bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topological cluster statistic (TCS): Toward structural connectivity–guided fMRI cluster enhancement
Authors: Mansour L. Sina , Seguin Caio , Winkler Anderson M. , Noble Stephanie , Zalesky Andrew
Published: April 2024

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies most commonly use cluster-based inference to detect local changes in brain activity. Insufficient statistical power and disproportionate false-positive rates reportedly hinder optimal inference. We propose a structural connectivity–guided clustering framework, called topological cluster statistic (TCS), that enhances sensitivity by leveraging white matter anatomical connectivity information. TCS harnesses multimodal information from diffusion tractography and functional imaging to improve task fMRI activation inference. Compared to conventional approaches, TCS consistently improves power over a wide range of effects. This improvement results in a 10%–50% increase in local sensitivity with the greatest gains for medium-sized effects. TCS additionally enables inspection of underlying anatomical networks and thus uncovers knowledge regarding the anatomical underpinnings of brain activation. This novel approach is made available in the PALM software to facilitate usability. Given the increasing recognition that activation reflects widespread, coordinated processes, TCS provides a way to integrate the known structure underlying widespread activations into neuroimaging analyses moving forward.
Notes on “Apollo” as generic name in Zoology (Insecta: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cixiidae and Mollusca: Littorinimorpha: Cymatiidae)
Authors: HOLZINGER WERNER E. , LÖCKER BIRGIT
Published: April 2024

N/A
Ephydrolithus Girón & Short, 2019 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae): new species and updated distribution records from Northeast region of Brazil
Authors: AMORIM-JUNIOR GILSON P. , NASCIMENTO JEANE M. C. , HAMADA NEUSA
Published: April 2024

The Neotropical genus Ephydrolithus Girón & Short, 2019 was recently established based on five species. In 2022 five additional species were described, all of them from the Espinhaço Mountain Range, in the states of Minas Gerais and Bahia, Brazil. During an aquatic insect survey in three states in the Northeast region of Brazil, we collected two new species of Ephydrolithus in the states of Bahia, Ceará and Pernambuco, one of the new species collected in the two latter states, represent the first record of this genus outside the Espinhaço Mountain Range, expanding its distribution to other Brazilian states. The objective of this study is to describe two new species of Ephydrolithus based on both male and female specimens. We also provide an updated identification key and distributional maps for the genus.
A new species of the genus Xya Latreille, 1809 from Jilin, China (Orthoptera, Tridctyloidea, Tridactylidae)
Authors: CAO CHENG-QUAN , YIN HAI-XIANG , YIN ZHAN
Published: April 2024

N/A
Sameness across Difference: A Postcolonial Feminist Analysis of Gender-Affirming Health Care in Thailand and the United States
Authors: Lynne-Joseph Alyssa
Published: April 2024

Joining a growing body of research calling for the integration of social analysis and postcolonial theory, recent work in medical sociology has analyzed health, illness, and medicine from a postcolonial lens. In this article, I argue for a postcolonial feminist approach to medical sociology that builds on this extant work while challenging methodological nationalism and cultural essentialism. Based on an analysis of gender-affirming health care for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people in Thailand and the United States, I propose “sameness across difference” as a framework to analyze commonalities in the health care experiences of marginalized populations across nations as the products of imperial legacies. Drawing on 83 interviews with health care providers, TGD patients, and TGD activists, I demonstrate the role of imperialism in sustaining barriers to gender-affirming health care through the uneven geographic distribution of care across rural and urban areas and the reinforcement of racial and class hierarchies within cities.
Counter-plying of two-ply yarn: inner structure changes and external response
Authors: Vysanska Monika
Published: April 2024

The paper introduces a principle of iso-quantities for investigating the distribution of a number of fibers in a two-ply yarn cross-section in a regular grid. The main aim is to map the two-ply yarn inner structure and changes of this structure to various ply twists. So far, modifications of two-ply yarn in different ply twists have been explained only indirectly from a macroscopic point of view by observation of the process of two-ply yarn retraction. This paper applies cross-sections and the method of iso-quantities to find the causes of these macroscopic changes. The ratio of the twist coefficients of the twisted and single yarns αs/ αj was used to indicate the internal changes of the two-ply yarn. Using the iso-quantities method and the x–y difference curves of the fiber distribution in the two perpendicular directions of the cross-section, it was shown that counter-plying causes a change in the fiber distribution in the cross-section, resulting in the occurrence of negative values of the retraction, insignificant changes in the external geometry of the two-ply yarn, and a constant breaking strain behavior. These manifestations appear only up to the values of the ratio αs/ αj of 1.2 or less. After this limit, the extreme value of the x–y difference settles down, the retraction begins to take on positive values, and the breaking strain of the two-ply yarn begins to increase as the two-ply yarn twist increases.
Omphalitis as a presentation of multiple liver abscesses in a term neonate
Authors: Yewale Aabha Phalak , Prajapati Baldev S
Published: April 2024

