bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deviant Peer Association as a Predictor of Development of Risk for Selling Illicit Drugs: Are Effects Age-Graded?
Authors: Wojciechowski Thomas
Published: March 2022

Illicit drug sales present a public health issue that results in proliferation of drug use–related problems, like overdose deaths, stemming from use of illicit drugs. However, there remain gaps in understanding of psychosocial and developmental processes involved with predicting drug sales. Deviant peer association presents one potential risk factor for selling drugs and this relationship may be age-graded. This study examined deviant peer association as a predictor of risk for selling drugs and investigated whether salience of this relationship depended on when exposure to deviant peers occurred. The Pathways to Desistance data were analyzed. Mixed effects logistic regression models were utilized to examine the effects of deviant peer association on odds of selling illicit drugs and cross-level interactions with age variables. Findings indicated that association with deviant peers increased odds of selling illicit drugs. This relationship diminished as participants aged through adolescence, but later increased in magnitude as participants aged.
Soil biodiversity and nature-mimicry in agriculture; the power of metaphor?
Authors: Pulleman Mirjam M , de Boer Wietse , Giller Ken E , Kuyper Thom W
Published: March 2022

Attention to soil biodiversity and its importance for sustainable food production has markedly increased in recent years. In particular, the loss of soil biodiversity as a consequence of intensive agriculture, land degradation and climate change has raised concerns due to the expected negative impacts on ecosystem services, food security and human health. The result is a strong demand for ‘nature-based’ practices that stimulate soil biodiversity or beneficial soil organisms and enhance soil health. Here, we examine the origin of popular ideas on the role of soil biology in sustainable soil management, as well as their potential to address key global challenges related to agriculture. Three examples of such ideas are discussed: 1) a higher fungal:bacterial (F:B) biomass ratio favours soil carbon storage and nutrient conservation; (2) intensive agricultural practices lead to a decline in soil biodiversity with detrimental consequences for sustainable food production; (3) inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduces agriculture's dependency on synthetic fertilizers. Our analysis demonstrates how ecological theories, especially E.P. Odum's ( 1969 ) hypotheses on ecological succession, have inspired the promotion of agricultural practices and commercial products that are based on the mimicry of (soil biology in) natural ecosystems. Yet our reading of the scientific literature shows that popular claims on the importance of high F:B ratios, soil biodiversity and the inoculation with beneficial microbes for soil health and sustainable agricultural production cannot be generalized and require careful consideration of limitations and possible trade-offs. We argue that dichotomies and pitfalls associated with the normative use of nature as a metaphor for sustainability can be counterproductive given the urgency to achieve real solutions that sustain food production and natural resources. Finally, implications for soil ecology research and sustainable soil management in agriculture are discussed.
Evaluation of sealing performance of a compression packer at high temperature
Authors: Zheng Xu , Li Bin , Fei Gensheng
Published: March 2022

Rubber is the key component of a compression packer, which directly affects the success or failure of seals. Presently, the contact stress between the rubber and borehole walls is used as the main evaluation criterion for the sealing ability of the rubber of the compression packer. However, this evaluation criterion is imperfect. This study establishes the sealing performance and reliability evaluation system of a compression packer at 120°C. Considering the influence of time and temperature on the mechanical characteristics of rubber materials, the international advanced test technology was used to complete the uniaxial, planar and biaxial tensile tests and stress relaxation test for hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) of a compression packer under high temperature. Next, the hyperelastic and viscoelastic constitutive models of rubber materials based on high-temperature test data were established. Comprehensive sealing performance and reliability evaluation system for the compression packer rubber with compression rate, linear pressure, surface pressure and sealing performance coefficient were proposed. The evaluation system tested the rubber's stress relaxation effect on the rubber's sealing performance. The establishment of the evaluation system improved the shortcomings of the current packer-sealing performance evaluation system and provided a theoretical basis for the design and optimisation of the key structure of the packer-sealing system. Besides, based on the evaluation system, a platform for automatic structure simulation analysis and optimisation design of packer sealing system was developed and successfully applied to the actual design and optimisation process of packer. The system can effectively predict the sealing ability of the packer and guide field applications of the packer.
Accountability and Collaboration for Intergovernmental Performance Management: Communicating Goals through the HUD Grantmaking Process
Authors: Musso Juliet , Weare Christopher , Stanley J. Woody
Published: March 2022

This paper presents an exploratory case study of a performance-based intergovernmental grant program, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) homeless assistance grants to local Continuums of Care (CoC). The goal is to illuminate the mechanisms by which a federal agency may communicate its priority goals to local grant recipients and seek to promote local actions that further those goals. The mixed-methods case study finds that meeting HUD performance targets does not lead to larger awards in the competitive grant process, casting doubt on the strength of incentives provided by the competitive grants. Nevertheless, the grant making process plays an important role in communicating federal priorities. The system performance metrics emphasized in the grant process coupled with targeted technical assistance appear to promote a focus on performance at the local level and play a role in system reform and capacity building.
Rethinking creativity: creative industries, AI and everyday creativity
Authors: Lee Hye-Kyung
Published: March 2022

