bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of microfinancing on women’s entrepreneurial intentions through structural equation modeling in Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors: Amjad Sadaf , Danish Muhammad
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND: Women entrepreneurship holds a fundamental role in uplifting economies, by providing job opportunities, driving innovations, and alleviating poverty. This study focuses women entrepreneurial intentions in Balochistan Pakistan, where extreme poverty and limited women participation exist. Despite women’s informal, unregistered, and unrecognized status, they possess the potential for productivity and can play a vibrant role in economic activities.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the impact of microfinancing, risk, and opportunities on women entrepreneurial intentions in Balochistan, Pakistan. Therefore, it seeks to explore the mediating and moderating effects of opportunities and risk attitudes. The emphasis is on identifying women entrepreneurs who are risk-takers, planning to initiate businesses, and require initial funds.

METHODS: This is an exploratory and descriptive study; based on primary data collection through survey from 280 women entrepreneurs in district Quetta of Balochistan, Pakistan. Snowball sampling was employed for cross-sectional data gathering, and empirically analyzed by PLS-SEM.

RESULTS: The results exhibited positive and significant roles of microfinancing, opportunities, and risk attitudes in influencing women’s entrepreneurial intentions. The findings revealed the absence of financial assistance, which is the primary barrier for business startups and expansions.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings recommend microfinancing stimulate women entrepreneurial activities; enhance risk-taking ability to explore more business opportunities. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are advised to formulate improved strategies tailored for women’s entrepreneurial development in Balochistan, Pakistan.
Repeated Supera stent fracture following stenting for popliteal artery occlusion: a case report
Authors: Lee Byung Chan , Park Chan , Kim Hyoung Ook , Lee Ho Kyun
Published: January 2025

The popliteal artery segment is particularly challenging for endovascular treatment. Stents used for treating popliteal artery lesions are usually associated with an increased risk of stent fracture and re-occlusion. The Supera stent is designed to withstand mechanical stress, with a low risk of fracture. A man in his mid-70s with left popliteal artery occlusion was treated with a Supera stent implantation. After 5 months, he revisited our hospital complaining of left leg pain. Preprocedural computed tomography angiography showed popliteal artery occlusion associated with a Supera stent fracture. A new Supera stent was implanted at the previous stent fracture site. However, 3 months after the second procedure, computed tomography angiography showed popliteal artery re-occlusion associated with a repeated fracture of the Supera stent. A femoral-popliteal bypass was performed. At the 6-month follow-up, computed tomography angiography showed a patent graft. Our findings indicated that recurrent fractures occurred after additional Supera stenting at the previous Supera stent fracture site. Careful observation is necessary after deploying a new Supera stent for treating a Supera stent fracture because of the possibility of a repeated fracture.
Online mechanical property prediction and automatic product release for hot rolled steel strip products using artificial neural network models
Authors: Lan Yongjun , Figueroa-Gordon Douglas , Betambeau Terry-Louise , Underhill Richard
Published: January 2025

Tata Steel UK manufactures hot rolled strip products designed for a wide range of market applications. Typical mechanical properties for hot rolled strip products comprise: yield strength (Rp0.2), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation (A80). Physical tensile testing of a representative sample taken from each coil is generally used to measure these mechanical properties. As an alternative, artificial neural network (ANN) models have been developed to predict these tensile properties. This article describes the development and integration of ANN models for two hot rolled strip products: a low carbon steel for cold forming, DD11, and a high strength low alloy, S355MC. The current work proposes to combine the ANN model with a product release criteria to ensure high prediction confidence after deployment into the industrial environment. Following a period of 6-month implementation of the ANN models, predicted mechanical properties for both products were shown to be well within product specification requirements. The average predicted mechanical properties for DD11 were 241 MPa for Rp0.2, 351 MPa for UTS and 38.1% for A80. The average predicted mechanical properties for S355MC were 400 MPa, 488 MPa and 31.4% for Rp0.2, UTS and A80, respectively. Input parameters with relatively high Pearson correlation coefficient value showed that Rp0.2 increases monotonically as Mn content increases or coiling temperature decreases for DD11. Whereas for S355MC, Rp0.2 increases as Nb content increases, but coiling temperature did not show a linear relationship with Rp0.2.
Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Has No Advantage Over Platelet-Rich Plasma and Bone Marrow Aspirate Injections for Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Hohmann Erik , Keough Natalie , Frank Rachel M. , Rodeo Scott A.
Published: January 2025

Background:

Microfragmented adipose tissue has been proposed for intra-articular treatment of knee osteoarthritis. There are little data comparing the outcomes of treatment between microfragmented adipose tissue and other biological treatments.

