bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of Visual Methods in a Study of Kindergarten Food Practices
Authors: Ciren Baizhen
Published: August 2022

Visual methods have been emphasised as alternative and complementary to traditional data collection methods in research with children and as useful tools in presenting conceptual and analytical frameworks. In their capacity to evoke the non-rational and material aspects of life, visual methods are also particularly beneficial in exploring everyday, taken for granted, institutional food practices. This article describes the way in which two sets of visual methods, namely representations and researcher-created data, were utilised within a study on a changing food practice in a Norwegian kindergarten. The representation is of a conceptual model, featuring Hedegaard’s cultural-historical wholeness approach and Fullan’s change model, which is visually presented. With this visualized conceptualisation, the study realises the goal of understanding the societal, institutional and individual perspectives in the change process. The researcher-created data included visual materials and video observations, exemplifying the change outcomes in relation to children’s experiences and participation in the “new” meal situation as well as their liking of, acceptance and consumption of the new food. This article concludes that the visual methods adopted are helpful both in conceptualisation and in data collection and generate important insights about the change of food practices.
Unlocking Innovation in Healthcare: The Case of the Patient Innovation Platform
Authors: Cennamo Carmelo , Oliveira Pedro , Zejnilovic Leid
Published: August 2022

Multisided platforms are new organizing forms that can boost innovation in the healthcare sector by empowering patients as innovators and facilitating the commercialization of innovations by and for patients. However, applying the playbook script for the platform model from other sectors may prove challenging given the distinctive nature of the healthcare services. Drawing on the case of a leading healthcare innovation platform in Europe, this article examines the platform’s role in identifying and enabling the development and diffusion of patient innovations. This involves three main roles (community organizer, market matchmaker, and innovation manager) and corresponding orchestration activities.
Comprehensive wear-ability evaluation of hollow coffee carbon polyester/cotton blended knitted fabrics
Authors: Zhang Chentian , Zhang Hongnan , Li Xinxin , Zhao Lianying , Guo Lamei , Qin Xiaohong
Published: August 2022

As a new kind of functional fiber, hollow coffee carbon polyester (HCCP) has the advantages of antibacterial and warmth retention properties. HCCP’s wear-ability performances in knitted textiles were studied by changing the specifications of the raw materials, blending ratios and knitted structures. Plain knit, interlock knit and Ponte knit fabrics were prepared with compact siro-spun HCCP/cotton yarns in five different blended ratios. Eight groups of experiments were conducted to test the performances of the mechanical properties, comfortable capability and antibacterial behavior. Then a comprehensive wear-ability evaluation was made based on the grey clustering analysis method. Results revealed that fabrics with a higher blended ratio of HCCP showed more preferred performance in terms of bursting strength, air permeability, moisture absorption, warmth preservation and antibacterial property, but the anti-pilling performance showed a downward trend. Compared to plain stitch, the interlock knit and Ponte knit fabrics showed a visibly better result.
Comparative Inhibitory Activity of Rofecoxib, Meloxicam, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen on COX‐2 versus COX‐1 in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: van Hecken Anne , Schwartz Jules I. , Depré Marleen , de Lepeleire Inge , Dallob Aimee , Tanaka Wesley , Wynants Kathleen , Buntinx Agnes , Arnout Jef , Wong Peggy H. , Ebel David L. , Gertz Barry J. , de Schepper Paul J.
Published: August 2022

Steady‐state inhibitory activity of rofecoxib (Vioxx™) on COX‐2 versus COX‐1 was compared with that of commonly used nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in 76 healthy volunteers randomized to placebo, rofecoxib 12.5 mg qd, rofecoxib 25 mg qd, diclofenac 50 mg tid, ibuprofen 800 mg tid, sodium naproxen 550 mg bid, or meloxicam 15 mg qd. All of these doses include the high end of the approved clinical dose range. Ex vivo whole‐blood assays were used to determine the effect on COX‐2 and COX‐1 activity, respectively. Urinary prostanoids were also measured. Mean inhibition of COX‐2 (measured as the weighted average inhibition [WAI] of lipopolysaccharide [LPS]‐induced PGE2 generation over 8 hours on day 6 vs. baseline) was −2.4%, 66.7%, 69.2%, 77.5%, 93.9%, 71.4%, and 71.5% for placebo, rofecoxib 12.5 mg, rofecoxib 25 mg, meloxicam, diclofenac, ibuprofen, and naproxen, respectively. Corresponding values for mean inhibition of COX‐1 (measured as TXB2 generation in clotting whole blood) were −5.15%, 7.98%, 6.65%, 53.3%, 49.5%, 88.7%, and 94.9%. Rofecoxib had no significant effect on urinary excretion of 11‐dehydro TXB2, a COX‐ 1‐derived product. These data support the contention that rofecoxib is the only drug of the regimens tested that uniquely inhibits COX‐2 without affecting COX‐1.
The Best They Could Do? Assessing U.S. Military Effectiveness in the Afghanistan War
Authors: Brooks Risa
Published: August 2022

