bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International Dimensions of Democratization
Authors: Pevehouse Jon C.W. , Glenn Caileigh
Published: June 2024

Since the 1970s, international influences on democratization have received increasing attention from scholars and policymakers. Scholars pointed to multiple mechanisms by which international factors could influence the transition to and the consolidation of democracy. While the arguments mostly pointed to positive influences, the optimism of the post–Cold War era have given way to concern about international sources of authoritarianism and democratic backsliding. The authors provide a framework for thinking about what we know about international forces and democratization, outlining several unanswered questions. Several research challenges remain, including how to best assess mechanisms linking international processes and actors to democracy (and democratization); while others concern threats to those democratic transitions via democratic backsliding. The article concludes by calling for more integration of existing theoretical frameworks on international factors and democracy with the current wave of research on authoritarianism and democratic backsliding.
Fast spectroscopic imaging using extreme ultraviolet interferometry
Authors: Strauch Hannah C. , Zhang Fengling , Mathias Stefan , Hohage Thorsten , Witte Stefan , Jansen G. S. Matthijs
Published: June 2024

Extreme ultraviolet pulses as generated by high harmonic generation (HHG) are a powerful tool for both time-resolved spectroscopy and coherent diffractive imaging. However, the integration of spectroscopy and microscopy to harness the unique broadband spectra provided by HHG is hardly explored due to the challenge to decouple spectroscopic and microscopic information. Here, we present an interferometric approach to this problem that combines Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTS) with Fourier transform holography (FTH). This is made possible by the generation of phase-locked pulses using a pair of HHG sources. Crucially, in our geometry the number of interferometric measurements required is at most equal to the number of high-harmonics in the illumination, and can be further reduced by incorporating prior knowledge about the structure of the FTH sample. Compared to conventional FTS, this approach achieves over an order of magnitude increase in acquisition speed for full spectro-microscopic data, and furthermore allows high-resolution computational imaging.
Compact high-power 320-nm continuous-wave single-frequency laser based on power scaling of a diode-pumped Pr:LiYF4 ring laser at red
Authors: Han Ye , Guo Kun , Zhao Yuquan , Xiong Mengyuan , Wang Dong , Chen Jianfa , Cui Xudong , Xu Bin
Published: June 2024

Single-frequency (SF) lasers in the visible spectral region are usually obtained through an indirect method, i.e., frequency doubling of near-infrared SF lasers. In this work, we report on the direct generation of a high-power continuous-wave (CW) SF laser in red based on a diode-pumped Pr:LiYF4 (YLF) ring cavity technology. A maximum output power is scaled to 3.98 W at 640 nm with a linewidth of about 17.2 MHz and a power stability of 0.6%. Moreover, by inserting a LBO crystal into the ring cavity for intracavity frequency doubling of the 640 nm SF laser, we have also successfully demonstrated an ultraviolet (UV) SF laser at 320 nm, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, with a maximum power of 670 mW. This work provides a promising route for the development of simple, compact, and high-power SF lasers operating in visible and UV spectral regions.
Combined translational and rotational perturbations of standing balance reveal contributions of reduced reciprocal inhibition to balance impairments in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Willaert Jente , Desloovere Kaat , Van Campenhout Anja , Ting Lena H. , De Groote Friedl
Published: June 2024

Balance impairments are common in cerebral palsy. When balance is perturbed by backward support surface translations, children with cerebral palsy have increased co-activation of the plantar flexors and tibialis anterior muscle as compared to typically developing children. However, it is unclear whether increased muscle co-activation is a compensation strategy to improve balance control or is a consequence of reduced reciprocal inhibition. During translational perturbations, increased joint stiffness due to co-activation might aid balance control by resisting movement of the body with respect to the feet. In contrast, during rotational perturbations, increased joint stiffness will hinder balance control as it couples body to platform rotation. Therefore, we expect increased muscle co-activation in response to rotational perturbations if co-activation is caused by reduced reciprocal inhibition but not if it is merely a compensation strategy. We perturbed standing balance by combined backward translational and toe-up rotational perturbations in 20 children with cerebral palsy and 20 typically developing children. Perturbations induced forward followed by backward movement of the center of mass. We evaluated reactive muscle activity and the relation between center of mass movement and reactive muscle activity using a linear feedback model based on center of mass kinematics. In typically developing children, perturbations induced plantar flexor balance correcting muscle activity followed by tibialis anterior balance correcting muscle activity, which was driven by center of mass movement. In children with cerebral palsy, the switch from plantar flexor to tibialis anterior activity was less pronounced than in typically developing children due to increased muscle co-activation of the plantar flexors and tibialis anterior throughout the response. Our results thus suggest that a reduction in reciprocal inhibition causes muscle co-activation in reactive standing balance in children with cerebral palsy.
Inter and intralaminar excitation of parvalbumin interneurons in mouse barrel cortex
Authors: Scheuer Katherine S. , Jansson Anna M. , Zhao Xinyu , Jackson Meyer B.
Published: June 2024

