bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of a quality improvement project on post-operative opioid use following outpatient spinal surgery
Authors: Magnan Marie-Claude , Wai Eugene , Kingwell Stephen , Phan Philippe , Tierney Sarah , Stratton Alexandra
Published: May 2022

Background:

Prescribing opioids upon discharge after surgery is common practice; however, there are many inherent risks including dependency, diversion, and medical complications. Our prospective pre- and post-intervention study investigates the effect of a standardized analgesic prescription on the quantity of opioids prescribed and patients' level of pain and satisfaction with pain control in the early post-operative period.

Methods:

With the implementation of an electronic medical record, a standardized prescription was built employing multimodal analgesia and a stepwise approach to analgesics based on level of pain. Patients received an education handout pre-operatively explaining the prescription. Consecutive patients over a three-month period undergoing elective spine surgery as day or overnight stay cases who received usual care were compared to a similar cohort who received the standardized prescription and education. Patient satisfaction with post-operative pain control, post-operative pain scores, number of refills required, and opioids prescribed in oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) were compared before and after implementation of the standardized analgesic prescription.

Results:

Twenty-six patients received usual care (Control group) and 26 patients received the standardized prescription and education handout (Intervention group). There were significantly fewer OMEs prescribed in the Intervention group compared to the Control group. There was no difference between groups in: patient post-operative pain intensity score, post-operative satisfaction score, or number of refills required.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that a standardized prescription consisting of an appropriate amount of opioid and non-opioid analgesics is effective in reducing the OMEs prescribed post-operatively in elective spine surgery procedures, without compromising patient pain control or satisfaction or increasing the number of refills required.
Off-label medication use in pediatrics and associated factors at public hospitals in east Gojjam zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Belayneh Anteneh , Abatneh Eyasu , Abebe Dehinnet , Getachew Melese , Kebede Bekalu , Dessie Bekalu
Published: May 2022

Objective:

Due to a lack of appropriate pediatric preparations, health providers frequently use adult formulations in an off-label manner. This study aimed to assess pediatric off-label medication use patterns and associated factors in East Gojjam, Ethiopia.

Methods:

Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2020 to June 2021 at three randomly selected hospitals. Data were collected by using self-structured questionnaires and a data abstraction checklist from health care workers and prescriptions, respectively. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between independent and dependent variables.

Results:

A total of 285 eligible health professionals from the pediatric unit and pharmacies, and 1,800 eligible prescriptions were involved in the study. The response rate of healthcare workers was 94.37%. Around 74.4% of professionals had good knowledge about off-label medication. Only 8% of participants had taken training on pediatric off-label medications. Of all prescriptions, 27.6% of them have contained at least one off-label medication. Phenobarbitone (16.1%) and phenytoin (12.7%) were the most frequently prescribed off-label medication. In all, 496 (27.6%) prescriptions contained off-label drugs in the form of overdose, cutting adult tablets into small portions, and formulating tablets/capsules into solution. Lack of information on off-label prescribing, shortage of pediatric drugs, and suitable dosage forms showed significant association with off-label prescribing with p-value < 0.001.

Conclusion:

Almost one-third of pediatric prescriptions contained off-label medication. Only a small number of healthcare workers had taken training on pediatric off-label medications. Lack of sufficient information on risks of off-label medication, shortage of pediatric medication, and suitable pediatric dosage forms were associated with the use of off-label medication compared to non-use. Further research should be done on the long-term effects associated with off-label prescribing in pediatrics to assess whether the potential risks are balanced with the therapeutical benefit.
Determinants of successful trial of labor after a previous cesarean delivery in East Wollega, Western Ethiopia: A case–control study
Authors: Dereje Lemane , Tilahun Temesgen , Markos Jote
Published: May 2022

Objective:

Vaginal birth after cesarean could be considered a reasonable and safe option for most women with a previous cesarean section. However, it is not easy to select pregnant mothers who are a candidate for a trial of labor after cesarean. Therefore, this study is aimed to identify determinants of successful vaginal birth after previous cesarean delivery in public hospitals in East Wollega, Western Ethiopia, 2020.

Methods:

A facility-based unmatched case–control study was conducted on 115 cases and 115 controls. Cases were those women who successfully delivered vaginally and controls were those women delivered by cesarean section after trial of labor. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and organized using Epidata version 3.1. Descriptive analysis and logistic regressions were performed. The adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used and statistical significance was declared at P-value < 0.05.

