bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Home-based, Remotely Supervised, 6-Week tDCS in Patients With Both MCI and Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Kim Jiheon , Park Seungchan , Kim Hansol , Roh Daeyoung , Kim Do Hoon
Published: December 2023

As depressive symptom is considered a prodrome, a risk factor for progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia, improving depressive symptoms should be considered a clinical priority in patients with MCI undergoing transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) intervention. We aimed to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of the home-based and remotely monitored tDCS in patients with both MCI and depression, by integrating cognitive, psychological, and electrophysiological indicators. In a 6-week, randomized, double blind, and sham-controlled study, 37 community-dwelling patients were randomly assigned to either an active or a sham stimulation group, and received 30 home-based sessions of 2 mA tDCS for 30 min with the anode located over the left and cathode over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We measured depressive symptoms, neurocognitive function, and resting-state electroencephalography. In terms of effects of both depressive symptoms and cognitive functions, active tDCS was not significantly different from sham tDCS. However, compared to sham stimulation, active tDCS decreased and increased the activation of delta and beta frequencies, respectively. Moreover, the increase in beta activity was correlated with the cognitive enhancement only in the active group. It was not possible to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the efficacy of tDCS on depression and cognition in patients with both MCI and depression. Nevertheless, the relationship between the changes of electrophysiology and cognitive performance suggests potential neuroplasticity enhancement implicated in cognitive processes by tDCS.
Examining the Relationship Between Coaching Sportspersonship and Intent to Return Amongst Higher Education Students
Authors: Beldon Zachary , Walker Joseph T.
Published: December 2023

Higher education institutions often stress extracurricular programs enhance the moral development experienced within college. Within athletics, athlete's morality is tied to their actions, which are frequently recognized as either sportspersonlike or unsportspersonlike. Instances of unsportspersonlike behaviors are often covered across the media, enhancing the belief that athletes need to act out to gain recognition. This study assesses the impact that coaching behaviors have on the development of sportspersonship behaviors in college athletes and evaluates the impact that those coaching behaviors have on students’ intent to return to the institution. The results of the study indicate that within college athletics, athletes perceive five coaching behaviors ( emphasizes, instructs, models, rewards, and punishes) that directly relate to the development of sportspersonship and that those behaviors do impact students intent to return to the institution.
Embolization of arteriovenous malformations of head and neck: A systematic review
Authors: Malik Muhammad Hammad , Jabal Mohamed Sobhi , Kobeissi Hassan , Gupta Rishabh , Bilgin Cem , Brinjikji Waleed
Published: December 2023

Background

Cervicofacial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a significant source of morbidity. Endovascular embolization has emerged as a promising treatment technique for these lesions. However, current literature on cervicofacial AVM embolization mostly consists of single-agent oriented case series, and to date, no comprehensive study has compared the outcomes of available embolic agents.

Purpose

To investigate the performance of different embolic agents in the management of cervicofacial AVMs.

Methods

We systematically searched Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies providing data for the endovascular treatment of cervicofacial AVMs were included. The data regarding complication and cure rates were collected for each embolic agent. Pooled event rates were presented as descriptive statistics.

Results

Eleven studies comprising 204 patients were included in the review. The overall complete and partial cure rates were 62.2% (127/204) and 36.2% (74/204), respectively. Embolization failed to achieve significant improvement in only 1.6% (3/204) of the patients. The complete cure rates were 87.5% (75–100%) for n-Butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA, glue), 80.5% (61–100%) for Onyx (Medtronic, MN, USA), and 51.5% (18–85%) for ethanol. The overall complication rate was 30% (61/204). The complication rates were 33% (12.5–53%) for ethanol, 14% (0–28%) for Onyx, and 0% for NBCA.

Conclusions

Our systematic review supports that endovascular embolization is an effective treatment option for cervicofacial AVMs. In our review, the use of Onyx and NBCA was associated with consistently high complete cure rates and a promising safety profile. However, more research is needed to investigate the use of different embolic agents in the treatment of cervicofacial AVMs.
Multicenter study of the safety and effectiveness of intracranial aneurysm treatment with the p64MW-HPC flow modulation device
Authors: Ernst M , Jamous A , Bartl M , Riedel CH , Holtmannspötter M , Voit-Höhne H , Grieb D , Schlunz-Hendann M , Fiebig T , Fiorella D , Klisch J , Lobsien D
Published: December 2023

Background and purpose

The new p64 flow diverter with hydrophilic polymer coating (HPC) was designed to reduce thrombogenicity. To date, it is unclear how antithrombogenic surface modifications affect neoendothelialization and thrombus formation in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the p64MW-HPC in the treatment of unruptured aneurysms of small to giant size and of both the anterior and posterior circulation.

