bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rich Districts, Poor Districts: The Property Tax Equity Impact of Arkansas School Finance Equalization
Authors: Jordan Meagan M. , Chapman David , Wrobel Sharon L.
Published: May 2024

From 1992 to 2003, the State of Arkansas was immersed in the Lake View case, which led to a ruling that the state funding of schools was unconstitutional. The Lake View School District argued that the state's funding was inequitable and harmed students and taxpayers of poor districts. The ruling was as much about correcting fiscal disparities across districts as it was about correcting disparities in educational outcomes. Subsequently, state education school finance reform required the State to provide districts with equalization funding. This study examines the impact of equalization on inter-district property tax disparity. Specifically, this study seeks to determine if the lower wealth and less advantaged school districts are better off, as measured by their property tax burden and tax effort.

We analyze four measures of district level wealth and advantage: assessed value of property, percentage of students enrolled in the federal school lunch program, percentage of African-American students, and the NCES locale codes for rural or non-rural. Our results indicate that state equalization did have an impact on inter-district property tax disparity. The poorest and least advantaged school districts do benefit from state equalization, meaning that the tax burden and tax effort of those districts are reduced. Furthermore, our findings indicate that there is less disparity between the wealthiest districts and the poorest districts.
Complex Benchmarking and Efficiency Measurement of Public Agencies: The Case of Estonian Rescue Service Brigades
Authors: Reiljan Janno , Puolokainen Tarmo , Ülper Aivo
Published: May 2024

Improving the management of public agencies in relation to better use of inputs is a difficult task. Performance is a complex phenomenon that must be comprehensively described using a system of indicators developed using appropriate modeling methods. The aim of this paper is to benchmark the complex efficiency of a public agency's sub-units by using frontier analysis methods and Estonia's national rescue service brigades as an example.

To benchmark the efficiency estimates for the rescue service brigades, two simplified and two multi-component models are constructed using data envelopment analysis and stochastic frontier analysis. According to the results, we conclude that the different model types reflect the efficiency of the rescue service brigades from different perspectives, and so the calculated estimates and rankings are only weakly correlated with each other.
Shifting Away from Democracy – Hungary's U-Turn
Authors: Kornai János
Published: May 2024

For two decades Hungary, like the other Eastern European countries, followed a general policy of establishing and strengthening the institutions of democracy, rule of law, and a market economy based on private property. However, since the elections of 2010, when Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party came to power, Hungary has made a dramatic U-turn.

This article investigates the different spheres of society: political institutions, the rule of law, and the influence of state and market on one another, as well as the world of ideology (education, science and art), and describes the U-turn's implications for these fields and the effect it has on the life of people. It argues against the frequent misunderstandings in the interpretation and evaluation of the Hungarian situation, pointing out some typical intellectual fallacies. It draws attention to the dangers of strengthening nationalism, and to the ambivalence evident in Hungarian foreign policy, and looks into the relationship between Hungary and the Western world, particularly the European Union. Finally, it outlines the possible scenarios resulting from future developments in the Hungarian situation.
Implications of the New Public Debt Rule in the ‘Fiscal Compact’ for the Economic and Monetary Union
Authors: Menguy Séverine
Published: May 2024

This paper proposes a simple modeling of the dynamic evolution of the interest rate, budgetary deficit and public debt of a member country of a monetary union, if a representative investor has the choice between bonds from this country a benchmark bond. In this framework, we can analyze the consequences of the most recent measure included in the ‘Fiscal Compact'. After the financial Crisis, the coordination of public finances still mainly relies in Europe on rules of fiscal discipline. However, beyond the threshold on the budgetary deficit, a new stress is put on the reduction of the public debt at a ‘satisfactory pace': its distance with respect to the reference value must decrease at a rate of the order of one-twentieth per year. Then, we show that such a measure is fully reachable for Luxembourg, Finland, Germany, Austria or the Netherlands. However, the public debt target of 60% of GDP would necessitate sizeable fiscal consolidation efforts for Ireland, France and Belgium. Moreover, such a target would not even be stable for Italy, Portugal or Spain; and the Greek situation is explosive. Therefore, the new European fiscal framework appears as quite ambitious for some member countries of the Economic and Monetary Union.
Public Finance Systems for Coping with the Crises: Lessons from the Three Baltic States
Authors: Groenendijk Nico , Jaansoo Annika
Published: May 2024

