bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Politicizing the minimum wage: A multilingual text analysis of minimum wages in European electoral manifestos
Authors: Cova Joshua
Published: September 2023

This article examines the determinants of the growing political salience of minimum wages in European party manifestos. By using multilingual quantitative text analysis, I show that the electoral salience of minimum wages has increased in the past decades. Although left-wing parties emphasize minimum wages more than right-wing parties, I find that the electoral salience of this policy follows a U-shaped relationship: right-wing populist parties dedicate greater attention to minimum wages than centre-right parties do. A sentiment analysis finds that compared to other policies designed to supplement the income of low-wage workers, such as strengthening collective bargaining institutions and in-work benefits/wage subsidies, there do not seem to be specific party-political characteristics, which determine the sentiment with which discussions on minimum wages are framed.
Agency Banking In Nigeria: Impact and Impediments
Authors: Ayadi Olusegun Felix , Oke Babatunde , Oladimeji Abiodun , Aladejebi Olufemi
Published: September 2023

Agency banking is branchless banking in which some banking activities are performed by third parties, which ordinarily are performed within the physical bank branches by bank personnel. This study sought to determine the impact and challenges of adopting agency banking in Nigeria. The five administrative divisions in Lagos State were the focus of the exercise. Two structured questionnaires were designed to unravel the operating environment of agency banking in Lagos State, Nigeria. The agent-focused and customer-focused questionnaires were randomly administered within the sample area. The data collection period was from June through August 2022. The valid responses totalling 752 for customers and 250 for agents were analysed. The data analysis was based on descriptive statistics. The findings showed that the need to earn extra income was the major reason for being an agent, while proximity, convenience, responsiveness and liquidity were major factors for customers using agency banking. However, the major operating problems identified included transaction failures, delayed reversal, network failures and fraud. It was recommended that improved operational efficiency, network facility upgrade and agent training would go a long way to improve agency banking in Nigeria.
Panicum miliaceum L. and Bone Healing Properties in Rat Model of Femur Fracture by Activating Phosphate Stimulating Macrophages via BMP2 and RANK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Yubing , Wang Qiu , Pan Hansong , Xu Hongye , Deng Wei , Sun Xiaohai
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Panicum miliaceum involved in the repair of femur bone fracture in rats.

Materials and Methods

In this study, 40 Wistar rats in five groups were studied as healthy, rats with lesion induced by surgery in femur (FX), FX rats treated with P. miliaceum extract (FX +100 and 200 P. miliaceum) and FX rats treated with Osteocare syrup (FX + OC). After 40 days, the serum levels of blood calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) along with activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) enzymes, and nitric oxide (NO) level were measured. The serum level of cytokines (IL-6, C-reactive protein [CRP], IL-10, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]) was also measured by ELISA. The expression of OPG, RANK, RANKL, and BMP-2 genes and proteins were evaluated by real-time PCR and Western blotting techniques, respectively.

Results

The results showed that P. miliaceum was able to decrease the activity of ALP enzyme in addition to increasing serum Ca and P levels and GPx, SOD, and CAT activity. P. miliaceum reduces serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, and NO levels. Also, the extract of this plant could increase the expression of OPG/RANK/BMP-2 pathway genes and proteins.

Conclusion

P. miliaceum can be used as a prodrug in traditional medicine to repair bone fractures and osteoporosis.
Development of Emotional Intelligence During an Adventure and Experiential-Based Learning Course
Authors: Silver Adam I. , Marshall Rob , Huston Dave , Gentry Greg
Published: September 2023

Background

The United States Air Force Academy's Center for Character and Leadership Development developed the ‘Adventure and Experiential Based Learning’ (AEBL) course—a new experiential education summer course intended to develop interpersonal leadership skills in 1,100 sophomore cadets.

Purpose

Improving cadet emotional intelligence (EI) is of particular focus due to its value in leader effectiveness.

Methodology/Approach

Rather than rely upon the more common military pedagogy of lecture-based learning or a military handbook that prescribes exactly what participant success looks like, the aim of the course examined in this study was to improve participant EI via a combination of experiential education methods including interactive classwork, challenge course experimentation, and a capstone 28-h adventure comprised of uncertainty and stressful team dynamics. To measure the effect the experiential education curriculum had on participant EI, the Workgroup Emotional Intelligence Profile (WEIP) was used in a pre/postsurvey method.

Findings/Conclusion

The results indicated a significant increase in EI among AEBL participants as measured by the WEIP.

