bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pesticide Use Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and Practices Associated Factors Among Floriculture Workers in Bahirdar City, North West, Ethiopia, 2020
Authors: Endalew Mastewal , Gebrehiwot Mulat , Dessie Awrajaw
Published: February 2022

Pesticides are substances that are used to kill, decrease, or repel pests and are used extensively to boost agricultural production. Ethiopian floriculture is one of the pesticide-intensive agricultural production centers and it provides jobs for 1000s of Ethiopians. Despite its significant contribution to the national economy, many issues are raised by the workers. The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and factors associated with the practices of workers against pesticide exposure among floriculture workers in Bahirdar city. A cross-sectional occupational study was done. The participants were recruited using a stratified sample technique. The final study participants were chosen using a simple random sampling procedure. The survey received 300 responses, 95.2% response rate from the entire sample size. The mean age of floriculture workers was 20 (SD ± 3.21) years, with a range of 17 to 48 years. The majority of workers (228) were females, and 36 (12.0%) of workers were illiterate. About 259 (86.3%) of floriculture workers did not know the name of the pesticide they were using. More than three-fourth 256 (85.3%) of respondents know at least one type of pesticide-related health problem. In this study, the most known type of pesticide routes of entry into the body were eyes (72.3%), skin (67.3%) followed by ingestion (67.0%). About 100 (33.3%) of the participants had good overall knowledge related to pesticide use and 134 (44.7%) of workers had a positive attitude on safe pesticide application. The level of good practice was 61.3% (N = 184). Knowing the impact of pesticide on environment (AOR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.30-0.96), Knowing pesticide health problems, (AOR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.20-0.63), willingness to wear and invest for PPE (AOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.28-0.98) and PPE supply (AOR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.16-0.51) were significantly associated with workers pesticide handling practices. Workers who didn’t know pesticide health problems were 36% less likely to have a good practice. The likelihood of having good practices among works who disagree to wear and invest on PPE 53% lower than those who agree on it. The likelihood of having good practices among workers who didn’t have any PPE supply was lower than their counterparts with (AOR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.16-0.51). Floriculture workers had poor handling practices therefore continuous pesticide training programs for workers could be implemented.
Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate Consumption Results in Lower Blood Glucose in Adults With Diabetes
Authors: Oliveira Barbara , Falkenhain Kaja , Little Jonathan P
Published: February 2022

Diabetes is characterized by an impaired ability to appropriately control blood glucose. Postprandial hyperglycemia, in particular, is associated with complications in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The objective of this study was to determine how sugar-free dark chocolate sweetened with stevia, erythritol, and inulin impacts postprandial blood glucose levels in individuals with diabetes compared to conventional dark chocolate. In a randomized crossover design, 13 participants consumed 1 bar (34 g) of sugar-free dark chocolate or 1 bar (34 g) of conventional dark chocolate with glucose levels measured before and throughout a 120-min postprandial period. The incremental area under the curve (iAUC) was lower after the consumption of sugar-free dark chocolate (−65%, P = .04) compared to conventional dark chocolate. No significant differences between chocolates were found for peak glucose value above baseline, the total area under the curve, or peak glucose values. Our results suggest that a sugar-free dark chocolate bar sweetened with stevia, erythritol and inulin led to a lower blood glucose iAUC compared to the conventional dark chocolate bar in people with diabetes, whilst longer-term effects on glucose control remain to be determined.
Experimental investigation on anti-wear coating design for a small aviation kerosene piston engine
Authors: Zhang Chen , Luo Lei , Chen Bingwei , Chen Wei
Published: February 2022

The high temperature wear failure of piston-cylinder system is a severe threat to aviation kerosene piston engines. To design a suitable anti-wear coating for the cylinder wall of a small aviation kerosene piston engine, a face contact friction pair and a line contact friction pair were designed to model the friction between the piston and the cylinder wall and the friction between the piston ring and the cylinder wall, respectively, and the graphite coating, the hard anodized coating (HA coating) and the microarc oxidation coating (MAO coating) were prepared on the cylinder wall specimen. Wear tests under high temperature were conducted for both friction pairs, and the friction coefficients, wear mass loss and worn surface morphology were analyzed. The results show that under high temperature condition, the graphite coating shows the least improvement on the wear mass loss and the worn surface state, the MAO coating causes serious wear to the piston specimen of face contact friction pair, while the HA coating is recommended as a suitable anti-wear coating for the engine by effectively reducing the wear mass loss and improving the worn surface state in both line contact and face contact friction pairs.
Risk to self: Self-congruity in cruise decision-making
Authors: Holland Jennifer
Published: February 2022

