bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human rights education for nursing students: A scoping review
Authors: Dogan Elisabeth Irene Karlsen , Terragni Laura , Raustøl Anne
Published: September 2024

Background: Human rights are an important part of nursing care, and nurses deal with human rights matter daily. Despite their relevance and acknowledgement of their importance, human rights issues remain limited in nursing education. Aim: The study’s aim was to describe how human rights education has been addressed in nursing education. Method: A scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) recommendations. The search was conducted in March 2023, with an updated search in February 2024. We searched in the following databases provided by EBSCO: Academic Search Elite, CINAHL, Education Source, ERIC, ScienceDirect and MEDLINE. Additionally, we also searched in Embase via Ovia and Scopus. The papers were screened for eligibility by title, abstract and full text independently by at least two reviewers, and the whole research team was involved in this process. Ethical considerations: The scoping review was guided by ethical conduct and scientific guidelines. Findings: Nine papers matched the inclusion criteria. Three thematic groups were identified: (a) focus of human rights education, (b) the learning design of the coursework and (c) learning outcomes in human rights education. Conclusion: Human rights education can benefit from being tailored to the students’ experiences and including voices from the rights-holders. Bringing in the students’ experiences and rights-holders’ voices can enable self-reflection and discussion regarding human rights concerns. Hence, if the intention is to support nursing students to develop an awareness and act upon human rights concerns, the curriculum ought to include opportunities for reflection and discussion around human rights concerns and experiences in the students’ own context.
Uridine-mediated Activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 Pathway for Alleviating Sepsis-induced Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Li Guoping , Hu Yalan , Xu Fan , Li Fei
Published: September 2024

Background

Sepsis-induced pulmonary injury poses a significant challenge in critical care due to its high morbidity and mortality rates.

Purpose

This study explores the potential of uridine to mitigate sepsis-induced pulmonary damage, specifically targeting the activation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway.

Methods

Both in vitro and in vivo approaches were utilized, incorporating MH-S cell lines exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate inflammatory conditions and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis model in mice. The effects of uridine were evaluated on survival rates, pulmonary damage, bacterial colonization, as well as the expression of NRF2, KEAP1, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and inflammatory cytokines.

Results

Uridine treatment led to elevated levels of Nrf2 and HO-1, reduced KEAP1 expression, improved survival rates, decreased pulmonary damage and bacterial presence, and modulation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. adeno-associated virus-mediated Nrf2 overexpression alleviated lung injury. The NRF2 inhibitor ML385 counteracted the beneficial effects of uridine, underscoring the critical role of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway in these outcomes.

Conclusion

Activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway by uridine holds promise as a therapeutic strategy to enhance outcomes in sepsis-induced pulmonary damage. Further investigation is warranted to assess the therapeutic potential of uridine in sepsis management and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of its protective effects.
An integrated impact localization method for thermal protection structure based on hybrid kernel extreme learning machine
Authors: Chao Zhang , Cheng Xu , Wuqiang Tang , Yupeng Zhang , Chongcong Tao , Jinhao Qiu
Published: September 2024

The thermal protection structure (TPS) of the aircraft is highly susceptible to impact events from foreign objects, which may cause significant risk to the safe flight of the aircraft. This paper presents an impact localization method based on a hybrid kernel extreme learning machine (HKELM). The impact signal is firstly processed by the Short Term/Long Term Average (STA/LTA) ratio method and the time of arrival (TOA) of the guided wave is further extracted by the Akaike information criterion (AIC) method, which is used as the input of the neural network. The impact position is used as the output of the neural network to train the HKELM model. The hyperparameters of the HKELM are optimized by using the immune particle swarm algorithm (IPSO). Meanwhile, the local outlier factor (LOF) algorithm is used to detect the abnormal data, and a data reconstruction method based on the correlation coefficient is proposed to correct abnormal data. Finally, the localization results demonstrate the validity of the anomaly detection algorithm and the IPSO-HKELM network model.
Palliative Care Referral in Adult Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants: An Integrative Literature Review
Authors: Short Abigail C. , Kuroki Mika , Coombs Lorinda A.
Published: September 2024

