bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The signature of the gut microbiota associated with psoriatic arthritis revealed by metagenomics
Authors: Liu Wei , Li Chunyan , Xie Wenhui , Fan Yong , Zhang Xiaohui , Wang Yu , Li Lei , Zhang Zhuoli
Published: August 2024

Background:

Gut microbiota is involved in the development of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but until now, there has been a lack of understanding of the PsA host–bacteria interaction.

Objectives:

To reveal the labels of gut microbiota in PsA patients and the species and functions related to disease activity.

Design:

Observational research (cross-sectional) with an exploratory nature.

Methods:

Metagenomics sequencing was used to analyze stool samples from 20 treatment-naïve PsA patients and 10 age-matched healthy individuals. All samples were qualified for subsequent analysis.

Results:

Compared with the healthy group, α-diversity was reduced in the PsA group, and β-diversity could distinguish the two groups. Two bacteria with high abundance and correlation with PsA disease activity were identified, Bacteroides sp. 3_1_19 and Blautia AF 14-40. In different functions, K07114 (calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC) homolog) showed a positive correlation with PsA disease activity (disease activity in psoriatic arthritis, DAPSA) and Tet32 (an antibiotic-resistant gene), and carbohydrate-binding module family 50 was negatively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A bacterial co-expression network associated with DAPSA was constructed. The network was centered on the bacteria in the Bacteroides genus, which formed a closely related network and were positively correlated with DAPSA. As another core of the network, K07114 was closely related to multiple bacteria in the Bacteroides genus and is also positively correlated with disease activity.

Conclusion:

The network composed of Bacteroides is associated with PsA disease activity, and its therapeutic value needs to be further explored. CaCCs may be a key channel for the interaction between Bacteroides and PsA-host.
Renovating Our Images of God: Neuroscience and Biblical Meditation
Authors: Davis John Jefferson
Published: August 2024

This paper proposes meditation on selected scriptures as one possible way of addressing a problem identified by the Baylor Religion Survey (2006): the disconnect, for many American Christians, between stated propositional beliefs about a benevolent God, and implicit mental models of God as angry, critical, or distant. Possible causes of this disconnect, and negative consequences for personal piety and programs of discipleship and spiritual formation are suggested. A version of lectio divina ––biblical meditation––combining scriptures emphasizing the benevolence of God ( Table 2 ) together with a picture of a smiling Jesus is presented. This method attempts to integrate reflection on scripture with insights from neuroscience––e.g., implicit memories, neural mirroring, and attachment theory. Further research is suggested to experimentally test the hypothesis assumed in this paper––that meditation on scriptures emphasizing the benevolence of God may mitigate or reframe negative images of God rooted in dysfunctional childhood and family relationships, or abusive experiences with authority figures.
Secondary use of patient data within decentralized studies using the example of rare diseases in Germany: A data scientist's exploration of process and lessons learned
Authors: Zoch Michele , Gierschner Christian , Andreeff Anne-Katrin , Henke Elisa , Sedlmayr Martin , Müller Gabriele , Tippmann Jenny , Hebestreit Helge , Choukair Daniela , Hoffmann Georg F. , Fritz-Kebede Fleur , Toepfner Nicole , Berner Reinhard , Biergans Stephanie , Verbücheln Raphael , Schaaf Jannik , Fleck Julia , Wirth Felix Nikolaus , Schepers Josef , Prasser Fabian
Published: August 2024

Objective

Unlocking the potential of routine medical data for clinical research requires the analysis of data from multiple healthcare institutions. However, according to German data protection regulations, data can often not leave the individual institutions and decentralized approaches are needed. Decentralized studies face challenges regarding coordination, technical infrastructure, interoperability and regulatory compliance. Rare diseases are an important prototype research focus for decentralized data analyses, as patients are rare by definition and adequate cohort sizes can only be reached if data from multiple sites is combined.

Methods

Within the project “Collaboration on Rare Diseases”, decentralized studies focusing on four rare diseases (cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria, Kawasaki disease, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children) were conducted at 17 German university hospitals. Therefore, a data management process for decentralized studies was developed by an interdisciplinary team of experts from medicine, public health and data science. Along the process, lessons learned were formulated and discussed.

Results

The process consists of eight steps and includes sub-processes for the definition of medical use cases, script development and data management. The lessons learned include on the one hand the organization and administration of the studies (collaboration of experts, use of standardized forms and publication of project information), and on the other hand the development of scripts and analysis (dependency on the database, use of standards and open source tools, feedback loops, anonymization).

