bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection of a Surgical Approach for Middle Ear Cholesteatoma Based on the Fusion Images of Non-Echo Planar Diffusion-Weighted MRI and CT
Authors: Cao Maorong , Xu Tong , Jiang Wen , Chen Chengfang , Yang Huiming , Man Rongjun , Yu Shudong
Published: March 2024

Purpose:

This study aimed to explore the ability of fusion images of non-echo planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (non-EPI-DWI MRI) and computed tomography (CT) to accurately locate cholesteatoma and plan the surgical approach.

Methods:

In the first part, 41 patients were included. Their CT images and non-EPI DWMRI images were fused. The scope of cholesteatoma in the fusion image was compared with that in the surgical video to evaluate the capability to locate cholesteatoma. A total of 229 patients were included in the second part, and they were divided into 2 groups. We chose the surgical approach for the CT group and the fusion group, and compared the accuracy of surgical approaches in the CT group and the fusion group using the surgical records.

Results:

The location of cholesteatoma shown in the fusion images was almost identical to that observed during the operation (kappa = .862). The overall specificity and sensitivity of the fusion images in locating cholesteatoma were 94.12% and 93.06%, respectively. The accuracy of surgical approach selection based on the fusion images (99.02%) was higher than that of surgical approach selection based on the CT images (85.83%).

Conclusion:

It is recommended that the fusion images be used to locate the range of the cholesteatoma before operation.
Conceptualizing Education for Sustainable Development in Urban Secondary Schools
Authors: Zenasni Saphia , Kuppens Tom Emile , Vaesen Joost , Surmont Jill , Stiers Iris
Published: March 2024

This conceptual paper explores the characteristics of education for sustainable development (ESD) within urban secondary schools. Despite the discourse about the importance of sustainability, there has been a lack of research on this topic. The authors employed theory synthesis, which resulted in a concept for Education for Sustainable Development in Urban Contexts (ESDUC). This presents a comprehensive view on the interconnected characteristics that facilitate the successful implementation of ESD in urban secondary schools, (1) developing sustainability competences among both students and teachers, encompassing intercultural competences for teachers and self-regulating skills for students, (2) utilizing teaching methods that are both transformative and culturally responsive, (3) engaging the wider community in the educational process, and (4) shifting the school culture toward embracing diversity and adopting a whole-school approach. This study is valuable for researchers and urban secondary schools seeking to effectively integrate ESD into their educational framework.
Can Words Speak Louder Than Actions? Using Top Management Teams’ Language to Predict Myopic Marketing Spending
Authors: Martin Andre , Kushwaha Tarun
Published: March 2024

Myopic marketing spending—curtailing marketing and research and development expenses to boost earnings—damages firms’ long-term value. Despite this, top management teams are often myopic, and by the time investors or boards detect such short-termism, it is too late to react or intervene. This research introduces a novel prediction method by analyzing the language top management teams use in earnings calls, specifically focusing on marketing and earnings emphasis, to predict future instances of myopic marketing spending. Through linguistic dependency parsing of almost 11 million sentences extracted from nearly 25,000 quarterly earnings call transcripts of 1,197 firms between 2008 and 2019, the authors demonstrate that the proposed approach can predict myopic marketing spending at a quarterly frequency for up to one year in advance. They find that an increase of one standard deviation in earnings emphasis is associated with a 23.68% increase in the likelihood of future myopic marketing spending. Investments based on the proposed approach produce 1.61% additional annual abnormal returns compared with models that exclusively use known predictors of myopic marketing spending, while offering earlier foresight and more frequent opportunities for intervention. This reduces information asymmetry for investors and boards of directors.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV: Bioethical, Clinical, and Epidemiological Considerations
Authors: Markley John D.
Published: March 2024

Public health authorities are broadly promoting a strategy known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in the context of high-risk sexual activity and injection drug use. However, there are several limitations to this strategy that are underrecognized. This article reviews the primary literature supporting the use of PrEP and explores the unintended consequences associated with its use. Current public health messaging indicates that PrEP reduces the risk of HIV transmission during sex by 99 percent; however, this figure is based on modeling rather than study findings, and real-world efficacy may be significantly lower. PrEP has been associated with increased rates of sexually transmitted infections, risk compensation, HIV drug resistance, low adherence, and drug side effects. To make fully informed decisions, medical professionals and patients should be aware of these pitfalls. Additionally, this article explores the bioethical implications of prescribing PrEP from a Catholic perspective. Although not always morally illicit, PrEP is most often prescribed in the context of sexual activity outside of marriage between a biological male and female, placing the prescriber in cooperation with activity deemed to be immoral by the Catholic Church. While all medical professionals seeking the common good should aim to reduce the transmission of HIV, not all means are morally licit. Conscience protection for medical professionals opposed to this strategy has become increasingly relevant. Thoughtful discernment is necessary when considering PrEP.