Context: Hematologic malignancies are often unpredictable, aggressive, and may require treatments such as hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). Although morbidity and mortality are significantly amplified during the HSCT process, palliative care (PC) services are historically underutilized by HSCT providers for issues such as symptom management, prognosis understanding, goals of care, and advanced care planning. Objective: This review aimed to assess the impact of PC on the adult HSCT standard of care and examine the effects on patients’ quality of life during the acute phase of allogeneic HSCT. Methodology: We conducted an integrative literature search through PubMed and CINAHL databases and utilized the PRISMA guidelines for formal review. The authors reviewed a total of 19 full-text articles. Results: Four major themes were generated from a review of the evidence: (1) Physical and Psychosocial HSCT symptoms, (2) Misconceptions of PC, (3) PC Integration on Quality of Life, and (4) Early PC integration and HSCT recipients. The consensus suggests that interdisciplinary PC during HSCT enhances the quality of care. Conclusion: Discussion of this evidence further exemplifies the need to identify unmet palliative needs earlier so that PC may be integrated before the severe consequences of HSCT. Future work should focus on investigating and evaluating effective and efficient integration of HSCT and PC specialties to optimize the quality of care.
Evaluating the Impact of Different Education Methods on Cleft Lip and Palate Anatomy Training
Authors: Dalgalı Perihan , Topsakal Kübra Gülnur , Eser Mısır Selcen , Samur Ergüven Sara , Duran Gökhan Serhat , Görgülü Serkan
Published: September 2024

Objective

To compare the effects of different educational methods on short and long-term learning outcomes and to investigate the satisfaction and perception of cleft lip and palate (CLP) education among dental students.

Design

The theoretical exam on CLP to determine their baseline level of knowledge was taken by the participants(T0). After the exam, the students were randomly divided into three groups and all students attended a lecture-based traditional education on CLP. Students in the first group (n = 40) received no additional teaching (Group A). Students in the second group (n = 38) received model teaching with 3D-printed models (Group B). The third group (n = 39) was trained in e-learning-supported education (Group C). The theoretical exam was repeated immediately after the education (T1/short-term learning), one week later (T2/early long-term learning), and one month later (T3/late long-term learning), and the effect of the education methods on information level was assessed. In addition, a post-training satisfaction questionnaire was administered to participants of Group B and Group C.

Results

Both 3D model-based and e-learning-supported approaches significantly improved immediate knowledge of CLP. However, no significant differences were found in knowledge retention over time between the all methods. A majority of students favored the incorporation of both methods in orthodontic education.

Conclusions

While both 3D models and e-learning effectively enhance short-term CLP knowledge among dental students, their long-term educational impacts are comparable. However, student preferences indicated that the use of 3D-printed models and e-learning strategies may be useful augmentations to traditional lecture education.
Transitions of Care Pharmacist Impact Following Hospitalization for Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Augustine Morgan Santalucia , Roberts Olivia , Sarubbi Christina , Toler John Alex , Gharkholonarehe Nastaran
Published: September 2024

Background: Patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are at high risk for morbidity and rehospitalizations. Pharmacists can play a vital role in secondary prevention by providing services such as medication reconciliation and patient education upon discharge. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led transitions of care (TOC) service on readmissions in patients hospitalized with AMI. Methods: This single center, pre-post observational cohort study evaluated adults with AMI who received pharmacist TOC services compared with a historical cohort who did not. Patients were excluded if they underwent cardiac surgery during admission. The primary outcome was the difference in 90-day cardiovascular (CV)-related readmissions. Secondary outcomes included 30- and 90-day all-cause readmissions, 30-day CV-related readmissions, and patients discharged on defect-free guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for AMI. Results: There were 252 patients in each cohort included. No difference was found in 90-day CV readmissions, with a rate of 10.7% in the pre-TOC group versus 9.9% in the post-TOC group (OR 0.937, 95% CI [0.493, 1.769]; P = 0.842). Patients discharged on defect-free GDMT significantly increased from 61.5% pre-TOC to 87.7% post-TOC (OR 5.424, 95% CI [3.204, 9.468]; P < 0.001). There were no significant differences found in other key secondary outcomes. Conclusion and relevance: This study did not find a significant difference in hospital readmissions after implementation of a pharmacist-led TOC service. However, the service was associated with a significant increase in patients discharged on defect-free GDMT. Further studies are needed to confirm the impact of increased GDMT on clinical outcomes.
An Investigation of Work Precarity Among Paid Domestic Cleaning Workers in Switzerland
Authors: Borges André , Greve Milena , Massoudi Koorosh
Published: September 2024

Work precarity, referring to the work-related psychological state of insecurity, instability, and powerlessness, is on the rise. Despite being employed, workers are increasingly exposed to work precarity due to the global disparities of access to decent work. Paid domestic cleaning (PDC) workers represent a vulnerable group, exposed to adverse employment conditions and limited labor rights and protections. Yet, the working conditions in PDC have not been studied in the light of precariousness and precarity. Drawing from the work precarity framework (WPF), the present study utilizes semi-structured interviews with 24 PDC workers in Switzerland to investigate if and how they experienced work precarity in the face of adverse working conditions, and to what extent they could access protective resources against such precarity. Experiences of precarity stemmed from insufficient and insecure income, lack of labor protections and rights, lack of social recognition, and unsafe physical and psychological working conditions. Participants reported negative work-related outcomes in terms of health impairment, social stigmatization, and ambivalent attitudes towards their job. Moreover, protective personal, social, and institutional resources were identified as limited or inconsistent. Among the study’s contributions, we highlight precarity-derived challenges vulnerabilized workers face. Implications for research, policy, and practice will be discussed.
First Tarsometatarsal Alignment May Self-Correct After Triple Arthrodesis in Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity
Authors: Cotton Michael O. , Rowe Kenneth , Motsay Morgan , Manchester Maggie , Campbell John T. , Jeng Clifford L.
Published: September 2024

