bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ready (for love) or not? Self and other perceptions of commitment readiness and associations with attachment orientations
Authors: Yang Hyewon , Weidmann Rebekka , Purol Mariah F. , Ackerman Robert A. , Lucas Richard E. , Chopik William J.
Published: February 2025

Commitment readiness – feeling ready to be in a committed relationship – is conducive to romantic relationship initiation and maintenance. Further, friends’ perceptions of whether someone is ready might constrain the opportunities afforded to individuals, and these perceptions may be shaped by how people navigate a romantic relationship, namely, attachment orientation. Hence, we examined the overlap of self and other perceptions of commitment readiness and whether those perceived as insecurely attached were also perceived as not ready for commitment. Persons in groups ( N = 193) consisting of four friends each ( N = 772) rated themselves and their friends on commitment readiness and attachment orientations. Using a bivariate social relations model, we found strong self-other agreement on commitment readiness. We also found that people perceived as higher in attachment avoidance and anxiety were seen as not as ready for commitment. Finally, people’s judgments of their own commitment readiness were associated with how they judged their friends’ commitment readiness (i.e., assumed similarity). Implications about the consequences of interpersonal judgments among friends are discussed.
Improving power system performance by integrating TCSC and SVC devices in the presence of stochastic renewable energy generators
Authors: Benhabsa Imadeddine , Kouadri Ramzi , Slimani Linda , Mouassa Souhil
Published: February 2025

This paper investigates the application of advanced metaheuristic algorithms Blood-Sucking Leech Optimizer (BSLO), Bonobo Optimizer (BO), and Electric Eel Foraging Optimization (EEFO) to solve the optimal power flow (OPF) problem with stochastic renewable energy generators (REGs), specifically photovoltaic power generators (PVGs) and wind power generators (WGs). Two scenarios are examined: Scenario 1 evaluates the proposed algorithms performance without Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS), focusing on minimizing Total Generation Cost (TGC), Active Power Loss (APL), and a combined objective of TGC and Emissions (TGCE). The TGC including both thermal and REG costs, in which the cost related to stochastic PV and wind power generation encompasses direct, reserve, and penalty costs due to overestimation and underestimation of available PV and wind power. Scenario 2 introduces the Thyristor-Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC) and the Static Var Compensator (SVC) to evaluate their impact on three objective functions. The performance of the algorithms is evaluated on a modified IEEE 30-bus system. The results show that the BSLO algorithm consistently achieves the best TGC, APL, and TGCE values at 781.1209 $/h, 1.9960 MW, and 810.7376 $/h, respectively. These outcomes highlight its effectiveness and competitive performance in the first scenario. The integration of FACTS devices in the second scenario results in a 6.73% reduction in APL with the insertion of TCSC, a 1.86% reduction with the insertion of SVC, and a 6.10% reduction with the insertion of both TCSC and SVC, compared to the APL value in the case without FACTS devices (1.9960 MW). The study comprehensively analyzes how different optimization techniques and FACTS devices enhance power system performance with stochastic REG integration.
Method for Identifying Homogeneous Periods to Evaluate Urban Travel Time Reliability
Authors: Costa Thiago Gonçalves da , Isler Cassiano Augusto , Bessa Júnior José Elievam
Published: February 2025

Travel time reliability influences drivers’ decisions in urban trips as they adapt to uncertainty levels of congestion. While measures of central tendency have traditionally characterized travel time reliability, recent research has expanded to consider alternative metrics for describing this feature of traffic flow. This paper proposes a method to determine time slots of homogeneous periods to assess travel time reliability with a case study on arterial streets of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The method comprises an initial data collection stage through an application programming interface (API) on selected street segments and a second stage to group periods into hourly time slots with homogeneous travel time distributions to calculate reliability metrics identified in an extensive literature review. The results refer to travel time reliability on streets in Belo Horizonte during different times of the day and days of the week, highlighting low reliability between 5 and 10 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday from the neighborhood to the downtown direction and between 4 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday from the downtown to the neighborhood direction.
Innovative buccal film delivery system for hypertension: Combining candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide
Authors: Tarawneh Ola , Kanan Aisha , Al-Zyoud Walid , Khanfar Mohammad , Hailat Mohammad , Alhusban Ala A. , Jaber Razan Abu
Published: February 2025

This study explores the development of buccal films as an innovative drug delivery system for hypertension management, combining candesartan cilexetil (CC) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Utilizing a solvent casting technique, films were prepared with various polymers, including PVA, PVP, and CMC Na, and enhanced with plasticizers to improve solubility and bioavailability. The films were evaluated for physicochemical and mechanical properties, disintegration time, and drug content uniformity. Results demonstrated that the films were visually uniform, with excellent folding endurance and a neutral pH. The formulation containing PVA, PVP, and CMC Na exhibited the fastest disintegration rate and superior bioadhesion. The use of Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) confirmed the miscibility of the drugs within the polymeric matrix, ensuring effective delivery. This novel formulation offers significant advantages by improving patient compliance and bypassing first-pass metabolism, presenting a promising alternative for hypertension treatment.
Do Survivor and Supporter Perceptions of Supporter Helpfulness and Social Reactions Affect Survivor PTSD Symptoms?
Authors: Ullman Sarah E.
Published: February 2025

