bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low uptake of Pap test as a cervical cancer screen among Saudi women: Findings from a national survey
Authors: Alfareh Manal , Obeid Dalia , Alhoshan Hala , Basri Rawan , Alhamlan Fatimah S.
Published: April 2024

Objective

The present study aimed to assess the current knowledge and uptake of Papanicolaou (Pap) tests for cervical screening among Saudi women, including barriers to undergoing the test and the availability of related services.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted using a health questionnaire administered through the Absher portal between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020. The questionnaire consisted of five questions and took less than 5 min to complete. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze demographic variables, and chi‐square tests were used to examine the association between these variables and Pap test uptake.

Results

The questionnaire included 8194 Saudi women, with the majority from Makkah (24.40%), Riyadh (21.92%), and Eastern (14.44%) regions. Only 22.52% of respondents had ever received a Pap test, and among them, 17.48% did so based on their physician's recommendation. Private clinics accounted for 10.73% of Pap test locations, while public clinics accounted for 8.97%. The primary reasons for not undergoing the test were lack of knowledge regarding its importance (40.24%) and lack of information from physicians (16.96%). Knowledge of the Pap test as a cervical screening method was significantly associated with marital status, Saudi region, and age group.

Conclusions

This study revealed low awareness of the Pap test for cervical screening among Saudi women, particularly in younger age groups. Targeted educational initiatives are essential to increase awareness and emphasize the significance of regular screenings, especially among younger individuals, to enhance early detection and reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Saudi Arabia.
Prevalence, incidence, and treatment trends of adenomyosis in South Korean women for 15 years: A national population‐based study
Authors: Park Jung Hyun , Chae Kyung‐Hee , Kim Sukil , Park Jung Yoon , Song Jae‐Yen , Chung Youn‐Jee , Kim Mee‐Ran
Published: April 2024

Objective

Adenomyosis is associated with female infertility worldwide. With improvements in imaging methods, such as pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, the diagnosis and treatment of adenomyosis have changed. This study aimed to evaluate the overall prevalence, incidence, and treatment trends of adenomyosis in South Korea using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database (NHIS).

Methods

Data were collected from the Korean NHIS, a population‐based complete enumeration database. A total of 678 641 women aged 11–55 years diagnosed with adenomyosis (N80.0 ICD‐10 code) from the database from 2002 to 2016 were enrolled. After applying a one‐year look‐back method, 629 592 patients were analyzed to estimate the prevalence, incidence, and treatment trends of adenomyosis.

Results

The overall prevalence during the study period was 3.86 per 1000 people. The prevalence of adenomyosis has increased from 1.42 per 1000 individuals in 2002 to 7.50 per 1000 individuals in 2016. The crude annual incidence rate of adenomyosis was 1.62 per 1000 people in 2003, which increased to 4.12 per 1000 people in 2016. In addition, the proportion of uterus‐preserving surgeries in adenomyosis treatments has increased from 7.51% to 21.29% over 15 years.

Conclusion

The prevalence and incidence of adenomyosis in South Korea increased between 2002 and 2016. Furthermore, the proportion of uterus‐preserving surgeries and progestin prescriptions for adenomyosis treatment has increased. We expect that our findings will raise awareness of the necessity for fertility preservation through earlier diagnosis and proper management of patients with adenomyosis.
Biological particle separation techniques based on microfluidics
Authors: Wang Saijie , Xu Quanchen , Cai Yanwei , Wang Qian , Liu Ying , Wang Dou
Published: April 2024

Biological particle separation has wide applications in medical diagnosis, bioengineering, and various other domains. Traditional methods, such as filtration, density gradient centrifugation, and size exclusion chromatography, face many challenges, including low separation resolution, low purity, and the inability to be seamlessly integrated into continuous processes. The development of microfluidics has paved the way for efficient and precise biological particle separation. Microfluidic chip‐based methods can generally be performed continuously and automatically, and microfluidic chips can integrate multilevel operations, including mixing, separation, detection, and so forth, thereby achieving continuous processing of particles at various levels. This review comprehensively investigates biological particle separation techniques based on microfluidic chips. According to the different sources of force effect on the particles during the separation process, they can be divided into active separation, passive separation, and affinity separation. We introduce the principles and device design of these methods respectively, and compare their advantages and disadvantages. For the introduction of each method, we used the most classic and latest research cases as much as possible. Additionally, we discussed the differences between experimental standard particles and biological particles. Finally, we summarized the current limitations and challenges of existing microfluidic separation techniques, while exploring future trends and prospects.
Juvenile probation officers’ lived experiences of collaboration with clinical mental health counselors: An interpretive phenomenological analysis
Authors: Gantt Henrietta Shannon , Diambra Joel , Makupson Myia , Tipton Jennifer
Published: April 2024

