bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 and child welfare policy in Chile: The experience of front-line workers
Authors: Garcia-Meneses Javiera , Chanez-Cortes Ivan , Montoya Ceballos Paulina
Published: February 2022

COVID-19 arrived in Chile amid social protests that questioned the State’s ability to protect children’s rights. Nevertheless, child policy workers continued working despite the drastic changes to their daily work generated by both the pandemic and conflicts within the child welfare system. In this article, we aim to understand how these workers have experienced and overcome these challenges. We show that they have continued doing interventions with children at the expense of their economic resources and well-being. Our findings highlight the need for the government to take immediate action, offering guidelines to improve child policy workers’ labor conditions.
Released Under Investigation: High Time to Bail Out
Authors: Sosabowski Michael Hal , Johnston Ed
Published: February 2022

Prior to the Policing and Crime Act 2017, the provision of bail was set out by the Bail Act and refined by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). Bail provisions changed under the Policing and Crime Act 2017, which created a presumption against bail. The legislation permitted police to release suspects under investigation (RUI) which was permitted to last as long as the police required. This article contends that neither the police, suspects or victims of crime have benefitted from the changes and a new balance needs to be struck in order to achieve fair and just outcomes, in keeping with the doctrines outlined in Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill 2021.
Asymmetry in Psychoactive Research: A Bibliometric Study on 15 Psychoactive Drugs
Authors: Lebrero-Tatay Julia , Sebag Arthur , Ezquerra-Romano Ivan
Published: February 2022

Although intended to avoid illicit drug use, national laws and international conventions have limited research on psychoactive drugs. To characterise the evolution of the literature on psychoactive drugs, a bibliometric study of 15 psychoactive drugs from 1960 to 2018 was conducted in which 956,703 academic publications were obtained from Web of Science. Growth patterns were analysed per drug type, legal status and country. Our results show the existence of heterogeneous patterns of growth for the publications of different psychoactive drugs. Strikingly, the literature on legal substances and depressants represented between 60% and 80% throughout the years. We found unexpected regional differences in the scientific output about the selected drugs, which might be explained by cultural and political phenomena. Governments and funding bodies should consider these results when allocating resources to research on psychoactive drugs to optimise the therapeutic applications of these compounds and our understanding of the nervous system.
Causal Relationships between Personal Networks and Health: A Comparison of Three Modeling Strategies
Authors: Ruppel Emily H. , Child Stephanie , Fischer Claude S. , Botchway Marian
Published: February 2022

Prior research documents associations between personal network characteristics and health, but establishing causation has been a long-standing research priority. To evaluate approaches to causal inference in egocentric network data, this article uses three waves from the University of California Berkeley Social Networks Study (N = 1,159) to investigate connections between nine network variables and two global health outcomes. We compare three modeling strategies: cross-sectional ordinary least squares regression, regression with lagged dependent variables (LDVs), and hybrid fixed and random effects models. Results suggest that cross-sectional and LDV models may overestimate the causal effects of networks on health because hybrid models show that network–health associations operate primarily between individuals, as opposed to network changes causing within-individual changes in health. These findings demonstrate uses of panel data that may advance scholarship on networks and health and suggest that causal effects of network support on health may be more limited than previously thought.
Racial-Ethnic Residential Clustering and Early COVID-19 Vaccine Allocations in Five Urban Texas Counties
Authors: Anderson Kathryn Freeman , Ray-Warren Darra
Published: February 2022

Previous research has indicated that racial-ethnic minority communities lack a wide variety of health-related organizations. We examine how this relates to the early COVID-19 vaccine rollout. In a series of spatial error and linear growth models, we analyze how racial-ethnic residential segregation is associated with the distribution of vaccine sites and vaccine doses across ZIP codes in the five largest urban counties in Texas. We find that Black and Latino clustered ZIP codes are less likely to have vaccine distribution sites and that this disparity is partially explained by the lack of hospitals and physicians’ offices in these areas. Moreover, Black clustering is also negatively related to the number of allocated vaccine doses, and again, this is largely explained by the unequal distribution of health care resources. These results suggest that extant disparities in service provision are key to understanding racial-ethnic inequality in an acute crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unpacking the Criminogenic Aspects of Stress Over the Life Course: The Joint Effects of Proximal Strain and Childhood Abuse on Violence and Substance Use in a High-Risk Sample of Women
Authors: Slocum Lee Ann , Medel Jennifer , Doherty Elaine Eggleston , Simpson Sally S.
Published: February 2022

