bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degree of Accuracy With Which Deep Learning for Ultrasound Images Identifies Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Humeral Capitellum
Authors: Shinohara Issei , Yoshikawa Tomoya , Inui Atsuyuki , Mifune Yutaka , Nishimoto Hanako , Mukohara Shintaro , Kato Tatsuo , Furukawa Takahiro , Tanaka Shuya , Kusunose Masaya , Hoshino Yuichi , Matsushita Takehiko , Kuroda Ryosuke
Published: January 2023

Background:

Medical screening using ultrasonography (US) has been performed on young baseball players for early detection of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral capitellum. Deep learning (DL) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques are widely adopted in the medical imaging research field.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to calculate the diagnostic accuracy using DL for US images of OCD. We hypothesized that using DL for US imaging would improve the prediction accuracy of OCD.

Study Design:

Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A total of 40 elbows (mean age of patients, 12.1 years) that were suspected of having OCD at a medical checkup and later confirmed by radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging were included in the study. The affected elbows were used as the OCD group and the contralateral elbows as the control group. From US videos, 100 images per elbow were captured from different angles, and 4000 images of the elbows were prepared for both groups. Of these, 80% were randomly selected by DL models and used as training data; the remaining were used as test data. Transfer learning was conducted using 3 pretrained DL models. The confusion matrix and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the model, and the visualization of the areas deemed important by the DL models was also performed. Furthermore, OCD regions were detected using an automatic image recognition model based on DL.

Results:

Classification of the OCD image by the DL model was performed; the best accuracy score was 0.87; the recall was 1.00. AUC was high for all DL models. Visualization of important features showed that AI predicted the presence of OCD by focusing on the irregularity or discontinuity of the surface of subchondral bone. In the detection of OCD task, the mean average precision was 0.83.

Conclusion:

The DL on US images identified OCD with high accuracy. The important features detected by the DL models correspond to the areas used by clinicians in screening the US images. The OCD was also detected with high accuracy using the object detection model. The AI model may be used in medical screening for OCD.
Programmed death-ligand 1 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is associated with poor prognosis
Authors: Al-Khateeb Esraa , Abbas Manal A. , Khader Majd B. , Sughayer Maher A.
Published: January 2023

Background

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in some tumors has prognostic implications. This work aims at investigating PD-L1 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and to study its association with clinicopathological variables.

Methods

The study consisted of 75 DLBCL patients who were cared for at the King Hussein Cancer Center during the period 2015–2018. The expression of PD-L1 in tumor tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry using the anti-human PD-L1 (Clone 22C3) monoclonal antibody. The correlation between gender, age, clinical stage, pre-treatment-LDH level, tumor location, response to therapy, overall and event-free survival with PD-L1 expression was studied.

Results

Six patients were excluded from further analysis as they were in relapse at the time of tissue sampling. The tumor proportion score (TPS) was ≥1% in 16/69 (23.2%) of DLBCL cases while the combined positive score (CPS) at a cut-off of ≥20 was observed in 23/69 (33.3%) cases. No significant difference in PD-L1 expression was found between germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and non-GCB subtypes. Similarly, no differences in PD-L1 expression (at CPS ≥20 and TPS ≥1) were found between different genders, age groups, clinical stages, tumor location, and patient response to therapy. However, base-line lactate dehydrogenase was significantly elevated in patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥20. The overall survival was not significantly different between PD-L1-positive and -negative groups. On the other hand, the median event-free survival was higher in either of the PD-L1 TPS or CPS negative groups at 107months each versus 54 months in the PD-L1 positive group of either category.

Conclusions

PD-L1 expression can predict event-free survival in DLBCL cases and therefore poor prognosis.
“I Can’t Take Any Chances”: A Mixed Methods Study of Frailty, Isolation, Worry, and Loneliness Among Aging Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Joseph Carly A. , Kobayashi Lindsay C. , Frain Laura N. , Finlay Jessica M.
Published: January 2023

Little is known about how frailty has shaped experiences of living through the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cross-sectional mixed methods study, we analyzed data from the nationwide COVID-19 Coping Study from December 2020 through January 2021 ( N = 2094 US adults aged ≥55) to investigate quantitative associations between frailty and the prevalence of physical isolation, worry about COVID-19, and loneliness. Reflexive thematic analysis explored aging adults’ lived experiences of frailty during the pandemic. In multivariable-adjusted population-weighted modified Poisson regression models, we found that frailty was associated with increased prevalence of physical isolation, worry about COVID-19, and loneliness. Qualitative experiences of aging with frailty during the pandemic were diverse, and encompassed isolation, worry, and loneliness, as well as coping strategies and resilience. The findings may inform individualized multi-factorial strategies (e.g., physical activity, nutrition, and social interaction) to support well-being among adults aging with frailty during the pandemic.
Divided by the Algorithm? The (Limited) Effects of Content- and Sentiment-Based News Recommendation on Affective, Ideological, and Perceived Polarization
Authors: Ludwig Katharina , Grote Alexander , Iana Andreea , Alam Mehwish , Paulheim Heiko , Sack Harald , Weinhardt Christof , Müller Philipp
Published: January 2023