Materials and methods

Between March 2020 and October 2022 all patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with the p64MW-HPC were included at five neurovascular centers. Demographic data, aneurysm characteristics, antiplatelet therapy, procedural complications, and clinical and angiographic outcomes were recorded.

Results

A total of 100 patients with 100 unruptured intracranial aneurysms met the inclusion criteria. Eighty-three aneurysms were classified as saccular, 12 aneurysms were fusiform, 4 aneurysms dissecting, and 1 aneurysm was blister-like. Dual antiplatelet therapy with Clopidogrel and Aspirin was given in 68 cases, and with Ticagrelor and Aspirin in 24 cases. Technical issues with deployment were encountered in 14 cases (torsion ( n = 3), foreshortening ( n = 8), and incomplete opening ( n = 3)). Ischemic stroke occurred in a total of seven cases. In one patient a wire perforation and subsequent severe ICH occurred. Complete aneurysm occlusion at angiographic follow-up (mean time = 7 months) was seen in 73% and adequate occlusion in 93%.

Conclusion

This study is the largest multicenter study to date documenting the safety and effectiveness of the new antithrombogenic p64MW-HPC in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms of the anterior and posterior circulation.
Associations between depression and anxiety index and frequency of acute exacerbation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Hong Yu Jin , Kim Youlim , Moon Ji-Yong , Park Shinhee , Lee Jung-Kyu , Jung Ki-Suck , Yoo Kwang Ha , Kim Yu-Il , Choi Joon Young
Published: December 2023

Background:

Comorbidities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) influence clinical characteristics and prognosis.

Objectives:

This study compared the clinical characteristics and exacerbation rate of COPD according to the presence of depression or anxiety.

Design:

This study used data from The Korea COPD Subgroup Study (KOCOSS) cohort, a nationwide prospective cohort from 54 medical centers, between April 2012 and 2019.

Methods:

Depression and anxiety were diagnosed with the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory. Negative binomial regression analysis was performed to analyze the frequency of exacerbations in depressed patients and anxiety. Differences in lung function trajectory according to presence of depression/anxiety were analyzed using a linear mixed model.

Results:

In all, 2147 patients were enrolled. Depressed patients or anxiety had lower lung function, higher modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) grade, St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score, and COPD assessment test score, and higher rates of exacerbation in the past year than those without depression/anxiety. Depressed patients had a higher frequency of moderate to severe exacerbations [Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR): 1.57, CI: 1.17–2.11, p = 0.002] and those with anxiety had higher frequencies of moderate to severe (IRR: 1.52, CI: 1.03–2.27, p = 0.038) and severe exacerbations (IRR: 2.13, CI: 1.09–4.15, p = 0.025) during 1-year follow-up compared to those without these comorbidities. The differences in the change in annual forced expiratory volume in 1 seconds (FEV1) over 3 years according to the presence of depression or anxiety were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

Depressed and anxious patients showed increased respiratory symptoms and exacerbation rate as well as reduced health-related quality of life, whereas there were no significant differences in changes in lung function between groups with and without depression/anxiety.
Age-related differences in Russian and Hungarian linguistic pictures of the world
Authors: Lenart Istvan , Markovina Irina , Endrody Orsolya
Published: December 2023

This cross-cultural, interdisciplinary study aims to investigate how the linguistic picture of the world differs in various age groups from kindergarten years to adulthood. In this paper, linguistic picture of the world is referred to as a technical term introduced into linguistics by Leo Weisgerber (Weltbild der Sprache). In order to trace the differences in Russian and Hungarian language users’ linguistic picture of the world in different age groups, thus obtaining a more precise picture of the linguistic development of the individual from a cross-cultural perspective, a research was conducted and data were collected with the aid of the association experiment, a foundational research method of Russian psycholinguistics. Respondents from three age groups (4–5 years, 10–12 years, and 18–26 years) were investigated via the collection of word associations to 10 stimulus words. As the research results suggest, culturally bound traits of linguistic development were identified, including the Russian linguistic consciousness changing its orientation from being self- and family-oriented in early childhood to being people-oriented (man-oriented) as an adult. The study also revealed common characteristics of the age-related development of the Russian and Hungarian linguistic pictures of the world, for instance, toys and games moving from the center of the linguistic image of the world to the periphery to be replaced by love. Results can be utilized not only for theoretical psycholinguistic purposes including a better description of the presumed age-related changes in the mental lexicon but also in the practical realm of education for curriculum development or the fine-tuning of pedagogical methods, as well as in intercultural studies for gaining a more precise picture of the linguistic consciousness of representatives of different cultures.
The Efficacy of Sodium Phytate as a Natural Chelating Agent in Reducing Elevated Calcium Levels in Nasal Mucus Among Individuals Experiencing Olfactory Dysfunction Following COVID-19: A Prospective Randomized Double-Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Altemani Abdullah H. , Alanazi Mansuor A , Altemani Assem H. , Alharbi Adnan , Alsahali Saud , Alotaib Nawaf M. , Abdelazim Mohamed H.
Published: December 2023

