bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Northern Rhodesians (Zambians) in the Aftermath of the First World War
Authors: Mazimba Mutale T.
Published: August 2023

This paper investigates the demobilization of Northern Rhodesian (Zambian) servicemen after the First World War. Tied to this, is the compensation and commemoration of the askari (soldiers) and mtenga-tenga (porters) who died in the war. The compensation of ex-servicemen was a drawn-out process which took several years, eventually coming to a halt in 1928 with many Africans forfeiting their dues. The British South Africa Company (BSAC) and the British Colonial Government did not erect individual tombstones to commemorate ex-servicemen. The partiality exhibited in commemoration and compensation processes, based on racial lines, did not reflect the enormous contributions which these Africans made to the Allied war effort. The main sources for this article are official government records stored in the National Archives of Zambia, and records of the Catholic White Father missionaries.
‘Widening the Lens’
Authors: Delport Anri , Kleynhans Evert
Published: August 2023

The enduring significance of the Second World War persists into contemporary times. However, within the realm of historical scholarship, the experiences of Southern Africa during this global conflict have often been overshadowed by dominant narratives focused on Europe, Asia, and North America. While existing research has primarily emphasised contributions and sacrifices made on continental and foreign battlefields for colonial empires, this special issue seeks to address these scholarly lacunae. Gathering an assortment of articles authored by a new generation of Southern African historians, this collection seeks to widen the lens through which the regional impact of the Second World War is understood by challenging conventional historical approaches. Through critically examining the region’s political, economic, and social landscape before, during, and after the war, this special issue illuminates the multifaceted repercussions of the global conflict on Southern Africa and its diverse societies.
A small collection of rare and new chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) from the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Authors: SIRENKO BORIS
Published: August 2023

A collection of rare, mainly deep-sea species of chitons collected from South Australia, Tasmania and Heard Island has been processed. In the materials there was a second find of Belknapchiton opiparus, which made it possible to significantly supplement the previous descriptions of this species. For the first time, species of genus Stenosemus have been found for Australia and Macquarie Island. Two new species (Leptochiton australis n. sp. and Belknapchiton gowlettholmesae n. sp.) have been described. A high degree of endemism of the faunas of chitons of the family Leptochitonidae of Australia and New Zealand has been confirmed.
Dung beetle fauna from Mount Mabu. Part 2: Pedaria ricardogutai (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a new species, with an annotated checklist of species of Pedaria Laporte, 1832 from Mozambique
Authors: DANIEL GIMO M. , STRÜMPHER WERNER P. , JOSSO JEAN-FRANÇOIS
Published: August 2023

Mabu Forest in northern-central Mozambique harbours the largest continuous block of rainforest remaining in southern Africa. Also, the region is known for its exceptional levels of biodiversity, including a high level of endemism. Several new taxa of plants and animals have been discovered from previous biological expeditions. Last year, we conducted the first dung beetle exploration in the region—where almost half of the dung beetle species collected are new to science. In this paper, we describe, diagnose and illustrate Pedaria ricardogutai Daniel, Strümpher & Josso, new species. We compared the new species to the most morphologically similar species, Pedaria sudrei Josso & Prévost, 2003. We also provide an annotated checklist of 17 species of Pedaria Laporte, 1832, recorded from Mozambique, including type localities and distribution records.
Mooring Measurements of Full-Depth Zonal Currents along the 143°E Meridian in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean
Authors: Sun Zhongbin , Zhang Zhiwei , Li Cheng , Yuan Dongliang , Yuan Qingguo , Lu Wenbo , Liu Yuelin , Zhou Chun , Wang Jing , Yang Ya , Zhao Wei , Tian Jiwei
Published: August 2023

Full-depth ocean zonal currents in the tropical and extratropical northwestern Pacific (TNWP) are studied using current measurements from 17 deep-ocean moorings deployed along the 143°E meridian from the equator to 22°N during January 2016–February 2017. Mean transports of the North Equatorial Current and North Equatorial Countercurrent are estimated to be 42.7 ± 7.1 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) and 10.5 ± 5.3 Sv, respectively, both of which exhibit prominent annual cycles with opposite phases in this year. The observations suggest much larger vertical extents of several of the major subsurface currents than previously reported, including the Lower Equatorial Intermediate Current, Northern Intermediate Countercurrent, North Equatorial Subsurface Current, and North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC) from south to north. The Northern Subsurface Countercurrent and NEUC are found to be less steady than the other currents. Seasonal variations of these currents are also revealed in the study. In the deep ocean, the currents below 2000 m are reported for the first time. The observations confirm the striation patterns of meridionally alternating zonal currents in the intermediate and deep layers. Further analyses suggest a superposition of at least the first four and two baroclinic modes to represent the mean equatorial and off-equatorial currents, respectively. Meanwhile, seasonal variations of the currents are generally dominated by the first baroclinic mode associated with the low-mode Rossby waves. Overall, the above observational results not only enhance the knowledge of full-depth current system in the TNWP but also provide a basis for future model validation and skill improvement.
A world of unstable jobs is far from the empirical trends displayed in the Irish labour market in the 21st century
Authors: Murphy Caroline , Turner Thomas
Published: August 2023

Labour market dynamics are complex, limiting the capacity for consensus on a singular phenomenon to account for patterns. In this paper, we present a range of broader empirical trends from the Irish labour market that suggests the possible impact of neoliberal-type policies in the Irish market has been counterbalanced by strong human capital and skills development, growth in higher level occupations and employment protection. Though precarious work is a feature of parts of the labour market, the theoretical assumptions underpinning precarious work we argue should not be extrapolated to explain changes in job stability in the labour market at large.
The Eagle Station impact site
Authors: Tankersley Kenneth Barnett , Meyers Stephanie A.
Published: August 2023

The Eagle Station impact site is located along Eagle Creek in Carrol County, Kentucky. Pallasites (23 cm to ≤ 3 mm), a rare form of stony meteorites, occur in a late Archaic cultural period stratum with heat-altered flaked-stone artifacts, carbonized plant remains, and fire-cracked rocks. A calibrated AMS radiocarbon age of 3824 BP to 3593 BP (1875 BCE to 1644 BCE) on the pallasite-bearing stratum demonstrates that the impact event occurred during the late Holocene. The habitation site was abandoned after the impact event and the site was buried within 200 years by alluvium. The Eagle Station impact site increases our understanding of the frequency of late Holocene cosmic events and their possible influence on ancient cultures.
Evaluating the Impact of Hair Care Product Exposure on Hair Follicle and Scalp Health
Authors: Fung Ernest S. , Parker Jillian A. , Monnot Andrew D.
Published: August 2023

Human hair follicles traverse the epidermis and dermis, and are comprised of specialised cells including dermal papilla cells (DPCs). DPCs play a critical role in the development and growth of both hair and follicle structure. While exposure of DPCs to undiluted exogenous compounds is unlikely, exposure to diluted compounds is possible should dermal penetration occur. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact on hair and scalp health following application of a hair care product. Due to the lack of standardised and validated test systems for evaluating hair follicle health, the HairSkin® model, which uses intact human scalp samples, was adapted to evaluate hair follicle and scalp health. Similarly, the Franz diffusion cell assay and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (MALDI-FTICR) were adapted to evaluate dermal penetration. The results of this study demonstrate that application of the hair care product does not result in appreciable dermal penetration, suggesting that DPCs are unlikely to be exposed to undiluted product. Additionally, hair follicle health was not impacted following product application. While this study is exploratory, these results suggest that the combination of test systems utilised herein provides valuable insight and warrants further development and validation.
Modelling the Sorafenib-resistant Liver Cancer Microenvironment by Using 3-D Spheroids
Authors: Sariyar Ece , Firtina Karagonlar Zeynep
Published: August 2023

Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer, and it usually occurs in the setting of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. For patients with advanced HCC, systemic treatment is the first choice — however, resistance occurs frequently. Sorafenib was the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for advanced HCC, and resistance to the therapy is a serious concern. When sorafenib therapy fails in a patient, it can be challenging to decide whether they can undergo a second-line therapy, and to determine which therapy they will be able to tolerate. Thus, physiologically relevant in vitro preclinical models are crucial for screening potential therapies, and 3-D tumour spheroids permit studies of tumour pathobiology. In this study, a drug-resistant 3-D tumour spheroid model was developed, based on sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells, LX2 stellate cells and THP-1 monocytes. Model tumour spheroids that were formed with the sorafenib-resistant cells demonstrated lower diffusion of doxorubicin and exhibited increased resistance to regorafenib. Moreover, in the sorafenib-resistant spheroids, there was increased presence of CD68-positive cells and a reduction in inflammatory marker secretion. The sorafenib-resistant cell line-derived spheroids also showed a higher expression of FGF-19, PDGF-AA and GDF-15, which are known to be involved in malignancies. This multi-cell type spheroid model represents a potentially useful system to test drug candidates in a microenvironment that mimics the drug-resistant tumour microenvironment in HCC.
Impact of digital divide on students’ performance in computerised UTME in Nigeria
Authors: Abdulkareem Zainab , Lennon Marilyn
Published: August 2023

In Nigeria, the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), a large-scale university admission examination, was fully computerised in 2015. However, knowledge gap and digital divide are prevalent in developing countries, which may impact students’ performance in computer-based tests (CBT). To this end, this study investigates ICT-related individual differences (computer familiarity/experience, CBT anxiety and CBT attitude) among secondary school students taking UTME and its effects on their performance on the test in Osun state, Nigeria, considering their locations (rural/urban) and school types (public/private). The study adopted a quantitative survey for data collection from final-year secondary school students who registered and took 2021 UTME. The study's findings revealed significant variations in the access and use of computers among students taking UTME. It was found that all students from private schools had prior computer experience, whereas 11% of students from public schools had not used a computer before. Within the group of students without prior computer experience, 63% were from rural public schools. Furthermore, computer familiarity positively correlates with students’ performance in UTME. For instance, students who have taken CBT at least six times before UTME have significantly better performance than those who have not taken CBT at all. However, CBT attitude and anxiety before and after the examination were moderate and had no significant relationship with test performance. We conclude that affordable and easily accessible ICT facilities and CBT practice centres should be provided to students, especially those in disadvantaged areas, to ensure the fairness of UTME to all candidates.
Adaptive Discretization using Voronoi Trees for Continuous POMDPs
Authors: Hoerger Marcus , Kurniawati Hanna , Kroese Dirk , Ye Nan
Published: August 2023

Solving continuous Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs) is challenging, particularly for high-dimensional continuous action spaces. To alleviate this difficulty, we propose a new sampling-based online POMDP solver, called A daptive D iscretization using V oronoi T rees (ADVT). It uses Monte Carlo Tree Search in combination with an adaptive discretization of the action space as well as optimistic optimization to efficiently sample high-dimensional continuous action spaces and compute the best action to perform. Specifically, we adaptively discretize the action space for each sampled belief using a hierarchical partition called Voronoi tree, which is a Binary Space Partitioning that implicitly maintains the partition of a cell as the Voronoi diagram of two points sampled from the cell. ADVT uses the estimated diameters of the cells to form an upper-confidence bound on the action value function within the cell, guiding the Monte Carlo Tree Search expansion and further discretization of the action space. This enables ADVT to better exploit local information with respect to the action value function, allowing faster identification of the most promising regions in the action space, compared to existing solvers. Voronoi trees keep the cost of partitioning and estimating the diameter of each cell low, even in high-dimensional spaces where many sampled points are required to cover the space well. ADVT additionally handles continuous observation spaces, by adopting an observation progressive widening strategy, along with a weighted particle representation of beliefs. Experimental results indicate that ADVT scales substantially better to high-dimensional continuous action spaces, compared to state-of-the-art methods.
CT-based radiomics nomogram analysis for assessing BRCA mutation status in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Cao Yuwei , Jiang Yi , Song Jiacheng , Zhang Aining , Duan Shaofeng , Chen Ting , Wu Feiyun , Cheng Wenjun
Published: August 2023

Background

Radiomics nomogram analysis is widely preoperatively used to assess gene mutations in various tumors.

Purpose

To explore the value of computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics nomogram analysis for assessing BRCA gene mutation status of patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC).

Material and Methods

In total, 96 patients with HGSOC were retrospectively screened and randomly divided into primary (n = 68) and validation cohorts (n = 28). The clinical model was constructed based on clinical features and CT morphological features using univariate and multivariate logistic analyses. Maximum-relevance and minimum-redundancy (mRMR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were performed for feature dimensionality reduction and radiomics score was calculated. The nomogram model combining the clinical model and the radiomics score was constructed using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess models’ performance. The calibration analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA) were also performed.

Results

The clinical model consisted of CA125 level and supradiaphragmatic lymphadenopathy and yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.69 (primary cohort) and 0.81 (validation cohort). The radiomics model was built with seven selected features and showed an AUC of 0.87 (primary cohort) and 0.81 (validation cohort). The nomogram finally showed the highest AUC of 0.89 (primary cohort) and 0.87 (validation cohort). The nomogram presented favorable calibrations in both the primary and validation cohorts. DCA further confirmed the clinical benefits of the constructed nomogram.

Conclusion

CT-based radiomics nomogram provides a non-invasive method to discriminate BRCA gene mutation status of HGSOC and potentially helps develop precise medical strategies.
Association of Leukocyte Subpopulations Identified by Flow Cytometry with Outcomes of Sepsis in a Respiratory Intensive Care Unit: An Observational Study
Authors: Suri Tejas Menon , Hadda Vijay , Ali Shadab , Chopra Anita , Khan Maroof Ahmad , Singh Jay , Ghosh Tamoghna , Mittal Saurabh , Tiwari Pawan , Madan Karan , Mohan Anant , Guleria Randeep
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The dysregulated host immune response in sepsis is orchestrated by peripheral blood leukocytes. This study explored the associations of the peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations with early clinical deterioration and mortality in sepsis.

Methods

We performed a prospective observational single-center study enrolling adult subjects with sepsis within 48 h of hospital admission. Peripheral blood flow cytometry was performed for the patients at enrolment and after 5 days. The primary outcome was to explore the association between various leukocyte subpopulations at enrolment and early clinical deterioration [defined as an increase in the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score between enrolment and day 5, or death before day 5]. Other pre-specified outcomes explored associations of leukocyte subpopulations at enrolment and on day 5 with in-hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 100 patients, including 47 with septic shock were enrolled. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 53.99 (14.93) years. Among them, 26 patients had early clinical deterioration, whereas 41 died during hospitalization. There was no significant association between the leukocyte subpopulations at enrolment and early clinical deterioration on day 5. On multivariate logistic regression, a reduced percentage of CD8 + CD25+ T-cells at enrolment was associated with in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR), 0.82 (0.70-0.97); p-value = 0.02]. A reduced lymphocyte percentage on day 5 was associated with in-hospital mortality [OR, 0.28 (0.11-0.69); p-value = 0.01]. In a post-hoc analysis, patients with “very early” deterioration within 48 h had an increased granulocyte CD64 median fluorescent intensity (MFI) [OR, 1.07 (1.01-1.14); p-value = 0.02] and a reduced granulocyte CD16 MFI [OR, 0.97 (0.95-1.00); p-value = 0.04] at enrolment.

Conclusions

None of the leukocyte subpopulations showed an association with early clinical deterioration at day 5. Impaired lymphocyte activation and lymphocytopenia indicative of adaptive immune dysfunction may be associated with in-hospital mortality.
Avian riboflavin deficiency causes reliably reproducible peripheral nerve demyelination and, with vitamin supplementation, rapid remyelination
Authors: Cai Zhao , Finnie John , Manavis Jim , Blumbergs Peter
Published: August 2023

Riboflavin deficiency produces severe peripheral neve demyelination in young, rapidly growing chickens. While this naturally-occurring vitamin B2 deficiency can cause a debilitating peripheral neuropathy, and mortality, in poultry flocks, it can also be a useful experimental animal model to study the pathogenesis of reliably reproducible peripheral nerve demyelination. Moreover, restitution of normal riboflavin levels in deficient birds results in brisk remyelination. It is the only acquired, primary, demyelinating tomaculous neuropathy described to date in animals. The only other substance that causes peripheral nerve demyelination similar to avian riboflavin deficiency is tellurium and the pathologic features of the peripheral neuropathy produced by this developmental neurotoxin in weanling rats are also described.
Research progress in functional magnetic resonance imaging assessment of lupus nephritis kidney injury
Authors: Liu Shuangjiao , Zhou Wenming
Published: August 2023

Lupus nephritis is one of the most common and severe complications of systemic lupus erythematosus and is also a major predictor of poor prognosis and mortality. Lupus nephritis has the characteristics of insidious onset, complex pathological types, rapid progression of organ damage, and easy recurrence. Currently, kidney damage in lupus nephritis is usually assessed based on urine analysis, renal biopsy, and glomerular filtration rates. However, they all have certain limitations, making it difficult to diagnose lupus nephritis early and assess its severity and progression. With the rapid development of functional magnetic resonance, multiple functional imaging techniques are expected to provide more useful information for the pathophysiological development, early diagnosis, progression, prognosis, and renal function evaluation of lupus nephritis. This article reviews the principle of multiple functional magnetic resonance imaging and the research status of evaluating renal function in lupus nephritis.
Modernizing Kazakhstan's Higher Education: Challenges of Policy Borrowing and Doctor of Philosophy Graduation Requirements
Authors: Agbo Seth A. , Pak Natalya , Abdrasheva Dana , Karimova Beibitkul
Published: August 2023

Educational policy borrowing is changing the landscape of Kazakhstan's higher education. Kazakhstan has initiated higher education standards and quality educational services to compete globally to match those in developed countries. The government policy for higher education reform is a measure of convergence: catching up with the advanced knowledge-based economies of Europe and North America and creating a gateway into the European Union and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development. According to the Bologna Process, the government's higher education policy calls for research-based Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. Through this enterprise, the Ministry of Education and Science considers higher education to serve as a beacon light on global competitiveness by mainly introducing the PhD and setting up requirements for graduation commensurate with a research society. This article is a case study investigating the implications of educational policy borrowing and PhD graduation requirements regarding how the students are assimilating and accommodating the requirements. The study explores the implications of how educational policy borrowing impacts PhD graduation requirements and examines the challenges posed by the requirements on PhD students. Our findings indicate that educational borrowing to modernize Kazakhstan focused on developed nations’ social, cultural, and structural characteristics rather than responding positively to changes in Kazakhstan's material and sociocultural environments. We conclude that educational policy borrowing should be selective to integrate national identity procedures by which governments and politicians must reformulate educational borrowing according to atypical nonglobal competitiveness emphasis.
Understanding the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Education in China: A Bibliometric Approach
Authors: Ying Tang , Wenjing Quan
Published: August 2023

Sino-Foreign Cooperative Education (SFCE) is a form of international education with Chinese characteristics and it is an integral part of the Chinese education system. The aim of the research was to examine how the SFCE developed from 1995 to 2022. For this purpose, the method of bibliometric analysis was used in this study. This systematic literature review examined 537 articles published in CSSCI, CSCD, and PKU databases. The literature was analyzed with regards to the distribution of publications by year, author, institution/organization and journal. Additionally, visual maps were created with analyses of coauthor, co-words and thematic clusters from COOC and VOSviewer. The results show that SFCE has become a compelling issue. However, the publications in the national academic community were small. The most prolific authors were found to be Lin Jinhui, Guo Qiang, and Liu Mengjin. It was also found that the Xiamen University Educational Institute was the most productive institution and China Adult Education was the top journal in SFCE research. As a result of the bibliometric analysis, there is little cooperation between scientists and institutions in the field of SFCE. According to the co-words and thematic cluster analysis, five main clusters were formed. In the future, in-depth research on vocational education, Sino-Foreign Cooperative universities and countermeasures under the epidemic will become the new trend. A mixed research approach should be more adopted in the research methodology, and the research perspective from different interest subjects should be expanded in the future.
Changes in U.S. Workers’ Values and Satisfaction After COVID-19
Authors: Fouad Nadya A. , Burrows Stephanie G. , Avery Christian , Ezema Gabriel
Published: August 2023

The collective changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic impacting both individual workers and their environment suggest that changes occurred in workers’ person-environment fit. Drawing from the Theory of Work Adjustment and job crafting theory to examine how the pandemic may have shifted workers’ needs and the environmental reinforcers that lead to satisfaction, the purpose of this study was to explore how members of the U.S. workforce have adapted to the personal and environmental changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 439 participants were recruited through Prolific to participate in the study. Regression analyses were conducted to predict workers’ changes in values, occupational reinforcers, P-E fit, and adjustment styles. Results indicated (a) that participants who changed jobs during the pandemic reported greater job satisfaction with their new position, (b) that some work values changed for participants, and (c) that workers engaged in job crafting and distinct types of adjustment to increase satisfaction during the pandemic. Implications for future research and applications for career development professionals are discussed.
A Donation-With-Purchase at a Restaurant: Perceived Authenticity in a Cause-related Marketing
Authors: Piao Zhenxian (Zoey) , Kang Gi Won , Kim Sung-Eun , Bai Billy
Published: August 2023

Cause-related marketing has gained momentum in the business world. Socially responsible practices can be viable solutions to food waste and excessive alcohol consumption for hospitality businesses. Drawing on attribution and cognitive dissonance theory, the study examined the effect of complementary fit on perceived authenticity and purchase intention by product type and message appeal. A 2 (product type: utilitarian/hedonic) x 2 (message appeal: absence/presence) between-subjects experimental design was conducted. The findings reveal that promoting hedonic products can increase the effect of complementary fit on the perception of authenticity toward the campaign and land purchase intention with a positive impact. Particularly, this effect is contingent on message appeal. The positive effect of complementarity on purchase intention through perceived authenticity is more significant when a message is present. This study leverages attribute theory and cognitive dissonance theory to examine the effects of complementary fit between product and cause, product type, and message appeal on customers’ perceptions of authenticity and behaviors in the restaurant context. These insights not only contribute to academic knowledge but also help practitioners to navigate the dynamics of cause-related marketing to drive successful campaign outcomes.
Impact of postprocedural minimum lumen area on clinical outcome after femoropopliteal drug-eluting stent implantation
Authors: Haraguchi Takuya , Takahara Mitsuyoshi , Iida Osamu , Soga Yoshimitsu , Yamaoka Terutoshi , Fujihara Masahiko , Kawasaki Daizo , Ichihashi Shigeo , Kozuki Amane , Sato Katsuhiko , Fujita Tsutomu
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

Although favorable results of fluoropolymer-based drug-eluting stent (FP-DES) treatment for femoropopliteal lesions have been reported, it is unclear whether minimal lumen area (MLA) after FP-DES implantation affects clinical outcomes. This study aimed to reveal the association between intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-evaluated MLA and the 1-year risk of restenosis and aneurysmal degeneration after FP-DES implantation for femoropopliteal lesions.

Methods:

A subanalysis of the CAPSICUM (Contemporary outcomes After Paclitaxel-eluting peripheral Stent implantation for symptomatic lower limb IsChemia with sUperficial feMoral or proximal popliteal lesion) study analyzed 718 limbs in 686 patients with available IVUS-evaluated MLA data. The association of MLA with the 1-year risk of restenosis and aneurysmal degeneration was analyzed using the generalized propensity score method.

Results:

The 1-year incidence rate of restenosis was estimated to be 8.8% (95% CI, 6.1% to 12.5%) for the upper quartile of MLA (21.1 mm2) versus 14.3% (95% CI, 10.7% to 18.7%) for the lower quartile of MLA (15.2 mm2), with an odds ratio of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.36 to 0.93; p = 0.024), whereas the 1-year incidence rate of aneurysmal degeneration was 23.8% (95% CI, 19.5% to 28.8%) for the upper quartile versus 16.8% (95% CI, 12.6% to 22.0%) for the lower quartile, with an odds ratio of 1.55 (95% CI, 1.04 to 2.32; p = 0.031).

Conclusion:

A large MLA after FP-DES implantation for femoropopliteal lesions was associated with decreased restenosis risk but increased aneurysmal degeneration risk. These findings suggest that MLA is a valuable predictor of clinical outcomes.
Students’ and teachers’ voice on the outcomes of a citizenship education curriculum
Authors: Evagorou Maria , Vrikki Maria , Papanastasiou Elena
Published: August 2023

The current study aims to examine students’ and teachers’ voices and views on the outcomes of the implementation of a curriculum as relevant and appropriate to enhance students’ citizenship skills by engaging them in dialogic and argumentative practices. To achieve the aim an innovative curriculum, consisting of 15 lessons per education level (pre-primary, primary and secondary) was developed. These lessons involved teachers and students in dialogue and argumentation around themes of citizenship education as cultural literacy using dialogue and argumentation as tools. The sample consisted of the responses of 134 teachers and 78 secondary school students. Overall, the curriculum was successful on supporting students on dialogue, argumentation and cultural literacy. A second finding has to do with teachers identifying changes in their practices related to dialogue and argumentation during the enactment of the curriculum. Furthermore, teachers underline the aspect of student enjoyment of the curriculum during the implementation. This finding supports the democratic and participatory aspect of the curriculum and adds a successful example of citizenship curriculum to the literature. Students emphasize as important aspects of the curriculum the fact that it makes the connection to everyday life, and is different from usual classroom related issues.
Euroscepticism and Local Far-Right Mobilization via Telegram in Light of the Fundamental Transformation of the Public Sphere
Authors: Kiess Johannes
Published: August 2023

Saxony remains a hot spot for far-right mobilization making it a prominent case for studying Neonazi-networks as well as broader issues of challenges for democracy. Local and regional mobilization has intensified during the political contestation of migration 2013ff. with Dresden’s PEGIDA becoming a benchmark for regional regressive movements. During the pandemic, we observed yet another uptick in far-right mobilization, again deeply rooted in local networks that existed before the crisis and leading to a specific dynamic distinct from other regions in Germany. To explain this phenomenon, it is important to consider regional and local characteristics of identity formation, perceptions of ‘winner-and-loser’ dichotomies, and the broader challenges of global and European inequalities. As this contribution argues, here lie yet idle potentials for the comparative study of Euroscepticism and place.
Carotid artery dissections from transcarotid artery revascularization as reported by the Food and Drug Administration
Authors: Suh Dongjin , Ma Yuchi , Newton Daniel H , Amendola Michael F , Lavingia Kedar S
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is a hybrid procedure that allows reversal of blood flow away from the brain while placing a stent through direct surgical access of the common carotid artery. It has been shown to have a lower risk of perioperative stroke compared with any prospective trial of transfemoral carotid artery stenting. However, intraoperative injuries related to the procedure and its management are not well characterized. One of the intraoperative complications seen in TCAR is iatrogenic carotid artery dissection (CD). We aim to add qualitative insight in further characterizing CDs and its management in this emerging technology.

Methods

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database for surveillance of all medical devices approved for use. This database was queried for all cases associated with Silk Road Medical’s ENROUTE Transcarotid Neuroprotection System from September 2016 to October 2020. Case narratives related to CD were individually analyzed to determine time of injury (intraoperative, recovery, and post-discharge follow-up). CD reporting was further analyzed for the associated procedural event at the time of injury, number of access attempts to CD repair, and type of CD repair. Reports associated with CD repair were further categorized into endovascular repair and open surgical repair.

Results

Of the 115 unique adverse events in the database, there were 58 CDs. Most were identified intraoperatively ( n = 55), while three were incidentally found postoperatively. Overall, sheath placement was the most common procedural event attributed to CD ( N = 34). There was adequate narrative information about CD repair in 54 patients. Intraoperative repair was performed in 52 cases and two were repaired after post-discharge follow-up imaging was performed. Among CDs that did not require additional access to engage the true lumen, the proportion of endovascular repair (62.5%) was significantly higher ( p = .044) compared to the proportion of open surgical repair (37.5%). However, the proportion of open surgical repair (75%) was significantly higher than the proportion of endovascular repair (25%) in CDs with persistent failure to engage the true lumen despite ≥2 access attempts ( p = .039).

Conclusion

CD is the most common injury related to TCAR as reported on MAUDE. The most commonly reported procedural event associated with CD was sheath placement. The rate of intraoperative endovascular and open surgical CD repair was associated with whether the access to the true lumen of the carotid artery required additional access attempts or not. This should add qualitative insight among the vascular surgery community regarding intraoperative management of CDs from a TCAR procedure.
An Emotional Road to Sustainability: How Affective Science Can Support pro-Climate Action
Authors: Schneider Claudia R. , van der Linden Sander
Published: August 2023

Although emotions play a crucial role in understanding and encouraging sustainable behavior and decision-making, many open questions currently remain unanswered. In this review, we advance three broad areas of particular theoretical and applied importance that affective science and emotion researchers could benefit from engaging with: (1) “ sustainable emotions” or empirically testing the possibility of positive reinforcing feedback loops between anticipatory and experienced emotions following the adoption of sustainable behaviors, (2) “ non- Western emotions” or exploring the extent to which people's understanding and experience of climate-relevant emotions differs across non-WEIRD populations, and (3) “ impactful emotions” or the need to carefully differentiate the conceptual and empirical role of emotions in encouraging the adoption of low-impact (e.g., recycling) versus high-impact (e.g., flying less) environmental behaviors.
Looking at Emotions to Understand Responses to Environmental Challenges
Authors: Clayton Susan , Ogunbode Charles
Published: August 2023

Emotions are keys to understanding the response to environmental problems. We discuss three important roles. First, emotions like worry, anxiety, pride and hope can motivate pro-environmental behaviour. Second, emotions are also consequences; the emotional impacts of environmental degradation, such as climate anxiety, can affect mental health, and recognising these impacts is necessary to encourage individual and societal resilience. Finally, emotion also has a communicative function and is part of shared experience. The ability to describe and elicit shared emotions in response to environmental problems allows those problems to become part of social discourse, which is necessary for addressing them. Research in all these areas can help guide an adaptive response to environmental challenges.
Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses of School-Age Children
Authors: Oerther Sarah
Published: August 2023

Climate change is associated with global health emergencies. School-age children are particularly susceptible to the health effects associated with climate change. School nurses are uniquely positioned to address children’s climate-associated illnesses. This article is the first in a series of articles that aims to inform existing knowledge gaps, raise awareness among school nurses, and equip school nurses with the skills they need to protect the health of school-age children. This series of articles will briefly discuss different aspects of the Impact of Climate Change on Human Health diagram, which was created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Front End of the STEM Teacher Pipeline: Early-Career STEM Teachers’ Field Experiences and Perceptions of Preparation
Authors: Goldhaber Dan , Theobald Roddy , Choate Kathryn , Brown Nate
Published: August 2023

A growing quantitative literature finds evidence that student teaching placements predict later outcomes of teacher candidates and their students, but there is little large-scale quantitative evidence about the mechanisms for these estimated relationships. We used data from a survey of STEM teachers in Washington State to better understand how their perceptions of preparation were related to student teaching placements and current classroom environment. We found evidence that the composition of students in student teaching classrooms was predictive of STEM teachers’ perceptions of their preparation. For example, STEM teachers who student taught in classrooms with more English language learners and economically disadvantaged students reported feeling prepared to teach these specific student populations. Likewise, STEM teachers who student taught in high-poverty classrooms tended to report feeling better prepared to manage their current classroom, particularly if they were currently teaching in a high-poverty classroom.
A Bibliometric Analysis of 25 years of Workplace Deviant Behavior Research
Authors: Jain Nikita , Dhingra Rekha
Published: August 2023

Workplace deviant includes any act that is significantly different from what is considered acceptable by prescribed norms. Deviant workplace conduct is not uncommon and is a regular phenomenon in the workplace. It can be found in all sorts of businesses and at all levels of management. Thus, there is a need for study in this area. The publication of workplace deviant behavior has grown steadily, and the trends have been increasing consistently. As a result, the study focuses on examining the scientific literature on workplace deviant behavior research. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the evolution of the concept. It also aims at analyzing which academics, countries, and journals are most interested in this area, the most relevant affiliations and collaborations, and which research has the greatest influence. Based on the “keywords” search results, the Scopus Database was used to compile literature on workplace behavior from 1997 to 2022. This study included 357 papers that were relevant for the analysis from the Scopus Database. The findings revealed that research into workplace deviant behavior has been strengthened during the last few years. This research draws upon findings and current information to give readers a glimpse into the future of workplace behavior research.
Prognostic significance of ETP phenotype and minimal residual disease in T-ALL: a Children’s Oncology Group study
Authors: Wood Brent L. , Devidas Meenakshi , Summers Ryan J. , Chen Zhiguo , Asselin Barbara , Rabin Karen R. , Zweidler-McKay Patrick A. , Winick Naomi J. , Borowitz Michael J. , Carroll William L. , Raetz Elizabeth A. , Loh Mignon L. , Hunger Stephen P. , Dunsmore Kimberly P. , Teachey David T. , Winter Stuart S.
Published: August 2023

The early thymic precursor (ETP) immunophenotype was previously reported to confer poor outcome in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Between 2009 and 2014, 1256 newly diagnosed children and young adults enrolled in Children’s Oncology Group (COG) AALL0434 were assessed for ETP status and minimal residual disease (MRD) using flow cytometry at a central reference laboratory. The subject phenotypes were categorized as ETP (n = 145; 11.5%), near-ETP (n = 209; 16.7%), or non-ETP (n = 902; 71.8%). Despite higher rates of induction failure for ETP (6.2%) and near-ETP (6.2%) than non-ETP (1.2%; P < .0001), all 3 groups showed excellent 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS): ETP (80.4% ± 3.9% and 86.8 ± 3.4%, respectively), near-ETP (81.1% ± 3.3% and 89.6% ± 2.6%, respectively), and non-ETP (85.3% ± 1.4% and 90.0% ± 1.2%, respectively; P = .1679 and P = .3297, respectively). There was no difference in EFS or OS for subjects with a day-29 MRD <0.01% vs 0.01% to 0.1%. However, day-29 MRD ≥0.1% was associated with inferior EFS and OS for patients with near-ETP and non-ETP, but not for those with ETP. For subjects with day-29 MRD ≥1%, end-consolidation MRD ≥0.01% was a striking predictor of inferior EFS (80.9% ± 4.1% vs 52.4% ± 8.1%, respectively; P = .0001). When considered as a single variable, subjects with all 3 T-ALL phenotypes had similar outcomes and subjects with persistent postinduction disease had inferior outcomes, regardless of their ETP phenotype. This clinical trial was registered at AALL0434 as #NCT00408005.
Continuous nerve block versus thoracic epidural analgesia for post-operative pain of pectus excavatum repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Li-Jung , Chen Shih-Hong , Hsieh Yung-Lin , Yu Po-Chuan
Published: August 2023

Surgery to repair pectus excavatum (PE) is often associated with severe postoperative pain, which can impact the length of hospital stay (LOS). While thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) has traditionally been used for pain management in PE, its placement can sometimes result in severe neurological complications. Recently, paravertebral block (PVB) and erector spinae plane block (ESPB) have been recommended for many other chest and abdominal surgeries. However, due to the more severe and prolonged pain associated with PE repair, it is still unclear whether continuous administration of these blocks is as effective as TEA. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to demonstrate the equivalence of continuous PVB and ESPB to TEA.
The value of right heart contrast echocardiography combined with migraine rating scale in evaluating the efficacy of patent foramen ovale closure
Authors: Niu Yonghong , Pan Junxiang , Fan Shasha , Wang Lianyi , Tang Xiujie
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To investigate the clinical values of right heart contrast transthoracic echocardiography (cTTE) combined with migraine rating scale in evaluating the efficacy of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure.

Methods

From January 2018 to December 2021, a total of 68 hospitalized patients, 21 males and 47 females, who were treated with transcatheter closure of PFO-induced migraine in the Heart Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Tsinghua University were selected, with the age of 38.4 ± 11.9 years old. The changes of right heart contrast transthoracic echocardiography (cTTE), visual analogue pain score(VAS), headache impact test-6(HIT-6) and migraine disability assessment questionnaire(MIDAS) before and 6 months after PFO occlusion were compared.

Results

Pre-operative cTTE data show that 36 patients (52.9%) had moderate right-to-left shunt (RLS), and 32 patients (47.1%) had massive RLS. cTTE was reexamined 6 months after operation and 1 case in the moderate RLS group had minimal RLS, 2 cases in the large RLS group had minimal RLS, and no shunts were seen for the rest. The VAS, HIT-6 and MIDAS scores before and 6 months after the operation were 7.65 ± 1.39 vs. 1.28 ± 1.53, 70.78 ± 6.82 vs. 41.53 ± 6.07, and 30.60 ± 13.24 vs. 1.93 ± 3.87, respectively. All the indexes 6 months after the operation significantly improved compared with the preoperative baseline (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

cTTE combined with migraine evaluation scale could be used as an objective index to evaluate the clinical effect of PFO occlusion.
A 71-year-old male with a life-threatening recurrence of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury after pembrolizumab therapy: a case report
Authors: Zhang Xin , Gao Bi-xia , Guo Cui-yan , Su Tao
Published: August 2023

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment. However, their use has been restricted in patients with preexisting autoimmune diseases due to concerns about increased risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs).

Case presentation

We present a case of a patient with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma and a history of complement-mediated autoimmune hemolytic anemia in remission. After receiving a single dose of pembrolizumab, the patient experienced life-threatening recurrent hemolytic anemia, de novo thrombocytopenia, diarrhea, myocarditis, and acute kidney injury. Laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis of Evan's syndrome, with positive PAIgG and direct antiglobulin test. Treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone at a dose of 2 mg/kg resulted in a favorable response, with resolution of symptoms and rapid recovery of kidney function. The probable cause of pre-renal hypoperfusion (evidenced by a BUN-to-creatinine ratio of 48.1) leading to acute tubular injury was attributed to pembrolizumab-induced diarrhea.

Conclusions

This case illustrates a life-threatening recurrence of complement-mediated autoimmune hemolytic anemia induced by ICIs. Clinicians should carefully consider the expected efficacy and potential toxicity before initiating ICIs therapy in patients with preexisting autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the occurrence of acute kidney injury during ICIs therapy adds complexity and requires careful differential diagnosis.