bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Human Resources Associated with Misuse of Prescription Drugs: Analysis of a National Survey
Authors: Lee Doohee , Ross Michael W.
Published: May 2024

Nonmedical use of prescription drugs is increasingly prevalent in the United States, but limited research is available on prescription drugs misuse in the workforce. We investigated whether absenteeism and turnover are associated with having problems linked to prescription drug misuse among employees. We also further explored the moderating effects of employee drug policy and testing on the relation between having problems linked to misuse of prescription pain relievers (PPRs) and absenteeism and turnover. This is a cross-sectional study (n=2,249) using the 2007 U.S. national survey data (“National Survey on Drug Use and Health”). the multivariate logistic analysis results illustrate, after controlling confounding factors (gender, age, tobacco use, and heroin use), absenteeism and turnover linked to having problems of PPRs misuse. Our findings suggest the moderating effects of employee drug policy on the association between absenteeism and turnover and having problems linked to misuse of PPRs. Also, drug testing was found to moderate the link between having negative outcomes of misuse of PPRs and absenteeism. Having problems associated with misuse of PPRs is linked to absenteeism and turnover. a drug policy program including drug testing may play a significant role in reducing absenteeism and turnover in relation to having problems linked to misuse of PPRs.
Practical Nurses’ Health and Safety in Nursing Homes
Authors: Palumbo Mary Val , Mclaughlin Vicki , Mcintosh Barbara , Rambur Betty
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Practical nurses (PNs) rated their general and emotional health and their employers’ attention to their health and safety. These components were examined in relationship to work setting and intention to leave for the purpose of exploring workforce issues involving these important care providers of frail elders.

Design/Methods

A relicensure survey mailed to all PNs in one rural state included the Minimum Data Set for nurse workforce supply plus questions from the Health and Retirement Survey. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric ANOVA, t-test, and chi-square tests.

Results

Of the state's working PNs, 813 responded, (71%) and 34% (n=269) reported nursing home employment. Overall, age and work role were not significantly associated with self-rated general health (p=0.14 and p=0.12). Males reported poorer general (p=0.09) and emotional (p=0.004) health. PNs working in nursing homes rated their general and emotional health lower than PNs in other settings (p<0.001). of the PNs in nursing homes, 28% reported they were likely to leave their position within one year, versus 19% in other work settings (p=0.003). PNs with higher evaluations of their employer safety practices were less likely to leave.

Implications

Understanding PNs perceived general/emotional health and perceptions of workplace health/safety efforts can inform interventions to reduce turnover.
Benefits and Costs of a Free Community-Based Primary Care Clinic
Authors: Fertig Angela R. , Corso Phaedra S. , Balasubramaniam Divya
Published: May 2024

This study estimates the benefits and costs of a free clinic providing primary care services. Using matched data from a free clinic and its corresponding regional hospital on a sample of newly enrolled clinic patients, patients’ non-urgent emergency department (ED) and inpatient hospital costs in the year prior to clinic enrollment were compared to those in the year following enrollment to obtain financial benefits. We compare these to annual estimates of the costs associated with the delivery of primary care to these patients. for our sample (n=207), the annual non-urgent ED and inpatient costs at the hospital fell by $170 per patient after clinic enrollment. However, the cost associated with delivering primary care in the first year after clinic enrollment cost $505 per patient. the presence of a free primary care clinic reduces hospital costs associated with non-urgent ED use and inpatient care. These reductions in costs need to be sustained for at least 3 years to offset the costs associated with the initially high diagnostic and treatment costs involved in the delivery of primary care to an uninsured population.
Testing a Model of County Government Influence on Health Care Safety-Nets
Authors: Knepper Hillary
Published: May 2024

In the United States, health care is not equitably distributed. As indicated in the literature, age, income, and other socio-economic indicators contribute to substantial differences in the variety and scope of health services. the 2010 Affordable Care Act illustrates the United States’ effort to bring balance and equity to the health care system. in the meantime, county governments are struggling with rising health care costs on their budgets (Eaton, 2009; Phaup, 2009; Clark, 2003), particularly health care for low-income residents (Benton, Byers, Cigler, Klase, Menzel, Salant, Streib, Svara, & Waugh, 2008). However, as learned in this study, county governments across the country continue to address the health care needs of uninsured and underinsured citizens through participation in health care safety nets. This research identifies possible county government influences on health care safety-nets. This study analyzed 123 responses from county government administrators and elected officials along with secondary data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the International City/County Manager Association using a variety of statistical techniques, culminating in structural equation modeling. These analyses provided reasonable explanation for the variation among the variables leading to network performance improvement in meeting the health care needs of uninsured and underinsured people as well as the significant influence of county government involvement.
From Threat to Opportunity: A Head Start Program's Response to State-Funded Pre-K
Authors: Wrobel Sharon
Published: May 2024

Early childhood education and childcare have traditionally been dominated by nonprofit and other grant-funded agencies. However, public education agencies are increasingly involved with early childhood education through state funded pre-K program initiatives. As public pre-school programming has steadily expanded, programs such as Head Start have to compete for enrollment. As funds for these programs are tied directly to enrollment, the sustainability of these programs is uncertain.