Purpose:

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing microfragmented aspirated fat injections to other orthobiologics, hyaluronic acid, and corticosteroid injections for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

Study Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify pertinent publications in the MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, including all level 1 to 3 studies from 2000 to 2023. Validated knee scores (visual analog scale [VAS] for pain, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee) were included as outcome measures. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane tools. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system was used to assess the quality of the body of evidence and the modified Coleman Methodology Score was used to assess study quality. Heterogeneity was assessed using χ2 and I2 statistics.

Results:

Five studies were included in the analysis. One study had a high risk of bias; 4 studies had some risk of bias. The overall study quality was fair, and the certainty of evidence was low. The pooled estimate for VAS scores did not demonstrate significant differences at 3, 6, and 12 months. The pooled estimate for the KOOS Pain, Symptoms, Activities of Daily Living, Sport and Recreation, and Quality of Life subscales did not demonstrate significant differences at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Conclusion:

The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that there were no statistically significant differences for both the clinical outcomes and pain scores between microfragmented adipose tissue and other orthobiologics for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. However, modest study quality, some risk of bias, and low certainty of evidence reduce external validity, and these results must be viewed with some caution.
Reconstruction of the Superior Capsule Using Peroneus Longus Tendon Graft Combined With Transposition of Biceps Tendon for Irreparable Massive Rotator Cuff Tears
Authors: Zhou Yi , Chen Ling , Bai Fan , Yang Xiaolong , Fu Weili
Published: January 2025

Background:

Traditional superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) with biceps tendon transposition (TB) alone for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (IMRCTs) has demonstrated a high retear rate, highlighting the need for alternative approaches. Therefore, SCR using a peroneus longus tendon graft (PLG) combined with TB (PLG-TB) should be clinically studied.

Purpose:

To compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of SCR using the PLG-TB technique versus the TB technique alone for IMRCT.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Between February 2017 and March 2022, 94 patients were diagnosed with IMRCT; 45 patients underwent SCR using the TB technique (group 1), and 49 patients underwent SCR using the PLG-TB technique (group 2). The choice of technique was based on tendon damage severity and patient preference. After a minimum follow-up period of 2 years, postoperative clinical outcomes were compared using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES); University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); Constant; and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain scores as well as the shoulder range of motion. The integrity of tendons, acromiohumeral distance, and retear was evaluated through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results:

The mean follow-up times were 35.2 ± 4.2 months for group 1 and 34.1 ± 3.2 months for group 2. There was a significant improvement observed in all clinical outcomes in both groups from the baseline preoperative evaluations to the final follow-up assessments ( P = .001 for ASES score, UCLA score, Constant score, VAS score, forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation). Shoulder abduction in group 2 showed statistically significant mean improvements at the postoperative 3-month, 6-month, and final follow-ups compared with group 1 (3 months: 105.17°± 7.13° vs 89.34°± 7.34° [ P = .001]; 6 months: 138.14°± 9.12° vs 107.35°± 8.54° [ P = .001]; final follow-up: 157.35°± 8.11° vs 135.31°± 7.01° [ P = .001]). The tendon integrity at the final follow-up (Sugaya MRI grades 1/2/3/4/5) was significantly better in group 2 (30/6/6/4/3) compared with group 1 (11/13/5/6/10) ( P = .014). Additionally, the tendon retear rate was lower in group 2 (7/49; 14.29%) than in group 1 (16/45, 35.56%) ( P = .015).

Conclusion:

Both surgical techniques led to acceptable clinical outcomes in patients with IMRCT. However, using the PLG-TB technique for SCR was associated with lower retear rates and enhanced abduction function outcomes compared with the TB technique for SCR.
Febuxostat induced Stevens Johnson syndrome: A case report
Authors: Sidhu Jaspreet K , Chopra Deepti
Published: January 2025

Background: Febuxostat is a novel non-purine selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor with superior ability to lower serum urate levels than allopurinol.

Case Report: We report a case of Stevens Johnson syndrome following febuxostat administration.

Conclusion: This case report underlines the necessity of recognising this major mucocutaneous adverse reaction and the need for cautious medication usage.
Needle stick injuries and post-exposure prophylaxis practices among healthcare personnel working at tertiary care hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Kiddeer Muhammad , Basit Abdul , Ahmad Tawseef , Masood Imran
Published: January 2025

Background

Healthcare workers face a high risk of blood-borne infections due to needlestick injuries, especially in developing countries like Pakistan.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of needlestick injuries, reporting practices, and post-exposure prophylaxis measures among healthcare personnel in tertiary care hospitals in Punjab.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2019. Data were collected from healthcare personnel working in teaching hospitals across six randomly selected cities of Punjab. Data were collected from 600 healthcare personnel using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire, employing stratified random sampling to ensure representative sampling. Descriptive statistics were applied, and differences in needlestick injuries across demographic segments were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests.