This article explores shortcomings in military effectiveness in the war in Afghanistan. It focuses on three sets of problems: the failure to resolve internal contradictions in the training effort, the failure to integrate political considerations with military activity, and poor strategic and operational/tactical integration.
Politics, governance and the ethics of belief
Authors: Kunz Karen , Abel C. F.
Published: August 2022

In matters of governance, is believing subject to ethical standards? If so, what are the criteria how relevant are they in our personal and political culture today? The really important matters in politics and governance necessitate a confidence that our beliefs will lead dependably to predictable and verifiable outcomes. Accordingly, it is unethical to hold a belief that is founded on insufficient evidence or based on hearsay or blind acceptance. In this paper, we demonstrate that the pragmatist concept of truth best meets this standard for ethically held belief in matters of politics and governance. Currently, these standards are abused by the gaslighting and distortion characteristics of the often social media driven ‘misinformation society’. The legitimacy and trust in our institutions and leadership that is requisite for good governance is challenged thereby, threatening the viability of our republic.
Surgical strategy for treating mycotic aneurysms of thoracic and abdominal aorta and iliac artery: Analysis of long-term follow-up data
Authors: Fukunaga Naoto , Yoshida Soshi , Shimoji Akio , Maeda Toshi , Mori Otohime , Yoshizawa Kosuke , Okada Tatsuji , Tamura Nobushige
Published: August 2022

Mycotic aneurysms of the aorta and iliac arteries are rare, but life-threatening conditions. We reviewed our experience to determine the best surgical strategy. Between 2007 and 2015, we operated 14 patients with mycotic aneurysms of the aortic arch ( n  =  6), descending aorta ( n  =  1), thoracoabdominal aorta ( n  =  2), abdominal aorta ( n  =  4), and iliac artery ( n  =  1). The mean age was 70.4  ±  8.8 years, and 10 males were included. Blood culture, tissue culture, or both were positive in 11 patients. Four of five patients with mycotic aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and iliac artery underwent extra-anatomical bypass. Ten underwent in-situ graft replacement for managing mycotic aneurysms of the thoracic aorta. One patient with a mycotic thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm underwent visceral bypass of the descending aorta and extra-anatomical bypass. Omental pedicle grafting was performed in 10 patients. The mean follow-up period was 8.6  ±  3.1 years. Three patients (21.4%) died. Recurrent infection was observed in one patient with a mycotic aneurysm of iliac artery three months after the initial surgery. The patient underwent extra-anatomical bypass with omental pedicle grafting as a redo. Nine patients were discharged, and no recurrence of infection was observed. Two patients died of cancer and heart failure. The five- and seven-year survival rates were 100% ± 0.0% and 85.7% ± 13.2%, respectively. A combination of radical debridement of the infectious source and omental pedicle grafting with either in-situ graft replacement or extra-anatomical bypass is an effective strategy.
Benefits of adrenal venous sampling with preoperative four-dimensional CT imaging
Authors: He Xi , Sueyoshi Eijun , Tasaki Yutaro , Miyazaki Shuhei , Murakami Tomonori , Nagayama Hiroki , Uetani Masataka
Published: August 2022

Background

The effects of adrenal venous sampling (AVS) may be limited by the anatomical variants of adrenal veins.

Purpose

To investigate the benefits of AVS for patients who underwent four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) before AVS.

Material and Methods

We reviewed the images of contrast-enhanced four phase three-dimensional (3D) and 4D CT in patients who received AVS between February 2010 and February 2021. A total of 112 patients (59 women; mean age = 55.3  ± 11.8 years) were enrolled. Of the entire population, 49.1% (55/112) underwent 4D CT, whereas 50.9% (57/112) underwent 3D CT. The anatomical features of adrenal veins and procedural data were obtained. Simple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between imaging protocols and AVS.

Results

On comparison of the two groups, the 4D cohort had a higher success rate (98.2% vs. 78.9%; P = 0.001), shorter procedure and fluoroscopy time (73.6 ± 37.3 min vs. 110.5 ± 47.9 min; P < 0.001 and 28.7 ± 31.2 min vs. 97.4 ± 251.7 min; P = 0.047, respectively), lower radiation exposure (243.5 ± 315.5 mGycm2 vs. 613.4 ± 674.6 mGycm2; P < 0.001) and less contrast volume (46.2 ± 42.7 ml vs. 68.3 ± 47.4 ml vs; P = 0.014). In simple linear regression analysis, positive and negative identification of right adrenal vein before AVS significantly influenced the success rate (unstandardized coefficients [UC] = 0.304, standardized coefficients [SC] = 0.304; P = 0.001) and operation duration (UC = −46.124, SC = −0.318; P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Pre-procedural 4D CT may facilitate successful AVS. Compared with four-phase 3D CT, this protocol is better to shorten the operation and fluoroscopy time, and to reduce the radiation dose and contrast consumption.
Priced out? Household migration out of “superstar” US city-regions
Authors: Buchholz Maximilian
Published: August 2022

