bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social workers’ support of the status quo: Results from a national survey
Authors: Hudson Kimberly D , Godfrey Erin B
Published: October 2024

Social work has an intimate and complex relationship with the systems that shape the social, political, economic, and environmental fabric of the United States. System justification theory helps explain why people are motivated to accept the status quo of systems and unequal social arrangements. This study examined the system-justifying beliefs of a national sample ( N = 516) of master’s-level social workers to better understand how beliefs about the status quo may shape job outcomes (e.g., burnout and satisfaction) and practice outcomes (e.g., goals, motivations, perceptions of clients, and endorsement of practice behaviors).

Findings

Ordinary least squares regression analyses adjusting for demographic characteristics indicated significant relationships with both practice outcomes and job outcomes. Higher system-justifying beliefs were associated with less social justice motivation, more practical motivation, less transformative practice goals, and less understanding of clients’ needs as symptoms of structural failures. However, higher system-justifying beliefs were also associated with more compassion satisfaction, less secondary trauma, and less emotional exhaustion.

Applications

Key interventions into the structural conditions of social work practice so that social workers rely less on system-justifying beliefs to cope with burnout and increase satisfaction are discussed. Examples include investments in support resources, workplace empowerment, increased discretion, and workload reduction. Cognitive and psychological interventions, specifically the development of critical consciousness and critical thinking, are also suggested.
Foster care breakdown in adolescence: A retrospective view of young individuals on their experiences
Authors: Ben-Shlomo Shirley , Meir Yifat
Published: October 2024

Placement with a foster family is one of the care arrangements available for children who cannot live at home. Many of those in foster care are teenagers. The complexity of the development during adolescence poses major challenges and may ultimately lead to what is known in the literature as “foster breakdown.” Most of the research in this area focuses on the point of view of social workers or foster parents. The current study examines this experience through a retrospective view of those who were teenagers at the time of foster care breakdown. To this end, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Israeli young individuals (16–30 years old) who had experienced foster breakdown at various stages of adolescence.

Findings

The findings paint a complex and multidimensional picture of breakdown. While most of the interviewees described it as a sudden, unexpected event, closer examination revealed a dynamic process of collapse. This process comprised various factors, including those associated with the welfare system, the foster family, and characteristics related to the developmental stage of adolescence of the research participants. The combination of these factors led to the premature termination of the foster arrangement.

Applications

This study opens a window to the complex experience of foster breakdown in adolescence, an issue that has received very little research attention thus far. Understanding the dynamics of foster breakdown from the perspective of young individuals can improve professional foster care practices and policy and can benefit social workers in their work with foster families.
Social workers and generative practices for the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Knevel Jeroen , Wilken Jean Pierre , Schippers Alice
Published: October 2024

Incited by the United Nations adoption and ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, social workers are prompted to increasingly pursue an inclusion-focused approach. Our research was carried out in the Netherlands and sought to identify social work practices conducive to fostering social inclusion, in this case with respect to adults with mild intellectual disabilities. For 2½ years, a responsive methodology was employed in a combined action and social design research. Sixteen social workers and five people with intellectual disabilities were involved. The study was conducted in three different settings across the Netherlands, both rural and urban.

Findings

Three social work practices were captured that generate social inclusion: agency, advocacy, and intrapreneurship.

Applications

Identification of generative practices provides guidance to social workers in shaping the promotion of social inclusion. It provides guidance in reflecting on past and current inclusion-focused social work performance, it may encourage social workers to adopt inclusion-focused pathways inspired by agency, advocacy and intrapreneurship, and knowledge of generative practices toward social inclusion can help to specify social workers’ competencies.
Children’s Experiences of Police Custody and the Implications for Trauma-Informed Policing
Authors: Vaswani Nina , Moodie Kristina , McEwan Donna
Published: October 2024

The development of a trauma-informed Scotland is an ambitious and important agenda, but not without its challenges and limitations. In restrictive settings that rely on the application of power and control as part of their modus operandi, genuinely trauma-informed practice may be difficult to achieve. Drawing on interviews with 11 children, this article maps their experiences of police custody to trauma-informed practice principles. The gap between the espoused policies and the realities of custom and practice outlines the boundaries of trauma-informed practice in justice settings. The article concludes that police custody is antithetical to the concept of trauma-informed practice.
A compressor blade crack detection method based on the multilevel information fusion of acoustic and vibration signals
Authors: Wen Jiakang , Ma Tianchi , Zhang Tao , Xu Feiyun
Published: October 2024