Summary: The use of CDC material (figure 1) in this article does not imply endorsement by CDC. The material is in the public domain and available on the CDC website free of charge.
When Are Carbon Border Adjustment Measures Just?
Authors: André Pierre , Pirlot Alice
Published: March 2024

Arguments in support of carbon border adjustment measures are often based on considerations of justice. Implementing carbon border adjustment measures would be necessary to, first, promote fair competition between corporations and, second, make carbon pricing instruments more effective and thus prevent the harms of dangerous climate change. Yet, both arguments tend to obscure considerations of distributive justice relative to the burdens of climate policies and the benefits of economic cooperation. In this article, we first explain why the case for carbon border adjustment measures based on the ideal of fair competition between corporations is flawed. Second, if the priority of harm avoidance over fair burden-sharing can justify carbon border adjustment measures, we argue that it does not justify all kinds of carbon border adjustment measures. On the contrary, it puts significant constraints on their design. We contend that just carbon border adjustment measures should include design features that allow for some form of carbon leakage risk, either via country-differentiated prices or via country-specific exemptions.
A Qualitative Forum Analysis of Fathers’ Stressors and Support Seeking Behaviour During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Cameron Emily E. , Simpson Kaeley M. , Bowes John-Michael , Pierce Shayna K. , Penner Kailey E. , Beyak Alanna , Gomez Irlanda , Reynolds Kristin A. , Roos Leslie E.
Published: March 2024

Fathers experienced high rates of mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social support is crucial to mitigate these problems; however, access to and quality of support were impacted by public health guidelines to increase physical distancing. Online forums offer an avenue for peer connection and support. Yet, minimal research has examined forum use during COVID-19. The objective of the current study was to examine the experiences and support needs of fathers during the pandemic through an exploratory qualitative content analysis of an online social support forum. Posts ( N = 299) and comments ( N = 2597) on Reddit’s sub-forum r/daddit (July and October 2020) were systematically analysed through a Framework Analytic Approach. Findings highlighted five main themes (with subthemes): forum use, family functioning, psychological and health factors, interpersonal functioning, and COVID-19. Findings underscore the critical need for mental health and parenting programs tailored to fathers and informing services to support father and family wellbeing.
Introducing a Competency Framework for Educational Researchers: The Case of Vietnam
Authors: Pham Thuan Van , Nguyen Loc My Thi , Tran Trung , Duong Hoang Yen Thi , Tran Hoan Huu , Nghiem Thanh Thi
Published: March 2024

In this paper, based on the established Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF), we introduce a new framework, tailor-made specifically for Vietnamese educational researchers, namely, Vietnam’s Framework for Educational Researchers (VFER). VFER is expected to serve as a tool for Vietnamese educational researchers to self-evaluate their skills and support them in developing their career qualities from junior to senior career ladders. The framework includes four domains with ten subdomains and 28 indicators. To date, VFER has been implemented in some Vietnamese universities of pedagogical education. We expect that other research fields will look to VFER as a reference to build their own research capacity framework.
Electrochemical behaviour of sputter-coated titanium films on AZ31 magnesium alloy
Authors: Marndi Sundeep Kumar , Pachaiappan Raman , Sankarakumar Amirthapandian , Thangadurai Paramasivam
Published: March 2024

Lightweight magnesium-based structural alloy AZ31 is normally prone to high corrosion in an aqueous environment. A detailed study is reported in this work on AZ31 Mg alloy coated with Ti thin films of different thicknesses by DC sputtering to investigate the capability of Ti coating to prevent corrosion of AZ31 under an aqueous environment similar to seawater. Ti films have been fabricated to 50, 100 and 150 nm thicknesses. Utilising grazing incidence-XRD and SEM, the films’ structure and microstructure were studied. The films were amorphous. Due to corrosion, interesting micro-structures evolved. Corrosion inhibition characteristics of the Ti films were characterised by electrochemical techniques such as potentiodynamic polarisation and impedance spectroscopy. Ti films with 100 nm and 150 nm thickness show a good inhibition capability. The corrosion mechanism was investigated using XPS and X-ray energy dispersive spectra.
Cross-linguistic effects in grammatical gender assignment and predictive processing in L1 Greek, L1 Russian, and L1 Turkish speakers of Norwegian as a second language
Authors: Johannessen Janne Bondi , Lundquist Björn , Rodina Yulia , Tengesdal Eirik , Kaldhol Nina Hagen , Türker Emel , Fyndanis Valantis
Published: March 2024

