bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vehicle-track interaction considering wheelset flexibility: Influence of the wheelset flexibility
Authors: Pan Liu , Xu Lei
Published: February 2025

In this paper, a vehicle-track dynamic interaction model considering wheelset flexibility is presented, in which the wheelset is simulated as flexible body by solid elements. In the terms of wheel-rail relationship, a method based on virtual degree of freedom method is proposed, and the wheel-rail coupling matrices are formed in the global coordinate system to avoid the complicated coordinate transformation. In order to verify the reliability of the proposed model, the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track model based on Timoshenko-beam and rigid-body wheelsets were compared by using pseudo excitation method (PEM), subspace iteration method (SIM) and time-domain integration method. It is found from the comparisons that the wheelset models simulated by Timoshenko-beam and rigid-body ignore the correlation between vertical and transverse dynamic performance of wheels, which will affect the calculation accuracy. Besides, it can be seen that the vehicle-track model applying Timoshenko-beam and rigid-body assumptions will underestimate the vertical acceleration of the wheelset in the high-frequency range.
Using “Our Brave Voice”: A Holistic Family Intervention to Reduce Gender-Based Violence in an Indigenous Guatemalan Community
Authors: Gibbons Judith L. , Skogen Danielle , Bogue Anea
Published: February 2025

Gender-based violence is a threat to the well-being of Guatemalan women and girls. A holistic family-based intervention that included healing and empowerment workshops and therapy for survivors was enacted for 30 families (mothers, fathers, and children) of an Indigenous Guatemalan community. Quantitative measures revealed more egalitarian gender role attitudes and less emotional dysregulation after the program than on pretests. Self-efficacy, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and psychological well-being decreased during this period. Focus groups revealed themes of mutual respect, better gender relations, women's and girls’ use of voice, joyfulness in the workshops, better family communication, a focus on children's future well-being, and recognition of women's rights. The findings imply that a family-centered, multifaceted, and culturally grounded intervention can foster safety and harmonious relationships within families and communities.
Interpretable deep classification of time series based on class discriminative prototype learning
Authors: Wang Yupeng , Cai Jianghui , Yang Haifeng , Shi Chenhui , Zhang Min , Wang Jie , Zhang Ran , Zhao Xujun
Published: February 2025

Prototypes help to explain the predictions of deep classification models for time series. However, most models learn prototypes by randomly initializing an uncertain number of low-discriminative prototypes, which may lead to unstable models and unreliable results. To address these issues, we propose a new class Discriminative Prototype Learning Network (DPL-Net), which learns an appropriate number of class-discriminative prototypes, thus improving classification performance. Specifically, the proposed Prototype Initialization Mechanism (PIM) introduces a new proximity metric based on the silhouette coefficient and statistical metrics. It facilitates the automatic determination of the class-discriminative prototypes for each class. Then, the encoder layer encodes the prototypes derived from PIM and the input series using one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-CNN). Finally, the prototype classification layer optimizes the prototypes according to the regularization terms, while simultaneously classifying the input sequence based on its similarity to the updated prototypes. The comparison experiments are conducted on 26 UCR datasets compared with 10 baselines. The results show that our proposed approach achieves the best accuracy on 11 datasets. Specifically, our method outperforms PIP, CSSL, and LSS by an average of 16.33%, 9.77% and 5.96% on 22, 14 and 16 datasets, respectively. The interpretability experimental results and the application analysis on spectral data indicate that the learned prototypes can provide reasonable explanations for the classification results of the model.
Postoperative gait parameters in hip resurfacing compared to total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review
Authors: Parsa Ali , George Tracy , Bruning Rachel , Padilla Paulo , Schinsky Mark F , Domb Benjamin G
Published: February 2025

Introduction:

In the past decade, an increasing number of younger, active patients, including athletes, sought hip resurfacing (HR) arthroplasties. Some literature has suggested that hip resurfacing may allow faster recovery, better postoperative range of motion, and reduced risk for dislocation compared to total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of the present systematic review was to study the variations in postoperative gait parameters among patients with hip osteoarthritis who have undergone hip resurfacing or THA.

Methods:

According to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), a literature search was conducted in October 2022 for “hip resurfacing” OR “hip arthroplasty” AND “gait”.

Results:

8 studies with 206 patients (273 hips) were included in the analysis. The mean age of patients ranged from 44.4 to 67 years. On average of all studies, 54.3% of the patients were male and 45.7% female. Among all patients undergoing HR and THA, there were comparable numbers of males in each group (range 58.3–82.1% and 60.0–88.9%, respectively). 6 studies indicated that hip resurfacing patients reached a greater average walking speed, average stride lengths, stance times, and ability to perform uphill walking. 3 studies showed similar outcomes in flat surface walking between hip resurfacing and total hip arthroplasty patients.

