bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revealing the Trends in the Academic Landscape of the Health Care System Using Contextual Topic Modeling
Authors: Inaam ul haq Muhammad , Li Qianmu
Published: June 2023

The health care system encompasses the participation of individuals, groups, agencies, and resources that offer services to address the requirements of the person, community, and population in terms of health. Parallel to the rising debates on the healthcare systems in relation to diseases, treatments, interventions, medication, and clinical practice guidelines, the world is currently discussing the healthcare industry, technology perspectives, and healthcare costs. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare systems research paradigm, we offered a novel contextual topic modeling approach that links up the CombinedTM model with our healthcare Bert to discover the contextual topics in the domain of healthcare. This research work discovered 60 contextual topics among them fifteen topics are the hottest which include smart medical monitoring systems, causes, and effects of stress and anxiety, and healthcare cost estimation and twelve topics are the coldest. Moreover, thirty-three topics are showing in-significant trends. We further investigated various clusters and correlations among the topics exploring inter-topic distance maps which add depth to the understanding of the research structure of this scientific domain. The current study enhances the prior topic modeling methodologies that examine the healthcare literature from a particular disciplinary perspective. It further extends the existing topic modeling approaches that do not incorporate contextual information in the topic discovery process adding contextual information by creating sentence embedding vectors through transformers-based models. We also utilized corpus tuning, the mean pooling technique, and the hugging face tool. Our method gives a higher coherence score as compared to the state-of-the-art models (LSA, LDA, and Ber Topic).
Assessing the Role of Sexual Orientation in the U.S. Labor Market for Artists and Arts Majors
Authors: Paulsen Richard J. , Alper Neil , Wassall Gregory
Published: June 2023

Using American Community Survey data, we describe the labor market experiences of sexual minority artists and arts majors and explore the differences in their earnings and employment. We identify workers in cohabiting relationships as being either in same-sex or opposite-sex relationships. We find that artists are more than twice as likely to be in same-sex relationships when compared to the overall workforce, largely driven by higher shares of males in same-sex relationships. A similar pattern is observed for arts majors when compared to all college graduates. We find significant heterogeneity in the share of workers in same-sex relationships across individual artist occupations and individual arts majors. In testing for differences in earnings and employment, we use regression analysis, finding an increased likelihood of unemployment for male and female artists in same-sex relationships, earnings penalties for males in same-sex relationships, and earnings premiums for females in same-sex relationships. However, like other studies using coupled data, we hesitate in using causal language in interpreting the earnings regression results due to data limitations.
The Utilization of ChatGPT in Reshaping Future Medical Education and Learning Perspectives: A Curse or a Blessing?
Authors: Breeding Tessa , Martinez Brian , Patel Heli , Nasef Hazem , Arif Hasan , Nakayama Don , Elkbuli Adel
Published: June 2023

Background

ChatGPT has substantial potential to revolutionize medical education. We aim to assess how medical students and laypeople evaluate information produced by ChatGPT compared to an evidence-based resource on the diagnosis and management of 5 common surgical conditions.

Methods

A 60-question anonymous online survey was distributed to third- and fourth-year U.S. medical students and laypeople to evaluate articles produced by ChatGPT and an evidence-based source on clarity, relevance, reliability, validity, organization, and comprehensiveness. Participants received 2 blinded articles, 1 from each source, for each surgical condition. Paired-sample t-tests were used to compare ratings between the 2 sources.

Results

Of 56 survey participants, 50.9% (n = 28) were U.S. medical students and 49.1% (n = 27) were from the general population. Medical students reported that ChatGPT articles displayed significantly more clarity (appendicitis: 4.39 vs 3.89, P = .020; diverticulitis: 4.54 vs 3.68, P < .001; SBO 4.43 vs 3.79, P = .003; GI bleed: 4.36 vs 3.93, P = .020) and better organization (diverticulitis: 4.36 vs 3.68, P = .021; SBO: 4.39 vs 3.82, P = .033) than the evidence-based source. However, for all 5 conditions, medical students found evidence-based passages to be more comprehensive than ChatGPT articles (cholecystitis: 4.04 vs 3.36, P = .009; appendicitis: 4.07 vs 3.36, P = .015; diverticulitis: 4.07 vs 3.36, P = .015; small bowel obstruction: 4.11 vs 3.54, P = .030; upper GI bleed: 4.11 vs 3.29, P = .003).

