bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate Change and Regional Cooperation in South-east Asian Countries
Authors: Gogoi Bhaskar , Sarmah Jayanta Krishna
Published: April 2024

Climate change and environmental degradation are the two most pressing concerns faced by the world today for which regional cooperation is necessary. For regional cooperation, governments at the regional level must work together to coordinate activities, unify regulations and create risk-reduction plans. In South-east Asia, multiple initiatives have been taken for a shared framework for carrying out coordinated policy implementation. However, political and technical barriers have stymied efforts to suit the needs and benefits of partnering states. This article will analyse these problems and approaches in a few chosen South-east Asian nations and examine comprehensive action plans built on cooperative partnerships. It will offer a critical assessment of the environmental and climate-related issues South-east Asia faces and also offer recommendations on how to use policy tools to regulate and solve issues of regional environmental governance. It also looks at ways to counteract institutional and regulatory obstacles to reaching desired outcomes emphasising regulatory frameworks and policy.
Factors Influencing Compliance With Social Distancing as a Nonpharmaceutical Intervention Before Vaccine Availability During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in South Korea
Authors: Kim Ah-Ra , Park Shin Young , Kim Seong-Sun , Lee Ji-Young , Jee Sun Ha , Kwon Donghyok , Kimm Heejin
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to identify factors influencing compliance with social distancing, a key nonpharmaceutical intervention during the early stages of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The study population comprised 182 758 Koreans who participated in the 2020 Community Health Survey. Personal characteristics were classified into sociodemographic, health behavioral, and psychosocial factors, and factors associated with social distancing compliance were identified. Health behaviors and psychosocial factors were highly related to compliance with social distancing. Approximately 13% of smokers were less likely to practice physical distancing and 50% of high-risk drinkers were less likely to limit going out or attending gatherings and events. Higher concern about COVID-19 and a more positive perception of the government’s response policy were associated with a higher compliance with social distancing. Strategic public health policies considering the characteristics of the public are needed to enhance compliance with nonpharmaceutical interventions during disease outbreaks lacking effective treatments and vaccines.
A Bibliometric Review of Service Learning Research, 1950–2022
Authors: Hallinger Philip , Narong David Kongpiwatana
Published: April 2024

Background: Service learning has been studied and applied in diverse educational settings for the past seven decades. While several research reviews have explored service learning from varied perspectives, none have employed bibliometric methods to investigate its evolution as a “knowledge base.” Purpose: This review documents the evolving landscape and analyzes the intellectual structure of research on service learning. Methodology/Approach: The review analyzed 5,815 Scopus-indexed documents on service learning using descriptive statistics and science mapping. Findings: The review found that service learning constitutes a mature, rapidly expanding interdisciplinary field, with over 75% of the documents published since 2010. Despite its global scope, the literature remains concentrated in Western, economically developed nations. The intellectual structure of the literature encompasses four interconnected schools of thought: Service Learning Designs and Effects, Theory and Research, Implementation, and Engineering Education. Implications: The review highlights the importance of cross-pollination of theoretical perspectives and empirical findings in service learning research and practice. Subsequent research should prioritize the exploration of service learning in developing countries, the evaluation of diverse theoretical perspectives in studies of service learning designs and effects, and the use of mixed research methods in exploration of cultural, social, and political influences on service learning outcomes.
A Post-Hoc Analysis of Emotional Lability With Delayed-Release/Extended-Release Methylphenidate in Children Aged 6 to 12 Years of Age Participating in Two Phase 3 Clinical Trials
Authors: Arnold Valerie K. , López Frank A. , Childress Ann C. , Po Michelle D. , Uchida Cassandra L. , Cuthbertson Lewis , Sallee Floyd R. , Incledon Bev
Published: April 2024

Objective:

DR/ER-MPH (formerly HLD200) is an evening-dosed delayed-release and extended-release methylphenidate approved for the treatment of ADHD in patients ≥6 years. Post hoc analyses of two pivotal Phase 3 trials: HLD200-107 (NCT02493777) and HLD200-108 (NCT02520388) evaluated emotional lability (EL) with DR/ER-MPH treatment.

Methods:

Differences in Conners Global Index—Parent (CGI-P) EL subscale scores and age- and gender-adjusted T-scores over an open-label titration phase (HLD200-107) and between treatment and placebo groups at endpoint (HLD200-108) were evaluated.

Results:

In HLD200-107 ( N = 117) mean CGI-P EL subscale scores improved from 5.3 to 1.3 ( p < .0001) after 6 weeks; in HLD200-108 significant improvements were observed in the treatment group ( n = 81) versus placebo ( n = 80; 3.11 vs. 4.08; p = .0053). T-scores showed an improvement with DR/ER-MPH treatment in both trials. Few emotional adverse events (AEs) were reported.

Conclusion:

DR/ER-MPH treatment resulted in statistically significant improvements in EL to the level of non-ADHD peers as contextualized by T-scores.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography in syndromic versus non-syndromic USH2A-associated retinopathy
Authors: Antropoli Alessio , Arrigo Alessandro , Caprara Carlo , Bianco Lorenzo , Mercuri Stefano , Berni Alessandro , Passerini Ilaria , Gambarotta Sofia , Sodi Andrea , Bandello Francesco , Murro Vittoria , Parodi Maurizio Battaglia
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To compare non-syndromic and syndromic forms of USH2A-related retinitis pigmentosa (RP) by means of structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography (OCTA).