Not all such agencies view state funded pre-K as a threat however. Some have seized this as an opportunity to improve service delivery through interagency collaboration. This case study examines the partnership between an urban school district and its local Head Start program. Responding, in part, to the potential threat from state-funded Pre-K, Head Start partnered with the school district to provide enhanced services to Head Start eligible children in the district's early childhood education programs. Through an examination of secondary data and staff surveys, the collaboration is first evaluated in terms of the use of best practices. the success of the collaboration is measured through teacher and administrator perceptions. From these results, specific recommendations for early education and childcare providers are offered.
The Ups and Downs of Stem Cell Research: The Impact of Policy Uncertainty
Authors: Marzotto Toni , Alt Patricia M.
Published: May 2024

Unlike scientists, politicians and the public rarely remain sharply focused on any domestic issue for very long. Without a front page story, a chief executive at the bully pulpit, or an outraged minority, public attitudes and behaviors about most key domestic problems are short-lived. Anthony Downs has suggested that public policies follow an issue-attention cycle. Our research on the ups and downs of the stem cell debate confirms that public attention wanes when the issue moves off the front page. Public opinion surveys linked with content analysis of national newspapers over a 10 year period confirm that while the scientific community continues to look for a cure, the public no longer expects an instant fix. As public interest in the issue has declined, media coverage is now more about science and less about controversy.
Patient Assessment in Emergency Medical Services: Complexity and Uncertainty in Street-Level Patient Processing
Authors: Henderson Alexander C.
Published: May 2024

Though still a relatively nascent public function, emergency medical services (EMS) agencies have come to constitute a core local government service. the potentially life-saving interventional and palliative treatments provided by EMS personnel are inarguably vital for positive short- and long-term patient outcomes, yet our understanding of the behavior of these individuals during service interactions is limited. This exploratory research begins to narrow this gap in our understanding of street-level bureaucrats in EMS organizations by analyzing semi-structured interviews of paramedics recounting uncertain and complex accounts of street-level patient processing. Results indicate that factors such as paramedic communication skills, influential bystanders with key incident information, and patient identity serve to shape street-level interactions with patients.
Linkages between Organization Climate and Work Outcomes: Perceptual Differences among Health Service Professionals as a Function of Customer Contact Intensity
Authors: Scotti Dennis J. , Harmon Joel
Published: May 2024

The delivery of high-quality service, rendered by health service professionals who interact with customers (patients), increases the likelihood that customers will form positive evaluations of the quality of their service encounters as well as high levels of customer satisfaction. Using linkage theory to develop our conceptual framework, we identify four clusters of variables which contribute to a chain of sequential events that connect organization climate to personal and operational work outcomes. We then examine the perceptual differences of service professionals, grouped by intensity of customer contact, with respect to these variables.

National data for this project were obtained from multiple sources made available by the Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA). Cross-group differences were tested using a series of variance analyses. the results indicate that level of customer-contact intensity plays a significant role in explaining variation in perceptions of support staff, clinical practitioners, and nurses at the multivariate and univariate levels of analysis. Contact intensity appears to be a core determinant of the nature of work performed by health service professionals as well as their psychological responses to organizational and customer-related dynamics.

Health service professionals are important resources because of their specialized knowledge, labor expense, and scarcity. Based on findings from our research, managers are advised to survey employees’ perceptions of their organizational environment and design practices that respond to the unique viewpoints of each of the professional groups identified in this study. Such tailoring should help executives maximize the value of investments in human resources by underwriting patient satisfaction and financial sustainability.
The Affordable Care Act and Incentivized Health Wellness Programs – a Tale of Federalism and Shifting Administrative Burden
Authors: Sirpal Sanjeev
Published: May 2024

