bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The next phases of the Migrante Project: Study protocol to expand an observatory of migrant health on the Mexico—U.S. border
Authors: Martinez-Donate Ana P. , Rangel Gudelia , Correa Catalina , Bakely Leah , Gonzalez-Fagoaga Jesús Eduardo , González Ahmed Asadi , Amuedo-Dorantes Catalina , Zhang Xiao , Magis-Rodriguez Carlos , Lê-Scherban Félice , Guendelman Sylvia , Parrado Emilio
Published: April 2023

Background

Mexican migrants traveling across the Mexico-United States (U.S.) border region represent a large, highly mobile, and socially vulnerable subset of Mexican nationals. Population-level health data for this group is hard to obtain given their geographic dispersion, mobility, and largely unauthorized status in the U.S. Over the last 14 years, the Migrante Project has implemented a unique migration framework and novel methodological approach to generate population-level estimates of disease burden and healthcare access for migrants traversing the Mexico-U.S. border. This paper describes the rationale and history of the Migrante Project and the protocol for the next phases of the project.

Methods/design

In the next phases, two probability, face-to-face surveys of Mexican migrant flows will be conducted at key crossing points in Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, and Matamoros (N = 1,200 each). Both survey waves will obtain data on demographics, migration history, health status, health care access, COVID-19 history, and from biometric tests. In addition, the first survey will focus on non-communicable disease (NCD), while the second will dive deeper into mental health and substance use. The project will also pilot test the feasibility of a longitudinal dimension with 90 survey respondents that will be re-interviewed by phone 6 months after completing the face-to-face baseline survey.

Discussion

Interview and biometric data from the Migrante project will help to characterize health care access and health status and identify variations in NCD-related outcomes, mental health, and substance use across migration phases. The results will also set the basis for a future longitudinal extension of this migrant health observatory. Analyses of previous Migrante data, paired with data from these upcoming phases, can shed light on the impact of health care and immigration policies on migrants’ health and inform policy and programmatic responses to improve migrant health in sending, transit, and receiving communities.
Perceptions of the benefits of the basic medical insurance system among the insured: a mixed methods research of a northern city in China
Authors: Wang Peng , Li Shuyi , Wang Zhizhen , Jiao Mingli , Zhang Yuchao , Huang Weiqi , Ning Ning , Gao Lijun , Shan Linghan , Li Ye , Wu Qunhong
Published: April 2023

Background

The perceptions of the benefits of the basic medical insurance system among the insured not only reflect the system's performance but also the public's basic medical insurance policy literacy, valuable information for countries that have entered the stage of deepening reform. This study aims to examine the factors that affect the perceptions of the benefits of the basic medical insurance system in China, diagnose the key problems, and propose corresponding measures for improvement.

Methods

A mixed method design was used. Data for the quantitative study were obtained from a cross-sectional questionnaire survey (n = 1,045) of residents of Harbin who had enrolled for basic medical insurance system. A quota sampling method was further adopted. A multivariate logistic regression model was then employed to identify the factors influencing the perceptions of the benefits of the basic medical insurance system, followed by semi-structured interviews with 30 conveniently selected key informants. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the interview data.

Results

Approximately 44% of insured persons reported low perceptions of benefits. The logistic regression model showed that low perceptions of the benefits of the basic medical insurance system was positively correlated with the experience of daily drug purchases (OR = 1.967), perceptions of recognition with basic medical insurance system (OR = 1.948), perceptions of the financial burden of participation costs (OR = 1.887), perceptions of the convenience of using basic medical insurance for medical treatment (OR = 1.770), perceptions of the financial burden of daily drug purchases costs (OR = 1.721), perceptions of the financial burden of hospitalization costs (OR = 1.570), and type of basic medical insurance system (OR = 1.456). The results of the qualitative analysis showed that the key problem areas of perceptions of the benefits of the basic medical insurance system were: (I) system design of basic medical insurance; (II) intuitive cognition of the insured; (III) rational cognition of the insured; and (IV) the system environment.

Conclusions

Improving the perceptions of the benefits of the basic medical insurance system of the insured requires joint efforts in improving system design and implementation, exploring effective publicity methods of basic medical insurance system information, supporting public policy literacy, and promoting the health system environment.
Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of a standardized training model for improving patients' ability to use inhalers
Authors: Huang Yuwen , Miao Fangzhou , Dai Yunjian , Chang Cuie , Zhang Xiaoyu , Dai Haibin
Published: April 2023

Objective

Training contributes to the effectiveness of aerosol inhalation therapy. However, qualitative and quantitative evaluation of effective training methods is rarely reported. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized training model by pharmacists based on verbal instruction and physical demonstration in improving patients' ability to use inhalers using qualitative and quantitative methods. Risk or protective factors affecting correct inhaler use were also explored.