Parvalbumin (PV) interneurons are inhibitory fast-spiking cells with essential roles in directing the flow of information through cortical circuits. These neurons set the balance between excitation and inhibition and control rhythmic activity. PV interneurons differ between cortical layers in their morphology, circuitry, and function, but how their electrophysiological properties vary has received little attention. Here we investigate responses of PV interneurons in different layers of primary somatosensory barrel cortex (BC) to different excitatory inputs. With the genetically-encoded hybrid voltage sensor, hVOS, we recorded voltage changes in many L2/3 and L4 PV interneurons simultaneously, with stimulation applied to either L2/3 or L4. A semi-automated procedure was developed to identify small regions of interest corresponding to single responsive PV interneurons. Amplitude, half-width, and rise-time were greater for PV interneurons residing in L2/3 compared to L4. Stimulation in L2/3 elicited responses in both L2/3 and L4 with longer latency compared to stimulation in L4. These differences in latency between layers could influence their windows for temporal integration. Thus, PV interneurons in different cortical layers of BC respond in a layer specific and input specific manner, and these differences have potential roles in cortical computations.
FOPBIE: Multi-image cipher based on the random walk of fleet of pawns on the large hypothetical chessboard and chaotic system
Authors: Akram Muhammad , Ali Shahzad , Alqahtani Jarallah , Iqbal Nadeem , Alqahtani Ali , Ikram Atif
Published: June 2024

In the last two decades or so, a large number of image ciphers have been written. The majority of these ciphers encrypt only one image at a time. Few image ciphers were written which could encrypt multiple images in one session. The current era needs speedy multiple image ciphers to address its varied needs in different settings. Motivated by this dictation, the current study has ventured to write a multi-image cipher based on the fleet of pawns walking in the large hypothetical chessboard. This walk of pawns on the chessboard has been ingeniously linked with transferring the pixels from the plain image to the scrambled image. The confusion effects have been realized through the XOR operation between the scrambled image and the key image. The plaintext sensitivity has been incorporated by embedding the SHA-384 hash codes of the given large combined plain image. Moreover, the Henon map has been employed to spawn the streams of random numbers. Besides, Blum Blum Shub random number generator has been used to further cement the security of the proposed cipher. We got a computational time of 0.2278 seconds and an encryption throughput of 5.5782 MBit/seconds by using the four images with a size of 256×256. Apart from that, the information entropy gained is 7.9993. Lastly, the cipher has been subjected to an array of validation metrics to demonstrate its aversion to the myriad threats from the cryptanalysis savvy. We contend that the proposed work has great potential for some real-world applications.
Statins, metformin, and RAS inhibitors did not reduce variceal bleeding risk and mortality in a large, real-life cohort of patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Pfisterer Nikolaus , Schwarz Michael , Schwarz Caroline , Putre Florian , Ritt Lukas , Riedl Florian , Hartl Lukas , Jachs Mathias , Mandorfer Mattias , Madl Christian , Trauner Michael , Reiberger Thomas
Published: June 2024

Background

Previous experimental and clinical studies suggested a beneficial effect of statins, metformin, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (RASi) on portal hypertension. Still, their effects on hard cirrhosis-related clinical endpoints, such as variceal bleeding and bleeding-related mortality, remain to be investigated.

Methods

Thus, we recorded the use of statins, metformin and RASi in a large cohort of cirrhotic patients undergoing endoscopic band ligation (EBL) for primary (PP, n = 440) and secondary bleeding prophylaxis (SP, n = 480) between 01/2000 and 05/2020. Variceal (re-) bleeding and survival rates were compared between patients with vs. without these co-medications.

Results

A total of 920 cirrhotic patients with varices were included. At first EBL, median MELD was 13 and 515 (56%) patients showed ascites. Statins, metformin and RASi were used by 49 (5.3%), 74 (8%), and 91 (9.9%) patients, respectively. MELD and platelet counts were similar in patients with and without the co-medications of interest. Rates of first variceal bleeding and variceal rebleeding at 2 years were 5.2% and 11.7%, respectively. Neither of the co-medications were associated with decreased first bleeding rates (log-rank tests in PP: statins p = 0.813, metformin p = 0.862, RASi p = 0.919) nor rebleeding rates (log-rank tests in SP: statin p = 0.113, metformin p = 0.348, RASi p = 0.273). Similar mortality rates were documented in patients with and without co-medications for PP (log-rank tests: statins p = 0.630, metformin p = 0.591, RASi p = 0.064) and for SP (statins p = 0.720, metformin p = 0.584, RASi p = 0.118).

Conclusion

In clinical practice, variceal bleeding and mortality rates of cirrhotic patients were not reduced by co-medication with statins, metformin or RASi. Nevertheless, we recommend the use of these co-medications by indication, as they may still exert beneficial effects on non-bleeding complications in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Predicting the daily number of patients for allergic diseases using PM10 concentration based on spatiotemporal graph convolutional networks
Authors: Jeon Hyeon-Ju , Jeon Hyeon-Jin , Jeon Seung Ho
Published: June 2024

