bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sympathy With Ukraine (Or Not So Much)! Emotion-Based Solidarity in the Political Communication of the Polish and Hungarian Prime Ministers
Authors: Szabó Gabriella , Lipiński Artur
Published: March 2024

This article investigates emotionally based solidarity appeals in the Facebook posts from Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (Poland) and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (Hungary) published in the first weeks of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, between February 24 and April 9, 2022. Our approach involves a qualitative thematic analysis to uncover the political strategies used to either foster or diminish a collective sense of sympathy. The findings reveal a striking disparity between the two countries. Prime Minister Morawiecki’s rhetoric strongly emphasizes sympathetic solidarity, establishing a close and emotional bond with Ukraine. He extends his support to the attacked country, including the provision of weapons and diplomatic services, while openly expressing hostility toward Russia. In contrast, Prime Minister Orbán’s posts, despite mentioning humanitarian efforts coordinated by his government, notably lack appeals for sympathy. Based on the comparison of the two countries, our study emphasizes the significance of nuanced moral language for political agenda in times of crisis.
Race/Ethnicity and Social Determinants of Health and Their Impact on the Timely Receipt of Appropriate Operative Treatment of Colon Cancer
Authors: Tobin Edward C. , Dobbs Erica , Deslich Stacie , Richmond Bryan K.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Rates of appropriate surgical treatment of colon cancer are historically worse in traditionally marginalized populations. We sought to examine which social determinants of health may be associated with longer time to appropriate operative intervention.

Methods

The National Cancer Databank was queried for this retrospective study. Adult patients (18 to 90 years of age) diagnosed between 2004 and 2018 with single or primary, stage III colon cancer were included. Patient demographic variables included age at diagnosis, sex, ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic), comorbidity score, median household income, education status, rural/urban status, treatment facility type and location, and insurance status. Disease characteristics include stage (stage 3), primary site, surgical margins, tumor size, and number of nodes resected. Reported descriptive statistics include means and 95% confidence intervals for continuous variables and frequency and proportions for categorical variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 134,601 individuals diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer were included. Time to surgery in all cases had a mean of 26.4 ± 19.0 days. Multivariate analysis of time to surgery indicated that receiving surgery at a Community Cancer Program, Charlson-Deyo Score of 0, younger age, and non-Hispanic-White race/ethnicity are associated with decreased time to surgery ( P < .001).

Conclusion

Patients who receive surgery at a Community Cancer Program, have fewer comorbidities, have lower household income, are younger, and receive surgery within 50 miles of their primary residence are more likely to have timely surgery.
A Review of Management of Congenital Sublobar Hyperinflation at a Single Institution
Authors: Crosier Caitlin J. , Chandler John C. , Gates Robert L. , Ricca Robert L. , Brinkley Michael F.
Published: March 2024

There has been an increased recognition of a subset of congenital lobar emphysema (CLE), termed congenital sublobar hyperinflation (CSLH), which may affect only a segment of lung as opposed to an entire lobe. This is an uncommon variant for which there is a paucity of information in published literature. The majority of CLE are managed surgically. Current literature suggests non-operative management for CSLH. However, there has been slow adoption of non-operative management and there is not a well-established observation pathway. A retrospective review of all pediatric patients diagnosed with CSLH at a single institution was performed from 2017 to 2023 to determine if this variant may be safely managed with observation. A total of 10 patients were identified. Of these, three patients had consolidation on cross-sectional imaging; therefore, operative intervention was undertaken given diagnostic uncertainty. All patients managed observationally remained asymptomatic. This case series validates non-operative management for patients with asymptomatic CSLH.
Ideological Connections: An Integrated Humanistic-Social Psychological Approach to Examining the Relationship Between Controversial Opposing Opinions
Authors: Chance Nuchelle L.
Published: March 2024

The social, economic, political, and civil unrest surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 United States election, and the increased activity of the racial justice movement has seemingly divided not just the nation but the world. Thoughts and behaviors are guided by ideological beliefs—collections of ideas or philosophies associated with power structures. I examined the overlap between positions on controversial topics and identified how ideological alignment, values, and identity characteristics influenced the holders’ views. I found significant relationships among the variables categorized as social, political, health and medical, and safety, security, and legal ideologies. The results indicated that participants’ views in one ideological category were similar to those in the other ideological categories. Finally, the current study presents models of integrating worldviews in which ideological viewpoints in the various categories align, supported by the Moral Foundations Theory, Ideological-Conflict Hypothesis, and the Rigidity-of-the-Right Hypothesis.
When Inequity Leads to Boredom: An Experimental Study With University Students
Authors: Raes Heleen E. , Weiss Emily R. , Todman McWelling , Tellalian Ezras
Published: March 2024

