bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploiting mesh structure to improve multigrid performance for saddle-point problems
Authors: Spies Lukas , Olson Luke , MacLachlan Scott
Published: June 2024

In recent years, solvers for finite-element discretizations of linear or linearized saddle-point problems, like the Stokes and Oseen equations, have become well established. There are two main classes of preconditioners for such systems: those based on a block-factorization approach and those based on monolithic multigrid. Both classes of preconditioners have several critical choices to be made in their composition, such as the selection of a suitable relaxation scheme for monolithic multigrid. From existing studies, some insight can be gained as to what options are preferable in low-performance computing settings, but there are very few fair comparisons of these approaches in the literature, particularly for modern architectures, such as GPUs. In this paper, we perform a comparison between a Block-Triangular preconditioner and monolithic multigrid methods with the three most common choices of relaxation scheme – Braess-Sarazin, Vanka, and Schur-Uzawa. We develop a performant Vanka relaxation algorithm for structured-grid discretizations, which takes advantage of memory efficiencies in this setting. We detail the behavior of the various CUDA kernels for the multigrid relaxation schemes and evaluate their individual arithmetic intensity, performance, and runtime. Running a preconditioned FGMRES solver for the Stokes equations with these preconditioners allows us to compare their efficiency in a practical setting. We show that monolithic multigrid can outperform Block-Triangular preconditioning, and that using Vanka or Braess-Sarazin relaxation is most efficient. Even though multigrid with Vanka relaxation exhibits reduced performance on the CPU (up to 100% slower than Braess-Sarazin), it is able to outperform Braess-Sarazin by more than 20% on the GPU, making it a competitive algorithm, especially given the high amount of algorithmic tuning needed for effective Braess-Sarazin relaxation.
“Breaking the news”–post-autism spectrum disorder diagnosis group intervention for parents to 6–18-year-old children
Authors: Gindi Shahar , Ben Shabbat-Seri Miri , Nagar-Shimoni Hagit , Gilat Itzhak , Leitner Yael
Published: June 2024

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 3-session group intervention for parents who had received a diagnosis of autism for their child within the past month. The intervention group ( N = 41) was compared to Treatment-as-Usual ( N = 40): one meeting with a social worker after the diagnosis feedback meeting. Parental stress was evaluated in both groups within a week and then a month after the diagnosis. The findings indicate an increase in the experienced parental stress for the comparison group on all six indices, while in the intervention group there was an increase only on two indices. That is to say, the intervention reduced stress that occurred in the first month after the diagnosis. Further analyses revealed that parent satisfaction with the group intervention was the single most important variable in predicting stress reduction. We argue that parent support groups immediately after their child’s diagnosis are effective and important, and probably superior to a single post-diagnosis meeting.
A multi-stage sub-structural damage localization approach using multi-label radial basis function neural network and auto-regressive model parameters
Authors: Mazloom Shayan , Sa'adati Nima , Rabbani Amirmohammad , Bitaraf Maryam
Published: June 2024

This paper proposes a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) approach to detect localized damage by employing a Multi-Label Radial Basis Function Neural Network (ML-RBFNN). The proposed research methodology aims to identify structural damage more efficiently. This involves dividing the main structure into smaller sub-structures known as zones instead of employing a global search for damage across the entire structure. Each zone is further divided into smaller groups, including sub-zones, nodes, or elements. To reduce the complexities associated with feature extraction, auto-regressive (AR) model parameters extracted from raw time series are considered damage-sensitive features. Considering the simultaneous effects of multiple sensors can increase the number of inputs to the networks, making it challenging to reduce the complexity of the dataset. To address this problem, the principal component analysis (PCA) method is utilized to decrease the dimension of feature space. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is evaluated through a comprehensive comparative analysis against conventional single-stage damage detection methods, with a focus on computational costs and accuracy. Furthermore, the noise-sensitivity characteristics of the proposed method are explored, providing insights into their robustness under various conditions. The validation of the approach is carried out through numerical modeling using the ASCE benchmark structure and experimental data collected from the Qatar University Grandstand Simulator. The application of ML-RBFNN with AR parameters as features yielded a remarkable accuracy exceeding 98% in diagnosing damage occurrence and location for both multi-stage and single-stage SHM methods. Moreover, our proposed approach demonstrates enhanced computational efficiency compared to the single-stage method.
Modal identification from turbulence response based on improved frequency domain decomposition
Authors: Duan Shiqiang , Zheng Hua , Zhou Jiangtao , Wu Zhenglong
Published: June 2024

