bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of comprehensive blood conservation program on major complications after total aortic arch replacement
Authors: Yan Weidong , Zhang Qiaoni , Gao Sizhe , Liu Gang , Teng Yuan , Wang Jing , Wang Jian , Zhou Boyi , Yan Shujie , Ji Bingyang
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Patients undergoing total aortic arch replacement (TAAR) usually require blood products perioperatively. This cohort study aimed to investigate the impact of a comprehensive blood conservation program on the major complications in these patients.

Methods

Patients with traditional or comprehensive blood management intraoperatively from January 2017 to December 2018 were included. We compared the rates of major complications (cerebral vascular accident, acute kidney injury, or mortality) between the two groups after propensity score matching (PSM). The association between blood management and outcomes was assessed by logistic regression. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were built to evaluate the impact of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) on complications. Patients were stratified by the ratio of FFP/RBC (red blood cell) to investigate the effect of the ratio on complications.

Results

After 1:1 PSM, 200 patients were selected. 35% (35/100) of patients suffered major complications in the traditional group, while it decreased to 22% (22/100) in the comprehensive management group (OR = 0.524, p = 0.043). Multivariable logistic regression showed that FFP was a risk factor (OR = 1.186, p = 0.014). RCS results indicated that with the increase of FFP, the risk of complications gradually increases. The cut-off value was 402 mL. Patients in the group of ratio = 0 ∼ 0.5 had a higher chance than those without transfusion (OR = 7.487, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Comprehensive blood conservation program in patients undergoing TAAR is safe and can reduce the incidence of major complications, which are associated with FFP volume and the ratio of FFP/RBC.
The Effects of Psychotic Tendencies on Aesthetic Preferences of Paintings
Authors: Stojilović Ivan Z.
Published: December 2022

This study examined the effects of psychotic tendencies on aesthetic preferences for paintings. Although psychotic tendencies and related phenomena are often associated with creative achievements, little research in the field of experimental aesthetics has investigated their effects on the aesthetic experience. This study (N = 153) examined how the positive, negative and disorganized aspects of psychotic tendencies, defined through a comprehensive model of the Disintegration trait, are related to the aesthetic preferences of paintings. Results indicated a general trend whereby Disintegration and its modalities had a positive effect on the aesthetic preferences of non-canonical (Ugly and Incomprehensible) paintings, and a negative effect on canonical, traditional (Beautiful and Comprehensible) paintings. Examination of the Disintegration trait provides us with additional information regarding aesthetic preferences, compared to use of the Big Five model alone. Two processes – conservation and progression – are proposed as explanations for the findings.
Breaking the ‘colour bar’: Len Johnson, Manchester and anti-racism
Authors: Hirsch Shirin , Brown Geoff
Published: December 2022

This article explores the overturning of the ‘colour bar’ in a Manchester pub in 1953. Led by Black boxer and Communist Len Johnson, the resistance and ultimate success in breaking the ‘colour bar’ tells much about Black agency, the relationship between anti-racism and the Communist Party, and the making and unmaking of race in modern Britain. The article outlines Johnson’s life up until 1953 and the history of the ‘colour bar’ in Britain that shaped Johnson’s career trajectory. In Britain, formal ‘colour bars’ existed, like that in boxing, but it was far more common for informal ones to operate that were only revealed through resistance to individual impositions. In the post-war years, Johnson spent much of his time challenging these unwritten ‘colour bars’ in Manchester as well as creating a new and explicitly anti-racist space, the ‘New International Club’. Such actions were part of a vibrant and dynamic politics led by Black activists in 1940s and 1950s Manchester. This piece shows how Johnson’s Communist Party membership was both central to Johnson’s activism, which included hosting Paul Robeson in Manchester to the consternation of the Pan-Africanists, as well as how the Party itself held back on its commitment to fighting for racial equality.
Factors Affecting Unmanned Aerial Vehicles’ Unsafe Behaviors and Influence Mechanism Based on Social Network Theory
Authors: Wang Wenke , Guo Xinlin , Liu Yang , Tang Aomei , Yang Qin
Published: December 2022

With the widespread application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), flight safety issues have gradually become prominent. To improve the safety level of UAV flight, a conceptual model was constructed through groups of unsafe behaviors of UAV flight based on the Swiss cheese model (reason model). The relationship network model of unsafe behaviors of UAV flight was built after using the two-mode and one-mode social network analysis, and the unsafe behaviors of UAV flight influence mechanism were studied by basic characteristics of network analysis, centrality analysis, core-periphery structure analysis, in/out-degree analysis, and structural hole analysis. The results showed that the two-mode network is closely related: unreasonable safety management structure of the organization and weak supervision of UAV flight operation were those unsafe behaviors of UAV supervision that had great influence. The unsafe behaviors of UAV supervision, such as the organization’s illegal deployment of unqualified personnel for tasks and lack of ground commander for the mission plan, were in the core position of the network. The proposed model can effectively reduce the unsafe behaviors of UAV operations by eliminating critical unsafe behaviors of UAV supervision in the network and reducing UAV flight accidents.
Time-Dependent Green Location-Routing Problem under Carbon Cap-and-Trade Policy
Authors: Zhou Yufeng , Liu Changshi , Xu Qing
Published: December 2022