Results

Among the 600 respondents, 533 returned the complete questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 88.8%. The majority of respondents were female ( n = 341, 64.2%). The mean years of service was 5.58 (±5.78), with most participants falling in the 0.5–5 years category ( n = 338, 66.4%). The prevalence of self-reported needlestick injuries in the last six months was 35.25%. Most injuries occurred during sampling (n = 95, 35.85%), followed by recapping ( n = 63, 23.77%). Reporting of needlestick injuries to the respective department was poor, with only 82 (21.87%) injuries reported. The frequency of needlestick injuries differed significantly across profession, working department, and education categories ( p < 0.05). Sanitary staff were more likely to sustain needlestick injuries during garbage collection and waste handling. Post-exposure screening for blood-borne infections was received by 79 (42.93%) individuals, and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was administered to 67 (36.41%).

Conclusion

The high prevalence of needlestick injuries among healthcare personnel occurred primarily during sampling and recapping. Reporting of NSIs was inadequate, and post-exposure testing and prophylaxis practices were substandard. Enhanced policies and protocols are necessary for effective NSI surveillance and the administration of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis.
The Impact of Intervention on the Learning and Retention of Specific Word-Problem Characteristics of Students With Word-Problem Difficulties
Authors: Lin Xin , Powell Sarah R.
Published: January 2025

This study examined how word-problem characteristics influenced students’ learning and retention of word-problem knowledge during and after an intervention. The participants were 221 fourth-grade students (average age at pretest = 8.8 years) who experienced word-problem difficulties (WPD) and had received a word-problem intervention in third grade. Findings from this exploratory[ study revealed the intervention had the potential to enhance the learning and retention of word problems involving tables. Moreover, students experiencing WPD faced the greatest challenges with two-step word problems and problems featuring two schemas. However, participation in the intervention did not lead to easier learning and retention of word problems with specific schemas (eg, total) or including irrelevant information. This suggests that the difficulty of certain word-problem characteristics is not fixed but can change, with some the difficulty of some characteristics more likely to become easier during or after an intervention.
Bridging the wealth gap: Simulating universal inheritance in four EU countries
Authors: Vidal Guillem , Thiemann Andreas , Salazar Leire , Noguera José A
Published: January 2025

The idea of a Universal Inheritance (UI) has been recently gaining weight amongst scholars concerned over increasing wealth inequality. A UI consists of a one-off public payment of an agreed sum to each citizen of young adulthood. In this article, we provide the results of novel simulations to assess the cost and the distributive impact of such policy by testing different parameters for both the benefit amount and its financing. The simulations run on a top-tail adjusted version of the Household Financial Consumption Survey covering four countries: Finland, Germany, Ireland, and Italy. We find that, under some parameters, a UI would significantly reduce inequality and could be realistically financed by taxing the top 1%.
From vulnerability to stability? Latin American strategies to govern financial subordination
Authors: Nagel Max
Published: January 2025

Recent research emphasizes the destabilizing impact of macrostructural constraints on financial stability in less advanced economies. This article extends these findings by investigating how financially subordinate countries manage the adverse effects of financial globalization. It argues that policy expertise is crucial for crafting risk-mitigating policies. While neoliberal and developmental expertise emphasize macrostructural factors, it foregrounds the significance of evolutionary expertise. This often-overlooked expertise enhances policymakers’ capacity to develop effective policies. It addresses risks arising from microstructural interactions involving different maturities and currencies on balance sheets of various financial actors. A most-similar design, using Argentina and Chile, is employed to trace how policy expertise informs monetary, financial, and foreign exchange policies. Drawing on document analyses (1980–2019) and interviews, it demonstrates how differing interpretations of financial historicity, positionality, and actors influence policymaking. The findings underscore the relevance of expertise as a critical resource for less advanced economies to protect against financial crises.
A comparative history of accounting traditions in China and Japan
Authors: Zhang Eagle , Noguchi Masayoshi
Published: January 2025

The political differences between Chinese and Japanese imperial systems offer a foundation for this study of accounting traditions in East Asia. For much of pre-modern history, the Chinese empire had a highly centralised power structure in which accounting gradually became a political institution that supported the emperor's power of governance. In pre-modern Japan, however, political control was largely shared by the shogunate and local clans of feudal lords, diverting power away from a central monarch. In such an environment, Japanese accounting traditions were orientated towards the business interests of major merchants, rather than the political interests of a centralised state. These political variances also underpin the different journeys that both countries have taken in their transition to embrace Western-style accounting practices from the late nineteenth century. This comparative history reinforces that accounting is highly responsive towards broader socio-political structures, adapting to the specific needs of changing circumstances in particular contexts.
Nursing Practices for Preventing Delirium in Patients with Cancer with Prognoses of Months and Weeks: A Multi-Site Cross-Sectional Study in Japan
Authors: Kanno Yusuke , Nakano Kimiko , Kajiwara Kohei , Kobayashi Masamitsu , Morikawa Miharu , Matsuda Yoshinobu , Kako Jun
Published: January 2025

Background

Delirium is a condition characterized by an acute and transient disturbance in attention, cognition, and consciousness. It is increasingly prevalent at the end of life in patients with cancer. While non-pharmacological nursing interventions are essential for delirium prevention, their effectiveness in terminally ill patients with cancer remains unclear.

