bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning to Think Like an Economist without Becoming One: Ambivalent Reproduction and Policy Couplings in a Masters of Public Affairs Program
Authors: Hallett Tim , Gougherty Matthew
Published: March 2024

In recent years, sociologists have labored to understand how economists have gained influence over policymaking. We extend this research by shifting focus from the matter of influence to the matter of policy training. Granted that economists already have influence, how do future policy professionals learn economic rationales? How is this mindset transmitted to hesitant students? By asking these questions, we bring socialization back into institutional research on “new” professionals. Utilizing data from an ethnography of a Masters of Public Affairs program, we find that students learn economics through a process of “ambivalent reproduction”: they learn to “think like an economist without becoming one.” They remain skeptical and reject the notion that they are economists, and when they use economics in their future policy work they do so in limited ways. Nonetheless, ambivalent reproduction sustains the policy status-quo and allows economics to remain influential without true belief. Ambivalent reproduction provides a new means for understanding the loosely coupled influence of economics on policy, and it contributes to the sociology of economics, inhabited institutionalism, and professional socialization.
The Factional Logic of Political Protection in Authoritarian Regimes
Authors: Trinh Duy
Published: March 2024

Existing literature highlights an authoritarian sanction dilemma: Dictators must deter rent-seeking, yet in doing so they risk antagonizing factional allies. Using a new dataset of disciplinary investigations within the Chinese and Vietnamese Communist Party, I show that some dictators navigate this dilemma by tailoring the political protection they provide to their followers. Factional malleability, the extent to which a regime’s factions are formed around mutable personal connections, moderates the choice of protection method. In China, where factions are rigid, factional allies’ defection threat is non-credible. Thus, the dictator offers ex post protection, which is more desirable to him than to his subordinates, by giving delayed, lenient punishments to investigated officials in factionally-connected provinces. In contrast, under Vietnam’s malleable factions, the dictator provides ex ante protection by excluding the same officials from investigations. The findings illuminate how authoritarian regimes with similar formal institutions produce divergent anti-corruption outcomes.
Will There Be Enough Food and Meat for the People? Assessing the Effects of Farmer–Herder Conflicts on Food Security in Ghana
Authors: Otu Bernard Okoampah , Sarfo Kwasi , Impraim Kojo
Published: March 2024

Violent conflict has harmed the livelihoods of individuals in conflict-prone communities around the world, particularly, those who rely on food crops and livestock production. Based on fieldwork in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District and the Atebubu-Amantin Municipality, the paper assesses the effects of farmer–herder conflicts on food security. The study’s findings show that the conflict has had a wide-ranging impact on food security, with both farmers and herders suffering incalculable consequences. Thus, just as crop farmers’ production is declining, so is nomadic herders’ cattle diminishing. The study proposes that relevant stakeholders work together to control the threat of farmer–herder conflict because the impact of the conflict extends beyond the communities directly affected.
‘Where the Good Ideas Are’: 75 Years of the Journal of Teacher Education
Authors: Hill-Jackson Valerie , J. Craig Cheryl
Published: March 2024

Taking our lead from Karl Mannheim’s sociology of knowledge theory, and utilizing qualitative content analyses of data extracted from editorials, articles, and public-facing documents, this current editorial details the story of how the myriad of editors for the Journal of Teacher Education (JTE) safeguarded a space to highlight ideas essential to research of preservice and inservice teacher education within an ever-changing global context for nearly 75 years. Fourteen JTE editorships over four eras— competency, reformation, legitimization, and resilience—are laid bare.
Sexual abuse in late postmenopausal women: Complete posterior colporrhexis with intestinal evisceration
Authors: Habek Dubravko
Published: March 2024

Genital injuries from sexual intercourse in late postmenopause (senium) are rare in clinical practice and may result from sexual abuse. I present a medically and judicially completed case as a contribution to forensic gynaecological literature where an 82-year-old women suffered extensive and life-threatening injury (complete posterior colporrhexis with intestinal evisceration) when she was raped (20 years ago) by a young perpetrator.
Gaze Behavior and Cognitive Performance on Tasks of Multiple Object Tracking and Multiple Identity Tracking by Handball Players and Non-Athletes
Authors: Styrkowiec Piotr , Czyż Stanisław H. , Hyönä Jukka , Li Jie , Oksama Lauri , Raś Maciej
Published: March 2024

Multiple object tracking (MOT) and multiple identity tracking (MIT) each measure the ability to track moving objects visually. While prior investigators have mainly compared athletes and non-athletes on MOT, MIT more closely resembles dynamic real-life environments. Here we compared the performance and gaze behavior of handball players with non-athletes on both MOT and MIT. Since previous researchers have shown that MOT and MIT engage different eye movement strategies, we had participants track 3–5 targets among 10 moving objects. In MOT, the objects were identical, while in MIT they differed in shape and color. Although we observed no group differences for tracking accuracy, the eye movements of athletes were more target-oriented than those of non-athletes. We concluded that tasks and stimuli intended by researchers to demonstrate that athletes’ show better object tracking than non-athletes should be specific to the athletes’ type of sport and should use more perception-action coupled measures. An implication of this conclusion is that the differences in object tracking skills between athletes and non-athletes is highly specific to the skills demanded by the athletes’ sport.
The Editor’s Note: Change for the change-averse
Authors: Preston Teresa
Published: March 2024