Conclusions:

Little data are available to compare gait parameters in HR and THA. Some studies suggest that HR might have advantages in the gait and walking parameters like a greater average walking speed, average stride lengths, stance times, and ability to perform uphill walking, energy expenditure and better peak extension moment.
Utility of the BeBack re-entry catheter to treat resistant cephalic arch occlusion in a haemodialysis patient: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Chun Yuet Khoo , Lim Darryl , Derek Chunyin Ho , Pei Shi Lew
Published: February 2025

Background:

Cephalic arch stenosis is a common complication in haemodialysis patients with brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) that can lead to access dysfunction. For resistant lesions that fail conventional endovascular treatment, a possible salvage approach to avoid open surgery is via sharp recanalization using re-entry catheters.

Methods:

We describe the unprecedented use of the BeBack re-entry catheter (Bentley InnoMed GmbH), previously the GoBack catheter (Upstream Peripheral Technologies), to overcome a recalcitrant cephalic arch occlusion by sharp recanalization in a 73-year-old female with thrombosed left brachiocephalic AVF that failed revascularization using conventional catheter and wire techniques. During the procedure, there was a contained perforation subcutaneously but the BeBack catheter was manoeuvred to re-enter into the axillary and subclavian vein. This was followed by balloon angioplasty and insertion of Viabahn (Gore Medical) stent grafts across the revascularized track.

Results:

Completion angiography at end of the procedure showed smooth flow through the cephalic system without subcutaneous extravasation and our patient avoided the need for open surgical bypass. No immediate postoperative complication was encountered.

Conclusions:

Although the BeBack catheter has been predominantly used in difficult-to-treat lower limb chronic total occlusions, we have shown that it is also a potential feasible salvage option for sharp recanalization in the treatment of dysfunctional arteriovenous access.
Maintenance of peripherally inserted central catheters in general pediatric wards
Authors: Nakao Hiro , Tokuda Yusuke , Morooka Shintaro , Kubota Mitsuru
Published: February 2025

Background:

The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) has emerged as a useful option for long-term intravenous access in children, which has been increasingly required with the advancements in pediatric care. Long-term maintenance of PICCs is important for their functions, but little is known about this. We aimed to describe the PICC dwelling time in general pediatric wards, taking both complications and intentional routine removal into consideration, and explore the factors for long-term maintenance.

Methods:

We retrospectively examined the records of procedures performed by the pediatric PICC team between April 2020 and September 2023 at a children’s hospital in Japan. We conducted a survival time analysis to depict PICC dwelling time and regression analyses to explore factors associated with successful PICC insertion and long-term maintenance of catheters.

Results:

The PICC team conducted 78 procedures during the study period, 66 (85%) achieved central venous access, and 57 (78%) of 73 inserted PICCs could be used until treatment completion. The most common indication was administration of antibiotics. Radioscopy was utilized in 18% of procedures. The median PICC survival time was 170 days, and the 75% PICC survival time was 52 days. Failure of PICC insertion was associated with the 4.5 Fr double catheter (odds ratio (OR), 0.16) and lower extremity puncture (OR, 0.24). Longer catheter survival was associated with the catheter tip in the superior vena cava (SVC; hazard ratio (HR), 0.15), which was confirmed by additional multivariate analysis (HR, 0.14).

Conclusions:

PICCs could be used for several months in children until complications required removal. Single-lumen catheter insertion into the SVC might be associated with longer catheter survival. Developing appropriate methods to reach the SVC remains our task.
Tourists’ destination perception of competitiveness based on travel motivation
Authors: Ban Olimpia , Faur Monica , Coita Dorin C. , Benea Ciprian , Özdoğan Osman Nuri , Kavoura Androniki
Published: February 2025

Travel motives influence perceptions of destination competitiveness. Research though has not focused on tourists’ point of view and how travel motives influence perceptions of destination competitiveness. The existing limited research on the subject is associated with specific countries although culture is a significant denominator. More research may expand our knowledge since in destination competitiveness analyses, the visitor perspective is less valued and even less on visitor segments by travel motivation. The present study is twofold: to examine whether there are significant differences in tourists’ perceptions of tourism destination competitiveness according to travel motivation, and second, to test two data modelling methods on the same data set to see if there are differences impacting destination strategies. The research is based on a questionnaire survey among 307 tourists who visited Oradea, Romania in 2023. At the methodological level, the contribution of the research is that data were processed with two methods: (a) the Importance-Performance Analysis, which is the classical method of analysis, and (b) the Importance-Performance Analysis in relation to Competition. At theoretical level, we aimed to address the gap on the tourist perspective in the literature by examining visitors’ perspectives. No significant differences were found in the perception of quality, taking into account the motivations of tourists, while depending on the method used in data modelling, it was found that different strategic measures are suggested. Implications for sustainable and balanced tourism destination management are discussed.
Twerking the para-museum: a queer analysis of Missy Elliott’s Cool Off
Authors: Landau-Donnelly Friederike
Published: February 2025

