bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prophylactic renal artery embolization before pregnancy in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis and renal angiomyolipoma
Authors: Toei Hiroshi , Zhang Xixi , Seyama Kuniaki , Yashiro Daisuke , Kuwatsuru Yoshiki , Kuwatsuru Ryohei
Published: September 2022

Objective

Pregnant patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) require care for both renal AMLs and pulmonary dysfunction because AMLs can grow and rupture during pregnancy, potentially causing hemorrhagic shock and fetal death. This study examined whether prophylactic transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) could prevent the pregnancy-associated growth and rupture of renal AMLs in patients with LAM.

Methods

This retrospective study included five women with 14 renal AMLs (initial diameter, ≥2 cm) first encountered between September 2010 and August 2015 who subsequently became pregnant. Seven tumors in five patients were embolized, and seven tumors in two patients were not treated. Changes in the volume of each tumor were evaluated.

Results

Untreated tumors were much more likely to grow than embolized tumors both during pregnancy (100% vs. 0%) and at the first follow-up visit after delivery (100% vs. 14%). One untreated hypervascular tumor grew rapidly during pregnancy to 409% of the pretreatment volume. No tumor ruptured.

Conclusions

Prophylactic pre-pregnancy TAE decreased the growth and bleeding of renal AMLs during pregnancy in patients with LAM. TAE can be recommended for hypervascular tumors before pregnancy regardless of the size of the aneurysm.
Applications of Machine Learning to Foundation Design for Transportation Structures
Authors: Wu Hongyang , Aguilar Victor , Montgomery Jack
Published: September 2022

This paper is part of a collection looking at the history of and future perspectives on foundation design for transportation structures. The objective of this article is to summarize relevant applications of machine learning (ML) to transportation-related matters with a focus on transportation geotechnics and, specifically, foundation design for transportation structures. Furthermore, this paper is intended to serve as an introduction to ML for readers who may not have experience in these subjects. A review of the most significant ML techniques that are likely to be of interest to the geotechnical community is presented and relevant available databases are discussed. While ML approaches have begun to be applied to geotechnical problems, their application within transportation geotechnics and foundation design is still limited. This paper emphasizes the potential of ML for solving problems in geotechnical engineering, foundation design, and other related fields. Successful applications from several sources are discussed. Furthering the use of ML within foundation design will likely require collaboration between the Standing Committees on Foundations of Bridges and Other Structures and on Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing. These collaborations between geotechnical engineers and experts in artificial intelligence and ML will be essential to maximize the benefits of these tools for use in foundation design.
Single-Vehicle Run-Off Road Crashes Because of Cellphone Distraction: Finding Patterns with Rule Mining
Authors: Rahman M. Ashifur , Das Subasish , Sun Xiaoduan
Published: September 2022

A wide array of literature strongly indicates a higher likelihood of roadway departure because of cellphone use; however, patterns of associative attributes in single-vehicle run-off-road (SVROR) crashes because of cellphone distraction remained unexplored. Using the association rule mining (ARM) method, this study aimed to identify the variable categories that concurrently occur in such crashes, visualize the structures representing those concurrent associations, and discuss the crash patterns associated with different severity types. The SVROR crashes with cellphone use by the driver at fault were highlighted to be strongly connected to non-usage of safety restraints, weekends, both lighted and unlighted dark conditions, two-lane highways without physical separation, roadway curves, and so forth. Alongside several attributes, non-usage of restraints was strongly associated with fatal and both incapacitating and non-incapacitating injury crashes. The findings of this study can benefit the determination of suitable countermeasures to prevent cellphone-related SVROR crashes.
Can Shared Mobility Compensate for Public Transport Disruptions? The Case of Milan’s Bike Sharing System During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Liouta Georgia , Saibene Giorgio , van Oort Niels , Cats Oded , Schulte Frederik
Published: September 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented challenge for public transport systems. The capacity of transport systems has been significantly reduced because of the social distancing measures. Therefore, new avenues to increase the resilience of public urban mobility need to be explored. In this work, we investigate the integration of bike sharing and public transport systems to compensate for limited public transport capacity under the disruptive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a first step, we develop a data analysis model to integrate the demand of the two underlying systems. Next, we build an optimization model for the design and operation of hybrid mixed-fleet bike sharing systems. We analyze the case of the subway and public bike sharing systems in Milan to assess this approach. We find that the bike sharing system (in its current state) can only compensate for a minor share of the public transport capacity, as the needs in fleet and station capacity are very high. However, the resilience of public urban mobility further increases when new design concepts for the bike sharing system are considered. An extension to a hybrid free-floating bike and docked e-bike system doubled the covered demand of the system. An extension of the station capacity of about 37% yields an additional increase of the covered demand by 6.5%–7.5%. On the other hand, such a hybrid mixed-fleet bike sharing system requires many stations and a relatively large fleet to provide the required mobility capacity, even at low demand requirements.
Employment Precarity, COVID-19 Risk, and Workers' Well-Being During the Pandemic in Europe
Authors: Wu Qiong (Miranda)
Published: September 2022

