bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of a computer vision system for estimating biomechanical measures of body function in axial spondyloarthropathy patients and healthy subjects
Authors: Cronin Neil J , Mansoubi Maedeh , Hannink Erin , Waller Benjamin , Dawes Helen
Published: January 2023

Objective

Advances in computer vision make it possible to combine low-cost cameras with algorithms, enabling biomechanical measures of body function and rehabilitation programs to be performed anywhere. We evaluated a computer vision system's accuracy and concurrent validity for estimating clinically relevant biomechanical measures.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Laboratory.

Participants

Thirty-one healthy participants and 31 patients with axial spondyloarthropathy.

Intervention

A series of clinical functional tests (including the gold standard Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index tests). Each test was performed twice: the first performance was recorded with a camera, and a computer vision algorithm was used to estimate variables. During the second performance, a clinician measured the same variables manually.

Main measures

Joint angles and inter-limb distances. Clinician measures were compared with computer vision estimates.

Results

For all tests, clinician and computer vision estimates were correlated ( r2 values: 0.360–0.768). There were no significant mean differences between methods for shoulder flexion (left: 2 ± 14° (mean ± standard deviation), t = 0.99, p < 0.33; right: 3 ± 15°, t = 1.57, p < 0.12), side flexion (left: − 0.5 ± 3.1 cm, t = −1.34, p = 0.19; right: 0.5 ± 3.4 cm, t = 1.05, p = 0.30) and lumbar flexion ( − 1.1 ± 8.2 cm, t = −1.05, p = 0.30). For all other movements, significant differences were observed, but could be corrected using a systematic offset.

Conclusion

We present a computer vision approach that estimates distances and angles from clinical movements recorded with a phone or webcam. In the future, this approach could be used to monitor functional capacity and support physical therapy management remotely.
An enriched environment improves long-term functional outcomes in mice after intracerebral hemorrhage by mechanisms that involve the Nrf2/BDNF/glutaminase pathway
Authors: Jia Peijun , Wang Junmin , Ren Xiuhua , He Jinxin , Wang Shaoshuai , Xing Yinpei , Chen Danyang , Zhang Xinling , Zhou Siqi , Liu Xi , Yu Shangchen , Li Zefu , Jiang Chao , Zang Weidong , Chen Xuemei , Wang Jian
Published: January 2023

Post-stroke depression exacerbates neurologic deficits and quality of life. Depression after ischemic stroke is known to some extent. However, depression after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is relatively unknown. Increasing evidence shows that exposure to an enriched environment (EE) after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury has neuroprotective effects in animal models, but its impact after ICH is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of EE on long-term functional outcomes in mice subjected to collagenase-induced striatal ICH. Mice were subjected to ICH with the standard environment (SE) or ICH with EE for 6 h/day (8:00 am–2:00 pm). Depressive, anxiety-like behaviors and cognitive tests were evaluated on day 28 with the sucrose preference test, tail suspension test, forced swim test, light-dark transition experiment, morris water maze, and novel object recognition test. Exposure to EE improved neurologic function, attenuated depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, and promoted spatial learning and memory. These changes were associated with increased expression of transcription factor Nrf2 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and inhibited glutaminase activity in the perihematomal tissue. However, EE did not change the above behavioral outcomes in Nrf2−/− mice on day 28. Furthermore, exposure to EE did not increase BDNF expression compared to exposure to SE in Nrf2−/− mice on day 28 after ICH. These findings indicate that EE improves long-term outcomes in sensorimotor, emotional, and cognitive behavior after ICH and that the underlying mechanism involves the Nrf2/BDNF/glutaminase pathway.
Prevalence and management of hypertension in Central China: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Xing Wenlu , Wang Shan , Liu Xinyun , Jiang Jicheng , Zhao Qiuping , Wang Yuming , Zhang You , Gao Chuanyu
Published: January 2023

Objective

We aimed to assess hypertension prevalence and management in Central China.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study conducted from February 2019 to February 2020, we applied stratified multistage random sampling to investigate residents aged 35 to 75 years in Dancheng county of Zhoukou city and Xincai county of Zhumadian city, both in Central China.

Results

We enrolled 63,940 participants in this survey. A total of 43.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.2–44.0) of participants had hypertension. Of these, 49.3% (95% CI: 48.7–49.9) were aware of their diagnosis, 36.5% (95% CI: 35.9–37.1) took antihypertensive medication, and 14.3% (95% CI: 13.9–14.7) had their blood pressure under control. Only 31.4% of hypertensive people receiving antihypertensive treatment had achieved control. The hypertension prevalence was lower in urban areas than in rural areas, with higher rates of awareness, treatment, and control. Among subgroups, rural men had the highest prevalence of hypertension. Prevalence, awareness, and treatment rates all increased with age, except for control rates, which declined in the 65- to 75-year-old group.

