bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capturing Dis/Comfort and Navigating Transformation in the Gender Studies Classroom
Authors: Heijstra Thamar Melanie , Pétursdóttir Gyða Margrét
Published: January 2023

Creating a positive classroom experience for students can be a challenge, especially when teaching a contested topic such as gender studies. Teaching and learning gender is teaching and learning against the grain, which can lead to feelings of comfort and discomfort among students. The objective is to capture different manifestations of dis/comfort and transformation within the classroom by presenting a case based on gender studies. The study builds on course evaluations collected between 2009 and 2019. The findings reveal three appearances of dis/comfort: inexplicit manifestations, explicit manifestations, and a transformation stage in which the experienced dis/comfort operates as a steppingstone leading to possible change through affective dissonance. We suggest that discomfort can be mitigated by openly discussing resistance and by giving students more autonomy over course assessment and lecture content but without watering down the curricula. Thus, it is possible to navigate transformation and reduce compliancy with the ruling regime.
The role of resumption in the acquisition of European Portuguese prepositional relative clauses by Chinese learners
Authors: Espírito Santo Ana , Alexandre Nélia , Perpiñán Sílvia
Published: January 2023

This article reports on an experimental study on the acquisition of prepositional relative clauses in second language European Portuguese by Chinese native speakers. It focuses on the role of resumption, mandatory in prepositional relative clauses in Chinese (the native language of the learners) and non-conventional in European Portuguese (the target language). Results of an oral production task and two online acceptability judgment tasks indicated that resumption does not transfer from the native language, and that Chinese learners of European Portuguese employ movement structures to produce and process relative clauses. Additionally, results showed that resumptive pronouns do not rescue or ameliorate ungrammatical extractions from islands, contrary to what is traditionally assumed in grammatical theory. This finding was kept constant across participants, native and non-native. Overall, we conclude that second language speakers are able to select and reassemble movement features in their non-native language and use similar processing mechanisms as native speakers to analyse island configurations.
Reduced attentional lapses in male rats following a combination treatment of low-dose D-serine and atomoxetine
Authors: Redding Zach V , Sabol Karen E
Published: January 2023

Background:

Goal-directed attention involves the selective processing of behaviorally relevant sensory information. This selective processing is thought to be supported by glutamatergic and noradrenergic systems. Pharmacotherapies that simultaneously target these systems could therefore be effective treatments for impaired attention.

Aims:

We first tested an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor co-agonist (D-serine) for effects on attention (processing speed and attentional lapses). NMDA receptor activation is thought to support noradrenergic effects on sensory processing; therefore, we tested a combination treatment comprising D-serine and a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (atomoxetine).

Methods:

D-serine was first tested in rats performing a two-choice visuospatial discrimination task. Combination treatments comprising relatively low doses of D-serine and atomoxetine were then tested in a separate group.

Results:

In experiment 1, D-serine reduced the skew of initiation time (IT) distributions (IT devmode) at the highest dose tested (300 mg/kg). In experiment 2, low-dose D-serine (125 mg/kg) had no effect, while low-dose atomoxetine (0.3 mg/kg) reduced IT devmode and slowed movement speed. Importantly, the combination of these relatively low doses of D-serine and atomoxetine reduced IT devmode more than either drug alone without further slowing movement speed.

Conclusions:

IT devmode is thought to reflect attentional lapses; therefore, D-serine’s effects on IT devmode suggest that NMDA receptors are involved in the preparatory deployment of attention. Greater effects following a combination of D-serine and atomoxetine suggest that preparatory attention can be facilitated by targeting glutamatergic and noradrenergic systems simultaneously. These results could inform the development of improved treatments for individuals with ADHD who experience abnormally high attentional lapses.
Targeted capillary photothrombosis via multiphoton excitation of Rose Bengal
Authors: Delafontaine-Martel Patrick , Zhang Cong , Lu Xuecong , Damseh Rafat , Lesage Frédéric , Marchand Paul J
Published: January 2023

Microvascular stalling, the process occurring when a capillary temporarily loses perfusion, has gained increasing interest in recent years through its demonstrated presence in various neuropathologies. Studying the impact of such stalls on the surrounding brain tissue is of paramount importance to understand their role in such diseases. Despite efforts trying to study the stalling events, investigations are hampered by their elusiveness and scarcity. In an attempt to alleviate these hurdles, we present here a novel methodology enabling transient occlusions of targeted microvascular segments through multiphoton excitation of Rose Bengal, an established photothrombotic agent. With n = 7 mice C57BL/6 J (5 males and 2 females) and 95 photothrombosis trials, we demonstrate the ability of triggering reversible blockages by illuminating a capillary segment during ∼300 s at 1000 nm, using a standard Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser. Furthermore, we performed concurrent Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) angiography imaging of the microvascular network to highlight the specificity of the targeted occlusion and its duration. Through comparison with a control group, we conclude that blood flow cessation is indeed created by the photothrombotic agent via multiphoton excitation and is temporary, followed by a flow recovery in less than 24 h. Moreover, Immunohistology points toward a stalling mechanism driven by adherence of the neutrophil in the vascular lumen. This observation seems to be promoted by the inflammation locally created via multiphoton activation of Rose Bengal.
The COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Maternal Mental Health and Early Childhood Development
Authors: Kerker Bonnie D. , Willheim Erica , Weis J. Rebecca
Published: January 2023