This commentary reflects on how creativity is dehumanised (and rehumanised) and how its labour aspects are hindered (and highlighted) in the three recent developments in our understanding of arts, culture and creativity: the creative industries; AI creativity; and creativity in everyday life. The creative industries discourse instrumentalises and dehumanises creativity by hiding labour perspectives and treating creativity as human capital and a generator of IP. Meanwhile, contemplating AI creativity helps us to look beyond the economic paradigm and consider key traits of human creativity and the creation process, some aspects of which are successfully emulated by AI. Yet, we also observe how AI dissociates creativity from human agency and how its cost-cutting effect can challenge human creators in many sectors. Finally, the idea of everyday creativity effectively rehumanises and democratises creativity; however, it not only lacks labour perspectives but also hinders them.
The Relationship of Cobalamin and/or Folate to the Patient-Centred Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Kirsty Cummins-Williams , Mary Hickson , Sumner Jonathan
Published: March 2022

Background: To examine the relationship of vitamin B12 and folate concentrations to cognitive function, fatigue measures, physical function, quality of life (patient-centred outcomes) and homocysteine plasma concentrations (intermediate marker of cobalamin and folate deficiency) for patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Methods: Systematic searches for eligible articles of MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and OpenGray databases were conducted from 1983 in March 2021. Heterogeneity, Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) and Confidence Intervals (CI) calculated using Random Effects Model. Results: Sixteen studies were included involving; 616 MS patients and 655 healthy controls. 14 of these had acceptable or better quality but there was high heterogeneity. No difference was found between MS, healthy controls for folate and cobalamin concentrations; WMD 0.00ug/L (95% CI: −0.01, 0.01) and WMD 7.01pmol/L (95% CI: −25.54, 39.55) respectively. MS group showed mild-to-moderate disability WMD was 2.78 (95% CI: 2.00, 3.56). MS may be associated with elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations on average 2.47µmol/L more than healthy controls. Discussion: Physical ability of MS group was worse than healthy controls, but there was no difference in folate and cobalamin concentrations. This suggests folate and cobalamin are not influential factors in worsening physical function. There may be an association between worse cognitive function, and increased homocysteine concentrations. Results were inconclusive due to high heterogeneity and limited number of studies. A core outcome set would enable easier synthesis of future results.
Prospective examination of the therapeutic role of psychological flexibility and cognitive reappraisal in the ceremonial use of ayahuasca
Authors: Agin-Liebes Gabrielle , Zeifman Richard , Luoma Jason B , Garland Eric L , Campbell W Keith , Weiss Brandon
Published: March 2022

Background:

Evidence suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapy carries transdiagnostic efficacy in the treatment of mental health conditions characterized by low mood and the use of avoidance coping strategies.

Aims:

While preliminary evidence suggests that psychological flexibility and emotion regulation processes play an important role within psychedelic therapy, this prospective study addressed methodological gaps in the literature and examined the ability of ayahuasca to stimulate acute states of cognitive reappraisal and long-term changes in psychological flexibility and mood. The study also explored whether moderating factors predisposed participants to experience therapeutic changes.

Methods:

Participants ( N = 261) were recruited from three Shipibo ayahuasca retreat centers in Central and South America and completed assessments on mood, psychological flexibility, and acute ceremonial factors. Expectancy, demand characteristics, and invalid responding were controlled for with several validity scales.

Results/Outcomes:

Participants reported significant reductions in negative mood after three months, as well as increases in positive mood and psychological flexibility. Acute experiences of reappraisal during the ayahuasca ceremony exerted the strongest moderating effects on increases in positive mood and psychological flexibility. Increases in psychological flexibility statistically mediated the effects of acute psychological factors, including reappraisal, on changes in positive mood.

Conclusions/Interpretation:

These results highlight the role of acute psychological processes, such as reappraisal, and post-acute increases in psychological flexibility as putative mechanisms underlying positive outcomes associated with psychedelics. These results also provide support for the integration of third-wave and mindfulness-based therapy approaches with psychedelic-assisted interventions.
bĕ-rēʾšît, “With ‘Wisdom,’” in Genesis 1.1 (MT)
Authors: Strawn Brent A.
Published: March 2022

This essay argues that the vocalization of the very first word of Gen. 1.1 in the Masoretic Text (MT), bĕrēʾšȋ t, which is often thought to be in error in some way, may instead be the result of exegetical activity. Specifically, in light of the well-attested tradition that links Wisdom with creation both within the Bible and without, it is possible that bĕrēʾšȋ t in MT Gen. 1.1 participates in the line of interpretation that ciphers Wisdom as “Beginning” ( rēʾšȋ t) in light of Prov. 8.22. If so, the MT of Gen. 1.1 is not a grammatical error to be corrected, but an exegetical cross-reference, referring readers to Wisdom’s role in creation as known, inter alia, in Proverbs 8.
Behemoth’s Penis, Yahweh’s Might: Competing Bodies in the Book of Job
Authors: Quick Laura
Published: March 2022