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act creates new incentives and builds on existing wellness program policies to promote employer wellness programs and encourage opportunities to support healthier workplaces. the proposed rules are promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor, and the Treasury Department, and seek to encourage appropriately designed, consumer-protective wellness programs in group health coverage. This legislative landscape raises significant federalism concerns insofar as it largely shifts the responsibility for administration of health incentive programs to the states. Little attention has been paid to the shifting “administrative burden” that would thereby ensue. This paper will address the distribution of power in the American federal system vis-à-vis subnational counterparts in the wake of rampant, recent health care reform efforts. This paper will therefore explore the willingness of the national government to delegate policymaking responsibility to state governments in the context of an important aspect of healthcare reform. This, in turn, can be used to assess the distribution of powers between governmental levels—a subject that has received little systematic inquiry to date. Finally, this paper will explore the degree of administrative burden shifting that may likely occur as a result of these changes in health reform and what potential impacts it may have on individual health.
Family Development Credential Training Impact on Self-Efficacy Beliefs of Human Service Workers
Authors: Smith Deborah B. , Day Nancy E.
Published: May 2024

The Family Development Credential (FDC) Training offers an innovative interagency training for human service workers within a community. We use a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the impact of FDC on work-related self-efficacy beliefs. Quantitative data found FDC participants increased their levels of positive self-efficacy beliefs and had no change in negative self-efficacy beliefs; a comparison group saw no change in positive self-efficacy beliefs but increased their levels of negative self-efficacy beliefs. Qualitative data indicated training increased work-related self-efficacy beliefs. Overall, findings suggest that FDC training improved self-efficacy in human service workers and that no training allowed negative self-efficacy beliefs to grow.
Implications of Dsm-5 for Health Care Organizations and Mental Health Policy
Authors: Castillo Richard J. , Guo Kristina L.
Published: May 2024

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has made major changes in the way mental illness is conceptualized, assessed, and diagnosed in its new diagnostic manual, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published in 2013, and has far reaching implications for health care organizations and mental health policy. This paper reviews the four new principles in DSM-5: 1) A spectrum (also called “dimensional”) approach to the definition of mental illness; 2) recognition of the role played by environmental risk factors related to stress and trauma in predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating mental illness; 3) cultural relativism in diagnosis and treatment of mental illness; and 4) recognizing the adverse effects of psychiatric medications on patients. Each of these four principles will be addressed in detail. In addition, four major implications for health care organizations and mental health policy are identified as: 1) prevention; 2) client-centered psychiatry; 3) mental health workers retraining; and 4) medical insurance reform. We conclude that DSM-5's new approach to diagnosis and treatment of mental illness will have profound implications for health care organizations and mental health policy, indicating a greater emphasis on prevention and cure rather than long-term management of symptoms.
Effect of Physician it Use on Practice Performance
Authors: Lee Doohee , Sikula Andrew , Lee Tongsoo , Dodds Alissa A. , Na Young
Published: May 2024

The role of information technology (IT) remains important within the medical community. However, little is known about the extent to which practicing physicians improve practice performance by having and utilizing IT at the national level. The present study, analyzing a national physician survey (n = 4,720), seeks to explore associations of IT availability and utilization with practice performance at the national level. The multivariate regression analysis results suggest that patient information IT functionality upholds physician advantages in annual income but prescription drug IT functionality was reversely linked to annual income. We also found a negative association of patient information IT functionality with patient visit volume. Our study results revealed mixed findings. Not all IT functionalities would offer benefits to practicing physicians. Our data suggest that patient information IT functionality can moderate cost concerns related to IT investment among providers.
Questioning Stakeholder Legitimacy: A Philanthropic Accountability Model
Authors: Kraeger Patsy , Robichau Robbie
Published: May 2024

Philanthropic organizations contribute to important work that solves complex problems to strengthen communities. Many of these organizations are moving toward engaging in public policy work, in addition to funding programs. This paper raises questions of legitimacy for foundations, as well as issues of transparency and accountability in a pluralistic democracy. Measures of civic health also inform how philanthropic organizations can be accountable to stakeholders. We propose a holistic model for philanthropic accountability that combines elements of transparency and performance accountability, as well as practices associated with the American pluralistic model for democratic accountability. We argue that philanthropic institutions should seek stakeholder and public input when shaping any public policy agenda. This paper suggests a new paradigm, called philanthropic accountability that can be used for legitimacy and democratic governance of private foundations engaged in policy work. The Philanthropic Accountability Model can be empirically tested and used as a governance tool.
Global Perspectives on Civic Health: Applying Lessons from Post-Communist Societies to Enable Greater Civic Outcomes in the United States
Authors: Bryer Thomas A. , Medina Pamela
Published: May 2024

