bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptation of Project “I CAN” Primary Skills Physical Education Program for Deaf-Blind Children
Authors: Silberman Rosanne K. , Tripodi Victoria
Published: August 2021

The “I CAN” physical education program, an individualized instructional management system emphasizing development of skills, associated concepts, and social growth, was designed for children whose general developmental growth is slow or who possess specific learning disabilities, social or emotional problems, or economic and language disadvantages. The authors describe how the “I CAN” model was adapted for use with deaf-blind children at the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind.
Biofeedback Training in the Rehabilitation Process
Authors: Stocker Claudell S.
Published: August 2021

Describes how a 60-hour training program helped 32 blind persons use biofeedback techniques to improve blood flow to arms, hands, legs, and feet (especially important for diabetics), and to reduce anxiety through relaxation.
The Residential Summer Camp—A Vehicle for Promoting Daily Living Skills
Authors: Maron Sheldon , Hassler Therese
Published: August 2021

Mastering activities of daily living (ADL) is essential for all children, especially those who are visually handicapped. In an eight-week, residential summer camp program, ADL was offered as part of the regular program and it was found that campers of varying ages consistently indicated that this was a most worthwhile learning experience. Due to their low pressure, less competitive nature, camps may represent an excellent vehicle for promoting these skills, and their use for such a purpose merits further exploration.
Kurzweil Reading Machine: A Partial Evaluation of Its Optical Character Recognition Error Rate
Authors: Goodrich Gregory L. , Bennett Richard R. , De L'aune William R. , Lauer Harvey , Mowinski Leonard
Published: August 2021

This study was designed to assess the Kurzweil Reading Machine's ability to read three different type styles produced by five different means. The results indicate that the Kurzweil Reading Machines tested have different error rates depending upon the means of producing the copy and upon the type style used; there was a significant interaction between copy method and type style. The interaction indicates that some type styles are better read when the copy is made by one means rather than another. Error rates varied between less than one percent and more than twenty percent. In general, the user will find that high quality printed materials will be read with a relatively high level of accuracy, but as the quality of the material decreases, the number of errors made by the machine also increases. As this error rate increases, the user will find it increasingly difficult to understand the spoken output.
Parental Attitudes toward Blindness and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Hicks Gary
Published: August 2021

Attitudes toward blindness and other developmental disabilities were measured in two groups: parents of blind children and a control group of parents whose children were unimpaired. Parents of blind children had more-positive attitudes toward blindness and other disabilities than did the control group.
The Stanford–Binet Intelligence Test for Turkish Primary School Blind Children: Variables Related to IQ
Authors: Epir Shirley , Biyikli Feyiz O. , Gonul Melda F. , Sezgin Aydan
Published: August 2021

In a normative study, the Stanford-Binet Test of Intelligence was administered to 142 blind, primary school children ages 7 to 11. The IQs obtained from this study was the dependent variable in a multiple regression analysis using several sets of predictor variables. Urban/rural background, and age at onset of blindness tended to be related to IQ in the expected direction but not significantly so. School, class placement, age, teachers’ ratings of auditory memory skills and self-help dressing skills accented for 62 percent of the IQ variance giving a multiple correlation of .78. Other variables did not add significantly to the equation. The findings of this study are remarkably similar to those generally found in research on intelligence tests in America and, more specifically, in research on the blind.
Carroll Revisited: Innovations in Rehabilitation, 1938–1971
Authors: Muldoon John F.
Published: August 2021

A review, with biographical information, of Thomas J. Carroll's accomplishments in, and influence on, services for blind persons from 1938 to 1971. Paper discusses Carroll's leadership in transferring rehabilitation concepts developed during World War II for blinded servicemen to community agencies with emphasis on his role in expanding psychosocial and mobility programs.
Computers and the Visually Impaired Kindergarten Child
Authors: Sowokinos Janice W.
Published: August 2021

A monthly section highlighting the impact of technological development on consumers and the blindness/visual impairment field. We need your support. Please send news, reviews, and descriptions of new hardware, software, interfacing ideas, prototypes, training programs, job opportunities, volunteer usage, user evaluations, educational opportunities, exhibits—in short, anything and everything—to the Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 15 W. 16th St., New York, NY 10011. In addition, we will attempt to direct reader queries to the appropriate experts, and publish questions and answers of general interest. Ideas and suggestions are welcomed.
Sex Education of the Visually Impaired Child: The Role of Parents
Authors: Schuster Clara Shaw
Published: August 2021

Sexuality is an integral part of one's self-concept. As such it effects mental health and social behaviors. Visually impaired children are deprived of the major mode of learning about gender differences and appropriate sexual conduct within our culture. Consequently, the primary caretaker or parents, who play a major role in the formation of a child's ego-identity, must reevaluate current social taboos against physical contact and generate naturalistic experiences to aid the child in the identification of gender differences, anatomical functioning, and interpersonal skills associated with expressing one's sexuality. Specific, age-appropriate intervention strategies for use within the family context are offered.
Rehabilitation Counseling: A Profession in Transition as Decision Making Power is Shared
Authors: Simpson Frank
Published: August 2021