The present study examines grammatical gender knowledge in offline production (gender marking on indefinite articles) and online gender processing (visual world paradigm) in adult second language (L2) learners of Norwegian with three different first languages (L1s): Greek, Russian, and Turkish. In particular, it investigates the role of the following factors: (1) presence vs. absence of grammatical gender in L1 (Norwegian, Greek and Russian have gender, whereas Turkish does not), (2) lexical gender congruency, (3) structural similarity between L1 and L2 in the realization of gender, and (4) proficiency in L2. In offline production, no difference was found between the three L2 groups: they all overused the default gender (masculine). However, L1 effects were observed in the eye-tracking task, where the high-proficiency L1 Greek and L1 Russian speakers showed earlier and more prominent signs of predictive gender processing compared to the high-proficiency L1 Turkish speakers. There were no effects of lexical gender congruency or structural similarity. This suggests that, when it comes to predictive gender processing, what matters is proficiency and the presence vs. absence of grammatical gender in the L1. We interpret the findings in the context of current approaches to predictive processing emphasizing the role of cue reliability and utility.
Reduced cerebral blood flow and cognitive dysfunction following isolated cerebellar infarction: two case reports
Authors: Liu Qi , Zhang Yingkui , Liu Chang , Chen Yu , Zhang Yumei
Published: March 2024

Cognitive impairment in focal cerebellar disorders has been widely recognized and is described as cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome (CCAS). However, the relationship between CCAS and crossed cerebello-cerebral diaschisis (CCD) has rarely been discussed. The present report describes the uncommon phenomenon of CCD in two cases with isolated cerebellar infarction, and discuss its contribution to cognitive impairment. Cognitive performance was examined using the CCAS scale and a battery of neuropsychological assessments. Moreover, the relative distribution of cerebral and cerebellar blood flow was measured using three-dimensional arterial spin labeling imaging. Case 1 showed deficits in general cognition and had impaired language, episodic memory, and executive function. Case 2 showed deficits in general cognition at baseline, and cognitive deterioration of visuospatial abilities, language, episodic memory, and executive function was observed at the 3-month follow-up. Both cases met the diagnosis criteria of CCAS. Reduced cerebral blood flow was observed in the cerebral hemisphere contralateral to the cerebellar infarction at baseline in Case 1, and at the 3-month follow-up in Case 2. The present report describes cognitive decline after isolated cerebellar infarction in combination with contralateral cerebral hypoperfusion, as measured using quantitative arterial spin labeling. One possible mechanism involves the functional depression of cerebello-cerebral pathways.
Digital twins and the digital logics of biodiversity
Authors: Westerlaken Michelle
Published: March 2024

Biodiversity is a multidimensional concept that can be understood and measured in many different ways. However, the next generation of digital technologies for biodiversity monitoring currently being funded and developed fail to engage its multidimensional and relational aspects. Based on empirical data from interviews, a conference visit, online meetings, webinars, and project reports, this study articulates four digital logics that structure how biodiversity becomes monitored and understood within recent technological developments. The four digital logics illustrate how intensified practices of capturing, connecting, simulating, and computing produce particular techno-scientific formats for creating biodiversity knowledge. While ongoing projects advance technological development in areas of automation, prediction, and the creation of large-scale species databases, their developmental processes structurally limit the future of biodiversity technology. To better address the complex challenges of the global biodiversity crisis, it is crucial to develop digital technologies and practices that can engage with a wider range of perspectives and understandings of relational and multidimensional approaches to biodiversity.
‘The worst day of my life’: Foster carers’ experiences of allegations
Authors: Roberts Louisa M , Rees Alyson , Elliott Daisy , Wood Sophie
Published: March 2024

