bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FIGURE 2 from Exercise-induced β2-adrenergic Receptor Activation Enhances the Antileukemic Activity of Expanded γδ T-Cells via DNAM-1 Upregulation and PVR/Nectin-2 Recognition
Authors: Baker Forrest L. , Smith Kyle A. , Mylabathula Preetesh L. , Zúñiga Tiffany M. , Diak Douglass M. , Batatinha Helena , Niemiro Grace M. , Seckeler Michael D. , Pedlar Charles R. , O'Connor Daniel P. , Colombo Jamie , Katsanis Emmanuel , Simpson Richard J.
Published: May 2024

Acute exercise enhances the antileukemic activity of ex vivo expanded Vγ9Vδ2+ T-cells in vitro and in vivo. A, Schematic of the experimental design for in vitro and in vivo experiments. B, The total number (1 × 106) of Vγ9Vδ2+ cells isolated before (REST) and during the final 5 minutes of exercise (EX) at day 0, and the total number of Vγ9Vδ2+ T-cells generated in the expanded cell products after stimulation with ZOL+IL2 for 14 days. The number of Vγ9Vδ2+ cells generated at day 14 relative to the number of γδ cells in the PBMC fractions at day 0. The cellular composition of the expanded Vγ9Vδ2+ T-cell products at day 14. The proportions of naïve (N), CM, EM, and CD45RA+ EMRA cells among Vγ9Vδ2+ T-cells after 14 days of expansion (n = 10). C, The in vitro anti-tumor activity of ex vivo expanded Vγ9Vδ2+ T-cells against K562, Daudi, and U266 with and without ZOL sensitization. Target cells were exposed to 5 µmol/L of ZOL for 20 hours and cytotoxicity of Vγ9Vδ2+ cells was assessed via flow cytometry–based assays. D, To determine the in vivo GvL effect of exercise expanded Vγ9Vδ2+, NSG-IL15 mice were injected with REST or EX expanded Vγ9Vδ2+ (10 × 106) and challenged with 1 × 106 luciferase tagged human chronic myeloid leukemia cells (K562-luc). A subset of mice in each group were also provided weekly injections of ZOL (REST+ZOL; EX+ZOL; VEHICLE +ZOL). The BLI (photons/second) scores, TFS, change in BW, and overall probability of survival (OS) after injection of expanded Vγ9Vδ2+ T-cells with or without ZOL sensitization (n = 8–11/group). BLI significant difference from EX+ZOL and EX conditions indicated by * and #, respectively (all conditions were significantly different from vehicle controls). TFS, BW, and OS significant difference from vehicle controls were indicated by *. E, Representative bioluminescence images of leukemia-bearing mice that received (from left to right) vehicle, vehicle + ZOL, REST expanded Vγ9Vδ2+ T-cells, REST expanded Vγ9Vδ2+ T-cells + ZOL, EX expanded Vγ9Vδ2+ T-cells, and EX expanded Vγ9Vδ2+ T-cells + ZOL. BLI intensity on a scale from low (purple) to high (red). Data are represented as mean ± SEM; *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001; ****, P < 0.0001 by Student two-tailed paired t test (B); repeated measures two-way ANOVA or LMM with Bonferroni post hoc test (C–D); log-rank (Mantel–Cox) test (D).
Risk Factors for Bladder Neck Contracture following Transurethral Resection of the Prostate in Patients with Benign Prostatic Enlargement
Authors: Chuang Shu-Han , Kor Chew-Teng , Tseng Po-Hung , Chang Chin-Pao , Shih Hung-Jen , Pan Yueh , Huang Sheng-Hsien
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) and lower urinary tract symptoms present challenges in aging men, often addressed through transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Despite technological advancements, bladder neck contracture (BNC) remains a concern. This study explores predictors, including comorbidities, influencing BNC after TURP. Methods: A retrospective cohort study at Changhua Christian Hospital analyzed 2041 BPE patients undergoing bipolar TURP. Preoperative urinary catheterization and resection speed were categorized. Patient data included demographics, comorbidities, operative details, and outcomes. Statistical analyses utilized χ2, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Cox regression models. Results: Within 3 years, 306 (15%) patients developed BNC. Univariate Cox regression identified chronic heart failure (p = 0.033), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; p = 0.002), preoperative urinary catheterization (p < 0.001), and low resection speed (p = 0.045) as significant BNC risk factors. Notably, COPD (p = 0.011) and preoperative urinary catheterization (p < 0.001) emerged as independent risk factors for BNC development in multivariate Cox regression analysis. Conclusions: Preoperative urinary catheterization and COPD were significant predictors of BNC post-TURP, while resection speed showed no significant influence. These findings offer clinicians insights for risk assessment, enhancing patient outcomes, and optimizing resources post-TURP.
Assessment and Application of Digital Museum Visitors' Emotional Experience Based on Virtual Reality Technology and Emotion Recognition Algorithm
Authors: An Jun
Published: May 2024