Civic engagement and volunteerism in post-communist societies is poor; there are limited traditions of civic activity, and those traditions that have existed have meanings associated with a historical period when free engagement was risky and volunteerism was coerced. Today, in nations like Lithuania, there are efforts underway to reclaim the labels “volunteerism” and “participation” and to craft more civically healthy communities. This paper will address two questions: (1) How has Lithuania's civic health evolved since independence from the Soviet Union? (2) What lessons are in the emergence of a civic and volunteer culture provide for scholars, government and nonprofit officials, and civic leaders interested in moving communities within the United States out of their civic ruts? Underlying the second question is an assumption, which will be argued within the paper, that officials in the United States have more to learn from emergent civic cultures than those emergent cultures do from us, though there are certainly lessons from the United States that may be applicable.
The Cms Innovation Center's Expansion Authority and the Logic of Payment Reform through Rulemaking
Authors: Williams Jackson
Published: May 2024

Many models in the early CMMI portfolio appear not to be amenable to expansion, as their payment component is tenuous. In considering models for expansion, CMS will need to assess their generalizability, codifiability, and political viability as well as whether they saved money.

Challenges to CMS in exercising expansion authority include choosing or coordinating among models that target the same beneficiaries, transitioning from distributive mode to potentially contentious rulemaking, and deciding whether APMs will exist as voluntary adjunct payment options alongside traditional fee-for-service payment codes or will supplant certain FFS payment codes on a mandatory basis.
Nurse Absenteeism and Benefit Generosity: Evidence from Canada
Authors: Malak Natalie
Published: May 2024

This paper uses a benefit index based on collective agreements in each Canadian province to understand the effects employee contracts have on absenteeism of full-time nurses. In particular, I estimate the impact of this benefit index on the number of hours nurses take off in a reference week. Month and year dummy variables, as well as nurses’ individual and work-related characteristics, are included in both ordinary least squares and two-part model regressions. My main finding implies full-time nurses in the most generous collective agreement show a nineteen percent increase in the number of hours taken off work in comparison to the least generous collective agreement. This study illustrates how the generosity of benefits in collective agreements varies the rate of absenteeism and highlights that employees and employers still have gains to be made from readjusting employee contracts
Challenges of Increased Diabetes Prevalence: Implications of Cardio and Renal Comorbidities for Hispanic and White Middle-Aged Nursing Home Residents Diagnosed with Diabetes in Texas, 1999 and 2009
Authors: Coxe Leland M. , Lennertz Kathie , Martine Roberta R.
Published: May 2024

Increased prevalence of diabetes and related comorbidities has emerged as a major challenge for community resilience in the United States. While attention has been directed towards the impacts of this development for the general population, the nursing home population has received little examination.

This research analyzes change in the prevalence of particular cardio and renal comorbidities for Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White nursing home residents in Texas aged 50–64 diagnosed with diabetes for 1999 and 2009 using data from the federal Minimum Data Set. Comparisons are made by ethnicity and gender to identify trends and possible disparities.

Important findings include that the prevalence of congestive heart failure increased for all groups, and the changes were statistically significant for Hispanic Women and Non-Hispanic White Men. Statistically significant differences were found in the prevalence of peripheral vascular disease as rates were higher for Hispanics of both genders for both years, indicating substantial and ongoing disparities. Disturbingly high rates for renal failure were found for Hispanics that indicate substantial disparities. Recommendations for meeting this challenge include emphasizing prevention measures and updating for models regarding the dynamics nursing home admission.
Social Support and Types of Treatment for Illness in Fonfrede Haiti
Authors: Frederickson Keville , Pierre-Louis Jean , Pierre-Louis Francois , Ashby Christina
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sources of social support and subjects’ preferred treatment of illness. After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, health care workers and facilities were scarce; 10 percent of Haiti's health care staff was killed and 60 percent of the health care facilities destroyed. The study was based on social support as a psychosocial factor serving as an intermediary between environmental stress and an individual's preference for treatment of their illness. The literature suggests that social support improves treatment of illness and health outcomes through stress buffering and main effects. This study of 110 Haitians was conducted two years after the earthquake in a small town outside Port au Prince.

Participants mean age was 39.85 years; 57% were female. The instrument used was designed to determine the sources of social support (family, friends, church, community) and how illnesses were managed (“ medsin” prepared by an herbalist and often related to voodoo, tonics or teas, vitamins and prescription drugs). A backwards stepwise logistic regression was conducted for each of the variables. If the church was used for social support, prescription drugs were primarily used (r = 0.20; p = 0.0261); if friends provided illness care, vitamins were used (r = 0.20; p = 0.0263); if community organizations used, vitamins were used (r = 0.20; p = 0.027) and when family provided care, medsin and teas were used (r = 0.20; p = 0.0268). Participants relied on a variety of sources for illness and included prescription medicines, herbal remedies and a Haitian tea. Participants indicated a high importance placed on the church as a source of social support. Reliance on the church is understandable based on the culture and often provides comfort.
Collective Impact Model Implementation: Promise and Reality
Authors: Sagrestano Lynda M. , Clay Joy , Finerman Ruthbeth
Published: May 2024

