bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2D lidar and ultra-wideband fusion location algorithm based on landmark assistance
Authors: Zhang Wenhan , Cui Wei , Li Xingguang , Xu Mingzhi , Wang Chensong
Published: August 2023

In an indoor environment where global positioning system (GPS) signals are severely attenuated, ultra-wideband (UWB) and 2D lidar are widely used in the autonomous positioning of mobile platforms. However, the presence of nonline-of-sight (NLOS) environments can lead to large errors in UWB positioning, and 2D lidar will increase the cumulative error due to the loss of accuracy in sparsely textured scenes. In order to reduce the positioning error, a UWB and 2D lidar fusion positioning algorithm based on the assistance of a few landmarks is proposed in this paper. Considering the colored noise of lidar location data, a Kalman filter algorithm based on cumulative error analysis is proposed. First, the lidar error curve is fitted by the least-square method, and then the relationship between the noise covariance matrix and the lidar cumulative error function is established by introducing the scale factor, which is substituted into the Kalman prediction equation. Experimental results show that the proposed multi-sensor fusion localization algorithm is feasible, and compared with the single localization method, the proposed fusion algorithm can significantly improve the localization accuracy; matching landmarks can achieve a positioning accuracy of 0.15 m, which is about 24.4% lower than the root mean square error of traditional Kalman filter.
The Improvement Default: People Presume Improvement When Lacking Information
Authors: Hillman James G. , Antoun Jillian P. , Hauser David J.
Published: August 2023

People erroneously think that things they know little about improve over time. We propose that, due to salient cultural narratives, improvement is a highly accessible expectation that leads people to presume improvement in the absence of diagnostic information. Five studies investigated an improvement default: a general tendency to presume improvement even in self-irrelevant domains. Participants erroneously presumed improvement over esoteric historical time periods associated with decline (Study 1). Participants arranged a stranger’s experiences to produce trends of improvement (Study 2). Participants presumed improvement for a fictional city when given no diagnostic information about it (Study 3). Finally, participants who perceived more past improvement were less supportive of policies that may precipitate further improvement (Study 4). Implications for consequences, such as complacency toward improving inequality, are discussed.
Relationship Institutions: Evidence From IPOs
Authors: Fu Xudong , Lian Qin , Tang Tian , Wang Qiming , Xin Hua Christine
Published: August 2023

Using a sample of newly public firms, we study the firm–institution relationship and its effect on firm value and the real decision channels through which this effect takes place. In contrast to the conventional measure of investor horizon that primarily focuses on investor portfolio share turnover, we suggest an alternative measure based on the investment horizon between institutions and firms to capture the firm-institution relationship. Our study shows that relationship institutions, defined as institutions that maintain their positions in a firm after its initial public offering, contribute positively to firm value. Relationship institutions enhance firm value through increased investments by the firm, better acquisition decisions, higher overall payout, and lower firm risk. The positive effects of relationship institutions are reflected in higher future stock returns and are not sensitive to the alternative explanation of institutional relationships, institution types, institution share turnover, blockholding status, and alternative cut-off time in relationship definition.

JEL Codes: G23, G31, G32, G34
Marry or not for democracy and love: Dialogic framing in the Taiwan marriage equality movement and countermovement
Authors: Wang Yidong , Sun Xiaomei
Published: August 2023

Dialogic framing means that the frames are constructed through interaction among multiple parties in a discursive system with socio-cultural specificities. The meaning of a frame is articulated through such dialogic interaction and under constant contestation. We used the marriage equality movement in Taiwan as a case study and demonstrated how dialogic framing could advance the understanding of framing in the digital mobilization of collective actions. Analyzing Facebook posts by opposing advocacy groups, we identified “collective identity” and “rights” as two dominant frames. Marriage equality activists framed legalizing same-sex marriage as a testament to the democratic progress of Taiwan and a validation of gay and lesbian people’s right of love. The countermovement challenged this framing by arguing that equalizing gay love to heterosexual marital love violated the civil rights of the silent majority. The queer critique of marriage as state-sanctioned regulation of sexual citizenship and the very state power being critiqued are also constitutive of the dialogic framing of collective actions for or against same-sex marriage on social media.
Children’s understanding of mixed emotions across cultures
Authors: Cheng Liao , Harris Paul L.
Published: August 2023

This study investigated cross-cultural similarities and variations in children’s developing understanding of mixed emotions. Four- to 9-year-old US ( n = 56) and Chinese ( n = 98) children listened to stories in which the protagonist encountered a situation combining positive and negative components. Children were asked whether the story protagonist would feel the appropriate positive emotion as well as the appropriate negative emotion. Despite being able to recall the positive and negative components of the stories, both US and Chinese children often agreed to only one emotion. However, when children did not agree to only one emotion, US children were more likely than Chinese children to agree to both emotions, whereas Chinese children were more likely than US children to deny both emotions. Overall, the findings confirm that the recognition of mixed emotions is challenging for children under the age of 10. They also suggest, however, that mixed emotions are conceptualized differently in the two cultures: US children tend to assume that positive and negative emotions can coexist whereas Chinese children tend to assume that they neutralize each other.
Polarisation over the meaning of democracy: The case of political parties in Turkey
Authors: Akboga Sema , Sahin Osman , Arik Engin
Published: August 2023

