bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data from A Multicenter Phase II Trial of Ipilimumab and Nivolumab in Unresectable or Metastatic Metaplastic Breast Cancer: Cohort 36 of Dual Anti–CTLA-4 and Anti–PD-1 Blockade in Rare Tumors (DART, SWOG S1609)
Authors: Adams Sylvia , Othus Megan , Patel Sandip Pravin , Miller Kathy D. , Chugh Rashmi , Schuetze Scott M. , Chamberlin Mary D. , Haley Barbara J. , Storniolo Anna Maria V. , Reddy Mridula P. , Anderson Scott A. , Zimmerman Collin T. , O'Dea Anne P. , Mirshahidi Hamid R. , Ahnert Jordi Rodon , Brescia Frank J. , Hahn Olwen , Raymond Jane M. , Biggs David D. , Connolly Roisin M. , Sharon Elad , Korde Larissa A. , Gray Robert J. , Mayerson Edward , Plets Melissa , Blanke Charles D. , Chae Young Kwang , Kurzrock Razelle
Published: April 2023

AbstractPurpose:
Metaplastic breast cancer (MpBC) is a rare aggressive subtype that responds poorly to cytotoxics. Median survival is approximately 8 months for metastatic disease. We report results for advanced MpBC treated with ipilimumab + nivolumab, a cohort of S1609 for rare cancers (DART: NCT02834013).
Patients and Methods:
Prospective, open-label, multicenter phase II (two-stage) trial of ipilimumab (1 mg/kg i.v. every 6 weeks) plus nivolumab (240 mg i.v. every 2 weeks) for advanced MpBC. Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity.
Results:
Overall, 17 evaluable patients enrolled. Median age was 60 years (26–85); median number of prior therapy lines was 2 (0–5). ORR was 18%; 3 of 17 patients achieved objective responses (1 complete, 2 partial responses; 2 spindle cell, 1 chondromyxoid histology), which are ongoing at 28+, 33+, and 34+ months, respectively. Median PFS and OS were 2 and 12 months, respectively. Altogether, 11 patients (65%) experienced adverse events (AE), including one grade 5 AE. Eight patients (47%) developed an immune-related AE (irAE), with adrenal insufficiency observed in all 3 responders. Responses occurred in tumors with low tumor mutational burden, low PD-L1, and absent tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.
Conclusions:
The ipilimumab and nivolumab combination showed no new safety signals and met its primary endpoint with 18% ORR in advanced, chemotherapy-refractory MpBC. All responses are ongoing at >2 to almost 3 years later. The effect of ipilimumab and nivolumab was associated with exceptional responses in a subset of patients versus no activity. This combination warrants further investigation in MpBC, with special attention to understanding mechanism of action, and carefully designed to weigh against the significant risks of irAEs.
Data from Combined Analysis of Concordance between Liquid and Tumor Tissue Biopsies for RAS Mutations in Colorectal Cancer with a Single Metastasis Site: The METABEAM Study
Authors: Kagawa Yoshinori , Elez Elena , García-Foncillas Jesús , Bando Hideaki , Taniguchi Hiroya , Vivancos Ana , Akagi Kiwamu , García Ariadna , Denda Tadamichi , Ros Javier , Nishina Tomohiro , Baraibar Iosune , Komatsu Yoshito , Ciardiello Davide , Oki Eiji , Kudo Toshihiro , Kato Takeshi , Yamanaka Takeharu , Tabernero Josep , Yoshino Takayuki
Published: April 2023

AbstractPurpose:
OncoBEAM™ is a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) test that uses the BEAMing digital PCR technology. We clarified the association between the baseline tumor burden and discordance in the RAS status by metastatic sites in patients with a single metastatic site.
Experimental Design:
Data from previous Spanish and Japanese studies investigating the concordance of the RAS status between OncoBEAM™ and tissue biopsy in 221 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) were used. We collected data from patients with liver, peritoneal, or lung metastases and evaluated the concordance rates according to the metastatic site and the association between the concordance rate and tumor burden.
Results:
Patients had metastases in the liver (n = 151), peritoneum (n = 25), or lung (n = 45) with concordance rates of 91% (95% confidence interval, 85%–95%), 88% (68%–97%), and 64% (49%–78%), respectively. Factors associated with concordance included the baseline longest diameter and lesion number (P = 0.004), and sample collection interval (P = 0.036). Concordance rates ≥90% were observed in the following groups: liver metastases alone, regardless of the baseline longest diameter and lesion number; peritoneal metastases alone in patients with a baseline longest diameter ≥20 mm; and lung metastases alone in patients with a baseline longest diameter ≥20 mm and/or number of lesions ≥10.
Conclusions:
Plasma ctDNA-based liquid biopsy in patients with mCRC may be useful depending on the metastatic site. The maximum diameter and lesion number should be carefully considered when determining patients' RAS status with only peritoneal or lung metastases.
Data from Development of Combination Strategies for Focal Adhesion Kinase Inhibition in Diffuse Gastric Cancer
Authors: Peng Ke , Zhang Feifei , Wang Yichen , Sahgal Pranshu , Li Tianxia , Zhou Jin , Liang Xiaoyan , Zhang Yanxi , Sethi Nilay , Liu Tianshu , Zhang Haisheng , Bass Adam J.
Published: April 2023