Purpose: Drawing on concepts from strain, feminist, and life-course perspectives, we investigate the proximal effects of strain on violence and serious drug use along with the distal “carryover” effects of childhood abuse among women. Methods: Using 36 months of retrospective data collected from 778 incarcerated women, we estimate monthly within-person effects of four types of strain experienced in adulthood (i.e., negative life events and three forms of victimization) on respondent-initiated violence and serious drug use. Cross-level interactions assess the moderating “carryover” effects of childhood abuse and cumulative adversity. Results: Negative life events increased women's initiation of violence and serious drug use. Having a near violent experience was positively associated with violence, while violent conflict increased drug use. Experiencing both childhood physical and sexual abuse accentuated the effect of predatory victimization on violence, and physical victimization amplified the positive relationship between near violence and drug use. Unexpectedly, women who experienced childhood sexual abuse were less likely to use drugs after experiencing strain. The accumulation of adversity among abused women could not account for these moderating effects. Conclusion: Findings suggest women's recent life experiences can explain offending in the foreground, while childhood abuse can account for some within-sex heterogeneity in these relationships.
Nursing Students’ Compassion and Their Attitudes Toward Death and the Care of the Dying: An Intervention Study ın Turkey
Authors: Ozpulat Funda , Tasdelen Bas Melike , Molu Birsel
Published: February 2022

This pretest–posttest quasi-experimental study investigated the effect of an educational intervention on nursing students’ compassion levels and their attitudes toward death and the care of the dying. Data were collected using the Death Attitude Profile - Revised (DAP-R), the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care Of The Dying (FATCOD) Scale, and the Compassion Scale (CS). The intervention improved participants’ DAP-R scores. Participants had higher posttest FATCOD scores than the pretest scores. However, the difference was statistically insignificant. Participants had high CS scores. There was a slight increase in CS scores after the intervention. The results showed that the intervention improved participants’ attitudes toward death and the care of the dying. The results also showed that compassion was an important factor.
Temperature and density distribution in an industrial stenter frame based on three-dimensional numerical simulation
Authors: Ramić Mesud , Džaferović Ejub , Kadrić Džana , Metović Sađit , Hasečić Amra
Published: February 2022

Drying of textiles in industrial facilities represents an energy-intensive process where a large number of measures for energy and production cost savings can be introduced. Typical measures include the introduction of energy management, waste-heat recovery, process optimization and so on. Drying is a complex process with coupled heat and mass transfer between the heated air and humid textile, where parameters such as the air flow rate, air velocity and its flow regime and textile velocity and water content represent significant influential factors. The distribution of air temperature and density inside the drying section of an industrial stenter frame is analyzed in detail using three-dimensional numerical simulation, where the textile is modeled as a porous medium to analyze moisture diffusion within the textile. Heated air is introduced into a chamber by inlet nozzles and removed by exit nozzles, the distribution of which is based on actual machine configuration. A humid textile is introduced into a section, where temperature and density distribution within the textile are calculated for selected time periods. During the simulation in the Fluent program, models of specific component transport, multiphase air flow, turbulent flow, porosity and evaporation were used. The results represent a valuable data set that provides an in-depth insight into the drying process in the industrial stenter machine.
Facile flame-retardant finishing for cotton in supercritical CO2
Authors: Ke Huizhen , Fang Qin , Han Yitong , Zheng Huanda , Zheng Laijiu , Dong Yuanyuan
Published: February 2022

Traditional water-based flame-retardant finishing causes serious pollution due to the use of a large number of chemicals, and color change is easily generated since the flame-retardant finishing takes place after the cotton dyeing. An eco-friendly flame-retardant finishing of dyed cotton was explored using 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO), 2,2′-oxybis-(5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2,-dioxaphosphorinane-2,2′-disulfide) (5060), SiO2, DOPO/SiO2 (1:1), 5060/SiO2 (1:1) and DOPO/5060 (1:1) in supercritical CO2. The effects of finishing time and pressure as well as temperature on the flame-retarding properties of the cotton were discussed. As expected, samples with the higher weight gain rates exhibit a lower after-flame time as well as after-glow time. In different flame-retardant systems, cotton fabric finished with DOPO presents the lowest after-flame time of 20.6 s and after-glow time of 0 s at 130°C, 22 MPa and 120 min due to its biphenyl ring and O=P-O bond. Moreover, tiny fluctuations of L*, a*, b* and K/ S values occurred from 32.10 to 34.24, 5.78 to 6.05, –37.89 to –37.64 and 10.59 to 10.81 when the cotton samples were treated with DOPO, 5060, SiO2, DOPO/SiO2 (1:1), 5060/SiO2 (1:1) and DOPO/5060 (1:1), proving that no significant negative role in the color property of the samples occurs after supercritical CO2 finishing.
Stephen’s neurotic self-estrangement: A case study of James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Authors: Farahmandian Hamid , Shao Lu
Published: February 2022

This article examines neurosis in the personality of Stephen Dedalus in James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man as a means to understand his intellectual and artistic development. Although Joyce’s fictional characters have been studied from various psychoanalytic perspectives, the psycho-neurotic aspect of these characters – particularly Stephen – has been largely overlooked. We use Karen Horney’s theory of neurosis as an analytic device to reveal how Stephen’s self-estrangement and neurotic personality bring about his successful evolution as a creative artist, suggesting that Stephen moves away from other people because of his neurotic need of perfection, self-sufficiency and narrow limits on his life. The uncertainty of these needs leads Stephen to become hostile to his society, as he is estranged from it. Consequently, he adopts a detached personality. His self-estrangement leaves Stephen neurotic inasmuch as it increases his artistic power.
Silent Partners? Trade Unions, Corporations and Penalty Privilege in the Federal Court of Australia
Authors: Schofield-Georgeson Eugene
Published: February 2022