Turbulence excitation is an unavoidable form of excitation in flutter flight tests, and it is also a necessary and effective excitation method in high-speed flights, dives, other high-risk test, and high-frequency modal information mining. However, because the turbulence excitation signals are unmeasurable in the time domain, although the turbulence response contains rich and valuable flutter test information, the randomness and low quality of the data often cause difficulties in modal analysis. Therefore, an improved frequency domain decomposition algorithm for turbulence response processing is proposed in this paper. First, due to the irrelevancy of the atmospheric excitation, the power spectral density function matrix of the multi-channel turbulence response is subjected to singular value decomposition. There is a mathematical relationship between the maximum singular value curve and the system frequency response function. Second, the modal assurance criteria are used to calculate the maximum singular value of a single-degree-of-freedom system. Finally, an orthogonal polynomial method is applied to fit the maximum singular value curve, and the system identification is performed directly in the frequency domain. The simulated data and a certain type of aircraft flutter flight test data are used to verify the proposed method, and the results confirm the effectiveness and engineering applicability of the method developed in this work.
Attitudes to automated and human written sport journalism
Authors: Duncan Sam , Kunert Jessica , Karg Adam
Published: June 2024

Automation processes are increasingly being applied to the area of sports journalism. This study examines differences in the perceptions regarding human written and automated match texts using an experimental design with n = 251 Australian sports fans. Results showed that human-written articles rated higher on measures related to enjoyment and liking. Differences in arousal and quality were not significant across the match report content. Importantly for media organizations, perceived differences were prominent for all individuals, not just those who read match reports more frequently. Results suggest that perceptions of ‘enjoyment’ and ‘liking’ differ significantly between human written and automated texts; human-written reports were rated as more ‘enjoyable’ and ‘liked’ than automatically generated reports.
Rumor has it: Epistemology of celebrity journalism in the flemish digital media ecology
Authors: Hendrickx Jonathan , Van den Bulck Hilde
Published: June 2024

Taking the case of Belgian (Flemish) celebrity news, we discuss the impact of digitization of the news media ecology on the epistemology of celebrity journalism. Theoretically, the epistemology of celebrity journalism is considered as a set of practices, through which knowledge is acquired, claimed and justified, that are shaped by the specifics of the media ecology and the celebrity culture and industry. Empirically, we analyze media celebrity coverage in two celebrity magazines and one website, owned by DPG Media and sharing a converged newsroom. Quantitative content analysis and expert interviews reveal that, while digitization somewhat affects the ways in which journalists acquire, claim and justify their knowledge, celebrity news epistemology is mostly affected by the distinction between local and global celebrities, mostly through direct versus indirect access.
Mapping pedagogies of education for sustainable development in Scottish higher education institutions
Authors: Vaniev Alexander , Malt-Cullen Michael
Published: June 2024

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 4.7 promotes education for sustainable development (ESD), urging higher education institutions (HEIs) to prepare students to address global sustainability challenges. Currently, the target indicators do not assess how ESD is enacted in HEIs, making ESD provision a black box in achieving SDG 4.7. This article proposes an analytical tool based on actor–network theory (ANT) to ‘unpack’ the black box of ESD pedagogies in HEIs. ANT allows a closer look at the web of human and non-human actors and their interrelations, visually mapping how ESD pedagogical practices are enacted. Drawing on public sustainability reports and ESD-related web pages of eight Scottish HEIs, we employed a hybrid data analysis approach to produce such a map. The aggregated actor–network map reveals clusters such as university sustainability bodies, ESD-related programs, curriculum elements, co-curricular training, and sustainability awards. Also, Scottish HEI reports and web pages tend to emphasise and quantify what is taught regarding sustainability issues and not elaborate on how ESD is taught. This way, ESD pedagogical practices, connecting students, educators, and curriculum to produce transformative learning, are missing in university reporting. Making those practices visible would provide further solid evidence of Scottish HEIs’ contribution to SDG 4.7.
The Qualitative Differences Between Self-Identification as a Born-Again and/or Evangelical Christian
Authors: Allen Levi
Published: June 2024

How do members of the evangelical religious tradition choose to identify themselves, and how do they define terms such as “evangelical” or “born-again?” Extant scholarship traditionally utilizes quantitative data in order to isolate the pitfalls associated with this conflation. In order to validate these quantitative measures and to better understand how adherents of the evangelical religious tradition conceptualize these identities, I leverage 63 face-to-face interviews conducted with white evangelicals. I find that “evangelical” is not commonly used among adherents, who view the term as esoteric and ill-defined. Democrats specifically recoil against the term due to its perceived conservative nature; however, some Republicans also eschew identifying as such, viewing it in some cases as too liberal or contaminated by the media. I also find that the term “born-again” is much more commonly used, regardless of the respondent’s partisanship. This work reveals the continuing politicization of “evangelical” and the endogeneity of religious orientations to politics.
An Integrative Review of the Feasibility and Effects of the Use of Location-Tracking Devices by Persons Living With Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Kim Jayeong , Hwang Mina , Hwang Yeji
Published: June 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the effects of location-tracking devices on persons living with cognitive impairment, investigate facilitators of and barriers to using the devices, and provide future directions for the use of the devices.

