bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Micro-Influencers’ Personality Influences the Personality of Novice and Established Brands
Authors: Zwicker Sebastian , Tarabashkina Liudmila , Proksch Michael , Hardiman Marco
Published: February 2023

The proliferation of social media resulted in less control over who shares brand content. While brand content sharing by micro-influencers is sought by many firms, the effects of such an activity on brands’ personality remains unknown. This study combined context effects and schema theories to demonstrate that assimilation occurs for novice brands, while contrast and ceiling effects take place for established brands due to micro-influencer-brand (in)congruence against the existing brand schemas. Currently, managers target consumers under an assumption that a match between a brand and an influencer is beneficial. We demonstrate that such targeting is advantageous only for novice brands. Established brands paired with congruent micro-influencers experienced no boost in brand personality (ceiling) with a boost occurring only when micro-influencers and brands were incongruent (contrast). Our results raise questions about the effectiveness of current branding strategies and caution about novice brands assimilating undesirable personalities.
Studying the effects of manifold pressure boosting and EGR on combustion and NOx emission of hydrogen-fueled SI engine
Authors: Pandey Jayashish Kumar , GN Kumar
Published: February 2023

Aiming to the global energy insecurity due to extensive dependence on fossil fuels, hydrogen is supposed to provide relief by researchers. However, employed to combustion engines, this green fuel leaves hazardous NOx and limits output due to low volumetric energy content. Hence, improving operating parameters like compression ratio and manifold pressure, and NOx mitigating technique like EGR may prove a boon. Therefore, in the present study, combustion and NOx emission behavior of the SI-engine is studied under variable manifold air pressure (MAP) (up to 130 kPa) and EGR (up to 15%) at compression ratio 14:1. The outcomes shows the flame development increased by 1.24%, while flame propagation is increased by 1.63% by MAP boosting due to increased air and fuel supply. Cylinder pressure and heat-release rate (HRR) are also surged due to the increased fuel supply to maintain excess-air ratio (λ). However, peak cylinder pressure is retarded due to elongated combustion. The exhaust gas temperature (EGT) is increased by 19.4%, while elevated Tmax is observed to shoot up NOx by 40%. Combustion in improved at low EGR due to reduced λ, and also the specific NOx. At higher EGR rate deteriorated combustion due to increased heterogeneity by high dilution, increasing combustion duration, cooling losses and reducing cylinder pressure, Tmax and EGT. A 9.33% and 5.67% increase in CA10 and CA10–90 respectively is observed for 130 kPa at 15% EGR than no EGR. The rapid reduction in oxygen and higher heterogeneity reducing residence time, resulted in rapid drop (33% at N/A to 42.68% at 130 kPa for 15% EGR) in NOx by EGR. The coefficient variation is reduced by boosting MAP but increased severely at higher EGR, which restricts operating EGR rate.
Dual-output PID transient control of an electric-assisted air charge system
Authors: Gamache Corey , Van Nieuwstadt Michiel , Martz Jason , Zhu Guoming
Published: February 2023

Turbo-compressor assembly (also called turbocharger) is added to diesel engines to increase their power density and improve performance. However, during power step-up operations, the added turbocharger system could lead to a significant delay of engine response (also called turbo-lag) which negatively impact drivability. In this paper, an external electric compressor (eBoost) is added to a turbocharged, large displacement diesel engine to significantly reduce turbo-lag, along with a bypass valve. Now, the air charge system has two control targets (boost (intake manifold) pressure and rate of exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR)) but with four control actuators including EGR valve, variable geometry turbo (VGT) vane position, eBoost speed and bypass valve, making it challenge for developing the associated control scheme. In this paper, a dual-output PID (proportional-integral-derivative) controller is proposed for controlling the boost pressure using the VGT and eBoost to reduce turbo-lag, and a transition logic is also devised to detect transient operating conditions to activate the eBoost, along with the closing and opening of the bypass valve, with maximum benefit. The EGR rate PID control remains unchanged. The addition of the eBoost is shown to improve transient response time by up to 55% and reduce transient NOx emissions by up to 42% during transitional operations without negatively impacting steady-state engine performance or emissions. Note that transient performance can be further improved for production implementation when a single engine control module is used by eliminating communication delay among multiple control systems.
Qualitative research in crisis: A narrative-practice methodology to delve into the discourse and action of the unheard in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Boéri Julie , Giustini Deborah
Published: February 2023