The COVID-19 crisis highlights a growing precarity in employment and the importance of employment for workers' well-being. Existing studies primarily examine the consequences of employment precarity through non-standard employment arrangements or the perception of job insecurity as a one-dimensional measure. Recent scholars advocate a multidimensional construct with a wide range of objective and subjective characteristics of precariousness. Using data from Eurofound's Living, Working, and COVID-19 surveys, I define employment precarity as the objective form of employment instability, as well as subjective terms of job insecurity and emotional precariousness. I also investigate whether and how various facets of employment precarity along with COVID-19 risk are associated with workers' mental and subjective well-being across 27 European Union member states during the pandemic. This study sheds light on a comprehensive understanding of objective and subjective dimensions of employment precarity, as well as their effects on workers' well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Human Capital Drivers of Employee Intent to Innovate: The Case of Public Procurement Professionals
Authors: Dimand Ana-Maria , Abutabenjeh Sawsan , Rodriguez-Plesa Evelyn , Alkadry Mohamad G. , Bruns Ali Susannah
Published: September 2022

Innovation is often promoted as the path to overcoming the burdens of bureaucratic organizations and fostering improved service to the public. In a moment where governments face dynamic administrative and policy challenges, there is great need for leveraging innovative ideas from public sector employees. What is less clear are which factors of employee human capital correlate with feeling encouraged to innovate. We test how three types of human capital influence innovation: organization level, industry specific, and individual specific human capital. We also explore whether there are differences in feeling encouraged to innovate linked to education, training, and demographics such as gender, race, and age. Using survey responses from 2,191 public procurement officers from various levels of government in the United States, we find human capital components including experience, and age correlate with feeling encouraged to innovate, though not always in expected ways.
Sexual and Gender Diverse Young Adults’ Perception of Behaviors that are Supportive and Unsupportive of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identities
Authors: Bosse Jordon D. , Katz-Wise Sabra L. , Chiodo Lisa M.
Published: September 2022

To explore specific responses that sexual and gender diverse young adults (SGD YA) perceive to be supportive and unsupportive of sexual orientation and gender identity by caregivers and other adults following identity disclosure. SGD YA ( N = 101), ages 18 to 25 years ( M = 21.2) were predominantly White (83.1%), non-Hispanic (89.1%), assigned female at birth (82.2%). The majority (97.8%) were sexually diverse (e.g., queer, pansexual, lesbian, gay, asexual, bisexual) and half (50%) were gender diverse (e.g. transgender, agender, genderqueer, nonbinary). Participants completed an online survey. This analysis is focused on participants’ responses to open-ended questions regarding responses they perceived to be supportive and unsupportive of their SGD identity/identities. Content analysis of participants’ open-ended survey responses was conducted using a combination of inductive and deductive coding. Six themes emerged for both supportive responses (communication, actions, acceptance, open-mindedness, unconditional love, and advocacy) and unsupportive responses (distancing, hostility, minimizing, controlling, blaming, and bumbling). For some themes, different sub-themes emerged based on identity. Parents/caregivers as well as other adults in the lives of SGD YA can implement specific responses to demonstrate support for sexual orientation and gender identity with the potential to improve the mental health of SGD YA.
Effect of microwave heat treatment on physical and mechanical properties of high-Density polyethylene/wood flour/Nano-SiO2 composites
Authors: Amini Amir , Farsi Mohammad , Ebadi Masoud , Sani Fatemeh Maashi , Shahbabaei Majid
Published: September 2022

The study aimed at investigating the impact of Microwave Heat Treatment (MHT) on the physical and mechanical properties of wood flour (WF)/Nano-SiO2/High-Density polyethylene composites by varying Nano-SiO2 loading from 0, 1, 2, and 3% wt with a constant WF loading at 50% wt. By milling the materials in which were firstly mixed in a twin-screw extruder (Brabender® Plasti-Corder®), wood-plastic composites ASTM Standard samples were produced by an injection molding machine. Microwave irradiation with a power of 900 W and a temperature of 85°C for 7 min was applied for post-treatment of WPCs. After applying the microwave treatment, samples were subjected to physical and mechanical tests. The results indicated that increased Nano-SiO2 loading up to 3 wt% led to increasing the flexural strength and modulus while decreasing the impact resistance, water absorption, and thickness swelling of samples. As such, morphological analyses revealed that MHT increased the flexural modulus and strength, as well as, decreased the impact strength, water adsorption, and thickness swelling of the samples.
Linearly coupled transverse vibrations of tensioned bolts
Authors: Sah Si Mohamed , Thomsen Jon Juel , Tcherniak Dmitri
Published: September 2022