Single-signal crack detection methods perform unsatisfactorily in the presence of noise, prompting the need for alternative approaches. Leveraging multisource signals, which contain rich and complementary information, is a promising direction. In light of this, a compressor blade crack detection method based on the multilevel information fusion of acoustic and vibration signals is proposed. First, a multiscale data-level fusion convolutional neural network is designed, which fuses multisource homogeneous signals for crack detection. Second, multiple networks are trained with acoustic and vibration signals as inputs, respectively. Softmax layer of each network provides preliminary probabilities for each category, while the precision for each category in the validation set is calculated. Finally, an improved Dempster–Shafer theory approach is proposed to derive the final probability for each category according to the preliminary probabilities and precision, after which crack detection is realized. The proposed method is validated with experimental data from five categories of blades.
Black Readings of Exodus
Authors: Trimm Charlie , Kim Brittany , Imes Carmen Joy
Published: October 2024

Most academic study of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament in North America has been done from a White European or North American perspective. Post-graduate schools have predominantly required students to read works written by White authors, and the vast majority of professors are White. However, the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament also has a long history of interpretation by non-White and Majority World thinkers, and their contributions need to be more widely acknowledged and employed in studying the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. This article surveys the contributions of Black Hebrew Bible/Old Testament scholars on the book of Exodus. Black scholars employ a variety of methods and approaches as they engage with the biblical text. We consider these approaches by category, beginning with textual criticism and translation before exploring works that focus on Africa in the Bible, those that draw on African or African American context, and those that highlight issues of gender or the perspectives of liberation theology. We conclude with those employing multi-faceted or integrative approaches.
Contemporary Research and Debated Issues on John the Baptist
Authors: Martinez Roberto
Published: October 2024

This article surveys recent studies about John the Baptist, focusing on disputed issues in contemporary research about this historical figure. After briefly reviewing the history of research as a framework for this survey, a presentation of the major contributions on John during the last decades follows. The article then reports on the status quaestionis of some still debated subjects related to the Baptist, such as the content of his message, portrayal as Elijah, relationship to Jesus, baptism, the account in Josephus, association with the Essenes/Qumran, and other minor matters. The work concludes by assessing what the author considers the most important research shifts and contributions of studies on John the Baptist in recent scholarship.
Judging children's best interests: Centring bodily integrity
Authors: Fox Marie , Thomson Michael
Published: October 2024

This article addresses how bodily integrity has been mobilised in the context of genital cutting of male infants and the extent to which the concept is taken into account in legal decision-making in the United Kingdom. While bioethicists have debated whether interventions on children's bodies are more appropriately determined on the basis of hypothetical consent or in the child's best interest, it is clear that in law the relevant test is whether interventions are in the child's best interest. As the issue of nonconsensual genital cutting of infants has become more contested, courts have been asked to adjudicate on the best interests of infants in situations where their caregivers disagree about procedures. Although this body of jurisprudence remains (surprisingly) small, in this article we argue that, while there are now discernible trends in such cases (e.g. deferring decision-making until the child has the requisite capacity to decide, engaging with certain human rights norms), too often judicial reasoning about a child's best interests remains largely empty of reasoned content, and in certain respects is regressing. Using the recent case of Re P to exemplify this logic, and drawing on our previous work advocating the value of embodied integrity, we argue that judges should adopt a more substantive framework of values in judging the child's corporeal and other interests in such cases. This would move best interests assessments beyond a mere formalistic exercise and lead to better reasoned legal judgements.
Smoking-related interstitial lung disease: A narrative review
Authors: Casal Ana , Suárez-Antelo Juan , Riveiro Vanessa , Ferreiro Lucía , Rodríguez-Núñez Nuria , Toubes María E. , Valdés Luis
Published: October 2024

Although smoking-related interstitial lung diseases (SR-ILD) are a relatively rare group of entities, they are a relevant public health problem of growing importance, both because they affect young adults and because of their increasing prevalence in recent years due to increased tobacco consumption. In patients who smoke and have non-specific respiratory symptoms, SR-ILD should be ruled out, a term that encompasses a group of different entities in which the basis for diagnosis is the smoking history together with compatible respiratory functional findings, radiology and/or histology. An association has been established between tobacco smoke and a group of diseases that include respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease (2%–3% of all ILD), desquamative interstitial pneumonia (<1%), Langerhans cell histiocytosis (3%–5%) and acute eosinophilic pneumonia. Smoking is considered a risk factor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis which has also been called combined fibroemphysema (5%–10% of all ILD); however, the role and impact of smoking in its development, remains to be determined. The likely interconnection between the mechanisms involved in inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis in all these processes often results in an overlapping of clinical, radiological, and histological features. In the absence of robust scientific evidence on its management, smoking cessation is the first measure to be taken into account. Although most diseases have a benign clinical course after smoking cessation, some cases may progress to chronic respiratory failure.
The Use of Short Dilator Tip in Endovascular Branched Arch Repair: A Case Series
Authors: Becker D. , Stana J. , Prendes C. , Ali A. , Pichlmaier M. , Peterss S. , Tsilimparis N.
Published: October 2024

Objectives:

The aim of the study was to investigate the safety and feasibility of branched endovascular arch repair (b-TEVAR) with a custom-made double or triple inner branched arch endograft using a short dilator tip (35 mm) in patients with aortic arch pathologies.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients undergoing b-TEVAR with a short dilator tip for the treatment of aortic arch pathologies in a high-volume tertiary center between January 2019 and July 2023. The combined primary endpoint was technical success and perioperative complications caused by the endograft, including tip-induced cardiac injury and trackability issues. Secondary endpoints were major adverse events (MAE), including morbidity, mortality, and reinterventions within 30 days.