While theoretical connections between social inequity and boredom have been established, empirical evidence is lacking. Inequity aversion is important in this relationship. If individuals believe that the amount of work invested in pursuing an outcome has been unfairly devalued in relation to the investment of others, they may feel that their investment is greater than the outcome’s worth. This experimental study explores whether devaluation of one’s investment in a task, in relation to another individual’s investment required to obtain equal rewards, is experienced as boredom. Undergraduate and graduate students ( N = 31) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions and performed a monotonous task in the presence of a confederate, for equal reward. Exposure time to the confederate varied. It was expected that participants who spent more time on the task than the confederate would report more boredom and a negatively distorted time experience. Significant between-group effects were found for Tedium ( F(2, 28) = 3.55, p = .04) and Temporal Estimation ( F(2, 28) = 5.37, p = .01). Participants who spent more time on the task felt more bored ( Mdiff = −1.05, p = .05) and rated time as progressing slower ( Mdiff = −1.26, p = .03). There were no significant differences between the other conditions. A parsimonious interpretation is that the perceived inequity in resource investment costs associated with different lengths of social exposure during the boredom-inducing task increased the salience of investment loss, which was experienced as boredom and resulted in a distorted time experience.
Fault detection and fault-tolerant control of dual-motor autonomous steering system
Authors: Xu Xing , Wu Zhongwei , He Shenguang , Su Pengwei , Zhao Feng
Published: March 2024

In order to improve the safety of autonomous ground vehicle (AGV) and the accuracy of trajectory tracking, a fault detection (FD) scheme of steering system and a fault-tolerant control (FTC) method are proposed. First, this paper analyzes the causes of steering motor failure and designs a passive fault-tolerant controller to ensure that the torque motor under coordinated control can still follow the angle when a slight fault occurs in the angle motor. Second, the corresponding FD schemes are designed for different motor faults, and the unknown input observer (UIO) of the steering resistance moment is designed considering the uncertainty of the steering system caused by the fault motor. The active fault-tolerant controller composed of backstepping control and global sliding mode control (SMC) is further combined to control the fault-free motor. Finally, simulation and HiL test results show the effectiveness of the proposed FD scheme and FTC strategy.
Strategic Press Release When Employee Unemployment Risk Is Better Insured
Authors: Ding Yi , Li Bing , Liu Zhenbin , Wang Xiaoqiao
Published: March 2024

Using the staggered changes in unemployment insurance (UI) benefits across states in the United States as an exogenous shock to employees’ costs of unemployment and the hiring firm’s costs of disclosure, this study investigates whether and how a firm’s relationship with its employees impacts its strategic disclosure through press releases. We find that firms increase (reduce) bad (good) press releases after their employees’ UI benefits become more generous. This finding is consistent with the notion that larger UI benefits reduce the costs of employee unemployment risk borne by hiring firms and thus reduce firms’ costs to release bad news items. Interestingly, we find that the large increase in UI benefits is associated with more discretionary, but not nondiscretionary, bad press releases. The findings are robust when we exclude earnings-related press releases from our sample. Further evidence shows that the increase in negative press releases is mainly driven by news regarding earnings, products-services, marketing, credit ratings, assets, and legal issues, which are more closely related to employee perceptions of unemployment risk.

JEL classification: G10; M41; J31; J65.
Day 2 versus day 3 embryo transfer in patients with in vitro fertilization and only one zygote with two pronuclei
Authors: Ye Yaping , Huang Hui , Wang Longmei , Ding Lu , Mei Libin , Li Ping
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aimed to compare the pregnancy outcomes of Day 2 (D2) fresh embryo transfer and D3 fresh embryo transfer in women with only one zygote with two pronuclei (2PN).

Methods

Data on 432 in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles with only one 2PN zygote from January 2016 to January 2022 were retrospectively collected. A total of 302 fresh embryo transfers on D2 (n = 193) and D3 (n = 109) were analyzed, and pregnancy outcomes were compared.

Results

The patients’ characteristics were not different between D2 and D3 embryo transfer. There were no significant differences in the rates of clinical pregnancy, early abortion, or live birth between D2 and D3 embryo transfer. A multivariate logistic regression model controlling for age, the fertilization method, the number of oocytes harvested, and the number of high-quality embryos transferred showed that the live birth rate was similar between D2 and D3 embryo transfer.