Women are particularly susceptible to mental health challenges during the perinatal period. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, much concern was raised about the impact that the associated isolation, uncertainty, grief, loss and economic upheaval would have on mental health. Women experienced a disproportionate amount of environmental strain during this time, including economic stress and challenges associated with being essential workers; stressors were perhaps most prevalent in communities of color and immigrant groups. For women who were pregnant during the height of the pandemic, it is clear that stress, anxiety, and depression were increased due to changes in medical care and decreases in social support. Increased mental health challenges in the perinatal period have been shown to impact social-emotional, cognitive and behavioral health in infants and children, so the potential consequences of the COVID-19 era are great. This paper discusses these potential impacts and describes important pathways for future research.
Re-imagining Early Childhood Education and School Readiness for Children and Families of Color in the Time of COVID-19 and Beyond
Authors: Kerker Bonnie D. , Rojas Natalia M. , Dawson-McClure Spring , Gonzalez Cristina
Published: January 2023

High quality and culturally responsive early childhood education and care (ECEC) for young children before kindergarten is seen as a way to ensure that all children enter school ready to learn. ECEC is even more crucial in the context of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the disproportionate burden of trauma and stress borne by families of color in disinvested neighborhoods. Remote learning and repeated disruptions to in-person instruction as protocols shifted during waves of the pandemic placed an extra strain on families, and may have increased educational disparities in the U.S. Taken together, these challenges have implications for children’s school readiness due to their impact on opportunities for learning at home and in the classroom. This paper explores how ECEC programs can be strengthened to better meet children’s needs, and ways in which future research can shed light on these important issues.
Gender Role Discrepancy Stress and COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors Among Men in the United States
Authors: Sileo Katelyn M. , Luttinen Rebecca , Muñoz Suyapa , Hill Terrence D.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To examine the associations between gender role discrepancy (non-conformity to socially prescribed masculine gender role norms) and discrepancy stress (distress arising from this discrepancy) on COVID-19 prevention behaviors among men, and the potential moderating effects of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and income on these relationships.

Design

A national online survey was conducted between May and June 2021.

Setting

The United States.

Subjects

749 adult men residing in the United States.

Measures

A scale measured gender role discrepancy and discrepancy stress. COVID-19 prevention outcomes were constructed and included self-reported vaccination status/intentions, social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand-sanitizing.

Analysis

Multivariate generalized linear models were performed in SPSS.

Results

Gender role discrepancy associated with greater odds of vaccination (AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.02-1.78, P = .04), while discrepancy stress associated with lower odds of vaccination (AOR = .48, 95% CI = .35-.68, P < 0. 001) and mask-wearing (AOR = .54, 95% CI = .37-.79, P = .001) for men overall. Discrepancy stress’s negative effect on specific COVID-19 prevention behaviors was only apparent or was amplified for men in lower income brackets (vaccination, social distancing, mask-wearing), racial/ethnic minority men (vaccination), and sexual minority men (social distancing).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that gender role discrepancy stress negatively affects men’s engagement in COVID-19 prevention, particularly for men in marginalized populations.
Work-Life Balance and Flexible Organizational Space: Employed Mothers’ Use of Work-Friendly Child Spaces
Authors: Blithe Sarah Jane
Published: January 2023

The complex process of work-life management combined with social and economic demands have created difficulties for many working mothers. Although ideologies about “good mothers” suggest that mothers should be constantly available for care work responsibilities, most mothers must also engage in paid work for family sustainability. Using what I call work-friendly child spaces, some privileged mothers have found locations that cater to both parenting and work, which enable them to sustain their careers while also engaging in the early years of parenting. Based on participant observation and interviews, I argue that although work-friendly child spaces accommodate work arrangements that are flexible and mobile, they ultimately reify deep structural inequalities and leave care work as primarily the responsibility of women.
Global-guidance chaotic multi-objective particle swarm optimization method for pneumatic suspension handling and ride quality enhancement on the basis of a thermodynamic model of a full vehicle
Authors: Ghorbany Mohammad , Ebrahimi-Nejad Salman , Mollajafari Morteza
Published: January 2023

