bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thriving with chronic pain: A newly qualified Dramatherapist’s journey towards learning their body’s language
Authors: Richards Elizabeth
Published: June 2023

This paper implements an Autoethnographic lens to explore a newly qualified Dramatherapists relationship to their chronic pain and body, the society is exits within, the process of overcoming internalised stigma and the journey taken through training. An analysis of how society has impacted the authors relationship of their body that is affected by chronic pain will take place, as well as unpacking their experiences of having chronic pain and endometriosis. Chronic pain has been a constant within the authors adult life. This pain and societies attitudes toward disability informed a belief that becoming a Dramatherapist was not an achievable ambition. The author will delineate the steps taken, challenges overcome and drastic shifts in thinking that took place before training, during and once qualified. Through this Autoethnographic exploration of the authors lived experiences, they discovered the essential pillars of turning surviving into thriving were community, connection, education and self-advocacy.
Unravelling the Roots of Emotional Development: Examining the Relationships Between Attachment, Resilience and Coping in Young Adolescents
Authors: Godor Brian P. , van der Horst Frank C. P. , Van der Hallen Ruth
Published: June 2023

One’s attachment style forms early in life and can aid in dealing with future setbacks. Equally, Coping and resilience are two specific psychological mechanisms that form how one deals with problems and recovers from stressful situations. These three concepts are well-known interrelated concepts within psychology but to what extent they overlap is still unclear. The present study investigated attachment, resiliency and coping using structural equation modeling. Participants ( N = 390), aged between 9 and 12 y old, completed an paper survey including Experiences in Close Relationship-Revised questionnaire (ECR-RC-12), Resiliency Scales for Children & Adolescents (RSCA), and the Brief-CPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced). Path analysis revealed strong associations between attachment and resiliency as well as strong associations between resiliency and coping. Specifically, the predictive value of anxious attachment on resiliency was seen for all three resiliency sub-scales. However, the predictive value of avoidance attachment on resiliency was only revealed for two of the resiliency sub-scales. The two resiliency protective factors (sense of mastery and sense of relatedness) have a positive predictive value for three coping strategies. Equally, the resiliency risk factor (emotional reactivity) also positively predicted two coping strategies. The current findings demonstrate clear associations between these three concepts. Equally, the theoretical connections are discussed in light of these findings. Equally, stemming from this study, clinical implications are discussed that can inform practice in terms of approaching psychopathologies from different angles (resilience, coping, and attachment) as well as, the development of coping and resilience skills in order to support healthy development.
The Emergence of a New Business Approach in the Fashion and Apparel Industry: The Ethical Retailer
Authors: Bastos Rudolph Livia Tiemi , Bassi Suter Mariana , Barakat Simone Ruchdi
Published: June 2023

This study sought to examine new marketing ethics (ME) practices that can foster strong moral grounding in the fashion and apparel retail firms to delineate a new approach within this industry. We built on the distributive justice and stakeholder orientation literature to conduct a multi-case study with 15 self-proclaimed ethical fashion and apparel retailers to identify whether and how they differ from traditional and fast fashion retailers. Several data collection techniques were used to gather the evidence (i.e., direct observation, physical and online interviews) combined with a netnographic approach (i.e., online observation of websites and social media content). Our findings show that these firms are guided by ethical-centered values, which are reflected in their product components, purpose, communication practices, and sourcing practices, which point to the emergence of a new business approach. We contribute to the macromarketing literature by identifying a new perspective on the role of morality in ME based on distributive justice principles and stakeholder orientation. We also propose a more refined definition of ethical fashion and apparel retailers.
Drug Addiction and Incarceration: A Call for Research and Transparency Among Prison-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Authors: Beaton Blake , Gerber Jurg
Published: June 2023

As drug-related offense and illicit drug overdose rates continue to grow in the United States, criminologists have begun to pay more attention to factors influencing illicit drug use as well as effective methods of promoting drug abstinence in treatment programs across the nation. Although much scholarly attention is given to community-based substance abuse treatment programs, a considerably smaller focus of research is devoted to substance abuse treatment programs that are prison-based. Moreover, some of the most effective methods of treating inmates who are addicted to an illicit drug (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Therapeutic Community, etc.), although praised for their initiative and theoretical effectiveness, are often demonstrated via individualized empirical study that the expected advantages of such programmatic forms of treatment fail to emerge. The present study explores what scholars have discovered regarding the effectiveness of prison-based substance abuse treatment programs, how such findings appear to contradict one another, and why state prison systems should be more transparent regarding their in-house drug treatment programs in their publicly accessible reports that are formulated into cumulative reports on each states’ Bureau of Corrections websites.
Futures Market for Demand Responsive Travel Pricing
Authors: Fournier Nicholas , Patire Anthony , Skabardonis Alexander
Published: June 2023