Methods

431 Outpatients with asthma or COPD were recruited and randomly divided into a standardized training group (n = 280) and a usual training group (control group, n = 151). A framework of qualitative (e.g., multi-criteria analysis) and quantitative comparisons [percentage of correct use (CU%), percentage of complete error (CE%), and percentage of partial error (PE%)] was established to evaluate the two training models. In addition, the changes of key factors (age, education level, adherence, device type, etc.) influencing patients' ability to use inhalers of two models were observed.

Results

The multi-criteria analysis showed that the standardized training model had comprehensive advantages in qualitative indicators. The average correct use percentage (CU%) of the standardized training group was significantly higher than that of the usual training group (77.6% vs. 35.5%). A stratified analysis further demonstrated that the ORs (95%CI) in the usual training group of age and educational level was 2.263 (1.165–4.398) and 0.556 (0.379–0.815), while in the standardized training group, age and educational level were not the key factors influencing the ability to use inhaler devices (P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that standardized training was a protective factor for inhalation ability.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that the framework of qualitative and quantitative comparisons could be used to evaluate training models, and the standardized training model by pharmacists can significantly improve patients' ability to use inhalers correctly and address the influence of older age and lower education because of its methodological advantages. Further studies with more extended follow-up are needed to validate the role of the standardized training model by pharmacists in the correct use of inhalers.

Clinical trial registration

chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2100043592 (23-02-2021).
Overtime work, job autonomy, and employees’ subjective well-being: Evidence from China
Authors: Yang Shusheng , Chen Lijuan , Bi Xianjin
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Chinese workers suffer more from overtime than in many countries. Excessive working hours can crowd out personal time and cause work-family imbalance, affecting workers’ subjective well-being. Meanwhile, self-determination theory suggests that higher job autonomy may improve the subjective well-being of employees.

Methods

Data came from the 2018 China Labor-force Dynamics Survey (CLDS 2018). The analysis sample consisted of 4,007 respondents. Their mean age was 40.71 (SD = 11.68), and 52.8% were males. This study adopted four measures of subjective well-being: happiness, life satisfaction, health status, and depression. Confirmation factor analysis was employed to extract the job autonomy factor. Multiple linear regression methods were applied to examine the relationship between overtime, job autonomy, and subjective well-being.

Results

Overtime hours showed weak association with lower happiness (β = −0.002, p < 0.01), life satisfaction (β = −0.002, p < 0.01), and health status (β = −0.002, p < 0.001). Job autonomy was positively related to happiness (β = 0.093, p < 0.01), life satisfaction (β = 0.083, p < 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between involuntary overtime and subjective well-being. Involuntary overtime might decrease the level of happiness (β = −0.187, p < 0.001), life satisfaction (β = −0.221, p < 0.001), and health status (β = −0.129, p < 0.05) and increase the depressive symptoms (β = 1.157, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

While overtime had a minimal negative effect on individual subjective well-being, involuntary overtime significantly enlarged it. Improving individual’s job autonomy is beneficial for individual subjective well-being.
Occupational noise exposure at sea: A socio-legal study on fish harvesters’ perceptions in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Authors: Yadav Om Prakash , Shan Desai , Sarkar Atanu , Moro Lorenzo
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Noise is a significant health hazard for fish harvesters. Chronic exposure to hazardous noise levels of 85 dB (A) for an 8-h work shift can have adverse health impacts, including both auditory and non-auditory health problems such as noise-induced hearing loss, stress, hypertension, sleeping disorders, and impaired cognitive performance.

Methods

A review of legislation and policies governing workplace noise exposure, as well as qualitative, semi-structured interviews, were conducted to assess how fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) manage onboard occupational noise exposure and perceive noise-induced health problems, as well as the barriers and challenges associated with preventing and controlling noise exposure.

Results

The legal review shows no compulsory noise preventive measure at the fishing vessel design stage in Canada. Limited implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations to control and prevent onboard noise by employers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Fishers reported that their workplace is noisy. Over time, fish harvesters adapted to the environment and learned to tolerate loud noise, displaying fatalistic behavior. Fish harvesters reported avoiding using hearing protection onboard due to navigation safety concerns. Fishers reported hearing loss as well as other non-auditory health problems. Inadequate noise control measures adopted by employers, a limited supply of hearing protection onboard, and a lack of regular hearing testing, training, and education were identified as the main barriers to preventing and controlling noise exposure.