The high cost-of-living in “superstar” US metropolitan areas has become an area of increasing scholarly and policy concern. One question relates to whether low socioeconomic status (SES) and other historically disadvantaged residents are getting pushed out of these city-regions. To unpack what is occurring with respect to migration out of large expensive metros, I examine who is moving out of these areas in the US and where they are going. I use regression, coarsened exact matching, and latent class analysis to understand who is staying within large expensive US metros and who moves out of them, as well as what revealed preferences underlie these moves. I find evidence that lower SES households are slightly more likely to leave superstar US city-regions, though Black, Latinx, and immigrant households are less likely to leave than White and US-born households. Rather than leaving, many low SES households may instead continue to live in these areas while enduring increasingly crowded living arrangements and/or long commutes. The results also highlight substantial heterogeneity in where households go to once they move, suggesting migration out of these urban areas may be more complex than simply the push of high cost-of-living.
Impact of digoxin utilization on clinical outcomes following left ventricular assist device implantation
Authors: Abbasi Muhannad Aboud , Stoller Douglas A , Lyden Elizabeth , Lowes Brian D , Zolty Ronald , Lundgren Scott W
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

We aimed to assess the impact of digoxin use following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation on clinical outcomes.

Methods:

Patients implanted with continuous flow LVADs at a single academic medical center and survived to initial hospital discharge were included in the analysis ( n = 346). Clinical events were captured at a maximum of 2 years of follow up. Digoxin use was defined as 30-day continuous use post-LVAD. Negative binomial regression and Kaplan-Meier method were used to assess the association between digoxin use and clinical outcomes.

Results:

Mean age of the cohort was 56 years (±13) and 23% (79/346) were female sex. Digoxin was used in 144 patients (41.6%) for a median of 268 days (IQR 154, 616). Digoxin use was associated with a significant reduction in cumulative incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) (15% vs 26%, p = 0.004). After adjusting for age, hypertension, post-operative hemoglobin, RDW, potassium, and GFR, and use of angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor, there remained a significant 47% reduction in GIB incidence in patients treated with digoxin. There was no significant difference in cumulative incidence in right ventricular failure (RVF) between the two groups. There was no difference in overall 2-year survival between groups.

Conclusions:

Digoxin use was associated with reduction in GIB events, but not in RVF or mortality. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to investigate optimal timing and patient population.
Are salvage techniques safe and effective in the treatment of peritoneal dialysis catheter-related exit-site and tunnel infections? A systematic review and description of the authors’ preferred technique
Authors: Soon Joel Jia Yi , Ng Nick Zhi Peng , Lee Shaun Qing-Wei , Tan Seck Guan
Published: August 2022

Background:

Peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC)-related infections account for significant morbidity, PD disruptions and costs. Patients with refractory exit-site or tunnel track infections without peritonitis may need catheter removal and reinsertion which can be complicated by bleeding, organ injury, catheter failure or malposition. Some patients may need to switch to haemodialysis in such a setting. An alternative is a salvage procedure. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of salvage techniques.

Methods:

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline and Scopus databases was performed from inception to December 2021 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. After a broad search, articles were stratified into two main categories for assessment: (1) cuff-shaving (CS) techniques and its variations of en-bloc resection (BR) and/or catheter diversion (CD) and (2) partial reimplantation with CD.

Results:

A total of 409 patients (445 salvage procedures) from 20 studies were included in analysis. Of 409 patients, 234 patients (57.2%) underwent 251 (56.4%) CS procedures and its variations, 163 patients (39.9%) underwent 182 (40.9%) partial PDC reimplantations with CD and 12 patients (2.7%) underwent local curettage. Overall PDC salvage rate after intervention was 73.2%. Overall PDC removal rate attributable to infection was 26.8%. Overall complication rate attributable to the procedures was 2.7%, with the most common complication being dialysate leakage ( n = 10) followed by PDC laceration ( n = 1) and subcutaneous haematoma ( n = 1). We also included a description of our technique of BR of infected tissue, CS and CD. In a series of six patients, the PDC salvage rate was 83.3% and median PDC survival after intervention was 10 months.

Conclusion:

PDC salvage techniques are relatively safe and provide reasonable catheter salvage rates in selected patients. Results of this review should lend weight to consideration of a salvage-first approach as an option in selected patients.
Dual therapy with an angiotensin receptor blocker and a JAK1/2 inhibitor attenuates dialysate-induced angiogenesis and preserves peritoneal membrane structure and function in an experimental CKD rat model
Authors: Zhang Pei , Miyata Kana N , Nast Cynthia C , LaPage Janine A , Mahoney Madisyn , Nguyen Sonny , Khan Kamran , Wu Qiaoyuan , Adler Sharon G , Dai Tiane
Published: August 2022

Background:

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is limited by reduced efficacy over time. We previously showed that a Janus kinase 1/2 inhibitor (JAK1/2i) reduced inflammation, hypervascularity and fibrosis induced by 4.25% dextrose dialysate (4.25%D) intraperitoneally (IP) infused for 10 days in rats with normal kidney function. JAK/STAT signalling mediates inflammatory pathways, including angiotensin signalling. We now tested the effect of long-term JAK1/2i and/or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) on peritoneal membrane (PM) in polycystic kidneys (PCK) rats infused with 4.25%D.

