bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visualizing Social Studies Literacy: Teaching Content and Skills to English Language Learners
Authors: Cruz Bárbara C. , Thornton Stephen J.
Published: February 2022

Because of its conceptually dense character, social studies can be difficult to learn. Educators often struggle to find ways to teach higher-order thinking and make academic language and concepts comprehensible for English language learners (ELLs). Visuals may be the key to effective social studies instruction for this student population. Images can be located and obtained easily through the Internet, meshing well with the learning styles of today’s adolescents. This article presents some of the most promising approaches—including historical photographs, paintings and illustrations, maps, propaganda posters, and graphic organizers— that can be used with learners at all levels of language proficiency.
Tasks and Talk: The Relationship Between Teachers’ Goals and Student Discourse
Authors: Rudnitsky Al
Published: February 2022

The learning outcomes sought by social studies educators emphasize critical thinking, deep content knowledge, and an understanding of how knowledge in the disciplines of social studies is created and changes. Achieving these outcomes, calls for a more active, collaborative, and student-centered pedagogy. The reported study seeks to better understand the nature of student engagement in this kind of pedagogy by closely examining student discourse during instruction. The study reveals while academic tasks were well thought out and, on the surface, constructivist in nature; student discourse was almost entirely oriented toward producing good products with little thinking aimed at exploring the meanings and relationships among content. The study also demonstrates that redesigning the nature of classroom tasks, by presenting students with problems that necessitate thinking about how content is inter-related, results in readily discernable deepening of student discourse.
Social Studies Beginnings: Investigating Very Young Children’s Prior Knowledge of a Disaster
Authors: Sunal Cynthia Szymanski , Coleman Julianne M.
Published: February 2022

An investigation of very young children’s perceptions of a natural disaster, a tornado, used a stratified random sample of 40 children, aged 4-5 years, from a population of 108 in ten classes. The study also investigated a research protocol for ascertaining prior knowledge through children’s responses: physical representation, drawing responses, and retelling of personal stories through dictating captions for drawings. Two data sets were taken soon after the tornado. The children physically represented what happens in a tornado and how one takes shelter. Drawings increased in complexity by the second data set. Children’s stories included personal experiences: houses lost or damaged, being scared, friends missing, and wanting a significant other. Researchers can use a variety of methods to investigate very young children’s prior knowledge. An implication is that disaster education has a role in early social studies education promoting meaningful understanding by children of dangers posed, protecting oneself, and coping with the aftermath. Such a role is increasingly important as recent major U.S. disasters have impacted large numbers of citizens including our very young students. Further research especially with very young children in the area of disaster and hazards education is warranted in the field of social studies education.
Dialogue, Discussion, and Democracy in the Social Studies Classroom
Authors: Tannebaum Rory P.
Published: February 2022

This paper seeks to intertwine current literature in social studies education with practical suggestions for integrating dialogue and controversy into the practicing teacher’s classroom. The works of John Dewey (1926), Diana Hess (2004), and Walter Parker (2003) will serve as the foundation of this essay; placing an emphasis on their respective arguments advocating for the school as a place where students learn to develop the ability to participate in informed dialogue and understand the foundational elements of a functional democracy. The essay will place emphasis on the necessity for teachers who incorporate controversial social issues into their lessons through various forms of discourse. To that end, a foundational analysis of the benefits of integrating controversial issues into the social studies classroom will be provided and followed by a description of four practical lessons that have effectively fostered dialogue amongst students at the secondary level. The aim of the paper, ultimately, is to provide practicing social studies teachers at the middle and high school level with feasible lessons that are grounded in the theories and philosophies of the leading scholars in social studies education.
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness?
Authors: Christensen Lois M. , Whetstone Melissa G.
Published: February 2022

Although the civil rights movement in the United States occurred more than 50 years ago, voter suppression, as witnessed in the 2012 election, for diverse groups of people continues. The information presented in this article supports the teaching and learning of social studies within early childhood and elementary grades as teachers and students consider and examine issues and problems concerning those who have been disenfranchised as voters within the United States. The use of historic role models, artwork, musical lyrics, and primary documents are various ways to assist young learners as they analyze and confront controversial issues such as discrimination within a pluralistic society. Through research, young learners can construct narratives from the present to make meaning from historical figures, events, and places of the past. Children’s understandings of historical people and events that took action against discriminatory practices and opportunities to expand learning about the topic may enable them to take the lead to make our democracy a reality for life, liberty and happiness.
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival Written by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery
Authors: Hubbard Janie
Published: February 2022

Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival presents high quality illustrations and relevant information concerning the aftermath of natural disasters, with specific attention to Hurricane Katrina. The book relates to students’ real lives because natural disasters affect many people, and, if ever faced with a natural disaster, students may find comfort in remembering this story of friendship, hope, and renewal. Young students also may begin to realize ways in which people help others during challenging times. This serves as an introduction to the importance of volunteerism in our culture. In this lesson, students are engaged in: concept webbing, discussion, map reading, cooperative group work, free-form mapping, and critically thinking about things that natural disaster survivors need and how volunteers help. Student friendly digital resources that explain hurricanes and how people adapt following natural disasters are used in the lesson.
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal Written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Authors: Montgomery Sarah E. , Hanzelka Lauren
Published: February 2022

Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal tells the story of the Deputy U.S. Marshal and former slave, Bass Reeves. Before reading, students will confront stereotypes they may have about the Old West. As they read the text, students will be encouraged to make text-to-text connections on how the Old West may be portrayed in other sources. A graphic organizer paired with a discussion will highlight student connections, understandings, questions, and reactions to the text. Lastly, students will create and share obituaries, honoring Bass Reeves’ accomplishments as an active citizen and his dedication to justice and equality.
A Review of Social Studies Textbook Content Analyses Since 2002
Authors: Roberts Scott L.
Published: February 2022

A content analyses study of social studies textbooks was completed in 1993 by Rahmia Wade. She found the problematic way in which researchers examined texts noting they relied too much on personal perceptions and opinions of social studies topics and failed to cite additional sources to support their claims. The investigation further asserted social studies textbook analyses lacked interrater reliability and data quantification. In many cases, the authors of these works were comparing textbooks to other textbooks, rather than to standards, and were not examining all the texts used in a particular discipline. Based on these findings, Wade questioned the effectiveness of these analyses for improving social studies education. This project replicated Wade’s study. A random sample of social studies textbook analyses published between 2002 and 2012 was considered and the author found that they have changed little since Wade’s article. Suggestions are offered for those interested in conducting textbook analysis with a focus on how to make such studies more relevant for classroom teachers. These suggestions include: analyzing both the textbooks and standards simultaneously, analyzing the entire textbook, and providing student centered lesson ideas.
Teaching for Democratic Citizenship: Arriving at a Guiding Question for Pedagogical Practice
Authors: Shiveley James
Published: February 2022

Social studies teachers often feel a tension between wanting to teach for democratic citizenship and the need to cover the multiple areas of required content. This paper examines the nature of this tension, critically examines democratic citizenship as a universally understood process, and suggests a guiding question to assist social studies teachers with how to remain focused on the purpose of their field while also teaching mandated curriculum. The implications of this guiding question for classroom practice are discussed.
Tackling Controversial Topics: Developing Thematic Text Sets for Elementary Social Studies
Authors: Tschida Christina M. , Buchanan Lisa Brown
Published: February 2022

Increased integration of the social studies into language arts instructional time in elementary schools, has led to a common practice of covering social studies content through use of children’s literature. Though the two content areas are covered in tandem, the primary foci are the language arts objectives. The authors suggest teaching with themed text sets, developed using carefully selected social studies topics and inquiries, not only addresses English Language Arts standards but also allows for authentic and meaningful social studies instruction. A four-step process for developing themed text sets is presented. These are: 1) identify the big idea to be explored, 2) recognize the multiple perspectives needed for a more complete story, 3) locate qualifying texts, and 4) select texts to be included. Each step is demonstrated with three controversial topics in the elementary social studies curriculum: family (Kindergarten-1), civil rights (grades 2-3), and slavery (grades 4-5) and resources are provided for locating texts. The authors illustrate the importance of developing text sets that include multiple perspectives, particularly those lesser-known stories of historical events or themes, to serve as windows or mirrors for children in developing historical content knowledge.
Building Prospective Early Childhood Teachers Content Knowledge Through Historical Reasoning Tasks
Authors: Palmeri Amy B.
Published: February 2022

The preparation of future teachers of young children should incorporate attention to the developmental markers at the heart of developmentally appropriate practice and ground early childhood subject matter learning in disciplinary perspectives, engagement, and thinking essential for later disciplinary learning. With this focus in mind, I described an instructional sequence designed to engage teacher candidates in historical reasoning tasks where they considered the conceptual resources they used to support their own historical reasoning as a point of entry for considering the conceptual resources young children have at their disposal. I presumed that such a comparison would allow candidates to develop the kind of content knowledge for teaching, enabling them to best leverage children’s historical reasoning as a means of deepening children’s historical knowledge and understanding. The analysis indicated that candidates began to construct initial developmental trajectories of children’s historical reasoning and raised pedagogical questions suggesting they began to envision themselves as teachers of historical inquiry.
Integrating Content and Pedagogy: Developing Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Social Studies Teacher Education
Authors: Cude Michelle D. , Jaffee Ashley Taylor , Dillard Philip David , Hulsey John , Sandman Alison
Published: February 2022

