bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unwelcome memento mori or best clinical practice? Community end of life anticipatory medication prescribing practice: A mixed methods observational study
Authors: Bowers Ben , Pollock Kristian , Barclay Stephen
Published: September 2021

Background:

Anticipatory medications are injectable drugs prescribed ahead of possible need for administration if distressing symptoms arise in the final days of life. Little is known about how they are prescribed in primary care.

Aim:

To investigate the frequency, timing and recorded circumstances of anticipatory medications prescribing for patients living at home and in residential care.

Design:

Retrospective mixed methods observational study using General Practitioner and community nursing clinical records.

Setting/participants:

329 deceased adult patients registered with Eleven General Practitioner practices and two associated community nursing services in two English counties (30 most recent deaths per practice). Patients died from any cause except trauma, sudden death or suicide, between 4 March 2017 and 25 September 2019.

Results:

Anticipatory medications were prescribed for 167/329 (50.8%) of the deceased patients, between 0 and 1212 days before death (median 17 days). The likelihood of prescribing was significantly higher for patients with a recorded preferred place of death (odds ratio [OR] 34; 95% CI 15–77; p < 0.001) and specialist palliative care involvement (OR 7; 95% CI 3–19; p < 0.001). For 66.5% of patients (111/167) anticipatory medications were recorded as being prescribed as part of a single end-of-life planning intervention.

Conclusion:

The variability in the timing of prescriptions highlights the challenges in diagnosing the end-of-life phase and the potential risks of prescribing far in advance of possible need. Patient and family views and experiences of anticipatory medication care, and their preferences for involvement in prescribing decision-making, warrant urgent investigation.
Rethinking Emancipation in a Critical IR: Normativity, Cosmology, and Pluriversal Dialogue
Authors: Behr Hartmut , Shani Giorgio
Published: September 2021

This article seeks to reconceptualise emancipation in critically theorising International Relations (IR) by developing ‘thin’ and ‘thick’ versions of normativity and applying them as conditions for a pluriversal dialogue between different cosmologies. We start with the premise that ‘critical IR’ is both Eurocentric and a-normative, and argue that a normative engagement with critical discourses both inside and outside the West is necessary to recapture its emancipatory promise. Drawing on the work of Max Horkheimer, Herbert Marcuse and Jacques Derrida, we develop ‘thin’ and ‘thick’ versions of normativity. The former, we argue, operates as a critical corrective of thick normative positions, reclaiming their openness to difference, while not making substantive moral or political claims itself. We then apply these version of normativity to examine the possibility of a global pluriversal dialogue between different cosmologies. Cosmologies, we argue, refer to sets of ontological and epistemological claims about the human condition that are inherently normative. ‘Thin’ normativity applied to the ‘thick’ claims of cosmologies prevents the essentialisation and hierarchisation of cosmological difference(s) by revealing and de-constructing the latter’s potentially discriminatory, exclusionary, and violent tendencies. In so doing, it facilitates a global inter-cosmological dialogue which we regard as the objective of a post-western, critical IR.
Let There Be Cain: A Clash of Imaginations in Genesis 4
Authors: Mann Steven T.
Published: September 2021

This article contributes to the ongoing discussion of the story of Cain by exploring the speeches within Genesis 4 as speech acts. The investigation will focus on two narrative levels of analysis, the story level (the viewpoint of the characters) and the storyteller level (the presentation of the narrative to the audience). The speech acts in this story display a clash of imaginations, with Eve and Yhwh on one side and Cain and Lamech on the other. On the story level, Eve and Yhwh imagine the world in ways that resist human sin and violence and that celebrate God’s relationship with humanity. Cain and Lamech reject this notion and choose to focus only on themselves. On the storyteller level, the speech acts of Genesis 4 invite the audience to adopt and celebrate the imaginations of Eve and Yhwh and to reject the imaginations of Cain and Lamech.
Electricity production and comparative analysis for wind availability power potential assessment at four sites in Egypt
Authors: Ibrahim Marwa M
Published: September 2021

This research represents the first wind energy potential assessment that covers major provinces in Egypt. The paper investigates a realistic study technically and economically of wind energy as a talented renewable source for electricity production of various regions in Egypt. More accurate prediction and measurement of wind speed and direction allow wind plants to supply clean, renewable power to businesses, and homeowners at lower costs. Wind resource assessments must be precise in order for wind farms to be built successfully. Wind resource assessments have been carried out in this study. Wind resources evaluation and precise assessment of wind capacity for the four selected sites in Egypt’s provinces from 2017 for 3 years at 10, 50 m above ground level (AGL): Hurgada, Aswan, Alexandria, and the capital of Egypt (Cairo). The wind speed data is taken from NASA for different sites in Egypt. The average annual wind speed was estimated to be 4.44, 4.31, 4.91, and 3.9 m/s at 10 m height, respectively. The economical factors such as NPC and COE in the selected regions are estimated. The optimum location for wind assessment in Egypt is Alexandria which gives maximum wind speed, maximum annual energy, minimum levelized cost of energy, and highest capacity factor. The proposed wind assessment will generated 20,1729 kWh of electricity per year and electricity generation cost per kWh/$ is 0.0818844. This planned cost of wind electric generation is compatible with the local electricity tariff. Also, Feasibility of Construction small wind turbine in this site is investigated. In addition, a criterion of wind farm site selection is presented here with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study through Birds Migration aspect that decreases with increase turbine tower length and short blade length. Through reducing Egypt’s domestic fossil fuel consumption, this work will potentially save tons of carbon emissions each year.
Comparisons of wake models profiles with LiDAR data measured downstream from an operating onshore wind turbine
Authors: Stival Leandro José Lemes , de Andrade Fernando Oliveira
Published: September 2021

