bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High mechanical thrombectomy procedural volume is not a reliable predictor of improved thrombectomy outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke in the United States
Authors: Qureshi Adnan I , Maqsood Hamza , Ford Daniel E , Gomez Camilo R , Hanley Daniel F , Hassan Ameer E , Nguyen Thanh N , Siddiq Farhan , Spiotta Alejandro M , Zaidi Syed F , Kwok Chun Shing
Published: November 2024

Background

The volume of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) performed at hospitals is used as one of the criteria for advanced-level designation for stroke care.

Objective

Our study sought to determine the relationship between annual MT procedural volume and in-hospital outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing MT in the United States.

Methods

We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample from 2016 to 2020. The hospitals were grouped into quartiles based on the volume of MT procedures performed within the calendar year. We compared the rates of routine discharge/home health care; in-hospital mortality, and post-treatment intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) between the quartiles after adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Patients undergoing MT ranged from 15,395 in quartile 1 to 78,510 MT in quartile 4. There were lower rates of discharge home/self-care of 22.5%, 20.8%, and 20.8% for quartiles 2, 3, and 4, respectively, compared with 34.9% in quartile 1. The odds of ICH increased to 1.81 ( p < 0.001), 1.84 ( p < 0.001), and 1.98 ( p < 0.001) among the quartiles from lowest to highest procedural volumes. The odds of home discharge/self-care decreased to 0.66 ( p < 0.001), 0.60 ( p < 0.001), and 0.63 ( p < 0.001) among the quartiles from lowest to highest procedural volumes. The odds of in-hospital mortality increased to 1.92 ( p < 0.001), 1.99 ( p < 0.001), and 1.84 ( p < 0.001) among the quartiles from lowest to highest procedural volumes.

Conclusions

We observed a paradoxical relationship between adverse outcomes and the annual procedural volume of MT at the hospital presumably due to the higher severity of acute ischemic stroke treated at high-volume hospitals.
SCALA: a randomized phase I trial comparing subcutaneous and intravenous alemtuzumab in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Montalban Xavier , Rodriguez-Acevedo Breogan , Nos Carlos , Resina Mireia , Forner Mireia , Wu Yanzhen , Chirieac Magdalena
Published: November 2024

Background:

Alemtuzumab is administered intravenously (IV) for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), with limited studies of subcutaneous (SC) treatment.

Objectives:

We sought to evaluate the pharmacodynamics (PD), pharmacokinetics (PK), and safety profile of SC-administered alemtuzumab in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS).

Design:

SCALA was a phase I, open-label, randomized, parallel-group study with two 12-month periods and a safety monitoring phase to 60 months.

Methods:

Of 29 screened participants, 24 were enrolled and randomized 2:1 to two 12 mg/day alemtuzumab treatments (60 and 36 mg total; SC:IV). Key inclusion criteria: ⩾18 years with a PMS diagnosis. Key exclusion criteria included RRMS diagnosis and prior treatment with anti-CD52 antibodies. Primary endpoint: CD3+ lymphocyte count. Secondary endpoints: PD and PK parameters.

Results:

Demographics were broadly similar for participants in the SC (16) and IV (8) arms; more participants with primary PMS received SC (44%) versus IV (25%) treatment. After the first course, the mean CD3+ cell count/µL was reduced at month 1 in both arms (SC: baseline (BL) 1326 to 48 vs IV: BL 1155 to 84). Lymphocyte counts partially repopulated by month 12, with mean CD3+ cell counts/µL of SC 599 versus IV 528. The mean lymphocyte counts/µL decreased again after the second course at month 13 in both arms (SC: 90 vs IV: 129), with partial repopulation by month 24. Alemtuzumab serum concentrations were lower following SC administration relative to IV, with 32% bioavailability. There were no adverse events leading to permanent treatment discontinuation or death.

Conclusion:

In SCALA, there were similar patterns of lymphocyte depletion and repopulation for participants receiving SC or IV alemtuzumab. In both arms, alemtuzumab had a manageable safety profile, with no emerging safety concerns. The general stabilization of neurological outcomes observed over 60 months underscores the potential long-term benefits of alemtuzumab treatment.

Trial registration:

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02583594.
The efficacy of combination immunotherapy with ipilimumab plus nivolumab in metastatic myxofibrosarcoma
Authors: Kalofonou Foteini , Napolitano Andrea , Benson Charlotte , Miah Aisha , Zaidi Shane , Lindsay Daniel , Thway Khin , Jones Robin L.
Published: November 2024

We present the case of a patient with Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS), a mesenchymal type of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and the response to combination immunotherapy with anti PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy, following disease progression after Standard chemotherapy (SACT) and Radiotherapy (RT). We have shown a timeline of treatment and responses, as well as the overall safety profile and the management of immunotherapy related adverse events. This study demonstrates the potential of checkpoint inhibitors as therapeutic agents in the treatment of MFS.
Subclinical malaria among pregnant women living in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda
Authors: Kibone Winnie , Bongomin Felix , Lebu Sarah , Ochaya Stephen , Nantale Ritah , Okot Jerom , Awekonimungu Byron , Beardsley Rachel , Muoghalu Chimdi , Manga Musa
Published: November 2024

Background:

Malaria during pregnancy contributes to significant perinatal morbidity and mortality, accounting for almost 25% of global maternal mortality. However, the epidemiology and risk factors for subclinical malaria among pregnant women living in refugee settlements is poorly understood.

