bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive value of diaphragmatic thickness fraction and integrated pulmonary index on extubation outcome in patients with severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Fu Donglin , Luo Huan , Zhang Qiuhong , Chen Liang , Guo Honghao , Zhang Meng
Published: June 2024

Objective

This study was performed to explore the predictive value of the diaphragmatic thickness fraction (DTF) combined with the integrated pulmonary index (IPI) for the extubation outcome in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods

This prospective study involved 93 patients diagnosed with SAP and treated with mechanical ventilation in our hospital from October 2020 to September 2023. The patients were divided into a successful extubation group (61 patients) and an extubation failure group (32 patients) based on the extubation outcomes. The predictive value of the DTF, IPI, and their combination for extubation failure was analyzed.

Results

The DTF and IPI were independent risk factors for extubation failure in patients with SAP undergoing mechanical ventilation. In addition, the combination of the DTF and IPI showed predictive value for extubation failure in these patients.

Conclusion

The DTF and IPI hold predictive value for extubation failure in patients with SAP undergoing mechanical ventilation, and their combined use may improve the predictive efficiency.
Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (Nora lesion) involving the spine: a case report and systematic review
Authors: Chen Chao , Wei Bing , Liu Sheng , Shao Zengwu , Chen Sheng
Published: June 2024

Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP), also termed Nora lesion, is a rare, benign tumor most often located in the hands and feet. We herein present the second reported case of BPOP affecting the spine, an uncommon location. One year after surgical excision, the patient was pain-free and showed no evidence of recurrence. We reviewed a total of 323 cases of BPOP among 101 articles, providing the first systematic update on the latest knowledge of BPOP. The age of patients with BPOP ranges from 3 months to 87 years, peaking in the second and third decades of life. The hands are the most common location of BPOP (58.39%), followed by the feet (20.81%). Imaging features play a key role in the diagnosis of BPOP, but histopathologic diagnosis remains the gold standard. Differential diagnosis of BPOP should be based on the epidemiologic and clinical features as well as clinical examination findings. Surgical resection is the most extensively used treatment for BPOP. Recurrence is common (37.44%) and can be treated with re-excision. This article can deepen our understanding of BPOP and will be helpful for the diagnosis and treatment of BPOP in clinical practice.
Biomechanical analysis of single and multi-level artificial disc replacement (ADR) in cervical spine using multi-scale loadings: A finite element study
Authors: Kumar Ram , Kumar Amit , Kumari Shabanam
Published: June 2024

Artificial disc replacement (ADR) is a clinical procedure used to diagnose cervical degenerative disc disease, preserving range of motion (ROM) at the fixation level and preventing adjacent segment degeneration (ASD). This study analyzed the biomechanics of ADR by examining range of motion (ROM), stress levels in bone and implants, and strain in the bone-implant interface using multi-scale loadings. The study focused on single- and double-level patients across various loading scales during physiological motions within the cervical spine. Results showed increased ROM in single-level and double-level fixations during physiological loadings, while ROM decreased at the adjacent level of fixation with the intact cervical spine model. The Prodisc-Implant metal endplate experienced a maximum von Mises stress of 432 MPa during axial rotation, confirming the long durability and biomechanical performance of the bone-implant interface.
How suitable is the analytic group for treating people with Parkinson’s?
Authors: Vosmer Susanne
Published: June 2024

This article examines whether group analysis is suitable for treating Parkinson’s disease. Brief descriptions and conceptualizations of Parkinson’s are provided. I illustrate how conductors could treat mild parkinsonian manifestations in traditional analytic groups by making adaptions to dynamic administration and technique. Counter/transference may provide vital insight into implicit (unconscious) memory and group members’ functioning. While group analysis could be beneficial, it might be harmful, when conductors lack knowledge of neuroscience. On its own, group analysis is inadequate to address the needs of severely depressed and demented people with Parkinson’s. For these clients, groups should only be conducted as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Furthermore, group analysis may be offered as an adjunct to cognitive stimulation and psychoeducational groups. However, before treating people with Parkinson’s, conductors should acquire sufficient knowledge of neurological disorders and the brain, I suggest. This is in line with Foulkes’ thinking.
De Beauvoir, the Great Chain of Being and the Caste System: The psycho-politics of psychotherapy trainings
Authors: Dalal Farhad
Published: June 2024

The medieval Christian notion of the Great Chain of Being that arose in the ‘West’, and the Hindu caste system that arose in the ‘East’, are both rationales that legitimate specific worldly hierarchies as expressions of the Natural Divine Order. I will argue that the culture and conventions of psychotherapy training institutions embody these sorts of hierarchies and ways of thinking to a greater or lesser degree. More specifically, I will argue that the values integral to the Great Chain of Being are embodied in the relations between trainer/trainee and therapist/client; and that the conventions and structures of the psychotherapy profession as a whole echo those of the caste system. In contrast, I propose that the values found in Simone de Beauvoir’s Ethics of Ambiguity is that which we should aspire to.
Care Partner Perspectives on the Use of a Patient Portal Intervention to Promote Care Partner Identification in Dementia Care
Authors: Riffin Catherine , Cassidy Jessica , Smith Jamie M. , Begler Erika , Peereboom Danielle , Lum Hillary D. , DesRoches Catherine M. , Wolff Jennifer L.
Published: June 2024

