bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inclusion in Public-Sector Workplaces: Charting a Path for Theory and Practice
Authors: Husar Holmes Maja , Elias Nicole M. , D’Agostino Maria J.
Published: August 2023

In the current context of public-sector workplaces, there is a more concerted effort to address identity and equity through greater inclusion. The aim of the special issue is to present emergent empirical research assessing organizational attributes, policy, and practice for achieving improved workplace inclusion and individual perceptions of inclusive public-sector workplaces. This special issue highlights studies that advance innovative methodologies to address emergent research questions related to understanding, implementing, and assessing inclusive cultures and perceptions of inclusion. The collection of articles advances the understanding and theories of inclusive practices, policies, and organizational attributes. The authors go beyond the rhetoric of inclusion to parse out how inclusion is defined and operationalized in organizations, the impact of inclusive initiatives, and areas of identity that need to be explicitly included. This research provides a pathway for intentionally making the case for inclusion, not just acknowledgment of diversity.
Mechanisms for Employee Mobility Between Organizations: A Network Analysis of Faculty Turnover in Communication, 2013 to 2022
Authors: Xu Yu
Published: August 2023

Organizations compete for scarce resources such as talent. The mobility of employees between organizations means that the inflow side acquires resources at the expense of the outflow side. This study understands employee turnover from one place to another as a mobility network where directed edges indicate migration flows between organizations. Using observational data on the turnover of tenure-line communication faculty in 129 U.S. universities from 2013 to 2022, this paper investigates the formation mechanisms of the interorganizational mobility network. The results show that the creation of migration flows is driven by transitive closure, but not by cyclic closure. Community cohesion is not a driving force of network formation. While low-prestige universities are more likely to be sources of faculty mobility than high-prestige universities, migration flows are commonly observed between organizations with similar levels of prestige. Additionally, the probability of faculty mobility between universities first decreases and then increases with their geographic distance.
Effectiveness and Safety of Percutaneous Treatment in Lesions Suggestive of Thyroid Cancer (Bethesda V and VI—T1aN0M0) Compared to Surgical Treatment: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hurtado Amézquita Yesid Camilo , Latorre Nuñez Yulieth , Flórez Romero Andrés , Mejía López María Gimena
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

Thyroid nodules are common entities, with 5% malignancy. Differentiated thyroid cancer represents 90% of thyroid malignancies, with papillary carcinoma being the most common. Management is generally surgical; among its complications are injury to the recurrent laryngeal and superior laryngeal nerve, causing hoarseness, postsurgical hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, and pain. Other noninvasive percutaneous interventions of thermal ablation such as microwave, radiofrequency, or laser incur lower costs and could be an option for treatment.

Objective:

To determine the effectiveness and safety of thermal ablation in lesions suspected of thyroid cancer (Bethesda V and VI/T1aN0M0) compared to surgical treatment.

Methods:

Systematic review/meta-analysis of observational studies and clinical trials. Database search includes MEDLINE/PUBMED, Embase, Scopus, Scielo, and BVS/LILACS. Studies on patients over 18 years of age with lesions suspicious of thyroid cancer were included.

Results:

A total of 10 studies were obtained, with 2939 patients: 1468 subjected to thermal ablation and 1471 to surgery. Regarding effectiveness, no differences were found in local recurrence [relative risk (RR) 1.17 (95% CI 0.69-1.99)] and cervical lymph node metastasis [RR 0.76 (95% CI 0.43-1.36)]. Regarding safety, infection [RR 0.29 (95% CI 0.05-1.74)], hematoma [RR 0.57 (95% CI 0.17-1.94)], and transient hoarseness [RR 0.77 (95% CI 0.39-1.51)] were evaluated, without difference. However, permanent hoarseness had significant differences in favor of thermal ablation [RR 0.29 (95% CI 0.11-0.75)].

Conclusions:

Thermal ablation for the treatment of T1aN0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma is equally effective when compared to surgical techniques and offers a better safety profile, particularly in permanent hoarseness.
Furthering Ontological Pluralism, Maybe: The Strange Case of the Microbial Recordings
Authors: Moreira Tiago
Published: August 2023

This paper describes the trials and tribulations of drawing on Latour’s work on ontological pluralism ( An Inquiry into the Mode of Existence) to make sense of a series of recordings collected by participants in a sensorial urban walk focused on bacterial “field marks” that I developed with artist-researcher Louise Mackenzie. I explore the possibility that our inability fully account for the recordings should not be seen as failure but instead could be related to the generative power of compound intersections between modes of ordering. I propose that specific arrangements of mode of existences deploy the confusion that we experienced in listening to the microbial walk recordings. Drawing on Serres’s sensorial philosophy of knowledge, I suggest that caring for “neglected things” might entail attending also to incomplete, confused ways of being.
Metaphors at work: Reconciling welfare and market in Danish digitalisation policies
Authors: Jørgensen Rikke Frank , Søe Sille Obelitz
Published: August 2023