Conclusions

People in Central China have a high hypertension prevalence but low rates of awareness, treatment, and control. Great effort is needed to improve the prevention and management of hypertension in this region.
Undrained capacity of circular shallow foundations on two-layer clays under combined VHMT loading
Authors: He Pengpeng , Newson Tim
Published: January 2023

Wind turbines are typically designed based on fatigue and serviceability limit states, but still require an accurate assessment of bearing capacity. Overconsolidated clay deposits in Canada often have a thin layer of crust with a relatively high undrained shear strength. However, existing bearing capacity design methods do not consider surficial crusts. This paper studies the undrained VHMT (vertical, horizontal, moment, and torsional) failure envelope of circular foundations founded on a surficial crust underlain by a uniform soil using finite element analysis. Crust correction factors have been introduced to account for the effects of the stiff layer on the vertical and moment capacities. The same forms of equation that are used for uniform soils, but with different parameters provide satisfactory fits for the failure envelopes for a soil with a crustal layer. An analytical expression for the 4-D VHMT failure envelope is derived, and an application of this method is provided.
A robust localization approach for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): A single-center retrospective study
Authors: Xu Bai-sheng , Leng Fen-Gui , Jiang Yan-ying , Liao Cai-zhi , Wang Feng , HU Jian-Miao , Gao Hong-Bing , Leng Xu , Xi Hai-bo
Published: January 2023

Background:

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) represents the gold standard treatment method for cases with large kidney stones. As a critical step in performing PCNL, the procedure of establishing a safe and accurate nephrostomy tract will dramatically impact the treatment quality of patients with large-sized kidney stones.

Objective:

This work attempts to describe a new and improved process of establishing an accurate nephrostomy tract and clinically evaluate the effectiveness and safeness of this proposed methodology.

Methods:

This work represents a retrospective single-center study carried out between August 2013 and November 2019. The collected samples consist of 937 patients who were operated on using PCNL coupled with our proposed procedure. Briefly, a preoperative B-ultrasonography was firstly performed to decide the puncture point in a simulated surgical position where was marked with ureteral catheter segments (2–3 cm). A computed tomography (CT) scan was followed to correct the anchor points in the simulated surgical position. After this, an accurate puncture operation was performed under the real-time guidance of intraoperative B ultrasound.

Results:

Examining this study, 851 subjects with renal stones and 86 subjects with ureteropelvic junction stones were included for the PCNL operation project. All samples were grouped with Guy’s grading system: grade I, II, III, and IV patients there were 0.00%, 42.69%, 51.01%, and 6.30%, respectively. Among these patients, the average age was 48.49 ± 10.80 years old, with a male to female ratio of around 1.73:1.

Conclusions:

This study showed that our developed method warrants an accurate and safe PCNL operation that involves the process of establishing the nephrostomy tract. Other advantageous attributes of this new PCNL process include negligible radiation exposure, lesser complications, and low failure rates. More importantly, this new localization approach is particularly attractive for hospitals that are new to the field of adopting PCNL considering its safeness, effectiveness, and learnability.
Speaking Truth to Power: A Tale of Two Universities
Authors: Barker Drucilla K.
Published: January 2023

This article compares the experiences of resistance and accommodation by the University of South Carolina (USC) and Boğaziçi University to the imposition of a right-wing head of university by government fiat. I begin with a description of the USC case and examine one scholarly response. I offer a critique of that response in terms of the problematics about the gendered subject when involving the principles of free speech and the importance of speaking truth to power. I then turn to the Boğaziçi case and briefly examine two scholarly responses contained in a dossier published in the South Atlantic Quarterly. I conclude with a brief discussion of the differences between the two universities and thoughts about what radicalism entails in practice.

JEL Classification: A13, I21, H75, B5
Feasibility, Acceptability, and Safety of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Green Jessica Emily , Berk Michael , Mohebbi Mohammadreza , Loughman Amy , McGuinness Amelia J. , Castle David , Chatterton Mary Lou , Perez Joahna , Strandwitz Philip , Athan Eugene , Hair Christopher , Nierenberg Andrew A. , Cryan John F. , Jacka Felice
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Perturbations of the intestinal microbiota have been associated with mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). Therefore, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) holds promise as a microbiota-modulating treatment for MDD. Yet, to date, there are no published controlled studies evaluating the use of FMT for MDD. This study aimed to address this gap by evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of FMT for MDD.

Methods

The study was an 8-week, double-blind, 2:1 parallel group, randomized controlled pilot trial ( n = 15) of enema-delivered FMT ( n = 10) compared with a placebo enema ( n = 5) in adults with moderate-to-severe MDD.

Results

Recruitment was completed within 2 months, with 0% attrition and 100% attendance at key study appointments. There were no major protocol deviations. The placebo and blinding strategies were considered successful; nurses and participants correctly guessing their treatment allocation at a rate similar to that anticipated by chance. No serious or severe adverse events were reported in either group, and there were no significant differences in mild-to-moderate adverse events between groups (median of 2 adverse events per participant reported in both groups). Furthermore, the 12/15 participants who completed the Week 2 participant satisfaction survey agreed or strongly agreed that the enema delivery was tolerable and that they would have the treatment again if required. Whilst the study was not designed to measure clinical outcomes, exploratory data also suggested that the active FMT treatment may lead to improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life in this population, noting that irritable bowel syndrome is commonly comorbid with MDD.