While transportation funding can be collected in a variety of direct (e.g., fares, tolls, and gas taxes) or indirect (e.g., property and sales tax) ways, dynamic demand responsive pricing not only collects revenue but also incentivizes travelers to avoid peak-demand periods, thus utilizing infrastructure capacity more efficiently. Unfortunately, the demand response to price changes, called the price elasticity of demand, is generally greater for longer-term travel planning (e.g., air and rail travel) than it is for more atomized short-term planning (e.g., highway tolls and transit fares). While this is caused by a plethora of factors (e.g., time flexibility, housing choice, automobile investment, etc.), a critical factor is that travelers simply lack sufficient information for future travel planning. For example, airline prices at different times can easily be compared, but a highway driver cannot accurately predict congestion nor congestion pricing. For this reason, such price changes have little effect on demand. This leaves any congestion abatement up to inefficient trial and error, and anecdotal speculation by travelers. Moreover, dynamic pricing is politically unsavory because of price uncertainty and collateral equity concerns. This article seeks to help remedy these concerns by proposing a simple “futures” market mechanism that can augment existing fare/toll collection technologies, providing travelers with sufficient pricing information and purchasing options to preplan their travel and avoid excessive prices. Users can optionally pre-pay their future fares/tolls to lock in a lower price for expected trips, thus encouraging good travel planning and efficient infrastructure utilization, while reducing price uncertainty.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of the Relationships Between Pricing Strategies and Willingness to Share for Ridesourcing Modes
Authors: Kelleny Bishoy , Ishak Sherif
Published: June 2023

Willingness to share trips and surge pricing schemes remain unexplored areas in ridesourcing research. This study first conducts an explorative spatiotemporal analysis on both features’ interdependencies, that is, willingness to share and surge pricing. The willingness-to-share behavior is analyzed with respect to its econometric and psychological aspects. Mile-price and hour-of-day are used as proxies for the elasticity and psychological perception of security to share rides with strangers, respectively. Surge pricing is discussed within the classic economic theory on supply and demand dynamics, as well as other factors such as traffic conditions and trip length. The willingness-to-share pattern mined in this analysis is further analyzed in a behavioral market segmentation context to identify the type of underlying existing spatiotemporal trends. The proposed methodological protocol builds on mining spatial heterogeneity and temporal trends to provide a comprehensive understanding of the willingness-to-share behavior. The study uses the large ridesourcing dataset collected in the City of Chicago to showcase the implementation and provides a critical and contextual discussion on the behavioral segmentation pattern and the underlying urban socioeconomic fabric. Two types of oscillating and sporadic trends were captured in statistically significant hot and cold willingness-to-share spots that relate to more and less socially disadvantaged community areas, respectively. Two regression models were developed to identify the determinants of the observed trends. The non-white population percentage, percentage of low-income households, and a younger population exhibit significant positive relationships with more willingness-to-share ridesourcing trips.
Threat perceptions, loyalties and attitudes towards peace: The effects of civilian victimization among Syrian refugees in Turkey
Authors: Fabbe Kristin , Hazlett Chad , Sinmazdemir Tolga
Published: June 2023

For refugees who have fled civil conflict, do experiences of victimization by one armed group push them to support the opposing armed groups? Or, does victimization cause refugees to revoke their support for all armed groups, whatever side they are on, and call instead for peace? This paper studies the effect of civilian victimization on threat perceptions, loyalties, and attitudes toward peace in the context of Syrian refugees in Turkey, many of whom faced regime-caused violence prior to their departure. Our research strategy leverages variation in home destruction caused by barrel bombs to examine the effect of violence on refugees’ views. We find that refugees who lose their home to barrel bombs withdraw support from armed actors and are more supportive of ending the war and finding peace. Suggestive evidence shows that while victims do not disengage from issues in Syria, they do show less optimism about an opposition victory.
Adverse effects of copper, manganese and mercury, alone and in mixtures on the aorta and heart of Spraque-Dawley rats
Authors: Janse van Rensburg M , Bester MJ , van Rooy MJ , Oberholzer HM
Published: June 2023

