bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genital Stigma and Sexual Satisfaction Among Queer Women and Gender Expansive Individuals: The Roles of Sexual Communication and Identity Positivity
Authors: Holland Kathryn J. , Cipriano Allison E. , Checkalski Olivia R. , Howard Valdivia Rebecca L.
Published: October 2024

Under cisheteropatriarchy, women's and gender expansive individuals’ bodies are highly stigmatized. Research finds internalizing stigma about the genitals has negative implications for sexual satisfaction, but this work has predominantly focused on heterosexual cisgender women. We examined associations between genital stigma and partnered sexual satisfaction among Queer (including any minoritized sexual identity) women (cisgender and transgender) and gender expansive people. We also examined whether comfort communicating with a sexual partner mediated the relation between genital stigma and sexual satisfaction, and whether positive LGBTQ+ identity may buffer against internalized genital stigma (i.e., moderate relations between stigma, communication, and sexual satisfaction). We analyzed survey data from 452 Queer women and gender expansive people. We tested a moderated mediation model. Mediation was supported—greater genital stigma was associated with less comfort communicating with a sexual partner, and greater discomfort communicating was associated with lower sexual satisfaction. Moderated mediation was supported, as the negative association between genital stigma and comfort communicating with a partner increased as participants’ LGBTQ+ identity positivity decreased. Our findings offer novel insights into genital stigma and factors that may facilitate and hinder Queer women's and gender expansive individuals’ sexual satisfaction.
Race Differences in Purpose in Life Among Family Caregivers: Findings From the Caregiving Transitions Study
Authors: Abshire Saylor Martha , Qian Yiqing , Hladek Melissa , Blinka Marcela D. , Szanton Sarah L. , Fabius Chanee D. , Haley William E. , Roth David L.
Published: October 2024

Family caregiving may affect purpose in life, defined as the sense that life has meaning and intentionality. Few studies have compared caregivers to non-caregivers or examined the characteristics of caregivers associated with purpose in life. Using data from the Caregiving Transitions Study ( n = 486), we conducted multiple linear regression analyses to test the effects of caregiver status, age, gender, social network, and physical and mental health on purpose in life. We also tested whether the effect of caregiver status differed by race and, among caregivers ( n = 241), the associations between caregiving characteristics and purpose in life. Caregivers did not differ significantly from non-caregivers in purpose in life in adjusted analysis. Among caregivers, significantly greater purpose of life was observed among Black caregivers and those reporting higher positive aspects of caregiving. Future research should examine these issues longitudinally, and caregiver interventions should consider addressing purpose in life and positive aspects of caregiving.
Le rôle central de la justice du prix pour la transparence des coûts : Quel effet du type de produits et du niveau de représentation ?
Authors: Casteran Gauthier
Published: October 2024

Une information et une compréhension insuffisantes des éléments constitutifs du prix d’un produit peuvent conduire à des perceptions négatives de la justice du prix et à des comportements négatifs envers le produit. La transparence des coûts est un moyen de dévoiler ces éléments. Les recherches antérieures testent rarement le rôle de la justice des prix dans le processus de transparence des coûts et privilégient l’étude des produits conventionnels sans prendre en compte d’autres types de produits (e.g., produits Fairtrade). En outre, l’étude de l’effet modérateur de caractéristiques des consommateurs (e.g., le niveau de représentation) est absente. Pour combler ces lacunes, nous menons deux expérimentations en ligne. Nos résultats montrent que la justice des prix joue un rôle clé dans la relation entre la transparence des coûts et l’intention d’achat. Cet effet est plus fort pour les produits Fairtrade que pour les produits conventionnels. Enfin, cet effet est plus important pour les consommateurs ayant un niveau de représentation élevé.
Une question de perspective : les managers et les consommateurs évaluent différemment les contributions des technologies
Authors: Yamim Amanda P , Mai Robert , Joerling Moritz
Published: October 2024

Même si la valeur de la technologie (par rapport à l’homme) pour développer des produits et offrir des services a été largement explorée du point de vue du consommateur, les managers comprennent-ils vraiment à quel point la technologie présente une valeur ajoutée pour les consommateurs ? Cette recherche met en évidence des disparités entre les perceptions des managers et celles des consommateurs concernant la valeur de la technologie en tant que ressource pour les services et produits. Sept études (N = 1320) réalisées dans différents contextes montrent que la technologie est perçue comme une ressource plus précieuse du point de vue des managers que du point de vue des consommateurs (études 1A–D). Ces différences sont liées au fait que les managers accordent une plus grande importance aux avantages liés à l’efficience de la technologie, contrairement aux consommateurs (étude 2). Pour réduire l’écart entre managers et consommateurs, mettre en avant les avantages technologiques pour les consommateurs peut accroître leur évaluation de la technologie au niveau de celle des managers (étude 3). Cependant, informer les managers des objections des consommateurs à l’égard de la technologie n’a pas permis de corriger leurs évaluations excessivement optimistes de la technologie (étude 4). Nos résultats soulignent l’importance de reconnaître l’écart entre les managers et les consommateurs concernant l’utilisation de la technologie dans les entreprises.
Evaluation effect of alginate hydrogel containing losartan on wound healing and gene expression
Authors: Zamani Sepehr , Salehi Majid , Abbaszadeh-Goudarzi Ghasem , Cheraghali Danial , Ehterami Arian , Esmaili Samaneh , Rezaei kolarijani Nariman
Published: October 2024

