bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Physical and Psychosocial Outcomes of a Psychosocial Home-Based end-of-Life Care Intervention in Hong Kong
Authors: Chow Amy Y. M. , Fordjour Genevieve A. , Lui Juliana N. M. , Chan Iris K. N. , Zhang Anna Y. , Chan Cecilia L. W.
Published: February 2023

Objective

Living the final days of life being cared for at home is a preference expressed by many. The data on the effectiveness of home-based end-of-life care (EoLC) intervention to improve the holistic conditions of terminally ill patients are scanty. This study sought to evaluate a psychosocial home-based EoLC intervention for terminally ill patients in Hong Kong.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted, applying the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) at 3 timepoints (service intake, 1-month, and 3-months after enrollment). A total of 485 eligible, consenting terminally ill people (mean age = 75.48, SD = 11.39) were enrolled, with 40.21% (n = 195) providing data at all 3 timepoints for this study.

Results

Decreasing symptom severity scores were observed for all IPOS psychosocial symptoms, and most physical symptoms, over the 3 timepoints. Improvements in depression and practical concerns had the highest omnibus time effects ( F > 31.92, P < .01) and T0 to T2 paired comparison effects ( Cohen's d > 0.54, P < .01). Physical symptoms of weakness/lack of energy, poor mobility, and poor appetite also showed significant improvements at T1 and T2 ( Cohen's d: 0.22-0.46, P < .05). Bivariate regression analyses showed that improvements in anxiety, depression, and family anxiety were associated with improvements in physical symptoms of pain, shortness of breath, weakness/lack of energy, nausea, poor appetite, and poor mobility. Patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics were not associated with changes in symptoms.

Conclusions

The psychosocial home-based EoLC intervention effectively improved the psychosocial and physical status of terminally ill patients, irrespective of their clinical characteristics or demographics.
Method for identifying and eliminating ventilator false alarms of ventilator based on clinical data analysis
Authors: Wang Feng , Gu Wunan , Fu Rao
Published: February 2023

Ventilator is a kind of critical medical equipment with the highest clinical risk, and it plays an essential role in intensive care and maintaining patient lives. Identifying and eliminating ventilator false alarms is one of the most critical issues in the clinical treatment process. A considerable number of false-positive alarms may happen because of inaccurate parameter alarm threshold setting and inappropriate alarm rule application. This study proposes a method for identifying and reducing the false alarms of the ventilator based on clinical data analysis. It firstly establishes a real-time monitoring system for the ventilator. A wireless network module can be used to transmit data, including parameter data and alarm data, to the server. Then, the data changing range for one parameter can be calculated and determined. The change range of one parameter can be divided into 10 sub-ranges. The frequency of each parameter monitoring value presented in each sub-range can be calculated. The parameter alarm thresholds can be set according to the frequencies and the value distribution in different sub-ranges. The alarm times for one or more parameters in a specified period can be acquired. The clinical data can be utilized to verify the alarm thresholds. The method has been applied to identify and eliminate false alarms for ventilators in a hospital. The application effect shows that this method can help set the parameter alarm thresholds and identify and eliminate most false alarms.
Experimental investigation of the effect of hydrophobic coating on heat transfer and gasketed plate heat exchanger performance
Authors: Dağlı Salih , Özbey Mustafa
Published: February 2023

In this study, the effect of hydrophobicity on the plate surface on heat transfer, pressure drop, and pump power was investigated without changing the existing designs of gasketed plate heat exchangers (GPHEs). The wet surfaces of the plate were coated with carbon-based polymer solutions with four different hydrophobic groups, that is, FEP, FH3, FH7, and FH10. To increase the hydrophobicity of the FEP material, a new coating solution was synthesized by adding 3, 7, and 10 wt.% h-BN nanoparticles. Heat transfer, pressure loss, and pump power performances of heat exchangers with hydrophobic surface coating were tested at five different Reynolds numbers and compared with the uncoated heat exchanger performance. Also, the efficiency analysis of the GPHE under different hydrophobic conditions was carried out. As a result, the addition of 3 and 7 wt.% h-BN nanoparticles increased the contact angle. However, the addition of 10 wt.% h-BN decreased the contact angle as it increased the rough structure and film thickness on the surface. It was determined that the heat exchanger efficiency increased proportionally with the increase in hydrophobicity. While the highest heat exchanger efficiency value was 0.525 in FH7 coated. However, it was found that there was a 25.6% decrease in heat transfer of FH7 coating compared to uncoated exchanger. The pressure drop of the FH7 surface-coated heat exchanger with the highest hydrophobicity was 207.6% lower than that of uncoated heat exchanger. Energy savings of approximately 41% were achieved in FH7 coated compared to uncoated heat exchangers. It has been emphasized that heat transfer in GPHE systems should be evaluated together with pressure drops and local losses. It was found that the use of hydrophobic surface coating on plates in heat exchangers will contribute to the development of heat exchanger designs, reducing pump costs, and energy consumption.
Barriers to uptake of PrEP across the continuum among transgender women: A global scoping review
Authors: Teng Fei , Sha Yongjie , Fletcher Lauren M , Welsch Michael , Burns Paul , Tang Weiming
Published: February 2023

Background

Although preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has demonstrated high efficacy for HIV prevention, rates of PrEP uptake remain low among the transgender population, especially in transgender women (TGW). We conducted this scoping review to assess and characterize barriers to PrEP use along the PrEP care continuum among TGW.

