bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding determinants of information avoidance when using mobile social apps: A perspective of social comparison
Authors: Bao Zheshi , Zong Wen
Published: January 2025

The current research investigates the determinants of information avoidance in the use of mobile social applications (apps) from a social comparison perspective. It specifically examines how cognitive dissonance, emotional exhaustion, and gender differences shape the comparison process, ultimately leading to information avoidance. An online survey with 458 app users was conducted to collect data. Structural equation modeling with partial least squares (PLS-SEM) was employed to empirically test our proposed model. The findings indicate that social comparison serves as a significant source of cognitive dissonance and emotional exhaustion, which in turn lead to information avoidance within mobile social apps. Furthermore, gender differences positively moderate the relationship between social comparison and emotional exhaustion, with the effect being stronger for women than for men. This study enhances the understanding of information avoidance through the lens of social comparison by examining both cognitive and emotional dimensions. Additionally, it analyzes gender differences in social comparison, providing a more comprehensive view of how men and women engage with and are affected by comparison processes.
A Lack of Joint Line Tenderness Is Consistent With a Healed Meniscus, But Positive Clinical Examination Findings and MRI Scans Are Inconsistent in Identifying Failure After Meniscal Repair: A Systematic Review and Subgroup Meta-analysis
Authors: Schoenecker Jon H. , Tollefson Luke V. , Solaiman Rafat H. , Monson Jill K. , Homan Morgan D. , Dornan Grant J. , Kennedy Nicholas I. , Ronnblad Erik , LaPrade Robert F.
Published: January 2025

Background:

The number of meniscal repairs being completed each year is increasing; however, the optimal, cost-effective postoperative assessment to determine the success or failure of a meniscal repair is not well known.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the clinical examination testing that correlates with objective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or second-look arthroscopy (SLA) findings to determine an optimal clinical workup for assessing postoperative meniscal repair healing. It was hypothesized that specific clinical tests would correlate with meniscal repairs that did not heal.

Study Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

This systematic review included all clinical studies investigating meniscal repairs, meniscal repair outcomes, and meniscal healing with clinical findings, MRI, and/or SLA, published in a peer-reviewed journal and with full English text available. All included studies were evaluated for bias using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). The clinical tests included those using “Barrett’s criteria,” with the assessment of effusion, joint line tenderness, locking, McMurray testing, and radiographs. This parameter has also been abbreviated to “modified Barrett's criteria” to include only joint line tenderness, effusion, and McMurray testing.

Results:

No significant correlations were found between clinical tests and MRI or SLA. A subgroup meta-analysis between Barrett's and non-Barrett’s studies reported no significant subgroup differences (χ12 = 0.24; P = .62). A meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy using a group of 7 studies that reported on true-positive, true-negative, false-positive, and false-negative data for SLA demonstrated that only a lack of joint line tenderness had a high specificity for a healed meniscal repair, with a log diagnostic odds ratio of 2.62 (95% CI, 0.47-4.76).

Conclusion:

This study found no significant correlation with any specific clinical test for meniscal repair healing status using postoperative MRI and/or SLA findings. However, it was found that no healing (when compared with complete or incomplete healing) on MRI and joint line tenderness should be considered when assessing the status of postoperative meniscal repair healing. In addition, a subgroup meta-analysis found that a lack of joint line tenderness was highly correlated with a healed meniscal repair.
Long-term Recurrence Rates After Isolated Arthroscopic Bankart Repair in Selected Patients Without Preoperative Bone Loss Versus Open Latarjet Procedure: A Matched-Pair Analysis
Authors: Rieussec Clémentine , Cassinelli Juan Enrique , Hoffman Matias , Horteur Clément , Barth Johannes
Published: January 2025

Background:

Clinical studies have shown that the open Latarjet procedure (OLP) has lower recurrence rates than the isolated arthroscopic Bankart (IAB) procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability, but no long-term comparative studies exist for IAB in patients without bone loss.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of IAB in selected patients without bone loss versus OLP. The hypothesis was that OLP would be more successful in preventing recurrence, even in carefully selected patients for IAB.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence 3.

Methods:

An overall 774 patients who underwent surgical stabilization for recurrent anterior instability between January 2007 and December 2021 were analyzed. A total of 685 shoulders were followed up (89 patients were lost of follow-up: 11,4%), including 582 OLP, 45 IAB, and 58 other techniques (Trillat procedure, Arthroscopic Latarjet procedure, and revision Eden Hybinette procedure). The patients who underwent primary IAB were matched with patients who underwent OLP in a 1:1 ratio using propensity matching, resulting in 45 patients in each group. The main objective was to identify new episodes of instability, with a recurrence rate <5% considered acceptable. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate patient survivorship, and logistic regression was performed to consider potential factors affecting recurrence rates. Data were collected on return-to-sport rate, Walch and Duplay score, visual analog scale score, and external rotation.

