bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘They are now pocket videos, not home videos’: Streaming and reconfiguration of video consumption in Nigeria
Authors: Simon Godwin Iretomiwa
Published: August 2023

This article examines how streaming is altering established viewing practices that traditionally characterised video film consumption among domestic Nigerians. Following the creation of the Nigerian video industry (Nollywood) as a straight-to-video film industry, audiences watched movies solely through the technologies of television sets and video players. The fluid and opaque circulation of video copies located audience consumption practices within informal realms and communal spaces. This article analyses how streaming is catalysing a distinctive viewing culture in Nigeria. It argues that streaming is formalising access to Nollywood movies, upending the communal practices associated with legacy video viewing, and fostering an individualised viewing culture though some informal communal practices persist in the streaming ecosystem. By emphasising the role of smartphones and apps in the emergent streaming culture, this article demonstrates how streaming is restructuring the temporal, spatial, and affective features of audience engagements that traditionally characterised movies viewing in Nigeria.
The nuclear option: Voting for the pan-European party Volt
Authors: Otjes Simon , Krouwel André
Published: August 2023

Volt is a pan-European, Eurofederalist party that seeks to deepen and democratize European Union integration. It participated in elections in nine European countries and won representation in the Dutch Parliament and German constituency for the European Parliament. We examine Volt Netherlands, which studies the possibilities of a pan-European party. We look at the importance of its pro-European positions for voting for this party; this is an issue that all national branches of Volt share. We also examine the specific political opportunity structure of the Netherlands, where pro-nuclear environmentalism was an open niche. In this way, we weigh the importance of the party's pan-European appeal and the country-specific political opportunity structure. We show the importance of the country-specific factors for new party support and thus cast doubt on the ability of pan-European parties to mobilize voters all over Europe with the same message.
Retention in statutory social work from fast-track child and family programs
Authors: Scourfield Jonathan , Carpenter John , Warner Nell , Maxwell Nina , Venn Laura , Stepanova Evgenia , O’Donnell Chloe , Jones Rebecca , Elliott Martin , Smith Roger
Published: August 2023

Two fast-track child and family social work training programs have been established in England — Step Up to Social Work and Frontline. Trainees’ financial support is far higher than for mainstream social work degrees. One of the reasons claimed for setting up these programs is addressing retention, although critics (of Frontline) predicted graduates would not stay in social work. A 4-year study assessed retention and reasons for leaving social work. Attrition rates from statutory social work were calculated from responses ( n = 2543) to annual surveys, plus looking up non-respondents in the professional register. Interviews were conducted with fast-track graduates ( n = 80) and employers ( n = 29).

Findings

The overall rate of social work graduates not in statutory social work at 18 months post-qualification was 12% for fast-track programs, and Higher Education Statistics Agency survey data show attrition at 15 months post-qualification as 18% for all social work routes. Frontline's original national recruitment approach was less successful for retention than Step Up to Social Work's regional approach. Perceived local authority support and intrinsic job satisfaction were associated with attrition in longitudinal bivariate analysis. Fast-track graduates leaving statutory social work typically moved to work in social care (including policy roles), health, or education.

Applications

Early-career attrition appears to be somewhat lower from fast-track programs than from all social work graduates. Longer-term comparison is not yet possible. In promoting retention, employers should be aware of the importance of staff perceptions of the local authority as supportive, and of their intrinsic job satisfaction.
Food prosumption technologies: A symbiotic lens for a degrowth transition
Authors: Vicdan Handan , Ulusoy Emre , Tillotson Jack S , Hong Soonkwan , Ekici Ahmet , Mimoun Laetitia
Published: August 2023

Prosumption is gaining momentum among the critical accounts of sustainable consumption that have thus far enriched the marketing discourse. Attention to prosumption is increasing whilst the degrowth movement is emerging to tackle the contradictions inherent in growth-driven, technology-fueled, and capitalist modes of sustainable production and consumption. In response to dominant critical voices that portray technology as counter to degrowth living, we propose an alternative symbiotic lens with which to reconsider the relations between technology, prosumption, and degrowth living, and assess how a degrowth transition in the context of food can be carried out at the intersection of human–nature–technology. We contribute to the critical debates on prosumption in marketing by analyzing the potentials and limits of technology-enabled food prosumption for a degrowth transition through the degrowth principles of conviviality and appropriateness. Finally, we consider the sociopolitical challenges involved in mobilizing such technologies to achieve symbiosis and propose a future research agenda.
Online gallery facilitated art activities for people with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: A narrative review
Authors: Wiseman Lara , Isbel Stephen , Boag Adriane , Halpin-Healy Carolyn , Gibson Diane , Bail Kasia , Noble James M , D’Cunha Nathan M
Published: August 2023

