bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disconnecting from digital news: News avoidance and the ignored role of social class
Authors: Lindell Johan , Mikkelsen Båge Else
Published: April 2022

While research on news avoidance has surged in the last couple of decades, we are still at a scholarly shortage in terms of understanding and theorizing the relationship between social class and the inclination to tune out on the news. In addressing this gap, we rely on a mail-back survey with ten thousand Swedes to study how social class predicts the likelihood of avoiding news from different digital outlets. Results show that people at lower social positions, measured as their relative lack of cultural and economic capital, are significantly more likely to avoid online news. A lack of cultural capital predicts total news avoidance online, avoiding online public service news and the “quality news,” while it lessens the likelihood of avoiding “popular news” online. Lacking economic capital predicts total news avoidance online and avoiding the “popular news.” We conclude the article with three cultural sociological lessons for the study of news avoidance. We call for sensitivity in regard to (1) the multi-dimensional character of social inequality, (2) the symbolic value of different types of news genres and outlets, and (3) social inequality in the normative problematizations of news avoidance.
The role of human capital in Italian equity crowdfunding campaigns
Authors: D’Agostino Lorena M , Ilbeigi Alireza , Torrisi Salvatore
Published: April 2022

Crowdfunding has become an established means for new ventures in search for funding and it has received increased attention from scholars and policy makers. One of the most relevant aspects of crowdfunding is to understand the factors associated with the success of a campaign. This paper addresses the issue with a novel dataset of 89 Italian campaigns. Three indicators of campaign success (funds received, funds as a share of target, and number of investors) are estimated as a function of different dimensions of human capital (team size, education, and work experience). We find that campaign success is correlated to team size, the share of members with very high education (i.e. PhD), and the share of members with business education. We also find a non-linear relation with team size, and a significant relationship with the diversification of the team's education. Our study contributes to a recent body of empirical studies on the determinants of the success of an equity crowdfunding campaign by confirming previous findings with a novel dataset and by providing new evidence on the relevance of signals of the founding team quality (e.g. diversity of education) and increasing return of funding to team size.
PTI: Coping with the COVID-19 crisis from a resource-based view
Authors: Haan-Cao Haijing De
Published: April 2022

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are suffering heavily from the Covid-19 pandemic. Pincode Telenet International (PTI) is a small company providing software solutions to the utility sector in the Netherlands. Its revenue depends entirely on outsourcing contracts given by utility providers. When the market environment is disrupted by the Covid-19 outbreak and its lasting impact, PTI is confronted with a 35% drop in revenue and many uncertainties. This case illustrates how PTI copes with uncertainties by focusing on one certainty: the available resources. The resource-based coping strategy presented in this case engages students to reflect on how different resources can be used to strengthen collaborations and expand a customer base. It thus advances our understanding of opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial behaviour in times of crisis.
Damage identification of wind turbine blades using the microphone array under different parametric and measuring conditions: A prototype study with laboratory-scale models
Authors: Sun Shilin , Wang Tianyang , Yang Hongxing , Chu Fulei
Published: April 2022

Structural health monitoring (SHM) of wind turbine blades is significant to the reliability and efficiency of wind energy generation, and it is a challenging issue due to the complicated structures and variational operating conditions. In this investigation, a SHM method for wind turbine blades based on the microphone array and acoustic source identification is proposed. With the equipment of loudspeakers in blade cavities, damage-related information is excited to be captured by the array. To generate accurate acoustic maps with high spatial resolutions, a novel algorithm for sparsity-based sound field reconstruction is developed based on the generalized minimax-concave penalty function. With a laboratory-scale wind turbine model, damage identification performance of the proposed method is evaluated under different parametric and measuring conditions, and experiments are conducted under diverse blade health conditions. Results reveal that and both internal and external damage in operating blades can be recognized as acoustic sources, and satisfactory performance of the proposed method can be guaranteed with appropriate parameters. Furthermore, determination criteria for parameters are concluded with respect to the variation of measuring conditions. This prototype study provides useful insights into the development of effective SHM systems.
Analysis, evaluation and integration of modular natural illumination system using a rectangular Fresnel lens for high performance
Authors: Garg H , Bisht DS , Sharma K , Kumar V , Kaur K , Garg N
Published: April 2022

