bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Confirmation of a Reconceptualized Definition and Measure of Adolescent Risk Behavior: Adolescent Viewpoints
Authors: Skaar Nicole R.
Published: December 2021

The goal of this project was to substantiate a more positive conceptualization of adolescent risk behavior and to compare adolescent viewpoints of risk behavior to the items on the Prosocial and Health Adolescent Risk Behavior Scale (PHARBS). A total of 57 high school students participated in the research. Researchers recruited students from an Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology course at a large Midwestern high school. The high school serves approximately 1,750 students in grades 9 through 12. The university Institutional Review Board approved the study procedures. Families provided informed consent, and students assented to participating in one of eight focus group discussions. The focus groups were audio taped, transcribed, and coded. Researchers analyzed the coded data using word count analysis. Students discussed prosocial risk behaviors in addition to health risk behaviors, providing support for the PHARBS and suggesting that adolescents view taking some risks as positive. A more positive conceptualization of risk behavior may better align with how adolescents view risk behavior. Researchers and clinicians might approach adolescent risk behavior measurement and research on the importance of understanding risk behaviors as a normal and potentially positive aspect of adolescent development.
Of a titan, winds and power: Transnational development of the icebreaker, 1890-1954
Authors: Sahari Aaro , Matala Saara
Published: December 2021

Icebreakers have traditionally been seen as symbols of technological nationalism. While ship science for open-water vessels developed during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, understanding of how to cope with polar and subarctic ice conditions lagged behind. This led state organizations in charge of icebreaking services to minimize risks in the development of new vessels by encouraging transnational expert cooperation. This article argues that such interactions were critical to the evolution of the modern icebreaker. We examine the development of three icebreakers in different countries in successive decades, and the critical technologies with which they are associated: the Ymer from Sweden and diesel–electric propulsion (1933); the American ‘Wind’ class and power-hull proportion (1942–1946); and the Voima from Finland and twin bow propellers (1956). We reconstruct the flow of information to explain the rationale for transnational cooperation in maritime technology development. The concept of ‘technology carriers’ is deployed in the analysis to enhance understanding of the role of international cooperation in polar and winter seafaring.
Assessing Prevalence and Carrier Frequency of Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency
Authors: Martin Kirt , McConnell Alice , Elsea Sarah H.
Published: December 2021

Pathogenic variants in ALDH5A1 cause succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) deficiency, with >180 cases reported worldwide. However, a nonspecific neurologic presentation and inconsistent variant nomenclature have limited diagnoses. In this study, pathogenic variants in ALDH5A1 were curated and variant prevalence assessed in the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) to determine a minimum carrier frequency and to estimate disease prevalence. Stringent population variant analysis, including 98 reported disease-associated ALDH5A1 variants, indicates a pan-ethnic carrier frequency of ∼1/340, supporting a prevalence of SSADH deficiency of ∼1/460 000 worldwide, with highest carrier frequencies observed in East Asian and South Asian populations. Because heterozygous loss of function alleles are rare in gnomAD and >60% of reported disease-causing variants were missense changes that were not present in gnomAD, the pan-ethnic carrier frequency for SSADH deficiency is likely not fully represented in this study. Additional analyses to investigate the potential impact of more common ALDH5A1 variants with reduced but not deficient enzyme activity, including analysis in diverse populations, are needed to fully assess the prevalence of this ultra-rare disease.
Retraining in Social Work for Arab Academic Women: Motivation and Integration into the Field
Authors: Mahajne Ibrahim , Meler Tal
Published: December 2021

In recent decades, there has been an increased rate of higher education among Arab women in Israel that has been accompanied by an increase in their integration into various forms of employment. However, the employability options of academic Arab women graduates are limited due to the under-development of employment zones in Arab localities in the periphery of Israel. This policy has led to persistent deterioration in the quality of jobs and a high prevalence of underemployment. To examine how these women cope with underemployment, the present study focused on Arab academic women retraining in social work. This qualitative study is based on in-depth interviews with 27 graduate Arab women who have not found employment suitable for their original training. The article examined their motives to retrain in social work (intrinsic-extrinsic factors), learning process and integration into the field, their social-family context, and the way it determines their coping mechanism. The findings reveal their path of retraining in social work in their attempt to overcome barriers and factors such as culture, family, and employment opportunities that contribute to the selection of this coping mechanism that resulted in new employment trends among them and obtaining quality jobs.
Association Between Multiple Experiences of Violence and Drug Overdose Among Black Women in Community Supervision Programs in New York City
Authors: Gilbert Louisa , Marotta Phillip L. , Goddard-Eckrich Dawn , Richer Ariel , Akuffo Jasmine , Hunt Timothy , Wu Elwin , El-Bassel Nabila
Published: December 2021

