bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the ‘distance to LDC-goal’ in patients at very high cardiovascular risk with hyperlipidaemia in Germany: a retrospective claims database analysis
Authors: Stach Ksenija , Richter Hartmut , Fraass Uwe , Stein Alexandra
Published: September 2024

Background and objectives:

This study quantified the ‘distance to LDL-C goal’ in patients at very high cardiovascular risk with uncontrolled hyperlipidaemia. ‘Distance to LDL-C goal’ was defined as the percentage by which low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels needed to be reduced to achieve the LDL-C goals specified in the 2016 or 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society guidelines.

Design and methods:

This retrospective analysis using data from the IQVIA Disease Analyzer database included patients who were predominantly treated by a primary care physician, diabetologist or cardiologist between 2014 and 2018, with a diagnosis of hyperlipidaemia and an initial LDL-C measurement (index event) and one or more cardiovascular risk factors. The primary outcome was to assess the proportion of patients with uncontrolled hyperlipidaemia and to classify the ‘distance to LDL-C goal’ in these patients.

Results:

Data from 32,963 patients were analysed ( n = 27,159, n = 3873 and n = 1931 patients in the primary care physician, diabetology and cardiology cohorts, respectively). Most patients had uncontrolled LDL-C levels (⩾70 mg/dL; ⩾1.8 mmol/L) at index (91.0%, 86.4% and 94.0% of patients in the primary care physician, diabetology and cardiology cohorts, respectively). Analysis of the ‘distance to LDL-C goal’ indicated that approximately one-third of patients in each cohort required an LDL-C level reduction of up to 50% relative to index to achieve their LDL-C goal (35.8%, 43.7% and 28.4% of patients in the primary care physician, diabetology and cardiology cohorts, respectively). LDL-C control was not achieved at 36 months post-index in most patients with uncontrolled LDL-C levels (86.8%, 81.7% and 90.2% of patients in the primary care physician, diabetology and cardiology cohorts, respectively).

Conclusion:

LDL-C levels were uncontrolled in most patients with hyperlipidaemia. Analysis of the ‘distance to LDL-C goal’ showed that most patients required a substantial LDL-C level reduction to achieve their LDL-C goal.
Learning how to count: Pedagogies of accountability in the pandemic university
Authors: Caraccioli Mauro J
Published: September 2024

This article examines the pedagogical politics at play in the quantification of faculty labor in contemporary U.S. academia. It focuses on the author’s experiences at a large, land-grant, R1 university, going through the Promotion and Tenure (P&T) review process and reflecting on the various kinds of responsibilities that emerged from structural and personal transformations during the COVID-19 pandemic. By developing a pedagogy of accountability against quantitative compartmentalization, the essay outlines how to posit care, empowerment, and reflexivity as central to all learning, especially for teachers and particularly in times of crisis. In this context, ‘learning how to count’ means going against faceless metrics of one-to-one correspondence with other faculty or peer institutions and instead embracing what Paulo Freire called the ‘civic courage’ to teach as a commitment to others and the self.
Treatment trajectories and outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease: a tertiary single-centre experience
Authors: Wagner Kim , Müller Tanja M. , Vitali Francesco , Fischer Sarah , Haberkamp Sophie , Rouse-Merkel Rachel , Atreya Raja , Neurath Markus F. , Zundler Sebastian
Published: September 2024

Background:

There is an increasing diversification in the treatment landscape for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) leading to therapeutic challenges that can only incompletely be covered by prospective randomized double-blind trials. Real-world observations are therefore an important tool to provide insights into therapeutic strategies.

Objectives:

To describe the real-world treatment algorithms in an IBD referral centre.

Design:

Single-centre retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

We retrospectively analysed prospectively collected data on treatment sequences and outcomes from 502 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) treated with infliximab, adalimumab, vedolizumab or ustekinumab at a large German tertiary referral centre.

Results:

Treatment decisions correlated to baseline patient characteristics. Over time, infliximab continued to be the preferred first-line option in CD and UC, although ustekinumab and vedolizumab, respectively, became increasingly important choices. Remission rates decreased with the advancement of therapy lines.

Conclusion:

We provide insights into the evolution of tertiary centre real-world treatment sequences that might – together with other observations – help to guide the selection of therapies in IBD. Our data also strongly underscore the unmet need for biomarkers supporting treatment decisions.

Trial registration:

None.
One-bone forearm for the treatment of supination contractures secondary to neonatal brachial plexus injury
Authors: Rojas-Neira Juliana , Chaves Camilo , Díaz-Gallardo Paula , Nguyen Trong-Quynh , Dominguez-Amador Juan J , Soldado Francisco
Published: September 2024

Background:

The one-bone forearm procedure has been considered as a potential treatment for severe forearm deformities. However, its primary limitation lies in the elevated risks of nonunion and infection. In order to enhance union rates, a technical modification was introduced, aiming not only to establish end-to-end radio-ulnar fixation but also to incorporate an additional overlay and fixation between the proximal and distal radius osteotomy stumps. This technique, initially applied in a heterogeneous patient population including individuals with neurological, tumoral, and congenital conditions, yielded promising results, achieving a consolidation rate of 100% and enabling supination corrections of up to 120°.