Recent rises in political polarization across the globe are often ascribed to algorithmic content filtering on social media, news platforms, or search engines. The widespread usage of news recommendation systems (NRS) is theorized to drive users in homogenous information environments and, thereby, drive affective, ideological, and perceived polarization. To test this assumption, we conducted an online experiment ( n = 750) with running algorithms that enriches content-based NRS with negative or neutral sentiment. Our experiment finds only limited evidence for polarization effects of content-based NRS. Nevertheless, the time spent with an NRS and its recommended articles seems to play a crucial role as a moderator of polarization. The longer participants were using an NRS enriched with negative sentiment, the more they got affectively polarized, whereas participants using an NRS incorporating balanced sentiment ideologically depolarized over time. Implications for future research are discussed.
Adults’ ad hoc practices in interviews with children - Ethical considerations in the context of adultness and generational ordering
Authors: Velten Katrin , Höke Julia
Published: January 2023

The paper reflects on researchers’ adultness in the context of two central motifs that accompany interview research with children, “ascertaining children’s perspectives” and “meeting research objectives (the researcher’s objectives)”. Sequential re-analysis of conflictual interview sequences reveals “ad hoc practices” in which researchers (re)produce adultness and generational orders. Reflection on such practices in connection with ‘turning points’ in adult actions may assist in fine-tuning the appositeness in the approach to interviews with children and helping researchers advance their individual research skills.
Religion, spirituality, faith and public administration: A literature review and outlook
Authors: Ongaro Edoardo , Tantardini Michele
Published: January 2023

This article originates from the consideration that religion, spirituality and faith affect public administration, its configuration and its workings. Religion, spirituality, and faith are important explanatory factors and part of explanatory frameworks for several fields of inquiry in the field of public administration. Specifically, no literature review has been conducted so far about what has been written on the relationship between religion, spirituality and faith, and public administration. This study aims to fill this gap through a literature review of scholarly publications between 1960-2020. On this basis, the article identifies themes of research at the micro-, meso- and macro-level (that is, the level of individuals/people, organizations, and administrative systems respectively) about the manifold relations between religion and public administration.
Trade union revitalization in hard times: a mission impossible?
Authors: Trif Aurora , Bernaciak Magdalena , Kahancová Marta
Published: January 2023

The relation between trade unions’ power resources and their ability to revitalize is contentious. One strand of literature claims that weak power resources prevent unions from undertaking efforts to restore their strength and influence, while another research strand argues that the depletion of power resources may stimulate unions to take such actions. This Special Issue tests these conflicting expectations with evidence from eight Central-Eastern European (CEE) countries. It focuses on the drivers and outcomes of different types of revitalization strategies that CEE unions employ to respond to challenges. By examining the link between union power resources and their revitalization strategies, it expands the scholarly knowledge on the preconditions and limits of union revitalization in adverse contexts.
Narrating Communist Repression in and Outside the Courtroom: The Case of Former Prison Commander Alexandru Vișinescu and its Resonance with (Societally) Available ‘Narrative Worlds’
Authors: Avram Kristine
Published: January 2023

In 2016, Alexandru Vișinescu was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his actions as a prison commander five decades earlier. This article explores the epistemic function of this “landmark case” by contrasting the judicial narrative with the narratives of the participants in the trial, i.e., the civil parties, and spectators, i.e., the university students representing the younger generation. The accounts of the survivors’ families, while showing great similarities with the judicial account, considerably broaden the setting and locus of responsibility and place Vișinescu's story in the larger context of communist repression. University students, by contrast, have very limited knowledge of the adjudicated events, reflecting their de-contextualised understanding of the past. This understanding is an expression of what I call the available narrative world, including publicly accessible narratives and discourses, but also subjective stories from the private sphere. In the Romanian context, characterised by perpetuated silences about the communist past, the narrative world available to university students is restricted and offers little resonance for the judicial narrative, making its integration into existing knowledge structures difficult. Consequently, I argue that the reception and acceptance of judicial narratives varies according to their resonance with societally available narrative worlds.
Governing Behaviours of Impact Investors in India: A Path to Balance Double Bottom Line
Authors: Prerna Rathee  , Aggarwal Shalini
Published: January 2023

