bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracking environmental sustainability pathways in Africa: Do natural resource dependence, renewable energy, and technological innovations amplify or reduce the pollution noises?
Authors: Shen Jiahao , Ibrahim Ridwan Lanre , Ajide Kazeem Bello , Al-Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh
Published: September 2022

The global economy is experiencing the most challenging era of climate change beyond what is evident in the pre-industrial age. Although Africa's share of global greenhouse gas (GHG) is minimal, the ensuing effects hit hard on the continent. Hence, the present study provides the first comprehensive empirical assessment of environmental sustainability in Africa within the novel STIRPAT framework. This study critically examines the impacts of natural resource dependence, renewable energy, urbanization, technological innovations, and structural transition on environmental pollution proxied by carbon emissions, ecological footprint, and PM2.5 air pollution from 1990 to 2019 in five top carbon-emitting African countries. The empirical evidence is based on advanced panel estimators comprising CS-ARDL, CCEMG, and AMG robust to cross-sectional dependence (CSD). The quantile regression efficient for exploring the conditional distribution effects is equally employed alongside Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel granger causality test. The preliminary tests reveal the presence of CSD and heterogeneity of the series, which led to the conduct of second-generation unit root and cointegration tests. The main empirical results show that renewable energy, technological innovations, and structural transition reduce environmental pollutants from surging based on the observable negative signs. By implication, these indicators support Africa's path to environmental sustainability. On the flip side, resource dependence and urbanization amplify the surge. The feedbacks from quantile regression provide sturdy support for the main estimators. The granger causality feedbacks support the existence of bidirectional and unidirectional causality among the variables. Based on the findings, policies that promote sustainable environment are formulated.
Intraoperative midflexion medial laxity using navigation affects patient expectations following posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Hasegawa Masahiro , Tone Shine , Naito Yohei , Sudo Akihiro
Published: September 2022

Background

Patient satisfaction and expectations are now recognized as an outcome measure for successful total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to determine which factors including soft tissue balance during surgery affect patient satisfaction and expectations after TKA.

Methods

A total of 135 patients (157 knees) with knee osteoarthritis who underwent primary TKA with a posterior stabilized design were studied. After implantation of all components, varus/valgus laxity of the knee was measured intraoperatively with the knee at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° guided by an image-free navigation system. Factors that affected patient satisfaction and expectations, including lateral and medial laxities, were evaluated using the 2011 Knee Society score.

Results

The mean intraoperative lateral laxity was 1.1°, 1.6°, 0.9°, 1.3°, and 1.7° with the knee at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120°, respectively. The mean intraoperative medial laxity was 1.1°, 1.4°, 1.1°, 1.1°, and 1.7° with the knee at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120°, respectively. Patient satisfaction after TKA correlated positively with symptom (R = 0.61, p < 0.01) and functional activity (R = 0.47, p < 0.01) scores. Patient expectations after TKA weakly positively correlated with symptom (R = 0.29, p < 0.01) and functional activity (R = 0.20, p = 0.01) scores, and weakly negatively with medial laxity at 30° (R = −0.21, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Midflexion medial laxity was associated with worse patient expectations after TKA. Avoiding medial laxity could be one of the important techniques during TKA.
Comparison of the characteristics of patients treated with sublingual vs. long-acting injectable buprenorphine formulations for treatment of opioid use disorder: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Nayer Carmen , Sveticic Jerneja , Abeysundera Hesitha , Bui Tuan Anh
Published: September 2022

Objective

Long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAI-BPN) was introduced in recent years as a novel treatment for opioid use disorder. Despite growing evidence-base of its effectiveness, there is limited research on the relationship between this treatment and patient characteristics.

Methods

This descriptive, retrospective cohort study compared sociodemographic and clinical variables between patients treated with SL-BPN and those treated with LAI-BPN at a large metropolitan health service in Queensland, Australia.

Results

Patients that transitioned to LAI-BPN were more likely to be single, have a comorbid mental illness, untreated hepatitis C infection and longer duration of unsanctioned opioid use. Patients continuing treatment with SL-BPN were more likely to fail to attend appointments and have urine drug screen results positive for gabapentinoids.

Conclusions

The results of this study contribute to currently limited literature on this novel treatment option in an Australian context, highlighting factors which may influence patient and prescriber treatment choices. Clinicians may be more inclined to prescribe LAI-BPN to patients with higher psychosocial comorbidity to facilitate engagement in treatment.
Psychiatrist and trainee burnout: Commentary and recommendations on management
Authors: Looi Jeffrey CL , Allison Stephen , Bastiampillai Tarun , Brazel Matthew , Kisely Stephen R , Maguire Paul A
Published: September 2022

Objective

To comment upon the evidence-base regarding psychiatrist and trainee burnout and provide recommendations on management.