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a common global cause of death and are therefore a major health concern. Inhaled or ingested environmental heavy metals contribute to the development of CVD. The aim of this study was to address the limited information available on the effect of relevant dosages of metals in mixtures. Three metals with reported effects on the cardiovascular system (CVS) were identified, and these metals were copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and mercury (Hg). In Sprague-Dawley rats, the adverse effects of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and mercury (Hg), alone and as part of mixtures, on the blood parameters, the aorta and heart were investigated. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into eight groups ( n = 6): control, Cu, Mn, Hg, Cu + Mn, Cu + Hg, Mn + Hg and Cu, Mn + Hg. The seven experimental groups received the metal mixtures at 100 times the World Health Organisation (WHO) safety limit for drinking water (2 mg/L for Cu, 0.4 mg/L for Mn and 0.06 mg/L for Hg) via oral gavage for 28 days. After 28 days, compared with the control, red blood cell levels were increased for Cu + Hg. All other measured blood parameters were unchanged. Morphological changes in the tunica media were connective tissue deposition and an abundance of collagen type I in the metal exposed aortic tissues. In the cardiac tissue of metal-exposed rats, changes in the cardiomyocyte and myofibrillar arrangement, with an increase in collagen type I and III was observed. Ultrastructurally, the aortic collagen and elastin band arrangement and the cardiac mitochondrial and myofibrillar arrangement and structures were altered in the experimental groups. These changes indicated that exposure to these metals in rats caused minor changes in the blood parameters, however, the changes in tissue and cellular structure indicated an increased risk for the development of CVD.
Prevalence and Prognosis of Sepsis-Induced Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hasegawa Daisuke , Ishisaka Yoshiko , Maeda Tetsuro , Prasitlumkum Narut , Nishida Kazuki , Dugar Siddharth , Sato Ryota
Published: June 2023

Purpose: The prevalence and its impact on mortality of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) remain controversial. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated the prevalence and prognosis of SICM. Materials and Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase. Titles and abstracts were evaluated based on the following criteria: (1) published in English, (2) randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, or cross-sectional studies, (3) ≥ 18 years with sepsis, (4) reporting the prevalence and/or comparison of short-term mortality between those with and without SICM, defined as the new-onset reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) within 72 h on admission or from the diagnosis of sepsis. The random-effect model was used for all analyses. This meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO (CDR42022332896). Results: Sixteen studies reported the prevalence of SICM and the pooled prevalence of SICM was 20% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16-25%; I2  =  89.9%, P < 0.01). Eleven studies reported short-term mortality and SICM was associated with significantly higher short-term mortality (The pooled odds ratio: 2.30, 95% CI, 1.43-3.69; I2  =  0%, P  =  0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of SICM was 20% in patients with sepsis, and the occurrence of SICM was associated with significantly higher short-term mortality.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells response on collagen/hyaluronan/chondroitin scaffold enriched with gentamicin -loaded gelatin microparticles for skin tissue engineering
Authors: He Xiaoliang , Wang Shuai , Yu Xinran , Zhou Xiaohui
Published: June 2023

The repair and functional reconstruction of large skin defects caused by burn remains an intractable clinical problem. Collagen type I (ColI) was extracted from carp scales and confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis ultraviolet adsorption spectra and automatic amino acid analyzer. Then the scaffolds containing the purified ColI, hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) were constructed and examined. The results showed that the scaffold (ColI:CS:HA=9:1:1) had larger pore diameter, porosity, water absorption, degradation rate and tensile strength. gentamycin sulphate (GS) - gelatin microspheres (GMSs) were prepared by emulsion cross-linking method. The drug release study of the ColI-CS-HA-GS/GMSs scaffold with antibacterial property showed a prolonged, continuous, and sustained release of GS. The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were extracted from rat and inoculated into the ColI-HA-CS-GS/GMSs scaffold. The results performed that the scaffold could accelerate proliferation of the BMSCs and wound healing.
Experiences of Street Harassment and the Active Engagement of Bystanders: Insights From a Swiss Sample of Respondents
Authors: Milani Riccardo , Carbajal Myrian
Published: June 2023

In this article, we analyze data from a survey conducted in the Swiss city of Fribourg to investigate the correlation between bystanders’ experiences of street harassment and their likelihood of active engagement and strategies used to stop the harasser or assist and support targets of street harassment. Results reveal that, among bystanders, lifetime experiences of street harassment correlate positively with their ability to recognize street harassment conduct and the likelihood of intervention, support of the survivors, and reporting emergencies, even more significantly when the bystander endured physical abuse. In addition, behavioral differences among bystanders reflect different forms of resistance to the sexist culture that fuels street harassment. In light of these findings, we emphasize the need to integrate the narratives of the bystanders into awareness programs and campaigns, the importance of designing tools and policies to improve feelings of safety and limit street harassment conducts, including forms of benevolent sexism, and support further studies to assess the effectiveness of different intervention strategies in support of victims, including the need to research the use of digital media and its impact as a deterrent to street harassment or in increasing police reporting.
Book review: Tamizhini, In the Shadow of a Sword: The Memoir of a Woman Leader in the LTTE
Authors: Geetha V.
Published: June 2023

Tamizhini, In the Shadow of a Sword: The Memoir of a Woman Leader in the LTTE (Yoda Press, 2021), 197 pp., ₹495, ISBN 9789353886837 (Paperback).
The Experiences, Needs, and Solutions of Caregivers of Patients With Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia Living in Residential and Long-Term Care Centers
Authors: Bélanger-Dibblee Myriam , Pham Thi-Desmarteau Sarah , Jacques Marie-Claude , Tremblay Hubert , Roy-Desruisseaux Jessika
Published: June 2023