This study analyzes the performance of Park, Frandsen, and Larsen models to simulate wake development downstream from a wind turbine for freestream wind velocities ranging from 5 to 10 m/s. Analyses are performed in terms of normalized freestream velocity recovery for a longitudinal centerline downstream from the turbine and normalized wind velocity profiles for cross-sections located 500 and 700 m downstream from the wind turbine. Simulated results are compared with high resolution LiDAR data measured during operation of a North American wind farm. Comparisons of longitudinal profiles demonstrate that Larsen and Frandsen models provide the best agreement with measured data for the case of 5 m/s freestream wind velocity, whereas Park model performs best for the 6–9 m/s freestream wind velocity bins. Post-processing of measured data indicates asymmetry of wake profiles at the selected cross-sections. At these locations, Larsen model accurately predicts the west side of normalized velocity profiles, whereas Park and Frandsen models only predict the velocity recovery at the wake centerline.
Biomechanical Analysis of Segmental Medial Meniscal Transplantation in a Human Cadaveric Model
Authors: Haber Daniel B. , Douglass Brenton W. , Arner Justin W. , Miles Jon W. , Peebles Liam A. , Dornan Grant J. , Vidal Armando F. , Provencher CAPT Matthew T.
Published: September 2021

Background:

Meniscal deficiency has been reported to increase contact pressures in the affected tibiofemoral joint, possibly leading to degenerative changes. Current surgical options include meniscal allograft transplantation and insertion of segmental meniscal scaffolds. Little is known about segmental meniscal allograft transplantation.

Purpose:

To evaluate the effectiveness of segmental medial meniscal allograft transplantation in the setting of partial medial meniscectomy in restoring native knee loading characteristics.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Ten fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees underwent central midbody medial meniscectomy and subsequent segmental medial meniscal allograft transplantation. Knees were loaded in a dynamic tensile testing machine to 1000 N for 20 seconds at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion. Four conditions were tested: (1) intact medial meniscus, (2) deficient medial meniscus, (3) segmental medial meniscal transplant fixed with 7 meniscocapsular sutures, and (4) segmental medial meniscal transplant fixed with 7 meniscocapsular sutures and 1 suture fixed through 2 bone tunnels. Submeniscal medial and lateral pressure-mapping sensors assessed mean contact pressure, peak contact pressure, mean contact area, and pressure mapping. Two-factor random-intercepts linear mixed effects models compared pressure and contact area measurements among experimental conditions.

Results:

The meniscal-deficient state demonstrated a significantly higher mean contact pressure than all other testing conditions (mean difference, ≥0.35 MPa; P < .001 for all comparisons) and a significantly smaller total contact area as compared with all other testing conditions (mean difference, ≤140 mm2; P < .001 for all comparisons). There were no significant differences in mean contact pressure or total contact area among the intact, transplant, or transplant-with-tunnel groups or in any outcome measure across all comparisons in the lateral compartment. No significant differences existed in center of pressure and relative pressure distribution across testing conditions.

Conclusion:

Segmental medial meniscal allograft transplantation restored the medial compartment mean contact pressure and mean contact area to values measured in the intact medial compartment.

Clinical Relevance:

Segmental medial meniscal transplantation may provide an alternative to full meniscal transplantation by addressing only the deficient portion of the meniscus with transplanted tissue. Additional work is required to validate long-term fixation strength and biologic integration.
Effects of Pubertal Maturation on ACL Forces During a Landing Task in Females
Authors: Nasseri Azadeh , Lloyd David G. , Minahan Clare , Sayer Timothy A. , Paterson Kade , Vertullo Christopher J. , Bryant Adam L. , Saxby David J.
Published: September 2021

Background:

Rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in young people have increased by >70% over the past two decades. Adolescent and young adult females are at higher risk of ACL injury as compared with their prepubertal counterparts.

