bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High frequency viscoelastic behaviour of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid water solutions
Authors: Fusco Sabato , Borzacchiello Assunta , Miccio Lisa , Pesce Giuseppe , Rusciano Giulia , Sasso Antonio , Netti Paolo A.
Published: November 2024

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a polysaccharide widely used in biomedical applications, due to its elevated biocompatibility and the peculiar viscoelastic properties of its solutions. Although the viscoelastic behaviour of HA solutions has been extensively studied in the literature it has been often reported in the range of low frequency (1–100 Hz) and high salt concentration, whereas the main rheological peculiarities of this molecule are expected at high frequency (>100 Hz) and low salt concentration. In this work we studied the viscoelastic properties of low molecular weight HA (155 kDa) in wide range of concentrations (0.01–20 mg/ml) at low ionic strength and over an extended frequency range (0.1–1000 Hz) using both optical tweezers and conventional rheometry. Good agreement between the high frequency dynamic behaviour (optical tweezers) and the viscoelastic properties at low frequency (rheometry) was found. We also found that, in apparent contradiction with polyelectrolyte solution theory, HA solution behaves as liquid-like viscoelastic fluid (G″>G′) even at concentrations higher than the entanglement concentration where a weak-gel behavior should be expected.
Performance evaluation of developed controllers for unmanned aerial vehicles with reference camera
Authors: Tassanbi Aidana , Ali Khan Aizaz , Kashkynbayev Ardak , Shehab Essam , Duc Do Ton , Ali Md. Hazrat
Published: November 2024

This research article aims to compare the performance of three distinct types of controllers, namely proportional-integral-derivative (PID), Fuzzy PID (F-PID), and Fuzzy PID controller with prefilter (PF-PID), for the “Quanser” QDrone. In quadrotor applications, control design and implementation are of significant significance. There have been several control methods developed for quadrotor control issues, including LQR, backstepping nonlinear control, and sliding mode control. In practice, PD cascaded feedback control is the most often utilized quadrotor control system, offering equivalent or even superior performance to more sophisticated controllers. The primary objective is to determine the most effective controller that ensures optimal stability and accuracy in controlling the drone’s movement. The novelty of this system lies in its utilization of six cameras to generate a highly accurate reference point for the drone. A MATLAB Simulink algorithm is developed to govern the quadrotor based on its dynamic model. The position of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is tracked using the Neutral point OptiTrack system, and the data gathered from this system is used as feedback for the control algorithm. The design and tuning techniques for the fuzzy logic controller that are used to achieve the most successful outcomes are presented in this article. The experiments are conducted with and without disturbances, and the results show that the fuzzy controller provides significantly stable flight in comparison with the PID controller alone. Additionally, experiments with a prefilter demonstrate that a prefilter contributes to an improvement in the PF-PID results during the tests without disturbance. Additional experiments are conducted to examine the accuracy of the UAV’s position change over a specified distance using different controllers. The outcomes of these tests are examined for consistency with the desired result, and it is found that the F-PID exhibited the highest level of accuracy in the positional control tests, showcasing its superior performance in achieving precise positioning of the UAV.
FRAMING A BLACK PACIFIC ETHNOSPHERE: Beyoncé and Indigenous Māori Dance Evolution in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Authors: Cruz Banks Ojeya
Published: November 2024

Poiyonce is a dance that combined traditional Māori Poi with moves Beyoncé performed in her 2011 music video Move Your Body. Danced by students attending Tāreikura/Māori Arts Academy in Rotorua Aotearoa/New Zealand (NZ), this video clocked up over 1.5 million social media views. A media and dance analysis reveals that Poiyonce is not only a Poi meets Beyoncé dance, but it also signifies a Black Pacific ethnosphere in New Zealand. This research explores the role that Black/African diaspora dance and music has in the evolution of indigenous Māori dance. While the dance fusion is fraught with cultural appropriation and commercialization tensions, it also represents a genius indigenous and diaspora cultural convergence.
The use of rice husk ash as a potential filler in formulations of elastomeric compositions for rubber-metal vibration isolators
Authors: Bobrova Valeria , Kasperovich Andrei , Efremov Sergey , Nechipurenko Sergey , Lezhnev Sergey , Panin Evgeniy
Published: November 2024