Skin tissue engineering has become an increasingly popular alternative to conventional treatments for skin injuries. Hydrogels, owing to their advantages have become the ideal option for wound dressing, and they are extensively employed in a mixture of different drugs to accelerate wound healing. Sodium alginate is a readily available natural polymer with advantages such as bio-compatibility and a non-toxicological nature that is commonly used in hydrogel form for medical applications such as wound repair and drug delivery in skin regenerative medicine. Losartan is a medicine called angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that can prevent fibrosis by inhibiting AT1R (angiotensin II type 1 receptor). In this research, for the first time, three-dimensional scaffolds based on cross-linked alginate hydrogel with CaCl2 containing different concentrations of losartan for slow drug release and exudate absorption were prepared and characterized as wound dressing. Alginate hydrogel was mixed with 10, 1, 0.1, and 0.01 mg/mL of losartan, and their properties such as morphology, chemical structure, water uptake properties, biodegradability, stability assay, rheology, blood compatibility, and cellular response were evaluated. In addition, the therapeutic efficiency of the developed hydrogels was then assessed in an in vitro wound healing model and with a gene expression. The results revealed that the hydrogel produced was very porous (porosity of 47.37 ± 3.76 µm) with interconnected pores and biodegradable (weight loss percentage of 60.93 ± 4.51% over 14 days). All hydrogel formulations have stability under various conditions. The use of CaCl2 as a cross-linker led to an increase in the viscosity of alginate hydrogels. An in vitro cell growth study revealed that no cytotoxicity was observed at the suggested dosage of the hydrogel. Increases in Losartan dosage, however, caused hemolysis. In vivo study in adult male rats with a full-thickness model showed greater than 80% improvement of the primary wound region after 2 weeks of treatment with alginate hydrogel containing 0.1 mg/mL Losartan. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis showed a decrease in expression level of TGF-β1 and VEGF in treatment groups. Histological analysis demonstrated that the alginate hydrogel containing Losartan can be effective in wound repair by decreasing the size of the scar and tissue remodeling, as evidenced by future in vivo studies.
Family Involvement and Firm Performance: A Worldwide Study Unveiling Key Mechanisms
Authors: Miroshnychenko Ivan , Torres de Oliveira Rui , De Massis Alfredo , Überbacher Ruth
Published: October 2024

Prior literature establishes a link between family involvement and the firm financial performance. However, the mechanisms through which family involvement in a firm affects its financial performance in different institutional settings are largely unknown. Using an unbalanced panel of 3,322 listed firms from 32 countries over a 9-year period, we find that family involvement in ownership and management on average has negative effects on financial performance. Moreover, the negative effect of family ownership is less profound in countries with good institutional quality. We further find that R&D intensity partially mediates the negative relationship between family involvement and the firm financial performance, but the mediation effect is conditional on the degree of institutional quality in a country. These findings advance the family business, innovation, and institutional literature, and offer important implications for theory and practice.
Organizational Change in the Nonprofit Context: A Scoping Review of the Literature
Authors: Walk Marlene , Cart-Turner Lindsay , Peterson Emily , Klippel Abigail
Published: October 2024

This scoping review takes stock of the landscape of organizational change research in the nonprofit context. Focusing on research published in leading peer-reviewed journals in nonprofit and civil society studies, we extracted 111 published articles from 1973 to 2019. Our findings provide a comprehensive overview of the field capturing how organizations plan for or react to environmental changes in either incremental or comprehensive ways. Findings indicate that most of the research focuses on social service nonprofits with a heavy focus on large-scale comprehensive changes. Based on the identified gaps in the literature, this study discusses implications for future research and implications for practice.
Histone demethylase PHF8 protected against chondrocyte injury and alleviated posttraumatic osteoarthritis by epigenetically enhancing WWP2 expression
Authors: Tang Xin , He Jingsheng , Hao Ye
Published: October 2024