Objective:

To determine the prevalence and predictors of subclinical malaria among pregnant women in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda.

Design:

We conducted a multi-center, cross-sectional study.

Methods:

The study was conducted between April and June 2023 and involved pregnant women aged 18–45 years attending routine antenatal care (ANC) at three health facilities serving refugee communities in Adjumani district, Uganda. We collected sociodemographic, environmental, maternal, and obstetric factors using a structured questionnaire. Both CareStart Malaria HRP-2/pLDH (Pf/Pan) combo rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and blood smear microscopy with 3% Giemsa staining were simultaneously performed on samples from each patient. Logistic regression analysis identified factors independently associated with subclinical malaria, reported as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results:

We enrolled 304 pregnant women, with a mean age of 25 years. In total, 68.8% ( n = 209) had lived in the settlement for over 12 months, 25.7% ( n = 78) were primigravida, and 1.0% ( n = 3) were living with HIV. Malaria prevalence was 5.3% ( n = 16) by RDT and 3.2% ( n = 10; seven Plasmodium falciparum and three P. malariae) by microscopy. Only 4 (25.0%) of the RDT-positive cases were also positive by microscopy (Cohen’s kappa: 0.278—Fair agreement). All participants were asymptomatic. Factors associated with higher odds of subclinical malaria included primiparity (aOR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.25–6.25, p = 0.013), ⩾4 ANC visits (aOR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.34–4.34, p = 0.003), and residence in the settlement for less than 12 months (aOR: 2.54, 95% CI: 2.0–3.22, p < 0.001). Living in the settlement for over 3 years, being primigravida, and being married were associated with 68%, 50%, and 68% lower odds of subclinical malaria, respectively (aOR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.79, p = 0.014; aOR: 0.50, 95% CI: 1.22–5.52, p = 0.016; aOR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.78, p = 0.012).

Conclusion:

Our study reveals the high prevalence of subclinical malaria among pregnant women in refugee settlements, particularly among primiparous women and recent arrivals. The poor agreement between RDT and microscopy suggests the need for dual screening in asymptomatic pregnant women.
Exploring the feasibility, acceptability, usability and safety of a digitally supported self-management intervention for uncontrolled asthma: A pre-post pilot study in secondary care
Authors: Zijp Anne , Versluis Anke , Joosse Laura , Kind Taco , Rouveroy van Nieuwaal Tess MJ , Wassink-Bergman Chantal , van Veen Ilonka HPAA , Weersink Els JM , Chavannes Niels H , Aardoom Jiska J
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Asthma control is often suboptimal, which is associated with incorrect medication use and poor asthma management by patients. Astmakompas, a digital self-management intervention, comprises a mobile app for patients, a web portal for healthcare professionals (HCP), and a wireless spirometer. Together, these components are intended to facilitate symptom monitoring, patient-HCP communication and assist in asthma-related self-management.

Objective

The pilot study primarily aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, usability and safety of Astmakompas from patient and HCP perspectives, and secondarily to explore potential effects on asthma control, medication use, Quality of Life, self-efficacy and (in)direct costs.

Methods

A mixed-method, multi-center, pre-post study design was conducted in two Dutch hospitals, involving patients with uncontrolled asthma and four HCPs. Primary outcomes were assessed post-intervention using questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Secondary outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention using questionnaires, and post-intervention using in-depth interviews.

Results

In general, the data show that Astmakompas was considered feasible, acceptable, usable and safe by both patients ( n = 14) and HCPs ( n = 4). Furthermore, qualitative data of 11 patients and all HCPs showed the importance of guidance from HCPs and tailoring of Astmakompas to care needs. Astmakompas helped patients recognise symptoms and provided valuable insights into asthma control while being easy to use. Asthma control improved from baseline ( M = 2.1, SD = 1.3) to post-intervention ( M = 1.3, SD = 1.0, t(13) = 2.61; p = .02).

Conclusion

Astmakompas shows promise for further implementation and research. Future randomized studies with longer evaluation periods are crucial to assess the tool's impact on asthma outcomes and workload. It is important that HCPs guide and tailor interventions to meet the patient's individual needs and circumstances.
Ethical considerations of public health surveillance in the age of the internet of things technologies: A perspective
Authors: Hanjahanja-Phiri Thokozani , Lotto Matheus , Oetomo Arlene , Borger Jennifer , Butt Zahid , Morita Plinio Pelegrini
Published: November 2024