This study focused on the use of rice husk ash obtained by carbonation in a pyrolysis furnace at a temperature of 550 °C–600 °C to develop a formulation of an elastomeric composition intended for the manufacture of a rubber-metal vibration isolator with reduced environmental impact and a satisfactory set of operational properties. Nine compositions were prepared, comprising different dosages of rice husk ash. These were used as partial and/or complete replacements for N772 carbon black (10, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) and as additional fillers (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%). Our results show that fully replacing carbon black with rice husk ash improves the technological characteristics of rubber compounds, which can contribute to a reduction in the energy intensity of the manufacturing process of products derived from them. The strength, hardness, and tear resistance of rubbers when replacing N772 with ash in a dosage of up to 20 wt% permit the production of compositions with a satisfactory set of strength properties. An increase in the dosage of ash in excess of 10 wt% when combined with N772 results in a deterioration in the basic physical and mechanical properties of rubbers. As the loading of rice husk ash in place of carbon black is increased, the resistance of the studied compositions to ozone is enhanced, as is the elastic recovery after a given deformation. This will lead to an increase in the service life of the finished product.
Study of the Relationship Between Death Anxiety and Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Merati Mahla , Jalali Amir , Naghibzadeh Amirhossein , Salari Nader , Moradi Khalil
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between death anxiety and QoL in a sample of Iranian heart failure (HF) patients. A cross-sectional correlational design was employed to examine this relationship in a sample of 296 HF patients. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling from teaching hospitals in Kermanshah City, western Iran, between October and December 2023. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS), and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Participants reported moderate to high levels of death anxiety (Mean [SD] = 7.54 [2.35]) on the TDAS and moderate to poor QoL (Mean [SD] = 36.24 [12.26]) on the MLHFQ. The statistical methods used in this study included descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple linear regression analysis, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26, with a significance level set at 0.05. A significant positive correlation was found between death anxiety and QoL (r = 0.329, p < .001), indicating that higher levels of death anxiety were associated with lower QoL. These results underscore the importance of addressing death anxiety in HF patients to improve their QoL. Interventions targeting the reduction of death anxiety and the enhancement of QoL are essential for optimizing care for this vulnerable population. The study recommends the implementation of psychological interventions, support groups, comprehensive counseling, education, and regular assessments for this purpose.
Patterns of police interactions with people experiencing homelessness and mental illness
Authors: Luigi Mimosa , Leclair Marichelle C , Raiche Ann-Pierre , Lemieux Ashley J , Roy Laurence , Nicholls Tonia L , Crocker Anne G
Published: November 2024

To guide the prevention of policing in persons experiencing homelessness and mental illness, we examined police interactions in this population by combining data from At Home/Chez Soi and Montreal police databases (N= 454). We explored the types, initiators, locations, and mental health/judicial outcomes of interactions over four years, identifying sub-groups using latent class analysis and then comparing sociodemographic and psychosocial variables between groups. Four groups emerged: few, mainly as a suspect, diverse, and frequent and diverse interactions. The characteristics of participants with more suspect interactions are described. Grouping suggested the policing of behaviors associated with homelessness and underreporting of victimization.
The Role of Schooling in Equalizing Achievement Disparity by Migrant Background
Authors: Passaretta Giampiero , Skopek Jan
Published: November 2024

Does schooling equalize achievement disparities among students with and without a migrant background? This question remains largely unanswered in sociology. We hypothesized that children of migrants would benefit more from schooling, thereby making schools engines of educational integration. Our study tests this hypothesis in the context of German primary schooling using data from the National Educational Panel Study. We compared the achievements of students from native families and those with Western, non-Western (including Turkey), and former Soviet Union migrant backgrounds. Using the differential exposure approach, we decomposed learning into two causally distinct components: learning due to school exposure and learning due to being older at the time of testing. Our findings do not support the notion that schooling equalizes migrant–native achievement gaps. Instead, our results suggest that school exposure may widen the gap between the two largest groups of migrants in Germany, with students from the former Soviet Union disproportionally benefiting from school compared to other non-Western students. We conclude that German primary schools are not functioning as engines of educational integration because schooling does not reduce the migrant–native achievement gap and migrant groups with the greatest educational disadvantage benefit the least from schooling.
Providing Virtual Intervention: Helpful Tips and Suggestions for Navigating the Virtual Learning Environment
Authors: Mowbray Megan H. , Stevens Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2024

The emergence of COVID-19 required teachers to rapidly change course from providing instruction face-to-face in the physical classroom to facilitating instruction virtually. Although most school districts have returned to in-person learning, virtual learning remains both an alternative to traditional learning and a way to provide extra support for students with or at risk for learning disabilities (LD). This paper addresses ways to overcome some of the challenges unique to providing effective virtual intervention, including student organization, engagement, and delivery of instruction. We present steps for before, during, and after virtual intervention to facilitate a more effective virtual learning environment.
Excess Body Mass Exacerbates the Association Between Poor Physical Function and Frailty in Older Community Dwelling Adults
Authors: Hayati Mahta , Nazarali Parvaneh , Sardroodian Mahta , Bennett Hunter , Hosseinzadeh Mahdi
Published: November 2024

