bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A fortuitous discovery of a neurofibroma in a female patient with type 1 neurofibromatosis: a case report
Authors: Harrabi Fathia , Methnani Jabeur , Houssem Ammar , Abdelkader Mizouni , Mehdi Ben Latifa , Amine Saiid Mohamed , Mohamed Ben Mabrouk , Ali Ben Ali
Published: December 2022

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a neurocutaneous condition with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. This congenital disease is characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and degree of severity. This case report describes a female patient in her early 20s who presented with a complaint of lumbosciatica-like pain evolving for several months. The condition initially escaped the attention of clinicians until a lumbar computed tomography scan and spinal magnetic resonance imaging were performed. The patient was then transferred to the general surgery department, where a clinical diagnosis of NF1 was established. The clinical manifestations were specific for this disease, including café-au-lait macules, plexiform neurofibroma, and a history of neurofibromatosis in her mother. The patient underwent surgical resection of the neurofibroma, which resulted in a favorable outcome. However, 2 years later, a new mass attached to the second lumbar spinal nerve was revealed by a follow-up computed tomography scan. Long-term and close follow-up of NF1 is required because of the high risk of malignancy and recurrence in NF1 patients.
The impact of the 2022 Ukraine/Russian conflict on cancer clinical trials
Authors: Talbot Alice , Connor Sophia G. , Austin Kate , Hannon Tara , Gabbay Eli , Clay Timothy D.
Published: December 2022

Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, clinical trial conduct has become extremely challenging due to damage to the healthcare infrastructure and patient displacement. This current study aimed to estimate the number of cancer clinical trials at risk of impact from the conflict. A descriptive analysis and narrative review were completed using data from cancer clinical trials with sites in Russia or Ukraine using the ‘clinical trials.gov’ online database between February 2022 and May 2022. There were 508 clinical trials involving sites in Ukraine or Russia. Most were multinational studies (470 of 508; 93%). The majority of studies were phase 3 (344 of 508; 68%) and these also had the largest sample sizes (median 624, range 12–5637). The most common tumour types were lung (128 of 508; 25%), urogenital (94 of 508; 19%) and breast (78 of 508; 15%). A meaningful number of trials had curative intent (129 of 508; 25%). The most common intervention was immunotherapy-related (218 of 508; 43%), followed by other targeted therapy (185 of 508; 36%). Ukraine and Russia are both large centres for global clinical trial activity. The invasion of Ukraine may result in underpowering of international clinical trial results with loss of future recruitment sites for both countries.
Contact between children absent in state care and their families: The parents’ perspective
Authors: Clapton Gary , Simpson Jennifer , Grant Catriona
Published: December 2022

This paper reports on survey work and group discussion by a Scottish parent-led support group (Parents Advocacy and Rights – PAR) that supports parents with children in the care system. A previous paper has been published discussing an overview of the survey results ( www.pfan.uk/uncovering-the-pain/ ). The present paper delves further into parents’ particular experiences of contact. The responses are preceded by a critical retrospective of the concept of contact. Our retrospective covers the language of contact, contact’s origins, continuing confusions of meaning and the lack of appreciation of the parental experience and points to the artificiality of contact, the impracticalities of contact arrangements and the toll taken by these. We conclude by pointing out that we are in the fourth decade of recommendations about contact between parents and children in state care. We make the observations that there is a continuing failure to empathise with parents’ experience of deprivation and loss, a lack of comprehension of the depth of detriment to parental identity caused by the process and practices of contact and avoidance of discussion of the damage to the parent–child relationship which, irrespective of the ultimate destination of a child in state care, cannot be obliterated.
Searching for the Informal Labor Movement: Theorizing Class and Collective Action among Informal Workers in West Africa
Authors: McDermott Joshua Lew
Published: December 2022

Amid renewed debates and theorizing about informality and the role of informal workers in Africa and across the globe, there remains little in the way of class-based understandings of Africa's informal workers and of informal worker politics. Marxists, especially Analytical Marxists, have been slow to study and consider the role and potential role of informal workers in geopolitics and class struggle across the Global South, and Africa, in particular. Drawing on ethnographic field work and interviews conducted in Sierra Leone, and broader informal worker-led struggles and events across Africa and the Global South, this work argues for a renewed understanding of collective action and class formation among informal workers.