Implications

Outdoor experiences like the one described in this article may be an effective way to train EI skills.
Do Normative Issues Outperform Deterrence for Compliance With Drug Laws?
Authors: Quintas Jorge
Published: September 2023

This article tests the impact of deterrence and normative variables in the estimation of drug use among both detected drug users and university students. Consistent with perceptual deterrence research, we expect: (a) a stronger effect of normative variables on estimation of drug use compared to deterrence variables and (b) that any deterrent effect would be restricted to detected drug users. In Portugal, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with detected drug users ( N = 147) and with a sample of university students ( N = 247). The main results show that normative variables outperform deterrent variables as predictors of intention to use drugs. Descriptive norms have a greater influence on the estimation of drug use in both groups, and proximal social norms have robust effects among university students. Core elements of the deterrence model are not related to the intention to use drugs. Personal certainty of being caught has even an unexpected positive correlation with this intention. A small deterrent effect is limited to the general certainty variable and only among more law-abiding people. The overall findings are consistent with a normative perspective on law compliance and highlight the importance of including all different normative and deterrent variables in models estimating drug use.
Engaging Healthcare Providers to Design a Robot for Telehealth
Authors: Kadylak Travis , Uppalapati Naveen , Huq Asif , Krishnan Girish , Rogers Wendy A.
Published: September 2023

The widespread adoption of telehealth robots remains in the future because home healthcare robot designs do not yet meet healthcare providers’ needs. We explored the potential for a hybrid rigid-soft robot for telehealth. An interdisciplinary team (engineering, human factors, health care) designed a prototype robot with potential to perform telehealth tasks within a home environment. We conducted an exploratory evaluation with healthcare providers to assess their perceptions, ideas for use cases, and design requirements. This research provides design guidance for telehealth robotics and illustrates the potential for a hybrid rigid-soft robot to support healthcare providers to conduct in-home patient evaluations.
“That Doesn’t Define Who I Am”: Strategies of Resistance to Stigmatization Among a Sample of U. S. Individuals Convicted of a Sexual Offense
Authors: Spivey Emily D.
Published: September 2023

Individuals convicted of a sexual offense are subject to considerable levels of stigmatization that should lead to internalization of the criminal label according to some versions of labeling theory ( Becker, 1963 ). Recent research has begun to explore how individuals resist and otherwise negotiate their identities in response to stigma, although this research has not yet been applied to the study of stigma associated with the “sex offender” label. Such research is significant because a noncriminal identity is important to facilitating and maintaining desistance from crime. Using in-depth interviews with 20 individuals previously convicted of a sexual offense in a southern U.S. state, this paper investigates the strategies individuals have used to resist stigma associated with the “sex offender” label and how these strategies may help to interrupt the process of self-stigmatization. Results suggest these individuals employ a variety of resistance strategies, which may serve as another tool for managing a “spoiled identity.”
Does the Swiss Debt Brake Induce Sound Federal Finances? A Synthetic Control Analysis
Authors: Pfeil Christian F. , Feld Lars P.
Published: September 2023

The Swiss debt brake is widely appreciated as one of the most rationally designed fiscal rules in the world and was thus also discussed as a blueprint in the debates about fiscal rules in Germany, the European Union member states and Israel. However, evidence that this rule really contributes to sound federal finances, in the sense of reducing the cyclically adjusted deficits, does not exist yet. We investigate the effectiveness of the Swiss debt brake by employing the Synthetic Control Method. We find that the introduction of this fiscal rule improved the budget balance by about 3.7 percentage points on average in a post-intervention period covering five years.
Maternal Hemoglobin A1c in the Third-Trimester May Underestimate Maternal Hyperglycemia and Its Impact on Offspring in Perinatal Demise Associated With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: An Autopsy Case Series
Authors: Chan Elaine S , Chadha Rati , Koning Lawrence de
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic disorder linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Recent research indicates that HbA1c is reliable in detecting maternal glycemia during the first trimester but may underestimate glucose intolerance in the late second to third trimesters. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that mothers with GDM, despite apparently normal HbA1c levels in the third trimester, may give birth to infants displaying characteristic features often seen in infants of diabetic mothers with suboptimal glycemic control. This study aimed to describe a case series of autopsy cases involving stillborn or deceased neonates delivered in the third trimester to mothers diagnosed with GDM and having normal HbA1c levels at or around the time of delivery. The primary focus was on identifying and documenting the characteristic features commonly associated with “infants of diabetic mothers” with suboptimal glycemic control in this series of cases.

Materials and Methods:

We conducted a retrospective review of autopsy reports from our institution spanning 7.5 years. The study included cases that met the following criteria: (1) stillborn or infants who died in the early neonatal period, delivered in the third trimester; (2) mothers diagnosed with GDM; (3) normal maternal HbA1c levels of ≤6.1% at or around the time of delivery; (4) birthweight or femoral length exceeding the 90th percentile for gestational age; and (5) absence of genetic aberrations. We also examined these cases for other characteristic features associated with “infants of diabetic mothers.”

Results:

Ten autopsy cases met our inclusion criteria, including 9 stillbirths and 1 neonatal death. Gestational age at delivery ranged from 32 to 39 weeks (mean: 35.7 weeks). Femoral length exceeded the 90th percentile in all cases, and 6 cases had birthweights above the 90th percentile. Puffy facies were observed in 6 cases. Among the 9 cases with complete autopsies including internal examination, 6 exhibited excess adipose tissue, 4 had cardiomegaly, and 3 showed pancreatic islet hyperplasia. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy was detected in 7 cases. No structural abnormalities were noted.

