bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Syphilitic pancolitis: A case report with literature review
Authors: Chang Hsun , Tang Tzu-Yin , Kuo Chien-Feng
Published: March 2022

Syphilitic pancolitis is a rare clinical presentation of the spirochete Treponema pallidum; it can be misdiagnosed as inflammatory bowel disease. We report a case of symptomatic syphilitic pancolitis presenting with changes in bowel habit and typical risk factors. We also review previous case reports of syphilitic colitis.
A case of COVID-19–related acute genital ulceration in a male
Authors: Kaya Abdurrahman , Kaya Sibel Yıldız
Published: March 2022

COVID-19 is a viral infection which can present with various clinical manifestations. While it primarily affects the respiratory tract, several other manifestations including skin involvements have been reported. Dermatologic manifestations are uncommon, and its prevalence is not well-known. In COVID-19, there have been two reports of acute genital ulceration to date, and both are female. Here, we report a male patient with COVID-19 complicated by acute genital ulceration in the course of the illness.
Research and verification on aero-propulsion system acceleration control under supersonic state
Authors: Fang Juan , Xiang Dewei , Zheng Qiangang , Zhang Haibo
Published: March 2022

Under supersonic acceleration flight, the traditional passive control method brings about acceleration performance deterioration, due to the bad matching between inlet and engine. Accordingly, a real-time optimization control method of the integrated propulsion system is proposed. In the article, the effect of a supersonic inlet on propulsion system performance is analyzed, and an onboard model of the integrated propulsion system is built to calculate the installed parameters. An improved trust region algorithm is adopted to optimize the inlet ramp angle in real time. Besides, digital simulation and hardware-in-the-loop simulation are carried out. The digital simulation result shows that compared with conventional inlet passive control, the acceleration time of the propulsion system is reduced by 8.59%. The result of the hardware-in-the-loop simulation indicates that the proposed method has high real-time performance simultaneously, which proves the engineering application value.
Inflammatory mediators of cytokines and chemokines in sepsis: From bench to bedside
Authors: Doganyigit Zuleyha , Eroglu Ece , Akyuz Enes
Published: March 2022

Background: Sepsis is a serious clinical condition characterized by damage to the immune system as a result of an uncontrolled response to infection. Septic patients show complications such as fever, cardiovascular shock, and/or systemic organ failure. Acute organ failure formed in sepsis mostly affects the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In sepsis, responses including pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes in addition to the Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) signals leading to the release of inflammatory mediators have been suggested to be fundamental pathways in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Purpose: In this context, unregulated levels of sepsis-associated inflammatory mediators may increase the risk of mortality. In sepsis, infection-induced pathogens lead to a systemic inflammatory response. These systemic responses may contribute to septic shock and organ dysfunction. In the unfavorable clinical course of sepsis, an uncontrolled inflammatory response is observed. Accordingly, the mechanism of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines in sepsis might increase. Neurotransmitters and gene regulators affect inflammatory mediators and control the inflammatory response. In this review, we aimed to show the new therapeutic targets in sepsis treatment with current studies. New clinical implications targeting inflammatory mediators in high mortality affected by the uncontrolled inflammatory response in sepsis can contribute to the understanding of the symptoms.
Organizing pneumonia as a possible pulmonary manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus: Three cases and a review of literature
Authors: Ito Yuhei , Tamada Tatsuya , Okunishi Yuki , Mizutani Satoshi , Yamamoto Yoshiki , Nakajima Ayako
Published: March 2022

Background: Organizing pneumonia (OP) is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It has been described in very few case reports.

Purpose and Methods: We encountered OP in three patients with SLE in 1 year; two manifested OP as an initial presentation of SLE, while the third manifested OP when SLE relapsed. To elucidate the clinical features and outcomes of OP in patients with SLE, we screened the PubMed database for cases diagnosed with OP either at or after the diagnosis of SLE; the search was restricted to articles that were published after 1990, when OP became widely recognized.

Results: We identified 15 cases of OP in patients with SLE. Thus, we analyzed a total of 18 cases (including our three). OP developed at the initial diagnosis of SLE in 15 cases and at relapse of SLE in three cases. In most cases, the disease activity of SLE was moderate or high. In all cases, OP was accompanied by other extrapulmonary symptoms of SLE, namely, fever (77.8%), cutaneous manifestations (61.1%), arthralgia/arthritis (50%), and lupus nephritis (33.3%). Steroid monotherapy or increasing the dose of the steroids was effective in seven cases (38.8%); however, steroid monotherapy was ineffective and led to death due to respiratory failure in two cases (11.1%). Combination therapies of steroids with hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide therapy, and belimumab were effective in seven cases (38.8%).