Air pollution causes and exacerbates allergic diseases including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Precise prediction of the number of patients afflicted with these diseases and analysis of the environmental conditions that contribute to disease outbreaks play crucial roles in the effective management of hospital services. Therefore, this study aims to predict the daily number of patients with these allergic diseases and determine the impact of particulate matter (PM10) on each disease. To analyze the spatiotemporal correlations between allergic diseases (asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis) and PM10 concentrations, we propose a multi-variable spatiotemporal graph convolutional network (MST-GCN)-based disease prediction model. Data on the number of patients were collected from the National Health Insurance Service from January 2013 to December 2017, and the PM10 data were collected from Airkorea during the same period. As a result, the proposed disease prediction model showed higher performance (R2 0.87) than the other deep-learning baseline methods. The synergic effect of spatial and temporal analyses improved the prediction performance of the number of patients. The prediction accuracies for allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis achieved R2 scores of 0.96, 0.92, and 0.86, respectively. In the ablation study of environmental factors, PM10 improved the prediction accuracy by 10.13%, based on the R2 score.
Factors associated with the intention to use maternity waiting homes among pregnant women in North Ethiopia
Authors: Gebreslasie Kahsay Zenebe , Beyene Abrahaley Welay , Dewey Rebecca Susan , Gebrehawerya Tewelde
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Maternity waiting homes are residential facilities, located near a qualified healthcare facility, where pregnant women can await their delivery and be transferred to a nearby healthcare facility shortly before delivery, or earlier if complications arise. Although evidence has shown that maternity waiting homes reduce maternal and neonatal mortality, there is limited information about factors associated with the intention to use maternity waiting homes in the study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify factors associated with intention to use maternity waiting homes among pregnant women.

Methods

The study used a community-based cross-sectional study design. Simple random sampling was used to select 399 pregnant women. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered pre-tested structured questionnaire.A binary and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.

Result

Two hundred and eighty (70.2%) women indicated they intended to use a maternity waiting home during their current pregnancy. Participants’ educational status, having experienced a previous institutional delivery, the affordability of food while staying at the maternity waiting home, placing a burden on their attendant, having children in the household who can be cared for by the community or family during the woman’s absence, and having household chores covered by their family/community were the factors associated with the intention to use a maternity waiting home.

Conclusion

Relatively few respondents intended to use maternity waiting homes. Empowering women and giving them agency by ensuring their needs are met are important measures necessary to increase the use of maternity waiting homes.
Advancing surgical instrument safety: A screen of oxidative and alkaline prion decontaminants using real-time quaking-induced conversion with prion-coated steel beads as surgical instrument mimetic
Authors: Heinzer Daniel , Avar Merve , Pfammatter Manuela , Moos Rita , Schwarz Petra , Buhmann Matthias T. , Kuhn Benjamin , Mauerhofer Stefan , Rosenberg Urs , Aguzzi Adriano , Hornemann Simone
Published: June 2024

Iatrogenic transmission of prions, the infectious agents of fatal Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, through inefficiently decontaminated medical instruments remains a critical issue. Harsh chemical treatments are effective, but not suited for routine reprocessing of reusable surgical instruments in medical cleaning and disinfection processes due to material incompatibilities. The identification of mild detergents with activity against prions is therefore of high interest but laborious due to the low throughput of traditional assays measuring prion infectivity. Here, we report the establishment of TESSA (sTainlESs steel-bead Seed Amplification assay), a modified real-time quaking induced cyclic amplification (RT-QuIC) assay that explores the propagation activity of prions with stainless steel beads. TESSA was applied for the screening of about 70 different commercially available and novel formulations and conditions for their prion inactivation efficacy. One hypochlorite-based formulation, two commercially available alkaline formulations and a manual alkaline pre-cleaner were found to be highly effective in inactivating prions under conditions simulating automated washer-disinfector cleaning processes. The efficacy of these formulations was confirmed in vivo in a murine prion infectivity bioassay, yielding a reduction of the prion titer for bead surface adsorbed prions below detectability. Our data suggest that TESSA represents an effective method for a rapid screening of prion-inactivating detergents, and that alkaline and oxidative formulations are promising in reducing the risk of potential iatrogenic prion transmission through insufficiently decontaminated instrument surfaces.
Book-Sharing for Toddlers with Clefts (BOOST): Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a remote intervention to promote language development in children with cleft palate
Authors: Collett Brent R. , Gallagher Emily R. , Johns Alexis L. , Trevino Cindy O. , Leroux Brian G. , Shic Frederick , Crerand Canice E. , Baylis Adriane L. , Cummings Caitlin A. , Santillan Lupita
Published: June 2024

Background

Children with cleft palate, with or without cleft lip (CP±L), exhibit language delays on average compared to children without clefts. Interventions to address these disparities are scarce. In this multi-center study, Book Sharing for Toddlers with Clefts (BOOST), we will test a remote, parent-focused intervention to promote language development in children with CP±L.

Objectives

The study will test two primary hypotheses. First, toddlers randomized to BOOST will exhibit better language outcomes than children receiving standard-of-care (SOC). Second, we hypothesize that the BOOST program’s effect on language outcomes is mediated by the frequency and quality of parent-child reading interactions.