Aberrant mechanical forces were considered as an important factor for osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. Plant homeodomain finger-containing protein 8 (PHF8) participated in osteogenic differentiation and inflammatory progression. However, the role of PHF8 in aberrant force-related OA remains to be elucidated. In this study, a fluid shear stress (FSS) model in ATDC5 cells and an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) animal model were constructed. The results revealed the decrease of PHF8 in aberrant force-induced cartilage damage in vitro and in vivo. PHF8 overexpression alleviated the aberrant force-induced cell apoptosis, extracellular matrix degradation, and inflammation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays demonstrated that PHF8 epigenetically regulated WWP2 expression through demethylating H3K9me2 at WWP2 promoter, which was influenced by FSS treatment. C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) was identified as a potential substrate of WWP2. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and ubiquitination experiments further demonstrated WWP2 decreased the stability of CXCR4 via the ubiquitination pathway. Subsequently, rescue experiments validated reintroduction of WWP2 significantly attenuated the effects of PHF8 deletion on FSS-induced chondrocyte injury, and CXCR4 overexpression reversed the protective effects of WWP2 overexpression on chondrocyte injury in FSS-treated ATDC5 cells. Moreover, delivery of a PHF8 adeno-associated virus (AAV) into articular cartilage remarkably ameliorated the breakdown of cartilage matrix by ACLT in mice. In conclusion, our findings highlighted the importance of PHF8/WWP2/CXCR4 signaling pathway in aberrant force-induced cartilage injury, which might provide a novel insight on future epigenetic-based treatment of posttraumatic OA.
Contesting Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: How Narratives of Cannabis Shape Diagnosis Contestation and Treatment Resistance
Authors: Copes Heith , Webb Megan , Valles Jessica
Published: October 2024

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by the onset of cyclic bouts of severe nausea and vomiting in chronic cannabis users. As the number of CHS diagnoses rises, it is important to understand how people experience the disease. Using a narrative framework, we explore how the symbolic meaning participants associated with cannabis shaped the way they experienced diagnosis and treatment of CHS. To do this, we relied on semi-structured interviews with 24 people who self-reported having CHS. Participants had very positive perceptions of cannabis, which contributed to them contesting the diagnosis and resisting the treatment. They initially contested the diagnosis because they believed that cannabis was beneficial and helped with nausea, that claims about the harms of cannabis were part of a larger medical conspiracy to stigmatize it, and that they had different symptoms than those with CHS. They resisted treatment recommendations of abstinence and sought to continue using cannabis by trying new routes of administration, using only certain types of cannabis, reducing the amount or frequency of use, or substituting other substances. Findings point to the importance of understanding how narratives can shape the way people respond to diagnosis and treatment.
Effectiveness of 2 Lip Taping Techniques in Infants With Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Thair Athar , Abid Mushriq
Published: October 2024

Objectives

This trial was designed to test the efficacy of 2 lip taping methods in modifying the maxillary arch dimensions (MADs) of infants with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) before lip repair surgery.

Design

Parallel-group randomized clinical trial.

Setting

The trial was conducted at 3 centers in Baghdad city.

Participants

Thirty-six nonsyndromic infants with BCLP.

Intervention

The eligible infants were randomly assigned to either the first experimental group that received a conventional horizontal tape (3 M Steri strip-1/4 inch) or the second experimental group that received a custom-made tape made of Steri strips and orthodontic extra oral elastics. All of the included infants in both groups had rubber base impressions taken for them at the start of treatment (T1) and right before surgical lip repair (T2). A desktop scanner was used to scan each of the generated models, creating digital models that could be used for outcome evaluation.

Main Outcomes Measures

Virtual MAD measurements were performed by a blinded assessor on the generated digital models both before (T1) and after (T2) treatment.

Results

At T2, both groups showed statistically significant changes in all measured MADs, with a mean difference ranging from 1.36 to 2.95 mm for the conventional taping group and from 1.46 to 7.96 mm for the custom-made one. The comparison of the 2 groups revealed both statistically and clinically significant differences with a P value <.05. The custom-made taping demonstrated more constriction in maxillary arch in terms of changes, which could provide easier surgical manipulation for the cleft parts.

Conclusion

Lip taping appears to be an efficient technique for modifying the MADs in infants with BCLP.
Size effect modellings of axial compressive failure of RC columns at low temperatures
Authors: Jin Liu , Lu Bo , Yu Wenxuan , Du Xiuli
Published: October 2024

This paper applied a thermal-mechanical sequential coupled mesoscopic simulation method to explore the axial compression performance and the corresponding size effect of Reinforced Concrete Columns confined by Stirrups (i.e., RCCS) at low temperatures, with considering the interaction between concrete meso-components and steel bars as well as the low-temperature effect of mechanical parameters. Based on the heat conduction analysis, the axial compression mechanical failure behavior of RCCS with four structural sizes (i.e., 267 × 267 × 801, 400 × 400 × 1200, 600 × 600 × 1800 and 800 × 800 × 2400 mm) and two stirrup ratios (i.e., 1.26% and 2.89%) at different temperatures (i.e., T = 20, −30, −60 and −90°C) was subsequently simulated. The effects of temperature, structural size and volume stirrup ratio on axial compression properties were quantitatively discussed. The results showed that the peak strength of RCCS increased with the decreasing temperature, and the smaller-sized RCCS showed a stronger effect of low-temperature enhancement. Both the residual strength and displacement ductility coefficient decreased with the decreasing temperature. The peak strength, residual strength and displacement ductility coefficient of RCCS decreased with the increasing structural size, showing obvious size effects. The size effect on peak strength increased with the decreasing temperature, (the maximum increase was nearly 140%), but the size effect on displacement ductility coefficient decreased (the maximum decrease was nearly 70%). The peak strength, residual strength and ductility were enhanced with the increasing volume stirrup ratio, which was helpful to reduce the influence of size effect. Finally, an improved size effect theoretical model was proposed, which can effectively predict the axial compressive strength of RCCS with different structural sizes and stirrup ratios at room and low temperatures. The present research results can provide reference for the large-scale engineering application of RCCS in low-temperature environments.
Undergraduate Human Factors: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Stone Nancy J. , Shive Joshua , Hancock Gabriella M. , Chaparro Alex , Lum Heather
Published: October 2024

