bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of inhibition assay in Api g 7 suspected allergy in a female patient with anaphylaxis: A case report
Authors: Ukleja-Sokołowska Natalia , Lis Kinga , Graczyk Małgorzata , Bartuzi Marcelina , Bartuzi Zbigniew
Published: January 2024

The symptoms of celery allergy are mainly presented as oral allergy symptom, but there are several case reports of patients who experienced anaphylaxis. Defensin (Api g 7), as a novel allergen in celery root, was described in 2022 r. The female patient had a history of several episodes of dyspnea and cough, associated with ingestion of spice mixes containing dried celery. Up to the point of hospitalization, there were no objective tests, either sIgE or skin prick tests, that would confirm celery sensitization. During hospitalization, patient had a positive double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge with cooked celery. The patient was sensitized to mugwort defensin Art v 1. An inhibition assay with celery allergen extract was performed to prove cross-sensitization between Art v 1 and celery allergen responsible for symptoms in the patient. In conclusion, Api g 7 is an important celery allergen that can be responsible for severe reactions. Its cross-reactivity with Art v 1 is characteristic. Negative diagnostic tests with celery do not exclude Api g 7 sensitization.
Oxygen diffusion in biochar-based mixtures as plant growth media: Experimental and modelling
Authors: Banitalebi Golnoosh , Mosaddeghi Mohammad Reza , Shariatmadari Hossein
Published: January 2024

A large amount of agricultural waste is produced annually. Producing biochar is an excellent solution for waste management, resource recovery, emission reduction, energy production, reduction in transportation and enhancing carbon sequestration. This study was done to investigate the aeration status of biochar-based growth media as compared with the commercial soilless medium of cocopeat-perlite. Biochars from oven-dried residues were produced by slow pyrolysis at 300 (B300) and 500°C (B500) with a rate of 2°C min−1 and using a continuous inflow of nitrogen. Sawdust (Sd), wheat straw (WS), rice hull (Rh), palm bunches (Plm) and sugarcane bagasse (SC), their biochars, vermiculite (V) and zeolite (Z) were used to prepare 13 mixed growth media. Oxygen diffusion coefficient ( Dp) of media was measured at six matric potentials ( h) of −5, −10, −15, −20, −40 and −60 hPa. Troeh et al. (1982) model was fitted to Dp/ D0 versus air-filled porosity (AFP) data. Although AFP was more than 0.1 m3 m−3 for some media, the Dp/ D0 was very low. Considering optimum Dp/ D0 (i.e. 0.010–0.015) for growth substrates at h = −8 hPa, aeration status of four media (cocopeat-perlite, Rh-SCB300-Z, Sd-SCB300-Z and WSB500-Rh-V) was optimum. Highest Dp/ D0 at h = −8 hPa was observed for Rh-SCB300-Z. The AFP at h = –10 hPa was highest for Rh-SCB300-Z, cocopeat-perlite and WSB500-Rh-V. Biochar-based media with good aeration status and water retention can be a suitable substitute for commercial soilless culture in greenhouse production. Overall, WSB500-Rh-V is a suitable substitute for cocopeat-perlite.
The Big Three Perfectionism Scale: Validation of the Polish Version
Authors: Piotrowski Konrad , Nowicka Aleksandra , Janowicz Kamil , Smith Martin M.
Published: January 2024

The Big Three Perfectionism Scale (BTPS) was created to integrate different aspects of perfectionism, including the newly conceptualized concept of narcissistic perfectionism. The goal of our two studies ( N = 1341) was to examine the psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation of the BTPS, supporting the validity and portability of the measure. The studies were conducted among people who had a child, thus contributing to a better understanding of parental perfectionism, one of the key factors influencing parental well-being and a child’s functioning. Our analyses included investigating the structure of the scale, intercorrelations between subscales, reliability, and convergent validity by correlating BTPS scores with other measures of perfectionism and correlates of psychopathology (borderline symptoms) and parental difficulties (parental stress and parental burnout). Results supported the structure of the original BTPS. As predicted, confirmatory factor analysis indicated that items comprising the Polish adaptation of the questionnaire, like the original version, measure three related but specific aspects of perfectionism: rigid perfectionism, self-critical perfectionism, and narcissistic perfectionism. The three dimensions were also found to be specifically related to the difficulties experienced by parents. Further, the Polish version of the BTPS was found to have good internal reliability and validity. Our results from two independent Polish samples suggest that the Polish version of the BTPS is a psychometrically robust measure of perfectionism for assessing the three perfectionism factors.
Prediction of Recidivism and Detection of Risk Factors Under Different Time Windows Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Mu Di , Zhang Simai , Zhu Ting , Zhou Yong , Zhang Wei
Published: January 2024

