bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing border walls’ varied impacts on terrorist group diffusion
Authors: Rosenberg Andrew S , Avdan Nazli
Published: September 2024

Do border walls inhibit the spread of transnational terrorism? Previous research has primarily measured the volume of terrorism without explicitly modeling its diffusion or considering how walls might affect different groups differently. To address these oversights, the study adopts a network-based approach, analyzing the impact of border walls on the spread of violence among 63 extremist organizations from 1970 to 2017. The findings show that barriers generally inhibit diffusion, but their effectiveness varies significantly among groups. This research challenges policymakers who regard walls as a catch-all solution for terrorism, offering a fresh perspective on whether walls’ effects justify their cost.
Racialized and Geopolitically Charged Contexts of Reception in New Immigrant Destinations
Authors: Kusow Abdi M. , Krier Dan
Published: September 2024

We conceptualize racialized and geopolitical contexts of reception as a comprehensive framework for understanding the incorporation of recent immigrants in new destinations. Racialization is the fluid assignment of racial meanings to physical characteristics, religion, cultural presentation, and language. Geopolitics encompasses national boundaries, border security, regulation of border crossers, and populist–nativist anxieties about identity. We use data derived from a documentary film depicting the 2001 contact between Somali immigrants and a host community in Maine. The reception of these immigrants was profoundly racialized due to their sudden arrival and stark differences in phenotypic, cultural, religious, and linguistic characteristics, all of which were racialized by the host community. The context was geopolitically charged by local memories of the US intervention in Somalia and by the aftermath of 9/11. This study underscores the importance of racialization and geopolitics as intertwined factors that significantly shape immigrant contexts of reception.
Effects of antiretroviral therapy on glycemic and inflammatory indices in people living with HIV (PLWH)
Authors: Li Fei , Liu Shengnan , Baheti Rewaan , Chen Tielong , Zhang Bing , Wang Siyin , Peng Aihong , Wan Jing
Published: September 2024

Background

This study explores the relationship between different ART therapy based on NRTIs, and inflammatory markers, along with fasting blood glucose levels in treatment-naïve people living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the variations in fasting blood glucose and inflammatory markers and their relationship with different ART regimens in 497 treatment-naïve PLWH at the ART clinic of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from June 2018 to March 2022.

Results

From baseline to 24 months, fasting blood glucose, systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) in PLWH receiving ART increased, while neutrophillymphocyte ratio (NLR) decreased ( p < .05). In the NNRTIs group, fasting blood glucose, SII, PIV and LMR were higher than before ( p < .05). In the INSTIs group, fasting blood glucose and LMR increased ( p < .05), while NLR was lower ( p < .05). Compared to the INSTIs, fasting blood glucose in the NNRTIs group was higher at 12 and 24 months ( p < .05). At 24 months, both NLR and SII were higher in the NNRTIs group than in the INSTIs group ( p < .05).

Conclusions

Despite the virus suppression, fasting blood glucose and certain inflammatory markers in PLWH can gradually increase. Compared to NNRTIs, the INSTIs regimen was associated with favorable alterations in the levels of glucose and inflammatory markers.
What works? Researching participants’ experiences of a social policy RCT through qualitative interviews
Authors: Blomberg Helena , Kroll Christian , Tarkiainen Laura
Published: September 2024

Increasingly, evidence-based policymaking, in the form of randomized control trials (RCTs) in particular, are advocated as a means for studying the effects of planned social policy measures. Additionally, a Finnish basic income experiment was conducted in 2017–2018 as an RCT as a means of exploring alternative policy solutions, which gained widespread national and international political, media and scholarly attention. Despite the popularity of RCTs, there is a lack of studies of participants’ experiences of participation in social policy RCTs. In this article, we depart from the notion of ‘lived experiences’ when investigating a bottom-up participant perspective of the Finnish social policy experiment with the purpose of contributing to the understanding and future planning of ethically and methodologically sustainable policy experiments. Drawing on a qualitative, in-depth interview study of 81 Finnish basic income experiment participants, we examined their lived experiences and related views on the experiment. The analysis shows that although the idea of experimenting to demonstrate ‘what works’ in social policy was supported by participants in principle, various questions arose both concerning the tactical and political purposes of the experiment and the nature of scientific ‘evidence’. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the impact of the media and political attention often surrounding more controversial policy experiments, like the Finnish one, can also challenge the RCT principles of ‘non-contamination’. Participants in highly politicized experiments also easily feel that they become objects of strong moral expectations and judgements, which in the Finnish basic income case clearly resulted in feelings of frustration and personal failure.
Facing up to the hardest problem: The human information field and the ontological primacy of subjective consciousness
Authors: Aksentijevic Aleksandar
Published: September 2024