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) pose great challenges for the caregivers during the evolution of the disease with impacts on patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Caregivers often remain very present and involved once the difficult decision has been made to relocate the person to a residential and long-term care center ( centre d’hébergement de soins de longue durée [CHSLD] in Quebec). The experience of caregivers about BPSD management in CHSLDs remains poorly understood. The aim of this study is to explore the needs and experience of caregivers of patients with BPSD living in CHSLDs, as well as the solutions they suggest to better manage BPSD in CHSLDs. We carried out this qualitative interpretive descriptive study with six focus groups, including 32 caregivers, in Quebec, Canada. Data analysis identified six themes: (1) the transition period between home and the CHSLD; (2) the lack of knowledge about BPSD; (3) the approach to BPSD by healthcare professionals; (4) the lack of communication; (5) defining the caregiver’s role in the healthcare team; and (6) the caregiver’s need for respite. These results offer relevant avenues to improve collaborative practices with caregivers in CHSLDs involved in the care of people with BPSD.
Orthodontic and Orthognathic Surgical Treatment in a Patient with a Large Lymphatic Malformation of the Face: A Case Report
Authors: Steinberg Jordan P. , Redett Richard , Ickow Ilana M.
Published: June 2023

Lymphatic malformations (LMs) are congenital abnormalities in the development of the lymphatic system. They can damage other structures including the airway, blood vessels, nerves, or bones. LMs of the face can result in malocclusion, and many patients with LMs of the face require orthognathic surgery to correct the malocclusion. Surgery-first is a treatment modality which should be considered for individuals with LMs and is a protocol in which orthognathic surgery is performed prior to orthodontic treatment. This case report describes surgery-first and subsequent orthodontic treatment in a patient with a class III malocclusion due to a large facial LM.
Ethnic Differences in the Brazilian Population Influence the Impact of BMP4 Genetic Variants on Susceptibility of Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts
Authors: Rocha de Oliveira Lilianny Querino , de Souza Nicolau Hellen Carolliny , Barbosa Martelli Daniella Reis , Martelli-Júnior Hercílio , Scariot Rafaela , Ayroza Rangel Ana Lúcia Carrinho , de Almeida Reis Silvia Regina , Coletta Ricardo D. , Machado Renato Assis
Published: June 2023

Objective

The study evaluated the association of BMP4 tag-SNPs and SNP-SNP interactions involving genes active by BMP4 pathway during craniofacial development in the susceptibility of nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (NSOC) in the Brazilian population.

Design

Case-control study.

Setting

Brazilian Oral Cleft Group.

Participants

The study included 881 healthy controls and 800 patients with different types of NSOC: 232 with cleft lip only (NSCLO), 568 with cleft lip and palate (NSCLP), and 274 with cleft palate only (NSCPO).

Interventions

The genomic DNA was genotyped with allelic discrimination assays for five BMP4 tag-SNPs (rs11623717, rs17563, rs2071047, rs2761887 and rs4898820), and analyzed their allelic and genotypic associations using multiple logistic regression. The interactions of these variants with genes involved in the BMP4 signaling pathway, including FGFR1, GREM1, NOG, VAX1 and the 4p16.2 locus, were explored.

Main outcome measures

BMP4 variants in the NSOC risk.

Results

Although only nominal p values were identified when the whole sample was considered, subgroup analysis including the patients with high African genomic ancestry showed significant associations of rs2761887 with risk for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL  ±  P)[(ORhom: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.21–3.85; p  =  0.01) and (ORrec: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.21–3.47; p  =  0.006)]. Thirteen significant SNP-SNP interactions involving BMP4 and the SNPs at FGFR1, GREM1, NOG and VAX1 and at locus 4p16.2 for increased risk of NSCL  ±  P were identified.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate an increased risk of NSCL  ±  P in Brazilian individuals with enrichment of African ancestry in the presence of the BMP4 rs2762887 polymorphism, and reveal relevant genetic contribution of SNP-SNP epistatic interactions involving BMP4 variants to NSCL  ±  P risk.
Hepatorenal Syndrome With Acute Kidney Injury: Diagnosis and Medical Management
Authors: Erstad Brian L.
Published: June 2023

Objectives:

To review the current definitions and diagnostic criteria for acute kidney injury (AKI) and type 1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) now termed HRS-AKI and discuss the challenges in deciding the most appropriate medication regimens to treat patients with HRS-AKI.

Data sources:

PubMed (inception to April 2023) with bibliographies of retrieved articles searched for additional articles; organizational websites for clinical practice guidelines (CPGs).

Study selection and data extraction:

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating albumin and vasoconstrictors for HRS-AKI.