In this paper, the parameters of the validated suspension system model of a full-vehicle are tuned through design sensitivity analyses, and then Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) is used to enhance vehicle ride comfort, which is the vertical whole-body vibrations, and handling features, that is, roll motion and road holding, simultaneously. The parameters of this thermodynamic-based pneumatic suspension system model are comprised of the air spring reservoir volume, orifice resistance, initial volume, and pressure of the pneumatic springs. To enhance the convergence rate, computational times, and diversity of the swarm particles, we have incorporated chaotic dynamics into the MOPSO using the Logistic Map chaotic method to initialize the population and also employed the leader-based global guidance techniques to conduct the potential solutions in each iteration. The analysis of the proposed modeling and optimization results show that the suspension system has been reasonably boosted in terms of vehicle handling and ride comfort. Quantitatively, the RMS acceleration and pitch angle has been reduced by about 71% and 57%, respectively, showing a substantial improvement in passenger comfort. Furthermore, the proposed approach caused an increase in tire road-holding force by about 148% and a reduction of roll angle by 33% which results in an enhancement in vehicle handling, boosting vehicle driving safety.
Social identity and racial disparities in science literacy
Authors: Makarovs Kirils , Allum Nick
Published: January 2023

Research on African-Americans’ relationship with science, while relatively sparse, in general suggests higher levels of alienation than among their White counterparts, whether in the form of less positive attitudes to science, or lower scientific literacy. In this article, we leverage social identity theory to examine the role of racial social identity and ingroup evaluation as putative mechanisms that produce these disparities. We use data from the General Social Survey, pooled over three waves, as the basis for our investigation. The results of the analysis indicate that, when controlling for other covariates, there is no statistically significant difference in the effect of racial self-identification on science knowledge among African-Americans and Whites. However, we provide evidence that the effect of favourable ingroup evaluation on science knowledge differs in these two groups, being more positive for African-Americans compared to Whites.
The Letters of Sushila Gandhi: From Press Worker to Managing Trustee of Phoenix Settlement in South Africa, 1927 to 1977
Authors: Dhupelia-Mesthrie Uma
Published: January 2023

An epistolarium of over 80 letters written by a first-generation Gujarati migrant woman to South Africa provides the basis for the construction of her biography. The personal register of the letters written to family and friends allows her to shape this biography and for her voice to be heard though filtered through the process of translation and selection. The letters are read for expressions of labour performativity, the meaning of work and its challenges, her political astuteness and for the intersections with her other roles such as that of wife and mother for there was a seamlessness across these. Her growth as a letter writer over five decades is mirrored by her maturation in all spheres of her life. Through her transnational life, there is the opportunity to consider what role movement to Africa had in this development. The space of Phoenix Settlement, a farm started by Mohandas Gandhi, plays a central role in her transformation, growth and relations with men.
Predictors for the Clinical Efficacy of Tramadol for Cancer Pain
Authors: Koutake Yoshimichi , Fujimoto Airi , Nakahara Moeko , Tsuruyama Moeko , Miyoshi Takanori , Yamaguchi Yasuhiro , Fukazawa Mami , Kawamata Yosei , Hanada Kiyonori , Hashimoto Masashi
Published: January 2023

Context

Tramadol is conditionally recommended for cancer pain and is a less expensive drug compared to strong opioids. Thus, tramadol may help reduce health care costs.

Objectives

To investigate factors that predict the clinical efficacy of tramadol for cancer pain.

Methods

A retrospective study using electronic medical records was conducted on patients who received tramadol for cancer pain from January 2016 to December 2020. Patients who continued tramadol for >28 days or discontinued tramadol before 28 days owing to pain improvement were considered as clinical efficacy cases.

Results

We identified 183 eligible patients; 104 cases had clinical efficacy. The median starting tramadol daily dose was 100 mg, and the median administration duration was 22 days. Overall, 169 patients (92.3%) discontinued tramadol; pain improvement was the most common reason (34.9%). Age (>70 years), a performance status of 0-1, and an albumin-bilirubin grade of 1 were independent predictors for the clinical efficacy of tramadol. Patients with multiple predictors had significantly higher achievement rates than those without.

Conclusion

Tramadol could have greater clinical efficacy for cancer pain in patients who are elderly, have good performance status, and have good liver function.
“It’s a Touchy Subject”: Service Providers’ Perspectives of Eating Disorders in Men and Boys
Authors: Foye Una , Mycock George , Bartel Heike
Published: January 2023

This study explores the perceptions and experiences of providers of eating disorder services towards men to understand the challenges and barriers experienced by both professionals and patients in addressing the gender bias within this field. A total of 21 professionals took part in the study. Using interviews and focus groups, the study explored service providers’ experience, understanding and knowledge in working with men with eating disorders using thematic analysis. Findings suggest that the growing issue of eating disorders affecting men, while a serious concern for practitioners, remains a ‘touchy subject’, a difficult and sometimes even uncomfortable topic for service providers to tackle. These findings provide insight into the challenges and barriers faced by professionals and men seeking help or treatment for an eating disorder and highlights the need for targeted training and resources to improve the eating disorders health literacy of service providers in relation to men’s experiences.
Evaluating feline lower urinary tract disease: Doppler ultrasound of the kidneys
Authors: Evangelista Gabriela CL , Dornelas Lorraine RSM , Cintra Cristiane CV , Valente Fabrício L , Favarato Evandro S , da Fonseca Leandro A , Reis Emily CC
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Ultrasonography is used in the evaluation of urinary disorders, and the resistivity index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) have been successfully used to detect early hemodynamic changes in the course of kidney diseases in humans and dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate RI and PI in cats with feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).