This study uses interpretive phenomenological analysis to explore juvenile probation officer's lived experiences of collaborating with counselors. Findings reveal an overview of and the strengths and limitations of existing collaboration. Findings include three higher constructs (a system of multiple parties and arenas, a screening and referral process, and antagonists to collaboration). Super‐ordinate themes include intentional initiation, consistent and responsible communication, and culturally and systemically aware counseling. Subordinate themes include networking and setting relational expectations, reporting information and problem solving, and no judgment and reducing barriers. Direct implications for practicing counselors and future research are provided.
DNA methylation of skeletal muscle function‐related secretary factors identifies FGF2 as a potential biomarker for sarcopenia
Authors: Li Jia‐Wen , Shen Zheng‐Kai , Lin Yu‐Shuang , Wang Zhi‐Yue , Li Mei‐Lin , Sun Hui‐Xian , Wang Quan , Zhao Can , Xu Jin‐Shui , Lu Xiang , Gao Wei
Published: April 2024

Background

Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and function due to aging. DNA methylation has been identified to play important roles in the dysfunction of skeletal muscle. The aim of our present study was to explore the whole blood sample‐based methylation changes of skeletal muscle function‐related factors in patients with sarcopenia.

Methods

The overall DNA methylation levels were analysed by using MethlTarget™ DNA Methylation Analysis platform in a discovery set consistent of 50 sarcopenic older adults (aged ≥65 years) and 50 age‐ and sex‐matched non‐sarcopenic individuals. The candidate differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were further validated by Methylation‐specific PCR (MSP) in another two independent larger sets and confirmed by pyrosequencing. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the optimum cut‐off levels of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)_30 methylation best predicting sarcopenia and area under the ROC curve (AUC) was measured. The correlation between candidate DMRs and the risk of sarcopenia was investigated by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Among 1149 cytosine‐phosphate‐guanine (CpG) sites of 27 skeletal muscle function‐related secretary factors, 17 differentially methylated CpG sites and 7 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were detected between patients with sarcopenia and control subjects in the discovery set. Further methylation‐specific PCR identified that methylation of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)_30 was lower in patients with sarcopenia and the level was decreased as the severity of sarcopenia increased, which was confirmed by pyrosequencing. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the methylation level of FGF2_30 was positively correlated to ASMI (r = 0.372, P < 0.001), grip strength (r = 0.334, P < 0.001), and gait speed (r = 0.411, P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis indicated that the optimal cut‐off value of FGF2_30 methylation level that predicted sarcopenia was 0.15 with a sensitivity of 84.6% and a specificity of 70.1% (AUC = 0.807, 95% CI = 0.756–0.858, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that lower FGF2_30 methylation level (<0.15) was significantly associated with increased risk of sarcopenia even after adjustment for potential confounders including age, sex, and BMI (adjusted OR = 9.223, 95% CI: 6.614–12.861, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that lower FGF2_30 methylation is correlated with the risk and severity of sarcopenia in the older adults, indicating that FGF2 methylation serve as a surrogate biomarker for the screening and evaluation of sarcopenia.
Severe anaphylaxis after chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell injection: a case report
Authors: Morin Sarah , Boroli Filippo , Vandenberghe‐Durr Sophie , Allali Daniele , Masouridi‐Levrat Stavroula , Chalandon Yves , Simonetta Federico
Published: April 2024

Anaphylactic reactions at the time of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR‐T) cell infusion are adverse events that have not been reported in pivotal clinical trials or in real‐world series. We report the case of patient with severe anaphylaxis with cardiac arrest after tisagenlecleucel injection for Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma, who recovered after resuscitation and intensive care treatment; we also conducted a Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database analysis and found several cases of severe anaphlyaxis after CAR‐T cell injection. Although not reported in pivotal CAR‐T cell studies, anaphylaxis can occur after CAR‐T cell injection, highlighting the need to include anaphylaxis as a possible side effect in future studies.
Cut‐off value for a normal posterior tibial nerve to diagnose tarsal tunnel syndrome amongst people of different race in Pretoria, South Africa
Authors: Roos Natasha , Mahlaola Tintswalo Brenda , Hazell Lynne
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Posterior tibial nerve (PTN) cross‐sectional area (CSA) reference values for the diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) using ultrasound imaging exist in several countries but not in South Africa (SA). Therefore, the objective was to measure the CSA reference values for PTN in SA.

Methods

Ultrasound CSA measurements of PTN in both ankles on 112 participants were performed, the mean measurement was recorded, and the effect of race, age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded.

Results

In this study, the primary variables age and BMI affect the CSA measurement of the PTN. A positive correlation was found between PTN asymptomatic size and age (r = 0.196, P < 0.05), size and BMI (r = 0.200, P < 0.05). Age (categories) had a mean value of 3.17 for the age group 36–45 years (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9–3.4). The mean BMI was 30.0 kg/m2 (CI 28.57–31.08). As for the asymptomatic PTN, a mean CSA reference value of 0.10 cm2 was obtained.