Results:

The mean follow-up was 9 years and 3 months. A new episode of instability occurred in 2% of the OLP group and 20% of the IAB group ( P = .04; odds ratio, 11; 95% CI, 1.91-63.4, Miettinen method). Regarding the rest of our analyses, there was no significant difference. Patients maintained good external rotation with low pain: 68° in the OLP group as compared with 72° in the IAB group ( P = .325), with 1.2 out of 10 on the visual analog scale in the OLP group versus 1.5 in the IAB group ( P = .433), respectively. Walch and Duplay score reached 79.9 in the OLP group and 78.9 in the IAB group ( P = .496), and 89% of the OLP group returned to its previous sport level as compared with 73% of the IAB group ( P = .104).

Conclusion:

Patients who underwent an OLP had better long-term survivorship without recurrence when compared with those who underwent an IAB, even without bone loss. The odds of experiencing a new episode of instability recurrence was 11 times higher for patients who underwent IAB, with a mean follow-up of 9 years and 3 months.
Promoting Evidence-Based Tobacco Cessation Treatment in Community Mental Health Clinics: Results of a Pilot Implementation Study: Promouvoir le traitement de sevrage tabagique fondé sur des données probantes dans les cliniques communautaires de santé mentale : résultats d’une étude pilote de mise en œuvre
Authors: Dickerson Faith , Fink Tyler , Goldsholl Stacy , Dalcin Arlene , Eidman Benjamin , Yuan Christina T. , Gennusa Joseph V. , Cather Corinne , Evins A. Eden , Wang Nae-Yuh , McGinty Emma M. , Daumit Gail L.
Published: January 2025

Objective

Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death among individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) but few persons with SMI are offered smoking cessation treatment. The purpose of this study was to pilot-test a multicomponent intervention to increase the delivery of evidence-based smoking cessation treatment in community mental health clinics (CMHCs).

Method

This study was carried out at five CMHCs in Maryland involving clinicians who participated in training in smoking cessation. Other implementation activities included the provision of a treatment protocol, coaching, expert consultation, and organizational strategy meetings. The primary outcome was a change in clinicians’ knowledge and self-efficacy about smoking cessation. Secondary outcomes included documentation of evidence-based smoking cessation practices including assessment of smoking status and readiness to quit, and provision of smoking cessation treatment over the course of the 12-month intervention period.

Results

A total of 91 clinicians participated in the study. Data were available on 6,011 clients. Clinicians’ scores on the knowledge and self-efficacy measures increased modestly over the course of the implementation period. Overall, 57% of clients had their smoking status assessed; 81% of current smokers were evaluated about their willingness to quit; 82% of those willing to quit within 90 days received behavioral counseling, and 36% were prescribed or given smoking cessation pharmacotherapy. Clinicians rated the smoking cessation program highly in terms of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility.

Conclusions

Clinicians at CMHCs were engaged by and participated in training and implementation activities around smoking cessation practices which they then delivered to a substantial portion of clients in their care. The results of this study provide important data for the future planning of testing implementation strategies to scale up tobacco cessation treatment in this population in outpatient mental health settings.
“Depression is not Real; I Don’t Need Help”: Stigmatizing Depression on Social Media and Help Avoidance
Authors: Liu Piper Liping , Zhang Lianshan
Published: January 2025

Despite being influential spaces for disseminating information, social media platforms often contribute to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding depression. This study investigates the relationship between exposure to stigmatizing depression on social media and help avoidance among young adults, while examining the mediating roles of depression knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes. A sample of 428 Chinese young adults aged between 18 and 35 responded to the anonymous questionnaires. Results indicate a positive association between exposure to stigmatizing information on social media and help avoidance. Furthermore, depression knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes were found to mediate this relationship, highlighting the cognitive mechanisms underlying the impact of social media on mental health attitudes and behaviors. The findings underscore the importance of addressing stigmatizing content on social media platforms and promoting accurate depression knowledge among young adults to mitigate help avoidance tendencies. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Research on ring artifact reduction method for CT images of nuclear graphite components
Authors: Zeng Tianchen , Fu Jintao , Cong Peng , Liu Ximing , Xu Guangduo , Sun Yuewen
Published: January 2025

Background

The supporting structure of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGR) comprises over 3000 carbon/graphite components, necessitating computed tomography (CT) non-destructive testing before operational deployment as per reactor technical specifications. However, CT images are frequently marred by severe ring artifacts due to the response non-uniformity and non-linearity of detector units, which diminishes the ability to detect defects effectively.

Methods

To address this issue, we propose a physics-based ring artifacts reduction method for CT that employs pixel response correction. This method physically accounts for the cause of ring artifacts and leverages the prior knowledge of the detected object to enhance the accuracy of the detection process.

Results

Our proposed method achieved a notable reduction in ring artifacts, as evidenced by a 37.7% decrease in ring total variation (RTV) values compared to the originals, significantly enhancing image quality. It also surpassed traditional and machine learning methods in artifact reduction while maintaining image details. The lower RTV scores confirm our method's superior effectiveness in minimizing ring artifacts.

Conclusion

We believe that our research contributes to the enhancement of defect inspection performance in detection systems, which is crucial for ensuring the safety of reactors. The proposed method's effectiveness in mitigating ring artifacts while maintaining image quality highlights its potential impact on the reliability of non-destructive testing in the context of HTGR components.
Technological advancements in right heart acoustic angiography for predicting patent foramen ovale and its correlation with AIS: A retrospective study
Authors: Qin Haidong , Qin Xipiao , Jiang Xianzhi
Published: January 2025

Background

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, often resulting from embolic events. Patent foramen ovale (PFO), a common congenital heart defect, has been identified as a potential source of emboli in AIS patients, especially in cases of cryptogenic stroke where no other etiology is found.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between AIS and PFO, and to explore the diagnostic value of right heart acoustic angiography for PFO.

Methods

A study included 148 AIS and 111 non-AIS patients with suspected PFO, using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as the diagnostic gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of right heart acoustic angiography for PFO diagnosis were evaluated. ROC and Spearman correlation analyses assessed diagnostic value and the association between AIS and PFO.

Results

PFO was detected in 79 AIS patients and 20 non-AIS patients, with a higher detection rate in the AIS group ( P < 0.05). Right heart acoustic angiography showed a diagnostic accuracy of 95.37% for PFO, with a sensitivity of 95.37% and a specificity of 97.78%. The AUC value of the ROC curve for right heart acoustic imaging was 0.975, indicating high diagnostic efficacy for PFO. PFO was positively correlated with AIS (r = 0.318, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

PFO is commonly detected in AIS patients and is positively correlated with AIS. Right heart acoustic imaging has high diagnostic efficacy for PFO and can be a valuable diagnostic tool for patients with PFO.
Deformation behavior and interface analysis of SiCp/Al composites by vibration cutting based on molecular dynamics
Authors: Hao ZhaoPeng , Li ShengNan , Fan YiHang
Published: January 2025

To study the deformation behavior of SiCp/Al composite material and the analysis of al-sic interface by vibration cutting with diamond (PCD) tool, a simulation model of vibration cutting of SiCp/Al composite material was established by using molecular dynamics (MD) method. By analyzing the workpiece removal mode, crystal phase transformation and micro-region of Al-sic interface was studied. By comparing the radial distribution function, Von Mises stress, temperature and dislocation distribution of the workpiece under normal cutting and vibration cutting, the deformation behavior of SiCp/Al composites during cutting was studied, and the influence of vibration cutting on the deformation of the workpiece was also analyzed. The results show that the presence of SiC particles causes the workpiece to have obvious plastic deformation during cutting, and the stress concentration leads to the separation of Al-SiC interface and the dissticking phenomenon. During vibration cutting, there was stronger bonding ability between atoms. The intermittent cutting reduced Von Mises stress and dislocation distribution, and the thermal softening effect of vibration cutting reduced the damage to Al-SiC interface atom bonding, which was conducive to the occurrence of crystal plastic deformation and made the workpiece reach a more stable state. Through the above analysis, the structural characteristics and deformation behavior of Al-SiC interface micro-region are revealed, which provides a theoretical basis for improving the stability of the interface.
Goodbye to Meltzer-Richard: Testing major theories of redistribution
Authors: Machtei Itay , Huber Evelyne , Stephens John D
Published: January 2025

We re-analyse four major explanations of redistribution including the Meltzer-Richard model, power resources theory, Iversen-Soskice’s political institutions explanation, and Lupu and Ponstusson’s skewness theory. For each of these, we reconsider the causal chain and test their assumptions using a comprehensive, original dataset on working-age income-inequality consisting of 589 country-years for affluent democracies in the period 1963–2019. We find that partisan governments are directly related to redistribution and have a strong effect on the generosity of social policy. Lupu and Pontusson’s skew measure has no effect on redistribution in models with controls but does have a positive effect on generosity of social policy. Finally, we find that the mean-to-median income ratio has a consistent, negative, and highly significant effect on redistribution, directly refuting the very premise of the Meltzer-Richard model.
Poverty reduction during the COVID-19 pandemic: How did the European union perform relative to the United States?
Authors: Filauro Stefano , Parolin Zachary
Published: January 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic led to declines in market income and increases in unemployment across much of the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), and had the potential to increase poverty rates. However, the US and EU Member States adopted vastly different strategies for mitigating the economic consequences of the crisis. Using EU-SILC data and the U.S. Current Population Survey, this study compares the poverty-reduction performance of the EU and US from before the pandemic to during the pandemic. We find that unemployment and market poverty rates increased in many countries, disproportionately more in the US than in the EU, but welfare states largely compensated for those losses. Post-tax/transfer poverty rates for the average EU country did not change from 2019 to 2020, and poverty decreased substantially in the US. The US experienced the largest pre-tax/transfer increase in poverty rates, yet also the largest post-tax/transfers declines in poverty rates from 2019 to 2020. This suggests an improvement from historically poor poverty-reduction performances and underscores a policy approach focused on income support, contrasting with the EU’s emphasis on short-time work schemes. Among all countries, changes in pre-tax/transfer poverty rates were not positively correlated with changes in post-tax/transfer poverty. Overall, welfare states generally increased their performance enough to prevent what could have been large increases in post-tax/transfer poverty during the first year of the pandemic, with the US increasing its poverty-reduction performance more than any EU country.
Paternity leave take-up in a segmented labor market: A cautionary tale of rapid policy expansion in Spain
Authors: Marinova Dani M. , León Margarita
Published: January 2025

To evaluate the success of paternity leave as a progressive, equal-access policy instrument, it is essential to assess it against the backdrop of preexisting labor market inequalities that condition its use. We investigate the recent and rapid expansion of paternity leave entitlements in Spain where leave was extended from four to 16 weeks over the course of just three years. Analyses of an original survey administered to cohorts of fathers with leave entitlements of varying lengths show that average take-up surges but does so unevenly. As uptake rates soar among fathers in stable employment, fathers in temporary jobs, the self-employed, and those at the bottom and top of the income distribution maintain lower levels of usage. These results align with the ‘Matthew Effect' of social policy, whereby reforms disproportionately benefit well-positioned socioeconomic groups, and imply bleak prospects for the reform’s capacity to generate social change across social strata. The results thus tell a cautionary tale of the rapid expansion of paternity leave in a segmented labor market where work culture and gender norms are slower to adjust. With the enforcement of the 2019 EU Work-Life Balance Directive, other European Member States are looking to extend paternity leave swiftly, thus increasing the relevance of these results for policy considerations.
Changing household structures, household employment, and poverty trends in rich countries
Authors: Azzollini Leo , Breen Richard , Nolan Brian
Published: January 2025

Changes in household structures and employment patterns alter the balance between households with an above- versus a below-average poverty risk while also affecting relative income poverty thresholds. Examining 11 countries for which suitable microdata is available from LIS back to the mid-1980s shows that patterns of change in household composition and employment exhibited some common features but also very substantial variation. The share of single adult households rose in most countries, couples with no or only one person in paid work fell in most, while couple households with two earners increased in a majority but not in Denmark, Norway and the USA and only modestly in Hungary and the UK. A counterfactual exercise assessed the impact of these changes in composition on relative income poverty rates by reweighting the 2019 samples to impose the composition structure observed in 1986. In the absence of these composition changes the relative poverty rate in 2019 would have been a good deal higher in Germany, Greece, and Italy, and especially in Israel and Spain. Composition changes had only a modest impact in the UK and made very little difference in Denmark, Hungary, and the USA, while working to increase the relative poverty rate in Czechia and Norway. This reflected the varying scale and nature of the composition changes seen across these countries. Their impact included driving up the relative poverty threshold (except in the USA), and if this effect is discounted the composition shift over the period would have had a greater poverty reduction impact in most countries, especially in Israel, Italy and most powerfully in Spain.
“We Want parkrun to Well Outlive Us”: Behind the Dissemination and Sustainability of parkrun in Australia
Authors: Cranney Leonie , Grunseit Anne C. , van Nassau Femke , Milat Andrew , Cleland Verity
Published: January 2025

parkrun is a free, weekly organized mass participation physical activity event providing a remarkable example of at-scale dissemination, with over 1 million participants and 150,000 volunteers in Australia. This qualitative study draws on stakeholders’ experiences to explore how parkrun succeeded with its dissemination and sustainability in Australia. Maximum variation and snowball sampling methods were used to select interviewees representing three parkrun stakeholder groups: parkrun Australia employees; volunteer organizers (event directors and ambassadors); and local external stakeholders (e.g., running clubs and landowners). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 67 adult stakeholders in two phases (February–May and August–October 2023). We conducted a reflexive thematic analysis of interview data to explore contextual factors and mechanisms of parkrun growth and sustainability. We identify four themes to explain the growth and sustainability of parkrun in Australia: “Belief in an essential parkrun” comprises varied but overlapping ideas of what parkrun is fundamentally about; “Fluidity of movement” reflects the way individuals move freely in and out of the parkrun model, between roles and events; “Organizational and individual evolution” describes individuals’ engagement journey and how the organization adapted with growth; and “Shared custodianship” reflects the dispersed leadership and shared responsibility across time, place, and people. These themes illustrate elements of the parkrun model that create broad buy-in, foster stakeholder commitment and longevity, and maximize resources for enhanced reach, dissemination, and sustainability. Our findings contribute practice-based evidence that may inform scale-up and sustainment of similar public health interventions.
A Preliminary Study of Hearing Loss in Children With Craniosynostosis
Authors: Min Eric , Munday John , Bricker Josh , Findlen Ursula , Baylis Adriane L. , Asti Lindsey , Pearson Gregory
Published: January 2025

To describe the frequency and types of hearing loss in children with syndromic and non-syndromic craniosynostosis.