Methods

Observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study. All patients underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, OCT (Spectralis HRA + OCT, Heidelberg Engineering) and OCTA (OCT DRI Topcon Triton, Topcon Corporation). We compared subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT), choroidal vascularity index (CVI), presence of cystroid macular edema (CME), macular vessel density (VD) at the superficial and deep capillary plexa, as well as VD of the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network, between syndromic and non-syndromic patients with USH2A-associated retinopathy.

Results

Thirty-four eyes from 18 patients (7 females) were included. Thirteen patients (72.2%) were affected by Usher syndrome type 2, whereas the remaining 5 subjects (27.8%) had non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa (nsRP). Syndromic patients were younger than nsRP ( p = 0.01) and had a worse visual acuity than those with the exclusively retinal phenotype. Patients with Usher syndrome type 2 had a higher prevalence of CME and a thicker choroid compared to nsRP, although these results were not statistically significant ( p = 0.775 and p = 0.122, respectively). Similarly, none of the other quantitative OCT and OCTA parameters was statistically different between the two groups.

Conclusions

Despite their younger age, patients with Usher syndrome type 2 displayed similar choroidal and microvascular changes compared to those with nsRP.
Semi-adjustable posterior approach for congenital ptosis repair- outcomes of local and general anesthesia
Authors: Ben Ishai Meydan , Ben Artsi Elad , Shouchane-Blum Karny , Kramarz Dadon Judith , Avisar Inbal
Published: April 2024

Background

To report a single center experience with semi-adjustable posterior approach levator plication (‘levatorpexy’) in patients with congenital ptosis.

Materials and methods

A retrospective study. All cases who underwent posterior approach levatorpexy for congenital ptosis between the years 2016 to 2022 were included. The primary outcome measures were margin-to-reflex distance 1 (MRD1) before and after surgery, upper eyelid contour, symmetry of upper eyelid height, complications, and surgical success. Surgery was successful if all the following criteria were met: A postoperative MRD1 of ≥2 mm and ≤4.5 mm, a satisfactory eyelid contour in the operated eyelid, and an inter-eyelid MRD1 asymmetry of ≤1 mm. Postoperative modifications in semi-adjustable techniques were considered in all cases.

Results

Twenty-three eyelids of 21 patients were included, 11 were performed under general anesthesia, and 12 were performed under local anesthesia. The mean age of all patients was 24.1 years (8–47 years). The mean levator function was 11.2 (±2.11). Mean preoperative MRD1 was 1.05 mm and 1.41 for general and local anesthesia, respectively. Mean postoperative MRD1 was 3.33 mm and 3.37 mm for general and local anesthesia, respectively. Eighteen patients (85%) achieved the desired eyelid height and fulfilled our criteria for success. There were no complications reported in any of the groups.

Conclusion

Posterior approach levatorpexy is a safe and effective procedure for repairing congenital ptosis in patients with good levator function. This technique is suitable for young patients and those unable to undergo surgery under local anesthesia. This technique offers post-operative modification due to its semi-adjustable nature.
Effect of early cannulation with metal needles on arteriovenous fistula patency in patients undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Jiang Zuanhong , Liu Manman , Zhou Lingling , Chen Weizhen , Lou Lili , Xu Liyun
Published: April 2024

Background:

Autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred vascular access mode. However, the earliest possible time for AVF puncture and whether premature puncture affects the AVF patency rate remain unclear.

Methods:

In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, adult uremic patients who underwent AVF surgery for the first time at Taizhou Hospital or Enze Hospital of Zhejiang Province between September 1, 2018 and August 31, 2021 were enrolled. All patients were followed up for 1 year after puncture, and the status of fistula establishment and puncture, subsequent patency, loss to follow-up, renal transplantation, conversion to peritoneal dialysis, abandonment of the fistula, and death, were recorded.

Results:

A total of 465 patients with AVFs were included in this study, including 59 (12.7%) patients with fistulas that were cannulated within 30 days. In the early puncture group, the levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were higher, while the levels of hemoglobin and albumin were lower, suggesting that these patients needed urgent dialysis. Furthermore, the rate of non-cuffed catheter use was higher, while the rate of cuffed catheter use was lower, and femoral vein puncture was preferred over internal jugular vein puncture. The mean duration of catheter indwelling was shorter in the early puncture group (19 vs 70 days, p < 0.001). The estimated AVF primary and cumulative functional patency at 12 months was 81.1% versus 82.3% and 98.3% versus 98.7% in the early puncture and control groups, respectively. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed no significant difference in AVF primary and cumulative functional patency between the two groups.

