bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aging Back Into the Closet: Community Planning for Older LGBTQ + Adults
Authors: Turesky Marisa
Published: November 2021

This article illuminates the unique experiences of older LGBTQ + adults in cities based on intersectionality theory. The main themes that emerged from the review of the literature were fear and isolation, service access, housing, and economic instability. The scholarship shows that many forms of marginalization influence this group's access to housing as well as health and care services for older LGBTQ + adults. I argue that planners must advocate for policies, trainings, and data collection to increase the social inclusion, economic security, health, housing and safety of older LGBTQ + adults.
Enabling Urban Planning Action in Africa: The Praxis and Oddity of COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Authors: Cobbinah Patrick Brandful
Published: November 2021

The world is experiencing the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic – from lockdown restrictions to economic uncertainty. Though troubling, the COVID-19 crisis presents an opportunity to galvanize support to strengthen urban planning's capacity in Africa. This paper draws on the global response to the pandemic to proffer three lessons that can bolster planning action to respond to health, spatial and socio-economic challenges confronting African cities: (i) recognition of urban planning as an urgent public health activity; (ii) emphasizing urban planning's innate capacity to address health crises; and (iii) citizen engagement to accept planning measures. These lessons are likely to improve urban planning action.
Within-Individual Effects of Dropping out of School on Violent Victimization Among Serious Adolescent Offenders
Authors: Na Chongmin
Published: November 2021

Despite a recent decrease in both school dropout and victimization rates, many harsh and exclusionary school policies continue to push school-aged adolescents out of school. This study combines two research areas—school dropout and violent victimization—by investigating if dropping out of school increases the chance of violent victimization. It is hypothesized that a change in the opportunity structure associated with risky lifestyles and routine activities accounts for the link between school dropout and violent victimization. Drawing on longitudinal panel data collected from a relatively homogenous sample of 1354 serious adolescent offenders who are predominantly minorities (75%) and males (86%) and fixed-effects models which enhance the causal validity of the findings by using the same individuals as their own counterfactuals over time, this study shows that dropping out of school leads to the perpetuation of violent victimization, primarily due to a change in the opportunity structure associated with risky lifestyles and routine activities. By uncovering the pathway between school dropout and victimization, this study contributes to the knowledge base on the impact of school dropouts, the source of violent victimization, and the causal mechanism underlying the link between dropping out of school and violent victimization—all of which are relatively understudied despite their significant implications for theory and policy.
Insight into the factors affecting the safety of take-off and landing of the ship-borne helicopter
Authors: Cao Yihua , Qin Yihao
Published: November 2021

Despite the important role and highly frequent appearance of the helicopter in modern ship operations, the flight mission with take-off and landing of helicopters to ships, especially ships with small-sized decks, could be very challenging and potentially hazardous. Many researches on ship-helicopter dynamic interface (DI) have been conducted, and significant progress has been made. In this paper, a comprehensive and systematical review of the factors affecting the flying qualities of ship-borne helicopter and pilot workload during taking off and landing is derived from these efforts to date. The factors from two aspects, including the ship environment and the pilot-helicopter interface, are covered to address how these factors affect the helicopter handling qualities and pilot workload, primarily focusing on aerodynamic issues. The insight into these factors is not only of great significance for conducting take-off and landing tasks safely but also helpful to establish suitable fidelity criteria and guidelines for the modelling and simulation of the ship-helicopter DI environment.
Online health assessment and fault prediction for wind turbine generator
Authors: Wang Junda , Zhang Jing , Jiang Na , Song Na , Xin Jinghao , Li Ning
Published: November 2021

A health assessment and fault prediction method for wind turbine generators is proposed in this article. In health assessment module, considering generator status transferring along with environment and wind turbine–self operating, variables under wind turbine normal working are divided into two parameter spaces and recognized, namely operating conditions and status parameters. Then generator health benchmark models based on Gaussian mixture model are established in different operating condition sub-spaces after the data imbalance problem solved. For online health assessment, health deterioration index based on condition recognition models is calculated and a dual-threshold alarm scheme is proposed. When an alarm is raised by degraded health deterioration index, the program could access fault prediction module, where the generator rear bearing temperature trend and fault remaining time can be predicted through weights redistribution and hyper-parameter optimized support vector regression. In experiments, the proposed health assessment and fault prediction was verified in a real wind farm, and results showed this method could assess generator condition accurately and improve special fault prediction performance.
Job Satisfaction Among Public Sector Doctors and Nurses in India
Authors: Purohit Bhaskar , Lal Sham , Banopadhyay Tathagata
Published: November 2021

In most countries, the efforts to attract and retain health workers have been focused on extrinsic measures of motivation, with very less focus on a better understanding of job satisfaction—an important intrinsic factor and construct. The main aim of this study was to assess job satisfaction, its seven dimensions, and motivation among health service providers (doctors and nurses) employed within the public sector in India. The study was conducted in three districts representing two states in India. The study participants represent the doctors and nurses from public health and service delivery centres. Data were collected from a total of 307 healthcare providers (152 doctors and 157 nurses).