Art activities for people with dementia have a range of therapeutic benefits including psychosocial wellbeing and enhanced quality of life. Successful art programs promote social engagement, are inclusive and empowering, and enable opportunity for people with dementia to express themselves verbally and non-verbally. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing precautions have impacted the capacity of art galleries and museums to deliver in-person programs. However, they have also provided a new opportunity. This paper explores the potential benefits, challenges, and future directions for research relating to the online delivery of gallery-facilitated art activities for people with dementia. The evidence revealed that increased digitisation of programs increased access for participants, however, the majority of the research was published before the pandemic. Nevertheless, COVID-19 has necessitated many museums and galleries to engage with people with dementia online. Future research is needed to improve the usability of online delivery platforms and a comparison of online and onsite delivery is recommended, particularly to evaluate benefits to people living in rural and remote areas where access to museums and galleries may be limited.
Waste heat recovery assessment of triple heat-exchanger usage for ship main engine pre-heating and fresh water generation systems
Authors: Çolak Köksal , Ölmez Hasan , Saraç Betül
Published: August 2023

In this study, the applicability, fuel saving and CO2 emission reducing potential of the triple heat-exchanger fed by the diesel generator exhaust gas with and without water steam have been studied for ship’s one and two main engines pre-heating and freshwater generation (FWG) cycles under port conditions with conducting energy and exergy analysis. The performance criteria (PC) and exergy efficiency (ε) values of the main engine pre-heating and freshwater generator systems of the Ro-Ro ship selected for the case study were determined by written Matlab 2021a codes merging CoolProp 6.4.2 database with Python. It was determined that even at the lowest operating load of the diesel generator (25%), the exhaust heat energy would be sufficient to preheat the main engine and generating fresh water with also saving fuel consumption. As a result, during the 12-h port period, each 1 kW heat energy reduction on steam will provide 0.0853 kg/h fuel saving in the boiler. Thus, 273 kg CO2 emission will be reduced for each kW of heat energy to be obtained. Considering the comparatively increased PC and ε values of whole system cycle containing common triple heat-exchanger for two main engines, it can be used conveniently and reliably on ships.
Vibration-based hidden damage imaging using stereo cameras with digital image correlation
Authors: Wang Shaohan , Abbott Trenton Bryce , Fong Rey-Yie , Xu Cheryl , Yuan Fuh-Gwo
Published: August 2023

This paper explores a full-field non-contact optical sensing technique using a stereo camera for imaging hidden damage based on vibration-based damage detection methodology in structural health monitoring. The technique utilizes a pair of digital cameras to capture dynamic operational deflection shapes (ODSs) over the region of interest (ROI) of a structure’s surface via digital image correlation (DIC) when subjected to vibrational excitation. This research overcomes bottlenecks in using high vibration modes for imaging the hidden damage area by (1) applying DIC to operational modal analysis with simple pick-peaking techniques to gather natural frequencies and operational mode shapes in plate structures, while (2) using wavelet analysis to reveal the image of the damage region as a means for baseline-free global damage quantification. In the feasibility study, four cases with two aluminum plates with large damage regions were investigated with a vibration shaker generating a frequency sweep up to 1 kHz. The stereo camera imaged the speckled surface of the plate with white light. Once the dynamic ODSs in the ROI were observed using DIC, the natural frequencies and associated operational mode shapes were extracted using a peak-picking technique in the frequency spectrum. Natural frequencies and operational mode shapes from finite element analysis correlated well with the experimental observations from three-dimensional DIC for all 12 vibration modes respectively. A wavelet transform mode shape curvature (WT-MSC) technique to obtain the modal shape curvature via a two-dimensional continuous wavelet transform with a Mexican Hat analyzing wavelet was then implemented on each of the first 12 vibration mode shapes. A damage image condition that incorporates all weighted wavelet coefficients is proposed to image the damage region. The hidden damage was visualized clearly with WT-MSC, as the technique is much less sensitive to noise than the use of MSC alone, and the use of high vibration modes exhibiting larger mode shape curvatures provided a greater sensitivity for imaging the damage region. Hidden damage regions were successfully visualized in all four cases.
Antegrade Crossing Techniques for Hard Proximal Occlusion Caps Without the Use of Dedicated Chronic Total Occlusion Devices: A Pictorial Review
Authors: Patrone Lorenzo , Ysa August , Covani Marco , Lichaa Hady
Published: August 2023

One of the main skillsets required to tackle endovascular revascularization of complex peripheral chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is wire crossing into the distal true lumen. There are a lot of factors that influence the use of specific catheter and wire strategies, and these include vessel calcification, occlusion length, previous stents, vessel reconstitution zone, availability of retrograde access, operator experience, and available equipment of the shelf. More than the last 2 decades, various dedicated CTO devices have been developed to meet these specific clinical needs; however, their widespread use has been limited by the lack of availability around the world and considerable cost. Hence, the ability to cross complex lesions with the use of widely available simple catheters and wires is crucial for effective limb salvage in this significantly undertreated patient population. The customization of specific techniques to treat individual patients and anatomical subsets is one of the most creative and innovative aspects of the endovascular revascularization field.