A special forum for individuals to respond in detail to material published in the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness or to raise issues which relate to the specialized field of work with blind and visually handicapped persons. Contributions should be 350–1000 words in length.
Optical Scanning Aid with Tactual Feedback
Authors: Thurlow Willard
Published: August 2021

A monthly section highlighting the impact of technological development on consumers and the blindness/visual impairment field. We need your support. Please send news, reviews, and descriptions of new hardware, software, interfacing ideas, prototypes, training programs, job opportunities, volunteer usage, user evaluations, educational opportunities, exhibits—in short, anything and everything—to the Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 15 W. 16th St., New York, NY 10011. In addition, we will attempt to direct reader queries to the appropriate experts, and publish questions and answers of general interest. Ideas and suggestions are welcomed.
The Development and Evaluation of a Reading Test for Low Vision Individuals with Macular Loss
Authors: Baldasare John , Watson Gale R. , Whittaker Stephen G. , Miller-Shaffer Helen
Published: August 2021

An assessment instrument of the visual skills required for reading among macular loss individuals is presented along with studies designed to evaluate its reliability. Data are included to verify claims regarding aspects of reading that are particularly problematic for macular loss individuals; some techniques for effective rehabilitation are also suggested.
Homesickness, Melancholy, and Blind Rehabilitation
Authors: Taylor Robert E.
Published: August 2021

Homesickness is a form of depression often precipitated by the combined stresses of sight loss, aging, and separation from family. It impedes the rehabilitation process in a residential program of adjustment to, and management of, sight loss for veterans. Predisposing factors are identifiable and constructive interventions are possible. There are implications for other settings. This article identifies relevant personality constructs and suggests avenues for further research.
Providing Vision Services in the Saginaw Valley of Michigan
Authors: Baldwin D.
Published: August 2021

This report describes a specialty clinic in Michigan. The population to be served, the conceptual foundation of the program, and a list of services are included.
Identifying the Components of Success in Mainstreaming
Authors: Bishop V. E.
Published: August 2021

This paper describes an investigation into the characteristics of success in mainstreaming visually handicapped students. The study collected opinions from teachers of the visually handicapped, regular classroom teachers, school principals, parents of visually handicapped pupils, and visually handicapped students or former students. Data included rank-ordered variables and value judgments. Among the most important factors in successful mainstreaming were: a flexible teacher; peer acceptance and interaction; social skills; academic achievement; positive self-image; independence; family acceptance; inner motivation; available support personnel; and adequate special supplies and equipment.
Assessment of Performance of Blind Center Lathe Operators
Authors: Anand S. , Guha S. K.
Published: August 2021

Although sight is generally considered to be necessary for the performance of most industrial jobs, this study found that blind persons can be trained to operate a center lathe and to perform various tasks on it accurately. The study assessed the blind subjects’ efficiency of performance of tasks when they utilized various adjustments to the lathe and to procedures that had been developed earlier specifically for blind people. It was found that the efficiency of the blind subjects, compared to that of sighted lathe operators, was 85 percent for moderately complex jobs. The factors of complexity, repetition, and mode of presentation of specifications had some bearing on the speed of work. The study demonstrated that even under adverse conditions, blind lathe operators can achieve satisfactory results.
Haptic Mental Rotation: More Consistent in Blind Subjects?
Authors: Hollins M.
Published: August 2021

Four adventitiously blind subjects and four sighted subjects with vision occluded examined a tangible letter J, presented at various orientations, and stated whether the stimulus was in normal or mirror-reversed form. Although the pattern of response-latency measurements suggested a higher rate of rotation of mental images in the sighted subjects, it indicated a greater degree of intersession variability in the orientation of the frame of reference they used. When the effect of this variability was eliminated from the data, the mental rotation functions for the two groups of subjects were virtually identical. These results support the hypothesis of earlier research that shifts in the orientation (defined with respect to external coordinates) of the frame of reference are responsible, at least in part, for apparent differences in mental rotation of blind and sighted subjects.
Miscue Analysis of Braille Readers
Authors: Sowell V. , Sledge A.
Published: August 2021

A comparison of blind and sighted readers, using Goodman's Reading Miscue Inventory, was conducted using 22 blind students enrolled in both public and residential schools. Blind braille readers’ miscues were compared to those of sighted readers. Results revealed that similarities were greater than differences. Print and braille readers had approximately the same proportion of miscues in substitutions, omissions, insertions, reversals across words, and more miscues in graphic than sound similarity. Differences were found in more unsuccessful corrections for braille readers.
Constant-Contact Technique with a Modified Tip: A New Alternative for Long-Cane Mobility
Authors: Fisk S.
Published: August 2021

