bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparing Novice Teachers to Differentiate Instruction: Implications of a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Dack Hilary , Ann Tomlinson Carol
Published: February 2024

This longitudinal multi-case study explored four early career teachers’ attempts to differentiate instruction in schools that varied in their level of support for this pedagogical approach. It offered an in-depth examination of the experiences of novices who learned about the pedagogical tools of differentiation with depth and fidelity through the same preservice instruction, developed similar commitments to implementing them, and attempted to implement them in contrasting inservice settings. A large and rich data corpus collected across 4 years included participant interviews, observations of participants’ teaching practices, classroom artifacts, and interviews with participants’ mentors. Findings illustrated novices’ contrasting multi-year learning trajectories related to differentiation embedded within varied school settings. They also revealed the substantive role novices’ shifting visions of the enactment of practice played in appropriating differentiation’s pedagogical tools during their early careers. Recommendations for teacher educators who prepare teacher candidates to differentiate are provided.
Prophetic families and the embodiment of divine knowledge
Authors: McEntire Mark
Published: February 2024

The work of family members raises important questions about the prophetic task, who might participate in it, and who might receive the designation “prophet.” This article explores questions regarding this designation. Is a prophet only the one who has initial, knowing access to divine knowledge and who receives and distributes it, or can a person who enables the transmission of divine knowledge through their identity, being, or body also be a prophet? Can a group, such as a family, function together to fulfill the role of prophet?
Dimensions of Text Complexity in the Spoken and Written Modes: A Comparison of Theory-Based Models
Authors: Biber Douglas , Larsson Tove , Hancock Gregory R.
Published: February 2024

In many studies, grammatical complexity has been treated as a single unified construct. However, other research contradicts that view, suggesting instead that the different structural types and syntactic functions of complexity features are distributed in texts in fundamentally different ways. These patterns have been documented in general corpora that include a wide range of spoken and written registers. One question that has not been fully addressed is whether grammatical complexity features are organized in the same ways in the spoken versus written modes. The present study tests the empirical adequacy of four competing models based on different theoretical conceptualizations of text complexity, comparing their goodness-of-fit in spoken versus written modes. The results show that text complexity must be treated as a multi-dimensional construct; dimensions that combine structural type and syntactic function provide the best account of the actual patterns of linguistic co-occurrence. To a large extent, the same complexity dimensions operate in both the spoken and written modes. Two of these dimensions—dependent phrases functioning as noun modifiers and finite dependent clauses functioning as clause-level constituents—represent the strongest co-occurrence patterns. In addition, these two dimensions operate in complementary distribution, in both the spoken and written modes. Overall, though, these two dimensions are shown to represent stronger co-occurrence patterns in the written mode than in the spoken mode.
Direct adaptive fractional-order non-singular terminal sliding mode control strategy using extreme learning machine for position control of 5-DOF upper-limb exoskeleton robot systems
Authors: Mirzaee Morteza , Kazemi Reza
Published: February 2024

This paper presents an innovative adaptive fractional-order (FO) terminal sliding mode (TSM) controller designed for a 5-degree-of-freedom (5-DOF) upper-limb exoskeleton robot. The primary focus is on addressing the challenges posed by nonlinearities and uncertainties in parameter values. The proposed approach integrates several key elements, including a novel fractional-order non-singular terminal sliding mode (FONSTSM) surface, an exponential reaching law, and the utilization of the extreme learning machine (ELM). This comprehensive strategy guarantees not only finite-time convergence but also robust stability, effectively alleviating the well-known chattering phenomenon. Furthermore, it successfully overcomes the singularity issues typically observed in conventional TSM controllers. The incorporation of the ELM with rectified linear unit (ReLU) activation function enhances robustness by facilitating the estimation of parameters related to the exponential control law. Numerical simulations provide compelling evidence of improved tracking, increased robustness against uncertainties, achievement of finite-time convergence, and notable reductions in control signal oscillations and singularity problems.
Frenotomy Provides Improved Direct Laryngoscopy Exposure in Select Adult Patients With Ankyloglossia
Authors: Marino Gustavo A. , Garrett C. Gaelyn , Tate Alan D.
Published: February 2024

Objective: To analyze the effects of lingual frenotomy on adults with restrictive ankyloglossia and difficult direct laryngoscopy exposure. Methods: A case series study was conducted. Restriction of tongue protrusion due to ankyloglossia was identified in 2 patients who had a history of suboptimal true vocal fold (TVF) exposure on direct laryngoscopy for phonomicrosurgery. Inadequate exposure of the vocal folds was achieved on direct laryngoscopy attempts with manual tongue protrusion. Mandibular tori were not present in these patients. An intraoperative lingual frenotomy was performed in both patients. Results: After frenotomy and with manual tongue protrusion, direct laryngoscopy exposure was substantially improved allowing for considerably more visualization of the anterior TVFs. Conclusion: Lingual frenulum procedures with manual tongue protrusion should be considered in select adult patients with restrictive ankyloglossia affecting optimal direct laryngoscopy exposure.
From studio to screen: The production processes of Polish televised football and discursive (re)constructions of race/ethnicity
Authors: van Lienden Arne , van Sterkenburg Jacco , Sommier Mélodine , Kossakowski Radoslaw
Published: February 2024