AbstractPurpose:
Diffuse gastric cancer (DGC) is an aggressive and frequently lethal subtype of gastric cancer. Because DGC often lacks genomic aberrations that indicate clear candidate therapeutic targets, it has been challenging to develop targeted therapies for this gastric cancer subtype. Our previous study highlighted the contribution of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in the tumorigenesis of DGC and the potential efficacy of small-molecule FAK inhibitors. However, drug resistance to monotherapy often hinders the efficacy of treatment.
Experimental Design:
We generated a genome-scale library of open reading frames (ORF) in the DGC model of Cdh1−/−RHOAY42C/+ organoids to identify candidate mechanisms of resistance to FAK inhibition. Compensatory activated pathways were also detected following treatment with FAK inhibitors. Candidates were investigated by cotargeting in vitro and in vivo experiments using DGC.
Results:
We found that cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) promoted FAK inhibitor resistance in ORF screen. In addition, FAK inhibitor treatment in DGC models led to compensatory MAPK pathway activation. Small-molecule CDK4/6 inhibitors or MAPK inhibitors effectively enhanced FAK inhibitor efficacy in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusions:
Our data suggest that FAK inhibitors combined with MAPK inhibitors or CDK4/6 inhibitors warrant further testing in clinical trials for DGC.
Data from Evaluation of a Liquid Biopsy-Breast Cancer Methylation (LBx-BCM) Cartridge Assay for Predicting Early Disease Progression and Survival: TBCRC 005 Prospective Trial
Authors: Visvanathan Kala , Cope Leslie , Fackler Mary Jo , Considine Michael , Sokoll Lori , Carey Lisa A. , Forero-Torres Andres , Ingle James N. , Lin Nancy U. , Nanda Rita , Storniolo Anna Maria , Tulac Suzana , Venkatesan Neesha , Wu Natalie C. , Marla Sudhakar , Campbell Scott , Bates Michael , Umbricht Christopher B. , Wolff Antonio C. , Sukumar Saraswati
Published: April 2023

AbstractPurpose:
We previously demonstrated that high levels of circulating methylated DNA are associated with subsequent disease progression in women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). In this study, we evaluated the clinical utility of a novel liquid biopsy-breast cancer methylation (LBx-BCM) prototype assay using the GeneXpert cartridge system for early assessment of disease progression in MBC.
Experimental Design:
The 9-marker LBx-BCM prototype assay was evaluated in TBCRC 005, a prospective biomarker study, using plasma collected at baseline, week 4, and week 8 from 144 patients with MBC.
Results:
At week 4, patients with MBC with high cumulative methylation (CM) had a significantly shorter median PFS (2.88 months vs. 6.60 months, P = 0.001) and OS (14.52 months vs. 22.44 months, P = 0.005) compared with those with low CM. In a multivariable model, high versus low CM was also associated with shorter PFS (HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.20–3.01; P = 0.006). Change in CM from baseline to week 4 (OR, 4.60; 95% CI, 1.77–11.93; P = 0.002) and high levels of CM at week 4 (OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.29–5.99; P = 0.009) were associated with progressive disease at the time of first restaging. A robust risk model based on week 4 circulating CM levels was developed to predict disease progression as early as 3 months after initiating a new treatment.
Conclusions:
The automated LBx-BCM prototype assay is a promising clinical tool for detecting disease progression a month after initiating treatment in women with MBC undergoing routine care. The next step is to validate its clinical utility for specific treatments.
Schistonchus pumilae n. sp. isolated from syconia of a creeper fig, Ficus pumila L. from the Japanese warm temperate zone
Authors: Kanzaki Natsumi , Tanaka Ryusei , Giblin-Davis Robin M.
Published: April 2023

A Schistonchus species was isolated from the syconia of the creeping fig, Ficus pumila, collected from Miyazaki, Japan. The nematode was considered an undescribed species based on its typological characters, molecular profiles (near full length of small subunit and D3 expansion segment of large subunit of RNA) and phylogenetic status inferred from these two loci. The new species is characterised by the presence of flagellate sperm, spicule possessing small condylus, triangular rostrum with bluntly pointed tip and clear dorsal and ventral limbs, structure and arrangement of male caudal papillae, i.e., presence of papilliform P3 and P3a and small and gland opening-like P4 (glandpapillae), relatively short post-uterine sac and female tail forming elongate conoid. It is phylogenetically close to S. hirtus. However, the new species is distinguished from other nominal Schistonchus species by its female tail shape forming elongate conoid, the structure and arrangement of male caudal papillae and several other typological characters. In addition, the host fig of the nematode, F. pumila, is a creeper fig species belonging to subgenus Synoecia (section Rhizocladus; subsection Plagiostigma), from which no fig-associated nematode has been reported so far, i.e., the present study is the first report of Schistonchus (and other syconia-inhabiting nematodes) from the Ficus subgenus Synoecia.
Poland’s Rule of Law Breakdown Continued: Judge Żurek’s Battle for Judicial Independence Within the European Human Rights Framework
Authors: Kozlová Alena
Published: April 2023