Objectives

This study examined the nursing support practices employed to prevent delirium in terminally ill patients with cancer in palliative care units (PCUs) in Japan.

Methods

This cross-sectional study administered an online survey to 2448 nurses from 162 institutions with PCUs in Japan.

Results

Regarding nursing practices with patients with a prognosis of months and weeks, multi-component intervention, family support, and dehydration prevention were practiced frequently, whereas bright light therapy was practiced less frequently. The specialist team approach was practiced by approximately 50% of participants. Regarding multicomponent intervention in cases with a prognosis of months and weeks, adjustments in the sleep environment and pain management were practiced by more than 90% of the participants, whereas early exercise, vision or hearing assistance, and patient education on delirium were implemented by less than 50%. The management of intravenous injection routes and catheters was implemented by participants approximately 20% more frequently in cases with a prognosis of weeks than those with a prognosis of months.

Conclusion

The primary methods of nursing support for preventing delirium in patients with terminal cancer were multicomponent intervention, family support, and dehydration prevention. Further research is necessary to develop and implement appropriate nursing support strategies.
Recognizing facially expressed emotions in videos of people with visual impairments in online settings
Authors: Kim Hyung Nam
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

Facial expressions are critical for conveying emotions and facilitating social interaction. Yet, little is known about how accurately sighted individuals recognize emotions facially expressed by people with visual impairments in online communication settings.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate sighted individuals’ ability to understand facial expressions of six basic emotions in people with visual impairments during Zoom calls. It also aimed to examine whether education on facial expressions specific to people with visual impairments would improve emotion recognition accuracy.

METHODS

Sighted participants viewed video clips of individuals with visual impairments displaying facial expressions. They then identified the emotions displayed. Next, they received an educational session on facial expressions specific to people with visual impairments, addressing unique characteristics and potential misinterpretations. After education, participants viewed another set of video clips and again identified the emotions displayed.

RESULTS

Before education, participants frequently misidentified emotions. After education, their accuracy in recognizing emotions improved significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that education on facial expressions of people with visual impairments can significantly enhance sighted individuals’ ability to accurately recognize emotions in online settings. This improved accuracy has the potential to foster more inclusive and effective online interactions between people with and without visual disabilities.
Experiences of using an exoskeleton by care professionals in elderly care: A descriptive qualitative study
Authors: Roentgen Uta , Lexis Monique , Roost Frank , Daniëls Ramon
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among care professionals in elderly care. Exoskeletons showed effectiveness in preventing and reducing low back pain in other sectors. However, the potential of using an exoskeleton in elderly care is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To document the experiences of care professionals using an exoskeleton in elderly care.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative study with individual semi-structured interviews among professionals from two elderly care institutes, facing low back pain.

RESULTS

Twenty-two care professionals used the exoskeleton mainly at peak loads during morning and evening care. Their experiences were described in four main themes: wearing and adjusting, movement and comfort, appearance, integration into work, and perceived effects. Those who experienced (predominantly) positive effects reported having less or even no back pain, partly due to the relief of the lower back, but also to a more conscious posture and attention to ergonomically sound movement.

CONCLUSIONS

This study led to valuable insights into experiences of using an exoskeleton in elderly care, such as the potential of mitigating and preventing low back pain, and suggestions for further development of exoskeletons to improve their usability in the context of elderly care. The latter should be followed by studies into long-term effects.
A checklist to guide public digital platforms for the provision of AT services and products using people-centered assistive technology references
Authors: de Jesus Alves Ana Cristina , Jerez-Roig Javier , Merchán-Baeza José Antonio , Carvalho Kauane Santos , Ramon-Aribau Anna
Published: January 2025

OBJECTIVE

To develop a checklist that guides the requirements necessary for public digital platforms in providing AT, based on the WHO-proposed “The WHO-GATE 5P framework” and the Global Report on Assistive Technology.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive research approach was employed consisting of 4 stages: 1) Construction of the checking tool, 2) Discussion of the checklist by a group of three researchers until a final proposal was reached, 3) Analysis of the checklist by two external researchers with experience in AT research and services, 4) Analysis of the suggestions and formatting of the final version of the checklist. Three of the authors/researchers conducted a documental analysis of the “WHO-GATE 5P framework” and Global Report on Assistive Technology, and two experts in research and AT services, performed the checklist analysis independently.