This conceptual article discusses how dancing and twerking bodies co-produce museum spaces, which challenge dominant conceptions of who and what matters in museums. It examines the dance performance in the music video Cool Off (2019)1 by iconic Black female hip hop artist Missy Elliott via a systematic, critical visual analysis. Engaging with affective data that moves (us), I unpack the video’s embodied and spatial dimensions as practices of queering the museum – i.e., schdestabilizing heteronormative, hegemonic museum representations and narratives through Black and queer geographic scholarship, and critical dance studies. By remixing existing museum elements (e.g., pedestals, white cubes, golden picture frames) with twerking, rap and bright colors, Missy Elliott creates a self-directed virtual-only museum space that gives space to Black bodies that dance, move, freeze – thus claiming space for those narratives, cultural practices and legacies of Black (queer-feminist) culture that have previously been underrepresented, or been (made) absent, in museums. Missy Elliott’s museum space bursts with life, a sense of community, celebration and joy. Via the proposition of the ‘para-museum’, which imagines counter-hegemonic museums to function besides and beyond existing museum structures, I project possibilities for museums of and for the future that create and hold space for affective, embodied knowledge constituted by dancing bodies.
The combined effect of marble powder and polypropylene fibre on the properties of self-compacting repair mortar
Authors: Bendjilali Fatiha , Said Mansour Mohamed , Makhlouf Ali , Ghrici Mohamed , Belaidi Akram Salah Eddine
Published: February 2025

Durability and service life of structures are guaranteed towards the reparation and rehabilitation of concrete. Repair materials are usually cementitious matrixes reinforced with fibres. Partial replacement of cement by supplementary cementitious materials in repair products is important to decrease the consuming of cement, conserve natural resources, reduce waste as well as assisted to advanced sustainable building materials. For this purpose, six self-compacting repair mortar (SCRM) reinforced by polypropylene fibre (PPF) were prepared with replacement of cement by marble powder (MP) at different percentages 0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% according to the EFNARC 2005 specifications. First, the optimization of fibre’s dosage is obtained at fresh and hardened states (compressive and flexural strength) at 28 days. Then, SCRM reinforced by polypropylene fibres was evaluated in different methods, at fresh states (slump flow) and hardened states (compressive and flexural strength and elasticity modulus) at 3, 7, 28 and 90 days. In addition, durability was studied on sorptivity at 28 days and adhesion strength on composite specimens (half SCRM/half substrate mortar) at 7, 28 and 90 days. The obtained results of fresh mortar revealed that the addition of PPF contributed to workability enhancement. The combined use of PPF and MP showed good mechanical properties of SCRM which fulfilling the requirements of class R4 materials for structural repair products. On the other side, elasticity modulus has decreased with the increment of marble powder content however, a good correlation is attained between elasticity modulus and compressive strength. Adhesion test indicated that 15% of MP is the optimum dosage which provides 20% of gain in adhesion strength.
Uniformity of water distribution in linear movement with a double-sprinkler of self-propelled hard hose traveler
Authors: Xu Zhengdian , Ye Daoxing , Cai Yangyang , Zhang Yukun
Published: February 2025

This paper introduces the development of a self-propelled hard hose traveler to accelerate the transition of the traditional JP50-180 hard hose traveler toward becoming an irrigation robot and enhancing its applicability in farmland. The uniformity model of linear motion water distribution is established by utilizing the total frequency of application during the sprinkler motion and the radial application depth once during the fixed sprinkler rotation. The average application depth deviation between the tested and calculated values is 7.4%. The effect of combined irrigation with sprinkler motion is superior to that of motion irrigation with a single sprinkler. The average application depth decreases as the motion speed increases while the water distribution uniformity ( CU value) remains constant. The average application depth decreases as the path spacing increases. In contrast, the CU value first increases and then decreases. The highest CU value is approximately 94%, with the optimal path spacing being 1.5R and the optimal combinations of sprinkler rotation angles α, β, and γ being 0°, 90°, and 90°, or 90°, 90°, and, 0°, or 0°, 180°, and 0°, respectively depending on the case. The above indicators are significant for planning the irrigation application of a self-propelled hard hose traveler.
“Infertility frightened me”: Violence among infertile couples in Jordan
Authors: Hall-Clifford Rachel , Hamdan Zaid Al , Bergenfeld Irina , Bawadi Hala , Mowla Wardha , Hamdaneh Jehan , Salem Hussein Al , Clark Cari Jo
Published: February 2025

Background:

Women in couples experiencing infertility are at heightened risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) from husbands and domestic violence (DV) from family. Couples experiencing infertility in Jordan, a patriarchal culture with high rates of IPV and DV, are particularly vulnerable. This article explores the gendered similarities and differences in the experiences of mental health, social support, exclusion, and IPV.

Objectives:

The objectives of this study are to understand both men and women’s perspectives on their experiences of infertility and to develop intervention strategies to reduce IPV among married couples experiencing infertility.

Design:

This study is a descriptive, observational study.