JEL Classification: J0, J2, J6
Is It Still an Economics Course? The Effect of a Standardized Personal Finance Test on the Learning of Economics
Authors: Day Stephen , Nunes Evelyn , Sultanum Bruno
Published: December 2022

We study the implications of mixing economics and personal finance standards in a high school course. Using administrative, survey, and testing data on college students, we find that learning personal finance can help the learning of economics for some students but hurt it for others. We estimate that students who received more instruction in economics score almost 5 percentage points higher on our economics test. Furthermore, we estimate the effect of being assigned a certification test in personal finance as a part of this course. Taking the personal finance certification test increases economics test scores by 2.5 percentage points for the average student, but this effect is not uniform across students. The certification test significantly increases the economics scores of students with low SAT scores, while decreasing the economics scores of those with high SAT scores. Our results emphasize the potentially idiosyncratic effects of mixing economics with personal finance.
Effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone as a dispersant agent of reduced graphene oxide on the properties of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Kaftelen-Odabaşı Hülya , Odabaşı Akın , Caballero-Briones Felipe , Arvizu-Rodriguez Liliana E , Özdemir Mustafa , Baydoğan Murat
Published: December 2022

The electrical and mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have a close dependence on the use of modifiers like polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), as well as on the processing techniques to disperse functional charges such as graphene-related materials into the epoxy base. In the present work, reduced graphene oxide (RGO), prepared by a natural antioxidant agent, astaxanthin, was used as a filler material in the epoxy matrix of the carbon fiber composites. The astaxanthin reduction leads to an increase in the sp2 ordering in RGO; some residual epoxy and C-O groups that enhance the interaction with the epoxy matrix remain after reduction. The effects of RGO and PVP-modified RGO (PVP-RGO) fillers with different contents (0.05, 0.1, and 0.15% wt.) on the electrical conductivity, bending properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of CFRP were investigated. The incorporation of 0.15 wt.% RGO with and without PVP-modification, leads to through-the-thickness (Z-direction testing) conductivity values 7.4 and 9.6 times higher than those of the neat composite, respectively. The conductivity tests indicate that the RGO/epoxy composite behaves as a continuous conductor due to the formation of agglomerates of RGO within the matrix, while at the added contents of the PVP-RGO filler, the composite is below the percolation threshold, then conducting by electron tunneling, due to a better dispersion of the PVP-RGO filler within the epoxy matrix. The dynamic mechanical analysis shows that the glass transition temperature is indicative of the interactions among the filler, the epoxy matrix, and the carbon fiber, that is, the PVP-RGO filler increases the chain mobility due to its higher dispersion in the matrix. While Tg of the neat epoxy/CFRP composite is 92.5°C, a minimum Tg of 88.5°C was achieved with a 0.10 % wt. PVP-RGO filler contents, and a maximum Tg of 94.5°C with a 0.15 % wt. of RGO filler amount. For constant filler content (0.15 wt.%), CFRP composite containing RGO and PVP-modified RGO exhibited 9.73% and 13.87% increase in flexural strength values, respectively, compared to the neat composite. The bending test revealed that PVP modification to RGO is beneficial to improve flexural strength of CFRP composites.
Effect of electrochemical oxidation degree of carbon fiber on the interfacial properties of carbon fiber–reinforced polyaryletherketone composites
Authors: Gao Dongting , Yang Hongru , Liu Gang , Chen Chunhai , Yao Jianan , Li Chang
Published: December 2022

Electrochemical oxidation of carbon fiber (CF) is used to enhance the interfacial adhesion of CF-reinforced polyaryletherketone (CF/PAEK) composites. The effect of current intensity parameter on surface structure of CF and interfacial properties of the corresponding thermoplastic composites are deeply investigated. The results show that the current intensity in the range of 80 A–300 A does not lead to a decrease in the mechanical property of CFs. When the current intensity is 200 A, CF/PAEK composites have the highest interfacial performance, which is mainly due to the improvement of CF surface roughness, wettability, and oxygen content. In addition, the degree of graphitization of CF surface is also a crucial factor affecting the interfacial properties of CF/PAEK. The higher the content of carboxyl groups, the more disordered the structures exist on the CF surface, which are not conducive to the strong adhesion of CF to PAEK resin. Therefore, balancing the wettability and graphitization degree of the CF surface is the key to enhancing the CF/PAEK interfacial properties by electrochemical treatment techniques.
Rethinking the Concept of a ‘Financial Elite’: A Critical Intervention
Authors: Moran Marie , Flaherty Eoin
Published: December 2022

While the concept of a ‘financial elite’ has become prominent within politics and the social sciences, it is not clear what value it holds for the analysis of inequalities of income, wealth and power under financial capitalism. Who are the financial elite, and what distinguishes them from other economically powerful groups? We delineate ‘distributive’, ‘categorical’ and ‘relational’ approaches to financial elites, arguing that various unresolved tensions have hampered clarification of the differentia specifica of the concept, and blunted its normative significance. We develop a new concept of financial elites that combines insights from elite studies and financialisation studies. We argue that the financial elite possess not only high incomes, but income primarily derived from ‘rentier’ channels, as endowed by the institutional structures of financialisation. Financial elites demonstrate the capacity not only to capitalise on these new accumulation channels, but to shape the institutional and regulatory landscapes in which they operate.
Advances in the application of named reactions in polymer synthesis
Authors: Lu Dawei , Zou Xudong , Li Chaofan
Published: December 2022

