bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Naïve vs. switchers differences in treatment effectiveness in spondyloarthritis
Authors:   “Carol Davila“ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Craciun Irina Andrada , Craciun Relu Liviu ,   3rd Department, 1st Clinical Medical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine,”Ovidius” University, Constanta, Romania,   1st Internal Medicine Clinic,”Sf. Apostol Andrei” Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Constanta, Romania, Daia-Iliescu Sanziana Elena ,   “Carol Davila“ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania,   “Sf. Maria“ Clinical Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Bucharest, Romania, Ionescu Ruxandra ,   “Carol Davila“ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania,   “Sf. Maria“ Clinical Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Bucharest, Romania
Published: December 2021

Introduction. Treat-to-target concept in spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a highly disputed subject. Up to the present, there is no evaluation score that integrates the clinical and laboratory/imaging results for defining remission in SpA. This issue generates the need of identifying predictive factors of remission in SpA patients. Aim. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the biological treatment upon naïve patients versus switchers and to identify some difficulties in achieving remission. Material and method. 65 patients with SpA were enrolled in this retrospective study, using data from multiple-choice forms and medical reports from University Hospitals in Romania, between 2019-2021. Results. 65 patients with SpA, in treatment with one biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) were available for the baseline analysis. They were distributed into 3 groups, whether they changed the biological therapy: group 1 – naïve patients, group 2 – first-time switchers and group 3 – more than one-time switchers. BASDAI and ASDAS were calculated at baseline, 24 and 52 weeks for the 3 groups. The scores were higher for the switchers and the highest in the 3rd group. Retention time of the first bDMARD was compared between groups and between the biological therapies. Conclusions. Results showed that the best treatment response, as well as effectiveness, is reached by the naïve patients group. Greater retention time rate for the first bDMARD is associated with a greater chance of achieving remission.
Supernova Preshock Neutronization Burst as a Probe of Nonstandard Neutrino Interactions
Authors: Huang Xu-Run , Zha Shuai , Chen Lie-Wen
Published: December 2021

A core-collapse supernova (CCSN) provides a unique astrophysical site for studying neutrino–matter interactions. Prior to the shock-breakout neutrino burst during the collapse of the iron core, a preshock ν

e
burst arises from the electron capture of nuclei and it is sensitive to the low-energy coherent elastic neutrino–nucleus scattering (CEνNS) which dominates the neutrino opacity. Since the CEνNS depends strongly on nonstandard neutrino interactions (NSIs), which are completely beyond the standard model and yet to be determined, the detection of the preshock burst thus provides a clean way to extract the NSI information. Within the spherically symmetric general-relativistic hydrodynamic simulation for the CCSN, we investigate the NSI effects on the preshock burst. We find that the NSI can maximally enhance the peak luminosity of the preshock burst almost by a factor of three, reaching a value comparable to that of the shock-breakout burst. Future detection of the preshock burst will have critical implications on astrophysics, neutrino physics, and physics beyond the standard model.
An updated checklist to the biodiversity data of ladybeetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Azores Archipelago (Portugal)
Authors: Soares António , Borges Isabel , Calado Hugo , Borges Paulo
Published: December 2021

A recently-published review from 2021 presents a comprehensive checklist of ladybeetles of Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira Archipelagos. Until then, the available information was very scattered and based on a single revision dating back to 1986, a few international catalogues and databases, individual records and studies on communities of agroecosystems. However, no information was available on faunal composition across the Azorean islands and their habitats, using standardised inventories. Here, we present data about the biodiversity of ladybeetles and their distribution and abundance in five Islands of the Azores (Faial, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge and São Miguel). Surveys included herbaceous and arboreal habitats from native to anthropogenic-managed habitats: ruderal road vegetation, vegetable garden, mixed forest of endemic and non-native host plants, coastal prairies, coastal mixed vegetation, cornfields and urban areas. We aimed to contribute to the ongoing effort to document the terrestrial biodiversity of Portugal, including the Archipelago of the Azores, within the research project AZORESBIOPORTAL–PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072).

In this study, a total of 1,487 specimens of Coccinellidae belonging to 19 species are reported for several habitats. The listed species are from one single sub-familiy (Coccinellinae) and six tribes; Chilocorini (one species), Coccidulini (three species), Coccinellini (six species), Noviini (one species), Scymnini (seven species), Stethorini (one species). The number of species collected per island differed; Faial (10 species), Graciosa (four species), Pico (seven species), São Jorge (seven species) and São Miguel (12 species). For six species, new island records are given. Currently, the number of species known to occur in the Azores are 32, including two doubtful records. The majority of species are Scymnini, being Scymnus (Scymnus) interruptus (Goeze, 1777) and Scymnus (Scymnus) nubilus Mulsant, 1850, the most abundant species (relative abundance 71.1%). This database will be the baseline of a long-term monitoring project allowing assessment of the impact of ongoing global changes in the distribution and abundance of ladybeetles.
Optimization of premedication of patients with arterial hypertension and severe ventricular rhythm disturbances with Amiodarone-associated thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Safronenko Andrey V. , Lepyavka Sergey V. , Demidov Igor A. , Nazheva Marina I. , Maklyakov Yuri S.
Published: December 2021

Introduction: The effectiveness of premedication of patients with arterial hypertension and severe ventricular rhythm disturbances against the background of Amiodarone-associated thyrotoxicosis, high anxiety and cyclothymiae disorders should be based on the pharmacological positions of the need to reduce the risk of dangerous adverse cardiovascular reactions.