Methods:

In this study, we present a retrospective cohort of 28 patients, with an average age of 9 years, all afflicted by forearm supination contracture exceeding 90° secondary to neonatal brachial plexus injury. These patients underwent treatment with the modified technique.

Results:

The mean correction achieved in forearm rotation was 116°, and the average follow-up period extended to 43 months. Remarkably, all patients exhibited bone union within an average period of 6.6 weeks, without any complications.

Conclusion:

Our findings underscore the efficacy of this modified technique, which enables substantial rotational corrections, boasts a high union rate, and maintains a low incidence of complications. This approach is particularly valuable for young patients suffering from neonatal brachial plexus injury with severe fixed supination deformities.

Case series, Level of evidence:

IV
In-vitro Evaluation of the Antifungal Property of Cold-Pressed Coconut oil Against Drug-Resistant Candida albicans and in-Silico Bioactivity Against Candidapepsin-2
Authors: Mbim Elizabeth Nkagafel , Edet Uwem Okon , Nwaokorie Francisca O. , Okoroiwu Henshaw U. , Ibor Oju R. , Bassey Ini Ubi , Ekpo Antai E. , Edet Bassey Okon , Bebia Glory P. , Tega Curtis , Mboto Clement I. , Nkang Ani E.
Published: September 2024

Objective: This study focuses on Candida albicans, a significant fungal pathogen in humans, particularly affecting immunocompromised individuals and developing resistance to commonly used antifungal drugs. To address this challenge, the research assessed the in-vitro anti-candida properties of cold-pressed coconut oil. Additionally, the study conducted an in-silico evaluation of the oil's bioactive compounds against candidapepsin-2, an enzyme crucial in the virulence and pathogenesis of Candida infections. Materials and Methods: Extracted coconut oil was tested for its sterility and evaluated for its antifungal activity in-vitro using the agar well-diffusion methods with fluconazole as a positive control. Growth kinetics assay and synergism activity with fluconazole were also assessed. The coconut oil was quantitatively screened for its bioactive compounds using gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS) and the resulting bioactive compounds were assessed for absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) properties using the SWISSADME tool. Compounds that met Lipinski's rule of five (ROF) were subjected to molecular docking against candidapepsin-2 using the Biovia (Discovery) docking tool. Results: The test isolates exhibited zones of inhibition ranging from 47–76 mm to the extract (100%) compared to 12–42 mm exhibited against fluconazole (400 mg) and 2–3 mm in plates containing only agar with MICs and MFCs ranging from 1.57–6.25% and 3.13 −12.5% against the extract compared to the control drug where MICs and MFCs of 6.25–12.5% and 12.5–25.0% were observed, respectively. The coconut extract exerted a concentration-dependent effect on the test isolates over time as higher extract concentrations decreased the optical density of cells to 0.001–0.06 at 72 h of incubation. Equal proportions of the extract + fluconazole exerted greater inhibitory potentials on the test isolates compared with those of low extract proportions. The synergistic-antagonistic antifungal assay showed enhanced sensitivity of the resistant isolates. Of the eleven (11) bioactive compounds quantitatively screened, only nine (9) met Lipinski's ROF and also returned favourable pharmacokinetics comparable to fluconazole. Docking scores for the bioactive compounds ranged from −2.0 to −3.0 kcal/mol. The most recurring amino acid residues following molecular docking were ILE and THR. Conclusion: The bioactive compounds showed desirable activities in-vitro, especially in synergy with fluconazole against the drug-resistant Candida species and in-silico and thus, require further studies to validate their potential use in the management of Candida-related infections.
Analytical Evaluation and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Vegetable Oils to Support Evidence-Based use in Dermal Products
Authors: Poljšak Nina , Kočevar Glavač Nina
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study presents an analytical and biological evaluation of selected vegetable oils and their unsaponifiable compounds, which are of crucial importance for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, with the aim of ensuring their targeted use in dermal products.

Methods

Vegetable oils were selected based on their dominant fatty acid composition: pomegranate seed oil (punicic acid), linseed oil (α-linolenic acid), coconut oil (lauric acid), olive oil (oleic acid), poppy seed oil (linoleic acid), linden seed oil (linoleic acid), and marigold seed oil (α-calendic acid). Pharmacopoeial chemical values, fatty acid profiles, and unsaponifiable compounds were analysed. Antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH assay.