With the development of polymer science, more and more named reactions have been applied to synthesizing polymers. Introducing new reactions into polymer synthesis is undoubtedly an excellent expansion for monomer and polymer libraries. In this review, the named reactions employed in polymer-chain synthesis were divided into seven types: electrophilic reactions, nucleophilic reactions, transition metal-mediated cross-coupling reactions, free radical reactions, pericyclic reactions, multi-component reactions and rearrangement reactions. The discussion was mainly focused on the progress in the utilization of these named reactions in polymer synthesis, which could be a valuable reference for researchers in the polymer field.
Electrical discharge machining of Fe-based shape memory alloy: Parametric evaluation with microstructure analysis
Authors: Singh Ranjit , Singh Ravi Pratap , Trehan Rajeev
Published: December 2022

In the real world, shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a great option for industrial applications including orthopedic implacers, micro tools, actuators, fitting and screening components, military appliances, aerospace components, biomedical instruments, fabricating essentials, etc. Despite their remarkable characteristics, the effective production of these alloys continues to be a problem for researchers worldwide. This paper has aimed to examine the considered machining responses, that is, material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR) in electrical discharge or spark machining (EDM) of Fe-based SMA using a Cu-electrode under varying settings of input factors namely as pulse on time (Ton), pulse off time (Toff), peak current (Ip), and gap voltage (GV). The central composite design matrix has been employed for planning the main runs. The experimental results reflect the lowest and highest for MRR as 12.49 and 73.90 mm3/min; and for SR as 5.03 and 6.65 µm, respectively. The microstructure analysis of the EDMed work samples and tool electrode surfaces has also been conducted using scanning electron microscopy. The micrographs exposed the development of debris, craters, micro-cracks, and recast layer creation on the workpiece surface and electrode tool as well. The creation of debris develops as a result of large spark energy at the work sample–tool contact as a result of a high peak current and long pulse on time. Furthermore, single and multi-objective optimization of investigated responses (i.e. MRR and SR) were tried using the desirability approach, teacher learning-based optimization (TLBO), and particle swarm optimization (PSO) techniques. The obtained optimized values for MRR and SR by using the desirability approach, TLBO, and PSO are 62.69 mm3/min and 5.56 µm; 78.85 mm3/min and 4.34 µm; and 78.91 mm3/min and 4.35 µm, correspondingly.
Predicting Impulsive Consumer Behaviour Toward Handicrafts in India
Authors: Choudhary Akanksha , Mishra Poonam
Published: December 2022

Consumer behaviour is easy to define in terms of planned and implemented marketing activities. While it has been researched for big companies and products. The unexplored side of consumer behaviour lies in impulsive purchase actions. Impulse buying tendency (IBT) can be defined as the sudden, powerful, and persistent urge to buy something immediately. Based on market observations, and available literature, handicrafts as a product face more impulsive actions rather than planned, therefore the factors chosen for this study refer to analyze the relevance of IBT in terms of handicrafts purchase actions. Independent variables are attractiveness (AT), cultural and traditional values (CTV), learning (LN), and environment (EN). The research was examined by SEM analysis using AMOS 24. It was founded that there exists a mediating effect of IBT on consumer purchasing behaviour. The results of this study will enhance the understanding of small business holders and craft artisans regarding the influential behaviour of consumers and their impulse actions to increase the demand for their handmade products.
Effective Marketing and Corporate Governance Contribute to Entrepreneurial Success: Case Study of India’s Most Trusted Diagnostics—Healthians
Authors: Jain Akshat , Jain Prateek
Published: December 2022

The increased awareness surrounding health is a significant factor contributing to the trend of health awareness. People are showing extra care with changing lifestylesleading to more proactive care toward their health. There was an immense need to fill this gap. The founders of Healthians, India’s most trusted diagnostics, sensed this need and converted that into a successful business model. This article analyses Healthians governance and brand strategy making it one of the largest players in the Indian market. The article begins by describing the initial journey of Healthians and its founder. The article also highlights the financial strategy of the company along with the funding details. The industry analysis had also been done along with an analysis of major players in the diagnostic industry, followed by a discussion on the expansion strategy of the company. The business model, corporate governance, and marketing strategy of the company have been discussed in detail, followed by the brand strategy, in order to derive useful learning from the journey of this company. Adequate discussion on the products of the company had been done, along with the mentioning opportunities waiting to be explored by the company. With the highest competitive and volatile market of the healthcare industry, this company ensures that the highest standards in corporate governance and business ethics are being followed in the company. The article concludes with some dilemmas being faced by the company which may decide its future course of action and the various alternatives available to the company.
Drawing Attention to the Wonders of Parental Care: A Methodological Inquiry
Authors: Angell Mona-Lisa
Published: December 2022