Background:

Triple arthrodesis is commonly used to correct rigid progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD). These patients often have associated first tarsometatarsal (TMT) instability on lateral weightbearing radiographs. It has not been well established if it is necessary to add first TMT arthrodesis to adequately correct the overall deformity. This study retrospectively examined pre- and postoperative radiographs of PCFD patients with first TMT instability that were managed by triple arthrodesis alone.

Methods:

All triple arthrodesis cases were searched for a single surgeon between 2013 and 2021. Inclusion criteria were patients with PCFD who underwent triple arthrodesis without first TMT joint fusion. Preoperative radiographs were examined for first TMT joint instability, demonstrated by plantar gapping of the first metatarsal-medial cuneiform angle or first metatarsal dorsal subluxation at the TMT joint. Measurement of sagittal first metatarsal-medial cuneiform angle and first metatarsal subluxation as described by King and Toolan was performed.

Results:

Twenty patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Six patients did not demonstrate at least 30% improvement of one or both measurements of first TMT instability postoperatively and were considered failures. Fourteen patients demonstrated correction of their first TMT joint instability. Average follow-up was 5.0 (range, 1.8-9.4) years. The first metatarsal-medial cuneiform angle improved from 3.8 to 1.1 degrees ( P < .05). The first metatarsal subluxation corrected from 4.1 to 1.5 mm ( P < .05). One patient showed radiographic evidence of arthritis in the first TMT joint at final follow-up.

Conclusion:

Seventy percent of patients with PCFD with asymptomatic first TMT joint instability demonstrated correction of first TMT radiographic instability with isolated triple arthrodesis. This was maintained at 5-year mean follow-up. In cases of PCFD with medial column instability, triple arthrodesis alone may be adequate to restore overall alignment.
Validating Measures of Team Reorganization and Interdependency in Response to Uncertainty in an Air Battle Management Task
Authors: Grimm David A. , Gorman Jamie C. , Funke Gregory J. , Tolston Michael T.
Published: September 2024

Teams working in complex, high-stakes environments may encounter uncertain situations for which they are not trained and can suffer dangerous consequences if they fail to overcome such uncertainty. We focus on how reorganization and dynamic interdependency across communications and air battle management (ABM) assets in response to uncertainty can be quantified in dynamic task environments. We analyzed data from a 5-day experiment conducted in an ABM task scenario to validate metrics of team reorganization and dynamic interdependency. Interactions quantifying reorganization and interdependency across technological task components significantly predicted team performance and higher interdependency of team communications also predicted better performance. Our findings indicate that reorganization and interdependency, primarily across technological assets, may be valid predictors of team effectiveness. Practical implications of this work primarily relate to assisting teams to achieve adaptive team-level proficiencies to uncertainty-inducing perturbations by providing objective feedback on reorganization and interdependency during team training.
High Expression of NLR and SII in patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma as Potential Prognostic Observations
Authors: Lv He , Chen Xing , Chen Xudong , Li Ji , Lu Xu
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To assess the value of pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immunoinflammatory index (SII) in the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed a total of 185 NPC patients who visited the clinic from June 2015 to December 2018 and were selected as study subjects. The NLR and SII were calculated based on the collection of demographic information, clinical characteristics, and pre-treatment lymphocyte counts, neutrophil counts, and platelet counts. Predictive efficacy was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and survival analysis was performed through life table methods and Cox risk-proportional regression.

Results

Using the X-tile software, significant differences were found in clinical factors among NPC patients based on NLR (>2.91) and SII (>535.47). Age, TNM staging, SII, and NLR were identified as independent prognostic factors in a Cox regression analysis. SII had the highest area under the curve (AUC) for predicting 1-year survival, TNM staging had the highest AUC for predicting 3-year survival, and NLR had the highest AUC for predicting 5-year survival. The combined model showed superior predictive accuracy across all time points.