Methods

The study is a randomized-controlled trial comparing the BOOST group to a SOC comparison group. We will enroll N = 320 English and/or Spanish-speaking children ages 24–32 months with isolated CP±L (n = 160 per group). Both groups will receive children’s books, and parents will record and upload videos of themselves reading the books with their children using a smartphone app developed for the study. Parents will also complete surveys asking whether they read to their children on five randomly selected days each week. In addition, the BOOST group will participate in 3 remote dialogic book-sharing intervention sessions via Zoom. We will code book-sharing videos to assess parents’ target skill usage and children’s expressive language. End-of-study assessments will include measures of child language outcomes (e.g., clinician-administered measures, parent reports, and naturalistic child language samples).

Results

Enrollment began in April 2024 and will continue through approximately April 2028.

Conclusion

The BOOST study will address a critical gap in the literature on interventions to improve language in children with CP±L. The results will inform the care for toddlers with oral clefts and have potential applications for other populations.
Joint association of genetic risk and accelerometer-measured physical activity with incident coronary artery disease in the UK biobank cohort
Authors: Schell Robert C. , Dow William H. , Fernald Lia C. H. , Bradshaw Patrick T. , Rehkopf David H.
Published: June 2024

Previous research demonstrates the joint association of self-reported physical activity and genotype with coronary artery disease. However, an existing research gap is whether accelerometer-measured overall physical activity or physical activity intensity can offset genetic predisposition to coronary artery disease. This study explores the independent and joint associations of accelerometer-measured physical activity and genetic predisposition with incident coronary artery disease. Incident coronary artery disease based on hospital inpatient records and death register data serves as the outcome of this study. Polygenic risk score and overall physical activity, measured as Euclidean Norm Minus One, and intensity, measured as minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), are examined both linearly and by decile. The UK Biobank population-based cohort recruited over 500,000 individuals aged 40 to 69 between 2006 and 2010, with 103,712 volunteers participating in a weeklong wrist-worn accelerometer study from 2013 to 2015. Individuals of White British ancestry (n = 65,079) meeting the genotyping and accelerometer-based inclusion criteria and with no missing covariates were included in the analytic sample. In the sample of 65,079 individuals, the mean (SD) age was 62.51 (7.76) and 61% were female. During a median follow-up of 6.8 years, 1,382 cases of coronary artery disease developed. At the same genetic risk, physical activity intensity had a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.41 (95% CI: 0.29–0.60) at the 90th compared to 10th percentile, equivalent to 31.68 and 120.96 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day, respectively, versus an HR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52–0.72) for overall physical activity. The combination of high genetic risk and low physical activity intensity showed the greatest risk, with an individual at the 10th percentile of genetic risk and 90th percentile of intensity facing an HR of 0.14 (95% CI: 0.09–0.21) compared to an individual at the 90th percentile of genetic risk and 10th percentile of intensity. Physical activity, especially physical activity intensity, is associated with an attenuation of some of the risk of coronary artery disease but this pattern does not vary by genetic risk. This accelerometer-based study provides the clearest evidence to date regarding the joint influence of genetics, overall physical activity, and physical activity intensity on coronary artery disease.
Prevalence characteristics of cervical human papillomavirus infection in Chengdu and Aba District, Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Xu Min , Zhou Hua , Li Yahui , Ma Jichun , Zhu Xuan , He Weijun
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The genotype distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection varies greatly in different regions. This study aims to determine the prevalence and type-specific distribution of HPV among females from Chengdu and Aba in Sichuan Province, which differ in geographical location, economic status, and living habits. These can serve as evidence of epidemic patterns for future design and implementation of vaccination and screening programs.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 144 113 women who underwent cervical screening at Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital from January 2015 to September 2020. Meanwhile, 1799 samples from February 2018 to December 2021 were collected from Aba Maternal and Child Health Hospital. HPV DNA genotype testing was performed using real‐time PCR. The overall prevalence, annual trend, age-specific prevalence, and type distribution were analyzed.

Results

The overall HPV prevalence was 22.51% in Chengdu. During 2015–2020, the highest prevalence rate was observed in 2018. Age-specific HPV distribution displayed a bimodal distribution among women aged ≤25 or ≥46 years old. The top three prevalent genotypes were HPV52, -16, and -58. Although the total prevalence of HPV in Aba was 14.23%, there was an upward trend from 2018 to 2021. However, no significant differences were identified in HPV infection rate across all age groups. HPV52, -53, and -16 were the major genotypes. Furthermore, single-type HPV infections and high-risk HPV infections were identified as the most common infection types in both regions.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate the overall prevalence of HPV was still high in Chengdu and Aba. The age-specific prevalence distribution demonstrated different patterns. Non-vaccine-covered HR-HPV53, -51and LR-HPV81, -CP8304 were frequently detected, which was worth significant clinical attention. In summary, regional HPV screening provides valuable clinical guidance for cervical cancer prevention and vaccine selection in Western China.
Double burden of malnutrition among women of reproductive age: Trends and determinants over the last 15 years in India
Authors: Prithishkumar Ivan James , Sappani Marimuthu , Ranjan Varsha , Garg Chhavi , Mani Thenmozhi , Babu Malavika , Joy Melvin , Rao Bhawna , Asirvatham Edwin Sam , Lakshmanan Jeyaseelan
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Double burden of malnutrition (DBM) has been recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an emerging Global Syndemic characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of both undernutrition and overnutrition. Women of the reproductive age group (15 to 49 years) are disproportionately affected by DBM and are at high risk of continuing the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. This study aims to assess the changing trends and determinants of DBM among women of the reproductive age group in India.