Conclusions:

In patients with an established fistula in urgent need of hemodialysis, to avoid new catheterization, a puncture can be performed within 30 days in those with well-developed blood vessels after adequate ultrasound and clinical evaluation without affecting the patency of the fistula.
COVID-19 mortality among immigrants by duration of residence in Sweden: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Juárez Sol P. , Debiasi Enrico , Wallace Matthew , Drefahl Sven , Mussino Eleonora , Cederström Agneta , Rostila Mikael , Aradhya Siddartha
Published: April 2024

Background:

Explanations for the disproportional COVID-19 burden among immigrants relative to host-country natives include differential exposure to the virus and susceptibility due to poor health conditions. Prior to the pandemic, immigrants displayed deteriorating health with duration of residence that may be associated with increased susceptibility over time. The aim of this study was to compare immigrant–native COVID-19 mortality by immigrants’ duration of residence to examine the role of differential susceptibility.

Methods:

A population-based cohort study was conducted with individuals between 18 and 100 years old registered in Sweden between 1 January 2015 and 15 June 2022. Cox regression models were run to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results:

Inequalities in COVID-19 mortality between immigrants and the Swedish-born population in the working-age group were concentrated among those of non-Western origins and from Finland with more than 15 years in Sweden, while for those of retirement age, these groups showed higher COVID-19 mortality HRs regardless of duration of residence. Both age groups of immigrants from Africa and the Middle East showed consistently higher COVID-19 mortality HRs. For the working-age population: Africa: HR<15: 2.46, 95%CI: 1.78, 3.38; HR≥15: 1.49, 95%CI: 1.01, 2.19; and from the Middle East: HR<15: 1.20, 95%CI: 0.90, 1.60; HR≥15: 1.65, 95%CI: 1.32, 2.05. For the retirement-age population: Africa: HR<15: 3.94, 95%CI: 2.85, 5.44; HR≥15: 1.66, 95%CI: 1.32, 2.09; Middle East: HR<15: 3.27, 95%CI: 2.70, 3.97; HR≥15: 2.12, 95%CI: 1.91, 2.34.

Conclusions:

Differential exposure, as opposed to differential susceptibility, likely accounted for the higher COVID-19 mortality observed among those origins who were disproportionately affected by the pandemic in Sweden.
Enhancing military medical evacuation dispatching with armed escort management: comparing model-based reinforcement learning approaches
Authors: Gelbard Andrew G , Jenkins Phillip R , Robbins Matthew J
Published: April 2024

The military medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) dispatching problem involves determining optimal policies for evacuating combat casualties to maximize patient survivability during military operations. This study explores a variation of the MEDEVAC dispatching problem, focusing on controlling armed escorts using a Markov decision process (MDP) model and model-based reinforcement learning (RL) approaches. A discounted, continuous-time MDP model over an infinite horizon is developed to maximize the expected total discounted reward of the system. Two model-based RL solution approaches are proposed: one utilizing semi-gradient descent Q-learning and another employing semi-gradient descent SARSA. A computational example, set in western and central Africa during contingency operations, assesses the performance of the RL-generated policies against the myopic policy, which military medical planners currently employ. Solution quality is derived from expected response time, a crucial determinant of life-saving potential in MEDEVAC operations. The research also explores sensitivity analysis and excursion scenarios to evaluate the RL-generated policies further. By explicitly controlling armed escort assets, dispatching authorities can better manage the location and allocation of these resources throughout combat operations. The findings of this study have the potential to inform military medical planning, operations, and tactics, ultimately leading to improved MEDEVAC system performance and higher patient survivability rates.
Multi-layer antibacterial polyester fabrics for infection management and moisture wicking in a textile-based biomaterial wound dressing
Authors: Bush Elizabeth G. , Mwangomo Ruth , Kidd Joel , Gilmore Jordon
Published: April 2024

Antibacterial woven polyester fabrics are drawing much attention in the medical and textile industries because they can provide many health-promoting properties that prevent infection while providing a barrier to the external environment. In this work, we developed and investigated two different polyester fabrics to demonstrate the antibacterial, non-adhesive, and moisture wicking properties of a multicomponent wound dressing. Vertical wicking of a braided layer composed of Poly-l-lactide (PLLA) yarn of 4-deep-grooved (4DG) fibers was tested using porcine blood serum to mimic wound exudate viscosity. Bacterial inhibition of Pseudomonas putida was measured after exposure to gentamicin sulfate (GS)-incorporated PLLA skin-contact layers of two different shaped yarns. Poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) was added to the GS PLLA contact layer to further prevent non-specific cellular attachment. Results indicated vertical wicking of moisture at 0.88 mm/s. While a specific wicking rate for adequate wound moisture regulation has not been indicated in the literature due to wound and patient variability, we assert that rapid removal of excess fluid from the wound bed, as demonstrated by our fabric is an essential component for a comprehensive wound dressing. Antibacterial experiments showed that GS exhibited both bactericidal and bacteriostatic trends by killing bacteria and further inhibiting growth, respectively. The surface treatment of PEG on PLLA contact layers showed less cellular attachment, promoting non-adhesion during dressing changes. Ultimately, using woven polyester medical textiles in wound care allows for optimizing parameters, such as antimicrobial uptake/release and moisture wicking for personalized healing. The construct studied here may serve as a tunable platform for development of wound dressings with specific antibacterial, moisture, and tissue adhesion requirements.
Digital witnesses to the crime: Visual representation of the Bucha massacre across social media platforms
Authors: Hamarowski Bartosz , Lompe Maria
Published: April 2024