Methods:

Through quantitative surveys and in-depth qualitative interviews, we examined key themes including: challenges to mental health and well-being; reproductive health and fertility care-seeking; experiences of shame, isolation, and discrimination; coping skills; sources of support; and challenges within spousal and family relationships.

Results:

In this article, we analyze primary areas of gender discordance and discuss how gendered experiences can shape implementation of psychosocial support intervention programs to prevent IPV. Our findings provide important insight into facilitators and barriers to prevention of IPV in this vulnerable group.

Conclusion:

We conclude that providing both women and men with culturally appropriate support during fertility treatment-seeking can improve psychosocial health and couple functioning and ultimately to reduce the occurrence of IPV in this vulnerable population.
Improving cervical cancer health literacy in Arabic-speaking immigrant women in the United States through an online patient education tool
Authors: Zayed Amira M , Nassar Saria , Chang Jenny , Dalati Layla , Thiel de Bocanegra Heike
Published: February 2025

Background:

Low health literacy rates especially among the medically underserved have called for more understandable and actionable resources to involve patients in their health. The online audio-visual Reproductive Health Network (ReproNet) cervical cancer tool was shown to improve cervical cancer health literacy among marginalized English- and Spanish-speaking populations and Arab and Afghan immigrants in a group setting.

Objective:

This study aimed to determine whether or not the cervical cancer tool positively impacts health literacy for Arabic-speaking Middle Eastern or North African first- and second-generation immigrant women in the United States when self-administered.

Design:

In this single-group pre–post interventional study, a convenience sample of 95 Arabic-speaking immigrant women in the United States, ages 18 and over, reviewed an online cervical cancer patient education tool and completed pre- and post-tests.

Methods:

Participants received links to the tool and to pre- and post-tests, using the cervical cancer literacy assessment tool. We conducted McNemar tests and paired t-tests to compare pre- and post-test results in health literacy per participants. A multivariate regression model was fitted to test the association between demographic variables and the change of cervical cancer literacy content domains, controlling for the baseline scores before administering the tool.

Results:

Out of 118 participants, 95 participants had complete pre- and post-tests. Health literacy increased overall after self-administration of the tool, specifically in terms of cervical cancer prevention and control ( p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in knowledge in U.S.-born versus foreign-born Arabic-speaking women ( p = 0.6660).

Conclusion:

The self-administration of the ReproNet cervical cancer tool most significantly increases awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer prevention in Arabic-speaking first- and second-generation immigrant women, thus pointing to increased quality of the provider–patient relationship.
Stroke Etiology was associated with Tirofiban Efficacy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Without Endovascular Treatment: A Pre-specified Subgroup Analysis of the TREND Trial
Authors: Qiao Yue , Zhao Min , Wang Jing , Li Sijie , Yang Ting , Wang Pingping , Ji Xunming , Ma Qingfeng , Zhao Wenbo
Published: February 2025

Background: Different stroke etiologies are associated with varied incidences of early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The TREND trial demonstrated the efficacy of tirofiban in preventing END in patients with AIS. Herein, we conducted a pre-specified subgroup analysis of this trial data to investigate whether stroke etiologies influenced the effects of tirofiban.

Methods: We performed a pre-specified subgroup analysis of the TREND trial, including 413 patients with AIS classified into large-artery atherosclerosis (n=114), small-vessel occlusion (n=124), and undetermined etiology (n=175). The primary outcome was the incidence of END4 (defined as an increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score by ≥4 points) within 72 hours. Other outcomes included END2 (increase in NIHSS score by ≥2 points), early improvement, functional outcomes at 90 days, and safety profiles.

Results: Tirofiban significantly reduced the risk of END4 in patients with large-artery atherosclerosis (4.1% vs. 21.5%; adjusted OR 0.17; 95% CI 0.04–0.78; P=0.023), while no significant differences were observed in small-vessel occlusion (adjusted OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.02-2.67; P=0.248) and undetermined etiology (adjusted OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.18-1.55; P=0.247) subgroups (P for interaction=0.376). Similar trends were observed for END2, with a significant benefit observed in the large-artery atherosclerosis (adjusted OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.08-0.72; P=0.011). The early improvement rates and 90-day functional outcomes were comparable between the treatment groups across all stroke subtypes. Safety outcomes were similar between antiplatelet therapies in each subgroup.

Conclusions: In patients who developed ischemic stroke within 24 hours of symptom onset, there was no evidence of a treatment interaction across stroke etiologies when comparing intravenous tirofiban to oral aspirin for reducing END. However, the absolute risk reduction observed with tirofiban was greatest in patients with large-artery atherosclerosis compared to those with small-vessel occlusion or undetermined etiology.
Synthetic versus conventional MRI for ring-enhancing brain lesions: A pre- and post-contrast comparison
Authors: Dash Sanket , Vyas Sameer , Bhardwaj Nidhi , Singh Paramjeet , Ahuja Chirag K , Ahmad Sarfraj
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Synthetic MRI has potential to significantly reduce MR scan time by reconstructing multiple contrast images from a single acquisition. The aim of this study was to compare the image quality of both pre- and post-contrast synthetic MRI in subjects with ring-enhancing brain lesions with conventional images.