In this study, we shed light on the relationship between the production processes in televised football in Poland and representations of race/ethnicity. Previous research has extensively explored representations of race/ethnicity in mediated sports texts, but there remains a gap in understanding the production processes and their connection to these representations, particularly in contexts beyond the Anglosphere. In order to address this gap, in this study we conducted interviews with football media professionals and conducted field visits at football media organizations in Poland. Our findings reveal that football media professionals employ various discursive strategies when giving meaning to racial/ethnic diversity in televised football and within the football media workplace, which occasionally incorporate stereotypes. Generally, football media professionals took a color-evasive stance, and argued that they do not speak through racial/ethnic stereotypes in their work. Critical reflections on the production process are also hindered by the everyday practices and dominant working cultures in the football media office, which is constructed and maintained by media professionals as a predominantly White and masculine space. We contextualize these findings in light of previous studies on race/ethnicity in sport media, and the complex discourses surrounding Whiteness in the Polish context.
The Alternative Factors Leading to Replication Crisis: Prediction and Evaluation
Authors: Chernov Gregory
Published: February 2024

Most existing solutions to the current replication crisis in science address only the factors stemming from specific poor research practices. We introduce a novel mechanism that leverages the experts’ predictive abilities to analyze the root causes of replication failures. It is backed by the principle that the most accurate predictor is the most qualified expert. This mechanism can be seamlessly integrated into the existing replication prediction market framework with minimal implementation costs. It relies on an objective rather than subjective process and unstructured expert opinions to effectively identify various influences contributing to the replication crisis.
Early childhood educator and director experiences of speech pathology-led professional development: A qualitative study
Authors: Birro Sera Nur , Faulkner Heather , Britton Alison , Campbell Emma , Aghajanian Fiona , Horesh Alicia , Lau Vanessa , Munro Natalie , McCabe Patricia , Masso Sarah
Published: February 2024

Background: Quality early childhood interactions, especially quality adult–child interactions, are known to form the foundation of future skills associated with social, academic and communicative development. Speech-language therapists (SLTs) can engage with educators in professional development to improve communication environments for children. Understanding the perspectives of early childhood directors and educators in relation to the feasibility, sustainability and impact of professional development is needed. Aim(s): This study investigated the experiences of early childhood educators and directors who participated in a SLT-led professional development training program. Method: Participants were four directors and six early childhood educators. Directors participated in one focus group; educators participated in individual semi-structured interviews. All participants were female and had between 5 and 38 years of experience. They were interviewed following the completion of an eight-week training program. Verbatim transcripts of the director focus group and educator interviews were thematically analysed using NVivo12. Result(s): Three overarching themes were developed. These were the appropriateness and acceptability of the training, impact and professional engagement with eight subsequent themes also identified. Although participants reported positive experiences participating in the training, several practical and translational challenges were identified. Conclusion: The professional development training implemented by SLTs was influenced by a number of factors that assisted or hindered educator and director experience of the program. The appropriateness, acceptability and feasibility of a professional development (PD) program should carefully consider participants’ learning needs and workplace environments.
One Health: Circadian Medicine Benefits Both Non-human Animals and Humans Alike
Authors: Farag Hesham I. , Murphy Barbara A. , Templeman James R. , Hanlon Charlene , Joshua Jessica , Koch Thomas G. , Niel Lee , Shoveller Anna K. , Bedecarrats Gregoy Y. , Ellison Amy , Wilcockson David , Martino Tami A.
Published: February 2024

Circadian biology’s impact on human physical health and its role in disease development and progression is widely recognized. The forefront of circadian rhythm research now focuses on translational applications to clinical medicine, aiming to enhance disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment responses. However, the field of circadian medicine has predominantly concentrated on human healthcare, neglecting its potential for transformative applications in veterinary medicine, thereby overlooking opportunities to improve non-human animal health and welfare. This review consists of three main sections. The first section focuses on the translational potential of circadian medicine into current industry practices of agricultural animals, with a particular emphasis on horses, broiler chickens, and laying hens. The second section delves into the potential applications of circadian medicine in small animal veterinary care, primarily focusing on our companion animals, namely dogs and cats. The final section explores emerging frontiers in circadian medicine, encompassing aquaculture, veterinary hospital care, and non-human animal welfare and concludes with the integration of One Health principles. In summary, circadian medicine represents a highly promising field of medicine that holds the potential to significantly enhance the clinical care and overall health of all animals, extending its impact beyond human healthcare.
Slovenia‘s national HIV PrEP programme: Evaluation of real-world implementation
Authors: Ambrožič Jerca , Adamič Peter , Tomažič Janez
Published: February 2024

Background

The aim of our study was to evaluate real-world implementation of Slovenia’s national HIV PrEP programme, which is fully covered by our national health insurance.

Methods

In retrospective cohort study we analysed the data from all men who have sex with men (MSM) who were enrolled in PrEP programme of our clinic between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022.

Results

A total of 190 MSM with an average age of 36.7 years were included in our analysis. 151 (79.5%) decided for event-driven PrEP and 39 (20.5%) opted for daily PrEP. Self-reported adherence was 95%. Among eligibility criteria, unprotected sex was the most common one, followed by one or more STIs in the past, use of chemsex and use of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis in the past. No new cases of HIV infection and no significant deterioration of kidney or liver function were observed during the follow-up. Sixty-seven episodes of STIs were diagnosed and treated. Gonorrhea (32), chlamydia (14), and Mpox (10) were the most common ones.

Conclusions

PrEP was successfully implemented into everyday clinical practice, proving to be both safe and effective. High number of diagnosed STIs suggests that the PrEP programme, combined with STI screening and vaccination, provides a strong public health impact among MSM in Slovenia.
Ernaux vue par les écrivain.e.s transfuges et/ou féministes : littérature et insoumission
Authors: Adler Aurélie
Published: February 2024

Nobel Prize laureate Annie Ernaux is a celebrated writer, but she is also seen as a representative of the dominated within society, with all the ambiguities that the term ‘representative’ entails. While reception of her work remains contested in France, it has to be said that the personal and political agenda that has partly guided Ernaux's work - ‘to avenge my kind and to avenge my gender’ - is part of a political conception of literature that can take on a prescriptive or incitive value for writers who are class migrants and/or feminists. Through their critical comments, these writers influence Ernaux's way the work is read - by the author as well as by lay readers - granting social usefulness to the aesthetic ‘transgression’ usually attributed to her prose.
Hearing Outcomes in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate in a Resource Limited Setting
Authors: Boonpiraks Kanachai , Nawachartkosit Yanin , Charunruengterakul Nattayaporn , Setabutr Dhave
Published: February 2024

To compare hearing outcomes of early versus late tympanostomy tube insertion in patients with cleft lip and palate in a resource limited setting

Retrospective cohort study.

Conducted at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, a tertiary care hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.

Included 76 patients under 18 with cleft anomalies undergoing tympanostomy tube insertion between January 2018 and July 2022, categorized into early ( n = 11) and late ( n = 65) tympanostomy groups.

Early tympanostomy tube placement at ≤ 3 months old, coordinated with cleft lip repair, following failed transitory evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) and Type B tympanogram. Late tympanostomy tube placement preceded by a diagnosis of middle ear effusion and typically a failed TEOAE and subsequent level of testing.

Primary outcomes: normal hearing rates and age at normal hearing. Secondary outcomes: repeated tympanostomy tube placement rate, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stays.

Early tympanostomy tube placement was associated with higher rates of normal hearing (100% vs. 75%. P = .103) and significantly younger age at normal hearing (11 vs. 19 months, P = .036). Time to normal hearing was shorter in the early group. Postoperative complications, including otorrhea, occurred more frequently in the early group, but differences were not significant.

Early tympanostomy tube insertion improves hearing outcomes in pediatric patients with cleft lip and palate, achieving normal hearing at a significantly younger age. This approach offers a valuable alternative in resource-limited settings with constrained audiological services. Further research on long-term speech outcomes and cost-effectiveness is warranted.
Are Renal Tumor Diagnostics Becoming Too Advanced for Many Pathology Laboratories?
Authors: Akbulut Dilara , Sangoi Ankur R. , Williamson Sean R. , Akgul Mahmut
Published: February 2024

The recent influx of novel renal neoplasms, particularly molecularly-defined renal carcinomas, has introduced new challenges in the daily practice of most pathology laboratories. These tumors are uncommon, they do not always have well-established morphologic features, and the expression profile of most common biomarkers is not well understood. Moreover, the diagnosis of molecularly-defined renal carcinomas requires the documentation of the disease-defining molecular alteration, with molecular studies or surrogate immunohistochemical markers. Unfortunately, most pathology laboratories lack molecular laboratories, or it is not cost-effective to maintain assays of the specific biomarkers in these unusual tumors. Pathologists should have updated knowledge about the recent changes in renal neoplasms and be aware of these limitations.
Dynamical behavior of a spinning tapered Rayleigh beam subjected to an axial load
Authors: Wang Guangding , Jiang Zhongkai , Zhao Qing , Yuan Huiqun
Published: February 2024

As a first attempt, the vibration and stability analysis of a spinning tapered beam subjected to an axial load are investigated. The radius of the cross-section of the beam is assumed to vary exponentially in the longitudinal direction. The tapered beam is modeled in Rayleigh beam assumption with rotary inertia, eccentricity, and gyroscopic effects. Based on the Hamilton principle, the governing equations of motion of the spinning tapered beam with an axial force are obtained. Also, a Galerkin discretization scheme is employed to obtain the natural frequency and critical divergence rotating speeds of the system. As a result, the instability thresholds and stability evolution of the system are acquired. Furthermore, a detailed parametric study is conducted to evaluate the effects of the slenderness ratio, taper parameter, axial load, and eccentricity ratio on the dynamical behavior of the system. The results show that the natural frequency and critical divergence rotating speed of the tapered beam are larger than those of the circular-section beam. In addition, the axial load, taper parameter, and eccentricity are the key factors that influence the stability of the system.
How Do College Students Perceive Their Partner Responds to Them When They Refuse Sexual Activity?
Authors: Marcantonio Tiffany L. , Jozkowski Kristen N. , Williams Megan
Published: February 2024

Refusal communication is a dyadic process, with one person communicating a refusal and another person responding. To enhance our understanding of this process, we surveyed college students to assess their interpretation of their partners’ responses when they declined vaginal–penile sexual activity. In an online survey, participants were prompted to describe their partners’ reactions when participants refused their partner's vaginal–penile sex initiation. Through content analysis, three themes were present: (1) partner accepted the refusal, (2) partner experienced negative emotions, (3) partner ignored their refusals. Participants frequently reported their refusals were accepted. Sexual assault prevention initiatives should work to normalize refusal communication.
Regional Anesthesia in the Austere Environment: Lessons Learned from Current Out-of-Hospital Practice
Authors: Anderson Nathan D. , Shaner Julie L. , Braunecker Stefan , Potter Lydia G.
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Pain management for trauma in the extreme environment is vital for both casualty comfort and aiding safe extrication. However, adequate pain management in a resource-limited environment can be challenging and is often limited. We conducted a scoping review of the use of regional anesthesia in the prehospital environment, evaluating which regional anesthetic procedure was performed for various indications, their efficacy, and the type of healthcare provider delivering the anesthetic.

Methods

A PRISMA-guided systematic literature review was conducted of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases for studies reporting the use of regional anesthesia in the prehospital environment published before June 30, 2022.

Results

Thirty studies met the criteria and were included in the review. The most common types of regional anesthesia were fascia-iliaca compartment block ( n = 317, from 12 studies) and femoral nerve block ( n = 210, from 8 studies), along with various other blocks for a range of indications. These blocks had good efficacy and a low-risk profile and could be delivered by a wide range of healthcare providers.

Conclusions

Regional anesthesia is an effective and non-resource-heavy pain management tool in prehospital environments, which may be applicable to austere settings. It can cover a wide range of injuries and can avoid systemic complications for casualties that may already be challenging to manage in out-of-hospital settings. Additionally, regional anesthesia can be effectively delivered by a wide range of providers. This review provides a holistic summary of pain management using regional anesthesia in the prehospital environment, with a discussion on its potential use in more extreme settings.
Adult ADHD Symptoms in a Large Metropolitan Area From Brazil: Prevalence and Associations with Psychiatric Comorbidity, Bullying, Sexual Abuse, and Quality of Life
Authors: Mattos Paulo , Moraes Carlos Eduardo Ferreira de , Sichieri Rosely , Hay Phillipa , Faraone Stephen V. , Appolinario Jose Carlos
Published: February 2024

There is scant data about the prevalence and correlates of ADHD in middle-income countries.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and psychiatric correlates of symptomatic ADHD in a large metropolitan area of a middle-income country.

Methods:

An in-person household survey with randomly selected 2,297 adults aged 19 to 60 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, assessed by trained lay interviewers. The Adult Self-Rating Scale Screener (ASRS-6) was used. Chi-square and logistic regression were conducted.

Results:

ADHD prevalence was 4.59 (95% CI [3.56, 5.44]). Those with ADHD were younger and more often unemployed; they displayed more psychiatric symptoms (depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse) and a history of bullying and sexual abuse. They also had worse physical health indicators. Findings remained significant when controlling for socioeconomic variables.

