bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating China in the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine: A Position Paper on Personalized Medicine in Sustainable Healthcare
Authors: Causio Francesco Andrea , Beccia Flavia , Hoxhaj Ilda , Huang Hui-Yao , Wang Lily , Wang Wenya , Farina Sara , Osti Tommaso , Savoia Cosimo , Cadeddu Chiara , Ricciardi Walter , Boccia Stefania
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Over the last decade, the emergence and spread of personalized medicine (PM) have defined a substantial revolution in healthcare. In principle, healthcare system sustainability is challenged by the investments required for research and development, as well as the adoption of PM techniques in routine clinical care. The “Integrating China in the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine” (IC2PerMed) EU-funded project aims to integrate China into the “International Consortium for Personalized Medicine” (ICPerMed). IC2PerMed aims to align the EU and China’s research agendas in this field to enable a swift development of approaches in the EU and China with strong leverage upon EU-Chinese collaborations. Methods: Within this project, we first mapped relevant policies on PM in both the EU and China, and then we involved European and Chinese experts in PM in workshops and Delphi surveys in order to identify relevant priorities for the implementation of PM in sustainable healthcare. Results: As a result of this process, we identified nine overarching priorities, each addressing specific aspects of the sustainability of healthcare systems and PM implementation, with the main goal of supporting policymakers in integrating PM approaches in the EU and China. Discussion/conclusion: The implementation of PM in health systems is appealing in terms of improved accuracy in diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of disease, as well as reduction of the side effects resulting from inefficient use of drugs. Research, development, and implementation of needed techniques require time and resources that can slow the adoption of PM in healthcare systems. The nine priorities we identified address some of the most critical points, trying to lay the foundations for a comprehensive approach.
Adenokarzinome des ösophagogastralen Übergangs: Perioperative Therapie mit Ramucirumab und FLOT
Authors: Stocker Gertraud
Published: December 2023

This multicenter, randomized phase II/III study evaluated the addition of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 inhibitor ramucirumab to FLOT as perioperative treatment for resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. Patients received either FLOT alone (Arm A) or combined with ramucirumab followed by ramucirumab monotherapy (Arm B). The primary endpoint for the phase II portion was the pathological complete or subtotal response (pCR/pSR) rate. Baseline characteristics were comparable between both arms with a high rate of tumors signet-ring cell component (A:47% B:43%). No between-arm difference in pCR/pSR rate was seen (A:29% B:26%), therefore the transition to phase III was not pursued. Nevertheless, the combination was associated with a significantly increased R0-resection rate compared with FLOT alone (A:82% B:96%; P = .009). In addition, the median disease-free survival was numerically improved in Arm B (A:21 months B:32 months, HR 0.75, P = 0.218), while the median overall survival was similar in both treatment arms (A:45 months B:46 months, HR 0.94, P = 0.803). Patients with Siewert type I tumors receiving transthoracic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis showed an increased risk of serious postoperative complications after ramucirumab treatment, therefore recruitment of those patients was stopped after the first-third of the study. Overall, surgical morbidity and mortality was comparable, whereas more non-surgical grade ≥ 3 adverse events were observed with the combination, especially anorexia (A:1% B:11%), hypertension (A:4% B:13%) and infections (A:19% B:33%). The combination of ramucirumab and FLOT as perioperative treatment shows efficacy signals, particularly in terms of R0 resection rates, for a study population with a high proportion of prognostically poor histological subtypes, and further evaluation in this subgroup seems warranted.
RNA Expression-Based Analysis to Predict Response in Patients with Metastatic Mismatch Repair Proficient Colorectal Cancer Treated with Regorafenib and Nivolumab
Authors: Miao Ruoyu , Kim Dae Won , Yu James , Malafa Mokenge , Mehta Rutika , Strosberg Jonathan , Imanirad Iman , Iyer Seema , Uhlik Mark , Benjamin Laura , Kim Richard
Published: December 2023

Introduction: We previously conducted a phase I/Ib study (NCT03712943) with regorafenib and nivolumab in patients with refractory metastatic mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to investigate the role of Xerna™ TME Panel in predicting the treatment response. Methods: Twenty-two archival pretreatment tumor samples were subjected to the Xerna™ TME Panel, a machine learning-based RNA-sequencing biomarker assay. The Xerna tumor microenvironment (TME) subtypes were evaluated for correlation with overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR), and other biomarkers including KRAS, PD-L1, CD8 expression, and Treg cells in TME. Results: Based on Xerna™ TME Panel, 4 patients with immune-active (IA) subtype and 6 patients with immune-suppressed subtype were classified as biomarker-positive, and five with angiogenic (A) subtype and seven with immune desert subtype were biomarker-negative. While not reaching statistical significance, Xerna TME biomarker-positive patients seemed to have longer median PFS (7.9 vs. 4.1 months, p = 0.254), median OS (15.75 vs. 11.9 months, p = 0.378), and higher DCR (70% vs. 58%, p = 0.675). The IA subtype in our cohort had higher levels of CD4+ FOXP3+ Treg cells, whereas the A subtype showed lower levels of Treg cells. Conclusion: Xerna™ TME Panel analysis in patients with refractory metastatic pMMR CRC who were treated with regorafenib plus nivolumab might be of value for predictive clinical benefit. Further studies are needed to evaluate the predictive role of Xerna™ TME Panel analysis in patients with refractory metastatic pMMR CRC.
A influência dos pontos-gatilho latente na lombalgia aguda: um estudo prospectivo longitudinal
Authors: Added Marco Aurélio Nemitalla , Freitas Diego Galace de , Added Caroline , Cazarini Junior Claudio , Fucs Patrícia Maria de Moraes Barros
Published: December 2023

