Structured Interview Research Articles

Field survey for assessing seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) applications on very small islands in Indonesia

Very small islands in Indonesia face challenges in accessing clean water due to limited space for building water resource facilities, such as reservoirs. Most of the time, the inhabitants of these islands rely on rainwater and wells, which are not sustainable sources due to drought seasons and seawater intrusion. To address this issue, Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) can be implemented in these areas where seawater is abundant. However, there may be obstacles when applying SWRO systems in such environments. This study aimed to assess the capabilities of SWRO facilities, and the obstacles involved in evaluating clean water access on very small islands. We used a combination of structured questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations on two small islands in Indonesia, Belakang Padang Island and Labu Island. On Belakang Padang Island, we interviewed the water resource manager in October 2022 and March 2023 and surveyed 61 households in the Tanjung Sari subdistrict in October 2022. On Labu Island, we interviewed the staff of the SWRO system and surveyed 35 coastal households in September 2023. On both islands, the government improved residents’ access to clean water by constructing SWRO facilities in 2016 on Belakang Padang Island and in 2021 on Labu Island. However, on Belakang Padang Island, the system was not operational when we visited on March 15, 2023. The main obstacles were slow bureaucratic processes for repairs and maintaining the operation of SWRO facilities. These problems need to be addressed before expanding the implementation of this system to other very small islands in Indonesia.

Exploring the experiences of traditional practitioners while managing hypertension in Rwanda

BackgroundHypertension (HTN) is a major global health concern, affecting approximately 1.28 billion adults worldwide. In Rwanda, hypertension contribute to 2.81 of the disability adjusted life years (DALYs) and 1.87% of hypertensive heart disease mortality. Traditional medicine remains popular in Africa with some herbal remedies which have shown antihypertensive properties. However, no study was done to explore traditional Practitioners’ approach to hypertension in Rwanda.ObjectiveTo explore the experience of traditional Practitioners while managing hypertension in Rwanda.MethodologyThis qualitative study utilized an ethnographic approach to explore the experience of traditional Practitioners (TPs) while managing HTN in Rwanda. Semi- structure interviews were conducted with 20 traditional Practitioners from three districts known for their popular use of traditional medicine in Rwanda. Participants were purposively selected, and interviews were guided by a pretested semi-structured interview guide in local language. Thematic analysis was used to generate the key themes.ResultsThree main themes emerged from analysis: first, traditional medicine is often undervalued by modern medical providers, resulting in limited collaboration and communication between traditional Practitioners and modern medical providers. Despite this, TPs are trusted by the community, often receiving referrals from patients dissatisfied with modern treatment. Second, TPs face challenges in diagnosing HTN due to lack of diagnostic tools, often relying on their observation, patients’ description of symptoms and patient’s response to treatment. TPs expressed desire for collaboration with modern medicine and access to diagnostic tools. Third, lack of legal framework and standardized practices for traditional medicine remains a challenge.ConclusionThe study highlights the need to promote collaboration between traditional and modern medicine in Rwanda. To enhance HTN management, we recommend training of traditional Practitioners, setting standardized practice and legal framework to guide traditional Practitioners in Rwanda as well as improving their access to HTN diagnostic tools.

Depressive symptoms and determinants among people who inject drugs in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are known to have higher rates of mental health disorders, particularly depression. Despite this, there is a lack of research on the prevalence of depression among PWID in Nigeria.Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their determinants among PWID.Setting: The study was conducted in Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria where a needle and syringe programme (NSP) for PWID was recently initiated.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among PWID using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured interviews and digitalised questionnaires covering socio-demographics, depression symptoms (PHQ-9) and perceived social support (MSPSS).Results: A total of 525 participants were included in the study, with the majority being males (73.3%) aged 24–35 years (54.5%). The study revealed a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among PWID, with 47.4% reporting major symptoms. Predictors of depression identified among PWID included older age, female gender, divorce, unemployment, having primary education and moderate social support.Conclusion: The study underscored a concerning prevalence of depressive symptoms among PWID, notably linked to diverse sociodemographic factors, emphasising the need for holistic, context-specific mental healthcare approaches for this population.Contribution: This study contributes to the limited research on the mental health of PWID in Nigeria. It highlights the need for targeted mental health interventions that consider the unique sociodemographic characteristics of this population.