Conclusion

In in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles with only one 2PN zygote, D2 fresh embryo transfer may provide similar pregnancy outcomes to those of D3 embryo transfer. D2 embryo transfer may be an option because of the risk of cycle cancellation due to the absence of viable embryos on D3.
Making causal inferences from transactional data: A narrative review of opportunities and challenges when implementing the target trial framework
Authors: Esteban Santiago , Szmulewicz Alejandro
Published: March 2024

The target trial framework has emerged as a powerful tool for addressing causal questions in clinical practice and in public health. In the healthcare sector, where decision-making is increasingly data-driven, transactional databases, such as electronic health records (EHR) and insurance claims, present an untapped potential for answering complex causal questions. This narrative review explores the potential of the integration of the target trial framework with real-world data to enhance healthcare decision-making processes. We outline essential elements of the target trial framework, and identify pertinent challenges in data quality, privacy concerns, and methodological limitations, proposing solutions to overcome these obstacles and optimize the framework’s application.
Reliability of the Gap–Kalamazoo communication skills assessment form in occupational therapy
Authors: Fan Shih-Chen , Tsai Shao-Tong , Wang Yi-Ching , Lee Meng-Lin , Huang Sheau-Ling , Hsieh Ching-Lin
Published: March 2024

Introduction:

The Gap–Kalamazoo Communication Skills Assessment Form (GKCSAF) is widely used in medical education, yet its reliability in real occupational therapy clinical settings remains unexplored. This study aimed to assess the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability, as well as random measurement error, of the GKCSAF in occupational therapy.

Method:

Five independent raters evaluated audio-recordings and transcripts of conversations involving 30 patients treated by 22 assessors (7 therapists and 15 students). Both direct and coded ratings were used.

Results:

For direct ratings, intra-rater reliability was moderate for total score (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.76), but poor for inter-rater (ICC = 0.31). minimal detectable change (MDC%) was acceptable for the same rater (17.8%) but not for different raters (38.3%). Weighted kappa values indicated poor to fair reliability (−0.01 to 0.34) for each domain score. Coded ratings showed moderate intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.69) and poor inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.22). MDC% was acceptable for the same rater (24.8%) but not for different raters (65.5%). Weighted kappa values indicated poor to fair reliability (−0.02 to 0.33) for each domain score.

Conclusion:

GKCSAF displays acceptable intra-rater but poor inter-rater reliability in occupational therapy clinical scenarios. Multiple raters are advised for enhanced reliability, while coding might not significantly enhance it. It is advisable to use the GKCSAF cautiously in occupational therapy education, ensuring adequate training, and possibly incorporating multiple raters for assessment consistency.
An artificial intelligence-based approach for identifying the in-plane orthotropic mechanical properties of electronic circuit boards
Authors: Gharaibeh Mohammad A
Published: March 2024

The finite element modeling of electronic boards is a challenging task due to the complexity of the multi-component board structure. Hence, it is acceptable to attain equivalent orthotropic in-plane mechanical properties and use them throughout the finite element analysis (FEA) simulations. This paper aims to present an artificial intelligence-based methodology, using the artificial neural networks (ANNs), to estimate the in-plane mechanical properties of the printed circuit boards (PCB). In this methodology, the ANN technique used FEA data to find the relationship between the first 10 natural frequencies and the mechanical properties, that is, modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio and the shear modulus, of the test board. Subsequently, the experimentally derived natural frequency data is then imported to the ANN model to identify the equivalent orthotropic properties. The ANN-predicted properties are plugged back into FEA and provided natural frequencies and mode shapes that are in great match with experimental results.
The impact of long term COVID-19 infection on the patients’ erectile function and on anxiety and on depression as well as the impact of daily tadalafil 5 mg supplementation in patients with erectile dysfunction
Authors: Zaghloul Ahmed Said , A.M. Elnashar , GamalEl Din Sameh Fayek , Ghaly Mahmoud Fawzy , Saad Hany Mohammed , Refaat Eldebs Hossam , Zaki Said Shady
Published: March 2024

Objectives:

The study examined the impact of long term COVID-19 infection on the patients’ erectile function and anxiety and depression in the same patients as well as the impact of daily tadalafil 5 mg supplementation on their erectile function.

Methods:

Recovered 114 men were evaluated by the validated Arabic version of the international index of erectile function (ArIIEF-5) and the Arabic versions of the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) at time of presentation, at 3 months and at 6 months, respectively. Forty recovered patients who still complained of ED received tadalafil 5 mg daily for 2 months then were evaluated again at 3 and 6 months by penile duplex, the Arabic versions of the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) at the same periods, respectively.

Results:

At the time of presentation, there was a positive correlation between the severity of COVID-19 infection, ArIIEF-5 and PHQ-9 ( r = 0.249, p = 0.008; r = 0.241, p = 0.010, respectively). Most of the patients showed normal penile duplex parameters. There were 40 ED patients at presentation, 5 ED patients at 3 months and 3 ED patients at 6 months, respectively.