This article investigates the role of social media platforms in the visual representation of the Bucha massacre perpetrated by Russian forces during the aggression against Ukraine in 2022. By considering the interconnectedness of the online and offline spheres, the authors explore the impact of social media on the coverage of the massacre. The study focuses on a comprehensive analysis of 6,185 images disseminated on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram between 29 March and 15 September 2022. Through an analysis of the intricate dynamics between war crimes, visual representations and social media platforms, the article invites contemplation on how digital artifacts shape our collective understanding of historical atrocities.
Reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation following camrelizumab monotherapy or combination therapy for multi-cancers: a large-scale pooled analysis of 10 studies in China
Authors: Qu Wenshu , Wang Feng , Qin Shukui , Sun Yuqi , Huang Chuanpei
Published: April 2024

Background:

Skin toxicities are the most common adverse events related to immunotherapy, such as reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation (RCCEP) following treatment with the anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody camrelizumab.

Objective:

This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the clinical features and prognostic value of RCCEP in patients with malignancies who received camrelizumab alone (Camre) or in combination with the angiogenesis-targeted agent apatinib (Camre-Apa) or chemotherapy (Camre-Chemo).

Design:

A large-scale pooled analysis.

Methods:

Individual patient-level data were derived from 10 clinical trials of camrelizumab monotherapy, camrelizumab plus apatinib, or camrelizumab plus chemotherapy ( n = 1305).

Results:

RCCEP occurred in 77.0% (516/670) of patients with Camre, 23.6% (70/296) with Camre-Apa, and 67.8% (230/339) with Camre-Chemo. Most RCCEP lesions were grade 1 or 2 in severity. The median time to onset was 0.8 months [interquartile range (IQR), 0.6–1.2] with Camre, 5.0 months (IQR, 2.7–8.0) with Camre-Apa, and 1.6 months (IQR, 1.0–4.2) with Camre-Chemo; and the median duration was 4.8 months (IQR, 2.6–8.8), 4.4 months (IQR, 1.7–8.9), and 7.2 months (IQR, 4.1–14.3), respectively. In all the three groups, patients with RCCEP showed significantly better clinical outcomes compared with those without [objective response rate: 23.8% versus 1.9% with Camre, 48.6% versus 21.2% with Camre-Apa, and 78.7% versus 54.1% with Camre-Chemo; median progression-free survival: 3.2 versus 1.7 months (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.36), 10.2 versus 4.5 months (HR = 0.39), and 12.7 versus 7.3 months (HR = 0.38); median overall survival: 13.3 versus 3.8 months (HR = 0.34), 29.2 versus 13.5 months (HR = 0.46), and not reached versus 12.8 months (HR = 0.19); all p < 0.0001].

Conclusion:

Although RCCEP occurred frequently with camrelizumab, most lesions were mild and self-limiting. The occurrence of RCCEP was strongly associated with the antitumor activity and survival of camrelizumab, both as monotherapy and in combination therapy.
The impact of baseline dietary fatty acid intake on the association between lipoprotein(a) and mortality in two US cohorts
Authors: Patel Nimai , Chennareddy Chaitanya , Brandt Eric J
Published: April 2024

Background

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an established casual risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It remains unknown whether dietary fat modifies the association of Lp(a) with cardiovascular death.

Aim

To understand if dietary fat modifies the association between Lp(a) and cardiovascular death.

Methods

We utilized the Atherosclerotic Risk in Communities (ARIC) study and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III cohorts and used multivariate cox proportional hazard modeling to test the association between Lp(a), dietary fats, and cardiovascular death.

Results

The sample ( n = 22,805) had average age 51.3 years and was mostly female (55.4%). Lp(a) ≥ 30 mg/dL was associated with CV death in both ARIC (1.36, p = 0.001) and NHANES (1.31, p = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, no categorical or individual fatty acids modified the association between Lp(a) and CV death.

Conclusion

There was no evidence that baseline dietary fat intake modified the association between Lp(a) and CV death.
Mediastinal and tracheal shift due to recurrent sigmoid volvulus: A case report
Authors: Yasin Mensur Osman , Assefa Mezgebu Alemneh , Alemu Hirut Tesfahun , Molla Yohannis Derbew
Published: April 2024

We hereby present a 70-year-old male Ethiopian farmer who presented with clinical manifestations suggestive of acute large bowel obstruction, which had persisted for 3 days. Over the past 3 years, he has experienced three similar recurring episodes, which were alleviated by decompression using a rectal tube. Upon initial examination, the patient displayed signs of cardiopulmonary distress, although no indications of peritonitis were observed. Further evaluation through plain abdominal and chest X-rays revealed findings consistent with sigmoid volvulus, as well as mediastinal shift, elevated diaphragm, and a right-positioned heart. Consequently, a sigmoid resection and an end colostomy were done. The patient showed improvement and was discharged from the hospital on the 14th day following the surgery. It is atypical for an individual to present with acute sigmoid volvulus accompanied by a mediastinal shift resulting from mass action on the hemidiaphragm. Therefore, it may be imperative to involve a pulmonologist in managing this rare situation. By ensuring that the surgical team is well-informed in such circumstances, patients can receive enhanced care and treatment.
Amyand’s hernia in a 3-month-old infant: A case report
Authors: Obilat Samia , El Graini Soumya , Allali Nazik , Chat Latifa , Aqqaoui Loubna , Ettayebi Fouad , El Haddad Siham
Published: April 2024