Conclusions

All feasibility targets were met or exceeded. This study found that enema-delivered FMT is feasible, acceptable, well-tolerated, and safe in patients with MDD. The findings of this study support further research to evaluate clinical efficacy, and the use of this protocol is supported.
New Graduate Nurses Navigating Entry to Practice in the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: McMillan Kim , Akoo Chaman , Catigbe-Cates Ashley
Published: January 2023

Background

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted organizational life for nurses, with known physical and psychological impacts. New graduate nurses are a subset of nurses with unique needs and challenges as they transition into their registered nurse roles. However, this subset of nurses has yet to be explored in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Purpose

To explore the experiences of new graduate nurses entering the profession in Ontario, Canada, during the Covid-19 pandemic approximately one year after entering the profession.

Methods

Thorne's interpretive description method was utilized.

Findings

All participants identified as completing second entry nursing programs, offering a unique perspective on new graduate nurse transition. Four themes emerged in the data: ‘ Virtual Didn’t Cut It,’ ‘Go Where You Know,’ ‘Picking Up the Pieces,’ and ‘Learning When to Say No and Let Go.’ Participants felt ill prepared to enter the profession and were cognizant of the various challenges facing the nursing profession, and how these pre-existing challenges were exacerbated by the pandemic. They acknowledged the need to protect themselves against burnout and poor mental health, and as such, made calculated early career decisions – demonstrating strong socio-political knowing. Half of the participants had already left their first nursing job; citing unmet orientation, mental health, and wellbeing needs. However, all participants were steadfast in remaining in the nursing profession.

Conclusions

Second entry new graduate nurses remain a unique subset of nurses that require more scholarly attention as their transition experiences may differ from the traditional trajectory of new graduate nurses.
Sexual Relationship Violence Among Young, Partnered Sexual Minority Men in the United States
Authors: Stephenson Rob , Washington Catherine , Darbes Lynae A. , Hightow-Weidman Lisa , Sullivan Patrick , Gamarel Kristi E.
Published: January 2023

While there has been a growth in studies examining sexual violence among sexual minority men, little research attention has been paid to the experience of sexual violence among young sexual minority men (YSMM). In this article we analyze secondary data from the baseline of a pilot randomized control trial with 318 YSMM aged 15 to 24 years in the United States who were in relationships with other males to examine the associations between sexual minority-specific stigma and sociodemographic and relationship characteristics and experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual IPV in their relationships. Approximately one-in-five participants reported experiencing any form of IPV and 6% reported sexual IPV in their current relationship. Participants who reported sexual minority-specific familial rejection (Adjusted Odds Rato (aOR) = 2.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.03, 5.26], p < .05), internalized heterosexism (aOR = 3.17, 95% CI [1.45, 6.95], p < .01), and housing insecurity (aOR = 7.22, 95% CI [1.66, 31.34], p < .01) reported higher odds of sexual IPV in their relationship. Study findings point to the role of multiple sexual minority-specific forms of stigma in creating vulnerabilities for the experience of sexual IPV among YSMM, and highlight the need for continued research and interventions that address sexual minority-specific stigma and structural vulnerabilities to guide violence prevention efforts with YSMM.
Enterocutaneous fistula due to a Richter’s hernia after a Tenckhoff catheter removal
Authors: Blitzkow Ana Carolina Buffara
Published: January 2023

Richter’s hernia is a rare type of hernia that occurs when the antimesenteric intestinal wall protrudes through a defect in the abdominal fascia leading to ischaemia, gangrene, bowel perforation and enterocutaneous fistulae. In this article, we describe a rare case of enterocutaneous fistula due to a Richter’s hernia after a Tenckhoff catheter removal. This type of complication has not been previously reported in the literature. An 82-year-old man presented with a 1-day history of enteric content at the Tenckhoff catheter insertion site. Seven weeks earlier, the catheter was removed due to peritonitis. Removal was performed using open technique, and the fascia was not closed. Computed tomography revealed a small incarcerated hernia and subcutaneous fluid collection at the previous catheter insertion site. He underwent laparoscopy, which showed a Richter’s hernia with perforation of the ileum causing an enterocutaneous fistula. A laparoscopic enterectomy was performed using a primary mechanical anastomosis. The hernia was repaired by primary suture without a mesh because of wound enteral contamination and the small size of the hernia. Richter’s hernia has a misleading clinical presentation and contributes to high rates of morbidity and mortality. A secure myofascial closure during catheter removal may reduce the chances of this complication.
Are the Actions of a Person Operating out of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit the Same as the Actions of That Person Operating out of Infused Virtue?
Authors: Mattison William C.
Published: January 2023