Conclusions:

ED in COVID-19 patients who were not suffering from chronic illnesses before the affection, is primarily psychological and completely responsive to tadalafil.
India’s Economic Growth since the 1980s and the Role of the State: An Alternative Perspective
Authors: Guha Thakurata Saswata
Published: March 2024

It is imperative to explore the contribution of the Indian state to the country’s impressive long-term growth performance during the free-market era, given the looming demand deficiency problem arising from this iniquitous growth process. Drawing on Marx’s idea of circuit of capital, this article investigates the various ways in which the state contributes to the process of accumulation and economic growth, especially in the context of India during the period of market-oriented reforms. Additionally, this study aims to trace the changing nature of interventions of the Indian state to ascertain the domain and extent of its withdrawal and continued presence. Furthermore, it investigates the interventions undertaken by the Indian state to sustain or cushion the growth momentum at times of economic downturn during the free-market era.

JEL Classification: B51, E62, O11, P16
Investigation of moisture absorption and long-term properties of carbon nanotube-reinforced vinyl-ester composites
Authors: Alaei Yasaman , Robert Mathieu , Cousin Patrice , Benmokrane Brahim
Published: March 2024

Vinyl-ester resin (VE) is a polymer matrix frequently used in several civil applications, but its long-term properties in humid and harsh environments can be a concern. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have remarkable mechanical, physical, and thermal properties. Adding them to the resin is a promising solution and makes it possible to manufacture cost-effective products with enhanced engineering properties. Our study investigated the chemical functionalization of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) through acid oxidation to evaluate the durability-related properties of vinyl-ester-based nanocomposites. Samples containing 0.1 wt% of as-received CNTs and functionalized CNTs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A small amount of two dispersing agents (BYK 104S and BYK 9076) was added to the mixtures to produce high particle stability in the nanocomposites. Barrier properties and moisture diffusivity were determined by immersing samples in a water bath at 50°C. Aging was conducted by fully immersing samples in NaOH solution at 50°C. Matrix degradation was assessed with tensile tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) before and after conditioning. The results indicate that the addition of oxidized CNTs significantly improved the mechanical, physical, and durability properties of the composites. Additionally, unlike nanoclay-based nanocomposites, oxidized CNTs do not increase water absorption at saturation.
Facilitating aqueous powder impregnation for manufacturing thermoplastic composites: A prepreg rig design and process optimisation
Authors: Moradi Alireza , Sun Changze , Guan Zhongwei
Published: March 2024

This study investigates a novel thermoplastic prepreg rig and method of manufacturing prepregs using aqueous wet powder impregnation. The compact, easily maintained prepreg rig is suitable for rapid prepreg manufacturing in laboratory-scale research. The rig could be used with a wide range of thermoplastic powders and reinforcing fibres. Tests were conducted to study various settings and parameters, including the polymer–carrier ratio, winding speed and fibre tension. The study examined the effectiveness of the liquid carrier in suspending the polymer powder and tested the consistency of the rig in resin pick-up. The findings indicate that a winding speed of 4.2 to 5.7 m/min with a low fibre tension is ideal for producing S2-glass/PAEK prepregs. The amount of polymer pick-up by the fibre tow remained constant throughout the winding for 10, 20, and 30 wt% slurries. However, higher wt% slurry settings resulted in resin agglomeration on the rollers, causing significant fibre breakage.
Le shockvertising : trajectoire historique d’une technique publicitaire controversée
Authors: Bui-Nguyen Thao , Canu Roland
Published: March 2024

Résumé

L’objectif de cet article est de revenir sur une technique publicitaire tout à la fois ordinaire et controversée : le shockvertising. En mobilisant une approche historique, nous avons construit un corpus analytique qui couvre plus d’un siècle de recherches publiées dans le champ du Marketing et de la publicité sur l’utilisation du choc dans une campagne publicitaire. L’examen qualitatif de ce corpus nous permet de dessiner une trajectoire institutionnelle du shockvertising et de scinder son évolution en plusieurs périodes. S’observe ainsi l’acceptation progressive d’une technique initialement condamnée par les premiers professionnels de la publicité, puis la segmentation de cette technique et son affectation progressive à des territoires marketing spécifiques, enfin la mise en question de son efficacité et la critique de son acceptabilité par de nouvelles figures du consommateur soucieuses de défendre et exprimer certaines valeurs sociales. Le chemin parcouru permet de réaliser un état des connaissances actuelles et ouvre de nouvelles perspectives de recherche sur la thématique du shockvertising.
Overcoming the crisis in Korea's shipping industry, 1980–1988
Authors: Kim S. June
Published: March 2024

