bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for infection of totally implantable central venous access ports among patients requiring port removal
Authors: Hara Yuki , Sumida Yorihisa , Yamazaki Shoto , Takei Daiki , Yamashita Manpei , Fukuda Akiko , Hisanaga Makoto , Tanaka Takayuki , Wakata Koki , Miyazaki Takuro , Araki Masato , Yano Hiroshi , Nakamura Akihiro
Published: February 2024

Background:

Totally implantable central venous access ports, are required for various purposes, ranging from chemotherapy to nutrition. Port infection is a common complication. In many patients with port infection, the ports are removed because antibiotics are ineffective. We evaluated the risk factors associated with port removal due to port infection.

Methods:

By retrospective chart review, we collected data of 223 patients who underwent port removal for any reason. Port infection was defined as infection symptoms, such as fever; elevated white blood cell counts or C-reactive protein levels; or redness at the port site, in the absence of other infections, which improved with port removal. The characteristics of patients with or without port infection were compared using univariate (chi-squared test, t-test) and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results:

We compared 172 patients without port infection to 51 patients with port infection. Univariate analysis identified sex ( p = 0.01), body mass index (BMI) ⩽20 kg/m2 ( p = 0.00004), diabetes mellitus ( p = 0.04), and purpose of use ( p = 0.0000003) as significant variables. However, male sex ( p = 0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01–0.23), BMI ⩽20 kg m2 ( p = 0.002, 95% CI: 0.06–0.29), and purpose of use (total parenteral nutrition (TPN); p = 0.000005, 95% CI: 0.31–0.76) remained significant using multivariate analysis. Moreover, the patients with short bowel syndrome and difficulty in oral intake tended to be infected easily. Additionally, Staphylococcus species were the most common microbes involved in port infection.

Conclusions:

Male sex, BMI ⩽20 kg/m2, and purpose of use as a TPN were risk factors for port infection. Ports should not be used for long duration of TPN or used only in exceptional cases.
We are queer and the struggle is here! Visibility at the intersection of LGBT+ rights, post-coloniality, and development cooperation in Uganda
Authors: Svensson Jakob , Edenborg Emil , Strand Cecilia
Published: February 2024

This article unpacks different meanings of visibility and adds to a more complex and nuanced understanding of visibility and its role in LGBT + activism in Uganda, a widely discussed case of political homophobia. Public visibility has a central, although contested, role here. The study aims to explore how visibility is understood and navigated by local LGBT + activists, unaffiliated people with same-sex desires, as well as international development partners. Interviews conducted in Kampala from December 2021–January 2022 reveal different and complex narratives surrounding visibility. Local unaffiliated individuals and activists agreed on the importance of making the LGBT + rights struggle more visible. This, however, did not translate into a wish to “come out” themselves. International development actors expressed a need for caution regarding their own visibility, mindful that explicit and visual support may generate accusations of neo-imperialism.
Community health pathways modeling and scheduling under uncertainty
Authors: Gong Jiangyue , Ntaimo Lewis
Published: February 2024

Scheduling and coordinating constrained resources in community healthcare settings at a centralized Pathways Community HUB is challenging due to limited resources and the inherent dynamics of the processes and the organizational structures. In this work, we introduce a stochastic programming (SP) approach for connected community health for optimally scheduling community health pathways (CHPs) under uncertainty in resource availability. A CHP is a standardized tool that details multiple steps of a healthcare-related service and the required resources for each step. The SP methodology was implemented and applied to data for a real Pathways Community HUB for a U.S. county involving several CHPs, community health workers, physicians, and other resources. The computational results are promising and they show that client access times depend on the HUB resources uncertain future availability and the level of client demand, with high client demand resulting in relatively longer access time. The study reveals that schedules provided by a deterministic approach where resource availability is assumed to be known can be too optimistic. Several managerial insights are learned from this study, including the observation that the SP model provides client schedules that are equitable across the same type of community health workers.
Bullshit consumption: What lockdowns tell us about work-and-spend lives and care-full alternatives
Authors: Molesworth Mike , Grigore Georgiana , Patsiaouras Georgios , Moufahim Mona
Published: February 2024

COVID-19 disrupted ‘non-essential’ work and consumption, providing an unparalleled opportunity to examine work-and-spend culture, which we do via 44 in-depth interviews that capture experiences and reflections during UK lockdowns. Deploying Graeber’s conceptualisation of ‘bullshit jobs’ and related critiques of consumption, we first consider the possibility that contemporary work-and-spend lifestyles may deny the normative separation of work as worthy toil and consumption as its pleasurable opposite. Within such experience, and in addition to Graeber’s bullshit jobs, we find a parallel in bullshit consumption at work, in order to work, and because of work. Yet our findings also highlight that when freed from bullshit, participants engage in more caring practices for the self, others, and their possessions. We propose that much of our work-and-spend lives might be bullshit: routines that promise status, virtue, freedom, and pleasure, but feel meaningless, while displacing satisfying experiences of care. We conclude that a focus on subtractive logics – cutting the bullshit! – can activate both new critiques and optimism about societal arrangements.
A hybrid prediction model of vessel trajectory based on attention mechanism and CNN-GRU
Authors: Cen Jian , Li JiaXi , Liu Xi , Chen JiaHao , Li HaiSheng , Huang WeiSheng , Zeng LinZhe , Kang JunXi , Ke Silin
Published: February 2024