We report a case of term neonate presenting with purulent and foul-smelling discharge from the umbilicus, later investigated to have multiple non-drainable, sterile liver micro-abscesses. Conservative management was continued with intravenous antibiotics, after completion of a total of six weeks of antibiotics, all liver abscesses resolved and the baby was discharged.
Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome complicating infective endocarditis – case report
Authors: Nair Riju , Nair Shiv , Smitha Mary , Dipin U
Published: April 2024

A 37-year-old lady with infective endocarditis of the mitral valve presented in congestive cardiac failure. However, the clinical scenario became complicated when she was also found to have antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Meticulous optimization and timely surgical intervention by a multidisciplinary team helped mitigate this not so common situation and lead to successful outcome.
Left or centre? Theda Skocpol’s States and Social Revolutions from the French Revolution to today
Authors: Drochon Hugo
Published: April 2024

Forty years on, Theda Skocpol’s account of the French Revolution remains remarkably robust. But how are we to think about political change today? Since Louis XVI walked up to the guillotine, we have been used to thinking of a left/right opposition driving political change, but this was not the only division at the time, nor indeed since: during the Terror, Robespierre was supported by the Montagnards, the deputies who sat on the highest benches of the Assembly, while the opposition was located at the bottom, in the Marais or the Plain. Like during la Terreur, today’s politics, from France to the United States, appears more to oppose a centre to an extreme, and this prism allows us to track Skocpol’s own evolution since 1979, from periphery to centre.
Sustainable library services with open-source library automation and digitisation software: A literature review
Authors: Ahammad Nur , Bahry Farrah D. S. , Husaini Haslinda
Published: April 2024

The aim of this paper is to show the published research on library service sustainability using open-source software (OSS). This paper emphasises the highly cited literature, document type, author, year of publication, publishers, and the keywords used to discover the document from the different databases. In addition, this literature review examines the factors that contribute to the sustainability of open-source library automation and digitization software. The review analyzes various aspects of sustainability, including community support, user adoption, technical expertise, funding, software customization, integration with other systems, documentation and training, and governance and decision-making. The findings suggest that sustainability is influenced by multiple factors, and libraries must invest in resources such as funding, staff training, and community support to ensure the continued use and relevance of OSS. The review concludes by highlighting future research directions and recommendations for libraries to improve the sustainability of their OSS services.
Ovarian serous carcinoma with stomach metastasis: a rare case report and literature review
Authors: Hu Jia-Li , Guo Zhao-Jiao , Wang Chun , Yan Jun , Yang Hao
Published: April 2024

Ovarian cancer is a common tumor among women. It is often asymptomatic in the early stages, with most cases already at stage III to IVE at the time of diagnosis. Direct spread and lymphatic metastasis are the primary modes of metastasis, whereas hematogenous spread is rare. An initial diagnosis of ovarian cancer that has metastasized to the stomach is also uncommon. Therefore, clear treatment methods and prognostic data for such metastasis are lacking. In our hospital, we encountered a patient with an initial imaging diagnosis of a gastric tumor and a history of an ovarian tumor with endoscopic abdominal metastasis. Based on the characteristics of the case, the two tumors were considered to be the same. After chemotherapy, a partial response was observed in the stomach and pelvic lesions, suggesting the effectiveness of the treatment. Through three treatments of recurrence, gastroscopy confirmed the stomach to be a metastatic site. Therefore, determining the primary source of advanced tumors is crucial in guiding treatment decisions. Clinicians must approach this comprehensively, relying on thorough evaluation and personal experience.
Three-year follow-up of a novel orthopedic ward fracture liaison services (OWFLS) model
Authors: Cai Xiongxiong , Ying Yijian , Zhang Chi , Xu Rong , Xu Baolin , Xia Dongdong
Published: April 2024

Objective

We established an orthopedic ward fracture liaison services (OWFLS) model and evaluated its role in improving detection rates of bone metabolic markers, treatment rates, and long-term treatability.

Methods

This observational retrospective cohort study included 120 patients aged >50 years hospitalized for primary osteoporotic fracture from January 2018 to January 2019 (group A: not included in OWFLS). Group B (included in OWFLS) comprised 120 patients from February 2019 to February 2020. We compared rates of bone metabolic index testing, treatment, and adherence; symptomatic improvement; and recurrent fracture between groups.

Results

Rates of bone metabolism index testing (50% vs. 0%) and medication use (94.2% vs. 64.2%) were significantly higher after OWFLS implementation. There was no significant difference in adherence rates at 3 months between groups (97.3% vs. 93.5%). Adherence rates at 1 and 3 years were better in group B than A (73.5% vs. 51.9%; 57.5% vs. 26%, respectively). Recurrence of bone pain at 1 and 3 years was significantly lower in group B than A (20.4% vs. 46.8%; 45.1% vs. 76.6%, respectively).