Are the actions of a person operating out of the gifts of the Holy Spirit the same as the actions of that person operating out of infused virtue? Answering this question provides an opportunity to offer a Thomistic account of how the gifts of the Holy Spirit are distinct from, yet related to, the infused virtues. This article begins with two recent arguments for how the gifts differ from the infused virtues. It then rejects those arguments based on Aquinas's mature writing on the gifts. The following section offers an account of the role of the gifts in the graced life of discipleship, including their relationship to the infused virtues, through a focus on the relationship between habit and act. The article concludes with three areas for further research and a nod toward pastoral application of this argument in sacramental preparation for confirmation.
A study on development of silicone rubber with conductive carbon, polyaniline, MWCNT composite for EMI shielding
Authors: Jayakanth J , Chennakesavulu K , Ramanjaneya Reddy G , Dhanalakshmi S , Priya V , Sasikumar K , Sasipraba T
Published: January 2023

The multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were grown by CVD method and using Ni impregnated zeolite as a substrate. The prepared MWCNT diameter varied from 10 to 60 nm and length in few microns. The silicone rubber (SR) was mixed well with conductive carbon, Polyaniline (PANI) and MWCNTs in two roll mill. The prepared silicone rubber materials were fabricated in the form of sheets with dimensions of 200 mm × 200 mm × 2 mm by using compression molding technique. The prepared sheets were subjected for EMI shielding efficiency measurements at low frequency (< 1.5 GHz) and high frequency range from 1 GHz to 18 GHz. At high frequency the shielding effectiveness of the Conducting Silicone Rubber and Conductive silicone rubber with MWCNT was found to be 24 dB and 48 dB. The volume resistivity measurements were also carried for all the prepared silicone rubber sheets, the results reveals that SR + MWCNT, CSR + MWCNT composites shows volume resistivity 4032 and 20.7 Ω.cm respectively. This confirms the conductivity of CSR + MWCNT is enough to exhibit good Shielding Effectiveness.
Virtually Euler–Lagrange form for feedback passivation of a wide range of non-Euler–Lagrange systems: Adaptive passivity-based control of hepatitis B disease
Authors: Gorji Shaghayegh , Fakharian Ahmad , Abbasi Rezvan
Published: January 2023

In this article, a novel technique of feedback passivation is developed for a wide range of non-Euler–Lagrange systems. The reason for this naming “Virtually Euler-Lagrange” is that it is adopted from the error dynamics of Euler–Lagrange systems. An adaptive passivity-based control strategy is proposed in virtually Euler–Lagrange form to treat hepatitis B virus infection. There are several remarkable differences between classic form of passivation and the proposed method, for example, specific and predefined template of storage function in virtually Euler–Lagrange form, which has positive definite auto-extracted form. So, it will be appropriate and time-saving for designing passivity-based control. On the contrary, the process of passivation and control design in conventional formulation is based on time-invariant input-affine systems; however, in virtually Euler–Lagrange form, the system can belong to a wider category. In this regard, two theorems have been proposed to expand the scope of passivity-based control design. Some control design conditions will be released as a result of using this new method. Furthermore, for the first time, passivity-based control has been implemented in the biological area. Control profile design, simulation results, and sensitivity analysis are carried out to evaluate capability of this control approach. Some main biological limitations are also considered, which make the proposed control more realistic.
VEGF-Expressing Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Li Man , Li Ji , Chen Hong , Zhu Mingxin
Published: January 2023

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a pro-angiogenic factor that mediates the differentiation and function of vascular endothelial cells. VEGF has been implicated in modulating various pains. However, the effects of VEGF in Parkinson’s disease (PD)-related pain have not been studied. The goal of this study was to understand the effects of VEGF-expressing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on PD-related pain and the involved mechanisms. We used two types of MSCs: hAMSC-Vector-GFP and hAMSC-VEGF189-GFP in PD mice. Then, the expression of VEGF and the viability have been compared between two types of MSCs. To demonstrate the therapeutic effect of hAMSC-VEGF189-GFP, we transplanted each cell line in a PD mouse model. Head mechanical withdrawal thresholds were examined. hAMSC-VEGF189-GFP was associated with significantly increased VEGF expression and slightly increased viability, compared with hAMSC-Vector-GFP. The transplanted hAMSC-VEGF189-GFP significantly improved mechanical allodynia and inhibited transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) expression in site. And such pain relief effects could be partially blocked by TRPV1 agonist. However, we did not observe tumor generation or neuron degeneration in hAMSC-VEGF189-GFP-transplanted animals. Taken together, our data suggest that hAMSC-VEGF189-GFP is safely therapeutically appropriate for treating PD-related pain. VEGF inhibits TRPV1 expression, which may contribute to its analgesic properties.
Ecological, Engineering and Community Resilience Policy Adoption in Large US Cities
Authors: Kang Ki Eun , Bowman Ann O’M , Hannibal Bryce , Woodruff Sierra , Portney (deceased) Kent
Published: January 2023