Each person will have a different emotional experience for the same scene or exhibit, which reduces the accuracy of emotional recognition and leads to the complexity of the evaluation of visitors' emotional experience in digital museums. In order to improve the user experience of digital museums, the evaluation and optimization methods of visitors' emotional experience of digital museums based on virtual reality (VR) technology and emotion recognition algorithm are studied. A spectrogram is generated according to the voice sent by tourists when they visit the digital museum, which is based on the CSWNet_CRNN emotion recognition depth learning model input, which evaluates tourists' emotional experience results and draws their emotional responses to digital museums. The visual and auditory features of the digital museum scene with positive emotional experience are extracted, respectively. Using VR technology, the extracted features are applied to each link of the digital museum scene content design, optimizing the digital museum VR scene and improving the digital museum experience. The experiment shows that the tourist emotion recognition accuracy of this method is high, and the emotion recognition accuracy of 300 random tourists can reach 100%. In terms of generating new scenes, the feature extraction results of this scene are consistent with the feature estimation of positive emotions by ordinary people. The use of extracted features to optimize the digital museum scene has better realism and detail accuracy, which can be favored by most people and promotes the sustainable development of digital museums.
Interaction Between Teacher Posture, Weaving Gesture and Student Posture Using the ICHC-MGK Sofware, Case of Teaching Geometric Figures at Sacré-Cœur, Saint-Denis of Réunion
Authors: Ravelomanana Juvenile Christalin , Razafindrabehita Lwanga Albert , Ravelojaona Vatosoa Tsirinala Fabiola , Rakotomalala Hery Frédéric , Totohasina André
Published: May 2024

Detachment Posture, Weaving Gesture, Study Posture, Geometric Figure, Interaction, ICHC − MGK
Comparison the Cerebroprotective Effect of Sevoflurane and Propofol in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Randomized Clinical Study
Authors: Nasr Rabie , Soliman Ahmed
Published: May 2024

Objective: The Objective of the study was to evaluate the perioperative cerebral protective effect of sevoflurane and propofol in patients with carotid artery stenosis undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical study included 200 patients with preoperative carotid artery stenosis <50% scheduled for cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The patients were classified into 2 groups (each=100), Sevoflurane group: The patients received sevoflurane (concentration 1% to 4%) as an inhalational agent. Propofol group: The patients received propofol infusion (4-6 mg/kg/hr). The sevoflurane and propofol were given during the whole procedure (before, during, and after cardiopulmonary bypass). The monitors included heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), central venous pressure and cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and stroke. Results: There was no significant difference in the perioperative heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure, and the right or left regional cerebral oxygen saturation between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative neurological complication was significantly lower with sevoflurane than propofol (P=0.012). The incidence of delirium was significantly lower with sevoflurane than propofol (P=0.023). The incidence of stroke was lower with sevoflurane than propofol, but the difference was insignificant (P=0.682). The ICU and hospital length of stay were shorter with sevoflurane than propofol (P=0.013, P=0.033 respectively). Conclusions: The sevoflurane was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction than propofol in patients with carotid artery stenosis undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.
Study on HIV Status Disclosure and Treatment Adherence Amongst Support Group Members in Mushin Local Government Area (LGA), Lagos State
Authors: Akpan-Etuk Foluso , Vincent Emmanuel , Nwanya Emmanuel , Efifie Uchechukwu , Alawode Sunday , Bello Deborah
Published: May 2024

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a significant global health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the burden of the epidemic is highest. Lagos State, in Southwest Nigeria, faces a significant challenge with HIV prevalence, particularly in the Mushin Local Government Area (LGA). This study investigates the relationship between HIV status disclosure and adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) medication among members of the God is Good Support Group in Mushin LGA, Lagos State, Nigeria. The study used a qualitative framework design and conducted semi-structured interviews with twenty members of the support group who were purposely selected due to the specific nature of the target population. Collected data was manually transcribed, while thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. The results showed that the majority of participants in the support group had disclosed their HIV status to their partners, and those who hadn't disclosed often confided in children or close relatives. Participants reported receiving strong support from their confidantes after disclosure. Participants believed that effective treatment adherence is crucial for achieving viral suppression, and a significant majority believed that disclosing their HIV status helped them achieve viral suppression. Most participants had positive experiences disclosing their status to partners, with nearly all reporting supportive partners. Only a small minority reported negative impacts on their sexual life, suggesting that disclosure may not necessarily harm relationships. Based on these findings, the study concludes that there is a high level of disclosure among support group members, and participants with good adherence were more likely to have disclosed their status. Disclosure was associated with achieving viral suppression, potentially due to the support received. The study suggests that strengthening support groups through funding from local, state, and international organizations could be beneficial in encouraging disclosure and improving health outcomes for individuals living with HIV.
A Contrastive Analysis of the Morphological and Syntactic Aspects of Urhobo and Ijaw Languages
Authors: Uwasomba Blessing , Okiemute Andrew
Published: May 2024