With the increase in global shipping volumes and the complexity of maritime transport systems, vessel trajectory prediction serves an important tool in improving maritime safety. However, most existing vessel trajectory prediction methods focus on a single feature and unable fuse high-dimensional features. To solve these problems, CNN-GRU model with a hybrid attention mechanism (AM) is proposed based on Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. First convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed to extract the spatio-temporal information of the trajectory data. Then a gated recurrent unit (GRU) is designed to extract the temporal relationship of the trajectories. Finally, AM is introduced to learn the deep-level features and predict the vessel trajectories. To validate the effectiveness of the model, experiments are conducted on three real AIS datasets. In comparison with other models, the method has a high trajectory prediction accuracy.
Baduanjin Mind-Body Exercise for Cancer-Related Fatigue: Protocol for a Remotely Delivered Randomized Wait-List Controlled Feasibility Study
Authors: Walsh Sean , Wang Kang , Lam Anderson , Du Shihao , Hu Yanbin , Sun Yu-Ting , Tcharkhedian Elise , Nikas Evangeline , Webb Gregory , Moylan Eugene , Della-Fiorentina Stephen , Fahey Paul , Shelley Wang Xin , Chen Ming , Zhu Xiaoshu
Published: February 2024

Background:

People living with a cancer diagnosis often experience cancer-related fatigue (CRF). Between 9% and 45% of people report CRF as moderate to severe, negatively impacting their quality-of-life (QOL). The evidence-base for managing CRF recommends exercise-related therapies over pharmaceutical interventions. One such exercise-like therapy is Baduanjin mind-body exercise (MBE), which has additional benefits. A remotely delivered program may further benefit people with CRF. The primary objective of this pilot will test study feasibility of a remotely delivered Baduanjin MBE exercise program for people living with CRF.

Methods:

This is a randomized wait-list controlled pilot study and will take place in Sydney, Australia. Subject to informed consent, 40 adults with moderate CRF levels and receiving or previously received adjuvant chemotherapy, will undertake a home-based 8-week Baduanjin MBE program supported by online resources and instructors. The primary feasibility outcomes are recruitment, enrollment, retention, and adherence rates; and safety as measured by tolerance and adverse-event frequency. Clinical outcomes (eg, changes in CRF, QOL, and participant perceptions) are assessed at pre-intervention, week 1, week 4, week 8, and post-intervention. Analyses follows the Intent-to-Treat (all participants as per randomization) and per-protocol (participants adhering to the protocol). Missing data will be imputed from previous data entries and regression models may be tested to predict missing outcomes.

Discussion:

To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the feasibility and effects of Baduanjin MBE on CRF using a remote delivery method. These feasibility data will inform a fully powered future trial investigating evidence of effect on CRF and QOL. Trial registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR 12623000177651). Ringgold ID: 651498 Chinese Medicine Centre
Longitudinal Cohort Study: Predictive Validity of the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth Individual/Clinical Risk Factor on Recidivism Among Mississippi Justice-Involved Youth
Authors: Dembo Richard , Gardner Sheena K. , Robertson Angela A. , Wareham Jennifer , Schmeidler James
Published: February 2024

Many juvenile justice agencies have moved toward risk-need-responsivity and risk-need-assessment approaches to manage youth and reduce future risk of recidivism. The Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) instrument is a popular tool to assess risk and protective factors among justice-involved youth. The present study explored the consistency of the Individual/Clinical Risk measure, comprised of eight items (e.g., anger, negative attitudes, empathy), as a single latent factor across five years (2017–2021) of juvenile court data in Mississippi. Further, this study examined gender (male vs. female) and race (Black vs. non-Black) invariance in this risk factor and the predictive validity of the risk factor for one-year recidivism. Findings support the existence of a single factor of Individual/Clinical Risk and consistency across time. The risk factor was invariant across gender and race. Further, the risk factor significantly predicted recidivism in years 2019–2021, and near significantly predicted recidivism for 2017. These findings recommend the continued use of the SAVRY as an evidence-based measure of risk.
Tending to the Flock: The Experiences of LDS Clergy with LGBTQ Congregants
Authors: Perez-Figueroa Adlyn M. , Lefevor G. Tyler , Lake Kyrstin , Golightly Rachel , Berg Connor
Published: February 2024