This paper seeks to identify which resilience-oriented policies are being enacted and factors that influence policy adoption. We develop clusters of policies related to three types of resilience: ecological, engineering, and community. Among large U.S. cities, we find wide variation in the number and type of policies enacted. Through multivariate analysis, we identify factors that are associated with the adoption of these policies. Similar to earlier work on sustainability and climate change policy, our results show that larger cities are more likely to adopt all three types of resilience policies. Wealthier and liberal cities adopt more ecological resilience policies. Cities that are members of city networks also adopt more policies, but not all networks significantly influence policy adoption suggesting that network goals and connections are important. We also find that among these large cities, it is the smaller of them that appear to benefit most from membership in networks.
Sleep disturbance and gastrointestinal cancer risk: a literature review
Authors: Kamyab Parnia , Kouchaki Hosein , Motamed Mahsa , Boroujeni Sina Taherzadeh , Akbari Hamed , Tabrizi Reza
Published: January 2023

Sleep, accounting for roughly one-third of a person’s life, plays an important role in human health. Despite the close association between sleep patterns and medical diseases proven by several studies, it has been neglected in recent years. Presently, all societies are facing the most challenging health-threatening disease, cancer. Among all cancer types, gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, especially colorectal type, seem to be one of the most relevant to an individual’s lifestyle; thus, they can be prevented by modifying behaviors most of the time. Previous studies have shown that disruption of the 24-h sleep–wake cycle increases the chance of colorectal cancer, which can be due to exposure to artificial light at night and some complex genetic and hormone-mediated mechanisms. There has also been some evidence showing the possible associations between other aspects of sleep such as sleep duration or some sleep disorders and GI cancer risk. This review brings some information together and presents a detailed discussion of the possible role of sleep patterns in GI malignancy initiation.
Neural Basis of Internal Attention in Adults with Pure and Comorbid ADHD
Authors: Rafi Halima , Murray Ryan , Delavari Farnaz , Perroud Nader , Vuilleumier Patrik , Debbané Martin , Piguet Camille
Published: January 2023

Objective:

To examine whether putatively atypical neuronal activity during internal attention in ADHD yields insights into processes underlying emotion dysregulation.

Methods:

We used a word processing paradigm to assess neural activations in adults with ADHD ( N = 46) compared to controls ( N = 43). We measured effects of valence, applied partial-least squares correlation analysis to assess multivariate brainbehavior relationships and ran subgroup analyses to isolate results driven by pure ADHD ( N = 18).

Results:

During internal attention, ADHD, compared to controls, have (1) increased activation in the right angular gyrus (rAG), which appears driven by pure, not comorbid, ADHD and (2) diminished activation in the insula and fronto-striatal circuitry. Diminished activations were driven by negatively-valenced internal attention and negatively correlated with increased affective lability within the ADHD group.

Conclusion:

Internal attention in ADHD is associated with increased rAG activation, possibly reflecting difficulty converging external and internal information, and diminished activation within emotion regulation circuitry.
A Clinical Investigation on ADHD-Traits in Childhood Celiac Disease
Authors: Efe Ayşegül , Tok Ayşegül
Published: January 2023

Objective:

There are no definitive results about either the presence of exact comorbidity between celiac disease (CD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) or etiology. We intend to screen ADHD-related cognitive and behavioral traits in children with biopsy-proven CD and investigate the possible association of these traits with certain vitamin levels, body-mass index, and gluten-free diet (GFD) compliance.

Method:

A total of 85 children with biopsy-proven CD (the ages of 8–18 years) were compared with age and sex-matched 72 healthy controls in terms of demographics, psychiatric symptoms, certain vitamin levels, and anthropometric measurements.

Results:

ADHD-like cognitive issues, such as inattention and learning difficulties, as well as psychosomatic symptoms and poor prosocial behavior, were all associated with GFD noncompliance in childhood CD.

Conclusion:

Untreated CD may predispose to ADHD-resembling symptoms. Physicians should be aware of the probability of ADHD misdiagnosing due to ADHD-resembling cognitive and behavioral traits in untreated CD.
Comparison of urethral length and orifice diameter in cats undergoing transpelvic or subpubic urethrostomy for perineal urethrostomy revision (cadaveric study)
Authors: David Sieglinde , Minnoye Stella , de Rooster Hilde , Stock Emmelie , Devriendt Nausikaa
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Stenosis is a postoperative complication reported in 12–17% of male cats that undergo perineal urethrostomy (PU). This study compared two different revision techniques for failed perineal urethrostomies. The first objective was to evaluate the feasibility of performing a transpelvic urethrostomy (TPU) after a previous, correctly performed PU in male cats. The second objective was to determine the residual urethral length, orifice diameter, and the position of the orifice relative to the pubic brim and anus after PU, TPU and subpubic urethrostomy (SPU).

Methods

Twenty male cat cadavers were randomly divided into two groups: TPU and SPU. In group TPU, PU was followed by TPU; in group SPU, PU was followed by SPU. After each procedure, the urethral orifice cross-section size was estimated by inserting the largest possible urinary catheter without resistance. Residual urethral length was measured both on contrast radiographs and after anatomical dissection.

Results

In all cats, TPU could be performed following a technically correct PU. The TPU resulted in a 1.5-times longer residual urethral length than SPU, based on contrast radiographs ( P = 0.001) and confirmed by anatomical dissection ( P <0.001). Relative to the initial urethral length, PU, TPU and SPU resulted in a reduction of 24%, 36% and 56%, respectively. The urethral orifice diameter after TPU did not differ from SPU ( P = 1.000), and it was not statistically significantly different between TPU and PU ( P = 0.317) or between SPU and PU ( P = 0.655). The urethral orifice was located further away from the pubis ( P <0.001) and closer to the anus ( P <0.001) after TPU than after SPU.

Conclusions and relevance

Both TPU and SPU are possible revision surgeries following PU. As TPU preserves a significantly longer urethral length and requires less tissue dissection, the risk of urinary tract infections, urinary dermatitis and urinary incontinence might be less following TPU than SPU.
Enablers and barriers to military veterans seeking help for mental health and alcohol difficulties: A systematic review of the quantitative evidence
Authors: Hitch Catherine , Toner Paul , Armour Cherie
Published: January 2023

Objective

Research exploring the enablers and barriers that exist for military veterans seeking to address their poor mental health has produced ambiguous results. To identify the enablers and barriers correctly, this study systematically reviews the literature, including research that included alcohol and had a clearly defined veteran population.

Methods

Six databases were searched. Inclusion criteria specified that empirical studies related to veterans that had ceased military service and were seeking help for poor mental health and/or alcohol difficulties. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and AXIS appraisal tools were used to assess quality and bias. A narrative synthesis approach was adopted for analysis. From 2044 studies screened, 12 were included featuring 5501 participants.

Results

Forty-four enablers and barriers were identified, with thirty-two being statistically significant. Post-traumatic stress disorder had the greatest number of enabler/barrier endorsements to veterans seeking help. Depression, anxiety, experience and attitudes also acted as enablers/barriers. Most studies were of fair methodological quality. Limitations included that samples were skewed towards US army veterans. Little research exists concerning those that have ceased military service.

Conclusions

Veteran help-seeking is likely enabled by poor mental health symptomology and comorbidity, which suggests veterans reach a crisis point before they seek help. Further research on alcohol misuse and attitude formation is required. The field would also benefit from alternative study designs including qualitative studies with non-US participants.
Digital–environmental habitus of families in England in times of pandemic
Authors: Ruiu Maria Laura , Ruiu Gabriele , Ragnedda Massimo
Published: January 2023

This article uses adopts a revised version of the concept of techno-environmental habitus to investigate and make sense of the differentiation among digital technology users’ attitudes towards the environment in England. Digital–environmental habitus refers to the combination of structural determinants (existing background) and the metabolised increased use of digital technologies in people’s everyday life that also interacts with individual environmental attitudes. The results of a national survey among English parents between 20 and 55 years suggest that parents’ education levels, gender, age and income play a role in increasing their awareness about the environmental-friendly use of digital technologies. This study shows that the digital–environmental habitus of parents in England is layered according to the combination of existing socioeconomic traits and individual capacity and willingness to adapt to a drastic increase in both the use of digital technologies (due to the social distancing imposed by the pandemic) and environmental degradation.
Current obstacles, contemporary practices, and potential solutions for recovery in Vietnam tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic: Tour operators’ perspectives
Authors: Hoang Thinh Gia , Van Nguyen Anh Thi , Ngo Vu Minh , Nguyen Huan Huu
Published: January 2023

This paper explores the current obstacles, contemporary practices, and potential solutions for recovery in Vietnam tourism, based on the views of tour operators after the COVID-19 pandemic. This research utilizes twenty-three semi-structured interviews with senior managers and business leaders from five leading tour operators in Vietnam. The findings of this research highlight that, given the current difficulties in operation, Vietnam tourism enterprises developed various response strategies to help their tourism businesses to survive during the pandemic. This research is among the first attempts aims to extend the literature on the implications of COVID-19 to the tourism industry by reflecting the perceptions of tour operators. Furthermore, findings from this study can assist the tourism businesses by highlighting potential solutions and proposing recommendations for the recovery of tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Asylum seekers’ experiences of participatory barriers in the educative pre-integrational programmes
Authors: Hartonen Ville R , Pöllänen Sinikka , Karlsson Liisa , Väisänen Pertti
Published: January 2023

How a society supports its most vulnerable individuals can serve as a barometer of social inclusion. By engaging in previous debates on how the influx and resettlement of refugees and asylum seekers challenge European educational spaces, this study investigates asylum seekers’ non-engagement and non-participation in one engaged learning project in Finland (the KOTO project – Kotoutuminen taidolla ja taiteella [Integration through Arts and Skills]). A mixed methods approach with convergent design was adopted for the study, which combines qualitative data on asylum seekers’ attributions of their participatory barriers with quantitative data on the relationship between asylum seekers’ demographics and the quantified data on their participatory barriers. The study illuminates how asylum seekers’ liminality, along with the project-based barriers, generates non-engagement and non-participation in the educative pre-integrational programmes in a reception centre context.
Practices for Promoting Affirming Health Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth
Authors: Zapata Juan Pablo
Published: January 2023

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth, particularly transgender youth of color, experience barriers to most, if not all, types of care across the United States. Consequently, clinicians are concerned about the increase of anti-transgender policies in the United States, with many states now restricting gender-affirming care. In this manuscript, we suggest several empirically based techniques to provide quality clinical care. We also share resources to support TGD youth and their families, while accommodating for some of these newer restrictions on the care that clinicians are able to provide. Ongoing training and awareness in these techniques will allow clinicians and their health care institutions to more effectively and immediately respond to anti-transgender policies and be able to provide care. By continuing to advocate for some of these strategies, there is potential to reduce the health inequities that many TGD youth experience. Prioritizing screening for gender discrimination, creating a safe space for TGD youth, and providing immediate clinical strategies to reduce distress can reduce symptoms of depression and suicide. These changes, albeit small, will allow clinicians to feel more comfortable providing gender affirming care through holistic changes in clinical practices and care.
Distracted and Impaired Driving Among U.S. Adolescents, 2019, USA
Authors: Yockey R. Andrew , Barnett Tracey E.
Published: January 2023

Distracted driving, the act of focusing on something else while operating a vehicle, is a significant health problem among adolescents. Although some studies have reported on prevalence among adolescents in the United States, limited studies have examined differences by sexual identity status. The purpose of the present study was to examine past 30-day distracted driving by sexual identity status among a large, national sample of adolescents ages 14 to 18 years. A secondary analysis was conducted on the 2019 Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System (YRBSS) data, and associations between distracted driving and demographics (e.g., biological sex, age, race/ethnicity) were assessed with weighted logistic regression analyses. A total of 13,590 adolescents ages 14 to 18 years were part of the final analytic sample. Twenty-three percent of adolescents reported distracted driving in the past 30 days. Compared with heterosexual adolescents, gay/lesbian (14.3%), bisexual (18.1%), and questioning (12.9%) adolescents reported lower distracted driving in the past 30 days. Findings through a health equity approach may inform harm reduction efforts and behavioral interventions.
Mangled Extremity Severity Score in the Assessment of Extremity Injuries – Is it Reliable?
Authors: Abdo Ehab M. , Farouk Nehal , EIimam Sameh E. , Elshinawy Waleed E. , Abdelhafez Abdelaziz A. , Hamza Mohamed , Dahy Asmaa A. , Abu-Elsoud Ahmed
Published: January 2023

The mangled extremity severity score (MESS) was established 28 years ago to decide performing an amputation in cases of limb trauma. It assigns points for 4 aspects of the injury: the extent of soft tissue and skeletal injury, limb ischemia and ischemic duration, shock, and age. A score of 7 or higher indicates that primary amputation is required. Thirty-one patients with MESS scores of 7 to 8 underwent limb salvage surgeries, with 13 limbs being saved and 18 limbs being amputated. Upper extremities trauma had a salvage rate of 62.5%, whereas lower extremity trauma had a salvage rate of 20%. MESS is not a sensitive predictor of amputation in upper limb trauma, but it is useful in lower limb injuries.
Awakening Sleepy Knowledge: Extrarational Pedagogies and Transformative Learning in Environmental Justice Education
Authors: Robinson Jessie , Walker Jude , Walter Pierre
Published: January 2023

Centuries of settler-colonial capitalist hegemony have deeply embedded violent paradigms of separation and hierarchy in our societal structures and internalized ideologies, ultimately manifesting in global climate justice crises. We argue, therefore, that addressing the socio-ecological catastrophes we currently face necessitates an inclusive engagement with a diversity of ways of knowing often overlooked or actively repressed by dominant epistemologies. Dismantling oppressive structures begins with critically examining how they manifest within our habits of mind so we can then see beyond them—to capture what was lost, what is hidden, and what could be. Drawing on a diversity of theories, this largely conceptual paper calls for the (re)introduction of pedagogies that engage our creativity and extrarational senses to help transform our perspectives toward environmental justice. Extrarational pedagogies provide space to challenge dominant paradigms, empathetically experiment with creative alternatives, increase learners’ sense of agency, and overturn the notion that we are powerless to change our circumstances. Such pedagogies promote perspective shifts toward solidarity, compassionate accountability, and an increased awareness of the interconnectivity of our collective survival and well-being.
Broad Therapeutic Time Window for Driving Motor Recovery After TBI Using Activity-Dependent Stimulation
Authors: Hudson Heather M. , Guggenmos David J. , Azin Meysam , Vitale Nicholas , McKenzie Katelyn A. , Mahnken Jonathan D. , Mohseni Pedram , Nudo Randolph J.
Published: January 2023

Background:

After an acquired injury to the motor cortex, the ability to generate skilled movements is impaired, leading to long-term motor impairment and disability. While rehabilitative therapy can improve outcomes in some individuals, there are no treatments currently available that are able to fully restore lost function.

Objective:

We previously used activity-dependent stimulation (ADS), initiated immediately after an injury, to drive motor recovery. The objective of this study was to determine if delayed application of ADS would still lead to recovery and if the recovery would persist after treatment was stopped.