Results

Chemical values indicated good oxidative status and minimal hydrolysis. Fatty acid analysis revealed expected compositions, with rare linden and marigold seed oils exhibiting distinctive fatty acid composition, featuring sterculic and α-calendic acids. Marigold seed oil showed the richest profile of unsaponifiable compounds. Antioxidant activity was highest in olive oil and lowest in coconut oil. No significant correlation was found between the fatty acid composition, unsaponifiable matter, and antioxidant activity suggesting the synergistic or antagonistic interactions of oil components.

Conclusion

The study highlights the complex interactions among oil components that influence antioxidant activity. These findings deepen the understanding of the complex mechanisms determining the antioxidant properties of vegetable oils, crucial for informed decisions in dermal product formulation as demand for natural, effective cosmetic and pharmaceutical ingredients rises.
Characterization of Muffins Prepared With Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum) Extract and its Effect on Hyperlipidemic Adult Patients
Authors: Niazi Madiha Khan , Badr ul ain Huma , Noreen Sana , Tufail Tabussam , Hassan Farooq , ismail Muhammad Amjed
Published: September 2024

Clove is important herb because of their high phytochemical content, dietary fiber level, and nutritional value. Clove have a wide range of nutritional and physiological benefits and its value added products have been provided in this study. Objective: To characterize the muffins prepared with clove extract for its nutritional and chemical profile. To evaluate the effect of muffins prepared with clove extract on hyperlipidemic adult patients. Methodology: Clove was analysed for its chemical contents ie moisture, crude fiber, ash, crude fat and protein, minerals and antioxidants was quantified according to their procedures. Furthermore, 30 patients were divided into 2 groups including control group and for 60 days. Each group had been tested regularly. Results: The results showed Clove had higher values of proximate testing and other nutrients like minerals. The results showed Clove had higher antioxidants. Furthermore, when hyperlipidemic patients were fed muffins of clove, in Treatment group the level of cholesterol 189 mg/dL, Low-Density Lipoprotein 140 mg/dL, triglycerides 132 mg/dL was reduced but the level of High-Density Lipoprotein 42 mg/dL was increased. Conclusion: In conclusion, clove in most chemical, nutritional, vitamin, and antioxidants criteria. It is convincingly suggested that Clove be included in a diet-based treatment for rheostat lifestyle-related illnesses. Present study also revealed that there was an improvement in hyperlipidemic patients.
Analysis of the Chemical Constituents of Rhodobryum roseum Based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Yan Shen-long , Li Kai-lin , Yang Qing-rui , Yu Kai-quan , Liu Ling , Li Qing , Wen Lin-wen , Huang Cong , Li Hui , Liu Yan-nan
Published: September 2024

Objective

To further explore the unknown chemical composition and aimed to develop a reliable strategy for characterizing compounds in Rhodobryum roseum ( R. roseum).

Methods

This study employed an efficient, high-sensitivity, and high-resolution analysis method. The method utilized UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS, along with trace data acquisition mode (parallel reaction monitoring scanning, PRM), and multiple data processing methods.

Results

A total of 77 chemical substances were identified in R. roseum, including 16 amino acids, 33 organic acids including 6 aromatic acids, 8 phenolics compounds, 2 flavonoid glycosides, 4 flavonoids and 14 other compounds including 4 fatty alcohols by comparing with reference substances, secondary characteristic ion fragments, public databases, and literature. Among these, 74 compounds were found in this plant for the first time.

Conclusion

This result significantly expands the knowledge of the chemical constituents of R. roseum and contributes to the understanding of its active constituents for quality control.
Primary Diffuse Leptomeningeal Gliomatosis
Authors: Padilla Hannah , Liu Michael D. , Hass Reece M. , Carabenciov Ivan D. , Mustafa Rafid
Published: September 2024

We report a case highlighting key clinical, CSF, and imaging findings of primary diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis of the spine.
Cognitive Ability and Personal Values: A Large Sample Study of Schwartz's Values, HEXACO Personality, Age, and Gender
Authors: Anglim Jeromy , Marty Andrew
Published: September 2024

This study offers the most comprehensive assessment to date of the relationship between personal values and cognitive ability. A large sample of Australian adults ( n = 15,552; 60% female; age M = 38.7, SD = 10.7) completed Schwartz’s Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-RR), 200-item HEXACO Personality Inventory–Revised, and measures of general intelligence, crystallized intelligence (verbal ability), and fluid intelligence (abstract reasoning) as part of a job application. General intelligence correlated positively with self-direction, benevolence, and universalism, and negatively with security, tradition, and conformity. Crystallized intelligence correlated more strongly with values than did fluid intelligence. Basic values explained more variance in cognitive ability compared with higher-order values, while narrow values provided minimal incremental prediction. Personal values correlated more strongly with intelligence than did personality traits. Item-level models for personal values and personality offered meaningful incremental prediction of intelligence. Findings support refinement of theories on the development of values, personality, and cognitive ability.
Engineered pre-dentin with well-aligned hierarchical mineralized collagen fibril bundles promote bio-root regeneration
Authors: Hu Lei , Cheng Dongmei , Yuan Xin , Gao Zhenhua , Yi Qiao , Zhao Bin , Wei Fulan , Xu Junji , Fan Zhipeng , Liu Yi , Wang Xiumei , Cui Fuzhai , Zhang Chunmei , Wang Jinsong , Wang Songlin
Published: September 2024