In this study an analytical model for linear coupling between the two perpendicular transverse vibration modes in a tightened bolt is presented. The model shows an excellent fit with the experimental data suggesting that the coupling is dominantly linear. An experiment is performed to support the linearity claim. Two physical scenarios that could justify the theoretical model is given, one scenario involves asymmetric boundary stiffness and the other one measurements imperfection in location. This work is motivated by its application in structural health monitoring techniques, in particular those based on measuring transverse vibrations of bolts and other beam-like components.
Public Health and the Politics of Knowledge: The Role of Traditional Medicine in the Management of COVID-19 in Two South Indian States
Authors: Sujatha V. , Payyappallimana Unnikrishnan
Published: September 2022

Public health discourse about COVID-19 pandemic has mostly been framed around biomedical interventions, although there is evidence of the effective use of traditional medicine (TM) to manage the pandemic by some Asian countries such as China, Thailand, Vietnam and India. This article aims to place on record the policy of medical pluralism in the two South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in their respective deployment of Siddha and Ayurveda in the management of COVID-19. Based on interviews with physicians of TM and health administrators, press reports, social media posts and published research, this article reconstructs the crucial yet undocumented process of incorporating TM in the biomedicine-based health bureaucracy in Tamil Nadu and Kerala to deal with infectious fevers such as dengue and chikungunya in the past and COVID-19 in the present. It is our argument that those methods of TM which are safe and in long recent use could provide low-cost and accessible means of prevention and early treatment of infectious fevers. They have to be identified and subjected to further investigation as innovations in social medicine brought forth by the state and its officials and are different from the highly expensive projects of the corporate pharmaceutical sector.
Noninferiority of Telemedicine Delivered Compared With In-person Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) During Covid-19 Pandemic in Thailand
Authors: Areevut Chatvara , Sakmanarit Jandanee , Tachanivate Porntip , Jerawatana Ratanaporn , Vittayakasemsont Kanoknun , Pookate Wassana , Kamnirdsittiseree Pattraphorn , Savetkairop Benjaporn , Saibuathong Nampeth , Chanchat Sawitree
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and program satisfaction of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) for type 2 diabetes patients delivered by telehealth during COVID-19 pandemic to in-person delivery during pre-COVID-19. A retrospective case-controlled study was conducted (95 telehealth and 95 on-site). Differences in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reductions between groups were analyzed by linear mixed-effects models, and satisfaction was collected. Compared with baseline, at the three-month follow-up, the HbA1c reductions of the telehealth and on-site DSMES were 1.20 ± 0.15% and 1.21 ± 0.15%, respectively ( P < .001), whereas these were 1.28 ± 0.16% and 1.18 ± 0.15% at six-month follow-up, respectively ( P < .001). There were no significant differences in HbA1c reduction between the two groups ( P = .967 and .674 at three- and six-month follow-up). Majority of participants in both groups had high program satisfaction (telehealth 98.7% vs on-site 95.1%, P = .269). In conclusion, DSMES delivered via telehealth is as effective in lowering HbA1c as that delivered in-person, with a high satisfaction rate.
Swelling assessment after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Yau LI Ka , Henry FU , Man Hong CHEUNG , Amy CHEUNG , Wai Kwan Vincent CHAN , Ping Keung CHAN , Kwong Yuen CHIU
Published: September 2022

Background

Total knee arthroplasty is a commonly performed elective orthopaedic surgery. Patients may endure substantial knee swelling following surgery, which are attributable to both effusion and edema. Studies have been aiming to identify an accurate and reliable method to quantify post-operative knee swelling to aid monitoring progress and treatment. The aim of this article was to review the means of clinically applicable measurements for knee swelling post TKA.

Methods

The medical literature was searched using PubMed to search for articles published using the terms knee edema, effusion, swelling, knee arthroplasty, knee replacement, total knee arthroplasty, total knee replacement, TKA, TKR. Year of publication was not restricted. Only English language publications were included. Only full-text published articles from peer-reviewed journals were eligible for inclusion. The knee swelling measurement methods used in post TKA were reviewed.

Results

Advancement in bioimpedance spectroscopy and handheld 3D scanning technology allows quick and precise quantification of knee swelling volume that the traditional clinical circumferential measurement and volumetric measurement lack. Handheld 3D scanning is also a potential tool to estimate the change of knee effusion volume and muscular volume after the surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging is accurate in effusion measurement but also the most time and resource demanding method.

