bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modular Dynamic Modeling for On-Orbit Assembly of Large-Scale Space Structures
Authors: Zhou Weiya , Wu Shunan , Yang Jinzhao
Published: October 2023

The large-scale space structure during on-orbit assembly is a time-varying system. The dynamic modeling problem of such incrementally increasing space structure is investigated, and a modular dynamic modeling approach is proposed in this paper. The dynamic model of each substructure is first established, and then, a database is designed to store substructure models, which is used for subsequent dynamic modeling in the assembly process. The fixed connection relationship between adjacent substructures is described by constraint conditions, which lead to the coefficient matrices of adjacent substructures being decoupled. The substructures are assembled in a given sequence, and then, the dynamic modeling, to describe the large-scale space structure on-orbit assembly, is gradually completed via using the proposed modeling approach. The numerical simulation is finally presented. The results demonstrate that the extra calculation resulting from the coefficient matrices coupling of adjacent substructures is avoided. Moreover, the proposed dynamic model can accurately describe the dynamic characteristics of the large-scale space structure during on-orbit assembly.
Sildenafil Enhances the Therapeutic Effect of Islet Transplantation for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy via mTOR/S6K1 Pathway
Authors: Zhu Xiandong , Xie Shangjing , Chen Jiawei , Lu Qiaohong , Wang Xiaowu , Duan Feixiang , Xu Sinian , Zhang Yan , Huang Hongjian , Wang Yongqiang , Wang Hongwei , Chen Bicheng , Huang Huanjie
Published: October 2023

Purpose. This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of sildenafil in combination with islet transplantation for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods. A streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model was established to evaluate the effects of islet transplantation and sildenafil intervention. The mice were subjected to different interventions for 6 weeks, and histopathological staining and immunohistochemistry techniques were employed to examine the pathological changes and protein expressions of BDNF, MBP, and cleaved caspase-3 in the sciatic nerve tissue. Moreover, RSC96 cells were cocultured with islet cells and sildenafil under high glucose conditions to investigate the potential involvement of the mTOR/S6K1 pathway, BDNF, and MBP proteins. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression in each group. Results. The results showed that islet transplantation can restore sciatic nerve injury in diabetic mice, and sildenafil can enhance the therapeutic effect of islet transplantation. In addition, the combination of sildenafil and islet cells significantly upregulated the expression levels of mTOR/S6K1, BDNF, and MBP in RSC96 cells under high glucose conditions. Conclusions. Islet transplantation can reverse sciatic nerve injury in diabetic mice, and islet cells exhibit a protective effect on RSC96 cells under high glucose conditions via the activation of the mTOR/S6K1 pathway. Sildenafil enhances the therapeutic effect of islet transplantation, which may represent a potential treatment strategy for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Critical Review of the Literature on Thermal Comfort in Educational Buildings: Study of the Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Romero P. , Miranda M. T. , Montero I. , Sepúlveda F. J. , Valero-Amaro V.
Published: October 2023

Thermal comfort in educational buildings affects not only the well-being of students but also their academic performance. Over time, various methods have been developed to assess it. However, none of them takes into account the adaptation of students of different ages, which is an important issue. In recent years, the study of thermal comfort has become very important due to energy-saving measures and ventilation protocols to combat the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Therefore, it is necessary to gather all the information to guide future research. Thus, this paper presents a comprehensive review of field studies on thermal comfort in classrooms at different educational levels. The focus is on those conducted during the global pandemic of COVID-19. It has been observed that students from climates with a higher degree of variation have shown a better adaptation. Children also tended to feel less affected by changing temperatures. High school and university students showed a greater range of dissatisfaction with heat than with cold. The adaptive approach is more suitable for recognising the comfort needs of all age groups. However, by using this approach together with the Fanger method, more reliable results have been reported. In most of the studies, comfort levels were found to be lower than those indicated by the standards, highlighting the need for guidelines adapted to the thermal comfort conditions of all students. Finally, the various natural ventilation measures to avoid COVID-19 infection have led to a decrease in comfort levels, especially in winter.
Patients’ Reasons to Consider and Their Attitudes toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Authors: Matjuschenko Katharina , Keinki Christian , Huebner Jutta
Published: October 2023