Care partners are crucial to supporting the complex health needs of older adults with dementia, but they are not systematically identified in care delivery. As part of a real-world implementation project in geriatric primary care, we adapted a portal-based agenda setting intervention, OurNotes, by incorporating items to help care partners self-identify. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with care partners ( N = 15) who completed the adapted OurNotes to explore their perceptions of the tool (usability, benefits, and challenges) and recommendations for refinement. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Benefits included enhancing care partners’ preparedness for the visit and opening a direct channel to express concerns about patients’ cognition and memory loss to clinicians. Challenges pertained to clinician responsiveness; recommendations focused on enabling the submitted OurNotes responses to be edited and updated by multiple care partners. Such refinements may help to maximize the impact of adapted OurNotes’ and potential for future implementation and dissemination.
A Qualitative Examination of a Reminiscence Intervention for Older Adults Using Three-Dimensional (3D) Printed Objects
Authors: Anderson Keith A. , Berg-Weger Marla , Olofinboba Olu , Plocher Tom
Published: June 2024

Reminiscence has been found to be an effective therapy for older adults and researchers and practitioners have identified a range of benefits, from cognitive stimulation to the reconciliation of past experiences. In this qualitative study, the authors explore the experiences of older adults engaged in a technology-enhanced form of reminiscence therapy (RT) using three-dimensional (3D) printed objects from peoples’ past. Content analysis of individual interviews with seven participants ( n = 7) revealed three themes: (1) positive experiences with the RT intervention; (2) reflections on the use of 3D printed objects; and (3) the development of relationships between participants and researchers. These findings suggest that RT using 3D printed objects can be effective, but only if objects are accurate and if it suits participants’ personalities. Researchers and practitioners may find that the use of 3D printed objects can enhance their RT interventions and thereby enrich the lives of older adults.
X-ray transmission imaging of waste printed circuit boards for value estimation in recycling using machine learning
Authors: Firsching Markus , Ottenweller Moritz , Leisner Johannes , Rüger Steffen
Published: June 2024

The growing amount of electronic waste is a global challenge: on one hand, it poses a threat to the environment as it may contain toxic or hazardous substances, on the other hand it is a valuable ‘urban mine’ containing metals like gold and copper. Thus, recycling of electronic waste is not only a measure to reduce environmental pollution but also economically reasonable as prices for raw materials are rising. Within electronic waste, printed circuit boards (PCBs) occupy a prominent position, as they contain most of the valuable material. One important step in the overall recycling process is the evaluation and the value estimation for further treatment of the waste PCBs (WPCBs). In this article, we introduce a method for value estimation of entire WPCBs based on component detection. The value of the WPCB is then predicted by the value of the detected components. This approach allows a flexible application to different situations. In the first step, we created a dataset and labelled the components of 104 WPCBs using different component classes. The component detection is performed on dual energy X-ray images by the deep neural object detection network ‘YOLO v5’. The dataset is split into a training, validation and test subset and standard performance measures as precision, recall and F1-score of the component detection are evaluated. Representative samples from all component classes were selected and analysed for the valuable materials to provide the ground truth of the value estimation in the subsequent step.
Synthesis and characterization of amine functionalized cellulose nanogel for transdermal drug delivery
Authors: Arockia Raj Antoniyar , Sundaramoorthy Subramanian
Published: June 2024

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of an amine-functionalized cellulose nanogel (AFCNG) for potential biomedical applications. AFCNG is synthesized using a combination of acid hydrolysis, TEMPO oxidation, and EDC/NHS-mediated coupling via amide linkage. Biodegradable AFCNG is formulated with a mean size of 74 nm through a regeneration process. The characterization of AFCNG is performed using various techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, XPS, Zeta potential, DLS, HRSEM, and TGA. The result reveals that the anionic AFCNG is amorphous, highly stable in colloidal form, and has a higher degradation temperature and water absorption capacity. Biodegradation of AFCNG is also assessed by incubating it with lysozyme for 5 weeks, which results in a degradation level of 83%. There is negligible hemolytic activity and less cytotoxicity toward 3T3 cells induced by the AFCNG. The model drug, curcumin, is effectively loaded on AFCNG, which is highly released at an acidic pH by using the Franz diffusion method. The anionic ligand-based CAFCNG is effectively conjugated with the cationic folic acid receptors on the surface of B16-F10 cell lines through receptor-mediated endocytosis. The resulting CAFCNG shows notable cytotoxicity to B16-F10 cells. The results imply that CAFCNG is a suitable candidate for the treatment of skin cancers by using an effective transdermal drug carrier.
University double bind: How academic entrepreneurship works in Russia
Authors: Yatluk Lidia
Published: June 2024

The existing literature on the entrepreneurial transition of universities tends to focus on three main areas: management challenges, working conditions, and the professional identity of researchers. However, it is unclear how entrepreneurial practices actually exist in the new situation. This paper examines the influence of current policies and academic traditions on the emergence of academic entrepreneurship and the practices that emerge. The specific organizational context in Russia (post-Soviet planning traditions, bureaucratization, and extensive state funding of entrepreneurial activities) has created a contradictory situation for researchers, who have been forced to create local practices to address specific problems at particular moments. A theoretical framework that distinguishes between strategic and tactical entrepreneurship, based on de Certeau’s and Scott’s sociology of practice, is used to analyze these local practices in Russian universities. As a result, I have compiled a list of tactics, including academic entrepreneurship, buffering, bootlegging, window dressing, research portfolio management, commercial duty, duplicating organizations, and gray zone entrepreneurship. The study presents a novel methodology for examining the policy-application gap and offers insights into the discrepancy between statistical accounting and actual academic entrepreneurship.
Parametric investigation of wire-EDM parameters for micro channel as a foundation of high-quality micro needle array fabrication
Authors: Sarkar Partha , Kumar Mayank , Sidpara Ajay M
Published: June 2024

Micro channels are widely used in microfluidics, and medical science for the extraction of DNA, electrophoresis, and blood protein analysis. In the current work, the wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process was used to fabricate micro channels on the stainless steel 316 (SS316) substrate. To check the feasibility of fabricating high-quality micro channels and thereafter micro-scale structures with the WEDM process the effect of different process parameters such as pulse-off time, pulse-on time, servo gap reference voltage and wire feed rate were investigated. The quality attributes taken were namely surface roughness of the channel base, overcut, micro channel depth, and material removal rate (MRR). The pulse-on time significantly affects surface roughness and MRR. The servo gap reference voltage is the key process parameter affecting the overcut and micro channel depth. It was observed from the parametric study that 15 µs pulse-on time, 35 µs pulse-off time, 17 v servo gap reference voltage, and 8 m/min wire feed rate are the optimum levels for getting high MRR, low surface roughness, less overcut and high micro channel depth. Additionally, the topographical, morphological, surface, and sub-surface characterization were also carried out to assess the surface integrity and extent of thermal damage caused by the WEDM process. With the optimum combination of process parameters a 6 × 6 micro needle array was successfully fabricated on the same substrate using micro channels as a basis of the fabrication process for the first time using the WEDM process.
Dynamic characteristics of disc brake systems of a high-speed train with wheel polygonal wear
Authors: Yang Linchuan , Zhang Huaqian , Zhao Peng , Wang Zhiwei , Zhao Chunguang , Mo Jiliang
Published: June 2024

The brake system is a key component of a high-speed train, which suffers intense wheel-rail interactions caused by wheel polygonal wear (WPW) in realistic working conditions. To explore the dynamic characteristics of the disc brake systems with WPW, a rigid-flexible coupled vehicle dynamics model is proposed. The developed model systematically takes into account the flexible deformation of brake components and wheelsets, measured WPW and non-linear factors such as wheel-rail interaction, disc-pad friction and non-linear damping characteristics. It allows the dynamic behaviors of the vehicle brake system in service to be accurately and effectively revealed. The model is verified using line test data, and then the dynamic characteristics of disc brake systems with WPW are investigated in details. The results show that for vehicle speed below 80 km/h and depths of WPW below 0.04 mm, the effect of WPW on the vibration of the caliper is slight. However, as vehicle speed and wear depth continue to rise, the vibration of the caliper increases noticeably. Furthermore, the effects of vehicle speed and wear depth on brake disc vibration are more obvious, and increasing vehicle speed and wear depth will steadily deteriorate the vibration of the disc. Besides, the effect of WPW is particularly pronounced on the dynamic behavior of the brake units closer to the wheels. Overall, the influence of wheel polygon cannot be neglected in the study of dynamic characteristics of brake system. At the same time, the proposed model can also be applied in the strength evaluation of brake components and the study of the tribological behaviors within the brake interface.
Desensitized optimal trajectory for hopping rovers on small bodies
Authors: Zhu Shengying , Zhao Chuncheng
Published: June 2024

Future exploration tasks of small bodies will need to sample or visit multiple points on the target to obtain more scientific returns, requiring rovers to have the ability to hop on a small body surface. This paper proposes an approach to generate a desensitized optimal trajectory for hopping rovers, aiming at reducing the sensitivity of hopping trajectory in the presence of uncertainties. Firstly, considering parameter uncertainties and initial state errors, analytical expressions of optimal initial states are derived on a planar scene, based on ballistic dynamics. Then, similar methods are developed in both uphill and downhill cases of inclined scenes. Subsequently, the desensitization performance of long-distance hopping trajectory is analyzed under single-hop, identical, and non-identical N-hop strategies. To facilitate the application of the proposed analytical solution to the simulated surface environment of small bodies, a prediction-correction procedure is presented. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods. The results indicate that the sensitivity of the hopping trajectory to uncertainties can be effectively diminished by employing the desensitized optimal trajectory and multiple hopping strategy.
The politics of subnational social policy: Social consumption versus social investment in Austria
Authors: Walenta-Bergmann Carmen , Wiß Tobias
Published: June 2024

Country comparisons, often suffering from unobserved heterogeneity and obscuring subnational variation, dominate the social policy literature. However, the subnational level is better suited to reduce the omitted variable bias. This article distinguishes between social consumption and social investment policies and investigates their determinants at the subnational level. Following the literature across countries, we test the role of incumbent parties’ ideology, but for within-country variation in social policy. Austria is a case in point because states have discretion in social policy (e.g., regarding public childcare and social assistance). Panel regressions covering all nine states in Austria for the years 1991 to 2019 reveal that the cabinet share of Social-Democrats increases social investment spending, while the Christian-Democratic party decreases it, and the populist radical right party reduces expenses for social consumption.
Mapping the Landscape of Green Studies: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends and Future Directions in Underdeveloped Countries
Authors: Al-Aflak Aamer , Gawshinde Shanul
Published: June 2024

The primary source of environmental deterioration is the economy’s rapid growth and global behaviour consumer demand and behaviour patterns. As more people become aware of how important it is to preserve the environment, consumers are beginning to show a clear preference for green items. This study aims to highlight the key themes and strengths of green studies in underdeveloped countries and provide recommendations for future research. This study looks at a sample of 162 papers from the Scopus database using a bibliometric approach to uncover green studies research activity between 2011 and 2022. This study identifies the most important sources and authors based on their citations, publications and prominence within the network. Further, it also looks at current issues, identifies literature limitations and offers further investigation directions. Although international research is in this field, there must be more cross-national cooperation between writers from developed and underdeveloped nations.
Recent Trends on Environmental, Social and Governance Research: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Kansal Purva , Malhotra Keshav , Neelam
Published: June 2024

Purpose:

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) is becoming a key concept of sustainability around the world. There is a tremendous increase in academic interest in ESG. It is difficult for researchers to structure a large quantity of unstructured data through a structured literature review or meta-analysis. Although, in recent years, many visualization tools have been invented for structuring or visualization of large quantities of literature, yet, there is currently a lack of bibliometric and visualization studies on this subject. To fill this lacuna, this study is conducted to analyse the publication metrics on the ESG literature and to give a research agenda for future research. This study will clarify the conceptual underpinnings of the ESG field serving as a reference for ESG development to help researchers and stakeholders quickly grasp the fundamentals of this subject.

Design/Methodology/Approach:

An extensive literature review was carried out on ESG spread over the period between 2008 and 2022 published journals identified from online academic databases of Scopus. A total of 701 conceptual and empirical articles were analysed. To achieve the objectives of the study, bibliometric analysis was used. To conduct bibliometric analysis, Biblioshiny application of RStudio and VOSviewer software was used.

Findings:

This study highlighted key trends, emerging themes and sub-themes by analysing the statistical profile of ESG literature, most productive ESG research journals, authors, countries, keywords and their collaboration status using bibliometric analysis.

Research implications:

By providing the distribution schema of ESG articles based on different criteria and by providing the future research areas, the present study would help future researchers to understand the current status of ESG research in the business industry as well as in academia and take this research area forward.

Originality/Value:

This bibliometric analysis provides a holistic view of ESG literature highlighting major research themes and their related sub-themes addressed in the research studies to date.
An Analysis of GST Barriers Faced by Business Owners in India: An ISM Approach
Authors: Shacheendran V
Published: June 2024

The goods and services tax (GST) is a key reform introduced in the indirect tax system of India. This strategic reform aims to improve the revenue performance of the Indian economy through enhanced tax compliance. However, several roadblocks are standing against the effective implementation of GST in India. Thus, the present study aims to identify the prominent barriers faced by business owners while complying with the rules and regulations stated under the GST law. The study employs an interpretive structural modelling approach with the MICMAC technique to examine the association among the GST-related barriers. The smooth and successful GST implementation requires a better taxpayer attitude and tax acceptance, which is essential for voluntary tax compliance. However, the rise in non-compliance indicates that the GST reform has not met the expectations of the tax-paying community. The study’s outcome shows that the lack of skilled manpower and lack of IT infrastructure are root causes and need strong attention from policymakers to take policy action to resolve these barriers in order to improve taxpayers’ compliance levels.
Book review: Christoph Molnar. 2020. Interpretable Machine Learning: A Guide for Making Black Box Models Explainable
Authors: Sinha Rohan Kumar
Published: June 2024