Conclusions

OWFLS improved the detection rate of bone metabolism indicators, treatment rate, and patient adherence and reduced recurrence of bone pain. OWFLS may be suitable for settings lacking human resources.
Thermal Profiling of Asphalt Pavement Construction Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Vedula Naaga Viswanath , Beheshti Masih , Al-Alawi Othman , Ozer Hasan
Published: April 2024

The in-place density of asphalt pavements is a key indicator of construction quality, durability, and long-term performance. Differential thermal readings—also known as thermal segregation—and lack of uniformity in mat temperature were identified as key factors in achieving target densities. A protocol was developed in this study to identify and quantify temperature differentials using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a thermal sensor. Eight sites were visited to gather thermal data of paving construction ranging from 0 min up to 60 min after the pavement has been placed. A custom-developed Python script was developed to quantify temperature differentials and analyze the data in three sections: 1) identifying and visually quantifying thermal differentials, 2) detecting the non-uniform mat temperatures such as locally segregated spots, and 3) analyzing the cooling pattern of different sites as a function of time. Validation metrics such as the Gini index, percent of non-uniformity, and coefficient of variation were computed in discussing each of the sites’ thermal profiles. The UAV system not only provided the ability to increase spatial coverage but also gave the option to monitor the sublots within the window of compaction. These features were not possible with the existing thermal scanning products. Various temperature anomalies were identified and quantified in the sites visited, including local segregated spots, longitudinal center of lane streaks associated with gearbox and/or chain case segregation, and V-shaped pattern of cold spots indicator of paver stop-and-go operation.
Durability evaluation and simulation of oven aged tires
Authors: Li Changda , Liang Chen , Sun Donghui , Wang Guolin
Published: April 2024

Tire durability has been an essential part of passenger and vehicle safety, which usually requires years of road services to test relevant performance. The tire oven aging test has been widely accepted as an accelerated laboratory test to induce large thermal oxidation of rubber compounds with mechanical degradations under high temperatures. Then, the oven-aged tires are tested on rolling drums to compare the durability hours and failure locations. As an assembly of various components with different structures and formulations, tire aging and durability tests are complicated issues incorporating oxygen permeation, consumption, and mechanical degradation. Therefore, it calls for a predictive workflow and model to evaluate the oven aging extent and corresponding durability performance. Based on the computed local oxygen consumption of tires, this article assigns the aged property to each element in a tire FEA (Finite Element Analysis) model by building the quantitative correlations between compound oxygen consumption and degraded mechanical properties. Subsequently, tire mechanics simulations are conducted with SEDG (Strain Energy Density Gradient) to evaluate and compare the endurance of oven-aged tires with different inner liner structures and formulations.
Is Service Orientation Benefitting Manufacturing Exports from  Low-Middle Income Countries?  Firm-level Empirical Evidence from WBES Data
Authors: Pant Sonia , Chakraborty Debashis
Published: April 2024

Servicification of manufacturing, generally understood as the increasing use of service inputs in the production process of goods, is often associated with high-income countries. Recent empirical research on servicification and its impact on manufacturing exports across low-middle income countries is, however, relatively scarce. The current article empirically tests the servicification for low-middle income countries using the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) database over 2006–2021. A fixed effect model with country-sector-year fixed effects is used to study the impact of servicification on existing exporters (intensive margin), and a Logit model is estimated to determine the corresponding impact on the decision to export (extensive margin). While the positive influence of servicification on manufacturing exports is confirmed, different service categories (e.g., transport & communication, information & technology, research & development, legal, finance and related services) are found to play an essential role in determining the decision to enter the export market, while leaving a weaker impact on existing exporters. The findings suggest that increasing the use of different categories of service inputs may differently influence firm-level export behaviour. Liberalization of services, in the era of Industry 4.0, is expected to further enhance this interlinkage. These inevitable dynamics require preparations by firm-level decision-makers to benefit from the emerging opportunities.
Listening to School Nurses' Voices: A Mixed Methods Study on the Continued Impact of COVID-19 on School Nursing Practice
Authors: Hughes M. Laurette , White Laura , O’Brien Mary Jane , Aubin Judy , Bradford Carol
Published: April 2024

School closures in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated losses of critical student resources as physical, mental, emotional, and social needs escalated. Identifying the challenges, strategies, and changes in school nurse (SN) practice in Massachusetts during this pandemic is fundamental to understanding how to manage future anticipated pandemics while protecting children, communities, and SNs. The purpose of this mixed-methods descriptive study in the second year of the global pandemic was to (a) listen to SN voices through a novel online survey including the prompts of challenges, strategies, and practice changes and (b) describe the SN experience of COVID-19 response in Massachusetts schools, including identification of intent to leave school nursing. Responses were analyzed using descriptive qualitative analysis ( n  =  73). The prompts each elicited subthemes that coalesced to a cohesive theme: Finding one's way required the support of others to pave untraversed roads.
Public Approval of the Supreme Court and Its Implications for Legitimacy
Authors: Boston Joshua , Krewson Christopher N.
Published: April 2024