Conclusion:

Adults with symptomatic ADHD from a large metropolitan area in Brazil show a pattern of findings consistent with what has been observed in higher-income countries
Do Political Leaders Impact Economic Freedom at the Local Level? Evidence from Close Elections
Authors: Raff Zach , Swanson Andrew , Zanzalari Danielle
Published: February 2024

This paper examines whether state and local political leaders’ partisan affiliations affect economic freedom at the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) level. Because political leaders’ partisan affiliations likely correlate with unobserved state- and local-level characteristics that also affect the economic freedom levels of MSAs, we use a regression discontinuity design that leverages close elections as natural experiments to identify a causal effect. Using Stansel (2019)’s index, which aggregates a bundle of policies into a single measure of economic freedom, we find that close Republican majorities in the lower State House increase overall MSA-level economic freedom. This effect is realized through consistent governments (i.e., Republican governor and Republican State House majority) and primarily through changes in labor market policy. At the city level, Republican mayors also increase overall MSA-level economic freedom levels.
How and why pet cats are fed the way they are: a self-reported owner survey
Authors: O’Halloran Conor , Cerna Petra , Barnicoat Rachel , Caney Sarah MA , Gunn-Moore Danièlle A
Published: February 2024

Objectives

This study used an owner-directed online questionnaire to collect data regarding their food and water provision for their pet cats. The survey was conducted in 2019.

Methods

The anonymous online 30-question survey was available via vetprofessionals.com .

Results

A total of 1172 cat owners fully completed the questionnaire. The respondents each owned a median of two cats (range 1–6). They reported being most strongly motivated to feed a particular ration because of palatability, observed and/or expected health benefits, or that the diet was/is perceived as ‘natural’. The majority of owners (n = 946, 80.7%) fed their cats exclusively a commercially purchased complete wet food, dry kibble diet or mixture of both. Compared with a previous (unpublished) survey conducted by the same authors in 2013,1 there were substantial increases in the number of owners feeding therapeutic diets (26.6% vs 0.7%) and the inclusion of raw meat in cats’ rations (15.6% vs 3.7%). The proportion of respondents providing at least one feeding station per cat was 83.1%, with significant use of enrichment feeding methods (29.1%).

Conclusions and relevance

Veterinarians need to be aware of changing trends in cat feeding to provide owners with appropriate support. Veterinary advice was frequently sought by owners and can be used as an opportunity to improve cat health and welfare, particularly in multi-cat households, but was not often influential to client decision making.
Conspiracy, misinformation, radicalisation: understanding the online pathway to indoctrination and opportunities for intervention
Authors: Booth Emily , Lee Jooyoung , Rizoiu Marian-Andrei , Farid Hany
Published: February 2024

In response to the rise of various fringe movements in recent years, from anti-vaxxers to QAnon, there has been increased public and scholarly attention to misinformation and conspiracy theories and the online communities that produce them. However, efforts at understanding the radicalisation process largely focus on those who go on to commit violent crimes. This article draws on three waves of research exploring the experiences of individuals currently or formerly involved in fringe communities, including the different stages of investment they progressed through, and ultimately, what made people leave. We propose a pathway model for understanding contemporary online radicalisation, including potential interventions that could be safely made at each stage. Insight into the experience of being immersed in these communities is essential for engaging with these people empathetically, and therefore preventing both the emergence of violent terrorists and protecting vulnerable people from being drawn into these communities.
River(s) Wear: Water in the Expanded Field
Authors: Santos Miguel , Wainwright John
Published: February 2024

This article elaborates on an artist-in-residence project funded by the Leverhulme Trust in the Geography Department at Durham University in 2015–16. The project confronted artistic and scientific perspectives to investigate how people in the North-East of England perceive and value their river environments and to recognize potential contributions to catchment management. The project identified a variety of disconnexions and hierarchies in the River Wear catchment and formulated artistic interventions for nonhuman audiences. This article reflects on water holistically and explores transdisciplinary views to propose water in its expanded field. Water in the Expanded Field is plural, complex, and aims at decentering the human importance. It promotes water multiple perspectives, including the more-than-human world and acknowledging water’s ontological importance, developed by the speculative artistic practice of producing works of art for nonhuman audiences and then transposed to water debates. The article converges distinct evidence pointing to the importance of composting existing knowledge and dualistic reasoning to promote pluriversal ontologies of water.
Target Vessel–Related Outcomes in Patients Managed With Branch Thoracic Aortic Endovascular Repair
Authors: Nana Petroula , Panuccio Giuseppe , Rohlffs Fiona , Spanos Konstantinos , Torrealba Jose I. , Kölbel Tilo
Published: February 2024

Introduction:

Data on target vessel (TV)-related outcomes in patients managed with branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair (BTEVAR) are limited. This study aimed to present the TV-related outcomes of BTEVAR in patients managed for aortic arch pathologies at 30 days and during follow-up.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients, managed between September 1, 2011, and June 30, 2022, with custom-made aortic arch endografts (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA), presenting at least one branch configuration, were eligible. Primary outcomes were technical success, TV-related patency, and reinterventions at 30 days.

