bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inclusive education in the aftermath of the pandemic: Lessons from mainstream and special teachers who ‘escaped the room’
Authors: Symeonidou Simoni , Tsakiri Maria , Mavrou Katerina
Published: March 2024

This paper reports on a study that sought to explore mainstream and special teachers’ inclusive practices during the Covid-19 pandemic and discusses issues that are relevant in the post-Covid-19 period. The study is contextualized with European and international studies and reports on teachers’ role in the inclusion of children with disabilities before and during the pandemic. The sample of the study comprised of 17 mainstream and special teachers based in public schools in the Republic of Cyprus. They were purposively selected due to their commitment to provide quality education. Following a thematic analysis of teachers’ interviews, some of the themes were mapped with Florian and Black-Hawkins’ Framework for Participation which was used as a tool to conceptualize how teachers promoted participation through ensuring access, collaboration and inclusive pedagogy in distance education. The discussion links the findings with key values of inclusive education, such as interdependence and belongingness and resistance of ableist policies. It is concluded that teachers’ inclusive responses during the pandemic may inform professionals who are committed to inclusive education to bring about change in competitive and individualistic education systems across Europe.
Multi-frequency probabilistic imaging fusion for impact localization on aircraft composite structures
Authors: Deng Deshuang , Zeng Xu , Yang Zhengyan , Yang Yu , Zhang Sheng , Ma Shuyi , Xu Hao , Yang Lei , Wu Zhanjun
Published: March 2024

Since the internal barely visible damage of aircraft composite structures caused by the impact is a critical problem, impact monitoring is essential for the integrity and reliability of aircraft composite structures. This paper presents a multi-frequency probabilistic imaging fusion method for localizing impacts on aircraft composite structures. To capture the impact signals, a network of distributed sensors is mounted on the structure. The impact signals are then processed using the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) to extract the multi-frequency narrowband Lamb wave signals. The time difference of arrival (TDOA), a key feature of the impact source, is measured using averaging techniques employed in the normalized variance sequence. Subsequently, a probabilistic imaging function is established, and the TDOA of narrowband Lamb wave signals at each frequency is used as the feature input to generate the multi-frequency probabilistic imaging results. To determine the performance of the imaging results at each frequency, an efficiency index is introduced, allowing for the retention or abandonment of the imaging results. By utilizing the retained multi-frequency probabilistic imaging results, the proposed method achieves impact localization through imaging fusion. Experimental verification is conducted on a stiffened aircraft composite panel, and a comparison is made with two existing methods: the hyperbolic locus imaging method and the virtual time reversal imaging method. The results show that the proposed method can significantly improve localization accuracy compared to the existing methods, and is effective even in the presence of measurement noise.
SEACKgram: a targeted method of optimal demodulation-band selection for compound faults diagnosis of rolling bearing
Authors: Wang Huibin , Yan Changfeng , Zhao Yingjie , Li Shengqiang , Meng Jiadong , Wu Lixiao
Published: March 2024

Rolling bearing plays an important role in carrying and transmitting power in rotating machinery, and the bearing fault is easy to lead to mechanical accidents, resulting in huge losses and casualties. Therefore, the condition monitoring and diagnosis of rolling bearings are very important to improve the safety of equipment. Compound fault is a common fault evolved from the initial defect, which is characterized by randomness, coupling, concealment, and secondary. The existence of these characteristics brings great challenges to the accurate diagnosis of compound faults. In the diagnosis of compound faults, the traditional methods that select the single optimal demodulation frequency band for analysis and identification sometimes cannot completely extract multiple fault components, which are prone to miss diagnosis and misdiagnosis. In order to solve this problem, the SEACKgram method is proposed by constructing a Square Envelope Unbiased Autocorrelation Correlation Kurtosis (SEACK) index. The frequency band of the original signal is divided by the Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Packet Transform, and the SEACK index is used to quantitatively describe the fault signals of different frequency bands. According to the different fault periods, the resonant frequency bands of the maximum SEACK value are selected, then the resonance band signal is analyzed by square envelope spectrum, and the fault type is identified according to the fault characteristic frequency. The simulated and experimental vibration signals of rolling bearings with compound faults are used to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed SEACKgram can improve the accuracy of compound faults identification and would be applied in engineering practice to a certain extent.
From Bolton to Brussels and Beyond: Two Women’s Passion for Museums and Collecting
Authors: Trumble Ian Andrew Oswald
Published: March 2024

The youngest daughter of one of the northwest of England’s largest cotton magnates, Annie Barlow, was a well-educated and passionate woman. At the time of studying English Literature and History in London in 1880 to 1882 she became involved with the newly formed Egypt Exploration Fund, and at just nineteen years old became one of the first, and youngest, Honorary Local Secretaries for Bolton and the surrounding area—a roll she held for almost sixty years up to her death in 1941. The social circles opened to her by her father and brothers included world business leaders, academics and royalty. Through lectures, exhibitions and many cups of tea, Annie proclaimed the work of the fund across the United Kingdom, while modestly keeping her own efforts unannounced. Her fundraising surpassed that of many other local secretaries and led to the amassing of the largest collection of Egyptology in a local authority museum in the UK at Bolton Museum. Her travels took her far and wide, and she too built a sizeable collection of antiquities. Her passion for history, driven by a desire for educational development and religious devotion, was transmitted to those whom she met. It was through her influence and intimate knowledge of textile production that Bolton and its first curators became a renowned center for textile analysis, with excavators sending material to Bolton to aid their interpretations. During the First World War, Annie and her family homed European refugees. Her support for one girl in particular, Raymonde Frin, became a life-long friendship. Growing up under the wing of Annie, and surrounded by private collections of ancient material, Raymonde developed a passion for archaeology. Annie’s financial legacy directly supported the development of Raymonde’s life. Eventually achieving formal archaeological qualifications, she went on to be an integral part of the newly formed UNESCO museums and monuments division, becoming its first editor for Museums International Magazine, and involved in projects to save Egyptian heritage. This paper will look at the two women, Annie and Raymonde, within the context of women collecting and museum work, and their legacy for collections, in particular Egyptology, to the current day.
Application Value of High-Quality Nursing in Operating Room in Rectal Cancer Operation and its Influence on Postoperative Rehabilitation
Authors: Liu Juan , Tan Feng , Zhang Yihui , Zhou Ping , Qian Qian , He Qiaofang , Xu Jingpin
Published: March 2024

Objective

To study the value of high-quality care in operating room during operation of patients with rectal cancer and the effect of this nursing model on postoperative rehabilitation.

Methods

This study recruited 72 patients with rectal cancer, including 36 in the control group and 36 in the observation group. Patients in the control group received routine care, and those in the observation group received high-quality care in operating room.

Results

The anxiety score (5.50 ± .77 vs 10. 08 ± 1.13), stress score (6.97 ± .60 vs 8.61 ± .99), and depression score (4.02 ± .65 vs 5.50 ± .91) in the observation group were less than the control group after treatment ( P < .05). The measured values of diastolic blood pressure (73.19 ± 1.96 vs 86.13 ± 2.0), systolic blood pressure (121.08 ± 1.62 vs 130.63 ± 2.84), heart rate (73.05 ± 1.63 vs 87.11 ± 2.91) and adrenaline E(E) (58.40 ± 3.02 vs 61.42 ± 3.86) in the observation group were less than the control group after treatment ( P < .05). The cooperation degree (94.44 vs 75.00) in the observation group was greater than the control group, but the operation time (308.47 ± 9.92 vs 339.47 ± 12.70), postoperative intestinal function recovery time (16.30 ± 1.14 vs 30.94 ± 2.10) and length of stay (10.47 ± 1.85 vs 13.33 ± 1.95) were all shorter than the control group ( P < .05). The nasopharyngeal temperature in the observation group was greater than the control group at 30 minutes during operation (36.16 ± .50 vs 35.19 ± .40) and after operation, and fear score (2.22 ± .42 vs 3.63 ± .72) was less than the control group ( P < .05).

Conclusion

The application of high-quality care in the operating room during rectal cancer surgery has a significantly good clinical outcome.
The new reality in digital teaching implies the inclusion of personalized digital education as an essential element for the future
Authors: Vázquez-Villegas Patricia , Reyes-Millán Maribell , Membrillo-Hernández Jorge
Published: March 2024

Digital education has been growing worldwide in recent years. However, derived from the intensive use of hybrid and distance modalities during the pandemic and to capitalize on what has been learned, several questions arose: What should the digital education strategy in higher education institutions be? How can digital education enrich the teaching-learning process throughout the student’s journey? Derived from these questions, the need arises to understand the attributes of the hybrid and distance modalities that are more important for the students attending to two main differentiators: career or School and employment status. A survey instrument was adapted and applied to students from 26 Campuses of a Higher Education Institution, Tecnologico de Monterrey. Students were asked about their perception of 24 aspects of digital learning. In addition, they were asked to select which ones they considered most important and which ones they considered less important. A total of 2933 surveys were collected in 3 weeks. Analyses of correlation and descriptive statistics were applied to the learners’ tendencies. The results show that personalized learning is one of the most critical dimensions for students of the new generations.
Back to the past: The roots of Indonesian middlepowermanship
Authors: Maulana Prasetya Dion , Ladiqi Suyatno , Salleh Mohd Affandi
Published: March 2024