Research has documented associations between all types of violence and substance misuse among Black women. However, research has yet to examine how different experiences of violence may be contributing to the surging epidemic of drug overdose among Black women. This study was conducted between 2015 and 2018 among 296 Black women who were mandated to community supervision programs (CSPs) in New York City (NYC). We used generalized linear modeling (GLM) to estimate associations of the adjusted relative risk (aRR) of experiencing a non-fatal overdose based on exposure to each type of violence after controlling for potentially confounding variables. Lifetime prevalence of a non-fatal drug overdose was 13.9% ( n = 41). Lifetime severe physical/sexual violence by a male intimate partner (prevalence rate = 61.8%, n = 181) was associated with an overdose (aRR = 3.41, 95%CI = 1.19, 9.73). Severe violence by a female partner (prevalence rate = 7.4%, n = 22) was also associated with an overdose (aRR = 2.61, 95%CI = 1.46, 4.65). Lifetime sexual violence by a non-intimate partner (prevalence rate: 29.1%, n = 86) was associated with an overdose (aRR = 2.23, 95%CI = 1.32, 3.77). Sexual abuse by police/CSP staff (prevalence rate: 14.9%, n = 44) was associated with an overdose (aRR = 2.29, 95%CI = 1.27, 4.12). For each increase in the number of types of violence experienced, there was a 27% increase in the risk for an overdose (aRR = 1.27, 95%CI = 1.14, 1.42). This study found high rates of multiple types of violence that are associated with drug overdose among this sample of Black women in CSPs. These findings highlight the urgent public health need to address violence associated with overdose in this population.
Examining supervisor undermining through the job-demands resources framework
Authors: Whitman Marilyn V , Matthews Russell A , Williams Eric S
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Supervisor undermining has recently gained increasing attention due to its negative effects on employee health and well-being. In the healthcare context, negative supervisor behaviors have been linked to unfavorable individual and organizational outcomes as well as medical errors and patient mortality. Our study, therefore, examines the influence that supervisor undermining behavior has on employee engagement and performance within a standard job stress framework.

Methods

Our sample consisted of occupational therapists, a health professions group who is growing in demand and importance in the U.S. and has unique job demands. Using an observational, cross-sectional study design, a convenience sample of 521 occupational therapists completed an online survey. A series of independent t-test and multiple-groups path analytic modeling was used.

Results

Participants who had a supervisor perceived as engaging in undermining behaviors reported lower levels of resources, higher levels of demands, less motivation, and more overload than those who did not perceive supervisor undermining. These participants were also less engaged and reported lower levels of performance.

Conclusion

Our results shed further light on the importance of supervisory behaviors specifically in a healthcare setting and the need for organizations to create an environment that promotes positive and productive workplace behaviors.
Modern European sexological and orientalist assimilations of medieval Islamicate ‘ilm al-bah to erotology
Authors: Downham Moore Alison M.
Published: December 2021

This article discusses the term erotology, which was applied to medieval Islamicate ‘ilm al-bah (the science of coitus), as well as other world traditions of sexual knowledge, by European sexologists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who contrasted it with their own forms of inquiry into sexual matters in the modern field of sexual science. It argues that the homogenisation and minimisation of all ancient and non-European forms of medical knowledge about sex, even one as substantial as the ‘ilm al-bah tradition, supported a particular story about the origins of sexology's own emergence as a new and unprecedented biomedical and scientific way of knowing, characterised by an opposition assumed between sexuality and religion, by a view of sexual variations as perversions or pathologies, and by a view of Arabs and Muslims as sexually excessive. The article focusses on French, English, German, Austrian, and Italian sources of the 19th century that discussed the history of sexual medicine, relating these accounts to recent attempts to historicise sexology. It considers how forms of colonial hierarchy and exoticist views of non-European cultures impacted the dismissal of ‘ilm al-bah among European sexual scientists and how they may continue to exert an influence on forms of modern historical inquiry that are not attentive to scholarship on medieval Islamicate sexual medicine.
Impact of nonlinear thermal radiation on nonlinear mixed convection flow near a vertical porous plate with convective boundary condition
Authors: Jha Basant K , Samaila Gabriel
Published: December 2021