Background

COVID-19 has been associated with olfactory disturbances in many infected patients. The increase in calcium levels in nasal secretions plays an essential role in the olfactory process with a desensitizing effect on olfactory receptor neurons and negative effects on odor transmission. Calcium chelating agents have the ability to bind calcium in nasal mucus and prevent the negative effects associated with calcium increase.

Objectives

The aim of this work is to demonstrate the intra-nasal topical application of sodium phytate, an environmentally friendly, non-harmful calcium chelating agent, to reduce the adverse effects of calcium on olfactory function and improve olfactory dysfunction according to COVID-19.

Methods

Fifty-two patients with a previous COVID-19 and olfactory dysfunction lasting longer than 90 days were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial. Patients were divided into two equal groups: 26 patients received nasal spray containing 0.9% sodium chloride and 26 patients received nasal spray containing 1% sodium phytate. Olfactory function was measured before treatment and 1 month later using the Sniffin’ Sticks test. Calcium content of nasal secretions was determined before and after treatment with an ion-selective electrode.

Results

A significant improvement from anosmia to hyposmia was demonstrated after the use of sodium phytate compared with no improvement after the use of sodium chloride. In addition, a decrease in the level of calcium in nasal secretions was observed after the use of sodium phytate.

Conclusion

Sodium phytate has benefit role on improving the olfactory function after COVID-19.
Lessons learned on data collection for a digital health intervention—insights and challenges from Nigeria
Authors: Umoh Edidiong , Isiguzo Chimaobi , Akwaowo Christie , Attai Kingsley , Ekpenyong Nnette , Sabi Humphrey , Dan Emem , Obinna Nwokoro , Uzoka Faith-Michael
Published: December 2023

Objectives:

This article delves into the challenges of medical data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic in developing countries, using Nigeria as a case study. It emphasizes how data collection impacts research quality, reliability, and validity.

Methods:

Qualitative research utilizing purposive sampling was employed to explore experiences in designing a diagnostic tool for febrile diseases in Nigeria. A questionnaire with selectable and open-ended questions was utilized for data collection, and 23 respondents participated.

Results:

Among 74 potential participants, 23 valid responses were gathered, revealing significant themes related to experiences and challenges in medical data collection. A multidisciplinary team approach proved beneficial, fostering collaboration, enhancing knowledge, and promoting positive experiences. Despite challenges with paper questionnaires, most participants preferred them for ease of use. Connectivity issues hindered timely data uploading and disrupted virtual meetings.

Conclusion:

Innovative and flexible strategies, such as a blended data collection approach and well-coordinated teams, were vital in overcoming challenges. Electronic data collection tools, reminders, and effective communication played key roles, leading to positive outcomes. This study provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners involved in data collection, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria.
Is that ethical? An exploration of political scientists’ views on research ethics
Authors: Costa Mia , Crabtree Charles , Holbein John B. , Landgrave Michelangelo
Published: December 2023

What do political scientists think about research ethics? What research practices do they find acceptable? Using a survey conducted with the American Political Science Association, we explore perceptions of ethics among 362 political scientists. We find that political scientists do not place much relative weight on ethics when evaluating research. We do, however, find that researchers view different modes of inquiry as having different potential harms. Furthermore, using a conjoint experiment, we find that factors like author affiliation, study location, method, and sample size shape evaluations of study ethicality. Our results contribute to the growing body of metascience by expanding understanding of ethics in political science research.
Commercial genetic information and criminal investigations: The case for social privacy
Authors: de Groot Nina F.
Published: December 2023