Christoph Molnar. 2020. Interpretable Machine Learning: A Guide for Making Black Box Models Explainable, Lulu.com, pp. 318, ₹6690.
Hit Me with Your Best Shot: A Reflective Essay on a Career in the Field of Team Research
Authors: Hollenbeck John R.
Published: June 2024

This reflective essay reviews the research career of John R. Hollenbeck, focusing on the constructs, theories, samples, and collaborations that stand out upon reflection after a 40-year career studying teams and groups in the organizational sciences. Several lessons learned and recommendations based upon this retrospective reflection are provided for scholars who may just be starting out on such a career.
A Value and Diversity-Aware News Recommendation Systems: Can Algorithmic Gatekeeping Nudge Readers to View Diverse News?
Authors: Shin Donghee , Zhou Shuhua
Published: June 2024

Personalized news recommendation systems (NRSs) have become essential tools for users to view the vast amount of online news. Current NRSs, however, face crucial challenges in ensuring users’ right to view diverse news and viewpoints. We propose a conceptual framework for personalized recommendation nudges that can promote diverse news consumption on online platforms. We test the effects of diversity nudges by examining how users make sense of algorithmic nudges and how nudges influence users’ views on personalization and attitudes toward news diversity and media pluralism. The findings show that algorithmic nudges play a crucial role in understanding normative values in NRSs, which then influence the user’s intention to consume diverse news. The results further imply the personalization paradox that personalized news recommendations can enhance and decrease user engagement with the systems. The results provide conceptual and operational bases for diversity-aware NRS design, improving the diversity and personalization of news recommendations. We offer a conceptual framework of algorithmic nudges and news diversity, and from there, we develop theoretically grounded paths for facilitating diversity and pluralism in NRSs.
Do the Gender and Reporting Experience Make a Difference? A News Byline Analysis on Trans Issues
Authors: Olveira-Araujo Rubén
Published: June 2024

The hierarchical influences model attributes significant influence to journalists over their news content. A quantitative content analysis was conducted to examine the impact of journalists’ gender and reporting experience on the media delegitimization of the trans community in Spain. The results emphasize their minimal impact. Instead, media attention and delegitimization of the trans community appear to be shaped by the prevailing value system cultivated in newsrooms, personal attitudes, values, and beliefs and journalistic role performance. These findings underscore the significance of theoretical knowledge over practical experience in the news coverage of specific news topics.
The Silencing of Rape Victims in Readers’ Comments on Serbian News Websites
Authors: Đorđević Jasmina P.
Published: June 2024

Based on Framing Theory and Sociocognitive Discourse Studies, the study analyzes 1,010 comments following 15 news articles on four Serbian news websites about a Serbian actress accusing her acting teacher of rape. The hate speech in the comments results from five frames evident in the news headlines and includes discourse structures indicating victim blaming, victim shaming, and the lack of sympathy for the victim. The discourse structures are openly telling victims to remain silent about their experience, establishing a specific relationship between certain news frames, online hate speech that rape victims face, and the sociocognitive dimension forcing them into silence.
Critical velocities of a three-layer composite tube incorporating the rotary inertia and material anisotropy
Authors: Gao Xin-Lin
Published: June 2024

Critical velocities of a three-layer composite tube subjected to a uniform internal pressure moving at a constant velocity are obtained in closed-form expressions. A Love–Kirchhoff thin shell model including the rotary inertia and material anisotropy effects is used in the formulation. The composite tube is made of three perfectly bonded cylindrical layers of dissimilar materials, each of which can be orthotropic, transversely isotropic, cubic or isotropic. Closed-form formulas for the critical velocities are first derived for the general case by incorporating the effects of material anisotropy, rotary inertia and radial stress. Specific formulas are then obtained for composite tubes without the rotary inertia effect and/or the radial stress effect and with various types of material symmetry for each layer as special cases. It is also shown that the current model for three-layer tubes can be reduced to those for single- and two-layer tubes. To illustrate the newly derived formulas, an example is provided for a composite tube consisting of an isotropic inner layer, an orthotropic core, and an isotropic outer layer. All four critical velocities of the composite tube are computed using the new closed-form formulas. Three values of the lowest critical velocity of the three-layer composite tube are analytically obtained from three sets of the new formulas, which agree well with the value computationally determined by others.
Legitimizing the think-tank turn: The transformation of Chinese media in the digital era
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Yin Liangen
Published: June 2024