Results:

During a 4-year period, 22 patients (median age 72 years, 16 males) were treated with a custom-made double or triple inner-branched TEVAR for different aortic arch pathologies using a short dilator tip (35 mm). After initial exclusive treatment of patients with previous valve replacement, the use of a short dilator tip became standard. Eighteen patients received a triple- and 4 patients received a double-branched endograft. Seventeen patients (77.3%) underwent elective treatment, while 5 patients underwent urgent repair due to contained rupture or symptomatic aneurysms. The technical success was 100%. No tip-induced cardiac mortality and morbidity occurred perioperatively. The trackability of the device was in no case affected by the short tip. Within 30 days, the MAE rate was 45%, including one death. No re-intervention had to be performed.

Conclusion:

Endovascular aortic arch repair with inner-branched arch endografts using a short dilator tip (35 mm) appears to be safe and technically feasible and could potentially reduce the risk of fatal myocardial injuries.

Clinical impact

Due to safe and stable maneuverability and deployment of endograft in zone 0 the use of short dilator tip might have the potential to become standard in endovascular branched arch repair. This is one of the first reports on the use of short dilator tip and associated complications in endovascular branched arch repair.
Intravascular Lithotripsy for Peripheral Artery Calcification: 30-Day Outcomes From the Disrupt PAD III Observational Study
Authors: Armstrong Ehrin J. , Adams George , Soukas Peter A. , Mangalmurti Sarang S. , Shammas Nicolas W. , Mehrle Anderson , Bertolet Barry , Gray William A. , Tepe Gunnar , Woo Edward Y. , McKinsey James F. , Holden Andrew , Parikh Sahil A.
Published: October 2024

Purpose:

Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has shown promising safety and effectiveness in calcified peripheral artery disease (PAD) in large trials and small real-world experiences. Real-world evidence from a larger cohort is lacking, so we aimed to evaluate the real-world acute performance of IVL in the treatment of calcified PAD.

Materials and Methods:

The Disrupt PAD III Observational Study (OS) is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study. Patients with claudication or critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and at least moderate calcification were eligible. Independent predictors of procedural outcomes were assessed by multivariable analysis.

Results:

Between November 2017 and June 2021 across 30 global sites, 1373 patients with 1677 lesions (1531, 91.3% core lab evaluable) were enrolled. Diameter stenosis and lesion length was 80.6±17.6% and 93.5±74.3 mm, respectively. Target vessels included femoropopliteal (61%), iliac (15.8%), common femoral (10.7%), and infrapopliteal arteries (12.8%). Lesion characteristics included 31.1% chronic total occlusions (CTOs) and 19.3% long lesions (≥15 cm). At final assessment, residual stenosis was 23.8±11.3%, with 0.9% serious angiographic complications, no abrupt closures, distal embolization, no flow, or thrombotic events. Independent predictors of ≤30% residual stenosis were lesion length ≥15 cm (odds ratio [OR]=0.384), female sex (OR=1.850), age ≤75 years (OR=1.625), IVL balloon to artery ratio ≥1.0 (OR=1.538), and CTO lesions (OR=0.638). Lesion length ≥15 cm (OR=16.076) was an independent predictor of procedural complications.

Conclusions:

The Disrupt PAD III OS represents the largest assessment of IVL periprocedural outcomes in calcified PAD. It confirmed excellent procedural safety and effectiveness in complex lesions across multiple peripheral vascular beds.

Clinical Impact

This final analysis of the PAD III OS represents the largest report of peripheral IVL utilization in daily clinical practice. The outcomes of this study indicate that previously reported procedural results in clinical trial settings can be translated to a broader patient population. Treatment with peripheral IVL in severely calcified stenotic lower limb lesions demonstrated consistent acute safety and stenosis reduction, even in complex patients across multiple vessel beds. In addition, the importance of proper IVL balloon sizing to achieve excellent acute stenosis reduction was confirmed by multivariate analysis.
The Biological Behavior and Clinical Application Prospects of Deoxythymidine Kinase Gene in Tumors
Authors: Zheng Jiayu , Wang Qiaoqi , Yan Lingxin , Pan Qingyun , Chen Xiangxu , Chen Quanfang
Published: October 2024