Of all EU member states the three Baltic countries were hit the hardest by the economic crises in 2008–2010 but they recovered relatively quickly, with all three countries even being able to qualify for EMU membership (Estonia joined the Eurozone in 2011, Latvia in 2014 and Lithuania in 2015). The speed and determination with which the Baltic countries carried out austerity measures is often put forward as an example for other E(M)U member states. This paper critically assesses the validity of various models of austerity (expansionary fiscal contractions, internal devaluation and fiscal devaluation) when applied to the case of the Baltic States. It is argued that in the case of the Baltic countries more complex economic mechanisms were at play then these models suggest. In the paper specific attention is paid to the way fiscal consolidation was shaped in the three countries, and to the role of EU structural funding. The paper concludes with a discussion of the lessons that can be learned for other EU countries.
The Reform of Public Finance Mangement in China: Introductory Overview of Issues and Contributions of the Symposium Part 1
Authors: Liu Rong , Qiao Baoyun , Shah Anwar
Published: May 2024

The reform of fiscal system is critical to ensuring sustainable growth and improving quality of life and social and economic outcomes for Chinese residents. This symposium (in two issues) highlights major concerns, identifies challenges and presents feasible reform options for facilitating a wider dialogue and developing consensus for remedial action.
Economic Orthodoxy v Market Pragmatism: A Case Study of Europe's ‘Abandonment’ of defense offset
Authors: Matthews Ron , Ansari Irfan
Published: May 2024

Defense offset represents a demand by the arms purchasing state for reciprocal benefits: if we buy your expensive weapon systems, what will you do for us? Although offset may resemble blackmail or coercion, it is not illegal. Also, because the primary contract is military-related, the offset arrangement lies outside the scope of international trade agreements, such as the World Trade Organization. Yet whilst, offset is legal, it is nevertheless controversial. It is alleged, for instance, that reciprocal trade facilitates corrupt practices and represents a distortion of trade, in the sense that the offset package may influence purchasing decisions more than the price and quality of the primary defense product, but notwithstanding such criticisms, offset is a global phenomenon. Until recently it was almost impossible for defense contractors to sell military equipment without being hit by demands for offset, primarily technology transfer of the underlying production process. In 2009, circumstances began to change, when the European Commission issued a Defense and Security Directive aimed at increasing economic efficiency through competitive procurement. In the process, defense offset would be eradicated, except where national security was threatened, and this would need to be evidenced by the member country seeking exemption from open competition. The Directive, 2009/81/EC, is a manifestation of the EC's intent to liberalize Member States’ traditionally sovereign defense sectors in favor of pan-European procurement. Offset was expected to become the exception, rather than the rule, but the evidence thus far appears to suggest reluctance on the part of Member States to abandon offset. A significant minority of EU States continue to interpret defense acquisition as being synonymous with national security and offset as a mechanism for accelerating sovereign defense-industrial capacity. In the face of legal sanction, such market pragmatism, driven by political opportunism to exploit economic benefit, carries the danger that offset will be driven underground, becoming less transparent and manageable, only to reappear in arms deals under different wrappers via separate, but linked, ‘wink and nod’ arrangements.
Does the Province-Managing-County Reform Promote the Growth of County Finance and Economy in China? An Empirical Case Study on Henan Province
Authors: Li Lina , Liu Nannan , Zheng Xiaoping
Published: May 2024

There are two major models in China's Province-Managing-County (PMC) reform: the Province-Fiscally-Managing-County (PFMC) and the Power-Expanding-County (PEC). This paper is intended to compare the fiscal and economic effects of these two reform models based on their different categories of reform policies—fiscal decentralization policies and economic empowerment policies. By taking Henan's PMC reform as an empirical case study, we find that a) Henan's PFMC reform did not contribute to the growth of county economy through a series of economic empowerment policies and exclusively fiscal decentralization policies, though it promoted the increase in transfer revenue at the county level. b) By contrast, Henan's PEC reform through only economic empowerment policies did not contribute to county's growth of transfer incomes, but it significantly promoted the growth of county economy with an annual downward trend. The further analyses on these findings show that the expansion of economic autonomy by the economic empowerment is the key positive factor to the growth of county economy in the PEC reform, while the moral hazard caused by the fiscal decentralization is the major negative factor holding back the economic effect of the PFMC reform. Therefore, this throws out a hint that the improvement of economic autonomy in county governments will be a right and effective approach to promote the sustainable development of county economy, though it should be further examined in the future research.
Fiscal Policies for Coordinated Urban-Rural Development and Their Relevance for China
Authors: Shah Anwar
Published: May 2024

World experience has demonstrated the adverse consequences of uncoordinated urban and rural development policies on the quality of life and economic and social outcomes. This paper focuses exclusively on the role of properly designed fiscal policies that have the potential to overcome these fallouts by creating positive incentives for orderly and coordinated development and by providing negative incentives to discourage actions with negative social and economic consequences. The paper reviews international experience and draws lessons of policy relevance for China from economic principles and international practices in dealing with major challenges in urban-rural divide, social exclusion, environmental degradation and inequalities in income and opportunity across the nation.
The Impact of Late-Term Pay Raises on Teacher Pension Obligations in Three States: California, Illinois, New Jersey
Authors: Roza Marguerite , Jonovski Jessica
Published: May 2024

As policymakers seek ways to regain control of burdensome teacher pension liabilities, many are overlooking an important lever to influence long-term debt obligations. Due to the complex structure of the pension allowance itself, an educator's final retiring salary is a central factor to an individual's pension benefit, and also one that is still squarely under policymakers’ control. And yet, leaders do not appear to recognize the link between pay raises awarded to teachers near retirement and the longer-term obligations they generate (in part because those awarding raises may be in different governmental agencies than those responsible for pension debt). This paper aims to clarify the magnitude of debt triggered by late-term pay raises and reveal an overlooked opportunity for policymakers at state and local levels to work more collaboratively in clarifying the link between educator compensation and pension priorities.
Central Falls’ Bankruptcy and the Principle of Shared Pain
Authors: Tatum James L.
Published: May 2024

The small city of Central Falls, Rhode Island filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in 2011, with five other cities. The case could have easily been overshadowed by the insolvency of other sizable jurisdictions. Instead, Central Falls’ case is particular in both the treatment of bondholders and pensioners – one class of creditors was completely protected, while the other suffered deep cuts. The purpose of this article is to examine the method used to distribute losses in Central Falls’ case, and consider the effects of special protections for bondholders, on both the bondholders themselves and other parties to municipal bankruptcy.
Corruption, Regime Type, and Economic Growth
Authors: Alon Ilan , Li Shaomin , Wu Jun
Published: May 2024

While prevailing wisdom suggests that less corrupt and more democratic countries perform better economically, the existing literature is, at best, inconsistent. We build a theory that links corruption and regime type to economic growth and test it on 158 countries, using multiple databases including Polity IV, transparency international, and the World Bank. in this way, we are able to show that under autocracy, corruption is less harmful to economic growth than under anocracy, thereby, resolving some of the inconsistent and contradictory results of the aforementioned literature linking corruption to economic growth. the article shows that democracies have the lowest level of corruption, while autocracies outperform anocracies economically because they embed corruption more efficiently. Policies should minimize disruptions and efficiency losses caused by corruption during the transition from autocracy to democracy.
The Political Cost of Local Revenue Mobilization: Decentralization of the Property Tax in Indonesia
Authors: von Haldenwang Christian
Published: May 2024

Taxes on real property have been identified as a source of income whose potential is currently underused by many countries. Indonesia has recently decentralized the property tax to the local level, but has this led to a better use of the tax potential from this source? A look at revenue figures provided by the Indonesian Ministry of Finance suggests that reforms may have boosted tax collection at an aggregate level. However, closer scrutiny of seven local cases reveals that local governments are far from tapping the full potential of the property tax. Most of them are struggling with deficient data, low public acceptance of the tax and huge amounts of tax liabilities. in addition, local governments shy away from the political costs associated with more active revenue mobilization.
Overselling the Economic Efficiency Gains from Shifting the Tax Mix towards Consumption Taxes
Authors: Spiro Peter S.
Published: May 2024

It is frequently argued that it would be beneficial to move the tax mix towards greater reliance on consumption taxes, with offsetting reductions in income taxes. Proponents argue that this would increase the incentives to “work, save, and invest” and would help improve productivity growth. in Canada, policy experts have generally advocated shifting the tax mix towards consumption. However, on a number of occasions when such a choice was put to the electorate, this shift was rejected.

In fact, when one looks at the empirical research on response elasticities, it suggests that the net positive impacts are likely to be relatively small. the most reliable estimates from economic models indicate a small positive impact on economic efficiency from changing the tax mix. the largest and clearest impact of changing the tax mix is on the distribution of income, as the income tax is much more susceptible to being progressive.

Therefore, the positive impact on overall GDP would be too small to compensate most taxpayers. Middle income earners in particular are likely to be net losers from changes in the tax mix. Designing changes in the tax mix so as to make everybody better off is a complex task. Voters seem to be aware of the income distribution impacts, and vote in their own self-interest. in a referendum in the province of British Columbia, the majority voted to repeal a value added tax. the percentage voting for repeal was highest in the lowest income electoral districts.
Introduction to A Symposium on Fiscal Stress, Budget Choices and Cutback Management
Authors: Desai Uday
Published: May 2024

Understanding how state and local governments respond to and manage fiscal stress, often caused by recession, is important for understanding government decision making in the U.S. This symposium addresses several broadly important questions: what budget cutback strategies state and local governments use to deal with revenue shortfalls; what factors influence state and local governments’ responses to revenue shortfalls; what impacts do budgetary cutback have on government services; and how are cutback decisions made. the symposium contributes to our theoretical and empirical understanding of budgetary choices in times of fiscal distress, and by doing so, to the broader challenges of governance in times of resource scarcity.
The Relationship between Fiscal Stress and Patterns of State Budgeting Strategies Used in Cutback Management in the Last Two U.S. Recessions
Authors: Klase Kenneth A.
Published: May 2024

This research examines patterns of budget responses used in cutback management by all fifty states in response to budget shortfalls and fiscal stress. It uses NASABO data on state budget responses for all fifty states during 2002–2013, including the last two recessions, to address research questions concerning which response strategies are used, timing of responses in relation to fiscal stress, and differences in budget response strategies depending on severity of fiscal stress.

Based on analysis of frequency data, states used more responses, and increasingly more severe responses, over the course of recessionary periods and in the years immediately afterward as the lagged impact of fiscal stress increased in severity. This pattern in state responses also reflects a time lag in the number and severity of state responses to fiscal stress in recessionary periods. the pattern of state responses observed over the two recessions provides some evidence that the initial responses to fiscal stress generally involve the use of less severe responses with more severe responses added when fiscal stress increases.

Bivariate contingency analysis, Chi-Square Test of significance, and Measures of Association are used to evaluate the significance and strength of the relationship between the use of various budget strategies and levels of fiscal stress based on Low, Medium, or High levels of Fiscal Stress. Fiscal Stress is defined in terms of budget solvency using interquartile ranges of percent expenditure change between fiscal years to represent budget shortfall for the states in each year. the findings from Chi Square tests and the measures of association for the relationship between individual budget responses and fiscal stress over the period indicate that the majority of state budget responses are moderately strongly associated with levels of fiscal stress.

This research defined a variable that aggregates patterns of state budget response in terms of severity. the Budget Response Severity variable is categorized as Low, Medium or High in severity based on the highest severity level of budget responses used by a state in a given year. Using bivariate contingency analysis, Chi-Square Test of Significance, and Measures of Association, Budget Response Severity was found to be moderately strongly associated with the severity of fiscal stress. the study concludes that the patterns of state budget response strategies used over the period are consistent with a phased-in response model to fiscal stress with more severe budget responses used by states as levels of fiscal stress increase. the findings contribute to further testing and confirmation of cutback management's systematic administrative response model to fiscal pressure on budgetary systems.
Debt Sustainability: Empirical Evidence from Indian States
Authors: Renjith P.S. , Shanmugam K. R.
Published: May 2024

This study utilizes the Bohn framework for panel data and a penalized spline technique for testing the sustainability of public debt in 20 major Indian states for the period 2003–04 to 2014–15. It is found that in 14 out of 20 states, the primary surplus reacts positively to public debt, indicating debt sustainability in these states. Moreover, it is interesting to note that the reaction coefficients are not constant but varies with time in all the states. in six states, the debt is unsustainable which suggests for policy intervention in them. Our analysis also indicates that the net borrowings in these six states exceed their FRBM limits, and which are partially used for non-investment purposes. Therefore, they need to strictly adhere to debt-deficit targets. It is our hope that these results will be useful to policymakers and other stakeholders in such a way that their strategies will improve the debt position of these states and make them sustainable.
The Hedonic Theory of Taxation: An Application to the U.S. Income Tax
Authors: Vitaliano Donald F.
Published: May 2024

F.Y. Edgeworth labeled the utility sacrifice theory of taxation the Hedonic Theory of Taxation. According to this model, each household unit should bear a portion of the aggregate tax burden so as to sacrifice the same amount of utility or the same proportion of their utility from income. This was long regarded as an appealing but impractical idea owing to the inability to measure cardinal utility. But the recent ‘Happiness’ survey literature has resulted in credible estimates of a cardinal utility function, and this is used in this paper to apply the hedonic model to the 2010 U.S. Personal Income Tax in a revenue neutral setting. the result is a moderately progressive personal income tax, with a top quintile average rate of about 11% and a top percentile average rate of about 17%, the latter being less than at present. As compared to optimal tax models, hedonic taxation is simple and the notion of equal sacrifice appears to enjoy public support. We find little difference in average rates between equal absolute and equal proportional sacrifice.
State Government Use of the Same Underwriting Firm and the Impact on Borrowing Costs
Authors: Dzigbede Komla D.
Published: May 2024

Repeated use of the same underwriter can have a significant impact on issuance costs. On the one hand, an issuer may accumulate relevant information from using the same underwriter for multiple issues, which can reduce information costs and lower borrowing costs. On the other hand, repeated use of the same underwriter can raise borrowing costs if organizational learning is limited and the issuer and underwriter together continue with previous errors in issuance strategy, leading to greater risk-taking and more inefficiency. Despite its importance, existing research on repeated use of the same underwriter in municipal debt issuance is limited because prior work ignores non-linear effects on municipal borrowing costs. This article draws from theories on transaction costs, relationships, and organizational learning to test hypotheses about the non-linear impacts of repeated use of the same underwriter on municipal borrowing costs. the article analyzes data on California state general obligation bonds using a menu of estimation techniques. A key finding is that after a critical threshold, borrowing costs tend to decrease as the state government repeatedly uses the same underwriter in debt issuance. the study enriches existing knowledge on the interdependence between issuers and underwriters and presents useful insights for state debt management programs.
Do Tax and Expenditure Limits Influence Federal Lobbying by State and Local Governments? Evidence from A Panel Dataset
Authors: Dove John A.
Published: May 2024

A large body of literature has emerged regarding the overall effects and efficacy of state and local tax and expenditure limits (TELs). Importantly, much of this literature has detailed some of the unintended consequences of those fiscal constraints. This paper adds to that latter strand of the literature by evaluating the relationship between state and local TELs and the prevalence of federal lobbying expenditures by those governmental units constrained by such a limit. With the inclusion of several different measures of state and local TELs, panel data spanning several years, and various specifications, the results indicate that fiscally constrained state and local governments increase federal lobbying efforts, though the result is far less robust for states. Disaggregation of these TELs suggests little association between lobbying and a revenue limit at the state level (though a stronger positive association exists with expenditure limits), while a property tax limit (expenditure limit) is positively (negatively) associated with lobbying expenditures at the municipal level.
In Service of Creditors: Emergency Financial Management and Poison Water in Flint, Michigan
Authors: Murphy Austin
Published: May 2024

This case study of the Flint water crisis demonstrates the effects that can result from focusing on the task of improving the creditworthiness of a financially distressed municipality with infrastructure problems. Empirical findings, which incorporate an event study of the impacts on Flint's municipal bondholders, indicate that the creditors of a political subdivision administered by a State appointee may be helped through infliction of a humanitarian crisis while the costs are borne by the State itself and others. Novel forms of financing infrastructure investments are suggested to help resolve the trade-offs between government fiscal discipline and service to the governed people.
Behavioral-Experimental Public Budgeting and Financial Management: A Review of Experimental Studies in the Field
Authors: Mohr Zachary , Kearney Linwood
Published: May 2024

Behavioral research in public budgeting and financial management (PBFM) has a venerable lineage that extends all the way back to Herbert Simon's early analysis of budgetary processes. in spite of this early connection to public budgeting, behavioral research is now more commonly associated with behavioral economics, psychology and other disciplines. Importantly, the term behavioral is now most often associated with the use of experimental research designs. We argue that the common perception in PBFM is that there is not a significant amount of behavioral-experimental (B-E) research currently being conducted in PBFM. We find that contrary to this expectation that there are some important areas where PBFM researchers have used experiments extensively including evaluating budgetary tradeoffs, the impact of performance information on budgeting outcomes, contracting and purchasing, and accountability. We then review related literatures for studies in other fields that are related to areas of PBFM research. From this review of the literature on experiments in PBFM and related fields, we see significant differences in both theoretical development and experimental designs. in conclusion, we suggest that for Behavioral-Experimental PBFM (B-E PBFM) to flourish that the field should be open to new theories and experimental methods.
Fiscal Decentralization and Public Infrastructure Maintenance Expenditures: A Cross-Country Panel Analysis
Authors: Chen Can , Martinez-Vazquez Jorge
Published: May 2024

The often-forgotten dimension of public infrastructure finance is the difficulty of maintaining a proper level of infrastructure in good condition. Given that increasing responsibilities for public infrastructure investment have been decentralized worldwide, this study investigates the impact of fiscal and political decentralization on infrastructure maintenance expenditures using a panel cross-country analysis from 1995 to 2020. To address the endogeneity concerns and estimate the causal impact of fiscal decentralization (revenue and expenditure decentralization), this research uses the Geographic Fragmentation Index and country size as two valid instrumental variables for fiscal decentralization. Our main results confirm that fiscal and political decentralization measures are found to increase public spending on road maintenance. The findings are robust to alternative model specifications and different measures of fiscal and political decentralization.
The Effects of Property Tax Levy Limits on School Infrastructure Assets and Expenditures: The Case of New York
Authors: Nguyen-Hoang Phuong , Choi Yoon-Jung
Published: May 2024

This is the first study to examine the potential effects of property tax levy limits on school infrastructure assets and expenditures (IAE). Specifically, we examine how the limit on school district’s property tax levy in New York may affect school IAE. Although this limit imposes a restriction only on operating, rather than capital, property tax levy, we hypothesize that the limit may have spillover effects on school IAE. We examine this hypothesis by employing a difference-in-differences estimation approach together with an event-study design on a panel of school districts between 2011 and 2020. We find that at-limit school districts that exhaust their limit, especially urban high-need districts, reduce the expenditures on machinery and equipment. In addition, the limit has a negative effect on rural high-need infrastructure assets captured by the building value. We also find that at-limit school districts do not issue more debt and that urban high-need districts seek out more matching state infrastructure aid. All these results indicate that school districts that are most likely to be constrained by the limit treat operation and capital resources as complements rather than substitutes.
Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy (LITT) in Recurrent Glioblastoma: What Window of Opportunity for This Treatment?
Authors: Morello Alberto , Bianconi Andrea , Rizzo Francesca , Bellomo Jacopo , Meyer Anna Cristina , Garbossa Diego , Regli Luca , Cofano Fabio
Published: May 2024

Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment option in neurosurgery for intracranial tumors, including recurrent gliomas. The technique employs the thermal ablation of target tissue to achieve tumor control with real-time monitoring of the extent by magnetic resonance thermometry, allowing targeted thermal injury to the lesion. Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy has gained interest as a treatment option for recurrent gliomas due to its minimally invasive nature, shorter recovery times, ability to be used even in patients with numerous comorbidities, and potential to provide local tumor control. It can be used as a standalone treatment or combined with other therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. We describe the most recent updates regarding several studies and case reports that have evaluated the efficacy and safety of Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy for recurrent gliomas. These studies have reported different outcomes, with some demonstrating promising results in terms of tumor control and patient survival, while others have shown mixed outcomes. The success of Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy depends on various factors, including tumor characteristics, patient selection, and the experience of the surgical team, but the future direction of treatment of recurrent gliomas will include a combined approach, comprising Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy, particularly in deep-seated brain regions. Well-designed prospective studies will be needed to establish with certainty the role of Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy in the treatment of recurrent glioma.
Examining the Contemporary Worker and the Workplace From a Leadership-as-Practice Perspective: A HRD Opportunity
Authors: Raelin Joseph A.
Published: May 2024

In this article the author uses the lens of leadership-as-practice (L-A-P) to analyze the concerns of the worker in the contemporary workplace and proposes both new insights and potential remediations through a post-humanistic leadership centered on practice. L-A-P is designed to probe underneath the accepted or “natural” human resource practices to uncover the power dynamics in the workplace that have led to challenges to the worker in the form of burnout, lack of autonomy, and detachment. After introducing the practice approach to the workplace, the paper interrogates the potential value of leadership being viewed as a collaborative agency constituting changes in the trajectory of prefigured work practices that can have affirmative consequences via its ethical and critical approach to human resource development.
“Broken Home”: (De)constructing the Moral Standards of Mobility for Atlanta’s Early Black Public Housing Families
Authors: Drake Rodriguez Akira , Dantzler Prentiss A.
Published: May 2024

The public housing program was designed as a stepping-stone into upward socioeconomic mobility when the first developments were constructed for White and Black households in the 1930s. White residents were able to save and move into private housing with greater speed than Black residents, who faced both external and internal constraints on their socioeconomic status. As a result of this decreased mobility, scholars and policymakers soon associated public housing developments with impoverished Black containment, categorizing it as the home of the underclass and those who are stuck in place. This article employs a Du Boisian approach to understand the categorical differences and political economic conditions shaping mobility rates among Atlanta’s early Black public housing families. Using historical documents and approximately 40 years of administrative data collected from the first Black public housing development in Atlanta, Georgia by housing managers, Du Bois, and a group of research assistants from Atlanta University, this article examines how internal and external constraints shaped Black tenant mobility. It demonstrates how housing administrators and their actions shaped eviction rates—and by default, public housing’s ability to advance Black tenant mobility—through elite housing managers’ moral judgments of impoverished Black families.
Adaptive Case Study-Mixed Methods Design Practices for Researchers Studying Complex Phenomena
Authors: Poth Cheryl N. , Wongvorachan Tarid , Bulut Okan , Otto Simon J. G.
Published: May 2024

The methodological purpose of this article is to generate practical guidance for researchers studying complex phenomena through an adaptive case study-mixed methods (CS-MM) design. We describe CS-MM design adjustments made in response to our rapidly changeable research conditions that make complex phenomena challenging to study. We leverage Guetterman & Fetters’ (2018) CS-MM design recommendations while discussing specific adaptive design practice areas and advancing new insights gleaned from an expanded 21-month timeline when compared with a previous 4-month CS-MM study. We draw upon Mike Fetters’ extensive scholarly contributions while striving to continue his legacy for a better world and embodying Mike’s “kind mentoring” approach in our team-based study of the complex phenomena involving the response to a public health emergency.
A Framework for Determining Research Topics and Problems in Mixed Methods Studies: A Call for Transparency
Authors: Leech Nancy L. , Leech David J.
Published: May 2024

This article addresses the essential yet often overlooked aspect of choosing a research topic in mixed methods research studies. Seven leading mixed methods textbooks are reviewed for insights into choosing a research topic which elucidates the dearth of specific guidance in the existing literature. Utilizing the established 13-step framework proposed by Collins et al. (2006), a new step is proposed that incorporates the process of research topic selection. This addition is intended to encourage thoughtful consideration of the research topic and make transparent decisions regarding topic selection, thereby ensuring coherence with the broader mixed methods research process. The framework is presented alongside an exploration of reasons for choosing a research topic and problem and is derived from the reviewed literature.
What to Expect? Use of Supplemental Fixation With a Concomitant Dorsal Spanning Plate for Complex Intraarticular Distal Radius Fractures
Authors: Gruenberger Eric , Carlino Elizabeth K. , Webb Adam , Bowers Mitchell , Ponce Brent , Rubin Todd
Published: May 2024

Background:

The dorsal spanning plate (DSP) is a versatile implant suitable for bridging severely comminuted intraarticular distal radius fractures [AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen) 23-C.1-C.3]. It may be used alone or with supplemental fixation such as a volar locking plate (VLP) or fragment-specific fixation (FSF). Outcomes following DSP fixation with additional implants have not been specifically evaluated.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent internal fixation of a distal radius fracture by a single surgeon from 2017 to 2021. Patients were grouped according to implants used: DSP only, DSP + FSF, and DSP + VLP. Preoperative variables, treatment times, and wrist range of motion (ROM) were assessed. Functional wrist ROM was defined as minimum 80° combined flexion and extension.

Results:

One hundred fifty-two patients underwent surgery for wrist fracture, 33 of them were treated with a DSP: 8 DSP only, 6 DSP + VLP, and 19 DSP + FSF. Falls from height greater than 10 ft accounted for 52% of injuries, most of which were treated with a DSP + FSF. Treatment times and ROM were similar between subgroups. Wrist ROM did not improve significantly beyond 4 weeks following DSP removal. Overall, DSP patients recovered a mean wrist ROM of 85° (range 0°-130°) within a median 26 weeks total treatment period (range 12-68 weeks).

Conclusion:

Regardless of the construct used, if the distal radius articular surface is well reduced and other principles of fracture fixation are applied, most patients treated with a DSP can expect to regain functional wrist ROM.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV—Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.
Exploring reconvictions and ‘crime-free’ gaps over time: What were the experience of one cohort of English probationers?
Authors: Farrall Stephen
Published: May 2024

Many, but not all, reconviction studies are undertaken over relatively short periods of time (such as 2 or 5 years) and are usually used to gauge the impact of various disposals against one another. This study, based on one cohort of probationers who started being supervised in England during 1997–1998, takes a different tack, and explores their reconvictions between 1997 and 2022, a period of 25 years, and touches upon a range of topics germane to this field, such as: how many reconvictions were racked up?, who was reconvicted?, which offences were they convicted of? and what accounts for their reconvictions? The second half of the article focuses on the issue of ‘crime-free gaps’ and provides further insight into this recent development in criminal careers research and in so doing builds upon an earlier article by Joanna Shapland.
Thrombectomy using Zoom Reperfusion System in pediatric acute ischemic strokes: Case series and literature review
Authors: Singh Raman , Verma Uttam , Shakir Hakeem J , Jen Shyian
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Zoom reperfusion system (Imperative Care, CA) has proven to be promising for use in adult mechanical thrombectomies (MTs) but has not been described in pediatrics. We present two cases of a 14-year-old with acute right middle cerebral artery (MCA) syndrome and a 10-year old with acute left MCA syndrome who underwent MT using Zoom Reperfusion System safely with TICI 2B and TICI 3 recanalization, respectively.

Method

Case report and literature review.

Results

A 14-year-old healthy boy with right supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion (case 1) and a 10-year-old boy with left hypoplastic heart syndrome and left ICA terminus occlusion (case 2) were taken for MT after receiving alteplase at our institution. Through femoral access, an 8-French sheath was introduced into the right femoral artery through which a Zoom 88 catheter was introduced and parked at the right petrous ICA segment in case 1 and left ophthalmic ICA segment in case 2. Angiogram demonstrated complete ICA occlusion just past the ophthalmic artery origin in case 1 and at the ICA terminus in case 2. Zoom system (88 and 71) was then navigated to the face of clot with vacuum manifold engaged with the clot. TICI 2B (with the help of Trevo stent retriever [Stryker]) and TICI 3 recanalization were achieved in cases 1 and 2, respectively.

Conclusion

The use of Zoom reperfusion system could potentially be feasible for use in pediatric age group. Larger pediatric patient population is needed to establish its safety.
Effect of Virtual Versus In Person Interpreting on Diabetes Outcomes in Non-English Language Preference Patients: A Pilot Study
Authors: So Marvin , Jadoo Hailie , Stong Jennifer , Klemenhagen Kristen C. , Philbrick Ann M. , Freeman Kathryn
Published: May 2024

Objective:

The objective of this pilot study was to explore the impact of interpreter format (virtual vs in person) on clinical outcomes in patients with non-English language preference (NELP) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a primary care setting. We hypothesized that NELP patients utilizing in person interpreters would have improved HbA1c values, better follow-up rate, and more complex care plans compared to patients utilizing virtual interpreters.

Methods:

We completed a retrospective chart review of 137 NELP patients with T2DM who required a medical interpreter (February to June 2021). We calculated univariate and bivariate statistics to characterize the sample and assess the extent to which measures of continuity (follow-up visit rate and time to follow-up visit), quality (change in HbA1c), and complexity (medication intervention complexity) were associated with interpreter type.

Results:

There was no statistically significant difference in follow-up rate or average days to follow-up visit for NELP patients with in person as opposed to virtual interpreters. Patients with virtual interpreters demonstrated a non-statistically significant decrease in HbA1c compared to those with in person interpreters. Finally, there was no statistically significant association between interpreter format and intervention complexity.

Conclusions:

Quality medical interpretation contributes to optimal health outcomes in NELP patients with diabetes. Our study suggests that both in person and virtual interpreters can be effective in providing care for NELP patients, especially for chronic disease management in the context of a primary care relationship. It also highlights the importance of pursuing additional qualitative and mixed method studies to better understand the benefits of various interpreter formats across different visit types.
Comparison of Clinical Outcomes After Different Surgical Approaches for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Kholinne Erica , Singjie Leonard Christianto , Anastasia Maria , Liu Felly , Anestessia Ira Juliet , Kwak Jae-Man , Jeon In-Ho
Published: May 2024

Background:

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is one of the most common causes of lateral elbow pain. When nonoperative treatment fails, 1 of the 3 surgical approaches—open, percutaneous, or arthroscopic—is used. However, determining which approach has the superior clinical outcome remains controversial.

Purpose:

To review the outcomes of different operative modalities for LE qualitatively and quantitatively.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

This review was performed and reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies published in PubMed, Medline (via EBSCO), and ScienceDirect databases that treated LE with open, percutaneous, or arthroscopic approaches with at least 12 months of follow-up were included. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies score. The primary outcome was the success rate of each operative treatment approach—open, percutaneous, and arthroscopic.

Results:

From an initial search result of 603 studies, 43 studies (n = 1941 elbows) were ultimately included. The arthroscopic approach had the highest success rate (91.9% [95% CI, 89.2%-94.7%]) compared with the percutaneous (91% [95% CI, 87.3%-94.6%]) and open (82.7% [95% CI, 75.6%-89.8%]) approaches for LE surgery with changes in the mean visual analog scale pain score of 5.54, 4.90, and 3.63, respectively. According to the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, the functional outcome improved in the arthroscopic group (from 54.11 to 15.47), the percutaneous group (from 44.90 to 10.47), and the open group (from 53.55 to 16.13). The overall improvement was also found in the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, the arthroscopic group (from 55.12 to 90.97), the percutaneous group (from 56.31 to 87.65), and the open group (from 64 to 93.37).

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic surgery had the highest rate of success and the best improvement in functional outcomes among the 3 approaches of LE surgery.
Understanding Patients' Negative Experiences with Telehealth: A Content Analysis of Survey Data
Authors: Hamaker Maya , Hyman Nicholas , Lodaria Komal , Jackson Hannah B. , Sewell Taylor B , Chen Kevin
Published: May 2024

Understanding differences in how demographic groups experience telehealth may be relevant in addressing potential disparities in telehealth usage. We seek to identify and examine themes most pertinent to patients’ negative telehealth experiences by age and race in order to inform interventions to improve patients’ future telehealth experiences. We performed a content analysis of Press Ganey patient experience surveys from adult patients at 17 primary care sites of a large, public healthcare system with visits from April 30, 2020 to August 27, 2021. We used sentiment analysis to identify negative comments. We coded for content themes and analyzed their frequency, stratifying by age and race. We analyzed 745 negative comments. Most frequent themes differed by demographic categories, but overall, the most commonly applied codes were “Contacting the Clinic” (n = 97), “Connectivity” (n = 84), and “Webside Manner” (n = 79). The top three codes accounted for >40% of the negative codes in each race category and >35% of the negative codes in each age category. While there were common negative experiences among groups, patients of different demographics highlighted different aspects of their telehealth experiences for potential improvement.