bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clamping method and mechanical properties of aluminum honeycomb cylindrical curved plates under radial compression
Authors: Song Yiheng , Lin Qinyu , Chen Jinxiang
Published: August 2022

To develop a new type of bionic curved sandwich plate, it is necessary to first develop experimental methods and evaluation criteria for curved plates. Thus, this paper focuses on an aluminum cylindrical honeycomb plate and proposes two types of clamping methods for radial compression tests. Using finite element simulation, radial compression tests were carried out, and the mechanical characteristics under different clamping methods were studied. The results showed that (1) the two types of clamping methods have significant effects on the radial compression performance, and each has its own characteristics. The influence mechanism was explored from the perspective of the deformation shape of the sample and the sliding direction of the foot. (2) Clamping methods were given with regard to different experimental purposes or engineering application objects (backgrounds), and three clamping methods that are easy to prepare and have great universality were also presented. This research provides an important theoretical basis for the development of curved plates, radial compression test methods for curved plates and the formulation of corresponding test standards.
Racism in Indigenous education for the Yoreme Mayo people in Sinaloa
Authors: Guerra Garcia Ernesto , Sandoval Forero Eduardo Andrés , López de Haro Pedro Antonio
Published: August 2022

The Yoreme Mayo Indigenous people from Sinaloa, Mexico, have faced different forms of racism, and they keep fighting for their autonomy and acknowledgment at several levels: social, government, economic and educational. This micro-ethnographic study aims to explore these forms of racism, which can be seen in the educational system and exemplified by practices that occur in institutions such as the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico. As actors from within this institution, we have systematically observed and documented evidence on this. There are forms of racism related to (a) the historical process of the relationship of Indigenous people, (b) the territorial educational structure in Indigenous communities, (c) linguistic displacement, (d) the insistence of the non-Indigenous to remain in important positions, even in Indigenous institutions, (e) nationalism and intercultural racism that leave Indigenous issues in the background and (f) endo-racism, where some Indigenous individuals devalue their own culture from childhood.
Prevalence of Hypertension in Ghana: Analysis of an Awareness and Screening Campaign in 2019
Authors: Tannor Elliot Koranteng , Nyarko Obed Ofori , Adu-Boakye Yaw , Owusu Konadu Saabea , Opoku Gilda , Ankobea-Kokroe Frank , Opare-Addo Mercy , Appiah Lambert Tetteh , Amuzu Evans Xorse , Ansah Gilgal Justice , Appiah-Boateng Kate , Ofori Emmanuel , Ansong Daniel
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

Hypertension is an important public health menace globally and in sub-Saharan Africa. The prevalence of hypertension is on the rise in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMIC) such as Ghana. This rise led to the adoption of the May Measurement Month (MMM) initiative, a global blood pressure screening campaign. We aimed to create awareness and present the findings of the 2019 MMM screening campaign in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

Methods:

Ghana was 1 of 92 countries that participated in this global community-based cross-sectional study in May 2019. Participants (⩾18 years) were recruited by opportunistic sampling. The blood pressures of participants were measured 3 times and the mean of the last 2 was used for the analysis. Summary statistics were used to describe the data. Simple and multiple logistic regression models were used to determine the predictors of hypertension.

Results:

We screened 3080 participants with a mean age of 39.8 ± 16.8 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 27.3% among participants. Two-thirds of the hypertensives were unaware of their condition and only 49.5% of participants with a history of hypertension on medication were controlled. Predictors of hypertension in a multiple logistic regression were increasing age (OR = 1.05 (CI 1.04-1.06), P < .001) and high body mass index (OR = 1.06 (1.02-1.10), P = .005).

Conclusion:

The MMM initiative is highly commendable and of huge public health importance in LMICs like Ghana. Population-based health programs such as the MMM initiative is encouraged to shape appropriate public health policies to reduce the prevalence of hypertension.
The sequential natalizumab – alemtuzumab therapy in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (SUPPRESS) trial – Part I: Rationale and objectives
Authors: Hussain Rehana Z , Sguigna Peter V , Okai Annette , Wright Crystal , Madinawala Mariam , Bass Ann D , Cutter Gary R , Manouchehri Navid , Stuve Olaf
Published: August 2022

Background

Natalizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) against α4-integrin that is approved for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Natalizumab is associated with an increased risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), and with disease reactivation after cessation of treatment that is likely mediated by an accumulation of pro-inflammatory lymphocytes in the blood during therapy. Alemtuzumab is a mAb against CD52 that reduces the number of peripheral lymphocytes.

Rationale

To determine if treatment with alemtuzumab after natalizumab reduces disease activity in patients with relapsing forms of MS. This review article will outline the rationale and objectives of the sequential natalizumab – alemtuzumab therapy in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (SUPPRESS; ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03135249) trial in greater detail than would be feasible in a manuscript that summarizes the study results.