Following a comprehensive analysis of the initial three generations of prisoner risk assessment tools, the field has observed a notable prominence in the integration of fourth-generation tools and machine learning techniques. However, limited efforts have been made to address the explainability of data-driven prediction models and their connection with treatment recommendations. Our primary objective was to develop predictive models for assessing the likelihood of recidivism among prisoners released from their index incarceration within 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year timeframes. We aimed to enhance interpretability using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). We collected data from 20,457 in-prison records from February 10, 2005, to August 25, 2021, sourced from a Southwestern China prison’s data management system. Recidivism records were officially determined through data mining from an official website and combined identification data from neighboring prisons. We employed five machine learning algorithms, considering sociodemographic, physical health, psychological assessments, criminological characteristics, crime history, social support, and in-prison behaviors as factors. For interpretability, SHAP was applied to reveal feature contributions. Findings indicated that young prisoners accused of larceny, previous convictions, lower fines, and limited family support faced higher reoffending risk. Conversely, middle-aged and senior prisoners with no prior convictions, lower monthly supermarket expenses, and positive psychological test results had lower reoffending risk. We also explored interactions between significant predictive features, such as prisoner age at incarceration initiation and primary accusation, and the duration of current incarceration and cumulative prior incarcerations. Notably, our models consistently exhibited high performance, as shown by AUC on the test dataset across time windows. Interpretability results provided insights into evolving risk factors over time, valuable for intervention with high-risk individuals. These insights, with additional validation, could offer dynamic prisoner information for stakeholders. Moreover, interpretability results can be seamlessly integrated into prison and court management systems as a valuable risk assessment tool.
Multi-condition classification optimization of subframe of dust suppression vehicle
Authors: Cui Zhe , Zhao Kaixin , Dong Xiaolei , Gong Ruiqi
Published: January 2024

In this paper, a forward classification optimization design idea for the subframe structure with discrete material distribution and take a typical subframe of a dust suppression vehicle is taken as an example to optimize and verify. Using the finite element method, we established a simulation model for the dust suppression vehicle, and the feasibility of lightweight design was determined through the multi-condition stress analysis and modal analysis of the subframe structure of the model. Firstly, the water tank bracket structure is taken as the topology optimization space, the compromise topology optimization based on grey correlation is carried out, and the conceptual design is carried out according to the material distribution of the water tank bracket shown in the topological cloud image. Then the response surface optimization model is established, and the thickness of each structure of the subframe is parameterized. Before optimization, a Pareto graph was drawn through sensitivity analysis to exclude variables with weak correlation with optimization objectives, and a high-precision response surface was fitted by least square method to meet the requirements of response surface model adaptation. Finally, the best solution was found by GRSM algorithm. After adjusting the original model according to the parameters of the best solution, the optimized subframe not only meets the operational requirements of the dust suppression vehicle but also achieves a 23.8% reduction in weight, demonstrating significant practical engineering value.
Platform health management for aircraft maintenance – a review
Authors: Kwakye Andrews Darfour , Jennions Ian K , Ezhilarasu Cordelia Mattuvarkuzhali
Published: January 2024

Aircraft health management has been researched at both component and system levels. In instances of certain aircraft faults, like the Boeing 777 fuel icing problem, there is evidence suggesting that a platform approach using an Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) system could have helped detect faults and their interaction effects earlier, before they became catastrophic. This paper reviews aircraft health management from the aircraft maintenance point of view. It emphasizes the potential of a platform solution to diagnose faults, and their interaction effects, at an early stage. The paper conducts a thorough analysis of existing literature concerning maintenance and its evolution, delves into the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques in maintenance, explains the rationale behind their employment, and illustrates how AI implementation can enhance fault detection using platform sensor data. Further, it discusses how computational severity and criticality indexes (health indexes) can potentially be complementary to the use of AI for the provision of maintenance information on aircraft components, for assisting operational decisions.
Platelet-rich plasma in orthopedics: Bridging innovation and clinical applications for bone repair
Authors: Zhu Liangbo , Li Ping , Qin Yuhong , Xiao Baowei , Li Junning , Xu Wenhua , Yu Bo
Published: January 2024