Methods:

Except for controls, all PCK rats had a tunnelled PD catheter: (1) no infusions; (2) 4.25%D; (3) 4.25%D + JAK1/2i (5 mg/kg); (4) 4.25%D +losartan (5 mg/kg); and (5) 4.25%D + losartan +JAK1/2i (5 mg/kg each) IP BID × 16 weeks ( N = 5/group). PM VEGFR2 staining areas and submesothelial compact zone (SMCZ) width were morphometrically measured. Peritoneal equilibration testing measured peritoneal ultrafiltration (UF) by calculating dialysate glucose at time 0 and 90 min (D/D0 glucose).

Results:

4.25%D caused hypervascularity, SMCZ widening, fibrosis and UF functional decline in PCK rats. Angiogenesis was significantly attenuated by JAK1/2i ± ARB but not by ARB monotherapy. Both treatments reduced SMCZ area. UF was preserved consistently by dual therapy ( p < 0.05) but with inconsistent responses by monotherapies.

Conclusion:

Long-term JAK1/2i ± ARB reduced angiogenesis and fibrosis, and the combination consistently maintained UF. In clinical practice, angiotensin inhibition has been advocated to maintain residual kidney function. Our study suggests that adding JAK1/2i to angiotensin inhibition may preserve PM structure and UF.
The Impacts of Cultural Practices on Children’s Access to Formal Education in Tanzania: A Case of Sukuma Community in Meatu District, Tanzania
Authors: Cosmas Lucy , Marwa Devotha John
Published: August 2022

The study investigated the effects of Sukuma cultural practices on children's access to formal education in Meatu District. Specifically, the study investigated the effect of Sukuma traditional ceremonies (Mbina) on children access to formal education. The study adopted an interpretivism paradigm as its philosophical stance as well as the ethnographic research design that formed the framework within which the study was conducted. The study involved a sample of 28 participants constituting District Education Officer, parents, heads teachers, and primary school pupils. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, and documentary review. The main findings revealed that the involvement of children in Sukuma traditional ceremonies (Mbina) have impact on children's access to formal education. On the basis of the findings, the study recommends that the involvement of children in Sukuma traditional ceremonies and other cultural practices with negative impacts to children's education should be abolished or should not interfere with children's access to education. Moreover, efforts should be done by the government through public campaigns to encourage parents to stop cultural practices which interfere with children's access to formal education by doing the following: First, laws protecting children should be enforced to ensure that all children of school age are enrolled and complete education cycle. Secondly, school timetable should include sports and games that can give children a chance to participate and show their talents while they are at school. Finally, the study recommends that campaigns against early marriages and early pregnancy should be emphasized in order to fight against school dropout, absenteeism, and poor performance.
Correlates of Bystander Intervention Among Heavy Drinking College Men
Authors: Orchowski Lindsay M. , Kirk Katelyn T. , Schick Melissa R. , Spillane Nichea S.
Published: August 2022

The present study utilized survey assessments to examine correlates of bystander intervention intentions among heavy drinking college men ( N = 210). Intentions to engage in bystander intervention were associated with fewer heavy drinking days, lower alcohol-related consequences, greater use of strategies to limit drinking, and lower endorsement of alcohol expectancies. A range of constructs commonly associated with perpetration of sexual aggression demonstrated a negative association with intentions to engage in bystander intervention. Multivariate analyses revealed that greater use of strategies to limit drinking and lower pornography use emerged as predictors of intentions to engage in bystander intervention.
Reflection of temperature rate–dependent coupled thermoelastic waves on a non-local elastic half-space
Authors: Das Narayan , De Soumen , Sarkar Nantu
Published: August 2022

Based upon the Green–Lindsay (GL) theory of thermoelasticity and the Eringen non-local elasticity theory, we describe the new constitutive relations and the field equations for generalized non-local thermoelastic model. The propagation of harmonically time-dependent thermoelastic plane waves of assigned frequency is studied in a homogeneous, isotropic, non-local infinite elastic solid by employing these equations. Reflection phenomenon of thermoelastic waves at a stress-free thermally insulated or isothermal flat boundary of a non-local thermoelastic solid half-space is also studied in case of incident coupled longitudinal wave. The amplitude ratios of the reflected waves to that of incident wave are determined analytically and numerically by considering an appropriate material. The numerical results are presented graphically to highlight the effects of various parameters of interest.
An Assessment of the Psychosocial Evaluation for Early Liver Transplantation in Patients With Acute Alcoholic Hepatitis in the Context of Alcohol Use Disorder, a Case-Control Study
Authors: Dienstag Aryeh , Dienstag Penina , Mohan Kanwal , Mirza Omar , Schubert Elizabeth , Ford Laura , Edelman Margot , Im Gene , Shenoy Akhil
Published: August 2022

Background:

Severe acute alcoholic hepatitis (AAH) has an extremely poor prognosis with a high short term mortality rate. As a result, many centers, including our own, have allowed transplant patients to be listed for transplantation prior to achieving 6-months of sobriety. Several scoring systems, designed to target patients with a minimal period of sobriety, have been proposed to identify patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), who would be predisposed to relapse after liver transplantation. We investigated whether these scoring systems corroborated the results of the non-structured selection criteria used by our center regarding decision to list for transplant.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective case-control study of 11 patients who underwent early liver transplantation for AAH matched with 11 controls who were declined secondary to low insight into AUD. Blinded raters confirmed the severity of the diagnosis of DSM-5 and scored the patients on a variety of structured psychometric scales used to predict alcohol relapse. These included the High Risk for Alcohol Relapse Scale (HRAR), Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment Tool (SIPAT), Alcohol Relapse Risk Assessment (ARRA), Hopkins Psychosocial Scale (HPSS), Michigan Alcoholism Prognosis Score (MAPS), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test -Consumption (AUDIT-C), and Sustained Alcohol Use Post-Liver Transplant (SALT) scales. All patients who underwent transplantation were followed for harmful and non-harmful drinking until the end of the study period.

Results:

The transplant recipients had significantly favorable MAPS, HRAR, SIPAT, ARRA, and HPSS scores with cutoffs that matched their previous research. The SALT and AUDIT-C scores were not predictive of our selection of patients for transplantation. Despite an expedited evaluation and no significant period of sobriety, our case cohort had a 30% relapse to harmful drinking after an average of 6.6 years (5-8.5 years) of follow-up.

Discussion:

Despite the rapid assessment and the short to no period of sobriety, the patient cohort demonstrated a 30% relapse to harmful drinking, consistent with the 20% to 30% relapse to drinking rate reported after liver transplantation for all forms of alcoholic liver disease. Average scores from MAPS, HRAR, SIPAT, ARRA, and HPSS corroborated our current stratification procedures, with lower mean risk scores found in the transplanted group.

Conclusion:

Patients with AUD and severe AAH who obtain new insight into their disease and posses other favorable psychosocial factors have low rates of AUD relapse post-liver-transplantation. The psychosocial selection criteria for patients with alcoholic hepatitis in our institution are consistent with 4 of the 5 scoring systems investigated in their prediction of sobriety post-transplant.
Emerging discourses on education and motherhood with Roma women
Authors: Ferrández-Ferrer Alicia , Sanchís-Ramón María-José , La Parra-Casado Daniel
Published: August 2022

Previous research has highlighted different factors that limit educational success and continuity in Roma children and young adults, outlining both those linked to cultural identity and those derived from structural racism, which also affect the education system. The aim of this study is to understand how gender influences education for Roma women in Spain and to identify possible changes and/or continuities for formal education and motherhood in their discourses. This research is based on a qualitative methodology, encompassing 19 interviews with Roma women aged between 18 and 67 and residents in the province of Alicante, Spain. The results show that Roma women consider education as something relevant and should not be abandoned. Success at school is not understood as an element of assimilation, nor as something incompatible with Roma identity. Quite the opposite, studying is perceived as a strategy to obtain a better job in the future, but also as a project for personal development and growth, as well as an empowerment tool, both inside and outside the community. Nonetheless, educational continuity requires not only changes in its assessment by the Roma community, but also interventions on the structural barriers that prevent balancing life and studies when a woman is already a mother.
Experimental analysis on the effect of fabric structures and seam performance characteristics of weft knitted cotton apparels
Authors: Admassu Yohannes , Edae Ashenafi , Getahun Gedamnesh , Senthil Kumar Selvaraj , Saravanan Kannappan , Sakthivel Santhanam
Published: August 2022

The objective of present research is to analyze the impact of knitted fabric structures, sewing thread types and stitch types on seam strength, seam slippage, seam pucker, and seam efficiency on quality of garments. Seams are basic necessities in the manufacturing of garments. In general, seam performance has an enormous impact on the garment quality. Seam and stitch types have a positive effect on the quality and appearance of garments. Seams of the garment must be durable and smooth. Stitch and seam types and stitch and seam parameters should be chosen according to the garments and fabrics (single jersey, rib, and interlock) Seam production of a garment also depends on structural and mechanical properties of the fabric such as strength, extensibility, protection, durability, appearance, and efficiency of the seams. The performance of seams also depends on the sewing conditions like size of needle, sewing thread tension, stitches per inch and lastly on the proper working and maintenance of the stitching machine. An experimental design was employed for the analysis which includes two types of sewing thread and four classes of stitch. The results exposed that differences existed between the two dissimilar threads in relation with seam quality Polyester-wrapped threads with a polyester filament core thread shows better seam strength, seam slippage, seam puckering and seam efficiency. It is noted that seam efficiency increases with seam angle and sewing needle type. It has been found that small ball point needle type exhibits poor seam efficiency but an improvement in efficiency has been observed with Medium ball point needle type and conical point needle type for all three knitted fabrics.
Factors affecting utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives among sexually active reproductive-age women in the pastoral community of Northeast Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Mare Kusse Urmale , Abrha Ezana , Mohammed Yesuf Ebrahim , Birara Aychiluhm Setognal , Tadesse Abay Woday , Leyto Simeon Meskele , Sabo Kebede Gemeda , Mulaw Getahun Fentaw , Mohammed Osman Ahmed , Ebrahim Oumer Abdulkadir
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

In Ethiopia, only one in ten reproductive-age women use long-acting reversible contraceptives. Evidence on the utilization of these methods and associated factors among sexually active reproductive-age women in the pastoral area of Northeast Ethiopia is limited. Thus, this study aimed to assess the utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives and associated factors among sexually active reproductive-age women in the pastoral community of Northeast Ethiopia.

Methods:

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 April 2021 among 572 reproductive-age women selected by a systematic random sampling method. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and entered into Epi-info version 7 and then finally exported to Stata version 16 for further analysis. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors affecting the utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives. Odds ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence interval were computed and the statistical significance of the explanatory variables was declared at p-value < 0.05.

Results:

Overall, the utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives was (24.3%; 95% confidence interval = 20.9%–28.0%). It was also revealed that being Orthodox (adjusted odds ratio = 4.10; 95% confidence interval = 2.20–7.65) and Protestant (adjusted odds ratio = 7.86; 95% confidence interval = 1.26–18.97) religion followers, attending higher education (adjusted odds ratio = 3.31; 95% confidence interval = 1.37–7.98), and having a husband who attended higher education (adjusted odds ratio = 4.37; 95% confidence interval = 1.98–9.67) were associated with an increased odds of using long-acting reversible contraceptive methods. Besides, having a good (adjusted odds ratio = 6.69; 95% confidence interval = 2.64–16.95) and moderate (adjusted odds ratio = 3.03; 95% confidence interval = 1.06–8.56) knowledge, and positive attitude (adjusted odds ratio = 3.65; 95% confidence interval = 1.90–7.01) toward long-acting reversible contraceptives were also associated with the utilization of these methods.

Conclusion:

Less than one-fourth of sexually active reproductive-age women in the study area were using long-acting reversible contraceptives. Thus, improving women’s and husbands’ education and women’s knowledge and attitude toward long-acting reversible contraceptives is important to scale up the uptake of these contraceptive methods.
Prevalence of HIV infection and associated factors among infants born to HIV-positive mothers in health institutions, northwest Ethiopia, 2021
Authors: Tiruneh Gebrehiwot Ayalew , Dagnew Emawayish Zeleke
Published: August 2022

Background:

Mother-to-child transmission of the HIV remains the main source of HIV infection in children. Targeting pregnant women attending antenatal care follow-up provides a unique opportunity for implementing prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs against HIV infection in newborn babies.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of HIV infection and associated factors among infants born to HIV-positive mothers in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission clinic in the Gondar city health institutions, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021.

Methods:

Documents were reviewed at the facility. Infants who had been exposed to HIV were enrolled in the study from 1 May–20 June 2021 prevention of mother-to-child transmission service in Gondar health institutions. To collect data from the charts, a structured data extraction tool was developed. The data were entered and analyzed with SPSS version 25 software. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with HIV infection. The crude and adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were calculated to determine the significance level.

Result:

The prevalence of HIV infection among infants born to HIV-positive mothers at the prevention of mother-to-child transmission level was found to be 8.1% (95% confidence interval = 7.3–12.9). Mixed infant feeding practice (adjusted odds ratio = 5.15, 95% confidence interval = 1.82–14.56), mothers’ lack of education (adjusted odds ratio = 3.43, 95% confidence interval = 2.26–5.0), absence of antenatal care follow-up (adjusted odds ratio = 1.82, 95% confidence interval = 1.17–4.02), and home delivery (adjusted odds ratio = 2.24, 95% confidence interval = 2.10–7.45) were statistically significantly associated with infants’ HIV infection.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of HIV infection in babies born to HIV-positive mothers was found to be high. Significant factors include mixed infant feeding practice, mothers’ lack of education, antenatal care follow-up, and home delivery. We also proposed that skilled delivery care and community education could reduce HIV transmission from mother to child.
Who is studying what in Early Childhood Education and Care? Composite narratives of Australian educators engaging in further study
Authors: McKinlay Sharon , Irvine Susan , Brownlee Jo Lunn , Whiteford Chrystal , Farrell Ann
Published: August 2022

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in Australia is facing a workforce crisis. A knowledge gap around educators studying to pursue a career in ECEC, particularly in long day care (LDC), has prompted research with Australian educators who engage in further education and training while working in LDC services. The paper examines 32 biographical interviews from an Australian Research Council Linkage project Identifying Effective Strategies to Grow and Sustain a Professional Early Years Workforce. Research reported here applies a social constructivist framework to investigate the personal and structural characteristics of educators studying at Certificate III, Diploma, Bachelor and Master levels of Australia’s regulated qualifications and training system. An important finding is that the legislative provisions of Australia’s National Quality Framework is a key driver for educator engagement in education and training. The paper highlights the importance of clear qualification pathways in raising the professionalism of the ECEC workforce in Australia.
Knowledge and practices of pregnant women about iodized salt and its availability in their households in Hawassa city. Community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Negese Ketemaw , Tilahun Semahegn , Kassie Aychew , Birie Bamlaku
Published: August 2022

Objectives:

This study was aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of pregnant women about iodized salt and its availability in their households in Hawassa city, Ethiopia

Methods:

A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among pregnant women with a total sample size ( N) = 553 in Hawassa city. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed. First, four sub-cities of Hawassa city (out of eight sub-cities) were selected using the lottery method. Households of pregnant women in each selected sub-city were identified and screened. Finally, representative samples were drawn using systematic random sampling technique.

