bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The State, the Police and Political Violence: A Case-Study Before Spanish Civil War, 1936
Authors: Tardío Manuel Álvarez
Published: April 2024

This article deals with the management of public order during a crucial period of Spain's twentieth-century democratization process. A regional case-study is employed in order to analyse the detail of political violence and gain a clearer understanding of both the participants and the role of the police and the civil governor. It is based on an exhaustive database containing all the episodes of violence that led to deaths and serious injuries. Quantitative research, combined with adequate contextualization, is vital to unravel the evolution of this violence and identify the main actors. This article pinpoints important differences in the case of Asturias – compared to the nationwide data available – and contributes to the academic debate on the authorities’ responsibility for the rising toll of victims during the spring of 1936. It shows that police participation in the generation of victims was of minor relevance, partly due to a deliberate policy pursued by Asturias’ civil governor, which ruled out the preventative and recurrent use of the police to control conflictive situations.
A Hub of Anti-Colonialism: Prague's International Organizations in the Transnational Socialist Network and Global Cold War
Authors: Pešta Mikuláš
Published: April 2024

During the Cold War, Prague was home to several international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) uniting member organizations of different fields (students, journalists, trade unions, communist parties, churches and others). This article aims at a reinterpretation of their history through the lens of decolonization, presenting the NGOs not only as soldiers in the Cold War but also as ‘hubs of anti-colonialism’. It shows the role of the ‘Third World’ delegates in the NGOs and their positioning toward Czechoslovak state socialism. It explores the mechanisms of knowledge production and transfers through media and training programmes.
The Effects of Phonological Complexity on Word Production in French-Speaking Children
Authors: Kehoe Margaret
Published: April 2024

Word complexity indices, such as the Index of Phonetic Complexity (IPC) and the Word Complexity Measure (WCM), code a word in terms of featural and structural properties that pose difficulty in phonological development. Studies have investigated the influence of complexity indices on vocabulary development; however, few have examined their influence on consonant accuracy. Furthermore, these indices were developed for English-speaking children and have not been widely applied to other languages. This study investigates whether a word’s phonological complexity influences how accurately it is produced in French-speaking children. Four databases consisting of the productions of children ( n = 74), aged 1;11 to 4;9, were analyzed. Words were coded in terms of the IPC, WCM, and parameters that add complexity during phonological development. Using mixed-effects logistic regression, we examined whether phonological complexity as determined by the IPC, WCM, or by alternative indices better accounts for the influence of complexity on production. We also investigated whether the accuracy of a target sound/structure was influenced by a word’s complexity. Results indicated that complexity based on the IPC or WCM significantly influenced consonant accuracy; however, indices tapping fewer features provided superior model fit. At younger ages, the presence of fricatives/liquids and, at all ages, the presence of alveopalatal fricatives, codas, and clusters significantly influenced accuracy. Findings were inconclusive as to whether whole word complexity influenced the accuracy of a target sound/structure. Results suggest that current complexity indices provide only approximate indications of how featural and structural properties of words influence production.
Wastewater Surveillance of US Coast Guard Installations and Seagoing Military Vessels to Mitigate the Risk of COVID-19 Outbreaks, March 2021–August 2022
Authors: Hall Gregory J. , Page Eric J. , Rhee Min , Hay Clara , Krause Amelia , Langenbacher Emma , Ruth Allison , Grenier Steve , Duran Alexander P. , Kamara Ibrahim , Iskander John K. , Alsayyid Fahad , Thomas Dana L. , Bock Edward , Porta Nicholas , Pharo Jessica , Osterink Beth A. , Zelmanowitz Sharon , Fleischmann Corinna M. , Liyanage Dilhara , Gray Joshua P.
Published: April 2024

Objectives:

Military training centers and seagoing vessels are often environments at high risk for the spread of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases, because military trainees and personnel arrive after traveling from many parts of the country and live in congregate settings. We examined whether levels of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in wastewater correlated with SARS-CoV-2 infections among military personnel living in communal barracks and vessels at US Coast Guard training centers in the United States.

Methods:

The Coast Guard developed and established 3 laboratories with wastewater testing capability at Coast Guard training centers from March 2021 through August 2022. We analyzed wastewater from barracks housing trainees and from 4 Coast Guard vessels for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genes N and E and quantified the results relative to levels of a fecal indicator virus, pepper mild mottle virus. We compared quantified data with the timing of medically diagnosed COVID-19 infection among (1) military personnel who had presented with symptoms or had been discovered through contact tracing and had medical tests and (2) military personnel who had been discovered through routine surveillance by positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen or polymerase chain reaction test results.