Teaching undergraduate human factors provides challenges in developing an appropriate course, providing material to students with varying backgrounds and preparation, offering examples with which students can identify, and keeping students engaged in large (i.e., 150 students) courses. Means to overcome these challenges include evaluating the type of institution where the course is taught and the level of student preparation, identifying current and relevant examples for demonstrations or projects, and engaging the students to help them understand the application of human factors to their own lives. The benefits of successfully teaching undergraduate human factors includes introducing students to the field and application of HFE to their own lives, as well as building a pipeline for HFE graduate education.
Concussion Characteristics in Adults With ADHD Seen in a Specialty Concussion Clinic
Authors: Johnson Rachel S. , Swann-Thomsen Hillary E. , Dillion Naida , Palumbo Elyse A. C. , Pardue Kristi , Flint Hilary , Nilsson Kurt J.
Published: October 2024

Background:

Concussions are a prevalent health concern, affecting millions of individuals in the United States yearly. Concussion symptomology overlaps with other conditions making diagnosis and management particularly challenging, particularly among individuals with ADHD. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a significant portion of the adult population.

Objective:

To enhance our understanding of symptom resolution and identify factors that could influence concussion care management, the purpose of the current study was to examine the recovery trajectory of adults diagnosed with both ADHD and concussion compared to the trajectory of adults who have experienced a concussion but do not have an ADHD diagnosis.

Methods:

The study included a retrospective chart review of patients treated for concussion at a concussion specialty clinic.

Results:

The findings of the study revealed no significant differences in history of concussion or recovery time between patients with and without ADHD. It was observed that patients with ADHD had a higher prevalence of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

Conclusions:

The findings of the current study underscore the need for additional research to guide the care of patients diagnosed with both ADHD and concussion.
Effect of Physical Function on Access to Repeat Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Yoo Jongwon
Published: October 2024

Background: The long-term success rate of kidney transplantation is disappointing, with repeat transplantation necessary for more than half of recipients. When a repeat kidney transplantation is needed, patients are often elderly and suffer from underlying advanced kidney disease, comorbidities, and adverse effects of immunosuppressants, leading to physical function limitations. Limited physical function is known to hinder access to an initial kidney transplantation, but there is no information about its impact on repeat transplantations. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of physical function on access to wait-listing for repeat transplantation. Methods: Data from the national registry was utilized to analyze 28,884 kidney transplant recipients. Physical function was assessed with Karnofsky scores, and patients were categorized into three strata: total assistance, some assistance, and no assistance. Logistic regression and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the impact of physical function on waiting list access and duration until wait-listing, respectively. Results: Patients with greater physical independence were more likely to be wait-listed for repeat kidney transplantation. Highly sensitized patients, those with diabetes, Black patients, and elderly individuals had a lower likelihood of access to wait-listing after kidney failure. Interestingly, those with limited physical function, provided they remained in the work-up process, experienced a relatively shorter duration to wait-listing after graft failure.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to promote and support physical function throughout the kidney transplant journey to improve access to repeat transplantation and subsequent patient outcomes.
Investigation on meshing characteristics of spiral bevel gear under wear fault evolution with assembly errors
Authors: Li Zhanwei , Zhang Juntao , Liang Ruijun , Zhu Rupeng , Ma Hui , Ding Weimin , Song Hetao , Wang Linqiao
Published: October 2024

Spiral bevel gears have the advantage of transmitting high torque and power comparing to helical gear and straight bevel gear. However, they are susceptible to wear due to factors such as high loads, poor lubrication, and surface imperfections resulting from machining. In this study, we propose an autonomous model for predicting tooth wear and analyze the meshing characteristics of spiral bevel gear (SBG) pairs under different assembly errors. Concurrently, we establish a finite element model to validate the accuracy of our meshing characteristic analyses. We also compare the distribution patterns of wear depth on the tooth surface with existing literature. Our investigation delves into meshing characteristics, encompassing transmission errors and Time-varying mesh stiffness (TVMS), considering wear evolution under assembly errors. The results demonstrate that the fluctuations in TVMS remain consistent across all four types of assembly errors examined. Gear tooth wear leads to an increase in gear backlash and fluctuations in unloaded transmission error. The meshing stiffness fluctuation of the SBG pair enlarges under wear evolution. Assembly errors result in shifts in the initial contact line and contact pattern, subsequently altering the distribution of wear depth. Different forms of assembly errors may cause a similar effect on the distribution of wear depth and meshing characteristics.
From local to global: Village YouTubers and rural creator cultures in South India
Authors: Nayaka Srikanth , Vemireddy Vamshi Krishna Reddy , Dwivedi Prabha Shankar
Published: October 2024

