bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling the fall and rise in the importance of the environment to the British public: 2006–2019
Authors: Kirby Martha
Published: March 2022

Attention given to the environment by the British public has fluctuated over recent decades. Having peaked in 2007 it declined, yet has recently risen dramatically. This raises questions about why public attention to the issue changes over time and to what extent this is driven by other actors and exogenous forces. This article examines these processes at the monthly level through a system of simultaneous equations. Methodologically, protest is an important confounding factor when analysing the relationship between media and public salience. Substantively, protest itself can be predicted by prior public attention, but in turn, can be successful in increasing broader environmental salience.
“They say it’s because I’m migrainous. . .” Contested identities of students with invisible disabilities in medical consultations
Authors: Sowińska Agnieszka
Published: March 2022

The objective of this article is to explore the identity construction by students with invisible disabilities as disclosed in medical consultations at a university health center. In particular, I work on the assumption that analysing the discursive processes through which students with invisible disabilities construct, negotiate and resist their roles and identities may contribute to a better understanding of living and studying with an invisible condition. Taking a discourse analytic approach, I consider identity as a dynamic and negotiable process that takes place in specific interactional occasions. The findings have shown that these students sometimes construct contested identities as patients, students, or experts during medical consultations, responding to conflicting expectations of others and their own.
Combining different activities in family-style group care: How Professional Foster Parents show listenership towards adolescents during dinner related activities
Authors: Schep Ellen , Noordegraaf Martine
Published: March 2022

This research focuses on dinner conversations in family-style group care. Children, who cannot live with their biological families anymore, are given shelter in these family-style group care settings. For the development of an attachment relationship between children and their Professional Foster Parents (PFPs), it is important that the children feel that they are listened to in order to get an affective and intimate relationship with the parents. In this conversation-analytic research we analysed PFPs’ involvement in multiple activities simultaneously, namely listening and eating, which is referred to as ‘multi-activity’. The analyses have shown systematic ways in which PFPs coordinate their involvement in the activities of ‘doing’ listening and eating, which are (i) when parents avert their gaze from the telling child, they break the social rule which states that hearers need to look at speakers during the telling. We found that when averting their gaze, PFPs do head nods and linguistic means or positioning their bodies in the direction of the telling child. This research contributes to knowledge about interaction between adolescents and PFPs. It further contributes to knowledge about how human beings are able to coordinate multiple activities simultaneously.
A study of applause in family ritual
Authors: Remisiewicz Łukasz , Rancew-Sikora Dorota
Published: March 2022

With reference to the previous empirical works on applause, we explore the roles it plays during the first birthday celebration using multimodal analysis. Particularly, we focus on modes of its initiation and collaborative enactment. The empirical material includes 25 videos from different Polish families. The analysis demonstrates that applause works in interaction (1) as a ritual anchor that allows the participants to move to either the end or the next sequence of the ritual, (2) as an appreciative assessment of the previous action, (3) as a device for focusing joint attention, which coordinates the interaction of participants and (re)focuses the attention on the most important actor/recipient of the ritual.
Mechanical and in-vitro studies of biodegradable chitosan/cissus quadrangularis coated flax sutures for anterior cruciate ligaments repair
Authors: B Senthilkumar , K Sonia , G Mahesh
Published: March 2022

