bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Exploration of Change Leadership at Public Higher Education Institutions in Ethiopia
Authors: Mamo Gebretsadik Daniel
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of mid and lower-level academic leaders in bringing about change readiness in the university. To this end, 180 academic staff were sampled from the five colleges and one institute using a stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using a modified form of the organizational change recipients’ beliefs scale and an adapted change attitude assessment scale. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using simple linear regression. The analysis of the collected data revealed that change readiness in the university is low and met usually with resistance from the academic staff of the university. Moreover, the relationship between change leadership and change readiness of the academic staff of the university revealed that there is a significant relationship between change leadership and change readiness of the academic staff of the university. Accordingly, the regression coefficient between change leadership and discrepancy, principal support, valence, efficacy, and appropriateness of the change effort was found to be .464, .212, .444, .347, and .202, respectively. Thus, it was recommended that the mid and lower-level leadership of the university as a whole need to work toward improving the change readiness perception of the academic staff of the university. It should also show commitment to the smooth implementation of change tools being implemented in the university and provide adequate material, psychological, training, and other forms of support needed for smooth implementation of change in the universities.
Teachers’ Immediacy Behaviors and Academic Achievement: A Relational Analysis
Authors: Özdaş Faysal
Published: April 2022

This study investigated the associations between teachers’ immediacy behaviors, high school students’ academic achievement, and several demographic variables including gender, school type, class level, and the transition from primary to secondary education examination (TPSE) scores. A mixed methods research design was employed involving surveys and interviews. The survey was administered to 340 high school students attending 11 state schools in the Southeastern Region of Turkey. Interviews were conducted with 60 students attending the same schools. Findings of the research indicated (1) a moderate, positive, and significant relationship between students’ academic achievement and their TPSE scores; (2) a low, positive, and significant relationship between their academic achievement and teachers’ immediacy behaviors; and (3) a low, negative, and significant relationship between the students’ TPSE scores and teachers’ immediacy behaviors. Findings point to the importance of a holistic investigation of the factors associated with achievement at high school and the specific role played by teachers’ immediacy behaviors.
Teachers’ Challenges in the Introduction and Implementation of Systemic Change in the Nigerian Primary School System
Authors: Babajide Oloba Peter , Smith Clive
Published: April 2022

The Nigerian primary school system has recently undergone a major change. School system change can be either piecemeal or systemic. Systemic change provides a framework for an all-inclusive model of change that relies on locally-driven, system-wide change guided by stakeholders through ongoing collaboration and joint ownership of the change process. Teachers are key roleplayers who can either positively or negatively affect the successful implementation of school system change. This research aimed to explore teachers’ challenges in the introduction and implementation of systemic change in the Nigerian primary school system. We used system theory as the theoretical framework to inform the study. This qualitative study is located in a constructivist research paradigm. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers. Teachers’ challenges included the non-involvement of stakeholders in the change planning process, incorrect statistical data, inadequate funding, teacher demotivation, poor channels of communication, political influence, misappropriation and embezzlement of funds, and poor monitoring and evaluation of the change. Effective school system change requires a systemic approach to change that encompasses all tiers of a school system. The findings provide insight into how future change in the Nigerian primary school system could be conducted more effectively than in the past.
A Scoping Review of the Effect of Content Marketing on Online Consumer Behavior
Authors: du Plessis Charmaine
Published: April 2022

Notwithstanding the body of research on the characteristics and benefits of content marketing as a digital marketing strategy, evidence of how online consumer behavior is affected by digital brand content remains inconclusive. The current state results from the scattered and fragmented literature about content marketing which impedes a full understanding of scientific results that confirm the effect of content marketing activities on online consumer behavior. The purpose of this scoping review was therefore to provide a broad synopsis of pertinent studies in a structured and comprehensive way over 12 years. The scoping review upheld the five-stage framework of Arksey and O’Malley and was guided by the principles of PRISMA-ScR and the JBI Methodological guidelines. In doing so, the findings from 32 studies conducted in 21 different countries were analyzed and suggestions made for future research. The results not only synthesize existing empirical evidence of the causal linkage between content marketing and online consumer behavior but also identify some knowledge gaps in the literature to guide future studies.
Aesthetics, Emotions, and the Use of Online Education Apps Post-COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Sharma Daneshwar , Alam Mumtaz
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments all around the world to impose lockdowns. As schools were closed and the students could attend schools physically, online education apps were used by the students to continue their education. The purpose of the study was to analyze the students’ intentions to use online education apps (OEAs) in the post-pandemic scenario. Purposive sampling was used to collect data from 327 first-time users of OEAs for their standard XII education. Various scales related to OEA’s aesthetics, students’ emotional response to OEAs, and the intentions to use OEAs in the post-pandemic scenario were used in the survey questionnaire. Correlations were analyzed to find answers to the research questions. The findings reflect that the aesthetics of OEA like the app design, graphics, structure, etc. significantly influence the emotional response and the intention of the students to use OEAs in the post-pandemic scenario. The emotional response of the students toward the OEAs, in itself, also influences the intention of the students to use OEAs in the post-pandemic scenario. When the students get pleasure, become excited, and feel in control of the app, their intention to use the OEAs in the post-pandemic scenario is positively influenced. The research adds to the literature related to OEAs, the aesthetics of OEAs, the emotional response to OEAs, and the intention to use OEAs. The OEA industry can use the finding to grow their consumer base in the post-pandemic scenario. The context of OEA and the results are original in nature.
Investigation of Factors That May Affect the Commitment of Healthcare Professionals to Their Works During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period
Authors: Akyüz Ahmet Mutlu , Durmuş İbrahim
Published: April 2022