Conclusions

Burnout has been conceptualised as a specific stress-related response, primarily related to work. There is a high prevalence of burnout amongst both trainees and psychiatrists internationally, with substantial consequences for personal and family wellbeing, organisational efficiency and patient care. We summarise the evidence on organisational and individual approaches to addressing burnout.
Comparison of the Anvajo Vet Fluidlab 1 urine sediment analyzer to manual microscopy and Idexx SediVue analysis for analysis of urine samples from cats and dogs
Authors: Seigner Sandra , Bogedale Kirsten , Dorsch Roswitha , Zablotski Yury , Weber Karin
Published: September 2022

The Vet Fluidlab 1 (Anvajo), a new urine sediment analyzer for use in veterinary medicine, uses holographic microscopy to detect urine sediment particles in uncentrifuged urine. We compared the performance of the Fluidlab to manual microscopy and Idexx SediVue analysis for the detection of RBC, WBC, epithelial cells (EC), struvite crystals (STR), all crystals (CRY), and casts (CST) in urine samples from cats and dogs. The performance of the Fluidlab for the detection of bacteria was compared to bacterial culture. We included 624 urine samples from feline (238; 38%) and canine (386; 62%) patients; 227 samples had been submitted for bacterial culturing. The sensitivity of the Fluidlab compared to manual microscopy was 92.1% for RBC, 90.1% for WBC, 87.5% for EC, 67.6% for STR, 53.9% for CRY, and 12.5% for CST. Specificity was >97% for STR and CST, 90.0% for CRY, 78.4% for WBC, 59.4% for EC, and 55.1% for RBC. Sensitivities and specificities of the Fluidlab for analytes compared to manual microscopy were found to be similar to those obtained by the Fluidlab compared to SediVue analysis. Miscellaneous materials (e.g., lipid droplets, sperm, cell detritus) seemed to be the main reason for the high false-positive rate in RBC and EC classification by the Fluidlab. Detection of bacteria by the Fluidlab compared to bacterial culture had a sensitivity of 89.8% and a specificity of 72.3%. The performance of the Fluidlab is acceptable for the detection of WBC and bacteria; sensitivity for the detection of CRY and CST, and specificity for the detection of RBC and EC, require improvement.
An island-bridge packaging piezoelectric sensor for structural health monitoring in high-strain environments
Authors: Liao Weilin , Sun Hu , Wang Yishou , Qing Xinlin
Published: September 2022

Piezoelectric sensor failure triggered by high structural strain is a critical problem in structural health monitoring (SHM) that cannot be neglected. Thus, a novel island-bridge packaging piezoelectric sensor for SHM in high-strain environments is proposed in this paper. The trapezoidal-section island-bridge structure of the new sensor greatly optimizes the high-strain survivability of the piezoelectric layer. Additionally, good impedance matching characteristics between the monitored structure and the sensor guarantee the transmission strength of high-frequency dynamic sensing signals. The feasibility of the structure and the principle of operation for the novel sensor were demonstrated via theory, simulation and experiment. Besides, an established analytical model and its simulation and experimental verification results displayed that the structural parameters of the sensor could significantly adjust the strain-bearing capacity. Under a specific parameter configuration, the strain transfer coefficient of the novel sensor was only 0.087, which was 12.1% of the conventional sensor, thus could safely operate in the monitoring structure environment of 10,000 με. On the other hand, the proposed sensor’s impedance signal strength was satisfactory in the SHM frequency range of 10–110 kHz, where its average impedance value was as high as 397.7 Ω. Moreover, the optimized signal demonstrated very good stability, reliability, and strength in the test, thus ensuring the effective monitoring of crack propagation via the new sensor. Therefore, this work is a good complement to the existing piezoelectric sensors SHM technique.
The Relationship Between Ornamental and Managerial Leaders in the Private University Sector: Who Runs the Show and Makes a Difference?
Authors: Alam Gazi Mahabubul , Asimiran Soaib , Ismail Ismi Arif Bin , Ahmad Nor Aniza
Published: September 2022

Using school management settings, this manuscript developed important substantial leadership models such as “instructional,” “constructive,” and “distributed.” University leadership and especially in the private sector is an understudied topic. While private universities need to generate revenue for profits and survival, they should, at the same time, retain sound education philosophies, an extremely difficult task. Studies are yet to be conducted to understand how leaders of private universities handle this challenge, and this issue motivates the present research. Using Bangladesh as a case study, this qualitative study discovers that the “visionary” leadership approach is mainly used for business management models that govern private sector universities. This does not enable an established education leadership model to function well, if at all. This poses a serious challenge to educational philosophy. Innovation of a specialized private sector university leadership model is therefore required.
A Farewell to All That
Authors: Sonderegger Katherine
Published: September 2022