Methods

50 patients with radiologically confirmed ring-enhancing brain lesions underwent TSE_MDME sequence before and after gadolinium administration along with conventional MRI sequences. Image quality was compared between synthetic and conventional sequences on a 4-point scale across 5 parameters, that is, grey white matter differentiation, demarcation of caudate nucleus, lentiform nucleus, demarcation of sulci, and SNR. Also, the artefacts, lesion conspicuity, and ability to diagnose on synthetic images were studied.

Results

Image quality of synthetic MRI was relatively similar across all sequences except for FLAIR. The image quality comparison between synthetic and conventional images showed an agreement in 70.7% of the cases (Weighted Kappa = 0.043, p = <0.001). Artefacts were maximum in synthetic FLAIR sequence (52%). 50% cases showed a discordant enhancement pattern in post contrast synthetic images. Despite a higher occurrence of artefacts in synthetic post contrast images, diagnostic ability was comparable across pre- and post-contrast synthetic and conventional images.

Conclusion

Synthetic MRI provides comparable diagnostic quality of images with acceptable rate of artefacts in both pre and post contrast sequences. However, needs a careful interpretation especially when diagnosis is heavily relied on the enhancement pattern of lesions.
“Let me hear what you’re needing”: exploring how HIV providers conceptualize patient-provider interactions with people with HIV who use drugs using a harm reduction framework
Authors: Creasy Stephanie L. , Egan James E. , Krier Sarah , Townsend Jessica , Ward Jessica , Hawk Mary , Kay Emma Sophia
Published: February 2025

Background:

In addition to structural interventions such as syringe services and naloxone distribution, harm reduction (HR) is also a relational approach to care encompassing principles such as patient autonomy and pragmatism that can be implemented in healthcare teams to improve outcomes for people with HIV (PWH) who use drugs. Evidence suggests that using a relational HR framework to operationalize care for PWH who use drugs may improve the patient-provider relationship, thus positively impacting HIV outcomes. We previously found that negative attitudes toward people who use drugs are negatively associated with acceptance of HR; however, little is known about how HIV providers conceptualize the patient-provider relationship with PWH who use drugs.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to describe the ways healthcare workers (HCWs) characterize interactions with PWH who use drugs and if these characterizations reflect relational HR or missed opportunities to improve the patient-provider relationship.

Design:

We used a qualitative descriptive design to characterize HCWs’ descriptions of their interactions with PWH who use drugs.

Methods:

We interviewed providers ( n = 23) working at three HIV clinics in the United States to assess their interactions with patients. Providers included anyone who had worked at their respective clinic for ⩾1 year and who had face-to-face contact with patients (e.g., front desk staff, nurses, physicians, and social workers). Data were coded thematically via Dedoose.

Results:

We discovered that HCWs characterize positive patient-provider interactions that both reflect HR principles and may not align with the principles of HR. Examples include when patients appear comfortable with and trusting of their provider, when patients feel heard by their provider, and when providers feel they are responsive to patient needs. However, other HCWs described positive interactions as counter to relational HR.

Conclusion:

HCW descriptions of positive interactions in line with relational HR in their conceptualization of patient-provider interactions with PWH who use drugs have the potential to guide efforts in increasing the acceptability of HR in HIV care. Given evidence showing HR improves outcomes for those who use substances, findings suggest missed opportunities to incorporate relational HR into the patient-provider relationship in HIV primary care settings.

Registration:

NCT05404750.
Atypical giant proliferating cystic pilomatrixoma: A case review
Authors: Sekhon Kerman , Miller-Monthrope Yvette , Murray Christian , Weinberg Michael
Published: February 2025

Pilomatrixoma, or calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe, is a rare and benign tumour. Typical presentation of pilomatrixoma is solitary, firm lesions found in the head and neck regions. Pilomatrixoma are often misdiagnosed due to their clinical presentation, which is synonymous with other cutaneous pathology. The reported and true incidence of pilomatrixoma are 1% and 16%, respectively. Cystic pilomatrixoma is a unique variant that presents without the pathognomonic feature of a firm lesion. This study presents the case of a 52-year-old man with a post-auricular pilomatrixoma. It is erythematous, soft, mobile, and 4 cm in diameter. Its size categorizes the lesion as a giant pilomatrixoma. These pilomatrixoma pose a diagnostic challenge as they mimic malignant lesions. It was highly erythematous and mimicked Merkel cell carcinoma in on initial presentation. It was a sebum-filled lesion, which is quite atypical for pilomatrixoma. A previous study finds that only three cases of cystic pilomatrixoma have been reported in the literature previously. This case study presents the case of an atypical variant of a rare tumour. There is a paucity in the literature on cystic pilomatrixoma. Giant proliferating cystic pilomatrixoma has not previously been described in a case report in the literature, as to our knowledge. This study highlights the diversity in the clinical presentations of pilomatrixoma to improve our clinical sensitivity to pilomatrixoma.
A case of altruistic suicide by severe carbon monoxide poisoning
Authors: Shah Aanchal Amit , Salazar Jorge , Bagla Prabhava , Das Aparna
Published: February 2025