Stem cell-mediated bio-root regeneration is an alternative tooth replacement strategy; however, physiologically functional bio-root regeneration with distinctive dentin structure remains challenging. In this study, the distinct arrangements of collagen fibril bundles were identified that account for hierarchical structural differences between dentin, cementum, and alveolar bone. Thus, an “engineered pre-dentin” was fabricated, which was a dentin hierarchical structure mimicking collagen (MC) scaffold, with well-aligned hierarchical mineralized collagen fibril bundles. The results revealed that it has a stronger effect on promoting biological root regeneration in nude mice and miniature pigs with dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) and periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC) sheets compared to hydroxyapatite tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP). The success rate in the MC group was also higher than that in the HA/TCP group (67% and 33%, respectively). In conclusion, the hierarchical dentin-mimicking scaffold can enhance the regeneration of bio-roots, which provides a promising strategy for tooth regeneration.
The mutually reinforcing power of online and offline activism: The case of the Hungarian Fridays for Future movement
Authors: Vancsó Anna , Kovács-Magosi Orsolya
Published: September 2024

The relationship between online and offline activism has been studied intensely, especially with the outbreak of COVID-19 that forced environmental movements to be online. Nowadays, activists can mobilize crowds and create unique self-representation online by using social media, which requires specific knowledge and skills. In our research conducted among the members of the Hungarian Fridays for Future (FFF) movement for 3 years, we aimed to describe these skills gained through online activism. We focused on mapping the connection between offline and online activism using various qualitative methods such as participant observation, interviews, focus groups, and digital ethnography. In order to get a clear image, we put heavy emphasis on the Hungarian context, namely the structure of the public sphere, the politicization of environmental issues, and the general approach toward activism and social movements. Our results show a mutually reinforcing process between online and offline activism in which numerous learned skills exist in parallel, in the frontstage and the backstage. The most essential skills are building the image of a strong online and offline community with explicit values and objectives as the most effective way of attracting youth to be activists; and learning skills to keep boundaries between personal life and activism similarly to adult experiences of keeping work-life balance. Although, the effectiveness of the FFF activists in both spheres is influenced by the segmented and politicized public sphere from which Hungarian youth tend to be excluded.
Toward a solution to retailer food waste? Influences of ordinary transgression on symbolic associations and the relationship with the brand
Authors: Hanan Audrey , Moulins Jean-Louis , Valette-Florence Pierre
Published: September 2024

While the concept of transgression is clearly of interest in marketing literature, its “ordinary” nature remains largely unknown. Yet, in the face of societal challenges, ordinary acts of transgression by brands are becoming increasingly common. This article focuses on the innovative concept of auto-transgression. It examines the case of a supermarket breaking with its own distribution standards to reduce food waste. A study carried out in collaboration with a national chain (896 consumers) shows that, although socially engaging, transgression can ultimately have a negative effect on brand relations. The ambivalence of its contrasting influence on symbolic associations – loss of legitimacy and gain of enterprising character – makes it necessary to think strategically in order to encourage the positive associations of these new, more virtuous standards, particularly those affecting food consumption.
Review bombing the platformed city: Contested political speech in online local reviews
Authors: Payne Will B
Published: September 2024

Local review platforms like Yelp and Google Maps use systems combining automated and human judgment to delineate the limits of acceptable speech, allowing some reviews to remain public and removing or obscuring others. This article examines the phenomenon of “review bombing,” in which controversial businesses receive an influx of reviews, using spatiotemporal analysis of review activity to analyze their shifting catchment areas, measuring what sociologist Richard Ocejo calls the “extraterritoriality” of their “taste communities”. Specifically, this article examines businesses in the United States that are caught up in political controversies using the locations of their consumer-reviewers on Yelp. The author compiles a test dataset of affected businesses encompassing national and local politics, including the 2016 and 2020 U.S. elections, the #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo movements, and the COVID-19 pandemic, and selects two for in-depth case studies and spatial analysis: Washington, D.C.-based pizzeria Comet Ping Pong (subject of the #Pizzagate conspiracy theory) and St. Louis-based Pi Pizzeria (caught up in debates about policing and the Black Lives Matter movement). In Comet Ping Pong's case, review bombing resulted in a wider spatial distribution of primarily negative reviewers, while Pi has a much more local pattern, with a fairly even split of supporters and detractors, showing how different political controversies resonate across different scales. The article contrasts Yelp's interventionist approach to content moderation to the relatively laissez-faire attitude of competitors like Google, and considers the consequences of this form of "algorithmic censorship" for small businesses, communities, and online speech.
Effect of Cooperative Learning With Internet Reciprocal Teaching Strategy on Attitude Toward Learning STEM Literacy
Authors: Mafarja Nofouz , Mohamad Mimi Mohaffyza , Zulnaidi Hutkemri
Published: September 2024