In examining public evaluations of governing institutions, are job approval and legitimacy related? This question has dominated scholarship on Supreme Court legitimacy for decades. Conventional wisdom suggests that specific support (e.g., job approval) and diffuse support (e.g., legitimacy) are independent. Specific support captures short-term orientations based on policy alignment with the Court. Legitimacy is a long-term perspective reflecting more fundamental support for the Court as a governing institution. We challenge the paradigm that job approval and legitimacy are largely unrelated concepts. Specifically, we employ a variety of statistical techniques and panel data to show that changes in legitimacy are a direct effect of changes in public approval. Salient decisions and Court vacancies directly shape approval and indirectly shape legitimacy through their effects on approval. Longitudinal analysis confirms that changes in job approval precede and predict changes in legitimacy. These results suggest that the Court needs public approval, and its public approval is rooted in outcome-oriented perceptions of its decisions and membership. Further, sustained low levels of approval will eventually erode legitimacy and limit the Court's influence over policy. Thus, like the outwardly political executive and legislative branches, it is important for the Court to build political capital through job approval.
Prevalence, outcomes, and complications of vitamin D deficiency among patients with multiple myeloma: Nationwide burden of disease
Authors: Gujarathi Rahul , Lakhanpal Manisha Rakesh , Chelikam Nikhila , Manjani Divesh , Lahori Simmy , Akella Sai Anusha , Shivashankar Prashanth Gumpu , Savio Francis Vino Dominic , Ali Abdirazak Ibrahim , Annareddy Navyatha , Singh Aryak , Manjani Lokesh , Vanga Prasanthi , Adiga Avinash
Published: April 2024

Multiple myeloma (MM), constituting 10% of hematological malignancies, poses significant morbidity and mortality, especially with skeletal involvement. Bisphosphonate use in MM may lead to severe hypocalcemia due to vitamin D deficiency (VDD), exacerbating bone-marrow plasma cell burden. We aimed to assess VDD prevalence and its impact on outcomes in MM patients. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis (2008–2018) of nationwide inpatient data identified adult MM hospitalizations with VDD using ICD-10-CM codes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate prevalence, demographics, and outcomes, with significance set at p < 0.05. Among 330,175 MM hospitalizations, 3.48% had VDD. VDD was more prevalent among 50–75 year olds (61.72% vs 59.74%), females (53.36% vs 44.34%), Blacks (23.34% vs 22.94%), Whites (65.84% vs 65.79%), higher income brackets (26.13% vs 23.85%), and those with comorbidities like hypertension (71.12% vs 69.89%), dyslipidemia (42.47% vs 34.98%), obesity (13.63% vs 10.19%), and alcohol abuse (1.61% vs 1.34%). In regression analysis, VDD in MM patients correlated with higher morbidity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.24, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.14–1.36) and major disability (aOR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.20–1.30). MM patients with VDD exhibit worse outcomes, underscoring the importance of recognizing and managing VDD promptly. Further prospective studies are needed to validate our findings and explore the impact of vitamin D supplementation on MM patient outcomes.
Musical identity, pedagogy, and creative dispositions: Exploring the experiences of popular musicians during their postgraduate teacher education in a changing Welsh education landscape
Authors: John Vivienne , Beauchamp Gary , Davies Dan , Breeze Thomas
Published: April 2024

Much has been written on the different learning paths of classical and popular musicians and the view that popular musicians can be marginalized within the musical hegemony. Adopting Lucas, Claxton, and Spencer’s creative dispositions model, this article explores the extent to which this might occur when popular musicians learn to become secondary classroom music teachers. Data were collected through a series of semi-structured interviews from three popular musicians on a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) Secondary Music program. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the findings suggest that popular musicians innately demonstrate imaginative, inquisitive, and collaborative creative musical capacities. However, learning to teach seems to significantly impact their pedagogic identity as they experience underlying performativity cultures and hierarchical relationships in schools. This article considers the risks associated with undervaluing the creative dispositions of popular musician teachers, including minimizing their potential to reconceptualize pedagogic expertise at a time of significant education reform in Wales.
Resveratrol-Based Liposomes Improve Cardiac Remodeling Induced by Isoproterenol Partially by Modulating MEF2, Cytochrome C and S100A1 Expression
Authors: Alhusaini Ahlam M. , Alghibiwi Hanan K. , Sarawi Wedad S. , Alsaab Juman S. , Alshehri Samiyah M. , Alqahtani Qamraa H. , Alshanwani Aliah R. , Aljassas Ebtesam A. , Alsultan Ebtesam N. , Hasan Iman H.
Published: April 2024