Conclusion

NLR and SII, as biomarkers of inflammation and immune status, have significant clinical applications in the prognostic assessment of NPC. The integrated prediction model combining age, TNM staging, SII, and NLR significantly improved the accuracy of survival prediction and provided a reliable basis for individualised treatment of NPC.
Examining How Tributaries Contribute to Anthropogenic Microfiber and Microplastic Pollution in an Urban Watershed in Nashville, TN, USA
Authors: Amundson Asher , Swallows Callie , Heard Matthew J
Published: September 2024

Recent research has shown that urban rivers often have large amounts of anthropogenic microfiber pollution (i.e. small thread-like pieces of litter that are most often microplastics and are <5 mm in size). However, there is often a limited understanding of how tributaries and streams that flow into urban rivers contribute to these amounts. This study examined how the presence and abundance of anthropogenic microfiber pollution varied in six tributaries of the Cumberland River in Nashville, TN, USA which is a growing city with more than 2 million residents in the metropolitan area. To examine how anthropogenic microfiber pollution levels varied, surface water samples were collected over the course of two months in Spring 2022 from six tributaries in the Richland Creek Watershed ( n = 96 samples total). Over the course of the study, anthropogenic microfibers were found in all tributaries and at all time points and at abundances that are similar to many other smaller tributaries and creeks that have been previously studied (mean of 96 samples = 17.4 microfibers/L or 17,400/m3). Interestingly, there were no significant differences between the individual tributaries or across the four sampling time periods in anthropogenic microfiber pollution abundance. However, the consistent levels of anthropogenic microfibers found supports recent research which suggests that this type of pollution represents an important threat in urban aquatic ecosystems.
Neonatal Sepsis: Aetiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnostic Advances and Management Strategies
Authors: Raturi Adi , Chandran Suresh
Published: September 2024

Neonatal sepsis, a bloodstream infection in the first 28 days of life, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among infants in both developing and developed countries. Additionally, sepsis is distinguished in neonates by unique pathophysiological and presentational factors relating to its development in immature neonatal immune systems. This review focuses on the current understanding of the mechanics and implications of neonatal sepsis, providing a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, major risk factors, signs and symptoms and recent consensus on the diagnosis and management of both early-onset and late-onset neonatal sepsis. It also includes a discussion on novel biomarkers and upcoming treatment strategies for the condition as well as the potential of COVID-19 infection to progress to sepsis in infants.
Beyond authority: governing migration and asylum through practice on the ground
Authors: Kortendiek Nele
Published: September 2024

How do international organizations (IOs) govern transnational challenges? Most theories maintain that IOs exercise authority to govern. What these authority-focused accounts tend to overlook, however, are instances of de facto governance. Especially in emerging, contested, and crisis-ridden issue areas, authority has often not been established or become unsettled. Yet, IOs govern here, too. Take the example of migration and asylum: This policy field is characterized by institutional and policy gaps. During the crisis at Europe’s border in 2015–2016, IOs governed mixed movements nonetheless. Through organizing collective action on the ground, they not only created direct regulative impacts on the lives of people on the move (the final addressees of international politics) but also defined what mixed migration means as a global policy concern. I draw on practice theory and fieldwork at the European external border in Greece to draw attention to governing modes that operate at a very low institutional threshold. I propose a minimal conception of governance that shifts attention from authority sources to governing effects to account for such governance forms. This re-conceptualization makes the study of how IOs govern outside their established authority, in concrete geographical places, possible.
How not to conduct a regression discontinuity design using a continuous measure of democracy
Authors: Hanretty Chris
Published: September 2024

I review a recent article published in this journal (Ademi and Kimya, 2023) which uses a continuous measure of democracy as the basis for a ‘fuzzy regression discontinuity design’ investigating the effect of democratization on party system polarization. I argue that their design does not qualify as a regression discontinuity design because continuous measures of democracy produced by social scientists are not used to assign treatments to country-years, and because the authors misuse the auxiliary variable recording regime transitions used in their analysis.
Procedural interventions for erythromelalgia: A narrative review
Authors: Lee Jinnee UJ , Ma Janice E , Sartori Valinotti Julio C , Rooke Thom W , Sandroni Paola , Watson James C , Davis Mark DP
Published: September 2024

Erythromelalgia is a rare disorder characterized by episodic burning pain with redness and warmth of the extremities. Topical and systemic medications are the mainstay of management. We reviewed the published evidence for using procedural interventions to manage erythromelalgia, including their proposed mechanism of action and possible adverse effects, and included information in this review on epidural infusion, sympathetic ganglion block, sympathectomy, pulsed radiofrequency, spinal cord stimulation, dorsal root ganglion stimulation, brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and botulinum toxin injections. Both successful and unsuccessful outcomes have been reported. Although these procedural interventions extend the therapeutic options for erythromelalgia, the evidence for their use is limited. Case reports and small case series comprise most of the evidence. Based on our review, a multidisciplinary approach to management may be needed for patients with erythromelalgia.
Victimization as transformative experience: A phenomenological perspective
Authors: Pemberton Antony , Mulder Eva
Published: September 2024

