bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of diagnostic gene biomarkers for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by integrated machine learning
Authors: You Hongjun , Dong Mengya
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a leading cause of heart failure and sudden death, requires early diagnosis and treatment. This study investigated the underlying pathogenesis and explored potential diagnostic gene biomarkers for HCM.

Methods

Transcriptional profiles of myocardial tissues from patients with HCM (dataset GSE36961) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and subjected to bioinformatics analyses, including differentially expressed gene (DEG) identification, enrichment analyses, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and support vector machine recursive feature elimination were performed to identify candidate diagnostic gene biomarkers. mRNA expression levels of candidate biomarkers were tested in an external dataset (GSE141910); area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values were obtained to validate diagnostic efficacy.

Results

Overall, 156 DEGs (109 downregulated, 47 upregulated) were identified. Enrichment and PPI network analyses indicated that the DEGs were involved in biological functions and molecular pathways including inflammatory response, platelet activity, complement and coagulation cascades, extracellular matrix organization, phagosome, apoptosis, and VEGFA–VEGFR2 signaling. RASD1, CDC42EP4, MYH6, and FCN3 were identified as diagnostic biomarkers for HCM.

Conclusions

RASD1, CDC42EP4, MYH6, and FCN3 might be diagnostic gene biomarkers for HCM and can provide insights concerning HCM pathogenesis.
Aneurysm Associated with Vascular Wall Degeneration in Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps)
Authors: Ortega Joaquín , Wyneken Jeanette , Garner Michael M.
Published: November 2023

This study describes the clinical, gross, and histologic findings in 17 cases of aneurysms in bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps). The clinical presentation ranged from incidental to sudden and unexpected death. The affected vasculature was predominantly arterial; however, based on the topographical locations of the lesions, gross structure, and drainage, some veins were likely involved. Magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography scans of 1 animal showed a large aneurysm of the internal carotid artery extending from near its aortic origin into the caudal head. Aneurysms were organized in 5 groups based on their anatomical locations: cephalic, cranial coelom (for all near the heart), caudal coelom (for the mesenteric vessels and descending aorta), limbs, and tail. The cranial coelomic region was the most prevalent location. Gross findings were large hematomas or red serosanguineous fluid filling the adjacent area, as most of the aneurysms (94%) were ruptured at the time of the study. The main histological findings were degenerative changes of the vessel walls characterized by moderate to severe disruption of the collagen and elastic fibers of the tunica media and adventitia (100%), followed by thickening of the intima with thrombi formation (54%) and dissecting hematoma of the vessel wall (47%). Vasculitis (29%), mineralization (6%), and lipid deposits (6%) in the vessel wall were observed occasionally. Based on these findings, the vascular dilations and ruptures observed in bearded dragons likely are associated with weakness of the vessel walls caused by degenerative changes in the intimal and medial tunics.
Occupational therapy and participation in activities of daily living following cardiothoracic surgery in acute care: A retrospective study
Authors: Tsai Stephanie , Petrillo Gwenn , Peterson Elyse
Published: November 2023

Introduction:

Patients recovering from cardiothoracic surgery in acute care experience physical and psychosocial challenges impacting participation in activities of daily living. Occupational therapists are well positioned to address these needs; however, there is little evidence exploring occupational therapy’s role in this area.

Method:

This retrospective study of electronic medical records examined changes in activities of daily living participation for adult patients ( n = 37) who received occupational therapy in acute care while recovering from cardiothoracic surgery via median sternotomy. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and paired t-tests compared patients’ scores on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care “6-Clicks” Daily Activity Inpatient Short Form at occupational therapy evaluation and discharge from their inpatient stay.

Results:

Patients showed statistically significant improvements on both assessments in activities of daily living participation while receiving occupational therapy services following cardiothoracic surgery. Lower body dressing, toileting, and bed mobility showed the greatest increases in the FIM categories.

Conclusion:

Occupational therapists are valuable in addressing the complex needs of patients recovering from cardiothoracic surgery in acute care. Continued research is needed to provide further evidence supporting occupational therapy’s unique role in this setting.
A tool wear monitoring approach based on triplet long short-term memory neural networks
Authors: Qin Bo , Wang Yongqing , Liu Kuo , Qiao Shi , Niu Mengmeng , Jiang Yeming
Published: November 2023

Advancements in artificial intelligence have significantly improved the monitoring of tool wear in machining processes, thereby enhancing the overall quality of machining. However, the scarcity of tool wear samples poses a challenge to the enhancement of model precision. This necessitates the exploration of monitoring techniques that are effective even with small sample sizes. A method involving a triplet long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network is introduced, which offers the potential for superior accuracy even with limited training data. During the machining process, spindle vibrations are captured using a triaxial accelerometer. The raw data is processed by a triplet network, which uses an LSTM as the base model, thereby facilitating the aggregation within classes and separation between classes. A soft-max classification layer is subsequently integrated into the model, which enables the precise determination of tool wear states. The base model is optimized using a Genetic Algorithm to ensure model efficiency and accuracy before it is expanded into a triplet network. Experimental results from a vertical machining center confirm that the triplet LSTM network offers superior accuracy compared to a standard LSTM network, even when the sample size is small.
Determination of optimal sample thickness and positions of transducer for the effective Higher Order Mode Cluster-guided wave generation
Authors: Yang Che-Hua , Nguyen Le Van , Saravana Kumar M
Published: November 2023

Higher Order Mode Cluster (HOMC) guided waves (GW) have recently been proposed for ultrasonic testing of plates and pipes. The incident wave through the plastic wedge generates the HOMC-GW. A propagated distance, namely the HOMC formation field, is necessary to create the wave signal. Unfortunately, the HOMC wave is unstable in the formation region, which needs a longer distance for stability. This research examines the effect of sample thickness on the HOMC generation process. ABAQUS CAE simulated the HOMC generation in various samples with different thicknesses, such as 6, 7, 10, 15, and 20 mm. The results show that HOMC stability was achieved at a shorter distance in the smaller sample (6 mm) compared to the larger sample (20 mm). Moreover, the ABAQUS-Explicit 2D-FEA model was used for notch detection in a mild steel sample based on the HOMC status. The result shows that the transducer’s strength decreases along the formation regions, and the reflected amplitude becomes more robust when it reaches the stable region. When it travels further, the amplitude gets weaker due to the reduction in its energy. The experimental study was conducted similarly to the 2D-FEA model to compare the simulation and experimental results. The empirical findings show good agreement with the simulation results throughout notch detection. The precise distance required for the HOMC wave to become stable was determined via this work, optimizing the selection and employment of single modes.
Influence of assembly errors on meshing characteristics of spiral bevel gear and compensation approach of misalignment
Authors: Chaosheng Song , Shuaitao Zhao , Siyuan Liu , Cheng Xue , Caichao Zhu
Published: November 2023

Based on the spatial position relationship of spiral bevel gear, mathematical model and mesh model applied with finite element analysis (FEA) approach has been established. The influence of axial position errors of pinion and wheel, offset error, and shaft angle error on the meshing characteristics has been investigated. A method has been proposed to compensate the gear assembly errors by the axial displacement of the pinion and wheel, and the correctness of this method verified by numerical examples. The performed results indicate that the existence of assembly errors can cause contact pattern on the tooth surface to deviate from its design position, resulting in poor meshing quality and having a certain impact on transmission error (TE) and peak-to-peak transmission error (PPTE). The pinion and wheel’s axial positioning errors can be offset by each other, whereas the offset error and shaft angle error can be mitigated by the interplay between the axial positioning of the pinion and wheel. By compensating for assembly errors with axial displacement, the position of the contact pattern can be precisely controlled, and TE will not significant changes.
Analysis of hydro-abrasive erosion in a high-head Pelton turbine injector using a Eulerian-Lagrangian approach
Authors: Shrivastava Navam , Rai Anant Kumar , Abbas Ali , Xiao Yexiang
Published: November 2023

High-head hydropower plants deploy Pelton turbines to harness energy; however, turbine components face severe abrasive erosion due to suspended sediments. The erosion of the Pelton injector leads to the degradation of the jet quality, reducing the turbine efficiency considerably. Recently, the erosion of an internal servomotor design of the injector has been studied numerically; however, the cavitation-erosion synergy was not explored. This study serves as the extension of the literature with an analysis of the hydro-abrasive erosion and inception of cavitation in an injector with an external servomotor of a high-head hydropower plant (HPP). A Eulerian-Lagrangian approach is used to study the effects of sediment properties and flow parameters on hydro-abrasive erosion; whereas, the Schnerr-Sauer model is used to analyze the inception of cavitation. Interestingly, an increase in particle size from 40 microns to 200 microns resulted in a 95.7% reduction in needle erosion; but, led to a two-fold increase in nozzle erosion. For an increase in the plant head from 200 m to 820 m, the increase in erosion rate of the nozzle and the needle is 4.36 and 1.4 times, respectively. Moreover, the possibility of cavitation in the Pelton injector also increases with an increase in the head of the HPP leading the injector to higher susceptibility to the synergic effect of cavitation and hydro-abrasive erosion. This study attempts to assist the hydropower development in high-head regions with a risk of high sediment flow and manage the existing plants efficiently.
The influence of tropical Atlantic sea-surface temperatures and the North Atlantic Subtropical High during the Maya Droughts
Authors: Gibson Derek K , Obrist-Farner Jonathan , Birkett Brooke A , Curtis Jason H , Berke Melissa A , Douglas Peter MJ , Rice Prudence M , Maurer Jeremy
Published: November 2023

The frequency and duration of Late-Holocene hydrologic extremes in northern Guatemala were investigated using multiple sedimentological and geochemical proxies preserved in a sediment core collected from Lake Petén Itzá. A general trend of increasing aridity in the Maya Lowlands during the past 2000 years was punctuated by several multidecadal- to centennial-scale drought events recorded in the Petén Itzá sediments. In particular, the period spanning the Maya Terminal Classic Period and the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA), between 800 and 1300 CE, was marked by several extreme droughts and included the driest conditions of the past 2000 years between 950 and 1100 CE. Similarities between our data and other existing regional paleoclimate records suggest regional drying events during this time may have been driven by a common mechanism. Specifically, comparisons between these records and tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures (SSTs) suggest that the dry intervals may have been driven by a westward expansion of the North Atlantic Subtropical High pressure system. This period was unique in the general agreement between regional proxy records, which are otherwise notably heterogeneous during the Late-Holocene. During the Little Ice Age (LIA; 1400–1800 CE) mean precipitation at Petén Itzá was further reduced, and multidecadal drying events were recorded between 1500–1530, 1600–1640, and 1770–1800 CE. However, regional hydroclimatic coherency was weaker during the LIA, suggesting that additional climatic mechanisms played a more important role in local-scale hydrology during that time.
Five Coffin Nails to Informed Consent: An Autoethnography of Suffering Complications in Breastfeeding
Authors: Klingler Corinna
Published: November 2023

This autoethnography describes an illness episode caused by breastfeeding complications. It focuses on informed consent processes accompanying this illness episode. Informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical medical practice and has to be obtained before a medical intervention can legally be implemented. It is therefore not trivial that in practice, informed consent processes often fail to achieve what they are set out to. With this autoethnography, I want to provide a review of how informed consent processes can fail in the context of breastfeeding, but also draw attention to what these situations can mean and feel like for those affected. I provide in-depth descriptions of five scenes from my illness episode each representing a different barrier to informed consent. The scenes were developed based on emotional recall and written to grant access to the emotional dimensions of my experience in the tradition of evocative autoethnography. As part of my story, I engage with various issues like practices of prescribing, communicative requirements in vulnerable situations to ensure understanding, the dual purpose of informed consent in the moral and legal realm, and the moralized breastfeeding discourse. Possible routes for change to abolish or reduce described barriers to informed consent are discussed.
The effects of boundary and inhomogeneities on the delamination of a bi-layered material system
Authors: Wu Chunlin , Yin Huiming
Published: November 2023

The inclusion-based boundary element method (iBEM) is developed to calculate the elastic fields of a bi-layered composite with inhomogeneities in one layer. The bi-material Green’s function has been applied to obtain the elastic field caused by the domain integral of the source fields on inclusions and the boundary integral of the applied loads on the surface. Using Eshelby’s equivalent inclusion method (EIM), the material mismatch between the particle and matrix phases is simulated with a continuously distributed source field, namely eigenstrain, on inhomogeneities so that the iBEM can calculate the local field. The stress singularity along the interface leads to the delamination of the bimaterials under a certain load. The crack’s energy release rate (  J) is obtained through the J-integral, which predicts the stability of the delamination. When the stiffness of one layer increases, the J-integral increases with a higher gradient, leading to lower stability. Particularly, the effect of the boundary and inhomogeneity on the J-integral is illustrated by changing the crack length and inhomogeneity configuration, which shows the crack is stable at the beginning stage and becomes unstable when the crack tip approaches the boundary; a stiffer inhomogeneity in the neighborhood of a crack tip decreases J and improves the fracture resistance. For the stable cracking phase, the J-integral increases with the volume fraction of inhomogeneity are evaluated. The model is applied to a dual-glass solar module with air bubbles in the encapsulant layer. The stress distribution is evaluated with the iBEM, and the J-integral is evaluated to predict the delamination process with the energy release rate, which shows that the bubbles significantly increase the J-integral. The effect of the bubble size, location, and number on the J-integral is also investigated. The present method provides a powerful tool for the design and analysis of layered materials and structures.
The “Us vs. Them” Mentality: The Role of Affective Polarization in Deepening the Partisan Divide in Media Bias Perception
Authors: Kim Youngju , Hwang Hyunseo , Kim Yonghwan
Published: November 2023

This study examines how affective polarization impacts the partisan divide in perceptions of cable news networks’ political biases. Results from a 2016 U.S. presidential election survey show that affective polarization deepens this divide, even after controlling for election involvement, partisanship strength, and cable news usage. Partisanship strength is more closely associated with in-party love than out-party hate, but out-party hate has a stronger association with media bias perception, indicating that out-group hate is more influential in shaping partisans’ media bias perception.
Promoting Medication Adherence in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review with Meta-analysis and Qualitative Comparative Analysis
Authors: Thongseiratch Therdpong , Chalermphol Kanokphorn , Traipidok Pathrada , Charleowsak Pattra
Published: November 2023

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of ADHD medication adherence interventions and explore the pathways to effectiveness.

Methods:

A systematic review was conducted using multiple databases to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Pooled effect sizes were calculated for medication adherence and ADHD symptom outcomes. Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) was used to identify pathways to effectiveness.

Results:

Six RCTs were included. The interventions significantly improved medication adherence (OR = 2.39, 95% CI [1.19, 4.79]) and ADHD symptoms (Hedges’ g = −0.96, 95% CI [−1.38, −0.54]). Multi-regression analysis showed a positive relationship between medication adherence and ADHD symptom reduction. QCA revealed two paths for effectiveness: (1) Presence of ADHD drug education and absence of reminder and (2) Presence of tracking and absence of reminder.

Conclusion:

ADHD medication adherence interventions have a positive impact on both medication adherence and ADHD symptoms. Interventions should consider including ADHD drug education or tracking to maximize effectiveness.
Housing Instability and Homicide: Exploring Variation in Housing Indicators on Homicide and Rates of Urban Crime
Authors: Gray Andrew C. , Parker Karen F.
Published: November 2023

Housing instability has become increasingly important to the study of crime and homicide. Merging Eviction Lab, census, and crime data, we regress multiple measures of housing instability on homicide rates in large U.S. cities, and then comparatively with violent and property crime rates. After finding that evictions and rent burden are distinct indicators, we find that rent burden is directly related to homicide but also has a moderating relationship with economic deprivation. Evictions and other housing indicators are largely unrelated to crime. We conclude by discussing the implications of housing instability in the crime literature and directions for future research.
Taking the Sexy Health Carnival across Turtle Island
Authors: Monchalin Renée , Lesperance Alexa , Flicker Sarah , Forrest Shane , Allan Emma A , Xavier Chloé G
Published: November 2023

This article describes a peer-led intervention called the Sexy Health Carnival (SHC) that takes a strengths-based approach to promoting Indigenous youth sexual health in a culturally safe context. Expanding on an Ontario pilot study, a group of Indigenous youth leaders went to 11 Indigenous gatherings across Turtle Island, also known as North America, from 2017 to 2020 where they administered an offline iPad survey to 150 Indigenous youth (aged 16–25 years) who engaged with the SHC. The survey gathered descriptive data on HIV prevention behaviors and intentions, and the acceptability of the SHC approach within Indigenous community gatherings. Results demonstrate that doing Indigenous peer-led sexual health and HIV outreach through the SHC is well received among Indigenous youth. Indigenous youth are capable of reaching their peers and developing successful sexual health outreach and HIV prevention resources for each other.
Metodologia otra: Challenging modern/colonial matrix with Paulo Freire and decolonial thinking
Authors: Harari Teresa , Pozzebon Marlei
Published: November 2023

An increasing number of academic scholars have been espousing a decolonial stance, seeking to address the so-called coloniality of power/knowledge. Yet, this path is far from cleared in critical management research and education, where we find a substantial number of studies bringing post-colonial arguments to the debate, but very few engaging with decolonial thinking. In this essay, we highlight the contribution of Paulo Freire to the decolonial debate through the concept of metodologia otra, a notion that questions the hegemony of Western-based methodologies and challenges the modern/colonial matrix by carving out spaces for those who have suffered a long history of oppression and marginalization to communicate from their own frames of reference. We argue that more than being critical, reflexive, or dialogical, a concrete engagement with decoloniality means mobilizing radical principles such as learning to unlearn, escrevivência, interculturality, and corazonar/sentipensar. Although Freire’s contribution to the construction of metodologia otra was original and pivotal, this contribution is poorly known. By salvaging Freire’s contribution in this special issue, we move decolonial concepts and values from the margins to the center of postcolonial debates within critical management studies and critical management education communities.
Characterizing mechanisms of caregiver-mediated naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions for autistic toddlers: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Jones Maranda K , Sone Bailey J , Grauzer Jeffrey , Sudec Laura , Kaat Aaron , Roberts Megan Y
Published: November 2023

To address the variability of naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention outcomes, the current study sought to isolate the effects of the instructional strategies of caregiver-mediated naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions. In this comparative efficacy trial, mothers of 111 autistic children (18–48 months) were randomized to learn one of two sets of naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention language facilitation strategies (responsive or directive). We aimed to characterize the effect of strategy type on language outcomes and explore the extent to which joint engagement outcomes mediated language outcomes. Children in the directive condition had significantly greater scores across multiple language assessments. At follow-up, the effect of strategy type on the frequency of spontaneous directed communication acts was fully mediated by coordinated joint engagement (indirect effect = −2.070, 95% CI = [−4.394, −0.06], p < 0.05). Thus, children may benefit from caregiver prompts to facilitate long-term language outcomes. The current study is an initial step in the identification of the mechanisms of caregiver-mediated NDBIs.

Lay abstract

Caregiver-mediated early interventions support caregivers’ use of strategies to improve their young autistic child’s communication. In the current clinical trial, we sought to isolate the most effective strategies to improve short-term and long-term child communication outcomes. Results demonstrated how children may benefit from caregiver prompts to facilitate long-term language outcomes. In conclusion, the current study improves our understanding of how early intervention facilitates child communication outcomes.
‘Synced as a couple’: Responsibility, control and connection in accounts of using wireless sex devices during heterosex
Authors: Pym Tinonee , James Alexandra , Waling Andrea , Power Jennifer , Dowsett Gary W
Published: November 2023

While most research on digital sex toys to date has focussed on their affordances and marketing, or issues of data governance and privacy, research on user experience is limited. This article centres the accounts of 11 interviewees who used digital sex devices within mostly heterosexual relations, and often for remote partnered sex. We demonstrate how digital sex toys offer creative potential and possibilities for sexual pleasure and connection, and explore to what extent this challenges normative gendered dynamics and expectations of heterosex. We conclude that digital sex devices operate as allies with which users navigate and continually re-make heterosexual sex.
Studying the resiliency of the anchoring bias to locus of control in visualization
Authors: Alves Tomás , Velhinho Ricardo , Henriques-Calado Joana , Gonçalves Daniel , Gama Sandra
Published: November 2023

The anchoring effect is the over-reliance on an initial piece of information when making decisions. It is one of the most pervasive and robust biases. Recently, literature has focused on knowing how influential the anchoring effect is when applied to information visualization, with studies finding its reproducibility in the field. Despite the extensive literature surrounding the anchoring effect’s robustness, there is still a need for research on which individual differences make people more susceptible. We explore how Locus of Control influences visualization’s ubiquitous and resilient anchoring effect. Locus of Control differentiates individuals who believe their life depends on their behavior or actions from those who blame outside factors such as destiny or luck for their life’s outcomes. We focus on the relationship between Locus of Control and the anchoring effect by exposing subjects to an anchor and analyzing their interaction with a complex visualization. Our results show that the anchoring strategies primed individuals and suggest that the Locus of Control plays a role in the susceptibility to the anchoring effect.
Active sensing ultrasonic guided wave-based damage diagnosis via stochastic stationary time-series models
Authors: Ahmed Shabbir , Kopsaftopoulos Fotis
Published: November 2023

In the context of acousto-ultrasonic guided wave-based structural health monitoring, a statistical damage detection and identification (collectively referred to as damage diagnosis) framework for metallic and composite materials is proposed. Stochastic stationary time-series autoregressive (AR) models are used to model the ultrasonic wave propagation between piezoelectric actuator-sensor pairs on structural components and enable the damage diagnosis process via the use of the AR estimated parameters and corresponding covariance matrices. The proposed method exploits guided wave signals including the reflection parts, and thus the extraction of the S0 and/or A0 modes is not necessary, while the statistical properties and variation of estimated model parameters with respect to damage intersecting and non-intersecting wave propagation paths are presented and assessed. To investigate the method’s performance and robustness, two variations are proposed based on the singular value decomposition and principal component analysis. The obtained modified AR parameter vectors are then used to estimate appropriate statistical characteristic quantities used to enable the damage detection and identification tasks. The diagnosis is based on properly defined statistical hypotheses decision-making schemes and predetermined type I error probabilities. The performance and applicability of the method are explored experimentally via a series of tests on aluminum and composite coupons under various damage scenarios for damage intersecting and non-intersecting paths. The results of the present study demonstrated the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed modeling and diagnostic framework for guided wave-based damage diagnosis that can be implemented in a potentially automated way.
Work and Industry Occupational Therapy Career Pathways: Understanding an Underrepresented Practice Area
Authors: Fang Yiyang , Roll Shawn C.
Published: November 2023

The involvement of occupational therapy (OT) providers in work and industry (W&I) has noticeably diminished despite the historical and ontological connection between work and occupation. Clear career expectations are necessary to introduce and retain the OT workforce in this underrepresented yet essential practice area. This study aimed to describe OT practitioners’ experiences exploring and developing careers in the W&I practice area. We used an inductive thematic analysis in a multi-step, iterative process to explore experiences shared through comments and stories in response to an open-ended question in a cross-sectional online survey. Four semantic-level themes emerged, including career pathways, accumulation of expertise, professional identity, and challenges in W&I practice. Novel career paths revealed in the article underlined the limited recognition of W&I practice in OT. Structured career planning support is needed to promote the growth of this practice area.
RAPT and AM-PAC “6-Clicks”: Do They Correlate on Predicting Discharge Destination After Total Joint Arthroplasty?
Authors: Tuohy Sharlynn , Schwartz-Dillard Jessica , McInerney Danielle , Nguyen Joseph , Edwards Danielle
Published: November 2023

Background: The Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool (RAPT) and the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care “6-Clicks” Mobility Score (AM-PAC) are validated discharge planning tools for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Planning for discharge with these tools considers very different factors and it is important to determine if they relate. Purpose: We sought to determine whether the preoperative RAPT score would correlate with postoperative AM-PAC score for predicting discharge destination for THA and TKA populations. Secondarily, we sought to examine whether the AM-PAC and RAPT scores would remain statistically significant predictors of discharge destination despite covariates. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed for patients who underwent THA or TKA from January 2020 to December 2022 at a specialty orthopedic hospital. Primary variables included the RAPT score, the AM-PAC score, and discharge disposition. Correlation between AM-PAC and RAPT scores was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and association between both scores and discharge destination was tested using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Our comparison of AM-PAC scores and RAPT scores found a statistically significant, positive correlation in both THA and TKA patients. Regression analysis found that increased RAPT and AM-PAC scores resulted in higher odds of being discharged home for both populations, after adjusting for all other variables. In both cohorts, patients discharged to a facility were more likely to be female, be over the age of 70 years, have Medicare/Medicaid insurance, and have a higher number of preoperative social work visits or any incidence of an intraoperative or hospital complication. Conclusions: This retrospective study found that RAPT score correlated with AM-PAC score for predicting discharge destination for elective THA and TKA populations, suggesting that these scores may be predictors of home discharge destination even when accounting for covariates. Further study is recommended.
Cannabis Abuse Is Associated With Greater Medical Complications, Emergency Department Visits, and Readmissions Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Distal Radius Fractures
Authors: Gordon Adam M. , Golub Ivan J. , Diamond Keith B. , Kang Kevin K. , Choueka Jack
Published: November 2023

Background:

Despite increased legalization, little is known about the influence of cannabis use disorder (CUD) following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for distal radius fractures (DRFs). The aims were to determine whether CUD patients undergoing ORIF for DRF have increased: (1) medical complications; and (2) health care utilization (emergency department [ED] visits and readmission rates).

Methods:

Patients were identified from an insurance database from 2010 to 2020 using Current Procedural Terminology codes: 25607, 25608, and 25609. Patients with a history of CUD were 1:5 ratio matched to controls by age, sex, tobacco use, alcohol abuse, opioid dependence, and comorbidities. This yielded 13,405 patients with (n = 2,297) and without (n = 11,108) CUD. Outcomes were to compare 90-day medical complications, ED visits, and readmissions. Multivariable logistic regression models computed the odds ratios of CUD on dependent variables. P values less than .005 were significant.

Results:

The incidence of CUD among patients aged 20 to 69 years undergoing ORIF increased from 4.0% to 8.0% from 2010 to 2020 ( P < .001). Cannabis use disorder patients incurred significantly higher rates and odds of developing 90-day medical complications (15.24% vs 5.76%), including pneumoniae (3.66% vs 1.67%), cerebrovascular accidents (1.04% vs 0.32%), pulmonary emboli (0.57% vs 0.16%), respiratory failures (1.00% vs 0.48%), and surgical site infections (1.70% vs 1.04%; all P < .004). Emergency department visits (2.53% vs 1.14%) and readmission rates (5.79% vs 4.29%) within 90 days were higher among cannabis abusers.

Conclusions:

With a greater number of states legalizing cannabis, hand surgeons should be cognizant of the association with increased 90-day complications and health care utilization parameters.
Micropolitical strategies in student-teacher partnerships: Students’ and teachers’ perspectives on student voice experiences
Authors: Strijbos Jetske , Engels Nadine
Published: November 2023

Due to their transformative potential, student-teacher partnerships offer exceptional opportunities for student participation at school. However, partnering is also found to be troublesome as participants face considerable challenges associated with change processes in complex and hegemonic organizations such as schools. With this study, we aim to understand how students and teachers cope with these challenges by mapping the micropolitical strategies they adopt. Five teachers and 14 students from three cases were interviewed about their experiences with partnering. Three domains were identified in which respondents, based on various interests, adopt more or less constructive micropolitical strategies: (1) common goals that are relevant to both participants and the school, (2) responsibilities to achieve these goals, and (3) emotions. The paper concludes by raising implications for schools, for example, the need for a school-wide approach to clearly position and support future partnership initiatives, and for micropolitical literacy within the partnership to articulate and align unspoken expectations.
Everyday experiences of Islamophobia in university spaces: A qualitative study in the United Kingdom
Authors: Allen Chris
Published: November 2023

Two recent reports suggest that Muslim students are experiencing increased levels of Islamophobia while studying at universities in the United Kingdom (UK). While so, the issue has attracted little scholarly investigation. Responding to this gap in the literature, this article sets out new and previously unpublished findings drawn from qualitative research undertaken with more than 70 Muslim students enrolled at four UK universities. Having set out the methodological approaches, this article begins by contextualising the research within the broader scholarly study of contemporary Islamophobia. Having framed the findings within the context of critical Islamophobia theory, the findings are set out using a threefold thematic structure. This structure affords an insight into the everyday experience of Islamophobia in university spaces and includes: hate incidents on campus; Othering in the learning and teaching spaces; and, microaggressions in university accommodation. In doing so, this article generates new knowledge about the everyday nature of Islamophobia as experienced by Muslim students within university spaces in the UK today.
Falling by the “wasteside”: Defining and moving towards educator well-being from the perspective of early childhood educators in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Richardson Brooke Maureen , Vickerson Rachel , Bader Nadia
Published: November 2023

It has been well-established that highly gendered, early childhood education workforces face major temporal, material, physical and psychological barriers to being well. This issue is particularly pressing in this political moment: a national childcare policy program is being rolled out for the first time in Canadian history. It is in this context that we take a grounded theory methodological approach, rooted in feminist care ethics, to centre and analyse the voices of early childhood educators in both conceptualising well-being and identifying ideas and strategies for moving closer to it. We suggest that concurrently addressing the material and discussive value of early childhood educators is necessary to disrupt existing social structures that rely on early childhood educator’s exploitation. We conclude that truly dismantling what is and building a something better can only be done when early childhood educators’ voices and embodied experiences are centered in the decision-making process.
Development and Validation of a Readiness for Organizational Change Scale
Authors: Jo Yunseong , Hong Ah Jeong
Published: November 2023

This study develops and validates a comprehensive readiness for organizational change (ROC) scale. The study was conducted based on a three-stage scale development procedure. At the first stage to generate items, a literature review and in-depth interviews with subject matter experts were carried out to conceptualize and define the conceptual model of ROC. Then, an initial item pool consisting of 127 questions was developed to measure ROC and their content validity was confirmed using Delphi survey. At the second stage to develop a scale, a pilot test consisting of 224 survey responses was carried out, and then exploratory structural equation modeling, and reliability testing were conducted. As a result, 28 items with good psychometrics were selected for the final scale. At the last stage of scale evaluation, a main test consisting of 2,410 survey responses was subjected to validity and reliability testing. The newly developed scale reflects multilevel and multidimensional characteristics to allow a holistic judgment and explanation of the ROC. This measurement scale can be used to implement organizational change and future interventions.
The Effect of Time Pressure on Visual Search Eye Tracking Metrics in Virtual Reality
Authors: Iskandarani Mohamad El , Riggs Sara Lu
Published: November 2023

The study of visual search has focused on various guiding factors, but less attention has been given to how environmental factors affect visual search in virtual reality (VR). The visual search literature has primarily been based on 2D laboratory tasks, which lack the complexity of real-life search tasks. Thus, this study studies the effect of time pressure on visual search in a naturalistic environment. To do that, participants were immersed in a virtual living room using VR and tasked with finding objects under a time constraint. Eye gaze data was collected, and convex hull volumes and scanning rates were calculated and analyzed. The results show that time pressure reduced convex hull volume and increased scanning rate, indicating faster search speed and a gaze tunneling effect. Understanding how time pressure affects visual search can help improve training strategies and design better user interfaces for visual search critical domains.
Scale Worlds: Iterative refinement, evaluation, and theory-usability balance of an immersive virtual learning environment
Authors: Wu Linfeng , Sekelsky Brian , Peterson Matthew , Gampp Tyler , Delgado Cesar , Chen Karen B.
Published: November 2023

Feedback-based iterative refinement is important in the development of any human-computer interface. The present work aims to evaluate and iteratively refine an immersive learning environment called Scale Worlds (SW), delivered via a head-mounted display (HMD). SW is a virtual learning environment encompassing scientific entities of a wide range of sizes that enables students an embodied experience while learning size and scale. Five usability experts performed think aloud while carrying out four interactive tasks in SW and compared three different design options during A/B testing. Improvement features based on the feedback from an earlier SW usability evaluation as well as HMD-specific features were examined. Usability experts completed the post-study system usability questionnaire, the NASA task load index, and a bipolar laddering survey that collected subjective perception of specific SW features. Results show that the progress panel (an improvement feature) was informative while the instructions (another improvement feature) caused clutter. The experts indicated clear usability preferences during A/B testing, which helped resolve three sets of theory-usability conflicts. The overall assessment of SW paved a path for theory-usability balance and provided valuable insights for designing and evaluating usability in immersive virtual learning environments.
A Method of Characterizing Street Crossing Behavior for Pedestrian and Driver Perspectives
Authors: Jeanniton Caleb , Stirling Leia
Published: November 2023

Signalized traffic intersections are variable decision-making environments where safety is paramount. Safe decision outcomes require road users to consider the interaction of many environmental factors including their proximity to an intersection, the changing states of traffic lights, and whether they are walking or driving. Individuals often encounter traffic intersections as both drivers and pedestrians, so understanding how crossing decisions differ between perspectives can help support the development of targeted traffic policies for these road users. Our study leverages a simulated traffic intersection to evaluate an individual’s crossing decisions from both driver and pedestrian perspectives at various light change distances. Each participant views a series of pre-recorded videos of the traffic intersection from first-person driver and pedestrian perspectives. Presenting both perspectives to the same participant sample allows us to characterize the differences in their decision outcomes as they assume the role of driver and pedestrian.
Nurses’ and Physicians’ Ideas on Initiatives for Effective Use of the Early Warning Score: A Participatory Study
Authors: Mølgaard Rikke Rishøj , Jørgensen Lone , Grønkjær Mette , Madsen Jacob Østergaard , Christensen Erika Frischknecht , Voldbjerg Siri Lygum
Published: November 2023

Ineffective use of the early warning score (EWS) can compromise recognition and response to patients’ deteriorating condition. This study explores nurses’ and physicians’ ideas on initiatives for supporting the effective use of the EWS in a hospital setting. Participatory workshops were conducted, and data were analyzed using content analysis. Ideas generated for integrating new functions into the EWS protocol to facilitate effective use are described. Also recommended was that all users receive training and an update on how to use the EWS score to support acceptance and confidence using the protocol and thereby increase adherence to the EWS. Further research is needed on the efficiency of incorporating nurses’ clinical judgment in the EWS protocol within different specialties and the effect on adherence to the tool.
The Relationship Between Critical Social Theory and Interpretive Description in Nursing Research
Authors: McCall Jane , Phillips J. Craig , Estefan Andrew , Caine Vera
Published: November 2023

This paper is an examination of the methodological and theoretical perspectives of a study with an inquiry focus on the experiences and perspectives of staff who worked at an injectable opiate assisted (iOAT) clinic. Twenty-two staff members, including nurses, social workers, and peer support workers, were interviewed. The goal of the study was to uncover how the clinic staff provided care to the clients who attend the clinic, their perspectives on how the clinic program impacted both them and their clients, and their experiences with the program itself. This interpretive descriptive study was underpinned by critical social theory. Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify recurring, converging, and contradictory patterns of interaction, key concepts and emerging themes. In this paper we examine and discuss how the relationship between critical social theory and interpretive description enhanced the study. Examples from the study are presented to provide insight into the relationship.
Phenomenographic Approaches in Research About Nursing
Authors: Whitfield Martha M. , Mimirinis Mike , Macdonald Danielle , Klein Tracy , Wilson Rosemary
Published: November 2023

We propose that phenomenography is well-suited to research about nursing, given its focus on identifying variation in individuals’ experiences, and inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives. Phenomenography explores qualitatively different ways in which a group of people experience a phenomenon, often using semi-structured interviews. The use of phenomenography is especially relevant in research about nursing which provides accounts of the experiences of nurses and patients within complex practice settings. We consider the tenets of phenomenography and examine phenomenography’s relationship to and differences from phenomenology. We review literature published about phenomenographic research in nursing and reflect on the potential benefits of phenomenographic research about nursing. This paper adds to knowledge about use of phenomenography in research about nursing.