Materials and methods: During the research, a clinical group of 114 patients with arterial hypertension, severe ventricular arrhythmias and Amiodarone-associated type I thyrotoxicosis was formed: four subgroups were identified. In Subgroup 1 (n=22), no premedication was given. In Subgroup 2 (n=32), premedication was given with Diazepam and magnesium sulfate in a prolonged mode. In Subgroup 3 (n=30), the patients received Diazepam the day before surgery. In Subgroup 4 (n=30), premedication was given with Midazolam. A dynamic assessment of the severity of anxiety, depression, sedation and daily monitoring of blood pressure and ECG were carried out.

Results and discussion: After surgery, in Subgroup 1, the level of anxiety and depression increased. In all other Subgroups, regardless of the type of premedication, the use of benzodiazepines was accompanied by a decrease in the level of anxiety after surgery. A decrease in pressure load and an increase in the stability of the parameters of systemic hemodynamics were registered in Subgroup 2 of patients, whereas in Subgroup 4 of patients, the pressure load increased while limiting the differences in blood pressure values during the day. After surgery, in Subgroup 2, cardiac rhythm disturbances were less common; in Subgroup 3, the structure of rhythmogenesis disturbances in the heart almost did not change, and in Subgroup 4, there was an unfavorable trend of an increase in the frequency of supraventricular, single and group ventricular extrasystoles.

Conclusion: The prolonged premedication with long-acting benzodiazepines and magnesium preparations in patients with arterial hypertension, ventricular rhythm disturbances against the background of Amiodarone-associated thyrotoxicosis reduces the level of anxiety, as well as the risk of developing cardiovascular complications and instability of systemic hemodynamics.
Two new species of Helochares, with additional faunistic records from China (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Acidocerinae)
Authors: Yang Zhenming , Jia Fenglong , Tang Yudan , Jiang Lu
Published: December 2021

Two new species,Helochares guoiYang & Jia,sp. nov.andHelochares distinctusJia & Tang,sp. nov., are described. Two species are recorded for the first time from China:Helochares negatusHebauer, 1995 from Yunnan, andHelochares minusculusd’Orchymont, 1943 from Guangdong. Additional faunistic data from China are provided for the following species:Helochares hainanensisDong & Bian, 2021,Helochares nipponicusHebauer, 1995,Helochares sauterid’Orchymont, 1943,Helochares densusSharp, 1890,Helochares lentusSharp, 1890,Helochares neglectus(Hope, 1854) andHelochares anchoralisSharp, 1890. The Chinese fauna ofHelocharescomprises 16 species, 11 of which are illustrated in this contribution.Helochares crenatusRégimbart, 1921 is removed from the Chinese fauna.
Comment les nouveaux entrants dans un marché font usage de l’Union européenne ? Le cas des projets coopératifs d’énergie renouvelable
Authors: Wokuri Pierre
Published: December 2021

De nombreux travaux ont mis en évidence que l’européanisation constituait un processus pouvant produire des changements en matière d’activités économiques. Si la libéralisation économique et l’ancrage européen des grandes firmes ont été abondamment documentés, peu de travaux analysent le cas d’acteurs moins visibles, plus petits et moins établis. Cet article pallie ce manque en se demandant, à partir du cas des projets coopératifs d’énergie renouvelable, comment de nouveaux entrants sur un marché font usage de l’Union européenne. L’article met en lumière trois usages de celle-ci effectués par les acteurs de ces projets : un outil d’obtention de ressources cognitives et financières (1), un outil d’intermédiation (2), et un levier d’ouverture (partielle) de marchés (3).
Un échec des modèles explicatifs de la science politique ?
Authors: Hay Colin , Benoît Cyril
Published: December 2021

En 2016, le «  Leave  » l’emporte dans le référendum pour la sortie du Royaume-Uni de l’Union européenne. Faut-il voir dans l’incapacité de la plupart des politistes à avoir prédit cet événement un échec de leurs modèles explicatifs ? Et quelles sont les implications à considérer la discipline comme capable d’élaborer des propositions ayant une visée prédictive ? En s’appuyant notamment sur une comparaison de la situation de la science politique face au Brexit avec celle de la science économique face à la crise financière, l’article défend l’idée que c’est la capacité d’une théorie à rendre un événement intelligible rétrospectivement qui doit constituer un critère de validation, et non pas le fait de l’avoir anticipé. Réexaminant les causes du Brexit, nous montrons qu’il est possible d’en rendre raison sur la base de différents acquis de la discipline. Partant de ce constat, nous discutons également de ce que les politistes peuvent dire du futur, si l’on admet que la prédiction ne prend pas dans les sciences sociales la même forme que dans les sciences naturelles.
L’humain au cœur de l’agilité organisationnelle
Authors: Johnson Kevin , Autissier David , Gril Emmanuelle
Published: December 2021