Clinical Impact

Infra-inguinal Chronic Total Occlusions recanalisation is considered technically challenging. The conventional manipulation of standard guidewires and catheters has proven to be successful in a considerable percentage of cases but success rate could dramatically drop in presence of challenging lesions. The additional use of retrograde access and re-entry devices could increase technical success but could negatively affect procedural time and overall costs. Twenty different techniques of Chronic Total Occlusions antegrade crossing are hereby described with appropriate schematic representations. The aim is to help operators to apply them in specific anatomy subsets and clinical presentations and ultimately to increase procedural success rate.
Euglena gracilis Extract Protects From Tobacco Smoke Carcinogen-Induced Lung Cancer by Altering Gut Microbiota Metabolome
Authors: Upreti Deepa , Ishiguro Susumu , Phillips Morgan , Nakashima Ayaka , Suzuki Kengo , Comer Jeffrey , Tamura Masaaki
Published: August 2023

Extracts from Euglena gracilis have been shown to prevent cancer growth in mouse models. However, the molecular mechanism of this anti-cancer activity has not been determined nor has the effect of Euglena extracts on tobacco smoke carcinogen-induced carcinogenesis. Here, we investigate the hypothesis that this anti-cancer activity is a result of changes in the intestinal microbiota induced by oral administration of the extract. We found that a Euglena gracilis water extract prevents lung tumorigenesis induced by a tobacco smoke-specific carcinogen (NNK) in mice treated either 2 weeks before or 10 weeks after NNK injection. Both of these treatment regimens are associated with significant increases in 27 microbiota metabolites found in the mouse feces, including large increases in triethanolamine, salicylate, desaminotyrosine, N-acetylserine, glycolate, and aspartate. Increases in the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including acetate, propionate and butyrate are also observed. We also detected a significant attenuation of lung carcinoma cell growth through the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis caused by low levels of SCFAs. This study provides strong evidence of anti-cancer activity in Euglena gracilis extracts against tobacco smoke carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis and demonstrates that this activity is linked to increased production of specific gut microbiota metabolites and the resultant induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of lung carcinoma cells.
Resistin stimulates PC-3 prostate cancer cell growth through stimulation of SOCS3 and SOCS5 genes
Authors: Liu Chi-Wei , Peng Hsuan-Yu , Siao An-Ci , Tsuei Yi-Wei , Lin Yen-Yue , Shiah Shine-Gwo , Shih Li-Jane , Yeh Chien-Chih , Lee Shih-Wei , Kao Yung-Hsi
Published: August 2023

Resistin and suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCSs) have been reported to regulate prostate cancer (PCa) cell proliferation and survival, respectively. Whether any of the SOCS molecules mediate the mitogenic effect of resistin on PCa cells is unknown. Using PC-3 human PCa cells, we found that resistin upregulates the expression of SOCS3 and SOCS5 mRNA, but not SOCS7 mRNA, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The resistin-induced increases in SOCS3 and SOCS5 expression and cell proliferation were prevented by pretreatment with specific inhibitors of the TLR4, ERK, p38 MAPK, JNK, PI3K, and JAK2 proteins. However, pretreatment with a TLR2 inhibitor had no effect on resistin-mediated SOCS3 and SOCS5 expression. In addition, the effects of resistin on SOCS3, SOCS5, and SOCS7 mRNA levels were cell type-specific. Overexpression of either SOCS3 or SOCS5 enhanced further resistin-stimulated growth of PC-3 cells, whereas silencing SOCS3 or SOCS5 antagonized resistin-increased cell growth. Further PCa tissue analysis demonstrated higher levels of RETN, TLR4, SOCS3, and SOCS5 mRNAs in cancer tissues than benign prostate hyperplasia and indicated positive correlations among RETN, TLR4, and SOCS5. These data suggest that SOCS5, TLR4, and, to a lesser extent, SOCS3 can mediate the mitogenic effect of resistin on PC-3 PCa cells.
A Rare Case of Brachial Artery Aneurysm in a 9-Month-Old Infant
Authors: Lee Chung Yan Vernon , Natalwala Ibrahim , Tahir Nasim , Bains Robert D.
Published: August 2023

An otherwise healthy 9-month-old infant was treated for a true aneurysm of the proximal brachial artery. The swelling was first noted at seven months of age. An ultrasound scan showed a 2 cm × 2 cm aneurysm of the left brachial artery at the level of the mid-upper arm. Whole-body magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) confirmed this was a true aneurysm of the brachial artery; there was good distal runoff and no other aneurysms elsewhere. Vasculitis screen was negative. Surgical excision of the aneurysm and reconstruction of the brachial artery was performed with a reversed cephalic vein graft. The patient made an uneventful recovery and was discharged home. We present an overview of the workup report and emphasise that a multi-disciplinary team approach is imperative for assessing and managing this rare condition.
Exploring the potential for blockchains in fragile states
Authors: Shah Mohammad Qadam , Murtazashvili Ilia , Murtazashvili Jennifer Brick , Weiss Martin BH
Published: August 2023