Methods

An integrative review was conducted using 5 databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Scopus. From the 1429 initially identified studies, 10 were included in the review.

Results

Location-tracking devices benefited persons living with cognitive impairment and their informal caregivers. The devices brought more independence to persons living with cognitive impairment, allowing them to go outside and feel safer there. Furthermore, the devices reduced the caregivers’ worries about their loved ones being lost.

Conclusions

Location-tracking devices have the potential to increase independence in persons living with cognitive impairment and to decrease psychological stress in informal caregivers. In the future, ways to minimize the barriers to using location-tracking devices need to be determined.
Learning curve in tibial and pedal bypass with autologous vein graft
Authors: Kobayashi Taira , Hamamoto Masaki , Okazaki Takanobu , Okusako Ryo , Takahashi Shinya
Published: June 2024

Objectives

The 2019 Global Vascular Guidelines recommended open bypass for patients at average risk with greater limb severity and anatomical complexity. However, the outcomes of tibial and pedal bypass (TPB) are inferior to those of above-the-knee surgical revascularization. This may be due to the technical difficulty and need for development of skills to perform TPB. However, there is a limited knowledge on the learning curve in TPB. Thus, the aim of the study is to assess this learning curve in a single-center retrospective analysis.

Methods

Cases treated with TPB with an autologous vein conduit in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) at a Japanese single center from 2009 to 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. The primary endpoint was the learning curve for TPB.

Results

The study included 449 TPB procedures conducted by a single main surgeon in patients with CLTI (median age, 75 years; 309 males; diabetes mellitus, 73%; end stage renal failure with hemodialysis, 44%). The operative time decreased significantly as the number of cases accumulated ( p < .001). Using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) operative time, the learning curve was estimated to be phase 1 (initial learning curve) for 134 cases (1–134); phase 2 (competent period) for 179 cases (135–313); and phase 3 (mastery and challenging period) for 136 cases (314–449). The mean follow-up period was 34 ± 31 months. The 1- and 3-year limb salvage rates of 97% and 96% in phase 3 were significantly higher than those in phases 1 and 2 ( p < .001, p = .029). Major adverse limb events (MALE) occurred in 117 (26%) patients, and the 1- and 3-year MALE rates of 10% and 17% in phase 3 were significantly lower than those in phases 1 and 2 ( p < .001, p = .009).

Conclusions

In the study, vascular surgeon required a learning curve of 134 TPB cases to Overcoming the learning curve for bypass was associated with improvement of medium-term outcomes for limb salvage and freedom from MALE.
Immunodeficiencies and CFTR dysfunction: results from a systematic screening in a cohort of adults with cystic fibrosis and CFTR-related disorders
Authors: Amati Francesco , Leonardi Gloria , Contarini Martina , Morlacchi Letizia Corinna , Stainer Anna , Pizzamiglio Giovanna , Aliberti Stefano , Blasi Francesco , Gramegna Andrea
Published: June 2024

Background:

Immunodeficiencies (IDs) are conditions caused by immune system dysfunctions which predispose to chronic infections. Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are characterized by the presence of bronchiectasis filled with hyper-viscous secretions that constitute the ideal environment for infections. Although CF and IDs might share similarities in the pathophysiological mechanism of bronchiectasis development, they each offer different treatment options. We hypothesize that the introduction of a bundle of tests would increase the number of ID diagnoses among adults with Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) dysfunction.

Objectives:

The primary objectives of this study were (1) assessing the prevalence of IDs in CF and (2) defining clinical characteristics of adults with both CF and IDs. The secondary objectives were: (1) assessing the prevalence of IDs in CFTR-Related Disorder (CFTR-RD) patients; (2) comparing the prevalence of IDs in CF and CFTR-RD; (3) comparing the prevalence of treatable IDs in CF and CFTR-RD.

Design:

We conducted an observational, prospective, consecutive study on a cohort of 190 adult patients affected by CF or CFTR-RD.

Methods:

Blood samples underwent a standardized immunological screening, including complete white blood count, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgG subclasses, total IgE, lymphocyte subsets, and HIV test. Comprehensive clinical history was assessed to identify risk factors for secondary IDs.

Results:

We identify a high prevalence of immunodeficiencies among the entire cohort: 34 (20.1%) CF patients and 10 (47.6%) CFTR-RD patients are diagnosed with IDs via a blood screening. No statistically significant difference in terms of clinical characteristics was found between immunocompromised and immunocompetent CF patients.