Numerous measures of physical function have been shown to be independently associated with frailty in older adults. This cross-sectional observational study aimed to identify the association between tests of physical function and frailty in community dwelling older adults and explore whether being overweight or obese increases the strength of this association. Mobility, balance, strength performance, and frailty status of 161 community dwelling older adults was measured. Logistic regression examined the association between these measures and frailty status. Participants with both poor performance on these measures (bottom 25% of performance within the cohort) and identified as being overweight or obese (body mass index [BMI] > 24.99) were compared to the rest of the cohort to identify whether weight status exacerbated the strength of these associations. Individually, BMI (odds ratio [OR]= 1.1, 95% CI = 1.0, 1.2; P = .030, trivial effect) and poor timed up and go (TUG) performance (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.2, 1.7; P ≤ .001, small effect) were associated with frailty. Combinations of excess body mass and poor TUG (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.5, 9.4; P = .006, moderate effect), balance (OR = 7.2, 95% CI = 2.3, 22.3; P = .001, large effect), mobility (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.9, 7.4; P ≤ .001, moderate effect), and upper (OR = 4.5, 95% CI = 2.2, 9.2; P ≤ 001, large effect), and lower-body (OR = 3.7, 95%CI = 1.6, 8.5; P = .003, moderate effect) strength performance were significantly associated with frailty, as was being female (2.5, 95% CI = 1.3, 4.8; P = .005, moderate effect). Poor function and a high body mass are strongly associated with frailty and should be considered important qualities to assess when considering targeted frailty prevention strategies.
Training to Improve Instruction and Outcomes for Children With Cortical Visual Impairment
Authors: Wall Emerson Robert , Anderson Dawn , Steffer Stephanie
Published: November 2024

Introduction

This study investigated a training regimen for teachers of children with visual impairments (TVIs) who need to assess, plan instruction for, and teach students with cortical visual impairment (CVI), as well as the effect of these strategies on the visual behaviors of these students.

Method

TVIs learned CVI content knowledge and knowledge of a specific app-based system called CViConnect through a group workshop, seven asynchronous modules, and a year of mentorship from a TVI certified in CVI. When using the CViConnect system on iPads, data are captured during the instructional session, and the looking and touching behaviors of students are automatically saved to a remote server.

Results

TVIs with and without specific training used Phase I activities the most, but untrained TVIs used Phase II and III activities more than trained TVIs. Sessions conducted by trained TVIs averaged three times longer than those done by untrained TVIs. Students taught by TVIs without specific training touched items that were not meant to be selected (i.e., sprites and backgrounds) much more than students with trained TVIs, but students taught by trained TVIs looked at the screen more often— M = 0.08 looks/s versus M = 0.07 looks/s, t(3317) = 2.59, p = .005, d = 0.09—had longer sustained looks— M = 34.08 s versus M = 6.67 s, t(3317) = 10.11, p < .001, d = 0.35—and spent more time looking at the screen than students with untrained TVIs: M = 9.51 s versus M = 3.21 s, t(3317) = 4.12, p < .001, d = 0.14.

Discussion

Training led TVIs to be able to identify appropriate activities for their students with CVI, thus encouraging the children to use looking behaviors instead of becoming visually overwhelmed and randomly tapping on the screen.

Implications for Practitioners

These data seem to show that the training regimen in this project leads TVIs to choose activities of an appropriate level for their students with CVI and to use the CViConnect system to increase looking behaviors in their students.
Efficacy Analysis of Endoscopic Type 1 Tympanoplasty for Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media with Otomycosis
Authors: Gu Linglan , Deng Yuhui , Zhou Ying , Wang Wuqing , Ren Dongdong , Xu Jianghong
Published: November 2024

Objective: To analyze the clinical effect of tympanoplasty performed for chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) patients with otomycosis under the oto-endoscope. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the healing of the tympanic membrane and hearing improvement of 431 CSOM patients who underwent endoscopic type 1 tympanoplasty. The patients with CSOM were divided into the control group ( n = 203, without otomycosis) and the trial group ( n = 184, with otomycosis). The patients were followed up for at least 3 months. The graft uptake rate and hearing improvement were compared. Results: The graft uptake rate was 94.57% (174/184) in the trial group and 96.06% (195/203) in the control group, indicating no significant difference between the 2 groups. The preoperative and postoperative average air-conduction hearing thresholds of CSOM with otomycosis were 42.68 ± 11.46 dBHL and 33.01 ± 11.51 dBHL, respectively ( P = .000). Mean air-bone gap (ABG) reduction values were 3.96 ± 7.20 dBHL and 3.34 ± 7.96 dBHL, respectively. There was no significant difference in the average ABG ( P = .420) and average air-conduction hearing threshold ( P = .649) between the trial group and the control group after operation. The culture results of the CSOM group with otomycosis showed that the most common fungal genus was Aspergillus (87/173), with 32 cases of mixed infection of fungi and bacteria, and the most common mixed infection of bacteria was Staphylococcus epidermidis (9/32). The failure graft uptake was noticed in 8.8% (5/57) cases in the trial group with postoperative fungal infection and 3.9% (5/127) without otomycosis ( P = .289). No significant difference was found in the successful healing rate among age, duration, perforation size, fungal type, postoperative fungal infection. Conclusion: CSOM with otomycosis is not a contraindication for endoscopic type 1 tympanoplasty, and external auditory canal fungal infection does not affect postoperative healing and hearing improvement. Intraoperative repeated rinsing with povidone-iodine may reduce the occurrence of postoperative infection.
Identity Networks as a New Frontier: Conceptualizing, Mapping, and Analyzing Identity Structures and Their Impact on Well-Being
Authors: Ramos Maria C. , Restrepo Ochoa Nicolas
Published: November 2024