This case study investigated how a collaborative, interdisciplinary partnership supported pre-service teachers’ approach to integrating content and pedagogy in coursework and field-based experiences at a large, public university. The collaboration involved articulating shared goals and objectives, planning and teaching co-requisite courses, and sharing a vision of shaping future social studies teachers. The research questions that framed this study were: What elements contributed to a successful collaborative, interdisciplinary partnership? How did faculty involved in the collaboration conceptualize supporting pre-service teachers’ development of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK)? The voices of the faculty members involved in this collaboration are highlighted to illustrate how they conceptualized meeting the needs of pre-service social studies teachers. Findings included identifying the constraints and benefits of partnerships as well as contributing factors to a successful interdisciplinary partnership. Identifying the evolving definition and role of PCK in the training of future social studies teachers is also addressed.
Preparing Elementary Teacher Candidates to Use Global Content: An Action Research Study
Authors: Rock Tracy C. , Polly Drew , Handler Laura
Published: February 2022

Globalization is a powerful force that will shape the future world in which our children will live. To prepare our students for the world, we need to prepare their teachers. To be effective in the new global environment, teachers need broader sets of knowledge and skills than have previously been required. We designed this action research study to examine our teacher candidates’ use of global education content to support our ability to develop their knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward its use. The following research questions focus the study: How do elementary education teacher candidates utilize global content within integrated unit plans? How can the elementary social studies methods course prepare teacher candidates to use global content? The findings reveal teacher candidates’ integration of global content was strongest in the areas of foundational-knowledge-level dimensions with few examples of higher-level application, cross-cultural experiences, or action-oriented learning tasks. Secondly, global education content requiring a critical perspective was minimal or nonexistent in the teacher candidates’ planning. We discuss these two concerns and present action steps to build teacher candidates’ capacity for developing higher levels of global content into their instructional unit planning.
Content, Disciplinary, and Critical Literacies in the C3 and Common Core
Authors: LaDuke Aja , Lindner Mary , Yanoff Elizabeth
Published: February 2022

The Common Core Standards (CCS) for English Language Arts and College, Career, and Civic Life Framework (C3) require social studies educators to reconsider connections between literacy and history teaching. In this article we examine three perspectives on literacy teaching: content area literacy, disciplinary literacy, and critical literacy. While some scholars see these perspectives as contradictory or in competition, we demonstrate how content, disciplinary, and critical literacy teaching can complement each other and facilitate teaching to and beyond the CCS standards and C3 framework in intermediate, middle school, and high school history instruction. Our article includes teaching examples as well as appendices of teacher resources.
Unlocking the Civic Potential of Current Events with an Open Classroom Climate
Authors: McCafferty-Wright Jennice , Knowles Ryan
Published: February 2022

Current events and citizenship intersect in students’ classrooms in ways both problematic and full of potential. Teachers take a range of approaches, from the passive, weekly regurgitation of news stories to the empowered use of current events to explore broader issues and inform civic engagement. Creating an open classroom climate can help teachers unlock the civic potential of current events, which aids students in building civic knowledge, internal political efficacy, and civic self-efficacy. This article begins by introducing teachers to research on open classroom climates using data from the International Civic and Citizenship Survey (ICCS). We then provide examples of the components of an open classroom climate and a survey created from ICCS items for teachers to assess their own classroom’s climate. Elements of an open classroom climate are applied to current events pedagogy with a lesson plan for young children that explores civic responses to water scarcity and features All the Water in the World, a picture book by George Ella Lyon and Katherine Tillotson.
Using Labor Images to Arouse Inquiry into Issues of Social Justice
Authors: Misco Thomas , Pond Gavin , Spearman Mindy
Published: February 2022

Labor history is an important social studies topic often neglected in both textbooks and classrooms. We argue for the importance of including labor history in social studies and for the unique value of editorial cartoons as an educational resource to meet the challenge of making labor history relevant and engaging to students. Editorial cartoons are a unique form of visual rhetoric. To understand the meanings contemporary readers would have made from the cartoons, students need to engage both visual and written symbols that were current at the time of publication. These efforts help develop essential historical thinking skills by bridging semiotic gaps that impede meaningful understandings of history. A critical analysis of labor-related editorial cartoons not only helps students understand labor history, but also develops the skill of analyzing visual rhetoric, an invaluable tool for civic life in an information society saturated with images designed to persuade. Additionally, political cartoons that illustrate issues of exploitation, marginalization, and oppression provide unique and engaging points of entry for classroom discussions about issues of social justice, particularly as it relates to labor. To aid practicing social studies teachers, this article includes specific pedagogical approaches, resources, and examples of labor-related editorial cartoons that social studies teachers can introduce into their classrooms.
Comprehensively dissecting the hub regulation of PkaC on high‐productivity and pellet macromorphology in citric acid producing Aspergillus niger
Authors: Zheng Xiaomei , Cairns Timothy C. , Ni Xiaomei , Zhang Lihui , Zhai Huanhuan , Meyer Vera , Zheng Ping , Sun Jibin
Published: February 2022