Many people who resist change are actually resisting changes that don’t make a difference but only pile on more work. Teresa Preston, editor-in-chief of Kappan, previews the March issue of Kappan, which focuses on how education leaders can make changes that have value.
Career Confidential: Teacher overheard students complain about his breath
Authors: Fagell Phyllis L.
Published: March 2024

In Career Confidential, Phyllis Fagell offers workplace advice for teachers. In this issue, a teacher wonders how he should have reacted when he overheard students making fun of his breath.
What are optimum cycles for immediate primary closure of large cutaneous defects?
Authors: Li Gang , Huang Yajun , Song Mingzhi , Lu Ming
Published: March 2024

Background:

In the reconstruction of large complex cutaneous wounds, a myriad of mechanical devices has been designed to facilitate primary wound closure. However, there is a dearth of studies elucidating how best to achieve optimum use and efficiency of skin stretching (SS) when using the device for immediate primary closure of defects.

Methods:

Skin defect wounds (7 × 7 cm) were prepared on the back of three Bama miniature pigs. A total of 15 cycles of SS (cycle loading) were subsequently performed on the skin edges of the wound by EASApprox® SS system. Then, the changes in equidistant points were recorded after each cycle. After the SS test, all wounds were sutured under low tension.

Results:

Skin elongation was observed at all equidistant points on the back wounds of three Bama miniature pigs. Up to an additional 1.10 to 3.75 cm of tissue was garnered. The maximum skin elongation was typically achieved within eight cycles of stretching and relaxation. Beyond this range, additional stretching cycles did not result in further skin extension.

Conclusion:

There may be a close link between mobilization range and the times of acute cyclic stretching (cycle loading) during the process of primary wound closure. However, larger studies are required to further evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness.
“Being Open About Struggle”: Youth Practices and Perspectives on Resilience
Authors: Prideaux Jonelle , Vaughn Lisa M. , Chuisano Samantha A. , Thrower Dionne , DeJonckheere Melissa
Published: March 2024

Youth create resilience in a landscape of interpersonal, environmental, and political factors by navigating personal and community stressors. The goal of this study was to explore how youth conceptualize resilience and overcome stressors within their everyday life experiences. Using a national text message survey, 894 youth (ages 14–24 years) were asked five open-ended questions about their life experiences relating to stressors and their abilities to express resilience. Four themes were identified through qualitative, thematic analysis: (1) relationships are key to resilience; (2) perspective is everything; (3) resources can help build and maintain resilience; and (4) resilience is difficult to practice when you feel out of control. The timing of this study during the COVID-19 pandemic offers a focused insight into the meaning-making of resilience among youth that highlights structural and interpersonal characteristics. These definitions of resilience can inform future research and resource provision for youth.
Fixed-time stabilization for lower-triangular nonlinear systems under the p-normal form
Authors: Wang Xuhuan
Published: March 2024

This article investigates the fixed-time stabilization (FTS) problem for lower-triangular nonlinear systems under the [Formula: see text]-normal form. Under suitable assumptions condition of the system’s nonlinearities, a novel fixed-time partial-state feedback (PSF) control law is designed using backstepping design method and adding a power integrator (API) technique. With the help of one appropriate Lyapunov function, it is shown that the partial-state of the corresponding closed-loop system is fixed-time stable. Numerical simulation is given to illustrate the potency of the suggested continuous partial-sate feedback controller.
Firm Formalization Strategy: The Interaction of Entrepreneurs and Government Officials in the Enforcement of Regulation
Authors: Biru Ashenafi , Arenius Pia , Bruton Garry , Gilbert David
Published: March 2024

This research investigates how entrepreneurs in an early-stage market economy decide their level of compliance with formal rules and finds the manner in which they interact with government officials to operate on a continuum of formality. Focusing on the nonmarket strategy approaches entrepreneurs employ to establish relationships with government officials, we build a model that shows how entrepreneurs adopt strategies aligned with their firm’s level of formality, spanning low to high formality practices. We draw on qualitative interview data from entrepreneurs who exhibit varying levels of compliance with state-provided rules and guidelines. We inductively theorize that deciding the firms’ level of formality involves strategic interaction approaches with government officials responsible for rule enforcement. Our findings highlight that the interaction strategies entrepreneurs use hinge on the political capital they possess, eliciting the desired response from government officials, and dissuading the officials from enforcing formal rules or imposing sanctions for informality. We offer theoretical and policy implications for future work on the nuances of firm formality and the interaction between entrepreneurs and government officials.
Many Roads to Success: Broadening Our Views of Academic Career Paths and Advice
Authors: Livingston Beth , Gloor Jamie L. , Ward A. K. , Gabriel Allison S. , Campbell Joanna T. , Block Emily , Carter Dorothy , French Kimberly A. , Frieder Rachel , Hillebrandt Annika , (Jasmine) Hu Jia , Jones Kristen P. , Joseph Dana L. , Junker Nina M. , Mandeville Ashley , Otner Sarah M. G. , Patel Amanda S. , Paustian-Underdahl Samantha , Priesemuth Manuela , Shockley Kristen M. , Shoss Mindy
Published: March 2024

