bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How do Positive Deviants Overcome Health-Related Stigma? An Exploration of Development of Positive Deviance Among People With Stigmatized Health Conditions in Indonesia
Authors: Rai Sarju Sing , Syurina Elena V. , Peters Ruth M. H. , Putri Annisa Ika , Irwanto Irwanto , Zweekhorst Marjolein B. M.
Published: December 2021

A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to understand how some people living with stigmatized health conditions develop positive deviance to overcome stigma. We examined interviews from 13 identified positive deviants living with four different stigmatized health conditions (HIV, leprosy, schizophrenia, and diabetes) in Indonesia. Positive deviance develops in the form of psychological empowerment through improvement of self-belief and perception (intrapersonal component), development of understanding and skill to exert control in life (interactional component), and self-discovery of successful behaviors and strategies to avert stigma (behavioral component). Positive deviants, after being empowered, start empowering others affected by sharing their knowledge and fostering social awareness and acceptance. The findings revealed the presence of problem-solving ability and agency within the community of stigmatized individuals in Indonesia and warrant researchers to partner with the community to expedite the diffusion of transferable positive deviant strategies within and outside the communities.
‘It’s Not Really a Part of Standard Practice’: Institutional Silencing of Sexuality Within Australian Mental Health Settings
Authors: Urry Kristi , Chur-Hansen Anna , Khaw Carole
Published: December 2021

Research seeking to understand and improve sexuality-related practice in mental health settings has paid little attention to the institutional context in which clinicians’ practice is embedded. Through a social constructionist lens, we used thematic analysis to examine how 22 Australian mental health clinicians implicated the wider institutional context when discussing and making sense of sexuality-related silence within their work. Interviews were part of a study exploring participants’ perceptions of sexuality and sexual health in their work more generally. Broader silences that shaped and reinforced participants’ perceptions and practice choices were situated in professional education; workplace cultures; and the tools, procedures and policies that directed clinical practice. We argue that sexuality-related silence in mental health settings is located in the institutional context in which clinicians learn and work, and discuss how orienting to this broader context will benefit research and interventions to improve sexuality-related practice across health settings.
From Managing Stigma to Forming Friendships: Introducing a Model of Friendship Development
Authors: Cross Tracy L. , Cross Jennifer Riedl
Published: December 2021

Parents, teachers, counselors, and others are rightfully concerned about how to support students with gifts and talents in making friends while maintaining their interest in learning. Building on decades of research, the authors describe the model of High-Ability Students' Friendship Development Process. This process is described in a flowchart and clarifies points of intervention. When those who work with students with gifts and talents are aware of the importance that differences in ability make in their friendships, they can guide them toward building healthy relationships.
Designing and Implementing Interactive, Collaborative Family Literacy Events
Authors: Mahoney Kerrigan , Patrick Jane , Pennington Leighann , Brown Alicen , Moon Tonya , Brighton Catherine
Published: December 2021

Shared experiences through school-hosted events, such as family literacy events, can afford opportunities to support and extend academic learning while fostering positive home–school relationships. This article describes the importance of developing primary-grade students’ literacy skills through a talent development lens and explains several ways to nurture students’ literacy skills and recognize potential, gifts, and talents during family literacy events. This article features one of the activities from the family literacy events, Environmental Print Bingo, a modification of I-Spy and Bingo which uses rich and varied environmental print resources. A description of this activity, necessary resources, and implementation tips are provided. Options for differentiating this learning activity to provide more challenge for gifted learners are suggested. Throughout the article, the application of a pedagogy for early childhood gifted education and Sternberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence as a framework are discussed; these approaches informed the design of all family literacy activities. A brief overview of nine additional family literacy event activities is also shared. Welcoming and involving families of English learners is an important consideration in many communities, and therefore, preparation tips and considerations for facilitators that will help maximize the participation of all families are included. Finally, reflections and helpful advice for implementing family literacy events in your school communities are presented, including advice for implementing online family literacy events. Ultimately, this article should help readers conceptualize, plan, and implement family literacy events in their school communities.
Phase field model for electrically induced damage using microforce theory
Authors: Zipunova Elizaveta , Savenkov Evgeny
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we present a consistent derivation of the phase field model for electrically induced damage. The derivation is based on Gurtin’s microstress and microforce theory and the Coleman–Noll procedure. The resulting model accounts for Ohmic currents, includes charge conservation law and allows for finite electric permittivity and conductivity distribution in the medium. Special attention is devoted to the case when the damaged region is a codimension-two object, i.e., a curve in three dimensions. It is shown that in this case the free energy of the model necessarily includes a high-order term, which ensures the well-posedness of the problem. A special problem setting is proposed to account for the prescribed charge distribution. Local features of the phase field distribution are illustrated with one-dimensional axisymmetric numerical experiments.
Retrospective comparison of open vs minimally invasive cystotomy in 28 cats using a composite outcome score
Authors: Buote Nicole J , Hayes Galina , Bisignano Joseph , Rosselli Desiree
Published: December 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of cats undergoing open cystotomy with those undergoing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for removal of cystic calculi by use of a composite outcome score.