Amyand’s hernia is a rare condition characterized by an inguinal hernia containing the appendix, which can lead to complications. It is more common in children and it can be challenging to diagnose due to its location, often being mistaken for other conditions like strangulated hernias, orchitis-epididymitis, or testicular torsion. Imaging, including computed tomography and sonography, plays an important role in diagnosis, which is usually made intraoperatively. A case concerning a 3-month-old boy with a large acute scrotum that had been evolving for 4 days was presented. Clinical examination revealed a hard inguinal mass and a large scrotum with signs of inflammation. An inguinoscrotal ultrasound found a herniated appendix, suggesting the diagnosis of Amyand’s hernia, which was confirmed after surgery.
Tax Knowledge, Trust in Government, and Voluntary Tax Compliance: Insights From an Emerging Economy
Authors: Appiah Thomas , Domeher Daniel , Agana Joseph Akadeagre
Published: April 2024

This paper examines whether tax knowledge, tax fairness and trust affect voluntary tax compliance among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Given the growing budget deficits and debt levels of developing economies, we contend that an understanding of the factors associated with voluntary tax compliance among SMEs could enhance tax revenue mobilization. Although the majority of businesses are SMEs, questions about their tax compliance have become topical among stakeholders due to perceived low levels of compliance, hence, an investigation into the factors underlying their tax compliance behavior is critical for stakeholders, particularly governments and tax authorities. We used a survey-based approach to sample 341 SMEs operating within Ghana’s oil city of Secondi-Takoradi. We employed the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique to analyze the retrieved data. Generally, our empirical results indicate that social factors and behavioral motivations are key determinants of voluntary tax compliance among SMEs in Ghana. Specifically, our results suggest that SMEs’ perception of tax fairness, knowledge about the tax system, and trust in government are significant predictors of voluntary tax compliance. Additionally, we find a significant mediating role of tax fairness in the relationship between tax knowledge and voluntary tax compliance. As governments seek to raise tax revenues and manage public debt, our results provide important insights into social and behavioral factors that could aid in enhancing tax compliance.
Uncertainty Measures and Business Cycles: Evidence From the US
Authors: Chen Haining , Vitenu-Sackey Prince Asare , Bathuure Isaac Akpemah
Published: April 2024

Most of the macro-literature on uncertainty has focused on macro-uncertainty caused by real activity as a source of economic fluctuations. Economic uncertainty reduces total demand in the economy via a conventional channel that is associated with real option theory. Given the findings of the existing literature, financial uncertainty other than macroeconomic uncertainty matters more for business cycle fluctuations. This study seeks to answer the following questions: Is uncertainty the primary cause of the business cycle’s fluctuations? Alternatively, does it matter what kind of uncertainty exists? The research utilized the generalized linear model (GLM) and the Bayesian generalized linear model (BGLM) to analyze a dataset covering the time from July 1960 to April 2015 in the United States. Elevated levels of macroeconomic uncertainty, akin to real uncertainty, and economic policy uncertainty, as measured by news sources, demonstrate a counter-cyclical pattern in relation to business cycles. Low levels of uncertainty have a positive impact on business cycles, leading to an increase in industrial production. Conversely, high levels of uncertainty have a negative effect on business cycles, causing a decline in industrial output. We are of the opinion that high levels of macroeconomic uncertainty have a ripple effect on the entire economy, which may stifle investments, reduce consumption, and create unemployment, which is likely to influence labor participation.

JEL Classification: D81, E23, E32, E44, G14.
Engagement in Online Postgraduate Nursing Programs: An Integrative Review
Authors: Dunn Anita , Harrison Helena , Northam Holly L. , Birks Melanie
Published: April 2024

Demand for online education has increased in recent decades. Uptake of postgraduate nursing education in this mode is on the rise, yet many students do not achieve completion. Student engagement is vital to success in online postgraduate nursing programs. Technology enables a more efficient means of monitoring engagement, yet limited literature is available on how the design of online postgraduate nursing programs impacts student engagement. This integrative review aims to identify barriers and facilitators to engaging in online postgraduate nursing programs. Four databases, including Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Education Resources Information Center, Scopus, and Medline, were systematically searched to identify relevant literature published over the period 1990 to 2022. Fifteen papers met the inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis generated three themes: design and delivery, support and connectivity, and student factors and success. The findings of this review uncover the range of indiscriminate variables and experiences that students have with online learning, making engaging instructional design a complex process. Nursing faculty require time and resources to develop skills specific to delivering “distance” education without being distant to the students. This review concludes that online postgraduate nursing programs are not a panacea, with ethical issues identified for higher education providers.
Bridging the Gap: Smile in Any Language
Authors: Sandstrom Jennifer , Beattie Mark , Beattie Chan
Published: April 2024