Conclusion

Proper implementation of NL OHS regulations and the development of hearing conservation initiatives by employers are necessary. All stakeholders, including the federal and provincial governments, WorkplaceNL, and not-for-profit fishing organizations in the province, are strongly recommended to initiate training and education campaigns to help fish harvesters understand noise exposure and adopt preventive measures.
A novel approach toward skin cancer classification through fused deep features and neutrosophic environment
Authors: Abdelhafeez Ahmed , Mohamed Hoda K. , Maher Ali , Khalil Nariman A.
Published: April 2023

Variations in the size and texture of melanoma make the classification procedure more complex in a computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) system. The research proposes an innovative hybrid deep learning-based layer-fusion and neutrosophic-set technique for identifying skin lesions. The off-the-shelf networks are examined to categorize eight types of skin lesions using transfer learning on International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC) 2019 skin lesion datasets. The top two networks, which are GoogleNet and DarkNet, achieved an accuracy of 77.41 and 82.42%, respectively. The proposed method works in two successive stages: first, boosting the classification accuracy of the trained networks individually. A suggested feature fusion methodology is applied to enrich the extracted features’ descriptive power, which promotes the accuracy to 79.2 and 84.5%, respectively. The second stage explores how to combine these networks for further improvement. The error-correcting output codes (ECOC) paradigm is utilized for constructing a set of well-trained true and false support vector machine (SVM) classifiers via fused DarkNet and GoogleNet feature maps, respectively. The ECOC’s coding matrices are designed to train each true classifier and its opponent in a one-versus-other fashion. Consequently, contradictions between true and false classifiers in terms of their classification scores create an ambiguity zone quantified by the indeterminacy set. Recent neutrosophic techniques resolve this ambiguity to tilt the balance toward the correct skin cancer class. As a result, the classification score is increased to 85.74%, outperforming the recent proposals by an obvious step. The trained models alongside the implementation of the proposed single-valued neutrosophic sets (SVNSs) will be publicly available for aiding relevant research fields.
A cross-sectional study on gaming intensity and social vulnerability in adolescents that have a chronic condition
Authors: Alexandridis Dionysis , Nijhof Sanne L. , van der Rijst Vincent G. , van der Neut Damian Y. , Spijkerman Renske , Stevens Gonneke W. J. M. , Bakkes Sander C. J. , Lesscher Heidi M. B. , van den Eijnden Regina J. J. M. , van der Ent Cornelis K. , van den Berg Gerrit , Peeters Margot
Published: April 2023

Background

Adolescents growing up with a chronic condition might experience more social vulnerabilities compared to their healthy peers as an indirect result of their conditions. This can lead to a relatedness need frustration for these adolescents. Consequently, they might spend more time playing video games compared to their peers. Research shows that both social vulnerability and gaming intensity are predictors for problematic gaming. Therefore, we investigated if social vulnerability and gaming intensity are more pronounced in adolescents that have a chronic condition compared to the general population; and if these levels reflect the levels of a clinical group being treated for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD).

Methods

Data on peer problems and gaming intensity were compared from three separate samples: a national representative sample of adolescents, a clinical sample of adolescents that are undergoing treatment for IGD, and a sample of adolescents diagnosed with a chronic condition.

Results

No differences were found on either peer problems or gaming intensity between the group of adolescents that have chronic conditions and the national representative group. The group with chronic conditions scored significantly lower on gaming intensity than the clinical group. No significant differences were found between these groups on peer problems. We repeated the analyses for boys only. Similar results were found for the group with chronic conditions compared to the national representative group. The group with chronic conditions now scored significantly lower on both peer problems and gaming intensity than the clinical group.

Conclusion

Adolescents growing up with a chronic condition appear similar in their gaming intensity and peer problems compared to their healthy peers.
Trends and disparities in disease burden of age-related macular degeneration from 1990 to 2019: Results from the global burden of disease study 2019
Authors: Jiang Bo , Jiang Chun , Li Jianqing , Lu Peirong
Published: April 2023

Objectives

This study aims to estimate the trends and disparities in the worldwide burden for health of AMD, overall and by age, sex, socio-demographic index (SDI), region, and nation using prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) from Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019.

Methods

This retrospective study presents the prevalent AMD cases and YLDs from 1990–2019, as well as the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and age-standardized YLD rate (ASYR) of AMD. To measure changes over time, estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) of the age-standardized rates (ASRs) were analyzed globally, then studied further by sex, SDI, region, and nation. We included data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database to examine AMD prevalence and YLDs from 1990–2019 in 204 countries and territories, as well as demographic information such as age, sex, SDI, region, and nation.