As the primary means of political organisation, political parties remain vital to contemporary democracies, making it important to investigate their understanding of democracy. This study explores the themes with which five largest political parties in Turkey associate democracy. We studied tweets posted by official accounts of these parties’ headquarters and branches, as well as by other Twitter accounts that are institutionally linked to these parties. We found significant differences between the government bloc and the opposition bloc as well as between People Alliance and Nation Alliance in terms of the themes with which they associate democracy. The government bloc and People Alliance use themes such as national will and military coups while referring to democracy. The opposition bloc and Nation Alliance emphasise themes such as equality, freedom of the press, and justice. We conclude that parties’ and blocs’ different attitudes towards democracy are indicators of political polarisation in Turkey.
Overparenting in adolescents’ everyday life: Development and validation of the momentary overparenting scale
Authors: Luijk Maartje P.C.M. , Bülow Anne , Boele Savannah , de Haan Amaranta , van der Kaap-Deeder Jolene , Keijsers Loes
Published: August 2023

Background. While there is ample theoretical and empirical interest in overparenting, little is known about how overparenting of adolescents operates in everyday family life. This study describes the development and validation of a novel instrument to assess overparenting with Experience Sampling Methods – The Momentary Overparenting (MOP) scale. Methods. Following 143 (Belgian and Dutch) adolescents for 7 subsequent days, we measured overparenting (i.e., worry, interference, and unnecessary help), autonomy support and psychological control 5 to 6 times per day. Using multilevel structural equation modeling on 1865 parent-adolescent interactions, we investigated the scale’s psychometric properties: within-family and between-family reliability, convergent and divergent validity. Results. Overparenting was characterized by both stable differences between families (46%), as well as dynamic fluctuations within families over time (54% of the variance). The MOP could reliably assess such real-time dynamics in overparenting. Momentary assessments correlated meaningfully with established instruments for overparenting at the between-family level. Within families, adolescents experienced interactions with more overparenting as more psychologically controlling and less autonomy supportive. Between families, overparenting correlated negatively with mothers’ autonomy support and positively with mothers’ psychological control. Conclusion. Worry, interference, and unnecessary help may be important expressions of overparenting in everyday family life – which can now be reliably measured from moment-to-moment as a distinct parenting construct.
Public Sector Unionization and Government Contracting: A Meta-analysis of Four Decades of Empirical Evidence
Authors: Lu Jiahuan , Chen Yiying , Hung Wan-Ju
Published: August 2023

Within the large body of literature on government contracting, the effect of public sector unionization on contracting out is still unsettled even after decades of research. Previous literature proposes that unionization may both inhibit and motivate contracting out, making the net effect difficult to predict. Through a meta-analysis of 232 effects drawn from 49 existing studies spanning over four decades, we find that jurisdictions with higher levels of public sector unionization generally contract out more in public service delivery. Further metaregression analysis suggests that unionization has a weaker effect when governments engage in intergovernmental contracting but a stronger effect when governments contract out for technical services. Unionization also has a stronger effect on how much a government contracts out than on whether a government contracts out. Overall, unionization is a relevant, but not necessarily robust, factor in driving contracting out, and its exact effect may vary slightly by context.
Diffusion-weighted imaging in the assessment of cervical cancer: comparison of reduced field-of-view diffusion-weighted imaging and conventional techniques
Authors: He Yakun , Wang Min , Yi Siqi , Lu Yujie , Ren Jing , Zhou Peng , Xu Ke
Published: August 2023

Background

Cervical cancer (CC) is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) plays an important role in the diagnosis of CC, but the conventional techniques are affected by many factors.

Purpose

To compare reduced-field-of-view (r-FOV) and full-field-of-view (f-FOV) DWI in the diagnosis of CC.

Material and Methods

Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with r-FOV and f-FOV DWI images were collected. Two radiologists reviewed the images using a subjective 4-point scale for anatomical features, magnetic susceptibility artifacts, visual distortion, and overall diagnostic confidence for r-FOV and f-FOV DWI. The objective features included the region of interest (ROI) signal intensity of the cervical lesion (SIlesion) and gluteus maximus muscle (SIgluteus), standard deviation of the background noise (SDbackground), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The differences of measured apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values between the two examinations in pathological grades and FIGO tumor stages were compared.