Purpose. In recent years, decision-making between conventional medicine, complementary medicine (CM), and alternative medicine (AM) has been studied. The purpose of this study is to take a closer look at patients’ thoughts regarding AM and CM and, if possible, to identify differences. Patients and Methods. Ten cancer patients were recruited to participate in a guided semistructured interview. Recruitment was via verbal request during counseling sessions for complementary healing methods. The main recruiting criterion was their interest in or use of AM or CM. In the following face-to-face interviews, demographic data, previous experience with alternative medicine and conventional medicine, doctor-patient communication, role of the family, and sources of information were determined. The interviews were conducted in a semistructured manner using a guide and were recorded anonymously. The recordings were subsequently transcribed. Results. The number of patients was 10, of which eight were female and seven could show higher educational status. In most of the cases, poor communication was mentioned, both in past situations and at the time of diagnosis. Patients described a lack of emotion in the communication of their diagnosis and paternalistic discussions. They complained that they did not receive an overview of the therapy and that they were hardly involved in the decision-making process. Especially, the demanding content as well as the scarcity of conversation time played an important role for the doctor-patient relationship and the resulting trust toward the doctor. A fundamentally dismissive attitude toward CM, AM, and CAM procedures led to a more fragile trust base. Most frequently used sources were the Internet, support organizations, and books. Conclusion. The first point of contact for cancer patients is usually the conventional physician. Commonly, he is one of the most important sources. If the patient is satisfied with the atmosphere of the conversation and the information regarding CAM received, he will probably follow the doctor’s recommendations. Only in the case of dissatisfaction do patients seek advice from alternative medicine. Good training of conventional physicians in communication and complementary therapy options could, therefore, be of great importance.
GDF: A Novel Image Fusion Approach for Compelling Depiction of Earthly Features
Authors: Mishra Vikash Kumar , Nareti Utsav , Kumar Raghvendra , Pant Triloki , Aleem Abdul , Singh Ajeet , Biable Seblewongel Esseynew
Published: October 2023

One of the most challenging aspects of satellite remote sensing is image fusion. Image fusion increases the visual interpretation of the image and has many applications such as monitoring water bodies, land cover, urbanisation, agriculture, national defence, and so forth. Remote sensing applications require images with a high spatial and spectral resolution for accurately processing and distinguishing the land cover classes with fine texture and shape details. Due to technical limitations, most satellites cannot take high‐resolution multi‐spectral images but can get high‐resolution panchromatic images and low‐resolution multi‐spectral satellite images separately. This article proposes a novel fusion method, geospatial data fusion (GDF), to obtain high‐resolution multi‐spectral images. GDF, along with three well‐known fusion methods viz., Brovey Transform (BT), wavelet transform (WT), and Fourier transform (FT), have been comparatively implemented to fuse the Cartosat‐2 and Sentinel‐2 imageries of the Sangam area of Prayagraj, India. The fusion has been done to extract the earth’s surface features from the fused imagery. In this research, the fused image is utilised for river water mapping. Results confirm that the GDF outperforms other existing fusion methods and successfully maps the river water in the study area.
Fitting Time Series Models to Fisheries Data to Ascertain Age
Authors: Kirch Kathleen S. , Diawara Norou , Jones Cynthia M.
Published: October 2023

The ability of government agencies to assign accurate ages of fish is important to fisheries management. Accurate ageing allows for most reliable age-based models to be used to support sustainability and maximize economic benefit. Assigning age relies on validating putative annual marks by evaluating accretional material laid down in patterns in fish ear bones, typically by marginal increment analysis. These patterns often take the shape of a sawtooth wave with an abrupt drop in accretion yearly to form an annual band and are typically validated qualitatively. Researchers have shown key interest in modeling marginal increments to verify the marks do, in fact, occur yearly. However, it has been challenging in finding the best model to predict this sawtooth wave pattern. We propose three new applications of time series models to validate the existence of the yearly sawtooth wave patterned data: autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), unobserved component, and copula. These methods are expected to enable the identification of yearly patterns in accretion. ARIMA and unobserved components account for the dependence of observations and error, while copula incorporates a variety of marginal distributions and dependence structures. The unobserved component model produced the best results (AIC: −123.7, MSE 0.00626), followed by the time series model (AIC: −117.292, MSE: 0.0081), and then the copula model (AIC: −96.62, Kendall’s tau: −0.5503). The unobserved component model performed best due to the completeness of the dataset. In conclusion, all three models are effective tools to validate yearly accretional patterns in fish ear bones despite their differences in constraints and assumptions.
Clinical Outcomes of Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Versus Switch of Direct Oral Antcoagulant in Atrial Fibrillation: A Territory‐Wide Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Ng Andrew Kei‐Yan , Ng Pauline Yeung , Ip April , Fung Raymond Chi‐Yan , Chui Shing‐Fung , Siu Chung‐Wah , Yan Bryan P.
Published: October 2023

Background

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has emerged as an alternative to oral anticoagulation therapy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, but data comparing LAAO with direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) are sparse.

Methods and Results

This cohort study compared LAAO (with or without prior anticoagulation) with a switch of one DOAC to another DOAC by 1:2 propensity score matching. The primary outcome was a composite of all‐cause mortality, ischemic stroke, and major bleeding. A total of 2350 patients (874 in the LAAO group and 1476 in the DOAC switch group) were included. After a mean follow‐up of 1052±694 days, the primary outcome developed in 215 (24.6%) patients in the LAAO group and in 335 (22.7%) patients in the DOAC switch group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.94 [95% CI, 0.80–1.12];
P
=0.516). The LAAO group had a lower all‐cause mortality (HR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.39–0.60];
P
<0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.32–0.73];
P
<0.001) but similar risk of ischemic stroke (HR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.63–1.10];
P
=0.194). The major bleeding risk was similar overall (HR, 1.18 [95% CI, 0.94–1.48],
P
=0.150) but was lower in the LAAO group after 6 months (HR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.51–0.97];
P
=0.032).