‘Penalty privilege’ is sometimes referred to as ‘the right to silence’ or more correctly the privilege against self-exposure to civil penalty. It is a procedural rule that applies equally to trade unions and corporations in Australian federal courts. This article critically investigates this equality of this treatment, revealing its historical evolution and arguing that it results in unequal outcomes, relative to the social and historical roles of unions and corporations. But it also discovers distinct incoherence in the application of penalty privilege, along with a host of related legislative interventions that have sought to entrench the equal treatment of trade unions and corporations more broadly. Accordingly, this article proposes a range of reform, with a particular focus on the application of penalty privilege in the federal arena. A more coherent application of penalty privilege, it is proposed, is one that applies in proportion to the social power exercised by persons and entities before the Court.
(Re)Envisioning Mindfulness for Leadership Retention
Authors: Kim Dong Jin , Pendola Andrew
Published: February 2022

An emerging body of research has shown that mindfulness practices for school administrators can result in significant benefits, including a reduction in stress and sense of burnout. Concurrently, nearly 20% of school principals exit their position each year—and cite high levels of stress as a primary motivating factor. In this conceptual paper, we seek to align the benefits of mindfulness practices for educators to the causes of principal turnover, as a means to better support local, low-cost strategies to reduce high levels of leadership attrition. We offer a framework that aligns mindfulness research with principal retention research, and follow with an identification of the organizational, social, and cultural barriers to the adoption of mindfulness practices in public schools. We conclude with specific recommendations for school and district leadership to incorporate mindfulness-based interventions into organizational practices in order to help reduce administrator stress, improve task focus, and ultimately address the underlying sources of leadership turnover.
Guy Debord, an Untimely Aristocrat
Authors: Russell Eric-John
Published: February 2022

This essay excavates the pre-capitalist influences of the thought of Guy Debord, French postwar critical theorist and founding member of the Situationist International. Tracing a lineage of what can be described as Debord’s aristocratic sensibility, we discover not simply an aesthetic approach to navigating social life, or guidelines for outmanoeuvring an adversary, but also contempt for honest labour, monetary transactions in cultural affairs, and conventional political gestures. Together these themes remain part of a legacy of an aristocratic past, one that, as will be examined here, informed Debord’s acrimony towards his own mid-20th-century moment. The following discussion will advance a genealogy of Debord’s thinking with these themes from late antiquity to the Italian Renaissance, and finally with an extended examination of the baroque, a concept that helps advance Debord’s diagnostic concept of the society of the spectacle.
Efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted treatment for major depressive disorder: Prospective 12-month follow-up
Authors: Gukasyan Natalie , Davis Alan K , Barrett Frederick S , Cosimano Mary P , Sepeda Nathan D , Johnson Matthew W , Griffiths Roland R
Published: February 2022

Background:

Preliminary data suggest that psilocybin-assisted treatment produces substantial and rapid antidepressant effects in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), but little is known about long-term outcomes.

Aims:

This study sought to examine the efficacy and safety of psilocybin through 12 months in participants with moderate to severe MDD who received psilocybin.

Methods:

This randomized, waiting-list controlled study enrolled 27 patients aged 21–75 with moderate to severe unipolar depression (GRID-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (GRID-HAMD) ⩾ 17). Participants were randomized to an immediate or delayed (8 weeks) treatment condition in which they received two doses of psilocybin with supportive psychotherapy. Twenty-four participants completed both psilocybin sessions and were followed through 12 months following their second dose.

Results:

All 24 participants attended all follow-up visits through the 12-month timepoint. Large decreases from baseline in GRID-HAMD scores were observed at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up (Cohen d = 2.3, 2.0, 2.6, and 2.4, respectively). Treatment response (⩾50% reduction in GRID-HAMD score from baseline) and remission were 75% and 58%, respectively, at 12 months. There were no serious adverse events judged to be related to psilocybin in the long-term follow-up period, and no participants reported psilocybin use outside of the context of the study. Participant ratings of personal meaning, spiritual experience, and mystical experience after sessions predicted increased well-being at 12 months, but did not predict improvement in depression.

Conclusions:

These findings demonstrate that the substantial antidepressant effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy may be durable at least through 12 months following acute intervention in some patients.
FollowTheSutures: Piloting a new way to administer onabotulinumtoxinA for chronic migraine
Authors: Stovner Lars Jacob , Hagen Knut , Tronvik Erling , Bruvik Gravdahl Gøril , Burstein Rami , Dodick David W
Published: February 2022

Background

Anatomical and experimental data indicate that onabotulinimtoxin A could be more efficient and cost-effective for treating chronic migraine with injections targeting the cranial sutures, where collaterals from the meninges penetrate the skull.