Dominant approaches to victimization define it in terms of (psychological) suffering and norm transgression. A critical approach endorses more-inclusive examinations of harm and turns to victims to hear and learn from their experiences. In this article, we illustrate how a phenomenological approach contributes to this endeavour and can illuminate often neglected aspects of victimization. We engage in a close reading of Susan Brison's Aftermath and other autobiographical works of severe victimization, integrating key phenomenological understandings of being and death by Martin Heidegger and Emmanuel Levinas in our analysis. We consider the implications of understanding victimization as an experience of a collapse of a meaningful world through the other's exploitation of victims’ existence.
Real-time estimation of bridge displacements under vehicle loads using physical mechanism-based attention-LSTM network with partial strain measurements
Authors: Lei Ying , Zhang Fubo , Wang Junjie
Published: September 2024

Dynamic displacement of bridges under moving vehicle loads is a critical safety indicator for bridges, yet directly measuring these displacements poses practical challenges. Although computer vision-based techniques for measuring displacements have gained application, they are influenced by environmental conditions. Alternatively, indirect estimation of bridge displacements has attracted great attention. Currently, some deep learning methods have been developed to estimate displacements at positions deployed with accelerometers or strain sensors. In this paper, a method for real-time estimation of moving vehicle load-induced bridge displacements in interested regions is proposed utilizing an attention-Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network with partial strain measurements. It is based on the physical mechanisms of strain-displacement relationship of beam-type structures and bridge modal responses can be estimated from partial strain measurements to reconstruct structural displacements through the superposition of modal responses. For network training, the physical mapping between partial strains and the displacements in interested regions is learned by an attention-based LSTM network. Then, bridge displacements in interested regions can be estimated by the trained network using only partial strain measurements. Numerical examples of estimating the displacements of a simply supported beam bridge and the Hainan Haiwen bridge under random moving loads validate that the proposed method can estimate bridge displacements in any interested regions in real-time using only partial strain measurements.
Effect of Zr on microstructure evolution of Ti-Mo composite microalloyed steel during rolling
Authors: Zhang JinChang , Zhang FanLin , Luo HanYu , Cao JianChun , Yang LiSheng , Xu ChaoYong
Published: September 2024

In this paper, the effect of Zr addition on the microstructure evolution of Ti-Mo composite microalloyed steel during austenitizing and rolling was investigated. The rolling process was simulated by Gleeble3500, and the microstructure of the rolling process was characterized by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope observation. The results show that the addition of Zr significantly refines the original austenite grains, increases the recrystallization temperature of Ti-Mo steels, and promotes the dispersion of fine second phase during the coiling process. At the same coiling temperature, the addition of Zr resulted in an increase in the hardness of Ti-Mo steel. And under the condition of containing Zr, the optimal microstructure and highest strength are achieved with soaking at 1200 °C, final rolling at 850 °C, and coiling at 600 °C.
Understanding lobbying dynamics through survey research: An introduction to the InterCov dataset
Authors: Junk Wiebke Marie , Crepaz Michele , Aizenberg Ellis , Berkhout Joost , Hanegraaff Marcel
Published: September 2024

This forum article provides an overview of the sampling and survey design of the publicly available InterCov dataset. The two-wave cross-country survey includes items on lobbying mobilisation, strategies, access and influence after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other measures of organisational factors. We discuss design choices considering our interest in lobbying dynamics following a focusing event, the responsiveness of organisations and political gatekeepers to external shocks, and the role of timing in lobbying. We address our bottom-up sampling approach, draw lessons from the implementation of a second survey wave and provide an overview of survey items. We hope that this forum article is useful for scholars aiming to use our dataset and those starting new data collection efforts.
Does enamel deproteinisation with 10% papain affect shear bond strength of orthodontic adhesives: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sharma Vishal , Bawaskar Naval , Bhat Shweta , Kontham Rakesh , Chandorikar Harshal , Ghodke Swapnil
Published: September 2024

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of 10% papain as an enamel deproteinising agent on the shear bond strength (SBS) of three orthodontic adhesives: Transbond XT, resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) and Biofix.

Design:

Single-centre, double-blinded, split-mouth randomised controlled trial.

Setting:

Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, India.

Participants:

A total of 20 participants requiring bilateral premolar extraction for fixed orthodontic treatment in both the maxillary and mandibular arches were included in this study.