Sociological thought emphasizes the interdependencies between an individual’s multiple identities as crucial for understanding processes and outcomes at individual and societal levels. To describe such interdependencies, researchers often invoke the metaphor of a “network of identities.” However, sociology currently lacks a cohesive body of research that moves beyond the metaphor to actually conceptualize, measure, and study identity structures as networks, thus missing the potential benefits of this approach. In this article, we take a networks-based approach to capture identity structures and operationalize key concepts in the identities literature. We use role theory and identity theory to derive hypotheses that link well-being with the prevalence and intensity of interference and facilitation among identities. Using original survey data, we find that both the prevalence and intensity of interferences between identities and the prevalence of facilitation between identities are associated with well-being. Our findings demonstrate the potential of identity networks to advance multiple areas of sociological work.
Predicting emotion regulation strategies from aspects of the social context in everyday life
Authors: Main Alexandra , Yung Shun Ting , Chen Yaoyu , Zawadzki Matthew J.
Published: November 2024

Emotion regulation has traditionally been conceptualized as an intrapersonal phenomenon with a focus on individuals’ personal experiences (e.g., feelings) and behaviors. However, a relational perspective on emotions underscores that emotion regulation occurs predominantly in the context of social interactions. Close relationships play an important role in emotion regulation in social interactions, particularly during emerging adulthood when individuals spend more time outside the family home. However, few studies have examined predictors of the use of different emotion regulation strategies in everyday life. Using Ecological Momentary Assessment, we first examined concurrent associations between social contexts (closeness to interaction partner and pleasantness of interaction) and use of emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression). Second, we used lagged models to explore potential bidirectional associations between aspects of the social context and emotion regulation strategy use. We collected EMA data four times per day for two weeks, resulting in 3,158 momentary assessments. Better quality of social interactions was associated with both less suppression and less reappraisal at the same moment, but not at subsequent moments. Interestingly, we found that reappraisal at one moment predicted more pleasant interactions and closeness at the next moment. Our findings underscore the importance of understanding both social contexts and emotion regulation on momentary levels. This study holds implications for understanding social context and emotion regulation in the everyday lives of emerging adults.
Structural, magnetic, and optical properties of perovskite-like SmFeO3 nanoparticles obtained from the co-precipitation method
Authors: Tien Nguyen Anh , Son Nguyen Thai , Tomina Elena Viktorovna , Thuy Le Thi Thanh , Anh Vu Thi Ngoc , Trinh Tran Dinh , Cam Thanh Son
Published: November 2024

Thermally stable perovskite-like SmFeO3 powders were obtained by the co-precipitation method using (NH4)2CO3 as a precipitating agent; their physicochemical, optical, and magnetic properties were characterized to preliminary evaluate their potential applications. It was found that a well-crystallized pure-phase SmFeO3 will be obtained when the calcination temperature ( tc) reaches 850°C. The average size of SmFeO3 crystallites was about 45, 55, and 64 nm for the SmFeO3-750, -850, and -950 samples, respectively. The orthorhombic structure was distorted, as evidenced by the varied unit cell volume (from 233.35·10−3 to 233.07·10−3 nm3) and microstrain (from 2.02·10−3 to 0.009·10−3) in dependence on tc (from 750 to 950°C), respectively. The synthesized SmFeO3 samples exhibited paramagnetic properties, with the coercive field ( Hc) in the range of 250–750 Oe. Moreover, the obtained materials have direct bandgap energies with values below 3.06 eV.
Development of a nomogram based on whole-tumor multiparametric MRI histogram analysis to predict deep myometrial invasion in stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma preoperatively
Authors: Deng Ying , Zhao Tingting , Zhang Jun , Dai Qiang , Yan Bin
Published: November 2024

Background

The depth of myometrial invasion determines whether International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC) patients undergo lymph node dissection. However, subjective evaluation results relying on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are not always satisfactory.

Purpose

To develop a nomogram based on whole-volume tumor MRI histogram parameters to preoperatively predict deep myometrial invasion (DMI) in patients with stage I EEC.

Material and Methods

This retrospective analysis included 131 EEC patients and a training/validation cohort of 92/39 patients at a 7:3 ratio. The histogram parameters were obtained from multiple sequences (ADC mapping and T2-weighted imaging) within volumes of interest. Univariate analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and multivariate logistic regression were used for feature selection. The performance of clinical model, histogram model, and histogram nomogram was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

Age and two morphological features (maximum anteroposterior tumor diameter on sagittal T2-weighted images [APsag] and the tumor area ratio [TAR]) were selected to construct the clinical model. Five histogram parameters were selected for the creation of the histogram model. The nomogram, which combines the histogram parameters, age, APsag, and TAR, achieved the highest AUCs in both the training and validation cohorts (nomogram vs. histogram vs. clinical model: 0.973 vs. 0.871 vs. 0.934 [training] and 0.972 vs. 0.870 vs. 0.928 [validation]).