Discussion:

Our findings demonstrated that fetuses and neonates born to mothers with apparently normal HbA1c levels in the third trimester could still display characteristic features commonly observed in infants of diabetic mothers with poor glycemic control, also known as “infants of diabetic mothers.” This study underscores the potential of third-trimester maternal HbA1c measurements to underestimate maternal glycemia and its consequential impact on fetal development, as well as the subsequent manifestation of features of “infants of diabetic mothers.”
Pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy: Updated scenario
Authors: Antropoli Alessio , Arrigo Alessandro , Pili Lorenzo , Bianco Lorenzo , Berni Alessandro , Saladino Andrea , Bandello Francesco , Battaglia Parodi Maurizio
Published: September 2023

Pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy (PPCRA) is an uncommon form of chorioretinal atrophy characterized by perivenous aggregations of pigment clumps associated with peripapillary and radial zones of retinal pigment epithelial atrophy that are distributed along the retinal veins. Most patients are asymptomatic, and evidence suggest that PPCRA is slowly progressing. Unless macular involvement is present, the majority of patients usually retain a normal visual function. Our ability to diagnose PPCRA has recently improved thanks to multimodal imaging, especially with the advent of ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging. Blood tests and functional and genetic testing can help with the correct differential diagnosis of pseudo-PPCRA or other disorders with similar characteristics. Although the cause of PPCRA is unknown, it is possible that it has a genetic basis. In this review we provide a summary of the multimodal imaging characteristics of PPCRA, and discuss its possible pathogenesis, based on the genes that have been associated with this disease.
Visual outcome of treating proliferative sickle cell retinopathy in 108 eyes
Authors: Okonkwo Ogugua Ndubuisi , Hassan Adekunle Olubola , Oyekunle Idris , Akanbi Toyin , Agweye Chineze
Published: September 2023

Aim

To report treatment methods and visual outcome of treating proliferative sickle cell retinopathy (PSCR).

Design

Retrospective interventional.

Methods

Review of PSCR eyes treated between 2017 to 2022. Patient demographics, fundus findings at presentation, genotype, PSCR stage, treatment used, and visual outcome were assessed.

Results

108 eyes of 88 consecutive patients were studied. Male: Female 48:40. Mean age: 38.91 (SD:12.52) years. Genotype: sickle cell haemoglobin C (SC) 83 eyes (76.9%), sickle cell haemoglobin S (SS) 19 eyes (17.6%), and sickle cell trait (AS) 6 eyes (5.5%). PSCR stages: 3: 15 eyes (11.0%), 4: 74 eyes (67.0%), and 5: 19 eyes (22.0%). Treatment methods: Intravitreal Injection (IVI) of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) only (27 eyes,25%), scatter retinal laser photocoagulation (SRLP) only (7 eyes, 6.5%), Vitrectomy + SRLP (29 eyes, 26.9%), IVI + SRLP (25 eyes, 23.1%), and Vitrectomy + IVI + SRLP (20 eyes, 18.5%). The treatment used correlated with PSCR stage (p = 0.000). IVI only was mostly used to treat stage 4 (81.4%), and SRLP only was used for stages 3 (42.9%) and 5 (57.1%). IVI + SRLP treated eyes had the best pre- and post-treatment vision. Vitrectomy + SRLP treated eyes had the most improved vision. SRLP only had least visual improvement. Fundus findings correlated with visual outcome (p = 0.003); but stage of PSCR, genotype and treatment used had no correlation (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Several options effectively treat PSCR. Visual outcome improved or remained same in 90.7% of treated eyes. Randomized controlled trials will determine the optimum treatment for each distinct presentation of PSCR. Treatment guidelines and a disease classification system of prognostic value are unmet needs.
Performance of deep learning for detection of chronic kidney disease from retinal fundus photographs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tan Yuhe , Ma Yunxi , Rao Suyun , Sun Xufang
Published: September 2023

Objective

Deep learning has been used to detect chronic kidney disease (CKD) from retinal fundus photographs. We aim to evaluate the performance of deep learning for CKD detection.

Methods

The original studies in CKD patients detected by deep learning from retinal fundus photographs were eligible for inclusion. PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched up to October 31, 2022. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool was used to assess the risk of bias.

Results

Four studies enrolled 114,860 subjects were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 87.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 61.6% to 98.3%), and 62.4% (95% CI: 44.9% to 78.7%). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.864 (95%CI: 0.769, 0.986).