Conceptual understanding is one of the most difficult issues in teaching physics. This study investigated the effect of adopting cooperative learning and Internet reciprocal teaching (IRT) on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) literacy (physics) in secondary school by comparing the cooperative method with the IRT strategy and traditional method. A quasi-experimental research method was adopted. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Participants were 60 physics students from 12th-grade secondary schools. In this study, two intact classes were involved: the experimental group consisting of 30 students taught with the cooperative technique and the IRT strategy and the control group comprising 30 students taught with the traditional method. After adjusting for word problem-solving pre-test scores for STEM literacy (physics), the two-way MANCOVA results indicate that the cooperative method with the IRT strategy has a significant effect at p < .05 level. Results show that employing the cooperative method, specifically the IRT strategy, significantly impacts students’ attitudes toward learning STEM literacy, particularly in comprehending physics concepts and vocabulary for solving STEM-related word problems. This study holds relevance for policymakers, urging them to endorse the integration of the cooperative method with the IRT strategy within educational institutions. Furthermore, it underscores implications for teachers’ instructional approaches within the classroom setting. Overall, this study suggests that using cooperative learning alongside IRT can effectively enhance students’ STEM literacy (physics). By promoting collaboration, critical thinking and active engagement, this approach aids in preparing students for prospective careers in STEM fields and fosters a positive attitude toward learning STEM.
Gender and Urban-Rural Differences in the Impact of Parents’ Problematic Behaviors on Children’s School-to-Work Transition
Authors: Chen Fujun , Wang Dianxi
Published: September 2024

Although existing studies have found that problematic parental behaviors affect children’s later life course outcomes, few have focused on the gender and urban-rural differences in the effects of these behaviors on school-to-work transition. This study traces the school-to-work trajectories of Chinese people born between 1930 and 1979 to investigate the effects of their parents’ problematic behaviors on school-to-work transition and the gender and urban-rural differences in these effects. We found that individuals whose parents drank heavily and committed crimes completed the school-to-work transition earlier and were more likely to engage in agricultural labor, enter the labor market with low education levels, and experience unemployment after leaving school. The effects of parental alcoholism and gambling on school-to-work transition varied according to urban-rural residential status. Youths with urban hukou (household registration) whose parents drank heavily were less likely to have stable jobs. Further, women and youths with agricultural hukou whose parents gambled and committed crimes had a higher likelihood of being disadvantaged in the transition from school to work and of facing multiple risks, including hazards of agricultural work, precarious work, and unemployment.
Analysis of Conceptions and Beliefs, Argumentative Teaching Practices, and Reflection of University Teachers’: A Case Study on Teachers’ Professional Development
Authors: Benarroch Benarroch Alicia , Briceño-Martínez John-Jairo , Bernal-Ballen Andres
Published: September 2024

Scientific literature has shown abundantly that teacher professional development is a crucial factor for improving the quality of education. In this frame, this research analyzes teacher professional development of in-service higher education teachers who participated in training activities. This research has five goals not previously studied simultaneously in teachers’ professional development, namely: (A) improve teachers’ conceptions and beliefs; (B) improve argumentative teaching practices; (C) analyze teachers’ reflections; (D) establish the hypothetical relationships between types of knowledge of objectives (A), (B), and (C); and (E) analyze knowledge decay after 7 years. The research can be considered as a case study developed in-depth using multiple techniques for data collection and triangulation. The findings strongly evidence a relationship between conceptions and beliefs, argumentative teaching practices, and reflections. In addition, three stages are characterized for teacher professional development, as well as the relationships between the types of knowledge for each stage.
Impact of Digitalization on Investment and Productivity of Manufacturing Industry: Evidence from China
Authors: Wen Huwei , Liu Yupeng , Liu Yutong
Published: September 2024