Purpose:

To determine ACL loading during a standardized drop-land-lateral jump in females at different stages of pubertal maturation.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

On the basis of the Tanner classification system, 19 pre-, 19 early-/mid-, and 24 late-/postpubertal females performed a standardized drop-land-lateral jump while 3-dimensional body motion, ground-reaction forces, and surface electromyography data were acquired. These data were used to model external biomechanics, lower limb muscle forces, and knee contact forces, which were subsequently used in a validated computational model to estimate ACL loading. Statistical parametric mapping analysis of variance was used to compare ACL force and its causal contributors among the 3 pubertal maturation groups during stance phase of the task.

Results:

When compared with pre- and early-/midpubertal females, late-/postpubertal females had significantly higher ACL force with mean differences of 471 and 356 N during the first 30% and 48% to 85% of stance, and 343 and 274 N during the first 24% and 59% to 81% of stance, respectively, which overlapped peaks in ACL force. At the point of peak ACL force, contributions from sagittal and transverse plane loading mechanisms to ACL force were higher in late-/postpubertal compared with pre- and early-/midpubertal groups (medium effect sizes from 0.44 to 0.77). No differences were found between pre- and early-/midpubertal groups in ACL force or its contributors.

Conclusion:

The highest ACL forces were observed in late-/postpubertal females, consistent with recently reported rises of ACL injury rates in females aged 15 to 19 years. It is important to quantify ACL force and its contributors during dynamic tasks to advance our understanding of the loading mechanism and thereby provide guidance to injury prevention.

Clinical Relevance:

Growth of ACL volume plateaus around 10 years of age, before pubertal maturation, meaning that a late-/postpubertal female could have an ACL of similar size to their less mature counterparts. However, late-/postpubertal females have higher body mass requiring higher muscle forces to accelerate the body during dynamic tasks, which may increase ACL loading. Thus, if greater forces develop in these females, in part because of their increased body mass, these higher forces will be applied to an ACL that is not proportionally larger. This may partially explain the higher rates of ACL injury in late-/postpubertal females.
Patient-Reported Outcome Scores and Rate of Return to Sport After Hip Arthroscopic Surgery: A Sex-Based Comparison in Professional and Collegiate Athletes
Authors: Glein Rachel M. , Jimenez Andrew E. , Miecznikowski Kara B. , Saks Benjamin R. , Ankem Hari K. , Sabetian Payam W. , Maldonado David R. , Lall Ajay C. , Domb Benjamin G.
Published: September 2021

Background:

No studies have compared outcomes and return to sport (RTS) after hip arthroscopic surgery between matched groups of male and female athletes with a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Purpose:

(1) To report minimum 2-year postoperative patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores and the RTS rate for elite female athletes undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and (2) to compare clinical results with a matched control group of elite male athletes.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Data on all consecutive female athletes who underwent primary hip arthroscopic surgery performed at our institution between March 2009 and July 2018 were collected. Patients were eligible if they underwent hip arthroscopic surgery for labral tears or FAI and participated in collegiate or professional athletics within 1 year of surgery. Minimum 2-year postoperative PRO scores were collected for the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score–Sport-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain as well as RTS status. The percentages of patients achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and patient acceptable symptomatic state were recorded. These patients were matched to elite male athletes for comparison.

Results:

A total of 73 female hips were included, with a mean follow-up of 65.1 ± 27.9 months. They demonstrated a significant improvement from preoperatively to latest follow-up on the mHHS, NAHS, HOS-SSS, and VAS ( P < .05). When outcomes were compared with a control group of male athletes, female athletes demonstrated lower preoperative scores, similar postoperative scores, and a significantly greater magnitude of improvement (delta value) on the mHHS, NAHS, and VAS. Female athletes also achieved the MCID at higher rates than did male athletes for the HOS-SSS (85.1% vs 70.0%, respectively; P = .035) and NAHS (79.1% vs 62.9%, respectively; P = .037). RTS rates among patients who attempted were similar between the 2 groups (female: 75.4%; male: 83.1%; P = .409).

Conclusion:

Elite female athletes undergoing primary hip arthroscopic surgery for FAI demonstrated a significant improvement in PRO scores and a high RTS rate. Female athletes exhibited a greater improvement in PRO scores (mHHS, NAHS, VAS) and achieved the MCID (HOS-SSS, NAHS) at higher rates compared with a control group of male athletes.
Book review essay: The Budapest School: Beyond Marxism
Authors: Terezakis Katie
Published: September 2021

J.F. Dorahy's The Budapest School: Beyond Marxism (2019) offers contemporary readers a conscientious assessment of the intellectual initiatives of Ágnes Heller, György Márkus, and Ferenc Fehér, both in the years immediately following their apprenticeship with György Lukács, and later, through their independent philosophical endeavours. Dorahy's book also pinpoints the Budapest thinkers' proposal for a radical democratic reckoning, and begins to suggest how that proposal might today bear on global practice and globally-minded theories. The book is an excellent introduction to the ideas of Heller and Márkus. But through them, it is also a striking and thoroughly relevant consideration of the possibilities for an ethics of planetary commitment, and for a critical theory fixed upon incorporating the vigorous rootstock of radical democracy with a multidimensional, pluralistic social order.
A circular economy model for waste management in India
Authors: Kamble Chandrakant B , Raju Ramasamy , Vishnu Raman , Rajkanth Raju , Pariatamby Agamuthu
Published: September 2021