Blockchains have been hailed as a game-changing institutional technology. Most of the analysis of blockchains focuses on their uses in the Global North. Though there is increasing consideration of their uses in the Global South, few studies consider the uses of blockchains in fragile states. In this paper, we consider the potential for blockchain deployments by governments, international organizations, and citizens in fragile states. We find that government deployments are unlikely in fragile states, though blockchains can be useful through their increasing use by aid organizations and by providing people with opportunities, such as access to cryptocurrencies. Blockchains may be revolutionary, but the extent to which they have improved the lives of people in fragile states is questionable.
The Effect of Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection in the Rectus Femoris in Stroke Patients Walking With a Stiff Knee Gait: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tenniglo Martin J. B. , Nene Anand V. , Rietman Johan S. , Buurke Jaap H. , Prinsen Erik C.
Published: August 2023

Background

Over activity of the rectus femoris is often cited as a main cause for stiff knee gait (SKG). Botulinum toxin (BoNT) can be used to reduce this over activity. Inconsistent results for the effect of BoNT injections were found in literature which can possibly be explained by the study design as these were uncontrolled or non-randomized studies.

Objective

To conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections in the rectus femoris on gait kinematics and functional outcome in adult stroke patients.

Methods

Twenty-six participants were included in this triple-blind cross-over RCT. The intervention consisted of an injection with BoNT-A. Placebo is an injection with saline. Besides knee and hip kinematics, functional outcomes were measured.

Results

Comparison of the effect of BoNT-A injection to placebo injection showed a significant increase in peak knee flexion and knee range of motion of 6.7° and 4.8° respectively. There was no difference in hip kinematics. In functional outcomes, only the 6 Minute Walking Test showed a significant increase of 18.3 m.

Conclusions

BoNT-A injections in the rectus femoris is a valuable treatment option for stroke patients walking with a SKG to improve knee kinematics. To study the effect on functional outcome more research is necessary with different functional outcome measures that can capture the effect in kinematics. It is important to use kinematic measurements to demonstrate effects in quality of movement that are not captured by commonly used functional outcome measurements post stroke. Clinical Trial Registration: https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NTR2169
Children With Bilateral Cerebral Palsy Exhibit Bimanual Asymmetric Motor Deficits and EEG Evidence of Dominant Sensorimotor Hemisphere Overreliance During Reaching
Authors: Phillips Connor , Kline Julia , Stanley Christopher J. , Bulea Thomas C. , Damiano Diane L.
Published: August 2023

Background

Reaching is a fundamental motor skill often impaired in cerebral palsy (CP). Studies on manual function, intervention, and underlying brain mechanisms largely focus on unilateral CP. This first electroencephalography (EEG) evaluation of reaching exclusively in bilateral CP aims to quantify and relate brain activation patterns to bimanual deficits in this population.

Methods

A total of 15 children with bilateral CP (13.4 ± 2.9 years) and 13 with typical development (TD: 14.3 ± 2.4 years) performed 45 reaches per hand while recording motion capture and EEG data. The Box and Blocks test was administered bilaterally. Cortical sources were identified using independent component analysis and clustered using k-means. Alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (13-30 Hz) band event-related desynchronization (ERD) values were compared across groups and hands within clusters, between dominant and non-dominant sensorimotor clusters, and related to reach kinematics and the Box and Block test.

Results

The group with CP demonstrated bimanual motor deficits with slower reaches, lower Box and Blocks scores, and stronger hand preference than in TD. Beta ERD, representing motor execution, was notably higher in the dominant sensorimotor cluster in CP compared to TD. Both groups demonstrated more contralateral than ipsilateral activity in both hands and clusters, with CP showing a less lateralized (more bilateral) alpha response. Higher brain activation was generally related to better function.

Conclusion

Bimanual deficits in bilateral CP and related EEG differences warrant more clinical and research attention particularly earlier in life when greater potential for neural and functional recovery exists.
Changing of the Guard: Reflecting on the Impact of Administrative Change on Campus Stakeholders
Authors: Miller Queinnise , Tabor Amanda S. , Emig Gerry S. , Decman John
Published: August 2023

This case study explores the challenges faced by incoming principals who encounter unexpected situations along with the impacts on multiple stakeholders of leadership transition on a middle school campus. Leadership shifts are felt throughout organizations in diverse ways and may even have a personal impact on individuals in a school community. Leadership transition, by its very nature, is a change. Change, especially at the top, presents organizations with myriad possibilities and similar stressors. Principal turnover has a direct impact on school achievement. The principal is key to sustainable school improvement, a process that may take 5 to 7 years after a new principal has been named. High-performing principals often leave campuses and move to central office positions because of their success with campus achievement. In the late 1990s and early 2000s in Texas, more than 30% of principals left their campuses within the first 2 years. Principals leave schools for varying reasons, such as promotions to other campuses, district-level roles, new opportunities in other districts, retirement, and positions out of the educational field. The reader should consider all perspectives in the narrative. This case study involves issues related to transition, change, instructional policies, decision-making, staff culture, and the impacts of COVID-19 on student achievement.
A methodological framework for the integration of 3D virtual prototyping into the design development of laser-cut garments
Authors: Papachristou Evridiki , Kalaitzi Despoina , Pissas Vasileios
Published: August 2023

3D virtual prototyping for garment development, although not much exploited and appreciated by the clothing industry in the early days of its appearance two decades ago, has now been explored (research-wise) extensively especially in the pandemic period and its impact on the whole supply chain of garments and fashion products. This virtual prototype which allows the company to visualize the status and condition of a clothing product that may be thousands of kilometers away, providing insights into how products can be better designed, manufactured, operated and serviced before companies invest in physical prototypes and assets, is often called digital twin. At the same time, laser-cut as a creative design technique on clothing materials have emerged in recent times, as fashion moguls are seeing the benefits that the technology presents. Laser cut technology with its benefits of accuracy, speed, precision, applicability in various materials, flexibility in geometry, interoperability with other systems like CAD/CAM and CIM, sustainability in resources and source of inspiration for several upcoming designers, provides an excellent approach for creating bridges between the past, the present and the future in history of fashion design. The aim of this paper was to provide a decision-making framework for the selection of an effective digital twinning process with the use of two different 3D virtual prototyping tools. For this purpose, a methodological framework is proposed which guides the creator according to the final use of the digital garment twin: evaluation of actual fit and actual representation of the produced physical, or as a shared digital asset for an exclusive digital environment.
Lifestyle Modification for the Management of Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: deBoisblanc Charles , Hynes Marijane , Mbuyi Nadine
Published: August 2023

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that significantly impairs patient quality of life and affects multiple domains of life. Lifestyle modification has the potential to improve disease activity and quality of life. We review the cellular pathophysiology of psoriatic arthritis to better understand why lifestyle interventions can make a positive impact on disease, and we discuss the interventions that can be made to treat psoriatic arthritis, including weight loss and dietary changes, exercise, improvements in sleep, alcohol moderation, smoking cessation, and psychologic interventions.
A review of acute ischemic stroke caused by distal, medium vessel occlusions
Authors: Kobeissi Hassan , Bilgin Cem , Ghozy Sherief , Kadirvel Ramanathan , Kallmes David F , Brinjikji Waleed
Published: August 2023

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to distal, medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) is increasingly recognized as the next frontier for mechanical thrombectomy. Distal, medium vessel occlusions are typically defined as an occlusion in the following arteries: anterior cerebral artery, M2–M4 segments of the middle cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery, posterior inferior cerebellar artery, anterior inferior cerebellar artery, and superior cerebellar artery. It is estimated that 25–40% of all AIS is due to DMVO. Because of the large burden of DMVO, the frequency of literature published regarding these occlusions has greatly increased in recent years. Furthermore, treatment modalities have been created specifically for DMVOs. Due to the rapidly evolving literature on this topic, remaining up to date on DMVO definitions, anatomy, management, imaging, and clinical course is difficult. In this review article, we synthesized existing literature regarding the aforementioned topics and discussed future directions.
The effect of increasing exercise in the intellectually disabled community
Authors: Ghattas Yasmine S , Cassinat Joshua , Foley Davelaar Cassidy M
Published: August 2023

Background

Intellectually disabled individuals have been observed to lead sedentary lifestyles resulting in poor health. Physical fitness has been positively correlated to better health outcomes with small changes in fitness translating to major health changes among unfit older adults with intellectual disability. However, there is currently no literature on safe exercise regimens for the intellectually disabled population.

Methods

In this article, a retrospective review was conducted using the Special Olympics Athlete database and analyzed the mean differences of various performance metrics based on self-reported exercise frequency.

Results

These results demonstrated that those who exercised daily performed significantly better in flexibility, static balance and functional strength as compared to those who did not exercise. No statistically significant differences were found among athletes and self-reported exercise frequency for aerobic fitness.

Conclusion

Overall, these findings suggest that 3-6 days-a-week of moderate exercise would be a recommended exercise dose to see significant improvement in performance and physiological adaptations.
The influence of the design of mental rotation trials on performance and possible differences between sexes: A theoretical review and experimental investigation
Authors: Jost Leonardo , Jansen Petra
Published: August 2023

Sex differences in mental rotation performance are one of the largest in cognitive psychology. Men outperform women by up to 1 SD in psychometric mental rotation tests, but it is often neglected that there are no or only small sex differences for chronometric tests. As both tests are supposed to measure the same ability, we suspect some features of the tests themselves to affect sex differences in performance. Following a theoretical review of the test features, we evaluate the effects of the number of possible answer alternatives, whether they are presented as pairwise mirrored, and their interaction on sex differences in mental rotation performance. In an online experiment, 838 German-speaking participants, 421 women, 417 men, Mage =  42.58 ( SD = 12.54) years, solved four blocks of mental rotation trials with two or eight alternatives, which were either pairwise mirrored or not. The results show that that the overall performance was lower for more alternatives and for mixed alternatives but not for their interaction. We could not determine explanations for sex differences as we did not observe meaningful sex differences at all. Possible reasons include the differences between men and women in age and education. This study suggests that the differences between tests affect performance. Sex differences, however, need more investigation, including possible effects and interactions of the test design, education, and age.
Between-day reliability of inertial measurement unit parameters during soccer-specific change of direction test
Authors: Alanen Aki-Matti , Barrons Zachary , Jordan Matthew J , Ferber Reed , Pasanen Kati
Published: August 2023

This study assessed the between-day reliability of change of direction (COD) biomechanics and speed in youth soccer players using inertial measurement units (IMUs) and high-speed video. A soccer-specific COD test including a 180° pivot turn was performed in both directions by 15 elite female (age: 15.3 ± 0.6 years; height 162.6 ± 5.5 cm; body mass: 56.7 ± 7.1 kg) and 22 elite male (age: 15.4 ± 0.5 years; height 169 ± 5.9 cm; body mass: 58.5 ± 8.5 kg) youth soccer players in two consecutive days. The reliability of the variables was quantified by using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis with limits of agreement (LoA) and Bland–Altman plots. Based on the results, neither peak resultant acceleration (PRA) nor peak angular velocity (PAV) during final foot contact was sufficiently reliable for 180° pivot turn biomechanics (poor reliability, < 0.5), but the reliability of players’ running time to turn and total time was between acceptable to good (0.9>; > 0.7). However, when analyzing females and males separately, the PRA and angular velocity ICC's for females had poor to acceptable reliability, when turning left, and were statistically different from males ( Z-score > 1.96). Acceptable to good reliability with reasonable (max 15% difference) LoA implies that speed measures in different phases of COD could reliably reproduce individual differences in 180° pivot turn COD speed. Sex-related differences in repeatability of acceleration and angular velocity call for more comprehensive research in the future. PAV and PRA would not be recommended for the purpose of analyzing individual repeatability of specific steps of COD movement.
Peripheral cholinesterase activity is not correlated with postoperative delirium in urological surgery
Authors: Zangl Quirin , Sprinz Birgit , von Dossow Vera
Published: August 2023

The value of biomarkers, such as acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, for guiding perioperative patients suffering from postoperative delirium and/or (possibly related) postoperative cognitive dysfunction is unclear. Only recently have different biomarkers are being explored to assess postoperative delirium’s occurrence and/or course. The aim of this work is to investigate whether acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase can help detect increased risks of the development and course of postoperative delirium in urological patients undergoing surgery. In total, 45 urology patients were screened. During five perioperative time points (meaning preoperative and postoperative), acetylcholinesterase or butyrylcholinesterase concentrations from serum were correlated with three perioperative postoperative delirium and two perioperative postoperative cognitive dysfunction investigations. Results showed neither a significant decline of either acetylcholinesterase or butyrylcholinesterase concentration before and after surgery, nor a significant correlation with postoperative delirium. Furthermore, significant postoperative cognitive dysfunction could not be detected in this perioperative urological collective.
Multimodal postoperative analgesia with transdermal buprenorphine is a safe option in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
Authors: Muñoz David , Orozco Sergio , Jaramillo Santiago , Herrera Torres Ana Milena
Published: August 2023

Background:

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs are associated with moderate-to-severe pain. Opioids are not the first line for postsurgical pain control due to their potential misuse and side effects. Transdermal buprenorphine represents an alternative for multimodal postoperative pain control.

Methods:

This was a single-centre, prospective longitudinal exploratory study of patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs managed with multimodal analgesia with transdermal buprenorphine. Patients were followed-up by telephone at eight time points, assessing pain levels, rescue analgesics requirement and side effects.

Findings:

Twenty-five patients with an average age of 63.4 ± 8.2 were included. Fourteen patients were ⩾65 years. Pain levels were similar among age groups at all time points, with no pain or mild pain (visual analogue scale 1–4) in most patients. The most frequent side effects were dizziness and somnolence.

Conclusion:

Transdermal buprenorphine provided a sustained analgesic effect after an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair during the acute postsurgical period. It showed a similar safety profile among younger and older patients.
Contemporary risk models for infective endocarditis surgery: a narrative review
Authors: Agrawal Ankit , Arockiam Aro Daniela , Jamil Yasser , El Dahdah Joseph , Honnekeri Bianca , Chedid El Helou Michel , Kassab Joseph , Wang Tom Kai Ming
Published: August 2023

Infective endocarditis is a complex heterogeneous condition involving the infection of the endocardium and heart valves, leading to severe complications, including death. Surgery is often indicated in patients with infective endocarditis but is associated with elevated risk compared with other forms of cardiac surgery. Risk models play an important role in many cardiac surgeries as they can help inform clinicians and patients regarding procedural risk, decision-making to proceed or not, and influence perioperative management; however, they remain under-utilized in the infective endocarditis settings. Another crucial role of such risk models is to assess predicted versus found mortality, thereby allowing an assessment of institutional performance in infective endocarditis surgery. Traditionally, general cardiac surgery risk models such as European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE), EuroSCORE II, and Society of Thoracic Surgeon’s score have been applied to endocarditis surgery. However, there has been the development of many endocarditis surgery-specific scores over the last decade. This review aims to discuss clinical characteristics and applications of all contemporary risk scores in the setting of surgical treatment of infective endocarditis.
The Evolutionary Function of Awe: A Review and Integrated Model of Seven Theoretical Perspectives
Authors: Lucht Antonia , van Schie Hein T.
Published: August 2023