Results:

In total, 255 TVs were revascularized using branches: 107 innominate arteries (IAs), 108 left common carotid arteries (LCCAs), and 40 left subclavian arteries (LSAs). Covered stents were used as bridging stents of which 10.2% were balloon expandable. Relining, using bare-metal stents (BMS), was performed in 14.0% of IAs, 35.2% of LCCAs, and 22.5% of LSAs. Technical success on case basis was 99.2%; no failure was related to unsuccessful TV bridging. At 30 day follow-up, no TV occlusion was detected. In 5.6% of cases, a type Ic or III endoleak, attributed to TVs, was recorded. Two patients needed early branch-related reintervention. The mean follow-up was 18.3±9.2 months. Freedom from TV instability was 94.6% (standard error [SE] 2.5%] at 12 months. No TV stenosis or occlusion was detected up to 48 months of follow-up. Freedom from TV-related reinterventions was 95.4% [SE 2.4%] at 12 months.

Conclusion:

TV stenosis or occlusion in BTEVAR cases is rare and TV-related reinterventions and instability events are mainly attributed to type Ic and III endoleak formation.

Clinical Impact

Previous studies focusing on target vessel (TV) outcomes after endovascular aortic arch repair are limited. In this study, including 255 TVs revascularized using branched arch devices, bridging was performed with covered stents, of which 90% were self-expanding. Relining was at the discretion of the operator and was 14% for the innominate, 35.2% for the left common carotid and 22.5% for the left subclavian artery branches. No 30-day occlusion was detected. The freedom from TV instability was almost 95% at 12 months. TV instability and reintervention were mainly attributed to endoleaks type Ic and IIIc.
Deployment of Digital Devices in Prisons in New South Wales in Australia: Exploring the Benefits, Challenges, and Opportunities for Incarcerated Women
Authors: Franich Gabriela , Martinovic Marietta
Published: February 2024

Women in prison experience a double digital divide, due to gendered discrimination and carceral isolation. We focus on a recent policy change in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, whereby digital devices were provided to incarcerated people. This policy change is considered in light of women’s trauma histories and the importance of community and family connection. We respond to themes presented at the United Nations’ Sixty-Seventh Session on the Commission of the Status of Women, specifically achieving equality and empowerment for all women and girls in the digital age. Incarcerated women must be prioritized when addressing the gendered digital divide.
Associations Between Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease in Young Adults
Authors: Moxley Elizabeth , Conrad Marc , Habtezgi Desale , Camic Clayton , Chomentowski Peter Joseph , Bode Barrie P. , Kowal Rachel , Loeser Troy , Budhwani Sara
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) impacts 50% of U.S. adults although few studies evaluate young adults’ cardiovascular disease risk. Early identification of cardiovascular disease risk may mitigate increased adulthood incidence. We analyzed (CVD) risk factors and their association with cardiovascular fitness ([Formula: see text] o2max) to devise effective strategies to improve cardiovascular health across the lifespan.

Methods

A cross-sectional study evaluated the effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on cardiovascular disease risk factors in adults aged 18 to 36 years. Glycemic control (HbA1C), cardiovascular fitness ([Formula: see text]o2max), percent body fat, lean body mass, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed using correlation analysis and multiple linear regression.

Results

Statistically significant relationships were observed between percent body fat (r = .83, P < .001) and BMI, and waist circumference (r = .83, P < .001) and BMI. Percent body fat ( P < .001) and race ( P = .018) predicted exercise time, with Asians exercising the longest. Percent fat ( P < .001) and HbA1C ( P = .039) were identified as predictors of cardiovascular fitness which was low in spite of primarily normal average HbA1C levels.

Conclusions

HbA1C and body fat negatively influence cardiovascular fitness ([Formula: see text] o2max) in young adults increasing adulthood cardiovascular disease risk. Research investigating the effect of HbA1C on cardiovascular health especially in youth is warranted.
Hepatoprotective Effects of a Chemically-Characterized Extract from Cistus ladanifer: In Vivo and in Silico Investigations
Authors: Bouothmany Kaoutar , Amrati Fatima ez-zahra , Chebaibi Mohamed , Bin Jardan Yousef A. , Nafidi Hiba-Allah , Bourhia Mohammed , Dabiellil Fakhreldeen , Mohammed El mzibri , mellouki Fouad , Bousta Dalila , Benbacer Laila
Published: February 2024