Methods:

In total, 80 premolars from the above-mentioned participants were divided into four groups as follows: group A: Transbond XT deproteinised with 10% papain gel; group B: Biofix deproteinised with 10% papain gel; group C: RMGIC deproteinised with 10% papain gel; and group D: Transbond XT without enamel deproteinisation as a control group-bonded as instructed by the manufacturer. After deproteinisation, brackets were bonded and after a follow-up period of 28 days, the teeth were extracted. The SBS was then measured using the Universal Testing Machine. The force needed to shear the bracket was documented, and bond strengths were subsequently calculated in megapascals (MPa). The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis and one-way ANOVA was performed to compare the mean SBS between the groups. Subsequently, pairwise comparisons were conducted using Tukey’s post hoc test.

Results:

There was a statistically significant difference in SBS among all groups ( P = 0.002). The SBS of TransXT with deproteinisation increased significantly compared with TransXT without deproteinisation ( P = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference between the SBS of TransXT without deproteinisation and RMGIC ( P = 0.47) and Biofix ( P = 0.39), both with deproteinisation.

Conclusion:

The use of 10% papain for deproteinising enamel improved the SBS of all materials. Deproteinising improved the SBS of RMGIC and Biofix to the level of TransXT without deproteinisation.
Sextortion: A Scoping Review
Authors: Ray Alana , Henry Nicola
Published: September 2024

Sextortion refers to making threats to share nude or sexual images to coerce the victim into complying with certain demands, such as paying a ransom, sharing intimate images, or engaging in unwanted acts. Sextortion occurs in a diverse range of contexts, including intimate partner abuse, cyberbullying, sexuality or sex worker “outing,” online dating, “cybersex,” sex trafficking, online sexual exploitation of children, computer hacking, and organized crime. Despite the heightened media focus, few studies have measured the prevalence, nature, and impacts of sextortion. We conducted a scoping review with the aim of providing a comprehensive overview of existing empirical research on sextortion victimization and perpetration among youth and adults. In total, 24 studies were identified based on predefined eligibility criteria. We found that studies focusing on youth reported prevalence ranging from 0.7% to 5.0%, while studies involving adults ranged from 4.0% to 18.7%. The review found that young people and sexual minorities are more likely to experience victimization, while men, young people, and sexual minorities are more likely to self-report engaging in sextortion offending. The review found that perpetrators are more likely to be intimate partners or other known persons as opposed to strangers and that there was an overlap between sextortion perpetration and victimization. Finally, we also found that sextortion can result in significant harms, and that reporting and help-seeking remain very low due to shame, fear, and negative perceptions of police and digital platforms. The findings highlight existing gaps and provide recommendations for future research, policy, and practice.
Iatrogenic Irreducible Pediatric Salter-Harris II Middle Phalanx Base Fracture With Dorsal Dislocation of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint: A Case Report
Authors: Urness Daniel , Park SeHoon , Miller Jordan , Fadell David
Published: September 2024

Pediatric phalangeal Salter-Harris (SH)-type fracture dislocations are rare injuries that often require open reduction and stabilization. We present a case of a 14-year-old male who sustained an iatrogenic irreducible SH II dorsal fracture dislocation of the small-finger proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) after an attempted closed reduction of a small-finger PIPJ dislocation by a community emergency medicine physician. Following the reduction attempt, the epiphysis was noted on radiographs to be rotated approximately 90° with persistent dorsal dislocation and an associated SH II fracture of the base of the middle phalanx. The patient was sent to our trauma center for further evaluation by our on-call hand surgeon and required open reduction and pinning of the fracture dislocation. To our knowledge, this pattern of iatrogenic PIPJ fracture dislocation has not been previously described in the literature. We outline the case presentation, treatment method, and learning points for both the on-call hand surgeon as well as the community emergency medicine physicians in this report.
Citizen perception and participation in local government in post-Soviet countries: Case of Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Bozkuş Kahyaoğlu Sezer , Abdieva Razia , Baigonushova Damira
Published: September 2024

The major aim of local government is to maintain a well-established system where councils use their official power, roles, and responsibilities to work together for good order and good governance of their municipal districts. As part of their duties, local governments are expected to work toward improving social, economic, and environmental sustainability for the well-being of their citizens. In this respect, effective local governments provide overall quality standards of life for the people who live in their districts. Citizen participation in local government is significant for the governance efficiency and social welfare. In this paper, participation of citizen in local governments in Kyrgyzstan is investigated. Kyrgyzstan is a post-Soviet country where local government bodies appeared after the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. The role of local governments is enormous in increasing social welfare add democracy. Along with this, citizens’ perception of the efficiency of public services, local governance, and trust in local governance institutions is analyzed based on the survey “Life in Kyrgyzstan (LIK)” consisting of more than 7000 individuals in Kyrgyzstan, conducted in 2019. The results of the logit model revealed that general trust in the community, employment status of citizens, and accessibility of the information about local government positively affect trust in local government. At the same time, unemployment being more informed about the activities of local government, trying to influence the local budget process, and participation in local voting decreases trust in local government in Kyrgyzstan.
Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein G Antibody-Positive Paraneoplastic Myelopathy in Seminoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Hamid Umair , Pitton Rissardo Jamir , Alviz Luisa F. , Fornari Caprara Ana Letícia , Franada Tiffani S.
Published: September 2024