Methods

Twenty-eight cats were retrospectively enrolled and divided into two groups: open cystotomy (n = 14) and MIS (n = 14). The primary outcome measure was a composite outcome score, including three variables: pain scores ⩾2 at either 6 or 12 h postoperatively; failure to remove all stones as determined by postoperative radiographs; and postoperative complications requiring a visit to the hospital separate from the planned suture removal appointment. Other data collected included signalment, history, other procedures performed during anesthesia, willingness to eat the day after surgery and the financial cost of the procedures.

Results

There was no significant difference in age, weight, sex or breed between the two groups. The risk of experiencing the composite outcome was 3/14 (21.4%) in the MIS group and 10/14 (71%) in the open procedure group ( P = 0.02). The cats in the open surgery group had 8.3 times greater odds of developing the composite outcome than cats in the MIS group (odds ratio 8.3, 95% confidence interval 1.3–74.4; P = 0.02). In the MIS group, 10/14 cats were eating the day after surgery vs 3/14 in the open procedure group ( P = 0.02). The procedural cost was higher in the MIS group, with a median cost of US$945 (interquartile range [IQR] US$872–1021) vs US$623 (IQR US$595–679) in the open group ( P <0.01).

Conclusions and relevance

In this study the composite outcome score provided evidence to support the use of MIS techniques in cats with cystic calculi. The composite outcome score should be considered in future veterinary studies as a promising method of assessing clinically relevant outcomes.
The Use of Mobile Applications for Travel Booking: Impacts of Application Quality and Brand Trust
Authors: Albayrak Tahir , Rosario González-Rodríguez M. , Caber Meltem , Karasakal Sezer
Published: December 2021

The increasing use of mobile applications by travellers and the high adaption of tourism companies into this new contact and sales platform, made it necessary to comprehensively investigate the mobile application users’ behaviours. This research combines the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to develop a theoretical background in examining travel booking behaviour of mobile application users. The conceptual model suggests that mobile application quality (MAQ) directly affects perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) which influence the intention to use (IU) mobile applications. Moreover, the offline brand trust (BT) has been hypothesised as a moderator between PEOU and PU's impacts on IU mobile applications. Analyses results indicated that system and service quality dimensions of MAQ significantly affect IU mobile application via PEOU and PU. Moreover, offline BT had both direct and moderator influences on the formation of IU mobile application. The study findings contributed to the theory in understanding mobile application users’ behaviours and suggested valuable managerial strategies in the m-commerce context.
An in-depth analysis of 10 epidemiological terminologies used in the context of COVID-19
Authors: Doraiswamy Sathyanarayanan , Mamtani Ravinder , Cheema Sohaila
Published: December 2021

Aim:

In this paper, we explore the contextual use of 10 epidemiological terminologies, their significance, and interpretation/misinterpretation in explaining various aspects of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods and Results:

We first establish the different purposes of the terms ‘pandemic’ and ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern.’ We then discuss the confusion caused by using the ‘case fatality rate’ as opposed to ‘infection fatality rate’ during the pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding the limited usefulness of identifying someone as ‘pre-symptomatic.’ We highlight the ambiguity in the ‘positivity rate’ and the need to be able to generate data on ‘excess mortality’ during public health emergencies. We discuss the relevance of ‘association and causation’ in the context of the facemask controversy that existed at the start of the pandemic. We point out how the accepted epidemiological practice of discussing ‘herd immunity’ in the context of vaccines has been twisted to suit the political motive of a public health approach. Given that a high proportion of COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic, we go on to show how COVID-19 has blurred the lines between ‘screening/diagnosis’ and ‘quarantine/isolation,’ while giving birth to the new terminology of ‘community quarantine.’

Conclusions:

Applying the lessons learned from COVID-19 to better understand the above terminologies will help health professionals communicate effectively, strengthen the scientific agenda of epidemiology and public health, and support and manage future outbreaks efficiently.
Comparison of two different frailty scales in the longitudinal Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA)
Authors: Wennberg Alexandra M. , Yin Weiyao , Fang Fang , Pedersen Nancy L. , Hägg Sara , Jylhävä Juulia , Modig Karin
Published: December 2021

Aims:

Although up to 25% of older adults are frail, assessing frailty can be difficult, especially in registry data. This study evaluated the utility of a code-based frailty score in registry data by comparing it to a gold-standard frailty score to understand how frailty can be quantified in population data and perhaps better addressed in healthcare.