This narrative review aims to contribute to the scientific literature on awe by reviewing seven perspectives on the evolutionary function of awe. Each is presented with accompanying empirical evidence and suggestions for research investigating unanswered questions. Based on the existing perspectives, this review proposes an integrated evolutionary model of awe, postulating the evolutionary selection of awe through three adaptive domains: (1) social cooperation, (2) reflective processing, and (3) signaling suitability as a potential mate.
Effects of Crohn’s disease exclusion diet on remission: a systematic review
Authors: Zhu Zhanhui , Lei Yang , Lin Zheng
Published: August 2023

Background:

Dietary therapy may potentially reduce inflammation and promote mucosal healing in patients with Crohn’s disease and is associated with fewer side effects and lower cost compared to medical therapy. Recently the Crohn’s disease exclusion diet (CDED) has been developed to reduce exposure to individualized dietary components which negatively affect the intestine in patients with Crohn’s disease.

Objectives:

This systematic review aimed to explore the effectiveness of CDED in Crohn’s disease patients.

Design:

A systematic review

Data sources and methods:

A systematic search was performed on the PubMed, EBSCOhost, Cochrane library, OVID, Embase, Scopus, and CINHAL to identify relevant clinical trials published from 1 January 2014 to 31 August 2022.

Results:

A total of 1120 studies were identified and 7 studies were finally included in the analysis. The study was reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis statement.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggested that the use of CDED seemed to be effective for induction and maintenance of remission in children and adults with mild to moderate Crohn’s disease. However, heterogeneity and limitations existed among the studies included. Further investigation in the form of well-designed randomized clinical trials is needed to validate the present findings.

Registration:

PROSPERO registration number CRD42022335453.
Prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression in adult patients with epilepsy: a multicenter survey-based study
Authors: Shi Wenyan , Sun Hanlin , Peng Wei , Chen Ziyi , Wang Qun , Lin Weihong , Ding Meiping , Sun Hongbin , Wang Xiangqing , Wang Tiancheng , Wang Xuefeng , Liu Yonghong , Chen Yangmei , Zhu Guoxing , Zhou Dong , Li Jinmei
Published: August 2023

Background:

Depression and anxiety are the most common psychiatric comorbidities in patients with epilepsy (PWE). However, they are often unrecognized and consequently untreated.

Objective:

The study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression among Chinese adult PWE.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

Adult PWE were recruited from 13 tertiary epilepsy centers from February to September 2022. Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy were applied to evaluate anxiety and depression, respectively. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses models were performed to explore the risk factors of anxiety and depression.

Results:

A total of 1326 PWE were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 31.45% and 27.30%, respectively. Being female [odds ratio (OR) = 1.467, 95% CI: 1.134–1.899; p = 0.004], focal and focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (TCSZ) (OR = 1.409, 95% CI: 1.021–1.939; p = 0.036), and seizure occurrence in the last 3 months (OR = 1.445, 95% CI: 1.026–2.044; p = 0.036) were the risk factors for anxiety. Focal and focal to bilateral TCSZ (OR = 1.531, 95% CI: 1.094–2.138; p = 0.013) and seizure occurrence in the last 3 months (OR = 1.644, 95% CI: 1.130–2.411; p = 0.010) were the risk factors for depression. In addition, for every 1-year increment of age, the odds of developing depression were decreased by 3.8% ( p = 4.12e−5). Nevertheless, up to 70% of PWE did not receive any treatment for comorbidity.

Conclusion:

There were approximately 30% of PWE screened positive for anxiety or depression. Both focal and focal to bilateral TCSZ and seizure occurrence in the last 3 months were estimated as risk factors for anxiety and depression. However, the current status of treatment was not optimal.
Limited health literacy in shoulder and elbow patients
Authors: Wright Melissa A , Shapiro Danielle S , Chopra Aman , Murthi Anand M
Published: August 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate health literacy in orthopedic shoulder and elbow patients.

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study included all new English-speaking adult patients presenting to two fellowship-trained shoulder and elbow surgeons from October 2020–July 2021. Patients who did not complete the Brief Health Literacy Screen Tool (BRIEF) were excluded, leaving 594 patients. Patient demographics and patient-reported outcome scores were also collected.

Results

Average BRIEF score was 18.7 (range, 4–20), with limited health literacy (BRIEF <17) in 84 patients (14.1%). Patients with limited health literacy were significantly older (58 ± 18 vs. 54 ± 15 years, p = 0.03), less likely to be employed (34 [40%] vs. 332 [65%], p < 0.001), and less likely to have private insurance (35 [42%] vs. 330 [65%], p < 0.001). Average area deprivation index percentile was significantly higher (more deprivation) with limited (38 ± 20) compared to adequate health literacy (32 ± 21; p = 0.027). PROMIS physical (40.5 ± 8.5 vs. 45.5 ± 7.6, p = 0.001) and mental health scores (46.9 ± 10.5 vs. 51.0 ± 8.6, p = 0.015) and pain visual analog scale scores (5.3 ± 2.9 vs. 4.6 ± 2.7, p = 0.017) were significantly worse with limited health literacy.