Carbon monoxide poisoning (CO) is a lethal form of suicide. We present a case of a 52-year-old otherwise healthy male who attempted suicide by CO poisoning due to altruistic intentions. The patient survived and was doing well on follow-up over 2 months after discharge. The aims of this case report are to discuss the psychiatric and medical sequelae of CO poisoning and to revisit the sociological concept of suicide, focusing on altruistic suicides.
Cost-effectiveness of a digital supportive healthcare pathway for type 2 diabetes compared to usual care in Belgium
Authors: Van Wilder Lisa , De Smedt Delphine , Sandra Lieselotte , Vandormael Dorien , Kaes Joyce , Willems Ruben , Trybou Jeroen
Published: February 2025

Objective

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a digital supportive healthcare pathway in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to usual care.

Methods

An age-dependent Markov model was applied from a healthcare payer perspective projecting results of a clinical trial study over a time horizon of 22 years assuming a continuous implementation of the intervention every year, 24/7. The setting was Flanders (Belgium). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results

The hybrid care pathway led to a quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gain of 5.97, while the costs increased with €663,036. This resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €110,989/QALY. With a cost-effectiveness threshold of 45,000€/QALY, the hybrid care pathway was found not cost-effective compared to the usual care trajectory. Sensitivity analyses showed that over 50% of iterations exceeded the threshold, with a cost-effectiveness probability of 13.12% at €45,000/QALY.

Conclusions

This cost-effectiveness analysis indicates that a hybrid care pathway is unlikely to be a cost-effective approach compared to the standard care trajectory in patients with T2DM. Nevertheless, the exploration of technology-driven healthcare pathways are vital for advancing patient well-being, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize resource utilization and enhance outcomes effectively.
“Misogyny Was in the Atmosphere”: Feminist Perspectives on Social Media Use in the 2019 Algerian Pro-Democratic Demonstrations
Authors: Chaif Rim H. , Etheridge Christopher E.
Published: February 2025

Public and vocal calls by Algerian feminist groups to revise restrictive laws about women during the 2019 Hirak (“protest” in Arabic) were met with physical and online violence from both pro-government and reformist groups. Theories considering the role of public spaces in advancing democratic efforts differ on strategy and method for inclusion of marginalized voices. Through structured open-ended questionnaires with Algerian feminist demonstrators, this study probes the perceived efficacy of various democratic-advancing tactics. Findings show a reticence on the part of Algerian feminists in cultivating open social media spaces or efforts to assimilate into a single public and echo previous findings of those advocating for a more disputed perspective on democracy.
Readmission After Geriatric Inpatient Care: A Narrative Review and a Comparative Analysis
Authors: Willers Carl , Lindqvist Rikard , Dreilich Martin , Fors Stefan , Lindh Mazya Amelie , Nilsson Gunnar H. , Boström Anne-Marie , Naseer Mahwish , Rydwik Elisabeth
Published: February 2025

Background:

Readmission can be be related to the work of several stakeholders involved in the care of individuals throughout the community, including, for example, primary care and social care providers. A narrative review was performed to assess definitions and frequency of readmission for older adults found in previous research. In addition, a dataset for a cohort of older adults in Stockholm, Sweden, was used to quantify how different definitions of readmission affect frequency.

Materials and Methods:

The review was based on pre-specified search criteria within PubMed and Embase databases. All studies based on a cohort of older adults with a primary objective to assess readmission to inpatient care, were included for the assessment of readmission criteria. The dataset was based on a cohort of older adults treated at a geriatric department in Stockholm during 2016. Estimations of readmission were performed with the most common criteria found in the narrative review.

Results:

The narrative review showed that definitions of readmission included predominantly time-based criteria, either alone or combined with additional criteria such as medical condition or readmitting department. Frequency of readmission based on different definitions varied substantially; a 14-day time interval implied a rate of 8.0% whilst a 30-day interval—more commonly used—rendered a rate of 12.6%. The density of readmissions per day was higher during the first weeks after discharge, and then dropped continuously.