Appropriate allegation investigations within social care are paramount to protect children. However, many allegations are unsubstantiated ( Biehal et al., 2014 ) and result in stress and anxiety for fostering families ( Adams, Hassett and Lumsden, 2018 ), financial uncertainty ( Boffey, Stanton and Thomas, 2019 ), unplanned endings and foster carers leaving their role ( Adams, Hassett and Lumsden, 2018 ). There is little research into the prevalence, nature and outcomes of allegations against foster carers. This UK-based study uses The Fostering Network’s State of the Nation’s Foster Care (SOTN) 2021 survey and analyses responses from 3,352 UK foster carers and 99 fostering service staff. Qualitative findings reflect six themes: (1) emotional impacts, (2) financial implications, (3) independent support, (4) social services involvement, (5) understanding allegations, and (6) children being removed or foster carers leaving their role. Quantitative findings show only 25% of those experiencing an allegation believed they were sufficiently communicated with, only 20% believed specified timescales were adhered to, 57% did not receive independent support, and 36% said no support was offered to children in their home. Poor information-sharing and lack of support were found to have exacerbated the stress experienced.
From modernism to presentism: On the destination of art
Authors: Roberts David
Published: March 2024

The idea of modern art presupposes the rise of historicism and the sense of progress since the Enlightenment. Once art, however, conceives itself as progressive and hence modern, it is confronted by the paradoxes of progress: progress renders the modern obsolete at the same time as it seeks to give itself meaning by positing a goal, a destination that would be the end purpose and hence the end of progress. As a consequence, modern art is impelled to constantly transcend its own achievements and limits in a utopian quest for the artwork of the future, the ultimate work of art. But what happens to art when the grand art-historical narrative of modernism collapses? I argue that the ‘modern’ mutates into the ‘contemporary’ and that art now defines itself not in relation to the future but to the present. Contemporary art understands itself as operating in the present, that is, as an art for the present. It finds its destination now in the latest institutionalization of the paradoxes of progress: the museum of contemporary art.
Biodegradable composites made from maize flour filled with olive husk fibers
Authors: Sahi Samira , Mouza Nabila
Published: March 2024

The development of biomaterials based on maize flour reinforced with natural fiber was studied with the aim of replacing conventional polymers of petrochemical origin and to simplify assimilated rubbish managing strategies, which reduces the pollution of the environment. In this study, several composites based on plasticized maize flour (PMF) reinforced by the olive husk flour (OHF) in a range from 10% to 40% (wt.%) have been produced with double screw extruder. 15% (wt.%) of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and graft polyethylene combined with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) bonding substance at 5 (wt.%) were added to obtain high mechanical characteristics and improve blend compatibility. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed that the fibers were well dispersed in matrix. The Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed an increase in the absorption bands characteristic of hydroxyl groups and the anhydroglucose ring O-C stretch by raising OHF amount in composites. Thermal stabilization and density of composites increase with the percentage of fiber. For fiber weights of 10 and 40 (wt.%), the tensile strength increased as of 8.4 to 16.4 MPa and the Young modulus as of 70 to 245%, respectively. The biodegradability of samples was tested by burying them in the soil for 90 days. The weight loss test showed that the biodegradability accelerated with the increase in OHF quantity in the PMF. The latter finding was confirmed by FTIR analysis and deteriorated surface of samples examined by SEM analysis.
Inclusive Futures? A Systematic Review of Social Equity in Scenario Planning
Authors: Ayambire Raphael Anammasiya , Moos Markus
Published: March 2024

Scenario planning is a valuable tool for dealing with uncertainty, but little is known about its consideration of social equity. We investigated if and how studies of scenario planning in the peer-reviewed literature address issues of social equity. After reviewing 157 peer-reviewed articles on scenario planning, we find that social equity is either ignored or underemphasized in scenario processes. Integrating social equity principles into the scenario planning method promises to help planners prepare for different social equity outcomes in the future. We suggest ways to incorporate social equity principles, such as recognition, representation, and redistribution, into the scenario planning method.
Mechanical properties and wear performance of denture base polymethyl methacrylate reinforced with nano Al2O3
Authors: Fouad Ramy A , Ibrahim Amal AA , El-Sayed Seleman Mohamed M , Ataya Sabbah , Habba Mohamed Ibrahim AA
Published: March 2024