Data synthesis:

A major change in the most recent revision of definitions and diagnostic criteria for HRS-AKI is the elimination of the set cutoff serum creatinine values for AKI. This change should be considered when comparing studies of HRS-AKI over time. Albumin has been administered to both vasoconstrictor treatment and placebo groups in all recent RCTs; however, there has never been a large RCT evaluating a no-albumin group. Most prospective trials comparing a midodrine/octreotide combination or norepinephrine to placebo or terlipressin have enrolled less than 100 patients limiting any conclusions regarding clinically important outcomes. Terlipressin with albumin has shown mixed results for complete HRS-AKI reversal with no reductions in crude mortality but adverse effect concerns involving ischemic and pulmonary events.

Relevance to patient care and clinical practice:

Type 1 hepatorenal syndrome with acute kidney injury is a potentially life-threatening syndrome with diagnostic and treatment challenges. Albumin plus a vasoconstrictor has become the routine HRS-AKI treatment even though there has not been a large RCT evaluating a no-albumin group. Terlipressin is the vasoconstrictor of choice for HRS-AKI in current CPGs, but it has adverse effect concerns and, until recently, was not available in the United States.

Conclusions:

In conjunction with changes in the definitions and diagnostic criteria for HRS-AKI, debate continues regarding the optimal therapy for HRS-AKI, particularly considering recent trials demonstrating ischemic and pulmonary adverse events with terlipressin used in combination with albumin.
Victimhood and Blame Dialectics in Culturally Diverse Male Students’ Discussions About Sexual Assault Policies
Authors: Malinen KelleyAnne , VanTassel Brooke , Kennedy Karen , MacLeod Emily , O'Rourke Kristin
Published: June 2023

Culture and Perspectives on Sexual Assault Policy was a qualitative, focus-group study conducted at four Canadian universities to gather culturally diverse student perspectives on university sexual violence or sexual assault policies and services. This article highlights two categories of dialectical tension expressed during several male focus groups. The Wrongful Blame Dialectic involved tension between anxieties about wrongful accusations and opposition to victim-blaming. Perceived risk of wrongful accusations was often linked to racism or ethnocentrism. The Male Victim Denial/Recognition Dialectic involved tension between denial and recognition of male sexual victimization. Male participants felt more vulnerable to wrongful accusation than to sexual violence. They felt more likely to be blamed and disbelieved, whether as respondents or complainants.
Outcomes Following Repair of Achilles Midsubstance Tears: Percutaneous Knotless Repair vs Open Repair
Authors: Stake Ingrid K. , Matheny Lauren M. , Comfort Spencer M. , Dornan Grant J. , Haytmanek C. Thomas , Clanton Thomas O.
Published: June 2023

Background:

Optimum treatment for acute Achilles tendon rupture results in high mechanical strength, low risk of complications, and return to preinjury activity level. Percutaneous knotless repair is a minimally invasive technique with promising results in biomechanical studies, but few comparison clinical studies exist. Our study purpose was to compare functional outcomes and revision rates following acute Achilles tendon rupture treated between percutaneous knotless repair and open repair techniques.

Methods:

Patients 18 years or older with an acute Achilles tendon rupture, treated by a single surgeon with either open repair or percutaneous knotless repair, and more than 2 years after surgery were assessed for eligibility. Prospective clinical data were obtained from the data registry and standard electronic medical record. Additionally, the patients were contacted to obtain current follow-up questionnaires. Primary outcome measure was Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) activities of daily living (ADL). Secondary outcome measures were FAAM sports, 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Tegner activity scale, patient satisfaction with outcome, complications, and revisions. Postoperative follow-up closest to 5 years was used in this study.

Results:

In total, 61 patients were included in the study. Twenty-four of 29 patients (83%) in the open repair group and 28 of 32 patients (88%) in the percutaneous knotless repair group completed the questionnaires with average follow-up of 5.8 years and 4.2 years, respectively. We found no significant differences in patient-reported outcomes or patient satisfaction between groups (FAAM ADL: 99 vs 99 points, P = .99). Operative time was slightly longer in the percutaneous knotless repair group (46 vs 52 minutes, P = .02). Two patients in the open group required revision surgery compared to no patients in the percutaneous group.

Conclusion:

In our study, we did not find significant differences in patient-reported outcomes or patient satisfaction by treating Achilles tendon midsubstance ruptures with percutaneous knotless vs open repair.