The study undertakes a contrastive analysis of the morphological and syntactic aspects of Urhobo language and the Izon language, which are two indigenous languages spoken in the Niger Delta area in Nigeria. Contrastive analysis is used as the theory of preference to explore these languages, to show their similarity and points of divergence. The findings from the study attest to the similarity of these languages predictably as a result of their shared origin as they both are from the same Niger-Congo language family. There are cases of exact translations and linguistic interconnectedness between both languages in the morphological level. The study also confirms that there is noticeable difference in all levels of linguistics that makes both languages not mutually intelligible. The research’s implications include recommendations for language teaching and preservation as both languages are highly relevant for intercultural communication. The study also recommends that further research should be done in Nigeria’s indigenous languages as a way to respect and maintain unique linguistic identities. Scholars from different Nigerian languages should encourage the development and the growth of the indigenous languages to stop them from going into extinction. English language is the official language in Nigeria, it is the language of government, commerce, education, law, mass media and other areas of communication at the official level. The Nigerian language learner encounters so many problems in learning English. This paper reveals the importance of our indigenous languages.
The Relationship Between Mind Wandering and Vulnerability of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Self-Regulation as a Moderator
Authors: Mohamed Mona , Ahmed Rehab
Published: May 2024

There is a scarcity of studies that have focused on studying individuals targeted for suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, as it has been found that these individuals have high levels of mental wandering, or more precisely, they are preoccupied with thinking about a group of ideas that are completely far removed from the current moment in which they are living, and they cannot ignore such ideas, except In the presence of high levels of self-regulation, which prompts them to reduce their involvement with these distracting thoughts and thus reduce the issuance of compulsive behaviors as a result of thinking about them. Purpose: The current study hypothesized that self-regulation modifies the relationship between mind wandering and vulnerability of obsessive-compulsive disorder among university students. Method: Forty-five university students (37 females and 8 males) aged between 18-30 years (Mean = 22.58, S.D =3.306). The students completed The Four Factors of Mind Wandering Questionnaire (4FMWQ), The Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SSRQ) and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Results: The absence of a modifying role of self-regulation in the relationship between Mind Wandering and Vulnerability of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Conclusion: This prompts further future studies to determine the nature of the interaction between mind wandering and self-regulation and the role of this interaction in determining the level of vulnerability of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Mathematical Modeling of COVID-19 with Chronic Patients and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Somé Windjiré , Kaboré Germain , Lamien Kassiénou , Diallo Ismaël , So Ousséni , Somé Blaise
Published: May 2024

Human health is constantly threatened by the appearance and resurgence of several diseases, as shown by recent epidemics. COVID-19 was one of the epidemics that left its mark on the world in terms of economic and human damages. In the search for solution to this pandemic, the scientific community is involved in all its diversity. Mathematicians are taking part in the fight through mathematical modeling in various approaches. Ordinary derivative compartmental modeling approache is one of the techniques widely used in epidemiological modeling. This paper presents a mathematical contribution to fight against COVID-19 using a compartmental SQEICRS model. This model takes into account five stages. In particular, the role of chronic diseases on the dynamique of COVID-19, is focused. A mathematical analysis of the model has been carried out, and shows that the model is well-posed in the biological and mathematical sense. Aspects such as existence, equilibrium points and their stability, the basic reproduction number R0and sensitivity anlysis have been discussed. Sensitivity analysis allowed us to identify the parameters which contribute to the spread of the disease, including the chronicity rate due to chronic diseases. The direction of disease propagation was also determined according to R0. Finally, the numerical results with Matlab are in conformity with theoretical results.
Deep Learning Model for COVID-19 Classification Using Fine Tuned ResNet50 on Chest X-Ray Images
Authors: Dokun Oyewole , John-Otumu Adetokunbo , Eze Udoka , Ikerionwu Charles , Etus Chukwuemeka , Nwanga Emeka , Okonkwo Ogadimma
Published: May 2024

