bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Low Serum Albumin and Preoperative Deep Vein Thrombosis in Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Xiong Xiaojuan , Li Ting , Yu Shuang , Lu Xingchen , Mao Qingxiang , Xiong Yan
Published: May 2023

To investigate the association between albumin and preoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA). This study enrolled 2133 patients. We created the receiver operator characteristic curve to determine the cut-off values for preoperative albumin (bromocresol green method) and DVT in TJA patients. We divided the patients into groups based on the albumin cut-off value and then assessed the risk factors in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. DVT occurred in 110 cases. The cut-off value for albumin was 37.2 g/L and the area under the curve was 0.611. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk for DVT before TJA in patients with albumin <37.2 g/L was increased by 1.99 times ( P = .001, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.34-2.97]); albumin of 30 to 37.2 g/L group and the albumin < 30 g/L group increased by 1.9 times ( P = .002, 95% CI [1.28-2.88]) and 3.25 times ( P = .015, 95% CI [1.26-8.4]), respectively. The patients in the albumin of 30 to 37.2 g/L and the albumin < 30 g/L group had 1.6 times ( P < .001, 95% CI [1.3-1.99] and 6.1 times ( P < .001, 95% CI [3.46-10.75]), respectively, higher risk of perioperative transfusion. Patients older than 69.5 years had a 3.8-fold increased risk of preoperative DVT ( P = .005, 95% CI [2.47-5.78]). Corticosteroid use had a 3 times higher risk of preoperative DVT ( P = .013, 95% CI [1.26-7.2]). We found that albumin < 37.2 g/L, patients older than 69.5 years, and corticosteroid use were independent risk factors for preoperative DVT in TJA patients. Additionally, the lower the preoperative albumin level, the greater the odds of preoperative DVT formation, and the higher the risk of perioperative transfusion.
Unbalanced vibration suppressing for aerostatic spindle using sliding mode control method and piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Chen Dongju , Zhang Xuan , Wang Handong , Pan Ri , Sun Kun , Fan Jinwei , Liang Dong
Published: May 2023

The lubricating medium of the aerostatic spindle is gas, with relatively low rigidity, which is easy to cause rotor offset and additional vibration under the action of external load, thus affecting the processing accuracy of the spindle. To solve the problem of unbalanced vibration of the spindle, a new type of controllable radial aerostatic bearing is designed by combining piezoelectric ceramics, which use the inverse piezoelectric effect of piezoelectric ceramics to squeeze the air film to produce corresponding control force, and the radial unbalanced vibration of the spindle is suppressed. A bearing–rotor–piezoelectric ceramic coupling model was established, and the control method of feedforward combined with feedback was used to reduce the hysteresis characteristics of piezoelectric ceramics. On this basis, the sliding mode controller of the entire system, and through research, it is found that the sliding mode controller based on the extended observer has the best vibration suppression effect compared with other sliding mode controllers in the article; this research results can improve the rotation accuracy of the spindle system and the machining accuracy of ultra-precision machine tools.
Research With Marginalized Communities: Reflections on Engaging Roma Women in Northern England
Authors: Hubbard Lydia , Hardman Michael , Race Olivia , Palmai Maria , Vamosi Gyula
Published: May 2023

This article critically explores research with marginalized communities. We provide an insight into our work with the Roma community, reflecting on innovation, opportunities, and barriers, alongside the need for more work in this area. A particular focus here surrounds novel methodologies for exploring the health and well-being of such groups and ways of co-producing research. This article also raises awareness around arts-based social prescribing with marginalized communities and the need to upscale work in this regard. Through doing so, we hope to influence practice, raise awareness around work with the Roma community and enable more creativity within the broader field.
Anatomy of the Ductus Arteriosus in Fetal Autopsies: Correlations With Placental Pathology and Cause of Death
Authors: Ernst Linda M. , Freedman Alexa , Price Erica , Franklin Andrew
Published: May 2023

Background:

Differences in the shape of the ductus arteriosus (DA), an important vascular shunt between the pulmonary artery and aorta, may reflect fetoplacental blood flow. Our aim was to examine tapering of the DA in a fetal autopsy population and correlate it with placental pathology and cause of death (COD).

Methods:

This autopsy case control study of stillborn fetuses selected cases (tapered DA) and consecutive age-matched controls (no DA tapering) between January 2017 and January 2022. We abstracted demographic and clinical data from pathology reports. Autopsy data included COD and histologic evidence of fetal hypoxia. Placental pathology included umbilical cord abnormalities, acute and chronic inflammation, fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM), and maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM).

Results:

We identified 50 cases and 50 controls. Gestational age ranged from 18 to 38 weeks. Maternal and fetal demographic characteristics did not differ significantly between cases and controls. COD related to an umbilical cord accident/FVM was significantly more prevalent in cases vs controls (46% vs 26%, P = .037), and FVM in the placenta, regardless of COD, trended higher in cases than controls.