The environment of uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic period has caused difficulties especially for healthcare professionals in their work activities. The purpose of this research is to find out which variables might affect the commitment of healthcare professionals to their works during this COVID-19 period. Based on the data announced by the Ministry of Health during the pandemic in the first quarter of 2021, it was decided to conduct a research on doctors, nurses, caregivers, and medical secretaries working in hospitals in the cities of the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey which generally show high risk. In the developed research model, satisfactory conditions (SC), emotional commitment to change (ECC), and psychological ownership (PO) as variables that may directly or indirectly affect the commitment of healthcare professionals to their works (CW) were used. The Smart PLS program was used in the analysis of the research model and hypothesis. It was seen that the ECC of healthcare professionals has a positive and significant (.694; p < .000) effect on SC. It was understood that the PO of healthcare professionals has positive and significant effects on their CW (.394; p < .000). It was also observed that the presence of SC has positive and significant effects on the PO of the healthcare professionals in the current situation (.796; p < .000). It was observed that only the effect of ECC of healthcare professionals on their CW is insignificant (.097; p > .086). Looking at the indirect (intermediary) effects obtained as a result of the research, it was seen that all of the hypotheses consist of positive coefficients. This situation reveals that the mediating variables have complementary effects on the obtained results.
Development of a New Measure of Cognitive Ability Using Automatic Item Generation and Its Psychometric Properties
Authors: Ryoo Ji Hoon , Park Sunhee , Suh Hongwook , Choi Jaehwa , Kwon Jongkyum
Published: April 2022

In the development of cognitive science understanding human intelligence and mind, measurement of cognitive ability has played a key role. To address the development in data scientific point of views related to cognitive neuroscience, there has been a demand of creating a measurement to capture cognition in short and repeated time periods. This paper introduces an innovative measure of cognitive ability based on automatic item generation approach, which can efficiently and effectively measure cognitive ability over time. We also examine its psychometric properties. Content validity of the assessment was considered based on the Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory, and construct validity via convergent and divergent validities was examined by confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability of the measure examined by internal consistencies as well as test-retest reliabilities of each subdomain of cognitive ability were satisfactory. The psychometric properties found clearly support its potential utilities in both educational and clinical settings, especially in a field requiring repeated measures of cognitive ability.
Cultural Transformation to a Whole Health System: Lessons Learned
Authors: Gaudet Tracy
Published: April 2022

Perhaps, the biggest risk facing the efforts to improve health and well-being for all, is to fail to realize that this requires not simply improvement upon the existing systems, but TRUE transformation. And, transformation not of one massive, complex system but of a multitude of systems. The Whole Health Institute has identified thirteen large systems that impact health and well-being and are in need of true transformation.
Early School Leaving and Transition to Adulthood: A Case Study of a Spanish Mediterranean Region
Authors: Salvà-Mut Francesca , Tugores-Ques María , Quintana-Murci Elena
Published: April 2022

In this study, the processes of transition to adulthood of early school leavers were analysed with special emphasis on the heterogeneity of situations that arise in this group. A quantitative methodology has been used including data collection via questionnaires with a total sample of 580 participants (306 women and 274 men) in the age range 26–28. Firstly, we have analysed the influence of educational level and gender in emancipation, employment, and parenting processes. Secondly, seven models of transition were identified based on the combination of main markers of transition to adulthood. Results showed the strong impact of educational level and gender on youth transitions, and the great vulnerability of youth with a low educational level specifically in employment and being these difficulties greater for women.
Book review: P. Martino, Blockchain and Banking: How Technological Innovations are Shaping the Banking Industry
Authors: Singh Simarjeet , Choudhary Heena , Kaur Sandeepa , Mishra Amar Kumar
Published: April 2022

P. Martino, Blockchain and Banking: How Technological Innovations are Shaping the Banking Industry, 2021. Switzerland: Springer Nature, 109 pp., ₹6,468 (Paperback). ISBN: 978-3-030-70969-3.
Flow investigation of second grade micropolar nanofluid with porous medium over an exponentially stretching sheet
Authors: Abbas Khan Aamir , Naveed Khan Muhammad , Ahammad Nandalur Ameer , Ashraf Muhammad , Guedri Kamel , Galal Ahmed M
Published: April 2022