Methods:

We compared the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS), a frailty measure based on 109 ICD codes, to a modified version of the Frailty Index (FI) Frailty Index (FI), a self-report frailty measure, and their associations with all-cause mortality both cross-sectionally and longitudinally (follow-up = 36 years) in a Swedish cohort study ( n = 1368).

Results:

The FI and HFRS were weakly correlated (rho = 0.11, p < 0.001). Twenty-two percent ( n = 297) of participants were considered frail based on published cut-offs of either measure. Only 3% ( n = 35) of participants were classified as frail by both measures; 4% ( n = 60) of participants were considered frail by only the HFRS; and 15% ( n = 202) of participants were considered frail based only on the FI. Frailty as measured by the HFRS showed greater variance and no clear increase or decrease with age, while frailty as measured by the FI increased steadily with age. In adjusted Cox proportional hazard models, baseline HFRS frailty (HR = 1.17, 95% CI 0.92, 1.49) was not statistically significantly associated with mortality, while FI frailty was (HR = 2.89, 95% CI 1.61, 2.23). These associations were modified by age and sex.

Conclusions:

The HFRS may not capture the full spectrum of frailty among community-dwelling individuals, particularly at younger ages, in Swedish registry data.
Association between neighborhood health behaviors and body mass index in Northern Norway: evidence from the Tromsø Study
Authors: Sari Emre , Moilanen Mikko , Bambra Clare , Grimsgaard Sameline , Njølstad Inger
Published: December 2021

Aim:

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has risen rapidly worldwide, and the ongoing obesity pandemic is one of the most severe public health concerns in modern society. The average body mass index (BMI) of people living in Northern Norway has also steadily increased since the late 1970s. This study aimed to understand how individuals’ health behavior is associated with the general health behavior of the people in their neighborhood.

Methods:

Using the population-based Tromsø Study, we examined the life course association between average leisure time physical activity at the neighborhood level and the BMI of individuals living in the same neighborhood. We used a longitudinal dataset following 25,604 individuals living in 33 neighborhoods and performed a linear mixed-effects analysis.

Results:

The results showed that participants living in neighborhoods whose residents were more physically active during their leisure time, were likely to have a significantly lower BMI (−0.9 kg/m², 95% CI −1.5 to −0.4). Also, individuals living in neighborhoods whose residents were doing mainly manual work, had significantly higher BMIs (0.7 kg/m², 95% CI 0.4−1.0).

Conclusions:

Our results showed a strong association between the average leisure time physical activity level of neighborhood residents and the higher BMI levels of residents of the same neighborhood.
Mapping Discord’s darkside: Distributed hate networks on Disboard
Authors: Heslep Daniel G , Berge PS
Published: December 2021

Discord, a popular community chat application, has rhetorically distanced itself from its associations with white supremacist content through a public commitment to proactive moderation. However, Discord relies extensively on third-party services (like bots and server bulletins), which have been overlooked in their role in facilitating hateful networks. This study notes how Discord offloads searchability to server bulletin sites like Disboard, to deleterious effect. This study involves two parts: (1) we use critical technoculture discourse analysis to examine Discord’s blogs, policies, and application programming interface and (2) we present data scraped from 2741 Discord servers listed on Disboard, revealing networks of hateful and white supremacist communities that openly use “edgy,” raiding-oriented, and toxic messaging. These servers exploit Discord’s moderation tools and affordances to proliferate within Discord’s distributed ecology. We argue that Discord’s policies fail to address its reliance on unmoderated third-party services or the networked practices of its toxic communities.
Analysis of unbalanced laminate composites with imperfect interphase: Effective properties via asymptotic homogenization method
Authors: Christoff Bruno Guilherme , Brito-Santana Humberto , Tita Volnei
Published: December 2021

This work addresses the Asymptotic Homogenization Method (AHM) to find all the non-zero independent constants of the fourth-order elasticity tensor of a theoretically infinite periodically laminated composite. The concept of Unit Cell describes the domain, comprised of two orthotropic composite plies separated by an isotropic interphase. A general case with an unbalanced composite is considered. Thus, the coupled components of the tensor are expected. Both analytical and numerical solutions are derived. In addition, an interphase degradation model is proposed to evaluate its effect on the effective properties of the media. Two different stacking sequences are considered with five degrees of interphase imperfection each. The results show good agreement between the analytical and numerical solutions. In addition, it is clear that the more imperfect the interphase is, the more affected the effective properties of the media are, especially those dependent on the stacking direction.
Prevalence and management of patients with hypodontia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Elsherif Nusaybah , Rodriguez Jose , Ahmed Farooq
Published: December 2021

Background:

Hypodontia is one of the most common anomalies in dentistry. Hypodontia has a negative impact on oral health-related quality of life with patients best seen in a multidisciplinary clinic to improve treatment outcomes.

Aim:

To investigate the prevalence of hypodontia and its association with other dental anomalies, as well as malocclusion, and to investigate the treatment planned for patients attending the clinic and whether the type of missing teeth affected the proposed treatment.

Materials and Methods:

Analysis of consecutive patients attending the hypodontia clinic at a dental hospital between February and November 2020. A total of 100 patients who met the inclusion criteria were identified. Data collected included the following: age/sex; number and type of missing teeth; pre-treatment occlusion; presence of other dental anomalies; and planned treatment.

Results:

A total of 100 patients (55% female; age range = 7–41 years; mean age = 18 years) were included. Of the cohort, 47% had a class I skeletal relationship and participants were significantly less likely to have a class III skeletal or incisor relationship; 45% had another dental anomaly with the most common being microdontia. Space opening was the preferred treatment option for those managed by orthodontic treatment with resin-bonded bridges most likely to be used for restoration of spaces, 86%.

Conclusion:

Lower second premolars were the most commonly missing teeth. Participants were significantly less likely to have a class III incisor or skeletal relationship than class I or II. Space opening was the favoured approach for orthodontic treatment, particularly for maxillary lateral incisors.
What Conservatives Value: Reply to Blackburn
Authors: O’Hara Kieron
Published: December 2021

In reply to Dean Blackburn’s ‘In the Shadows’, it is argued that the situated nature of the conservative ideology entails that its adherents cannot have a substantive set of shared values, but that their values will typically be a cultural inheritance. The epistemological element of conservatism may not be the most electorally salient in any concrete context, but has strategic value as the common element of conservatism most likely to support a public reason defence.
Alteration of autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) levels and Atg5 gene expression in diabetes mellitus with and without complications
Authors: Yassin* Remah , Tadmor* Hagar , Farber Evgeny , Igbariye Anas , Armaly-Nakhoul Aida , Dahan Inbal , Nakhoul Farid , Nakhoul Nakhoul
Published: December 2021

Background

Autophagy is a catabolic mechanism that involves lysosomal-dependent degradation of unnecessary intracellular components and responsible for normal cellular homeostasis. Autophagy pathway and its key participant ATG5/LC3 are associated with several pathologies such as diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Methods

Levels and expression of autophagy key components ATG5 and LC3B were analyzed in both human model and murine tissues. One hundred and twenty human subjects were divided into four groups: Healthy (control), diabetes mellitus without complications, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, we used kidneys from WT healthy and diabetic nephropathy mice. Lysate derived from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and murine renal cortex lysates were subjected to western blot and immunohistochemical analysis.

Results

Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrate that ATG5 protein levels were significantly decreased in diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy (DN), and diabetic retinopathy patients versus healthy controls and in DN mice compared to healthy mice (0.65 ± 0.04; 1.15 ± 0.13 A.U. units, respectively). Quantification of staining area (%) of ATG5 mice tissue expression also decreased in DN versus healthy mice (4.42 ± 1.08%; 10.87 ± 1.01%, respectively).

LC3B levels and expression

Significant reduction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in diabetic patients (with or without complications) vs. healthy controls. Renal LC3B levels were lower in DN versus healthy mice (0.36 ± 0.03; 0.68 ± 0.07 A.U. units). Renal LC3B staining quantification revealed significant reduction in DN versus healthy mice (1.7 ± 0.23%; 8.56 ± 1.7%).

Conclusion

We conclude that ATG5, as well as LC3B, are down regulated in diabetic patients with or without complications. This diminution contributes to deficiencies in the autophagy process.
Behavioral Assessment and Treatment of Aerophagia
Authors: Cengher Mirela , Strohmeier Craig W.
Published: December 2021

Aerophagia is characterized by excessive air swallowing and can have serious negative effects on one’s health. We present the assessment and treatment of a 16-year-old girl, Khloe, with developmental disabilities and aerophagia. The initial assessment indicated that aerophagia occurred primarily to access attention in a divided attention context; however, our function-based treatment did not result in a clinically significant reduction in problem behavior. We then conducted a second assessment that indicated that Khloe’s aerophagia indeed occurred primarily in a divided attention context, but that it persisted independent of social consequences. We concluded that the divided attention context served as a motivating variable for aerophagia. Our second treatment consisted of differential reinforcement of other behavior, noncontingent access to competing stimuli, and graduated exposure to contextual variables (i.e., people and divided attention) that occasioned aerophagia. The treatment was successful in reducing rates of aerophagia. We discuss implications for assessment and treatment, as well as recommendations for clinicians and students.
Therapeutic Singing as a Swallowing Intervention in Head and Neck Cancer Patients With Dysphagia
Authors: Jo Seongmoon , Yeo Myung Sun , Shin Yoon-Kyum , Shin Ki Hun , Kim Se-Heon , Kim Hye Ryun , Kim Soo Ji , Cho Sung-Rae
Published: December 2021

Background:

Head and neck cancer patients often suffer from dysphagia after surgery and radiotherapy. A singing-enhanced swallowing protocol was established to improve their swallowing function. This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of therapeutic singing on dysphagia in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.

Methods:

Patients who participated in this study were allocated to the intervention group (15 patients) and the control group (13 patients). Patients assigned to the intervention group received therapeutic singing 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups, including the oral cavity cancer group and the pharyngeal cancer group. The patients’ vocal functions were evaluated in maximum phonation time, pitch, intensity, jitter, shimmer, harmonics to noise ratio, and laryngeal diadochokinesis (L-DDK). To evaluate swallowing function, videofluoroscopic swallowing study was done, and the results were analyzed by videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) and dynamic imaging grade of swallowing toxicity (DIGEST).

Results:

Among the voice parameters, L-DDK of the intervention group significantly increased compared to that of the control group. Swallowing functions of the intervention group were significantly improved in VDS and DIGEST after the intervention. Detailed items of VDS and DIGEST showed improvements especially in the pharyngeal phase score of VDS, such as laryngeal elevation, pharyngeal transit time, and aspiration. In addition, the pharyngeal cancer group showed significant improvements in VDS and DIGEST scores after the intervention.

Conclusions:

Our outcomes highlight the beneficial effects of singing for HNC patients with dysphagia. The notable improvements in the pharyngeal phase suggest that therapeutic singing would be more appropriate for HNC patients who need to improve their intrinsic muscle movements of vocal fold and laryngeal elevation.
Machine learning-based patient classification system for adults with stroke: A systematic review
Authors: Ruksakulpiwat Suebsarn , Thongking Witchuda , Zhou Wendie , Benjasirisan Chitchanok , Phianhasin Lalipat , Schiltz Nicholas K. , Brahmbhatt Smit
Published: December 2021

Objective

To evaluate the existing evidence of a machine learning-based classification system that stratifies patients with stroke.

Methods

The authors carried out a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations for a review article. PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CINAHL Plus Full Text were searched from January 2015 to February 2021.

Results

There are twelve studies included in this systematic review. Fifteen algorithms were used in the included studies. The most common forms of machine learning (ML) used to classify stroke patients were the support vector machine (SVM) (n = 8 studies), followed by random forest (RF) (n = 7 studies), decision tree (DT) (n = 4 studies), gradient boosting (GB) (n = 4 studies), neural networks (NNs) (n = 3 studies), deep learning (n = 2 studies), and k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) (n = 2 studies), respectively. Forty-four features of inputs were used in the included studies, and age and gender are the most common features in the ML model.

Discussion

There is no single algorithm that performed better or worse than all others at classifying patients with stroke, in part because different input data require different algorithms to achieve optimal outcomes.
Tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors but not anticonvulsants ameliorate pain, anxiety, and depression symptoms in an animal model of central post-stroke pain
Authors: Shyu Bai Chuang , He Alan BH , Yu Ying H , Huang Andrew Chih Wei
Published: December 2021

Background

Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is a type of neuropathic pain caused by dysfunction in the spinothalamocortical pathway. However, no animal studies have examined comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms. Whether the typical pharmacological treatments for CPSP, which include antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and anticonvulsants, can treat comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms in addition to pain remains unclear? The present study ablated the ventrobasal complex of the thalamus (VBC) to cause various CPSP symptoms. The effects of the tricyclic antidepressants amitriptyline and imipramine, the SSRI fluoxetine, and the anticonvulsant carbamazepine on pain, anxiety, and depression were examined.

Results

The results showed that VBC lesions induced sensitivity to thermal pain, measured using a hot water bath; mechanical pain, assessed by von Frey test; anxiety behavior, determined by the open-field test, elevated plus-maze test, and zero-maze test; and depression behavior, assessed by the forced swim test. No effect on motor activity in the open-field test was observed. Amitriptyline reduced thermal and mechanical pain sensitivity and anxiety but not depression. Imipramine suppressed thermal and mechanical pain sensitivity, anxiety, and depression. Fluoxetine blocked mechanical but not thermal pain sensitivity, anxiety, and depression. However, carbamazepine did not affect pain, anxiety, or depression.

Conclusion

In summary, antidepressants and SSRIs but not anticonvulsants can effectively ameliorate pain and comorbid anxiety and depression in CPSP. The present findings, including discrepancies in the effects observed following treatment with anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and SSRIs in this CPSP animal model, can be applied in the clinical setting to guide the pharmacological treatment of CPSP symptoms.
Level and determinants of long-acting family planning utilization among reproductive age women in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Alemayehu Astawus , Demissee Abebaw , Feleke Dereje , Abdella Maruf
Published: December 2021

Background:

Ethiopia’s population is currently estimated to be 117,814,659 people and continues to have countries with the highest maternal mortality rates. Family planning is one of the most effective techniques for lowering mother and child mortality, in addition to limiting rapid population expansion.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess level and determinants of long-acting family planning method among reproductive age women in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia, 2021

Method:

Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 845 randomly selected reproductive age women. Data were collected by trained data collector using pretested structured questionnaire. Data were coded and entered into Epidata v.3 and analyzed using SPSS v.26 software. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used. Variable with p-value less than 0.05 was declared as statistically significant.

Result:

The prevalence of long-acting family planning method was 74.7%, while 53.6% and 46.4% was from rural and urban, respectively. The mean age of participants was 28.5 (± 5.6) years. Married women four times (AOR: 4.1; 95% CI: 1.6, 10.4) more likely to use long-acting family planning method than single women. Women with educated husband four times (AOR: 4.4; 95% CI: 1.8, 10.6) more likely to use long-acting family planning method than women with illiterate husband.

Conclusion:

There is high level of utilization of long-acting family planning. The women’s marital status, increased education level of husbands, increasing in age of women, intention to spacing birth, and having less than five children were found to significantly increase the utilization of long-acting family planning.
Fooling System 1 in the field of perception: Failure to intuitively detect attribute substitution in the flushtration count illusion
Authors: Thomas Cyril , Botella Marion , Didierjean André
Published: December 2021

To facilitate our interactions with the surroundings, the human brain sometimes reshapes the situations that it faces to simplify them. This phenomenon has been widely studied in the context of reasoning, especially through the attribute substitution error. It has however been given much less attention in the field of perception. Recent research on the bat-and-ball problem suggests that reasoners are able to intuitively detect attribute substitution errors. Using a perceptual illusion drawn from the field of magic, we investigate the extent to which a perceptual form of attribute substitution depends on executive resources and can be detected. We also investigate the relationship between susceptibility to attribute substitution error in the flushtration count illusion and in a French adaptation of the bat-and-ball problem. Finally, we investigate the link between the intuitive cognitive style (assessed by the cognitive reflection test) and the susceptibility to the flushtration count illusion. Our results suggest that participants do not detect perceptual attribute substitution error, that this phenomenon could be independent of the executive resources allocated to the task, and could rest on mechanisms distinct from those that produce errors in reasoning. We discuss differences between these two phenomena, and factors that may explain them.
Africa's global media image in a digital world as an exclusive western preserve?
Authors: Ezeru Chikaire Wilfred Williams
Published: December 2021

Who constructs Africa's global media image? That is the main focus of this longitudinal study. It looks at both the journalists and the news sources applied in the British press coverage of Africa between 1992 and 2017. Four British national newspapers (The Guardian, Financial Times, The Times, and Daily Mail) and a mixed research approach (content analysis and semi-structured interviews) were used. A total sample of 7027 articles were utilized, while nine journalists were interviewed. This study discovered that the British newspapers’ coverage of Africa was dominated by Western journalists and the news sources used in the articles were a proportionate mixture of both African and Western sources, especially in the quality newspapers. It also uncovered that Africa's global influence, in addition to other factors impact on the UK newspapers’ coverage of Africa. This study concludes that there are some positive changes in the post-colonial British press coverage of Africa, especially in their use of news sources, but there are still some elements of neo-colonialism and racism in the British newspapers’ use of journalists in reporting on Africa.
Bioactivity-guided Isolation of TRAIL-Resistance-Overcoming Activity Compounds From the Leaves of Murraya exotica
Authors: Jitrangsri Kritamorn , Takaya Akiko , Hara Yasumasa , Sadhu Samir K. , Ahmed Firoj , Ishibashi Masami
Published: December 2021

Fractionation of the leaf extract from Murraya exotica led to the successful isolation of 12 compounds (1-12) with TRAIL-resistance-overcoming activity. Xanthinosin (1), 11α, 13-dihydroxanthinin (2), 11β, 13-dihydroxanthinosin (3), 4α, 11α, 13-trihydroxanthuminol (4), desacetylxanthanol (5), and lasidiol p-methoxybenzoate (6) were sesquiterpenes isolated from this plant for the first time, and 3 was isolated from natural sources for the first time. Among them, compounds 1 and 5 showed strong TRAIL-resistance-overcoming activity, but their mechanisms have already been revealed. Furthermore, dihydroxanthinin (2), 1, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (7), and (-) loliolide (8), which belong to different phytochemical groups, were investigated for their effects on increasing apoptosis induction to overcome TRAIL resistance using Western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that 2, 7, and 8 promoted TRAIL-induced apoptosis by increasing the expression of several proapoptotic markers, including cleaved caspases −3 and −8, and suppressing anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.
Reversible facial nerve paralysis in a cat suspected to be associated with systemic hypertension
Authors: Moretto Laura , Herzig Robert , Beckmann Katrin , Wolfer Nadja , Dennler Matthias , Glaus Tony M
Published: December 2021

Case summary

This report describes the appearance of facial nerve paralysis in a 16-year-old hypertensive cat. MRI was helpful in visualising and characterising mesencephalic and facial nerve lesions thought to be induced by hypertension. Neurological signs rapidly resolved under antihypertensive therapy.

Relevance and novel information

Systemic hypertension is an important medical condition in geriatric cats causing damage in various target organs, including the brain. Hypertensive encephalopathy is an umbrella term for a multitude of different clinical manifestations of cerebral target organ damage. Facial nerve paralysis secondary to hypertension is recognised in human medicine, particularly in children, but so far has not been reported in veterinary medicine.
Configuring Fakes: Digitized Bodies, the Politics of Evidence, and Agency
Authors: Paris Britt
Published: December 2021

This comparative case study analysis used more than 200 examples of audiovisual manipulation collected from 2016 to 2021 to understand manipulated audiovisual and visual content produced by artificial intelligence, machine learning, and unsophisticated methods. This article includes a chart that categorizes the methods used to produce and disseminate audiovisual content featuring false personation as well as the harms that result. The article and the findings therein answer questions surrounding the broad issues of politics of evidence and harm related to audiovisual manipulation, harassment, privacy, and silencing to offer suggestions towards reconfiguring the public’s agency over technical systems and envisioning ways forward that meaningfully promote justice.
Involving Families in the Postsecondary Planning Process: A Case Study
Authors: Gilfillan Beth H. , Das Bagmi , Erickson Dawn , Gupta Kato
Published: December 2021

Researchers show that family involvement is crucial to a student’s success, yet finding ways to engage parents in the postsecondary planning process is sometimes challenging for school counselors. This case study highlights one school district’s process of developing and implementing a program geared toward engaging parents in their students’ postsecondary planning process. We discuss the rationale, steps taken to incorporate multiple stakeholders and data throughout the planning process, and attendee feedback.
Regional Factors Influencing Non-Take-Up for Social Support in Korea Using a Spatial Regression Model
Authors: Park Gyubeom , Yoon Kichan , Lee Munjae
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influential factors of non-take-up citizens, who do not receive social benefits, to increase their discovery rate. A spatial regression model was used to analyze the variables affecting the discovery rates. As a result of the study, there was a difference in the percentage of welfare blind spots by region. In addition, when the proportion of the elderly population, the number of unemployment benefit recipients, etc. increased, that of welfare blind spots also increased; the lower the population density was, the higher the rate of increase in welfare blind spots became. Accordingly, in order to resolve the welfare blind spots at the local level, it is necessary to reinforce policy support for the elderly population and reduce the unemployment rate. Particularly, the policy will have to be prepared to resolve the welfare blind spots in rural areas with low population density.
Clinical Outcomes of Revision Arthroscopic Capsulolabral Repair for Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability With Moderate Glenoid Bone Defects: A Comparison With Primary Surgery
Authors: Jeon Young Dae , Kim Hyong Suk , Rhee Sung-Min , Jeong Myeong Gon , Oh Joo Han
Published: December 2021

Background:

The optimal revision surgery for failed primary arthroscopic capsulolabral repair (ACR) has yet to be determined. Revision ACR has shown promising results.

Purpose:

To compare the functional, strength, and radiological outcomes of revision ACR and primary ACR for anterior shoulder instability.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Between March 2007 and April 2017, a total of 85 patients underwent ACR (revision: n = 23; primary: n = 62). Functional outcome scores and positive apprehension signs were evaluated preoperatively, at 1 year, and then annually. Isokinetic internal and external rotation strengths were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 year after surgery.