This article helps public administration practitioners and policymakers leverage broad community-wide collaboration and promote program impact. We present outcomes from a coordinated community response to teen pregnancy that adopted collective impact (CI) methodologies. Lessons learned highlight barriers to creating and sustaining a common agenda, raising funding for collaboration infrastructure, and implementing a shared data system intended to strengthen collaboration among partnering agencies and assure accountability. Implementation of a CI approach proved time intensive and required committed leaders to work through power dynamics and foster communication, trust, understanding, and willingness to overcome technology and administrative challenges to shared data. Successfully navigating these barriers offers the opportunity to bridge research and practice, leading to actionable knowledge and positive community outcomes.
Understanding Care Coordination Experiences in A State Medicare-Medicaid Financial Alignment Demonstration
Authors: Craver Gerald A. , Gimm Gilbert , Hill Katherine E. Vatalaro
Published: May 2024

Known as dual eligible beneficiaries, individuals receiving Medicare and Medicaid benefits often have complex needs and account for a disproportionate share of healthcare spending. In 2014, Virginia implemented Commonwealth Coordinated Care, a managed care financial alignment demonstration authorized under the Affordable Care Act, to improve care for these individuals. Given the complexity of their needs, examining how dual eligible beneficiaries along with their care coordinators and providers experienced the demonstration is important. By analyzing qualitative data collected as part of a larger mixed-methods evaluation, several themes were identified illustrating individuals’ experiences. The study findings suggest that how individuals interacted and formed relationships influenced how beneficiaries’ health and social needs were met during the program. By providing insight into individuals’ experiences in a managed care program that integrated medical and long term services and supports for Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries, the study can inform the development of future initiatives for similar populations.
Why are We (Still) Discussing Correctional Health and the Community ?
Authors: Potter Roberto Hugh
Published: May 2024

This article provides a brief overview of some of the issues in the relationships among correctional health issues and community health that lead to the original draft Surgeon General's Call to Action on Corrections and Community Health. Unfortunately, more than a decade later, we continue to see the health disparities observed in the early 2000s persist. A systemic approach to problems presented by correctional populations is provided. This is followed by an intervention approach that might assist public administrators and non-profit mangers to improve the health of communities by targeting health and disabilities observed in those who process through our criminal justice system.
Investigating the Link between Community Planning and Engagement and Health Care Delivery Using the National Health Security Preparedness Index
Authors: Myers Nathan
Published: May 2024

The underlying question for this research is does stronger social capital in a state contribute to stronger health preparedness which then contributes to better health management generally? This study investigates the theory that the types of community planning and engagement involved in health system preparedness and other civic endeavors positively contributes to day-to-day health care operations. To test this theory, data from the Robert Wood Johnson National Health Security Preparedness Index was used. The analyses conducted did find statistically significant relationships between subdomains of community planning and engagement and health care delivery. Subdomains of countermeasures management and information management were found to be statistically significant as well. These findings suggest that particular aspects of community engagement and social capital should be focused on in order to promote improved health performance in different aspects of the field.
Evaluating the Implementation of Technology in Nursing Homes
Authors: Hansen Kevin E. , Johs-Artisensi Jennifer L.
Published: May 2024

Technology plays an important role in health care, but few studies have analyzed the implementation of technology in nursing homes. Fifty-two nursing homes were surveyed on the extent of their technology use, who was using the technology, and what or whom the use of technology was intended to impact. Characteristics associated with “high technology adopters” were identified and relationships between technology use, site characteristics, and quality outcomes were explored. Results showed that nonprofit and larger facilities utilize more technology, but a facility's technology score was not correlated with their star rating. EMR use was high, as was use of technology for increasing residents’ social interactions. Nursing homes who use more advanced technology and thoughtful use of social media can enhance communication with external constituents, such as families, prospective customers, and health care partners. The current study serves as a benchmark for facilities interested in enhancing their use of technology.
Using Feminist Geography to Understand Feelings of Safety and Neighborhood Image
Authors: Zavattaro Staci
Published: May 2024

Healthy neighborhoods come about via a confluence of factors, including but not limited to walkability, public spaces, feelings of safety, sense of community, and neighborhood reputation. While this research set out to understand why people choose their neighborhoods, a deeper pattern emerged related to feelings of safety, especially for women, and neighborhood reputation. This paper uses feminist geography as a critical lens to understand how power relations often exacerbate negative perceptions of safety and, as such, negative perceptions of a neighborhood's community health. Feminist geography as a lens has practical implications based on these findings for how urban planners and administrators design public spaces. Findings are based on a content analysis of interviews with 75 people throughout the U.S. Stories highlight how feelings of safety could affect neighborhood image and reputation.
Building Bridges between Municipal Government and Urban Slums
Authors: Kusi Rita Ann
Published: May 2024