This article mainly focuses on the influence of heat and mass transportation of micropolar second grade nanofluid toward porous medium of an exponentially stretched surface. The significance of activation energy and viscous dissipation with magnetic effect are taken into deliberated. Furthermore, to analyze the heat and mass transport scrutiny the concentration and thermal slip boundary conditions are assessed on the surface of the sheet. The convenient similarity variables are adopted to transfer the non-linear governing PDEs into the dimensionless ODEs and their corresponding boundary conditions also transformed. The nonlinear coupled ODEs are numerically solved by the usage of BVP4C MATLAB technique. The obtained numerical estimations are displayed graphically to display the significance of the various parameters against the velocity, temperature, microrotation, concentration distributions. It is noticed that larger estimations of micropolar and second grade parameter improves the fluid velocity consequently, while opposite trend is found for the higher estimation of porous medium parameter. Further, it is observed that the skin friction rate is boosted by the increment of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], whereas opposite trend is noted against the mass transfer rate and heat transfer rate.
Body mass index and endometriosis: Is there a relationship?
Authors: Arablou Tahereh , Khodaverdi Sepideh , Kolahdouz-Mohammadi Roya , Farhangnia Pooya , Delbandi Ali-Akbar
Published: April 2022

Objective:

Previous studies on the relationship between the presence of endometriosis (EM) and body mass index (BMI) have shown inconsistent results. This study aimed to compare the BMI between women with EM and non-endometriotic controls.

Methods:

In the present cross-sectional study, BMI of 65 endometriotic women with 43 non-endometriotic controls undergoing laparoscopy were compared. The comparison of BMI between the two groups and in disease stages was analyzed using t-test.

Results:

BMI was significantly lower in women with EM compared to control women ( p = 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in BMI between disease stages.

Conclusion:

The present study results showed that women with EM have lower BMI compared to non-endometriotic controls. More studies are suggested to clarify the mechanisms of this association.
Gastrointestinal symptoms as a predictor of deep endometriosis of the pelvic posterior compartment on magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Fadadu Priyal Praful , Cope Adela , Weng Chia-Sui , Mara Kristin , Khan Zaraq , VanBuren Wendaline , Burnett Tatnai
Published: April 2022

Objective:

To determine if gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms can predict deep endometriosis (DE) of the posterior pelvic compartment on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods:

Patients with suspected endometriosis undergoing endometriosis protocol MRI at an academic center between 9/1/2015 and 7/31/2018 were identified. Presenting GI symptoms were collected via a standardized survey instrument prospectively at initial presentation. MRI and interdisciplinary conference notes were reviewed to identify posterior compartment DE (rectosigmoid, uterosacral ligaments, posterior cul de sac, and pelvic side walls). Associations between symptoms and DE were evaluated.

Results:

A total of 104 patients met inclusion criteria, and 89 (85.6%) presented with at least one GI symptom. Posterior compartment DE was identified on MRI in 47 patients (45.2%). The GI symptom that most strongly predicted DE was a bowel movement resulting in pain relief (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.31–8.61, p = 0.012), with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values 0.42, 0.82, 0.67, and 0.63, respectively. Other GI symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, rectal bleeding, change in frequency of bowel movements, and pain exacerbation by bowel movements did not significantly correlate to having DE. Of the 15 patients with no GI symptoms, 5 were found to have posterior compartment DE.

Conclusion:

In patients with suspected endometriosis, those who noted that bowel movements relieved their pain had more than three times the odds of having DE of the posterior compartment on MRI. Preoperative evaluation with MRI may be of value in these patients; however, lack of gastrointestinal symptoms does not exclude the possibility of posterior compartment DE.
Current diagnosis and management of adenomyosis in Canada: A survey of Canadian gynaecologists
Authors: Maxim Madalina , Dason Ebernella Shirin , Chan Crystal , Luketic Lea , Li Qixuan , Huszti Ella , P. Sanders Ari , Sobel Mara
Published: April 2022

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to understand how Canadian Obstetricians/Gynaecologists (OBGYNs) diagnose and manage adenomyosis.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was performed via an online survey distributed to 262 OBGYNs at three Canadian universities (University of Toronto, University of Calgary, and McMaster University).