Conclusion:

We identify a high prevalence of immunodeficiencies in both CF and CFTR-RD.
The Role of Ambivalent Identification on Service Recovery: A Study of the Hotel Industry
Authors: Lee Joseph Lok-Man , Siu Noel Yee-Man , ZHANG Tracy Junfeng , Tsui Stephanie Wai-Lam
Published: June 2024

Service failure is common and inevitable due to the unique characteristics of services. It is essential for service organizations to carefully handle service failure and employ effective recovery strategies to maintain and improve customer satisfaction, especially when consumers experience mixed emotions towards the organization. However, most service failure and recovery literature focuses on how ambivalent identification works at the organizational level. Thus, this study extends the application of the social identity theory beyond organizational perception and focuses specifically on the consumer context, shedding light on its role in recovery justice and satisfaction. It explores the impact of failure severity and degree of correction on recovery justice, with ambivalent identification serving as the moderator in the hotel industry context. Findings from an intercept survey method indicate that the negative relationship between severity of failure and recovery justice weakens as ambivalent identification increases, while ambivalent identification strengthens the positive relationship between degree of correction and recovery justice. Moreover, ambivalent identification diminishes the positive impact of recovery justice on post-recovery satisfaction. This study provides the theoretical and practical implications related to service recovery for hotel management.
Neuroradiological manifestations in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: An Italian national multicenter study on behalf of AINR (Associazione Italiana di Neuroradiologia) and SIRM (Società Italiana di Radiologia Medica)
Authors: Anzalone Nicoletta , Gerevini Simonetta , del Poggio Anna , Gaudino Simona , Causin Francesco , Politi Letterio Salvatore , Triulzi Fabio Maria , Pero Guglielmo , Pichiecchio Anna , Bastianello Stefano , Baruzzi Fabio Massimo , Bianchini Elena , Foti Giovanni , Ricciardi Giuseppe Kenneth , Sponza Massimo , Menozzi Roberto , Cosottini Mirco , Chirico Pasquale De , Saba Luca , Gasparotti Roberto
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This multicentric study aims to characterize and assess the occurrence of neuroradiological findings among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first Italian wave of the pandemic outbreak.

Materials and Methods

Patients’ data were collected between May 2020 and June 2020. Clinical and laboratory data, chest imaging, brain CT, and MRI imaging were included. Acquired data were centralized and analyzed in two hospitals: ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, and IRRCS San Raffaele Research Hospital, Milan, Italy. COVID-19 patients were classified into two different subgroups, vascular and nonvascular. The vascular pattern was further divided into ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke groups.

Results

Four hundred and fifteen patients from 20 different Italian Centers were enrolled in the study. The most frequent symptom was focal neurological deficit, found in 143 patients (34.5%). The most frequent neuroradiological finding was ischemic stroke in 122 (29.4%) patients. Forty-four (10.6%) patients presented a cerebral hemorrhage. Forty-seven patients had non-stroke neuroimaging lesions (11.3%). The most common was PRES-like syndrome (28%), SWI hypointensities (22%), and encephalitis (19%). The stroke group had higher CAD risk (37.5% vs 20%, p = .016) and higher D-dimer levels (1875 ng/mL vs 451 ng/mL, p < .001) compared to the negative group.

Conclusion

Our study describes the biggest cohort study in Italy on brain imaging of COVID-19 patients and confirms that COVID-19 patients are at risk of strokes, possibly due to a pro-thrombotic microenvironment. Moreover, apart from stroke, the other neuroradiological patterns described align with the ones reported worldwide.
Extended septal myectomy for midventricular obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hisata Y. , Tanigawa A. , Baba A. , Koga Y. , Muramatsu K. , Yamada T.
Published: June 2024

Midventricular obstruction (MVO) is a rare form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). While surgical treatment for HCM is among the most technically challenging cardiac operations for acquired disease, surgery for MVO is rarely reported. A 38-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a cough and dyspnea. Transthoracic and transesophageal echography and computed tomography revealed extensive left ventricular hypertrophy, extending from the anteroseptal wall to the apex, and marked papillary muscle hypertrophy. We underwent septal myectomy via aortotomy (Morrow procedure) and apical surgery. Extended myectomy provides the best exposure to the hypertrophied septum and improves the functional status of patients.
Borders and bullies: How borders shape perceptions of security and foreign policy preferences
Authors: Carey Sabine C. , Brandsch Jürgen
Published: June 2024

Contested borders raise the question of how to provide security without provoking a stronger neighbor. Using novel survey data from Georgia, we investigate how proximity to disputed borderlines and variation in the nature of borderlines shape security perceptions and foreign policy preferences. People near the ambiguous border to South Ossetia are substantially more likely to worry about border insecurity than those near the fortified borderline to Abkhazia. Yet those near South Ossetia are least likely to demand a stronger stance against Russian-supported creeping borderization and are not consistently more in favor of a stronger alliance with NATO. This exploratory study points to important within-country variation and that those most affect by instability do not necessarily favor more hawkish foreign policies.
Participate in Philanthropy for Idols or Society? Fans’ Social Media Practices, Dual Identity, and Civic Engagement in Chinese Online Fandom
Authors: Yang Tianyi , Zhu Ge , Wu Fang
Published: June 2024

