bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oppositional Courage for Racial and Ethnic Minorities: A Source of White Employees’ Upward Moral Comparison
Authors: Thoroughgood Christian N. , Sawyer Katina B. , Kong Dejun Tony , Webster Jennica R.
Published: March 2024

When advantaged group employees courageously stand up for the rights of their colleagues with marginalized identities, research suggests that they communicate a powerful, public “message of value” to such individuals. Yet, this beneficiary-focused perspective, while valuable, does not address the self-meanings that third-party observers may derive from such oppositional courage (OC) and the implications for their behavior toward the courageous actor. Drawing on the social comparison literature, we propose that perceptions of OC can be a source of upward moral comparison information for advantaged group observers. Thus, on the one hand, we argue that perceptions of OC can convey to observers that they lack the moral character of the courageous actor, which is associated with feelings of moral inferiority and, in turn, a motivation to negatively gossip about the actor. On the other hand, we suggest that perceptions of OC can also signal to observers their moral capacity to actively contribute to an equitable, inclusive workplace, which is associated with feelings of moral elevation and, in turn, a motivation to positively gossip about the actor. Central to our theory, we argue that these different reactions depend on observers’ own self-confidence to engage in similar courageous action—what we refer to as oppositional courage self-efficacy. Using data from White employees, we conducted one pilot study (i.e., a critical incident analysis) and two main studies (i.e., an experiment and a three-wave survey), on OC for racial and ethnic minorities and found support for our hypotheses. We conclude by discussing the implications of our research.
Influence of foaming-induced crystallization behavior on the structure of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) supercritical foamed beads
Authors: Luo Haihui , Ou Xuanle , Dong Zhixian , Xu Ruijie , Lei Caihong , Chen Dahua
Published: March 2024

The crystallization behavior during foaming directly affects the foaming properties. For crystalline polymers, there is no consensus on the influence of the crystallization behavior during foaming process on the stabilization of the cell structure. In this work, PBAT foamed bead and unfoamed pellets were prepared by controlling the saturated temperatures in supercritical CO2, soaking step (one or two) and the depressurization rate, respectively. Double melting peaks were observed in the DSC curve of supercritical CO2 foamed PBAT beads. By comparing the outgassing rates we find that the stretching-induced crystallization caused by the rapid expansion of the gas during foaming plays an important role in the stabilization of the cells. Although the crystalline perfection or crystal size at this time is much smaller than that of the crystalline grains formed during static cooling, the rapid crystallization is effective in stabilizing the cell structure of the foamed pores. Compared to normal supercritical foaming processes, the two-step foaming process of soaking CO2 at high temperatures followed by foaming at low temperatures results in an increase in cell size and expansion ratio. At high temperatures, more CO2 diffuses into the PBAT pellets, increasing the instantaneous gas concentration in the pellets for foaming, and the rapid stretching produces stretching-induced crystallization that raises the average size of the cells, further increasing the expansion multiplicity of individual cells. The average cell size of foam beads rises from 37.8 to 48.8 µm and the expansion ratio also increases to 8.6 with saturated temperature increasing form 95 to 105°C. The two-step soaking foaming method is a more efficient way of manufacturing industrial foamed beads, allowing for the preparation of better foam beads at low temperatures.
Effect of Porcine-Derived Absorbable Patch-Type Atelocollagen for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kim Hyungsuk , Cho Yong-Soo , Jung Younsung , Song Hyun Seok
Published: March 2024

Background:

Even though arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is recognized as a standard treatment option, the risk of postoperative retear is a major concern.

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of porcine-derived absorbable patch-type atelocollagen during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods:

A total of 64 patients with rotator cuff tears diagnosed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were enrolled prospectively from November 2020 to December 2021. Both groups had repairs using the suture bridge technique. For the atelocollagen group, before securing the lateral anchors, we inserted porcine-derived absorbable patch-type atelocollagen between the footprint and the tendon. On postoperative day 2, the patients underwent MRI to confirm containment of the patch-type atelocollagen. At 6 months and 1 year postoperatively, the signal intensity of the repaired tendon was assessed using MRI. Patients were evaluated using the Constant score as the primary outcome, along with the visual analog scale for pain; range of motion; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score; University of California, Los Angeles, score; and Korean Shoulder Score preoperatively and at 2, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Results:

No significant changes in the Constant score as primary outcome, pain or other functional scores, and range of motion were observed between the groups at 1 year postoperatively. The patch-type atelocollagen was confirmed to be contained by the time-zero MRI scan taken 2 days postoperatively. Among the 55 patients included in final analysis, 12 retear cases were recorded (21.8% retear rate). A significantly lower retear rate was found in the atelocollagen group, as 3 cases were observed in this group (10.3%) and 9 cases were observed in the conventional repair group (34.6%) ( P = .048).