Conclusions: Based on the review of previously reported and our cases, we concluded that OP is an important pulmonary manifestation of SLE. Clinicians should be aware of it as it may require intensive immunosuppressive therapy either at or after the diagnosis of SLE.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in juvenile lupus- a case series and literature review
Authors: Baisya Ritasman , Kumar Devarasetti Phani , Narayanan Ramakrishna , Rajasekhar Liza
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

PRES, as a complication of juvenile lupus, is rarely reported in the literature. In this study, six juvenile lupus patients admitted with diagnosis of PRES were assessed on the basis of clinical characteristics, imaging findings, disease activity status, treatment response and prognosis.

Methodology:

Six juvenile (≤ 16 years) lupus patients with a diagnosis of PRES were included. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory features and outcomes of all six patients were noted. Literature review was performed on PubMed search forum. Search terms in English included Juvenile SLE, Lupus and PRES.

Result:

The youngest patient was seven years old while the oldest was sixteen years. All patients had history of lupus nephritis , presented with seizure and hypertension. In imaging, four out of six patients had hyperintensities in atypical distribution suggesting atypical PRES. All the patients had significant clinical recovery with resolution of hyperintensities in five out of six patients on repeat imaging.

Conclusion:

Juvenile lupus with PRES is considered an unusual neurologic manifestation triggered by multiple factors. It can be stipulated that PRES in juvenile lupus cases often remain undiagnosed. Early suspicion and treatment institution with reversal of triggers can result in a favorable outcome in these patients.
Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells Restore Normal Mitochondrial Ca2+ Handling and Ca2+-Induced Depolarization of the Internal Mitochondrial Membrane by Inhibiting the Permeability Transition Pore After Ischemia/Reperfusion
Authors: Rodrigues-Ferreira Clara , Lopes Jarlene Alécia , Carneiro Priscila Fonseca , dos Santos Lessa Cristiane , Galina Antonio , Vieyra Adalberto
Published: March 2022

Acute kidney injury due to ischemia followed by reperfusion (IR) is a severe clinical condition with high death rates. IR affects the proximal tubule segments due to their predominantly oxidative metabolism and profoundly altered mitochondrial functions. We previously described the impact of IR on oxygen consumption, the generation of membrane potential (ΔΨ), and formation of reactive oxygen species, together with inflammatory and structural alterations. We also demonstrated the benefits of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) administration in these alterations. The objective of the present study has been to investigate the effect of IR and the influence of BMMC on the mechanisms of Ca2+ handling in mitochondria of the proximal tubule cells. IR inhibited the rapid accumulation of Ca2+ (Ca2+ green fluorescence assays) and induced the opening of the cyclosporine A-sensitive permeability transition pore (PTP), alterations prevented by BMMC. IR accelerated Ca2+-induced decrease of ΔΨ (Safranin O fluorescence assays), as evidenced by decreased requirement for Ca2+ load and t1/2 for complete depolarization. Addition of BMMC and ADP recovered the normal depolarization profile, suggesting that stabilization of the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) in a conformation that inhibits PTP opening offers a partial defense mechanism against IR injury. Moreover, as ANT forms a complex with the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) in the outer mitochondrial membrane, it is possible that this complex is also a target for IR injury—thus favoring Ca2+ release, as well as the supramolecular structure that BMMC protects. These beneficial effects are accompanied by a stimulus of the citric acid cycle—which feed the mitochondrial complexes with the electrons removed from different substrates—as the result of accentuated stimulus of citrate synthase activity by BMMC.
Assessment of Culture/Preservation Conditions of Human Islets for Transplantation
Authors: Shindo Yoshitaro , Kalivarathan Jagan , Saravanan Prathab Balaji , Levy Marlon F. , Kanak Mazhar A.
Published: March 2022

Islet culture before clinical transplantation has been adopted by various centers, but its effect on the survival and function of islets relative to the culture conditions and media needs further assessment. Human islets were cultured or preserved under four different conditions and three media options. Parameters such as recovery, viability, function, islet damage, and gene expressions for markers of hypoxia, and inflammation were assessed after 48-h culture or preservation. Preservation of islets was performed at 4°C in Connaught’s Medical Research Lab (CMRL) and University of Wisconsin (UW) media. Islets were cultured at 22°C, 37°C, and 37°C–22°C in CMRL and PRODO culture media. Islets preserved in UW solution had visually good morphology and exhibited higher recovery with less islet damage compared with the rest of the groups, whereas islets preserved in CMRL at 4°C resulted in poor morphology, recovery, viability, and function compared with the rest of the treatment conditions. Culture at 22°C and 37°C demonstrated an increase in the expression of inflammatory and hypoxia-related genes. In conclusion, islets preserved at 4°C in UW solution showed the best overall outcomes after 48 h compared with islets cultured at 22°C, 37°C, or 37°C–22°C in PRODO. Advancement in islet culture media is warranted to reduce inflammatory gene activation and improve recovery of islets for transplantation.
Novel polyurethane foams with titanium powder and collagen for medical uses
Authors: Alyamaç Elif , Teke Erdoğan , Kuru Cansu İ , Seydibeyoğlu Mehmet Özgür
Published: March 2022

