bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing a Model for the Management of Educational Non-governmental Organisations Active in the Field of School Construction (Barekat Foundation)
Authors: Mahboub Seyyed Ali , Araghieh Alireza , Khorshidi Abbas , Babadi Aliakbar Khosravi , Moradi Saied
Published: June 2021

School building is one of the vital activities in the realisation of educational justice in Iran, and given the effective cooperation and participation of educational non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with the government in this field, having a local model and overall framework appropriate to these organisations will certainly play a very important and influential role in realising and facilitating things. Therefore, this research aims to present a model for educational NGOs active in the field of school construction. The research approaches used were mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) and exploratory analysis. In the qualitative part of the research, the grounded theory method and purposive sampling were used, whereas in the quantitative part, the cross-sectional survey method and random stratified sampling were adopted. The data collection tool used for the qualitative part was semi-structured interviews, and for the quantitative part a researcher-made questionnaire with 117 questions was used. The validity of the questionnaire was established by the Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90. Results of the quantitative part confirmed the chi-square (χ2), goodness of fit, adjusted goodness of fit, mean deviation root and rounded squares of the qualitative part of the research. The results also show that the combination of the management’s characteristics and beliefs and organisational and social factors influences the management of educational NGOs. Also, the consequences of the utilisation of the management pattern for educational NGOs are divided into two: individual and social aspects. In terms of influencing the manner of management, contextual factors were influential in two environmental and policymaking aspects, and intervening factors were influential in two internal and external aspects. Furthermore, it was found that non-localised execution and implementation of patterns shall result in the failure of most management programmes throughout these organisations. As a result, the organization shall gain productivity and success if it manages educational NGOs with reliance on factors effective in paradigmatic model of grounded theory.
Rethinking the Concept of Municipal Bonds to Improve Urban Governance in India
Authors: Samal Manohar
Published: June 2021

The pace of urban development in India has been slow, unorganised and unorderly as a result of inadequate planning and implementation of projects, mismanagement and misutilisation of funds, bureaucracy in the decision-making process and the reliance of urban local bodies on traditional forms of financing such as taxes and government grants. These factors not only restrict effective urban governance and development, but also create several dilemmas for comparatively modern and efficacious forms of urban financing. A perfect example of this is the unattractiveness and underutilised potential of municipal bonds for urban financing despite the fact that it was introduced in India in the year 1997. In pursuance of the above, this article aims to identify the problems associated with urban financing through municipal bonds and also makes an attempt to provide solutions which will not only help in creating a more reliable and effective form of urban financing for urban local bodies but also improve urban governance and permit the general public to invest in urban infrastructure development activities.

JEL Classification: K220, R510
Ectopic Prostate Tissue Presenting as Urinary Bladder Tumor: The Imitation Game!
Authors: Gupta Mehak , Sancheti Sankalp , Sali Akash P. , Somal Puneet K. , Brar Rahatdeep S. , Chaudhary Debashish , Kapoor Rakesh
Published: June 2021

Ectopic prostate tissue is a rare phenomenon. Histologically and immunohistochemically it is indistinguishable from normal prostatic tissue but it is difficult to recognize and may be confused with malignancy when presenting as ectopic lesion in the urinary system. Therefore, awareness of this entity is essential for both urologists and pathologists to prevent misdiagnosis.
Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Abdel-Razeq Hikmat , Tamimi Faris , Abdel-Razeq Rashid , Salah Samer , Omari Zaid , Salama Osama , Abufara Alaa , Al-Tell Abdalla , Qahoush Hanna , Nasman Ahmad , Taqash Ayat , Alhalaseh Yazan , Bater Rayan
Published: June 2021

Malignancy, including testicular tumors, significantly increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In this study, we search for predictors that may help identify subgroups of patients at higher risk of VTE. Patients with confirmed diagnosis of testicular germ cell tumor and proven VTE were identified. Clinical and pathological features possibly associated with VTE were reviewed. A total of 322 patients, median age (range) 31 (18-76) years were identified. Tumors were mostly non-seminoma (n = 194, 60.2%), node-positive (n = 130, 40.4%) and 58 (18.0%) had metastatic disease at diagnosis. Venous thromboembolism were confirmed in 27 (8.4%) patients; however, rates were significantly higher ( P < 0.001) in patients with node-positive (18.5%), metastatic disease (22.4%), and those with high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (21.3%). Rates were also significantly higher among those who received multiple lines of chemotherapy (27.5%) compared to those who received one line (13.8%) or none (<1.0%), P < 0.001. Patients with testicular tumors and high tumor burden, including nodal involvement, high LDH or metastatic disease, and those treated with multiple lines of chemotherapy have significantly higher rates of VTE.
Selection of a mother wavelet as identification pattern for the detection of cracks in shafts
Authors: Zamorano Marta , Gómez Garcia María Jesus , Castejón Cristina
Published: June 2021