Results:

A total of 537 pregnant women was included, a response rate of 97.1%. This was due to incomplete data for nine and participation refusal for seven participants. The mean age of the participants was 26.98 ± 4.75 years. About 52.51% and 52.33% of the respondents had good knowledge and good salt handling practices, respectively. Regarding availability of iodized salt, 65.55% of pregnant women (31.66% salt with iodine level ⩾15 parts per million (ppm) and 33.89% salt with iodine level <15 ppm) had iodized salt and the remaining 34.45% non-iodized salt (0 ppm) respectively.

Conclusion:

Availability of iodized salt in households of pregnant women was 65.55% (>0 ppm). More than one-third of pregnant women in Hawassa city are utilized non-iodized salt (0 ppm). Nearly half of the pregnant women in Hawassa city had poor knowledge and poor practice about iodized salt. Hawassa city Health Department along with concerned stakeholders should invest more effort to increase awareness about iodized salt and how to handle it safely in households.
GC-MS biocomponents characterization and antibacterial potency of ethanolic crude extracts of Camellia sinensis
Authors: Hope Onohuean , Bright Igere E , Alagbonsi Abdullateef I
Published: August 2022

Objective:

The menace of antibacterial resistance among enteropathogenic bacteria continues to raise therapeutic management concerns within public health system. As a strategy toward alternative control of resistant pathogen proliferation, a folkloric plant (green tea leaves: Camellia sinensis) was collected from Ishaka municipality and characterized for biomolecular components and antibacterial potency.

Methods:

The bioactive and biomolecular components of the plant’s ethanol extract were characterized using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. A preliminary in vitro susceptibility test of the extract against characterized multiple antibiotic-resistant potential diarrheagenic bacterial strains was done.

Results:

The result revealed an exponential increase in susceptibility with a distinctive unit component of the C. sinensis extract at concentrations of 60 and 80 μg/ml. The extract also possessed antibacterial and antioxidant activities while having phytochemical constituents (flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, saponin, cardiac glycosides, etc.). The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis further affirmed the potential of the extract by revealing 52 bioactive components/compounds as shown in the chromatogram.

Conclusion:

The C. sinensis has antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials, and the constituents of the plant might be of therapeutic importance in the management of various diseases, especially those related to Escherichia coli and Salmonella.
Length of stay and its associated factors among adult patients who visit Emergency Department of University Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Fekadu Gelana , Lamessa Adugna , Mussa Ibsa , Beyene Bayissa Badhaasaa , Dessie Yadeta
Published: August 2022

Objectives:

This study was aimed to assess the length of stay and its associated factors among adult patients who visited Emergency Department of Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia.

Method:

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 adult patients who visit the Emergency Department. Systematic random sampling technique and an interviewer-administered data collection method was used. Data analyses were done using STATA version 16. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to control the potential confounders. The analysis outputs were presented using an odds ratio with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Independent variables were defined as statistically significant at p-values <0.05 in the final model.

Result:

A total of 169 [42.25% (95% CI: 37.5%−47.0%)] patients stayed longer than 24 h in the Emergency Department. We identified factors significantly associated with length of stay in ED include: patients treated at orange triage type (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.267; 95% CI: 0.13–0.53), laboratory request (AOR: 3.05; 95% CI: 1.49–6.23), radiological requests (AOR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.05–3.07), and diagnosed with medical condition (AOR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.21–4.26).

Conclusion:

A significant number of patients stay longer in the Emergency Department. Evaluation of the clinical diagnosis, diagnostic investigations, and organizational factors is essential to reduce the length of stay in the Emergency Department.
Connecting the Dots: Perceived Organization Support, Motive Fulfilment, Job Satisfaction, and Affective Commitment Among Volunteers
Authors: Usadolo Queen Emwenkeke , Brunetto Yvonne , Nelson Silvia , Gillett Patrick
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the influence of organizational factors and the role of individual factors on volunteers’ job satisfaction and affective commitment is examined, in particular, whether volunteers’ motive fulfilment mediates the influence of perceived organizational support for the two outcomes of job satisfaction and affective commitment. A crosssectional survey was used to collect data from 213 volunteers from five non-profit organizations in Queensland, Australia. Perceived organizational support is found to have a significant relationship on volunteers’ job satisfaction and affective commitment. Furthermore, motive fulfilment had a significant effect on the impact of perceived organizational support (POS) on the two outcomes. The results of the study provide new knowledge about the importance of motive fulfilment as a tool for improving volunteers’ positive organizational experiences and explain how motive fulfilment promotes increased job satisfaction and affective commitment.
Food Practices and Beliefs During Pregnancy and Post-partum Among the Tribal Women of Assam: A Study Among the Five Tribes of Margherita Subdivision of Tinsukia District, Assam
Authors: Sarmah Upasona , Saikia Boby Dutta
Published: August 2022