Like a love affair that has grown cold, Bruce Marshall has lost his affection and loyalty to Karl Barth. The reasons are complex, intellectual, and personal, and certainly, exceed the reasons proposed in this essay. Several are proposed all the same: that Marshall considers proper Nicene theology to consist in answers; that the reading of Holy Scripture that inspired Barth is not plausible or consistent with Marshall's doctrinal commitments; and that the Doctrines of God and of Salvation do not readily cohere with Catholic magisterial teaching. Barth can however be defended against these charges, drawing on his Doctrine of Justification as an epistemic as well as Soteriological teaching, and his strong notion of corporate existence in the redeeming work of Christ.
Engine noise cancellation with optimum array of speakers inside vehicle enclosures
Authors: Porghoveh Mojtaba , Shirazi Kourosh Heidari , Yildizdag M. Erden
Published: September 2022

In this study, a computational optimization framework is presented to identify active noise control systems for vehicle enclosures. The adopted optimization approach determines optimum configuration of an array of secondary sound sources to suppress noises with low frequency (under 500 Hz) due to engine performance. The overall framework is conducted via a particle swarm optimization algorithm coupled with a modified modal interaction method developed to estimate sound field inside enclosures. The applicability of the proposed optimization approach has been examined with two enclosures of different size by considering 1-speaker and 2-speaker array options as a secondary sound source. The numerical investigation shows that, with the determined optimum configurations, a significant noise reduction may be obtained in vehicle enclosures.
“It's Just Kind of This Thing That I Need to Navigate”: Young Women's Stories of Recoveries After Domestic Abuse in Childhood
Authors: Frances Tanya
Published: September 2022

Those who experience parental domestic abuse in childhood are affected in multiple ways, but existing research uses a narrow lens, relying on psychotherapeutic and neuroscientific understandings. This article uses a dialogical theory to explore women's recovery stories. Interviews were conducted with 10 women in England and a voice-centered narrative analysis was used. This article attends to gendered, psychotherapeutic, and neoliberal narrative resources that shaped participants’ stories. It concludes that recoveries after domestic abuse in childhood can be considered as dynamic processes that are individual, as well as shaped by social, political, and relational contexts that shape storytelling practices.
Combination of available topical beta-blockers and antibiotic ointment for epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced paronychia and pseudopyogenic granulomas in Taiwan
Authors: Liu Hui-Lin , Chuang Cheng-Hao , Chen Chin-Ling , Wei Po-Ju , Yang Chih-Jen
Published: September 2022

Background

Painful paronychia and pseudopyogenic granuloma (PG) are common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the use of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Multiple local management approaches have been tested with unsatisfactory results. We have introduced an occlusion therapy technique through which available topical drugs for longer than 2 years.

Methods

Based on the cancer registry and case management system of our hospital, from July 2019 to July 2020, we retrospectively enrolled patients with NSCLC who were treated with EGFR-TKIs and received applications of 0.5% timolol ophthalmic solution (TIMOPTOL XE 0.5%®) combined with a neomycin/tyrothricin ointment ( Biomycin®) using the occlusion method to treat paronychia or PG.

Results

A total of 22 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 66.5 years, most of whom were women (72.7%). Periungual lesion-related pain was reported by all patients, and periungual bleeding and PG were reported in 14% (3/22) and 64% (14/22) of patients, respectively. After the occlusion therapy application of timolol ophthalmic solution combined with neomycin/tyrothricin ointment twice daily, the overall response rate was 83.3%, including complete response in 18% (4/22) of cases and partial response in 68% (15/22) of cases.

Conclusion

We presented an occlusion method using available topical beta-blockers and antibiotic ointment for EGFR-TKI-induced paronychia and PG in Taiwan. The result is favorable. Further randomized control trial is urgent to validate our findings
Radiation recall myositis with pazopanib in a patient with soft tissue sarcoma
Authors: Varan Melike Pekyürek , Turna Hande , Öner Dinçbaş Fazilet
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Radiation recall reaction is an acute inflammatory reaction confined to previously irradiated areas that are most commonly triggered by the administration of anti-cancer agents after radiotherapy. Radiation recall myositis is a relatively rare form of radiation recall reaction.

Case report

Here we report a 29-year-old female patient who suffered from metastatic monophasic synovial sarcoma. 8.5 months after post-operative radiotherapy of the right thigh region, the patient suffered pain, edema, redness, and increased temperature locally on the right thigh. Physical exam showed red fixed skin, rigidity and severe tenderness of region, and thigh magnetic resonance imaging revealed dense edema areas at the addiction, semimembranous-semitendinous muscle, and superior part of the biceps femoris and vastus lateralis isointense on T1AG, hyperintense T2AG images. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with pazopanib-induced radiation recall myositis.

Management & outcome

Pazopanib was stopped and pentoxifylline (2  × 400 mg), Vitamin E (3  × 400 mg), and methylprednisolone (2  × 8 mg) were prescribed. After 1 month, complete relief of thigh pain and marked recovery of rigidity, as well as erythema, were achieved and no recurrence of radiation recall reaction-related symptoms was observed after the pazopanib rechallenge.