RESULTS

The final version of the checklist with 25 items was created and made available in English and Portuguese version. Conclusion: This checklist based on the fundamentals of the assistive technology model centred on people, the “WHO-GATE 5P framework” and the Global Report on Assistive Technology provides direction for digital AT service delivery, delivery practices and data science in digital services aimed at addressing the needs of AT consumers, while supporting advancements in the provision of digital AT services.
Nurturing Bonds: Social Support as a Mediator in the Association Between Parenting Stress and the Mother–Child Relationship Among Turkish Mothers
Authors: Hatun Osman , Kütük-Yılmaz Pınar , Topal-Özgen Gülşen
Published: January 2025

This study investigated the relationships among parenting stress, social support, and mother–child relationships among Turkish mothers, focusing on the mediating role of social support. It explored how social support influences the link between maternal stress and mother–child interactions. The research involved 222 Turkish mothers aged 22–65 ( M = 37.05, SD = 5.66). The Process Macro was used to test the mediational model, and bootstrap analysis assessed the significance of the direct and indirect relationships between the variables. The results indicated that maternal stress significantly and negatively affected both social support and mother­–child relationships. Support from family and friends was found to significantly predict the quality of mother–child interactions. The study suggests that social support from family and friends can reduce mothers’ parenting stress and promote a healthy mother–child relationship. These findings contribute to family counseling literature and suggest that enhancing social support systems can improve parenting practices and family dynamics in Turkish families.
Framing Public vs Private Violence: An Inductive Thematic Analysis of The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and The West Australian
Authors: McGarry Jade
Published: January 2025

In Australia, domestic and family violence (DFV) has reached epidemic proportions. This research argues that it constitutes a form of terrorism, although the news media, governments, or public rarely refer to DFV in this way. This paper examines how Australian news media outlets— The Australian, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, The Sydney Morning Herald and The West Australian—reported on and at times connected DFV and terrorism, finding that DFV and terrorism were connected in several ways, and that DFV was described as terrorism by several academics, advocates, journalists, and victims. The research also found that the framing of each issue differed, subsequently affecting public perceptions of the perceived severity, impact, and pervasiveness of each issue.
Simple reaction time to visual and auditory stimulation in glaucoma
Authors: Quentin Lenoble , François Rouland Jean , Matthieu Duault , Muriel Boucart
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives

Glaucoma can impact the ability to perform daily life activities such as driving. In such tasks, reaction time is critical to detect hazards. Understanding the modalities that affect response times is thus essential for clinical care.

Subjects/Method

Simple reaction time tasks, in which participants respond as fast as possible to a stimulus, constitute a basic measure of processing speed. Simple reaction times to visual and auditory stimuli were compared to assess whether glaucomatous patients exhibit a general slowing in execution speed or a specific slowing in response to visual signals.Twenty participants with primary open angle glaucoma, 16 age-matched normally sighted controls and 16 young controls were instructed to press the space bar of the computer as soon as they detected a visual (a 3° black ring) or an auditory (a 440 Hz sound) signal. The two modalities were tested in independent blocks of 63 trials.

Results

Participants with glaucoma were significantly slower than young and older controls in the visual modality but not in the auditory modality, in which simple reaction times did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the reduced processing speed in glaucoma cannot be attributed to motor or attentional impairments and probably results from a delay in the transmission of visual information.
DMEK Surgical Strategy in Aphakic and Vitrectomized Eyes
Authors: Güell José Luis , Zúñiga Martina Aguilera , Alonso-Reyes Hugo , Moura-Coelho Nuno , Lindez-Pérez Eloyna
Published: January 2025

Purpose

After 15 years of accumulated experience in the Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) technique, this surgical method has demonstrated a high reproducibility and success rate. However, certain ocular conditions such as aphakia and previously vitrectomized eyes remain challenging. We describe a novel technique designed to improve surgical time and postoperative outcomes in these specific scenarios.

Methods

Following delivery of the Descemet membrane graft into the anterior chamber (AC), a small air bubble was injected beneath the graft. One edge of the graft was grasped using the forceps. Subsequently, the external corneal surface was tapped, until the graft was unrolled.

Results

In our experience, this technique has consistently led to a reduced surgical time and excellent anatomical outcomes, achieving complete membrane attachment.