Level of Evidence:

Level IlI, retrospective cohort study.
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time or Prothrombin Time Prolongation During Rivaroxaban Administration: Clinical Risk Factors and Outcomes Analysis
Authors: Yuan Yao , Li Xinyu , Qiu Feng
Published: June 2023

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) or prothrombin time (PT) is often detected after rivaroxaban administration, and it is known that aPTT or PT can be prolonged or normal. However, the clinical risk factors and outcomes of prolongation were unknown. In a single-center, retrospective case-control study, adult inpatients who had aPTT/PT tested before and after administration of rivaroxaban during a designated 12-month period were eligible for inclusion. Depending on whether their aPTT/PT was prolonged, patients were allocated to the prolonged case or normal control group. Demographics, rivaroxaban indications and daily dose, and laboratory values were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors. The changes in laboratory values and clinical outcomes were analyzed. A total of 155 patients were included in the study among which 54 (34.84%) were reported to have either or both aPTT/PT prolonged. The average prolongation time of PT was between 0.8 and 0.9 s, and 1.8 and 3.5 s for aPTT. Multivariable regression modeling showed that height (odds ratio [OR] 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.22, P = .02) and human albumin replacement (OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.05-9.74, P = .04) were independent risk factors for aPTT/PT prolongation. The incidence of bleeding events and changes in laboratory values were similar between the groups. Patient height and receiving human albumin replacement were independent risk factors for aPTT/PT mild prolongation caused by rivaroxaban. The prolongation was not associated with an increased occurrence of bleeding events.
“I Believed in Myself More Than Anything.” Indigenous Intimate Partner Violence Advocates Promote Resiliency Among Clients
Authors: Holder Melissa
Published: June 2023

Indigenous intimate partner violence (IPV) advocates are essential for Indigenous women experiencing IPV who seek support amidst personal and historic trauma. IPV advocates work with and on behalf of clients to identify resources and promote resiliency. Indigenous advocates share their personal IPV experience. They provide individual ways they halted intergenerational trauma, moved toward becoming healthy, and made changes in their personal lives which affect services provided to their clients. This study fills a literature gap as it examines the intersection of Indigenous IPV advocates’ personal journey of ending intergenerational trauma as a path to promoting resiliency among their clients.
Intimate Partner Violence Among International and Interprovincial Migrants: A Population-Based Analysis of Canadian Linked Immigration and Justice Data
Authors: Zhang Lixia , Au Wendy , Ewesesan Roheema , Yakubovich Alexa R. , Brownridge Douglas A. , Urquia Marcelo L.
Published: June 2023

Factors associated with IPV among immigrant women are not well understood. Using linked immigration and justice data, we compared the incidence of justice-identified IPV (JIIPV) among 58,564 international immigrant women born outside of Canada, 30,098 women born in other Canadian provinces (i.e., interprovincial migrants), and 88,662 long-term Manitoban resident women. International immigrant women had the lowest incidence of JIIPV compared to matched long-term Manitobans (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.49, 95% CI: 0.43–0.56) and interprovincial migrants (aHR 0.56, 95% CI: 0.43–0.73). Among immigrants, JIIPV varied substantially according to birthplace, increased with length of residence, and was less frequent among secondary immigrants.
Drug-related problems among esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancer patients at the National and referral hospital in Kenya
Authors: Degu Amsalu , Karimi Peter N , Opanga Sylvia A , Nyamu David G
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Cancer therapy has remarkable potential for drug-related problems due to the high cytotoxicity and narrow therapeutic index of most anti-neoplastic regimens. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on drug-related problems in patients with gastrointestinal cancer in Kenya. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence, types and predictors of drug-related problems among gastrointestinal cancer patients at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was used to assess the prevalence of drug-related problems among a random sample of 160 esophageal, 103 gastric, and 96 colorectal cancer patients. Data were collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire and data abstraction tool after training the data collectors. Patient-specific details such as socio-demographic features, histological cancer types, cancer stage, comorbidity types, and treatment regimen were recorded after the review of medical records and patient interviews. The potential of drug-related problems was determined as per the standard guidelines. The data were entered and analysed using version 26.0 SPSS statistical software.

Results

Most esophageal (51.9%), gastric (59.2%), and colorectal (62.5%) cancer patients had a high prevalence of drug-related problems. The need for additional drug therapy and adverse drug reactions were the predominant categories of drug-related problems. Most adverse drug reactions identified had possible categories of causality score, mild severity levels, and definitely preventable types of adverse drug reactions among all gastrointestinal cancer patients. Comorbidity and advanced-stage disease were significant predictors of drug-related problems.

Conclusions

Drug-related problems were prevalent among gastrointestinal cancer patients in our setting. Comorbidity and advanced stages of disease were significant predictors of drug-related problems.
Viability of selected microorganisms in parenteral preparations for novel systemic anti-cancer therapy
Authors: Almasi Jannik , Knoll Laura , Thiesen Judith , Krämer Irene
Published: June 2023

Background

Risk factors for aseptic preparation of parenteral medicines encompass the growth-promoting nature of the preparation. Although many aqueous parenteral preparations do not have growth-promoting properties, inadvertently introduced microorganisms may remain viable. Knowledge about the viability of microorganisms in parenteral preparations can add useful information for assigning shelf life to preparations used to treat cancer patients.