Malignant tumors have become a significant risk factor for human mortality. Although there have been notable advancements in the treatment of tumors, patient prognosis remains poor. In recent years, gene diagnosis and gene therapy have brought great benefits to patients. Deoxythymidine kinase (DTYMK) is a highly promising biomarker, has been studied by many scholars, and plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of various types of cancer. The abnormal expression of DTYMK is involved in tumor occurrence and development, and may also serve as a biomarker for tumor diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Several experimental studies have shown that DTYMK can impact tumor progression by regulating mechanisms such as cell cycle, tumor microenvironment, immune infiltration, and signaling pathways. Therefore, this article focuses on clarifying the mechanism of DTYMK in tumors and exploring its clinical application value to help patients prolong their survival cycle and improve their quality of life.
Topkan's CARWL Index Efficiently Predicts the Radiation-Induced Tooth Loss Rates in Radically Treated Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients
Authors: Somay Efsun , Topkan Erkan , Bascil Sibel , Ozturk Duriye , Senyurek Sukran , Durankus Nilufer Kilic , Selek Ugur
Published: October 2024

Purpose

To assess the usefulness of the novel CARWL index in predicting radiation-induced tooth loss (RITL) rates in locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (LA-NPC) patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (C-CRT).

Methods

The study retrospectively examined data from 323 LA-NPC patients. The patients were divided into two groups based on cutoff values for CAR and weight loss (WL). The ideal cutoff for RITL was 3.0 g/dL [AUC: 83.0%, sensitivity: 83.6%, specificity: 81.4%, J-index: 0.650]. CARWL index was created by combining pretreatment CAR and WL status (WL ≤ 5.0% vs > 5.0%, resulting in four groups: Group 1: CAR < 3.0 and WL ≤ 5.0%, Group 2: CAR < 3.0 and WL > 5.0%, Group 3: CAR ≥ 3.0 and WL ≤ 5.0%, and Group 4: CAR > 3.0 and WL > 5.0%.

Results

RITL was diagnosed in 67.2% of patients. Since the RITL rates of Groups 2 and 3 were statistically indistinguishable, we combined them and created the three-tiered CARWL score groups: CARWL-0: CAR < 3.0 and WL ≤ 5.0%; CARWL-1: CAR < 3.0 and WL > 5.0%, or CAR ≥ 3.0 and WL ≤ 5.0%; and CARWL-2: CAR > 3.0 and WL > 5.0%. Comparative analysis revealed that the RITL rates gradually and significantly increased from CARWL-0 to CARWL-2 score groups (49.4% vs 64.7% vs 83.0%; P <0.001) despite similar baseline disease and patient characteristics. Results of the multivariate analysis showed that higher CARWL score groups were independent and significant predictors of increased RITL rates (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Present results suggest that the novel CARWL index is a reliable biomarker for predicting RITL incidence in LA-NPC patients.
Proof-of-Concept of an Integrated Yoga and Psychological Intervention in Mitigating Distress Among Diverse Women With Gynecologic, Gastrointestinal, and Thoracic Cancers
Authors: Hanvey Grace Ann , Kacel Elizabeth L. , Bacharz Kelsey C. , Wilborn Adaixa Padrón , Mesa Sonia , McCracken Halle , Estores Irene M. , Markham Merry-Jennifer , Kaye Frederic J. , Jones Dennie , George Thomas J. , Pereira Deidre B.
Published: October 2024

Background: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), cancer-distress, depression, and anxiety are prevalent concerns among women with gynecologic and other understudied cancers, especially among women of color and lower socioeconomic status (SES). Evidence indicates that mind-body interventions are effective in reducing such distress. This study evaluates (1) proof-of-concept of an integrated group yoga and psychological intervention in alleviating distress among women with gynecologic, gastrointestinal, and thoracic cancers and (2) differences in efficacy across social and economic factors. Methods: One hundred twenty-five participants were enrolled in a 10-week, single-arm, integrated group intervention utilizing mindfulness meditation, psychotherapy skills, and yoga. They completed measures of FCR, cancer-distress, depression, and anxiety at baseline and following intervention. Mixed-linear models evaluated change in outcomes across the intervention and moderating effects of age, minority status, and SES among 51 participants with available data. Results: Reductions in total ( b = −2.06, P = .012) and somatic depressive symptoms ( b = −1.79, P = .002) and state anxiety ( b = −6.21, P = .005) were observed across the sample. Higher SES was associated with greater reductions in psychosocial distress related to FCR ( b = −0.74, P = .050), and in total (b = −1.06, P = .049) and affective depressive symptoms ( b = −0.76, P = .006). Women of color experienced greater declines in somatic symptoms compared to non-Hispanic White women ( b = −2.71, P = .031), with women of color experiencing lower SES exhibiting greatest reduction in these symptoms ( b = 1.73, P = .026). Conclusions: This study demonstrates proof-of-concept that an integrated psychological and yoga intervention may reduce depressive symptoms and state anxiety among women with gynecologic, gastrointestinal, and thoracic cancers, with racial and/or ethnic minority status and SES moderating some of these effects. Future research should examine intervention feasibility and acceptability among diverse women with cancer and evaluate efficacy using a randomized controlled trial design.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03385577
Healthy Aging: Interaction of Cognition, Lifestyle, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
Authors: Derakhshanrad Seyed Alireza , Zeynalzadeh Ghoochani Bahareh
Published: October 2024