The global economy is accelerating its transformation from an industrial economy to a digital economy, and the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry has become an important trend worldwide. Based on China’s provincial panel data from 2004 to 2020, this study uses a dynamic panel model to investigate the role of digitization in the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry. The empirical results show that digitalization has significantly improved the green total factor productivity (GTFP) of the manufacturing industry, while it has significantly inhibited investment in fixed assets. The analysis of regional heterogeneity shows that in areas with scarce labor, abundant human capital, and areas with high innovation investment, digitalization has a larger effect on promoting productivity and inhibiting the expansion of investment scale. In the regions with more outward foreign direct investment, the effect of digitalization on improving productivity is insignificant, and the effect on inhibiting the expansion of investment scale is larger, implying that there is a risk of industrial hollowing out. Further analysis finds that digitalization improves the GTFP of regional manufacturing through mechanisms such as enhancing innovation capabilities, promoting industrial upgrading, and improving investment efficiency, and reduces manufacturing fixed asset investment through channels such as human capital upgrades and rising labor costs.
Family Conflict over Political Issues in Hong Kong and its Psychological Consequences: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Chan Darius K-S. , Cheng Grand H-L.
Published: September 2024

Politics-related tension has been affecting many families worldwide, and Hong Kong is no exception. Given the lack of scientific research on such a topic, we aimed to advance understanding on the roles of family conflict over political issues by examining our proposed model of parent-child political value discrepancies—family conflict—family relationships. From 2018 June to 2019 May (right before the social movement in the summer of 2019), we successfully collected data from 299 parent-child dyads across two waves of survey, 9-months apart. Our analyses confirm that political value discrepancies with children predicted parents’ conflict experienced at home, which in turns predicted their family satisfaction/well-being 9 months later. Similar effects were also found for children, except that value discrepancies did not seem to be as relevant in predicting these teenagers’ conflict with parents. More importantly, the aforementioned effects were qualified by parents’ personality (i.e., neuroticism) and parents’ and children’s communication styles (i.e., destructive styles). That is, detrimental effects of political value discrepancies and family conflict can actually be reduced if parents are less neurotic and parents and/or children adopt appropriate communication styles at home. Our research design allows us to delineate the inter-influences between a parent and his/her child on politics-related conflict, generating both conceptual and practical implications. Interventions for promoting family welfare may target on modifying learners’ neurotic personality and reinforcing constructive communication styles.
Why Do College Students in South Korea Drop Out and Stop Out? Impact of Personal Characteristics, College Environment, and College Life
Authors: Yoo Jisung
Published: September 2024

This study examines the determinants influencing students’ decisions to drop out or stop out (i.e., withdraw temporarily) from colleges in South Korea. Using Korean Education and Employment Panel II survey data (2016–2019), the determinants of students’ college discontinuance of 8,485 students were analyzed and categorized as personal, college environmental, and college life factors, and for this purpose, binary logistic regression analysis was employed. Results showed that college academic performance, psychological stability, and college satisfaction influenced dropping out. Also, gender, parental income, college performance, college location, and satisfaction with the college department were found to influence students’ decisions to stop out. Particularly noteworthy, this study revealed the significant impact of the Korean cultural belief that success can only be achieved after graduating from one of the top colleges in the Seoul or Gyeonggi Province area. Strategies at the government and college levels are proposed to address the continuing problem of college dropouts and stopouts.
Validity and Reliability of the Nursing Home Adjustment Scale for Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yoshimaru Haruka , Tanabe Kazuaki , Sawatari Hiroyuki , Teramoto Chie
Published: September 2024

Considering the number of older adults requiring admission to nursing homes and the stress associated with this transition, nursing home staff should provide care for relocation stress. However, no suitable scale for evaluating relocation stress in Japanese older adults is currently available. This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Nursing Home Adjustment Scale (NHAS) from Korean to Japanese and to assess its psychometric properties for nursing home residents in Japan. This observational validation study of a measurement scale involved two steps: (1) NHAS translation to the Japanese version of NHAS (NHAS-J) and cross-cultural adaptation as recommended by the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Task Force for Translation and Cultural Adaptation, and (2) assessment of NHAS-J validity through exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and convergent validity and its reliability using Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency. This study included 120 older adults from 12 nursing homes in Japan. The NHAS-J showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .853). The final NHAS-J structure was categorized into four factors: acceptance of new residence, daily emotions, relationship development, and depressed mood. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit for the four-factor model. The NHAS-J also demonstrated significant convergent validity with the satisfaction with life ( r = .376, p < .01), geriatric depression ( r = −.620, p < .01), and generalized self-efficacy scales ( r = .560, p < .01). Overall, the NHAS-J is a valid and reliable tool for measuring the level of nursing home adjustment in Japanese older adults.
Examining the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Tacit Knowledge Sharing using a Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Li Yu , Li Hao
Published: September 2024

This study empirically tested that emotional intelligence as an important antecedent in tacit knowledge sharing through the mediating role of professional commitment as well as the moderating effect of perceived organizational support. A self-administrated questionnaire was employed to collect relevant data from employees working in knowledge-intensive and challenging industries such as IT, semiconductors, electronics, medicine, chemistry and biochemistry. The survey yielded a total of 278 effective responses, PROCESS package developed by Hayes was utilized to evaluate the hypotheses. Consistent with theoretical perspective gained from social exchange theory and self-determination theory, the results indicated that employees with higher level of emotional intelligence tend to have higher professional commitment toward the organization, which further fosters tacit knowledge sharing behavior. Prior research predominantly focused on team and organizational motivations and outcomes, relatively little knowledge is known about the link between individual characteristics and tacit knowledge sharing. The current study aims to contribute to knowledge management literature by addressing such research gap. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed in the last part.