Taking a DNA test with a commercial company is an increasingly popular enterprise, with tens of millions of consumers worldwide. In recent years, these genetic databases have also been used for so-called investigative genetic genealogy (IGG): uploading a crime scene DNA sample in these databases to find a distant relative of the unknown suspect. This forensic use of genetic consumer information has already helped solve many crimes. The debate on IGG tends to focus on individual rights and values, such as individual consent, individual control over information, and – perhaps most prominently – individual privacy. In this paper, I propose to approach IGG through the lens of privacy's social value, in contrast to merely its individual value. First, I discuss the conceptualization of privacy as a social value. Next, I explore several issues of IGG that privacy's social value allows consideration for: the informational and decisional interconnectedness, the risk of a tyranny of the minority, the involvement of multiple contexts, and the relationship between citizens and state. I conclude that this approach offers a fruitful perspective to evaluate the ethical and social desirability of IGG, evading the simplified dichotomy between individual privacy versus the security of society, in which the former will almost automatically lose. A focus on privacy's social value recognizes the effects for society on both sides of the balance. It brings into the light fundamental ethical, social, and political concerns of IGG, that extend beyond individual data control or consent.
Modified endoluminal ureteral stenting for the management of proximal ureteral obstruction in two cats
Authors: Khoo Teng-Xiang , Wang Shaojing , Chambers Brenton , McMillan Angus , Yates Guy
Published: December 2023

Case series summary

Two cases of placement of modified endoluminal ureteral stents are described, for revision of a subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) and for primary treatment of obstructive ureterolithiasis. Modified endoluminal stents were inserted through the ureterotomy, anchored in the renal pelvis with a single pigtail and shortened to a length sufficient to span the proximal ureter and ureterotomy site.

Relevance and novel information

The advantages of this approach as a surgical option for feline obstructive ureterolithiasis are demonstrated, including the avoidance of disruption, or bypass, of the ureterovesicular junction, minimisation of implanted foreign material and avoidance of intravesicular stent mass, maintenance of the physiological route of urine flow, including preservation of active distal ureteral function, and limitation of the potential complications of ureterotomy. The clinical efficacy of this adaptation of the previously published endoluminal stenting technique is demonstrated with its applicability de novo and in the revision of other stenting procedures.
Digital Rage: Testing “the Obama Effect” on Internet-Based Expressions of Racism
Authors: Eschmann Rob , Grundy Saida , Harbaugh Allen G. , Guo Lei , Toraif Noor , Groshek Jacob
Published: December 2023

The concept, “White Rage,” has previously been used to describe the way Whites have historically responded to Black advancement with policies and practices designed to quietly disrupt the progress Blacks had been making. White rage is typically subtle, masking its true intent. In contrast, recent research has found that the covert, subtle expressions of racism that are so normal in most mainstream spaces may be less common in internet-based communication. The extent to which online racism is connected to real-world racist attitudes, behaviors, and events, however, is unclear. In this article, we test the effects of real-world racialized events on explicit expressions of racism in online spaces using days that Obama gave speeches as our treatment effect and explicit usage of the “n-word” on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) as our measurable outcome. Does usage of the n-word, a racial slur, increase in the days following speeches made by President Obama? Our results of over 9 years and more than 2.9 million tweets demonstrate a statistically significant increase of racist speech in response to those speech cycles, which are further placed in contrast to the speeches of other political actors, including President Trump.
Addressing the “Whys” of UK Children’s YouTube Use: A Purposes Approach
Authors: Scott Fiona , Parry Becky , Marsh Jackie , Lahmar Jamal , Nutbrown Beth , Scholey Emilie , Baldi Patrizia , Law Lily , Yamada-Rice Dylan
Published: December 2023

Despite the widespread use of YouTube by children, there has been limited research undertaken on the “why” questions of their use. Past theoretical approaches have framed these questions in terms of broader individual needs and their relation to media use, though this work has mainly focused on adults and adolescents. This article presents relevant findings from a mixed methods study of children’s (aged 0–16) uses of social media in the United Kingdom to consider instead the “purposes” of children’s YouTube use, drawing on: (1) an online family survey; (2) family case studies; (3) child focus groups; and (4) child telephone interviews. “Purpose” is theorized in the article in relation to the ways children themselves make sense of and articulate the reasons they use YouTube or, in the case of parents and carers, for allowing, facilitating, or encouraging their children to use YouTube. Parents tended to frame the purposes of children’s YouTube use more instrumentally, focusing on perceived educational benefits and their own convenience needs. While sharing a focus on instrumental purposes, children sometimes emphasized broader dimensions of purpose, with an increased focus on humor, sensory, and hedonic dimensions. Children’s responses also emphasized the autotelic nature of play. The study foregrounded the extent to which the purposes of others (such as commercial entities) are served by children’s YouTube use. Seven child-centered, parent-centered, and “other” purposes for children’s YouTube use are discussed: cognitive, corporeal, cultural, collaborative, creative, commercial, and convenience.
Impact of Organizational Support on Students’ Information and Communication Technology Self-Efficacy, Engagement, and Satisfaction in a Blended Learning Environment: An Empirical Study
Authors: Yang Yanhua
Published: December 2023