Materials and methods

We used data from three rounds of National Family Health Surveys (NFHS-3,4,5) conducted in years 2005–06, 2015–16, and 2019–2021. Descriptive statistics and Poisson regression analysis were done using weights with log link function.

Results

The prevalence of anaemia, underweight and overweight/obesity was 57.2%, 18.6% and 24% respectively. The combined burden of underweight and anaemia has declined by 46% (21.6% to 11.7%), whereas the combined burden of overweight/obesity and anaemia has increased by 130% (5.4% to 12.4%) in the past 15 years. The prevalence of DBM, which includes both underweight and overweight/obesity with anaemia was 24.1% in 2021, a decline of 11% in 15 years. Women who were younger, rural, less educated, poor and middle class, and women living in the eastern, western and southern regions of India had higher risk for being underweight with anaemia and lower risk for developing overweight/obesity with anaemia.

Conclusion

The significant decrease in underweight yet enormous increase in overweight/obesity over the past 15 years with the persistence of anaemia in both ends of the nutritional spectrum is characteristic of the new nutritional reality emphasizing the need to address malnutrition in all its forms. It is critical to consider geography and a population specific, double-duty targeted intervention to holistically address the risk factors associated with DBM and accomplish India’s commitment to the global agenda of Sustainable Development Goals-2030.
Multi-level determinants of land use land cover change in Tigray, Ethiopia: A mixed-effects approach using socioeconomic panel and satellite data
Authors: Habtie Tadele Tafese , Teferi Ermias , Guta Fantu
Published: June 2024

This study examined land use land cover change and its determinants in Tigray, Ethiopia and its livelihood zones. We used socioeconomic panel, and satellite data, and applied a mixed-effects model to analyse the factors influencing land allocation among different uses, and transition matrix to analyse land cover dynamics. The results revealed that; land use choices were influenced by plot level factors (such as plot elevation, distance, soil type and quality, and land tenure), household characteristics (such as education, dependency ratio, plot size and number owned, income, livestock and asset, perception of climate change, and access to market and main road), and community level factors (precipitation, product price, population density and livelihood zone variations). Transition matrix analysis showed that between 1986 and 2016, 12.8% of forest was converted to bare land, 6.26% bare land was converted to pasture, and 5.84% of cropland was converted to forest. However, net deforestation occurred in most of the livelihood zones. Therefore, local communities faced environmental and socio-economic challenges from capital constraints induced land fallowing, land fragmentation, and unmanaged land cover change. The study recommended sustainable land use planning and management, market linkages, improved access to roads, forestry subsidies, land tenure security, and land consolidation programs.
Effect of implementing of the IDEAL discharge model on satisfaction of patient referred to trauma emergency department
Authors: Moradi Rekabdar Kalaiee Zahra , Ghafouri Raziyeh , Zandi Mitra , Nasiri Malihe
Published: June 2024

Background

Patient education at the time of discharge is one of the most important challenges in the emergency department. This study aimed to evaluate the Effect of implementing the IDEAL, or integrated discharge model, on the satisfaction of patients referred to the trauma emergency department.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on the patients referred to the trauma emergency department of Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran. Eighty-six patients were recruited from January 20, 2023, until July 30, 2023. In the intervention group, the educational content was taught using the IDEAL (Inclusion, Discussion, Education, Assessment, Listening) or integrated discharge model, and in the control group, it was taught using the emergency department routine method. The satisfaction questionnaire of the emergency department was completed before and after the education in both groups and compared between the two groups. The data were analyzed by using SPSS (version 20) software.

Results

The results showed that out of the 86 participating patients, 52 (60.5%) were male and 34 (39.5%), with a mean (Standard Deviation) of 39.14 (10.89) years old. Demographic characteristics were homogeneous between the two groups (P > 0.05). The mean (standard deviation) of satisfaction of the participants after education, totally was 63.56 (16.21), in the intervention group it was 77.37 (7.95), and in the Control group it was 49.74 (8.84). The mean (SD) participants satisfaction on arrival at the emergency department in the intervention group was 19.16 (2.75) and in the control group was 13.51 (2.51), during hospitalization in the intervention group was 10.72 (1.77) and in the Control group 6.74 (1.81), discharge time in the intervention group 14.51 (2.93) and in the control group 2.93 (2.04), Overall satisfaction with nursing care in intervention group 13.85 (2.46) and in the control group 8.46 (2.41), Overall satisfaction with medical procedures in the intervention group 12.81 (2.73) and in the control group 8.58 (3.20) and Overall patient satisfaction in the intervention group 2.27 (1.81) and 41.4 (1.66) in the control group. An independent T-test was used to compare satisfaction and its dimensions in two groups, and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01).