Instead of bringing intellectual closure, the philosophical debate surrounding the nature of consciousness has found itself at an impasse. Extreme positions, from those denying the existence of consciousness to those who wish to imbue the entire universe with it, testify to the lack of common understanding of what consciousness is and how best it could be described and studied. In this paper, reality has its source in a subjective conscious field called the human information field, which is the only source of experience and whose centre is unknowable. Objective reality equals a consensus between individual fields, which underpins the stability and durability of social organisation. The conceptual importance of matter is due to its easy distinguishability from the self. The concept of the human information field offers answers to the hard and the “hardest” problems of consciousness, that is the explanatory gap between consciousness and its material apparatus and the ability of science to understand its own source, respectively. Its limitations constrain our ability to understand the world but are also the prime movers of exploration, development, and learning.
Risk Assessment of ZAP-X→ Radiosurgery System in a Quaternary Care Hospital Using FMEA Approach
Authors: Babu Libin K. , Kumar Satish , Nayak Yogamaya , Malani Arpita
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims:

The overarching goal of this study is to conduct a robust risk assessment using the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) approach. By identifying potential failure modes and their potential impacts on patient care and hospital operations, this research seeks to provide actionable insights and mitigation strategies for the safe and effective implementation of the ZAP-X Radiosurgery System. The swift integration of advanced medical technologies, exemplified by the ZAP-X→ Gyroscopic Stereotactic Radiosurgery System, a computer-controlled machine that delivers radiation to an intended target in the brain, necessitates a comprehensive proactive risk assessment before the launch of the system to ensure the safety of patients, staff and operational processes.

Method:

Applying the FMEA methodology, we meticulously mapped all processes and sub-processes associated with the ZAP-X Radiosurgery System implementation. Our multidisciplinary team, through a discussion on ‘what can go wrong’, identified failure modes. Risks were prioritised based on severity, likelihood and detectability giving them a Risk Priority Number (RPN). The team proposed mitigation strategies, deploying controls to enhance safety and reliability.
Civil Society Participation and Suicide Rates: A Cross-National Analysis
Authors: Hunter Lance Y.
Published: September 2024

Previous valuable research has examined the effect individual-level social and psychological factors have on suicidality. However, scholarship has yet to investigate the role civil society participation plays in suicide rates cross-nationally. Thus, this study examines the effect civil society participation has on suicide rates in 156 countries from varying levels of development from 2000 – 2019 from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. When including standard controls and controlling for potential endogeneity, the findings indicate that civil society participation, both political and non-political, has a negative and statistically significant effect on suicide rates. The results suggest that both political and non-political forms of civil society participation may produce positive social and psychological benefits that are associated with lower suicide rates.
Finite element formulation for free vibration of the functionally graded curved nonlocal nanobeam resting on nonlocal elastic foundation
Authors: Tang Yuan , Bian PeiLiang , Qing Hai
Published: September 2024

In this work, the influence of elastic foundation on a size-dependent free vibration of functionally graded (FG) curved Euler-Bernoulli nanobeam is investigated on the basis of two-phase local/nonlocal models. The governing equation and standard boundary conditions are derived through Hamilton’s principle. The integral constitutive equation is equivalently transformed into differential forms with the corresponding constitutive boundary conditions. The axial force, bending moment, and react force due to foundation are explicitly expressed with respect to displacement variables. With the aid of the constitutive boundary conditions, the possibility of flexibly meeting higher-order variables is achieved. A finite element formulation based on the differential form of the two-phase nonlocal elasticity is utilized to discretize the nanobeam, and a general eigenvalue equation is obtained about the vibration frequency. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed finite element model are validated by comparison with the results in the literature. The influences of nonlocal parameters, Winkler elastic parameter, central angle of the curved nanobeam, and length–height ratio on the vibration frequencies are studied for different boundary conditions.
A low-complexity highly accurate sound source localization algorithm based on sound sensor arrays
Authors: Shokrollahi Mohammadreza , Tamaddon Mohsen
Published: September 2024

A fast and highly accurate mathematical sound source localization (SSL) algorithm is presented to locate the sound source. Although the concept is based on the time difference of arrival (TDOA) method, the SSL is accomplished, without the need to perform complex calculations and heavy processing. The proposed idea is examined in a simple three- and four-microphone array for detection in two-dimensional (2-D) media. The concept is developed to a five-microphone array to evaluate the applicability of the idea in a 3-D space. As a TDOA method, reading out the time delays is accompanied with the errors in real applications. To further suppress the adverse effects, a seven-microphone array is investigated to cover a whole 3-D space with the least error. Compared with the conventional methods, by decreasing the calculation complexities, the proposed approach alleviates the hardware costs and the processing time, making it a proper choice for many SSL applications.
The Role of Mandatory Reporting, Perpetrator and Violence Type, and Alcohol Consumption in Undergraduates’ Likelihood of Disclosing Sexual Violence
Authors: Sears-Greer Mackenzie A. , Meston Cindy M.
Published: September 2024

It remains unclear if mandatory reporting (MR) of sexual violence (SV) in universities impacts student reports of SV. MR may deter students from disclosing SV under certain circumstances (e.g., alcohol, perpetrator). This study evaluated students’ likelihood of reporting SV under MR policy across perpetrators, violence, and alcohol use. Female students received instructional manipulations describing either confidential or mandatory reporting policies before reading four vignettes describing SV. They rated their likelihood of reporting each vignette. Significant differences arose across vignettes, conditions, and alcohol consumption. This indicates MR can significantly decrease reporting likelihood in some cases, while alcohol consumption may increase the likelihood.
Investigating Working Memory Deficits in School-Age Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: An Event-Related Potentials Study During Delayed-Match-to-Sample Task
Authors: Shen I-Hsuan , Wang Wei-En , Ni Hsing-Chang , Chen Chia-Ling
Published: September 2024

Objective:

To investigate the neural mechanisms underlying working memory (WM) deficits in children with ADHD.

Method:

WM was compared between thirty-four children with ADHD and thirty-four matched controls using neuropsychological tests, spatial and verbal versions of modified delayed matching-to-sample (DMTS) tasks, and the event-related potential technique.

Results:

Children with ADHD demonstrated poor behavioral performance, delayed P3 latencies in high-load spatial modified DMTS tasks during encoding, and delayed P2 and N2 latencies during retrieval in spatial modified DMTS tasks. In high-load verbal modified DMTS tasks during encoding, they showed a smaller P3 amplitude.

Discussion:

Pronounced deficits in the central executive system in children with ADHD were exhibited by neuropsychological tests and the modified DMTS task. Children with ADHD exhibited a slowing of processing speed during encoding. Under high-load conditions, they showed a reduced P3 amplitude during retrieval, suggesting reduced neural resource allocation was available when the central executive of the working memory was heavily loaded.
6-year follow-up on migration outcomes: a randomised clinical trial of cemented vitamin E-stabilised highly crosslinked versus standard polyethylene cup in total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Sköldenberg Olof , Mukka Sebastian , Magneli Martin
Published: September 2024

Background:

In a previous study we have shown that a cemented vitamin E-doped highly cross-linked polyethylene (VEPE) compared to a conventional polyethylene cup in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has a slightly higher proximal migration but significantly lower wear rates up to 2 years after surgery. In this follow-up study we investigated the same cohort at 6 years.

Methods:

This was a double-blinded, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial on patients with osteoarthritis, with a mean age of 66 years. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either the conventional polyethylene cup or the VEPE cup in a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint was proximal implant migration of the cup measured with radiostereometric analysis (RSA). Secondary endpoints included wear rate of the cup and patient-reported outcome measurements (PROM).

Results:

At the 6-year follow-up, 25 patients (11 controls, 14 VEPE) were available for RSA measurements, and we found no statistically significant difference in proximal migration between the VEPE and control groups. The wear rate was significantly lower in the VEPE group compared to controls, 0.03 mm/year and 0.07 mm/year, respectively with a mean difference 0.04 mm, (95% CI, 0.02–0.06 mm). There were no cup revisions and no difference in PROM between the groups.

Conclusions:

Based on our 6-year results, the VEPE group exhibited no statistical or clinically relevant difference compared to the control group, and the wear rate was significantly lower in the VEPE group. The use of a cemented vitamin E-doped highly cross-linked cup is a good option in total hip arthroplasty.
GOTermViewer: Visualization of Gene Ontology Enrichment in Multiple Differential Gene Expression Analyses
Authors: Volpato Milene , Hull Mark , Carr Ian M
Published: September 2024

Gene ontology phrases are a widely used set of hierarchical terms that describe the biological properties of genes. These terms are then used to annotate individual genes, making it possible to determine the likely physiological properties of groups of genes such as a list of differentially expressed genes. Consequently, their ability to predict changes in biological features and functions based on alterations in gene expression has made gene ontology terms popular in the wide range of bioinformatic fields, such as differential gene expression and evolutionary biology. However, while they make the analysis easier, it is seldom easy to convey the results in a readily understandable manner. A number of applications have been developed to visualize gene ontology (GO) term enrichment; however, these solutions tend to focus on the display of aggregated results from a single analysis, making them unsuitable for the analysis of a series of experiments such as a time course or response to different drug treatments. As multiple pair wise comparisons are becoming a common feature of RNA profiling experiments, the absence of a mechanism to easily compare them is a significant problem. Consequently, to overcome this obstacle, we have developed GOTermViewer, an application that displays GO term enrichment data as determined by GOstats such that changes in physiological response across a number of individual analyses across a time course or range of drug treatments can be visualized.
Understanding of Maternal Health Status in Different Social Groups in India Using NFHS Data
Authors: Tamang Santosh , Sikder Uttam Kumar
Published: September 2024

Maternal health is a major public health concern in India. MMR of India has declined significantly but maternal health status has not much improved. The prevalence of anemia and low Body Mass Index (BMI) is more severe among the women belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories. In this paper, attempts have been made to examine the maternal health status and to identify the factors responsible for poor health status among SC and ST women. The study is purely based on secondary data taken from latest 3 rounds of NFHS (2005-6, 2015-16 & 2019-21). Multivariate analysis have been carried out using panel regression model to understand the impact of determinants on maternal healthcare. The study found that the SC and ST women are more prone to anemia than others (GENERAL category women). Maternal health status is mostly controlled by per capita health expenditure and health infrastructure variables like no. of hospitals and nurses, irrespective of social class. Thus poor maternal health status in India, especially among socially disadvantaged groups of society, have been major concern. The government should be more focused on existing policies related to maternal healthcare.
Trends in loneliness in 17 European countries between 2006 and 2015: A secondary analysis of data from the European Social Survey
Authors: Amendola Simone , von Wyl Agnes
Published: September 2024

The present study analysed changes in loneliness between 2006 and 2015 and associated factors using publicly available data ( N = 128,718) from the European Social Survey from 17 countries. The study protocol was pre-registered on the Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/eq63j/ ). Loneliness-weighted prevalence (and mean) decreased from 30% to 27% over time. The decreasing trend was significant for both sexes. Young and old age groups reported a decline in loneliness over time while other age groups did not. Loneliness did not demonstrate a significant decline – but rather a stable trend – in persons with disability and first- and second-generation immigrants. Sociodemographic characteristics, social factors, well-being and psychological distress were associated with loneliness. These findings update those from previous studies indicating that loneliness trends and differences between European regions might be better explained by differences in psychological distress.
Multidimensional data visualization and synchronization for revealing hidden pandemic information
Authors: Zhang Qi , Maram Nikhil
Published: September 2024

Visualization is integral to uncovering hidden information in data and providing users with intuitive feedback for decision-making. Data visualization is crucial for transforming complex data into actionable insights across various domains. In recent years, coronavirus disease vaccines have become increasingly available to much of the population. However, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) often fails to consider multidimensional coronavirus pandemic data from a side-by-side perspective, limiting the ability of medical professionals and individuals to compare and interact with comprehensive data visualizations. Effectively displaying coronavirus and vaccination data collected from multiple sources is essential for interpreting pandemic transmission patterns and vaccine efficiency. This paper presents a new platform for innovative data visualizations that offers users intuitive feedback and a complete data story. We designed algorithms to seamlessly combine multiple parameters, synchronize attributes, and dynamically visualize data over time on a single webpage. Instead of integrating all attributes into a single plot, which can be overwhelming due to space limitations and make it difficult to extract crucial information from overcrowded display components, we developed algorithms to classify, enhance, and group all parameters based on their relationships and similarities. Furthermore, a side-by-side visualization method was created to dynamically link all parameters in multiple images for data exploration, trend comparison, hidden information detection, and correspondence analysis. Our platform provides real-time performance, enabling healthcare professionals to make informed decisions, communicate findings effectively, and uncover patterns that might not be apparent in raw data. The proposed multidimensional data visualization algorithms have broad applications in general data exploration and revealing hidden information.
Exploring Academic Identity, Degree Commitment, and Life Purpose in First-Time Full-Time College Students: A Six-Year Degree Attainment Study (2017–2023)
Authors: Yukhymenko-Lescroart Mariya A. , Sharma Gitima
Published: September 2024

This study examined the role of academic identity, degree commitment, and sense of purpose, self-reported at the start of university, in students’ progress toward obtaining a degree over 6 years. First-time, full-time freshman students ( N = 421, response rate of 21.1%) at a public university in the southwestern United States, designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, completed self-reported measures in Fall 2017. Their degree attainment, retention, and grade point average (GPA) were tracked until Spring 2023. Findings showed that academic identity significantly predicted 4-year degree attainment and cumulative GPA in the first 3 years. Degree commitment significantly predicted degree attainment within 4 and 5 years, retention into the third through sixth years, and cumulative GPA in the first 3 years. Altruistic purpose significantly predicted second-year retention and cumulative GPA at the end of the first year. These findings highlight the need for programs that support college student retention and success by strengthening their academic identity, degree commitment, and sense of purpose, especially altruistic purpose.
A Rare Case of Pulmonary Artery Trunk Aneurysm
Authors: De Jesus Ferreira Hortência , Ferreira Borges Juliana A. , Simões Galini Schwarz De Andrade Natalia , De Castro José T. , Reis Fabiano , Daruich De Souza Carla
Published: September 2024

Background

Pulmonary artery trunk aneurysm (PATA) is a rare and complex vascular anomaly characterized by the abnormal dilation of the initial portion of the pulmonary artery, posing significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Purpose

This clinical case report aims to describe the follow-up of a patient with PATA, emphasizing the role of imaging in diagnosis and monitoring, as well as discussing potential associations with other conditions.

Research Design

The study is designed as a clinical case report, detailing the longitudinal follow-up of a single patient with PATA.

Study Sample

The subject of this study is a 48-year-old female patient with a history of idiopathic hypertension who developed a PATA. Data Collection and/or Analysis: Since 2010, the patient underwent various imaging exams, including echocardiography, computed tomography, and catheter angiography, to detect and evaluate the aneurysm at different stages.

Results

The imaging results indicated a progression of the aneurysm over time, underscoring the importance of imaging in the early identification and monitoring of PATA. The report also explores the possible association of PATA with conditions such as pulmonary hypertension, Behçet’s disease, and Hughes-Stovin syndrome, highlighting the diagnostic complexity.

Conclusions

Imaging diagnosis is crucial for the detection, characterization, and monitoring of PATA, providing essential information for selecting appropriate treatment options and achieving a satisfactory prognosis. An individualized treatment approach, considering both medical and surgical options, is necessary based on the clinical characteristics of each patient.
A Prosthetic Conduit can be Used Safely for TransCarotid Artery Revascularization Under Local Anesthesia in High-Risk Patients
Authors: Lu Jeffrey , McCabe Katey , Drucker Charlie , Blitzer David , Nagarsheth Khanjan , Toursavadkohi Shahab
Published: September 2024

Surgical management of carotid stenosis has evolved from open carotid endarterectomy (CEA) to include multiple alternative procedures including transfemoral carotid artery stenting (tfCAS) and transcarotid artery stenting. In recent years, Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) has emerged as a third option, combining open cut down to the common carotid artery (CCA) with endovascular stenting and neuroprotection via reversal of cerebral blood flow. In this case series, a modified TCAR procedure using a prosthetic conduit was successfully performed exclusively under local anesthesia in a total of 10 patients with carotid artery stenosis, high cardiac risk, and anatomical contraindications to a traditional TCAR.
Diagnostic Capability of Ultrasonography in Evaluating Peripheral Nerve Injuries of the Brachial Plexus
Authors: Rocks Madeline C. , Comunale Victoria , Sanchez-Navarro Gerardo E. , Nicholas Rebecca S. , Hacquebord Jacques H. , Adler Ronald S.
Published: September 2024

Background:

The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnostic capability of ultrasonography (US) in patients with suspected brachial plexus injury (BPI) to the terminal nerves by comparing physical examination (PE) findings with US, electromyography (EMG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports.

Methods:

All patients at a single institution who underwent US for peripheral nerve injury of the brachial plexus and terminal nerves resulting in sensory-motor deficits from October 1, 2017 to October 31, 2023 were identified. A retrospective chart review was performed. Each PE, US, EMG, and MRI reports were given an overall rating: “normal” or “abnormal.” Terminal nerves (musculocutaneous, axillary, radial, ulnar, medial) were individually assessed as “normal” or “abnormal.” The interobserver agreement between reports was calculated using Cohen kappa. Specificity and sensitivity analyses were performed to determine diagnostic accuracy and were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results:

A total of 120 patients were included. Most injuries were traumatic in nature (78.8%) and were low-energy (53.8%). When each imaging modality was compared with the PE findings, EMG had the highest interobserver agreement (Cohen kappa = 0.18), followed by US (Cohen kappa = 0.10), and last MRI (Cohen kappa = 0.07). The US had the highest sensitivity (0.92, CI = 0.85, 0.96) among the 3 imaging modalities (Table 2). On US, the ulnar nerve was most commonly abnormal (n = 84, 70.0%).

Discussion:

Ultrasonography serves as a useful adjunct in the workup of patients with suspected peripheral BPI and is reliable in localizing the pathology of injured terminal nerves in the brachial plexus.
Climate-conscious pharmacy practice: An exploratory study of community pharmacists in Ontario
Authors: Zhao Andy , Gregory Paul A.M. , Austin Zubin
Published: September 2024

Background:

Climate change remains a significant challenge to global health. The health care system is a major contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While pharmacists are aware of climate change as an important societal issue, there is little known about the level of implementation of climate-conscious practices in community pharmacies throughout Ontario.

Methods:

An interview-based system was developed to gather insights from pharmacists regarding their perspectives on climate change and identify strategies to involve them in sustainable practices. Convenience and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit pharmacists. Interviews were conducted by phone or Zoom, and transcripts were developed and analyzed for common themes using a qualitative method.

Results and discussion:

Twenty-four community pharmacists were interviewed. Three overarching themes emerged: 1) there is a knowledge and awareness gap in the pharmacy profession; 2) before pharmacists can prioritize sustainable practices, they must first address more immediate concerns in the pharmacy; 3) sustainable practice integration requires employment and regulatory changes as relying solely or extensively on the good intentions of frontline pharmacists is insufficient.

Conclusion:

While pharmacists show concern about the environmental impacts of their work, sustainable practice integration is very limited in community pharmacies across Ontario. There are many challenges and barriers to address. This includes closing the knowledge and awareness gap by incorporating climate-related topics into pharmacy curricula and providing educational seminars and resources for practicing pharmacists. In addition, improving workflow, changing standard operating procedures at a corporate level and providing incentives for implementing eco-friendly practices are crucial steps to address time and financial limitations. To manage patient safety concerns, providing resources that consider climate considerations as a secondary objective, when clinically appropriate for the patient, is the right approach to engage pharmacists. Lastly, advocating for employment and regulatory changes will be necessary for large-scale, durable changes to pharmacy practice.
Clinical use of nadofaragene firadenovec-vncg
Authors: Konety Badrinath R. , Shore Neal D. , Sant Grannum R.
Published: September 2024

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), which is restricted to the mucosa (stage Ta, carcinoma in situ (CIS)) or submucosa (stage T1), comprises 75% of bladder cancer diagnoses. Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy is the standard-of-care initial treatment for high-risk NMIBC; however, a significant proportion of patients have BCG-unresponsive disease. While radical cystectomy is a definitive treatment in this setting, not all patients are willing or able to undergo this complex procedure associated with morbidity, mortality, and decreased quality of life. Bladder-preserving options for patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC represent an unmet need in this patient population. Nadofaragene firadenovec-vncg (Adstiladrin) is a nonreplicating adenoviral vector-based gene therapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with high-risk BCG-unresponsive NMIBC with CIS with or without papillary tumors. The antitumor efficacy of nadofaragene firadenovec is driven by its local delivery of copies of the gene encoding for interferon alpha-2b (IFNα-2b) to urothelial cells. In the phase III CS-003 study, over half of participants with CIS exhibited a complete response by month 3 after instillation, with minimal serious adverse events. The favorable efficacy and safety profile, clinical utility, novel mechanism of action, and every 3-month dosing schedule give nadofaragene firadenovec a unique role in the treatment of high-risk BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. This review provides a practical approach to the effective clinical use of nadofaragene firadenovec regarding pre-instillation visit arrangements, storage, handling, instillation procedures, and post-instillation procedures. Implementation of these recommendations will ensure efficient real-world use of nadofaragene firadenovec and the development of useful training materials and relevant standard operating procedures to help support a clinic’s treatment for patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC with CIS.

Video Abstract https://vimeo.com/user17898099/review/953723559/e18af7ec43
What Am I Doing Here? Self-Reflexivity in Cross-Border Journalism Research
Authors: Mitra Saumava , Palmer Lindsay , Seo Soomin
Published: September 2024

In journalism research conducted in the Global South, power relationships between the researcher and the researched mirror the uneven power structures between the Western journalists and their news subjects or their non-Western colleagues working alongside them. But so far, the figure of the journalism researcher in such contexts has not been problematized to any great extent in journalism scholarship. Moreover, the journalism researcher working in such contexts borrows heavily from the methodological toolkit of ethnography. But while the cultural anthropologists who created and refined ethnographic methodology have long been interrogating the colonial and neocolonial logics that inform ethnographic methods, journalism scholars have yet to significantly engage in such a self-critical project. We take ourselves as the starting points of the self-reflexive critical debate we believe journalism researchers interested in decolonizing journalism studies must have with themselves when it comes to conducting research in spaces of asymmetric power relations within global journalism. Laid out in three first person self-reflexive narratives, our critical questions are prompted by our own geopolitical and embodied presence in Lebanon, Afghanistan, and North Korea. We then discuss the commonalities among the questions that arose from our respective positionalities. Through this grounded, self-reflexive exploration, we aim to position global journalism researchers at the center of critical inquiry.
Episodic Coma in Lewy Body Disorders: An Observational Report
Authors: Friedman Joseph H.
Published: September 2024

Background

and Purpose: Episodes of unresponsiveness are one of several criteria used to diagnose dementia with Lewy bodies and are also seen in people with Parkinson’s disease dementia. Patients examined during episodes of coma, whose evaluations found no other explanation than the neurological disorder, have not been described. This paper describes four cases, seen in the past two years. The objective is to bring this uncommon phenomenon to the attention of hospital based neurologists and to demonstrate that this may not be due to autonomic dysfunction.

Methods

These are brief case descriptions by medical personnel observing affected patients supplemented by family reports of similar episodes described on the internet.

Results

Four cases are described, all older men with either dementia with Lewy bodies or Parkinson’s disease dementia, who had single, or multiple episodes of otherwise unexplained coma and were examined during a spell. IRB approval waived.

Conclusions

Episodic coma may occur in demented patients with an alpha-synucleinopathy and is the likely explanation when evaluations have found no other cause. This information will reassure the family and patient that this is the likely explanation but that spells may recur.
Peptides for Targeting Chondrogenic Induction and Cartilage Regeneration in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Liao Hsiu-Jung , Chen Hui-Ting , Chang Chih-Hung
Published: September 2024

Objects

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread degenerative joint condition commonly occurring in older adults. Currently, no disease-modifying drugs are available, and safety concerns associated with commonly used traditional medications have been identified. In this review, a significant portion of research in this field is concentrated on cartilage, aiming to discover methods to halt cartilage breakdown or facilitate cartilage repair.

Methods

Researchers have mainly investigated the cartilage, seeking methods to promote its repair. This review focuses on peptide-based molecules known for their ability to selectively bind to growth factor cytokines and components of the cartilage extracellular matrix.

Results

Chondroinductive peptides, synthetically producible, boast superior reproducibility, stability, modifiability, and yield efficiency over natural biomaterials. This review outlines a chondroinductive peptide design, molecular mechanisms, and their application in cartilage tissue engineering and also compares their efficacy in chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

In this paper, we will summarize the application of peptides engineered to regenerate cartilage by acting as scaffolds, functional molecules, or both and discuss additional possibilities for peptides. This review article provides an overview of our current understanding of chondroinductive peptides for treating OA-affected cartilage and explores the delivery systems used for regeneration. These advancements may hold promise for enhancing or even replacing current treatment methodologies.
Obstacles to using the safe surgery checklist: Perspectives of first-line personnel
Authors: Palm Marianne , Braut Geir Sverre
Published: September 2024

Objectives:

The safe surgery checklist, presented by the World Health Organization in 2008, is an aid to performing surgical interventions safely. Research indicates that the use of checklists in clinical activities leads to a reduced number of adverse events. However, research suggests that the use of checklists differs between different institutions and even between units in the same organisation. The intention of this study is to identify factors regarded by the health personnel in ‘the sharp end’ as obstacles to using the checklist.

Methods:

The study has a qualitative, case-based design. It is performed by the Hazard Identification method, which is a method for revealing safety hazards based on workers’ experiences.

Results:

Obstacles were identified related to the content of the list, areas of use, distribution of responsibilities connected with the use of the list, and finally the organisation and management of safety efforts related to clinical activities. The use of checklists must be part of a system’s perspective, and deviations from checklists must be discussed in the organisation. The informants also claimed that checklists should be implemented for interventions located outside the operating theatres and for emergency treatments.

Conclusions:

Even though the majority of employees believe that checklists are necessary, many surrounding factors are perceived as obstacles to their use. Not least, site-specific factors may be revealed by use of the Hazard Identification method.
Esophageal involvement in Bullous pemphigoid: Case report
Authors: Zahraoui Salma , Benjelloun Najlae , Salihoun Mouna , Bouhamou Fatiha , Acharki Mohammed , Serraj Ilham , Kabbaj Nawal
Published: September 2024

Bullous pemphigoid is a rare chronic autoimmune dermatologic blistering disease that usually affects elderly patients. Mucosal lesions are present in about 10%–35% of cases and affects most frequently the mucous membranes of the eye or the mouth. Esophageal involvement is possible but is rare (4% of cases). It could be asymptomatic, or presents with dysphagia, odynophagia, chest pain, or upper gastro-intestinal bleeding. We report the case of a recently diagnosed bullous pemphigoid in a 73-years-old female with normochromic normocytic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency who was referred to our unity for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Our endoscopic examination revealed two bullae filled with blood at upper esophagus with linear ulcerations and membrane detachment upon withdrawal of the endoscope. Although bullous pemphigoid is mainly a skin disease, invasion of esophagus needs to be considered especially when symptoms are present or when no cause was found for blood loss or anemia.
An Analysis of the Cognitive Demands of Senior High School English as a Foreign Language Textbooks in China
Authors: Xie Shiyu
Published: September 2024

This study aims to reveal the cognitive demands of senior high school English as a foreign language textbooks in China and their potential impact on students’ thinking development. To achieve this, the study employed content analysis, using an analytical framework adapted from the revised Bloom’s taxonomy, to examine the cognitive demands incorporated in the activities across nine target textbooks from three different publishers. The study found “Understand” to be the most common cognitive demand in the examined textbooks. However, it also identified that lower cognitive demands “Remember,” “Understand,” and “Apply” were less prevalent than the higher demands “Analyze,” “Evaluate,” and “Create.” Additionally, the study observed variations in the distribution of cognitive demands within the textbooks for 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. Despite these variations, the distribution of cognitive demands across the three grade-level textbooks was found to be remarkably similar, with an increase in the occurrence frequency of cognitive demands “Apply,” “Analyze,” “Evaluate,” and “Create,” and a corresponding decrease in the occurrence frequency of cognitive demands “Understand” and “Remember.” These findings indicate that senior high school English as a foreign language textbooks in China are intentionally designed to accommodate the thinking skill needs of students at each grade level and to promote the development of their thinking skills, with a particular emphasis on higher-order thinking skills. The findings hold significant implications for the design and use of language textbooks, highlighting the importance of integrating appropriate and challenging cognitive demands to effectively support students’ thinking development.
Contextual disparities of “happiness” in Korean and Chinese: A quantitative analysis of “행복” and “幸福”
Authors: Im Hyeon-yeol
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the contextual disparities in the meanings of the Korean Hanja word “행복 [hɛŋbok]” and the Chinese Hanzi word “幸福 [ɕiŋ51 fu35],” both conceptualized similarly to “happiness” in English. Utilizing computational linguistics methodologies, we analyzed 192,249 instances of “행복” from the Modu Corpus and 324,585 instances of “幸福” from the CCL Corpus, employing collocation, bi-gram, and tri-gram techniques.

Our analysis reveals that these words embody distinct cultural, social, and political dimensions in their respective contexts. Korean usage of “행복” shows a strong association with community well-being, social infrastructure, and educational development. Frequently co-occurring terms include “가족” (family), “교육” (education), and “사회” (society), reflecting deep-rooted Confucian values. Conversely, Chinese usage of “幸福” emphasizes national prosperity, collective harmony, and individual life quality. Common collocates include “国家” (country), “人民” (people), and “生活” (life), influenced by traditional philosophies and modern political ideologies.

The research highlights significant differences in how happiness is conceptualized in relation to government policies. Korean contexts focus on specific quality-of-life improvements, evident in phrases like “행복 주택” (happiness housing) and “행복 도시” (happiness city). Chinese contexts stress the link between national development and individual well-being, as seen in expressions like “人民幸福” (people’s happiness) and “幸福生活” (happy life). These findings underscore the complex interplay between personal fulfillment and social responsibility in East Asian cultures.

Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of computational linguistics in analyzing complex cultural concepts, while also revealing limitations in capturing individual subjective experiences. It contributes to contrastive lexicography between Korean and Chinese, offering insights for cross-cultural communication and policymaking in social well-being initiatives.
Parents’ and healthcare professionals’ experiences with the content of an individual care plan for pediatric palliative care: a mixed-method study
Authors: Joren Chantal Y. , Kars Marijke C. , Kremer Leontien C. M. , Hofman Suzanne C. , Rippen-Wagner Hester , Slingerland-Blom Ria , van der Velden Chantal , Schuiling-Otten Meggi , Verhagen A. A. Eduard , Aris-Meijer Judith L.
Published: September 2024

Background:

The Individual Care Plan (ICP) for pediatric palliative care translates the general guideline recommendations into a personalized plan for the child. Various documents exist in pediatrics globally, aimed at facilitating anticipatory care or coordinating end-of-life care. The ICP aims both, but user experiences have not been studied post-development.

Objective:

The overall aim is to enhance knowledge and understanding of the content of the ICP from the perspectives of parents and healthcare professionals (HCPs).

Design and method:

We conducted a mixed-method study using a convergent parallel design consisting of questionnaires and individual and focus group interviews among parents and HCPs having user experience with the ICP. The questionnaire and interview data were analyzed separately. Quantitative data were descriptively analyzed using mean, ±SD, and median. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed. A narrative approach and joint display were used to describe the results.

Results:

In total, 27 parents and 161 HCPs participated. Overall, the content of the ICP was seen as important and complete, but changes and additions were called for on language, structure, and content. The chapter on the needs and wishes of child and parents was considered most important. HCPs would like to see this chapter expanded to incorporate more advance care planning outcomes, and parents wished for this chapter to reflect better who their child is. HCPs mentioned missing a chapter for palliative sedation, mainly to guide other HCPs. The ICP was appraised as not user-friendly and might possibly improve by making the ICP available in a secure digital environment.

Conclusion:

To meet the needs of parents and HCPs considering importance and completeness of the content of the ICP and its user-friendliness, changes are necessary in the content of the ICP, and preferably the ICP should be made digitally available. Although various documents exist globally to facilitate anticipatory care or coordinating end-of-life care, it appears that the combination of describing the values and preferences of the child and parents, along with medical decisions and life-sustaining treatments, makes the ICP a unique and comprehensive care plan.