This study presents similarity solution for boundary layer flow near a vertical porous plate with combined effects of nonlinear density variation with temperature and nonlinear thermal radiation. To accurately predict the flow phenomenon near the porous plate, the convective boundary condition is considered at the plate surface. The two-dimensional partial differential equations are transformed to ordinary differential equations through the similarity transformation. The resulting ordinary differential equations are solved numerically in Maple software using the Runge–Kutta–Ferhlberg fourth-fifth order (RKF45) algorithm. The influence of the inherit parameters like the nonlinear thermal radiation parameter, suction/injection parameter, nonlinear Boussinesq approximation parameters, local convective heat transfer parameter, local Grashof number, and Prandtl number governing the fluid behaviour is discussed. We found that the rate of heat transfer improves with the injection and nonlinear thermal radiation parameter whereas decreases with suction, local convective heat transfer parameter and local Grashof number when air and mercury are used as the working fluids. Furthermore, with the growth in the values of local Grashof number, convective heat transfer parameter and nonlinear thermal radiation parameter and in the presence of suction/injection, the porous plate surface friction witnessed an observable growth. Suction growth plays a supportive role on the velocity curve near the porous plate but a contrary trend is seen in the free stream. The temperature distribution also decays with suction augment. Injection growth is inversely proportional to the velocity profile near the porous plate but we recorded the opposite phenomenon in the free stream.
Capturing missed HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis opportunities—sexually transmitted infection diagnoses in the emergency department
Authors: Mclaughlin Stephanie E , Kapadia Farzana , Greene Richard E , Pitts Robert
Published: December 2021

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) be considered for all patients diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Emergency departments (EDs) are an important site for diagnosis and treatment of STIs for under-served populations. Consequently, we identified 377 patients diagnosed with a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and/or syphilis) at a major New York City emergency department between 1/1/2014 and 7/30/2017 to examine associations between key sociodemographic characteristics and missed opportunities for PrEP provision. In this sample, 299 (79%) emergency department patients missed their medical follow-up 90 days after STI diagnosis, as recommended. Results from adjusted generalized estimating equation regression models indicate that patients >45 yo (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–3.9) and those with a primary care provider in the hospital system (aOR = 6.8, 95% CI 3.8–12.0) were more likely to return for follow-up visits, whereas Black patients (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.25–0.77) were less likely to return for follow-up visits. These findings indicate that lack of STI treatment follow-up visits are significantly missed opportunities for PrEP provision and comprehensive human immunodeficiency virus prevention care.
Morphometry of Corpus Callosum in South Indian Population
Authors: Poleneni Sushma Rao , Jakka Lakshmi Durga , Chandrupatla Mrudula , Vinodini L. , Ariyanachi K.
Published: December 2021

Background:

The corpus callosum (CC) is a connecting bridge between two cerebral hemispheres and helps in interhemispheric integration of information.

Purpose:

The primary objective of the study is to explain the topographical position of CC in relation to the brain in the South Indian population, contributing to the reference values of measurements of CC, which helps in planning surgical interventions. Also, the reference values help in cross-referencing with other populations and ethnic group.

Methods:

In the study, 40 formalin fixed, full brain specimens were cut in midsagittal plane and CC was measured along with its relation to the brain. The major diameters considered were longitudinal dimension of corpus callosum (LC), distance of CC from frontal pole to genu (AS), distance of CC occipital pole to splenium (PS), and longitudinal dimension of brain (LB) from frontal pole to occipital pole.

Results:

Pearson’s ratio showed a positive correlation between LB and PS (0.61), and also between LB and LC (0.59). The ratio of LC/LB was 0.45 and LC/CD was 0.69, which are stable in all brains studied.

Conclusion:

The study concludes that CC maintains a stable proportion with its parts (genu, rostrum, body, and splenium) and with the horizontal dimension of the brain. Further, measured values help in cross-referencing with other population.
Heterogeneous Causality Between Telecommunications and Economic Growth: An Application of Hurlin–Venet Process to the Indian States
Authors: Arora Rochna , Kaur Baljit
Published: December 2021

Keeping in mind the importance of telecommunications sector for India especially post the reform of 1991, the study seeks to study the causal relationship between telecommunication and economic growth for selected panel of 17 Indian states by implicitly taking into account panel heterogeneity. Using Hurlin–Venet causal mechanism, the study investigates homogeneous causality (HC) as against heterogeneous causality (HEC). Homogeneous non-causality and HC hypothesis both of which assume homogeneity are rejected in both the directions thereby implying that Indian panel is made up of heterogeneous cross sections. After this HEC tests are conducted namely heterogeneous non-causality (HENC) and HEC for each and every cross section. The results from HENC and HEC test show that six states show up unidirectional causality from economic growth to telecommunication, four states show unidirectional causality from telecommunications to economic growth, four states show up bidirectional relationship and three states show up no causality. The results are robust to different lags for both our dependent as well as independent variables. This implies that state level differences are very much relevant for India and thus policies suitable for each state would be guided majorly by direction of relationship that is true in a particular state economy.

JEL Classifications: C23, L96, O40
What Are the Saudi Community Attitudes Towards Domestic Violence Against Women? A Cross-Sectional Study From Riyadh
Authors: Selim Abeer , Omar Abeer , Almubayi Nada , Alayed Aseel , AlQahtani Jamilah , Almutairi Anwar
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Culture and social norms shape attitudes towards domestic violence against women (DVAW). Attitudes accepting DVAW contribute to violence. There is scarce evidence about community attitudes towards DVAW in Saudi Arabia. The study explores the Saudi community attitudes towards DVAW.