Isoproterenol (ISO), a chemically synthesized catecholamine, belongs to β-adrenoceptor agonist used to treat bradycardia. The β-adrenergic agonist is an essential regulator of myocardial metabolism and contractility; however, excessive exposure to ISO can initiate oxidative stress and inflammation. This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying ISO-induced cardiac remodeling, the protective efficacy of resveratrol (RSVR), and its liposomal formulation (L-RSVR) against such cardiac change. Wistar albino rats were evenly divided into 4 groups. Control group, ISO group received ISO (50 mg/kg, s.c.) twice a week for 2 weeks, and RSVR- and L-RSVR-treated groups in which rats received either RSVR or L-RSVR (20 mg/kg/day, p.o.) along with ISO for 2 weeks. ISO caused a significant elevation of the expression levels of BAX and MEF2 mRNA, S100A1 and cytochrome C proteins, as well as DNA fragmentation in cardiac tissue compared to the control group. Treatment with either RSVR or L-RSVR for 14 days significantly ameliorated the damage induced by ISO, as evidenced by the improvement of all measured parameters. The present study shows that L-RSVR provides better cardio-protection against ISO-induced cardiac injury in rats, most likely through modulation of cardiac S100A1 protein expression and inhibition of inflammation and apoptosis.
Olanzapine for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chen Nanjin , Ji Shuman , Liu Junfei , Wang Liping , Chen Fenglin , Zhu Yanwu , Li Jiao , Chen Minjuan , Chen Lingyang , Wang Mingcang , He Ruyi , Mei Xiaopeng , Zhang Zhanqin , Jin Shengwei , Zheng Jingming , Jiang Yongpo
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

This study was designed to investigate the prophylactic effect of oral olanzapine in postoperative nausea and vomiting after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery.

Methods:

ASA I–II, aged 18–75 years, planned to undergo gynecologic laparoscopic surgery with general anesthesia in adult female patients. Using the randomized numbers table, the patients were placed in two groups. Oral olanzapine 5 mg or placebo was given 1 h before anesthesia. All patients received standard antiemetic prophylaxis with dexamethasone and granisetron. The primary outcome was nausea and/or vomiting in the 24 h after the postoperative.

Results:

A total of 250 patients were randomized, and 241 were analyzed. The primary outcome occurred in 10 of 120 patients (8.3%) in the olanzapine group and 23 of 121 patients (19.2%) in the placebo group ( p = 0.014). According to Kaplan–Meier analysis, the probabilities of nausea and/or vomiting in the 24 h after the postoperative in the olanzapine group were lower than in the placebo group (log-rank p = 0.014). In a multivariate Cox analysis, the variables of use of olanzapine [hazard ratio (HR): 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.16–0.79; p = 0.012] and use of vasoactive drugs (HR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.07–5.75; p = 0.034) were independently associated with nausea and/or vomiting in the 24 h after the postoperative.

Conclusion:

Our data suggest that olanzapine relative to placebo decreased the risk of nausea and/or vomiting in the 24 h after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery.

Trial registration:

The trial was registered prior to patient enrollment at The Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=166900 , link to registry page, Principal investigator: Nanjin Chen, Date of registration: 25 April 2022).
A Reexamination of τάσσω in Acts 13.48: “Enrolled,” “Appointed,” or “Arranged”?
Authors: McKay J. Michael
Published: April 2024

Most commentaries interpret Acts 13.48 as a strongly predestinarian verse. Key to this reading is the perfect passive participle τεταγµένοι. Modern translations frequently translate the word with the equivalent of “to appoint,” “to ordain,” or “to choose.” Typically, God is understood as the unstated active agent of this participle form of τάσσω, which results in a translation of “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (ESV). Often the biblical concept of enrollment in the Book of Life is woven into explanations. In this article, the evidence for this interpretation and translation is critically evaluated and demonstrated to be problematic to support the typical understanding. Instead, by examining the semantic range of τάσσω and the discourse context, the following translation has better lexical and contextual merit. The thesis is that Acts 13.48b should be understood as, “they believed, as many as were arranged by Paul for eternal life, specifically the Gospel.”
Embodied Political Influencers: How U.S. Anti-Abortion Actors Co-Opt Narratives of Marginalization
Authors: Martin Zelly , Beacken Gabrielle D. , Trauthig Inga K. , Woolley Samuel C.
Published: April 2024

U.S. anti-abortion activists use social media to advocate for their cause. While influencer scholarship has proliferated within media studies, the advent of political influencers remains understudied, despite their ability to influence public opinion. Through 16 interviews with anti-abortion political influencers combined with digital observation, we examine the emergent tactics of “progressive” anti-abortion influencers. We find that these influencers co-opt marginalized communities’ ideological frameworks and experiences of discrimination in an effort to influence public opinion on abortion. We build upon the concept of identity propaganda from Reddi, Kuo, and Kreiss, but crucially reveal the ways in which these influencers mobilize their own experiences of oppression as members of marginalized communities themselves. Thus, we put forth the theoretical concept of embodied political influencers to articulate these influencers’ aim to change political opinion through identifying as members of marginalized groups, calling on their own historical—and at times contemporary—experiences of subjugation to propagate embodied propaganda.
What News Is Shared Where and How: A Multi-Platform Analysis of News Shared During the 2022 U.S. Midterm Elections
Authors: Lepird Christine Sowa , Ng Lynnette Hui Xian , Wu Anna , Carley Kathleen M.
Published: April 2024