Conclusion

The MR histogram nomogram can help predict the DMI of patients with stage I EEC preoperatively, assisting physicians in the development of personalized treatment strategies.
Light and shade of multigene panel testing for hereditary cancer: Examples from the real world
Authors: Innella Giovanni , Ferrari Simona , Miccoli Sara , Turchetti Daniela
Published: November 2024

Background:

MultiGene Panel Testing (MGPT) allows for simultaneous analysis of multiple cancer-related genes, enabling the identification of pathogenic variants in genes beyond those that would be analyzed based on a specific phenotype. However, a relevant fraction of variants so identified has little or no clinical utility, raising the need for guidance in selecting genes to include in panels and for interpretation of the results.

Methods:

Taking advantage of seven real paradigmatic cases, we analyze some of the scenarios where MGPT constitutes a meaningful advantage for diagnosis, as well as situations where panel use increases the risk of misinterpretation or complicates result communication and management.

Results:

The use of MGPT facilitates prompt diagnosis in carriers of variants in rare genes (such as NTHL1), which would be diagnosed at a later stage if using a step-wise approach, as well as in carriers of bi-allelic variants (for instance in BRCA or MMR genes) leading to atypical phenotypes. Conversely, finding variants in moderate penetrance genes, such as ATM and CHEK2, may complicate interpretation and clinical management. Furthermore, for some of the genes included in MGPT, for instance NBN, the association with cancer risk has been questioned, leading to potentially misleading results.

Conclusion:

Taken together, the cases here described provide some examples of the benefits, as well as risks, involved by the use of MGPT, which may increase awareness among users and reinforce the need for establishing clear recommendations on genes to be included and management of the results.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Peace? Making Visible Epistemic Exceptionalism in Peacebuilding Discourse
Authors: Palmiano Federer Julia
Published: November 2024

The murder of George Floyd on 25 May 2020, at the hands of a Minnesota police officer in the United States propelled social justice-related discourses and the normative agenda of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to the fore in media, academia, and popular culture. Even during a heightened moment of structural violence, Global North peacebuilding institutions located in Turtle Island (North America) remained largely silent in critical debates around the potentials and limits of DEI in confronting structural oppression in its own context, while promoting ‘inclusive peace’ in conflicts located in the Global South. This article problematizes this dynamic, drawing on decolonial theories in IR and peace studies to signal the tension between DEI literature and decolonial theory to develop the concept of epistemic exceptionalism that makes visible the bypassing of coloniality within peace studies and its production of knowledge. It argues that critically relating DEI to peacebuilding discourse (beyond a performative box-ticking exercise) creates the emancipatory potential to reframe and address structural conflicts in the Global North.
Recommended Changes to the Precision Estimates of AASHTO T 313 (BBR)
Authors: Azari Haleh , Akisetty Chandra K. , Mohseni Alaeddin
Published: November 2024

A comparison of precision estimates in the 2019 AASHTO T 313 (BBR) with those of 2012 indicates that the 2019 multilaboratory precision values are notably smaller than those of 2012. This decrease has a significant effect on the percentage disagreements between contractors’ test results and those of state departments of transportation (DOTs). A review of state DOT and contractors’ bending-beam rheometer (BBR) results indicated that 39% of contractors' data were in disagreement with the state DOT’s data, primarily because the allowable difference between the BBR results of two laboratories (d2s) is set too low. This could cause unnecessary additional costs of testing and delay in a project. Another shortcoming of the AASHTO T 313 precision statement is that the current precision values are for creep stiffness (S) and slope (m-value) at the PG+10°C test temperature only. With the increased applications of continuous low-temperature performance grade (LTPG) and delta Tc (ΔTc), asphalt binders are also required to be tested at the lower temperature of PG+4°C. Therefore, addition of precision values for the lower test temperature is necessary. This study aimed at reevaluating BBR precision properties at PG+10°C, preparing new sets of precision values for PG+4°C, and determining precision of LTPG and ΔTc. An interlaboratory study involving seven laboratories testing six binders was conducted. The new and improved sets of precision values at PG+4°C and PG+10°C have reduced disagreements between the BBR results of two laboratories to about 5%, which better represents the 95% reliability anticipated in the analysis of precision.
The fascicular anatomy of the sciatic nerve may not influence the muscular activity of the biceps femoris after applying percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Páez-Rodríguez Joaquín , Olivo-Ruiz Ismael , Romero-Morales Carlos , De-la-Cruz-Torres Blanca
Published: November 2024

Background:

Electrical nerve stimulation is an effective therapeutic tool in the field of rehabilitation for the management of musculoskeletal conditions.

Objective:

To analyze the muscle activity of the short head of the biceps femoris (SHBF) and long head of the biceps femoris (LHBF) after the application of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to the common fibular versus tibial nerve compartment of the sciatic nerve.

Methods:

Thirty-eight healthy subjects received electrical stimulation (asymmetric biphasic rectangular waveforms) through a needle in the sciatic nerve. The sample was divided into two groups in which the technique was applied to the lateral compartment versus medial compartment of the nerve, respectively. The protocol used included 5 s of stimulation at a frequency of 100 Hz and a phase duration of 350 ms, followed by 55 s of rest, for 5 min. The electrical activity of the SHBF and LHBF and the muscle strength of the knee flexors was assessed by surface electromyography during isometric knee flexion in the prone position.