Numerous studies on blended learning have mentioned the positive impact of social support on students’ attitudes and behaviors. However, organizational support is also crucial and should not be ignored. Therefore, this study examined the relationships between organizational support, information and communication technology (ICT) self-efficacy, student engagement, and student satisfaction in a blended learning environment. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 245 students in China and validated with the structural equation model (SEM). The results showed that organizational support positively predicted perceived usefulness (PU) but was not significantly associated with student engagement; student engagement was positively predicted by PU and ICT self-efficacy; student satisfaction was positively predicted by ICT self-efficacy and student engagement; ICT self-efficacy complete mediated engagement, with the proportion of the indirect effect being 95.78%, and student engagement complete mediated student satisfaction, with the proportion of the indirect effect being 53.85%. Guidelines were proposed for higher education institutions to provide organizational support, increase students’ ICT self-efficacy, and improve student engagement and satisfaction in blended learning via various programs.
Exploring Determinants of Job Satisfaction: A Comparison Between Survey and Review Data
Authors: Lee Changjae , Lee Byunghyun , Choi Ilyoung , Kim Jaekyeong
Published: December 2023

Compared to other sectors, the restaurant industry has a high reliance on human resources through active interactions with customers. Therefore, it is important to identify job satisfaction among employees and satisfy their needs at work in order to provide high customer service. Until now, surveys have been the traditional method for measuring employees’ job satisfaction. Recently, numerous studies have analyzed employee job satisfaction based on extensive data collected directly from job portal websites. Therefore, it is necessary to verify whether the results of job satisfaction among employees derived from such methods have similar implications. This study compared the results of job satisfaction analysis using (1) 11,446 big data provided by former & current employees of the restaurant industry from a job portal website based on the two-factor theory and (2) A survey was conducted among 400 former & current employees. We found that only in big data, advancement opportunities & possibilities, and the compensation system significantly and positively (+) affected job satisfaction. In addition, current employees are more satisfied with advancement opportunities & possibilities than former employees only in big data. Thus, the big data and survey data analysis results differ. This can be attributed to the functionality and benefits of job portals. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the portal site’s functions, beneficial features, and online environment characteristics before using big data in the field of human resources.
Factor Influencing the Adoption of Big Data Analytics: A Systematic Literature and Experts Review
Authors: Aldossari Showimy , Mokhtar Umi Asma’ , Abdul Ghani Ahmad Tarmizi
Published: December 2023

In the current market landscape, enterprises face tremendous pressure to remain competitive and innovative to extend their businesses globally. Thus, a need exists for a new data analysis technique and a tool known as Big Data Analytics (BDA), which refers to massive data sets in light of their volume, velocity, variety, and veracity. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) face challenges in obtaining and utilizing the knowledge derived from big data to make informed decisions regarding market selection and adopting appropriate internationalization strategies. These enterprises encounter resource limitations that hinder their ability to effectively acquire and implement big data insights for strategic decision-making in these areas. This systematic literature review aims to investigate the state of research on adopting big data analytics in SMEs. The study focuses on identifying key factors that influence the adoption of BDA. The study extracted 13 significant factors that are the highest influencers for BDA in SMEs. Those factors are top management support, training, relative advantage, it infrastructure, security, compatibility, complexity, adaptability, government it policies, competency, collaboration, digital transformation tools, and decision quality. The findings of this review are useful for practitioners, researchers, and decision-makers in understanding the factors that influence the adoption of big data analytics and the potential benefits and challenges associated with its implementation. Findings will shed light on the interplay between data governance and other factors influencing adoption, providing valuable insights for organizations seeking to establish robust data governance frameworks that support successful BDA initiatives.
Systems Perspective of the Use of the Balanced Scorecard for Organization Development and Change
Authors: Yawson Robert M. , Paros Amy K. B.
Published: December 2023

The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is an instrument used for intervention and strategic management that promotes Organization Development and Change (ODC). The BSC has been implemented across many industries, including business, healthcare, government, and nonprofit organizations. The BSC is used worldwide to focus operations and align goals within organizations to drive the organization’s mission, vision, and strategy. Additionally, the BSC can be helpful to enhance internal and external stakeholder communication. This paper discusses the BSC as a tool for ODC. The purpose of this study is to explore existing uses, recognize organizational needs, and evaluate current and relevant benefits for using a BSC to manage organizational expectations and drive performance. This paper, from the authors’ perspectives, concludes by analyzing the value of using a BSC for intervention and decision making by leaders within organizations and how systems theory and thinking can be used to address the limitations of the BSC. An attempt is made to answer whether the BSC is still relevant in today’s organizations.
Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exercise for Functional Fitness in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A 12-Week Follow-Up Study
Authors: Wang Li-Ting
Published: December 2023