In this study, we aimed to develop a novel soy-based polyurethane (PU) foam material reinforced with titanium powder and collagen for use in bone tissue engineering. In this context, soy polyol-based PU foams having different (5, 10, 20 wt%) concentrations of recycled titanium powders and hydrolyzed collagen (1 wt%) were prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle measurement, and compression tests. Biocompatibility was determined by cytotoxicity analysis. It was observed that PU foams with different titanium and collagen concentrations can have optimized mechanical strength, biocompatibility, chemical composition, and morphology that resemble porous bone texture-like structure. The compressive strength of PU foam increased by 72.6% with the inclusion of 20 wt% titanium powder and slightly decreased by 9.4% with 1 wt% collagen. Cytotoxicity results revealed that PU foam with the synergistic combination of titanium powder and collagen had higher biocompatibility compared to control sample. To our knowledge, this novel biocomposite material, developed the first time in literature by incorporation of medical grade titanium powder and hydrolyzed collagen into soy-based PU matrix, has many advantages such as tunable mechanical strength, biocompatibility, low cost, and easy processability.
Mechanical behavior of polymer-based composites using fused filament fabrication under monotonic and fatigue loadings
Authors: Ahmadifar Mohammad , Benfriha Khaled , Shirinbayan Mohammadali , Fitoussi Joseph , Tcharkhtchi Abbas
Published: March 2022

The use of additive manufacturing has been widely developed in the industry due to its ability to make complex shapes. The use of reinforcing fibers has provided a wider design capability in this field. Due to the effect of the number of fibers reinforced used on the mechanical properties, the study of the obtained mechanical properties is of great importance. This paper presents the experimental findings of tensile loading and three points bending fatigue tests performed on polymer-based composites (Onyx (which is CF-PA6) and reinforced Onyx with continuous glass fiber (CF-PA6 + GF) using Fused Filament Fabrication. Tensile properties of various types of printing conditions (Solid, Triangular, Rectangular, and Hexagonal fill patterns) have been compared. The coupled frequency amplitude affects the nature of the overall fatigue response which can be controlled by the damage mechanisms accumulation and/or by the self-heating. For fatigue loading, self-heating has been observed and yielded a temperature rise to about 60°C which is more than the glass transition temperature of the polymer. Multi-scale damage analysis of the sample in fatigue showed that the first observed damage phenomenon corresponds to the debonding of the filaments which leads to the propagation of transverse cracks.
Cultural Influences on Hispanic Mother–Daughter Communication About Sex
Authors: Matsuda Yui , DeBastiani Summer D. , Thalasinos Roxana D. , Ferranti Dina , Norris Anne E. , De Santis Joseph P.
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Hispanic adolescents are at high risk of engaging in sexual risk-taking behaviors. Parent–child communication protects against such behaviors. Among Hispanic families, it is critical to explore how cultural characteristics influence mothers–daughter communication about sex. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how cultural values influence mothers’ communication about sex with their early adolescent Hispanic daughters.

Methodology:

Twenty-one Hispanic mothers of seventh-grade daughters participated in this focus group study. Directed content analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results:

Four Hispanic cultural values ( familismo, machismo, marianismo, and respeto) and how each value influences mother–daughter communication about sex were identified. While mothers want to protect their daughters, there are multiple cultural norms that made it challenging for them to have critical conversations.

Discussion:

The study informs researchers and clinicians how to facilitate parent–child conversations about sex and to equip parents to teach their children how to avoid engaging in sexual risk-taking behaviors.
Pursuing Common Ground Instead of Specious Misconceptions: Response to Barth and Colleagues
Authors: Cabin William
Published: March 2022

This article is a reaction paper to the article in this issue of Research on Social Work Practice entitled Research to Consider While Effectively Redesigning Child Welfare Services by Richard P. Barth and colleagues. As such, it addresses two significant questions about the article. One question is: What are the methodological limitations? The second question is: What are the implications on the methodological limitations?
Connecting Practice Research With the Process of Theorizing
Authors: Austin Michael J. , McBeath Bowen
Published: March 2022

In this analysis, we contend that theorizing strengthens the connections between practice and research by requiring researchers to check their working assumptions, premises, conclusions, and implications for research, theory, and practice. Our exploration of the process of theorizing in practice research is rooted in the concept of “sensemaking” ( Weick, 1995 ) whereby practice researchers engage in disciplined imagination by reflecting on diverse forms of evidence, being attentive to specific practices and problems, and moving between intuition and reasoned explanation. The analysis includes the following components: 1) tools for theorizing from research findings (abductive analysis and problematization), 2) processes for theorizing about practice research findings (focusing on practice, researcher repertoire, and theory development processes), 3) an example of theorizing from key findings, and 4) the construction of interventive theory. It concludes with implications for social work practice research.
Interventions to Improve Outcomes of Grandchildren Raised by Grandparents: A Systematic Review
Authors: Xu Yanfeng , Pace Sarah , McCarthy Lauren P. , Harrison Theresa M. , Wang Yao
Published: March 2022