This research article attempts to analyse the food habits, food preferences, choices and restrictions of the tribal women during pregnancy and postnatal care. This research has covered five major tribes of Assam such as Hajongs, Misings, Sonowal Kacharis, Semas and Tangsas, mostly concentrated in Margherita subdivision, which is a hub of 13 tribes, bordering Arunachal Pradesh. The article aims at exploring the sociocultural factors influencing food choices, reasons behind adopting a particular food habit or food restrictions and sociocultural factors affecting prenatal and postnatal care.

The study was conducted in 34 villages of Margherita subdivision of Tinsukia district. Mixed method and research approach was adopted to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from the study. Primary data were collected through standard methods and techniques, namely household survey schedule, observation, and extensive and in-depth personal interviews (semi-structured and open-ended) with key informants. Qualitative data were transcribed through the narrative analysis approach. The finding reveals that each tribe practises their unique food habits related to their physical environment. Sociocultural factors such as religion and customs have a significant influence on pregnancy as well as postnatal health care, food preference and avoidance.
COVID-19 vaccination and drug users: Past, present, and future
Authors: Lugoboni Fabio , Stella Luigi , Zamboni Lorenzo , Campagnari Simone , Fusina Francesca , De Bernardis Ernesto
Published: August 2022

Vaccination against COVID-19 is crucial in the attempt of containing the virus’ spread, but facing a viral pathogen with such a high prevalence means that vaccination strategies are facing an unprecedented situation. People that use illicit drugs may have elevated risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19 given their high prevalence of underlying medical conditions, including respiratory and pulmonary disease, chronic liver disease, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions, diabetes, and compromised immune systems. Despite a widespread distribution on the Italian territory, a large presence of health personnel and a long-standing experience in vaccinations, addiction clinics have yet to be involved in the vaccination campaign against COVID-19. The aim of this study was to investigate the beliefs of drug users attending some Italian addiction clinics, in order to envisage any vaccine administration strategies involving the services themselves. A questionnaire used for the Italian general population to investigate the relative importance of some factors in influencing the propensity to vaccinate against COVID-19, was administrated to drug users in a multicenter survey. The majority of respondents expressed general confidence in vaccines and a good willingness to undergo vaccination. Given strong peer networks, high coverage of treatment and harm reduction interventions, Italian public addiction clinics could play a strategic role in administering the vaccine in this hard-to-reach population, usefully aiding the global campaign against the virus.
Prediction Model Development and Validation of 12-Year Incident Edentulism of Older Adults in the United States
Authors: Preisser J.S. , Moss K. , Finlayson T.L. , Jones J.A. , Weintraub J.A.
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

Edentulism affects health and quality of life.

Objectives:

Identify factors that predict older adults becoming edentulous over 12 y in the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS) by developing and validating a prediction model.

Methods:

The HRS includes data on a representative sample of US adults aged >50 y. Selection criteria included participants in 2006 and 2018 who answered, “Have you lost all of your upper and lower natural permanent teeth?” Persons who answered “no” in 2006 and “yes” in 2018 experienced incident edentulism. Excluding 2006 edentulous, the data set ( n = 4,288) was split into selection (70%, n = 3,002) and test data (30%, n = 1,286), and Monte Carlo cross-validation was applied to 500 random partitions of the selection data into training ( n = 1,716) and validation ( n = 1,286) data sets. Fitted logistic models from the training data sets were applied to the validation data sets to obtain area under the curve (AUC) for 32 candidate models. Six variables were included in all models (age, race/ethnicity, gender, education, smoking, last dental visit) while all combinations of 5 variables (income, alcohol use, self-rated health, loneliness, cognitive status) were considered for inclusion. The best parsimonious model based on highest mean AUC was fitted to the selection data set to obtain a final prediction equation. It was applied to the test data to estimate AUC and 95% confidence interval using 1,000 bootstrap samples.

Results:

From 2006 to 2018, 9.7% of older adults became edentulous. The 2006 mean (SD) age was 66.7 (8.7) for newly edentulous and 66.3 (8.4) for dentate ( P = 0.31). The baseline 6-variable model mean AUC was 0.740. The 7-variable model with cognition had AUC = 0.749 and test data AUC = 0.748 (95% confidence interval, 0.715–0.781), modestly improving prediction. Negligible improvement was gained from adding more variables.

Conclusion:

Cognition information improved the 12-y prediction of becoming edentulous beyond the modifiable risk factors of smoking and dental care use, as well as nonmodifiable demographic factors.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

This prediction modeling and validation study identifies cognition as well as modifiable (dental care use, smoking) and nonmodifiable factors (race, ethnicity, gender, age, education) associated with incident complete tooth loss in the United States. This information is useful for the public, dental care providers, and health policy makers in improving approaches to preventive care, oral and general health, and quality of life for older adults.