Pontos-gatilho são nódulos musculares que podem desenvolver dor. A dor lombar é um importante problema de saúde pública e estudos apontam que todas as pessoas que sofrem de dor na coluna apresentam ponto-gatilho. Objetivo: Analisar o nível dor de pacientes com dor lombar aguda que quando assintomáticos apresentava pontos-gatilho latente, comparado com os níveis de dor de pacientes com dor lombar aguda que quando assintomáticos não apresentava pontos-gatilho. Método: 96 indivíduos de ambos os sexos entre 18 - 60 anos participaram de um estudo transversal com avaliador cego. Foram analisados o nível de dor, função, atividade física, cinesiofobia, algometria e mensurada a força do músculo glúteo máximo e médio do membro dominante e não-dominante, no memento que os participantes estavam assintomáticos e após desenvolverem dor lombar aguda. Para análise estatística consideramos valores de significância igual ou menor que 0,05. Resultados: Foi observado diferenças significativas entre os grupos na intensidade da dor (p= 0,01), na funcionalidade (p= 0,02), na algometria (p= 0,00), na dinamometria do músculo glúteo máximo do membro não-dominante (p= 0,05) e da dinamometria do glúteo médio do membro dominante (p= 0,01) e não-dominante (p= 0,00). Conclusão: Indivíduos assintomáticos com pontos-gatilho latente nos músculos paravertebrais lombares apresentam pior intensidade da dor e outros desfechos quando evoluem dor lombar aguda, comparados com indivíduos que não apresentam pontos-gatilho no momento que estão assintomáticos.
The rise of responsible metrics as a professional reform movement: A collective action frames account
Authors: Rushforth Alexander , Hammarfelt Björn
Published: December 2023

Recent years have seen a rise in awareness around “responsible metrics” and calls for research assessment reforms internationally. Yet within the field of quantitative science studies and in research policy contexts, concerns about the limitations of evaluative bibliometrics are almost as old as the tools themselves. Given that many of the concerns articulated in recent reform movements go back decades, why has momentum for change grown only in the past 10 years? In this paper, we draw on analytical insights from the sociology of social movements on collective action frames to chart the emergence, development, and expansion of “responsible metrics” as a professional reform movement. Through reviewing important texts that have shaped reform efforts, we argue that hitherto, three framings have underpinned the responsible metrics reform agenda: the metrics skepticism framing, the professional-expert framing, and the reflexivity framing. We suggest that although these three framings have coexisted within the responsible metrics movement to date, cohabitation between these framings may not last indefinitely, especially as the responsible metrics movement extends into wider research assessment reform movements.
On the Neotropical spider genus Otoniela Brescovit, 1997 (Araneae: Anyphaenidae, Anyphaeninae), with the description of six new species
Authors: OLIVEIRA LUIZ FERNANDO M. , ALVARENGA JOSÉ GERALDO G. DE , BRESCOVIT ANTONIO D.
Published: December 2023

The genus Otoniela Brescovit, 1997 includes two species, the type species Otoniela adisi Brescovit, 1997, distributed in Peru and Brazil and O. quadrivittata (Simon, 1897), recorded in Venezuela and Argentina. Analyzing 127 individuals permited to expand the records of Otoniela adisi and to describe six additional species: O. lupercioi sp. nov. (♂♀), from Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay; O. chica sp. nov. (♂♀), O. duovizinhense sp. nov. (♂♀), and O. tigre sp. nov. (♂♀), from Brazil and Argentina; and O. aparecida n. sp (♀) and O. negrinho sp. nov. (♂♀), known only from Brazil. As a result, a new emended diagnosis of the genus is presented. Additionally, complementary morphological data of Otoniela adisi are documented.
Glyptothorax heokheei, a new species of catfish (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from the Brahmaputra River drainage, Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India
Authors: SINGH PRATIMA , CHOWDHURY BASUDHARA ROY , GURUMAYUM SHANTABALA DEVI , KOSYGIN LAISHRAM
Published: December 2023

Glyptothorax heokheei, a new species of sisorid catfish is described from the Brahmaputra River drainage in India. It can be distinguished from all congeners, except G. dikrongensis, G. indicus, G. rugimentum and G. obliquimaculatus, in having the unculiferous striae of thoracic adhesive apparatus extending anteriorly onto gular region. Glyptothorax heokheei is distinguished from G. dikrongensis and G. obliquimaculatus in having a slender body at the anus, more serrations on posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine, greater number of branched anal fin rays, and the extremity of dorsoposterior margin of adipose fin uniformly convex (vs. sharply angular). It differs from G. rugimentum in having a chevron-shaped (vs. rhomboidal) thoracic adhesive apparatus, more serrations on posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine, and lacking vertical bars on body. Glyptothorax heokheei differs from G. indicus in having a shorter post-adipose distance, smaller interorbital width, more serrations on posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine and nasal barbel not reaching (vs. reaching) anterior margin of eye. Glyptothorax heokheei is the fifth species of the genus possessing unculiferous ridges of thoracic adhesive apparatus extending anteriorly onto the gular region.
The Role of Prosocial Behaviour, Personality and General Mental Health in Predicting Emoji Use and Preference
Authors: Carroll Janine
Published: December 2023

Emojis are prevalent in text-based communication, but the factors that influence our use and preference for emojis remains unclear. This study investigated how emoji use and preference could be explained by three factors; mental health, personality and prosocial behaviour. A questionnaire consisting of five measures was completed by 222 participants and both Pearson correlations and multiple regressions were conducted on the data. The results showed prosocial behaviour significantly related to frequency, attitudes and motivations towards emoji use as well as to positive emoji preference. Agreeableness related to the frequency of emoji use. Extraversion related to both positive and negative emoji preference while conscientiousness and emotional stability significantly related to negative emoji preference only. General mental health significantly related to negative emoji preference. The regressions found all of the factors identified in the correlations predicted emoji use and preference with the exception of extraversion. Further research is needed to explore how the impact of the emotions depicted by emojis on these factors and to investigate how emojis are used by people with specific mental health conditions.
Conflicting Goals When Seeking Support for Mental Health Concerns: Testing a Stigma Support Activation Model
Authors: Crowley Jenny L. , High Andrew C. , Kotowski Michael R. , McCarty Dennis N.
Published: December 2023

A stigma support activation model (SSAM) describing how stigma influences support and impression management goals, which in turn shape support seeking message characteristics is proposed. The model was empirically tested with a national sample of people with mental health concerns ( N = 317), who completed an online survey about a recent time they sought support for their mental health. Results were generally consistent with the proposed model, suggesting a paradox of support seeking, where internalized stigma enhances both support and impression management goals, with perceived public stigma moderating the relationship between internalized stigma and support goals. These conflicting goals put constraints on the depth and emotional expressiveness of support seeking messages. Implications of these findings for theory on supportive communication and the management of stigmatized traits are discussed.
Resilient Remittances? Examining Immigrant Remittances from the United States to Latin America During Covid-19
Authors: Ventura Ilana M. , García Angela S.
Published: December 2023

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic prompted projections of economic contraction and a resulting decline in immigrant remittances, which are fundamental to many migrant household survival strategies. However, in the first year of the pandemic, remittances from the United States to Mexico and other Latin American countries remained surprisingly stable. Using novel survey and interview data, we investigate this apparent divergence, and the dynamic familial networks that sustained remittances during the first year of Covid-19. We identify patterns masked by the overall macro trend of resilient remittance flows, including heterogeneity across remitters’ responses to the pandemic and household-level strain of remitting during this period. Specifically, we find evidence of an intensified expanded remittance pool, wherein remittance responsibility spread across household and extended family members—especially US citizens, authorized immigrants, and those who were more financially stable—in response to job loss and income instability within remitting households. During a period of extreme hardship, the continued need for remittances among nonmigrant family members contributed to the purposive intensification of these expanded pools. Our study of immigrant remittances during Covid-19 demonstrates the utility of examining complexity, change, and oftentimes strain at the micro-household level that undergirds apparent stability at a macro-level of analysis.
Efficacy of Psychosocial Care Training Programme for the Staff Working in Old Age Homes
Authors: Shivarudraiah Manjunatha , Ammapattian Thirumoorthy , Antony Sojan , VS Binu , Sivakumar Palanimuthu Thangaraju
Published: December 2023

Background:

Training the old-age home staff is essential in raising geriatric mental health care standards in India. Inadequate knowledge on ageing and psychosocial interventions is a significant issue in old-age homes. Old-age home staff must know how to provide individualized psychosocial care and support for older adults. Hence this study aimed to test the feasibility of the psychosocial care training program for the staff working in old-age homes.

Methods:

A quasi-experimental research design (pre-post without a control group) was used. Forty-two staff members participated. Mary Starke Harper Aging Knowledge Exam (MSHAKE) and structured checklist to measure the staff’s knowledge on ageing, psychosocial interventions, welfare legislations, schemes, and support services were administered before, immediately after, and two months after the program and the self-efficacy checklist was administered immediately and two months after the program, to examine the efficacy of the program.

Results:

Significant improvement was found in the ageing knowledge and the knowledge of psychosocial intervention and psychosocial care. These improvements continued for two months ( p < .001). Similarly, their self-efficacy in managing such problems was also sustained across two post-measurements ( p = .045).

Conclusions:

Face-to-face training programs would enhance the knowledge of the old age home staff. This Psychosocial Care Training module can be used for training old age home staff to address various psychosocial needs, concerns and other psychosocial problems of the residents.
Adding an extension piece to the end of the purge side arm of the Impella device can prevent the incidence of the cassette breaking and decrease the Impella device failure rate: Impact of practice change on patient outcome
Authors: Satashia Parthkumar , White Andrew , Isha Shahin , Hanson Abby , Jenkins Anna , Blasavage Jessica , Matos Nikki , Tomlinson Amanda , Zhang Stephanie , Quinones Quintin , Waldron Nathan , Bhattacharyya Anirban , Kiley Sean , Guru Pramod , Chaudhury Sanjay , Shapiro Anna , Moreno Franco Pablo , Sanghavi Devang K
Published: December 2023

Background: Impella 5.5® with Smart Assist is a minimally invasive Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD) approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating ongoing cardiogenic shock for up to 14 days. The Impella® intends to reduce ventricular workload and provide the circulatory support necessary for myocardial recovery.

Research Question: Compared to standard practice, does adding an extension piece to the purge tube side arm of the Impella® Device decrease the incidence of device failure and positively impact the health outcome of adult patients receiving Impella® support?

Study Design and Methods: A retrospective chart review of ICU patients was done at a tertiary care center from August 2018 to August 2022 to assess the differences in patient outcomes related to Impella® Device utilization before and after the implementation of the extension piece to the purge tube sidearm. Among patients reviewed, a total of 20 were included in our review, with seven not having the purge tube side arm extension added, while 13 patients had the extension.

Results: The two study groups had no significant difference in patient health outcomes. Additionally, there were no instances of device failure requiring explanation without the extension tubing. However, there were no cases of the purge cassette cracking with the addition of the extension tubing.

Conclusion: The addition of extension tubing to the purge cassette of the Impella® Device did not impact patient health outcomes or the incidence of device failure. There was a complete reduction in the incidence of the purge cassette cracking, which could reduce the potential for infection or device failure over a long period of mechanical support. There is a need for long-term prospective studies to confirm the results.
‘Occupying’ the womb: Disrupted kinship futures and sovereign logics in sexual violence during wars
Authors: Mookherjee Nayanika
Published: December 2023

This article seeks to ethnographically highlight the multiple uses of gene/alogy (as explored by Franklin and McKinnon in the 2000s) in the context of the Bangladesh war of 1971, and hence maps out the range of violence and ambivalences at the heart of kinship. It aims to do so by exploring the process through which disrupted kinship futures are seen as a cornerstone for discourses of war and sovereign practices to justify sexual violence during wars. The formation of Bangladesh in 1971 coincided with the rape of 200,000 (contested and official numbers) Bengali women perpetrated by the Pakistani army and its local collaborators. The article explores the occupation of the womb, that is, the connotation of genetic or ethnic fixing through sexual violence by the Pakistani army, which is apparently an attempt to disrupt the kinship futures of East Pakistan (that later became independent Bangladesh). The sovereign logic of disrupting kinship futures of those that one feels the need to attack, weaken and annihilate (in this case East Pakistanis) is, however, based on a process of naturalisation of inequalities drawn from historical and racialised accounts. The article argues that the sovereign belief in being able to genetically and behaviourally ‘fix’ East Pakistanis through wartime sexual violence, and to instil fear, is possible through the sovereign inhabitation of the inhumanity of sexual violence. Therein lies the vulnerability of sovereign power, the paradox of kinship and its processes of inclusions and ruptures in the future. In seeking to develop a wider theoretical contribution about kinship as the cornerstone of statecraft and wars, the article also seeks to show how military rape alters the grounds of the nation itself, the experiences and imaginations over a period of half a century, and instils various forms of ambiguities about the history of wartime sexual violence.
Performing an Inductive Thematic Analysis of Semi-Structured Interviews With a Large Language Model: An Exploration and Provocation on the Limits of the Approach
Authors: De Paoli Stefano
Published: December 2023