Portfolio Assessment and Contact-Hour-Based Evaluation (ChbE) in Architectural Education

In Architectural Education, the assessment of design courses involves the collective participation of the studio masters, the jurors, and the department board to assess the student’s ability to interpret and proffer solutions from thought processes to design proposals. Unfortunately, the assessment process is heterogeneous in the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) accredited Schools of Architectural Technology, as institutions deploy atypical assessment scoresheets with varying variables and concomitant weightings. In most cases, such non-standard assessment variables laud students’ cognitive ability to the detriment of their affective and psychomotor persuasions in design development. This has structurally flawed the measurement of performance in the design ethos of Architectural Technology students. This issue necessitated the inception of this study towards defining the limits of assessment and evaluation protocols of design courses in Architectural Education and determining the variables that constitute criteria for assessment of portfolios. The study involved four (4) NBTE-accredited institutions that offer Architectural Technology. The methodology adopted structured questionnaires and interviews, observations, comparative analysis of scoresheets from such institutions, and archival retrieval of policy documents. Purposive sampling was adopted to administer structured questionnaires to 45 lecturers out of 63 lecturers serving in these institutions thus constituting 71.43% of the academic staff population. Results revealed poor evaluation of design miscellany in Architectural Education and the adoption of an incompatible assessment structure of design courses in the October 2020 NBTE curriculum for Architectural Technology. The study recommended the adoption of a standard Portfolio Assessment Sheet (PAS) and nouveau Contact-hour-based Evaluation module (ChbE) for measuring competence in design miscellany. A review of the assessment structure of design courses in the October 2020 NBTE curriculum and appraisal of the subsisting policy on Architectural Education were also considered imperative.

Technology adoption, competitiveness and new market access among SMEs in Ghana: What are the limiting factors?

A total of 300 SMEs including beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the Presidential Business Development Support initiative were surveyed in Ghana using structured interview questionnaires. The survey objectives were to (i) investigate the extent of adoption of emerging technologies including the Internet of Things (IoTs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), e-Commerce, Mobile Banking and Social Media among SMEs in Ghana; (ii) identify the main barriers to adoption of emerging technologies; and (iii) explore any association between the level of technology adoption by SMEs and access to new markets. Close to 60% of the beneficiary SMEs had adopted less sophisticated technologies such as social media, mobile banking and e-commerce as compared to 50% adoption among non-beneficiaries. Overall, less than 5% of the SMEs surveyed were using sophisticated technologies such AI and IoTs. This study adopted the Technological-Organizational-Environmental (TOE) framework to identify barriers to technology adoption. The top five barriers to technology adoption by the SMEs identified from this study are: (i) lack of finance, (ii) insufficient government support, (iii) lack of absorptive capability, (iv) insufficient demand and (v) poor technology enabling infrastructure. The beneficiary SMEs had better access to sub-regional (West Africa), regional (Africa) and international markets than the non-beneficiaries. Logit regression results showed that the most significant factors positively influencing technology adoption are Education, Marketing Skills, Human Resource Skills, Gender, Market Opportunities and Financial Improvement. There was a positive but weak correlation between technology adoption and access to new market opportunities.

PREVALENCE OF DENTAL CARIES AMONG SMOKERS OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF LAHORE

Dental caries is a common chronic oral health condition globally, with an increased prevalence among smokers. Smoking contributes to caries risk by affecting saliva production, oral microbiota, and oral hygiene practices. In Pakistan, where smoking is prevalent. Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of dental caries among smokers attending a tertiary care hospital in Lahore. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, from January to July 2024. The sample included 100 adult smokers aged 18 years and above. Data on demographics, smoking frequency, oral hygiene practices, and dental caries were collected using structured interviews and clinical examinations. Caries severity was assessed using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were conducted to explore associations between smoking habits and caries prevalence. Results: The majority of participants were aged 26-35 (30%), with 35% smoking 6-10 cigarettes daily. Oral hygiene practices were suboptimal, with only 25% brushing twice daily, and 15% reporting no regular hygiene routine. The prevalence of dental caries was strongly correlated with smoking frequency and duration. Participants smoking more than 21 cigarettes daily had an 80% caries prevalence, while those with a smoking history of over 16 years had a mean DMFT score of 7.6. These results align with previous studies linking smoking with higher caries risk and severity. Conclusion: The study highlights a high prevalence of dental caries among smokers, with significant associations between smoking frequency, duration, and caries severity. These findings underscore the need for preventive dental health interventions, including smoking cessation programs and targeted oral hygiene education, to mitigate the burden of dental caries in this high-risk population.