Results

Globally, the number of prevalent AMD cases increased from 3,581,329.17 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 3,025,619.4–4,188,835.7) in 1990 to 7,792,530 (95% UI, 6,526,081.5–9,159,394.9) in 2019, and the number of YLDs increased from 296,771.93 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 205,462.8–418,699.82) in 1990 to 564,055.1 (95% UI, 392,930.7–789,194.64) in 2019. The ASPR of AMD had a decreased trend with an EAPC of −0.15 (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.2 to −0.11) from 1990 to 2019, and the ASYR of AMD showed a decreased trend with an EAPC of −0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.78 to −0.65) during this period. The prevalence and YLDs of AMD in adults over 50 years of age showed a significant increase. The prevalence and YLDs of AMD were significantly higher in females than males, overall. The ASPRs and ASYRs in low SDI regions was greater than in high SDI regions from 1990 to 2019. In addition, increases in prevalence and YLDs differed by regions and nations, as well as level of socio-economic development.

Conclusion

The number of prevalent cases and YLDs due to AMD increased over 30 years and were directly linked to age, sex, socio-economic status, and geographic location. These findings can not only guide public health work but also provide an epidemiological basis for global strategy formulation regarding this global health challenge.
Association between individual, household, and area-level socioeconomic status indicators and sensorineural hearing loss in adults in southwest Iran: a population-based study
Authors: Rahimi Zahra , Saki Nader , Cheraghian Bahman , Amini Payam , Solaymani Dodaran Masoud
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Hearing loss is the fourth most common chronic disease, but studies on the relationship between hearing loss and socioeconomic factors are limited. We aimed to examine the association between hearing loss and socioeconomic factors among 35–70 year adults in southwest Iran.

Materials and methods

This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the baseline of Hoveyzeh cohort study in adults aged 35–70 in southwest Iran between 2017 and 2021. Information on socioeconomic factors, demographic characteristics, comorbidities, family history of hearing loss, and noise exposure was collected. We assessed the relationship between three levels of socioeconomic factors (individual, household, and area level) with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust the potential confounders.

Results

Among a total of 1,365 assessed participants, 485 patients were diagnosed as having hearing loss, and the other 880 individuals were diagnosed without hearing loss, which is considered the case and the control group, respectively. At the individual level of socioeconomic, the odds of having hearing loss in the participants with high school education and diploma, [OR = 0.51 (95%CI:0.28–0.92)], and the individuals with university education [OR = 0.44 (95%CI:0.22–0.87)] were significantly lower than the illiterate participants. At the household socioeconomic level, the odds of having hearing loss were lower for those with poor [OR = 0.63 (95%CI:0.41–0.97)] and moderate [OR = 0.62 (95%CI:0.41–0.94)] wealth status vs. those with the poorest wealth status. In the area level socioeconomic, although the odds of hearing loss in the residents of affluent areas were slightly lower than the residents of deprived areas, there was no significant difference among the groups.

Conclusion

The individuals with hearing loss may have insufficient education and income.
Knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding environmental friendly disinfectants for household use among residents of China in the post-pandemic period
Authors: Tong Yongxin , Zhu Zerong , Chen Wenjing , Wang Fang , Hu Xianmin , Wang Jun
Published: April 2023

Background

A sharp rise in household consumption of disinfectants triggered by COVID-19 pandemic has generated tremendous environmental burden and risks of disinfectant emissions in the post-pandemic period. To address this emerging challenge, replacing highly hazardous disinfectants with more environmental friendly alternatives has been accepted as an inherently effective solution to environment issues posed by disinfectant emerging contaminants. However, no study has yet been done to explore the potential customers' attitudes and the market prospect of environmental friendly disinfectants until now.

Methods

This cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted from January to March, 2022, among resident volunteers in China, to explore the practices, knowledge and attitudes of the public regarding environmental friendly disinfectants for household use.

Results

Among a total of 1,861 Chinese residents finally included in the analyses, 18% agreed or strongly agreed that they paid special attention to the environmental certification label on the product, and only bought the environmental certified disinfectant products; 16% and 10% were using environmental friendly disinfectants for hand sanitization and environmental disinfection, respectively. The mean self-assessed and actual knowledge scores were 2.42 ± 1.74 and 2.12 ± 1.97, respectively, out of a total of 5. Participants having good practices of consuming environmental friendly disinfectants achieved higher knowledge scores. Residents' overall attitudes toward the development, consumption and application of environmental friendly disinfectants were very positive. “Possible conflict between disinfection effectiveness and environmental factor of disinfectants in a context of severe COVID-19 pandemic” was considered as the most important barrier jeopardizing the participants' usage intention for environmental friendly disinfectants.