This article examines emerging rural creator cultures in South India. Specifically, it focuses on the uptake and production of YouTube videos by village creators, a relatively understudied but increasingly important phenomenon given the rapid spread of social media entertainment in rural India. Through a case study on My Village Show, a YouTube media collective, this article shows how rural cultural producers transformed into ‘media workers’, ‘creators’, and ‘influencers’. The South Indian YouTubing landscape, with a multitude of village-centric social media entertainment channels, reveals a new dynamic of cultural production in the Global South, distinguished by collective, collaborative, and formalizing creator labor practices. Drawing upon ethnographic observation and in-depth interviews with rural cultural producers, this article analyzes and conceptualizes rural creator cultures within particular socio-cultural, vernacular, and regional dynamics in India.
Health beyond borders: the future of health promotion
Authors: de Leeuw Evelyne
Published: October 2024

This article situates the field of health promotion in its current cutting-edge agendas around health and wellbeing; social and other determinants of health; complexity and its associated sciences; planetary health; and inclusion and diversity. However, it is also proposed that there are emergent dimensions that should be placed more deliberately on the agendas of health promotion research and practice. The piece offers three dimensions for noting health promotion futures: a cognitive, spatial and temporal one. The first is a non-anthropocentric appreciation of the complex interactions between geosphere, biosphere and anthroposphere that can be framed through a lens of governance and cosmology; the second one is established by humankind’s journeys beyond the atmosphere into outer space; and the third one argues we – that is, the global health (promotion) community – need to account for temporal determinants of health, more consciously and conscientiously. The gazes seem beyond current agendas of health – but the article demonstrates how they are to become mission-critical aspects of contemporary and future worlds.
Comparative analysis of ride comfort evaluation indices of high-speed vehicles based on a vehicle-seat-human body coupled dynamics model
Authors: Gao Jianmin , Wang Xietang
Published: October 2024

As high-speed vehicles become increasingly lightweight, the influence of passengers on the vehicle vibration system cannot be overlooked. In this paper, a 3D vehicle-seat-human body coupled dynamics model is established to comprehensively evaluate the ride comfort of high-speed vehicles. The model combines the passenger biomechanics with the carbody flexibility. This is often neglected in previous studies and only the carbody vibrations are considered. Applying the validated model, four types of ride comfort evaluation indices are calculated and compared at 250–400 km/h. Results show that the ride comfort of high-speed vehicles at different speeds is excellent when the carbody acceleration and Sperling indices are used. While the results are significantly different when the total equivalent weighted acceleration and annoyance rate indices based on human body vibrations are used. At full load and speed of 400 km/h, the passengers sitting near the windows at both ends of the carbody felt ‘slightly uncomfortable’ or ‘less comfortable’ with an annoyance rate of about 30%, which indicates that up to 30% of the passengers might find the vibrations intolerable. This study underscores the necessity of integrating human body vibrations and passenger subjective psychology into ride comfort assessments, which can provide theory references for the selection and optimization of evaluation indices for high-speed lightweight vehicles.
A novel ultrasonic-velocity-based concrete carbonation monitoring method based on step-wise stretching technique
Authors: Sun Xiangtao , Yi Shanchang , Li Xiuquan , Cui Yongxiang , Zhang Minghui , Jiang Tianyong , Wang Lei , Kong Qingzhao
Published: October 2024

Carbonation is a common and slow process that occurs in cement-based material, resulting in durability degradation of reinforced concrete structures. In this research, the relative velocity change (d v/ v) of both ultrasonic direct waves and coda waves are extracted based on the step-wise stretching method for concrete carbonation monitoring. To this end, two-dimensional mesoscale models are established to investigate the ultrasonic propagation behaviors and assess the effectiveness of direct waves and coda waves on concrete carbonation monitoring. The numerical results indicate that direct waves could evaluate the initial carbonation, but exhibit limited sensitivity for severe carbonation. Conversely, the d v/ v values of coda waves show a linear correlation with carbonation depth in all conditions. Accelerated concrete carbonation experiments are conducted to validate the numerical findings. The experimental results and numerical findings mutually corroborate, validating the effectiveness of velocity changes of coda waves on all-stage concrete carbonation monitoring. This research contributes a novel method for monitoring concrete carbonation and enhances the understanding of ultrasonic wave propagation in concrete.
Photographs, Emotions and Protest at a Colonial Memorial in Brazzaville (Congo)
Authors: Daga Moudwe , Djimet Issa
Published: October 2024