This case focuses on English language preparation in the hospitality industry. Recruiting and retaining employees is an important component of any human resource plan. Safe and effective operations are a measure of employee satisfaction. The increased sourcing of new employees in limited-service hotels that require minimum levels of English proficiency has increased steadily. Incorporating English Language Acquisition (ELA) into a training and development plan presents unique challenges not addressed in the hospitality curriculum nor in many management training programs. This case deals with English language proficiency in a select-service hotel from the perspective of a General Manager.
Translucency and Color Difference of Monolithic Zirconia Restorations: The Effect of Surface Finishing on Background Color
Authors: Arslan Emel , Deg˘irmenci Kübra
Published: April 2024

Aim:

This study evaluates the effect of different surface finishing procedures on the color and translucency values of monolithic zirconia materials on three different colored composite backgrounds.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty monolithic zirconia blocks of three different translucency levels were prepared in vitro using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems. The correlation between repeat measurements was 0.5, resulting in a sample size of nine samples per group to detect a medium effect size, f = 0.25. Half of the zirconia blocks in each group were subjected to glazing, while the other half were polished ( n = 10). Composite blocks of three different colors were prepared to simulate dental substrates, and the zirconia specimens were placed on these composite backgrounds. The color parameters of the specimens were measured using a spectrophotometer on gray, black, and white backgrounds. Three-way repeated measure ANOVA was used to assess the interaction between the three independent variables (zirconia brand, surface finishing technique, and background color) and the effects of each tested variable on the changes in color and translucency.

Results:

The surface finishing techniques had a significant effect on the color and translucency of the monolithic zirconia materials. Glazing resulted in higher color differences and lower translucency values compared to polishing. For backgrounds of the same color, no significant differences were detected between the glazed zirconia groups for the same condition ( p > .016).

Conclusion:

Overall, the study demonstrated the importance of selecting the appropriate surface finishing technique and translucency property of the monolithic zirconia materials to obtain the optimal esthetic results in dental restorations.
Lower Extremity Surfing Injuries Seen at United States Emergency Departments From 2002 to 2022
Authors: Obana Kyle K. , Hasegawa Morgan E. , Mueller John D. , Berk Alexander N. , Rimm Julian B. , Horng Jonathan C. , Saltzman Bryan M. , Parisien Robert L. , Lee Lorrin S.K. , Trofa David P.
Published: April 2024

Background:

Surfing is an increasingly popular sport with a high propensity for both traumatic and atraumatic injuries.

Purpose:

To analyze the trends, etiologies, and diagnoses of lower extremity orthopaedic-related surfing injuries presenting to United States (US) emergency departments (EDs) within a 21-year study period.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried for data on lower extremity surfing injuries presenting to US EDs from January 1 to December 31, 2022. Data collected included year, injury mechanism, injury location, diagnosis, and disposition. The raw data were used to calculate national estimates (NEs) based on each hospital’s assigned statistical sample weight. Linear regressions were performed to analyze annual trends.

Results:

A total of 776 lower extremity surfing injuries were included (NE = 49,218 injuries). The mean age of the patients was 29.4 ± 13.6 years. The most common injured areas were the foot (NE = 17,411; 35.4%), lower leg (NE = 8673, 17.6%), and knee (NE = 8139; 16.5%). The most common mechanism of injury was impact with board (NE = 17,144; 34.8%), and the most common fracture locations were the lower leg (NE = 1195; 29.5%), ankle (NE = 1594; 24.5%), and foot (NE = 1495; 23.0%). There were statistically significant decreases in weighted estimates for lower extremity surfing injuries by 108 per year ( P < .001), for lacerations by 76 per year ( P < .001), and for sprains by 18 per year ( P = .01). Impact-with-board injuries decreased by 59 injuries per year ( P < .001) and constituted 63.5% of lacerations and 12.1% of fractures. Only 3.9% of patients were admitted for hospitalization.

Conclusion:

There was a decreasing trend in lower extremity surfing injuries presenting to US EDs during the 21-year study period.
Quadriceps Tendon Autograft ACL Reconstruction With Suture Tape Augmentation: Safe Results Based on Minimum 2-Year Follow-up MRI
Authors: Smith Patrick A. , Daniel Adam V. , Stensby James D. , Cook Corey S. , Wijdicks Coen A.
Published: April 2024

Background:

The potential intra-articular effects of ≥1 year after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with independent suture tape augmentation (STA) are not fully understood.

Purpose:

To investigate whether incorporating suture tape in an all–soft tissue quadriceps tendon autograft (QTA) ACLR leads to satisfactory patient outcomes while having no intra-articular side effects as determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Included were 25 patients with a mean age of 19.9 years (95% CI, 17.3-22.5 years) who underwent QTA ACLR with STA between 2016 and 2019. All patients underwent MRI at ≥1 year postoperatively and had at least a 2-year follow-up (mean, 28 months [95% CI, 26.5-29.5 months]) that included physical examination with anterior laxity testing with KT-1000 arthrometer, radiographs, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). At the final follow-up, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) for applicable PROMs were applied to each patient. Postoperative graft and joint integrity were assessed using the Howell classification and the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) joint effusion/synovitis grade. The Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and the chi-square or the Fisher exact test for categorical variables were used for statistical analyses.