Prior studies indicate that sexual assault survivor posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is influenced by the social reactions (e.g., belief and blame) and perceived helpfulness (e.g., empathy, effectiveness) of informal support providers (SPs; i.e., family, friends, and partners). This study examined how SPs’ social reactions and perceived helpfulness impacted female sexual assault survivor PTSD among an ethnically diverse sample of 432 pairs of sexual assault survivors and their SPs. Path models were run separately for survivors and SPs. In the survivor model, SP’s perceived ineffectiveness was significantly related to more unsupportive acknowledgment and turning against reactions, and perceived empathy was significantly related to more unsupportive acknowledgment reactions. Both turning against and unsupportive acknowledgment reactions were related to greater survivor PTSD. In the SP model, greater SP confusion about how to help the survivor was related to marginally less SP unsupportive acknowledgment and more turning against social reactions made to survivors. Greater SP empathy toward the survivor was also related to significantly less SP unsupportive acknowledgment and turning against social reactions. Finally, SP turning against social reactions was related to marginally more survivor PTSD symptoms. Results suggest that longitudinal research is needed to explore further how helping perceptions relate to survivor PTSD from both survivor and SP perspectives to inform informal support network interventions. Interventions to increase empathy toward sexual assault survivors and teach SPs how to avoid responding with negative social reactions are needed.
Tools of the data detective: A review of statistical methods to detect data and result anomalies in psychology
Authors: Crone Gabriel , Green Christopher D.
Published: February 2025

In psychology, it is largely assumed that researchers collect real data and analyze them honestly—that is, it is assumed that data fabrication seldom occurs. While data fabrication is a rare phenomenon, estimates suggest that it occurs frequently enough to be a concern. To this end, statistical tools have been created to detect and deter data fabrication. Often, these tools either assess raw data, or assess summary statistical information. However, very few studies have attempted to review these tools, and of those that have, certain tools were excluded. The purpose of the present study was to review a collection of existing statistical tools to detect data fabrication, assess their strengths and limitations, and consider their place in psychological practice. The major strengths of the tools included their comprehensiveness and rigor, while their limitations were in their stringent criteria to run and in that they were impractical to implement.
Between essence and diversity: Challenges for phenomenological Autism research
Authors: Hughes Emily , Ekdahl David , Boldsen Sofie
Published: February 2025

Written from the perspective of phenomenological philosophy, this article evaluates recent claims that phenomenology has an important contribution to make in redressing the lack of insight into Autistic lived experience. As a philosophical discipline concerned with describing, understanding, and interpreting subjective and intersubjective experience, phenomenology is theoretically well-placed to foreground first-person Autistic perspectives in Autism research. In this article, however, we raise concerns that extant phenomenological Autism research often struggles to break free from conceptual commitments that risk objectifying Autistic being-in-the-world as deficient and dysfunctional. If it is to take seriously the challenges posed by the neurodiversity paradigm, we suggest that phenomenological Autism research must adopt a critical approach that engages the diversity of Autistic lived experience. Informed by this theoretical perspective, we give a number of recommendations for future phenomenologically informed qualitative research of Autistic lived experience that is empathic and inclusive of Autistic ways of being, whilst actively working against the alienation of Autistic people.
Beyond Binaries: Gender-Based Violence Survivors Rethreading Embodied Healing and Redefining Accompaniment through Creative Feminist Resources and Processes
Authors: Dlamini Zamantshali
Published: February 2025

Gendered violence continues to affect girl children, women and LGBTQI+ persons, leaving psychological, spiritual and emotional memories. In the context of faith, systemic enablers justify and silence Black women and LGBTQI+ persons from voicing their agony. Among many struggles, stigma, discrimination and a sense of belonging are all associated with gender and sexuality. Though work done in the name of social justice gets applauded, pastoral care practices require attention. The phenomenal works of Inclusive and Affirming Ministries in collaboration with the University of KwaZulu-Natal through the Gender, Religion and Health programme are a case in point where knowledge production emerges from embodied facilitation. It provides continuous reflection in meaning-making on gender inequality and injustices that prevail in various systems. In doing this work, facilitators hold the space, formulating theological resources and reimagining accompaniment. This methodology creates room for vulnerability, engaging visual creativity, contextual Bible study, storytelling and art to illuminate the voices of survivors thus enhancing healing. This work goes beyond feminist liberation theologies. ‘Through our body knowing and trusting that knowing, entered a revolution, a passionate revolution, one that speaks as loudly of our engagement, and commitment and incarnation to valuing our bodies’. This article contributes to gender and religion scholarship, providing praxis as accompaniment beyond the borders of liberation theology. Through this type of pedagogy, a new praxis gives meaning to reflective work, enabling change and transformation. Second, this chapter underscores limitations in terms of structural work enabling voices of the gender-based violence survivors and those who face marginalization vulnerable to gendered violence. Third, the article contributes immensely to the feminist pastoral care landscape by creating space for deep listening, embodied sharing and art for healing, which is life-giving.
A Call to Action: Embracing Liberation Ecumenism in the Struggle Against Fundamentalism in Latin America
Authors: Tostes Angelica
Published: February 2025