Reconstructing gearing ratios and digital-based service rates to mitigate financial risks for sustainable development in Indonesia’s credit guarantee industry

This research examines the role of the credit guarantee industry in supporting the growth of MSMEs in Indonesia through guarantee programs that aim to reduce information asymmetry between banks and MSMEs. Using structured interview methods and data triangulation techniques from various sources, this study analyzes the management of gearing ratio and tariff risks that significantly impact the financial stability of guarantee industry. The analysis results with NVIVO 12 and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) reveal digital transformation’s importance in efficiency and transparency in risk management. This research also produces a digitalization design for the Program Gearing Ratio (PGR) and offers practical solutions through SWOT analysis to improve the guarantee capacity and sustainability of the industry. The findings contribute to the literature by proposing an integrated internal audit approach for financial risk mitigation in the credit guarantee industry.

You say potato, I say vegetable; you say tomato, I say fruit: Cognitive validity of food group-based dietary recall questions

BackgroundThere is a need for valid, standardized approach for list-based questionnaires to measure food group consumption for indicators of diet quality including dietary diversity. ObjectiveA common method for collecting dietary diversity data consists of open-ended food group questions, e.g. Yesterday, did you eat any vegetables, such as cucumber, cabbage, or celery? We sought to examine the cognitive validity of open-ended questions that require respondents to categorize foods, and closed-ended alternatives using sentinel foods. MethodsPretesting and 83 cognitive interviews were conducted in five languages in São Paulo and New York City in 2018. In structured interviews, respondents were asked to describe their thought processes in answering each question. Their feedback and responses to closed-ended and open-ended food group questions were compared. The Gallup World Poll then piloted two versions of the questionnaire in a nationally representative sample of 1,000 in Brazil in 2018. ResultsRespondents in all settings miscategorized foods when asked open-ended food group questions (0-82%, depending on the food group), respondents varied in their ability to think of other foods that belonged to specified food groups (35-50% could think of any items), and open-ended questions presented an additional cognitive burden. There were no significant differences between the results from closed-ended and open-ended questions in the national pilot test. In the context of a multi-topic survey, the finalized questionnaire took 3-5 minutes, had no additional training requirements, and enumerators reported similar ease in administration as other survey modules. ConclusionsFor data collection on food group consumption, open-ended questions requiring respondents to categorize foods present cognitive validity problems. Closed-ended questions using sentinel foods reduce or eliminate ambiguity, presenting lower cognitive burden and greater comprehension. Based on these results, the closed-ended method has been adopted in international survey platforms for measuring dietary diversity and other aspects of diet quality.

Variation of subclinical psychosis as a function of population density across different European settings: Findings from the multi-national EU-GEI study.

Urbanicity is a well-established risk factor for psychosis. Our recent multi-national study found an association between urbanicity and clinical psychosis in Northern Europe but not in Southern Europe. In this study, we hypothesized that the effect of current urbanicity on variation of schizotypy would be greater in North-western Europe countries than in Southern Europe ones. We recruited 1080 individuals representative of the populations aged 18-64 of 14 different sites within 5 countries, classified as either North-western Europe (England, France, and The Netherlands) with Southern Europe (Spain and Italy). Our main outcome was schizotypy, assessed through the Structured Interview for Schizotypy-Revised. Our main exposure was current urbanicity, operationalized as local population density. A priori confounders were age, sex, ethnic minority status, childhood maltreatment, and social capital. Schizotypy variation was assessed using multi-level regression analysis. To test the differential effect of urbanicity between North-western and Southern European, we added an interaction term between population density and region of recruitment. Population density was associated with schizotypy (β = 0.248,95%CI = 0.122-0.375;p < 0.001). The addition of the interaction term improved the model fit (likelihood test ratio:χ2 = 6.85; p = 0.009). The effect of urbanicity on schizotypy was substantially stronger in North-western Europe (β = 0.620,95%CI = 0.362-0.877;p < 0.001) compared with Southern Europe (β = 0.190,95%CI = 0.083-0.297;p = 0.001). The association between urbanicity and both subclinical schizotypy and clinical psychosis, rather than being universal, is context-specific. Considering that urbanization is a rapid and global process, further research is needed to disentangle the specific factors underlying this relationship.