This article explores seeing/drawing as a research practice and makes two key contributions to contemporary conversations on audiovisual methods. First, it reveals a problem related to the methodological silencing of more than verbal presence and efforts that occur as video data are distilled by transcription. This is significant because it illustrates how widely used methods sometimes add to the continued silencing of overlooked perspectives. Second, the article outlines a methodological experiment catalyzed by the abovementioned problem, inquiring into seeing/drawing as a research practice that allows for cultivating attention toward more than verbal presence while temporarily muting the verbal.
Understanding COVID-19 Risk Perceptions and Precautionary Behaviors in Black Chicagoans: A Grounded Theory Approach
Authors: Chebli Perla , McBryde-Redzovic Aminah , Al-Amin Nadia , Gutierrez-Kapheim Melissa , Molina Yamilé , Mitchell Uchechi A.
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To determine whether actual community-level risk for COVID-19 in the Black community influenced individual perceptions of community-level and personal risk and how self-assessment of personal risk was reflected in the adoption of COVID-19 precautionary behaviors.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 Black Chicago adults from February to July 2021. A grounded theory approach was used for the qualitative analysis and initial, focused, and theoretical coding were performed.

Results

We developed a grounded model consisting of four major themes: (a) Pre-Existing Health Conditions; (b) Presence of COVID-19 Infection in Participant Social Network; (c) COVID-19-Related Information, Participant Trust, and Perceived Personal Risk; and (d) Perceived Higher Burden of COVID-19 in the Black Community.

Conclusions

Higher perceptions of personal risk were shaped by pre-existing health conditions and experiences with COVID-19 in one’s social network but were not influenced by perceived higher burden of COVID-19 in the Black community.

Policy Implications

Black adults’ perceptions of their individual risk and precautionary behaviors were not congruent with public health data and recommendations. Therefore, COVID-19 messaging and mitigation should be informed by local community engagement and transparent communication.
Hispanic Survivors and Caregivers of Human Papillomavirus–Associated Cancers: Lived Experiences in a U.S.–Mexico Border Community
Authors: Avila Alondra , Cordero Jacquelin , Ibilah Osinachi , Frietze Gabriel , Moya Eva M.
Published: December 2022

Although human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers are preventable and treatable at early stages, health disparities in HPV-associated cancer outcomes continue to exist among Hispanic populations. Hispanics residing along the U.S.–Mexico border face barriers distinct from other geographically dispersed populations within the United States. The current research aimed to explore perspectives and lived experiences of survivors and caregivers of HPV-associated cancers in El Paso, Texas, to inform intervention development and health practices to increase preventive services among populations residing on the U.S.–Mexico border region. A mixed-method approach was employed using a semi-structured interview guide with Quality of Life (QOL) scales with ( N = 29) survivors and caregivers of HPV-associated cancers. Content analysis was used to extract themes and descriptive statistics were reported for quality of life. Five major themes were identified: (1) barriers to preventive services and treatment; (2) role of health care providers in diagnosis and care; (3) treatment challenges, support systems, and challenges associated with caregiving; and (4) HPV prevention and health recommendations from survivors and caregivers. Finally, given the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional theme was explored on accessibility to health and human services. QOL scales suggested better overall physical health and spiritual well-being in survivors and fear of reoccurrence among caregivers and survivors. The current research highlights the role of health care providers and human service professionals in the promotion of health practices of at-risk populations by increasing health literacy among cancer patients and caregivers, and exploring experiences, challenges, and messages caregivers and survivors had regarding HPV prevention.
Numerical investigation of the mechanical behavior of the vertical stabilizer leading edge with wavy honeycomb sandwich structure under bird strike
Authors: Solak Alparslan , Aşçıoğlu Temiztaş Birgül , Bolat Berna
Published: December 2022

This study proposes a honeycomb with a sine waveform to increase the impact resistance against bird strike on the vertical stabilizer leading edge. A 2-stage comparison was made using the experimental test results in the literature to validate the model in the finite element environment. At first, the change in diameter, velocity, pressure, and scattering of particles when the bird model hits a square plate was compared with experimental data. In the second stage, an impact was made on the vertical stabilizer leading edge made of composite sandwich material. The deformation in the Z-direction occurring in the vertical stabilizer leading edge’s center and the ribs’ convergence were compared. The Ls-Dyna results show reasonable qualitative agreement with the experimental result. Finally, the straight walls of the honeycomb in the vertical stabilizer leading edge were modeled as a sine wave. The analyses were diversified using design parameters with different values. According to the analysis results, improvements of up to 9.79%, 28.58%, and 5.02% were observed in the deformation, the approach of the ribs, and sum of the reaction forces, respectively. These results contribute to bird strikes where strength per unit weight is essential.
Ocular surface disease signs and symptoms of glaucoma patients and their relation to glaucoma medication in Finland
Authors: Parkkari Minna , Purola Petri , Uusitalo Hannu
Published: December 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the prevalence of ocular surface disease (OSD) signs and symptoms of glaucoma patients in private clinics in relation to topical glaucoma treatment and to compare them to non-glaucomatous population.