La crise sanitaire a tout chamboulé sur son passage, y compris le fonctionnement des organisations. Or, si nombre d’entre elles ont réussi à traverser la tempête, c’est parce que leur capital humain a su faire preuve d’adaptation et de flexibilité. Comment ces nouvelles qualités transformeront-elles nos cultures organisationnelles à l’avenir ?
Faire œuvre utile sans sacrifier les profits
Authors: Venne Jean-François
Published: December 2021

Il y a dix ans cette année, Mark Kramer et Michael Porter, deux professeurs de l’université Harvard, présentaient le modèle de la création de valeur partagée (CVP) dans un article de la Harvard Business Review . Toujours d’actualité aujourd’hui, ce concept a redéfini la place de l’entreprise dans la société tout en cherchant à la rendre plus innovante et plus profitable.
La métamorphose numérique
Authors: Venne Jean-François
Published: December 2021

La transformation numérique est devenue un passage obligé vers le renforcement de la capacité d’innovation. Cependant, ce virage continue de désemparer plusieurs dirigeants de sociétés, qui ne savent pas par quel bout le prendre. Et si cette révolution était moins numérique que mentale ?
Les secrets du modèle Toyota
Authors: Barlow Julie
Published: December 2021

Si Toyota est devenue le numéro 2 mondial de l’automobile, c’est en grande partie grâce à son système de gestion, surnommé le modèle Toyota (the Toyota Way) . « C’est une étiquette que l’entreprise a créée en 2001 pour faire connaître sa méthode », rappelle Isao Yoshino , qui a été cadre au sein de cette entreprise pendant près de 40 ans. Il nous introduit aujourd’hui dans les coulisses de cette approche de gestion axée sur la personne.
Systematic Review of the Use of Supplemental Multifocal Intraocular Lenses in the Ciliary Sulcus for Presbyopia Correction
Authors: Rocha-de-Lossada Carlos , Zamorano-Martín Francisco , Piñero David P. , Rodríguez-Vallejo Manuel , Fernández Joaquín
Published: December 2021

PURPOSE:

To conduct a critical review of the peer-reviewed literature on the use of supplemental multifocal intraocular lenses in the ciliary sulcus.

METHODS:

This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement recommendations. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria defined, 15 articles were selected for the current systematic review. Each of them was analyzed carefully and their risk of bias was assessed with the Quality Assessment Tool for Case Series Studies from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

RESULTS:

Data of 384 eyes from 227 patients were analyzed. Most of the studies reviewed had a short follow-up and poor or limited design, including case reports, case series, and clinical trials with several gaps in their methodology. Post-operative uncorrected distance and near visual acuity ranged from 20/40 to 20/20 and from 0.4 to 0.02 logMAR, respectively. Pigment dispersion (12 eyes) and deposits (13 eyes) were the most described complication. Dysphotopsia, glare, and halos were the more frequently reported visual disturbances. However, most of the patients reported a high level of satisfaction with their surgery. Most articles reviewed (13 of 15) achieved a risk of bias score between 6 and 8, representing a high level of evidence despite the study design limitations.

CONCLUSIONS:

Supplemental multifocal intraocular lenses seem to offer good distance and near visual results, leading to high levels of spectacle independence and patients' satisfaction, with limited complications associated. However, more studies with a more robust design are needed to confirm these trends.

[
J Refract Surg
. 2021;37(12):830–835.]
Comparison of Corneal Power Calculation by Standard Keratometry and Total Keratometry in Eyes With Previous Myopic FS-LASIK
Authors: Lupardi Enrico , Taroni Leonardo , Hoffer Kenneth J. , Schiano-Lomoriello Domenico , Savini Giacomo
Published: December 2021

PURPOSE:

To compare the accuracy of Total Keratometry (TK) and standard keratometry (K) with the IOLMaster 700 (Carl Zeiss Meditec) in evaluating the corneal refractive change in eyes with previous myopic femtosecond laser–assisted LASIK (FS-LASIK).

METHODS:

A series of consecutive patients who had undergone myopic FS-LASIK was prospectively enrolled. The refractive change in spherical equivalent (ΔSE) was defined as the difference between the preoperative target correction entered into the laser software and the postoperative cycloplegic refraction. The difference between the postoperative and the preoperative K (ΔK) and the difference between the postoperative and the preoperative TK (ΔTK) were compared to the ΔSE. Only the right eye of each patient was selected for the statistical analysis.