Conclusion

Deep learning based on retinal fundus photographs has the ability to detect CKD, but it currently has a lot of room for improvement. It is still a long way from clinical application.
Gluteus maximus tendon transfer as a salvage option for painful chronic hip abductor insufficiency: clinical and MRI results with a minimum follow-up of 24 months
Authors: Kaiser Dominik , Hoch Armando , Sutter Reto , Zingg Patrick O
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

Chronic hip abductor insufficiency is a rare debilitating condition. In cases refractory to conservative treatment and not amenable to direct repair an augmentation becomes necessary. The preferred salvage method at our institution is augmentation with the anterior third of the gluteus maximus tendon. The aim of this study is to describe the results of 8 patients, treated for painful chronic hip abductor insufficiency with gluteus maximus muscle transfer, after a minimal follow-up of 24 months including a full clinical and MRI evaluation of the hip abductors pre- and postoperatively.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 8 patients who were surgically managed for painful chronic hip abductor insufficiency. All patients had a Trendelenburg sign, impaired muscle strength (M ⩽ 3) as well as a complete avulsion of the hip abductors with marked fatty degeneration (⩾3). Pain levels, muscle strength, functional scores as well as a postoperative MRI was obtained after a minimal follow-up of 24 months.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 69 years, mean follow-up was 35 (26–54) months. Pain was significantly reduced postoperatively to VAS 2.5 from VAS 5 ( p  = 0.046). Trendelenburg sign remained positive in all patients and hip abductor strength did not improve significantly from 2.4 to 3.1 ( p  = 0.19). Complete healing of the transferred tendon was confirmed by MRI in all patients at last follow-up.

Conclusions:

In the setting of painful chronic hip abductor insufficiency refractory to conservative treatment with advanced muscle degeneration without the possibility of a direct reconstruction the gluteus maximus tendon transfer significantly decreased pain. The effect on hip abductor strength and patient-reported functional outcome scores is limited. Despite the modest results it remains our preferred salvage treatment option for lack of better alternatives. Larger studies are necessary to confirm these findings.
Spatial justice, mobile futures and First Nations telecommunications landscapes in regional and rural Australia
Authors: Randell-Moon Holly Eva Katherine , Hynes Danielle
Published: September 2023

In an Australian regional and rural context, inequalities in the location of telecommunications infrastructure and uneven development pose urgent spatial justice questions for policy and planning. These spatial injustices are reinforced by the imaginaries and ideologies of telecommunications development and which populations and locations can benefit from the growth gains attributed to enhanced telecommunications infrastructures. First Nations contributions to telecommunications planning and development are marginalised within the imagined futures and current experiences of internet and mobile coverage in regional and rural towns. Drawing on data from a project focused on regional and rural consumer understandings of smart technologies in North West New South Wales, Australia, we suggest that in order to more substantively position First Nations as growth contributors to telecommunications futures, a re-orientation of place, connectivity, and mobility in planning and engagement is necessary.
The party system effects of unstable electoral rules in Latin America
Authors: Bunker Kenneth , Negretto Gabriel L.
Published: September 2023

Prior studies have shown that electoral rules fail to determine the number of parties in new democracies due to the uncertainty of voters and politicians about which parties are viable. Latin American democracies, where electoral volatility has generally remained high and party institutionalization low, have been a primary example of this phenomenon. We argue that even in shifting political environments the fragmentation of the party system is likely to become consistent with the permissiveness of electoral rules and the level of social diversity as voters and party leaders accumulate experience with elections and the rate of electoral regime change declines. We find support for these propositions analyzing an original dataset on Latin American democratic elections. This article contributes to research on electoral systems and political parties by identifying the conditions under which equilibrium electoral outcomes can be expected after a transition to democracy in unstable institutional settings.
Arendt in the Metaverse: Four properties of eXtended Reality that imperil factual truth and democracy
Authors: Bay Morten
Published: September 2023

This article explores the democratic implications of the wide adoption of XR (eXtended Reality) technologies, drawing on Hannah Arendt’s political theory and her concept of common reality. Arendt argues that the intersubjective construction of a common reality is what enables the establishment of factual truth and that both are prerequisites for a functional democracy. Without them, ideology can be established as truth by anti-democratic forces with power over media outlets, paving a path toward totalitarianism. This article argues that XR technologies can be used to inhibit the construction of a common reality through the same individualization of media experiences that has been shown to impede democratic processes in the social media context. The companies generating increased revenue through individualized micro-segmentation are now also vying for dominance in the XR media arena. It is argued in this article that such individualization can impede the co-construction of a common reality and a factual truth because XR media are hyper-persuasive and capable of altering an individual’s overall perception of reality. The viability of such platform-controlled individualization in XR is demonstrated through an Arendt-based critique of four properties related to XR technologies: Hypertargeted personalization, false memory creation, reality indistinguishability, and predictive processing theory. Based on these analyses, the article concludes that XR policy and regulation must consider how XR gives platforms unprecedented persuasive powers as they become capable of altering a user’s reality perception remotely and how, per Arendt, this may threaten democracy.
The professional agenda and its effect on the implementation of telemedicine among primary care physicians: A qualitative study
Authors: Golan Cohen Avivit , Tal Yossi , Hersh Daniel , Vinker Shlomo , Merzon Eugene , Green Ilan , Isrel Ariel , Tuval Atalia
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Studies show that physicians’ attitudes are a major influential factor in the degree of implementation of telemedicine and that most of them identify much more opportunities in this type of visit than risks. These findings do not explain the observed decrease in the use of telemedicine in primary care with the decline of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of our study was to understand the gap between the attitudes that primary care physicians declare towards telemedicine and the extent to which they use it in practice.