Methods

A new injection paradigm (FollowTheSutures) was tested for safety, tolerability and feasibility in a Phase II, open-label, non-controlled, single-center pilot study. Ninety units of onabotulinimtoxin A (Botox®), were injected in 18 sites over the area of the cranial sutures. Adverse events and potential beneficial effects were recorded in a headache diary at least 4 weeks before, and for 12 weeks after the injections. A higher dilution than normal of onabotulinimtoxin A was used to get better diffusion.

Results

Nineteen (of 20 included) women with chronic migraine received the injections and were evaluable. There was only one treatment-related adverse event (reduced power of chewing for some weeks). Otherwise, the procedure was overall well tolerated. Patients improved on most efficacy parameters after the injections. There was little or no effect on glabellar or forehead lines.

Conclusions

The protocol was safe and well tolerated. Lower risk of unblinding due to the absence of cosmetic effects should make the injection procedure well suited for a large, randomized, placebo-controlled study. If efficacy is confirmed, it will be markedly less costly than the standard procedure. Trial registration: EUDRACT (2017-002516-13), ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03543254).
NCOR2 is a novel candidate gene for migraine-epilepsy phenotype
Authors: Nuottamo Marjo Eveliina , Häppölä Paavo , Artto Ville , Hautakangas Heidi , Pirinen Matti , Hiekkalinna Tero , Ellonen Pekka , Lepistö Maija , Hämäläinen Eija ,   International Headache Genetics Consortium (IHGC), FinnGenConsortium, Siren Auli , Lehesjoki Anna-Elina , Kallela Mikko , Palotie Aarno , Kaunisto Mari Anneli , Wessman Maija
Published: February 2022

Hypothesis

To identify genetic factors predisposing to migraine-epilepsy phenotype utilizing a multi-generational family with known linkage to chr12q24.2-q24.3.

Methods

We used single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping and next-generation sequencing technologies to perform linkage, haplotype, and variant analyses in an extended Finnish migraine-epilepsy family (n = 120). In addition, we used a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset of migraine and two biobank studies, UK Biobank and FinnGen, to test whether variants within the susceptibility region associate with migraine or epilepsy related phenotypes in a population setting.

Results

The family showed the highest evidence of linkage (LOD 3.42) between rs7966411 and epilepsy. The haplotype shared among 12 out of 13 epilepsy patients in the family covers almost the entire NCOR2 and co-localizes with one of the risk loci of the recent GWAS on migraine. The haplotype harbors nine low-frequency variants with potential regulatory functions. Three of them, in addition to two common variants, show nominal associations with neurological disorders in either UK Biobank or FinnGen.

Conclusion

We provide several independent lines of evidence supporting association between migraine-epilepsy phenotype and NCOR2. Our study suggests that NCOR2 may have a role in both migraine and epilepsy and thus would provide evidence for shared pathophysiology underlying these two diseases.
“A heart-wrenching thing”: Analyzing newspaper narratives of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kempton Stefanie Davis , DiRusso Carlina
Published: February 2022

Current research shows that news stories on COVID-19 influence Americans’ opinions on most aspects of the pandemic. This study aims to better understand newspaper narratives of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative textual analysis of newspaper articles in the New York Times uncovered common themes in coverage. Relevant themes are reexamining women’s reproductive rights, highlighting inequalities in the U.S. health care system and uncertainty/fear among pregnant women and women’s health professionals. Theoretical contributions are discussed.
Nanofiber veil applied in toughness enhancement of thermoplastic carbon fiber composites
Authors: Shi Mingjun , Takahashi Shinya , Takeno Akiyoshi , Nakai Asami
Published: February 2022

This study presents an experimental investigation on thermoplastic carbon fiber composite based on PMMA resin interleaved with Polyamide electrospun nanofiber veils. In particular, the effect of improving the interfacial adhesion of the resin to nanofiber and carbon fiber on the fracture behavior of the laminates and the corresponding fracture mechanism was studied by using different molar concentrations of functional monomer hydroxyethyl acrylamide (HEAA) for copolymerization with methyl methacrylate. The effectiveness of the nanoreinforce has been addressed by Mode-Ⅰ and Mode-Ⅱ tests. The results showed that the fracture toughness of Mode-Ⅰ decreased firstly and then increased with an increase in HEAA feed with 0–5 mol% due to the change of crack tip path accompanied by the bridging mechanism shifting, the best performance was founded in 5 mol% HEAA-copolymerized thermoplastic carbon fiber composites (CFRTP) samples (17.6% for initiation and 28% for propagation); whereas a characteristic of increasing firstly and then decreasing performed under Mode-Ⅱ loading due to the formation of multilayer microcrack in nano-toughing matrix layer, the 3 mol% HEAA-copolymerized CFRTP samples exhibited good improvement (137% for initiation and 147% for propagation).
Gender-Related Differences in Online Comment Sections: Findings From a Large-Scale Content Analysis of Commenting Behavior
Authors: Küchler Constanze , Stoll Anke , Ziegele Marc , Naab Teresa K.
Published: February 2022