Conclusion:

The Constant score was not different between the groups. The retear rate after rotator cuff repair was significantly lower in the group that received porcine-derived absorbable patch-type atelocollagen compared with in the conventional group.

Registration:

KCT0005184 (Clinical Research Information Service [CRIS]; https://cris.nih.go.kr ).
An end to the “muffin meeting”: Conceptualizing power and navigating tokenism in patient engagement for health leaders
Authors: Slowka Steven
Published: March 2024

Patient engagement is emerging as a priority for Canadian health leaders. Alongside the proliferation of patient engagement efforts in healthcare organizations and networks, awareness that tokenism can potentially occur within such efforts, as well as strategies to mitigate it, are gaining increased attention. While many actions associated with more tokenistic forms of patient engagement have been identified, this article posits there is a need to pay critical attention to the concept and role of power in enabling these actions in the first place. Of particular importance is how power and knowledge work to shape healthcare organizations and can create unequal relations with the patients they seek to engage. Drawing on the literature, this article serves as a theoretical roadmap for health leaders to think critically about power, as well as a set of prompts that can be used to reflexively consider their role in navigating power dynamics in the context of patient engagement efforts. This article contends that building awareness of power is a critical step for health leaders and organizations and that navigating power differences is a necessary leadership competency for engaging patients in decision-making throughout all stages of healthcare improvement and organizational change efforts.
A Shift in School Reform: Examining Site-Level Spending and Student Academic Growth
Authors: Jack Angela M. , Pogodzinski Ben
Published: March 2024

Accountability efforts under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has brought greater attention to school-level processes and practices and their impact on student outcomes. This has pushed states to report more school-level inputs, including per-pupil expenditures. Grounded in an open systems theory (OST) framework, we identify the association between school-level per-pupil spending and academic growth on statewide assessments for seventh graders in Michigan. Overall, our findings suggest an overall positive association between school-level per-pupil expenditure and student growth.
State Goals, Institutional Social Constructions, and Utah’s Postsecondary Education Governance Reform Efforts
Authors: Rubin Paul G. , Daily Cheri A. , Coon Shawn R.
Published: March 2024

State-level postsecondary education governance has experienced a lull in successful reform efforts since the turn of the century. However, in 2020, the Utah System of Higher Education and Utah System of Technical Colleges were formally merged following a multi-year effort by state legislators and higher education officials. Framed by the theory of social construction and policy design, this study considers underlying institutional considerations and statewide goals that led to Utah’s governance merger and how these changes impacted the public higher education sectors in the state, offering insights for research examining higher education governance and reform efforts.
Tooth profile design and meshing characteristics analysis of internal meshing gears based on variable center meshing line
Authors: Chu Xiaomeng , Shang Zhongze , Dong Sheng
Published: March 2024

A design method of internal meshing gear based on variable center meshing line (VCML) is presented in this paper. The meshing line is an arc line connecting the intersection of the indexing circle connecting the inner and outer gears and the intersection of the tooth top circle, and the center of the line of engagement freely slides on the vertical bisection line of the line connecting the two intersection points. The top tooth profile equation of internal and external gears is derived by rack equation. According to the normal method of gear profile, the equation of gear root meshing line is derived by using the tooth top profile equation of the gear. According to the principle of plane meshing, the root profile equation of gear is derived by using the root meshing line equation of gear. The tooth profile of VCML gear can be deduced quickly by adjusting the center position of the meshing line. The stress, meshing stiffness, transmission error, contact ratio and sliding ratio of the VCML gears are analyzed by finite element method, and the area of significant performance improvement of the meshing line center of the VCML gears is found. The research results show that compared with involute gears, the maximum average stress of VCML gears is reduced by 64.99%, the meshing stiffness is increased by 193.67%, and the transmission error is reduced by 65.95%. This method improves the efficiency of new tooth profile design and transmission performance. By changing the center coordinates of the meshing line, the tooth profile of the VCML gear can be quickly redesigned, which greatly improves the efficiency of the new tooth profile design and transmission performance. This design method provides a new idea for the tooth profile design of internal meshing gear.
Prescribed time partial component lag consensus of multi-agent systems with switching topologies and external bounded disturbances
Authors: Yang Baibin , Yan Zhaolei , Luo Manman , Hu Manfeng
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates the problem of prescribed time partial component lag consensus (PTPCLC) and the problem of prescribed time partial component consensus (PTPCC) for nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) with switching topologies and external bounded disturbances. Some novel control protocols are designed by introducing a new time-varying function which depends on the prescribed settling time. Then, making full use of the permutation matrix, the original error system about the same agent is transformed into the new error system about the same component. Furthermore, the control parameters are designed according to the minimum eigenvalue of the Laplacian matrix and minimum non-zero values of the inner coupling matrix of the MASs to guarantee that the MASs can achieve PTPCLC and PTPCC, respectively. Finally, some simulation examples are given to verify the correctness of theoretical results.
Sample size estimation for stratified cluster randomization trial with survival endpoint
Authors: Ni Senmiao , Zhong Zihang , Zhao Yang , Chen Feng , Wu Jingwei , Yu Hao , Bai Jianling
Published: March 2024