Advice is often given to junior scholars in the field of organization science to ostensibly facilitate their career success. In this commentary, we discuss insights from 19 elite scholars (i.e., Fellows and top journal editors) about the advice they received–and, often, did not follow–throughout their careers. We highlight some of the pitfalls from the current, all-too-common, and often singular advice given to junior scholars while also adding necessary nuance to the requirements to achieve success in our field. We conclude with advice on how to give better advice, thereby more equitably encouraging a new generation of increasingly diverse researchers and future professors.
How Positive and Negative Intergroup Contact May Shape the Communication of Discrimination Toward Migrants
Authors: Prati Francesca , Policardo Giulia Rosa , Hewstone Miles , Rubini Monica
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the impact of intergroup contact of White British adults ( N = 192) on the language used when describing their recent interactions with Asian British people. Specifically, we assessed the role of different forms of intergroup contact (i.e., cross-group friendship, positive and negative, and direct and extended contact) on the abstraction of negative terms used by White British people, as a linguistic measure of outgroup derogation. As expected, the frequency of direct negative intergroup contact was associated with higher negative language abstraction in depicting Asian British people. However, this association was weaker for White British people with higher levels of positive direct and extended intergroup contacts compared to those with lower levels of positive direct and extended contact. Overall, results emphasize the importance of independently analyzing the impact of positive and negative intergroup contact experiences, as well as understanding how they interact with each other in the communication of intergroup discrimination.
The reliability, validity and clinical utility of the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation – ten-item version (CORE-10) in post-acute patients with stroke
Authors: Steverson Tom , Marsden Joseph , Blake Joshua
Published: March 2024

Objective

To explore the validity, reliability, and clinical utility of the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation – ten-item version (CORE-10: a ten-item questionnaire designed to measure psychological distress) in a stroke inpatient sample and calculate reliable and clinically significant change scores.

Setting

A post-acute stroke rehabilitation ward in the East of England.

Participants

A total of 53 patients with stroke, capable of completing the CORE-10 as part of their routine clinical assessment. Exclusion criteria included moderate to severe aphasia and/or alexia.

Main measures

Alongside the CORE-10, the Patient Health Questionnaire – 9, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition were used as concurrent measures.

Results

To assess reliability, the internal consistency and test–retest reliability of the CORE-10 were calculated. The average number of days between CORE-10 test–retest administrations was 2.84 ( SD = 3.12, Mdn = 1). Concurrent validity was assessed by examining correlations between the CORE-10 and comparable measures, and clinical utility was assessed using the criteria of Burton and Tyson (2015). The internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) for the CORE-10 was .80, and test–retest reliability interclass correlation coefficient was .81. Total score correlations between the CORE-10 and concurrent measures ranged from r = .49 to r = .89. The CORE-10 achieved the maximum score (i.e. 6/6) on criteria for clinical utility. Calculations demonstrated a reliable change index of nine points and a clinically significant change cut point of 12 on the CORE-10. Percentiles for CORE-10 total scores are reported.

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary support for the CORE-10 as a valid and reliable measure that has clinical utility for screening distress in inpatients with stroke.
Imaging quantitative changes in blood-brain barrier permeability using [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-sorbitol ([18F]FDS) PET in relation to glial cell recruitment in a mouse model of endotoxemia
Authors: Leterrier Sarah , Goutal Sébastien , Hugon Gaëlle , Goislard Maud , Saba Wadad , Hosten Benoit , Specklin Simon , Winkeler Alexandra , Tournier Nicolas
Published: March 2024

