bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect and Mechanism of Ulinastatin Gold Nanoparticles on Proliferation and Migration of Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Li Li , Wang Jianjun , Cao Junyu , Hu Yongxian , Sun Jiangxia , Qiu Shuang , Wang Zhichen , Chen Xihua , Yang Kunxian
Published: February 2022

Gold nanoparticles (NPs) (GNPs) had been a hot spot in recent years and had been widely used in drug carriers. GNPs could be directly synthesized and showed very good physical and chemical properties. To analyze the mechanism of ulinastatin (UTI) based on GNPs in the proliferation and
migration of breast cancer cells (BCC), UTI@GNPs was prepared and applied in the treatment of sub-cultured MDA-MB-231 human BCC. According to the different dosage regimens, human BCCs was divided into S0 group (normal saline), S1 group (200 U/mL UTI@GNPs), S2 group (700 U/mL UTI@GNPs) and
S3 group (1,200 U/mL UTI@GNPs). The cell proliferative activity (PA), transfer ability (TA), heparanase (Hpa), insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGFR1), platelet activating factor receptor (PAFR), type 1 hyaluronidase (HYAL1), and CD44v6 were detected and compared before and after administration.
The results showed that the absorption peak of UTI@GNPs did not change much over time, basically floating around 535. After administration of UTI@GNPs, the levels of Hpa, HYAL1, IGFR1, CD44v6, and PAFR in the S1 group were much higher than those in the S2 and S3 group (P < 0.05),
and the PA and TA of BCC decreased greatly. In addition, the cell apoptosis rate and invasion inhibition rate of S1 group at 24 and 48 hours after administration were greatly lower than those of S2 and S3 group, and the differences were meaningful in statistical level (P < 0.05).
In short, UTI@GNPs showed small particle sizes and high stability, which was completely suitable for tumor drug delivery treatment. UTI@GNPs could effectively inhibit the PA and TA of human BCC, and its anti-tumor mechanism may be related to Hpa, HYAL1, IGFR1, CD44v6, and PAFR.
Destructive Interference of ENSO on North Pacific SST and North American Precipitation Associated with Aleutian Low Variability
Authors: Larson Sarah M. , Okumura Yuko , Bellomo Katinka , Breeden Melissa L.
Published: February 2022

Identifying the origins of wintertime climate variations in the Northern Hemisphere requires careful attribution of the role of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). For example, Aleutian low variability arises from internal atmospheric dynamics and is remotely forced mainly via ENSO. How ENSO modifies the local sea surface temperature (SST) and North American precipitation responses to Aleutian low variability remains unclear, as teasing out the ENSO signal is difficult. This study utilizes carefully designed coupled model experiments to address this issue. In the absence of ENSO, a deeper Aleutian low drives a positive Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO)-like SST response. However, unlike the observed PDO pattern, a coherent zonal band of turbulent heat flux–driven warm SST anomalies develops throughout the subtropical North Pacific. Furthermore, non-ENSO Aleutian low variability is associated with a large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern confined over the North Pacific and North America and dry precipitation anomalies across the southeastern United States. When ENSO is included in the forcing of Aleutian low variability in the experiments, the ENSO teleconnection modulates the turbulent heat fluxes and damps the subtropical SST anomalies induced by non-ENSO Aleutian low variability. Inclusion of ENSO forcing results in wet precipitation anomalies across the southeastern United States, unlike when the Aleutian low is driven by non-ENSO sources. Hence, we find that the ENSO teleconnection acts to destructively interfere with the subtropical North Pacific SST and southeastern United States precipitation signals associated with non-ENSO Aleutian low variability.
Decadal Background for Active Extreme Drought Episodes in the Decade of 2010–19 over Southeastern Mainland Asia
Authors: Wang Lin , Huang Gang , Chen Wen , Wang Ting , Chotamonsak Chakrit , Limsakul Atsamon
Published: February 2022

Severe and extreme drought in southeastern mainland Asia (SEMA) worsened drastically in 2010–19, occurring more than twice as frequently as in the preceding decade. It is found that the spring rainfall has undergone a concordant positive-to-negative transition with the turning point at 2010, and can explain 43% of the overall regime shift toward exaggerated severely dry condition. Associated with the decadal precipitation change, the anomalous northeasterlies prevail over SEMA, resulting in weakened eastward moisture propagation from the Indian Ocean as well as enhanced divergence. Meanwhile, there is downward motion over SEMA. This circulation pattern is remotely forced by a teleconnection from the tropical western Indian Ocean (TWI) SST. TWI SST is negatively correlated with SEMA precipitation and highlights a regime shift around 2010, after which the TWI has persistent warm SST helping to maintain deficient SEMA precipitation. In terms of the physical mechanism, the heating in the TWI warms the troposphere aloft and emanates wedge-shaped Kelvin waves with their northeast flank traversing SEMA, where friction-driven northeasterly low-level wind and divergence emerge to block moisture penetration from the Indian Ocean. The low-level divergence is followed by descending motion in SEMA, suppressing convection and rainfall. Further, the simulated structure forced by TWI SST alone bears a close resemblance to the observed evidence, confirming the critical role of the TWI. Finally, it is shown that ENSO and its diversity have a modulating effect on SEMA precipitation as well as on the coupling between TWI SST and SEMA precipitation, during both the previous winter and the concurrent spring.

