bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-National Measures of the Treatment of Animals
Authors: Tauber Steven
Published: May 2022

To conduct their work, Human-Animal Studies scholars, practitioners, and activists need to understand how different nations treat animals. Although extant cross-national measures of the treatment of animals are helpful, they are quantitatively unsophisticated, narrow in focus, and nontransparent. This paper offers a sounder methodology for measuring how nations treat animals. Using polychoric factor analysis of nine indicators that capture the treatment of animals in 154 nations, this study creates three new Treatment-of-Animals measures: Political-Commitment, Animal-Use, and a Composite-Score (the average between the previous two measures). A construct validity test demonstrates that all three measures are valid. The study then reports how different nations and regions fare on each measure and discusses important trends that these outcomes reveal. The paper concludes by explaining how scholars, practitioners, and activists will benefit from these new Treatment-of-Animals variables, and it confronts some limitations with these measures.
Sex-relevant genes in the embryo stage of Chinese soft-shelled turtles as revealed by RNA-Seq analysis
Authors: Zhou Xianwen , Luo Hui , Zeng Dan , Hu Yazhou , Wang Pei , Xiong Gang , Wang Xiaoqing
Published: May 2022

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is an economically important and rare freshwater aquaculture species in China. The male turtles have better economic benefits than females due to their faster growth speed. In order to explore the mechanism of sex differentiation and determination of P. sinensis, transcriptome analysis was carried out using embryo samples from the sex determination, sex differentiation and shelling stages, respectively. The gender types of embryos were identified by genotyping and histological analysis. In all, 277,230 and 273,859 genes were identified from embryos of male and female turtles, respectively. Cluster analysis of gene expression patterns exhibited trends for all differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which can be classified into three subclusters. In the sex determination, sex differentiation, and shelling stages 975, 43, and 300 DEGs, respectively, were identified by comparing the male and female groups. KEGG analysis was used to explore the function of the DEGs. Fgf9, foxl2, mex3b, sox7,tgfβ-3, wnt4, wnt7a, and wt1 were upregulated in ovary development stages and chfr, ampk, aldh2, dao, glt1d1, hvcn1, psmd9, srsf9 and ubc were upregulated in testis development stages, indicating that these genes play important roles in the sex development of P. sinensis. The results of this study provide preliminary insights into the sex determination and differentiation of Chinese soft-shelled turtles.
Unequal Citizens of a Liberal Democracy
Authors: Hossain Md. Intekhab
Published: May 2022

In almost every culture and society globally, women are victims of discrimination and suppression manifested in different spheres of socio-economic, political, cultural, and religious life and activity to varying degrees. Their socially and culturally assigned roles, status, and rights, have always been a subject of serious concern for academics, scholars, intelligentsia, activists, development authorities, and policymakers. The international community, more than ever, is now very sensitive to all issues concerning women’s human rights. Muslims are the largest and principal minority in India. But the mainstream society knows meager about their lives, diversity, religious and constitutional rights, and socio-legal movements for liberation, equity, and justice. One of the reasons for the inadequacy of data on Muslim women’s social history in this century is their absence from public life. Moreover, the general lack of research on minority women worldwide reveals the marginalisation of their experiences. This piece reflects on a contemporary profile of Indian Muslim women, emphasizing some of the critical sociological and anthropological aspects that have drawn widespread media attention recently. It also explores the underlying causes of their subordination, inequality, and exclusion, which act as a barrier to play a constructive role in society, in the context of Indian constitutionalism.
The Protection of Civilians and the Primacy of Politics: Complementarities and Friction in South Sudan
Authors: Russo Jenna
Published: May 2022

Since 1999, the protection of civilians (poc) has become central to UN peacekeeping, included in the mandates of all contemporary multidimensional missions. At the same time, member states have reiterated their commitment to the so-called “primacy of politics” in UN peacekeeping. Yet, protection activities often live in fragile balance with the political objectives of the mission. The last two decades have shown that there can be both complementarities and areas of friction between poc and political processes. Yet, to date there has not been a thorough discussion of these patterns within the academic or policy literature. This research aims to contribute to this gap by analyzing the relationship between poc and the political process in South Sudan. This case is illustrative of ways in which protection activities can contribute to the overall peace process, though mission limitations and government obstinacy have limited its overall effect. Lessons from this case shed light on mechanisms by which poc activities may contribute to the political process, as well as challenges between the two.
A Worry about Telos Theory
Authors: Markie Peter J.
Published: May 2022

With his account of the rights stemming from the telos-based interests of nonhuman animals, Bernard Rollin in, A New Basis for Animal Ethics, advances our understanding of animal ethics in a way that both can and should guide our behavior. Nonetheless, telos theory needs to be developed to capture the existence of moral rights that are not based in particular aspects of an animal’s telos. I argue for the existence and importance of such rights, propose a way to capture them within telos theory, and consider their implication for the argument from marginal cases.
A new species and additional records of Lobrathium Mulsant & Rey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae) from southern China
Authors: LIN XIAO-BIN , CHEN XI , PENG ZHONG
Published: May 2022