Conclusions

These data suggested most residents of China had a positive attitude, poor knowledge and practices toward environmental friendly disinfectants. More should be done to enhance the residents' environmental knowledge levels about disinfectants, and to further develop and promote disinfectant products with both excellent disinfection activity and environmentally friendly attributes.
Force-based control strategy for a collaborative robotic camera holder in laparoscopic surgery using pivoting motion
Authors: Fontúrbel Carlos , Cisnal Ana , Fraile-Marinero Juan Carlos , Pérez-Turiel Javier
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Laparoscopic surgery often relies on a fixed Remote Center of Motion (RCM) for robot mobility control, which assumes that the patient’s abdominal walls are immobile. However, this assumption is inaccurate, especially in collaborative surgical environments. In this paper, we present a force-based strategy for the mobility of a robotic camera-holder system for laparoscopic surgery based on a pivoting motion. This strategy re-conceptualizes the conventional mobility control paradigm of surgical robotics.

Methods: The proposed strategy involves direct control of the Tool Center Point’s (TCP) position and orientation without any constraints associated with the spatial position of the incision. It is based on pivoting motions to minimize contact forces between the abdominal walls and the laparoscope. The control directly relates the measured force and angular velocity of the laparoscope, resulting in the reallocation of the trocar, whose position becomes a consequence of the natural accommodation allowed by this pivoting.

Results: The effectiveness and safety of the proposed control were evaluated through a series of experiments. The experiments showed that the control was able to minimize an external force of 9 N to ±0.2 N in 0.7 s and reduce it to 2 N in just 0.3 s. Furthermore, the camera was able to track a region of interest by displacing the TCP as desired, leveraging the strategy’s property that dynamically constrains its orientation.

Discussion: The proposed control strategy has proven to be effective minimizing the risk caused by sudden high forces resulting from accidents and maintaining the field of view despite any movements in the surgical environment, such as physiological movements of the patient or undesired movements of other surgical instruments. This control strategy can be implemented for laparoscopic robots without mechanical RCMs, as well as commercial collaborative robots, thereby improving the safety of surgical interventions in collaborative environments.
A concise review of dental sealants in caries management
Authors: Ng Toby Cheuk-Hang , Chu Chun-Hung , Yu Ollie Yiru
Published: April 2023

This concise review provides an update of the use of dental sealants. Dental sealants protect a tooth from caries development by providing a physical barrier to microorganism colonisation and creating a favorable environment for patients to clean. Some sealants release fluoride ions to promote remineralization. Dental sealants can be applied on pits and fissures of primary and permanent teeth to prevent and arrest early enamel caries. They are effective in caries prevention. The preventive fraction of resin sealant is up to 61% after 5 years. Dental sealants can be classified as resin, glass ionomer and hybrid (compomer or giomer) according to the material. Recent studies from 2012 to 2022 showed resin sealant has a high retention rate of up to 80% after 2 years, whereas glass ionomer sealants is 44%. Chemical etching with 37% phosphoric acid is the standard of care, whereas laser or air-abrasion cannot does not increase the sealant retention rate. Moist control is critical and studies found the use of rubber dam and cotton rolls had similar success for sealant retention. The longevity of dental sealant is also associated with clinical operative factors, including approaches of moisture control, enamel pretreatment, selection of dental adhesive, and time of acid etching.
Urban Living Affects the Nutrition of Sharks
Authors: Rangel Bianca S. , Moreira Renata G. , Hammerschlag Neil
Published: April 2023

It is common to see some wild animals in the city, like squirrels and raccoons, but have you ever thought about sharks in the city? While you will not see a shark hanging out on the streets of downtown, you may see one swimming along the shorelines of major seaside cities! Although living in coastal cities can bring many benefits to sharks, such as abundant food and protection from large predators, sharks can be negatively affected by pollution and fishing. We studied blacktip sharks living near the city of Miami, Florida, to see if urban living affected their diets and their health. We found that blacktip sharks living close the city (nicknamed urban sharks) were fatter than non-urban sharks. Urban sharks also showed signs of eating more saturated fats, which are unhealthy when in excess in an animal’s body. This shows us that urban sharks are likely eating more food of lower quality, which can have negative consequences for their health.
Domestic violence victimization among Chinese women and its relevance to their economic power
Authors: Wang Zixuan , Sekiyama Takashi
Published: April 2023

Introduction

This study conducted a survey of domestic violence victimization among women in China. Previously little research has been conducted on the subject of domestic violence against Chinese women as well as its relevance to their own economic power.

Methods

Using online questionnaires, this study collected data about 412 women with current or previous marital status who came from four income brackets in Beijing and Shanghai.

Results

It revealed that the proportions of physical, emotional, economic, and sexual violence they experienced were about 27.91%, 62.38%, 21.12%, and 30.10%, respectively. Women belonging to the highest income bracket faced almost the same risk of domestic violence compared with other income groups. Furthermore, there was a slight upward tendency in physical and emotional violence victimization in the highest-income group. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that adverse childhood experiences, arguments between couples due to different opinions regarding gender ideologies, and the approval level for specific gender ideologies were common significant factors across different income brackets. When all income brackets were considered, a higher income was tested as a protective factor with regard to sexual violence. As for the income gap between couples, women whose incomes were “once higher than that of the husband but now lower/almost the same” or “always higher than that of the husband” faced a higher risk of physical violence than women whose incomes were “always lower than/almost the same as that of the husband.”