Results

A total of 200 patients were included (170 with squamous cell carcinoma and 30 with adenocarcinoma). The scores of anatomical features, magnetic susceptibility artifacts, visual distortion, and overall diagnostic confidence for r-FOV DWI were significantly higher than those for f-FOV DWI. There was no difference in SNR and CNR between r-FOV DWI and f-FOV DWI. There were significant differences in ADC values between the two groups in all comparisons ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Compared with f-FOV DWI, r-FOV DWI might provide clearer imaging, fewer artifacts, less distortion, and higher image quality for the diagnosis of CC and might assist in the detection of CC.
Unraveling the enigma of Adamkiewicz: exploring the prevalence, anatomical variability, and clinical impact in spinal embolization procedures for bone metastases
Authors: Papalexis Nicolas , Peta Giuliano , Gasbarrini Alessandro , Miceli Marco , Spinnato Paolo , Facchini Giancarlo
Published: August 2023

Background

The artery of Adamkiewicz (AKA) is vital for spinal cord blood supply. Its role in embolization procedures for bone metastases can cause serious complications. We explored its prevalence, anatomical variation, and effect on spinal embolization using N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in patients with bone metastases.

Purpose

To understand the impact and variability of AKA in spinal embolizations in cases of bone metastases to reduce complications and improve patient outcomes.

Material and Methods

We examined data from 454 patients who underwent spinal embolization with NBCA between 2009 and 2018. The presence, anastomoses, and tumor features of AKA were assessed via pre-procedure imaging and angiography. Complications were classified per the CIRSE Classification System.

Results

AKA was found in 22.8% of patients, predominantly left-sided and originating from T8 to L1. Direct and indirect anastomoses were present in 66.6% and 33.4% of patients, respectively. Extra-compartmental invasion was linked with direct anastomosis ( P = 0.004). High-grade complications were rare but included one instance of bilateral lower limb paralysis. Partial embolization was necessary in 22.8% of cases due to AKA.

Conclusion

The study underscores the need for rigorous preoperative evaluation of AKA origin and anastomoses in patients undergoing spinal embolization for bone metastases. Given the significant presence of AKA and related anastomoses, especially with renal extra-compartmental tumors, caution is advised to reduce complications and optimize patient outcomes. Further research is required for best practice guidelines involving bone metastases and AKA.
Food and Housing Insecurity Among Adult Undergraduates During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Soria Krista M.
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the variables associated with adult undergraduates’ food and housing insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were derived from the 2020 #RealCollege Survey, which was completed by 25,838 adult undergraduates (≥25 years old) at 72 4-year and 127 2-year institutions in 42 U.S. states. The results suggest that 43.2% of adult undergraduates experienced food insecurity, and 60.6% experienced housing insecurity. Adult undergraduates who had multiple disabilities, grew up in lower-income families, had previously lived in foster care, attended 2-year colleges, and did not live with a spouse/partner had significantly higher probabilities of experiencing food or housing insecurity. Furthermore, first-generation students, international students, or caregivers, parents, or guardians to children had significantly higher probabilities of experiencing food and housing insecurity. Finally, adult undergraduates who experienced COVID-19 pandemic-related academic and financial and health difficulties also had higher probabilities of experiencing food and housing insecurity.
Atypical Neuropsychiatric Presentation of FTD-ALS Caused by a Pathogenic Repeat Expansion in C9orf72: A Case Report
Authors: LeBlanc Marissa A. , Gough Amy , Rideout Andrea L. , Dyack Sarah , Singh Kathleen , MacNeil Meagan
Published: August 2023

The case report describes the presentation of a 42-year-old male ultimately diagnosed with FTD-ALS caused by a genetic mutation, who initially presented with atypical psychiatric symptoms. Given that the initial clinical manifestations of FTD-ALS can be quite variable, the diagnosis is often challenging; the case report aims to highlight several key considerations in the diagnostic assessment, including genetic testing in order to guide clinicians in more timely diagnosis and ultimately improve patient care.
Academic administration of Indian school system: A study on emotional intelligence of school academic administrators in relation to various background variables
Authors: Rather Ravees Ahmad , Sofal Firdous Ahmad
Published: August 2023

The study was carried out to examine the influence of gender and length of service on Emotional Intelligence of School Academic Administrators in India. The descriptive research design was employed to carry out the study. A sample of 200 school academic administrators, working as Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education Officers, Principals of Higher Secondary Schools, Principals of District Institute of Education and Trainings and Head Teachers of High Schools were selected. The sample subjects were selected from four districts of Kashmir, India by using Stratified Random Sampling Technique. Emotional Intelligence Scale standardized by Nadeem and Naaz (2015) was employed to collect the data. Percentage, mean, standard deviation and t-test were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that both gender and length of service affects the emotional stability of school academic administrators in India.
Risking Your Health to Help Others: The Effect of Pandemic Severity on Volunteering
Authors: Meier Dominik Stefan , Petrig Amadeus , Schnurbein Georg von
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the provision of voluntary work across the globe. We study informal volunteers who buy and deliver groceries for people in a high-risk group or in quarantine. Using data from a volunteering grocery delivering app in Switzerland that coordinated these volunteers, we are able to track volunteering during the pandemic. Combined with public health data on cases and deaths, we test how the severity of the pandemic affects the provision of voluntary work in the form of neighborhood grocery deliveries. We find a positive effect of the number of deaths on voluntary deliveries. However, in contrast to the literature studying the effect of the severity of the pandemic on giving, this effect is concave. We suggest that this concave effect is due to the signal of risk of infection implied by rising death rates, which is at odds with the signal of need to help others.
Status of Women in Corporate Governance in the Private Sector Companies in India
Authors: Raut Rajesh , Deshpande Amruta , Gupta Kirti , Kaul Natashaa , Ekbote Nivedita
Published: August 2023