Discussion

Myositis is a relatively rare presentation of radiation recall reaction and physicians must be aware of the symptoms of the patients who are treated by radiotherapy and pazopanib.
About the structure of the discrete and continuous Eringen’s nonlocal elastica
Authors: Cresson Jacky , Hariz-Belgacem Khaled
Published: September 2022

The Eringen’s nonlocal elastica equation does not possess a Lagrangian formulation. In this article, we find a variational integrating factor which enables us to provide a Lagrangian and Hamiltonian structure associated to this equation. Explicit expressions of the solutions in terms of elliptic integrals of the first kind are then deduced. We then derive discrete version of the Eringen’s nonlocal elastica preserving the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian structure and compare it with Challamel’s and co-worker definition of a discrete Eringen’s nonlocal elastica.
Consistency of the boundary value problem of an elastic body involving surface tension in small deformations
Authors: Pei Pengyu , Yang Hai-Bing , Dai Ming
Published: September 2022

Surface tension has a significant influence on the mechanical response of solids at small scales to external loadings. Conventional small deformation theories remain effective in capturing such an influence provided the corresponding boundary condition incorporates some measure of the deformed configuration of the solid’s surface in evaluating the surface tension–induced traction acting on the solid. Since the governing equations arising from conventional small deformation theories for the bulk of the solid are defined strictly in the undeformed configuration, they may be sometimes incompatible with the surface tension–related boundary condition incorporating certain measure of the deformed configuration, leading to an inconsistent boundary value problem. To clarify how to pose a self-consistent boundary value problem involving surface tension, we consider the plane deformation of a perforated medium with its internal boundary endowed with surface tension and surface elasticity and its external boundary subjected to a mechanical loading. We first review three kinds of related boundary conditions on the internal boundary of the medium: the Gurtin–Murdoch-type boundary condition and two modified boundary conditions based on the change-in-curvature formula. We then derive the resultant force and moment of the traction caused by surface tension and surface elasticity for each of the boundary conditions. We show that for the Gurtin–Murdoch-type boundary condition, the resultant force vanishes unconditionally but the resultant moment depends on the rigid-body rotation of the medium, while for the two modified boundary conditions, both the resultant force and resultant moment (about a certain point) rely on local deformation gradients and the curvature of the internal boundary of the medium. Consequently, for the Gurtin–Murdoch-type boundary condition, one may easily establish a self-consistent boundary value problem by specifying an appropriate mechanical loading, while for the two modified boundary conditions, the boundary value problem is only occasionally self-consistent for some special and compatible combinations of the geometry of the internal boundary and the mechanical loading. Nevertheless, if the medium becomes infinitely large with its external boundary extremely distant from the internal boundary, then the boundary value problem corresponding to either of the three boundary conditions is always self-consistent for an arbitrary configuration of the internal boundary and an arbitrary far-field loading.
Flexural behavior of sandwich panels with 3D printed cellular cores and aluminum face sheets under quasi-static loading
Authors: Chahardoli S.
Published: September 2022

In this study, sandwich panels are presented with polylactic acid (PLA) core made through the FDM method. The face sheets of the panels are made out of aluminum 3105 alloy. The mechanical properties of the proposed samples were investigated under flexural quasi-static load. Different panels were tested by a three-point flexural test to determine their collapse properties; moreover, cubic specimens were exposed to quasi-static compression load. The results confirmed the effective role of layering type in the FDM method on the collapse properties of the sandwich panel. Results showed that type of the main pattern extension can affect the collapse properties. A comparison of the cubic samples under three different quasi-static compressive loading indicated that the collapse properties and absorbed energy of the samples depend on the loading direction. The proposed lightweight structures absorb high energy in comparison with ordinary one which was investigated in this paper; thus they can be an ideal structure for industries. Numerical modeling was another part of the study which was done by LS-DYNA and good agreement between numerical and experimental results was observed.
Clinical outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty performed in eyes with keratoconus and corneal endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Dockery Philip W. , Parker Jack S. , Birbal Rénuka S. , Tong C. Maya , Parker John S. , Joubert Katelyn P. , Melles Gerrit R.J.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical outcome of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) performed in eyes with comorbid keratoconus (KCN) and corneal endothelial dysfunction.

Methods

Twenty-five consecutive eyes of 14 patients with comorbid stable KCN underwent DMEK for corneal endothelial dysfunction; best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), maximum corneal curvature (Kmax), maximum corneal power (Pmax), central corneal thickness (CCT), and intra- and postoperative complications were assessed.

Results

Excluding eyes requiring re-transplantation for primary graft failure (n = 3), all eyes showed improvement in BSCVA, reaching ≥ 20/40 (0.5) in 86%, ≥ 20/25 (0.8) in 55%, and ≥ 20/20 (1.0) in 27% by one month postoperatively; 90%, 76%, and 48% by 6 months postoperatively; and 88%, 76%, and 47% by 12 months postoperatively. CCT decreased from 571μm preoperatively to 485μm at 1 month (p < 0.001) and 481μm at 12 months (p < 0.001). Kmax decreased by a median of 1.4 diopters (D) at 1 month (p = 0.003) and 3.1 D at 12 months (p = 0.021), and every eye with a preoperative Kmax ≥ 46 D demonstrated flattening. Pmax decreased by 2.1 D at 1 month (p = 0.001) and 4.0 D at 12 months (p = 0.016).