Methods

Twenty-nine client-owned cats were selected and divided into a control group (CG; n = 10), a group of animals with obstructive FLUTD (OG; n = 11) and non-obstructive FLUTD (nOG; n = 8). Clinical, laboratory and ultrasound evaluations were performed in all cats.

Results

RI and PI values for cats in the CG were below the upper limit of normal suggested in other studies, while cats with FLUTD showed significantly higher values in the assessment of RI ( P = 0.027 and P = 0.034, respectively) and PI ( P = 0.044 and P = 0.048, respectively) of the right and left kidneys.

Conclusions and relevance

Alteration in renal blood flow was observed in cats with lower urinary tract disorders, even in the nOG group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of renal blood flow changes related to non-obstructive FLUTD.
Can cat caregivers reliably assess acute pain in cats using the Feline Grimace Scale? A large bilingual global survey
Authors: Monteiro Beatriz P , Lee Netta HY , Steagall Paulo V
Published: January 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate if cat caregivers could reliably assess acute pain using the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS), and if participant demographics could affect scores.

Methods

An online survey in English and Spanish was advertised by International Cat Care and other platforms (March–May 2021) using convenience sampling. Eligible participants were caregivers >18 years old and non-veterinary health professionals. Participants and a group of eight veterinarians scored 10 images of cats with different levels of pain. Data were analysed using linear models and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC; α <0.05). Interpretation of the ICC was <0.2 = poor; 0.21–0.4 = reasonable; 0.41–0.60 = moderate; 0.61–0.80 = good; and 0.81–1.0 = very good.

Results

A total of 3039 responses were received with 1262 completed answers from 66 countries (86%, 11.1% and 2.9% identified as female, male or other, respectively). Scores for each action unit (AU; ear position, orbital tightening, muzzle tension, whiskers change and head position) and their sum (FGS score) were not significantly different between caregivers and veterinarians, except for muzzle (caregivers 0.9 ± 0.0; veterinarians 0.7 ± 0.1; P = 0.035). The ICC single (caregivers) was 0.65, 0.69, 0.58, 0.37, 0.38 and 0.65, respectively, for AU ears, eyes, muzzle, whiskers, head and sum of scores. Demographic variables did not affect FGS scores.

Conclusions and relevance

Total FGS scores had good reliability when used by cat caregivers, regardless of demographic variables, showing the potential applicability of the instrument to improve feline pain management and welfare worldwide.
Outcomes of primary surgical treatment of medically recalcitrant post-keratoplasty glaucoma with transscleral cyclophotocoagulation
Authors: Khodeiry Mohamed M. , Liu Xiangxiang , Sayed Mohamed S. , Lee Richard K.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To report the outcomes of slow-coagulation continuous-wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (CW-TSCPC) in post-keratoplasty glaucoma refractory to medical therapy.

Methods

Medical records of 47 patients (mean age of 70.7 ± 15.7 years and follow-up of 13.9 ± 7.1 months) were retrospectively enrolled. All patients had the diagnosis of secondary glaucoma after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP; n = 28) or Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK; n = 19) with no previous history of incisional glaucoma or TSCPC surgeries. Study participants underwent slow-coagulation CW-TSCPC (1250-milliwatt power and 4-second duration).

Results

A statically significant reduction of IOP from 31.8 ± 8.0 mmHg preoperatively to 16.9 ± 9.0 mmHg postoperatively was noted ( p < 0.001). Similarly, the number of glaucoma medications decreased from 4.0 ± 1.0 to 2.7 ± 1.4 ( p < 0.001). The overall success rates at 12 and 24 months were 68.1% and 66.0%, respectively, with no difference in success rates between post-PKP and post-DSAEK subgroups ( p = 0.836). No significant changes in VA or central corneal thickness (CCT) were observed ( p = 0.345 and 0.311, respectively). One (3.3%) patient had a graft rejection. The majority of the complications noted during this study were mild and transient.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that slow-coagulation TSCPC may be a safe and efficient surgical glaucoma treatment modality in patients with medically uncontrolled post-keratoplasty glaucoma.
Association between prediabetes/hyperglycemia and retinal diseases: A meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Ting , Kuang Longhao , Yao Xue , Gan Run , Chen Qingshan , Yan Xiaohe
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To explore the effect of prediabetes/hyperglycemia on the incidence of retinopathy.