Intrusive thoughts and memories in adolescents with major depressive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Research in adults suggests that intrusive memories and intrusive thoughts (often referred to as intrusive cognitions) are common in members of the general population and are often seen in clinical disorders. However, little is known about the experience of intrusive cognitions in adolescents, particularly in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study sought to gather fundamental data on these phenomena (i.e., frequency, characteristics and appraisals of intrusive cognitions) in adolescents with MDD and PTSD. Adolescents aged 11-18 with MDD (n = 11), PTSD (n = 13) and a non-clinical control group (n = 25) completed structured interviews concerning their intrusive memories and thoughts. Intrusive thoughts were common in all three groups but were particularly frequently experienced in the MDD group. Intrusive memories were expectedly very common in the PTSD group but also experienced by over half of the adolescents with MDD. Both clinical groups reported more negative emotions in response to their intrusive thoughts or memories and appraised these cognitions more negatively than the non-clinical group. Intrusive memories and thoughts are common experiences in adolescents with MDD and PTSD. Emotions and appraisals relating to these cognitions may be targets for psychological intervention in this age group. However, small sample sizes limit the conclusions that can be drawn. Replication is needed with larger numbers of clinical participants.

Using Range of Motion Exercises and Smartphone Thermography to Evaluate Wound Healing in Second-Degree Burns

BackgroundBurn injuries can lead to devastating functional impairments and reduced quality of life. An important component of rehabilitation programs is the range of motion exercises, which can accelerate wound healing and prevent contractures. The present study sought to evaluate the effects of a range of motion exercises validated by thermal imagining on patients with second-degree burns. Patients and methodsThis quasi-experimental study included 47 adult patients diagnosed with second-degree burns. Data was collected using a Structured Interview Questionnaire, modified Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI), the Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT), and mobile thermal imaging to assess wound healing. ResultsThe ABSI levels showed that 46.8% of patients had moderate-severity burns, 38.3% had very low severity, and 14.9% had moderately severe burns. While the BWAT scores were 28.9 ± 4.6SD at baseline, 30.1 ± 4.7SD after one week, 19.2 ± 6.5SD after the 2nd week, and finally 17.1 ± 4.3SD on the 3rd week. The FLIR thermal imaging scores over three weeks were statistically significant (p<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). The study revealed high statistically significant differences in range of motion and wound healing mean scores. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that range of motion exercises improved burn wound healing. Additionally, thermal imaging showed high validity for evaluating wound healing potential and progression. It provides viable triage technology while benefiting clinical assessment. Overall, range of motion and smartphone thermography are two evidence-based modalities that can enhance burn management, decrease healing time, lower costs, and improve outcomes.

The problem of treating anaemia in children: Medicinal plants versus blood transfusion

Introduction: This study looked at the problem of treating anaemia using both medicinal plants and blood transfusions. The aim was to identify the problems associated with treating children's anaemia using blood transfusions or medicinal plants, to show why parents choose to treat their children's anaemia, to identify the reasons for using medicinal plants to treat children's anaemia and to list the medicinal plants used to treat anaemia. Methodology: To achieve these objectives, we used a cross-sectional descriptive approach based on direct structured interviews with mothers hospitalized with their children in the paediatrics department of the GRH/Makiso and at the Centre Traditional-modern Jesus Heals, during the three-month period from 1 June to 31 August 2023. As a result, 40 study subjects were selected, 20 from each investigation site. Results: The following results were obtained in relation to problems associated with the treatment of anaemia in children: 30.0% of the subjects in the study who had had a relapse to traditional anaemia treatment at the CTM Jesus Heals and problems related to the treatment of anaemia by transfusion and traditional treatment, 50.0% of the subjects in the study mentioned the reason why traditional treatment corrects anaemia, i.e. 25.0% at the CTM Jesus Heals and blood transfusion improves the child's state of health, i.e. 25.0% at the HGR/Makiso. At the CTM Jesus Heals, anaemia was treated with medicinal plants, in particular sweet potato leaves (20.0%), papaya leaves (12.5%), avocado leaves (10.0%) and Bokomu leaves (7.5%). Conclusion: Anaemia is a public health problem in Kisangani, causing a high morbidity rate among children. It is therefore important to provide effective medical treatment with a view to reducing the number of deaths due to anaemia.