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, extensive research has focused on deep learning methodologies for accurately diagnosing the virus from chest X-ray images. Various models, including Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and pre-trained models, have achieved accuracies ranging from 85.20% to 99.66%. However, the proposed Fine-Tuned ResNet50 model consistently outperforms others with an impressive accuracy of 98.20%. By leveraging on transfer learning and careful architectural design the proposed model demonstrates superior performance compared to previous studies using DarkNet, ResNet50, and pre-trained models. Graphical comparisons highlight its competitive edge, emphasizing its effectiveness in COVID-19 classification tasks. The ResNet50 architecture, known for its deep residual layers and skip connections, facilitates robust feature extraction and classification, especially in medical imaging. Data pre-processing techniques, like noise reduction and contrast enhancement, ensure input data quality and reliability, enhancing the model's predictive abilities. Training results reveal the model's steady accuracy improvement and loss reduction over 20 epochs, aligning closely with validation metrics. Evaluation on a test set of COVID-19 chest X-ray images confirms exceptional accuracy (98.20%), precision (99.00%), recall (98.82%), and F1-score (98.91%), highlighting its proficiency in identifying COVID-19 cases while minimizing false positives and negatives. Comparative analyses against prior studies further validate its superior performance, establishing the Fine-Tuned ResNet50 model as a reliable tool for COVID-19 diagnosis. Future research should focus on exploring ensemble learning techniques, interpretability methods, and stakeholder collaboration to ensure safe AI deployment in clinical settings. Moreover, larger and diverse datasets are crucial for validating model performance and improving generalization, ultimately enhancing patient care and public health outcomes in the mitigating COVID-19 and future pandemics.
Stockholm Syndrome and Gender-Related Ideologies and Attitudes: A Psychometric Assessment
Authors: Mouafo Achille , Lontio Sylvestre
Published: May 2024

Stockholm syndrome, a paradoxical phenomenon, characteristic of the particular psychological functioning of people in captivity and victims of mistreatment, sexual abuse and gender-based violence, arouses significant interest in psychological sciences. However, the related instrumentation remains limited, due to the fact that there is not a significant number of measurements that can evaluate it. In addition, the current main measure (the scale for identifying “Stockholm Syndrome” reactions in young dating women/Escala para identificar reacciones de síndrome de Estocolmo (SISSR) relacionada con violencia de pareja), only exists in the English and Spanish languages; which constitutes a linguistic obstacle for its administration to individuals who speak other languages, such as French. However, the simple translation of the items of a measurement does not guarantee its reliability from a psychometric point of view. In this vein, this study proposes the translation in French and validation of the Spanish version of this measure. It also proposes, as part of testing the predictive validity of the measure, to link the construct of Stockholm syndrome with gender-related ideologies and attitudes. The validation of the French version of the Stockholm syndrome measurement scale was carried out with two samples (N = 836) consisting entirely of women. The exploratory test (EFA) carried out with 400 participants reveals a reliable tri-factorial structure of 16 elements, after the elimination of 33 elements, due to factor loadings lower than .40. The confirmatory analysis of this factorial structure, using the Structural Equation Method (CFA-SEM), carried out on a sample of 436 participants, supports the tri-factorial structure which fits the data better. Tests of factorial invariance of the measurement, depending on marital status (n1 = 215 married women; n2 = 221 concubine) reveal a structural equivalence between the groups. The predictive validity of the measure reveals that Stockholm syndrome is linked to attitudes towards gender-based violence, sexism, feminism, non-justification of the gender system and gender-based social dominance.
Public Opinion and Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates Among Key Populations in Nigeria
Authors: Abiola Abiodun , Paul Abiodun , Felix Sanni , Ochonye Batholomew , Godwin Emmanuel , Ajayi Abiodun , Mbah John , Abang Roger , Kalaiwo Abiye , Umoh Paul
Published: May 2024

Nigeria exhibits a heterogeneous culture and factors that can significantly impact the formation of public opinions toward implementing vaccination requirements, especially among the marginalized population. Examining the prevailing public sentiment and attitudes of the key population is crucial. The study employed a cross-sectional approach. Data was collected from HALG OSS sites in Cross River, Niger, and Lagos, focusing on HIV seropositive and non-HIV positive clients/program beneficiaries. 321 people were sampled, and the data was analysed descriptively using IBM-SPSS. The study findings reveals that social media is the primary information source (33.1%) and is significantly influenced by popular social media figures (35.0%). Support for vaccine mandates was high for arriving visitors (89.1%) and frontline healthcare workers (85.6%) but lower for other groups. Unvaccinated participants cited various reasons, such as time constraints (20.0%) and perceiving vaccination as a personal choice (20.0%). Encouragingly, 80.0% expressed a future intent to get vaccinated. Among unvaccinated individuals, 60.0% reported changed views on vaccination, with 80.0% considering side effects and vaccine effectiveness information persuasive. Participants trusted local media and the Ministry of Health but held low regard for government and opposition politicians. The majority supported measures like handwashing and improved social distancing to combat COVID-19. In Conclusion, Social media, led by popular personalities, significantly shapes COVID-19 vaccination perceptions among Nigeria’s key populations. Addressing concerns and using credible sources are essential for vaccine acceptance.
The Role of Education in Promoting Empowerment as Agency in the Lives of Women and Girls in Somaliland
Authors: Bradley Tamsin , Conroy Kate , Zaki Manar , Suleiman Nimo
Published: May 2024