Cluster randomization trials with survival endpoint are predominantly used in drug development and clinical care research when drug treatments or interventions are delivered at a group level. Unlike conventional cluster randomization design, stratified cluster randomization design is generally considered more effective in reducing the impacts of imbalanced baseline prognostic factors and varying cluster sizes between groups when these stratification factors are adopted in the design. Failure to account for stratification and cluster size variability may lead to underpowered analysis and inaccurate sample size estimation. Apart from the sample size estimation in unstratified cluster randomization trials, there are no development of an explicit sample size formula for survival endpoint when a stratified cluster randomization design is employed. In this article, we present a closed-form sample size formula based on the stratified cluster log-rank statistics for stratified cluster randomization trials with survival endpoint. It provides an integrated solution for sample size estimation that account for cluster size variation, baseline hazard heterogeneity, and the estimated intracluster correlation coefficient based on the preliminary data. Simulation studies show that the proposed formula provides the appropriate sample size for achieving the desired statistical power under various parameter configurations. A real example of a stratified cluster randomization trial in the population with stable coronary heart disease is presented to illustrate our method.
Book review: Ruth Vanita, The Dharma of Justice in the Sanskrit Epics: Debates on Gender, Varna, and Species
Authors: Roy Kumkum
Published: March 2024

Ruth Vanita, The Dharma of Justice in the Sanskrit Epics: Debates on Gender, Varna, and Species. Oxford University Press, 2022, 287 pp., ₹1,795. ISBN:9780192859822 hardback.
Knowledge and Attitude Towards Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Colorectal Cancer Among Northern Malaysians
Authors: Ashruf Ruksana Binti , Seng Tan Boon , Ismail Nahlah Elkudssiah , Parasuraman Subramani , Thamby Sam Aaseer
Published: March 2024

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide causing approximately 10% of all cancer cases and is the second most frequent disease which is one of the leading causes of cancer-related fatalities. Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) refers to a broad range of health practices, therapies and products typically not part of the ‘conventional medicine’ system, and its use is substantial among the general population. The knowledge and awareness levels about TCAM and the use of allopathic medications for the treatment of cancer are varied among individuals. The studies were conducted on the knowledge and awareness of the public on cancer, however, no studies specifically addressing the knowledge, attitude and practice of TCAM about CRC were found in Malaysia.

Purpose

The present study aims to assess the knowledge of CRC and attitude towards TCAM in terms of CRC among a representative sample in Malaysia and identifying the sources of information about CRC and gauging the satisfaction levels with the services of a traditional medicine practitioner.

Materials and Methods

A validated self-administered questionnaire and educational brochure were utilized for this study. Convenience sampling was employed to recruit respondents ( n = 548) from Kedah and Penang. The calculated sample size was 500. SPSS v25 was used to analyse the data.

Results

The demographic data were statistically significant ( p < 0.05), the inference could be the sampling technique. Of the 548 respondents, 50.7% ( n = 278) of them were CRC survivors. About 96.2% ( n = 527) understood that CRC occurs in the colon or rectum. The majority were aware that rectal bleeding (75.4%) and blood in the stool (80.7%), are CRC’s signs and symptoms, while only 24.6% identified weakness and fatigue as CRC’s signs and symptoms. The respondents had poor knowledge scores (13.72 out of 31.00) as per Bloom’s cut-off scoring system. In terms of attitude towards TCAM, the majority had a ‘neutral’ (neither agree nor disagree) opinion for all the statements, meaning that the respondents surveyed were very undecided (neither positive nor negative opinion).

Conclusion

Knowledge of CRC was poor for the cohort, while the attitude towards TCAMs was neutral. The average ‘neutral’ response in the attitude domain could indicate that the respondents had minimal understanding of TCAM about CRC. Further, longitudinal studies can be conducted to better gauge the public’s knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards CRC and TCAM. This highlights the importance of educational interventions which may help to improve the public’s KAP towards CRC and TCAM.
Sex Differences and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection and Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Algarni Saleh A. , ALGhasab Naif S. , Alharbi Mohammed S. , Albarrak Anas , Alanezi Ahmad A. , Al Shehri Hamdan M.
Published: March 2024