This study analyzes what we call the “think-tank turn” of Chinese newspapers, a popular path of digital transformation that many media organizations have been undertaking in response to the multi-faceted crisis of the media in the past decade. Based on a case study of Paper N, a provincial commercial newspaper in southeast China that has been praised for having organized one of the most successful media-based think-tanks in the country, this study explores how Chinese journalists legitimize their think-tank roles and in the process redefine their relationship with the government. It argues that by turning the newsroom into a policy research hub and the journalists into policy analysts and consultants, Chinese newspapers further subordinate themselves to the institutions of political power, becoming not only their loyal propagandists but also fully-fledged dependents. Implications of the think-tank turn for journalistic legitimacy and the relationship between Chinese media and state in the digital era are discussed.
A pharmacoepidemiological nested case-control study of risk factors for venous thromboembolism with the focus on diabetes, cancer, socioeconomic group, medications, and comorbidities
Authors: Myllylahti Lasse , Niskanen Leo , Lassila Riitta , Haukka Jari
Published: June 2024

Objectives

A pharmacoepidemiological study to assess VTE risk factors in a diabetes-rich population.

Methods

The study comprised 299,590 individuals. We observed 3450 VTEs and matched them with 15,875 controls using a nested case-control approach and collected data on comorbidities and prescriptions. By multivariable conditional logistic regression, we calculated ORs with 95%CIs for comorbidities and medications to evaluate their associations with VTE.

Results

Diabetes (aOR 2.16; 95%CI 1.99–2.34), inflammatory bowel disease (1.84; 1.27–2.66), and severe psychiatric disorders (1.72; 1.43–2.05) had the strongest associations among the non-cancer comorbidities. Pancreatic (12.32; 7.11–21.36), stomach (8.57; 4.07–18.03), lung and bronchus (6.26; 4.16–9.43), and ovarian (6.72; 2.95–15.10) cancers were ranked as high-risk for VTE. Corticosteroids, gabapentinoids, psychotropic drugs, risedronic acid, and pramipexole were most strongly associated (aOR exceeding 1.5) with VTE. Insulin (3.86; 3.33–4.47) and sulphonylureas (2.62; 2.18–3.16) had stronger associations than metformin (1.65; 1.49–1.83). Statins and lercanidipine (0.78; 0.62–0.98) were associated with a lowered risk of VTE.

Conclusions

In this cohort, with 50% diabetes prevalence, pancreatic, stomach, lung and bronchus, and ovarian cancers were strongly associated with VTE. Corticosteroids, gabapentinoids, and psychotropic medications had the strongest associations with VTE among medications. This may be valuable for generating hypotheses for the further research. Lercanidipine may be a novel protective medication against VTE.
Fair Game or Foul Play: Public Perceptions of Solicitor General Involvement in U.S. Supreme Court Cases
Authors: Baricovich Audrey M.
Published: June 2024

The Solicitor General is well-known for being influential before the U.S. Supreme Court, but much less is known about how the public perceives this actor. Indeed, it is one thing to influence outcomes and another entirely if that influence itself harms acceptance of those outcomes. To assess public support for the Solicitor General, along with other elements important to judicial health such as specific and diffuse support, I conduct a survey experiment that varies several key case characteristics over two issue areas. I find that individuals are more willing to support an influential Solicitor General individually, but that this same influence may have the ability to harm both specific and diffuse support, conditional on partisanship of the respondent. This work illustrates how the Solicitor General’s well-known impact before the Supreme Court has the potential to negatively influence reactions to the judiciary and can inform how the media frames this actor’s role before the increasingly salient Court.
Dynamics of Partisan Competition for Legislative Majorities in the U.S. House & Senate, 1959–2020
Authors: Algara Carlos
Published: June 2024

What drives partisan competition over the pursuit of legislative majorities in contemporary congressional elections? While conventional wisdom suggests that the chances of a legislative majority is largely predicated on the public’s ideological policy preferences or national standing of the president, there is little work assessing the dynamics of partisan competition over the course of the electoral cycle. Leveraging over 60 years of new generic congressional ballot data measuring the monthly preference of the mass public’s partisan presence for the congressional majority, this paper finds that partisan competition for the majority largely centers on the national policy mood and the public perception of presidential performance rather than partisan conflict. This paper validates the importance of these findings relating to partisan competition for the legislative majority by showing that this electoral competition plays a significant role in predicting the national normal popular vote and partisan seat turnover from 1960 to 2020.
A Prospective Study on a Suture Force Feedback Device for Training and Evaluating Junior Surgeons in Anastomotic Surgical Closure
Authors: Dinesh S. , Poonguzhali S. , Satish Devakumar M. , Jeswanth S.
Published: June 2024

Background

Surgical reconstruction is a crucial stage in various surgeries, including pancreaticoduodenectomy, as it can significantly affect the surgical results. The objective was to design a suture force feedback (SFF) device that can precisely measure the suture force during surgical closures. Afterward, the device was used to train junior surgeons in surgical closure techniques.