Conclusion

Bioimpedance spectroscopy and 3D scanning technology can be the future tools for clinically measurement of knee swelling after total knee arthroplasty.
The “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Test Shows Poor Psychometric Properties in a Large, Demographically Representative U.S. Sample
Authors: Higgins Wendy C. , Ross Robert M. , Langdon Robyn , Polito Vince
Published: September 2022

The Reading the Mind in the Eyes test (RMET) is a widely used measure of theory of mind (ToM). Despite its popularity, there are questions regarding the RMET’s psychometric properties. In the current study, we examined the RMET in a representative U.S. sample of 1,181 adults. Key analyses included conducting an exploratory factor analysis on the full sample and examining whether there is a different factor structure in individuals with high versus low scores on the 28-item autism spectrum quotient (AQ-28). We identified overlapping, but distinct, three-factor models for the full sample and the two subgroups. In all cases, each of the three models showed inadequate model fit. We also found other limitations of the RMET, including that nearly a quarter of the RMET items did not meet the criteria for inclusion in the RMET that were established in the original validation study. Due to the RMET’s weak psychometric properties and the uncertain validity of individual items, as indicated by our study and previous studies, we conclude that significant caution is warranted when using the RMET as a measure of ToM.
Concurrent, Convergent, and Discriminant Validity of the DSM-5 Section III Psychopathy Specifier
Authors: Fuller Erin K. , Gatner Dylan T. , Douglas Kevin S.
Published: September 2022

Section III of the fifth iteration of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM-5) includes an alternative model of personality disorder diagnosis that conceptualizes antisocial personality disorder as an interpersonal, rather than behavioral, construct. However, the diagnostic specifier for psychopathy has been met with recent controversy due to its conceptual and empirical overlap with triarchic boldness, which has been debated as a necessary and sufficient domain of psychopathy. This study examined the concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity of the specifier using canonical correlation analysis in samples of undergraduate students ( N = 224) and community adults with prior criminal involvement ( N = 306). Findings highlight the specifier as a multidimensional construct with divergent associations across its three facets. There was limited validity evidence for two of the three facets, raising concerns regarding the clinical utility of the psychopathy specifier.
Gap Junctions in the Brain: Hardwired but Functionally Versatile
Authors: Gutiérrez Rafael
Published: September 2022

Gap junctions between neurons of the brain are thought to be present in only certain cell types, and they mostly connect dendrites, somata, and axons. Synapses with gap junctions serve bidirectional metabolic and electrical coupling between connected neuronal compartments. Although plasticity of electrical synapses has been described, recent evidence of the presence of silent, but activatable, gap junctions suggests that electrical nodes in a neuronal circuit can be added or suppressed by changes in the synaptic microenvironment. This opens the possibility of reconfiguration of neuronal ensembles in response to activity. Moreover, the coexistence of gap junctions in a glutamatergic synapse may add electric and metabolic coupling to a neuronal aggregate and may serve to constitute primed ensembles within a higher-order neural network. The interaction of chemical with electrical synapses should be further explored to find, especially, emerging properties of neuronal ensembles. It will be worth to reexamine in a new light the “functional” implications of the “anatomic” concepts: “continuity” and “contiguity,” which were championed by Golgi and Ramón y Cajal, respectively. In any case, exploring the versatility of the gap junctions will likely enrich the heuristic aspects of the neural and network postulates.
Ultralow-frequency flexural wave attenuation in a beam with periodically attached quasi-zero-stiffness resonators
Authors: Xie Buliang , Sheng Meiping , Wang Minqing , Guo Zhiwei , Wang Shuai , Li Qiaojiao
Published: September 2022

Ultralow-frequency band gaps are realized to suppress the ultralow-frequency flexural wave propagation in the beams with periodically attached quasi-zero-stiffness (QZS) resonators, which are designed by inserting quasi-zero-stiffness systems into the mass-in-mass structures. The band structure and the transfer matrix of the QZS locally resonant beam are derived by the transfer matrix method to quantify the wave attenuation performance of band gaps. Then, the effect of the stiffness ratio on the bandgap characteristic is studied. It is shown that, thanks to the introduction of the QZS system, the band gaps can be easily transferred to lower frequency or even ultralow frequency without weakening the static stiffness of the resonators. Finally, the flexural wave propagation in locally resonant beam consisting of multiple periodic arrays of QZS resonators is investigated. The result shows that differential design of the bandgap frequencies can be easily realized by adjusting the negative stiffness coefficient of the QZS resonators, so as to obtain broadband flexural wave suppression performance.
Comparison of permeabilities of eight different types of cytotoxic drugs to five gloves with different materials by LC-MS/MS methods to reduce occupational exposure of medical personnel
Authors: Zhou Hailong , Li Yunyun , Xu Fan
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Occupational exposure is a long-standing public health concern, which has drawn more and more attention in recent years to the problem of how to carry out occupational protection effectively. Gloves are regarded as the most critical protective equipment for cytotoxic medications. However, there is still little research conducted on the protective performance of gloves made of different materials and the optimal glove combination for cytotoxic agents.