The way in which we describe processes of automation, the digital society and the technology companies that deliver many of its services carry implicit and sometimes contradicting values and ideas about the society envisioned. In this paper, we are interested in unfolding some of the metaphors that guide political discourses on digitalisation in Denmark, particularly those related to the nexus between the welfare state and the market. We propose that metaphorical analysis of policy documents serves to tease out and confront the implicit values and tensions related to how welfare ideologies are reconciled with market logics. This carries important messages about the Danish government’s imaginary of digitalisation and citizens, such as which role citizens are expected to play vis-à-vis digital services and welfare provisions. This paper argues that in contrast to the EU’s declared goal of human-centric digitalisation, the Danish government relies on metaphors that are technology-centric rather than human-centric.
Theological Education as Practice of Hospitality
Authors: Behera Marina Ngursangzeli
Published: August 2023

This article will explore the metaphor of hospitality as an approach to theological education and missional formation for bridging the gap between the catholicity of the church and theological curricula which are rooted in specific traditions and contexts. The argument starts with a reflection on online teaching as a context renewed through the pandemic which reflects back on classroom teaching. The article explores the forms of presence offline and online and fleshes out what hospitality offers for new avenues for theological education and missional formation in context.
Robust feedback motion planning via contraction theory
Authors: Singh Sumeet , Landry Benoit , Majumdar Anirudha , Slotine Jean-Jacques , Pavone Marco
Published: August 2023

We present a framework for online generation of robust motion plans for robotic systems with nonlinear dynamics subject to bounded disturbances, control constraints, and online state constraints such as obstacles. In an offline phase, one computes the structure of a feedback controller that can be efficiently implemented online to track any feasible nominal trajectory. The offline phase leverages contraction theory, specifically, Control Contraction Metrics, and convex optimization to characterize a fixed-size “tube” that the state is guaranteed to remain within while tracking a nominal trajectory (representing the center of the tube). In the online phase, when the robot is faced with obstacles, a motion planner uses such a tube as a robustness margin for collision checking, yielding nominal trajectories that can be safely executed, that is, tracked without collisions under disturbances. In contrast to recent work on robust online planning using funnel libraries, our approach is not restricted to a fixed library of maneuvers computed offline and is thus particularly well-suited to applications such as UAV flight in densely cluttered environments where complex maneuvers may be required to reach a goal. We demonstrate our approach through numerical simulations of planar and 3D quadrotors, and hardware results on a quadrotor platform navigating a complex obstacle environment while subject to aerodynamic disturbances. The results demonstrate the ability of our approach to jointly balance motion safety and efficiency for agile robotic systems.
Does the kidney actually swell during an acute urinary tract obstruction?
Authors: Sahlén Klara , Lönnemark Olle , Lönnemark Maria , Wernroth Lisa , Magnusson Anders
Published: August 2023

Background

The appearance of renal swelling during an acute obstruction of the urinary tract could be caused by hydronephrosis or an increase of the parenchymal volume. To the best of our knowledge no studies have been performed regarding renal parenchymal volume change during an acute urinary tract obstruction.

Purpose

To investigate the change in renal parenchymal volume during an acute urinary tract obstruction and to correlate any such volume change to the degree of secondary signs of obstruction.

Material and Methods

In total, 20 patients with obstructive ureterolithiasis were retrospectively and randomly included. Two observers measured the parenchymal volume of the obstructed and the contralateral kidney in CT examinations before, during, and after obstruction. Hydronephrosis, hydroureter, perirenal stranding, and thickening of the renal fascia were graded and correlated to volume change.

Results

A decreased volume was noted after obstruction in the obstructed kidneys (−24%) ( P < 0.0001) and in the contralateral kidneys (−5%) ( P = 0.0110) with a positive correlation of change in volume ( P = 0.011). The volume of the obstructed kidneys was larger than the contralateral kidneys during obstruction ( P < 0.0001) but not after obstruction ( P = 0.559). No significant difference in volume was found before compared to after obstruction. Secondary signs of obstruction did not correlate to volume change.

Conclusion

The parenchymal volume increases in the obstructed kidneys as well as in the contralateral kidneys during obstruction. The increase in volume was larger in the obstructed kidneys compared to the contralateral kidneys. After obstruction the kidneys regained their original volume. Secondary signs did not correlate to volume change.
Impacts of Connected and Automated Vehicles on Travel Demand and Emissions in California
Authors: Sun Ran , Circella Giovanni , Jaller Miguel , Qian Xiaodong , Alemi Farzad
Published: August 2023