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated disorders (MOGAD) are autoimmune diseases that often manifest in the context of infections. They can also arise less commonly following vaccination but even more rarely in a paraneoplastic context. Herein, we will report a patient presenting with subacute inflammatory myelopathy after a fourth dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Concurrently, a diagnosis of MOGAD was made with a metastatic abdominal seminoma. The patient was acutely treated with high-dose steroids followed by plasma exchange therapy and was subsequently started on a chemotherapy regimen for the underlying germ cell tumor. The patient had a complete resolution of neurological symptoms upon the last follow-up. Overall, 72 cases of COVID-19 vaccination associated with MOGAD were analyzed (median age at onset 39 years old; female to male ratio = 1.2:1). All cases occurred in adults except for an adolescent, with the majority occurring after vaccination with ChAdOx nCoV-19 (87%), and an average temporal profile between vaccination and symptom onset of 19 days. There were no reported cases after the third or fourth doses, and most patients were diagnosed with new-onset MOGAD after their first vaccine (76%). Although COVID-19 vaccination could be a potential causality, there are significant discrepancies between the reported cases and this patient, alongside the unlikely causality assessment obtained with the Bradford Hill criteria. Vaccination could unmask potential pre-existing autoimmune diseases, such as in this patient, where myelopathy was most likely part of a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with a newly diagnosed seminoma.
Emergency Department team resuscitation training through online simulation - A novel approach
Authors: Koh Shao Hui , Jacqueline Chieh Ling Tan , Lee Chengjie , Venugopal Kuhan
Published: September 2024

Background

Simulation training, an important component of the Emergency Medicine (EM) training curriculum, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to social distancing policies. As a result, there was a need to find alternative approaches to medical simulation that could facilitate effective teaching and practising of team resuscitation.

Objectives

This paper describes an alternative approach to face-to-face simulation teaching due to pandemic-related limitations.

Methods

We conducted a virtual simulation session for nine junior doctors (medical officers, emergency medicine residents, and internal medicine residents). The sessions were carried out through video conferencing and medical simulation software. The session included pre-class readings, prior briefing on what to expect during the simulation case scenario, running of three case scenarios, team debriefing, and post-class feedback of the session conducted via Google Forms.

Results

Student feedback was obtained via a post-class survey. Feedback was largely positive as most participants found the session interactive and the pre-specified outcomes during the pre-simulation brief were achieved. Most participants also felt that fully online simulation training was an effective alternative to face-to-face simulation training.

Conclusions

A virtual simulation method is a feasible alternative to face-to-face simulation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope to increase awareness of this mode of teaching in the broader medical education community to benefit more learners.
Italian environmental criminal law and the European safeguarding requirements (with a glance at the debate on the future crime of ecocide)
Authors: Tigrino Andrea
Published: September 2024

The article aims to provide a general overview of Italian environmental criminal law in relation to EU protection standards, evaluating the effectiveness of the sanctions thus conceived. Some final remarks concern the long-debated introduction of a crime of ecocide, which could prove to be a decisive solution to respond to environmental damages of particular magnitude and gravity.
Tinnitus prevalence and associated risk factors among university students: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Alqub Malik , Tourman Narmeen , Mousa Juliana , Humead Nada , Abd Alrazeq Asmaa , Khatatbh Aya , Nasassrh Saja , Hamdan Anas , Ghanim Mustafa , Allahham Saad , Alkhalidi Samar , Rabayaa Maha , Dwikat Majdi
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Tinnitus is a common medical condition that affects an individual’s quality of life. It affects 5%–43% of the global population. Only a few research studies have been conducted in Palestine, so knowledge of tinnitus prevalence and risk factors is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine tinnitus prevalence and risk factors among young university students in Palestine.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study of Palestinian university students was done utilizing an online self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire for the study was developed using the European School for Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Research-Screening Questionnaire. A logistic regression analysis of the associations between tinnitus and influencing factors was performed to determine the effects of various clinically relevant variables on the likelihood of experiencing tinnitus.

Results:

A total of 728 participants responded to the questionnaire aged 20.0 ± 2.0. The overall prevalence of tinnitus was 31%. Having a relative with tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux, depression and anxiety, hearing difficulties, vertigo, tympanic membrane perforation, chronic otitis, acoustic trauma, head and neck radiotherapy, dental surgery, ear surgery, ear pain, headache, neck pain, temporomandibular joint pain, balance disorders, and nasal septal deviation were significantly associated with tinnitus. The logistic regression analysis showed that suffering from frequent vertigo (at least once per year), from slight hearing difficulty, temporomandibular joint pain, performing ear surgery, and having depression and anxiety is associated with an increased risk of having tinnitus.