Nowadays, there are many methods to detect and diagnose defects in mechanical components during operation. The newest methods that can be found in the literature are based on intelligent classification systems and evaluation of patterns to obtain a diagnosis; however, there is not any standard method to assess features. Wavelet packet transform allows to obtain interesting patterns for evaluating the condition of rotating elements. To perform this calculation, it is necessary to select a series of parameters that affect the resulting pattern. These parameters are the decomposition level and the mother wavelet function. A detailed methodology for the selection of the mother wavelet is proposed, which is the aim of this work, to obtain the most suitable patterns in the diagnostic task. This proposed methodology is applied to data obtained from a rotating shaft with a crack located at the change of section. These signals were measured at low rotation frequency (below the critical rotation frequency) and without eccentricity, where detection becomes more complex.
Topical interferon in recurrent inflammatory macular edema following a cat bite
Authors: Kawali Ankush , Srinivasan Sanjay , Mahendradas Padmamalini , Shetty Rohit
Published: June 2021

Introduction:

Treating chronic macular edema (CME) post endophthalmitis is a challenge. Use of steroids may reactivate the infection and repeated intravitreal therapy with anti-vascular growth factor inhibitors (Anti-VEGF) puts the patient again at the risk of exacerbation of inflammation or endophthalmitis. We describe a case of CME post traumatic endophthalmitis successfully treated with topical interferon therapy.

Case description:

A 34-year-old Asian Indian lady with a history of cat bite to her right eye and treated elsewhere as traumatic endophthalmitis with recurrent macular edema, presented to us 1 year after the injury. She had received anti-VEGF injection for same. Her medical history was non-contributory except for close contact with her cat. Therapeutic trials with oral doxycycline followed by oral albendazole with steroids, as well as repeated anti-VEGF therapy failed to prevent recurrence of CME. Patient’s steroid responsiveness and reluctance for injections, made us to opt for a novel topical Interferon therapy. Macular edema resolved in 2 months. Interruption of interferon therapy due to COVID-lock down resulted in recurrence of the CME, which again responded well to interferon monotherapy.

Conclusion:

Topical interferon may have a role in the treatment of inflammatory macular edema and can serve as a, safer, economical and non-invasive treatment option compared to intravitreal steroids and anti-VEGFs.
Pin Temperature and Al2O3 Fillings Effect on Sliding Wear Characteristics of Al–25Zn/Al2O3 Composites
Authors: Ritapure Parmeshwar P , Kharde Yashwant R , Yadav Rashmi G , Pawar Suyash Y , Aldar Bharat D
Published: June 2021

This investigation studied the effect of Al2O3 reinforcement on sliding wear (dry) characteristics of Al–25Zn/Al2O3 composites at various temperatures, speeds, and loads applied for 1400 m sliding distances as per the Taguchi L16 orthogonal array using a tribometer with an Emergency Number24 shaft steel disk. Al–25Zn alloy-based composites reinforced with 10, 15, and 20 wt% of Al2O3 particles were fabricated by the stir casting technique. The results show a significant alteration in mechanical and tribological properties with reinforcement of Al2O3 content. The optimum mechanical and sliding wear properties are seen for the composite with 10 wt% of Al2O3. The material removal in the matrix alloy is due to adhesion and in composites mainly due to abrasion and delamination. The developed regression model and the artificial neural network model can forecast the composite's wear behavior with good precision.
Altered anterior default mode network dynamics in progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bommarito Giulia , Tarun Anjali , Farouj Younes , Preti Maria Giulia , Petracca Maria , Droby Amgad , El Mendili Mohamed Mounir , Inglese Matilde , Van De Ville Dimitri
Published: June 2021

Background:

Modifications in brain function remain relatively unexplored in progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS), despite their potential to provide new insights into the pathophysiology of the disease at this stage.

Objectives:

To characterize the dynamics of functional networks at rest in patients with PMS, and the relation with clinical disability.

Methods:

Thirty-two patients with PMS underwent clinical and cognitive assessment. The dynamic properties of functional networks, retrieved from transient brain activity, were obtained from patients and 25 healthy controls (HCs). Sixteen HCs and 19 patients underwent a 1-year follow-up (FU) clinical and imaging assessment. Differences in the dynamic metrics between groups, their longitudinal changes, and the correlation with clinical disability were explored.

Results:

PMS patients, compared to HCs, showed a reduced dynamic functional activation of the anterior default mode network (aDMN) and a decrease in its opposite-signed co-activation with the executive control network (ECN), at baseline and FU. Processing speed and visuo-spatial memory negatively correlated to aDMN dynamic activity. The anti-couplings between aDMN and auditory/sensory-motor network, temporal-pole/amygdala, or salience networks were differently associated with separate cognitive domains.

Conclusion:

Patients with PMS presented an altered aDMN functional recruitment and anti-correlation with ECN. The aDMN dynamic functional activity and interaction with other networks explained cognitive disability.
Acute and chronic synaptic pathology in multiple sclerosis gray matter
Authors: Vercellino Marco , Marasciulo Stella , Grifoni Silvia , Vallino-Costassa Elena , Bosa Chiara , Pasanisi Maria Barbara , Crociara Paola , Casalone Cristina , Chiò Adriano , Giordana Maria Teresa , Corona Cristiano , Cavalla Paola
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

To investigate the extent of synaptic loss, and the contribution of gray matter (GM) inflammation and demyelination to synaptic loss, in multiple sclerosis (MS) brain tissue.

Methods:

This study was performed on two different post-mortem series of MS and control brains, including deep GM and cortical GM. MS brain samples had been specifically selected for the presence of active demyelinating GM lesions. Over 1,000,000 individual synapses were identified and counted using confocal microscopy, and further characterized as glutamatergic/GABAergic. Synaptic counts were also correlated with neuronal/axonal loss.

Results:

Important synaptic loss was observed in active demyelinating GM lesions (−58.9%), while in chronic inactive GM lesions, synaptic density was only mildly reduced compared to adjacent non-lesional gray matter (NLGM) (−12.6%). Synaptic loss equally affected glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses. Diffuse synaptic loss was observed in MS NLGM compared to control GM (−21.2% overall).

Conclusion:

This study provides evidence, in MS brain tissue, of acute synaptic damage/loss during active GM inflammatory demyelination and of synaptic reorganization in chronically demyelinated GM, affecting equally glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses. Furthermore, this study provides a strong indication of widespread synaptic loss in MS NLGM also independently from focal GM demyelination.
Keeping the family silver: The changing meanings and uses of Manchester’s civic plate
Authors: Edensor Tim , Sobell Becky
Published: June 2021

This article explores the shifting uses and meanings of Manchester civic plate, a huge silver dining service purchased in 1877 to coincide with the opening of the city’s neo-Gothic Town Hall. The authors explore how the silver collection has successively forged relations with a host of different people, places and objects, exemplifying the changing processes through which objects are understood, utilized, valued, maintained, stored and curated. Three key processes are deployed to illuminate these shifting entanglements: the use of the silver to express municipal prestige and advance particular cultural values, the maintenance procedures that have responded to the silver’s vital material constituency and practices of display, storage and curation. In accounting for these diverse and volatile processes, the article argues for the virtues of theoretical breadth in exploring the multiplicities of material culture.
Robot death care: A study of funerary practice
Authors: Gould Hannah , Arnold Michael , Kohn Tamara , Nansen Bjørn , Gibbs Martin
Published: June 2021

Across the globe, human experiences of death, dying, and grief are now shaped by digital technologies and, increasingly, by robotic technologies. This article explores how practices of care for the dead are transformed by the participation of non-human, mechanised agents. We ask what makes a particular robot engagement with death a breach or an affirmation of care for the dead by examining recent entanglements between humans, death, and robotics. In particular, we consider telepresence robots for remote attendance of funerals; semi-humanoid robots officiating in a religious capacity at memorial services; and the conduct of memorial services by robots, for robots. Using the activities of robots to ground our discussion, this article speaks to broader cultural anxieties emerging in an era of high-tech life and high-tech death, which involve tensions between human affect and technological effect, machinic work and artisanal work, humans and non-humans, and subjects and objects.
Making players care: The ambivalent cultural politics of care and video games
Authors: Ruberg Bonnie , Scully-Blaker Rainforest
Published: June 2021

The relationship between care and video games is fraught. While the medium has the potential to allow players to meaningfully express and receive care, the cultural rhetorics that connect video games to care are often problematic. Even among game designers and scholars committed to social justice, some view care with hope and others with concern. Here, we identify and unpack these tensions, which we refer to as the ambivalent cultural politics of care, and illustrate them through three case studies. First, we discuss “tend-and-befriend games,” coined by Brie Code, which we read through feminist theorists Sarah Sharma and Sara Ahmed. Second, we address “empathy games” and the worrisome implication that games by marginalized people must make privileged players care. Lastly, we turn to issues of care in video game development. We discuss Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead series (2012–18) and strikingly care-less fan responses to recent employee layoffs.
Major depressive disorders in young immigrants: A cohort study from primary healthcare settings in Sweden
Authors: Osooli Mehdi , Ohlsson Henrik , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina
Published: June 2021

Aims:

Previous studies on major depressive disorder (MDD) among immigrants have reported mixed results. Using data from primary healthcare settings in Sweden, we compared the incidence of MDD among first- and second-generation immigrants aged 15–39 years with natives.

Methods:

This was a retrospective nationwide open cohort study. Eligible individuals were born 1965–1983, aged 15–39 years at baseline, and resided in Sweden for at least one year during the study period 2000–2015. We identified MDD cases through the Primary Care Registry (PCR). The follow-up for each individual started when they met the inclusion criteria and were registered in the PCR and ended at MDD diagnosis, death, emigration, moving to a county without PCR coverage, or the end of the study period, whichever came first. Results: The final sample included 1,341,676 natives and 785,860 immigrants. The MDD incidence rate per 1000 person-years ranged from 6.1 (95% confidence intervals: 6.1, 6.2) to 16.6 (95% confidence intervals: 16.2, 17.0) in native males and second-generation female immigrants with a foreign-born father, respectively. After adjusting for income, the MDD risk did not differ substantially between first-generation male and female immigrants and natives. However, male and female second-generation immigrants had a 16–29% higher adjusted risk of MDD than natives.

Conclusions:

This cohort study using primary healthcare data in Sweden, albeit incomplete, indicated that second-generation immigrants seem to be at a particularly high risk of MDDs. The underlying mechanisms need further investigation.
Low-frequency vibro-acoustic response of an optimized fiber-reinforced graphite truss sandwich panel filled with wood-based material
Authors: Wang Luyao , Dai Liming , Hu Gang
Published: June 2021

Conventional metallic sandwich panels are widely used for noise control owing to their good noise control capabilities and excellent mechanical strength-to-weight ratio property. Furthermore, sound-absorbing products consisting of glass or mineral fiber materials are generally filled into the sandwich structures to lower the vibration response in resonance frequency and to enhance the structural noise attenuation capacity. In the present study, a fiber-reinforced graphite material is used as an alternative to its metallic counterparts. Moreover, a wood-based renewable absorption material is used as the absorption material and is filled into the sandwich structural core. The vibro-acoustic characteristics of the panel with such a design are numerically investigated using Actran. The findings of the research indicate that the proposed sandwich structure achieves advanced low-frequency noise control performance in comparison with other conventional metallic sandwich panels. Approximately 7 dB increase in sound transmission loss in the audible-frequency range is achieved in addition to a reduced panel weight and more stable vibration with reduced amplitude. The existing data available in the literature are employed for validating and illustrating the accuracy and reliability of the proposed approach.
Digitizing the paper of record: Archiving digital newspapers at the New York Times
Authors: Ringel Sharon
Published: June 2021

This study uses three archiving efforts at the New York Times as a means to analyse the newspaper as an archival object. I study the traditional ‘morgue’ of physical clippings and photos, the Times’ joint project with Google Cloud to digitize its photo collection, and the TimesMachine interactive digital archive, which made scanned editions of printed issues from 1851 to 2002 publicly available online. Based on interviews with staff and analysis of documents describing past and present newspaper archiving practices, it is clear that the digital archive is not a comprehensive copy of an analogue original. There are a significant number of documents stored in physical archives that have not been translated to digital, and whose loss would be detrimental to historians and media scholars alike. Moreover, even the documents that have been scanned and made available as digital objects do not perfectly mirror their analogue equivalents, meaning that information loss is inherent to the digitization process. As active producers of the past for contemporary purposes, these online news archives serve as cultural gatekeepers, actively shaping journalistic practice and reframing current events in reference to the past.
Institutional Quality and Income Inequality in Developing Countries: A Dynamic Panel Threshold Analysis
Authors: Asamoah Lawrence Adu
Published: June 2021

This study investigates whether there is an institutional quality threshold effect on income distribution. We employ the dynamic panel threshold model developed by Kremer et al. (2013: Empirical Economics 44(2): 861–878) and a panel of both developing and advanced countries from 1995 to 2017. Our findings suggest the inequality-reducing effect of institutional quality is disproportionate. More specifically, we find two-pronged results: (i) when institutional quality is measured by World Governance Indicators, we find quadratic effect for advanced countries, but a monotonic negative effect for developing countries; (ii) when the International Country Risk Guide-based measure of institutional quality is used as the threshold variable, we find a Kuznets inverted U-shaped relationship between institutions and income inequality for both advanced and developing countries. The results also show a higher threshold value for developing countries compared to advanced economies. These results are robust to both measurement and endogeneity issues. The results have interesting policy implications for income inequality in developing economies.
The impact of COVID-19 quarantine measures on the mental health of families
Authors: Al Gharaibeh Fakir , Gibson Laura
Published: June 2021

COVID-19 is shaping all aspects of life throughout the world. The unexpected number of people who have been infected with and died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is evidence that the pandemic has affected families and societies. The strong shock wave that has resulted in the international response has focused more on medical rather than psychosocial interventions. Little has been written or studied about the impact of COVID-19 on families. This article explores the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the mental health of families. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with Jordanian families through snowball sampling.

Findings

The results show that 20 interviewees described varied and new experiences. Many of the families we interviewed displayed symptoms of mental health problems, including disrupted sleep patterns, changes in eating habits, excessive digital media use, anxiety, depression, excessive smoking, stomach aches, bedwetting among children, and persistent headaches. The study also demonstrated the psychological stress partners felt during the lockdown due to their worries about job security. They also communicated their hope that renewed family commitments might bring more stability to their relationships. During the lockdown, family members spent more time together, and it became harder to conceal any issues from each other.

Applications

The findings of this research demonstrate a critical need for social workers, and it is hoped that future legislation will include a role for social workers in various fields of crisis. Moreover, social workers should encourage families to ask for intervention to overcome the long-term effects that may result from COVID-19.
Co-constructions, co-performances and co-reflections in early years qualitative research
Authors: Mikuska Eva , Lyndon Sandra
Published: June 2021

This study investigates our role as early years researchers in qualitative data analysis. We draw on our doctoral studies to address how the co-construction, co-performance and co-reflection of narratives elicit deeper and new understandings of early years workers in England, and how our life stories are co-produced through narrative inquiry. Employing a constructionist approach and building on Buitelaar theorisation of I-positions and the multi-vocal ‘self’, we explore how narratives are co-constructed and co-performed between the researched and researcher in relation to the ‘self’ and master narratives of culture, time and place. Data were collected using focus groups and semi-structured interviews involving 50 early years workers and 17 nurseries situated in the South East of England. By ‘co-reflecting’ on how the data was analysed, we discussed the ways in which we and our participants are simultaneously positioned within social categories of intersectionality, such as gender, social class, mother and worker. Our reflections offer a broader understanding of how qualitative research can enrich existing knowledge of how early years workers and their practice are constructed in England.
Influence of yarn hybridisation and fibre architecture on the compaction response of woven fabric preforms during composite manufacturing
Authors: Dalfi Hussein Kommur , Yousaf Zeshan , Selver Erdem , Potluri Prasad
Published: June 2021

Fabric preforms undergo transverse compaction during composite manufacturing. This compaction changes the preform thickness, fibre volume fraction (FVF), tow geometry and voids for resin flow. In this paper, influence of yarn hybridisation and fibre architecture on the compaction response of woven fabric preforms has been studied. A series of cyclic compression tests have been carried out on both dry and wet preforms. The effect of hybridisation on compressibility has been investigated for single as well as multilayer fabrics. The influence of interlacement pattern (twill and satin fabrics) with hybrid yarns has also been investigated. Nesting efficiencies of multilayer stacks have been studied by utilising mechanical test results. Additionally, the meso-structure of single and multilayer fabrics under 1 bar pressure has been analysed using SEM images. It is observed that the thickness reduction for single layer twill hybrid fabric is 38% while thickness reduction for twill S-glass fabric is 67% at 100 kPa. Moreover, single layer hybrid twill fabrics have shown higher compressibility resistance (60% thickness reduction at 100 kPa) compared to single layer hybrid satin fabrics (which showed 67% thickness reduction at 100 kPa). Whereas opposite trend is observed for multilayer hybrid fabrics due to nesting effect.
Vote Overreporting While Black: Identifying the Mechanism Behind Black Survey Respondents’ Vote Overreporting
Authors: Jenkins Clinton , White Ismail , Hanmer Michael , Banks Antoine
Published: June 2021

It is now a well-documented fact of survey research that Black survey respondents overreport turning out to vote at higher rates than many of their peers of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. We bring renewed attention to this phenomenon by investigating how the ways in which the race of the interviewer might influence a Back respondent’s propensity to overreport turning out to vote. In this paper, we test two competing mechanisms for African American overreporting and race of interviewer effects: (1) racial group linked fate, and (2) conformity with norms of Black political behavior. We find support that social pressure to conform to group norms of political behavior is behind Black respondent’s overreporting in the presence of a same-race interviewer. These results have significant implications for how we view, analyze, and consider results from such studies.
Outcomes of Thrombolytic Therapy of Tunnelled Hemodialysis Catheter Dysfunction
Authors: Selçuk Emre , Arıkan Ali Ahmet , Bayraktar Fath Avni
Published: June 2021

Introduction:

Intraluminal thrombolytic therapy is the first step treatment of thrombotic malfunction of tunneled hemodialysis catheters (THC). The factors that affect catheter restoration and also catheter survival following thrombolytic therapy are not well described. In this study, we aimed to reveal the predictors that affect the success of the procedure and also present post-restoration catheter patency after intraluminal thrombolytic administration.

Method:

This retrospective study included 62 patients with tunneled THC thrombosis treated with alteplase between 2017 and2020 in the study center. Age, comorbidities, the use of antiplatelet and anticoagulants, a history of catheter thrombosis, time on dialysis, the duration of the catheter were investigated as possible predictors of procedural success. The independent predictive factors for procedural success were evaluated by using backward stepwise likelihood ratio logistic regression analysis. Primaryand assisted patencieswere presented with Kaplan-Meier graphs.

Results:

Thrombolityc was administered to 62 patients 102 times. The median primary patency from the first thrombolytic administration to a second catheter thrombosis was 9 months (range 1-20 months). The overall median patency was 12 months (range 2-23 months). The overall procedural success rate was 79.4% (81/102).Multivariate analyses revealed that a history of prior catheter thrombosis was the only risk factor for procedural success (OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.26-0.91; p = 0.004). The need for a second dwell time among patients with prior history of thrombolysis was significantly higher compared to patients without a history of catheter thrombosis (12/26 patients, 46.2% and 6/55 patients, 10.9%; respectively; p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

The success of thrombolysis in subsequent de novo THC thrombosis decreases in patients who previously required intraluminal thrombolytic administration. Identifying patient subgroups with a high risk for THC thrombosis may be useful to investigate effective secondary prevention strategies.
Use of Template Documents with Guidance to Improve the Quality of Human Subjects Research Protocol Submissions to a Thai Research Ethics Committee
Authors: Khawcharoenporn Thana , Chimkhong Wilaiwan , Roestpricha Varanya
Published: June 2021

A pre–post study was conducted to evaluate the utility of template documents specifically created to assist research protocol submissions to a Thai research ethics committee (REC). A total of 172 protocols during the 2014–2016 preintervention period were matched to 172 protocols during the 2017–2019 postintervention period by type of principal investigator and REC review category. The intervention was associated with a significant reduction in initial REC requirement deficiencies in the information sheet and informed consent form, resubmission turn-around time by the principal investigator, and time form protocol submission to REC approval. The most significant postintervention improvements were for information about the consent process and listed risks of study participation. In this study, utilization of a structured protocol template with guidance instructions was associated with measurable improvement in the quality of research protocol submissions and REC review process.
Exploring Possible Mechanisms of Hormesis and Homeopathy in the Light of Nanopharmacology and Ultra-High Dilutions
Authors: Ullman Dana
Published: June 2021

Serially diluted succussed solutions of a suitable drug/toxic substance can exhibit physicochemical and biological properties even far beyond Avogadro’s limit defying conventional wisdom. They can show hormesis, and homeopathy uses them as medicines. Many studies confirm that they can have an impact on gene expression different than controls. Water in the exclusion zone phase can have memory but for a short period. However, the nanoparticle as the physical substrate can hold information. Nanoparticle and exclusion zone duo as nanoparticle-exclusion zone shell can provide a prolonged memory. The Nanoparticle-Exclusion Zone Shell Model may be an important step toward explaining the nature and bioactivity of serially diluted succussed solutions used as homeopathic medicines. This model may also provide insight into the workings of hormesis. Hormesis is the primary phenomenon through which homeopathic phenomenon may have evolved exhibiting the principle of similars. Hahnemann exploited it to establish homeopathy. The nanoparticle-exclusion zone shells present in the remedy, selected on the principle of similars, can be patient-specific nanoparticles in a symptom syndrome-specific manner. They can carry the drug-specific information for safer clinical applications in an amplified form for high yielding. It suggests homeopathy is a type of nanopharmacology.
Feasibility of Virtual Focus Groups in Program Impact Evaluation
Authors: Nobrega Suzanne , Ghaziri Mazen El , Giacobbe Lauren , Rice Serena , Punnett Laura , Edwards Kasper
Published: June 2021

Focus groups are often used for qualitative investigations. We adapted a published focus group method for evaluating impact of an organizational intervention for virtual delivery using video conferencing. The method entailed convening small groups of three to five participants for a 2-hour facilitated workshop. We delivered the virtual workshops, adding qualitative evaluation with researchers and participants, to assess the effectiveness of the protocol. We address the questions of how to structure the data collection procedures; whether virtual delivery permits cross participant interactions about a studied intervention; and how easy and comfortable the experience was for participants. Participants were university faculty members who were the focus of an institutional diversity program. The results indicated that the virtually delivered focus group workshop could be successfully implemented with strong fidelity to the original protocol to achieve the workshop goals. The workshops generated rich data about the impacts of the institutional program as well as other events and conditions in the working environment that were relevant to consider along with the observed program outcomes. A well-planned virtual focus group protocol is a valuable tool to engage intervention stakeholders for research and evaluation from a distance. Video conferencing is especially useful during the current COVID-19 pandemic, but also whenever geography separates researchers and evaluators from program stakeholders. Careful planning of privacy measures for a secure online environment and procedures for structured facilitation of group dialogue are critical for success, as in any focus group. This article addresses a gap in the literature on feasibility and methodology for using video conference technology to conduct qualitative data collection with groups.
Possible unrecognised liver injury is associated with mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients
Authors: Romero-Cristóbal Mario , Clemente-Sánchez Ana , Piñeiro Patricia , Cedeño Jamil , Rayón Laura , del Río Julia , Ramos Clara , Hernández Diego-Andrés , Cova Miguel , Caballero Aranzazu , Garutti Ignacio , García-Olivares Pablo , Hortal Javier , Guerrero Jose-Eugenio , García Rita , Bañares Rafael , Rincón Diego
Published: June 2021

Background:

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening condition. A previous diagnosis of chronic liver disease is associated with poorer outcomes. Nevertheless, the impact of silent liver injury has not been investigated. We aimed to explore the association of pre-admission liver fibrosis indices with the prognosis of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Methods:

The work presented was an observational study in 214 patients with COVID-19 consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Pre-admission liver fibrosis indices were calculated. In-hospital mortality and predictive factors were explored with Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analysis.

Results:

The mean age was 59.58 (13.79) years; 16 patients (7.48%) had previously recognised chronic liver disease. Up to 78.84% of patients according to Forns, and 45.76% according to FIB-4, had more than minimal fibrosis. Fibrosis indices were higher in non-survivors [Forns: 6.04 (1.42) versus 4.99 (1.58), p < 0.001; FIB-4: 1.77 (1.17) versus 1.41 (0.91), p = 0.020)], but no differences were found in liver biochemistry parameters. Patients with any degree of fibrosis either by Forns or FIB-4 had a higher mortality, which increased according to the severity of fibrosis ( p < 0.05 for both indexes). Both Forns [HR 1.41 (1.11–1.81); p = 0.006] and FIB-4 [HR 1.31 (0.99–1.72); p = 0.051] were independently related to survival after adjusting for the Charlson comorbidity index, APACHE II, and ferritin.

Conclusion:

Unrecognised liver fibrosis, assessed by serological tests prior to admission, is independently associated with a higher risk of death in patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to the ICU.
Edge-enhancing gradient echo with multi-image co-registration and averaging (EDGE-MICRA) for targeting thalamic centromedian and parafascicular nuclei
Authors: Middlebrooks Erik H , Okromelidze Lela , Lin Chen , Jain Ayushi , Westerhold Erin , Ritaccio Anthony , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo , Gupta Vivek , Grewal Sanjeet S
Published: June 2021

Background and purpose

Deep brain stimulation of the thalamus is an effective treatment for multiple neurological disorders. The centromedian and parafascicular nuclei are recently emerging targets for multiple conditions, such as epilepsy and Tourette syndrome; however, their limited visibility on conventional magnetic resonance imaging sequences has been a major obstacle. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a high-resolution and high-contrast targeting sequence for centromedian-parafascicular deep brain stimulation using a recently described magnetic resonance imaging sequence, three-dimensional edge-enhancing gradient echo.

Methods

The three-dimensional edge-enhancing gradient echo sequence was performed on a normal volunteer for a total of six acquisitions. Multi-image co-registration and averaging was performed by first co-registering each of the six scans and then averaging to produce an edge-enhancing gradient echo-multi-image co-registration and averaging scan. The averaging was also performed for two, three, four and five scans to assess the change in the signal-to-noise ratio and identify the ideal balance of image quality and scan time.

Results

The edge-enhancing gradient echo-multi-image co-registration and averaging scan allowed clear boundary delineation of the centromedian and parafascicular nuclei. The signal-to-noise ratio increased as a function of increasing scan number, but the added gain was small beyond four scans for the imaging parameters used in this study.

Conclusions

The recently described three-dimensional edge-enhancing gradient echo sequence provides an easily implementable approach, using widely available magnetic resonance imaging technology without complex post-processing techniques, to delineate centromedian and parafascicular nuclei for deep brain stimulation targeting.
Recalcitrant lymphocytoma cutis successfully treated with mycophenolate mofetil
Authors: Mahmood Farhan , Teo Iris YH , Kirchhof Mark G
Published: June 2021

Lymphocytoma cutis reflects an exaggerated local immunologic reaction to a stimulus presenting on the head, neck, or upper extremities as a firm 1–3 cm erythematous and/or violaceous plaque or nodule. However, lymphocytoma cutis may be difficult to treat due to the variety of causative agents and the lack of reported successful treatments and outcomes. Here, we present a case of 68-year-old female with recalcitrant lymphocytoma cutis resistant to other first-line therapies including tacrolimus ointment and steroids. The red plaque on the patient’s left cheek was eventually treated with mycophenolate mofetil. Mycophenolate mofetil was an accessible and effective therapeutic option to treat lymphocytoma cutis with minimal side effects.
The power of Bollywood: A study on opportunities, challenges, and audiences’ perceptions of Indian cinema in China
Authors: Hong Yanyan
Published: June 2021

India has long been known for its prestigious Mumbai-based film industry, namely Bollywood, and remains by far the largest producer of films in the world. With the growing global reach of Indian cinema, this study looks at an intriguing Indian-film fever over the last decade in the newly discovered market of China. Through examining key factors that make Indian films appealing to Chinese and exploring the opportunities and challenges of Indian cinema in China, this article draws upon insights gained from the narratives of local audiences. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with 32 Indian-film audiences residing across 14 different cities in mainland China. Thematic analysis identified the following five appealing factors, which explain why the Chinese enjoy Indian films: content-driven story, social values, star power, audience reviews and cultural connections. While a comprehensive list of opportunities was derived showing the potential future of Bollywood in China, results found that China’s unique institutional context and an ongoing India–China geopolitical tensions also present challenges, which in turn add to the overall complexity of films’ success in the Chinese market. This article argues the powerful role of Bollywood in bridging cultures and improving India–China ties, as Indian films have made Chinese people more aware of India in a favourable way.
Employee Experience: Construct Clarification, Conceptualization and Validation of a New Scale
Authors: Yadav Mohit , Vihari Nitin Simha
Published: June 2021

The COVID-19 crisis has drawn broader public interest in how companies treat their workers, so going forward, people management would be of an increasing concern. As we make a transition from a service-based economy to experience economy, where time well saved takes a back seat to time well spent, the notion of employee experience (EX) is set to become a fundamental workplace design principle. EX is about the work, not the office. EX aims for a complete redesign of the workplace practices and environment to fit the employees and not the other way around. This article examines and verifies EX scale as one-dimensional as well as multidimensional constructs with six dimensions, namely cohesiveness, vigour, well-being, achievement, inclusiveness and physical environment. Six dimensions were explored with focus group and open-ended survey and validated with closed-ended survey of 299 employees working in multinational corporations across India. Structural equation modelling is used to validate the proposed latest construct. Establishing the EX scale would help researchers as well practitioners in empirically measuring EX and its relationship with various individuals as well organizational constructs.
Arthroscopy Association of Canada Position Statement on Exercise for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Guidelines
Authors: Masud Saad , Sheehan Brendan , Rousseau-Saine Alexis , Tucker Allison , Sandman Emilie , Wong Ivan , Woodmass Jarret , Chalal Jas , Lobo Joel , Grant John , LeBel Marie-Eve , Sommerfeldt Mark , Kopka Michaela , Urquhart Nathan , Carsen Sasha , Pauyo Thierry , Khan Moin
Published: June 2021

Background:

Exercise is widely regarded to improve pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) through building supportive muscle mass, facilitating weight loss, and through the other beneficial effects associated with it.

Purpose:

To explore literature that presents clinical guidelines for the use of exercise in the treatment of knee OA to inform an evidence-based position statement for the Arthroscopy Association of Canada.

Study Design:

Position statement.

Methods:

PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for guidelines commenting on the role of exercise for knee OA. The search was limited to guidelines published in the last 10 years. Articles were screened for relevance, focusing on recently published research with clinical guidelines. Inclusion criteria involved all articles providing clinical guidelines for exercise and knee OA.

Results:

Eight guidelines were identified. All eight recommended exercise as an important component of treatment for knee OA, with 6/8 strongly recommending it.

Conclusion:

Exercise is an effective and important component of the non-pharmacological management of knee OA. The Arthroscopy Association of Canada strongly recommends the use of exercise in the management of knee OA.
Signifying Aggrieved White Selves: Trump Supporters’ Racial Identity Work
Authors: Schrock Douglas , Buggs Shantel Gabrieal , Buyukozturk Bertan , Erichsen Kristen , Ivey Andre
Published: June 2021

Based on 29 in-depth interviews during the run-up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election, we examine how Trump supporters engaged in a form of identity work that we call signifying aggrieved white selves. Taking an interactionist approach, we demonstrate how they used racial discourse and emotional communication to engage in three distinct forms of racial identity work: (1) othering racialized freeloaders, (2) criminalizing racialized others, and (3) discrediting racialized dissenters. Our study contributes to research on racial discourse and emotions and research on race and the 2016 presidential election, which emphasize linguistic or cultural frames and/or subjectivity rather than the dramatization of racial selfhood. We propose that signifying aggrieved white selfhood is a generic process and that racial identity work is a useful lens for analyzing how a foundational concept of critical race theory—namely, that race is a social construct—is reproduced in everyday life.
Sharing Economies: The Impact of Online Platforms in Social Exclusion and Economic Marginalisation in South Africa
Authors: Akbar Khalida , Bodhanya Shamim
Published: June 2021

The concept of sharing economies is a developing phenomenon that is highly prevalent in international economies and currently exists in South Africa as well. However, the concept of sharing economy is not totally accepted and practiced to its optimal potential. This study focuses on the population of South Africa that is considered to be socially excluded and economically marginalised. Theoretical data indicate that these individuals form part of the lower income citizens and are part of the bottom of the pyramid. This study provides evidence that the concept of sharing economy can be used via online platforms to optimise economic growth opportunities so as to minimise the current gap of social exclusion and economic marginalisation. Current literature specified that the barriers to economic growth with sharing economies in South Africa are due to a lack of internet access, unemployment, education, health and governance. South Africa is a developing nation and with the aid of enhanced governance with regard to sharing economies, training and development and cultural diversity acceptance, sharing economies is a potential catalyst to attaining equality and bridging the gap of social exclusion and economic marginalisation.