Tourist decision-making is complex and understanding why some tourists may reject a cruise vacation is important for continued growth of the cruise sector. Image elicitation was employed in twenty interviews with cruisers and non-cruisers in the UK. Findings revealed risk perceptions influence cruise decision-making as vacation choices reflect self. Cruisers choose cruise vacations to reduce risk to self and affirm self-concept, and non-cruisers perceive social and psychological risk in cruising. Non-cruisers find social value in disassociation from and rejecting cruise vacations, illuminating how self-congruity influences cruise decision-making. Theoretical contributions and practical implications for industry are identified with specific recommendations.
Beyond forced telehealth adoption: A framework to sustain telehealth among allied health services
Authors: Thomas Emma E , Taylor Monica L , Ward Elizabeth C , Hwang Rita , Cook Renee , Ross Julie-Anne , Webb Clare , Harris Michael , Hartley Carina , Carswell Phillip , Burns Clare L , Caffery Liam J
Published: February 2022

Introduction

As COVID-19 restrictions reduce globally, services will determine what components of care will continue via telehealth. We aimed to determine the clinician, service, and system level factors that influence sustained use of telehealth and develop a framework to enhance sustained use where appropriate.

Methods

This study was conducted across 16 allied health departments over four health service facilities (Brisbane, Australia). It used a multi-method observational study design, involving telehealth service activity data from hospital administrative databases and qualitative interviews with allied health staff (n  =  80). Data were integrated and analysed using Greenhalgh's Non-adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability framework.

Results

Increased telehealth use during the peak COVID period reverted to in-person activity as restrictions eased. Telehealth is unlikely to be sustained without a clear strategy including determination of roles and responsibilities across the organisation. Clinician resistance due to forced adoption remains a key issue. The main motivator for clinicians to use telehealth was improved consumer-centred care. Benefits beyond this are needed to sustain telehealth and improvements are required to make the telehealth experience seamless for providers and recipients. Data were synthesised into a comprehensive framework that can be used as a blueprint for system-wide improvements and service enhancement or redesign.

Discussion

Sustainability of telehealth activity beyond the peak COVID period is unlikely without implementation strategies to address consumer, clinician, service, and system factors. The framework can inform how these strategies can be enacted. Whilst developed for allied health disciplines, it is likely applicable to other disciplines.
Unemployment risk-sharing in the EU: How policy design influences citizen support for European unemployment policy
Authors: Burgoon Brian , Kuhn Theresa , Nicoli Francesco , Vandenbroucke Frank
Published: February 2022

This article explores public preferences for European unemployment programs explicitly discussed in actual policymaker debate. European policymakers have been considering European-level Unemployment Risk Sharing (EURS) to stabilize member-state economies and provide a safety net for the unemployed. Using a conjoint experiment conducted in 13 European member states, we analyze public support across six crucial policy dimensions of EURS. The findings reveal that (a) overall support for EURS policies is broad and substantial, but sensitive to particular policy mixes; (b) citizen support is conditional on the program being generous and on coverage being limited to countries providing education and training and individual beneficiaries looking for and accepting work; and (c) cross-country variation is modest and most prominent with respect to cross-country redistribution.
Practical and emotional preparation for death: A mixed methods study investigating experiences of family carers of people with dementia
Authors: Fisher Emily , Crawley Sophie , Sampson Elizabeth L , Cooper Claudia , Jones Rebecca , Anantapong Kanthee , Moore Kirsten
Published: February 2022

Background

When family carers are more prepared for the end of the life of a person they care for, they report improved bereavement outcomes. Few studies have explored how carers prepare for the death of a person with dementia. We aimed to explore how carers for people with all stages of dementia experience preparing for end of life care and death.

Methods

This was a mixed methods cross-sectional study. Family carers of people with dementia ( n = 150) completed a structured interview with validated scales, alongside questions about death preparedness and advance decisions. A sub-sample ( n = 16) completed qualitative interviews exploring their experiences of planning for end of life. We fitted logistic regression models to explore associations with preparedness, and thematically analysed qualitative data.

Results

We addressed practical and emotional preparation separately for 143 participants. Fifty seven percent of participants were very practically prepared for death, while only 29% were very emotionally prepared. Male carers were more likely than female carers to report being very emotionally and practically prepared. Higher engagement with healthcare professionals was associated with feeling very practically prepared; although we found that formal discussions of end of life care issues with healthcare professionals did not impact carers’ feelings of preparation. Higher levels of dementia severity and carer depression were associated with feeling very emotionally prepared. Three qualitative themes related to practical and emotional preparation were identified: (1) ambiguity and uncertainty; (2) support from the system; and (3) how death is perceived by the carer.