Early remission of deliberate self-harm predicts emotion regulation capacity in adulthood: 12.4 years follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of adolescents with repeated self-harm and borderline features

AbstractEmotion regulation capacity, critical for adult functioning and mental health, develops strongly during adolescence in healthy individuals. Deficits in emotion regulation is often referred to as emotion dysregulation [ED] and is associated with various mental health problems, including repeated deliberate self-harm [DSH] which peaks in adolescence. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for adolescents [DBT-A] systematically targets ED through strategies such as changing coping behaviours and has previously been shown to effectively induce DSH remission in adolescents. However, whether such remission is associated with improved emotion regulation capacity in adulthood, and whether this effect is mediated by changes in use of coping strategies has not been previously studied. Prospective long-term follow-up study of an RCT comparing DBT-A with enhanced usual care [EUC] for adolescents presenting to community child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics with borderline personality features and repeated self-harm. Assessments included both structured interviews and self-report at baseline and 1.6, 3.1 and 12.4 years follow-up. In the final follow-up, adult ED was measured and data were collected for 61 (80%) of the original 77 participants. DSH remission was assessed at 1.6 years follow-up, and use of coping strategies at 3.1 and 12.4 years follow-ups. A mediation analysis was conducted within a causal inference framework. Both treatment groups increased their use of functional coping skills from adolescence to adulthood, while only DBT-A was associated with decreases in dysfunctional coping. There was a direct effect of DSH remission 1 year after treatment on adult ED, particularly for participants who did not receive DBT-A. There was a negative association between reductions in dysfunctional coping and adult ED, however this did not mediate the effect of DSH remission. This is the first study to report that early DSH remission in adolescence predicted lower ED in adulthood. These results highlight the importance of early DSH remission and provides new insight into the long-term relationship between DSH and ED. Clinical trial registration information: “Treatment for Adolescents with Deliberate Self-harm”; http://ClinicalTrials.gov/;NCT00675129

Impact of Rural Finance Institution Building Programme on Socioeconomic Condition of Beneficiaries in Anambra State, Nigeria

Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) was established to improve the income, food security and general living conditions of poor rural households with financial services that will be improved in terms of quality, quantity and access to deposit, loan and transfer services. It is expected that the intervention of RUFIN should result in positive changes in the socioeconomic condition of the beneficiaries. The study evaluated the impact of RUFIN on the socioeconomic condition of RUFIN beneficiaries in Anambra State, Nigeria. Multistage, purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select 60 RUFIN beneficiaries (RB) and 60 non-RUFIN beneficiaries (NRB) for the study. Data were collected using structured interview schedule and personal observations. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data generated. The average amount of loan obtained by RB was N67,266.70 at an average payback period of one year. Sex (t=-5.61) and years of farming experience (t=2.25) significantly (p≤0.05) influenced the amount of loan obtained while age (t=2.36) significantly (p≤0.05) influenced the number of loans obtained. RUFIN resulted in positive but not significant changes on 12(52.2%) of 23 items used in assessing the impact of the programme on the socioeconomic condition of the beneficiaries. The study recommended that RUFIN should enhance the loanable amount and payback duration which may in a long run, positively affect the socioeconomic condition of the beneficiaries. Also, farmers should be educated by extension agents on all sources of agricultural loans, use of loans, loans repayment plans, and how to diversify agricultural income for lasting impact on livelihood.

Safety, acceptability, and feasibility of acquiring endothelial cells from guidewires in patients having major surgery or with acute critical illness