Retrospective cohort study.

Large tertiary pediatric hospital.

Children with craniosynostosis that underwent at least one audiological evaluation between the years of 2010 and 2021 at a single institution. Hearing loss was defined as conductive or permanent (sensorineural or mixed).

Of 130 total children examined, 107 (82.3%) had non-syndromic craniosynostosis and 23 (17.7%) had syndromic craniosynostosis. Within the non-syndromic cohort, 77 (72%) had normal hearing and 30 (28%) had hearing loss, of which 21/30 (70%) had conductive hearing loss and 9/30 (30%) had permanent hearing loss. Within the syndromic cohort, two (9.5%) had normal hearing and 21 (90.5%) had hearing loss, of which 16/21 (76.2%) had conductive hearing loss and 5/21 (23.8%) had permanent hearing loss. Multivariable analysis involving syndromic status, anatomical type of craniosynostosis, and medical complexity revealed that patients with syndromic craniosynostosis had higher odds for conductive and permanent hearing loss (49.80 OR, P = .002 and 34.91 OR, P < .05, respectively). Patients with unicoronal craniosynostosis and those with significant medical comorbidities had higher odds for permanent hearing loss (19.50 OR, P = .03 and 23.36 OR, P < .05, respectively).

Children with craniosynostosis had high rates of hearing loss, especially those with syndromic or unicoronal craniosynostosis and those with significant medical comorbidities. Twenty-eight percent of patients with non-syndromic craniosynostosis also had hearing loss. Larger prospective studies are necessary to more precisely estimate hearing loss associated with non-syndromic craniosynostosis.
Deep Learning-Based Assessment of Lip Symmetry for Patients With Repaired Cleft Lip
Authors: Rosero Karen , Salman Ali N. , Harrison Lucas M. , Kane Alex A. , Busso Carlos , Hallac Rami R.
Published: January 2025

Objective

Post-surgical lip symmetry assessment is a key indicator of cleft repair success. Traditional methods rely on distances between anatomical landmarks, which are impractical for video analysis and overlook texture and appearance. We propose an artificial intelligence (AI) approach to automate this process, analyzing lateral lip morphology for a quantitative symmetry evaluation.

Design

We utilize contrastive learning to quantify lip symmetry by measuring the similarity between the representations of the sides, which is subsequently used to classify the severity of asymmetry. Our model does not require patient images for training. Instead, we introduce dissimilarities in face images from open datasets using two methods: temporal misalignment for video frames and face transformations to simulate lip asymmetry observed in the target population. The model differentiates the left and right image representations to assess asymmetry. We evaluated our model on 146 images of patients with repaired cleft lip.

Results

The deep learning model trained with face transformations categorized patient images into five asymmetry levels, achieving a weighted accuracy of 75% and a Pearson correlation of 0.31 with medical expert human evaluations. The model utilizing temporal misalignment achieved a weighted accuracy of 69% and a Pearson correlation of 0.27 for the same classification task.

Conclusions

We propose an automated approach for assessing lip asymmetry in patients with repaired cleft lip by transforming facial images of control subjects to train a deep learning model, eliminating manual anatomical landmarks. Our promising results provide a more efficient and objective tool for evaluating surgical outcomes.
Investor Learning in Crowdfunded Supply Chain Finance Markets
Authors: Xiao Shengsheng , Ho Yi-Chun (Chad) , Zhou Zhijin , Tan Yong , Zhang Mingrui
Published: January 2025

Crowdfunded Supply Chain Finance (SCF) represents a novel market design that transforms financial flows within the SCF paradigm. It enables crowd investors to serve as financers, lending vital working capital to suppliers facing liquidity problems. A distinctive feature of this market is the mandatory involvement of loan guarantors, which facilitates repeated interactions between investors and fundraisers, potentially fostering investor learning. To understand how such learning dynamics shape investor decision-making, we develop a Bayesian learning model that conceptualizes investor perceptions of guarantor reliability as a subjective attitude underlying the perceived risk of a loan listing. The model posits that investors can learn about a guarantor's reliability through a series of scheduled repayments involving the same guarantor over time. We consider investor decision-making a joint process comprising two interdependent components: (a) the incidence decision of whether to invest and (b) the amount decision of how much to invest. Our results reveal that investor perceptions of guarantor reliability play a crucial role in shaping both decisions, albeit in distinct ways. While perceived reliability exerts a positive, monotonic effect on amount decisions, its impact on incidence decisions follows an inverted U-shaped pattern. Furthermore, perceived reliability attenuates the positive effect of loan interest rates on both decisions, suggesting that the appeal of higher returns diminishes as investors’ reliability perceptions increase. A posterior analysis further shows that offering high interest rates may become counterproductive when perceived reliability is sufficiently high. These findings provide actionable implications for platform designers and participants in crowdfunded SCF markets.
Suspected Stonefish Envenomation in Reunion Island: 15 Years Later
Authors: Renson Louis , Maillet François , Bonnet Corentin
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Although marine envenomations are a reason for consultation in tropical emergency departments, stonefish stings are particularly feared. Immediate management focuses on pain control, whereas late management addresses cutaneous complications. This study presents a new series and compares the management of these patients and their outcomes at our center over the past 20 years.

