bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“It takes a village”: An ecological analysis of social and emotional learning environments in Malawi
Authors: Lee Jeongmin
Published: September 2024

Socially and emotionally competent children thrive in school and life. Crucial to this success is integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) across their developmental ecology, from homes, schools, and communities to society. This case study draws on interviews with 21 parents, 42 teachers, and 12 professionals from diverse educational institutions in Malawi. It illuminates coordination strategies and enabling factors for system-wide support for SEL in and around Malawi's schools. Teachers deliver a compulsory SEL-infused curriculum, sometimes co-instructed with parents, and emphasize daily discipline and behavior modeling. Governmental and nongovernmental organizations collaborate with grassroots initiatives, such as Mothers’ Groups, to provide technical support, teacher training, financial aid, and community-wide discussions to acquaint parents with SEL. These efforts align through multiparty dialogues, aimed at bridging home–school disparities. The findings offer insights for establishing a coherent, system-wide support structure for SEL in Malawi and potentially other countries.
Culturally Sustaining Methods in a Mental Health Crisis
Authors: Leggett Jason Michael , Nasser Helen-Margaret , Cook Sharon Warren
Published: September 2024

During the 2020–2021 school year, more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, according to the Healthy Minds Study, which collects data from 373 campuses nationwide. Since then, many colleges have developed mission statements that seek to ensure and preserve access to higher education and success for all students, particularly students of color, low-income students, and other historically underrepresented student populations. However, there are many gaps between those good intentions and the actual changes that are implemented across institutional roles. In this article, we reflect on our own personal encounters with students in distress and their efforts to address mental health issues within the institutional setting. We draw on a synthesis of institutional ethnography, autoethnography, and narrative to help document how related texts work with everyday practices to support or resist compliance, in contrast to dominant narratives of self-help and self-care. We emphasize the significance of transformative learning theory, experiential knowledge, and structural changes in fostering well-being and addressing mental health emergencies effectively. Strategies such as creating equitable spaces, prioritizing mental health, and including diverse voices in decision-making processes are crucial. We recommend that institutions employ institutional ethnography methods to first identify how differently situated actors experience the crisis. Finally, we conclude that for these efforts to be sustainable, transformative, and equitable, they must also be culturally sustaining, making room for multiethnic knowledge production.
Special Issue on Dispossession and Resistance in India and Mexico: Introduction
Authors: Jairath Vasundhara
Published: September 2024

As literature on forced land acquisition, land grab, and its integral relationship with capitalist accumulation grows, Hall et al. caution against anticipating resistance to forced land acquisition as the natural or logical response. Instead, they make a call to examine the particular conditions and context within which such processes take place to understand the variety of ways in which “local communities” respond to land acquisition in the name of development. Heeding such caution and carrying the discussion forward, in this special issue, we examine the myriad processes that are unleashed in the aftermath of dispossession from lands and resistance to it in two Global South countries—India and Mexico. While the two nations have divergent histories of colonialism and postcolonial economic trajectories, by examining processes of dispossession and resistance in two countries of the Global South, we hope to initiate a discussion on the heterogenous and diverse forms of capitalist accumulation and people’s responses to them through the medium of a central resource of natural capital and primary factor of production.
Territories of Trash: Accumulation by Dispossession in Morelos, Mexico
Authors: Jiménez-Martínez Nancy Merary , Pérez Mateo Carlos Galindo
Published: September 2024

Accumulation by dispossession occurs in the waste sector because of the configuration of “trash territories.” This article is based on a study of the localization of sites for the final disposal of waste and the use of sociodemographic information of affected populations and for explaining why certain places become sites for the final disposal of waste and others do not. Further, we explore the implications of the “opening up” of new spheres of accumulation. The article argues that the metabolism of waste confirms that capital reproduces its own conditions of production (the use of nature and cheap labor) at the same time as the process of production continues. This means the final condition of accumulation is the reproduction of the conditions of accumulation. Capital has found the construction of territories of waste is a way of reproducing these conditions.
Evaluating the Economic Impacts of a Cage-Free Animal Welfare Policy in Southeast Asian and Indian Egg Production: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ryba Ren
Published: September 2024

Animal welfare is increasingly understood to be a key component of sustainable agricultural production. Southeast Asia and India are witnessing an emerging market for cage-free egg production. To evaluate the economic sustainability of cage-free policies in the region, it is critical to understand how this transition will affect farmers’ costs and revenues. In this article, we provide an overview of the available information that can inform evaluations of cage-free egg production in Southeast Asia and India. Cage-free egg producers around the world tend to experience higher costs, but these costs are offset by higher revenues. As demand for cage-free eggs is stimulated in Southeast Asia and India by retailer or government policies, we expect that producers will be capable of meeting this demand. In Asia specifically, the dominant cost component is poultry feed. We conclude that the economic viability of egg production in the region is likely to be driven by feed prices and associated government policies, rather than production system per se.
African American Family Caregivers’ Experiences and Mental Health: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Irani Elliane , Nguyen Ann W. , Dasari Uva Sri V. , Jennings Aaliyah Pearl , Wang Fei , Hickman Ronald L.
Published: September 2024

Background:

Caregiving in the African American community is informed by strong cultural expectations but may be associated with negative experiences and poor mental health outcomes.

Objective:

The purpose of this convergent mixed-methods study is to understand the relationship between caregiving experiences and mental health and explore stress management strategies in African American family caregivers of adults with chronic or disabling conditions.

Methods:

African American family caregivers (N = 100) were recruited using community-engaged methods and completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Caregiver Reaction Assessment scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D-10) Scale. A subsample (n = 24) participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using linear regression and content analysis. A matrix was developed to integrate quantitative and qualitative results.

Results:

Participants were on average 59 years old. Most were women and provided care to a parent. Lack of family support ( B = 1.37, P = .03) and impact of caregiving on caregivers’ finances ( B = 1.74, P = .004), schedule ( B = 2.92, P < .001), and health ( B = 3.26, P < .001) were associated with depressive symptoms and were reported as stressful experiences. Negative interactions with the care recipient and caring for multiple people emerged as other sources of stress. Participants used independent and interpersonal coping strategies, as well as strategies to facilitate their caregiving role to reduce their stress. Values of reciprocity, limited use of community-based resources, and mental health stigma emerged as important cultural considerations.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest the need for culturally-sensitive interventions to improve communication and care coordination within African American family caregiving networks and educational programs about mental health and caregiving resources endorsed by trusted community sources.
Search for a New Home: Refugee Stock and Google Search
Authors: Sanliturk Ebru , Billari Francesco C.
Published: September 2024

Following the assumption that trends of online queries may indicate intentions and help to predict human behavior, this study addresses the general issue of analyzing, nowcasting, and predicting migrant decisions through an analysis of Google search patterns in the case of Syrians in Turkey. Aiming to contribute to the literature on predicting migration patterns, we examine the relationship between Google search queries for province names in Turkey and the number of Syrians under temporary protection across provinces from January 2016 to December 2019 and demonstrate a positive and significant association. Then, we explore the predictive power of Google searches in predicting the stock of Syrians under temporary protection in Turkey across provinces. We exploit the alphabetical difference between Turkish and Arabic as the method of differentiation between host and migrant populations. Our findings indicate that Google searches can be good predictors for estimating refugee stocks, especially when traditional data are not available. They can also be helpful in forecasting the changing pattern of migrant stocks at frequent intervals, to which conventional socioeconomic indicators are less sensitive due to their less frequent reporting periods.
Pregnant Women Presenting to Psychiatric Emergency Services: A Retrospective Chart Review from India
Authors: Murugesan Manisha , Ganjekar Sundarnag , Thippeswamy Harish , Desai Geetha , Chandra Prabha S
Published: September 2024

Background:

Managing psychiatric emergencies during pregnancy is often challenging, as the safety of both the mother and the unborn fetus needs to be considered. This study aimed to examine the nature of psychiatric emergencies in pregnancy, their management, and clinical outcomes in women presenting to a psychiatry emergency room (ER).

Methods:

Charts of perinatal women consulting psychiatry ER between January 2016 and June 2021 were reviewed for the nature of the psychiatric emergency, pregnancy details, psychiatric symptoms, sociodemographic information, medical comorbidities, clinical diagnosis, and care plan.

Results:

Among 286 perinatal women who attended psychiatry ER, 57 (19.9%) patients were pregnant. Over half ( n = 30, 52.6%) women were multiparous and in their second trimester ( n = 29, 50.9%). Bipolar disorder ( n = 22, 38.6%) was the most common diagnosis. Agitation/aggression ( n = 34, 59.6%) was the most common reason for visiting ER, with risk of self-harm ( n = 14, 24.6%) and risk of harm to the fetus ( n = 7, 12.3%) being other reasons. Emergency psychotropic medications were used in 32 (56.1%) women, with the use of haloperidol in combination with promethazine ( n = 12, 37.5%) or lorazepam ( n = 8, 25%) being the most common.

Conclusion:

One-fifth of women in the perinatal period presenting to the ER were pregnant. Agitation and aggression were the most common reasons. Parenteral medications were commonly used, and more than a fifth required inpatient care, emphasizing the seriousness of risk.
Nurse Counseling versus IEC Material on Maintenance of Healthy Lifestyle for Outpatients Receiving Antipsychotics: A Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Mohanty Krutideepa , Gandhi Sailaxmi , Muliyala Krishna Prasad , Thirthalli Jagadisha , Binu V. S.  , Sharma Kuldeep Kumar
Published: September 2024

Background:

A healthy lifestyle is important for recovery, coping with life’s stresses, minimizing the occurrence and impact of health issues, and improving quality of life. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle may help in preventing or delaying the onset of many health problems.

Methods:

A quantitative research approach with a randomized control trial (RCT) was adopted. 130 outpatients were randomized to experimental and control groups. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 28.8 and R software.

Results:

Waist circumference (WC) significantly differed between the experimental group and the control group (F = 14.87, P < .001). There was a decreasing trend in weight in the experimental group across the three time points (baseline to the second assessment), as compared to the control group (F = 4.29, P = .01). Quality of health of the subjects as measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) of the Euro Quality Of Life (EQ5D) significantly differed (F = 87.47, P < .001). Post-intervention, the percentage showed marked improvement in the experimental group.

Conclusion:

The results of this study support that counseling about a healthy lifestyle is effective as long-term strategies to avoid weight gain, engagement in adequate physical activity, taking nutritious food and maintaining healthy sleep can, in the long run, prevent metabolic syndrome. These interventions can be delivered at a low cost, are safer and practically feasible and may have a long-term impact on the quality of life.
Effectivity: An alternative to conceptions of gifted under- and over-achievement
Authors: Sternberg Robert J , Soleimani Dashtaki Arezoo
Published: September 2024

This article introduces the concept of effectivity, which is the power to be effective or to achieve a certain effect to accomplish one’s goals, in this case, desired school or life achievement. Giftedness would be better defined and developed in terms of effectivity than in terms of various concepts of ability. The concept of effectivity hinges on the idea that what determines, or what influences achievement, includes cognitive ability, but only as a small part of the total picture. Gifted “underachievement” as well as “overachievement” disappear when one understands giftedness in terms of effectivity.
Trajectories of negative and positive marital quality during later life
Authors: Bulanda Jennifer R. , Yamashita Takashi , Brown J. Scott
Published: September 2024

This study aims to establish trajectories of later-life marital quality and assess predictors of trajectory membership. Although numerous studies examine marital quality across the early years of marriage, much less is known about older adults’ trajectories. Existing studies assess average patterns of stability or decline over the life course but have not explored the possibility of multiple trajectories during later life. This study uses nationally-representative data from the 2008–2018 waves of the Health and Retirement Study ( https://www.hrs.isr.umich.edu ). Latent growth mixture models are estimated to identify unique trajectories of positive and negative dimensions of marital quality over an eight-year time period among a sample of adults aged 51 to 97 ( n = 4,467). Results show two distinct patterns of marital quality during later life: (1) high, slightly increasing positive marital quality with low, slightly declining negative marital quality; and (2) moderate, sharply declining positive marital quality with moderate, stable negative marital quality. Significant predictors of trajectory membership include gender, household income, marital duration, remarriage, self-rated health, and depressive symptoms. Rather than patterns of stability or continual decline in marital quality over the later life course, we find the most common trajectory during later life is slight improvement. Only about 12% of older adults experience decline, and that decline is limited to the dimension of positive marital quality, with no uptick in negative marital quality.
Investing in technology to address labour shortages in UK fresh produce and horticulture: How does this redefine standards of good agricultural practice
Authors: Korir Lilian , Drake Archie , Collison Martin , Camacho Villa Carolina , Sklar Elizabeth , Pearson Simon , Manning Louise
Published: September 2024

The global agri-food sector is becoming more fragile as a result of supply chain shocks like COVID-19, Brexit and conflict, which is posing a growing challenge to the horticultural industry. As a result, it is becoming clearer how crucial seasonal agricultural migrant workers are to ensuring food security. Delivering GAP requires taking into account the effects of COVID-19 and Brexit on the UK’s fresh produce and horticulture sectors as well as the potential for increased demand for automation and Agriculture 4.0. In the medium and long run, the market conditions may favourably accelerate automation and the adoption of Agriculture 4.0 as a workable solution to the workforce shortage. The greatest opportunities for automation and the application of new technology will be found in the transport, harvest, and post-harvest processes. Investment in automation and technology adoption depends on access to finance, appropriate training and upskilling, and other stakeholders’ support (e.g. by retailers). We conclude that understanding the need for automation, embracing Agriculture 4.0, utilising labour schemes, and envisioning how work and farming will change in the future is critical when examining GAP in the context of an integrated approach within the fresh produce and horticulture sectors.
Evaluation of the integration of palliative care in a fragile setting amongst host and refugee communities: Using consecutive rapid participatory appraisals
Authors: Leng Mhoira , Downing Julia , Purewal Gursaran , Namukwaya Liz , Opia Vicky , Venkateswaran Chitra , Nabirye Elizabeth , Bagasha Peace
Published: September 2024

Background:

Palliative care is seldom integrated in healthcare in fragile, conflict affected and vulnerable settings with significant refugee populations.

Aim:

This study aimed to evaluate the integration of palliative care into a fragile, conflict affected and vulnerable community in Northern Uganda.

Design:

Consecutive Rapid Participatory Appraisals were conducted to evaluate the integration of palliative care in Adjumani District. The first established a baseline and the second, 4 years later, evaluated progress. Data collection included documentary review, key informant interviews and direct observation.

Setting/participants:

A rural district in Uganda with equal numbers of refugees and host populations living side-by-side. 104 key informants were interviewed, and practice observed in 11 health facilities.

Results:

At baseline, palliative care was not routinely integrated in the health system. Barriers included health system challenges, cultural beliefs, understanding and trust, mental health issues, gaps in palliative care provision, the role of the community and beliefs about illness impacted care with the village health teams being a trusted part of the health system. Following integration activities including training, mentorship and community sensitisation, the repeat rapid appraisal after 4 years showed a significant increase in palliative care delivery. New themes identified included increased provision of palliative care, the impact of training and community engagement and ownership of palliative care.

Conclusion:

Community engagement and participation, training interventions and referral pathways enabled the integration of palliative care. Rapid Participatory Appraisal provides a useful framework to evaluate activities aimed at integration of palliative care in a community.
Patient and family perspectives on rural palliative care models: A systematic review and meta-synthesis
Authors: Marshall Claire , Virdun Claudia , Phillips Jane L.
Published: September 2024

Background:

Almost half the world’s population lives in rural areas. How best to provide palliative care to rural populations is unclear. Privileging rural patient and family voices about their experiences of receiving care delivered via rural palliative care models is necessary.

Aim:

To identify the key palliative care elements that rural patients with palliative care needs and their families perceive to be critical to receiving the care and support they need to live well.

Design and Data Sources:

A systematic review and meta-synthesis registered with Prospero (CRD42020154273). Three databases were searched in June 2024. Raw qualitative data were extracted and analysed using Thomas and Harden’s three-stage thematic synthesis methodology. Findings reported according to the PRISMA statement.

Results:

Of the 10,834 identified papers, 11 met the inclusion criteria. Meta-synthesis of extracted, raw quotes (n = 209) revealed three major themes: (1) Honouring the patient’s existing relationship with their General Practitioner (GP); (2) strategically timed access to specialist services, clinicians and equipment is critical; and (3) a need to feel safe, prepared and supported.

Conclusion:

The strategic inclusion of specialists alongside primary care providers is integral to optimising rural palliative care models. General Practioners are central to these models, through being embedded in their communities and as the conduit to specialist palliative care services. Rural palliative care patients and families value responsive care, trajectory signposting, effective communication, 24/7 support and recognise the value of virtual health. Globally, positive public policy and funding is critical to ensuring access to GP-led, specialist-supported, rural palliative care models.
Fostering nurse-patient relationships in palliative care: An integrative review with narrative synthesis
Authors: Bishaw Suzanne , Coyne Elisabeth , Halkett Georgia KB , Bloomer Melissa J
Published: September 2024

Background:

Nurse-patient relationships are an integral component of person-centred palliative care. Greater understanding of how nurse-patient relationships are fostered and perceived by patients and nurses can be used to inform nursing practice.

Aim:

To systematically identify and synthesise how nurse-patient relationships are fostered in specialist inpatient palliative care settings, and how nurse-patient relationships were perceived by patients and nurses.

Design:

Integrative review with narrative synthesis. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022336148, updated April, 2023).

Data Sources:

Five electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL Complete, Medline, Web of Science and PsycINFO) were searched for articles published from their inception to December 2023. Studies were included if they (i) examined nurse and/or patient perspectives and experiences of nurse-patient relationships in specialist inpatient palliative care, (ii) were published in English in a (iii) peer-reviewed journal. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to evaluate study quality. Data were synthesised using narrative synthesis.

Results:

Thirty-four papers from 31 studies were included in this review. Studies were mostly qualitative and were of high methodological quality. Four themes were identified: (a) creating connections; (b) fostering meaningful patient engagement; (c) negotiating choices and (d) building trust.

Conclusions:

Nurses and patients are invested in the nurse-patient relationship, benefitting when it is positive, therapeutic and both parties are valued partners in the care. Key elements of fostering the nurse-patient relationship in palliative care were revealed, however, the dominance of the nurses’ perspectives signifies that the nature and impact of these relationships may not be well understood.
Communication processes in an advance care planning initiative: A socio-ecological perspective for service evaluation
Authors: Haverfield Marie C , Ma Jessica , Walling Anne , Bekelman David B , Brown-Johnson Cati , Lo Natalie , Lorenz Karl A , Giannitrapani Karleen F
Published: September 2024

Background:

Advance care planning initiatives are becoming more widespread, increasing expectations for providers to engage in goals of care conversations. However, less is known about how providers communicate advance care planning within and throughout a health care system.

Aim:

To explore perspectives of communication processes in the rollout of an advance care planning initiative.

Design:

Theoretically informed secondary analysis of 31 semi-structured interviews.

Setting/Participants:

Key partners in a Veterans Health Administration goals of care initiative.

Results:

Using the constant comparative approach followed by qualitative mapping of themes to the layers of the Socio-Ecological Model, four themes and corresponding Socio-Ecological layers were identified: Goals of Care Communication Training (Policy, Community, and Institutional) requires more resources across sites and better messaging to reduce provider misconceptions and promote an institutional culture invested in advance care planning; Interprofessional Communication (Interpersonal) suggests care team coordination is needed to facilitate continuity in goals of care messaging; Communication in Documentation (Institutional, Interpersonal, and Intrapersonal) highlights the need for capturing the context for goals of care preferences; and Patient/Family Communication (Interpersonal and Intrapersonal) encourages offering materials and informational resources early to facilitate rapport building and readiness to determine goals of care.

Conclusions:

Findings support the need for initiatives to incorporate an evaluation of how goals of care are discussed beyond the interpersonal exchange between patient and provider and signal opportunities for applying the Socio-Ecological Model to better understand goals of care communication processes, including opportunities to improve initiation and documentation of goals of care.
The relative associations of aortic and carotid artery stiffness with CeVD and cognition
Authors: Robert Caroline , Ling Lieng-Hsi , Tan Eugene SJ , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Lim Shir Lynn , Gong Lingli , Berboso Josephine Lunaria , Richards Arthur Mark , Chen Christopher , Hilal Saima
Published: September 2024

We examined the relative associations of aortic and carotid artery stiffness with cerebrovascular disease (CeVD), cognition, and dementia subtypes in a memory clinic cohort of 272 participants (mean age = 75.4, SD = 6.8). We hypothesized that carotid artery stiffness would have greater effects on outcomes, given its proximate relationship to the brain. Aortic and carotid artery stiffness were assessed with applanation tonometry and carotid ultrasonography, respectively. CeVD markers included white matter hyperintensities (WMH), lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, cortical infarcts, and intracranial stenosis. Cognition was assessed by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and a neuropsychological battery. Multivariable linear regression was conducted to determine associations of arterial stiffness with WMH and cognition, while logistic regression analysed associations with CeVD markers and dementia subtypes. Carotid artery stiffness z-score was associated with WMH, cortical infarcts, vascular cognitive impairment, and MMSE, independent of age, sex, education, vascular risk factors, and aortic stiffness z-score. Although aortic stiffness z-score was independently associated with cortical infarcts, this became non-significant after further adjusting for carotid artery stiffness z-score. We found that carotid artery stiffness had greater effects on CeVD, cognitive function and impairment in memory clinic patients compared to aortic stiffness.
The relevance of risk perception and coping strategies for COVID-19 situation reports
Authors: Gerhold Lars , Sterl Sebastian , Glunz Elisabeth , Witt Friederike , Stelzmann Daniela
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Various measures have been implemented worldwide to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast to epidemiological data, psychosocial parameters such as coping strategies in the population were rarely considered in assessments of the course of the pandemic, a point that experts criticized. Based on the transactional model of stress and coping as well as the psychometric paradigm of risk perception, this paper addresses the relevance of psychosocial data for COVID-19 situation reports by highlighting the role of risk perception and coping within the German population. Method: We collected quantitative data on risk perception and coping strategies in four surveys conducted at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 in Germany. We present descriptive as well as bivariate results to examine our research questions statistically. Results: Data contribute to psychosocial aspects of the general situation report such as variations of risk perception during the pandemic (e.g., declining risk perception) and by sociodemographic (e.g., age) as well as location. Furthermore, Germans characterize the COVID-19 pandemic as a crisis with catastrophic potential, but as easily reducible through behavior. Besides, coping strategies are more problem-focused and most respondents listen to experts’ advice and try to behave appropriately. Conclusion: These data are helpful and necessary to provide a complete and substantial situation report in crises and disasters and support crisis managers and public authorities to adequately address the public regarding their concerns.
Distribution of mHealth applications in Germany: analysis of the FeverApp registry
Authors: Gwiasda Moritz , Rathjens Larisa , Martin David D. , Möhler Ricarda , Schwarz Silke , Jenetzky Ekkehart
Published: September 2024

Objective

In this observational study, we determined the distribution of mHealth applications (apps) in Germany using data from the FeverApp registry.

Methods

The registry data were processed to assess general monthly trends in app distribution, and a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model was decomposed to investigate time series. A sample comparison was made matching data from cold-called against self-registered distributers of the FeverApp.

Results

Among 881 pediatric and adolescent medical practices, 27,300 app users were recruited between 2019 and August 2023. The number of monthly recruited users increased steadily. A seasonal trend was observed, showing a higher distribution in winter months. Self-registered pediatric practices did not recruit significantly more app users than cold-called practices, with approximately every 25th family recruited in both groups.

Conclusions

The trend of more app sign-ups during winter is likely related to the flu season in Germany. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors of the practices seem to have a large impact on the distribution. We observed a positive trend in the app distribution. Seasonal febrile infections and individual distribution methods among practices influence the distribution of the FeverApp in Germany. Family factors may have a greater influence than the motivation of distributing practices.
An Umbrella Review for Assessment of Treatment Effectiveness of Clear Aligners Compared to Conventional Fixed Appliances in Orthodontic Patients
Authors: Chawla (Jamenis) Shilpa , Deshmukh Shailesh , Bhosale Veera , Rodrigues Lishoy , Agrawal Jiwanasha , Agrawal Manish Suresh , Umalkar Devika
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Orthodontic improvements, mainly through the previous decade, have led to a substantial rise in patients’ esthetic needs. Traditional orthodontic procedures have been linked with a compromise in facial appearance, which increases concern among patients pursuing orthodontic treatment.

Methods

PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews databases were searched using appropriate entry terms and Boolean operators. Search strategy was conducted till June 2022 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Publications were systematically assessed for eligibility, and two observers independently graded the methodologic quality using AMSTAR-2 tool. For each meta-analysis, we estimated the summary effect size by the use of random-effects and fixed-effects models and the 95% confidence interval. We estimated the between-study heterogeneity expressed by I 2 (defined as large for I 2 ≥50%), evidence of small-study effects (i.e., large studies had significantly more conservative results than smaller studies), and evidence of excess significance bias (i.e., more studies than expected with significant results).

Results

Overall, 16 unique systematic reviews and meta-analyses following the eligibility criteria were selected for umbrella review. The results of qualitative analysis of studies revealed that 4 studies had a critically low risk of bias, 11 showed low risk, and 1 study had moderate risk. The results of the meta-analysis favored clear aligners with respect to oral hygiene and root resorption parameters. When tooth movements were considered, the results favored conventional orthodontic treatment.

Conclusion

Clear aligner therapy (CAT) has significant advantages with regard to efficiency (treatment time, chair time) in mild-moderate malocclusion cases. The overall accuracy of CAT when compared to fixed orthodontic treatment was found to be 55-82%.
The effect of differing Y concentrations on the evolution of the structure and mechanical properties of FeCrAl alloy
Authors: Cao Guangming , Wu Zhonglin , Li Jian , Wang Pengjie , Jiang Qiming , Zhang Xuyuan
Published: September 2024

The influence of different Y concentrations on the evolution of the structural and mechanical properties of FeCrAl alloys is investigated in this work. The ingot casting process was used to produce alloys with Y mass fractions of 0%, 0.03%, and 0.25%, respectively. They were then annealed for 15 min at 850°C, 950°C, and 1050°C before being quenched by water to room temperature. Microstructure and mechanical properties were analyzed using OM, EPMA, EBSD, and tensile tests. The addition of 0.03% Y to FeCrAl alloy and annealing at 850°C resulted in the greatest overall performance of the alloy. This had a tensile strength of 635.62 MPa, yield strength of 465.48 MPa, and elongation of 27.04%. With an increase in Y concentration or annealing temperature, the tensile, yield, and elongation properties decrease. This phenomenon can be attributed to the incorporation of Y, which creates a fine Y-rich second phase in the alloy. These phases act as heterogeneous nuclei, pinning the grains during solidification, effectively reducing grain growth and refining the grains. Grain refinement and an increase in the number of grain boundaries hinder dislocation movement, thereby enhancing the alloy's tensile and yield strength. Simultaneously, this prevents the disappearance of α-fiber textures and the creation of γ-fiber textures during recrystallization and reduces the strength of the γ-fiber textures in the alloy microstructure. However, as the annealing temperature increases, microstructure grain growth and the number of grain boundaries decrease. Moreover, higher Y concentrations result in the formation of large, striated Fe-Y phases, which impair the forming properties of the alloy and consequently reduce its tensile properties. Therefore, future research should focus on effectively avoiding the formation of coarse second phases in the microstructure of FeCrAl alloy to enhance its overall performance.
Quantification and prediction of furnace cylinder activity based on LASSO-GWO-CNN hybrid model
Authors: Xiaojie Liu , Liangyixin Wen , Hongyang Li , Zhang Yujie , Yifan Duan , Yatao Jin
Published: September 2024

Blast furnace smelting environments are complex and characterised by multi-scale, non-linear and strong coupling, and it is often difficult for operators to detect changes in cylinder activity in a timely manner. Quantifying the cylinder activity is the basis for monitoring and improving the cylinder activity. Aiming at the traditional method of quantifying the cylinder activity, which relies heavily on a single empirical formula and is difficult to realise the prediction effect of the cylinder activity, this paper proposes a new method of quantitatively characterising the cylinder activity by combining the core dead material column temperature index and the dead material pile cleanliness index, which comprehensively takes into account the thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of the cylinder, and is able to more accurately and comprehensively assess the state of the cylinder activity. Firstly, a new quantitative cylinder activity formula is set according to the combined index, in which the weights of the indexes will be gradually adjusted in the iterative process of the model, and the entropy weighting method is adopted for its operation; a hierarchical affiliation function is established, and the calculation of the affiliation is used to judge the degree of contribution of the new indexes to the active state of the furnace cylinder with different weights in order to assist in finalising the final weights of the indexes, and the final weights of the indexes are then validated through the analysis of the calculation examples. Afterwards, the rationality of the final weights and the effectiveness of the proposed quantisation method are verified through case analysis. Finally, the LASSO algorithm is used to filter the feature variables, and the Grey Wolf Optimisation (GWO) optimised Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) based cylinder activity prediction model is proposed. According to the results of the comparative validation between five different prediction models, the prediction accuracy of the GWO-CNN model reaches more than 90%, which indicates that the model has a higher prediction performance in predicting the furnace cylinder activity.
Effects of rare earth modifying inclusions on the nucleation mechanism and mechanical properties of MC5 roller steel
Authors: Li Bobo , Liu Tao , Hou Dong , Wang Deyong , Zhang Maocun , Wan Xingyuan
Published: September 2024

The effect of Ce treatment on the inclusions and mechanical properties of MC5 roller steel after solidification and annealing process was investigated. The implementation was observed by thermodynamic calculation, Electron Probe Micro-Analyzer and high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy (HT-CLSM). The results showed that as rare earth content increase, the inclusions were effectively modified into cerium oxide (Ce-O) and cerium sulfide (Ce-O-S); Compared with 0 RE steel, eliminating the proportion of inclusions larger than 5 μm by 14% and 22%; the average size decreased to 3.60 μm and 2.30 μm. Subsequently. CLSM was used to observe the aggregation, separation and agglomeration behavior of MgAlO4 inclusions and alloy elements on the surface of molten steel. Moreover. the ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of MC5 roller steel with Ce treatment increased by 12.6% and 34%. The addition of rare earths could improve the of MC5 roller steel, it provides effective reference value for subsequent industrial experiments.
Factors influencing physical and mechanical properties of direct reduced iron ore pellets
Authors: Pousette Hedda , Kojola Niklas
Published: September 2024

Direct Reduction processes for iron ore employing natural gas or hydrogen are becoming more important. Correspondingly, properties of outgoing products are of importance. Degradation of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) feedstock greatly influences storage, handling, risk of reoxidation, and following melting operations. The focus of this work has been on the physical properties of DRI, and their effect on mechanical properties. Four types of industrially produced DRI having varying metallization, carbon content, structure and apparent porosity have been studied. Three of the selected DRI types have been reduced using natural gas, and one DRI type has been reduced using pure hydrogen. Cold compression strength and tumbling tests are performed. Qualitative analysis of samples before and after mechanical testing is made using SEM and LOM. Results show that total carbon content has a significant influence on overall mechanical strength of DRI. Degradation of samples in tumbling tests is least significant for the hydrogen-reduced – and hence carbon-free – DRI type. The DRI type containing the most carbon (3 wt%) exhibits the most fines generation and lowest compression strength. Furthermore, apparent porosity and fractures formed during reduction have a small though not as significant impact as carbon content on mechanical properties.
Exploring the usefulness of real-time digitally supported fatigue monitoring in fatigue management: Perspectives from occupational therapists and brain injury survivors
Authors: Ezekiel Leisle , Wilding Harriet , Dearling Jeremy , Collett Johnny , Dawes Helen
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Persistent fatigue after acquired brain injury (ABI) needs long-term self-management. Self-monitoring supports self-management and informs the use of fatigue management strategies. Using ecological momentary assessment to monitor fatigue offers a data-driven approach to managing fatigue.

Aims:

To explore the usefulness of self-monitoring fatigue in real-time, using ecological momentary assessment to support self-management, from the perspective of people with ABI and occupational therapists.

Methods:

People with ABI monitoried their fatigue by wearing a Fitbit and completing six surveys a day on their phone for 6 days. Think aloud and semi-structured interviews elicited views on self-monitoring and the data generated. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results:

Four themes were developed from people with ABI ( n = 9): (1) Attending to experience, (2) making sense of data, (3) the relationship between fatigue and activity, (4) implications for daily life. Three themes from occupational therapists ( n = 5): (1) Challenges of using of data, (2) perceived benefits of self-monitoring, (3) viewing data in relation to their understanding of fatigue.

Conclusion:

Data generated in real-time challenged perspectives on fatigue and fatigue management. These insights may help people with ABI and their clinicians to plan personalised strategies for fatigue management and evaluate its impact on daily living.
Irish Economic and Social History, 1974–2023: Publication Trends
Authors: Brownlow Graham , Cox Catherine , McLaughlin Eoin
Published: September 2024

This article reviews the publication trends in Irish Economic and Social History over its first 50 years.
Money as a “Social Power”: Commodity Fetishism and Financialization
Authors: Davis Ann E.
Published: September 2024

Marx’s concepts of commodity and money fetishism explain the perception that money and commodities have “value,” presumably as part of their intrinsic properties. In fact, the exchange value of commodities and money results from living labor and the extraction of surplus value. With a historic review of the institutions for production, circulation, and credit, this appearance of capitalism can be explained. Further, the view that money is valuable in itself can lead to overexpansion of credit, stagnation, and instability. The attribution of “value” to living labor and the environment instead of money would result in different policies and priorities, and a more stable and equitable economy, rather than “financialization” and crises.

JEL Classification: N23, G15, G23, B52
Reducing Ageism and Enhancing Social Activism in Middle School: The Use of Diverse Measures of Ageism
Authors: Suberry Assaf , Okun Sarit , Ayalon Liat
Published: September 2024

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a short educational intervention to reduce ageism and enhance social activism among adolescents. The study involved a 90-min workshop for 318 Israeli adolescents (aged 11 to 15, 73.9% females). Familiarity with the concept “ageism” and attitudes toward older persons were assessed before and after the intervention. The findings indicate an improved familiarity with the concept “ageism,” while adolescents drew upon concepts such as discrimination and racism to define ageism. Following the intervention, a diverse range of age-related stereotypes emerged, signaling a shift toward more positive perceptions, with notable growth in positive age stereotypes, especially among females. Finally, about two-thirds of created memes targeted ageism against older persons, 18.98% promoted an age-inclusive world, and 17.15% addressed ageism toward children and young persons. Implications for reducing ageism in adolescence and for measuring social change in ageism are discussed.
Importance of Lifestyle Activities for Older Adults’ Psychosomatic Functions After Driving Cessation: Interpretation by a Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Akaida Shoma , Makizako Hyuma , Tateishi Mana , Shiratsuchi Daijo , Taniguchi Yoshiaki , Kiuchi Yuto , Kiyama Ryoji , Takenaka Toshihiro , Kubozono Takuro , Ohishi Mitsuru
Published: September 2024

Older adults who cease driving are more likely to experience psychosomatic decline than those who continue driving. This mixed-methods study was intended to examine differences in psychosomatic functions depending on driving status and lifestyle activities, and factors affecting engagement in additional lifestyle activities after driving cessation. The quantitative analysis included individuals aged 60 and above. Driving status, lifestyle activities, and psychosomatic functions were assessed. For qualitative analysis, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the driving-cessation group to determine the factors affecting involvement in various lifestyle activities after driving cessation. Analysis of covariance was used for quantitative data, while text mining and qualitative inductive analysis were used for qualitative data. Older adults who engaged in more lifestyle activities walked faster than those who engaged in fewer lifestyle activities, even after driving cessation. Actively using local and personal resources may increase engagement in lifestyle activities after driving cessation.
Who Gets Denied Telework in the U.S. Federal Service?
Authors: Lewis Gregory B. , Pizarro-Bore Ximena , Emidy M. Blake
Published: September 2024

Discretionary rewards can motivate employees but increase social inequity. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, when supervisors had substantial discretion over whether and how frequently U.S. federal employees teleworked, those who did so several times a week liked most aspects of their jobs more than those who teleworked less, especially those who were denied telework. Though telework became a necessity rather than a reward during the pandemic, supervisor discretion is increasing during the return-to-the-office period, making unequal access to telework a potential site of social inequity. Using logit analysis on the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) before and during the pandemic, we examine how race, sex, disability status, and sexual orientation affected who was denied telework and how job characteristics affected those decisions. Black, Latino, and younger employees and employees with disabilities were more likely to have telework requests turned down; differences by gender and sexual orientation barely existed.