The constant-contact technique is a modification of the standard two-point-touch long-cane travel technique that increases feedback from the walking surface, and allows accurate location of walkway margins and more prompt detection of drop-offs. Sticking is prevented by the marshmallow cane tip and this also gives an advantage to aged and multiply handicapped persons whose use of the standard technique may require modification.
Tension Pneumocephalus Following Balloon Sinuplasty
Authors: McCormick Justin P. , Raskin Jonathan , Lee Jivianne T.
Published: August 2021

Balloon sinus dilation (BSD) is a common method of relieving sinus outflow obstruction. With the rising utilization of BSD, increasing numbers of BSD-related complications have also been reported. Here, we report a case of pneumocephalus and cerebrospinal fluid leak following BSD of the frontal sinus. Additionally, a review of the literature regarding BSD complications was performed.
Under What Conditions Does the Manager Withhold Segment Information?
Authors: Murakami Yutaro , Shiiba Atsushi
Published: August 2021

This paper considers how a manager decides to disclose or withhold segment information in a capital market setting. In particular, we develop a multi-period model in which a manager in each period decides how to allocate her effort between two businesses. The profit earned in each segment is determined by the manager’s effort and ability as well as each segment’s market profitability and inherent uncertainty. In this setting, in contrast to the expectation of segment disclosure being withheld due to conflicts of interest between managers and shareholders, we identify the conditions under which the manager rationally withholds segment information and achieves higher social welfare. In a setting where the manager is concerned about the current stock price, disclosing more disaggregated information to the stock market does not necessarily lead to more efficient monitoring. The capital market values various segment earnings differently, and in response to this valuation, a rational manager may greatly alter her behavior, leading to inefficient outcomes.
Sensing the human: biometric surveillance and the Japanese technology industry
Authors: Humphrey David
Published: August 2021

This article examines the Japanese biometrics industry and its discourse, with a focus on the language of biometric ‘sensing’ that has shaped its development over the past two decades. Rooted in the ubiquitous computing boom of the early 2000s, the language of sensing reimagines biometric technology as a mediator between the digital and the human, laying the foundation for biometric surveillance’s expansion into everyday settings such as retail ones. In these newer settings, biometric surveillance is promoted as a means for collecting data on human affect and behavior to be used for marketing and other applications. I argue that this growing ambiguity of biometric surveillance re-articulates a convergence between production and consumption, while it also informs safe society discourses and the shifting role of embodiment within digital culture.
The Role of Family Communication in the Family Resilience of Deaf Children’s Families
Authors: Ramadhana Maulana Rezi , Karsidi Ravik , Utari Prahastiwi , Kartono Drajat Tri
Published: August 2021

This study examines the family resilience of deaf children through the perspective of family communication. We examine the relationship between family communication patterns (including conformity and conversation orientation) with family resilience and compare differences in processes in family resilience of family types. Parents of deaf children ( n = 129) in Indonesia completed a survey of family communication patterns and family resilience. Our findings show that there is a significant positive relationship between family communication patterns and family resilience, with preference to conversation orientations. All family types were identified as having a relationship with family resilience with different uniqueness in their resilience processes. With the relationship between these two concepts, perhaps the concept of communication patterns in the family can become a theoretical framework that binds the literature on family resilience in a sample of families with deaf children. Implications and direction for future research are discussed.
Novel biomarker for predicting sepsis mortality: vitamin D receptor
Authors: Erdoğan Murat , Fındıklı Hüseyin Avni
Published: August 2021

Objective

There are currently no studies on the role of vitamin D receptor (VDR) levels as a cause of or risk factor for sepsis. We aimed to establish the association between VDR levels and 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with sepsis.

Methods

This prospective cross-sectional observational study included 148 patients diagnosed with sepsis who were treated in the intensive care unit. We measured VDR levels, laboratory characteristics, and health scores and related them to survival.

Results

The 148 patients included 96 survivors and 52 non-survivors, with VDR levels of 1.92 and 1.36 ng/mL, respectively. Baseline VDR was a significant predictor of 28-day mortality, with an area under the curve of 0.778. A low VDR level was significantly associated with lower overall survival in patients with sepsis according to Kaplan–Meier curve analysis. VDR levels were also negatively correlated with lactate, C-reactive protein, acute physiological and clinical health evaluation (APACHE) II and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores, and disease severity.

