bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Video Game Concerts: Unending Consumption on Video Game Platforms
Authors: Arditi David
Published: February 2024

Over the past several decades, video games have gone from single-purpose games to multi-faceted platforms. This article is a case study that develops ‘unending consumption’ to understand the political economy of video game concerts. Unending consumption is the expansion of the means of consumption under a subscription model. By applying unending consumption to the political economy of video games, I show how video game concerts are embedded in the current moment of capitalism. The new political economy of video games blurs the line between video games and music as distinct media—an element of convergence. While video games and music converge through a new form of unending consumption, I argue these changes create more gatekeepers and limit the ability of independent creators to make a living.
Contemporary Library and Artificial Intelligence Technology
Authors: Adesina Akinola Samson , Zubairu Aishatu Nya
Published: February 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in libraries as a means of enhancing services and improving performance. The implementation of AI aims to create computer systems and machines that can think and act like humans, thus presenting both challenges and opportunities for libraries. AI is already being utilized in various ways within libraries, such as expert systems for reference services, robots for book shelving, and virtual reality for immersive learning experiences. Despite concerns that AI may replace librarians, it is actually facilitating libraries to become more efficient and provide better services. As technology rapidly advances in today's digital age, AI is expected to play a significant role in transforming libraries and adapting to the changing needs of society. The role of libraries is evolving, and they are embracing AI to enhance their performance and services.
Juvenile neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus: A specific clinical phenotype and proposal of a probability score
Authors: Labouret Mathilde , Trebossen Vincent , Ntorkou Alexandra , Bartoli Sophie , Aubart Mélodie , Auvin Stéphane , Bader-Meunier Brigitte , Baudouin Véronique , Corseri Olivier , Dingulu Glory , Ducrocq Camille , Dumaine Cécile , Elmaleh Monique , Fabien Nicole , Faye Albert , Hau Isabelle , Hentgen Véronique , Kwon Théresa , Meinzer Ulrich , Ouldali Naim , Parmentier Cyrielle , Pouletty Marie , Renaldo Florence , Savioz Isabelle , Benoist Jean-François , Le Roux Enora , Ellul Pierre , Melki Isabelle
Published: February 2024

Objective

Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (j-SLE) is a rare chronic auto-immune disease involving several organs. Neuropsychiatric (NP) SLE (NPSLE) is frequent in j-SLE and associated with increased morbidity/mortality. Although NPSLE classification criteria exist, attributing NP features to j-SLE remains a major challenge. The study objective is to thoroughly describe j-NPSLE patients and assist in their diagnosis.

Methods

This is a 4-year retrospective monocentric study of j-SLE patients. NP events were attributed to j-SLE using standardised diagnostic criteria and multidisciplinary paediatric clinical expertise. Clinical features, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)s and samples analysis including cerebrospinal fluid were assessed. A risk of j-NPSLE score was developed based on multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of 39 patients included, 44% were identified as having j-NPSLE. J-NPSLE diagnosis was established at the onset of j-SLE in 59% of patients. In addition to frequent kidney involvement (76%) and chilblains (65%), all j-NPSLE patients displayed psychiatric features: cognitive symptoms (82%), hallucinations (76%), depressed mood (35%), acute confused state (18%) and catatonia (12%). Neurological involvement was often mild and nonspecific, with headache (53%) in about half of the patients. The main features reported on brain MRI were nonspecific T2/FLAIR white matter hyperintensities (65%), and cerebral atrophy (88%). Upon immunosuppressive treatment, clinical improvement of NP features was observed in all j-NPSLE patients. The score developed to attribute j-NPSLE probability, guide further investigations and appropriate treatments is based on hallucinations, memory, sleep and renal involvement (Sensitivity: 0.95 Specificity: 0.85). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neopterin assessment increases the score sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion

Physicians should carefully and systematically assess the presence of NP features at diagnosis and early stages of j-SLE. For j-NPSLE patients with predominant psychiatric features, a multidisciplinary collaboration, including psychiatrists, is essential for the diagnosis, management and follow-up.
Factors affecting different COVID-19 outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus during the second pandemic wave of COVID-19 in China
Authors: Liu Peng-Cheng , Zhang Min , Li Jian-Bin , Peng Yi-Lin , Yu Shu-Jiao , Wu Rui
Published: February 2024

Objective

To investigate characteristics associated with different COVID-19 outcomes of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and COVID-19 during the second pandemic wave of COVID-19 in China.

Methods

In this retrospective study, people with SLE and COVID-19 who visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from December 2022 and February 2023 were subjected to this study. The three possible outcomes were listed in order of ordinal severity: (1) not hospitalized, (2) hospitalized but not receiving oxygenation, and (3) hospitalized with any ventilation or oxygenation. A multivariable ordinal logistic regression model was built to examine the association between COVID-19 severity and demographic traits, medications, comorbidities, and disease activity. Furthermore, among the 301 SLE patients included in our study, only two patients experienced mortality. In order to maintain statistical rigor, we have included these two deceased patients in the outcome measure of hospitalized with any ventilation or oxygenation.