Results:

The study revealed that rural residence (adjusted odds ratio = 3, 95% confidence interval = 1.25–7.21), having no history of stillbirth (adjusted odds ratio = 4.2, 95% confidence interval = 1.20–14.62), prior vaginal birth after cesarean (adjusted odds ratio = 2.4, 95% confidence interval = 1.2–6.4), counseling about a trial of labor after cesarean during antenatal follow-up (adjusted odds ratio = 4.7, 95% confidence interval = 1.88–11.74), and birth interval of >2 years (adjusted odds ratio = 8.9, 95% confidence interval = 3.25–24.67) were found to be determinants of successful vaginal birth after cesarean.

Conclusion:

Place of residence, history of stillbirth, history of vaginal birth after cesarean, counseling about mode of delivery during antenatal care, and birth interval were determinants of successful trial of labor after cesarean. Given these factors, it is recommended that care providers should advocate delaying pregnancy for at least 2 years and counseling women about trial of labor after cesarean during antenatal care follow-up.
Comparison of long-term results following ureteroscopic stone fragmentation with removal versus stone dusting without removal
Authors: Golomb Dor , Shvero Asaf , Mahajna Hamad , Levi Oleg , Goldberg Hanan , Tapiero Shlomi , Stabholz Yariv , Lotan Paz , Darawsha Abd-Elhalim , Ehrlich Yaron , Kleinmann Nir , Khasminsky Vadim , Zilberman Dorit , Winkler Harry , Lifshitz David
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

To compare long-term results following ureteroscopic stone fragmentation and removal versus stone dusting.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent ureteroscopy for renal calculi at two high-volume tertiary centres between 2012 and 2013, therefore allowing long-term follow-up. The surgeons differed in their technique, some performing dusting for the most part and the others fragmentation. Inclusion criteria were stone free at the first follow-up and the sole use of laser lithotripsy is either by dusting or by fragmentation. Operative and post-operative data as well as re-treatment rates were compared between the groups. Stone-free rates and long-term stone recurrence rates were analysed by a single radiologist blinded to the treatment technique.

Results:

Between 2012 and 2013, 669 ureteroscopies were performed at both centres. The study group included 100 patients, which met the inclusion criteria, equally distributed between dusting and fragmentation. The cumulative stone diameter in patients treated with dusting was significantly larger (12.7 mm versus 17 mm, p = 0.006). Operative time was shorter in patients treated with dusting (56 minutes versus 47.2 minutes, p = 0.6). The mean follow-up was 58.9 (standard deviation (SD) 17.2) and 69.4 (SD 13.8) months for the fragmentation and dusting-treated patients, respectively( p = 0.06). The long-term recurrence rate in the fragmentation group was 22% compared to 38% in the dusting group ( p = 0 .08). Most of the patients in the dusting group required a repeat ureteroscopy during their follow-up (28% versus 6%, p = 0.003). A multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the fragmentation was not associated with a lower stone recurrence rate when compared to dusting (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.199-1.810, p = 0.3).

Conclusions:

The recurrence rate of renal stones was not significantly influenced by the choice of surgical techniques. However, dusting was associated with a greater need for repeat ureteroscopy than fragmentation with removal.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable
Twenty-four hour urine parameters in nephrolithiasis patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Shahait Mohammed , Nevo Amihay , El-Asmar Jose M , Siripong Nalyn , Khater Nazih , Denk Jordan , Jackman Stephen , Averch Timothy , Semins Michelle
Published: May 2022

Objective:

To study 24-hour urine metabolic abnormalities in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), diagnosed by polysomnography. The purpose was to identify whether OSAS is independently associated with a distinctive set of 24-hour urine studies in a cohort of stone formers.

Patients and Methods:

Using our institutional stone database (2013–2017), 1132 consecutive patients with 24-hour urine collections were identified. After applying our exclusion criteria, the final cohort consisted of 376 patients of which 45 patients had OSAS. Descriptive statistics were used to compare 24-hour urine parameters between patients with and without OSAS. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between OSAS and 24-hour urine parameters.

Results:

On univariate analysis, patients with OSAS were older (57.7 versus 48.2, p < 0.001) with a higher body mass index (BMI) (35 versus 27.8, p < 0.001), and higher likelihood of diabetes mellitus (DM) (57.8 versus 10.6%, p < 0.001) and hypertension (HTN) (60% versus 23.9%, p < 0.001). Patients with OSAS had higher 24-hour total amount of urine volume (2018 versus 1818 ml, p = 0.03), calcium (279.7 versus 208 mg, p = 0.02), oxalate (41.6 versus 31.3 mg, p < 0.001), yet lower 24-hour urine pH (5.75 versus 6.03, p = 0.001). On multivariable linear regression analysis, OSAS did not affect any of the 24-hour urinary parameters.

Conclusion:

OSAS is a prevalent comorbidity among nephrolithiasis patients. We found no major differences in 24-hour urine parameters between nephrolithiasis patients with OSAS and those without OSAS. Further study is needed to determine whether the severity of OSAS and compliance with treatment play a role in the pathogenesis of stone formation.