Conclusions

LAAO conferred a similar risk of composite outcome of all‐cause mortality, ischemic stroke, and major bleeding, as compared with DOAC switch. The risks of all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were lower with LAAO.
Association of Digoxin Use With Transplant‐Free Interstage Survival in Infants Palliated With a Stage 1 Hybrid Procedure
Authors: Reddy Reshma K. , Zyblewski Sinai C. , Chowdhury Shahryar M. , Godown Justin , Bradley Scott M. , Brown David W. , Duncan Rachel K. , Brown Tyler N. , Bates Katherine E. , Minich L. LuAnn , Costello John M.
Published: October 2023

Background

Digoxin prescription in patients with single‐ventricle physiology after stage 1 palliation is associated with reduced interstage death. Prior literature has primarily included patients having undergone the Norwood procedure. We sought to determine if digoxin prescription at discharge in infants following hybrid stage 1 palliation was associated with improved transplant‐free interstage survival.

Methods and Results

A retrospective multicenter cohort analysis was conducted using data from the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative registry data from 2008 to 2021. Infants with functional single ventricles and aortic arch obstruction discharged home after the hybrid stage 1 palliation hospitalization were included. Patients were excluded if they had supraventricular tachycardia or conversion to Norwood operation. The primary outcome was transplant‐free survival. Multivariable logistic regression analysis including a propensity score for digoxin use identified associations between digoxin use and interstage death or transplant. Of 259 included infants from 45 sites, 158 (61%) had hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Forty‐nine percent had a gestational age ≤38 weeks, 18% had a birth weight <2.5 kg, and 58% had a preoperative risk factor. Of the 259 subjects, 129 (50%) were discharged on digoxin. Interstage death or transplant occurred in 30 (23%) patients in the no‐digoxin group compared with 18 (14%) in the digoxin group (
P
=0.06). With multivariate analysis, discharge digoxin prescription was associated with a lower risk of interstage death or transplant (adjusted odds ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.24–0.93];
P
=0.03).

Conclusions

In infants with single‐ventricle physiology who underwent hybrid stage 1 palliation, digoxin prescription at hospital discharge was associated with improved interstage transplant‐free survival.
Influence of Socioeconomic Gender Inequality on Sex Disparities in Prevention and Outcome of Cardiovascular Disease: Data From a Nationwide Population Cohort in China
Authors: Wang Yunfeng , Tian Aoxi , Wu Chaoqun , Lu Jiapeng , Chen Bowang , Yang Yang , Zhang Xiaoyan , Zhang Xingyi , Cui Jianlan , Xu Wei , Song Lijuan , Guo Weihong , Wang Runsi , Li Xi , Hu Shengshou
Published: October 2023

Background

Knowledge gaps remain in how gender‐related socioeconomic inequality affects sex disparities in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) prevention and outcome.

Methods and Results

Based on a nationwide population cohort, we enrolled 3 737 036 residents aged 35 to 75 years (2014–2021). Age‐standardized sex differences and the effect of gender‐related socioeconomic inequality (Gender Inequality Index) on sex disparities were explored in 9 CVD prevention indicators. Compared with men, women had seemingly better primary prevention (aspirin usage: relative risk [RR], 1.24 [95% CI, 1.18–1.31] and statin usage: RR, 1.48 [95% CI, 1.39–1.57]); however, women's status became insignificant or even worse when adjusted for metabolic factors. In secondary prevention, the sex disparities in usage of aspirin (RR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.63–0.68]) and statin (RR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.61–0.66]) were explicitly larger than disparities in usage of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (RR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.84–0.91]) or β blockers (RR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.63–0.71]). Nevertheless, women had better hypertension awareness (RR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.09–1.10]), similar hypertension control (RR, 1.01 [95% CI, 1.00–1.02]), and lower CVD mortality (hazard ratio, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.45–0.47]). Heterogeneities of sex disparities existed across all subgroups. Significant correlations existed between regional Gender Inequality Index values and sex disparities in usage of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (Spearman correlation coefficient,
r
=−0.57,
P
=0.0013), hypertension control (
r
=−0.62,
P
=0.0007), and CVD mortality (
r
=0.45,
P
=0.014), which remained significant after adjusting for economic factors.

Conclusions

Notable sex disparities remain in CVD prevention and outcomes, with large subgroup heterogeneities. Gendered socioeconomic factors could reinforce such disparities. A sex‐specific perspective factoring in socioeconomic disadvantages could facilitate more targeted prevention policy making.
Trends in Cardiovascular Disease Mortality by County‐Level Social Vulnerability Index in the United States
Authors: Terry Katrina , Makhlouf Mohamed , Altarabsheh Salah E. , Deo Vaishali , Petermann‐Rocha Fanny , Elgudin Yakov , Nasir Khurram , Rajagopalan Sanjay , Al‐Kindi Sadeer , Deo Salil
Published: October 2023

Background

Although cardiovascular mortality (CVM) rates in the United States have been declining overall, our study evaluated whether this holds true for areas with increased social deprivation.