Conclusions

While most carers felt practically prepared for death, emotional preparation was much lower. Further research is needed to understand how engagement with healthcare professionals or other forms of social or emotional support could help carers, particularly female carers, to emotionally prepare for their relative’s death.
Perceptions and Experiences of Thai Parents Who Have a Child With a Cochlear Implant
Authors: Sukonthaman Rumpasri , Bowen Sandy K. , Detchanarat Tanawat
Published: February 2022

Owing to limited medical and early intervention services for children with hearing loss in Thailand, parents face challenges regarding communication and amplification options for their child. Eight parents of children who had received a cochlear implant were interviewed to elicit their perceptions and experience of the process in selecting this option for their child who is deaf. Qualitative methods were used to analyze the data and organize them into themes. Four major themes emerged from the findings: (a) parents did not know what to do after the initial diagnosis; (b) parents’ views of hearing loss and reasons for pursing a cochlear implant; (c) challenging issues after implantation; and (d) what is needed to make the process better for Thai families. The findings provide information on what parents need to professionals who are developing medical and early intervention services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families in Thailand.
Investigating the electromagnetic wave-absorbing, water repellency, and flame-retardant effectiveness of nickel–iron/PPTA-blended knitted fabrics
Authors: Li Rui , Wei Sainan , Xu Jia , Yan Ruosi , Xu Jianlin
Published: February 2022

In recent decades, electromagnetic wave pollution has become more and more serious. In order to reduce the adverse effects of these waves, the nickel–iron/polymers of p-phenylene terephthamide (PPTA)–blended single yarn and plied yarn were manufactured, and the nickel–iron fibers with various contents (10%, 15%, and 20%) as raw materials were used. Nickel–iron/PPTA-blended yarns were knitted with three knit structures and three looped deep (11.25, 11.50, and 12.00 mm). The electromagnetic absorption effect was examined using the reflectance arch method at a frequency range between 2 and 18 GHz. The results show that the fabric with plied yarn, nickel–iron fiber content of 10%, looped deep of 12.00 mm, and loop notation of structure C has the best electromagnetic wave absorption performance, which can reach −30 dB reflectivity at 5.1 GHz, and the bandwidth with reflectivity lower than −5 dB reaches 2.5 GHz. In order to make the fabric obtain more functions, water-repellent treatment of the fabric is carried out. The results show that the best finishing effect can be obtained by using 40% water repellent and drying at 170°C for 5 min so that the sample can resist the hydrostatic pressure of 49.1 kPa. Finally, through the vertical burning test, the flame retardancy of the fabric can reach level B1.
Research Topics and Collaboration in Human Resource Development Review 2012–2021: A Bibliometrics Approach
Authors: Yoon Seung Won , Chae Chungil
Published: February 2022

In celebrating HRDR’s 20 years of publication, this study aims to shed light on research trends in the journal and future research needs by examining 10 years of publications from a structural perspective. We used three complementary computational methods to find major research trends and themes including keyword network analysis, topic modeling, and bibliographic coupling. This paper presents the findings on the research themes, structural coherence, and semantic relevance based on clusters formed by normalized distance measures. Connectivity, co-appearances, and citations are important forms of scholarly communication that represent the body of knowledge in the field. Our findings indicate that research topics greatly expanded beyond the early HRD research topics of learning and development to include various topics related to diversity, critical HRD, and equity issues in organizations and society. We also examined the author-institution-keywords affiliation network and the authors-collaboration network to suggest how scholars can collaborate more in the future.
Cutaneous Small-vessel Vasculitis after ChAdOx1 COVID-19 Vaccination: A Report of Five Cases
Authors: Uh Ji An , Lee Soo Kyung , Kim Joong Ho , Lee Jae Ho , Kim Myoung Shin , Lee Un Ha
Published: February 2022

Amidst the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is recommended for everyone over 18 years in South Korea, with the exception of pregnant women. Unexpected adverse cutaneous reactions after the COVID-19 vaccination have been recently reported. Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis (CSVV) predominantly affects small blood vessels, defined as small intraparenchymal arteries, arterioles, capillaries, and venules, without any detectable involvement of non-cutaneous organs. We report five cases of CSVV after the ChAdOx1 COVID-19 vaccination in 44- to 68-year-old women. The symptoms commonly appeared within 2 days after vaccination. The lesion was localized to the lower limbs in four patients and spread to the upper limbs in one patient. All patients demonstrated a favorable response to oral methylprednisolone, antihistamines, and topical steroids. Considering the importance of the COVID-19 vaccination, clinicians should be aware of CSVV as a potential adverse event. Further studies are required to elucidate the causative link and pathogenesis.
Outcomes of Visceral Arterial Reconstruction: A Systematic Review
Authors: D’Souza Rovan Evan , Girish Girish , D’Souza Preethy , Lewis Melissa Glenda , Renjith Vishnu
Published: February 2022