Aspergillus niger, an important industrial workhorse for citric acid production, is characterized by polar hyphal growth with complex pelleted, clumped or dispersed macromorphologies in submerged culture. Although organic acid titres are dramatically impacted by these growth types, studies that assess productivity and macromorphological changes are limited. Herein, we functionally analysed the role of the protein kinase A (PKA)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signalling cascade during fermentation by disrupting and conditionally expressing the pkaC gene. pkaC played multiple roles during hyphal, colony and conidiophore growth. By overexpressing pkaC, we could concomitantly modify hyphal growth at the pellet surface and improve citric acid titres up to 1.87‐fold. By quantitatively analysing hundreds of pellets during pilot fermentation experiments, we provide the first comprehensive correlation between A. niger pellet surface morphology and citric acid production. Finally, by intracellular metabolomics analysis and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) following titration of pkaC expression, we unveil the metabolomic and transcriptomic basis underpin hyperproductivity and pellet growth. Taken together, this study confirms pkaC as hub regulator linking submerged macromorphology and citric acid production and provides high‐priority genetic leads for future strain engineering programmes.
Strengthening Cybersecurity of Water Infrastructure through Legislative Actions
Authors: You Jongeun
Published: February 2022

Many water and wastewater utilities are vulnerable to cyberattacks and cyber intrusions. The COVID‐19 pandemic has exacerbated this weakness by moving water‐related employees to remote work, which has increased vulnerability to cyber threats. However, policymakers recognize the need to strengthen the cybersecurity resilience of water infrastructure, as evidenced by legislative activity. This article reviews four cases of recently adopted cybersecurity legislation at the federal and state levels. The empirical focus is on (1) the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, (2) the Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020, (3) the New Jersey Water Quality Accountability Act, and (4) the New York Water Supply Emergency Plans. The legislative review recapitulates the core components of these legislative efforts to amplify strategies for securing and improving water infrastructure.
Streaming code across audiences and performers: An analysis of computer science communities of inquiry on Twitch.tv
Authors: Gandolfi Enrico , Ferdig Richard E. , Clements Robert
Published: February 2022

Live streaming platforms like Twitch.tv count millions of viewers and performers, pointing to novel practices and interactions. Instructional applications of this phenomenon are rising with thematic channels and shows aimed at teaching and debating a variety of subjects ranging from art to programming. However, few research publications have specifically explored trends in pedagogical strategies and learning behaviours of viewing audiences. This study responded to this need by analysing computer science shows on Twitch.tv. A total of 40 hours of live streaming were analysed within a Community of Inquiry framework using the concepts of social affordances, computational thinking, and teaching style. Data collected from both expert and novice streamers included streamers' actions, on‐screen activity, and online discussions. Results pointed to specific tactics employed by both performers and viewers for exploring computer science issues and dynamics together, with instances of peer‐tutoring, construed learning, and significant transparency, even when top‐down instruction was staged.

Practitioners notes

What is already known about this topic

Live streaming is a popular media practice all around the world, with Twitch.tv as the leading hosting platform.

A rising number of live streaming shows are focusing on education and learning topics, from STEM to art.

What this paper adds

A first exploration of instructional streaming focused on computer science education.

An analysis of best practices in instructional streaming in terms of community building, teaching style, and computational thinking processes.

A better understanding of how communities of inquiry can be hosted on Twitch.tv.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Practitioners can harness this study's results for informing better educational streaming.

Educators may refer to this article's highlights for selecting and evaluating educational streaming shows.

Policy makers will be able to use this article's insights for monitoring and re‐applying effective computer science activities in other educational environments.
Piloting the Circle of Security Parenting group with parents of children with a learning disability: An exploratory case study
Authors: Birdsey Nicola , McElwee Jennifer , Best Lara , Muddle Sarah , Vincent Regine
Published: February 2022

Background

The Circle of Security Parenting programme is a manualised parenting intervention that aims to enhance secure attachment and improve relationships between children and their caregivers. It is gaining global popularity and acquiring emerging support. Researchers are increasingly interested in its effectiveness in enhancing parent–child attachment, improving parent psychological flexibility and reducing parental stress. However, research to date has predominantly focused on parents of typically developing children, despite the Circle of Security Parenting intervention being used as a parenting programme in specialist services for children with learning disabilities. There is, however, no clear evidence that this programme meets the diverse needs of parents who encounter additional challenges that may impact on the development of secure parent–child attachment relationships. This case study aims to pilot a seven‐session Circle of Security Parenting programme for parents of children with learning disabilities.