Lobrathium chengzhifeii Lin & Peng sp. n. (Yunnan: Mengsong) is described and illustrated. The female sexual characters of L. anatinum W.-R. Li and L.-Z. Li, 2013 are described and illustrated for the first time. Additional records of L. ablectum Assing, 2012, L. biaculeatum Assing, 2012, L. demptum Assing, 2012, L. diaoluoense W.-R. Li and L.-Z. Li, 2013, L. excisissimum Assing, 2012, L. hongkongense Bernhauer, 1931 and L. tortile F.-K. Zheng, 1988 are reported. Including the new taxa, 66 Lobrathium species are currently known from China.
A new species of Rhopalopsole Klapálek, 1912 with preliminary female identifications in this genus
Authors: YANG YU-BEN , DU YU-ZHOU , ZHU BIN-QING
Published: May 2022

Although some females of Plecoptera are described in taxonomic literature, they are difficult to morphologically distinguish among regional congeners, and identifications are often made through inference only. Therefore, females of many species are unknown and it is often difficult to match males and females correctly. Recently, we reviewed the specimens of the genus Rhopalopsole Klapálek, 1912 that we collected and found that differentiation between female subgenital plates is significant and very helpful for the identification of species. A new species of this genus from Sichuan Province, Rhopalopsole singiplatta Yang & Du, sp. nov., is established based on morphological and molecular data. In addition, we used modern tree- and genetic distance-based phylogenetic methods to positively associate females with males for six species in total.
The Surgical Operation that Led to the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights
Authors: Nakayama Don K.
Published: May 2022

The debate between individual rights and the limits of government has its roots in an operation in 17th century England. John Locke, the English philosopher whose concepts on the legitimacy of government are bedrocks of Western politics, was also a practicing physician who in 1668 was among a group of physicians that drained an infected hydatid cyst and thus saved the life of his political patron Anthony Ashley Cooper, the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury.

Locke, who had been a classics scholar at Oxford with royalist sympathies, had by chance just joined the Cooper home as house physician and tutor the previous year. Forever grateful to his young doctor Lord Ashley nurtured Locke’s early involvement in politics. From his association with a powerful peer of the Realm Locke found himself at the very heart of English politics where he began to formulate the foundational principles of Anglo-American government.
How police officers are shot and killed during active shooter events: Implications for response and training
Authors: Blair J Pete , Duron Aaron
Published: May 2022

Active shooter events have driven police to change how they respond to events where an attacker is actively engaged in killing civilians. This paper examines these changes through the lenses of Normal Accident Theory (NAT) and Resilience Engineering (RE). Our results show a police officer is shot in one out of every six active shooter events in the United States. We then apply RE to better understand how these shootings occur so that police can improve their ability to anticipate, monitor, and respond during these attacks. Implications for police training are discussed.
An Exploratory-Descriptive Study on the Impact of COVID-19 on Teaching and Learning: The Experiences of Student Nurses in the Rural-Based Historically Disadvantaged University of South Africa
Authors: Makhado Lufuno , Musekwa Ofhani P. , Luvhengo Masane , Murwira Tinotenda , Lebese Rachel T. , Mulaudzi Mercy T. , Chueng Maphuti J.
Published: May 2022

Covid-19 has disrupted normal working conditions as people were not allowed to assemble in one place. There is a limit that is placed on the number of people congregating in public areas, and these measures also affect the education system worldwide. The purpose of the study was to explore nursing students’ experiences in a historically disadvantaged rural-based university on the impact of Covid-19 on teaching and learning. The study employed an exploratory-descriptive qualitative design among nursing students who were purposively sampled to participate in the study. A qualitative self-administered open-ended online google form was used to collect data. Thematic analysis was employed for this study. All ethical measures were respected during this study. Interviews were conducted with 68 participants, including 12 undergraduate second-year students, 7 third-year students, and 49 fourth-year students. A total of 51 females and 17 males participated in this study. The study yielded several themes, including participants’ expression of their experiences related to teaching and learning during the national lockdown, participants’ views on the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning/research, and Participants suggested sustainable strategies to promote teaching and learning during the national lockdown. In conclusion, the role of preceptors in all clinical areas should be strengthened to improve clinical teaching and learning. The researchers recommend strengthening collaboration among university lecturers for sharing ideas and finding innovative solutions appropriate for handling any pandemic that threatens teaching and learning processes.
Exogenous Policy, Racial Avoidance, and the Qualified Relevance of Macroeconomic Change to Metropolitan Inequality
Authors: Johnson Odis
Published: May 2022

Context:

The rich contextualization of educational processes brought about in the pioneering work of Jean Anyon pushed scientists to acknowledge that the education being provided to the least advantaged was shaped by factors with origins beyond school and family environments. Political economic work in education has subsequently argued that an unforgiving economy has lessened the educational fortunes of urban residents.