The quantitative relationship between the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the recruitment of glial cells was explored in a mouse model of endotoxemia. [18F]2-Fluoro-2-deoxy-sorbitol ([18F]FDS) PET imaging was used as a paracellular marker for quantitative monitoring of BBB permeability after i.v injection of increasing doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle (saline, n = 5). The brain distribution of [18F]FDS ( VT, mL.cm−3) was estimated using kinetic modeling. LPS dose-dependently increased the brain VT of [18F]FDS after injection of LPS 4 mg/kg (5.2 ± 2.4-fold, n = 4, p < 0.01) or 5 mg/kg (9.0 ± 9.1-fold, n = 4, p < 0.01) but not 3 mg/kg (p > 0.05, n = 7). In 12 individuals belonging to the different groups, changes in BBB permeability were compared with expression of markers of astrocyte (GFAP) and microglial cell (CD11b) using ex vivo immunohistochemistry. Increased expression of CD11b and GFAP expression was observed in mice injected with 3 mg/kg of LPS, which did not increase with higher LPS doses. Quantitative [18F]FDS PET imaging can capture different levels of BBB permeability in vivo. A biphasic effect was observed with the lowest dose of LPS that triggered neuroinflammation without disruptive changes in BBB permeability, and higher LPS doses that increased BBB permeability without additional recruitment of glial cells.
The Masoretic Text of Haggai 2.7b in light of verbal valency patterns
Authors: Smith Stephen J.
Published: March 2024

This article looks to verbal valency analysis to help clarify the meaning of the difficult clause ובאו חמדת כל הגוים‎ in Hag. 2.7b, and so the verse as a whole. Attention to the verb’s valency patterns (i.e., בוא‎ [ qal]) presents a fresh interpretive option that is both contextually fitting and (unlike previous proposals) linguistically robust. These patterns suggest that the cryptic phrase כל חמדת הגוים‎ is not the subject (so most) but a descriptor for the Jerusalem temple naming the locative goal of the clause’s motion verb. This analysis identifies כל הגוים‎ of the previous clause as the subject, yielding the following rendering of the verse: ‘And I (Yahweh) will shake all the nations so that they will come to “the desire of all the nations” (i.e., the temple), in order that I may fill this house with glory, declares the Lord of Hosts’.
The Interactional Zoo: Lessons for Sociology from Erving Goffman’s Engagement with Animal Ethology
Authors: Jerolmack Colin , Teo Belicia , Westberry Abigail
Published: March 2024

Erving Goffman is one of sociology’s most influential thinkers. Scholars debate the extent to which he worked in competing theoretical traditions (e.g., interactionist or structuralist), yet few acknowledge his intellectual indebtedness to animal ethology. This article traces how naturalistic studies of paralinguistic animal communication influenced Goffman’s corpus and specifies the ideas he built on from that field, especially territoriality and ritualized display. Goffman’s comparative approach to animal and human interaction reveals the shortcomings of sociologists’ lingua-centric approach to interaction; elevates animals to social actors, capable of metacommunication, reading others’ intentions, and adjusting their behavior accordingly; and humbles humans, who he finds enacting rituals of civility for the same reason animals engage in ritualized display: to manage threats and facilitate bonding. Goffman’s thesis on the similarities between animal and human social behavior compels sociology to consider animal studies, and his use of ethology helps reconcile his interactionist and Durkheimian tendencies.
Positive psychological capital, post-traumatic growth, social support, and quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Meng Lyu , Gao Cui-Rong , Wang Hui-Cai , Yasin Raxida , Huang Rui-Jie , Zhao Yu-Xin , Ma Xiao-Hui , Wen Yuan-Yuan
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between positive psychological capital, post-traumatic growth, social support, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from October 2022 to May 2023. A sample of 330 hospitalized SLE patients was selected for this study. The collected data included demographic information, the SLE disease activity index, the Positive Mental Capital Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Post-Traumatic Growth Scale, the Social Support Rating Scale, and the Chinese version of the Lupus Quality of Life Scale.

Results

The QOL score among the 330 SLE patients was measured as M(P25, P75) of 105 (83.00,124.00). Positive psychological capital, post-traumatic growth, and social support demonstrated significant positive correlations with the QOL in SLE patients ( p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that literacy, disease level, disease duration, occupation, marital status, psychological capital, social support, and post-traumatic growth were influential factors associated with the QOL in SLE patients.

Conclusion

Medical professionals should be attentive to the psychological well-being of SLE patients and should consider implementing early psychological interventions. These interventions are crucial for enhancing the QOL for individuals diagnosed with SLE.
Damage evolution analysis of concrete based on multi-feature acoustic emission and Gaussian mixture model clustering
Authors: Yu Bo , Liang Jian , Ju Jiann-Wen Woody
Published: March 2024

In this work, a novel method for damage evolution analysis of concrete under uniaxial compression is proposed based on the multi-feature acoustic emission (AE) and the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) clustering. The hierarchical clustering algorithm is adopted to select optimal AE parameters, while multiple features of these parameters are generated through the principal component analysis (PCA). Then the concrete damage signals are separated by using the GMM clustering with multiple features. Meanwhile, the waveform signals associated with concrete damage in each cluster are validated using the Fast Fourier transform (FFT) and the continuous wavelet transform (CWT). Finally, the damage evolution process of concrete under uniaxial compression is divided based on the variation of AE characteristics. The results show that the frequency ranges of signals for micro-cracks, mixed cracks and friction of concrete under uniaxial compression are 20–30 kHz, 20–65 kHz, and 100–120 kHz, respectively. The damage process of concrete under uniaxial compression is divided into three stages according to the inflection points of the cumulative energy curve, namely the initial compaction stage, the crack formation stage and the failure stage.
Equal Employment Opportunity in Supply Chains
Authors: Cen Ling , Han Yanru , Wu Jing
Published: March 2024