Comment sections below news articles are public fora in which potentially everyone can engage in equal and fair discussions on political and social issues. Yet, empirical studies have reported that many comment sections are spaces of selective participation, discrimination, and verbal abuse. The current study complements these findings by analyzing gender-related differences in participation and incivility. It uses a sample of 303,342 user comments from 14 German news media Facebook pages. We compare participation rates of female and male users as well as associations between the users’ gender, the incivility of their comments, and the incivility of the adjacent replies. To determine the incivility of the comments, we developed a Supervised Machine Learning Model (classifier) using pre-trained word embeddings and word// frequency features. The findings show that, overall, women participate less than men. Comments written by female authors are more civil than comments written by male authors. Women’s comments do not receive more uncivil replies than men’s comments and women are not punished disproportionately for communicating uncivilly. These findings contribute to the discourse on gender-related differences in online comment sections and provide insights into the dynamics of online discussions.
Buckling behavior of grid stiffened composite conical shells subjected to the lateral pressure
Authors: Zarei Mehdi , Rahimi Gholam Hossien
Published: February 2022

This paper presents the buckling behavior of the grid stiffened composite conical shell subjected to the lateral pressure. A smeared method is employed to equivalent grid structure into a layer. For this purpose, a typical unit cell is chosen for analyzing forces and moments on it. Therefore equivalent stiffness parameters due to the grid structure are determined. By determining the stiffness parameters of the shell and superimposing with those of the stiffeners, equivalent stiffness of the whole structure is obtained. Governing equations are established based on the Donnell shell theory. The power series method is used to extract the buckling load of the stiffened shell. To validate obtained results, a 3 D finite element model is built using ABAQUS software. The comparison showed that the analytical solution is qualified enough to study the buckling behavior of the grid stiffened composite conical shell. Through this study, the effect of a set of important parameters due to stiffeners like stiffener orientation angle, the number of stiffeners, and due to due to shell like lamination angle and semi-vertex angle are investigated, and finally are presented based on this study results.
A symmetric cable-pulley based mechanism for gravity compensation of robotic manipulators: Static and dynamic analysis
Authors: Arezoo Keyvan , Arezoo Jamal , Fard Behnam Miripour
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a novel design for gravity compensation of manipulators has been introduced and its effect on the static and dynamic performance has been studied. The gravity compensation mechanism (GCM) of this study deploys a symmetrical configuration for the pulleys and cable to reduce the tension in the cable without requiring additional space for longer springs and their displacements. The reduction of cable tension significantly increases the durability of the proposed GCM, which tackles one of the most critical issues of the cable-pulley based gravity compensating systems. The configuration of the proposed GCM also distributes equal internal forces and moments over the joints of the manipulator. As a key part of the design, the dynamic performance of the manipulator is evaluated before and after it is equipped with the GCM. The dynamic manipulability ellipse is used to measure the variations in dynamic performance. Implementation on a real multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) manipulator showed the effectiveness of the proposed GCM in gravity compensation and also its simplicity of extension and larger achievable workspace comparing to the previous works.
The intersection of autism and gender in the negotiation of identity: A systematic review and metasynthesis
Authors: Moore Isobel , Morgan Gareth , Welham Alice , Russell Ginny
Published: February 2022

Influenced by theories of intersectionality, performativity and gender hegemony, this review sought to explore the intersection of autism and gender in qualitative research into autistic identity. Twelve papers were subjected to a thematic metasynthesis following a systematic search. Study participants were predominantly cisgender female or gender-diverse: perspectives of cisgender autistic males were lacking. The three superordinate themes developed related to: (1) the ways in which autism discourses restricted gender identities, through the influence of the “extreme male brain” and “masking” narratives and the use of autism to explain gender non-conformity and gender diversity; (2) the ways in which gendered autistic identities were positioned within social power hierarchies as “othered”, subordinate and less acceptable ways of being; and (3) possibilities for finding spaces of belonging and resistance. While autism as an identity may offer community and freedom from normative expectations, dominant autism discourses act to restrict and police gender, reinforcing existing power hierarchies. We encourage practitioners to reflect on the clinical, ethical and political implications of their positioning in relation to the constructs of “autism” and “gender”, and to explore alongside people seeking support the personal and political impacts of gendered autism discourses.
Clinical and therapeutic value of the adjusted Global Antiphospholipid Syndrome Score in primary obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Udry Sebastián , Peréz Stephanie Morales , Belizna Cristina , Aranda Federico , Esteve-Valverde Enrique , Wingeyer Silvia Perés , Fernández-Romero Diego S , Latino José O , de Larrañaga Gabriela , Alijotas-Reig Jaume
Published: February 2022

Objectives

(1) To assess the clinical utility of the adjusted global antiphospholipid syndrome score (aGAPSS) to predict new obstetric events during follow-up in primary obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (POAPS) patients under standard-of-care treatment (SC) based on the use of low-dose aspirin (LDA) + heparin and (2) to study the risk of a first thrombotic event and to evaluate whether stratification according to this score could help to identify POAPS patients who would benefit from long-term thromboprophylaxis.