Conclusion

With increase in age and BMI, a greater PTN measurement will occur. Race appears to be a contributing factor, but further research is needed in this regard. The reference CSA value for normal PTN should be set at 0.10 cm2 for all racial groups for a basic musculoskeletal ultrasound exam protocol in South Africa.
Effects of feedback in manufacturing: A field experiment using smartwatch technology
Authors: Kwasnitschka Daniel , Franke Henrik , Netland Torbjørn H.
Published: April 2024

We investigate the impact of performance feedback delivered to front‐line workers through new digital technologies in the manufacturing sector. Our study takes place in a globally operating manufacturing company that employs smartwatches for real‐time control on the shop floor. In a large‐scale and multi‐site field experiment, we examine 29,669 machine status reports to assess the productivity effects of providing near real‐time feedback to workers via smartwatches. We develop our hypotheses drawing on construal‐level theory and its central idea of psychological distance. Initially, we observe production without feedback to establish comparability between treatment groups. Subsequently, we allocate various combinations of feedback to workers in four separate areas in two manufacturing plants. We manipulate whether the feedback is targeted at individuals with psychologically close feedback (“you did…”) or targeted at the team with relatively psychologically distant feedback (“your team did…”). Furthermore, we vary the message framing: positive framing emphasizes completed tasks, while negative framing emphasizes unfinished tasks. Our findings indicate that positively framed feedback, targeting individuals directly, enhances productivity more than other feedback combinations. Our study contributes new theoretical insights into the interplay between feedback framing and targets in fast‐paced and highly automated batch production environments.
Analyzing the effects of knowledge management on organizational performance through knowledge utilization and sustainability
Authors: Mohaghegh Faezeh , Zaim Halil , Dzenopoljac Vladimir , Dzenopoljac Aleksandra , Bontis Nick
Published: April 2024

In today's turbulent business environment, gaining sustainable competitive advantage requires organizations to manage knowledge capabilities effectively and use resources efficiently. The primary objective of this study is to explore the relationship among knowledge management (KM) processes, including knowledge generation, knowledge codification, and knowledge sharing, with knowledge utilization, sustainability, and organizational performance. The research mainly examines both the direct effect of KM on organizational performance and its indirect effect through sustainability and knowledge utilization. A theoretical framework is introduced and tested using data gathered from companies within the services sector in Kuwait. The results indicate that knowledge utilization and sustainability fully mediate the relationship between KM and organizational performance. Both knowledge utilization and sustainability exert direct and positive effects on organizational performance while being directly influenced by KM. Accordingly, it is suggested that the firms enhance their performance by effectively managing knowledge capabilities appropriately, utilizing knowledge, and investing in sustainability and organizational resources.
Fingerprinting sediment sources in mountainous catchments disturbed by plantation and construction activities in southern China
Authors: Shu Chengbo , Liu Gang , Zhang Qiong , Xu Jinghua , Chen Hong , Dan Chenxi , Wang Xiaokang , Shen Yingli , Liu Ya , Guo Zhen , Liu Dandan , Xia Xiaolin
Published: April 2024

The growing problems of soil erosion and sedimentation due to plantation and construction activities highlight the importance of reliable information on sediment sources with the objectives of designing and implementing targeted management practices. However, reliable information is unavailable for mountainous catchments in southern China. Accordingly, the fingerprinting approach was adopted to quantitatively identify sediment sources in a typical mountainous catchment disturbed by plantation and construction activities in the Dadingshan catchment, Guangdong Province, China. Sensitivity tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of correction factors on the modified model. The results indicated that geochemical elements could be applied for identifying sediment sources within the study catchment. However, the coarse sediment in the catchment posed challenges to the conservative behaviour of tracers. The findings suggested that the primary sediment source is exposed subsoil (51.5 ± 10.0%), followed by plantation topsoil (35.3 ± 16.2%) and wind farms (13.2 ± 10.2%). The mean goodness‐of‐fit value for all sediment samples was 87.1 ± 5.7%. The sediment contributions of various sources varied significantly due to differences in the extent and intensity of human intervention and the main erosion type of each source. Sensitivity analysis revealed that considering the assumption of source normality improved the source apportionment accuracy. However, particle size correction and tracer within‐source variability weighting in the modified mixing model resulted in unusual estimates of the source contributions. This contribution highlights the significance of considering uncertainties in key fingerprinting‐related aspects and emphasizes the need for implementing sediment control strategies in degraded forest environments.
Bilateral Simultaneous Magnetic Resonance–Guided Focused Ultrasound Pallidotomy for Life‐Threatening Status Dystonicus
Authors: Levi Vincenzo , Stanziano Mario , Pinto Carmela , Zibordi Federica , Fedeli Davide , Caldiera Valentina , Cilia Roberto , Golfrè Andreasi Nico , Braccia Arianna , Carozzi Carla , Ciceri Elisa , Grisoli Marina , Gemma Marco , Nazzi Vittoria , DiMeco Francesco , Eleopra Roberto , Zorzi Giovanna
Published: April 2024

Background

Invasive treatments like radiofrequency stereotactic lesioning or deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus can resolve drug‐resistant status dystonicus (SD). However, these open procedures are not always feasible in patients with SD.

