bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International Law in Central Asia: Practices and Doctrines
Authors: Sayapin Sergey
Published: January 2023

Since their independence in 1991, the states of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) have become increasingly important as regional and international actors. They have joined the United Nations (UN) as well as regional organizations, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States (cis), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (csto), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (sco), and the Eurasian Economic Union (eaeu). International law has played an important role in the processes of state-building and integration these countries have undergone, yet it has not always been consistently accepted as a policy tool and academic discipline. In particular, building a stable nexus between the practice of international law and academic research on the subject remains a challenge. This article provides an overview of Central Asian practices and doctrines of international law with a focus on international peace and security, international organizations, international environmental law, human rights, international humanitarian and criminal law, and international investment arbitration. It concludes with recommendations for more successful promotion and implementation of international law in the region.
User Engagement against Online Far-Right Actions in Japan: Driven by High Perceptions of Personal Abilities and Benefits
Authors: Löschke Ayaka
Published: January 2023

This article presents a case study of user engagement against incivility online in Japan, considering three determinants of such engagement identified in a German case study. Japanese users launched the #Internet Rightists Ban Festival in 2018 and are continuing their engagement. As a result, more than 10,500 Twitter accounts have been permanently banned. What drove the participants to initiate and continue their engagement? What type of users attended the festival and led it? This article asks these questions, conducting an inductive qualitative analysis of 3,821 tweets and distinguishing 1,038 participants. It argues that Japanese user engagement has been driven in particular by the perception of personal abilities, such as gaming and comment-writing skills, and the perception of personal benefits, especially from gamification and irony. This article also identifies participants’ left-wing political orientation as an important factor in their continuing sense of responsibility and leadership.
Social Media Advocacy for Gender Equality by Indonesian Men: The Case of Aliansi Laki-laki Baru (New Men’s Alliance)
Authors: Fahadi Prasakti Ramadhana
Published: January 2023

In most parts of the world, men are the dominant gender in power relations. Benefiting from this situation, many are hesitant to support feminism. However, men’s role in the realization of gender equality is crucial. Using interpretive analysis, this research examines how Indonesia’s New Men Alliance/Aliansi Laki-laki Baru (ALB), an activist group that highlights the importance of men’s support for women’s rights, uses social media to advocate gender equality and the strategies they use to effectively communicate their ideas through the frameworks of political solidarity of social change and men’s role in gender equality. The results show that the contents of their Instagram and Facebook page emphasize the urgency of becoming a ‘new man’, while ensuring that the content is relevant both locally and globally. Lastly, ALB strives to exercise its role as an advocate and ally by stepping in without overstepping.
In Search of the Hospices of the Early Byzantine Provincia Arabia (4th–7th centuries ce)
Authors: Piraud-Fournet Pauline
Published: January 2023

From the fourth century ce, Christians were encouraged to redeem their faults by caring for the poor. The most striking manifestation of this phenomenon was the building by the Church of more or less specialised hospices throughout the Early Byzantine Empire (4th to 7th century ce) to accommodate those who depended on charity for their survival. These establishments are mentioned by ancient texts and lapidary inscriptions. About nine such facilities, ptocheion for the needy, xenodocheion for foreigners and travelers, diakonia where food was distributed and other types of charitable hospices can be listed in the ancient province of Arabia (Southern Syria, Northern Jordan). The available data, whether textual or archaeological since some remains are observable on the field, are presented in this paper and compared to those collected elsewhere in the Near East.
Collybiopsis bambusicola sp. nov. in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China
Authors: ZHANG QIU-YUE , ZHOU MENG , SHI FENG-MING , SI JING , LI HAI-JIAO
Published: January 2023

Collybiopsis bambusicola sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Yunnan Province, Southwestern China, based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses. It is characterized by its minute, cream to cinnamon basidiomata, short, eccentric stipe, forked lamellae, nearly poroid hymenophore which are radially arranged from the base of the stipe, 2–spored basidia, oblong ellipsoid basidiospores (6–8.3 × 3–4.3 μm), and gregarious on dead bamboo. In ITS + nLSU based phylogeny, the new species formed a distinct lineage nested within Collybiopsis ramealis complex clade.
Paracanthocobitis putaoensis, a new loach species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from the Irrawaddy basin in northern Myanmar
Authors: LIN FENG , CHEN ZHI-YING , MYINT KHIN MAR , CHEN XIAO-YONG
Published: January 2023