Methods:

The study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design using a self-report structured questionnaire to collect socio-demographic data and participants’ attitudes towards DVAW.

Results:

The study sample included 831 Saudi participants, 414 females and 417 males, between 18 and 79 years old. The majority of participants (69.5%) showed rejection of DVAW. Women were five times more likely to reject DVAW than men (OR = 5.19, 95% CI [3.6–7.4]). Participants with pre-university education and lower living standards reported rejection of DVAW compared to their counterparts.

Discussion:

The results can help stakeholders develop strategies and awareness campaigns targeting different educational and living levels to minimize DVAW.
Preservice Music Educators’ Perceptions of In-Person and Asynchronous Online Fieldwork Experiences
Authors: Mercado Emily M.
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this instrumental case study was to examine preservice music educators’ (PMEs) perceptions of a semester-long fieldwork experience first delivered in person and then asynchronously online. Using the community of inquiry (CoI) framework, I analyzed the PMEs’ perceptions of their teaching presence in both fieldwork experiences. Participants cited benefits and challenges with lesson plan organization, in-person and asynchronous instruction, and building consensus about effective teaching. Notably, the asynchronous fieldwork provided a non-reactive environment where the script and delivery of content took precedent over a rehearsal mindset, which was more responsive and occurred during the in-person fieldwork. Based on these findings, music teacher educators might consider asynchronous fieldwork when in-person fieldwork is unavailable or as a stepping stone to prepare PMEs for in-person fieldwork experiences.
Constructivist Self-Construal: A Cross-Cultural Comparison
Authors: Ge Fiona , Syropoulos Stylianos , Gensler Julian , Leidner Bernhard , Loughnan Steve , Chang Jen-Ho , Harada Chika , Mari Silvia , Paladino Maria P. , Shi Junqi , Yeung Victoria W. L. , Kuo Chun-Yu , Tsuchiya Koji
Published: December 2021

Building on independent versus interdependent self-construal theory, three studies provide initial empirical evidence for a third way of construing the self: the constructivist self-construal. People with a constructivist view perceive the self as constantly changing (impermanence), as a collection of distinct phenomena from moment to moment (discontinuity), as lacking an essence (disentification), and as psychologically overlapping with other people and things in the universe (boundlessness/boundaries). In Study 1, we piloted a new Constructivist Self-Construal Scale and established preliminary evidence for the discriminant validity of the scale. Studies 2 and 3 found that across seven countries with diverse cultural backgrounds, the self was consistently cognitively represented on the four dimensions of constructivist self. People from collectivistic cultures where Buddhist philosophy is more prevalent tended to endorse the dimensions of the constructivist self-construal to a greater degree than people from other cultures. Implications regarding the development of the constructivist self-construal and future research recommendations are discussed.
Mediators and moderators of physical activity changes in a school-based intervention targeting childhood obesity
Authors: Santina Tania , Beaulieu Dominique , Gagné Camille , Guillaumie Laurence
Published: December 2021

This study identifies mediators and moderators of changes in physical activity (PA) following a school-based pilot intervention. Students from two Lebanese schools were randomly allocated into intervention ( n = 191) and control ( n = 183) groups. The multiple-mediation analysis revealed that active self-identity and perceived barriers mediated the intervention’s effect on PA changes. Baseline intention, attitude, PBC, and age moderated PA changes at post-intervention. The youngest participants and those reporting the lowest PA scores at baseline benefited most from the intervention. Future interventions with students should target these mediators and moderators to promote positive change in PA behavior.
Design and research of a low-noise pyrotechnic separation device
Authors: Xiong Shihui , Wang Jingcheng , Li Yuan , Wen Yuquan , Wu Yujun , Gao Yanxin
Published: December 2021

To solve the problem of large operating noise of existing pyrotechnic separation devices, a new low-noise pyrotechnic separation device is designed by changing the utilisation mode of pyrotechnic separation, using micro gas pyrotechnic as heat sources, and shape memory alloy material to convert heat energy into mechanical energy. The results showed that the separation time was 1.526 s when the preload was 20 kN, and the maximum shock response was 319 G (2268 Hz) for 100 Hz–100 kHz. When used underwater, the maximum sound pressure level is 106.9 dB at 12,698 Hz and 98.5 dB from 10 Hz–5 kHz. Compared with a conventional separation nut, the frequency band sound pressure level can be reduced by more than 70 dB, realising underwater low-noise separation.
Accessibility of health care experienced by persons with dementia from ethnic minority groups and formal and informal caregivers: A scoping review of European literature
Authors: Duran-Kiraç Gözde , Uysal-Bozkir Özgül , Uittenbroek Ronald , van Hout Hein , Broese van Groenou Marjolein I.
Published: December 2021