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare neurovascular condition that has been observed in individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This systematic review aimed to explore the sex differences and characteristics of concurrent COVID-19 and CVST cases. A total of 212 CVST patients were included in the study. Women with CVST had a slightly higher mean age compared to men (47.359 years vs 46.08 years). Women were more likely to report symptoms such as fever (56.1%) and decreased sense of smell or taste (71.4%), while men more frequently experienced nausea or vomiting (55.6%), headache (62.9%), and seizures (72%). Notably, current smokers, who were predominantly men, had a higher occurrence of CVST. On the other hand, women had a higher likelihood of CVST risk factors such as oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use and autoimmune diseases. Treatment approaches also showed sex-based differences. Unfractionated heparin was administered more often to women with CVST (63.2%). The in-hospital mortality rate for CVST patients was 21.3%, with men having a significantly higher mortality rate than women (65.2% vs 34.8%, P = .027). Survival analysis revealed that factors such as smoking history, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, OCP use, COVID-19 symptoms, CVST symptoms, and the need for intubation significantly influenced survival outcomes. Understanding these sex differences in COVID-19-related CVST is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. Our findings highlight the importance of considering sex as a factor in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with COVID-19 and concurrent CVST.
Reform and Community Level Participation: The Overturn of Stop, Question, and Frisk (SQF) in New York City
Authors: Palmer Alexis
Published: March 2024

Though there has been a wealth of work showing that negative experiences with government lead to less political participation, there is little understanding of how to address this problem. That is, it is unclear whether reform to negative government behavior can also address the negative consequences of that behavior. This paper uses the overturn of Stop, Question, and Frisk in New York City to show that despite a significant change to police behavior, having experienced a high level of policing continues to depress voter turnout. Furthermore, it uses residents who have moved within New York City after the change in policy to show that residing in a community that was heavily policed continues to influence voter behavior, even if an individual never directly experienced high levels of policing. This is in line with communities both being changed by police policies and community transmission of norms around participation.
Sustaining Attention to Sustainability, Health, and Well-Being in Urban Regeneration
Authors: Zhou Ke , Warwick Elanor , Ucci Marcella , Davies Mike , Zimmermann Nici
Published: March 2024

In urban regeneration projects, balancing environmental, social, and economic aspects is crucial but challenging, often leading to mission drift when team focus deviates from the original goals. Through a case study of regeneration projects at a large U.K. housing association, we explore decision makers’ attention to sustainability, health, and well-being as core elements of social mission. We combined qualitative analysis with an examination of structural complexities and system behaviors, adopting a systems thinking perspective. Analysis of attention patterns in regeneration meetings reveals that attention to the social missions was not sustained, with evident attention shifts toward financial costs and risks. Also, sustainability is prioritized less than health and well-being topics. We use a causal loop diagram to describe the underlying mechanisms that drive attention dynamics, highlighting how the structural complexities can undermine sustainable development in regeneration. Finally, we propose strategies to sustain attention toward sustainability, health, and well-being in regeneration.
Temporal Seeing as Visual Literacy
Authors: Saul Roger , Gerbrandt Julianne , Burkholder Casey
Published: March 2024

Temporal seeing is a mode of visual perception that interrupts the spatial bias we bring to visual literacy practices. Although an image only captures one moment in time, there are multiple spatioanalytical tools we can use to consider any image. Spatial literacy, which is the practice of analyzing objects through their properties in space, tends to be the default analytical mode for making sense of imagery. For people to bring a commensurate temporal richness to their articulated visual readings, we first highlight the perspectival richness of time and temporality. We next present five precepts that can guide enriched temporal seeing: contextual histories; relational chronologies; internal rhymicity; desequenced and resequenced narrative; and critique and meaning-making. Finally, we suggest that temporal seeing holds a series of educative possibilities for expanding the interpretive frames and perceptual apparatuses of literacy researchers and practitioners.
Image-based automatic multiple-defect detection of urban utility tunnel using UUTNet
Authors: Sun Weihao , Hou Shitong , Wu Gang , Feng Dongming , Fan Jianhua
Published: March 2024

In-service urban utility tunnels (UUT) suffer from cracks, corrosion, and leakage defects, which rises the chance of major accidents. However, prevailing detection methods for UUT remain reliant on manual inspection and subjective judgment, or traditional image processing technologies, such methods may not be able to obtain accurate defect information. This study proposes a novel and effective network called UUTNet based on the constructed UUT dataset for defects detection. Considering that the UUT defects has a certain distribution correlation, the attention module is introduced to the Pyramid Scene Parsing Network to capture the relation. By adding the hybrid dilated convolution after the feature extraction layer, the receptive field is expanded to further extract global and local features. The performance of UUTNet was evaluated based on the metrics MIoU, F1-score, Accuracy, and robustness. Comparative experiments were conducted, and the results showed the UUTNet achieved the best detection performance, achieving 0.7615 MIoU, 0.9806 Accuracy and 0.8012 F1-score. The MIoU was further improved to 0.7847 by utilizing the Bayesian optimization. Three extreme inspection scenes, including uneven illumination, high brightness, and obstacle interference, were applied to validate model robustness. The proposed method offers robust technical assistance for detecting defects in the UUT and precisely assessing the distribution and extent of these defects.
Study on the bending and dimensional behavior of honeycomb latticed ONYX composite material
Authors: Sivakumar Narain Kumar , Palaniyappan Sabarinathan , S M Muthu , Kothandaraman Logesh , Basavarajappa Santhosh , Alageel Omar , Hashem Mohamed Ibrahim
Published: March 2024