Results:

The MRI assessment of the grafts demonstrated intact grafts in all patients. Overall, 96% of patients demonstrated grades 0 or 1 MOAKS for joint effusion/synovitis. All patient outcomes significantly improved from preoperatively to the final follow-up ( P < .001), except for the Marx score, which decreased significantly (14.2 [95% CI, 12.7-15.8] vs 9.72 [95% CI, 7.3-12.2]; P = .0014). At least 68% of the patients achieved the MCID threshold, and 92% achieved the PASS threshold for all applicable PROMs.

Conclusion:

QTA ACLR with STA did not demonstrate adverse intra-articular changes on MRI at ≥1 year postoperatively. In addition, STA did not appear to negatively affect PROMs.
On Colonial Monuments in the Post-colony: An Outline of the Problems of Populist Approaches in Managing Heritage in Southern Africa
Authors: Magadzike Blessed
Published: April 2024

What to do with colonial-era monuments has been a major challenge facing southern African nations ever since the demise of colonialism and apartheid in the subregion. To deal with the problem, governments in the region embarked on popular transformative agendas that included decontextualization and the removal of alleged problematic monuments from the public sphere. Such approaches have over the years received the backing of several scholars of heritage and history, who have often cited them as ones capable of offering ever-ending solutions to the issue. However, while recognizing the necessity of transformation, this article nevertheless argues that such a transformative agenda that is characterized by erasures of that which has been accepted as heritage in a particular phase of a country’s history is not a proper way of dealing with such symbols. First, such approaches create possibilities for heritage fundamentalism to filter into the domain of heritage. Second, such approaches were premised on the narrow argument that the notion of problematic heritage is only limited to cases of racial differences or between the former colonizers and the colonized. Instead, by using examples of case studies in one of the countries in the region, the article demonstrates that all heritage is subject to review, either by new political dispensations or by future generations. Hence, when dealing with symbols accepted as heritage, interpretation as opposed to decontextualization or destruction must be resorted to as a guiding framework. When this happens, heritage then ceases to be a platform of contestation and becomes one of continuity.
Introduction to a review series on factor XI
Authors: Ortel Thomas L.
Published: April 2024

Introduced by Associate Editor Thomas Ortel, this Review Series focuses on factor XI (FXI). The series opens with a review of the biology of FXI, proceeds to a discussion of congenital FXI deficiency, and concludes with a discussion of the use of therapies targeting FXI and factor XIa as active anticoagulants with a decreased risk of bleeding complications.
Notch1 regulates hepatic thrombopoietin production
Authors: Sun Yueyue , Tong Huan , Chu Xiang , Li Yingying , Zhang Jie , Ding Yangyang , Zhang Sixuan , Gui Xiang , Chen Chong , Xu Mengdi , Li Zhenyu , Gardiner Elizabeth E. , Andrews Robert K. , Zeng Lingyu , Xu Kailin , Qiao Jianlin
Published: April 2024

Notch signaling regulates cell-fate decisions in several developmental processes and cell functions. However, the role of Notch in hepatic thrombopoietin (TPO) production remains unclear. We noted thrombocytopenia in mice with hepatic Notch1 deficiency and so investigated TPO production and other features of platelets in these mice. We found that the liver ultrastructure and hepatocyte function were comparable between control and Notch1-deficient mice. However, the Notch1-deficient mice had significantly lower plasma TPO and hepatic TPO messenger RNA levels, concomitant with lower numbers of platelets and impaired megakaryocyte differentiation and maturation, which were rescued by addition of exogenous TPO. Additionally, JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation was significantly inhibited in Notch1-deficient hepatocytes, consistent with the RNA-sequencing analysis. JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation and TPO production was also impaired in cultured Notch1-deficient hepatocytes after treatment with desialylated platelets. Consistently, hepatocyte-specific Notch1 deletion inhibited JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation and hepatic TPO production induced by administration of desialylated platelets in vivo. Interestingly, Notch1 deficiency downregulated the expression of HES5 but not HES1. Moreover, desialylated platelets promoted the binding of HES5 to JAK2/STAT3, leading to JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation and pathway activation in hepatocytes. Hepatocyte Ashwell-Morell receptor (AMR), a heterodimer of asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 [ASGR1] and ASGR2, physically associates with Notch1, and inhibition of AMR impaired Notch1 signaling activation and hepatic TPO production. Furthermore, blockage of Delta-like 4 on desialylated platelets inhibited hepatocyte Notch1 activation and HES5 expression, JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation, and subsequent TPO production. In conclusion, our study identifies a novel regulatory role of Notch1 in hepatic TPO production, indicating that it might be a target for modulating TPO level.
GM-CSF receptor expression determines opposing innate memory phenotypes at different stages of myelopoiesis
Authors: Guerrero Paula , Bono Cristina , Sobén María , Guiu Andrea , Cheng Quen J. , Gil M. Luisa , Yáñez Alberto
Published: April 2024