Daylighting using natural illumination system (NILS) is gaining popularity due to transition to the renewable and non-conventional energy resources. In the proposed work, optomechanical design, numerical analysis, experimentation and integration of a modular Fresnel lens for NILS to effectively harness the sunlight is discussed. The modular and integrated design delivers uniform light at the receiving area of the daylight transportation system. This modular Fresnel lens is a combination of linear Fresnel lenses designed to offer a moderate concentration ratio to avoid hot spots. The distribution of solar radiation on the focal plane/entry section of the plastic optical fibre bundle (daylight transportation system) is simulated using the ray-trace technique for a lens system with a concentration ratio of 81. The irradiance distributions at the focal plane were found uniform with a radiometric and photometric transmission efficiency of 72.45% and 85.96%, respectively, for the lens element. The overall photometric transmission efficiency of the system with 10 m long plastic/acrylic optical fibre cable was found as 40.97%.
Suicidal
Authors: LeMaster Lore/tta
Published: April 2022

Content warning: This relational meditation centers suicidality including suicidal talk (as well as talk by currently suicidal people) and suicidal ideation. Dear reader, approach this piece with compassion and care. Seek the support and care you require—ideally on your terms and in a community of care. In this relational meditation, I offer a performative response to Alexander Baril’s (2020) “suicidal manifesto” in the hopes of “building relations with suicidal people” (sec. 2.3.2, para. 2). Of the current crises we are navigating, suicidality persists. Be it through the recent loss of a dear queer mentor and friend to suicide, the suicidal student whose means of relating evade the violence of mandated reporting over mandated care, or the mundane suicidal ebbs and flows that have long organized my own lived experience, suicidality is a fact of my life and I would venture to suggest yours as well. I performatively engage Baril’s “critical suicidality” in the hopes of inviting further and even more complex dialogues around mental health, wellness, and suicidality free of stigma and shame. While we theorize, organize, and perform means by which to survive our current crises, destigmatizing suicidality must be of paramount importance. This was not easy to write; it may not be easy to read.
A Warning/A Call: The Spectacle of (In)Visibility in the Vernacular Response to DEI-A Work
Authors: Alexander Bryant Keith
Published: April 2022

This short piece was originally conceptualized as a response and support of a young tenure-track faculty-of-color who was experiencing academic bullying and threat of recrimination for her unwavering work in DEI-A (diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism) in an academic unit that claims to support the work of decolonizing its curriculum. But also, a unit in which some seemingly resist personal challenge and the necessary self-work that differentially inconveniences majority students and faculty. The response of resistance becomes the vernacular of dis-ease that interrupts DEI-A work in a liberal economy. This commentary, which extends beyond the place and space of this encounter, speaks to what might be national tensions between the cultural sustainability of privilege and cultural transformation for social justice. This piece also evidences the importance of academic administrators being able to articulate and strengthen their own commitments to DEI-A, to support faculty in the collective struggle of our academic and political defensive labor for social justice. This recognizing that none of us are immune to the sting of critique in defense of our convictions and that of our university values.
How do Central American Parents in the United States View the Importance of and Obtain Information About Behaviors Associated with the Risk of Early Childhood Obesity?
Authors: Diaz Elizabeth N. , Pineda Joanna A. , Le Qun , Wright Julie A. , Greaney Mary L. , Lindsay Ana Cristina
Published: April 2022

Background: Data suggest that Latinx preschool-age children are at increased risk of obesity. The fastest-growing Latinx population in the United States originates from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, also known as the Northern Triangle countries. Purpose: To describe how Central American parents from the Northern Triangle countries perceive the importance of energy balance-related behaviors (EBRBs), their preferred sources to obtain information about EBRBs, and to assess whether these differ by parent's gender and country of the nativity. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Results: Seventy-four parents with at least one child between 2 and 5 years of age participated in the study. More than half were immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras and were classified as having low acculturation. Mothers perceived consuming >5 fruits and vegetables daily, limiting sugar-sweetened beverages consumption, and having <2 hours daily screen time as extremely important, whereas fathers perceived these behaviors as being less important. Although a higher proportion of foreign-born than US-born parents perceived most of the assessed EBRBs (4 out of 6) as extremely important, these differences were not significant. Parents reported multiple sources to obtain EBRB-related information. Direct person-to-person interactions were the most commonly preferred sources, with pediatricians being the top source (97.3%), followed by other parents (86.5%), and WIC professionals (74.3%). Pediatricians were the preferred source to obtain information about EBRBs, irrespective of parent's gender and country of the nativity. A higher proportion of US-born than foreign-born parents reported a preference to obtain EBRB-related information from other parents. Conclusions: Findings suggest the significance of understanding how Central American parents perceive the importance of EBRBs and the sources they would prefer to obtain information for their children's EBRBs. Study findings have implications for health education and obesity prevention interventions designed to reach and deliver key evidence-based child health information to Central American parents from the Northern Triangle countries in the United States.
Spiritual Care Professionals as Unit-Based Interdisciplinary Team Members? Considering Patient and Staff Perceptions in a Forensic Mental Health Care Setting
Authors: Patrick Heard Clark , Scott Jared , Yeo Rev’d Stephen
Published: April 2022