Clergy from theologically conservative churches face challenges in providing counsel to LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning) congregants and use diverse strategies to address them. Thirty-three clergy from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints participated in a qualitative survey. Results revealed that implementing church policy while simultaneously addressing the needs of LGBTQ congregants and diverging views posed challenges for clergy. Focusing on listening, love, and spiritual counsel while avoiding messages of defectiveness were helpful for LGBTQ congregants.
Lifestyle Behaviors of Bronx Middle-School Students Enrolled in an Afterschool Program: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Shutdown
Authors: Yamron Emily Danielle , Moon Jee-Young , Meissner Paul , Wylie-Rosett Judith , Viswanathan Shankar , Rieder Jessica
Published: February 2024

Background: A minority of American youth meet CDC lifestyle behavior recommendations. Children in the Bronx face barriers to healthy behaviors amplified by COVID-19. This research evaluated baseline behavior among distinct cohorts attending afterschool programming before and after the COVID-19 shutdown. Methods: Three Bronx public schools collected demographic and behavior data at the start of the 2021-2022 school year. This was compared to baseline data from students during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years at 1 school. Results: During the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years, 76 students completed lifestyle behaviors questionnaires. During the 2021-2022 school year 89 students completed questionnaires. Participants surveyed after the COVID-19 shutdown drank more sweetened beverages (Median (IQR) = 3 (2-5) cups/day vs 2 (1-4) cups/day, P = .029) than those surveyed before the pandemic. Changes to the distribution of sleep (8 (7.5-9) hours/day vs 8 (6-9) hours/day, P = .005) and fast food consumption (1 (0 to 2-3) times/week vs 1 (1 to 2-3) times/week), P = .004) without changes in medians were also observed. PA hours completed weekly trended toward significant decline (4 (2-5) hours/week vs 3 (2-5) hours/week, P = .09). Conclusions: Changes in behaviors including sleep, physical activity, and sweetened beverage and fast food consumption observed after the COVID-19 shutdown highlight the importance of robust programming to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in youth.
Menstrual hygiene practices of adolescent secondary school girls in rural Anambra communities
Authors: Onubogu Chinyere Ukamaka , Umeh Uche Marian , Mbachu Chioma Ngozichukwu Pauline , Nwazor Onyinye Chinenye , Ofiaeli Ogochukwu Chioma , Nwagbara Nkiru Eucharia , Chilaka Ugochinyere Jane , Ijezie Nkechi Appolonia , Ajator Chioma Chetachukwu
Published: February 2024

Background:

Adolescent girls face numerous challenges which hinder their ability to manage menstruation in a healthy and dignified manner.

Objectives:

To examine the menstrual hygiene practices of adolescent girls schooling in rural Anambra communities.

Study design:

Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Method:

Participants were selected using multistage stratified random sampling technique and interviewed using self-administered semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0.

Results:

Mean age of all, pre-menarche and post-menarche girls were 14.7 ± 1.84, 12.8 ± 1.09 and 15.1 ± 1.73 years, respectively. About 46% of the pre-menarche girls had not received any information on menstruation. Common sources of initial menstruation information were mother (87.3%), school (52.2%) and peers (20.0%). Among the 1091 (85.0% (1091/1283)) post-menarche girls, last menstrual period, last menstrual period duration and cycle length could not be recalled by 53.9%, 34.4% and 39.3%, respectively. Majority (98.3%) who could recall last menstrual period had a cycle length of ⩽30 days and the mean duration of menses was 4.4 ± 0.84 days. Disposable sanitary pad was mostly (60%) cited as recommended product, but cloth/rags (40.6%) or tissue paper (32. 3%) were predominantly used. Majority (88.6%) took their bath ⩾twice/day, 50.9% changed sanitary product ⩽twice/day while 72.5% exhibited poor hand washing. Sanitary products were mostly discarded by burning (45.4%). Fifty-one percent could not change in school predominantly due to lack of functional toilets/changing rooms (84.2%) while 72.5% of those who changed did so in bushes or unused spaces. Challenges faced during menstruation include restriction from holy places (38.9%), waist pain (74.9%), blood stains (36.1%) and lack of money to buy pad (27.0%). Factors significantly associated with using commercial pads were age (p = 0.047), class (p = 0.006), mother’s educational status (p < 0.001), social class (p < 0.001), ability to recall last menstrual period date (p = 0.029) or duration (p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Menstrual hygiene management was unsatisfactory among studied adolescents. Continuous education of adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene management and advocacy for adequate menstrual hygiene management support are imperative.
Efficacy and Safety of Tirzepatide in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Proof of Concept Observational Study
Authors: Akturk Halis Kaan , Dong Fran , Snell-Bergeon Janet K. , Karakus Kagan Ege , Shah Viral N.
Published: February 2024

Background:

Tirzepatide is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of type 2 diabetes. The efficacy and safety of this drug have not been studied in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods:

In this single-center, retrospective, observational study, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), weight, body mass index (BMI), and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data were collected from electronic health records of adults with T1D at initiation of tirzepatide and at subsequent clinic visits over 8 months. Primary outcomes were reduction in HbA1c and percent change in body weight and secondary outcomes were change in CGM metrics and BMI over 8 months from baseline.