The poetic description of Behemoth in Job 40 makes use of a literary technique for describing the body known as the was.f, elsewhere found most famously in biblical literature in the descriptions of the lovers in the Song of Songs (4.1-7; 5.11-16; 6.4-7; 7.2-10). In a was.f, body parts are systematically listed and described according to an organizing principle that develops its contents a capite ad calcem, beginning with the head and proceeding down the body. However, instead of providing a standard systematic itemization of this monstrous body, the book of Job subverts the was.f form. The description of Behemoth’s body is truncated, making use of highly euphemistic language which focuses the reader upon one body part in particular: Behemoth’s penis. Through the transformation of the was.f, the poet highlights and emphasizes the monster’s massive genitalia. And because God is ultimately able to defeat the beast, the text therefore claims that Yahweh, so to speak, has the bigger balls. This paper explores the ideas and values embedded within the literary features and poetic devices employed in the description of Behemoth’s body. In so doing, I uncover new implications for understanding the cosmic battle between Yahweh and the beast: as a divine willy-waving contest.
The Aesthetics of Biblical Acrostics
Authors: James Elaine Theresa
Published: March 2022

One of the most formally fixed types among biblical poems is the acrostic. Among the acrostics of the Hebrew Bible, the predominant form has the headword of each line or couplet follow sequentially in alphabetical order. However, there are a couple of striking examples in which the acrostic form is expanded, namely Lamentations 3 and Psalm 119. These expansions reveal different stances of individual poems with respect to the larger tradition. This essay explores the aesthetics of the acrostic as a poetic form and argues that cases in which the form is expanded offer insight into poetic experiment, whereby the tension between convention and innovation is on display. These examples suggest that forms themselves serve as sites of aesthetic exploration for ancient poets, exemplifying the intellectual potential of art, not merely as windows into “life setting” or statements of rhetorical content but also as dynamic, ultimately philosophical endeavors.
Wind turbine ice detection using AEP loss method: A case study
Authors: Jin Jia Yi , Karlsson Timo , Virk Muhammad S
Published: March 2022

This paper describes the comparison of a statistical and numerical case study of wind resource assessment and estimation of resultant Annual Energy Production due to ice of a wind park in ice prone cold region. Three years Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition data from a wind park located in arctic region is used for this study. Statistical analysis shows that the relative power loss due to icing related stops is the main issue for this wind park. While Larsen wake model is used for the CFD simulations, where results show that it is important to use the wake loss model for CFD simulations of wind resource assessment and AEP estimation of a wind park. A preliminary case study about wind park layout optimization has also been carried out which shows that AEP can be improved by optimizing the wind park layout and CFD simulations can be a good tool.
Efficient Histogram-Based Gradient Boosting Approach for Accident Severity Prediction With Multisource Data
Authors: Tamim Kashifi Mohammad , Ahmad Irfan
Published: March 2022

Many people lose their lives in road accidents because they do not receive timely treatment after the accident from emergency medical services; providing timely emergency services can decrease the fatality rate as well as the severity of accidents. In this study, we predicted the severity of car accidents for use by trauma centers and hospitals for emergency response management. The predictions of our model could be used to decide whether an ambulance unit should be dispatched to the crash site or not. This study used histogram-based gradient boosting (HistGBDT), a modification of the gradient boosting (GBDT) classifier that accelerates the learning process and increases a model’s prediction power. The HistGBDT model was compared with seven state-of-the-art machine learning models: logistic regression, multilayer perceptron, random forest, extremely randomized trees, bagging, AdaBoost, and GBDT. The experiments were conducted on French accident data from 2005 to 2018. The HistGBDT model, with an overall accuracy of 82.5%, recall of 76.7%, and precision of 81.9%, outperformed other models. An analysis of feature importance indicated that safety equipment was the most important feature and vehicle category, department, localization, and region were other significant features. The Fβ measure (i.e., the weighted harmonic mean of recall and precision) was optimized with different weights on recall for the four best performing models to compare the tradeoff between the two crucial performance measures.
Evaluation of Alternative Sources of Supplementary Cementitious Materials for Concrete Materials
Authors: Subedi Sujata , Arce Gabriel A. , Hassan Marwa M. , Huang Oscar , Radovic Miladin , Hossain Zahid
Published: March 2022