This article aims to analyze the rise of fundamentalism in Latin America in recent decades and reflect on how reclaiming the roots of the region’s liberation ecumenism can serve as a crucial tool in combating this phenomenon. First, it examines how religious fundamentalism has been employed as a strategy of neocolonialism in the region. Next, the article explores how Liberation Ecumenism—an alliance between Christian churches and social movements—played a vital role in resisting dictatorships across Latin America. Through concrete examples, it demonstrates how this approach facilitated both the articulation and mobilization of social and political forces to fight authoritarian regimes, promote social justice, and defend human rights. The article then highlights recent initiatives by the Abya Yala Articulation, a movement that unites popular groups such as Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement with ecumenical centers like the Martin Luther King Center in Cuba and the Center for Education, Training, and Research for Peasants in Argentina. The Abya Yala Articulation seeks to propose concrete and collective actions to confront fundamentalisms, deepen the theoretical understanding of this phenomenon, and consolidate a group focused on international political and ecumenical coordination. Based on these reflections, the article aims to stimulate debate on the significance of Liberation Ecumenism in combating fundamentalism in Latin America and how this approach can contribute to the construction of a more just and equitable society in the region.
Liberating Justice: Interpreting Luke’s Parable of the Widow and the Judge in Light of Norm Theory and the Experience of Modern Women in Politics
Authors: Ellison Lauren
Published: February 2025

This article analyzes sociological underpinnings and implications of Luke’s parable of the widow and judge (Lk. 18.2-5) by reading it through the lens of norm theory. It uses the predicament of modern women politicians as norm violators within masculinized political spaces to shed light on the interaction between the widow and the judge. The judge, like male politicians interested in maintaining their privilege within normative structures, responds negatively to the widow’s display of agency. The widow, like today’s female politicians, is a “trendsetter,” a person who defies convention to spearhead new behavior. Her resistance to social sanctions models successful deviance and serves as an example to the parable’s audience of how to actively resist maladaptive social norms in order to shift society toward greater justice.
Incarnation, Dunamis & Entanglement: Is it Enough to Save the Planet?
Authors: Isherwood Lisa
Published: February 2025

I will examine a central doctrine of Christianity, incarnation, in the light of Catherine Keller’s theology of entanglement. I will argue that joining these two concepts together moves Christian theology beyond the idea of universal love. It grounds incarnation in the flesh and blood of all creation through the dunamis of which Jesus spoke which he said was the birthright of all. Dunamis draws us out towards others, while the notion of entanglement based in Paul’s idea of God being all in all, leads to a more personal enfleshed encounter with all that lives-human and nonhuman. Entanglement is the very ground of our being and the article will argue that by becoming more aware of this through touch and an open heart we can stop destroying our home and may even aid its renewed flourishing.
Rethinking Theological Anthropology From the Notion of Imago Trinitatis: Postcolonial and Feminist Insights
Authors: Cano Silvia Martinez
Published: February 2025

The cultural changes of the twenty-first century invite us to rethink the notion of the human person in light of the concerns of contemporary societies. The criticism directed at the dual and patriarchal anthropological paradigm calls for a dialogue with other theological formulations that envision the human being through other theoretical and practical lenses. In this article, I will first describe the anthropological turn of the last two decades. I will then discuss this turn from the standpoint of some emerging anthropological categories suggested by feminist and postcolonial approaches. Finally, I will relate the categories under discussion to theological anthropology, delving into the notion of imago trinitatis as a key concept for contemporary understandings of the human person.
Endurance and Ethical Considerations in the Everyday Within the Necropolitical Realms of Northeast India: An Examination Through Literature
Authors: Baburaj Athira , Pannikot Dhishna
Published: February 2025

Political mobilization for homelands within the Northeast Indian context frequently culminates in the emergence of opposition and the creation of antagonistic ethnic militias by groups fearing marginalization. The state and security forces sometimes further provoke these militias, making political violence inevitable. This raises critical concerns about how ordinary people survive in these conflict-ridden ‘necro zones’. This study aims to elucidate resilience and survival strategies in the necropolitical landscapes of Northeast India, as depicted in contemporary literature. It focuses on how individuals and communities in conflict zones navigate life amidst violence, using Veena Das’s concept of ‘ordinary ethics’ to analyse the portrayal of human endurance in the select novels for study, Veio Pou’s Waiting for the Dust to Settle (2020) and Mitra Phukan’s The Collector’s Wife (2005). These narratives reveal the daily moral negotiations and relationships that underpin survival in such adversarial environments. The research underscores the role of literature in showcasing the interplay between systemic violence and the moral fabric of everyday life, arguing that ordinary experiences in these regions are profound sites for moral development and world-remaking in the face of necropolitical terror.
Dual jeopardy for Indian service users: Qualitative study of managing comorbid schizophrenia and diabetes mellitus
Authors: Pavagada Rajendra , Ko Kitty S. W. , Lai Simon , Zeng Irene , Sanchez Denisse , Ng Lillian
Published: February 2025

Objective

Diabetes mellitus is a sequelae of antipsychotic medication in people of Indian descent with schizophrenia. The Indian socio-cultural context amplifies challenges of managing chronic illness. The aim of this study was to explore Indian mental health service users’ perspectives of managing comorbid psychosis and diabetes mellitus, specifically culture-related difficulties.

Methods

In this exploratory study, people with an Indian cultural background recruited from community mental health clinics were interviewed by an Indian psychiatrist using a semi-structured questionnaire. Interviews were professionally transcribed. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop central organising concepts and identify themes.

Results

Four themes were identified: culture-specific views on comorbidity, preferences for tailoring education to Indian language and culture, changes in interpersonal relationships within extended family and relationships with healthcare professionals. Advice from hospital services was not specific to Indian culture and there were wider impacts of illness for wider family.

Conclusion

Indian New Zealanders have challenges in managing dual mental and physical illnesses. Further research is needed to develop approaches to care that emphasise service users’ culture as core to understanding illness and treatment. This includes consideration of gender roles, families, communities, food, language, lifestyle and barriers to treatment.
Conspiracy and Antisemitism in Contemporary Political Attitudes
Authors: Lewis Jacob S.
Published: February 2025

The rise of populist politics around the world has been accompanied by a startling growth of mainstream conspiracy theorizing and antisemitism. Yet, while conspiracy, antisemitism, and populist politics seem to be related, we have little information about the causal relationships between them. Plausible explanations can link any of these three factors to one another in any configuration of causal relationships. In this exploratory research, I employ a series of experimental methods to begin teasing out these relationships while sketching the contours of the broader societal story. Drawing from multiple pre-registered survey experiments conducted in the United States and the United Kingdom, I find strong mutually reinforcing relationships between antisemitism and conspiracy theorizing. Among supporters of Joe Biden in 2020, I find evidence that exposure to conspiracies increases perceptions of Jewish political and economic power. And among supporters of Donald Trump in 2020, I find that exposure to benign vignettes about Jews increases conspiratorial thinking.
Enabling Conditions for Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation in the Guinean Forests of West Africa: Evidence From Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Guinea
Authors: Huggins Chris , Bishwajit Ghose
Published: February 2025

This article presents findings of the baseline survey for the project “Nature-based solutions for climate adaptation in the Guinean forests of West Africa” in the context of relevant legal, policy, institutional, and gender equity issues in six biodiverse and climate-change sensitive areas in three countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Guinea. Quantitative and qualitative data suggests that there are differences between the perceptions and/or experiences of male and female actors of many aspects of nature-based climate adaptation, such as perceptions of vulnerability to climate change, levels of participation of women in planning and implementing climate adaptation and reforestation activities, and knowledge of the concept of biodiversity. The data suggests that statutory and customary laws and local norms generally support women’s rights to actively participate in nature-based solutions such as agroforestry, although there are challenges in ensuring that women are fully involved in planning such activities, and benefit fully from them.
EXPRESS: Unlocking the Immune Puzzle: T Cell exhaustion in cirrhosis and implication for immunotherapy
Authors: Yadav Geeta , Goel Amit , Kumar Manish , Malhotra Hardeep , Katiyar Harshita , dandu Himanshu
Published: February 2025

Background: Cirrhosis, an advanced stage of liver diseases, induces Cirrhosis-Associated Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CAIDS) characterized by both innate and adaptive immune dysfunction. Inflammation triggered by factors such as alcohol, viruses, toxins, and cholesterol induce metabolic reprogramming of both innate and adaptive immune cells. Our study specifically sought to investigate the compromised adaptive immune response in cirrhosis by focusing on assessing T-cell exhaustion and activation markers on helper and cytotoxic T cells.
Method: A prospective observational study involving 19 liver cirrhosis patients and 36 healthy controls was conducted. Hepatic decompensation degree was assessed using various parameters including serum bilirubin, albumin, international normalized ratio, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. T cell activation (CD38, CD44, CD69, HLADR), and exhaustion markers (CTLA-4, PD-1, TIM-3, LAG-3) were assessed on helper and cytotoxic T cells by flow cytometry.
Result: Cirrhosis patients showed reduced T cells with no alteration in CD4:CD8 T cell ratio. Among activation markers, HLADR showed increased expression on CD8+ T cells (P=0.031). Regarding exhaustion markers LAG-3 and TIM-3 exhibited increased expression in cirrhotic patients compared to controls in both CD4 and CD8 T cells (P=0.004, P=0.016, P=0.001, P=0.004, respectively). Neither cirrhotic nor healthy controls showed CTLA expression. PD-1 did not differ significantly between the two groups. Co-expression of PD-1/TIM-3 on CD8+ T cells was notably higher in cirrhotic patients (P<0.002).
Conclusion: The observation of impaired adaptive immunity with notable T cell exhaustion and activation in cirrhosis underscores the potential relevance of immunotherapy.
A qualitative exploration into the lived experiences of females with a gastrointestinal condition
Authors: Dent Elizabeth , Davinson Nicola , Wilkie Stephanie , Stevens Diane
Published: February 2025

Research typically addresses the experiences of those with gastrointestinal (GI) conditions using quantitative methods, even though qualitative exploration of lived experiences could provide valuable knowledge for health and policy stakeholders. The study explored the lived experiences of eight females with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using semi-structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) identified five themes: negative emotional experiences, coping with daily life, a barrier in daily life, lived experiences of remission and lack of awareness: better informing others of GI conditions. Themes suggested complex experiences of those living with IBS or IBD, with embarrassment, negatively affected romantic relationships, and a general lack of awareness of these conditions, ameliorated by forging the experience of positive aspects including strong social networks, remission as a period of relief, and finding adaptive coping strategies.
Social innovation in the making: Action research on relationship building and role understanding in the co-development of a Participatory Guarantee System in Argentina
Authors: Frank Markus , Amoroso Mariano Martin , Kaufmann Brigitte
Published: February 2025

Social innovation (SI) is gaining attention to explore how multistakeholder initiatives create new social practices for local food system development. Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) is a group-based certification scheme for sustainable farming, comprising new social practices that require changes in relationships and roles. Research highlights potentials of PGS to produce SI; however, without providing insights into the innovation process, needed to learn how relationship and role building occur and how SI can be facilitated through action research. We addressed these gaps in a four-year action research that co-developed a PGS in Argentina. The overall aim of studying relationship and role building required to establish PGS was operationalized by i) analysing ambitions for change of relationships of involved groups; ii) examining how relationship building evolved and how it was facilitated; and iii) exploring changes in role understanding and performance. Therein, we reflected on how action research can enhance SI and transformation in local food system development. The processual analysis showed that SI was facilitated when narratives of change were shared across stakeholder environments and a socially constructed facilitation mandate was created. Critical role reflection was stimulated, while performance was constrained when individual benefits were uncertain, underscoring the need to elaborate on role expectations in the initiation phase.
EXPRESS: A generative approach to extrapolate word concreteness ratings
Authors: Wang Tianqi , Xu Xu
Published: February 2025

A wealth of psycholinguistic and clinical research is supported by normative ratings of lexicosemantic properties, e.g., word concreteness, word valence, age-of-acquisition, etc. Collecting such ratings for a sufficiently large number of words is however notoriously labor-intensive. This study utilized the mixture density network (MDN), a generative approach, to implement a computational expansion of the concreteness ratings for simplified Chinese words. Based on different word embeddings, the MDN was trained to generate the probability density of a word’s trial-level ratings, allowing us to predict not only the word’s mean concreteness rating (con.mean), but also the potential variability (con.var) in people’s perceptions about the word’s concreteness. The resulting estimates were shown to largely converge with human ratings in both central tendency and variability, and to precisely reflect the important representational features of the construct. Apart from these internal validations, we also examined the contributions of con.mean to Chinese lexical processing. The results revealed the concreteness effect on event-related potentials associated with visual word recognition. To assist and enhance future research, we released the extrapolated concreteness ratings, along with degrees of variability, for over 78,000 Chinese words in the Open Science Framework.
Impact of antimicrobial stewardship interventions on post-elective caesarean antibiotic prophylaxis and surgical site infections
Authors: Seah Valerie Xue Fen , Ong Rina Yue Ling , Poh Cedric Wei Ming , Kam Kai Qian , Siraj Shahul Hameed Mohamed , Thoon Koh Cheng
Published: February 2025

Background

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) aim to improve appropriate antimicrobial use but few studies have described its impact on unique population such as obstetrics. Post-operative antibiotics are unnecessary especially in those without surgical site infections (SSI) risk factors (e.g., obesity).