Results:

Neither group showed significant changes (p > 0.05) in any variable after the intervention compared with baseline values. Similarly, there were no significant differences in any of the study variables when comparing both groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Selective stimulation of the sciatic nerve by percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation had no measurable effects on muscle activity in the SHBF or LHBF, regardless of the approach applied.

Trial registration number:

NCT05549700 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
Book review: Verstappen Sanderien. 2022. New Lives in Anand: Building a Muslim Hub in Western India.
Authors: Baas Michiel
Published: November 2024

Verstappen Sanderien. 2022. New Lives in Anand: Building a Muslim Hub in Western India. University of Washington Press. ISBN 978-0-295-74964-8.
A comparative study on combined high and low cycle fatigue life prediction model considering loading interaction
Authors: Yue Peng , Zhou Changyu , Zhang Junfu , Zhang Xiao , Du Xinfa , Liu Pengxiang
Published: November 2024

Fatigue life estimation of aero-engine turbine components under combined high and low cycle fatigue (CCF) is of significance for guaranteeing the structural reliability during operation. According to the investigations on damage evolution process, a nonlinear damage accumulation method is proposed for life prediction under CCF loadings, and the interaction effect between high cycle fatigue (HCF) and low cycle fatigue (LCF) is considered by integrating the interaction factor and stress ratio of CCF. Furthermore, experimental results of alloys and turbine blades are utilized to validate the proposed method and conduct a comparative analysis among Miner’s rule and other two typical nonlinear cumulative damage methods under combined loading conditions. Comparative results demonstrate that the developed model holds better prediction robustness and accuracy than those of others.
Navigating the food environment: Experiences of reduced calorie interventions to manage Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: McDonnell Murray Rachael , Peelo Colm , Duffy Fiona
Published: November 2024

Research into achieving Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus remission through weight loss efforts has grown steadily in the past decade. Most of this research has focused on the effectiveness of weight loss as a method to achieve remission, rather than considering individuals experiences of engaging with such change. This paper aims to review the qualitative research on individuals’ experience of proposed dietary modifications with a weight loss focus. Six databases were searched for qualitative and mixed-methods research studies, and studies were subject to analysis following Thomas and Hardin’s guidelines. The search yielded 2945 results, of which 47 were reviewed in full, and nine were included for analysis. Four analytical themes were identified; variability in support; choosing dietary change; re-negotiating the food relationship; and looking beyond weight loss. Providing tailored nutritional information that is comprehensible and culturally appropriate must be the premise of the interventions offered. Supporting patients to understand their relationship with food and identify meaningful goals beyond weight loss is an important starting point.
Viral sensibilities: A conversation with Tim Dean
Authors: Danil Linda Roland , Dean Tim
Published: November 2024

In 2024, I conducted an email conversation with Tim Dean, with a particular focus on his latest chapter, ‘An unlimited intimacy of the air: Pandemic fantasy, COVID-19 and the biopolitics of respiration’ (2024). Below is our conversation.
Quality not quantity: Lobbying institutions and the influence of asylum rights groups
Authors: Hartland Alex
Published: November 2024

With participation in electoral politics limited, asylum seekers rely on lobbying to influence policy, but the factors which facilitate or constrain this process remain unclear. I interview asylum rights lobbyists in Germany and the United Kingdom to study the effects of lobbying institutions, using process tracing to identify influence mechanisms. Contrary to previous research, I find that successful lobbying stems from the quality not the quantity of institutions. I show how Germany’s corporatist institutions provide stable lobbying structures, building trustful working relationships. This enables collaborative policymaking and increases opportunities for influence. Informal, inconsistent structures in the United Kingdom’s pluralist system impair trust, reducing collaborative policymaking and influence. UK institutions are more policy responsive, however, enabling groups to capitalise on favourable public opinion, whereas the German system remains stable. The results demonstrate the effects of institutional arrangements and identify mechanisms which can improve policy outcomes for asylum seekers and other disadvantaged groups.
Advanced structural damage detection in steel beams using discrete wavelet transform and fast Fourier transform
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Q , Nguyen Dong Phuong , Nguyen Phuoc T , Nguyen Thuy T
Published: November 2024

This paper introduces a novel method for detecting damage in beams based on energy distribution analysis of the power spectrum (PSD). An experiment was carried out on a steel beam, where incremental cuts representing damage were introduced. At each stage, the beam was subjected to a load and its vibrations were measured to collect data. These vibration signals were then analyzed using the discrete wavelet transform (DWT), which isolates distinct signal segments that are more sensitive to the presence of damage. To further clarify the results, these signal segments were processed using the fast Fourier transform (FFT). The findings show that the power spectrum of the segmented signals is significantly more sensitive to damage compared to the power spectrum of the original signal. The study evaluates the sensitivity to damage using the energy distribution of the power spectrum in the frequency domain, while tracking changes in this energy as damage progresses. The proposed method not only accurately identifies the presence of damage but also monitors its progression over time. This offers a promising solution for predicting structural damage and conducting quality assessments, providing early warnings, and tracking the development of structural issues.
SMEs and digital marketing: A perspective of behavioral reasoning theory
Authors: Ahmad Naveed , Rasheed Hafiz Muhammad Wasif
Published: November 2024