Purpose: This systematic review aims to examine the effectiveness of interventions that seek to improve outcomes of grandchildren raised by grandparents. Method: A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was undertaken. We searched in Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Family Studies Abstracts, PubMed, PsycINFO, Social Work Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Results indicated that grandchildren who participated in these interventions had improvement in their socio-emotional, mental, and behavioral outcomes but had mixed educational outcomes, regardless of research designs and evaluation methods. Two out of eight studies were of high quality, while the rest needed improved rigor in designs and analyses. Conclusions: The review summarized evidence for interventions to improve grandchildren’s outcomes and pointed out directions for future research and practice.
Domesticity and Political Participation: At Home with the Jacobin Women
Authors: Bergès Sandrine
Published: March 2022

The exclusion of women from political participation and the separation of private and public spheres seem anchored in human history to such an extent that we may think they are necessary. I offer an analysis of a philosophical moment in history, the early years of the French Revolution, where politics and domesticity were not incompatible. I show how this enabled women to participate in politics from within their homes, at the same time fulfilling their duties as wives and mothers. The republican home, on this interpretation, was a place of power and virtue, a merging of the public and the private sphere where political ideals and reforms could be born and nurtured. This conception of the home was derived in great part from a reading of Rousseau’s writings on motherhood. As the influence of French revolutionary women became more visible, they were severely repressed. The fact that they could not hold on to a position of power that derived naturally from the ideals they and others defended, I will suggest, was caused both by the fact that the framework used to allow women political power was insecure, and by the gradual replacement of republican ideals by liberal ones.
Event-based fast terminal sliding mode control design for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with input delay: A quantized feedback control
Authors: Saeedi Mobin , Zarei Jafar , Razavi-Far Roozbeh , Saif Mehrdad
Published: March 2022

This paper deals with the problem of regulation and tracking tasks for nonlinear dynamic systems that use a network medium to transmit state measurements. A novel quantized event-triggered fast terminal sliding mode controller (SMC) is proposed to reduce communication resources and computation loads while increase robustness against packet dropout, uncertainties, and disturbances. Then, new criteria are defined for the dynamic quantizer based on the event-triggering error, which increases the accuracy and facilitates the implementation procedures. In practice, delay-free systems are not realistic considerations, thus, their stability is analyzed in the presence of a dynamic quantizer and input delay under the proposed controller scheme. Then, the minimum inter-sampling time is derived, which guarantees the Zeno-free behavior and provides information about the cyber layer bandwidth in cyber-physical systems. Finally, three simulations on an unstable numerical model, the model of an inertia wheel inverted pendulum, and the mass-spring-damper model validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Fast fixed-time sliding mode control for synchronization of chaotic systems with unmodeled dynamics and disturbance; applied to memristor-based oscillator
Authors: Mirzaei Mohammad Javad , Aslmostafa Ehsan , Asadollahi Mostafa , Padar Naser
Published: March 2022

In this paper, fast global fixed-time terminal sliding mode control for the synchronization problem of a generalized class of nonlinear perturbed chaotic systems has been investigated with the application of memristor-based oscillator in the presence of external disturbances and unmodeled dynamics. In the fixed-time control strategy, unlike conventional asymptotic or finite-time approaches, convergence time is not related to the initial conditions. In the designed global fixed-time controller, both the sliding phase and reaching phase have fixed-time convergence characteristics and consequently, via the proposed strategy, precise synchronization of the master-slave systems is accomplished within fixed convergence time. The fast fixed-time synchronization problem of the nonlinear memristor chaotic system (MCS) has been investigated. In the first stage, an in-circuit emulator (ICE) for the considered memristor is utilized in order to apply on the defined MCSs. In the next stage, according to the considered ICE, the dynamical structure of the MCS is formulated along with the fixed-time synchronization problem which is efficiently addressed via the designed controller in the presence of external disturbances and unmodeled dynamics. Finally, the strength and validity of the theoretical outcomes are confirmed through numerical simulations.
Non-linear vibration of delaminated composite beam with two overlapping delaminations
Authors: Karimi Sajjad , Amin Yazdi Ali
Published: March 2022

The main aim of this paper is to study the non-linear vibration of a delaminated cross-ply composite beam with two overlapping delaminations. The effect of geometrical non-linearity and large deflection on the axial forces due to the existence of two overlapping delaminations are considered. The unknown axial forces created due to the delaminations are obtained by changing the length of the delaminated segments during the vibration behavior. The homotopy perturbation method (HPM) is utilized to obtain the frequency ratio of the delaminated cross-ply composite beam with two overlapping delaminations. This study describes the effects of different parameters such as two delaminations total length, overlap distance, and the distance between center points of two delaminations in axial and thickness directions on the frequency ratio of the delaminated composite beam in detail.
Just Help Me: A Research Poem by Black Mothers
Authors: Parker Amittia
Published: March 2022