Methods

The SUPPRESS trial is single arm, open-label, multicenter, efficacy pilot study that aims to establish a disease-free state over a 24-months period in patients who received the natalizumab- alemtuzumab sequential therapy. Participants will be recruited from four different sites. The primary endpoint is the annualized relapse rate (ARR) from the time of cessation of natalizumab treatment. Key secondary endpoint is freedom of relapse at 12-months, the number of new/enlarging T2 lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the number of gadolinium (Gd)-enhancing lesions on MRI. An exploratory endpoint is the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness assessment by optic coherence tomography (OCT) and assessment of quality of life (QoL) measures by a pre-defined, self-administered testing battery. To evaluate immunological effects, blood leukocytes will be collected and immunophenotyped by multi-parameter flow cytometry.

Conclusion

The SUPPRESS trial will provide clinical, imaging, and biological data to determine whether sequential natalizumab to alemtuzumab combination therapy establish a disease-free state in patients with relapsing forms of MS.
Should we or should we not? Examining travelers' perceived privacy, perceived security and actual behavior in online travel purchases
Authors: Dogra Nikhil , Adil Mohd.
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this study is to examine travelers’ actual behavior with regard to an online travel purchase by extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) with two new variables, i.e. perceived privacy and perceived security. The study implements a quantitative research design and developed an e-questionnaire. Data was collected from 485 travelers via online platform (Amazon M-Turk). To empirically validate the proposed model and test the inter-relationships between the variables, we performed the SEM analysis on the data. The study findings reveal that facilitating conditions, habit and purchase intention act as significant predictors of travelers’ actual behavior toward online travel purchase. The result also shows that perceived privacy does not impact travelers’ purchase intention while, experience positively moderates the relationship between purchase intention and actual purchase. This study chooses an under explored area and examines the influence of perceived security and perceived privacy in the context of online travel purchase. Further, this study is the leading scholarly work which examines the moderating role of experience between travelers’ purchase intention and actual purchase in tourism context.
The processing of the ambiguous object pronoun in German monolingual and highly proficient L2 speakers with L1 Georgian
Authors: Abashidze Dato , Gagarina Natalia , Bittner Dagmar
Published: August 2022

Aims and objectives:

The current study examines the role of grammatical and positional parallelism on ambiguous German pronoun resolution in monolingual speakers and highly proficient L2 speakers with L1 Georgian. In particular, the study asks whether an object pronoun ihn in a sentence initial position could refer to the non-subject antecedent in a preceding subject–verb–object sentence. Furthermore, it investigates whether L1 and L2 speakers show similar preferences when resolving ambiguous object pronouns.

Methodology:

Two visual world eye-tracking and two offline experiments were conducted with L1 and L2 speakers of German. During the eye-tracking session, the task was simply to look and listen, while in the offline test, participants were required to decide on the assumed referent of the ambiguous pronoun.

Data and analysis:

Linear-mixed effect models were applied to the eye-movement data. Two-sample t tests were used in the analysis of the offline data.

Findings and conclusions:

Eye-movement results revealed a bias toward the subject antecedent in L1 speakers, while the L2 speakers showed a non-subject preference when resolving the referent of the object pronoun. The offline experiments supported the eye-tracking findings of both groups, particularly as regards the role of grammatical parallelism in the resolution of ambiguous pronouns by the L2 speakers. These findings are interpreted in the context of language-specific processing strategies in anaphora resolution. It appears that L1 and L2 speakers may be using different information-structural cues to resolve ambiguous pronouns. Concretely, a less strongly internalized knowledge of the target language or the influence of the first language may produce alternative processing mechanisms in L2 speakers.

Originality:

This study fills the research gap on ambiguous object pronoun resolution of L1 and L2 speakers of German.

Implications:

The findings of this study add additional information to the growing body of research into pronoun resolution. It focuses on the resolution of the German object pronoun within an information-structural framework of language processing in L1 and L2.
Who’s in charge? The impact of delivery and perception of risk on the willingness to voting online
Authors: Fisher Justin , Savani Manu M.
Published: August 2022

What makes voters more or less willing to vote online? This article uses a unique survey experiment to assess the effect of information about who delivers the online ballot; and which groups of voters are more likely to take up the option of online voting. Voters are much more favourable if it is associated with a public body than a well-regarded private sector company. We also find a clear relationship between online activity in the personal world and a willingness to vote online. Those that expose themselves to greater potential online risk in their personal lives are likely to favour having the option to cast their ballot online, but those who perceive more risk are only likely to do so if they receive additional information about the purported advantages of online voting. Who delivers, and perception of online risk are key to understanding when voters are more willing to cast their ballot online.
Probing the effect of post-curing and halloysite nanotube reinforcement on thermo-mechanical properties of lightweight epoxy syntactic foam composites
Authors: Bakshi Mohammed Sohail , Kattimani Subhaschandra
Published: August 2022