Conclusions:

The current study concluded that tinnitus is common among Palestinian university students. Furthermore, the study identified several major risk factors for tinnitus. It is critical to explore the possibly modifiable risk factors for tinnitus in order to have a better understanding of the condition and eventually minimize its prevalence.
Distal and proximal factors of wearable users’ quantified-self dependence: A cognitive-behavioral model
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Chen Shuang
Published: September 2024

Objective

While using self-tracking devices for physical health has become ubiquitous, the potential for quantified-self (QS) dependence as a detrimental outcome for mental health is under-explored. This study examined the mechanism of wearable users’ QS dependence by investigating both the distal and proximal factors based on a cognitive-behavioral model.

Methods

A total of 535 wearable users aged 18–35 years were surveyed in this study. The surveys included control variable questions related to age, gender, monthly income, BMI, and wearable use experience. Key variable measures included distal factor (habitual use of wearables), proximal factors (perceived external regulation, recognition, and perceived irreplaceability), and perceived QS dependence. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test research hypotheses.

Results

The results revealed that habitual use of wearables as a distal factor alone was negatively associated with perceived QS dependence. However, it positively influenced perceived external regulation, recognition, and perceived irreplaceability, which in turn significantly contributed to perceived QS dependence, suggesting the suppression effect of the proximal factors.

Conclusions

The relationships between habitual use of wearables and QS dependence are complex. Although habitual use may seem apparently harmless, it can indirectly foster maladaptive cognitions, thereby promoting dependence. These findings underscore the potential threats of maladaptive cognitions that may arise from leveraging technology to promote physical health, thus offering guidance to technology designers for interventions.
The Surgical Significance of Phenotypic Variability in the Setting of Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Chowdhury Ujjwal Kumar , Anderson Robert H. , Spicer Diane E. , Pandey Niraj N. , Gupta Saurabh K. , George Niwin , Khan Maroof A. , Chittimuri Chaitanya
Published: September 2024

The phenotypic feature of tetralogy of Fallot is anterocephalad deviation of the muscular outlet septum, or its fibrous remnant, relative to the septoparietal trabeculation, coupled with hypertrophy of septoparietal trabeculations. Although this feature permits recognition of the entity, no two cases are identical. Once diagnosed, treatment is surgical. The results of surgical treatment have improved remarkably over recent decades. The results are now sufficiently excellent, including those in the developing world, that attention is now directed toward avoidance of morbidity, while still seeking, of course to minimize any fatalities due to surgical intervention. It is perhaps surprising that attention thus far has not been directed on the potential significance of phenotypic variation relative to either mortality or morbidity subsequent to surgical correction. The only study we have found specifically addressing this variability focused on the extent of aortic override, and associated malformations, but made no mention of variability in the right ventricular margins of the interventricular communication, nor the substrates for subpulmonary obstruction. In this review, therefore, we assessed the potential significance of known morphological variability to the outcomes of surgical intervention in over 1,000 individuals undergoing correction by the same surgeon in a center of excellence in a developing country. We sought to assess whether the variations were associated with an increased risk of postoperative death, or problems of rhythm. In our hands, double outlet ventriculoarterial connection was associated with increased risk of death, while the presence of a juxta-arterial defect with perimembranous extension was associated with rhythm problems.
Risk Factors and Social Consequences of Early Pregnancy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Raya-Diez Esther , Serrano-Martínez Cecilia , Pedro Elena Domínguez San , Montañés-Muro Pilar
Published: September 2024

Early or teenage pregnancy is a worldwide phenomenon, considered both a social problem and a public health issue. This study analyzes the risk factors and consequences for the social development of young mothers based on a bibliographical review of research studies. A bibliographical search was conducted for studies published in Scopus and Dialnet between 2015 and 2022 that deal with the social aspects of teenage pregnancy rather than exclusively health-related issues. Two hundred twenty-seven articles were identified, and after a second review, 113 articles were selected. While rates of teenage pregnancy display divergences between geographic regions, the studies reveal common risk factors and consequences. Reproductive health programs should consider the problem from an intersectional perspective and, rather than relying exclusively on health-related policies, preventing early pregnancy requires comprehensive policies that incorporate cultural factors and seek out the underlying structural causes of inequality and poverty. This research is based on the results of the study Analysis of Teenage Pregnancy from a Human Rights and Gender-based Perspective in El Salvador and Spain, undertaken by the Medicus Mundi in collaboration with the El Salvador Intersectoral Alliance for Teenagers and Young Adults and the Ministry of Health of El Salvador.