This article draws on 100 qualitative interviews with young women who participated in a girls’ education programme known as SOMGEP (Somali Girls Education Programme). The underpinning research sought to explore the impact of SOMGEP education on and for the later life outcomes of the participating girls now women. Researchers were able to revisit former SOMGEP students 7 years after the end of the programme. The findings made links between higher levels of educational attendance and attainment and its positive impact on agency. What also emerged was the ways in which the expression of agency is hampered by wider contextual factors that often act as a backlash to the transformative potential of a secular education.
Effects of Mortality Salience and Religion on Aggression
Authors: Chew Peter K. H. , Lin Patrick K. F. , Quek Cybelle
Published: May 2024

The current study aimed to examine the effects of mortality salience (MS) and religion on aggression. Participants were 120 students (58.3% females; 73.3% with religion) from a private university in Singapore. They were randomly assigned to either the MS condition or the control condition, asked to remember a time when they were deeply hurt or offended by a person, and provided an opportunity for revenge by sticking pins into a voodoo doll that represented the person. The results showed that participants in the MS condition inserted a significantly higher number of pins into the voodoo doll than participants in the control condition. However, this effect was not moderated by religion and extent of belief in God. Limitations include the consideration of participants with religion as one group for data analysis. Future research directions include recruiting a larger and more diverse group of participants.
Stigma, Support, and Ideation About Suicide in Indonesian Twitter: A Topic Modelling Study
Authors: Azizy Afrizal Hasbi , Thontowi Haidar Buldan
Published: May 2024

Stigma surrounding suicide is a massive problem in Indonesia. Thus, it is important to study how conversations about suicide take place. We take a machine learning approach and study tweets with suicide keywords to understand how people converse about suicide or express suicide ideation. Tweets with suicide-related keywords were extracted from May to June 2023. 20,057 tweets were subject to topic modelling with an 11-topic solution. While most topics contain negative messages, no purely stigmatizing topics emerge, despite prior research suggesting overwhelming stigma. Various kinds of existential, emotional, and social tweets about suicide take place among Indonesian users, indicating that Indonesian Twitter users utilize the platform to express their thoughts and emotions. Notably, religious-spiritual keywords are highly prevalent, suggesting that in a highly religious society, there is a need for policy makers and awareness campaigns to frame their positive messaging within the society’s religious context.
Identity and the New Rhetorics of Contention: The Vanniyar Mobilisation in Tamil Nadu in the 1980s
Authors: Raja R. Saravana
Published: May 2024

The Vanniyar caste became an important political player in Tamil Nadu in the 1980s, a decade widely acknowledged as a crucial and interesting decade in Indian politics in general and Tamil politics in particular. The Vanniyar caste mobilisation that re-emerged in this period indicates the changes in articulation that are important to our understanding of caste politics and social movements. This article highlights the process by which Vanniyar mobilisation initially emerged to represent caste concerns and later negotiated electoral politics. This process involved going beyond caste concerns and the inclusion of issues related to language, ethnicity, concerns of backward classes, and Tamil ‘common masses.’ The article maps the dynamics in the trajectory of Vanniyar mobilisation in the 1980s by bringing to light the shifts in concerns and identity claims. It thereby points to the nature of caste mobilisation in contemporary times, particularly within the larger context of an anti-caste initiative in the form of the Dravidian movement/politics.
Cultivating Quantitative Literacy in the Introductory Course: A Mathematics Education Collaboration to Teach the Gini Coefficient
Authors: Downey Dennis J. , Ernest J. Brooke
Published: May 2024

We report on a cross-disciplinary collaboration between sociology and mathematics education to more effectively cultivate quantitative literacy (QL) in the introductory sociology course. Focusing on an instructional unit presenting the Gini coefficient (the most commonly used summary measure of income inequality), we engaged in iterative cycles of presentation, assessment, and redesign across four semester-long courses. Assessments were guided by insights from mathematics education—such as the procedural/conceptual distinction, student misconceptions, and student noticing—and characterized by extensive informal discussion and analysis of patterns in student exam responses. Assessments were formalized via coding of specific response elements and used to identify strategic foci for revision and redesign (including creating a brief instructional video series and an active learning exercise). In this article, we highlight the value of cross-disciplinary collaboration in QL pedagogy, demonstrate the effectiveness of analyzing specific elements and patterns of student comprehension to revise pedagogical presentation, and advocate for the strategic utility of the Gini coefficient for cultivating QL in introductory sociology.
Where Do Cops Stop? A New Dimension to Explore Spatial Patterns of Police Contacts
Authors: Schnell Cory , Boehme Hunter
Published: May 2024

While police officers must adapt behavior between places to effectively do their jobs, these decisions could result in some communities receiving different levels of exposure to the police. This study explores a new spatial measure of police contacts to observe these differences. We calculate neighborhood-specific Gini coefficients based upon the spatial distribution of 77,752 police-civilian stops at street segments and intersections nested within census tracts in Oakland, California. This coefficient presents a contrast between two divergent distributional patterns—the diffusion of police contacts to more places across neighborhoods and the concentration of contacts at fewer “hot spot” places within neighborhoods. The most consistent environmental explanation for these differences was the race/ethnicity of neighborhood residents, which was associated with the police stopping people across more places. Future research should continue to investigate this finding and examine the mechanisms that explain why spatial exposure to police contacts changes between places.
Relationship Between Air Pollutants and the Incidence of Epistaxis in Yangzhou
Authors: Zhu Bin , Chen Chen , Guan Bing , Xu Li , Sun Pengfei
Published: May 2024