RESULTS:

Twenty-five eyes of 25 patients were enrolled. The mean ΔSE was −4.41 ± 1.68 diopters (D). The mean ΔK (−3.82 ± 1.60 D) revealed a statistically significant underestimation of the laser-induced refractive change (
P
< .0001), whereas the mean ΔTK (−4.36 ± 1.78 D) did not show any significant difference (
P
= .45). The difference between ΔK and ΔTK was statistically significant (
P
< .0001). Linear regression between the laser-induced refractive change and the individual difference between the postoperative K and TK disclosed a statistically significant relationship (
r
= −0.6930,
r
2
= 0.4803,
P
< .0001), thus revealing that higher refractive corrections increase the difference between the postoperative values of K and TK.

CONCLUSIONS:

TK does not underestimate the laser-induced corneal changes and can be considered a reliable option for intraocular lens power calculation after myopic excimer laser surgery.

[
J Refract Surg
. 2021;37(12):848–852.]
Model reduction for a power grid model
Authors: Li Jing , Stinis Panos
Published: December 2021

We examine the complexity of constructing reduced order models for subsets of the variables needed to represent the state of the power grid. In particular, we apply model reduction techniques to the DeMarco-Zheng power grid model. We show that due to the oscillating nature of the solutions and the absence of timescale separation between resolved and unresolved variables, the construction of accurate reduced models becomes highly non-trivial because one has to account for long memory effects. In addition, we show that a reduced model that includes even a short memory is drastically better than a memoryless model.
The linear $ k $-arboricity of digraphs
Authors: Zhou Xiaoling ,   School of Mathematics and Statistics, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510520, China, Yang Chao , He Weihua ,   School of Mathematics and Statistics, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou 510520, China
Published: December 2021

A linear $ k $-diforest is a directed forest in which every connected component is a directed path of length at most $ k $. The linear $ k $-arboricity of a digraph $ D $ is the minimum number of linear $ k $-diforests needed to partition the arcs of $ D $. In this paper, we study the linear $ k $-arboricity for digraphs, and determine the linear $ 3 $-arboricity and linear $ 2 $-arboricity for symmetric complete digraphs and symmetric complete bipartite digraphs.
Un atelier radio pour fabriquer du savoir. Une approche méthodologique pour réduire les rapports de pouvoir dans la pratique de la recherche
Authors: Naudin Séréna
Published: December 2021

Les personnes qui cherchent un refuge sont prises dans une multiplicité d'oppressions qui les assignent au bas de rapports de pouvoir inégaux et les emprisonnent dans des figures essentialisées.  De ce fait, leur parole est rendue inaudible. Cet article examine la façon dont les relations qui se construisent avec les chercheur·es contribuent également à empêcher leur parole et décrit une méthodologie de recherche pour surmonter cela. La pratique de la recherche par l'entretien réitère les conditions d'énonciation de la procédure d'asile et les injonctions à se raconter qui sont des obstacles à la parole des personnes qui demandent protection à la France. Cherchant à éviter de reproduire ces freins, j'ai créé avec une collègue un atelier radio comme espace de fabrication collective de savoir. Nous travaillons étape par étape à développer une prise de parole qui se libère des injonctions face aux personnes qui appartiennent au groupe dominant. L'objectif est alors de transformer les relations avec les personnes en quête de refuge afin qu'elles soient considérées comme des personnes sachantes et agissantes.
Platform for Citizen Engagement for Good Governance in India
Authors: Singh Abhishek , Kaushik Anjali
Published: December 2021

Citizens are important stakeholders and play a critical role in advocating and enabling public institutions to become more transparent, accountable, and effective and suggest innovative solutions to complex development challenges. Citizen engagement is at the core of good governance. Mygov.in is a platform to engage citizens and get their input and suggestions for various government policies and plans in India. MyGov platform provides an opportunity to citizens across the world to engage directly with the government departments, policymakers, and implementers. MyGov is planned as the key platform for all citizen engagement needs of the country across various departments and ministries. The presence of such a digital platform in a democratic country reflects willingness on part of the government to share information and make citizens a partner in decision making. This chapter elaborates on the need, discusses the MyGov initiative, compares it to other such initiatives globally and highlights major issues and concerns in the citizen engagement process.
The Role of DPPs in Promoting Local Government-Citizen Collaboration and Participation
Authors: Tamzini Khaled , Hafi Ynes , Ben Ouannes Achref , Borhani Roula
Published: December 2021

The aim of this chapter is to present the implementation of a pilot digital participatory platform (DPP) called “Baladiaty” in order to foster local government-citizens collaboration and participation in Tunisia. “Baladiaty” means in the Arabic language “My municipality”. “Baladiaty” is a DPP designed, developed, and commercialized by ARSELA in 2019, a Tunisian start-up located in the governorate of Sousse. This paper contains two main parts. The first is considered a theoretical part. The authors will focus on the two main terms and concepts of this research, namely: digital democracy and DPP. This first part will focus on the definition of the digital participatory platform (DPP), and its role in promoting participatory democracy, citizen engagement and their ubiquitous engagement throughout the open government concept. The second part would be considered as a case study presenting a recently designed pilot DPP “Baladiaty” in Tunisia. This paper could be considered theoretical by focusing on the presentation of a pilot DPP in Tunisia, a nascent democracy.
Civic Engagement and Strategic Leadership for Organizational Development
Authors: Kisusu Robert W. , Tongori Samson T.
Published: December 2021

Community-based organizations (CBOs) are non-profit organizations established voluntarily by members in order to deliver specified services effectively. However, CBO development in Tanzania reported performing unsatisfactorily. This chapter highlights causal key problems and controversial and established solutions that can improve CBO development. Among the problems are financial dependency, weak managerial skills, low ICT coverage, gender inequality, poverty, and poor infrastructure. But the controversial issues are ineffective consultation between key actors and gender dominated by males. To achieve CBO development, the chapter notes the use of civic engagement, especially sensitization, awareness creation while strategic leadership focus on voluntary, sacrificial and compromising leaderships. The chapter concludes that CBO development in Tanzania is best to apply components of civic engagement and strategic leadership while the recommendation is to combine and integrate both civic engagement and strategic leadership with their essential sub-components.
E-Participation in Developing Countries
Authors: Bawack Ransome E. , Kamdjoug Jean Robert Kala , Wamba Samuel Fosso , Noutsa Aime Fobang
Published: December 2021

This chapter on e-participation in developing countries uses Cameroon as a case study to demonstrate the realities of practicing Web 2.0 and social media tools to drive collaborative initiatives between government agencies and citizens in developing countries. The case study was guided by the incentives for e-participation using social media technologies, the tools used by a government to drive such initiatives, the level of participation from citizens, and the challenges and risks faced in implementing these technologies. A study of Cameroon's National Social Insurance Fund (NSIF) confirmed the main incentives of e-participation initiatives in developing countries and the major challenges they face in implementing them.
Social Media and Public Sphere in China
Authors: Shan Zhou , Tang Lu
Published: December 2021

This chapter seeks to answer the question of whether a microblog can function as a promising form of public sphere. Utilizing a combined framework of public sphere based on the theories of Mouffe and Dahlgren, it examines the political discussion and interrogation on Sina Weibo, China's leading microblog site, concerning the Wenzhou high-speed train derailment accident in July of 2011 through a critical discourse analysis. Its results suggest that Weibo enables the creation of new social imaginary and genre of discourse as well as the construction of new social identities.
Exploring the Relation Between the Digital Divide and Government's Effort to Develop E-Participation
Authors: Perez-Morote Rosario , Rosa Carolina Pontones , Cortes Esteban Alfaro
Published: December 2021

According to the digital divide theory, the provision of opportunities to broaden participation in political processes pose a challenge for governments worldwide. In this research, the authors analyze the relationship between the evolution governments' effort to develop citizen e-participation in public policy—measured through the UN's e-participation index—and that of national contexts variables identified by the digital divide theory at country level, using panel data for 178 countries over the period 2008-2016. The results confirm the strong and positive connection between EPI and economic development and technological infrastructure of the countries, ageing population associated to higher life standards, as well as a negative impact of rurality, gender, and political freedom and democracy result not influential, as well as education. Some practical implications derive from the findings, contributing to explain performance differences across different national settings and identifying current inequalities that still require public action to bridge the divide.
Constitutional Knowledge, Rights-Based Development, and Citizenship in Zimbabwe
Authors: Chirisa Innocent , Maphosa Emma , Matamanda Abraham Rajab , Mandaza-Tsoriyo Wendy Wadzanayi , Chatiza Kudzai
Published: December 2021

This chapter seeks to assess the trends in rights-based development (RBD) and citizenship in Zimbabwe based on constitutional knowledge to proffer options on how the public can become constitutionally knowledgeable towards developing the nation. The chapter is informed by constitutional knowledge gathered through qualitative data from document analysis and literature on this discourse. The chapter first discusses the provisions of RBD and citizenship in Zimbabwe in light of the constitution. It assesses the trends in RBD and citizenship in Zimbabwe past, present, and the future to analyze the trends in the changes in the development of the nation, based on constitutional knowledge. Lastly, it proffers policy options on ways to nurture constitutionally knowledgeable citizenry.
Cultivating Visual Analysis and Critical Thinking Skills Through Experiential Art
Authors: Page Morgan C.
Published: December 2021

Employing visual analysis in the production and critique of artwork is an essential task of an art educator. By encouraging the basic principles of Edmund Burke Feldman's Practical Art Criticism in the development of art making and art analysis, art educators can create a learning environment that guides students toward the practice of higher order thinking skills. Examples of immersive art education that activates space and invites participation from the viewer will be cited as systems for inspiring civic engagement in the classroom.
Citizen Participation and the Rise of Digital Media Platforms in Smart Governance and Smart Cities
Authors: Gil Olga , Cortés-Cediel María E. , Cantador Iván
Published: December 2021