Impact investors need to consider both financial and social outcomes when making investments. Impact investors find governance to be a very critical aspect in guiding the investment decisions of impact investors to balance their double bottom lines. This research study tries to evaluate the role of the governing behaviour of impact investors on the financial performance and social impact of their investments. The structural model is used to describe the link between the governing behaviour of impact investments and their financial and social performance. The findings show that agency-oriented governing behaviour is significantly and positively related to financial performance, whereas stewardship-oriented governing behaviour is significantly and positively related to social impact.
Self-compassion and Mental Health in Australian Women Who Have Experienced Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Maagh Lea C. S. , Quinlan Elly , Vicary Staci , Schilder Suzanne , Carey Christine
Published: January 2023

Mental health challenges are common during the perinatal period, particularly following pregnancy loss. This longitudinal study investigates the role of self-compassion in the mental health of perinatal women having previously experienced ( n = 45) or not having experienced ( n = 123) pregnancy loss. Archival data was utilised to compare levels of perinatal depression, psychological distress, and self-compassion for women receiving psychological therapy at session one and session six. Results indicated that both participant groups reported similar levels on all variables at baseline. There were significant increases in self-compassion and decreases in perinatal depression and psychological distress after six sessions of therapy for both groups. A regression showed changes in self-compassion following six sessions of therapy was predictive of psychological distress, particularly for women who reported pregnancy loss. Self-compassion may represent a viable intervention for psychological distress in a perinatal population particularly following pregnancy loss.
Post-Gender-Based Violence Services Utilization Among Female Entertainment Workers in Cambodia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Oy Sreymom , Saing Chan Hang , Yem Sokunthea , Chhoun Pheak , Tuot Sovannary , Yi Siyan
Published: January 2023

Little is known about service utilization among female entertainment workers (FEWs) after experiencing gender-based violence (GBV). This study explored factors associated with post-GBV service utilization among FEWs in Cambodia. We included 299 FEWs, who experienced any forms of GBV in the past 12 months. This study highlights low access (14.05%) to post-GBV services among FEWs. Factors associated with post-GBV services utilization were marital status, living conditions, mental health, and types of entertainment venues. To improve post-GBV services utilization, ensuring quality, and availability of services are required. Further research is needed to develop pathways toward a supportive environment for FEWs to access these services.
Public Pension Reform and Credit Quality of State Governments
Authors: Hoang Trang
Published: January 2023

The growth of unfunded pension liabilities has raised concern over states’ fiscal sustainability and threatens their ability to access the capital market. Over the past decade, many states have implemented different types of pension reforms to reduce pension costs, improve funding levels, and mitigate the risks of default on unfunded pension obligations. However, have these reforms enabled states to enhance their credit quality? This study uses state-level data from 2004 to 2018 to examine the relationship between state pension reforms and assigned credit ratings and outlooks. The findings show that the impact of pension reforms on a state's credit quality is tangible and differs by reform type and the government's financial capacity and debt level.
Effect of solid particles in oil on tribological characteristics of the valve plate friction pair of a high-pressure vane pump
Authors: Li Shaonian , Li Xi , Liu Hao , Zhou Zhiyuan , Liang Tao
Published: January 2023

The friction pair wear in a high-pressure vane pump caused by solid particles in oil is a significant factor that affects the pump's service life. The study investigates the effects of solid particles on the tribological characteristics of the valve plate friction pair of a high-pressure vane pump. The effects of varying solid particle diameters (5–20 μm) and concentrations (0.001–0.015%) on the friction coefficient, wear rate, and surface morphology of the valve plate friction pair in a high-pressure vane pump were investigated. In addition, to study the effect of diameter and concentration of solid particle on the vane pump's volumetric efficiency, the volumetric efficiency of the vane pump was tested. According to the results, when the solid particle concentration was 0.001%, the friction coefficient increased first and then decreased as the solid particle diameter increased, with no obvious running-in process. Furthermore, the wear rate increased first and then decreased as the solid particle diameter also increased. When the solid particle diameter was greater than 15 μm, the friction coefficient decreased as the concentration increased, and a distinct running-in process was unobserved. During this time, the relationship between the valve plate's wear rate and the solid particle concentration was approximately linear. The wear of the valve plate with solid particles included the impact of scraping wear as well as the abrasive wear and slight adhesive wear caused by solid particles. The vane pump's volumetric efficiency decreased as the solid particle diameter increased with a linear relationship. The volumetric efficiency of the pump also showed a downtrend when the solid particle concentration increased. This research provides a reference for valve plate design and improving the performance of high-pressure vane pumps.
Introducing Syntheses
Authors: Carriere Kevin R
Published: January 2023

In this short Introduction, we introduce the new submission form of Syntheses. The goal of Syntheses is to provide a summary and expansion of 6–8 articles on a selected topic within Culture & Psychology. The articles should not be restricted to any time point, and the first author of the Syntheses must be a master’s level student or below. Topical syntheses are welcome but are not required. Syntheses articles should be short in length, with a maximum of 2500 words, inclusive of references.
A new children’s hospital with a larger floor space, single rooms, and V-shaped ward design: A pre–post evaluation of nurse time providing patient care and nurse, patient, and family experiences
Authors: Gill Fenella J , Nelson Helen , Bear Natasha , Tallon Mary , Pienaar Catherine , Ferullo Jade , Baker Sue
Published: January 2023

Background

The impact of hospital building design on patients, families and nurses related to nursing care interactions is not well understood. This study reports a pre–post intervention study to understand the effects of the move to a new children’s hospital in Perth, Australia, on nurse workflow activities and on patient, family, and nurse experiences.