Large Language Models (LLMs) have emerged as powerful generative Artificial Intelligence solutions. This paper presents results and reflections of an experiment done with the LLM GPT 3.5-Turbo to perform an inductive Thematic Analysis (TA). Previous research has worked on conducting deductive analysis. Thematic Analysis is a qualitative method for analysis commonly used in social sciences and it is based on interpretations by the human analyst(s) and the identification of explicit and latent meanings in qualitative data. The paper presents the motivations for attempting this analysis; it reflects on how the six phases to a TA proposed by Braun and Clarke can partially be reproduced with the LLM and it reflects on what are the model’s outputs. The paper uses two datasets of open access semi-structured interviews, previously analysed by other researchers. The first dataset contains interviews with videogame players, and the second is a dataset of interviews with lecturers teaching data science in a University. This paper used the analyses previously conducted on these datasets to compare with the results produced by the LLM. The results show that the model can infer most of the main themes from previous research. This shows that using LLMs to perform an inductive TA is viable and offers a good degree of validity. The discussion offers some recommendations for working with LLMs in qualitative analysis.
Clocking effects on aerodynamics of a gas turbine low pressure axial turbine, part 2: Unsteady simulation
Authors: Taghavi Zenouz Reza , Abiri Seyyed Mohammad Mahdi
Published: December 2023

Unsteady, viscous compressible flow is numerically simulated within first two stages of a low pressure turbine of a gas turbine engine under different clocking of its stator blades rows. Zonal DES turbulence modeling has been used for flow simulations. Time-dependent wake flow trajectory is modeled and visualized within the blades passages. All characteristics of the passage wake flow, including its V-shape motion, re-orientation, elongation, expansion, and stretching, are properly simulated. Unsteady flow field results together with those of general aerodynamic performance of the optimum and worst clocking cases are presented and compared with each other. Analyses of the flow simulation results showed that the optimum clocking of the blades rows occurs while the upstream wake flow impinges on the downstream stator blade leading edge region. Final results demonstrated that under the optimum clocking of the second stator, the inlet total pressure of the second rotor blades row and its output power increase by 0.1% and 0.336%, respectively. Consequently, efficiency of the second stage increases by 0.35%. In addition, total output power of the whole two stages increases by 0.237%.
Preclinical Short-term and Long-term Safety of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Liang Ziyang , Zhang Guoyang , Gan GuangTing , Naren Duolan , Liu Xiaoyan , Liu Hongyun , Mo Jiani , Lu Shengqin , Nie Danian , Ma Liping
Published: December 2023

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a promising therapeutic method. More safety data are needed to support clinical studies in more diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term safety of human bone marrow–derived MSCs (hBMMSCs) in mice. In the present study, we injected control (saline infusion only), low (1.0 × 106/kg), medium (1.0 × 107/kg), and high (1.0 × 108/kg) concentrations of hBMMSCs into BALB/c mice. The safety of the treatment was evaluated by observing changes in the general condition, hematology, biochemical indices, pathology of vital organs, lymphocyte subsets, and immune factor levels on days 14 and 150. In the short-term toxicity test, no significant abnormalities were observed in the hematological and biochemical parameters between the groups injected with hBMMSCs, and no significant damage was observed in the major organs, such as the liver and lung. In addition, no significant differences were observed in the toxicity-related parameters among the groups in the long-term toxicity test. Our study also demonstrates that mice infused with different doses of hBMMSCs do not show abnormal immune responses in either short-term or long-term experiments. We confirmed that hBMMSCs are safe through a 150-day study, demonstrating that this is a safe and promising therapy and offering preliminary safety evidence to promote future clinical applications of hBMMSCs in different diseases.
The feasibility study of stress position device simulating standing weight-bearing applied in computed tomography examination
Authors: Zhao Qiang , Zhang Yuhao , Gu Xiaohui
Published: December 2023

Background

In order to simulate weight-bearing Computed Tomography (CT) examination, this study designed a simple stress position device. By analyzing the relevant data of stress position footprints and weight-bearing position footprints, the feasibility of the stress position device to simulate standing weight-bearing was verified.

Methods

This study randomly selected 25 volunteers for standing weight-bearing and stress position footprints collection, and measured the relevant indicators of stress position footprints and standing weight-bearing position footprints. Two foot and ankle surgeons conducted two measurements respectively on the footprints. Intra-observer and inter-observer reliability were calculated using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Pearson correlation coefficient, ICC, scatter plot analysis, and paired t-test were used to analyze the stress and weight-bearing position data.

Results

The intra-observer and inter-observer measurement values were reliable. There was a certain degree of correlation between the stress position footprints and weight-bearing position footprints in terms of Pearson correlation coefficient, ICC, and scatter plot analysis. Paired t-tests showed significant differences in Clarke angle (t 2.636, p .012), C-S index (t 10.568, p .000), arch indx (t 2.176, p .035), and arch lower angle (t 6.246, p .000).