An equal employment opportunity (EEO) policy is an essential practice of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion. Using a novel measure of workplace EEO based on the textual analysis of online job postings, we show a lead–lag pattern of EEO practice between principal customers and their dependent suppliers. The leadlag effect is more pronounced when principal customers enjoy greater bargaining power, consistent with the view that dependent suppliers adjust EEO policies to cater to customer preferences. We use the 2017 Diversity Campaign of the “Big Three” institutional investors as our main identification strategy to support a causal interpretation. We demonstrate that the diffusion of EEO policies along supply chains improves the likelihood of retaining female employees, implying the presence of social benefits in addition to economic advantages.
Predicting Skill Decay: A Practical Application of the Skill Decay Analysis Tool
Authors: Brouwers Sue , Joung Wendy
Published: March 2024

This paper describes a skill decay prediction model that was applied to a safety critical task conducted by rail workers. The tool is easy to use and promotes skill maintenance for operators in environments that have an increased risk of skill decay. A skill decay analysis tool called the User Decision Aid was adapted for use in a large, transportation organisation. The tool is an easy-to-use method that has proven useful in guiding training to prevent the degradation of skill and knowledge in various tasks. It produces skill decay curves, addressing questions such as how frequently should an operator receive training or undertake practice in an activity, to remain skilled and competent in that activity? The skill decay tool provides useful benefits to organisations as it allows the judicious allocation of training resourcing, and can guide the design of tasks.
Utility of the Theory of Planned Behaviour for predicting parents’ intentions to vaccinate their children against COVID-19
Authors: Fox Gavin Q. , Napper Lucy E. , Wakeel Fathima
Published: March 2024

Vaccination is a crucial form of primary prevention, and it is important to understand the factors that influence parents’ decisions to vaccinate their children. The current study examines the utility of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and anticipated affect for explaining parents’ intentions to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Parents ( N = 843) living in the United States completed an online survey. The TPB variables explained 65% of the variability in parents’ intentions. In addition to all three of the TPB antecedents predicting vaccine intentions, both anticipated regret of not vaccinating and anticipated positive emotions of vaccinating were associated with parent intentions. Contrary to predictions, subjective norms were a stronger predictor of intentions when perceived behavioural control was lower compared to higher. These findings help further our understanding of parent-for-child vaccine decisions in the context of novel health threats and inform intervention efforts aimed at encouraging this behaviour.
Se Habla Español: The role of ethnic centrality in the effect of providing Spanish-language services in health clinics among Latinx Americans
Authors: Camacho Gabriel , Reinka Mora A
Published: March 2024

The present work experimentally examines whether a Spanish-speaking healthcare provider (an identity safety cue) increases the anticipated quality of care and healthcare utilization intentions of Latinx Americans ( N = 180) and whether this effect is moderated by ethnic centrality. We find that providing Spanish-language services, versus not, on a healthcare facility’s webpage significantly increases both anticipated quality of care and healthcare utilization intentions—but only for Latinx Americans who perceive their ethnicity as highly central to their self-concept. Likewise, we find that anticipated quality of care mediates the effect that identity safety cues have on healthcare utilization intentions only for Latinx Americans high on ethnic centrality. These findings demonstrate that members of minoritized ethnic groups shown to be the most susceptible to experiencing concerns of discrimination (people high on ethnic centrality) are also the most likely to benefit from identity safety cues that are designed to mitigate these very concerns.
Role of social support in culturally sensitive diabetes self-management education among an ethnic minority population in Denmark
Authors: Wagner Sabina , Smith Jervelund Signe , Larsen Sara Rudbæk , Hempler Nana Folmann
Published: March 2024

Aims:

CUSTOM is a culturally sensitive diabetes self-management education and support programme tailored to Urdu, Turkish and Arabic-speaking people in Denmark. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to examine the functional social support perceived by CUSTOM participants before and after the intervention; and, second, to explore how participants’ structural social support affected the physical and mental health benefits of the intervention.

Methods:

The participants were people with type 2 diabetes whose primary language was Urdu, Arabic or Turkish ( n = 73). Outcomes included A1C, body fat percentage, diabetes distress, well-being and functional social support. Changes were observed between baseline and six months after participation in a single-group pre-test/post-test design. The Cochran–Armitage trend test was used to assess pre–post differences in functional social support. The role of structural social support was assessed using moderation regression analysis.

Results:

Participants reported higher availability of functional social support after the programme ( p < 0.05), although the change in loneliness was not significant. In addition, cohabitating with adult children increased the average body fat percentage reduction achieved following the programme, while living with a partner lowered the average body fat percentage reduction achieved. The intervention was particularly successful in improving diabetes distress among those with weak structural social support.