Results

A total of 301 patients with SLE were enrolled in this study. The multivariate ordinal logistic regression analyses indicated that high SLE disease activity (vs remission; OR 39.04, 95% CI 3.08 to 494.44, p = .005) was associated with more severe outcomes. Three doses of COVID-19 vaccination (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.51, p = .001), glucocorticoids dose (1–5 mg/day 0.14, 0.03 to 0.73, p = .020, and 6–9 mg/day 0.12, 0.02 to 0.61, p = .010), and more intensive immunosuppression drugs (0.34, 0.12 to 0.97, p = .044) were associated with better outcomes. In age-adjusted and sex-adjusted models, telitacicept (6.66, 1.35 to 32.86, p = .020) and rituximab (7.81, 1.87 to 32.66, p = .005) were associated with more severe outcomes. Hydroxychloroquine (0.47, 0.25 to 0.88, p = .018) was associated with favorable outcomes.

Conclusion

Different COVID-19 outcomes in people with SLE are mostly driven by COVID-19 vaccination, medications, and activity SLE. More importantly, three doses of COVID-19 vaccination may be associated with better outcomes.
Quality Improvement Project for Reducing Hypothermia on Admission in Neonates Admitted in A Tertiary Care (Level 3A) NICU in Ahmedabad, Western India
Authors: Shah Binoy , Mehta Ashish , Kamdar Jinal
Published: February 2024

Title

Quality Improvement project for reducing hypothermia on admission in newborns admitted to a neonatal care unit in a large academic tertiary (Level 3A) NICU in Ahmedabad, Western India.

Background

Neonatal hypothermia is a common and dangerous condition around the world. Moderate and severe hypothermia increase mortality and morbidity and predispose the fragile neonate to an increased risk of late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS), intraventricular hemorrhage, and worsening of respiratory distress. Around 60% of neonates who are admitted to level 3 tertiary NICU in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, had a temperature below 36.5°C on admission.

Method

We conducted plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles to test and adapt solutions for decreasing hypothermia in neonates admitted to NICU. Identifying the root cause of hypothermia in terms of Manpower, Material, and Methods and enlisting them as fishbone diagrams. We adopted the strategy of using a transport incubator in the Ambulance and turning on the incubator before thirty minutes of delivery for preventing neonatal hypothermia.

Results

Within 8 months of starting our quality improvement project, the proportion of neonates who were hypothermic on admission decreased from 57% to 8%, Normothermic on admission increased from 23% to 53%, with an increase in mean admission temperature from 35.4°C during the pre-intervention phase to 36.6°C during post-intervention. There was also a reduction in the incidence of late-onset sepsis from 23% (pre-intervention phase) to 13% and subsequently 5% in the post-intervention period.

Conclusion

This study is a cost-effective approach to reducing admission hypothermia in NICU in a resource-limited setting with all outborn babies. Our study also emphasizes the importance of maintaining euthermia, not only in delivery rooms but also during transportation.
Enhanced flexibility: Special regimes of closer cooperation in core state powers
Authors: Patrin Maria
Published: February 2024

This article looks at the overarching Treaty architecture on secondary law differentiation and investigates three special regimes of closer cooperation, which are modelled upon, but cannot be entirely reconducted to, the enhanced cooperation procedure of Article 20 TEU. These regimes operate within core state powers and introduce a layer of additional flexibility in some policy-specific areas. They are the Article 136.1 TfEU special procedure for euro-related legislation, the fast-track procedure for enhanced cooperation in criminal law and the permanent structured cooperation in defence policies. The article argues that the web of closer cooperation regimes in secondary law enlarges the remit of differentiation within the Treaties beyond the standard enhanced cooperation and adapts it to core state power policy domains. This increased flexibility expands substantially the likelihood of such differentiation instruments to be used in practice. Moreover, as it extends to the policy fields in which opt-outs are generally established and where differentiation is mostly needed and operated, this accrued flexibility can replace, or at least supplement, differentiation through primary law derogations.
“We Need to Go Back Home (to) the Philippines Healthy”: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of Migrant Domestic Workers’ Experiences of Having Breast Cancer in Hong Kong
Authors: Turnbull Margo , Yu Carol , Tay Dennis
Published: February 2024