Conclusion

The stress position device can generate a certain degree of stress, and after further optimization and improvement of the stress position device, it is feasible to apply it to weight-bearing CT examination in clinical settings.
Parent Perceptions of Participating in a Parent-Mediated Program for Young Autistic Children
Authors: van Noorden Lauren E. , Sigafoos Jeff , Wallace-Watkin Carla , Waddington Hannah L.
Published: December 2023

Parents may be well placed to deliver therapeutic support to their own autistic preschool children. Parent-implemented Early Start Denver Model (P-ESDM) is one well-researched program for coaching parents to use strategies in daily routines to support child development. This qualitative study examined the perceptions of parents of autistic preschool children who participated in a two-tiered 20-week P-ESDM program. This program was novel in that it involved group delivery of P-ESDM as well as a two-tiered approach to support provision. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the nine parents of seven autistic preschool boys who participated in the program. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four key themes and 13 subthemes were developed. The themes centered on (a) program accessibility and participation, (b) experience of the two-tiered coaching process, (c) commitment and perseverance, and (d) outcomes. Parents perceived the program to be feasible, acceptable, and effective and gave recommendations for improving future tiered P-ESDM supports. The mixed perceptions from parents suggest the need for flexible, individualized support. Understanding the reported strengths and barriers of this program could allow future programs to better meet the needs of diverse families.
Marketing Capabilities, Strategy, and Performance in International Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Authors: Chang Hsing-Hua Stella , Knight Gary , Fong Cher-Min
Published: December 2023

When expanding abroad, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) experience various constraints, especially the liabilities of small size and foreignness. In this study, the authors examine postures, capabilities, and strategies related to international brand marketing that help SMEs overcome such challenges, establish a brand presence, and attain superior performance in foreign markets. Framing the investigation in the internationalization and capabilities perspectives, the authors employ multimethod approaches in a two-phase study among internationalizing SMEs based in Taiwan. In the first phase, they undertake an extensive literature review and then conduct case studies to formulate a conceptual model. In the second phase, the authors validate the model and associated hypotheses using survey data from a large sample of SMEs that target their products to markets worldwide. Results point to critical roles for these key constructs—international entrepreneurial orientation, international social media capability, and international market knowledge capability—as key antecedents to international branding capability and international brand strategy, in SMEs’ international performance. The authors discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of these findings, highlighting the role of the critical constructs identified previously in driving superior international performance in resource-constrained SMEs.
Cache-optimized and low-overhead implementations of additive Schwarz methods for high-order FEM multigrid computations
Authors: Munch Peter , Kronbichler Martin
Published: December 2023

This contribution presents data-locality optimizations of the additive Schwarz method (ASM) based on the fast-diagonalization method defined on overlapping cell-centric and vertex-star patches in the context of high-order matrix-free finite-element computations on modern CPU-based hardware. The developments are guided by detailed performance models of the ASM in the context of Chebyshev iterations when used as smoothers for p-multigrid. The proposed efficient implementation of ASM adopts concepts known from cell-loop infrastructures for efficient operator evaluation, in particular, the storage of information per geometric entity and the cache-friendly interleaving of cell loops and vector updates as a means to increase data locality. We use the latter concept for both applying the weights required by ASM and performing the vector updates required by the Chebyshev iteration, which are memory-bound operations with non-negligible costs in comparison to efficient operator evaluation. Furthermore, the solution of a scalar Poisson problem on a highly anisotropic and an unstructured mesh with p-multigrid using the developed smoothers indicates that efficient implementations of the additive Schwarz method can outperform optimized point-Jacobi preconditioners already for simple problems despite being more than twice as expensive per iteration. Even though ASM introduces additional communication steps per smoother application, the reduced number of iterations can lead to improved parallel scalability for intermediate problem sizes. At the scaling limit, the results are inconclusive due to these two opposing effects.
Sustainable Alternatives for the Reduction of Soil Degradation: A Study on Geo-Textile´s Economic Efficiency
Authors: Giménez Morera Antonio , Capó Vicedo Jordi , Muñoz Gómez Casandra
Published: December 2023

Soil erosion presents a pressing global issue that gravely impacts agriculture, food security, and the environment, necessitating immediate attention. Exploring innovative alternatives to combat soil degradation effectively is imperative while ensuring sustainable soil management. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of utilizing geo-textiles as a sustainable solution for soil erosion compared to conventional methods like weeding. The primary objective is to assess the economic efficiency of geo-textiles and rank them against traditional approaches. To achieve these objectives, we have developed mathematical models to evaluate and rank the alternatives comprehensively. The study utilized the Single Price Model method to establish a complete ranking of the alternatives. By considering economic efficiency as a key criterion, geo-textiles demonstrated their potential as a viable solution for soil erosion management, with model 4, geo-textiles made from recyclable materials, being the most efficient model of the geo-textiles studied behind the traditional plough. In conclusion, geo-textiles offer a promising alternative to traditional weeding methods, demonstrating their potential for economic efficiency and sustainable soil management. This study’s results underscore the importance of adopting innovative approaches to combat soil erosion, providing crucial guidance to decision-makers and practitioners in pursuing sustainable agricultural practices.
Longitudinal profiling and tracking stability in the Singapore study of macro-angiopathy and microvascular reactivity in type 2 diabetes cohort
Authors: Low Serena , Zheng Huili , Liu Jian-Jun , Moh Angela , Ang Keven , Tang Wern Ee , Lim Ziliang , Subramaniam Tavintharan , Sum Chee Fang , Lim Su Chi
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The Singapore Study of Macro-Angiopathy and microvascular Reactivity in Type 2 Diabetes (SMART2D) is a prospective cohort study which was started in 2011 to investigate the effect of risk factors on vascular function and diabetes-related complications in Asians. We aimed to compare the longitudinal change in risk factors by accounting for batch effect and assess the tracking stability of risk factors over time in patients recruited for SMART2D. In this study, we (1) described batch effect and its extent across a heterogenous range of longitudinal data parameters; (2) mitigated batch effect through statistical approach; and (3) assessed the tracking stability of the risk factors over time.