Considering carbon emissions in location-routing decisions can contribute to the promotion of sustainable development in the field of transportation. This paper investigates the time-dependent green location-routing problem (TDGLRP) incorporating carbon emissions. The TDGLRP model is formulated as an optimization problem with the goal of minimizing the total cost under the carbon cap-and-trade emission policy. The total cost considered consists of that caused by the construction of distribution centers, the fuel consumption of vehicles, carbon emissions under the carbon cap-and-trade policy, vehicle use, labor, and dispatch of vehicles. A two-stage hybrid heuristic algorithm that integrates the customized greedy algorithm and the ant colony algorithm is proposed to solve this problem. The simulation results illustrate that the proposed model together with the intelligent optimization algorithm could calculate the location of distribution centers and vehicle routing efficiently by alleviating traffic congestion and reducing the total logistics cost and carbon emissions.
Comparison of Bond Strength Evaluation Methods Between Pavement Layers
Authors: Haslett Katie E. , Robinson Zachary , Wielinski Jason
Published: December 2022

Tack coats are generally used to facilitate a bonding between pavement layers in construction of hot-mix asphalt pavements and overlays. The goal of applying a tack coat material is to ensure the new or consecutive pavement layers respond monolithically under loading and avoid premature failure caused by debonding, mat slippage, or fatigue cracking. Multiple different in-situ and laboratory tests have been developed to evaluate bond strength of tack coat materials under tension, shear, and mixed-mode loading mechanisms. However, there is no universally accepted bond strength test method or performance criteria for tack coats within the United States. While some specifying agencies have gained familiarity and comfort with a particular bond strength test, a gap exists for many states that have not adopted a testing procedure. The objective of this paper is to compare current and newly developed tack coat bond strength tests to help determine which is most indicative in predicting field performance. Field cores from four different pavement sections with varying traffic loading conditions and early bond strength performance were sampled and tested in the laboratory using four different bond strength evaluation methods. Statistical analysis of bond strength testing results shows a strong linear correlation between pull-off and shear strength testing. Meanwhile, a novel approach to tack coat bond testing under cyclic tensile loading was explored and showed appreciable discrimination between sample locations and agreement with early field performance.
Multiscale modeling of moisture diffusion in polymer/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Makhloufi Ali , Gueribiz Djelloul , Jacquemin Frédéric , Freour Silvain
Published: December 2022

In this paper, a multiscale approach is proposed to study the moisture diffusion behavior of polymer/clay nanocomposites. For this purpose, a new method to determine the representative elementary volume is proposed for possible nanocomposites structures. For this study, two structures at nanoscale are considered based on micrographs of the actual microstructures of these materials at this scale. The results, obtained for the in-depth profiles of the moisture content as well as the overall moisture diffusion kinetics curves revealed a significant effect of the clay volume fraction on the moisture diffusion in nanocomposites. Furthermore, the predicted results show, that the moisture diffusion behavior at microscale strongly depends on the structure at nanoscale. From these results, it seems that the exfoliated structure is the most critical for the moisture diffusion in polymer/clay nanocomposites.
A nine-degree-of-freedom modular redundant robotic manipulator: Development and experimentation
Authors: Sai Huayang , Li Yanhui , He Shuai , Zhang Enyang , Zhu Mingchao , Xu Zhenbang
Published: December 2022

Performing interactive tasks in complex obstacle environments is a formidable challenge for manipulators. Redundant manipulators have the advantage of being highly flexible and can be used to perform interactive tasks in complex environments. This paper presents a nine-degree-of-freedom (DOF) modular redundant manipulator with nine identical modular joints. To improve the obstacle avoidance capability in narrow environments, the bidirectional rapidly-exploring random trees (bi-RRT) algorithm and the oriented bounding box (OBB) are combined for trajectory planning of redundant robotic manipulators. To enhance the interaction capability in uncalibrated dynamic environments, an improved virtual semi-active damping control (VSADC) algorithm based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is proposed, and it can effectively estimate impedance parameters and positions of the dynamic environment. Finally, combined with the proposed control schemes, simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the designed redundant manipulator can traverse complex obstacle environments and interact with the unknown dynamic environment.
Cleaner technologies to minimise the environmental footprint of the footwear bonding process
Authors: Carbonell-Blasco María Pilar , Ruzafa-Silvestre Carlos , Mateu-Romero Borja , Orgilés-Calpena Elena , Arán-Ais Francisca
Published: December 2022