Paracanthocobitis putaoensis sp. nov. is described based on analysis of morphological and molecular data (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I—COI). The new species was collected from the Mali Hka River, a tributary of the Irrawaddy River near Putao in Kachin State in northern Myanmar. It can be easily distinguished from all other species of the genus Paracanthocobitis by an incomplete lateral line, a suborbital groove in adult males, and a well-developed axillary pelvic lobe. Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Paracanthocobitis based on the mitochondrial COI locus are revealed for the first time. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenetic analyses indicate that the new species forms an independent clade. Both morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest that P. putaoensis is a new species.
The Israel 4 Cloud Seeding Experiment: Primary Results
Authors: Benjamini Yoav , Givati Amir , Khain Pavel , Levi Yoav , Rosenfeld Daniel , Shamir Uri , Siegel Ayal , Zipori Assaf , Ziv Baruch , Steinberg David M.
Published: January 2023

After 38 years of operational cloud seeding for rain enhancement in northern Israel, the Israel 4 experiment was conducted to reassess its effect on rainfall and provide a basis to evaluate its utility. Operational seeding started after two randomized experiments, the second ending in 1976, found a large and statistically significant effect of cloud seeding on rainfall. Observational studies in later years raised doubts as to the magnitude of the effect, possibly because of changing climatological conditions. A carefully designed randomized experiment was conducted from 2013 to 2020. A unique feature of the design was the use of forecast rainfall on target, rather than rainfall in an unaffected area, as a control variate to attenuate variability. The Israel 4 experiment was stopped a year earlier than planned, because the result was disappointing: a 1.8% increase, p value = 0.4, and 95% confidence interval of (−11%, 16%). These results led to a decision by the Israel Water Authority to stop operational seeding.

Significance Statement

The recent cloud seeding experiment in northern Israel did not show a significant rainfall increase—unlike the sequence of seeding experiments conducted in Israel in the previous century.
A Joint Approach Combining Correlation and Mutual Information to Study Land and Ocean Drivers of U.S. Droughts: Methodology
Authors: Shin Chul-Su , Dirmeyer Paul A. , Huang Bohua
Published: January 2023

Normalized mutual information (NMI) is a nonparametric measure of the dependence between two variables without assumptions about the shape of their bivariate data distributions, but the implementation and interpretation of NMI in the coupled climate system is more complicated than for linear correlations. This study presents a joint approach combining correlation and NMI to examine land and ocean surface forcing of U.S. drought at varying lead times. Based on the distribution of correlation versus NMI between a source variable (local or remote forcing) and target variable [e.g., summer precipitation in the southern Great Plains (SGP)], newly proposed one-tail significance levels for NMI combined with two-tailed significance levels of correlation enable us to discern linearity and nonlinearity dominant regimes in a more intuitive way. Our analysis finds that NMI can detect strong linear relationships like correlations, but it is not exclusively tuned to linear relationships as correlations are. Also, NMI can further identify nonlinear relationships, particularly when there are clusters and blank areas (high density and low density) in joint probability distributions between source and target variables (e.g., detected between soil moisture conditions in eastern Montana from mid-February to mid-August and summer precipitation in the SGP). The linear and nonlinear information are found to be sometimes mixed and rather convoluted with time, for instance, in the subtropical Pacific of the Southern Hemisphere, revealing relationships that cannot be fully detected by either NMI or correlation alone. Therefore, this joint approach is a potentially powerful tool to reveal complex and heretofore undetected relationships.
Leptospiral myocarditis and pancreatitis
Authors: Sharma Rohan , Gurtoo Anil , Prakash Anupam , Jose Rosmy , Bansal Priya
Published: January 2023

While Leptospira are known to cause multi-system dysfunction, cardiac involvement is uncommon. We present a case febrile myocarditis diagnosed to have leptospirosis. The patient also had pancreatitis, jaundice and renal failure but recovered well with timely management.
Gas sensing properties of a maghemite-coupled porphyrin thin film–based optical waveguide sensor
Authors: Maimaiti Patigu , Nizamidin Patima , Kari Nuerguli , Kutilike Buayishamu , Yimit Abliz
Published: January 2023

This study concerns the development of a maghemite (γ-Fe2O3)-coupled tetra sulfophenyl porphyrin (TSPP) thin film–based optical waveguide (OWG) sensor (TSPP-γ-Fe2O3-OWG) for the detection of ethylenediamine (EDA). For ease of manufacture, we fabricated sensors using a spin-coating technique, and characterized their response based on their ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectra and the response intensity of OWG sensor. We have observed significant changes in the location of the peaks in the sensor’s UV-vis absorption spectra after exposed to EDA gas, indicating aggregation of TSPP. Optical characterization confirmed that the combination of TSPP with maghemite (TSPP-γ-Fe2O3-OWG) had improved device response, with twice as high as those of the acid-treated TSPP-OWG sensor, and 30 times higher than that of the pure γ-Fe2O3-OWG sensor. At ambient temperature, the composite sensor exhibited a linear response to EDA gas in the concentration range of 0.1–1000 ppm with signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) 8.33, confirming that the improved stability of the composite TSPP-γ-Fe2O3 thin-film OWG enables the detection of trace amounts of gas with high sensitivity and selectivity.
Examining the Contribution of Physical Cues for Same- and Cross-Race Face Individuation
Authors: Correll Joshua , Ma Debbie S. , Kenny David A. , Palma Tomás A.
Published: January 2023

Face individuation involves sensitivity to physical characteristics that provide information about identity. We examined whether Black and White American faces differ in terms of individuating information, and whether Black and White perceivers differentially weight information when judging same-race and cross-race faces. Study 1 analyzed 20 structural metrics (e.g., eye width, nose length) of 158 Black and White faces to determine which differentiate faces within each group. High-utility metrics (e.g., nose length, eye height, chin length) differentiated faces of both groups, low-utility metrics (e.g., face width, eye width, face length) offered less individuating information. Study 2 ( N = 4,510) explored Black and White participants’ sensitivity to variation on structural metrics using similarity ratings. High-utility metrics affected perceived dissimilarity more than low-utility metrics. This relationship was non-significantly stronger for same-race faces rather than cross-race faces. Perceivers also relied more on features that were racially stereotypic of the faces they were rating.
Credit Default Swaps and Borrowers’ Real Earnings Management: Evidence From Credit Default Swap Initiation
Authors: Wang Yuxuan , Fang Ruirui , Hu Nan , Huang Rong
Published: January 2023

In this study, we examine whether the initiation of credit default swap (CDS) trading alters borrowers’ real earnings management activities. Creditors increase debt supply and loosen loan contracts after CDS initiation, which in turn lessens borrowers’ pressure to resort to real earnings management as a way of lowering the cost of debt and increasing debt capacity. Consistent with this prediction, we find that borrowers reduce myopic real earnings management activities after CDS initiation. Furthermore, we show that this negative association between CDS initiation and real earnings management is more pronounced for borrowers with safer financial status and fewer debt covenants. Our findings remain robust to conducting a parallel trend analysis, employing the propensity score matching and the two-stage instrumental variable methods, using alternative measures of real earnings management, and controlling for accrual-based earnings management. Overall, our study suggests a potential “bright side” of CDS contracts by showing that the introduction of CDS contracts reduces, rather than exacerbates, borrowers’ myopic real earnings management behavior.
Musical Futures in New Zealand: A study in recontextualisation
Authors: Wang Angelina , McPhail Graham
Published: January 2023

Musical Futures (MF) is an internationally recognised approach to music teaching aimed at developing high levels of student engagement through practical music making. Set up in the UK in 2003 Musical Futures is typical of approaches to education aimed at increasing levels of student autonomy through a strong emphasis on student-led discovery learning. A study was undertaken in 2020 to 2021 in New Zealand which investigated how a small number of teachers understand and utilise Musical Futures as an approach for classroom music teaching. The data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with teachers in New Zealand and leaders of the Musical Futures International team in Australia who offer training in New Zealand. Green’s original conceptualisation of informal learning was used as the main theoretical bench-mark against which teacher practices were compared and the findings reveal a shift away from the original idea of a discovery approach into the deep end, to more systemised learning. Bernstein’s concept of recontextualisation is used to make sense of this process of adaptation and change in the curriculum making process.
Construct validity and fairness of an operational listening test with World Englishes
Authors: Nishizawa Hitoshi
Published: January 2023

In this study, I investigate the construct validity and fairness pertaining to the use of a variety of Englishes in listening test input. I obtained data from a post-entry English language placement test administered at a public university in the United States. In addition to expectedly familiar American English, the test features Hawai’i, Filipino, and Indian English, which are expectedly less familiar to our test takers, but justified by the context. I used confirmatory factor analysis to test whether the category of unfamiliar English items formed a latent factor distinct from the other category of more familiar American English items. I used Rasch-based differential item functioning analysis to examine item biases as a function of examinees’ place of origin. The results from the confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the unfamiliar English items tapped into the same underlying construct as the familiar English items. The Rasch-based differential item functioning analysis revealed many instances of item bias among unfamiliar English items with higher proportions of item biases for items targeting narrow comprehension than broad comprehension. However, at the test level, the unfamiliar English items did not substantially influence raw total scores. These findings offer support for using a variety of Englishes in listening tests.
Twenty-four hour blood pressure variability and the prevalence and the progression of cerebral white matter hyperintensities
Authors: Starmans Naomi LP , Wolters Frank J , Leeuwis Annebet E , Bron Esther E , Brunner La Rocca Hans-Peter , Staals Julie , Biessels Geert Jan , Kappelle L Jaap ,   for the Heart-Brain Connection Consortium
Published: January 2023

Blood pressure variability (BPV) is related to cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMH), but longitudinal studies assessing WMH progression are scarce. Patients with cardiovascular disease and control participants of the Heart-Brain Connection Study underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and repeated brain MRI at baseline and after 2 years. Using linear regression, we determined whether different measures of BPV (standard deviation, coefficient of variation, average real variability (ARV), variability independent of the mean) and nocturnal dipping were associated with WMH and whether this association was mediated or moderated by baseline cerebral perfusion. Among 177 participants (mean age: 65.9 ± 8.1 years, 33.9% female), the absence of diastolic nocturnal dipping was associated with higher WMH volume at baseline (β = 0.208, 95%CI: 0.025–0.392), but not with WMH progression among 91 participants with follow-up imaging. None of the BPV measures were associated with baseline WMH. Only 24-hour diastolic ARV was significantly associated with WMH progression (β = 0.144, 95%CI: 0.030–0.258), most profound in participants with low cerebral perfusion at baseline (p-interaction = 0.042). In conclusion, absent diastolic nocturnal dipping and 24-hour diastolic ARV were associated with higher WMH volume. Whilst requiring replication, these findings suggest that blood pressure patterns and variability may be a target for prevention of small vessel disease.
Organizational Image and Employee Engagement: Exploring the Inter-Relationships Between Construed External Image and Perceived Organizational Identity
Authors: Lee Shinwoo , Hameduddin Taha , Lee Gyeo Reh
Published: January 2023

Organizational image, defined as internal members’ evaluations of their organization, is a critical managerial issue since it influences employee work attitudes and subsequent performance. While the public administration discipline has observed an increasing scholarly interest in the influence of organizational image on employee engagement, it leaves the potential inter-relationships between two distinctive organizational image dimensions—construed external image (CEI) and perceived organizational identity (POI)—unexplored. We examine the influence of these two organizational images on employee engagement, with an emphasis on both the mediating and moderating role of POI between CEI and employee engagement. Empirical results show that both image dimensions positively influence employee engagement. More importantly, we find that POI acts as a moderator in the CEI–employee engagement relationship, that is, the positive influence of CEI on the outcome depends on the level of POI. Empirical findings imply that public employees treat two dimensions of organizational image differently and weigh POI more than CEI. In particular, the findings suggest that attractive or positive POI may serve as a catalyst to reinforce employee engagement even in the presence of a long-lasting negative external image for public organizations.
Procedural Justice and the Unintended Role of Street-Level Bureaucrats in Prompting Citizens to Act as Vigilantes
Authors: Edri-Peer Ofek , Cohen Nissim
Published: January 2023

What role do the perceptions of clients about the procedural justice that street-level bureaucrats (SLBs) use when implementing policy play in prompting citizens to engage in vigilante actions? Using qualitative methods, we examine the unintended effects of SLBs’ implementation of policy on citizens’ vigilantism. We contribute to the literature by showing that procedural justice on the street level is in fact an important factor in citizens’ decisions to act as vigilantes. Our findings identified three significant factors in these decisions: the citizens’ ability to voice their complaint, the sense that they were treated respectfully and their trust that the police officers would do what they could to deal with their complaint. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that citizens and SLBs do not share the same perceptions of the role of the police as service providers, and that this gap increases citizens’ motivations to act independently.
Complete response with combined therapy in a patient with brain metastasis from nasopharyngeal carcinoma: case report and literature review
Authors: Jiang Liji , Zhang Chun
Published: January 2023

Brain metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare event with limited research. In this report, we discuss the details of a case of brain metastasis from NPC that presented with a solitary, cystic lesion in the frontal lobe. We also reviewed the related literature published in the last 20 years. We analyzed the patient’s clinical characteristics, which indirectly suggested hematogenous spread rather than a cerebrospinal fluid route. Although there are no standard treatments for brain metastasis of NPC, previous studies reported that combined surgery and radiotherapy was a good treatment option, with long survival. Our patient achieved intracranial complete response after the combination of conventional chemoradiotherapy and novel immunotherapy. This treatment option could be useful in future similar cases.
Giving to Matthew, Emily, Jose, or Maria: A Field Study Examining the Impact of Race and Gender on Donation Requests
Authors: Woods Amanda L. , Wu Felix Y. , Hebl Michelle R.
Published: January 2023

Across the world, many individuals, organizations, and communities rely on the charitable contributions of others to meet critical needs. However, receiving aid can be challenging if donors discriminate against solicitors based on their demographic characteristics. We examined the potential impact of two of such characteristics, namely, the solicitor’s race and gender, by soliciting contributions from 162 dentist offices through phone calls, manipulating race (Latino/White) and gender (male/female) of the caller. We analyzed differences between race and gender on the likelihood of receiving donations and interpersonal interactions rated by blind coders. Logistic regression results revealed Latinos were significantly less likely to receive donations than Whites, and women were marginally more likely to receive donations than men. Multivariate analysis of variance results indicated, however, that Latinos received significantly better interpersonal treatment than Whites. Results show support for Patronization Theory extended to the solicitation context. Implications of these findings and future directions for research are discussed.
The Development of Spatial Cognition and Its Malleability Assessed in Mass Population via a Mobile Game
Authors: Xu Shan , Song Yiying , Liu Jia
Published: January 2023

Spatial cognition is a fundamental aspect of human intelligence, but our understanding of its developmental trajectory across the life span is limited. Here, we applied game-based assessment on mobile devices to engage a large sample from China ( N = 216,713) with a wide age range (from under 10 years old to above 60) in multiple participations of a mental rotation task, a typical measure of spatial cognition. We found that spatial ability developed asynchronously with its malleability. Whereas mental rotation performance peaked at the age of 28, with males performing better than females, the effect of training from repeated participation peaked at 18, probably laying the foundation for the development of spatial ability. In contrast, children showed particularly low malleability, and a follow-up experiment revealed that the underdeveloped ability of mirror-image discrimination likely hindered the malleability of spatial cognition during this period. The intermingled relation of ability and malleability illustrates dynamics in the development of spatial cognition, inviting broad research on the development of other cognitive functions.
Emodin protects against apoptosis and inflammation by regulating reactive oxygen species-mediated NF-κB signaling in interleukin‐1β-stimulated human nucleus pulposus cells
Authors: Zhu Xiaojuan , Guo Shuqin , Zhang Mingyuan , Bai Xiaoliang
Published: January 2023

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a complex degradative disorder associated with inflammation. Emodin, an anthraquinone derivative, possesses strong anti-inflammatory activity. This study focused on the in vitro therapeutic action of emodin in a cellular model of IDD. Human nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) were stimulated with interleukin‐1 β (IL-1 β) to induce inflammation. Cell Counting Kit-8 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining assays were performed to evaluate the viability and apoptosis of NPCs, respectively. Caspase-3 activity was measured to indirectly assess cell apoptosis. Western blot analysis was performed to detect protein expression levels. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction was performed for the detection of relative mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α) and IL-6. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to analyze TNF- α and IL-6 secretion. Our results showed that emodin treatment mitigated IL-1β-induced reduction of cell viability in NPCs. Moreover, the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptotic rate, and caspase-3 activity in IL-1 β-stimulated NPCs was reduced by emodin treatment. Treatment with emodin also abolished IL-1 β-induced inflammation in NPCs, as indicated by reduced secretion of IL-6 and TNF- α. Besides, the increase in expression levels of phosphorylated p65 and nuclear p65 in IL-1 β-stimulated NPCs was suppressed by emodin treatment. Furthermore, inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF- κB) activation with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate aggravated the protective effects of emodin. These results suggested that emodin protected NPCs against IL-1 β-induced apoptosis and inflammation via inhibiting ROS-mediated activation of NF- κB.
Association Between Primary Decision-Maker and Care Intensity Among Patients With Advanced Cancer in Mainland China
Authors: Yang Fei , Leng Anli , Wang Jian , Jing Jun , Leiter Richard E. , Sharma Rashmi K. , Krakauer Eric L. , Jia Zhimeng
Published: January 2023

Purpose: In China, decisions regarding the treatment of seriously ill patients are usually made by family caregivers. This study aimed to explore the association between the primary decision-makers and the intensity of care given to patients with advanced cancer in China. Methods: We conducted a survey of family members and other caregivers representing 828 cancer patients who died between July 2013 and July 2016. The survey asked: “After the physician conveyed that the disease is incurable, what treatment did the patient and caregiver prefer?” and “Who was the primary decision-maker?” We compared the treatment intensity with locus of decision-making using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical covariates informed. Results: Of the 792 patients in our sample, the majority were male (67·2%), 60 years or older (64·0%), married (82·2%), lived with family (98·2%), had medical insurance (94·8%), earned below-average income (53·5%), lived rurally (61·5%), had a gastrointestinal cancer diagnosis (50·8%), experienced moderate or severe pain (86·3%), never received palliative care (80·4%) and had caregivers as primary decision-makers (70·6%). We found that patients were more likely to receive intensive disease-modifying treatments when the primary decision-maker were their children (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1·86, 95% CI:1·26-2·74), spouse (AOR = 2·04, 95% CI:1·26-3·30), or other caregivers (AOR = 3·46, 95% CI:1·24-9·69). Conclusions: When patients with advanced cancer in China did not make their own medical decisions, they were more likely to receive intensive disease-modifying treatments at the end-of-life. Actions should be taken to better understand and ensure that caregivers’ decisions reflect the values and presence of patients.
Examining the Remote Learning Experiences of Children Born Very Preterm During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Vrantsidis Daphne M. , Horn Tim C. , Benkart Rebekah A. , Busch Tyler A. , Orton Kerry E. , Neel Mary Lauren , Maitre Nathalie L. , Taylor H. Gerry
Published: January 2023