This article challenges prevalent perspectives on Indonesian foreign policy by delving into the nuanced intricacies of the country's strategic culture, especially from its role as a middle power. The conventional understanding categorizes Indonesia as capable of embracing either a status quo or revisionist stance. However, this analysis proposes a comprehensive re-evaluation through the lens of strategic culture theory to decipher the distinctive approach of Indonesian middlepowermanship. The argument posits that Indonesian leaders draw inspiration from and strategically utilize the historical legacies of pre-modern kingdoms—specifically, the Majapahit and Mataram kingdoms. These ancient empires serve as pivotal references in shaping contemporary foreign policy orientations. The Majapahit kingdom becomes instrumental when Indonesia pursues revisionist-like foreign policies, seeking to assert its influence and challenge established norms. Conversely, the Mataram kingdom's legacy is invoked when the state aims to maintain a status quo, prioritizing stability and regional harmony. By scrutinizing these historical paradigms, this article unpacks the intricate interplay between Indonesia's strategic culture, its historical antecedents, and its foreign policy orientations. It seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of Indonesian middlepowermanship, elucidating the adaptive utilization of historical narratives in shaping the country's geopolitical behavior on the modern global stage.
The process of personalization in Nicaragua: Lessons from the hybrid regime
Authors: Osawa Suguru
Published: March 2024

This article explores how personalization was formed in Nicaragua under the leadership of Daniel Ortega, focusing on four factors: short-term, long-term, domestic, and international perspectives. Nicaraguan politics are often structured by the country's relationship with the USA and regional powers. However, domestic actors make decisions regarding political regime changes. Therefore, the process of personalization must be considered in both domestic and international politics. This study's analysis unequivocally demonstrates that domestic and international factors have always influenced political regime changes in Nicaragua. However, personalization is primarily formed by domestic factors, with external factors reinforcing domestic movement in Nicaragua. In addition, this study shows that it is challenging to explain the process of Ortega's personalization according to short-term factors such as populism. Instead, it is a long-term factor, specifically the traditional power-sharing method in a duopoly, that pushes Ortega's personalization forward. We conclude that Nicaragua's hybrid regime resulted in personalization.
Data and Knowledge Organization for Natural Language Processing: Searching and Identifying Better Arrangements of Texts Based on Multimodal Information Architecture
Authors: Kuroki Júnior George Hideyuki , Gottschalg-Duque Cláudio
Published: March 2024

Processing texts of multiple knowledge areas is a hard task. This article presents an Information Science contribution to natural language processing based on artificial neural networks through data arrangement. An extended concept of Information architecture was used, aggregating a multimodal view of organizing data. The Multimodal Information Architecture definition served as foundations for a five-step procedure to design, analyze and transform data used for artificial neural networks training and learning methods, complementing gaps identified by authors focused on Computer Science implementations. The proposal was validated with three datasets formed by texts coming from 16 knowledge areas. Results obtained through the usage of pre-processed data and raw data where compared. In each of the three datasets, the method identified arrangements which led to better and worst results, separating which corpus samples are more susceptible for knowledge extraction.
Exploring the Current Practices and Future Directions in Project Management Education and Training
Authors: Özsoy Tufan , Sezgili Konuralp
Published: March 2024

In light of the transformative influence of technologies and innovative methodologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the paradigm of project management is undergoing a profound shift, prompting a re-examination of Project Management Education and Training (PMET). The escalating demand for project management expertise, juxtaposed with a scarcity of suitably qualified professionals, has yielded an increase in instances of faltering or challenging projects, thereby underscoring the amplified significance of PMET. A comprehensive assessment of the ongoing evolution of project management education and training is vital to shaping the trajectory of future educational strategies. In this context, bibliometric analysis has emerged as a pivotal tool, offering structured means to systematically present the expansive literature on PMET. This approach provides a panoramic view of the domain’s development, facilitating a more informed understanding of its current contours which is paramount for crafting effective educational strategies. Employing bibliometric analysis as its methodological backbone, this study endeavors to discern the existing landscape of project management education and training. For this purpose, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on a dataset comprising 435 documents related to PMET, spanning the years 1985 to August 2023. The results of this analysis indicate that PMET publications are predominantly situated within the context of engineering education. A prominent theme that emerges from the literature is the discernible requirement for novel and forward-thinking strategies in PMET development, with a pronounced emphasis on the cultivation of soft skills and the integration of contemporary training methodologies, including gamification and simulation.
Radiographic Risk Factors for Adjacent Segment Disease Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mesregah Mohamed Kamal , Baker Melissa , Yoon Camilla , Meisel Hans-Joerg , Hsieh Patrick , Wang Jeffrey C. , Yoon S. Tim , Buser Zorica ,   AO Spine Knowledge Forum Degenerative
Published: March 2024

Study Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives

To assess the radiographic risk factors for adjacent segment disease (ASD) following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for degenerative cervical spine pathologies.

Methods

PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases were searched up to December 2023. The primary inclusion criteria were degenerative spinal conditions treated with ACDF, comparing radiological parameters in patients with and without postoperative ASD. The radiographic parameters included intervertebral disc height, cervical sagittal alignment, sagittal segmental alignment, range of motion, segmental height, T1 slope, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), thoracic inlet angle (TIA), and plate to disc distance (PPD). Risk of bias was assessed for all studies. The Cochrane Review Manager was utilized to perform the meta-analysis.