The number of persons with dementia from ethnic minority backgrounds is increasing. However, ethnic minority groups use health care services less frequently compared to the general population. We conducted a scoping review and used the theoretical framework developed by Levesque to provide an overview of the literature concerning access to health care for ethnic minority people with dementia and (in)formal caregivers. Studies mentioned barriers in (1) the ability to perceive a need for care in terms of health literacy, health beliefs and trust, and expectations; (2) the ability to seek care because of personal and social values and the lack of knowledge regarding health care options; and (3) lack of person-centered care as barrier to continue with professional health care. Studies also mentioned barriers experienced by professionals in (1) communication with ethnic minorities and knowledge about available resources for professionals; (2) cultural and social factors influencing the professionals’ attitudes towards ethnic minorities; and (3) the appropriateness of care and lacking competencies to work with people with dementia from ethnic minority groups and informal caregivers. By addressing health literacy including knowledge about the causes of dementia, people with dementia from ethnic minorities and their informal caregivers may improve their abilities to access health care. Health care professionals need to strengthen their competencies in order to facilitate access to health care for this group.
Currents in Biblical Research Slavery and the Enslaved in the Roman World, the Jewish World, and the Synoptic Gospels
Authors: Hatter Jonathan J.
Published: December 2021

Scholars have recently noted a reluctance in New Testament scholarship to accept and apply the most recent historical scholarship on ancient enslavement to our readings of the biblical texts. The last century has seen developments in historical and classical scholarship that have moved those disciplines away from an understanding of ancient slavery as benevolent and toward a recognition of the institution's violent and coercive nature. A similar movement can be seen in the study of enslavement among first-century Jewish communities, with recent scholars arguing that Jewish enslavement practices were not as uniquely benign as was once thought. In spite of these developments, scholars of the Synoptic Gospels continue to utilize outdated models for understanding slavery in the biblical texts as a benevolent institution. A handful of New Testament scholars are charting a new course, challenging the rest of us to adopt the new historical consensus and to see biblical enslavement for what it was. Allowing these new critical works to lay the foundation for our understanding of slavery as it appears in the Synoptic Gospels will move us away from tired clichés and toward a more accurate picture of the worlds in and behind these texts.
Can Patients Travel by Air Less Than 1 Week After Lung Nodulectomy?
Authors: Simpson Alainna , Wyatt Tiffany , Foley Alex , Karamlou Tara , Baik Peter
Published: December 2021

Objective: The study objective was to determine empirically based timing recommendations for safe air travel following lung nodulectomy. Methods: All patients who underwent pulmonary nonanatomic resection followed by air travel home immediately after discharge were identified at 2 institutions between 2014 and 2018. These patients were surveyed via telephone regarding any complications they may have experienced during their travel home and within the first week after discharge. These complications included shortness of breath, chest pain, drainage from their surgical sites, and evaluation by a health care provider in the interim, if they required. Results: Our study identified 27 patients who fit the inclusion criteria. The median number of days between surgery and flight home in the studied population was 4 days. The median number of days between chest tube removal and flight home was 2 days. None of the 27 patients reported experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, drainage from their surgical sites, or need for evaluation by a health care provider within 1 week of discharge. Nine patients (33%) traveled by air with a small (<5%) pneumothorax documented on chest radiography after removal of thoracostomy tube. One (4%) patient successfully traveled without complication with a 10% pneumothorax. Conclusions: The findings of our study support the safety of air travel following lung nodulectomy in patients who have undergone uneventful wedge resection and have no significant pulmonary or cardiac comorbidities. It is not necessary for patients to wait the recommended 7 days prior to traveling.
Calibration and three-dimensional reconstruction with a photorealistic simulator based on the omnidirectional vision system
Authors: Kholodilin Ivan , Li Yuan , Wang Qinglin , Bourke Paul David
Published: December 2021

Recent advancements in deep learning require a large amount of the annotated training data containing various terms and conditions of the environment. Thus, developing and testing algorithms for the navigation of mobile robots can be expensive and time-consuming. Motivated by the aforementioned problems, this article presents a photorealistic simulator for the computer vision community working with omnidirectional vision systems. Built using unity, the simulator integrates sensors, mobile robots, and elements of the indoor environment and allows one to generate synthetic photorealistic data sets with automatic ground truth annotations. With the aid of the proposed simulator, two practical applications are studied, namely extrinsic calibration of the vision system and three-dimensional reconstruction of the indoor environment. For the proposed calibration and reconstruction techniques, the processes themselves are simple, robust, and accurate. Proposed methods are evaluated experimentally with data generated by the simulator. The proposed simulator and supporting materials are available online: http://www.ilabit.org .
White Parents’ Socialization of Racial Attitudes: A Commentary on Scott et al. (2020)
Authors: Bigler Rebecca S. , Pahlke Erin , Williams Amber D. , Vittrup Brigitte
Published: December 2021