Korea's shipping industry, which began to grow rapidly during the 1970s, faced a crisis in the early 1980s. The leading cause of the crisis was the significant slump in the shipping market caused by the second oil shock and the overcapacity of tonnages through the acquisition of second-hand vessels at a high price during the shipping boom in the early 1980s. The crisis in the shipping industry could have spread directly to the entire banking sector and led to a catastrophe in the national economy. The military government implemented the Shipping Industry Rationalization policy from 1983 to 1988 to prevent such a collapse of the national economy. This article reviews the cause of the shipping industry crisis in Korea in the 1980s and the achievements and limitations of the Shipping Industry Rationalization policy as a way of overcoming the crisis.
Research on control strategy of abrasive belt type rail grinding for corrugation repair process
Authors: Xu Jinhuan , Pan Leilei , Nie Meng , Ma Zhen
Published: March 2024

The rail corrugation will lead to noise pollution and abnormal vibration in the railway operation process which greatly influences the safety, comfort, and stability of the train operation. However, although the advantages of abrasive belt rail grinding in repairing rail diseases have been verified, there is still no relative grinding control strategy for rail corrugation repair process due to its characteristics of regionality and no grinding benchmark. Therefore, this paper analyzed the difference between the grinding process of rail corrugation and ideal rail surface, and established material removal model for repairing of rail corrugation. By comparing the average valid value of moving wave amplitude and the improvement degree of rail corrugation, the most suitable grinding control strategies for repairing different types of corrugation diseases were obtained, which can further improve the grinding quality and efficiency of abrasive belt rail grinding in repairing rail corrugation.
University Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Graduate Entrepreneurship
Authors: Ayala-Gaytán Edgardo , Villasana Marcia , Naranjo-Priego Elvira E.
Published: March 2024

This article addresses the measurable outcomes of a university-based entrepreneurial ecosystem in an emerging economy beyond entrepreneurial intention, patents or academic spin-offs. A logit model with fixed effects by decades was applied to data from over 17,000 alumni who graduated between 1943 and 2017 to identify the existence of a structural change in the rates of entrepreneurship before graduation and up to five years after graduation. This structural change was related to each stage in the evolution of the university entrepreneurial ecosystem. Findings show that as the ecosystem elements were introduced, the probability of founding a business before graduation increased with each decade. Additionally, results suggest that the strategies to redefine and expand academic functions, adapt organisational structures and diversify the university’s curriculum supported a significant increase in the entrepreneurship rate of alumni. This evidence contributes to our understanding of the impact of strategic decisions to drive entrepreneurship from intention to action.
Learning from the Policy and Practice of Green City Development in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Authors: Bertrais Dolorès , Beckwith Laura
Published: March 2024

The complex challenge of managing urban growth and development in the context of climate and environmental change has led to a proliferation of policy discourses related to the ‘green city’. While useful as a buzzword, it is argued that green city discourses often overlook or even mask questions of social and environmental justice. This case study of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, shows that the presence of green and sustainable city discourses in policymaking does not reflect the reality of urban planning practices. Instead, it has produced an urban vision reflective of the priorities of global capital while contributing to the ongoing destruction of urban biodiversity and the marginalization of urban residents living in poverty. It is argued that a reconceptualization of the green city be undertaken, which incorporates understanding of participatory and distributive justice to ensure that urban planning practices are inclusive and sustainable.
Understanding Public Perception of Air Quality in the Urban Environment of Central Asia: An Empirical Assessment Using Structural Equation Modelling
Authors: Agibayeva Akmaral , Tleuken Aidana , Karaca Ferhat , Avcu Egemen , Guney Mert
Published: March 2024

Public awareness and understanding of air quality in Central Asia remain considerably low. The present study assesses the perception, attitude and environmental knowledge of local air quality among adult urban residents ( n = 870) in a city with high air pollution among cities of Central Asia: Astana, Kazakhstan. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to investigate the causal relationship between perceived air quality, environmental literacy and willingness to pay for environmental protection. Over half of the Kazakhstani population has higher education, yet environmental literacy remains low compared to countries with fewer university graduates. Participants’ age, education and health status significantly affected ( p < .001) their environmental knowledge and awareness. The SEM indicates knowledge as a major determinant in improving public awareness and perception of air pollution. The present study provides valuable insights for researchers and governmental institutions to promote a better understanding of air quality within a rapidly growing urban environment.
Survey of NCI-Designated Cancer Centers on the Utilization of Palliative Care in Pancreatic Cancer Patients
Authors: Goyal Anjali , Steinberg Amir
Published: March 2024