Methods

PubMed and EMBASE databases were retrieved to screen case-control studies or prospective cohort studies of retinopathy in prediabetic patients from January, 2004 to December, 2019. After quality evaluation by two evaluators according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 18 articles were included. Meta-analysis showed that there have been more incidents of retinal diseases in patients with prediabetes/hyperglycemia [MD (mean difference) = 2.50, 95% CI (1.74 to 3.6)] than those in normal controls ( p < 0.05). The incidence of macular diseases [MD = 1.36, 95% CI (1.05 to 1.76)] was significantly higher in prediabetic patients than that of the control group ( p < 0.05). No significant differences in DR-like retinopathy were found between both groups [MD = 2.02, 95% CI (0.84 to 4.85)] ( p > 0.05). In neonates, hyperglycemia was associated with an increased risk of ROP [MD = 3.6, 95% CI (1.89 to 6.86)] ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Prediabetes/hyperglycemia is associated with an increased risk of retinal diseases. Retinal diseases screening such as macular diseases among people with prediabetes should be warranted. But no significant differences in DR-like retinopathy were found. However, more further studies are needed to clarify the details between prediabetes/hyperglycemia and different kinds of retinal diseases.
It will (never) stop hurting: Do repeated or chronic experiences of exclusion lead to hyper- or hyposensitive psychological responses?
Authors: Büttner Christiane M. , Jauch Melissa , Marinucci Marco , Williams Kipling D. , Greifeneder Rainer , Riva Paolo , Rudert Selma C.
Published: January 2023

Unlike one-time lab manipulations of exclusion, in real life, many people experience exclusion, from others and from groups, over extended periods, raising the question of whether individuals could, over time, develop hypo- or hypersensitive responses to chronic exclusion. In Study 1, we subjected participants to repeated experiences of inclusion or exclusion (three Cyberball games, time lag of three days, N = 194; 659 observations). We find that repeatedly excluded individuals become hypersensitive to inclusion, but not to exclusion. Study 2 ( N = 183) tested whether individuals with chronic experiences of real-world exclusion show hypo- or hypersensitive responses to a novel episode of exclusion. In line with Study 1, exclusion hurt to the same extent regardless of baseline levels of chronic exclusion in daily life. However, chronically excluded individuals show more psychological distress in general. We discuss theoretical and practical implications for dealing with chronically excluded individuals and groups.
The mediation role of fear of COVID-19 in the relationship between ambiguity of death and intolerance of uncertainty related to holiday
Authors: Golcheshmeh Süheyla , Küçükkambak Selçuk Efe , Süler Melek
Published: January 2023

The study examines the mediation role of fear of COVID-19 on the relationships between the ambiguity of death and intolerance of uncertainty related to the holiday. Data was obtained from a total of 538 participants in the quantitative research and a total of 19 participants in the qualitative research in Türkiye. Quantitative results showed that the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty related to holiday and ambiguity of death was partially mediated by fear of COVID-19. Qualitative results differ in some points. This study sheds light on the perception of travel risk and its causes and offers a new perspective.
Inoculating Black/African American and LGBTQ Communities Against the Tobacco Industry: The Role of Community Connectedness and Tobacco Denormalization Beliefs
Authors: Wheldon Christopher W. , Skurka Chris , Eng Nicholas
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore how connectedness to Black/African American or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) communities can promote anti-tobacco industry beliefs and to examine the role of targeted anti-tobacco industry messaging (i.e., tobacco industry denormalization [TID] messages).We hypothesized that community connectedness would predict anti-tobacco industry motivation (H1) and that this effect would be mediated by community-specific anti-industry beliefs (H2). We also hypothesized that these effects would be greater (i.e., moderated) for individuals exposed to targeted TID messages (H3). This study was a secondary analysis of data from a web-based experiment focused on the effects of counter-industry messages (data collected in 2020). The sample consisted of 430 Black/African Americans and 458 LGBTQ young adults. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. In support of hypothesis 1, community connectedness was associated with anti-tobacco industry motivation for both the LGBTQ and Black/African American subsamples. Hypothesis 2 was also supported. The associations between community connectedness and anti-industry motivations were partially mediated by anti-industry beliefs. Hypothesis 3 was not supported. Exposure to counter-industry messages did not modify the structural model; however, counter-industry messages increased anti-industry beliefs in both subsamples. Fostering community connectedness may help to mobilize community-based tobacco control efforts. Furthermore, interventions targeting anti-tobacco industry beliefs may be effective at reducing tobacco-related disparities. Anti-tobacco industry beliefs can be increased using brief targeted TID messages. Collectively, these findings suggest that community-based approaches rooted in consciousness-raising action may provide a useful model for future tobacco control interventions.
Digital Domestic (Im)material Labor: Managing Waste and Self While Producing Closet Decluttering Videos
Authors: Li Zizi
Published: January 2023