Advances in cleaner technologies have a critical role in reaching Europe’s climate and environmental goals. More precisely, in the case of the footwear bonding process its environmental impact is mainly related to the VOCs emissions resulting from the use of organic solvents in the most common adhesives used, as well as during the application of some surface treatments such as halogenation. Moreover, the use of raw materials of fossil origin also contributes to its carbon footprint. The aim of this work is to deploy cleaner technologies to minimise the environmental footprint of the footwear bonding process through several approaches at different steps of the process life cycle, also to contribute to footwear circularity. This work focuses on the synthesis and application of reactive hot melt polyurethanes from CO2-based polyols as biobased adhesives, and the study of plasma-based surface treatments (low-pressure plasma and atmospheric pressure plasma) to improve adhesion properties, using styrene-butadiene vulcanised (SBR) rubber as a representative footwear soling material. The influence of CO2-based polyols on the polyurethane structure and the physicochemical effects of the plasma treatments on the rubber surface, as well as the final adhesion properties have been evaluated by means of different experimental techniques. The results showed that the values obtained for the T-peel strength of the adhesive joints studied, with the combination of the application of the plasma surface treatments and the biobased reactive hotmelt, exceed the minimum quality requirements for footwear according to the standardised tests. As a result, the deployment of such cleaner technologies regarding adhesives and surface treatments in the footwear bonding process will contribute to improving footwear carbon footprint and its circularity.
Validating bond-based peridynamic model using displacement potential approach
Authors: Rivera Jared , Cao Yuzhe , Tang Longwen , Bauchy Mathieu
Published: December 2022

Although peridynamics is widely used to investigate mechanical responses in materials, the ability of peridynamics to capture the main features of realistic stress states remains unknown. Here, we present a procedure that combines analytic investigation and numerical simulation to capture the elastic field in the mixed boundary condition. By using the displacement potential function, the mixed boundary condition elasticity problem is reduced to a single partial differential equation which can be analytically solved through Fourier analysis. To validate the peridynamic model, we conduct a numerical uniaxial tensile test using peridynamics, which is further compared with the analytic solution through a convergence study. We find that, when the parameters are carefully calibrated, the numerical predicted stress distribution agrees very well with the one obtained from the theoretical calculation.
Design and application of a biconjugate closed-end cylindrical single-cam pair
Authors: Yang Shiping , Zou Xiaohuan , Liu Min , Jiang Shengqiang , Wang Qian
Published: December 2022

A biconjugate closed-end cylindrical single-cam pair refer to a cylindrical cam pair that control two roller followers. Based on the theory of space conjugated surface and vector revolving, by analyzing the conjugation relation between two rollers and cam surfaces of a biconjugate closed-end cylindrical single-cam pair, the parameter equations of the moving path of the axis of the left and right rollers that envelope the cam surface are established. Taking the minimum clearance between the roller and cam surfaces as the optimization objective, the parameter equation was optimized by adjusting the coefficient of the parameter equations of the left and right rollers without changing the structural size of the cam pair, and the optimized equation can be directly used as the tool path of cam machining. Finally, the cam was machined by a 5-axis NC machining center, and the optimized effect was verified by measuring the clearance between the work face of the cam and the rollers after the assembly of the cam, swing rods, and other parts. The obtained results showed that the clearance between the work face of cam and rollers were significantly reduced after optimization, indicating that the optimization method of cam is reasonable.
Happenstance and regulatory culture: the evolution of innovative community mental health services in Oxfordshire in the late twentieth century
Authors: Armstrong Neil , Agulnik Peter
Published: December 2022

This paper uses co-produced historical material to explore the evolution of two innovative mental healthcare institutions that emerged in Oxfordshire in the 1960s. We highlight how the trajectories of both institutions were driven by chance events occurring within social environments, rather than emerging out of evidence or policy initiatives. Both institutions found a role for spontaneity and an openness to chance in the way they worked. We argue that this kind of institutional history would be unlikely today; the paper develops and uses the concept of regulatory culture to explain why. We suggest that the role of regulatory culture has been neglected in the history of psychiatry.
Innovation in mental health care: Bertram Mandelbrote, the Phoenix Unit and the therapeutic community approach
Authors: Millard David , Agulnik Peter , Armstrong Neil , Fees Craig , Hall John , Kennard David , Leach Jonathan
Published: December 2022

Bertram Mandelbrote was Physician Superintendent and Consultant Psychiatrist at Littlemore Hospital in Oxford from 1959 to 1988. A humane pragmatist rather than theoretician, Mandelbrote was known for his facilitating style of leadership and working across organisational boundaries. He created the Phoenix Unit, an innovative admission unit run on therapeutic community lines which became a hub for community outreach. Material drawn from oral histories and witness seminars reflects the remarkably unstructured style of working on the Phoenix Unit and the enduring influence of Mandelbrote and fellow consultant Benn Pomryn’s styles of leadership. Practices initiated at Littlemore led to a number of innovative services in Oxfordshire. These innovations place Mandelbrote as a pioneer in social psychiatry and the therapeutic community approach.
Event-triggered sliding mode trajectory tracking control for underactuated unmanned surface vessel
Authors: Zhao Zhongyuan , Wang Xin
Published: December 2022