In the age of the Internet of Things (IoT), ethical considerations of digitally-led public health surveillance are crucial. However, their application becomes complicated due to an implicit dichotomy of ethical and legal factors. Decision-makers often omit ethical considerations, citing legal ones to justify how public health surveillance is approached and implemented. We propose an analytical framework informed by a further exposition of how influence and power are enacted at the macro, meso, and micro levelscorrelated to a spectrum of ethical practices. We then apply the spectrum of ethical practices to the four use cases of “Healthcare Delivery Using Drones”, “COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada”, “Air Quality and Air Pollution”, and “Heatwaves”. When technology deployment prioritizes efficiency over accessibility, it can exacerbate disparities, especially for individuals with lower socioeconomic status and literacy levels. To mitigate these issues, it is essential to incorporate public deliberation, co-design, and community engagement into decision-making processes. This approach advances the incorporation of diverse perspectives to better frame technology initiatives.
Webtoons, Desperately Seeking Viewers: Interactive Creativity in Social Media Platforms and Cultural Appropriation of Global Media Production
Authors: Yoon Sunny
Published: November 2024

Webtoons optimize interactivity and participation of media users in the world of digital media by consolidating a unique digital culture. This article examines the role of users in interactive media by exploring the case of webtoons in the context of a changing global political economy and cultural dominance. Korean platform monopolies have established a new business model for webtoons and developed it as a center of Korean creative power. While webtoons have increasingly expanded and attracted the global market and the global audience, some persistent social issues remain, including the precarious labor structure, monopolistic power in the industry, and ideological dominance in content. Although webtoon viewers are often recognized as cultural intermediaries and powerful agents for their contributions to interactive creativity, their role has fluctuated according to changing political-economic structures and industrial strategies. In the course of expanding to the global market and to new business areas such as intellectual property (IP), webtoons have evolved in new fashions while disclosing the ambivalent nature of participatory media and digital interactivity. This article elucidates the double faces of interactive creativity focusing on viewers’ participation in webtoon production in the context of changing webtoon industry and growing partnership with global media.
Bot Versus Humans: Who Can Challenge Corporate Hypocrisy on Social Media?
Authors: Armstrong Serena , Neal Caitlin , Tang Rongwei , Rim Hyejoon , Vraga Emily K.
Published: November 2024

Social media offer opportunities for companies to promote their image, but companies online also risk being denounced if their actions do not align with their words. The rise of social media bots amplifies this risk, as it becomes possible to automate such efforts to highlight corporate hypocrisy. Our experimental survey demonstrated that bots and human actors who confront a corporation touting their commitment to equality by calling out organizational pay gaps damage perceptions of the corporation, heighten anger toward them, and ultimately can elicit boycott intentions. These hypocrisy challenges are equally effective when they come from bots and user accounts. Challenges to hypocritical behavior on social media are consequential and require further exploration.
Validation of the Short Form Shoulder Instability Return to Sport After Injury (SIRSI-5) and Its Association With Return to Sports
Authors: Magni Nico , Webster Kate , Olds Margie
Published: November 2024

Background:

Psychosocial readiness is thought to be important in establishing whether athletes are ready to return to sports (RTS). The 5-item Shoulder Instability–Return to Sport After Injury (SIRSI-5) is a short-form version of the 12-item questionnaire (SIRSI-12), which was validated in a postoperative Argentinian population and associated with psychological readiness to RTS. It is unknown if the SIRSI-5 is valid in surgical and nonsurgical populations in other geographic locations.

Purpose:

To establish whether the SIRSI-5 is valid in another population and if it is associated with RTS.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 79 participants with anterior shoulder instability managed operatively and nonoperatively were included. The SIRSI-5 and SIRSI-12 total scores were calculated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Pearson correlations assessed convergent validity between SIRSI-5 and SIRSI-12. Logistic regression was used to assess the discrimination ability (leave-one-out cross-validation [LOOCV]) of a preexisting SIRSI-5 cut point score (≥59/100) to determine participants who had returned to their preinjury level of sport. In addition, the discrimination ability (LOOCV) of multivariable machine learning models including age, sex, time since injury (months), SIRSI-5 (continuous score), surgery, and contact/noncontact sport to predict return to preinjury level sport was also assessed. The Youden index was calculated to assess the models’ performance.

Results:

Of the 79 participants, 62 (78.5%) were male and 27 (34%) had been treated surgically. Only 32% (n = 25) of participants had returned to preinjury level sport. The SIRSI-5 and SIRSI-12 were highly correlated ( r > 0.9) with high levels of agreement (ICC, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.76-0.95). The prediction accuracy of the SIRSI-5 cut point score model was 66% (Youden index, 0; sensitivity, 4%; specificity, 94%). The best prediction accuracy obtained through a machine learning model (multilayer perceptron) was 72% (Youden index, 0.4; sensitivity, 64%; specificity, 76%).