Methods

The SFF was used to capture the suture force data of experienced surgeons. This data was utilized to train and assess junior surgeons. The SFF device had 2 tactile-based force sensors that measured the applied force. Whenever the applied force was not within the optimal force range, the device provided feedback to the surgeon. A workshop was conducted to train junior surgeons in surgical closure techniques to improve their suturing skills.

Results

Thirty-seven junior surgeons were enrolled in this training, of whom only 24 completed the 30-day training program. The pre-assessment results revealed that the force exerted by junior surgeons during suture knot-tying was uneven compared with that of the experienced surgeons, with a significant difference in the force exerted per knot throw ( P = 0.005. Before the training program, junior surgeons applied a force of 3.89 ± 0.43 N, which was more than twice the force applied by experienced surgeons (1.75 ± 0.12 N). However, after completing the 30-day training program, their force improved to 2.35 ± 0.13 N.

Conclusions

The SFF device was shown to be an encouraging training tool for improving the surgical closure dexterity and technique of the participating junior surgeons.
A Review of Artificial Intelligence Application for Radiotherapy
Authors: Shan Guoping , Yu Shunfei , Lai Zhongjun , Xuan Zhiqiang , Zhang Jie , Wang Binbing , Ge Yun
Published: June 2024

Background and Purpose

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technique which tries to think like humans and mimic human behaviors. It has been considered as an alternative in a lot of human-dependent steps in radiotherapy (RT), since the human participation is a principal uncertainty source in RT. The aim of this work is to provide a systematic summary of the current literature on AI application for RT, and to clarify its role for RT practice in terms of clinical views.

Materials and Methods

A systematic literature search of PubMed and Google Scholar was performed to identify original articles involving the AI applications in RT from the inception to 2022. Studies were included if they reported original data and explored the clinical applications of AI in RT.

Results

The selected studies were categorized into three aspects of RT: organ and lesion segmentation, treatment planning and quality assurance. For each aspect, this review discussed how these AI tools could be involved in the RT protocol.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that AI was a potential alternative for the human-dependent steps in the complex process of RT.
Diagnosis of fetal isolated cleft palate using assessment of the posterior hard palate angle
Authors: Simeonova-Brachot Iglika Ivancheva
Published: June 2024

Objective:

The study aims to evaluate the role of the posterior hard palate angle in the prenatal diagnosis of cleft palate.

Study Design:

Stored images of the axial transverse view of the fetal secondary palate, obtained at three-level obstetric ultrasounds, were used to evaluate the posterior border of the hard palate. The study population comprised 63 consecutive pregnancies of unaffected cases and 17 pregnancies suspected for a cleft palate without cleft lip, including 7 cases of cleft palate, 4 cases of high-arched palate, and 6 false-positive cases.

Results:

The posterior angle of the hard palate was significantly larger in the cleft palate group than in the healthy controls and false-positive cases: 227° (±51°) vs 160° (±16°), p < 0.0001; and 173° ± 18°, p < 0.0001, respectively. Regression analysis revealed that reflex angle remained an independent risk factor for cleft palate (odds ratio, 58.67 (95% confidence interval 10–341)). The sensitivity and specificity of the posterior angle assessment were 73% and 96%, respectively.

Conclusions:

The posterior hard palate angle could be an ultrasound marker of cleft palate without a cleft lip.
A Systematic Review of Local Flaps Utilized for External Auditory Canal Defects
Authors: Gibson Anna Celeste , Speed Olivia , Boyette Jennings R. , Saadi Robert
Published: June 2024

Study Design

Systematic review of the literature.

Objective

The goal of this study is to review and summarize current literature on local flap reconstruction of external auditory canal (EAC) defects.

Methods

PubMed and Ovid databases were queried utilizing search term combinations of “external auditory canal,” “defects,” “flaps,” “local,” and “reconstruction.” References in included articles were subject for review and inclusion. Articles published between 2013 and 2023 were included in the study.

Results

A total of 108 articles were screened after duplicates were excluded. Of the 108 articles, 3 were not written or translated to English, 10 were not accessible for review on either database, and 71 were not applicable to our subject of interest. The remaining 24 articles were included in the systematic review. Due to the primary descriptive nature of the surgical techniques and variability of data collection, a formal meta-analysis was not possible.

Conclusions

The EAC defect creates a difficult reconstructive dilemma. The armamentarium for repairing these defects can range from healing by secondary intention to free tissue transfer, however, local flap reconstruction proves to be a reliable and versatile option. This article reviews current local flap techniques for EAC defects and compares their advantages and disadvantages. Further, the authors provide a treatment algorithm and indications for choosing each flap in external auditory canal reconstruction.
Public perceptions of television and online political advertising
Authors: Ridout Travis N. , Franz Michael M. , Franklin Fowler Erika , Kang Taewoo
Published: June 2024