Management of waste is one of the major challenges faced by many developing countries. This study therefore attempts to develop a circular economy (CE) model to manage wastes and closing the loop and reducing the generation of residual wastes in Indian municipalities. Through extant literature review, the researchers found 30 success factors of CE implementation. Using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) SIMOS approach, the rating and weight of decision makers (DMs) for each factor were collected. A structured questionnaire has been developed incorporating all these 30 factors, to extract the most important factors. The data was collected from top 10 officials (DMs) from the Chennai municipality, who handle three regions (metropolitan, suburbia and industrial). Based on the TOPSIS SIMOS analysis, nine CE implementing factors (critical success factors (CSFs)) among the 30 variables that were significant based on the cut-off value was identified. A CE model has been proposed based on these nine CSFs for waste management in India.
Entrepreneurial education: Maker or breaker in developing students’ entrepreneurial confidence, aptitude and self-efficacy?
Authors: Costin Yvonne , O’Brien Michael P. , Hynes Briga
Published: September 2021

The development of students’ entrepreneurial confidence, aptitude and self−efficacy, irrespective of their discipline, is strongly advocated by researchers, policy makers and the media as an important societal institution, indispensable for economic growth and development, social cohesion, job creation and indeed the changing world of work. This study reinforces the view that entrepreneurship education (EE) is a core, vital research space that warrants continued and consistent investigation given its significant role in fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and encouraging entrepreneurial behaviour. The main aim of this study is to evaluate and measure the impact of EE on entrepreneurial confidence, aptitude and self-efficacy. First, it investigates whether participation in EE influences or changes students’ perception of entrepreneurship as a career choice, and their confidence, aptitude and self-efficacy in relation to that career. Second, it investigates what aspects of EE impact students’ entrepreneurial confidence and aptitude. Third, the study investigates the impact of EE on self-efficacy, and students’ belief in their ability and motivation to start an entrepreneurial venture, having completed a specialist EE programme.
Surface contour error model of five-axis machining considering multifactor coupling effects
Authors: Ge Shuyi , Wang Liping , Yu Guang
Published: September 2021

During five-axis flank milling procedure, the static deflection of workpiece and cutter creates surface errors that lead to defects in projects with strict requirements, especially in thin-walled parts industry. Focusing on the mentioned issues, the surface contour error is predicted in this paper considering the coupling between the deflection and cutting force. First, an efficient calculation method of the cutting force is presented in five-axis flank milling. This method accounts for the impact of cutter runout on cutter/workpiece engagement (CWE) and the instantaneous undeformed chip thickness (IUCT). Then, a cutter is modelled as a cantilever structure and thus an analytical solution for the deflection of the end mill can be obtained. Next, the flexible cutting force is distributed on a finite element (FE) model of workpiece, while the workpiece stiffness keeps varying with the material removal. Subsequently, a flexible iterative calculation method for achieving deflection prediction is established. Finally, the prediction model is proven by machining tests of an S-shaped specimen in which predicted values of the surface error match with the experimental results.
‘Turning up the volume’: Increasing respect for the wishes and feelings of women with intellectual impairment in decisions about their reproductive rights in England and New Zealand
Authors: Manning Joanna M
Published: September 2021

In 2004 a New Zealand Family Court Judge ordered that two extremely serious and irreversible interventions (termination of pregnancy and sterilization) be carried out on a 29-year-old woman, with mild to moderate intellectual disability, over her strenuous objection. Though her appeal was partially successful, an option which both respected her wishes and feelings and in all likelihood better promoted her best interests was not explored. A decade later, another Family Court judge held that it was in the best interests of a young woman with Down syndrome to be sterilized for contraceptive purposes, in spite of her indication that she might wish to have babies one day. The decisions were made under NZ’s adult guardianship legislation, into which courts have incorporated a best interests principle, which they have interpreted broadly. But, in contrast to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA), NZ’s statute lacks any requirement for decision-makers to take into account the wishes and feelings of the person with mental impairment. That requirement has been the catalyst for a more-empathetic, person-centric interpretation in English case law. Further reform to the MCA is advocated for, which would give formal primacy to P’s wishes and feelings through presumptions or special phrases, as well as requiring a reasoned justification for departing from them. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities goes even further: the article 12 right to legal capacity requires respect for the ‘will and preferences’ of people with mental impairments and controversially, according to the UN Committee’s interpretation, requires the replacement of substitute decision-making regimes based on best interests with supported decision-making frameworks based on a person’s will and preferences.
The Dragonfly Effect: Analysis of the Social Media Women’s Empowerment Campaign
Authors: Shata Aya , Seelig Michelle I.
Published: September 2021