This study explores the reasons (for/against) affecting Malaysian SMTHEs owners' attitudes and intentions to use digital marketing strategies using the BRT. The data was collected via a survey questionnaire, and PLS-SEM was used to assess the research model. The result shows that reasons significantly affect Malaysian SMTHEs owners' attitudes and intentions to use digital marketing. Similarly, both “RF” such as (perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, relative advantage, and trust) and “RA” (technology usage barrier, technology anxiety barrier, and technology complexity barrier) were identified as influencing Malaysian owners’ attitudes and intention to use Digital marketing. Furthermore, Malaysian SMTHEs owners’ attitudes positively affect intentions to use digital marketing. Also, the result showed that the value open to change significantly affects the “RF”. Lastly, attitude significantly mediates the relationship between reasons and intention. The novelty of this study lies in its exploration of the reasons influencing Malaysian SMTHEs owners’ attitudes and intentions toward adopting digital marketing strategies.
Clinical Outcomes Following Low-Dose Second-Generation “Ranger” Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty for Femoropopliteal Artery Disease
Authors: Soga Yoshimitsu , Takahara Mitsuyoshi , Iida Osamu , Kawasaki Daizo , Tobita Kazuki , Fujihara Masahiko
Published: November 2024

Purpose:

To reveal the rate of 1-year freedom from restenosis and to determine the factors associated with the restenosis risk in femoropopliteal (FP) lesions treated with a Ranger drug-coated balloon (DCB) in real-world clinical settings.

Methods:

This multicenter, prospective observational study enrolled 1131 patients and 1453 de novo or restenotic FP lesions (mean age=75±9 years; female=35.3%, mean lesion length=19.2±16.0 cm; chronic total occlusion [CTO]=33.7%; severe calcification=33.7%) that underwent successful Ranger DCB angioplatsy between March 2021 and December 2022.

Results:

The primary endpoint was 1-year freedom from restenosis and its associated factors. Bail-out stenting was performed in 5.3%. During the follow-up, restenosis was detected in 249 cases. Freedom from restenosis by the Kaplan-Meier analysis was estimated to be 85.2% and 81.0% at 12 and 14 months, whereas freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) was 91.7% and 90.0% at 12 and 14 months. The patterns of restenosis were focal (39.2%), tandem (12.3%), diffuse (17.2%), and occlusive (31.3%). Independent risk factors of restenosis were female sex, diabetes mellitus, no runoff, history of revascularization, lesion length ≥25 cm, and CTO.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrated that 1-year freedom from restenosis after Ranger DCB for FP lesions in a real-world clinical setting was acceptable. Independent predictors of restenosis were female gender, diabetes mellitus, no runoff, history of revascularization, lesion length ≥25 cm, and CTO.

Clinical Impact

Our study demonstrated the true performance of Ranger DCB in real-world practice, with a very low rate of bail-out stenting and no use of atherectomy devices. In addition, it also elucidated morphologies associated with restenosis and the risk factors for restenosis after DCB. Freedom from re-stenosis and TLR at 1-year after Range DCB angioplasty was 84.5% and 91.5%. Two thirds of restenosis had a non-occlusive pattern, and independent predictors of restenosis were female gender, diabetes mellitus, no runoff, history of revascularization, lesion length ≥25 cm, and CTO.
Sonography-Guided Endovascular Retrieval of Fractured Angiocatheter in Brachial Artery: A Case Report
Authors: Chen Yen-Yang
Published: November 2024

Background

The insertion of an angiocatheter into a peripheral artery for continuous hemodynamic monitoring is a widely employed clinical practice. Fracture of a angiocatheter retained in an artery, though infrequent, presents a challenge in clinical management, particularly in critically ill patients. Surgical exploration for retrieval is generally required, as fluoroscopy-guided endovascular methods are precluded due to the radiolucency of catheters.

Case report

This case report demonstrates the successful retrieval of a fractured catheter from the brachial artery of an 85-year-old critically ill patient through the utilization of endovascular techniques guided by sonography. Key considerations include selecting an appropriate snare system diameter and ensuring real-time sonographic visualization to prevent displacement of the fractured segment.