Focus of Study:

In response to claims that macroeconomic change created the confinement of educational disadvantage, this article reveals that political economic arguments predicated on macroeconomic change have yet to explain a period of decline on several dimensions of educational inequality from 1970 to 1990.

Research Design:

Through a juxtaposition of historical population trends and research with the ideas of Anyon and her contemporaries, this analysis considers racial forces emanating from desegregation policy as key to understanding test-score trends and metropolitan restructuring. Descriptive analyses of test-score trends and neighborhood indices of dissimilarities from 1970 to the mid-1990s form the basis of analysis.

Conclusions:

The analysis demonstrates that not only does desegregation policy align with anomalous educational trends, but that its impact reverberated to other spatial strata through its encouragement of Whites’ school selection decisions intent on racial avoidance. Racial avoidance should therefore be considered as an architect of the racial and economic landscape of the modern metropolis.
Percutaneous dilatation tracheotomy in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after cardiac surgery
Authors: Xin Meng , Wang Liangshan , Li Chenglong , Hou Dengbang , Wang Hong , Wang Jiangang , Jia Ming , Hou Xiaotong
Published: May 2022

Background

Current practices regarding percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in adult patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after cardiac surgery is not completely defined. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of the percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in patients with ECMO after cardiac surgery.

Methods

Between July 2017 and May 2021, 371 ECMO procedures were performed in more than 35,000 adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery in our hospital. Sixty-two patients underwent percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) during or after ECMO. A retrospective analysis was performed comparing the incidence of complications and clinical outcomes of the two groups.

Results

Of the 371 patients treated with ECMO after adult cardiac surgery during the enrollment period, 22 (7.1%) and 40 (12.8%) underwent PDT during or after ECMO, respectively. The platelet count (PLT) of the day was significantly lower in the PDT during ECMO group (54 (34, 68) vs. 108 (69, 162) (thousands), p < 0.001)). The prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of the day were longer in the PDT during ECMO group (15.8 (14.6, 19.9) vs. 13.8 (13.2, 15.2) seconds, p = 0.001, 43.8 (38.0, 49.4) vs. 35.2 (28.2, 40.9) seconds, p < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in tracheotomy-related complications between the two groups. Significantly decreased ventilator time was observed in the PDT during ECMO group.

Conclusions

Despite poor coagulation of the day, PDT during ECMO is safe and can appropriately reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation compared with PDT after ECMO weaning in adult patients who have undergone cardiac surgery.
Correlation of KMT2 family mutations with molecular characteristics and prognosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Liao Cun , Huang Wei , Lin Minglin , Li Hui , Zhang Zihan , Zhang Xiaolong , Chen Rongrong , Huang Mingfeng , Yu Pengli , Zhang Sen
Published: May 2022

Background

Lysine methyltransferase 2 (KMT2) family proteins methylate lysine 4 on histone H3 (H3K4) to promote genome accessibility and transcription. Dysregulation or mutation of KMT2 family have been observed frequently in various types of human cancers. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. However, few studies have evaluated the role of KMT2 family mutations in colorectal cancer. The present study aimed to explore the impact of KMT2 family mutations on clinicopathological, molecular characteristics and prognosis in colorectal cancer.

Methods

A total of 316 colorectal cancer patients were enrolled; tumor tissue and matched peripheral blood samples were collected and subjected to targeted sequencing with a panel of 1021 cancer-related genes. The association of clinical pathological features and molecular characteristics in patients were then analyzed. The cBioPortal dataset was used for investigating the KMT2 family mutations data and their correlation with clinical outcomes.

Results

The overall mutation frequencies of KMT2A-D were 9.5%, 0.5%, 13%, and 13%, respectively, which were more often present at right-sided primary and earlier stage tumors. KMT2A-D mutations are associated with enhanced genomic instability, including a higher level of microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and tumor mutational burden (TMB-H). In addition, our results highlight the co-occurring gene mutations within the Wnt signaling, ERBB2/4, TGF-β superfamily pathway, and PI-3-kinase pathway in KMT2-mutant colorectal cancer. KMT2 family mutations were predictive biomarker for better overall survival in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Conclusions

Collectively, we identified that KMT2 family mutations were correlated with higher-TMB and higher-MSI, thus resulting in a better outcome for colorectal cancer patients.
Evaluation of locomotive frame and fuel tank gusset modifications to prevent fatige cracks
Authors: Wachsmuth John P , Ballew Brent S
Published: May 2022