Level of evidence:

2b
Evaluating the incidence, management, and recurrence of inguinal hernia during robotic prostatectomy: A literature review
Authors: Ivos Mia , Wilhelm Christopher , Sharma Pranav
Published: May 2022

Objectives:

Robotic radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a well-established treatment for localised prostate adenocarcinoma. The benefits of this minimally invasive technique include shortened operative time and improved patient recovery. However, the development of inguinal hernia (IH) before, during, and following RARP has been reported. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence, management, and recurrence of IHs in patients undergoing RARP for prostate cancer.

Methods:

A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database from August 2007 to October 2020 using the keywords ‘robotic prostatectomy’ and ‘inguinal hernia’. Studies evaluating the incidence and recurrence of IH in patients undergoing RARP were identified and included. The initial search identified 77 articles. After excluding one duplicate, six case reports, three editorial comments, four articles not in English, eight review articles, and 14 studies that did not mention hernia incidence, 41 studies were included in our final literature review.

Results:

Concomitant IH repair (IHR) during RARP resulted in decreased symptomatic hernia recurrence during the follow-up period. When compared to patients who had not undergone hernia repair, the patients who underwent IHR during RARP did not experience greater complications in the postoperative period.

Conclusions:

Patients that undergo an intraoperative IHR during RARP did not experience significant adverse postoperative complications. Although operative time can slightly increase compared to RARP alone, we recommend a thorough preoperative physical examination in all patients scheduled to undergo RARP to evaluate for IH in addition to a thorough discussion with the patient of the risks and benefits of intraoperative repair.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable
The reputational cost of military aggression: Evidence from the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Authors: Asadzade Peyman , Izadi Roya
Published: May 2022

Large-scale military aggression is argued to damage the international image of the aggressor and mobilize global public opinion against it. Previous cross-country research also finds that negative views of the aggressor are usually limited to the government and do not extend to the citizens of the invading country. Our article provides micro-level evidence on attitude change toward Russia as a country, the Russian people, and the Russian government after its invasion of Ukraine. We use data from a survey conducted between the morning of 21 February 2022 (3 days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine) and the night of 28 February 2022 (5 days after the invasion) in the United States to evaluate how the Russian invasion of Ukraine affected attitudes toward the country, its people, and the government. We also conduct a subgroup analysis to explore the magnitude of attitude change across sociodemographic and political subgroups after the invasion. Our findings show fairly significant damage to the image of Russia as a country as well as the Russian government. However, the reputational damage of the Russian people is minimal. The results also suggest that Republican and religious subgroups had the largest attitude change on Russia and the Russian government.
Telemedicine and artificial intelligence to support self-isolation of COVID-19 patients: Recent updates and challenges
Authors: Huang Jessica A , Hartanti Intan R , Colin Michelle N , Pitaloka Dian AE
Published: May 2022

Background

Asymptomatic and high-risk COVID-19 patients are advised to self-isolate at home. However, patients may not realize that the condition is deteriorating until too late.

Objective

This study aims to review various artificial intelligence-based telemedicine research during the COVID-19 outbreak and proposes a framework for developing telemedicine powered by artificial intelligence to monitor progression in COVID-19 patients during isolation at home. It also aims to map challenges using artificial intelligence-based telemedicine in the community.

Methods

A systematic review was performed for the related articles published in 2019–2021 and conducted in the PubMed and ScienceDirect database using the keywords “telemedicine,” “artificial intelligence,” and “COVID-19”. The inclusion criteria were full-text articles and original research written in the English language.

Results

Thirteen articles were included in this review to describe the current application of artificial intelligence-based telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Various current applications have been implemented, such as for early diagnosis and tracing of contact for the users, to monitor symptoms and decision-making treatment, clinical management, and virtual and remote treatment. We also proposed the framework of telemedicine powered by artificial intelligence for support the self-isolation of COVID-19 patients based on the recent update in technology. However, we identified some challenges for using digital health technologies because of the ethical and practical use, the policy and regulation, and device use both for healthcare workers and patients.