The emerging connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology is likely to bring significant changes to the transportation world. This study helps understand how the anticipated emergence of CAVs will affect various aspects of society and transportation, including travel demand, vehicle miles traveled, energy consumption, and emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. We design a set of future system configurations under the California Statewide Travel Demand Model framework to simulate scenarios for the deployment of passenger CAVs in California by 2050. These scenarios consider the ownership and operational type (e.g., private and shared) of CAVs, as well as additional policies such as pricing and the use of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to curb potential impacts. The scenarios are: 0. Baseline (no automation); 1. Private CAV; 2. Private CAV + Pricing; 3. Private CAV + ZEV; 4. Shared CAV; 5. Shared CAV + Pricing; 6. Shared CAV + ZEV. Impacts of the introduction of CAVs across the transportation system are quantitatively estimated. The results indicate that the mode shares of public transit and in-state air travel will likely sharply decrease, while total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and emissions will likely increase, because of the relative convenience of CAVs. The results also show that VMT could be substantially affected by a modification in auto travel costs. This means that the implementation of pricing strategies and congestion pricing policies, together with policies that support the deployment of shared and electric CAVs, could help reduce tailpipe pollutant emissions in future scenarios.
Prevention of complications of surgical treatment of stage III-IV cystocele using light polypropylene mesh
Authors: Banakhevych Roman , Akymova Klavdiia , Pariienko Kateryna , Nechaiev Vsevolod
Published: August 2023

Objective:

The purpose of study was to report the subjective and objective results of different methods of surgical treatment of cystocele using the transvaginal Mesh-system.

Methodology:

A prospective study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2020 comparing anterior colporrhaphy with vaginal mesh and two distinct types of vaginal wall repair sutures in the surgical treatment of cystocele. The primary endpoint was the incidence rate of vaginal wall erosion complications 12 months after surgery. Secondary endpoints were anatomic outcomes, TVM-related morbidity, and patient satisfaction measured using validated questionnaires.

Results:

In total, 102 patients with stage III-IV cystocele and the average age of 67.2 ± 3.1 years (age range of 47–79 years old) took part in the study. Of the 102 women initially enrolled, 102 (100%) were successfully followed up 12 months after primary surgery. The primary result, the objective erosion development, was radically different in the comparison groups (1.6% against 23.5%, respectively). Analysis of the improved method of operative treatment showed a prominent level of positive, uncomplicated, surgery results of 98.4% (60/61). The anatomic success rate of recovery from cystocele was 99.9% (101/102) 12 months after surgery.

Conclusion:

The suggested method of restoring the anterior vaginal wall in stage III-IV isolated cystocele without signs of incomplete and complete prolapse of the uterus showed a radically positive result. The number of complications was relatively high in the comparison group, but no difference was observed in satisfaction with the anatomical results of the surgery. The percentage of the vaginal wall erosion when using a single-layer suture is 23.5%, when using a two-layer suture is 1.6%
Between the acts: At home in uncertain times
Authors: Andrews Timothy
Published: August 2023

Written during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, this short essay reflects on a changing world in the midst of major upheaval. Bringing together the philosophical thought of the late Agnes Heller with the historical meditations expressed in Virginia Woolf’s final novel Between the Acts, the essay attends to the ways that historical transition plays out in the everyday. Writing on the cusp of the Second World War, Woolf is acutely aware of an atmosphere of historical change, and she writes this unease into the everyday transitions of her characters and ambience of the novel. Drawing on Heller’s reflections on notions of home, I consider how our experience of everyday life reflects the undulations of history. Taking Woolf’s prompt, I tune into the ways that the unease of historical transition enters the everyday through a heightened awareness of contingency and growing sense of the uncanny.
Methodology to quantify single-use plastic products in municipal solid waste Part 1: Development of a sampling methodology
Authors: Spies Alena Maria , Geldmacher Jonathan , García López Cristina , Pretz Thomas , Raulf Karoline
Published: August 2023

In recent years, the consumption of plastic products intended for single use has increased. Directive (EU) 2019/904 aims to reduce the use and the resulting generated waste quantity of single-use plastic (SUP) products. Therefore, manufacturers of SUP products are required to contribute proportionately to the costs of disposing of their products in public collection systems, including litter waste. One possibility to develop a cost model is to determine SUP-product quantities in relevant municipal solid waste (MSW) streams. The partly low quantities and small size of specific SUP products and the focus on waste from public collection systems, including litter waste, impede special requirements for the sampling and analytical procedures. This article provides an approach for sampling and analysing MSW to determine SUP-product quantities. The developed sampling method examines the selection of a suitable sampling area, considering the possibility of extrapolation to a national scale. The adapted sampling procedure aims to achieve statistically representative results. The presented sample preparation is especially suitable for low quantities and small SUP-product sizes. The developed sampling and analytical method aims to achieve representative and reproducible results regarding SUP-product quantities in MSW. The results can contribute to the development of a cost model based on Directive (EU) 2019/904.
Evaluating the resource recovery efficiency of garbage removal and disposal in Taiwan
Authors: Li Haoyuan , Lu Ching-Cheng , Yang Chih-Yu , Chung Yao-Ching
Published: August 2023