Recognized as one of the deadliest cancers, pancreatic cancer underscores an urgent need for palliative care. We surveyed palliative care directors at all 65 National Cancer Institute (NCI) cancer centers to assess the utilization and timing of palliative care involvement in pancreatic cancer patients. 1) Does your palliative care team have a policy to get involved with every pancreatic cancer patient? a. Yes b. No 2) When palliative care is involved with pancreatic cancer patients, in what setting are you typically/primarily first asked to be involved? a. Early in the patient’s treatment journey (focusing on symptom management) b. Later in the patient’s treatment journey (focusing on end-of-life discussions and explaining hospice) All 65 NCI-designated centers responded, achieving 100% of the targeted sample. Among these centers, 64 lacked a policy for palliative care involvement with every pancreatic cancer patient. Additionally, 38 centers initiated intervention early, focusing on symptom management, while 15 centers started palliative care late in the treatment journey, emphasizing end-of-life discussions. Furthermore, 12 centers initiated intervention both early and late when treating pancreatic cancer. There is an increasing recognition among medical centers of palliative care’s necessity for pancreatic cancer, with a rising trend toward early integration. Variation in the timing and emphasis of palliative care involvement remains. Future research should explore barriers to accessing palliative care and compare outcomes of early versus late intervention. By addressing these areas, healthcare providers can potentially improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.
Age-Neutral Measurement Of Personality Functioning and Maladaptive Personality Traits
Authors: Facon M. F. , van Alphen S. P. J. , Dierckx E. , Rossi G.
Published: March 2024

As previous studies have shown that personality disorder (PD) assessment in older adults is often hampered because assessment tools are tailored toward younger adults, establishing the age-neutrality of novel tools is crucial. This study primarily aimed to evaluate the age-neutrality of the Level of Personality Functioning Brief Form (LPFS-BF 2.0) and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 Modified + (PID-5-BF+M), using a sample of 254 community-dwelling adults. The analysis of Differential Item Functioning (DIF) demonstrated the age-neutrality of both instruments, with only 8.3% of LPFS-BF 2.0 items and 5.6% of PID-5-BF+M items exhibiting DIF. Differential Test Functioning (DTF) analyses revealed large DTF for the LPFS-BF 2.0 total score, indicating that age-specific norms might be necessary for this score. In summary, this study supports the use of these instruments in both older and younger adults, enhancing the assessment of PDs across the life span.
Rising Prevalence of Mild Chronic Gastritis in Children: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Josyabhatla Rohit , Wood Mary Lauren , Gafur Amber , Tatevian Nina , Tchakarov Amanda S. , Hashmi Syed Shahrukh , Rhoads Jon Marc , Van Arsdall Melissa Renee
Published: March 2024

Objectives and Methods:

We analyzed upper endoscopic and histological findings in 3 cohorts of children undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy over a 10-year period. Five hundred seventy-nine patients were identified, with 244 (42%), 199 (35%), and 136 (23%) in the 2011, 2015, and 2019 cohorts, respectively. The most common symptoms and signs were abdominal pain, vomiting, failure to thrive, and diarrhea.

Results:

The number of patients who had histological evidence of chronic gastritis increased from 2011 (n = 70, 29%) to 2015 (n = 106, 53%) and 2019 (n = 92, 68%; P < .001). The prevalence of “normal” endoscopic gastric findings was higher in controls (n = 247, 90%) compared to cases (n = 201, 76%; P < .001). There was a small but statistically significant difference in endoscopic esophageal grading ( P = .008) over time, with lower grades being more prevalent in 2011 compared to 2015 ( P = .026) and 2019 ( P = .001). Crude comparisons of the predictors (sex, weight percentile, payor type, month of endoscopy, symptom duration, PPI exposure, and endoscopic stomach findings) yielded no difference between cases and controls.

Conclusions:

There has been a significant rise in the prevalence of mild chronic gastritis or non-specific gastritis over the last decade in our population.
“I’m telling you my story, not publishing a blog”: Considerations and suggestions on data sharing in qualitative health psychology research on sensitive topics
Authors: Gore-Gorszewska Gabriela
Published: March 2024

Qualitative research plays a pivotal role in health psychology, offering insights into the intricacies of health-related issues. However, the specificity of qualitative methodology presents challenges in adhering to standard open science principles, including data sharing. The guidelines to address these issues are limited. Drawing from the author’s experience in conducting in-depth interviews with middle-aged and older adults regarding their sexuality, this article discusses various challenges in implementing data sharing requirements. It emphasizes factors like participants’ reasonable reluctance to share in specific populations, the depth of personal information gleaned from comprehensive interviews, concerns surrounding potential data misuse both within and outside academic circles, and the complex issue of obtaining informed consent. A universal approach to data sharing in qualitative research proves impractical, emphasizing the necessity for adaptable, context-specific guidelines that acknowledge the methodology’s nuances. Striking a balance between transparency and ethical responsibility requires tailored strategies and thoughtful consideration.
Language teachers’ identity tensions and professional practice in intercultural teaching
Authors: Gong Yang (Frank) , Gao Xuesong (Andy)
Published: March 2024