We investigated the status of women in corporate governance in Indian private sector enterprises. A quantitative empirical study was conducted on a convenient sample of 22 women who are members of the supervisory board or the board of directors of BSE 100 companies in India. An in-depth interview was used as a research tool. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was prepared to address a few objectives. The study documents that, despite the numerous misconceptions encountered in their job, women generally believe they are appreciated equally by their male co-workers. Achieving work–life balance is a significant problem because of the complex nature of women’s roles in their home and professional lives. The study also documents that women’s development in corporate governance bodies is based on the assistance they get from the more extensive system and society. Research identifies the antecedents of corporate governance and work environment. This research contributes to the study of corporate governance in the workplace. It offers insights into how women handle social bias and work–life balance to succeed professionally. The study’s outcome is helpful for all the stakeholders to understand the various factors which significantly influence women’s position in the work environment to make corporate governance more effective.
Thromboprophylaxis in Hospitalized Non-Critically Ill Patients With Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hafiz Awatif , Alkofide Hadeel , Al Sulaiman Khalid , Joharji Hala , Aljohani Sarah , Sarkhi Khadijah A. , Alharbi Reem , Korayem Ghazwa B. , AlFaifi Mashael , Alsohimi Samiah , Aljuhani Ohoud
Published: August 2023

The prevalence of venous thromboembolism is high in patients with COVID-19, despite prophylactic anticoagulation. The evidence that supports the preferred thromboprophylaxis regimen in non-critically ill patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 is still limited. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who received standard thromboprophylaxis anticoagulation with intermediate to high prophylaxis regimens. We systematically searched MEDLINE and Embase databases for published studies until August 17th, 2022. We included studies on patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who received thromboprophylaxis during their hospital stay. Patients who received standard prophylaxis dose “control group” were compared to patients who received intermediate to high prophylaxis “intervention group”. Random effect models were used when pooling crude numbers and adjusted effect estimates of study outcomes. A comprehensive analysis was conducted, encompassing seven studies involving a total of 1931 patients. The risk of all-cause thrombosis was not statistically different between the two groups (risk ratio [RR] 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.11, 20.21]). The risk of minor bleeding was reported to be lower in patients who received intermediate to high prophylaxis (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.21, 1.97), while had a higher risk of major bleeding compared with the standard prophylaxis (RR 1.40, 95% CI 0.43, 4.61); however, did not reach the statistical significance. The overall risk for all hospital mortality favored the utilization of intermediate to high doses over the standard thromboprophylaxis dosing (RR 0.47, 95%CI 0.29, 0.75). In medically ill patients with COVID-19, there is no difference between standard and intermediate to high prophylaxis dosing regarding thrombosis and bleeding. However, it appears that intermediate to high prophylaxis regimens are linked to additional survival benefits.
A Qualitative Study of Risk and Protective Factors for Resilience in Survivors of Sex Trafficking
Authors: Knight Logan , Ploss Alexa , Benavides Juan , Yoon Susan
Published: August 2023

This study explored risk and protective factors for resilience in survivors of sex trafficking from the survivors’ perspectives. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 participants recruited from survivor-led advocacy agencies and social service agencies that provide trafficking-specific services. Two overarching themes emerged from data analysis: (a) deep connections to self and others facilitate resilience and (b) detrimental “help” threatens survivors’ resilience. Our findings suggest that it may be important for service providers to assist survivors build healthy relationships with themselves and others to promote survivors’ resilience. Further, our results highlight the importance of offering more inclusive, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed services.
Book review: Frances Howard, Global Perspectives on Youth Arts Programs: How and Why the Arts Can Make a Difference
Authors: Beggan Edward
Published: August 2023

Frances Howard, Global Perspectives on Youth Arts Programs: How and Why the Arts Can Make a Difference, Bristol: Policy Press, 2022, 208 pp., £80 (paperback). ISBN 978-1447357100.
Putting partisan influence into political context: How initial policy popularity and party attachment shape the effect of party cues
Authors: Nemčok Miroslav , Wass Hanna , Vesa Juho
Published: August 2023