Conclusions

VDR levels were associated with high 28-day mortality and negatively correlated with lactate, C-reactive protein, APACHE II and SOFA scores, and disease severity in patients with sepsis. VDR levels can predict poor outcomes in patients with sepsis.
Helmholtz Versus Haute Couture: How Horizontal Stripes and Dark Clothes Make You Look Thinner
Authors: Koutsoumpis Antonis , Economou Elias , van der Burg Erik
Published: August 2021

In Helmholtz’s illusion, a square with horizontal stripes appears taller than an identical square with vertical stripes. This effect has also been observed in experiments with human stimuli, where a human figure wearing a dress with horizontal stripes appears thinner than a drawing clad in vertical stripes. These findings do not agree with the common belief that clothes with horizontal stripes make someone appear wider, neither do they disentangle whether the horizontal or vertical stripes account for the thinning effect. In the present study, we focused on the effect of horizontal stripes in clothes comparing horizontal stripes against no-stripes (not against vertical; Experiments 1 and 2), using photos of a real-life female model, and controlling for the average luminance of the stripes (Experiment 2). Results showed that horizontal stripes and lower luminance have—independently—a small-to-moderate thinning effect on the perceived size of the body, and the effect is larger when the two variables are combined. In Experiment 3, we further show that the thinning effect due to the luminance of the dress is enhanced when the general background gets darker.
Association Between Meniscal Allograft Tears and Early Surgical Meniscal Allograft Failure
Authors: Winkler Philipp W. , Wagala Nyaluma N. , Hughes Jonathan D. , Irrgang James J. , Fu Freddie H. , Musahl Volker
Published: August 2021

Background:

Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) has become a viable treatment option for patients with symptomatic meniscal deficiency. Some patients experience early surgical meniscal allograft failure attributed to causes that have not yet been sufficiently clarified.

Purpose:

To evaluate the prevalence, types, and distribution of arthroscopically confirmed meniscal allograft tears and the associated effect on surgical meniscal allograft survival.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Patients undergoing MAT with a minimum 2-year follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Descriptive and surgical data were collected. Type and location of arthroscopically confirmed meniscal allograft tears were recorded and compared between medial and lateral allografts and suture-only and bone block fixation. A survival analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of meniscal allograft tears on surgical meniscal allograft survival.

Results:

This study included 142 patients (54% male; mean ± SD age, 29.6 ± 10.4 years) with a mean follow-up of 10.3 ± 7.5 years. The prevalence of meniscal allograft tears was 32%, observed at a median of 1.2 years (interquartile range, 2.8 years) after MAT. The posterior horns were most frequently affected, followed by the posterior roots, midbodies, anterior horns, and anterior roots. The most frequently observed tear types were root tears (43%), followed by longitudinal, horizontal, radial, complex, bucket-handle, and meniscocapsular separation tears. A statistically significant association was found between meniscal allograft tear types and fixation techniques ( P = .027), with root tears predominant after suture-only as compared with bone block fixation (57% vs 22%). Patients with meniscal allograft root tears were a mean of 5.4 years (95% CI, 1.6-9.2 years; P = .007) younger than were patients without root tears. The 1-year surgical meniscal allograft survival rate was significantly lower for torn versus intact meniscal allografts (75% vs 99%; P < .001).

Conclusion:

Meniscal allograft root tears were predominant, associated with younger patient age, and more often observed when using the suture-only fixation technique versus the bone block fixation technique. Torn meniscal allografts were associated with early surgical graft failure when compared with intact meniscal allografts, resulting in a significantly lower 1-year survival rate.
Prevalence and Burden of Self-Reported Health Problems in Junior Male Elite Ice Hockey Players: A 44-Week Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Nordstrøm Anine , Bahr Roald , Clarsen Ben , Talsnes Ove
Published: August 2021

Background:

Little is known about the burden of overuse injuries and illnesses in junior elite ice hockey.

Purpose:

To describe the prevalence and burden of all health problems in junior male elite ice hockey players in Norway during 1 school year.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiological study.

Methods:

A total of 206 junior male ice hockey players (mean age, 17 years; range, 15-20 years) attending specialized sports academy high schools in Norway reported all health problems, acute injuries, overuse injuries, and illnesses, weekly during the 2018-2019 school year (44 weeks). The players self-reported injuries and illnesses using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems.

Results:

Of the players included, 25% (95% CI, 23%-27%) reported at least 1 health problem at any given time, while 16% (95% CI, 14%-17%) experienced health problems with a substantial negative effect on training and performance. Of the total burden of health problems, acute injuries accounted for 44%, overuse injuries 31%, and illnesses 25%. For acute injuries, the greatest burden was caused by injuries to the ankle, knee, and hand, whereas for overuse injuries the most burdensome location was the hip/groin and knee.