Conclusions

The technique developed and described herein provides a valuable surgical alternative for achieving successful DMEK outcomes in complex cases.
Assessment of Simple Engineering Approaches and Poultry Manure for Soil Erosion Control Under Maize Cultivation in the Tropics
Authors: Ologunde Olanrewaju Hameed , Akanni Sodiq Dimeji , Olayemi Abdullahi Bamidele , Busari Mutiu Abolanle
Published: January 2025

Monitoring soil erosion is crucial for soil conservation policies, especially in tropical regions that are prone to water erosion. A 2-year field study was conducted to assess the impact of simple engineering approaches and poultry manure application on soil loss, soil physical properties, maize yield, and economic benefit in Southwest Nigeria. The experiment was a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement with three replications. The treatments included four engineering approaches (surface mat, silt fencing, furrow dike, and no approach [control]) and two poultry manure application rates at 0 and 20 t ha−1. Annual soil loss was higher under the control (6.22–8.01 Mg ha−1 year−1). The combination of engineering approaches with poultry manure at 20 t ha−1 significantly ( p ⩽ .05) reduced soil loss by 9.7% to 85.4% compared to control. Engineering approaches and poultry manure application did not significantly improve soil physical properties; however, saturated hydraulic conductivity was highest under surface mat combined with poultry manure at 20 t ha−1 in both years. Maize yield increased by 27.7% under surface mat compared to control, while an additional grain yield of 0.14 Mg ha−1 was obtained for 20 t ha−1 poultry manure over 0 t ha−1. Soil loss was negatively and significantly correlated with grain yield. The results suggest that integrating surface mats with poultry manure can be effective in controlling soil loss, enhancing soil properties, and improving maize yield.
Wastewater Management in the Philippines: A Call for Localized Solutions and Policy Integration
Authors: Corpuz Jeff Clyde G
Published: January 2025

I read with great interest the recent study by Omohwovo on wastewater management challenges in Africa, which has strong parallels with the Philippines’ own struggles in this area. Like Africa, our country is experiencing rapid population growth and urbanization without the necessary infrastructure to support effective wastewater treatment. The Philippines is also facing poor wastewater management that has led to severe heath concerns for humans, animals, and ecosystem. Since wastewater treatment and disposal facilities are rare, domestic wastewater is discharged without treatment. This has resulted in serious public health risks and environmental damage—problems that mirror those highlighted in Africa and emphasize the urgency of meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) for clean water and sanitation. This paper aims to provide guidelines for the Philippine government to consider localized solutions and policy integration to solve the issue of wastewater management in the Philippines.
Abolition compromised: How state-nonprofit funding dynamics undermine anti-carceral reform
Authors: Bakko Matthew , Murray Bethany Jo , Jacobs Leah A.
Published: January 2025

Defunding the police is an abolitionist strategy to reduce policing and boost community resources that address the root social problems contributing to crime. Abolitionists advocate for solutions led and held accountable by the community, addressing community needs without reliance on criminal legal systems or carceral approaches. Since 2020, several US cities have partially diverted police budgets to social services, primarily through municipal contracts with nonprofits providing public safety-related social services. However, scholars and abolitionists caution that state funding ties may expand carcerality and undermine liberatory efforts. This article explores how state-nonprofit funding dynamics influence the implementation of police defunding and the pursuit of abolitionist aims. Drawing on a 21-month ethnographic study in Minneapolis and Austin, two cities that defunded the police, this study uncovers four key funding dynamics—organizational competition, funder control, organizational agency, and accountability—that impeded abolitionist aims. These dynamics favored nonprofits with state ties or approaches aligned with state interests, constrained the community needs met and how, directed police dollars to nonprofits collaborating with police, and lacked community accountability structures. This article illuminates the complexities of implementing abolitionist strategies like defunding within a nonprofit funding framework, advocates for attention to implementation processes, and discusses strategies to address state influence.
Eosinopenia in bronchiectasis: A novel biomarker for morbidity and mortality
Authors: Izhakian Shimon , Yehezkely Ravid , Frajman Assaf , Mekiten Ori , Hadar Ori , Rockland Avigail , Malka Liel , Freidkin Lev , Rosengarten Dror , Kramer Mordechai R.
Published: January 2025

Background

The paradigm of bronchiectasis is shifting away from its exclusive characterization as a neutrophilic condition. Patients with bronchiectasis and high eosinophil levels have been found to have a specific phenotype, but the clinical effect of eosinopenia remains unclear.

Method

A retrospective, single-center, observational study was conducted at a tertiary medical center. Adult patients under follow-up for bronchiectasis from January 2007 to August 2020 were categorized by blood eosinophil count (BEC) as follows: eosinopenia (<100 cells/µL), normal (100-299 cells/µL), and eosinophilia (≥300 cells/µL). Data on the first hospitalization due to exacerbation and the community exacerbation rate in the first year of follow-up were analyzed. Mortality rates were assessed up to the end of follow-up on September 1, 2023.