Methods

Four participants completed pre‐ and post‐intervention outcome measures specified by Circle of Security Parenting, including: the Parental Stress Scale, Parental Acceptance Questionnaire, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II and the Caregiver Helplessness Questionnaire.

Findings

Quantitative results are mixed, and did not demonstrate the improvements in parental stress or psychological flexibility that might be expected. Qualitative accounts of participants' experiences offer potential explanations for the findings that may be unique to parents of children with learning disabilities.

Conclusion

This paper recognises that further research is needed to identify evidence‐based programmes that meet the needs of this population.
A new amplicon‐based gene panel for next generation sequencing characterization of meningiomas
Authors: Mawrin Christian , Koch Ralf , Waldt Natalie , Sandalcioglu I. Erol , Braunsdorf Werner E. K. , Warnke Jan‐Peter , Goehre Felix , Meisel Hans‐Jürgen , Ewald Christian , Neyazi Sina , Schüller Ulrich , Kirches Elmar
Published: February 2022

Meningiomas are the most frequent primary intracranial tumors. The considerable variety of histological subtypes has been expanded by the definition of molecular alterations, which can improve both diagnostic accuracy and determination of individual patient's outcome. According to the upcoming WHO classification of brain tumors, the in‐time analysis of frequent molecular events in meningiomas may become mandatory to define meningioma subtypes. We have compiled a custom‐made amplicon‐based next generation sequencing (NGS) meningioma panel covering the most frequent known recurrent mutations in 15 different genes. In an unselected consecutive meningioma cohort (109 patients) analyzed over a period of 12 months, we detected mutations in 11 different genes, with most frequent alterations in NF2 (43%), AKT1E17K (15%), and TRAF7 (13%). In 39 tumors (36%), two different mutations were detected, with NF2 and SUFU (n = 5) and KLF4 and TRAF7 (n = 5) being the most frequent combinations. No alterations were found in POLR2A, CDKN2A, CDKN2B, and BAP1, and no homozygous CDKN2A/B deletion was detected. NF2 mutations were found in tumors of all WHO grades, whereas mutations in KLF4, TRAF7, and SMO were restricted to WHO grade I meningiomas. In contrast, SMARCE1 and TERT mutations were associated with WHO grade II meningiomas (according to the WHO classification 2016). The distribution of mutations across histological subtypes or tumor localization was in line with the existing literature, with typical combinations like KLF4K409Q/TRAF7 for secretory meningiomas and preferential skull base localization of meningiomas harboring SMO and AKT1E17K mutations. Thus, we present a custom‐made NGS meningioma panel providing a time and cost‐efficient reliable detection of relevant somatic molecular alterations in meningiomas suitable for daily routine.
Molecular neuropathology of brain‐invasive meningiomas
Authors: von Spreckelsen Niklas , Kesseler Christoph , Brokinkel Benjamin , Goldbrunner Roland , Perry Arie , Mawrin Christian
Published: February 2022

Invasion of brain tissue by meningiomas has been identified as one key factor for meningioma recurrence. The identification of meningioma tumor tissue surrounded by brain tissue in neurosurgical samples has been touted as a criterion for atypical meningioma (CNS WHO grade 2), but is only rarely seen in the absence of other high‐grade features, with brain‐invasive otherwise benign (BIOB) meningiomas remaining controversial. While post‐surgery irradiation therapy might be initiated in brain‐invasive meningiomas to prevent recurrences, specific treatment approaches targeting key molecules involved in the invasive process are not established. Here we have compiled the current knowledge about mechanisms supporting brain tissue invasion by meningiomas and summarize preclinical models studying targeted therapies with potential inhibitory effects.
Tattoo-like dermatitis left after fire-needle therapy
Authors: Han Ning , Wang Yu , Xu Jia , Lu Hongguang
Published: February 2022

Traditional Chinese medical theory holds that fire acupuncture can relieve neuropathic pain, and in many Asian countries, acupuncture has been used as one of the methods to relieve herpes zoster nerve pain. Sometimes, the patterns left on the skin by the needles may be very confusing to the practitioner who sees the patient. Recently, we saw a patient with puzzling tattoo-like dermatitis on his skin, and upon further questioning, he had recently undergone a fire-needle treatment and was left with this pattern.
Forecasting the influence of conservation strategies on landscape connectivity
Authors: Mozelewski Tina G. , Robbins Zachary J. , Scheller Robert M.
Published: February 2022