News journalism has evolved from traditional print media to social media, with a large proportion of readers consuming their news via digital means. Through an analysis of over 1.3 million posts across three social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit) pertaining to the 2022 U.S. Midterm Elections, this analysis examines the difference in sharing patterns for four types of news sites—Real News, Local News, Low Credibility News, and Pink Slime. Through Platform-Based Analysis, this study observes that users across all platforms share Real and Local News sequentially, and Real News and Low Credibility News sequentially. Through News Type-Based Analysis, this study establishes a Relative Engagement metric, demonstrating a widely varied engagement among the news types. Real News receive the least engagement (defined as the ratio of number of likes a post has vs. the number of followers of the page), while users engage with Pink Slime news the most. Furthermore, this study finds that the sharing of automated local news reporting sites (Pink Slime sites) are divided on political lines. Finally, through a User-Based Analysis, this study finds that automated bot users share a larger proportion of Pink Slime and Low Credibility News, while human users generally share content relating to local communities.
Singing Language – Integrating Second Language Learning into Choir Practice
Authors: Lehtinen-Schnabel Johanna , Levänen Sari
Published: April 2024

Language and music are closely tied in singing. It has even been argued that without language there is no song. However, can music and language learning through singing also be seen as being closely tied without first highlighting the boundaries between these disciplines? This study emphasizes a nonhierarchical approach to music and language learning by intertwining musical and linguistic activities in a choir context. The study explores the extent to which singing in a language-responsive choir can encourage productive second language use and enhance the sound hearing, phonological processing, pronunciation, and spoken language skills of adult choir participants with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The research material consists of individual pre-, middle-, and post-interviews and Phonology pre- and post-tests that were conducted with volunteer choir participants during 2019–2020. The analysis encompasses both thematic and statistical approaches. The findings are reflected through a hybrid choir practice that draws on a three-way dialogue between choir participants, the choir conductor, and the second language teacher. The results suggest that active and holistic second language use in a language-aware choir context decreases phonological challenges in second language auditory processing and verbal production, including spoken language. The findings of the interviews and the Phonology tests were in line with each other.
Monetary Integration Across West Africa: Is the Region Ripe for a Monetary Union?
Authors: Oyadeyi Olajide
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the possibility of forming a monetary union across West Africa. This was achieved by employing the structural VAR framework. Data on real GDP, inflation, and exchange rate were used to represent supply, monetary, and demand shocks from the period 1986 to 2020. The impulse response and variance decomposition results showed that shocks affecting the West African region are idiosyncratic, while the residuals of the structural VAR were used to compute the correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient revealed that the demand and monetary shocks were symmetric across WAEMU countries and asymmetric for the rest of the region. The study suggests that the West African region is not ripe for a monetary union. However, the study opined that the WAEMU countries are the closest to forming a West African monetary union and a piecemeal approach may be adopted such that the WAEMU countries are the first to form the union, while the rest may join when they meet the convergence criteria. In essence, West African countries’ central banks need to focus on harmonizing their monetary policies and remove all barriers to factor mobility for the synchronization of shocks and for all countries to meet the convergence criteria.
Customer Experience, Loyalty, and Churn in Bundled Telecommunications Services
Authors: Ribeiro Hugo , Barbosa Belem , Moreira Antonio C. , Rodrigues Ricardo
Published: April 2024

The telecommunications industry is highly competitive, as operators engage in fierce attacks, especially in bundled services, to acquire new customers originating high churn rate. The objective of this paper is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the switching of operators for bundled services among telecom operators. The paper includes a quantitative study with 3,004 customers utilizing bundled services from a Portuguese telecom operator. Employing covariance-based structural equation modeling and logit regression, the research shows that internet service, television service, and the service provided by the contact center exert the greatest impact on loyalty to the operator. In contrast, landline service has an insignificant effect, while loyalty has a negative influence on customer churn. This study offers telecommunications managers insights for identifying the main factors to retain customers and curbing customer defection. Additionally, it provides a framework for assessing customer experience within bundled telecom services, which is useful for researchers, managers and marketing practitioners alike.
Structural Empowerment, Resilience, and Intent to Stay Among Nurses and Midwives in Obstetrics and Gynecology Departments: A Phenomenological Inquiry Study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Otaibi Areej Ghalib , Aboshaiqah Ahmad E. , Aburshaid Fatimah Ali
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Staff turnover is a major obstacle to the success of Saudi Arabia’s health transformation agenda and the realization of Saudi Vision 2030. Nurses’ and midwives’ intentions to remain with the organization are heavily influenced by their sense of structural empowerment and resilience.

Objectives

To gain insight into the perspectives of nurses and midwives working in the Obstetrics and Gynecology departments of a selection of Saudi Arabian governmental hospitals about structural empowerment, resilience, and intentions to stay in their current positions.