Discussion

This study not only revealed the reality of domestic violence victimization in China but also suggested that more attention should be paid to high-income women's domestic violence victimization as well as the importance of helping them both through academia and domestic violence support institutions.
New deformed Heisenberg algebra from the μ-deformed model of dark matter
Authors: Gavrilik A. M. , Kachurik I. I. , Nazarenko A. V.
Published: April 2023

Recently, the μ-deformation-based approach to modeling dark matter, which exploits μ-deformed thermodynamics, was extended to the study of galaxy halo density profile and of the rotation curves of a number of (dwarf or low brightness) galaxies. For that goal, μ-deformed analogs of the Lane–Emden equation (LEE) have been proposed, and their solutions describing density profiles obtained. There are two seemingly different versions of μ-deformed LEE which possess the same solution, and so we deal with their equivalence. From the latter property we derive new, rather unusual, μ-deformed Heisenberg algebra (HA) for the position and momentum operators, and present the μ-HA in few possible forms (each one at μ → 0 recovers usual HA). The generalized uncertainty relation linked with the new μ-HA is studied, along with its interesting implications including the appearance of the quadruple of both maximal and minimal lengths and momenta.
Analysis of class I complexity induced spherical polytropic models for compact objects
Authors: Malik Adnan , Mardan S. A. , Naz Tayyaba , Khan Shiraz
Published: April 2023

In this research, we present a comprehensive framework that uses a complexity factor to analyze class I generalized relativistic polytropes. We establish class I generalized Lane–Emden equations using the Karmarkar condition under both isothermal and non-isothermal regimes. Our approach considers a spherically symmetric fluid distribution for two cases of the generalized polytropic equation of state: 1) the mass density case μo and 2) the energy density case μ. To obtain numerical solutions for both cases, we solve two sets of differential equations that incorporate the complexity factor. Finally, we conduct a graphical analysis of these solutions.
Language games and blurry terminology: Can clarity enhance athlete development?
Authors: Johnston Kathryn , McAuley Alexander B. T. , Kelly Adam L. , Baker Joseph
Published: April 2023

This perspective focuses on the need for researchers and practitioners to carefully consider the clarity and consistency of their language in the context of athlete development. Evidence supporting a lack of congruency in the way certain terms and expressions are defined, understood, and operationalized continues to accumulate, highlighting the importance of this area for sport stakeholders and the potential looming crises. In systems that regularly rely on precision and accuracy, it will be critical that all involved in the co-creation of knowledge generation and application carefully consider terms that may further complicate athlete development practices. We highlight some potentially blurry terms and draw attention to potential avenues for future research.
Consumer responses and willingness-to-pay for hibiscus products: A preliminary study
Authors: Ndiaye Oumoule , Hedrick Valisa E. , Neill Clinton L. , Carneiro Renata C. V. , Huang Haibo , Fernandez-Fraguas Cristina , Guiro Amadou Tidiane , O'Keefe Sean F.
Published: April 2023

The rise in diseases like obesity and diabetes is a worldwide challenge. The consumption of functional products such as hibiscus, which has been proven to be high in bioactive compounds and dietary fiber, providing it with anticancer, antiaging, anti-inflammatory and satiety properties, should be promoted. In the U.S., promoting the consumption of hibiscus products can be a good approach to increase fiber consumption and to reduce risk of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. However, information about knowledge of this functional product among consumers is still sparse and increasing consumption requires designing and marketing desired products made from hibiscus. Therefore in this preliminary study, we assessed consumer response to hibiscus products and investigated whether providing information about potential health benefits could impact consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP) for three types of non-alcoholic hibiscus beverages: ready-made tea, bottled juice, and kombucha. Our web-based survey was distributed through QualtricsXM and a convenience sampling method was chosen. Most participants identified themselves as female, 18–34 years old, with a graduate degree. Most participants (81%) had consumed hibiscus products before and 57% had a weekly food budget lower than $60. Overall, tea and juices were the most liked hibiscus beverages, respectively. Although taste and health benefits were ranked as the main reasons to consume hibiscus beverages, additional information about hibiscus health benefits did not significantly affect WTP for these products. Without additional health benefit information, consumer WTP for non-alcoholic hibiscus beverages ranged from $2.9 to $3.60 for kombucha and $4.08–4.97 for Ready-made-tea. This study provides valuable insights that can support future research on hibiscus products and promote the development of novel hibiscus-based foods and beverages that are appealing to the U.S. market.
Heavy metal contamination in retailed food in Bangladesh: a dietary public health risk assessment
Authors: Begum Ruhena , Akter Rahima , Dang-Xuan Sinh , Islam Shariful , Siddiky Nure Alam , Uddin ASM Ashab , Mahmud Asheak , Sarker Md Samun , Grace Delia , Samad Mohammed Abdus , Lindahl Johanna F.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Contamination with heavy and toxic metals along the food value chain is a public health concern in Bangladesh.