Conclusion:

The SIRSI-5 has excellent convergent validity with the SIRSI-12 to measure psychological readiness to RTS and can be used clinically with less patient burden than the SIRSI-12. However, in a population of surgically and nonsurgically treated contact athletes, the SIRSI-5 with a cut point of ≥59/100 had low levels of prediction accuracy for RTS at preinjury level. The SIRSI-5 should not be utilized in isolation to determine readiness to RTS, and clinicians should consider other factors such as age, type of sport, and time since injury to underpin their clinical reasoning when deciding for RTS.
Relationship Between Stride Mechanics and Shoulder Distraction Force in Collegiate Softball Pitchers
Authors: Oliver Gretchen D. , Yanagita Yuki , Bordelon Nicole M.
Published: November 2024

Background:

Softball pitchers experience high shoulder distraction forces, and increased stride lengths are associated with upper extremity pain. Therefore, it is important to consider the influence of stride mechanics on shoulder distraction force in softball pitchers.

Purpose:

To determine the relationship between stride mechanics and shoulder distraction force in collegiate softball pitchers.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 63 collegiate softball pitchers (age, 20.1 ± 1.3 years; height, 173.3 ± 7.4 cm; weight, 79.7 ± 11.7 kg) were included in this study. Each pitcher threw 3 maximum-effort fastballs for a strike, and kinematic data were collected using an electromagnetic tracking system with a sampling frequency of 100 Hz. A forward regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between stride parameters at foot contact (stride length, stride-foot progression angle, and stride-foot position) and shoulder distraction force.

Results:

Regression analysis revealed a significant and positive relationship between stride length and shoulder distraction force ( R2 = 0.11; F(1, 61) = 7.338; P = .009), where stride length accounted for 11% of the variation in shoulder distraction force. Specifically, shoulder distraction force increased by 0.94 N/kg for every 10% increase in stride length normalized as a percentage of body height.

Conclusion:

A positive relationship was found between stride length and peak shoulder distraction force during the acceleration phase of the softball pitch. Alternatively, no relationship was found between the other stride parameters (stride position and stride-foot progression angle) and shoulder distraction force.

Clinical Relevance:

Coaches should be aware of the potential negative implications of increasing stride length during softball pitching. Although prior research has shown that greater stride length may positively affect performance, this may also increase stress at the shoulder.
Revisiting North-South Disparities in Naming Practices: An Extension and Update
Authors: Castro Torres Andrés Felipe
Published: November 2024

This research note presents evidence of persistent disparities in naming practices in social science research between the global North and South from 1960 to the present. The analysis relied on bibliometric records of 11.9 million articles sourced from the OpenAlex collection. By covering the 1960–2024 period and including six social science and humanities subdisciplines—Economic, Geography, History, Political Sciences, Psychology, and Sociology—this study replicates and expands an existing study that used Scopus data (0.5 million articles). Results show that scientific articles about global North countries and populations are systematically less likely to mention the country name in their titles compared to global South. For example, compared to the US, articles about China are between 1.8 and 2.7 times more likely to include the country name in the title. Significant variations across subdisciplines are observed, with Psychology displaying the lowest localization rates and greatest geographical gaps, and History showing seemingly converging trends over time across geographies. Continued research is needed to warrant diversity and inclusivity in social science research. A country-year dataset with country-mention counts in titles and abstracts is made available.
How different are the differences? A commentary on the paper “Beat-based dancing to music has evolutionary foundations in vocal learning”
Authors: Penhune Virginia B.
Published: November 2024

We propose that while examining homologies and convergences in auditory-motor synchronization between humans and non-human animals is informative, examining differences in behaviour and brain mechanisms can help to better define the boundaries of the phenomena.
Response to commentaries by Schmidt and Kaplan, Penhune, Hickok and Theofanopoulou on “Beat-based dancing to music has evolutionary foundations in advanced vocal learning.”
Authors: Patel Aniruddh D.
Published: November 2024

Each commentary on my article raises important points and new ideas for research on rhythmic processing in humans and other species. Here I respond to points concerning the role of social factors in the ontogeny of beat synchronization, the neural connectivity underlying beat synchronization, the evolution of this connectivity, and the mechanisms by which evolutionary changes in the strength of one white matter tract (driven by natural selection) can have knock-on effects on the structure of an adjacent tract.
Exploring chest wall deformities in childhood and adolescence: insights from a case-control study
Authors: Kılıç Fedli Emre , Küçükkelepçe Osman , Varan Celal , Tanrıverdi Hüseyin , Bakırhan Furkan
Published: November 2024

Background

Chest wall deformities, though relatively uncommon in childhood and adolescence, significantly affect aesthetic perception and can impact cardiac and respiratory function. This study aims to compare individuals with pectus deformities to a healthy control group, shedding light on the condition’s etiology and prognosis.

Method

Conducted as a case-control study between 2020 and 2022, the research included a case group of 71 patients with pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum who were followed up at the Pediatric Cardiology outpatient clinic. The control group consisted of 80 children without chronic diseases. Researchers retrospectively reviewed patient files, recording demographic data, echocardiography findings, and serum levels of calcium, phosphate, vitamin D, and alkaline phosphatase.

Results

Patients with chest wall deformities exhibited significantly lower serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus compared to those without deformities. Males constituted 77% of the case group, with 15.5% exhibiting abnormal echocardiogram results, with mitral valve anomalies being most prevalent.