Objective

The aim was to report the safety and efficacy of simultaneous asleep bilateral transcranial magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) pallidotomy for life‐threatening SD.

Methods

We performed bilateral simultaneous MRgFUS pallidotomy under general anesthesia in 2 young patients with pantothenate kinase–associated neurodegeneration and GNAO1 encephalopathy. Both patients had medically refractory SD and severe comorbidities contraindicating open surgery.

Results

SD resolved at 4 and 12 days after MRgFUS, respectively. Adverse events (intraoperative hypothermia and postoperative facial paralysis) were mild and transient.

Conclusion

Bilateral simultaneous MRgFUS pallidotomy under general anesthesia is safe and may be a valid alternative therapeutic option for fragile patients. Further studies are needed to assess long‐term efficacy of the procedure.
New awards under Connecticut program offer providers capital assistance
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: April 2024

A newly announced round of state grant funding will allow some mental health providers in Connecticut to complete much‐needed capital improvements, at a time when these providers also would like to see a boost in state support to meet everyday service‐related needs.
An inertial‐like Tseng's extragradient method for solving pseudomonotone variational inequalities in reflexive Banach spaces
Authors: Mewomo Oluwatosin T. , Alakoya Timilehin O. , Eze Amara , Iyiola Olaniyi S.
Published: April 2024

A survey of the existing results in the literature shows that several of the results on variational inequality problem were established under some stringent conditions and employed some form of linesearch technique even in the framework of Hilbert spaces. However, due to the loop nature of the linesearch technique, the implementation of such algorithms might be economically nonviable. In this article, we study the pseudomonotone variational inequality problem. We propose a new inertial‐like Tseng's extragradient method with non‐monotonic self‐adaptive step size that does not involve any linesearch technique for finding the solution of the problem in reflexive Banach spaces. Under some mild conditions, we prove a strong convergence result for the proposed method without the sequentially weakly continuity condition often assumed by authors to guarantee convergence when studying the pseudomonotone variational inequality problems. Moreover, we apply our result to study a constrained convex minimization problem. Finally, we present several theoretical and real applications to optimal control numerical experiments to illustrate and show the performance of our method in comparison with related methods in the literature.
Stability and regularity for double wall carbon nanotubes modeled as Timoshenko beams with thermoelastic effects and intermediate damping
Authors: Sobrado Suárez Fredy Maglorio , Barbosa Sobrado Lesly Daiana , de Araujo Gabriel Lucas Lacerda , Rodrigues Mendes Filomena Barbosa
Published: April 2024

This research studies two systems composed by the Timoshenko beam model for double‐wall carbon nanotubes, coupled with the heat equation governed by Fourier's law. For the first system, the coupling is given by the rotation speed of the vertical filament in the beam
from the first beam of Timoshenko and the Laplacian of temperature
, where we also consider the damping terms fractionals
,
, and
, where
. For this first system, we proved that the semigroup
associated to system decays exponentially for all
. The second system also has three fractional dampings
,
, and
, with
. Furthermore, the couplings between the heat equation and the Timoshenko beams of the double wall carbon nanotubes for the second system are given by the Laplacian of the rotation speed of the vertical filament in the beam
of the first beam of Timoshenko and the Lapacian of temperature
. For the second system, we prove the exponential decay of the associated semigroup
for
and also show that this semigroup admits Gevrey classes
for
, and we finish our investigation proving that
is analytic when the parameters
.
Incorporation of concentration gradient of blood nutrients in Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate fractional model with non‐zero uniform average blood velocity
Authors: Shit Abhijit , Bora Swaroop Nandan
Published: April 2024

A new insight is presented into the solution of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) model, based on fractional derivative with respect to time, with non‐zero uniform velocity of blood by incorporating the concentration gradient of the blood nutrients. An analytical solution is acquired for the modified ESR fractional model in addition to presenting some new interesting results. The best possible suitable range for the concentration gradient is found for the model whose use will be helpful in approximating the clinical data from laboratory tests in a profound and accurate manner and also in diagnosing the ESR rate more accurately. Further, an appropriate range is proposed for the uniform velocity of blood as well as the fractional order of the time derivative to construct the feasible model. In addition, it is also shown what value of the fractional order gives a closer resemblance to the clinical data. Validation and verification of the obtained results against earlier results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Mass lumping of stable generalized finite element methods for parabolic interface problems
Authors: Gong Wenbo , Zhang Qinghui
Published: April 2024