Fatigue cracks have been detected in the underframes, fuel tanks, and fuel-tank gussets of some diesel locomotives that are currently in service. This presents the risk of a fuel tank separating from its locomotive and has an associated cost for making repeated repairs. It is therefore an interest to both operators of locomotives and to the designers of future locomotive models to understand the root cause of the cracks and to determine an effective remedy. In order to accomplish these goals, a finite element analysis (FEA) was used to identify events in the service environment that are capable of driving crack growth at a frequency that roughly matches the observed interval between crack repairs. These events were then used in further FEA simulations to predict the efficacy of various proposed remedies. It was found that the fuel tank, engine, and alternator of a locomotive behave as structural elements that resist deformations in the underframe. This explains why locomotive models with a relatively large fuel tank when compared to their engine and alternator are particularly susceptible to developing cracks: they experience higher stresses on their fuel tank and supporting brackets. It was also found that the most effective remedies were those that mitigate stress concentration effects from the gusset's rectangular design.
Improvement and extension of Cordier diagram for hydraulic turbines
Authors: Zhang Zh
Published: May 2022

The Cordier diagram for hydraulic turbines has been accurately improved and extended. The first part of this work completes the Cordier diagram by adding the effect of the number of injector nozzles in Pelton turbines. The Cordier lines (or bands) for Francis and Kaplan turbines have been recalculated based on the use of most available empirical relations without artificial smoothing of the boundaries between the different types of hydraulic turbines. Both turbine type and impeller diameter can be more accurately determined. The part of extending the Cordier diagram is based on the application of design equations for hydraulic turbines and the introduction of the turbine shape factor. This shape factor has a clear physical meaning in contrast to the diameter number in the conventional Cordier diagram. For Pelton turbines, it is representative of the ratio between runner diameter and jet diameter; for Francis and Kaplan turbines, it is representative of the ratio between the height of the wicket gate and the diameter of the impeller. The Cordier diagram for the diameter number can be replaced by the new diagram for the turbine shape factors. Exclusively for Francis turbines, the impeller shape factor also combines the blade profile (angle) at the impeller inlet with design parameters. The method presented in this paper can be well applied to create the extended Cordier diagram for the use of shape factors for pumps and compressors.
Ethnopharmacology Research: A Scientometric Assessment of Indian Publications During 2011 to 2020
Authors: M. Chaman Sab , Kappi Mallikarjun , Ahmed K.K. Mueen
Published: May 2022

The current research has been conducted to study the ethnopharmacology research output in the past 10 years (2011–2020) after using Web of Science (WoS) database. The present study has used WoS database to collect the ethnopharmacology research output for the specific period. The retrieved data were analyzed using specific parameters. This study investigates the impact of the most productive institutes, countries, authors, subjects, sources, and keywords. For visualizing purposes, VOSviewer has been used. We retrieved 7,159 papers from WoS, consisting of 84.24% journal articles and 14.23% review articles. The data analysis indicates that consistent growth with increasing multiauthorship is a general trend of research. The Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR) India collaborates with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Central Institute of Medicinal Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) in terms of domestic collaboration.
Informality on the rise: Dissecting quasi-formal employment in the EU
Authors: Cichocki Stanislaw , Franic Josip
Published: May 2022

In spite of a growing body of literature on quasi-formal employment in the European Union (EU), there is still limited knowledge regarding the exact functioning of this illegal employment scheme. To fill this gap, we report data from the 2019 Special Eurobarometer on undeclared work, which reveals that 30.1% of European workers have higher income from employment than reported to tax authorities. Explicitly, 2.6% of registered dependent employees are entitled to cash top-ups to the official wage, for 7.8% of them the amount of supplementary payments depends on the work efforts, whereas 9.2% receive informal remuneration under multiple arrangements. In addition to these ‘regular recipients’, we also found that 10.5% of employees in the EU can be classified as ‘sporadic quasi-formal workers’. Besides showing that wage underreporting is far more pervasive than previously assumed, the study also offers a more nuanced insight into different manifestations of this illicit practice in the EU. Results of a two-level random intercept multinomial logit model reveal that women are less likely to receive fixed and variable cash-in-hand payments, whereas older individuals have a lower propensity to receive work-time-related income. The analysis also highlights that professionals, service sector employees, manual job workers and individuals whose jobs require travelling are more prone to variable wages compared to the rest of the population. Given a modest success in combating the phenomenon to this date, these findings will be particularly valuable for policymakers in their endeavours to devise tailored policy measures.
A Case of Cerebellar Intraparenchymal Subependymoma with Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis
Authors: Kwon Hee Jung , Kim Se Hoon , Suh Yeon-Lim
Published: May 2022

Subependymomas are rare, intraventricular glial tumors histologically characterized by clusters of small uniform cells distributed in an abundant fibrillary matrix. These tumors can arise in the parenchyma of the cerebrum, cerebellum, or spinal cord. Herein, we report an extremely rare case of cerebellar intraparenchymal subependymoma in a 62-year-old woman. The patient presented with dizziness for several years, and brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined solid mass in the right cerebellum, upon which a stereotactic biopsy was performed. Histologically, the tumor showed a distinctive multinodular pattern with unevenly distributed glial cells and an abundant fibrillary matrix. Next-generation sequencing analysis showed balanced genomes without genetic alterations, including single-nucleotide variants, small insertions, deletions, or copy number alterations. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the size of the mass has not changed; the patient has not received any surgical treatments since the pathologic diagnosis and is living healthily.
Age Demographics and the Tax Mix in US States
Authors: Shelton Cameron A.
Published: May 2022

Countries with higher old-age dependency rates tend to rely less heavily on income taxes and more heavily on consumption taxes. We investigate this relationship in a panel of US states. To address endogeneity in a sub-national context due to migration, we use lagged in-state births to develop a new instrument for old-age dependency which is shown to be strong and relevant to the results. In an unbalanced panel spanning 1979–2013, we do find a negative relationship between old-age dependency ratio and income tax reliance. But, though persistent across specifications, it is not statistically significant under either ordinary least squares or instrumental variables despite strong instruments and a healthy sample size. We speculate as to what underlying mechanism might deliver a correlation that is robust among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries but tepid among US states.
Predictive factors for community integration among Nepalese persons after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Lama Sumana , Damkliang Jintana , Kitrungrote Luppana
Published: May 2022

Background

Various factors affect the community integration (CI) of persons experiencing traumatic brain injury (TBI). To ensure positive outcomes in terms of life at home, social activities, and productive work among persons suffering TBI, it is necessary to understand the factors that facilitate or impede CI.

Purpose

To compare CI by looking at demographic and clinical characteristics and determine significant predictors of CI among TBI Nepalese persons.

Methods

120 participants were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. A questionnaire was used to identify the participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics, and the Community Integration Questionnaire was used to measure CI. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for demographic and clinical factors associated with community integration.

Results

Using univariate analysis, male, employed, living with family, and independence in performing activities of daily living had significantly higher CI scores than female (t = −4.18, p<.000), unemployed (t = −10.52, p<.000), living with friends (t = −3.30, p<.001), and those with moderate to slight dependence (t = −2.83, p<.005). The multivariate analysis revealed that employment status, living with family, and length of hospital stay were significant predictors of CI among TBI Nepalese persons.

Conclusion

Employment status, living with family, and length of hospital stay were significant predictors of CI. These findings suggest that rehabilitation efforts should focus on minimizing hospital stay and promoting both productive and social activities among people surviving TBI.
“Nothing about us without us”: Tending to emancipatory ideologies and transformative goals in participatory action research partnerships
Authors: Wilson Camille M , Nickson Dana , Hetrick Carolyn , Wilson-Clark Dawn
Published: May 2022

In this paper, a collaborative group of university researchers and a community organizer who participated in a 2-year participatory action research (PAR) partnership reflect upon their inquiry process and analyze its effects. Authors examine the benefits, challenges, and potential of using PAR to advance educational justice and transformative goals amidst austere neoliberal education reforms, such as public school closure and state sanctioned privatization. Authors consider ways PAR can reflect emancipatory ideologies, enable social and political change, and disrupt oppressive dynamics that many urban education organizers and activists oppose. Insights pertain to cultivating community-based norms that foster collective learning, agency, and social action, while also confronting methodological tensions in the work. Such tensions pertained to varied ideas about emotionality in research, research design, and the layered power dynamics of university-community relations. Authors highlight implications for implementing justice-oriented PAR in urban education arenas affected by intensifying neoliberal political contexts.
Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Violence in the Context of Disasters: A Systematic Review
Authors: Medzhitova Yuliya , Lai Betty S. , Killenberg Parker , Riobueno-Naylor Alexa , Goodman Lisa A.
Published: May 2022

Women are at increased risk for experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) in the context of disasters. However, the factors that increase this risk are not well understood. The purpose of the current study was to systematically review the literature on IPV in the context of disasters. The first aim was to identify risk factors predicting women’s exposure to IPV. The second aim was to identify disaster-specific risk factors for IPV. The third aim was to construct a social ecological framework of risk factors for IPV in disasters at the individual, relationship/household, community, and structural levels. A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines (PRISMA; Moher et al., 2009 ). Articles were identified using keywords in seven ProQuest databases. Of the 67 articles identified for full-text review, 24 were eligible for inclusion. Studies were evaluated based on critical appraisal of methodology using an adapted version of the Mixed Methods Appraisals Tool (MMAT; Hong et al., 2018 ). Findings suggest that disasters give rise to unique risk factors across social ecologies which interact with pre-existing characteristics of social vulnerability to increase women’s risk of IPV. Findings inform violence prevention strategies within the context of disaster response and therefore have implications for research, policy, and practice.
Community College Mental Health Navigators: A Pilot Program to Improve Access to Care
Authors: Trieu Sang Leng , Chen Richard
Published: May 2022

The California Community College (CCC), the largest system of higher education and provider of workforce training in the nation, serves approximately 2.1 million students across its 116 campuses. CCCs work to reduce barriers to academic success by providing mental health services (MHS). However, CCCs provide MHS on a short-term model because of limited staffing and high demand with most campuses placing a restriction of six to eight sessions per academic term. A referral list of local agencies is typically provided for students who need continued care, though students often do not know how to explore options or navigate their health insurance benefits. During the 2020-2021 academic year, an MH navigator program was piloted at four community colleges in a San Francisco Bay Area county. Participants included 10 students with academic/career interests in social work, nursing, and the social sciences. Fall Semester 2020 focused on increasing students’ knowledge on mental health topics, while Spring Semester 2021 focused on experiential learning through case management of student clients. The navigator pilot program showed promising results with navigators gaining practical experience and exposure to mental health careers while assisting their peers from campus-based to community-based care. Future efforts will focus on cultivating stronger relationships between navigators and MH liaisons. Doing so will help staff develop greater familiarity of the navigator’s role, thus ensuring an increase in usage of its services and allowing the student–client a smoother transitioning experience from campus-based to community-based care.
Numerical investigation on central tearing behaviors and propagation mechanisms of coated warp-knitted fabrics
Authors: Chen Jianwen , Zhang Ruonan , Zhao Bing , Chen Wujun , Wang Mingyang
Published: May 2022

To reveal the central tearing behaviors and propagation mechanisms of the architectural non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites with an initial crack, a microscopic finite element (FE) model was proposed and developed to simulate the tearing propagation process of materials in this paper. Firstly, the experimental program including the central crack tearing test of NCF composites and uniaxial tensile test of yarns was performed for gaining the material parameters. Secondly, a finite element (FE) model was developed and validated from the good agreement between numerical and experimental results. Furthermore, tearing damage mechanisms and failure performances of the NCF composites with an initial central crack were simulated and analyzed. Finally, the effects of initial crack length, yarn orientation, and arch curvature of weft yarn on mechanical properties were investigated in depth. The analysis and comparison results indicate that the NCF composite shows the unneglectable orthotropic characteristics, in which the initial crack length, yarn orientation, and arch curvature of weft yarn have the significant effects on the mechanical properties. This paper thus provides an adequately feasible and accurate FE model for the numerical simulation on the central tearing propagation behaviors of the NCF composites with an initial crack.
Object Relations-Focused Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Authors: Cohen Chloe T. , Hulsey Timothy L.
Published: May 2022

The current study examines the psychotherapeutic treatment of an early-20s Caucasian male diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder. The patient was treated with 56 sessions of psychoanalytic psychotherapy utilizing an object relations approach. Treatment aimed at decreasing the patient’s anger, anxiety, depression, and improving emotion regulation. Another focus of this patient’s treatment was helping him gain insight into the nature of his unconscious predictions and interpretations of others’ behavior in the hope that he may begin to experience relationships with greater emotional connection and less conflict. Treatment outcomes were measured using Reliable Change Index analyses, which indicated a significant reduction in anxiety, depression, anger, and emotion regulation difficulty between the beginning of treatment and the most recent session. The patient also demonstrated increased mentalization abilities and fewer anger outbursts throughout the course of treatment. During the sessions surrounding a therapeutic rupture, the patient’s emotion regulation abilities worsened temporarily; therapy shifted during this time to a more supportive analytic framework. An object relations-focused theoretical background and clinical treatment implications are discussed in relation to this case.
In vivo visualization and analysis of ciliary motion in allergic rhinitis models induced by ovalbumin
Authors: Liu Chen , Pang Chuan , Chen Dai-shi , Wang Jin , Yi Wen-qi , Yu Ning , Chen Lei
Published: May 2022