Methods

In this research, a specific instrument intended for glove permeation experiment was designed, with various methods of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) developed and validated. By using the specific instrument and LC-MS/MS methods, a study was conducted on the permeation ability of eight selected cytotoxic drugs (fluorouracil, epirubicin (EPI), docetaxel (DCT), methotrexate (MTX), cyclophosphamide (CTX), etoposide (ETP), vincristine sulfate (VCR), and cisplatin derivatives Pt-(DDTC)3) into five kinds of gloves (rubber (RB), nitrile (NT), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), low-density polyethylene, and polyvinylchloride (PVC) resin) given different contact times. Then, the experimental data were analyzed through a generalized estimation equation and Pearson correlation analysis.

Results

The results show that within a short period of time (less than five minutes), ETP, CTX, fluorouracil, DCT, and cisplatin passed through five types of gloves but the level of MTX, VCR, and EPI permeation was minimal, despite the duration of contact between the three drugs and the gloves reaching as long as three hours. Furthermore, the permeation of DCT and ETP was found to be positively correlated with time.

Conclusions

Chlorinated polyethylene and PVC resin perform well in protecting against most cytotoxic drugs and are recommendable for clinical practice. Due to the poor protective ability, RB gloves are not recommended for this purpose. Based on the performance of various gloves in offering protection, the protection grade of two gloves can be deduced. Chlorinated polyethylene  +  PVC resin, CPE  +  NT glove combination shows good protective performance against most target drugs and can be recommended for clinical practice.
Teaching Cartesian Product Problem Solving to Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Using a Conceptual Model-Based Approach
Authors: García-Moya Melody , Polo-Blanco Irene , Blanco Rocío , Goñi-Cervera Juncal
Published: September 2022

Students with autism spectrum disorder frequently face challenges when learning mathematical concepts. For example, they may have difficulties solving mathematical word problems, in particular Cartesian product problems. This research is a case study with a multiple probe design in which the participants were three Spanish students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. A conceptual model-based problem-solving approach adapted to the characteristics of the participants was used to teach them how to solve Cartesian product word problems introduced sequentially in the instruction (first multiplication, then division, and finally both operations). The results show a functional relationship between the intervention and the students’ performance. The three participants generalized their learning to two-operation Cartesian product problems (an addition and a multiplication). Moreover, two of them retained what they learned 6 weeks after completing the instruction. The implications for teaching this and other mathematical content to students with autism are discussed.
Increasing Uptake of Prescription Drug Take-Back Boxes: Eliciting Preferences and Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Use
Authors: Robertson Mary Nelson , Seitz Holli H. , Downey Laura H. , Hardman Alisha M. , Steen Je’Kylynn S. , Buys David R.
Published: September 2022

This study assesses adults’ perceptions of and predictors of intention to use prescription drug take-back boxes. This mixed methods study utilized focus groups and an online survey to examine factors related to intention to use a prescription drug take-back box. This study was conducted in [State] during the spring and summer of 2018. Themes identified in focus group data included the importance of take-back box location, benefits of take-back box use (such as reducing opportunities for medication misuse), and barriers to take-back box use (such as lack of awareness, stigma associated with law enforcement). Survey results indicate that pharmacies are the most preferred take-back box location and that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control are statistically significant predictors of intention to use a take-back box. Results suggest that individuals are open to using take-back boxes in secure, convenient locations, but many are unaware of take-back boxes as an option for safe disposal. These findings have implications for health communication and policy efforts designed to increase the use of take-back boxes for prescription drug disposal.
Premium intraocular lenses in children
Authors: Asif Mohamed Ibrahime , Raj Nimmy , Kalra Nidhi , Yadav Mrinalini Anand , Bafna Rahul Kumar , Sinha Rajesh
Published: September 2022