Language teachers’ experiences of identity tensions present valuable opportunities for researchers to understand the complex role of professional identity in shaping language teachers’ instructional practice. This exploratory sequential mixed-method study reports on identity tensions as experienced by teachers of Chinese as an additional language (CAL), and its role in mediating their instructional practice in intercultural teaching. First, seven types of professional and sociocultural identities related to intercultural teaching were generated based on interview responses and observation field notes from 10 CAL teachers. One hundred and three CAL teachers were then surveyed to identify the roles of these identities in mediating their approaches to intercultural teaching. An exploratory factor analysis of the survey data suggested that cultural learner identity, cultural bridge identity, and bearer of Chinese culture identity were significant predictors of fact-oriented or holistic development-oriented approaches to intercultural teaching. Furthermore, it was found that the tension and synergy among different identity components coexisted in mediating the participants’ efforts in intercultural teaching. The findings underscore the importance of adopting identity-oriented perspectives and approaches, and paying more attention to teacher identity tensions in supporting language teachers’ professional practice and development.
Autism and sexual and gender minority identity in college students: Examination of self-reported rates, functional outcomes, and treatment engagement
Authors: Soto Elia F , Orantes Destiny , Russo Natalie , Antshel Kevin M
Published: March 2024

This study builds on existing literature on autism spectrum disorder (autism) and sexual and gender minority (SGM) identities and is the first to examine self-declared frequency rates, associated functional impairments, and treatment engagement levels for sexual minority (SM) and non-SM populations with and without autism cross-sectionally via a large nationwide college-student sample across 3 years. Using data from the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) III, we analyzed data from 81,286 college students (ages 18–25 years old) randomly selected from 75 U.S. colleges and universities. Included ACHA-NCHA-III measures consisted of self-reported demographics, SM and gender minority (GM) identities, autism diagnosis, stress, academic impairment, mental health symptoms, and treatment engagement. We found a 2.8% self-declared frequency of autism in the SM group, compared with 0.9% self-declared frequency among the non-SM sample. Autistic college students with both SM and GM identities had the greatest levels of reported adverse stress and the most negative academic and mental health outcomes (i.e., suicidality), followed by college students with two minority identities (i.e., Autism and SM, SM and GM), across all groups. These findings emphasize the need for mental healthcare providers to consider SM and GM identities in non-autistic and, especially, in autistic college students to assess suicide risk and inform treatment.

Lay abstract

Autistic individuals and those who identify with a sexual and/or gender minority are both at risk for various mental health concerns and related impairments. However, the connection between autism and sexual and/or gender minorities and mental health and functional outcomes is not clear. Here, we provide evidence of these connections by analyzing data from a large nationally representative dataset from the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment III. We found that autistic college students who identify with both sexual and gender minorities reported the highest rates of stress, academic, and mental health concerns including suicidality when compared with autistic college students with or without a sexual and/or gender minority. In addition, college students with at least two identities, such as autism and a sexual minority identity or both a sexual and gender minority identity, reported the next highest rates of concern. These findings affirm the need for mental healthcare providers to consider the intersections of a sexual and gender minority identities in non-autistic and, especially, in autistic college students to develop and provide better support and resources.
Parading the eyewitness: Caste atrocity and the Test Identification Parade
Authors: Gurumurthy Achintya Anita
Published: March 2024

The study of the Test Identification Parade (TIP) within Indian evidence law must be contextualised considering the intensification of atrocities and brutalities against oppressed caste communities in India. Despite the existence of a separate law – Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 – to adjudicate caste-based atrocities, its implementation has been met with severe obstacles. Studying how evidentiary practices encounter the Act reveals how the law of evidence, too, participates in the playing out of a caste crime. It is in this regard that the discussion surrounding the Test Identification Parade must be infused with a political character, surfacing the power relations and structural aspects surrounding testimony and memory within crimes. Through the TIP, evidence law constitutes the nodal site upon which the dominant caste police and judiciary collude to deprive marginalised castes of just outcomes. This piece examines the jurisprudence of the TIP in caste atrocities judgments, in order to investigate the various ways in which the law plays out a caste atrocity.
Experimental and numerical study on structural behavior of folded dowel shear connection
Authors: Huang Yang , Chen Shiming , Gu Ping
Published: March 2024

A new type composite dowel shear connector was proposed by introducing folded angles in the steel dowels. Four push-out specimens and two composite beam specimens were designed and experimentally studied. The structural behavior and failure mechanism of the composite folded dowel shear connection were investigated. The concrete failure was observed in both push-out and flexural tests, and the folded steel dowels were capable of yielding development. It is found that the bearing capacity and shear stiffness of the specimens with denser spacing dowels were higher than that of specimens with sparser dowels, but the ductility and deformation performance of the specimens with denser spacing dowels were lower than those with sparser dowels. By means of the finite element model simulation, the influence of strength and thickness of concrete slab, strength, thickness and folded angle of steel dowel on the mechanical properties of folded dowel shear connection were analysed. The folded angle could be determined as 20° because of the larger actual effective shear area and bearing capacity. Based on the bearing capacity analysis in terms of the three likely failure modes, such as steel failure, concrete shear failure and concrete pry-out, calculation formula of the shear bearing capacity of the folded dowel shear connection was put forward and verified. The calculated results by the proposed formula were in good agreement with the test results. For the composite beams, the calculated bending moments derived from the transformed section and the plasticity section methods were also in good agreement with the test values. It is suggested that the shear connection degree should be greater than 1 to enable a full composite beam.
Ensuring the reliability of evidence in the New Zealand criminal courts: The admissibility of forensic science
Authors: Leonetti Carrie
Published: March 2024