Methods and Results

We used county‐level cross‐sectional age‐adjusted CVM rates (aa‐CVM) (2000–2019) linked to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Social Vulnerability Index (SVI–2010). We grouped counties as per SVI (Groups I 0–0.2, II 0.21–0.4, III 0.41–0.6, IV 0.61–0.8, and V 0.81–1) and calculated the relative change in the aa‐CVM between 2000 to 2003 and 2016 to 2019. We used adjusted linear regression analyses to explore the association between a higher SVI and temporal aa‐CVM improvement; we studied this temporal change in aa‐CVM across subgroups of race, sex, and location. The median aa‐CVM rate (per 100 000) was 272.6 (interquartile range [IQR]: 237.5–311.7). The aa‐CVM was higher in men (315.6 [IQR: 273.4–363.9]) than women (221.3 [IQR: 189.6–256.7]), and in Black residents (347.2 [IQR: 301.1–391.1];
P
<0.001) than White residents (258.9 [IQR: 226–299.1];
P
<0.001). The aa‐CVM for SVI I (233.6 [IQR: 214.8–257.0]) was significantly lower than that of group V (323.6 [IQR: 277.2–359.2];
P
<0.001). The relative reduction in CVM was significantly higher for SVI group I (32.2% [IQR: 24.2–38.4]) than group V (27.2% [IQR: 19–34.1]) counties. After multivariable adjustment, a higher SVI index was associated with lower relative improvement in the age‐adjusted CVM (model coefficient −3.11 [95% CI, −5.66 to −1.22];
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

Socially deprived counties in the United States had higher aa‐CVM rates, and the improvement in aa‐CVM over the past 20 years was lower in these counties.
Magnitude of Systolic Blood Pressure Reduction and Early Achieved Blood Pressure and Clinical Outcomes After Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Zhai Yujia , Shi Mengyao , Liu Yang , Peng Yanbo , Zhu Zhengbao , Wang Aili , Peng Hao , Xu Tian , Chen Jing , Xu Tan , Zhang Yonghong , He Jiang , Zhong Chongke
Published: October 2023

Background

We aimed to evaluate the relationships between the magnitude of systolic blood pressure (SBP) reduction and achieved SBP in the acute phase of ischemic stroke onset and subsequent clinical outcomes.

Methods and Results

This study was a secondary analysis of CATIS (China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke), a multicenter randomized controlled trial of 4071 patients with acute ischemic stroke. SBP reduction was defined as the proportional SBP changes from baseline to 24 hours after randomization, and achieved SBP was the mean of SBP measurements at day 7. The study outcomes included functional outcome of death or major disability (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3), death, and cardiovascular events at 3 months after recruitment. Compared with the reference group of increase or no change in SBP within the first 24 hours, the odds ratios (95% CIs) of functional outcome of death or major disability were 0.62 (0.47–0.83) and 0.61 (0.42–0.87) for the reduction of 11% to 20% and >20%, respectively. Compared with participants in highest achieved SBP group (≥160 mm Hg) at day 7, odds ratios or hazard ratios of lower achieved SBP (<130 mm Hg) were 0.54 (95% CI, 0.37–0.80) for functional outcome, and 0.36 (95% CI, 0.17–0.80) for death or cardiovascular events.

Conclusions

A moderate magnitude of SBP reduction and a lower early achieved SBP were associated with a decreased risk of poor functional outcome, death, and cardiovascular events after acute ischemic stroke. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

REGISTRATION: URL:
ClinicalTrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01840072.
Prognostic Impact of Renal Function on 5‐Year Outcomes After Fractional Flow Reserve‐Guided Deferral of Revascularization
Authors: Itakura Ryosuke , Kuramitsu Shoichi , Kikuchi Jun , Kawase Yoshiaki , Mizukami Takuya , Shinozaki Tomohiro , Horie Kazunori , Takashima Hiroaki , Terai Hidenobu , Kikuta Yuetsu , Ishihara Takayuki , Saigusa Tatsuya , Sakamoto Tomohiro , Suematsu Nobuhiro , Shiono Yasutsugu , Asano Taku , Tsujita Kenichi , Masamura Katsuhiko , Doijiri Tatsuki , Toyota Fumitoshi , Ogita Manabu , Kurita Tairo , Matsuo Akiko , Harada Ken , Yaginuma Kenji , Sonoda Shinjo , Yokoi Hiroyoshi , Tanaka Nobuhiro , Matsuo Hitoshi ,   the J‐CONFIRM investigators
Published: October 2023

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) might influence fractional flow reserve (FFR) value, potentially attenuating its prognostic utility. However, few large‐scale data are available regarding clinical outcomes after FFR‐guided deferral of revascularization in patients with CKD.

Methods and Results

From the J‐CONFIRM registry (Long‐Term Outcomes of Japanese Patients With Deferral of Coronary Intervention Based on Fractional Flow Reserve in Multicenter Registry), 1218 patients were divided into 3 groups according to renal function: (1) non‐CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
), n=385; (2) CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate 15–59 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
, n=763); and (3) end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
, n=70). The primary study end point was the cumulative 5‐year incidence of target vessel failure (TVF), defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and clinical driven target vessel revascularization. Cumulative 5‐year incidence of TVF was significantly higher in the ESRD group than in the CKD and non‐CKD group, whereas it did not differ between the CKD and non‐CKD groups (26.3% versus 11.9% versus 9.5%,
P
<0.001). Although the 5‐year TVF risk increased as the FFR value decreased regardless of renal function, patients with ESRD had a remarkably higher risk of TVF at every FFR value than those with CKD and non‐CKD.