Background: Liver damage is indicated by histopathological and metabolic dysfunction. There has been increasing interest in natural hepatoprotective agents from medicinal herbs. The medicinal plant Cistus ladanifer widely used in phytotherapy was selected for this study. Objectives: The work aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Cistus ladanifer leaf extracts in vivo against the paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity mice and in silico using the docking method. The chemical composition of the extracts was also studied. Materials and methods: The paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity mice were treated with aqueous and methanolic extracts of Cistus ladanifer at two doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg body. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, triglycerides, total cholesterol, urea, and creatinine in mice-induced hepatotoxicity were measured to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the extracts. The histopathological alterations were also investigated. The chemical profile of methanolic and aqueous C. ladanifer extracts was determined using GC-MS. The Human Cytochrome P450 2E1(CYP2E1) was presented as a protein target and the docking was studied using Maestro version 11.5 software developed by Schrodinger, LLC. Results: The administration of C. ladanifer extracts showed hepatic protection at an oral dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg for the aqueous extract and only at 150 mg/kg for the methanolic one. The aqueous extract at both doses and the methanolic extract at 150 mg/kg didn’t occur any biochemical or histological alterations. However, the methanolic extract showed hepatic toxicity at 300 mg/kg. Various compounds were identified in the methanolic and the aqueous extracts, probably responsible of the hepatoprotective activity. The in silico study has also shown that some molecules present in both extracts presented a good affinity in the active site of Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). Conclusion: The results deserve more attention as C. ladanifer can be considered a source of pharmacological compounds with hepatoprotective effects. Further detailed investigation is needed to deepen the study.
From Understanding to Embodying: Moving Beyond Teaching for Understanding of the Spiritual Disciplines Through Using Psychological Theories of Motivation and Behavior
Authors: Erbe Ryan G.
Published: February 2024

Spiritual formation is the Spirit-directed process of forming pupils of Jesus into His image. Willard (2002; 2005) and Wright (2012) provide effective guidance for the spiritual growth process and place spiritual disciplines at the heart of change. Porter (2023) expresses the need for followers of Jesus to embody the spiritual disciplines and for those communicating about the process to do so in actionable ways. The current paper takes up this call by presenting psychological theories of motivation and behavior that can be seen in Jesus’ teaching of the spiritual disciplines in the Sermon on the Mount and that Christian leaders and teachers should use when teaching the disciplines to increase the likelihood that their students will embody the practices. Initial empirical support for using the Reasoned Action Approach when teaching meditation is highlighted. The paper concludes with practical suggestions for using both theories when teaching and communicating about the spiritual disciplines.
Conduits of the Kremlin’s Informational Influence Abroad? How German-Language Alternative Media Outlets Are Connected to Russia’s Ruling Elites
Authors: Beseler Arista , Toepfl Florian
Published: February 2024

Extant research on alternative media in Western democracies has focused on scrutinizing their content, organization, production, and audiences. However, the extent to which alternative outlets are linked to powerful foreign actors has not yet been analyzed, despite the fact that a plethora of outlets have openly sided with Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, spreading the Kremlin’s propagandistic narratives. To fill this gap, this study adopts a case study approach. It selects Germany as a revelatory case of a key target country of Russia’s foreign influence efforts, raising the question of how and to what extent German-language alternative media outlets are connected to Russia’s ruling elites. Grounded in qualitative analysis of a wide range of documents, this study proposes a categorization that divides the connections into three different types: organizational, media, and personal connections. Subsequently, it is demonstrated that half of the analyzed German-language alternative media outlets maintain at least one of these three types of connections to the Kremlin. These findings contribute to our knowledge of alternative media, as well as Russia’s overt and covert foreign influence operations, the so-called “active measures.” They also highlight the need for more transparency in alternative media landscapes in democratic contexts across the globe.
Super Refractory Status Epilepticus Improved After Emergency Use of Ganaxolone: Case Report
Authors: Manners Jody , Jusuf Emily , Parikh Gunjan Y. , Gasior Maciej , Vaitkevicius Henrikas , Morris Nicholas A.
Published: February 2024

We present a case of a 34-year-old man with epilepsy who developed super refractory status epilepticus in the setting of COVID-19 pneumonia in whom aggressive therapy with multiple parenteral, enteral, and non-pharmacologic interventions were utilized without lasting improvement in clinical examination or electroencephalogram (EEG). The patient presented with multiple recurrences of electrographic status epilepticus throughout a prolonged hospital stay. Emergency use authorization was obtained for intravenous ganaxolone, a neuroactive steroid that is a potent modulator of both synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. Following administration of intravenous ganaxolone according to a novel dosing paradigm, the patient showed sustained clinical and electrographic improvement.
Anti-LGI-1 Limbic Encephalitis and Autoimmune Epilepsy Following a Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report
Authors: Mullan Gerry , Kinney Michael
Published: February 2024