Diagnoses of breast cancer are continuing to increase in the Philippines, but little is known about incidence rates among the significant number of Filipino women working abroad as migrant domestic workers (MDWs). These women are often the main income providers for their families, and their ability to work depends upon their physical health and strength. In this article, we use interpretive phenomenological analysis to explore the experiences of 10 MDWs from the Philippines who were diagnosed with breast cancer during a period of employment in Hong Kong. Analysis of these narratives revealed numerous points at which their status as temporary, transnational migrant workers intersected with their experiences of breast cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment. We argue that these women’s experiences of breast cancer were shaped by the structures of migration that link the Philippines with host destinations like Hong Kong. These structures create a unique context in which these women had to constantly renegotiate their identities as migrants, financial providers, and breast cancer patients.
How to Sustain Healthcare Process Improvement in Heterogenous Teams? Evidence from a Systems Dynamic Model
Authors: Anderson Edward G , Chandrasekaran Aravind
Published: February 2024

This research investigates how to sustain process improvement (PI) initiatives in healthcare. Despite the abundant knowledge on PI, we know very little on why and how PI sustains over time. This is particularly true in the context of heterogeneous frontline teams of physicians and nurses with different operational characteristics such as attrition rates, skill sets, training, and goals. Our study builds a model that simulates the mutual, dynamic interaction of these stakeholders with each other and with processes with different characteristics in the presence of endogenous management prioritization. We build confidence in the model by calibrating it to data from PI teams at several family medicine clinics at a large US Midwestern healthcare system. The computational experiments performed using data from these teams yield several important insights for theory and practice. First, we find that process metrics, which are leading metrics related to the day-to-day functioning of the units, and outcome metrics, which are lagging metrics often tied to the unit's bottom line, are both critical for the functioning of the PI teams. Emphasizing one over the other can reduce sustainability while a mixed case in which one group of employees is incentivized to leading and another group to lagging can create a regime that is more effective in many scenarios. Second, we find that management interventions that improve short-term PI gains generally also reduce the likelihood of long-run sustainment. Third, we find that attrition and turnover among the team members affect sustainability of PI initiatives and reducing turnover for one class of employee, which attends lagging metrics, facilitates sustainment while reducing it for the other class, which attends leading metrics, can hinder sustainment. We conclude by discussing these implications to the practice of PI among healthcare teams.
Sponsored Product-Based Competition and Customer Engagement: A Study of an Esports Competition in the Video Game Industry
Authors: Jo Wooyong , Lewis Michael
Published: February 2024

The sponsorship of sports or entertainment events is a long-established marketing promotion technique. The goals of sponsoring these events are to generate exposure and to transfer brand equity. A more assertive type of sponsored competition is when the competition is built around the products and brands of the sponsoring firm. The number of firms using sponsored product-based competitions (SPCs) is rising. Firms invest in these competitions to create content that highlights the capabilities of their products and build committed fan bases. However, evaluating the economic value of this type of sponsorship activity is challenging due to the absence of a direct link between event viewing and subsequent product consumption. We present an empirical approach to investigate the impacts of SPC on customer engagement using esports viewing and video game consumption data. We find that sponsored competitions provide firms with substantial benefits. Specifically, the results suggest that viewing an SPC event (i.e., esports competition) reduces consumers’ time between game plays by 3.2% (i.e., increased visit frequency), increases per-visit duration by 3.5%, and boosts the paid content purchase rate by 26%. These findings are corroborated using an alternate dataset from a second esports event from the game publisher. We find that the effect of an SPC event viewing is a nonlinear function of consumer expertise and is more pronounced among customers less familiar with the video game product category. In a supplementary analysis, we also identify an educational role of SPC that may explain the observed incremental consumption. The analyses reveal that esports audiences tend to choose frequently featured game characters with superior performance during the event. In addition, we find that when event viewers play the game with these characters, their performance improves. The results have substantial implications for event sponsorship management and follow-up product promotions.
Last Time Buys during Product Rollovers: Manufacturer & Supplier Equilibria
Authors: Bazerghi Audrey , Van Mieghem Jan A
Published: February 2024

Durable goods customers expect long-term availability of spare parts to maintain their product. This puts a strain on supply chains. Part suppliers want to obsolete older generations of parts with declining demand and reassign resources to new, growing generations. Meanwhile, durable goods manufacturers that purchase and sell spare parts to customers want suppliers to keep producing old parts. When suppliers offer a “last time buy” opportunity for legacy parts in anticipation of their retirement, manufacturers push back. We study the strategic interaction and equilibria of a supplier and a manufacturer during the rollover between a legacy part and its successor in a durable good supply chain. Evidence from our interviews shows that manufacturers attempt to use the future business of the new part to delay a supplier’s last time buy of the old part. However, this tactic is often ineffective in practice. We propose a two-stage noncooperative game that reproduces the behaviors observed in interviews. Our analysis of this game distills the conditions under which a manufacturer can leverage the future business to delay a last time buy. There exist only six strategies that achieve this delay. We present a necessary and sufficient condition for these six strategies to be subgame perfect Nash equilibria. The condition reduces to a closed-form threshold on the new part volume. We conclude with practical insights that can guide managers during a rollover discussion.
Financing Supplier Through Retailer’s Credit
Authors: Zha Yong , Chen Kehong , Dong Lingxiu , Yu Yugang
Published: February 2024