Methods

This is a retrospective, multicentre study. 169 women with POAPS were evaluated for the presence of a new obstetric event and/or a first thrombotic event during follow-up [time period: 2008–2020, median: 7 years (6–12 years)]. The outcomes of 107 pregnancies from these POAPS patients with SC were studied to evaluate relapses. Simple and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

Regarding obstetric morbidity, only triple positivity for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) [OR = 8.462 (95% CI: 2.732–26.210); p < 0.0001] was found to be a strong risk factor independently associated with treatment failure. On the other hand, triple positivity for aPLs [OR=10.44 (95% CI: 2.161–50.469), p = 0.004] and an aGAPSS ≥7 [OR = 1.621 (95% CI: 1.198–2.193), p = 0.002] were independent risk factors associated with a first thrombotic event. LDA was marginally associated with a decrease in the risk of thrombosis only in patients with aGAPSS ≥ 7 ( p = 0.048).

Conclusion

aGAPSS appears to be useful in predicting the occurrence of a first thrombotic event in POAPS patients, and these stratification of patients could be helpful in selecting patients who would benefit from thromboprophylaxis with LDA.
A distribution-free control charting technique based on change-point analysis for detection of epidemics
Authors: Parpoula Christina
Published: February 2022

Worldwide, the detection of epidemics has been recognized as a continuing problem of crucial importance to public health surveillance. Various approaches for detecting and quantifying epidemics of infectious diseases in the recent literature are directly influenced by methods of Statistical Process Control (SPC). However, implementing SPC quality tools directly to the general health care monitoring problem, in a similar manner as in industrial quality control, is not feasible since many assumptions such as stationarity, known asymptotic distribution etc. are not met. Toward this end, in this paper, some of the open statistical research issues involved in this field are discussed, and a distribution-free control charting technique based on change-point analysis is applied and evaluated for detection of epidemics. The main tool in this methodology is the detection of unusual trends, in the sense that the beginning of an unusual trend marks a switch from a control state to an epidemic state. The in-control and out-of-control performance of the adapted control scheme from SPC is thoroughly investigated using Monte Carlo simulations, and the applied scheme is found to outperform its parametric and nonparametric competitors in many cases. Moreover, the empirical comparative study provides evidence that the adapted change-point detection scheme has several appealing properties compared to the current practice for detection of epidemics.
Mapping Healthcare Data Sources in India
Authors: Mishra Amit , Mokashi Tushar , Nair Arun , Chokshi Maulik
Published: February 2022

Healthcare data sources collect and report various kinds of health data related to routine service delivery, patient-based care, resources related to infrastructure, human resources and finance. Typically, in developing countries, multiple sources are used for the provision of healthcare data, and these include national health surveys, census and civil registration systems, and routine reporting systems. In addition, rapid infusion of information technology has increased adoption of management information systems in public health programs. During the last decade, India has witnessed a sharp rise in the number of healthcare data sources as identified in this review. These sources have increased data availability in multiple data deficient areas. However, the careful appraisal indicates data gaps in numerous important areas. These sources also suffer from inherent quality, coverage and standardisation issues. To overcome these challenges, remedial measures include the development of a national healthcare data plan, a survey calendar, designation of a nodal survey agency, adoption of indicator dictionary, adequate capacity building, and increased coordination among stakeholders.
Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Developed, Nurse-Driven Protocol for Management of Parenteral Anticancer Therapy Infusion Reactions in an Ambulatory Infusion Center
Authors: Cebollero Julianna , LaFollette Jennifer A. , Walton Suzanne M. , Adams Curry Marjorie
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Intravenous anticancer therapy can be associated with hypersensitivity- and/or infusion-related reactions (IRRs) which may result in life-threatening symptoms. As part of a quality improvement project, oncology pharmacists developed and implemented a nurse-driven, symptom-based IRR protocol. The objective of the evaluation was to evaluate IRR treatment failure after implementation of a symptom-based protocol in an ambulatory infusion center. Secondary objectives included determining the most common anticancer agents requiring IRR treatment, documentation of ED visits or hospital admissions within 72 h of treatment, documentation of mortality due to an IRR, and evaluating whether there were multiple documented IRRs to the same medication.

Methods

A total of 456 patients, who received an infusion of anticancer therapy at Grady Health System (GHS) between February 2014 and March 2018, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were included if they received a protocol-specific medication for infusion reaction management of a parenterally administered anticancer agent. The primary outcome was the rate of treatment failure within 72 h of treatment for an IRR.