‘Measure job satisfaction’ tool was adapted that contained 41 items capturing seven dimensions of job satisfaction on a five-point Likert scale with a higher score indicating a higher level of job satisfaction and vice versa. In addition, one single statement was used to assess motivation.

Average scores were calculated for each of the seven dimensions of job satisfaction, motivation and for overall job satisfaction. Parametric tests such as t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for comparisons of job satisfaction scores according to the place of work, years of work experience, appointment type and health professional categories. The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 22.0. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out to assess the relationship between job satisfaction and motivation and regression analysis of motivation was carried to assess predictors of job satisfaction, demographic and work-related factors’ effect on motivation.

The average scores for most of the dimensions of job satisfaction were low for both doctors and nurses with the lowest scores reported for the dimensions of ‘professional support’ and ‘personal satisfaction’ while the highest score reported for ‘satisfaction with pay’. Significant results in the difference of mean scores were found for all seven dimensions of job satisfaction except for ‘prospects’ at different levels of place of work, ‘standard of care’ at different levels of length of service and ‘training’ for different levels of types of appointment. The mean scores of motivation were found to be significantly different for different levels of place of work and also between the doctors and nurses. The regression analysis of motivation on various predictors of job satisfaction suggests that personal satisfaction and satisfaction in prospect were highly significant while other variables such as gender and place of posting were marginally significant. Understanding of job satisfaction can provide useful insights to both extrinsic as well as intrinsic aspects of work motivation, which arguably is the most critical area of health systems research that could potentially feed into streamlined and improved health workforce management policies aimed at addressing the shortage and retention of the health workforce.
Pharmacological, Biochemical and Immunological Studies on Protective Effect of Mangiferin in 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-Induced Parkinson’s Disease in Rats
Authors: Tiwari Prafulla Chandra , Chaudhary Manju J. , Pal Rishi , Kartik Shipra , Nath Rajendra
Published: November 2021

Background:

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder and is marked by inflammation and death of neurons in the striatum region of the midbrain. It has been reported that expression of NF-κB increases during Parkinson’s disease, which promotes oxidative stress, stimulates release of proinflammatory cytokines, and induces expression of nitric oxide. Therefore, in this study, we have used mangiferin a specific NF-κB inhibitor. Mangiferin is a polyphenolic compound traditionally used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Methods:

The study utilized male Wistar rats weighing 200–250 g (56 rats; n = 8/group). On day “0,” stereotaxic surgery of rats was done to induce 6-hydroxydopamine lesioning in rats. Coordinates for substantia nigra were anteroposterior-2 mm, mediolateral-5 mm and dorsoventral-8.2 mm. After 14 days, those rats which show at least 210 contralateral rotations after administration of apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg S.C.) were selected for the study and were given treatment for 28 days. On day 28 of treatment, rats were subjected to behavioral studies to evaluate the effect of mangiferin and their brains were taken out after euthanasia to perform biochemical, molecular and immunological studies.

Results:

Treatment with mangiferin significantly improves the key parameters of locomotor activity and oxidative stress and reduces the parameters of inflammatory stress. Also, the activity of caspases was reduced. Significant decrease in activity of both cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 was also observed. Maximum improvement in all parameters was observed in rats treated with grouping of mangiferin 45 µg/kg and levodopa 10 mg/kg. Treatment with levodopa alone has no significant effect on biochemical and molecular parameters though it significantly improves behavioral parameters.

Conclusion:

Current treatment of Parkinson’s disease does not target progression of Parkinson’s disease. Results of this study suggest that mangiferin has protective effect in hemi-Parkinsonian rats. Therefore, the combination therapy of mangiferin and levodopa can be helpful in management of Parkinson’s disease.
Language Accommodations in Workers’ Compensation: Comparing Ontario and Quebec
Authors: Premji Stephanie , Begum Momtaz , Medley Alex
Published: November 2021

Workers who experience language barriers are more likely to get injured or sick because of their work and have poorer claim and return-to-work outcomes compared to other workers. To better understand the systemic factors that shape access to compensation in contexts of language barriers, we compared language accommodation policies and practices in the Quebec and Ontario workers’ compensation systems. We uncovered gaps limiting access to professional interpreters in both provinces, although gaps were more pronounced in Quebec where workers were responsible for the cost of interpreters. We argue that simply improving the linguistic competence of workers’ compensation systems is not sufficient to tackle access barriers and must be accompanied by efforts to address the root causes of social and economic inequities for workers who experience language barriers.
The Experience of Chronic Illness Transitional Care: A Qualitative Systematic Review
Authors: Joo Jee Young , Liu Megan F.
Published: November 2021