Conclusion

While pectus deformities may lead to cardiac or respiratory issues, patient concerns often center around aesthetics. Unlike typical studies focused on surgical techniques and postoperative patients, our study focused on all diagnosed patients. Findings emphasize the importance of monitoring calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels in pectus patients to manage surgical risks and facilitate recovery.
Longitudinal policy surveillance of state obesity legislation in California, 1999–2020
Authors: Payán Denise D. , Chan-Golston Alec M. , Garibay Kesia K. , Farias Corbin
Published: November 2024

Background

Obesity rates among children and adults continue to accelerate in the U.S., particularly among marginalized and low-income populations. Obesity prevention and reduction policies can significantly impact population health by improving environmental conditions and increasing access to health-promoting resources. Limited research has been conducted to examine state obesity policy change over time. The primary aim of this study is to examine legislative approaches used to prevent and reduce obesity in the state of California (U.S.).

Methods

We used quantitative policy surveillance methods to develop a state database of obesity-related legislation (bills, resolutions) introduced in California’s legislature between 1999 and 2020. Descriptive statistics were used to examine trends of introduced and enacted policy by legislative and policy characteristics. Chi-square tests were used to determine differences in characteristics between enacted and non-enacted legislation. Legislative session and policy characteristics found to be associated with enactment were used to predict adoption in a logistic regression.

Results

A total of 284 obesity-related bills and resolutions were introduced in California’s legislature between 1999 and 2020 with a peak of 43 in 2005–2006. On average, 25.8 bills and resolutions were introduced each 2-year legislative cycle. Findings indicate that (a) children and schools were the most frequently specified population and setting; (b) the most common policy topics were nutrition (45%) and physical activity (33%); and (c) only 15% of legislation mentioned race/ethnicity. Overall, 24.9% of bills were enacted compared to 82.1% of resolutions adopted. Legislation to raise awareness about obesity had 5.4 times the odds of being passed compared to other topics. Yet this difference was not statistically significant in a sensitivity analysis when we excluded resolutions.

Conclusions

This database can be leveraged to advance our knowledge of effective and equitable policy instruments to prevent and reduce obesity. Results reveal important policy elements that may impact legislative success, including policy topic, and contribute to a nascent evidence base for public health law research, legal epidemiology, and practice. Future work should investigate the role of policy effectiveness research and evidence on legislative policymaking.
Understanding of Health literacy among Healthcare students in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Alqahtani Naji , Bashatah Adel , Asiri Saeed , Syed Wajid , Basil A. Al-Rawi Mahmood
Published: November 2024

Background and objective

Health literacy is the cognitive and social abilities that influence a person’s motivation and capacity to learn, comprehend, and use information to improve and maintain good health. We aimed to investigate Healthcare Students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Health Literacy in the Riyadh Province of Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This study used prevalidated electronic questionnaires among healthcare undergraduates from colleges affiliated with Saudi University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December to April 2024. Healthcare students were asked to answer a self-designed online questionnaire sent to them through social media platforms.

Results

The response rate was 560 out of 600 (93.3%); 293 of the 560 students (52.3%) were aged between 23 and 24 years (mean age was 21.29 SD = 1.852). The mean GPA among the students was 4.31(± 0.682). The average overall score for health literacy among healthcare students was 100.92 ± 11.80. The mean scores for knowledge were 24.17 ± 4.67, attitudes were 38.65 ± 4.20, and practice in health literacy was 38.09 ± 5.09. Among all healthcare students, 50.2% reported good knowledge, 54.1% had good attitudes, and 50.1% exhibited good practices in health literacy. However, students’ knowledge (p = 0.019) and training (p = 0.024) in health literacy were significantly associated with smoking cigarettes. Additionally, smoking shisha was significantly associated with students’ knowledge (p = 0.022), attitudes (p = 0.001), and practices (p = 0.001) in health literacy.

Conclusion

Our study highlights that half of the healthcare students reported limited knowledge, attitude, and practice in health literacy. Age, gender, and course of study did not show significant differences. Rather, students who did not smoke cigarettes or shisha were found to have higher knowledge, attitudes, and practice in health literacy compared to smokers. However, to improve health literacy, additional education and increased awareness are needed. Further investigation is warranted to address the factors related to poor health literacy.
Retention of nickel, cobalt and chromium in skin at conditions mimicking intense hand hygiene practices using water, soap, and hand-disinfectant in vitro
Authors: Vilela Libe , Schenk Linda , Julander Anneli , Midander Klara
Published: November 2024

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, increased hand hygiene practices using water, soap and hand disinfectants, became prevalent, particularly among frontline workers. This study investigates the impact of these practices on the skin’s ability to retain the allergenic metals nickel, cobalt, and chromium. The study constitutes three parts: (I) creating an impaired skin barrier, (II) exposing treated and untreated skin to nickel alone, and (III) in co-exposure with cobalt and chromium.