Results

Seventy-eight patients experiencing 108 IRRs were included in the analysis. Five percent of IRRs consisted of rigors only, 57% of IRRs were mild/moderate severity, 31% of IRRs were severe/anaphylactic severity and 7% of IRRs were rigors in addition to a mild/moderate/severe reaction. Of the 108 IRRs, treatment failure within 72 h was observed in eight reactions; six were evaluated in the emergency department and two required a hospital admission. Overall, 93% of reactions resolved in the infusion center and patients were discharged home; there were no patient deaths. The most common offending agents were paclitaxel and oxaliplatin.

Conclusion

Following implementation of a novel pharmacist-developed, symptom-based nurse-driven protocol, infusion reaction treatment failure occurred in 7% of IRRs evaluated. Although the failure rate was low, additional nurse education and improved access to protocol-directed medications may optimize use of the protocol.
To display tip suggestion or not? Examining tip suggestion’s impact in technology-facilitated preservice tipping encounters
Authors: Fan Alei , Wu Laurie , Liu Yiran
Published: February 2022

With empirical insights gained across a series of studies, the current research examines the technology-facilitated preservice tipping encounter. Drawing on the tip-enhancing literature and the spatial crowding theory, this research reveals the divergent impacts of tip suggestion on consumers’ tipping behaviors and their satisfaction with the digital payment experience. Our findings show that, while effective in elevating tipping amount, the presence of tip suggestion can frustrate consumers and impose a detrimental impact on their satisfaction with the online payment experience. Particularly, this effect is contingent on the design of the digital payment page: The negative effect of tip suggestion on satisfaction with the payment experience is more profound when the digital payment page follows a crowded layout but mitigated when the layout is spacious. Findings from the current research offer timely contributions to theory and practice with an evolving perspective on the technology-facilitated preservice tipping encounter.
Changing the peritoneal dialysis access algorithm with a precise technique of percutaneous Seldinger PD catheter placement
Authors: Swinnen Jan “John” , Baker Luke , Burgess David , Allen Richard , O’Grady Allan , Chau Katrina
Published: February 2022

Background:

In 1953, Swedish radiologist Sven Seldinger introduced a technique for blood vessel or hollow organ access using a needle, guide wire and catheter. Over the last two decades, this technique has been used for Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) catheter placement, “Seldinger PD” (SPD). To improve the safety and accuracy of SPD, ultrasound, X-ray guidance, contrast imaging and micropuncture techniques have been incorporated to a greater or lesser extent.

Methods:

This manuscript describes a new and rigorous technique of SPD developed at our unit and results in the first 64 cases. One of our goals was to replace emergency Central Vein Catheter Hemodialysis with “Urgent-Start” PD. We therefore sought to develop a procedure that was ultra-safe, minimally invasive and readily done on the sickest patients under Local Anesthetic. As the technique was new to our unit, and because of progressive modifications of the technique, some of the results reflect our “learning curve.” In addition, 55% of the patients referred to our program had “crashed” into renal failure, 32% were deemed “unfit for General Anaesthesia” by the Anaesthetists and 53% were moderately to severely obese, resulting in a very morbid and vulnerable cohort.

Results:

Despite this, we had no procedure related mortality, no organ injury and no significant bleeding. Technical success was 97% (intention-to-treat). Urgent Start PD was used in 36%; overall, 3/61 catheters placed experienced PD fluid leak. Correct catheter tip placement – in the Pelvic Pouch – was documented in all cases; significant catheter migration was seen in 18% of those with imaging follow-up, only two requiring revision. Most catheter migrations occurred early in our series before our low peritoneal puncture technique became standard.

Conclusions:

We believe this SPD technique is safe, precise, clinically and financially cost-effective and can replace other forms of PD placement in most situations.
Analysis of the Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in the Hospital’s Effluent and its Receiving Environment
Authors: Chowdhury A. M. Masudul Azad , Uddin Kazi Nayeem
Published: February 2022

The use of antibiotics on a regular and excessive basis is a major factor in the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Patients discharge un-metabolized or relatively low doses of non-metabolized antibiotics through urine and stool, which might enter into the environment through sewage disposal and promote the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. This study is designed to investigate how excessive use of antibiotics in the hospital sector and their release into hospital wastes contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in different environmental settings. In this study, liquid hospital waste was collected from the sewage of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), Bangladesh as well as from its distribution position in Chittagong city, Bangladesh. A total of 5 samples were collected from different positions in Chittagong city, including CMCH liquid waste. After collection, total bacteria and total cefixime resistant bacteria were counted by the total viable count (TVC) method. The result of bacteriological enumeration showed that a high magnitude of cefixime-resistant bacteria were available in all the hospital’s associated waste samples. The highest proportion of cefixime resistant bacteria (23.35%) was found in sample 2, whereas 17.4%, 7.6%, 5%, and 1.32% were found in samples 1, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. The total number of cefixime-resistant bacteria decreased with the increase in distance between the sample collection site and the hospital drain. This means that resistant bacteria developed in the hospital effluent are transferred to the environmental distribution sites.
Glaucomatous Type Cupping Caused by Internal Carotid Artery Compression: a Case Report
Authors: Pellegrini Francesco , Cuna Alessandra , Prosdocimo Giovanni
Published: February 2022