This is a qualitative systematic review of recent qualitative studies of the experiences and perceptions of both individuals with chronic illness(es) and their caregivers regarding hospital-to-home transitions. Thematic synthesis was used to identify common themes from seven qualitative studies published from 2012 to 2021 and extracted from four electronic databases. This review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement. Quality appraisal was assessed and adequate methodological rigor was determined. A total of three barriers to transitional care (communication with multiple healthcare providers, self-management, and psychological stress) and two facilitators of transitional care (family caregiver support and nurse-provided patient-centered care) were identified. These findings can be used by nursing research and healthcare managers to reform transitional care practices for chronic illnesses and caregivers.
Cleft Palate Repair in Robin Sequence following Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis Compared to Tongue-Lip Adhesion
Authors: Kosyk Mychajlo S. , Carlson Anna R. , Zapatero Zachary D. , Kalmar Christopher L. , Swanson Jordan W. , Bartlett Scott P. , Taylor Jesse A.
Published: November 2021

Objective

To evaluate the timing and safety of cleft palate (CP) repair in patients with Robin sequence (RS) treated with mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) or tongue-lip adhesion (TLA) for airway obstruction.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary Pediatric Hospital during 2004-2020.

Patients

148 patients with RS underwent MDO, 66 met inclusion by having MDO and followed by palatoplasty. 26 patients with RS underwent TLA, 14 met inclusion by having TLA and followed by palatoplasty.

Main Outcome Measures

Patient characteristics, hospital/operative details, postoperative complications, and polysomnographic (PSG) data were compared.

Results

Groups were well-matched except more patients with syndromes underwent MDO (N = 27, 41%, P ≤ .002). In the MDO and TLA cohorts, mean CP repair age was 12.8 ± 1.9 months and 14.6 ± 1.6 months, respectively ( P ≤ .002). Despite the earlier CP repair in the MDO group, there were no differences in peri-operative complication rates after palatoplasty in either group. All sleep respiratory parameters improved after MDO/TLA prior to palatoplasty P ≤ .050. All PSG parameters remained significantly improved after palatoplasty compared to preoperative values, P ≤ .043. Obstructive apnea hypopnea index and Oxygen saturation nadir further improved after palatoplasty within the MDO group, P ≤ .050, while no changes in the TLA group, P ≥ .500.

Conclusions

MDO was associated with earlier age at palatoplasty than TLA with a similar perioperative risk profile. In those patients with pre- and post-palatoplasty PSG data, palatoplasty was not associated with a deterioration in PSG parameters, and in fact in the MDO group, PSG data improved.
Radioactive iodine dose and survival in cats with hyperthyroidism (2015–2020)
Authors: Chow Joyce LY , White Joanna
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Radioactive iodine (131I) is the preferred treatment for feline hyperthyroidism but neither the optimal 131I dose nor consistent predictors of post-treatment azotaemia have been determined. The aims of the study were to evaluate the relationships between: (1) 131I dose and survival; and (2) pretreatment and post-treatment serum creatinine concentration.

Methods

Medical records of hyperthyroid cats treated with 131I at a single referral hospital were reviewed. Information regarding signalment, body weight, pretreatment and post-treatment serum total thyroxine concentration (TT4), serum creatinine concentration, 131I dose and survival were determined. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to identify variables associated with survival. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with post-treatment serum creatinine concentration.

Results

One hundred and ninety-eight (79 male, 119 female) cats were treated for hyperthyroidism with 131I (median dose 138 MBq; interquartile range 92–168). Median survival time was 1153 days (range 16–1871). Post-treatment serum creatinine ( P <0.001) and age ( P = 0.049) were significantly associated with survival. Every 10 µmol/l increase in post-treatment serum creatinine concentration and every year increase in age was associated with a 1.07-fold (confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.11) and 1.17-fold (CI 1.00–1.37) increase in the daily hazard of death, respectively. Pretreatment serum creatinine concentration was directly, and post-treatment serum TT4 concentration was inversely, associated with post-treatment serum creatinine concentration. Every 1 μmol/l increase in pretreatment serum creatinine concentration was associated with an increase in post-treatment serum creatinine concentration of 0.7 μmol/l (SE 0.17; P <0.001). Conversely, every 1 nmol/l decrease in post-treatment serum TT4 concentration was associated with a 1.2 μmol/l (SE 0.61; P <0.001) increase in post-treatment serum creatinine concentration.