Parties and their actions almost always shape the preferences, attitudes, and behaviour of their voters. However, does partisan influence over public opinion apply to all policy proposals regardless of their initial popularity and to all voters regardless of their degree of partisan attachment? This question is addressed in the real-world context of Finland, where the government enacted two reforms at the same time: an initially popular reform extending the age of compulsory education, and an initially unpopular removal of the ‘retirement tube’ for older laid-off workers. An original panel survey asked respondents about their attitudes before and after the government actions, finding that while voters of government parties increasingly tended to support the enacted policies, the magnitude of opinion change depended on voters’ initial policy preferences and party attachment. Strong party attachment led to government voters increasing their support for a reform that they initially opposed. In contrast, those with weaker partisan attachments tended to alter their preferences for an initially popular reform. These findings are relevant for understanding partisan influence over public opinion in a broader political context.
Acoustic impedance extraction method and acoustic characteristics analysis of perforated plates under grazing flow
Authors: Wen Huabing , Wu Chunming , Wu Taiying , Guo Junhua
Published: August 2023

As an important component of inlet and exhaust mufflers, the acoustic characteristics of perforated components are inevitably affected by the flow of air. Therefore, obtaining the acoustic impedance of the perforated element under airflow conditions is a prerequisite for accurate calculation of the muffler’s muffling performance. In this work, the frequency domain linear Navier–Stokes (L-NS) method is used to extract the acoustic impedance of perforated plates under grazing flow. The predicted perforated acoustic impedance is consistent with the calculation results of published acoustic impedance expression, and the impedance boundary condition is defined to calculate the transmission loss (TL) of the perforated muffler, which agrees well with the experimental results and verifies the accuracy of the method. The effect of perforation angles on the transmission loss of mufflers in different Mach numbers ( Ma) and aperture plate thickness ratio ( dh/ tp) is analyzed by the frequency domain L-NS method. The results show that when 1≤ dh/ tp<2 and Ma≤2, the effect of perforation angles on the muffler performance is obvious, and the angle tilted upstream shifts the resonant frequency to a lower frequency while its corresponding peak value is also increased. As an engineering application, it has certain significance for the prediction of muffler muffling performance and the regulation of the muffling frequency band.
Dietary fat differentially modulates the response of bone marrow-derived macrophages to TLR4 and NOD2 agonists
Authors: Shehat Michael G. , Miller Madelyn H. , Calder Ashley N. , Gilbertson Timothy A. , Tigno-Aranjuez Justine T.
Published: August 2023

Consumption of diets high in fat has been linked to the development of obesity and related metabolic complications. Such associations originate from the enhanced, chronic, low-grade inflammation mediated by macrophages in response to translocated bacteria, bacterial products, or dietary constituents such as fatty acids (FAs). Nucleotide-binding Oligomerization Domain 2 (NOD2) senses muramyl dipeptide (MDP), a component of bacterial peptidoglycan. The inability to sense peptidoglycan through NOD2 has been demonstrated to lead to dysbiosis, increased bacterial translocation, inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. Currently, it is unknown how consumption of HFDs with different FA compositions might influence NOD2-dependent responses. In this study, we subjected WT mice to a control diet or to HFDs comprised of various ratios of unsaturated to saturated fats and determined the macrophage response to TLR4 and NOD2 agonists. A HFD with equal ratios of saturated and unsaturated fats enhanced subsequent responsiveness of macrophages to LPS but not to MDP. However, a high-unsaturated fat diet (HUFD) or a high-saturated fat diet (HSFD) both decreased the responsiveness to NOD2 agonists compared to that observed in control diet (CD) fed mice. These data suggest that dietary fatty acid composition can influence the subsequent macrophage responsiveness to bacterial products.
Photodynamic therapy for Cutibacterium acnes decolonization of the shoulder dermis
Authors: Horneff John G , Vaughan Alayna , Patel Manan , Nicholson Thema , Tzeuton Serge , Lazarus Mark , Namdari Surena , Abboud Joseph A
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is a common source of infection in shoulder surgery. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a naturally occurring metabolite of C. acnes that creates an exothermic reaction when activated by blue light. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative photodynamic therapy using topical 5-ALA to decrease C. acnes colonization.

Methods

Patients were randomized to receive topical 5-ALA skin solution activated by blue light photodynamic therapy or standard of care preoperative skin preparation. Prior to skin incision, two punch biopsy specimens were taken from the portal sites and were incubated for 13 days. Culture positivity rate, days until positive, and semiquantitative growth classification were analyzed.

Results

Fifty patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery were randomized. The overall positive culture rate was 54%. All cultures were positive for C. acnes except for one. Sixty-four percent of standard preparation patients and 44% of investigational group patients had at least one positive culture for C. acnes. There was no significant difference between groups in patients with at least one positive C. acnes culture ( p = 0.49).

Conclusion

The use of photodynamic therapy undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery did not significantly reduce colonization of C. acnes as compared to standard preparation.