Significance Statement

In the last decade, a sequence of extreme droughts has swept southeastern mainland Asia (SEMA), resulting in tremendous losses. Instead of examining individual extreme cases, this study aims to advance the understanding of how the active extreme drought episodes can be modulated by the decadal background and to reveal the underlying physical mechanisms. The results suggest that decadal change can explain 43% of the overall regime shift toward more extreme dry conditions, and that the sea surface temperature in the tropical west Indian Ocean has a profound impact. The knowledge obtained here has benefits for estimation of overall risks to extreme drought hazards and highlights the future work direction that skillful decadal prediction is crucial for robust planning in an uncertain climate.
Socioeconomic Status as a Risk Factor in Economic and Physical Harm from COVID-19: Evidence from the United States
Authors: Rothwell Jonathan , Smith Ember
Published: February 2022

We provide an empirical summary of the relationship between socioeconomic status and the economic and disease burden of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic in the United States. We rely on large-scale public data, including a zip code database we constructed from public records, to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic status and the risk of economic harm, COVID-19 infection, or COVID-19-related death. We find that low levels of education and income are associated with 1.3 to 2 times higher risk of economic harm and 2 to 3 times greater physical harm. Education and income have a similar effect size to racial and ethnic disparities, with many Americans of color facing worse outcomes. Using Gallup data to investigate potential mechanisms, we find that socioeconomic status is not related to preventative behavior like mask use but is related to occupation-related exposure, which puts lower-socioeconomic-status households at risk.
Do Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Savings and Job Loss during COVID-19 Explain Disparities in Housing Hardships? A Moderated Mediation Analysis
Authors: Grinstein-Weiss Michal , Chun Yung , Roll Stephen , Jabbari Jason
Published: February 2022

Despite the array of public programs offered to help households mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, many still needed to rely on savings, credit, or other assets to make ends meet. This reality may exacerbate existing social and economic inequities because racial and ethnic minorities often have lower access to assets and credit than white households. We use longitudinal national survey data to explore the extent to which different racial and ethnic groups experienced housing hardships during the pandemic, the role of liquid assets in mediating housing hardship, and whether job/income loss moderated the relationship among race/ethnicity, liquid assets, and housing hardship. We find that liquid assets significantly mediated the relationship between race/ethnicity and housing hardships and that the effect was stronger for those who lost jobs or incomes as a result of COVID-19.
Changing Patterns in Violent Victimization: An Exploration of Causes and Correlates of the Narrowing Gender Gap (1973–2018)
Authors: Lilley David R. , Stewart Megan C. , Tucker-Gail Kasey A.
Published: February 2022

Historically, violent male victimization has been substantially higher than females, but since the 1970s has declined toward near gender parity. The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify causes or correlates for this unprecedented change. Victimization data (NCS/NCVS, 1973–2018) were combined with social, economic, behavioral, and criminal justice data from eight sources to examine longitudinal trends using time series (ARIMA) and panel data modeling. Results show that the narrowing of the gender victimization ratio was not a direct byproduct of changes in crime but was correlated with lower high school dropout rates, improved economic conditions, more women in the workforce, and increased numbers of police officers. Further research is needed to identify specific causal mechanisms related to these variables.
Book review: Benjamin Robert Siegel, Hungry Nation: Food, Famine, and the Making of Modern India
Authors: sss Srimanjari
Published: February 2022

Benjamin Robert Siegel, Hungry Nation: Food, Famine, and the Making of Modern India, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018, 280 pp.
Book review: Devika Sethi, War over Words: Censorship in India, 1930–1960
Authors: Heath Deana
Published: February 2022

Devika Sethi, War over Words: Censorship in India, 1930–1960. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2019, 289 pp.
Organising grassroots infrastructure: The (in)visible work of organisational (in)completeness
Authors: José Zapata Campos María , Barinaga Ester , Kain Jaan-Henrik , Oloko Michael , Zapata Patrik
Published: February 2022