Results:

Levels of viral genes in wastewater at Coast Guard locations were best correlated with diagnosed COVID-19 cases when wastewater testing was performed twice weekly with passive samplers deployed for the entire week; such testing detected ≥1 COVID-19 case 69.8% of the time and ≥3 cases 88.3% of the time. Wastewater assessment in vessels did not continue because of logistical constraints.

Conclusion:

Wastewater testing is an effective tool for measuring the presence and patterns of SARS-CoV-2 infections among military populations. Success with wastewater testing for SARS-CoV-2 infections suggests that other diseases may be assessed with similar approaches.
Association between allostatic load and depression in patients with sleep disorders: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
Authors: Li Yiru , Yan Junli , Li Yuhong
Published: April 2024

Objective

Allostatic load (AL) is an indicator of the cumulative wear and tear on the body's physiological systems that can predict onset of a range of health problems. However, the relationship between AL and depression in patients with sleep disorders is unclear. This study explored the association between AL and depression in patients with sleep disorders.

Methods

Using data from the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 4618 adults aged 18 years and older in the United States were included in this cross-sectional analysis. AL was calculated using nine biological markers, with a score of ≥3 indicating a high level. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), with a score of ≥10 indicating risk for depression. Logistic regression models were employed to analyze the relationship between AL and depression.

Results

Among the 1309 participants diagnosed with sleep disorders, 212 (16.2%) were identified as being at risk for depression on the PHQ-9. A total of 55.2% (n = 117) of depressed persons had high AL levels. In the unadjusted model, AL levels were associated with depression in those with sleep disorders ( OR=1.53, 95% CI = 1.14-2.05, p < 0.01). This relationship remained significant in the adjusted model ( OR=1.52, 95% CI=1.11-2.10, p < 0.05), after controlling for potential confounders.

Conclusion

High AL levels in patients with sleep disorders were positively associated with depression, indicating that elevated AL may increase the risk of depression in this population, or alternatively, depression may increase the risk of AL.
Congenital Facial Infiltrating Lipomatosis: A Rare Cause of Facial Asymmetry in Infants
Authors: El Omri Malika , Mouna Belakhdher , Safa Jemlii , Zeineb Nfikha , Monia Ghammem , Jihene Houas , Wassim Kermani
Published: April 2024

Congenital facial infiltrating lipomatosis (CFIL) is a rare condition that typically affects the trunk and limbs, but can also occur in the face. Managing CFIL is a significant challenge due to its diffuse involvement in important facial structures. This case report aims to describe a rare form of lipomatosis and discuss the clinical and therapeutic aspects of this entity. The patient was a 5-year-old girl who was admitted to our department due to a right paralateronasal swelling that had been present for 5 months. During the physical examination, a swelling of the right nasolabial was observed. A computed tomography scan of the facial bone revealed an extra bony soft tissue mass near the vestibule of the right nostril in contact with the frontal process of the maxillary bone and the anterior wall of the right maxillary sinus. The patient underwent excision under general anesthesia. The histological report indicated congenital focal lipomatosis. There was no recurrence of swelling a year after initial surgery. Facial infiltrating lipomatosis is a rare congenital disorder in which mature lipocytes invade adjacent tissue. Due to its diffuse infiltration and involvement of important facial structures, complete surgical excision is often impossible. Specific management of this condition requires insight into its pathogenesis as surgical removal of the mass is usually unsuccessful.
Ameloblastic Carcinoma of the Maxilla With Uncommon Sinus Manifestations
Authors: Khan Faizaan , Somawardana Isuru , Mitchell Matthew , Adewumi Mopileola Tomi , Berger Blaine , Marmie Blake , Lopez Lisa , Clark David
Published: April 2024

Ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) represents a distinct challenge in the realm of odontogenic malignancies due to its rarity and aggressive nature. We present a unique case of AC in a 70-year-old male, retired dry cleaner, with symptoms initially suggestive of chronic allergic rhinitis and recurrent acute sinusitis with asymmetric facial edema and paresthesia. Detailed evaluation revealed a prominent mass in the right maxillary sinus with extensive cortical destruction. Pathological assessment post-right maxillectomy identified a high-grade AC with malignant spindle cell transformation. The patient underwent subsequent interventions, including neck dissection and radiation therapy. Twelve months post-presentation, the patient was recovering appropriately without evidence of recurrence of malignancy. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by AC as well as its unique presentations emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach and multidisciplinary management. It also raises considerations about potential chemical exposure implications in AC development.
Admitting to bullying others or denying it: Differences in children’s psychosocial adjustment and implications for intervention
Authors: Garandeau Claire F. , Turunen Tiina , Trach Jessica , Salmivalli Christina
Published: April 2024