Conclusion:

This study documented that while acute injuries did represent the greatest problem among junior elite ice hockey players, overuse injuries, especially to the knee and hip/groin, also had a substantial effect.
Concentration of Urban Violence in Fortaleza and Strategies for Crime Prevention
Authors: Dantas Régis Façanha , Favarin Serena
Published: August 2021

Despite the continued prevalence of violence in Latin America, there is a relative dearth of research investigating both spatial patterns of violent crimes and the effectiveness of evidence-based crime prevention policies in Brazil. This study aims to address this gap in extant knowledge by creating a Spatial Violence Index and a Restrictive Ambient Index to investigate the spatial dynamics of violent crimes and urban vulnerabilities in Fortaleza. Both exploratory spatial data analysis and spatial regression models were employed to visualize the associative patterns and measure the correlation between the two indexes. The results demonstrate how locations characterized by high levels of violence are spatially correlated with more vulnerable locations in terms of both socio-economic-demographics and urban disorder. Overall, the study identified 124 vulnerable micro-territories that would benefit from the allocation of resources in an effort to reduce violence in the city by enhancing the efficiency of policing and prevention strategies.
The Weight of Fear of Violence in Household Budgets
Authors: Truzzi Bruno , Justus Marcelo , Kawamura Henrique C. , Conti Thomas V.
Published: August 2021

This article investigates the relationship between the perception of violence and the spending on security goods and services in households. Individual microdata from a random national survey on family budget carried out in Brazil in 2008-2009 were used for modeling the household spending using two instrumental variables. The stability of results was checked by applying the Lasso-Gaussian regularization method in the selection of the statistically significant variables. Positive relationships were found between household spending on security goods and services and (i) the fear of insecurity at the household level, (ii) the neighbors’ spending on security, and (iii) the registered criminality, but no evidence was found on the relationship between the role of police on household spending on security goods and services.
End of Life Care Practices for Hindu Patients During COVID-19
Authors: Chandratre Sonal , Soman Aamod
Published: August 2021

With coronavirus disease 2019, the risk of death has increased in the general population. In these unprecedented times and even otherwise, it is important for the health care professionals caring for Hindu patients to be aware of the end of life practices in Hinduism. There is limited information in the medical literature about traditions and practices followed in Hinduism which is observed by 15% of the world population. Hinduism is currently the third largest religion following Christianity and Islam. Based on Hindu beliefs about life, death, and reincarnation, we propose 10 end of life best practices for Hindu patients.
Mortality Trends of Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients Supported on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Pravin R. R. , Huang Benjamin Xiongzheng , Sultana Rehena , Tan Chuen Wen , Goh Ken Junyang , Chan Mei-Yoke , Ng Heng Joo , Phua Ghee Chee , Lee Jan Hau , Wong Judith Ju-Ming
Published: August 2021

Background:

There is an increasing frequency of oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients seen in the intensive care unit and requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), however, prognosis of this population over time is unclear.

Methods:

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and Web of Science were searched from earliest publication until April 10, 2020 for studies to determine the mortality trend over time in oncology and HSCT patients requiring ECMO. Primary outcome was hospital mortality. Random-effects meta-analysis model was used to obtain pooled estimates of mortality and 95% confidence intervals. A priori subgroup metanalysis compared adult versus pediatric, oncology versus HSCT, hematological malignancy versus solid tumor, allogeneic versus autologous HSCT, and veno-arterial versus veno-venous ECMO populations. Multivariable meta-regression was also performed for hospital mortality to account for year of study and HSCT population.

Results:

17 eligible observational studies (n = 1109 patients) were included. Overall pooled hospital mortality was 72% (95% CI: 65, 78). In the subgroup analysis, only HSCT was associated with a higher hospital mortality compared to oncology subgroup [84% (95% CI: 70, 93) vs. 66% (95% CI: 56, 74); P = 0.021]. Meta-regression showed that HSCT was associated with increased mortality [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.84 (95% CI 1.77, 8.31)], however, mortality improved with time [aOR 0.92 (95% CI: 0.85, 0.99) with each advancing year].

Conclusion:

This study reports a high overall hospital mortality in oncology and HSCT patients on ECMO which improved over time. The presence of HSCT portends almost a 4-fold increased risk of mortality and this finding may need to be taken into consideration during patient selection for ECMO.
Public acceptance of evolution in the United States, 1985–2020
Authors: Miller Jon D. , Scott Eugenie C. , Ackerman Mark S. , Laspra Belén , Branch Glenn , Polino Carmelo , Huffaker Jordan S.
Published: August 2021

The public acceptance of evolution in the United States is a long-standing problem. Using data from a series of national surveys collected over the last 35 years, we find that the level of public acceptance of evolution has increased in the last decade after at least two decades in which the public was nearly evenly divided on the issue. A structural equation model indicates that increasing enrollment in baccalaureate-level programs, exposure to college-level science courses, a declining level of religious fundamentalism, and a rising level of civic scientific literacy are responsible for the increased level of public acceptance.
Fertilizing morality: How religiosity and orientations toward science shape the morality, immorality, and amorality of reproductive technologies
Authors: Chan Esther , Mehta Sharan Kaur
Published: August 2021