Conclusion

The study results showed a statistically significant difference in the satisfaction in the intervention and control groups, so it can be concluded that conducting the integrated discharge model is effective in increasing the satisfaction of trauma patients. Therefore, it is recommended to use this educational method to increase patient satisfaction and decrease readmission rates.
Correlative ecological niche model applications to predicting landscape-scale woody plant encroachment in Kansas tallgrass prairie systems
Authors: Peterson A. Townsend , Yao Yuan , Cobos Marlon E. , Xiao Xiangming
Published: June 2024

Woody plant encroachment (WPE) in grassland ecosystems has been a pervasive process across the Great Plains, yet a predictive understanding of where it will occur has been elusive. As an exploration of tools of potential utility in this challenge, we mapped WPE processes over the years 2015–2021 in a set of 9 counties in central Kansas. We developed and tested two correlative models based on landscape features: one that assessed distribution of evergreen trees in 2015, and another that assessed areas of WPE in succeeding years. Both models were successful, being able to predict 2015 forest distributions and being able to predict WPE during 2015–2021, as functions of characteristics of landscapes. These simple, correlative models will certainly not be able to predict WPE processes globally, or even regionally, but provide first proof-of-concept explorations for the central Great Plains region.
‘Magic cosmetic fillers’: Appearance-enhancement effects on self–face recognition
Authors: Cazzato Valentina , Ellis Charlotte , Makris Stergios
Published: June 2024

People naturally exhibit a self-serving bias which can be observed in their tendency to judge their own physical attractiveness more favourably than that of others. Despite this positive self-perception, minimally invasive cosmetic injectable procedures for facial rejuvenation and enhancement are becoming increasingly common. It remains unclear, however, whether recognizing an altered version of one’s own face, enhanced cosmetically, correlates with a positive view of cosmetic surgery and excessive preoccupations about physical characteristics perceived as defects (body dysmorphic concerns). In this study, 30 healthy female participants, aged 18–24 years (Mage = 21.1 years, SD = 1.6), engaged in a face recognition task during which their faces were digitally morphed with that of gender-matched unfamiliar women who had undergone cosmetic enhancements, specifically lip and cheek fillers. The duration of exposure to these modified faces varied with short (500 msec) and long (2000 msec) viewing periods. Participants were asked to identify whether the digital morphs represented themselves or the other woman. Self-reports regarding acceptance of cosmetic surgery and dysmorphic concerns were collected. Participants PSE indicated a tendency towards self-bias under short presentation times, shifting towards the other as presentation times lengthened. Interestingly, this effect was associated with greater acceptance of cosmetic surgery and higher body dysmorphic concerns. This study underscores the importance of understanding how perceptions of others’ physical appearances can influence self-recognition and attitudes towards cosmetic surgery, which may have both positive and potentially harmful implications.
Younger audience perceptions of journalists on social media
Authors: Fisher Caroline , McGuinness Kieran , Park Sora , Lee Jee Young
Published: June 2024

Impartiality has been a core ideal of traditional journalism, and one that audiences say they want the news media to uphold. However, generational shifts in news consumption and attitudes towards news, combined with evolving media technologies, are changing audience expectations around the traditional separation of impartial news from opinion. Drawing on the Digital News Report: Australia 2022, this article finds audiences generally prefer journalists to stick to reporting while on social media and refrain from expressing their opinions. However, there are significant differences based on age, education, political orientation, news motivation and if they pay for news. The data shows that under 35s, well-educated, left leaning and paying news consumers are the most supportive of journalists expressing their personal views while on social media. Through the lens of Expectancy Violation Theory this article highlights the impact of growing up with digital technologies on audience expectations of normative journalistic practice and the tensions this creates for the news industry which is facing ongoing economic pressures.
Caught in a cycle: Agenda-building practices of journalists and sources in spinal cord injury news media coverage
Authors: Rees Leanne , Sherwood Merryn , Shields Nora
Published: June 2024

Media coverage of spinal cord injury (SCI) is usually framed as a tragedy or inspiration. This has a negative impact on people with SCI. To understand why these frames persist, this study conducted qualitative interviews with journalists and sources to explore factors that influence media coverage of SCI. Using media agenda-building theory, study findings suggest journalists and sources involved in SCI news media rely on the same traditional news values and routinized newswork practices. Access to people with SCI is valued by journalists, however, facilitated by sources who have their own organizational motives. Some sources opt to bypass mass media altogether. This cycle of media agenda-building practices feeds into engrained traditional news values and potentially prevents progressive stories from being told.
The Journalist’s Predicament: Difficult Choices in a Declining Profession, Matthew Powers and Sandra Vera-Zambrano (2023)
Authors: Giotis Chrisanthi
Published: June 2024

Review of: The Journalist’s Predicament: Difficult Choices in a Declining Profession, Matthew Powers and Sandra Vera-Zambrano (2023)

New York: Columbia University Press, 320 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-23120-791-1, p/bk, USD 35

ISBN 978-0-23120-790-4, h/bk, USD 140

ISBN 978-0-23155-717-7, e-book, USD 34.99
Constructive Journalism: Precedents, Principles and Practices, Peter Bro (2024)
Authors: Sparrow Jeff
Published: June 2024

Review of: Constructive Journalism: Precedents, Principles and Practices, Peter Bro (2024)

Routledge: Focus Books, 108 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-03251-609-7, h/bk, AUD 77.25