Methods

A multicenter, cross-sectional study consisting of private ophthalmology clinic visits in southern Finland. Glaucoma patients had a diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, or treated ocular hypertension. Control patients had no prior or current use of glaucoma medication. Recorded parameters included OSD signs and symptoms, used glaucoma medications during the past 6 months, and the product name, type, and duration of used antiglaucoma drugs.

Results

Glaucoma patients ( n = 564) showed higher severity of OSD sign parameters excluding Schirmer's test, as well as increased dry eye sensation compared to controls ( n = 51). Beta-blockers and preservative-free prostaglandins had the smallest effect on all parameters. The increasing number of active compounds and administered eye drops per day showed an association with increasing severity of OSD signs, as well as dry eye and foreign body sensation. Duration of glaucoma medication showed no significant association with OSD signs or symptoms.

Conclusion

Glaucoma patients show higher prevalence of OSD signs and dry eye sensation compared to non-glaucomatous population. The use of preserved glaucoma medication, as well as high number of active compounds and eye drops increase the severity of these parameters. There are significant differences between the types of glaucoma medication used, and therefore the selection of them is important especially in patients suffering from OSD.
Severe and Apparently Irreversible Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in a Patient with Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect – A Successful Case of Treat and Close Strategy
Authors: Briosa Alexandra , Ferreira Filipa , Santos João , Alegria Sofia , Loureiro Maria José , Repolho Débora , Pereira Hélder
Published: December 2022

Irreversible pulmonary arterial hypertension is considered a contraindication for surgical or percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) due to risk of right heart failure. We present a case of 37 years-old woman who was referred to our center due to progressive worsening fatigue and high probability of pulmonary hypertension on a transthoracic echocardiogram. The diagnostic work-up revealed the presence of an ostium secundum atrial septal defect and severe pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension on right heart cathetherization (RHC). The patient was considered inoperable and started medical therapy with sildenafil and bosentan. After one year of treatment, she repeated RHC that showed a significant reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance making her eligible for closure. Surgical closure of ASD with a fenestra was performed with success. Our case emphasizes the importance of individual assessment even if cases where initial evaluation is unfavorable to closure in accordance with the guidelines.
Cultural mediation of grief: the role of aesthetic experience
Authors: Tateo Luca
Published: December 2022

In Global North’s psychology, some existential experiences such as the loss of beloved persons are understood as purely individual problems. In a society of functioning individuals, the person is responsible for her own condition and for consuming the healthcare services provided to overcome the “problem” as soon as possible to go back to the fully functional role in the society. This vision raises several questions about turning “experiences” into “pathologies.” Historically, mankind made sense of death, loss, and grief as both a personal and collective experiences, mediated by heterogeneous cultural forms. I elaborate theoretically the concept of cultural mediation of grief, focusing on the esthetic and temporal dimensions of such mediation, as it is visible in art, rituals and everyday discourses. The idea is that such mediation is always present, and that psychology must be able to recognize it also in apparently secularized societies.
Perspectives from parents of autistic children on participating in early intervention and associated research
Authors: Bent Catherine A , Pellicano Elizabeth , Iacono Teresa , Hudry Kristelle
Published: December 2022

Early support should help autistic children lead flourishing lives. We sought to understand parents’ experiences of their children’s involvement in early intervention and associated research, through focus groups with 23 parents (of 22 children) enrolled in a university-affiliated service. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed four themes. Parents conveyed a strong sense of gratitude (Theme 1) arising from their perceptions of the importance of early intervention and feelings of having ‘hit the jackpot’ to secure access to the service from which they perceived their children ‘gained so much’. They valued the service and staff expertise which made them feel secure (Theme 2). University affiliation and the associated research also contributed to parents’ sense of safety, from perceived ‘accountability’ and ‘integrity’. Parents conveyed deep commitment to the service (Theme 3) but shared often-negative experiences as their child’s enrolment came to an end (Theme 4) and they expressed feelings of abandonment and disempowerment, being confronted with the reality of needing to secure next-stage support for their children and of perceived critical need for ‘conversion of research into practice’. These parents’ accounts offer insights into the benefits and ongoing challenges of achieving truly effective supports for autistic preschoolers and their families.

Lay abstract

Support for autistic children early in life should help them to lead flourishing lives. However, many of the early intervention programmes for young autistic children are time-consuming and costly for families. These programmes are also often conducted in settings that are not closely matched to real life. We spoke to 23 parents (of 22 autistic children) to understand their experiences of their children’s involvement in early intervention. Parents told us they were grateful for the opportunity, that they had ‘hit the jackpot’, and their children had ‘gained so much’ from the programme. They seemed to value the service because it made them feel safe and secure during an uncertain time in their children’s lives. Parents told us they trusted staff, felt that they weren’t ‘doing it alone’, and this ‘took that pressure off’ and helped them feel empowered. They also spoke of feelings of safety from being linked to the university research programme which offered ‘accountability’ and ‘integrity’. Parents’ comments showed a strong commitment to the early intervention model and staff – but also common feelings of abandonment and disempowerment as their child’s time with the programme came to an end and they went ‘back to the real world’ and needed to find new supports for their children. These parents’ insights should help to inform the design and delivery of community supports for preschool-aged autistic children and their families, which match the reality of their lived experiences.
Webcam travel: A preliminary examination of psychological well-being
Authors: Lee Stephanie Man Fung , Filep Sebastian , Vada Sera , King Brian
Published: December 2022