Background: The increasing elderly population highlights the importance of comprehending healthy aging by examining the interactions among cognition, daily activities, and lifestyle. This study aims to address this by investigating these relationships within the World Health Organization’s Healthy Aging Model. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 178 older adults from southern Iran, representing various cognitive levels. Participants underwent assessments to measure cognitive functions, lifestyle preferences, and independence in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) using the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Lifestyle Assessment Questionnaire for the Iranian Elderly, and the Lawton IADL Scale. Findings: The relationships between the studied variables were identified. Lower cognitive function was found to be associated with decreased engagement in IADL and less-favorable lifestyle choices. Conclusion: Integrating cognition, IADL, and lifestyle into assessments and interventions align with both the domain and process of occupational therapy, thereby enhancing well-being and promoting healthy aging in older adults.
Centering Belonging for NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation
Authors: Lucia Cara , Lopez-Herrera Victoria R. , Stewart Hannah
Published: October 2024

Volunteer leaders and staff in NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation (NIRSA) aimed to establish shared norms for belonging, guided by recommendations from the Association's climate study conducted by 122 Consulting Group. The climate study precipitated the formation of an implementation team for justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (JDEI). This case study explored stakeholders’ perspectives about shared norms (diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and respect) for belonging, using multiple data points (historical context, JDEI trends, association reports, and focus groups) to ignite action. Analysis of these perspectives at in-person and virtual NIRSA educational sessions identified three themes: positive reception, action/accountability, and integration/ongoing engagement. The study provides valuable insights for association leaders to shape belonging initiatives by using shared expectations, thus effectively guiding actions based on the findings of a climate study. This study is essential for associations, and its findings can also empower members to drive similar initiatives on their respective campuses.
Anatomical Variation of the Recurrent Motor Branch of the Median Nerve
Authors: Ahmed Kowsar A. , Tuffaha Sami H.
Published: October 2024

The recurrent motor branch (RMB) of the median nerve has commonly thought to originate proximal to the terminal digital branches, although its anatomical course and number may vary. We report a rare variation of the RMB that arose from the second common palmar digital nerve. The median nerve bifurcated into the first and second common palmar digital nerves distal to the transverse carpal ligament, with the RMB dividing from the second common palmar digital nerve and traveling retrograde to enter the abductor pollicis brevis muscle. This high origin variation may be at increased risk of injury during procedures of the hand.
Enhancing wear resistance of aluminum 6061 composites with fly ash: A sustainable approach for industrial applications
Authors: Kumar Raj , Bairwa Kedar Narayan , Vemanaboina Harinadh , Naidu BoyaVishnu Vardhana , Shoush Kamel A , Pushkarna Mukesh , Tuka Milkias Berhanu , Ghoneim Sherif SM
Published: October 2024

This study investigated the benefits of adding fly ash as a reinforcement material. The benefits included cost-effectiveness, improved quality, isotropic behavior, and environmental advantages. To improve self-lubrication and wettability behavior, Al6061 alloy composites were fabricated with different amounts of fly ash (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% by weight), along with a fixed amount of graphite (3wt.%) and magnesium (2wt.%). Wear tests were conducted using Taguchi’s Design of Experiment (DoE) approach on the composites. The optimized composition with 6% fly ash exhibited the least wear rate under the test conditions of load = 10 N, sliding velocity = 3 m/s, and sliding distance = 2 km. SEM images revealed a uniform distribution of fly ash and graphite reinforcement in the matrix, contributing to enhanced wear resistance. The composites exhibited fewer scratches and plastically deformed surfaces, indicating a decrease in wear rate and increased wear resistance with higher fly ash content. ANOVA were used, and four parameters were identified to be critical, Composition at 34%, Sliding Distance at 27%, load at 23%, and Sliding Velocity at 12% contribution with a statistical confidence of 95%. This research contributes to developing cost-effective and environmentally sustainable materials with improved mechanical properties. It makes them suitable for various industrial applications, such as the automotive industry, where wear resistance is essential.
‘Mediatized Diaspora’: Modelling the transnational influences of media in diaspora
Authors: Shehata Mostafa
Published: October 2024

This article seeks to model the socio-political influences of media use in diaspora. Participant observation and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from Tunisian diaspora members residing in France, Denmark and Sweden. The article proposes ‘mediatized diaspora’ as a new model explaining the transnational intertwining between media and politics in the diaspora. Four sets of influences enabled by multimodal communication were defined and discussed as components of the model: (1) aspirations for the country of origin; (2) political meaning-making; (3) engaging in political actions; and (4) perceptions of social reality.
Real-world clinical efficacy of bevacizumab biosimilar in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Ou Wei-Fan , Hsu Kuo-Hsuan , Tseng Jeng-Sen , Lee Po-Hsin , Chen Kun-Chieh , Huang Yen-Hsiang , Chang Gee-Chen , Yang Tsung-Ying
Published: October 2024

Background:

Bevacizumab is extensively used in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Numerous clinical trials have proven the clinical efficacies of bevacizumab biosimilars (BB).