Multifocal and toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) or the so-called premium IOLs are currently widely used in adult patients as a one-step refractive solution following cataract surgery. However, the decision to implant a premium IOL in a pediatric patient involves multiple factors affecting the child’s visual development and is associated with several dilemmas and surgical challenges. The purpose of this review is to summarize these factors and analyse the influence of each of them on the visual outcomes following premium IOL implantation. A review of literature was conducted using the relevant keywords from various databases until 31st January 2022. All pertinent studies with multifocal or toric IOL implantation in children were reviewed, and relevant articles were studied in detail for age, IOL power calculation, visual outcomes (refractive outcomes, contrast sensitivity and stereopsis) and complications such as dysphotic phenomena and others. A total of 17 relevant studies (10 case series/interventional studies and 7 case reports) on the subject were included. All studies showed a favourable refractive outcome; however, the data available was significantly less. Studies with earlier models of multifocal IOLs showed a higher incidence of IOL decentration and posterior capsule opacification; however, more recent studies with newer IOL models showed much better safety profiles. Toric IOLs showed promising results in all the studies evaluated. Premium IOLs have shown promising results in the pediatric age group. However, their long-term outcomes specifically concerning refractive shift, capsular contraction and role in the management of amblyopia needs to be explored further.
Improvement of intermediate vision with new monofocal intraocular lenses: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Redruello-Guerrero Pablo , Rivera-Izquierdo Mario , Jiménez-Gutiérrez Carmen , Láinez-Ramos-Bossini Antonio Jesús , Yela Rubén , López-Marín Ignacio
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) used in cataract surgery are designed to improve visual acuity (VA). The available evidence of new monofocal IOLs” functional benefits is limited. The aim of this meta-analysis was to analyze the improvement in VA using Tecnis Eyhance monofocal IOLs compared to standard monofocal IOLs Tecnis ZCB00.

Methods

MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus were searched for studies assessing improvement in intermediate VA using Tecnis Eyhance IOLs versus Tecnis ZCB00 IOLs. Studies evaluating post-operative VA in patients who underwent cataract surgery were selected. This meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0. was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies, risk of selection bias and comparability of cohorts and outcomes.

Results

The search resulted in 1153 articles. Five studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. A total of 604 eyes were evaluated, of which 309 received Tecnis Eyhance IOLs and 295 were implanted with Tecnis ZCB00 IOLs. Mean binocular distant-corrected intermediate VA with Tecnis Eyhance IOLs at 2 weeks-1 month showed a significant difference of −0,21 logMAR, p < 0.001; and mean binocular distance-corrected intermediate VA with Tecnis Eyhance IOLs at 6 months showed a significant difference of −0,11 logMAR, p < 0.001.

Conclusion

Near VA could not be assessed in this meta-analysis as it was measured in very few studies. Preliminary pooled evidence indicates that intermediate VA improved with Tecnis Eyhance IOLs. Further studies evaluating near VA and with longer follow-up are still necessary.
Short-term outcomes of thin highly cross-linked polyethylene liners in primary total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Bieganowski Thomas , Singh Vivek , Muthusamy Nishanth , Kugelman David N , Davidovitch Roy I , Schwarzkopf Ran
Published: September 2022

Introduction:

The use of thin highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) liners in total hip arthroplasty (THA) allows utilisation of larger femoral heads. However, concern surrounding postoperative complications remains. This study aims to investigate rates of revision and re-admission associated with thin HXLPE liners at short-term follow-up.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 3047 patients who underwent THA with a cementless modular acetabular implant with a 36-mm femoral head, and different thicknesses of HXPLE liners from 2011 to 2021. We identified 723 patients (23.7%) with a minimum 2-year follow-up and 206 patients (6.8%) with a minimum 5-year follow-up. Patients in the thin group (TG, n = 1020) received <5.1-mm liners with 52-mm size cups while patients in the non-thin group (NTG, n = 2027) received >5.1-mm liners with >52-mm size cups. Outcomes were compared using multi-variable logistic regressions while controlling for all significant demographic differences.

Results:

We found no significant differences in re-admission (3.9% vs. 4.3%, OR 0.97; 95% CI, 0.63–1.49; p = 0.874) and revision (2.5% vs. 3.2%, OR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.41–1.26; p = 0.246) rates between groups. The difference in fracture rate between groups was not significant, but the 1 recorded acetabular fracture (5%) occurred in the NTG. Although the rate of liner exchange was lower in the TG (1.1%) compared to the NTG (2.3%), the difference was not statistically significant (OR 0.51; 95% CI, 0.24–1.05; p = 0.068). Liners were exchanged for liner wear in 1 hip (1%), aseptic reasons in 38 hips (66%), and peri-prosthetic joint infection in 19 hips (33%).

Conclusions:

Patients undergoing THA with a thin liner were not significantly predisposed to higher rates of revision surgery or poorer clinical outcomes at short-term follow-up when compared to those who received a thicker liner. Consequently, further long-term studies regarding the utility of thin HXLPE implants in reducing complications should be pursued.
Ticking off the (pink) diversity box? Production views on LGBT+ in children’s fiction
Authors: Van Wichelen Thalia , Dhoest Alexander
Published: September 2022