Results:

A total of 137 responses were obtained out of 262 OBGYNs (52.3%) with a completion rate of 98%. Adenomyosis was a diagnosis in 6%–10% of patients seen by OBGYNs. The most common clinical symptoms included heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) (82.8%) and dysmenorrhea (91.0%). Most participants (83%) used transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) as first-line imaging for diagnosis of adenomyosis. Many respondents (35.8%) indicated that adenomyosis was not associated with infertility or recurrent miscarriage. Treatment considerations for all patients with adenomyosis included levonorgestrel intra-uterine system (LNG-IUS) (91.8%), hysterectomy (88.8%), expectant management (85.1%), combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC) (83.6%), tranexamic acid (81.3%), gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (64.2%), depo-provera (64.2%), dienogest (57.5%), and norethisterone acetate (NETA) (40.3%). Treatments for adenomyosis in patients wishing to conceive included expectant management (85.1%), tranexamic acid (79.1%), CHC (44.8%), LNG-IUS (32.8%), and GnRH agonists (35.8%). Excision of adenomyosis would only be offered by 24% of respondents. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) would not be used in the treatment of adenomyosis by 44% of respondents. Finally, 82.8% of respondents would use improvement of clinical symptoms to follow treatment success.

Conclusion:

Practice varies across Canada despite recent emerging evidence in the diagnosis and management of adenomyosis, highlighting the need for a clinical practice guideline on adenomyosis.
Social Support, General Self-Efficacy, Fear of Falling, and Physical Activity Among Older Adults in a Middle-Income Country
Authors: Okoye Emmanuel C. , Onwuakagba Ifeoma U. , Akile Cynthia C. , Okonkwo Uchenna P. , Akosile Christopher O. , Mgbeojedo Ukamaka G. , Oyewumi Taiwo J. , Kubeyinje Oluwaseun S.
Published: April 2022

Objectives: To investigate the levels and interrelationships between fear of falling (FOF), physical activity (PA), social support (SS), and general self-efficacy (GSE) among older adults in a Nigerian community. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 100 older adults (65.0% females; mean age = 74.25 ± 8.01 years) consecutively recruited from Nnewi community. Participants’ FOF, PA, GSE, and SS were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman rank order correlation, and structural equation modeling at a 0.05 level of significance. Results: The participants’ mean FOF, PA, GSE, and SS scores were 15.22 ± 7.43 (fearful), 114.76 ± 90.18 (low), 21.64 ± 8.25 (low) and 5.72 ± 1.19 (high) respectively. There were significant correlations between each pair of FOF, PA, GSE, and SS scores of the participants ( p < .05). FOF and GSE were significant predictors of PA while GSE and SS were significant predictors of FOF. Conclusion: FOF and SS were high while PA and GSE were low in this sample of Nigerian older adults. Significant correlations existed between FOF, SS, GSE, and PA, with FOF and GSE being predictors of PA while GSE and SS significantly predicted FOF. Measures should be geared towards reducing FOF and improving PA, GSE, and SS in this group.
Confidence in Science: Perceptions of Harmful Consequences, Scientific Uncertainty, and the Pursuit of Self-Interest in Scientific Research
Authors: Kunovich Robert M.
Published: April 2022

The author uses risk society theory to develop hypotheses about sources of confidence in science. The focus is on perceptions that science creates harms, scientific knowledge is uncertain, and scientists pursue self-interests. Controls are included for political and religious identity and ideology, science knowledge, and other variables. Data are from two cross-sectional waves of the General Social Survey. Analyses using additional cross-sectional and panel samples from the General Social Survey are used to evaluate the robustness of the findings and to test the direction of causality; these are presented in the Appendix. The results indicate that perceptions of harmful consequences, scientific uncertainty, and self-interested scientists are associated with lower confidence. The results are robust across a variety of topics and types of scientists. The findings suggest that some strategies intended to increase public confidence in science, such as greater transparency or political mobilization in defense of science, might have the opposite effect.
Toward Food Sovereignty for Coastal Communities of Eastern Québec: Co-designing A Website to Support Consumption of Edible Resources from the St. Lawrence River, Estuary, and Gulf
Authors: Fallon Catherine , Lemire Mélanie , Dumont Dany , Parent Elizabeth , Figueroa Esteban , Cummings Isabelle , Brousseau Julie , Marquis Marie , Paquet Nicolas , Plante Steve , Witteman Holly O.
Published: April 2022

Background. Despite the abundance and proximity of edible marine resources, coastal communities along the St. Lawrence in Eastern Québec rarely consume these resources. Within a community-based food sovereignty project, Manger notre Saint-Laurent (“Sustenance from our St. Lawrence”), members of participating communities (3 non-Indigenous, 1 Indigenous) identified a need for a web-based decision tool to help make informed consumption choices. Methods. We thus aimed to co-design a prototype website that facilitates informed choices about consuming local edible marine resources based on seasonal and regional availability, food safety, nutrition, and sustainability, with community members, regional stakeholders, and experts in user experience design and web development. We conducted 48 interviews with a variety of people over 3 iterative cycles, assessing the prototype’s ease of use with a validated measure, the System Usability Scale. Results. Community members, regional stakeholders, and other experts identified problematic elements in initial versions of the website (e.g., confusing symbols). We resolved issues and added features people identified as useful. Usability scores reached “best imaginable” for both the second and the third versions and did not differ significantly between sociodemographic groups. The final prototype includes a tool to explore each species and index cards to regroup accurate evidence relevant to each species. Conclusions. Engaging co-designers with different sociodemographic characteristics brought together a variety of perspectives. Several components would not have been included without co-designers’ input; other components were greatly improved thanks to their feedback. Co-design approaches in research and intervention development are preferable to foster the inclusion of a variety of people. Once the prototype is programmed and available online, we hope to evaluate the website to determine its effects on food choices.
Book review: Aniket Jaaware, Practicing Caste: On Touching and Not Touching
Authors: Sharma Bhushan
Published: April 2022