Methods

A qualitative research using a semi-structured phone interview with 33 primary care physicians experienced in telemedicine from Leumit Health Services, a health fund in Israel. A qualitative thematic analysis method was used to extract the main themes from all interviews, and descriptive statistical tests were used to analyze the demographic variables.

Results

The attitude of the physicians depended on the perception of their professional identity and their sense of control over telemedicine implementation. The more established their professional identity and the stronger the support from the organization in the technology integration, the more positive the physician's attitude towards this type of visit.

Discussion

Healthcare organizations that wish to improve the use of telemedicine in primary care should understand that this is more than just the implementation of new technology: they must find a way to properly support the profound change that doctors must undergo when defining their new role and professional status.
Going into town or staying home: Rural patient experience and preference with home-based versus clinic-based telehealth
Authors: Eiland Leslie , Wardian Jana , Sayles Harlan , Drincic Andjela
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Telehealth is a model of care with potential to improve access, and in turn outcomes, for people living in rural areas. Since 2013, our endocrine clinic-based telehealth program has provided care at rural community hospitals in Nebraska and Iowa. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when regulations around telehealth were adjusted, patients previously seen via clinic-based telehealth had the option to continue clinic-based visits or have a home-based telehealth visit. There is no literature comparing patient experiences between home-based and clinic-based telehealth. The purpose of this study was to understand rural patient preferences regarding endocrinology home-based versus clinic-based telehealth visits.

Methods

This was a survey study of adult, rural patients who experienced both a clinic-based and home-based telehealth visit with their established endocrinology provider. Respondents were asked about demographics, their reason for visit, preference for home versus clinic-based telehealth, and how they would have received care if telehealth were not an option.

Results

Forty-two patients (40.8%) responded to the survey, with 27 patients (64.3%) preferring home-based telehealth. There were no significant differences between the groups. However, 47.5% of patients would not have sought specialty care if telehealth were not an option.

Discussion

This survey of endocrine patients experienced in both clinic-based and home-based telehealth indicates that, while most respondents preferred home-based telehealth, there are distinct advantages to each model and patients appreciate having options. We believe it is important to maintain both lines of service to provide patient-centered care and improve access to specialty care.
Exploring the uncomfortable topic of women who engage in child sexual abuse material offenses: How are they represented in the media?
Authors: Christensen Larissa S
Published: September 2023

The representation of women who engage in child sexual abuse material (CSAM) offenses in the media is important to understand because the misconstruction of offending may marginalize victims of these offenses and stymie the reporting by victims. The current study aimed to explore how women who perpetrate CSAM offenses are represented in the media. A search of all newspaper articles reporting CSAM offenses perpetrated by women published in English over a 6-month period (1 May 2020 to 31 October 2020) was conducted ( N = 68 articles). A qualitative content analysis identified three themes: (1) newspaper headings do not suggest women, including mothers, engage in CSAM offending; (2) women who co-offend are actively involved in the CSAM offending; and (3) CSAM cases perpetrated by women are reported factually as opposed to emotively. Overall, the findings are positive, indicating advancements in the factual, as opposed to stereotypical, reporting of women who engage in CSAM offenses.
Overdosevarslingssystemer – en kartleggingsoversikt med maskinlæring
Authors: Borge Tiril C. , Muller Ashley E.
Published: September 2023