Methods

This study presents a new series of 53 patients treated between 2016 and 2020 at the South Hospital of the University Hospital Center of Réunion following a sting attributed to the stonefish. We compared this new series with a previous series of patients treated at the same center for the same reason between 2001 and 2005.

Results

The series are comparable. Regarding early management, the use of regional anesthesia was more frequent (47 vs 3.5%). Half the patients received a strong opioid. Prescription of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids persisted. Exposure to a heat source remained common. Prophylactic antibiotics were prescribed more frequently (64 vs 35%) and more uniformly with amoxicillin/clavulanate. Regarding late management, the average duration of hospitalization decreased (1.8 vs 2.6 d). Cutaneous complications were less frequent (9 vs 25%). No patient managed with regional anesthesia presented cutaneous complications.

Conclusions

The management of patients in Réunion following Scorpaenidae stings has evolved over time. Regional anesthesia has become more widespread, and the prescription of probabilistic preventive antibiotic therapy is more homogeneous. These changes are associated with a shorter hospital stay and fewer cutaneous complications.
On the representation of solutions and the propagation of plane waves under strain gradient theory with dual-phase-lag thermoelasticity
Authors: Prasad Rashmi , Kumar Roushan
Published: January 2025

The present work concerns the size-dependent thermoelasticity with the dual-phase-lag model proposed by Chandrasekharaiah and Tzou. In the first part, we study the Galerkin-type representation of the solution of the field equations. Then, we find the fundamental solutions for the steady vibrations of the field equations. In the second part, we analyze the effect of the strain gradient length parameter on the propagation of plane harmonic waves with assigned frequency in an infinite space. We derive the exact dispersion relation solutions for the longitudinal plane waves. Several characterizations of the wave fields, like phase velocity, specific loss, and penetration depth, are obtained. Numerical results are presented to show the strain gradient length parameter effect on the wave field. The validity of numerical findings of different characterization works has been deduced, and a comparison is made with some earlier work. Some limiting cases are also noted and discussed.
Who Uses Project Labor Agreements?
Authors: Conner Kevin , Philips Peter
Published: January 2025

This is the first comprehensive study of the adoption of project labor agreements on public works. Using data for about 450,000 California public projects (2012–2023), we find that PLAs are adapted to larger projects, more likely to be combined with design-build procurement, more likely to be adopted in wealthier counties with larger economies, more likely to be adopted by larger procurement agencies, are adopted during procyclical upswings, and along with design-build, PLAs are more likely to be adopted in more Democratic-leaning counties. Except for very large projects, PLAs are not combined with leased-back arrangements, which are more likely to be adopted in Republican-leaning counties. The prevalence of PLAs, design-build, and leased-back arrangements rises with project size, while traditional low-bid contracts and job-orders are more likely on smaller jobs. However, PLAs are more commonly found in combination with traditional low-bid contracts and job-orders projects when those projects are unusually large.
Cognitive Inconsistency in Travel Risk Perception: A Behavioral Economics Perspective
Authors: Nam Yoonyoung , Yang Yang
Published: January 2025

This study explores travel risk perception through the lens of behavioral economics, focusing on the concept of cognitive inconsistency, wherein individuals concurrently hold varying perceptions based on their distinct social identities (e.g., as either residents or tourists). Using data from a multi-wave national survey, we identify significant intra-personal inconsistencies in travel risk perception, driven by past travel experience and immediate plans, which independently shape tourists’ social identity and increase inconsistency in their travel risk perceptions. This inconsistency in perception significantly influences travel-related decisions, with individuals more likely to modify their travel plans to alleviate the discomfort arising from conflicting risk assessments. This study underscores the pivotal role of behavioral economics in advancing understanding in the tourism literature, highlighting its advantages in capturing the nuanced dynamics of perception.
Tourist Uncertainty Premium for Intra-Destination Public Transport: A Context-Specific Hybrid Choice Model
Authors: Ni Xinyue , Wang Dan , Qiu Richard T.R. , Li Hui
Published: January 2025