Results:

The mean (±SD) age of the 26 adults (54% female) with T1D was 42 ± 8 years with a mean BMI of 36.7 ± 5.3 kg/m2. There was significant reduction in HbA1c by 0.45% at 3 months and 0.59% at 8 months, and a significant reduction in body weight by 3.4%, 10.5%, and 10.1% at 3, 6, and 8 months after starting tirzepatide. Time in target range (TIR = 70-180 mg/dL) and time in tight target range (TITR = 70-140 mg/dL) increased (+12.6%, P = .002; +10.7%, P = .0016, respectively) and time above range (TAR >180 mg/dL) decreased (−12.6%, P = .002) at 3 months, and these changes were sustained over 8 months. The drug was relatively safe and well tolerated with only 2 patients discontinuing the medication.

Conclusions:

Tirzepatide significantly reduced HbA1c and body weight in adults with T1D. A randomized controlled trial is needed to establish efficacy and safety of this drug in T1D.
CEO Duality and Corporation Innovation
Authors: Hsieh Tsung-Yu , Lin Tsai-Yin , Li Fangjhy , Kuo Jhen-Ni
Published: February 2024

Innovation activities are an essential factor to maintain enterprises’ growth. This study takes Taiwan stock market listed companies as the research object and explores the relationship between the corporation’s innovation activities and the chairman and CEO as an inventor. Furthermore, we use panel regression analysis to obtain robust results. Under such a trend of information circulation, innovation plays an important role in various emerging trends advocated in Taiwan in recent years. Therefore, this paper attempts to conduct an in-depth study on it. This paper verifies the important role of CEO duality in corporate innovation, which means that the corporation’s R&D expenditure can be further evaluated by the president and CEO. It is found that the chairman who is an inventor and CEO can reduce the corporation’s R&D expenses but can increase the number of patents of the company, which shows that the chairman and CEO who is an inventor has better R&D efficiency, but this phenomenon only exists in the electronics industry. Therefore, future research is suggested to examine real cases from different innovation activities, and although some case studies may be confusing, cross-cultural real research should also be encouraged in future work.

JEL Classification: G3.
Across the Great Divide: A Systematic Literature Review to Address the Gap Between Theory and Practice
Authors: Arteaga Estefania , Biesbroek Robbert , Nalau Johanna , Howes Michael
Published: February 2024

An unresolved dilemma facing many disciplines is how theory and practice can better work together to enhance the decision-making processes on the ground. This widely-known theory-practice gap often contributes to the misdiagnosis of problems and undermines the effectiveness of responses. Despite decades of research into why this gap remains, there is still a continuing and heated debate as to why it exists and how it could be resolved. This article examines the theory-practice gap through a systematic review that draws insights across diverse disciplines such as health, science, governance, and business. It builds a conceptual framework based on the findings, allowing for the analysis of the various drivers and solutions for addressing the gap. The findings show that to resolve this gap is necessary to change our perspective of the gap and understand it as a bilateral issue, where both theory and practice play a role in creating the gap. Thus, solutions to the gap need to follow a cyclical and integrative approach. As the gap may never be fully closed, the framework provides the tools to respond to it whenever it arises. Future research will be required to empirically test and advance the framework.
Increased Time to Fixation After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Influenced by Race and Insurance Status
Authors: Raso Jon , Kamalapathy Pramod , Solomon Eric , Driskill Elizabeth , Kurker Kristina , Joshi Aditya , Hassanzadeh Hamid
Published: February 2024

Study Design

Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives

Although the optimal timing of surgical intervention for traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is controversial, early intervention has been recognized as being beneficial in several studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the socioeconomic factors that may delay time to surgical fixation in the management of TSCI.

Methods

The present study utilized the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) dataset to identify patients aged greater than 18 undergoing spinal fusion for TSCI from 2007-2016. Patients were divided into subgroups based on race and insurance types. Multivariable linear regression was used to compare time to procedure based on race and payer type while adjusting for demographic and injury-specific factors. Significance was set at P < .05.

Results

Using multivariable analysis, Hispanic and Black patients were associated with significantly increased time to fixation of 12.1 h (95% CI 5.5-18.7, P < .001), and 20.1 h (95% CI 12.1-28.1, P < .001), respectively compared to White patients. Other cohorts based on racial status did not have significantly different times to fixation ( P > .05). Medicaid was associated with an increased time to fixation compared to private insurance (11.6 h, 95% CI 3.9-19.2, P = .003).