Aims: The study aimed to review the use of synthetic grafts (SGs) and autologous vein grafts (AVGs) in visceral arterial reconstruction (VAR) in chronic visceral ischaemia. Methods: Systematic review methodology was employed. Results: Six studies were included (218 patients and 281 vessels). Two studies had data about AVG only, 3 had data about SG only and 1 had both AVG and SG data. Three studies reported outcomes for AVG (117 patients and 132 vessels revascularized). One-year primary patency was 87% (95% CI 71%, 97%). Graft thrombosis rate was 6% (95% CI 0%, 16%). Pooled stenosis rate at one-year was 11% (95% CI 1%, 28%). The 30-day (n = 96), one-year (n = 72) and 5-year mortality (n = 30) were 0%, 0% and 12%, respectively. Four studies reported outcomes for SGs (106 patients and 147 vessels). The pooled primary patency at one year was 100% (95% CI 99%, 100%). Pooled primary 5-year patency rate was 88% (95% CI 69%, 100%). There was no graft infection in 2 of the 3 studies. Overall pooled percentage of graft thrombosis and stenosis at one year was 0%. Jimenez et al. (2002) reported one graft thrombosis at 20 months and graft stenosis in 2 patients at 46 and 49 months. Illuminati et al (2017) reported graft thrombosis in 2/24 patients at 22 and 52 months. Thirty days, one-year and 5-year mortality was 1% (95% CI 0%, 6), 7% (95% CI 0%, 20%) and 39% (95% CI 11%), respectively. Conclusion: Patency was better with SG compared with AVG. Mortality was higher in the SG group. Graft dilatation does occur with vein grafts, but in this review no intervention was found necessary. Poorly designed studies, incomplete reporting and absence of morbidity and mortality indices preclude emphatic conclusions.
Revisiting the Nature of Transformative Learning Experiences in Contemplative Higher Education
Authors: Gunnlaugson Olen , Cueto de Souza Renata , Zhao Steven , Yee Allen , Scott Charles , Bai Heesoon
Published: February 2022

We are interested in the transformative potentials of intersubjectivity as it is enacted through second-person contemplative approaches. Our work here focuses on contemplative practice as a pedagogy that reveals and enacts intersubjectivity within postsecondary education. How might contemplative higher education practice as a pedagogy enable students to access these underlying intersubjective dimensions, thus creating conditions for a shift in the forms of transformative learning that affect the nature of the learner’s consciousness as well as their overall journey of transformation through the course of their studies? We review the theoretical and research literature on postsecondary contemplative education, particularly in its intersubjective dimensions, and then offer data from a qualitative study involving students enrolled in a graduate program in contemplative inquiry that offers evidence of the transformative potentials of these intersubjective, contemplative approaches to learning and inquiry.
Men’s Experiences of Mental Illness Stigma Across the Lifespan: A Scoping Review
Authors: McKenzie Sarah K. , Oliffe John L. , Black Alice , Collings Sunny
Published: February 2022

The stigma of men’s mental illness has been described as having wide-reaching and profound consequences beyond the condition[s] itself. Stigma negatively impacts men’s mental health help-seeking and the use of services amid impeding disclosures, diminishing social connection and amplifying economic hardship. Although men often face barriers to discussing their struggles with, and help-seeking for mental illness challenges, research focused on men’s lived experiences of mental illness stigma is, at best, emergent. This scoping review explores men’s mental illness related stigmas synthesizing and discussing the findings drawn from 21 published qualitative articles over the last 10 years. Four thematic findings were derived: (a) the weight of societal stigma, (b) stigma in male-dominated environments, (c) inequity driven stigmas, and (d) de-stigmatizing strategies. Despite evidence that stigma is a common experience for men experiencing diverse mental illness challenges, the field remains underdeveloped. Based on the scoping review findings, research gaps and opportunities for advancing the field are discussed.
A systematic review of exercise intervention reporting quality and dose in studies of intermittent claudication
Authors: Ibeggazene Saïd , Pymer Sean , Birkett Stefan T , Caldow Edward , Harwood Amy E
Published: February 2022

Background

Exercise therapy is an important treatment option for people with intermittent claudication (IC). Appropriate reporting of exercise interventions in populations with IC within randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is important to ensure that research can be translated into clinical practice. Therefore, the purpose of our review is to evaluate the reporting of exercise interventions in RCTs of exercise therapy in patients with IC.

Methods

A systematic search was performed to identify relevant trials in patients with IC published until May 2020. Studies including only participants with critical limb ischaemia or asymptomatic peripheral artery disease were excluded. Each trial was scored using the recently developed ‘Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template’ (CERT) which has a maximum obtainable score of 19.

Results

Of 1489 unique records identified from the search, 73 trials were included, reporting 107 exercise interventions. Overall, the average CERT score was 10/19. The exercise equipment used, the use of supervision and a description of whether the exercise prescription was tailored or generic were the most frequently reported intervention components. The motivational strategies used, intervention adherence and intervention fidelity were the most underreported CERT components. There was no trend indicating that CERT scores were higher in more recent publications.