This project considers two co-occurring studies accounting perceptions of patients (n=8) and staff (n=8) related to assignment of Spiritual Care students as full-time interdisciplinary team members at a Forensic mental health facility. Students on 12-week placements were individually assigned to care units. Qualitative method consistent with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was employed. The co-occurring studies identified that enhanced access to Spiritual Care was valued. Staff and patients indicated a desire for more spirituality focused participation.
Spiritual Health Support for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness in the Community
Authors: McLean Gillian
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a qualitative research project that examines the role of the spiritual health practitioner in an interprofessional Assertive Community Treatment team. The full-time spiritual health practitioner worked alongside the team to support clients with severe mental illness over a six-month period from September 2016 to March 2017. The project examined how the spiritual health needs of clients were addressed through the clinical practice of a spiritual health practitioner. Written in a narrative voice, the findings are presented and discussed, study limitations are identified, recommendations regarding the provision of spiritual health care in the community are made, and areas of future research suggested.
Minimally Invasive Treatment of Recurrent Anal Fistulas with Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Combined With Internal Orifice Closure
Authors: Cwaliński Jarosław , Hermann Jacek , Paszkowski Jacek , Banasiewicz Tomasz
Published: April 2022

Aim

Minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of anal fistulas are gaining more and more popularity. For this purpose, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) are administered to accelerate the healing process of various difficult wounds or lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate preliminary results of PRP injection into the tissues adjacent to anal fistulas.

Patients and methods

A cohort of 42 patients with recurrent anal fistula, who underwent at least one cutting procedure previously, were enrolled into this preliminary and prospective trial. Closure of internal orifice was performed in all investigated patients, however, in 22 patients from group I, that procedure was combined with topical injection of PRP. In the postoperative period, the PRP administration could be repeated in case of incomplete fistula closure. Follow-up consisted of out-patient visits in a fortnight, 1, 2, and 12 months.

Results

Complete closure of anal fistulas was achieved in 16 (75%) patients from group I and 10 (45,5%) patients from group II. The fistulas were healed in 9 patients from group I after single application of PRP. In the next 9 patients with incomplete fistula closure, the injection was repeated 2 to 4 times every fortnight leading finally to complete recovery in 6 of them.

Conclusions

Surgical fistula closure with local PRP application spares the anal sphincter and gives the opportunity to repeat the procedure several times if necessary. Treatment of recurrent anal fistulas with PRP can be considered as last resort therapy.
Leveraging the Power of Online Qualitative Inquiry in Mixed Methods Research: Novel Prospects and Challenges Amidst COVID-19
Authors: Meixner Cara , Spitzner Dan J.
Published: April 2022

The rare circumstances of COVID-19 have transformed research toward increased dependence on online spaces. This article examines related challenges and opportunities, focusing on how philosophical and ethical implications are differentially manifest amid crisis. Anchored by a transformative perspective, our framework recognizes heightened vulnerabilities amid COVID-19; it seeks dexterous strategies for implementing qualitative strands that adapt well to a virtual context while remaining philosophically grounded and ethical. Our findings highlight issues of unequal access, disembodiment, safety and vulnerability, researcher positionality, anonymity, and the delineation between private and public spaces; we also showcase an array of virtual qualitative methods. We conclude that ethical practice in the use of online methods is likely to be broadly applicable and adaptable to the mixed methods research community.
Willingness to use and distribute HIV self-test kits to clients and partners: A qualitative analysis of female sex workers’ collective opinion and attitude in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal
Authors: Ky-Zerbo Odette , Desclaux Alice , Boye Sokhna , Vautier Anthony , Rouveau Nicolas , Kouadio Brou Alexis , Fotso Arlette Simo , Pourette Dolorès , Maheu-Giroux Mathieu , Sow Souleymane , Camara Cheick Sidi , Doumenc-Aïdara Clémence , Keita Abdelaye , Boily Marie Claude , Silhol Romain , d’Elbée Marc , Bekelynck Anne , Gueye Papa Alioune , Diop Papa Moussa , Geoffroy Olivier , Kamemba Odé Kanku , Diallo Sanata , Ehui Eboi , Ndour Cheick Tidiane , Larmarange Joseph ,   for the ATLAS team
Published: April 2022

Background:

In West Africa, female sex workers are at increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission. HIV self-testing could be an effective tool to improve access to and frequency of HIV testing to female sex workers, their clients and partners. This article explores their perceptions regarding HIV self-testing use and the redistribution of HIV self-testing kits to their partners and clients.

Methods:

Embedded within ATLAS, a qualitative study was conducted in Côte-d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal in 2020. Nine focus group discussions were conducted. A thematic analysis was performed.