This poem was created using the findings in a constructivist grounded theory study on Black maternal mental health and supports for mental health. During in-depth interviews, Black mothers in a midwestern metropolitan context shared their experiences with their mental health, strengths, struggles, supports, and solutions. This author—a Black mother from the same community—created this poem using the participants’ spoken words to radically center their voices and expertise. This poem is a stand-alone creative tool to inspire critical self-reflection and action to enhance existing supports and create better support for Black mothers.
Working on the Farm: An Autoethnography Exploring Gender, Race, and Labor Divisions in Middle America
Authors: Eberline Ana Lisa Padron
Published: March 2022

In this paper, the author reflects on her own work in the agritourism field as a Latina woman in the Midwest. Connecting place to lived experience, the author describes how her gender, ethnicity, language, and education are positioned within the food industry and within her career trajectory. By examining her individual journey, the author reveals systems of oppression that continue to maintain colonial divisions of labor in ways often overlooked or ignored in the everyday. Her story is an example of the struggle many women of color face as they navigate upward mobility within White and/or male-dominated arenas. Utilizing logics based in intersectionality, feminism, raciolinguistic, and racial capitalism, this story bears witness to the ways identities continue to be perceived, performed, accepted, and rejected against dominant narratives in small-town America.
Performing Orwell in Progress
Authors: Conti Norman
Published: March 2022

This piece was written, memorized, ripped-up, forgotten, improvised, and rewritten in collaboration with returning citizens, police officers, actors, faculty, students, and other chosen family in the Spring semester of 2021. The work was undertaken within an iteration of Roger Guenveur Smith’s Phi Beta Kappa course Performing History/Biography in Progress, co-facilitated by Susan Stein, that had been blended with a version of the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program originally designed for police recruits and incarcerated citizens. Running in a pandemic, during the trial of the former police officer who murdered George Floyd and in the wake of the January 6th insurrection the course became a dialogic exchange in autoethnography where people separated by severe social boundaries could meet in the Zoom platform’s electronic box and overcome social distance.
“From Health Experts to Health Guides”: Motivational Interviewing Learning Processes and Influencing Factors
Authors: Langlois Sophie , Goudreau Johanne
Published: March 2022

Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based counseling approach. However, its learning processes and their influencing factors are understudied, failing to address the suboptimal use of motivational interviewing in clinical practice. A participatory action research was conducted in collaboration with 16 primary care clinicians, who encountered similar challenges through their previous counseling approaches. The study aimed to facilitate and describe the clinicians’ professional transformation through interprofessional communities of practice on motivational interviewing (ICP-MI). Data were collected using the principal investigator’s research journal and participant observation of four independent ICP-MIs (76 h) followed by focus groups (8 h). The co-participants performed inductive qualitative data analysis. Results report that learning motivational interviewing requires a paradigm shift from health experts to health guides. The learning processes were initiated by the creation of an openness to the MI spirit and rapidly evolved into iterative processes of MI spirit embodiment and MI skill building. The intrinsic influencing factors involved the clinician’s personal traits and professional background; the extrinsic influencing factor was the shared culture disseminating the expert care model. Previously described in a fragmented manner, motivational interviewing learning processes, and its influencing factors were presented as integrated findings. Considerations in elaborating effective MI training/implementation programs are discussed for clinicians, trainers, and decision-makers. Future areas of investigation are also highlighted calling forth the research community to contribute to knowledge advancement on health education in primary care.
An analytical performance model of generalized hierarchical scheduling
Authors: Herbein Stephen , Patki Tapasya , Ahn Dong H , Mobo Sebastian , Hathaway Clark , Caíno-Lores Silvina , Corbett James , Domyancic David , Scogland Thomas RW , de Supinski Bronis R , Taufer Michela
Published: March 2022

High performance computing (HPC) workflows are undergoing tumultuous changes, including an explosion in size and complexity. Despite these changes, most batch job systems still use slow, centralized schedulers. Generalized hierarchical scheduling (GHS) solves many of the challenges that face modern workflows, but GHS has not been widely adopted in HPC. A major difficulty that hinders adoption is the lack of a performance model to aid in configuring GHS for optimal performance on a given application. We propose an analytical performance model of GHS, and we validate our proposed model with four different applications on a moderately-sized system. Our validation shows that our model is extremely accurate at predicting the performance of GHS, explaining 98.7% of the variance (i.e., an R2 statistic of 0.987). Our results also support the claim that GHS overcomes scheduling throughput problems; we measured throughput improvements of up to 270× on our moderately-sized system. We then apply our performance model to a pre-exascale system, where our model predicts throughput improvements of four orders of magnitude and provides insight into optimally configuring GHS on next generation systems.
A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of the Feasibility of a Medical Management-Based Text Messaging Intervention Combined With Buprenorphine in Primary Care
Authors: Tofighi Babak , Durr Meghan , Marini Christina , Lewis Crystal F , Lee Joshua D
Published: March 2022