ISBN 978-1-00340-309-8, e-book, AUD 26.99
Violence against Women in the Global South: Reporting in the #MeToo Era, Andrea Jean Baker, Celeste González de Bustamante and Jeannine E. Relly (eds) (2023)
Authors: Gleave Josie
Published: June 2024

Review of: Violence against Women in the Global South: Reporting in the #MeToo Era, Andrea Jean Baker, Celeste González de Bustamante and Jeannine E. Relly (eds) (2023)

Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 259 pp.,

ISBN 978-3-03130-910-6, h/bk, EUR 129.99

ISBN 978-3-03130-911-3, e-book, EUR 106.99
New way to travel: Travel Live Streaming
Authors: Fan Mo , Raffay-Danyi Ágnes
Published: June 2024

Recent research highlights the vulnerability of tourism to external factors, such as rampant viruses, a volatile world situation, and an environment threatened by human activity. The emergence of Travel Live Streaming (TLS) not only offers a new way to spend time in people’s daily lives, but it also seems to offer a new way to alleviate problems. Academic interest in this industry is growing, although literature on this topic is currently limited, and does not offer meaningful advice to those involved in TLS. The purpose of this study is to evaluate Chinese viewers’ opinions and attitudes regarding live tourism, and, based on the results to offer guidance for sponsors and live streamers from other nations who already use or plan to use TLS. The study employed a questionnaire, and correlation analysis was used for the assessment of the results. Further, semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain deeper insight into the topic. The study proved the relationship between the Real-time interaction experience and viewers’ impressions of the product/service in TLS, as well as the relationship between the quality of the TLS and viewers’ decisions. Viewers shared their own attitudes towards the over-promotion of product/service in TLS during the interviews.
Létezik egységes vállalkozói gondolkodásmód? – Reflexiók egy komplex értékelméleti megközelítés alapján
Authors: Grünhut Zoltán , Bodor Ákos , Komlósi Éva , Schepp Zoltán
Published: June 2024

A tanulmány a vállalkozáskutatás azon irányzatához kapcsolódik, amely a vállalkozóra mint egyéni tulajdonságokkal bíró ágensre koncentrál. Az írás áttekinti e megközelítés legfontosabb elméleteit, majd azok mondanivalóját a Shalom H. Schwartz nevéhez köthető értékkoncepcióhoz kapcsolja, amely – bizonyos korlátokkal – egymagában képes reflektálni az előbbiek tartalmára. A schwartzi koncepciót használva a tanulmány bemutatja, hogy a vállalkozóiság szempontjából fontos egyéni személyiségjegyek milyen értékválasztásokkal állnak összefüggésben. Az European Social Survey adatbázisára támaszkodva az empirikus rész négy sajátos vállalkozói gondolkodásmódot azonosít be az európai vállalkozók körében.
Contratos administrativos:
Authors: Gonçalves Jonas Rodrigo , Batista Yuri Costa
Published: June 2024

O tema do artigo é Contratos Administrativos: cláusulas exorbitantes e sua relação com o princípio da supremacia do interesse público. Investigou-se o problema: nos contratos administrativos, as cláusulas exorbitantes posicionam o Poder Público em grau superior ao do contratado? A hipótese confirmou o questionamento. O objetivo geral é analisar se as referidas cláusulas tratam o Poder Público e o contratado distintamente. São objetivos específicos: conceituar contratos administrativos e estudar suas bases normativas; discorrer sobre suas características; e apresentar as cláusulas exorbitantes. O presente estudo é relevante em muitas áreas: para o Direito, porque importa entender as prerrogativas estatais; para a Ciência, por ser uma discussão necessária; para a sociedade, em razão de influenciar direta ou indiretamente a vida das pessoas. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa com duração média de 6 (seis) meses.
Os movimentos indígenas na Abya Yala:
Authors: Costa César Augusto , Xavier Fernanda Ollé
Published: June 2024

Este artigo tem por objetivo evidenciar os movimentos indígenas a partir do marco histórico e societário no Brasil, e por isto, inscritos no rol das suas minorias identitárias ao qual possuem uma relação vital com o território onde vivem, estabelecendo com ele territorialidades fundamentais. Para tanto alcançar esse fim, realizamos uma pesquisa bibliográfica, mediante uma abordagem social crítica à luz de autores/as como Enrique Dussel, Ivone Lixa e Débora Ferrazo, Carlos Walter Porto-Gonçalves, Anibal Quijano,  Sáskia Sassen entre outros/as, e das Constituições Federais do Brasil (1988), da Bolívia (2009) e do Equador (2008), respectivamente. As temáticas debatidas permeiam os direitos humanos e a territorialidade dos povos indígenas das Américas, sob um contexto de violências e atos de exclusão operados pelo sistema-mundo moderno-colonial por intermédio de um Estado orientado por essa matriz colonial eurocêntrica. O texto promoveu reflexões no sentido da necessidade de uma crítica latino-americana acerca do Estado brasileiro, ao qual julgamos necessário firmarmos no reconhecimento da autonomia indígena e dos direitos da natureza, dentre outros, como direitos a garantir a estes povos o exercício de suas territorialidades ao encontro de suas identidades étnicas.
Contribution of Land Use Change and Land Cover to Climate Change Coastal Areas and Their Impacts: Evidence in Jayapura City, Papua Province, Indonesia
Authors: Pamungkas Guntur Bagus , Andriani Vida
Published: June 2024