Objectives: This project aims to explore the relationship between the air quality index (AQI), the concentration of 6 air pollutants, and the incidence of epistaxis in Yangzhou. Also, to provide reference information for the prevention and treatment of epistaxis. Methods: Data of patients with epistaxis admitted to the Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University from January 2017 to December 2021 were collected. In addition, the local AQI and the concentrations of 6 air pollutants, namely particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3), were analyzed at the time of onset. Furthermore, the correlation with the incidence of epistaxis has been analyzed. Results: From 2017 to 2021, there were 24,721 patients with epistaxis aged from 0 to 17 years old while male patients were more than females. The incidence was higher in April, May, and June. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of daily epistaxis in different months and under AQI conditions ( P < .05). Spearman’s correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between the number of daily epistaxis and the concentrations of AQI, CO, NO2, O3, PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 in Yangzhou, in which O3, PM10, and SO2 were highly correlated with the average number of daily epistaxis, and there was no obvious time lag effect of air pollutants on epistaxis. Conclusion: Epistaxis in the Yangzhou area is more common in males, mostly occurs in 0 to 17 years old, with seasonal. There was also a positive correlation between the incidence of epistaxis and air pollutants in Yangzhou. Therefore, by reducing the AQI index in daily life, and reducing the concentration of environmental pollutants in the air, the occurrence of epistaxis could be prevented and reduced to a certain extent.
India’s Silent Struggle: A Scoping Review on Postpartum Depression in the Land of a Billion Mothers
Authors: Rajeev S. P.  , Nair Gokul M. , K. Krishna K. , Maria Chris
Published: May 2024

Background:

Postpartum emotional issues, including postpartum blues, postpartum psychosis, and postpartum depression (PPD), affect many mothers worldwide. The prevalence of postpartum blues ranges from 300 to 750 per 1,000 mothers, while postpartum psychosis has a prevalence of 0.89–2.6 cases per 1,000 births. PPD affects 100–150 new mothers per 1,000 births, and its prevalence can go above 25% globally. Depression in mothers can have long-lasting impacts on children and the next generation, affecting their growth, development, and relationships. However, the condition of PPD is frequently misdiagnosed, and women who suffer from it do not receive treatment. There is a lack of solid systematic evidence that looks at the overall burden of PPD and the risk factors that are associated with it in India. The awareness of PPD is critical in managing the symptoms and seeking professional support, and studies are needed to evaluate and assess the situation in India.

Methodology:

This study is a systematic literature review with a scoping review approach aimed at providing existing evidence on the awareness and prevalence of PPD in India. The search strategy for the electronic bibliographic search included a list of related terms and factors of awareness and prevalence of PPD. The search encompassed six prominent databases. The assessment tools used in studies from 2012 to 2023 study the factors using the Postpartum Depression Literacy Scale (PoDLiS) and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, which measure the awareness and prevalence of PPD.

Results:

The study found a significantly low volume of studies conducted in India to determine the prevalence of PPD. The materials or studies accessible are hospital-based research with a minimal number of samples. The reported prevalence rate of postpartum depression (PPD) in India varies across different studies, ranging from 4% to 48.5%. Among mothers who gave birth either naturally or by cesarean section in a hospital setting, one study reported the lowest prevalence rate (4%). The prevalence of PPD among women in India is estimated to be 18% based on the average score across all research. A study that evaluated the moms in the community found that PPD was prevalent in new mothers at a rate of 21.5%. There are three studies, in particular, that focus on how aware people are of PPD. Two studies found that 54% of the family members of postpartum moms and women undergoing tertiary pediatric care are aware of PPD.

Discussion:

Many studies point to the lack of social support as a significant risk factor for mental health complications after delivery. History of depression, anxiety, adverse life events, partner abuse, low economic status, complications at childbirth, and a traumatic childbirth experience are some of the associated factors identified in the studies. Studies have also shown that women who undergo a cesarean section have a higher risk of developing PPD than those with a vaginal delivery.
Evaluation of an aPTT guided versus a multimodal heparin monitoring approach in patients on extra corporeal membrane oxygenation: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Taha Diman , Drop Joppe G , Wildschut Enno D , De Hoog Matthijs , van Ommen C. Heleen , Reis Miranda Dinis Dos
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Bleeding and thrombotic complications are common in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients and are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The optimal anticoagulation monitoring protocol in these patients is unknown. This study aims to compare the incidence of thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications before and after a protocol change. In addition, the association between hemostatic complications, coagulation tests and risk factors is evaluated.