Fan philanthropy in China has undergone a significant transformation with the rise of social media platforms, allowing fan communities to showcase unprecedented organizational capabilities and efficient collective action. It is worth noting that behind this collective action is the dual identity mechanism of Chinese fans who both support idols as fans and need to be positive citizens. This article employs the social identity model of collective action (SIMCA) to investigate how different fans’ social media practices impact their philanthropic action. Based on survey data from 700 respondents with fan philanthropy experiences online in China, this study differentiates between fans’ data and textual practices, uncovering that these practices enhance both group and civic identities. However, data practices, being more structured, notably boost group identity more significantly. Fans’ group identity directly affects fans’ philanthropic participation, whereas fans’ civic identity has no significant impact. Notably, the dual identity indirectly affects participation through participatory efficacy. As such, this study highlights the performative nature of fan philanthropy under rigorous state governance. It suggests that while fan philanthropy aids in achieving fan goals and has the potential to connect with broader civic activities, its primary function remains celebrity promotion, raising questions about its effectiveness as true civic participation.
Working Hours, Shift, and Remote Work by Industry and Occupation in U.S. Full-time Workers
Authors: Chen Guang X.
Published: June 2024

Background:

This study examines working hours, shift work, and remote work patterns by occupation and industry among U.S. full-time workers, along with the association between working and sleeping hours.

Methods:

Utilizing data from 2011 to 2020 American Time Use Survey, this national household survey examines how individuals aged 15 years or older in the United States spend their time within a 24-hour period.

Findings:

In 2011 to 2019, U.S. full-time workers averaged 8.1 hours of work and 7.8 hours spent sleep on workdays, increasing to 9.6 hours on non-workdays. Among all occupations, Emergency medical technicians and paramedics had the longest average working hours (10.4 hours). Protective services occupations had the highest percentage (41.7%) of workers reporting often working shifts other than daytime. Among all industries, truck transportation industry had the longest average working hours (9.2). Food services and drinking places industries had the highest percentage (28.6%) of workers reporting often working shifts other than daytime. Working hours showed a negative association with sleeping hours. In 2020, 34.0% of full-time workers reported remote work due to COVID-19, with the largest percentage (72.3%) occurring in business and financial operations.

Conclusions:

The study findings offer essential benchmarks for comparing working hours and schedules across diverse occupations and industries. These insights empower occupational health practitioners to advocate for prevention measures, addressing health concerns arising from prolonged working hours and shift work.
Screening and Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Wildfire Evacuees: A Cost-Utility Analysis
Authors: Lebenbaum Michael , Hassan S. Ahmed
Published: June 2024

Background. Global climate change is resulting in dramatic increases in wildfires. Individuals exposed to wildfires experience a high burden of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the cost-effectiveness of the treatment options to address PTSD from wildfires has not been studied. The objective of this study was to conduct a cost-utility analysis comparing screening followed by treatment with paroxetine or trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) versus no screening in Canadian adult wildfire evacuees. Methods. Using a Markov model, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and costs were evaluated over a 5-y time horizon using health care and societal perspectives. All costs and utilities in the model were discounted at 1.5%. Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses examined the uncertainty in the incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) under a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000. Results. From a societal perspective, no screening (NMB = $177,641) was dominated by screening followed by treatment with paroxetine (NMB = $180,733) and TF-CBT (NMB = $181,787), with TF-CBT having the highest likelihood of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000 per QALY (probability = 0.649). The initial prevalence of PTSD, probability of acceptance of treatment, and costs of productivity had the largest impact on the INMB of both paroxetine or TF-CBT versus no screening. Neither intervention was cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000 per QALY from a health care perspective. Interpretation. Screening followed by treatment with paroxetine or TF-CBT compared with no screening was found to be cost-saving while providing additional QALYs in wildfire evacuees. Governments should consider funding screening programs for PTSD followed by treatment with TF-CBT for wildfire evacuees.

Highlights

Two prior studies examined the cost-effectiveness of screening followed by treatment for PTSD among individuals exposed to other disaster-type events (i.e., terrorist attack and Hurricane Sandy) and found screening followed by treatment (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT]) to be highly cost-effective. Among wildfire evacuees, screening followed by treatment with paroxetine or trauma-focused (TF)–CBT provides additional quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and is cost-saving from a societal perspective. TF-CBT was the treatment option found most likely to be cost-effective. Neither treatment option was cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000 per QALY from a health care perspective. Screening programs for PTSD should be considered for wildfire evacuees, and individuals diagnosed with PTSD could be prescribed either TF-CBT or paroxetine depending on their preference and resources availability.
Equitable Prevention Science and Participatory Co-Design of the HEROES Strength-Based Programs
Authors: Kia-Keating Maryam , Santacrose Diana , Adams Jessica , Harms Mariana , Taghavi Ida , Liu Sabrina , Mora Andrea
Published: June 2024