Conclusions:

Culturally sensitive diabetes self-management education and support can improve social support among people with an ethnic minority background. The structure of social relations may influence the benefit of culturally sensitive diabetes self-management education and support. Future programmes should include family members and other social relations more actively, drawing attention to both positive and negative aspects of social relations.
Study on the effect of humidity on formaldehyde emission parameters of wood-based panels
Authors: Chen Jiani , Zheng Xiaohong , Song Chenxue , Qian Hua
Published: March 2024

Wood-based panels are a significant source of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs), crucial for managing indoor pollution. The emissions from wood-based panels are influenced by both intrinsic factors, including their composition and manufacturing process, and extrinsic environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity. In this paper, the emission of formaldehyde in plywood was studied under different temperature conditions (15°C, 23°C, 32°C and 37°C) and different humidity conditions (40%, 60% and 80%) by environmental chamber method. To understand the influence of relative humidity on the key parameters of panels from a mechanism perspective, this paper investigates the influence of relative humidity on the initial emittable concentration of formaldehyde, based on the hydrolysis reaction of urea-formaldehyde resin. Concurrently, the molecular dynamics and porous panels model were amalgamated to assess the influence of relative humidity on both the partition and diffusion coefficient. To simulate the emission process in a real environment, a control equation that allows for variations in both temperature and humidity is needed. This paper employs the method of variable separation to derive a simplified control equation. Subsequently, experimental data was utilized to validate the derived equation’s effectiveness within the practical indoor environmental range.
Dwelling and healing with saints and jinn in the haunted landscapes of Palestine
Authors: Al-Qobbaj Amer A , Marshall David J
Published: March 2024

The Jinn of Islamic and Middle Eastern popular mythology play a role in maintaining spatial divisions between sacred and profane space, public and protected areas, and acceptable and exceptional behaviour. Though research on jinn continues to be of importance in cross-cultural psychology, the rich relationship between jinn and place has largely been lost or severed. This paper seeks to restore this link through an examination of the relationship between unseen spirits and place in Palestine and throughout the Levant ( Bilad ash-Sham). Drawing upon both European and Palestinian historical ethnographic writing, as well as oral history interviews with Palestinian elders, this paper examines spatial practices that can attract, prevent, or heal harm from jinn and other unseen forces, as well as places where such spirits dwell, including graveyards, caves, wells, sacred trees, and shrines. Jinn play a dual role in helping to protect the sanctity of these places, while also threatening to violate the intimate space hearth and home. In this way, jinn play an important role in both establishing, and at times blurring and negotiating social mores and their related physical boundaries. In examining how jinn threaten the sanctity of homes and bodies, but also how place-dwelling spirits help to heal bodies and sooth souls, this paper moves beyond mere metaphorical understandings of spectral geographies to understand the material implications of unseen and imagined forces. By doing so, this paper builds upon recent research exploring the deep connection between the environment and spiritual/sacred understandings of place.
Video-Assisted Telescope Operating Monitor 3D System in Microsurgical Varicocelectomy: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Duarsa Gede Wirya Kusuma , Kloping Yudhistira Pradnyan , Duarsa Gede Wirya Diptanala , Daryanto Besut , Satyagraha Paksi
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Video-assisted telescope operating monitor (VITOM®) with 3D Visualization technology was developed and has been used with favorable results by several surgical specialties. Our study aims to be a preliminary report for initial experience using the VITOM® 3D system for microsurgical varicocelectomy on varicocele patients.

Methods

We performed 35 microsurgical varicocelectomy procedures using the VITOM® 3D system on varying types and grades of varicoceles. The surgeon had the option of using either a 2.5 or 3.5 magnifying loupe in addition to the exoscope for each operation evaluated. The exoscope is a standalone camera head with an integrated 3D telescope and remote control with zoom and focus functions. It is connected to the 3D monitor via a mechanical holding arm. During the procedure, surgeons, assistants, and observers were able to view the 3D high-definition stream displayed on a 26-inch 3D monitor at a convenient viewing angle and distance. The varicocele ligation was performed using a Carl Zeiss Meditec AG microscope.

Results

There were 35 patients with varicocele aged 31.51 years old on average, which were included in this report. Most patients had grade 3 bilateral varicocele (n = 13, 37.1%). All procedures were performed without any intraoperative complications. After the procedures, only a few patients suffered from postoperative complications. Three patients suffered scrotal edema (8.6%), while another had hydrocele (2.9%). The postoperative pain results were also very minimal from .89 1 day after the operation to .26 3 days after the operation.