This study examines two retailer-initiated pre-shipment financing programs to assist capital-constrained suppliers in securing external funds for production. The first program is retailer-sponsored financing (RSF), an emerging practice in developing economies. Under RSF, the retailer commits to sharing the loan repayment obligation with the supplier by agreeing to pay up to a specific portion of the supplier’s bank loan repayment. The second program is advance payment (AP), a common payment arrangement wherein the retailer pays a part of the wholesale amount upfront to support the supplier’s production costs. We analyze a supply chain comprising a supplier and retailer. The retailer must choose between offering RSF, AP, or neither. Without RSF or AP, the supplier must opt for bank-direct financing when it is short of funds and bear the full responsibility of repaying the loan principal and interest. Our findings reveal a divergence in supplier and retailer preferences. Specifically, the supplier favors RSF as it not only lowers the marginal production cost but also permits the supplier to charge a higher risk premium to the retailer compared to AP. Conversely, the retailer prefers AP primarily due to the latter reason. Our research underscores the significance of RSF as a distinct financing alternative, enabling retailers to aid a supplier segment that cannot rely solely on AP. RSF also proves to be advantageous for banks by expanding their supplier clientele and boosting their lending volume. Interestingly, the supplier’s and retailer’s bankruptcy risks tend to have opposite impacts on the value of RSF.
Gastric Perineurioma: A Rare Entity with Molecular Analysis and Literature Review
Authors: Vitale Alyssa M. , Alruwaii Fatima , Chitale Dhananjay A. , Ahsan Beena
Published: February 2024

Background

Perineuriomas of the gastrointestinal tract are benign neoplasms that commonly develop in the distal colon and are identified during screening colonoscopy; however, perineuriomas of the stomach are exceedingly rare and less frequently identified. Differentiating gastric perineuriomas from other more serious gastric neoplasms is critical to avoid unnecessarily aggressive treatments. Thus far, only six patients with gastric perineurioma have been described, and the molecular characterization of this entity is still lacking.

Case Presentation

We report a 52-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain and gastric acid reflux and was found to have a 1.5 cm subepithelial gastric neoplasm composed of bland spindle cells displacing the gastric glands with no cytologic atypia or mitotic activity, suggesting a benign spindle cell neoplasm. Immunohistochemical analysis showed reactivity for perineurial markers glucose transporter-1 and epithelial membrane antigen, consistent with benign gastric perineurioma. DNA extracted from the tissue was used for a capture-based target sequence enrichment panel followed by Illumina next-generation sequencing and targeted bioinformatic analysis for oncogenic alterations within defined disease-associated target regions. No sequence variants in the BRAF gene were identified.

Conclusions

This rare case of gastric perineurioma helps solidify our understanding of how to discern various types of gastric neoplasms through traditional laboratory analysis alongside genetic sequencing approaches. Although extremely rare, gastric perineurioma should be kept in the differential diagnosis when assessing spindle cell gastric tumors to avoid unnecessary therapies, and physicians should understand the molecular characteristics of benign versus malignant tumors.
Recurrent MTOR Mutations in Renal Cell Carcinoma With Fibromyomatous Stroma: A Report of 2 Tumors
Authors: Palathingal Bava Ejas , Gupta Nilesh , Alruwaii Fatimah I. , Nelson Ryan , Al-Obaidy Khaleel I.
Published: February 2024

Renal cell carcinoma with fibromyomatous stroma, recognized as a provisional entity in the current 2022 World Health Organization classification of renal neoplasms, is rare. Recent evidence suggests recurrent alterations in the mTOR pathway, supporting its recognition as a distinct entity. Herein, we report 2 renal cell carcinomas with fibromyomatous stroma with MTOR mutations occurring in 62- and 72-year-old women and review the literature to support its recognition as a distinct entity, focusing on the characteristic morphology, immunohistochemical staining patterns as well as genetic alterations.
Intermedia Attribute Agenda Setting Between the U.S. Mainstream Newspapers and Twitter: A Two-Study Analysis of the Paradigm and Driving Forces of the Agenda Flow
Authors: Su Yan , Xiao Xizhu
Published: February 2024

Performing two studies, we explore the intermedia attribute agenda-setting effects between the U.S. mainstream newspapers and Twitter. Leveraging computational methodologies, Study 1 analyzes 3,541 newspaper articles and over 1.06 million tweets about the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement, illustrating asymmetrical reciprocity of substantive attributes and mutual independency of affective attributes between both outlets. Study 2 performs in-depth interviews with 16 American journalists, showing that journalists increasingly see Twitter as a news source hub, a self-promotion platform, and a prism of distorted public sentiments. The juxtaposition of both studies revealed the paradigm and driving forces of the intermedia agenda flow.
Navigating Political Polarization in News Production: The Case of Italy
Authors: Splendore Sergio , Piacentini Arianna
Published: February 2024