This article considers the trajectory tracking control for underactuated unmanned surface vessel and actuator loss caused by frequent updating of the controller. An event-triggered sliding mode trajectory tracking control algorithm is proposed for the problems. A sliding mode tracking controller is designed by the integral sliding surface at the beginning to guarantee global asymptotic tracking of the desired trajectory. Based on the tracking controller, the event-triggered condition is designed in the channel of the controller to actuator, which effectively reduces the update frequency of the controller. Theoretical analysis proves that the states of underactuated unmanned surface vessel are uniformly stable, while the Zeno behavior is prevented. The results of the numerical simulation are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Working every weekend: The paradox of time for insecurely employed academics
Authors: Smithers Kathleen , Spina Nerida , Harris Jess , Gurr Sarah
Published: December 2022

Wage theft claims against Australian universities have raised awareness of the substantial proportion of academics who are precariously employed and underpaid. The COVID-19 global pandemic has further highlighted the extent of precarity for many working in higher education. It is in this context that we situate this paper, reflecting on how time is experienced for academics in a period of growing uncertainty, and what this means for individuals who work on casual or fixed-term contracts. While previous research has examined how academics experience time, limited attention has been paid to the ways in which time is experienced by those in precarious employment. Drawing on interviews with 24 academics employed on casual or fixed-term contracts, this paper investigates differences between the experiences of time for those in the ‘precariat’ and those in ongoing employment. We describe social acceleration and uncertainty as inherent features of the neoliberal context of academia. This paper builds on Ylijioki and Mäntylä’s categories of academic time to illustrate how the paid work of precariously employed academics consists primarily of ‘scheduled time’. We argue, however, that academics in short-term or casual employment also engage in substantial unpaid work or ‘concealed time’ in order to compete for future employment. While acknowledging the struggles associated with the acceleration of work for all academics, this paper raises significant concerns about the overwork and risk of burnout for those in precarious employment.
Public Debt and Economic Growth in India: The New Evidence
Authors: Singh Bhanu Pratap , Kumar Sujit
Published: December 2022

The study gives new evidence on the effects of public debt on economic growth in India with key macroeconomic indicators from 1980 to 2019. In the past decade, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a substantial rise in public debt, which reached 90% of the GDP in April 2021. Therefore, it is imperative to study the impact of different public debt sources on the Indian economy to help policymakers frame informed debt management policies. The long-run equilibrium relationship and cointegrating coefficients are calculated using Johansen cointegration and fully modified ordinary least square techniques. Toda and Yamamoto’s (1995) Granger causality test is used as a short-run diagnostic test for the long-run equilibrium relationship. The study’s major findings suggest that domestic debt, total factor productivity (TFP) and exports are the major determinants of economic development in the long run. In contrast, economic prosperity determines the growth of external debt, debt service payments and TFP in the short run. It is recommended that the government should control and channel public debt productively for favourable growth effects.
Systematic Review of Narrative Therapy Publications in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan T.M.S. , Lau C.Y.V. , Yu H.W.C.
Published: December 2022

Purpose: This article reviews narrative therapy (NT) publications specific to Hong Kong over a period of 20 years. Methods: Three search strategies are adopted: using the Hong Kong Baptist University OneSearch database and Google Books index, and sending soliciting emails to local scholars and practitioners. Four research questions are asked: (a) how many related publications? (b) who are the targets? (c) who are the authors? (d) what is the type of publication? Results: In total, there are 127 publications identified. The first NT publication is dated 1996. The most common target group is “People with Problem” (48.8%). Most authors are academics (78.7%). The publications are mostly Journal Articles (68.5%). Conclusions: Co-construction between academics and practitioners, co-researching as the landscape for co-constructing an NT community, and finally, the co-deconstruction process of local narratives are recommended as future tasks for Hong Kong related NT publications.
Mechanical properties and two damage models of frozen-thawed rocks under triaxial compression
Authors: Jiang Wangtao , Lai Yuanming , Yu Fan , Ma Qinguo , Li Hongwei
Published: December 2022

Freeze-thaw induced damage in rock engineering is common in cold regions. However, a damage model for capturing the whole failure process of frozen-thawed rocks is still lacking. In this paper, triaxial compression tests of red sandstone experienced with different freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs) were conducted. Subsequently, the variation of mechanical properties with the numbers of FTCs under different confining pressures were obtained, including peak deviator stress, peak strain, linear elastic modulus, residual strength, friction angle and cohesion. The completely compacted point on stress-strain curve of rock was determined by calculating the strain difference between the stress-strain curve and a reference line. On theses bases, two damage constitutive models considering the initial compaction phase and residual deformation phase were established by means of the continuum damage mechanics and statistical microelement strength theory together with the random exponential function of strain difference. The calculated data obtained from the two proposed models and measured data were then compared. The results shows that the proposed model I is suitable for all rocks samples experienced with FTCs, while the proposed model II is suitable for rocks with small residual strength or large stress difference between peak strength and residual strength. Meanwhile, the two proposed models were compared with the existing ones by evaluating the factor Ω . The influence of confining pressure and FTCs on damage evolution of rock was discussed, and the physical meanings of the parameters in the two models were analyzed in details. The findings are beneficial for providing a reference in developing a constitutive damage model for rocks in cold regions.
Medication errors in an oncology inpatient setting in India—Audit by clinical pharmacists
Authors: Chaudhari Akshay , Mule Akshay , Dhande Priti
Published: December 2022

Background

Good clinical practices and strict vigilance are needed, especially for patients receiving chemotherapy. Regular audits using a specially developed tool need to be conducted in the oncology wards to identify lapses in the use of chemotherapy drugs.

Methodology

Observational study was conducted in the adult and paediatric oncology inpatient settings in an Indian tertiary care hospital for a period of 2.5 years. It was an audit of case files of chemotherapy patients for their drug prescriptions, medication reconciliation records and adverse drug reports. Data was presented as frequencies and percentages.

Results

1.3% medication errors and 0.23% adverse drug reactions were reported during the study period. Majority were transcription (38%) and drug reconstitution errors (29%) and were either in the near-miss or no-harm category.

Conclusion

Medication errors were found in the oncology wards, but due to the vigilance of clinical pharmacists, none of the patients were harmed as a consequence of these errors.
Bacteriophages as an alternative for biological control of biofilm-forming Salmonella enterica
Authors: Pottker Emanuele Serro , Rodrigues Laura Beatriz , Borges Karen Apellanis , de Souza Suyene Oltramari , Furian Thales Quedi , Pippi Salle Carlos Tadeu , de Souza Moraes Hamilton Luiz , do Nascimento Vladimir Pinheiro
Published: December 2022

Salmonellosis is one of the most common foodborne diseases worldwide. Surface adherence and biofilm formation are among the main strategies evolved by Salmonella to survive under harsh conditions and are risk factors for its spread through the food chain. Owing to the increase in antimicrobial resistance, there is a growing need to develop other methods to control foodborne pathogens, and bacteriophages have been suggested as a potential alternative for this purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate bacteriophages as a biological control of Salmonella enterica serotypes to inhibit and remove bacterial biofilms. A total of 12 S. enterica isolates were selected for this study, all of which were biofilm producers. Seven bacteriophages were tested, individually and in a cocktail, for their host range and efficiency of plating (EOP). The phage cocktail was evaluated for its antibiofilm effect against the Salmonella biofilms. Phages UPF_BP1, UPF_BP2, UPF_BP3, UPF_BP6, and 10:2 possessed a broad lytic spectrum and could infect all S. enterica strains. Phages 10:2, UPF_BP6, and UPF_BP3 had high EOP in 10, 9, and 9 out of the 12 S. enterica strains, respectively. The cocktail was able to infect all S. enterica strains and had a high EOP in 10 out of 12 S. enterica isolates, presenting a broader host range than any of the tested single phages. A wide variation of inhibition among strains was observed, ranging from 14.72% to 88.53%. Multidrug-resistant and strong biofilm producer strains showed high biofilm inhibition levels by phage cocktail. Our findings demonstrate the ability of the cocktail to prevent biofilm formation and remove formed biofilms of Salmonella. These results indicate that the phage cocktail is a promising candidate to be used as an alternative for the control of Salmonella biofilms through surface conditioning.
Composites sandwich structures certification: A case study
Authors: Arakaki Francisco K
Published: December 2022

The motivation of this work is to show a case study represented by a test article in tapered sandwich structure with a mid-ramp region in order to reduce certification cost of the full-scale structure. Also, this work provides a compelling case for the standardization of Load Enhancement Factor for certification purposes. Therefore, the development of this work is based on the definition of the test article with a manufacturing defect and impact damage, for compliance static and damage tolerance requirements with damage no-growth approach. The results obtained showed a good strategy to reduce risk and cost of the certification development.
Prevalence of Respiratory Symptoms and Risk Factors Among Street Sweepers in Gondar City Northwest, Ethiopia, 2021: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Worede Eshetu Abera , Brhan Alemaw Helen , Feleke Hailemariam , Engdaw Garedew Tadege
Published: December 2022

Background:

Street sweepers are exposed to a variety of risk factors such as dust, bioaerosols, and volatile organic matter, which are responsible for the development of various respiratory symptoms and lung function impairments. However, there is a limited data on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and associated factors among street sweepers in Ethiopia, especially in the study area.

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and associated factors among street sweepers in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia, in 2021.

Methods:

Using simple random sampling technique, a total of 391 workers were selected between August 10 and September 15, 2021. The data was entered and analyzed using the Epi Info Version 7 and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 22 software, respectively. Descriptive statistics, bivariable, and multivariable logistic regression model were used. P ⩽ .05 and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to declare the statistical significance.

Result:

A total of 391 respondents, with a response rate of 99.2% participated. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among street sweepers was 35.3% (95% CI: 30.2, 40.5). History of respiratory illness (AOR = 7.75, (95% CI: 3.45, 17.45), washing personal protective equipments (PPE) after use (AOR = 4.77; 95% CI: 2.02, 11.28), previous work in cement (AOR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.32, 7.34), and flour factories (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 2.02, 4.43), and alcohol drinking (AOR = 3.77, 95% CI: 1.94, 7.29) were associated with respiratory symptom among street sweepers.

Conclusion:

The overall prevalence of respiratory symptoms among street sweepers was 35.3%. Previous respiratory illness, washing personal protective equipment after use, previous work in a cement and flour factory, and drinking alcohol were independently associated with respiratory symptoms. To reduce the respiratory symptoms among street sweeper, it is advisable implementing safe work practice measures and behavioral changes among workers.
Tourists’ selfies storytelling: Preferences, intentions, and concerns for practise in the tourism and hospitality industry
Authors: Elshaer Abdallah , Huang Rong , Marzouk Asmaa
Published: December 2022

Photography has recently received significant academic interest as a popular tourist activity. However, tourist selfie practises have not yet been thoroughly examined by tourism scholars. This study aimed to investigate tourist selfies storytelling and to determine if tourists'selfies at tourist destinations reveal specific aspects of the host destination, implying an embodiment of particular preferences, intentions, and motivations. In this study, an exploratory analysis employing a two-step qualitative approach was conducted. A semiotic analysis of 317 tourist selfie photos and two phases of in-depth interviews with eleven tourists visiting Egypt on a 7-day packaged tour were used. The findings reveal that tourists prefer to capture host communities’ appearance and attributes in their selfies for different motivations and intentions. Intentions regarding impressions, advertisements, suggestions, and descriptions for these attributes were the intentions that shaped the tourists’ selfie practise. This study contributes to our understanding of the content of travel-related selfies and tourist behaviour at destinations. It proposes management implications to assist tourism and hospitality professionals in engaging with and profiting from tourists’ selfies practise.
Parents’ perspectives of factors affecting parent–adolescent communication about type 1 diabetes and negotiation of self-management responsibilities
Authors: Rawdon Caroline , Kilcullen Sophia M , Murphy Nuala , Swallow Veronica , Gallagher Pamela , Lambert Veronica
Published: December 2022

Adolescence is an important time in which young people take on type 1 diabetes (T1D) self-management responsibility. Parents are key facilitators of this process. Little is known about parents’ experiences of communicating with their children about T1D during adolescence. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 parents (24 mothers and 8 fathers) of adolescents (11–17 years) living with T1D to explore how parents communicate about T1D and self-management with their adolescent children. Parents were recruited through two national child and adolescent diabetes and endocrine clinics and online advertisement through a national diabetes advocacy organisation. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Six themes were identified: parent factors, quality of the parent–adolescent relationship, communication strategies, adolescent factors, communication triggers and family/system factors. Understanding factors that impact communication about self-management between parents and adolescents will enable healthcare professionals to provide support and targeted interventions as parent and adolescent roles change over time.
Asking the question of it: trans/gender object lessons
Authors: Bey Marquis
Published: December 2022

This article queries the very question of and that is ‘gender’, from the vantage of transgender studies. In other words, it moves through Wiegman's question of the desires that propel us and asks what desires propel a feeling of gender's necessity, positing the possibility of relinquishing gender as a vector with the same kind of footing it currently has. In short, the question that is asked is gender itself, and the question is asked from a trans studies that excavates the possibilities of radicality.
Hepatic Arterial Infusion of Oxaliplatin, Fluorouracil, and Leucovorin Versus Sorafenib for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Refractory to Transarterial Chemoembolization: Retrospective Subgroup Analysis of 2 Prospective Trials
Authors: Huang YeXing , Zhang LiHong , He MinKe , Lai ZhiCheng , Bu XiaoYun , Wen DongSheng , Li QiJiong , Xu Li , Wei Wei , Zhang YaoJun , Zhou ZhongGuo , Chen MinShan , Guo RongPing , Shi Ming , Kan Anna
Published: December 2022

Purpose:Sorafenib is recommended for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to transarterial chemoembolization but with unsatisfactory overall survival and tumor response rate. Previously published studies showed hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy of oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin was an effective and safe treatment. The aims of this study were to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin-based hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with sorafenib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to transarterial chemoembolization. Methods: This was a retrospective subgroup analysis of 2 prospective clinical trials, including 114 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who were confirmed to be transarterial chemoembolization refractoriness. Of these, 55 patients received hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy of fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFOX-HAIC group, oxaliplatin 85 or 130 mg/m2, leucovorin 400 mg/m2, fluorouracil bolus 400 mg/m2, and 2400 mg/m2 for 23 or 46 h, every 3 weeks), and 59 patients were treated with sorafenib (sorafenib group, 400 mg sorafenib twice daily). Overall survival, progression-free survival, objective response rate, and treatment-related adverse events were compared between the 2 groups. Results: The FOLFOX-HAIC group showed a longer overall survival (17.1 months [95% confidence interval 13.4-20.8] vs 9.1 months [95% confidence interval 7.5-10.6]; hazard ratio 0.35 [95% confidence interval 0.23-0.53]; P < .001), a higher objective response rate (RECIST: 18 [32.7%] vs 1 [1.7%], P < .001), and a longer progression-free survival (7.6 months [95% confidence interval 5.6-9.6] vs 3.9 months [95% confidence interval 2.3-5.4]; hazard ratio 0.49 [95% confidence interval 0.33-0.72]; P < .001) than the sorafenib group. The safety results suggested that both oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin-based hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and sorafenib had acceptable treatment-related toxic effects. No significant difference was observed in the overall occurrence of any grade, grade 3/4, or serious adverse events between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin-based hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy might be a better choice than sorafenib for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to transarterial chemoembolization.
Serum homocysteine is a valuable marker for predicting aggravation of infection in intestinal obstruction patients
Authors: Zhu Youlong , Liu Ruming , Geng Xuan , Zhang Wentao , Li Bingqiang , Ma Cheng , Song Tao , Xia Hong , Quan Bin
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of serum homocysteine (HCY), procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in abdominal infectious disease and analyze their relationship with the degree of abdominal infection. We conducted a retrospective study involving 157 patients with abdominal infections at Xuzhou Central Hospital between January 2016 and October 2019. The patients were composed of intestinal obstruction (73 cases), appendicitis (45 cases), perforation of the digestive tract (25 cases), and cholecystitis (14 cases). The HCY, PCT, and CRP levels of patients with abdominal infections were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and correlation analysis between the HCY, PCT, and CRP levels and abdominal infection was performed using Pearson’s correlation analysis. Compared with before treatment, the HCY, PCT, and CRP levels in the four groups decreased significantly after treatment. The levels in the patients in the intestinal obstruction group decreased more markedly than in those in the other groups. There were positive correlations among the HCY level, PCT, and CRP before treatment only in patients with intestinal obstruction ( P < 0.001). The difference was statistically significant in the HCY level between the non-operation and the operation groups in patients with intestinal obstruction ( P < 0.001). Serum HCY may be a valuable marker for predicting aggravation of infection in patients with intestinal obstruction.
Bio-hybrid electronic and photonic devices
Authors: Sharfstein Susan T
Published: December 2022

Bio-hybrid devices, combining electronic and photonic components with cells, tissues, and organs, hold potential for advancing our understanding of biology, physiology, and pathologies and for treating a wide range of conditions and diseases. In this review, I describe the devices, materials, and technologies that enable bio-hybrid devices and provide examples of their utilization at multiple biological scales ranging from the subcellular to whole organs. Finally, I describe the outcomes of a National Science Foundation (NSF)–funded workshop envisioning potential applications of these technologies to improve health outcomes and quality of life.
Hybrid Coronary Revascularization: Early Outcomes and Midterm Follow-Up in Patients Undergoing Single or Multivessel Robotic TECAB and PCI
Authors: Nisivaco Sarah M. , Kitahara Hiroto , Abutaleb Abdul Rahman , Nathan Sandeep , Balkhy Husam H.
Published: December 2022

Objective:

Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) is the integration of sternal-sparing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). It is traditionally performed with single-vessel bypass (left internal mammary artery [LIMA] to left anterior descending artery [LAD]) and PCI but can also be accomplished with multiple arterial grafts using bilateral IMA conduits. We sought to review our HCR experience over an 8-year period with robotic totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) and PCI.

Methods:

Of 694 patients undergoing beating-heart TECAB from August 2013 to June 2022, 306 patients were designated as intention-to-treat HCR candidates. Patients underwent PCI prior to, the same day as, or following TECAB, performed using single or bilateral IMA grafts. We retrospectively reviewed early and midterm outcomes up to 8 years in this cohort of patients.

Results:

The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality was 1.5% ± 2.5%. There were 44 patients (14%) who had ≥70% left main disease and 218 patients (71%) who had triple-vessel disease. A total of 193 patients (63%) underwent multivessel grafting (advanced HCR), with 83% bilateral IMA use. Mean operative time was 263 ± 80 min, and mean length of stay was 2.6 days. The mean number of vessels bypassed per patient was 1.7 ± 0.6. The mean number of vessels stented was 1.2 ± 0.5. Of the patients, 84% underwent TECAB first, 14% PCI first, and 2% same-day TECAB/PCI. Mortality was 0.6% (observed to expected ratio: 0.42). Early graft patency was 97% (328 of 339 grafts); LIMA-LAD patency was 98%. At 8-year follow-up (mean 37 ± 26 months), all-cause and cardiac-related mortality were 13% and 2.6%, respectively. Freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was 92%.

Conclusions:

In patients with multivessel CAD, integrating robotic single and multivessel TECAB with PCI resulted in excellent early and midterm outcomes. In experienced hands, the robotic endoscopic approach allows the routine use of multiple arterial grafting during HCR.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Robot-Assisted Mitral Valve Repair
Authors: Fatehi Hassanabad Ali , Nagase Fernanda N. I. , Basha Ameen M. , Hammal Fadi , Menon Devidas , Kent William D. T. , Ali Imtiaz S. , Nagendran Jeevan , Stafinski Tania
Published: December 2022

Objective:

Robot-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive approach for repairing the mitral valve. This study aimed to assess its safety and clinical efficacy when compared with conventional sternotomy, partial sternotomy, and right minithoracotomy.

Methods:

A systematic review of peer-reviewed studies comparing robot-assisted mitral valve repair with conventional sternotomy, partial sternotomy, and right minithoracotomy was conducted following Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. Meta-analyses were performed where possible.

Results:

The search strategy yielded 15 primary studies, of which 12 compared robot-assisted with conventional sternotomy, 2 compared robot-assisted with partial sternotomy, and 6 compared robot-assisted with right minithoracotomy. The overall quality of evidence was low, and there was a lack of data on long-term outcomes. Individual studies and pooled data demonstrated that robotic procedures were comparable to conventional sternotomy and other minimally invasive approaches with respect to the rates of stroke, renal failure, reoperation for bleeding, and mortality. Robot-assisted mitral valve repair was superior to conventional sternotomy with reduced atrial fibrillation, intensive care unit and hospital stay, pain, time to return to normal activities, and physical functioning at 1 year. However, robot-assisted mitral valve repair had longer cardiopulmonary, aortic cross-clamp, and procedure times compared with all other surgical approaches.

Conclusions:

Based on current evidence, robot-assisted mitral valve repair is comparable to other approaches for safety and early postoperative outcomes, despite being associated with longer operative times. Ideally, future studies will be randomized controlled trials that compare between robot-assisted surgery, conventional surgery, and other minimally surgery approaches focusing on hard clinical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes.
The Qualitative Case Study Research Strategy as Applied on a Rural Enterprise Development Doctoral Research Project
Authors: Mtisi Samson
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this literature review-based paper is to share some insights into general methodological issues pertaining to the case study research strategy and how I applied it for purposes of my doctoral study on the design and delivery of rural enterprise business support programmes. I hope that the insights I share here will help novice researchers who have intentions of using the case study research strategy for their studies or those who just want to broaden their knowledge about the research strategy. The paper is largely an excerpt of my methodology chapter from my recently completed and unpublished doctoral thesis, derived mainly from the methodology literature. The paper starts by exploring the definition of case studies and goes on to look at case studies issues to do with the unit of analysis; research questions; types of case studies; sampling, data collection, triangulation and quality issues.
Menopause knowledge and education in women under 40: Results from an online survey
Authors: Munn Carly , Vaughan Leigh , Talaulikar Vikram , Davies Melanie C , Harper Joyce C
Published: December 2022

Background:

All women experience the menopause, yet education around the topic is limited. Studies conducted in women aged over 40 show that women have limited knowledge about the menopause.

Objectives:

This study aims to understand what women under 40 know about the menopause, how they have acquired this knowledge and where they think menopause education should be taught. This data will help to determine how to effectively deliver menopause education.

Design:

A survey was designed that asked women under 40 what they know of, and their attitudes to, the menopause, using Qualtrics XM software.

Methods:

The survey was advertised for 5 weeks on social media. Six questions related to menopause education were analysed. Responses between age groups under 20, 21–30 and over 30 were compared using a chi-square test. A thematic-style analysis was also conducted on a free-text question where answers referred to education.

Results:

A total of 738 women’s responses were included in the analysis; over 80% had no knowledge or just some knowledge of the menopause. Women over 30 used official websites (p = 0.017) and scientific literature (p = 0.047) significantly more than other age groups to learn about the menopause, while women under 20 were more likely to learn from family members (p = 0.002). These women felt education should start in schools.

Conclusion:

Many women under 40 have limited education of the menopause. Women under 20 are more passive in their approach to learning about the menopause compared with those over 30, who are more proactive. Menopause education strategies must start at school and extend beyond schools adopting a multifaceted approach; it is recommended that the workplace, social media and public health campaigns are used to deliver menopause education moving forward.