Conclusion

DMEK is technically feasible in eyes with comorbid KCN and may give excellent outcomes visual and refractive outcomes, including significant corneal flattening, which may potentially create a visually significant hyperopic shift in patients with severely ectatic corneas.
Modified big bubble technique for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in keratoconus
Authors: Mohammadpour Mehrdad , Khorrami-Nejad Masoud , Naghdi Taghi
Published: September 2022

We describe a modified technique for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty with three modifications in big bubble pneumodissection technique; including two staged stromal trephination to avoid inadvertent full-thickness trephination, deep bevel-up needle air injection for better visualization and deeper air injection and, vicoseperation by refilling the pre-Descemet space with a viscoelastic after removing the air bubble for safe removal of the deep stromal layers. Patients with advanced keratoconus underwent deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty with pneumodissection by two-staged trephination followed by bevel-up needle deep air injection and viscoseperation. The big bubble was successfully formed in all cases and there was no case with the rupture of the Descemet’s membrane (DM) during air injection or baring of DM.
Igniting Hope for Tumor Immunotherapy: Promoting the “Hot and Cold” Tumor Transition
Authors: Wei Chen , Ma Yichao , Wang Fei , Liao Yiqun , Chen Yuji , Zhao Bin , Zhao Qi , Wang Daorong , Tang Dong
Published: September 2022

The discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has ushered a new era for immunotherapy against malignant tumors through the killing effects of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in long-lasting tumor suppression and regression. Nevertheless, given that ICIs are highly dependent on T cells in the TME and that most tumors lack T-cell infiltration, promoting the conversion of such immunosuppressive “cold” tumors to “hot” tumors is currently a key challenge in tumor immunotherapy. Herein, we systematically outlined the mechanisms underlying the formation of the immunosuppressive TME in cold tumors, including the role of immunosuppressive cells, impaired antigen presentation, transforming growth factor-β, STAT3 signaling, adenosine, and interferon-γ signaling. Moreover, therapeutic strategies for promoting cold tumors to hot tumors with adequate T-cell infiltration were also discussed. Finally, the prospects of therapeutic tools such as oncolytic viruses, nanoparticles, and photothermal therapy in restoring immune activity in cold tumors were thoroughly reviewed.
Evaluation of neurotrophic factor secreting mesenchymal stem cells in progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Cohen Jeffrey A , Lublin Fred D , Lock Christoper , Pelletier Daniel , Chitnis Tanuja , Mehra Munish , Gothelf Yael , Aricha Revital , Lindborg Stacy , Lebovits Chaim , Levy Yossef , Motamed Khorasani Afsaneh , Kern Ralph
Published: September 2022

Background:

Autologous mesenchymal stem cell neurotrophic factor–secreting cells (NurOwn®) have the potential to modify underlying disease mechanisms in progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS).

Objective:

This open-label phase II study was conducted to evaluate safety/efficacy of three intrathecal cell treatments.

Methods:

Eighteen participants with non-relapsing PMS were treated. The primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints included: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers; timed 25-foot walk speed, nine-hole peg test (9-HPT), low-contrast letter acuity, symbol digit modalities test, and 12-item multiple sclerosis (MS) walking scale. Seventeen participants received all treatments.

Results:

No deaths/adverse events related to worsening of MS, clinical/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of disease activation, and clinically significant changes in safety lab results were reported. Two participants developed symptoms of low back and leg pain, consistent with a diagnosis of arachnoiditis, occurring in one of three intrathecal treatments in both participants. Nineteen percent of treated participants achieved pre-specified ⩾ 25% improvements in timed 25-foot walk speed/nine-HPT at 28 weeks compared to baseline, along with consistent efficacy signals for pre-specified response criteria across other secondary efficacy outcomes. CSF neuroprotective factors increased, and inflammatory biomarkers decreased after treatment, consistent with the proposed mechanism of action.

Conclusion:

Based on these encouraging preliminary findings, further confirmation in a randomized study is warranted.
Leptomeningeal enhancement under different MS immunotherapies: A monocentric retrospective cohort study of 214 patients
Authors: Friedli Christoph , Wagner Franca , Hammer Helly Noemi , Kamber Nicole , Wiest Roland , Diem Lara , Chan Andrew , Salmen Anke , Hoepner Robert
Published: September 2022

Background:

Leptomeningeal inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) mainly affects meningeal B-cell follicle-like structures linked to cortical and subpial lesions and can be visualized as leptomeningeal enhancement (LME).

Objective:

To evaluate the evolution of LME under different MS immunotherapies.