This study aims to analyze land use and land cover change (LULCC) that affects climate change, especially in the coastal areas of Jayapura City as well as disaster mitigation strategies for vulnerabilities caused in the future. The method used is descriptive quantitative by identifying land use change with the spatio-temporal remote sensing method using the gaussian mixture model in the dzetsaka plugin in QGIS 3.22.4 software and strategies for handling climate change vulnerabilities in the coastal areas of Jayapura City. The geospatial process is carried out for socio-environmental aspects that apply that in the Jayapura city area experienced a significant decrease in vegetation ranging from 67.28% or an area of 29,875,904 ha. This shows the category as a deforestation area that is prone to the impacts of coastal climate change in Jayapura City. In such vulnerabilities it is necessary to take preventive measures such as reforestation or even greening that serve for proper and continuous monitoring. As in this coastal area, it is hoped that it will always have a maintained ecosystem balance to realize local environmental sustainability in the future.
Water Purification Using SPZ and SPA Filter Media to Improve the Water Quality of Sekar Lepen Keprabon River
Authors: Agustin Herlina Noor , Sunarto Sunarto , Matin Hashfi Hawali Abdul
Published: June 2024

The Sekar Lepen Keprabon River is one of the tributaries polluted by domestic waste. This study aims to determine the water quality of the Sekar Lepen Keprabon River before and after filtering using SPZ (coconut fiber, banana fronds, zeolite stone) and SPA (coconut fiber, banana fronds, coconut shell charcoal) filter media. This experiment uses SPZ and SPA filter media to purify water that is applied directly to the river. The methods used were primary and secondary data collection. The data obtained were analyzed using a descriptive quantitative approach and the effectiveness of each parameter was calculated. The results of this study indicate that the water quality before and after filtering with SPZ filter media obtained a fixed temperature value, pH increased, COD and TSS increased, and TDS decreased. Water quality before and after going through the SPA filter media obtained a fixed value in temperature, pH increased, COD and TSS decreased, and TDS increased. SPZ filter media in the water filtration process is more effective in increasing pH parameters and reducing TDS parameters in river water. In contrast, SPA filter media in the water filtration process is more effective in reducing COD and TSS parameters in river water.
Incorporating Inhibition Effects and Hydrolysis Biokinetics into the Mathematical Model of Anaerobic Fermentation
Authors: Kurniawan Allen , Wirasembada Yanuar Chandra , Sibag Mark L. , Erizal Erizal , Arif Chusnul
Published: June 2024

Anaerobic digestion is a well-known biological treatment process. It uses less energy, consumes fewer nutrients, converts organic pollutants into methane gas, and produces a small quantity of biomass. The interactions among the various microbes in this complex biological system need to be better understood, and as a consequence, mathematical models need to be revised. This review discusses the principles of biokinetic models published in the literature on anaerobic fermentation as part of the anaerobic digestion process for waste-activated sludge. Biokinetic models for anaerobic fermentation have been developed to predict cell growth, substrate consumption, and gas production. This exploration delves into the incorporation of the hydrolysis stage, a multi-step process entailing the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids within existing biokinetic models. Because there is no single analytical method for accurately determining the biokinetics of anaerobic fermentation of waste-activated sludge incorporating hydrolysis parameters and inhibition effects are proposed to improve the estimated trends of process variables as a function of the design variables.
Biochar-Based Subsurface-Flow Wetland from Crumb Rubber Scrap in Treatment of Landfill Leachate
Authors: Riyanti Anggrika , Hadrah Hadrah , Kasman Monik , Ramadan Bimastyaji Surya , Saputra Iwan , Fitri Riska Rahmah Dani
Published: June 2024

Leachate resulting from the decomposition of organic waste is still a challenging problem, especially in landfill management.  Constructed wetlands (CW) are effective, economical, and environmentally friendly options to treat landfill leachate. Biochar added into CW as a pollutant adsorbent in leachate treatment.  This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of sub-surface flow CW amended with biochar in reducing leachate pollutants. Biochar was synthesized from crumb rubber scrap waste using pyrolysis. The variation biochar in CW i.e. CW0 without biochar as a control system, CW1 10% biochar, CW2 20% biochar, and CW3 30% biochar.  Leachate samples flowed into each CW reactor for 10 days of retention time.  The scanning electron showed that the biochar pores ranged from 5-10 կm, containing elements of C, O, Ca, N, Mg, Al, Si, and Fe.  Some elements have greater cumulative mass and atomic percentage values i.e. C 34.51%, O 26.54%, and Ca 21.85%.  The result of CW treatment showed that the CW system was able to remove 76-88% BOD5, 70-87% COD, and 67-81% TSS.  The addition of biochar in CW increased pollutant removal by 7-14%, showing that biochar is able to increase pollutant adsorption in wastewater and improve CW performance. Furthermore, converting organic waste into biochar is highly recommended as a sustainable way to generate useful resources.