Poor sanitation is a social determinant of diarrheal disease, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sanitation interventions in Ghana had not been participatory until 2015, when a group of Catholic sisters began an innovative cross-sector collaboration to address the issue of cholera in the Old Fadama urban slum of Accra. In this article, the sisters explore the application of community based participatory research (CBPR) and community-driven research (CDR) in detail through a sanitation example and their work with a population of vulnerable women and girls known as kayayei. They used CBPR to understand community needs and to align them with government policy and planning, and CDR to create projects responsive to community needs. This study contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by utilizing SDG 17 (partnerships), to achieve SDG 3 (good health and well-being), and SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation).
New cold war or ‘world civil war’? Wertkritik and the critical theory of capitalism in an age of conflict
Authors: Pitts Frederick Harry
Published: May 2024

This article explores the contribution of Wertkritik, a contemporary tendency in German critical Marxist thought, to the theorisation of capitalism, and in particular its relationship with geopolitical conflict and war. Against traditional Marxist and liberal determinism, Wertkritik emphasises how the rationally organised ‘forces of production’ do not motivate the historical development of capitalism, but rather the forces of destruction. This article suggests that Wertkritik illuminates contemporary capitalist development insofar as it lays bare how the apparent ‘post-neoliberal’ turn to state-driven industrial policy is motivated less by a drive to unleash the productive forces in pursuit of a more dynamic or green economy and more by the management of the unfolding destructive forces represented in the new forms of conflict and competition arising between warring military and economic powers. The explanation this offers of the cultural dynamics shaping a context of authoritarian convergence provides vital materials towards a critical theory of a capitalism conditioned by increasing geopolitical tensions. Offering the concept of a ‘world civil war’ as an alternative to the rationalisations inherent in prevailing notions of a ‘new’ or ‘second’ cold war, this theorisation also offers pointers for an emancipatory praxis attuned to the current context.
Reference measures of lower-limb joint range of motion, muscle strength, and selective voluntary motor control of typically developing children aged 5–17 years
Authors: Scherff Emily , Schnell Sabrina Elisabeth , Siebert Tobias , D’Souza Sonia
Published: May 2024

Background:

Joint range of motion based on the neutral null method, muscle strength based on manual muscle testing, and selective voluntary motor control based on selective control assessment of the lower extremity are standard parameters of a pediatric three-dimensional clinical gait analysis. Lower-limb reference data of children are necessary to identify and quantify abnormalities, but these are limited and when present restricted to specific joints or muscles.

Methods:

This is the first study that encompasses the aforementioned parameters from a single group of 34 typically developing children aged 5–17 years. Left and right values were averaged for each participant, and then the mean and standard deviation calculated for the entire sample. The data set was tested for statistical significance ( p < 0.05).

Results:

Joint angle reference values are mostly consistent with previously published standards, although there is a large variability in the existing literature. All muscle strength distributions, except for M. quadriceps femoris, differ significantly from the maximum value of 5. The mean number of repetitions of heel-rise test is 12 ± 5. Selective voluntary motor control shows that all distributions, except for M. quadriceps femoris, differ significantly from the maximum value of 2.

Conclusion:

Since typically developing children do not match expectations and reference values from the available literature and clinical use, this study emphasizes the importance of normative data. Excessively high expectations lead to typically developing children being falsely underestimated and affected children being rated too low. This is of great relevance for therapists and clinicians.

Level of evidence:

3.
The environmental experience during daylight and dark conditions: a conceptual model for pedestrians and cyclists / La experiencia ambiental en condiciones de luz diurna y oscuridad: Un modelo conceptual para peatones y ciclistas
Authors: Rahm Johan , Niska Anna , Johansson Maria
Published: May 2024