In the burgeoning domain of orthopedic therapeutic research, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) has firmly established its position, transforming paradigms ranging from tissue regeneration to the management of chondral lesions. This review delves into PRP’s recent integrations with cutting-edge interventions such as 3D-printed scaffolds, its role in bone and cartilage defect management, and its enhanced efficacy when combined with molecules like Kartogenin (KGN) for fibrocartilage zone repair. Significant attention is paid to tissue engineering for meniscal interventions, where a combination of KGN, PRP, and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells are under exploration. Within the sphere of osteochondral regenerative therapy, the synergy of PRP with Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) represents a noteworthy leap towards cartilage regeneration. The innovative incorporation of PRP with biomaterials like hydroxyapatite and graphene oxide further underscores its versatility in supporting structural integrity and ensuring sustained growth factor release. However, while PRP’s autologous and nontoxic nature makes it an inherently safe option, concerns arising from its preparation methods, particularly with bovine thrombin, necessitate caution. As of 2023, despite the burgeoning promise of PRP in bone healing, the quest for its standardization, optimization, and substantiation through rigorous clinical trials continues. This comprehensive review elucidates the contemporary applications, challenges, and future trajectories of PRP in orthopedics, aiming to spotlight areas primed for further research and exploration.
“The Culture” Is Truly the Issue: A Preliminary Exploration of Active Duty Female Spouses’ Acculturation to Military Life
Authors: Page Amy Preston , Ross Abigail M. , Solomon Phyllis
Published: January 2024

Acculturating to the Active Duty military lifestyle can be challenging yet rewarding. Using acculturation theory as a lens, this qualitative study explored experiences of women who transitioned into Active Duty culture through marrying a male service member. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected via online survey from women married to men currently or recently serving on Active Duty. In total, 202 survey responses were received, with 194 providing qualitative data. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: descriptions of military culture, acculturation strategies, and processes involved with acculturation. Limitations include the cross-sectional and preliminary nature of the data. Findings can inform culturally responsive practice at all levels and indicate this is a fruitful area for further study.
Thrombospondin-1 associated with carotid intima–media thickness among individuals with hypertension
Authors: Lin Hsiu-Fen , Wu Meng-Ni , Chen Chien-Yuan , Lim Kelly , Juo Suh-Hang Hank , Chen Cheng-Sheng
Published: January 2024

In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is involved in atherosclerotic pathogenesis. However, the role of TSP-1 in clinical atherosclerosis remains unknown. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between TSP-1 and carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) and examined whether it interacts with conventional cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 587 participants were enrolled from February 2018 to December 2021. TSP-1 was dichotomized based on median value. Carotid IMT was measured bilaterally in each segment, and the average value was taken as the overall IMT variable. Analysis of covariance models were used to ascertain the main and interaction effects of cardiovascular risk factors and circulating TSP-1 levels on carotid IMT. Those with high TSP-1 (n = 294) had significantly higher carotid IMT than did those with low TSP-1 (n = 293; 0.74 ± 0.12 vs 0.72 ± 0.11 mm; p = 0.011). After the combined effects of TSP-1 and vascular risk factors on carotid IMT were evaluated, an interaction effect on IMT was observed between TSP-1 and hypertension (adjusted F = 8.760; p = 0.003). Stratification analysis revealed that individuals with hypertension and high TSP-1 had significantly higher IMT than did those with low TSP-1 (adjusted p = 0.007). However, this difference was not observed in normotensive individuals (adjusted p = 0.636). In conclusion, this is the first study to provide clinical data supporting the correlation between TSP-1 and atherosclerosis. TSP-1 may be a crucial marker of increased susceptibility to atherosclerosis in individuals with hypertension.
Constructing a Crisis: Mental Health, Higher Education and Policy Entrepreneurs
Authors: Frawley Ashley , Wakeham Chloë , McLaughlin Kenneth , Ecclestone Kathryn
Published: January 2024

In 2018, the UK Conservative government issued a ‘non-negotiable’ instruction for universities to make ‘positive mental health’ a strategic priority. This was responding to growing pressure from a variety of stakeholders including mental health organisations, student groups and higher education (HE) management who claimed a worsening crisis of student mental health in the UK. We conducted a qualitative media analysis (QMA) of public discussions of student mental health as a social problem in a sample of (a) newspapers and (b) policy documents produced in the UK between 2010 and 2019 using a contextual constructionist approach and Kingdon’s policy streams framework. It identifies expansive definitions of mental illness, assumptions that precede evidence-gathering, ‘professional exes’ as policy entrepreneurs, and solutions that spread risk across institutions. We conclude by discussing the shift away from autonomous subjectivity towards more heteronomous constructions. In so doing it provides an important contribution to sociological understandings of contemporary subjectivity and social policy regarding mental health in HE.
The relation between perceived non-native features in the L1 speech of English migrants to Austria and their phonetic manifestation in L1 productions
Authors: Ditewig Sanne , Reubold Ulrich , Mayr Robert , Mennen Ineke
Published: January 2024

Aims:

The purpose of this research was to investigate to what extent the most commonly identified non-native features in the L1 speech of late consecutive bilinguals are reflected in differences in the bilinguals’ productions of these features compared with those of monolingual speakers of the L1.

Design:

We investigated the L1 accent of English migrants to Austria and monolingual English speakers in the United Kingdom in two inter-related studies.