Conclusions and relevance

Post-treatment serum TT4 concentration was associated with post-treatment azotaemia, which was associated with survival. Although 131I dose was not directly associated with survival, dosing strategies that minimise post-treatment hypothyroidism and azotaemia could improve patient survival.
Ultrasound-guided, long-axis, in-plane, infraclavicular axillary vein cannulation: A 6-year experience
Authors: Kosiński Sylweriusz , Podsiadło Paweł , Stachowicz Jakub , Mikiewicz Maciej , Serafinowicz Zofia , Łukasiewicz Katarzyna , Mendrala Konrad , Darocha Tomasz
Published: November 2021

Background:

Despite its potential advantages, ultrasound-guided cannulation of the axillary vein in the infraclavicular area is still rarely used as an alternative to other techniques. There are few large series demonstrating the safety and feasibility of this approach.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of data on patients undergoing ultrasound-guided, long-axis, in-plane infraclavicular axillary vein cannulation for the incidence of complications and the failure rate from two secondary-care hospitals.

Results:

The analysis included 710 successful attempts of axillary vein long-axis, in-plane, US-guided cannulation, and 24 (3.3%) failed attempts. We recorded a 96.7% success rate with an overall incidence of complications of 13%, mainly malposition (8.1%). There was one case of pneumothorax (0.14%), five cases of arterial puncture (0.7%), and two cases of brachial plexus injury.

Conclusions:

The US-guided axillary central venous cannulation (CVC) access technique can be undertaken successfully in patients, even in challenging circumstances. Taken together with existing work on the utility and safety of this technique, we suggest that it should be adopted more widely in clinical practice.
The mouth and oral health in the field of dementia
Authors: Scambler Sasha , Curtis Sarah , Manthorpe Jill , Samsi Kritika , Rooney Yvonne M , Gallagher Jennifer E
Published: November 2021

An ageing population, an estimated 47 million people currently living with dementia, and predictions of a threefold increase in people living with a diagnosis by 2050 have led the WHO to declare dementia a public health priority. Emerging research also suggests that dementia is linked to poor oral health and that oral health declines alongside cognitive decline. Drawing on Bourdieu’s concepts of field and capital, this paper presents an analysis of interview data from participants with dementia, carers and carer/diagnosed dyads participating in a qualitative study of the mouth and oral health. We argue that Bourdieu’s conceptual toolkit provides a way of contextualising experiences of oral health within dementia and un-picking the multi-layered impact of structure, institutions, biology, resource mobilisation and self in the context of a progressive disease which ultimately challenges knowledge of the self and the ability to interact with the world around us.
John Fiske and the building of cultural studies
Authors: Turner Graeme
Published: November 2021

This article reflects on the career of cultural and media studies figure, John Fiske, from both a personal and a scholarly perspective. Fiske was an influential force within the development of cultural studies and television studies over the 1980s and 1990s, and a much-loved and respected teacher and mentor. He was also a controversial figure at times. Fiske was accused of cultural populism, of revisionism, and an unwarranted optimism about the political agency of media consumers. While this article does not take on such accusations in any detail, it sets out to demonstrate the importance of a proper accounting for his career that also recognizes some of its less widely known aspects – such as his critical investment in building cultural studies during his eight years working in Australia. The article also highlights the potential difficulties ahead for cultural studies’ writing of its own histories of contestation and debate.
Broadening the reach of dementia risk-reduction initiatives: strategies from dissemination models
Authors: Fair Hannah L. , Doherty Kathleen V. , Klekociuk Shannon Z. , Eccleston Claire E.A. , Farrow Maree A.
Published: November 2021

Background:

Modifiable risk factors for dementia account for 40% of cases worldwide and exert impacts on risk across the life course. To have maximal public health impact, dementia risk-reduction initiatives need to reach a large and diverse audience, including people from a wide range of ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Currently, dementia risk-reduction interventions primarily reach a narrow audience, consisting largely of highly educated older adults from high income countries.

Methods:

In this commentary, we review established dissemination models to identify strategies that could be used to extend and broaden the reach of dementia risk-reduction initiatives. Three potential reach-broadening strategies can be identified from these models: engaging with distinct user groups; focusing on interpersonal communication; and utilising dissemination agents.

Results:

Engaging with distinct user groups and utilising dissemination agents show promise for broadening the reach of dementia risk-reduction initiatives, while interpersonal communication has received limited attention in this context. Further evaluation of the impact of interpersonal communication may provide avenues to take advantage of this dissemination method.