Latinx populations are disproportionately impacted by health disparities and are underserved in formal mental health and health systems. Participatory co-design of prevention and health promotion programs may better attend to cultural and systemic factors impacting access and effectiveness. Participatory methodologies offer an opportunity for prevention science researchers to empower and follow the expertise of communities to shape prevention and health promotion programs. Using community-based participatory research (CBPR) puts an emphasis on the local context and priorities related to health equity, whereas implementing human-centered design (HCD) processes provides strategies for the generation and co-design of innovative solutions. In the current study, Latinx youth, youth mentors, and promotores de salud (lay health workers) engaged in the process of co-designing two strength-based caregiver and youth prevention programs through a six-step CBPR + HCD approach. In the first phase, Latinx adolescents collaborated with researchers to co-design a six-module participatory photography program. In the second phase, youth mentors and promotores collaborated with researchers to co-design a four-module family resilience program, incorporating mindfulness, restorative communication, and child-directed interaction skills. Participatory co-design is a promising approach to developing and refining culturally congruent, community-embedded programs, while centering community priorities and meeting the preferences and needs of Latinx communities. Implications for participatory and design frameworks to better address prevention and health promotion and future research are discussed.
Helmeting Therapy in Children with Plagiocephaly: Who Receives Helmets?
Authors: Nowariak Meagan , McCabe Rachel , Redmann Andrew
Published: June 2024

Objectives:

Plagiocephaly is a flattening or asymmetry of the skull in infants that –while benign– can be distressing to parents. There are no standardized treatment recommendations, but helmeting therapy (HT) can be pursued. However, there is no strong evidence for the effectiveness of HT, leading to ambiguity for who should be offered this intervention. In this study, we aim to evaluate any differences in the proportion of patients being offered HT based on race/ethnicity, sex, or insurance type.

Methods:

A retrospective review from January 12th, 2017, to April 30th, 2022, of all patients with a plagiocephaly diagnosis under 18 months of age was conducted. A one-way analysis of variance was used to assess significance with differences <0.05 considered significant.

Results:

Of the 1667 patients identified with plagiocephaly, 807 (48.4%) patients were offered HT, and 501 (30.1%) subsequently received a helmet. Patients with public insurance represented a significantly lower proportion of patients offered HT compared to their respective proportion within all patients diagnosed with plagiocephaly (26.9% vs 31.8%, P = .01). Additionally, patients who identified as Black or African American represented a significantly lower proportion of patients offered HT compared to their respective proportion within all patients diagnosed with plagiocephaly (8.1% vs 10.6%, P = .04).

Conclusion:

Our study demonstrates that the proportions of patients with plagiocephaly who were offered HT compared to their overall proportion within all patients diagnosed with plagiocephaly were different for patients with public insurance and patients who identified as Black or African American. This highlights the need for standardized recommendations for HT.
What Are the Roots of the Nation’s Poor Health and Widening Health Inequalities? Rethinking Economic Growth for a Fairer and Healthier Future
Authors: Noonan Robert J.
Published: June 2024

Health inequalities are differences in health between groups in society. Despite them being preventable they persist on a grand scale. At the beginning of 2024, the Institute of Health Equity revealed in their report titled: Health Inequalities, Lives Cut Short, that health inequalities caused 1 million early deaths in England over the past decade. While the number of studies on the prevalence of health inequalities in the UK has burgeoned, limited emphasis has been given to exploring the factors contributing to these (widening) health inequalities. In this commentary article I will describe how the Government’s relentless pursuit of economic growth and their failure to implement the necessary regulatory policies to mitigate against the insecurity and health effects neoliberal free market capitalism (referred to as capitalism herein) causes in pursuit of innovation, productivity and growth (economic dynamism) is one key driver underpinning this social injustice. I contend that if the priority really is to tackle health inequalities and ensure health for all then there is an imperative need to move beyond regulation alone to mitigate the worst effects of capitalist production; the goal of the economy has to change to fully restore the balance between economic growth and public health.
The problematic etymology of “Plagiarism”: Why inclusion requires this term’s replacement
Authors: Taylor James Stacey
Published: June 2024

As part of the racial reckoning precipitated in the United States by the murder of George Floyd, there has been a widespread movement to eliminate symbols that celebrate and memorialize events, persons, and positions from the past that are associated with racism and/or colonialism. These calls have focused on terminology that could offend owing to its phonetic association with offensive terms (e.g., “niggardly”), or to a folk etymology that identifies it as having racist or colonialist origins (e.g., “picnic”), or to their actual etymology (e.g., “sold down the river”). But there has as yet been no call to replace the term “plagiarism” with a synonym that lacks its problematic (but overlooked) etymology. This paper will correct this oversight. It will offer an overview of the various ways in which persons are responding to the need for greater inclusivity by remaking the symbolic world in which we live. It will then argue that “plagiarism” is a term that should be replaced. It concludes by addressing some of the objections that have been leveled against the removal and replacement of symbols that reference or evoke the non-inclusive past.
A Case-Based Curriculum on Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Among Internal Medicine Residents
Authors: Shahlapour Minaliza , Peterkin Alyssa F. , Taylor Jessica L. , Suarez Sebastian
Published: June 2024