Data:

In Study 1, an accent-perception experiment, native English listeners rated the nativeness of the monolinguals’ and bilinguals’ L1 English productions of read sentences, using a 6-point scale, and subsequently commented on the accentual features associated with perceived non-nativeness. In Study 2, the monolinguals’ and bilinguals’ productions of the most commonly identified non-native features from Study 1 were compared acoustically and auditorily.

Findings:

The accent-perception experiment revealed significantly higher non-nativeness ratings for the bilinguals than the monolinguals. These were associated with a wide range of segmental and prosodic features ( n = 836 feature tokens), with /iː/ and /ɪ/ the most commonly identified for segments, and articulation rate and intonation for prosody. The phonetic analysis of these features in Study 2, in turn, revealed that the bilinguals produced /ɪ/ closer to /iː/ than the monolinguals and had more final rises in questions, with the articulation rate differences between them just failing to reach significance.

Originality:

This is the first study to document a direct link between the features perceived as non-native in bilinguals’ L1 speech and their measurable manifestation in non-native L1 speech productions.

Significance:

This research contributes significantly to our understanding of the relationship between the perception and production of attrition in L1 speech, and shows that where listeners are able to provide consistent, detailed descriptions of the features associated with non-nativeness, they truthfully reflect measurable patterns in the speech signal.
Language exposure within peer and family contexts and bilingual reading profiles of German–Russian and German–Turkish adolescents in Germany
Authors: Dünkel Nora , Knigge Michel , Brandt Hanne
Published: January 2024

Aims and Objectives:

While research has focused on effects of language exposure within the family, evidence for the role of the quality and quantity of language exposure within peer contexts for the acquisition of both majority language (ML) and heritage language (HL) skills is still limited. Against this background, the present contribution investigates the patterns in which language exposure within family and peer contexts relate to different bilingual reading outcomes of migrant adolescents.

Design:

The data used for this contribution provide a unique opportunity to fill in this research gap as it contains standardized reading assessments in the ML and HL as well as questionnaires on language exposure within peer and family contexts.

Data and Analysis:

Using multinomial regression models with a sample of n = 803 adolescents with German–Russian and German–Turkish language backgrounds, we investigate the role of adolescents’ bests friends’ language backgrounds and language skills as well as adolescents’ language use with parents for the prediction of different bilingual reading outcomes (i.e., skilled bilingual readers, skilled ML readers, skilled HL readers, and low-skilled bilingual readers).

Findings:

The results indicate that dual inclusion into best friendships with both monolingual German as well as HL peers might be a favorable friendship pattern as it is positively related to both the skilled bilingual reading and the skilled ML reading outcome. Furthermore, we observe a tendency that skilled bilingual readers benefit from having a high-skilled HL speaking best friend. In addition, HL use with parents is an important predictor for HL skills, but not a hindrance for high ML proficiency. Effects of the peer group predictors are rather small, nevertheless they add value for explaining bilingual language outcomes controlling for relevant predictors.
Co-constructing parenthood in multiparty interaction: Orienting to parents’ rights and responsibilities to act on behalf of others
Authors: Liu Ruey-Ying
Published: January 2024

Drawing on naturally occurring, multiparty interactional data involving parents, children, and third parties (e.g. friends and relatives), this conversation analytic study investigates how the status of ‘parent’ is co-constructed on a moment-by-moment basis in the course of everyday interaction. The analysis focuses on participant orientation to parents’ rights to act on behalf of their children and third parties, through which parental entitlements, responsibilities, and authority are invoked. Specifically, interaction participants orient to parents as having primary rights to know about their children, determine their courses of action, and take primary responsibilities for their behaviors. Parents also confirm and ratify these category ascriptions by acting on behalf of their children and third parties, demonstrating with actions that they are capable of carrying out their rights and responsibilities as parents. The findings shed light on how the practical relevance of the ‘parent’ membership shapes the sequential unfolding of multiparty interaction.
Physics-informed deep learning for scattered full wavefield reconstruction from a sparse set of sensor data for impact diagnosis in structural health monitoring
Authors: Zargar Sakib Ashraf , Yuan Fuh-Gwo
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a physics-informed deep learning framework for the reconstruction of full scattered spatiotemporal Lamb wavefields (video images) in plate-like structures from a sparse set of time-series sensor data. The reconstructed scattered wavefield contains a wealth of information about the wave propagation phenomenon including any interactions of the propagating wave with damage in the structure. This information is paramount for damage diagnosis as is demonstrated in this paper via impact diagnosis—a key structural health monitoring application. A physics-informed neural network (PINN) that encodes the underlying elastodynamic field equations into the learning/training process in the neural network is proposed for this purpose. This prior wavefield physics knowledge embedded in the loss function acts as a regularization agent for the minimization problem in the neural network training, thereby enabling the extrapolation of a sparse set of one-dimensional time-series signals into two-dimensional scattered wavefield. The wavefield reconstruction capabilities of the proposed supervised forward PINN framework are first verified both numerically and experimentally for a stiffened aluminum panel under a couple of narrowband ultrasonic-frequency excitations, and the results confirm its robustness to low spatial resolution and substantial noise in the measured sensor data. The PINN requires far fewer sensors for scattered wavefield reconstruction, thereby permitting for a higher sensor spacing or lower spatial sampling. To this end, it is shown that a sensor spacing of 5λ generates good wavefield reconstruction accuracy, which is a 10-fold increase over the Nyquist–Shannon sampling limit (λ/2). Two sets of experiments are then conducted on a long-stiffened aluminum panel to validate the proposed framework via low-velocity impact diagnosis in the near-ultrasonic frequency range. The first set of experiments, with the known excitation force incorporated into the PINN, allows the wavefields to be accurately reconstructed with the sensor spacing up to 5λ as expected. The second set of experiments assumes unknown impact force history—a classical case of impact diagnosis where the impact force history is not known a priori. It is shown that the wavefield reconstruction through PINN still provides good accuracy albeit with a less generous sensor spacing of 2λ. A convolutional neural network long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM) model then solves the mathematically inverse problem of inferring the impact location and impact force history by analyzing the reconstructed impact generated wavefield. The impact location is predicted well with 93% accuracy, and the impact force history is reconstructed with 90% accuracy, further validating the proposed framework.
High-fidelity fault signature extraction of rolling bearings via nonconvex regularized sparse representation enhanced by flexible analytical wavelet transform
Authors: Zhang Chunlin , Qiang Yudong , Hou Wenbo , Cai Keshen , Wan Fangyi , Liu Jie , Zhang An
Published: January 2024

Diagnosing the bearing fault, especially incipient fault is important for equipment health management while is still a challenge in which high-fidelity extraction of the fault signature is expected. A method termed flexible analytical wavelet transform (FAWT)-enhanced sparse representation with nonconvex regularization is proposed in this research. FAWT enjoys flexible covering along both the frequency and time axis as well as tunable oscillation property and is adopted to well match the fault impulses after parameters optimization. In the fabricated FAWT-enhanced sparse model with generalized minimax-concave regularization, an index termed harmonic-to-noise energy ratio of envelope spectrum (ES-HNER) is proposed which is found effective and robust for quantitative assessment of the richness of fault signature and could be automatically evaluated from the envelope spectrum, based on which the parameters for constructing the FAWT basis and threshold are optimized via maximizing the ES-HNER in the candidate parameters space. The sparse decomposition signals are further obtained via solving the FAWT-enhanced sparse model, upon which the bearing fault signature is expected to be exhibited on the envelope spectrum. The performance of the proposed method has been validated via analysis of both simulation and experiment signals as well as comparison with other methods.
Success or Failure? News Framing of the COP26 Glasgow Summit and its Effects on Citizens’ Beliefs About Climate Change
Authors: Oleskog Tryggvason Per , Shehata Adam
Published: January 2024

The UN climate summits represent decisive moments for climate change policy. Under significant media coverage, world leaders gather for intense negotiations over policies to address global warming. Given the enormous political, economic, and environmental issues at stake, news media typically frame these summits in terms of success or failure. Still, we know surprisingly little about how these mediated mega events influence public perceptions both during and beyond the specific summit. Focusing on the 2021 Glasgow summit (COP26), this study combines a media content analysis and a two-wave panel survey with a rolling cross-section component, to determine how news framing influenced both summit-specific and more generic climate change beliefs among citizens in Sweden. Findings show (1) that beliefs about the success/failure of the summit took shape immediately following the summit, (2) that news framing effects were particularly pronounced when the final agreement was settled, and (3) that these instantaneous framing effects on summit-specific beliefs left small but lasting imprints on citizens’ generic climate change beliefs several weeks after the summit. These findings have implications for both climate opinion and theories of dynamic news framing effects.
Does Culture Moderate Gender Stereotypes? Individualism Predicts Communal (but Not Agentic) Prescriptions for Men Across 62 Nations
Authors: Kosakowska-Berezecka Natasza , Sawicki Artur , Celikkol Göksu , Bosson Jennifer K. , Van Laar Colette , Van Rossum Aster , Best Deborah , Jurek Paweł , Besta Tomasz , Olech Michał , Glick Peter
Published: January 2024

The cultural moderation of gender stereotypes hypothesis argues that societies assign the most culturally valued traits to men, the dominant group. Thus, in line with cultural ideals, collectivistic societies should assign men more communality, whereas individualistic societies should assign men more individualism. Using archival data, Cuddy et al. found evidence for cultural moderation in descriptive stereotypes. We argue, however, that cultural moderation should be tested using prescriptive stereotypes, which more directly reflect cultural ideals about how men and women should be. We also provide a more robust test using contemporary data from 62 countries from the Towards Gender Harmony project ( N = 27,391), allowing multilevel modeling techniques. We found evidence for cultural moderation for communal (though not agentic) traits: Collectivistic (compared to individualistic) nations prescribed relatively more communal traits to men. Thus, we show that prescriptions for men gravitate more toward core cultural values than prescriptions for women.
Performance of a preventive care programme for osteoporosis in primary care settings in Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chong Chin Kwang , Chua Wei Ting , Wong Susie Ling Yii , Tham Tat Yean
Published: January 2024

Background

The Agency for Care Effectiveness of Singapore has advised primary care physicians to use osteoporosis screening tools to risk-stratify patients in the primary care setting.

Objective

This paper aims to report the uptake of a “Predict and Prevent” workflow for osteoporosis using risk scoring and BMD measurement in patients with chronic diseases seen in a network of primary care clinics in Singapore from 2020 to 2021.

Methods

A “Predict and Prevent” osteoporosis preventive care programme was implemented at a network of 11 primary care clinics. The programme included all adult patients that consulted at the clinic for a chronic condition. OSTA score was computed for each patient. All patients who consented to further fracture risk screening underwent FRAX scoring. Female patients with a high-risk OSTA score and females with diabetes with intermediate-risk OSTA score (per protocol), or those with high-risk FRAX score were recommended to undergo BMD measurement.

Results

Of the 6,332 adult patients with chronic diseases without baseline osteoporosis seen in the various clinics, 81.1% underwent OSTA scoring; 28.1% were intermediate risk and 7.0% were high risk. Among the per-protocol population ( n = 531), 38 (7.1%) underwent BMD testing. FRAX scoring (without BMD) was done on 939 patients (17.3%); 31.5% had a high hip fracture risk. Only 14 patients had FRAX with BMD; 57.1% had a high hip fracture risk.

Conclusion

A “Predict and Prevent” workflow could be implemented to screen, detect and potentially treat patients at high risk of osteoporosis. The rate of BMD measurement is low and needs to be improved.
Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Coping in the Time of COVID-19: A Longitudinal Assessment
Authors: Herge Whitney M. , Gale Emily B. , Stapleton Emily J. , Ofori Ashley , Poppino Kiley F. , Cerza Shelby P. , Sucato Daniel J.
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this study was to assess the rate of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) experienced by individuals in response to COVID-19; to identify which coping strategies individuals employed in response to the pandemic; and to understand the relationship between COVID-19 stress and PTSS over time. Adult participants were assessed at three timepoints over the course of approximately 8 months. Between 13% and 15% of participants endorsed high levels of PTSS at Time 1, indicative of likely PTSD. Participants endorsed using a variety of coping strategies with moderate frequency at Time 1, including self-distraction, active coping, positive reframing, planning, acceptance, and religion. Longitudinally, Time 1 COVID-19 stress was found to predict the development of Time 3 PTSS. This relationship was partially mediated by Time 2 behavioral disengagement. Additionally, acceptance was identified as a moderator of the relationship between Time 1 COVID-19 stress and Time 3 PTSS, in an unexpected direction.
An Empirical Application of Mental Mapping to Analyze National Identity Among Ukrainian Students
Authors: Melnikov Andrii , Ignatieva Iryna , Nastoyasha Katerina
Published: January 2024

The paper focuses on the sociological adaptation and development of the mental mapping method within the study of national identity. ‘Mental map’ is defined as a spatial image or model formed over time in the individual or collective consciousness, while the method of mental mapping is interpreted as a graphic representation of a certain area by an informant at the request of a researcher. The study is based on the empirical application of mental mapping to the analysis of national identity among Ukrainian students ( n=942). The paper outlines methodological and theoretical specifics of mental mapping and indicates perspectives of this method in the context of a visual sociological paradigm.
The Effect of Mandatory Fitness Requirements on Cardiovascular Events: A State-by-State Analysis Using a National Database
Authors: Dzikowicz Dillon J. , Saoji Sankalp Babarao , Tam Wai Cheong , Brunner Wendy M. , Carey Mary G.
Published: January 2024

Background:

Cardiovascular events are known to be the leading cause of death among on-duty firefighters. Implementing fitness standards may help reduce the incidence of cardiovascular deaths; however, standards vary between firefighter type and states. We aimed to investigate the rate of cardiovascular events among firefighters across states.

Methods:

Using publicly available data from the United States Fire Administration, we explored the rates of cardiovascular deaths between firefighter type (e.g., career, volunteer, and wildland) and state. Specifically, we examined rates of cardiovascular deaths between California and Tennessee, which have fitness standards for all firefighters, and New York, which does not have fitness standards for volunteer firefighters. We used descriptive statistics and trend analysis to examine the data.

Findings:

Most cardiovascular events occur among volunteer firefighters (60.6%, n = 877). Volunteer firefighters had 7.5 (95% CI = [4.8, 11.7], p < .001) greater odds of cardiovascular events compared to wildland firefighters, who had the lowest incidence of cardiovascular events (1.7%, n = 24). New York reported the most cardiovascular events ( n = 161), primarily among volunteer firefighters (73.9%, n = 119). After the passage of legislation mandating fitness standards in California, a downtrend in the number of volunteer firefighter fatalities is observed. However, a null effect was observed in Tennessee after the passage of similar fitness standards as in California.

Conclusions/Applications to Practice:

Volunteer firefighters are significantly more likely to die of a cardiovascular event than career and wildland firefighters, both of which have stricter fitness standards. However, the effect of legislation mandating stricter fitness standards among volunteers did not produce a clear benefit for preventing fatalities. Nurses need to promote cardiovascular health among volunteer firefighters.
Metro cultural scene: A new community scale in urban scene research
Authors: Wang Yuhuan , Zhou Yongbo
Published: January 2024

Cultural scenes are essential units and value collections within consumer spaces, and metro scenes in large cities are a new perspective for cultural scene research. Based on scene theory, we isolated distinct urban metro scenes through the perspective of slow travelling, through which we identified the dimensions of Shanghai’s metro cultural scenes. Furthermore, we identified five patterns of metro cultural scenes through factor analysis and cluster analysis of scene dimensions, namely, mechanically modern, charming and expressive, local and down-to-earth, public welfare and rationality, and ordinary scenes. We found that the names of metro stations could influence scene formation by influencing the category of amenities around the station, while the convenience of the metro stations could significantly promote the formation of some scene dimensions. In addition, urban planning and crowd distribution also have an impact on the metro culture scene. Our study reveals the characteristics and patterns of metro scenes in Shanghai and proposes a pathway by which metro scenes are formed, providing a new direction for urban scene research.
Movement patterns during gait initiation in older adults with various stages of frailty: a biomechanical analysis
Authors: Hommen Jana Maria , Batista João P. , Bollheimer L. Cornelius , Hildebrand Frank , Laurentius Thea , Siebers Hannah Lena
Published: January 2024

Background

Gait initiation is challenging for older individuals with poor physical function, particularly for those with frailty. Frailty is a geriatric syndrome associated with increased risk of illness, falls, and functional decline. This study examines whether spatial and temporal parameters of gait initiation differ between groups of older adults with different levels of frailty, and whether fear of falling, and balance ability are correlated with the height of lifting the food during gait initiation.

Methods

Sixty-one individuals aged > 65 years, classified by Fried frailty phenotype, performed five self-paced gait initiation trials. Data was collected using a three-dimensional passive optical motion capture system, consisting of 10 cameras with the ability to perceive reflective markers, and two force plates. The total duration of gait initiation and the duration of its four sub-phases, the first step length, and the maximum foot clearance during the first step were derived, and compared statistically between groups. Additionally, an association analysis was conducted between foot clearance and fear of falling, and confidence in balance in older individuals.

Results

Frail individuals had significantly longer unloading durations, and total durations of gait initiation compared to non-frail older adults. Additionally, they had shorter first step lengths compared to non-frail older adults. Pre-frail older adults also showed shorter steps compared to the non-frail group. However, there were no significant differences between groups for the maximum foot clearance during the first step. Nevertheless, the maximum foot clearance of older individuals correlated significantly with their fear of falling and confidence in balance.

Conclusion

Older adults with reduced physical function and signs of frailty mainly display longer duration of gait initiation and decreased first step length compared to non-frail older adults. The release phase is decreased as the double support phase is prolonged in frail patients. This information can guide the development of specialized exercise programs to improve mobility in this challenging motion between static and dynamic balance.
Physio-biochemical and metabolomic responses of the woody plant Dalbergia odorifera to salinity and waterlogging
Authors: Cisse El- Hadji Malick , Jiang Bai-Hui , Yin Li-Yan , Miao Ling-Feng , Li Da-Dong , Zhou Jing-Jing , Yang Fan
Published: January 2024

Background

Trees have developed a broad spectrum of molecular mechanisms to counteract oxidative stress. Secondary metabolites via phenolic compounds emblematized the hidden bridge among plant kingdom, human health, and oxidative stress. Although studies have demonstrated that abiotic stresses can increase the production of medicinal compounds in plants, research comparing the efficiency of these stresses still needs to be explored. Thus, the present research paper provided an exhaustive comparative metabolomic study in Dalbergia odorifera under salinity (ST) and waterlogging (WL).

Results

High ST reduced D. odorifera's fresh biomass compared to WL. While WL only slightly affected leaf and vein size, ST had a significant negative impact. ST also caused more significant damage to water status and leaflet anatomy than WL. As a result, WL-treated seedlings exhibited better photosynthesis and an up-regulation of nonenzymatic pathways involved in scavenging reactive oxygen species. The metabolomic and physiological responses of D. odorifera under WL and salinity ST stress revealed an accumulation of secondary metabolites by the less aggressive stress (WL) to counterbalance the oxidative stress. Under WL, more metabolites were more regulated compared to ST. ST significantly altered the metabolite profile in D. odorifera leaflets, indicating its sensitivity to salinity. WL synthesized more metabolites involved in phenylpropanoid, flavone, flavonol, flavonoid, and isoflavonoid pathways than ST. Moreover, the down-regulation of L-phenylalanine correlated with increased p-coumarate, caffeate, and ferulate associated with better cell homeostasis and leaf anatomical indexes under WL.

Conclusions

From a pharmacological and medicinal perspective, WL improved larger phenolics with therapeutic values compared to ST. Therefore, the data showed evidence of the crucial role of medical tree species’ adaptability on ROS detoxification under environmental stresses that led to a significant accumulation of secondary metabolites with therapeutic value.
Association of T-wave electrocardiogram changes and type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional sub-analysis of the MASHAD cohort population using the Minnesota coding system
Authors: Soflaei Saffar Sara , Nazar Eisa , Sahranavard Toktam , Fayedeh Farzad , Moodi Ghalibaf AmirAli , Ebrahimi Mahmoud , Alimi Hedieh , Shahri Bahram , Izadi-Moud Azadeh , Ferns Gordon A. , Ghodsi Alireza , Mehrabi Saeed , Tarhimi Milad , Esmaily Habibollah , Moohebati Mohsen , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid
Published: January 2024

Background

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has become a major health concern with an increasing prevalence and is now one of the leading attributable causes of death globally. T2DM and cardiovascular disease are strongly associated and T2DM is an important independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease. T-wave abnormalities (TWA) on electrocardiogram (ECG) can indicate several pathologies including ischemia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between T2DM and T-wave changes using the Minnesota coding system.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on the MASHAD cohort study population. All participants of the cohort population were enrolled in the study. 12-lead ECG and Minnesota coding system (codes 5–1 to 5–4) were utilized for T-wave observation and interpretation. Regression models were used for the final evaluation with a level of significance being considered at p < 0.05.

Results

A total of 9035 participants aged 35–65 years old were included in the study, of whom 1273 were diabetic. The prevalence of code 5–2, 5–3, major and minor TWA were significantly higher in diabetics (p < 0.05). However, following adjustment for age, gender, and hypertension, the presence of TWAs was not significantly associated with T2DM (p > 0.05). Hypertension, age, and body mass index were significantly associated with T2DM (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Although some T-wave abnormalities were more frequent in diabetics, they were not statistically associated with the presence of T2DM in our study.
Analysis of the survival time of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a Bayesian approach via a competing risk parametric model
Authors: Norouzi Solmaz , Hajizadeh Ebrahim , Jafarabadi Mohammad Asghari , Mazloomzadeh Saeideh
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Heart failure (HF) is a widespread ailment and is a primary contributor to hospital admissions. The focus of this study was to identify factors affecting the extended-term survival of patients with HF, anticipate patient outcomes through cause-of-death analysis, and identify risk elements for preventive measures.

Methods

A total of 435 HF patients were enrolled from the medical records of the Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, covering data collected between March and August 2018. After a five-year follow-up (July 2023), patient outcomes were assessed based on the cause of death. The survival analysis was performed with the AFT method with the Bayesian approach in the presence of competing risks.

Results

Based on the results of the best model for HF-related mortality, age [time ratio = 0.98, confidence interval 95%: 0.96–0.99] and ADHF [TR = 0.11, 95% (CI): 0.01–0.44] were associated with a lower survival time. Chest pain in HF-related mortality [TR = 0.41, 95% (CI): 0.10–0.96] and in non-HF-related mortality [TR = 0.38, 95% (CI): 0.12–0.86] was associated with a lower survival time. The next significant variable in HF-related mortality was hyperlipidemia (yes): [TR = 0.34, 95% (CI): 0.13–0.64], and in non-HF-related mortality hyperlipidemia (yes): [TR = 0.60, 95% (CI): 0.37–0.90]. CAD [TR = 0.65, 95% (CI): 0.38–0.98], CKD [TR = 0.52, 95% (CI): 0.28–0.87], and AF [TR = 0.53, 95% (CI): 0.32–0.81] were other variables that were directly related to the reduction in survival time of patients with non-HF-related mortality.

Conclusion

The study identified distinct predictive factors for overall survival among patients with HF-related mortality or non-HF-related mortality. This differentiated approach based on the cause of death contributes to the estimation of patient survival time and provides valuable insights for clinical decision-making.