JEL Classification: M10, M12, O39.
Mapping the Terrain: A Systematic Review of Drama Research Using Data Mining
Authors: Llige Aurora S. , Escuadra Catherine Joy T.
Published: September 2024

Drama is a mode of storytelling that has transcended from traditional to online media. This study aimed to determine salient topics and trends in drama research through data mining of peer-reviewed English articles in Web of Science and Scopus. By employing the keywords “television drama,” “online drama,” “drama series,” “web drama,” and “soap opera,” 2,148 articles were identified. Analysis revealed 25 distinct research topics: evolution, issues and analysis, impact, audience, and institutionalization. Prominent topics included “power and politics,” “viewership and engagement,” and “gender and sexuality,” while less-published topics encompassed “elements and structure,” “impact on culture,” and “drama characterization.” Notably, publication rates for all topics exhibited a significant increase since 1970. These findings underscore the need for continuous research updates across various categories to advance understanding of the interplay between society and dramas. The methodology employed can also guide future trend analyses in specific drama research topics.
Foreign Language Enjoyment and Anxiety of Chinese EFL Learners at the Tertiary Level: A Pseudo-Longitudinal Investigation
Authors: Wu Huashan
Published: September 2024

Multiple previous studies in language learning have examined the static effect of various independent variables on Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE) and Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety (FLCA), but little attention has been given to the dynamic features of these two learner emotions. The present study is based on a pseudo-longitudinal design to investigate the change of FLE and FLCA over time and their interplay with independent variables (learner-internal and teacher-centered variables) in a higher education context. A total of 288 English learners divided into three groups (undergraduates, master’s students, and doctoral students) completed the FLE, FLCA, and NEO Five-Factor Inventory questionnaires. Statistical analyses showed that doctoral students and undergraduates reported higher levels of FLE, while master’s students reported the highest levels of FLCA. Multiple regression analyses signified that FLE was jointly predicted by learner variables and teacher variables, whereas FLCA was solely predicted by learner variables, with attitude towards English identified as the best predictor for FLE, and Neuroticism as the strong predictor for FLCA in three groups. These results imply that levels of learner emotions and their interaction with predictor variables are dynamic in relation to learners’ educational qualifications. It is thus recommended that teachers and educational institutions implement pertinent interventions to boost FLE and alleviate FLCA at different stages of higher education.
Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence Prevalence Against Mothers With Under-5 Children in Namibia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Oyedele Opeoluwa , Shinedima Ngomuhapo
Published: September 2024

Given the escalating incidence of sexual and gender based violence events been reported these days in the world, including Namibia where a week hardly passes by without an IPV case being reported in the local media, continual researches into IPV as well as its attributing factors needs to be carried out in order to have a fully developed and functioning strategies in place to combat and reduce IPV incidence in the country, especially among women and mothers. The purpose of this study was to perform an empirical investigation to the extent and determinants of IPV prevalence among women, especially mothers with under-5 children in Namibia, using a cross-sectional quantitative study design of the 2013 NDHS and a multivariable logit model. Results from this study reveals that socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics such as mother’s age, husband/partner drinks alcohol, husband’s/partner’s education level, husband’s/partner’s age, decision maker and earning more than husband/partner had higher odds of IPV prevalence, while characteristics such as mother’s current marital status, afraid of husband/partner, child’s age, region and currently breastfeeding had lower odds. This study highlights the need to implement prevention and intervention programs that aim at encouraging economic empowerment of mothers with under-5 children as a form of protective shield of IPV prevalence by the Namibian government as well as organizations centered on women’s rights, advocacies and development. These preventative measures should begin at an early age, while both prevention and intervention programs should specifically target the high risk ages of 30 to 49 as IPV emerges in dating couples.
Skill, Will, and Time: A Feasibility and Pilot Efficacy Study of Two Structured Interventions to Enhance Undergraduates’ Resilience Through Self-Regulation
Authors: Smart Colette M. , Chim Louise , Nicoll Patrick , Viczko Jeremy , Qualls Lauren K.
Published: September 2024