Background:

As the mandatory X-waiver requirements for prescribing buprenorphine have recently been lifted, general practitioners are being relied on to fill the treatment gap in prescribing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). However, insufficient clinician education remains a major barrier to prescribing MOUD in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Objective:

To evaluate the impact of a new MOUD curriculum on internal medicine (IM) residents’ attitudes, comfort, and knowledge of buprenorphine in the inpatient and outpatient settings.

Methods:

All second-year IM residents (n = 46) participated in a 90-minute curricular session between July and October 2022 during scheduled mandatory didactic blocks. The curriculum was structured as a small group, case-based session focused on how to initiate sublingual buprenorphine (traditional and low-dose initiation). Residents completed identical and anonymous pre- and post-session surveys. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze the data.

Results:

Thirty-nine (84.4%) second-year IM residents participated in the evaluation. Residents reported increased importance of independently initiating buprenorphine for hospitalized patients with opioid withdrawal ( P < .001). Residents were significantly more likely to endorse confidence in discussing MOUD with patients ( P < .001), initiating buprenorphine in inpatient and outpatient settings ( P < .001), and identifying patients who would benefit from low-dose buprenorphine initiation ( P = .002). There was a significant increase in the correct number of knowledge-based questions after the session (before = 1.55/4 vs after = 3.33/4; P value < .001).

Conclusions:

A 90-minute buprenorphine training improved residents’ attitudes toward, perceptions of competency, and knowledge of buprenorphine delivery to patients with OUD in the inpatient and outpatient setting.
An Evaluation of Annual Goals for Rural Students Who Are Receiving Special Education Services: A Comparison of Disability Categories
Authors: McCabe Katie Mae
Published: June 2024

In this article, we describe the exploration of the content and quality of annual goals included in the Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) of students with disabilities in one rural U.S. school district. We utilized content analysis to understand the district’s service delivery model comprehensively. Findings revealed disparities between inclusive placements and special education service delivery, suggesting that, despite high rates of inclusive placements noted on IEPs, most services occurred outside general education classrooms, especially for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We evaluated the quality and rigor of 546 annual goals using a rubric adapted from Kurth et al. Only 37.7% of goals were rated as rigorous, highlighting a need for clearer, more specific, and applicable goals. Notably, communication goals for students with IDD were largely absent, raising concerns about support for meaningful participation in general education settings. In addition, special factors related to communication and assistive technology were not consistently addressed in IEPs. We discuss implications for improving educational experiences for students who qualify for special education services under IDD in rural schools and highlight the value of further research and actions in this area.
Connectivity of the insular subdivisions differentiates posttraumatic headache-associated from nonheadache-associated mild traumatic brain injury: an arterial spin labelling study
Authors: Li Fengfang , Zhang Di , Ren Jun , Xing Chunhua , Hu Lanyue , Miao Zhengfei , Lu Liyan , Wu Xinying
Published: June 2024

Objective

The insula is an important part of the posttraumatic headache (PTH) attributed to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) neuropathological activity pattern. It is composed of functionally different subdivisions and each of which plays different role in PTH neuropathology.

Methods

Ninety-four mTBI patients were included in this study. Based on perfusion imaging data obtained from arterial spin labelling (ASL) perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), this study evaluated the insular subregion perfusion-based functional connectivity (FC) and its correlation with clinical characteristic parameters in patients with PTH after mTBI and non-headache mTBI patients.

Results

The insular subregions of mTBI + PTH (mTBI patients with PTH) and mTBI-PTH (mTBI patients without PTH) group had positive perfusion-based functional connections with other insular nuclei and adjacent discrete cortical regions. Compared with mTBI-PTH group, significantly increased resting-state perfusion-based FC between the anterior insula (AI) and middle cingulate cortex (MCC)/Rolandic operculum (ROL), between posterior insula (PI) and supplementary motor area (SMA), and decreased perfusion-based FC between PI and thalamus were found in mTBI + PTH group. Changes in the perfusion-based FC of the left posterior insula/dorsal anterior insula with the thalamus/MCC were significant correlated with headache characteristics.

