bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retreatment after primary spontaneous pneumothoraxes managed with primary tube thoracostomy or surgery
Authors: Vilkki Valtteri A. , Kytö Ville , Vilkki Vesa , Gunn Jarmo M.
Published: April 2024

Background and aims:

There is a paucity of data on later healthcare visits and retreatments after primary treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. The main purpose of this study was to describe retreatment rates up to 5 years after primary spontaneous pneumothorax treated with either surgery or tube thoracostomy (TT) at index hospitalization in Finland between 2005 and 2018 to estimate the burden of primary spontaneous pneumothorax on the healthcare system.

Methods:

Retrospective registry-based study of patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax treated with TT or surgery in Finland in 2005–2018. Rehospitalization and retreatment for recurrent pneumothorax and complications attributable to initial treatment were identified.

Results:

The total study population was 1594 patients. At 5 years, 53.2% (384/722) of TT treated and 33.8% (295/872) of surgically treated patients had undergone any retreatment. Surgery was associated with a lower risk of recurrence than TT (hazard ratio (HR) 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.43–0.56, p < 0.001). Male sex was associated with a lower risk of recurrent treatment (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63–0.90, p = 0.001). Higher age decreased the risk of recurrent treatment (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99–0.99, p < 0.001). At 5 years, 36.0% (260/722) of the TT treated and 18.8% (164/872) of the surgically treated had undergone reoperation at some point.

Conclusions:

Reintervention rates and repeat hospital visits after TT and surgery were surprisingly high at long-term follow-up. Occurrences of retreatment and reoperation were significantly higher among primary spontaneous pneumothorax patients treated with TT at index hospitalization than among patients treated with surgery.
Coupling analysis of cylinder block for two-stroke aviation piston engine
Authors: Pan Zhongjian , He Qinghua , Li Yi , Guo Lei
Published: April 2024

The aluminum alloy block is a component of aircraft piston engine, and it is prone to fatigue cracks when working in a thermal mechanical coupling state for a long time. Establish a GT-POWER simulation model for a certain type of engine, verify the accuracy of the model, obtain boundary parameters such as temperature and pressure of the engine block under harsh operating conditions through the model, and divide the cylinder wall into gradients based on the engine operating conditions to obtain the surface heat transfer coefficient of the block, and then obtain the temperature field distribution of the engine body. The coupling analysis of the cylinder burst pressure and temperature field of the engine block under harsh working conditions showed that the maximum stress of the engine block was 292.55 MPa and the maximum deformation was 0.39 mm, with thermal load being the main factor causing deformation. Conduct a complete engine bench test, and under the 1000 h bench durability test, there are no cracks on the engine block, indicating that the design and analysis meet the requirements.
The role and impact of therapeutic counselling on the emotional experience of adults living with dementia: A systematic review
Authors: Mathews Gill , Li Xiaoyang , Wilkinson Heather
Published: April 2024

Introduction There is limited psychological support available to help people living with dementia to deal with the emotional consequences of their condition. Anxiety and depression are commonly experienced in this population, yet the use of counselling and psychotherapeutic interventions is not well documented. Aim This systematic review sought to understand the current knowledge on the role and impact of therapeutic counselling on the emotional experience of adults living with dementia. Methods Qualitative and quantitative research designs were accepted for review. A comprehensive search of the main biomedical, nursing and other specialist databases was performed to access articles published between 2015 and 2022. Trial registers and academic journals were also searched. 43 original studies were included: qualitative ( n = 15); RCTs ( n = 9); other designs ( n = 19); plus eight systematic reviews. Results The majority of studies were conducted in Europe, the United Kingdom in particular, although a range of countries from across the globe were represented. The combined evidence from the different study designs suggest a range of ways that people living with different stages of dementia can participate in, and gain emotional benefit from, therapeutic counselling. Key themes identified: (1) The emotional and well-being benefits of therapeutic counselling; (2) No one size fits all - relational and tailored approaches driven by person-centred values; (3) Training, supervision and building community for counsellors; (4) Involvement of people with dementia in therapeutic interventions. Conclusions Our findings from this systematic review show that different therapeutic approaches have been tested with people at different stages of a dementia diagnosis. The results suggest the value of therapeutic counselling as a supportive medium to help with the processing and coping of difficult emotions and feelings across the trajectory of a dementia illness.
The impact on employment and education of caregiving for a family member with young onset dementia: A scoping review
Authors: Kokorelias Kristina M , Nadesar Nirusa , Bak Katherine , Boger Jennifer , Nygård Louise , Mäki-Petäjä-Leinonen Anna , Nedlund Ann-Charlotte , Astell Arlene
Published: April 2024