Travel has been identified as a significant contributor to psychological well-being. The recent COVID-19 global pandemic disrupted travel patterns and behaviours, thereby negatively affecting the psychological health and well-being of those involved. With accelerating technology use, multiple forms of virtual tourism have emerged as alternatives to physical travel, including travel via webcam. Webcam travel has received limited scholarly attention, despite the unique capacity of global place-based webcams to offer cost-free, real-time viewing of places and destinations. Similarly, there has been limited research on how participation in webcam travel influences psychological well-being. This research note examines how the digital experience accelerates the hedonic and eudaimonic psychological well-being of webcam viewers by proposing a new model – Webcam Travel DREAMA (detachment-recovery, engagement, affiliation, meaning and achievement) model. The findings provide a better understanding of webcam travel and psychological well-being, establishing potential directions for future researchers.
Grow502: Centering Community in Medical Education via a Student-Created Organization Focused on Cultivating a Healthy Community
Authors: Udoh Mike Onu , Mian Zoha , Anakwenze Lisa , Okeke Chukwudum , Ziegler Craig , Sawning Susan
Published: December 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately impact communities of color and expose health inequities. Minoritized communities experience disparities in chronic diseases, premature death, and cancer, and gaps continue to widen; systemic injustice in housing, nutrition, and environment are major contributors. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice movement, students at the University of Louisville School of Medicine created Grow502 to speak truth to the challenges of health disparities in Louisville, Kentucky. The goal was to pursue a healthier community by raising awareness. Community leaders and health professionals provided expert consultation. This partnership led to the co-creation of a curriculum focused on education, advocacy, community engagement, and creative media. Grow502 sought to support communities impacted by injustices due to racism, limited health literacy, redlining, and limited green space by creating programming centered on education and empowerment. Effective strategies to reduce disparities involve creating interventions with authentic engagement and context. Grow502 involves community stakeholders as active partners. We continue to intentionally seek effective collaborations and interventions that merge our mission and our diverse communities impacted by health disparities.
Understanding Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software as a Tool to Enhance Systematic Literature Reviews in Human Resource Development
Authors: O’Kane Paula , Ott Dana L. , Smith Anne D. , Brown Travor C.
Published: December 2022

Using literature reviews to identify new research avenues and provide novel theoretical insights is increasing, with the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) recently gaining greater attention from human resource development scholarship. Analyzing and making sense of literature can be insightful, but also daunting as it involves organizing and analyzing vast amounts of articles and data. Computer-Aided/Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS) software can be used to support this process by organizing the literature to enable more fine-grained analysis, support analytical coding, explore patterns in the literature, and check for coding consistency. In this instructor’s corner we explain and illustrate some of the CAQDAS analysis actions that can support researchers with their SLRs.
Pyridoxine Is Effective for Preventing Hand-Foot Syndrome Induced by Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin for Multiple Myeloma: The Results of a Randomized Study
Authors: Xiaozhe Li , Meilan Chen , Beihui Huang , Junru Liu , Jingli Gu , Lifen Kuang , Juan Li
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is highly effective for treating multiple myeloma (MM). Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a dose-limiting adverse event of PLD that may reduce a patient’s quality of life or prevent certain patients from receiving PLD. Several researchers have discovered that pyridoxine, an activated form of vitamin B6, may prevent PLD-associated HFS. We designed a prospective randomized trial to examine whether prophylactic pyridoxine might prevent the incidence or delay the occurrence of PLD-induced HFS in patients with MM.

Methods:

Patients who met the trial’s eligibility requirements were randomized and then administered either pyridoxine 100 mg twice daily or no pyridoxine, in both cases accompanied by their PLD-containing chemotherapeutic agent. Follow-up of patients was performed until the completion of induction therapy, the development of HFS or disease progression.

Results:

Between January 1, 2017, and January 1, 2019, 105 patients were randomly assigned to the pyridoxine group (n = 52) or the no pyridoxine group (n = 53). In the pyridoxine and no pyridoxine groups, HFS developed after a median of 4 (range, 1-8 cycles) and 3 (range, 1-7 cycles) chemotherapeutic cycles, respectively. There were no grade 3 incidents recorded. Overall, 13.3% of patients experienced HFS. A 11 of 53 (20.8%) patients in the no pyridoxine group experienced HFS, compared to 3 of 52 (5.8%) patients in the pyridoxine group ( P = .042); there was no difference in HFS grades ( P = .725).

Conclusions:

The findings of benefit from prophylactic pyridoxine in this open-label trial have suggested its promise as a treatment for reducing HFS in MM patients. Further research with a placebo-controlled design is recommended.