Social media can advocate for social causes and catalyse audience support. To better understand the role of social media in advocacy communication, this article explores how advocates utilised Facebook to advocate for the ‘Taa Marbuta’ women empowerment campaign in Egypt. Our research draws on the dragonfly effect model and muted group theory as theoretical and analytical frameworks. In-depth interviews are conducted with advocates from all campaign partners who were directly involved in planning and managing the campaign. Following the dragonfly effect model, findings show that the campaign has a clear goal and uses various message strategies and pop culture for grabbing audience attention and generating audience engagement; however, there is no clear call for action. Thematic analysis also reveals two emerging themes: customisation of women empowerment communication and a supportive community of women empowerment that can stimulate societal debates necessary for social change. This study contends that including men can mitigate the muted effect on women in a male-dominant society and paves the way towards women’s empowerment. Overall, this study shows how social media helps make the ‘Taa Marbuta’ campaign an icon of women empowerment.
Sustainable Financing for Urban Karnataka: Viable Options
Authors: Vishal R.  , Sridhar Kala S. , Manasi S.
Published: September 2021

The objectives of the current paper are to suggest measures to improve the taxation and tax collection mechanisms in selected cities of Karnataka. We review and reform (where necessary) bases of assessments of revenue streams and suggest enhancement of revenue sources by suitable mechanisms that can be implemented in all the selected cities. Finally, we estimate revenue capacities of the cities and recommend expansion capabilities.

The methodology of the study involved visits to each of the selected 12 cities, examination of their audited financial statements, analysis of their major revenue sources and estimation of revenue capacities for each of the cities. We recommended measures to fix relevant policies to improve the system of tax collection and revenue generation mechanisms.

Summarizing our findings, increasing revenue compliance from non-paying and unassessed properties and taxation of government properties of a commercial nature, increases the property tax base for all cities across the board. The next step is to increase values of properties, in accordance with market values in an economic sense, in a gradual manner. Water connections must be metered, given that water is a scarce resource, we find its revenue potential to be nearly the same as that from property tax.
Responding to rural adversity: a qualitative study of alcohol and other drug service users’ experiences of service response to COVID-19 in Western Australia’s Southwest
Authors: Coleman Mathew , Taran Michael , Cuesta-Briand Beatriz
Published: September 2021

Objective

This study reports on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lived experiences of people with substance use problems in accessing services in the Southwest region of Western Australia, and its implications for preparedness in a context of rural adversity.

Method

This was a qualitative study informed by the principles of phenomenology. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and subjected to thematic analysis.

Results

Twenty-two participants were interviewed. Two main themes were identified: disruption to supportive connections; and bridging the connection gap: local service response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions exacerbated social isolation and mental health issues, and disrupted services and treatment in the Southwest. Our results demonstrate that local alcohol and other drug services in rural areas can successfully respond to crises by assertively and flexibly adapting their service provision.
Enhanced Motivation and Decision Making from Hybrid Creative Problem Solving
Authors: Ahn Paul Hangsan , van Swol Lyn M. , Kim Sang Jung , Park Hyelin
Published: September 2021

Hybrid brainstorming is ecologically more valid than all-interactive or all-noninteractive brainstorming, yet understudied. Although ideational benefits of hybrid groups have been found, studies have rarely focused on its affective/motivational contributions or ability to select ideas. In a randomized experiment, noninteractive-then-interactive (hybrid) groups perceived (1) higher goal clarity, engagement, and task attractiveness, and (2) chose more quality ideas than all-noninteractive groups. Additionally, (3) given the instruction for both hybrid and all-noninteractive conditions to be critical in idea selection, participants individually selected ideas that were more useful, thus overall higher quality, than the nonselected.
The Role of Religiosity in Symptom Expression of Advanced Cancer Patients
Authors: Mercadante Sebastiano , Adile Claudio , Ricci Marianna , Maltoni Marco , Bonanno Giuseppe , Casuccio Alessandro
Published: September 2021

Aim:

The aim of this study was to assess the religious pattern and its impact on symptom expression in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods:

A consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients screened at admission to palliative care. Standard epidemiological data were recorded. Patients were asked about their religious beliefs, the degree of social relationship to existing religions, the role of religion in their life, and the frequency of their prayer. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and Hospital Anxiety Depression scale (HADS) were assessed.

Results:

Two-hundred-eighty-three patients were screened. Age and gender were found to be independently correlated with religious belief (p = 0.042 and p = 0.016, respectively). Gender (females, p = 0.026), age (p = 0.003), lower Karnofsky performance status (KPS) (p = 0.022), and higher values of HADS-A (p = 0.003) were independently correlated with the degree of social relationship to existing religions. Gender (females, p = 0.002), lower KPS (p = 0.005), and higher values of HADS-A (p = 0.04) were independently correlated with a more relevant role of religiosity. Gender (females, p < 0.0005), lower KPS (p = 0.001), and drowsiness (p = 0.05) were independently correlated with frequency of prayer.