Scientific innovations continue to advance the possibilities of human reproduction, raising important empirical and ethical questions. In vitro fertilization, disease reproductive genetic technologies, and enhancement reproductive genetic technologies are three reproductive technologies with varying moral support. Instead of assuming moral poles, we use original, nationally representative survey data of US adults ( N = 8107) and multinomial logistic regression to examine how religiosity and orientations toward science shape the moral acceptability, amorality, and the moral rejection of in vitro fertilization, disease reproductive genetic technologies, and enhancement reproductive genetic technologies. We find that increased confidence and trust in science lowered the odds of holding moral concerns, while greater religiosity was associated with higher odds of viewing these technologies as morally wrong. Moral attitudes further varied across religious tradition as certain religious groups had significantly higher odds of viewing these technologies as amoral. Findings have implications for advancing understandings of morality around the faith-science interface beyond conceptions of a moral binary.
Missed nursing care and its relationship with perceived ethical leadership
Authors: Arslan Gülşah Gürol , Özden Dilek , Göktuna Gizem , Ertuğrul Büşra
Published: August 2021

Background:

Determination of the factors affecting missed nursing care and the impact of ethical leadership is important in improving the quality of care.

Aim:

This study aims to determine the missed nursing care and its relationship with perceived ethical leadership.

Research design:

A cross-sectional study.

Participants and research context:

The sample consisted of 233 nurses, of whom 92.7% were staff nurses and 7.3% were charge nurses, who work in three different hospitals in Turkey. The study data were collected using a personal and professional characteristics data form, the Missed Nursing Care Survey, and the Ethical Leadership Scale.

Ethical considerations:

The study was approved by the non-interventional ethics committee of Dokuz Eylül University Ethics Committee for Noninvasive Clinical Studies. All participants’ written and verbal consents were obtained.

Findings:

The most missed nursing care practices were ambulation, attending interdisciplinary care conferences, and discharge planning. According to the logistic regression analysis, sex, the number of patients that the nurse is in charge of giving care, the number of patients discharged in the last shift, and satisfaction with the team were determined as factors affecting missed care. No significant relationship was found between ethical leadership and missed nursing care (p > 0.05), and a weak but significant relationship was found between the clarification of duties/roles subscale and missed nursing care (r = −0.136, p < 0.05).

Discussion:

Ethical leaders should collaborate with policy-makers at an institutional level to particularly achieve teamwork that is effective in the provision of care, to control missed basic nursing care, and to organize working hours and at the country level to determine roles and to increase the workforce.

Conclusion:

The results of this study contribute to the international literature on the most common type of missed nursing care, its reasons, and the relationship between the missed care and ethical leadership in a different cultural context.
Bail, prisons and COVID-19: An Indian perspective
Authors: Bansal Sakshat , Sahni Shruti
Published: August 2021

This article explores the implementation of the right to bail for prisoners during COVID-19. Using data from a sample of 50 advocates collected through a face-to-face questionnaire, the article probes lawyers’ perceptions of the functioning of the mechanism of bail in the pandemic. The article also evaluates the efficacy of measures taken to decongest prisons by critically reviewing the criteria identified by the High-Powered Committees of States for releasing prisoners. Finally, it concludes by indicating the urgent need to remedy the deficiencies and provides recommendations for reforming the criminal justice system to safeguard prisoners’ right to life and health.
Study on the dynamic mechanical properties of magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) with Fe@C
Authors: Zhang Bo , Cao Yongan , Qie Jiaxin , Zou Jiaxuan , Lu Huanglei , Rui Xiaoting , Wang Wenju , Wang Guoping
Published: August 2021

Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) is a promising type of smart material, suitable for shock absorbers in tank engine mount systems. In order to improve the performance of the shock absorber, we improve the magnetorheological (MR) effect of the MREs and reduce its loss factor by enhancing the interaction force between the particles and the substrate. In this work, a novel carbon-coated iron material was prepared by heat treatment, and then carbon-coated iron (Fe@C) of different proportions was added to natural rubber to prepare MRE samples. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the MRE samples were tested by a universal electronic tension machine. The results indicated that better bonding strength between the particles and the matrix increased in tensile strength. The MR effect and the loss factor of the MRE samples were tested by a rheometer. The results demonstrated that the MR effect of MREs modified with Fe@C was significantly improved, and the loss factor of this kind of MRE decreased markedly.
Bullying Victimization and STIs: Parental Communication and Parental Sexual Communication as Moderators
Authors: Hong Jun Sung , Kim Dong Ha , Allen Junior Lloyd , Okumu Moses , Lee Jane J. , Voisin Dexter R.
Published: August 2021

Purpose: Informed by attachment theory, the current study explores whether the association between bullying victimization and STIs acquisition among African American youth is moderated by general parental communication or parental communication about sex. Method: Data were collected from 546 African American adolescents in four neighborhoods in Chicago’s South Side. Univariate analyses, Spearman’s rank-order correlation analyses, and hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: A positive association between bullying victimization and STIs acquisition was found. General parental communication did not moderate the association between bullying victimization and STIs acquisition. However, parental communication about sex did moderate the association between bullying victimization and youth STIs acquisition. Discussion: The study has important implications for developing interventions to address the adverse consequences of bully victimization that emphasize parental communication about sex as a major component.
Mental Health Status and Influencing Factors of the Elderly in Ya’an Area After 5 years’ Lushan Earthquake
Authors: Gao Ru , Xu Liuxiu , Yu Rong , Bai Jing-Zhen , Zheng Zaijing , Wang Dong , Fang Jie , Li Yuhui , Zhang Bingzhi
Published: August 2021

Objective: To understand the mental health status and its influencing factors of the elderly in the disaster area 5 years after the Lushan earthquake. Methods: A total of 2,579 cases of Ya’an residents aged 60 years or above were selected by using cluster sampling method. From January to May 2019, self-compiled questionnaire for basic information of affected residents and 12 General Health Questionnaire were used to assess the mental health status of the elderly. Results: 2,561 (99.3%) valid samples were collected. The positive rate of mental health was 220 (8.6%) cases. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that in the city, no chronic diseases, no body pain, and self-rated health status good in last one month was the protective factor for mental health of the elderly. Age group 60 years and above was the risk factor. Conclusions: Five years after the Lushan earthquake, there is a certain degree of mental health problems in the elderly in the disaster area, and corresponding intervention measures should be formulated. In particular, the researchers should pay more attention to the mental health of the rural elderly who were with low income, young age, and chronic diseases (or pain).
The Many Faces of Grief: A Systematic Literature Review of Grief During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kumar Ritesh M.
Published: August 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has halted life all around the world. The disease, along with quarantine, social distancing, unemployment, and displacement, has led to myriad losses. There is a rising concern for the epidemic of grief that can result from these multiple losses. The present study aimed to investigate how grief is understood and discussed in the extant literature during the COVID pandemic. A systematic literature review was conducted using PsycArticles, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The qualitative synthesis of 33 articles indicates that grief can be manifested at various levels such as grief for self, relational grief, collective grief, and ecological grief. Another theme emphasizes some of the factors that could intensify the grief process leading to prolonged grief disorder. A third theme relates to the focus of grief processes as experienced by individuals in different developmental periods from childhood to senescence. The study contributes theoretically by expanding our perception and understanding of varied forms of grief.
Core Outcome Set for Reporting Outcomes of Interventions for Velopharyngeal Dysfunction: Final Results of the COS-VPD Initiative
Authors: de Blacam Catherine , Baylis Adriane L. , Kirschner Richard E. , Smith Susan , Sell Debbie , Sie Kathleen C.Y. , Harris Helen E. , Orr David J.A.
Published: August 2021

Objective

To date, the recording of outcomes of interventions for velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) has not been standardized. This makes a comparison of results between studies challenging. The aim of this study was to develop a core outcome set (COS) for reporting outcomes in studies examining the management of VPD.

Design

A two-round Delphi consensus process was used to develop the COS.

Patients, Participants

The expert Delphi panel comprised patients and caregivers of patients with VPD, surgeons and speech and language therapists specializing in cleft palate, and researchers with expertise in VPD.

Interventions

A long list of outcomes was derived from the published literature. In each round of a Delphi survey, participants were asked to score outcomes using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations scale of 1 to 9, with 1 to 3 labeled “not important,” 4 to 6 labeled “important but not critical,” and 7 to 9 labeled “critical.”

Main outcome measure

Consensus criteria were specified a priori. Outcomes with a rating of 75% or more of the panel rating 7 to 9 and 25% or fewer rating 1 to 3 were included in the COS.

Results

A total of 31 core outcomes were identified from the Delphi process. This list was condensed to combine topic areas to produce a final COS of 10 outcomes, including both processes of care and patient-reported outcomes that should be considered for reporting in future studies of VPD.

Conclusions

Implementation of the COS-VPD will facilitate consistency of outcomes data collection and comparison of results across studies.
The Current State of Cleft Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Narrative Review
Authors: Wester James R. , Weissman Joshua P. , Reddy Narainsai K. , Chwa Emily S. , Gosain Arun K.
Published: August 2021

Objective

To identify practices and limitations of cleft care in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Design

A retrospective narrative nonsystematic literature review was performed.

Setting

Literature exploring the management practices of cleft lip and/or palate across regions in SSA was included.

Participants

Full text case reports, retrospective studies, prospective studies, clinical trials, and review articles written and published in English between 1966 and February 1, 2021, were included in this analysis utilizing PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google scholar databases.