Sammendrag

Bakgrunn: Helsedirektoratet ønsker å vurdere muligheten for å etablere et nasjonalt overdosevarslingssystem (OVS) for å kunne varsle brukere om økt overdosefare. OVS som system forstås her som et sett med sammenhengende elementer som fungerer som en helhet, der hensikten er tidlig oppdagelse av økt overdoserisiko kombinert med rask varsling til de som står i fare for overdoser. Metode: Vi utførte en kartleggingsoversikt over forskning om varslingssystemer for økt overdosefare. Mål 1 var å kartlegge eksisterende forskning om effekten av et OVS (antall brukere nådd, antall overdoser, varslingshurtighet). Mål 2 var å kartlegge eksisterende forskning som kunne belyse brukeres erfaringer med slike systemer. Resultater: Vi brukte flere maskinlæringsfunksjoner for å identifisere og vurdere totalt 4102 referanser fra litteratursøk gjennomført i mars/april 2022, hvorav 11 studier oppfylte inklusjonskriteriene. Effekt av OVS på antall overdoser var ikke mulig å skille fra eksisterende overdoseforebyggende tiltak. OVS’er varslet skadereduksjonsgrupper eller erfaringskonsulenter så tidlig som fire timer etter innmeldt/oppdaget fare. Antall brukere varslet ble i stor grad ikke rapportert, antageligvis fordi data om dette ikke ble innsamlet. Fra syv kvalitative studier ble mønstre i hovedfunn sett på tvers, som omhandlet preferanser for språkbruk og innhold, hvor varslinger burde komme fra, og prinsippene bak dem. Konklusjon: Vi identifiserte lite empirisk forskning om eksisterende OVS’er, særlig relatert til effekt av slike systemer. Uten tilstrekkelig forskningsgrunnlag om effekt må vi være forsiktige med å trekke konklusjoner om hvilke typer OVS’er som bør og ikke bør innføres i Norge. Opprettelse av et OVS trenger ikke nødvendigvis innebære etablering av en ny infrastruktur, men heller være snakk om at to godt utviklede, eksisterende systemer – systemer for overvåking og skadereduksjonstiltak – kan kobles sammen.
“It's easier to make money.” The homeless youth of Châtelet-les-Halles, an extreme case of disadvantaged entrepreneurs within the informal economy
Authors: Julien Billion , Claire Doussard , Jonathan Labbé
Published: September 2023

This article examines homeless youth as a specific category of disadvantaged entrepreneurs in the Châtelet-les-Halles district in central Paris. It proceeds by showing how the investigation into the informal economic activities of homeless youth, examined through the lens of disadvantaged entrepreneurship and geography, represents a novel research area, particularly within the Parisian context. It is distinguished by its original four-year ethnographic and geographic methodology, encompassing street observations, recorded and unrecorded interviews, and the use of Facebook and geographic information systems to observe and understand 10 homeless youths and their environment. After presenting and exploring the sociological, economic, and geographic context of Châtelet-les-Halles, specifically focusing on the activities of homeless youth, the article provides an analysis of the informal entrepreneurial endeavors pursued by these individuals. Finally, the discussion articulates the notion of geographical context with entrepreneurial creativity and resilience, to better understand how informal entrepreneurial activities are developed in urban environments.
Different cultures review hotels differently
Authors: Chen Meng-Mei , Seach Katarina , Inversini Alessandro , Williams Nigel
Published: September 2023

The issue of language and culture is recognized as paramount for the service industry, but has been poorly addressed by the academic literature. Framed within the Social Representation Theory and operationalized with the concept of high- and low- context cultures conceptualized by Hall, this research aims to explore differences in reviews written in different languages. Reviews written in French (high-context) and German (low-context) were analyzed in the original formats using descriptive statistics, automatic text analysis, network data visualization, and technical attribute assessment to seize the differences. This research found comparing to high-context culture, low-context culture reviews have high polarity but low subjectivity. Given the intrinsic differences in polarity and subjectivity between cultures, researchers and practitioners should monitor the changes of sentiments by cultures to reduce the bias resulted from the intrinsic differences. Furthermore, data visualizations show different topics between cultures and offer additional insights of the differences.
A Qualitative Thematic Analysis of First-Generation College Students’ Help-Seeking Attitudes, Decisions, and Behaviors
Authors: Hagler Matthew , Johnson Renesha , Boags Johnathan , Snipe Leah
Published: September 2023

First-generation college students (FGCS) are significantly less likely to complete degrees compared to continuing-generation students. Among the multifaceted causes for this disparity, many FGCS possess limited social and cultural capital in academia, resulting in lower rates of help-seeking and resource utilization. In this study, we conducted an in-depth qualitative investigation to better understand FGCS's help-seeking attitudes, decisions, and behaviors. Twenty-five first-year FGCS at a 4-year, regional, public university participated in individual interviews. A faculty–student team analyzed interview data using reflective thematic analysis. Our findings demonstrate that FGCS were highly strategic about help-seeking, weighing potential costs and benefits. Though they valued self-sufficiency, FGCS sought support when they identified tangible problems and solutions, when potential providers were accessible and had clearly designated roles, and when helpers conveyed personal interest, empathy, and nonjudgment. These results support several recommendations for policy and practice, including critical consciousness, peer mentoring, and difference-education interventions.
Pulmonary tuberculosis in a case of acute myeloid leukemia during consolidation chemotherapy
Authors: Zhang Jiakui , Wu Dan , Zheng Hong , Ding Xiaojuan , Ding Xiujuan , Huang Yong
Published: September 2023

Tuberculosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has rarely been reported. Herein, we report the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with AML who was finally diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis following consolidation chemotherapy. In this case, chest CT showed space-occupying lesions near the right pulmonary hilum after the second cycle of consolidation chemotherapy. Initially, extramedullary infiltration of AML and lung cancer were considered. After consolidation chemotherapy, antibiotics were simultaneously administered, but persistent fever continued. Later, based on the positive acid-fast staining of the tissue puncture following tracheoscopy and the sputum, the patient was diagnosed to have pulmonary tuberculosis and immediately transferred to a dedicated tuberculosis hospital for anti-tuberculosis treatment. Unfortunately, the patient died of respiratory failure 3 months later. In conclusion, in cases wherein AML patients have persistent fever or pulmonary space-occupying lesions of unknown causes during chemotherapy, the possibility of tuberculosis should be considered. Early diagnosis and targeted anti-tuberculosis treatment may significantly improve the prognosis of patients.
Lebanese pharmacists’ knowledge of generic drugs and factors affecting their use and selection following the pandemic and the economic crisis: A pilot cross-sectional study
Authors: Mansour Maribelle , Hatem Georges , Ballout Souheir , Tarhini Sarah , Henaine Anna-Maria , Awada Sanaa
Published: September 2023

Background

Pharmacists are crucial in lowering pharmaceutical expenditures by substituting brand-name drugs for generic drugs. They are expected to understand the principles and practices of generic drug substitution for high-quality patient care. Some key areas of knowledge include bioequivalence and therapeutic equivalence, regulatory requirements, drug interchangeability, and adequate patient counseling.

Objectives

This study aims to assess the knowledge, perception, and practice of generic drug substitution among pharmacists in Lebanon following the crises and the factors affecting the prescription and selection of generic drugs.

Methods

A pilot descriptive cross-sectional study targeting 80 Lebanese pharmacists was conducted over 2 months (September-October 2022), in which data were collected using a uniform survey.

Results

Overall, pharmacists had a good knowledge of generic drugs in terms of active ingredients (97.5%), pharmaceutical form (85.0%), lower cost (88.7%), bioequivalence to the brand before (95.0%), and therapeutic equivalence. Nevertheless, 22.5% reported that generic drugs are less safe than brands, and 22.5% said they cause side effects or did not know. Among the possible factors that influence the prescription of generic drugs, 35.0% of pharmacists reported that the financial situation of the patient is among the least important factors, while the lack of possible alternatives (45.0%) and the difference in prices (40.0%) were the most important ones. The price of different generics on the market was among the most important factors (36.3%) affecting the selection of generic drugs, followed by the patient’s. preference (26.3%). Only 11.2% considered the information given by pharmaceutical firms could affect their choice, and 10.0% considered the presence or not of excipients with known effects in the formulation.

Conclusion

Most pharmacists in Lebanon were familiar with generic drugs and supported generic drug substitution. Factors affecting generic drug use and prescription should be further explored to clarify misconceptions and reduce possible adverse events.
A Cognitive Computational Approach to Social and Collective Decision-Making
Authors: Tump Alan N. , Deffner Dominik , Pleskac Timothy J. , Romanczuk Pawel , M. Kurvers Ralf H. J.
Published: September 2023

Collective dynamics play a key role in everyday decision-making. Whether social influence promotes the spread of accurate information and ultimately results in adaptive behavior or leads to false information cascades and maladaptive social contagion strongly depends on the cognitive mechanisms underlying social interactions. Here we argue that cognitive modeling, in tandem with experiments that allow collective dynamics to emerge, can mechanistically link cognitive processes at the individual and collective levels. We illustrate the strength of this cognitive computational approach with two highly successful cognitive models that have been applied to interactive group experiments: evidence-accumulation and reinforcement-learning models. We show how these approaches make it possible to simultaneously study (a) how individual cognition drives social systems, (b) how social systems drive individual cognition, and (c) the dynamic feedback processes between the two layers.
Building an “Asia-Pacific Community With a Shared Future”: Transformational Regionalism With Chinese Characteristics?
Authors: Ji Xianbai
Published: September 2023

Chinese President Xi Jinping has since 2013 advocated for an “Asia-Pacific Community with a Shared Future” (APCSF). This concept has rekindled debates on regional integration. The article begins by critiquing conventional Eurocentric theories of community-building while highlighting fundamental features of the Asia-Pacific approach. It recounts erstwhile proposals put forward by Japan, Australia, and America, drawing comparisons with the emerging Chinese vision. The APCSF envisions an inclusive intergovernmental society of cooperative yet interdependent economies in the Asia-Pacific. Unlike the notion of Indo-Pacific, the idea of Asia-Pacific countries belonging to a community has deeper economic and psychological roots. Furthermore, what sets the APCSF apart from previous proposals is its solid foundation that aligns with its ambitious goals. It can draw upon existing initiatives such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership for Trade Liberalisation and the Belt and Road Initiative for enhancing connectivity. Consequently, the APCSF stands a better chance of eventual realisation.
The effective application of the right to collective bargaining for self-employed (platform) workers: ‘Not such an easy task’
Authors: Stylogiannis Charalampos
Published: September 2023