All countries recognize the importance of enhancing circular resource utilization and promoting zero waste in order to achieve a circular economy. This study focuses on 22 counties (cities) in Taiwan and analyses the relationship between changes in resource recovery efficiency and productivity over an 8-year period (2011–2018) using the super efficiency directional distance function and total factor productivity. The results indicate that the average total efficiency of resource recovery in the 22 counties (cities) is 1.3951, with 17 counties (cities) exceeding 1. The average gross productivity of resource recovery is 1.0417, and only four counties have a gross productivity of less than 1. Despite having more administrative resources, municipalities directly under the central government have a slightly lower average total efficiency of resource recovery (1.1464) than non-municipalities (1.4885). To improve efficiency, the government should allocate resources rationally and upgrade technology. The study’s findings can serve as a reference for the 22 counties (cities) in Taiwan and provide guidance for municipal governments worldwide in developing policies related to resource recovery.
Acceptability and Feasibility of Text Message Interface to Assess Parents’ Real-time PICU Experiences
Authors: Rothschild Charles B. , Balistreri Kathryn A. , Mulligan Kathryn , Lee K. Jane , Karst Jeffrey , Privatt Miranda , Magner Kristin , Lee Han-Joo , Scanlon Matthew , Davies W. Hobart ,   for the Pediatric Collaborative for Resilience and Emotional Wellness Science (Pediatric CREWS)
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Parents of children in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) experience substantial stress; a parent's perception of their child's illness severity, more than objective measures, predicts psychological outcomes. No tools exist to assess parents’ real-time experiences. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a text-based tool to measure parental experience.

Methods

Inclusion criteria included PICU stay >48 h, physician approval, smartphone access, and English-speaking caregiver. Eligible parents received a text-based baseline survey and surveys every other day while hospitalized regarding their mood/experiences and optional open-ended questions regarding stressors. They received post-discharge follow-up surveys at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months. Follow-up surveys assessed mood and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Interviews and surveys about the interface were conducted 1 week and 3 months following discharge. Feasibility was assessed by descriptive statistics (eg, response rates), and acceptability was assessed by descriptive statistics (survey results) and thematic analyses of interviews.

Results

Of 20 enrolled participants, the first 5 were excluded due to technical issues. Of the 15 included, results demonstrated feasibility and acceptability. Most participants (86%) completed all surveys during the PICU stay and continued to complete surveys at a high rate: 79%–94% 3 months post-discharge. All participants agreed that the system was easy to use and were satisfied with the system at discharge, and 91% remained satisfied 3 months post-discharge. Additionally, 76% reported comfort, and 69% reported benefit. From the interviews, participants lauded the system's convenience and applicability of content. Some proposed changes to improve ergonomics. Many suggested this interface could help teams better support families.

Conclusions

A text-based interface for measuring experience in the PICU is feasible and acceptable to parents. Further research can explore how this could identify parents most at risk of adverse psychological sequelae and lead to earlier supportive interventions.
Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Spirituality Instrument-27 (SpI-27©)
Authors: Bıngol Berfin , Yılmaz Medine , Weathers Elizabeth
Published: August 2023

Introduction: This methodological study aimed to adapt the Spirituality Instrument-27 (SpI-27©) to the Turkish language and culture. Design: The psychometric study was carried out with 267 individuals who were hospitalized in the cardiology clinic and who were diagnosed with a chronic disease. Data collection tools were the demographic questionnaire and the SpI-27©. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for data analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin index was 0.848 and Bartlett's test of sphericity was statistically significant ( p = 0.000). The root mean square error of approximation was 0.05, the standardized root mean squared residual was 0.04, the adjusted goodness-of-fit index was 0.87, the goodness-of-fit index was 0.92, the nonformed fit index was 0.91, and the comparative fit index was 0.90. Connectedness with others accounted for 38.24 of the total variance, self-transcendence accounted for 11.71, self-cognizance accounted for 10.56, and conservationism and belief accounted for 9.82 of the total variance (total variance was 70.34%). The highest item factor loading of the scale was 0.812 and the lowest one was 0.398. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.927. Conclusion: This measurement tool will enable researchers to plan and implement nursing interventions accurately and effectively by assessing the spiritual needs of individuals with nonmalignant chronic diseases. The use of this tool in different languages can help diagnose the spiritual needs of nurses working with multicultural and multilingual patients.
Optimization of ideal engine parameters to adopt ammonia and algae biodiesel for reactivity controlled compression ignition engine using response surface methodology
Authors: Elumalai R , Ravi K
Published: August 2023