Conclusion

Medical students perceived ChatGPT articles to be clearer and better organized than evidence-based sources on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of 5 common surgical pathologies. However, evidence-based articles were rated as significantly more comprehensive.
The Association Between Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Toddlers’ Developmental and Behavioral Problems: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Wu Pei-Chi , de Banate Mary Ann , Kim Hanna , Viner-Brown Samara , High Pamela
Published: June 2023

This study aims to compare the developmental-behavioral profiles of 2-year-olds of mothers who experienced postpartum and/or current depression with profiles of toddlers of mothers without depression at either time using population-based Rhode Island data. Weighted data from Rhode Island Department of Health’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System and Rhode Island’s follow-up Toddlers Wellness Overview Survey distributed to mothers giving birth between 2006 and 2008 were analyzed. Compared with non-depressed mothers, those with any depression following childbirth reported more concerns with their toddlers’ receptive language, social-emotional development, and their sleep and feeding behaviors. When adjusted for demographics, persistent depression remained associated with social-emotional (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 7.53, 2.78-20.34) and feeding concerns (aOR = 3.13, 1.36-7.22), and current depression was associated with social-emotional concerns (aOR = 2.52, 1.26-5.01). We conclude that pediatric providers should explore maternal mental health as a mediating and potentially modifiable factor beyond the postpartum period when toddlers present with developmental-behavioral challenges.
Why Forced-Choice and Likert Items Provide the Same Information on Personality, Including Social Desirability
Authors: Bäckström Martin , Björklund Fredrik
Published: June 2023

The forced-choice response format is often considered superior to the standard Likert-type format for controlling social desirability in personality inventories. We performed simulations and found that the trait information based on the two formats converges when the number of items is high and forced-choice items are mixed with regard to positively and negatively keyed items. Given that forced-choice items extract the same personality information as Likert-type items do, including socially desirable responding, other means are needed to counteract social desirability. We propose using evaluatively neutralized items in personality measurement, as they can counteract social desirability regardless of response format.
Social work interventions to provide adequate psychosocial services in South African schools
Authors: Xweso Mzukisi , Muleya Emmison , Rautenbach John Victor
Published: June 2023

Through its constitution, South Africa has declared provision of high-quality education to all citizens is a human right. However, violence, bullying and poverty threaten to impede, if not preclude attainment of this goal. This voice from practice highlights social work interventions that provide psychosocial support to learners to tackle the challenges.
Theological Reflections on the Pandemic
Authors: Marzouk Safwat
Published: June 2023

As a response to communities of faith that are trying to make sense of the COVID-19 pandemic, this essay explores biblical traditions about “chaos” represented by primordial waters and monsters that disturb the created order. The essay begins with a summary of three biblical portrayals of chaos: chaos as integral to the created world, chaos as mystery, and chaos intensified by human rebellion. The discussion then weighs divine sovereignty and human responsibility and accepts that chaos is a part of life that challenges humans to work to make this world a better place. Among many possible responses to the chaos presented by the pandemic, this article will focus on lament, fear and trust, and repentance.
Special Education Representation Trends Vary by Language Status: Evidence of Underrepresentation in Tennessee
Authors: Mancilla-Martinez Jeannette , Oh Min Hyun , Luk Gigi , Rollins Adam
Published: June 2023

Using U.S. state-level data, we report unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio of special education (SPED) trends in Tennessee from 2009 to 2019 for students in Grades 3 to 8 by three language groups: native English speakers (NES), English-proficient bilinguals (EPB), and Current English learners (Current EL). We report trends across all SPED disability categories and across five prevalent disability categories (specific learning disability, specific language impairment, intellectual disability, other health impairments, and autism). The cross-sectional analytic sample included 812,783 students from 28 districts that met the SPED risk ratio threshold set by the state. Results revealed that, compared with NES students, both EPB and Current EL students were generally less likely to receive SPED services, suggesting evidence of language status disparities in SPED representation. Furthermore, findings varied depending on whether adjustments were made to generate odds ratios, especially for higher-incidence disabilities (specific learning disability, specific language impairment, and intellectual disability). Finally, the most severe evidence of underrepresentation was in lower-incidence disabilities (other health impairments and autism). Our results underscore the need for further examination into low rates of SPED identification among learners whose first language is not English (EPB and Current EL). We discuss the contextualized research, practice, and policy implications of our findings.
Can all healthy adults use the current evidential breath alcohol analysers? An investigation using a large spirometry database
Authors: Ives Galen , Sbaffi Laura , Bath Peter A
Published: June 2023

People failing to give a specimen of breath at a police station are assumed to be deliberately obstructive and are charged with Failure to Provide under the Road Traffic Act 1988. However, spirometry records of 281,210 healthy individuals from UK BioBank showed that a significant minority cannot use existing evidential breath analysis machines. Women were three times more likely to be unable to use them than men (1.64% vs 0.54%) with the risk rising with age six-fold from those in their 40s (0.43%) to 2.7% in their 70s, with women more affected (0.65% to 3.8%). Short stature was a further risk factor: 2.6% of men and 3.8% of women below the 2nd percentile of height could not use the current machines, with almost one in ten elderly, short women unable to do so, while smokers aged 50+ were twice as likely as non-smokers of the same age to be unable to provide breath specimens.
Native grasses’ potential of providing ecological weed suppression in rangeland and natural areas: A scoping review
Authors: Zhang Zhenglin , Galvin Liberty
Published: June 2023