Conclusion:

The more the patients have demanding religious issues, the greater the state of anxiety, particularly in older and female patients with a lower KPS. The religious pattern did not have relevant role in the expression of other symptoms included in the ESAS.
Articular Cartilage of the Syndesmosis: Avoiding Iatrogenic Cartilage Injury During Syndesmotic Fixation
Authors: Gilbertson Jeffrey A. , Sweet Matthew C. , Weistroffer Joseph K. , Jastifer James R.
Published: September 2021

Background:

The optimal surgical management of syndesmosis injuries consists of internal fixation between the distal fibula and tibia. Much of the available data on this joint details the anatomy of the syndesmotic ligaments. Little is published evaluating the distribution of articular cartilage of the syndesmosis, which is of importance to minimize the risk of iatrogenic damage during surgical treatment. The purpose of this study is to describe the articular cartilage of the syndesmosis.

Methods:

Twenty cadaveric ankles were dissected to identify the cartilage of the syndesmosis. Digital images of the articular cartilage were taken and measured using calibrated digital imaging software.

Results:

On the tibial side, distinct articular cartilage extending above the plafond was identified in 19/20 (95%) specimens. The tibial cartilage extended a mean of 6 ± 3 (range, 2-13) mm above the plafond. On the fibular side, 6/20 (30%) specimens demonstrated cartilage proximal to the talar facet, which extended a mean of 24 ± 4 (range, 20-31) mm above the tip of the fibula. The superior extent of the syndesmotic recess was a mean of 10 ± 3 (range, 5-17) mm in height. In all specimens, the syndesmosis cartilage did not extend more than 13 mm proximal to the tibial plafond and the syndesmotic recess did not extend more than 17 mm proximal to the tibial plafond.

Conclusion:

Syndesmosis fixation placed more than 13 mm proximal to the tibial plafond would have safely avoided the articular cartilage in all specimens and the synovial-lined syndesmotic recess in most.

Clinical Relevance:

This study details the articular anatomy of the distal tibiofibular joint and provides measurements that can guide implant placement during syndesmotic fixation to minimize the risk of iatrogenic cartilage damage.
Outcomes of the flanged intrascleral haptic fixation with double-needle technique in patients with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Tao Yunhan , Ren Xiang , Zhang Yifan , Gao Yuzhu , Tao Mengying , Gou Yueqin , Gao Yunxia , Zhang Ming
Published: September 2021

Purpose:

To investigate the clinical outcomes and complications associated with the flanged intrascleral haptic fixation with double-needle technique (a.k.a. the Yamane technique/FIHFT) in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) with subluxated or dislocated lenses.

Methods:

Eighteen eyes of 11 patients with MFS with subluxated or dislocated lenses who had undergone intraocular lens implantation using the FIHFT from March 2019 to October 2020 were evaluated. All patient data were retrospectively collected from medical records, including a complete ophthalmologic examination at baseline and follow-up examinations of uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA, logMAR), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR), intraocular pressure (IOP), and slit-lamp examination.

Results:

The median follow-up period was 6 ± 3 (range, 3–12) months. The average patient age at the time of surgery was 13 ± 9 (range, 4–34) years. The mean preoperative BCVA was 0.49 ± 0.20 logMAR (Snellen equivalent visual acuity, 20/60), while the mean postoperative BCVA at the end of follow-up was 0.21 ± 0.14 logMAR (20/30), indicating an improvement of 0.28 ± 0.20 logMAR (20/40) postoperatively ( p < 0.001). Postoperative iris capture occurred in six eyes (38.9%). No cases of hypotony, IOP elevation, or vitreous hemorrhage were noted, and no patients developed intraocular lens dislocation, retinal detachment, or endophthalmitis.

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, the present study is the first to report outcomes of the FIHFT in patients with MFS. Our findings suggested that scleral lens fixation is safe and effective for improving visual acuity in patients with MFS who have subluxated or dislocated lenses.
Do patients with well-functioning total hip arthroplasty achieve typical sagittal plane hip kinematics? A proof of concept study
Authors: Langley Ben , Page Richard M , Whelton Chris , Chalmers Oliver , Morrison Stewart C , Cramp Mary , Dey Paola , Board Tim N
Published: September 2021

Background:

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients have been shown to not achieve normal sagittal plane hip kinematics. However, previous studies have only conducted group level analysis and as such lack the sensitivity to highlight whether individual patients do achieve normal hip kinematics. As such this study looked to determine whether some patients with well-functioning THA achieve typical sagittal plane hip kinematics.