Conclusions

At 5 years, patients with ESRD showed a higher incidence of TVF than patients with CKD and non‐CKD, although with similar outcomes between patients with CKD and non‐CKD. Patients with ESRD had an excess risk of 5‐year TVF at every FFR value compared with those with CKD and non‐CKD.

Registration

URL:
https://www.umin.ac.jp
; Unique identifier: UMIN000014473.
Residual Responsibility to Implement: the AU, the Constitutive Act, and the Responsibility to Protect
Authors: Afewerky Rahel Kessete
Published: October 2023

Decades after the African Union adopted the Constitutive Act and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), mass atrocities continue to go unchecked in Africa. The continent hosts a rising number of unresolved conflicts and humanitarian crises, rendering the promise of ‘African solutions to African problems’ mere rhetoric. This article analyses both the complementary features of the Constitutive Act and R2P, which provide the AU with the power to prevent and stop mass atrocity crimes, and the challenges which continue to impede it from successfully upholding its responsibilities.
Absorptive Resisting Work: How the yellow vests deployed resistance to and through violence
Authors: Lobbedez Elise
Published: October 2023

Organizational research has increasingly recognized violence as an instrument for achieving compliance and maintaining the existing order. However, resisters tend to be portrayed as powerless in the face of this violence or engaging in hopeless acts of resistance. In comparison, by examining the context of violent protests, this paper discusses how activists can endure and use violence as part of their resistance. I build on a 15-month ethnography of the gilets jaunes (yellow vest) movement to illuminate the absorptive resisting work involved in deploying resistance to and through violence. This absorptive resisting work included reducing the repressive effects of violent protests and embracing those effects to generate symbolic and discursive resources against police violence, as well as including violent protest tactics in ways that regenerated those resources. Ultimately, my findings reveal that this absorptive work allowed resisters to withstand violent protests in the short term and reframe them in the long term. This paper thus contributes to studies on resistance to violence by showing how people can effectively and collectively catalyze violence to challenge it.
Populism and critical theory: On Arato and Cohen
Authors: O’Mahony Patrick
Published: October 2023

The book contains an extraordinary condensation of important themes regarding populism. It brings social and political science together with normative philosophy, something badly needed today in critical theory to advance its theoretical-empirical approach. But it is precisely the kind of interpretation of critical theory presented in the book that is the focus of these brief comments. In particular, I mainly ask about the relation to second-generation critical theory. In this context, the comments particularly address kinds and levels of cultural structure that make possible the form of normative reconstruction offered by critical theory, and examines how these appear – or do not appear – in the book, together with outlining the implications for the approach. Specifically, I will address three main dimensions arising in the book. These are (a) Immanent Critique; (b) The counterfactual status of ideals; (c) The methodology of ideal type analysis. The general conclusion is show in what ways the line of inquiry present in the book can be further elaborated within critical theory.
Using Performance Feedback With and Without Goal Setting on Teachers’ Classroom Management Skills
Authors: Criss Caitlin J. , Konrad Moira , Alber-Morgan Sheila R. , Brock Matthew E. , Harris Angie B.
Published: October 2023

Although evidence-based practices for improving academic engagement for students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders (EBD) have been identified, many teachers do not implement these practices with optimal fidelity. Thus, effective strategies are needed to improve teacher fidelity. Performance feedback is an effective professional development strategy, but it is unclear whether ancillary strategies like goal setting might further improve fidelity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of email performance feedback with and without goal setting on teacher implementation of opportunities to respond and behavior-specific praise using a multiple probe design. Participants were four general and special educators at a U.S. alternative school for students with EBD. Results indicated that a combination of written performance feedback and goal setting was effective, and that performance feedback alone was also effective. We were unable to determine whether the goal-setting component strengthened the performance feedback. Teachers provided positive feedback about the utility and feasibility of performance feedback with goal setting.
Using Spatial Modeling for Identifying Determinants Influencing Crash Estimate: Case Study of Hamedan, Iran
Authors: Almasi Seyed Ahmadreza , Bakhshi Lomer Amir Reza , Khaksar Hassan , Lotfata Aynaz
Published: October 2023

Road crashes are a major cause of fatalities worldwide, posing significant challenges for road-safety experts in selecting appropriate crash-frequency estimation models. This study introduces localized safety performance functions (C-SPFs), which explore the spatial variation of crash frequency and the spatial correlation between dependent variables. The exploratory spatial regression method is employed to identify optimal spatial associations. The study further predicts crashes using geographically weighted Poisson regression (GWPR) and generalized Poisson regression. Results indicate that C-SPFs offer greater accuracy than do models calibrated solely on annual average daily traffic. Moreover, the proposed model is especially relevant for jurisdictions facing higher heavy-vehicle traffic and frequent crashes. The development of C-SPFs and the use of GWPR provide valuable tools for policymakers and road-safety experts in enhancing crash-frequency estimation accuracy. Implementing these techniques can aid in prioritizing safety measures and countermeasures, especially in regions with significant heavy-vehicle traffic and crash occurrences. Additionally, the integration of spatial-analysis techniques and localized models can lead to more effective transportation planning and targeted road-safety interventions, ultimately contributing to reducing the burden of road crashes on a global scale.
Service Quality in Rail Systems: Listen to the Voice of Social Media
Authors: Güner Samet , Taşkın Kamil , Cebeci Halil İbrahim , Aydemir Emrah
Published: October 2023

Service quality is essential to increase and maintain user loyalty to the railway system. In the literature, surveys have been used to measure user satisfaction, and mathematical methods have been applied to quantify the survey results. In recent years, user-generated content, including comments and complaints shared via social media, has been used to measure the quality of rail services. This content may provide important insights into the quality of the service provided with its dynamic structure. In this study, a SERVQUAL-based social-media analytics approach is used to measure railway service quality, placing special emphasis on the temporal variations in a national rail system. Topic modeling was used to assign each content item to the relevant service dimension and sentiment analysis was applied to measure the level of satisfaction. Importance–performance analysis was employed at the final stage to generate policy suggestions. Gathering more than 2.3 million social-media messages posted from 2011 to 2021, we examined the temporal evolution of service quality of the Turkish rail system. The results reveal the most and least important services and the satisfaction level of each dimension. The differences between the priorities of conventional and high-speed rail passengers are defined, and policy recommendations are presented.
Prevalence, Timing, Locational Distribution, and Risk Factors for Heterotopic Ossification After Elbow Arthroscopy
Authors: Ben Hui , Kholinne Erica , Zeng Chu Hui , Alsaqri Hood , Lee Jun-Bum , So Sang-Pil , Koh Kyoung-Hwan , Jeon In-Ho
Published: October 2023

Background:

Arthroscopic techniques aim to reduce complications and accelerate recovery of the elbow after treatments for posttraumatic stiffness, arthritis diseases, lateral epicondylitis, ligament reconstruction, and elbow trauma. However, data on the true prevalence and characteristics of heterotopic ossification (HO) formation after elbow arthroscopy are limited.

Purpose:

To investigate the prevalence, timing, locational distribution, and risk factors of HO after elbow arthroscopy.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Data on 205 patients undergoing elbow arthroscopy by a single senior elbow surgeon at a single institution between May 2011 and January 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were evaluated at 2 weeks, 8 weeks, 6 months, and then annually after surgery or more frequently if HO developed, with a minimum of 1 year of postoperative follow-up. Postoperative anteroposterior and lateral elbow radiographs were taken at 2 weeks to rule out fracture and at 8 weeks to identify HO. The clinical outcomes were evaluated based on the pain visual analog scale; the shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score; Mayo Elbow Performance Score; and the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores before and after surgery. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors affecting HO prevalence.

Results:

Thirteen (12 male, 1 female) of 205 (6.3%) patients developed HO, with 10 (76.9%) with HO that formed on the medial compartment of the elbow. Ten (76.9%) patients were diagnosed at 8 weeks after arthroscopic surgery, 1 (7.7%) at 6 months after surgery, and 2 (15.4%) at 12 months after surgery. HO was not found at 2 weeks after surgery in any patient. The mean follow-up time was 3.5 years (range, 1.0-11.8 years). Eleven asymptomatic patients were treated nonoperatively, and 2 symptomatic patients underwent HO excision arthroscopically or had a combination of open surgery and arthroscopy. Age was a protective factor for HO formation (odds ratio [OR], 0.953; 95% CI, 0.910-0.999; P = .047). The risk factors for HO formation were tourniquet time (OR, 1.042; 95% CI, 1.019-1.065; P < .001) and surgical time (OR, 1.026; 95% CI, 1.011-1.041; P < .001).

Conclusion:

Among 205 patients who underwent elbow arthroscopy, HO was a minor complication of elbow arthroscopy, with a prevalence rate of 6.3%, and was usually located on the medial compartment of the elbow. Although the presence of HO may not affect the clinical outcomes in most patients, it should be carefully monitored for a minimum of 8 weeks postoperatively. Younger age, longer tourniquet time, and longer surgical time contributed to HO formation after elbow arthroscopy.
A Safe and Simple Method of Augmentation Mastopexy
Authors: Le Tong , Higgs Michael John
Published: October 2023

Introduction:

Combining breast augmentation with mastopexy has historically been considered challenging, with concerns about complications and suboptimal aesthetic outcomes. However, recent data suggest that the combined procedure can be performed safely and effectively.

Materials and Method:

This article presents a technique for augmentation mastopexy that aims to minimize complications and is safe to perform. The technique focuses on preserving a robust blood supply, minimizing lower breast contour bottoming out, maintaining upper pole fullness, reducing the risk of recurrent ptosis, minimizing scar burden, and avoiding periareolar scar widening. Precise preoperative and intraoperative markings are crucial for achieving long-lasting results. The use of tailor tacking and marking the vertical excess with the patient in an upright position provides a reliable method for determining the amount of soft tissue resection required.

Results:

The results are shown in the postoperative photographs at 10 days, 1 month, and 3 months, respectively. These are compared with the preoperative photographs of the patient’s features.

Discussion:

The technique incorporates the use of an implant placed in the dual-plane subpectoral pocket to address upper pole flatness and provide structural support in the lower pole. The article emphasizes the importance of preserving Cooper’s ligaments during skin resection to maintain the supportive role of the skin. Vertical wedge resection of the lower pole is employed to reconstruct the breast cone and create a strong vertical fibrous band, which contributes to the long-term shape and support of the breast. The article also discusses techniques to mitigate nipple-areolar complex widening and emphasizes the importance of patient selection based on specific criteria.

Conclusion:

Overall, the authors present a safe and simple technique for augmentation mastopexy that aims to achieve long-lasting results with minimal complications. The authors advocate for careful patient selection and adherence to their methodology, which incorporates principles of preserving blood supply, maintaining breast contours, and minimizing scar burden.
Type of Victimization Exposure, Perpetrator Type, and Timing of Victimization: The Impact on Behavioral Health Outcomes
Authors: Kowalski Melissa A. , Campagna Michael , Wright Steiner Emily M. , Spohn Ryan
Published: October 2023

The effect of abuse victimization in correctional samples has been researched previously, particularly with an eye toward these experiences on justice-involved youth and prison samples’ offending and recidivism behavior. The role of this type of victimization, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and polyvictimization, is less studied in jail populations. The effect of abuse victimization is also less researched among other outcomes, including behavioral health disorders (BHDs) and substance use disorder (SUD). While the effect of abuse, generally, has been examined, less is known about how abuse perpetrator type and timing of abuse impact justice-involved individuals’ outcomes. Using logistic regressions, we examined the influence of abuse perpetrator type (non-stranger or stranger) and timing (before childhood, after childhood, or before and after childhood) in a population of jailed adults from one state ( n = 4,713). Outcomes studied included internalizing BHDs, externalizing BHDs, and severe SUD. Results indicated that abuse perpetrated by a non-stranger yielded a greater impact on mental illness compared to abuse perpetrated by a stranger. In contrast to abuse experienced as an adult, childhood abuse was more consistently associated with internalizing and externalizing disorders but was not related to severe SUD, with an exception of physical abuse. Further, BHDs and SUD were strongly associated with each other. Overall, polyvictimization had the strongest effect on the outcomes compared to either physical abuse or sexual abuse alone. Our findings suggest that screening for abuse experiences as a potential destabilizing factor in justice-involved populations could improve case management and interventions for people incarcerated in jails. Results also highlight the importance of distinguishing between the perpetrator type of abuse and timing of abuse.
Cyberethics in nursing education: Ethical implications of artificial intelligence
Authors: De Gagne Jennie C. , Hwang Hyeyoung , Jung Dukyoo
Published: October 2023

As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, particularly generative AI (Gen AI), becomes increasingly prevalent in nursing education, it is paramount to address the ethical implications of their implementation. This article explores the realm of cyberethics (a field of applied ethics that focuses on the ethical, legal, and social implications of cybertechnology), highlighting the ethical principles of autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and explicability as a roadmap for facilitating AI integration into nursing education. Research findings suggest that ethical dilemmas that challenge these five principles can emerge within the context of nursing education; however, adherence to these very principles, which is essential to improving patient care, can offer solutions to these dilemmas. To ensure the ethical and responsible use of Gen AI in nursing education, these principles must be woven into the fabric of curricula, and appropriate guidelines must be developed. Nurse educators have a pivotal role in strategizing comprehensive approaches for ethical AI integration, establishing clear guidelines, and instilling critical thinking among students. Fostering lifelong learning and adaptability is key to ensuring that future nurses can successfully navigate the constantly evolving landscape of health care technology. Future research should investigate the long-term impacts of AI utilization on learning outcomes and ethical decision-making.
Frugal Engineering of Advanced Frugal Innovations for Global Sustainability Entrepreneurship
Authors: Rao Balkrishna C. , Liefner Ingo
Published: October 2023

The advent of advanced frugal products has paved the way for gearing engineering and its constituents for frugality from here onwards. Therefore, frugal engineering (FE) is accomplished by setting constraints on both material consumption and cost at all stages of product development. This article expounds on the entrepreneurship that will be unleashed by relevant entities, companies and countries embracing FE. The features of advanced frugal products that positively influence quality, resources and cost will have serious ramifications for entrepreneurs of all stripes. This article describes the challenges faced by entrepreneurs of small and midsize businesses (SMBs) in going frugal and some possible solutions. Large enterprises (LEs) have also been studied for the impact of their ample resources on the effective creation of advanced frugal innovations (AFIs). Although LEs can utilise the ample resources at their disposal for effective implementation of FE of advanced frugal products, SMBs can use the natural scarcity to their advantage. Overall, this article establishes the need for entrepreneurs to become knowledgeable about science, technology and other knowledge areas. Such awareness in this age of climate change will greatly help entrepreneurs in maximum leveraging of science for the creation and diffusion of advanced frugal products. Large-scale entrepreneurial activity with AFIs will greatly aid in finding sustainable solutions to the various challenges thrown by climate change and other crises.
Exploring the Role of Standardized Instruments and Consultation in Reducing Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Treatment for Behavioral Problems
Authors: Kerns Suzanne E. U. , Phillips Jon D. , Goldsborough Elizabeth J. , Hollinshead Dana , Gopalan Geetha , Barth Richard P.
Published: October 2023