Engineering, architecture, and transportation all use honeycomb structures in various ways. Latticing, made possible by additive manufacturing (AM), may significantly speed up the creation of adaptable structures. The current study focuses on assessing the impact of various three-dimensional (3D)-printing features on the flexural behavior and dimensional studies of the honeycomb latticed micro-carbon fiber reinforced nylon (ONYX) material. The experiment is performed by varying the levels of 3D-printing features like layer thickness (LT), infill geometry (IG), build direction (BD), shell count (SC), and infill percentage (IP) to measure the bending strength, length deviation, and lattice surface morphology variation. The experimental results show that, the peak flexural strength of 79.84 MPa is attained with specimen fabricated at 0.1 mm LT, 50% IP, 0° BD, rectilinear IG, and SC of 3. And moreover, these respective 3D-printing feature levels resulted in an improved surface morphology on the latticed specimens. The length deviation results clearly depict that specimen fabricated at lower LT of 0.1 mm, higher SC of 3, rectilinear IG, 0° BD, and higher IP of 50% consequences in accurate profile with a lower length deviation of 0.117 mm. The fractography results clearly implies that the 0° oriented latticed ONYX composite results in a progressive fracture and results in higher bending stress. On the other hand, the 45° and 90° oriented latticed ONYX materials undergo tilted fracture and perpendicular mode of fracture, respectively. From that it is concluded that, the triangular-shaped honeycomb latticed ONYX materials are suitable for the development of brackets for the portable cameras, medical, and dental appliances like prosthetics for lightweight splints in postsurgery.
Modelling and numerical analysis for rotatory friction welding of U75V steel rails
Authors: Zhang Han , Xie Jiaqi , Li Chang’an , Zhu Zhiming
Published: March 2024

This article presents a rotatory friction welding (RFW) method for U75V steel rail, aiming to mitigate challenges related to property discrepancies between the as-welded joints and the rail base metal (BM) and to narrow the heat-affected zone (HAZ) in conventional flash-butt welding (FBW) joints. A rotational intermediate plate is designed for rails with non-axisymmetric cross-sections, necessitating stationary during RFW. Advantages include achieving a relatively uniform welding heat input and maintaining the peak temperature of the contact interface near A1. To implement these concepts, a 2D finite element (FE) model for the RFW process of U75V rail steel rods was established and validated through experiments with identical process parameters. Microstructure predictions derived from continuous cooling transformation diagram confirm that ferrite microstructure is formed near A1 through rail steel RFW. Subsequently, a 3D FE model for intermediate plate RFW steel rails is developed to explore appropriate process parameter combinations. A suitable process parameters combination was identified, ensuring the peak temperature of the majority model contact interface does not exceed A1, resulting in a 76.7% reduction in HAZ (from ∼50 to 11.66 mm), and axial shortening of 8.10 mm, a significant decrease compared to the usual burn-off (30–40 mm) during FBW. These findings underscore the efficacy of this innovative welding solution and emphasize the significance of simulation technology in process optimization.
Monitoring model group of seepage behavior of earth-rock dam based on the mutual information and support vector machine algorithms
Authors: Jiang Zhenxiang
Published: March 2024

The establishment of a high-precision piezometric water level monitoring model ensures the safe operation of earth-rock dams. The hysteresis effect of the upstream water level and rainfall should be considered during modeling. In the traditional method, the average factors are used to express this effect, and linear regression modeling is adopted. These factors reduce the accuracy of the model. In this paper, the mutual information (MI) and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms are proposed. MI has a powerful correlation analysis capability, and it is innovatively used to address hysteresis effects. SVM has a strong nonlinear modeling ability, and it is used as a modeling algorithm. During this study, it was found that the lag time of rainfall varied. In view of this characteristic, the concept of an innovative model group, which is an important extension of the traditional single model, is proposed. In the example, the mean square error (MSE) is used as the precision index. Compared with the traditional single model established by linear regression, the MSE of the MI–SVM model group can be reduced by approximately 60.98%–68.75%. Compared with the model group established by linear regression, the MSE of the MI–SVM model group can be reduced by approximately 41.28%–45.45%. The new method effectively improves the accuracy of the model and can precisely monitor the seepage state of the dam. Moreover, it is beneficial for improving the level of dam safety management and can be extended to other fields involving hysteresis effects and nonlinear modeling.
The Long-Term Effect of Early-Life Uncertainty on Mental Health in Adolescence and Adulthood: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shao Lei , Zhao Chengjia , Yu Guoliang
Published: March 2024