Several recent studies have used virtual reality (VR)-based exercise to enhance functional fitness in older adults. However, most of these studies exclusively focused on short-term intervention outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of VR-based exercise on older adults’ retention of functional fitness after intervention and at follow-up.This study was a randomized controlled trial wherein older adults (mean age: 72.16 ± 4.9 years) were assigned to experimental ( n = 48) and control ( n = 50) groups. Experimental group participants engaged in VR exercise sessions for 75 to 90 minutes biweekly over 12 weeks. Control group participants did not participate in the intervention. Functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. Functional fitness changes were compared using a generalized estimating equation. Pre-, post-, and follow-up tests were conducted at weeks 1, 13, and 24, respectively. After VR-based training, the experimental group performed better in functional fitness tests, including upper body flexibility, lower body flexibility, upper body strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, balance, and agility, than the control group immediately after the intervention. Improvements in lower body flexibility, upper body strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, balance, and agility persisted in the experimental group for up to 12 weeks. This study demonstrates that VR-based training potentially improves community-dwelling older adults’ functional fitness. Its findings may support the future development of novel exercise technologies and serve as a reference for the implementation of physical health promotion strategies for older adults.
The Relationship Between Entrepreneurial Orientation and Firm Performance From the perspective of MASEM: The Mediation Effect of Market Orientation and the Moderated Mediation Effect of Environmental Dynamism
Authors: Lin Shih-Kai , Chung Hung-Chang
Published: December 2023

This research introduces Meta-Analysis Structural Equation Modeling (MASEM), a novel method that integrates meta-analysis (MA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). The method helps researchers to comprehensively understand issues in the strategic management field. Applying MASEM to analyze data from 112 papers, covering 101,981 observations, the results can be summarized as follows. (1) Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is significantly positively correlated with firm performance (FP), which addresses the issue of inconsistency among prior studies’ findings. (2) There is a significantly positive correlation between EO and market orientation (MO) and a significantly positive relationship between MO and FP, indicating that MO is a mediator variable to the EO-FP. (3) Environmental dynamism (ED) increases a positive link exists between MO and FP; in other words, compared to low ED, the presence of high ED enhances the correlation between MO and FP significantly. (4) ED influences the slope of MO’s function as a mediator between EO and FP - that is, high ED increases the slope of the intermediary effect of MO on the MO-FP nexus, and low ED reduces the slope of the mediation effect of MO on the MO-FP nexus. These findings provide new thoughts and insights for studies on the correlation between EO and FP and offer substantial suggestions for enterprises. The aforementioned results indicate that besides providing deeper insights and a more comprehensive understanding, MASEM presents deeper insights for researchers and is more efficient than the traditional meta-analysis method. Moreover, MASEM can be applied to in other fields and used with other methods for greater in-depth analyses. Overall, the MASEM technique herein has high reliability and validity when utilized for discussing relationships among variables and gives more comprehensive and accurate conclusions in theoretical and practical aspects.
A Helping Hand Isn’t Always So Helpful: Parental Autonomy Support Moderates the Effectiveness of Interpersonal Emotion Regulation for Emerging Adults
Authors: Newman Madeline , Davis Elizabeth L.
Published: December 2023

The current study examined parental autonomy support in relation to the quality of youths’ interpersonal emotion regulation (IER) experiences with parents. 194 emerging adult college students ( M age = 19.6 years; 52.1% women) recounted a recent instance of receiving IER from a parent. Youth reported on their parent’s IER behaviors (emotional responsiveness and cognitive support), the perceived effectiveness of the IER, who initiated it, and how autonomy supportive their parent typically was. As expected, parental autonomy support moderated the relation between IER and its perceived effectiveness, such that at higher levels of support, parental emotional responsiveness and cognitive support related to higher perceived IER effectiveness. Likewise, in conditions of low autonomy support, youth perceived unsolicited IER to be less effective than did youth who sought the support. Autonomy support likely plays a meaningful role in the effectiveness of various IER processes, thus furthering our understanding of emerging adults’ socioemotional development.
Rare Presentation of Postpericardiotomy Syndrome After Left Atrial Myxoma Removal
Authors: Feng Jessy , Appareddy Nina Shyama , Gibran Yaman , Garza Aryana , Luevano Jacqueline , Garcia Gustavo
Published: December 2023

Postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is a known complication of cardiac valve surgery, but it has not been commonly reported as a postoperative complication of cardiac myxoma removal. A 78-year-old female with hypertension and atrial fibrillation presenting with angina was found to have a large left atrial myxoma (7.5 cm × 4.4 cm). The myxoma was resected; however, 1-week postoperation hemoglobin and blood pressure decreased with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Limited transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed moderate pericardial effusion, confirming the diagnosis of PPS. This case highlights the importance of monitoring patients postremoval of myxoma for symptoms of PPS.
Let’s Say Thanks: How Motivating Language Increases Engagement and Empowerment Through Follower Gratitude
Authors: Mayfield Jacqueline , Mayfield Milton , Hanke Doreen
Published: December 2023