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of ASP interventions on post-elective caesarean (eLSCS) oral antibiotic prophylaxis rates and patient outcomes.

Methods

This pre-post quasi-experimental study was conducted over 18 months (2 months pre- and 16 months post-intervention) in all women admitted for eLSCS in our institution. Interventions included eLSCS surgical prophylaxis guideline dissemination and post-eLSCS oral antibiotics was actively discouraged in those without SSI risk factors. This was followed by ASP intervention notes (phase 1) for 3 months, contacting the ward team for the next 7 months (phase 2) and subsequently the primary obstetrics attending in Phase 3 (next 6 months). The primary outcome was post-operative oral antibiotics prescription rates, and secondary outcomes included 30-day post-operative SSI rates.

Results

A total of 1751 women was reviewed. Appropriateness of pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis was 99%. There were 244 (13.9%) women pre-intervention and 1507 (86.1%) post-intervention. Post-eLSCS antibiotic prescribing rates reduced significantly post-intervention (200, 82% vs 705, 46.8%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in SSI rates pre-post intervention (2, 0.8% vs 28, 1.9%, p = 0.420). There was also no significant difference in SSI rates among those who received post-operative oral antibiotics compared to those without (1.9%, 17 of 905 vs 1.5%, 13 of 846, p = 0.582).

Conclusions

ASP interventions can reduce unnecessary post-eLSCS antibiotic prophylaxis use without adversely impacting patient safety.
Mobile learning in German as a foreign language teaching using learning apps in university preparatory programs
Authors: Başbağı Recep Ragıp , Aybulut Rabia
Published: February 2025

Digital learning has undergone a major transformation in recent years, so that various digital application content (apps) can now be used on mobile devices for learning foreign languages. As a result, the use of digitalized applications has gained a location- and time-independent dimension in foreign language learning. After a reflection on the historical development of e-learning is presented, the importance of learning apps for education in Turkey will be discussed. A lesson plan will be designed and shown using digitalized apps such as Mentimeter, Blogger and Kahoot. Finally, the relevance of further research in the field of mobile learning will be pointed out with the assumption that future empirical findings from practical teaching (could) contribute to various innovations on smartphones.
Building ADMISSION – A research collaborative to transform understanding of multiple long-term conditions for people admitted to hospital
Authors: Witham Miles D , Bartle Victoria , Bellass Sue , Bunn Jonathan G , Cartner Duncan , Cordell Heather J , Doal Rominique , Evison Felicity , Gallier Suzy , Harris Steve , Hillman Susan J , Holding Ray , Leroux Peta , Marshall Tom , Matthews Fiona E , Missier Paolo , Nair Anand , Osman Mo , Pearson Ewan R , Plummer Chris , Pretorius Sara , Richardson Sarah J , Robinson Sian M , Sapey Elizabeth , Scharf Thomas , Shah Rupal , Shahmandi Marzieh , Singer Mervyn , Suklan Jana , Wason James MS , Cooper Rachel , Sayer Avan A
Published: February 2025

Background

Multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs; commonly referred to as multimorbidity) are highly prevalent among people admitted to hospital and are therefore of critical importance to hospital-based healthcare systems. To date, most research on MLTCs has been conducted in primary care or the general population with comparatively little work undertaken in the hospital setting.

Purpose

To describe the rationale and content of ADMISSION: a four-year UK Research and Innovation and National Institute of Health and Care Research funded interdisciplinary programme that seeks, in partnership with public contributors, to transform care for people living with MLTCs admitted to hospital.

Research design

Based across five UK academic centres, ADMISSION combines expertise in clinical medicine, epidemiology, informatics, computing, biostatistics, social science, genetics and care pathway mapping to examine patterns of conditions, mechanisms, consequences and pathways of care for people with MLTCs admitted to hospital.

Data collection

The programme uses routinely collected electronic health record data from large UK teaching hospitals, population-based cohort data from UK Biobank and routinely collected blood samples from The Scottish Health Research Register and Biobank (SHARE). These approaches are complemented by focused qualitative work exploring the perspectives of healthcare professionals and the lived experience of people with MLTCs admitted to hospital.

Conclusion

ADMISSION will provide the necessary foundations to develop novel ways to prevent and treat MLTCs and their consequences in people admitted to hospital and to improve care systems and the quality of care for this underserved group.
A Preamble to Prevention of Adolescent Substance Use: Pediatric Resident Screening for Caregiver Substance Use
Authors: Calihan Jessica B. , Jinks-Chang Samara , Mark Tiffany , Alinsky Rachel , Adger Hoover , Matson Pamela A.
Published: February 2025

Background:

Caregiver problematic substance use (SU) is a common adverse childhood experience that is associated with the development of SU disorders in adolescence and poor health outcomes. Most pediatricians do not currently screen for caregiver SU, missing an opportunity to provide targeted prevention counseling to at-risk youth and their families. The objective of this study was to assess whether pediatric residents’ screening-related competencies, beliefs, and training were associated with current screening practices and/or preparedness to screen in the future.