Background:

Mobile health (mHealth) tools offer an effective and personalized approach to enhance chronic disease management and may partially offset provider-level barriers to increasing buprenorphine prescribing in primary care. This study assessed the feasibility of integrating a text messaging-based medical management tool (TeMeS) in primary care among patients initiating buprenorphine.

Methods:

TeMeS messages are categorized per the medical management model, programed in a HIPAA-compliant texting software (Apptoto©), and delivered in a tiered fashion over 8-weeks to patients. This mixed-methods evaluation of TeMeS utilized key stakeholder feedback (patients, physicians, administrators, nursing), text messaging software process measures, thematic analysis of patient participant text message content, and electronic administrative data (eg, appointment adherence, treatment retention) at 2-months.

Results:

The study team approached 65 patients and n = 14 (21%) were ineligible or declined to participate in the study. Most eligible participants owned a smartphone (90%), responded to at least one text query (88%) over an average of 24 days, and few requested to stop receiving texts (6%). Participant text replies included responses to cognitive behavioral therapy-based queries (13.8%), confirming or rescheduling appointments (6.1%), and insurance, pharmacy, or clinical issues pertaining to buprenorphine dispensation or dosing (2%). Suggestions for design modifications included personalizing message content and adjusting message frequency per patient risk of illicit opioid reuse, use of video-based informational content, and real-time provider and staff support for emergent issues.

Conclusion:

Our findings highlight the acceptability, feasibility, and high rates of engagement of utilizing text messaging to enhance self-management among patients initiating buprenorphine treatment.
Prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminthes and Associated Risk Factors Among People of Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Aemiro Aleka , Menkir Sisay , Tegen Dires , Tola Gedam
Published: March 2022

Background:

A Soil-transmitted helminthic infection (STHIs) remains a notable health problem in resource-limited countries.

Objective:

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the overall prevalence of STH infections in Ethiopia.

Methods:

Articles written in English were searched from online public databases. Searching terms taken separately and jointly were “prevalence,” “soil-transmitted helminths” “nematode,” “Geo-helminths,” “roundworm,” “Necator,” “Ancylostoma,” “Ascaris,” “Trichuris,” “hookworm,” “whipworm,” “ S. strecoralies,” “associated factors,” and “Ethiopia.” We used STATA version 14 for meta-analysis and Cochran’s Q test statistics and the I2 test for heterogeneity.

Result:

From 297 reviewed articles 41 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of STH infections in Ethiopia was 36.78% Ascaris lumbricoides had the highest pooled prevalence 17.63%, followed by hook worm12.35%. Trichuris trichiura 7.24% when the prevalence of S. strecoralies was 2.16% (95% CI: 0.97-3.35). Age, sex, residence, family education level, lack of shoe wearing habits and open defecation were identified as risk factors for STH infection. Eating unwashed and uncooked fruit and vegetables increased the risk of STH infection by 1.88 times while untrimmed finger nail and lack of hand washing habits increase the risk of STH infection by 1.28 and 3.16 times respectively with 95% CI.

Limitation:

Lack of published studies from Afar, Gambela, Somali, and Benshangul gumuz regions may affect the true picture. The other limitation is that the search strategy will be restricted articles published only in the English language but there might be articles that published using another language.

Conclusion:

Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms and Trichuris trichiura, are the most prevalent soil-transmitted helminthes infections in Ethiopia. Age, sex, residence, family education level, lack of shoe wearing habits Open defecation untrimmed finger nail and lack of hand washing habits significantly associated with STH infection. When eating unwashed, uncooked fruit and vegetables were not significantly associated with STH infection. Strategic use of anti-helminthic, health education, and adequate sanitation, taking into account this epidemiologic information is helpful in the control of STH infections in Ethiopia.
Responsive to whom? Political advising and elected careers in institutionalized democracies
Authors: Snagovsky Feodor , Taflaga Marija , Kerby Matthew
Published: March 2022