Conclusions

Our findings provide new ASL-based evidence for changes in the perfusion-based FC of the insular subregion in PTH patients attributed to mTBI and the association with headache features, revealing the possibility of potential neuroplasticity after PTH. These findings may contribute to early diagnosis of the disease and follow-up of disease progression.
Optimising a clinical decision support tool to improve chronic kidney disease management in general practice
Authors: Hunter Barbara , Davidson Sandra , Lumsden Natalie , Chima Sophie , Gutierrez Javiera Martinez , Emery Jon , Nelson Craig , Manski-Nankervis Jo-Anne
Published: June 2024

Background

Early identification and treatment of chronic disease is associated with better clinical outcomes, lower costs, and reduced hospitalisation. Primary care is ideally placed to identify patients at risk of, or in the early stages of, chronic disease and to implement prevention and early intervention measures. This paper evaluates the implementation of a technological intervention called Future Health Today that integrates with general practice EMRs to (1) identify patients at-risk of, or with undiagnosed or untreated, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and (2) provide guideline concordant recommendations for patient care. The evaluation aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators to successful implementation.

Methods

Future Health Today was implemented in 12 general practices in Victoria, Australia. Fifty-two interviews with 30 practice staff were undertaken between July 2020 and April 2021. Practice characteristics were collected directly from practices via survey. Data were analysed using inductive and deductive qualitative analysis strategies, using Clinical Performance - Feedback Intervention Theory (CP-FIT) for theoretical guidance.

Results

Future Health Today was acceptable, user friendly and useful to general practice staff, and supported clinical performance improvement in the identification and management of chronic kidney disease. CP-FIT variables supporting use of FHT included the simplicity of design and delivery of actionable feedback via FHT, good fit within existing workflow, strong engagement with practices and positive attitudes toward FHT. Context variables provided the main barriers to use and were largely situated in the external context of practices (including pressures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic) and technical glitches impacting installation and early use. Participants primarily utilised the point of care prompt rather than the patient management dashboard due to its continued presence, and immediacy and relevance of the recommendations on the prompt, suggesting mechanisms of compatibility, complexity, actionability and credibility influenced use. Most practices continued using FHT after the evaluation phase was complete.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that FHT is a useful and acceptable software platform that provides direct support to general practice in identifying and managing patients with CKD. Further research is underway to explore the effectiveness of FHT, and to expand the conditions on the platform.
The effect of educational intervention based on health belief model on colorectal cancer screening behaviors
Authors: Rakhshani Tayebeh , Razeghi Elham , Kashfi Seyyed Mansour , Kamyab Amirhossein , Khani Jeihooni Ali
Published: June 2024

Background

Colorectal cancer is the second most prevalent cause of death from malignancies globally. The present study was conducted targeting the influence of an educational intervention based on the health belief model (HBM) on colorectal cancer screening behaviors in people 50 years old and older.

Methods

All 134 samples were included in this quasi-experimental study from Fasa City Health Service Center, equal halves were random into experimental group and control group. The data collection tool was a questionnaire that contained questions on demographic variables, knowledge, and HBM constructs (perceived sensitivity, perceived intensity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and screening behaviors). Both groups answered the questionnaire before and two months following the intervention. There were six 90-minute instruction sessions for the intervention group. SPSS 22 and descriptive and analytical tests (independent t-test, paired t-test, and Chi-square test) were used for data analysis (P < 0.05).

Results

59 women and 75 men took part in this study. A majority of participants were married and had at least high school diploma. The findings indicated that the mean scores for knowledge, each of the HBM’s constructs, and cancer screening behaviors did not differ significantly from one another before the intervention between the test group and the control group. However, post the intervention, the intervention group exhibited a significant rise in all mentioned dimensions.

Conclusion

In light of the outcomes, the application of the HBM on colorectal cancer screening behaviors in people 50 years and older was successful. This approach might serve as a helpful foundation for planning, carrying out, and overseeing colorectal cancer screening programs.
Association of metabolic syndrome and its components with Parkinson’s disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shi Yue , Zhang XueYi , Feng Yue , Yue ZongXiang
Published: June 2024

Background

The interrelation between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) likely arises from shared pathological mechanisms. This study thus aims to examine the impact of MetS and its components on PD.

Methods

This study utilized data extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database spanning 1999 to 2020. The random forest algorithm was applied to fill in the missing data. Propensity score optimal full matching was conducted. The data were adjusted by total weights derived from both sampling and matching weights. The weighted data were utilized to create multifactor logistic regression models. Odds ratios (ORs) and average marginal effects, along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated.

Results

MetS did not significantly affect the risk of PD (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.34; P = 0.92). Hypertension elevated the risk of PD (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.76; P = 0.045), accompanied by a 0.26% increased probability of PD occurrence (95% CI: 0.01%, 0.52%; P = 0.04). Diabetes mellitus (DM) had a 1.38 times greater likelihood of developing PD (OR:1.38; 95% CI: 1.004, 1.89; P = 0.046), corresponding to a 0.32% increased probability of PD occurrence (95% CI: -0.03%, 0.67%; P = 0.07). Nevertheless, no correlation was observed between hyperlipidemia, waist circumference and PD.

Conclusion

MetS does not affect PD; however, hypertension and DM significantly increase the risk of PD.