This paper develops and applies a methodology of qualitative inquiry that equips researchers to capture how social actors produce and contest accepted forms of knowledge at the margins of mainstream globalizing discourses in times of crisis. Standing at the intersection between conceptual and empirical research, our methodology builds on the common epistemological premises of ‘narrative’, as stories constructed and enacted in social life, and ‘practice’, as tasks and projects composed by ‘doings’ and ‘sayings’. Overcoming the dualism between ‘action’ and ‘discourse’ in traditional social theory, this methodology integrates narrative theory and practice theory into a joint framework for fieldwork and interviews. The use of the narrative-practice methodology in ethnographic case studies – such as interpreters’ experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar – allows researchers to gain analytical granularity on participants’ storied practice and practiced stories of the crisis, to harness ‘peripheral’ knowledge and refashion public discourse.
The digitalisation of finance management skills in dementia since the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Authors: Giebel Clarissa , Halpin Kath , Tottie Jean , O’Connell Lena , Carton Joan
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Engaging with finances has become increasingly digitalised in recent years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, yet it is unknown how finance management has been affected in people living with dementia. The aim of this qualitative study was therefore to explore how digitalisation and the recent pandemic have affected finance management skills in people with dementia.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely with people with dementia and unpaid carers living in the UK via phone or Zoom between February and May 2022. Transcripts were coded by one of four different research team members, including two unpaid carers who were public advisers on the project. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Thirty carers and people with dementia participated, and five overarching themes were identified. Managing finances has been both simplified and made more complicated by digitalising how money is spent and managed, with people with dementia and unpaid carers reporting advantages of using direct debits and debit cards, as well as digital illiteracy barriers for older relatives with dementia. Unpaid carers have received no support in managing their relative’s finances, and were found to be burdened by the additional caring duties.

Conclusions

Carers need to be supported in managing their relative’s finances as well as with their general well-being due to taking on additional caring duties. Digital systems for finance management need to be user-friendly for people with cognitive impairment, with a need for digital literacy training for middle-aged and older adults to avoid difficulties if they develop dementia, and improved access to a computer/tablet/smart phone.
Putting categories in their place: A research agenda for theorizing place in category research
Authors: David Robert J , Jones Candace , Croidieu Grégoire
Published: February 2023

Existing category research tends to divorce categories from place. When considered at all, place is often relegated to the contextual background. We see at least three important elements of place that can inform our understanding of categories: first, categories are rooted in the materiality of place; second, those who inhabit a place often share a collective identity that can impart meaning to categories; third, places influence the collective action that underlies category processes. Accordingly, we call for categories “to be put in their place” in category research, by attending to the materialities, collective identities, and collective action present in place. We present an integrative framework for future research that links place, categories, and organizational outcomes, and suggest mechanisms that link these constructs.
Disruption of COMMD1 accelerates diabetic atherosclerosis by promoting glycolysis
Authors: Zhang Lili , Li Lihua , Li Yalan , Jiang Han , Sun Zhen , Zang Guangyao , Qian Yongjiang , Shao Chen , Wang Zhongqun
Published: February 2023

Aims

Diabetes will lead to serious complications, of which atherosclerosis is the most dangerous. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms of diabetic atherosclerosis.

Methods

ApoE−/− mice were fed with an high-fat diet diet and injected with streptozotocin to establish an in vivo diabetic atherosclerotic model. RAW 264.7 cells were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein particles (ox-LDL) and high glucose to produce an in vitro diabetic atherosclerotic model.

Results

In this study, we showed that diabetes promoted the progression of atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice and that high glucose potentiates macrophage proinflammatory activation and foam cell formation. Mechanistically, Copper metabolism MURR1 domain-containing 1(COMMD1) deficiency increased proinflammatory activation and foam cell formation, characterized by increased glycolysis, and then accelerated the process of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) reversed this effect.

Conclusion

Taken together, we provided evidence that the lack of COMMD1 accelerates diabetic atherosclerosis via mediating the metabolic reprogramming of macrophages. Our study provides evidence of a protective role for COMMD1 and establishes COMMD1 as a potential therapeutic strategy in patients with diabetic atherosclerosis.
Eugenol alleviates neuronal damage via inhibiting inflammatory process against pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus
Authors: Zhu Jing , Park Soojin , Kim Chul Hoon , Jeong Kyoung Hoon , Kim Won-Joo
Published: February 2023

Neuroinflammation is one of the most common pathological outcomes in various neurological diseases. A growing body of evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of epileptic seizures. Eugenol is the major phytoconstituent of essential oils extracted from several plants and possesses protective and anticonvulsant properties. However, it remains unclear whether eugenol exerts an anti-inflammatory effect to protect against severe neuronal damage induced by epileptic seizures. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory action of eugenol in an experimental epilepsy model of pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE). To examine the protective effect of eugenol via anti-inflammatory mechanisms, eugenol (200 mg/kg) was administrated daily for three days after pilocarpine-induced SE onset. The anti-inflammatory action of eugenol was evaluated by examining the expression of reactive gliosis, pro-inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat with a pyrin-domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Our results showed that eugenol reduced SE-induced apoptotic neuronal cell death, mitigated the activation of astrocytes and microglia, and attenuated the expression of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor α in the hippocampus after SE onset. Furthermore, eugenol inhibited NF-κB activation and the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the hippocampus after SE. These results suggest that eugenol is a potential phytoconstituent that suppresses the neuroinflammatory processes induced by epileptic seizures. Therefore, these findings provide evidence that eugenol has therapeutic potential for epileptic seizures.
A Computational Approach to Examining Team Coordination Breakdowns During Crisis Situations
Authors: van Eijndhoven Kyana H. J. , Wiltshire Travis J. , Hałgas Elwira A. , Gevers Josette M. P.
Published: February 2023