Methods

We conducted this scoping review by searching studies in Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria included: reporting a PrEP related quantitative result among TGW; peer-reviewed and published in English between 2010-2021.

Results

Globally, high willingness (80%) to use PrEP was found, yet uptake and adherence (35.4%) were low. TGW experiencing hardship, including poverty, incarceration, and substance use, were associated with higher odds of PrEP awareness but lower odds of PrEP use. Structural and social barriers such as stigma, medical mistrust, and perceived racism can be important barriers for PrEP continuation. High social cohesion and hormone replacement therapy were associated with greater odds of awareness. In addition, our study confirmed prior research showing that PrEP does not lower feminizing hormone levels in TGW.

Conclusions

Significant demographic factors among TGW that are associated with PrEP engagement. It is imperative to focus on TGW as a population with independent needs, requiring specific PrEP care guidelines and tailored resource allocation, that fully considers individual-, provider-, and community/structural-level barriers and facilitators. The present review also indicates that combining PrEP care with GAHT or broader gender-affirmation care may facilitate PrEP use.
The Role of Beta Oscillations in Mental Time Travel
Authors: D’Angelo Mariano , Frassinetti Francesca , Cappelletti Marinella
Published: February 2023

The brain processes short-interval timing but also allows people to project themselves into the past and the future (i.e., mental time travel [MTT]). Beta oscillations index seconds-long-interval timing (i.e., higher beta power is associated with longer durations). Here, we used parietal transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to investigate whether MTT is also supported by parietal beta oscillations and to test the link between MTT and short intervals. Thirty adults performed a novel MTT task while receiving beta and alpha tACS, in addition to no stimulation. Beta tACS corresponded to a temporal underestimation in past but not in future MTT. Furthermore, participants who overestimated seconds-long intervals also overestimated temporal distances in the past-projection MTT condition and showed a stronger effect of beta tACS. These data provide a unique window into temporal perception, showing how beta oscillations may be a common mechanism for short intervals and MTT.
Impaired and Spared Auditory Category Learning in Developmental Dyslexia
Authors: Gabay Yafit , Roark Casey L. , Holt Lori L.
Published: February 2023

Categorization has a deep impact on behavior, but whether category learning is served by a single system or multiple systems remains debated. Here, we designed two well-equated nonspeech auditory category learning challenges to draw on putative procedural (information-integration) versus declarative (rule-based) learning systems among adult Hebrew-speaking control participants and individuals with dyslexia, a language disorder that has been linked to a selective disruption in the procedural memory system and in which phonological deficits are ubiquitous. We observed impaired information-integration category learning and spared rule-based category learning in the dyslexia group compared with the neurotypical group. Quantitative model-based analyses revealed reduced use of, and slower shifting to, optimal procedural-based strategies in dyslexia with hypothesis-testing strategy use on par with control participants. The dissociation is consistent with multiple category learning systems and points to the possibility that procedural learning inefficiencies across categories defined by complex, multidimensional exemplars may result in difficulty in phonetic category acquisition in dyslexia.
An online temporal calibration method for nonlinear optimization-based stereo visual-inertial odometry
Authors: Cao Ziyu , Zhu Yanze , Yang Jianhua
Published: February 2023

Mobile robots have been widely used in geological exploration, accident rescue, and other fields. As the core technology of these robots, simultaneous localization and mapping is responsible for estimating the robot’s position and building a scene map. With the rapid development of simultaneous localization and mapping technology in multi-sensor fusion, many visual-inertial odometry systems based on camera and inertial measurement unit fusion have been proposed. Although visual-inertial odometry has advantages over visual simultaneous localization and mapping in accuracy and robustness, they still cannot meet the requirements of robots to work stably for a long time. The time misalignment (time offset) between visual and inertial on the timeline is one of the main reasons for that problem. Therefore, this article proposes an online temporal calibration method based on nonlinear optimization, suitable for low-cost, self-assembled stereo visual-inertial odometry systems. We take full advantage of stereo camera, which constructs a new error factor concerning time offset using the epipolar constraint in the stereo camera. The proposed method could reduce the negative influence of features’ velocity errors during temporal calibration and improve the system’s robustness and accuracy. Experiments on the EuRoC data set show that our method’s temporal calibration results are closer to the actual value than the state-of-the-art calibration methods. Our method can significantly improve the system’s accuracy and robustness.
A novel hydraulic load-sensing control solution to working functions of mobile machine
Authors: Wang Feng , Wu Jiaming , Xu Bing , Sun Zongxuan
Published: February 2023