This article examines (im)material digital labor essential to the production of closet decluttering videos on YouTube by analyzing two case studies: Leighannsays and Bestdressed. I highlight three interconnected forms of tidying labor, that is, home, data, and waste management, mobilized for influencer work and cultural platform economy. Wardrobe clean-out videos capitalize on both corporeal and affective aspects of housework and content production in the construction and maintenance of the digital self. They also assemble management labor to organize material articles in domestic space, produce/manage multimedia, and construct/amplify digital existence. The essay also discusses the (im)material labor required by the personal and outsourced handling of the disposed’s hereafters as goods and trash outside of the home. Unpacking how closet decluttering video production nests together (im)material tidying labor associated with disparate sectors from home-based platform cultural production to public management of household waste shed lights on imbricated operations of the influencer ecosystem.
Efficacy of Chinese and Western Medical Techniques in Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers With Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Lower Leg
Authors: Chen Yongchong , Wang Yunzhu , Zhang TaiAn , Meng Chao , Li Qing , Zhang Bohui , Zhang Kai , Qin Chunfang
Published: January 2023

To analyze and evaluate the clinical efficacy of Chinese and Western medical techniques in the treatment of severe diabetic foot ulcers complicated with necrotizing fasciitis of the lower leg and summarize the treatment experience of such patients to identify a new method of limb salvage treatment. A total of 46 patients with severe diabetic foot ulcers and necrotizing fasciitis of the lower leg were treated with such techniques as surgical debridement, bone drilling, open joint fusion, and microskin implantation. Wounds were treated with moisture-exposed burn therapy (a regenerative medical treatment for burns, wounds, and ulcers) and moisture-exposed burn ointment (a traditional Chinese medicine); underlying diseases were also treated effectively. The wound healing time, rate of high amputation, and mortality of these patients were summarized, and the clinical efficacy of such treatments was evaluated. Of the 46 patients enrolled, 38 patients were cured, with a cure rate of 82.61%. The average wound healing time was 130 ± 74.37 days. Two patients underwent high amputations, with an amputation rate of 4.35%, and 4 deaths occurred, with a mortality rate of 8.70%. The combination of Chinese and Western medical techniques in the treatment of severe diabetic foot ulcers complicated with necrotizing fasciitis of the lower leg not only effectively saved patients’ lives and promoted wound healing but also greatly reduced the rates of high amputation and disability.
Space Rednecks, Robot Butlers, and Feline Foreigners: Language Attitudes Toward Varieties of English in Videogames
Authors: Stein Simon David
Published: January 2023

Speakers hold evaluative attitudes toward different varieties of language (e.g., toward accents, dialects, or sociolects). Individual linguistic markers, like a particular sound, can point to a whole range of perceived socio-cultural attributes, such as intelligence, education, likeability, or trustworthiness. This has potential implications for linguistic character design in the media, including games. This paper examines how game designers instrumentalize varieties of English by making use of social-indexical variation. An empirical study of 10 characters and groups of characters from five AAA games is presented that combines three different methods—a stylistic reading, an analysis of online discourse, and a player survey. It is demonstrated how developers capitalize on ideologies and stereotypes surrounding linguistic varieties for characterization and worldbuilding purposes. The analysis lays an empirical and methodological foundation for future sociolinguistically informed readings of videogames.
Protocol of Application and Phenomenological Exploration of Body Mapping in Transgender Population: An Art-Based Research Method
Authors: Gaete María Isabel , Castillo-Hermosilla Mariana , Martínez Claudio , Concha Felipe , Paiva-Mack Isidora , Tomicic Alemka
Published: January 2023

This article is a methodological proposal for Body Mapping application in transgender population framed by a phenomenological approach and aimed at exploring the implicit and pre-reflective embodied cues of the experience of discordance between the felt body (the body I am) and the objective body (‘the body I have’) that opens a space in which words do not have easy access to. In order to describe our protocol of phenomenological exploration and application of Body Mapping, we detail the complete process in a single case. It corresponds to a female-to-male participant of 18 years old undergoing hormonal treatment with testosterone for 12 months before engaging in our study. Reflections about the potential of using art-based research methods for accounting of pre-reflective bodily experience of discordance in transgender population are detailed. The combination of the Body Mapping art-based research tool with a phenomenological approach for the study of experience seems promising for studies aimed at exploring experience from an embodied approach. It represents a radical first-person research method in which the images talk by themselves. Furthermore, including the researchers as beholders of the resulting artwork, assuming the role of inter-corporality of the aesthetic bodily resonance as part of the data collection procedure seems innovative but loyal and honest with what an Art-based research paradigm is.
Treatment selection in multi-arm multi-stage designs: With application to a postpartum haemorrhage trial
Authors: Choodari-Oskooei Babak , Thwin Soe Soe , Blenkinsop Alexandra , Widmer Mariana , Althabe Fernando , Parmar Mahesh KB
Published: January 2023

Background:

Multi-arm multi-stage trials are an efficient, adaptive approach for testing many treatments simultaneously within one protocol. In settings where numbers of patients available to be entered into trials and resources might be limited, such as primary postpartum haemorrhage, it may be necessary to select a pre-specified subset of arms at interim stages even if they are all showing some promise against the control arm. This will put a limit on the maximum number of patients required and reduce the associated costs. Motivated by the World Health Organization Refractory HaEmorrhage Devices trial in postpartum haemorrhage, we explored the properties of such a selection design in a randomised phase III setting and compared it with other alternatives. The objectives are: (1) to investigate how the timing of treatment selection affects the operating characteristics; (2) to explore the use of an information-rich (continuous) intermediate outcome to select the best-performing arm, out of four treatment arms, compared with using the primary (binary) outcome for selection at the interim stage; and (3) to identify factors that can affect the efficiency of the design.