In the September 2020 issue of Perspectives, Scott et al. argued that there is insufficient empirical work on White parents’ racial-socialization strategies to support generalizations about the topic and, therefore, that journalists’ recommendation that White parents discuss race and racism with their children represents a case of speculation without evidence. Although we strongly support Scott et al.’s call for additional, rigorous research on racial socialization in White families, we argue that their critique of popular-press pieces was unwarranted. Specifically, we argue that, although definitive tests of the effects of specific White parental racial-socialization strategies are lacking, the recommendation for parents to discuss race and racism with their children is both appropriate and empirically grounded. We describe research on racial socialization, intergroup contact, and cognitive development that is consistent with recommendations from developmental scientists reported in the popular press. Furthermore, we argue that parents may be the ideal socializers of racial attitudes. We conclude with a discussion of the broad context concerning media reports of findings from psychological science.
“History is Illuminating”: Public memory crises and collectives in Richmond, Virginia
Authors: Logan Katie
Published: December 2021

Amid the Black Lives Matter protests and calls to remove Confederate statuary in Richmond, Virginia, during the summer of 2020, the History Is Illuminating project constructed public signs that replicated the traditional historical markers used throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The signs were placed along Richmond’s historic Monument Avenue in conversation with the still-standing Confederate monuments. They challenged the monuments’ representation of public memory by re-introducing narratives about prominent Black Richmonders and informing readers of the Jim Crow legislation that enabled the monuments to be constructed and venerated. This edited and condensed interview with organizers from the project describes the multiple crises of collective memory that public historians confront in the American South, as well as the strategies the History Is Illuminating project used to counter dominant narratives about public memory. Finally, the interview highlights the importance of community action and a multiplicity of public memory projects in order to ensure a democratic approach to collective memory.
(Un)drawing Belgium’s colonial monuments: Comics’ engagement with decolonial debates
Authors: Bragard Véronique , Lambert Alicia
Published: December 2021

As a response to the debates around colonial statues and glorifying forms of memorialization, comics provide one with plurivocal possibilities to decolonize monuments and epistemologies. This article analyzes a number of recent comics/panels (Charles & Bihel, Stassen, Kannemeyer, Baruti, Lambé, a.o.) that de-center perspectives so as to visibilize the violence of the Belgian colonial system that public monuments invisibilize. This analysis focuses on the medium-specific features that depetrify (in)famous statues, draw back to iconic figures like the Leopard-Man, and redraw iconic sites with multilayered temporalities and geographies to enable viewers to move away from one-sided perspectives and consider present forms of discriminations as legacies of colonialism.
The crisis of Confederate memory in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Brasher Jordan P
Published: December 2021

The crisis over Confederate memory in the United States has dominated international headlines since the tragic events of racist violence associated with the 2017 Charlottesville tragedy. Yet the scale of debate and attention paid to this crisis has been mostly limited to the United States, despite the globalized nature of Confederate memory politics. Little known is the fact that after the US Civil War, several thousand ex-Confederates migrated to Brazil where descendants still celebrate their heritage with a festival that draws thousands to a rural area of São Paulo state. A descendant-curated museum also narrates the Confederate migration. Drawing on work in critical settler colonial and comparative racial and ethnic studies, the “transcultural turn” in memory studies, and a year of fieldwork, this article traces the crisis of Confederate memory to the interior of São Paulo, Brazil, and explores the global impact the 2017 Charlottesville tragedy has had on Confederate commemoration.
Associations between radiographic parameters in the reverse shoulder arthroplasty and patient outcomes
Authors: Maksoud Ahmed , Steinlechner Colin , Baldwick Cheryl , Tabi William
Published: December 2021

Background

Various radiological parameters have been measured in the Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty (RSA) and correlated to patient outcomes, to determine best baseplate position. Results remain unclear with respect to certain parameters such as inferior baseplate tilt. We have investigated our series of patients to clarify the relationship between radiological parameters and patient outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a UK based bi-centre retrospective review of 156 prostheses. Critical shoulder angle (CSA), RSA angle (RSAA), Overhang and Deltoid Lever Arm (DLA) were measured on preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Range of motion and Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) (range 1–8 years) were obtained. We assessed for scapular notching at minimum 1 year follow up (n = 138).

Results

Decreased postoperative CSA and increased DLA were associated with higher OSSs (P = 0.001 and 0.019). Increased overhang and DLA were associated with increased flexion (P = 0.033 and 0.024 respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that CSA and DLA affected notching rate (P = 0.002 and 0.007).