The hydraulic load-sensing system is a more efficient system solution than constant pressure system in mobile machine. However, the overall system efficiency for multiple actuators is still low since this centralized hydraulic control system only adapts to the highest load pressure. Therefore, in this article, a distributed hydraulic control system where each function is powered by a hydraulic free piston engine is proposed. Compared with centralized solution, it is more efficient since the power of hydraulic free piston engine is tailored to each function. By integrating small inertia linear engine and pump piston in one unit, the hydraulic free piston engine is an efficient and fast response hydraulic power source. Since the hydraulic free piston engine is essentially a digital hydraulic power source, a digital load-sensing control is proposed in this study. The system architecture, modeling, controller design and performance of the digital hydraulic load-sensing control system are presented. A test bench is developed to verify the system feasibility and performance.
Australia's Divergent Legal Responses to Women Who Kill Their Abusive Partners
Authors: Nash Caitlin , Dioso-Villa Rachel
Published: February 2023

Concerns over the legal treatment of women who kill in response to domestic abuse have driven several jurisdictions to reform their homicide laws in recent years. This article examines how abused women are currently treated within the Australian legal system by analyzing homicide cases involving women prosecuted for killing an abusive partner in Australia from 2010 to 2020. The findings reveal the limitations of legal reforms to improve access to justice for abused women. Instead, there needs to be an increased focus toward pre-trial stages of criminal proceedings and to address persistent misconceptions and stereotypes associated with domestic abuse.
Understanding the Process of Family Cancer History Collection and Health Information Seeking
Authors: Allen Caitlin G. , Green Ridgely Fisk , Dowling Nicole F. , Fairley Temeika L. , Khoury Muin J.
Published: February 2023

Problem Addressed:

To better understand the factors associated with family cancer history (FCH) information and cancer information seeking, we model the process an individual undergoes when assessing whether to gather FCH and seek cancer information and compare models by sociodemographics and family history of cancer. We used cross-sectional data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5, Cycle 2) and variables (e.g., emotion and self-efficacy) associated with the Theory of Motivated Information Management to assess the process of FCH gathering and information seeking. We completed path analysis to assess the process of FCH gathering and stratified path models.

Results:

Those who felt they could lower their chances of getting cancer (emotion) were more confident in their ability to complete FCH on a medical form (self-efficacy; B = 0.11, p < .0001) and more likely to have discussed FCH with family members ( B = 0.07, p < .0001). Those who were more confident in their ability to complete a summary of their family history on a medical form were more likely to have discussed FCH with family members ( B = 0.34, p < .0001) and seek other health information ( B = 0.24, p < .0001). Stratified models showed differences in this process by age, race/ethnicity, and family history of cancer.

Implications for Public Health Research and Practice:

Tailoring outreach and education strategies to address differences in perceived ability to lower chances of getting cancer (emotion) and confidence in the ability to complete FCH (self-efficacy) could help encourage less engaged individuals to learn about their FCH and gather cancer information.
Predictors for surgical intervention in orbital complications of pediatric rhinosinusitis
Authors: Yosefof Eyal , Reuven Yonatan , Badir Samih , Rapana Olga Gordon , Schindel Hilla , Avisar Inbal , Dotan Gad , Gilony Dror , Soudry Ethan
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Orbital complications are the most common complication of acute rhinosinusitis, especially among pediatric patients. While most cases are treated with antibiotics alone, severe presentation may demand surgical intervention. Our goal was to determine which factors predict the need for surgery and to investigate the role of computerized tomography in the decision process.

Methods

A retrospective review of all children hospitalized between 2001–2018 with orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis in a university-affiliated children's hospital.

Results

A total of 156 children were included. Mean age was 7.9 years (1–18 years). Twenty-three children (14.7%) were surgically treated, and the rest were conservatively treated. High fever, ophthalmoplegia and diplopia in association with minimal or no response to conservative treatment were predictive for surgical intervention, as well as higher inflammatory indices. Eighty-nine children (57%) underwent imaging during hospitalization. Presence of a subperiosteal abscess, as well as its size and its location were not found to be predictors for surgery.

Conclusion

Clinical and laboratory findings in association with minimal or no response to conservative treatment predict the need for surgical intervention in cases of orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis. As Computerized Tomography scans can have long-term implications in the pediatric population, caution and patience should be practiced when deciding on the timing of imaging in this population. Thus, close clinical and laboratory monitoring should lead the decision-making process in these cases and imaging should be reserved for when the decision for surgery has been made.
The Veil: A Silhouette of Autonomy and Empowerment
Authors: Abbas Syed Zamanat
Published: February 2023

This study inspects controversies in the Western World about the veil worn by Muslim women in public. It merges two separate domains, Islamic Feminism and Western Feminism. These two domains need to be addressed to generate new opinions. Western Feminism believes that veil is a sign of oppression and masculinity. However, Islamic Feminists find the veil empowering and a sign of dignity. This study aims to unravel the underlying contradictions and blind spots that characterize the arguments in favor and against the veil. This juxtaposition can provide insight into new theoretical and empirical points of departure. All oppressions result from the political dynamics of the state in which the individual is living. It is utterly reductionist to criticize the choice to veil, which is an instrument of autonomy. This paper emphasizes that Islam does not oblige women to be victimized and dissatisfied. However, Islam strives to promote the autonomy of Muslim women. It is safe to say that Islam describes women as beauty with a brain.
User-defined high impulsive frequency acquisition model for mechanical damage identification
Authors: Kaloni Smita , Tiwari Prashant , Singh Ghanapriya
Published: February 2023

In the past few decades, time–frequency (TF) methods have become increasingly popular in the field of modal identification and structural health monitoring. The general and significant shortfalls of the TF models are the distributed and vague frequency components as an output. To overcome the cons of the initial TF technique, segregation of the modes incorporated within the affected vibration signatures evolved eventually. The most utilized and preferred technique can be named empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and its variants. However, these variants, along with the basic framework, possess the multi-mode tendency, which further compels the extension of the whole damage identification procedure. This work presents the development of a temporally evolved, generalized and high impulsive frequency acquisition model for structural damage identification. To meet the said outcome, variational mode decomposition (VMD) is considered an optimization-based signal decomposition tool that utilizes the contents of the generated modal responses. This work also aims to investigate the applicability of VMD for the purpose of structural damage identification for the following situations: the old ADA steel bridge under vehicle-induced vibration for various damage scenarios; a three-story shear frame building model. Along with the said validation of the proposed condition monitoring model, this paper addresses the need of stable and reliable novel damage indicator (DI) as a statistical alteration of the extracted instantaneous outputs. The proposed DI as the mean of the ratio of the instantaneous outputs collectively indicates the relative capacity of the structure to produce a stable response. The selected outputs are instantaneous frequency, phase and energy, taken into consideration to depict the physical alterations in the measured response. The proposed DI evidently explains the physical relation of the involved factors with the degradation causes in the considered structure. The DI also reflects the remaining usefulness of the system and provides the measurements in safety aspects to the operators. The results so obtained are well competent for real bridge structures under the influence of dynamic loading conditions induced by vehicle movements.
‘Still not scraping the bottom of the barrel’: ‘Rich points’, feedback, disadvantaged students, and solutions
Authors: Hale Adrian
Published: February 2023

This article builds on research, previously published in this journal, which tracked student outcomes in a first year core course in an Australian university over the space of 6 years. That research found that a fundamental shift in educator attitude - away from problematising student disadvantage, to seeing student disadvantage as an opportunity - was essential in activating student motivation and autonomy. Success was measured by student retention, overall grade distributions, and positive student feedback. Viewing student deficits not as the problem, but rather as ‘rich points’, or opportunities for adaptation, is helping to facilitate student success. Indeed, this article asserts that an integral part of finding solutions is the ability to decode student feedback – both positive and negative – as an articulation of what disadvantaged students need most.
Disrupting medical necessity: Setting an old medical ethics theme in new light
Authors: Segers Seppe , De Proost Michiel
Published: February 2023

Recent medical innovations like ‘omics’ technologies, mobile health (mHealth) applications or telemedicine are perceived as part of a shift towards a more preventive, participatory and affordable healthcare model. These innovations are often regarded as ‘disruptive technologies’. It is a topic of debate to what extent these technologies may transform the medical enterprise, and relatedly, what this means for medical ethics. The question of whether these developments disrupt established ethical principles like respect for autonomy has indeed received increasing normative attention during the past years. Yet, more fundamental ethical considerations of a possible disruption of the concept of ‘medical necessity’ (and the potential ensuing clinical ramifications) have been limited if not absent. It is our modest – though morally and practically relevant – aim to address this objective in this article, by exploring how the current wave of allegedly disruptive innovation is invoking a resurgence of this concept and related debates on ‘the’ goal(s) of medicine.
Minimally Invasive Treatment in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Authors: Sciacqua L. V. , Vanzulli A. , Di Meo R. , Pellegrino G. , Lavorato R. , Vitale G. , Carrafiello G.
Published: February 2023

Review efficacy and safety of minimally-invasive treatments for Low Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in patients affected by Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH). We performed a systematic review of the literature from 1993 to 2022 leveraging original research articles, reviews, and case-studies published in peer-reviewed journals and stored in public repositories. Prostate artery embolization (PAE), transurethral needle ablation (TUNA), transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT), high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), laser treatments and Cryoablation are valid and safe alternatives to the gold standard (surgery) in the treatment of LUTS in patients affected by BPH, with fewer undesired effects being reported.
Comparing the Effects of Two Cryoprotectant Protocols, Dimethyl-Sulfoxide (DMSO) and Glycerol, on the Recovery Rate of Cultured Keratinocytes on Amniotic Membrane
Authors: Mohammad-Pour Najmeh , Moghimi Vahid , Bidkhori Hamid Reza , Momeni-Moghaddam Madjid , Naderi-Meshkin Hojjat
Published: February 2023

Background: Off-the-shelf supply of viable engineered tissue is critical for effective and fast treatment of life-threatening injuries such as deep burns. An expanded keratinocyte sheet on the human amniotic membrane (KC sheet-HAM) is a beneficial tissue-engineering product for wound healing. To access an on-hand supply for the widespread application and overcome the time-consuming process, it is necessary to develop a cryopreservation protocol that guarantees the higher recovery of viable keratinocyte sheets after freeze-thawing. This research aimed to compare the recovery rate of KC sheet-HAM after cryopreservation by dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO) and glycerol. Methods: Amniotic membrane was decellularized with trypsin, and keratinocytes were cultured on it to form a multilayer, flexible, easy-to-handle KC sheet-HAM. The effects of 2 different cryoprotectants were investigated by histological analysis, live-dead staining, and proliferative capacity assessments before and after cryopreservation. Results: KCs well adhered and proliferated on the decellularized amniotic membrane and successfully represented 3 to 4 stratified layers of epithelialization after 2 to 3 weeks culture period; making it easy to cut, transfer, and cryopreserve. However, viability and proliferation assay indicated that both DMSO and glycerol cryosolutions have detrimental effects on KCs, and KCs-sheet HAM could not recover to the control level after 8 days of culture post-cryo. The KC sheet lost its stratified multilayer nature on AM, and sheet layers were reduced in both cryo-groups compared to the control. Conclusion: Expanding keratinocytes on the decellularized amniotic membrane as a multilayer sheet made a viable easy-to-handle sheet, nonetheless cryopreservation reduced viability and affected histological structure after thawing. Although some viable cells were detectable, our research highlighted the need for a better cryoprotectant protocol other than DMSO and glycerol, specific for the successful banking of viable tissue constructs.
Franklian Existentialism and Transformative Learning: Unlikely Co-Captains in Uncertain Times
Authors: McDonald Stephanie , Perry J. Adam
Published: February 2023

Dimensional ontology is Viktor E. Frankl’s theory that contends humans are composed of their biological, psychological, and noological (spiritual) dimensions. Frankl maintains that it is in the noological dimension where humans freely choose their responses to the environmental, psychological, and biological conditions that befall them. Frankl’s humanistic existentialism is a pushback against depth psychology – which broadly is the belief that human behaviour can be ascribed to hidden motives such as drives, instincts, or the dictates of the unconscious. Some scholars have applied the ideas of Carl Jung, a depth psychologist, to their theorizing of transformative learning. Broadly, the aim of this conceptual paper is to chart new courses for scholars to explore spiritual and psychological aspects of transformative learning, more specifically, routes separate from depth psychology. It opens with brief reviews of humanism, existentialism, and depth psychology, before exploring how Franklian existentialism might enrich the already fertile and expansive terrain of transformative learning.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Versus Placebo for Perianal Fistulizing Crohn’s Disease: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Ang , Liu Sailiang , Li Laiyuan , Yu Minhao
Published: February 2023

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-based therapy for perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease (pfCD) has been extensively studies in the past decade. Its efficacy and safety had been preliminarily confirmed in some phase 2 or phase 3 clinical trials. This meta-analysis is performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MSCs-based therapy for pfCD.

Methods

Electronic databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase) were searched for studies that reported the efficacy and safety of MSCs. And RevMan were used to assess the efficacy and safety.

Results

After screening, 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this meta-analysis. RevMan 5.4 for meta-analysis showed that: [Efficacy] Patients had definite remission after MSCs treatment, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.06 ( P < .0001, 95%CI 1.46, 2.89) vs controls. [Safety] The incidence of the most frequently reported TEAEs (treatment-emergent adverse events, TEAEs), perianal abscess and proctalgia, did not significantly increase due to the use of MSCs, with an OR of 1.07 in perianal abscess ( P = .87, 95%CI 0.67, 1.72) vs controls, and an OR of 1.10 in proctalgia ( P = .47, 95%CI 0.63, 1.92) vs controls.

Conclusions

MSCs seem to be an effective and safe therapy for pfCD. MSCs based therapy has the potential to be used in combination with traditional therapies.
The Inclusive Adaptive Sport Program on a College Campus: Changing the Narrative
Authors: Stanojevic Cedomir , Kim Yongseop , Piatt Jennifer , Kim Junhyoung
Published: February 2023

More often than not, students with physical disabilities are not provided equitable access to recreational sport programs or clubs, even though they often pay the same fees as their peers without disabilities. Involvement in recreational sports is a large component of the college campus experiences, yet those living with disability are likely to experience a variety of challenges associated with participation, which may inhibit them from fully engaging in sports with their peers and pursuing an active lifestyle. To examine the impact of involvement in an inclusive adaptive sport program on the college experience, a qualitative phenomenological approach was implemented with a convenience sample of 8 college students currently participating in a CTRS-driven inclusive wheelchair basketball program. A semi-structured interview procedure was utilized to elicit the participants' experiences of involvement in the adaptive sports program. Of 8 college students, five were individuals without, and 3 were individuals with an identified physical disability. The adaptive sports program had a positive impact on both groups of students. Four themes and 10 subthemes emerged from the data analysis. Four themes identified were: (a) Sense of Community; (b) Access to Resources and New Opportunities; (c) Inclusive; and (d) Personal Growth.
Statistical analysis of the effect of processing machine parameters on acoustical absorptive properties of needle-punched nonwovens
Authors: Messiry Magdi El , Al-Oufy Affaf K , Ayman Yasmin , Abdel Latif Samar
Published: February 2023

The object of this paper is to investigate the acoustic insulation properties of needle-punched nonwovens produced from recycled polyester waste blended with virgin polyester serving as supportive material. The research work also studies the effect of different processing parameters of needle punching nonwoven machines through the investigation of different needle speeds, lattice speeds, and penetration depths. Throughout the research work, several needles punched nonwoven fabrics were produced under different conditions as follows: Three needle speeds were applied: 280, 245, and 227 rpm. Three lattice speeds were applied: 0.72, 1.47, and 2.35 m/min. Three depths of penetration for the needles were applied: 26, 10, and 5 mm. Finally, different blends of waste/virgin polyester fibers were produced and tested: 40/60%, 20/80%, and 100% virgin polyester. The four parameters investigated had a statistically significant effect on the sound transmission losses obtained. It was proved that as the frequency increases, the needle speed gains importance while the needle penetration depth loses importance. The results of testing the different samples indicated that the highest sound transmission loss is attained using non-woven fabrics produced from virgin polyester fibers and prepared at high stitch density.
Diagnostic performance of traditional radiographic indices in detection of carpal collapse in Kienböck’s disease
Authors: Luitjens Johanna , Goller Sophia Samira , Schmitt Rainer , Erber Bernd , Van Schoonhoven Jörg , Hesse Nina
Published: February 2023

Correctly identifying carpal collapse is important for adequate treatment of Kienböck’s disease. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of traditional radiographic indices in detecting carpal collapse to differentiate between Lichtman stages IIIa and IIIb. In 301 patients, carpal height ratio, revised carpal height ratio, Ståhl index and radioscaphoid angle were measured on plain radiographs by two blinded observers. As a reference standard, Lichtman stages were determined by an expert radiologist using CT and MR imaging. The interobserver agreement was excellent. In the differentiation between Lichtman stages IIIa and IIIb, measurements of indices showed moderate to good sensitivity (0.60–0.95) and low specificity (0.09–0.69) using normal cut-off values from the literature, while receiver operating curve analysis revealed poor area under the curve (58–66%). Traditional radiographic indices showed poor diagnostic performance in detecting carpal collapse in Kienböck’s disease and did not reach sufficient accuracy in the differentiation between Lichtman stages IIIa and IIIb.

Level of evidence: III
Glenohumeral Cartilage Thickness: Implications in Prosthetic Design and Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation
Authors: Carlson Charles G. , Chen Andreas , Patterson Kyle , Ablove Robert H.
Published: February 2023

Objective

A complete understanding of the glenohumeral joint anatomy is crucial for osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation and prosthetic design. However, existing data on the cartilage thickness distribution are not consistent. This study aims to describe the cartilage thickness distribution at both the glenoid cavity and humeral head in males and females.

Design

Sixteen fresh cadaveric shoulder specimens were dissected and separated to expose the glenoid and humeral head articular surfaces. The glenoid and humeral head were cut into 5-mm coronal sections. Sections were imaged and cartilage thickness was measured at 5 standardized points on each section. Measurements were analyzed based on age, sex, and regional location.

Results

For the humeral head, cartilage was thickest centrally (M = 1.77 ± 0.35 mm) and thinnest superiorly and inferiorly (M = 1.42 ± 0.37 mm, 1.42 ± 0.29 mm). At the glenoid cavity, cartilage was thickest in the superior and inferior areas (M = 2.61 ± 0.47 mm, 2.53 ± 0.58 mm) and thinnest centrally (M = 1.69 ± 0.22 mm). Males were found to have thicker cartilage at both the humeral head and glenoid ( P = 0.0014, P = 0.0133).

Conclusions

Articular cartilage thickness distribution of the glenoid and humeral head is nonuniform and reciprocal in nature. These results can be used to further inform prosthetic design and OCA transplantation. We noted a significant difference in cartilage thickness between males and females. This suggests that the sex of the patient should be taken into consideration when matching donors for OCA transplantation.
The multifaceted and situated data center imaginary of Dutch Twitter
Authors: van Es Karin , van der Weijden Daan , Bakker Jeroen
Published: February 2023

Data centers are material structures that take up space, use resources like water and energy, and possess a large carbon footprint. This paper examines the broader long-term discussion around data centers during the period 2020–2022 in the Dutch Twittersphere. Through an analysis of tweets and images, it identifies and reflects on the communities active in the discussion and the range of visions and imaginaries of data centers they produce. Unpacking these tweets and images over time traces not only the emergence of a ‘reactive imaginary’, critical of the promises of information technology (IT) industry and (local) governments, but also the blind spots of the discussion. It furthermore reveals an important role for journalism in the discussion by questioning the claims of the industry and contributing to a ‘visibility expansion’ of data center’s impact on Earth's resources. The paper shows the multifaceted and situated nature of imaginaries and their role in shaping decision-making and policy.
New algorithmic approach for easier and faster extended disability status scale calculation
Authors: Fouad Amr M , Abdel Naseer Maged , Farghaly Marwa , Hegazy Mohamed I
Published: February 2023

Background

The traditional paper and pencil method for EDSS calculation (pEDSS) is the cornerstone of multiple sclerosis practice; however, it requires an expert for an accurate calculation, and it takes a lot of time to perform the function scores. A new algorithmic approach (aEDSS) has been developed for easier and faster assessment.

Objective

To determine if using aEDSS can achieve good inter-rater agreement and save time compared to pEDSS.

Subjects and methods

This study was conducted on 200 MS patients; EDSS was performed twice for each patient by two neurologists on the same day; one used the pEDSS, and the other used the aEDSS in a random order to test the inter-rater agreement regarding functional system scores and the final EDSS score and to detect the difference in the time needed for calculation between both methods.

Results

The new algorithmic approach achieved excellent agreement with the traditional method (Kappa > 0.81) with a shorter calculation time (16 ± 2.67 min for aEDSS vs 31 ± 4.3 min for pEDSS, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The new algorithmic approach could represent a suitable alternative to the traditional method, making EDSS calculation easier and faster.
Outcomes After Combined Remnant Preservation and Bone Marrow Stimulation for Acute Rotator Cuff Tears
Authors: Zhou Yi , She Hongjiang , Liu Xiaoyan , Wang Rui , Bai Fan
Published: February 2023

Background:

Both remnant preservation (RP) and bone marrow stimulation (BMS) enhance the healing potential of the repaired rotator cuff by improving the biological milieu of the tendon-bone interface.

Purpose:

To evaluate the clinical and imaging outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using a combined RP-BMS technique in patients with acute rotator cuff tears.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Between January 2016 and June 2019, a total of 56 patients were diagnosed with acute rotator cuff tears; 29 patients underwent conventional repair (group 1), and 27 patients underwent RP-BMS (group 2). At a minimum follow-up period of 2 years, the authors compared clinical outcomes with the University of California–Los Angeles; Constant; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons; and pain visual analog scale scores as well as shoulder range of motion. Tendon integrity and retear were assessed on magnetic resonance imaging according to the Sugaya classification (intact, grades 1-3; retear, grades 4-5). Between-group comparisons were conducted using the Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and the Pearson chi-square test or Fisher exact test for categorical variables.

Results:

In both groups, patients had significant preoperative to postoperative improvement on all clinical outcome measures ( P = .001 for all). Shoulder abduction in group 2 was significantly greater compared with group 1 at the postoperative 3-month (107.37° ± 8.32° vs 95.44° ± 8.78°; P = .001), 6-month (155.25° ± 10.02° vs 144.72° ± 9.28°; P = .001), and final (165.15° ± 9.17° vs 158.31° ± 8.01°; P = .021) follow-ups. At the final follow-up, significantly more patients in group 2 had intact tendons (Sugaya grades 1-3) compared with group 1 ( P = .015), and the tendon retear rate was lower in group 2 (1/27; 3.70%) than in group 1 (7/29; 24.14%) ( P = .033).

Conclusion:

Both surgical techniques led to satisfactory clinical outcomes, but shoulder abduction was greater after the RP-BMS technique compared with conventional repair. RP-BMS may be an alternative surgical technique to improve tendon integrity and retear rates after the repair of acute rotator cuff tears.
Creating a Significant Learning Experience When Introducing Labor Relations to Students
Authors: Obenauer William G.
Published: February 2023

Despite declines in private-sector union membership in the United States, labor relations remains an essential topic within the field of human resource management. However, most undergraduate students have little experience with labor unions, making it difficult to enhance learning by applying labor relations concepts to their prior experiences. The current lesson addresses this gap by teaching students about labor relations through the exploration of an authentic collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and an analysis of an actual work stoppage (i.e., strike or lockout). Students will learn about how different elements of the CBA influenced negotiations and factors that contributed to a work stoppage, leading to a basic understanding of how the human resource management decisions they make as managers can directly impact organizational outcomes. The lesson also serves as a tool for synthesizing content from throughout the semester in an undergraduate human resource management course.
Social Inclusion of Converted Christians in Kerala: Study of a Christian Family Converted from Pulaya Community
Authors: Mathew Jasmine , Francis Jinu , Niumai Ajailiu , Joseph M. K.  , Thomas Nycil Romis
Published: February 2023

Regardless of the significant social reform, the deep-rooted caste system prevails in the landscape of Kerala. The extreme oppression that the Dalit community faced forced them to seek a new identity with religious conversions. However, the caste considerations straddled the religions and followed the converts. Moreover, the conversion failed to compensate for their material deprivations, and the converted identity denied the rightful privileges of Dalits, which hampered their social mobility. This article analyses the social inclusion of a Pulaya (a Dalit community) family converted to Christianity in Kerala. The analysis of the qualitative data collected through relational interviewing revealed the issues with the social inclusion of the converted Christians, despite the high moral code they adopted. Furthermore, the quantitative comparison of welfare programs and reservations for the Dalit community and the converts gives insight into the trending deconversion in Kerala.
Infectious Endophthalmitis vs Noninfectious “Pseudohypopyon” After Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide
Authors: Schwartz Stephen G. , Flynn Harry W. , Smiddy William E.
Published: February 2023

Introduction: To describe a patient who presented with visual loss and an apparent hypopyon but none of the other symptoms or signs most common with infectious endophthalmitis. Methods: A case and its findings were analyzed. Results: A 73-year-old woman was treated with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) for cystoid macular edema. The eye had 12 previous injections without complication. After the 13th injection, the patient noted painless visual loss. An examination showed a visual acuity (VA) of finger counting and an apparent hypopyon, which shifted after a head-tilt test, suggesting a noninfectious “pseudohypopyon.” Two days later, the VA worsened to hand motions and the hypopyon had increased in size. The eye was treated with a vitreous tap and injection with vancomycin and ceftazidime. The inflammation resolved, VA improved to 20/40, and cultures showed no growth. Conclusions: Distinguishing infectious endophthalmitis from noninfectious inflammation remains challenging. There is no definitive technique by which to distinguish between the 2 conditions; thus, clinicians must use their best judgment and follow the patient closely.
The sense of stopping migraine prophylaxis
Authors: Al-Hassany Linda , Lyons Hannah S. , Boucherie Deirdre M. , Farham Fatemeh , Lange Kristin S. , Marschollek Karol , Onan Dilara , Pensato Umberto , Storch Elisabeth , Torrente Angelo , Waliszewska-Prosół Marta , Reuter Uwe ,   on behalf of the European Headache Federation School of Advanced Studies (EHF-SAS)
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Migraine prophylactic therapy has changed over recent years with the development and approval of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway. As new therapies emerged, leading headache societies have been providing guidelines on the initiation and escalation of such therapies. However, there is a lack of robust evidence looking at the duration of successful prophylaxis and the effects of therapy discontinuation. In this narrative review we explore both the biological and clinical rationale for prophylactic therapy discontinuation to provide a basis for clinical decision-making.

Methods

Three different literature search strategies were conducted for this narrative review. These include i) stopping rules in comorbidities of migraine in which overlapping preventives are prescribed, notably depression and epilepsy; ii) stopping rules of oral treatment and botox; iii) stopping rules of antibodies targeting the CGRP (receptor). Keywords were utilized in the following databases: Embase, Medline ALL, Web of Science Core collection, Cochran Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar.

Discussion

Reasons to guide decision-making in stopping prophylactic migraine therapies include adverse events, efficacy failure, drug holiday following long-term administration, and patient-specific reasons. Certain guidelines contain both positive and negative stopping rules. Following withdrawal of migraine prophylaxis, migraine burden may return to pre-treatment level, remain unchanged, or lie somewhere in-between. The current suggestion to discontinue CGRP(-receptor) targeted mAbs after 6 to 12 months is based on expert opinion, as opposed to robust scientific evidence. Current guidelines advise the clinician to assess the success of CGRP(-receptor) targeted mAbs after three months. Based on excellent tolerability data and the absence of scientific data, we propose if no other reasons apply, to stop the use of mAbs when the number of migraine days decreases to four or fewer migraine days per month.

There is a higher likelihood of developing side effects with oral migraine preventatives, and so we suggest stopping these drugs according to the national guidelines if they are well tolerated.

Conclusion

Translational and basic studies are warranted to investigate the long-term effects of a preventive drug after its discontinuation, starting from what is known about the biology of migraine. In addition, observational studies and, eventually, clinical trials focusing on the effect of discontinuation of migraine prophylactic therapies, are essential to substantiate evidence-based recommendations on stopping rules for both oral preventives and CGRP(-receptor) targeted therapies in migraine.

Graphical Abstract