Results

The cohort included 724 patients (100%), 61% female ( n = 442), of mean age 61 ± 16 years. The median follow-up period was 7.5 years (IQR: 5.1–10.8). Eosinopenia was found in 14.7% ( n = 107), normal BEC in 56.6% ( n = 417), and eosinophilia in 28.7% ( n = 200). Patients with eosinopenia had a higher hazard ratio for first hospitalization than the normal-count group (1.71, 95% CI 1.11–2.64, p = .01) and the highest mean exacerbation rate ( p = .04). On multivariate analysis, eosinopenia was significantly associated with higher mortality (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.42–3.24, p < .001) after adjusting for age and sex.

Conclusion

Eosinopenia in bronchiectasis emerged as a potential biomarker for adverse outcomes. Further study of its role in disease behavior may provide insights for the development of therapeutic strategies.
A Systematic Review of Anxiety Measurement Scales in Pediatric Organ Transplantation Patients
Authors: Yang Zhe , Killian Michael O
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Anxiety symptoms influence health outcomes in pediatric organ transplant recipients. Assessing the quality of anxiety scales is critical to address the psychological challenges these patients face. Variability in how anxiety is conceptualized across scales highlights the need for selecting appropriate instruments.

Objective

This systematic review aimed to search and synthesize anxiety scales used in pediatric organ transplant studies, evaluate their reliability and validity, examine factors and group differences related to anxiety, and identify promising scales for this population.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted using the terms “(Anxiety) AND (organ transplant) AND (child* OR youth OR pediatric* OR adolescen*).” Ten electronic databases were accessed.

Results

Eighteen anxiety scales from 30 articles were identified. Fourteen scales measured specific anxiety types. Most scales demonstrated good to excellent reliability and validity. Associations between anxiety and demographics, psychological well-being, factors related to illness and treatment were observed. Five types of anxiety-related differences among groups and 6 promising anxiety scales for the target population were identified.

Discussion

General and specialized anxiety scales were identified. Incomplete reporting of psychometric evidence restricted the quality assessment. Limitations include cultural and publication biases. Future research should focus on transplant-specific scales with psychometric validation across culturally diverse settings to ensure their quality and applicability.

Conclusion

This review identified well-validated scales, such as State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, effective for quick screening. Specialized instruments were used for nuanced anxiety concepts such as needle-related anxiety, illness-specific anxiety, and anxiety during the transition to adult care, but further psychometric validation is needed.
The Effects of Crowds on Professional European Basketball Teams
Authors: Jiménez Juan Luis , Valido Jorge , Jiménez Marcos
Published: January 2025

Do crowds affect professional basketball teams’ performance? Using results from matches played in the EuroLeague, EuroCup, and ACB (Spain) before, during, and after the COVID period (2014–2024) allows us to answer this question. Our estimations conclude that the probability of a team winning at home is 5.6% lower in the absence of a home crowd in ACB and 5.76% in the case of EuroLeague. Moreover, the difference between home points and away points is lower and the percentage home fouls versus away fouls is higher, but both results are only significant for ACB. Finally, the absence of spectators in the stands does not affect shooting percentages.
Toward a Transitional Justice Approach to Long-Term Protection of Civilians in the DR of Congo
Authors: Cirhigiri Christian Cito
Published: January 2025

Violent conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been devastating for civilians, and the human rights violations suffered by victims have long-lasting effects. The need for both short and long-term responses is crucial. However, current literature and policy recommendations focus too narrowly on short-term results, neglecting the underlying causes that threaten everyday civilian protection. To broaden the paradigm of protecting civilians, it is necessary to balance prioritization and sequencing of interventions so that the civilian protection system is not spread too thin. Research conducted between May and October 2021, based on 20 interviews with humanitarian and transitional justice actors in Kinshasa and victim groups in Goma, examines how transitional justice can recast three dimensions of the protection of civilians under the humanitarian toolkit: (1) accountability for affected civilians, (2) decolonization, and (3) community-based approaches towards a long-term goal.
Measuring the Degree of Mixed Methods Adoption: An Investigation Using Doctoral Dissertation Abstracts
Authors: Toraman Turk Sinem , Cox Kyle , Plano Clark Vicki L.
Published: January 2025

Prevalence studies have been conducted to assess the adoption of mixed methods research (MMR) across contexts. A limitation of these studies for understanding MMR adoption is their reliance on dichotomous operationalization or focus on one MMR practice. This study employed an item response theory model to examine the measurement of MMR adoption with reported MMR elements as indicators. Results indicate that MMR studies can be differentiated on their degree of MMR adoption and that elements such as Integration techniques, Sequence, and Qualitative and Quantitative Methods have a pronounced ability to differentiate MMR studies on the degree they adopted MMR practices. This study contributes to the field of MMR by offering a novel approach to operationalizing the degree of MMR adoption.
Eliciting the Initial Programme Theory in a Realist Evaluation of Facility-Based Maternal Death Reviews in Benin: Methodological Process, Challenges and Lessons Learned
Authors: Hounsou Christelle Boyi , Dossou Jean-Paul , Delvaux Thérèse , Beňová Lenka , Ouendo Edgard-Marius , Zweekhorst Marjolein , Marchal Bruno
Published: January 2025