Methods

A total of 2258 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were recruited at baseline. The study adopted a three-wave longitudinal design with intervals of 3 years between consecutive waves. The changes in a few selected risk factors were assessed after calibration, assuming patients with similar demographic and anthropometry profile had similar physiology. The tracking pattern of the risk factors was determined with stability coefficients derived from generalised estimating equations.

Results

The medians of the longitudinal differences in risk factors between the waves were mostly modest at <10%. Larger increases in augmentation index (AI), aortic systolic blood pressure (BP) and aortic mean BP were consistently observed after calibration. The medians of the longitudinal differences in AI, aortic systolic BP and aortic mean BP between the waves were <2% before calibration, but increased slightly to <5% after calibration. Most of the risk factors had moderate to high tracking stability. Muscle mass and serum creatinine were among those with relatively high tracking stability.

Conclusions

The longitudinal differences in parameters between the waves were overall modest after calibration, suggesting that calibration may attenuate longitudinal differences inflated by non-biological factors such as systematic drift due to batch effect. Changes of the hemodynamic parameters are robust over time and not entirely attributable to age. Our study also demonstrated moderate to high tracking stability for most of the parameters.
The Elephant in the Room-Recording Devices and Trust in Narrative Interviewing
Authors: Höpfner Elena , Promberger Markus
Published: December 2023

Narrative interviewing is a commonly utilized methodology, and the conventional practice of documenting interviews through audio-technical recording is seldom challenged. However, based on interviews conducted with mothers receiving basic income support, this paper demonstrates that recording devices may engender a lack of trust on the interviewee’s part. Such mistrust can impede the achievement of the methodological goals of narrative interviewing, which include eliciting rich, profound, and authentic narratives. This effect can be attributed to both the social and physical characteristics of the recording device itself, which interact with issues related to intimacy, deviancy, sanctionability, or the social undesirability of the interviewees’ attitudes or behaviors. This mistrust often becomes apparent through signs of discomfort exhibited by the interviewees – akin to the metaphorical ‘elephant in the room’. It can also manifest as extensive and in-depth conversations occurring before and after the recorded portion of the field interaction or through non-verbal signals indicating a desire to interrupt the recording. To address this restrictive effect, four strategies are suggested: (1) Conducting an evaluation of trust risks before planning the fieldwork; (2) Expanding trust-building measures during the interview situation, possibly including sharing control over the recording device with the interviewee; (3) Viewing the entire research interaction as a document in itself; and (4) Exploring supplementary or alternative documentation techniques beyond audio recording.
Irreconcilable knowledges?: A way forward
Authors: Grieshaber Susan , Highfield Kate , Duncan Adam , Neilsen-Hewett Cathrine
Published: December 2023

This article considers the realm of knowledge in early childhood education (ECE); what knowledge is valued, and how different types of knowledge position children and educators. To this end, two different examples of practice informed by different types of knowledge are provided: one from an educator working in a long day care service (Duncan) and a second, a national assessment of young children’s development, the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). The two examples reflect practices that one might see in Australian ECE settings, and due to governance and regulations, both illustrations could be evident in the same context. Using a dialogic approach we provide an insight into the requirements of the everyday work of educators and the disparate and often irreconcilable understandings of knowledge that inform their everyday work. We conclude with some suggestions for more equitable approaches and identify some of the challenges of attempting to do this.
Austria's annual leave legislation on its long journey to Europe
Authors: Gruber-Risak Martin , Obrecht Sascha
Published: December 2023

This article discusses a recent decision of the Austrian Supreme Court on the period of limitation for annual leave entitlements in light of the Working Time Directive 2003/88 (WTD). In the past, the Supreme Court's case law has repeatedly been criticised in the literature, as the Court – based on the corresponding national provision – considered the (rather long) period of limitation after the mere passage of time to be in line with EU law. The decision under discussion has now changed this line of case law, but questions remain over the legal methodology.