In this article we build on the concept of incompleteness, as recently developed in both organisational and urban studies, to improve our understanding of the collective actions of grassroots organisations in creating and governing critical infrastructures in the changing and resource-scarce contexts of urban informal settlements. Empirically, the article is informed by the case of resident associations providing critical services and infrastructure in informal settlements in Kisumu, Kenya. Findings suggest three organisational processes that grassroots organisations develop for the production and governance of incomplete grassroots infrastructures: shaping a partial organisation but creating the illusion of a formal and complete organisation; crafting critical (and often hidden) material and organisational infrastructures for the subsistence of dormant (but still visible) structures; and moulding nested infrastructure that shelters layers of floating and autonomous groups embedded in communities. In a resource-poor environment, the strategy is to create incompleteness, less organisation and to keep it partial and limited to a minimum of elements. The article also explores the political implications of organisational and infrastructural incompleteness by examining how it leads to efforts to craft loose and ambiguous governmental arrangements, connecting them materially and politically to formal infrastructure systems. These governmental arrangements are shifting and in the making, and therefore also incomplete. The article reveals how grassroots organisations mobilise a wide range of (in)visibility approaches. It concludes by exposing the hidden power of ‘incompleteness’ and the potential in hiding certain elements of incompleteness from outsiders, while rendering other elements visible when perceived as useful.
The ethical underpinnings of Smart City governance: Decision-making in the Smart Cambridge programme, UK
Authors: Juvenile Ehwi Richmond , Holmes Hannah , Maslova Sabina , Burgess Gemma
Published: February 2022

As Smart Cities have become more widespread, so too have concerns about their associated ethical issues. However, ethical debates in the current Smart City literature have tended to focus on issues related to the collection, processing, usage, storage and sharing of data. This paper argues that ethical debates should be extended to capture crucial decisions taken as part of Smart City governance, and the ethical references which underpin them. Using the Smart Cambridge programme as a case study, this paper draws empirical data from interviews with experts and actors involved in the programme, and highlights the ethical nature of decisions taken in key aspects of Smart City governance. The paper reveals that city officials and programme managers demonstrate acute consciousness of legal regulations, which they employ in decision-making, and are less cognisant of governance principles based on norms and values which are also drawn upon. This paper argues that there is nonetheless ethical content which can be traced in decision-making, regardless of whether ethical concerns are explicitly recognised as such.
Fifty years of Business Improvement Districts: A reappraisal of the dominant perspectives and debates
Authors: Kudla Daniel
Published: February 2022

Originally created in 1970 by a small group of business people in Toronto’s Bloor West Village, Business Improvement Districts (hereafter BIDs) have become commonplace urban revitalisation strategies in cities across the world. Many critical urban scholars have conceptualised BIDs as neoliberal organisations and have resultantly critiqued their role in contemporary urban governance. With BIDs now existing for over 50 years, the purpose of this paper is to provide an overdue reappraisal of the BID research and orient future scholarship. After describing key debates from early BID research, this paper analyses two distinct themes in more recent scholarship: (1) BID policy mobility, and (2) BIDs and social regulation. As the BID model has been transferred to new locations across both the Global North and South, its rapid mobility demonstrates the permeability, resilience and limits of neoliberal urban policies. Moreover, BIDs’ social control tactics highlight how these organisations are shaped by a neoliberal logic that seeks to manage and control urban spaces in ways that attract desirable consumers and exclude the visible poor. This paper outlines the origins of both bodies of work and traces common patterns and variances over time. It concludes by highlighting gaps in the existing literature and offers suggestions for future work.
Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science
Authors: Schlag Anne K , Aday Jacob , Salam Iram , Neill Jo C , Nutt David J
Published: February 2022

Background:

Despite an increasing body of research highlighting their efficacy to treat a broad range of medical conditions, psychedelic drugs remain a controversial issue among the public and politicians, tainted by previous stigmatisation and perceptions of risk and danger.

Objective:

This narrative review examines the evidence for potential harms of the classic psychedelics by separating anecdotes and misinformation from systematic research.

Methods:

Taking a high-level perspective, we address both psychological and psychiatric risks, such as abuse liability and potential for dependence, as well as medical harms, including toxicity and overdose. We explore the evidence base for these adverse effects to elucidate which of these harms are based largely on anecdotes versus those that stand up to current scientific scrutiny.

Results:

Our review shows that medical risks are often minimal, and that many – albeit not all – of the persistent negative perceptions of psychological risks are unsupported by the currently available scientific evidence, with the majority of reported adverse effects not being observed in a regulated and/or medical context.

Conclusions:

This highlights the importance for clinicians and therapists to keep to the highest safety and ethical standards. It is imperative not to be overzealous and to ensure balanced media reporting to avoid future controversies, so that much needed research can continue.
An analysis of the 10 MW Butoni wind farm in the Tropical Southwest Pacific Island of Fiji
Authors: Dayal Kunal K , Cater John E , Kingan Michael J , Bellon Gilles , Sharma Rajnish N
Published: February 2022