Conclusions

Black and Hispanic race and Medicaid were associated with statistically significant increases in time to fixation following TSCI, potentially compromising quality of patient care and resulting in poorer outcomes. More research is needed to elucidate this relationship and ensure equitable care is being delivered.
Change in Posterior Tibial Slope Angle After Displaced Pediatric Tibial Tubercle Fracture: A Model for Growth Modulation in the ACL-Deficient Knee
Authors: Vasudevan Rajiv S. , Zogby Andrew M. , Wilps Tyler , Paras Tyer , Pennock Andrew T.
Published: February 2024

Background:

Increased posterior tibial slope angle (PTSA) has been shown to be an important risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. PTSA modulation is not utilized routinely to reduce risk of primary rupture or graft failure. Displaced tibial tubercle (TT) fractures in the skeletally immature are associated with potential growth arrest and may be used as a model to study PTSA changes in this setting.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

To quantify the change in PTSA (ΔPTSA) after operative treatment of displaced TT fractures in skeletally immature patients. It was hypothesized that there would be a progressive decrease in PTSA after TT injury and that rate of ΔPTSA would be highest during peak growth velocity.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Included were 22 patients (n = 23 knees; mean chronological and bone age at injury, 14 years; 86% male) who underwent surgery for displaced TT fracture. PTSA was measured on lateral radiographs at time of surgery and subsequent follow-up, and bone age at the time of injury was determined using radiographic standards. The rate of ΔPTSA for individual patient, total cohort, and sex-based subgroup trends were determined via linear regression (degrees per month; positive value indicates relatively anterior). Individual patient regression coefficients were averaged into bone age cohorts.

Results:

Average follow-up was 17 months (range, 6-52 months). The mean PTSA was -12°± 2.4° at the time of injury, and the mean ΔPTSA for the cohort was 0.30°± 0.31° per month (range, -0.27° to 0.97° per month). Linear regression demonstrated a significant relationship between months postfixation and PTSA, demonstrating a ΔPTSA of 0.31° per month (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24° to 0.38°; P < .001). The highest ΔPTSA was seen at bone age 14 years (mean, 0.58°± 0.44° per month). The mean absolute change in PTSA from injury to final follow-up was 4.1° (range, -3.4° to 21°).

Conclusion:

Our data suggested that PTSA becomes more anterior after operatively treated pediatric TT fractures and that ΔPTSA may be influenced by bone age. This concept may be useful in considering surgical modulation of excessive PTSA in the pediatric ACL-deficient knee.
Harry Potter and the Artificially Intelligent Wand: Learning Team Communication in a Simulation Environment
Authors: Mehra Payal , Lavanya Gaurav , Chauhan Rishab
Published: February 2024

Communication scholars have done an excellent work in creating business simulations to engage the students in learning communication concepts. However, more can be done to foster interactive business and professional communication pedagogy. Instructors must continue to devise new ways to enable the students to apply business communication concepts. In response to these calls, this article presents an example of a simulation based within the Harry Potter universe that emphasizes the ways team communication and proposal presentation manifest themselves in business speaking practices. This simulation enables students to engage with team communication issues by understanding persuasion and influence as an essential part of business and professional communication.
Impact of Heartfulness Meditation on Improving Antioxidant Status and Lipid Profile in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Haripriya Manoharan , Sharvani N , Kishorenaick D , Singh M Sharan B , Vanajakshamma V , Kiranmayi V S
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Oxidative stress plays an indispensable role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Several studies suggest that meditation can reduce oxidative stress and improve antioxidant status. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of heartfulness meditation on antioxidant status and lipid profile in patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods

Fifty-nine angiographically diagnosed CAD patients were included in the study. Patients who were enrolled practiced heartfulness meditation for a period of six months. Protein thiol (an antioxidant marker), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL-C) were measured under fasting conditions before and after six months of meditation practice.

Results

After six months of practice of heartfulness meditation, there was a statistically significant increase in HDL-C (39.10 ± 8.30 vs. 42.85 ± 8.16, p < .01) and an antioxidant marker protein thiol (257.34 ± 39.68 vs. 345.31 ± 57.53, p < .0001). The mean levels of triglycerides (205.81 ± 88.31 vs. 182.53 ± 93.57 mg dl−1), VLDL-C (41.18 ± 17.64 vs. 36.51 ± 18.71 mg dl−1), and total cholesterol (170.02 ± 40.10 vs. 164.46 ± 42.20 mg dl−1) decreased following the intervention, although the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Heartfulness meditation is an effective means to decrease free radical formation and improve antioxidant status and lipid profile in CAD patients. As a result of this study, regular meditation practice has the potential to be one of the most effective non-pharmacological strategies for CAD prevention.
Digital vulnerability: People-in-prison, videoconferencing and the digital criminal justice system
Authors: McKay Carolyn , Macintosh Kristin
Published: February 2024

Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced prisons into extended lockdowns, people-in-prison have been increasingly reliant on remote access technologies such as videoconferencing to interact with the outside world from their carceral context. During the pandemic, both corrective services and criminal courts found that these communication technologies could adequately facilitate court appearances, legal conferencing, health services and visitations. Now, despite the lessening panic regarding COVID-19, there are suggestions that authorities are keen to continue, if not increase, the usage of video links meaning that people-in-prison will experience decreasing human contact. The argument is that COVID-19 “successes” are being used as an excuse to cement remote hearings and visits. This points to a future of absolute confinement uninterrupted by “inconvenient” physical court attendance or human visitors. This article will focus on the “digital vulnerability” of people-in-prison, that is, the intersection between the vulnerabilities of incarcerated people with the use of remote communication technologies such as videoconferencing or video links, and the digital inequalities that may be provoked or solved. The article will draw on qualitative research – fieldwork interviews with judicial officers, lawyers and associated criminal justice professionals – that reveal critical perspectives on the impacts of digital transformation on vulnerable people-in-prison. For instance, when asked about the vulnerabilities of people-in-prison, one defence lawyer (DL1) expressed the view that “no one cares about defendants” or their vulnerabilities, nor their abilities to engage with video links, comprehend or play any role in their own remote legal matters. We analyse our source materials through a framework of vulnerability theory and the developing concept of digital vulnerability. In this way, we seek to offer new knowledge regarding prison digital transformation, specifically the relationship between digital technologies in correctional environments and the vulnerable incarcerated population.
A calculative cosmography: Geodesy and absolute space
Authors: Meyer Miranda
Published: February 2024

Visual signifiers of absolute space such as grids, points, and straight lines are often identified with absolute space as a concept, to the extent that critiques of one are taken to apply to the other. This article argues that this is a misidentification that forecloses attention to meaningful dimensions of the coordinate grid while muddling the concept of absolute space. Attending to the geodetic science that gives rise to these visual signifiers shows that the space they are used to construct is entirely relational, and that the mythless rationalism with which they and absolute space are commonly associated can be productively questioned through attention to geodesy’s performative and cosmological implications. This raises the question of how we might better understand absolute space. The suggested answer is a cosmological claim that can be pursued and pictured but never realized. Absolute space is absolute as a sovereign can be: neither empirically nor visually, but as a motivating idea that presents itself as an explanation.
Integrative Health Equity: Definition, Principles, Strategies, and Reflections
Authors: Chao Maria T , Adler Shelley R
Published: February 2024

In this viewpoint, we define integrative health equity as optimal health for all through a whole-person approach that explicitly recognizes cultural, social, and structural determinants of health. We describe seven guiding principles, along with organizational goals, strategies, and reflections to advance integrative health equity.
Advances of polyolefins from fiber to nanofiber: fabrication and recent applications
Authors: Zakaria Mohammad , Bhuiyan M. A. Rahman , Hossain Md. Shakawat , Khan N. M.-Mofiz Uddin , Salam Md. Abdus , Nakane Koji
Published: February 2024

Polyolefins are a widely accepted commodity polymer made from olefinic monomer consisting of carbon and hydrogen. This thermoplastic polymeric material is formed through reactive double bonds of olefins by the addition polymerization technique and it possesses a diverse range of unique features for a large variety of applications. Among the various types, polyethylene and polypropylene are the prominent classes of polyolefins that can be crafted and manipulated into diversified products for numerous applications. Research on polyolefins has boomed tremendously in recent times owing to the abundance of raw materials, low cost, lightweight, high chemical resistance, diverse functionalities, and outstanding physical characteristics. Polyolefins have also evidenced their potentiality as a fiber in micro to nanoscale and emerged as a fascinating material for widespread high-performance use. This review aims to provide an elucidation of the breakthroughs in polyolefins, namely as fibers, filaments, and yarns, and their applications in many domains such as medicine, body armor, and load-bearing industries. Moreover, the development of electrospun polyolefin nanofibers employing cutting-edge techniques and their prospective utilization in filtration, biomedical engineering, protective textiles, and lithium-ion batteries has been illustrated meticulously. Besides, this review delineates the challenges associated with the formation of polyolefin nanofiber using different techniques and critically analyzes overcoming the difficulties in forming functional nanofibers for the innovative field of applications.

Graphical abstract
Effect of some physicochemical parameters on the decay rate of enteric bacteria isolated from River Owena, Nigeria
Authors: Olalemi Adewale Oluwasogo , Okunade Abiola Stephen
Published: February 2024