Conclusions

This work captures central challenges and describes possible solutions and can hence serve as a solid basis for the implementation and conduction of similar decentralized studies.
Using inpatient telehealth for family engagement: A mixed methods study of perceptions from patients, families, and care team providers
Authors: Rosenthal Jennifer L. , Williams Jacob , Bowers Keegan F. , Haynes Sarah C. , Kennedy Lori
Published: August 2024

Background

The Inpatient Telehealth Program permits family to remotely communicate with the patient and care team through secure, live video. We aimed to assess the implementation of this program for family engagement from the perspectives of patients, families, and providers.

Methods

We used a convergent mixed methods design. The quantitative component was a cross-sectional analysis of surveys assessing patient, family, and provider experience. The qualitative component used thematic analysis of patient, family, and provider interviews plus survey free text responses. We performed memo-writing and coding. We developed hypotheses about relationships among categories and identified analytic themes. We used data transformation and narrative discussion to report the integrated findings.

Results

Surveys from 214 individuals (33 patients, 145 family, 36 providers) were evaluated. Mean (standard deviation) experience ratings (1-poor, 5-best) were 4.0 (1.5) for patients, 4.6 (0.8) for family, and 4.0 (1.4) for providers. We received 134 free text responses and conducted 21 interviews. Three themes emerged: (1) inpatient telehealth enhanced patient and family experience through strengthened relationships and increased support; (2) inpatient telehealth enhanced patient care through improved information sharing and engagement; (3) low awareness of the program limited adoption. Quantitative and qualitative data aligned in that participants perceived inpatient telehealth to be valuable; however, surveys revealed that patients and providers have relatively lower satisfaction with the program.

Conclusion

Inpatient telehealth for family engagement was perceived to improve family-centeredness of care. Future work is needed to overcome implementation challenges and to increase awareness of this resource among patients and families.
Nationalisms on China’s evolving internet
Authors: Schneider Florian
Published: August 2024

As China’s internet has matured, from its initial web-based origins through innovative ‘2.0’ and ‘3.0’ innovations, so too have the community sentiments that criss-cross the People’s Republic of China’s networked society. A perennial issue has been the question of how Chinese nationhood has been constructed and reproduced through digital technologies and how the evolving affordances of internet technology have contributed to China’s many nationalisms. This short essay reflects on this history. It discusses how early internet forums and blogs allowed users to coordinate their sense of Chineseness, how these processes later changed when communication moved to widely adopted microblogging platforms and what we can expect of the future, as China’s media environments shift their focus towards short-messaging applications and video-sharing platforms. What will happen to Chinese nationalisms as China’s platformisation enters its next phases?
Three decades on the Chinese internet: Attention, authority, and cultural production
Authors: Guo Shaohua
Published: August 2024

Emerging in the mid-1990s as an alternative space, internet culture in China has transitioned from an era of youthful idealism, egalitarianism, and communal spirit to an era of intensive commerce. This essay delves into the intricacies that define the vibrancy of digital culture, including the intense competition for user attention and the interplay between digital and traditional media. Amid contemporary challenges, such as geopolitical tensions, digital inequality, and socio-economic instability, it highlights the imperative of comprehending the strategies employed by different stakeholders to wield influence. Moreover, the essay underscores the significance of investigating how the digital sphere has emerged as a pivotal space for examining the convergence of contested ideologies and diverse generations of internet users.
Fostering Organizational Citizenship Behavior: The Role of Proactive Personality, Job Satisfaction, and Affective Commitment
Authors: Sridadi Ahmad Rizki , Pratama Andika Setia , Eliyana Anis , Gunawan Desynta Rahmawati , Yazid Zaleha
Published: August 2024

This study aims to test and analyze the effect of proactive personality on organizational citizenship behavior, both directly and indirectly, through job satisfaction and affective commitment in correctional institutions in Indonesia. The sample of this study was 211 frontline officers in correctional institutions throughout Indonesia. Furthermore, the data were evaluated and analyzed with partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis to determine the acceptance or rejection of the hypothesis. Based on the test results, it was found that the direct effect of proactive personality on organizational citizenship behavior was not significant. However, this study shows that job satisfaction and affective commitment function as variables mediating proactive personality’s full influence on organizational citizenship behavior. This research has proved the role of job satisfaction and affective commitment mediation on the influence of proactive personality on organizational citizenship behavior. These results expand the knowledge expressed by previous research on the effect of personality on organizational citizenship behavior with job satisfaction and affective commitment mediation.
The Influence of Non-Financial Enterprises’ Shadow Banking on Innovation Quality Under Economic Policy Uncertainty
Authors: Li Yongkui , Liu Xiaokang
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates the influence of non-financial firms’ involvement in shadow banking on the caliber of corporate innovation. It focuses on Chinese non-financial listed companies between 2012 and 2022 and delves deeper into the mechanism of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) in relation to the interplay between shadow banking and innovation quality. The findings reveal that firms participating in shadow banking activities experience a decline in innovation quality, with a more pronounced effect observed among state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, EPU amplifies the negative impact of non-financial firms’ shadow banking on innovation quality. The outcomes of this study hold significant academic value and practical implications for curbing enterprise shadow banking, optimizing resource allocation structures, maintaining economic policy stability, and fostering high-quality businesses development.
Behavioral Intention of Consumers for Green Marketing in India: The Mediating Role of Consumer Environmental Attitude
Authors: Bharti Kajul , Agarwal Richa , Satsangi Akshay Kumar
Published: August 2024