Young-onset dementia (YOD) affects individuals under 65 years of age, often leading to loss of employment and independence. Families provide increasing levels of care to family members with YOD, resulting in changes to their daily lives, including their occupational pursuits. This review examines evidence of the occupational implications for family members who provide care to a family with YOD to identify: (i) the influence and impact caregiving tasks and responsibilities have on employment, volunteering, and education, and (ii) caregiver, and caregiving situation factors associated with changes in employment, volunteering, and education. A scoping review was performed using eight electronic databases. Included articles were narratively synthesized using a thematic analysis. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for review. The over-arching (main) theme of ‘decision-making’ was identified, with family members required to make choices about their own occupational goals and roles to be able to provide care to family living with YOD. The outcomes of these decisions are dynamic and changeable across the caregiving trajectory. Three caregiving factors influence decision-making: (1) Implications of Combining Caregiving and Occupations, (2) Altered Identity (3) Strategies to Support Caregivers of Individuals Living with YOD. A fourth theme was also identified ‘Guidance for Researchers To Support Caregivers’. There is a scarce body of literature examining the influence caregiving has on occupational outcomes for the YOD caregiver population. Much of this work is descriptive and lacks focus on the implications, particularly long-term impacts. This review provides a foundational guide for future research and practices to support YOD family caregivers to obtain and sustain occupations.
Male Students in Female-Dominated Study Programs: Perceived Diversity Climate in Gender-Mixed Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning
Authors: Raimann Jennifer , Reich-Stiebert Natalia , Voltmer Jan-Bennet , Stürmer Stefan
Published: April 2024

Background: Male students’ achievements in female-dominated study programs have garnered limited research attention. This study investigates the relationship between psychology students’ perceived diversity climate and their learning outcomes in a gender-mixed computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) course in introductory psychology. Our main hypotheses were that the diversity climate—learning outcome relationships would be stronger for male (gender minority) than for female students (gender majority). Methods: This study used data from a large sample of university first-year students at a blended learning university ( n = 1,172, 75% female) with three points of measurement in a 9-week CSCL assignment. Findings: Moderated-mediation regression analyses confirmed that students’ perceptions of the diversity climate in their CSCL group were significantly related to gains in online learning self-efficacy among male, but not female students. Furthermore, by increasing gains in self-efficacy, climate perceptions also translated into better quiz performance among male students. Contributions: This study shows that for men perceived diversity climate is a significant determinant of their individual learning outcomes. This calls for paying more attention to the minority perspectives of males in female-dominated psychological programs to better understand why this is the case.
Does Party Identification Matter for Deliberation? Evidence from the Poland Speaks Experiment
Authors: van der Does Ramon , Mazepus Honorata
Published: April 2024

Deliberation among the public appears wanting, even in many of the world’s established democracies. This apparent lack of mutually respectful conversation among citizens about politics involving a give-and-take of reasons is often ascribed to growing affective polarisation. The more the citizens come to think of each other as belonging to opposing groups, the less likely it allegedly becomes that they will show respect towards each other or exchange arguments while talking politics. However, the empirical support for this common supposition remains tentative, as prior research suffers from potential endogeneity problems and selection bias. To address these limitations, we introduce a novel experimental design involving an imagined conversation on refugee policy in Poland. Our experimental test shows that, on average, participants’ inclination to deliberate did not significantly differ based on whether they imagined talking to someone from an ingroup or to someone from an outgroup instead. Our findings thereby suggest that the relationship between group identification and public deliberation might not be as straightforward as is often assumed. At least in some contexts, a lack of mutual group identification does not spell disaster for deliberation.
Diabetes mellitus does not alter mortality or hospitalisation risk in patients with newly diagnosed heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: Time to rethink pathophysiological models of disease progression
Authors: Gierula John , Straw Sam , Cole Charlotte A , Lowry Judith E , Paton Maria F , McGinlay Melanie , Witte Klaus K , Grant Peter J , Wheatcroft Stephen B , Drozd Michael , Slater Thomas A , Cubbon Richard M , Kearney Mark T
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes is a common and adverse prognostic co-morbidity for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The effect of diabetes on long-term outcomes for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is less established.

Methods

Prospective cohort study of patients referred to a regional HF clinic with newly diagnosed with HFrEF and HFpEF according to the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines. The association between diabetes, all-cause mortality and hospitalisation was quantified using Kaplan-Meier or Cox regression analysis.

Results

Between 1st May 2012 and 1st May 2013, of 960 unselected consecutive patients referred with suspected HF, 464 and 314 patients met the criteria for HFpEF and HFrEF respectively. Within HFpEF and HFrEF groups, patients with diabetes were more frequently male and in both groups patients with diabetes were more likely to be treated with β-adrenoceptor antagonists and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. After adjustment for age, sex, medical therapy and co-morbidities, diabetes was associated with increased mortality in individuals with HFrEF (HR 1.46 95% CI: 1.05–2.02; p = .023), but not in those with HFpEF (HR 1.26 95% CI 0.92–1.72; p = .146).