Level of Evidence

Level II.
Hazard Assessment and Remediation Tool for Simulation-Based Healthcare Facility Design Testing
Authors: Smith-Millman Marlena , Daniels Lorraine , Gallagher Katie , Aspinwall Sarah , Brightman Howard , Ubertini Gina , Borrero Gaia Uman , Palmo Lobsang , Weinstock Peter , Allan Catherine
Published: August 2023

Objectives:

To develop an objective, structured observational tool to enable identification and measurement of hazards in the built environment when applied to audiovisual recordings of simulations by trained raters.

Background:

Simulation-based facility design testing is increasingly used to optimize safety of healthcare environments, often relying on participant debriefing or direct observation by human factors experts.

Methods:

Hazard categories were defined through participant debriefing and detailed review of pediatric intensive care unit in situ simulation videos. Categories were refined and operational definitions developed through iterative coding and review. Hazard detection was optimized through the use of structured coding protocols and optimized camera angles.

Results:

Six hazard categories were defined: (1) slip/trip/fall/injury risk, impaired access to (2) patient or (3) equipment, (4) obstructed path, (5) poor visibility, and (6) infection risk. Analysis of paired and individual coding demonstrated strong overall reliability (0.89 and 0.85, Gwet’s AC1). Reliability coefficients for each hazard category were >0.8 for all except obstructed path (0.76) for paired raters. Among individual raters, reliability coefficients were >0.8, except for slip/trip/fall/injury risk (0.68) and impaired access to equipment (0.77).

Conclusions:

Hazard Assessment and Remediation Tool (HART) provides a framework to identify and quantify hazards in the built environment. The tool is highly reliable when applied to direct video review of simulations by either paired raters or trained single clinical raters. Subsequent work will (1) assess the tool’s ability to discriminate between rooms with different physical attributes, (2) develop strategies to apply HART to improve facility design, and (3) assess transferability to non-ICU acute care environments.
Medical journals and advertiser tracking—Consequences for patients, clinicians, and editors
Authors: Gupta Ravi , Friedman Ari B , McCoy Matthew S
Published: August 2023

Medical journal websites frequently contain tracking code that transfers data about journal readers to third parties. These data give drug, device, and other medical product companies a potentially powerful resource for targeting advertisements and other marketing materials to journal readers based on unique attributes and medical interests that can be inferred from the articles they read. Thus, while editors may strictly regulate the content of advertisements that such companies place in their journals’ pages, they simultaneously provide those companies with the means to target readers in other forums, possibly in ways that subvert editorial guidelines. We examine the implications of third-party tracking on medical journal webpages, and recommend actions that publishers, editors, and academic societies can take to curb it.
Safety of Cefazolin Perioperative Prophylaxis in Plastic Surgery Patients With Penicillin Allergy: A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Dong Ruizhi , Lanier Kasey , Kraft Casey , Skoracki Roman , Lehrman Craig , Kraft Monica
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Antimicrobial prophylaxis is crucial in reducing surgical site infections (SSIs). First-generation cephalosporins are commonly first line, but issues arise when patients report a penicillin allergy. Although up to 10% of Americans report a penicillin allergy, up to 95% are not truly allergic. Even patients with true penicillin allergy likely tolerate cephalosporins due to low cross-reactivity. Nevertheless, providers are less likely to prescribe cefazolin for these patients, increasing the risk of SSI. We seek to characterize the pattern of perioperative antibiotic use and rate of reaction in plastic surgery patients who endorse a penicillin allergy. Method: This was a single-center retrospective chart review of adults who received body contouring plastic surgery from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. The presence of reported penicillin allergy and administration of cefazolin versus alternative agent were evaluated, and the outcome was measured in number of anaphylactic reactions and SSI events. Results: The study included 457 patients in total; 437 (96%) were female; 106 (23%) had listed allergy to penicillin, cephalosporin, or both - 17 (16%) were listed as having anaphylaxis to penicillin, 62 (58.5%) endorsed a nonanaphylactic allergic reaction to penicillin, 8 (7.5%) endorsed an allergy without a documented reaction to penicillin, and 19 (18%) reported a prior cephalosporin allergy. All patients with a beta-lactam allergy who received cefazolin perioperatively did not have any anaphylaxis events. Three patients who received clindamycin and 1 patient who received cefazolin developed SSI postoperatively. Conclusion: Cephalosporins should be the first line for appropriate patients with a penicillin allergy, as alternative agents have increased SSI risk.
Linking Differentiation Strategies, Strategic HR Practices and Firm Performance: Does Employees’ Trust in Employer Really Matter?
Authors: Kundu Subhash C. , Arya Sanehal , Chahar Purnima
Published: August 2023

