bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the online Stoodle software program on Iranian EFL teachers’ autonomy, creativity, and work engagement
Authors: Salmanpour Omid , Tabatabaei Omid , Salehi Hadi , Yunus Melor Md
Published: February 2024

This study investigated the effect of using Stoodle software program on Iranian EFL teachers’ autonomy, creativity, and work engagement in the light of teaching experience and gender. The participants comprised 60 EFL teachers including 30 male (15 novice and 15 experienced) and 30 female (15 novice and 15 experienced) teachers teaching at five language institutes in Ahvaz. Two briefing sessions were held to make the participants familiar with Stoodle and how to use it in their classes. Prior to the implementation of the treatment, all the teachers were required to respond to the three scales of autonomy, creativity, and work engagement. After the implementation of the treatment, they were asked again to respond to the mentioned scales. The results of statistical analysis indicated that using the online Stoodle software program had significant effects on improving EFL teachers’ autonomy, creativity, and work engagement. However, gender and teaching experience did not have a significant role in contributing to teachers’ autonomy creativity, and work engagement in the Stoodle condition. Moreover, the interaction between gender and teaching experience did not leave a significant impact on teachers’ autonomy, creativity, and work engagement. The results are discussed and implications for language teaching are provided.
Service-learning to improve training, knowledge transfer, and awareness in forest fire management
Authors: Souza-Alonso Pablo , Omil Beatriz , Sotelino Alexandre , García-Romero David , Otero-Urtaza Eugenio , Lorenzo Moledo Mar , Reyes Otilia , Rodríguez Juan Carlos , Madrigal Javier , Moya Daniel , Molina Juan Ramón , Rodriguez y Silva Francisco , Merino Agustín
Published: February 2024

Background

Forest fires represent a severe threat to Mediterranean ecosystems and are considered one of the major environmental and socioeconomic problems of the region. The project Plantando cara al fuego (PCF, Spain) is designed to transfer knowledge and to improve the training of new generations in forest fire management. The project is based on the application of service-learning (S-L), an educational methodology that combines learning and community service. Conceived as a compendium of S-L initiatives, the PCF project is composed of several S-L projects with the objective of reducing the problem of forest fires. The individual projects are developed at the regional/local level, each one involving different social agents such as researchers, students (from different disciplines), schools, multidisciplinary professionals, NGOs, or the administration.

Results

Participants received an initial training in S-L to design projects focused on different aspects of forest fires (environmental awareness, outreach/communication, fire prevention or post-fire restoration). These applied projects are formally integrated in the learning process via curriculum, which serve to teach and reinforce transversal skills and allow students to get involved and work to solve real problems. In general, the response of the participants was highly favorable, since the projects served to create an atmosphere that facilitates learning, interaction between participants, the application of theoretical class contents, knowledge transfer, or the exchange of good teaching practices.

Conclusions

The summary of the PCF project presented in this work serves as a practical guide describing the activities, participants, and the necessary steps involved in the design, development, and evaluation of S-L projects to address environmental problems. In this case, the S-L was adapted to a specific context (i.e., the problem of forest fires) to which it had never been previously applied, but this methodology is versatile and can be applied to different environmental issues.
Pattern of cognitive impairment among community-dwelling elderly in Egypt and its relation to socioeconomic status
Authors: Tawfik Amany A. , Hamza Sarah A. , Adly Nermien N. , Abdel Kader Radwa M.
Published: February 2024

Background

Cognitive decline is one of the aging health problems that strongly affects daily functioning and quality of life of older adults and threatens their independence. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and pattern of cognitive impairment (CI) among community-dwelling elderly in Egypt and the contribution of socioeconomic status to inequality in cognitive impairment.

Methods

A cross-sectional study involved 470 community-dwelling elderly aged 60 years or older living in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt. Subjects were recruited from home visits, geriatric clubs, and outpatient clinics. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment tools (MoCA & MoCA-B) were used to assess the prevalence of cognitive impairment, Hachinski ischemic score (HIS) to investigate the type of cognitive impairment, Ain Shams Cognitive Assessment (ASCA) tool to assess the pattern of specific cognitive domain affection, and an Egyptian socioeconomic status (SES) scale to classify the SES of the study participants.

Results

The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 50.2% distributed as 37.7% for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 12.5% for dementia. The most common type of cognitive impairment was the degenerative type (47.9%). Pattern of specific domain affection among cognitively impaired subjects ranged from 94% for visuospatial function to 12.7% for abstraction. Cognitive impairment was significantly higher with increasing age, female sex, marital status (single or widow), low education, higher number of comorbidities, and positive family history of cognitive impairment (p < 0.001). Also, cognitive impairment was concentrated mainly among participants with low socioeconomic score (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In Egypt, cognitive impairment is significantly prevalent and concentrated among those who are in low socioeconomic status. Patients with mild CI were more than those with dementia, and the most common type of CI was the degenerative type. Increasing educational level of low SES population and improving their access to healthcare services are highly recommended to improve the inequity of cognitive impairment.
Virtual and augmented reality gamification of visuospatial neglect treatment: therapists’ user experience
Authors: Bousché E. , Bakker M. D. J. , Holstege M. S. , Huygelier H. , Nijboer T. C. W. ,   Knowledge Broker Neglect Study Group, Brinkhof Eugenie , Haver Oscar , Jansen Marike , van de Moosdijk Cindy , Timmerarends-Van Eck Anja
Published: February 2024

Background

Visuospatial neglect (VSN) is a cognitive disorder after stroke in which patients fail to consciously process and interact with contralesional stimuli. Visual Scanning Training (VST) is the recommended treatment in clinical guidelines. At the moment, several mixed reality versions of Visual Scanning Training (VST) are being developed. The aim of this study was to explore the opinions of end-users (i.e., therapists) on the use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in VSN treatment.

Methods

Therapists played one VR and two AR Serious Games, and subsequently filled out a questionnaire on User Experience, Usability, and Implementation.

Results

Sixteen therapists (psychologists, occupational, speech, and physiotherapists) played the games, thirteen of them evaluated the games. Therapists saw great potential in all three games, yet there was room for improvement on the level of usability, especially for tailoring the games to the patient’s needs. Therapists’ opinions were comparable between VR and AR Serious Games. For implementation, therapists stressed the urgency of clear guidelines and instructions.

Discussion

Even though VR/AR technology is promising for VSN treatment, there is no one-size-fits-all applicability. It may thus be crucial to move towards a plethora of training environments rather than a single standardized mixed reality neglect treatment.

Conclusion

As therapists see the potential value of mixed reality, it remains important to investigate the efficacy of AR and VR training tools.
Predictors of primary care psychological therapy outcomes for depression and anxiety in people living with dementia: evidence from national healthcare records in England
Authors: Bell Georgia , El Baou Celine , Saunders Rob , Buckman Joshua E. J. , Charlesworth Georgina , Richards Marcus , Fearn Caroline , Brown Barbara , Nurock Shirley , Michael Stuart , Ware Paul , Marchant Natalie L. , Aguirre Elisa , Rio Miguel , Cooper Claudia , Pilling Stephen , John Amber , Stott Joshua
Published: February 2024

Background

Psychological therapies can be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in people living with dementia (PLWD). However, factors associated with better therapy outcomes in PLWD are currently unknown.

Aims

To investigate whether dementia-specific and non-dementia-specific factors are associated with therapy outcomes in PLWD.

Method

National linked healthcare records were used to identify 1522 PLWD who attended psychological therapy services across England. Associations between various factors and therapy outcomes were explored.

Results

People with frontotemporal dementia were more likely to experience reliable deterioration in depression/anxiety symptoms compared with people with vascular dementia (odds ratio 2.98, 95% CI 1.08–8.22; P = 0.03) or Alzheimer's disease (odds ratio 2.95, 95% CI 1.15–7.55; P = 0.03). Greater depression severity (reliable recovery: odds ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.98, P < 0.001; reliable deterioration: odds ratio 1.73, 95% CI 1.04–2.90, P = 0.04), lower work and social functioning (recovery: odds ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–0.99, P = 0.002), psychotropic medication use (recovery: odds ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.51–0.90, P = 0.01), being of working age (recovery: odds ratio 2.03, 95% CI 1.10–3.73, P = 0.02) and fewer therapy sessions (recovery: odds ratio 1.12, 95% CI 1.09–1.16, P < 0.001) were associated with worse therapy outcomes in PLWD.

Conclusions

Dementia type was generally not associated with outcomes, whereas clinical factors were consistent with those identified for the general population. Additional support and adaptations may be required to improve therapy outcomes in PLWD, particularly in those who are younger and have more severe depression.
Expanding Access to Computed Tomographic Staging and Three-Dimensional Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy for Cervical Cancer in Ghana
Authors: Scott Aba Anoa , Vanderpuye Verna , Dadzie Mary-Ann , Yarney Joel , Aidoo Charles Akoto , Tackie Judith , Kpatsi Stephen , Boateng Samuel , Obeng-Mensah Tony , Nyamadi Michael , Odonkor Philip , Lam Tony , Tadic Tony , Velasco Lian , Milosevic Michael
Published: February 2024

PURPOSE

To build capacity for improved treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer in Ghana, including computed tomography (CT) staging and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with histologically confirmed cervical cancer were prospectively staged with abdominopelvic CT and ultrasound and offered the opportunity to have IMRT instead of conventional two-dimensional radiotherapy. The development of an efficient, high-quality, and safe IMRT program was facilitated by investment in new technology and comprehensive training of the interdisciplinary radiotherapy team in collaboration with a North American center of excellence.

RESULTS

Of 215 patients with cervical cancer referred in 2022, 66% were able to afford CT scans and 26% were able to afford IMRT. Lymph node metastases were identified in 52% of patients by CT but in only 2% of patients by ultrasound. The use of CT resulted in 63% of patients being upstaged and changed treatment intent or radiation treatment volumes in 67% of patients. Patients who had IMRT experienced fewer acute side effects and were more likely to complete treatment as planned.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to provide state-of the-art cancer treatment with CT staging and IMRT to patients with cervical cancer in low-resource settings and achieve meaningful improvements in outcomes. It requires a broad commitment by program leadership to invest in technology and staff training. Major challenges include balancing improved clinical care with reduced patient throughput when radiation treatment capacity is constrained, and with the additional cost in the absence of universal health coverage.
Validation of the Combined Clinical Cell-Cycle Risk Score to Prognosticate Early Prostate Cancer Metastasis From Biopsy Specimens and Comparison With Other Routinely Used Risk Classifiers
Authors: Hutten Ryan J. , Odei Bismarck , Johnson Skyler B. , Tward Jonathan D.
Published: February 2024

PURPOSE

We aim to independently validate the prognostic utility of the combined cell-cycle risk (CCR) multimodality threshold to estimate risk of early metastasis after definitive treatment of prostate cancer and compare this prognostic ability with other validated biomarkers.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer were enrolled into a single-institutional registry for the prospective observational cohort study. The primary end point was risk of metastasis within 3 years of diagnostic biopsy. Secondary end points included time to definitive treatment, time to subsequent therapy, and metastasis after completion of initial definitive treatment. Multivariable cause-specific Cox proportional hazards regression models were produced accounting for competing risk of death and stratified on the basis of the CCR active surveillance and multimodality (MM) thresholds. Time-dependent areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 554 men with prostate cancer and available CCR score from biopsy. The CCR score was prognostic for metastasis (hazard ratio [HR], 2.32 [95% CI, 1.17 to 4.59]; P = .02), with scores above the MM threshold having a higher risk than those below the threshold (HR, 5.44 [95% CI, 2.72 to 10.91]; P < .001). The AUC for 3-year risk of metastasis on the basis of CCR was 0.736. When men with CCR above the MM threshold received MM therapy, their 3-year risk of metastasis was significantly lower than those receiving single-modality therapy (3% v 14%). Similarly, a CCR score above the active surveillance threshold portended a faster time to first definitive treatment.

CONCLUSION

CCR outperforms other commonly used biomarkers for prediction of early metastasis. We illustrate the clinical utility of the CCR active surveillance and multimodality thresholds. Molecular genomic tests can inform patient selection and personalization of treatment for localized prostate cancer.
Continuum 2024 and Beyond
Authors: Jones Lyell K. , Albin Casey S. W. , Bhattacharyya Shamik , Doering Amanda F. , Kentris Michael , Korb Pearce , Monteith Teshamae , Rosendale Nicole
Published: February 2024

In Continuum’s 30-year history, the journal has adapted to meet the education needs of its subscribers, readers, and listeners to support high-quality patient care. The journal’s evolution continues with new topics and an updated topic rotation, new audio experiences with Continuum Audio and Continuum Aloud, inclusion of health equity content, a new nonclinical section covering various topics important to the practice of neurology, and a commitment to the global audience of neurology clinicians. Continuum will continue to evolve in the years and decades to come with the goal of helping clinicians take the best possible care of patients with neurologic illness.
Spinal Cord Neoplasms
Authors: McFaline-Figueroa J. Ricardo
Published: February 2024

OBJECTIVE

This article discusses the diagnostic approach to patients with suspected neoplasms of the spinal cord and reviews the most common primary and metastatic spinal neoplasms and their presentations.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Neoplasms of the spinal cord are rare entities that can involve the spinal cord parenchyma, the dura and leptomeninges, or the extradural space. The most common intramedullary spinal cord neoplasms are primary spinal cord tumors, including ependymomas, pilocytic astrocytomas, and diffuse midline gliomas. The most common primary neoplasms of the spine are intradural extramedullary spinal meningiomas, whereas primary neoplasms of the leptomeninges are rare. Advances in molecular characterization of spinal cord tumors and recent clinical trials of these rare entities are expanding the repertoire of systemic therapy options for primary spinal cord neoplasms. Metastases to the spine most often affect the extradural space. Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression is a neurologic emergency that requires a rapid, multidisciplinary response to preserve neurologic function.

ESSENTIAL POINTS

Neurologists should understand the diagnostic approach to neoplasms of the spinal cord. Knowledge of the most common spinal cord neoplasms will allow for appropriate management and optimal patient care.
Vascular Myelopathies
Authors: Jadhav Ashutosh P.
Published: February 2024

OBJECTIVE

Vascular injuries of the spinal cord are less common than those involving the brain; however, they can be equally devastating. This article discusses the diagnosis and management of ischemic and hemorrhagic vascular disorders of the spinal cord.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Clinical suspicion remains the mainstay for recognizing vascular myelopathies, yet diagnoses are often delayed and challenging in part because of their rarity and atypical manifestations. Noninvasive imaging such as CT and MRI continues to improve in spatial resolution and diagnostic precision; however, catheter-based spinal angiography remains the gold standard for defining the spinal angioarchitecture. In addition to hemorrhagic and ischemic disease, the contribution of venous dysfunction is increasingly appreciated and informs treatment strategies in conditions such as intracranial hypotension.

ESSENTIAL POINTS

Vascular disorders of the spine manifest in variable and often atypical ways, which may lead to delayed diagnosis. Increased awareness of these conditions is critical for early recognition and treatment. The goal of treatment is to minimize long-term morbidity and mortality.
Symptomatic Treatment of Myelopathy
Authors: Chuang Kathy
Published: February 2024

Objective

This article discusses the effects of myelopathy on multiple organ systems and reviews the treatment and management of some of these effects.

Latest Developments

Recent advances in functional electrical stimulation, epidural spinal cord stimulation, robotics, and surgical techniques such as nerve transfer show promise in improving function in patients with myelopathy. Ongoing research in stem cell therapy and neurotherapeutic drugs may provide further therapeutic avenues in the future.

Essential Points

Treatment for symptoms of spinal cord injury should be targeted toward patient goals. If nerve transfer for upper extremity function is considered, the patient should be evaluated at around 6 months from injury to assess for lower motor neuron involvement and possible time limitations of surgery. A patient with injury at or above the T6 level is at risk for autonomic dysreflexia, a life-threatening condition that presents with elevated blood pressure and can lead to emergent hypertensive crisis. Baclofen withdrawal due to baclofen pump failure or programming errors may also be life-threatening. Proper management of symptoms may help avoid complications such as autonomic dysreflexia, renal failure, heterotopic ossification, and fractures.
Clinical Approach to Myelopathy Diagnosis
Authors: Pardo Carlos A.
Published: February 2024

OBJECTIVE

This article describes an integrative strategy to evaluate patients with suspected myelopathy, provides advice on diagnostic approach, and outlines the framework for the etiologic diagnosis of myelopathies.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Advances in diagnostic neuroimaging techniques of the spinal cord and improved understanding of the immune pathogenic mechanisms associated with spinal cord disorders have expanded the knowledge of inflammatory and noninflammatory myelopathies. The discovery of biomarkers of disease, such as anti–aquaporin 4 and anti–myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies involved in myelitis and other immune-related mechanisms, the emergence and identification of infectious disorders that target the spinal cord, and better recognition of myelopathies associated with vascular pathologies have expanded our knowledge about the broad clinical spectrum of myelopathies.

ESSENTIAL POINTS

Myelopathies include a group of inflammatory and noninflammatory disorders of the spinal cord that exhibit a wide variety of motor, sensory, gait, and sensory disturbances and produce major neurologic disability. Both inflammatory and noninflammatory myelopathies comprise a broad spectrum of pathophysiologic mechanisms and etiologic factors that lead to specific clinical features and presentations. Knowledge of the clinical variety of myelopathies and understanding of strategies for the precise diagnosis, identification of etiologic factors, and implementation of therapies can help improve outcomes.
Minimally Invasive L4–5 Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion With Robot-Assisted Single-Position Posterior Fixation: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Pham Martin H. , Hernandez Nicholas S.
Published: February 2024

We present here a 58-year-old female patient with L4–5 spondylolisthesis, who underwent a minimally invasive L4–5 oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) with robot-assisted bilateral posterior instrumented fixation in a single lateral position (Mazor X Stealth Edition, Medtronic).

There has been interest in detailed video-based descriptions of single-position surgery with lateral approach interbody fusions, either in the prone or lateral decubitus position.
1-6
Particularly, the addition of robotics has been shown to help increase overall operating efficiency in the lateral position with reduced case times even with the increased up-front robot setup time.
7,8
The OLIF, also known as an anterior-to-psoas approach, allows for single-position posterior fixation and can be very effective at L4–5 where the anatomy of the iliac crest or lumbar plexus does not preclude this surgical corridor the way it could in the transpsoas lateral lumbar interbody fusion. Clinical outcomes between these 2 lateral approaches have been shown to be very good,
9
and OLIF has reduced blood loss while still restoring alignment parameters compared with anterior lumbar interbody fusion, with better fusion and reduced subsidence compared with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.
10,11

To our knowledge, this is the first video demonstrating a view of the OLIF approach through a high-definition retractor-based camera (MaxView Camera, Viseon Inc).

There is no identifying patient information in this video. The participants and any identifiable individuals consented to publication of his/her image, and the patient consented to the procedure.
Care Provision and the Boundaries of Production
Authors: Folbre Nancy
Published: February 2024

Whether or not they provide subjective satisfaction to providers, unpaid services and non-market transfers typically contribute positively to total output, living standards, and the social climate. This essay describes some quantitative dimensions of care provision and reviews their implications for the measurement of economic growth and the explanation of relative earnings, including the gender wage differential. It also calls attention to under-explored aspects of collective conflict over legal rules and public policies that shape the distribution of the net costs of care provision.
Job Training and Job Search Assistance Policies in Developing Countries
Authors: Carranza Eliana , McKenzie David
Published: February 2024

Governments around the developing world face pressure to intervene actively to help jobseekers find employment. Two of the most common policies used are job training, based on the idea that many of those seeking jobs lack the skills employers want, and job search assistance, based on the possibility that even if workers have the skills demanded, search and matching frictions make it difficult for workers to be hired in the jobs that need these skills. However, reviews of the first generation of evaluations of these programs found typical impacts to be small, casting doubt on the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of these programs. This paper re-examines the arguments for whether, when, and how, developing country governments should undertake job training and job search assistance policies. We use our experience with policy implementation, and evidence from recent impact evaluations, to argue that there is still a role for governments in using these programs. However, success depends critically on program design and delivery elements that can be difficult to scale effectively, and in many cases the binding constraint may be a lack of firms with job openings, rather than a lack of workers with the skills to fill these openings.
Πολυπολιτισμικότητα, Εθνο-Πολιτισμική Ετερότητα και Μετανάστευση: Θεωρητικές Προκείμενες, Εξελίξεις και Προκλήσεις για τη Σύγχρονη Ευρωπαϊκή Μεταναστευτική Πολιτική
Authors: Παπαδάκης Νίκος , Δημάρη Γεωργία , Κοσμαδάκης Νικόλαος
Published: February 2024

Η παρούσα μελέτη επισκοπεί κριτικά τη σύγχρονη θεωρητική συζήτηση για τη διαχείριση της πολυπολιτισμικότητας και της πολιτισμικής ποικιλότητας, με ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στη θεωρητική διαμάχη ταυλοριανού κοινοτισμού και ηθικού φιλελευθερισμού.  Στη συνέχεια και λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τις θεωρητικές προκείμενες και τα ζέοντα διακυβεύματα, εξετάζει ευσύνοπτα την εξέλιξη της ευρωπαϊκής μεταναστευτικής πολιτικής μετά το ξέσπασμα της Προσφυγικής κρίσης του 2015, αλλά και τις πολιτικές επιπτώσεις στις ευρωπαϊκές κοινωνίες, με έμφαση στην άνοδο ευρωσκεπτιστικών- αντιμεταναστευτικών- ακροδεξιών πολιτικών σχηματισμών, στη βάση και της εργαλειοποίησης στερεοτύπων και φόβων. Tούτων δοθέντων, εστιάζει επίσης στις αναδυομένες προκλήσεις για την ευρωπαϊκή μεταναστευτική πολιτική.
Was There Any Greed After All? The Lack of Greedflation Evidence in Greek Economic Data
Authors: Krompas Ioannis
Published: February 2024

As Greece has been experiencing a 9.6% inflation in 2022 and 4.2% in 2023, a policy narrative has risen claiming that corporate profits are to blame for the price hikes. However, Greek economic data indicate that when precisely defined, corporate unit profits are within their usual range. Furthermore, publicly available data indicate that corporate mark-ups (price-to-cost ratios) are relatively stable and primarily driven by the increases in costs of goods sold, with a mild increase being attributed to temporary business support measures in force in 2021. In addition, there is the overlooked demand-side component of inflation, contributing up to 50% in price increases between 2021 and 2022, fueled by the country’s fiscal responses to the crises of COVID-19 and the energy crisis of 2021-2022, both of which were among the largest in the world relative to GDP. On top of that, spending of the funds available under the RRF, with Greece once again spending the most in the E.U. relative to its GDP, further contributes to the inflationary pressures. As a result, it is imperative that any government financial support against increasing prices must be better targeted to not work as an income boost, fueling demand side inflation, and that the RRF plan be quickly implemented to lower prices by increasing the country’s productivity, rather than providing widespread income support in the hope of lowering mark-ups and prices only by enforcing competition regulations, which may bring opposite results than those intended.
Religion and COVID-19 Pandemic: Policy Directions for Potential Future Public Health Crises
Authors: Tsertekidis Georgios
Published: February 2024

Religion has always been important in human societies. It has also been of great importance during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. There is scientific consensus that its role has been multidimensional. Many religious groups have been endorsing COVID-19 mitigation measures while others have been opposing them. Furthermore, faith-based anti-vaccine stances have been a major obstacle in vaccination campaigns worldwide. In many cases, religious groups and organizations have been providing humanitarian aid, as well as, spiritual and emotional support to individuals and communities during a time of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, religions have been functioning in this aforesaid variety of manners. Policy recommendations for potential future public health crises are being made in this paper with the intention to make sure that religions will be part of the solution, and to enhance already existing activities and initiatives towards the promotion of public health.
Pondering Deeper, Ahead and Beyond Over the Use of ChatGPT in H(A)Igher Education
Authors: Soroliou Elena , Kritikou Maria Ontil , Antonopoulos Sotiris , Kania Anna
Published: February 2024

While within the last months several studies reveal the real and full implementations of the cutting edge ChatGPT in higher education institutions, a comprehensive examination of its potential at the micro and macro levels of higher education is crucial. To address this gap, this policy brief scrutinises the integrated and potential capabilities of ChatGPT through three lenses-levels: student-facing, teacher-facing, and system-facing advantages, disadvantages, blind spots, challenges, and risks. The core aim of this policy brief is to research and shed light on a robust and nuanced understanding of the level of (in-)appropriateness of ChatGPT's use in higher education among core stakeholders, i.e. educators, students, and administrators, who co-sign an “educational contract” via core emerging trends and implications. Finally, a set of applicable recommendations is presented for policy makers, other interlocutors, and future researchers, in order to walk the talk for a more ethical, inclusive and equitable use of AI in higher education, since a “one-size fits all” approach should be strongly avoided.
What did 16th-century tomatoes look like?
Authors: Van Andel Tinde , Stefanaki Anastasia
Published: February 2024

Soon after the Spanish conquest of the Americas, the first tomatoes were presented as curiosities to the European elite and drew the attention of 16th-century Italian naturalists. Despite their scientific interest in this New World crop, most Renaissance botanists did not specify where these „golden apples” or „pomi d’oro” came from. It is likely that tomatoes were brought to Europe after the Spanish sieged the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) in 1521 and after they conquered the Peruvian Inca emperors in 1531. Tomatoes and other New World domesticates must have been brought to the Spanish court, and were probably planted in the royal gardensin Madrid, after which they were likely shipped from Sevilla to Italy, but no written evidence have been found so far for these events. The debate on the first European tomatoes and their origin is often hindered by erroneous dating, botanical misidentifications and inaccessible historical sources. So, who saw the first 16th-century tomatoes that entered Europe? What did they look like? Who made the first botanical description, collection and/or illustration? And where did these tomatoes come from?
Psychometric properties of portable devices used in kinematic gait assessment after stroke: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Silva Raiff , Silva Stephano , Santos Vitor , Fernandes Jefferson , Oliveira Raul , Ribeiro Karyna , Fernandes Aline , Ribeiro Tatiana
Published: February 2024

Background Portable devices comprising inertial sensors are an alternative for kinematic gait assessment in people after stroke. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge regarding the psychometric properties of these devices, specifically their reliability and measurement error, in the context of post-stroke gait assessment. Our objective is to investigate the psychometric properties of these devices in evaluating kinematic gait parameters in people after stroke. We will also analyze the reliability and measurement error of these devices and identify portable devices that can assess changes in lower limb angular movements during gait in this population. Methods We will search for studies in English, without publication date restriction, that have evaluated psychometric properties of portable devices utilizing inertial sensors to assess kinematic gait parameters in people after stroke. Searches will be performed in the following electronic databases: Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Medline/PubMed, EMBASE Ovid, CINAHL EBSCO, PsycINFO Ovid, IEEE Xplore Digital Library (IEEE), and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). Gray literature will also be searched, including published and unpublished studies (dissertations and theses). The Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) risk of bias tool will be used to assess the quality of studies that analyzed reliability and measurement error of devices. Expected results This will be the first review to analyze reliability and measurement error of portable devices utilizing inertial sensors to evaluate kinematic gait parameters in people after stroke, using the COSMIN tool. Then, we hope to elucidate this topic and help the decision-making of clinicians regarding the use of these devices. Finally, we also hope to list the portable devices that assessed changes in angular lower limb movements during gait in this population. Registration The protocol was registered in Open Science Framework on May 11th 2023 (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/7M6DA).
Substantial characteristics of the tourist complex as an object of the state policy
Authors: Barna Marta , Iablon Volodymyr
Published: February 2024

The relevance of the problem of improving the theoretical and methodological foundations of tourism as a complex of the national economy lies in the fact that this sector of the economy has every reason to become one of the priority and promising branches of the national economy of Ukraine. The grounds for this conclusion are good natural and climatic conditions and the presence of a wide variety of tourist resources, namely natural-recreational, historical-cultural and socio-economic. Ukraine is characterized not only by a large number of destinations, but also by itself, in general, it can be considered as a single large complex tourist destination.The purpose of the study is to improve the conceptual provisions and substantive characteristics of the tourist complex as an object of the state policy.During the study, the methods of logical generalization (to determine the conceptual provisions of the tourist sector of the economy), grouping (to identify the environment of the tourist sector), analysis and synthesis (to ensure a systematic approach in the formation of the state policy for regulating the development of the tourist sector) were used.The applied value of the research results concerns the identification of the decomposition of the tourist complex of the national economy.The scientific novelty of the research results lies in the further development of the methodological and applied principles of tourism as (1) an industry, (2) a type of economic activity, (3) a sector, (4) a complex of the national economy.
Alternating and Parallel Proximal Gradient Methods for Nonsmooth, Nonconvex Minimax: A Unified Convergence Analysis
Authors: Cohen Eyal , Teboulle Marc
Published: February 2024

There is growing interest in nonconvex minimax problems that is driven by an abundance of applications. Our focus is on nonsmooth, nonconvex-strongly concave minimax, thus departing from the more common weakly convex and smooth models assumed in the recent literature. We present proximal gradient schemes with either parallel or alternating steps. We show that both methods can be analyzed through a single scheme within a unified analysis that relies on expanding a general convergence mechanism used for analyzing nonconvex, nonsmooth optimization problems. In contrast to the current literature, which focuses on the complexity of obtaining nearly approximate stationary solutions, we prove subsequence convergence to a critical point of the primal objective and global convergence when the latter is semialgebraic. Furthermore, the complexity results we provide are with respect to approximate stationary solutions. Lastly, we expand the scope of problems that can be addressed by generalizing one of the steps with a Bregman proximal gradient update, and together with a few adjustments to the analysis, this allows us to extend the convergence and complexity results to this broader setting.

Funding: The research of E. Cohen was partially supported by a doctoral fellowship from the Israel Science Foundation [Grant 2619-20] and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [Grant 800240]. The research of M. Teboulle was partially supported by the Israel Science Foundation [Grant 2619-20] and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [Grant 800240].
Nutrire il pianeta, alimentare la speranza
Authors: Anelli Franco
Published: February 2024

The long-lasting crisis has produced a new inequality: in the advanced societies, the numbers of people below the poverty threshold are on the increase and in the world one person in eight does not have enough food to have a healthy, active life; every year, deaths due to starvation are in the millions. This situation is even more shocking if we set it against the issue of “waste”: every year the industrialised countries throw around 1.3 billion tons of food, equal to one third of the world’s production and more than half the planet’s cereal crops, into the rubbish bin.

The theme of Expo 2015, “Feeding the Planet. Energy for Life”, fits into the context of this reality and will be remembered to the extent to which it is able to provide ideas, favour agreements, launch projects to create sustainable economies and useful collaborations in order to emancipate the poorest countries from the slavery of hunger at least a little. In this perspective, globalisation does not diminish the role of cooperation and in many situations it may indeed favour it, increasing its weight and value. It is necessary, however, to identify new and more structured approaches, alongside the traditional methods.

The Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore is operating in various nations of the world with international solidarity projects and experience confirms that it is unthinkable to act in isolation in providing responses to each situation of need. Cooperation, furthermore, must be able to avail itself of leaner legislation and institutions and governments that are quicker and more secure in sustaining it. The quality of the political response in fact facilitates and increases the private initiative that is indispensable to the spirit and action of cooperation.
Methodological questions for the post-2015 development agenda
Authors: Von Jacobi Nadia , Bonan Jacopo
Published: February 2024

In 2015, the Millennium Development Goals are due to end. Academics, practitioners and the general public are eager to see which development agenda will take their place and a variety of different organizations are currently elaborating proposals for the next “round” of goals and targets. Instead of investigating possible topics of the upcoming agenda, we focus on methodological questions that – according to our view – will play a major role in the definition and implementation of future development goals. We focus on the elaboration of some key questions that should be addressed in the realm of poverty and inequality measurement, the definition of targets, the ability to consider complexity and evidence-based policy making.
From global cities to globalized urbanization.
Authors: Brenner Neil , Keil Roger
Published: February 2024

Urbanization rates across the world economy are now higher and more rapid than ever before in human history. What categories and models of urbanization are most appropriate for understanding these transformations, their origins, and their consequences, and for coming to terms with their wide-ranging implications? In this brief essay, we cannot attempt to survey the intricacies of diverse research traditions. Instead, we outline some of the methodological foundations and major lines of investigation within research on globalizing cities, while also alluding to several emergent debates and agendas that are currently animating this field, with specific reference to the conceptualization and investigation of global interurban networks.
Milan in the age of global contract
Authors: Perulli Paolo
Published: February 2024

Milan is not only the golden location of the fashion and design industries as well as hightech research centres. What is peculiar about Milan, compared to London or Paris, is the contradiction between high density growth (made in the past by industry and the working class, today by finance and the creative class), and low polity. Milan is based on an external source of power corresponding to a weak nation-state. The local élites have been only partially able to negotiate with the central government. The past and recent history of Milan is one of fragmented urban expansion and limited vision. Here the urban contract is based on the (historically variable) social relationships and compromises between these main axial systems: infrastructures, knowledge, and creative industry. The first is representative of heavy capitalist and financial interests; the second is the expression of the intellectual capital of the city; the third has the flavour of the new emerging forces of the creative class. Analysing also some other Milan’s features it is clear that the urban contract is made of both local and global players in an asymmetric game.
Tales of two cities: political capitals and economic centres in the world city network.
Authors: Derudder Ben , J. Taylor Peter
Published: February 2024

The majority of major cities in the world city network are capital cities. Between primacy and political specialization there are examples of countries where the capital city and a second city remain as major rival cities in contemporary globalization. In this paper we focus upon situations where the capital city is less important in global economic capacity: Rome and Milan, Berlin and Frankfurt, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Delhi and Mumbai, Islamabad and Karachi.

This is an exercise in double comparisons: between cities in each pairing and between the pairings. Despite the massive differences – economic, cultural and political – amongst our chosen pairs of cities we have found communalities relating to the specific circumstance we are investigating. First, there is some evidence that economic centres are more global and less local than their capital cities. Second, more particularly, we have shown that in terms of global economic connections there is a very consistent pattern: economic centres have a much more coherent and telling integration into the world city network.
Bombay in Salman Rushdie’s novels: a study from global perspective.
Authors: Roy Madhumita , Roy Anjali Gera
Published: February 2024

Bombay, the city where Salman Rushdie spent his childhood, features prominently in four of his novels, namely Midnight’s Children (1981), The Satanic Verses (1988), The Moor’s Last Sigh (1995) and The Ground Beneath Her Feet (1999). However, in traditional literary approaches, the built environment and the materiality of Bombay evident in Rushdie’s fiction are largely lost disallowing Rushdie’s portrayal of the city to be explained as the real-imaged lived space, which Henri Lefebvre (1991) defines as “representational space” and Edward Soja (1996) as “third space”. In the globalized world of ubiquitous placelessness, the strategies and the tactics of recovering the lived space, sometimes involving the micro level of the body and sometimes larger scales such as the communities, are matters of great significance for the prominent spatial thinkers of our times. Therefore, by considering that Rushdie’s depiction of Bombay provides an access to its lived space, and particularly concentrating on the issues related to the land-reclamation in Bombay, this paper finally aims to explore how Rushdie’s sense of place is a progressive, global sense of place, which neither collapses in to a reactionary nostalgia; nativist bigotry, nor does it surrender to a spectral, deterritorialized globality.
Supermodernity, distraction, schizophrenia: walking in Tokyo & Hong Kong.
Authors: -Yin Fong Ian Ho
Published: February 2024

The architecture in a supermodern city has no sense of the place where it is located. This paper discusses how schizophrenia and distraction, through walking, respond to supermodernity by referring to how three dislocated subjects, Fumiya Takemura, Aiichiro Fukuhara and Fai in Tokyo and Hong Kong, are respectively depicted in the novel, Adrift in Tokyo written by Fujita Yoshinaga in 1999, with a film adaptation by Satoshi Miki (2007), and the film To Live and Die in Mongkok directed by Wong Jing in 2009. It suggests that Hong Kong is more supermodern than Tokyo. After his release from prison, Fai in To Live and Die in Mongkok finds that Mongkok is a completely different place from the one in which he used to live. The living conditions are no better than those in the prison. He hallucinates about the past. Adrift in Tokyo can be read as a story about walking. Fukuhara, a debt collector, killed his wife; before surrendering to the police, he orders his debtor, Takemura, to walk with him in Tokyo in order to re-experience the walks he enjoyed with his wife. If Takemura agrees, the debt can be paid off. This paper discusses how the repressed heterogeneous time and place can be approached by walking in a way that the rhythm of life can be (re-)experienced; in other words, when the body moves forward physically, the past appears as specter haunting the walker. This paper discusses how Adrift in Tokyo and To Live and Die in Mongkok read cities in distractive and schizophrenic ways. In the film version of Adrift in Tokyo, Takemura’s failed relationship with his father may unconsciously drive him to walk with Fukuhara. The novel may imply that the lost relationship with his mother drives him to walk. The film and the novel both address a kind of locality which should be inseparable from the birth parents. To Live and Die in Mongkok suggests that supermodernity kills mother and father. The Father-son relationship disappears at the very beginning of the film; the mother-son relationship has been segregated by prison (Fai’s mother, who has been “imprisoned” in Mongkok, a supermodern “prison”, is disconnected from her son who is imprisoned in Stanley, a real prison) and, in the end, by life and death. To Fai, walking is not possible, and, hence, a father-son relationship cannot be “cosplayed”, as Takemura and Fukuhara do. They can “play” as father and son in the ordinary Tokyo. A supermodern Mongkok suggests that an unwalkable city is a prison, a brothel and a madhouse; Adrift in Tokyo suggests that a walkable city is a cosplay arena for wandering, for approaching a lost relationship nurtured in locality since birth.