Main Outcome Measures

Qualitative themes identified in analysis were clinical practice patterns, current infrastructure and limitations of cleft repair, training and interdisciplinary teams, economic analyses, and international partnerships.

Results

Significant barriers to care identified in SSA include lack of hospital resources, craniofacial training, access to multidisciplinary specialists, and public awareness. These problems make the entire care journey difficult for patients. Increasing public education has the power to diminish late presentations to hospitals. Providing adequate hospital resources and craniofacial training through international and organizational partnerships can ensure that more patients will receive care. Increasing the availability and number of multidisciplinary specialists is crucial to follow up care which aims at improving functional outcomes.

Conclusion

This narrative review highlights current practices and limitations in cleft care, emphasizing the importance of effective and timely repair of clefts in SSA. Targeted efforts aimed at establishing sustainable infrastructure for cleft care in SSA can have significant individual and community health and economic benefits.
Study on prediction of arterio-venous fistula maturation by flow mediated dilatation and AVF blood flow
Authors: Singh Mansi , Mahapatra Himansu Sekhar , Pursnani Lalit , Muthukumar B , Neeraj Anant Inamdar , Kumar Adarsh , Kaur Navjot , Singh Anamika , Krishnan Chandra
Published: August 2021

Background:

The physiology and pathology of AVF maturation depends on the vessels characteristics and its ability to remodel. Outcome of AVF using flow mediated dilatation (FMD), AVF blood flow and diameter has been studied.

Methodology:

Present observational study included single stage AVF (both Radiocephalic and Brachiocephalic) in consecutive CKD five patients ( n = 158) prospectively over 1 year. Demographic and Doppler ultrasound parameters of upper limb (for vessel diameter and FMD) at baseline were recorded. Blood flow, diameter and depth of AVF were studied at 2, 6 and 12 weeks and their association with clinical maturation (usage of fistula with two needles for 75% of dialysis sessions during 15 day period) was studied ( n = 129, after excluding lost to followup and expired patients; accordingly cohort was divided in matured ( M) or non-matured (NM) groups. Clinical and radiological parameters between both groups were compared; receiver operator curve (ROC) and correlation of Doppler parameters were analysed.

Results:

Of 129 AVF, 67.4% were matured and 32.5% non-matured. Mean age was 40 years with male predominance75% in both the groups. The mean arterial diameter for distal (NM = 1.96 ± 0.58 and M = 2.02 ± 0.41) and proximal AVF (NM = 3.37 ± 0.82 and M = 3.36 ± 0.75) was not statistically different in both the groups. The matured fistula group had a mean FMD of 11.67 ± 4.09 as against FMD value of 9.365 ± 3.55 in the failed fistula group ( p value 0.01). For maturation prediction, sensitivity and specificity of blood flow at 2 weeks were 86.2% and 59.5% and at 6 weeks 96.6% and 64.3%, respectively. In multivariate analysis predictors for AVF maturation were FMD (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.15) and blood flow (AOR = 1.67).

Conclusion:

Second and Sixth week AVF blood flow was found to be predicting AVF maturation. Higher baseline FMD correlated with the AVF maturation, but not with vessel diameter.
Needle-free connectors to prevent central venous catheter occlusion at a tertiary cardiac center: A prospective before and after intervention study
Authors: Sansalone Andrea , Vicari Raffaello , Orlando Fabio , Dell’Avo Alessandro , Giuffrida Silvia , Deelen Paula , Bernasconi Stefano , Villa Michele
Published: August 2021

Objectives:

To evaluate the effectiveness of needle-free connectors to maintain Central Venous Catheter—CVC patency.

Background:

Loss of patency is a common complication associated with CVC. For patients, this can be stressful and painful, and can result in a delay in infusion therapy. Pressure-activated anti-reflux needle-free connectors are one of the most modern devices; however, no studies have compared this connector with the open-system three-way stopcock in terms of the incidence of CVC occlusion.

Methods:

This study is a prospective before and after intervention study. From March to August 2018, an observation phase was conducted with the three-way stopcock as the standard central venous catheter hub and closure system (phase 1). After implementation of needle-free connectors (phase 2), post-intervention observations were made from September 2019 to January 2020 (phase 3).

Results:

Of 199 CVCs analyzed, 41.2% (40/97) occluded in at least one lumen in the first phase, and 13.7% (14/102) occluded after introducing the technological device, absolute risk reduction 27.5% (95% confidence interval 15.6%–39.4%). The lumens supported by needle-free connectors showed a higher probability of maintaining patency compared with three-way stopcocks. No differences were observed in the rate of infection.

Conclusions:

Pressure-activated anti-reflux needle-free connectors are effective and safe devices suitable for the management of vascular access in cardiac patient care. Staff training, even on apparently simple devices, is essential to avoid the risk of infection.