Methods

Qualitative Descriptive Phenomenology. Purposive sampling was used to choose eighteen nurses and midwives working in the OB/GYN department in three government hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather the participants’ perceptions. Colaizzi’s steps were used as a data analysis method.

Results

The narratives of the selected participants generated five major themes: (a) “nurturing physical and physiological,” (b) “developing psychological,” (c) “managing financial,” (e) “restructuring organizational,” and (f) “enriching professional and occupational.”

Conclusions

The emerging major themes highlighted the perceptive elements of nurses and midwives that keep them empowered, resilient, and determined to stay in their organization. A failure to fulfill any one of these elements will affect the others. To improve organizational outcomes, empowerment and resilience must be obtained.
Implementation of Opioid Safety Efforts: Influence of Academic Detailing on Adverse Outcomes Among Patients in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Williams Emily C. , Frost Madeline C. , Bounthavong Mark , Edmonds Amy T. , Lau Marcos K. , Edelman E. Jennifer , Harvey Michael A. , Christopher Melissa L. D.
Published: April 2024

Background:

The Veterans Health Administration (VA) implemented academic detailing (AD) to support safer opioid prescribing and overdose prevention initiatives.

Methods:

Patient-level data were extracted monthly from VA’s electronic health record to evaluate whether AD implementation was associated with changes in all-cause mortality, opioid poisoning inpatient admissions, and opioid poisoning emergency department (ED) visits in an observational cohort of patients with long-term opioid prescriptions (≥45-day supply of opioids 6 months prior to a given month with ≤15 days between prescriptions). A single-group interrupted time series analysis using segmented logistic regression for mortality and Poisson regression for counts of inpatient admissions and ED visits was used to identify whether the level and slope of these outcomes changed in response to AD implementation.

Results:

Among 955 376 unique patients (19 431 241 person-months), there were 53 369 deaths (29 025 pre-AD; 24 344 post-AD), 1927 opioid poisoning inpatient admissions (610 pre-AD; 1317 post-AD), and 408 opioid poisoning ED visits (207 pre-AD; 201 post-AD). Immediately after AD implementation, there was a 5.8% reduction in the odds of all-cause mortality (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.897, 0.990). However, patients had a significantly increased incidence rate of inpatient admissions for opioid poisoning immediately after AD implementation (incidence rate ratio = 1.523; 95% CI: 1.118, 2.077). No significant differences in ED visits for opioid poisoning were observed.

Conclusions:

AD was associated with decreased all-cause mortality but increased inpatient hospitalization for opioid poisoning among patients prescribed long-term opioids. Mechanisms via which AD’s efforts influenced opioid-related outcomes should be explored.
Mitochondrial tRNA pseudouridylation governs erythropoiesis
Authors: Wang Bichen , Shi Deyang , Yang Shuang , Lian Yu , Li Haoyuan , Cao Mutian , He Yifei , Zhang Lele , Qiu Chen , Liu Tong , Wen Wei , Ma Yuanwu , Shi Lei , Cheng Tao , Shi Lihong , Yuan Weiping , Chu Yajing , Shi Jun
Published: April 2024

Pseudouridine is the most prevalent RNA modification, and its aberrant function is implicated in various human diseases. However, the specific impact of pseudouridylation on hematopoiesis remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of transfer RNA (tRNA) pseudouridylation in erythropoiesis and its association with mitochondrial myopathy, lactic acidosis, and sideroblastic anemia syndrome (MLASA) pathogenesis. By using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) carrying a genetic pseudouridine synthase 1 (PUS1) mutation and a corresponding mutant mouse model, we demonstrated impaired erythropoiesis in MLASA-iPSCs and anemia in the MLASA mouse model. Both MLASA-iPSCs and mouse erythroblasts exhibited compromised mitochondrial function and impaired protein synthesis. Mechanistically, we revealed that PUS1 deficiency resulted in reduced mitochondrial tRNA levels because of pseudouridylation loss, leading to aberrant mitochondrial translation. Screening of mitochondrial supplements aimed at enhancing respiration or heme synthesis showed limited effect in promoting erythroid differentiation. Interestingly, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin facilitated erythroid differentiation in MLASA-iPSCs by suppressing mTOR signaling and protein synthesis, and consistent results were observed in the MLASA mouse model. Importantly, rapamycin treatment partially ameliorated anemia phenotypes in a patient with MLASA. Our findings provide novel insights into the crucial role of mitochondrial tRNA pseudouridylation in governing erythropoiesis and present potential therapeutic strategies for patients with anemia facing challenges related to protein translation.
Homecare workers - an untapped resource in preventing emergency department visits among older individuals? A qualitative interview study from Sweden
Authors: Bastholm-Rahmner Pia , Bergqvist Monica , Modig Karin , Gustafsson Lars L. , Schmidt-Mende Katharina
Published: April 2024

Background

Older individuals with functional decline and homecare are frequent visitors to emergency departments (ED). Homecare workers (HCWs) interact regularly with their clients and may play a crucial role in their well-being. Therefore, this study explores if and how HCWs perceive they may contribute to the prevention of ED visits among their clients.