This study characterized and evaluated the use of reclaimed fly ash (RFA) and reclaimed ground bottom ash (GBA) as alternative sources of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) for the production of concrete mixtures. Conventional Class F fly ash (FA) was also evaluated for comparison. The effects of SCM content on fresh and hardened properties of concrete were investigated by replacing 10%, 20%, and 30% of cement by mass. Characterization results showed that all three ashes met ASTM C618 chemical requirements (i.e., sum of SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3, CaO, SO3, moisture content, and loss of ignition) and 7- and 28-days strength activity index (SAI) requirements for Class F FA. In addition, RFA exhibited slightly higher SAI at 28 days of curing, followed by GBA and FA. In relation to fresh concrete properties, FA increased the concrete slump compared with the control mixture, whereas RFA and GBA decreased the concrete slump. However, GBA produced more significant slump decrements than RFA, which was attributed to the irregular angular particles of GBA. Generally, all the coal ashes produced decrements in air content compared with the control mixture. Comparatively, among the three ashes, GBA exhibited the highest 28- and 90-days compressive strength and surface resistivity (SR) at all cement replacement levels. Furthermore, at 90 days of curing, RFA and GBA concrete mixtures outperformed the FA concrete mixtures in relation to compressive strength and SR. Consequently, both RFA and GBA are promising SCMs for concrete materials.
Effectiveness of Nonoperative Management of Hip Microinstability
Authors: Ejnisman Leandro , Elisman Katerina , Safran Marc R.
Published: March 2022

Background:

Hip microinstability has recently gained acceptance as a cause of hip pain. In this condition, the femoral head demonstrates increased motion relative to the acetabulum, which may lead to chondrolabral damage. Even though patients are initially prescribed a trial of nonoperative treatment, the success rates of rehabilitation are unknown.

Purpose:

To determine the success rate of nonoperative treatment of hip microinstability.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

After institutional review board approval was obtained, a retrospective chart review was performed on patients at a university sports medicine practice between January 2013 and July 2016. All patients older than 18 years presenting with hip microinstability who were initially recommended for treatment with physical therapy were enrolled in this study. Formal physical therapy sessions focused on strengthening the hip and core muscles. These sessions took place twice a week for a minimum of 6 weeks in conjunction with a home exercise program. The number of patients who eventually underwent surgical treatment and the clinical scores for the cohort (modified Harris Hip Score [mHHS] and 33-item International Hip Outcome Tool) were recorded.

Results:

A total of 64 patients (63 female, 1 male), with a mean ± SD age of 32.2 ± 10.5 years, were identified and studied. Onset of symptoms was insidious (n = 45; 70.3%), acute atraumatic (n = 12; 18.8%), and traumatic (n = 7; 10.9%). A total of 9 (14.1%) patients were high-level athletes. After a follow-up of 45.7 ± 14.6 months, 14 (29.8%) patients eventually underwent hip arthroscopy for persistent hip pain. Capsular plication was performed in all surgical cases. High-level athletes were not more likely to need surgery (50% vs 26.8%; P = .34). The mHHS was available in 24 patients who were treated nonoperatively, and it improved from 67.4 to 85.0 ( P < .01).

Conclusion:

More than two-thirds of patients treated for hip microinstability were able to avoid surgery; they were successfully treated nonoperatively with physical therapy and a home exercise program and demonstrated improved clinical outcome scores.
Minimally Adequate Treatment for Depression and Anxiety Associated With Mortality in Primary Care Older Adults
Authors: Vasiliadis Helen-Maria , Lamoureux-Lamarche Catherine , Grenier Sébastien , Roberge Pasquale
Published: March 2022

Objective

To assess the association between receipt of minimally adequate treatment (MAT) and mortality in a sample of community primary care older adults with depression and anxiety.

Method

The present study was conducted among a sample of 358 older adults ( ≥ 65 years old) with depression or an anxiety disorder recruited in primary care practices between 2011 and 2013. Participants agreed to link their health survey and administrative data for the 3 years preceding and following the baseline interview. Depression and anxiety disorders were based on self-reported symptoms aligned with DSM-5 criteria and physician diagnoses (International Classification of Diseases [ICD], 9th and 10th revisions). MAT was defined according to Canadian guidelines and include receipt of pharmacotherapy and ≥ 4 medical visits within 3 months or a number of psychotherapy sessions (individual, group, or family) over 12 months (depression: ≥8; anxiety disorders: ≥5 to 7). All-cause 3-year mortality was ascertained from the vital statistics death registry in Québec. Propensity score weighted regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between receipt of MAT and mortality adjusting for individual, clinical, and health system study factors.

Results

Receipt of MAT was associated with a reduced risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.27; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.12 to 0.62). Individual and clinical factors associated with increased mortality included older age, male sex, being single, low functional status, and increased physical disorders and cognitive functioning. Lifestyle factors associated with reduced and increased mortality included alcohol consumption and smoking, respectively. Health system factors such as perceived adequate number of visits to speak to the doctor about emotional problems and continuity of care were associated with reduced mortality.

Conclusion

The current study highlights the important role of primary care physicians in detecting and providing MAT for older adults with depression and anxiety, as this may have an effect on longevity.
Assessing Teachers’ Strategies in Formative Assessment: The Teacher Formative Assessment Practice Scale
Authors: Yan Zi , Pastore Serafina
Published: March 2022

A significant challenge in studying formative assessment is the lack of suitable instruments for assessing teachers’ formative assessment practices. This paper reports the development of the Teacher Formative Assessment Practice Scale (TFAPS) and its psychometric properties based on two samples of primary and secondary school teachers: one from Hong Kong ( N = 449) and the other from Italy ( N = 309). Exploratory factor analysis identified two distinct factors, including teacher-directed formative assessment (TdFA, six items) and student-directed formative assessment (SdFA, four items). The confirmatory factor analysis supported this two-factor structure. Rasch analysis provided further psychometric evidence regarding scale dimensionality and item quality. This study suggests that TFAPS is an appropriate instrument for assessing teachers’ formative assessment practices, but the cultural influence on teachers’ formative assessment practices should be noted in the applications of the instrument.
Right Competence at the Right Time—but for Whom? Social Recruitment of Participants in an Expanding Higher Vocational Education Segment in Sweden (2005–2019)
Authors: Ye Rebecca , Chudnovskaya Margarita , Nylander Erik
Published: March 2022

It is well established that participation in formal adult education varies by individual background characteristics. However, less attention has been paid to examining inequality in participation as a consequence of policy changes, such as educational expansion. This paper examines the process of tremendous expansion in Swedish Higher Vocational Education (HVE), a vocationally oriented postsecondary educational segment driven by labor market needs. Using a demographic approach with a sociological lens on educational participation, we analyze administrative data from registers, uncovering who has been served by this expanding adult educational form. Our results indicate that expansion of HVE has led to growth in participation for policy-prioritized groups, although the rate of growth in enrollment between groups varies and corresponds to population changes. We also locate the extent of cumulative advantages in participation and discuss these results in relation to social (in)equality in formalized HVE.
The human rights turn in climate change litigation and responsibilities of legal professionals
Authors: Fraser Julie , Henderson Laura
Published: March 2022

Climate change is already being felt around the world, impacting a range of human rights including ultimately the right to life. While a healthy environment is a pre-condition for the enjoyment of rights, the environment is not mentioned in the foundational human rights document – Universal Declaration of Human Rights – nor is it specifically protected in subsequent international human rights treaties. This artificial division is partially a function of the separate development of international human rights and environmental law in the last century, which today needs urgently to be bridged. Progress is slowly being made, such as the 2021 Resolution recognising the right to a healthy environment by the UN Human Rights Council and the various petitions being lodged before human rights bodies. This column discusses the (long overdue) recognition of the human rights/environment nexus and the subsequent human rights turn in climate change litigation. In light of the challenges still faced when addressing the impacts of climate change under human rights law, we engage in (self-)reflection on the professional responsibilities of judges/decision-makers, lawyers, and scholars as active participants in the development of the law as well as the struggle for climate justice. We urge these legal professionals to be aware of the power they have in shaping these developments, and discuss how their role can be performed responsibly.
Modeling and optimization of Wire –EDM parameters for machining of Ni54.1Ti45.9 shape memory alloy using hybrid approach
Authors: Gupta Deepak Kumar , Dubey Avanish Kumar
Published: March 2022

Shape memory alloys are a distinct family of alloys recognized for their unique features, such as extreme anti-fatigue, exceptional specific strength, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and pseudo-elasticity. Due to strain-hardening effects displayed by the latter during a conventional machining process, these features make shape memory alloys particularly functional for machining utilizing non-traditional methods rather than conventional ones. The alloy's original qualities are at risk as a result of this consequence. Nickel-Titanium shape memory alloys with 54.1 and 45.9% Nickel-Titanium blends were employed in this investigation (Ni54.1Ti45.9). The surface characteristics of Ni54.1Ti45.9 alloy are investigated using the wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) technique with a brass tool electrode (zinc-coated) and the influence of process parameters on it. Variations in wire feed rate, wire tension, pulse on and off duration, and peak current were used as input factors to investigate variations in surface roughness and material removal rate. Surface roughness and material removal rate data from L27 orthogonal array (OA) studies were used to create artificial neural network (ANN) models. To improve the quality attributes, a model combining a hybrid version of the genetic algorithm (GA) and an ANN has been presented. The ANN models were found to accurately predict the results, which matched the experimental data. After the adjustment, the quality features also improved significantly.
Performance analysis of lauric acid embedded with nanoparticles as phase change materials in heat transfer applications
Authors: Elangovan T. , Palanisamy Ponnusamy
Published: March 2022

Phase change materials can be the most suitable way to enhance the thermal performance of a heat exchanger, and it is one of the important parameters for various developments in renewable energy and engineering applications for a sustainable future. At the time of phase change, the phase change material can store energy and release that stored energy in the form of heat. It is an eminent candidate for different engineering sectors, including thermal, electronics, civil, and textile. In this research, we used lauric acid as a phase change material and copper oxide, aluminium oxide as nanoparticles experimentally. The characterisation tests such as Thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-visible, Thermal Conductivity, X-Ray Diffraction, Field Emission Scanning Election Microscope were carried out on the phase change materials and nano phase change materials. The phase change materials are tested individually to analyse the heat transfer rate of the heat exchanger for a specific period of time at three different inlet temperatures. The thermal conductivity of the phase change material is improved by the addition of copper oxide and aluminium oxide nanoparticles to it. By adding Aluminium oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles to the lauric acid, the heat storage capacity is increased by 16.52%, 38.89% at 60°C, 17.75%, 41.33% at 70°C, and 22.67%, 46.17% at 80°C respectively. Copper oxide is the most suitable nanomaterial to improve the thermal conductivity of low thermal conductive phase change materials, since it has properties like high thermal conductivity, low thermal interface resistance, and high aspect ratio. The heat energy stored in phase change materials is increased due to the addition of nanoparticles. In future, a suitable optimization technique can be employed to predict the optimum nanoparticle weight percentage to get improved thermal performance.
The effects of MDR-TB Treatment Regimens through Socioeconomic and Spatial characteristics on Environmental-Health Outcomes: Evidence from Chinese Hospitals
Authors: Liu Yadong , Cao Daquan , Cao Xinghua , Jain Vipin , Chawla Chanchal , Shabbir Malik Shahzad , Ramos-Meza Carlos Samuel
Published: March 2022

This study examines socioeconomic and spatial factors and its influences on the outcomes of environmental-health through “multi-drug resistance tuberculosis” (MDR-TB) treatment regimes in China. For this purpose, a survival analysis is conducted by applying “multivariable Cox Proportional Hazard model” on secondary data starts from 2010 to 2019. The data set is consisting of six hundred and fifty five (655) TB patients from different hospitals of China. The findings of this study indicate us that there is no alteration in patient survival rates between the two treatment departments, hospital and ambulatory care. The spatial characteristics of time expenditure and medical expenditure are significantly correlated with “supporting distance bias methods” and “environmental health results”. On the other side, travel expenditures and male gender results show negatively associated with the “environmental-health outcome”. This study reveals with these remarks that Ministry of Health, China should take serious actions to control MDR-TB and launch a comprehensive policy with the help of WHO recommendation.
Assessment of Workload of ASHAs: A Multi-stakeholder Perspective Study for Task-sharing and Task-shifting
Authors: Manjunath Usha , Sarala R. , Rajendra D. , Deepashree M. R. , Chokshi Maulik , Mokashi Tushar , N. Mythri Shree
Published: March 2022

The Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) programme has proven to be cost-effective and successful in addressing the growing shortage of health workers and reaching the vulnerable. ASHA’s contribution towards the improvement in maternal and child health and other health programmes at the community level is reported and acknowledged widely in literature. However, nearly 16 years into the introduction of ASHA, challenges in terms of workload, fatigue, poor work–life balance and low levels of compensation have emerged.

Aim:

To assess the workload on ASHAs, impact of their responsibilities on their quality of life and the potential for structured task sharing/shifting among other healthcare workers.

Methodology:

The study used a mixed-method approach with data and source triangulation. A multi-stage random sampling method was used to collect the data. Qualitative research was carried out to explore ASHAs’ and stakeholders’ perspectives, and a thematic analysis was undertaken using NVivo-12. ASHAs’ quality of life was also measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHO QOL)-BREF. The study was carried out in three districts of Karnataka: Mysuru, Raichur and Koppala.

Results:

The majority of ASHAs reported that they experience work burden in terms of population coverage, extended hours of work and additional tasks. Lack of access to transportation, inadequate support from other healthcare personnel and delayed payment of incentives add to them often feeling overworked and underpaid. The research also elicited perspectives on ASHAs’ work from different stakeholders. Findings from the study emphasise the necessity for sharing/shifting of selected tasks among other frontline health workers based on complexity and capabilities.
Open Versus Minimally Invasive Approach for Craniosynostosis: Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric
Authors: Rizvi Imran , Harrison Lucas M. , Parsa Shyon , Hallac Rami R. , Seaward James R. , Kane Alex A.
Published: March 2022

Objective

This multicenter study aimed to compare demographic, operative, and short-term outcomes data between open and minimally invasive surgical approaches for craniosynostosis repair utilizing the American College of Surgeon’s National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric (NSQIP-P) database and highlight surgical disparities among races and ethnicities.

Design

Retrospective review of large multicenter database.

Setting

Freestanding general acute care children's hospitals, children's hospitals within a larger hospital, specialty children's hospitals, or general acute care hospitals with a pediatric wing.

Patients and Participants

A total of 4931 pediatric patients underwent craniosynostosis correction within the NSQIP-P database from 2013 to 2019.

Interventions

None.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Demographic information included age at surgery, sex, race, and ethnicity. Operative and outcomes measures included operative time, anesthesia time, days until discharge, postoperative complications, blood transfusions, 30-day readmission, and 30-day unplanned return to operating room.

Results

Patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery had significantly shorter operative and anesthesia times ( p < .001; p < .001), fewer days until discharge ( p < .001), fewer postoperative complications ( p < .05), and less blood transfusions ( p < .001). The proportion of White patients was significantly higher in the minimally invasive surgery group ( p < .01), whereas Black and Hispanic patients had a significantly higher proportion in the open surgery group ( p < .001; p < .001). Additionally, the percentage of patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery increased from 3.8% in 2014 to over 13% in 2019.

Conclusions

This study adds to a growing consensus that minimally invasive surgery has significantly decreased operative time, anesthesia time, transfusion rates, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications compared to open surgery. Racial and ethnic surgical disparities showed larger proportions of Black and Hispanic populations undergoing open procedures.
Multiaxial fatigue behavior and life prediction of 2198-T8 Al-Li alloy notched tubular specimen based on DIC technique
Authors: Su Wei , Zhu Hongmei
Published: March 2022

2198-T8 aluminum-lithium alloy is an advanced aeronautical engineering material. The multiaxial fatigue tests of notched specimens are conducted with the variables of notch diameter, notch number, and equivalent stress amplitude, respectively. The strain field and fatigue life are characterized and calculated by digital image correlation (DIC) technique. The results show that: the fatigue life decreases with the increase of notch diameter, number of notches, and the equivalent stress amplitude. The strain curves calculated by VIC-3D are similar to those obtained by the testing. The normal and shear strain concentration becomes obvious at 80% to 90% fatigue life, and the surface cracks appear at 95% fatigue life, typical multiaxial fatigue morphologies including tire patterns and wear fatigue striations are observed on the fracture surface. The feasibility of the DIC technique to characterize multiaxial fatigue behavior is verified. The modified SWT model provides fine life prediction results with all predicted data within a factor of two.
Kids First: A Multicomponent Onboarding for Practitioner Students in a School-Based Health Center
Authors: LaMonica-Weier Amanda , Perlia Bavis Margaret
Published: March 2022

School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) often serve vulnerable populations who have been exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) which have been tied to an increase in adult health risk factors. At an urban SBHC serving adolescent students, 75% of patients reported three or more ACEs. This SBHC also had multiple practitioner students. A multicomponent onboarding was created to implement the Patient Interaction Standard of Care, addressing the SBHC model, adolescent care, and ACEs. Practitioner students that completed the onboarding demonstrated 97% adherence to the Patient Interaction Standard of Care “Always” or “Most of the Time.” By onboarding frequent practitioner students, care provided to this vulnerable patient population was more consistently aligned to evidenced-based care appropriate for the SBHC model, adolescent care, and ACEs. This demonstrates the importance of mandatory onboarding completion compliance and further implementation across other SBCHs.
Yolk Sac Tumor in an Infant with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Yang Huajun , Wu Zhenfei , Tian You , Yang Zebin , Yao Xianming , Feng Shaoguang
Published: March 2022

Background: Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a disorder of sexual differentiation caused by complete or partial resistance to the biological action of androgens. The common malignant tumors associated with this syndrome are seminomas. However, the risk of malignancy in childhood remains low. Case Report: A 8-month-old child with a female phenotype and a 46, XY karyotype, presented with bilateral inguinal hernia. The patient underwent right radical inguinal orchiectomy with high ligation of the spermatic cord and laparoscopic percutaneous extra-peritoneal herniorrhaphy. Final pathology confirmed a pure yolk sac tumor (YST) from the right testis. Androgen receptor (AR) gene mutation was found in the children. The follow-up ultrasonography shown no recurrence, with serum AFP returned to normal within 3 months. Conclusion: The case we presented is relatively infrequent in the literature with yolk sac tumor in a AIS children presented with a palpable lump inguinal region.
A Retrospective Analysis of Hematologic Parameters in Patients with Early Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Chen Xu , Wang Qinghua , Li Chengbin
Published: March 2022

Objective

To retrospectively analyze the hematologic parameters in patients with early Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) to define potential biomarkers that can be used to predict early DKD.

Methods

134 diabetic patients without nephropathy and 49 patients with early DKD were enrolled for this study and the hematologic parameters were retrospectively analyzed. Paired comparison was conducted by T-test and the predicting value of any statistically different parameter was tested using the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC) analysis model.