Conclusion

In unselected patients with newly diagnosed HF, diabetes is not an adverse prognostic marker in patients with HFpEF, but is in HFrEF.
Tigroid Enhancement: A Characteristic Enhancement Pattern of the Cerebellar Hemisphere on MRI With Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas
Authors: Yan Hua , He Jingzhen , Li Anning , Wang Dawei , Yao Yuan , Guo Xiaoqin , Zhang Xiaoming , Jiang Baodong
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

This study aims to investigate a characteristic cerebellar hemisphere enhancement pattern on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that could aid in early and specific diagnosis of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs).

Materials and Methods:

Pretreatment MR images of 57 patients with intracranial DAVFs between January 1, 2017, and February 28, 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 128 patients with confirmed alternative cerebellar lesions during the same period were included as a control group. All patients underwent enhanced MRI with a 3.0T scanner. The presence or absence of parallel enhanced linear striations on the surface of the cerebellar lesions was documented. Statistically significant differences were determined by the Fisher exact test.

Results:

Cerebellar lesions were identified in 4 intracranial DAVF patients (7.0%). All 4 patients were male, with an average age of 64 years (range: 58–76 years). The pretreatment MR images of all 4 DAVF patients with cerebellar lesions demonstrated the characteristic tigroid enhancement pattern. Tortuous flow voids were present in the MR images of 3 of the 4 patients. Tigroid enhancement pattern was not observed in the remaining 53 intracranial DAVF patients and all control patients. The differences in the incidence of the pattern were significant (p=0.01).

Conclusion:

A characteristic tigroid enhancement pattern of the cerebellar hemisphere on MRI may aid in the early and specific diagnosis of intracranial DAVFs, allowing timely treatment and improving outcomes.

Clinical Impact

The identification of a characteristic tigroid enhancement pattern on MRI for cerebellar hemisphere lesions holds significant promise for clinical practice. This pattern serves as a distinctive marker aiding in the early and specific diagnosis of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs). Clinicians can now utilize this innovative finding to expedite diagnostic workflows, enabling timely intervention and management strategies. The incorporation of this novel imaging feature enhances diagnostic accuracy, potentially reducing misdiagnosis rates and preventing delays in treatment initiation. Ultimately, this advancement may lead to improved patient outcomes and quality of care in neurosurgical and neuroradiological practice.
Sharing the Leadership Space: Toward a Contextual Understanding of Shared Leadership Patterns in Organizational Teams
Authors: Sweeney Anne
Published: April 2024

Over the past two decades, interest in collective approaches to leadership has grown, with recent viewpoints arguing that shared leadership (SL) is a more powerful predictor of performance than vertical leadership. Despite a surge in SL research, however, little is known about the patterns of leadership that emerge within teams, when members perform leadership collectively. The purpose of this article is to address this gap, by exploring how team members share the leadership space in different contexts. Adopting a longitudinal qualitative perspective, this article explores the predominant patterns of SL that emerged in five organizational teams in Ireland, over the period of a year. Grounded in social exchange theory, insights are gained through multiple case studies in authentic organizational settings, using critical incident technique, participant diaries, and semi-structured interviews. Significantly, the predominant patterns of SL which emerged were not the same in all contexts, and five distinct forms are identified including withdrawal, specialization, rotation, simultaneous enactment, and centralization of leadership behaviors. The findings advance our understanding of SL by identifying and connecting different forms of SL arrangements with underlying contextual and relational conditions.
Diversity in Hand Surgery Leadership: The Impact of Mentorship and Bias
Authors: Bourne Debra A. , Henry Miriam , Brisbin Alyssa , Davenport Daniel , Shetty Sameer , Baratz Mark
Published: April 2024

Background:

Diversity in leadership drives innovation. However, underrepresented minorities may face barriers. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of gender and race on the experience of leaders in hand surgery.

Methods:

An anonymous survey was sent to leaders in hand surgery who attained the position of national society president, head of a division/department, or hand fellowship director. The survey assessed demographic information, grit, mentorship, and bias.

Results:

One hundred twenty-one leaders responded for a response rate of 60.5%. Men represented 81.0% and women 19.0%. Most respondents were white (87.6%) with 7% Asian and 6% any other race. Ninety-one percent of female respondents lived in a dual career household, compared with 53.7% of male respondents (odds ratio [OR] 0.15, P = .017). Female respondents had significantly higher grit compared with male respondents (4.3 vs 4.0, P = .050). Male respondents were more likely to have a male mentor/sponsor than women (95% vs 76%, respectively, P = .001). White respondents were more likely to have a white mentor/sponsor than nonwhite respondents (91% vs 61%, respectively, P = .009). Ninety-five percent of women reported experiencing bias compared with 27% of men ( P < .001). Specifically, women reported bias in salary, promotion, nomination, sponsorship, networking, and clinical resources. Nonwhite respondents were significantly more likely to experience bias in promotion ( P = .006).

Conclusions:

Women and racial minorities face bias and barriers to leadership within hand surgery.
The natural history of celiac artery aneurysms
Authors: Ratner Molly , Hartwell C Austen , Zhang Jason , Johnson William , Nwachukwu Chukwuma , Garg Karan , Kim Danny , Rockman Caron
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The goal of this study was to document the natural history of celiac artery aneurysms (CAAs).