This article provides insight on the perceived importance Flemish producers attach to including sexual and gender diversity in their productions targeting children. Drawing on the frameworks of the ‘production ecology’, ‘cultures of production’ and ‘queer production studies’, this article considers the different internal and external influences that might impact why and how producers depict these LGBT+ narratives. Through qualitative in-depth interviews with different involved parties of these production processes, this article first and foremost demonstrates a unanimous, strong advocacy for diversified representations by all the participants. The formative role of television in informing and evoking empathy among children, as well as parents as an implicit secondary audience, are primary objectives when creating these narratives. However, the approach to this didactic premise differs for the public broadcaster compared with the commercial channels and is further nuanced in relation to the perceived cognitive abilities of children as an audience. In particular, sexual diversity is approached differently compared with non-normative gender expressions (e.g. transgender characters), the latter being perceived as (too) complex within a child’s frame of reference. The current production ecology has thus facilitated the recurrence of certain storylines and characters, while others remain underrepresented.
Europe, Islam and the Roma: Liberalism and the manufacture of cultural difference
Authors: Tsoneva Jana , Stoyanova Veronika
Published: September 2022

In this article, we direct our critical enquiry at public intellectuals’ musings about cultural difference in the wake of the so-called ‘refugee crisis’ (starting in 2015) and the coincidental eruption of ‘ethnic tensions’ between Roma and non-Roma citizens in Bulgaria. We show how (1) some intellectuals mobilize their position as holders of legitimate knowledge about culture to construct rigid collective identities, despite their professed liberal political beliefs about the ontological primacy of the individual and (2) how they politicize the constructs of culture to arrive at exclusionary, racist ‘solutions’ to the security problems that Roma and refugees allegedly pose, thereby fuelling and in many ways legitimizing far-right mobilizations. We examine the discourses of a range of experts commenting on clashes between ethnic Bulgarians and Roma, on one hand, and on the so-called ‘refugee crisis’, on the other. Juxtaposing the scholarly discourses about two different types of ‘surplus populations’ helps us tease out the malleability of the ‘enemy’ and the ensuing complex hierarchical organization of these populations according to the logic of economic utility and preconceptions of the distance between a coveted ‘Europe’ and a threatening ‘Islam’.
Role of destination attachment in accommodation experiences of historical guesthouses
Authors: Lin Yi-Chin , Tsai Hsin-Yu Melissa , Liang Austin Rong-Da , Chang Hui-Yu
Published: September 2022

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between destination attachment, tourists’ experiences of historical guesthouses, satisfaction and revisit intention. Historical guesthouses of Kinmen County, Taiwan were the setting for the investigation. A total of 346 questionnaires were collected and analyzed. Results showed that accommodation experiences can significantly mediate the relationships between destination attachment and the evaluations of historical guesthouses. Perceptions of human interactions between tourists and the service providers at historical guesthouses were critical for creating a highly favorable accommodation experience. The physical environment, human interactions, and satisfaction all had significant positive effects on revisit intention, with the perceptions of human interactions greatly influencing revisit intention. This study provides meaningful management implications for both the hospitality and tourism industries.
Following one’s nose: ‘Smellwalks’ through qualitative data
Authors: Clark Janine Natalya
Published: September 2022

This Note utilises the idea of ‘smellwalks’ as a novel way of engaging with qualitative data. Based on a larger study of victims-/survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, it argues that smelling data – and allowing ourselves to viscerally imagine the odours and scents that the data evoke for us – can foster deeper insights into interviewees’ embodied experiences; in this case, embodied experiences of war and armed conflict. Within the data – consisting of 63 semi-structured interviews with victims-/survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH), Colombia and Uganda – there were frequent references to food and cooking. This Note follows the scent trails within two particular interviews – one from BiH and the other from Colombia.
Fused deposition modelling of flexible kenaf fiber/thermoplastic polyurethane composites
Authors: Hanim Nuraina , Syafiq Mohamad Danial , Abdul Hamid Zuratul Ain , Rusli Arjulizan , Abdullah Muhammad Khalil , Shuib Raa Khimi
Published: September 2022

This work explores the feasibility of fused deposition modelling (FDM) to produce kenaf fiber/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites. Internal mixer was used for mixing different weight percentage (0, 5 and 10 wt %) of kenaf fiber with TPU before being extruded to produce filament for FDM feed stock. Addition of kenaf fiber was found to give benefits on dimensional stability of the printed samples which is importance for its implementation in FDM. TPU filled with 10wt% of kenaf fibre showed improvements in hardness and Young modulus of 15% and 49%. However, the tensile strength, elongation at break and density of the printed samples decreased with increasing kenaf fiber loading. This could be explained due to increase of voids and porosity within the material and poor wettability between TPU matrix and kenaf fiber which is evidenced by SEM observation.
Studies on thermal comfort of multi-layered fabric assembly after wetting with sweat and distilled water
Authors: Garg Samridhi , Midha Vinay K , Sikka Monica
Published: September 2022