Weedy species invasions are a huge problem in rangeland and natural areas as they degrade the quality and quantity of forage for livestock and reduce biodiversity. Weed suppression using native grasses is an ecologically driven method of weed management, representing an opportunity for low-input and management over long temporal scales if these systems can be successfully established. A systemic literature review was conducted to explore the interactions between native grasses and weeds, and revealed the potential of native grasses to provide a reduction in weed presence through interactions with other biological communities. We proposed the merging of agronomic and breeding techniques with restoration efforts such as using specialized seeding techniques to establish native grasses in these systems. A generalized planning framework for land managers is also presented, emphasizing the consideration of functional traits for competitive advantage against weeds and germplasm availability as the main considerations for species selection. Management strategies that provide advantages to native grasses such as land clearance and strategic disturbances were also discussed. Suppression can occur through a variety of mechanisms including direct competition with weeds, indirect interactions through trophic levels of arthropods and grazers, and human-induced disturbances. From our results, we believe that native grasses can potentially play an important role in efficacious weed suppression if utilized tactfully.
Research progress in conductive polymer-based electrochromic fabrics
Authors: Liang Fanchao , Wu Mengjie , Meng Jiaguang , Yu Lingjie , Zhi Chao
Published: June 2023

Conductive polymer-based electrochromic fabrics show promising applications in new intelligent displays, flexible smart wearables, and military camouflage, thanks to their flexibility, light weight, high degree of controllability, and wide range of color change. However, despite these advantages, electrochromic textiles that rely on conductive polymers face several limitations, such as discomfort during use, instability in structure, and issues with the continuous production technology of electrochromic fibers. These factors hinder their further development. To address these limitations and promote the industrialization of conductive polymer-based electrochromic fabrics, this paper provides a comprehensive analysis that covers various aspects of electrochromic devices, including device structure, color-change mechanisms, electrochromic materials, application of electrochromic textiles, and the advantages and disadvantages of commonly used conductive polymers in electrochromic fabrics. By exploring these aspects, a better understanding of the structure and performance of conductive polymer-based electrochromic fabrics can be achieved, leading to a more effective promotion of their industrialization. Moreover, progress in the research of conductive polymer-based electrochromic fabrics is systematically reviewed from the structural design perspective, both domestically and internationally. Finally, the challenges that conductive polymer-based electrochromic fabrics currently face are discussed, and their future development trends are presented.
Buckets associated home drowning in Indian infants and toddlers: An analysis of 18 fatalities from 2016–2022
Authors: Siddiqui Shahid Akhtar , Singh Mukesh Vir , Mishra Nandita , Maurya Manisha , Shrivastava Anubha , Yadav Rajesh Kumar
Published: June 2023

Cases of drowning at home of unsupervised infants and toddlers in buckets have been reported elsewhere but little research on this largely preventable death in India exists. We performed a descriptive analysis on the basis of Google search of published news report in leading Indian newspapers or news channels. Data were collected employing a pre-determined tool. Between April 2016 and March 2022, we found 18 such cases. The large majority were between 12 and 18 months of age (12/18). This little recognized source of unintentional injury is eminently avoidable, necessitating both public and parental attention and awareness.
Validation of the Longshi scale in assessment of function in patients from different economic, educational and regional backgrounds in China
Authors: Xiong Feng , Liu Xiangxiang , Zhou Mingchao , Wang Chunbao , Liu Quanquan , Li Jianan , Wang Yulong
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study validates performance of the Longshi scale against modified Barthel index in assessment of function in patients from different economic, educational and regional backgrounds in China.

Design

This is a cross-sectional study.

Setting

One hundred and three hospitals and rehabilitation institutions across China.

Participants

A total of 14,752 patients with physical and cognitive impairments were enrolled and classified to five educational levels and five family income levels; 8060 participants were further selected from five regions to study regional influences.

Main measures

Activities of daily living were assessed with two evaluation tools, the Longshi scale and modified Barthel index. Results of evaluation with Longshi scale performed by non-healthcare workers were validated against modified Barthel index performed by healthcare workers using Pearson's correlation test.

Results

There were significant positive correlations between the findings of the Longshi scale administered by non-healthcare professionals and the modified Barthel index administered by healthcare professionals. This was true for level of education (correlations ranged from 0.697 to 0.822), family income level (correlations ranged from 0.724 to 0.761) and region (correlations ranged from 0.737 to 0.776).