Objective:

Our study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between bevacizumab reference product (RP) and BB among advanced NSCLC patients in a real-world setting.

Design:

We retrospectively analyzed stage IV metastatic NSCLC patients who were treated with bevacizumab as part of a combination therapy. Patients were categorized into chemotherapy (CT) and epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) groups. We compared the patients’ characteristics, treatment efficacy, and adverse events between RP and BB in the two treatment groups.

Methods:

From January 2020 to July 2022, a total of 171 patients who underwent combination therapy with bevacizumab were screened. Seventy-nine of these patients met the study’s inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the final analysis. We utilized the Kaplan–Meier method to estimate progression-free survival (PFS) and the log-rank test to compare PFS between groups. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify predictors of PFS.

Results:

Within the CT cohort, 34 patients were treated with RP in combination with platinum and pemetrexed, and 25 patients received a combination regimen with BB. The median PFS was 6.9 months in the RP group and 8.9 months in the BB group ( p = 0.255). Within the EGFR-TKI cohort, 20 patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC received first-line treatment with EGFR-TKI plus bevacizumab. Of these patients, 9 were treated with a combination regimen that included RP, and 11 patients received EGFR-TKI in combination with BB. The median PFS was 18.4 months for the RP group and 13.6 months for the BB group ( p = 0.363).

Conclusion:

In our advanced NSCLC patients, we found no difference in clinical outcomes when receiving treatment with RP or BB. Given a combination regimen, BB was as effective as RP together with either CT or EGFR-TKIs.
Distribution Patterns of Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions of the Forefoot and Midfoot A 12.5-Year Study at a University Hospital
Authors: Scheele Christian , Harrasser Norbert , Beischl Simone , Dammerer Dietmar , Lenze Ulrich , Knebel Carolin , Lenze Florian
Published: October 2024

Background

Masses in the forefoot and midfoot are common reasons for medical presentation and can be caused by various pathological conditions. The challenge in clinical practice is to distinguish the multitude of trivialities from the few malignant entities and to arrive at a reliable clinical diagnosis in a reasonable amount of time with a moderate use of diagnostic tools.

Material and Methods

In a retrospective analysis, tumors, tumor-like lesions, and pseudotumors distal to the Chopart joint presented to our multidisciplinary university tumor board between January 2010 und June 2023 were analyzed concerning entity, location, age, and sex.

Results

Of the 167 cases included, 18 were osseous and 149 were soft tissue lesions. Overall, the metatarsal region was most frequently affected, accounting for 42.5% of all cases. Osseous lesions showed a preference for the phalanges and soft-tissue lesions occurring more frequently in the metatarsal region. In total, 88.0% of all cases were benign. All 20 malignant cases derived from soft tissue, occurred in all sections of the forefoot and midfoot and comprised 13 entities. Most lesions affected middle-aged patients, but cases occurred in almost every age group.

Conclusion

In the examined patient population of a German university hospital, most cases were benign soft tissue lesions with a substantial share of pseudotumors and tumor-like lesions. However, the malignancy rate of 12.0% highlights the importance of differential diagnostic considerations. In cases of uncertain results, it is crucial to refer individuals with unclear masses to a specialized center for musculoskeletal tumor care early on in their treatment process.

Levels of Evidence:

III
Enhancing public entertainment with touch: Possibilities and pitfalls
Authors: Spence Charles , Gao Yang
Published: October 2024

There has long been interest in augmenting cinematic and other forms of public entertainment through tactile and/or bodily (i.e., vestibular) stimulation. In this narrative historical review, the early history of touch (or haptics, as it is sometimes called) and other forms of bodily stimulation (e.g., motion platforms) in the context of entertainment is critically reviewed, with a focus on early cinema as well as other early examples of immersive virtual reality travel experiences. Critically, various challenges have limited the introduction of such additional channels of sensory stimulation. These include technological, financial, cognitive, creative, ethical/artistic, and also legal considerations, given the many patents that currently exist covering commercial digital tactile stimulation (e.g., in the gaming context). Taken together, these challenges help to explain why it is that despite the early interest in “the feelies” (e.g., an envisioning of film that includes tactile sensations by Aldous Huxley, in his novel Brave New World), touch-enhanced cinema and storytelling have never really caught on in the mainstream in the way that, say, the talkies so obviously did following the introduction of sound into cinema in the early decades of the 20th century. Nevertheless, identifying the potential successful use cases that have emerged from previous attempts to augment public entertainments with tactile/bodily stimulation will likely provide useful guidelines for the future tactile augmentation of home entertainment.
Utilizing acute normovolemic hemodilution for blood conservation in myomectomy for Jehovah’s Witnesses: A case report
Authors: Lawal Qudus O , Momoh Mojeed O , Okome Governor BO , Okpunu Christopher E , Ikhifa Charles E , Arebun Julius
Published: October 2024