Indian companies are proactively anticipating the forthcoming transformations in the business environment and adopting sustainable practices as an integral part of their future business models. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of the green marketing mix on customer attitude and the subsequent influence of customer attitude on purchase intention within the domain of green purchasing. An online survey was conducted to gather responses from 134 Indian customers in order to shed light on the impact of green marketing mix techniques on consumers’ intentions to purchase green products. The investigation applied partial least square: structural equation modeling to examine consumers’ attitudes and intentions. The findings indicate that the variables of green products, price, and promotion have a significant and beneficial impact on customers’ attitudes within the context of green initiatives. Furthermore, it is worth noting that attitude plays a crucial role in influencing purchase intention. Specifically, green promotion and green price emerge as the most influential factors in shaping customers’ attitudes. Furthermore, the presence of green places has an insignificant and adverse impact on individuals’ attitudes. Additionally, the presence of green places has a substantial impact, both directly and indirectly, on individuals’ intentions to make a purchase. Therefore, it can be considered a case of complementary partial mediation.
School Climate, Teacher Characteristics, and School Discipline: Evidence From New York City
Authors: Rodriguez Luis A. , Welsh Richard O. , Daniels Chelsea
Published: August 2024

School discipline is a salient problem of educational policy and practice. Teachers play an important role in the production and disruption of racial inequities in school discipline, yet there remains a need to disentangle the relationship between teacher characteristics, their perceptions of school climate, and school discipline patterns. This study uses longitudinal data representing over one thousand public middle and high schools in New York City and linear regression methods to examine the relationship between teachers’ perceptions of school climate, teacher characteristics, and the rates of and disparities in suspensions. Overall, results indicate more positive teacher perceptions of school climate, higher years of teaching experience, and a greater share of Black teachers are independently associated with lower rates of office referrals and suspensions, overall and especially for Black and Latinx students. The study concludes by discussing implications for teacher education and on-the-job support as well as school leadership.
Silent Covenants and Structural Barriers: State Standards Committees and the Maintenance of Race-Evasive Social Studies Standards
Authors: Martell Christopher C. , Harris Lauren McArthur , Lee J’Shon , Chalmers Jennifer P. , Carmichael Jami
Published: August 2024

In this qualitative study, researchers used critical race theory to examine the experiences of social studies standards committee members in 18 states and the District of Columbia. They found that while many participants articulated goals of increasing the teaching of race and racism in their state’s social studies standards, at least in part, numerous silent covenants and structural barriers existed to maintain the status quo through race-evasive standards. A smaller group of participants generally avoided advocating for race and racism topics altogether due to their perceived controversial or political status, while others did not mention race or racism as a priority. Recommendations are made for both the policy and practice related to state standards creation, and questions are raised about the ability of social studies standards to foster a racially just social studies curriculum.
Impact of Performing Medical Writing/Publishing Workshops: A Systematic Survey and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Astaneh Behrooz , Abdullah Ream , Astaneh Vala , Gupta Sana , Shahraki Hadi Raeisi , Asadollahifar Aminreza , Guaytt Gordon
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Proficiency in medical writing and publishing is essential for medical researchers. Workshops can play a valuable role in addressing these issues. However, there is a lack of systematic summaries of evidence on the evaluation of their impacts. So, in this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate all articles published on the impact of such workshops worldwide.

Methods

We searched Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Medline, ISI Web of Science, ERIC database, and grey literature with no language, time period, or geographical location limitations. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, before-after studies, surveys, and program evaluation and development studies were included. We performed a meta-analysis on data related to knowledge increase after the workshops and descriptively reported the evaluation of other articles that did not have sufficient data for a meta-analysis. All analyses were performed using Stata software, version 15.0.

Results

Of 23 040 reports, 222 articles underwent full-text review, leading to 45 articles reporting the impacts of workshops. Overall, the reports on the impact of such workshops were incomplete or lacked the necessary precision to draw acceptable conclusions. The workshops were sporadic, and researchers used their own method of assessment. Meta-analyses of the impact on the knowledge showed that workshops could nonsignificantly increase the mean or percentage of participants’ knowledge.