Maintaining and enhancing landscape connectivity reduces biodiversity declines due to habitat fragmentation. Uncertainty remains, however, about the effectiveness of conservation for enhancing connectivity for multiple species on dynamic landscapes, especially over long time horizons. We forecasted landscape connectivity from 2020 to 2100 under four common conservation land‐acquisition strategies: acquiring the lowest cost land, acquiring land clustered around already established conservation areas, acquiring land with high geodiversity characteristics, and acquiring land opportunistically. We used graph theoretic metrics to quantify landscape connectivity across these four strategies, evaluating connectivity for four ecologically relevant species guilds that represent endpoints along a spectrum of vagility and habitat specificity: long‐ versus short‐distance dispersal ability and habitat specialists versus generalists. We applied our method to central North Carolina and incorporated landscape dynamics, including forest growth, succession, disturbance, and management. Landscape connectivity improved for specialist species under all conservation strategies employed, although increases were highly variable across strategies. For generalist species, connectivity improvements were negligible. Overall, clustering the development of new protected areas around land already designated for conservation yielded the largest improvements in connectivity; increases were several orders of magnitude beyond current landscape connectivity for long‐ and short‐distance dispersing specialist species. Conserving the lowest cost land contributed the least to connectivity. Our approach provides insight into the connectivity contributions of a suite of conservation alternatives prior to on‐the‐ground implementation and, therefore, can inform connectivity planning to maximize conservation benefit.
Impact of disease‐modifying therapies on humoral and cellular immune‐responses following SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination in MS patients
Authors: Trümpelmann Susan , Schulte‐Mecklenbeck Andreas , Steinberg Olga V. , Wirth Timo , Fobker Manfred , Lohmann Lisa , Lünemann Jan D. , Wiendl Heinz , Gross Catharina C. , Klotz Luisa
Published: February 2022

The impact of distinct disease‐modifying therapies (DMTs) on severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccination efficacy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is still enigmatic. In this prospective comparative study, we investigated humoral and cellular immune‐responses in patients with MS receiving interferon beta, natalizumab, and ocrelizumab pre‐vaccination and 6 weeks post second SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination. Healthy individuals and interferon beta‐treated patients generated robust humoral and cellular immune‐responses. Although humoral immune responses were diminished in ocrelizumab‐treated patients, cellular immune‐responses were reduced in natalizumab‐treated patients. Thus, both humoral and cellular immune responses should be closely monitored in patients on DMTs. Whereas patients with a poor cellular immune‐response may benefit from additional vaccination cycles, patients with a diminished humoral immune‐response may benefit from a treatment with SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies in case of an infection.
Preventing all‐cause hospitalizations in type 2 diabetes with sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists: A narrative review and proposed clinical approach
Authors: Schechter Meir , Fischer Matan , Mosenzon Ofri
Published: February 2022

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at increased risk for hospital admissions, and acute hospitalizations are associated with a worse prognosis. However, outcomes related to all‐cause hospital admissions (ACHAs) were often overlooked in trials that demonstrated the cardiovascular and kidney benefits of sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs). This review includes a contemporary literature summary of emerging data regarding the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP‐1RAs on ACHAs. The role of SGLT2 inhibitors in preventing ACHAs was shown in exploratory investigations of several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and was further supported by real‐world evidence (RWE). However, the association between GLP‐1RA use and lower ACHA risk was mainly shown through RWE, with minimal available RCT data. We also discuss the advantages and challenges of studying ACHAs. Finally, we propose an easily memorized (“ABCDE” acronym) clinical approach to evaluating T2D status and treatment in admitted patients, as they transition from hospital to community care. This systematic approach may assist clinicians in recognizing possible pitfalls in T2D management, thereby preventing subsequent hospitalizations and improving patient prognoses. While acute admission can sometimes be perceived as a management failure, it should also be viewed as an opportunity to take action to prevent the next hospitalization.
Researcher effects in survey‐based research: Insights from research in South Sudan
Authors: Tomiak Kerstin
Published: February 2022

Motivation

In policy‐relevant and applied research in international development, the evidence‐based turn has led to increasing donor demand for evidence that is neutral, objective, and value‐free. Rather than this positivist understanding, the article argues for reflexivity and acknowledgement of positionality to help overcome potential researcher effects.

Purpose

Drawing on the example of survey research in South Sudan, the article argues that social relations between the researcher, surveyors, and participants shape the research process and hence knowledge creation. It examines why survey research conducted under similar circumstances led to distinctive data sets.

Methods and approach

The argument is based on comparing survey data gathered by two groups of locally hired surveyors in South Sudan and subsequent semi‐structured interviews with them.

Findings

The data show that the researcher's positionality, broadly conceived, influenced data collection. The way the locally hired surveyors perceived the lead researcher and the economically challenging environment of South Sudan—a country severely embroiled in violent conflict—affected the data that were gathered with a social survey, and consequently affected knowledge production.

Policy implications

The article contributes to the literature that argues that researcher effects also occur in quantitative research. It shows that in policy‐relevant research reflexivity is necessary to strengthen research results. Researchers working in conflict‐affected, impoverished environments, and donors requesting evaluation and measurement, should be encouraged to take positionality into account and to ask questions about research practices.
Plasma neurofilament light chain as a biomarker for fatal familial insomnia
Authors: Hermann Peter , Canaslan Sezgi , Villar‐Piqué Anna , Bunck Timothy , Goebel Stefan , Llorens Franc , Schmitz Matthias , Zerr Inga
Published: February 2022

Background and purpose

Fatal familial insomnia is a rare hereditary prion disease associated with the D178N‐129M PRNP mutation. Early diagnosis is difficult, because the clinical syndrome may overlap with affective disorders. In addition, most known cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for prion diseases and magnetic resonance imaging do not show a good diagnostic accuracy for fatal familial insomnia. In this context, data on plasma biomarkers are scarce.

Methods

We analyzed levels of neurofilament light chain, glial fibrillary acidic protein, chitinase‐3‐like protein 1, calcium‐binding protein B, and total tau protein in six serial plasma samples from a patient with fatal familial insomnia. Subsequently, plasma neurofilament light chain was analyzed in n = 25 patients and n = 19 controls. The diagnostic accuracy and associations with disease stage and duration were explored.

Results

Among all biomarker candidates in the case study, only neurofilament light chain levels showed a constant evolution and increased over time. They discriminated fatal familial insomnia from controls with an area under the curve of 0.992 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.974–1) in the case–control study. Higher concentrations were associated with methionine homozygosity at codon 129 PRNP (p = 0.006), shorter total disease duration (rho = −0.467, p = 0.019, 95% CI = −0.790 to −0.015), and shorter time from sampling to death (rho = −0.467, p = 0.019, 95% CI = −0.773 to −0.019).

Conclusions

Plasma neurofilament light chain may be a valuable minimally invasive diagnostic biomarker for fatal familial insomnia after clinical onset. Most important, stage‐related increase and association with disease duration indicate potential as a prognostic marker and as a surrogate marker in clinical trials.
Infantile spasms: Assessing the diagnostic yield of an institutional guideline and the impact of etiology on long‐term treatment response
Authors: Chourasia Nitish , Yuskaitis Christopher J. , Libenson Mark H. , Bergin Ann M. , Liu Shanshan , Zhang Bo , Poduri Annapurna , Harini Chellamani
Published: February 2022

Objective

Neuroimaging and genetic testing have been proposed for diagnostic evaluation of infantile spasms (IS), establishing etiology in ~60% of multicenter IS cohorts. A retrospective analysis of the yield of diagnostic etiology following an institutionally established guideline for investigation/treatment of IS was conducted, and the association between etiological subgroups and sustained response to standard treatment was evaluated.

Methods

Etiology of IS, neuroimaging, and genetic results were extracted from clinical records. Etiology was categorized as acquired or nonacquired, the latter including syndromic patients, nonsyndromic patients with confirmed etiology, and unknown cases. Regression analyses, using clinical variables including subtypes of etiology, were conducted to determine which factors correlated with favorable (spasm freedom at last follow‐up after two or fewer standard treatments) versus unfavorable treatment outcome (refractory spasms despite two standard treatments or relapse).

Results

We included 127 IS patients (60% males) with a follow‐up of 2.4 years (range = .6–5 years). All patients had neuroimaging, and 95% of patients in the nonacquired category (103 of 108 patients) had genetic testing. Etiology was identified in 103 of 127 (81%, 95% confidence interval = .73–.86). At last follow‐up, 42 (33%) patients had favorable treatment outcome. No difference in treatment response was observed between acquired and nonacquired etiologies. Among patients with nonacquired etiologies, developmental delay prior to spasms onset increased the odds of unfavorable treatment outcome (p = .014), whereas a clearly recognizable dysmorphic/syndromic etiology was associated with a lower risk for treatment failure (p = .034). In nonacquired etiology without a recognizable dysmorphic/syndrome but with a genetic etiology, unfavorable treatment outcome was more likely (p = .043).

Significance

Rigorous evaluation with neuroimaging and genetic testing yields an etiological diagnosis in most patients with IS. Among patients with a nonacquired etiology, those with recognizable dysmorphic/syndromic diagnosis had a higher likelihood of a favorable treatment outcome, whereas the absence of such a finding, when associated with an identifiable genetic diagnosis, was associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes.
Neurovascular unit dysfunction as a mechanism of seizures and epilepsy during aging
Authors: van Vliet Erwin A. , Marchi Nicola
Published: February 2022