Aniket Jaaware, Practicing Caste: On Touching and Not Touching. New Delhi: Orient Blackswan, 2019, 235 pp., ₹895 (Hardcover). ISBN: 9789352875405.
Book review: Margaret Trawick (Foreword by Ann Grodzins Gold), Death, Beauty, Struggle: Untouchable Women Create the World
Authors: Basu Rajsekhar
Published: April 2022

Margaret Trawick (Foreword by Ann Grodzins Gold), Death, Beauty, Struggle: Untouchable Women Create the World. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2017. ISBN 978-0-8122-4905-7.
Dalit Symbolism: A Journey Towards Renewed Aspirations and Democratic Public Space
Authors: Krishna Sangeeta
Published: April 2022

The article talks about how Dalit symbolism has become an epitome of the Dalits’ assertion for democratic space in the contemporary period. The renewed aspirations of Dalits have emerged in the form of physical as well as cultural symbols. They are carving out their own public space through physical symbols such as imposition of icons through statues and monumental structures, and cultural symbols in the form of inventing popular myths, folk heroes, stories and history, which can be referred to as counter-publics or alternative public sphere. Treated as subservient and marginalized under the hegemonic power structure, the oppressed Dalits want to have their own voice and to present their own alternate views about State, culture and political philosophy. Nothing can be better than the exhibition of radical progressive Dalit symbols in the form of statues of Dalit icons at public places, calendars of Dalit heroes, Dalit blogs, Dalit songs, stories, poems and so on as mentioned, in order to develop an understanding of Dalit aspirations and history among the general public. Thus, the article endeavours to explore and analyse those symbols, narratives and songs, and their contributions towards Dalits’ renewed aspirations, historical claims and craving for democratic space.
Hunger as a Political Critique: Memories as Resistance in M. Kunhaman’s Ethiru
Authors: Shalini M.  , Mathew Moncy
Published: April 2022

The article looks at how memories and experiences of hunger in Dalit life writings form a strong political critique against the claims of modern welfare society. The instances of hunger recorded in Ethiru by Kunhaman are analysed in order to see how hunger itself constitutes a humiliating experience when it is combined with experiences of caste discriminations.

Despite developing juridical as well as social sensibilities to irradicate hunger and poverty, caste-ridden contexts give rise to situations of death by hunger not due to any shortage of food but due to ostracization and alienation of the marginalized communities. These moments also expose the colonial and feudal views and prejudices about the poor, their attitude to hard work, and value of labour and charity which still lie deep in the social psyche of many developed countries. The article attempts to locate Kunhaman’s work within the context of emerging critiques from the marginalized communities against tall claims of the progressivism and development indices of Kerala society.
Preparation and Formation Mechanism of Electrospun Porous Beaded Fibers
Authors: Liu Kai , Zheng Yuansheng , Ge Cheng , Xin Binjie , Dong Xuan
Published: April 2022

Electrospun porous beaded fibers show great potential in the industrial application of many different fields; in addition, the processing parameters play an extremely important role in producing the required porous beaded fibers. In this study, polystyrene porous beaded fibers were fabricated via the electrospinning method. To further research into the formation mechanism of the electrospun porous beaded fiber, the influences of both flow rate and applied voltage on the jet motion and surface morphology of polystyrene porous beaded fibers were investigated in a systematic and comprehensive way. Images of jet trajectories and fiber morphologies under selected parameters were captured by high-speed photography and scanning electron microscopy, respectively, to explore the formation mechanism of porous beaded fibers. The experimental results showed that both flow rate and applied voltage have tremendous influence on the jet pattern and resultant fiber morphology, namely, the higher flow rate results in a multi-jet pattern and larger bead diameter, and the larger applied voltage leads to multi-jet trajectory and a reduction in the number and diameter of beads.
Oxygen-enriched Nanobubbles for a Green Reactive Washing Process
Authors: Anis Pervin , Toprak-Cavdur Tuba , Çalışkan Naime
Published: April 2022