This study carries out an analysis of the 10 MW Butoni wind farm in the tropical southwest Pacific island of Fiji using 6 years of uninterrupted near-surface wind observations (2013–2018). The standard wind-industry software, WAsP is used to analyse and evaluate the wind characteristics of the wind farm and the surrounding areas. The modelled and operational AEP are discussed with the related economic analysis together with the main causes for the under-performance of the wind farm. The results revealed that the mean wind speed, power density and the AEP at the Butoni wind farm are below the utility-scale standard of 6.4 m/s, 300 W/m2 and 500 MWh/year/turbine respectively, at 55 m above ground level (AGL). The main reason for the under-performance of the wind farm is that it was commissioned for a low mean wind speed regime of Wind Power Class 1. The wind farm has a lower-than-expected capacity factor of 5.4% and a higher wind shear coefficient of 0.35. An economic analysis revealed that the payback time is 24.5 years, and the cost of energy generation is FJD $ 0.55/kWh.
Item Nonresponse in Web Versus Other Survey Modes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Čehovin Gregor , Bosnjak Michael , Lozar Manfreda Katja
Published: February 2022

Nonresponse is a fundamental issue in survey research, due to the trend of declining response rates across survey modes. This issue is particularly serious for web surveys: A recent meta-analysis found that unit nonresponse in web surveys is, on average, higher by 12 percentage points than in other modes ( Daikeler et al., 2020 ). Although the issue of unit nonresponse in web and other survey modes has been investigated in several meta-analyses, item nonresponse has not been examined meta-analytically, a gap addressed by this paper. Are web surveys at a disadvantage compared to other survey modes in terms of item nonresponse as well? To address this question, 13 eligible experimental manuscripts reporting 23 effect sizes were identified in a comprehensive literature search. Meta-analytic findings showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the average item nonresponse rate in web versus other survey modes. However, six moderator variables were found to statistically significantly affect the relation between the survey mode and the item nonresponse rate, namely, the target population, the number of contacts, the mode to which the web survey mode was compared, the survey sponsor, the age of the survey, and the baseline item nonresponse rate of the compared mode. The main practical implication is that while web and other survey modes differ in terms of unit nonresponse (on average), item nonresponse rates in web surveys are similar compared to other modes.
Tribological behavior prediction of composite MoS2-TiO2 coating using Taguchi coupled artificial neural network approach
Authors: Borgaonkar Avinash V , Ismail Syed
Published: February 2022

Solid lubricants have been popularly used in tribological applications by virtue of their excellent lubricating properties in extreme environmental conditions. The tribological performance of such lubricated surfaces can be significantly enhanced by optimization of the coating material properties. In the present study, the composite MoS2-TiO2 coating is fabricated and studied the different parameters affecting the tribological behavior of the developed coating using design of experiment Techniques such as Taguchi and artificial neural network (ANN) approach. The optimization study was performed by considering the various input parameters such as addition of wt.% of TiO2 into the MoS2 base matrix, contact pressure, sliding speed, and pin surface temperature which affects the coating’s material tribological properties. The Taguchi approach reveals that pin surface temperature has the highest influence, followed by contact pressure, and wt.% addition of TiO2. The responses predicted using both Taguchi and ANN were compared and it has been observed that ANN helps to predict the responses more accurately compared to the Taguchi approach.
Maneuver and formation control of a pair of soft pneumatic bending fingers by a cooperative strategy for planar in-hand object manipulation
Authors: Alian Amirhosein , Zareinejad Mohammad , Ali Talebi Heidar
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we seek performing dynamic in-hand object manipulation with two-segmented soft fingers in 2-D plane. Thereby, after the dynamic behavior of the soft fingers was defined, we evaluate the influence of external tip force on the finger. It is shown that the tip position error, under the effect of tip force, can be represented by uncertainties in kinematic parameters of the finger. As a result, we design a sliding-adaptive controller with compensation of kinematic uncertainties to fulfill our expectation that is controlling the tip position of the finger in vertical plane while interacting with the environment. Finally, inspired by the way that human fingers manipulate an object, a cooperative control system for manipulation is proposed which incorporates the states and tip positions of the fingers in its feedback signal. Combination of this controller with the adaptive control system yields more promising results than does the PID controller. In order to evaluate performance of the proposed controller, Simulation results for manipulation of a cubic rigid object are demonstrated.
Heat transmission in a magnetohydrodynamic multiphase flow induced by metachronal propulsion through porous media with thermal radiation
Authors: Nazeer Mubbashar , Saleem S. , Hussain Farooq , Zia Zeemal , Khalid Khadija , Feroz Nosheen
Published: February 2022

The motivation of the current study is to examine heat transmission through a non-Newtonian multiphase flow. Casson fluid is taken as the base fluid to form a particulate flow suspended with dust particles. Metachronal propulsion of two-phase flow is caused by the back and forth motion of tiny hair-like structures furnished at the opposite edges of the artery. Heat effects are further enhanced in the Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow with the application of Lorentz force and nonlinear thermal radiation. An analytic solution is achieved for coupled differential equations by considering the assumption of wavelength and ignoring the inertial forces. Cilia-driven flows are very significant in removing or discarding mucus from lungs, arteries, and bloodstream. Finally, the analytic solution is validated by conducting a comprehensive parametric study that reveals that strong magnetic field and porosity parameter hamper the motion of the Casson fluid. More thermal energy is contributed to the system of multiphase flow by strong Hartman number.
From Speculation to Substantiation: Empirically-Testing Societal Changes in Impact of Fit on Job Satisfaction from 1989, 1998, 2006, and 2016
Authors: Shoss Mindy K. , Kueny Clair Reynolds
Published: February 2022