This study examines whether a leader’s motivating language use cultivates individual follower gratitude and ultimately, work engagement and empowerment in both the USA and India. It also seeks to discover if the proposed model shows significant differences between the two national contexts. We examined our model by distributing questionnaires to a wide range of full-time employees using MTurk. Results reveal that in both countries motivating language has positive relationships with an employee’s state-based gratitude, engagement, and psychological empowerment. As predicted, gratitude partially mediates the relationships between ML and the two outcomes. However, the strengths of these relationships differ between both samples.
Importance of Incorporating the Perspectives of People with Cancer into Oncology Education: A Scoping Review
Authors: Dutt Hanna , Dean Arleigh , Kamal Rayyan Syed , Allan Alison L.
Published: December 2023

Background

With the shift towards person-centered care (PCC) in oncology, there is a need for parallel evolution of oncology education programs to prepare the next generation of health professionals to deliver effective PCC. These programs should be designed utilizing perspectives from individuals who have lived experience with cancer to ensure that changes to education curricula translate to improved PCC in the clinic.

Objectives

Our goal was to identify existing literature describing such programs as well as identify gaps for further development.

Methods

Keywords were agreed upon and searched across Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, ERIC, Google Scholar, and MedEdPORTAL databases. Duplicates were removed, unique articles were screened for relevance by title and abstract, and a full text review of each article was completed for validation. Included articles describe methods for involving people with cancer in developing and/or delivering oncology-focused education programs.

Results

In total, 15 articles describing 12 unique oncology education programs from 7 different countries were identified, reviewed, and summarized. These programs involved learners undertaking undergraduate medical education, postgraduate medical education, continuing medical education, or training as nurses or radiation therapists. Current literature indicates that classroom-based sessions, experiential or simulated learning modalities, and/or asynchronous online modules can all feasibly be created with the integration of perspectives/narratives of people with cancer. Furthermore, involving people with cancer directly in the design and/or delivery of these education programs may contribute to improved patient experiences.

Conclusions

Including the perspectives of people with cancer directly in oncology curriculum development and delivery can improve established pedagogical approaches and enhance learner confidence and competency in delivering PCC. We provide recommendations for stepwise implementation of patient perspectives into oncology education, with the hope that future programs will better prepare and motivate learners to provide PCC aimed at improving cancer care, quality of life, and disease outcomes.
Architectures of discretion: Autohoteles and the fortified enclaves of Guatemala city
Authors: O’Neill Kevin Lewis
Published: December 2023

Autohoteles in Guatemala City are mid-market, pay-by-the-hour hotels designed for sexual encounters. Folding quietly into the landscape of Central America’s largest metropolitan region, these establishments provide middle-class Guatemalans with the opportunity to evade (even if only for an afternoon) the very regimes of surveillance that they have come to expect from fortified enclaves. Autohoteles have walls but no windows, guards but no guest books, and security booths but no surveillance cameras. They are one of the few places where the middle-class in Guatemala City pay not to be watched. Set against the increasing panopticism of everyday life in Central America, this essay engages the autohoteles of Guatemala City to understand an architectural form that minimizes rather than maximizes visibility, for the sake of discretion rather than discipline. It argues that these buildings evidence an intimate and necessary imbrication between the ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ of fortified enclaves.
Cohesion and cleavage: An examination of the sense of belonging of Muslim migrants in Northwest China
Authors: Wang Haichao , Han Xiaofeng
Published: December 2023

This article investigates the internal dynamics of Hui Fang Jamaat and the diverse groups of Muslims within it. Rather than simply suggesting the importance of religious and geographical differences in forging the Muslim migrant’s sense of belonging in their migratory life, we prefer to explore how these differences have been understood by migrants when interacted with others. Through presenting the nuanced experiences of and value judgements made by Muslim migrants, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of the experiences of Muslim migrants and to challenge preconceived notions by showcasing their diverse perspectives. It emphasizes that the sense of belonging is the process of an emotional positioning that Muslim migrants arrive at after continuously evaluating and weighing internal and external factors in their surrounding environment, for example the widely use and assessing of social media during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. These transcend sectarian and regional differences and have an impact on how Muslim migrants have navigated their identities and experienced “a cluster of the sense of belonging” in this digital era.
Effect of Yttrium doping on antibacterial and antioxidant property of LaTiO3
Authors: Prabitha V. G. , Sahadevan Jhelai , Madhavan Maya , Muthu S. Esakki , Kim Ikhyun , Sudheer T. K. , Sivaprakash P.
Published: December 2023

The advancement of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains and their adverse effects is one of the most significant global health issues. The perovskite nanomaterial with combined antioxidant and antibacterial activities in one molecule has the potential for improved therapeutic solutions. In this work, Yttrium-doped Lanthanum Titanate (LaTi1 −xYxO3, where x = 0, 0.05, and 0.1) was synthesized using auto combustion technique. Excellent crystalline structure with a tetragonal system is revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). UV–Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and photoluminescence (PL) were used to study its optical characteristics. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) shows rod-like pellet-shaped Yttrium-doped nanostructures, and the elements present were confirmed with the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDAX). Various concentrations of the synthesized materials were tested for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus 902) and Gram-negative (E. coli 443) strains using the agar-well diffusion method with gentamicin antibiotic as a positive control. High antibacterial activity of 87.1% and 83.3% was shown by 10% Yttrium-doped LaTiO3 (LY(0.1)TO) at 500 mg/mL against both positive and negative stains, respectively. Moreover, the antioxidant properties of synthesized materials were assessed with IC50 values of 352.33 µg/mL, 458.055 µg/mL, and 440.163 µg/mL for samples LaTi1 − xYxO3, where x = 0, 0.05, and 0.1 respectively. The antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities of the proposed samples illustrate their applicability in various biomedical applications.
PEPMatch: a tool to identify short peptide sequence matches in large sets of proteins
Authors: Marrama Daniel , Chronister William D. , Westernberg Luise , Vita Randi , Koşaloğlu-Yalçın Zeynep , Sette Alessandro , Nielsen Morten , Greenbaum Jason A. , Peters Bjoern
Published: December 2023

Background

Numerous tools exist for biological sequence comparisons and search. One case of particular interest for immunologists is finding matches for linear peptide T cell epitopes, typically between 8 and 15 residues in length, in a large set of protein sequences. Both to find exact matches or matches that account for residue substitutions. The utility of such tools is critical in applications ranging from identifying conservation across viral epitopes, identifying putative epitope targets for allergens, and finding matches for cancer-associated neoepitopes to examine the role of tolerance in tumor recognition.

Results

We defined a set of benchmarks that reflect the different practical applications of short peptide sequence matching. We evaluated a suite of existing methods for speed and recall and developed a new tool, PEPMatch. The tool uses a deterministic k-mer mapping algorithm that preprocesses proteomes before searching, achieving a 50-fold increase in speed over methods such as the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) without compromising recall. PEPMatch’s code and benchmark datasets are publicly available.

Conclusions

PEPMatch offers significant speed and recall advantages for peptide sequence matching. While it is of immediate utility for immunologists, the developed benchmarking framework also provides a standard against which future tools can be evaluated for improvements. The tool is available at https://nextgen-tools.iedb.org, and the source code can be found at https://github.com/IEDB/PEPMatch.
Investigating the causal impact of gut microbiota on glioblastoma: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zeng Chuan , Zhang Chaolong , He Chunming , Song Haimin
Published: December 2023

Background

Currently, the influence of microbiota on the occurrence, progression, and treatment of cancer is a topic of considerable research interest. Therefore, based on the theory of the gut-brain axis proved by previous studies, our objective was to uncover the causal relationship between glioblastoma and the gut microbiome using Mendelian randomization analysis.

Methods

We conducted a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study using summary statistics of gut microbiota derived from the MiBioGen consortium, the largest database of gut microbiota. Summary statistics for glioblastoma were obtained from IEU OpenGWAS project, which included 91 cases and 218,701 controls. We assessed the presence of heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy in the analyzed data. We primarily employed the inverse variance weighting method to investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and glioblastoma after excluding cases of horizontal pleiotropy. Four other analysis methods were employed as supplementary. Excluding abnormal results based on leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. Finally, reverse Mendelian randomization analysis was performed.

Results

Four genus-level taxa and one family-level taxa exhibited causal associations with glioblastoma. And these results of reverse Mendelian randomization analysis shown glioblastoma exhibited causal associations with three genus-level taxa and one family-level taxa. However, the Prevotella7(Forward, P=0.006, OR=0.34, 95%CI:0.158-0.732; Reverse, P=0.004, OR=0.972, 95%CI:0.953-0.991) shown the causal associations with glioblastoma in the bidirectional Mendelian randomization.

Conclusions

In this bidirectional Mendelian randomization study, we identified five gut microbiota species with causal associations to glioblastoma. However, additional randomized controlled trials are required to clarify the impact of gut microbiota on glioblastoma and to reveal its precise mechanisms.