Methods

Using full-thickness skin from stillborn piglets, in vitro experiments were conducted to assess retention of metals in skin at conditions mimicking intense hand hygiene practices. Treatment of skin with varying concentrations of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), to impair its barrier integrity was assessed. This was followed by exposure of treated and untreated skin to the metals, that were dissolved in Milli-Q water, 0.5% SLS, and ethanol respectively.

Results

Results showed that pre-treatment with 5% SLS impaired the skin barrier with regards to the measure of trans epidermal water loss (TEWL). Metal amounts retained in the skin were generally higher in treated than untreated skin. The highest amounts of metal retained in skin were observed for exposure to nickel in ethanol. Co-exposure to nickel, cobalt, and chromium in 0.5% SLS resulted in the highest amounts of total metal retention.

Conclusions

The in vitro findings highlight the increased risk of metal retention in skin due to an impaired barrier. The SLS concentration used in the current study corresponds to those used in many hand hygiene products. Hence, occupational settings with frequent exposure to water, soap and disinfectants need to consider protective measures not only for the irritant exposures themselves but also simultaneous exposure to allergenic metals.
Pain, quality of life, and integral management in a cohort of patients diagnosed with hypophosphatasia in Colombia
Authors: Rojas Martínez Jorge Armando , Zarante Bahamón Ana María , Salazar Luz Victoria , Morales Andrés Felipe , Higuera Cristancho María Fernanda , Villanueva Congote Juliana , Zarante Montoya Ignacio , Gómez Espitia Lina María
Published: November 2024

Background

Hypophosphatasia (HPP; OMIM 241510, 241500, and 146300) is a progressive metabolic, genetic disease with wide clinical heterogeneity, ranging from perinatal lethality to mild or moderate localized symptoms. This study aims to analyze the perception of pain, quality of life, and access barriers to healthcare among patients diagnosed with hypophosphatasia in Colombia. In this document we present pain and quality of life results.

Methods

This study is an observational cohort of 18 HPP patients registered in the Colombian Association of Patients with Lysosomal Storage Diseases and Other Orphan Diseases (ACOPEL) database. We conducted a descriptive analysis using data from three questionnaires (SF-36, Brief Pain Questionnaire (BPQ), and Hypophosphatasia Impact Patient Survey (HIPS); the latter was translated into Spanish and validated for this study.

Results

The most affected features, according to the SF-36 questionnaire, were overall health, vitality, and pain, with a median score above 67%. Patients' perception of their health status (HIPS questionnaire) was favorable, with 38.9% of cases reporting excellent health. On average, results from the BPQ indicated mild to moderate intensity of current pain experienced by patients. Consistency was observed in the reports of either the absence of pain or the presence of mild to moderate intensity when analyzing the results of the three questionnaires.

Conclusions

Colombian patients with HPP experience mild to moderate impairment in quality of life and pain that interfere with their daily activities. However, there is wide variability in the results obtained.
An innovative approach to post-occupancy evaluation of architectural heritages in the Peking-Mukden railway
Authors: Liu Fuying , Lu Zuliang , Qiang Wei
Published: November 2024

The architectural heritages of the Peking-Mukden Railway has witnessed the industrialization of China. When it no longer serves its original function, finding a new way for reuse becomes a trend. It requires feedback from reused cases to guide decision-making. This article aims to propose an approach to post-occupancy evaluation of architectural heritages in the Peking-Mukden Railway and apply it to real cases for analysis. The evaluation indicator system used here consists of a hierarchical structure, evaluation indicators, and interpretation indicators. Cosine similarity, entropy weight method, and precedence chart method are utilized to determine final weights. The GRA-TOPSIS method is utilized to identify reuse cases that require additional optimization. The conclusions are as follows: 1. The cosine similarity can be introduced to neutralize individual preferences. The entropy weight method can be used to neutralize subjective factors. 2. Based on the analysis of the sensitivity levels, indicators that need to be improved first can be identified. Priority should be given to spatial accessibility and cultural transmission when making adjustments with limited resources. 3. The GRA-TOPSIS evaluation method can be used to rank and find reuse cases that need further optimization.
Proposal for a socially constitutive process of personal recovery in psychiatry
Authors: Muramatsu Hideki
Published: November 2024

This article discusses the importance of personal recovery in psychiatry and proposes a new socially constitutive process. The author, an expert by experience, emphasises that recovery is not only an individual endeavour but also an intersubjective one. Moreover, social relationships and external factors such as community, family, health service culture and social norms influence the recovery process. The socially constitutive process posits that support from professionals and family members is crucial, significantly reducing the burden of responsibility carried by individuals with mental illness.
“In Absolute Control of My Own Grading Destiny”
Authors: O'Meara Katherine Daily
Published: November 2024