Clinical Trial Registration:

ChiCTR2100050294.
Effects of alkali treatment on properties of willow bark fiber as potential fillers for polymer composites
Authors: Song XiaoHui , Huang ChuanMo , Qin Huadong , Guan WenFang , Ye YiShen
Published: December 2022

In this work, willow fiber was extracted from willow inner bark and modified with alkali solution of various concentrations, temperature and time. The morphology, surface functional group, crystal and thermal stability were investigated by using a scanning electron microscopy, a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, an X-ray powder diffractometer, and a simultaneous thermal analyzer, respectively. The acid (H2SO4, 2 ml/l) extraction procedure removed the hemicellulose and part of lignin from willow bark, cleared the aggregation of WB, kept the crystal structure of willow fiber, dramatically increased the crystal length of fiber (from 18.46 to 30.15 nm), and enhanced the onset degradation temperature (from 262.23℃ to 297.62℃) and chemical reactivity (DTG: from 0.57%/s to 0.84%/s). The alkali treatment further removed lignin from willow fiber, smoothed the fiber surface, increased the intensity of cellulose [Formula: see text] from 646 counts to 1292 counts, and lengthened the crystal length from 30.15 to 41.84 nm. Varying the alkali treating condition, the crystal index and thermal stability reached to the climax at 60℃ of treating temperature and 7 h treating time. The treated willow fiber may have potential applications to composite with polymer, and to be used in pharmaceutical field as additives.
Spatial politics of dignity: De-universalizing and diversifying the concept
Authors: Grossmann Katrin , Trubina Elena
Published: December 2022

This author reply responds to commentaries on the implications of our article, ‘Dignity in Urban Geography: Starting a Conversation’ (2022). It elaborates on four points raised by the commentators: the problematization of the universality of this concept, the nexus of dignity and scale, the road to putting dignity into practice, and the differences between dignity as a scholarly normative concept and as a political inspiration. Overall, we argue and illustrate further one of the core arguments in our original article, namely that dignity needs to be understood as plural, relational, and emotional. Central to this argument is a further elaboration of differences of worth imposed by powerful regimes and related orders of worth experienced by people. The elaboration is also used to further challenge the putative universality of the concept of dignity.
Desiring infrastructure
Authors: Wilson Ara
Published: December 2022

Infrastructure has been an object of political action in its form as public good. Kai Bosworth's article, ‘What is “affective infrastructure,”’ views political action as a result of infrastructure, that is, the kind of social infrastructure that fosters the critical affect that activism depends on. Beginning with an outline of the material-political concept of infrastructure, this essay engages Bosworth's theoretical formulation of affective infrastructure as a rubric for understanding the enduring progressive question of what enables and sustains progressive activism.
Satisfaction with preoperative education and surgical services among adults elective surgical patients at selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Deressa Dereje , Gebreyohannis Tigistu , Boka Abdisa , Geneti Yomilan
Published: December 2022

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of satisfaction with preoperative education and surgical services among adult elective surgical patients at governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods:

Four hundred and twenty-two elective surgical patients at Addis Ababa’s governmental hospitals took part in a facility-based cross-sectional study from 8 October to 8 November 2021. Based on past experiments, an instrument for structured data collection was modified and employed. The data were cleaned and sent to Epidata version 4.2 before being exported and analysed in SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the participant characteristics, and logistic regression, which also included bivariate and multivariate analysis, was used to evaluate the association between the independent and outcome variables. The level of statistical significance was indicated by a p value of 0.05.

Results:

84.6% of the participants reported feeling very satisfied with their preoperative education. Preoperative education about surgery (adjusted odds ratios (AOR) = 0.005; 95% confidence interval (CI): (0.000, 0.061)), previous surgery (AOR = 2.7; 95% CI: (2.51, 6.85)), and preoperative anxiety (AOR = 0.013; 95% CI: (0.003, 0.06)) were all significantly associated.

Conclusions:

About 84% of survey participants reported being satisfied with preoperative education and services. Preoperative patient satisfaction was negatively predicted by preoperative anxiety, prior surgery, and preoperative information about surgery. The decrease of anxiety and enhancement of surgical patient satisfaction may be significantly impacted by proper preoperative education.
Rapid neurodevelopmental recovery after ART initiation in an infant with HIV encephalopathy
Authors: Quincardete Denise , Sidat Muhammad , Seehra Gurpreet , Mitha Kiran , Cassia Uneisse , Passanduca Alfeu , Langa Stella , Martins Sónia , Elias Beatriz , Buck W Chris
Published: December 2022