In this study, we used the new nanobubbles technology to create a green reactive washing process for the textile industry, as one of the most polluting sectors where environmentally friendly process designs are indispensable to protect the environment. With this technology, the possibility of eliminating the soaping-off step from the reactive washing sequence was investigated. For the design of an environmentally friendly reactive washing process, the effects of increasing the process temperature of the soaping-off step as well as the use of oxygen-enriched NBs in all washing steps after reactive dyeing with three different dyes were investigated. The results were evaluated by comparing the color coordinates, strength, and fastness of dyed cotton towels washed according to the conventional and alternative processes as well as examining the absorbance and chemical oxygen demand values of the washing baths. Alternative washings did not cause significant differences in color coordinates, while the lowest color strength and highest fastness values were obtained after washing with nanobubbles. The absorbance graphs showed that the most colorful baths belonged to the first bath of the nanobubble washing regime. Chemical oxygen demand measurements revealed that the alternative washing systems were more environmentally friendly than the conventional ones. Based on the results of this study, we concluded that it was possible to implement more eco-friendly washing methods by eliminating the use of soap.
Clinical and Imaging Outcomes of Plantar Fasciotomy Using Microdebrider Coblation Wand
Authors: Colberg Ricardo E. , Kenneth-Nwosa Ken O. , Jurado Vélez Javier A. , Slowik Jonathan S. , Fleisig Glenn S.
Published: April 2022

Background:

A plantar fasciotomy using a microdebrider coblation wand may be an effective treatment for treating chronic plantar fasciitis. The objective of this prospective study was to determine the success rate of performing a plantar fasciotomy using a microdebrider coblation wand to treat plantar fasciitis and determine utility of ultrasonographic imaging to evaluate for recovery after treatment.

Methods:

Patients with plantar fasciitis treated with a plantar fasciotomy using a microdebrider coblation wand were prospectively followed for 1 year. Outcome measures included numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain, Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure for activities of daily living (FAAMA) and for sports (FAAMS), and plantar fascia thickness evaluated with ultrasonographic imaging.

Results:

Forty patients were included. Average patient age was 53.4 ± 9.9 years. Average symptom duration prior to the procedure was 20 ± 26 months. Five patients dropped out of the study at various points, most due to the COVID quarantine. The mean preoperative NRS score was 4.7 and at 3 and 6 months postprocedure was ≤2. At 1 year, the outcomes were all improved compared to the preoperative status: NRS 0.7±1.3 ( P < .001), FADI 107±16 ( P < .001), FAAMA 95%±10% ( P < .001), FAAMS 84%±19% ( P < .001), and plantar fascia thickness 6.8 ± 1.2 mm ( P = .014). Furthermore, 86% of patients had clinically successful outcome in pain, defined as NRS score ≤ 2 (95% CI 0, 2), and 91% of patients had a clinically successful outcome in their function, defined as having an FAAMA score ≥75%. There were no complications at the operative site either during or after the procedure.

Conclusion:

In this study of 40 patients followed prospectively, we found percutaneous plantar fasciotomy using a microdebrider coblation wand to be an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis, with a low incidence of complications. Ultrasonographic imaging may help evaluate for interval healing. Level of Evidence: Level IV, prospective case series.
Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in Women With Depressive Disorder at a Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Devkota Lila , Pant Sagun Ballav , Ojha Saroj Prasad , Chapagai Manisha
Published: April 2022

Background:

Sexual dysfunction in female with depressive disorder is highly prevalent and strikingly understudied. Epidemiological and clinical studies have shown association between depression and impairments of sexual function. Despite high prevalence, there are limited studies regarding the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among female with depressive disorder in Nepal.

Aims:

This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in female with depressive disorder in Nepal, their association with treatment status, and the level of psychological distress caused by it.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among female with depression at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal. The participants were grouped as drug naïve and under medication. Data were collected using semi-structured proforma, Beck Depression Inventory, Kessler 6+ Psychological Distress Scale, and Female Sexual Function Index. Data were tabulated and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.

Results:

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 58.82%, being 60.78% in drug-naïve cases and 56.86% in females suffering from depression and receiving medications. This study showed statistically significant association between sexual dysfunction and psychological distress but not with age, duration of marriage, number of children, occupational, and financial status.

Conclusions:

The study reported high prevalence of sexual dysfunction among female with depression. All domains of sexual function were affected and showed significant association with psychological distress. Therefore, assessment of sexual dysfunction in every female with depression is required to address the problem timely and efficiently.
Adapting Psychiatric Case History Taking Practices for Indigenous Transgender Communities
Authors: Chatterjee Aritra
Published: April 2022