Aim

The aim of the study was to assess the viability of four different facultative pathogenic microorganisms in 20 ready-to-administer parenteral preparations aseptically prepared in hospital pharmacies.

Methods

Samples of 20 different biologics and small molecules for systemic anti-cancer therapy were inoculated either with different bacteria (i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecium) or with Candida albicans suspension. The resulting test concentrations were 104–105 microorganisms per mL. Aliquots of inoculated test solutions were transferred in duplicate to tryptic soy agar plates at the time points 0, 4, 24, 48, 144 h. The plates were incubated for 24 h (bacterial strains) and 72 h ( C. albicans) at 37 °C and colony forming units (CFUs) were counted.

Results

In most test solutions, especially in monoclonal antibody solutions, increased CFU counts of P. aeruginosa and unchanged or increased CFU counts of E. faecium and S. aureus were registered . Pronounced nutritive properties of monoclonal antibodies and filgrastim were not registered. Azacitidine, pixantrone and vinflunine containing test solutions revealed species-specific bacteriostatic and even bactericidal activity. All test solutions, except nivolumab and pixantrone containing solutions, showed constant or increasing CFU counts of C. albicans after incubation.

Conclusion

Viability of the selected pathogenic microorganisms was retained in most of the tested biological and small molecule preparations used to treat cancer patients. Therefore, in pharmacy departments strict aseptic conditions should be regarded and the lack of antimicrobial activity should be considered when assigning shelf life to RTA parenteral preparations.
High-Throughput Drug Screen for Potential Combinations With Venetoclax Guides the Treatment of Transformed Follicular Lymphoma
Authors: Li Zhifeng , Pan Guangchao , Zhong Mengya , Zhang Li , Yu Xingxing , Zha Jie , Xu Bing
Published: June 2023

Transformed follicular lymphoma (t-FL) is an aggressive malignancy that is refractory and rapidly progressing with poor prognosis. There is currently no effective treatment. High-throughput screening (HTS) platforms are used to profile the sensitivity or toxicity of hundreds of drug molecules, and this approach is applied to identify potential effective treatments for t-FL. We randomly selected a compound panel from the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Xiamen University, tested the effects of the panel on the activity of t-FL cell lines using HTS and the CCK-8 assay, and identified compounds showing synergistic anti-proliferative activity with the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax (ABT-199). Bioinformatics tools were used to analyze the potential synergistic mechanisms. The single-concentration compound library demonstrated varying degrees of activity across the t-FL cell lines evaluated, of which the Karpas422 cells were the most sensitive, but it was the cell line with the least synergy with ABT-199. We computationally identified 30 drugs with synergistic effects in all cell lines. Molecularly, we found that the targets of these 30 drugs didn’t directly regulate Bcl-2 and identified 13 medications with high evidence value above .9 of coordination with ABT-199, further confirming TP53 may play the largest role in the synergistic effect. Collectively, these findings identified the combined regimens of ABT-199 and further suggested that the mechanism is far from directly targeting Bcl-2, but rather through the regulation and synergistic action of p53 and Bcl-2. This study intended to reveal the best synergistic scheme of ABT-199 through HTS to more quickly inform the treatment of t-FL.
A Psychoeducational Workshop for the Parents of Young Voice Hearers: A Preliminary Investigation into Acceptability and Outcomes in an NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
Authors: Deane Annabelle , Ellett Lyn , Hayward Mark
Published: June 2023

Background: Hearing voices is a common experience in young people and can be associated with distress, self-harm, and an increased risk of attempting suicide. Many parents lack confidence in supporting young people who are distressed by voices. However, there are currently no evidence-based interventions to support the parents of young voice hearers. Method: This was an uncontrolled study exploring the preliminary acceptability and outcomes of a psychoeducation workshop for the parents of young people experiencing distressing voices within a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in the UK’s National Health Service. Results: A total of 21 parents consented to participate, 15 attended a workshop and 10 provided complete data sets. Five workshops were delivered across a seven-month period. Qualitative feedback was suggestive of acceptability and highlighted possible adaptations in relation to inclusivity, content focus and delivery format. Participants reported increased confidence and improved attitudes and beliefs towards voice hearing. Conclusions: The findings from this study suggest that a psychoeducational workshop within a CAMHS context can be acceptable and helpful for parents of young people with distressing voice hearing experiences. Adaptations to the workshop are required to maximise inclusion, engagement, and outcomes.
From embodiment to evidence: The harmful intersection of poor regulation of medical implants and obstructed narratives in embodied experiences of failed metal-on-metal hips
Authors: McCormack Pauline
Published: June 2023