Discussion

Limited health literacy is present in shoulder and elbow patients and may affect patient-reported outcomes. Surgeons must recognize this in order to provide high-level equitable care.

Level of evidence

Level III, retrospective cohort.
Achievement of higher thresholds of clinical responses and lower levels of disease activity is associated with improvements in workplace and household productivity in patients with axial spondyloarthritis
Authors: Rudwaleit Martin , Machado Pedro M. , Taieb Vanessa , de Peyrecave Natasha , Hoepken Bengt , Gensler Lianne S.
Published: August 2023

Background:

Patients with active axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) exhibit more absences and lower levels of productivity in the workplace and household than the general population, which can improve upon treatment.

Objectives:

The objective of this study is to determine the long-term impact of achieving different levels of clinical response or disease activity on workplace and household productivity in patients with axSpA.

Design:

RAPID-axSpA (NCT01087762) was a 204-week phase III trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of certolizumab pegol (CZP) in adult patients with active axSpA.

Methods:

The impact of axSpA on workplace and household productivity was evaluated using the validated arthritis-specific Work Productivity Survey. Outcomes included the percentage of patients achieving Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) response and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) thresholds. This post hoc study used a generalised estimating equations model to determine the association between the threshold of clinical response achieved and patient productivity.

Results:

Of 218 CZP-randomised patients, 65.1% completed week 204. At baseline, 72.0% were employed outside the home. Of the patients who were unemployed, 42.6% were unable to work due to arthritis. Achievement of higher treatment response thresholds, such as clinical remission, was associated with fewer days affected by workplace absenteeism (ASAS-partial remission: 4.0 days, ASAS40: 8.6 days, ASAS20 but not reaching ASAS40 response: 29.4 days, ASAS20 non-response: 69.2 days; ASDAS-inactive disease: 5.0 days, ASDAS-low disease activity: 15.6 days, ASDAS-high disease activity: 32.7 days, ASDAS-very high disease activity: 93.4 days). Similar associations were found for workplace presenteeism, and household absenteeism and presenteeism.

Conclusions:

Over 4 years, achievement of higher clinical response thresholds and lower levels of disease activity was associated with fewer cumulative days affected by absenteeism or presenteeism, with clinical remission associated with the greatest improvements in productivity. This highlights the importance of targeting these thresholds to limit the burden of axSpA on society and on patients’ daily lives.
Cross-lagged regression study on daily stress, mental health, and psychological burden among young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ding Hongjuan , Zhao Jing , Cai Dan , Zhang Xiaochi , Margraf Jürgen
Published: August 2023

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, young adults have experienced many maladaptive symptoms that have consequently affected their mental health. Most studies have examined the risk factors of mental health while ignoring the protective factors. This longitudinal study aims to investigate whether daily stress, depression, anxiety and stress, and positive mental health have a predictive effect on the psychological burden of COVID-19. We conducted three follow-up surveys in 2014 (T1), 2015 (T2), and 2020 (T3) to understand the predictive effect of daily stress and mental health on the psychological burden of COVID-19 on young adults. Data were assessed in 2014 (T1) and 2015 (T2) using the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21), positive mental health scale (PMH), and brief daily stressor screening scale (BDSS), and in 2020 (T3), where we incorporated the psychological burden of COVID-19 to evaluate its psychological burden status on young adults. A total of 556 young adults participated in three surveys. Cross-lagged analysis indicated that (1) daily stress at T1 significantly predicted DASS and PMH at T2, DASS at T2 significantly predicted the psychological burden of COVID-19 at T3, but PMH at T2 could not predict the psychological burden of COVID-19 at T3; (2) PMH at T1 significantly predicted daily stress and DASS at T2, which significantly predicted the psychological burden of COVID-19 at T3. Individuals with low daily stress and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms can still maintain a low psychological burden during the pandemic.
Integration of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data into an Electronic Health Record System: Single-Center Implementation
Authors: Aleppo Grazia , Chmiel Ryan , Zurn Andrew , Bandoske Ryan , Creamer Patrick , Neubauer Nicholas , Wong Jo , Andrade Sarah B. , Hauptman Alexis
Published: August 2023

Managing data from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems presents challenges to health care provider teams that rely on the electronic health record (EHR) during patient visits. A method of integrating CGM data with the EHR that relies on the Dexcom API was developed by Northwestern Medicine and Dexcom to address these challenges. Here, we describe the data management steps and user interface of the integrated system. Providers can access patients’ historical and latest daily CGM data in the form of modal day plots and stacked columns showing time in various glucose concentration ranges. The integration facilitates the acquisition, storage, analysis, and display of CGM data within an EHR system and may be appropriate for deployment in other health care facilities.