Results:

A total of 87 participants expressed both positive attitudes toward HIV self-testing and their willingness to use or reuse HIV self-testing. HIV self-testing was perceived to be discreet, confidential, and convenient. HIV self-testing provides autonomy from testing by providers and reduces stigma. Some perceived HIV self-testing as a valuable tool for testing their clients who are willing to offer a premium for condomless sex. While highlighting some potential issues, overall, female sex workers were optimistic about linkage to confirmatory testing following a reactive HIV self-testing. Female sex workers expressed positive attitudes toward secondary distribution to their partners and clients, although it depended on relationship types. They seemed more enthusiastic about secondary distribution to their regular/emotional partners and regular clients with whom they had difficulty using condoms, and whom they knew enough to discuss HIV self-testing. However, they expressed that it could be more difficult with casual clients; the duration of the interaction being too short to discuss HIV self-testing, and they fear violence and/or losing them.

Conclusion:

Overall, female sex workers have positive attitudes toward HIV self-testing use and are willing to redistribute to their regular partners and clients. However, they are reluctant to promote such use with their casual clients. HIV self-testing can improve access to HIV testing for female sex workers and the members of their sexual and social network.
Well-Being Science for Teaching and the General Public
Authors: Tov William , Wirtz Derrick , Kushlev Kostadin , Biswas-Diener Robert , Diener Ed
Published: April 2022

Research on well-being has exploded in recent years to more than 55,000 relevant publications annually, making it difficult for psychologists—including key communicators such as textbook authors—to stay current with this field. Moreover, well-being is a daily concern among policymakers and members of the general public. Well-being science is relevant to the lives of students—illustrating the diverse methods used in the behavioral sciences, presenting highly replicated findings, and demonstrating the diversity of individuals and cultures. Therefore, in this article, we present eight major findings that teachers and authors should seriously consider in their coverage of this field. These topics include processes such as adaptation, influences such as income, the benefits of well-being, and cultural and societal diversity in well-being and its causes. We also examine how much these topics were covered in 15 of the most popular introductory psychology textbooks. Although some topics such as social relationships and well-being were discussed in nearly all textbooks, others were less frequently covered, including the validity of self-reported well-being, the effects of spending on happiness, and the impact of culture and society on well-being. We aim to ensure more complete coverage of this important area in psychology courses.
Characteristics of a person-centred coaching approach
Authors: Garner Paul , Roberts William M , Baker Colin , Côté Jean
Published: April 2022

Within this paper we propose a need to better understand what is meant by a person-centred approach to coaching and in particular, to consider the intention that drives coach behaviours. Much of the extant coaching literature focuses on pedagogical models and theories of learning. Without detracting from this important body of work, we suggest that a holistic approach requires a greater focus on coaches’ inter- and intra-personal knowledge. In this paper, video stimulated recall was used to guide interviews with Alpine ski coaches, to explore their thought processes and intentions behind person-centred delivery. The findings suggest these coaches adopted other-centred intentions that are facilitated by an accurate self-assessment, a big picture perspective and a willingness to learn. Consequently, the concept of humility is proposed as a guiding principle for person-centred coaching, and a conceptual model is presented as a solution to the challenges we identify throughout the paper.
Practice and match workload of a female tennis player in two annual seasons: A single-case study
Authors: Filipcic Ales , Crespo Miguel , Filipcic Tjasa
Published: April 2022

The aim of this single case study was to monitor the external workload of a professional female tennis player between 314 training sessions and 115 matches. A wearable device was used during two fully consecutive tennis seasons (24 months). External workload was determined using time indicators (total and active session times), shots indicators (shots per week, session, hour, rally and minute) and frequency distribution of rallies. This case study showed that the workload during practice sessions was higher compared to matches in terms of active time, percentage of active time, shots per hour and rally, and frequency distribution of rallies with more than nine shots. The number of shots executed per minute was lower in the practice sessions than in the match. It is concluded that the recommended number of shots per hour in a 90-min practice session is for the player to perform 400 to 800 shots. The recommended average number of rallies in practice sessions is 144 and 70% of the rallies should consist of four shots. The pace of rallies in open match situations in the practice sessions should reach the level of official matches. These conclusions could be useful guidelines for determining the workload of female tennis players participating in entry-level professional tournaments.
Coaches’ opinions about teaching defensive skills for youth handball teams
Authors: Musa Vinicius da Silva , Menezes Rafael Pombo
Published: April 2022

Purpose

It can be observed that coaching in youth sports may be based on technique development, while it is inspired by high-performance sports. As it is observed a lack of research that addressed the coaching process with youth handball teams in the Brazilian context, this study aimed to analyze what is expected for the defensive phase and how it is taught.

Methods

We interviewed 22 handball coaches from the U-12, U-14, U-16, and U-18 teams addressing the teaching of defensive skills when facing different offensive systems and the approaches used in the training sessions. The interviews were analyzed using the Collective Subject Discourse (CSD) method.

Results and discussion

The coaches’ discourses revealed an increasing expectation due to players’ experience, but with stimulation of high-level sport since the youngest teams. The discourses also emphasized the use of traditional approaches and game-based approaches to apply the learned skill in the game context, independently of the age group. It was noted that the expectations of the coaches about players’ technical-tactical development and the approaches are controversial, especially when comparing the specific skills with the use of the traditional approach in the younger teams (U-12 and U-14 teams). It is suggested that more attention must be paid when choosing the defensive skills to be taught for youth players, and the chosen teaching approaches must promote a reflexive environment to learners.
Anticipatory information sources of serve and returning of elite professional tennis players: A qualitative approach
Authors: Carboch Jan , Brenton John , Reischlova Eliska , Kocib Tomas
Published: April 2022

Kinematic and contextual information is important for players as they can use these for anticipation and facilitating motor responses. The interaction of the use of this information with an understanding of how the mind works in elite players is crucial but difficult to obtain by empirical research methods. The aim was to: (i) explore and identify anticipatory information sources among professional tennis players, (ii) verify findings of Vernon et al. 1 and elaborate on these findings based upon the perspective of European players and coaches. We interviewed 9 active or former professional players (current coaches) for 30–60 min each, replicating the same methodology and questions as Vernon. 1 An open-coding analysis approach was used, with codes to identify common themes extracted from the transcribed interviews. Our findings were generally in support of Vernon's findings, verifying the importance of ball toss kinematics, contextual information sources such as the score or weather, as well as the importance of constantly updating the available kinematic and contextual information sources throughout the match. We elaborate on these findings by providing more detail regarding Vernon's findings, and add new sources of information mentioned by the interviewed players such as server's rear foot position and server's gaze. Participants shared information about their returning strategies, how they build pressure on the server, and their own service return practice, noting that this is not practiced as much as they would like it to be. Overall, focus on developing and improving visual anticipation skill is limited, even at this level of expertise.
Effect of match-related contextual factors on positional performance in the national rugby league
Authors: Wedding C. J. , Gomez M. A. , Woods C. T. , Sinclair W. H. , Leicht A. S.
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To examine the effects of match-related contextual variables on positional groups and success in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Methods

Data relating to match location, match outcome, quality of opposition and match type (absolute score differential) from all matches across the 2015–2019 NRL seasons were collected, in addition to 14 previously identified Factors (technical performance indicators). A decision tree, grown using the Exhaustive Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) algorithm, was used to model the effect of each of these match-related contexts on positional contribution according to match outcome.

Results

The accuracy of the exhaustive CHAID model in explaining the influence of positional groups on match outcome was 66%. The model revealed four primary splits: interchange forwards, utility backs, adjustables and a group containing the remaining three positional groups (forwards, backs, and interchange).

Conclusions

Results suggest that interchange forwards, utility backs and adjustables could have a definitive role within the team compared to the remaining positional groups in determining match outcome. In contrast to team-level research, there is a greater emphasis on the importance of defensive actions (e.g. try causes, tackles made) at a positional level than attacking performance indicators. The moderate classification accuracy justifies the use of this approach for examination of the interactions between match-related contextual variables, performance indicators and positional groups.
‘Nation shall speak peace unto nation’? The BBC and the nations
Authors: Medhurst Jamie
Published: April 2022

This article will take an historical view on the BBC’s relationship with the nations, beginning with a discussion of the pre-television era, and then considering how the Corporation introduced television to the ‘national regions’ in the post-war period before focussing on Wales as a case study, ending with the establishment of the Welsh Fourth Channel, S4C. The aim is to underline the often complex historical relationship between the BBC as a UK-wide broadcaster and its role as a means of reflecting the life of a small nation such as Wales both to itself and to the rest of the United Kingdom.
‘Rooting’ the BBC: An interview with Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director of BBC Nations
Authors: McElroy Ruth , Noonan Caitriona
Published: April 2022

In early 2021, Rhodri Talfan Davies was appointed Director of Nations, a role which would see him lead all the BBC’s work across Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland, alongside his responsibilities as Director of BBC Wales. Shortly after this appointment, and the announcement of further commitments by the BBC to nations and regions, the authors interviewed Talfan Davies to understand the decisions that flow from translating the often abstract concept of national regions and English regionalism into a coherent set of organisational strategies, commissioning priorities and local production. A second purpose was to explore the value of local programming in an era of global television.
Why translations matter – An introduction to Critical Studies in Television’s new section ‘In Translation’
Authors: Bengesser Cathrin
Published: April 2022

This editorial and interview introduce Critical Studies in Television’s new section ‘In Translation’, which provides translations of non-English-language research in television studies. It addresses how contributions from languages other than English enable adequate understanding of transnational TV phenomena through methods and theory developed on a diversity of objects and contexts. The first translation of Kirsten Frandsen and Hanne Bruun’s article ‘Time and Timing – a methodological perspective on production analysis’ is introduced in an interview with Hanne Bruun. She talks about how media studies translate between academia and the media industries in impactful ways and how new approaches developed based on Nordic cases challenge a narrative of difficulty and decline in production research.
Hemiarthroplasty versus open reduction internal fixation for intra-articular distal humerus fractures in older patients
Authors: Dirckx Margo , Tathgar Anand , Bellringer Simon , Phadnis Joideep
Published: April 2022

Background

Intra-articular distal humerus fractures in the older population remain a challenge to fix, due to the comminution of fragments and poor bone stock. Recently Elbow Hemiarthroplasty (EHA) has gained popularity to treat these fractures, however no studies exist comparing EHA to Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF).

Objectives

To compare the clinical outcomes of patients over the age of 60 years treated with ORIF or EHA for multi-fragmentary distal humerus fractures.

Methods

Thirty-six patients (mean age 73 years) treated surgically for a multi-fragmentary intra-articular distal humeral fracture were followed up for a mean duration of thirty-four months (12–73 months). Eighteen patients were treated with ORIF and eighteen with EHA. The groups were matched for fracture type, demographic characteristics and follow up time. Outcome measures collected included Oxford Elbow Score (OES), Visual Analogue pain Score (VAS), range of motion (ROM), complications, re-operations and radiographic outcomes. The quality of ORIF was judged against set radiographic criteria in order to understand the effect of sub-optimal ORIF technique.

Results

No significant clinical difference was found between EHA and ORIF in mean OES (42.5 vs 39.6, p = 0.28), mean VAS (0.5 vs 1.7, p  = 0.08) or mean flexion-extension arc (123° vs 112°, p  = 0.12). There were significantly more complications associated with ORIF compared to EHA (39% vs 6%, p = 0.04). ORIF executed with satisfactory fixation technique had a comparable complication rate compared to EHA (17% vs 6%, p = 0.6). Two ORIF patients required revision to Total Elbow Arthroplasty (TEA). None of the EHA patients required revision surgery.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated similar short-term functional outcomes between EHA and ORIF for the treatment of multi-fragmentary intra-articular distal humeral fractures in patients >60 years of age. Early complications and re-operations were higher in the ORIF group, although this could be related to improper ORIF technique and patient selection.
GUIDE: a randomised non-comparative phase II trial of biomarker-driven intermittent docetaxel versus standard-of-care docetaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (clinical trial protocol)
Authors: Conduit Ciara , Mak Blossom , Qu Wenjia , Lulio Juliana Di , Burder Ronan , Bressel Matthias , Cusick Thomas , Dhillon Haryana M. , Lourenço Richard De Abreu , Underhill Craig , Torres Javier , Crumbaker Megan , Honeyball Florian , Linton Anthony , Allen Ray , Davis Ian D. , Clark Susan J. , Horvath Lisa G. , Mahon Kate L.
Published: April 2022

Objective:

To determine the efficacy and safety of intermittent docetaxel chemotherapy guided by circulating methylated glutathione S-transferase Pi-1 ( mGSTP1) in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Patients and Methods:

GUIDE (NCT04918810) is a randomised, two-arm, non-comparative phase-2 trial recruiting 120 patients at six Australian centres. Patients with Prostate Cancer Working Group-3 defined metastatic CRPC who are commencing docetaxel 75 mg/m2 q3w will be pre-screened for detectable mGSTP1 at baseline ± following two cycles of treatment. Those with detectable plasma mGSTP1 at baseline that becomes undetectable after two cycles of chemotherapy will be eligible for GUIDE. Prior to Cycle 4 of docetaxel, these patients are randomised 2:1 to one of two treatment arms: Arm A (cease docetaxel and reinstitute if mGSTP1 becomes detectable) or Arm B (continue docetaxel 75 mg/m2 q3w in accordance with clinician’s usual practice). The primary endpoint is radiographic progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints include time on treatment holidays, safety, patient-reported outcomes, overall survival, health resource use, and cost associated with treatment. Enrolment commenced November 2021.