Turbulent changes in early life are a hidden source of childhood trauma, increasing potential risks for mental illness. Many studies have identified the link between childhood uncertainty and mental health. However, research on the long-term effect of early-life uncertainty (EU) on mental health has not been systematically synthesized. This meta-analysis aims to provide a quantitative estimate of the association between EU and subsequent mental health outcomes. Eight electronic databases and gray literature were searched. Twenty-eight studies met our inclusion criteria: samples of non-clinical adolescents or adults and clear and valid assessments. Random-effect models were used to calculate the pooled effect sizes of EU on internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and well-being. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were used to explore potential moderators. Results indicated small to moderate associations involving EU and internalizing problem ( r = .28; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.228, 0.326]) and externalizing problem ( r = .16; 95% CI [0.102, 0.220]). EU was not significantly associated with well-being ( r = −.41; 95% CI [−0.738, 0.071]). Furthermore, moderator analyses found that composite uncertain experiences in childhood had a stronger negative effect than single experiences. EU was a stronger predictor of mental health problems in adults than in adolescents. Cross-sectional studies would amplify the correlation between EU and mental illness compared to longitudinal studies. In the future, childhood uncertain and unpredictable risks should receive more attention. More research needs to focus on positive psychological indicators and samples from non-Western countries.
Electronics and Expertise: Constructing the Smart TV on the Retail Sales Floor
Authors: Scarlata Alexa , Lobato Ramon
Published: March 2024

This article considers how TV retailers shape public understanding of television as a cultural technology and household device. Drawing on interviews with Australian TV retailers, we identify four sales strategies used when selling smart TVs in-store: simplification, avoidance, empathy, and exploitation. Our analysis shows how these sales strategies seek to minimize and manage the smart TV’s technological complexity, thus downplaying its interactive potential. We critically assess the assumptions about technological expertise that underlie these strategies.
The Importance of Studying and Guarding Against Systemic Automation Failures
Authors: Roth Emilie M.
Published: March 2024

Skraaning and Jamieson (2023) remind us that automation failures are rarely the result of failures of individual components of the automated system itself but rather from unanticipated interactions within the larger system of which the automation is a part. Their preliminary taxonomy of automation failure mechanisms offers an important contribution to the literature. This commentary further expands the range of systemic automation failure mechanisms that researchers, designers, and evaluators need to be aware of and attempt to guard against—be it through analysis, design, or evaluation. The examples come from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident, automated vehicle accidents, as well as new failure mechanisms that arise from emerging machine learning (ML) technologies.
Anatomy of the Lumbrical Muscles: Implications for Mechanical Advantage
Authors: Kooi Kevin , Legerstee Ingmar W.F. , van Vliet Eva , Freundt Liliane A. , Reikersdorfer Kristen , Chen Neal C. , Eberlin Kyle R.
Published: March 2024

Background:

The lumbrical muscles comprise 4 intrinsic muscles of the hand and are involved in flexion of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) and extension of the proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anatomical mechanics of the lumbrical muscles of the index, middle, ring, and small fingers.

Methods:

We evaluated 25 cadaver arms and measured the distance between the MCPJ and fingertip, the distance between the MCPJ and lumbrical muscle insertion, and the distance between the MCPJ and the most proximal lumbrical muscle origin. With these measurements we calculated the needed force, insertion ratio (length of the proximal, middle, and distal phalanx divided by the MCPJ to insertion distance), and lumbrical muscle length.

Results:

We found that the force was significantly different between all fingers, except for the comparison of the index and ring finger ( P = .34). In addition, we found that muscle length was significantly different between most the fingers, except for the comparison between the index and middle fingers ( P = .24), and index and ring fingers ( P = .20). There was no significant difference in insertion ratio.

Conclusions:

Our study suggests that the anatomical mechanics for the motor function of the lumbrical muscles are similar in all fingers. This could further imply that movements are equally precise in all fingers resulting in coordination with one another and, therefore, adequate hand function.

Level of evidence:

IV.
COVID-19 Induced Ethnographic Distance: Remote Fieldwork, Ethical Challenges and Knowledge Production in Conflict-Affected Environments
Authors: Fosu Richard
Published: March 2024

Post-conflict ethnographic research thrives on bodily immersion in a field site to interact and observe how conflict-affected people navigate and make sense of their world. Therefore, ethnography and distance or ethnographic distance is an oxymoron. Physical immersion in the field has the advantage of generating situated knowledge as the researcher comes to know his situation/location in the field in relation to the social location, conditions, and identities of the researched and all those involved in the knowledge production. Hence, physical presence is desirable for the study of conflict-affected populations. However, when being in the field is dangerous or impossible, the researcher can adapt without losing the key insights that physical immersion provides. COVID-19 research travel restrictions made it impossible for me to travel to Uganda, a post-conflict setting, to conduct fieldwork for my doctoral studies. I had to re-scope my original research design to conduct remote fieldwork. This raised additional ethical challenges associated with fieldwork in such settings. This article reflects on my experience collaborating with two local research assistants (RAs) to conduct remote fieldwork in Northern Uganda. First, my overall ethical responsibility was based on a commitment not to transfer all the risks to the RAs. I formulated my ethical decisions around payment, workload, and the wellbeing of the RAs. Second, remote fieldwork meant that the RAs were the brokers, interviewers, interpreters, transcribers, and translators. These expanded roles significantly impacted the knowledge production processes. To account for this, I asked the RAs to write reflexive statements to situate themselves in the research. I discussed their reflexive statements around their roles as brokers, interviewers and language translators/interpreters and how each impacted knowledge production. The analysis shows that COVID-19 accelerated the localisation of peacebuilding research and provided an opportunity to re-think issues of power relations, local capacity, and gatekeeping.
Conscientious enrolment in clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic: right patient, right trial
Authors: Arnold Melanie , Merritt Stacie , Mears Kathryn , Bryan Anna , Bryce Jane
Published: March 2024