Renewable and green fuels like carbon-free ammonia and carbon neutral algal-biodiesel appear to be more promising alternatives. Reactivity controlled compression ignition offers a viable alternative to classical combustion. In current delving, compression ratio, injection timing and premixing ratio are established by investigating the combustion, performance, and emission parameters of reactivity-controlled compression ignition operation fueled with ammonia and algae biodiesel as low reactive and high reactive fuel. Primarily, different compression ratio (16, 17, and 18) for different ammonia energy premixing fractions (20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) at 80% load with standard injection time (24° before top dead center) was evaluated to identify the ideal compression ratio. Next stage, different Injection timing (24°, 26°, and 28° before top dead center) was examined with that ideal compression ratio at 80% load utilizing combustion attributes. Finally, with the ideal compression ratio and injection timing (18° and 26°), the performance and emission for various ammonia energy premixing fractions (20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) on the entire load ranges (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) were investigated and the optimal fuel fraction was arrived by multi objective optimization technique in response surface methodology by considering response weights. The multi objective optimization result enhances the 43% ammonia premixing combustion. The experimental validation of 43% ammonia premixing combustion achieved the best brake thermal efficiency of 34.02% whereas fuel consumption is 12.72 MJ/kWh. The maximum emission rate of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and smoke opacity is 47 ppm, 0.084% volume, 2.04% volume 593 ppm and 15.9%. In comparison to the Conventional biodiesel combustion, an increase in efficiency of 3.34% and a decrease in energy consumption of 3.72% are achieved for the 43% ammonia energy premixing combustion. Similarly, emissions were reduced by 45.35%, 44%, 46.25%, 23.44%, and 28.38% respectively than conventional biodiesel combustion.
Study on surface quality of CNTs/2009Al composites in grinding process with a volume fraction ratio of 3%
Authors: Wang Bin , Gao Qi , Sun Mengmeng , Liu Jiayi , Zheng Baohong
Published: August 2023

Composite materials made of aluminum-based carbon nanotubes (CNTs/Al) are often employed in industries like aerospace and national defense that place a high priority on material processing accuracy at the material’s surface. The most popular machining technique for enhancing the surface quality of materials is grinding. This paper built a prediction model for the surface roughness of CNTs/2009Al composites and identified the process of micro-grinding. Using the ABAQUS software, a non-uniform finite element simulation model of the single abrasive grain grinding process of CNTs/2009AL composites was created. An electroplated diamond grinding rod with a diameter of 2 mm was used in the micro-grinding experiment on the CNTs/2009Al composite, and the impact of the grinding parameters on the quality of the machined surface was examined. According to the findings, the feed speed has the least impact on the material’s surface roughness, whereas the spindle speed and grinding depth both have a significant impact. The measurement of the minimal roughness is 0.117 m. A shallower grinding depth, a lower feed rate, and a correspondingly higher spindle speed should be used in order to provide a superior surface quality. According to the prediction model of micro-grinding surface roughness and laser confocal microscope scanning, the primary phenomena of CNTs in the grinding process include pull-out, fracture, and elastic deformation.
Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Cuban adolescent and young populations
Authors: Soto Brito Yudira , Fonseca Castro Darien Alejandro , Guilarte Garcia Elias , Kouri Cardellá Vivian , Ramirez Cardentey Celeste , Mondeja Rodriguez Brian Arturo , Concepción López Jesús José , Sánchez Alvarez María de Lourdes , López Pérez Maida , Gutierrez Coronado Teresita , Torres Mosqueda Karelia , Suárez Licor Georgina
Published: August 2023

Background

In Cuba, little is known regarding the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection in adolescents and young people. We study the frequency of CT infection in these populations, and its association with clinical-epidemiological variables.

Methods

A total of 496 individuals aged 12 to 24 were recruited from November 2018 to November 2019. Of them, 302 were patients attending at sexually transmitted infections (STI) services and 194 were young volunteers. CT detections were carried out by real-time PCR and IgG serology.

Results

The prevalence of CT using PCR was 9.1% (45/496); 12.3% (37/302) for subjects attending STI service and 4.1% (8/194) for young volunteers, being significantly higher in the first group (OR=3.25; p=.001). CT IgG antibodies was detected in 38.6% (81/210). Individuals from 12 to 17 years old were more likely infected with CT (OR=2.21; p=.010). Infection was associated with the early onset of sexual intercourse, the frequent changing of sexual partners and black ethnicity.

Conclusions

The results suggest that Cuban adolescents and young populations are at highest risk of acquiring CT infection and developing reproductive complications. The data obtained advise the needs of implementation of a routine CT screening strategy, for timely diagnosis, detection and treatment at the earliest ages.
Breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s Research: A Path to a More Promising Future?
Authors: Fatima Hareer , Rangwala Hussain Sohail , Riaz Faiza , Rangwala Burhanuddin Sohail , Siddiq Mohammad Arham
Published: August 2023

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a widespread neurodegenerative disorder with a significant global impact, affecting approximately 50 million individuals, and projections estimate that up to 152 million people will be affected by 2050. AD is characterized by beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, leading to cognitive decline.