This article focuses on student perceptions of their experiences in an ungraded classroom that uses engagement-based grading contracts (EBGCs). The assessment ecology is described in detail, and then the author shares student reflections on their experiences with EBGCs, which were collected in the form of an end-of-semester memo assignment. Comprehensively, students find EBGC use to be a positive and worthwhile assessment experience. While there is a learning curve involved, students appreciate the real-life approach to both labor and engagement on writing tasks, the amount of agency and choice built into the contract, and the ecology's incorporation of extensive written feedback in lieu of scores or points. Another key takeaway is its positive impact on student affect — especially in instances of students self-disclosing diagnoses of anxiety. Student-reported challenges to EBGC use are also discussed, including their own wrestling with ideas about past experiences with traditional grading, personal levels of motivation, and accountability. Overall, an engagement-based grading contract approach appears to be a pleasurable and accessible assessment option for teachers looking to pursue an ungraded approach in their writing classrooms.
Hormonal Contraceptive Use and Physical Performance, Body Composition, and Musculoskeletal Injuries during Military Training
Authors: O’LEARY THOMAS J. , EVANS HOPE A. , CLOSE MARIE-ELISE O. , IZARD RACHEL M. , WALSH NEIL P. , COOMBS CHARLOTTE V. , CARSWELL ALEXANDER T. , OLIVER SAMUEL J. , TANG JONATHAN C. Y. , FRASER WILLIAM D. , GREEVES JULIE P.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To investigate associations between hormonal contraceptive use and physical performance, body composition, and musculoskeletal injuries in basic military training.

Methods

Female British Army recruits (n = 450) were grouped as nonusers (n = 182), combined oral contraceptive users (COCP; n = 184), or progestin-only users (POC; n = 144). Physical performance (2.4-km run, lift strength, leg power), body composition, iron and vitamin D status, and bone metabolism were measured at the start (week 1) and end (week 13) of training. Lower body musculoskeletal injuries were recorded from medical records.

Results

Training decreased 2.4-km run time (−3.7%) and fat mass (−9.6%), and increased lift strength (4.5%), leg power (1.5%), lean mass (5.4%), and whole-body (0.9%), arms (1.8%), and legs (1.4%) areal bone mineral density (P ≤ 0.015); the training response was not different between groups (P ≥ 0.173). Lift strength was lower in COCP users than nonusers (P = 0.044). Whole-body, trunk, and leg areal bone mineral densities were lower in POC users than nonusers and/or COCP users (P ≤ 0.041). There were no associations between hormonal contraceptive use and musculoskeletal or bone stress injury (P ≥ 0.429). Training did not change ferritin (P = 0.968), but decreased hemoglobin and total 25-hydroxyvitamin-D, and increased parathyroid hormone, c-telopeptide cross-links of type 1 collagen (βCTX), and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (PINP; P ≤ 0.005); the training response was not different between groups (P ≥ 0.368). Total 25-hydroxyvitamin-D was higher, and βCTX and PINP were lower, in COCP users than nonusers and POC users; parathyroid hormone was lower in COCP users than nonusers; and βCTX and PINP were higher in POC users than nonusers (P ≤ 0.017).

Conclusions

Hormonal contraceptive use was not associated with performance or injury outcomes in military training.
Ingestion of a Whey Plus Collagen Protein Blend Increases Myofibrillar and Muscle Connective Protein Synthesis Rates
Authors: AUSSIEKER THORBEN , KAISER JEREMIAS , HERMANS WESLEY J. H. , HENDRIKS FLORIS K. , HOLWERDA ANDREW M. , SENDEN JOAN M. , VAN KRANENBURG JANNEAU M. X. , GOESSENS JOY P. B. , BRAUN ULRIKE , BAAR KEITH , SNIJDERS TIM , VAN LOON LUC J. C.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Ingestion of whey protein increases myofibrillar but not muscle connective protein synthesis rates. Recently, we defined a whey and collagen protein blend (5:1 ratio) to optimize post-prandial plasma amino acid availability. Here, we assessed the ability of this blend to increase myofibrillar and muscle connective protein synthesis rates at rest and during early recovery from exercise.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, parallel design, 28 men (age: 25 ± 5 yr; body mass index: 23.6 ± 2.3 kg·m−2) were randomly allocated to ingest either 30 g of protein (25 g whey/5 g collagen; BLEND, n = 14) or a noncaloric placebo (PLA, n = 14) following a single session of unilateral leg resistance-type exercise. Participants received primed continuous l-[ring-13C6]-phenylalanine infusions with blood and muscle biopsy samples collection for 5 h post-prandially to assess myofibrillar and muscle connective protein synthesis rates.

Results

Protein ingestion strongly increased plasma amino acid concentrations, including plasma leucine and glycine concentrations (P < 0.001), with no changes following placebo ingestion (P > 0.05). Post-prandial myofibrillar and muscle connective protein synthesis rates were higher in the exercised compared with the rested leg (P < 0.001). In addition, myofibrillar protein synthesis rates were higher in BLEND compared with PLA in both the rested (0.038 ± 0.008 and 0.031 ± 0.006%·h−1, respectively; P < 0.05) and exercised (0.052 ± 0.011 and 0.039 ± 0.009%·h−1, respectively; P < 0.01) leg. Muscle connective protein synthesis rates were higher in BLEND compared with PLA in the rested (0.062 ± 0.013 and 0.051 ± 0.010%·h−1, respectively; P < 0.05), but not the exercised (0.090 ± 0.021 and 0.079 ± 0.016%·h−1, respectively; P = 0.11) leg.