Methods

This is a retrospective single center cohort study of adult ECMO patients. We collected demographics, ECMO parameters and coagulation test results. Outcomes of the aPTT guided and multimodal protocol, including aPTT, anti-Xa assay and rotational thromboelastometry were compared and the association between coagulation tests, risk factors and hemostatic complications was determined using a logistic regression analysis for repeated measurements.

Results

In total, 250 patients were included, 138 in the aPTT protocol and 112 in the multimodal protocol. The incidence of thrombosis (aPTT: 14%; multimodal: 12%) and bleeding (aPTT: 36%; multimodal: 40%), did not significantly differ between protocols. In the aPTT guided protocol, the aPTT was associated with thrombosis (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.015; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.004-1.027). In both protocols, surgical interventions were risk factors for bleeding and thrombotic complications (aPTT: OR 93.2, CI 39.9-217.6; multimodal OR 17.5, CI 6.5-46.9).

Discussion

The incidence of hemostatic complications was similar between both protocols and surgical interventions were a risk factor for hemostatic complications. Results from this study help to elucidate the role of coagulation tests and risk factors in predicting hemostatic complications in patients undergoing ECMO support.
Feedback Loop Failure Modes in Medical Diagnosis: How Biases Can Emerge and Be Reinforced
Authors: Aikens Rachael C. , Chen Jonathan H. , Baiocchi Michael , Simard Julia F.
Published: May 2024

Background

Medical diagnosis in practice connects to research through continuous feedback loops: Studies of diagnosed cases shape our understanding of disease, which shapes future diagnostic practice. Without accounting for an imperfect and complex diagnostic process in which some cases are more likely to be diagnosed correctly (or diagnosed at all), the feedback loop can inadvertently exacerbate future diagnostic errors and biases.

Framework

A feedback loop failure occurs if misleading evidence about disease etiology encourages systematic errors that self-perpetuate, compromising future diagnoses and patient care. This article defines scenarios for feedback loop failure in medical diagnosis.

Design

Through simulated cases, we characterize how disease incidence, presentation, and risk factors can be misunderstood when observational data are summarized naive to biases arising from diagnostic error. A fourth simulation extends to a progressive disease.

Results

When severe cases of a disease are diagnosed more readily, less severe cases go undiagnosed, increasingly leading to underestimation of the prevalence and heterogeneity of the disease presentation. Observed differences in incidence and symptoms between demographic groups may be driven by differences in risk, presentation, the diagnostic process itself, or a combination of these. We suggested how perceptions about risk factors and representativeness may drive the likelihood of diagnosis. Differing diagnosis rates between patient groups can feed back to increasingly greater diagnostic errors and disparities in the timing of diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusions

A feedback loop between past data and future medical practice may seem obviously beneficial. However, under plausible scenarios, poorly implemented feedback loops can degrade care. Direct summaries from observational data based on diagnosed individuals may be misleading, especially concerning those symptoms and risk factors that influence the diagnostic process itself.

Highlights

Current evidence about a disease can (and should) influence the diagnostic process. A feedback loop failure may occur if biased “evidence” encourages diagnostic errors, leading to future errors in the evidence base. When diagnostic accuracy varies for mild versus severe cases or between demographic groups, incorrect conclusions about disease prevalence and presentation will result without specifically accounting for such variability. Use of demographic characteristics in the diagnostic process should be done with careful justification, in particular avoiding potential cognitive biases and overcorrection.
Stability of Willingness to Pay: Does Time and Treatment Allocation in a Randomized Controlled Trial Influence Willingness to Pay?
Authors: van der Pol Marjon , Watson Verity , Boyers Dwayne
Published: May 2024

Background

Willingness-to-pay (WTP) estimates are useful to policy makers only if they are generalizable beyond the moment when they are collected. To understand the “shelf life” of preference estimates, preference stability needs be tested over substantial periods of time.

Methods

We tested the stability of WTP for preventative dental care (scale and polish) using a payment-card contingent valuation question administered to 909 randomized controlled trial participants at 4 time points: baseline (prerandomization) and at annual intervals for 3 years. Trial participants were regular attenders at National Health Service dental practices. Participants were randomly offered different frequencies (intensities) of scale polish (no scale and polish, 1 scale and polish per year, 2 scale and polishes per year). We also examined whether treatment allocation to these different treatment intensities influenced the stability of WTP. Interval regression methods were used to test for changes in WTP over time while controlling for changes in 2 determinants of WTP. Individual-level changes were also examined as well as the WTP function over time.

Results

We found that at the aggregate level, mean WTP values were stable over time. The results were similar by trial arm. Individuals allocated to the arm with the highest scale and polish intensity (2 per year) had a slight increase in WTP toward the latter part of the trial. There was considerable variation at the individual level. The WTP function was stable over time.