Methods

In this study, 608 fish and chicken samples from traditional and modern retail outlets in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas were collected and analyzed for chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) contamination, using atomic absorption spectrometry method. The daily intake, target hazard quotient and the target carcinogenic risk (for lead only) as a result of fish and chicken consumption was calculated based on mean results, and by Monte Carlo simulation in @Risk with 100,000 iterations (quantitative risk assessment).

Results

Cr and Cd were detected in 80–86% of both chicken meat and fish samples, while Pb positivity found in chicken meat and fish was 54.9 and 23.3%, respectively. The mean concentration (±SD) of Cr, Cd, and Pb in chicken meat were 0.66 ± 0.93, 0.02 ± 0.03, and 0.09 ± 0.10 mg/kg, respectively; and in fish were 0.49 ± 0.62, 0.02 ± 0.03, and 0.06 ± 0.09 mg/kg, respectively. The estimated daily intakes of Cr, Cd, and Pb from chicken and fish were lower than the maximum tolerable daily intake in all studied areas. In addition, the target carcinogenic risk for Pb in chicken was lower than the negligible range, which indicated the risk of cancer due to exposure to Pb through chicken meat and fish consumption was very low.

Discussion

The present study concludes that consumption of chicken meat and fish in Bangladesh, currently at very low levels, is unlikely to constitute a major health risk for humans in respect to these metals. However, continuous market surveillance for heavy metals in food stuff is recommended, especially since consumers may increase their meat intake.
Optimization of surgical tourniquet usage to improve patient outcomes: Translational cross-disciplinary implications of a surgical practice survey
Authors: Neufeld Michael E. , McEwen James A. , Kerr Julie , Sidhu Arsh , Howard Lisa C. , Masri Bassam A.
Published: April 2023

Tourniquet use is common practice in many millions of orthopaedic procedures annually. Recent reviews of risks and benefits of surgical tourniquet use have primarily involved meta-analyses, many of which have forgone a comprehensive risk-benefit analysis to simply question whether “tourniquet or no tourniquet” use produces improved patient outcomes, often leading to limited, inconclusive, or conflicting results. To investigate further, a pilot survey was undertaken to determine current practices, opinions, and understandings among orthopaedic surgeons in Canada regarding use of surgical tourniquets in total knee arthroplasties (TKAs). Results of the pilot survey showed a wide range of understanding and practice associated with tourniquet use in TKAs, especially regarding tourniquet pressures and tourniquet times, two key factors known from basic research and clinical studies to impact the safety and efficacy of tourniquet use. The wide variation of use indicated by the survey results reveals important implications for surgeons, researchers, educators, and biomedical engineers, to better understand the association between key tourniquet parameters and outcomes assessed in research, which may be factors leading to their often limited, inconclusive, and conflicting results. Lastly, we provide an overview of the overly simplified assessments of tourniquet use in meta-analyses, whose conclusions may not provide an understanding of how or whether key tourniquet parameters might be optimized to retain the benefits of tourniquet use while mitigating the associated real or perceived risks.
Effectiveness of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios in predicting the incidence of nausea and vomiting after total knee arthroplasty in patients with hemophilia A
Authors: Feng Denghe , Wang Dong , Gu Changping , Lv Meng , Liu Zaibo , Wang Yuelan
Published: April 2023

Objective

To investigate the ability of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) to predict postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

The clinical data of 108 male patients with hemophilia A who underwent TKA an our institution were collected and analyzed. Confounding factors were adjusted by propensity score matching. The best cutoffs of the NLR and PLR were determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). The predictive ability of these indexes was assessed by measuring the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios.

Results

There were significant differences in the use of antiemetics (p = 0.036) and the incidence of nausea (p < 0.001) and vomiting (p = 0.006) between the two groups (NLR <2 and ≥2). An increase in preoperative NLR was an independent risk factor for PONV in patients with hemophilia A (p < 0.05). ROC analysis showed that NLR significantly predicted the occurrence of PONV (cutoff value: 2.20, ROC: 0.711, p < 0.001). In turn, the PLR did not strongly predict PONV.