Methods:

Baseline surveys from a quality improvement initiative to increase screening for household SU in pediatric primary care were e-mailed to all pediatric residents at an academic medical center. Surveys assessed residents’ current screening practices, preparedness to screen in the future, screening-related competencies, receipt of SU training, beliefs about screening, perceived caregiver acceptability of screening, and stigma about caregiver SU.

Results:

Residents agreed screening for household SU is a pediatrician’s responsibility and beneficial for patients and families, yet only 5% universally screened. Preparedness to screen in the future was positively associated with reported screening-related competencies and receipt of training on SU screening during residency.

Conclusions:

Most residents did not universally screen for household SU, thereby missing opportunities for targeted secondary prevention of adolescent SU. Trained residents who reported competence in addressing families’ concerns were more likely to feel prepared to screen in the future, suggesting education that addresses caring for affected families, reviews available resources, and improves pediatrician confidence may be particularly impactful.
Genome-wide association mapping and genomic prediction analyses reveal the genetic architecture of grain yield and agronomic traits under drought and optimum conditions in maize
Authors: Amadu Manigben Kulai , Beyene Yoseph , Chaikam Vijay , Tongoona Pangirayi B. , Danquah Eric Y. , Ifie Beatrice E. , Burgueno Juan , Prasanna Boddupalli M. , Gowda Manje
Published: February 2025

Background

Drought is a major abiotic stress in sub-Saharan Africa, impacting maize growth and development leading to severe yield loss. Drought tolerance is a complex trait regulated by multiple genes, making direct grain yield selection ineffective. To dissect the genetic architecture of grain yield and flowering traits under drought stress, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on a panel of 236 maize lines testcrossed and evaluated under managed drought and optimal growing conditions in multiple environments using seven multi-locus GWAS models (mrMLM, FASTmrMLM, FASTmrEMMA, pLARmEB, pKWmEB, ISIS EM-BLASSO, and FARMCPU) from mrMLM and GAPIT R packages. Genomic prediction with RR-BLUP model was applied on BLUEs across locations under optimum and drought conditions.

Results

A total of 172 stable and reliable quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) were identified, of which 77 are associated with GY, AD, SD, ASI, PH, EH, EPO and EPP under drought and 95 are linked to GY, AD, SD, ASI, PH, EH, EPO and EPP under optimal conditions. Among these QTNs, 17 QTNs explained over 10% of the phenotypic variation (R

2
 ≥ 10%). Furthermore, 43 candidate genes were discovered and annotated. Two major candidate genes, Zm00001eb041070 closely associated with grain yield near peak QTN, qGY_DS1.1 (S1_216149215) and Zm00001eb364110 closely related to anthesis-silking interval near peak QTN, qASI_DS8.2 (S8_167256316) were identified, encoding AP2-EREBP transcription factor 60 and TCP-transcription factor 20, respectively under drought stress. Haplo-pheno analysis identified superior haplotypes for qGY_DS1.1 (S1_216149215) associated with the higher grain yield under drought stress. Genomic prediction revealed moderate to high prediction accuracies under optimum and drought conditions.

Conclusion

The lines carrying superior haplotypes can be used as potential donors in improving grain yield under drought stress. Integration of genomic selection with GWAS results leads not only to an increase in the prediction accuracy but also to validate the function of the identified candidate genes as well increase in the accumulation of favorable alleles with minor and major effects in elite breeding lines. This study provides valuable insight into the genetic architecture of grain yield and secondary traits under drought stress.
Comparison of airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) versus biphasic positive airway pressure (BIPAP) ventilation in COVID-19 associated ARDS using transpulmonary pressure monitoring
Authors: Stoll Sandra Emily , Leupold Tobias , Drinhaus Hendrik , Dusse Fabian , Böttiger Bernd W. , Mathes Alexander
Published: February 2025

Background

APRV has been used for ARDS in the past. Little is known about the risk of ventilator- induced lung- injury (VILI) in APRV vs. BIPAP in the management of in COVID19-associated ARDS (CARDS). This study aimed to compare transpulmonary pressures (TPP) in APRV vs. BIPAP in CARDS in regard to lung protective ventilator settings.

Methods

This retrospective, monocentric cohort study (ethical approval: 21-1553) assessed all adult ICU- patients with CARDS who were ventilated with BIPAP vs. APRV and monitored with TPP from 03/2020 to 10/2021. Ventilator-settings / -pressures, TPP, hemodynamic and arterial blood gas parameters were compared in both modes.