This study examined the remote learning activities children born very preterm (VPT; gestational age ≤ 30 weeks) received, compared with children born full term (FT; gestational age ≥ 37 weeks), during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents of 5- to 6-year-olds born VPT ( n = 33) and FT ( n = 33) reported on the provision, frequency, and duration of teacher-provided live instruction, educational materials, and homework; and parent-provided educational materials. More kindergarten children born VPT received small group instruction and fewer received large group instruction than FT children. Preschoolers born VPT engaged in parent-provided learning apps, educational videos, and reading activities less frequently or for shorter durations than FT children. Findings suggest that while teachers generally implemented remote learning similarly for children born VPT and FT, parents did not. Children born VPT are at higher risk for educational problems and may benefit from more intensive school- and home-based educational interventions to help offset the impact of school closures.
Multi-Institutional Outcomes of Patients Aged 75 years and Older With Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Treated With 5-Fraction Ablative Stereotactic Magnetic Resonance Image-Guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy (A-SMART)
Authors: Bryant JM , Palm Russell F , Herrera Roberto , Rubens Muni , Hoffe Sarah E , Kim Dae Won , Kaiser Adeel , Ucar Antonio , Fleming Jason , De Zarraga Fernando , Hodul Pamela , Aparo Santiago , Asbun Horacio , Malafa Mokenge , Jimenez Ramon , Denbo Jason , Frakes Jessica M , Chuong Michael D.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Treatment options for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are commonly limited for patients with advanced age due to medical comorbidities and/or poor performance status. These patients may not be candidates for more aggressive chemotherapy regimens and/or surgical resection leaving few, if any, other effective treatments. Ablative stereotactic MRI-guided adaptive radiation therapy (A-SMART) is both efficacious and safe for PDAC and can achieve excellent long-term local control, however, the appropriateness of A-SMART for elderly patients with inoperable PDAC is not well understood.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed of inoperable non-metastatic PDAC patients aged 75 years or older treated on the MRIdian Linac at 2 institutions. Clinical outcomes of interest included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and locoregional (LRC). Toxicity was graded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE, v5).

Results

A total of 49 patients were evaluated with a median age of 81 years (range, 75-91) and a median follow-up of 14 months from diagnosis. PDAC was classified as locally advanced (46.9%), borderline resectable (36.7%), or medically inoperable (16.3%). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was delivered to 84% of patients and all received A-SMART to a median 50 Gy (range, 40-50 Gy) in 5 fractions. 1 Year LRC, PFS, and OS were 88.9%, 53.8%, and 78.9%, respectively. Nine patients (18%) had resection after A-SMART and benefited from PFS improvement (26 vs 6 months, P = .01). ECOG PS <2 was the only predictor of improved OS on multivariate analysis. Acute and late grade 3 + toxicity rates were 8.2% and 4.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

A-SMART is associated with encouraging LRC and OS in elderly patients with initially inoperable PDAC. This novel non-invasive treatment strategy appears to be well-tolerated in patients with advanced age and should be considered in this population that has limited treatment options.
Cycle-dependent eosinophilia due to adjuvant nivolumab for malignant melanoma
Authors: Habibi Shaghayegh , Soliman Abram , Dasanu Constantin A.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been widely used in the contemporary anticancer armamentarium. However, new side effects due to these agents have continued to emerge.

Case report

We describe herein a 71-year-old patient who received nivolumab as adjuvant therapy for malignant melanoma of the skin. He developed eosinophilia starting at 4 weeks of therapy. Eosinophilia increased progressively during the first six nivolumab cycles, then stabilized. Cycle-dependent increments were observed. Subsequently, the patient experienced well-known side effects of ICIs such as grade 1 diarrhea, arthralgias, and erythematous papular rash.

Management and outcome

Nivolumab was continued, and absolute eosinophil counts were monitored. Prednisone 10 mg PO daily was required for moderate gastroenteritis, dermatitis, and arthritis, which all subsequently improved. Eosinophil levels gradually downtrended after starting prednisone. Causality assessment between nivolumab and eosinophilia via adverse drug reaction (ADR) probability scale revealed a score of 9.

Discussion

Physicians and pharmacists need to be aware of this important side effect of ICI therapy. Eosinophilia in the context of ICI use has been previously reported in clinical trials. Our case is unique as eosinophilia was cumulative, showed increments every 8 weeks, and exhibited a trend toward cycle dependency. Extensive and expensive workup does not appear warranted, and simple monitoring of complete blood count is appropriate in most patients. Further studies are necessary to assess the true incidence, pattern, and severity of eosinophilia related to ICIs as well as its association with clinical outcomes.
Cybervictimization and suicidal ideation in adolescents: A prospective view through gratitude and life satisfaction
Authors: Chamizo-Nieto María Teresa , Rey Lourdes
Published: January 2023

Previous research reports that cybervictims are more likely to experience suicidal ideations. Gratitude and life satisfaction have shown to predict suicide risk, but they have rarely been explored in the cyberbullying context. Hence, this study examined the roles of gratitude and life satisfaction in suicide risk in cyberbullying situations. An initial sample of 858 adolescents participated in a prospective study, completing questionnaires assessing gratitude, life satisfaction, cyberbullying experiences and suicidal ideation. Results showed that low levels of gratitude and life satisfaction influence suicidal ideation in cybervictimized adolescents. Limitations and implications of this study are discussed.
Memeing a conspiracy theory: On the biopolitical compression of the great replacement conspiracy theories
Authors: Hernández Aguilar Luis M
Published: January 2023

Based on a digital ethnography on the imageboard platform 4chan/pol, this article traces the biopolitical compression of Population Replacement Conspiracy Theories into memes, which have populated far-right boards in the last decade. The article makes an argument for the relevance of studying the relation between the intellectual elaboration of Conspiracy Theories and their compression into concise and easily consumable memes, by fleshing out the functionality of memes in the argumentative economy of Conspiracy theories, (a) as encoding and compressing their core components; (b) by filling in the (unspoken) gaps in the logic of Conspiracy theories; and (c) by advancing a biopolitical understanding of social life.
Eating disorder mental health literacy: A national survey of clinical social workers in the United States
Authors: MacCaughelty Chelsea R.
Published: January 2023

Social workers’ eating disorder mental health literacy (ED-MHL) is essential to the detection, assessment, and treatment of eating disorders (EDs) and disordered eating (DE) in clinical practice. This study explored social workers’ ED-MHL, particularly the assessment practices of EDs on intake forms, and within the first two therapy sessions. Participants in this national survey were N = 316 outpatient masters-level social workers in the United States. Participants completed an online survey measuring ED assessment practices in clinical practice.

Findings

Results showed that 42.4% ( n = 133) of respondents did not routinely assess for EDs/DE on clinical intake forms, and 53.2% ( n = 165) did not assess within the first two therapy sessions. However, those with recent training related to EDs were more likely to assess. Participants reported low to moderate perceived comfort levels with the assessment of EDs, and training and education were identified as needed resources. Social workers reported deficits in their own assessment practices of EDs. Barriers included: lack of training about EDs/DE; uncertainty about process questions to ask; and perceptions that EDs/DE are rarely the client's primary presenting problem.

Applications

Difficulties with detection and screening practices appeared contingent on gaps in existing education and training related to EDs/DE. These findings suggest that future research may serve to increase social workers’ ED-MHL, as underscored by the noteworthy finding that 86.1% ( n = 229) of the sample reported that they would make proactive changes in their clinical practice, as a direct result of participating in this study.
Challenges and Facilitators to Telehealth Occupational Therapy for Autistic Children During COVID-19
Authors: Angell Amber M. , Carreon Elaine D. , Akrofi Joana N. S. , Franklin Marshae D. , Taylor Elinor E. , Miller Julie , Crowley Catherine , Maher Shona Orfirer
Published: January 2023

Pre-pandemic, telehealth occupational therapy (OT) for autistic children appeared promising, but research was limited. The pandemic provided a unique opportunity to investigate how clinics transitioned to telehealth. The purpose of this study was to examine barriers and facilitators that influenced delivery of OT services through telehealth for autistic children during the pandemic. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 13 participants (three administrators, six OTs, and four parents of autistic children) at three Los Angeles area clinics over a 7-month period. We used narrative and thematic analysis to identify four themes. We identified (a) Challenges and (b) Facilitators to Conducting Telehealth OT, including practical strategies for successful facilitation, and (c) Negative and (d) Positive Outcomes of Conducting Telehealth OT. As telehealth will likely remain a viable means of OT service delivery in the future, our findings provide insight into ways that it can be improved and sustained.
A comparison of transient elastography with acoustic radiation force impulse elastography for the assessment of liver health in patients with chronic hepatitis C: Baseline results from the TRACER study
Authors: Herlihy Therese , Moran Mary , Heeney Aoife , Okhai Hajra , De Franceso Davide , Cronin Carmel , Feeney Eoin , Houlihan Diarmuid , Stewart Stephen , Cotter Aoife G
Published: January 2023

Background:

Liver stiffness measurements can be used to assess liver fibrosis and can be acquired by transient elastography using FibroScan® and with Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse imaging. The study aimed to establish liver stiffness measurement scores using FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse in a chronic hepatitis C cohort and to explore the correlation and agreement between the scores and the factors influencing agreement.

Methods:

Patients had liver stiffness measurements acquired with FibroScan® (right lobe of liver) and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (right and left lobe of liver). We used Spearman’s correlation to explore the relationship between FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse scores. A Bland–Altman plot was used to evaluate bias between the mean percentage differences of FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse scores. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to assess how factors such as body mass index, age and gender influenced the agreement between liver stiffness measurements.

Results:

Bland-Altman showed the average (95% CI) percentage difference between FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse scores was 27.5% (17.8, 37.2), p < 0.001. There was a negative correlation between the average and percentage difference of the FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse scores ( r (95% CI) = −0.41 (−0.57, −0.21), p < 0.001), thus showing that percentage difference gets smaller for greater FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse scores. Body mass index was the biggest influencing factor on differences between FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse ( r = 0.12 (0.01, 0.23), p = 0.05). Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse scores at segment 5/8 and the left lobe showed good correlation ( r (95% CI) = 0.83 (0.75, 0.89), p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse had similar predictive values for the assessment of liver stiffness in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection; however, the level of agreement varied across lower and higher scores.
From Frame of Steel to Iron Cage: The Chinese Communist Party and China's Voluntary Sector
Authors: Thornton Patricia M.
Published: January 2023

As the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) celebrated its centenary, its expanding role in penetrating, regulating, and reshaping social organisations (社会组织, shehui zuzhi) seemed to signal a decisive shift in not only the arrangement, but also the balance, of power between the state, the voluntary sector, and the party in favour of the latter. Beginning with the recent reform “decoupling” professional associations and chambers of commerce (行业协会商会, hangye xiehui shanghui) from state management, which has been cited in official documents as a model for “separating the state from society” and an initial step in further reducing the state management in other realms of activity, this article considers broad trends in the CCP's historical relationship with social organisations, particularly alongside its shifting relationship with the state apparatus after 1949, over time. Working through both the CCP's governing practice of “documentary politics” and, more recently, initiatives to expand “rule by law” under Xi, I argue that the party has vastly increased its power, presence, and control over both as it marked its centenary, albeit at times donning the mask of the state to do so. I conclude that the party's continued advance under Xi is occurring at the expense of both the autonomy of the state administration and that of social forces.
Medicinal plants as a cellulose source for the fabrication of poly(lactic acid) composites: A mini-review
Authors: Sikhosana Sylvia T , Gumede Thandi P , Malebo Ntsoaki J , Ogundeji Adepemi O , Motloung Bennie
Published: January 2023

More recently, natural polymers produced by living organisms have received considerable attention due to their unique properties such as eco-friendliness, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. These polymers possess similar properties to conventional plastics, making them suitable potential plastic substitutes for sustainable development and conservation of finite oil resources. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is comparable to commonly used plastics but is inferior, thus limited applications. However, PLA can benefit from the incorporation of various polymer components with complementary properties to yield improved physical properties. The fabrication of fully bio-based nanocomposites such as that of PLA and cellulose is of particular interest to research scientists. Incorporating organic fillers such as nanocellulose in a PLA matrix gives rise to improved composite properties. Because plant cell walls comprise semicrystalline cellulose molecules embedded in matrices, the crystalline portion of the stiff chains extracted from medicinal plants is currently exploited for potential filler roles. In this review, the use of medicinal plants in bio-based composite applications is covered. Several medicinal plants as sources of cellulose, different cellulose extraction methods, as well as the resulting fiber properties, are discussed. Although tremendous progress has been made in developing biocomposites, a lot of research still needs to be carried out.
Piloting an Assessment of Foundational Workplace Competencies for Students With Disabilities and Competitive Employment Aspirations
Authors: Hennessey Maeghan N. , Williams-Diehm Kendra L. , Martin James E.
Published: January 2023

It is critical students with disabilities be adequately prepared with the foundational competencies necessary for entry-level employment. However, the field needs a research-based, structurally sound assessment to assist teachers in assessing such competencies and then writing appropriate transition goals. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine whether modifications can be made to the Employer Identified Trait Assessment (EITA) for use in school settings without altering its underlying structure. Data were collected from 402 transition-age students, professionals, and family members. Three versions of the EITA were modified for use in this pilot study. Results show modifications did not influence the underlying assessment structure. Implications for practice are discussed.
Jewish Bible Translations: Personalities, Passions, Politics, Progress
Authors: Noss Philip A.
Published: January 2023

Jewish Bible Translations, by the renowned Jewish scholar Leonard Greenspoon, is a classic study of the translation of the Bible. The first of its kind, it is an informative and instructive model for Bible translation studies. It describes the Bible’s translations by a people who were nationless over three millennia. Living in a plethora of different settings, experiencing an infinite variety of conditions, they have rendered their sacred document in many languages, upholding their belief in one God, and maintaining their religious practices up to the present time.
Worshiping, Witnessing, and Wondering: Christian Wisdom for Participation in the Mission of God
Authors: Kim Kirsteen
Published: January 2023

This review of Thomas John Hastings, Worshiping, Witnessing, and Wondering: Christian Wisdom for Participation in the Mission of God (2022), offers comments on its contextual and biblical foundations and engages it on the topics of Christian education, pneumatology, practical theology, and World Christianity. The review praises the careful research and crafting of the book and appreciates its clever use of triads to identify and integrate diverse approaches to Christian education.