During crisis situations, teams are more prone to coordination breakdowns that are characterized by a temporary, diminished ability to function effectively as a team. However, team research currently lacks robust approaches for identifying transitions from effective team functioning to coordination breakdowns. With the current study, we aimed to develop such robust approaches, and to deepen our understanding of how team coordination dynamics across various physiological signals reflect coordination breakdowns. Consequently, we used audiovisual data from four-person teams involved in a stressful collaborative game task to manually identify coordination breakdowns. Next, we set out to computationally identify coordination breakdowns by applying continuous measures of team coordination (windowed synchronization coefficient and multidimensional recurrence quantification analysis) to photoplethysmogram and electrodermal activity data obtained during the task, and identifying transitions therein with change point and nonlinear prediction algorithms. We found that our computational coordination breakdown identification approaches can identify up to 96% of the manually identified coordination breakdowns although our results also show that the precision of our approaches falls far behind. Our findings contribute theoretically and methodologically to the systematic investigation of coordination breakdowns, which may ultimately facilitate the support of teams in responding to and mitigating negative consequences of crisis situations.
Isolated Tricuspid Valve Repair Versus Replacement: Predictors of Mortality on the National Level
Authors: Alnajar Ahmed , Arora Yingyot , Benck Kelley N. , Kabir Khan Abdul , Altabbakh Omar , Dar Tawseef , Lamelas Joseph
Published: February 2023

Objective:

Isolated tricuspid valve surgery (TVR) is rarely performed, and literature reports are confined to small sample sizes and old studies. Thus, the advantage of repair over replacement could not be determined. We aimed to evaluate repair and replacement outcomes along with predictors of mortality for TVR on a national level.

Methods:

All adult patients (18+ years old) who underwent TVR from 2011 to 2020 were identified using the National Inpatient Sample dataset. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included complications, length of stay (LOS), hospitalization cost, and discharge disposition.

Results:

Over a 10-year period, 37,931 patients had TVR and predominantly underwent repair ( n = 25,027, 66.0%). In comparison with patients who underwent tricuspid replacement, more patients with a history of liver disease and pulmonary hypertension presented for repair surgery, and fewer patients had endocarditis and rheumatic valve disease ( P < 0.001). The repair group had less mortality, less stroke, shorter LOS, and reduced cost, while the replacement group had fewer myocardial infarctions ( P < 0.05). However, the outcomes were not different for cardiac arrest, wound complications, or bleeding. After excluding congenital TV disease and adjusting for relevant factors, TV repair was associated with a reduced in-hospital mortality by 28% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.72, P = 0.011). Older age increased mortality risk by 3-fold, prior stroke by 2-fold, and liver diseases by 5-fold ( P < 0.001). Patients undergoing TVR in recent years had a better chance of survival (aOR = 0.92, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

TV repair has better outcomes than replacement does. Patient comorbidities and late presentation play an independently significant role in determining outcomes.
A Nationwide Study of Clinical Outcomes After Robot-Assisted Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery and Hybrid Revascularization in the Netherlands
Authors: de Jong Anne R. , Gianoli Monica , Namba Hanae F. , Roefs Maaike M. , Singh Sandeep , Segers Patrique , Jacob Kirolos A. , Suyker Willem J.L.
Published: February 2023

Objective:

Robot-assisted minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (RA-MIDCAB) surgery and hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) are minimally invasive alternative strategies to conventional coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with isolated left anterior descending (LAD) stenosis or multivessel coronary disease. We analyzed a large, multicenter data-set based on the Netherlands Heart Registration including all patients undergoing RA-MIDCAB.

Methods:

We included 440 consecutive patients who underwent RA-MIDCAB with the left internal thoracic artery to LAD between January 2016 and December 2020. A proportion of patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of non-LAD vessels (i.e., HCR). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at median follow-up of 1 year, which was subdivided into cardiac and noncardiac. Secondary outcomes included target vessel revascularization (TVR) at median follow-up as well as 30-day mortality, perioperative myocardial infarction, reoperation for bleeding or anastomosis-related problems, and in-hospital ischemic cerebrovascular accident (iCVA).

Results:

Among all patients, 91 (21%) underwent HCR. At median (IQR) follow-up of 19 (8 to 28) months, 11 patients (2.5%) had died. In 7 patients, the cause of death was defined as cardiac. TVR occurred in 25 patients (5.7%), of whom 4 underwent CABG and 21 underwent PCI. At 30-day follow-up, 6 patients (1.4%) had a perioperative myocardial infarction, of whom 1 died. One patient (0.2%) developed an iCVA, and 18 patients (4.1%) underwent reoperation for bleeding or anastomosis-related problems.