This article presents a systematic and critical assessment of the reliability of forensic science in New Zealand. It documents the types of forensic-science being offered in criminal cases, the party presenting the evidence, the experts’ affiliations, how often there are challenges to the admissibility of the expert evidence and their timing in the proceedings, how often experts rely upon the uniqueness assumption, and how often experts testify to an individualised identification or ‘match’ of a source of forensic evidence. It finds that several of the common forensic disciplines in the criminal justice system in New Zealand have been the subject of critique and criticism internationally, the most common source of expert evidence was presented by the prosecution and provided by institutional police laboratories, and in most cases the forensic expert testified either to the uniqueness assumption or to an individualised match determination. It concludes that the New Zealand Parliament should amend the Evidence Act 2006 to require a demonstration of foundational validity and as-applied reliability as a precondition to the admissibility of any purported scientific evidence.
Contributions of three Mexican higher education institutions to sustainable development: A comparative analysis
Authors: Carrillo Valdez Lindsay , Villanueva Gutiérrez Leónides , Álvarez-Mendiola Germán
Published: March 2024

This research focuses on the study of the contributions of three of the most important Mexican higher education institutions – National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM), and University of Guadalajara (UDG) – to sustainable development (SD) considering public information from websites, as well as global, national, and local literature. The objectives were to understand how these HEIs integrate the SDGs into their institutional strategies and compare the extent to which they contribute to sustainable development. The analysis showed that the three institutions incorporated the 17 SDGs into their strategic plans, developed a specific organizational structure to manage and monitor sustainability, and reported multiple activities with different approaches and levels of contribution. These differences may be related to: (a) the diverse meanings that institutions give to sustainability; (b) the lack of clarity in the criteria that each institution uses to consider an activity as SDG-oriented/SDG-based; (c) the lack of transversality between institutional activities and the SDGs beyond discourse; and (d) institutional characteristics. In view of the above, we propose some ideas to promote institutional better practices and policies that favour, through higher education, accelerated progress towards the Global Goals and the 2030 Agenda.
Anticoagulation in venous thromboembolism for the general physician
Authors: Stark Katherine , Mathur Abhinav , Khan Mohammed M
Published: March 2024

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is frequently encountered across various specialties. The management of VTE has become more nuanced, requiring consideration of several factors when deciding on the choice and duration of anticoagulation. This evidence-based review article summarises the current practice and evidence behind anticoagulation in VTE, incorporating national and international guidelines. Factors influencing decision-making around the choice and duration of anticoagulation, along with special circumstances such as cancer and antiphospholipid syndrome, are discussed. The clinical utility of thrombophilia screening is also addressed.
Understanding the Perspectives and Experiences of Male Perpetrators of Sexual Violence Against Women: A Scoping Review and Thematic Synthesis
Authors: Jiménez Aceves Josefina , Tarzia Laura
Published: March 2024

Worldwide, sexual violence is a significant public health issue. Although any person can be victimized, the vast majority of sexual violence is perpetrated by men against women. Research has increasingly explored the experiences of victims, however, the perspectives of male perpetrators of sexual violence have largely been sidelined. This limits the ability to design effective public health and policy responses to sexual violence. Our aim was to synthesize the available peer-reviewed qualitative research exploring the perspectives of adult male perpetrators of sexual violence against women. Five databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL and SocINDEX. We included qualitative, peer-reviewed English-language studies published in the past 40 years, focused on the perceptions and experiences of male perpetrators of sexual violence. Fourteen articles (describing 12 studies) were identified. Most (10) of the articles examined the perspectives of convicted male sex offenders serving a custodial sentence. Of the remaining four articles, two focused on anonymous users of the online forum, Reddit.com, and the remaining two focused on students on university campuses. These four articles were the most recent. We developed four major themes from our thematic analysis of the study findings that represent the experiences and perceptions of male perpetrators of sexual violence. These themes describe deflecting blame onto the victim, external circumstances as mitigating factors, or the perpetrator’s uncontrollable biological urges. One theme involved some expression of remorse or acceptance of responsibility. Although our findings may have implications for prevention and rehabilitation programs, further research is urgently needed in this area.