Conclusion:

Transparency on definitions is imperative in studies that include rates of readmission. The levels of readmission rates are highly dependent on the study population and its context. Furthermore, the actual value of readmission monitoring is dependent on what purpose it is supposed to fulfill, and it is essential to put it into context of all relevant stakeholders including, for example, the primary care providers and different social care providers throughout the community.
Stress Perception and Coping Strategies of Nursing Students During the Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic
Authors: Alharbi Manal F. , Alanazi Bashayer
Published: February 2025

To investigate the perceived stress and coping orientation to problems among nursing students in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This descriptive correlational study used a self-administered questionnaire that included personal data, a perceived stress scale, and a Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE). Altogether, 235 participants were enrolled, of which 51.1% were aged 19 to 20. The 14-item perceived stress scale and the Brief COPE scores’ problem- and emotion-focused dimensions showed a significant negative correlation but no avoidant dimension. Higher PSS scores were associated with younger age, grade point average of 3, and second academic year level. Stress levels were higher among younger students in the lower academic year level and perceived lower grades. PSS showed a significant inverse correlation with the problem-focused dimension and its subscales, including active coping, instrumental support use, positive reframing, and planning in Brief COPE. Proper intervention is needed to maintain their academic standing.
Psychosocial Factors Promoting Resilience in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Dong Ruishu , Mohamad Aun Nur Saadah , Sofia Amin Aizan , Hassan Nazirah
Published: February 2025

Breast cancer is a common disease among women, and resilience helps them better cope with the illness and experience personal growth. This study used qualitative research methods to conduct semi-structured in-depth interviews with 15 Chinese breast cancer survivors. To explore the psychosocial factors promoting resilience in them. According to the interview data, after coding and refining the themes, it was found that the social resources of breast cancer survivors include: family support, hospital support, government and social organization support, and cultural support. The psychological factors include cognitive, emotional, and behavioral resources. This is comprehensively reflected in high self-efficacy and control, relatedness, and the ability to manage emotions. Society and individuals influence each other and together constitute protective factors of resilience. Health professionals and social workers should view survivors positively, guide them to tap their abilities and environmental resources, stimulate their resilience potential, and achieve self-reconstruction.
Violation of Employee Rights and Unionization From the Perspective of Non-Unionized Basketball Players
Authors: Ötkan Can Çavin , Çolakoğlu Tekin
Published: February 2025

The research aims to uncover the violation of employment rights of professional basketball players, their experiences related to legal proceedings resulting from this, and their views on unionization. In this regard, a basic qualitative research design was preferred. The respondents were 42 Turkish basketball players in the Turkish professional basketball leagues, selected through criterion sampling. A semi-structured interview schedule was used as the data collection tool. Individual interviews and focus group discussions were utilized during the data collection process. Qualitative content analysis was applied in the data analysis process. The findings are divided into three themes: violation of employee rights, legal process, the unionization idea. Under the theme of employee rights violation: there are categories such as violation of the remuneration right, disregard for the athlete and discrimination. The legal process theme consists of two categories: reasons to avoid the legal process and reasons for taking legal action. The theme of the unionization idea is divided into two categories: positive opinions and negative opinions. Respondents’ employment rights were found to be violated. Due to the pressure exerted by employers on athletes, respondents are hesitant to take legal action and unionize for fear of being subjected to mobbing. It has been concluded that unionization is not possible due to the lack of solidarity among professional basketball players. However, if it were to happen, it would increase solidarity and eliminate the power imbalance between employees and employers.
Ethnic Discrimination in Social Media and Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic Emerging Adult College Students: Examining the Moderating Roles of Emotion Self-Efficacy and Locus of Control
Authors: Okeke Deidre A. , Ibañez Gladys E. , Bursac Zoran , Sheehan Diana M. , Frazier Stacy L. , Kotocavage Lea Nehme , Ibekwe-Agunanna Lynn N. , Sullivan Samaah , de Dios Marcel A. , Cano Miguel Ángel
Published: February 2025

With the rise of social media and the potential for ethnic discrimination on these platforms, this study examined the relationship between depressive symptoms, social media discrimination, ‘powerful others,’ and emotional self-efficacy with a convenience sample of 628 Hispanic emerging adult college students from Florida ( n = 401) and Texas ( n = 227). Results from a hierarchical multiple regression model indicate that higher social media discrimination is associated with greater depressive symptoms. Moderation analyses revealed that higher emotional self-efficacy and perception of ‘powerful others’ strengthened the association between social media discrimination and depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of considering individual and contextual factors when examining mental health disparities in this population, suggesting that tailored interventions may benefit from addressing the complex interplay between social media discrimination and emotion regulation.
Prenatal Dental Visits, Perceived Benefits of Oral Health, and Preterm Birth Outcome, 2009–2021
Authors: Lee H. , Hong N. , Janevic T.
Published: February 2025

Background:

Previous studies have demonstrated a significant association between maternal oral health and pregnancy complications, including preterm birth (<37 wk). However, research on the impact of dental care utilization during pregnancy on these outcomes has produced both positive and negative results.

Objective:

The current study investigated the association between preterm birth and dental care utilization, focusing on dental visits for cleaning during pregnancy as well as the perceived benefits of oral health during pregnancy.

Methods:

This secondary data analysis cross-sectional study used data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System in the United States from 2009 to 2021. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between dental variables and preterm birth.