Political advising is an increasingly important stepping-stone for a parliamentary career in many advanced democracies. Not only does this trend inform our understanding of political parties and careers, there is reason to think former advisors may have distinct attitudes compared to other types of elected officials. Using elite survey data from 42 elections in 21 countries, this study asks whether former political advisers approach representation differently than candidates with other pre-legislative experience. We find that they do. In particular, former advisors are more willing to prioritize their party’s preferences over their constituents’ preferences, and favor their own convictions over their constituents’ priorities. These findings demonstrate that former advisors have a more party-centric approach to representation, consistent with the “loyal partisan” archetype. The results inform our understanding of an increasingly common pathway to elected office as well as the personalization and professionalization of politics and have important implications for representative democracy.
Applying online parental guided self-help family-based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa: A comparison to family-based treatment delivered by videoconferencing
Authors: Couturier Jennifer , Webb Cheryl , Carson Natalie , Doxtdator Kyrsten , Matheson Brittany , Datta Nandani , Sami Sadaf , Citron Kyra , Lock James
Published: March 2022

Guided self-help has become an important treatment option in the field of eating disorders as access to in person evidence-based treatments is limited. Given the scant amount of literature published on guided self-help for the treatment of eating disorders in the child and adolescent population, our aim was to describe online GSH-FBT sessions in detail as conducted as part of a larger feasibility study, examining quotations from therapists that illustrate the GSH-FBT stance and also describing how online GSH-FBT differs from FBT delivered by videoconferencing within a descriptive case report.
Fluency development through freewriting and transfer to other more structured tasks
Authors: Yasuda Raymond
Published: March 2022

This study investigated the effect of consistent freewriting practice on written fluency development. Thirty-nine first-year university students completed 70 10-minute freewriting activities over the course of an academic semester. Written fluency, measured as words produced per minute (wpm), increased from a mean of 19.5 wpm to 30.1 wpm over a period of 15 weeks. Further analysis revealed statistically significant gains over two-week intervals. The participants also wrote three timed TOEFL-style essays at the beginning, middle, and end of the semester to see whether fluency gains transferred to more structured contexts. The results showed a statistically significant increase in written output on the timed essays, along with an increase in holistic scores. Findings indicate that consistent freewriting can result in rapid and statistically significant fluency gains that carry over to other more structured contexts. In addition, the improved scores on the timed essays suggest increased fluency may allow learners to attend to other aspects of writing, improving the global quality of the text. A detailed description of the fluency building activity and discussion of results are provided.
Factors associated with walking performance among adolescents undergoing cancer treatment: A correlational study
Authors: Wu Wei-Wen , Yu Tsung-Hsien , Jou Shiann-Tarng , Hung Giun-Yi , Tang Chia-Chun
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to describe and compare the differences in walking performance between adolescent patients in inpatient wards and outpatient units, and to identify factors that influence walking performance among adolescents receiving cancer treatment. The cross-sectional study with correlational research design recruited 32 adolescents with cancer between February 2015 and March 2017 in two teaching hospitals in Taiwan. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate regression analyses were used. Participants’ age, treatment setting, and symptom distress were significantly associated with number of walking steps. All independent variables in the model together accounted for 82.1% of variance. This study addresses a gap in the existing literature to identify associated factors that affected walking performance among adolescents undergoing cancer treatment. Our findings represent a pathway toward generating knowledge to enhance well-being for this unique population.
Parental experiences of home phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia
Authors: Pettersson Miriam , Eriksson Mats , Blomberg Karin
Published: March 2022

Newborns with hyperbilirubinemia have traditionally received phototherapy in hospital. Hospital stays for infants, however, may negatively affect parent–infant bonding and induce anxiety and feelings of powerlessness in mothers. This study examined parent’s experiences of providing phototherapy to their neonates at home instead. A descriptive qualitative study based on 15 interviews (8 mothers and 7 fathers) with parents of 8 children who had been randomised to home phototherapy was conducted during spring 2018 in Örebro county, Sweden. Inductive content analysis was used. The overall experience of home phototherapy was positive, and five categories were identified describing their experiences: continuing life at home, adjusting to having a newborn, feeling secure, experiencing parenthood and accessing information. The findings support the use of home phototherapy. Parents felt secure at home with their infants and emphasised the importance of clear information and round-the-clock access to hospital staff.
Disgust sensitivity relates to attitudes toward gay men and lesbian women across 31 nations
Authors: van Leeuwen Florian , Inbar Yoel , Petersen Michael Bang , Aarøe Lene , Barclay Pat , Barlow Fiona Kate , de Barra Mícheál , Becker D. Vaughn , Borovoi Leah , Choi Jongan , Consedine Nathan S. , Conway Jane Rebecca , Conway Paul , Adoric Vera Cubela , Demirci Ekin , Fernández Ana María , Ferreira Diogo Conque Seco , Ishii Keiko , Jakšić Ivana , Ji Tingting , Jonaityte Inga , Lewis David M. G. , Li Norman P. , McIntyre Jason C. , Mukherjee Sumitava , Park Justin H. , Pawlowski Boguslaw , Pizarro David , Prokop Pavol , Prodromitis Gerasimos , Rantala Markus J. , Reynolds Lisa M. , Sandin Bonifacio , Sevi Barış , Srinivasan Narayanan , Tewari Shruti , Yong Jose C. , Žeželj Iris , Tybur Joshua M.
Published: March 2022

Previous work has reported a relation between pathogen-avoidance motivations and prejudice toward various social groups, including gay men and lesbian women. It is currently unknown whether this association is present across cultures, or specific to North America. Analyses of survey data from adult heterosexuals ( N = 11,200) from 31 countries showed a small relation between pathogen disgust sensitivity (an individual-difference measure of pathogen-avoidance motivations) and measures of antigay attitudes. Analyses also showed that pathogen disgust sensitivity relates not only to antipathy toward gay men and lesbians, but also to negativity toward other groups, in particular those associated with violations of traditional sexual norms (e.g., prostitutes). These results suggest that the association between pathogen-avoidance motivations and antigay attitudes is relatively stable across cultures and is a manifestation of a more general relation between pathogen-avoidance motivations and prejudice towards groups associated with sexual norm violations.
Analytical model for circular F-STC stub columns under concentric compression
Authors: Xu Tianxiang , Guo Ying , Liu Jiepeng , Chen Y Frank
Published: March 2022

The fiber reinforced polymer (FRP)-steel composite tubed (F-STC) column is characterized by high strength and deformability as well as the tube corrosion resistance provided by the FRP. This study aims to find a suitable analytical model for F-STC columns, based on the existing analytical models for confined concrete columns where each typically consists of the stress–strain relationship of actively confined concrete, a lateral strain equation, and the confining stress. A database of 66 tests (61 reported plus 5 added) is established and used to examine the existing analytical models. However, existing models fail to predict the initial stiffness of F-STC columns with lower diameter-to-thickness ratio of steel tube and the correct development of tube stresses. To this end, an incoordination coefficient of axial strains is proposed to account for the different axial strains between the steel tube and concrete. Lastly, after a close examination on the existing analytical models, a modified Teng’s model is proposed. The results predicted by the proposed analytical model generally match well with the test results of F-STC columns.
Horizontal heat impacts and shading effects of buildings on surface soil layer in Beijing, China
Authors: Zhou Hongxuan , Yan Xinye , Ge Biao , Hu Dan
Published: March 2022

Thermal condition of the surface soil layer was neglected due to much concern of the urban heat island effect, which has an important impact on cities. In this study, on-site measurements of surface soil layer temperatures were conducted between two east-west oriented buildings in the winter, spring and summer. Building shade was shown to reduce average surface soil layer temperatures to 0.33, 0.33 and 0.37°C in three seasons, respectively. The horizontal heat flux between the building and the soil was calculated and showed different intensities at various monitoring sites. Additionally, the building shade could reduce and stabilize the surface soil layer temperature. According to the analytic hierarchy process, among six energy factors only horizontal heat flux between the building and the soil was correlated significantly ( p <0.05) to the different surface soil layer temperatures. This has a key or dominant role in affecting the difference in surface soil layer temperatures, which was influenced by the building shade. Moreover, the soil warming rate was reduced by the building shade (50% at most). The surface soil layer temperatures at various observation points were compared with the air temperature. The surface soil layer was found to have different roles between two sites in three seasons.
Nursing informatics competencies in critical care unit
Authors: Zareshahi Mahin , Mirzaei Samaneh , Nasiriani Khadijeh
Published: March 2022

Nurses need professional competencies for safe and effective care. In this regard, nursing informatics competence is a significant need for intensive care unit nurses. In this study, the Delphi method was used during four rounds. The participants included 30 panelists selected by purposive sampling method. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics. During the rounds, the items were evaluated for importance, necessity, relevancy, and percentage of agreement. The findings of nursing informatics competencies in the intensive care units (ICU) were classified in three categories including basic computer skills (7 subcategories and 20 items), skills to use information management software (2 subcategories and 9 items), and specific nursing informatics skills (2 subcategories and 22 items). In order for nurses to perform successfully in ICU, they must meet some abilities such as computer skills, available software management, nursing information systems familiarity, nursing databases, web search methods, and English proficiency.
Assembling an international social protection for the migrant: Juridical categorization in ILO migration standards, 1919–1939
Authors: Kawar Leila
Published: March 2022

This article applies a history of knowledge perspective to interwar International Labour Organization (ILO) efforts to produce generalized international instruments for governing migrant labor. The historical analysis explores what it meant in the interwar context to devise ‘an international common law of the emigrant’. It focuses particular attention on the process through which juridical techniques formalized a distinction between ‘migration for employment’ and ‘migratory movements of indigenous workers’. Foregrounding the constructed nature of these categories highlights the underlying race-based notions that informed interwar ILO standard-setting frameworks. More broadly, tracing the knowledge-making processes through which seemingly objective categorical distinctions have been constructed and reconstructed opens space for questioning and potentially rethinking the functionally differentiated normative frameworks through which global policymaking approaches human mobility today.