Conclusions:

Based on the reviewed models and data from current risk-reduction initiatives, we suggest that utilising all three of these strategies may most effectively broaden the reach of dementia risk-reduction initiatives. This may promote risk reduction among a larger and more diverse audience, more equitably reducing the global impact of dementia.
A cross-national study of youth entrepreneurship: The effect of family support
Authors: Maleki Amirhossein , Moghaddam Kaveh , Cloninger Peggy , Cullen John
Published: November 2021

This multilevel, cross-national study builds on the Entrepreneurial Event Model (EEM) to examine the influence of perceived family support on young individuals’ perceptions about the desirability and feasibility of starting a business, and the moderating effect of cultural dimensions. Building upon institutional and social systems theories, this research shows family support increases the perceived desirability and feasibility of starting a business, depending upon national culture. Results find family support is more influential in countries with higher levels of power distance or lower individualism (in which social norms and culture may be less favorable to startups) and suggest family support acts as a substitution mechanism facilitating entrepreneurial behavior in these countries.
Self-assessment and what happens over time: Student and staff perspectives, expectations and outcomes
Authors: McIver Shane , Murphy Berni
Published: November 2021

Multiple benefits have been attributed to self-assessment and its ability to help develop evaluative judgement among learners. However, student and staff perceptions and what to expect throughout the self-assessment process deserves further scrutiny, particularly at the postgraduate level. To understand how students engage with self-assessment as a new skill, this study examined the experiential observations among postgraduate students and the teaching staff who implemented a self-assessment intervention designed to improve assessment and feedback procedures. Students were invited to self-assess their own written assignments prior to submission. Markers subsequently graded the work, and to provide a useful comparison, incorporated comments regarding the students’ own self-assessment within the feedback. Students from two postgraduate units subsequently completed an online survey ( n = 42) describing their impressions and insights regarding the self-assessment process. To expand upon survey findings, six ( n = 6) were randomly selected to participate in in-depths interviews. Teaching staff were invited to participate in separate interviews ( n = 5). Self-assessment triggered critical thinking and reflection among students and staff alike in different and specific ways. Inductive thematic analysis identified key domains relevant to both cohorts with multiple sub-themes. These related to (a) the ways self-assessment challenged habitual approaches to assessment tasks, (b) the capacity for providing and receiving increasingly meaningful feedback and (c) the need for initial teaching support and resources for ongoing guidance. Educators considering embedding self-assessment will find insights arising from the results useful for unit planning and future assessment design.
Responsibility for reality: Social norms and the value of constrained choice
Authors: Kugelberg Elsa
Published: November 2021

How do social norms influence our choices? And does the presence of biased norms affect what we owe to each other? Looking at empirical research relating to PrEP rollout in HIV prevention policy, a case in which harmful gender norms have been found to impair the choices of young women, I argue that the extent to which we can be held responsible for our choices is connected to the social norms that apply to us. By refining T. M. Scanlon's Value of Choice view, I introduce a norms-sensitive contractualist theory of substantive responsibility. This feminist ‘Value of Constrained Choice view’ presents those who choose under harmful norms as having generic reasons to reject principles that provide them with opportunities they are effectively constrained from choosing. I argue that to fulfil their duties to us, and our duties to each other, policymakers must study the influence of social norms on choice and accommodate it in public policy. Contractualists have reason to pay special attention to social norms, as their unequal effects on choice reveal that we are not living under terms that no one could reasonably reject.
Ethical and Methodological Considerations for The Clinician-Scientist: a Call for Reflexivity
Authors: Shearer Allison , Guptill Christine , McKillop Ashley , Gross Douglas P.
Published: November 2021

Clinician-scientists play a valuable role in bridging the gap between patient care and clinical research. However, there are no clear guidelines that describe how to handle the day-to-day ethical and methodological questions that arise when navigating the competing responsibilities of practitioner and researcher—a situation that can easily leave the clinician-scientist confused and frustrated. This article outlines common ethical and methodological concerns for the clinician-scientist when developing, implementing, and analyzing research in practice, and offers practical suggestions to address these issues. This paper will outline the role that reflexivity can play throughout the research process to assist the clinician-scientist in maintaining ethical and methodological rigor, as well as upholding the moral obligations of both practitioner and researcher.
The Distance From the Primary Intimal Tear to the Left Subclavian Artery Predicts Thoracic Aortic Enlargement After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair of Type B Aortic Dissection: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Liu Feng , Ge Yangyang , Rong Dan , Xue Yan , Fan Weidong , Miao Jianhang , Ge Xiaohu , Zhao Zengren , Zhang Lei , Guo Wei
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the distance from the primary intimal tear (PIT) to the left subclavian artery (LSA) (PIT–LSA distance) and the risk of aortic enlargement after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).

Methods:

This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 228 patients were reviewed from the database of the Registry Of type B aortic dissection with the Utility of STent graft (ROBUST) study performed from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2016. Of them, 196 patients were eligible for analysis. The PIT–LSA distance was defined as the length from the distal edge of the LSA orifice to the proximal edge of the PIT along the centerline of the true lumen. According to the border between zone 3 and zone 4 of the Ishimaru classification, patients were divided into group A (n = 117, PIT–LSA distance ≤ 2 cm) and group B (n = 79, PIT–LSA distance > 2 cm). Thoracic aortic enlargement (TAE) was defined as a thoracic aortic volume increase of ≥20%. Multivariate Cox regression was used to estimate the association between the PIT–LSA distance and risk of TAE after TEVAR.