Conclusion

In the absence of systematic academic courses on medical writing/publishing, workshops are conducted worldwide; however, reports on educational activities during such workshops, the methods of presentations, and their curricula are incomplete and vary. Their impact is not evaluated using standardized methods, and no valid and reliable measurement tools have been employed for these assessments.
Revisiting the Principal–Agent Framework in the Context of Projects: Drawing Parallels with Corporate Governance
Authors: Musawir Ata Ul
Published: August 2024

This article examines the principal–agent framework in the context of projects and contrasts it with its corporate governance roots. Drawing on the theory of the firm as a nexus of contracts, it conceptualizes organizations and projects as nexuses of multilevel, intra- and interorganizational, principal–principal, and principal–agent relationships. Subsequently, the characteristics of the nexus of relationships in corporations are contrasted with those in three project archetypes, and the implications for project governance are discussed. This article highlights that the principal–agent framework offers fertile avenues for further research and advocates for a concerted effort to indigenize the framework to the project context.
Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals a decrease in the frequency of macrophage-RGS1high subsets in patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis
Authors: Jiang Ying , Zhang Xinqiang , Wang Bo , Tang Liping , Liu Xin , Ding Xiudong , Dong Yueming , Lei Hong , Wang Di , Feng Huicheng
Published: August 2024

Background

Cell subsets differentially modulate host immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. However, the nature and functions of these subsets against osteoarticular tuberculosis (OTB) are unclear. Here, we aimed to understand the phenotypes and functions of immune cell subsets in patients with OTB using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq).

Methods

Pathological and healthy adjacent tissues were isolated from patients with OTB and subjected to scRNA-Seq. Unsupervised clustering of cells was performed based on gene expression profiles, and uniform manifold approximation and projection was used for clustering visualization.

Results

Thirteen cell subsets were identified in OTB tissues. scRNA-seq datasets of patients and healthy controls (HCs) showed that infection changed the frequency of immune cell subsets in OTB tissues. Myeloid cell examination revealed nine subsets. The frequency of macrophage-RGS1high subsets decreased in OTB tissues; this increased MTB susceptibility in an SLC7A11/ferroptosis-dependent manner. Immunohistochemistry assays and flow cytometry for patients with OTB and osteoarticular bacterial infection (OBI) and HCs verified that the frequency of macrophage-RGS1high subset decreased in OTB tissues and blood samples, thereby distinguishing patients with OTB from HCs and patients with OBI.

Conclusion

The macrophage-RGS1high subset levels were decreased in patients with OTB, and would be up-regulated after effective treatment. Therefore, the clinical significance of this study is to discover that macrophage-RGS1high subset may serve as a potential biomarker for OTB diagnosis and treatment efficacy monitoring.
Regional variation in health care substitution for intrauterine device insertion: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Vink Maarten D. , Portrait France R. , van Wezep Tim , Koolman Xander , Mol Ben W. , van der Hijden Eric J.
Published: August 2024

Background

Rising health care costs are a major concern in most Western countries. The substitution of healthcare stands as a strategic approach aimed at mitigating costs while offering medical services in proximity to patients’ residences. An illustrative instance involves the migration of outpatient hospital care to primary care settings. Notably, the insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs) can be safely executed within primary care contexts. In order to establish a pragmatic objective for the rate of IUD substitution, we conducted an evaluation of regional disparities in healthcare substitution pertaining to the insertion of intrauterine devices. Furthermore, we investigated disparities in the follow-up ultrasound and reinsertion of IUDs between primary and secondary healthcare environments.

Methods

All women who underwent IUD insertion in Dutch primary care (by general practitioners and midwives) and secondary care (by hospital physicians) between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020 were included. The main outcome measures were the case-mix adjusted IUD insertion rates at the regional level by care setting and the proportions requiring follow-up ultrasound and IUD reinsertion within three months.

Results

Of the 840,766 IUD placements, 74% were inserted in primary care and 26% in secondary care. The proportion inserted in primary care increased from 70% in 2016 to 77% in 2020. The observed substitution rate ranged from 58 to 82% between regions. Compared with health care professionals in primary care, those in secondary care performed more ultrasounds to verify IUD placement (23% vs. 3%; p-value < 0.01) and more IUD reinsertions within three months (6% vs. 2%; p-value < 0.01).