Results

The number of Neutrophil (N) was higher ( P <0.001) while monocyte (M) was lower ( P <0.01) in the early DKD group than that of DM group without nephropathy. In addition, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was higher while platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) was significantly lower in the early DKD group( P <0.001). Results from ROC curve analysis showed the sensitivity and specificity of PLR to predict early DKD were 83.7% and 82.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

PLR may be a potential hematologic parameter that can be used to predict early DKD.
Detection of mode frequencies for spherical cavity embedded within a mild steel plate
Authors: Roy Subhankar , Bose Tanmoy
Published: March 2022

The modern era of structures has observed a vast increase in non-destructive evaluation techniques in order to detect unwanted damages or porosities within the structure. Detection of defect frequencies will play a vital role in local defect resonance–based defect imaging in the future. In this paper, a technique for porosity and cavity detection in metals is discussed. A numerical investigation is carried out first on a square mild steel plate with a spherical cavity and a square mild steel block with multiple cavities. Different resonance frequencies and corresponding mode shapes in the case of the single cavity are calculated using steady state dynamic analysis. Six fundamental mode shapes are identified as Rocking (R), Torsional (T), Bouncing (B), 4-noded (4 N), 6-noded (6 N) and 8-noded (8 N) modes. Moreover, an explicit dynamic analysis is performed by exciting the model with a chirp signal for both cases of single and multiple cavities. The numerical study is supported by experimental results, performed on a mild steel plate embedded with a single spherical cavity and previously published literature. It is observed that the analytical, numerical as well as the experimental results obtained for all the modes are in close agreement with each other. The bouncing mode is found to be the promising one for pore imaging due to its uniform displacement across all the directions.
Virtual consultation in paediatric urology during the COVID-19 pandemic: The effect of pathology on the outcome
Authors: ElAgami Hesham , Woodward Benjamin , Awolaran Gbenga , Kalidasan Varadarajan
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Virtual consultation (VC) has exponentially increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lessons from using this modality during the pandemic will need to be appraised carefully before integrating it into the routine practice. Some paediatric urology patients can potentially be excellent candidates for routine VC.

Objectives

Investigate the ability of clinicians to make management plans using VCs and identify accordingly the group of patients that can benefit from routine VC. Evaluate the routine use of VC without travel restrictions.

Methods

Designed in two phases. Phase 1, during the lockdown, prospective collection of data after the consultation assessing the clinician satisfaction in making a decision by VC. The results were then divided according to the patient pathology; internal organ pathology (IOP), functional urological pathology (FUP) or external organ pathology (EOP). Data was then analysed to demonstrate if different outcomes can be related to the pathology. Phase 2 after the ease of the lockdown to judge the lessons learnt looking at the same parameters in patients who are selected to receive VC and evaluate journey saved by the patients, measured in miles.

Results

One hundred and forty-four consultations were assessed. One hundred and fourteen in phase 1 and 30 from phase 2. Mean age 7.2 years. In phase 1, 57% of patients were reviewed by consultants and 72% were followed up. Thirty-seven per cent had IOP, 24.5% FUP and 38.5% EOP. Clinicians were more likely to reach a decision with patients with IOP and FUP P < 0.0001 and 0.0024, respectively. Phase 2 demonstrated the change of practice where 93% of the patients were either IOP or FUP. An average of 27 miles per patient was saved on journeys.

Discussion

VC for paediatric urology patients was employed effectively to avoid hospital contact during the lockdown. From the lessons learnt that patients with IOP and FUP can continue to benefit from VC after the ease of lockdown without compromising the decision making. VC is a viable way to structure services in the future for selected paediatric urology conditions.
Turning disaster into crisis
Authors: Cubitt Sean
Published: March 2022

This article suggests that the conditions driving the still-unresolved global financial crisis that began in 2007 depend on a generalised condition of capitalist coloniality that profits from disasters. It proposes that the task of cultural studies is to convert these disasters into crises: critical and therefore history-making opportunities.
Förnuft och känsla – Kunskapsbruk hos gårdagens förbudskritiker och dagens alkoholliberaler
Authors: Winter Katarina , Edman Johan
Published: March 2022

Aim: The aim is to study non-governmental actors’ production and use of alcohol policy knowledge in the early 20th and the 21st century respectively, by analyzing their main arguments, knowledge substantiation and their overarching discursive legitimacy. Design: The first impact focuses on prohibitionist-critical actors’ engagement against the alcohol ban in the years 1916–1922. The second impact focuses on the Swedish think tank Timbro’s engagement in alcohol policy in the years 2012–2020. The analysis of the two empirical cases was based on an open coding strategy with a focus on what type of knowledge claims that were made and how which reasoning was put forward in relation to these. Results: Great similarities are distinguished between the two time periods. Alcohol is an issue of freedom and at the same time a threat of crucial importance for the future society. The arguments are supported by historical, international, media and scientific evidence. The biggest difference lies in the legitimization of the argumentation. In the early 20th century this is rooted in democracy and the will of the people while the arguments of the 21st century are rooted in public health and governmentally sanctioned knowledge. Conclusion: The knowledge processes are explored as matters of political appropriation that takes place through processes of directing and stealing the spotlight. These processes show how the aspiring democracy and the existing public health policy respectively are productive preconditions for what kind of knowledge that can be brought forward. This enables a renegotiation regarding what democracy and public health policy can involve.