Walking and cycling are considered sustainable transport modes, promoted as a means to reduce car traffic. In the scientific literature, they have mostly been investigated separately, but should be considered jointly to enable a modal shift. Both daytime and dark conditions need to be studied, to improve understanding of how environmental features are affected by temporal variation. A conceptual model is introduced to advance understanding of the significance of different environmental factors for walking/cycling, and serves as the basis for the design of an empirical study. A between-subject design was used, comparing two pedestrian/cycle paths located in two mid-sized Swedish cities during daytime and after dark. Pedestrians ( n = 90) and cyclists ( n = 74) responded to questionnaires assessing environmental parameters hypothesized to be of importance for walking and cycling. Three-factor ANOVAs indicated differences between the two locations (perceived stimuli), between pedestrians and cyclists (environmental appraisal, affective response, behavioural intention) and between daytime and dark conditions (visual accessibility, restorative potential). The conceptual model helps identify the importance of various environmental features.
An integrative model exploring normative, situational, attitudinal and self-related determinants of household food waste separation intention and habit and intention to deposit waste at disposal centres / Modelo integrador para explorar los determinantes normativos, situacionales, actitudinales y relacionados con el yo de la intención y el hábito de separar residuos alimentarios en el hogar, y de la intención de depositar residuos en centros de gestión de residuos
Authors: Guichard Emilie , Jouffre Stéphane , Bouquet Cédric A. , Autin Frédérique
Published: May 2024

Faced with increasing waste production, authorities are seeking to encourage better household waste management and need to identify levers for change. We propose a model integrating the major determinants of pro-environmental behaviour assumed in prominent theoretical models. Based on meta-analytical evidence, we incorporated situational, normative, attitudinal and self-processes and tested this integrative model to predict intentions to perform two overlooked behaviours: food waste separation and deposit at waste disposal centres. To go beyond intention we also investigated habits to sort food waste. An online survey was administered to two samples ( Ntotal = 2,814) and data were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results showed a good fit of an integrative model ( CFIs > .917; TLIs > .910; RMSEAs < .043; SRMRs < .071). Waste management intentions and habits are directly predicted mainly by personal norms and perceived behavioural control. The latter is predicted by facilitating conditions and pro-environmental identity. Personal norms are predicted by social norms, pro-environmental identity and perceived behavioural control. Our results confirm the relevance of a model integrating situational, normative, attitudinal and self-processes to explain waste management intentions and provide a basis for the development of waste management interventions.
The Dynamics of Social Entrepreneurship in Tunisia after the Revolution of 14 January 2011: The Elements of the Concept, the Elements of the Context and the Elements of Implementation
Authors: Mokline Bechir
Published: May 2024

Social entrepreneurship has emerged since the 1980s in both the United States and Europe to address the social, ecological, and environmental problems that have destabilised existing economic systems around the world. Since the end of the 1990s, scientific production has been proliferating on this subject, but there is no consensus and a unifying paradigm as to the definition of the concept. This is due to the distinctions in the conception and practice of social entrepreneurship in different contexts, especially in Europe and the United States. Reflecting and practicing social entrepreneurship thus remains subject to the specificities of the geographical context. This work is in line with this perspective, as we seek to understand the characteristics of social entrepreneurship in Tunisia by positioning ourselves in relation to three components: the elements of context, the elements of concept, and the elements of implementation. This work is exploratory, and we adopt a qualitative approach through semi-directive interviews addressed to the actors of the Tunisian ecosystem as well as to social enterprises belonging to several sectors.
Nanopowder-mixed EDM on biodegradable Mg alloy AZ31B for improved surface characteristics and biocompatibility
Authors: Kumar Alok , Singh Abhishek
Published: May 2024

Powder-mixed electrical discharge machining (PM-EDM) was conducted on biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys for biomedical applications. The Mg alloy AZ31B has shown outstanding mechanical properties, similar to human bone, and is lightweight. Efforts were made to enhance the EDM capabilities by a PM-EDM process using nanopowder mixed in the dielectric medium and copper tool electrode amid the machining of Mg alloy AZ31B, followed by investigating surface modification by minimum machining time, morphology, chemistry, topography and wettability of the surfaces. The surface produced by nano PM-EDM operation exhibits minimal cracks and craters, an acceptable range of recast layer thickness (2.4 − 2.7μm), satisfactory corrosion resistance and surface roughness (Ra = 2.87μm) as well as suitable hydrophobic behaviour (CA122q) and bioactivity with Ringer’s solution, suggesting an improvement in the degradation rate. Thus, PM-EDM-induced surface modification suggests the suitability of Mg alloy AZ31B as a biodegradable implant in adults and children.
Essential role of glycoprotein Ibα in platelet activation
Authors: Yan Rong , Xia Yue , Zhou Kangxi , Liu Jun , Sun Yueyue , He Chunyan , Ge Xinxin , Yang Mengnan , Sun Chenglin , Yuan Liuxia , Li Shujun , Yang Biao , Meng Fanbi , Cao Lijuan , Ruan Changgeng , Dai Kesheng
Published: May 2024

Glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα), the ligand-binding subunit of platelet GPIb-IX complex, interacts with von Willebrand factor (VWF) exposed at the injured vessel wall, initiating platelet adhesion, activation, hemostasis, and thrombus formation. The cytoplasmic tail of GPIbα interacts with 14-3-3ζ, regulating the VWF-GPIbα–elicited signal transduction and VWF binding function of GPIbα. However, we unexpectedly found that the GPIbα–14-3-3ζ association, beyond VWF-dependent function, is essential for general platelet activation. We found that the myristoylated peptide of GPIbα C-terminus MPαC, a potential GPIbα inhibitor, by itself induced platelet aggregation, integrin αIIbβ3 activation, granule secretion, and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure. Conversely, the deletion of the cytoplasmic tail of GPIbα in mouse platelets (10aa−/−) decreased platelet aggregation, integrin αIIbβ3 activation, granule secretion, and PS exposure induced by various physiological agonists. Phosphoproteome-based kinase activity profiling revealed significantly upregulated protein kinase C (PKC) activity in MPαC-treated platelets. MPαC-induced platelet activation was abolished by the pan-PKC inhibitor and PKCα deletion. Decreased PKC activity was observed in both resting and agonist-stimulated 10aa−/− platelets. GPIbα regulates PKCα activity by sequestering 14-3-3ζ from PKCα. In vivo, the deletion of the GPIbα cytoplasmic tail impaired mouse hemostasis and thrombus formation and protected against platelet-dependent pulmonary thromboembolism. Therefore, our findings demonstrate an essential role for the GPIbα cytoplasmic tail in regulating platelet general activation and thrombus formation beyond the VWF–GPIbα axis.
Effect of storage conditions on the quality of equine and canine mesenchymal stem cell derived nanoparticles including extracellular vesicles for research and therapy
Authors: Klymiuk Michele Christian , Balz Natalie , Elashry Mohamed I. , Wenisch Sabine , Arnhold Stefan
Published: May 2024

Nanoparticles including extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells are of increasing interest for research and clinical use in regenerative medicine. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including also previously named exosomes, provide a promising cell-free tool for therapeutic applications, which is probably a safer approach to achieve sufficient healing. Storage of EVs may be necessary for clinical applications as well as for further experiments, as the preparation is sometimes laborious and larger quantities tend to be gained. For this purpose, nanoparticles were obtained from mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue (AdMSC) of horses and dogs. The EVs were then stored for 7 days under different conditions (− 20 °C, 4 °C, 37 °C) and with the addition of various additives (5 mM EDTA, 25–250 µM trehalose). Afterwards, the size and number of EVs was determined using the nano tracking analyzing method. With our investigations, we were able to show that storage of EVs for up to 7 days at 4 °C does not require the addition of supplements. For the other storage conditions, in particular freezing and storage at room temperature, the addition of EDTA was found to be suitable for preventing aggregation of the particles. Contrary to previous publications, trehalose seems not to be a suitable cryoprotectant for AdMSC-derived EVs. The data are useful for processing and storage of isolated EVs for further experiments or clinical approaches in veterinary medicine.
Variation and plasticity in life-history traits and fitness of wild Arabidopsis thaliana populations are not related to their genotypic and ecological diversity
Authors: de la Mata Raul , Mollá-Morales Almudena , Méndez-Vigo Belén , Torres-Pérez Rafael , Oliveros Juan Carlos , Gómez Rocío , Marcer Arnald , Castilla Antonio R. , Nordborg Magnus , Alonso-Blanco Carlos , Picó F. Xavier
Published: May 2024

Background

Despite its implications for population dynamics and evolution, the relationship between genetic and phenotypic variation in wild populations remains unclear. Here, we estimated variation and plasticity in life-history traits and fitness of the annual plant Arabidopsis thaliana in two common garden experiments that differed in environmental conditions. We used up to 306 maternal inbred lines from six Iberian populations characterized by low and high genotypic (based on whole-genome sequences) and ecological (vegetation type) diversity.

Results

Low and high genotypic and ecological diversity was found in edge and core Iberian environments, respectively. Given that selection is expected to be stronger in edge environments and that ecological diversity may enhance both phenotypic variation and plasticity, we expected genotypic diversity to be positively associated with phenotypic variation and plasticity. However, maternal lines, irrespective of the genotypic and ecological diversity of their population of origin, exhibited a substantial amount of phenotypic variation and plasticity for all traits. Furthermore, all populations harbored maternal lines with canalization (robustness) or sensitivity in response to harsher environmental conditions in one of the two experiments.

Conclusions

Overall, we conclude that the environmental attributes of each population probably determine their genotypic diversity, but all populations maintain substantial phenotypic variation and plasticity for all traits, which represents an asset to endure in changing environments.