Methods:

We conducted simulations based on the refractory haemorrhage devices multi-arm multi-stage selection trial to investigate the impact of the timing of treatment selection and applying an adaptive allocation ratio on the probability of correct selection, overall power and familywise type I error rate. Simulations were also conducted to explore how other design parameters will affect both the maximum sample size and trial timelines.

Results:

The results indicate that the overall power of the trial is bounded by the probability of ‘correct’ selection at the selection stage. The results showed that good operating characteristics are achieved if the treatment selection is conducted at around 17% of information time. Our results also showed that although randomising more patients to research arms before selection will increase the probability of selecting correctly, this will not increase the overall efficiency of the (selection) design compared with the fixed allocation ratio of 1:1 to all arms throughout.

Conclusions:

Multi-arm multi-stage selection designs are efficient and flexible with desirable operating characteristics. We give guidance on many aspects of these designs including selecting the intermediate outcome measure, the timing of treatment selection, and choosing the operating characteristics.
Teaching case “IT outsourcing at Smithfield Foods: From on-premises data center to a cloud-based ERP system”
Authors: Shaltayev Dmitriy S , Hasbrouck Robert B
Published: January 2023

In August 2015, Julia Anderson, the Global CIO at Smithfield Foods, the biggest pork manufacturer in the US, was faced with a problem on how to structure the company’s ERP system. The company operated its own data center in the early 2000s. Eventually management of hardware and software was outsourced to an Infrastructure Management Service (IMS) provider. The system was running on servers hosted by an IMS provider, but lately a series of major problems had Julia contemplating whether or not to continue the company’s relationship with the provider. Furthermore, SAP AG, the company’s ERP vendor, released a new version of the system, SAP HANA. As Anderson pulled into the company’s parking lot on Monday morning, she had three difficult decisions to make. Should Smithfield stay with its ISM provider or switch to a cloud service, which was becoming an increasingly popular choice? Should the company convert its current SAP system onto SAP HANA platform, or implement and deploy a new system from scratch? Finally, should the company take a big risk and do both changes simultaneously?
A tough pill to swallow: Two cases of statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myopathy manifesting as dysphagia and transaminitis
Authors: Chaudhry Hunza , Lin Joanne , Atefi Rameen , Hagino Jeffrey , Yuvienco Candice Marie , Roytman Marina
Published: January 2023

Although 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors are well tolerated, a small subset of patients may develop autoimmune myopathy, classified as immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy. Statin-induced immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy can present as proximal muscle weakness and in some cases as dysphagia and respiratory distress. We present two cases of patients taking statins who developed dysphagia and muscle weakness found to have statin-induced immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy. Both patients were treated with immunosuppressive therapy: one did well clinically, while the other had an aggressive form of statin-induced immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy and succumbed to the disease. Although statin-induced immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy is rare, early treatment to induce remission of this disabling condition should be initiated to prevent morbidity and mortality.
Evolution of Attitudes of a Romanian Urban Population Regarding Organ Donation
Authors: Bacuşcă Alberto-Emanuel , Gavriluţă Cristina , Grecu Silviu-Petru , Tinica Grigore , Ioan Beatrice Gabriela
Published: January 2023

The rate of organ donation for transplantation as well as the utilization rate of obtained organs are still low in Romania. We performed a sociological study which aimed to identify the reasons underlying the low organ donation and transplantation rate in Romania and to analyze whether changes in the opinions of the population regarding the donation of organs for transplantation occurred in the period 2012 to 2019. We applied a panel research strategy, data collection being done by means of a questionnaire applied to the same population in two different time periods: 2012 and 2019. Our research showed that during the 7 years period the attitudes of the participants toward organ donation and transplantation have not evolved to a great extent but we observed a process of crystallization of attitudes in 2019. We also observed that a more emphasis is placed by the participants on individual autonomy in decision-making process concerning organ donation and that the highest availability for organ donation is manifested when the life of a family member is at stake. We conclude that there is a need for coherent public information policies in which the main agents would be the doctors, the school and the family.
Key Company Success Factors in Creating High-Quality Innovative Food Products
Authors: Sumaedi Sik , Rakhmawati Tri , Astrini Nidya J. , Yarmen Medi , Bakti I. Gede Mahatma Yuda , Damayanti Sih
Published: January 2023