Many governments and firms do believe that technology can supplant governance and human responsibility. This belief poses the question of who will really benefit from smart cities. This article explores this fundamental question through the study of digital media platforms. The ultimate goal is to understand the link between e-governance and smart city initiatives in our cases of study by testing whether these projects are explicitly for citizens. This article shows how e-platforms represent the use of information and communication technologies with the aim of encouraging citizen participation in decision-making processes, improving information and service delivery, reinforcing transparency, accountability, as well as credibility. Thirteen digital media platforms are surveyed, mostly in cities across countries. These e-platforms raise implementation challenges for both firms and policy makers, and new research opportunities for scientist to build up new research and to experiment with the aim to make the benefits for citizens wider and the participatory dimension stronger.
Smart Place Making Through Digital Communication and Citizen Engagement
Authors: Muñoz de Luna Angel Bartolomé , Kolotouchkina Olga
Published: December 2021

The disruptive growth of new information technologies is transforming the dynamics of citizen communication and engagement in the urban context. In order to create new, smart, inclusive, and transparent urban environments, the city governments of London and Madrid have implemented a series of innovative digital applications and citizen communication channels. Through a case study approach, this research assesses the best practices in the field of digital communication and citizen engagement implemented by London and Madrid, with a particular focus on the profile, content, and functions of these new channels. The results of this research are intended to identify relevant new dynamics of interaction and value co-creation for cities and their residents.
Civic Technology and Data for Good
Authors: McNutt John G. , Goldkind Lauri
Published: December 2021

Governments have long dealt with the issue of engaging their constituents in the process of governance, and e-participation efforts have been a part of this effort. Almost all of these efforts have been controlled by government. Civic technology and data4good, fueled by the movement toward open government and open civic data, represent a sea change in this relationship. A similar movement is data for good, which uses volunteer data scientists to address social problems using advanced analytics and large datasets. Working through a variety of organizations, they apply the power of data to problems. This chapter will explore these possibilities and outline a set of scenarios that might be possible. The chapter has four parts. The first part looks at citizen participation in broad brush, with special attention to e-participation. The next two sections look at civic technology and data4good. The final section looks at the possible changes that these two embryonic movements can have on the structure of participation in government and to the nature of public management.
Co-Creation of Public Values
Authors: von Heimburg Dina , Ness Ottar , Storch Jacob
Published: December 2021

Well-being is of vital importance for individuals as well as society at large. UNs Sustainability Goal #17, ‘Partnership for the Goals', support co-creation and co-production as necessary approaches to reach public values such as citizenship, social justice, and well-being. However, co-creation and co-production is not enough. It is necessary to address who participates in co-creation, how they participate, and how participation affects outcomes. Inclusive participation in everyday life, public services, and democracy is crucial to achieve active citizenship and well-being for all. This chapter will discuss how voices of citizens in marginalized and vulnerable life situations needs to be included and recognized in democracy and public sector practices as well as in decision-making processes. The chapter suggests how public sector organisations can promote active citizenship, valued social roles, and well-being through participation in co-creation of public values, placing well-being for all and social justice at the forefront of public value co-creation.
Game-Based Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Jain Sunitha Abhay , Hussaini Nilofer , John Sunil , Alexander Daisy , Sarkar Bidisha
Published: December 2021

The technological developments and innovations have thrown open many challenges in the field of higher education. We are growing up in a society of digital natives who are exposed to the digital environment from their birth. Of late, the focus has shifted from traditional teaching methods to finding innovative ways and means to engage the students. Competence building instead of rote learning is the need of the hour. In order to prepare the students to face the challenges of the real world and make them future ready, it is important for higher educational institutions to focus on imparting to learners 21st century skill sets such as creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking, amongst others. Game-based learning is gaining momentum and is becoming a popular pedagogical tool as it is learner-centric and fosters creativity.
Live Long and Educate
Authors: Taylor Samantha , Sundararajan Binod , Munroe-Lynds Cora-Lynn
Published: December 2021

Using the lenses of Vygotskian constructivism, situated cognition, the antecedents of flow, and a pedagogy interwoven with the multiliteracy framework, the authors present a COVID-19 simulation game. The game has multiple levels, challenges, disrupters, and allows for student player groups to work together (i.e., collaborate within and across player groups) to achieve the strategic objectives of the game. The player groups have an overall goal to minimize loss of life, while other parameters need to be optimized, depending on the stakeholder group that the player group is role-playing. While the game can be digitized, it is presented in a manner that allows instructors to implement the game simulation right away in their classrooms. Assessment rubrics, decision matrix templates, and debriefing notes are provided to allow for student learners to reflect on their decisions (based on course concepts) both individually and as a player group.
Worldbuilding, Gaming, and Multiliteracies in an Online First-Year Seminar
Authors: McKenzie Brian Angus
Published: December 2021