Methods:

Rats received a controlled cortical impact over primary motor cortex, microelectrode arrays were implanted in ipsilesional premotor and somatosensory areas, and a custom brain–machine interface was attached to perform the ADS. Stimulation was initiated either 1, 2, or 3 weeks after injury and delivered constantly over a 4-week period. An additional group was monitored for 8 weeks after terminating ADS to assess persistence of effect. Results were compared to rats receiving no stimulation.

Results:

ADS was delayed up to 3 weeks from injury onset and still resulted in significant motor recovery, with maximal recovery occurring in the 1-week delay group. The improvements in motor performance persisted for at least 8 weeks following the end of treatment.

Conclusions:

ADS is an effective method to treat motor impairments following acquired brain injury in rats. This study demonstrates the clinical relevance of this technique as it could be initiated in the post-acute period and could be explanted/ceased once recovery has occurred.
Descriptive Epidemiology of Injuries Sustained in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse, 2004–2005 Through 2013–2014 Seasons
Authors: Garcia Ambar , Redler Lauren H.
Published: January 2023

Background: Men’s and women’s lacrosse operate with significantly different rules, equipment, and contact. Previous studies have assessed injury rates (IRs) in either men’s or women’s lacrosse, but a few studies have compared injury patterns in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s and women’s lacrosse. Purpose: We sought to examine whether there were differences in injury type, mechanism, setting, and time loss in men and women playing lacrosse in the NCAA. Methods: We performed a retrospective case-control study using data collected by the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (ISP) during a 10-season period (2004–2005 to 2013–2014). The data were assessed for potential differences in injuries between male and female lacrosse players and analyzed to obtain descriptive statistics through calculations of rates, percentages, and confidence intervals (CIs). Main outcomes measured were IRs per 1000 athletic exposures (AEs) and injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% CIs. Results: The IRs were 5.19 per 1000 AEs in women’s lacrosse and 6.52 per 1000 AEs in men’s lacrosse. Men had more injuries overall than women in competitions and practices and in preseason, regular season, and postseason play. Preseason IRs were higher than the regular season, and competition injuries were greater than practice injuries in both sexes. Women had more injuries to the head/face, knee, lower leg, and foot. Sprains, strains, concussions, and contusions were the most common types of injuries in both sexes. Overuse/gradual onset, cartilage, concussion, inflammation, and tendinosis injuries were more common in women than men. Injuries in men resulted in time loss more often than injuries in women. Conclusions: Our retrospective study’s findings suggest that there were differences in injury patterns between men’s and women’s lacrosse. Future prospective research should assess whether these disparities are due to differences in equipment and rules and whether changes to these factors can reduce injuries.
Evaluation of Caralluma edulis for its Potential Against Obesity, Atherosclerosis and Hypertension
Authors: Akram Adnan , Jamshed Ayesha , Anwaar Mariya , Rasheed Hafiz Muhammad Farhan , Haider Syed Ihtisham , Aslam Naveed , Jabeen Qaiser
Published: January 2023

Obesity, a chronic metabolic condition, is an increase in fat mass and blood lipid levels mainly causing atherosclerosis and hypertension, which further lead to cardiovascular complications. The objective of the study was to investigate the crude extract of Caralluma edulis (CE.Cr) for its potential against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and its related complications. Hyperlipidemia was induced in Wistar albino rats with HFD (1% cholesterol + 0.5% cholic acid) for 28 days. Treatment groups were administered with different doses of CE.Cr (100, 300 and 500 mg/Kg, p.o.) and the standard group received atorvastatin. At the end of study, sera were analyzed for biochemical markers and the aorta was dissected for microscopic examination. Antioxidant potential was evaluated and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed. The hypotensive potential of CE.Cr was evaluated through an invasive technique. HPLC analysis of CE.Cr showed the presence of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, apigenin and naringenin. Histological examination of the aorta section showed anti-atherosclerotic effects which were also evident from decrease in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins levels. CE.Cr decreased mean arterial blood pressure and evoked significant hypotensive effects. The crude extract of C. edulis showed anti-obesity, antihypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic and antioxidant potential.
A two-stage Gaussian process regression model for remaining useful prediction of bearings
Authors: Cui Jin , Cao Licai , Zhang Tianxiao
Published: January 2023

Bearing is one of the most important supporting components in mechanical equipment and its health status has a significant impact on the overall performance of equipment. The remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of bearings is critical in adopting a condition-based maintenance strategy to ensure reliable equipment operation. To accurately predict the RUL of bearings, this paper proposes a two-stage Gaussian process regression (GPR) model, which combines the flexibility of the Gaussian process and the physical mechanism of the Wiener process. Compared with the conventional GPR model, the proposed model can reasonably adapt to the statistical characteristics of bearings degradation and provide more stable predictions. In addition, the paper proposes a new degradation detection approach based on the Euclidean distance to distinguish the two stages of the bearing service life cycle, which considers the global characteristics of bearing degradation and can accurately detect the beginning point of bearing degradation. The experimental results show that the proposed two-stage GPR model can help to improve the precision and accuracy of degradation path tracking and RUL prediction.