Conclusion:

Tapering of the DA is present in stillborn fetuses and associated with COD related to fetal vascular blood flow obstruction.
Exploring Generation Y's perception of family-run hotels: The perceived family firm image
Authors: Schönherr Sarah , Raich Frieda , Zehrer Anita , Pikkemaat Birgit
Published: May 2023

Given the great potential of Generation Y for the tourism industry, their perceptions, and opinions of family-run hotels, which dominate tourism, were explored through 20 semi-structured interviews. The study shows that Generation Y perceives the image of family-run hotels positively and emphasizes traditions, small-scale structures, authenticity, and trust while highlighting their hospitableness. Our results underline the assumption of responsibility to family firms, including the importance of word-of-mouth, in the communication between Generation Y and family firms. Based on organizational identity theory, family-run hotels can build on their core values to build family firm images, contributing to differentiation, and establishing customer relationships. This study relates Generation Y to the tourism industry context, which family firms mainly run. The findings suggest that Generation Y should be targeted as a segment for the family-run tourism industry and that research should be expanded.
Immunologic profiles in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia undergoing endovascular revascularization
Authors: Li Jun , Arora Shilpkumar , Wheat Heather , Dash Siddhartha , Kimura Stephen , Smith Justin , Castro-Dominguez Yulanka , Oommen Clint , Hammad Tarek A , Shishehbor Mehdi H , Al-Kindi Sadeer , Zidar David A
Published: May 2023

Background:

Inflammation and immune dysregulation have been associated with adverse outcomes in cardiovascular disease. There is limited understanding of the association of different profiles of white blood cell (WBC) subsets and red cell distribution width (RDW) in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

Methods:

Patients with CLTI undergoing endovascular revascularization in our single-center, tertiary care hospital from 2017 to 2019, who had a preceding complete blood count (CBC) with WBC differentials ( n =213), were included in the analysis. Patient characteristics, laboratory values, and clinical outcomes were collected. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess for associations between all-cause mortality and leukocyte subset; multivariate analysis was used to account for confounders. Kaplan–Meier curves were generated to depict survival censored at 1 year postrevascularization using baseline CBC indices.

Results:

Adjusting for confounders, elevated RDW was associated with increased mortality (continuous per % increase, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.33, p < 0.001). Baseline lymphopenia was associated with mortality in univariate analysis. Other leukocyte subtypes were not associated with mortality outcomes in our population. Exploratory analysis showed negative deflections in ∆WBC from pre- to postprocedure day 1 were affiliated with increased mortality when adjusted for age, sex, race, chronic kidney disease, and baseline hemoglobin (∆WBC HR 1.16, p = 0.004). Further exploratory analysis showed an association between RDW and all-comers readmission.

Conclusions:

The utilization of a periprocedural WBC subset differential can be a useful adjunct to risk-stratify patients with CLTI undergoing endovascular revascularization. Further studies are needed to understand potential ways to modulate immune dysregulation so as to improve mortality outcomes.
Patterns of physical activity over 34 years in a large sample of adults: The HUNT study, Norway
Authors: Vie Tina L. , Hufthammer Karl O. , Rangul Vegar , Andersen Jon R. , Meland Eivind , Breidablik Hans J.
Published: May 2023

Aims:

To examine physical activity patterns over 34 years in a representative adult population in Norway.

Methods:

Longitudinal data were obtained from the Helseundersøkelsen i Trøndelag (HUNT) study, performed in 1984–1986 (HUNT1), 2006–2008 (HUNT3) and 2017–2019 (HUNT4). There were a total 123,005 participants across all four studies. Physical activity patterns over time are described, in relation to age, gender and body mass index (BMI). Multiple imputation was used to handle missing data.

Results:

The proportion of adults estimated (using a proxy measure) as being physically active 1 h or more per week increased from 32% in 1984–1986 (HUNT1) to 64% in 2017–2019 (HUNT4). The most frequent pattern was being inactive at HUNT1, becoming active at HUNT3 and staying active (until HUNT4). From HUNT3 to HUNT4, the most frequent pattern was being active at both time points. The adults >50 years old had a similar physical activity pattern from HUNT3 to HUNT4 and were more active than those >50 years. During the period, men were more active than woman, but difference was reduced over time. Both for persons being underweight (BMI ⩽ 18.5) or obese (BMI > 30), the proportion being active at multiple time points was lower than for persons at normal weight.