The significance of water in public health cannot be overemphasized. In Nigeria, many people living along the courses of water bodies still source and drink from the rivers and streams. There is, therefore, the need to determine the load of contamination and effect of pH and salinity on the decay rate of enteric bacteria in water samples from River Owena, Owena, Nigeria, in order to develop adequate water quality management. Water samples from River Owena were collected from three sampling points (inflow, middle course and the outflow) along the River Owena, Nigeria. The load of enteric bacteria in the water samples was enumerated using membrane filtration technique. The physicochemical parameters of the water samples were determined using standard methods. The incidence and prevalence of gastroenteritis in the community around River Owena was determined using a structured questionnaire. Microcosm studies were used to determine the decay rate of enteric bacteria at varying salinity and pH. Canonical correlation analysis was used to describe the relationship between the load of enteric bacteria and the incidence and prevalence of gastroenteritis in the community around River Owena. The incidence and prevalence of gastroenteritis in the community around River Owena were estimated to be 0.75 and 0.51, respectively. Escherichia coli had positive relationships with incidence (r = 0.76) and prevalence (r = 0.65). Similarly, faecal coliforms had positive relationships with incidence (r = 0.82) and prevalence of gastroenteritis (r = 0.67), while enterococci showed positive relationship with incidence (r = 0.59) and prevalence of gastroenteritis (r = 0.87). Increase in pH and salinity increased the decay rate of enteric bacteria thereby reducing the growth of enteric bacteria, the optimum pH for the growth and survival of enteric bacteria ranged between pH 5.0 and pH 7.0. The optimum salinity for the growth of enteric bacteria isolated in water samples from River Owena ranged between 10 and 50% salinity. Findings revealed high levels of faecal contamination at the different representative monitoring points on River Owena, pH and salinity influenced the load and decay rate of enteric bacteria in water from River Owena.
Aquatic ecotoxicity of glyphosate, its formulations, and co-formulants: evidence from 2010 to 2023
Authors: Klátyik Szandra , Simon Gergely , Oláh Marianna , Takács Eszter , Mesnage Robin , Antoniou Michael N. , Zaller Johann G. , Székács András
Published: February 2024

Glyphosate (GLY), the most widely used herbicide active ingredient (AI) in the world, is frequently detected in aquatic environments where it can affect non-target organisms. Globally, more than 2000 commercial GLY-based herbicides (GBHs) are used to control weeds. Non-target organisms are exposed to complex pesticide formulations under real environmental conditions, but the co-formulants contained in GBHs are classified as so-called inert and inactive ingredients in terms of their biological effects. The main objective of this comprehensive review is to compile the results of aquatic ecotoxicological studies on the side-effects of GLY, GBHs, and their formulating agents. Based on the results demonstrated for a variety of plant and animal aquatic organisms, oxidative stress appears to be a major trigger for these adverse effects, affecting the integrity of DNA and other biochemical functions. Furthermore, there is evidence of impairment of various physiological and behavioral functions. Adverse effects of GLY and GBHs have been observed even at very low concentrations. There are also differences in the sensitivity of the aquatic organisms tested, even with similar lifestyles, habitats or identical taxa. The studies typically investigate the short-term effects of a single exposure to GLY/GBH on a single species, whilst in reality multiple applications of GBHs together with other pesticides are common during a cropping cycle. Moreover, the interactions between GLY/GBHs and other aquatic contaminants are rarely studied. Higher toxicity of GBHs compared to GLY alone has often been observed, demonstrating that co-formulants can be highly toxic on their own and markedly increase the toxicity of the GBH formulation. The possible impurities in GBHs, such as heavy metals, can cause additional problems for the environment and food safety. The widespread and massive use of GBHs leads to increased exposure and environmental hazards. In addition, the need for a revision of the risk assessment system is emphasized. According to the results of aquatic ecotoxicological studies, the current use and pollution of the aquatic environment by GLY/GBHs is highly problematic and cannot be considered environmentally sustainable. It is, therefore, necessary to at least tighten the permitted forms of use.
Identification of candidate genes associated with host-seeking behavior in the parasitoid wasp Diachasmimorpha longicaudata
Authors: Wulff Juan P. , Traverso Lucila M. , Latorre-Estivalis Jose M. , Segura Diego F. , Lanzavecchia Silvia B.
Published: February 2024

Background

Diachasmimorpha longicaudata is a hymenopteran fruit fly endoparasitoid. Females of this species find their hosts for oviposition by using complex sensorial mechanisms in response to physical and chemical stimuli associated with the host and host habitat. Ecological and behavioral aspects related to host-seeking behavior for oviposition have been extensively studied in D. longicaudata, including the identification of volatile organic compounds acting as attractants to females. In this sense, molecular mechanisms of chemoreception have been explored in this species, including a preliminary characterization of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs) and odorant receptors (ORs), among other proteins. Functional assays on OBP and CSP have been conducted as a first approach to identify molecular mechanisms associated with the female host-seeking behavior for oviposition. The aims of the present study were to identify the D. longicaudata sensory gene repertoire expressed in the antenna of sexually mature and mated individuals of both sexes, and subsequently, characterize transcripts differentially expressed in the antennae of females to identify candidate genes associated with the female host-seeking behavior for oviposition.

Results

A total of 33,745 predicted protein-coding sequences were obtained from a de novo antennal transcriptome assembly. Ten sensory-related gene families were annotated as follows: 222 ORs, 44 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 25 gustatory receptors (GRs), 9 CSPs, 13 OBPs, 2 ammonium transporters (AMTs), 8 pickpocket (PPKs) receptors, 16 transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, 12 CD36/SNMPs and 3 Niemann-Pick type C2 like proteins (NPC2-like). The differential expression analysis revealed 237 and 151 transcripts up- and downregulated, respectively, between the female and male antennae. Ninety-seven differentially expressed transcripts corresponded to sensory-related genes including 88 transcripts being upregulated (87 ORs and one TRP) and nine downregulated (six ORs, two CSPs and one OBP) in females compared to males.

Conclusions

The sensory gene repertoire of D. longicaudata was similar to that of other taxonomically related parasitoid wasps. We identified a high number of ORs upregulated in the female antenna. These results may indicate that this gene family has a central role in the chemoreception of sexually mature females during the search for hosts and host habitats for reproductive purposes.
Association of cardiovascular risk profile with premature all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in US adults: findings from a national study
Authors: Nguyen Ryan T. , Jain Vardhmaan , Acquah Isaac , Khan Safi U. , Parekh Tarang , Taha Mohamad , Virani Salim S. , Blaha Michael J. , Nasir Khurram , Javed Zulqarnain
Published: February 2024

Objective

To assess the association between cardiovascular risk factor (CRF) profile and premature all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among US adults (age < 65).

Methods

This study used data from the National Health Interview Survey from 2006 to 2014, linked to the National Death Index for non-elderly adults aged < 65 years. A composite CRF score (range = 0–6) was calculated, based on the presence or absence of six established cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, obesity, and insufficient physical activity. CRF profile was defined as “Poor” (≥ 3 risk factors), “Average” (1–2), or “Optimal” (0 risk factors). Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were reported across CRF profile categories, separately for all-cause and CVD mortality. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association between CRF profile and all-cause and CVD mortality.

Results

Among 195,901 non-elderly individuals (mean age: 40.4 ± 13.0, 50% females and 70% Non-Hispanic (NH) White adults), 24.8% had optimal, 58.9% average, and 16.2% poor CRF profiles, respectively. Participants with poor CRF profile were more likely to be NH Black, have lower educational attainment and lower income compared to those with optimal CRF profile. All-cause and CVD mortality rates were three to four fold higher in individuals with poor CRF profile, compared to their optimal profile counterparts. Adults with poor CRF profile experienced 3.5-fold (aHR: 3.48 [95% CI: 2.96, 4.10]) and 5-fold (aHR: 4.76 [3.44, 6.60]) higher risk of all-cause and CVD mortality, respectively, compared to those with optimal profile. These results were consistent across age, sex, and race/ethnicity subgroups.

Conclusions

In this population-based study, non-elderly adults with poor CRF profile had a three to five-fold higher risk of all-cause and CVD mortality, compared to those with optimal CRF profile. Targeted prevention efforts to achieve optimal cardiovascular risk profile are imperative to reduce the persistent burden of premature all-cause and CVD mortality in the US.
Association between sarcopenia and new-onset chronic kidney disease among middle-aged and elder adults: findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
Authors: Liu Tong , Wu Yang , Cao Xirong , Yang Kun , Tong Yingmu , Zhang Fengping , Wang Cong , Cui Ruixia , Ren Jie , Li Qinglin , Wang Hai , Liu Chang , Zhang Jingyao
Published: February 2024

Background

Sarcopenia is a senile syndrome of age-related muscle loss. It is thought to affect the development of chronic kidney disease and has a serious impact on the quality of life of the elder adults. Little is known about the association between sarcopenia and new-onset chronic kidney disease in middle-aged and elder adults. Using nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we conducted a longitudinal analysis to investigate the association between sarcopenia status and new-onset chronic kidney disease in middle-aged and elder adults in China.

Methods

The study population consisted of 3676 participants aged 45 or older selected from 2011 CHARLS database who had no history of chronic kidney disease at the baseline and completed the follow-up in 2015. A multivariate cox regression model was employed to examine the association between sarcopenia and the incidence of new-onset chronic kidney disease.

Results

Followed up for 4 years, a total of 873 (22.5%) new cases of chronic kidney disease occurred. Among them, participants diagnosed with sarcopenia (HR1.45; 95% CI 1.15–1.83) were more likely to develop new-onset chronic kidney disease than those without sarcopenia. Similarly, patients with sarcopenia were more likely to develop new-onset chronic kidney disease than those with possible sarcopenia (HR 1.27; 95%CI 1.00-1.60). Subgroup analysis revealed that elder adults aged between 60 and 75 years old (HR 1.666; 95%CI 1.20-22.28), with hypertension (HR 1.57; 95%CI 1.02–2.40), people with sarcopenia had a significantly higher risk of developing new-onset chronic kidney disease than those without sarcopenia (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Middle-aged and elder adults diagnosed with sarcopenia have a higher risk of developing new-onset chronic kidney disease.