This study looks at political polarization from Italian political journalists’ perspectives and investigates (a) how they conceive political polarization and (b) how they navigate it in their daily work. Empirical data shed light on a number of main factors shaping journalists’ perceptions of political polarization, pinpointing the existence of “media polarization.” The findings also revealed five ideal-typical strategies adopted to deal with a polarized environment: mitigating, aligning, nurturing, creating, and ignoring polarization. The reflections proposed throughout the article suggest new perspectives through which to analyze the topic, fostering a debate beyond the case study.
How Advocates Use CARE to Accommodate the Needs of Domestic Violence Survivors Seeking Services With Brain Injuries and Mental Health Challenges: A Process Evaluation
Authors: Sucaldito Ana D. , Kemble Hannah , Kulow Emily , Ramirez Rachel , Nemeth Julianna M.
Published: February 2024

We evaluated the implementation of Connect, Acknowledge, Respond, and Evaluate (CARE), an organization-level intervention, to accommodate the health needs of survivors, including brain injury. Participants were staff or administrators at agencies serving domestic violence (DV) survivors ( n = 57 advocates; n = 5 agencies). Process evaluation focus groups ( n = 10 groups) were conducted. Two researchers coded/analyzed focus group transcripts using grounded theory. The use of CARE increased advocate awareness/knowledge of brain injury among survivors leading to improvements to the agencies’ provision of structural and functional social support to survivors. CARE is a valuable resource to accommodate survivors, thereby improving staff's perception of their ability to provide trauma-informed service provision for DV survivors.
New insights in the pathogenic mechanism of multiple sclerosis: Is Epstein-Barr virus associated with optic nerve involvement?
Authors: Remolí-Sargues Lidia , Monferrer-Adsuara Clara , López-Salvador Belén , García-Villanueva Carolina , Gracia-García Alicia , Castro-Navarro Verónica , Cervera-Taulet Enrique
Published: February 2024

Introduction

There are no reports in the literature studying the possible relationship between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and optic nerve involvement in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of our study was to analyze the association between EBV antibodies titres and optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) quantitative parameters

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study. The study included 98 eyes of 49 patients with MS. Years of MS duration, relapse count, history of optic neuritis (ON), and immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies to the EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) were recorded from each patient. Also, OCT analysis (including retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness) and OCTA analysis (including perfusion density (PD) and flux index (FI) of the radial peripapillary capillary plexus) were performed in each participant.

Results

No significant associations were observed between anti-EBV antibody levels and OCT or OCTA parameters ( p > 0,05). Correlation analysis between OCT and OCTA measurements showed a significant positive correlation between RNFL thickness and GCIPL thickness with peripapillary PD and FI ( p < 0,035). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant diminution of RNFL thickness, GCIPL thickness and peripapillary PD and FI ( p < 0,05) in the ON group.

Conclusion

We were unable to demonstrate a significant association between anti-EBV VCA IgG antibody titres and OCT or OCTA parameters. Nonetheless, further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the possible association of EBV with optic nerve involvement in MS.
The role of trust, vaccine information exposure, and Health Belief Model variables in COVID-19 vaccination intentions: Evidence from an HBCU sample
Authors: Huang Hsuan Yuan , Gerend Mary A
Published: February 2024

African Americans have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines were initially met with hesitancy from the African American community. This study identified predictors of COVID-19 vaccination intentions among students attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) when COVID-19 vaccines first became available. Unvaccinated students ( N = 224) completed a survey. Path analysis modeled relationships among exogenous variables (trust, exposure to pro- and anti-vaccine information), proposed mediators (Health Belief Model variables), and COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Students reported low trust in government officials, medical professionals, and the vaccine development process. Direct predictors of vaccination intentions included trust, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers. Students with lower trust reported lower benefits, increased concerns about side effects, and were more likely to view COVID-19 vaccination as low priority, and these factors in turn predicted intentions. Findings highlight the urgent need for theory-driven, culturally sensitive, age-relevant messaging to reduce vaccine hesitancy among Black young adults.
“Trust in God, but tie your donkey”: Holy water priest healers’ views on collaboration with biomedical mental health services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Baheretibeb Yonas , Wondimagegn Dawit , Law Samuel
Published: February 2024