This article describes our efforts to screen and enrol clinical trial participants conscientiously in the COVID-19 pandemic setting. We present the standard screening and enrolment process prior to, and our process of adapting to, the pandemic. Our goal was to develop a way to screen and enrol people for clinical trials that was both equitable and effective. In addition, we outline the steps our research department took to ensure that ethical, clinical and logistical factors were considered when matching a patient to a clinical trial.
‘The EndSARS movement is an umbrella for other challenges’: Assessing Nigeria’s EndSARS protest through the theoretical lens of intersectionality
Authors: Udenze Silas , Roig Telo Antoni , Pires Fernanda
Published: March 2024

This article analyses the underlying and immediate triggers of Nigeria’s EndSARS protest and their interconnectedness. Leveraging Braun and Clark’s reflexive thematic analysis of interviews with 11 participants along with the ethnographic approach, the authors constructed a broader theme termed ‘EndSARS – An Umbrella’. They identify three primary themes (youth unemployment, endemic public sector corruption/poor police welfare and poverty) as the root causes of the EndSARS protest. In addition, they single out one theme (police – perennial human rights abuse) as the immediate cause. They contend that these prevalent socio-economic challenges, commonly experienced among the participants in their study, intersect and serve as pivotal catalysts for mobilization within the context of the EndSARS protest. These distinctive yet challenging characteristics play a central role in broadening the composition of the protesters, resulting in their quest for government accountability and a better Nigeria.
Treatment switches of disease-modifying therapies in people with multiple sclerosis: long-term experience from the German MS Registry
Authors: Frahm Niklas , Ellenberger David , Stahmann Alexander , Fneish Firas , Lüftenegger Daniel , Salmen Hans C. , Schirduan Ksenija , Schaak Tom P. A. , Flachenecker Peter , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Paul Friedemann , Krefting Dagmar , Zettl Uwe K. , Peters Melanie , Warnke Clemens
Published: March 2024

Background:

The spectrum of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) has expanded over years, but data on treatment strategies is largely lacking. DMT switches are common clinical practice.

Objective:

To compare switchers and non-switchers, characterize the first DMT switch and identify reasons and predictors for switching the first DMT.

Methods:

Data on 2722 PwMS from the German MS Registry were retrospectively analyzed regarding sociodemographic/clinical differences between 1361 switchers (PwMS discontinuing the first DMT) and non-switchers matched according to age, sex, and observation period. Frequencies of first and second DMTs were calculated and switch reasons identified. Predictors for DMT switches were revealed using univariable and multivariable regression models.

Results:

Switchers and non-switchers differed significantly regarding time to first DMT, education, calendar period of the first DMT start (2014–2017 versus 2018–2021), first DMT class used [mild-to-moderate efficacy (MME) versus high-efficacy (HE) DMT], time on first DMT, and disease activity at first DMT start or cessation/last follow-up. The majority of PwMS started with MME DMTs (77.1%), with the most common being glatiramer acetate, dimethyl/diroximel fumarate, and beta-interferon variants. Switchers changed treatment more often to HE DMTs (39.6%), most commonly sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, and natalizumab. Fewer PwMS switched to MME DMTs (35.9%), with the most common being dimethyl/diroximel fumarate, teriflunomide, or beta-interferon. Among 1045 PwMS with sufficient data (76.8% of 1361 switchers), the most frequent reasons for discontinuing the first DMT were disease activity despite DMT (63.1%), adverse events (17.1%), and patient request (8.3%). Predictors for the first DMT switch were MME DMT as initial treatment [odds ratio (OR) = 2.83 (1.76–4.61), p < 0.001; reference: HE DMT], first DMT initiation between 2014 and 2017 [OR = 11.55 (6.93–19.94), p < 0.001; reference: 2018–2021], and shorter time on first DMT [OR = 0.22 (0.18–0.27), p < 0.001].