This chapter provides a case study of the use of worldbuilding for role-playing games as the foundation for a first year multiliteracies seminar. The author provides an overview of teaching and learning during the pandemic in the Irish context. The chapter provides practical advice on using a MediaWiki installation as the infrastructure for worldbuilding projects. The author shows how this imparts important digital literacies and allows for a critical apprehension of Wikipedia itself. The author argues that online learning and professional development benefit from a multiliteracies approach and, furthermore, that worldbuilding is a useful strategy for overcoming the limitations of online learning while at the same time achieving rigorous learning outcomes.
The Effect of Religiosity on Learning Ethics in Serious Gaming Environments
Authors: Siala Haytham , Pedeliento Giuseppe , Andreini Daniela
Published: December 2021

The multi-disciplinary literature on ethics asserts that the relationship between religiosity and ethical perceptions and judgements is an under-researched topic. Despite its importance, few studies have examined the relationship between religiosity and the learning of business ethics. This research investigates whether religiosity is conducive to the learning of business ethics in a digital learning environment: a serious 3D ethics game. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 302 final-year students from two different academic institutions based in the UK. The results of a structural equation modelling analysis suggest that religiosity does not inform the ethical perceptions and decisions of religious individuals in digital learning environments. Religious individuals perceive the utilitarian aspects of a serious game such as ease of use to be more important for learning ethics than religion. In contrast, less religious individuals perceive the hedonic aspects of a serious game to be a key catalyst for enhancing the learning of ethics.
Gamification and Mobile Learning
Authors: Nobre Ana , Nobre Vasco
Published: December 2021

Gamification has been a very frequent research topic in the area of education in recent years, with some positive results, such as increasing student engagement and motivation. However, studies on gamification as an instructional strategy are recent and need more data to help teachers in its use in the classroom. Thus, this work describes a gamification experience of a social game with graduate students, teachers in primary and secondary education, and discusses how the elements present in games can provide engagement and favor learning. Furthermore, the authors present the Kahoot app as a possibility to stimulate and engage students in the teaching-learning process, analyzing some implications of learning with a mobile device. The results had a positive impact on increasing student engagement in both Game Social and Kahoot. Therefore, gamification and mobile learning can be good alternatives to increase the quality of teaching, generating meaningful experiences in the classroom.
How Gaming and Formative Assessment Contribute to Learning Supplementary and Complementary Angles
Authors: Santos Elvira Lázaro , Santos Leonor
Published: December 2021

This chapter presents an empirical research where the authors developed tasks based on a digital game supported by assessment strategies. The study is interpretative in nature, in a case study design. The authors designed tasks with technology and assessment strategies in a collaborative work context implemented in a mathematics classroom with 5th grade students (students 10 years old). The results evidence that the use of a digital game and formative assessment have contributed to the learning of complementary and supplementary angle pairs, giving meaning to their utilization as an effective strategy.
A Dual-Stage SEM-ANN Analysis to Explore Consumer Adoption of Smart Wearable Healthcare Devices
Authors: Rehman Imdadullah Hidayat-ur , Ahmad Arshad , Akhter Fahim , Aljarallah Amer
Published: December 2021

Advances in information technology have included the development of smart wearable healthcare (SWH) devices that have potential benefits for consumer health. The adoption of SWH devices is limited, however, compared with other established digital technologies. This study examines the determinants of consumers’ adoption of SWH devices. A conceptual model is proposed that incorporates health (health beliefs and health information accuracy), and technology (compatibility and functional congruence) attributes into the technology acceptance model framework. The proposed model was tested in two steps. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was performed with 473 usable responses to test the hypothesized relationships. The artificial neural network (ANN) approach was then applied to validate the outcomes of Step 1. The SEM analysis indicates that all the hypothesized relationships are supported. The ANN analysis further validates the outcomes of the SEM. The findings of this study and the dual-stage SEM-ANN methodology will have a strong impact on the existing literature regarding SWH devices.
Citizen Adoption in E-Government Systems
Authors: Olesen Karin , Wood Lincoln C. , Chong Josephine L. L.
Published: December 2021

Electronic Government (e-Government) refers to a system of information, communication and interaction between government and its citizens. E-Government adoption has been studied for more than a decade with several meta-analytic studies being produced in that time. This study is differentiated from prior meta-analyses as it splits the empirical studies into pre-adoption and post-adoption studies to allow a clearer model of e-Government. We found different determinants and distinct models for pre- and post-adoption of e-Government. In the two models (pre-adoption and post-adoption) trust is only related to pre-adoption studies. Originally, 98 studies were coded but with the focus on pre-adoption and post-adoption, 53 were used in the final models as they contained the attributes of interest.
Desafios na implantação do modelo de atenção às condições crônicas na perspectiva de gestores no Estado do Paraná
Authors: Theis Laís Carolini , Westphal Camila Michelle , Moysés Simone Tetu
Published: December 2021