Conclusions

IUDs are increasingly being inserted in Dutch primary care, with peak regional IUD insertion care substitution rates at ≥ 80%. IUD insertion care substitution to primary care appears to be associated with significantly fewer women having follow-up ultrasound or IUD reinsertion within three months.
Predictors of length of hospital stay after pediatric Ebstein anomaly corrective surgery: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liu Qiao , Wu Xie , Li Yinan , Ding Jie , Wang Hongbai , Dou Dou , An Ran , Bie Dongyun , Jia Yuan , Yuan Su , Yan Fuxia
Published: August 2024

Background

The remarkable advancements in surgical techniques over recent years have shifted the clinical focus from merely reducing mortality to enhancing the quality of postoperative recovery. The duration of a patient’s hospital stay serves as a crucial indicator in evaluating postoperative recovery and surgical outcomes. This study aims to identify predictors of the length of hospital stay for children who have undergone corrective surgery for Ebstein Anomaly (EA).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on children (under 18 years of age) diagnosed with EA who were admitted for corrective surgery between January 2009 and November 2021 at Fuwai Hospital. The primary outcome was the Time to Hospital Discharge (THD). Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to identify predictors of THD. In the context of time-to-event analysis, discharge was considered an event. In cases where death occurred before discharge, it was defined as an extended THD, input as 100 days (exceeding the longest observed THD), and considered as a non-event.

Results

A total of 270 children were included in this study, out of which three died in the hospital. Following the Cox proportional hazard analysis, six predictors of THD were identified. The hazard ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were as follows: age, 1.030(1.005,1.055); C/R > 0.65, 0.507(0.364,0.707); Carpentier type C or D, 0.578(0.429,0.779); CPB time, 0.995(0.991,0.998); dexamethasone, 1.373(1.051,1.795); and transfusion, 0.680(0.529,0.875). The children were categorized into three groups based on the quartile of THD. Compared to children in the ≤ 6 days group, those in the ≥ 11 days group were associated with a higher incidence of adverse outcomes. Additionally, the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, as well as hospital costs, were significantly higher in this group.

Conclusion

We identified six predictors of THD for children undergoing corrective surgery for EA. Clinicians can utilize these variables to optimize perioperative management strategies, reduce adverse complications, improve postoperative recovery, and reduce unnecessary medical expenses.
Unveiling social relationships: exploring the importance of relationships as a moderator of the link between effort-reward imbalance and leader-member exchange among healthcare professionals
Authors: Erschens Rebecca , Armbruster Ines , Adam Sophia Helen , Rapp Felicitas , Braun Lisa , Schröpel Carla , Zipfel Stephan , Rieger Monika A. , Gündel Harald , Rothermund Eva , Junne Florian
Published: August 2024

Objective

Healthcare professionals are at increased risk of experiencing occupational stress and its detrimental stress-sequalae. Relevant theories that contribute to the subjective experience of occupational stress have been identified, such as the model of effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and the concept of leader-member exchange (LMX). The aim of this study was to examine how the perceived importance of social relationships at work moderates the relationship between LMX and imbalance ERI.

Methods

A survey was conducted among N = 1,137 healthcare professionals from diverse occupational categories in a tertiary hospital in Germany. ERI was gauged using the German version of the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (ERI-S 10). The quality of leader-employee dyadic relationships was assessed using the German version of the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX-7). The importance of social relationships was assessed on the basis of a previously validated polarity profile.

Results

More than 75% of healthcare professionals reported high levels of ERI, with those involved in direct patient care particularly affected. On average, leaders rated relationship quality higher than their respective followers. Subjectively higher LMX was associated with lower ERI. This association was moderated by the perceived importance of social relationships at work. Higher subjective ratings of their importance led to a stronger association.

Conclusion

The study highlights the particular challenges faced in the healthcare sector. The results emphasize that the perceived importance of social relationships at work can play a key role in healthcare professionals’ job stress and underline the need for stress prevention programs that engage both leaders and followers.
Edentulism and quality of life in the Salvadoran population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Escobar Guillermo Alfonso Aguirre , Cartagena Francisco José Rivas , de González Wendy Yesenia Escobar , de Rodríguez Katleen Argentina Aguirre , Bravo Manuel , Mesa Francisco , de Miguel Ángel Gil , de Martínez Aida Maricela Gómez , Siciliano Ana Lourdes Pérez
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Edentulism is the partial or total loss of teeth, it is irreversible and disabling due to its sequelae in the masticatory, phonetic and aesthetic function that affect the quality of life.

Objective

To establish the impact of edentulism and sociodemographic factors on the quality of life of the Salvadoran population.

Materials and methods

Secondary cross-sectional analysis of data in 3322 users of the Public Health System of El Salvador, aged 15 to > 60 years. The variables under study were sociodemographic, edentulismo and quality of life. Edentulism was determined by clinical examination using the Oral Impact on Daily Performance scale. The statistical analysis was performed using χ2, OR, multiple regression analysis and set the significance threshold at p < 0.05.