Abstract Background Endothelial cells (EC) play a key role in vascular homeostasis, and endothelial dysfunction has been linked to the development of cardiovascular disease. While most EC research relies on indirect assessment of EC function in humans, in vitro systems and in vivo animal models, the development of a safe protocol to isolate EC from patients would provide a new window into EC function. Purpose To assess (a) the feasibility of isolating EC from discarded guidewires used as part of the standard of care (SOC) in surgical patients and patients admitted to intensive care (ICU) and (b) to compare EC phenotypes in the patient cohorts. Methods Discarded guidewires were collected from arterial lines and central venous catheters (CVC) from 15 patients before abdominal surgery and 16 patients admitted to ICU requiring organ support. Additionally, J-wires were inserted into forearm veins using an proven technique for EC biopsy (ECBx) in all surgical patients. ECs were dissociated from guidewires, stained for CD31, CD144, CD202b, and nuclear integrity then analysed using flow-cytometry. EC were characterised based on surface marker expression and granularity. Blood biomarkers and clinical information was collected. Organ function was assessed using sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA). Tolerability and adverse event (AE) data was also collected using structured interviews to support the analysis. Results From the surgical cohort 6 arterial lines, 14 CVC and 15 ECBx were collected. From the ICU patients, 8 arterial lines and 9 CVC were collected. EC were identified as live and triple positive for CD31, CD144, CD202b. A median of 536 (IQR 160-796 ) EC were obtained from arterial lines, 622 (IQR 329-1045) from CVCs and 768 (IQR 210-1001) from ECBx with no significant difference between method of collection (Kruskal-Wallis p&amp;gt;0.05). Median granularity showed a significant increase in granularity in EC collected from ICU patients compared to the surgical patients. This could be attributed to internalisation of cell surface proteins or apoptosis caused by the hyperinflammatory conditions in ICU patients (SOFA 7, IQR 5-8.25, CRP 118, IQR 66.2-298) when compared to the surgical patients (SOFA 1, IQR 0-2, CRP &amp;lt;4mg/l). Median fluorescent intensity analysis of all three markers did not show a significant difference between patient groups. AEs to ECBx reported only 4 patients experienced light bruising. High tolerability was reported for ECBx by structured interview, with patients agreeing that they theoretically would tolerate up to 3 ECBx. Conclusion(s) It is feasible to isolate ECs from patients during SOC using discarded guidewires. As an isolated procedure, ECBx from forearm veins is well tolerated and carries low risk. This enables the characterisation of EC phenotypes and obtain unique insight in their roles in health and disease.

A Brief Introduction on Latent Variable Based Ordinal Regression Models With an Application to Survey Data.

The analysis of survey data is a frequently arising issue in clinical trials, particularly when capturing quantities which are difficult to measure. Typical examples are questionnaires about patient's well-being, pain, or consent to an intervention. In these, data is captured on a discrete scale containing only a limited number of possible answers, from which the respondent has to pick the answer which fits best his/her personal opinion. This data is generally located on an ordinal scale as answers can usually be arranged in an ascending order, for example, "bad", "neutral", "good" for well-being. Since responses are usually stored numerically for data processing purposes, analysis of survey data using ordinary linear regression models are commonly applied. However, assumptions of these models are often not met as linear regression requires a constant variability of the response variable and can yield predictions out of the range of response categories. By using linear models, one only gains insights about the mean response which may affect representativeness. In contrast, ordinal regression models can provide probability estimates for all response categories and yield information about the full response scale beyond the mean. In this work, we provide a concise overview of the fundamentals of latent variable based ordinal models, applications to a real data set, and outline the use of state-of-the-art-software for this purpose. Moreover, we discuss strengths, limitations and typical pitfalls. This is a companion work to a current vignette-based structured interview study in pediatric anesthesia.

Dimensional Interaction, Intimacy Building: Roles of Perceived Intimacy and Parasocial Effects on Fans Relations with Virtual Idols

Abstract: The appearance of virtual idols has introduced discussions about the connection with fans, even though their idols are always disembodied and fictitious. To some degree, the theory of parasocial interaction can have academic value in the virtual characters, extending beyond the impact on the real stars and fans. This study emphasizes particularly on exploring the role of intimacy in the parasocial relationship, which contains the perspective of fan psychology and youth subculture. By exerting structured interview, the survey collects records from 7 college students who are fans of popular virtual idols including A-SOUL, Luxiem, LASER, etc. The results provide insights into how fans perceive the presence of intimacy and what factors influence the levels of intimacy based on the behaviors of online media usage. Compared with the real idols and life, there are some findings showcasing characteristics of virtual idol-fan intimacy when fans have developed the parasocial interaction.