A 71-year-old woman with a diagnosis of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) presented with complains of progressive visual loss in the right eye. Examination revealed features consistent with compressive optic neuropathy. Although brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was initially interpreted as normal, re-evaluation disclosed a compression on the right optic nerve from the right internal carotid artery. We highlight the clinical differential diagnosis between NTG and compressive optic neuropathy. This case is a reminder that a compressive optic neuropathy may be caused by anatomical variation of normal intracranial structures.
When social class and social norms shape word of mouth about eco-friendly tourism businesses
Authors: Hwang Yoo Hee , Moon Hyoungeun (Gemmy)
Published: February 2022

This study aims to investigate the effect of two types of environmental messages (individualized vs. collective) on consumers’ word-of-mouth intention. This study also examines the moderating effects of consumers’ social class and eco-friendly social norms on word-of-mouth intention. Based on US participants recruited from an online panel platform, Study 1 reveals that individualized messages increase word-of-mouth of high-class individuals, whereas collective messages enhance word-of-mouth of low-class individuals. Study 2 showcases that individualized messages boost word-of-mouth among consumers whose eco-friendly social norms are low. Conversely, regardless of individualized and collective messages, word-of-mouth intention is invariantly high among consumers whose eco-friendly social norms are high. Hotel managers should leverage proxies for social class, survey their customers to gauge eco-friendly social norms, and tailor environmental messages accordingly.
The intergroup sensitivity effect among racial groups in the United States
Authors: White Katherine R. G. , Bray Jessica , Lang Jonathan C. , McLeroy Amilynne , Hernandez Scarlet , McLaughlin Chloe
Published: February 2022

The intergroup sensitivity effect (ISE) refers to individuals responding more negatively to criticism directed toward their ingroup if the criticism is delivered by someone outside the group. The ISE has never been examined for groups defined by race. In light of ongoing racial tensions in America, the purpose of the current research was to examine whether the ISE replicates among racial groups. Study 1 replicated the ISE among African American, European American, and Latinx American university students and, unexpectedly, found that European American participants responded more positively to praise delivered by a racial outgroup member. Study 2 replicated these results in a nonstudent sample and identified motivation to respond without prejudice as a moderator of the praise effect. In both studies, the ISE was mediated by perceptions of comment legitimacy/constructiveness but was not moderated by feelings toward the outgroup. Future directions and explanations for the praise effect are discussed.
Evaluation approach of terminal energy consumption of public buildings based on a standardized model
Authors: Mu Tian , Geng Geng , Wang Chongjie , Zou Ran
Published: February 2022

The influencing degree of different factors on terminal energy consumption of public building varies distinctly. If the actual measured terminal energy consumption is directly analyzed, the comparison basis is often inconsistent, which may lead to errors of results. In order to evaluate the energy consumption based on a unified standard, eliminating the interference of influencing factors, the standardization and revision of the measurement value of the terminal energy consumption is necessary. By considering domestic public building samples of different climate regions as research objects, this research has introduced a dimensionality reduction and integration method for evaluating influencing factors that could affect the terminal energy consumption of public buildings based on principal component and clustering analysis. Then, the quantitative mathematical expressions of the relationship between terminal energy consumptions and influencing factors were established through multiple linear regression fitting, formulating the standardized mathematical model of the terminal energy consumption of public buildings. According to the energy consumption standardized model, the evaluation approach was provided and scored based on mode analysis method. This approach can evaluate terminal energy consumption level and energy efficiency potential, analyzing the level of terminal energy consumption of public buildings in China.
Vibration Response of Steam Turbine Healthy and Cracked Blade under the Stress Stiffening and Spin Softening Effects
Authors: Bhamu Rajesh K , Shukla Aakash , Sharma Satish C , Harsha S P
Published: February 2022

In the present paper, vibration responses of the healthy and cracked blade under the influence of stress-stiffening and spin-softening have been studied. The three-dimensional finite element-based numerical analysis is carried out to study the blade's mode shape and natural frequencies and are validated with the experimental modal analysis test results. In the case of spin softening, for healthy blade at the turbine’s speed over 1000 RPM, natural frequencies increase significantly in both first flap-wise and chordwise bending modes. In both cases of STF and SOF, for the cracked blade, the deviation from the healthy blade in the natural frequency increases with increasing crack size, maximal in a crack size of 90%. It is also observed that irrespective of crack size, deviation in natural frequencies as compared to healthy blade increases as spin speed increases in the cases of chordwise bending mode (Mode II) and higher-order overlapped mode IV, and in the case of fundamental torsion mode (Mode III), higher-order overlapped mode V and VI natural frequencies decrease in both STF and SOF cases.