Conclusions

Ingestion of a whey (25 g) plus collagen (5 g) protein blend increases both myofibrillar and muscle connective protein synthesis rates at rest and further increases myofibrillar but not muscle connective protein synthesis rates during recovery from exercise in recreationally active, young men.
Evaluating Behavioral Incentive Compatibility: Insights from Experiments
Authors: Danz David , Vesterlund Lise , Wilson Alistair J.
Published: November 2024

Incentive compatibility is core to mechanism design. The success of auctions, matching algorithms, and voting systems all hinge on the ability to select incentives that make it in the individual’s interest to reveal their type. But how do we test whether a mechanism that is designed to be incentive compatible is actually so in practice, particularly when faced with boundedly rational agents with nonstandard preferences? We review the many experimental tests that have been designed to assess behavioral incentive compatibility, separating them into two categories: indirect tests that evaluate behavior within the mechanism, and direct tests that assess how participants respond to the mechanism’s incentives. Using belief elicitation as a running example, we show that the most popular elicitations are not behaviorally incentive compatible. In fact, the incentives used under these elicitations discourage rather than encourage truthful revelation.
Behavioral Incentive Compatibility and Empirically Informed Welfare Analysis: An Introductory Guide
Authors: Rees-Jones Alex
Published: November 2024

A growing body of research conducts welfare analysis that assumes behavioral incentive compatibility—that is, that behavior is governed by pursuit of incentives conditional on modeled imperfections in decision-making. In this article, I present several successful examples of studies that apply this approach and I use them to illustrate guidance for pursuing this type of analysis.
Designing Simple Mechanisms
Authors: Li Shengwu
Published: November 2024

It matters whether real-world mechanisms are simple. If participants cannot see that a mechanism is incentive-compatible, they may refuse to participate or may behave in ways that undermine the mechanism. There are several ways to formalize what it means for a mechanism to be “simple.” This essay explains three of them, and suggests directions for future research.
Industrial Policy: Lessons from Shipbuilding
Authors: Barwick Panle Jia , Kalouptsidi Myrto , Zahur Nahim Bin
Published: November 2024

Industrial policy has been used throughout history in some form or other by most countries. Yet, it remains one of the most contentious issues among policy makers and economists alike. In part, this is because the empirical evidence on whether and how it should be implemented remains slim. Scant data on government subsidies, conflicting theoretical arguments, and the need to account for governments’ short and long-run objectives, render research particularly challenging. In this article, we outline a theory-based empirical methodology that relies on estimating an industry equilibrium model to measure hidden subsidies, assess their welfare consequences for the domestic and global economy, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of different policy designs. We illustrate this approach using the global shipbuilding industry as a prototypical example of an industry targeted by industrial policy, especially in periods of heavy industrialization. Just in the past century, Europe, followed by Japan, then South Korea, and more recently China, developed national shipbuilding programs to propel their firms to global leaders. Success has been mixed across programs, certainly by welfare metrics, and sometimes even by growth metrics. We use our methodology on China to dissect the impact of such programs, what made them more or less successful, and how we can justify why governments have chosen shipbuilding as a target.
Basics of database design
Authors: Kuzin Aleksandr
Published: November 2024

The textbook discusses the basic issues of database design theory, the use of the Access database management system (DBMS) to create databases, the specifics of developing user applications based on the Microsoft Access DBMS, as well as the architecture of the database system.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of secondary vocational education of the latest generation.
For students of secondary specialized educational institutions studying in the field of "Information systems".
Change Management
Authors: Lachinina Tat'yana
Published: November 2024

The textbook outlines the theoretical foundations of change management, as well as models and approaches to their implementation. The essence of resistance to change is revealed and methods of overcoming resistance to change in the organization are given. The manual includes the results of a study of the process of managing the socio-economic system during a period of strategic changes and contains an educational and methodological workshop that helps consolidate the studied material and verify the knowledge gained.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
It is intended for students studying in the areas of 38.03.02 "Management" (bachelor's degree) and 38.03.03 "Personnel Management" (bachelor's degree), undergraduates, graduate students, university professors, heads of organizations, as well as for anyone interested in the specifics of change management in modern socio-economic systems.
Management of public (municipal) procurement
Authors: Gafurova Gul'nara
Published: November 2024

The textbook reveals the procedure for carrying out procurement activities by state and municipal customers, the specifics of forming plans, and interaction with suppliers. Recent changes in legislation are taken into account, including amendments that entered into force in 2023. Practical examples of the formation of procurement documentation, typical errors, advantages and disadvantages of using various methods of determining the supplier are given. A significant place is devoted to law enforcement practice, including the judicial and practice of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, concerning the problems of implementing the main provisions of the law on the contract system.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
It is intended for students studying in the field of Economics (professional standard "Specialist in procurement"), studying the financial aspects of government activities, the activities of organizations in the public procurement system, as well as practitioners in the field of procurement, business representatives and anyone interested in the contract system of public procurement.