Methods:

Sagittal plane hip kinematics were collected on 11 well-functioning THA patients (Oxford Hip Score = 46 ± 3) and 10 asymptomatic controls using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system during self-paced walking. High-functioning THA patients were identified as those who displayed sagittal plane hip kinematics that were within the variance of the control group on average, and low-functioning patients as those who did not.

Results:

5 THA patients were identified as high-functioning, displaying hip kinematics within the variance of the control group. High-functioning THA patients displayed peak hip flexion and extension values more closely aligned to asymptomatic control group than low-functioning patients. However, hip range of motion was comparable between high- and low-functioning total hip arthroplasty patients and reduced compared to controls.

Conclusion:

The presence of high-functioning THA patients who display comparable sagittal plane hip kinematics to controls suggests these patients do achieve normative function and challenges the conclusions of previous group level analysis. Understanding why some patients achieve better function post-operatively will aid pre- and post-operative practices to maximise functional recovery.
ECHOTIP: A structured protocol for ultrasound-based tip navigation and tip location during placement of central venous access devices in adult patients
Authors: Greca Antonio La , Iacobone Emanuele , Elisei Daniele , Biasucci Daniele Guerino , D’Andrea Vito , Barone Giovanni , Zito Marinosci Geremia , Pittiruti Mauro
Published: September 2021

Central venous access devices are routinely used in clinical practice for administration of fluids and medications, for drawing blood samples and for hemodynamic monitoring. The adoption of ultrasound guided venipuncture has significantly reduced procedure-related complications, as documented by the recommendations of most recent guidelines. Ultrasound has also an important role also in other aspects of central venous catheterization, such as in the pre-procedural evaluation of the venous patrimony and in the detection of early and late non-infective complications. Recently, bedside ultrasound has been regarded as a promising tool also for ensuring an accurate and intraprocedural method of tip navigation and tip location. The aim of this paper is to review all the evidence about the accuracy of ultrasound methods for tip navigation and tip location in adult patients, and to suggest a structured standardized protocol for clinical practice.
OligoPrime: An Information System for Oligonucleotide Management
Authors: Ravnik Šimen , Žabkar Ines , Prosenc Zmrzljak Uršula , Jovčevska Ivana , Šamec Neja , Moškon Miha , Videtič Paska Alja
Published: September 2021

With the increasing number of molecular biology techniques, large numbers of oligonucleotides are frequently involved in individual research projects. Thus, a dedicated electronic oligonucleotide management system is expected to provide several benefits such as increased oligonucleotide traceability, facilitated sharing of oligonucleotides between laboratories, and simplified (bulk) ordering of oligonucleotides. Herein, we describe OligoPrime, an information system for oligonucleotide management, which presents a computational support for all steps in an oligonucleotide lifecycle, namely, from its ordering and storage to its application, and disposal. OligoPrime is easy to use since it is accessible via a web browser and does not require any installation from the end user’s perspective. It allows filtering and search of oligonucleotides by various parameters, which include the exact location of an oligonucleotide, its sequence, and availability. The oligonucleotide database behind the system is shared among the researchers working in the same laboratory or research group. Users might have different roles which define the access permissions and range from students to researchers and primary investigators. Furthermore, OligoPrime is easy to manage and install and is based on open-source software solutions. Its code is freely available at https://github.com/OligoPrime . Moreover, an implementation of OligoPrime, which can be used for testing is available at http://oligoprime.xyz/ . To our knowledge, OligoPrime is the only software solution dedicated specifically to oligonucleotide management. We strongly believe that it has a large potential to enhance the transparency of use and to simplify the management of oligonucleotides in academic laboratories and research groups.
Acoustic signature identification of damage and wear mechanisms in a steel/glass sliding contact
Authors: Jlaiel Khouloud , Yahiaoui Malik , Paris Jean-Yves , Denape Jean
Published: September 2021

The tribological behavior of a steel/glass ball-on-flat contact was studied by synchronizing the friction measurements with an acoustic emission device and a vision system. The results highlight two distinct friction regimes identified with low and high friction values. Their transition is characterized by a modification of acoustic emission signals. In addition, two main damage and wear mechanisms are identified: the creation and propagation of Hertzian cracks visible on the glass surface and the constitution of an interfacial layer of debris. The different accommodation mechanisms, activated successively or simultaneously, are identified for acoustic emission frequencies between 300 and 700 kHz. Eventually, this approach allows a real-time wear mechanisms identification and gives better insights about acoustic emission signals in relation to tribological systems.
Arms imports in the wake of embargoes
Authors: Bove Vincenzo , Böhmelt Tobias
Published: September 2021

Do states circumvent embargoes by supplying weapons across borders to sanctioned countries? We report evidence that arms imports systematically increase in the neighborhood of conflict states under an embargo. Using several alternative research-design specifications, we contend that this pattern is consistent with arms exporters shifting the arms trade to neighbors of conflict states under sanctions, where it is easier to move arms clandestinely across the border. Despite the lack of direct evidence of clandestine cross-border trafficking, this research contributes to the development of more sophisticated screening tools to identify potential non-compliers with arms embargoes for direct follow-up investigations.
Exploring fluctuations in the relationship between learners’ positive emotional engagement and their interactional behaviours
Authors: Dao Phung , Sato Masatoshi
Published: September 2021