Assessing Key Constraints in Cashew Production: Insights from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, India

India ranks among the world’s top cashew producers, with Kerala and Tamil Nadu serving as key contributors to the country's cashew production. Among the Plantation sector, specifically cashew cultivation plays a pivotal role in boosting farm economy in India. This particular study explores field constraints experienced by cashew growers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which significantly impacts cashew cultivation. The key objective is to compare field challenges experienced by cashew growers among major producers in southern regions of India. The methodology involves a purposive multi-stage sampling approach to select regions, with an equal proportion of 80 respondents from each state selected through simple random sampling. Totally, 160 cashew growers were investigated for data collection through pre-tested structured interview schedule. The data sets were analysed using SPSS software, with frequency and percentage analysis employed to rank the identified constraints. The significant findings were pest and disease infestations, labour scarcity, unstable market price, lack of technical know-how and inadequate processing facilities. Notably, 100 per cent of growers reported that, Cashew Stem and Root Borer (CSRB) infestation as a most critical issue in both states. This paper highlights, region-specific and timely technical interventions, commodity-specific assured markets, proper pricing system and infrastructure development. The study's interpretation highlights the need to address high-priority and specialized constraints through targeted policy reforms and technical support systems, aiming to enhance the productivity and sustainability of cashew farming in India. These findings also provide valuable insights that can be applied to other cashew-producing regions and contribute to shaping national agricultural policies.

Decision regret and long-term success rates after ventral buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty.

To characterise the long-term success rate of ventral onlay buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty (vBMG) in the management of bulbar urethral stricture disease (USD), assess patient-reported postoperative satisfaction and decision regret, and delineate clinical factors impacting patient-reported metrics. Patients with prior vBMG for bulbar USD, performed at Cleveland Clinic between 2003 and 2022, were contacted and brief structured interviews were performed. Stricture recurrence and need for secondary procedures, baseline demographics, and patient-reported outcome surveys were collected. The surveys included the Decision Regret Scale (DRS), the Urethral Stricture Symptom Impact Measure (USSIM) and the 10-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form, version 1.2 (PROMIS-10). Descriptive, univariate and multivariable analyses were performed for clinical outcomes and survey responses. A total of 104 patients recorded responses. The median patient age was 49 years and the median follow-up was 7.4 years at time of survey. The median graft length was 5 cm and 38% of patients underwent partial thickness augmented anastomotic urethroplasty. At time of follow-up, 10 patients underwent a secondary procedure. Moderate to severe regret on the DRS was found in 12% of patients, and greater regret was associated with recurrence. The mean physical and mental health PROMIS-10 Global Health T-scores were 52 and 53. The mean total USSIM score was 56. A significant correlation was found between USSIM and DRS scores, with higher DRS score and recurrence negatively impacting USSIM score. USSIM scoring across all domains was significantly worse in the moderate to severe DRS group. This study showed that vBMG for bulbar USD confers both high success rates and patient-reported satisfaction at extended follow-up, based on emerging and validated patient-reported outcome measures.

Psychological autopsies: religious and spiritual factors for suicide in cases and controls.

In recent years, there has been a growing body of evidence supporting the notion that spirituality and religion can improve one's physical and mental health. Studies show that religion and spirituality play a significant role in the suicidal path. Considering the dearth of data on the patterns of suicidal thoughts, acts and related factors in Pakistan, a country with a large Muslim population and stigma with sociocultural perceptions of religious notions, the current study investigated the role of religious and spiritual factors of suicide using psychological autopsies. Purposive sampling was used to gather retrospective data records from police stations and hospital forensic departments in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, between January 2021 and July 2022. In total, 60 samples (30 cases and 30 controls) were used in this autopsies investigation. As with the majority of case control studies, the study sample cases were matched with the controls. At least two close bereaved family members served as the primary information sources, and data was gathered using the Semi Structured Interview Protocol for Psychological Autopsies. According to statistical analysis, both the suicide cases and the controls were comprised mostly of Muslim individuals. They follow Islam and hold the view that suicide is prohibited, forbidden, and haram in Islam. Regarding spirituality and religion, the majority of cases, according to the respondents interviewed, were not spiritual at all, while the controls are slightly spiritual. While the majority of both cases and controls had reduced interest in or practice of religious activities over the past year, a higher number of cases rarely performed and attended the religious services/activities as compared to controls. It was thus evident that the cases lacked significant engagement in spiritual and religious activities, and their attendance at such gatherings had notably decreased in the year preceding the suicide attempt. This decline in involvement in spiritual and religious practices might be linked to decreased levels of satisfaction, sense of belongingness, which could raise the risk of suicide. Therefore, in nations where Muslims predominate, culturally relevant suicide prevention initiatives including spiritual and religious treatments aimed at reducing the risk of suicide should be considered.