Results:

The mean age was 52.3 ± 11.6 years, and 88.8% of patients were male. There were no significant differences between groups in demographic and baseline characteristics. The PIT–LSA distance was 1.1 cm (range, −1.6 to 2.0 cm) in group A, and 2.9 cm (range, 2.1–12.6 cm) in group B. TAE occurred in 27 patients in group A, and 6 in group B. The mean follow-up was 12.4 months (range, 0.10–83.1 months) in group A, and 12.63 months (range, 0.10–82.77 months) in group B. The cumulative 12- and 24-month rates of freedom from TAE were 79.0% and 71.3% in group A, versus 92.5% and 92.5% in group B, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the PIT–LSA distance was an independent predictor of TAE after TEVAR (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.48–0.90; p = 0.009).

Conclusion:

Patients with a more proximal PIT location have a higher incidence of thoracic aortic enlargement after TEVAR. The location of the PIT in relation to the LSA can be used to identify patients who need closed surveillance after TEVAR or early preemptive intervention.
Professional Labor Markets in the Journal of Sports Economics
Authors: Simmons Rob
Published: November 2021

This article summarises the research findings of papers published in Journal of Sports Economics on the workings of professional sports labor markets. The article covers three main themes: pay and performance, discrimination, and player mobility. The review shows what scholars have found so far and point out various gaps that researchers can fill in future work.
Quest for Freedom: Intense Embodied Experiences of Motorcycling
Authors: Owton Helen
Published: November 2021

This article provides an insight into the embodied and sensorial experiences of motorcycling through a series of vignettes. Through a phenomenologically inspired approach, I attempt “to bring the body back in” and explore how tests of experience can cultivate a sensuous self by sharpening awareness of all the senses and extending the mind–body-self to interconnect with a motorcycle. Motorcycling requires a sharpening of senses, meticulous preparation, and swift recovery following setbacks. There may be risks attached to pursue tests of experiences, but new adventures and unique experiences can cultivate joy, fulfillment, enhance confidence and resilience, and provide an opportunity to grow and expand one’s sense of self.
Spinopelvic Hypermobility Corrects After Staged Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Windsor Eric N. , Sculco Peter K. , Mayman David J. , Vigdorchik Jonathan M. , Jerabek Seth A.
Published: November 2021

Background: Spinopelvic hypermobility may be secondary to a stiff osteoarthritic hip with a compliant spine. Purpose: We sought to determine if spinopelvic hypermobility resolves after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and when it resolves in patients with bilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA) undergoing staged bilateral THA. We also sought to analyze the change in spinopelvic parameters before and after the second THA. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 2047 THAs that were performed by 2 fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeons from 2014 to 2018. Patients with preoperative spinopelvic hypermobility undergoing staged bilateral THA were identified. Radiographic spinopelvic parameters, including sacral slope (SS), pelvic incidence (PI), lumbar lordosis (LL), PI-LL mismatch, anterior pelvic plane tilt (APPt), and spinopelvic tilt (SPT), were measured on preoperative, 6-week postoperative, and 1-year postoperative lateral standing and sitting radiographs. Bilateral hip OA was graded using Kellgren-Lawrence criteria. Results: We identified 42 patients with preoperative spinopelvic hypermobility who underwent staged bilateral THA. Mean time (standard deviation) between surgeries was 9.4 months (±10.0). After the first THA, spinopelvic hypermobility resolved in 29% of the patients. After the second THA, it resolved in 67% at 6 weeks, increasing to 98% at 1 year postoperatively. Conclusion: Spinopelvic hypermobility resolves after staged bilateral THA in 98% of the patients, occurring most often only after the second THA. Less than one-third of the patients had resolution after the first THA, suggesting that contralateral hip OA continues to drive hip-driven spinopelvic motion. Acetabular component position targets based on functional pelvic position should incorporate these changes in spinopelvic motion with the understanding that resolution of hypermobility usually occurs after the second THA.
Integrating Using a Crossover Analysis With Formative Joint Displays in Mixed Methods Research
Authors: Reeping David , Edwards Cherie
Published: November 2021

We show in this methodological article how formative joint displays can be used to integrate multiple data facets. Joint displays in the published literature are intended to be polished research products that illustrate the connections between quantitative and qualitative inferences. However, we contend using joint displays formatively during analysis can yield more comprehensive metainferences. Accordingly, we introduce a process called joint display coding to formalize the process toward these metainferences. Our approach draws upon the “text-in-context” coding approach and intersects it with a crossover analysis. We showcase an example of joint display coding using a descriptive study of U.S. institutional webpages in higher education. Integrated themes were developed by blending the structural and textual facets of webpage data.
Trends in the Management of Pediatric Trigger Thumb in the United States
Authors: Park Keon Min , Immerman Igor , Rahgozar Paymon
Published: November 2021

Background:

Recent literature suggests that initial observation of pediatric trigger thumb without early surgical interventions can lead to spontaneous resolution. We sought to analyze current trends in the management of pediatric trigger thumb and compare real-world data with what the literature supports.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study of data collected using the PearlDiver database between 2015 and 2018. Patients who were aged younger than 10 years with a diagnosis of trigger thumb were identified using International Classification of Diseases codes. Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify patients who had an operation for trigger thumb. Patient demographics, comorbidities, utilization of hand therapy, and treatment cost were also collected.