The term neurovascular unit (NVU) describes the structural and functional liaison between specialized brain endothelium, glial and mural cells, and neurons. Within the NVU, the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) is the microvascular structure regulating neuronal physiology and immune cross‐talk, and its properties adapt to brain aging. Here, we analyze a research framework where NVU dysfunction, caused by acute insults or disease progression in the aging brain, represents a converging mechanism underlying late‐onset seizures or epilepsy and neurological or neurodegenerative sequelae. Furthermore, seizure activity may accelerate brain aging by sustaining regional NVU dysfunction, and a cerebrovascular pathology may link seizures to comorbidities. Next, we focus on NVU diagnostic approaches that could be tailored to seizure conditions in the elderly. We also examine the impending disease‐modifying strategies based on the restoration of the NVU and, more in general, the homeostatic control of anti‐ and pro‐inflammatory players. We conclude with an outlook on current pre‐clinical knowledge gaps and clinical challenges pertinent to seizure onset and conditions in an aging population.
Carbon‐negative hydrogen production: Fundamentals for a techno‐economic and environmental assessment of HyBECCS approaches
Authors: Full Johannes , Ziehn Sonja , Geller Marcel , Miehe Robert , Sauer Alexander
Published: February 2022

In order to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality, hydrogen generated from renewable sources will play an important role. Additionally, as underlined in the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), new technologies to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere are required on a large scale. A novel concept for hydrogen production with net negative emissions referred to as HyBECCS (Hydrogen Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) combines these two purposes in one technological approach. The HyBECCS concept combines biohydrogen production from biomass with the capture and storage of biogenic carbon dioxide. Various technology combinations of HyBECCS processes are possible, whose ecological effects and economic viability need to be analyzed in order to provide a basis for comparison and decision‐making. This paper presents fundamentals for the techno‐economic and environmental evaluation of HyBECCS approaches. Transferable frameworks on system boundaries as well as emission, cost, and revenue streams are defined and specifics for the application of existing assessment methods are elaborated. In addition, peculiarities concerning the HyBECCS approach with respect to political regulatory measures and interrelationships between economics and ecology are outlined. Based on these considerations, two key performance indicators (KPIs) are established, referred to as levelized cost of carbon‐negative hydrogen (LCCNH) and of negative emissions (LCNE). Both KPIs allow deciding whether a specific HyBECCS project is economically viable and allows its comparison with different hydrogen, energy provision, or negative emission technologies (NETs).
Valued waste/wasted value: Waste, value and the labour process in electronic waste recycling in Singapore and Malaysia
Authors: Wong Aidan M.
Published: February 2022

This paper focuses on value creation in electronic waste, and supports the argument (c.f. Herod et al., 2014) that ‘waste’ embodies congealed labour – the product of the labour process. This analysis of itinerant rag‐and‐bone collectors demonstrates that value creation by informal labour accrues as congealed labour in recycled e‐waste through the agentic acts of collecting, salvaging and extracting. This paper highlights the central role of informal labour in this labour process and pushes further the conceptualisation of ‘wasted labour’ (McGrath‐Champ et al., 2015) by calling for greater attention to the agentic nature of labour in value creation, rather than simply being a passive means of production. Drawing on Marx's circuit of capital, this paper articulates the central role played by informal labour – an oft overlooked economic actor – in enabling the subsequent recycling processes and conceptualises them as pivotal to the recycling industry.
Effects of ipragliflozin on left ventricular diastolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: The EXCEED randomized controlled multicenter study
Authors: Akasaka Hiroshi , Sugimoto Ken , Shintani Ayumi , Taniuchi Satsuki , Yamamoto Koichi , Iwakura Katsuomi , Okamura Atsunori , Takiuchi Shin , Fukuda Masahiro , Kamide Kei , Fujio Yasushi , Nakatani Satoshi , Ogihara Toshio , Rakugi Hiromi ,   EXCEED investigators
Published: February 2022

Aim

We carried out a randomized controlled trial using ipragliflozin. We analyzed changes in diastolic function using echocardiography in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Methods

We carried out an open‐label, multicenter, randomized, two‐arm interventional trial. A total of eligible 68 participants were randomly assigned into two groups (ipragliflozin group n = 36; conventional treatment group n = 32). Primary end‐points were the change in E/e' and e'. Secondary end‐points were other parameters of echocardiography, plasma NT‐proBNP level, New York Heart Association class, hemoglobin A1c and blood pressure.

Results

After 24 weeks of follow up, E/e' decreased in both groups (ipragliflozin: 11.0 vs 10.4; conventional treatment 10.5 vs 10.1; multivariate‐adjusted P = 0.95). There were no significant differences in the amount of change in E/e', e', echocardiography parameters, plasma NT‐proBNP level, New York Heart Association class, hemoglobin A1c and blood pressure between the two groups. In the subgroup analysis, ipragliflozin treatment decreased in left ventricular mass index in patients aged ≥70 years and also decreased in NT‐proBNP levels in patients with baseline NT‐proBNP ≥400 pg/mL.

Conclusions

In this randomized controlled study carried out in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, 24‐week ipragliflozin treatment did not improve left ventricular diastolic function compared with conventional treatment. As the subgroup, ipragliflozin treatment decreased in left ventricular mass index in participants aged ≥70 years. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 298–304.