Conclusions:

The data indicate a noticeable increase in being physically active for 1 h or more per week during the 34-year study period. Relatively stable patterns of physical activity were identified, with some variations according to age, gender and BMI.
Democratic speech in divided times: An introduction
Authors: Lepoutre Maxime
Published: May 2023

This is the introduction to the symposium on Maxime Lepoutre, Democratic Speech in Divided Times (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021). The symposium contains articles by Paul Billingham, Rachel Fraser, and Michael Hannon, and a response by the author.
Waffster: Hierarchical waffle charts for budget visualization
Authors: Béland Antoine , Daudens Florent , Hurtut Thomas
Published: May 2023

Understanding and consuming public budget data is a key issue, helping citizens in gaining insight into their democratic and political systems. The goal of this work is to present Waffster, a user-friendly representation supporting the understanding of such data. The proposed representation enables the browsing, searching, comparing, and presenting of the hierarchically arranged components and quantities in budgets. In this paper, we first conduct a thorough survey of online public budget visualizations. Then, in collaboration with Le Devoir, a Canadian daily newspaper, we propose a novel unit-based hierarchical design based on waffle charts. We evaluate this design using a controlled user study to compare it to a tree-map based layout, and a case study conducted with Le Devoir during the provincial election campaign in Québec of 2018.
Enabling action: Re-envisaging education of health professionals in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Shaw Susan , Atkins Denise , Hoskyn Katharine , Stretton Todd , Hamer Helen
Published: May 2023

Healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand is changing with the aim of becoming truly universal. Development of a new curriculum model in the education of health professionals can aid this goal through increased focus on community needs and flexibility for multiple health professional registrations. Universal healthcare and disability support are promoted as a defining feature of Aotearoa New Zealand, yet inequities are blatantly evident, with increasing calls for equity. Complexity of the issue and the multitude of stakeholders favour action research founded on Vision Matāuranga, a problem-solving philosophy which embraces the potential for innovation of Māori – people, knowledge and resources. Action research embraces collaboration with stakeholders to identify and implement solutions. Government ministries determine policy, with Responsible Authorities accrediting educational institutions, which in turn provide educational programs. Changing what and how students learn can increase their understanding of equity and community needs when they become practitioners, with the voice of service users being paramount.
Online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic: Vietnamese language teachers’ emotions, regulation strategies and institutional policy and management
Authors: Phan Anh Ngoc Quynh , Pham Linh Thi Thuy
Published: May 2023

Teaching is often described as one of the most emotion-laden professions. In times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conversion to online teaching has triggered new emotional experiences of teachers that not many studies have taken into account. Studying emotion from a poststructuralist lens, this study examines the emotional experiences of 10 language teachers in a university in Vietnam and their responses to the new teaching platforms. Analysis of the in-depth semi-structured interviews shows that the pedagogically and technologically distinctive features of online teaching aroused unique challenges for and emotions of the teachers, both positive and negative. Also, the teachers reported a number of strategies to cope with the new situation which we term as in-the-moment and out-of-class emotion regulation. The study highlights the need for acknowledgment and support for teachers in terms of resources, policy and management of institutions in the “new normal situation,” while displaying teachers’ self-reliance and emotional self-regulation. The article calls for attention to teachers emotion as an integral dimension of the profession, regardless of the physical or virtual setting of the classroom.
Unleash Britain’s Potential (To Go Negative): Campaign Negativity in the 2017 and 2019 UK General Elections on Facebook
Authors: Rossini Patrícia , Southern Rosalynd , Harmer Emily , Stromer-Galley Jennifer
Published: May 2023

Negative campaigning has long concerned scholars because of the potential effects on the electorate and on democracy. Most scholarship has focused on single-election studies in the United States, whereas less is known about how campaigns go on the attack in the UK, and few compare two elections. Drawing from a dataset of Facebook posts by parties and leaders in Great Britain during the five weeks of campaigning in the 2017 and 2019 General Elections (N = 3560), we use supervised machine learning to categorise posts as negative campaigning and distinguish between attacks focused on issues and attacks on candidates’ images. Our findings show that the 2019 election was more negative than in 2017, and that larger parties were more inclined to adopt attacks as a campaign strategy. Moreover, we found that party accounts posted more attack messages than leader accounts and were more focused on attacking based on issues, rather than personal character or image. Finally, we found that attack messages elicit stronger engagement from audiences, with attack messages receiving more attention, particularly attacks on image.
The Experiences of People From Arab Countries in Coping with Trauma Resulting From War and Conflict in the Middle East: A Systematic Review and Meta-synthesis of Qualitative Studies
Authors: Hamadeh Ayah , El-Shamy Farah , Billings Jo , Alyafei Aisha
Published: May 2023