The initial program theory (IPT) is a core element of realist evaluation. An IPT presents a hypothesis about how, for whom, why, and in what contexts an intervention is effective. Despite their importance within realist studies, methodological guidance on how to develop an IPT is relatively scarce. We describe the methodological process of eliciting an IPT of facility-based maternal death reviews (FbMDRs), a multicomponent intervention to improve the quality of maternal care. We used a four-step approach to elicit the IPT through a combination of literature review, document review, and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders while drawing on the experience of the research team. The literature and document reviews enabled us to identify facilitators and barriers influencing the functioning of FbMDRs. We used the causal pathway approach to deconstruct the maternal death review procedure and we elicited a causal explanation for each component on the basis of the results of the document review, the literature review and key respondent interviews. We organised stakeholder consultations that provided insights of key actors and validated its real-world relevance. We discuss the challenges encountered during its development and the lessons learned. The challenges include the fact that maternal death reviews are multicomponent interventions, for which a ‘simple’ programme theory cannot be defined, the positionality of the research team, and the visual representation of a programme theory with multiple components.
How do education collectives in China function? A critical analysis of relationship governance in a formal multischool collaboration
Authors: Lin Pinyan
Published: January 2025

Interschool collaboration in educational organisations has introduced new complexities and challenges, particularly in the dynamics of relationships and power flow. This article adopts a critical approach to investigate education collectives (ECs) within China's compulsory education system, which represent a multiorganisational model. The study examines the relationship between governance structures that enable ECs to function and explores how power flows through them. Innovatively, the author proposes a conceptual framework based on the Chinese Confucian principles of virtue, authority and collectivism. This framework is utilised to explore and comprehend how power and authority are redistributed within the hierarchical structures of ECs and how these are embedded within broader Chinese social and cultural ideologies. Through the Chinese case study, the article exemplifies the diverse potential relationships between schools, districts and central governments, describing features that are amenable to recontextualisation, policy borrowing, and policy learning in other contexts.
Sex-related differences in heart failure patients: physiological mechanisms of cardiovascular ageing and evidence-based sex-specific medical therapies
Authors: Ciutac Andra Maria , Pana Tiberiu , Dawson Dana , Myint Phyo Kyaw
Published: January 2025

This review aims to describe the sex differences in heart failure (HF) patients, with a particular emphasis on the effect of cardiovascular ageing. Additionally, it takes into consideration the sex-related variation in cardiovascular health and physiology and the role ageing plays in HF and its implications in drug therapy. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the common HF medications, classified according to the established sub-types, are summarised with respect to sex-specific documented findings. Despite numerous studies confirming significant differences in HF outcomes according to sex, there are no current guidelines that consider patients’ sex in medical therapy of HF. Moreover, females are significantly under-represented in research trials, as well as under-treated in clinical practice, which hinders our understanding of HF in this demographic. Most of the current knowledge on sex-specific HF therapies is driven by secondary analyses of studies not primarily undertaking sex-specific analyses. Therefore, we propose a multi-faceted approach, including increased awareness among healthcare providers and more inclusive research to create a personalised care plan accounting for sex differences in HF management. Given the highlighted knowledge gaps, it is paramount for new research efforts to account for the different sex phenotypes in HF.
A systematic review of acquired bladder cancer risk factors
Authors: Patterson Kenneth , Kinnear Ned , Patterson Rory , Yap Lee Chien , Hennessey Derek
Published: January 2025

Background:

Bladder cancer remains the ninth most common cancer worldwide. Many of the risk factors associated with bladder cancer are acquired and are therefore modifiable. This study aimed to systematically review the literature to identify the main acquired risk factors associated with the development of bladder cancer.

Methods:

We performed a meticulous, systematic literature review for relevant studies using two electronic databases PubMed and Medline. Studies deemed eligible examined bladder cancer risk factors and were published in the English language.

Results:

One hundred and twenty-five full-text articles were included in the review. The majority were case–control studies and cohort studies, with some systematic reviews and meta-analyses included. The acquired risk factors which were most commonly identified include smoking, occupational exposures, dietary factors and medical conditions.

Conclusion:

Bladder cancer remains a disease with a significant global burden, much of which can be attributable to modifiable and acquired risk factors. A key factor in the primary prevention of bladder cancer is the identification and modification of these risk factors by both physicians and patients.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable