bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research Impact Assessment on Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education Institutions: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Mohd Saidatulakmal , Abdul Latiff Abdul Rais , Syed Azhar Sharifah Nurlaili Farhana
Published: September 2024

Assessing research impact and the practical value of research output can be effectively accomplished by considering various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as they may interpret and measure research impact in distinct ways. This paper aims to identify research grants that are aligned to SDGs, identify researchers’ perceptions of the research impact on SDGs and frame the research impact on SDGs. This paper is a qualitative study that involves content analysis on research grant documents, online responses and focus group discussion with university’s researchers. The study analyzed 1,495 research grants received by researchers at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the views of 46 principal investigators through online responses and focus group discussions, The study found that research impact on SDGs could be modelled based on the sustainability dimensions of the 17 SDGs, leading to seven types of impact: economic impact, social impact, environmental impact, cultural impact, public policy impact, organizational impact, and educational impact. By referring to the Elsevier 2021 SDG keywords, we concluded that while the majority of research grants focus on one SDG, interrelated SDGs also exist in many SDGs, cutting across several research impacts. The perception of PIs towards research impact stems from their understanding of SDGs and the conventional research output of networking, patent and commercialization, publication and citation, and students. To achieve a better future, it is essential to have thorough and structured monitoring and evaluation of research grants. This ensures that their results and outputs consistently contribute to the accomplishment of the SDGs.
Entrepreneurial Orientation and SMEs Efficiency With Government Financial and Non-Financial Incentives as Moderators
Authors: Yaseen Muhammad , Sajjad Waseem , Visetnoi Supawan , Amanah Siti , Saqib Shahab E.
Published: September 2024

Entrepreneurship drives economic growth in the modern knowledge-based economy. Furthermore, entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) Efficiency, combined with government financial and non-financial incentives, play a vital role in fostering the growth of SMEs. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of EO with government incentives as moderators on SMEs efficiency from the perspective of Pakistan. The primary data were collected from 412 top-level managers of SMEs across three cities. A structural equation modeling was used for analysis. Results showed that risk-taking, innovativeness, and proactiveness had a positive and significant impact on SMEs efficiency, and autonomy had a negative and significant impact. It was found that government financial incentives had a significant positive moderating impact on risk-taking, proactiveness, and competitive aggressiveness. Moreover, government non-financial incentives as a moderating variable positively and significantly influenced risk-taking, proactiveness, innovativeness, and competitive aggressiveness. The positive and significant impact of government financial incentives on risk-taking, proactiveness, and competitive aggressiveness emphasizes the potential to amplify SMEs efficiency and growth through enhanced promotion of such incentives. Governments should deliberate on delivering more targeted financial support to encourage entrepreneurial activities. Complementary to this, government non-financial incentives positively and significantly influenced key entrepreneurial factors such as risk-taking, proactiveness, innovativeness, and competitive aggressiveness. Consequently, augmenting SMEs efficiency and competitiveness can be achieved by implementing non-financial incentives such as mentorship programs, technological access, and market insights.
Cyber Dating Abuse Among Korean College Students: An Exploratory Study of Risk and Protective Factors
Authors: Ferraresso Riccardo , Kim Chunrye
Published: September 2024

This study investigated the factors associated with cyber dating abuse (CDA) among college students in South Korea. In order to shed light on this relatively understudied area concerning social and health issues, the study analyzed data from a convenience sample of 199 undergraduate students enrolled in a medium-sized Korean university. The findings showed that over the past 12 months, 52.5% of male and 51.4% of female students experienced CDA, while perpetration rates stood at 37.3% for males and 46.4% for females. Binomial logistic regression analyses revealed that students who had experienced partner abuse were more likely to be victims of CDA (IRR = 1.640; CI [1.108, 2.428]), as were those who had perpetrated physical or psychological abuse against their partners in person (IRR = 2.740; CI [1.456, 5.153]). Furthermore, users of online dating services were three times more likely to experience CDA than non-users (IRR = 3.008; CI [1.326, 6.822]). Perpetrating offline partner abuse (IRR = 3.572; CI [1.770, 7.210]) and using online support networks to resolve conflicts in romantic relationships (IRR = 2.734; CI [1.294, 5.778]) were significantly linked to CDA perpetration. These findings underscore the prevalence of CDA victimization and perpetration among college students in South Korea. Therefore, colleges and universities must implement effective prevention programs targeting cyber dating abuse or strengthen existing IPV prevention programs.
Household Income as a Determinant of Racial Residential Segregation in Metropolitan Areas: A Micro-level Analysis from 2000 to 2020
Authors: Crowell Amber R.
Published: September 2024

In this study, I examine the role of household income in determining White-Black, White-Latino, and White-Asian residential segregation in the twenty-first century across 50 metropolitan areas over the decennial time points from 2000 to 2020. I use census and survey microdata and a reformulation of the separation index, a measure of the segregation dimension of evenness, to situate segregation as a group inequality that can be analyzed using group-specific household-level regression models and regression standardization analysis, where household income is the predictor of segregation-relevant neighborhood outcomes. I find that across groups, across communities, and over time, the role of household income in shaping segregation patterns varies widely. White-Black segregation is lowest between high-income households and is declining consistently for all income groups, even at mismatched incomes. White-Latino segregation patterns are more inconsistent, with segregation staying low and stable for high-income Latino households but rising somewhat for low- and middle-income households. Finally, White-Asian segregation is rising and has risen the fastest for high-income Asian households. These findings call for continuing investigation into the shifting and interlocking dynamics of race and income that shape segregation outcomes.
How to support caregivers in general practice: development of the Caregiver Care Model
Authors: Mygind Anna , Offersen Sara Marie Hebsgaard , Guldin Mai-Britt , Christensen Kaj S. , Nielsen Mette Kjærgaard
Published: September 2024

Background:

Caring for a family member can be demanding, particularly when caregivers experience profound distress. Supportive interventions may help prevent mental and physical illness in the caregiver. General practice plays a key role by regularly engaging with patients and caregivers, thereby being able to identify their support needs, offer talk therapy and refer to care initiatives.

Objective:

This study aimed to develop and pilot-test the Caregiver Care Model to mitigate grief reactions among caregivers in general practice.

Design:

A participatory intervention development study.

Methods:

A prototype was developed in a workshop with healthcare professionals. The prototype was refined based on a pilot-test among 40 caregivers from 5 general practice clinics and a workshop with general practitioners. The data were obtained from workshops, feedback questionnaires completed by healthcare professionals, and interviews with caregivers and general practitioners. The analysis focused on model development and mechanisms of impact.

Results:

The prototype was refined by focusing the dialogue questionnaire, minimising the grief facilitation tools and expanding the target group. The prototype seemed to accommodate the needs among caregivers by acknowledging their situation. The final model includes up to seven caregiver consultations in general practice. A dialogue questionnaire filled in by the caregiver serves as a fixed starting point and preparation for the first consultation. If needed, talk therapy in general practice or referrals to other services are used.

Conclusion:

The model offers promising support for caregivers. Its flexible structure allows for customisation. The viability of the model should be further tested.
‘At some points you feel awful because you are going to start again’: The ambiguous role of education in highly skilled refugee women’s integration experiences
Authors: Baillot Helen , Fernandes Marcus
Published: September 2024

In refugee and migration studies, education has been situated as both a marker of integration and a facilitator of progress in other domains. This paper draws on the accounts of three highly skilled women who have experienced forced migration to highlight some of the ambiguities of education’s role in pathways to social and economic inclusion. A case study approach allows for a detailed and contextual exploration of how intersections of age, caring responsibilities and immigration status influence women’s ability to engage with education. Participants’ accounts confirm that accessing desired and appropriate educational provision can propel people towards their longer-term goals. However, provision that is inaccessible or perceived to be below women’s skill levels can be experienced as exclusionary and demoralising, with attendant impact on women’s perceptions of integration and hopes for the future. Women deploy several strategies to overcome these obstacles, including leveraging existing social connections and re-evaluating their future career pathways. Yet these strategies are not always fully successful. Our findings point towards the need for improved provision for adult refugees and a concerted effort by educational institutions to tackle continuing systemic barriers to education.
CD94+natural killer cells potentiate pulmonary ischaemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Tsao Tasha , Qiu Longhui , Bharti Reena , Shemesh Avishai , Hernandez Alberto M. , Cleary Simon J. , Greenland Nancy Y. , Santos Jesse , Shi Ruoshi , Bai Lu , Richardson Jennifer , Dilley Kimberley , Will Matthias , Tomasevic Nenad , Sputova Tereza , Salles Adam , Kang Jeffrey , Zhang Dongliang , Hays Steven R. , Kukreja Jasleen , Singer Jonathan P. , Lanier Lewis L. , Looney Mark R. , Greenland John R. , Calabrese Daniel R.
Published: September 2024

Background

Pulmonary ischaemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major contributor to poor lung transplant outcomes. We recently demonstrated a central role of airway-centred natural killer (NK) cells in mediating IRI; however, there are no existing effective therapies for directly targeting NK cells in humans.

Methods

We hypothesised that a depleting anti-CD94 monoclonal antibody (mAb) would provide therapeutic benefit in mouse and human models of IRI based on high levels ofKLRD1(CD94) transcripts in bronchoalveolar lavage samples from lung transplant patients.

Results

We found that CD94 is highly expressed on mouse and human NK cells, with increased expression during IRI. Anti-mouse and anti-human mAbs against CD94 showed effective NK cell depletion in mouse and human models and blunted lung damage and airway epithelial killing, respectively. In two different allogeneic orthotopic lung transplant mouse models, anti-CD94 treatment during induction reduced early lung injury and chronic inflammation relative to control therapies. Anti-CD94 did not increase donor antigen-presenting cells that could alter long-term graft acceptance.

Conclusions

Lung transplant induction regimens incorporating anti-CD94 treatment may safely improve early clinical outcomes.
Admission characteristics of patients with short term hospitalization
Authors: Frenkel Nir Yael , Levy Yuval , Grossman Ehud , Klang Eyal
Published: September 2024

Background

Sheba Medical Center (SMC) is the largest hospital in Israel and has been coping with a steady increase in total Emergency Department (ED) visits. Over 140,000 patients arrive at the SMC's ED every year. Of those, 19% are admitted to the medical wards. Some are very short hospitalizations (one night or less). This puts a heavy burden on the medical wards. We aimed to identify the characteristics of short hospitalizations.

Methods

We retrospectively retrieved data of consecutive adult patients admitted to our hospital during January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2019. We limited the cohort to patients who were admitted to the medical wards. We divided the study group into those with short, those with non-short hospitalization and those who were discharged from the ED.

Results

Out of 133,126 admissions, 59,994 (45.0%) were hospitalized for short term. Patients in the short hospitalization group were younger and had fewer comorbidities. The highest rate of short hospitalization was recorded during night shifts (58.4%) and the rate of short hospitalization was associated with the ED daily patient load (r = 0.35, p < 0.001). The likelihood of having a short hospitalization was most prominent in patients with suicide attempt (80.0% of those admitted for this complaint had a short hospitalization), followed by hypertension (68.6%). However, these complaints accounted for only 0.7% of the total number of short hospitalizations. Cardiac and neurological complaints however, made up 27.4% of the short hospitalizations. The 30-days mortality rate was 7.0% in the non-short hospitalization group, 4.3% in the short hospitalization group and 0.9% in those who were discharged from the ED.

Conclusions

Short hospitalizations in medical wards have special characteristics that may render them predictable. Increasing the rate of treating personnel per patient during peak hours and referring subsets of patients with cardiac and neurological complaints to ED-associated short term observation units may decrease short admissions to medical departments.
Identification of driving mechanisms of actual evapotranspiration in the Yiluo River Basin based on structural equation modeling
Authors: Xu Shu , Qin Tianling , Lu Jie , Liu Shanshan , Hou Jun , Feng Jianming , Li Wei , Liu Hanxiao , Abebe Sintayehu A.
Published: September 2024

Background

Actual evapotranspiration (ETa) is a crucial aspect of the hydrological cycle. It serves as a vital link between the soil–vegetation–atmosphere continuum. Quantifying the leading factors of regional ETa change and revealing the multi-factor compound driving mechanism of ETa evolution is necessary. Structural equation modeling (SEM) has been widely used to study the structural relationships between variables in large-scale areas. However, there is an urgent need for more in-depth exploration of these complex relationships at the grid scale. Therefore, the Yiluo River Basin, a representative area of soil and water conservation engineering demonstration in the Loess Plateau, was selected as the study area, and the SEM at the basin scale and grid-scale were constructed to carry out the research.

Results

The data indicate that ETa decreased at 1.97 mm per year at the watershed scale from 1982 to 2020. Climate change had the greatest impact on the change of ETa in the watershed, with a total impact coefficient of over 0.9. The direct impact of climate change on ETa increased by 0.571 from 1982–1992 to 1993–2020. The direct impact coefficients of vegetation cover and soil moisture decreased by 0.402 and 0.102, respectively, while the impact coefficient of the water body factors increased by 0.096. At the scale of individual grid cells, the ETa in the watershed was affected by changes in watershed climate, vegetation, and soil moisture, with contributions ranging from − 0.31 to 0.22, − 1.09 to − 0.08, and 0.61 to 0.90, respectively. Spatially, vegetation and soil moisture had a stronger impact on ETa in the upstream area, while climate change had a negative effect, and the downstream region had the opposite effect. Furthermore, the regulatory impact of large reservoirs mitigated the response of water surface evaporation to climate change in the upstream region.

Conclusions

The application of SEM at different spatial and temporal scales has effectively quantified the driving mechanisms behind actual evapotranspiration in the Yiluo River Basin, while visually representing the spatial distribution characteristics of various influencing factors on ETa. This research provides a theoretical foundation for studying slope water consumption processes and circulation mechanisms.
Dengue epidemic in China before 1978
Authors: Guo Xiang , Chen Haiyang , Lin Ruifeng , Liu Xiaohua , Li Meng , Ge Liu , Deng Wenting , Wu Rangke , Zhou Xiaohong
Published: September 2024

Dengue, an acute febrile disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is caused by the dengue virus (DENV), presenting a formidable challenge to global public health. By examining clues from ancient Chinese books and conducting a comprehensive review, this study elucidates the characteristics of potential dengue epidemics in China prior to 1978. This evidence indicates that China may not have experience dengue epidemics before 1840. During 1840–1949, however, it experienced a noticeable dengue occurrence and prevalence in the 1870s, 1920s, and 1940s. Then from 1949 to 1978, only sporadic reports were accounted. The disparity in the frequency of dengue occurrences across three time periods suggests that the persistent characteristic of dengue epidemics in China primarily arises from imported cases resulting from international exchanges, subsequently leading to local outbreaks influenced by global epidemic trend. This research offers a novel perspective on retrospectively examining the historical trajectory of dengue epidemics and provides valuable insights into exploration of DENV epidemic patterns.

Graphical Abstract
Recovery of consciousness after acute brain injury: a narrative review
Authors: Egawa Satoshi , Ader Jeremy , Claassen Jan
Published: September 2024

Background

Disorders of consciousness (DoC) are frequently encountered in both, acute and chronic brain injuries. In many countries, early withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments is common practice for these patients even though the accuracy of predicting recovery is debated and delayed recovery can be seen. In this review, we will discuss theoretical concepts of consciousness and pathophysiology, explore effective strategies for management, and discuss the accurate prediction of long-term clinical outcomes. We will also address research challenges.

Main text

DoC are characterized by alterations in arousal and/or content, being classified as coma, unresponsive wakefulness syndrome/vegetative state, minimally conscious state, and confusional state. Patients with willful modulation of brain activity detectable by functional MRI or EEG but not by behavioral examination is a state also known as covert consciousness or cognitive motor dissociation. This state may be as common as every 4th or 5th patient without behavioral evidence of verbal command following and has been identified as an independent predictor of long-term functional recovery. Underlying mechanisms are uncertain but intact arousal and thalamocortical projections maybe be essential. Insights into the mechanisms underlying DoC will be of major importance as these will provide a framework to conceptualize treatment approaches, including medical, mechanical, or electoral brain stimulation.

Conclusions

We are beginning to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of DoC, identifying novel advanced prognostication tools to improve the accuracy of recovery predictions, and are starting to conceptualize targeted treatments to support the recovery of DoC patients. It is essential to determine how these advancements can be implemented and benefit DoC patients across a range of clinical settings and global societal systems. The Curing Coma Campaign has highlighted major gaps knowledge and provides a roadmap to advance the field of coma science with the goal to support the recovery of patients with DoC.
Author’s response to the letter “Japanese clinical practice guidelines for rehabilitation in critically ill patients 2023 (J-ReCIP 2023)”
Authors: Kasai Fumihito , Iida Yuki , Unoki Takeshi
Published: September 2024

Recently, a Letter to the Editor critiquing the recommendations of the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Rehabilitation in Critically Ill Patients, 2023, was published. The comment centered on the recommendation, "Weak recommendation against the use of endoscopy-based management (GRADE 2D: certainty of evidence = 'very low')" for the clinical question, "Should critically ill patients be managed based on video endoscopic assessment of swallowing?" In response, we outline the rationale behind our recommendations and their clinical implications.
Hydrogeological structure of a seafloor hydrothermal system deduced from a pair of positive and negative self-potential anomalies observed at the Oomuro-dashi hydrothermal field in the Izu-Ogasawara Arc, south of Japan
Authors: Kawada Yoshifumi , Kasaya Takafumi
Published: September 2024

This paper presents and interprets two new self-potential data measured over a hydrothermally active field associated with a Quaternary rhyolitic volcano, Oomuro-dashi, in the northern Izu-Ogasawara Arc, south of Japan. The measured data show a pair of positive and negative anomalies of the order of one millivolt at 5 m above the seafloor. The observation of a positive self-potential near a seafloor hydrothermal system is new, in spite that negative self-potential anomalies have been regularly reported in various studies for different locations. Determining the dominant mechanism(s) is therefore key to further understanding the subseafloor structure of seafloor hydrothermal systems. To this end, we also conducted long-term observations of subseafloor temperatures at two sites in the area of the self-potential anomaly to estimate the Darcy velocity. We found a downward fluid flow of the order of tens of metres per year at both sites. The flow in the area of the negative self-potential anomaly is stronger than in the area of the positive anomaly. Based on these observations, we propose two end-member models to explain the paired self-potential anomaly. The first model considers a horizontal geo-battery, in which part of a subhorizontal electrically conductive body is crossed by a subvertical redox front. In this model, the oxidised part of the geo-battery causes a negative self-potential anomaly, as in the previous observations, while the reduced counterpart of the geo-battery, which is normally buried, is exposed near the seafloor and causes a positive anomaly. In this case, a conductive body is expected to lie beneath both anomalies, and we could access the reduced part of the geo-battery. This model is consistent with the results of the Darcy velocity estimation if the strong hydrothermal circulation would cause the redox horizon to deepen. The second model is a combination of the thermal and streaming potentials causing both positive and negative self-potential anomalies. This model does not necessarily require a buried conductive body beneath the self-potential anomalies. These end-member models could be distinguished by resistivity imaging, which identifies the distribution of conductive bodies beneath self-potential anomalies, although they would overlap in natural systems.

Graphical Abstract
Relationships between morphological factors and heat extraction from the upper arm using liquid cooling garment
Authors: Stenkina Maria , Lim Ga-Young , Ghim Yujean , Kim Hyun-Soo , Lee Joo-Young
Published: September 2024

Astronauts wear liquid perfused garments inside their outer spacesuits for regulating body temperature. The present study explored relationships between local heat production from the upper arm and body morphology while wearing liquid perfused sleeve. Heat extraction from the upper arm of 19 subjects (8 males and 11 females) during three different exercise modes (running at 6–8 km∙h−1, cycling at 40–55 W, and arm ergometer at 10–20 W) and rest has been investigated. The total body fat (27.5 ± 7.2%), body mass index (24.4 ± 2.7 kg·m−2), arm surface area (589 ± 90 cm2), and arm volume (1300 ± 300 mL) were considered as covariates. Subjects wore a liquid perfused sleeve over the upper arm (left) with the water inlet temperature of 24.0 ± 0.3 °C and the heat extraction was calculated using the water flow rate and temperature differences. Heat extraction from the upper arm showed no significant differences among the three exercises. During cycling, there was a negative relationship between heat extraction and total body fat (r = − 0.527, P < 0.05). Heat extraction was more related to the arm volume (P < 0.05) than the surface area of the upper arm, which was significant only for the male group in the cycling mode. For the female group, heat extraction was related to upper arm temperature in the cycling and arm exercise modes (for both exercises P < 0.05). These results can be applied to improve liquid cooling garments for astronauts, considering their body morphology and sex.
An extremely rare case of thymic squamous cell carcinoma complicated with B3 thymoma and myasthenia gravis: a case report
Authors: Atari Maiko , Kawai Hideki , Tokairin Takuo
Published: September 2024

Background

Thymomas complicated with myasthenia gravis are conventionally treated during thoracic surgery. Particularly, invasive thymomas are resected alongside the surrounding organs. Here, we present a case where surgical and perioperative management was performed under the presumption of thymoma with myasthenia gravis. However, definitive pathology revealed the co-occurrence of B3 thymoma and thymic squamous cell carcinoma. This case highlights the unique presentation and exceptional rarity of thymomas that are complicated by myasthenia gravis and thymic carcinoma.

Case presentation

A 65-year-old female presented with eyelid ptosis at our hospital. Following a comprehensive examination, the patient was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Her computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an anterior mediastinal tumor suggestive of a thymoma, prompting a referral to the Department of Thoracic Surgery. Moreover, preoperative assessment could not definitively exclude pericardial invasion. She subsequently underwent an extended thymectomy via a longitudinal sternal incision. The tumor exhibited partial invasion of the pericardium, necessitating resection and reconstruction. Definitive pathological examination confirmed the co-occurrence of B3 thymoma and thymic squamous cell carcinoma. Positive lymph node metastasis classified the patient as stage IVa according to the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors, 8th Edition, and she was started on adjuvant radiotherapy postoperatively. Currently, the patient remains under observation, with follow-up CT scans showing no signs of recurrence.

Conclusions

This report describes an extremely rare case of thymoma complicated with myasthenia gravis and thymic squamous cell carcinoma.
A case of isolated malrotation without midgut volvulus diagnosed prenatally and treated by laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Endo Kosuke , Fukuzawa Hiroaki , Mizoue Yumi , Higashio Atsushi , Sonoda Mari , Iwade Tamaki , Sato Masahito
Published: September 2024

Background

Malrotation is a congenital condition that predisposes individuals to midgut volvulus, which can result in significant bowel resection. While most cases of malrotation are diagnosed by the age of 1 year, typically presenting with symptoms related to volvulus or bowel obstruction, some cases remain asymptomatic. In children with visceral malposition, gastroschisis, omphalocele, or diaphragmatic hernia, malrotation may be suspected before symptoms manifest. However, isolated malrotation without midgut volvulus diagnosed prenatally is rare. We herein present a case of isolated malrotation without midgut volvulus that was prenatally diagnosed and successfully treated with laparoscopic surgery.

Case presentation

A 30-year-old woman (gravida 3, para 1) underwent routine obstetric ultrasound, which revealed increased blood flow in the lower uterine segment and abnormal placental attachment. To rule out placenta percreta, magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 34 weeks of gestation. Incidentally, abnormal fetal intestinal arrangement was noted, with the colon localized in the left hemi-abdomen and the small intestine distributed in the right hemi-abdomen, raising suspicion of malrotation. Postnatal contrast studies confirmed the diagnosis of malrotation without midgut volvulus. Given the risk of midgut volvulus, a laparoscopic Ladd’s procedure was performed on day 6 of life. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was still symptom-free 1 year postoperatively.

Conclusions

This case illustrates that malrotation can be prenatally diagnosed using fetal magnetic resonance imaging. Considering the risk of midgut volvulus, prophylactic Ladd’s procedure should be performed in neonatal period. In cases where malrotation is not complicated by midgut volvulus, a laparoscopic Ladd procedure can be safely performed in neonates.
Role of biomarkers of inflammation and MRI technique for the early detection of cystinosis-associated myopathy
Authors: Helmy Rasha , Mahmoud Rasha Selim , Elmonem Mohamed A. , Emadeldin Sally , Soliman Neveen Abd Elmonem
Published: September 2024

Background

Cystinosis is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by cystine crystals accumulation within lysosomes resulting in multi-organ dysfunction. Infantile nephropathic cystinosis is the most common phenotype of the disease. Cystinosis distal myopathy was first described in 1994 with a 24% prevalence in cystinosis adult patients.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated the clinical, biochemical, and radiological data of 22 nephropathic cystinosis pediatric patients from 19 unrelated families (17 males and 5 females, their ages 105.7 ± 41.5 months) recruited at the cystinosis clinic at Cairo University Children’s Hospital. Biochemical assessment included several inflammatory biomarkers, such as CRP, ESR, chitotriosidase, and galectin-3. We further performed conventional MRI for the muscles of both upper and lower limbs for potential detection of early myopathic involvement. We compared these findings with 44 CKD children as pathological controls and 22 healthy pediatric controls.

Results

Clinically, no evidence of neuromuscular involvement was detected in our cystinosis pediatric cohort. Chitotriosidase was elevated significantly in cystinosis patients compared to CKD controls. Regarding MRI, morphologically, there were no significant differences between the muscles of cystinosis patients and healthy controls.

Conclusion

A significantly higher chitotriosidase activity in cystinosis patients seems to better represent the overall disease burden and cannot be linked to neuromuscular involvement. MRI findings in muscles of the cystinosis cohort are not striking and indicate no early changes at a younger age. Follow-up and further studies for higher age groups are required to accurately elucidate the MRI’s role in assessing cystinosis myopathy.
Listeria monocytogenes brain abscess in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a case report
Authors: Rasad Nur Sakinah Abd , Omar Nurul Akhmar , Osman Noor Diyana
Published: September 2024

Background

Brain abscesses caused by Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) are very rare and lead to high mortality risk. To our knowledge, no prior studies have been reported in Malaysia on the brain abscess caused by L. monocytogenes.

Case presentation

In this case report, we present 33-year-old female patient with known case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) whom developed fever and left-sided body weakness. Initially, she was suspected to have high-grade glioma or lymphoma because the imaging shows multiple irregulars peripherally enhancing intra axial lesions with marked vasogenic edema. However, tissue biopsy confirmed L. monocytogenes infection. This report also presents the CT and MRI findings of this SLE patient with unusual L. monocytogenes brain abscesses. The patient was then treated with IV ampicillin, IV meropenem and IV amphotericin.

Conclusions

Brain abscess caused by L. monocytogenes is uncommon and lethal. Therefore, it should be carefully examined in patients who are at high risk of listeriosis.
Observer-based robust servomechanism control of a three-phase induction motor drive
Authors: Friday Itodo Victory , Shehu Gaddafi Sani , Olarinoye Gbenga Abidemi , Jomoh Boyi
Published: September 2024

Induction motors (IMs) are widely used in industrial applications, but harmonic distortion in IM drives can lead to inefficiencies and reduced lifespan. Traditional control strategies and filtering methods have limitations in mitigating lower-order harmonics, particularly the 5th harmonic, which can generate reverse torque and increase overheating risk. Existing solutions often struggle to fully address these issues, especially in high-power applications with dynamic loading conditions. This paper proposes a control strategy to reduce voltage and current harmonics in a Z-source inverter (ZSI)-fed IM drive. The system incorporates an observer-based output feedback robust servomechanism controller, designed using Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) and Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) techniques. It ensures closed-loop stability, precise tracking regulation, and effective disturbance rejection, while also featuring a speed adaptation mechanism for sensorless operation. Simulation results demonstrate significant harmonic mitigation, with the controller achieving 1.01% lower voltage THD and 1.03% lower current THD compared to conventional approaches. This improvement aligns with industry standards and outperforms several existing techniques. The proposed method contributes a comprehensive solution for harmonic mitigation in high-power IM drives, applicable to various industrial applications requiring high-quality power and precise speed control.
Dynamic treatment regimes: practical design considerations
Authors: Lavori Philip W , Dawson Ree
Published: September 2024

Background Clinical management of chronic disease requires a dynamic treatment regime (DTR): rules for choosing the new treatment based on the history of response to past treatments. Estimating and comparing the effects of DTRs from a sample of observed trajectories of treatment and outcome depends on the untestable assumption that new treatments are assigned independently of potential future responses to treatment, conditional on the history of treatments and response to date (“sequential ignorability”). In longitudinal observational studies, sequential ignorability must be assumed, while randomization of dynamic regimes can guarantee it.

Methods Using several clinical examples, we describe the simplest randomized experimental designs for comparing DTRs. We begin by considering an initial treatment A and a second treatment B, and discuss how a dynamic treatment regime that starts with A and leads (sometimes) to B, might be compared to either fixed treatment A or B. We also illustrate the problem of finding the optimal sequence of treatments in a DTR, when there are several choices. We describe and contrast two ways of incorporating randomization into studies to compare such regimes: baseline randomization among DTRs versus randomization at the decision points (sequentially randomized designs).

Conclusions We discuss estimation and inference from both baseline randomized and sequentially randomized designs and conclude with a discussion of the differences between the experimental and observational approaches to optimizing and comparing dynamic treatment regimes.
Putting Back Together
Authors: Rymhs Deena
Published: September 2024

Composed of diptych photographs stitched together in a poetic travelogue through nuclear-infused (Indigenous) lands, annie ross's Pots and Other Living Beings reenvisions social and ecological relations, value structures, and knowledge frameworks in its encounter with violated landscapes of the American Southwest. In its embrace of the blighted remainders of nuclear testing, industry, and consumerism, Pots and Other Living Beings is not a typical “environmental” text. Like ross's weaving and visual installations, this work is alive to relations of reciprocity and kinship with more-than-human worlds in what one could best describe as a spiritual engagement with the abandoned, unremarked leavings of nuclearization, industrial capitalism, and waste cultures.
Sarcopenia Predicts the Development of Early Adjacent Segment Disease After Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Wilkinson Brandon M. , Maloney Brendan , Li Jian , Polavarapu Hanish , Draytsel Dan , Hazama Ali
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Predicting the development of adjacent segment disease (ASD) after lumbar spine fusion would help guide preoperative and postoperative therapies to prevent reoperation. We sought to evaluate whether sarcopenia predicts the development of early ASD after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

METHODS:

Retrospective data were collected from 109 patients who underwent TLIF from 2013 to 2023. Patients older than 18 years who underwent elective posterior midline approach TLIF were included. Patients with prior lumbar instrumented fusions, cases of trauma, central nervous system infection, cancer, or long-construct thoracolumbar deformity corrections and those who lacked sufficient follow-up were excluded. The primary outcome was radiographic ASD development within 3 years of surgery. Psoas volumetric measurements were recorded from the most recent preoperative MRI. Odds ratios were calculated with logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS:

In 109 patients undergoing elective TLIF, 22 (20.2%) developed ASD within 3 years. Gender, body mass index, and extent of surgery were not associated with ASD development. Multivariate analysis showed left/right psoas cross-sectional area, and psoas:vertebral body ratio (P:VBR) predicted early ASD (P < .0001). Sarcopenia was further categorized as having bilateral P:VBR ≥1 SD below gender mean (T-score −1). Of 18 sarcopenic patients, 15 developed early ASD (83.33%) vs 7 of 91 nonsarcopenic patients (7.69%; P < .0001). Postoperative mismatch between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis was predictive of ASD on univariate (P = .0480) but not multivariate analysis. Pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis postoperatively were not associated with early ASD.

CONCLUSION:

Sarcopenia, measured by decreased psoas area and P:VBR, predicts ASD formation within 3 years of surgery. Morphometric analysis of psoas size is a simple tool to identify patients at risk of developing ASD. This information can potentially guide preoperative and postoperative therapies, affect surgical decision making, and effectively counsel patients on risks of reoperation.
Customer Capital Spillovers: Evidence from Sales Managers in International Markets
Authors: Patault Bérengère , Lenoir Clémence
Published: September 2024

Expanding their customer base is crucial for firms to grow. This paper leverages sales managers' job-to-job transitions to better understand how buyer-seller relationships form. Combining unique French firm-to-firm trade data with matched employer-employee data, we perform an event study analysis that exploits the timing of sales managers' transitions from one firm to another for identification. We find recruiting a sales manager increases by 36 percent the probability to export to the buyers of her former firm. The expansion of the firm's customer base is detrimental to the buyer's former suppliers. Yet business stealing is partial; job-to-job transitions are not zero-sum. (JEL D12, D22, D25, J62, L14, L25)
Χορηγία και αθλητικές διοργανώσεις
Authors: Παναγιώτου Αναστάσιος
Published: September 2024

Ο θεσμός της χορηγίας πρωτοεμφανίστηκε στην Κλεισθενική αθηναϊκή δημοκρατία στα τέλη του 6ου αιώνα και μέσα στο πέρασμα των αιώνων, μετεξελίχθηκε δυναμικά και εντυπωσιακά, αποτελώντας σήμερα ένα στρατηγικό εργαλείο του αθλητικού μάρκετινγκ και της διοίκησης επιχειρήσεων και οργανισμών. Ωστόσο, η διαχρονική πορεία της αθλητικής χορηγίας, δεδομένου και του μετασχηματισμού του ρόλου του αθλητισμού για την ανθρώπινη κοινωνία, έχει απασχολήσει έναν περιορισμένο αριθμό μελετών, οι οποίες έχουν περιορισμένη και μονόπλευρη χρονική και επιστημονική εστίαση. Σκοπός της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής ήταν η υλοποίηση μιας ολοκληρωμένης έρευνας περί της ιστορικής εξέλιξης της αθλητικής χορηγίας, εκκινώντας από την αρχαία Ελλάδα και καταλήγοντας στη σύγχρονη πραγματικότητα του θεσμού, υιοθετώντας μια διεπιστημονική συνέργεια μεταξύ αθλητικής ιστορίας και αθλητικού μάρκετινγκ. Στο πλαίσιο αυτής της ανάλυσης, μελετήθηκε ο θεσμός των λειτουργιών της αθηναϊκής δημοκρατίας του Κλεισθένη στον οποίο γεννήθηκε η χορηγία, και ακολούθως διερευνήθηκε η μετεξέλιξή της κατά τα ρωμαϊκά και βυζαντινά χρόνια, περνώντας στον Μεσαίωνα, στην Αναγέννηση και στην επανεμφάνιση της αθλητικής χορηγίας με την αναβίωση των σύγχρονων Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων στην Αθήνα το 1896. Στη συνέχεια, πραγματοποιήθηκε εις βάθος ανάλυση της σύγχρονης αθλητικής και Ολυμπιακής χορηγίας βάσει των επιστημονικών αρχών του αθλητικού μάρκετινγκ, και επιχειρήθηκε μια ιστορική συγκριτική ανάλυση αρχαίας και σύγχρονης αθλητικής χορηγίας σύμφωνα με τα θεσμικά τους χαρακτηριστικά, τα εμπλεκόμενα μέρη, στους στόχους, τα ανταποδοτικά οφέλη, το κόστος και τις επιδιώξεις των χορηγών. Τα ευρήματα της παρούσας διατριβής προσφέρουν νέα γνώση και πολύτιμη πληροφόρηση για τη διαχρονική εξέλιξη του θεσμού της αθλητικής χορηγίας, καλύπτοντας ένα ιστορικό και ερευνητικό χάσμα, και αναδεικνύοντας σημαντικές ομοιότητες και διαφοροποιήσεις μεταξύ αρχαίας και σύγχρονης χορηγίας, οι οποίες μπορούν να αξιοποιηθούν από τη διεθνή ερευνητική κοινότητα αλλά και τους επαγγελματίες του αθλητικού μάρκετινγκ
Οι ενεργητικές πολιτικές απασχόλησης στην Ελλάδα και οι εναλλακτικές λύσεις για την καταπολέμηση της ανεργίας
Authors: Καραμπαγλή Γεωργία
Published: September 2024

Το αντικείμενο της παρούσας διατριβής είναι οι ενεργητικές πολιτικές προώθησης της απασχόλησης. Η ερευνητική διαδικασία εστιάζει στα προγράμματα επιδοτούμενης απασχόλησης που υλοποιούνται από τον Οργανισμό Απασχόλησης Εργατικού Δυναμικού (ΟΑΕΔ) στην Ελλάδα. Οι συσχετισμοί και οι συγκρίσεις με τα δεδομένα της απασχόλησης των αναπτυγμένων χωρών είναι ζητούμενα. Η αναζήτηση επικεντρώνεται στους στόχους που τίθενται κατά τον σχεδιασμό της επιδοτούμενης απασχόλησης και στον βαθμό επίτευξης αυτών των στόχων. Η προσέγγιση διερευνά τη θεωρητική και την ποσοτική τεκμηρίωση της αποτελεσματικότητας των δράσεων, με τις προοπτικές για την απασχόληση και τη διάκριση της καταπολέμησης από τη συγκράτηση του φαινομένου της ανεργίας να αποτελούν τους προσδιοριστικούς παράγοντες της έρευνας. Ο στοχασμός επεκτείνεται σε καινοτόμες προτάσεις για το μέλλον της εργασίας. Η ακολουθία των υπό εξέταση αντικειμένων αναδεικνύει το ενδεχόμενο της εξέλιξης της μορφής της εργασίας. Ο λόγος γίνεται για την έννοια της αυτονομίας στην εργασία και τη μορφή που, αυτή, δύναται να έχει στο κοινωνικό σύστημα της εποχής που διανύουμε. Στην προτεινόμενη εκδοχή, η αυτόνομη εργασία συμφιλιώνει συγκρουσιακά και συναινετικά στοιχεία. Οι έννοιες που συγκροτούν τη δομή και τον σχεδιασμό της, δημιουργούν νέα πεδία συλλογικής έκφρασης. Η νέα πρόταση για την απασχόληση αποτελεί μία ικανοποιητική βάση σχεδιασμού και εφαρμογής των μελλοντικών πολιτικών καταπολέμησης της ανεργίας. Συμπεραίνεται ότι η σύλληψη του μοντέλου της αυτόνομης εργασίας ανήκει στις σημαντικές πολιτικές ιδέες για την απασχόληση.
Interpretasi milenial Muhammad Shahrur tentang isu-isu perempuan
Authors: Herlambang Saifuddin
Published: September 2024

Background This study examines Muhammad Shahrur’s theory of limits and women’s issues. This theory adjusts the muhkamat verses to remain relevant to sociocultural conditions while remining within the jurisdiction of Allah SWT. Shahrur’s approach conveyed women as different from traditional ulemas and controversial. Therefore, it is necessary to describe Shahrur’s theory and interpretation of women’s issues. Methods This was an exploratory bibliographic study using descriptive-hermeneutic analysis. Two of Shahrur’s books were selected and five chapters from Al-Kitāb wa Al-Qur’ān, Qirā’ah Mu’āshirah and five chapters from Nahw Ushūl al-Jadīdah Li al-Fiqh al-Islāmy; Fiqh al-Mar’ah . Results Shahrur’s interpretations on women’s issues are: a) relationships between teenagers of the opposite sex without marriage or living together are “halal” if they follow their will without a contract and are accompanied by syecih, or permission; b) the maximum limit of the hijab is to cover the entire body except the face and palms. In contrast, the minimum limit covers the juyūb, including cleavage under the armpits, body parts, genitals, and buttocks. Apart from these, it does not include intimate parts and adapts to the community. c) Women’s intimate parts are shown only to the seven groups: brothers, fathers, children of a sibling, parents of one’s wives, and their children; d) Polygamy has both an upper limit and a lower limit. Shahrur allows polygamy under two conditions: widows with children whose husbands left them to protect them; polygamy has two limitations: a limit for quantity and a limit for quality; and e) the law of adultery has a lower and upper limit. Conclusion According to Shahrur, women’s issues are divided into four limits: sometimes they are at the upper limit and sometimes at the lower limit. Shahrur’s linguistic approach finally led him to draw the conclusion that the product of Islamic law is highly dependent on the sociocultural context.
Cheating and plagiarism in higher education institutions (HEIs): A literature review
Authors: Sozon Md , Mohammad Alkharabsheh Omar Hamdan , Fong Pok Wei , Chuan Sia Bee
Published: September 2024

Cheating and plagiarism have become serious problems in higher education institutions (HEIs). It affects educational quality as well as the reputation of higher education. The purpose of this study is to identify the most prevalent types of cheating and plagiarism, as well as the elements that contribute to cheating and plagiarism, and to present solutions to this recurring problem. This paper systematically reviews 45 articles published from 2018, to 2022, aligned with the PRISMA guidelines in the selection, filtering, and reporting of the papers. This review shows that factors such as increased pressure on students, poor academic integrity awareness, lack of up-to-date academic honor codes, and the unethical application of AI tools are prime contributing factors to cheating and plagiarism in HEIs. In a broader sense, all these factors are classified as individual, social, cultural, institutional, and technological factors that are responsible for this problem. This problem can be reduced by establishing ethical and moral development tutorials as well as formulating up-to-date honor codes considering AI tools. Furthermore, higher education institutions must develop anti-plagiarism detection software in order to detect plagiarism and aid students in improving academic writing and paraphrasing approaches. The findings of this systematic literature review provide useful insights for educators and policymakers to solve the complicated issue of cheating and plagiarism in higher education institutions.