Myomectomy for Jehovah’s Witnesses presents a unique challenge because of their religious beliefs against blood transfusions. In this case report, we describe the successful management of a Jehovah’s Witness patient with 22-week-sized uterine fibroids complicated by menorrhagia, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach to blood conservation while respecting the patient’s faith. She had a presenting hematocrit of 38%, which dropped to 33% just before surgery and subsequently had acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) along with meticulous surgical techniques, resulting in minimal blood loss and avoidance of allogeneic blood transfusions. She had good postoperative recovery and was discharged with hematocrit of 34%. This approach highlights the importance of understanding and accommodating patients’ religious beliefs in surgical practice. Furthermore, it underscores the effectiveness of ANH as a viable alternative for blood conservation in high-risk surgical procedures.
Validity and reliability of a digital solution for cognitive assessment: The Brain on Track®
Authors: Andias Rosa , Martins Ana Isabel , Pais Joana , Cruz Vítor Tedim , Silva Anabela G , Rocha Nelson Pacheco
Published: October 2024

Background

Cognitive assessment and the early detection of cognitive impairments have been enhanced by the use of remote digital solutions. The Brain on Track® is one of these digital solutions used in clinical practice for online screening and monitoring of cognitive functioning.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the validity and reliability of the Brain on Track® computerized test on a tablet device in adults.

Methods

A community sample of 54 young adults, 51 middle-aged adults, and 50 older adults were invited to attend in two assessment sessions. The first session included data collection on sociodemographic data, user digital literacy, Brain on Track® on the computer and on the tablet device, and usability from the user and moderator perspective. The second session included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (MoCA) and a second completion of the Brain on Track® on tablet to assess the criterion validity and test–retest reliability. Hypothesis testing was used to assess construct validity.

Results

A weak to moderate correlation was found between the Brain on Track® tablet score and the MoCA. The ICC was 0.72, 0.84, and 0.79, and Cronbach's alpha was 0.84, 0.83, and 0.89 in young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults, respectively.

Conclusions

This study suggested that the Brain on Track® administered using a tablet device has criterion validity, particularly in middle-aged and older adults, and internal consistency and test–retest reliability in adults of any age group.
“It's really hard to strike a balance”: The role of digital influencers in shaping youth mental health
Authors: Adeane Emily , Stasiak Karolina
Published: October 2024

Objective

Social media influencers have enormous sway with youth; however, little is known about how they communicate about mental health and how young people respond to this content.

Methods

This study used semi-structured, remote interviews with 31 participants aged 16 to 24 years to explore how young people feel about the way social media influencers discuss mental health online. Thematic analysis and member-checking processes were used to identify five themes, each reflecting a tension in how participants viewed a specific aspect of influencer content.

Results

Themes included the style (casual or serious), volume (inadequate or excessive), focus (distress or solutions), source (lived experience or professional advice), and sponsorship status (persuading or exploitative) of influencer content.

Conclusion

Young people appear to hold widely varying, nuanced preferences regarding influencer mental health content. Notwithstanding some risks and limitations, influencers can generate engaging mental health content—their potential role in shaping youth mental health and other health communication efforts warrants further exploration.
Ethical acceptability of telemedicine: Nursing home resident's perspective on telemedical consultations
Authors: Sira Nataliya , Groß Dominik ,   Optimal@NRW Research Group, Wilhelmy Saskia
Published: October 2024

Objective

The use of telemedicine in health care has recently expanded, and with it the need to evaluate its use from an ethical perspective. Studies investigating the ethical acceptability of telemedical consultations (TC) in nursing homes are lacking, and in particular, the perspectives and experiences of older adults with TC are underrepresented. The objective of this study is to identify ethically relevant parameters in the acute care of nursing home residents using TC and to derive recommendations.

Methods

A combination of qualitative research methods was employed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the research topic. These included semi-structured face-to-face interviews and participant observations. Due to the phased design of the cluster-randomized controlled intervention trial in the overarching study project, our investigations were carried out in phases before and after the implementation of the telemedical systems in the nursing homes.

Results

We identified various ethical challenges associated with the use of TC, including those related to autonomy, participation, privacy, self-conception, beneficence, security and justice. Our analysis indicates that the use of TC for nursing home residents is ethically acceptable, provided that several recommendations to promote acceptability are considered.