Results

Partial edentulism in the upper jaw was present in 68.24% people, partial edentulism in the lower jaw was present in 72.42% people and complete edentulism was observed in 2.02% people. There were significant sex differences and a relationship between sex and quality of life (p < 0.004); the self-perception of severe/very severe impacts was greater in women. People without education or with primary or secondary education only were the most affected (p < 0.05). Tooth loss increases with age, affecting quality of life in a severe/very severe manner. Complete edentulism had greater impacts on quality of life in terms of eating (25.64%), speaking (21.15%), and socializing/enjoying contact with people (10.90%). A severe/very severe impact on quality of life of teeth lost was reported mainly by those over 60 years of age, with an average of 11 missing posterior teeth, 6 missing anterior teeth and 13 missing teeth per patient. Those missing up to 6 anterior teeth were times more likely to perceive severe/very severe impacts on quality of life than those without any missing teeth (OR:5.788). Edentulism affected the quality of life of those examined, especially the loss of upper anterior teeth.
Undergraduates’ workplace learning in health sciences education: psychometric properties of single-item measures
Authors: Steinberg Evelyn , Yanagida Takuya , Marsch Stephan , Dörrenbächer-Ulrich Laura , Schwarz Lukas , Auer Ulrike , Kleinsorgen Christin , Pfeiffer Christopher , Bührle Petra , Perels Franziska
Published: August 2024

Background

Undergraduates’ workplace learning is an important part of health sciences education. Educational psychology research considers many different aspects of self-regulated learning at the workplace, including cognition, motivation, emotions, and context. Multivariate longitudinal and diary studies in this field require fewer items than alternatives or even a single item per construct and can reveal the sub-processes of workplace learning and contribute to a better understanding of students’ learning. Short instruments are necessary for application in workplace settings, especially stressful ones, to mitigate survey fatigue. The present study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of single items measuring various aspects of workplace learning.

Methods

Twenty-nine single items selected from the Workplace Learning Inventory in Health Sciences Education were analyzed for reliability, information reproduction, and relationships within the nomological network. The authors additionally analyzed four generally formulated single items’ relationships with the full Workplace Learning Inventory scales and external criteria within the nomological network. Participants were 214 ninth- or tenth-semester veterinary medicine students in Austria and Germany who were learning at varied workplaces during the winter semester of 2021/2022.

Results

Of the 29 single items selected from existing scales, 27 showed sufficient reliability, but mixed results were obtained regarding validity. Although the items’ relationships within the nomological network were similar to those of the full scales, information reproduction was insufficient for most items. The four general single items showed acceptable validity, but the reliability of these measures of states could not be assessed.

Conclusions

This paper reported findings on the psychometric properties of single items for undergraduates’ workplace learning in health science education. The findings are crucial for deciding whether to use scales versus single-item measures in future studies. By applying the findings, researchers can be more economical in their workplace learning data collection and can include more constructs.
The ethical dimension of personal health monitoring in the armed forces: a scoping review
Authors: Bovens Dave , van Baarle Eva , Ziesemer Kirsten , Molewijk Bert
Published: August 2024

Background

Personal Health Monitoring (PHM) has the potential to enhance soldier health outcomes. To promote morally responsible development, implementation, and use of PHM in the armed forces, it is important to be aware of the inherent ethical dimension of PHM. In order to improve the understanding of the ethical dimension, a scoping review of the existing academic literature on the ethical dimension of PHM was conducted.

Methods

Four bibliographical databases (Ovid/Medline, Embase.com, Clarivate Analytics/Web of Science Core Collection, and Elsevier/SCOPUS) were searched for relevant literature from their inception to June 1, 2023. Studies were included if they sufficiently addressed the ethical dimension of PHM and were related to or claimed relevance for the military. After selection and extraction, the data was analysed using a qualitative thematic approach.

Results

A total of 9,071 references were screened. After eligibility screening, 19 articles were included for this review. The review identifies and describes three categories reflecting the ethical dimension of PHM in the military: (1) utilitarian considerations, (2) value-based considerations, and (3) regulatory responsibilities. The four main values that have been identified as being of concern are those of privacy, security, trust, and autonomy.

Conclusions

This review demonstrates that PHM in the armed forces is primarily approached from a utilitarian perspective, with a focus on its benefits, without explicit critical deliberation on PHM’s potential moral downsides. Also, the review highlights a significant research gap with a specific lack of empirical studies focussing specifically on the ethical dimension of PHM. Awareness of the inherent ethical dimension of PHM in the military, including value conflicts and how to balance them, can help to contribute to a morally responsible development, implementation, and use of PHM in the armed forces.
Longitudinal association of exclusive and dual use of cigarettes and cigars with asthma exacerbation among US adults: a cohort study
Authors: Patel Akash , Buszkiewicz James H. , Cook Steven , Arenberg Douglas A. , Fleischer Nancy L.
Published: August 2024

Background

Cigar use among adults in the United States has remained relatively stable in the past decade and occupies a growing part of the tobacco marketplace as cigarette use has declined. While studies have established the detrimental respiratory health effects of cigarette use, the effects of cigar use need further characterization. In this study, we evaluate the prospective association between cigar use, with or without cigarettes, and asthma exacerbation.