Textiles play a vital role in assuring the thermal stability of the human body. The absorption of perspiration or moisture from a humid environment might result in wet clothing. Protective and sports apparel are often wet when the wearer is involved in high level of activity; thereby affecting the comfort. In order to understand the comfort behaviour of textiles in wet state, most of the researchers used the distilled water or NaCl aqueous solution. However, human sweat is a very complex aqueous mixture of chemicals comprising of salts, lipids, urea, lactic acid, carbohydrates, and minerals. In the present study, the effect of simulated sweat solution on the thermal behaviour of multi-layered fabric assembly is studied and compared with that of distilled water. The multi-layered fabric assembly consists of breathable PU-coated nylon as an outer layer; polyester knitted fabric as an inner layer; and micro-polyester wadding/hollow-polyester wadding/spacer fabric as the middle layer. In addition, the inner layer (next to the skin) is also tested for thermal comfort for both dry and wet states. It is observed that thermal properties of fabrics are drastically affected under wet conditions. The inner layer of fabric wetted with distilled water shows higher thermal conductivity as compared to that wetted with simulated sweat. Among various multi-layered assemblies, the thermal resistance and thermal diffusion of multi-layered assembly having hollow polyester wadding as a middle layer is high as compared to that having spacer fabric in the middle, under both dry and wet conditions.
HOBSCOTCH Your Way to Improved Cognition for Patients With Epilepsy
Authors: Becker Danielle A.
Published: September 2022

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Unmanned aerial vehicles: Applications, techniques, and challenges as aerial base stations
Authors: Rolly Rinju Mariam , Malarvezhi Pandy , Lagkas Thomas D
Published: September 2022

Next generation wireless networks are expected to be greatly supported by unmanned aerial vehicles, which can act as aerial base stations and constitute a promising solution for the exorbitant rise in user demands. This is possible because of unmanned aerial vehicle characteristics such as mobility, flexibility, increased line-of-sight probability, and their ability to access unreachable locations. Extensive research is now widely performed on the deployment, performance analysis, resource management, trajectory optimization, and channel modeling in such networks. This survey article focuses on the different applications and the related algorithms for realizing aerial base stations by thoroughly reviewing each related research area. In a nutshell, this article provides key applications, challenges, and the technology used for the design and analysis of unmanned aerial vehicles as base stations.
Energy-efficient and intelligent cooperative spectrum sensing algorithm in cognitive radio networks
Authors: Huang Tangsen , Yin Xiangdong , Li Xiaowu
Published: September 2022

Green communication is the demand of current and future wireless communication. As the next-generation communication network, cognitive radio network also needs to meet the requirements of green communication. Therefore, improving energy efficiency is an inevitable requirement for the development of cognitive radio networks. However, there is a need to compromise sensing performance while improving energy efficiency. To take into account the two important indicators of sensing performance and energy efficiency, a grouping algorithm is proposed in this article, which can effectively improve the energy efficiency while improving the spectrum sensing performance. The algorithm obtains the initial value of the reliability of the nodes through training, and sorts them according to the highest reliability value, then selects an even number of nodes with the highest reliability value, and divides the selected nodes into two groups, and the two groups of nodes take turns in Alternate work. At this time, other nodes not participating in cooperative spectrum sensing are in a silent state, waiting for the instruction of the fusion center. The experimental results show that compared with the traditional algorithm, the proposed algorithm has a great improvement in the two indicators of sensing performance and energy efficiency.
Instruments to Identify Symptoms of Paternal Depression During Pregnancy and the First Postpartum Year: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Berg Rigmor C. , Solberg Beate Larsen , Glavin Kari , Olsvold Nina
Published: September 2022

Men often experience depressive symptoms during the transition to parenthood, but there is a lack of synthesized knowledge of instruments used to identify such symptoms. The aim of this scoping review was to identify instruments used to measure symptoms of depressive symptoms among fathers in pregnancy and the postpartum period, and to describe the instruments’ characteristics and measurement properties. We identified studies published since 1990 through searches in databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO and in gray literature. Pairs of reviewers selected relevant studies based on predetermined inclusion criteria. For each included study, we collected information relevant to the review question, guided by the COnsensus based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments (COSMIN). We included 13 instruments, described in 59 studies with about 29,000 participants across 25 countries. There were 12 validation studies. None of the instruments were uniquely developed for assessing paternal depressive symptoms related to fatherhood. The three most extensively examined instruments were the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory. For seven of the 13 instruments, there was no information reported about the instruments’ properties beyond internal consistency, but for the other six instruments the 12 validation studies reported on both reliability and validity. No studies reported on measurement error or responsiveness. EPDS was both the most extensively assessed instrument and reported to be the most reliable and valid. Further research on instruments for identifying men with depression in pregnancy and the postpartum period is warranted.