The current study had two purposes: (1) to examine the feasibility and acceptability of two manualized intervention programs to enhance resilience through the mechanism of self-regulation in undergraduate students enrolled in Introductory Psychology, and (2) to examine preliminary efficacy of those interventions. Eligible participants were 445 undergraduates aged 18–25 years at a mid-size Canadian university during spring 2020, quasi-randomized to one of two 4-week self-regulation interventions taught via labs, focused on either “top-down” or “bottom-up” aspects of self-regulation, respectively. A total of N = 445 students provided data in the study, with 133 participants in interventions and 312 in the control group. Qualitative data indicated that the interventions were feasible and acceptable. Self-report measures of attention control, resilience, affect, and interoception, as well as exam scores, indicate dissociable effects for the two intervention conditions. As student mental health becomes an increasing concern, enhancing students’ well-being through primary prevention may prove to be a vital intervention focus.
Axiological factors as predictors of pro-environmental behaviour. The role of moral obligation in a sustainable lifestyle / Factores axiológicos como predictores del comportamiento pro-ambiental. El papel de la obligación moral en un estilo de vida sostenible
Authors: Gómez-Román Cristina , Vila-Tojo Sergio , Orge Aine , Sabucedo José-Manuel
Published: September 2024

This paper sets out to analyse the role of axiological variables — values, pro-environmental identity and moral obligation — in pro-environmental behaviours. To do this, we carried out two studies with a non-experimental cross-sectional design: the first on sustainable clothing consumption ( n = 480; 70.6% women; Mage = 26.62, SD = 10.63) and the second on the adoption of a vegetarian lifestyle ( n = 217; 73.5% women; Mage = 32.04, SD = 10.75). The data were collected in Spain by means of an online questionnaire using the snowball technique. In both studies, regression analysis showed that pro-environmental identity and moral obligation predict both sustainable clothing consumption and vegetarian lifestyle. Moral obligation is the main predictor of both pro-environmental behaviours. The axiological variables explain 53% of the variance for sustainable clothing consumption and 41% of the variance for a vegetarian lifestyle, highlighting that the axiological route is key to reversing our impact on the environment.
Assessment of the Postoperative Progression in Patients With Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors Based on the Severity of Preoperative Gait Disturbance
Authors: Okubo Toshiki , Nagoshi Narihito , Iga Takahito , Takeda Kazuki , Ozaki Masahiro , Suzuki Satoshi , Matsumoto Morio , Nakamura Masaya , Watanabe Kota
Published: September 2024

Study Design

Retrospective comparative study.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine whether the severity of preoperative gait disturbance remains after surgical resection in patients with intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs), and to identify any factors influencing poor improvement in postoperative gait disturbance.

Methods

The study included a total of 128 patients with IMSCTs requiring surgical excision between 2006 and 2019. Based on the degree of preoperative gait disturbance assessed by the modified McCormick scale (MMCS) grade, patients were categorized into Mild (I-II) and Severe (III-V) groups. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 55.5 ± 34.3 months, and demographic and surgical characteristics were compared between the two groups.

Results

Significant differences were observed in age at surgery, tumor location, tumor size, estimated blood loss, intraoperative motor-evoked potential disappearance, extent of resection, and tumor histopathology between the Mild and Severe groups. In the Mild group, at the final follow-up, only 7.3% of patients experienced improvement, 56.0% showed no changes, and 36.7% experienced deterioration. Conversely, in the Severe group, 26.3% of patients experienced improvement, 31.6% showed no changes, and 42.1% experienced deterioration. Tumor location and age at surgery were identified as factors correlated with poor improvement in postoperative gait disturbance in the Mild group.

Conclusions

Irrespective of the preoperative gait disturbance degree, approximately 40% of patients with IMSCTs experienced deterioration in gait after tumor resection. For preoperative MMCS grade I-II cases, older age at surgery and thoracic IMSCTs would be important factors associated with poor improvement in postoperative gait disturbance.
Mediators of Functional Disability at Mid- and Late-Life
Authors: E. Pullen Carly , Patrick Julie Hicks
Published: September 2024

As the number and proportion of older adults living in the U.S. increases, growing evidence shows that people are entering late life with more functional disability than in previous generations. Using data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, we sought to identify the contributions of demographic variables and health conditions to functional disability. Specifically, we tested the associations among age, sex, race, chronic physical health conditions, depression, and functional ability among 243,693 adults, ages 45 years and older. Model testing, implemented in AMOS 29.0.0, resulted in an acceptable fit of the model to the data, Χ2 ( DF = 18, N = 243,693) = 19,512.64, p < .001; CFI = 0.909; TLI = 0.774; RMSEA = 0.066; R2 Function = .267. The findings from the present study replicate previous research that age, sex, and racial background differences influence functional disability. We extend the literature to examine physical and emotional health as potential pathways to intervene in midlife.