Conclusion

The VITOM® 3D system showed promise in microsurgical varicocelectomy.
Teardrop Alignment Changes After Volar Locking Plate Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures With Volar Ulnar Fragments
Authors: McCarty Justin C. , Cross Rachel E. , Laane Charlotte L. E. , Hoftiezer Yannick Albert J. , Gavagnin Aquiles , Regazzoni Pietro , Fernandez Dell’Oca Alberto , Jupiter Jesse B. , Bhashyam Abhiram R.
Published: March 2024

Background:

We assessed factors associated with change in radiographic teardrop angle following volar locking plate (VLP) fixation of volarly displaced intra-articular distal radius fractures with volar ulnar fragments (VUF) within the ICUC database. The primary outcome was change in radiographic alignment on follow-up imaging, defined as a change in teardrop angle from intra-operative fluoroscopy greater than 5°.

Methods:

Patients with distal radius fractures treated with a VLP within the ICUC database, an international collaborative and publicly available dataset, were identified. The primary outcome was volar rim loss of reduction on follow-up imaging, defined as a change in radiographic alignment from intra-operative fluoroscopy, teardrop angle less than 50°, or loss of normal radiocarpal alignment. Secondary outcomes were final range of motion (ROM) of the affected extremity. Radiographic Soong classification was used to grade plate position. Descriptive statistics were used to assess variables’ distributions. A Random Forest supervised machine learning algorithm was used to classify variable importance for predicting the primary outcome. Traditional descriptive statistics were used to compare patient, fracture, and treatment characteristics with volar rim loss of reduction. Volar rim loss of reduction and final ROM in degrees and as compared with contralateral unaffected limb were also assessed.

Results:

Fifty patients with volarly displaced, intra-articular distal radius fractures treated with a VLP were identified. Six patients were observed to have a volar rim loss of reduction, but none required reoperation. Volar ulnar fragment size, Soong grade 0, and postfixation axial plate position in relation to the sigmoid notch were significantly associated ( P < .05) with volar rim loss of reduction. All cases of volar rim loss of reduction occurred when VUF was 10.8 mm or less.

Conclusions:

The size of the VUF was the most important variable for predicting volar rim loss of reduction followed by postfixation plate position in an axial position to the sigmoid notch and the number of volar fragments in the Random Forest machine learning algorithm. There were no significant differences in ROM between patients with volar ulnar escape and those without.
Culture as window dressing? A threefold methodological framework for researching the locality of Netflix series
Authors: Idiz Daphne R , Noordegraaf Julia , Vliegenthart Rens
Published: March 2024

Considering the implications of Netflix’s role as a content producer for cultural diversity in Europe, this methodological article investigates how to define and measure the locality of Netflix Originals. We employ a threefold methodological study based on industry data analysis, audience reception research, and content analysis. This replicable and scalable methodological design provides a solid analytical framework for future studies examining Netflix Originals from the normative perspective of cultural diversity. Demonstrating the steps of our exploratory study, we also find that Netflix’s locally-produced but globally-oriented content uses culture as window dressing, warranting further research.
Splenectomy versus non-splenectomy for gastrointestinal bleeding from left-sided portal hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Minghui , Wei Ning , Song Yuhu
Published: March 2024

Objectives:

Left-sided portal hypertension (LSPH) leads to life-threatening gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. There are no recommendations or consensus about the management of GI bleeding caused by LSPH. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the incidence of GI bleeding and the mortality of patients with LSPH receiving different therapeutic strategies.

Design:

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to determine the efficacy of different therapeutic strategies for GI bleeding caused by LSPH.

Data sources and methods:

All relevant studies were searched from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, CNKI, and Wanfang Data without language restriction through 15 November 2023. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated through RevMan5.3 software. (The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark).

Results:

Seventeen retrospective studies and one prospective study involving 624 patients were included. This systematic review and meta-analysis found that: (1) splenectomy was more effective than non-splenectomy therapeutic strategies in reducing the incidence of GI bleeding caused by LSPH (OR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.06–0.27); (2) splenectomy was superior to partial splenic artery embolism (PSAE) (OR: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01–0.62) or endoscopic interventions (OR: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01–0.19) in the prevention of GI bleeding, respectively; (3) no significant difference in the mortality was observed between splenectomy and non-splenectomy therapeutic strategies (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.20–1.08); and (4) patients receiving preoperative PSAE followed by splenectomy had less intraoperative bleeding and shorter operative time than those receiving splenectomy.

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis demonstrated that splenectomy is superior to non-splenectomy therapeutic strategies in reducing the incidence of GI bleeding from LSPH, which revealed that splenectomy should be recommended in the management of these patients.

Trial registration:

This study has been registered on the PROSPERO database with the registration number CRD42023483764.
Developing a theory of change – the importance of rich process data and authors’ insights into context, implementation and mechanisms
Authors: Burchett Helen Elizabeth Denise , French Rebecca S. , Griffin Sally , de Melo Málica , Joaquim Picardo Joelma , Kneale Dylan
Published: March 2024

Background:

Theories of change explaining how interventions work are increasingly important, yet the methods/data to develop these are less advanced than for evaluating effects.