Inflammatory responses must be tightly coordinated with the activation of emergency myelopoiesis to produce potent myeloid cells that fight infection without causing excessive host damage. Here, we show that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) programs myeloid-committed progenitors to produce trained macrophages (increased cytokine response), but programs the upstream noncommitted LKS+ progenitors (defined as Lin− c-Kit+ Sca-1+ cells) to produce tolerized macrophages (decreased cytokine response). In myeloid progenitors, GM-CSF strongly activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5), Ras-Raf-extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), and Akt-mTOR signaling pathways, which are essential to establish a training program, whereas in LKS+ progenitors, GM-CSF induces NF-κB translocation to the nucleus to establish a tolerization program. These differences arise from higher GM-CSF receptor expression in myeloid progenitors compared with LKS+ cells. We demonstrate that β-catenin regulation of NF-κB nuclear translocation is central in this process. In myeloid progenitors, glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) inactivation by strong ERK and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling increases cytoplasmic β-catenin levels to block NF-κB nuclear translocation. In contrast, when ERK and PI3K-Akt signaling are weak, active GSK3 causes a decrease in β-catenin, allowing NF-κB nuclear translocation in LKS+ progenitors. Finally, GM-CSF-induced LKS+ tolerization takes place in several murine models of trained immunity and in human CD34+ CD38− progenitors. Our study reveals that in addition to activating myelopoiesis, GM-CSF also programs early and immediate myeloid progenitors to produce opposing immune memory phenotypes. We propose that the inflammatory response from immediate myeloid progenitors may be balanced by the tolerized phenotype of early progenitors, thus providing a mechanism for appropriate resolution of inflammation and protection against a prolonged cytokine storm.
KEGG orthology prediction of bacterial proteins using natural language processing
Authors: Chen Jing , Wu Haoyu , Wang Ning
Published: April 2024

Background

The advent of high-throughput technologies has led to an exponential increase in uncharacterized bacterial protein sequences, surpassing the capacity of manual curation. A large number of bacterial protein sequences remain unannotated by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) orthology, making it necessary to use auto annotation tools. These tools are now indispensable in the biological research landscape, bridging the gap between the vastness of unannotated sequences and meaningful biological insights.

Results

In this work, we propose a novel pipeline for KEGG orthology annotation of bacterial protein sequences that uses natural language processing and deep learning. To assess the effectiveness of our pipeline, we conducted evaluations using the genomes of two randomly selected species from the KEGG database. In our evaluation, we obtain competitive results on precision, recall, and F1 score, with values of 0.948, 0.947, and 0.947, respectively.

Conclusions

Our experimental results suggest that our pipeline demonstrates performance comparable to traditional methods and excels in identifying distant relatives with low sequence identity. This demonstrates the potential of our pipeline to significantly improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of KEGG orthology annotation, thereby advancing our understanding of functional relationships within biological systems.
Exogenous application of salicylic acid ameliorates salinity stress in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Hanif Shazia , Mahmood Athar , Javed Talha , Bibi Safura , Zia Muhammad Anjum , Asghar Saima , Naeem Zunaira , Ercisli Sezai , Rahimi Mehdi , Ali Baber
Published: April 2024

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a significant cereal crop belonging to Poaceae that is essential for human food and animal feeding. The production of barley grains was around 142.37 million tons in 2017/2018. However, the growth of barley was influenced by salinity which was enhanced by applying a foliar spray of salicylic acid. The current study investigated to evaluated the potential effect of SA on the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants under salinity stress and its possible effects on physiological, biochemical, and growth responses. The experiment was conducted at Postgraduate Research Station (PARS), University of Agriculture; Faisalabad to assess the influence of salicylic acid on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under highly saline conditions. The experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replicates. In plastic pots containing 8 kg of properly cleaned sand, two different types of barley (Sultan and Jau-17) were planted. The plants were then watered with a half-strength solution of Hoagland’s nutritional solution. After the establishment of seedlings, two salt treatments (0 mM and 120 mM NaCl) were applied in combining three levels of exogenously applied salicylic acid (SA) (0, 0.5, and 1 mg L-1). Data about morphological, physiological, and biochemical attributes was recorded using standard procedure after three weeks of treatment. The morpho-physiological fresh weight of the shoot and root (48%), the dry mass of the shoot and root (66%), the plant height (18%), the chlorophyll a (30%), the chlorophyll b (22%), and the carotenoids (22%), all showed significant decreases. Salinity also decreased yield parameters and the chl. ratio (both at 29% and 26% of the total chl. leaf area index). Compared to the control parameters, the following data was recorded under salt stress: spike length, number of spikes, number of spikelets, number of tillers, biological yield, and harvest index. Salicylic acid was used as a foliar spray to lessen the effects of salinity stress, and 1 mg L-1 of salicylic acid proved more effective than 0.5 mg L-1. Both varieties show better growth by applying salicylic acid (0 mg L-1) as a control, showing normal growth. By increasing its level to (0.5 mg L-1), it shows better growth but maximized growth occurred at a higher level (1 mg L-1). Barley sultan (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the best variety as compared to Jau-17 performs more growth to mitigate salt stress (0mM and 120mM NaCl) by improving morpho-physiological parameters by enhancing plan height, Root and shoot fresh and dry weights, as well as root and shoot lengths, photosynthetic pigments, area of the leaves and their index, and yield attributes and reduce sodium ions.