This paper deals with an investigation of the post-curing effect of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) reinforced syntactic foam (HRSF) containing cenosphere as hollow inclusion at 0, 20, and 40 vol% in an epoxy matrix. Compression, flexural, and thermal properties of HRSF (1 vol% HNTs) and cenosphere/epoxy syntactic foam (CESF) composites without HNTs are studied under the influence of post-curing. Further, the post-cured HRSF containing 40 vol% cenosphere (NSF40_H) exhibited a compressive modulus of 33.2% higher than room temperature cured neat epoxy due to improved crosslinking. Addition of HNTs in NSF40_H augments the flexural modulus up to 26.9% compared to post-cured neat epoxy. Additionally, the glass transition temperature ( Tg) of CESF composites with 40 vol% cenosphere was increased by 24.3 °C compared to the room temperature cured sample. This positive shift in Tg can be attributed to the beneficial impact of post-curing, as indicated by differential scanning calorimetry study. Thermogravimetric results demonstrated better thermal stability of HRSF relative to CESF and neat epoxy composites. Transmission electron microscopy illustrated the structure-property correlations of nanotube reinforcement. The improved properties of syntactic foams could be viewed as a potential material for lightweight constructions, especially in the marine and automobile industries.
Evaluation of dry sliding wear behavior of abaca/glass fiber hybrid composite for tribological applications
Authors: Prakash Ved , Pradhan Subhrajit , Majhi Sudhakar , Acharya Samir Kumar
Published: August 2022

Abaca is a high-strength natural fiber whose tribological behavior in epoxy polymer composite is unexplored to date. This paper aims to study the mechanical and dry sliding wear behavior of abaca fiber (A) and glass fiber (G) reinforced epoxy laminate composites with various stacking sequences. Symmetrically oriented laminate composites were fabricated in different stacking sequences (AAAA, AGAG, AGGA, and GAAG) using hand lay-up technique. Mechanical characterization is carried out as per ASTM standards. It is found that GAAG hybrid composite possesses maximum tensile strength (101.05 MPa). Meanwhile, AGAG composite shows maximum flexural strength (190.15 MPa) and interlaminar shear strength (5.97 MPa). Abrasive wear behavior of the composites is investigated by performing the test on a pin-on-disc tribo tester as per the ASTM G99 standard under dry sliding conditions. Tribological results indicate that hybridization of abaca and glass fiber into an epoxy matrix enhances the wear properties significantly. Maximum wear resistance is observed with AGGA-layered hybrid composite. The reduction in volumetric wear of AGGA composite is found to be lower than neat epoxy by 86.51%. However, the frictional force of AGGA composite increased by 54.17%. Furthermore, the morphology of fractured and worn-out surfaces is studied using a scanning electron microscope. It is inferred that failure is mainly due to the development of micro-cracks on both fiber and matrix, combined with fiber fragmentation, plowing, and debonding.
The effects of economic austerity on pro-sociality: Evidence from Greece
Authors: Sambanis Nicholas , Nikolova Elena , Schultz Anna
Published: August 2022

The European sovereign debt crisis resulted in policies of fiscal austerity and economic downturn in Greece, marked by a prolonged period of recession and high unemployment. This article explores the social impact of the economic crisis, focusing on its effects on altruism using new household-level survey data and quasi-behavioral outcomes. We focus on the effects of joblessness, the most severe form of economic hardship imposed as a result of the crisis. Our findings reveal a strong relationship between job loss in the household and decreased altruism. We provide experimental evidence of these effects and of in-group bias in charitable giving as a result of joblessness. Our results show that joblessness intensifies survey respondents’ preferences for national as opposed to foreign charities.
How can human capital promote innovative behaviour? exploring the attitudinal dynamics of employee engagement and mental involvement
Authors: Ali Ababneh Omar Mohammed
Published: August 2022

This study puts forward a novel advancement on understanding the underlying mechanisms that expound how human capital can lead to employees” innovative behaviour. Thus, this study intends to examine the nuanced associations between human capital and innovative work behaviour, evoking the mediation of employee engagement and moderation of mental involvement. Utilising a cross sectional research design, a random-sampling technique was used to collect responses from professionals selected from different organizations operating in Jordan. In total, 380 participants completed a questionnaire constructed from well-established measures. AMOS-Structural Equation Modelling was used to examine the measurement and structural models. The results demonstrated that, along with the direct effect, human capital asserts a substantial relevance to individuals” innovative behaviour via the mediation of employee engagement and moderation of mental involvement. To the best of the researcher’s knowledge, this is the first research attempt that views the aforementioned associations through the lens of the attitudinal constructs of employee engagement (mediator) and mental involvement (moderator). Further, this study expands the knowledge base of the cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioural literature by expanding the scope of the JD-R theory aspects to be linked to other psychological dynamics (employee engagement and mental involvement) thought to enhance employees” innovative behaviours.
Allure in the uninhabitable: on affect, space, and Blackness in gentrifying Philadelphia
Authors: Lee Austin Colby Guy
Published: August 2022

This article engages with affect theory and Black feminist interrogations of the human to examine the conflicting feelings evoked by the gentrification process. Black feminist theorists have long demonstrated how histories linger, shape, and make meaning in the present. Affect theory offers further insight into this process by illustrating how we imbue people, places, and things with meaning. This article links these perspectives to address how associations such as economic development/life, Blackness/death, and the uninhabitable/nonhuman shape public sentiments on gentrification and space more broadly. This discussion centers on two urban development projects in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a city that is, like many American cities, racially segregated. This analysis attends to how antiblackness circulates to imbue space and bodies with racialized meaning and resonance. I advance that while this circulation of affects is devastatingly powerful, antiblackness does not circulate uncontested or capture all elements of Black life and Black place-making.
Pivots as strategic responses to crises: Evidence from Italian companies navigating Covid-19
Authors: Sanasi Silvia , Ghezzi Antonio
Published: August 2022

The Covid-19 outbreak in 2019 and beyond severely threatened global supply chains and markets. Firms worldwide saw their operations limited by governmental restrictions, compromising the viability of their business models and challenging previously established assumptions. This situation offered an opportunity to investigate new ventures’ processes of business model transformation (or pivoting) during a major crisis. Specifically, adopting a multiple case study design, we investigated how four Italian firms operating throughout the Covid-19 emergency pivoted in response to the crisis. We develop a conceptual model of pivots-as-process that comprises three stages: reaction to shock, response, and retrospection, leading to longer-term strategic reorientation. Our findings suggest that pivots play out across the three distinct layers of enactment, reflection, and awareness. Our study contributes to the ongoing debate on strategic responses to crises, borrowing from the entrepreneurship literature to investigate how pivots can support firms when they are faced with a need for swift responses, while coping with the temporariness that characterizes crisis situations.
From luminance to brightness: A data-driven approach to support brightness assessments in open plan offices
Authors: de Vries A , Heynderickx I , de Kort YAW
Published: August 2022

People can instantly distinguish a brighter from a darker environment, but it is still unknown how to estimate brightness from the luminance distribution in complex visual scenes. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of three experiments in which participants assessed brightness in an open plan office environment. Experiment 1 varied the luminance distribution on the wall, Experiment 2 varied the desk illuminance and Experiment 3 varied the ceiling illumination. Correlating various measures derived from high-resolution luminance images with participants’ brightness ratings, we investigated to what extent brightness could be predicted. In particular, we focused on 19 different luminance distribution characteristics calculated over 11 different areas of the visual field. In line with earlier work, participants could be grouped in two categories, one consisting of participants who substantially and consistently varied in their brightness assessments for the different settings, and the other consisting of participants who responded more evenly, regardless of the setting. Based on the brightness-responsive group of participants, brightness could be best modelled with the logarithm of the median luminance calculated over a 60° horizontal band in the field of view or with the logarithm of the 95th percentile over the median calculated over the 40° horizontal band, explaining, respectively, 38% and 35% of the variance in brightness perception.
A Comparison of Recalled Pain Memory Following Living Kidney Donation Between Directed and non-Directed, Altruistic Donors
Authors: Katvan Eyal , Cohen Jonathan , Rahamimov Ruth , Ashkenazi Tamar
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Pain following donor nephrectomy for living kidney donation is common. In Israel, non-directed, altruistic donations account for 45% of all kidney transplants. Design: This cross-sectional, retrospective survey included 2 groups of donors derived from the data of Israel Transplant, namely directed and non-directed, altruistic donors, who donated between 2015 to 2018. The degree of recalled pain memory post-surgery was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale at 5 time points: immediately post-surgery, after 1 week, 1 month and 3 months post-surgery and in the month preceding completion of the questionnaire. In addition, continued requirement for analgesics for more than one-month post-surgery, the degree of interference with daily activities in the month preceding the questionnaire and the recalled time to return to full-time employment were also noted. Results: In total, 246 (131 directed and 115 non-directed, altruistic) donors were included in the study. Non-directed, altruistic donors reported statistically significantly lower degrees of recalled pain memory at all time points, a lower requirement for prolonged analgesic use and less recalled interference with daily activities due to pain. In addition, these donors recalled returning significantly earlier to full-time employment. Finally, no significant differences in the degree of recalled pain memory were noted for directed donors according to their relation to the recipient, apart from donation to a spouse. Conclusion: These unique findings, if validated in a prospective study, could provide important information to potential non-directed, altruistic donors regarding the expected level of post-surgical pain and their return to full-time employment.
A study to evaluate pressure distribution of different sports bras
Authors: Ocran Francisca Margarita , Ji Xiaofen , Zhai Lina
Published: August 2022

Sports bras have been reported to be a hindrance to the effective workout of females. This study elucidates the pressure distribution in eight different sport bra types of different sizes during shoulder workout activities to address this hindrance. The upper body moves in horizontal, vertical, and circular directions. An observational survey was carried out at the Zhejiang Sci-Tech University gyms, and among 300 females, the majority focused on shoulder workouts. The experiment used pressure sensors to analyze the most significant sports bra for females with a bra size of 34C, 36C, and 38C during three body movements. We conclude the in-depth width of the neckline has an impact on strap comfortability as well as the back design and structure also influence the performance of the back band. Additionally, racerback bras produce less pressure for bra size 34C. In addition, crossing back with thicker and broader straps produces less pressure for females with a bra size of 36C. For bra 38C, a racerback with thicker straps generated less pressure.
Outcomes of transcarotid artery revascularization: A systematic review
Authors: Wu Haoliang , Wang Zhiwei , Li Mingxing , Sun Peng , Wei Shunbo , Xie Boao , Zhang Cong , Zhang Liwei , Bai Hualong
Published: August 2022

Background

Ischemic stroke and disability caused by carotid artery stenosis have always been worldwide problems. At present, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TFCAS) have been commonly used to treat carotid artery stenosis. Recently, transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) seems to be another option.

Methods

We searched PubMed and Embase to find literatures comparing TCAR with TFCAS and CEA. The primary outcomes were stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), transient ischemic attack (TIA), death, cranial nerve injure (CNI), and operative time. Secondary outcomes were stroke, death, MI in the elderly; cost; radiation; and entry site complication.

Results

Initial search of the literature included 165 articles, of which 12 studies were chosen in the end. These studies demonstrated high technical success rate of TCAR. Patients who received TCAR had lower risks of death, stroke/death and less radiation exposure compared to TFCAS. In meta analysis, the risk of stroke was significantly lower in TCAR group than TFCAS (OR 0.63; 95%CI 0.47–0.85). And there was no significant difference in TIA and MI. TCAR was associated with shorter operative time, lower risk of CNI and less blood loss compared to CEA. In older patients, the effect of TCAR was significantly better than that of TFCAS.

Conclusion

TCAR is associated with a lower risk of perioperative stroke compared to TFCAS. TCAR is also associated with shorter operative time, lower risk of CNI and less blood loss compared to CEA. TCAR may be a promising treatment option besides TFCAS and CEA.
A novel end-effector upper limb rehabilitation robot: Kinematics modeling based on dual quaternion and low-speed spiral motion tracking control
Authors: Li Liaoyuan , Han Jianhai , Li Xiangpan , Guo Bingjing , Wang Xinjie , Du Ganqin
Published: August 2022

For patients with upper limb dysfunction after stroke, robot-assisted rehabilitation training plays an important role in functional recovery. The existing upper limb rehabilitation robots have some problems, such as complex mechanisms, insufficient compliance, and can only realize the rehabilitation training of shoulder and elbow joints in the horizontal plane. This research proposes a novel end-effector upper limb rehabilitation robot with three degrees of freedom. Two horizontal rotation freedoms are driven by motors and one vertical translation freedom is driven by a pneumatic cylinder. So it can realize the spatial rehabilitation training of shoulder and elbow joints. The rotation and translation transformation of the robot can be represented by a dual quaternion, which is concise in form and clear in the physical meaning. Therefore, this article adopts dual quaternions to complete the robot’s kinematics modeling, inverse kinematics calculation, and terminal spiral motion trajectory planning. To improve the low-speed moving performance of the spiral motion, a sliding mode control strategy plus feedforward compensation is employed to control the displacement of the cylinder. Experiments show that the robot can realize proximal joints training and has good position tracking accuracy (tracking error is within 2 mm) with smoothness under the proposed control strategy, which can guarantee the accuracy and comfort of passive rehabilitation training, contributing to restoring the function of the impairment upper limbs.
Characterization and stratification of the correlates of postpartum depression in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Nweke Martins , Ukwuoma Maryjane , Adiuku-Brown Ada C. , Ugwu Princewill , Nseka Elizabeth
Published: August 2022

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health challenge in resource-constrained sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Characterizing its correlates will aid prediction, early detection, and pre-emptive interventions. This review aimed to systematically synthesize and stratify PPD correlates in sub-Saharan Africa. The review was structured as per the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. We included studies that reported the correlates of PPD in SSA. We searched PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, and PsycINFO for relevant peer-reviewed literature. The correlates of PPD constituted the primary outcome. A random effect model was fitted to estimate the pooled correlation coefficient per correlate. The clinical relevance of correlates was stratified based on strength of correlation (r) and recurrence (f). The mean age of the participants was 27.0 ± 6.0 years, and 68.6% of participants had completed at least secondary education. The correlates of PPD in SSA were intimate partner violence (IPV) ((risk weight (rw) = 2.8; r = 0.212 (confidence interval (CI): 0.11–0.31), poor social support (PSS) (rw = 1.9; r = 0.250 (0.133–0.361)), unwanted pregnancy (UP) (rw = 1.6; r = 0.279 (CI: 0.14–0.41); I2 = 95.89), and maternal age (MA) (rw = 0.96; r = 0.27 (CI: 0.154–0.37)), among others. A cumulative risk weight of ⩾0.95 was predictive of PPD and marks the critical point at which preemptive interventions should be instituted. The stratification of risk PPD factors and computation of risk stability index are useful in identifying the clinical significant risk factors. The provision of critical risk point will simplify early detection thus facilitating cost-effectiveness. Of the correlates of PPD in SSA, IPV, PSS, UP, and MA are the most important. Targeted screening and pre-emptive interventions for women with high risk weight may be a reasonable strategy both in the short and long term.
Benign breast pathology in general practice
Authors: van der Zanden Eleanor , Cooper Max , Sornalingam Sangeetha , Zammit Charles
Published: August 2022

Many thousands of patients present each year to general practice with breast symptoms. Patients are often concerned that their symptoms might indicate cancer; however, the majority represent benign breast disease. On average, a full-time GP will diagnose one or two cases of breast cancer a year. It can be difficult to distinguish between potentially malignant and benign conditions in the GP setting, as well as manage patient anxiety and expectations. This article aims to cover pathology, diagnosis and management of benign breast disease and improve conﬁdence in managing patients diagnosed with benign disease. The article will not cover the topics of breast cancer or breast pathology in pregnancy and male patients.
Current situation and tasks for public health and medical cooperation between South Korea and Central Asia: Focusing on Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Authors: Jung Sunmi
Published: August 2022

2022 marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Central Asia. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Korea and Central Asia have expanded exchanges in various fields, including politics, economy, and diplomacy. Cooperation between Korea and Central Asia utilizing the abundant medical manpower of Central Asia and Korea’s excellent medical and pharmaceutical technology was also selected as a promising area of cooperation between the two sides. Korea and Central Asia have continued to cooperate in the field of health and medical care, but there were limits to deepening cooperation. Recently, the importance of health and medical cooperation around the world has been highlighted again due to COVID-19. This thesis examines the status and problems of health care in Central Asia, and analyzes the achievements and limitations of health care cooperation between Korea and Central Asia. The purpose of this is to suggest directions for strengthening health care cooperation between Korea and Central Asia. This will help the new government, which aims to become a global center of bio-digital health, explore strategies and policies for preemptive health care cooperation in Central Asian countries.
Hydrogel-Embedded Poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) Microspheres for the Delivery of hMSC-Derived Exosomes to Promote Bioactive Annulus Fibrosus Repair
Authors: DiStefano Tyler J. , Vaso Keti , Panebianco Christopher J. , Danias George , Chionuma Henry N. , Kunnath Kuriakose , Karoulias Stylianos Z. , Wang Minghui , Xu Peng , Davé Rajesh N. , Sahoo Susmita , Weiser Jennifer R. , Iatridis James C.
Published: August 2022

Objective

Intervertebral disk degeneration is a prevalent postoperative complication after discectomy, underscoring the need to develop preventative and bioactive treatment strategies that decelerate degeneration and seal annulus fibrosus (AF) defects. Human mesenchymal stem cell–derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) hold promise for cell-free bioactive repair; however, their ability to promote AF repair is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of MSC-Exos to promote endogenous AF repair processes and integrate MSC-Exos within a biomaterial delivery system.

Design

We characterize biophysical and biochemical properties of normoxic (Nx) and hypoxic (Hx) preconditioned MSC-Exos from young, healthy donors and examine their effects on AF cell proliferation, migration, and gene expression. We then integrate a poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid) microsphere (PLGA µSphere) delivery platform within an interpenetrating network hydrogel to facilitate sustained MSC-Exo delivery.

Results

Hx MSC-Exos led to a more robust response in AF cell proliferation and migration than Nx MSC-Exos and was selected for a downstream protection experiment. Hx MSC-Exos maintained a healthy AF cell phenotype under a TNFα challenge in vitro and attenuated catabolic responses. In all functional assays, AF cell responses were more sensitive to Hx MSC-Exos than Nx MSC-Exos. PLGA µSpheres released MSC-Exos over a clinically relevant timescale without affecting hydrogel modulus or pH upon initial embedment and µSphere degradation.

Conclusions

This MSC-Exo treatment strategy may offer benefits of stem cell therapy without the need for exogenous stem cell transplantation by stimulating cell proliferation, promoting cell migration, and protecting cells from the degenerative proinflammatory microenvironment.
Race categorization in noise
Authors: de Lissa Peter , Watanabe Katsumi , Gu Li , Ishii Tatsunori , Nakamura Koyo , Kimura Taiki , Sagasaki Amane , Caldara Roberto
Published: August 2022

People are typically faster to categorize the race of a face if it belongs to a race different from their own. This Other Race Categorization Advantage (ORCA) is thought to reflect an enhanced sensitivity to the visual race signals of other race faces, leading to faster response times. The current study investigated this sensitivity in a cross-cultural sample of Swiss and Japanese observers with a race categorization task using faces that had been parametrically degraded of visual structure, with normalized luminance and contrast. While Swiss observers exhibited an increasingly strong ORCA in both reaction time and accuracy as the face images were visually degraded up to 20% structural coherence, the Japanese observers manifested this pattern most distinctly when the faces were fully structurally-intact. Critically, for both observer groups, there was a clear accuracy effect at the 20% structural coherence level, indicating that the enhanced sensitivity to other race visual signals persists in significantly degraded stimuli. These results suggest that different cultural groups may rely on and extract distinct types of visual race signals during categorization, which may depend on the available visual information. Nevertheless, heavily degraded stimuli specifically favor the perception of other race faces, indicating that the visual system is tuned by experience and is sensitive to the detection of unfamiliar signals.
Dispositions towards automation: Capital, technology, and labour relations in aeromobilities
Authors: Lin Weiqiang , Adey Peter , Harris Tina
Published: August 2022

With the rapid rise of supercomputers, artificial intelligence, and advanced forms of robotics, recent years have seen a resurgence in interest in automation in the academy. In geography, scholars have yielded some important insights on the mottled relations between humans and machines as capital moves towards a more high-tech form of production. In this paper, we seek to extend these debates by delving into how labour's relations with automation do not always reactively vacillate between capitulation and adaptation. Instead, they are more ambiguously swayed by broader ‘dispositions towards automation’, which are generated either through practice, or by machines themselves that are designed to appeal to human desires and wants. Drawing on examples from aeromobilities and, particularly, airports, this paper shows how various in-process tendencies, or ‘points of meeting’, of human-technology assemblages enable and creatively rework automation in ways that are culturally specific and ideologically supportive of capital. We consider five different dispositions – namely, enchantment, aspiration, experimentation, gamification, and acquiescence – as starting points for further dialogues on technological relations and resistances in geography.
Factors Associated With the Use of Hypothermic Machine Perfusion in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Goulamhoussen Nadir , Slapcoff Lawrence , Baran Dana , Boucher Anne , Houde Isabelle , Masse Mélanie , Albert Martin , Marsolais Pierre , Cardinal Heloïse , Bouchard Josée
Published: August 2022

Background:

Delayed graft function (DGF) is associated with an increased risk of graft loss. The use of cold hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) has been shown to reduce the incidence of DGF in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), especially when extended-criteria donors (ECDs) are used. HMP can also improve graft survival. However, there is a paucity of data on the determinants of HMP use in clinical practice.

Objective:

We aimed to determine the factors associated with the use of HMP in a cohort of donors and KTRs.

Design:

Multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

5 transplant centers in Quebec.

Patients:

159 neurologically deceased donors (NDD) and 281 KTR.

Measurements:

Use of HMP.

Methods:

We collected data on consecutive NDD admitted to a dedicated donor unit in a single university-affiliated center and their KTRs between June 2013 and December 2018 in 5 adult transplant centers across the province of Quebec, Canada. All organs were recovered in a single hospital center where a HMP device was available for every organ recovered and the decision to use HMP was left at the discretion of the procurement surgeon. Generalized estimating equations were used to predict the use of HMP.

Results:

The cohort included 159 NDDs and their 281 KTRs. Thirty-three percent of donors were ECDs, and 59% of KTRs received organs placed on HMP. The median cold ischemia time (CIT) was 12.5 (IQR 7.9-16.3) hours. In univariate analysis, none of the donors’ characteristics were associated with the use of HMP. ECD represented 33% of KTR on HMP vs 35% of those not placed on HMP ( P = .77). In univariate analysis, the use of HMP was associated with KTR race (non-Caucasian), longer CIT, use of basiliximab/alemtuzumab, year of transplant, and transplant center. The use of HMP varied largely across transplant centers, ranging from 15% to 82%. In multivariate analysis, use of HMP was associated with longer CIT (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-1.25), transplant center as well as transplantations performed after 2013.

Limitations:

One dedicated donor unit including NDD only, absence of specific data on surgeons’ experience and personal or logistic reasons for using or not HMP.

Conclusions:

We found that use of HMP remains low and varies largely across transplant centers. The use of HMP was strongly associated with the transplant center where the surgeons practiced, suggesting that surgeon preference/training plays an important role in determining the use of HMP. Availability of HMP at the time of organ procurement might also be limited by logistic issues such as difficulty in returning the device. Further studies aimed at determining the reasons underlying the barriers precluding the use of HMP could help increasing its use and improve transplant outcomes.
The experiences of 33 national COVID-19 dashboard teams during the first year of the pandemic in the World Health Organization European Region: A qualitative study
Authors: Barbazza Erica , Ivanković Damir , Davtyan Karapet , Poldrugovac Mircha , Yelgezekova Zhamin , Willmington Claire , Meza-Torres Bernardo , Bos Véronique L.L.C. , Fernandes Óscar Brito , Rotar Alexandru , Nuti Sabina , Vainieri Milena , Carinci Fabrizio , Azzopardi-Muscat Natasha , Groene Oliver , Novillo-Ortiz David , Klazinga Niek , Kringos Dionne
Published: August 2022

Background

Governments across the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region have prioritised dashboards for reporting COVID-19 data. The ubiquitous use of dashboards for public reporting is a novel phenomenon.