Objetivo: descrever os enfrentamentos vivenciados pelos profissionais gestores no processo de implantação do Modelo de Atenção às Condições Crônicas no estado do Paraná/Brasil. Método: trata-se de um estudo descritivo com abordagem qualitativa. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, com sete gestores de diferentes instituições públicas que participaram do processo de implantação do Modelo de Atenção às Condições Crônicas. As entrevistas foram realizadas no local de trabalho do entrevistado, gravadas, transcritas e validadas pelos participantes. A coleta de dados ocorreu em agosto de 2018. A análise de dados foi conduzida por meio de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: a análise evidenciou as seguintes categorias de análise: a relevância da capitania dos gestores municipais e estaduais no processo de implantação do modelo; educação permanente como estratégia para a implantação do Modelo de Atenção às Condições Crônicas; e a atenção hospitalar como limitação para as redes de atenção. Considerações finais: a implantação do Modelo de Atenção às Condições Crônicas demanda apoio financeiro e político dos gestores municipais e estaduais, e exige uma equipe multidisciplinar capacitada e motivada para envolver-se no processo de mudança. A região de saúde não conseguiu expandir o Modelo de Atenção às Condições Crônicas no âmbito hospitalar.
Hypothyroidism as a cause for nephrotic syndrome: Two case reports
Authors: Amarasinghe A. , Jayawardane J. , Jayawardhana H. , Jayanaga A.
Published: December 2021

No abstract available
Triple infection with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, pneumocystisjirovecii pneumonia and COVID-19 in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: Rathnayake M. , Dassanayake L. C. , Fernando E. A. C.
Published: December 2021

No abstract available
A case of mediastinal tumourmisdiagnosed as asthma
Authors: Kankananarachchi I. , Madarasinghe M.
Published: December 2021

No abstract available
Delphi consensus on the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ physical status classification in an Asian tertiary women’s hospital
Authors: Osman Tarig , Lew Eileen , Sng Ban L. , Dabas Rajive , Griva Konstadina , Car Josip
Published: December 2021

Background: The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score is generated based on patients’ clinical status. Accurate ASA classification is essential for the communication of perioperative risks and resource planning. Literature suggests that ASA classification can be automated for consistency and time-efficiency. To develop a rule-based algorithm for automated ASA classification, this study seeks to establish consensus in ASA classification for clinical conditions encountered at a tertiary women’s hospital.Methods: Thirty-seven anesthesia providers rated their agreement on a 4-point Likert scale to ASA scores assigned to items via the Delphi technique. After Round 1, the group’s collective responses and individual item scores were shared with participants to improve their responses for Round 2. For each item, the percentage agreement (‘agree’ and ‘strongly agree’ responses combined), median (interquartile range/IQR), and SD were calculated. Consensus for each item was defined as a percentage agreement ≥ 70%, IQR  1.0, and SD < 1.0.Results: All participants completed the study and none had missing data. The number of items that reached consensus increased from 25 (51.0%) to 37 (75.5%) in the second Delphi round, particularly for items assigned ASA scores of III and IV. Nine items, which pertained to alcohol intake, asthma, thyroid disease, limited exercise tolerance, and stable angina, did not reach consensus even after two Delphi rounds.Conclusions: Delphi consensus was attained for 37 of the 49 study items (75.5%), facilitating their incorporation into a rule-based clinical support system designed to automate the prediction of ASA classification.
Proteomic analysis and miRNA profiling of human testicular endothelial cell-derived exosomes: the potential effects on spermatogenesis
Authors: Song Wen-Peng , Gu Sheng-Ji , Tan Xiao-Hui , Gu Yang-Yang , Song Wei-Dong , Zeng Jian-Yu , Xin Zhong-Cheng , Guan Rui-Li
Published: December 2021

Testicular endothelial cells have been found to play an important role in spermatogenesis and fertility, but their mechanism is obscure. Exosomes released by various cells are recognized as cell–cell communication mediators during the initiation and progression of many diseases. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the protein and miRNA components of human testicular endothelial cell-derived exosomes (HTEC-Exos) and to explore their potential effects on spermatogenesis. In this study, HTEC-Exos were first isolated by the ultracentrifugation method, and then identified by nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and western blotting. The characteristics of HTEC-Exos were examined by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and microRNA (miRNA) chip analysis. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to explore the potential role of the exosomal content on spermatogenesis. A total of 945 proteins were identified, 11 of which were closely related to spermatogenesis. A total of 2578 miRNAs were identified. Among them, 30 miRNAs demonstrated potential associations with male reproductive disorders, such as azoospermia, and spermatogenesis disorders. In particular, 11 out of these 30 miRNAs have been proven to be involved in spermatogenesis based on available evidence. This study provides a global view of the proteins and miRNAs from HTEC-Exos, suggesting that HTEC-Exos may function as potential effectors during the process of spermatogenesis.