Results and Conclusion:

The results of this trial will generate data on the clinical utility of mGSTP1 as a novel biomarker to guide treatment de-escalation in metastatic CRPC.
Introduction: The EU new economic governance, labour law and labour lawyers
Authors: Rocca Marco
Published: April 2022

The new economic governance of the European Union emerged as an important legacy of the Eurozone crisis. Although its suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic has somewhat reduced its visibility, the process of the European Semester remains as central as ever in coordinating socio-economic policies of Member States, notably through its link with the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Two of the most relevant tools of the EU Economic Governance, notably Memoranda of Understanding and Country Specific Recommendations, focus, to an important degree, on labour law reforms. As such, it is important to question the role which these instruments have played, and will potentially play in the future, for national systems of labour law as well as for the evolution of EU labour law itself. To do so, it is necessary to go beyond quantitative or macro approaches to the content of the prescriptions of these tools, in order to analyse their impact on specific labour law systems and national contexts. This will generate a better understating of the relevance of the EU economic governance for the field of labour law.
Minor second intervals: A shared signature for infant cries and sadness in music
Authors: Zeloni Gabriele , Pavani Francesco
Published: April 2022

In Western music and in music of other cultures, minor chords, modes and intervals evoke sadness. It has been proposed that this emotional interpretation of melodic intervals (the distance between two pitches, expressed in semitones) is common to music and vocal expressions. Here, we asked expert musicians to transcribe into music scores spontaneous vocalizations of pre-verbal infants to test the hypothesis that melodic intervals that evoke sadness in music (i.e., minor 2nd) are more represented in cry compared to neutral utterances. Results showed that the unison, major 2nd, minor 2nd, major 3rd, minor 3rd, perfect 4th and perfect 5th are all represented in infant vocalizations. However, minor 2nd outnumbered all other intervals in cry vocalizations, but not in neutral babbling. These findings suggest that the association between minor intervals and sadness may develop in humans because a critically relevant social cue (infant cry) contains a statistical regularity: the association between minor 2nd and negative emotional valence.
The global burden of thyroid cancer in high-income Asia-Pacific: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease study
Authors: Li Yike , Huang Yinqiong , He Xue , Han Cheng , Wu Wei , Shen Hui , Xu Yanbing , Liu Yazhuo , Zhu Zizhao
Published: April 2022

Background:

Thyroid cancer has become increasingly prevalent and threatens human health. Few studies have explored the incidence of thyroid cancer in Asia and its relationship with social-progress factors.

Methods:

We analyzed Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019 data specific to thyroid cancer. Incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates were used to evaluate the burden of thyroid cancer.

Results:

The age-standardized incidence, prevalence, and DALY rates per 100,000 population were 1.34% (95% UI, 2.44–3.07), 2.79% (95% UI, 18.82–23.77) and 16.49% (95% UI, 14.6–18), respectively, for all of Asia in 2019. In 2019, the DALY rate of thyroid cancer in the High-income Asia-Pacific region was the highest and mortality due to thyroid cancer in the High-income Asia-Pacific region was also the highest. The growth trend of DALYs in the High-income Asia-Pacific region was much steeper than those in other Asian regions. In all Asian regions and in the High-income Asia-Pacific region, the incidence, prevalence, mortality and DALY rates of thyroid cancer in female patients were drastically higher than those in male patients. Among Asian patients with thyroid cancer, the DALY rate was higher in men aged 80–89 years than in women. The DALY rate gradually increased with age. In the High-income Asia-Pacific region, the mortality rate of patients with thyroid cancer decreased with age. The prevalence was highest in those aged 40–79 years.

Conclusion:

The disease burden of thyroid cancer in the High-income Asia-Pacific region was significantly higher than those in other regions, which may be due to overdiagnosis. The increasing incidence of thyroid cancer seems to indicate that thyroid cancer is still a public health problem in Asia. Therefore, some health policy adjustments will be meaningful.
The association between diabetes mellitus and incidence of depressive episodes is different based on sex: insights from ELSA-Brasil
Authors: Barbosa Elizabeth Leite , Moreno Arlinda B. , Van Duinkerken Eelco , Lotufo Paulo , Barreto Sandhi Maria , Giatti Luana , Nunes Maria Angélica , Viana Maria Carmen , Figueiredo Roberta , Chor Dóra , Griep Rosane Harter
Published: April 2022

Objective:

To investigate the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and incidence of depressive episodes among men and women.

Methods:

Data were used from 12,730 participants (5866 men and 6864 women) at baseline (2008–2010) and follow-up 1 (2012–2014) of the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a multicenter cohort of Brazilian civil servants. Participants were classified for diabetes using self-reported and clinical information, and evaluated for presence of depressive episodes by the Clinical Interview Schedule–Revised (CIS-R). Associations were estimated by means of logistic regression models (crude and adjusted for socio-demographic variables).

Results:

Women classified as with DM prior to the baseline were at 48% greater risk (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–2.07) of depressive episodes in the crude model and 54% greater risk (95% CI = 1.06–2.19) in the final adjusted model compared to women classified as non-DM. No significant associations were observed for men. The regression models for duration of DM and incidence of depressive episodes ( n = 2143 participants; 1160 men and 983 women) returned no significant associations.

Conclusion:

In women classified as with prior DM, the greater risk of depressive episodes suggests that more frequent screening for depression may be beneficial as part of a multi-factorial approach to care for DM.
In-person and virtual multidisciplinary intensive lifestyle interventions are equally effective in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity
Authors: Al-Badri Marwa , Kilroy Cara L. , Shahar Jacqueline Ifat , Tomah Shaheen , Gardner Hannah , Sin Mallory , Votta Jennie , Phillips-Stoll Aliza , Price Aaron , Beaton Joan , Davis Chandra , Rizzotto Jo-Anne , Dhaver Shilton , Hamdy Osama
Published: April 2022

Background:

Intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) is essential for diabetes management. The Weight Achievement and Intensive Treatment (Why WAIT) program is a 12-week multidisciplinary weight management program that has been implemented in real-world clinical practice since 2005 and has shown long-term maintenance of weight reduction for 5 and 10 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program went virtual using telemedicine and mobile health applications.

Aims:

This retrospective pilot study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual model of an already established and successful in-person program for diabetes and weight management since 2005.

Methods:

We evaluated 38 patients with diabetes and obesity enrolled in the Why WAIT program between February 2019 and December 2020. Sixteen participants were enrolled in virtual program (VP) and were compared with 22 participants who completed the latest two physical programs (PPs) before COVID-19. We evaluated changes in body weight, A1C, blood pressure (BP), and lipid profile after 12 weeks of ILI.

Results:

Body weight decreased by −7.4 ± 3.6 kg from baseline in VP compared with −6.8 ± 3.5 kg in PP ( p = 0.6 between groups). A1C decreased by −1.03% ± 1.1% from baseline in VP, and by −1.0% ± 1.2% in PP ( p = 0.9 between groups). BP, lipid profile, and all other parameters improved in both groups with no significant difference between them.

Conclusion:

Virtual multidisciplinary ILI is as effective as the in-person intervention program in improving body weight, A1C, BP, and lipid profile, and in reducing the number of anti-hyperglycemic medications. Results from our study suggest that scaling the Why WAIT program in a virtual format to a larger population of patients with diabetes and obesity is feasible and is potentially as successful as the in-person program.
Review of respiratory syncytial virus infection among older adults and transplant recipients
Authors: Villanueva Daphne-Dominique H. , Arcega Victor , Rao Mana
Published: April 2022

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of pulmonary infection among children and has been increasingly recognized as an important respiratory pathogen in older adults and immunocompromised hosts. Among older adults, RSV can lead to exacerbations of underlying lung and cardiac disease. It is also associated with significant morbidity and mortality in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients and may be associated with acute rejection and chronic lung allograft dysfunction among lung transplant recipients (LTRs). Current treatment options for severe RSV disease are limited, and there is a paucity of guidance on RSV treatment among older adults. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of RSV disease in older adults, HSCT recipients, and SOT recipients. Nosocomial spread has been reported, thus highlighting the importance of infection prevention and control measures to prevent outbreaks. Antivirals, monoclonal antibodies for immunoprophylaxis, and vaccine development are underway; however, future research is still needed in these critical areas.
Nurse-led safer opioid supply and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: a novel pilot project
Authors: Haines Marlene , O’Byrne Patrick
Published: April 2022

Introduction:

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective intervention for preventing HIV infections yet is largely unknown to and underutilized among people who use drugs.

Methods:

To better provide services to this group, we present a prospective, single-group interventional study involving the creation of a partnership between a safer opioid supply program and an HIV PrEP program, both of which were nurse-led.

Results:

Overall, HIV PrEP was offered to 42 individuals within the safer opioid supply program, resulting in 55% ( n = 23) acceptance. Almost half of the group that accepted PrEP identified as female, and nearly all participants were homeless and did not have a primary care provider. While it was challenging to obtain routine PrEP follow-up labs per guideline recommendations due to poor venous access, most participants were able to successfully stay on PrEP and maintained good medication adherence. There were no PrEP discontinuations due to renal impairment and no participants tested positive for HIV.

Conclusion:

This novel integration of programs appeared to be a highly effective way to expand access to HIV prevention among people who use drugs. Given the historical and current mistreatment of people who use drugs within the healthcare system, rapport and trust were essential to the uptake of HIV PrEP services. Further, the importance of infectious disease screening among people who use drugs is underscored, and built-in program flexibility and low barrier access is essential.