Objective

This study explores the development of COVID-19 dashboards during the first year of the pandemic and identifies common barriers, enablers and lessons from the experiences of teams responsible for their development.

Methods

We applied multiple methods to identify and recruit COVID-19 dashboard teams, using a purposive, quota sampling approach. Semi-structured group interviews were conducted from April to June 2021. Using elaborative coding and thematic analysis, we derived descriptive and explanatory themes from the interview data. A validation workshop was held with study participants in June 2021.

Results

Eighty informants participated, representing 33 national COVID-19 dashboard teams across the WHO European Region. Most dashboards were launched swiftly during the first months of the pandemic, February to May 2020. The urgency, intense workload, limited human resources, data and privacy constraints and public scrutiny were common challenges in the initial development stage. Themes related to barriers or enablers were identified, pertaining to the pre-pandemic context, pandemic itself, people and processes and software, data and users. Lessons emerged around the themes of simplicity, trust, partnership, software and data and change.

Conclusions

COVID-19 dashboards were developed in a learning-by-doing approach. The experiences of teams reveal that initial underpreparedness was offset by high-level political endorsement, the professionalism of teams, accelerated data improvements and immediate support with commercial software solutions. To leverage the full potential of dashboards for health data reporting, investments are needed at the team, national and pan-European levels.
Use of the Xiaomi Mi Band for sleep monitoring and its influence on the daily life of older people living in a nursing home
Authors: Concheiro-Moscoso Patricia , Groba Betania , Martínez-Martínez Francisco José , Miranda-Duro María del Carmen , Nieto-Riveiro Laura , Pousada Thais , Pereira Javier
Published: August 2022

Background: Lower quantity and poorer sleep quality are common in most older adults, especially for those who live in a nursing home. The use of wearable devices, which measure some parameters such as the sleep stages, could help to determine the influence of sleep quality in daily activity among nursing home residents. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the influence of sleep and its changes concerning the health status and daily activity of older people who lived in a nursing home, by monitoring the participants for a year with Xiaomi Mi Band 2. Methods: This is a longitudinal study set in a nursing home in [Details omitted for double-anonymized peer reviewed]. The Xiaomi Mi Band 2 will be used to measure biomedical parameters and different assessment tools will be administered to participants for evaluating their quality of life, sleep quality, cognitive state, and daily functioning. Results: A total of 21 nursing home residents participated in the study, with a mean age of 86.38 ± 9.26. The main outcomes were that sleep may influence daily activity, cognitive state, quality of life, and level of dependence in activities of daily life. Moreover, environmental factors and the passage of time could also impact sleep. Conclusions: Xiaomi Mi Band 2 could be an objective tool to assess the sleep of older adults and know its impact on some factors related to health status and quality of life of older nursing homes residents. Trial Registration: NCT04592796 (Registered 16 October 2020) Available on: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04592796.
Fifty Years of Research in Deposit Insurance: A Bibliometric Analysis and Review
Authors: Sardana Varda , Singhania Shubham
Published: August 2022

Deposit insurance is a tool to enhance banking stability in a country, by augmenting the confidence of the bank depositors and reducing their incentive to run on banks. Over the years, this instrument of bank safety net has garnered considerable attention, owing to the advent of multiple banking shocks and financial crises. This is a first-of-its-kind study that aims to trace the development of deposit insurance research over the past 50 years, from 1971 to 2021, through bibliometric analysis and network visualization. A total of 1322 research articles and reviews on deposit insurance, drawn from the Scopus database, have been examined and synthesized through volume analysis, citation analysis, co-authorship analysis, co-citation analysis and keyword co-occurrence analysis. Two well-known bibliometric tools, VOSviewer and Biblioshiny, have been used to create and analyze various bibliometric maps, networks and tables. This study uncovers the temporal and spatial trends of publications on deposit insurance, the most influential documents, authors, journals and countries in this domain, the status of collaborations and the major themes that have been studied in the literature. The paper also highlights new concepts that have emerged over the past five decades and suggests future avenues for research in this area.
Financing Climate-Resilient Infrastructure in Cities
Authors: Jena Labanya Prakash
Published: August 2022

Cities stand at the forefront of climate adaptation as they face the risk of disastrous climate change impacts. Indian cities are vulnerable to climate change impacts due their geographic location; therefore, they need to build climate-resilient infrastructure to survive, adapt, and grow. Investing in climate-resilient projects will help cities in preventing climate disaster cost and will result in swift recovery from disaster. However, several challenges are constraining Indian cities to finance climate-resilient projects. Cities can use novel ways to raise capital from mainstream financers. Innovative financial instruments, mechanisms, and business models and the judicious use of public capital can help municipalities attract private capital. Cities should smartly select projects and financial instruments and deploy appropriate financial strategy to raise capital from private financers.