Conclusions

We have identified that important details about exercise interventions are frequently missing from the published literature. These missing data hinder replication of research findings and limit the translation of evidence into clinical practice.
Bayesian basket trial design with false-discovery rate control
Authors: Zabor Emily C , Kane Michael J , Roychoudhury Satrajit , Nie Lei , Hobbs Brian P
Published: February 2022

Background:

Recent advances in developing “tumor agnostic” oncology therapies have identified molecular targets that define patient subpopulations in a manner that supersedes conventional criteria for cancer classification. These successes have produced effective targeted therapies that are administered to patients regardless of their tumor histology. Trials have evolved as well with master protocol designs. By blending translational and clinical science, basket trials in particular are well-suited to investigate and develop targeted therapies among multiple cancer histologies. However, basket trials intrinsically involve more complex design decisions, including issues of multiple testing across baskets, and guidance for investigators is needed.

Methods:

The sensitivity of the multisource exchangeability model to prior specification under differing degrees of response heterogeneity is explored through simulation. Then, a multisource exchangeability model design that incorporates control of the false-discovery rate is presented and a simulation study compares the operating characteristics to a design where the family-wise error rate is controlled and to the frequentist approach of treating the baskets as independent. Simulations are based on the original design of a real-world clinical trial, the SUMMIT trial, which investigated Neratinib treatment for a variety of solid tumors. The methods studied here are specific to single-arm phase II trials with binary outcomes.

Results:

Values of prior probability of exchangeability in the multisource exchangeability model between 0.1 and 0.3 provide the best trade-offs between gain in precision and bias, especially when per-basket sample size is below 30. Application of these calibration results to a re-analysis of the SUMMIT trial showed that the breast basket exceeded the null response rate with posterior probability of 0.999 while having low posterior probability of exchangeability with all other baskets. Simulations based on the design of the SUMMIT trial revealed that there is meaningful improvement in power even in baskets with small sample size when the false-discovery rate is controlled as opposed to the family-wise error rate. For example, when only the breast basket was active, with a sample size of 25, the power was 0.76 when the false-discovery rate was controlled at 0.05 but only 0.56 when the family-wise error rate was controlled at 0.05, indicating that impractical sample sizes for the phase II setting would be needed to achieve acceptable power while controlling the family-wise error rate in this setting of a trial with 10 baskets.

Conclusion:

Selection of the prior exchangeability probability based on calibration and incorporation of false-discovery rate control result in multisource exchangeability model designs with high power to detect promising treatments in the context of phase II basket trials.
Educational leadership regarding municipal school support services in Iceland
Authors: Sigurðardóttir Sigríður Margrét , Sigurðardóttir Anna Kristín , Hansen Börkur , Ólafsson Kjartan , Sigþórsson Rúnar
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this research is to shed light on the educational leadership practices regarding school support services at the municipal level in Iceland from the point of view of actors from both municipal and school levels. Furthermore to explain how those views are shaped by the structural arrangements and human resources of the services, population density and geographical location. Leaders of municipal educational support services, preschool principals and compulsory school principals responded to a questionnaire about practices regarding school support services. A framework of desirable leadership practices was used as an analytical tool to measure this leadership. The findings revealed that leadership practices regarding school support services match poorly with the leadership framework. Human resources are important elements of the leadership practices regarding the school support services, but the services’ structural arrangements, municipal population density and geographical location are less so. It is suggested that it is necessary to focus on improvements in leadership practices in general, regarding the school support services. For that purpose, more engagement is needed in the development of professional capacity, and a focus on creating a shared understanding between the services and school principals.
Integrating Distributed with Ecological Leadership: Through the Lens of Activity Theory
Authors: Ho Jeanne , Hung David , Chua Puay Huat , Binte Munir Norhayati
Published: February 2022

Purpose: Leadership for the implementation of an educational innovation in Singapore was examined by integrating distributed leadership with an ecological perspective of leadership and analysed using the third generation of cultural–historical activity theory. Research Method: The study adopted the naturalistic inquiry approach of a case study of a cluster of six elementary schools in the process of diffusing an educational innovation over one academic year. The research team observed six open classroom sessions and two review sessions at the cluster level. A total of two Ministry officers, one Master Teacher, 10 school leaders, 12 key personnel and 21 teachers were interviewed. Findings: The use of cultural–historical activity theory as an analytical lens provided insights into how different activity systems at the ministry, cluster, and school levels interact in providing leadership for the implementation of the innovation, the tools utilised, the rules/norms which enabled or constrained the innovation's implementation, and the evolving nature of the leadership provided. The study affirms the value of incorporating an integrative perspective in the analysis of leadership and the value of cultural–historical activity theory in unpacking the distribution of leadership across interrelated activity systems, and in highlighting the temporal evolutionary nature of leadership.
Two nations in three worlds? Images of the US and China in ethnic, homeland, and host media
Authors: Sui Mingxiao
Published: February 2022

This study investigates disparities in the portrayals of US and China images across ethnic media, homeland media, and host media that are serving the Chinese migrants in the United States. A quantitative content analysis of 156 news articles was conducted. Results reveal that ethnic media share more similarities with homeland media than with host media, which adds empirical explanations to ethnic and homeland media’s commonalities in retaining migrants’ ethnic identity. This also signals a pervasive impact of homeland news organizations on overseas ethnic media – although ethnic media are registered by US citizens or permanent citizens in America, they are actually owned or operated by Chinese news companies. As a result, ethnic media may have followed the same journalistic practices as their counterpart agencies from China. Implications of these findings for public opinion are also discussed.
Development of a scale to assess the determinants of positive coping in parents of children with intellectual disability
Authors: Hande Vasudha , Jayan Parvathy , Kishore M Thomas , Bhaskarapillai Binukumar , Kommu John Vijay Sagar
Published: February 2022

Identifying the determinants of positive coping is a critical step in empowering the parents of children with intellectual disability. In this context, this study aims to develop a scale to assess the determinants of positive coping. Accordingly, culturally relevant items were pooled, got validated by experts and refined. The scale was administered to 150 parents of children with intellectual disability. Factor analysis done through polychoric correlation helped reduce the items. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were established for reliability testing. The validity of the new scale was examined with the subjective wellbeing on a visual analogue scale and Family Interview for Stress and Coping in Mental Retardation. The new scale has a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.71 and an intraclass correlation of 0.64. After factor analysis, 12 items were retained in the final version. This study also identified specific factors associated with positive coping. The new scale can be used with parents of children with intellectual disabilities to identify the determinants of positive coping.
‘Ticked off’? Can a new outcomes-based postgraduate curriculum utilising programmatic assessment reduce assessment burden in Intensive Care Medicine?
Authors: Smith Christopher , Patel Mumtaz
Published: February 2022

Context

Increasing dissatisfaction with existing methods of assessment in the workplace alongside a national drive towards outcomes-based postgraduate curricula led to a recent overhaul of the way Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) trainees are assessed in the United Kingdom. Programmatic assessment methodology was utilised; the existing ‘tick-box’ approach using workplace-based assessment to demonstrate competencies was de-emphasised and the expertise of trainers used to assess capability relating to fewer, high-level outcomes related to distinct areas of specialist practice.

Methods

A thematic analysis was undertaken investigating attitudes from 125 key stakeholders, including trainees and trainers, towards the new assessment strategy in relation to impact on assessment burden and acceptability.

Results

This qualitative study suggests increased satisfaction with the transition to an outcomes-based model with capability judged by educational supervisors. However, reflecting frustration relating to current assessment in the workplace, participants felt assessment burden has been significantly reduced. The approach taken was felt to be an improved method for assessing professional practice; there was enthusiasm for this change. However, this research highlights trainee and trainer anxiety regarding how to ‘pass’ these expert judgement decisions of capability in the real world. Additionally, concerns relating to the impact on subgroups of trainees due to the potential influence of implicit biases on the resultant fewer but ‘higher stakes’ interrogative judgements became apparent.

Conclusion

The move further towards a constructivist paradigm in workplace assessment in ICM reduces assessment burden yet can provoke anxiety amongst trainees and trainers requiring considered implementation. Furthermore, the perception of potential for bias in global judgements of performance requires further exploration.
Magnitude and determinants of knowledge towards pregnancy danger signs among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Chiro town health institutions, Ethiopia
Authors: Getachew Dagnachew , Getachew Tamirat , Debella Adera , Eyeberu Addis , Atnafe Genanew , Assefa Nega
Published: February 2022

Objectives:

This study aimed to assess the magnitude and determinants of knowledge of pregnancy danger signs in Chiro town health institutions, Ethiopia.

Methods:

Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 395 systematically selected pregnant mothers. An interviewer-administered pretested questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were entered into EPI data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Bi- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify determinant factors. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05.

Results:

Even though 58.0% of respondents recalled at least one danger sign of pregnancy, only 26.3% (95% confidence interval: 21.7–30.7) of the respondents had good knowledge of pregnancy danger signs. Residence (adjusted odds ratio = 2.43, 95% confidence interval: 1.50–4.00), distance to health facility (adjusted odds ratio = 2.11, 95% confidence interval: 1.28–3.47), and income (adjusted odds ratio = 1.99, 95% confidence interval: 1.22–3.33) were found to be significantly associated with mothers’ knowledge of pregnancy danger signs.

Conclusion:

The overall women’s knowledge of the danger signs of pregnancy was poor. Monthly income, distance to health facilities, and residence were determinant factors of mothers’ knowledge of pregnancy danger signs. Thus, the provision of information targeting pregnant women, their families, and the general community regarding danger signs of pregnancy is recommended to health care providers.
Knowledge, attitude, and associated factors toward pediatric pain management among nurses at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Lulie Endalew , Berhanu Mengistu , Kassa Selam Fisiha
Published: February 2022

Introduction:

Pain management is a very important aspect of nursing care. However, due to a lack of overall understanding, it is not uncommon to see inadequate pain management by health workers. Therefore, the knowledge and attitude of nurses are important factors for the effective management of pain in children. Thus, the objectives were to determine the knowledge and attitude toward pediatric pain management among the nurses in the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods:

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 March 2020 among 393 participants. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. The data were collected by using a structured, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. The data were entered into EpiData version 3.02 and exported into SPSS version 22 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were computed to identify the factors associated with the knowledge and attitude of nurses. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed, and variables with a p-value < 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were used to declare the significance and strength of association.

Result:

A total of 267 (67.94%) of the respondents had good knowledge and 262 (66.7%) had a favorable attitude toward pediatric pain management. Working in the outpatient department (AOR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.23–0.98) had a significant association with knowledge. Nurses who were trained (AOR = 2.47; 95% CI = 1.53–3.99), having good knowledge level (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI = 1.34–3.50), having 6–10 years of work experience (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI = 1.23–5.63), and >10 years of work experience (AOR = 9.02; 95% CI = 2.50–32.74) were significantly associated with the attitude toward pediatric pain management.

Conclusion:

The majority of nurses had good knowledge and a favorable attitude toward pediatric pain. Working in the outpatient department was associated with poor knowledge. Trained nurses, having good knowledge, and having >6 years of work experience were associated with favorable attitudes.
Warning Signs of Threats to Student Safety: Recommendations for Virtual School Counseling
Authors: Ellington Breanna
Published: February 2022

School safety has become central to the educational goals and missions of schools on almost every continent ( Astor & Benbenishty, 2018 ). Equally important is supporting the social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students. School counselors have specific training to help students navigate the challenges of distance learning and identify those who are struggling to cope, but many have faced a new challenge with the COVID-19 pandemic: counseling students virtually. This article aims to optimize school safety and student success by enhancing school counselors’ ability to identify students who are struggling to cope in distance learning environments.
Facile Fabrication of Chemically Modified Sodium Alginate Fibers With Enhanced Mechanical Performance
Authors: Liu Jie , Shang Shenglong , Jiang Zhiming , Zhang Rui , Sui Shuying , Zhu Ping
Published: February 2022

Sodium alginate fibers have been extensively studied due to being non-toxic and have high moisture retention, high oxygen permeability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. However, their application has been limited due to their poor mechanical performance. In this study, poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether-modified sodium alginate fibers were prepared by spinning the solution after mixed reactions through a spinneret into a coagulation bath containing aqueous CaCl2. The properties of the spinning solution, the structure and physical properties of the modified sodium alginate fibers with various poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether contents were investigated. A poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether content of the modified sodium alginate fibers of 15 wt% gave optimal breaking strength and elongation at break, improving them by 78 % and 114 %, respectively, compared with pure sodium alginate fibers. The thermal stability of the modified sodium alginate fibers was also improved.
Reimagining Person-Centred Care—In the Public Square
Authors: Byrne Libby
Published: February 2022

In 2010, I began making monthly hospital visits to receive infusions of Tysabri, a drug designed to slow the progression of MS. Since that time, I have had many different experiences of Person-centered care in the public health system. As a patient I expect high-quality care that is safe and valuable in my treatment plan, however, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care goes so far as to describe Person-centered care as being an ideal experience for patients, their carers, and family. The focus of this respectful and responsive care is the preferences, needs, and values of individual patients. Since March 2020, I have been acutely aware of how a global pandemic shapes the experience of being in a hospital. As I attended my treatment in August 2021, news that our current lockdown was being extended to include a curfew, instigated a shift in the virtual boundaries I rely upon in the ward in my experience of Person-centered care and the hospital was briefly hybridized, becoming a virtual public square. I was called upon to see and care for others, rather than prioritize my own needs. In the following days, I made art to make sense of the experience and reimagine my expectations of Patient-centered care during a global pandemic. This paper employs image making in a Practice-led inquiry to consider the reciprocal nature of Person-centered care and addresses some of the implications for this kind of care from a patient’s perspective.
Patients’ Perception of the Quality of Gynecological Services in a Tertiary Public Health Facility in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Akinlusi Fatimat Motunrayo , Olayiwola Abideen Adekunle , Adeniran Adeyinka , Rabiu Kabiru Afolarin , Oshodi Yusuf Abisowo , Ottun Tawaqualit Abimbola
Published: February 2022