Results:

The mean follow-up was 36.5 ± 10.2 months (range, 24-105 months). There was no significant difference between the revision and primary groups in the glenoid bone defect size at the time of surgery (17.3% ± 4.8% vs 15.4% ± 5.1%, respectively; P = .197). At the final follow-up, no significant differences were found in the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (97.6 ± 3.1 vs 98.0 ± 6.2, respectively; P = .573), Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index score (636.7 ± 278.1 vs 551.1 ± 305.4, respectively; P = .584), or patients with a positive apprehension sign (17.4% [4/23] vs 11.3% [7/62], respectively; P = .479) between the revision and primary groups. There was no significant difference between the revision and primary groups for returning to sports at the same preoperative level (65.2% vs 80.6%, respectively; P = .136) and anatomic healing failure at 1 year after surgery (13.0% vs 3.2%, respectively; P = .120). Both groups recovered external rotation strength at 1 year after surgery (vs before surgery), although the strength was weaker than in the uninvolved shoulder. In the revision group, a larger glenoid bone defect was significantly related to a positive apprehension sign (22.0% ± 3.8%) vs a negative apprehension sign (16.0% ± 3.2%; cutoff = 20.5%; P = .003).

Conclusion:

In patients with moderate glenoid bone defect sizes (10%-25%), clinical outcomes after revision ACR were comparable to those after primary ACR. However, significant glenoid bone loss was related to a positive remaining apprehension sign in the revision group. Surgeons should consider these findings when selecting their revision strategy for patients with failed anterior shoulder stabilization.
Some Lessons From Elementary School Teachers’ Experiences of 3-D Science in the Time of COVID
Authors: Tobin Roger G. , Lacy Sara J. , Crissman Sally
Published: December 2021

In spring 2020, COVID-19 seismically shifted the education landscape as schooling moved online. We report a small-scale mixed-methods study of how that upheaval affected three-dimensional science learning in elementary school classrooms, and how the situation changed when school resumed, in modified form, in fall 2020. Teachers with experience in 3-D science instruction completed two surveys, in summer and winter 2020, and a subgroup of the summer respondents participated in semistructured interviews. After a near-total collapse of science instruction in the spring, the fall brought a partial return to normalcy, but the prevalence of practices such as hands-on investigations, small-group discussions, and all-class meaning-making was still only about half what it had been before the crisis. Based on the survey data and teachers’ comments, we offer suggestions for a future in which aspects of online learning may be a permanent part of the educational environment.
Teaching Bias to Undergraduate Students in an Introduction to Public Health Course
Authors: Mincey Krista D.
Published: December 2021

Implicit bias is a topic many faculty/instructors may feel uncomfortable teaching and discussing with their students. As public health professionals, it is important that we teach the next generation of public health professionals about bias so that they are able to address the elements in society that allow these biases to affect the health care that is received and the health outcomes that occur because of these biases. This article provides detailed information on an activity around bias conducted with undergraduate students in an Introduction to Public Health course. The article discusses how this activity can be adapted and guidance on how to make this activity work for any course.
The Codification of a Professional: Addressing the Hidden Curriculum in Public Health
Authors: Carlos Susana M. , Pallai EmmaLee
Published: December 2021

Health organizations and public health programs are responding to the current pandemic of racial violence through releasing statements condemning these actions. They recognize that to be a health professional means addressing the structuralized inequities leading to reduced health outcomes and increased violence for portions of our population. However, the written and unwritten codification and curriculum about professionalism and what it looks like leads to the very biases that perpetuate inequities. This commentary examines the disconnect between the hidden curriculum of professionalism and the way we enforce how a professional is supposed to look through dress codes and stipulations on hair as well as other elements of appearance. We will then look at ways to “make the invisible visible” and open up conversation in the classroom. In order to address equity and serve all their students, organizations and public health programs need to open space to discuss the parts of our culture that reinforce biases and how these issues affect their communities.
Developing an Antiracist Lens: Using Photography to Facilitate Public Health Critical Race Praxis in a Foundational MPH Course
Authors: Lightfoot Alexandra F. , Efird Caroline R. , Redding Erika M.
Published: December 2021

Racism is a critical determinant of health that affects outcomes; shapes practice, policy, research, and interventions; and disproportionately burdens nondominant racial populations. The racial justice challenges of today, combined with persistent health inequities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have intensified the need for racial equity–minded public health professionals. Because training programs play a key role in developing professionals, they must center teaching about racism and promoting antiracism within their curricula. The critical race theory–grounded strategy Public Health Critical Race Praxis (PHCRP) provides a useful framework, calling for examination of how racism operates within individuals and the systems, such as public health, in which they work. Foundational public health courses provide a vital opportunity to launch such an examination and lay the groundwork for antiracism praxis. This article offers a curricular model that integrates PCHRP with a creative approach to facilitate exploration of racial identity among public health students. Students in our course use photography and written reflections to create dual portraits, one depicting how they see themselves and the other imagining how they might be seen by others in our racialized society. Our pedagogical process prompts critical self-reflection about racial identity, a crucial foundation for addressing the health consequences of structural racism. Spurred by creative inquiry, students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds tell us that our course boosts their racial consciousness, enhances their understanding and ability to engage diverse communities, equips them to see and name racism in the public health context, and galvanizes them to work toward dismantling it.