Results:

The study included 399,847 women with a recent single live birth, representing 21,218,114 women across 48 states and New York City. After adjusting for factors such as race and ethnicity, age, marital status, medical insurance type, education level, adequacy of prenatal care, and other medical variables associated with preterm birth, women who had dental visits for cleaning during pregnancy had a lower odds of preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.86, 0.93], P < 0.001) compared with those who did not. A significant association between prenatal dental cleaning and reduced preterm birth was observed only among women who perceived the benefits of oral health during pregnancy (aOR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.88, 0.97], P = 0.002) and among non-Hispanic White women (aOR = 0.88, 95% CI [0.83, 0.93], P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

This study revealed an inverse relationship between dental cleaning visits during pregnancy and preterm birth outcomes, notably among women who recognized the benefits of oral health and among non-Hispanic White women. The results emphasize the significance of dental visits and the perception of oral health benefits during pregnancy.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

The study demonstrated an inverse association between dental visits for cleaning during pregnancy and preterm birth outcomes, with this relationship being significant among women who perceived the benefits of oral health during pregnancy and among non-Hispanic White women. These findings suggest that both the dental visits and the perception of oral health benefits may be important factors linked to preterm birth outcomes, with potential racial and ethnic variations. Policy makers and clinicians could integrate oral health care and prenatal oral health education into prenatal care as essential components of primary health care to improve both oral and overall health outcomes for women.
Decolonial Methods in Podcast Production Studies: Reflections From Practice-Led Research
Authors: Perdomo Gabriela , Copeland Stacey , Soto-Vásquez Arthur D , Fox Kim
Published: February 2025

This article presents and discusses qualitative decolonial methods to research the production of podcasts. Examining podcast production as a global field of study rooted in American/Western logic we discuss how researchers may experiment with new methods and approaches to analyzing podcast production that challenge such roots. We present and discuss the use of decolonial and embodied methodologies and theoretical approaches to podcast studies as a way to promote methods of inquiry that take full advantage of podcasting as an aural medium. We ask our readers to consider questions such as, how may feminist-inspired embodied listening help us better grasp the potential of podcast productions? How can we build critical methods of inquiry for podcasting that favor intentional listening and audio coding while using qualitative data analysis software? How may we build intrinsically inclusive methodologies so that researchers can shed light on the truly diverse set of actors engaging in podcast production today? Our analysis draws upon reflections from our work as educators, scholars, and podcasters and offers a brief overview of the works of other leading scholars in the field.
Transcriptomic analysis offers deep insights into the Increased Grain Length 1 (IGL1) regulation of grain length
Authors: Sang Liran , Xu Ending , Liu Yan , Hu Tiange , Yang Mengqi , Niu Jiayu , Lu Chong , Zhou Yi , Sun Yifei , Zhai Zhaoyu , Abdulmajid Dina , Zhang Peijiang , Wang Qianqian , La Honggui , Zou Yu
Published: February 2025

Background

Although great progress has been made in recent years in identifying novel genes or natural alleles for rice yield improvement, the molecular mechanisms of how these genes/natural alleles regulate yield-associated traits, such as grain length and 1000-grain weight, remain largely unclear. An in-depth understanding of the roles of these genes/natural alleles in controlling yield traits become a necessity to ultimately increase rice yield via novel molecular techniques, such as gene editing.

Results

In this study, the roles of IGL1, which was previously identified through a map-based cloning approach, in the regulation of grain length were investigated by overexpressing and knocking out it in the Nipponbare genetic background. Overexpression and knockout of IGL1 (the resulting transgenic lines were hereafter designated IGL1-OE and IGL1-CR lines, respectively) led to elongation and shortening of grains, respectively. To further elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind the IGL1 action, young panicles from IGL1-OE and IGL1-CR lines were subjected to mRNA sequencing. The results showed that both overexpression and knockout of IGL1 all resulted in a large number of upregulated and downregulated differentially expression genes (DEGs) relative to wild-type NPB control lines. A total of 984 DEGs overlapped between upregulated DEGs from IGL1-OE and downregulated DEGs from IGL1-CR; 1146 DEGs were common to downregulated DEGs from IGL1-OE and upregulated DEGs from IGL1-CR. GO term and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that IGL1-upregulated DEGs were associated with extracellular region, protein ubiquitination, cell-wall modification, BR signaling, cell cycle, etc.; by comparison, the IGL1-downregulated DEGs were connected with extracellular region, response to wounding, flavonoid biosynthesis, jasmonic-acid signaling, glucose/sucrose metabolism, etc. Some phytohormone-associated genes (like OsYUCCA4, OsPIN10b, OsBAK1, and OsDLT), TF genes (like OsMADS1 and OsGASR9), grain length-regulating genes (like An-1, GS9, OsIQD14, and TGW2) showed significant upregulation or downregulation in IGL1-OE or IGL1-CR.

Conclusion

Our result clearly demonstrated that IGL1 is an important regulator of grain length, and has profound impacts on genome-wide gene expression, suggesting that it may work together with certain TFs. Overexpression or knockout of IGL1 appears to cause complex expression changes of genes associated with phytohormones, TFs, grain length-regulating factors, which ultimately brings about the grain elongation.