Result:

Of the 997 patients included in the study, 69% were diagnosed with trigger thumb between the age of 2 and 5 years. In all, 492 patients (49%) had surgery for trigger thumb: 65% of patients had surgery within 1 year of diagnosis, and 76% patients had surgery before the age of 5 years. This treatment pattern was similar across multiple regions of the United States, and there were no significant predictors for surgery. The average cost of treating patients without surgery was $593/patient, whereas that for patients with surgery was $1363/patient.

Conclusions:

Nationwide data show that pediatric trigger thumb may be managed surgically at higher frequencies and in patients at younger ages than supported by the existing literature. Possible overtreatment is not only detrimental to patients but also burdens the health care system with unnecessary cost.
A Scoping Review of Virtual Focus Group Methods Used in Rehabilitation Sciences
Authors: Tran Benjamin , Rafinejad-Farahani Bahar , Moodie Sheila , O’Hagan Robin , Glista Danielle
Published: November 2021

Virtual methods for conducting focus group studies are increasingly being used in many fields, including rehabilitation sciences. This is partly due to the current pandemic, and the need for social distancing, however, may also relate to factors such as convenience and practicality. Virtual research methods enable investigators to collect data at a distance from the participant(s) through the use of technology-mediated data collection methods incorporating new tools and technologies. The aim of this scoping review was to identify, synthesize, and present current evidence related to the methods for conducting virtual focus groups. A comparison of asynchronous and synchronous data collection methods was conducted. The objectives, inclusion criteria, and scoping review methods were specified in advance and documented in a protocol. The 40 articles in this review included virtual focus group research conducted in rehabilitation sciences including data collection conducted using both synchronous (22.5%) and asynchronous (77.5%) models and using a defined moderation method. Three modes of focus group discussion were reported including email, chat-based, and videoconferencing; these were facilitated through the various technology platforms reported in the review. Reported barriers and facilitators to conducting virtual focus group research were extracted and summarized. Commonly reported facilitators to virtual focus group research included the ability to recruit participants from diverse geographical locations and the participants’ ability to engage at times convenient to them. Both computer literacy and access to technology were reported as common barriers. This review highlighted the need for further research and guidance around virtual focus groups conducted using face-to-face synchronous methods and with younger participants groups.
Can quality management drive evidence generation?
Authors: Meeker-O’Connell Ann , Stewart Ansalan , Glessner Coleen
Published: November 2021

Recent guidance documents from international regulators emphasize the importance of thoughtful trial design and risk-based oversight in delivering reliable results. In practice, these recommendations are often implemented in a fragmented manner, reducing their effectiveness. We argue that collaborative, cross-stakeholder engagement that prioritizes both optimal trial design and tailored oversight are a necessary and effective approach to modernize quality management. This practice is at the core of Quality by Design, an approach that involves identifying important errors that could undermine trial credibility or participant safety and addressing them proactively. While Quality by Design is well suited for clinical trials supporting regulatory approval of a new medicinal product, we describe how the approach is equally relevant for pragmatic trials, including those conducted in the context of a pandemic.
Leadership for teaching and learning: Exploring a department-level educational leadership role at a Swedish comprehensive university
Authors: Frisk Sylva , Apelgren Britt-Marie , Sandoff Mette
Published: November 2021

As excellence in teaching and learning, in combination with a focus on student performance rates, are guiding the demands placed on higher education institutions, modern universities are attributing strategic importance to leadership of teaching and learning. Previous studies on educational leadership have, nevertheless, identified significant challenges to such leadership due to lack of clear role descriptions, lack of recognition, and lack of access to professional development and support. Using empirical data from a Swedish comprehensive university, we explore the experiences of an appointed leadership role for teaching and learning, that is, the Education Leader, at the department level. Our findings show that a university-wide policy establishing the role and a support structure around it has resulted in a clearly visible and valued role across the university. Furthermore, Education Leaders experience being positioned at the heart of the department’s educational activities, performing hub-like work in relation to those they lead. However, some challenges related to the complexity of the department contexts are also identified.
Fibrous dysplasia patients with and without craniofacial involvement report reduced quality of life inclusive of stigma, depression, and anxiety
Authors: Konradi Amanda
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Fibrous dysplasia is a rare bone disorder that causes deformity, fractures, and pain that typically manifests in childhood and persists as a chronic illness. This study evaluates adult patients with fibrous dysplasia and McCune Albright syndrome to determine whether their quality of life differs from the general population and varies in relation to disease severity and lesion location.