This study examined whether, for bullying perpetrators, admitting to their behavior was associated with specific psychosocial characteristics, and whether it predicted decreases in bullying behavior and a higher responsiveness to a successful anti-bullying program after 9 months of implementation. It also investigated whether participation in an anti-bullying program deterred admitting to the behavior. At pretest, our sample included 5,908 children and early adolescents ( Mage: 11.2 years) in 39 intervention and 38 control schools; among them, 1,304 were peer-identified bullying perpetrators (scoring higher or equal to 0.5 SD above the same-sex classroom mean). Regression analyses indicated that peer-identified bullying perpetrators who admitted to their behavior were more likely to suffer from internalizing problems and reported lower anti-bullying attitudes than those who did not admit to bullying others. There was no significant main effect of admitting to bullying on changes in peer-reported bullying 1 year later. However, in control schools only, those who admitted to bullying at pretest were more likely to continue bullying a year later than those who denied it. There was no evidence that participating in the anti-bullying program made it less likely for peer-identified bullying perpetrators to admit to their behavior.
Violence, economic development, and knowledge production
Authors: Gordon Joy
Published: April 2024

The notion of economic violence has long been recognized in the work of Johan Galtung and others. The work of Thomas Pogge and the field of global justice have addressed the impact of economic disparities between the Global North and the Global South, and their impact on human well-being, and social and economic development more broadly. Patents, publication in scholarly journals, academic collaborations, access to academic journals, and so forth do not on their face seem to be closely tied to indicators of human well-being. However, disparities in knowledge production, including access to academic resources and publication venues, are tied directly or indirectly to infrastructure, food security, health and mortality rates, employment, and gender equity.
Hewers of wood and drawers of water: English subaltern education from the charity schools to the neoliberal meritocracy of widening participation
Authors: CUNNINGHAM CHRISTOPHER , SAMSON COLIN
Published: April 2024

British educational ideas and policies towards working-class and minority youth show continuous preoccupations with social status and preparation for labour. In examining this, we link educational discourses and practices in England from the Charity Schools to the contemporary higher education policy Widening Participation (WP). We argue that WP is heir to successive educational programmes that explicitly fit poor and marginalised youth to labour and, contrary to its asserted aims, legitimates social and economic hierarchies. Using major government reports, promotional narratives and data on university expansion and tuition fees, we argue that the ‘disadvantaged student’ in WP is a currency for higher education institutions and student debt is the price of a ticket to ‘success’ within an imagined neoliberal meritocracy. The novelty is that whereas in the past, the costs of subaltern education were covered by philanthropy, today's ‘disadvantaged students’ indebt themselves to maintain their positions in society.
Vampires, grave-diggers, and the new petty bourgeoisie
Authors: Davies Steve
Published: April 2024

Margaret Thatcher regarded it as a ‘communist concept’, but class has returned to the public agenda with both media interest and academic inquiry. Evans brings a new take to an old debate about the boundary between the petty bourgeoisie and the working class and its implications for theory and practice. This review examines his argument that the petty bourgeoisie is bigger and more important than generally understood and has a key role to play in the likelihood of radical social change.
Undergraduate Students’ Perception of Social Media Use: Opportunities and Threats
Authors: Canlas Ian Phil , Gayas Perez Marilou
Published: April 2024

Studies on the effective use of social media for academic purposes are not new, but limited studies exist on undergraduate students’ perceived social media use. Anchored on Grounded Theory, this study explored undergraduate student perception of social media use at two universities in the Philippines and the Kyrgyz Republic. Results show that undergraduates use social media for communication, education, awareness of current events, entertainment, self-expression, doing and engaging in business, and as a source of motivation and inspiration. Moreover, the perceived negative impact of social media use includes a negative impact on health, productivity, psychological and mental health, socialization, and information veracity. Slight differences between the two groups were noted. A reflection on the opportunities and threats of social media use deduced from the findings vis-à-vis the literature are provided.
Parents on the Sidelines: The Role of Parental Directing in Chinese Adolescents’ Friendship Dynamics Related to Academic Achievement, Aggression, and Prosocial Behavior
Authors: Qin Xingna , Laninga-Wijnen Lydia , Steglich Christian , Zhang Yunyun , Ren Ping , Veenstra René
Published: April 2024

Adolescents’ peer interactions strongly influence their school behavior, raising the question of whether parents can still direct adolescents’ friendship choices or whether they are mostly on the sidelines. Chinese cultural values emphasize the importance of having “good” friends, raising questions about adolescents’ adherence to parental direction of friendships. This study examined friendship dynamics among seventh and eighth graders in central China ( n = 1,454, 46.7% girls), focusing on achievement, aggression, and prosocial behavior. Social network analysis revealed that Chinese students tended to select friends who were more similar to them in achievement, aggression, and prosocial behavior. Interestingly, they avoided aggressive peers but were attracted to high-achieving and prosocial peers. Despite parental emphasis on friendship quality, the study found no parental direction in adolescent friendship selection. These findings underscore the central role of peer characteristics in friendship dynamics, while highlighting the limited impact of parental directing on Chinese adolescents’ friendship selection.
From the margins of Geographical Information Systems: Limitations, challenges, and proposals
Authors: Font-Casaseca Nuria , Rodó-Zárate Maria
Published: April 2024

Some of the most exciting progress to address central limitations in GIS is currently originating from the margins of cartographic traditions. This article explores the potential of a proactive engagement with mapping technologies from peripheral positions, such as humanist, feminist, decolonial, queer, and black perspectives, to overcome what we identify as five intrinsic challenges of GIS: the representation of place; emotions; scales; time and change; and relational approaches. The proposals deal with specific concerns that do not fit in existing GISystems and suggest how a creative engagement with mapping technologies further expands our understanding of what GIS could be.
Predictors for surgical treatment in male patients with non-neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
Authors: Hopland-Nechita Florin V , Andersen John R , Beisland Christian
Published: April 2024

Objective:

This study aimed to identify clinical and biochemical predictors for future surgical intervention in male LUTS patients.

Materials and Methods:

In a prospective cohort study, parameters as International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and IPSS “bother question” (IPSS-BQ), prostate volume (PV), maximal urine flow (Qmax), Prostate specific antigen (PSA), post-voidal residual urine (PVR) were assessed alongside comorbidities quantified using Charlson Comorbidity Index without age adjustment and American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score. For the statistical analysis, patients were categorized based on subsequent treatment approaches: Group 1: underwent surgery during follow-up; Group 2: received medical or no treatment. T-test was used to test differences between the groups. Logistic regression models were used to identify independent predictors of the need for future surgery. Following this analysis, we calculated the probability of requiring surgical intervention, with this likelihood being determined based on the accumulation of identified predictive factors.

Results:

Of 63 patients, 22 underwent surgery over a median follow-up of 42 months. Significant baseline differences were observed in IPSS ( p = 0.003), International Prostatic Symptom Score-Voiding subscore (IPSS-VS) ( p = 0.002), IPSS-BQ ( p = 0.001), Qmax ( p = 0.007), and PVR ( p = 0.02) between the groups. Higher IPSS-BQ, IPSS-VS, and lower Qmax are emerging as independent surgical treatment predictors in logistic regression analyses.

Conclusion:

The study identified IPSS-VS, IPSS-BQ, and Qmax as baseline predictors of future surgical intervention. A clear pattern of a gradual increase in the likelihood of requiring surgery was directly proportional to the cumulative number of these identified predictive factors.
Enhancement of the bearing strength of pinned-joint composite materials
Authors: Aktaş Alaattin , İşgüzar Tuğçe , Dogu Mustafa , Arslan Alihan
Published: April 2024

In this study, a different approach is used to enhance the bearing strength in continuous carbon fiber epoxy composite materials. In order to enhance the bearing strength, metal washers are inserted between laminae of composite material in the region of the pin. Two types of washer, one is stainless steel and the other is aluminum, are used in the preparation of specimens to carry out the bearing strength tests. In addition, three metal washer inserting configurations, as embedding one, two, or three washers in between carbon fiber layers, are tested in each group of specimens. The results show that the first bearing strength values obtained from the specimens with stainless steel washers increase considerably with respect to specimens with aluminum washers and the specimens without washers. The maximum strength of the specimens reinforced with one, two, and three stainless steel washers is approximately 185%, 405%, and 390% higher than the reference specimen, respectively. It is also observed that the maximum strength of the specimens reinforced with one, two, and three aluminum washers is 265%, 285%, and 320% higher than the reference specimen, respectively.
Stranger in the Mirror: Exploring Somatic Defamiliarization
Authors: Duran Eduardo
Published: April 2024

This study explores the centrality of the senses for the maintenance or disruption of people’s commonsensical familiarity with the world. Drawing from in-depth interviews with people affected by depersonalization/derealization, which the American Psychiatric Association defines as a dissociative condition in which people perceive the world as dream-like, I conceptualize what I term somatic defamiliarization. I define somatic defamiliarization as a process whereby people experience previously unquestioned sensory phenomena, such as mundane objects or their bodies, as unfamiliar. Building on Berger and Luckmann’s work, I contend that somatic defamiliarization is a perpetual, albeit latent, condition of social life that threatens reality maintenance. I discuss how the concept of somatic defamiliarization can be applied to explore the somatic qualities of experiential ruptures that people may undergo in various circumstances, such as immigration or war.
Seeking Corporate Legitimacy in Times of War
Authors: Kovalenko Andriy
Published: April 2024

Following the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia, hundreds of U.S. companies exited the Russian market. Others continue to conduct business there despite most Americans’ opposition to the invasion of Ukraine. Hence, justifying continuing business in Russia has become difficult. This study examines whether continuing operations in Russia affected the legitimation strategies of American companies, compared with those that completely withdrew from the Russian market. Content analysis of corporate communications revealed that most U.S. firms continuing operations in Russia reported only operational risks, while companies that exited the Russian market actively interacted with multiple groups of stakeholders about their stance on the war and their relief initiatives. The findings also suggest that reliance on a unidirectional reporting of operational risks may contribute only to shareholder support, while using two-way communications can be beneficial for legitimizing corporate activities and, by extension, for socially responsible marketing. Discovering what and how organizations communicate in unsettled sociopolitical environments provides new insights into the strategies used for shaping stakeholders’ perception of organizational actions.
Improving 1-Year Mortality Following Intensive Care Unit Admission in Adults with HIV: A 20-Year Observational Study
Authors: Kanitkar Tanmay , Bakewell Nicholas , Dissanayake Oshani , Symonds Maggie , Rimmer Stephanie , Adlakha Amit , Lipman Marc C. I. , Bhagani Sanjay , Agarwal Banwari , Sabin Caroline A. , Miller Robert F.
Published: April 2024

Background

Despite widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapy, people with HIV (PWH) continue to have an increased risk of admission to and mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Mortality risk after hospital discharge is not well described. Using retrospective data on adult PWH (≥18 years) admitted to ICU from 2000-2019 in an HIV-referral centre, we describe trends in 1-year mortality after ICU admission.

Methods

One-year mortality was calculated from index ICU admission to date of death; with follow-up right-censored at day 365 for people remaining alive at 1 year, or day 7 after ICU discharge if lost-to-follow-up after hospital discharge. Cox regression was used to describe the association with calendar year before and after adjustment for patient characteristics (age, sex, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II [APACHE II] score, CD4+ T-cell count, and recent HIV diagnosis) at ICU admission. Analyses were additionally restricted to those discharged alive from ICU using a left-truncated design, with further adjustment for respiratory failure at ICU admission in these analyses.

Results

Two hundred and twenty-one PWH were admitted to ICU (72% male, median [interquartile range] age 45 [38–53] years) of whom 108 died within 1-year (cumulative 1-year survival: 50%). Overall, the hazard of 1-year mortality was decreased by 10% per year (crude hazard ratio (HR): 0.90 (95% confidence interval: 0.87-0.93)); the association was reduced to 7% per year (adjusted HR: 0.93 (0.89-0.98)) after adjustment. Conclusions were similar among the subset of 136 patients discharged alive (unadjusted: 0.91 (0.84-0.98); adjusted 0.92 (0.84, 1.02)).

Conclusions

Between 2000 and 2019, 1-year mortality after ICU admission declined at this ICU. Our findings highlight the need for multi-centre studies and the importance of continued engagement in care after hospital discharge among PWH.
The socialization of nationalist and socialist values: Construction of the model youth in a Chinese reality TV show
Authors: Lin Zhili , Lee Charity , Kaur Surinderpal
Published: April 2024

Commenting on the future development of China, President Xi Jinping said, ‘China’s children today are not only undergoing and witnessing the realization of the country’s first centenary goal, they are also a new force for achieving the second centenary goal and building China into a great modern socialist country.’ This statement reflects a socially shared belief that Chinese children and youth are expected to shoulder the responsibility of nation-building. This study explores how the ideology of nationalism is disseminated through the popular Chinese reality TV show, X-Change, via the legitimation of the model Chinese youth. Using Rowan Mackay’s multimodal legitimation framework to analyse six episodes from Season 18 of X-Change, this article explores how the model Chinese youth is semiotically constructed and legitimized. Findings from the analysis reveal how the model Chinese youth represents a specific normalized national identity. This is promoted through the embodiment of the urban–rural binary by the show’s main characters and the representation of the exchange journey as the inner transformation of ‘problematic’ citizens.
Vehicle lane-change intention recognition based on BiLSTM Attention model for the Internet of vehicles
Authors: Chen Yufeng , Cao Hanwen , Xiang Zhengtao , Chen Bo , Ma Yingkui , Zhang Yu
Published: April 2024

In terms of lane-changing and other driver actions, precise identification of the intentions of nearby vehicles is crucial to autonomous vehicle performance safety. At present, research in this domain primarily focuses on ideal environments without considering data packet loss. Therefore, this paper considered the impact of packet loss in the Internet of Vehicles on the performance of the lane change intent recognition model. To achieve this, an enhanced BiLSTM Attention model, which combines the bidirectional long short-term memory network structure and attention mechanism, is proposed based on LSTM. The NGSIM (Next Generation Simulation) dataset was utilized to extract vehicle lane-change behaviors for model training and testing. A long short-term memory (LSTM) model was employed to conduct comparative experiments using various input frequencies and packet loss rates. The performance of the proposed BiLSTM Attention model was evaluated through ablation experiments. A comparison was made between the model’s performance in the absence of packet loss and its performance under a scenario with 30% packet loss. Additionally, the impact of continuous packet loss on the recognition of the lane-change intent model was analyzed. Experiments show that it outperforms basic LSTM and BiLSTM models, including the LSTM Attention method, with impressive improvements of 7.84%, 2.22%, and 4.89% (F1macro) and 2.83%, 1.03%, and 2.18% for the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), respectively. Even under extreme (30%) packet loss conditions, the proposed model outperforms the same models by 8.23%, 2.68%, and 5.38% (F1macro) and 2.94%, 1.03%, and 2.29% (AUC), respectively. For 30% packet loss, the proposed model’s performance decreased by 0.108% (F1macro) and 0.102% (AUC); however, the LSTM, BiLSTM, and LSTM Attention model performances decreased by 0.468% and 0.209%, 0.554% and 0.103%, and 0.569% and 0.208% for F1macro and AUC, respectively. Thus, the proposed model is the least affected by packet loss.
The carceral in Tunisian popular culture
Authors: Chamekh Mohamed
Published: April 2024

This article makes use of James Scott's theory of ‘hidden transcripts’ to study cultural works and relevant writings that document the history of the carceral in Tunisia. It contends that prisoners found in songs and writings hidden transcripts to resist authoritarianism, to denounce the miscarriage of justice and to communicate with the outside world. Prisoner cultural works and writings show that the prisoner agency changed the carceral site into a secure social space to resist oppression and authoritarianism. Using Gaston Bachelard's conception of the house, we found that the prison cell had the value of a ‘house’ for memories, thoughts, imaginations and dreams. This paper concludes that prisoner songs and writings served as a counternarrative that helped in developing a different version of Tunisian modern history.
Efficiency assessment of SOA-based computed torque control: A comparative analysis with NE-based approach
Authors: Yaren Tugce , Kizir Selcuk
Published: April 2024

This paper proposes the spatial operator algebra-based computed torque control scheme applied to an anthropomorphic 3-degree of freedom robotic manipulator, which aims to reduce the computational cost of the classical methods and integrate the advantages of low computational cost into advanced robotic control systems. The computational cost is increased due to the calculations of the inverse dynamic and the feedback control loop. The spatial operator algebra (SOA) algorithm provides a systematic derivation, evaluation, and subsequent conceptual interpretation of the manipulator dynamics model. This paper presents a powerful and efficient solution for controlling the dynamics and trajectory of the manipulator. In order to show the efficiency of the solution, the Newton Euler (NE) based control schemes are also applied to the manipulator. The SOA-based controller significantly reduced the computational cost and performed approximately 60%–70% faster than the NE-based controller. Furthermore, different initial states, disturbances, and uncertainty tests are implemented and the SOA-based controller demonstrated successful performance under various conditions while maintaining a lower computational cost. In this study, the advantages and limitations of each method (SOA-based, NE-based) are evaluated and the potential benefits of using SOA in the computed torque control scheme are highlighted. The SOA-based controller, which was verified by simulation, is then implemented in real-time and showed successful performance.
The impact of Libman-sacks endocarditis on inpatient outcomes with systemic lupus erythematosus: A retrospective study
Authors: Alfatlawi Halah , Alharbi Abdulmajeed , Shah Momin , Nawras Yusuf , Altorok Nezam
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The existing literature offers limited insights into the influence of Libman-Sacks Endocarditis (LSE) on inpatient outcomes in individuals with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to explore the characteristics and prognosis of SLE patients with LSE and the impact of LSE in patients with SLE on inpatient outcomes including inpatient mortality, length of stay, acute heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and cerebrovascular accidents (CVA).

Methods

This study included adult patients who were hospitalized with SLE between the years 2019 and 2020, using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. The total number of patients with a diagnosis of SLE in the years 2019 and 2020 in the NIS database was 150,411. Of those, 349 had a diagnosis of LSE. The study population was divided into two groups: one group with SLE and LSE, and another group with SLE but without LSE.

Results

Caucasians made up 54.9% of the patients with a diagnosis of SLE in our patient population, while African Americans made up 26.9% and the Hispanics accounted for 12.2%. Of patients with LSE, Caucasians and African Americans represented 42.9% each. Patients with a diagnosis of LSE had a higher inpatient mortality than those with SLE without LSE (aOR: 9.74 CI 1.12–84.79, p 0.04). Patients with SLE with LSE were more likely to have acute heart failure than those without LSE, although this was not statistically significant (aOR 1.18 CI 0.13–11.07, p 0.88). Similarly, patients with SLE with LSE were more likely to have atrial fibrillation than those without LSE (aOR 4.45 CI: 0.77–25.57, p 0.10). CVAs were significantly higher in SLE patients with LSE than those without LSE (aOR 141.43 CI 16.59–1205.52, p < .01).

Discussion

Patients who develop LSE were found to have significantly higher risks of inpatient mortality and cerebrovascular accidents. Early and precise detection of LSE in such patients may ensure timely intervention and prevention of the associated adverse outcomes. Further studies may attempt to develop screening methods for detection of LSE to effectively reduce morbidity and mortality associated with SLE.
Outcomes of Neonatal Emergency Percutaneous Cardiac Interventions Performed in Rural India: Case Series
Authors: Patel Krina , Patel Shradha , Ganjiwale Jaishree , Trivedi Bhadra
Published: April 2024

Background

Critical congenital heart diseases requiring emergency percutaneous interventions are associated with frequent complications and high mortality rates. Successful outcomes of the procedures require a well-established paediatric cardiac centre performing a large number of procedures. Our cardiac centre is situated in a rural region, and it is a small-volume centre for a paediatric cardiac unit.

Case characteristics

Between April 2019 and July 2022, a total of nine neonatal emergency cardiac procedures were performed. This case series reviews the outcome of the study.

Observation

Five newborns had no complications. Two neonates had minor complications. Major complications occurred in two neonates. Seven neonates were discharged. Two neonates died.
School Climate Assessment and Continuous Improvement: What superintendent Beliefs Tell Us About Accountability Policy
Authors: Buckner-Capone Anji , Duckor Brent
Published: April 2024

Educational leaders are increasingly expected to use school climate data to improve outcomes and promote equity for all learners, including in California where school climate is included in state accountability policy. In this study, beliefs towards school climate assessment were explored in a sample (n=298) of California superintendents using a 37-item Likert-style instrument. Data were analyzed using an item response approach and latent class analysis. Findings showed variation in beliefs including three subgroups labeled “true believers” “still questioning” and “remains skeptical.” Findings suggest these groupings influence policy adoption and implementation. Education leaders are in a unique position to interpret and use school climate assessment data to facilitate change if they believe it is important, have the capacity, and trust the data. Implications for school and district improvement under the California continuous improvement model relies on stakeholders and local educational leaders believing in the value of school climate data and trusting its uses to effect change.
Influence of Artificial Intelligence-Based Skill Development Training on Employability
Authors: Lakshmi Devi S. , Das Simanchala , Gayathri Kumar Adimulam Ram , Keerthana Andraju Hemashri , Sai Ram Polisetti Charan , Rakesh Kancharla
Published: April 2024

The main objective of this research is to study the influence of AI on skill development programs, and its impact on employability in Andhra Pradesh in India. To actualize this research, the data were gathered from 125 students/graduates on their responses to the questionnaire. In this research, the factors, such as crucial thinking skills, advanced AI technology; communication skills, and interpersonal skills are considered. Additionally, the analysis is done by employing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for acquired data. This findings of this research have implications for skill development programs and AI adoption for employability.
Wholesale Price Discrimination and Contract Unobservability
Authors: Zheng Shengming , Zheng Quan , Vakharia Asoo J.
Published: April 2024

This study examines how wholesale price discrimination (WD) by a supplier affects different parties in a supply chain involving a common supplier distributing homogeneous products through two competing retailers with different costs under wholesale price contracts. Especially, we allow for contract unobservability, where the contract terms between the supplier and each retailer are secret to the rival retailer. Intuitively, given the downstream asymmetry, WD should be more advantageous than the uniform wholesale price (UW) scheme for the supplier. This is true under observable contracts, as we show that WD benefits the supplier and less efficient retailer but hurts the more efficient retailer, supply chain, and consumers. Under unobservability, however, we find that the supplier may be better off by committing to UW. The intuition is that contract unobservability induces the supplier to set lower discretionary wholesale prices, which can outweigh the benefits of pricing flexibility. Consequently, a lack of commitment to UW can benefit both retailers, improve supply chain efficiency, and increase consumer surplus. Our findings suggest that policymakers should be cautious about imposing restrictions on WD. We also consider three extensions for robustness and offer new insights.
Role of a Pharmacist in Postdischarge Care for Patients With Kidney Disease: A Scoping Review
Authors: Manis Melanie M. , Skelley Jessica W. , Read J. Braden , Maxson Rebecca , O’Hagan Emma , Wallace Jessica L. , Siew Edward D. , Barreto Erin F. , Silver Samuel A. , Kane-Gill Sandra L. , Neyra Javier A.
Published: April 2024

Objective:

The objective was to explore and describe the role of pharmacists in providing postdischarge care to patients with kidney disease.

Data Sources:

PubMed, Embase (Elsevier), CINAHL (Ebscohost), Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus were searched on January 30, 2023. Publication date limits were not included. Search terms were identified based on 3 concepts: kidney disease, pharmacy services, and patient discharge. Experimental, quasi-experimental, observational, and qualitative studies, or study protocols, describing the pharmacist’s role in providing postdischarge care for patients with kidney disease, excluding kidney transplant recipients, were eligible.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Six unique interventions were described in 10 studies meeting inclusion criteria.

Data Synthesis:

Four interventions targeted patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) during hospitalization and 2 evaluated patients with pre-existing chronic kidney disease. Pharmacists were a multidisciplinary care team (MDCT) member in 5 interventions and were the sole provider in 1. Roles commonly identified include medication review, medication reconciliation, medication action plan formation, kidney function assessment, drug dose adjustments, and disease education. Some studies showed improvements in diagnostic coding, laboratory monitoring, medication therapy problem (MTP) resolution, and patient education; prevention of hospital readmission was inconsistent. Limitations include lack of standardized reporting of kidney disease, transitions of care processes, and differences in outcomes evaluated.

Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice:

This review identifies potential roles of a pharmacist as part of a postdischarge MDCT for patients with varying degrees of kidney disease.

Conclusions:

The pharmacist’s role in providing postdischarge care to patients with kidney disease is inconsistent. Multidisciplinary care teams including a pharmacist provided consistent identification and resolution of MTPs, improved patient education, and increased self-awareness of diagnosis.
Vaccines for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention in Older Adults
Authors: Wroblewski Daniel , Brust-Sisti Lindsay A. , Bridgeman Matthew , Bridgeman Mary Barna
Published: April 2024

Objective:

This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of novel respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines approved for adults aged 60 years and older.

Data Sources:

A literature search through February 27, 2024 was conducted using search terms, such as RSV, viral respiratory illness, vaccine, RSVpreF, RSVpreF3, Prefusion F, Abrysvo, and Arexvy.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Data from primary literature and vaccine prescribing information were reviewed, encompassing evaluations of clinical pharmacology, efficacy, safety, adverse events, warnings, and precautions.

Data Synthesis:

The literature review process resulted in 10 articles included within this article’s scope, including the results of 2 major phase III trials presented in detail. Two RSV vaccines, Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine (recombinant [adjuvanted]; RSVpreF3-ASO1E, Arexvy) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine (recombinant; RSVpreF, Abrysvo), approved for preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) in adults aged 60 years or older in the United States are discussed. Results from Phase III trials have demonstrated the efficacy of 1 dose of these vaccines in preventing RSV-associated LRTD across 2 RSV seasons.

Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice:

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices currently recommends use of these vaccines under shared clinical decision-making for adults aged 60 years or older. Most common adverse effects include injection site reactions (eg, site pain, redness, and swelling). Administration requires a single intramuscular injection of 0.5 mL, reconstituted prior to administration.

Conclusions:

The RSVpreF3-ASO1E and RSVpreF vaccines effectively prevent RSV-associated LRTD in adults aged 60 years and older.
Gastric Type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma With Concurrent High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion: A Clinicopathologic Study of Three Patients
Authors: Sun Yao , Lin Wanrun , Zou Qiuqin , Zheng Wenxin , Zhang Huijuan , Zhou Feng
Published: April 2024

Objective

We investigate gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (ECA), a prominent HPV-independent adenocarcinoma, and its coexistence with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) through the examination of three such tumors.

Methods

In this study, we conducted an in-depth review of three patients with gastric-type ECA, each associated with high-risk HPV infection as detected on Pap smears. We detailed the clinical and pathological features of each patient and utilized RNAscope for high-risk HPV testing to ascertain HPV status in both gastric-type ECA and HSIL components. Immunohistochemistry with p16, p53, and other biomarkers was also applied.

Results

The gastric-type ECA component, characterized by well-differentiated glands with abundant, clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm, distinct cellular borders, and pale nuclei with conspicuous nucleoli, tested negative for both p16 and high-risk HPV, unlike the concurrent HSIL components which were positive. Additionally, two tumors showed aberrant p53 protein expression in the gastric-type ECA areas, and elevated carbohydrate antigen19-9 levels were noted in two patients. Treatment consisted of total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, supplemented by chemotherapy and/or radiation, with disease-free intervals of 24, 12, and 40 months post-treatment, respectively.

Conclusion

This study highlights the critical need for meticulous diagnostic protocols that combine morphological examination, immunohistochemistry, and HPV RNA in situ hybridization. The rarity of gastric-type ECA coexisting with HPV infection underscores the necessity for continuous research and vigilant monitoring in the field of gynecological oncology.