Recent research on AD has made significant strides, including the development of an “amyloid clock” biomarker that tracks AD progression through positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Surf4 and other genes have been discovered to play a role in regulating beta-amyloid toxicity, while inhibiting the enzyme hexokinase-2 has shown positive results in preclinical studies. New brain mapping techniques have identified early brain-based causes of cognitive changes in AD, and biomarkers such as neuronal pentraxin protein Nptx2 and astrocytic 7-subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (7nAChRs) show potential for early detection. Other approaches, such as replenishing the enzyme Tip60, selectively degrading the modified protein p-p38 with PRZ-18002, and targeting the protein voltage-dependent anion channel-1 (VDAC1), have shown promise in enhancing cognitive function and preventing pathophysiological alterations linked to AD. Baseline blood samples and other biomarkers such as urine formic acid, p-tau 198, microRNAs, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) have also been discovered for early detection and intervention of AD. Additionally, recent FDA approvals for medications such as aducanumab and lecanemab provide options for reducing AD symptoms and improving function, while clinical trials for dementia vaccines show promise for the nasal and beta-amyloid 40 vaccines as well as vaccinations targeting tau.

Key Messages

These advancements in AD research, including biomarker discovery and the development of disease-modifying treatments, are crucial steps towards improving the lives of those affected by AD and finding a cure for this debilitating disease.
Review of methods for detection and characterization of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in aquatic organisms
Authors: Maboni Grazieli , Prakash Niharika , Moreira Maria Aparecida S.
Published: August 2023

Mycobacteriosis is an emerging and often lethal disease of aquatic organisms caused by several non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species. Early diagnosis of mycobacteriosis in aquaculture and aquatic settings is critical; however, clinical diagnoses and laboratory detection are challenging, and the available literature is scarce. In an attempt to fill the gap, here we review the most relevant approaches to detect and characterize mycobacteria in clinical specimens of aquatic organisms. Emphasis is given to recent advances in molecular methods used to differentiate NTM species spanning from targeted gene sequencing to next-generation sequencing. Further, given that there are major gaps in our understanding of the prevalence of the different NTM species, partially because of their distinct requirements for in vitro growth, we also reviewed the most relevant NTM species reported to cause disease in aquatic organisms and their specific in vitro growth conditions. We also highlight that traditional bacterial culture continues to be relevant for NTM identification, particularly in non-automated laboratories. However, for NTM species discrimination, a high level of accuracy can be achieved with MALDI-TOF MS and molecular approaches, especially targeted gene sequencing applied from clinical specimens or from pure NTM isolates.
Analyzing Linguistic Disparities in Telehealth Care Outcomes at a Multidisciplinary Craniofacial Center
Authors: Danial Elizabeth , Rios Jennifer , Badiee Ryan , Rosenbluth Glenn , Pomerantz Jason H.
Published: August 2023

Objective

To examine linguistic disparities between English- and Spanish-speaking patients in access to care, satisfaction, and telehealth appointment attendance.

Design

Retrospective study recording demographics for non-attendance analysis and conducting phone surveys assessing satisfaction with telehealth.

Setting

Data was collected between March and December 2020 at the UCSF Craniofacial Center (CFC), a multidisciplinary pediatric clinic. Patients: English- and Spanish-speaking patients with a telehealth appointment. Interventions: The CFC offered language-concordant outreach, assistance with the telehealth platform, and interpreters at all telehealth appointments.

Main Outcome Measures

Demographics and patient-reported satisfaction with telehealth, barriers, and instruction clarity.

Results

Medicaid insurance was the only predictor of non-attendance. Surveys revealed that Spanish-speakers had 12.4 times the odds of lacking access to telehealth technology and 10.7 times the odds of needing help with logging on compared to English-speakers. There were no significant differences in satisfaction outcomes.

Conclusions

We attribute this equity in satisfaction to our language-concordant outreach efforts.
A Comparison of Injectable Diazepam and Lorazepam in the Goal-Directed Management of Severe Alcohol Withdrawal
Authors: Brickel Kendall H. , Hodge Emily K. , Zavgorodnyaya Daria , Schroeder John M. , Brown Lawrence H. , Daley Mitchell J.
Published: August 2023

Background:

Benzodiazepines are the gold standard for treatment of alcohol withdrawal, yet the selection of a preferred benzodiazepine is limited due to a lack of comparative studies.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of injectable lorazepam (LZP) and diazepam (DZP) in the treatment of severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS).

Methods:

Retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to an intensive care unit with a primary diagnosis of AWS. Subjects who received at least 12 LZP equivalent units (LEU) of injectable DZP or LZP within 24 hours of initiation of the severe AWS protocol were included. The primary outcome was time with Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol–Revised (CIWA-Ar) scores at goal over the first 24 hours of treatment.