The article examines the relationship between differentiation strategies and firm performance by investigating the mediating role of strategic HR practices. Additionally, moderated mediation model is also projected with employees’ trust in employer as a moderator. Primary data of 466 respondents were collected from 105 organizations from Indian settings. Statistical tools such as factor analysis, correlations, multiple regressions and bootstrapping were applied. The results revealed a significant and positive mediation of strategic HR practices in the hypothesized relationship. The findings emphasize the significance of the social exchange theory in explaining how the connection between strategic HR practices and firm performance is moderated by employees’ trust in their employers. The indirect effect of differentiation strategies on firm performance via strategic HR practices was found stronger at a higher level of employees’ trust in employer.
Threshold Effect of Remittance Inflows on Selected Macroeconomic Variables in Nigeria
Authors: Apanisile Olumuyiwa Tolulope , Oliseyenum Nwamaka Blessing
Published: August 2023

The study examines the threshold effect of remittance inflows and also investigates the channels through which remittances affect macroeconomic variables in Nigeria. The study selected two macroeconomic variables—output growth and inflation rate. This was done to evaluate the proposition that an economy can experience both the positive and negative effect of remittance inflows over time. The study employs the use of annual secondary data spanning from 1986 to 2019 on variables of interest. Analysis was done using the threshold regression technique, vector error correction and Granger causality. A single threshold value was obtained for both inflation and output models, which led to splitting the models into two separate regimes. The study discovered that remittance inflows in Nigeria are large enough to significantly influence key macroeconomic variables and that private consumption, money supply and interest rate are the channels through which remittances affect macroeconomic variables. The study, therefore, concludes that the best way to maximise remittance inflows within the Nigerian economy is to effectively engage inflows in productive investments.
Incidence and Risk of Retinopathy in Patients With and Without Interstitial Cystitis and Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium Use
Authors: Desjarlais Eric B. , Medic Velinka , Kim Judy E.
Published: August 2023

Purpose: We investigated the potential for indication bias to be present in previous studies of pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) pigmentary retinopathy by comparing the incidence and risk of retinopathy in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) to matched controls. Methods: Adult women with IC from a multicenter database of electronic medical record data were matched to non-IC controls at a 1:4 ratio. The IC cohort was subdivided according to duration of PPS use: never, <5 years, and ≥5 years. Incidence and risk (estimated by Cox proportional hazards models) of retinopathy (defined by 6 International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision codes) were compared between groups. Results: There were 22 060 women with IC and 88 240 women without IC. Average age was 53.92 years (SD, 16.22 years), and 96 110 (87.14%) patients were non-Hispanic White. Incidence of retinopathy per 100 000 person-years was 173.88 (95% CI, 162.78-185.53) for patients without IC, 226.63 (95% CI, 197.73-258.56) for IC without PPS use, 293.02 (95% CI 230.86-366.75) for IC with <5 years of PPS use, and 558.91 (95% CI, 399.29-761.07) for IC with ≥5 years of PPS use. Adjusted hazard ratios were 1.31 (95% CI, 1.13-1.51, P < .001) for IC without PPS use, 1.70 (95% CI, 1.35-2.15, P < .001) for IC with <5 years of PPS use, and 3.10 (95% CI, 2.26-4.27, P < .001) for IC with ≥5 years of PPS use. Conclusions: Patients with IC had greater incidence and risk of retinopathy. PPS use further increased the incidence and risk of retinopathy.
Implementing ePROM in specialist palliative home care: the professionals’ perspective – a mixed-methods study
Authors: Burner-Fritsch Isabel , Kolmhuber Stefanie , Hodiamont Farina , Bausewein Claudia , Hriskova Katerina
Published: August 2023

Background:

Over the last decades, patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) have been developed for a better understanding of patient needs. The Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) is an internationally recommended PROM in palliative care. The validated electronic version of IPOS (eIPOS) was implemented in four German specialist palliative home care (SPHC) teams for use in everyday clinical practice. Patients reported symptoms and concerns via eIPOS, which were transmitted directly to the electronic patient record of the respective SPHC team.

Objectives:

The aim of the study was to describe and explore the health care professionals’ (HCPs’) experiences regarding acceptance and use of eIPOS in clinical practice in SPHC.

Design:

The mixed-methods sequential explanatory design comprised an anonymized quantitative online survey followed by qualitative focus groups.

Methods:

The online survey asked in both closed and open questions for HCP’s experience with eIPOS. Ambiguous results from the survey were discussed in two focus groups. Survey data were analysed with descriptive and univariable statistics, and the framework approach was used for qualitative data. In a further step, we conducted integrated analysis of quantitative and qualitative results using joint displays.

Results:

All HCPs of the four SPHC teams ( n = 52) were invited to participate. HCPs participating in the survey ( n = 32) and the focus groups ( n = 7) saw potentials for implementing ePROM in palliative home care – as far as it is technically easy to handle and can be easily integrated into clinical practice.