This research presents the results of a study about people with failed metal-on-metal hip implants, and draws on the STS concept of the technological imperative alongside research on the value of patient knowledge in clinical settings and the legitimacy of embodied stories. Popularly understood as positive and life changing, hip replacement surgery was hailed as ‘the operation of the century’, until a series of widespread failures of hundreds of thousands of hip implants, known collectively as metal-on-metal (MoM) hips, drew attention to the poor regulation of medical implants. This paper argues that poor regulation intersects with narratives of patients’ pain, which are obstructed by surgeons and the UK regulatory body, with the effect of denying both patients’ embodied experiences of implant failure, and their restitution to good health. Patient narratives about problems with their hip implant are the wellspring from which scientific evidence emerges which can indicate widespread implant failure. By obstructing these narratives the regulatory system undermines the very evidence it needs to operate effectively.
What matters for assessing insider witnesses? Results of an experimental vignette study
Authors: Chlevickaite Gabriele
Published: June 2023

Assessments of insider or accomplice witnesses are a major challenge in complex criminal cases, such as those of international crimes: war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. While insiders are both important and problematic, little is known about how legal decision-makers determine to what extent such witnesses can be relied upon. This study, the first to experimentally study practitioner decision-making in this context, presents the findings of an online vignette experiment with former and current international criminal law practitioners (N  =  160). Quantitative analyses show that the assessments of the witness and the information quality are interdependent, hence, where an insider is considered not credible, the information they provide is perceived as less reliable as well, and vice versa. Furthermore, decision-makers tend to accord more weight to the quality of information rather than the quality of the witness, in line with jurisprudence analyses. The consequences for research and practice are discussed.
Low-cycle fatigue in ultra-high-strength steel welded joints in the as-welded and post-weld-treated conditions
Authors: Riski Jani , Ahola Antti , Skriko Tuomas , Björk Timo
Published: June 2023

This study investigates four different joints under fluctuating tension cycles in the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) regime. The selected material was S960 ultra-high-strength steel, manufactured via the direct-quenching manufacturing route. Based on typical engineering solutions, the following joints were chosen to be investigated in the experimental tests: metal active gas and laser welded butt joints, fillet-welded load-carrying cruciform joints, and non-load-carrying double-sided transverse attachment joints. To evaluate the improvement gained by the post-weld treatment, both as-welded condition and high-frequency mechanical impact treated joints from all joint types were tested. In addition to the experimental tests, some of the joints were analyzed using finite element (FE) models, with the aim of comparing the accuracy of the different fatigue assessment methods and the effect of the toe radius on the computational fatigue lives. The results obtained from the experimental tests and FE analyses were compared with each other and with IIW recommendations using the nominal stress, structural hot-spot (HS) stress, effective notch stress (ENS) and 4R methods. Based on the results, the structural HS and 4R methods are very suitable for the fatigue strength assessment in the LCF regime. With the nominal stress method, the computational fatigue lives remained uniformly conservative, while with the ENS method, the results varied depending on the calculation method. Using the value r = 1 mm as the weld toe rounding is justified in the FE analysis.
Post-blast capacity evaluation of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) column based on machine learning technique
Authors: Li Jie , Pang Yanfen , Mu Quanping , Zhang Xuejie , Shi Yanchao , Wang Honglong
Published: June 2023

In the present study, the post-blast axial load-bearing capacity of the CFST column under the close-in explosion is investigated. Dynamic response and residual axial load capacity (RALBC) of 1599 circular CFST columns are numerically studied using a validated finite element model. The effects of column dimensions, material properties, blast loading, and axial load ratio are discussed. Based on the huge database, prediction models of RALBC are developed using three commonly used machine learning techniques including Extreme Gradient Boosting (known as XGBoost), Artificial Neutral Network (ANN), and Support Vector Regression (SVR). Comparison results show that the prediction model generated by the XGBoost performs the best among the three methods followed by the ANN and SVR methods. The RALBC of the CFST columns can be estimated rapidly and accurately with the prediction model developed in the present study. Finally, the feature importance of the input variables is analyzed using the additive feature attribution method SHAP (Shapley Additive ExPlanation). The results show that geometric parameters are the main factors impacting the RALBC of the CFST columns under close-in explosion.
Hate prompts participation: Examining the dynamic relationship between affective polarization and political participation
Authors: Lee Sangwon , Choi Jihyang , Ahn Chloe
Published: June 2023

Political participation has long been considered a cornerstone of democracy. While most studies on political participation have been grounded on a normative approach, which assumes that political participation is driven by positive civic actions, recent studies suggest that political participation is also driven by negative forces such as overconfidence in knowledge and partisan communication flows. This article builds on the latter line of research by exploring the role of affective polarization on political participation. While this line of research is not new, it suffers from a lack of clear causal order. This study relies on three-wave panel data collected during the 2022 Korean presidential election. To ensure methodological rigor, we utilized both cross-lagged and fixed-effects panel analyses. Our findings show that affective polarization stimulates political participation rather than the reverse path. In addition, we did not observe a reciprocal relationship. Implications for democracy are discussed.