Results:

A total of 191 patients were included (DZP n = 89, LZP n = 102). Time with CIWA-Ar scores at goal during the first 24 hours was similar between groups (DZP 12 hours [interquartile range, IQR, = 9-15] vs LZP 14 hours [IQR = 10-17]), P = 0.06). At 24 hours, LEU requirement was similar (DZP 40 [IQR = 22-78] vs LZP 32 [IQR = 18-56], P = 0.05). Drug cost at 24 hours was higher in the DZP group ($204.6 [IQR = 112.53-398.97] vs $8 [IQR = 4.5-14], P < 0.01).

Conclusion and Relevance:

DZP or LZP are equally efficacious for the treatment of severe AWS. LZP may be preferred due to cost but both medications can be used interchangeably based on availability.
Impact of Human Management of Hand-Dug Well Facility and Its Accessories on Groundwater Quality
Authors: Ogunbode Timothy O , Oyebamiji Victor O , Aromolaran Olukemi , Faboro Oluwatobi O , Ogunbode Ibukun R
Published: August 2023

Hand-dug well facility is susceptible to pollution by natural and anthropogenic sources but pollution associated with human handling and management of hand-dug well facility and its accessories has been rarely discussed. A structured questionnaire was administered among 260 respondents cutting across the 5 quarters in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. The data collected was subjected to both descriptive and inferential analysis. Descriptive analysis showed that majority of the respondents were of female gender who relied largely on manual mode of fetching water in their respective hand-dug well facilities. Apart from this, different kinds of ropes of varying qualities were attached to their respective water fetchers, 72.69% of which are tyre-tube containers. Data factorability and its adequacy tests showed KMO value of 62.0% and its significance at P < .05, indicating that the data can be processed through Factor Analysis (FA). FA revealed that the pollution of well water attributed to human-handling of hand-dug well facility is associated with 8 variables with a total explanation of 75.55% namely; vicinity of the facility, the side wall quality of the hand-dug well, facility utilisation frequency, facility management authorities, maintenance of the associated facilities, quality of the lid, quality of water drawers and preference for the use of drawer at a time whether single or multiple. The findings suggest that stakeholders should make uptight effort to take the management of hand-dug well facility more conscientiously for sustainable human health. Further research is suggested to extend the frontiers of knowledge on pollutants associated with hand-dug water facility.
The association of voice problems with exposure to indoor air contaminants in health care centres – the effect of remediation on symptom prevalence: A follow-up study
Authors: Vilén Liisa , Atosuo Janne , Putus Tuula
Published: August 2023

Voice problems are common in occupations where there is noise, dust, odours or fumes and microbial contamination. The purpose of this study is to find out the prevalence of hoarseness, its changes over the follow-up and the effect of the remediation on the prevalence. A total of 13 health care buildings were followed, 10 with indoor air problems and 3 as reference buildings. Three buildings were thoroughly remediated, and their effects were analyzed. A health questionnaire was used, before and after the remediation. Blood samples and skin prick tests were performed on all volunteers. Based on findings, 17.0% of the respondents reported hoarseness at least every week. The skin test findings for common environmental allergens, moisture damage microbes and mites were approximately similar in the exposed and reference groups, respectively. Hoarseness had a strong correlation with indoor air problems. Before the remediation, hoarseness and voice problems were more prevalent in the problem buildings. After the remediation, hoarseness was reduced by 50%. In conclusion, this study shows a connection between indoor air exposure and technical damage in buildings. The remediation significantly reduced the prevalence of hoarseness. Mould allergy is rare and does not explain the voice problems.
Study of the in-plane crashworthiness performance of 6-legged starfish-inspired structures
Authors: Doan ThanhSon , Nguyen ThaiVan , Lương VanVan , Pham HoangTu , Dang QuocCuong , Le HuuSon , Tran TrongNhan
Published: August 2023

Bio-inspired design is an impressive design method that improves a structure's crashworthiness performance and mechanical features. A cellular structure bio-inspired by a 6-legged starfish shape has been developed. Accordingly, this study examines the in-plane crushing behavior and crashworthiness of the 6-legged starfish-inspired structure (6LSIS). Analytical solutions were built based on the principle of energy balance to estimate the plateau stress in low-impact velocity conditions. Plateau stresses are related to high-impact velocities using a curve fitting method for a given wall's thickness. The predictions matched the numerical results. The crashworthiness performance of the 6LSISs mainly depends on wall thickness, impact velocity, and loading direction. It has been observed that an increase in wall thickness and impact velocity results in an enhancement in plateau stress ( σpl), specific energy absorption (SEA), and peak load (PL) in both directions. However, if the wall thickness is >0.3 mm, SEA decreases due to an increase in the structure's mass. The in-plane crushing direction ( X or Y) determines the crushing strength and deformation mode of the structure. This study illustrates that the crashworthiness of the structure in the X-direction is superior to that in the Y-direction.
Digital consumers and platform workers unite and fight? The platformisation of consumer activism in the case of #cancel_efood in Greece
Authors: Vrikki Photini , Lekakis Eleftheria
Published: August 2023