Methods

We used a pre–post explanatory sequential design involving observation of nurse work tasks; measurement of the Practice Environment Scale and Nurse Work Index; weekly surveys of nurse, patient and family experiences; and nurse focus groups and interviews with patients and families. Survey data were analysed using linear regression; qualitative data analysis used a thematic approach.

Results

Nurse time spent walking almost doubled ( p < 0.001), from an estimated 10 min at T1 (pre-move) to around 20 min at T4 (12 months post-move), but there was no difference in nurse time providing patient care ( p = 0.114). The Practice Environment Scale and Nurse Work Index showed significantly reduced scores for nursing foundations for quality of care (adjusted mean difference −0.08, p = 0.016) and staffing and resource adequacy (adjusted mean difference −0.19, p < 0.001).This fall was mirrored in nurse experience surveys with a reduction in mean scores from T1 to T3 (3 months post-move) of −0.7 ( p < 0.001) and from T1 to T4 of −0.4 ( p = 0.002). Thematic analysis of qualitative data found that initial challenges appeared to reduce over time. Nurses reported difficulties managing workflow in the new wards and feelings of exhaustion at T3, but this changed to more positive accounts at T4. For patients and families there was a tension between leaving the old and familiar, enjoying the light and space of the new and shared observations that nurses appeared to be busier at T3. At T4, these experiences had changed to ‘being a family in hospital’ and confidence that a nurse was always close by.

Conclusions

Both benefits and challenges of the new hospital design were encountered from the perspective of nurses, patients, and families. Nurses spent double the time walking in the new environment, but time spent providing patient care was unchanged. Over time, the initial practice challenges reduced as nurses adapted to working in the new environment.

Trial Registration

ACTRN12618000775213.
‘Just a souvenir?’ Entangled identities within an early 20th century American Indian basket collection
Authors: Ahlqvist Laura , Potter Bryn Barabas
Published: January 2023

In this article, we examine a collection of 47 American Indian baskets collected in the early 20th century, at the height of the ‘basket craze’. Currently stored in a Danish museum without much archival information, the baskets encapsulate art historical developments taking place at the turn of the century, a time fuelled by the Euro-American preoccupation with collecting and displaying Native American artefacts. Academic debates developed around the derived ‘tourist art’ and the colonial framework still haunt Euro-American notions of authenticity. We investigate the baskets, their role, cultural affiliation and significance in a bottom-up approach, with a persistent view to this historical context as well as their material testimony to the agency of the weavers navigating in a transformed economy and legislative restrictions. We show how the baskets materialize the entangled identities of makers, collectors and museums and how interdisciplinary research can provide a spatio-temporal context to overlooked collections.
Aftershock fragility assessment of steel gabled frames consisting of web-tapered members
Authors: Malekizadeh Mohammad , Fanaie Nader , Pirasteh Ali A
Published: January 2023

Due to the widespread construction of steel gabled frame systems throughout the world, many of them are located in regions with high seismicity and experience sequential strong events in the future. Previous studies have clearly shown that the damage caused by the mainshock modifies the overall strength and stiffness and consequently dynamic response to the aftershock. However, the current structural design process only considers the main seismic event, and the post-mainshock scenarios and their effects are generally ignored. In order to address this issue, in the present study, the mainshock incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) was first conducted on four SGFs. Then mainshock damage states based on the transient absolute maximum drift angle were considered, and aftershock incremental dynamic analysis analysis was performed on the mainshock-damaged structures. Aftershock fragility curves using probabilistic seismic demand models for transient absolute maximum drift angle and median IDA curves for residual absolute maximum drift angle were developed to compare intact and pre-damaged SGFs. The results showed that aftershocks significantly increase the vulnerability of short-period SGFs when higher damages are induced during mainshock, where the aftershock collapse capacity is reduced by up to 13% for the largest mainshock damage state. It was also found that in terms of aftershock collapse capacity associated with the residual absolute maximum drift angle, long-period SGFs require major realignment while short-period SGFs cannot be repaired.
Dehumidification performance improvement by using liquid desiccant blends – An experimental study
Authors: Kumar Shiva , Parida Subhransu S , Kumar Nitesh
Published: January 2023

To minimize global warming and consumption of electricity, a desiccant-based air conditioning system has been proposed as a better alternative to control air humidity, compared to the conventional air conditioning system. In the present study, the performance of the hybrid desiccant was compared with the pure LiBr and KCOOH solution. Blends of LiBr and KCOOH at different weight ratios were used as desiccants. The performance of the system was compared based on its moisture removal rate and dehumidification effectiveness. The performance of the system increased with increasing desiccant flow rate, the concentration of the solute and the airflow rate. From the tested concentrations, the blend of 40% LiBr and 10% KCOOH concentration showed the highest MRR and dehumidification effectiveness among all blends of LiBr and KCOOH. From the study, it can be concluded that by using an optimized blend of LiBr and KCOOH as a desiccant in place of neat LiBr, the limitations of pure LiBr can be partly resolved without sacrificing much on the dehumidification performance.
“What may be”: Inspiration from Mary Parker Follett for paradox theory
Authors: Bednarek Rebecca , Smith Wendy K
Published: January 2023

Scholars increasingly turn to paradox theory to offer insight into our world’s greatest challenges. Yet to contribute to radical strategy theorizing concerning those challenges and avoid premature convergence on a narrow set of ideas, paradox scholars need new insights. We turn to early 20th century scholar and activist Mary Parker Follett. We highlight the alignment between Follett’s philosophy and contemporary paradox theory, showing that the two approaches are well-suited traveling companions. Drawing on these similarities, we then explore how Follett’s novel insights emphasize “what is” rather than “what may be” and in doing so challenge and expand on paradox theory. Specifically, these ideas help paradox theory reimagining of organizations and strategizing by focusing on (1) how the micro constructs the macro; (2) possibilities for meaningful change; and (3) participatory interactions. By doing so, we argue that Follett pushes paradox scholars to contribute to more radical strategy theorizing.
False Start? An Analysis of NFL Penalties With and Without Crowds
Authors: Farnell Alex
Published: January 2023

The lack of crowds at sports fixtures as a result of COVID-19 restrictions has allowed researchers a unique opportunity to examine the widely accepted convention of home advantage. This work takes a slightly different approach, by examining within game outcomes. Specifically using play-by-play data from the NFL, this paper asks whether the lack of crowds aided a Quarterback's ability to manipulate opposition defenses. Results suggest this was the case, though effects are not uniform by home and away team.
MicroRNA-1205 Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Proliferation via a CSNK2B/CDK4 Axis
Authors: Li Xiang , Xie Shujie , Xia Qin , Yan Jia , Chen Shuhuai , Shen Jia
Published: January 2023

Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via modulating expression of their targeting mRNAs. The present study aimed to investigate the role of miR-1205 in HCC cell proliferation and investigate the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods: The effects of miR-1205 on proliferation ability of HCC cell lines were explored in vitro and in vivo. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis was performed to determine miR-1205 expression in HCC tissues and cell lines. Online prediction tools and luciferase assays were used to identify potential target genes of miR-1205. Western blot analysis and dual-luciferase assays were conducted to screen key signaling pathway proteins regulated by miR-1205 and its’ target gene. Results: In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that miR-1205 inhibits the proliferation of HCC cells. Dual-luciferase assays showed that miR-1205 interacted with CSNK2B by directly targeting the miRNA-binding site in the CSNK2B sequence, and further qPCR analysis indicated that CSNK2B expression was increased in HCC tissues and negatively correlated with miR-1205 expression. Furthermore, CSNK2B significantly promoted HCC cell proliferation, and CSNK2B overexpression or knockdown attenuated the effects of miR-1205 overexpression or inhibition on HCC cell viability, respectively. Mechanistically, miR-1205 suppresses HCC cell proliferation via a CSNK2B/CDK4 axis. Conclusion: The present results indicated that miR-1205 suppressed HCC cell proliferation by directly targeting CSNK2B and thus inhibiting the CDK4/pRb cell cycle pathway.
A Feasibility Study to Examine Clinical Variables of Childhood Malnutrition in Guatemala
Authors: Braxton Morgan E. , Melendez Carlos R. , Larson Kim L.
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Guatemala is the country with the highest rate of malnutrition in Latin America and fifth highest worldwide. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of examining clinical variables of malnutrition among a subset of children at a Guatemalan Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NRC). Methods: The study was conducted using a secondary dataset of children admitted and discharged at the NRC in 2018. A total of 42 cases were reviewed. The 12 clinical variables were age, gender, height, weight, nutrition status, referral, diet, secondary diagnoses, medications, supplements, discharge disposition, and time-to-discharge. Results: The two major findings were (a) the lack of access to height and weight at discharge and (b) the inability to verify time-to-recovery. Mean age of participants was 23 months ( SD = 12.9). All children were discharged home; median time-to-discharge was 48 days. The Kaplan–Meier analyses indicated that children <2 had slower time-to-discharge (51 days), compared to those older than age 2 (32 days); though not statistically significant. Conclusion: Findings of this study provide valuable data to inform ways NRC leadership can better report child health outcomes. International community–academic partnership could contribute to understanding malnutrition and time-to-recovery.
pCONUS 2 and pCONUS 2-HPC in the treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms: Multicentre UK experience
Authors: Yeomans James , Gatt Simon , Habeeb Mohamed Ezaz , Crossley Robert , Keston Peter , Minks David , Dobbs Nicholas , Mortimer Alexander , Downer Jonathan , Sastry Anand
Published: January 2023

Background/purpose

pCONUS 2 and pCONUS 2-HPC are neck-bridging devices that provide coiling support in the endovascular treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. To date, limited multicentre data has been published. This study provides the first pooled data from multiple UK centres regarding outcomes for these devices covering the periprocedural period to 6-month follow-up.

Materials/methods

This retrospective, single-arm study assessed 65 patients treated over 3 years from the time of procedure to 6 months post-procedure across four UK centres. Data collected included patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics and antiplatelet regimens. Outcome measures were angiographic results and procedure-related complications from the immediate periprocedural period to 6-month follow-up.

Results

Fifty-four unruptured (83.1%) and 11 ruptured (16.9%) aneurysms were treated. Fifty-five aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation (87.7%). There were four device-related intraprocedural complications: three cases of asymptomatic, temporary thrombus formation and one mortality associated with branch vessel occlusion and aneurysm re-bleeding in a ruptured case. There were no post-procedural device-related complications. Satisfactory occlusion was achieved in 58/65 procedures (89.2%) at time of treatment and in 44/60 (73.3%) at 6 months. Satisfactory occlusion correlated with aneurysm size and coiling packing density. Retreatment was required for five unruptured cases (7.7%) and was straightforward with the device in situ.

Conclusion

pCONUS 2 and pCONUS 2-HPC have good short-term safety profiles. The use of pCONUS 2-HPC in the acute treatment of ruptured aneurysms with postprocedural SAPT is feasible. The devices have an intraprocedural complication rate of 4/65 (6.2%) across multiple UK centres, including a single death (1.5%).
Reading Focus Group Data Against the Grain
Authors: Walters Rosie
Published: January 2023

This article explores how reading focus group data ‘against the grain’ offers new insights into publics’, and especially marginalised groups’, negotiation of dominant discourses. Using data from a study with members of the UN Foundation’s Girl Up campaign in the UK, US and Malawi, I demonstrate that reading against the grain both across and within groups enabled me to explore the girls’ complex negotiations of girl power discourses in international development. I argue that reading focus group data against the grain involves paying attention both to wider social power relations, as is crucial to a poststructuralist discourse analysis, and to interactions between group members, a form of analysis more commonly associated with Conversation Analysis. This methodological strategy enabled me to explore the topic of girl power discourses in international development from a new perspective, moving beyond the abundance of critiques in the literature of dominant discourses emerging from powerful institutions. By focusing on the girls’ instances of resistance to, and critical engagement with, dominant discourses, I suggest that reading focus group data against the grain opens up the possibility of a rich new area of research for scholars and practitioners alike: one which goes beyond simplistic victim/agency binaries and explores the complexities of audiences’ readings of texts.
Neutrophilia and its correlation with increased inflammatory response in COVID-19 in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients
Authors: Alhuthali Hayaa M. , Almehmadi Mazen , Ataya Eman F. , Alzahrani Hind A. , Alrehaili Amani A. , Bakhuraysah Maha M. , Alsaeedi Fouzeyyah Ali , Alsaiari Ahad Amer , Khalifa Mohamed M. , Gharib Amal F.
Published: January 2023

Background: Hyperglycemic patients are at a high risk of COVID-19 severity. Neutrophils have been considered critical effector cells in COVID-19 development. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in hyperglycemic patients and was found to adversely associate with the neutrophil count.

Aim: The goal of this work was to evaluate the characteristics of diabetic and pre-diabetic COVID-19 patients and discovered changes in neutrophils and their correlation, if any, with disease clinical presentation.

Patients and Methods: The study included total of (514) Covid-19 positive patients confirmed by PCR and recruited from the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patient’s clinical characteristics were collected for all patients. Laboratory tests include HbA1c, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), ferritin, D- dimer, 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D), and folate.

Results: The results found that 286 patients (55.6%) were diabetic, 77 patients (15%) were pre-diabetic and 151 (29.4%) were normoglycaemic. A significant difference was exhibited regarding the neutrophil count and inflammatory factors of COVID-19 severity. Furthermore, the neutrophil count was found to be directly correlated with the severity monitoring biochemical markers for Covid-19: CRP, ESR, ferritin, and D-dimer and inversely associated with vitamin D levels in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients.

Conclusion: Our findings highlight the change of neutrophils in COVID-19 diabetic and pre-diabetic patients that was found to correlate positively with CRP, ESR, ferritin, and D-dimer, and negatively with 25(OH)D, but their correlation with the clinical presentation of the disease need further large investigations.
Perceptions of women senior leaders in the UK Higher Education during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Wilkinson Jennifer , Male Trevor
Published: January 2023

Studies suggest the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted women. Related research and literature suggest leadership approaches commonly associated with women are more effective during crises, a notion that we sought to explore in this study. This investigation explored how senior women leaders in the UK Higher Education exhibited leadership during the pandemic, whether their approaches had changed during this time and the impact leading during this period had on them. The research used semi-structured interviews with six women senior leaders to uncover insights into their lived experiences. Findings show while their fundamental leadership styles did not change, all participants exhibited situational approaches with higher levels of distributed leadership than pre-pandemic. In several instances, their perception was this was based on gendered differences in their leadership approaches, probably developed because of their socialisation as women. The pressures on participants during the pandemic had a significant personal toll, with this period being articulated as the most difficult in their careers. Peer-to-peer networks functioned as critical support mechanisms for these women leaders. The greatest emergent stressor, however, was government policy changes unrelated to COVID-19 which participants considered would have greater long-term impact and served to destabilise higher education at an already difficult time.
“Honeymoon” acculturation orientation preferences of new international students: Influence of intercultural attitudes and intentions in an international learning environment
Authors: Aladegbaiye Adedapo T , de Jong Menno DT , Beldad Ardion D
Published: January 2023

Research routinely suggests that international students often struggle in engaging with other student groups. This study, therefore, examines to what extent and how the intercultural attitudes and intentions of new international students in three Dutch educational institutions related to their acculturation orientation preferences (AOPs) during the “honeymoon” stage. Their AOPs were investigated across four social contact domains: living, schoolwork, friendships, and general interactions. Using structural equation modelling, results from 198 respondents indicate that intercultural intentions predicted their AOPs, with multicultural integration the most preferred strategy and marginalization the least preferred. Results of a simple mediation analysis show that intercultural intentions mediated the effect of intercultural attitudes for students adopting multicultural integration and separation strategies. Interview findings from 25 participants indicate that students sometimes adopted different orientations across the social contact domains. Internationally oriented higher education institutions should further support new students in their planning for intercultural interactions.
The song that never ends: The effect of repeated exposure on the development of an earworm
Authors: Killingly Callula , Lacherez Philippe
Published: January 2023

An “earworm”—the experience of a catchy melody that repeats persistently in the mind—is a ubiquitous yet mysterious cognitive phenomenon. Previous research demonstrates that earworms for vocal music engage working memory resources, manifesting as “inner singing.” This study investigated whether this effect is moderated by prior exposure to music. In one experimental session, participants ( N = 44) were presented with four novel song choruses. To manipulate exposure, each song was presented between one and four times, counterbalanced across participants. The following day, participants undertook a serial recall task during and following presentation of each song. In addition, they rated the music on familiarity, enjoyment, their desire to sing along, and perceived catchiness, both before and following the experiment. Increased exposure to novel songs on the first day tended to result in greater interference on task performance during and following their presentation on the second day, yet the effect varied depending on the song. Ratings of the desire to sing along and perceived familiarity increased significantly between the sessions for all songs. These findings are important in understanding the relative influence of familiarity and song-level characteristics on the development of an earworm.
Mask Diplomacy? Understanding China's Goals in Delivering Medical Aid in the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Sun Yixian , Yu Bowen
Published: January 2023

In the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, China provided medical assistance on an unprecedented scale. While some observers have underscored the strategic purposes of China's COVID-19 aid, referred to as “mask diplomacy,” they have yet to assess this argument against empirical evidence. We seek to examine whether China's medical aid was used as a strategic tool, or it remained reactionary and fragmented, by combining a new dataset on the global distribution of Chinese in-kind medical aid with a qualitative analysis of government and news reports during the first wave of the pandemic. Our findings show that although COVID-19 aid did have the potential to strengthen China's influence over recipients and promote Chinese knowledge of health governance, Chinese policymakers were underprepared to use aid strategically during the pandemic. The reactionary and fragmented nature of China's COVID-19 aid was reflected in its allocation, its policy-making processes, and its implementation.
Why There Has Been No Anti-Regime Movement on College Campus in China for Three Decades? A Survey Study at Thirty-Five Universities (2015–2018) and Its Implications
Authors: Zhang Wanfa , Narayanan Sugumaran , Sun Feng
Published: January 2023

Since the suppression of the student movement in 1989, there has not been any anti-regime or pro-democracy student movement for over three decades in China. What does this suggest? Apart from the known strengthened campus control by the authority which might have forestalled it to some extent, are there alternative reasons? Has the government drawn lessons from the past and since improved its governance, thus effectively enervated student motives to challenge the government? In order to demystify what is behind, the researchers conducted an extensive survey at over thirty-five universities across China from 2015 through 2018. Through analysing the 1,859 valid responses received, the study found that current college students give a high approval rating to the status quo of the country, and they also hold strong optimism for the future. This result may indicate that there is no strong incentive for them, like the generation of the students in the 1980s, to push forward any dramatic political, economic and social changes. The West may need to take this prospect into consideration in their interactions with China, which may enjoy a long period of relative stability without political challenges from college students in the foreseeable future.
Citizenship and Education in Hong Kong: A Review of Contemporary Academic Literature
Authors: Manning Keenan Daniel
Published: January 2023

Hong Kong's distinct system, as a Special Administrative Region within the People's Republic of China, makes it an interesting case when examining the notion of citizenship, and how it shapes and is shaped by the education system. This article examines the existing literature at this important point in the territory's development. This review contains important lessons not only for the study of citizenship in Hong Kong, but also for how regional identity and citizenship can be shaped by the historical, social, and political forces. Finally, this article will present some of the gaps, which have been identified by scholars in the field.
Power Symmetry in Global Value Chains: Evidence from the Russian Retail Market
Authors: Belyavskiy Boris
Published: January 2023

Value chain management actively studies sources and types of interfirm power because increasing power symmetry between partners fosters innovativeness and adaptability to a market context. This study focuses on global value chains (GVCs) as a special type of value chains that experiences substantial influence of collective power. In the analysis I attempt to demonstrate higher power symmetry between partners inside a GVC than in other value chains. This hypothesis is based on a combination of resource dependence, mutual dependence, and social exchange/social embeddedness approaches with the analysis of structure in a GVC. The paper uses data from four waves of a survey conducted in Russia between 2010–2019 that include more than 2.700 managers of both buyers and suppliers. (OLS) and logit regression models were built for the analysis. The results demonstrate that partners inside GVCs share trade margins more symmetrically, have more equal negotiation power, and are more intensively involved in social exchanges through informal support.
Vanillic Acid Alleviates Right Ventricular Function in Rats With MCT-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Chen Ju , Huayu Meiduo , Su Shanshan , Wang Shan , Yang Zhanting , Nan Xingmei , Lu Dianxiang , Li Zhanqiang
Published: January 2023

This study examined the molecular processes behind the effects of vanillic acid (VA) on right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy and function in rats with monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). There were 40 male Sprague‒Dawley (SD) rats that were separated into 4 groups: Control, PAH, MCT + VA (50 mg/kg/d), and MCT + VA (100 mg/kg/d). Male SD rats were injected with MCT once under the skin to create the PAH model (40 mg/kg). RV morphological properties were evaluated using Masson and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Echocardiography was used to evaluate RV functioning and right ventricle–pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling. In addition, Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) pathway-related factors were evaluated using Western blotting. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect inflammatory markers as well as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the blood of PAH rats. As a result, VA effectively reduced the development of RV cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis in PAH rats; levels of ANP, BNP, and inflammatory markers in the blood of PAH rats were also significantly decreased by VA intervention. Additionally, VA enhanced RV functioning and RV-PA coupling in PAH rats. In response to VA, the expression of proteins related to the ROCK pathway (ROCK1, ROCK2, NFATc3, P-STAT3, and Bax) was downregulated, whereas Bcl-2 expression was elevated. This study found that VA could attenuate RV remodeling and improve RV-PA coupling in PAH rats. RV remodeling and dysfunction may be linked to the dysregulation of the ROCK pathway, and the protective action of VA on RV function may be due to a block in the ROCK signaling pathway or its downstream signaling molecules.
Mental Modeling of Entrepreneurial Opportunity Based on the Principle of Information Visualization
Authors: Leong David
Published: January 2023

What arouses entrepreneurial action? The role of entrepreneurial opportunities in stimulating entrepreneurial action under uncertainty is a subject of intense scholarly debate. This article engages in a crucial theoretical exploration to extend the boundaries of opportunity by reframing it as an artifact. Reframing the opportunity as an artifact (crystallized information) shifts the dialogue and perspectives. Through information visualization and mental modeling approaches, information is aggregated, integrated, and configured to generate an experience that triggers actions. The interaction, transformation, and representation of information are intended to reduce uncertainty and guide entrepreneurial enactment. This article presents an integrated information processing model showing how information excites, instigates, and motivates enactment. This contextualization aims to develop a descriptively accurate and prescriptively useful concept of opportunity as an artifact. Theoretically, analytically, and conceptually, the focus on information as the fundamental unit of analysis shifts the discussion by featuring inward to move the scholarly debate on opportunity forward. This re-pivoting can avoid the calls for abandonment and debunking of the opportunity construct.