Methods

We used data from Waves 1–5 (2013–2019) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study to run generalized estimating equation models examining the association between time-varying, one-wave-lagged cigarette and cigar use and self-reported asthma exacerbation among US adults (18+). We defined our exposure as non-established (reference), former, exclusive cigarette, exclusive cigar, and dual use. We defined an asthma exacerbation event as a reported asthma attack in the past 12 months necessitating oral or injected steroid medication or asthma symptoms disrupting sleep at least once a week in the past 30 days. We adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, household income, health insurance, established electronic nicotine delivery systems use, cigarette pack-years, secondhand smoke exposure, obesity, and baseline asthma exacerbation.

Results

Exclusive cigarette use (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.54) and dual use (IRR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.08–1.85) were associated with a higher rate of asthma exacerbation compared to non-established use, while former use (IRR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.80–1.28) and exclusive cigar use (IRR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.42–1.17) were not.

Conclusion

We found no association between exclusive cigar use and self-reported asthma exacerbation. However, exclusive cigarette use and dual cigarette and cigar use were associated with higher incidence rates of self-reported asthma exacerbation compared to non-established use. Studies should evaluate strategies to improve cigarette and cigar smoking cessation among adults with asthma who continue to smoke.
Effectiveness of mixed reality-based rehabilitation on hands and fingers by individual finger-movement tracking in patients with stroke
Authors: Ham Yeajin , Yang Dong-Seok , Choi Younggeun , Shin Joon-Ho
Published: August 2024

Background

Mixed reality (MR) is helpful in hand training for patients with stroke, allowing them to fully submerge in a virtual space while interacting with real objects. The recognition of individual finger movements is required for MR rehabilitation. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of updated MR-board 2, adding finger training for patients with stroke.

Methods

Twenty-one participants with hemiplegic stroke (10 with left hemiplegia and 11 with right hemiplegia; nine female patients; 56.7 ± 14.2 years of age; and onset of stroke 32.7 ± 34.8 months) participated in this study. MR-board 2 comprised a board plate, a depth camera, plastic-shaped objects, a monitor, a palm-worn camera, and seven gamified training programs. All participants performed 20 self-training sessions involving 30-min training using MR-board 2. The outcome measurements for upper extremity function were the Fugl–Meyer assessment (FMA) upper extremity score, repeated number of finger flexion and extension (Repeat-FE), the thumb opposition test (TOT), Box and Block Test score (BBT), Wolf Motor Function Test score (WMFT), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). One-way repeated measures analysis of variance and the post hoc test were applied for the measurements. MR-board 2 recorded the fingers’ active range of motion (AROM) and Dunnett’s test was used for pairwise comparisons.

Results

Except for the FMA-proximal score (p = 0.617) and TOT (p = 0.005), other FMA scores, BBT score, Repeat-FE, WMFT score, and SIS stroke recovery improved significantly (p < 0.001) during MR-board 2 training and were maintained until follow-up. All AROM values of the finger joints changed significantly during training (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

MR-board 2 self-training, which includes natural interactions between humans and computers using a tangible user interface and real-time tracking of the fingers, improved upper limb function across impairment, activity, and participation. MR-board 2 could be used as a self-training tool for patients with stroke, improving their quality of life.

Trial registration number: This study was registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS: KCT0004167).
Evaluation of deep learning for predicting rice traits using structural and single-nucleotide genomic variants
Authors: Vourlaki Ioanna-Theoni , Ramos-Onsins Sebastián E. , Pérez-Enciso Miguel , Castanera Raúl
Published: August 2024

Background

Structural genomic variants (SVs) are prevalent in plant genomes and have played an important role in evolution and domestication, as they constitute a significant source of genomic and phenotypic variability. Nevertheless, most methods in quantitative genetics focusing on crop improvement, such as genomic prediction, consider only Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Deep Learning (DL) is a promising strategy for genomic prediction, but its performance using SVs and SNPs as genetic markers remains unknown.

Results

We used rice to investigate whether combining SVs and SNPs can result in better trait prediction over SNPs alone and examine the potential advantage of Deep Learning (DL) networks over Bayesian Linear models. Specifically, the performances of BayesC (considering additive effects) and a Bayesian Reproducible Kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) regression (considering both additive and non-additive effects) were compared to those of two different DL architectures, the Multilayer Perceptron, and the Convolution Neural Network, to explore their prediction ability by using various marker input strategies. We found that exploiting structural and nucleotide variation slightly improved prediction ability on complex traits in 87% of the cases. DL models outperformed Bayesian models in 75% of the studied cases, considering the four traits and the two validation strategies used. Finally, DL systematically improved prediction ability of binary traits against the Bayesian models.

Conclusions

Our study reveals that the use of structural genomic variants can improve trait prediction in rice, independently of the methodology used. Also, our results suggest that Deep Learning (DL) networks can perform better than Bayesian models in the prediction of binary traits, and in quantitative traits when the training and target sets are not closely related. This highlights the potential of DL to enhance crop improvement in specific scenarios and the importance to consider SVs in addition to SNPs in genomic selection.
Associations between childbirth, gang exposure and substance use among young women in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Browne Felicia A. , Carney Tara , Myers Bronwyn , Bonner Courtney Peasant , Wechsberg Wendee M.
Published: August 2024

The prevalence and influence of gangs on adolescents and young adults remain a concern in Western Cape, South Africa—particularly as they have one of the largest gang presence. While less attention has been focused on young women, there is a need to elucidate the relationship between gang exposure and health behaviors, such substance use, in addition to understanding whether becoming a caregiver impacts this relationship. This study uses baseline data from 496 participants enrolled in a NIDA-funded R01 trial that recruited young women aged 16 to 19 who were out of school and reported recent alcohol or other drug use and sexual risk behavior. At enrollment, a risk behavior survey was administered, and urine drug screening was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine baseline associations between childbirth, a gang exposure index based on eight items, and positive drug screens of the most prevalent drugs in the Western Cape (marijuana, methaqualone, and methamphetamine). At enrollment, approximately 39% of the sample had a positive urine screen for marijuana, 17% for methaqualone, and 11% for methamphetamine. Additionally, 28% had ever given birth. While only 6% reported ever being a member of a gang, most reported exposure to gangs through their physical and social environments. For all three drugs, gang exposure was associated with statistically significantly higher odds of a positive screen. Every one-point increase in the gang exposure index was associated with a 31% increase in the odds of a positive marijuana screen (p < .001), a 26% increase for methaqualone (p = 0.005) and a 37% increase in the odds of a positive methamphetamine screen (p < .001). Ever given birth was associated with lower odds of marijuana use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.42–0.96), but it was not associated with methaqualone or methamphetamine use. The findings suggest that exposure to gangs through young women’s social and physical environment is positively associated with drug use. Childbirth was also protective for marijuana use, indicating there may be something unique about this type of drug, such as one’s ability to more easily stop use. Although very few young women reported gang membership, a majority reported some exposure, indicating the need to address how pervasive this exposure is and the potential risk.
A human centred innovative approach based on persona in hereditary angioedema
Authors: Perego Francesca , Zingale Lorenza Chiara , Cesoni Marcelli Azzurra , Ranucci Luca , Rimoldi Lorenzo , Nsanbayeva Nurgul , Natale Maria Rosaria , Dalla Vecchia Laura Adelaide , Gorini Alessandra
Published: August 2024

Background

Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (C1INH) is a rare condition, clinically characterised by recurrent swelling. The unpredictability of attacks affects the patients’ quality of life (QoL). HAE patients and their families have vast unmet physical, psychological, and social needs. A human-centred design (HCD) approach to describing the needs of different user types is to utilise personas, a data-driven narrative tool for communicating user archetypes that capture the individuals’ attitudes, goals, and behaviours. The aim of this study was to create and analyse personas based on HAE patients’ and their caregivers’ interviews. Semi-structured interviews were conducted through anthropological conversations with patients, patient-caregivers (double role of patient and caregiver), and non-affected caregivers. Qualitative and quantitative insights from analyses formed the basis to create personas.

Results

We enrolled 17 subjects: 15 patients (6 of them were patient-caregivers) and 2 non-affected caregivers. The mean age of participants was 50.3 ± 14.4 years. Eight patients were on treatment with prophylactic therapy. The mean percentage score of Angioedema Quality of Life (AE-QoL) for HAE patients was 19.8 ± 12.0. Six personas were identified describing the participants’ personal history, disease management, and needs: four personas referred to patients, one to patient-caregivers, and one non-affected caregiver personas were identified. Across patient personas, the most expressed needs were psychological support and better awareness amongst healthcare professionals. Caregivers, on their side, desired better information about the disease, including the latest therapies, and higher awareness within the community.

Conclusion

A Human Centred Innovative Approach Based on Persona extends beyond the physical symptoms to encompass the psychological and social aspects of the individual's well-being also including the family in the evaluation.