The Middle East region has been an area of war and political conflict for several decades. There is currently limited research on the experiences of war and conflict among the individuals from Arab countries in the Middle East. The aim of this review was to systematically review and meta-synthesize qualitative literature on the experiences of individuals from Arab countries in the Middle East of going through and coping with war and political conflict. We systematically searched for relevant literature through MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Google Scholar, EThOS, OpenGrey, and The Arab Journal of Psychiatry. Studies selected needed to have a qualitative design reporting on the war and conflict experiences of participants aged 18 years or older from Arab countries in the Middle East. The review protocol was preregistered with PROSPERO (Ref: CRD42022314108). We identified 27 studies to be included in the final review. Four overarching themes were included in the meta-synthesis: War and conflict as life-defining experiences, experiences of hardship, coping with war and conflict, and positives out of a painful experience. Participants in the included studies reported significant distress and losing their sense of self, as well as resilience and positive growth. This review and meta-synthesis revealed the particular culturally informed experiences of individuals from Arab countries in the Middle East in processing their conflict experiences. These experiences highlight the need for culturally sensitive interventions for a population that has been under significant war-related stressors.
Learning Circles, Underpinned by Dadirri
Authors: Holmes Tamara
Published: May 2023

This short take presents the process of a learning circle, underpinned by Dadirri (Ungunmeer-Baumann 1988). This method was used for the purposes of critical reflective practice and data collection activity with non-Indigenous participants. Dadirri is a First Nations (Australian) term for “deep listening.” The learning circle research occurred with social and welfare workers in a regional health service. We found, through privileging Indigenous knowledges in the activity, that this method can enable a generation of learnings and critical reflection and assist workers to apply theory to practice. This method can also be used as a data collection tool to evaluate these aims.
An Examination of Self-Employed Nursing Regulation in Three Canadian Provinces
Authors: Thiessen Natalie J , Leslie Kathleen , Stephens Jennifer M. L.
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic and its related stresses such as short-staffing, heavy workloads, and burnout are prompting nurses to re-consider institutional employment, bringing a renewed interest in self-employed nursing and its regulation. There is limited research on the regulation of self-employed nursing roles, and published work focuses on nurses’ experiences rather than on regulatory practices themselves. This qualitative case study research aimed to examine the regulation of self-employed nurses by comparing the regulatory policies and processes of nursing regulatory bodies in Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. The findings demonstrated wide variation in the regulation of self-employed nurses across these jurisdictions. The article includes recommendations to clarify and harmonize the processes used to regulate self-employed nurses.
The Role of Family Factors in the Outcomes of Court-Involved Youth
Authors: Olsen Elizabeth M. , Whiteley Laura B. , Giorlando Kayla K. , Beausoleil Nancy , Tolou-Shams Marina , Esposito-Smythers Christianne , Brown Larry K.
Published: May 2023

Court-involved youth (CIY) comprise a significant portion of the U.S. population and have a high prevalence of psychiatric illness and substance use. Youth delinquency has also been associated with family variables and parenting practices. However, it is not known which family factors are most relevant to behavioral outcomes in CIY mandated to outpatient mental health treatment. Self-report measures from 163 CIY ( M = 15.19 years; 58.3% male) starting psychiatric care in two U.S. cities were utilized in a cross-sectional analysis to examine the association of parental monitoring and family functioning with the severity and variety of delinquent acts. Results demonstrate that, even after controlling for psychiatric symptoms and substance use, parental monitoring is significantly associated with the delinquent behavior of CIY in mental health treatment. Improved understanding of influential family factors can enhance tailoring of existing interventions to ensure that they are relevant to the needs of CIY, especially those in psychiatric treatment.
Symbolic Violence in the Language of Game Descriptions of Blackness: The Case of Pathfinder
Authors: Dashiell Steven
Published: May 2023

The present article analyzes the impact of discourses surrounding Black ethnicities in tabletop role playing games. I use discursive thematic analysis to examine the descriptions of individuals represented as Black in the Pathfinder game setting, a game system related to Dungeons & Dragons. I critically analyze descriptions in the game materials that discuss in-game Black ethnicities. I demonstrate how the discourse represents a symbolic violence surrounding blackness. While the descriptions provide imagery and word use to highlight the positive aspects of the characters, the overemphasis signals stereotypes of a conceptual “other.” These characters then become examples of “good Blacks” that differ from “bad” individuals. The positive imagery provokes a stereotype threat, and a need to uphold this “good Black” mentality, lest one becomes the Other. While thinking of race and ethnicity in tabletop gaming continues to evolve, even advancements fall into tropes which reinforce symbolic violence.
The Efficacy of Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors for the Male Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tang Gonglin , Liu Ming , Ding Guixin , Liu Shangjing , Chu Yongli , Cui Yuanshan , Wu Jitao
Published: May 2023

To investigate the potential use of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in male patients, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis. Our study involved the identification and collection of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from leading databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. The primary objective of this analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of COX-2 inhibitors for the treatment of LUTS. Our analysis involved six short-term (within 3 months) RCTs involving 707 patients. We found that COX-2 inhibitor treatment significantly improved the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of patients (mean difference [MD] = −2.99, 95% confidence interval (CI): −3.65 to −2.33, p < .00001), nocturia frequency (MD = −1.90; 95% CI: −3.18 to −0.61, p = .004), and maximum flow rate (Qmax) (MD = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.06 to 1.98, p = .04). However, no significant differences were found between patients in terms of changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (MD = 0.02; 95% CI: −0.39 to 0.43, p = .92) and total prostate volume (TPV) (MD = −2.93; 95% CI: −6.45 to 0.59, p = .10). Therefore COX-2 inhibitors are an effective treatment for LUTS.
Managing Ulnar Nerve Subluxation With a Medial Intermuscular Septum Sling
Authors: Larson Brandon M. , Shikhman Alex , Brown Meghan S. , Tran Mike Q. , Dietrich John W.
Published: May 2023

Background:

Cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) is a lifestyle-altering peripheral neuropathy lacking a consensus for optimal surgical management. We describe creation of a fascial “V-sling” without ulnar nerve transposition, which is associated with increased surgical morbidity compared with decompression. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a novel technique with effective ulnar nerve decompression and subluxation prevention by creating a fascial sling in patients with CuTS and ulnar nerve subluxation.

Methods:

We reviewed records of 39 elbows in 35 patients who underwent in situ ulnar nerve decompression and creation of a fascial sling in a “V” configuration to stabilize the nerve in its native position. We examined patient demographics, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) scores, and patient outcomes. Chi-square and student’s t test were used for all analysis.

Results:

A total of 37 extremities in 33 patients undergoing nerve decompression had nerve subluxation confirmed intraoperatively. There was a statistically significant change in preoperative and postoperative SANE scores of 64.5 and 82.3, respectively. Mean QuickDASH scores decreased significantly from 49.3 preoperative to 10.8 postoperative. The long-term QuickDASH scores obtained at mean of 564 days were maintained at 10.76.

Conclusions:

This study describes a novel technique for treating CuTS by achieving in situ nerve decompression and addressing ulnar nerve subluxation with creation of an intermuscular septal sling. The technique improved functional outcomes and provided symptomatic relief, while avoiding risks commonly associated with nerve transposition.
Functioning of whole bone marrow cell population in a model of L-arginine-induced pancreatitis
Authors: Stojanović Nikola M , Mitić Katarina V , Stojnev Slavica , Sokolović Dušan , Vukelić Nikolić Marija , Tričković-Vukić Dragana , Randjelović Pavle J , Krstić Miljan , Radulović Niko S
Published: May 2023

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the metabolic activity and adherence capacity of the whole bone marrow cell (wBMC) population and changes in bone marrow (BM) architecture after acute pancreatitis (AP) induction.

Methods

The disease was induced by injecting L-arginine (350 mg/100 g; i.p.). The control animals, animals injected with L-arginine, and animals pre-treated with allopurinol were included in this study. Serum and routine pathohistological analysis were conducted to confirm the induction of AP. The metabolic activity and adherence capacity of wBMC were evaluated in the MTT assay and methylene-blue test, respectively, and the alterations in pancreatic tissue and BM were examined on histological sections. In addition, immunohistochemical expression of β-catenin was assessed in the pancreatic tissue.

Results

The wBMC adherence capacity and their total number significantly increased after AP induction. The adherence capability of wBMC was reduced in rats pre-treated with allopurinol. There were no statistically significant changes in the metabolic activity of wBMCs. In the BM isolated from AP and allopurinol pre-treated animals, a discrete left shift in granulocytopoiesis was found, with a slight increase in the myeloid-to-erythroid ratio.

Conclusions

After AP induction, it was shown that wBMCs expressed increased adherence capacity and unchanged metabolic activity, while the alterations in BM may reflect the general activation of myelopoiesis, which would agree with the increased mobilization of mesenchymal stem cells. Also, a significant decrease in β-catenin expression in the pancreatic tissue was noticed.
A qualitative study with Italian patients exploring the spiritual dimension during a chronic disease
Authors: Tanzi Silvia , Artioli Giovanna , De Panfilis Ludovica , Ghirotto Luca , Rabitti Elisa , Sacchi Simona
Published: May 2023

Background

Spirituality is a vast dimension influenced by cultural and personal differences. Little is known about the spirituality of patients suffering from a chronic disease in Italy from palliative care hospital settings.

Aim

To investigate patients’ perspectives about their spirituality during their illness.

Method

The research question was: ‘How does living with chronic disease inform/shape the spiritual dimension of patients?’. To address it, we conducted a qualitative interview study with thematic analysis.

Results

We enrolled 21 participants among patients suffering from rheumatic, haematologic, neurodegenerative and respiratory chronic diseases. Participants generally had great difficulty answering the questions researchers posed and often could not define ‘spirituality’. We found different topics grouped under four main themes: definition of spirituality, internal dialogue, expression of spirituality in everyday life and take stock. Religion is not reported as an answer to spiritual suffering, even in a country that is felt religious-driven like Italy.

Discussion

Patients are generally not cognizant of this dimension even living with a chronic disease; consequently, they cannot express spiritual needs because they can’t recognise them. Health professionals should identify this dimension and its characteristics to recognise potential spiritual suffering.
Stoicism, philosophy as a way of life and Negative Capability: Developing a capacity for working in radical uncertainty
Authors: Hirsch Christina , von Bülow Charlotte , Simpson Peter
Published: May 2023

Philosophy and leadership are not generally held in close association. By contrast, this paper is a call to action for the academy and organisational practitioners to reflect on the potential contribution to leadership of a practice of philosophy as a way of life. In this, we explore what this might entail with an illustrative focus on Stoicism because of its explicit attention to working in radical uncertainty. Recent literature has also identified the potential merits of Negative Capability in this regard, and we discuss how this capacity is closely related to many Stoic practices. We challenge dominant leadership discourses at a fundamental level and argue that there is a need to consider approaches to leadership education and development that go beyond merely gaining new knowledge, skills and techniques. The requirement, which is also an opportunity, is nothing less than a transformation at the level of being and of one’s vision of the world. The theoretical contribution of the paper is supported by empirical evidence from a study with ten organizational executives who were introduced to Negative Capability through an arts-based methodology. This study provides insight into the potential contribution of ideas from Stoic philosophy to the development of a capacity to work with uncertainty. However, a core argument of this paper is that working in radical uncertainty requires more than a ‘quick fix’ and practitioners must learn to develop their own practice of philosophy as a way of life.
We have to stand up for ourselves: Barriers to self-determination experienced by Black youth in the transition to adulthood
Authors: Taylor Josh P. , Scott LaRon A. , Bruno Lauren P. , Frazier Regina , Thoma Colleen A. , Dayton Meagan
Published: May 2023

Transition outcomes for Black youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities are especially dire, lagging even further behind already poor outcomes among their White peers. Self-determination is a key factor in predicting better outcomes, but it is unclear how self-determination is fostered or hindered within the transition process for Black youth and their families. This study used the DisCrit framework to analyze interview data from Black students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their parents regarding self-determination and effective transition services. Analysis resulted in four major themes: historical undertones, proxies for racial bias, spacialization of racialization, and interest convergence. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed.
Supporting Regional and Remote Children’s Participation in High Quality Early Years Services
Authors: Wong Sandie , Fordham Loraine , Davis Belinda , Tran Dung
Published: May 2023

Little is known about children’s participation in early childhood education (ECE) in regional and remote areas in Australia. This research addresses this gap by investigating the perspectives of early childhood centre directors and educators who work directly in ECE services in these areas. The study used a two-stage mixed methodology, including focus groups with 52 centre directors/educators of ECE services in regional and remote areas of NSW, followed by a survey completed by centre directors/educators in 37 services, to identify the most relevant and pressing barriers to children’s participation, and their views on what can be done to support children’s participation. Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory (1995), multi-tiered barriers to children’s participation were identified, revealing that the entrenched problem of children’s non-participation in high quality ECE requires a nuanced and holistic policy approach that operates at the familial, service, community and socio-political level, targeting the specific challenges faced by communities.
Training for virtual care: What do the experts think?
Authors: Curran Vernon , Hollett Ann , Peddle Emily
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Virtual care has expanded during COVID-19 and enabled continued access to healthcare services. As with the introduction of any new technology in healthcare delivery, the preparation of healthcare providers for adopting and using such systems is imperative. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore experts’ ascribed opinions on healthcare providers’ continuing professional development (CPD) needs in virtual care.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of key informants representing Canadian provincial and national organizations with expertise in virtual care delivery.

Results

Three main areas of knowledge, skills, and abilities that would be most helpful for healthcare providers in preparing to adopt and use virtual care were identified. The use of technology necessitates knowledge of how to integrate technology and virtual care in the practice workflow. This includes knowing how to use the technology and the privacy and security of the technology. Providers need to be able to adapt their clinical skills to virtual care and build rapport through good communication with patients. Virtual care is not appropriate for all visits, therefore providers need to understand when an in-person visit is necessary with respect to the nature of the appointment, as well as contextual factors for individual patients. Finally, providers need to adapt their examination skills to virtual care.

Discussion

Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual care will have a continuing role in enhancing continuity of care through access that is more convenient. Key informants identified barriers and challenges in adopting and using virtual care effectively, fundamental knowledge, skills and/or abilities required, and important topics and/or educational experiences to guide CPD program development on virtual care for healthcare providers.
The Influence of a Celebrity Chef on Customer Repurchase Behavior: Empirical Study of Taiwan’s F&B Industry During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Shieh Hwai-Shuh , Lin Shu-Chen
Published: May 2023

The spread of COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted severe blows on the global hospitality industry. In Taiwan, revenue from the food and beverage (F&B) department has decreased by more than 90%. This study aims to understand whether celebrity chefs can effectively help and enhance their corporates’ business performance under COVID-19′s severe impacts via leveraging their personal brand value, explores the influence of a celebrity chef on customer repurchase behavior during the epidemic and examines whether such a chef has a mediation effect on the relationship between corporate brand and customer satisfaction. The primary data were collected from the respondents through online questionnaire in Taiwan to get 245 respondents as a sample size of the research from Nov. 10 to Nov. 25 in 2021, and through validity and reliability analysis that processed by statistical software using factor analysis and structural equation modeling to see if celebrity chefs’ personality branding could influence customer repurchase behavior, and also examine the relationship between corporate brand and celebrity chef. The findings show that corporate brand enhances both a celebrity chef’s personal brand and customer satisfaction, and that a celebrity chef has a positive effect on both customer satisfaction and loyalty, which can partially mediate the effect of corporate brand; furthermore, a celebrity chef has a positive effect on customer repurchase behavior. In Taiwan relative studies into aspects of a celebrity chef’s effect on consumer behavior are limited, and so this research offers new insights into the celebrity chef phenomenon there as well as elsewhere.
Environmental Governance in Gold Mining: The Role of Traditional Institutions in Asutifi North District of Ghana
Authors: Tenkorang Emmanuel Yamoah
Published: May 2023

Mining projects in mineral-rich countries have been justified as contributing to economic growth and social well-being. There are environmental, economic, and social problems resulting from mining; therefore, the need for society to pool institutions to form environmental governance systems to manage these effects. It is within these institutions that power is prescribed, legitimated, and controlled. This study examines the roles of traditional authorities in environmental governance in mining in the Asutifi North District of Ghana. A qualitative case study design combining purposive and convenience sampling was used to select 52 respondents from traditional, state, and business institutions and 29 household respondents. The traditional institutions mostly played the role of development agents in their communities. Even though they have not been entirely successful in substituting for the state, they have complemented the state structures by holding the societies together despite daunting economic, political, and environmental challenges they faced.
A Qualitative Analysis of Community Participants’ Experiences with a Virtual Interprofessional Team Visit (vIPTV) with Healthcare Students
Authors: Stewart Brittany , Saad Aline H , Schiller Martha , Abbasi Hayah , Nigma Esraa , Kivlen Christine
Published: May 2023

Healthcare students must develop essential interprofessional skills to provide efficient, safe, and effective patient-centered care. To ensure students receive the proper training to develop these skills, an interprofessional team visit (IPTV) program was established at a large urban university in 2011. The program involved teams of students from nine disciplines conducting home visits with community participants to provide patient-centered care and educational resources. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the IPTV program transitioned to a virtual delivery first piloted in 2020. The aims of this study were to evaluate the community participants’ experiences with virtual IPTV (vIPTV), identify benefits and challenges related to transitioning from in-person to virtual delivery, and utilize participants’ feedback to improve the IPTV program. Focus groups with 39 total participants were conducted in seven different sessions during December 2021 and January 2022. Qualitative analysis of the data showed that participants value the IPTV program, had positive experiences with the virtual delivery, and desire personalized interactions. Community participant's feedback can enhance virtual educational experiences for healthcare students’ training.
Evaluation of Storage Stability for Delayed-Curing Non-Iron Finishing Sensitized Fabrics via Characteristic Group and Cross-linking Reaction Kinetics
Authors: Lou Jiangfei , Cai Hongmei , Sun Yueling , Yuan Jiugang , Xu Jin , Dong Aixue , Gu Zhengbiao , Fan Xuerong
Published: May 2023

In delayed-curing and non-iron finishing, the sensitized fabric after low-temperature drying should have good surface planeness before curing at high temperatures, which implies that the finishing agent has not reacted with the cellulose fibers during storage; therefore, a suitable non-iron finishing agent is essential for achieving the above objectives. Meanwhile, there are currently no mature and efficient evaluation methods for the storage stability of sensitized fabrics. In this article, the content of characteristic groups of the sensitized fabrics with different storage conditions was measured. The storage time can be shortened from 30 to 6 days with high-temperature storage (40–60°C). The reaction kinetics equation was established under high-temperature storage; then using this equation to predict the cross-linking degree of sensitized fabrics during long-term storage at low temperature, the storage stability of sensitized fabrics can also be evaluated. The relative error of 2.5% between the predicted value and the measured value of the reaction degree showed the accuracy and effectiveness of the established method. This article provided a basis for the stability evaluation of the sensitized fabric and the selection of the finishing agent, finishing process, and storage conditions for the delayed-curing and non-ironing finishing process.
A thermal model of drilling a titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) under different cooling techniques
Authors: Kumar Ankit , Bhardwaj Rajneesh , Joshi Suhas S.
Published: May 2023

The direct injection of coolants and lubricants in the drilling process lowers heat generation in the cutting zone; however, in the absence of a mechanism for positive heat dissipation, the heat from the cutting zone gets continuously accumulated. In this work, we propose novel applications of the following cooling techniques: (i) Ti-Cu as butt joint and (ii) heat sink bottom-channel cooling to improve heat dissipation. The higher thermal conductivity of copper in the Ti-Cu scheme and the flow of coolant in the heat sink in the bottom channel carry away the intense heat generated during drilling. Experiments were also performed using the cooling techniques to monitor thrust, torque, and temperature using an infrared (IR) camera. A numerical model of heat dissipation shows that temperature is reduced by 30% and 38% in heat sink-based cooling and Ti–Cu combinations, respectively, in comparison to dry drilling. The numerical temperature lies within ~1%–6% of the experimental values.
The Physics of Stroke
Authors: Okeahialam Basil N. , Sirisena Anil I.
Published: May 2023

Flow of fluids in channels obey the natural law of Physics. It is dependent on force of propulsion, length of channel, caliber of channel and viscosity of fluid flowing through. In humans, blood flow to the brain obeys these laws. When perturbed by disease, flow and oxygen delivery are compromised resulting in cerebrovascular disease or stroke. Flow to the human brain depends on the force generated by the heart, viscosity of blood, length of the vessels, and diameter of the vascular channels with their variability. In normal situation, the cerebrovascular vessels can automatically regulate itself to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion. With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular disease in the cerebral vasculature, flow dynamics is deranged and the result is the disease called stroke. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases make the vessels stiff thus increasing intraluminal pressure. This damages the inner lining, the endothelium, and prepares grounds for the development of plaques. Plaques narrow vascular caliber increasing flow pressure at the narrow point but decreasing it beyond that point. The flow ceases to be laminar and becomes turbulent. When the plaques are ruptured by the high pressure at the points of narrowing, the blood coagulation cascade is activated and blood viscosity rises. These predispose to thrombus formation. The vessels thin out having lost elasticity of the walls rupturing easily with sudden blood pressure surges. In this state, the vessels lose their intrinsic ability to vary their diameters to cushion these effects. Blood flow becomes precarious. Cerebral tissue beyond such points suffer from ischemia and may actually have blood egress into them. Metabolism is impaired and higher cerebral function suffers resulting in cerebrovascular disease or stroke. Understanding how disease alters flow dynamics will equip clinicians better with the knowledge required to counter development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases that result in stroke.
The shared genetic architecture of smoking behaviours and psychiatric disorders: evidence from a population-based longitudinal study in England
Authors: Ajnakina Olesya , Steptoe Andrew
Published: May 2023

Background

Considering the co-morbidity of major psychiatric disorders and intelligence with smoking, to increase our understanding of why some people take up smoking or continue to smoke, while others stop smoking without progressing to nicotine dependence, we investigated the genetic propensities to psychiatric disorders and intelligence as determinants of smoking initiation, heaviness of smoking and smoking cessation in older adults from the general population.

Results

Having utilised data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), our results showed that one standard deviation increase in MDD-PGS was associated with increased odds of being a moderate-heavy smoker (odds ratio [OR] = 1.11, SE = 0.04, 95%CI = 1.00-1.24, p = 0.028). There were no other significant associations between SZ-PGS, BD-PGS, or IQ-PGS and smoking initiation, heaviness of smoking and smoking cessation in older adults from the general population in the UK.

Conclusions

Smoking is a behaviour that does not appear to share common genetic ground with schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and intelligence in older adults, which may suggest that it is more likely to be modifiable by smoking cessation interventions. Once started to smoke, older adults with a higher polygenic predisposition to major depressive disorders are more likely to be moderate to heavy smokers, implying that these adults may require targeted smoking cessation services.
Whole-genome and dispersed duplication, including transposed duplication, jointly advance the evolution of TLP genes in seven representative Poaceae lineages
Authors: Chen Huilong , Zhang Yingchao , Feng Shuyan
Published: May 2023

Background

In the evolutionary study of gene families, exploring the duplication mechanisms of gene families helps researchers understand their evolutionary history. The tubby-like protein (TLP) family is essential for growth and development in plants and animals. Much research has been done on its function; however, limited information is available with regard to the evolution of the TLP gene family. Herein, we systematically investigated the evolution of TLP genes in seven representative Poaceae lineages.

Results

Our research showed that the evolution of TLP genes was influenced not only by whole-genome duplication (WGD) and dispersed duplication (DSD) but also by transposed duplication (TRD), which has been neglected in previous research. For TLP family size, we found an evolutionary pattern of progressive shrinking in the grass family. Furthermore, the evolution of the TLP gene family was at least affected by evolutionary driving forces such as duplication, purifying selection, and base mutations.

Conclusions

This study presents the first comprehensive evolutionary analysis of the TLP gene family in grasses. We demonstrated that the TLP gene family is also influenced by a transposed duplication mechanism. Several new insights into the evolution of the TLP gene family are presented. This work provides a good reference for studying gene evolution and the origin of duplication.