Against the backdrop of large-scale changes in work over the past few decades, both business leaders and academics have speculated that employees’ job satisfaction is increasingly tied to the extent to which their jobs meet their desires for meaning and other reinforcers. However, empirical evidence has not yet been brought to bear on these arguments. In order to provide insights into potential socio-temporal changes in how employees derive job satisfaction from job characteristics, we analyzed repeated large-scale population surveys in the United States to examine the impact of fit between desiring and receiving job characteristics on job satisfaction across four time points (1989, 1998, 2006, and 2016). Moderated polynomial regression analyses indicated that employees in more recent years experience greater dissatisfaction by deficiencies in intrinsically-rewarding job characteristics. We interpret these findings against broader discussions of the changing employment narrative theorized to have occurred in the United States over the past several decades.
Autistic mothers’ perinatal well-being and parenting styles
Authors: Hampton Sarah , Allison Carrie , Aydin Ezra , Baron-Cohen Simon , Holt Rosemary
Published: February 2022

Autistic people may be at higher risk of perinatal mental health conditions, given that autism and mental health conditions commonly co-occur and that autistic people face additional stressors such as barriers to appropriate maternity care. This study explored self-reported stress, depression, anxiety and satisfaction with life during the third trimester of pregnancy (n = 27 autistic women; n = 25 non-autistic women), 2 to 3 months after birth (n = 24 autistic women; n = 26 non-autistic women) and 6 months after birth (n = 22 autistic women; n = 29 non-autistic women). Self-reported parenting confidence and parenting styles were explored at 6 months after birth. Autistic participants scored significantly higher than non-autistic participants on stress, depression and anxiety across the time-points as a whole, although there were no group differences for satisfaction with life. Anxiety scores significantly decreased over time for both groups. No group differences were found for parenting confidence nor parenting anxiety, nurturance, involvement or routine, although the autistic group scored lower on parenting discipline. The findings highlight the need for effective screening and support for perinatal mental health conditions for autistic people. Professionals working with autistic parents should be aware that autistic and non-autistic parents report being equally likely to engage in positive parenting behaviours such as nurturance and involvement.

Lay abstract

Autistic people can have difficulties during pregnancy and after giving birth, such as difficulty getting health care that meets their needs. Autistic people may therefore have lower well-being than non-autistic people during this time. We asked autistic and non-autistic people to fill in questionnaires measuring stress, depression, anxiety and satisfaction with life. They were asked to do this once during pregnancy, once 2 to 3 months after giving birth and once 6 months after giving birth. At 6 months after giving birth, they also filled in questionnaires about parenting. The autistic parents had higher stress, depression and anxiety scores than the non-autistic parents. For both groups, scores for anxiety went down over time. There were no differences between the groups on satisfaction with their life or how confident they were as a parent. There were no differences between the groups on most areas of parenting style, although autistic parents scored lower on parenting discipline. This study suggests that autistic people may be more stressed, depressed and anxious than non-autistic people during pregnancy and after giving birth. Autistic people therefore need good quality support during this time. This study also suggests that autistic and non-autistic parents may be just as likely to parent in positive ways such as being sensitive to their baby’s needs.
Secondary emotional labor: How female nurses respond to the contradictions of caring
Authors: Hogan Beverly , Drentea Patricia
Published: February 2022

Prior research suggests that caring is in tension with a financially incentivized, technologically-driven healthcare system. Nevertheless, employers, the public, and nurses expect nurses to be caring when providing care to patients and families. This article focuses on nurses’ emotional labor strategies when managing emotions related to organizationally imposed interference with caring. We analyzed 27 semi-structured interviews with nurses and found that the unsuccessful performance of emotional labor spills over into the women’s relationships at and outside of work. We apply Di-Cicco-Bloom and DiCicco-Bloom’s concept of secondary emotional labor to examine our findings and how secondary emotional labor further develops the alienation and exploitation concepts of Hochschild’s emotional labor theory. We suggest a structural change in nurses’ job design that remedies contradictory caring expectations and supports their emotional labor to prioritize a climate of caring for patients.
Clusters of older adults with and without experience of alcohol-related harms based on affective motivations for drinking
Authors: Santora Lidia , Byrne Don , Klöckner Christian
Published: February 2022