Methods

This study uses data from the online self-report Fibrous Dysplasia Foundation Patient Registry and operationalizes quality of life using PRO measures: SF-36, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, Neuro-Quality of Life Stigma scale, and the Brief Pain Inventory.

Results

One hundred and ninety seven adults, 90% white, 84% women, constitute the sample. Mean scores for all SF-36 domains and the Neuro Q stigma scale were significantly below population benchmarks. A large minority registered moderate to severe levels of anxiety and depression. Group differences were not significant across most of the SF-36 domains but were associated with experienced stigma.

Discussion

This study demonstrates a social psychological impact of fibrous dysplasia on adults, in those with and without craniofacial involvement and with mild and severe forms of the disease. Clinical treatment should encompass assessment of quality of life issues and ensure access to psychosocial treatment resources for all fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright syndrome patients.
Evaluation of Machine Learning Methods Developed for Prediction of Diabetes Complications: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tan Kuo Ren , Seng Jun Jie Benjamin , Kwan Yu Heng , Chen Ying Jie , Zainudin Sueziani Binte , Loh Dionne Hui Fang , Liu Nan , Low Lian Leng
Published: November 2021

Background:

With the rising prevalence of diabetes, machine learning (ML) models have been increasingly used for prediction of diabetes and its complications, due to their ability to handle large complex data sets. This study aims to evaluate the quality and performance of ML models developed to predict microvascular and macrovascular diabetes complications in an adult Type 2 diabetes population.

Methods:

A systematic review was conducted in MEDLINE®, Embase®, the Cochrane® Library, Web of Science®, and DBLP Computer Science Bibliography databases according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist. Studies that developed or validated ML prediction models for microvascular or macrovascular complications in people with Type 2 diabetes were included. Prediction performance was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). An AUC >0.75 indicates clearly useful discrimination performance, while a positive mean relative AUC difference indicates better comparative model performance.

Results:

Of 13 606 articles screened, 32 studies comprising 87 ML models were included. Neural networks (n = 15) were the most frequently utilized. Age, duration of diabetes, and body mass index were common predictors in ML models. Across predicted outcomes, 36% of the models demonstrated clearly useful discrimination. Most ML models reported positive mean relative AUC compared with non-ML methods, with random forest showing the best overall performance for microvascular and macrovascular outcomes. Majority (n = 31) of studies had high risk of bias.

Conclusions:

Random forest was found to have the overall best prediction performance. Current ML prediction models remain largely exploratory, and external validation studies are required before their clinical implementation.

Protocol Registration:

Open Science Framework (registration number: 10.17605/OSF.IO/UP49X).
Curative lobectomy without a preoperative tissue diagnosis in a tuberculosis endemic country: A case report and discussion
Authors: Razali Aimie , Ibrahim Muhammad Amin , Abdul Rani Mohammed Fauzi , Mohammad Razi Adli Azam
Published: November 2021

Curative surgery for a localized tumour at the early and pre-symptomatic stage is the main aim of lung nodule assessment. As part of the process, pre-operative tissue diagnosis is a key step in making appropriate clinical decisions and avoiding unnecessary invasive surgical intervention which is associated with high morbidity. In this case report, we describe a patient who had a curative lobectomy for a growing nodule without a preoperative tissue diagnosis although the initial discussion deemed it mandatory, and we dissected the arguments supporting it in the setting of a tuberculosis endemic country.
A Vision Of Percutaneous Coronary Revascularisation In 2021: How to take advantage of intra-coronary imaging to perform more effective PCI
Authors: Richards Gavin , Johnson Thomas
Published: November 2021

The use of intracoronary imaging with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) can define vessel architecture and has an established role in guidance and optimisation of percutaneous coronary intervention. Additionally intracoronary imaging has an emerging role in diagnosis, afforded by the ability to depict vessel wall characteristics not seen on angiography alone. Use of intracoronary imaging is recommended by international consensus guidelines from the European Society of Cardiology and two recent expert consensus position statements from the European Association of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (EAPCI). However, uptake in contemporary practice in the United Kingdom appears to lag behind these recommendations. Imaging is particularly advantageous in complex coronary lesions (such as left main stem coronary artery, bifurcation, or heavily calcified lesions) and in complex patients (acute presentations, atypical presentations, and renal dysfunction). Stent detail to the level of individual struts can be appreciated with intracoronary imaging, which facilitates appropriate stent selection and optimisation of the final stent result. We highlight specific subgroups that benefit from an imaging guided approach to percutaneous coronary intervention. We review the evidence and the role of intracoronary imaging and highlight specific subgroups that show particular benefit from imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention.