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This article is a longitudinal bibliometric study of articles from six major universities published over 130 years of the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS). The Scopus API (Application Programming Interface) was used to download bibliographic metadata in multiple tables to create a relational database for automated data extraction and manipulation scripts to analyze publishing and citation indicators. The study examined several correlations between average number of institutional, non-institutional, single-and multiple- authored, and international authors per paper and citation counts; open access trends; and page count indicators. Also reported are the characteristics of highly cited papers and the average number of citations for articles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Suitable assistive devices for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in low-income countries are often unavailable. Devices made from APT are in use in several countries but are unevaluated. Materials and methods: A 2-week training course focused on APT principles, measuring children and constructing postural support devices. Twenty-three Kenyans attended the course. The host organization identified four local children with CP who attended for assessment and measurement. Participants made the devices and children returned for fitting and necessary adjustment. Completion of post-course forms, action plans, visits after 14 months and contact 3 years later comprised the evaluation. Results: All participants found the course beneficial and valued the networking opportunity provided. They appreciated the practicality and utility of locally manufactured cost effective devices. The trainees planned further implementation to provide assistive devices for children with CP in their localities. Follow-up visits revealed several challenges to local ongoing production. Conclusions: Training people in low-income communities to make bespoke assistive devices for children with CP is straightforward, and the course was positively evaluated. However, maintaining device production is limited without local group support and stable leadership, ideally as part of an existing programme. Assistive devices are often unobtainable for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in low-income countries. APT is a cost effective way of fulfilling this need and it is relatively straightforward to train people who care for or work with those with CP to make devices using APT. Feedback from APT training suggests participants find the technique a practical way of producing assistive equipment for individuals with CP in their community. Maintaining device production requires support, leadership and increased public awareness of the use of APT at a local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher education professional recognition programs, which lead to the awarding of such accolades as teaching and learning fellowships, offer participants opportunities to reflect carefully on their practice. However, few resources exist to help participants engage in reflection after the award-receiving stage. This reflection is important in helping participants not rest on their laurels and, instead, build on the practices for which they received recognition. Through a process of collaborative reflection, a group of fellowship-recipients, from different disciplines and higher education institutions, addressed this gap as stakeholder-participant-researchers by developing a transdisciplinary approach to undertaking post-award reflective practice. From this collaboration, a novel two-stage tool was developed using an iterative design methodology. The tool presented in this paper as the result of this research can be understood as a means of supporting self-paced, continued post-award reflective practice; the tool's first stage guides users through retrospective reflection, looking back on previous achievements, while the second stage leads users through anticipatory planning, looking towards the future, to achieve fresh goals. The tool thus deepens the reflective practice of recognition program awardees and supports their ongoing professional development. This paper reports on the development of this bespoke tool, which may be enacted in varied settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare resources required to provide paper-based versus videoed instructions for home exercises in rehabilitation. An observational cohort study included twenty-two allied health professionals (physiotherapists [n = 13], occupational therapists [n = 6] and speech pathologists [n = 3]), providing exercise instructions for n = 110 patients within a community rehabilitation program of a large metropolitan health service. Home exercise instructions were provided to patients with various health conditions. Patients chose between receiving paper-based home exercise instructions, or using their own smart technology to video their home exercises. The primary outcome measure was cost from a health service perspective, based on health professional time, paper used, and printing. A total of 128 initial home exercise instructions were provided to 110 patients, with 36 patients reviewed at least once. Each initial exercise instruction provided using electronic devices saved 5.5 min (95% CI 0.5 to 10.5) with a cost saving of Australian dollar $4.70 (95% CI −8.89 to −0.52) compared with paper-based instructions. There were no significant cost differences (MD $1.16 95% CI −3.87 to 6.18) between modes for exercise review. Home exercise instructions provided on electronic devices cost less than paper-based instructions when patients are using their own smart devices. Costs are minimised when home exercise instructions are provided using the video function of the patient's own electronic devices compared with paper-based instructions. Since patient outcomes appear to be similar with instructions provided in electronic or paper-based mode, exercise instructions in community rehabilitation should be provided using the video function of electronic devices where these are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Strategic flood risk management of river catchments involves significant increases in the complexity both of the contents (e.g. the aims and measures) of a given strategy and also its social, spatial, and temporal scales. Conceptually, flood risk management research to date has underestimated the importance of time and temporality. This paper, which is based on ‘historical Institutionalism,’ introduces a temporal lens to focus on strategic flood risk management; it highlights issues of duration and timing as well as tempo and change in tempo with respect to the implementation of measures to reduce flood risk at catchment level. The application of a temporal lens is illustrated through empirical research into strategic flood risk management for the medium-sized Aist river catchment in Austria. The paper uses a longitudinal qualitative research design to analyze the changes in strategic flood risk management in the catchment. The analysis shows that strategy efforts in reaction to an extreme flood event in the catchment in August 2002 can be differentiated into three phases. Phase 1 is characterized by the design of ambitious catchment-wide management; Phase 2 by struggles to implement the strategy due to institutional conditions and protests by citizens; and Phase 3 by redesign of the initial strategic plan to make it less ambitious and by changes to the actor constellation supporting the plan. The present paper offers a process-oriented institutional explanation for this pattern of phases, and it highlights issues of timing and tempo. It concludes with general suggestions for enhancing the temporal dimension in flood risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2004, California became the first state to require that employers provide paid family leave (PFL) to their employees. This paper examines the effect of California's PFL law on time spent caregiving to parents and to grandchildren by older adults aged 50–79. To identify the effect of the law, the paper uses the 1998–2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study and a difference-in-differences approach comparing outcomes in California to other states before and after the implementation of the law. Results suggest that the law induced a switch in caregiving behavior with older adults spending less time caring for grandchildren and more time helping parents. Focusing on women, results further suggest that PFL affected older adults both through their own leave-taking and through reallocations of their caregiving time in response to leave-taking by new parents. The findings motivate thinking more broadly when calculating the costs and benefits of PFL policies; to the extent that California's PFL law enabled older adults to provide more care for their parents they otherwise would not have received, such an outcome represents an indirect benefit of the policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increases in the numbers of older adults with mental health and substance use concerns compel us to identify best practices in training to address these issues. Senior Centers are an ideal location for behavioral health education programs as they are the go-to place for many older adults. This paper describes an online certificate program in Behavioral Health and Aging offered by the Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research at Boston University School of Social Work in collaboration with the National Council on Aging to increase senior center staff knowledge and skills. A total of 228 senior center staff in Illinois, Florida, and Wisconsin completed the online certificate program. There were statistically significant changes in key competencies for all courses based on pre-post assessment. We held key informant interviews to assess the impact of training and participants stated that their knowledge, skills, and behaviors were influenced by the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows how system-level data can generate useful insights into the profile of first-year graduates who are teaching out-of-field (OOF). Understanding in-school demand and impacts on first-year graduates teaching OOF is important, especially when the first years of teaching are complex, busy, and involve a steep learning curve. A mixed methods sequential explanatory design was used to generate qualitative and quantitative data collected from teacher and principal surveys. This study establishes the prevalence of OOF teaching amongst first-year graduates in Western Australian public schools and develops a profile of their OOF experiences and support needs based on their perceptions and their principals' perceptions. This study details the supports that will make a difference to teachers' capability, in particular a reduction in load where the OOF teaching workload is high, and access to formal subject-specific mentoring, both noted in research as important support mechanisms. This paper provokes new research questions, highlights areas for further research, and establishes the need for more large-scale datasets and longitudinal studies to examine change over time and the enduring effects of OOF teaching, both in relation to transitions into teaching, as teachers learn on-the-job, and when teachers undertake formal professional development programmes or courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents and discusses the findings of a small-scale longitudinal survey of trainees who embarked on one 14-month Step Up to Social Work (SUSW) qualifying programme in January 2020, just prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic's restrictions in the United Kingdom (UK). It explores their responses to changes made to their placements during their training and the impact on their subsequent employment. Three surveys were administered to this cohort (n = 30; 25 of whom agreed to participate): just before trainees completed their training in May 2021 (n = 23), halfway through their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) in January 2022 (n = 19) and at the end of this in September 2022 (n = 15). Respondents felt at least adequately prepared for social work, despite having missed much direct work with children and families during placements. Online learning and consultations through lectures and supervision were acceptable modifications but face-to-face interactions and colleagues' guidance were missed in placements and initial employment. The implications of this are discussed for this specific route to qualification and initial employment as social workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients previously examined for cancer with a negative result may present in general practice with ongoing or new symptoms or signs suggestive of cancer. This paper explores the potential existence of a relatively safe period for cancer occurrence after receiving negative examination results for specific types of cancer, including lung (CT thorax), upper gastrointestinal (gastroscopy), colorectal (colonoscopy), bladder (cystoscopy), and breast (clinical mammography). Register-based time-to-event analyses. Denmark. All 3.3 million citizens aged 30–85 years who on January first, 2017, had not previously been diagnosed with the specific type of cancer were categorized based on the time since their most recent examination. Using 1-year follow-up, we calculated the age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios of being diagnosed with the related cancer, with non-examined individuals as reference. Negative examination results were defined as the absence of a cancer diagnosis within 6 months following the examination. Previous negative examination results were common, also among those diagnosed with cancer during follow-up. For 10 years after a negative colonoscopy the risk of diagnosing a colorectal cancer was nearly halved. However, already 1 year after a clinical mammography and 2 years after a CT thorax the risk of diagnosing the related cancers was significantly higher among those with a previous negative result compared to non-examined individuals. This study did not identify a post-examination period in which the cancer risk, compared to non-examined individuals, was sufficiently low to confidently rule out any of the investigated cancers. What should one expect when considering re-examining a patient with a negative result of a previous examination for cancer? We found that previous negative examination results are common in the general population and among those subsequently diagnosed with cancer. We did not find a safe period after any of the examinations in which a negative result alone could safely rule out the presence of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers in the field of HRM and Strategic HRM have for several decades engaged in research endeavours to identify the link between HR investments and firm performance. Despite this, the field still has some way to go to definitively demonstrate this causal relationship; partly due to the cross-sectional nature of much of this research. In the current paper, we give a brief overview of the SHRM field and the benefits that the new subfield of People Analytics (PA) might bring to the area. We also conduct a brief survey of research in Insider Econometrics, an approach used in Personnel Economics to produce empirical estimates of the value of HR practices, to highlight longitudinal intra-firm research in economics that could provide insights to research exploring the HR investment-performance link (important in both SHRM and PA fields). We discuss the value of combining the business impact perspective of People Analytics that has a unique 'inside' (intra-firm) position, with the longitudinal intra-firm analysis approaches utilized in Insider Econometrics. We suggest that People Analytics researchers, who are able to draw on the theoretical developments in HRM field, would benefit from exploring existing research insights and methodological techniques used within the field of Insider Econometrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cohort studies can broadly be defined as any non-interventional study in which a group of individuals are recruited (at any point in their lives) and followed up over time. The UK does not have an equivalent "sequential" birth cohort study but instead has a series of much larger nationally representative birth cohort studies initiated in 1946, 1958, 1970, and 2000 (Elliott and Shepherd [9]; Power and Elliott [24]; Wadsworth et al. [30]; Kuh et al. [19]; Hansen [13]). Using data from the Cambridge Baby Growth Study (Prentice et al. [25]), the special issue paper by Ong et al. provides evidence that the prediction of childhood percentage body fat by infant weight gain is unlikely to be largely improved upon by incorporation of infant length and skinfold thickness data. The special issue paper by Hardy & O'Neill is a commentary outlining the work of CLOSER on harmonising existing data across the UK studies, developing a meta-data platform containing information (in one place) on what has been collected in which studies and when, and building capacity in the necessary advanced analytical skills for cross-cohort analyses of longitudinal data. [Extracted from the article]

In recent years, geopolitical risk (GPR) has been a crucial factor in investment decisions and stock markets. Therefore, we explore the research on the GPR by employing bibliometric and scientometric analytical techniques. We find 366 scientific contributions in December 2021 from the Scopus database by searching 'Geopolitical risk' in abstracts, keywords, and titles. Our findings show that GPR research has gained momentum in the last three years. Specifically, the journal Defence and Peace Economics has one of the highest numbers of research and citation on GPR. Authors in Asia also dominate the GPR literature. Overall, this study contributes to the literature by presenting the existing research that may give new insights for prospective studies in GPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify the definitions of a fall, faller classifications and outcomes used in prospectively-recorded falls research among people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). A systematic review of peer-reviewed journal articles was conducted using electronic databases. Relevant data were extracted by one reviewer and verified by a second independent reviewer. Twenty-six papers met the inclusion criteria. A relative degree of heterogeneity existed amongst studies for the outcomes of interest to this review. Thirteen different fall definitions were identified. Fourteen different falls outcomes were used across the included studies, with six of these reported by only one study each. Data regarding injurious falls were presented by only eight papers. The majority (n = 17) of papers classified individuals as a faller if they fell at least once. This review highlights the large variation in fall definitions, faller classifications and outcomes used in this research field. This hinders cross-comparison and pooling of data, thereby preventing researchers and clinicians from drawing conclusive findings from existing literature. The creation of an international standard for the definition of a fall, faller classification and falls outcomes would allow for transparent and coordinated falls research for people with MS, facilitating progression in this research field. Falls are a common occurrence among people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) resulting in numerous negative consequences. There is large heterogeneity in the definitions, methods and outcomes used in falls research for people with MS. This lack of standardisation prevents the accurate cross-comparison and pooling of data, impeding the identification of falls risk factors and effective falls prevention interventions for people with MS. Consequently, clinicians should interpret the outcomes of falls research for people with MS with caution, particularly when comparing studies regarding falls risk assessments and falls prevention interventions for use in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. A clinical model for its cause is lacking. Defining a cause based clinical model and a framework of understanding back pain in terms of peripheral structural and central functional pain is essential for optimal management. We describe the results of the largest published audit of 41 chronic low back pain patients, receiving outpatient sublingual ketamine therapy for defined central functional pain along with conventional peripheral structural pain management. Our clinical model assigns Movement Dysfunction as the primary cause for low back pain symptoms and restores it with Movement Therapy focused rehabilitation which is also defined. Patients were derived from a tertiary single neurosurgical specialist practice in Brisbane Australia over a three year period. Severe pain and disability measurements more than halved and only 13% of patients ceased ketamine prematurely due to predominantly non-sinister side effects common to all pharmaceutical therapies. All other surveyed metrics of utility were highly favourable in this challenging cohort of chronic back pain patients biased to poor outcomes. Outpatient ketamine maintains high efficacy and safety used in conjunction with a unique clinical model that describes chronic low back pain. This paper builds on our previous publications that describe the disease of movement dysfunction as an integral factor to the development of a cause based clinical model for the condition of chronic low back pain symptoms. Our clinical application of this model, applying the necessary dual approach of controlling symptoms arising from peripheral structural pain and central functional pain in conjunction with elimination of root causation has shown favourable outcomes in patients with high levels of pain and disability based on their tertiary referral origin and high Oswestry Disability Scores. Removing chronic low back pain from its position as one of the world's leading causes of pain and disability is more likely if the rehabilitation industry can replicate and test treatment algorithms based around established clinical models of disease which is the important subject of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines factors influencing agricultural land-use efficiency among 35 ethnic minority groups in Vietnam during the 2010–2018 period. A hybrid approach comprising the Difference-in-Difference model with Propensity Score Matching (DID_PSM) is adopted to examine the effect of different land sizes, land elevations, and land tenure on land-use efficiency. The results show that: (1) land size and agricultural production form an 'U-shaped' relationship; (2) farming on high land decreases efficiency by around 7.7%–8.0%; (3) farmers purchasing or hiring land in long-term are 7.3%–8.2% more efficient. The paper also discusses typical land characteristics of mountainous areas including steep and fragmentation related to the three comparing factors. From these results, implications are made for Vietnamese authorities about 'land accumulation' policies and other 'farming on elevation' techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how the transition to parenthood reshapes foodwork in families by drawing on ethnographic, longitudinal research conducted with parents of young children in the south-east of England. It utilizes the conceptual framework offered by practice theory and unpacks how parents' interpretations, techniques, and emotions surrounding eating transform as feeding and eating become routinized. The findings demonstrate the profound influence of feeding young children on the perception and practice of commensality at home. Mealtimes are increasingly recognized as crucial moments for transmitting manners and tastes across generations. Moreover, the analysis reveals that caregiving and other practices have a ripple effect on adults' eating practices, leading to changes in their food priorities, meal schedules, practical arrangements, and even the division of labor along gender lines. The findings underline the complexity of implementing institutional advice, for instance on "good" child feeding, as it requires changes in parents' own food practices and emotional relationships with food. By emphasizing the lived experiences of practitioners, this paper supports the growing call to incorporate identities, such as gender, into practice theoretical analysis, ultimately enhancing our understanding of how practices evolve and endure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing and analysing large qualitative datasets pose a particular challenge for researchers seeking a consistent and rigorous approach to qualitative data analysis. This paper describes and demonstrates the development and adoption of a matrix tool to guide the qualitative data analysis of a large sample (N = 122) of interview data. The paper articulates the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the matrix analysis tool and how it was developed and applied in a longitudinal mixed methods out-of-home-care research study. Specific illustrations and examples of data integration and data analysis are provided to demonstrate the benefits and potentials of constructing matrix tools to guide research teams when working with large qualitative data sets alone or in combination with quantitative data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a tree-based method called Multivariate RE-EM tree, which combines the regression tree and the linear mixed effects model for modeling multivariate response longitudinal or clustered data. The Multivariate RE-EM tree method estimates a population-level single tree structure that is driven by the multiple responses simultaneously and object-level random effects for each response variable, where correlation between the response variables and between the associated random effects are each allowed. Through simulation studies, we verify the advantage of the Multivariate RE-EM tree over the use of multiple univariate RE-EM trees and the Multivariate Regression Tree. We apply the Multivariate RE-EM tree to analyze a real data set that contains multidimensional nonfinancial characteristics of poverty of different countries as responses, and various potential causes of poverty as predictors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homelessness is frequently assumed to be a fixed state that suspends people in time and space as they enter into contexts and environments where they struggle to exert control over their lives and their futures. Furthermore, a multitude of negative identities are ascribed to people who are homeless based on their lack of stable housing. A growing literature has contributed to a more nuanced understanding of the identity "work" engaged in by youth who experience homelessness. Nonetheless, most studies have examined the construction of identity cross-sectionally; in many cases, exclusively or primarily through the lens of youths' experience of street and shelter life. Additionally, while the home has long since been argued to provide a secure base around which identities are constructed and ontological security attained, the intersection of identity with ontological security has, hitherto, not been adequately addressed within the youth homelessness literature. This paper examines the identity journeys of homeless young people based on selected findings from a six-year biographical longitudinal study of homeless youth in Dublin, Ireland. The analysis—which is organised according to the themes of rupture, the interruption of trust, and the (re)assembling of self—builds on existing studies by engaging with the concept of ontological security alongside an examination of young people's accounts of, and reflections on, their journeys through and, in some cases, out of homelessness. The paper concludes by discussing the importance of understanding the identity stories of homeless youth through longitudinal biographical narration and addresses the policy implications arising from the findings presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: (1) To evaluate the effects of a platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane in the repair of traumatic tympanic membrane (TM) perforations; and (2) to compare the use of a PRF membrane with the paper patch technique with regard to recovery rates, healing time, and correction of the mean air-bone gap. Methods: A randomized, prospective analysis was performed for 60 patients who were treated for traumatic TM perforations using one of the two methods. Closure rate, speed of healing, and hearing gain were compared between the PRF (Group 1) and paper patch (Group 2) groups. Results: Closure was obtained in 28 (93%) perforations in Group 1 and 25 (83%) perforations in Group 2 (p>0.05). On day 10, full closure of the TM was observed in 24 (80%) patients in Group 1 and 16 (53%) patients in Group 2 (p<0.05). The improvement in the mean air-bone gap was 14.1 dB in Group 1 and 12.4 dB in Group 2 on post-operative day 45 (p<0.05). Conclusions: In comparison with the paper patch method, PRF, a new method, provided more rapid healing with more successful audiological results, and with no requirement for a second procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer observation of teaching has for long been defended as a valuable device of professional and institutional development in higher education, but is almost unexplored at primary- and secondary-level schools. This paper introduces a model for multidisciplinary peer observation of teaching that has been developed and implemented in a professional development programme in two Portuguese school clusters of basic and secondary education in collaboration with its teachers. After four years of developing the programme in these school clusters, a case study was conducted through a qualitative analysis of observation guides completed throughout the years (N = 563) to identify perceived effects of participating in the programme for both teacher professional development and reflective practices. The programme emerged as a powerful initiative to foster teacher collaboration, innovation, and reflection for improving practices. Implications related to current national curriculum and educational policies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the longitudinal dynamics performance of the combined heavy haul trains, especially for the cyclic air braking strategy on the long and steep downhill segments. Firstly, the mathematical models for calculating the longitudinal forces in the longitudinal train dynamics simulations are formulated. The brake delay time between neighbouring cars and the pressure variation of the brake cylinders in the braking and releasing processes are considered in the air braking force model. Besides, the nonlinear hysteresis characteristic of the coupler-draft gear system is taken into account in the coupler force model. The Newmark-β method is introduced as a numerical solver in this paper. Finally, the simulations based on the real-word infrastructure and vehicle data of the Shuozhou-Huanghua Line are carried out to study the longitudinal dynamics of the combined heavy haul trains with two distributed locomotives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Media analysis is an established area of sport sociology and has been a theme for systematic investigation since the mid-1980s. In this paper, we reflect on our research experiences of undertaking a longitudinal study in print media analysis since 1996. Following a collaborative inquiry framework, we combined autoethnographic narrative interwoven with a focus group interview. This paper aims to document our personal and professional experiences of a research group during an extended study and shares some recommendations based on our reflections. Themes of longitudinal challenges, disappointment, and sisterhood as researchers and friends are presented. By exploring our research experiences and, through them, the changes to the research area and processes we hope to illuminate our research journeys for others to critique and understand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of ethnicity and migration is a fast evolving field. Much remains to be understood about economic, social, demographic and health outcomes across ethnic groups and generations, and the extent of integration and exclusion of different immigrant-origin groups in countries of destination. While cross-national studies are increasingly shedding light on issues of differential migrant selection and institutional influences, detailed single-country studies, based on high quality nationally representative data have much to offer in enhancing our understanding of diversity within and between groups. The introduction to this special issue on 'ethnic diversity in the UK: new opportunities and changing constraints' provides a background to the contributions in the issue by outlining key research agendas relating to immigrant and ethnic minority groups in Western Europe. It then elaborates why the UK represents a good case for exploring ethnic diversity and change; and outlines the contributions made by the papers in the issue. We highlight the distinctive features of the data source used in the papers, Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study. We also consider limitations in the data and in the applications in the issue. We conclude by briefly outlining the policy-relevant contributions of the papers in the issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strengthening surgical services in resource-constrained settings is contingent on using high-quality data to inform decision making at clinical, facility, and policy levels. However, the evidence is sparse on gaps in paper-based medical record quality for surgical and obstetric patients in low-resource settings. We aim to examine surgical and obstetric patient medical record data quality in health facilities as part of a surgical system strengthening initiative in northern Tanzania. To measure the incidence of Surgical Site Infections (SSIs), sepsis and maternal sepsis surgical and obstetric inpatients were followed prospectively, over three months in ten primary, district, and regional health facilities in northern Tanzania. Between April 22nd to May 1st, 2018, we retrospectively reviewed paper-based medical records of surgical and obstetric patients diagnosed with SSIs, post-operative sepsis, and maternal sepsis in the three-month follow-up period. A data quality assessment tool with18 data elements related to documentation of SSIs and sepsis diagnosis, their respective symptoms and vital signs, inpatient daily monitoring indicators, and demographic information was developed and used to assess the completeness of patient medical records. Among the 157 patients diagnosed with SSI and sepsis, we found and reviewed 68% of all medical records. Among records reviewed, approximately one third (34%) and one quarter (23%) included documentation of SSI and sepsis diagnoses, respectively. 6% of reviewed records included documentation of all SSI and sepsis diagnoses, symptoms and vital signs, inpatient daily monitoring indicators, and demographic data. Strengthening data quality and record-keeping is essential for surgical team communication, continuity of care, and patient safety, especially in low resource settings where paper-based records are the primary means of data collection. High-quality primary health information provides facilities with actionable data for improving surgical and obstetric care quality at the facility level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study demonstrates how the EU contributes to a self-reinforcing administrative bias due to domestic-level organizational factors. Strong European integration without membership reinforces a politico-administrative gap and this gap expands over time. The paper applies an extreme case of high integration without formal EU membership represented by Norway. The findings suggest that the EU contributes to reinforce the administrative state through strong unintended assimilation effects. The findings are probed by a novel and comprehensive longitudinal data-set consisting of a large-N single case (N = 3562) questionnaire study among government officials at three points in the Norwegian central administration: 1996, 2006 and 2016. Theoretically, the paper examines the role of organizational factors in administrative integration and how the impact of the EU is mediated by organizational variables at the national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with self-determination theory, this paper examined whether punitive parenting (child and parent reports) would predict psychological well-being (i.e., self-esteem, affect, life satisfaction) of children with learning disabilities over time. We analysed data from 300 German children with learning disabilities who were surveyed in Grades 3 and 4 and their parents (N = 300), who were surveyed only once in Grade 3. Cross-sectional results in Grade 3 demonstrated negative associations between children's perceived punitive parenting and all child well-being outcomes, whereas parent report of punitive parenting was not associated with any well-being outcomes. In terms of longitudinal relations, children's perceptions of greater punitive parenting in Grade 3 resulted in greater negative affect in Grade 4. Results and implications of this paper are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers across an array of disciplines are focused on measuring the potential of specially designed programs – sport, movement, and/or arts-based – for supporting the recovery of youth in contexts of conflict and disaster. Yet, few such projects engage youth directly to capture their experiences of trauma and recovery, and too many continue to assume youth are 'victims' requiring 'our' (adult-designed) versions of support. This paper seeks to move scholarship, policy and practice beyond the 'deficit model' by providing space for local voices and prioritizing the creative grassroots strategies devised by youth to support their own recovery. Drawing upon three case studies and a multi-method approach (interviews with digital ethnography) it reveals the social and cultural benefits of grassroots informal sporting activities, particularly in providing youth with opportunities for valued forms of physical self-expression and escapism, social connectedness, and possibilities to redefine physical and emotional geographies. In so doing, this paper reveals informal sports as critical resources taken up by youth within situations and systems where their specific needs are too often marginalized. It also highlights the opportunities in alternative methodologies – i.e. longitudinal research, sustained digital observations – for building relationships and amplifying the voices of youth in conflict and post-disaster geographies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveDesignStudy SampleResultsConclusionA review was conducted to investigate the current evidence for effects of otitis media (OM) on phonological awareness and reading skills in children under 12 years old.A review conducted in 2024 to identify articles between 1978 and 2024 related to OM and its impact on (pre-)reading skills.An initial search across six databases provided 6808 research outputs. After screening, 27 articles were retained. Screening of the references on the selected articles provided an additional 6, giving 33 articles in the final review.The selected research papers did not all evaluate the same phonological awareness or reading skills. Of the studies, 20 identified that a history of OM impacted reading outcomes. Twelve studies found no significant impact while one study showed an impact which resolved with time.The findings do not show a consistent association between a history of OM and phonological processing or reading skills. This is likely due to the wide range of methodologies employed and variability in the focus of the respective studies. Future research, including longitudinal studies, would be beneficial to infer the potential impacts of OM on phonological processing or reading skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discussions surrounding digital libraries and their metadata have become less robust than before, given that creating and hosting digital collections have become the norm for most cultural heritage institutions over the last 20 years. Consequently, there are fewer discussions of how the characteristics of digital collections and their metadata have changed over time. This article showcases the evolution of digital collections and their metadata at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Library in the last 20 years. It discusses the growth of its collections and their characteristics, examines historical changes in the use of metadata elements, and explores responses to the changing nature of digitized and born-digital materials. Based on a large-scale data analysis of the digital collections and their metadata housed in UIUC Digital Library, the paper also examines the challenges and opportunities of the curation and management of digital collections and digital libraries in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Violence against young children is known to have detrimental short and long-term effects. Yet, few studies investigate the prevalence of violence against young children, particularly very young children under the age of 2 years. This paper reports on the prevalence of violence against young children in Jamaica using data obtained from the JA KIDS birth cohort study that undertook pre-enrolment of pregnant mothers in the antenatal period and followed full or sub-samples of parents and children at 9–12 months, 18–22 months and 4–5 years. Violence in pregnancy was experienced by 6.1% of pre-enrolled mothers. As many as 43.1% of Jamaican children ages 9–12 months were shouted at, and almost 30% were slapped. Physical and emotional violence increased with age, and by 4–5 years, approximately 90% of children experienced physical and emotional violence. Non-violent methods, primarily explaining and reasoning with children, were also reported by more than 95% of parents at 4–5 years. Corporal punishment was the most common form of violence experienced, but young children also witnessed hurtful physical and emotional violence between mothers and their partners and lived in communities in which there were violent events. Strategies to reduce young children's experiences as victims and witnesses of violence are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birth cohort studies across the world have yielded information that has been used to inform policy and programme decisions that have improved the health and well-being of populations. A few such studies have been conducted in low- and middle-income countries due to funding, methodological and other challenges. This paper briefly reviews the methods of comprehensive birth cohort studies with extensive follow-up of participants through the life course conducted in low- and middle-income countries. It then reviews the first Jamaican birth cohort study of 1986 and discusses the methodological advances in implementing JA KIDS, the second Jamaican birth cohort study conducted in 2011. The aims and methods of JA KIDS are described in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2023, the UK Government published its long-awaited reform strategy for England's children's social care system. Whilst the strategy set out planned reforms for several aspects of the wider system, an area requiring particular 'priority' was the purported workforce instability seen within child protection social work. However, the strategy has subsequently faced criticism on the basis that the suggested reforms were not satisfactorily informed by the testimonies of practicing social workers. This paper draws from a mixed-method study to report on the lived experiences of a sample of 201 child protection social workers practicing across England, in the context of better understanding the factors which they believed were impacting on workforce stability within England's child protection system. Implications that emerge are the need for an increase in the monetary commitment offered by the UK Government (especially in the context of tackling high caseloads, and improving local authority pay scales to reduce the allure of agency work); a targeted emphasis on challenging local cultures preoccupied with evidencing compliance over time spent with children; and the Government taking a more assertive role in tackling the often-counterproductive commentary perpetuated by politicians and media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for researcher reflexivity in qualitative research, especially where data are gathered through interview, is well documented. Studies employing a range of theoretical frameworks and methodologies are similarly affected, with researchers needing to consider specific contextual factors related to the design nuances of each project. This paper focuses on the need for reflexivity, including ethical concerns, in a longitudinal study using narrative inquiry and a Bourdieuian framework. The study included multiple interviews with thirteen students from 'non-traditional' backgrounds over a four-year period to examine their experiences of studying at a regional Australian university. Issues around interviewer/interviewee relationships are outlined, along with possible mis/re/interpretations of data. Results demonstrate the critical nature of skilled and ethical interviewing techniques, emphasizing the importance of designing questions which do not pre-empt findings or skew results. Overall, the benefits for both researchers and interviewees of longitudinal studies allowing substantial time lapses facilitating reflexivity between interviews are made evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While blockchain technologies are gaining momentum within supply chains, academic understanding of concrete, real-life design and implementation is still lagging, hence offering very limited insights into the true implications of blockchain technology on supply chains. This paper reports a two-year design science research (DSR) study of a smart contract initiative piloted by a consortium in the UK's construction sector. We seek answers to the research question, 'How should a blockchain enabled supply chain be designed?' Guided by the theory of business model, we explore how a group of supply chain actors collectively designs and pilots a blockchain solution that addresses the supply chain transparency and provenance problem. Our research is one of the very few longitudinal empirical studies to offer in-depth evidence about how blockchain is deployed in complex multi-tier supply chain networks. In compliance with DSR research paradigm, we make contributions at three levels: designing and instantiating the blockchain architect and proving its utility in addressing the target problem; developing a set of design principles as a mid-range theory that can be applied and tested in different blockchain supply chain contexts; and refining and extending the kernel theory of business value at supply chain network level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) is a collection of deidentified whole population administrative datasets, linked at the individual level, and made available through Stats NZ for 'public good' research. This paper reviews longitudinal research that has been undertaken using the IDI, and highlights the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of using the IDI for longitudinal research. It is argued that the IDI can and has been used for longitudinal research that would be difficult or impossible to undertake without a resource such as the IDI, including longitudinal research involving small, sometimes marginalised populations, research involving intergenerational research and quasi-experimental family designs, and research investigating residential variations in the natural environment. However, issues regarding ethical governance need addressing. Researchers wishing to use the IDI should familiarise themselves with its limitations, particularly around what service use data capture and what this represents, what is missed by assessing only deficit-focused data, and the variable quality of the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the design of a study to examine the policy landscape relevant to sugar-sweetened beverage taxation in seven sub-Saharan African countries. The study responds to the need for strong policy to address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in the region. Sugar-sweetened beverage taxation has been widely recommended as a key component of a comprehensive policy approach to NCD prevention. However, it has proved a contentious policy intervention, with industry strongly opposing the introduction of such taxes. The aim was to identify opportunities to strengthen sugar-sweetened beverage taxation-related policy for the prevention of nutrition-related NCDs in a subset of Eastern and Southern African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Rwanda, Namibia, Zambia, Uganda. The study was conducted as a collaboration by researchers from nine institutions; including the seven study countries, South Africa, and Australia. The research protocol was collabora-tively developed, drawing on theories of the policy process to examine the existing availability of evidence, policy context, and stakeholder interests and influence. This paper describes the development of a method for a policy landscape analysis to strengthen policies relevant to NCD prevention, and specifically sugar-sweetened beverage taxation. This takes the form of a prospective policy analysis, based on systematic documentary analysis supplemented by consultations with policy actors, that is feasible in low-resource settings. Data were collected from policy documents, government and industry reports, survey documentation, webpages, and academic literature. Consultations were conducted to verify the completeness of the policy-relevant data collection. We analysed the frames and beliefs regarding the policy 'problems', the existing policy context and understandings of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation as a potential policy intervention, and the political context across relevant sectors, including industry interests and influence in the policy process. This study design will provide insights to inform public health action to support sugar-sweetened beverage taxation in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Postmicturition dribbling (PMD) is a stressful symptom in middle-aged men characterized by urinary leakage after the completion of normal voiding. Appropriate treatments have not yet been introduced. This study assessed the efficacy of treatment of PMD with 75 mg udenafil daily.Materials and Methods: The study included 138 men with regular sexual lifestyles. The Hallym PMD questionnaire (HPMDQ) was used to assess PMD symptoms. After all basic examinations, patients were randomly assigned to either udenafil or placebo. Patients completed the surveys, uroflowmetry (UFM), a bladder scan, and the paper test during the follow-up visit.Results: The mean age of the patients was 57.6 years. PMD with one of every three urinations was experienced by 59 patients (42.8%), whereas 45 patients (32.6%) experienced PMD with two of every three urinations. PMD with every urination was experienced by 34 patients (24.6%). More than half of the patients (89 patients, 65.4%) indicated that persistent PMD symptoms would likely result in moderate to severe discomfort in their daily activities. As time passed, the udenafil group showed significant improvement in PMD symptoms (p = 0.001).Conclusion: Udenafil 75 mg once daily can be an effective treatment for patients with PMD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the longitudinal case study of the CHINT group for about 40 years, this paper analyses co-evolution of cluster firm innovative capabilities and its external networks; results show that firm's product and market exploratory/exploitative innovation have been improved with the continuous development of network type from manufacturing and marketing network to innovation network, and evolution of network construction by changing network relations, size and range. Then the levels of internal innovative capabilities and developments in different stages restrict and influence the characters and evolutionary path of network types and constructions. But, entrepreneurial orientation will also bring significant impacts on the co-evolution of innovation capabilities and firm's external networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Māori hold unique views on the lifecourse but there has been limited Māori-led longitudinal research to date. There is a particular need for kaupapa Māori and interface longitudinal research that generates mātauranga Māori and enables Māori-initiated transformative action. In this paper, we identify key features of a Māori lifecourse framework and its application to longitudinal research at the interface of mātauranga Māori and Western science. We describe how these features are applied in the Taranaki Māori-led longitudinal research programme Te Kura Mai i Tawhiti. Māori will benefit from a regionally-focussed Māori approach to lifecourse research at the interface. This approach can be applied directly in future localised research led by Māori and other Indigenous peoples. Māori-led longitudinal research will inform effective interventions to lift Māori wellbeing and prospects throughout all stages of life and strengthen Māori contributions to wider society. Māori approaches to longitudinal research will help shape new futures for Māori and a brighter future for all peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand. Glossary of Māori words: ao Māori: Māori world; Aotearoa: Māori name for New Zealand; hāngī: an earth oven or food cooked in such an oven; hapū: subtribe (also meaning to be pregnant); iwi: tribe, people; kaitiaki: guardian (also meaning teacher); kaupapa Māori: Māori paradigm; based within a Māori worldview; Māori: indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand; mātauranga Māori: Māori knowledge; mokopuna: grandchildren; ōhākī: parting wishes before death; Pākehā: primarily referring to New Zealand Europeans; reo Māori: Māori language; tamariki: children; Tangi te Kawekaweā: study title (the call of the kawekaweā, long-tailed cuckoo, heralds spring and the opportunity for growth); Taranaki: a tribal nation and region of Aotearoa New Zealand; Te Kura mai I Tawhiti: research programme title (sacred legacy of an ancient era); tauiwi: outsider, commonly referring to non-Māori; tuakiri: identity; wānanga: forum for sharing knowledge/learning; whakapapa: genealogy; whanau: extended family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aotearoa New Zealand's population is ageing. Increasing life expectancy is accompanied by increases in prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and ageing-related disorders. The multicentre Dementia Prevention Research Clinic longitudinal study aims to improve understanding of AD and dementia in Aotearoa, in order to develop interventions that delay or prevent progression to dementia. Comprising research clinics in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin, this multi-disciplinary study involves community participants who undergo biennial investigations informed by international protocols and best practice: clinical, neuropsychological, neuroimaging, lifestyle evaluations, APOE genotyping, blood collection and processing. A key research objective is to identify a 'biomarker signature' that predicts progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD. Candidate biomarkers include: blood proteins and microRNAs, genetic, neuroimaging and neuropsychological markers, health, cultural, lifestyle, sensory and psychosocial factors. We are examining a range of mechanisms underlying the progression of AD pathology (e.g. faulty blood–brain barrier, excess parenchymal iron, vascular dysregulation). This paper will outline key aspects of the Dementia Prevention Research Clinic's research, provide an overview of data collection, and a summary of 266 participants recruited to date. The national outreach of the clinics is a strength; the heart of the Dementia Prevention Research Clinics are its people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) as a tool to build wellbeing for students with latent trauma is being examined in multiple contexts. The purpose of this study was to compare modalities of treatment, namely, VR-enhanced therapy, face-to-face therapy without VR and wait-list time-delayed control. Participants were 69 students selected from a high-needs urban school. Observations, researcher assessments and paper instrument scores, were analysed using a mixed model measure ANOVA. Results for each of the measures comparing standardised scores across the main effect of modality illustrates a statistically significant difference between virtual reality enhanced Dialectical Behaviour skills training and each of the other modalities. We suggest approaches using VR-enhanced DBT promote greater DBT skill acquisition. • VR-enhanced DBT shows more rapid skill development. • Students using VR-enhanced DBT illustrate more prosocial behaviours. • VR contributes to positive interactions at the classroom level. • VR-enhanced DBT shows results after six weeks of implementation with supports from teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC), velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) is a known consequence that may contribute to swallowing and speech disorders. As the incidence of OPC increases affecting a younger demographic, a better understanding of VPI is required to support speech and swallowing rehabilitation. A scoping review was conducted using Arskey & O'Malley's framework. Studies were identified from five databases between 2007 and 2020. The methodological quality was measured with the RevMan Risk of Bias Tool by two independent evaluators. A total of seven studies met the inclusion criterion. There was a combined total of 306 participants, their average age was 59.2 years. A high risk of bias and degree of heterogeneity across all seven cohort studies was observed. Validated and instrumental evaluations of VPI were present in two papers, with the majority only reporting the presence or absence of VPI. The incidence of VPI reported in each study ranged from 0 to 53%, (median 3.5%). There are few high-quality studies and considerable heterogeneity in the terminology, inclusion criteria and measurement of VPI. Instrumentation, to date, has been rarely used but is necessary for a normed and validated approach to VPI. Based on this review, there is considerable need for larger studies which instrumentally and longitudinally assess VPI as a consequence of TORS, in order to guide patient education and management prior to, and following their surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper sought to provide a fuller picture of mental health and wellness by examining flourishing among young adult college students, focusing on potential disparities. I analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Study (2020–2021; N = 115,225). About one-in-three students in the sample reported flourishing. Logistic regression models showed transgender/nonbinary/other gender (aOR:0.48; 95%CI: 0.41–0.56), sexual minority (aOR:0.39; 95%CI: 0.37–0.42), Asian American (aOR:0.76; 95%CI: 0.70–0.83), and Multiracial students (aOR:0.91; 95%CI: 0.84–0.99) each had lower odds flourishing when compared with their respective reference groups, while Black students had greater odds of flourishing (aOR:1.36; 95%CI: 1.23–1.51). Flourishing disparities are evident, calling for targeted interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longitudinal data clustering is challenging because the grouping has to account for the similarity of individual trajectories in the presence of sparse and irregular times of observation. This paper puts forward a hierarchical agglomerative clustering method based on a dissimilarity metric that quantifies the cost of merging two distinct groups of curves, which are depicted by B-splines for the repeatedly measured data. Extensive simulations show that the proposed method has superior performance in determining the number of clusters, classifying individuals into the correct clusters, and in computational efficiency. Importantly, the method is not only suitable for clustering multivariate longitudinal data with sparse and irregular measurements but also for intensely measured functional data. Towards this end, we provide an R package for the implementation of such analyses. To illustrate the use of the proposed clustering method, two large clinical data sets from real-world clinical studies are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retaining participants in longitudinal studies is important but challenging when retracing them after a substantial gap between study phases. Utilising our nine year mixed-methods longitudinal study of 54 families affected by paternal imprisonment, we qualitatively analysed our processes and experiences of retracing participants after a seven year gap in contact. Paying attention to the spatio-temporal features that are traditionally an analytical focus of qualitative longitudinal research helped to enhance our retention rates, and our fieldwork strategies can be more deeply understood as part of the 'timescape' of qualitative longitudinal research. In this paper, we describe the spatio-temporal contours that shaped our efforts, successes and failures, and distil the material practices that they led to during our 'tracking treks' through the timescape of longitudinal fieldwork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for social research. However, little is known about the impact of social distancing measures on research with hard-to-reach populations. This paper provides methodological reflections on the efficacy of socially distanced recruitment and interviewing methods for research with disabled young people, drawing on our experience from the Educational Pathways and Work Outcomes longitudinal study, which started in March 2021 during the third national lockdown in England. We discuss difficulties in gaining access to disabled young people and argue that the pandemic has exacerbated longstanding barriers implicated in the recruitment of hard-to-reach populations who are typically seen as vulnerable by gatekeepers. In contrast, our experience suggests that flexible online/virtual interviews can overcome pitfalls inherent in the face-to-face interviewing of disabled young people and could therefore be utilised to make their voices heard in a variety of contexts and scenarios after the end of the ongoing pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use disorder is a growing health problem all over the world. The coexistence of substance misuse, affective temperaments, and emotion dysregulation has not been studied sufficiently. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of affective temperaments and emotion dysregulation on substance use disorder. The Emotion Dysregulation and Affective Temperaments in Opioid Use Disorder study was designed observational. This paper presents only the baseline assessments of the patient and control groups. One-year remission rates of the patients' group will be reported elsewhere after 1-year follow-up. Sixty-seven patients with opioid use disorder and 68 healthy controls enrolled. All participants were administered to The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5, Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, San Diego Autoquestionnaire, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory. Patients with opioid use disorder had higher scores from all temperamental scales and showed higher difficulties on emotion regulation than the control group. Even controlling the confounding effects of anxiety and depression levels, dysthymic and anxious temperament scores were found correlated with the emotion dysregulation score in the patient group. The emotional traits (i.e., affective temperaments) and emotion regulation abilities play a crucial role in substance use disorder. While managing substance use disorder, being aware of affective temperament characteristics and/or interventions to improve emotion regulation skills may be helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]