Judicial independence and rule of law in Poland have been increasingly under challenge before national and European courts. Departing from a case study of Judge Żurek, an emblematic figure of the Polish judicial community prosecuted for criticizing the post-2015 judicial reforms, this article assesses how the European Human Rights framework can play out in a particular case of a judge defending the rule of law in his country. After having outlined the circumstances of his prosecution, it follows his journey to Luxembourg and Strasbourg. Namely, it lays out the legal issues before the Courts and examines the standards they establish, commenting on how they translate into prospects of redress. It finds that, while both the cjeu and the ECtHR establish standards on court transfers, judicial nominations, premature termination of office or the link to freedom of expression, the level of judicial independence required for their successful implementation creates a paradox.
Nasal Sesamoid Cartilages: Fact or Fiction? An Anatomical Study of the Lateral Nasal Ala
Authors: Greenlund Lindsey K. , Tan Stephen R. , Dresner Harley S.
Published: April 2023

Objectives:

To evaluate the presence of cartilage in the lateral nasal ala (LNA) via histological analysis of alar Mohs surgical specimens. An accurate understanding of nasal anatomy is essential to optimize esthetic and reconstructive surgical outcomes. LNA anatomy is typically pictured to include discreet accessory and sesamoid cartilages; however, the authors debate the actual presence of these structures.

Methods:

A blinded reviewer analyzed 101 lateral nasal alar histologic specimens from 362 tissue blocks using a Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain to assess for the presence of cartilage.

Results:

Out of the 362 tissue blocks histologically analyzed, only 1 included cartilaginous components.

Conclusions:

We conclude that the presence of sesamoid and accessory cartilages in the LNA within our sample set is exceedingly rare.
When Strength Becomes Weakness: Precolonial State Development, Monopoly on Violence, and Civil War
Authors: Sakstrup Casper
Published: April 2023

Does the legacy of precolonial statehood affect contemporary levels of civil conflict outside Europe? I argue that places with higher levels of precolonial state development were more likely to end up as weak modern-day states because precolonial state structures and authority structures established by European colonizers came to exist in parallel. This created opportunities and motivation for civil conflict still present in many countries today. I illustrate the argument in the cases of India, Burma, and Ethiopia and test it statistically in a global sample covering 109 countries outside Europe. The results strongly support the theory. Countries with higher levels of state development 3500 BCE–1500 CE have weaker state monopolies on violence and markedly higher levels of intrastate armed conflict in modern times (1946–2018). The findings remain robust across numerous alternative specifications, including using the timing of the Neolithic Revolution as an instrument.
Reflections on racialisation’s impact on research: Insights from a study of Muslim radicalisation in Norway
Authors: Ahmed Uzair
Published: April 2023

Sociologists have studied the causes and consequences of collectively blaming and negatively portraying Muslims, but less attention has been paid to how collective blaming and negative descriptions affect researchers’ categorisations of such vilified groups. Drawing on 22 months of fieldwork with Muslim men in Norway, I elucidate how racialisation can influence interactions in field research when studying a controversial subject with a racialised group. I identify three patterns in which racialisation affects field interactions: accepting a racialising view, defending the racialised group and developing a shared story between a researcher and participants. I argue that, in this case, desires to present positive views of Islam and Muslims, attempts to distance oneself from religious extremism and attempts to categorise radicalised Muslims as neither Norwegians nor Muslims illustrate racialisation’s influence. My findings suggest that racialised understandings enter field interactions but remain opaque unless the researcher reflects upon their own and participants’ positionality and membership in a racialised group. I conclude that shared experiences of racialisation between a researcher and the participants deepen the researcher’s understanding while limiting enquiry.
Comparative Performance of Trade Openness and Sovereign Debt Accumulation in Fostering Economic Growth of Sub-Saharan African Countries
Authors: Edo Samson
Published: April 2023

In the last four decades, sub-Saharan African countries have witnessed a substantial increase in trade openness and sovereign debt (foreign public debt and domestic public debt). The direct and interactive effects of these factors on economic growth are investigated in this study. The investigation covers the period 1980–2020 and employs the generalised method of moment methodology. The estimation results reveal that the direct effect of trade openness and domestic public debt is significantly favourable. The direct effect of foreign public debt is, however, found to be unfavourable. The results also reveal that the interactive effect of trade openness and domestic public debt is significantly favourable, whereas the interactive effect of trade openness and foreign public debt is fairly favourable. The estimation results thus imply that trade openness and sovereign debt are complementary drivers of economic growth in sub-Saharan African countries. In spite of the favourable role of trade openness and sovereign debt, economic growth has yet to achieve the desired level, which does not augur well for employment and welfare. The prospects of growth could be enhanced by strengthening the impact of trade openness and sovereign debt. However, policy makers should be aware of the direct negative impact of foreign public debt on economic growth, and the need to put measures in place to manage it.

JEL Codes: F23, H63, F43, O55
Changes in Authenticity and Alienation Following a Holiday
Authors: Yu Jibin , Liu Bin
Published: April 2023

Recent developments in existential authenticity and psychoanalytic alienation have challenged the traditional account of tourism’s contribution to authenticity. To evaluate these distinct accounts and advance authenticity scholarship, we examined the changes in authenticity and alienation from tourism to routine life, using a longitudinal design. The results suggest that authenticity decreased, self-alienation increased, and acceptance of external influences declined after touring. This implies that the traditional account of existential authenticity still holds; yet, there is a need to recognize the importance of autonomous decisions to authenticity fulfilment, and the effect does not last long. Therefore, the latest developments in existential authenticity and psychoanalytic alienation complement and refine traditional accounts. Overall, this study offers a parsimonious and direct evidence of tourism’s contribution to authenticity. The theoretical implications to authenticity, transformation, and wellbeing scholarship are also discussed.
How Do Nominal Characteristics Lose Status Value? Asymmetry in Status Deconstruction
Authors: Melamed David , Okuwobi Oneya , Barry Leanne
Published: April 2023

Existing theories explain how the states of nominal characteristics acquire status value and the implications of status characteristics for the distribution of rewards, honor, and esteem in groups. It is less clear how characteristics lose status value. In this article, we combine the logic of status construction theory with loss aversion from decision theory to develop novel predictions about status loss. We predict that removing the mechanism of status construction theory will result in fading consensual status beliefs and that this will occur faster for low status actors. This results in a period of conflicting or asymmetric status beliefs between groups. Results from a six-condition controlled experiment support key predictions of consensual status loss, with low status actors viewing a gain in their status faster than high status actors view a loss to theirs. We discuss ways to extend and refine the work and the implications of our theory for racial and gender status-based inequalities.
A note on power plant selection for engineered geothermal systems
Authors: Smith Ian K
Published: April 2023

An initial study has been carried out to determine the most suitable system for recovering power from engineered geothermal systems. When using a binary power plant, account has been taken of the relatively rapid temperature decline of such resources. A simplified idealised analysis shows that the total recoverable power is more or less independent of the type of power plant used but a system that maximises the heat recovery from the brine, in its passage through the primary heat exchanger will yield a much higher initial power output and a much quicker return on the capital invested, than one which is designed to maximise the power plant cycle efficiency.
FEGNet: A feature enhancement and guided network for infrared object detection in underground mines
Authors: Huang Lisha , Zhang Xi , Yu Miao , Yang Songyue , Cao Xiao , Meng Junzhou
Published: April 2023

Object detection plays an important role in underground intelligent vehicles and intelligent transportation systems. Due to the uneven light in underground mining scenarios, infrared cameras are one of the typical onboard sensors for environmental perception. Although object detection has been studied for decades, it still confronts the challenge of detecting infrared objects in underground mines. The contributing factors include weak and small objects in infrared images and similar environments in mining scenarios. In this paper, a Feature Enhancement and Guided Network (FEGNet) is proposed to address these problems. Based on the characteristics of infrared images, the feature enhancement module (FEM) preserves the image details from global and local perspectives to improve the discrimination of weak and small objects. To tackle the problem of overfitting caused by similar environments, a receptive-field-guided (RFG) backbone is proposed to learn multi-scale context and spatial information. The experimental results on the underground mining (UM) dataset demonstrate that the mAP of the proposed FEGNet achieves 86.1%, which is 4.6% higher than the state-of-the-art CNN-based network YOLOv7.
The Impact of R&D Subsidies and Non-R&D Subsidies on Innovation Output of Biopharmaceutical Firms
Authors: Li Qing , Liu Qingqing , Di Jie
Published: April 2023

Government subsidies are important to the improvement of innovation level and sustainable development of biopharmaceutical firms. This paper empirically analyses the impact of government R&D and non-R&D subsidies on the innovation output of biopharmaceutical firms. We establish static, and dynamic panel mediation effect models using 2013–2019 data from China’s listed biopharmaceutical companies. Additionally, we further explore the mediating role of R&D investment between R&D subsidies and innovation output. The findings show that, first, R&D subsidies contribute to the innovation output of biopharmaceutical firms, while the effect of non-R&D subsidies is insignificant. Second, the study of the mechanism shows that R&D subsidies can significantly promote firms’ innovation output through R&D investment in the static mediating model; but interestingly, the R&D subsidies fail to promote innovation output in the dynamic mediating model through R&D investment, perhaps due to the sustainable impact of innovation. Based on the above results, this paper provides suggestions and insights for the formulation of different types of subsidy policies and the improvement of the innovation level of biopharmaceutical firms.
Primary school children’s peer interaction: Exploring EFL teachers’ perceptions and practices
Authors: Bui Trang Le Diem , Dao Phung
Published: April 2023

Peer interaction (PI) research to date has primarily focused on documenting the benefits and issues of PI among adult learners, with little research examining teachers’ perceptions and practices of PI among young learners (YLs) in intact English as a foreign language (EFL) classrooms. To address this gap, this study explored how primary school teachers in Vietnam perceived and used PI in the classroom. The study used multi-methods, including classroom video recordings, field notes, semi-structured interviews, and stimulated recall interviews with seven EFL primary school teachers to explore their perceptions of PI. Field notes and interview data were analysed following a theme-based approach in combination with descriptive analyses of observational data. Findings revealed that PI was perceived by teachers as including two types: decontextualized form-practiced PI (DFPI) and genuinely communicative PI (GCPI). These results suggested that teachers’ perceptions of PI did not match the definition of PI adopted in this study which only considered GCPI as PI and excluded the DFPI. Regarding the GCPI, the teachers acknowledged its benefits but reported numerous drawbacks in implementing it. Notably, the teachers’ PI practices reflected their stated beliefs about PI, and the results showed that GCPI accounted for only a small portion (20%) of the lesson time. The results revealed a lack of awareness of PI and thus a limited understanding of communicative language teaching (CLT) and/or Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) among primary English teachers in a Vietnamese EFL context. The study provides insights into teachers’ varied interpretations of PI as it is practiced in authentic classrooms and points to a need for further teacher training in equipping primary school teachers with updated knowledge of TBLT, especially in terms of PI and skills to implement it more frequently in intact L2 classrooms for YLs.
Improving EFL students’ stance-taking in academic writing with SFL-based instruction: A qualitative inquiry
Authors: Zhang Lu , Zhang Lawrence Jun
Published: April 2023

Students of English as a foreign language (EFL) are often found to have weak control over authorial stance for constructing persuasive argumentation in academic writing. However, little interventional research has been reported on improving students’ stance-taking, particularly the patterning of stance resources. To fill the gap, we conducted this quasi-experimental study to explore the effects of the systemic functional linguistics (SFL) Engagement system as a pedagogical affordance on improving EFL students’ stance-taking with a pre- and post-test design. Forty-six Chinese EFL undergraduate students were randomly assigned either to a treatment group or a comparison group. The treatment group was provided with a seven-week intervention which included explicit instruction in stance-taking, while the comparison group received regular writing instruction that did not involve the teacher teaching stance-taking explicitly to students. Upon completion of the intervention, we conducted qualitative analysis of stance patterns and found across-group differences. Students in the treatment group were more capable of establishing argumentation through an alternation of contractive and expansive stances. The stance patterns for introducing external sources further indicate their enhanced undertaking of authorial responsibility and better incorporation of sources. However, both groups kept using unspecified sources in stance attributions. We conclude our study with a discussion of pedagogical implications.
Flipping EFL low-proficiency students’ learning: An empirical study
Authors: Chang Daniel Yu-Sheng
Published: April 2023

While the flipped learning approach has been widely implemented in science-relevant subjects, little empirical research has been conducted in language learning, particularly among low-proficiency learners. The present study aims to examine the pedagogical effects of flipped learning on low-proficiency students’ learning outcomes and attitudes (motivation and self-efficacy). An eight-week experiment was conducted on 52 low-proficiency learners who attended intensive English grammar classes in a national high school. The experimental group (EG) (27 students) learnt with the flipped approach whereas the contrast group (CG) (25 students) was taught through a conventional approach. The performance by both groups in grammar, writing and learning motivation and self-efficacy were collected for analysis. The EG’s learning experience was also qualitatively explored. The results show that the EG significantly outperformed the CG in terms of overall learning achievement, motivation and self-efficacy. Additionally, despite facing challenges at some points, the EG gave positive comments on the pedagogical effects of flipped learning, judging it to be interesting and leading to active engagement. This article concludes with a discussion of the effects of the flipped learning approach on low-proficiency language learners and with instructional implications for future empirical research.
A fraction function regularization model for the structural damage identification
Authors: Li Rongpeng , Song Xueli , Wang Fengdan , Deng Qingtian , Li Xinbo , Xiao Yuzhu
Published: April 2023

The conventional model updating based on sensitivity analysis generally employs l1-norm regularizer to characterize the sparsity of the structural damage. However, the l1-norm regularizer inevitably excessively penalizes the larger components in the damage parameter, which certainly causes the extra estimation bias of the damage parameter and reduces the damage identification accuracy. A fraction function regularizer not only well characterizes the sparsity, but also overcomes the excessive penalty drawback of the l1-norm regularizer. Based on this, a fraction function regularization model is proposed to improve the damage identification accuracy. Numerical and experimental results illustrate that the damage identification accuracy of the proposed model is averagely improved 4.96% and 3.68% than that of the l1 regularization one, the iteratively reweighted l1 regularization one and the elastic net one, respectively.
Rescuing Unwanted Household Goods: Moving Towards a Circular Economy
Authors: Chad Paul
Published: April 2023

The world’s current ‘linear economy’ business model diminishes finite resources and disregards ongoing detrimental effects being created on our planet. Society needs to do something different, and move to a circular economy for sustainability. Changing existing consumer behaviour to extend the life of currently unwanted household goods can play a beneficial role to increase circularity. Underpinned by the COM-B model of behaviour and associated Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW), this study explores householders’ existing behaviour and views regarding unwanted goods, and perspectives of local government employees/contractors involved in collection of unwanted household goods, to develop recommended interventions to increase circularity. The study offers theoretical contributions as one of the first studies to apply the COM-B model and BCW within the circular economy context and identifies prioritisation/co-ordination as key issues needed in the model. Additionally, practical contributions are provided including recommendations for increased education, incentivisation and enablement (including improved infrastructure); with cost, safety, technology and politics key barriers to increasing circularity of unwanted goods by households. A crucial finding is a need for responsibilisation whereby all stakeholders must accept the specific role each needs to play in a co-ordinated effort to address the challenge of sustainability. The study provides social contribution addressing SDG Goal 12 (responsible consumption) and identifies how various stakeholders can do something different to assist increasing household participation in a circular economy – for the future of humankind and the planet.
Making up the predictable border: How bureaucracies legitimate data science techniques
Authors: Baykurt Burcu , Lyamuya Alphoncina
Published: April 2023

This article examines how claims to predictable borders via data science techniques are crafted in bureaucratic institutions. Through a case study of testing algorithmic systems at a transnational agency, we examine how humanitarian organizations reconcile the risks of predictive technologies with the benefits they claim to receive. Drawing on a content analysis of policy documents and interviews with humanitarian technologists, we identify three organizational strategies to justify working toward predictability: constantly seeking novel variables and data, maintaining ambiguity, and shifting models to adapt to changing circumstances. These strategies, we argue, sustain the claim that a predictable border is possible even when the technical reality of machine learning models does not live up to bureaucratic imaginaries. The so-called success of a predictable border does not solely derive from its technical capacity to estimate human mobility accurately but from creating a semblance of a predictable border inside an organization.
The Gender Gap in Supreme Court Legitimacy
Authors: Krewson Christopher , Schroedel Jean Reith
Published: April 2023

Men and women diverge in their political behavior and attitudes. We test whether gender-based variation in political attitudes extends to perceptions of US Supreme Court legitimacy. Using a dataset covering the years 2012–2017, we show that one’s identification as a man or a woman predicts their diffuse support for the Court. In particular, women almost always extend less legitimacy to the Court than men do. This is true within both Republican and Democratic identifiers, and regression analysis shows the gender gap holds when controlling for partisanship, ideology, race, age, education, income, and Supreme Court approval. Additionally, we included a series of questions in a 2021 Cooperative Election Study (CES) module to explore why the gender gap in perceived legitimacy exists. We find that differences in perceptions of the Court’s representation of women and its fairness drive the gender gap in legitimacy.
Evaluation of the Educational Value of Low-Cost Training Model for Emergency Cricothyrotomy
Authors: Nour Mohammad G. , Moradi Elnaz V. , AlJamal Yazan N. , Arghami Arman , Sadrzadeh Sayyed M. , Assadi Reza
Published: April 2023

Background

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the educational value and students’ satisfaction with the hand-made low-cost cricothyrotomy simulation model.

Materials and Methods

A low-cost and hand-made model and a high-fidelity model were used to assess the students. The students’ knowledge and satisfaction were evaluated using a 10-item checklist and a satisfaction questionnaire, respectively. Medical interns in the present study participated in a two-hour briefing and debriefing session held in the Clinical Skills Training Center by an emergency attending doctor.

Results

Based on the results of data analysis, no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of gender, age, the month of internship, and last semester’s grade ( P = .628, .356, .847, and .421, respectively). We also found no significant differences between our groups in terms of the median score of each item in the assessment checklist ( P = .838, .736, .805, .172, .439, .823, .243, .950, .812, and .756, respectively). The study groups had no significant difference in the median total scores of the checklist as well ( P = .504). Regarding the students’ satisfaction, our results showed that interns evaluated their experience of the model as positive (median scores of 4 and 5 out of 5). They also gave the hand-made model a median score of 7 in comparison with the high-fidelity model and 8 out of 10 for its usability.

Conclusion

The study results showed that a low-cost model could be as effective as an expensive high-fidelity model for teaching the necessary knowledge of cricothyrotomy techniques to medical trainees.
Creating space: A university-based action research curriculum as a counterspace
Authors: Odera Erica L , Webster Nicole S
Published: April 2023

Students of color, particularly Black students, navigate a complex environment when they attend Predominantly White Institutions (PWI) of higher education. The counterspaces framework outlines the processes which occur when marginalized groups of individuals gather with one another in a space ‘counter’ to settings where they experience marginalization. This study utilized the counterspaces framework to understand the experiences of a group of mostly Black students who participated in an action research curriculum program called Youth as Researchers at a PWI. The study found that the Youth as Researchers program functioned as a counterspace for a group of predominantly Black students by providing a space to acknowledge shared experiences with the campus environment, allowing group members to recognize their unique abilities as students and activists, and positioning group members alongside supportive others through which to navigate the research experience. Overall, the counterspaces framework has utility for scholars and practitioners working with marginalized groups in higher education settings.
Innovative strategy in e-grocery: The future of retail outlets?
Authors: Gopakumar Sridevi , Dananjayan Madhava Priya
Published: April 2023

Grocery purchases via e-commerce channels have risen substantially within a few months as a consequence of the COVID pandemic’s influence on consumer behavior. Traditional commerce has been transformed by the internet, benefiting both businesses and buyers. A rise in the number of people using the internet and their smartphones has been a major driver for expansion in the e-commerce sector. To accurately gauge the future of online grocery shopping, it is important to have a firm grasp on the factors that have contributed to its rise in popularity. This case study attempts to investigate and asses consumers adoption of e-grocery platforms by using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model (UTAUT) and is distinctive in that it incorporates a situational factor-COVID and a customer centricity component into the UTAUT 2 model in order to determine the drivers of users’ behavioral intention toward e-grocery purchase in India.
Valsalva Retinopathy After Yoga in a Patient With No Clear Predisposing Condition
Authors: Parvus Matthew N. , Trejo Corona Stephanie , Fan Kenneth C. , Wykoff Charles C.
Published: April 2023

Purpose: To present a case of Valsalva retinopathy occurring after yoga in a patient without a clear predisposing condition. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed. Results: A 36-year-old woman presented with a 2-day history of a “blob,” hazy vision, and floaters in her left eye. She was performing a backbend during yoga but denied being in a headstand position. The visual acuity (VA) was 20/20−2 OS. Ophthalmoscopy showed a retinal hemorrhage inferior to the optic disc in the left eye, which was confirmed on imaging. One month later, ophthalmoscopy and imaging showed almost complete resolution of the hemorrhage with a VA of 20/20+2 OS. Conclusions: This case of Valsalva retinopathy did not involve a predisposing condition, headstand positioning, or breathing exercises. Therefore, when clinicians encounter young, healthy patients with Valsalva retinopathy, they should consider exposures to activities such as yoga as potential risk factors.
Arguing with megaregions: Learning from China’s chéngshì qún
Authors: Harrison John , Gu Hao
Published: April 2023

The rise of megaregions is championed by those arguing that the 21st century will be dominated by vast expanses of transmetropolitan urban landscapes. Many argue that we are living in a ‘world’ and an ‘age’ of megaregions, where megaregions are both competitive territories par excellence and an important scale for urban planning. Nowhere does the spotlight shine more brightly than on China’s megaregions ( chéngshì qún). In this paper we examine the new planning vision for megaregions in China’s 14th Five Year Plan (2021–25). We trace continuities and discontinuities from the 11th, 12th and 13th FYPs to emphasise the importance of adopting a strong spatial and temporal approach to researching megaregions. This analysis is then used to outline an agenda for researching urban China and megaregionalism through the lens of chéngshì qún. This research agenda takes the form of eight statements which are presented as modern theses for megaregionalism. These are then countered by eight antitheses, alternative views which provide an agenda for future research into chéngshì qún, the changing dynamics of urban China and megaregionalism more generally. Tying everything together is a claim for more synthesis.
Usability of a new digital walking program for older adults: a pilot study
Authors: Lee Jisan , Ryu Hyeongju
Published: April 2023

Background

Walking has been emphasized as an important solution for preventing isolation among older adults, especially given the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and various methods are being proposed to promote walking in this population. In this study, a walking exercise program for the elderly was developed using various latest technologies, and the effectiveness and influencing factors of the program were evaluated.

Method

The walking program for older adults was designed using mHealth devices, social media application, and gamified elements to prevent isolation. Twelve participants were recruited via an online community of retired individuals. This one-year study involved a one-group repeated measures experimental design; an online questionnaire was conducted four times along with a focus group interview.

Result

The results showed that the e-health literacy of the 12 participants increased, while Wearable Device App Literacy/Usability, digital health self-efficacy, and walking program evaluation showed a decline. In the focus group interview, participants expressed their appreciation for this program, ways to overcome its limitations, and expectations for the next program.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the positive effect of the online walking program for retired older adults, indicating that an online-offline convergence program suitable for the “COVID-19 era” will be necessary in the future.
Aorto-ventricular tunnel with three orifices: a unique case report diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography
Authors: Yang Canying , Yang Juesheng , Huang Xiaoning , Wang Jiwei
Published: April 2023

Background

Aorto-ventricular tunnel (AVT) is an abnormal communication channel between the ascending aorta and the ventricle. It commonly has two orifices, i.e., one aortic opening and one ventricular opening. In this study, we present a unique case of AVT with three orifices: one aortic opening, one LV opening, and one RV opening.

Case presentation

A 64-year-old male presented with chest discomfort and dyspnea on exertion lasting the past six months. Physical examination revealed a grade 4/6 continuous biphasic murmur along the left sternal edge and a grade 3/6 systolic murmur at the apex. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) demonstrated: (1) an AVT with three orifices, i.e., one aortic opening, one LV opening, and one RV opening. The LV and RV openings were located in the left and right ventricular outflow tracts, respectively. (2) The aortic valve (AV) was calcified with a small aneurysm at the non-coronary cusp. (3)The mitral valve (MV) chordal rupture of the P2 and P3 segments was observed in the posterior leaflet with severe eccentric regurgitation. Subsequent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) further confirmed the diagnosis of AVT with three openings, and clarified the coronary arteries normally arose from the aortic sinuses. The patient was then referred for surgical treatment, consisting of closure of three AVT orifices, AV replacement, and MV replacement. Six months following surgery, the patient was asymptomatic. TTE demonstrated normal mechanic AV and MV function, and there was no residual shunt among the ascending aorta, LV and RV.

Conclusions

It is the first case to report an AVT with three orifices. This paper described the entire process from diagnosis to treatment of this unique case, thus providing some novel insights into AVT.
Additive effects of narrowband light and optical defocus on chick eye growth and refraction
Authors: Chun Rachel Ka-man , Choy Kit-ying , Li King-kit , Lam Thomas Chuen , Tse Dennis Yan-yin , To Chi-ho
Published: April 2023

Background

In the past decade and during the COVID pandemic, the prevalence of myopia has reached epidemic proportions. To address this issue and reduce the prevalence of myopia and its complications, it is necessary to develop more effective interventions for controlling myopia. In this study, we investigated the combined effects of narrowband lights and competing defocus on eye growth and refraction in chicks, an important step in understanding the potential for these interventions to control myopia. This is the first time these effects have been characterized.

Methods

Three groups of five-day-old chicks (n = 8 per group) were raised in three different lighting conditions: white, red, and blue for 13 days in a 12/12-h light/dark diurnal cycle. One eye was randomly selected for applications of a dual-power optical lens (− 10 D/ + 10 D, 50∶50), while another eye was left untreated as control. Vitreous chamber depth (VCD), axial length (AL), choroidal thickness (CT) and refractive errors were measured at pre-exposure (D0) and following 3 (D3), 7 (D7), 10 (D10), and 13 days (D13) of light exposure.

Results

Under white light, the dual-power lens induced a hyperopic shift [at D13, mean spherical equivalent refraction (SER), treatedvs.control: 4.81 ± 0.43 Dvs.1.77 ± 0.21 D,P < 0.001] and significantly reduced the progression of axial elongation (at D13, change in AL, treatedvs.control: 1.25 ± 0.04 mmvs.1.45 ± 0.05 mm,P < 0.01). Compared to white light alone, blue light alone induced a hyperopic shift (at D13, mean SER, bluevs.white: 2.75 ± 0.21 Dvs.1.77 ± 0.21 D,P < 0.01) and significantly reduced axial elongation (at D13, change in AL, bluevs.white: 1.17 ± 0.06 mmvs.1.45 ± 0.05 mm,P < 0.01) in control eyes. When comparing all conditions, eyes exposed to blue light plus dual-power lens had the least axial elongation (at D13, change in AL, 0.99 ± 0.05 mm) and were the most hyperopic (at D13, mean SER, 6.36 ± 0.39 D).

Conclusions

Both narrowband blue light and dual-power lens interventions were effective in inducing a hyperopic shift in chicks, and provided protection against myopia development. The combination of these interventions had additive effects, making them potentially even more effective. These findings support the use of optical defocus interventions in combination with wavelength filters in clinical studies testing their effectiveness in treating myopia in children.
A case report of a prolonged decrease in tacrolimus clearance due to co-administration of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in a lung transplant recipient receiving itraconazole prophylaxis
Authors: Tsuzawa Ayumi , Katada Yoshiki , Umemura Keisuke , Sugimoto Mitsuhiro , Nishikawa Asami , Sato Yu-ki , Yoshida Yuko , Kitada Noriaki , Yonezawa Atsushi , Nakajima Daisuke , Date Hiroshi , Terada Tomohiro
Published: April 2023

Background

Drug-drug interaction management is complex. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is a potent cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A inhibitor and influences pharmacokinetics of co-administered drugs. Although there are several reports about drug-drug interactions of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, an influence of a concomitant use of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and another potent CYP3A inhibitor on tacrolimus remains unclear. Here, we experienced a lung transplant patient with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this patient, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was administered, and the inhibitory effect of itraconazole on CYP3A was prolonged.

Case presentation

We present a case in forties who had undergone lung transplantation. He was administered itraconazole and tacrolimus 1.0 mg/d, with a trough value of 8–12 ng/mL. The patient contracted the COVID-19, and a nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment was initiated. During the antiviral treatment, tacrolimus administration was discontinued for 5 d. Tacrolimus was resumed at 1.0 mg/d after completion of the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment, but the trough value after 7 d was high at 31.6 ng/mL. Subsequently, the patient was placed on another 36-h tacrolimus discontinuation, but the trough value decreased to only 16.0 ng/mL.

Conclusions

Co-administration of ritonavir caused a prolonged decrease in tacrolimus clearance through its inhibitory effects on CYP3A in a patient taking itraconazole. Management of drug-drug interaction by pharmacists can be important for patients with multiple medications.