Due to the lack of an assessment approach, the image of in vivo nasal ciliary motion of allergic rhinitis (AR) has never been captured and analyzed to date. Here, we have used an optimized approach to analyze the nasal ciliary function in vivo in AR rats. The digital microscopy system, a method for direct observation of ciliary motion in a living AR rat model, was applied to visualize and measure ciliary motion in vivo, including ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and ciliary beat distance (CBD). The AR rat model was established by ovalbumin sensitization. Comparisons of nasal ciliary motion in vivo between the experimental group (ovalbumin sensitization, allergen, or histamine) and the control group were analyzed. In the living rat model of allergic rhinitis, CBF and CBD decreased to 57.8 and 73.1% of the control group, respectively, but were restored after administration of chlorpheniramine maleate. Ovalbumin (OVA) significantly inhibited the ciliary motion of normal mucosa in vivo. However, responding to the OVA challenge, the ciliary motion of OVA-sensitized mucosa would not decrease further and stay at a stable level. Histamine stimulated in vivo ciliary motion quickly within 30 min, but afterward, the ciliary motion gradually decreased below the baseline. These results have clarified that in vivo ciliary motion was impaired by nasal mucosal sensitization, and this impairment was most likely related to allergen challenge and histamine. In addition, the short-term stimulation and long-term inhibition effects of histamine on in vivo ciliary motion were first reported in this study.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Enhanced Recovery for Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surgery
Authors: Docherty Jack , Morgan-Bates Kersten , Stather Philip
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and high length of stay (LOS). Enhanced recovery is now commonplace and has been shown to decrease these in other non-vascular surgery settings. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the benefits of enhanced recovery (ERAS) in aortic surgery. Method: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to undertake a systematic review via Ovid MEDLINE and Embase on 10.07.2021. The search terms were “aortic aneurysm” and “fast track” or “enhanced recovery”. Data was obtained on major complications, 30-day mortality and LOS. Results: 107 papers were identified and 10 papers included for meta-analysis. Complication rates were significantly reduced with ERAS compared to non-ERAS protocols (ERAS n = 709, non-ERAS n = 930) (odds ratio .38, .22 to .65: P = .0005). LOS was also significantly reduced with an ERAS protocol (ERAS n = 708, non-ERAS n = 956) with a mean reduction of 3 .18 days (−5.01 to −1.35 days) ( P = .0007: I2 = 97%). There was no significant difference however in 30-day mortality ( P = .92). Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates significant benefits to an enhanced recovery programme in open AAA surgery. There is a need for a multi-centre randomized controlled trial to assess this further.
Doing Critical Pedagogy Together A Case Study in a Norwegian Postgraduate Program
Authors: Thomas Paul
Published: May 2022

This paper applies a critical lens to a Master’s degree program in education in one University in Norway and its stated aim of promoting critical skills in students from the global south in particular. Two groups of students, one an international mix in Oslo, and the other, South Sudanese students studying in Hawassa, Ethiopia, were compared. The study employed tenets of action research, with the aim of boosting the continuing professional development of both students and course instructors. The findings reveal varying levels of challenges related to, among others, uncritical deference towards course instructors and literature and varying levels of language proficiency which, it is argued, undermines critical thinking. Despite the above, it is argued that the degree programme furnishes an important platform for culturally diverse students to interact and foster the kind of critical thinking skills valorized in the course aims.
The quality of life of individuals with intellectual disability: Differences between Denmark and Japan
Authors: Tatsuta Mizuho , Kawai Norimune , Ushiyama Michio
Published: May 2022

Despite recent developments in measurement tools to assess the quality of life of individuals with intellectual disability, little is known about the cultural aspects that affect their quality of life. This study examined the universal and cultural characteristics of the quality of life of individuals with intellectual disability in Denmark and Japan through a factor analysis of the Personal Outcomes Scale and analysing qualitative comments in both self-report and report-of-others components of the scale. Factor analysis and qualitative comments in self-report showed that personal development and self-determination, as well as well-being and social participation, were experienced as important components of quality of life in Denmark. Conversely, personal development and self-determination were less frequently mentioned in Japan. The findings reflect the general characteristics of quality of life in each culture and the current conditions of independence and available support for individuals with intellectual disability in Denmark and Japan.
Corporate social and community-oriented support by UK food retailers: a documentary review and typology of actions towards community wellbeing
Authors: Lee C , Hammant C
Published: May 2022

Aim:

This article provides a comprehensive exploration of the varied Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) actions in relation to supporting communities reported by the UK’s leading food retailers. Findings are discussed against a backdrop of enduring inequalities, exacerbated by the on-going global Coronavirus pandemic, with actions considered for their potential contribution to community-based approaches to addressing local wellbeing and inequalities.

Method:

This article presents the structure and key characteristics of community-oriented CSR in food retailing in the UK. A thematic analysis of comprehensive documentary evidence from the 11 principle UK food retailers was conducted, drawing on asset-based frameworks of community-centred actions towards wellbeing.

Findings:

The findings suggest an increasing acknowledgement in food retail that local community is of key importance. Initiatives were categorised according to a typology, comprising national partnerships, local store-based funding and support actions, targeted programmes on healthy lifestyles or employability, and changes to store operations, in the favour of priority groups, prompted by the pandemic.