In this investigation, the mechanical and In Vitro studies of chitosan/ cissus quadrangularis (CHCQ) coated braided flax sutures are carried out to explore their application towards repairing the anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL). The 5% (w/w of suture) mixture of Chitosan (CH) and quadrangularis extract (CQ) was applied on the braided suture. Chitosan (CH) and quadrangularis (CQ) mixtures were prepared in different weight ratios such as 4:1 (CHCQ41), 3:2 (CHCQ32), 1:1 (CHCQ11), and 2:3 (CHCQ23) for experimental work. These mixtures were coated on the suture using the pad-batch technique. GC-MS analysis found that cissus quadrangularis extract containing Caffeine and Phytol with the ratio of 3.20% and 15.98%. These petrochemicals are essential for muscle relaxation, pain reliever, and strengthening the immune system. Through Scanning electron microscopy analysis, It was found that with the incorporation of chitosan polymer, the surface fibrils in the suture are wrapped into the core and shown as an effective biocomposite suture. Most of the samples have displayed ultimate tensile stress between 2846 N to 2865 N, which is higher than the human ACL. The Stiffness of the suture samples varied from 437 to 471 N/mm, and the elongation of the suture samples was between the range of 34%–36%. Similarly, the knot pull strength of the suture samples varied from 241 to 243 Mpa. CHCQ11&CHCQ23 has shown maximum functional performance among the different suture samples due to higher Cissus quadrangularis proportion. MTT on cell viability assay sample CHCQ11&CHCQ23 have shown higher cell growth and proliferation by identifying its optical density value after the fifth day was 0.63 and 0.65. Similarly, the hemolytic percent is also higher for CHCQ11&CHCQ23 with 0.7 and 0.8 Hg%.
Pastoral Leaders Perceptions of Mental Health and Relational Concerns within Faith Based Organizations
Authors: Moore Darren D. , Williams Charles , Cooper Clinton E.
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes, beliefs, and perspectives of pastoral leaders regarding mental health and relational concerns within Faith-Based Organizations (FBO). As a follow-up to a previous study (Moore et al., 2016), the authors intended to gain insight regarding how pastoral leaders view their role within their organizations related to promoting sound mental health and relational health. Utilizing a qualitative description, authors disseminated a survey to 12 pastoral leaders to complete. Three themes emerged from their responses, which included: (1) Defining mental health; (2) The role of pastoral leaders in mental health; and (3) Mental health needs in pastoral leadership. In the study, investigators discuss clinical implications and provide recommendations regarding how pastoral leaders and Faith- Based Organizations may address the topic of mental health and relational health among its constituents. We believe this research is relevant to the readers of this journal as it contributes to a discussion about pastoral leaders and mental health, as well as how pastoral leaders’ perception of mental health may impact how they discuss this topic within their own organizations. Furthermore, for readers who are clinicians, this study contributes to the body of knowledge about what pastoral leaders and constituents may need, as one considers opportunities for collaboration.
Solution of numerical control motion and experiment for machining split equal-base circle bevel gear
Authors: Wang Bin , Xu Kai , Wang Shuaipu , Yan Chenxiao , Chen Shuo , Duan Xinfeng , Zhang Shutao
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this study is to realise numerical control (NC) gear cutting on the split wheel blank of equal-base bevel gears, based on the instantaneous cutter position information in tooth surface forming and NC machining theory, the coordinate system of split equal-base bevel gears is established. According to the movement of tool centre coordinate and its transformation, the linear motion of machine tool is solved. By the rotation and translation of the tool axis vector, the solution of the rotary motion of the machine tool is obtained. According to the different rotation direction and concave-convex property of tooth surface, the calculating model of the starting point of processing of each tooth surface is deduced. The complete machining trajectory is formed by analysis and extension of the tool starting point and terminal point of machining, and the automatic generation of the NC machining program is realised. Finally, the simulation of gear cutting on the split wheel blank is carried out using VERICUT software. The experimental and tooth surface measurement results show that the mathematical model of motion trajectory is correct and the machining method is feasible.
Better Health, Better Lives? 10-Years on From the World Health Organization’s Declaration on the Health of Children With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Scherer Nathaniel , Banks Roger , Murko Melita , Chisholm Daniel
Published: March 2022

It is now 10 years since the European Declaration on the Health of Children and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families: Better Health – Better Lives was adopted by the World Health Organization. Through discussions with key informants and an online literature review, we reflect on actions and progress made in line with this Declaration to improve the health and wellbeing of children with intellectual disabilities and their families. Despite finding positive examples of policy, legislation and practice in support of children with intellectual disabilities, there are clear gaps and areas for improvement. Countries must continue to take action, as supported by the World Health Organization and other such organisations, in order to support children with intellectual disabilities in realising their fundamental human rights.
What is required for the truth of a general conditional?
Authors: Wang Moyun , Over David , Liang Lixia
Published: March 2022

General conditionals, if p then q, can be used to make assertions about sets of objects. Previous studies have generally found that people judge the probability of one these conditionals to be the conditional probability of q given p, P( q|p). Two experiments investigated the qualitative relation between the exhaustive possibilities, p & q, p & ¬q, ¬p & q, and ¬p & ¬q, and truth and possibility judgements about general conditionals. In Experiment 1, for truth judgements, people evaluated a general conditional as “true” in sets containing p & q cases but no p & ¬q, and “true” judgements depended only on P( q|p). In Experiment 2, for possibility judgements, people’s responses implied that only p & q cases have to be possible in a set for a general conditional to be true of the set. Our results add to earlier findings against representing a general conditional as the material conditional of extensional logic, and they provide novel disconfirmation of two recent proposals: the modal semantics of revised mental model theory and certain inferentialist accounts of conditionals. They supply new support for suppositional theories of conditionals.
Multilingual public diplomacy: Strategic communication of Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in Twitter during Operation Guardian of the Walls
Authors: Moreno-Mercado José Manuel , Calatrava-García Adolfo
Published: March 2022

Operation Guardian of the Walls was the most serious military conflict between the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Palestinian armed groups since 2014. This article aims to explore the Organized Persuasive Communication (OPC) made by IDF, in English, Spanish and French, during the 11 days of the escalation of the war. For this purpose, it has resorted to techniques typical of computational science, specifically the unsupervised machine learning Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and sentiment analysis (multilingual). The data show that there are no significant differences between a range of official Twitter accounts giving a process of information uniformity. The results of the study allow us to know the scope of IDF’s communication within the framework of the so-called new Israeli diplomacy. In addition, this text attempts to demonstrate the usefulness of text mining and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to strategic studies and international relations.
« On n’arrive pas à les toucher » : la PrEP, les migrant.e.s africain.e.s et la production de l’ignorance
Authors: Demart Sarah
Published: March 2022

Quelques années après sa mise sur le marché, on réalise que la PrEP (la prophylaxie pré-exposition) touche peu de monde, y compris dans le Nord global qui est son lieu principal de distribution. Les migrant.e.s africain.e.s, le groupe le plus touché par l’épidémie après les hommes ayant des rapports sexuels entre hommes (HSH), ne l’utilisent quasiment pas et ne le connaissent généralement pas. Cet article invite à considérer la non-utilisation de la PrEP par les migrant.e.s africain.e.s non pas comme un problème tributaire du public cible, mais comme un effet de l’ignorance produite par « l’industrie du sida » à l’endroit de ce public. L’ignorance est ici comprise comme une production active à l’articulation d’enjeux pharmaceutiques, politiques et épistémiques donnant à voir des choix de non-recherche, là où des connaissances pourraient être utiles pour le public concerné.
Synergistic Effect of Sesamin and γ-Tocotrienol on Promoting Osteoblast Differentiation via AMPK Signaling
Authors: Cai Jiping , Tian Xiaochen , Ren Jing , Lu Shuai , Guo Jianli
Published: March 2022

Background: Sesamin is a rich phytochemical found in sesame seed oil that can promote osteoblast differentiation of rat BMSCs and improve rat bone structure by regulating Wnt/-Catenin pathway. Combined sesamin and γ-Tocotrienol (γ-T3) have been clarified to inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells, but their role in osteoporosis has not been explored. This paper aimed to discuss the synergistic effect of sesamin and γ-T3 in osteoporosis and disclose the underlying mechanism.

Materials and methods: CCK-8 assay was to appraise the proliferation of hBMSCs after treated with sesamin and γ-T3. Moreover, the proteins in AMPK signaling in osteoblasts pretreated with AMPK inhibitor compound C (CC) were detected after the induction of sesamin and γ-T3. Then, CCK-8, ALP assay and ARS staining were used to analyze whether the proliferation and osteoblast differentiation of hBMSCs was via APMK pathway. RT-qPCR and western blot were conducted to quantify the levels of markers in osteoblasts.

Results: It was determined that 5 g/mL sesamin and 1 μM γ-T3 exerted obvious influences on the viability of hBMSCs. Moreover, the co-treatment of sesamin and γ-T3 elevated the protein levels of related factors in AMPK pathway, which was reversed by CC. Furthermore, The proliferation and osteoblast differentiation exhibited remarkable increments upon exposure to both sesamin and γ-T3, whereas CC abolished these effects.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study presented the first line of evidence to verify the synergystic effects of sesamin and γ-T3 on alleviating osteoporosis, and revealed their effects were realized by modulating the AMPK pathway. This paper has indicated the great potential of combined sesamin and γ-T3 in osteoporosis treatment.
Autoethography and Resistance: A Rant in Haiku
Authors: Poulos Christopher N.
Published: March 2022

This essay is part of the ICQI 2019 Autoethnography SIG, the Materials of Resistance.
Kidney Health for All: Bridging the Gap in Kidney Health Education and Literacy
Authors: Langham Robyn G. , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Bonner Ann , Balducci Alessandro , Hsiao Li-Li , Kumaraswami Latha A. , Laffin Paul , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Saadi Gamal , Tantisattamo Ekamol , Ulasi Ifeoma , Lui Siu-Fai
Published: March 2022

The high burden of kidney disease, global disparities in kidney care, and poor outcomes of kidney failure bring a concomitant growing burden to persons affected, their families, and carers, and the community at large. Health literacy is the degree to which persons and organizations have or equitably enable individuals to have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to make informed health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others. Rather than viewing health literacy as a patient-deficit, improving health literacy largely rests with health care providers communicating and educating effectively in codesigned partnership with those with kidney disease. For kidney policy makers, health literacy provides the imperative to shift organizations to a culture that places the person at the center of health care. The growing capability of and access to technology provides new opportunities to enhance education and awareness of kidney disease for all stakeholders. Advances in telecommunication, including social media platforms, can be leveraged to enhance persons’ and providers’ education; The World Kidney Day declares 2022 as the year of “Kidney Health for All” to promote global teamwork in advancing strategies in bridging the gap in kidney health education and literacy. Kidney organizations should work toward shifting the patient-deficit health literacy narrative to that of being the responsibility of health care providers and health policy makers. By engaging in and supporting kidney health–centered policy-making, community health planning, and health literacy approaches for all, the kidney communities strive to prevent kidney diseases and enable living well with kidney disease.
A fuzzy analytic hierarchy process-enhanced fuzzy geometric mean-fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution approach for suitable hotel recommendation amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Toly Chen Tin-Chih , Wu Hsin-Chieh , Hsu Keng-Wei
Published: March 2022

Cities around the world have reopened from the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and more and more people are planning regional travel. Therefore, it is a practical problem to recommend suitable hotels to travelers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is also a challenging task since the critical factors that affect hotel selection amid the COVID-19 pandemic may be different from those usually considered. From this perspective, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process-enhanced fuzzy geometric mean-fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution approach is proposed in this study for hotel recommendation. The proposed methodology not only considers the critical factors affecting hotel selection amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but also establishes a systematic mechanism, that is, enhanced fuzzy geometric mean, to simultaneously improve the accuracy and efficiency of the recommendation process. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process-enhanced fuzzy geometric mean-fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution approach has been successfully applied to recommend suitable hotels to 10 travelers for regional trips amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tracheobronchial Release for Left Bronchus Compression After Aortic Arch Repair
Authors: Nakamura Yuki , Schwartz Randall , Mir Arshid , Burkhart Harold M.
Published: March 2022

Narrowing of the retroaortic space after repair of common arterial trunk (CAT) with interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a well-known issue. We present a newborn with CAT, IAA, and functionally univentricular heart (tricuspid atresia) who underwent repair of CAT, IAA, and left ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (LV-to-PA) conduit placement with the Lecompte maneuver. The patient suffered from left bronchus compression postoperatively, which was relieved by tracheobronchial release.
School Counselors Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach Through Evidence-Based Practices
Authors: Alvarez Jenna M. , Saunders Rachel , Neubauer Emily , Brown Carleton H.
Published: March 2022

School counselors are well positioned to support students who have experienced trauma, and the need to do so has increased during the past few years. In this article, we provide school counselors with relevant evidence-based practices that are focused on addressing trauma and supporting students who have experienced a traumatic event(s). We also offer strategies for school counselors to implement a trauma-informed approach to align the delivery of services with multitiered systems of support through advocacy and collaboration in their school.
Moderating Effects of Smoking Status on the Relationships Between Mental Health Problems and Poor Sleep
Authors: Gwon Seok Hyun , Cho Young Ik , Lee Han Joo , Paek Soonhwa , Matthews Phoenix A.
Published: March 2022

A dearth of research exists on the effects of smoking on the relationship between sleep and mental illnesses. To examine the association of mental health problems with days of poor sleep based on whether participants smoked. A secondary analysis of the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System ( N = 16,253) was conducted using linear regressions models. The study found that the associations between mental health and sleep quality, measured as days of poor sleep, varied by the respondents’ smoker status among those who reported having less than 20 days of mental health problems. The difference in days of poor sleep between smokers and non-smokers were greatest among those who experienced 10 to 19 days of mental health problems. Of those with 10 to 19 days of mental health problems in the past 30 days, an average of 8.5 days of poor sleep was estimated among smokers, which was 3 more days than that of non-smokers ( p = .001). The differences in days of poor sleep were not significantly different between smokers and non-smokers among those who reported 20 or more days of mental health problems. Days of mental health problems were directly related to days of poor sleep. This relationship was moderated by smoking status. Special attention needs to be paid to those who have comparably moderate levels of mental illnesses because non-smoking status can significantly improve sleep quality. Further research is needed to confirm the impact of smoking on the associations of mental illnesses with poor sleep.
Anthroposophic Medicinal Products: A Literature Review of Features, Similarities and Differences to Conventional Medicinal Products, Scientific and Regulatory Assessment
Authors: Baars Erik W. , Kienle Gunver S. , Heusser Peter , Pedersen Peter A. , Wietmarschen Herman A. van , Kiene Helmut , von Schoen-Angerer Tido , Hamre Harald J.
Published: March 2022

Background

Regulatory assessment of anthroposophic medicinal products (AMPs) can be challenging due to their specific features.

Objective

The aim of this paper is therefore to provide adequate scientific information on AMPs for regulatory purposes.

Methods

A literature review was executed with database searches in PubMed, Cinahl, Merkurstab, Anthromedics, and https://iaap-pharma.org/ . Search terms were: anthroposophic medicinal products, anthroposophic medicines, anthroposophic pharmacy. There was no language restriction; searches were executed from onset until June 11, 2020. In addition, experts were invited to suggest relevant literature.

Results

Eighty-seven of 660 identified publications were included. The system of anthroposophic medicine (AM) with its conceptual background and various aspects of AMPs was described: definition, pharmaceutical properties, an example of AMP development, use in clinical practice, similarities with and differences to conventional medicinal products, societal aspects, scientific and regulatory assessment.

Conclusion

AMPs are part of the integrative whole medical system of AM. AMPs are manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practice and national drug regulations and have an excellent safety status; the limited available evidence suggests clinical benefits. Current drug regulation of AMPs in the EU and most European countries does not take the special properties of AMPs into account. Future research should focus on appropriate methodologies for the evaluation of effects of AMPs as part of the AM whole medical system, the scientific quality of its non-atomistic holistic ontological position, and the integration of AM and conventional medicine in clinical practice. Future policies should focus on appropriate ways of addressing regulatory challenges to AMPs.
Whole Person Health: The Role of Advocacy
Authors: Reddy Bill , Wisneski Leonard A.
Published: March 2022

The U.S. healthcare system is naturally evolving toward integrative, whole-person health. Optimal health is not just absence of disease—it is holistic in nature (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) including a person’s sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. Through the efforts of groups such as the Integrative Health Policy Consortium ( www.ihpc.org ) and several others, Congress and many other stakeholder groups became aware that we need to focus on all aspects of health including environmental considerations. Currently, the U.S. healthcare system is in the process of embracing whole-person health with its focus on wellness and well-being in addition to the treatment of clinical disorders. The Veterans Administration Whole Health Program is one such example, where they are shifting the healthcare paradigm from “What’s the matter with you?” to “What matters to you?” On the Hill, we are seeing growth in the Congressional Caucus on Integrative Health and Wellness as well as the Social Determinants of Health Caucus.
Extractives Companies’ Social Media Portrayals of Their Funding of Sport for Development in Indigenous Communities in Canada and Australia
Authors: Latino Steven , Giles Audrey R. , Rynne Steven , Hayhurst Lyndsay
Published: March 2022

The extractives industry (mining, quarrying, oil, and gas) engages in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to reinforce its organizational legitimacy and enhance its public image. One such approach to CSR that is popular in the industry is through funding sport initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Indigenous peoples, known as sport for development (SFD). Through the adoption of a settler colonial studies lens, and using netnographic methods and discourse analysis, we examined how three extractives companies portray their funding of SFD in Indigenous communities in Canada and Australia on social media, and the ways in which it contributes to settler colonialism. We determined that there are two main discourses that extractive companies use: i) Extractives companies “help” and “partner” with Indigenous communities to enable Indigenous youth’s access to the transformative power of sport; ii) longevity is strategically associated with such “help” and “partnership.” The production of these discourses enables extractives companies to downplay their contributions to settler colonialism through land denigration and colonial authority.
Believing in Achieving: The Impact of Role Salience and Anticipated Work–Family Conflict on Self-Efficacy Beliefs in Emerging Adult Women
Authors: Levy Morgan S. , Myers Lauren J.
Published: March 2022

Emerging adulthood is a formative phase of development when women’s expectations of success can influence their opportunities for mastery experiences in career and family domains. Women prioritize varying life roles (career, family, and relationships) and these roles potentially intersect with the conflict between work and family that women forecast for their future selves. We used a social cognitive career theory framework to examine how anticipated work-family conflict impacts self-efficacy beliefs. Specifically, we examined whether anticipated work-family conflict moderated the association between women’s life role salience and self-efficacy beliefs. Results indicated that across all salient life roles, higher levels of anticipated work-family conflict were associated with lower self-efficacy beliefs, but contrary to hypotheses, there was no evidence of moderation. Demographic factors also explained significant amounts of variance in self-efficacy. Results suggest that maximizing opportunities for self-efficacy can contribute to women’s sense of achievement and fulfillment in multiple life domains.
A Risk Quantification Reference Table for Progressed Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery: An Exact Case Matched Outcomes Analysis
Authors: Liu Gabriel , Tan Jun-Hao , Fung Gerald , Hui Sijian , Lau Leok Lim , Chan Yiong Huak , Wong Hee-Kit
Published: March 2022

Study Design

Retrospective Exact Matched case-control study

Objectives

Surgical treatment delay in AIS due to family preferences is common. This study aims to quantify the increase in risks as the Cobb angle increases and provide a Quantifiable Risk Reference Table that can be utilized for counseling.

Methodology

AIS patients were divided into 3 groups: Group A: Cobb angle 50–60°, Group 61–70°, and Group CFinal ≥80°. Each patient in Group CFinal who had curve progression were then traced-back-in-time (TBIT) to review the clinical data at earlier presentations at 50–60° (C1), and 61–70° (C2). Patient demographics, radiological, operative, and outcomes data were compared between Group A vs C1 and Group B vs Group C2.

Results

A total of 614 AIS surgeries were reviewed. Utilizing the EM technique, a total of 302 AIS patients were recruited. There were 147, 111, 31, and 32 patients matched in Groups A, B, C1, and C2, respectively. C2 Final patients had 34% curve pattern change, 23.2% higher incidence of requiring two surgeries, and 17.3% increase in complications. There was a statistically significant increase of 2.4 spinal levels fused, 12% increase in implant density, 35% increase in operative time, 97% increase in intra-operative blood loss, 10% loss of scoliosis correction, 40% longer hospitalization stay, and 36% increase in costs for patients who had curve progression.

Conclusion

This study is the first to use a homogenously matched AIS cohort to provide a Quantifiable Risk Reference Table. The Risk Table provides essential knowledge for treating physicians when counseling AIS patients.
Sensitivity and Specificity of MRI in Diagnosing Concomitant Meniscal Injuries With Pediatric and Adolescent Acute ACL Tears
Authors: Dawkins Brody J. , Kolin David A. , Park Joshua , Fabricant Peter D. , Gilmore Allison , Seeley Mark , Mistovich R. Justin
Published: March 2022

Background:

Preoperative diagnosis of concomitant meniscal tears in pediatric and adolescent patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency is challenging.

Purpose:

To investigate the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting meniscal injuries for pediatric and adolescent patients with acute ACL tears.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

The authors retrospectively identified patients aged ≤18 years who underwent acute ACL reconstruction between 2006 and 2018 at 2 tertiary academic hospitals. The primary outcomes were arthroscopically confirmed medial, lateral, or any (defined as medial and/or lateral) meniscal tears. To control for chronically deficient knees, patients must have received their MRI study within 4 weeks of injury and must have undergone surgery no more than 8 weeks after their MRI study. Preoperative MRI reports were compared with the gold standard of arthroscopically confirmed tears to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. In a secondary analysis, patients were stratified by age into 2 groups (≤13 or ≥14 years), body mass index-for-age data from the Centers for Disease Control were used to classify patients as obese or nonobese, and differences between sensitivity and specificity proportions were analyzed using chi-square test for homogeneity.

Results:

Overall, 406 patients with a mean age of 15.4 years (range, 10-18 years) were identified. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were as follows: for lateral meniscal (LM) tears, 51.0%, 86.5%, 78.3%, and 65.0%; for medial meniscal tears, 83.2%, 80.6%, 62.3%, and 92.5%; and for any meniscal tear, 75.0%, 72.1%, 81.5%, and 63.8%, respectively. In the stratified analysis, MRI was less specific for the following diagnoses: any meniscal tear in patients aged ≤13 years ( P = .048) and LM tears in obese patients ( P = .020).

Conclusion:

The diagnostic ability of MRI to predict meniscal injuries present at acute ACL reconstruction was moderate. Performance was poorest at the lateral meniscus, where MRI failed to detect 97 tears that were found arthroscopically. Specificity was significantly lower in younger patients for any meniscal tear and in obese patients for LM tears.
Neuropsychological Profiles of Athletes and Views of Parents Choosing Flag Versus Tackle Football Participation
Authors: Roghair Jasmine , Espe-Pfeifer Patricia , Peterson Andrew
Published: March 2022

Background:

Previous studies have found that injury rates are slightly higher in children who play flag football versus tackle football. It is unclear if this difference is due to the way each type is played or taught or whether there are intrinsic differences in attitudes or neuropsychological characteristics in children and their parents.

Purpose:

To determine whether children who play flag football score differently from those who play tackle football on validated neuropsychological tests.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Each participating athlete (aged 8-12 years) was recruited in 2018 and 2019 by email through local youth football leagues and the local university. Each athlete was administered a 1-time multidimensional assessment battery. The battery included the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence-2nd Edition, the children’s version of the Trail Making Test, the Integrated Digit Span and Spatial Span subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-4th Edition (WISC-IV), and the Beck Self-Concept Inventory for Youth. The parent/guardian of each athlete completed the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist-Parent Report Form, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)-Parent Form, and a custom survey. These tests were used to determine IQ estimates and standardized scores, measuring verbal comprehension, matrix reasoning, mental set-shifting, attention, cognitive processing speed, working memory, spatial processing, perception of self-concept, behavioral regulation index, metacognition index, and global executive composite. Scores were compared between flag football and tackle football groups by 2-sample t test, with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test used for nonparametric data.

Results:

A total of 64 athletes (41 tackle football, 23 flag football) were enrolled from youth football leagues (grades 4-6). Flag players scored significantly higher on the WISC-IV Spatial Span-Backward subtest (scaled mean, 12.0 vs 10.6; P = .046), while tackle players had significantly higher BRIEF-Inhibit subscores (mean t-score, 45 vs 42; P = .026). There were no significant differences in any of the other tests, including socioeconomic status and perceived concussion risks.

Conclusion:

Concerns that injury epidemiologic studies comparing flag with tackle football could be confounded by intrinsic differences in the children who choose to play each type seem to be unfounded.
A Comparative Analysis of Rural versus Urban Preschool Children's Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption, Body Mass Index and Parent's Weight Status
Authors: Montgomery Michele , Johnson Paige , Ewell Patrick
Published: March 2022

Background

Childhood overweight and obesity continues to be a major public health concern, especially in minority, low-income, and rural populations. In order to develop health promotion interventions aimed at reducing obesity rates, there is a need to identify which populations have the highest rates of obesity and the risk factors associated with these high rates.

Methods

Data collected from low-income, preschool children and their parents in an urban community and a rural community in Alabama were analyzed and compared. Body Mass Index (BMI) was collected during school based health screenings, and information regarding parent's BMI and child's consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) were collected by parent report.

Results

Of the 363 children screened, 12.8% (15.2% rural and 11.9% urban) were considered overweight, and 15.8% (20.2% rural and 14.2% urban) of the sample was classified as obese. Rates of overweight and obesity for mothers were 27.6% (25.3% rural and 28.4% urban) and 48% (56.3% rural and 44.8% urban) respectively and 39.6% (53.3% rural and 34.4% urban) and 34.6% (28.3% rural and 36.9% urban) for fathers. Parents reported their child consumed 3.82 SSBs per day. Overall, mother's BMI, father's BMI and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was positively associated with child's BMI. However, there were no significant interactions between the rural and urban groups.

Conclusion

Rates of overweight and obesity remain high in low-income, predominantly minority preschool children and their parents in two communities in Alabama. Consumption of SSBs, mother's BMI, and father's BMI are three factors impacting the weight status of low-income preschool children. These factors are significant in both rural and urban children.
Projecting the Combined Health Care Burden of Seasonal Influenza and COVID-19 in the 2020–2021 Season
Authors: Du Zhanwei , Fox Spencer J. , Ingle Tanvi , Pignone Michael P. , Meyers Lauren Ancel
Published: March 2022

Background. In mid-2020, there was significant concern that the overlapping 2020–2021 influenza season and COVID-19 pandemic would overwhelm already stressed health care systems in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly if influenza immunization rates were low. Methods. Using a mathematical susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) compartmental model incorporating the age-specific viral transmission rates and disease severity of Austin, Texas, a large metropolitan region, we projected the incidence and health care burden for both COVID-19 and influenza across observed levels of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and influenza immunization rates for the 2020–2021 season. We then retrospectively compared scenario projections made in August 2020 with observed trends through June 2021. Results. Across all scenarios, we projected that the COVID-19 burden would dwarf that of influenza. In all but our lowest transmission scenarios, intensive care units were overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients, with the levels of influenza immunization having little impact on health care capacity needs. Consistent with our projections, sustained nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in Austin prevented COVID-19 from overwhelming health care systems and almost completely suppressed influenza during the 2020–2021 respiratory virus season. Limitations. The model assumed no cross-immunity between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, which might reduce the burden or slow the transmission of 1 or both viruses. Conclusion. Before the widespread rollout of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, COVID-19 was projected to cause an order of magnitude more hospitalizations than seasonal influenza because of its higher transmissibility and severity. Consistent with predictions assuming strong NPIs, COVID-19 strained but did not overwhelm local health care systems in Austin, while the influenza burden was negligible. Implications. Nonspecific NPI efforts can dramatically reduce seasonal influenza burden and preserve health care capacity during respiratory virus season.

Highlights

As the COVID-19 pandemic threatened lives worldwide, the Northern Hemisphere braced for a potential “twindemic” of seasonal influenza and COVID-19. Using a validated mathematical model of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 co-circulation in a large US city, we projected the impact of COVID-19–driven nonpharmaceutical interventions combined with influenza vaccination on health care capacity during the 2020–2021 respiratory virus season. We describe analyses conducted during summer 2020 to help US cities prepare for the 2020–2021 influenza season and provide a retrospective evaluation of the initial projections.
Developing a meta-understanding of ‘human aspects’ of providing palliative care
Authors: Croker Anne , Fisher Karin , Hungerford Philip , Gourlay Jonathan , May Jennifer , Lees Shannon , Chapman Jessica
Published: March 2022

Objectives:

Our intention was to develop a meta-understanding of the ‘human aspects’ of providing palliative care. Integral to developing this meta-understanding was recognising the individuality of people, their varied involvements, situations, understandings, and responses, and the difficulty in stepping back to get a whole view of this while being in the midst of providing palliative care. We intended for this meta-understanding to inform reflections and sense-making conversations related to people’s changing situations and diverse needs.

Methods:

Using collaborative inquiry, this qualitative research was undertaken ‘with’ clinicians rather than ‘on’ them. Our team ( n = 7) was composed of palliative care clinicians and researchers from a co-located rural health service and university. We explored our personal perceptions and experiences through a series of 12 meetings over 8 months. In addition, through five focus groups, we acccessed perceptions and experiences of 13 purposively sampled participants with a range of roles as carers and/or healthcare providers. Data were dialogically and iteratively interpreted.

Findings:

Our meta-understanding of ‘human aspects’ of providing palliative care, represented diagrammatically in a model, is composed of ATTRIBUTES OF HUMANITY and ACTIONS OF CARING. ATTRIBUTES OF HUMANITY are death’s inevitability, suffering’s variability, compassion’s dynamic nature, and hope’s precariousness. ACTIONS OF CARING include recognising and responding, aligning expectations, valuing relationships, and using resources wisely. The meta-understanding is a framework to keep multiple complex concepts ‘in view’ as they interrelate with each other.

Significance of findings:

Our meta-understanding, highlighting ‘human aspects’ of providing palliative care, has scope to embrace complexity, uncertainty, and the interrelatedness of people in the midst of resourcing, requiring, and engaging in palliative care. Questions are posed for this purpose. The non-linear diagrammatic representation of ATTRIBUTES OF HUMANITY and ACTIONS OF CARING facilitates multiple ways of engaging and revisiting palliative care situations or navigating changes within and across them.
Promoting the police: A thematic analysis of the New Zealand Police recruitment campaigns and the construction of officers’ identities
Authors: Nairn Angelique , Roebuck Ruby
Published: March 2022

Prior to 2021, the New Zealand (NZ) Police had consistently struggled to meet the required target of recruiting new police officers. As a strategy to promote the NZ Police and to subsequently increase the number of officers within the force, a series of recruitment campaigns were broadcasted. Despite appearing to frame the career of a NZ Police officer positively, research has suggested that there is a lack of diversity within the police force with women and ethnic minorities consistently underrepresented, and inequitable working conditions, therefore leading the job to be perceived as unattractive to most. However, after the release of the ‘Breaking News’ recruitment campaign together with television advertisements and targeted websites outlining information on the recruitment process, the NZ Police successfully met their target with applications exceeding 600 per month. The aim of this research was, therefore, to explore how the identities of NZ Police officers were conceptualised and constructed in the recruitment messaging. A specific focus was how the content in the videos might entice people into considering a role in the force considering the government wanted to increase police numbers by 1800 by 2021. Thematic analysis was applied to 2 NZ Police recruitment videos, 15 ‘career path’ videos, and 10 ‘bring yourself’ videos that is accessed through https://www.chatcops.co.nz/ . Four key themes were identified which emphasised that the NZ Police are comprised of a diverse group of people, committed to helping the community, prioritising safety and that they are ‘normal people’ despite their instilled authority.
The role of antibodies in tuberculosis diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy: a review from the ESGMYC study group
Authors: Melkie Solomon Tibebu , Arias Lilibeth , Farroni Chiara , Jankovic Makek Mateja , Goletti Delia , Vilaplana Cristina
Published: March 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) is still responsible for the deaths of >1 million people yearly worldwide, and therefore its correct diagnosis is one of the key components of any TB eradication programme. However, current TB diagnostic tests have many limitations, and improved diagnostic accuracy is urgently needed. To improve the diagnostic performance of traditional serology, a combination of differentMycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) antigens and different antibody isotypes has been suggested, with some showing promising performance for the diagnosis of active TB. Given the incomplete protection conferred by bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination against adult pulmonary TB, efforts to discover novel TB vaccines are ongoing. Efficacy studies from advanced TB vaccines designed to stimulate cell-mediated immunity failed to show protection, suggesting that they may not be sufficient and warranting the need for other types of immunity. The role of antibodies as tools for TB therapy, TB diagnosis and TB vaccine design is discussed. Finally, we propose that the inclusion of antibody-based TB vaccines in current clinical trials may be advisable to improve protection.