While there is ample evidence that antiretroviral therapy (ART) can improve cognitive outcomes in older children living with HIV, encephalopathy in infants has historically been considered an advanced disease presentation with less likelihood of neurodevelopmental recovery on treatment. More recent studies suggest that timely ART can halt encephalopathic disease progression and even lead to symptom resolution. Here we present a case of an HIV-positive infant diagnosed with encephalopathy who experienced impressive and rapid improvement with a multi-disciplinary care approach that included physical and occupational therapy and ART.
First case report of Nager syndrome patient from Georgia
Authors: Tkemaladze Tinatin , Bregvadze Kakha , Kvaratskhelia Eka , Kapoor Manish Aaryan , Orjonikidze Nino , Abzianidze Elene
Published: December 2022

Nager syndrome (MIM #154400) is a rare acrofacial dysostosis syndrome predominantly characterized by malformations in craniofacial and preaxial limb bones. Most cases are sporadic and present with significant clinical heterogeneity. Although autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant modes of inheritance have been reported, most cases of Nager syndrome are spontaneous. Heterozygous variants in SF3B4 on chromosome 1q21 are found in approximately 60% of patients. Here, we report a first patient from Georgia diagnosed with Nager syndrome with detailed description of its clinical manifestations and diagnosis.
Validation of an iCare Health Monitor smartphone application in the assessment of vital signs among stroke survivors in a poor-resource country
Authors: Okoye Emmanuel C , Onwuakagba Ifeoma U , Agbapulonwu Lydia C , Mgbeojedo Ukamaka G , Okonkwo Uchenna P , Nwankwo Maduabuchi J
Published: December 2022

Background

Frequent and accurate monitoring of blood pressure (BP) is a vital part of stroke management. There is therefore the need for availability of simple, portable and accurate devices for monitoring BP at any point in time.

Objective

To determine the validity and reliability of the iCare Health Monitor (iCHM) smartphone application in the measurement of BP, heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) amongst stroke survivors in Anambra State.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey involving 86 stroke survivors (64.0% males; mean age = 65.23 ± 12.10 years) consecutively recruited from three conveniently selected centres in Anambra State. BP, PR and RR were assessed using both the standardised methods and iCHM. The parameters were reassessed with the iCHM after few minutes. Convergent validity and test-retest reliability of the iCHM were determined using Pearson product moment correlation and intra-class correlation coefficient respectively at an alpha level of 0.05.

Results

The convergent validity of the iCHM was excellent in measuring systolic BP (SBP) ( r = 0.96; p < 0.01), diastolic BP (DBP) ( r = 0.93; p < 0.01), HR ( r = 0.96; p < 0.01) but moderate in measuring RR ( r = 0.74; p < 0.01). The test-retest reliability of the iCHM was excellent in assessing SBP (ICC = 0.95; p < 0.01), DBP (ICC = 0.94; p < 0.01) and HR (ICC = 0.92; p < 0.01) but poor in assessing RR (ICC = 0.35; p = 0.03). Also, the iCHM displayed clinically insignificant bias.

Conclusion

The iCHM is a valid and reliable tool for assessing BP and HR (but not RR) among stroke survivors. Its use is therefore recommended especially in poor-resource countries where gadgets for assessing BP and PR might not easily be affordable and available.
Effects of Host-Country Corruption on China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investments: Expert Knowledge Versus Public Awareness
Authors: Pan Lili , Wang Lin , Feng Qianqian
Published: December 2022

Corruption in the host nation is a key issue influencing foreign direct investment. Most existing studies use the expert-knowledge-based corruption index as a proxy for corruption. However, the validity of these published corruption indexes is often questioned by scholars and experts. By introducing Internet data to evaluate public corruption awareness levels, this paper uses two different corruption proxy variables to investigate the relationship between host country corruption and China’s OFDI. In addition, these relationships are further compared between the Belt and Road (B&R) countries and non-B&R countries. The empirical results show that there are negative correlations between host country corruption and China’s OFDI flow for the whole sample, B&R countries and non-B&R countries. The empirical results of this paper serve as a reference for Chinese enterprises to make overseas investment decisions.
Mapping Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Youth Psychiatric Emergencies and Associations With Neighborhood Racial Composition, Child Opportunity, and Inequality
Authors: Chen Belinda C. , Lui Joyce H. L. , Liu Victoria , Wright Benjamin A. , Benson Lisa A. , Lin Yen-Jui R. , Lau Anna S.
Published: December 2022

This study examined neighborhood-level associations among child opportunity, opportunity inequality, racial composition, and frequency of youth psychiatric emergency responses in the nation’s largest county mental health system. Geo-coded data on mobile crisis response (MCR) services, neighborhood opportunity, and child racial/ethnic population were extracted for youth in Los Angeles County between 2016 and 2019 and examined in descriptive and Poisson regression analyses. Black and Multiracial youth were overrepresented in MCRs relative to their county representation. Larger concentrations of child racial/ethnic-minority populations, lower levels of opportunity, and higher levels of opportunity inequality were each associated with higher frequency of MCRs at the zip code level. In adjusted multivariate analyses, Black youth population density and higher education opportunity inequality predicted higher incidence of MCR response. Findings may reflect actual racial disparities in youth mental health need and/or institutional racial biases embedded within community responses to youth behavior.