Methods

In this qualitative study, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with HCWs from Sweden between July and November 2022. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify barriers and facilitators to prevent ED visits in older home-dwelling individuals.

Results

HCWs want to actively contribute to the prevention of ED visits among clients but observe many barriers that hinder them from doing so. Barriers refer to care organisation such as availability to primary care staff and information transfer; perceived attitudes towards HCWs as co-workers; and client-related factors. Participants suggest that improved communication and collaboration with primary care and discharge information from the ED to homecare services could overcome barriers. Furthermore, they ask for support and geriatric education from primary care nurses which may result in increased respect towards them as competent staff members.

Conclusions

HCWs feel that they have an important role in the health management of older individuals living at home. Still, they feel as an untapped resource in the prevention of ED visits. They deem that improved coordination and communication between primary care, ED, and homecare organisations as well as proactive care would enable them to add significantly to the prevention of ED visits.
Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting sever cancer-related fatigue in patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Gu ZhiHui , Yang ChenXin , Zhang Ke , Wu Hui
Published: April 2024

Objective

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has been considered the biggest influencing factor for cancer patients after surgery. This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram for severe cancer-related fatigue (CRF) patients with cervical cancer (CC).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to develop and validate a nomogram (building set = 196; validation set = 88) in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a Class III hospital in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. We adopted the questionnaire method, including the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS), Medical Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS), Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Sense of Coherence-13 (SOC-13). Binary logistic regression was used to test the risk factors of CRF. The R4.1.2 software was used to develop and validate the nomogram, including Bootstrap resampling method, the ability of Area Under Curve (AUC), Concordance Index (C-Index), Hosmer Lemeshow goodness of fit test, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, Calibration calibration curve, and Decision Curve Analysis curve (DCA).

Results

The regression equation was Logit(P) = 1.276–0.947 Monthly income + 0.989 Long-term passive smoking − 0.952 Physical exercise + 1.512 Diagnosis type + 1.040 Coping style − 0.726 Perceived Social Support − 2.350 Sense of Coherence. The C-Index of the nomogram was 0.921 (95% CI: 0.877$$ \sim $$0.958). The ROC curve showed the sensitivity of the nomogram was 0.821, the specificity was 0.900, and the accuracy was 0.857. AUC was 0.916 (95% CI: 0.876$$ \sim $$0.957). The calibration showed that the predicted probability of the nomogram fitted well with the actual probability. The DCA curve showed when the prediction probability was greater than about 10%, the benefit of the nomogram was positive. The results in the validation group were similar.

Conclusion

This nomogram had good identifiability, accuracy and clinical practicality, and could be used as a prediction and evaluation tool for severe cases of clinical patients with CC.
Demographic disparities in the limited awareness of alcohol use as a breast cancer risk factor: empirical findings from a cross-sectional study of U.S. women
Authors: Swahn Monica H. , Martinez Priscilla , Balenger Adelaide , Luningham Justin , Seth Gaurav , Awan Sofia , Aneja Ritu
Published: April 2024

Background

Alcohol use is an established yet modifiable risk factor for breast cancer. However, recent research indicates that the vast majority of U.S. women are unaware that alcohol use is a risk factor for breast cancer. There is limited information about the sociodemographic characteristics and alcohol use correlates of awareness of the alcohol use and breast cancer link, and this is critically important for health promotion and intervention efforts. In this study, we assessed prevalence of the awareness of alcohol use as a risk factor for breast cancer among U.S. women and examined sociodemographic and alcohol use correlates of awareness of this link.

Methods

We conducted a 20-minute online cross-sectional survey, called the ABLE (Alcohol and Breast Cancer Link Awareness) survey, among U.S. women aged 18 years and older (N = 5,027) in the fall of 2021. Survey questions assessed awareness that alcohol use increases breast cancer risk (yes, no, don’t know/unsure); past-year alcohol use and harmful drinking via the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT); and family, health, and sociodemographic characteristics. We conducted multivariate multinomial regression analysis to identify correlates of awareness that alcohol use increases breast cancer risk.

Results

Overall, 24.4% reported that alcohol use increased breast cancer risk, 40.2% reported they were unsure, and 35.4% reported that there was no link between alcohol use and breast cancer. In adjusted analysis, awareness of alcohol use as a breast cancer risk factor, compared to not being aware or unsure, was associated with being younger (18–25 years old), having a college degree, and having alcohol use disorder symptoms. Black women were less likely than white women to report awareness of the alcohol use and breast cancer link.

Conclusions

Overall, only a quarter of U.S. women were aware that alcohol use increases breast cancer risk, although 40% expressed uncertainty. Differences in awareness by age, level of education, race and ethnicity and level of alcohol use offer opportunities for tailored prevention interventions, while the overall low level of awareness calls for widespread efforts to increase awareness of the breast cancer risk from alcohol use among U.S. women.