Anti-leucine rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI-1) autoimmune encephalitis (AE) typically presents with cognitive impairment, faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS) and hyponatraemia. Reports are growing of neurological complications following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. Here we describe a 50 year old man who developed anti-LGI-1 limbic encephalitis and autoimmune epilepsy 4 days following a dose of the mRNA Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (of note, his first two vaccinations were viral vector ChAdOX1-S). He presented with focal aware seizures characterised by short-lived episodes of confusion, emotional distress and déjà vu associated with palpitations. He also reported subacute progressive amnesia. He responded well to high-dose steroid and subsequent immunoglobulin therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of anti-LGI-1 AE following a mixed COVID-19 vaccination regimen. We aim to complement the early literature on this post-COVID-19 vaccination phenomenon.
Fiscal and Monetary Policies Interaction in Crisis: An Insight Into Japan
Authors: Thi Kim Oanh Tran
Published: February 2024

In this study, we explore the interaction between fiscal and monetary policies in Japan over a period including the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and a phase of the Covid-19 pandemic under the presupposition that policy regimes are fixed and there are random switches between the two regimes. Using the Regime switching model, the results show that fiscal policy is more active in Japan than monetary policy, especially during the GFC and the Covid-19 pandemic. By using the Bayesian VAR model, we continue to further analyze the response of macroeconomic factors to an expansionary fiscal policy to verify the above findings once again. The results indicate that government expenditure helps boost the economy in the short-run. The positive impact of a government expenditure shock on GDP, PPI, and Investment lasts about three to four quarters, while private consumption only increases in one next quarter. These positive responses can increase the inflation rate and make the local currency overvalued, reflected in the increase in the effective exchange rate. A fiscal policy shock does not have much impact on the monetary policy, specifically, the money supply and interest rates of long-term government bonds still tended to decrease as expected by Japan. This is the basis for studying policy implications for some countries pursuing similar policies to Japan.

JEL Classification: C23, C54, E42, E62, E63
Relationship Between Perceived Parental Support and Subjective Well-Being of Emerging Adults in Indonesia
Authors: Aditaputri Timothea I. , Novita Shally , Abidin Fitri A.
Published: February 2024

Studies on the relationship between perceived parental support (PPS) and subjective well-being (SWB) were mostly conducted in individualistic countries or cohort of adolescents. This study aims to provide empirical evidence for the relationship between PPS and SWB in emerging adults in Indonesia, which is considered to have a predominantly collectivistic culture. Specifically, the present study identifies the types of PPS (attachment, social integration, opportunity for nurturance, reassurance or worth, reliable alliance, and guidance) that play a significant contribution to emerging adults’ SWB. A total of 315 emerging adults ( M age = 21.18, SD = 1.39, 72.06% female, 81.90% college students, and 18.10% college graduates) participated in this study. The structural equation model showed that PPS is significantly related to SWB. In addition, guidance is the only type of PPS that has a statistically significant association with SWB. Potential explanations in respect to Indonesian collectivistic culture are discussed.
Making sense of policy development of inclusive education for children with disabilities in China
Authors: Qu Xiao
Published: February 2024

Inclusion is integral to the education policy in countries across the world. In China, inclusion has been reaffirmed in recent policies as a priority in enhancing educational quality for disabled children. However, the growing scale of special schools and the increasing number of students enrolled seem to convey a conflicting message with inclusion. This paper critically examines the policy development from 1987 to 2023 concerning education for disabled children in China to make clearer sense of China’s inclusion agenda. The analysis highlights a policy vision where special schools are seen as key resources to enhance inclusive provisions and will continue to grow in scale in the short term as they transform to be an integral and inter-connected part within the wider education system rather than segregated settings, while Learning in Regular Classrooms and inclusion remain a primary objective and rationale underpinning the educational development for disabled children. This means a broader understanding of special education/schools in China is needed. The Chinese government has forged and embraced a unique, if not controversial approach that is adapted to suit the local contexts. This may set an example for the global community to explore localised strategies for inclusion to enhance education for all.
Unusual Case of Diffuse Neonatal Hemangiomatosis Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: El Mansoury Fatima Zahrae , El Yousfi Zakia , Halfi Mohamed Ismail , Lrhorfi Najlae , Allali Nazik , Chat Latifa
Published: February 2024

Diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis (DNH) is an infrequent condition characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of multiple cutaneous hemangiomas and the involvement of 3 or more organs. DNH is suspected when multiple hemangiomas are identified on the skin of the infant. Although it is benign in nature, DNH can lead to critical and life-threatening complications. Diagnosis primarily relies on clinical evaluation with a significant emphasis on imaging techniques. In this case report, we present an unusual pediatric case of diffuse infantile hemangioendothelioma, for which the investigative approach included ultrasound and CT scans. These imaging methods were instrumental in revealing the presence of lesions in the liver, thyroid, and brain, ultimately playing a pivotal role in making the diagnosis of DNH. A positive clinical and biological improvement was observed with corticosteroid treatment during a 3-month follow-up.