Conclusions:

The clinical outcomes of patients undergoing RA-MIDCAB or HCR in the Netherlands are good and promising when compared with the currently available literature.
Investigation of comfort properties of knitted fabrics made of core-spun vortex yarns
Authors: Karakan Günaydın Gizem , Çeven Erhan Kenan
Published: February 2023

Different yarn spinning methods with different fiber combinations provide an optimization for the consumer requests of durability, functionality, comfort, and price. Vortex yarns and the fabrics produced from these yarns have aroused interest for the last years owing to lower yarn production cost and the satisfying fabric comfort properties. Within this work, core-spun vortex knitted fabrics of three different yarn count (400, 300, and 200 dtex) with six different core yarn type (70 dtex Polyvinyl alcohol, 110/36 dtex/filament polyester yarn, 80/36 dtex/filament polyester yarn, 110/333 dtex/filament micro polyester yarn, 50/96 dtex/filament, 120 dtex staple polyester vortex yarn) and two different sheath sliver types (100% viscose, polyester-viscose blended sliver) were studied. Moisture management transport property (MMT), water vapor permeability, and air permeability properties of those knitted fabrics were evaluated comparatively. Obtained results were statistically evaluated using three-way ANOVA test. It was determined that core yarn type, sheath sliver type, and yarn linear density were generally influential factors on MMT, water vapor permeability, air permeability properties of the core-spun vortex fabrics at significance level of 0.05. Correlation analyses between yarn hairiness and water vapor permeability as well as between yarn hairiness and air permeability were indicated. The conducted work provides an initial phase toward a better understanding of influence of some core-spun vortex yarn parameters on comfort properties of knitted fabrics.
The effect of operator's experience on mechanical thrombectomy outcomes: A systematic review
Authors: Dimitrios Xenos , Ghozy Sherief , Christina Charalampopoulou , Kolovoy Antonia , Ramanathan Kadirvel , Kallmes David F
Published: February 2023

Background

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become the standard of care for stroke patients. The majority of the clinical trials and publications analyzing the outcomes related to the procedures report interventional performance by experienced practitioners. However, few of them individualize their preliminary metrics according to the operator's experience.

Objective

To summarize the literature and report safety and efficacy outcomes following MT procedures and correlate them with the operator's experience. Primary outcomes were successful recanalization, defined as modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction greater or equal to 2b or 3, duration of the procedure measured in minutes, and serious adverse event.

Methods

This systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were utilized.

Results

There were six studies comprising 9348 patients (mean age 69.8 years; 51.2% males), and 9361 MT procedures were included. Each publication used for this review used a different experience definition to report their data. Higher interventionists’ experience demonstrated a positive relationship with the possibility of successful recanalization and an inverse relationship with the duration needed for the operation in almost all of the included studies. As for the complications, none of the authors reported a statistically significant risk reduction of an adverse event, except Olthuis et al. correlating increasing training with lower odds of stroke progression.

Conclusions

A higher experience level is associated with better recanalization rates and shorter procedural duration in MT operations. Further studies are warranted to define the minimum required level of experience for operational autonomy.
Improvisation, Economy, and MTV Moves: Online News and Video Production Style
Authors: Bock Mary Angela , Richardson Robert J. , Assaf Christopher T. , Tsyrenzhapova Dariya
Published: February 2023

This study uses content analysis to explore the way a news organization's norms and expectations is tied to video production style and extends Rogers's Diffusion of Innovations theory. The study compares the current online video production styles from legacy print, legacy TV, and digital native news organizations based in the United States. Over time, while these organizations have converged into one screen for viewers, their differing organizational histories, traditions, and norms affect the way they produce video news. The analysis found legacy print organizations continue to produce slower-paced videos without scripted narration; TV organizations use scripted narration with one correspondent; and digital natives produce stories with quick pacing and a mix of narrator types. Diffusion of Innovations theory helps to explain why these organizations offer distinct production styles that are not converging in form.
Factors affecting the acceptance of teledentistry determined using the technology acceptance model: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Bahanan Lina , Alsharif Maha
Published: February 2023

Objective

The aim of this pilot study is to identify the main predictors and barriers that influence user intention to adopt teledentistry services among the Saudi population.

Methods

A total of 426 respondents completed a questionnaire. Our study used the technology acceptance model to predict how users will adopt teledentistry. An analysis of the factors that influence patient users’ intention to utilize teledentistry was conducted using partial least square structural equation modeling.

Results

Among the factors that influenced the intention to use teledentistry services, social influence positively affected the intention (β = 0.18, t = 2.19, p-value = 0.03), whereas perceived risk negatively affected it (β = −0.21, t = 2.69, p-value =0.01).

Conclusion

The perception of risk was a major barrier to the adoption of teledentistry services, while social influence was a significant positive predictor. Using the findings of the study, policymakers and health service providers can gain a better understanding of the factors influencing the implementation of teledentistry.
A Multidisciplinary Surgical Approach to Mediastinal Masses in Children
Authors: Miller Vanessa M , Disharoon Mitchell , Padilla Luz A , Beierle Elizabeth A , Dabal Robert J
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the safety and advantages of a multidisciplinary approach to surgical resection of mediastinal masses in children. Eight patients underwent resection of a mediastinal mass by a team involving both a pediatric general surgeon and pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon. One patient required rapid initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass to complete the tumor resection and repair an aortic injury that occurred when removing adherent tumor from the structure. Perioperative outcomes were excellent for all patients. This series shows that a multidisciplinary surgical approach can be potentially life saving.
Transformational Leadership and Project Success: The Mediating Role of Psychological Empowerment
Authors: Fareed Muhammad Zeeshan , Su Qin , Aslam Muhammad Umer
Published: February 2023

Through the lens of social cognitive theory (SCT), we formulated hypotheses and tested the mediating role of psychological empowerment (PE) in linking transformational leadership (TL) to project success (PS). A structured questionnaire was used to gather responses from 356 team members, project managers, and stakeholders. Our findings demonstrated that PE and TL had a substantial influence on PS. Furthermore, we determined that PE partially mediates the relationship between TL and PS. This study sought to give insights into this relationship and identified PE as a precondition for TL effectiveness. These findings have implications for theorists and practitioners because they assert that the association between TL and PS may be explained by psychological empowerment as the underlying mechanism. By demonstrating how leaders inspire their followers to become leaders themselves, we elucidate how these findings add to the literature on leadership. We also go into further detail about the use of leadership training.
Gender and Racial Diversity Among the Head Medical and Athletic Training Staff of Women’s Professional Sports Leagues
Authors: Wilson Jasmin , Agha Obiajulu , Wiggins Anthony J. , Diaz Agustin , Jones Kristofer J. , Feeley Brian T. , Pandya Nirav K. , Wong Stephanie E.
Published: February 2023

Background:

Despite increased awareness for promoting diversity, orthopaedics remains one of the least diverse specialties. Studying health care providers in women’s professional sports provides a unique opportunity to analyze gender and racial diversity.

Hypotheses:

There would be low female and minority representation across the various women’s professional sports leagues. There would be an increased number of female head certified athletic trainers (ATCs) when compared with head team physicians (HTPs).

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

We evaluated the perceived race and sex of designated HTPs and ATCs in the Women’s National Basketball Association, National Women’s Soccer League, and National Women’s Hockey League. Type of doctorate degree, specialty, and years in practice were also collected. Kappa (κ) coefficient measurements were used to determine interobserver agreement on race. Categorical and continuous variables were analyzed using chi-square and t tests, respectively.

Results:

There were significantly more female ATCs than female HTPs (74.1% vs 37.5%; P = .01). Minority representation between HTPs and ATCs was not significantly different (20.8% vs 40.7%; P = .13). Black HTPs (12.5%) and Black ATCs (22.2%) composed the largest proportion among the minority groups. There was high interobserver agreement of perceived race across HTPs (κ = 1.0) and ATCs (κ = 0.95).

Conclusion:

Although there were more female ATCs than HTPs in women’s professional sports leagues, both cohorts lack perceived racial diversity. These data suggest an opportunity for diversification in medical and training staff of women’s professional sports.
Politically Engaged Mindset of Everyday Coping in Relation to Nursing Values: A Phenomenological-Hermeneutic Study of District Nurses’ Experiences
Authors: Hauan Marianne , Kvigne Kari , Alteren Johanne
Published: February 2023

Introduction

To accommodate challenges threatening the healthcare sector's sustainability, district nursing in Norway implemented the rehabilitative and health promoting mindset of everyday coping. When implementing new ideas and practices in nursing care, understanding the significance of this mindset on patient care and whether it corresponds to nursing values are important to ensure healthcare quality.

Objective

This study aimed to understand how nurses practice care where everyday coping is implemented in district nursing and their experience of everyday coping as a mindset in relation to nursing values.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted including 19 observations and 19 narrative interviews with 10 district nurses, during two data collection periods. Data were analyzed using a phenomenological-hermeneutic method. The analysis process consisted of three steps: naïve reading, structural analysis, and comprehensive understanding.

Results

The following two main themes and four sub-themes emerged from the data analyses: (i) Understanding individual patient situations; “Creating a nurse–patient relationship to understand the patient landscape” and “providing care based on individual patient needs,” (ii) knowing when and how to motivate or help patients; “distinction between motivating patients and causing stress” and “realistic and desirable demands to motivate patients to perform tasks.”

Conclusion

Participants determined how to provide care to patients based on their values, professional knowledge, and individual patient situations. The patient landscape is diverse and everyday coping is unable to capture the diversity of patient groups. Thus, everyday coping is not expressed as an overall mindset in nursing practice.
Standardized Nursing Diagnoses in a Surgical Hospital Setting: A Retrospective Study Based on Electronic Health Data
Authors: Cesare Manuele , D’agostino Fabio , Maurici Massimo , Zega Maurizio , Zeffiro Valentina , Cocchieri Antonello
Published: February 2023

Introduction

In electronic health records (EHRs), standardized nursing terminologies (SNTs), such as nursing diagnoses (NDs), are needed to demonstrate the impact of nursing care on patient outcomes. Unfortunately, the use of NDs is not common in clinical practice, especially in surgical settings, and is rarely included in EHRs.

Objective(s)

The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence and trend of NDs in a hospital surgical setting by also analyzing the relationship between NDs and hospital outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted. All adult inpatients consecutively admitted to one of the 15 surgical inpatient units of an Italian university hospital across 1 year were included. Data, including the Professional Assessment Instrument and the Hospital Discharge Register, were collected retrospectively from the hospital's EHRs.

Results

The sample included 5,027 surgical inpatients. There was a mean of 6.3 ± 4.3 NDs per patient. The average distribution of NDs showed a stable trend throughout the year. The most representative NANDA-I ND domain was safety/protection. The total number of NDs on admission was significantly higher for patient whose length of stay was longer. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the number of NDs on admission and the number of intra-hospital patient transfers. Additionally, the mean number of NDs on admission was higher for patients who were later transferred to an intensive care unit compared to those who were not transferred.

Conclusion

NDs represent the key to understanding the contribution of nurses in the surgical setting. NDs collected upon admission can represent a prognostic factor related to the hospital's key outcomes.
Predictors of Nurses’ Practice of Eye Care for Patients in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Lami Sana , Ayed Ahmad
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Taking care of patients’ eyes is an important nursing skill. Nurses must be capable of providing a standard assessment of the eye and vision as well as necessary care such as eye cleaning. Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses typically focus on life-threatening issues while giving little attention to other serious issues. The purpose of this study was to assess predictors of nurses’ practice of eye care for patients in ICUs in the West Bank.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted with all ICU nurses from West Bank hospitals. The researchers developed a self-administered questionnaire to collect data.

Results

One hundred and fifty-two nurses participated in this study. The findings revealed that the mean age of nurses was 31.2 ( SD  =  7.5) years. The analysis revealed that only 0.7% had a good knowledge level, 7.2% had a fair knowledge level, and 25.7% had a good practice level of eye care for patients in an ICU. Knowledge of patients’ eye care in the ICU, as well as an eye care protocol or policy for unconscious patients, was found to be significant predictors of practice ( p < .001).

Conclusion

The study confirmed that the nurses had poor knowledge and inadequate practice of eye care for patients in the ICU. Also, the study confirmed that a nurse's knowledge of patients’ eye care in the ICU and an eye care protocol or policy for unconscious patients were significant predictors of practice.
Endoscopic Pars Plana Vitrectomy in Patients With Open-Globe Injury and Corneal Opacity
Authors: Abouodah Hythem , Hamada Karam , Pfannenstiel Matthew , Ajlan Radwan
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To determine the 1-year outcomes of endoscopic pars plana vitrectomy (EPPV) and its impact on the corneal transplantation rate in patients with open-globe injury (OGI) and corneal opacity. Methods: This retrospective cohort study collected data between December 2018 and August 2021. All EPPVs were performed at a level I trauma center. Inclusion criteria were adult patients with a history of OGI complicated by corneal opacification that prevented fundus visualization. The main outcome measures were the rate of successful retinal reattachment, final visual acuity (VA), and number of patients who had penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) within 1 year of the OGI. Results: Ten patients (3 women; 7 men) with a mean age of 63.4 ± 22.7 years (SD) met the inclusion criteria. The indications for EPPV were intraocular foreign bodies in 2 patients, dense vitreous hemorrhage in 3 patients (1 with a retinal tear; 1 with a choroidal hemorrhage), and retinal detachment in 5 patients. The final VA ranged from 20/40 to no light perception. All 4 repaired detachments remained attached after 1 year. Corneal opacity was treated with PKP in 3 patients. Conclusions: Results indicate EPPV can be a useful tool to treat posterior segment pathology in patients with a recent OGI and corneal opacity. EPPV can help address posterior segment disease and postpone corneal transplantation until the visual potential can be fully determined. Larger prospective studies are needed.
ISO 21500 and the Sustainability Focused ANP-BOCR Framework for Subcontractor Selection in Megaprojects
Authors: Subaie Abdulla Abdulaziz Al , Faisal Mohd. Nishat , Aouni Belaid , Sabir Lamay Bin
Published: February 2023

The aim of this article is to present a novel framework that integrates the strategic dimensions of sustainability and the ISO 21500 standard to evaluate and select subcontractors for megaprojects. ISO 21500 processes were utilized to develop benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks subnets, whereas triple-bottom line sustainability dimensions were used as strategic criteria. Subsequently, the Analytic Network Process was used to examine the proposed framework for the Qatar Rail megaproject. The proposed framework supports organizations dealing with megaprojects to align their subcontractor selection with ISO 21500 and achieve ecological and social objectives alongside the project’s stipulated economic benefits.
RBM15 suppresses hepatic insulin sensitivity of offspring of gestational diabetes mellitus mice via m6A-mediated regulation of CLDN4
Authors: Fang Jie , Wu Xiafei , He Jie , Zhang Hanwen , Chen Xuyang , Zhang Hua , Novakovic Boris , Qi Hongbo , Yu Xinyang
Published: February 2023

Background

Gestational diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy-specific disease with high morbidity, which is linked to a high risk of obesity and diabetes in offspring. N6-methyladenosine modification of RNA is emerging as an important epigenetic mechanism that is widely manifested in many diseases. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of m6A methylation in metabolic syndrome in offspring result from intrauterine hyperglycemia.

Methods

GDM mice were established by feeding a high-fat diet 1 weeks before pregnancy. The m6A RNA methylation quantification kit was used to detect liver tissue methylation levels. PCR array was used to determine the expression of the m6A methylation modification enzyme. Immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and western blot were used to examine the expression of RBM15, METTL13, IGF2BP1, and IGF2BP2. Subsequently, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing combined with mRNA sequencing, followed by dot blot and glucose uptake tests, were performed.

Results

In this study, we found that offspring from a GDM mother were more vulnerable to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. GC–MS revealed significant metabolic changes including saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids in liver of GDM offspring. We also demonstrated that global mRNA m6A methylation level was significantly increased in the fetal liver of GDM mice, indicating epigenetic change may have a strong relationship with the mechanism of metabolism syndrome. Concordantly, RBM15, the RNA binding methyltransferase, was upregulated in the liver. In vitro, RBM15 suppressed insulin sensitivity and increased insulin resistance through m6A-regulated epigenetic inhabitation of CLDN4. Moreover, MeRIP-sequencing and mRNA-sequencing revealed that differently regulated genes with differential m6A peaks were enriched in metabolic pathways.

Conclusion

Our study revealed the essential role of RBM15 in insulin resistance and the effect of RBM15-regulated m6A modification in the metabolic syndrome of offspring of GDM mice.
Properties and alcohol sensing applications of quasi-2D (PEA)2(MA)3Sb2Br9 thin films
Authors: Hun Chien-Min , Chen Lung-Chien
Published: February 2023

We fabricated an alcohol detector based on (PEA)2(CH3NH3)3Sb2Br9 ((PEA)2MA3Sb2Br9) lead-free perovskite-like films. The XRD pattern revealed that the (PEA)2MA3Sb2Br9 lead-free perovskite-like films exhibited a quasi-2D structure. The optimal current response ratios are 74 and 84 for 5 and 15% alcohol solutions, respectively. When the amount of PEABr decreases in the films, the conductivity of the sample in ambient alcohol with a high alcohol concentration solution increases. The alcohol was dissolved into water and carbon dioxide due to the catalyst effect of the quasi-2D (PEA)2MA3Sb2Br9 thin film. The rise and fall times for the alcohol detector were 1.85 and 0.7 s, respectively, indicating that the detector was suitable.
Stroke-like manifestation of a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma with spontaneous resolution: a case report
Authors: Na Xue Bi, May , Khoo Swee Min, Kathleen
Published: February 2023

Background

This case report presents the case of a man with no known coagulopathy or preceding trauma, who spontaneously developed a spinal epidural hematoma (SEH). This is an uncommon condition which can have variable presentations including hemiparesis mimicking stroke, resulting in the potential for misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Case presentation

A 28-year-old Chinese male with no past medical history presented with sudden onset neck pain associated with bilateral upper limbs and right lower limb subjective numbness but intact motor function. He was discharged after adequate pain relief but re-attended the emergency department with right hemiparesis. A magnetic resonance imaging of his spine revealed an acute cervical spinal epidural hematoma at C5 and C6. While admitted, he had spontaneous improvement of his neurological function and was eventually managed conservatively.

Conclusions

SEH, although uncommon, can be a mimic of stroke and it is important to avoid misdiagnosis as it is a time critical diagnosis, and administration of thrombolysis or antiplatelets can lead to unfavourable outcomes. Having a high clinical suspicion can help to guide us in the choice of imaging and interpretation of subtle signs to reach the correct diagnosis in a timely manner. Further research is required to better understand the factors that would favour a conservative approach as opposed to surgical treatment.
A robust and accurate single-cell data trajectory inference method using ensemble pseudotime
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Tran Duc , Nguyen Tin , Dascalu Sergiu M. , Harris Frederick C.
Published: February 2023

Background

The advance in single-cell RNA sequencing technology has enhanced the analysis of cell development by profiling heterogeneous cells in individual cell resolution. In recent years, many trajectory inference methods have been developed. They have focused on using the graph method to infer the trajectory using single-cell data, and then calculate the geodesic distance as the pseudotime. However, these methods are vulnerable to errors caused by the inferred trajectory. Therefore, the calculated pseudotime suffers from such errors.

Results

We proposed a novel framework for trajectory inference called the single-cell data Trajectory inference method using Ensemble Pseudotime inference (scTEP). scTEP utilizes multiple clustering results to infer robust pseudotime and then uses the pseudotime to fine-tune the learned trajectory. We evaluated the scTEP using 41 real scRNA-seq data sets, all of which had the ground truth development trajectory. We compared the scTEP with state-of-the-art methods using the aforementioned data sets. Experiments on real linear and non-linear data sets demonstrate that our scTEP performed superior on more data sets than any other method. The scTEP also achieved a higher average and lower variance on most metrics than other state-of-the-art methods. In terms of trajectory inference capacity, the scTEP outperforms those methods. In addition, the scTEP is more robust to the unavoidable errors resulting from clustering and dimension reduction.

Conclusion

The scTEP demonstrates that utilizing multiple clustering results for the pseudotime inference procedure enhances its robustness. Furthermore, robust pseudotime strengthens the accuracy of trajectory inference, which is the most crucial component in the pipeline. scTEP is available at https://cran.r-project.org/package=scTEP.
Deafness gene screening based on a multilevel cascaded BPNN model
Authors: Liu Xiao , Teng Li , Zuo Wenqi , Zhong Shixun , Xu Yuqiao , Sun Jing
Published: February 2023

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a common and frequently occurring condition in otolaryngology. Existing studies have shown that sudden sensorineural hearing loss is closely associated with mutations in genes for inherited deafness. To identify these genes associated with deafness, researchers have mostly used biological experiments, which are accurate but time-consuming and laborious. In this paper, we proposed a computational method based on machine learning to predict deafness-associated genes. The model is based on several basic backpropagation neural networks (BPNNs), which were cascaded as multiple-level BPNN models. The cascaded BPNN model showed a stronger ability for screening deafness-associated genes than the conventional BPNN. A total of 211 of 214 deafness-associated genes from the deafness variant database (DVD v9.0) were used as positive data, and 2110 genes extracted from chromosomes were used as negative data to train our model. The test achieved a mean AUC higher than 0.98. Furthermore, to illustrate the predictive performance of the model for suspected deafness-associated genes, we analyzed the remaining 17,711 genes in the human genome and screened the 20 genes with the highest scores as highly suspected deafness-associated genes. Among these 20 predicted genes, three genes were mentioned as deafness-associated genes in the literature. The analysis showed that our approach has the potential to screen out highly suspected deafness-associated genes from a large number of genes, and our predictions could be valuable for future research and discovery of deafness-associated genes.
The association between hordein polypeptide banding and agronomic traits in partitioning genetic diversity in six-rowed Ethiopian barley lines (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Fantahun Basazen , Woldesemayate Tesfaye , Shiferaw Eleni
Published: February 2023

Background

Evaluation of the extent of genetic variation within and between the populations of crop genetic resources are of paramount importance in any breeding program. An experiment aimed at assessing the extent of variation among barley lines and the degree of association between hordein polypeptide and agronomic traits was hence executed.

Methods

Field experiment was conducted in six environments between 2017–2019 involving 19 barley lines. Hordein bands were separated using vertical Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Poly- acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).

Results

The analysis of variance revealed significant variation among lines and wider range units were observed for the agronomic traits. The line (Acc# 16,811–6) was superior, producing the highest grain yield (2.97 ton ha−1) across environments, 3.6 ton ha−1 at Holleta, and 1.93 ton ha−1 at Chefedonsa. At Arsi Negelle a different line Acc# 17146–9 was the highest yielding (3.15ton ha−1). SDS-PAGE-based analysis of barley lines separated 12 hordein bands between C (four bands) and B (eight bands) subunits. Interestingly bands 52, 46a, and 46b were uniquely conserved in the four naked barley lines (Acc#16809–14,16956–11, 17240–3, 17244–19). A considerably high proportion of genetic diversity within the populations than among the populations could be a repercussion of high gene flow which substantiates the longstanding and dominant informal seed exchange system among the farmers. The significant positive association between grain yield and band 50 evocates the expression of this allele may code for higher grain yield. The negative association between days to maturity and band 52 perhaps stipulates earliness in barely lines upon the manifestation of the band. Band 52 and 60 appeared to be associated with more than one agronomic trait (days to maturity and thousand kernel weight; grain filling period and grain yield respectively) and could be the result of pleiotropic characteristics of the genes residing in these banding regions.

Conclusion

The barley lines exhibited substantial variation for hordein protein and agronomic traits. However, imparted the need for the implementation of decentralized breeding as a consequence of genotype-by-environment interaction. Significant hordein polypeptide and agronomic traits association advocated the utilization of hordein as a protein marker and perhaps consider them in the parental line selection.