While there is ample sociological or anthropological insight into the lives of Hijra persons in India, very little of it has been utilized in praxis for making mental health-care spaces Hijra-inclusive. Dominant discourses in Western psychiatry fail to tend to this community, predominantly because of its colonial gaze, inability to think beyond binaries, fancy to put “gender nonconformity” into diagnostic labels, and lack of intersectional focus and culture sensitivity. This is corroborated with remarkable service underutilization in this group as a parallel reality. Case history taking is an important part of any mental health intervention. In this article, the author shall attempt to delineate how psychiatric case history taking may be adapted to the needs of potential Hijra clients through ethnographic input from their lives. These provocations were initially shared by the author at the virtual Criposium Conference, 2020, organized jointly by King’s College London Disability+Intersectionality Reading Group and SOAS Crip Feminist Reading Group.
Beyond the Syndrome: Extensive Congenital Abnormalities in an Infant With Trisomy 21
Authors: Ward Jeremy D , Sharma Mahesh S , Pizzuto Matthew F , Moylan Vincent J , Askin Frederic B , Kaufman David G
Published: April 2022

Herein we discuss the clinical course and subsequent autopsy of a female infant with trisomy 21 with balanced Rastelli Type “C” complete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), tetralogy of Fallot and right aortic arch with mirror image branching pattern who underwent a palliative right modified Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt (mBTTS) for hypoxemia from progressive right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The baby was found to have multiple concomitant pathologic findings not typically seen with this constellation of cardiac anatomy. Autopsy revealed significant abdominal adhesions with near-complete stenosis of the transverse colon. In addition, the infant was found to have significantly elongated villi within the small and large bowel and a relatively large collagenous polyp in the small bowel. The decedent also had an abnormal tracheal bronchus, characterized by an additional superior right-sided bronchus, which is an extremely rare abnormality. Her clinical course was complicated by severe pulmonary hypertensive arteriolar changes out of proportion to what would be typical for her age, trisomy 21 status, and degree of left to right intracardiac shunting. Furthermore, she had refractory anasarca and recurrent chylous pleural effusions without gross lymphatic abnormalities that may have been secondary to systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) versus severe pulmonary hypertension. Due to the aforementioned findings, the family elected for comfort care and the baby expired shortly after extubation. Overall, the infant had multiple, rare coexisting congenital abnormalities that likely represents an extreme phenotype of trisomy 21 that has not been described in the literature to date.
The evaluation of the role of technology in the pathways to comorbidity care implementation project to improve management of comorbid substance use and mental disorders
Authors: Uribe Guajardo Maria Gabriela , Baillie Andrew , Louie Eva , Giannopoulos Vicki , Wood Katie , Riordan Ben , Haber Paul , Morley Kirsten
Published: April 2022

In substance use treatment settings, comorbid mental health problems can occur in up to 70% of people. An integrated approach for managing comorbidity, implementing evidence-based intervention in drug and alcohol settings, remains problematic. Technology can help in adopting evidence-based practice to implement effective treatment healthcare pathways. This study sought to examine aspects of tailored portal utilization (barriers and facilitators) by participants taking part in a program aimed at improving the implementation of evidence-based practice for comorbidity management Pathways to Comorbidity Care (PCC).

Method

A self-report questionnaire and a semi-structured interview were designed to measure clinician satisfaction with the PCC portal and e-resources throughout a 9-month intervention. An adapted version of the “Non-adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread and, Sustainability” (NASSS) framework facilitated discussion of the findings.

Results

Twenty participants from drug and alcohol services responded to all measures. Facilitators included: (i). clinician acceptance of the portal; (ii). guidance from the clinical supervisor or champion to encourage e-resource use. Barriers included: (i). complexity of the illness (condition); (ii). participants’ preference (adopter system) for face-to-face resources and training modes; and, (iii). lack of face-to-face training on how to use the portal ( technology and organization).

Conclusion

Based on the NASSS framework, we identified several barriers and facilitators of the use of the portal including the complexity of illness, lack of face-to-face training, and clinician preference for training mediums. Recommendations include ongoing organizational support, in-house clinical supervision, and consultation with clinical providers to assist in the development of tailored e-health resources and open training opportunities on how to operate and effectively utilize these resources.
Quality of Life Outcomes With Creative Arts Therapy in Children With Cancer
Authors: Raybin Jennifer L. , Zhou Wenru , Pan Zhaoxing , Jankowski Catherine
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Children with cancer experience distress and decreased quality of life (QOL). Creative arts therapy (CAT) is a therapeutic modality which may improve QOL. This study examined the relationship between CAT and QOL in children and adolescents with cancer. Secondary aims explored relationships between CAT and emotional reactions, resilience, and posture (to investigate future potential as an objective biomarker of QOL). Methods: Children aged 3–18 years undergoing cancer treatments and a parent proxy completed the PedsQL3.0 Cancer Module, Faces Scale for emotional reactions, Resilience Scale in adolescents (>12 years), and an inclinometer to measure thoracic kyphosis before and after CAT. CAT exposure (number of sessions) was recorded. Results: Ninety-eight children with cancer (mean age 7.8 years, range 3–17) and parent proxy were enrolled. Of the 83 participants included in the final analysis, 18 received no CAT, 32 received low dose, and 33 received high dose CAT. A significant improvement in QOL was seen with high dose CAT in (slope change, p  =  .015), but the overall time by group interaction was not significant. Slope change response patterns suggested that CAT led to improved posture as compared to no CAT (time by group interaction, p  =  .044). Discussion: CAT may be an effective intervention to improve QOL in this population. Because initial evidence suggests that posture also improves with CAT, further investigation of posture as a potential objective biomarker of QOL is supported. Further study with a randomized controlled trial is warranted.
“The Plane of Y0”: Evaluating Reliability of a Novel Method of Measuring the Liver With Sonography Using Internal References
Authors: Joish Upendra Kumar , Abhishek S. , Gund Shardul
Published: April 2022

Objective:

The present methods for the linear measurement of the liver with sonography are based on external reference lines. In addition, these measurements are subject to interrater variability due to relative mobility of liver and abdominal wall during breathing, change in position, and so on. A novel method using a plane with two internal references (plane of Y0) was developed as an alternative. The purpose of this study was to estimate the reliability of the novel method and compare with other commonly used methods.

Materials and Methods:

A prospective, analytical, cross-sectional study was completed in a radiology department, including individuals referred for sonography and a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of abdomen. Three radiologists sonographically measured the craniocaudal dimension of liver in the “plane of Y0,” midclavicular, and anterior axillary lines for each participant. In 60 participants, the craniocaudal measurements obtained in the “plane of Y0,” in both contrast-enhanced CT and sonography, were compared for validity. Interrater correlation coefficients were calculated for each method.

Results:

Three hundred thirty-four participants underwent sonography of the liver. Sixty of them also underwent a contrast-enhanced CT. The craniocaudal measurements within the “plane of Y0” showed excellent reliability in comparison with other methods. It was found to be valid when compared with measurements completed on the CT image.

Conclusion:

Measuring the liver in the “plane of Y0,” with two identifiable internal references, is reliable, valid, and recommended for possible use in daily clinical practice.

Key Takeaways

Using internal reference points for measurements of internal organs, with sonography, will reduce interoperator variability. The “plane of Y0” passing through two internal reference points within the liver, the branching of right portal vein (Y shaped) and gallbladder (0 shaped lumen), can be easily acquired with sonography. Measurement in the craniocaudal dimension of liver, in the “plane of Y0,” showed validity and high interrater reliability (0.91). The normal range of measurements in adults was found to be 10.5 to 15.1 cm.
Role of Handedness in Conducting an Ultrasound-Guided Procedure: A Comparative Study
Authors: Yoosaf Shifa Shajahan , Umer Mohamed Zubair , Sugashini Veerasamy , Ravindran Greeshma C. , Kumar Lakshmi
Published: April 2022

Objective:

Sonography is widely used by clinicians to provide imaging assistance in guiding invasive procedures. Many sonography users tend to prefer their dominant hand to operate the needle and their nondominant hand on the ultrasound transducer. The aim was this study was to determine whether the dominant hand guiding the needle achieves a faster time to target during ultrasound-guided procedures compared with the nondominant hand.

Materials and Methods:

Forty novice sonography users, medical students, were randomized to participate in the study. Twenty medical students used a Sonosite® ultrasound equipment system and the other 20 used a Mindray® ultrasound equipment system. Following a video education training session, an informed consent was obtained from each participant. In each equipment group, participants were randomly allocated to either a right-handed needle and a left-handed transducer preference or a left-handed needle and right-handed transducer preference group. A total of ten participants were in each group. A timer was started when the ultrasound transducer came in contact with the phantom model and stopped when the needle reached the target. This simulated task was repeated ten times by the participants. The hand arrangement for the needle and transducer was then switched and the task repeated another ten times by each participant.

Results:

Handedness was observed over multiple attempts and “time to target” was recorded for groups with both hand preferences and varied ultrasound equipment systems. The most significant finding was that the difference in time was statistically significant between the groups, when comparing the first and fifth procedural attempts.

Conclusion:

In this novice group of users, despite training for ultrasound-guided procedures using phantom models, irrespective of the ultrasound equipment system, or hand preference, there was no difference in the time to target.
Explaining Reverse Outcome Tight Control: A Case Study of Mindless/Mindful Governance
Authors: Chen Wenxin , Huang Chua Cecil Eng , Young Raymond , Xu Xudong
Published: April 2022

In reverse outcome tight control, controlees’ behavior is correctly aligned with tight controls, but this results in harm to the project. Using the lens of mindfulness, our case study of a construction project reveals why mindless enactment of controls leads to reverse outcome tight control—controllers replace project feedback with feedback from controls. When a project has both unknown unknowns and tight control, controlees respond to tight controls instead of to unknown unknowns. Controlees behave as controllers expect, leading controllers to be unaware of brewing problems. One solution is “unprocess”—deliberately seeking information outside of standard project routines.