This article contends that the effective application of the right to collective bargaining for self-employed (platform) workers can be particularly challenging due to the current structure of existing systems of industrial relations, even when we set aside restrictions stemming from competition law. These limitations persist despite the strong legal basis and broad consensus under international law that the right to collective bargaining constitutes a human right with universal application. Several international labour and human rights instruments, along with the findings and wording of their respective supervisory bodies, illustrate that the right to collective bargaining should have a broad personal scope of application, regardless of workers’ employment status. However, in practice, achieving such widespread application is not an easy task. As this article points out, the inability of current industrial relations systems to fully allow self-employed workers to exercise their right to collective bargaining necessitates a discussion on the future of industrial relations.
Performance evaluation for medical alliance in China based on a novel multi-attribute group decision-making technique with Archimedean copulas-based Hamy operators and extended best-worst method
Authors: Xing Yuping , Wang Jun
Published: September 2023

Background

Medical alliance plays an important role in promoting resource sharing, optimizing the allocation of medical resources, establishing a hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system featuring primary diagnosis at the grassroots level, a two-way referral system, separated treatment for acute and chronic diseases, and dynamic cooperation. Thus, comprehensive performance evaluation for medical alliance is a necessary research that involves a multi-attribute group decision-making problem.

Objective

The aim of this paper is to develop a new multi-attribute group decision-making evaluation framework and new weight method to better efficaciously resolve the issues of evaluation for the medical alliance.

Methods

Firstly, Archimedean copula and co-copula operational rules, called Archimedean co-copula, and the form of q-rung orthopair fuzzy Hamy mean aggregation operator based on Archimedean co-copula operational rules are also developed. Secondly, an extended q-rung orthopair fuzzy extended best-worst method satisfying multiplicative consistency is developed to originate the weight information of the attributes. The new weight method can integrate the membership and non-membership of assessment information, improve constancy for group decision making and get an extremely reliable weight consequence. Finally, a novel multi-attribute group decision-making framework is presented based on the proposed q-rung orthopair fuzzy Archimedean copula and co-copula Hamy mean aggregation operator and q-rung orthopair fuzzy Euclidean best-worst method. Furthermore, the new multi-attribute group decision-making method is applied to comprehensive performance evaluation for medical alliance in Shanghai, and the effectiveness of the new method is also demonstrated.

Results

The results show that the proposed multi-attribute group decision-making method with Archimedean copulas-based Hamy operators and extended best-worst in this paper outperforms some existing methods and provides support for policymakers seeking the use of patient- and community-centered health evaluations to improve health services.

Conclusion

The proposed method is a theoretical guidance method and a good reference for the evaluation of medical alliances of other regions in China.
Abortion Near Me? The Implications of Semantic Media on Accessing Health Information
Authors: Tripodi Francesca Bolla , Dave Aashka
Published: September 2023

Despite the important role search engines play in finding health information, little systematic research has looked at the ways in which semantic media complicate this process. An investigation of information seekers from four counties with varying political associations in the state of North Carolina details how 42 people searched for information about abortion. We find that participant ability to find accurate information is primarily driven by their position (i.e., do they support terminating a pregnancy or not). However, our findings also indicate that search engine optimization and advertising make finding accurate abortion information a challenge.
Exploring Skin Tone Diversity in a Plastic Surgery Resident Education Curriculum
Authors: Zhu Jane , Rathagirishnan Raahulan , Valiquette Chantal , Adibfar Alexander , Snell Laura
Published: September 2023

Background: Gaps remain in surgical education regarding the representation of skin tone diversity. To improve equity and prevent misdiagnosis leading to worsened health outcomes, efforts must be made to ensure educational photographs are representative of the diverse patient populations plastic surgery residents will be treated in their future practices. Methods: Four study investigators examined 96 h of recorded lecture seminars from a Canadian plastic surgery resident education curriculum from May 2020 to December 2021. Using Fitzpatrick skin type to codify skin tone, photographic images were individually classified and compared. Program lecturers and residents were invited to participate in an online anonymized survey to explore related perceptions of the curricula. Results: A total of 1990 images were included for analysis. Of these, 83.2% were Fitzpatrick types I to III, 13.1% were Fitzpatrick types IV to V, and 3.7% were Fitzpatrick type VI. There was a statistically greater proportion of Fitzpatrick I to III compared to types IV to V ( P < .01), and type VI ( P < .01). Fleiss’ Kappa was calculated to be 0.896, representing near-perfect agreement. In the survey, 61% (14/22) of faculty respondents believe they include enough diversity in their photographs, however, 46% (4 of 9) of resident respondents would like to see more diversity in lecturers’ photographs. Conclusions: There is an underrepresentation of medium (Fitzpatrick types IV-V) and dark (Fitzpatrick VI) images in plastic surgery resident educational images. Providing a curriculum that represents diverse patient populations is crucial to enabling competency and equity of care, particularly in a highly visual field. Incorporating skin tone diversity into educational curricula should be a priority for all plastic surgery programs.