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence promises to improve the practice of medicine in various ways. However, practical applications still need to be explored, and medical professionals also need to adapt to these advances for better healthcare delivery to the public.
Pelvic schwannoma in an adult male
Authors: Dau My Hanh Thi , Tran Me Tam Thi , Nguyen Hoang Quan , Vo Kim Yen Thi , Nguyen Thanh Tam Thi , Hoang The Huan , Hoang Van Trung , Hoang Duc Thanh
Published: May 2022

Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors that are generally encapsulated and commonly detected in the head, neck, and mediastinal regions. Schwannomas localizing in the pelvis are extremely rare and tend to be asymptomatic initially due to slow growth rate. Schwannomas may be misdiagnosed as urologic or gynecologic tumors. Pelvic schwannomas are typically solitary, large, and well-circumscribed masses in the retroperitoneum or presacral areas. Other imaging characteristics are cystic degeneration, repeated hemorrhages, and calcifications. Calcification patterns can be punctate, speckled, curvilinear, or along the walls of the masses. We report a young man with a pelvic schwannoma with typical imaging features.
“Selling Poverty” on Kuaishou: How entrepreneurialism disciplines Chinese underclass online participation
Authors: Hou Jiaxi , Zhang Yanhui
Published: May 2022

The meanings of being “underclass” in China are increasingly ambivalent when various disadvantaged social groups also get access to digital platforms which become more and more influential in not just facilitating people’s economic and cultural practices online but also mediating, distorting, and reshaping these processes. Using critical techno-cultural discourse analysis about how the underclass represent poverty and themselves by creating short videos and performing live-commerce on Kuaishou, this study finds that digital entrepreneurialism becomes an interlocking governmentality to discipline the underclass’ online participation. Afforded by the platform and operationalized by multiple networked actors, entrepreneurialism incorporates the underclass in the digitally mediated productive relationship and at the same time disciplines their online representation and exploits the involved entities through both platform labor and monetary investments to cultivate an underclass entrepreneurial subject. Although claiming to include and empower the diversified Chinese underclass, digital platforms actually reproduce the underclassness by mobilizing the calculated conformity among the underclass to experience the intertwining online and offline inequalities through digital entrepreneurship. Nonetheless, nuances of minor narratives still exist in the digitally mediated self-representation.
Systems Approach to Address Human Resource Issues: A Case in a Commercial Livestock Farm in Southern Nigeria
Authors: Ufua Daniel E. , Salau Odunayo P. , Saleem Owais , Ogbari Mercy E. , Osibanjo Adewale O. , Osabuohien Evans , Adeniji Anthonia A.
Published: May 2022

This paper focused on human resource issues in a private sector organization. The study adopted a qualitative approach, using Systemic Intervention to identify and develop solutions to tackling human resource issues through the engagement of relevant stakeholders in the organizational operations. Interviews, workshops, and boundary critique were used for data collection. Collected data were sorted for thematic analysis. Critical issues identified in the research process included frequent junior staff turnover challenges, general human resource security, junior staff’s educational qualification, and irregular work schedule. Findings showed that joint participation in the research process enables learning among participants from across the case study organization structure. It also provided a significant platform for the exploration of diverse opinions and perspectives of participants. A reflection on the qualitative methodology showed the usefulness of combining techniques and methods from different methods in addressing complex human resource issues. However, it is noted that the implementation of developed solutions requires continuous evaluation to maintain effectiveness in systemic intervention. The study concluded with the suggestion for further research to use various methods to explore the influence(s) of external factors on internal human resource challenges, especially in the private sector and a developing economy such as Nigeria.
Technology-Enabled E-Learning Platforms in Chinese Higher Education During the Pandemic Age of COVID-19
Authors: Jiang Haozhe , Islam A. Y. M. Atiquil , Gu Xiaoqing , Spector Jonathan Michael , Chen Suting
Published: May 2022

The problem motivating this study is the fact that almost 19.70 million university students in China have been required to engage in e-learning under the government’s initiative of “Classes are Suspended, yet Learning is still Ongoing” during the COVID-19 epidemic, coupled with varied responses, uneven adoption of e-learning platforms and varying degrees of satisfaction toward them. Using the online database adoption and satisfaction (ODAS) model, this study examines the determinants which impact university students’ adoption of and satisfaction with e-learning platforms at this particular time in China. The ODAS model was also cross-validated using gender as a moderating variable. A purposive sampling procedure was used to survey a total of 1,136 students from six universities in five provinces or municipalities of China. The data for this survey were estimated using the Rasch model and structural equation modeling. Results exhibit that students’ adoption of and satisfaction with e-learning platforms were significantly measured by their computer self-efficacy, their intention to use e-learning platforms, and their perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of these platforms, while the relationships among these components were moderated by gender differences. This empirically-based cross-validation of the ODAS provides recommendations for future studies, including practical implications for e-learning. This current study contributes to the body of knowledge in evaluating e-learning platforms during the COVID-19 epidemic.
Bitcoin in Portfolio Selection: A Multivariate Distribution Approach
Authors: Contreras-Valdez Mario I. , Núñez José Antonio , Perales Guillermo Benavides
Published: May 2022

This study presents a multivariate study regarding Bitcoin and its interactions with other financial assets of different classes. This is done by adjusting a multivariate semi heavy-tailed distribution to portfolios containing indexes, currencies, and commodities and one cryptocurrency. Later, a rolling window is deployed to obtain the dynamic parameters of the distribution in a weekly basis. With a Markowitz specification problem, the optimal portfolio weights are computed dynamically using the parameters of the multivariate NIG distribution as inputs. The results provide evidence that correlations of Bitcoin with other assets may provide certain degree of diversification to portfolios; nevertheless, the high volatility of this asset makes it unpractical to employ in significant weights. This paper is relevant for researchers and practitioners as it provides a new tool to manage portfolios with cryptocurrencies and more reliable weights to the asset allocation.
Cross-Generational Analysis of Basic Vowel Changes in Zhongyuan Mandarin: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhuang Huibin
Published: May 2022

This study mainly explores the cross-generational differences of basic vowels in Zhongyuan Mandarin. By adopting speech materials of two generations from seven cities in Henan Province, namely, Kaifeng, Shangqiu, Xuchang, Luohe, Zhoukou, Nanyang, and Zhumadian, we attempt to identify the positional features of each vowel in two generations with the acoustic vowel charts and the V-value charts, to observe the cross-generational differences of each vowel through the main distribution vowel charts, and to predict the future tendencies of the vowels with the help of the skewness chart.
The Impacts of Gender-Related Factors on the Adoption of Anti-Human Trafficking Laws in Sub-Saharan African Countries
Authors: Woo Byung-Deuk
Published: May 2022

Human trafficking is an imminent problem not limited to certain regions of the globe. Although the problem of human trafficking is severe over the world, Sub-Saharan African countries are some of the most vulnerable to human trafficking. Despite the severity of human trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa, only 23 countries, less than half of Sub-Saharan African countries, have introduced domestic statutory laws addressing human trafficking. Why do some African countries adopt laws for combating human trafficking, while others do not? Focusing on the role of gender-related factors in the introduction of laws addressing human trafficking, this article aims to fill this academic lacuna by conducting time-series cross-national analysis on 49 African countries from 1960 to 2016. The empirical results from this study demonstrate that increases in the percentage of women in legislative branches and in women’s participation in civil society organizations lead countries to introduce anti-human trafficking laws.
Perceived Access to Finance, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Attitude Toward Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Ability, and Entrepreneurial Intentions: A Botswana Youth Perspective
Authors: Svotwa Tendai Douglas , Jaiyeoba Olumide , Roberts-Lombard Mornay , Makanyeza Charles
Published: May 2022

Governments in emerging markets in Africa need to focus more on the factors that drive the entrepreneurial ability of the youth on the continent. This approach is required to lower unemployment levels through self-employment and stimulating entrepreneurial intentions among graduates. Considering this, the research aimed to determine the factors influencing youth entrepreneurial ability and their effect on entrepreneurial intentions. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey from 347 youths enrolled at five universities in Botswana and analyzed through structural equation modeling to test the formulated hypotheses. The results established that perceived access to finance, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and attitude toward entrepreneurship positively influence entrepreneurial ability. In addition, entrepreneurial ability was found to positively affect entrepreneurial intentions. Therefore, it is important for universities in developing markets like Botswana to stimulate entrepreneurial thinking through curriculum development and establishing a positive mindset that will stimulate the development of goals and the understanding that failure is not always a negative outcome or characteristic.
Antecedents and Outcomes of Service Co-Creation in the Sharing Economy
Authors: Evangelista Felicitas , Varua Maria Estela , Saverimuttu Vivienne , Datt Rina , Pattinson Hugh , Wardle Karina , Evangelista Anna
Published: May 2022

The study focuses on service co-creation in the sharing economy, where platform operators mediate the relationship between customers and potential service providers. Service co-creation consists of information sharing, interaction, and responsible behavior that customers undertake voluntarily or willingly to create an experience of value. Based on S-D logic, a theoretical model of service co-creation was developed and tested through structural equation modeling using survey data from 627 respondents in Sydney, Australia. The results provide strong empirical support for the hypothesized relationships between service co-creation, its determinants and impact on customer satisfaction. The implications on theory development and for property owners and platform operators are discussed.
Privacy Prevention of Big Data Applications: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Rafiq Fatima , Awan Mazhar Javed , Yasin Awais , Nobanee Haitham , Zain Azlan Mohd , Bahaj Saeed Ali
Published: May 2022

This paper focuses on privacy and security concerns in Big Data. This paper also covers the encryption techniques by taking existing methods such as differential privacy, k-anonymity, T-closeness, and L-diversity. Several privacy-preserving techniques have been created to safeguard privacy at various phases of a large data life cycle. The purpose of this work is to offer a comprehensive analysis of the privacy preservation techniques in Big Data, as well as to explain the problems for existing systems. The advanced repository search option was utilized for the search of the following keywords in the search: “Cyber security” OR “Cybercrime”) AND ((“privacy prevention”) OR (“Big Data applications”)). During Internet research, many search engines and digital libraries were utilized to obtain information. The obtained findings were carefully gathered out of which 103 papers from 2,099 were found to gain the best information sources to address the provided study subjects. Hence a systemic review of 32 papers from 103 found in major databases (IEEExplore, SAGE, Science Direct, Springer, and MDPIs) were carried out, showing that the majority of them focus on the privacy prediction of Big Data applications with a contents-based approach and the hybrid, which address the major security challenge and violation of Big Data. We end with a few recommendations for improving the efficiency of Big Data projects and provide secure possible techniques and proposed solutions and model that minimizes privacy violations, showing four different types of data protection violations and the involvement of different entities in reducing their impacts.
Research on the Relationships Among the Gender Consciousness, Social Support, and Wellbeing in Taiwan College Female Athletes
Authors: Pan Huei-Wen , Huang Wei-Yang , Wu Cheng-En
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this research was to understand the cognition of female college athletes on gender consciousness and social support, which will contribute to the wellbeing of college female athletes. The research recruited 332 female college athletes were recruited as research participants. This research compiled a questionnaire suitable for the research topic, including gender consciousness scale, social support scale, and wellbeing scale. Use structural equation modeling to analyze the correlation and influence of various variables. The results showed that their experience as an athlete were mostly 5 to 7 years. The correlation of female college athletes was highest between their peer support and goal of life ( r = .58). The more support they received from their peers, the more they could affirm their life goals and wellbeing. The gender consciousness of college female athletes is significantly correlation to wellbeing (γ11 = .71), social support is significantly correlation to wellbeing (γ21 = .83), and gender consciousness has significant influence to social support (β21 = .57). In addition, the correlation between gender consciousness and stereotypes is the strongest λ = .78, the correlation between social support and peer support is the strongest λ = .91, and the correlation between wellbeing and self-identification is the strongest λ = .83. This study concluded that the existing sports environment provides opportunity for female athletes. Female college athletes have gender consciousness regarding self-assurance and stereotype, and they receive support from peers and family in sports groups. These are conducive to their performance and their sense of wellbeing in life.
Triggers and Consequences of Awe in Online Brand Community
Authors: Zhao Jianbin , Li Zheng , Xiong Guobao
Published: May 2022

As a common experience-based emotion, awe can easily arise within consumers who are immersed in an online brand community. On the basis of the awe prototype theory, this paper developed a research model involving community management authority, professionalism of opinion leaders, participation time, awe, and customer engagement at the organizational and individual levels of an online brand community. The study then targeted a mobile online brand community, obtaining 409 valid data points using a questionnaire survey platform (wjx.cn). The data were analyzed using a structural equation model, revealing that the management authority and the professionalism of opinion leaders positively affect community members’ awe, and this awe positively affects community engagement behaviors. Community members’ participation time negatively moderates the influence of management authority on awe; namely, longer participation time weakens such influence. In addition, community members’ participation time lowers the effect of opinion leaders’ professionalism on their awe, though not significantly. This research advances the study of online communities while also providing practical insights to managers and opinion leaders.
Unhiding Nexus Between Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction, Complaints, and Loyalty in Online Shopping Environment in Pakistan
Authors: Wattoo Muhammad Umair , Iqbal Syed Muhammad Javed
Published: May 2022

Due to the recent development in online shopping, the e-commerce business has experienced significant growth. However, in developing nations such as Pakistan, the concept of e-commerce is yet in its early stages, and there are several roadblocks to users using this platform. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the nexus between service quality (SQ), customer satisfaction (CS), customer complaints, and loyalty in the online shopping environment by integrating the SQ model with the American Customer Service Index (ACSI) model. A conceptual framework was created and evaluated using data obtained through a structured questionnaire (n = 296) from e-commerce users. In Smart-PLS v3, the author used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the study hypotheses. As per the study findings, reliability, responsiveness, trust, WD, and personalization are significant determinants of SQ. Meanwhile, in an e-commerce context, SQ is positively associated with CS, which leads to a reduction in customer complaints and an increase in customer loyalty. The results provide a birds-eye view to the managers to direct their spending scientifically to the variables that have the most significant influence on SQ and CS. It will assist current and prospective e-commerce retailers in gaining a thorough grasp of CS, complaints, and loyalty in their industry. Furthermore, the theoretical and practical contributions were discussed in this study.
Increased Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Hotline Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Unexpected Phenomenon
Authors: Kiok Matthew , Guntur Sandeep , Blanc Paul D. , Lozato Olga , Domingo Grace , Kosnik Robert , Ugbaja Chika E. , Chan Noreen , Ramos Alan , Domeracki Sandra
Published: May 2022

Background: Mitigating bloodborne pathogen exposure (BBPE) risk among healthcare workers is a major focus of hospital-based occupational health programs. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed added demands on occupational health services for healthcare workers. Its impact on BBPE incidence is unreported. Methods: As part of quality improvement efforts, we examined BBPE case incidence at two affiliated health centers during a 24-month period, 12 months preceding and following the COVID-19 pandemic onset. We used Year 1 to Year 2 change in incidence at the larger health center as the referent value to generate predicted incidence rates at the study health center. We tested the ratio of observed to predicted values at the study health center as a Poisson variable to its expectation. We defined a BBPE consistent with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Results: The BBPE case incidence at Health Center One (HC1), totaled 46 cases in Year 1, increasing 19% to 55 cases in Year 2. The cumulative incidence at Health Center Two (HC2), the referent facility, was 664 cases in Year 1, declining 24% to 503 in Year 2. The ratio of 55 events at HC1 to the expected incidence of 35, based on the experience at HC2, was 1.6 ( p < .05). Discussion/Applications to Practice: The incidence of BBPE events at HC1 paradoxically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, contrasting to the expected decrease that we observed at HC2. These data suggest that during times of increased stress to employee healthcare delivery from an infectious disease outbreak, the burden of ongoing practice demands may increase.
Pandemic Onset, Individual Differences, and Dimensional Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Among Emerging Adults
Authors: Marder Maya A. , Richier Corey , Miller Gregory A. , Heller Wendy
Published: May 2022

Background: Growing research indicates complex relationships among dimensions of depression and anxiety. Vulnerability to depression and anxiety in emerging adults, due to individual difference factors, may be intensified by disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Undergraduates ( n=653, mean age=19.8, range 18–23) completed questionnaires that assessed distinct dimensions of depression (motivational anhedonia: MA, low positive affect: LPA), anxiety (anxious apprehension, anxious arousal), and rumination as well as factors associated with risk in this population (age, trauma exposure, approach-avoidance temperament). One portion of the sample completed questionnaires before and the other after the onset of COVID restrictions. Results: Post-onset participants reported higher MA and, for older students, higher repetitive negative thinking. Other relationships emerged between specific dimensions and individual differences. Conclusions: Distinguishing specific dimensions of internalizing symptoms in the context of new pandemic restrictions provided insight into risk and protective factors that may contribute to internalizing symptom vulnerability.
Radiologic Analysis of Causes of Early Recurrence After Percutaneous Endoscopic Transforaminal Discectomy
Authors: Li Ze-Peng , Liu Lu-Lu , Liu Hao , Tan Jing-Hua , Li Xue-Lin , Xu Zhun , Ouyang Zhi-Hua , Wang Cheng , Yan Yi-Guo , Xue Jing-Bo
Published: May 2022

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Objective

To analyze the causes of and factors influencing early recurrence after TELD performed in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

Methods

We included 285 patients with single-segment lumbar disc herniation treated using transforaminal endoscopy lumbar discectomy TELD from January 2017 to December 2019 at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of South China. Patients were classified into early recurrence and non-early recurrence groups based on clinical symptoms and MRI reexamination. Imaging data (eg, disc height index (DHI), Pfirrman grades, base width, postoperative annulus-fibrosus tear size, cross-sectional area of the foramen (CSAF), etc.)were analyzed, and multivariate, binomial logistic regression was utilized to determine which factors were associated with early recurrence after TELD.

Results

A total of 285 patients completed surgery and clinical follow-up, during which 19 patients relapsed within 6 months postsurgery, for an early recurrence rate of 6.7%. There were statistically significant differences between DHI, Pfirrman grades, base width, postoperative annulus-fibrosus tear size, herniation sites, CSAF and Modic changes between the early recurrence and non-early recurrence groups (P < .05). On multivariate logistic regression,the degree of disc degeneration (OR = .747, P = .037), CSAF (OR = 5.255, P = .006), degree of Modic change (OR = 1.831, P = .018) and base width of the herniation (OR = 4.942, P = .003) were significantly correlated with early recurrence after TELD.

Conclusions

Postoperative annulus-fibrosus tear size, DHI, and location of the disc herniation were associated with early recurrence after TELD. Increased base width of the herniation, severe disc degeneration, decreased CSAF and Modic change were risk factors for early recurrence after TELD.
Groundwater Depletion and Water Crisis in Delhi
Authors: Singh Maheshwar
Published: May 2022

Groundwater governance entails synergetic acts of political, legal social, economic and administrative systems, which equitably and efficiently distribute and manage the resource. It involves the formulation, establishment and implementation of water legislation and policies and creation of institutional framework for water administration. It emphasises the need for clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the government, civil society and private sector. Delhi has complex governance structure due to the simultaneous presence of the Union as well as state government agencies. The complexity of the situation is further compounded with the expansion of the Delhi as National Capital Region and the 1,400 odd square kilometres of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. This article deals with the later. It is an attempt to understand and analyse the evolving legal regime on groundwater, the policy framework and institutional structure, as well as the role of courts to manage and regulate the groundwater situation in the city of Delhi. The article has highlighted that the rapid depletion of groundwater in Delhi is the fundamental reason for water scarcity in the city despite efforts of multiple agencies, existence of model bills, acts and regulations for the management of groundwater. For a highly urbanised city like Delhi, we need to think about incentives to discourage people from abstracting groundwater. There are no easy answers to these questions any more than the efforts to find solutions and effectively implement them to overcome the water crisis. This article is a modest attempt to find reasons for water crisis in the NCT of Delhi.
Effectiveness of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors on the treatment of thin endometrium and pregnancy outcomes: An systematic review
Authors: Farahbod Farnoosh , Talebi-Boroujeni Parham , Sherwin Catherine MT , Heidari-Soureshjani Saeid
Published: May 2022

Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are thought to play a role in increasing endometrial thickness and increasing the success rate of pregnancy outcomes. This study was done to investigate the effects of PDE5 inhibitors on infertile women with thin endometrium and pregnancy outcomes. In this systematic review, all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were retrieved from databases including Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), PubMed, and Scopus by interesting keywords. A checklist was designed to collect necessary data and pregnancy outcomes, and the required items were recorded. PDE5 inhibitors through various mechanisms such as induction of vasodilatory effect through the effect on NO/cGMP signaling on vascular smooth muscle, through regulating cells proliferation and induction angiogenesis by increasing the expression of tumor suppressor factor (p53), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and downregulating inflammation by downregulating proinflammatory cytokines, affect endometrial thickness that eventually increases and pregnancy outcomes. Although PDE5s inhibitors increase endometrial thickness by different mechanisms, especially in women with thin endometrial, this does not necessarily mean that they induce a positive effect in all situations. However, their positive effects on pregnancy outcome may be affected by the time of administration, type of infertility treatment, underlying diseases such as pelvic disorders and inflammation. So in this regard, there are still ambiguous aspects that required further RCTs study in this area.
The Effect of Different Abrasives on the Shear Bond Strength of Adhesive Resin Cements to Dentin
Authors: Yerliyurt Kaan , Hatırlı Hüseyin
Published: May 2022

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dentin surface preparation with coarse diamond, extra-fine diamond, and polishing discs on the shear bond strength (SBS) of two resin cements (RCs) to dentin.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty-six recently extracted human mandibular third molar teeth that were free of cracks, caries, or restorations were collected. Sixty teeth were used for the SBS test. The occlusal part of the crowns was cut to expose mid-coronal dentin. The teeth were divided into three dentin preparation groups: coarse diamond (Meisinger, Germany), extra-fine diamond, and polishing discs (SofLex, 3MESPE, USA), and further conventional RC combined with a self-etch adhesive (Panavia F2.0/ED Primer II, Kuraray, Japan) or self-adhesive RC (Maxcem Elite, Kerr, USA) subgroups ( n = 10). Sixty composite resin blocks were prepared (diameter: 3 mm, height: 4 mm) and bonded to the teeth according to the groups. The SBS test was performed with a universal testing device. Six teeth were used for the observation of prepared dentin surfaces and the resin–cement dentin interfaces using field emission scanning electron microscopy (Mira 3 XMU, Tescan). Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests ( P < .05).

Results:

Panavia F2.0/ED Primer II exhibited significantly higher SBS values for coarse and extra-fine diamond than for the polishing discs ( P <.05). Regarding Maxcem Elite, no significant difference was observed for the preparation methods ( P > .05). Panavia F2.0/ED Primer II had higher bond strength than Maxcem Elite for the dentin surface prepared with the coarse diamond ( P <.05). The differences were not significant for the extra-fine diamond and the polishing disc groups ( P > .05).

Conclusion:

The use of polishing discs did not increase the SBS of the RCs to the dentin.
Indian Maritime Legal Education: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Ruhal Sanjeet
Published: May 2022

Maritime law as a career option attracts several students to pursue higher education. However, despite a few Indian institutions offering postgraduate programmes in Maritime Law, students prefer to go abroad and study at well-established centres of maritime legal education. This article throws light upon such a trend and discusses the possibility of retaining the brightest Indian students and attracting students from abroad to study in India. For that purpose, it identifies the reasons for discontinuing maritime courses at various universities and the lessons to be learned from the experiences. Finally, based on a critical analysis of the current system, the article provides some suggestions to enhance the quality of maritime legal education in India.