Results

20 non- spontaneously breathing patients could be included in the study: Median TPPendexpiratory was lower / negative in APRV (-1.20mbar; IQR − 4.88 / +4.53) vs. positive in BIPAP (+ 3.4mbar; IQR + 1.95 / +8.57; p < .01). Median TPPendinspiratory did not differ. In APRV, mean tidal- volume per body- weight (7.05 ± 1.28 vs. 5.03 ± 0.77 ml; p < .01) and mean airway- pressure (27.08 ± 1.67 vs. 22.68 ± 2.62mbar; p < .01) were higher. There was no difference in PEEP, peak-, plateau- or driving- pressure, compliance, oxygenation and CO2- removal between both modes.

Conclusion

Despite higher tidal- volumes / airway-pressures in APRV vs. BIPAP, TPPendinspiratory was not increased. However, in APRV median TPPendexpiratory was negative indicating an elevated risk of occult atelectasis in APRV- mode in CARDS. Therefore, TPP- monitoring could be a useful tool for monitoring a safe application of APRV- mode in CARDS.
Critical assessment of uncertainty in economic evaluations on influenza vaccines for the elderly population in Spain
Authors: Ortiz-de-Lejarazu Leonardo Raúl , Díez Domingo Javier , de Miguel Ángel Gil , Martinón Torres Federico , Margüello Esther Redondo , López-Belmonte Claver Juan Luis , Palomo-Jiménez Paloma I. , Farré Avellà J. Manel , Abellán Perpiñán José María
Published: February 2025

Background

Influenza is a seasonal infection with a huge impact on morbidity and mortality in older adults, for whom vaccination is recommended. New influenza vaccines for this population have been introduced in Spain in the past 5 years, and a number of cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA) have been published to aid healthcare decision-making. The objective of this study was to assess possible sources of uncertainty in the CEAs of influenza vaccines for the older adults in Spain.

Methods

A systematic review was performed to identify Spanish CEAs published since 2016. Potential sources of structural, methodologic and parametric uncertainty in CEA results were systematically analysed using the TRansparent Uncertainty ASsessmenT (TRUST) Tool, quality assessment checklists, and the WHO guidance on economic evaluations of influenza vaccine strategies. The primary sources of efficacy/effectiveness were analysed in depth to ascertain whether they could support the conclusions of the respective CEAs.

Results

Seven CEAs were included. Overall, they were designed and performed in accordance with the applicable guidelines; however, some critical sources of uncertainty were detected, mainly: (1) the choice and use of efficacy/effectiveness data (real-world single season studies, meta-analyses including studies with high risk of bias and/or high heterogeneity with biased interpretation); (2) use of fewer than 5 seasons to estimate influenza burden; (3) generalized use of influenza-like illness data to estimate effectiveness and burden, among others.

Conclusions

Seemingly well-designed studies may conceal important sources of uncertainty that affect the results. This must be taken into account when interpreting results to support decision-making.
BreathCarer: Informal carers of patients with chronic breathlessness: a mixed-methods systematic review of burden, needs, coping, and support interventions
Authors: Blütgen Saskia , Pralong Anne , Wilharm Carolin , Eisenmann Yvonne , Voltz Raymond , Simon Steffen T.
Published: February 2025

Background

Breathlessness is a common symptom in chronic and advanced diseases, and it poses a significant burden to patients and to their informal carers. They play a crucial role in sustainable care for patients living with breathlessness, but their challenges and needs are often neglected.

Objective

To provide a systematic overview of the literature on the burden, needs, coping and use of healthcare and social services by carers of patients suffering from chronic breathlessness due to any life-limiting disease.

Design

A mixed-methods systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42022312989).

Data sources

Medline, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched and complemented with forward and backward searches and expert consultation.

Review methods

The mixed-methods review included any study on burden, needs and coping among carers of patients with breathlessness published from the inception of the databases until July 2023. A narrative analysis of the quantitative results and a pragmatic meta-aggregation of the qualitative findings were performed, followed by a mixed-methods convergent segregated approach.

Findings

A total of 53 studies with 4,849 carers were included. Breathlessness is highly burdensome for carers who live with and care for patients or for those who do not live with the patients and care for them. Breathlessness is a significant risk factor for high carers’ burden, contributing to deteriorating physical and mental health among carers and creating an urgent need for external support. A major challenge is the sense of being trapped in a state of constant alertness and anxiety, centred around managing the patient's breathlessness. Carers bear substantial emotional burden due to uncertainty, sleep disturbances, and social isolation, which leads to severe psychological distress. Their unmet needs for professional guidance, self-management strategies, and social interaction are high. While supportive interventions, such as specialized services and multidisciplinary approaches, can alleviate some of the burden, there remains a lack of targeted interventions specifically designed for carers.

Conclusions

This review highlights the substantial burden associated with caring for patients with chronic breathlessness, the unmet needs of carers and the lack of supportive care structures, leaving them with little option but to accept the situation.