Conclusion

In a large dataset of 14,752 patients, positive correlations were found between Longshi scale and modified Barthel index measures of function. Positive correlations persisted across subgroup analysis of groups from different social, economic and regional backgrounds, and with administration by non-healthcare professionals.

Clinical trial registration

ChiCTR2000034067, www.chictr.org.cn
Long-term follow-up of methimazole-associated insulin autoimmune syndrome: a rare case report
Authors: Sun Yong , Tian Lin , Du Xiaomei , Wang Hua , Li Yueshan , Li Ya
Published: June 2023

Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is a rare cause of hypoglycemia and is characterized by the presence of insulin autoantibodies and fasting or late postprandial hypoglycemia. The number of reports on the association of long-term follow-up of IAS in China is limited. We herein report a case of drug-induced IAS in a 44-year-old Chinese woman. She had been taking methimazole for Graves’ disease and had subsequently presented with recurrent hypoglycemic episodes. Laboratory assessments on admission revealed that her serum insulin level was significantly elevated (>1000 µIU/mL) and that she was positive for serum insulin autoantibody, leading to a diagnosis of IAS. Human leukocyte antigen DNA typing identified *04:06/*09:01:02, an immunogenetic determinant associated with IAS. After treatment with prednisone for 2 months, the hypoglycemic episodes disappeared, her serum insulin level gradually declined, and her insulin antibody levels became negative. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for methimazole to trigger autoimmune hypoglycemia in people with a genetic predisposition.
Construction of injectable collagen-microgel/tannic acid/nano-hydroxyapatite granular hydrogel and evaluation of its potential in wound healing
Authors: Li Yuan , Bai Xiaomei , Ren Chunmei , Ma Yunning , Liu Yin
Published: June 2023

Granular hydrogel is a kind of hydrogel assembled from micro-particles, possessing micro-porous structure that advanced in terms of exudate absorption, mass exchange and cell migration during wound healing. The present study fabricated an injectable granular hydrogel based on tannic acid (TA) connected collagen (COL)-microparticles and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHA). Through the coordination of calcium and phenolic hydroxyl groups, TA was bound on nHA surface to form TA modified nano-hydroxyapatite, TA@nHA. The content of TA bound on nHA surface was as high as 30%. TA@nHA as high as 20% was used as giant crosslinking component to connect COL microgels (COLmg) via hydrogen bond, forming COLmg@TA@nHA granular hydrogel. The size of COL microgels could be controlled via adjusting stirring speed. The larger COL microgels assembled granular hydrogel possessed higher porosity. While the smaller COL microgels assembled granular hydrogel was more stable, showing better self-healing ability in rheological test. Due to the dynamically reversible interactions, COLmg@TA@nHA granular hydrogel was injectable, which could be applied to the skin wound, exhibiting the ability to inhibit inflammatory response, while enhance α-SMA expression, promoting wound healing. The method to fabricate granular hydrogel introduced in this study has a broad scalability toward repairing various tissues.
Situation-Specific Theory for Health Management in Heart Failure
Authors: Hirano Gisele Saraiva Bispo , Barros Alba Lucia Bottura Leite de , Silva Viviane Martins da
Published: June 2023

This situation-specific theory was developed by linking concepts from Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory and standardized nursing languages with the purpose of explaining and describing the health management of outpatients with heart failure. This theory suggests that the health management of these patients is influenced by basic conditioning factors, which may affect individuals’ health management capability and may interfere with the ability to present health management behaviors. Knowing the ability of these patients to manage their health will allow nurses to plan their interventions, which will reflect directly on a patient’s quality of life, and reduce the chances of hospitalization and health costs.
Biographical Narrative Research From the Perspective of the Science of Unitary Human Beings: A Methodological Approach
Authors: Castaño Mora Yamileth , Arias López Beatriz Elena , Butcher Howard K.
Published: June 2023

Narrating or storytelling is a fundamental practice for human survival and a means for finding meaning in experiences and for enhancing self-understanding. The use of story has been present in nursing since its origins. Biographical narrative has rarely been used as a research method in nursing, and there are no examples conceptualizing biographical narrative research methods within a unitary science perspective. The purpose of this paper is to describe one specific narrative methodological approach—the biographical narrative research method—and to link the method to the science of unitary human beings as a means of creating a unitary understanding of the storied nature of human-health experiences.
Formulation and selection of composite biomaterials for acetabular cup of hip prosthesis with wear analysis
Authors: Das Shankar Swarup , Chakraborti Prasun
Published: June 2023

