV indicator conditions and testing, and the actual HIV testing rate.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05225493 (registration date: 17-01-2022).
A qualitative analysis of healthcare professionals’ experiences with an internet-based emotion regulation intervention added to acute psychiatric inpatient care
Authors: Bielinski Laura Luisa , Wälchli Gwendolyn , Lange Anna , von Känel Elianne , Demel Lena Katharina , Nissen Christoph , Moggi Franz , Berger Thomas
Published: December 2024

Background

Healthcare professionals play an important role in successfully implementing digital interventions in routine mental healthcare settings. While a larger body of research has focused on the experiences of mental healthcare professionals with the combination of digital interventions and face-to-face outpatient treatment, comparatively little is known about their experiences with digital interventions combined with inpatient treatment. This is especially true for acute psychiatric inpatient care, where studies on the implementation of digital interventions are more rare. The current study aimed to investigate healthcare professionals’ experiences with an internet-based emotion regulation intervention added to acute psychiatric inpatient treatment.

Methods

Physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists from three acute inpatient wards (n = 20) were interviewed regarding their experiences. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the interview data.

Results

The following themes and corresponding subthemes were identified: lack of experience (few or no previous experiences, no expectations, few points of contact), the intervention as a contemporary complement (positive expectations, necessary and contemporary, positive effects on therapeutic work and patients, characteristics of the internet-based program), concerns about fit for acute psychiatric inpatient care (fit for acute psychiatric inpatients, doubts about implementation), the human factor as essential for implementation (the team makes or breaks it, guidance is key, patient characteristics), and requirements for implementation beyond the human factor (integration into existing treatment structure, resources, changes to the internet-based program, timing).

Conclusions

While healthcare professionals reported few points of contact with the intervention, they saw it as a contemporary complement to acute psychiatric inpatient care with benefits for therapeutic work and patients. The findings further suggest that specific concerns regarding the fit for acute psychiatric inpatient care remain and that human factors such as support from the ward team, human guidance during the intervention and being mindful of specific patient characteristics are considered important for implementation. Moreover, factors such as integration of the intervention into the ward program, resource availability and the timing of the intervention during a patient’s individual stay should be considered for successful implementation.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04990674, 04/08/2021.
Does personality moderate the association between social involvement and personal recovery in psychosis?
Authors: Leendertse Pien , van den Berg David , Castelein Stynke , Mulder Cornelis Lambert
Published: December 2024

Objective

Social factors are central in personal recovery (PR) and treatment of psychosis. However, weak associations between social involvement and PR were found. We aimed to replicate this weak association, and test whether it was explained by a moderating effect of neuroticism and extraversion.

Method

This cross-sectional study included 284 psychotic disorder patients. PR was assessed using the Recovery Quality of Life (ReQoL) questionnaire. Social involvement with a formative measure of the frequency of social interaction, and neuroticism and extraversion with the NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI).

Results

A small direct effect of social involvement on PR (β=−0.24, p < 0.001) was found, explaining 6% of the variance in PR. The addition of neuroticism (β=−0.60, p < 0.001) predicted 41% of variance in PR; extraversion (β = 0.34, p < 0.001) predicted 16%. We did not observe a moderating effect of neither neuroticism (β=-0.06, p = 0.232), nor extraversion (β = 0.01, p = 0.956).

Conclusion

The weak association between social involvement and PR could not be explained by the moderating effect of neuroticism or extraversion. The increase in explained variance in PR implies that neuroticism is associated with PR in a direct and clinically relevant way. This emphasizes the importance of attending to negative emotions and underlying stressors in treatment of psychosis.
The Black Cloud of Endometriosis on different aspects of the Life of Women with Endometriosis: a qualitative study in Iran
Authors: Mollazadeh Sanaz , Mirghafourvand Mojgan , Najmabadi Khadijeh Mirzaii , Khadivzadeh Talat
Published: December 2024

Aim

To explore the perception of the impact of endometriosis on various aspects in affected women with endometriosis.

Method

Data was gathered through in-depth and semi-structured individual interviews using open questions to comprehend women’s experiences with endometriosis and their health-promoting lifestyle. The Conventional Qualitative Content Analysis approach was utilized, and sampling continued until data saturation. Ultimately, 14 women with endometriosis were interviewed.

Results

The theme was following the dominance of the Black Cloud of Endometriosis on Different Aspects of the Life of Women with Endometriosis; with main categories involving (a) Physical depreciation caused by endometriosis, (b) psychological deterioration caused by endometriosis, (c) social isolation, (d) marital relationship disorder, and sexual dissatisfaction.

Conclusions

The concepts show that endometriosis impacts negatively on different aspects of women’s lives. Considering that endometriosis is a multi-dimensional disease, identifying the different aspects of this disease and paying attention to meeting the perceived needs of the affected women will help to improve the treatment process and bring the affected women to the end of their health. These should be improved by adopting appropriate approaches in health policies.