This exploratory qualitative study examines holy water priest healers’ explanatory models and general treatment approaches toward mental illness, and their views and reflections on a collaborative project between them and biomedical practitioners. The study took place at two holy water treatment sites in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Twelve semi-structured interviews with holy water priest healers found eight notable themes: they held multiple explanatory models of illness, dominated by religious and spiritual understanding; they emphasized spiritual healing and empathic understanding in treatment, and also embraced biomedicine as part of an eclectic healing model; they perceived biomedical practitioners’ humility and respect as key to their positive views on the collaboration; they valued recognition of their current role and contribution in providing mental healthcare; they recognized and appreciated the biomedical clinic's effectiveness in treating violent and aggressive patients; they endorsed the collaboration and helped to overcome patient and family reluctance to the use of biomedicine; they lamented the lack of spiritual healing in biomedical treatment; and they had a number of dissatisfactions and concerns, particularly the one-way referral from religious healers to the biomedical clinic. The study results show diversity in the religious healers’ etiological understanding, treatment approaches and generally positive attitude and views on the collaboration. We present insights and explorations of factors affecting this rare, but much needed collaboration between traditional healers and biomedical services, and potential ways to improve it are discussed.
Health Is Power, and Health Is Wealth: Understanding the Motivators and Barriers of African American/Black Male Immigrants With Gastrointestinal Conditions
Authors: Potter Daina , Valera Pamela
Published: February 2024

The digestive health of African American/Black male immigrants in the United States has not been previously studied. Much of what is known about gastrointestinal (GI) concerns in this population is based on studies conducted on the overall Black American population. The purpose of this narrative study was to understand how African American/Black male immigrants with GI concerns navigated their GI condition. Fifteen African American/Black male immigrants from various cities in the United States participated in two remote focus groups to discover what motivates them to take control of their illness. Narrative analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Most men, 47% ( n = 7), did not have health insurance, and 67% ( n = 10) reported their income was less than US$52,000. The themes identified were: (1) lack of knowledge of GI, (2) denial of initial diagnosis, (3) self-discipline, (4) positive provider interactions, (5) health as a priority, and (6) advice to other African American/Black male immigrants experiencing GI. A strengths-based approach is necessary for describing the health-seeking behaviors among African American/Black male immigrants.
A combined CFD-based simulation and experimental study of particle dispersion in a high-concentration airtight space under unorganized airflow
Authors: Li Xiaonan , Li Tianpeng , Xu Tong , Zhao Ran , Gao Xinbao , Xuan Zhaolong
Published: February 2024

It is significant to obtain the particle distribution data for workpiece processing and industrial protection strategies. To simulate the particle dispersion in a high-concentration airtight space under unorganized airflow, a CFD-based simulation and experimental were utilized in this study. The proposed method works in three steps. The first step is to use Stokes-MRF-Fan-CFD model to simplify the distribution of high-concentration particles calculation to the dispersion state of the gas components. The second step is to compute the airflow patterns and dispersion of particles. The third step is to prove the feasibility of Stokes-MRF-Fan-CFD model. The results of this model in particle dispersion show ±200 mg·m−3 of absolute error, ±20% of relative error, and 88.5747 grade of simulation accuracy. And the results of particle concentration distribution can be mutually confirmed with the streamline and velocity vector distribution in the airtight space, providing a promising and innovative model for the particle dispersion in a high-concentration airtight space under unorganized airflow.
The social learning account of trypophobia
Authors: Cole Geoff G. , Millett Abbie C. , Juanchich Marie
Published: February 2024

Trypophobia is the condition in which individuals report a range of negative emotions when viewing clusters of small holes. Since the phenomenon was first described in the peer-reviewed literature a decade ago, 49 papers have appeared together with hundreds of news articles. There has also been much discussion on various Internet forums, including medical and health-related websites. In the present article, we examine the degree to which the phenomenon is caused by a form of social learning, specifically, its ubiquitous social media presence. We also examined its prevalence among the broad population. In Experiment 1 ( n = 2,558), we assessed whether younger people and females (i.e., greater social media users) are more sensitive to trypophobic stimuli, as predicted by the social media hypothesis. In Experiment 2 ( n = 283), we examined whether sensitivity to trypophobic stimuli and rates of trypophobia is greater in people who are aware of the condition’s existence, as opposed to those who have never heard of the phenomenon. In line with the social media theory, results showed that younger people and females are indeed more susceptible to trypophobia. However, 24% of trypophobic individuals have never heard of the condition. Overall, these data suggest that both social learning and non-social learning contribute to trypophobia. We also find that the prevalence of trypophobia is approximately 10%.
Shape of storage memory: A digital analysis of the museums’ storage of Northeast Europe
Authors: Spurina Maija
Published: February 2024

Objects in museums’ storage constitute “storage memory” that sets the limits to our knowledge and interpretation of the past. Spread out across thousands of institutions, it has been inaccessible for empirical inquiry until recently. Theoretically, the digitization of museum catalogs allows the uniting of dispersed containers of institutional data into a vast connected digital archive, turning “storage memory” from a theoretical concept into an empirically explorable phenomenon. The study examines national digitized museum catalogs of three countries—Latvia, Estonia, and Finland—with a two-fold purpose: first, to explore if and how they can be used to produce a structural overview of the storage memories of each of the three included countries, both separately and in combination; second, by documenting the process of exploration, to examine critically how these new digital data collections are structured and formatted and to what extent they allow to transgress institutional and national boundaries.
Complications of flexor tendon repair
Authors: Chen Jing , Tang Jin Bo
Published: February 2024

This article reviews and highlights complications of flexor tendon repairs. Although the outcomes of flexor tendon repairs have improved over the years, fair or poor functional outcomes are seen, especially in patients whose trauma involves multiple structures of the hand and in zone 5 with multiple tendon lacerations. Rupture of the flexor tendon after repair is no longer a major problem if current repair principles are carefully adhered to. Different degrees of adhesion formations and interphalangeal (IP) joint stiffness still occur in a few patients. Early active postoperative mobilization and use of a shorter splint with sparing of the wrist are effective measures to prevent adhesion formation and IP joint stiffness. Given the overall poor results and high rate of complications with flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) repairs in zone 1, a direct repair of the FDP tendon to any short remnant of the distal insertion with 10-strand or even stronger core suture repair is adopted by many units.
Surgical complications: errors and adverse events
Authors: Giddins Grey
Published: February 2024

Complications are a recognized hazard of surgery. The term is confusing; it has multiple meanings, including surgical error and adverse surgical outcomes. I propose the latter two terms are used. Grading of ‘complications’ is difficult but made easier by grading errors and outcomes separately, though they are not always linked. The exact grades are not established.

Error avoidance requires efforts at a personal (surgeon) level, including training, learning and preparation, and at a systems level. Understanding human factors is important.

The perspective of patients about adverse outcomes is not well understood. There is evidence that, unsurprisingly, patient perspectives may be different to surgeon perspectives. There are a range of surgeon responses to error and adverse outcomes; many are negative. These need to be understood better in order to protect patients and surgeons in the immediate aftermath and in the potentially prolonged ‘recovery time’, both for patients and surgeons.

Level of evidence: V
Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in early onset scoliosis: A current concept review
Authors: Studer Daniel , Hasler Carol Claudius
Published: February 2024

Substantial advances in the treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS) over the past two to three decades have resulted in significant improvements in health-related quality of life of affected children. In addition to classifications that address the marked heterogeneity of this patient population, increasing understanding of the natural history of the disease, and new implants and treatment techniques have resulted in innovations unlike any other area of pediatric orthopedics. The growing understanding of the interaction between spinal and thoracic growth, as well as dependent lung maturation, has had a lasting impact on the treatment strategy of this potentially life-threatening disease. The previous treatment approach with early corrective fusion gave way to a growth-friendly concept. Despite the steady development of new growth-friendly surgical treatment options, whose efficacy still needs to be validated, as well as a revival of conservative growth control with serial casts and/or braces, the psychosocial burden of the long lasting and complication-prone treatments remains high. As a consequence, EOS still represents one of the greatest pediatric orthopedic challenges.
Comparing Clinical Accuracy and Analytical Accuracy Between Continuous Glucose Monitors
Authors: Krouwer Jan S.
Published: February 2024

This study compares performance between two continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). The study design contains a mix of laboratory results (CGM vs YSI) and home results (CGM vs glucose meter). Analysis is provided for both clinical accuracy and analytical accuracy of CGM glucose measurements. Both types of accuracy are important. Error grid analysis informs about clinical accuracy. Analytical error is important as most users would prefer a CGM with a smaller spread of CGM versus reference differences. The authors provide the percentage of time that no result was obtained. Study design, data analysis, and editorial support were provided by a manufacturer of one of the products studied. This study provides a template for comparisons.
Non-formal education as a response to social problems in developing countries
Authors: Almeida Fernando , Morais José
Published: February 2024

Non-formal education seeks to address the limitations of formal education that do not reach all communities and do not provide all new competencies and capabilities that are essential for the integrated development of communities. The role of non-formal education becomes even more relevant in the context of developing countries where significant asymmetries in access to education emerge. This study adopts the Solutions Story Tracker provided by the Solutions Journalism Network to identify and explore solutions based on journalism stories in the non-formal education field. A total of 256 stories are identified and categorized into 14 dimensions. The findings reveal that practical, participatory, and volunteering dimensions are the three most common dimensions in these non-formal education initiatives. Furthermore, two emerging dimensions related to empowerment and sustainability are identified, allowing us to extend the theoretical knowledge in the non-formal education field. These conclusions are relevant for establishing public policies that can involve greater participation by local communities in non-formal education and for addressing sustainability challenges through bottom-up initiatives.
An Integrated Framework for Exploring the Impact of Leadership Communication on Employee Trust During Disruptive Crisis Times
Authors: Men Linjuan Rita , Qin Yufan Sunny , Fitzsimmons Alexis Bajalia , DiStaso Marcia W. , Heffron Eve
Published: February 2024