Limited attention has been paid to intra-destination transportation in tourism research, particularly the incorporation of contextual factors into tourist transport choices. Taking Hong Kong as an illustrative case, this research adopts a mixed-method approach involving on-site interviews and choice modeling to investigate the facilitating and inhibiting determinants for public transport decisions, and to describe tourist attribute trade-offs across diverse transport scenarios. The results reveal that, apart from typical modal attributes, tourist intolerance for transport uncertainty hinders public transport adoption, resulting in a sizable average “uncertainty premium.” This issue is especially serious among female and highly educated tourists. The proposed context-specific hybrid choice model provides a template for urban tourism destinations to validate and quantify the impact of tourist uncertainty intolerance in intra-destination transport decision-making.
Safety and efficacy of a modified suprachoroidal silicone tube shunt implant in primary open angle and pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma
Authors: Labauri Nikoloz , Mamageishvili Tekla , Vachiberidze Ana , Zalinian Monika , Svanadze Lika , Sabanadze Luka , Huseynov Orkhan , Sulkhanishvili Tamar , Labauri Maka , Shakarashvili Marine , Omiadze Mikheil , Solberg Yoram
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To assess the safety and efficacy of a modified suprachoroidal silicone tube (SST) shunt in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma (PXG) in this experimental study.

Methods

In this single-center, retrospective longitudinal data analysis 66 eyes of 59 patients having POAG and PXG were included and treated with modified SST shunt in combination with cataract or as a stand-alone procedure. Pre- and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), C/D ratio and ocular adverse events (AEs) were assessed in all participants.

Results

The average follow-up period was 18.56 ± 7.93 months. Mean baseline IOP reduced from 27.02 ± 5.43 mmHg to 13.23 ± 3.70 mmHg ( p < 0.001). Mean number of ocular hypotensive medications reduced from 3.17 ± 0.89 to 1.83 ± 1.44 ( p < 0.001). BCVA remained stable in 49 eyes (74.2%) throughout the follow-up period. Mean baseline BCVA of 0.73 ± 0.27 slightly declined to 0.68 ± 0.30 at the final follow-up ( p < 0.001). Three adverse events of special interest (AESI) were observed hypotonic maculopathy, anterior chamber inflammation with pupillary membranes, and macular edema. None of these events was related to the SST shunt. Other complications such as intra and early postoperative hyphema in 3 and tube-iris contact causing slight corectopia in 2 cases were noted.

Conclusions

The surgical technique and device studied in this work demonstrated a good safety profile and signal of efficacy. This device may serve as a bridge between minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) and conventional filtering or episcleral tube shunt surgeries. A larger scale prospective trial is planned.
Resistify: A Novel NLR Classifier That Reveals Helitron-Associated NLR Expansion in Solanaceae
Authors: Smith Moray , Jones John T , Hein Ingo
Published: January 2025

Nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins are a key component of the plant innate immune system. In plant genomes, NLRs exhibit considerable presence/absence variation and sequence diversity. Recent advances in sequencing technologies have made the generation of high-quality novel plant genome assemblies considerably more straightforward. Accurately identifying NLRs from these genomes is a prerequisite for improving our understanding of NLRs and identifying novel sources of disease resistance. While several tools have been developed to predict NLRs, they are hampered by low accuracy, speed, and availability. Here, the NLR annotation tool Resistify is presented. Resistify is an easy-to-use, rapid, and accurate tool to identify and classify NLRs from protein sequences. Applying Resistify to the RefPlantNLR database demonstrates that it can correctly identify NLRs from a diverse range of species. Applying Resistify in combination with tools to identify transposable elements to a panel of Solanaceae genomes reveals a previously undescribed association between NLRs and Helitron transposable elements.
‘I take to the streets because you have to listen to me!’ Latin American women protesting in Europe
Authors: Sundström Satu
Published: January 2025

‘A rapist on your path’ is a performance created by Las Tesis in Chile in 2019. The performance spread across the world and was performed by other groups of women in different countries. It is a rare example of a Southern-born protest making its way to Western contexts. This article highlights the role of women of Latin American origin in organising the re-creations of the performance and analyses their activism in two European cities, Helsinki and Brussels. It is argued that performing in the streets was about spreading the message of the performance and an act of solidarity with activists in Chile. The performance also enabled the performing groups to gain visibility and voice and to network with other groups. Performing in the streets was also a way of breaking away from the Western feminism entrenched in institutions and the academia, and to critically assess Western feminist approaches. Feminist protesting on the streets targets patriarchal structures as the root cause of gender-based violence. Spreading Southern perceptions on the streets of European cities challenges understandings of feminism as entrenched in the academy and in institutions and instead, opens feminist debates to all.
Rationalities of conspiracy theories: A Weberian analysis of Turkish parliamentary debates
Authors: Nefes Türkay Salim
Published: January 2025

Parliaments are settings where conspiracy theories can easily cause significant and lasting impacts. Despite this, there is a scarcity of academic literature on how conspiracy theories are utilised in parliaments. This study addresses this gap by examining how political parties in Turkey use and respond to conspiracy theories through an analysis of parliamentary debates. It employs the qualitative content analysis method, appropriate for the open-ended and exploratory nature of this inquiry. The investigation is guided by Weberian theory, which categorises types of thinking, to delineate the rationalities political parties use to interpret conspiracy theories. The findings indicate that Turkish political parties deploy conspiracy theories instrumentally to advance their agendas and discredit opponents. The research concludes that conspiracy theories are a regular and essential aspect of mainstream politics in Turkey, used pragmatically by political actors, rather than as marginal phenomena employed by extremists.
Bodily Movements in Video Game Practice: A Phenomenological Analysis of Digital Virtuality
Authors: Wang Qian
Published: January 2025

In this article, I will present Merleau-Ponty’s idea of embodiment and apply it to demonstrate two attributes of the on-screen virtual world, which suggest that the videogaming situation is projected in a contextual sense and flattened in a spatial sense. According to Merleau-Ponty, humans are primordially situated body subjects taking up the world in and through movement. He views bodily movements as correlated and solicited by situations that the body subject encounters. Building on this, I argue that, because of the projected and flattened videogaming situation, playing video games always involves an abstract attitude; and it always involves a determined and constrained pattern of bodily movements in the present, as well as limited possibilities for future movement development.
Dosimetric and Radiobiological Impact of Patient Setup Errors in Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Cai Jia-Huan , Peng Xun , Lu Jia-Yang
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To evaluate the impact of patient setup errors on the dosimetry and radiobiological models of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for esophageal cancer.

Methods and materials

This retrospective study with 56 patients in thermoplastic mask (TM) and vacuum bag (VB) groups utilized real setup-error (RSE) data from cone-beam CT scans to generate simulated setup-error (SSE) data following a normal distribution. The SSE data were applied to simulate all treatment fractions per patient by shifting the plan isocenter and recalculating the dose. A simulated plan sum (SPS) was created by accumulating all simulated fraction plans. Comparisons of target dose, improved homogeneity index (iHI), conformity index (CI), tumor control probability (TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) were conducted between SPSs and original treatment plans (OTPs). Correlations between RSE and TCP/NTCP were analyzed.

Results

Compared to OTPs in the TM group, the planning target volume (PTV) of SPSs showed reductions in D95%, D98%, iHI, CI and TCP by 1.2%, 2.2%, 2.3%, 7.3% and 1.2%, while D2% increased by 0.3%; D2% of clinical target volume (CTV) increased by 0.2% ( P < .05). In the VB group, D95%, D98%, iHI, CI and TCP of PTV decreased by 2.5%, 4.5%, 4.2%, 15.6% and 2.0%, with D2% increasing by 0.5%; D2% of CTV increased by 0.5% while D98% decreased by 0.2% ( P < .05). The dose of organs at risk (OARs) changed slightly in both groups. The mean and standard deviation of absolute RSE negatively correlated with the TCP of PTV, while the mean RSE positively correlated with the NTCP of lung and spinal cord.

Conclusions

Setup errors may reduce dose homogeneity and conformity, potentially reducing TCP of PTV and increasing NTCP, especially when mean RSE shifts the isocenter towards OARs. VB immobilization may result in relatively larger impacts of setup errors, but this needs future validation.
The time course of cognitive effort during disrupted speech
Authors: Burleson Andrew M , Souza Pamela E
Published: January 2025

Listeners often find themselves in scenarios where speech is disrupted, misperceived, or otherwise difficult to recognise. In these situations, many individuals report exerting additional effort to understand speech, even when repairing speech may be difficult or impossible. This investigation aimed to characterise cognitive efforts across time during both sentence listening and a post-sentence retention interval by observing the pupillary response of participants with normal to borderline-normal hearing in response to two interrupted speech conditions: sentences interrupted by gaps of silence or bursts of noise. The pupillary response serves as a measure of the cumulative resources devoted to task completion. Both interruption conditions resulted in significantly greater levels of pupil dilation than the uninterrupted speech condition. Just prior to the end of a sentence, trials periodically interrupted by bursts of noise elicited greater pupil dilation than the silent-interrupted condition. Compared to the uninterrupted condition, both interruption conditions resulted in increased dilation after sentence end but before repetition, possibly reflecting sustained processing demands. Understanding pupil dilation as a marker of cognitive effort is important for clinicians and researchers when assessing the additional effort exerted by listeners with hearing loss who may use cochlear implants or hearing aids. Even when successful perceptual repair is unlikely, listeners may continue to exert increased effort when processing misperceived speech, which could cause them to miss upcoming speech or may contribute to heightened listening fatigue.