Results

From 7044 articles, 13 retrospective studies were included in the final analysis. Three studies had “not serious” bias and the other 10 studies had serious or very serious bias. The total number of patients in the included studies was 1799 patients. Five studies included single-level ACDF, 2 studies included multi-level ACDF, and 6 studies included single or multi-level ACDF. On meta-analysis, the significant risk factors associated with ASD development were reduced postoperative cervical lordosis (mean difference [MD] = 3.35°, P = .002), reduced last-follow-up cervical lordosis (MD = −3.02°, P = .0003), increased preoperative to postoperative cervical sagittal alignment change (MD = −3.68°, P = .03), and the presence of developmental cervical canal stenosis (Odds ratio [OR] = 4.17, P < .001).

Conclusions

Decreased postoperative cervical lordosis, greater change in cervical sagittal alignment and developmental cervical canal stenosis were associated with an increased risk of ASD following ACDF.
Navigating Change and Adversity: A Case Study of Netflix’s Journey
Authors: Challa Syamala Devi , Jena Lalatendu Kesari
Published: March 2024

On March 14, 2022, Netflix’s shares were down to more than 50% by losing all its pandemic gains. Investors have faced the biggest loss; even big companies have withdrawn their shares from Netflix. The founders of Netflix, led by Reed Hastings and pioneered by Marc Randolph, were in trouble. Though Randolph pioneered Netflix, Reed Hastings, the co-founder and the most decisive leader of Netflix, has played a prominent place in its growth. He has been serving Netflix for two decades, and his leadership tactics have helped it to serve in critical times like COVID. The journey of Netflix from inception to today has involved leadership lessons, tactics, and change initiatives. The role of Hastings in every change is also notable for the growth of Netflix. Though the change is for the improvement of the company, all the changes would not give fruitful results. The team Hastings adaptation and customization of changes were remarkable. The growth of Netflix can be divided into three phases: Before, during, and after COVID-19, depending on the change initiatives taken by the company. The changes adopted before and during COVID have made Netflix a top brand in the streaming zone. But due to present losses, there is a quest for the next act in the company to recover the market share; otherwise, the future of Netflix would be questionable.
Alarming levels of inadequate intake of B group vitamins in tribal lactating women from South India
Authors: Kumar Pentapati Siva Santosh , Gupta Arti , Desu Sai Subhakar , Reddy B Venkatashiva , Shaik Yusuf Noorani , Kakkar Rakesh , Aravindakshan Rajeev
Published: March 2024

Background:

Micronutrients are necessary for proper growth and development of the human body, though required in small amounts. Dietary intake of these micronutrients by lactating women is essential for their own health as well as children’s overall growth and development. objective of present study is to assess the adequacy of dietary B-group vitamins intake during lactation and to find out the factors associated with their inadequate intake.

Design and methods:

It was a analysis of data from prospective cohort study for 10 months carried out among 340 Scheduled Tribes mothers in 10 clusters in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Data collection was done using a 24 h dietary recall questionnaire. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results:

All the mothers ( n = 340) were not having adequate intake of Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pyridoxine, Pantothenic acid, Biotin and Folic acid. Methyl cobalamin intake was inadequate in 37.5% mothers ( n = 136). The mean intake of Vitamin B12 was 40.98 + 42.8 (SD) µg/day. Age at marriage, location and parity were significantly associated with inadequate intake of Vitamin B12.

Conclusions:

The current diet pattern of mothers of vulnerable groups might affect the growth and development of the infant. We strongly recommend for supplementation of B-group vitamins to pregnant and lactating women in India.
Breast Implant Reconstruction in the Ptotic Patient: Evaluation of Wise and Vertical Skin Sparing Mastectomy
Authors: Holohan M. Margaret , Diaz Stephanie M. , Newsom Keeley , Smith Alex , Fan Betty , Imeokparia Folasade O. , Fisher Carla S. , Ludwig Kandice K. , Lester Mary E. , Hassanein Aladdin H.
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Post-mastectomy reconstruction in patients with severe breast ptosis can be challenging. Traditionally, a skin sparing mastectomy (SSM) with a circumareolar incision or a horizontal elliptical extension results in a long, horizontally-oriented scar in the central breast. The Wise pattern SSM with an inferiorly-based dermal flap addresses skin redundancy and provides added vascularized implant coverage in ptotic patients with macromastia. The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes in ptotic patients undergoing SSM with Wise pattern and a modified vertical technique which also uses de-epithelialized excess skin under the incision. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients that underwent SSM using a Wise or vertical skin reducing technique. The Wise pattern was performed using an inferiorly-based dermal flap and the vertical method used a laterally-based dermal flap covering the implant/tissue expander (TE). Results: SSM with the use of autoderm was performed in 42 patients (67 breasts) using either the Wise (n = 49 breasts) or vertical (n = 18 breasts) method. Both groups had similar BMI (35.4). The prepectoral plane was used in 93.5% of Wise pattern patients and all vertical patients. All cases of seroma and hematoma occurred in the Wise pattern group (10.2%). Mastectomy skin necrosis requiring unplanned return to surgery for debridement occurred in 20.4% of those undergoing Wise pattern SSM and 11.1% undergoing the vertical pattern (p = 0.49). Conclusion: Severely ptotic patients undergoing SSM have a high risk of skin necrosis. A dermal flap under the closure has the advantage of vascularized tissue reinforcing the wound in implant based reconstruction. The vertical pattern SSM using a laterally-based dermal flap may be a safe, simple alternative to the Wise pattern in select patients.
A Comparative Study on Alternative Livelihoods and Relation Between Landholding on the Coastal Women Cultivators of Neighbouring Panchayats of West Bengal and Odisha
Authors: Banerjee Nilay
Published: March 2024

In India, the common notion towards cultivation is that it is commonly a male-centric activity. Women are a crucial resource in cultivation in rural India, but their contribution to cultivation is mostly disguised. Moreover, in India, large sections of women from economically and socially backward sections of the society are deprived twice, once for being born as a girl and once for being poor. The rural women in the coastal climatic zones have started to shift from being related solely to farming. This shift has been fuelled by various reasons such as less adequate knowledge of modern agricultural systems, physical drudgery of cultivation and the economic viability of the non-farm livelihood activities in the rural areas. In the coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha, the scope of alternative livelihood is immense. Further, long-standing obstacles faced by rural women in terms of limited access to productive resources (land, credit, inputs, transport, extension services, storage, technical assistance and overall social prejudices) prevent them from adopting agriculture as their prime livelihood option. Moreover, recent studies on women in agriculture conducted in India and other lower-middle income and underdeveloped countries all point to the conclusion that women contribute far more towards agricultural production than has generally been acknowledged. The study has intricately focused on some key topics such as the access and control over land as a resource for women cultivator communities in coastal zones of West Bengal and Odisha and further to gather proper knowledge about the alterations of the livelihood of the women cultivators of the area. The study focuses on the differences between the two homogeneous communities living in close proximity showing different levels of alternative livelihoods and the relation between landholding and alternative livelihoods.
Perceptions of Professionalism and Authenticity in AI-Assisted Writing
Authors: Coman Anthony W. , Cardon Peter
Published: March 2024

This study captured the perspectives of 887 working adults to explore views of professionalism, authenticity, and effectiveness of AI-generated messages. With a 3 (message type) × 2 (disclosed vs. undisclosed) × 2 (ChatGPT-generated vs. Google-generated AI messages) design, professionals generally view AI-generated content favorably in all conditions. Across all messages, professionals consistently rated the AI-generated messages as professional, effective, efficient, confident, and direct. They rate sincerity and caring slightly lower in some disclosed conditions, particularly for ChatGPT-generated messages, suggesting the importance of tool selection when using generative AI for workplace writing. Those professionals who use AI more frequently for work are more likely to view AI-assisted writing as authentic, effective, and confidence-building. Implications for teaching business communication, including the need to address AI literacy, and suggestions for future research are provided.
“Reminds Me How Much You Ought to be Thinking About”: Advancing History Teachers’ Vetting and Adaption of Digital Curriculum Materials
Authors: Freedman Eric B. , Gourd Tina Y. , Schamberger Bianca , Nash Amira S.
Published: March 2024

The digital revolution has widened the array of curriculum materials available to history teachers. Given the variable quality of these new materials and the deeply contextual nature of teaching, educators need better tools for selecting among the vast options available. This study aimed to validate a device designed for that purpose, called the Curriculum Materials Evaluation Tool (CMET). Using a questionnaire and think-aloud interview, the study examined how four social studies teachers evaluated a novel material set for potential classroom use, and how the CMET mediated their analysis. Findings showed that the teachers preferred when materials are readily accessible and adaptable for their specific teaching context, in contrast to “one-size-fits-all” resources that dominate the Web. The CMET appeared to foster a deeper and broader analysis of the given material set, especially regarding its political and cultural orientation. The study suggests that teachers’ role in vetting and adapting digital materials be recognized and embraced. The CMET can contribute to that end through its use in district adoption committees, teacher professional development, and collaborative curriculum research.
We Got Our Guy!: Populist Attitudes after Populists Gain Power
Authors: Luo Yuchen
Published: March 2024

Research on populist attitudes and populist leaders’ narratives has largely overlooked what happens to populist attitudes after a populist is elected, especially among the populist’s supporters. Existing literature points to two possible directions of change. On one hand, if populist attitudes stem from a perceived lack of representation, then we would expect people’s populist attitudes to decrease once their preferred candidate is in power. On the other hand, scholars have observed that populist politicians in power continue to deploy populist rhetoric, suggesting that their supporters’ populist attitudes should stay constant or even increase. In this project, the author focuses on Donald Trump and his supporters to explore this mechanism. Drawing on a national survey conducted around the 2016 and 2020 elections, the author shows that Trump’s supporters saw a significant decrease in populist attitudes after he came into power compared with both other American voters and other Republicans. The author also demonstrates that this decrease in populist attitudes is associated with changes in the level of “feeling represented.” On the basis of these findings, the author argues that populist attitudes are driven by feelings of lack of representation over other mechanisms.
Analyzing radical positions and semantic relationships
Authors: Jang Eun Young
Published: March 2024

This study analyzed 10 pairs of characters (a total of 20 characters) from the Shuowen Jiezi constructed with the same radicals. The analysis demonstrated that even when characters were composed of the same radicals, variations in their structural composition resulted in significantly different meanings. This discrepancy arose from whether the radical played the semantic role or phonetic role in character formation. The analysis showed clearly that among characters with the same radical structure, there were instances where extended semantic relationships could be inferred. Chinese characters, being predominantly ideographic, often have multiple meanings, and some meanings may evolve to lead to the development of new characters, enhancing semantic differentiation. It could be argued that this process gave rise to new characters through simple adjustments in the positions of the same radicals.
Re-thinking do-it-yourself: An ontological approach to sustainability in fashion design praxis
Authors: de Waal Dirk , Smal Desiree
Published: March 2024

The research explored DIY (do-it-yourself) as a sustainable approach within the design praxis of a South African clothing label. DIY is characterized by “ creating,” “ doing,” and “ making” to formulate temporary expressions about who we are, rather than passive engagement and consumption. DIY, as a degrowth anti-capitalist practice, echoes the slow fashion movement by addressing questions of individual accomplishment, creativity, self-confidence, independence, self-reliance, and developing new skill sets. The findings from the study of fashion design praxis suggest that the motivation for DIY activities and behavior within the studied design praxis is holistic and ontological. The design praxis no longer focuses on producing for self-use (DIY), but rather that DIY is a meaningful tool for engaging with a living object that is informed by users’ meaningful association with the product and the making process. The study revealed significant similarities between DIY and emotional durability, suggesting an ontological framework, “ doing-it-for-yourself-and-others” (DI4Y2).
Third-party fecal microbiota transplantation for high-risk treatment-naïve acute GVHD of the lower GI tract
Authors: DeFilipp Zachariah , Damania Ashish V. , Kim Haesook T. , Chang Chia-Chi , El-Jawahri Areej , McAfee Steven L. , Bottoms AJ S. , Toncheva Vesselina , Smith Melissa M. , Dolaher Maria , Perry Lindsey , White Meghan , Diana Brittany , Connolly Sheila , Dey Bimalangshu R. , Frigault Matthew J. , Newcomb Richard A. , O’Donnell Paul V. , Spitzer Thomas R. , Mansour Michael K. , Weber Daniela , Ajami Nadim J. , Hohmann Elizabeth , Jenq Robert R. , Chen Yi-Bin
Published: March 2024

Disruption of the intestinal microbiome is observed with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of the lower gastrointestinal (LGI) tract, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has successfully cured steroid-refractory cases. In this open-label, single-arm, pilot study, third-party, single-donor FMT was administered in combination with systemic corticosteroids to participants with high-risk acute LGI GVHD, with a focus on treatment-naïve cases. Participants were scheduled to receive 1 induction dose (15 capsules per day for 2 consecutive days), followed by 3 weekly maintenance doses, consisting of 15 capsules per dose. The primary end point of the study was feasibility, which would be achieved if ≥80% of participants able to swallow ≥40 of the 75 scheduled capsules. Ten participants (9 treatment-naïve; 1 steroid-refractory) were enrolled and treated. The study met the primary end point, with 9 of 10 participants completing all eligible doses. Organ-specific LGI complete response rate at day 28 was 70%. Initial clinical response was observed within 1 week for all responders, and clinical responses were durable without recurrent LGI GVHD in complete responders. Exploratory analyses suggest that alpha diversity increased after FMT. Although recipient microbiome composition never achieved a high degree of donor similarity, expansion of donor-derived species and increases in tryptophan metabolites and short-chain fatty acids were observed within the first 7 days after FMT. Investigation into the use of microbiome-targeted interventions earlier in the treatment paradigm for acute LGI GVHD is warranted. This trial was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT04139577.
Multimodality imaging of acute and chronic pulmonary thromboembolic disease
Authors: Muscogiuri Emanuele , De Wever Walter , Gopalan Deepa
Published: March 2024

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a pathological entity characterised by venous thromboembolism in the pulmonary arteries. It is a common entity in daily clinical practice and is the third most common cause of cardiovascular death. Correct diagnostic work-up is pivotal to ensure timely institution of appropriate therapy. This requires recognition of the characteristic imaging findings and awareness of the role and peculiarities of the different imaging techniques involved in the diagnostic and therapeutic process. This review aims to showcase the most commonly encountered imaging findings associated with pulmonary thromboembolism for each imaging modality, outline their advantages and disadvantages, and define the specific role of these techniques in the clinical setting. The latest innovations concerning the diagnostic work-up of PE will be also briefly discussed, yielding a perspective on the future developments and challenges that the radiologist will have to face in the coming years.
Evaluation of the high-energy flood of mid-July 2021 as a morphologic driver in the anthropogenically developed Ahr Valley, Germany, in interaction with infrastructures
Authors: Wolf Stefanie , Stark Nina , Holste Ina , Lehmkuhl Frank , Römer Wolfgang , Burghardt Lisa , Schüttrumpf Holger
Published: March 2024

Background

This study explores morphologic changes in the Ahr River, Germany, caused by the high-energy flood in mid-July 2021. This study aims to assess the flood's significance as a morphological driver using the Lateral Mobility Index (LMI), as well as the impact of infrastructure on morphodynamics in terms of the formation of mud deposits and stagnant water pools, considering three focus areas of about 1 to 5 km river length. The three focus areas cover differences in the valley morphology as well as near natural and anthropogenically affected sections.

Results

The LMI is derived from orthophotos from 1998 to 2022, and based on the surface area of the old and the new channel. It describes the sum of new and abandoned channel area in relation to the previous channel area. For the 2021 high-energy event, an increased LMI suggests an increasing change in river course and morphology. Post-flood, the LMI in focus areas 1 (furthest upstream, LMI of 1.5) and 3 (at the Rhine confluence, LMI of 3.2) surpasses the historic LMI by a factor of about 3. Focus area 3 exhibits the highest activity, while focus area 2 (LMI between 0.25 and 0.70) the lowest. The area of mud deposits and stagnant water pools increased immediately after the flood, especially in focus area 3. Over the following months, initial post-flood mud deposits not only washed away but also rebuilt to some degree later on.

Conclusions

The LMI enabled to quantitatively identify a rare and significant morphological disruption in the Ahr River’s lateral development in three focus areas, and thus, serves as additional proof that the flood of mid-July 2021 was a high-energy event impacting the local river geomorphology. Infrastructure impacted the formation of mud deposits and stagnant water zones during and after the flood, with additional influence from factors such as driftwood and valley width. The data suggested a phase of resuspension of sediments after the flood, likely due to cleanup and ad hoc river management, highlighting the need for continued river monitoring.
Placement of bronchial occluder outside the tracheal tube in a patient combined with airway compression undergoing mediastinal tumors resection: a case report
Authors: Zhou Yihu , Jiang Yueyi , Ding Yuyan , Gu Lianbing , Tan Jing
Published: March 2024

Background

Mediastinal tumors pose a challenging respiratory and circulatory management during anesthesia procedures, there is a risk of circulatory collapse or complete airway obstruction, which in severe cases can lead to cardiac arrest. We reported a case of anesthetic management using a bronchial blocker placed outside the tracheal tube. In this case report, the patient’s trachea was so severely compressed that the airway was extremely narrow, only 4 mm at its narrowest point. By reporting the anesthetic management of this patient, we intend to provide an unusual approach for airway management.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital due to cough and expectoration for one year. Additionally, the patient experienced chest tightness and asthma after physical activity. The enhanced computed tomography revealed there existed an irregular soft tissue mass in the right upper mediastinum, which significantly compressed the trachea and esophagus. The results of the mediastinal puncture pathology showed the presence of mesenchymal tumors. According to the results above, the patient was diagnosed with a mediastinal tumor and scheduled to undergo tumor resection under general anesthesia. We used a bronchial occluder outside the tracheal tube for general anesthesia. After surgery, the patient received thorough treatment and was subsequently discharged from the hospital.

Conclusion

In patients with severe airway compression from a mediastinal tumor airway compression, positioning a bronchial occluder externally to the tracheal tube is an effective method of airway management. However, we still need more clinical practice to help the process become more standardized.
Assessing the research landscape and clinical utility of large language models: a scoping review
Authors: Park Ye-Jean , Pillai Abhinav , Deng Jiawen , Guo Eddie , Gupta Mehul , Paget Mike , Naugler Christopher
Published: March 2024

Importance

Large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT are powerful generative systems that rapidly synthesize natural language responses. Research on LLMs has revealed their potential and pitfalls, especially in clinical settings. However, the evolving landscape of LLM research in medicine has left several gaps regarding their evaluation, application, and evidence base.

Objective

This scoping review aims to (1) summarize current research evidence on the accuracy and efficacy of LLMs in medical applications, (2) discuss the ethical, legal, logistical, and socioeconomic implications of LLM use in clinical settings, (3) explore barriers and facilitators to LLM implementation in healthcare, (4) propose a standardized evaluation framework for assessing LLMs’ clinical utility, and (5) identify evidence gaps and propose future research directions for LLMs in clinical applications.

Evidence review

We screened 4,036 records from MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, medRxiv, bioRxiv, and arXiv from January 2023 (inception of the search) to June 26, 2023 for English-language papers and analyzed findings from 55 worldwide studies. Quality of evidence was reported based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine recommendations.

Findings

Our results demonstrate that LLMs show promise in compiling patient notes, assisting patients in navigating the healthcare system, and to some extent, supporting clinical decision-making when combined with human oversight. However, their utilization is limited by biases in training data that may harm patients, the generation of inaccurate but convincing information, and ethical, legal, socioeconomic, and privacy concerns. We also identified a lack of standardized methods for evaluating LLMs’ effectiveness and feasibility.

Conclusions and relevance

This review thus highlights potential future directions and questions to address these limitations and to further explore LLMs’ potential in enhancing healthcare delivery.
Investigating the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Carthamus tinctorius L.-derived nanovesicles in atherosclerosis treatment
Authors: Yang Rongfeng , Lin Fengxia , Wang Wenlin , Dai Gang , Ke Xiao , Wu Guifu
Published: March 2024

Background

Carthamus tinctorius L., a traditional herbal medicine used for atherosclerosis (AS), lacks a clear understanding of its therapeutic mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Carthamus tinctorius L.-derived nanovesicles (CDNVs) in AS treatment.

Methods

CDNVs were isolated and characterized using improved isolation methods. Transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and protein analysis confirmed their morphology, size, and protein composition. Small RNA sequencing was performed to identify the miRNA profile of CDNVs, and bioinformatics analysis was used to determine their potential biological roles. In vivo biodistribution and toxicity studies were conducted in mice to assess the stability and safety of orally administered CDNVs. The anti-atherosclerotic effects of CDNVs were evaluated in ApoE-/- mice through plaque burden analysis. The protective effects of CDNVs on ox-LDL-treated endothelial cells were assessed through proliferation, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species activation, and monocyte adhesion assays. miRNA and mRNA sequencing of CDNV-treated endothelial cells were performed to explore their regulatory effects and potential target genes.

Results

CDNVs were successfully isolated and purified from Carthamus tinctorius L. tissue lysates. They exhibited a saucer-shaped or cup-shaped morphology, with an average particle size of 142.6 ± 0.7 nm, and expressed EV markers CD63 and TSG101. CDNVs contained proteins, small RNAs, and metabolites, including the therapeutic compound HSYA. Small RNA sequencing identified 95 miRNAs, with 10 common miRNAs accounting for 72.63% of the total miRNAs. These miRNAs targeted genes involved in cell adhesion, apoptosis, and cell proliferation, suggesting their relevance in cardiovascular disease. Orally administered CDNVs were stable in the gastrointestinal tract, absorbed into the bloodstream, and accumulated in the liver, lungs, heart, and aorta. They significantly reduced the burden of atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE-/- mice and exhibited superior effects compared to HSYA. In vitro studies demonstrated that CDNVs were taken up by HUVECs, promoted proliferation, attenuated ox-LDL-induced apoptosis and ROS activation, and reduced monocyte adhesion. CDNV treatment resulted in significant changes in miRNA and mRNA expression profiles of HUVECs, with enrichment in inflammation-related genes. CXCL12 was identified as a potential direct target of miR166a-3p.

Conclusion

CDNVs isolated from Carthamus tinctorius L. tissue lysates represent a promising oral therapeutic option for cardiovascular diseases. The delivery of miRNAs by CDNVs regulates inflammation-related genes, including CXCL12, in HUVECs, suggesting their potential role in modulating endothelial inflammation. These findings provide valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of CDNVs and their miRNAs in cardiovascular disease.
Transient but not chronic hyperglycemia accelerates ocular glymphatic transport
Authors: Delle Christine , Wang Xiaowei , Giannetto Michael , Newbold Evan , Peng Weiguo , Gomolka Ryszard Stefan , Ladrón-de-Guevara Antonio , Cankar Neža , Schiøler Nielsen Elise , Kjaerby Celia , Weikop Pia , Mori Yuki , Nedergaard Maiken
Published: March 2024

Glymphatic transport is vital for the physiological homeostasis of the retina and optic nerve. Pathological alterations of ocular glymphatic fluid transport and enlarged perivascular spaces have been described in glaucomatous mice. It remains to be established how diabetic retinopathy, which impairs vision in about 50% of diabetes patients, impacts ocular glymphatic fluid transport. Here, we examined ocular glymphatic transport in chronic hyperglycemic diabetic mice as well as in healthy mice experiencing a daily transient increase in blood glucose. Mice suffering from severe diabetes for two and four months, induced by streptozotocin, exhibited no alterations in ocular glymphatic fluid transport in the optic nerve compared to age-matched, non-diabetic controls. In contrast, transient increases in blood glucose induced by repeated daily glucose injections in healthy, awake, non-diabetic mice accelerated antero- and retrograde ocular glymphatic transport. Structural analysis showed enlarged perivascular spaces in the optic nerves of glucose-treated mice, which were absent in diabetic mice. Thus, transient repeated hyperglycemic events, but not constant hyperglycemia, ultimately enlarge perivascular spaces in the murine optic nerve. These findings indicate that fluid transport in the mouse eye is vulnerable to fluctuating glycemic levels rather than constant hyperglycemia, suggesting that poor glycemic control drives glymphatic malfunction and perivascular enlargement in the optic nerve.