Aim: This cross-sectional study explores profiles of community-residing Norwegian older adults (aged 62–95 years) in relation to their personally expressed motives for alcohol use. It specifically investigates drinking motives as they uniquely characterise alcohol consumers reporting problem and non-problem drinking assessed using the Drinking Problem Index (DPI). Methods: Two-step cluster analysis was used to delineate subgroups of alcohol consumers on seven drinking motivation variables, together with DPI score. The clusters were evaluated by gender, physical health and psychological health status. Results: Four clusters of alcohol consumers were identified in relation to drinking motives: Low motivated drinkers, Ambivalent drinkers, Enhancement drinkers, and Coping drinkers. For one subgroup, a strong reliance on alcohol to cope with negative feelings was most relevant to both non-problem and problem drinkers. For another subgroup, enjoying the effects of alcohol, but non-reliance on alcohol to cope with negative mood were associated with reporting drinking problems. Ambivalent drinkers reported overall low satisfaction with mental health. Very poor physical and mental health were more prevalent in men than in women characterised as Coping drinkers. Predominantly mental health status supported distinctiveness of delineated clusters. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the classification approach to profiling of characteristics of alcohol consumers based on their motivations to drink may have a potential utility in human care settings to identify individuals who incur or may be at risk of developing alcohol-related problems in later life, and those who are not.
Discontentment trumps Euphoria: Interacting with European Politicians’ migration-related messages on social media
Authors: Heidenreich Tobias , Eberl Jakob-Moritz , Lind Fabienne , Boomgaarden Hajo G
Published: February 2022

We investigate user engagement with politicians’ migration discourses on social media. In particular, we study the effects of message framing and support base attitudes on interactions on Facebook and Twitter in five European countries. Enriching automated analysis of social media content with survey data in a multilevel negative binomial regression approach, findings show that migration-related messages tend to elicit more interactions than other kinds of messages. Furthermore, the presence of a security frame in a migration-related message positively relates to user engagement. However, additional analyses suggest that the relevance of these frames differ between different political parties. In fact, a message gets an even higher number of interactions, when the dimension of the migration issue included in those framed messages is perceived more negatively by a party’s support base. The findings have important implications for communication strategies of political actors and the state of migration discourses on social media.
‘So people wake up, what are we gonna do?': From paralysis to action in decolonizing activism
Authors: Showden Carisa R , Nairn Karen , Matthews Kyle R
Published: February 2022

In Aotearoa New Zealand, social and ethical responsibilities to work towards decolonization are shaped by the principles set out in legislation aimed at honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi). Our study with young settler activists in Aotearoa working on a range of social issues aimed to find out how these activists thought about and worked toward enacting these responsibilities. We found that most settler activists were hesitant to speak on behalf of Māori or in ways that centre Indigenous needs and experiences because they felt unsure of how to do so in a respectful way. Many settler activists suggested they met their decolonizing responsibilities if they included Māori members in their group or collaborated with Māori groups, but others put forth additional strategies. Overall, though, activists’ sense of ‘taking responsibility’ seemed to depend on Māori guidance and, if none was available, settler activists were often paralyzed. Yet Māori are not always able or willing to guide the process; still settlers must act. This imperative is our stepping off point to explore settler activists’ articulations of their responsibilities. Based on our participants’ fluid and complex thinking about and doing decolonizing work, we propose a ‘continuum of engagement’ to explore what creates possibilities for settler activists to take responsibility and action in ways that work toward decolonization but are not dependent on Māori to guide every step.
The struggle for social work professional identity in contemporary Zimbabwe: A study on abuse of the social work title
Authors: Kurevakwesu Wilberforce , Chikwaiwa Belamino K , Mandau Mulwayini
Published: February 2022

This study explores one of the key factors influencing the struggle for social work professional identity, enunciating the impact of the effectiveness of the Council of Social Workers of Zimbabwe (CSW) in regulation of social work. This article, as such, focuses on abuse of the social work title in Zimbabwe’s government departments. It examines how non-social workers abuse the title, together with related effects and possible interventions. The researchers used a qualitative approach and employed a phenomenological design. Participants were recruited through snowballing and the researchers reached data saturation after 17 semi-structured telephone interviews. The collected data were analysed through thematic analysis. Findings of the study reflect that government departments employ non-social workers as medical social workers and probation officers, and this generally affects proper service delivery and the social work profession in particular. The study further established that the CSW has to ensure the recruitment of qualified social workers and rigorous monitoring of – and improved collaboration with – government departments. The researchers then suggested that if the CSW is to make future changes in protecting the social work profession in Zimbabwe, it should, inter alia, review its current legislative framework and draw lessons of best practices from other countries.
Comparison of the views of patients and rehabilitation therapists on the importance and respecting of the patients’ rights charter
Authors: Ghayoumi-Anaraki Zahra , Forough Bakhsh Mina , Rezaei Anbarake Seyed Ahmad , Mohsenpour Mohaddeseh
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Respecting the Patients’ Rights Charter leads to the demands of patients for their rights and the response of rehabilitation therapists by increasing their compliance. The present study aimed to compare the views of patients and rehabilitation therapists about the importance and extent of compliance with the Patients’ Rights Charter.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted for 3 months on 114 patients and 55 therapists who were selected using the convenience sampling method. The data collection tools included a demographic information form and the Justification and Practice of Patient Rights Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, paired t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

Mean scores of the importance of compliance with the Patients’ Rights Charter were 2.21 ± 0.40 and 2.31 ± 0.43 in the group of patients and therapists, respectively. Moreover, the mean scores of compliance with the Patients’ Rights Charter were 1.45 ± 0.48 and 1.53 ± 0.61 from the perspective of patients and therapists, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the views of patients and therapists on the importance and extent of compliance with the Patients’ Rights Charter.

Discussion and Conclusion

The importance of respecting the Patients’ Rights Charter from the perspective of patients and therapists was at a desirable level while the level of compliance with it from the perspective of both groups was moderate. It seems that more research is needed to explain the causes of this discrepancy and increase compliance with the Patients’ Rights Charter in rehabilitation clinics.
Graphite flame retardant applied on polyester textiles: flammable, thermal and in vitro toxicological analysis
Authors: Alonso Cristina , Manich Albert , Campo Adolfo del , Felix-De Castro Paula , Boisseree Nora , Coderch Luisa , Martí Meritxell
Published: February 2022

Expandable graphite was applied to an upholstery polyester textile material as an eco-friendly flame-retardant alternative to halogenated compounds. Fabrics treated with the flame retardant were evaluated by flammability tests. Besides, thermal analysis was carried out by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Moreover, a percutaneous absorption study was conducted to verify the safety in terms of dermal penetration of the flame-retardant treated upholstery fabric for human use.

The upholstery fabric treated with expandable graphite successfully passed the flammability tests. Thermogravimetric analyses with TGA and DSC showed that the flame-retardant application slightly decreased the initial decomposition temperatures regardless of the atmosphere but increased the final residue at 600°C (35.7% in O2 and 44.5% in N2) compared to non-treated upholstered fabrics. Dermal permeation of expandable graphite applied on the polyester fabric showed no penetration after 24 h of fabric exposure time. This result demonstrated that graphite-treated polyester fabric is dermatologically and toxicologically safe for use in upholstery.

Applied expandable graphite proved an efficient and safe flame-retardant alternative to conventional flame retardants for eco-friendly flame resistance applications in upholstery fabrics.
Whistling Through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Optimism Bias and Political Beliefs in the United States
Authors: Wolaver Amy , Doces John
Published: February 2022

Utilizing a nationally representative survey of Americans from December 2020, we consider the degree to which COVID-19 risk perceptions are related to political factors. We examine the likelihood that one believes they will be infected with COVID-19, the likelihood that a peer will be infected, and the difference between the individual and peer perceived risks, known as optimism bias, and compare these perceptions across partisan characteristics. Results show that Trump voting category is the most important contributor to perceived COVID-19 risks. We find similar partisan differences as prior research, note that these differences persisted through the end of 2020, despite the post-Thanksgiving surge with high and growing rates of COVID in all regions of the United States. Contrary to prior expectations, partisanship does not strongly predict the level of optimism bias, as both assessed personal and general health risks track closely with one another by both political party and ideology.
Predictors of delayed wound healing after simultaneous endovascular treatment and minor forefoot amputation for chronic limb-threatening ischemia with wound infection
Authors: Yanagiuchi Takashi , Kato Taku , Hirano Keita , Toki Hiroyuki , Imura Haruki , Matsubara Kunihiko , Ushimaru Shunpei , Yokoi Hirokazu , Zen Kan , Matoba Satoaki
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To assess wound healing after simultaneous endovascular treatment (EVT) and minor forefoot amputation and identify the predictors of delayed wound healing in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and bacterial infections of the wounds.

Methods

In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we evaluated 79 consecutive limbs with tissue loss from 73 CLTI patients who underwent simultaneous EVT and minor forefoot amputation between November 2017 and May 2020. To estimate the rate of wound healing after the simultaneous procedure, we used the Kaplan–Meier method. To assess the association between baseline characteristics and delayed wound healing, we used the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

All patients who underwent the simultaneous procedure had ischemic wounds with bacterial infection. The rate of wound healing at 6 months reached 82%. The median time for wound healing was 76 days. According to multivariable analysis, Lisfranc/Chopart amputation (hazard ratio (HR) 2.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–6.60), absence of above-the-knee (ATK) occlusive lesions (HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.04–3.45), and poor below-the-ankle (BTA) runoff (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.01–3.11) were independent predictors of delayed wound healing.

Conclusion

Lisfranc/Chopart amputation, absence of ATK occlusive lesions, and poor BTA runoff were independent predictors of delayed wound healing after simultaneous EVT and minor forefoot amputation in patients with CLTI and bacterial infections of the wound.
Maternal anthropometric measurements and correlation to maternal and fetal outcomes in late pregnancy
Authors: Boucher Taryn , Farmer Lauren , Moretti Michael , Lakhi Nisha A
Published: February 2022

Background:

Body mass index does not distinguish between lean and fat body mass; therefore, its utility defining body composition is limited in pregnancy. Anthropometric measurements may better represent variation in body composition among women who are overweight or obese. We sought to examine body fat composition using maternal anthropometric measurements in late pregnancy and correlate with mode of delivery.

Methods:

A prospective study of pregnant patients who were overweight (body mass index: 25–29.9 kg/m2) or obese (body mass index ⩾ 30 kg/m2) with singleton pregnancies who underwent anthropometric measurements between 27 weeks, 0 days to 34 weeks, 6 days gestation. Maternal skinfold thicknesses from eight sites were used to estimate body fat mass. Correlation of skinfold thickness, anthroprometric measurements, and estimated body fat percentage on mode of delivery were analyzed with p < .05 as significant.

Results:

A total of 41 women with overweight (34.1%) or obese (65.9%) body habitus were included. Mean age was 29.9 years, and the majority (43.9%) were Black and 31.7% identified Hispanic/Latinx. The average gestational age at recruitment was 30 weeks, 2 days and 38 weeks, 6 days at delivery. A greater weight at recruitment (94.2 vs 81.8 kg, p = .023), waist circumference (47.1 vs 43.5 inches, p = .010), Huston–Presley body fat percentage (36.4% vs 31.8%, p = .030), triceps skinfold thickness (20.1 vs 15.7 mm, p = .030), biceps skinfold thickness (18.6 vs 15.0 mm, p = .042), and skinfold thickness, as well as sum of skinfold sites (83.3 vs 68.8 mm, p = .049) were associated with cesarean delivery compared to vaginal delivery on univariate analysis.

Conclusion:

Third-trimester anthropometric measurements may help predict increased risk for c-section in women with obesity. Further research may elucidate utility in nutritional counseling and delivery planning.
Dosage and clinical outcomes of medical emergency team and conventional referral mediated unplanned intensive care admissions
Authors: Satyavolu Rajkumar , Ruknuddeen Mohammad Ishaq , Soar Natalie , Edwards Suzanne Melissa
Published: February 2022

Background: Unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admission occurs via activation of medical emergency team (MET) and conventional ICU referral (CIR), i.e., ICU consultation. We aimed to compare the dosage, association with unplanned ICU admissions and hospital mortality between MET and CIR systems.

Methods: We performed a retrospective, single centre observational study on unplanned ICU admissions from hospital wards between July 2017 and June 2018. We evaluated the dosage (expressed per 1000 admissions) and association of CIR and MET system with unplanned ICU admission using Chi-square test. The relationship (unadjusted and adjusted to Australia and New Zealand risk of death (ANZROD) and lead time) between unplanned ICU admission pathway (MET vs CIR) and hospital mortality was tested by binary logistic regression analysis [Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI)].

Results: Out of 38,628 patients hospitalised, 679 had unplanned ICU admission (2%) with an ICU admission rate of 18 per 1000 ward admissions. There were 2153 MET and 453 CIR activations, producing a dosage of 56 and 12 per 1000 admissions, respectively. Higher unplanned ICU admission was significantly associated with CIR compared to MET activation (324/453 (71.5%) vs 355/2153 (16.5%) p < 0.001). On binary logistic regression, MET system was significantly associated with higher hospital mortality on unadjusted analysis (OR 1.65 (95% CI: 1.09–2.48) p = 0.02) but not after adjustment with ANZROD and lead time (OR 1.15 (95% CI: 0.71–1.86), p = 0.58).

Conclusions: Compared to CIR, MET system had higher dosage but lower frequency of unplanned ICU admissions and lacked independent association with hospital mortality.
An ultra-thinned groin flap for reconstruction of complete digital ring avulsion injuries
Authors: Manoukov Yvan , Beauthier-Landauer Violaine , Sautet Alain , Teboul Frederic , Thumser Joannie , Cambon-Binder Adeline
Published: February 2022

In complete digital ring avulsions, amputation is usually carried out when replantation of the avulsed tissue is not an option or has failed. The purpose of this study was to report our experience in treating Urbaniak Class III degloved fingers using an ultra-thinned pedicled groin flap. Sixteen patients from ages 11 to 26 years were included. In all cases, the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon, extensor apparatus and proximal interphalangeal joint were intact. Rehabilitation included immediate active mobilization, with flap division at day 21. At a mean follow-up of 15 months, all patients but one were satisfied with the appearance. Two had mild subjective cold intolerance. No flap failure was recorded. The mean total active motion was 183° and the mean QuickDASH score was 8.8/100. Patients recovered S1 sensibility according to the Mackinnon and Dellon classification. The ultra-thinned groin flap has proved to be a reliable technique for non-replantable ring avulsions.

Level of evidence: IV