Conclusion

Our findings provide insights into the variety of ethical challenges that can arise when using TC in nursing homes to provide care for older adults while also providing information on how these challenges can be addressed. Furthermore, these findings provide guidance for further research to improve the care of residents in nursing homes from an ethical perspective.
Decoding Online Narratives and Unraveling Complexities in the Rohingya Refugee Crisis
Authors: Ahammad Tanvir , Ahmed Siam , Sharmin Selina
Published: October 2024

The Rohingya refugee crisis, a humanitarian tribulation involving the persecution of the Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority group in Myanmar, has led to a massive exodus of refugees, primarily women and children, to neighboring Bangladesh. Analyzing public opinion toward the Rohingya crisis poses a challenge due to the time complexity of manually assessing individual expressions from the vast amount of text on online platforms. This research focuses on identifying hidden patterns in online discussions surrounding the Rohingya refugee crisis, employing topic modeling and a thematic sentiment analysis-based approach. It represents the first comprehensive exploration of public views on internet spaces to support this community. In the experiment, we identified 15 coherent topics from 6,840 unique documents with a high coherence score of about 0.60. The key themes explored encompass familial resilience, the urgency of addressing the refugee crisis, complexities within the Rohingya situation, religious and cultural elements, and geopolitical considerations. Sentiment analysis revealed nuanced emotional tones, with positive sentiments in discussions about refugee support and international aid and mixed or negative sentiments in topics concerning religious dynamics and women’s protection. The implications of this research extend to guiding policymakers, humanitarian organizations, and advocacy groups in developing targeted interventions, communication strategies, and informed policy initiatives. In addition, the findings emphasize the importance of understanding and responding effectively to the multifaceted challenges faced by the Rohingya community.
A Conundrum of Collective Memories: The Case of The Green Wreath Park Site
Authors: Deale Cynthia S. , Yeager Emily , Smirnova Olga
Published: October 2024

This case study focuses on a dilemma connected to the African American Cultural Trail (AACT) in Greenville-Pitt County, North Carolina, in the United States, and to the context, culture, and tourism in the area. The trail commemorates the history of, and impacts made by African Americans in the region. An additional site, which was once part of what is known as the Green Wreath plantation, has been proposed as part of the cultural trail because it served as a leisure activity site for African Americans in the 1920s and has an interesting, complex, history. The dilemma in the case revolves around whether the site should become part of the AACT and if so, how it can be included in the trail and made acceptable to the stakeholders. Furthermore, perspectives of collective memories, including social constructivism and community solidarity, may play a role in terms of whether the stakeholders believe that the site should be included in the AACT.
Flourishing With Flexibility: Leader Communicative Support of Flexible Work Arrangements Enhances Employee Engagement and Well-Being
Authors: Willett Justin F. , LaGree Danielle , Warner Benjamin R. , Brian Houston J. , Duffy Margaret
Published: October 2024

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half of U.S. employees whose work is capable of being done remotely report they use a hybrid work arrangement that includes some remote work and some work in the office. This poses a challenge for leaders because research shows that employee use of flexible work arrangements (FWA) can negatively affect employee outcomes. The current study, a cross-sectional survey of 1,258 employees who work full time in the U.S., uses the theory of communicative leadership to understand the influence of leader communicative support of FWA on the relationship between employee use of FWA and two employee outcomes: flourishing at work (a measure of well-being) and job engagement. Results show that higher levels of employee use of FWA is associated with less flourishing at work and job engagement; however, leader communicative support of FWA moderates this relationship, with high-quality leader communicative support associated with higher levels of flourishing at work and job engagement. The results have implications for leadership and work-life scholarship and provide practices that leaders can implement to help support employee engagement and well-being.
Brief Behavioral Activation Intervention for Inpatient Depression by Psychiatric Nurses: A Single-Group Study
Authors: Kato Sayaka , Tanoue Hiroki , Fukuzoe Junko , Ishida Yasushi
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Behavioral Activation (BA) is a short-term cognitive behavioral therapy modality that stimulates activities that increase patients’ reinforcement experiences. Recent research verified the effect of brief BA. However, despite the short intervention time per session, BA is difficult to implement during hospitalization due to its long implementation period.

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a brief BA program for people with depression in an inpatient setting.

Methods

This study employed a single-group pre-post design. Fifteen patients who met the inclusion criteria participated in the trial after providing oral and written informed consent. In addition to their usual care, participants received four weekly sessions administered by a nurse. The primary outcome measures included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), which indicated patients’ subjective depression severity. Clinical outcomes were measured at preintervention, immediate postintervention, and one-month postintervention.

Results

Fourteen participants completed the BA program and were receptive to treatment. For the primary endpoint, BDI-II, there was an improvement in scores (25.60 to 22.73 to 22.06) between the baseline, postintervention, and 1-month postassessment, but not a significant change. For EQ VAS score, there was no significant change, but there was an improvement in EQ VAS score (51.53 to 52.20 to 55.13) between the baseline, postintervention, and 1-month postassessment. The mean total Global Assessment of Functioning score increased from 40.20 to 57.00 across the pre- and postassessment points ( p < .0001).

Conclusion

The study comprised a brief BA intervention, with results suggesting that participants could complete the program without feeling burdened. Although there was no significant improvement in the general outcome, depression levels, and other outcomes improved. Thus, while there is a need to rethink BA intervention, this program may be a practical approach to improving depression and other outcomes.