Drawing insights from leadership, public relations, and communication literature, this study aimed to advance the theorization of leadership communication in disruptive crisis times. Specifically, leadership communication attributes of transparency, authenticity, empathy, and optimism (TAEO) were connected to a central internal communication outcome, employee trust. Through an online survey with 1,044 full-time employees working across diverse industry sectors in the U.S., this study also tested the potential mediators of feelings of uncertainty and psychological well-being. Structural equation modeling analysis results showed that CEO communication attributes of TAEO during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced employees’ feeling of uncertainty and enhanced their psychological well-being, which in turn, boosted employee trust toward the organization. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Optimizing AI Social Chatbots for Relational Outcomes: The Effects of Profile Design, Communication Strategies, and Message Framing
Authors: Zhou Alvin , Tsai Wan-Hsiu Sunny , Men Linjuan Rita
Published: February 2024

With more corporations incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) tools like social chatbots into their public communication practices, we explore optimal chatbot designs for organization-public relational outcomes. Our 2 × 2 × 2 factorial web experiment with eight custom-designed chatbots showed that communication strategies (verbal and non-verbal social cues such as emoji, memes, filler words, and response delay) had a significant impact (Cohen’s d = 0.536, standardized coefficient β = 0.438) on chatbot social conversation, the central antecedent to the investigated relational outcomes such as trust in business. Furthermore, the effect of chatbot social conversation is partially mediated by perceived organizational listening, highlighting the importance of listening and its related theories and practices in automated business communication.
Multidisciplinary Endocrine Tumor Board: Assessment of the Patient Experience
Authors: Gorris Matthew A , Needham McKenzie L , Finnegan Kayla C , Obermiller Corey S , Witek Lauren , Randle Reese W , Burns Cynthia A
Published: February 2024

Research surrounding tumor boards has focused on patient outcomes and care coordination. Little is known about the patient experience with tumor boards. This survey examined aspects of the patient experience for patients presented at our multidisciplinary endocrine tumor board (ETB). A 15-item survey was distributed via the online patient portal to patients over the age of 18 whose case had been discussed at our ETB over an 18-month period. Descriptive statistics were reported, and a Fisher's exact test was used to examine relationships between variables. A total of 47 patients completed the survey (46%). A majority (72%) report their provider explained what the ETB is, and 77% report being informed their case would be discussed. Most patients were satisfied their case was being discussed (72%). A number of patients did report moderate or severe anxiety knowing their case was being discussed (15%). Sixty-four percent of patients report the ETB recommendations were clearly explained; however, satisfaction with the recommendations was slightly lower (53%). Despite the somewhat low satisfaction with the recommendations, 75% of patients felt more confident in their treatment plan knowing their case was discussed. Finally, if given the chance, 66% responded that they would have been interested in participating in their own ETB discussion. This study provides some insight into the patient experience surrounding tumor board discussions. Overall, patients are satisfied when their case is discussed at ETB. Patients can also experience anxiety about these discussions, and many patients desire to be present for their own discussions.
Exploring Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Perceptions on Clinical Learning Environment in the UAE: A Focus on Perceived Benefits and Challenges
Authors: Maalouf Imad , El Zaatari Wafaa
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Establishing a supportive clinical environment is paramount for enhancing nursing students’ engagement in clinical practice, their clinical proficiencies, and satisfaction. The increase in nursing student enrollment at the Nursing College, driven by the collaborative efforts between Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and universities, has given rise to concerns regarding the quality of education and clinical instruction. These concerns are primarily due to the increased student-to-instructor ratio. Furthermore, the unsupportive clinical settings and learning tensions underscore the need to understand students’ learning experiences and address research gaps within the field of clinical learning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to investigate the undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions of their clinical learning environment, with a focus on perceived benefits and challenges.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional survey design. The researchers administered a five-point Likert scale questionnaire, which had been adapted and contextualized, to a convenience sample of 217 third and fourth-year nursing students who willingly participated in this study.

Results

Despite the presence of positive aspects, such as diverse clinical experiences and strong support from both clinical instructors and peers, several challenges affect the students’ clinical learning. These challenges encompass disparate perceptions of supervision among staff nurses, learning tensions related to student academic workload, insufficient clinical supervision, and difficulties in finding assistance when needed.

Conclusion

There is a clear need to enhance the overall ward learning environment to optimize students’ academic motivation and clinical skills. Several measures can be taken to achieve this goal, including incentivizing and reducing the workload of staff nurses, investing in the professional development of clinical instructors, promoting peer interactions and group learning, and adopting a block pattern of education in years three and four for better clinical knowledge assimilation and reduced theoretical workload.