Methods:

We conducted a systematic evidence synthesis to develop a theory of change for structural adolescent contraception interventions. We reflect on the utility of the information provided in evaluation reports.

Findings/discussion:

Few of the included evaluations presented their theory of change, or included rich, qualitative process data. Authors’ descriptions of context and implementation, typically in introduction and discussion sections, were very useful. These helped to understand the intervention’s context, how it was experienced and why or how it had the effect that it did. We recommend incorporating rich process evaluations into studies, and reporting contextual insights into the intervention’s development, implementation and experience. We also recommend including these data and insights within syntheses that aim to develop theories of change.
A Scoping Review of Wearable Technologies for Use in Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Barsotti Ercole , Goodman Bailey , Samuelson Riley , Carvour Martha L.
Published: March 2024

Background:

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are at risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), which can lead to foot ulcers and lower-extremity amputations. However, cognitive differences and communication barriers may impede some methods for screening and prevention of DPN. Wearable and mobile technologies—such as smartphone apps and pressure-sensitive insoles—could help to offset these barriers, yet little is known about the effectiveness of these technologies among individuals with ID.

Methods:

We conducted a scoping review of the databases Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science using search terms for DM, DPN, ID, and technology to diagnose or monitor DPN. Finding a lack of research in this area, we broadened our search terms to include any literature on technology to diagnose or monitor DPN and then applied these findings within the context of ID.

Results:

We identified 88 articles; 43 of 88 (48.9%) articles were concerned with gait mechanics or foot pressures. No articles explicitly included individuals with ID as the target population, although three articles involved individuals with other cognitive impairments (two among patients with a history of stroke, one among patients with hemodialysis-related cognitive changes).

Conclusions:

Individuals with ID are not represented in studies using technology to diagnose or monitor DPN. This is a concern given the risk of DM complications among patients with ID and the potential for added benefit of such technologies to reduce barriers to screening and prevention. More studies should investigate how wearable devices can be used among patients with ID.
Applying Human Factors and Systems Simulation Methods to Inform a Multimillion-Dollar Healthcare Decision
Authors: Dubé Mirette , Martel Jessica , Kumagai Jason , Suddes Michael , Cullen Janice , Laberge Jason
Published: March 2024

Purpose:

This article describes a case study of a collaborative human factors (HF) and systems-focused simulation (SFS) project to evaluate potential patient and staff safety risks associated with a multimillion-dollar design and construction decision.

Background:

The combined integration of HF and SFS methods in healthcare related to testing and informing the design of new environments and processes is underutilized. Few realize the effectiveness of this integration in healthcare to reduce risk and improve decision-making, safety, design, efficiency, patient experience, and outcomes. This project showcases how the combined use of HF and SFS methods can provide objective evidence to help inform decisions.

Methods:

The project was initiated by a healthcare executive team looking for an objective, user informed analysis of a current connector passageway between two existing buildings. The goal was to understand the implications of keeping the current route for simultaneous use for public and patients service flow versus building and financing a new passageway for separate flow and transport. An interprofessional team of intensive care unit professionals participated in two simulations designed to test the current connector. A failure mode and effects analysis and qualitative debrief feedback was used to evaluate risks and potential failures.

Results:

The evaluation resulted in data that enabled informed executive decision making for the most effective, efficient, and safest option for public, staff, and patient transport between two buildings. This evaluation resulted in the decision to go forward with building a multimillion-dollar new connector passageway to improve integrated care and transport.
Exploring the proficiency of ChatGPT-4: An evaluation of its performance in the Taiwan advanced medical licensing examination
Authors: Lin Shih-Yi , Chan Pak Ki , Hsu Wu-Huei , Kao Chia-Hung
Published: March 2024

Background

Taiwan is well-known for its quality healthcare system. The country's medical licensing exams offer a way to evaluate ChatGPT's medical proficiency.

Methods

We analyzed exam data from February 2022, July 2022, February 2023, and July 2033. Each exam included four papers with 80 single-choice questions, grouped as descriptive or picture-based. We used ChatGPT-4 for evaluation. Incorrect answers prompted a “chain of thought” approach. Accuracy rates were calculated as percentages.

Results

ChatGPT-4's accuracy in medical exams ranged from 63.75% to 93.75% (February 2022–July 2023). The highest accuracy (93.75%) was in February 2022's Medicine Exam (3). Subjects with the highest misanswered rates were ophthalmology (28.95%), breast surgery (27.27%), plastic surgery (26.67%), orthopedics (25.00%), and general surgery (24.59%). While using “chain of thought,” the “Accuracy of (CoT) prompting” ranged from 0.00% to 88.89%, and the final overall accuracy rate ranged from 90% to 98%.

Conclusion

ChatGPT-4 succeeded in Taiwan's medical licensing exams. With the “chain of thought” prompt, it improved accuracy to over 90%.