Stable generalized finite element method (SGFEM) for interface problem is based on simple mesh independent of interface curves and possesses merits of optimal convergence rates, conditioning of same order as that of finite element method (FEM), robustness, and freedom from any penalty parameters or stability schemes. This paper investigates mass lumping of SGFEM for parabolic interface problems. The mass lumping is important for computational reduction and maximum principle preserving. The difficulty in the mass lumping of conventional generalized FEM (GFEM) and SGFEM consists in their incorporation of extra enriched functions. The existing mass lumping methods of GFEM cannot work properly due to features of SGFEM that enriched shape functions vanish on mesh nodes, and the nodes are enriched partially rather than totally. In this study, we propose two mass lumping schemes for the SGFEM. The first one is to only lump the FEM part, and enriched parts are kept fixed. This scheme enables us to execute a rigorous optimal convergence analysis. It is noted that a theoretical analysis on the mass lumping of GFEM has not been available yet in the GFEM field. The second scheme is to further compress the enriched part and intersection part of mass matrix separately. The lumped mass matrix is almost diagonal, and there is only a line of nonzero entries in the intersection part of mass matrix. Numerical experiments indicate that two schemes both produce the optimal convergence rates; their errors are almost the same as those of SGFEM without using the mass lumping.
Movement, home range, and structural habitat use of the Largemouth Bass complex in two large Texas reservoirs
Authors: Driscoll M. Todd , Norman Jacob D. , Bennett Daniel L. , Metz Brian K. , Smith David R.
Published: April 2024

Objective

Angler complaints regarding perceived declines in angling quality prompted research to examine the home range, movement, water depth use, and structural habitat use and selection of the Largemouth Bass complex (LBC; Largemouth Bass Micropterus nigricans, Florida Bass M. salmoides, and Largemouth Bass × Florida Bass hybrids) in Toledo Bend and Lake Fork reservoirs, Texas.

Methods

A total of 21 LBC individuals at Toledo Bend Reservoir (386–604 mm total length [TL]) and 22 LBC fish at Lake Fork Reservoir (364–545 mm TL) were implanted with radio transmitters and tracked over a 2-year period.

Result

At both reservoirs, LBC home range areas were small (<50 ha) and overall movement was low (~40–100 m/week). Fish primarily occupied water column depths of less than 2 m in both reservoirs and were found in the shallowest depths during the spring. Although overall structural habitat occurrence and selection of LBC fish varied between reservoirs, primarily due to differences at shorelines and creeks (two times higher in Toledo Bend Reservoir) and drops (three times higher in Lake Fork Reservoir), fish selected for the shoreline, drops, points, and creeks in both reservoirs, while drains and flats reflected avoidance. Seasonally, habitat occurrence of LBC fish varied at Toledo Bend Reservoir, primarily due to differences in shoreline use, and flats had the highest fish occurrences during all seasons. At Lake Fork Reservoir, LBC occurrences at flats and drops were high and similar during all seasons.

Conclusion

Our estimates of small LBC home ranges and low movement in these large reservoirs were generally similar to those reported in previous studies, regardless of reservoir size. Fish preferred structural habitat types with abrupt slopes, were primarily located offshore, and occupied water column depths that are commonly targeted by LBC anglers.
Health Management of Working Pregnant Nurses: A grounded theory study
Authors: Hino Marie , Takashima Risa , Yano Rika
Published: April 2024

Aim

To explore the recognition of pregnant nurses on how they managed their health conditions to examine safe working strategies.

Design

A qualitative study with a grounded theory approach.

Methods

Twenty‐one nurses engaged in work during their pregnancy were recruited and interviewed using a semi‐structured questionnaire from January to June 2021. The data were analysed using a constant comparative method.

Results

The core category ‘duelling roles’ and the four other categories emerged. Pregnant nurses understand the ‘weight of one’ of being a professional in the workplace. Therefore, despite their health concerns, they struggle to complete their work as one team member to avoid inconveniencing others. However, through experiencing various nursing situations, they ‘perceive one's limits’ of working as they had done before pregnancy and protect their health and patients. Nevertheless, interactions with patients and their colleagues bring ‘delight in nursing’, which encourages them to continue working. Pregnant nurses thus develop a ‘prioritizing the foetus’ working style to continue being nurses while protecting their health.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

These results provide meaningful guidance in considering safe job retention strategies for pregnant nurses. Sharing and developing the ‘prioritizing the foetus’ mindset and management skills gained by the participants may be beneficial for the appropriate health management of pregnant nurses. The study may also facilitate nursing managers' understanding of the experiences of pregnant nurses and encourage them to consider reviewing nursing practices.

Reporting Method

The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies checklist was used to ensure the quality of research reporting.

Patient or Public Contribution

Members of the nursing team were involved in the design, conduct and interpretation of the data in this study.
The influence of psychological resilience and nursing practice environment on nurses' moral courage: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ruixin Zhang , Shan He , Yongli Tang , Chen Jie , Qianzhu Chen , Xue Wang
Published: April 2024

Aim

To determine the relationship between psychological resilience, nursing practice environment, and moral courage of clinical nurses and also the factors influencing moral courage.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

586 nurses from a general hospital were selected by convenience sampling method in January 2023. The general information questionnaire, Nurses' Moral Courage Scale (NMCS), Resilience Scale, and Practice Environment Scale (PES) were measured. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of clinical nurses' moral courage.

Results

Nurses' average moral courage score was 79.00 (69.00, 91.00). The nurses' moral courage was positively correlated with psychological resilience and nursing practice environment. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that psychological resilience and nursing practice environment entered the regression equation, accounting for 23.4% of the total variation. Psychological resilience and nursing practice environment are the main factors affecting the moral courage of clinical nurses. Nursing managers should conduct moral courage training, develop a decent nursing practice environment, pay attention to the psychological emotions of nurses, and actively build a safe, open, and supportive atmosphere for moral behaviour.
The urban sea: Cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, linear enamel hypoplasia, and sinusitis in three diachronic urban sites from the Dutch province of Zeeland (1030–1800 CE)
Authors: Casna Maia , Schrader Sarah A.
Published: April 2024

Until the 17th century, the Dutch coastal region of Zeeland ranked among Europe's most urbanized areas, driven by thriving international trade networks. People living in this time of flourishing economy benefitted enormously from it in terms of employment opportunities and working conditions, which were reportedly better than in the rest of the Low Countries. However, the rapid growth of Zeeland's urban centers likely presented increasing challenges for the population in terms of accessing essential resources, including food, clean water, and housing. In the 19th century, Zeeland's economy ultimately faced a significant downturn due to the decline in the maritime trade, leading to a substantial reduction in its urban population. Examining patterns of urbanization and economic histories that differ from the commonly studied thriving industrial contexts in bioarcheological research, as exemplified by Zeeland, is a crucial yet relatively underexplored facet in our efforts to understanding the human past. To address this gap, this study investigates the impact of urbanization on the health of Zeeland's inhabitants over time by analyzing nonspecific stress markers (i.e., cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, and linear enamel hypoplasia) and chronic maxillary sinusitis in a sample of 246 individuals from three urban sites dating from 1030 to 1800 CE. Our analysis of skeletal remains reveals significant differences in the prevalence of porotic hyperostosis, linear enamel hypoplasia, and sinusitis between the medieval and post‐medieval periods. These findings suggest that de‐urbanization and economic decline adversely affected the health and well‐being of the populations under study, influenced by factors such as working conditions and food availability. This study provides a new perspective on bioarcheological approaches to urbanization, shedding light on the intricate realities of urbanization in Zeeland and offering important insights into its complexities.
From values to actions in agriculture: A web of actors shape Norwegian farmers' enactment of relational values
Authors: Byfuglien Andrea , Hirons Mark , Milford Anna Birgitte
Published: April 2024

A sustainable transition in the agri‐food system holds society‐wide implications. Farmers play central roles in responding to climate change, environmental degradation and sustainable food production. Still, factors underlying how farmers make decisions and manage their farms are often marginalised in efforts to develop policies to tackle these issues.

The concept of relational values, defined as preferences, principles and virtues based on human–nature relationships, recently emerged to expand understandings of environmental decision‐making in general and that of farmers specifically. As agricultural landscapes are dynamic and characterised by the interaction of various actors with diverse values and interests, how these interactions influence farmers' decisions remains underexplored.

This paper engages with these issues by using qualitative data on Norwegian horticultural farmers' motivations, opportunities and challenges in farming. We find that their relational values (a) are influential in shaping farmers' decisions about farm management and (b) are continually unfolding and embedded within a web of other actors, including grocers, retailers, consumers, farm advisors and policymakers, which shapes farmers' enactment of their relational values.

In the context of agriculture, this research underlines the utility of an in‐depth understanding of relational values as embedded in wider social systems to enrich analyses of farmer decision‐making. How farmers' relational values are shaped and realised through interactions with other actors holds important implications for policy and programming to navigate tensions between different interests and actors for sustainable and long‐term change.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Improved processability for ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene/polyolefin elastomer composites: Effect of ethylenevinyl acetate copolymer
Authors: Park Jeong‐Jin , Kang Eun Hye , Yu Gyeong‐Cheol , Cho Yong‐Seok , Lee Seung‐Goo
Published: April 2024

Polyolefin elastomer (POE) films can be used as a matrix for ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber‐reinforced composites via a hot‐melt process. However, the low melting temperature of UHMWPE limits composite processing. Therefore, this study aimed to create a film by blending POE with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) to reduce the film's processing temperature. Morphological analysis revealed that due to limited compatibility, EVA appeared as droplets within the immiscible POE matrix. T‐Peel tests demonstrated increased self‐adhesion in both the POE/EVA films and the fiber‐reinforced composites with higher EVA content. However, the mechanical properties of POE/EVA films, including tensile properties and shore hardness, were reduced due to EVA having lower inherent properties. UHMWPE fiber‐reinforced composites were fabricated from these films. In composites, optimal tensile and flexural properties were observed at lower EVA content. Scanning electron microscopy analysis suggests that the POE/EVA films are sufficiently infiltrated at 10–20 wt% EVA content. As EVA content increased, the drop weight impact test indicated a reduction in the maximum impact load and an increase in impact energy, attributed to improved adhesion and a broader distribution of impact load across the interface.

Highlights

Polyolefin elastomer/ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene composites' properties were studied with varying ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) additive content.

Add EVA to improve film impregnation when forming composites

Increase in impregnation affects increase in properties of composites.

Characterization shows that the optimal EVA content is 10–20 wt%.
Student perceptions of teacher feedback quality in homework: Individual and class‐level factors
Authors: Xu Jianzhong
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to examine multilevel models posited to predict student perceptions of teacher feedback quality. A cross‐sectional survey design was used, involving 1072 middle school students. We incorporated two clusters of variables: (a) student characteristics (gender, prior knowledge, parent education, homework expectancy, homework value, homework cost, and help seeking) and (b) the characteristics of the classroom context (perceived homework quality, autonomy support, and teacher monitoring). Perceived feedback quality was positively related to perceived autonomy support and homework quality at the individual and class levels. Meanwhile, perceived feedback quality was positively related to homework expectancy, homework value, and help seeking at the individual level.
Gender differences of individual and contextual factors in predicting bullying and victimization: A multi‐informant approach
Authors: Borroni Serena , Tobia Valentina , Guarini Annalisa , Caglio Matteo , Scansani Beatrice , Polenghi Ilaria , Ogliari Anna , Fossati Andrea
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the role of individual and contextual factors as potential concurrent predictors of bullying and victimization in male and female high school students. The sample included 517 adolescents and their teachers. With a multi‐informant approach, measures of bullying and victimization, personality traits, psychopathological symptoms, peer ratings of popularity, loneliness, bothersomeness, as well as school climate, were collected. A series of regression analyses showed gender differences in the dysfunctional personality traits resulted as predictors of bullying (e.g., impulsivity for males and deceitfulness for females). As for victimization, also the role of contextual predictors (i.e., negative relations with peers and safety problems) was significant, with some differences between males and females. These results highlight the importance of a multi‐informant and multifactor (i.e., individual, contextual) approach when investigating the dynamics of bullying and victimization.
Improvements of mid‐thigh circumferences following robotic rehabilitation in hemiparetic stroke patients
Authors: Mat Nawi Nur Fasihah , Simok Anna Alicia , Hanafi Muhammad Hafiz , Mohd Ismail Zul Izhar
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Stroke has emerged as the leading cause of disability globally. The provision of long‐term rehabilitation to stroke survivors poses a health care burden to many countries. Robotic devices have created a major turning point in stroke rehabilitation program. Currently, the anthropometric evidence to support the benefit of robotic rehabilitation (RR) among stroke patients is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of RR on the mid‐thigh circumferences of the paretic limbs in stroke patients.

Methods

Twenty stroke patients from conventional rehabilitation (CR) (n = 10) and RR (n = 10) groups were recruited through a purposive sampling method. Patients in the CR group received a two‐hour session of a five‐day‐a‐week home‐based CR program for 4 weeks. Patients in the RR group received a five‐day‐a‐week of an hour combined physiotherapy and occupational therapy session and a one‐hour robotic therapy session using the HAL® Cyberdyne lower‐limb, for 4 weeks. The mid‐thigh circumferences of both limbs were measured on day 1 (baseline), week 2 and week 4 of rehabilitation program.

Results

The results revealed no statistically significant difference in the mid‐thigh circumferences between the paretic (F1.05,9.44 = 1.96, p = 0.20), and the normal (F1.05,9.44 = 1.96, p = 0.20) sides in the CR group (n = 10). For the comparison between the paretic and normal sides in the RR group (n = 10), the paretic mid‐thigh circumferences revealed significant time effect results (F2,18 = 11.91, p = 0.001), which were due to changes between baseline and week 2, and baseline and week 4 measurements. Interestingly, the normal mid‐thigh circumferences also revealed a significant time effect (F2,18 = 6.56, p = 0.007), which is due to changes between baseline and week 4. One‐way analysis of variance was employed to compare the mean average between groups due to the difference in the baseline measurements of the mid‐thigh circumferences between the paretic side of the CR and the RR groups. With this adjustment, the average means mid‐thigh circumferences after 4 weeks of therapy were shown to be significantly different between the CR and RR groups (F1,18 = 12.49, p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Significant increments in the mid‐thigh circumferences following RR were seen in the paretic limbs of stroke patients. Hence, this study may provide some insights into further potential research related to the benefits of RR in stroke patients.
‘Burn and Push’ technique: A novel robotic liver parenchymal transection technique
Authors: Sambommatsu Yuzuru , Lee Seung Duk , Imai Daisuke , Savsani Kush , Khan Aamir A. , Sharma Amit , Saeed Muhammad , Cotterell Adrian H. , Kumaran Vinay , Levy Marlon F. , Bruno David A.
Published: April 2024

Background

Liver parenchymal transection during robotic liver resection (RLR) remains a significant challenge due to the limited range of specialised instruments. This study introduces our ‘Burn and Push’ technique as a novel approach to address these challenges.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 patients who underwent RLR using the ‘Burn and Push’ technique at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System from November 2021 to August 2023. The study evaluated peri‐ and post‐operative outcomes.

Results

The median operation time was 241.5 min (range, 90–620 min), and the median blood loss was 100 mL (range, 10–600 mL). Major complications occurred in one case, with no instances of postoperative bleeding, bile leak, or liver failure.

Conclusions

The ‘Burn and Push’ technique is a viable and efficient alternative for liver parenchymal transection in RLR. Further research with larger sample sizes and consideration of the learning curve is necessary to validate these findings.
An examination of the psychological resilience of preschool children with and without Montessori education
Authors: Sezgin Elif , Şener Tülay
Published: April 2024

This study aims to compare the psychological resilience of children who receive Montessori education with those who do not receive Montessori education(the group attends a school where education is provided according to the Preschool Education Programme of the Ministry of National Education). The study used the Relational Scanning Model Comparison Types to compare the psychological resilience of children who received Montessori education with those who did not. The research involved 99 children aged 3–6 years who received regular preschool and Montessori education during the 2021–2022 academic year. It is reported that no developmental or neurological defects were observed in any of the participants. The study group comprised 50 children aged 3–6 years from a private kindergarten affiliated with National Education in Nilüfer district and 49 children aged 3–6 years from a private Montessori kindergarten in Nilüfer district. According to the study, children who received Montessori education demonstrated comparatively higher levels of psychological resilience than those who did not receive Montessori education. It has been observed that there exists a weak but meaningful correlation between the psychological resilience of children and their social relationships/social performance, particularly in those who have received Montessori education for an extended duration. As a result, it can be inferred that Montessori education positively impacts children's psychological resilience.
Molecular mechanism of autophagy and apoptosis in endometriosis: Current understanding and future research directions
Authors: Kobayashi Hiroshi , Imanaka Shogo , Yoshimoto Chiharu , Matsubara Sho , Shigetomi Hiroshi
Published: April 2024

Background

Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition, with symptoms including pain and infertility. Regurgitated endometrial cells into the peritoneal cavity encounter hypoxia and nutrient starvation. Endometriotic cells have evolved various adaptive mechanisms to survive in this inevitable condition. These adaptations include escape from apoptosis. Autophagy, a self‐degradation system, controls apoptosis during stress conditions. However, to date, the mechanisms regulating the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis are still poorly understood. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the molecular characteristics of autophagy in endometriosis and discuss future therapeutic challenges.

Methods

A search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases were used to identify relevant studies for this narrative literature review.

Results

Autophagy may be dynamically regulated through various intrinsic (e.g., PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal transduction network) and extrinsic (e.g., hypoxia and iron‐mediated oxidative stress) pathways, contributing to the development and progression of endometriosis. Upregulation of mTOR expression suppresses apoptosis via inhibiting the autophagy pathway, whereas hypoxia or excess iron often inhibits apoptosis via promoting autophagy.

Conclusion

Endometriotic cells may have acquired antiapoptotic mechanisms through unique intrinsic and extrinsic autophagy pathways to survive in changing environments.
Stress beliefs moderate the impact of COVID‐19 related work stress on depressive, anxiety and distress symptoms in health care workers
Authors: Laferton Johannes A. C. , Schiller Saskia , Conrad Daniela , Fischer Dorothea , Zimmermann‐Viehoff Frank
Published: April 2024

Health care workers are at increased risk for mental health issues due to high psychological and physical job demands. According to a recent study, stress beliefs (i.e., believing stress to be detrimental to one's health) might influence physicians' mental health in response to a naturalistic stressor (COVID‐19 hospital working conditions). Due to a small sample size and high alpha error inflation, the suggested association needs to be interpreted with caution. The current study aims to replicate those findings in a larger sample. A cross‐sectional survey among N = 418 (64.1% female; Median age = 30–39 years) physicians and nurses of a large German medical centre was conducted during the COVID‐19 pandemic (May/June 2021). Perception of pandemic related increase of work stress was assessed via self‐report. Stress beliefs were assessed with the Beliefs About Stress Scale, and mental health symptoms were assessed with the 21‐item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Stress beliefs moderated the association between increased work stress and mental health symptoms. Increased work stress was associated with increased depressive, anxiety and distress symptoms only in health care workers with medium (simple slope = 2.22, p < .001; simple slope = 1.27, p < .001; simple slope = 3.19, p < .001) and high (simple slope = 3.13; p < .001; simple slope = 1.66, p < .05; simple slope = 4.33, p < .001) negative stress beliefs. Among health care workers with low negative stress beliefs increased work stress was not associated with increased depressive, anxiety and distress symptoms. This confirms negative stress beliefs as variable of interest in research on the impact of stress on mental health in health care workers.