The study of tribological performance of metal-on-plastic type of hip prostheses has drawn the attention of researchers since the last few decades. These studies mainly focus on the friction and wear behaviour of acetabular cups made of different polymer biomaterials with a view to enhance the prostheses life. In this study, a novel biomaterial coded as LHHA has been prepared for the acetabular cup in three different blends with help of bioprocess engineering by mixing low-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene with10, 20 and 30 percent of hydroxyapatite to improve the mechanical properties. A popular decision-making method was applied to select the best alternative from these three blends on the basis of hardness, roughness and ultimate strength and LHHA-30 is found to be the best. Furthermore, experimental wear investigation was carried out in a well-designed hip simulator to control such biological system under a series of random loads, within 600N and 1500N acting at different points on prosthesis for 10 million gait cycles run followed by theoretical wear analysis. Wear rates are found to be 12.651 and 26.247 mg per million cycle with marginal differences of 0.1 and 0.6 for LHHA-30 and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) acetabular cups against cobalt–chromium (Co–Cr) alloy femoral head, respectively. Morphological studies carried out by scanning electron microscope revealed that LHHA-30 scored less compared to UHMWPE surface.
Caffeic Acid Markedly Induced Apoptosis of Human Multiple Myeloma Cells through the Caspase-dependent Pathway
Authors: Sun Likun , Ren Jing , Feng Xiumei , Li Shengli , Wang Yongjing , Jiang Yang , Zheng Chengyun
Published: June 2023

Background

Caffeic acid (CA) or 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid is a polyphenolic compound primarily found in coffee, herbs, berries, and other fruits. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects on multiple health conditions have been evaluated and reported. CA’s anti-tumor effect has been reported in solid tumors, but evidence regarding liquid tumors such as multiple myeloma (MM) is limited. The increasing incidence of MM globally provides a justified rationale to explore the potential of CA on human MM cells through caspase-dependent induced apoptosis.

Objectives

The study explores CA’s therapeutic effect and mechanism on multiple myeloma.

Materials and Methods

We performed flow cytometry at different concentrations and time points after treating human MM cell lines (MM.1R, RPMI8226, and U266) with CA to identify apoptosis and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. A Western blot was used to assess the expression of an apoptosis-related protein in MM cell lines.

Statistical Analysis Used

Student’s t-test was used to evaluate the mean difference between the experimental group and the control group.

Results

CA markedly induced the apoptosis of MM cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After co-incubation with CA, JC-1 (a cationic lipid fluorescent dye was used as an indicator of mitochondrial transmembrane potential), flow cytometry results showed that the mitochondrial membrane potential of MM cells significantly decreased, and the Western blot showed activation and cleavage of caspase-3, which is the classical marker of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. The experimental group was statistically significant compared with the control group ( p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Our research demonstrated that CA induced MM cell apoptosis through disturbing mitochondrial membrane integrity, followed by caspase-3 splitting, and suggested that CA might have tremendous therapeutic potential for MM treatment.
A Selected Review of Exemplary Diversity Articles Published in the Journal of Management Education
Authors: Dachner Alison M. , Beatty Joy E.
Published: June 2023

Issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are timely topics in business, education, and politics. As Associate Editors for the Journal of Management Education ( JME) we recognize the journal’s ability to contribute to these conversations. In this article, we take stock of DEI research in JME and review 17 exemplary articles published since 2000. A common theme in these articles is that management educators play an important role in creating inclusive classrooms to educate the next generation of leaders of multicultural organizations and that this task should be done proactively. Yet, even the most well-intentioned faculty members may be worried or lack the confidence to handle DEI-related challenges and conversations in the classroom. This collection of articles is intended to help guide business faculty through the unprecedented challenges associated with teaching DEI or having difficult discussions about diversity. The articles in this collection (1) advance the way we think about DEI by offering frameworks, reviews, and new perspectives, (2) address some of the most pressing and prevalent issues related to cultural-diversity and gender, and (3) provide activities and exercises to be implemented in the classroom to increase student sensitivity.
Incidence of invasive fungal infections in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia receiving ibrutinib within the veteran’s healthcare administration
Authors: Walker Cassandra , Horowitz Amy , Nooruddin Zohra , Frei Christopher R
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Ibrutinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is increasingly prescribed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) have been reported early after ibrutinib initiation. Timing of IFIs is within 6 months and commonly reported fungal infections include Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, and Pneumocystis. Currently, there are no recommendations for routine prophylaxis against IFIs in patients receiving ibrutinib for CLL.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of IFIs in patients receiving ibrutinib for CLL in first-line and relapsed/refractory (R/R) settings.

Methods

This was a retrospective, cohort study of patients diagnosed with CLL and initiated on ibrutinib in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) from October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2018. Patients were included if diagnosed with a proven or probable IFI from the start date of ibrutinib to 30 days after the last dose of ibrutinib.