This paper fills a gap in the literature of platform economy in relation to consumers’ perceptions and actions regarding labour justice. It coins the term ‘platformised consumer activism’ and explores #cancel_efood to appraise how consumer activism is expressed through and against platforms. In September 2021, one of the most popular delivery service apps in Greece suddenly requested its workers who were on short-term expiring contracts to switch to freelance contracts. The instant uproar that followed included nation-wide mass mobilisations, as well as a trending topic on Greek Twitter #cancel_efood inviting consumers to uninstall the app and give it the lowest possible rating. Drawing on nascent literature regarding worker resistance in the platform economy, as well as digital consumer activism, we locate a gap in consumers’ perceptions and solidarities. We question power and resistance in the platform economy and argue that the tendency to celebrate digital media and consumer activism persists, despite evidence of growing awareness of the limitations of both in the platform economy. We showcase how the success of #cancel_efood cannot suggest that consumers are the new warriors of labour justice in the platform economy, but that their practices, enabled by connectivity and solidarity, can increase the visibility of workers’ struggles, and put pressure on specific platform players when they are about to violate workers’ rights.
Academic housework in pandemic times: COVID-19 effects on the gendered distribution of academic work in Portugal
Authors: Lopes Mónica , de Camargo Santos Caynnã
Published: August 2023

A large body of scientific literature has highlighted the gendered division of academic work, particularly the undervalued and invisible tasks that make up the less prestigious dimension of the academic professions. Informed by the concept of ‘academic housework’, this paper explores the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the gendered distribution of academic work, drawing from the results of a survey of 1750 lecturers and researchers from Portuguese public universities. Our results, based on a series of linear and categorical regressions, point to the reinforcement of gender inequalities in the division of academic labour during the pandemic. This is reflected in worsening imbalances in the allocation of time to unpaid, invisible ‘institutional housekeeping’ and to emotional, institutional care work, including mentoring and supporting students. The fact that women, regardless of their family or professional situation, bore the greater share of the effort associated with the increased material and emotional demands of teaching and academic service during this period is reflected in an increasing imbalance in the allocation of time to research, which involves fundamental activities for career advancement. Our findings underline the need to rethink the current neoliberal model of academic meritocracy and to begin to recognise and value the gendered and invisible work of academics.
Vertical greening: The state of the art in digital modeling and simulation
Authors: Mela Débora , Martinez Andressa Carmo Pena , Zuin Affonso Henrique Lima
Published: August 2023

The scientific literature on vertical gardens presents gaps in the systematization of botanical parameters related to modeling and simulation. To address these gaps, the article aimed to investigate and identify parameters and modeling processes necessary for configuring vertical greening systems in computer simulation software. The systematic literature review method was employed to gather all scientific publications from the past ten years. As a result, the article presents the processes for 3D modeling, the most common software, and information tables containing botanical parameters used for configuring vegetation. Additionally, the work provides an overview of studies conducted on this topic in Architecture in recent years, highlighting other gaps and shortcomings in knowledge for possible future research.
Braiding the Healing Gifts of Photovoice for Social Change: The Means Are Ends in the Making
Authors: Burris Mary Ann , Evans-Agnew Robin A. , Strack Robert W.
Published: August 2023

Photovoice is an important participatory action method for motivating social change. The potential for this change within the processes of the method remains under-explored. We present the voice and perspectives of three health promotion practitioners who have important connections to photovoice: a grandmother and co-founder of the method, a nurse from Wales, and an early adopter seeking change. Through braided storytelling, the voices describe their history with photovoice and how their relationship to the method has changed over time, arguing ultimately that in photovoice the means are as important as the ends for advancing relations with others, understanding and working with power, and realizing the gifts the processes bring.
The characteristic impedance calculation method of microstrip line and application in embroidered microstrip line
Authors: Zhang Yaya , Jin Haiming , Tu Huating , Zuo Yuxin , Luo Qiulan , Li Ping , Chen Zihan , Jia Jingjing , Zhang Linmei
Published: August 2023

Presently, it is difficult to measure the characteristic impedance of embroidered microstrip line for its conductive anisotropy directly. The published work had proposed to use S-parameters to estimate the port impedance of a balanced dipole antenna, and it cannot be used to calculate the characteristic impedance of microstrip lines with one arm. Thus, it is still a problem on measuring and obtaining 50 Ω characteristic impedance of embroidered microstrip line. Therefore, taking the reflection coefficient as an intermediate variable, this work proposes to use return loss [Formula: see text] to derive the expression of the characteristic impedance of microstrip line. Combined theoretical calculation with experimental testing on characteristic impedance of the fabric-based microstrip line, the expression of the characteristic impedance was verified. Then, the expression of the characteristic impedance of microstrip line was used to calculate the characteristic impedance of embroidered microstrip line and determine its equivalent substrates. The results show that the fabric embroidered with a single-layer conductive strip is a part of its equivalent substrate, and the fabric embroidered with a double-layer conductive strip is not a part of its equivalent substrate.