This study investigated the nature of learners’ positive emotional engagement during a task-based interaction and its relationship with their interactional behaviours. Vietnamese learners of English as a foreign language (EFL; n = 74) performed a communicative task in dyads in 15 minutes. Their positive emotional engagement was gauged using an Experience Sampling Method via a questionnaire that the participants completed after every five-minute interval of the interaction, capturing three timepoints of learners’ emotional engagement. Learners’ cognitive and social interactional behaviours were examined in light of the amount of second language production (words and turns), language-related episodes (LREs), and the degree of collaboration. Results showed that learners’ positive emotional engagement fluctuated over the course of a 15-minute interaction. Also, learners’ levels of positive emotional engagement were positively correlated with the amount of second language production and the degree of collaboration, but these relationships varied across the three intervals. No relationship was observed between learners’ emotional engagement and LREs. The results indicate that although learners’ positive emotional engagement may not be linked with their attention to form, relationships exist between learners’ positive emotional engagement and their language production, as well as their social relationships. These relationships can be, however, subject to change over the course of a short interaction.
In varietate concordia?! Political parties’ digital political marketing in the 2019 European Parliament election campaign
Authors: Kruschinski Simon , Bene Márton
Published: September 2021

This article provides the first comprehensive analysis of how parties across 28 countries use digital political marketing on Facebook by drawing on the example of the 2019 European Parliament election. We introduce a theoretical model of political Facebook marketing and compare the paid media activity (sponsored posts, ads) of 186 parties to their owned media (posts) and earned media (user reactions, comments, shares). Our results concerning cross-country patterns indicate that differences in European parties’ paid media activity exist and only a few parties leverage sophisticated targeting strategies. Regarding temporal dynamics, we find that paid media is used to supplement owned media during similar campaign phases. In terms of engagement-triggering effects, we show that sponsoring posts is a suitable tool to increase earned media. Overall, paid media activity on Facebook is largely embedded into parties’ overall marketing strategy and national countries’ regulatory settings. Our results have implications for the understanding of public opinion, voting behaviour and the regulations of elections in modern European democracies.
The wall unit: State policy and the emergence of fashion in People’s Poland
Authors: Zalewska Joanna , Jewdokimow Marcin
Published: September 2021

Consumption in modern, capitalist countries is studied through the lens of fashion. We claim that it is fruitful to apply the concept of fashion to an analysis of consumption in a modern socialist country. By using the example of the wall unit, we discuss the emergence of fashion through the mechanism of state policy in Poland under the Communist regime. The socialist state was responsible for the propagation and implementation of modernity. The idea of progress was internalized by citizens and enacted by social emulation. Additionally, our study reveals that social class was a means of determining different attitudes toward fashion: members of the working class saw value in imitation and exact copying (revealing a monocentric approach to fashion) while the middle class engaged in a polycentric approach, that is, they valued individual creativity, mixed various styles, and were inspired by trends from western countries.
Reexamining the Effects of Electoral Competition on Negative Advertising
Authors: Banda Kevin K.
Published: September 2021

Prior research suggests that campaigns become more negative when the election environment becomes more competitive. Much of this research suffers from data and design limitations. I replicate and extend prior analyses using a much larger number of cases. Using advertising data drawn from 374 U.S. Senate and gubernatorial campaigns contested from 2000 through 2018, I find evidence that electoral competition encourages candidates to engage in more negative advertising campaigns and that incumbency status conditions these effects. Incumbents of both parties use more negative messaging strategies as competition increases. The effects of competition among challengers and open seat candidates is mixed. These results add to what we know about campaign advertising behavior and suggest that researchers should take care to avoid ignoring important contextual factors that underlie candidates’ strategic choices.
Occupational Lives in Sustained Recovery From Alcohol Dependency: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Vegeris Emily L. , Brooks Rob
Published: September 2021

Alcohol use is a significant risk factor for ill health. Although many people complete treatment, only one third maintain their sobriety. Research has suggested that occupational engagement supports early recovery, but its role in sustained recovery is not known. This study aimed to explore the occupational lives of individuals in sustained recovery from alcohol dependency. An interpretive phenomenological analysis methodology was used, utilizing an occupational perspective. Participants were recruited from a substance use recovery center. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed thematically. This study had three participants. Four themes emerged: (a) shaping occupational lives, (b) shifting coping strategies, (c) finding a gateway to new social connections and a sense of belonging, and (d) establishing a new role in the context of recovery. Findings suggest that in sustained recovery, occupations develop new meanings and purposes that have the potential to support recovery.