Methods:

A total of 214 MS patients treated with anti-CD20 therapies or fingolimod at the university hospital Bern were screened for LME. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and medical records were retrospectively evaluated, and comparative statistics were applied.

Results:

We compared MS patients treated with anti-CD20 therapies (128 patients (59.8%)) or fingolimod (86 patients (40.2%)). Of 128 anti-CD20-treated patients, 108 (84.4%) had no LME, 11 (8.6%) had persistent LME, and 9 (7.0%) showed resolution of LME. Of 86 fingolimod-treated MS patients, 81 (94.2%) had no LME and 5 (5.8%) persistent LME. Patients with LME persistence were older than those without or resolution of LME ( p = 0.039). Resolution of LME was more frequent during anti-CD20 compared with fingolimod treatment ( p = 0.019).

Conclusion:

We observed LME resolution under treatment with anti-CD20 therapies. As LME might play an important role in cerebral gray matter pathology in MS, further investigations including extensions to higher field strengths, correlation with clinical phenotypes, and comparison with other immunotherapies are needed.
Specialization versus diversity: The role of city size in tourist cities
Authors: Ma Mulan , Zhao Weishu , Wan Guanxu , Deng Taotao , Yang Yi
Published: September 2022

The paper examines the impact of specialization and diversity on economic growth of tourist cities. Industrial diversity is decomposed into two parts, related and unrelated diversity (UV). The paper constructs a panel threshold model with city size as the threshold variable, and empirically tests the nonlinear effects of specialization and diversity on economic growth of tourist cities from the perspective of city size. The results show that: First, tourism specialization has a positive impact on economic growth of tourist cities, and there is a double threshold effect based on city size. When the city size exceeds two thresholds, tourism specialization plays a significant role in promoting economic growth of tourist cities. Second, related diversity (RV) has a positive impact on economic growth of tourist cities, and there is no threshold effect based on city size. Third, the impact of unrelated diversity on economic growth of tourist cities has a single threshold effect based on city size. Specifically, when the city size is lower than the threshold value, unrelated diversity inhibits economic growth of tourist cities. Otherwise, unrelated diversity will promote economic growth of tourist cities. The conclusions are still valid after a series of robustness tests. The paper highlights that local governments of tourist cities should not pursue absolute tourism specialization or industrial diversity, but should design and adjust industrial structure reasonably according to the city size.
Framing digital disconnection: Problem definitions, values, and actions among digital detox organisers
Authors: Syvertsen Trine
Published: September 2022

Most studies approach digital disconnection from an individualistic perspective, while this article explores organised efforts to facilitate digital detox experiences. The aim is to contribute a nuanced understanding of how offline initiatives are framed and the complex relationship between individual and collective action. The study is based on qualitative interviews with ten organisers representing different initiatives and supplementary material from mass and digital media. The analysis shows how actions are triggered by personal experiences and respond to specific concerns within domains such as work and education, tourism and leisure, arts, culture and religion. Yet, the initiatives also invoke overlapping moral evaluations. The study reveals a joint scepticism concerning the lack of industry responsibility and little faith in regulatory solutions to the problem of intrusive media. Furthermore, the study discusses digital detox initiatives as an ambiguous form of contemporary activism, spanning from self-help to corporate action. The initiatives are not connected, but participants perceive their actions as part of an emerging trend. Nevertheless, few initiatives contribute to an interpretation of disconnection initiatives as anything more than unique experiences. The article contributes to the extant literature by showing how the meaning of disconnection evolves both in local settings and in dialogue with broader concerns in the public sphere.
Flipped learning in physical education: A scoping review
Authors: Østerlie Ove , Sargent Julia , Killian Chad , Garcia-Jaen Miguel , García-Martínez Salvador , Ferriz-Valero Alberto
Published: September 2022

The integration of digital technology into educational settings is expanding rapidly. One emerging didactical approach is flipped learning (FL), which leverages digital, internet-based technologies to deliver key instructions prior to classes. It then uses active learning opportunities during face-to-face meetings that encourage students to apply what they previously learned online. The format of FL naturally expands active learning during classes, which aligns well with the movement-based foundations of physical education (PE). Given the relative novelty of the approach within this subject, however, the purpose of this scoping review was to identify existing research, offer an initial FL approach for PE, and suggest directions for future study. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews guidelines directed this review, and four databases were searched. A total of 16 studies qualified for inclusion. Study contexts and methods varied widely, but a majority focused on motivation and learning as the primary outcome measures. Ten studies reported how the use of FL positively impacted student motivation, while nine studies illustrated how FL might be able to support student learning. Other studies indicated the potential of FL to increase motor skill development opportunities and autonomy during classes, although further research is necessary. Overall, FL in PE appears to have a positive impact on student variables. Research on the design and implementation of both the digital and in-class instructional components will be necessary to guide best practice more appropriately. Further, rigorous research is also necessary to extend understanding of the influence of FL on student outcomes.
Conducting focus groups in realist evaluation
Authors: Manzano Ana
Published: September 2022

Focus groups are valuable tools for evaluators to help stakeholders to clarify programme theories. In 1987, R.K. Merton, often attributed with the birth of focus groups, wrote about how these were ‘being mercilessly misused’. In the 1940s, his team had conceived focus groups as tools for developing middle-range theory, but through their astonishing success focus groups have metamorphosed and are often an ‘unchallenged’ choice in many evaluation approaches, while their practice seems to provide a philosophically diverse picture. This article examines what knowledge focus group data generate, and how they support theory development. It starts with an overview of the history of focus groups, establishing a relationship between their emergence as a data collection method and the evaluation profession. Practical lessons for conducting groups in realist evaluation are suggested, while exploring how qualitative data can support programme and middle-range theory development using the example of realist evaluation.
Teacher–student relationships moderate the link between socioeconomic status and foreign language learning: Evidence from China
Authors: Ma Lihong , Xiao Leifeng , Liu Zhi , Liu Jian
Published: September 2022

The importance of socioeconomic status (SES) in foreign language learning has received increasing attention. However, previous research mainly examined the direct link between SES and foreign language learning, and few explored what might mitigate this link, especially in collectivistic culture. Based on social capital theory and the attachment theory, this study explored the moderating role of teacher–student relationships (TSRs) in the link between SES and English learning in China. Data were collected from 1,181 grade 8 and 300 grade 11 students in China using self-reported SES questionnaire, TSRs scale, and English achievement test. The results show that TSRs negatively moderated the association between SES and English performance of Chinese students both in grade 8 and grade 11, but the moderating effect of TSRs was slightly greater in grade 11. That is, supportive TSRs mitigated the effects of SES on foreign language learning, especially for senior secondary students. This finding sheds light on foreign language teaching and learning in China and other countries with similar sociocultural context theoretically and practically.
Immersion in dual-language programs does not impede children’s native language processing
Authors: Neveu Anne , Gangopadhyay Ishanti , Ellis Weismer Susan , Kaushanskaya Margarita
Published: September 2022

Aims and Objectives:

The benefits of dual-language immersion (DLI) versus English-only classrooms for minority-language speakers’ acquisition of English have been well documented. However, less is known about the effect(s) of DLI on majority-language speakers’ native English skills. Prior studies largely used accuracy-focused measures to index children’s language skills; it is possible that processing-based tasks are more sensitive to the effects of DLI experience.

Methodology:

Thirty-three monolingual native English-speaking children attending English-only classrooms and thirty-three English-speaking children attending English-Spanish DLI matched in age, gender, nonverbal IQ, and socio-economic status were tested twice, 1 year apart, on standardized and processing-based measures of English vocabulary and morphosyntax.

Analysis:

We ran linear mixed-effects models to examine the extent to which group and time would predict scores on knowledge-based measures of vocabulary and morphosyntactic knowledge, as well as accuracy and reaction times on processing-based measures of English vocabulary and morphosyntax.

Findings:

Results revealed comparable levels of growth in English for both groups. A subtle effect of DLI was observed on a lexical-decision task: bilinguals were slower in Year 1 but both groups were equally efficient in Year 2. These results indicate that DLI programs have minimal impact on majority-language speakers’ native-language skills in the age-range tested.

Originality:

This study is the first to longitudinally examine processing-based native language outcomes in bilingual children in DLI classrooms.

Significance:

We do not find evidence that DLI exposure carries a cost to native language development, even when indexed by processing measures. This should reassure parents, educators, and policymakers in that there are no downsides to DLI.
Goodbye Foucault’s ‘missing human agent’? Self-formation, capability and the dispositifs
Authors: Villadsen Kaspar
Published: September 2022

A steady stream of commentary criticizes Foucault’s ‘agentless position’ for its inability to observe, much less theorize, the ways in which human actors manoeuvre, negotiate, transform or resist the structures within which they are situated. This article does not so much refute this critical consensus but seeks to reconstruct a framework from Foucault’s writings, which allows space for ‘human agency’, including individuals’ pursuit of tactics, attempts at solving problems, reactions to unexpected events and their reflexive work on their own subjectivities. The revised analytical framework, ‘dispositional analytics’, integrates the study of self-techniques with the analysis of dispositifs. Recognizing that Foucault’s work eschewed an adequate consideration of individuals’ capacity to affect the forces that bear upon them, the article discusses the sociopolitical conditions for self-formation. Finally, a case study of ‘voice-hearers’ who use self-techniques to reconstitute themselves in opposition to institutional psychiatry is reinterpreted through the framework of dispositional analysis.
Performance-based post-earthquake building evaluations using computer vision-derived damage observations
Authors: Levine Nathaniel M , Narazaki Yasutaka , Spencer Billie F
Published: September 2022

After a major earthquake, rapid community recovery is conditional on ensuring buildings are safe to reoccupy. Prior studies have developed statistical and machine learning-based classifiers to characterize a building’s collapse capacity to resist an aftershock given mainshock responses of the building. However, for rapid safety assessment, such a method must be coupled with an automated inspection methodology to collect damage information. Furthermore, probabilistic models of expected building performance must be updated based on the distribution of observed damage. This paper presents a method for rapidly assessing the safety of a building by incorporating damage that has been identified and localized using unmanned aerial vehicle images of the building. Probabilistic models of earthquake demands on exterior components are directly updated using observed damage and Bayes’ Theorem. Updated demand models on interior components are then inferred using a machine learning-based surrogate for the analysis model. Both sets of updated models are used to determine if the building is safe to occupy. Results show that predictions of building demands are improved when considering the observed damage. When combined with automated image collection and processing, the proposed methodology will enable rapid, automated safety assessment of earthquake-affected buildings.
Effort in absence: Technologically mediated aesthetic experiences of the culture industries’ routine workers
Authors: Siciliano Michael L
Published: September 2022

In this article, I draw upon 20 months of participant observation to compare the labor processes of routine, office staff in the popular music and digital content industries in the U.S. In both cases, workers play a game of disappearing, pursuing immersive experiences in their efforts to be more productive. These pleasurably immersive experiences vis-à-vis technology described by informants bear a similarity to aesthetic experiences typically associated with art objects. Comparing how workers describe their aesthetic experiences, I show how the materiality of technology as well as management mediate workers’ immersion. In doing so, this article extends theories of control over work by highlighting the importance of work's affective and aesthetic dimensions while also making an empirical contribution by examining the culture industries’ often overlooked, routine workers in conventional and platformized contexts.
The sociology and practice of translation: interaction, indexicality, and power
Authors: Bochmann Annett
Published: September 2022

This article addresses the sociology and practices of translation. The main argument is that translation work should be understood in ethnomethodological terms as an indexical, social, and interactive practice that produces an ongoing “third space” of difference. The article provides insights into the practice of ethnographic translation work in a multilingual and foreign research context. The study reveals that cooperation between locally involved translators and researchers is highly productive—even necessary—for translation, transcription, and interaction analyses. Moreover, the article argues that in order to make translation practice understandable, not only ethnographic research, linguistic knowledge and cooperation between translators and researchers is required but equally reflections on social theory and the production of scientific texts. Finally, a novel sociologically informed methodology of translation work for qualitative social research is offered using the concepts of “cooperation,” “indexicality,” “power,” “representation,” and “third space.”
Evaluating the impact of the International Baccalaureate: an analysis in Ecuador
Authors: Ponce Juan , Intriago Ruthy
Published: September 2022

This study provides an evaluation of the impact of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme introduced in 2006 to 200 public schools in Ecuador. Using a combination of different methodologies in order to have a credible identification strategy, we find that the International Baccalaureate Diploma has a positive impact on academic achievements as well as on secondary school progression.
Debugging inequities: Data use, “gumshoe work,” and problem identification in district-wide computer science education initiatives
Authors: Phelps David , Santo Rafi
Published: September 2022

As districts across the United States move to implement comprehensive computer science education (CSed) initiatives, there is increasing interest in utilizing data-informed strategies such as continuous improvement to address systemic inequities. However, the specifics of how education institutions move from collecting and monitoring data into processes of systems improvement are not straightforward. This study explores the critical intermediary step of diagnostic problem framing which connects the collection of data to the identification of root causes of inequities so that adequate action can be taken to change an instructional system. Without taking the step of diagnostic problem framing, district leaders run the risk of using data to change systems in ways that simply reproduce or worsen existing inequities. Through four cases from three school districts implementing comprehensive (e.g. K12, at scale) CSed initiatives, we explore the dynamics of diagnostic problem framing around each of the four phenomena related to equitable CSed as specified in the CAPE framework: system and teacher capacity around CSed, student access to CS learning, participation rates in those opportunities by subgroups, and the quality of the experience of those participating. Our findings highlight five factors mediating diagnostic problem framing: conceptualization of equity as a multifaceted phenomenon, problem attribution to systems, not students, ability to analyze data for indicators of inequities, knowledge of local instructional systems, and embeddedness in instructional networks. Our results affirm the importance of developing robust data systems in CSed initiatives, but also show how attention to broader institutional factors can improve the capacity of these systems to address inequities.
Advances in Treatment Models of Advanced Gastric Cancer
Authors: Li Tao , He Yufang , Zhong Qinglei , Yu Jiang , Chen Xinhua
Published: September 2022

The prognosis of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) is extremely poor, and the therapeutic effect of traditional palliative chemotherapy is far from satisfactory. To overcome this bottleneck, palliative surgery resection, perioperative chemotherapy combined with surgical resection, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC), radiation therapy, molecular-targeted therapy have been explored in AGC. Although considerable progress has been achieved, there is still no overwhelming therapeutic method. Due to the high heterogeneity of AGC, it is particularly vital to reshaped the paradigm of gastric cancer therapy according to the characteristics of clinical classifications and molecular subtypes.