Technological advancements have triggered many lifestyle changes and indirectly created two important issues that must be addressed in Indonesia: the increase in non-communicable diseases and the rise of national health costs. One effort to curtail these problems involves consuming innovative food products with health benefits, commonly known as functional foods. The present study aims to identify and analyze the key success factors that companies in the functional food industry must consider to produce high-quality functional foods. To date, no previous study has paid close attention to this issue. Data collection was performed in a two-step process. First, interviews with academics, businesses, and the government were conducted. Second, surveys using a pairwise comparison questionnaire were completed. Data from the interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis, while survey data were assessed using the analytic hierarchy process. The results indicate the presence of five key success factors, including top management commitment (weight = 0.233), research resources and networks (0.077), food safety management systems (0.303), access to the required raw materials (0.218), and access to information on consumer needs (0.168). This research is believed to be the first to identify key company success factors in producing high-quality, innovative food products. This research fills the void of functional food literature related to producers.
Assessing the Consumers’ Purchase Intention and Consumption of Convenience Food in Emerging Economy: The Role of Physical Determinants
Authors: Imtiyaz Hena , Soni Peeyush , Yukongdi Vimolwan
Published: January 2023

This study examines the role of time scarcity, cooking skills, meal preparation confidence, physical and mental effort for cooking, availability of cooking resources, familiarity and motivation on consumers’ intention to purchase and consume convenience food. The data of 501 consumers, selected through non-probability purposive sampling technique, was collected using a structured questionnaire. SPSS and AMOS software were employed for data analysis. The results of descriptive statistics and confirmatory factor analysis indicated good internal consistency and reliability of questionnaire, as well as adequate convergent and discriminant validity of measurement model. The outcome of the structural equation modeling showed that time scarcity, lack of cooking skills, lack of meal preparation confidence, lack of interest for physical and mental efforts in cooking, familiarity to convenience food, and lack of motivation in cooking has positive relationship/association with consumers’ intention to purchase and consume convenience food. Availability of cooking resources had no significant effect on convenience food consumption. Busy lifestyle, hectic work schedule, and multiple responsibilities within time scarcity construct were prominent factors which significantly influence consumers’ intention to purchase and consume convenience food.
Do tax and subsidy on unhealthy food induce consumer consumption for healthy food? Evidence from experiment in Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Sukartini Ni Made , Purwono Rudi , Surjaningrum Endang Retno , Win Thinzar , Wangge Grace , Chrisnahutama Adrian , Husna Afanin , Handayani Triwuli
Published: January 2023

Background:

This study investigates the impact of price changes on decision to buy particular foods among adults in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. Tax and subsidy were introduced for influencing decision buy particular foods, especially unhealthy foods that are predicted have consequences on health outcome. Unhealthy foods such as fast foods or junk foods, sugar sweetened beverages (SSB), salty, and fatty foods are reported as one of main causes of obesity incidence in most countries, such as Indonesia.

Design and method:

Computer laboratory experimental is designed for investigating the impacts of difference rates of taxes and subsidy on decision to buy foods. Taxes and subsidies rate are designed from low (5%), moderate (15%), and high rates (25%).

Results:

The findings are as follows. Firstly, participants do not respond immediately to price changes, that is, higher prices due to taxes and lower prices due to subsidies. Economic theory suggests that consumers demand for basic need such as foods is sensitive with change in price, they respond inversely to the price changes. However, the finding in this experimental study do not support this theory prediction. Secondly, 15% and subsidies are the threshold and the larger taxes and rate for changing consumer’s choices on targeted foods.

Conclusion:

This study concludes that low rates of taxes and subsidies for unhealthy and healthy foods make these targeted foods affordable for majority of consumers. Besides introducing higher rates of taxes and subsidies, promoting and encouraging healthy life style such as consuming fresh and healthy foods is another alternative policy option.
Cultural Knowledge in Context – People Aged 50 Years and Over Make Sense of a First Fracture and Osteoporosis
Authors: Harasym Patricia , Beaupre Lauren A , Juby Angela G , Kivi Paul , Majumdar Sumit R , Hanson Heather M
Published: January 2023

Catch a Break (CaB) is a secondary fracture prevention program that uses medical understandings of osteoporosis to assess first fractures and determine appropriateness for secondary fracture prevention. In this study, we interviewed CaB program participants to identify the understandings that patients themselves used to make sense of first fractures and the osteoporosis suggestion as cause. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with female and male participants of the CaB program in Canada. An interpretive practice approach was used to analyze the data. A random sample of 20 individuals, 12 women, and eight men all aged 50 years and over participated. First fractures were produced as meaningful in the context of osteoporosis only for seniors of very advanced age, and for people of any age with poor nutrition. The trauma events that led to a first fracture were produced as meaningful only if perceived as accidents, and having an active lifestyle was produced as beneficial only for mental health and well-being unrelated to osteoporosis. Cultural knowledge shapes, but does not determine, how individuals make sense of their health and illness experiences. Risk prevention program designers should include patients on the design team and be more aware of the presumptive knowledge used to identify individuals at risk of disease.