To facilitate improvements in health service delivery, patients’ satisfaction with gynecological services was assessed at a tertiary hospital. Five hundred gynecological care-seekers who presented for outpatient consultation, inpatient care, or theatre procedures had face-to-face interviews using close-ended questionnaires. The assessment encompassed hospital ambience, healthcare providers’ attitude, waiting time, duration of consultation among others. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed with SPSS 22.0 software. Mean age was 37.8 ± 10.9 years; 319(63.8%) had tertiary education; 81(16.2%) and 82(16.4%) had inpatient and theatre care, respectively; 233(46.6%) were managed for infertility. One in five respondents reported delayed retrieval of medical records (20.8%), dissatisfaction with hospital meals (22.2%) and 31.6% were displeased with waiting time. Overall, 92.7%, 74.2%, and 66.7% of participants reported high levels of satisfaction with theatre, outpatient, and inpatient care, respectively. Age and education were significantly associated with outpatient satisfaction level ( P = .015; P < .001 respectively). Though the majority expressed satisfaction with the quality of care, outpatients’ waiting time was considered lengthy. We recommend a detailed appraisal of outpatient routines and periodic evaluation of gynecological services.
Regulating pests—material politics and calculation in integrated pest management
Authors: Wolff Leon
Published: February 2022

This paper attempts to shed some light on current biopolitics of food and environmental security by analyzing the strategy of Integrated pest management (IPM). IPM is an ecological form of pest management that emerged in the United States in the 1950s in response to the pesticide crisis and now informs numerous pesticide legislations around the world. The paper analyzes IPM as a governmental hinge that aims to reconcile the conflicting goals of food security and environmental security. To this end, the paper makes three intertwined arguments. First, through an examination of scientific texts from the field of economic entomology, the paper shows how biological and chemical pest control methods are produced as two conflicting materialities that must be mediated. In a second step, the text shows how economically defined thresholds and cost-benefit analyzes are used to level the difference between these two materialities and make them commensurable. Finally, it elaborates how IPM aims primarily at transforming farmers’ practices. The use of chemicals in agriculture is to be reduced by transforming farmers into calculating subjects. Overall, the article aims to show how IPM, as an important element of contemporary ecological governmentality, seeks to realize positive environmental effects in the quantitative medium of economics and science.
4-1BBL–containing leukemic extracellular vesicles promote immunosuppressive effector regulatory T cells
Authors: Swatler Julian , Turos-Korgul Laura , Brewinska-Olchowik Marta , De Biasi Sara , Dudka Wioleta , Le Bac Viet , Kominek Agata , Cyranowski Salwador , Pilanc Paulina , Mohammadi Elyas , Cysewski Dominik , Kozlowska Ewa , Grabowska-Pyrzewicz Wioleta , Wojda Urszula , Basak Grzegorz , Mieczkowski Jakub , Skorski Tomasz , Cossarizza Andrea , Piwocka Katarzyna
Published: February 2022

Chronic and acute myeloid leukemia evade immune system surveillance and induce immunosuppression by expanding proleukemic Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). High levels of immunosuppressive Tregs predict inferior response to chemotherapy, leukemia relapse, and shorter survival. However, mechanisms that promote Tregs in myeloid leukemias remain largely unexplored. Here, we identify leukemic extracellular vesicles (EVs) as drivers of effector proleukemic Tregs. Using mouse model of leukemia-like disease, we found that Rab27a-dependent secretion of leukemic EVs promoted leukemia engraftment, which was associated with higher abundance of activated, immunosuppressive Tregs. Leukemic EVs attenuated mTOR-S6 and activated STAT5 signaling, as well as evoked significant transcriptomic changes in Tregs. We further identified specific effector signature of Tregs promoted by leukemic EVs. Leukemic EVs-driven Tregs were characterized by elevated expression of effector/tumor Treg markers CD39, CCR8, CD30, TNFR2, CCR4, TIGIT, and IL21R and included 2 distinct effector Treg (eTreg) subsets: CD30+CCR8hiTNFR2hi eTreg1 and CD39+TIGIThi eTreg2. Finally, we showed that costimulatory ligand 4-1BBL/CD137L, shuttled by leukemic EVs, promoted suppressive activity and effector phenotype of Tregs by regulating expression of receptors such as CD30 and TNFR2. Collectively, our work highlights the role of leukemic extracellular vesicles in stimulation of immunosuppressive Tregs and leukemia growth. We postulate that targeting of Rab27a-dependent secretion of leukemic EVs may be a viable therapeutic approach in myeloid neoplasms.