Conclusion:

Successful use of ePROMs is affected by the possibility of easy integration into the teams’ different structures and processes and the HCPs’ perceptions of potentials regarding ePROM use in SPHC.

Registration

The study is registered on clinicaltrials.org (NCT03879668).
STEMI: Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing With Double-Barrel Aorta
Authors: Mondal Sudipta , Sivadasanpillai Harikrishnan
Published: August 2023

Acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition with high mortality if not treated immediately. We present a case of acute aortic dissection presenting as acute ST elevation myocardial infarction causing Cath Lab misadventure and delay in the definitive management.
Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Allograft Preparation Technique for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Allahabadi Sachin , Fenn Thomas W. , Larson Jordan H. , Nho Shane J.
Published: August 2023

Background:

Allograft anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, while it may have a higher failure rate in younger and more active populations, continues to serve as a viable graft option for the appropriately indicated patient. Efficient bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) allograft preparation is beneficial to reduce operating time and ensure optimal reconstruction with bony fixation.

Indications:

ACL reconstruction with BTB allograft is indicated for skeletally mature and older patients, patients who are less active and have fewer physical demands, patients who have had previously harvested autograft, circumstances where an autograft harvest is inadequate, patients with multiligament knee injuries, and patients who prefer allograft use.

Technique Description:

The central third of the BTB allograft is harvested, aiming for a graft diameter of 10 mm along the tendon. The tibial bone plug is first cut to a length of 25 to 30 mm and width of 10 mm with the saw at a 70° angle to the bone. The patellar bone plug is cut to a length of 25 mm and width of 10 mm with the saw at a 45° angle to the bone. The bone plugs are mobilized, and soft tissue is dissected to free the graft. The graft is trimmed until it fits through a 10-mm sizer on each side. A single hole is created with a k-wire in the patellar bone plug, and a #5 Ethibond suture is passed. On the tibial bone plug, 2 holes are made perpendicular to one another, and a #2 Fiberwire suture is passed through each of these holes. These sutures allow for facilitated graft passage and tensioning. Once the graft is affixed with interference screws, the graft is arthroscopically evaluated throughout range of motion.

Results:

ACL reconstruction with BTB allograft provides high success rates in appropriately selected patients. Data demonstrate more optimal mechanical properties by harvesting the central third of the allograft tendon in younger donors. Non-irradiated and less chemically processed grafts are also preferred to optimize biomechanical properties.

Discussion/Conclusion:

Bone-patellar tendon-bone allograft with 2 bone plugs offers a reliable alternative to other allografts or autografts. Preparing the allograft in a fashion similar to an autograft harvest may increase familiarity with techniques and facilitate surgical efficiency and graft passage.

Patient Consent Disclosure Statement:

The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.
Physical properties and crystal structure of near end-member oxy-dravite from the Beluga occurrence, Nunavut territory, Canada
Authors: Skřápková Lenka , Cempírek Jan , Belley Philippe M. , Groat Lee A. , Škoda Radek
Published: August 2023

Oxy-dravite, ideally Na(Al2Mg)(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(O), was found in a composition near its ideal end-member at the Beluga occurrence, Nunavut territory, Canada. It occurs in retrograde albite–muscovite–corundum–calcite domains in a calc-silicate rock. This uncommon oxy-dravite occurs as dark brown, equant to short-prismatic, idiomorphic crystals with vitreous lustre and up to ca. 4 × 3 cm in size. The oxy-dravite is optically uniaxial (–), with ω = 1.6453(5) and ɛ = 1.6074(18); its calculated density is 3.069 g.cm–3 with a compatibility index of 0.016. The Beluga oxy-dravite has trigonal symmetry, space group R3m with a = 15.9121(2) Å, c = 7.1788(10) Å, V = 1574.12(5) Å3 and Z = 3. The crystal structure was refined to R1 = 1.45 using 1613 unique reflections. The empirical crystal-chemical formula is X(Na0.88Ca0.08□0.03K0.01)Y(Al1.49Mg1.31Fe0.15Ti0.04Zn0.01)Z(Al5.42Mg0.58)T(Si5.84Al0.16O18)B(BO3)3V(OH2.95O0.05)W(O0.84OH0.01F0.15).

Oxy-dravite in nature commonly occurs in a solid solution with foitite, schorl and oxy-schorl. At the Beluga occurrence, its minor contents of Al, vacancy [□], and Ca are most likely compensated by (□Al)(NaR2+)–1 and (CaMg)(NaAl)–1 exchanges of the oxy-magnesio-foitite and magnesio-lucchesiite components. The Beluga occurrence of oxy-dravite is characterised by an Mg-rich environment related to a metamorphic overprint of the original sedimentary sequence. This sequence of marine dolomitic argillaceous marl was influenced by (B,Cl)-rich fluids, probably proximally-derived from mineral breakdown reactions in the calc-silicate during the retrograde stage of metamorphism. The locality is a rare example of a tourmaline + corundum assemblage.