Conclusion

This case illustrates the feasibility and safety of sonography-guided endovascular retrieval as an alternative to surgical intervention for fractured angiocatheters. The proposed strategy demonstrates its applicability in similar clinical scenarios.
Faith and Practice: How Religious Beliefs Affect a Music Therapist's Clinical Identity and Practice
Authors: Di Giovanni Victoria , Ahonen Heidi
Published: November 2024

Although there has been considerable literature surrounding spirituality and its role in music therapy, there stands to be a gap surrounding religious faith and its effect on clinical practice by practitioners. This phenomenological study, conducted among accredited music therapists in Canada, examined the impact religious faith has on their clinical practice. The study found that religious devotion had more positive benefits than negative repercussions in the workplace among these professional practitioners.
Effectiveness and safety outcomes after long-term (54 weeks) vedolizumab therapy for Crohn’s disease: a prospective, real-world observational study including patient-reported outcomes (POLONEZ II)
Authors: Liebert Ariel , Kłopocka Maria , Michalak Agata , Cichoz-Lach Halina , Talar-Wojnarowska Renata , Domz.ał-Magrowska Danuta , Konecki Łukasz , Filipiuk Aleksandra , Krogulecki Michał , Kopertowska-Majchrzak Maria , Stawczyk-Eder Kamila , Waszak Katarzyna , Eder Piotr , Zagórowicz Edyta , Smoła Izabela , Wojciechowski Krzysztof , Drygała Szymon
Published: November 2024

Background:

The Crohn’s Disease (CD) Activity Index (CDAI), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Questionnaire (IBDQ), and IBD-Fatigue (IBD-F) scale are useful patient-reported outcome (PRO) tools for assessing the treatment benefits of vedolizumab (VDZ) beyond clinical trial endpoints in patients with CD.

Objectives:

To assess clinical response, clinical remission, steroid-free remission, changes from baseline for PROs, and safety in a real-world cohort of patients with moderate-to-severe active CD treated with VDZ.

Design:

POLONEZ II was a multicenter, observational, prospective study across 10 Polish centers from April 2020 to October 2023 for 54 weeks in patients with CD eligible for reimbursed VDZ.

Methods:

Primary endpoints at week 54 (W54) were clinical response (⩾70-point reduction in CDAI and >25% reduction vs baseline), remission (CDAI score ⩽150), and steroid-free remission. Other outcomes were changes in PROs (CDAI score and health-related quality of life) and safety. Kaplan–Meier survival analyses were performed.

Results:

Of 98 patients with CD, the mean age was 35.2 years, 57.1% were male, and 72.4% had an ileocolonic disease. At W54 ( n = 98), 63.3% of patients achieved clinical response, 48.0% remission, and 36.0% steroid-free remission. The durability of clinical response, remission, and steroid-free remission (W14–W54) were 68.9%, 62.9%, and 57.1%, respectively. By W54, a significant reduction in the PROs, such as the total CDAI score ( p < 0.001), stool frequency ( p < 0.001), abdominal pain score ( p < 0.001), IBDQ ( p < 0.001), IBD-F ( p < 0.05), and fatigue impact on daily activities ( p < 0.001), was observed. During VDZ treatment, arthralgia (23.7%–8.7%) and anemia (22.6%–15.9%) decreased between baseline and W54. Non-serious adverse events (SAEs; 12.2%), SAEs (7.1%), and VDZ-related rash (1.0%) were reported. Mean CD-related hospitalization duration decreased from baseline (10.2 days) to the end of the study (5.3 days).

Conclusion:

POLONEZ II demonstrated long-term real-world benefits of VDZ toward effectiveness, safety, and improved PROs and patients’ quality of life.

Trial registration:

ENCePP (EUPAS32716).
Data extraction in dockless bikeshare: An analysis from users’ perspective
Authors: Zhou Zhaoqi
Published: November 2024

With the popularisation of dockless bicycle sharing in cities around the planet in the recent years, studies have increasingly focused on its intrusion to privacy through the extraction and monetisation of users’ personal data and travel trajectories. This raises the concern of surveillance capitalism that is often embedded within urban mobility platforms. While some research has analysed the business models of dockless bikeshare and identified data extraction as their core value proposition, how bikeshare users themselves perceive and interact with data extraction has so far remained unexplored. Using survey data and interview data with dockless bike users in Shenzhen, China, this study explores users’ perspectives on data extraction in dockless bikeshare with both quantitative and qualitative methods. The result indicate that socio-demographic backgrounds, mobility patterns and location of residence have significant impacts on users’ attitudes to sharing data with dockless bike operators. In addition, a considerable portion of bikeshare users in Shenzhen on the one hand normalise data extraction while on the other problematise receiving financial compensation for their data. Users’ acquiescence to data extraction is likely to sustain and reinforce the extractive model of surveillance capitalism in dockless bikeshare.
Local Social Capital, Disaster Housing Damage, and Mental Health: Insights from Hurricane Harvey
Authors: Raker Ethan J. , Smiley Kevin T.
Published: November 2024

Community-level social capital has been theorized to shape mental health, particularly in disaster contexts, but methodological complexities hamper prior studies. Pairing zip-code-level data on social capital from Opportunity Insights with repeated cross-sectional health survey data before and after Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, we examine how local social capital moderated the mental health consequences of disaster housing damage. We first document null associations between local social capital and residents’ mental health before the disaster. Next, we fit models predicting psychological distress and poor mental health days, revealing that local levels of economic connectedness and rates of volunteering offset adverse mental health effects of home damage after the storm and patterned disaster assistance receipt. These findings have broader implications for literatures on community resilience, mental health, and disaster recovery.