Conclusions

Baseplate tilt in relation to the acromion (CSA) and DLA are the most predictive parameters for notching and OSS. We recommend considering a maximum CSA of 26 degrees to decrease notching rate and improve OSS. We recommend considering an Overhang of at least 6 mm to improve FF.
Safety and efficacy of veliparib plus carboplatin/paclitaxel in patients with HER2-negative metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer: subgroup analyses by germline BRCA1/2 mutations and hormone receptor status from the phase-3 BROCADE3 trial
Authors: Ayoub Jean-Pierre , Wildiers Hans , Friedlander Michael , Arun Banu K. , Han Hyo S. , Puhalla Shannon , Shparyk Yaroslav , Jakobsen Erik H. , Wu Meijing , Bach Bruce A. , Feng Dai , Ratajczak Christine K. , Maag David , Diéras Véronique
Published: December 2021

Purpose:

To evaluate efficacy and safety of veliparib combined with carboplatin/paclitaxel in patients with advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, germline BRCA (g BRCA)-associated breast cancer defined by hormone receptor (HR) and g BRCA1/ 2 mutation status.

Patients and Methods:

In this phase-3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients ( N = 509) with advanced HER2-negative breast cancer and g BRCA1/2 mutations were randomized 2:1 to receive veliparib plus carboplatin/paclitaxel or placebo plus carboplatin/paclitaxel. Patients who discontinued chemotherapy prior to disease progression continued receiving blinded veliparib/placebo monotherapy. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Subgroup analyses of PFS stratified by HR and g BRCA1/2 mutation status were prespecified.

Results:

In the intention-to-treat population, there were similar proportions of patients with g BRCA1 versus g BRCA2 mutations (51% vs 49%) and HR+ disease versus triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (52% vs 48%). Median PFS was longer in the veliparib arm compared with the placebo arm for all subgroups (HR+: 13.0 vs 12.5 months, hazard ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)): 0.69 (0.52, 0.93), p = 0.013; TNBC: 16.6 vs 14.1 months, hazard ratio (95% CI): 0.72 (0.52, 1.00), p = 0.052; g BRCA1: 14.2 vs 12.6 months, hazard ratio (95% CI): 0.75 (0.55, 1.03), p = 0.073; g BRCA2: 14.6 vs 12.6 months, hazard ratio (95% CI): 0.69 (0.50, 0.95); p = 0.021). Benefit was durable, with improved PFS rates at 2 years (HR+, 27.5% vs 15.3%; TNBC, 40.4% vs 25.0%) and 3 years (HR+, 17.5% vs 8.6%; TNBC, 35.3% vs 13.0%) in all subgroups. g BRCA status ( BRCA1 vs BRCA2) did not substantially affect the carboplatin/paclitaxel ± veliparib toxicity profile.

Conclusion:

Veliparib plus carboplatin/paclitaxel resulted in durable benefit in subgroups defined by HR status or by g BRCA1 versus g BRCA2 mutation. Overall, addition of veliparib to carboplatin/paclitaxel was tolerable, and there were no clinically meaningful differences in adverse events between the g BRCA1 versus g BRCA2 and HR+ versus TNBC subgroups.

Trial Registration:

NCT02163694, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02163694
Perceived Usability of Seating in an Outpatient Waiting Area: A Combined Approach Utilizing Virtual Reality and Actual Seating Prototypes
Authors: Jafarifiroozabadi Roxana , Joshi Rutali , Joseph Anjali , Wingler Deborah
Published: December 2021

Objective:

This study proposed a combined methodology to evaluate the perceived usability of healthcare seats that were first selected in a virtual waiting room which provided the context of use for the seats.

Background:

There has been an increased interest in using virtual reality (VR) for evaluation of seating in interior environments. Although VR offers a less expensive approach compared to evaluating seats in situ, using VR has limitations as users cannot experience the actual seat prototypes.

Method:

Participants ( N = 92) experienced a virtual waiting room with various seat groupings and were prompted with four task-based scenarios through which they selected a seat. After the VR phase, they experienced their selected seats in a lab and used an online questionnaire to evaluate the seating. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to garner similarities and differences in participants’ experience of virtual and real seats.

Results:

Three categories including comfort, support, and flexibility were extracted from the questionnaire. While support and comfort categories were highly ranked by participants, the category rankings varied depending on participants’ age, gender, tasks, and seat types. Interviews revealed that there were differences in experience of the seating materials in VR versus reality, and therefore experiencing the real seats was useful in seating evaluation.

Conclusions:

The findings suggest that the combined methodology using VR and real seating in a lab is a reliable tool for designers and furniture manufacturers to obtain users’ perceived usability evaluation of seating during the design process while the actual context is absent.
Efficacy of Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate in men with impaired bladder contractility: A review
Authors: Abuelnaga Mahmoud , Sharaf Ala’a , Armitage James
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Since Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) was introduced in the 1990s as an endoscopic deobstructing modality for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), several reports have concluded that HoLEP has compared favourably to transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) in relieving Bladder Outlet Obstruction (BOO). However, there has been no consensus regarding the efficacy of surgical management of men with Detrusor Underactivity (DU) and BOO.

Methods:

We performed a literature search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. All studies that provided data on the effectiveness of HoLEP in men with BOO and DU were assessed. Data collected included the number of patients, median follow-up, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Qmax, post-void residual (PVR) and catheter dependency pre- and post-intervention.

Results:

Nine studies were identified in the literature with a follow-up range between 6 and 60 months. Only one prospective study was identified where investigators performed urodynamic studies (UDSs) before and after the intervention. In addition to a significant improvement of voiding parameters, they reported partial recovery of detrusor muscle contractility in approximately 80% of patients. Furthermore, all other studies reported an improvement in all outcome parameters and proved the efficacy of HoLEP in patients with DU and BOO.

Conclusion:

The current literature underpins the efficacy of HoLEP in patients with impaired bladder contractility. However, current research is limited and the majority of the published data are retrospective in nature. Therefore, more well-conducted prospective randomised studies are needed to reinforce high-level evidence for this hypothesis.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable.
Renal scintigraphy as an early and efficient method for detecting loss of renal function in a cat
Authors: Schaefer Gabriela C , Brose Mariana M , Becerra José R Herrera , Mello Fabíola PS , Rovaris Inácio B , Herz Berdichevski Eduardo , Ferreira Márcio P , da Costa Fernanda VA
Published: December 2021

Case summary

A 6-year-old mixed-breed male cat was evaluated for a routine annual health assessment. No alterations on physical examination were observed other than mild pain on palpation of the right kidney. Complete blood count, serum biochemistry (including symmetric dimethylarginine), urinalysis and urine protein:creatinine ratio were within the reference intervals for the species. Abdominal ultrasonography showed the presence of asymmetric kidneys, decreased corticomedullary definition, presence of a cyst on the left kidney and moderate renal pelvis dilatation on the right kidney. Dynamic renal scintigraphy (technetium [99mTc]-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid) revealed a single functioning kidney on the left. Static renal scintigraphy (99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid) exhibited renal activity practically restricted to the left kidney (relative uptake was 99% for the left kidney and 1% for the right kidney). Results of renal scintigraphy showed that the left kidney was compensating for the lack of function of the right one. GFR was 2.17 ml/min/kg, which is considered subclinical renal insufficiency and is in accordance with the case, as the cat was asymptomatic and did not present alterations in laboratory parameters.

Relevance and novel information

Renal scintigraphy was an important tool to determine the loss of renal function in one of the kidneys and mild reduction of global GFR. In this case report, renal scintigraphy proved to be more sensitive in the assessment of renal function than other tests routinely performed.
Personal digital health in Parkinson's disease: Case histories and commentary
Authors: Boving Aidan T , Shuster Coral L , Walls Theodore A , Brothers Todd
Published: December 2021

The use of self-tracking of bio-behavioral states along with prescription dosing information is increasingly popular in the care and study of many human diseases. Parkinson’s Disease is particularly amenable to such tracking, as patients live with the progressive disease for many years, increasing motivation to pursue quality of life changes through careful monitoring of symptoms and self-guided management of their medications and lifestyle choices. Through the use of digital self-tracking technologies, patients independently or in conjunction with professional medical advice are modulating their medications and behavioral regimens based on self-tracking data. Self-trackers engage in self-experimentation with their health, and more broadly, in personal digital health. This paper briefly depicts notable, recent patient accounts of self-tracking and the uses of digital health in Parkinson’s disease: those of Sara Riggare and Kevin Krejci. It also highlights important facets of a previously unreported case: Velva Walden’s care as managed jointly by her caregiver son. Key aspects of self-tracking inherent to these cases are examined and potential opportunities to advance personalized medicine through the use of digital health and self-experimentation are outlined.
Uncovering Effects of Hot Potatoes in Banking System: Arresting Die-Hard Issues
Authors: Abbass Kashif , Niazi Abdul Aziz Khan , Basit Abdul , Qazi Tehmina Fiaz , Song Huaming , Begum Halima
Published: December 2021

This study is aimed to conceptually engineer the effects of hot potatoes (bad loans) in the banking system. The study’s research design uses elementary concepts of graph theory comprising of mappings of systemic behavior of contemporary banking. Issues have been formally underpinned, described, and visualized through directed and linear graphs. Findings of the study show that it is an inherent feature of the banking system to generate hot potatoes and allow them to sit there. It creates heat in the system by way of latency, turgescence, propagation, and concurrent cyclicality. These predicaments of systemic crises of banking deteriorate the sustainability of the system. The pilot study (using classical t-Test) conducted as part of this research has validated the theoretical argument aforementioned. The study provides new insights into these die-hard issues. It helps refine the agenda of future research in banking.