Conclusions

The NLR is an independent risk factor for PONV in patients with hemophilia A and can significantly predict this event. Thus, follow-up monitoring is essential for these patients.
Myomectomy in infertile women: More harm than good?
Authors: Mercorio Antonio , Della Corte Luigi , Boccia Dominga , Palumbo Mario , Reppuccia Sabrina , Buonfantino Cira , Cuomo Lara , Borgo Maria , Zitiello Antonio , De Angelis Maria Chiara , Laganà Antonio Simone , Bifulco Giuseppe , Giampaolino Pierluigi
Published: April 2023

Adhesion formation following gynecological surgery remains a challenge. The adoption of minimally invasive surgical approaches, such as conventional or robotic-assisted laparoscopy combined with meticulous microsurgical principles and the application of adhesion–reducing substances, is able to reduce the risk of de novo adhesion formation but do not eliminate it entirely. Myomectomy is the most adhesiogenic surgical procedure and postoperative adhesions can have a significant impact on the ability to conceive. Therefore, when surgery is performed as infertility treatment, attention should be paid to whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Among several factors, the size and the location of fibroids are the most accountable factors in terms of adhesion development and post surgical infertility; therefore, the search for effective strategies against adhesion formation in this setting is of paramount importance. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the incidence and factors of adhesion formation and the best preventive measures current available.
Characteristics and treatment strategies of aggressive angiomyxoma in women: A retrospective review of 87 cases
Authors: Wang Yang , Bu Xiaoling , Liu Yanxia , Xing Yu , Tong Qing
Published: April 2023

Objective

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AAM) is a rare kind of soft tissue tumor. The purpose of this study is to summarize the clinical manifestations and treatment strategy of AAM in women.

Method

We searched the case reports on AAM in EMBASE, Web of Science and PubMed, China biomedical database, Wanfang database, VIP database, and China National Knowledge Internet from the start of database construction to November 2022 without any language restrictions in place. Then, the obtained case data were extracted, summarized, and analyzed.

Result

A total of 74 articles were retrieved involving 87 cases. The age ranges of onset were 2–67 years. The median age at onset was 34 years. The size of the tumor varied greatly among individuals, and about 65.5% of them were asymptomatic. MRI, ultrasound, and needle biopsy were used for diagnosis. Surgery was the primary mode of treatment, but it was prone to relapse. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) might be used to reduce the tumor size before the operation and prevent recurrence after the operation. For patients who are unwilling to receive surgical treatment, GnRH-a alone could be attempted.

Conclusion

Doctors should consider the possibility of AAM in women with genital tumors. For surgery, it must be ensured that the negative surgical margin is recommended and achieved for preventing recurrence, but we should not ignore the impact of the excessive pursuit for a negative margin on the patient’s reproductive function protection and postoperative recovery. Long-term follow-up is necessary regardless of whether patients receive medical treatment or surgical treatment.
Computed tomographic angular measurements using a bone-centered three-dimensional coordinate system are accurate in a femoral torsional deformity model and precise in clinical canine patients
Authors: Brühschwein Andreas , Schmitz Bronson , Zöllner Martin , Reese Sven , Meyer-Lindenberg Andrea
Published: April 2023

Introduction

In small animal orthopedics, angular measurements in the canine femur are often applied in clinical patients with bone deformities and especially in complex and severe cases. Computed tomography (CT) has been shown to be more precise and accurate than two-dimensional radiography, and several methods are described. Measurement techniques evaluated in normal bones must prove accuracy in deformed bones in clinical settings.

Objectives

The goals of our study were to evaluate the accuracy of canine femoral torsion angle measurements in a femoral torsional deformity model and to test repeatability and reproducibility of canine femoral neck inclination, torsion, and varus angle measurements in CT datasets of dogs applying a CT-based technique using a three-dimensional (3D) bone-centered coordinate system.

Materials and methods

For precision testing, femoral torsion, femoral neck inclination, and femoral varus angles were measured in CT data of 68 canine hind limbs by two operators, and their results were compared. For accuracy testing, a femoral torsional deformity model was preset from 0° to +/−90° with a goniometer and scanned. Torsion angles were measured in the CT data and compared to the preset value.

Results

In the femoral torsion model, the Bland–Altman plots demonstrated a mean difference of 2.11°, and the Passing–Bablok analysis demonstrated a correlation between goniometer and CT-based measurements. In the clinical CT scans, intra- and interobserver agreement resulted in coefficients of variation for repeated measurements (%) between 1.99 and 8.26 for the femoral torsion, between 0.59 and 4.47 for the femoral neck inclination, and between 1.06 and 5.15 for the femoral varus angles.

Discussion

Evaluation of femoral malformations with torsional deformities is the target area of this technique. Further studies are required to assess its value in different types, degrees, and combinations of osseous deformities and to establish normal reference values and guidelines for corrective osteotomies.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, the accuracy of the torsion angle measurements and the precision of inclination, torsion, and the varus angle measurements were considered acceptable for clinical application.