Conclusions

The payment-card contingent valuation method can produce stable WTP values in health over time. Future research should explore the generalizability of these results in other populations, for less familiar health care services, and using alternative elicitation methods.

Highlights

Stated preferences are commonly used to value health care. Willingness-to-pay (WTP) estimates are useful only if they have a “shelf life.” Little is known about the stability of WTP for health care. We test the stability of WTP for dental care over 3 y. Our results show that the contingent valuation method can produce stable WTP values.
Why American City Planning Needs a More Entrepreneurial Practice Modality
Authors: Landis John D.
Published: May 2024

This commentary argues that current practice modalities are inadequate to meet the planning challenges of the day and that planners should seek out more entrepreneurial approaches. I offer three additional observations to support this argument: (1) the choice of local planning practice modality is too often determined by convention and familiarity; (2) local planners have become too reliant on regulation as their primary implementation tool; and (3) the recent performance record of counties in states with strong planning and regulatory regimes is underwhelming when compared with their counterparts in states with weaker planning regimes.
Characterization of fly ash reinforced wood polypropylene composites
Authors: Akkuş Memiş
Published: May 2024

In this study, fly ash, which is released as waste from thermal power plants and has negative effects on the environment, was evaluated as a filler in wood-plastic composite materials (WPC). For this purpose, inorganic fly ash from thermal power plants was mixed with polypropylene (PP) thermoplastic polymer at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% by extrusion method instead of wood flour used in wood plastic composite materials. Maleic anhydride-treated polypropylene (MAPP) was used to strengthen the bonding during WPC production. The material mixed in extrusion was passed through a crusher and turned into pellets. Test samples were prepared using injection molding of pelletized WPC material. Density, thickness swelling, water absorption, modulus of rupture, impact strength, modulus of elasticity in bending, tensile strength, janka hardness, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) were performed on the prepared test samples. The results indicated that as the amount of fly ash used in the wood-plastic composite material increases, the density increases but the thermal degradation temperature of the material, water uptake, the swelling ratio to its thickness, tensile strength, impact strength, janka hardness, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity decrease.
Breaking the Cycle of Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infections: A Narrative Review Exploring Current and Novel Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Herbin Shelbye R. , Crum Hannah , Gens Krista
Published: May 2024

Clostridioides difficile is a toxin-producing bacteria that is a main cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) are associated with disruptions within the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota which can be further exacerbated by CDI-targeted antibiotic treatment thereby causing recurrent CDI (rCDI) and compounding the burden placed on patients and the healthcare system. Treatment of rCDI consists of antibiotics which can be paired with preventative therapeutics, such as bezlotoxumab or fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs), if sustained clinical response is not obtained. Newer preventative strategies have been recently approved to assist in restoring balance within the GI system with the goal of preventing recurrent infections.
Unlocking the potential of university-industry collaborations in African higher education: A comprehensive examination of agricultural faculties
Authors: Sassi Maria , Mshenga Patience M
Published: May 2024

This paper delves into integrating industry perspectives into Sub-Saharan African agricultural education, exploring collaboration challenges and benefits. It comprehensively analyses factors influencing university-industry collaboration in the region where literature is scarce, as well as the related strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The study draws insights from case studies of eight universities in Eastern, Western, and Northern regions of Africa. Key findings include effective management, stakeholder engagement, and the N-tuple Helix Model, crucial for successful university-industry collaboration that offers many benefits, including improved student employability, technology transfer, innovative research, and industry-aligned curriculum development. However, university-industry collaboration also faces several challenges, such as reduced funding, industry reluctance, and intellectual property protection issues. The study highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to fostering successful university-industry collaboration in African universities, considering institutional, stakeholder, relationship, and output factors. Tailoring strategies to unique contexts and priorities is essential for building sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships.
A master plot approach on rice husk decomposition through pyrolysis and kinetic elucidation using iso-conversional models
Authors: Najar Ishfaq , Rasool Tanveer
Published: May 2024

The present study aimed at predicting the intricate mechanism followed by the pyrolysis of locally available rice husk, uses noval modified master plots through continuous slope-based differential techniques. An average apparent activation energy was found in the range of 187.29 (KAS model) and 199.85 kJ mol−1 (OFW model), respectively. The rice husk revealed higher volatile matter; 54.51 wt-%, HHV; 18.42 MJ kg−1and a critical pyrolysis zone around 250 to 550 °C with two sharp peaks through differential thermogravimetric analysis. Using Karl–Pearson correlation, experimental curve showed highest correlation coefficient of 0.94 and 0.75 with respect to A2 and A3 models (Avrami–Erofeev) for g( α). However, for Z( α), the process is limited by first-order multi-diffusion processes (D1) coupled with solid phase surface reaction (F3) showing correlation coefficient of 0.8. The experimental data worked out the generalized model of f( α) as f( α) = 12.74 α3 – 24 α2 + 12.6 α  - 0.92 with R2 value of 0.99, narrating the usage of master plots for better understanding of the process.