This study was part of a larger study of Partnering for Success, a federally funded initiative focused on providing evidence-based outpatient mental health treatment to children involved with or at risk for involvement with the child welfare system. With a sample of 782 children, the study explored strategies that therapists can use to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in treatment for behavioral problems in children. The results provide promising evidence that racial and ethnic disparities in treatment receipt for behavioral problems are reduced when therapists administer and adhere to the results of standardized screening instruments and participate in clinical consultation.
Investigation of single and multicell honeycomb reinforced shape memory polymer composites: Shape optimization and experimental characterization
Authors: Squibb Carson , Philen Michael
Published: October 2023

Honeycomb materials as reinforcements for shape memory polymers have been considered for their commercial availability, ease of geometric tailoring, and high in-plane stiffnesses. The design optimization of these honeycomb cells remains an open field of research, with many approaches taken in formulating the structural optimization problems. This investigation focuses on implementing a shape variable parametrization of the honeycomb to study the possible value of both cell asymmetry and spatially varying cell geometries in multicell networks. A unit cell finite element model framework was developed to predict the in-plane elastic properties of these composites, and two design objectives were selected to be optimized. Pareto fronts were estimated for multiple loading cases and cell wall material models, and experimental results were collected for model validation. The optimization results find that these composites can achieve a large range of performances, with maximum moduli as high as 17.2 GPa. Large asymmetry is found in the optimized cell geometries, and relationships are identified between loading cases and for different wall materials. Furthermore, the experimental results validate the finite element model predictions, with relative errors as low as 20% for the predicted maximum modulus and 2% for the modulus ratio.
A model for residually stressed viscoelastic bodies and its application to some boundary value problems
Authors: Mukherjee Soumya , Ravindran Parag
Published: October 2023

A model for residually stressed viscoelastic bodies undergoing finite deformations is developed and applied to the study of time-dependent responses of spheres and cylinders to various stress and strain controlled tests. An approach based on the notion of natural configurations is employed. An appropriate free energy function is used, and a suitable dissipation function is adopted to obtain a constitutive model. This constitutive model is applied to the study of different boundary value problems of thick spheres and cylinders. The responses to various strain controlled tests are investigated, which includes the stress-relaxation test and a test for a time-dependent inflation–deflation cycle. Also, the response to creep test and step-stress test in thick viscoelastic spheres is investigated. Furthermore, the stretch-controlled responses of residually stressed viscoelastic cylinders to pure torsion and axial stretch are studied. Pure torsion involves an axial extension or compression known as the Poynting effect. The Poynting effect in residually stressed viscoelastic bodies, which does not appear to be studied in the literature, is investigated in detail here. It is noted that the magnitude of the angle of twist has a significant influence (sometimes involving a change of sign) on the observed Poynting effect.
Effects of prehabilitation resistance training in mild to moderate clinically frail patients awaiting coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Sahar Wajeeha , Waseem Mehwish , Riaz Muhammad , Nazeer Nouman , Ahmad Muhammad , Haider Zulfiqar
Published: October 2023

Coronary artery disease is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity among chronic heart diseases worldwide. Patients reported chronic chest pain as the primary symptom of coronary artery disease. Due to its progressive nature, it affects the health status and functional capacity of the patients. The current study was planned to compare the effects of prehabilitation resistance training in mild to moderate clinically frail patients awaiting coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 74 patients awaiting CABG at the Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology, Faisalabad, Pakistan. A Modified Healthy Heart Questionnaire was used for screening of the patients. Interventions applied were resistance training by using cuff weights/dumbbells at light intensity (40%–50%) of a maximum of one repetition (10–15 repetitions for one to three times a day) per major muscle groups of upper and lower limbs of the body on weekly basis. The main outcome measures were the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), the New York Heart Association (NYHA) for heart failure, the clinical frailty score, and the essential frailty toolset. Significant differences between group A (resistance training group) and group B (conventional physical therapy group) patients were observed. The mean ranks for 6MWT in group A and group B were 1.70 and 1.55, respectively. The mean ranks of NYHA in group A and group B were 1.68 and 2.84, respectively. Clinical frailty scores in group A and group B were 2.68 and 2.74, respectively, with the essential frailty toolset in group A and group B were 1.14 and 1.11, respectively. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences within and between groups for prehabilitation resistance training after CABG. The study showed that the resistance training group had improved the clinical frailty score, strength, endurance, and functional capacity in patients who underwent elective CABG.