Conclusion:

The initial use of MME DMTs was among the strongest predictors of DMT discontinuation in a large German retrospective MS cohort, arguing for the need for prospective treatment strategy trials, not only but also on the initial broad use of HE DMTs in PwMS.
Chemical Profile and Assessment of Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antiproliferative Effects of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss. & Dur. Fruit Extracts on Human Breast Cancer
Authors: Belbachir Fatima Zohra , Hamdan Ramdani Lamia , Decombat Caroline , Gainche Mael , Chalard Pierre , Djabbou Nassim , Taibi Nadia , Bachari Khaldoun , Dali Yahia Kamel , Delort Laetitia , Caldefie-Chezet Florence
Published: March 2024

Objective

In this study, we analyzed and investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumoral properties of methanolic (Met), dichloromethane (Dic), ethyl acetate (Ac), and diethyl ether (Et) fruit extracts of Ammodaucus leucotrichus on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.

Methods

The extracts of Ammodaucus leucotrichus fruits, explored in this study, were obtained by cold maceration and analyzed by LC-MS. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-Carotene and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) assays were used to assess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of extracts were determined by the Resazurin test and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis.

Results

Phytochemical screening of Ammodaucus leucotrichus fruit extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids (luteolin and cynaroside), iridoid derivatives, phenolic acids, and identified Rhodojaponin—a major cytoxic compound. The DPPH and BSA assays revealed the most potent radical-scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.16 mg/mL) and anti-inflammatory effect (IC50 = 35.87 μg/mL) in Met extract. Met, Dic, Ac, and Et extracts, at 100 µg/mL, exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 reaching inhibition percentage of 34%, 31%, 28%, and 13%, respectively. qRT-PCR analysis was marked by the inhibition of proliferative and inflammatory markers Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and IL-6 and the up-regulation of antioxidant and proapoptotic genes Nrf2, Bax, and Caspase 3 in Met and Dic extracts, without significant changes to anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 expression.

Conclusion

The study revealed the potential therapeutic effects of Ammodaucus leucotrichus fruit extracts, suggesting they could be used as an adjuvant to breast cancer therapies.
Investigation of the Mechanism of Action of Qingzaojiufei Decoction on Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation
Authors: Mao Chunyang , Du Yan , Niu Kun , Yang Fan , Bai Changcai , Zhou Bo , Niu Yang
Published: March 2024

Objective: The Traditional Chinese Medicine Qingzao Jiufei Tang decoction (QZJFD) is effective for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In this study, we explored the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effect of QZJFD and the underlying mechanism. Methods: The effects of QZJFD at low, medium, and high doses were investigated in a rat model of lung fibrosis induced by tracheal injection of bleomycin; pirfenidone was included as a positive control. Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factors (TNF-α), and IL-1β in rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), TGF-β1, p-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), JNK, p-P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), P38 MAPK, collagen I, and fibronectin-1 (FN1) in lung tissues was detected by immunofluorescence labeling and western blot analysis. Results: QZJFD contained 209 main components and 575 corresponding targets. In total, 3875 disease action targets were related to IPF, with 308 common targets shared by drugs and diseases. The key targets included albumin (ALB), recombinant protein, TNF, IL-6, and tumor protein p53. In total, 3061 items were identified in the gene ontology enrichment analysis ( P < .05) and 197 signaling pathways in the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes ( P < .05), including MAPK, calcium, advanced glycosylation end products - receptors, TNF, and IL-17. Molecular docking simulation showed that the 2 predominant compounds of QZJFD, naringenin, and kaempferol, bound with high affinity to ALB. Serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β and the expression levels of α-SMA, TGF-β1, p-JNK, p-P38 MAPK, collagen I, and FN1 in lung tissues were significantly increased in the model rats ( P < .001). After treatment with pirfenidone and QZJFD at the medium and high doses, serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β and expression levels of α-SMA, p-JNK, p-P38 MAPK, collagen I, and FN1 in lung tissues of rats were significantly lower than those in the model group ( P < .05). Conclusions: QZJFD may exert antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects that improve the status of IPF by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway.
Customers’ Cue Utilization in Delivery Restaurant Selection and Its Changes With Different Health Risks
Authors: Jeon Jiyeon , Kim Jewoo , Kim Jaewook
Published: March 2024

Amid Covid-19, restaurant customers have substantially turned to delivery services. Given that table service and ambience are absent in the delivery service mode, cue utilization for restaurant delivery could be different from that in dine-in consumption. Furthermore, increased hygiene and health concerns may lead to changes in cue utilization patterns after the pandemic. Therefore, we explored how restaurant type and its interactions with brand and review rating affected delivery sales and whether their sales effects changed according to the severity of infection risk. Fixed-effects estimation and marginal analysis were employed to investigate 579,858 observations from 193,286 restaurants in China between 2019 and the second quarter of 2020. The findings revealed that full-service and/or branded restaurants had higher delivery sales than other groups. Interaction effects between restaurant type and brand as well as restaurant type and review rating were also found. Theoretical and practical implications for effective cue utilization are discussed.