This article explores the insights of photo-elicitation interviews as a methodological genre for understanding how people construct narratives of a memorial associated with colonialism. We argue that the interaction with photographs made the research participants feel more comfortable and at ease sharing their perspectives on the Savorgnan de Brazza Memorial, and the most salient benefit of the method derived from how people express their feelings and emotions. As our empirical data show, using photographs allows to capture people’s deep resentment against the Memorial and how they protest the contrast between the lavish Memorial on the hand, and the derelict statues honouring local historical figures on the other hand. Unlike words-only interviews, the photo-elicitation interviews offered the opportunity for the participants to visually explore the aesthetic, the magnitude and the footprint of the Memorial and to compare it to similar artefacts in the city of Brazzaville. Such contrast, and the emotions that they triggered, would not have been possible to capture if the participants were not exposed to the photographs.
Food and exercise practices among British Pakistanis; how can Bourdieu’s theory of practice help to understand them?
Authors: Hussain B , Shaw I , Timmons S
Published: October 2024

Objectives:

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are significant among the Pakistani ethnic group in the UK. Existing literature has identified food and exercise practices as contributing factors. This qualitative inquiry investigates food and exercise practices among this group. The study also identifies any cultural resistance to changing prevailing unhealthy practices.

Methods:

Five qualitative semi-structured interviews with local Pakistani community leaders, two focus group discussions, and 40 individual interviews with participants of both genders. Bourdieu’s theory of practice was used to analyse the data.

Results:

The lifestyle choices of the participants mainly follow the cultural practices of their home country. In particular, three cultural phenomena might have been contributing to CVDs among this community: a culture of consuming fatty and calorie-dense food, complexity in joint decision-making among family members, and a lack of motivation and cultural support for healthy physical activities, especially among women and older adults.

Conclusion:

It would be challenging to significantly influence this unhealthy lifestyle in the short term. Integrating religious discourse within health promotion, adopting a whole-family approach, and working with the community on healthier cooking and making exercise options culturally relevant could be helpful for reducing the prevalence of CVDs among the Pakistani community in the UK.
Similar Regional Hypertrophy of the Elbow Flexor Muscles in Response to Low-Load Training With Vascular Occlusion at Short Versus Long Muscle Lengths
Authors: da Silva Vendruscolo Levi , Brendon Helderson , Hevia-Larraín Victoria , Aihara André Yui , de Salles Painelli Vitor
Published: October 2024

Background:

The regional hypertrophy response of elbow flexor muscles was compared after unilateral elbow flexion training in extended versus flexed shoulder position under vascular occlusion, which can induce muscle hypertrophy in the absence of muscle damage-induced edema/swelling.

Hypothesis:

Hypertrophy of elbow flexor muscles would be greater in extended compared with flexed shoulder position.

Study Design:

Randomized within-subject trial.

Level of Evidence:

Level 2.

Methods:

A total of 21 resistance-trained men (age, 25 ± 5 years; height, 1.78 ± 0.07 m; weight, 79.3 ± 13.1 kg) performed unilateral elbow flexions with one shoulder extended/elbow flexor muscles lengthened/long muscle length (LONG) and the other flexed/elbow flexor muscles shortened/short muscle length (SHORT) under a low-load (30% 1-repetition maximum) vascular occlusion training regimen (15 repetitions per set, 4 sets per session, 4 sessions per week for 3 weeks, using 80% of vascular occlusion pressure). Magnetic resonance imaging measured elbow flexor muscles cross-sectional area (EFCSA) pre- and post-training at 45%, 65%, and 85% of humerus length.

Results:

EFCSA significantly increased in both SHORT ( P = 0.04) and LONG ( P = 0.05) at 45% and 85% lengths ( P < 0.01 for both). Changes in EFCSA between SHORT and LONG were statistically similar at the 45% (+6.20% vs +5.08%; Cohen d = 0.006; P = 0.98), 65% (+5.91% vs +3.83%, Cohen d = 0.28, P = 0.30), and 85% lengths (+8.51% vs +7.38%, Cohen d = 0.18, P = 0.56).

Conclusion:

Muscle hypertrophy of the elbow flexor muscles displayed a similar behavior after low-load elbow flexion training with vascular occlusion performed in the extended versus flexed shoulder position.

Clinical Relevance:

Therapists, clinicians, and coaches may choose elbow flexion exercises expecting to achieve similar results for hypertrophy in this muscle group, such that exercise selection may rely on availability of equipment in the training room or personal preference.
When Reality Meets Perception: Well-Being Effects of Objective and Subjective Person-Culture Matches in Religiosity
Authors: Vogel Vera , Hanel Paul H. P. , Sarafoglou Alexandra , Hoogeveen Suzanne
Published: October 2024

Previous research found that religious individuals report higher well-being when they live in a religious country—that is, when there is an objective match—or when they perceive their country as religious—that is, when there is a subjective match. Objective and subjective person-culture matches are typically considered different operationalizations of the same phenomenon. The present research, in contrast, suggests that objective and subjective matches are two conceptually distinct phenomena, each independently contributing to higher well-being: Across 24 countries ( N = 10,195), individuals tended to experience higher global, psychological, and physical well-being when both objective and subjective matches were high. Notably, only objective (but not subjective) matches were related to higher social well-being and life satisfaction, whereas only subjective matches were related to positive affect. Thus, jointly investigating objective and subjective matches is crucial to avoid incomplete or even incorrect conclusions about person-culture match effects on well-being.
Review of Interleukin-6 and Cardiopulmonary Bypass-Related End-Organ Injury Along With the Potential for Mitigation With Tocilizumab
Authors: Yu Althena , Amrute Junedh M. , Eghtesady Pirooz
Published: October 2024

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is essential for the conduct of open-heart procedures. While lifesaving, CPB can be associated with significant end-organ injuries believed to result from inflammatory responses triggered by the extracorporeal surfaces encountering cellular elements in the blood stream. In this review, we discuss the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the potential for Tocilizumab, an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, in mitigating these effects. We compare the inflammatory responses in CPB and cytokine storm, a clinical condition in which Tocilizumab has been effectively implemented. Finally, we examine why corticosteroids, used to reduce the morbidity of CPB, may not effectively reduce IL-6 levels.
Dimensions of Housing Deprivation in Poland: A Rural-Urban Perspective
Authors: Dudek Hanna , Wojewódzka-Wiewiórska Agnieszka
Published: October 2024

The paper focuses on severe housing deprivation and its components—overcrowding and housing conditions problems. It is based on the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) 2019 survey data. The paper analyzes this data on households in Poland—a country with significant problems in terms of housing deprivation. Three dimensions of housing deprivation are examined: experiencing only overcrowding, experiencing only housing conditions problems, and being severely housing deprived. The study aims to investigate three-dimensional housing deprivation depending on the urbanization level of living places and other socioeconomic characteristics of Polish households. The multinomial logit model was used to assess relative risk ratios for explanatory variables to achieve these purposes. It was found that some socioeconomic characteristics significantly influenced one dimension but not another. Moreover, the relative risk ratios for given characteristics sometimes are greater than one for a particular dimension and less than one for another. Specifically, a significant difference in housing conditions problems between households living in towns and rural areas was found. However, there are no significant differences in overcrowding and severe housing deprivation, given that all other explanatory variables are fixed. Furthermore, considering the relative risk as a ratio of the probability of experiencing the given dimension of housing deprivation and the probability of not being housing deprived at all, households in cities compared with rural households were more likely to be overcrowded and to experience severe housing deprivation but less likely to have housing conditions problems.
Book review: Christopher Clary, The Difficult Politics of Peace: Rivalry in Modern South Asia
Authors: Asthana Anamika
Published: October 2024

Christopher Clary, The Difficult Politics of Peace: Rivalry in Modern South Asia. Oxford University Press, 2022, 315 pp., ₹895.
Without Risk Reduction: How Black Men’s Well-being and Humanity Are Compromised in Mobile Public Spaces
Authors: Purifoye Gwendolyn Y. , Brooms Derrick R.
Published: October 2024

Much of the urban research on the daily experiences of Black men in American society has focused on Black men as perpetrators, as victims of street and gang violence, or with some carceral connection. These earlier studies highlight how racist tropes of Black men as dangerous and thus to be feared situate Black men for continuous, targeted, and aggressive actions by the state and other social actors. This places a social tax on Black men who are then bound to exercises of embodied negotiations in public social spaces where they navigate both being shunned and “disappeared” while also hyper-visible. Drawing on ethnographic data collected across several years, this article examines how Black men are targeted for aggression in mobile public spaces in Chicago, Illinois. We use public transportation as a space of interrogation because of the uniqueness of mobile places where riders and transit personnel are temporarily confined while mobile and with limited options to escape the dangers of racism and racial aggression. In these spaces, we find that (1) Black men are threatened with harm, (2) their bodies are treated as sites of fear, and (3) their well-being is risked through an institutional breach of duty to provide safety for them as passengers and transit personnel.
A Theological and Scriptural Basis for Laylayan Theology
Authors: del Castillo Fides
Published: October 2024

This paper aims to deepen the understanding of laylayan theology by examining its foundations in sacred scriptures and teachings of the Catholic Church. Among the myriad approaches in Asian theologizing, laylayan theology appropriates a Filipino cultural concept to articulate the lived religion of those on the peripheries. Through reflection on the scriptures, church teachings, and theological concepts concerning the marginalized, laylayan theology seeks to foster a dialogical imagination among the community of missionary disciples. It emphasizes the importance of attentively listening to and amplifying marginalized voices. In the spirit of synodality, all Christians, by their vocation, competence, and experiences, are on “mission on this earth” and called to bear witness to the Kingdom of God.
Factors associated with readmissions in psychiatric inpatient care: a prospective cohort study based on hospital registers
Authors: Virtanen Marianna , Peutere Laura , Härmä Mikko , Ropponen Annina
Published: October 2024

Background

Readmissions in psychiatric inpatient care may reflect problems in the provision of care, but the underlying factors are not well known. We examined the associations of patient characteristics (sociodemographic factors, diagnoses), treatment (duration, previous episodes, neuromodulation) and ward overload with psychiatric inpatient readmissions and multiple readmissions in Finland.

Methods

We used a routinely collected data pool from one hospital district and followed all 2052 hospitalizations that started in 2018. The outcomes were readmission within 30 days and one year, and among those with readmission, the number of readmissions.

Results

Of the patients, 11% had readmission within 30 days and 33% had readmission within one year. Women, those with previous hospitalizations, those with an ICD-10 diagnosis from the ‘behavioural syndromes associated with physiological disturbances and physical factors / disorders of adult personality and behaviour’ group, those with a diagnosis from the ‘neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders’ group, those with psychotic disorders, and those who received neuromodulation treatment were more likely to have readmissions. Having a diagnosis of ‘disorders of psychological development’ or ‘behavioural and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence’ was associated with a lower likelihood of readmission. The duration of treatment and ward overload during the index period were not associated with readmission.

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest possible risk factors for readmission and can be used to plan psychiatric care. To some degree, the risk factors varied between different readmission types. It is important to examine whether there are unmet treatment needs in psychiatric inpatient care for children and adolescents.
Association between weekend catch-up outdoor duration and prevalence of myopia: evidence from a cross-sectional, multi-center study in China
Authors: Ye Lu , Wang Ying , Sun Ying , Li Wu-jun , Zhang Guo-yun , Wang Wen-jun , Ren Mei-xia , Gao Jun-cheng , Liu Guan-chen , Guo Yi-ming , Huang Juan , Lu Xin-xin , Min Jie , Ran Tuan-zheng , Li Si-xuan , He Zi-tong , Jing Qi-ya , Wang Pei-quan , Qu Liu-qing , Yang Yan-qi , Ge Pan , Zhang Jian , Lv Mo-qi , Zhou Dang-xia
Published: October 2024

Background

This study aimed at investigating the relationship between the weekend catch-up outdoor duration (WCOD) and prevalence of myopia among students in China.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited participants in 107 schools (six cities, 30 districts) from China from May to June 2021. Demographic characteristics (age, grade, sex, ethnicity, BMI, resident, and parents’ myopia), optically habits (bad writing habits, working/studying time per day, continuous working/studying time per day, and screen time per day) and outdoor duration (weekday and weekend) were obtained from questionnaire. WCOD was defined as outdoor time 1 h longer on weekends than on weekdays. Spherical equivalent (SE) of refractive error were measured with non-cycloplegic refraction. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between WCOD and prevalence of myopia.

Results

Students with myopia had shorter WCOD compared with those without myopia (P < 0.001). Adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses showed negative associations between WCOD and prevalence of myopia in Chinese students, especially in students with WCOD of 2–3 h (OR = 0.577, P < 0.001) and 3–4 h (OR = 0.571, P = 0.004) when the weekday outdoor duration was 0.5–1 h, as well as students with WCOD of 2–3 h (OR = 0.614, P = 0.003) when the weekday outdoor duration was 1–2 h. Similar results were observed in students with high myopia. Students with high myopia had shorter WCOD compared with those without high myopia (P = 0.001). Negative associations between WCOD and prevalence of high myopia were significant in students with WCOD of 1–2 h when the weekday outdoor duration was < 0.5 h (OR = 0.585, P = 0.007) and 0.5–1 h (OR = 0.537, P = 0.018).

Conclusion

Our study, for the first time, reported that a WCOD have a potential to reduce the prevalence of myopia and high myopia in Chinese students.
Silver nanoparticles versus chitosan nanoparticles effects on demineralized enamel
Authors: Aboayana Mariam , Elgayar Marihan I. , Hussein Mohamed H. A.
Published: October 2024

Background

To compare the impacts of different remineralizing agents on demineralized enamel, we focused on chitosan nanoparticles (ChiNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).

Methods

This study was conducted on 40 extracted human premolars with artificially induced demineralization using demineralizing solution. Prior to the beginning of the experimental procedures, the samples were preserved in artificial saliva solution. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and teeth were divided into four equal groups: Group A was utilized as a control group (no demineralization) and received no treatment. Group B was subjected to demineralization with no treatment. Group C was subjected to demineralization and then treated with ChiNPs. Group D was subjected to demineralization and then treated with AgNPs. The teeth were evaluated for microhardness. The enamel surfaces of all the samples were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological changes and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) for elemental analysis.

Results

The third and fourth groups had the highest mean microhardness and calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) contents. SEM of these two groups revealed relative restoration of homogenous remineralized enamel surface architecture with minimal micropores.

Conclusion

Chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) and silver NPs help restore the enamel surface architecture and mineral content. Therefore, chitosan NPs and AgNPs would be beneficial for remineralizing enamel.