Case

Austrian Supreme Court ( Oberster Gerichtshof – OGH) of 27.6.2023, 8 ObA 23/23z, ECLI:AT:OGH0002:2023:008OBA00023.23Z.0627.000.
A Human Factors Approach to Improve Layout Design for A Virtual Reality-based Training Platform
Authors: Kobir Md Humaun , Rahman Taufiq , Yang Yiran , Deb Shuchisnigdha
Published: December 2023

In manufacturing industries, equipment arrangement, and layout design are critical factors that directly influence productivity, workplace safety, and workers’ performance. Link analysis, as a human factors approach, has been widely used in industries for many years to improve layout design and machinery arrangement. This approach considers humans' physical and cognitive capabilities and movement limitations to find an optimal design. Virtual reality significantly impacts our society from product design to worker training. Hence, effective virtual training platforms require the same attention to layout design as manufacturing work settings which offer efficient testing of multiple layouts. This research focuses on developing a virtual 3D printing laboratory for workforce training and has used a link analysis and user perception study to improve the layout of the virtual workplace. The research demonstrates the importance of layout design in virtual training platforms and the potential benefits of utilizing link analysis in optimizing layout design.
The Impact of Observing a Video-Based Student Model on Learning
Authors: Li Siyuan , Craig Scotty D.
Published: December 2023

Understanding the impact of observing a video-based student model demonstrating study behaviors on learning might help educators utilize videos as instructional strategies to promote students’ academic motivation and benefit learning. This study evaluated two competing hypotheses on whether watching videos consisting of a studying person and non-human studying-related visual cues will increase learners’ performance through the lens of modeling and the seductive details effect. A 2 (Human: presence, absence) × 2 (Cues: decorated, plain) randomized factorial design was conducted on Amazon MTurk. A modeling effect was not found in this study. However, support for the seductive details effect hypothesis was found in which observing a human was seductive because indirectly human behavior without specific ties to the learning task in a video appears to cause distraction from learning and trigger a seductive details effect.
The Importance of Understanding Foot Posture Strategies during Stair Descent for Forensic Incident Investigations
Authors: Kefala Vasiliki , Mantilla Catalina , Levitan Angela , Joganich Tim
Published: December 2023

Falls on stairs are commonly claimed to be caused by slipping on the tread nosing, but few studies have explored specific foot kinematics at initial contact during stair descent. Further understanding of such kinematics can aid forensic incident investigations. We investigated foot posture at initial contact with the tread surface of seven participants while descending stairs to determine: a) foot posture variability across participants, and b) the effects of foot posture with respect to the nosing on foot placement. We calculated foot posture as the angle at initial contact relative to the horizontal plane using two consistent landmark points on the subjects’ shoes. Our preliminary results demonstrated inter-subject and intra-subject significant differences in foot posture (P<0.05) for both legs. These results demonstrate that further exploring this at specific instances of the gait cycle during stair descent is crucial to better understand fall events during forensic investigations.
The Regulatory Role of Organizational Identification in the Effect of Pygmalion on the Cyberslacking Behaviour of Hotel Businesses Employees
Authors: Yilmaz Ece Zeybek , Bayram Ayhan
Published: December 2023

The objective of this study is to investigate the regulatory role of organizational identification in the effect of pygmalion on cyberslacking behaviour in five-star hotel business employees. A survey consisting of three different scales was administered to measure pygmalion, cyberslacking behaviour and organizational identification. Participants were asked to answer 4 questions about demographic factors, 10 questions about pygmalion, 14 questions about cyberslacking and 7 questions about organizational identification. The data obtained from 254 employees using convenience sampling and face-to-face survey methods were analysed using SPSS, SPSS Process and Amos software. The study found that when hotel employees have a low level of organizational identification, pygmalion does not significantly impact their cyberslacking behaviour. However, when organizational identification is medium or high, pygmalion has a significant negative effect on cyberslacking behaviour. According to result of the analysis, the effect of pygmalion on cyberslacking behaviour is regulatory by the level of organizational identification.
An Emergency Department Survey on Research Participation in the Patient With Suicidal Ideation or Suicide Attempt
Authors: Skoblenick Kevin , Hsu Marissa , Swainson Jennifer
Published: December 2023

The patient expressing suicidal ideation is a common mental health presentation in the emergency department (ED) but a notion exists that this psychiatric crisis precludes them from research participation. In order to better understand the potential research participation of suicidal patients, this study surveyed patients in the ED with suicide attempt or ideation. This was an anonymized survey study interviewing 50 patients in a tertiary care ED with a chief complaint of suicide attempt or suicidal ideation. A script was read by the research assistant regarding a hypothetical research study using ketamine to treat suicidality in the ED and asked to rate their interest in participation in the study as well as their interest in a 1-week follow-up call. Most patients (84%) reported that they would be interested in participating in this research project while 96% of all 50 patients would be interested in a follow-up phone call at 1 week. The data from this study should help other emergency medicine and psychiatry researchers advance projects in this underserved ED patient population.