Background

Celiac artery aneurysms are rare. Existing literature is skewed towards outcomes after intervention of large, symptomatic aneurysms but the behavior of untreated CAAs is poorly understood.

Methods

This is a single institution, retrospective analysis of patients with CAA diagnosed by CT imaging (2015–2019) identified through an institutional radiology database. Radiologic, demographic, and follow-up data were analyzed. The primary endpoint was the mean growth rate of CAAs.

Results

Of the 76 patients included, 86.8% were men with a mean age at presentation of 69.8 years. The mean CAA diameter on index imaging was 15.4 +/− 3.8 mm (range, 7–30 mm). All were classified as true aneurysms and 76.3% were saccular. All patients had clinical follow-up with mean follow-up 31.2 months +/− 21.6 months. No patient developed symptoms or rupture. The mean radiological follow-up among 45 patients was 25.2 +/− 16.8 months. Over this period, 16 CAAs (35.6%) enlarged, while 29 (64.4%) remained stable. One patient (1.3%) underwent intervention for increasing size in the setting of a chronic dissection. On multivariate analysis, age <70 was significantly associated with increased risk of aneurysm growth.

Conclusions

In this institutional review of patients with CAAs, the majority of aneurysms remained stable in size, with no patients developing symptoms or rupture over clinical follow-up. Given the observed benign behavior of these aneurysms, guidelines that suggest conservative management of CAAs less than 2 cm seems appropriate.
‘Types’ of Popular Musicians: From Musical to Professional Styles: Some Epistemological Reflections Based on the Case of French-Speaking Swiss Musicians
Authors: Perrenoud Marc , Bataille Pierre
Published: April 2024

In academic research on popular music, the framing by musical genres and styles such as ‘Rock’, ‘Jazz’, and ‘Electro’ often seems obvious to social sciences scholars. The history, aesthetic features, and boundaries of musical idioms are major concerns for cultural studies, and the notion that musical styles shape the professional musical landscape is commonly accepted. This article is based on a survey involving 125 respondents in French-speaking Switzerland. It combines network analysis based on musical pairings during the year before the survey, with a typical socio-economic approach to understanding the features and resources of musicians. We demonstrate that the conventional approach of classifying musicians by ‘musical styles’ is not the most effective way to understand the structure of the musical occupational group. Instead, work pairings in music, and more broadly, sub-networks that emerge within our population, effectively group musicians according to their ‘professional style’ rather than their ‘musical style’. The focus is not on playing ‘Rock’, ‘Pop’, or ‘Jazz’, but rather on performing original compositions or covers, and whether one is a unique creative artist playing concerts or a service provider performing for entertainment gigs.
Intensive care unit admission criteria: a scoping review
Authors: Soares James , Leung Catherine , Campbell Victoria , Van Der Vegt Anton , Malycha James , Andersen Christopher
Published: April 2024

Background:

Effectively identifying deteriorated patients is vital to the development and validation of automated systems designed to predict clinical deterioration. Existing outcome measures used for this purpose have significant limitations. Published criteria for admission to high acuity inpatient areas may represent markers of patient deterioration and could inform the development of alternate outcome measures.

Objectives:

In this scoping review, we aimed to characterise published criteria for admission of adult inpatients to high acuity inpatient areas including intensive care units. A secondary aim was to identify variables that are extractable from electronic health records (EHRs).

Data sources:

Electronic databases PubMed and ProQuest EBook Central were searched to identify papers published from 1999 to date of search. We included publications which described prescriptive criteria for admission of adult inpatients to a clinical area with a higher level of care than a general hospital ward.

Charting methods:

Data was extracted from each publication using a standardised data-charting form. Admission criteria characteristics were summarised and cross-tabulated for each criterion by population group.

Results:

Five domains were identified: diagnosis-based criteria, clinical parameter criteria, organ-support criteria, organ-monitoring criteria and patient baseline criteria. Six clinical parameter-based criteria and five needs-based criteria were frequently proposed and represent variables extractable from EHRs. Thresholds for objective clinical parameter criteria varied across publications, and by disease subgroup, and universal cut-offs for criteria could not be elucidated.

Conclusions:

This study identified multiple criteria which may represent markers of deterioration. Many of the criteria are extractable from the EHR, making them potential candidates for future automated systems. Variability in admission criteria and associated thresholds across the literature suggests clinical deterioration is a heterogeneous phenomenon which may resist being defined as a single entity via a consensus-driven process.
Open reduction and internal fixation versus minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of unstable proximal humerus fractures treated with locking plate and intramedullary allograft: A retrospective study
Authors: Rusimov Lyubomir , Baltov Asen , Enchev Dian , Gueorguiev Boyko , Prodanova Krasimira , Hadzhinikolova Mariya , Rusimov Vladimir , Rashkov Mihail
Published: April 2024

Background

This retrospective clinical study aims to compare the functional and radiological outcomes after open reduction and internal fixation versus minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of unstable proximal humerus fractures treated with both locking plate and intramedullary graft.

Methods

Forty-seven patients with proximal humerus fractures were treated with either open reduction and internal fixation (25 cases) or minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (22 cases) and evaluated retrospectively with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Thirty-one fresh-frozen fibulae and 16 lyophilized tibia allografts were used for augmentation. Change of both neck-shaft angle and humeral head height were evaluated radiologically. Functional outcomes were assessed using Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (DASH), Absolute Constant–Murley Score (CSabs), Relative Constant–Murley Score (CSrel), and Individual Relative Constant–Murley Score (CSindiv).

Results

Follow-up period and age for open reduction and internal fixation/minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis were 27.4 ± 16.2/29.6 ± 17.6 months and 60.5 ± 13.7/66.3 ± 11.7 years. CSabs, CSrel, and CSindiv were 57.3 ± 21.2/52.4 ± 18.9, 73 ± 24.1/73.9 ± 23.4, and 69.6 ± 24.8/64 ± 25.5 for open reduction and internal fixation/minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis, p ≥ 0.409. DASH was 14.8 ± 12.5/18.7 ± 14.5 for open reduction and internal fixation/minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis, p = 0.324. Decrease of neck-shaft angle and humeral head height was 7.8 ± 9.4/8.2 ± 15.6° and 0.6 ± 5.5/1.4 ± 2.6 mm for open reduction and internal fixation/minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis, p ≥ 0.380. Surgical time was 165.8 ± 77.6/84.7 ± 38.1 min for open reduction and internal fixation/minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis, p < 0.001.

Conclusions

Locked plating with intramedullary graft augmentation of unstable proximal humerus fractures demonstrates similar functional and radiological outcomes when comparing open reduction and internal fixation with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis. However, minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis is related to significantly shorter surgical time versus open reduction and internal fixation.
The Impact of Acute Peri-operative Particulate Matter Exposure on Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Outcomes: A Preliminary Multi-site Investigation
Authors: Tullis Benton , Mace Jess C. , Hagedorn Robert , Nguyen Cassidy , Stockard Ryan , Massey Conner , Ramakrishnan Vijay R. , Beswick Daniel M. , Soler Zachary M. , Smith Timothy L. , Alt Jeremiah A. , Gill Amarbir S.
Published: April 2024

Background

Environmental exposures have been postulated to play an important role in the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Particulate matter (PM) is one of the most widely studied ambient air pollutants, but its peri-operative impact on CRS is unknown.

Objective

To determine the effect of acute, peri-operative PM exposure on outcomes after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

Methods

Participants with CRS who self-selected ESS were prospectively enrolled. The 22-item SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire Short-Form 6-D (SF-6D) health utility values scores were recorded. Using residence zip codes, a secondary analysis of patient exposure to PM <2.5 μm and <10 μm (PM2.5 and PM10, respectively) was performed for the month of surgery utilizing data from Environmental Protection Agency air quality monitors. Spearman's correlation coefficients (ρ), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and effect estimates (β) were used to determine the magnitudes of association. Simple, multivariate regression analysis was also completed.

Results

One hundred and seven patients from four geographically unique institutions across the US were enrolled with a follow-up of 6 months. Patients with higher peri-operative PM2.5 exposure had less improvement in their SNOT-22 scores after ESS compared to those with less exposure using both univariate analysis (ρ = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.43; P  =  .01) and after covariate adjustment with multivariate analysis ( B  =  1.06, 95% CI: 0.001, 2.14, P  =  .05). Similar associations were not found with SF-6D outcomes or with PM10 as an exposure of interest. No significant correlations were found between peri-operative PM levels and Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores post-operatively.

Conclusion

Preliminary data from this pilot study reveal that PM exposure at the time of ESS may negatively associate with post-operative improvement in sinonasal quality-of-life. Larger, population-based studies with more standardized PM exposure windows are needed to confirm the clinical significance of the present findings.
Target Weight and Gender Moderate Anti-Black Bias in Pain Perception
Authors: Huang Yanzi , Miller Theresa , Awad Catherine , Reyes Patrick Gilbert Mercado , Tuerxuntuoheti Aizihaer , Mende-Siedlecki Peter
Published: April 2024

Perceivers recognize pain less readily on Black (vs. White) faces in the United States. The present work investigated whether this perceptual bias is moderated by target weight and gender across three experiments. Anti-Black bias in pain perception was mitigated within heavier-weight (vs. average-weight) male-appearing targets (Experiment 1) but was independent of female-appearing targets’ weight (Experiment 2). A well-powered, pre-registered Experiment 3 replicated these findings, confirming that target weight and gender interactively shaped anti-Black bias in pain perception: target weight moderated perceptual bias within male-appearing (but not female-appearing) faces. These findings help illuminate factors that interact to shape racial bias in pain perception and demonstrate the importance of intersectionality when studying social perceptual biases.
Vessel wall imaging in the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome presenting as Moyamoya syndrome—A case report
Authors: Yang David L. , Thomas Rachel , Ford Alice F. , Cucchiara Brett L. , George Donna K. , Song Jae W.
Published: April 2024

Objectives: We describe a case of anti-phospholipid syndrome (APLS) vasculopathy presenting with Moyamoya syndrome (MMS) and show the associated intracranial vessel wall MRI (VWI) findings. Methods: A 37-year-old-woman presented with acute onset dizziness and left-sided weakness. Neurologic exam revealed a left facial droop and left hemiparesis. She underwent a comprehensive laboratory work-up for stroke. Neuroimaging included a CT head, CT angiogram, VWI, and digital subtraction angiography. Results: Work-up revealed a triple-positive APLS antibody profile. CT of the head showed an acute right basal ganglia infarction and right frontal subarachnoid hemorrhage. CT angiogram revealed severe stenosis of the right internal carotid artery terminus in a Moyamoya pattern. Intracranial VWI showed long-segment concentric vessel wall thickening and homogeneous vessel wall enhancement and T2-hyperintense wall edema of the stenotic right ICA terminus, M1 middle cerebral artery, and A1 anterior cerebral artery. She was treated with long-term anticoagulation with warfarin and a right superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass. Discussion: We present intracranial VWI features of vessel wall pathology in a patient with primary APLS presenting with MMS.
Vibration reduction effect of retaining pile structure under the action of damping hole—A case study
Authors: Ren Yingbo , Jiang Nan , Zhou Chuanbo , Yao Yingkang , Lyu Guopeng
Published: April 2024

In the context of mitigating the impact of blasting-induced seismic waves on excavation processes and reducing the vibrational load on retaining pile structures, this study examines the influence of predetermined damping hole parameters on the damping effect. It also evaluates the protective efficacy of damping holes on retaining pile structures. Leveraging the foundation pit project at the Julong Avenue Station of Wuhan Metro Line 7 as a reference, on-site blasting construction was monitored to obtain vibration velocities at the top of the retaining pile structure. A numerical calculation model for blasting in the foundation pit was established using LS-DYNA software, and its reliability was verified through the integration of on-site monitoring data at the top of the retaining pile. Multiple damping hole excavation schemes were devised, and their effects on the damping effectiveness were analyzed with respect to various parameters. Safety criteria for the stability of the retaining pile structure were proposed based on the ultimate tensile stress criterion, ultimate shear stress criterion, and Mohr’s criterion. Under the optimized scheme, the dynamic response characteristics of the retaining pile structure were analyzed, and the practical application effects on-site were observed. The research findings indicate that the depth, spacing, and number of damping holes have a significant impact on the damping effect. The safety criterion for the vibrational velocity of the retaining pile structure during blasting is determined to be 26.10 cm/s. Under the optimized scheme, the vibrational velocities at various monitoring points on the retaining pile structure all fall within the safe range, with a maximum reduction rate of 30.9%.
Attentional bias modification and attention control training in PTSD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Fan , Huang Chenwei , Yan Wenjie , Ouyang Hui , Liu Weizhi
Published: April 2024

Background:

Cognitive models of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) highlighted the effect of maladaptive cognitive processing in the development and maintenance of PTSD. PTSD is related to attentional bias (AB) toward threatening stimuli and greater attentional bias variability (ABV). Attentional bias modification (ABM) and attention control training (ACT) have demonstrated the effect of improving PTSD, but the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are controversial.

Objectives:

The current study aimed to evaluate the extent of evidence supporting the efficacy of ABM in the treatment of PTSD.

Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods:

We searched PUBMED, PsycINFO, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for articles published between 1980 and 2022. RCTs of ABM for adult participants with PTSD symptoms were identified. The primary outcome was changes in PTSD severity, and the second outcome was changes in AB and ABV. Trial quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Publication bias was assessed using the Doi plot and Luis Furuya-Kanamori (LFK) index.

Results:

Eight RCTs comparing the effect of ABM to ACT were included in the review, and six studies were meta-analyzed. Meta-analysis favored ACT in improving PTSD symptoms and ABV, and the effect size was large. ABM and ACT demonstrated similar effects in improving AB.

Conclusion:

ACT should not only be seen as a control training condition but also has therapeutic values. However, since the current meta-analysis only included a limited number of studies, further research was still needed to examine the clinical value of ACT in PTSD treatment.
Privacy cynicism and diminishing utility of state surveillance: A natural experiment of mandatory location disclosure on China's Weibo
Authors: Zhu Yuner
Published: April 2024

This article examines the public response to mandatory location disclosure (MLD), a new surveillance technology implemented on China's Sina Weibo. Initially introduced to geo-tag posts related to the Ukraine War, the MLD eventually expanded to encompass all posts and comments on the platform. Drawing on a large-scale dataset comprising over 0.6 million posts and 24 million comments, this study uncovers political asymmetry observed during the initial implementation of MLD. Users with different political orientations were subjected to different levels of geo-tagging. Pro-Ukraine users were most frequently geo-tagged, followed by Pro-Russia and liberal-leaning users, while conservative-leaning users are least likely to be tagged. This selective surveillance approach, however, backfired among Pro-Ukraine and Pro-Russia users, pushing them to publish more war-related content, while its impact on liberal- and conservative-leaning users appeared to be minimal. When selective surveillance was replaced by universal surveillance, the backfire effects ceased to exist and people's interest in war-related topics declined. Furthermore, privacy cynicism prevails among commenters across opinion groups. Neither the introduction nor the expansion of MLD deterred audiences from engaging with the geo-tagged posts. These findings suggest that prolonged surveillance makes people less sensitive to privacy threats and more experienced in neutralizing surveillance's influence on themselves. Privacy cynicism, though widely considered toxic to democracy, can function as a source of resilience that shields people from the fear of coercion and undercuts the marginal utility of state surveillance in an authoritarian context.
Institutional health communication and social media: Exploring Italian hospitals’ use of social media pages
Authors: Fiammenghi Carlotta , Covolo Loredana , Vanoncini Anna , Gelatti Umberto , Ceretti Elisabetta
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Hospitals play a potentially crucial role in public health, and social media can be powerful tools to reach their target audiences but are hospitals exploiting them to their full potential?

Methods

We retrieved the institutional webpages and the social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, WhatsApp and Telegram) of all Italian public hospitals located in regional capitals ( N = 194). From 1 March to 30 April 2022, we analysed these profiles, noting the number of followers and of posts published, the date of the last post, and the availability of a social media policy. We selected the most active 53 social media profiles (belonging to 33 hospital facilities) for a closer content analysis. Engagement was measured through numbers of reactions, comments and shares to posts published from 1 to 30 April 2022.

Results

About 36.6% of hospitals had a social media profile, and 18.3% had a social media policy. Most (87%) used Facebook as their main platform. They posted most frequently about hospital events and activities (48.3% of the socially active set). Overall, engagement was modest, as on average 0.62% of potential users reacted to a post. The same post often appeared without modifications across different platforms (82.3% of cases for Instagram, 37.8% for X (Twitter) compared to Facebook).

Conclusions

Italian public hospitals did not seem to have a clear social media policy nor strategy, and social media remained underused. Italian hospitals, therefore, appeared to be missing valuable opportunities to reach out to their patients and communities.
Does Consumer’s Happiness and Other Emotions Signaling Affect Seller’s Prices? Theory and Evidence From Six Field Studies
Authors: Barokas Guy , Sherman Arie
Published: April 2024

The factors that determine the prices of goods and services are within the core inquiry of economic science. Do consumer’s emotions affect seller’s selling prices? The current study explores this issue through six field studies. The first four studies focus on happiness, demonstrating for the first time that happiness signals affect the prices of products and services. Happy customers are offered to pay lower price for goods–cellphones and bicycles–and for related services. The results are relevant both in face-to-face and online interactions and in between—and within—subject designs, implying that extended real income is another objective benefit of individual happiness. Two additional experiments do not show the same effect when other emotions–anger and disgust–are signaled by the consumer. We present a formal model for the positive happiness premium and discuss the welfare implications of our findings.

JEL classification: C93, D01, D21.
Decent Work, Employee Satisfaction, and the Mediating Role of Social Courage in Reducing Turnover
Authors: Kaan Namal Mete , Tufan Cenk , Sani Mert Ibrahim , Arun Korhan
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the relationships between decent work, job satisfaction, workplace social courage, and intent to quit among job and career counselors in Turkiye’s IT sector employment agency. The research data was obtained from 408 job and career counselors at an IT sector employment agency in Turkiye. Partial least squares-based structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships. The study findings reveal a significant positive influence of decent work on job satisfaction. In contrast, job satisfaction is associated with a notable decrease in the likelihood of employees intending to quit their positions. Additionally, workplace social courage is crucial in reducing intent to quit. Furthermore, our research underscores the mediating roles of job satisfaction and workplace social courage in explaining the relationship between decent work and intent to quit. Intriguingly, it is noteworthy that higher levels of workplace social courage are unexpectedly linked to an increased intention to quit. Conversely, heightened job satisfaction is associated with an augmentation in workplace social courage. These findings carry substantial theoretical and practical implications, offering valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of decent work, job satisfaction, and social courage within the workplace context. These insights can contribute to avoiding intent to quit and minimizing turnover rates. Job satisfaction and social courage are two edge swords that organizations must cautiously follow up. This study emphasizes the significance of establishing a secure and nurturing work environment that fosters decent work, job satisfaction, and social courage.
High-Frequency Vocabulary: Moving From Recognition to Recall Level on Quizlet
Authors: Sevigny Paul , Mack Lindsay , Stilp Lance , Berger Maiko
Published: April 2024

This study expands arguments calling for a more rigorous approach to high-frequency vocabulary list-based learning in EFL learning environments. Test and flashcard item designs were validated through quantitative (midterm and final test) and qualitative (survey) results to explore the impact of digital flashcards designed to build recall-level comprehension on both timed gap-fill and traditional multiple-choice posttests. Quizlet was chosen as the platform due to the affordance it provides teachers to create flashcard content and monitor practice. The results showed that multiple-choice, recognition-level test items result in a 20% overestimation of knowledge relative to gap-fill posttests. Additionally, a post-semester survey of 138 Japanese, pre-intermediate students of English showed a highly positive response to the recall-focused practice and testing system. The results demonstrate that for high-frequency L2 vocabulary, a paradigm shift from form-meaning recognition to form-meaning recall is an important direction for high-frequency vocabulary instruction and testing.
Psychometric Properties of the Turkish Version of the Emotion Efficacy Scale – 2 in a Sample of Turkish Emerging Adults
Authors: Bozkurt Funda , Uzun R. Bilge , West Aprilia
Published: April 2024

This study sought to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Emotion Efficacy Scale – 2 (EES2) among 763 emerging adults. To examine the factor structure of the Turkish version of the EES2, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted. EFA revealed a one-factor solution. After implementing some modifications, CFA of the one-factor structure demonstrated adequate model fit indices and good internal consistencies. Two items were removed from the scale due to a low factor loading and a low item total correlation coefficient. Correlational analyses supported the criterion validity of the Turkish EES2 with relations to emotion regulation difficulties, acceptance and action, and valued action in expected directions. Furthermore, test-retest reliability indicated good reliability of the scale. Overall, the results revealed that the 8-item Turkish EES2 is a promising measurement tool that can be used by researchers and mental health practitioners.
Investigation of the Destination Resilience of Turkey: New Insights from Convergence Hypothesis
Authors: Alper Findik Ozlem , Arya Vikas , Alper Ali Eren
Published: April 2024

This study focuses on the context of diversified challenges Turkey’s tourism industry faces. This study aims to test the validity of the convergence hypothesis from the perspective of destination flexibility by separating the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods in Turkey’s 15 top tourist-producing countries. The data collected from the period 2001:1 to 2019:12 for pre-pandemic period and 2022:1 to 2023:8 for the post-pandemic period are tested by performing Hepsag’s stationarity test state that the convergence hypothesis is valid in 14 of the 15 major tourism markets for the pre-pandemic period (the Russian Federation, Germany, Bulgaria, England, Iran, Iraq, Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Poland, France, Greece, Romania, Israel and Saudi Arabia). However, for the post-pandemic period, it was determined that the convergence hypothesis was valid only for Iraq, Poland, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Examining the convergence features of tourism markets provides valuable information for decision-makers of Turkey’s tourism policies for economic balance in the growing cities.
The Role of Sales Personnel Empathy and Customer-oriented Behaviour on Female Consumers’ Emotions and Satisfaction: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Supramaniam Sivakumari , John Surej P , Gaur Sanjaya Singh
Published: April 2024

Even though online shopping and self-service options are popular, salespeople still play a crucial role in influencing women’s decisions when buying intimate apparel. This study looks into how sales staff influence Asian female consumers’ choices in this industry. By studying 301 people who shop for intimate apparel, the research explores how salespeople’s empathetic interactions affect customers’ emotions, relationships and overall satisfaction. Drawing on empirical data from 301 participants engaged in intimate apparel shopping, the research examines how empathic interactions by salespersons impact customers’ emotions, relational outcomes and overall satisfaction. Findings reveal that affective empathic interactions significantly enhance salesperson competencies and customer-oriented behaviours, leading to heightened levels of satisfaction. Moreover, the study elucidates the mediating roles of customer competence and hedonic value in shaping satisfaction levels. The implications of these findings for improving customer satisfaction in intimate apparel retail are discussed.
Using Scenario-Based Assessment in the Development of Students’ Digital Communication Skills and Professional Competence
Authors: Nickerson Catherine , Davidson Peter
Published: April 2024

In this discussion, we consider how the use of scenario-based assessment (SBA) can provide students with a way of developing the digital communication skills that business communication research has found they will need for the workplace, alongside other aspects of professional competence. This is because SBA can be employed to engage learners in the same types of authentic performance tasks in a situated context that they will likely encounter in their professional lives. In addition, SBA can also be used to maximize the integrity of an assignment by harnessing the positive effects of using generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, while simultaneously mitigating against the misappropriation of AI by students. SBA allows learners to practice both their digital, and other, communication skills as well as contributing to their understanding of professional practice, and it also provides instructors with a powerful form of formative assessment. Our aim is to put forward a motivating and effective way of helping our students to develop the skills that they will need to become successful communicators in a postpandemic professional world.