For decades, television has dominated political advertising, but that is changing due to the rise of advertising online and on social and digital media. How do people view online political advertising and how does this compare to their views of television advertising? To address these questions, we examine a nationally representative survey of 1200 U.S. adults that was fielded in February 2021. The survey contains an experiment in which the description of advertising (generic, television, or online) is altered. We find, in general, that people view online advertising more favorably than television advertising. We also find that, in some instances, age influences views of advertising. This study provides some of the first evidence of how Americans view online political advertising. Understanding what people think about online advertising can shed light on the potential impacts of online ad exposure, such as persuasion and participation, and people’s attitudes toward online advertising should inform proposals for its regulation.
Idioms as a Tool for Enhancing Professional Competence and Cross-Cultural Communication
Authors: Irizarry Quintero Anamari , Villafañe-Rodríguez Camille , Johnson Robyn , Clarke Linda
Published: June 2024

This research examines the role of idiomatic expressions (IEs) in international business (IB) communication and non-native speakers’ (NNEs’) English proficiency. It investigates how IE affect IB communication’s effectiveness and whether IEs should be taught to NNE. We collected feedback from academics who confirmed the importance of IE and relevant business idioms from professional websites. We also assessed IE usage benefits for different cohorts working in IB settings. The results indicate that IE can enhance communication efficiency, cross-cultural social skills, monetary rewards, and satisfaction in IB. The findings support the need for teaching IE to NNE and justify inclusion in curricula.
Performance of activation energy on the radiative nanofluid flow with Darcy-Forchheimer inertial drag over a heated elongating sheet
Authors: Mathur Priya , Pattnaik Pradyumna Kumar , Panda Subhajit , Mishra Satya Ranjan
Published: June 2024

In electrochemical reactions, cellular processes, and drug design the application of activation energy is important. However, continuous metal casting in industries for polymer extrusion in metal spinning, the flow of nanofluid with activation energy over a stretching surface plays crucial role. Based on the constructive recent applications, the current investigation focuses on the magnetohydrodynamic radiative flow of nanofluid over an elongating sheet, examining the effects of inertial drag and Arrhenius activation energy. Moreover, the significance of Thermophoresis and Brownian motion in the two-phase nanofluid model is crucial owing to their involvement in the cross-diffusion process. The implementation of similarity rules, the transport phenomena along with surface conditions are normalised and then the system involved with characterizing parameters are handled numerically. In particular, Rung-Kutta shooting is adopted with the help of built-in routine code bvp4c in MATLAB for the solution. Although the computational numerical result of the rate coefficient is used for the validation, the parametric analysis is presented graphically. Finally, the major contribution of the factors to the flow phenomena is stated as follows: cross-diffusion caused by Brownian motion causes the development of both temperature and concentration distributions, whereas thermophoresis has unique consequences. Furthermore, the Lewis number and chemical reactions are critical criteria that must be addressed, when managing the concentration distribution.
Warehouse CITY – An open data product for evaluating warehouse land-use in Southern California
Authors: Phillips Susan A , McCarthy Michael C
Published: June 2024

Warehouse CITY is an open data product used to visualize and quantify the cumulative impact of warehouses within Southern California. Community groups, researchers, planners, and local agencies apply this open data product in project approval processes, research, lawsuits, and education. Warehouse CITY estimates the cumulative impacts of warehouse counts, acreage, building footprint, heavy-duty truck trips, diesel particulate matter emissions, oxides of nitrogen emissions, carbon dioxide emissions, and jobs. The Warehouse CITY open data product and dashboard is available as a website and at a GitHub repository.
Qualitative Study Guiding the Design of a Person-Centered Shared Medical Appointment Model to Optimize Diabetes Care Delivery
Authors: Sayegh Caitlin S. , Carrera Diaz Kenia , Smith Josephine , Chang Nancy , Chao Lily C.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to explore the shared medical appointment model (SMA) with youth with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and their caregivers to identify health education needs, access barriers, and recommendations for intervention design.

Methods

Patient and caregiver focus group interviews were conducted in English and Spanish to address these objectives: (1) identify barriers to participation in group sessions, (2) identify barriers to diabetes self-management, and (3) prioritize preference for SMA themes. Qualitative analysis identified strategies for patient recruitment and engagement and recommendations for curriculum design of a future SMA model for youth with T2DM.

Results

Both adolescents and caregivers supported the development of an SMA model. Adolescents expressed concerns of initial discomfort and nervousness, whereas young adults described stigma as the main barrier to joining a group. Patients emphasized the importance of prioritizing youth comfort and families’ convenience. Early adolescents and young adults preferred autonomy in the choice to join a group, whereas mid adolescents and caregivers preferred that the caregivers make that decision. Participants recommended nine topics regarding barriers to diabetes care. The topics that received the most enthusiasm were nutrition, exercise, navigating peer interactions, and stress management.

Conclusions

Youth with T2DM and their caregivers perceived many benefits of an SMA model and provided feedback to guide the development of a health education curriculum that could be integrated into an SMA clinic.