Results

Fourteen out of 1069 patients met inclusion criteria for IFI while on ibrutinib for CLL. All patients included were male with a median age of 78 years. Fifty percent of patients were initiated on ibrutinib within 3 months of last chemotherapy. IFIs occurred within 3 months (50%) and 6 months (71%) of ibrutinib initiation. Seventy-one percent of patients were continued on ibrutinib with concurrent IFI diagnosis.

Conclusion

The reported IFI incidence of 1.3% is comparable to current estimates of 1.2%. Future studies should examine the relationship of ibrutinib and incidence of IFIs in first-line and R/R settings in addition to identifying clinical risk factors predisposing patients to IFIs.
Social services as critical infrastructure – conceptualising and studying the operational core of the social investment state
Authors: Klenk Tanja , Reiter Renate
Published: June 2023

‘Social investment’ as an idea to justify social policy reforms has become more and more accepted in recent years and has decisively shaped agenda setting and policy formulation in European welfare states. The effectiveness of this new welfare state model, however, depends highly on the capacity to provide social services. Social services – job training, counselling and support for care work – are a key component of the social investment model. Drawing on the policy capacity approach, the article provides an analytical framework to study the ‘operational core’ of the social investment state. This implementation perspective allows us to assess whether governance actors actually have the resources to fulfil the social investment idea of enhancing citizens’ freedom to act. Empirically, the article concentrates on two selected European welfare states, Germany and France, countries with similar welfare systems but very different politico-administrative systems, and on two fields of social service provision that are addressed differently in the social investment debate: early childhood education and care (ECEC) and elderly care. Empirically, we use systematic content analysis to intensively study policy documents and secondary analyses. We show that both countries (still) lack policy capacities in these two sectors as a basis for resilient implementation of the social investment paradigm.
Neonatal sevoflurane exposure induces long-term changes in dendritic morphology in juvenile rats and mice
Authors: Useinovic Nemanja , Near Michelle , Cabrera Omar Hoseá , Boscolo Annalisa , Milosevic Andjelko , Harvey Rachel , Newson Adre , Chastain-Potts Shelby , Quillinan Nidia , Jevtovic-Todorovic Vesna
Published: June 2023

General anesthetics are potent neurotoxins when given during early development, causing apoptotic deletion of substantial number of neurons and persistent neurocognitive and behavioral deficits in animals and humans. The period of intense synaptogenesis coincides with the peak of susceptibility to deleterious effects of anesthetics, a phenomenon particularly pronounced in vulnerable brain regions such as subiculum. With steadily accumulating evidence confirming that clinical doses and durations of anesthetics may permanently alter the physiological trajectory of brain development, we set out to investigate the long-term consequences on dendritic morphology of subicular pyramidal neurons and expression on genes regulating the complex neural processes such as neuronal connectivity, learning, and memory. Using a well-established model of anesthetic neurotoxicity in rats and mice neonatally exposed to sevoflurane, a volatile general anesthetic commonly used in pediatric anesthesia, we report that a single 6 h of continuous anesthesia administered at postnatal day (PND) 7 resulted in lasting dysregulation in subicular mRNA levels of cAMP responsive element modulator ( Crem), cAMP responsive element-binding protein 1 ( Creb1), and Protein phosphatase 3 catalytic subunit alpha, a subunit of calcineurin ( Ppp3ca) (calcineurin) when examined during juvenile period at PND28. Given the critical role of these genes in synaptic development and neuronal plasticity, we deployed a set of histological measurements to investigate the implications of anesthesia-induced dysregulation of gene expression on morphology and complexity of surviving subicular pyramidal neurons. Our results indicate that neonatal exposure to sevoflurane induced lasting rearrangement of subicular dendrites, resulting in higher orders of complexity and increased branching with no significant effects on the soma of pyramidal neurons. Correspondingly, changes in dendritic complexity were paralleled by the increased spine density on apical dendrites, further highlighting the scope of anesthesia-induced dysregulation of synaptic development. We conclude that neonatal sevoflurane induced persistent genetic and morphological dysregulation in juvenile rodents, which could indicate heightened susceptibility toward cognitive and behavioral disorders we are beginning to recognize as sequelae of early-in-life anesthesia.
Enriched environment as a nonpharmacological neuroprotective strategy
Authors: Vaquero-Rodríguez Andrea , Ortuzar Naiara , Lafuente José Vicente , Bengoetxea Harkaitz
Published: June 2023

The structure and functions of the central nervous system are influenced by environmental stimuli, which also play an important role in brain diseases. Enriched environment (EE) consists of producing modifications in the environment of standard laboratory animals to induce an improvement in their biological conditions. This paradigm promotes transcriptional and translational effects that result in ameliorated motor, sensory, and cognitive stimulation. EE has been shown to enhance experience-dependent cellular plasticity and cognitive performance in animals housed under these conditions compared with animals housed under standard conditions. In addition, several studies claim that EE induces nerve repair by restoring functional activities through morphological, cellular, and molecular adaptations in the brain that have clinical relevance in neurological and psychiatric disorders. In fact, the effects of EE have been studied in different animal models of psychiatric and neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, ischemic brain injury, or traumatic brain injury, delaying the onset and progression of a wide variety of symptoms of these disorders. In this review, we analyze the action of EE focused on diseases of the central nervous system and the translation to humans to develop a bridge to its application.
The National Football League Concussion Protocol: A Review
Authors: Jacobi Jaclyn , Wasserman Erin B. , D. Mack Christina , Heinzelmann Morgan , Cárdenas Javier , Rehberg Robb , Solomon Gary , Sills Allen , Vargas Bert
Published: June 2023

Sport-related concussion remains an area of high concern for contact sport athletes and their families, as well as for the medical and scientific communities. The National Football League (NFL), along with the NFL Players Association and experts in the field, has developed protocols for the detection and management of sport-related concussions. This article reviews the NFL’s most recent concussion protocol including preseason education and baseline testing for players, concussion surveillance by gameday medical teams and neurotrauma consultants and athletic trainers, gameday concussion protocol and procedures, and return to participation guidelines.
The Efficacy of BloodSTOP iX, Surgicel, and Gelfoam in Vascular Operations: First-in-Human Head-to-Head Study
Authors: Soliman Mosaad , Mowafy Khaled , Elshafae Amr , Elsaadany Nashaat , Soliman Reem
Published: June 2023

This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of 3 different hemostatic agents in vascular surgeries in humans. Twenty-four patients were enrolled in the present study with 40 vascular anastomoses including 16 aortic and 24 femoral. The patients were randomized (computer-based) to either BloodSTOP iX, Gelfoam, or Surgicel. The hemostatic agent was applied at the site of the vascular anastomosis before declamping. The site of anastomosis was then observed for bleeding from the suture line for 2 min. If any bleeding was detected, blood was then collected for 5 min, and the time needed to stop bleeding was measured. A suction drain was fixed in the surgical bed to collect serous fluid postoperatively more than 48 h afterward. The volume of blood collected in 5 min was significantly lower in the BloodSTOP group compared with the other 2 hemostatics. There was a significant reduction in the mean time needed to stop bleeding from the anastomotic surface in the BloodSTOP group compared with the Surgicel and Gelfoam groups. In addition, Surgicel showed the highest rate of complication (46.2%) compared with BloodSTOP (7%). BloodSTOP iX dramatically reduced bleeding volume and time compared with the other hemostatic agents. Furthermore, it showed a lower complication rate and did not interfere with the healing process at the application sites.
Experiences of Gender-Based Violence Among Disabled Women: A Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis Protocol
Authors: Goulden Ami , Baird Stephanie L. , Romme Kristen , Pacheco Laura , Norris Sarah E. , Norris Deborah , Faye Lisa , MacNeil Sierra , Pittman Joshua
Published: June 2023

Background

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a major public health concern and a human rights issue disproportionately affecting disabled women. Disabled women are twice as likely to experience GBV than nondisabled women, yet there has been a lack of attention to this issue. This review aims to gain a greater understanding of the experiences of GBV of disabled women through a systematic and qualitative meta-synthesis. The qualitative meta-synthesis will be conducted by a research team of academic and community members and students with varying lived and service provider experiences with disabilities and GBV. The study findings aim to promote best practices by offering solutions to increase accessible and inclusive resources and services responsive to disabled women.

Methods

A systematic review of qualitative studies will be performed based on searches of 12 academic databases, including MEDLINE (Ovid), APA PsycINFO (EBSCO), Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest), Social Services Abstracts (ProQuest), and SocINDEX (EBSCO). A search of the gray literature will be performed by searching the Google search engine, Google Scholar, the Community Health Online Digital Archive and Research Resource (CHODARR), and the Global Database on Violence Against Women. In addition to the database and gray literature searching, we will complete backward and forward citation tracing. Two research team members will be involved in all screening, review, data extraction, and quality assessment of studies. A third reviewer will resolve any disagreements and consult with the research team. Thematic synthesis steps will include becoming familiar with the data, developing a thematic framework, indexing the data to identify themes and codes, charting the data, and mapping and interpreting the data. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist will be used to appraise the quality of included studies. Confidence in the meta-synthesis findings will be assessed by applying the GRADECERQual approach.

Review Registration

This protocol is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): CRD42023400410.
The development and randomised feasibility trial of a Nurse-led lifestyle modification follow-up programme among post-myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Yadav Sonam , Kalal Nipin , Sharma Suresh K , Deora Surender
Published: June 2023

Background:

Cardiovascular disease is the most often occurring disease in India accounting for 24.8% of deaths. Myocardial infarction contributes to this. A higher risk of cardiovascular disease exists due to comorbidities or the unawareness of existing illness among the Indian population. There is a shortage of published research on cardiovascular disease and a lack of standard cardiac rehabilitation programmes in India.

Aim:

Our study aims to develop a Nurse-led lifestyle modification follow-up programme, to assess and compare the effectiveness of the programme on health outcomes and quality of life among post-myocardial infarction patients.

Methods:

A two arm, single-blinded, randomised feasibility trial was conducted by developing a Nurse-led lifestyle modification follow-up programme. The interventional programme was based on the information-motivation-behavioural skill model and included health education, an educational booklet, and telephone follow-up. For feasibility testing of intervention, 12 patients were randomly allocated ( n = 6/group). Patients in the control group were provided with routine care, while the intervention group was given routine care along with a Nurse-led lifestyle modification follow-up programme.

Results:

It was possible to use this tool. In addition to determining the tool’s feasibility for use we found that the intervention group showed a significant improvement in systolic blood pressure (BP) ( p = 0.001), diastolic BP ( p = 0.016), Body Mass Index (BMI) ( p = 0.004), and quality of life in all the subscales – physical, emotional and social ( p < 0.001) after 12 weeks of discharge.

Conclusion:

Findings from this study will help to reinforce designing a cost-effective care delivery system in the care of post-myocardial infarction patients. This programme is a novel approach to improve preventive, curative and rehabilitative services for the post-myocardial infarction patients in India.
Low complication rate and high implant survival at 2 years after Touch® trapeziometacarpal joint arthroplasty
Authors: Herren Daniel B. , Marks Miriam , Neumeister Sara , Schindele Stephan
Published: June 2023

We analysed complications, revision surgeries, and patient-reported and clinical outcomes 2 years after trapeziometacarpal joint implant arthroplasty using the Touch® prosthesis. Of 130 operated patients with trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis, four had to be revised owing to implant dislocation, loosening or impingement, leading to an estimated 2-year survival rate of 96% (95% confidence interval: 90 to 99). Of 101 patients available for the 2-year follow-up, complications occurred in 17, with the most frequent being de Quervain stenosing vaginosis ( n = 6) and trigger thumb ( n = 5). Pain at rest decreased significantly from a median value of 5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 4 to 7) before surgery to 0 (IQR: 0 to 1) at 2 years. Key pinch strength increased significantly from 4.5 kg (IQR: 3.0 to 6.5) to 7.0 kg (IQR: 6.0 to 8.0). We recommend surgery with the Touch® prosthesis as the standard procedure for patients with isolated trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis because of the high survival rate and promising outcomes at 2 years.

Level of evidence: IV
Sorting shapes or connecting dots? Local enactments of globalization in early childhood education in Denmark
Authors: Hvid Thingstrup Signe , Aabro Christian , Prins Karen , Christensen Kira Saabye
Published: June 2023

This article explores how complex globalization processes play out in early childhood education (ECE) in Denmark. The article builds on two concepts of globalization: First, we understand globalization as the ways in which transnational educational policy discourses characterized by neoliberal pedagogical values affect national and local policies. Second, we understand globalization as ways in which cultural diversity as a product of global migration processes is discursively constructed as constituting specific “problems” for early childhood education. Drawing on the first concept of globalization, the article explores how a key policy document, The Strengthened Learning Plan (the SLP), is recontextualized and “put into action” in practice, and whether it leads to practices characterized by globalized neoliberal values at the cost of Nordic pedagogical ideals. We show that the SLP is enacted in very different ways in different centers, giving very different emphasis to globalized and Nordic ideals, respectively, and thus that the globalization of Danish ECE is by no means unambiguous. Looking more closely into the different enactments of the SLP, it becomes clear that they are closely connected to discursive constructions of the demography of the center: Constructions of ethnic minority children draw on culturalized categorizations where children are seen as vulnerable and as lacking, whereas constructions of ethnic majority children draw on non-culturalized categorizations where children are seen as natural and resourceful. Drawing on the second concept of globalization, we argue that the different enactments of early childhood policy build on connections between constructions of cultural diversity (or the lack thereof) and the construction of pedagogical “problems.” As such, the different enactments of the SLP—including those that prioritize Nordic ideals—represent globalization in the sense of constructions of cultural diversity that pose specific problems for early childhood education. Building on these findings, the article argues that the two globalization processes intersect, mutually shaping each other, and affecting how policies are enacted in pedagogical practice.