Conclusion:

The article combines an up to date overview of community-focused CSR agendas and support by food retailers at a time of significant economic and social challenge for the UK. It highlights the potential of the sector to contribute more strategically to reducing inequalities and supporting community wellbeing, alongside statutory and voluntary sector partners.
Educational Leadership Preparation Program Features and Graduates’ Assessment of Program Quality
Authors: Ni Yongmei , Rorrer Andrea K. , Xia Jiangang , Pounder Diana G. , Young Michelle D.
Published: May 2022

Leadership preparation is essential in developing critical skills of effective school leaders. Educational leadership preparation programs vary greatly in terms of program features, it is important to identify which specific elements are likely associated with program quality. Using multiple years of Initiative for Systemic Program Improvement through Research in Educational Leadership (INSPIRE) data, this study analyzes the relationships between program features and graduates’ assessments of overall program quality. Our main finding is that multiple program features matter in quality preparation, including cohort model, face-to-face course delivery, field-based assessment, and strong district partnerships. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Vertebral Hemangiomas: Prevalence, new classification and natural history. magnetic resonance imaging-based retrospective longitudinal study
Authors: Abul-Kasim Kasim , Persson Erik , Levinsson Anders , Strömbeck Anita , Selariu Eufrozina , Ohlin Acke
Published: May 2022

Background and purpose:

To determine the prevalence of vertebral hemangiomas (VHs), establish a new classification of VHs based on their MRI-signal pattern, and study their natural history.

Methods

MRI of 1000 consecutive patients who underwent at least two MRI with an interval of at least 3 years. Growth rate and change of MRI-signal pattern during the follow-up period were the parameters included in studying the natural history of VHs.

Results

The prevalence of VHs was 41%. VHs were classified as type I–IV with fat-rich VHs (type I), constituted 79% of all VHs. VHs were more common among females 43% versus males 39%, p = .22. The most affected vertebra was L1. Occurrence rates for cervical (1%), thoracic (7%), and lumbar spine (10%) differed significantly ( p < .001). The prevalence of VHs increased with age regardless of gender or spinal part involved ( p < .001). Only 26% of VHs changed their size and 4% changed their signal during the average follow-up of 7 years. All VHs were slowly growing lesions (average expected growth of <3 mm/10 years). No significant difference between growth rate of VHs type I (0.25 mm/year) and other types of VHs. None of the VHs that were initially reported as “metastases cannot be rule out” showed alarming change in signal or size.

Conclusions

VH can be classified into four types based on their MRI-signal pattern. Regardless of their type, VHs are slowly growing lesions. The presence of typical morphological pattern should enable radiologists to confidently differentiate them from vertebral metastases.
Platelet mitochondrial membrane depolarization reflects disease severity in patients with preeclampsia
Authors: Kraemer Bjoern F. , Hennis Irina , Karge Anne , Kraemer Anne Katrin , Dreyer Tobias F. , Kiechle Marion , Kuschel Bettina , Bronger Holger
Published: May 2022

Background

Thrombocytopenia is a feared complication of preeclampsia (PE) that can additionally complicate the disease course and that carries a poor prognosis. The disease mechanisms of PE on a platelet level are poorly understood and only few platelet-based markers have been investigated. In sepsis, platelet mitochondrial membrane depolarization, a sensitive and early indicator of mitochondrial dysfunction and platelet cell death, correlates with disease severity and outcome as shown in previous studies. The aim of this study was to investigate platelet mitochondrial membrane potential (Mmp-Index) by flow-cytometry in patients with preeclampsia compared to controls and to assess its value in correlation with disease severity of PE and during follow-up after delivery.

Methods

In this prospective translational case–control study, platelet Mmp-Index was measured in PE (n = 16) by flow cytometry in living platelets in simultaneous comparison to healthy pregnant (n = 32) and non-pregnant controls (n = 16) and was individually reassessed after delivery to investigate recovery of platelet mitochondrial function. Subgroup analysis of patients with severe and non-severe PE was performed. Six patients with isolated gestational hypertension were also included for comparative analysis.

Results

Platelet Mmp-Index in patients with symptomatic preeclampsia (Mmp-Index non-severe PE 0.72 ([0.591; 0.861]; p = 0.002) was significantly reduced compared to healthy pregnant controls (Mmp-Index 0.97 [0.795; 1.117]) and even more pronounced in patients with severe PE (n = 6) (Mmp-Index severe PE 0.542 [0.361; 0.623]; p = 0.03). In the severe PE group, complementary measurements of platelet Annexin V- and CD62 (P-Selectin) surface expression showed apoptosis of platelet populations in the majority of patients. Platelet Mmp normalized after delivery within few days. Patients with isolated gestational hypertension showed normal Mmp-Index values.

Conclusions

This study shows for the first time that platelet Mmp-Index is a quantifiable, easy-to-measure intracellular marker of platelet mitochondrial function in vital cells that reflects disease severity of preeclampsia. For future investigations, platelet Mmp may serve as a prognostic marker that may aid clinical risk stratification and adds novel information on potential mechanisms for thrombocytopenia in preeclampsia.