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has been widely used as a material in dentistry. The deterioration of pure PMMA denture teeth is a significant issue that can alter the vertical dimensions of dentures. This study investigates the effect of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nano-ceramic addition as reinforcements into the heat-cure acrylic resin denture teeth. The PMMA was reinforced with Al2O3 concentrations of 1, 3, 5, and 10 wt.%. The PMMA without ceramic addition is produced for comparison purposes. The color change, densification, microhardness, and compressive properties of the produced PMMA resin and its composites were investigated to detect the effect of Al2O3 nano ceramic addition on the physical and mechanical properties. Furthermore, the microstructure was also performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. A chewing simulator was utilized to conduct two-body wear testing, employing a human enamel antagonist. The wear behavior of the PMMA and their composites were assessed by measuring the weight loss after submitting them to 37,500 cycles. The SEM microstructure analysis revealed sound specimens of PMMA reinforced with 0, 1, 3, and 5 wt.% Al2O3 without any porosity and micro defects using the applied production procedures. In contrast, the aggregated sites and propagation of cracks were detected for the PMMA/10 wt.% Al2O3 specimen. The densification and hardness properties of the produced PMMA composites improved with increasing the Al2O3 additions. The microhardness of PMMA/10 wt.% Al2O3 improved by around 233% compared to the PMMA matrix. The higher compressive properties were detected for the PMMA/5 wt.% Al2O3 composite specimen with ultimate compressive strength (UCS) of 54.75 MPa and yield strength (YS) of 45.6 MPa and improved than the PMMA matrix by around 98 % and 117 %, respectively. In addition, incorporating Al2O3 nano-ceramic particles into a PMMA matrix revealed a significant improvement in the wear resistance of the produced composites compared to the PMMA matrix.
Initiation of belimumab with higher daily prednisolone is effective for rapid glucocorticoid reduction: A 96-week retrospective study
Authors: Yamane Takashi , Hashiramoto Akira
Published: March 2024

Objectives

For appropriate glucocorticoid (GC) reduction, we investigated the optimal strategy including baseline factors that could reduce GC more than 50% with 96 weeks of belimumab.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of Kakogawa Central City hospital from 2019 to 2023. We identified SLE patients who were receiving 200 mg of belimumab weekly by subcutaneous injection for 96 weeks. The background at baseline, trends in clinical indicators, and factors involved in GC reduction were statistically analyzed. Finally, univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were carried out to identify baseline factors associated ≥50% GC reduction at 96 weeks.

Results

Forty-seven patients were enrolled, with a median daily prednisolone of 5 mg. Almost 90% of them received concomitant immunosuppressants and/or hydroxychloroquine. Serological indices, daily GC dose, and SLEDAI-2K scores showed significant improvement in 96 weeks. At baseline, a significant negative correlation has been shown between the daily dose of GC and the duration from onset or last flare, as well as C4 levels. At 96 weeks, GC reduction rate and SLEDAI-2K scores were negatively correlated with duration from onset or last flare to initiation of belimumab. Mycophenolate mofetil use was significantly frequent in patients with lupus nephritis (LN), which also correlated with the frequency of past flares. In addition, LN presence was associated with higher SLEDAI-2K scores at 96 weeks, and baseline SLEDAI-2K ≥10 was associated with significantly higher GC dose at 96 weeks. Univariate analysis of the factor contributing to achieving ≥50% GC reduction at 96 weeks has pointed shorter disease duration and higher daily GC dose at baseline as significant variables. Finally, we performed a multivariate analysis by combining above two items with age, which extracted the higher daily GC dose at baseline as a significant variable (OR (95% CI) 1.25 (1.00 to 1.56), p = .047).

Conclusions

Our study showed that a delay in belimumab initiation led to higher SLEDAI-2K score and difficulty in achieving a 50% GC reduction at 96 weeks. Since GC-related adverse events increase with long-term administration of GC though with small daily doses, we proposed here that belimumab should be started in combination with higher daily prednisolone.
Schemata of estrangement in Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed
Authors: Whitt Richard J
Published: March 2024

Ursula Le Guin’s novel The Dispossessed (1974) is the first literary treatment of anarchic utopianism, presenting the society on the moon Anarres as operating on social principles lacking any sort of State or governmental oversight (known in the novel as Odonianism). Scholarship on Le Guin’s novel has focused primarily on the overt political and philosophical aspects of the text, while the scant linguistic scholarship goes no further than uncovering fairly superficial aspects of Le Guin’s invented language of Anarres, Pravic. This article investigates exactly how Le Guin presents a richly detailed conceptualisation of an anarchic society to readers on a planet full of states. This is generally achieved through the technique of estrangement (defamiliarisation), and more precisely, by various means of schema disruption.
The perception of dignity in the hospitalized patient: Findings from a meta-synthesis
Authors: Mema Amarilda , Bressan Valentina , Stevanin Simone , Cadorin Lucia
Published: March 2024

Dignity is a value inherent to all human beings, guaranteed to every individual from birth, and influenced by culture and society. It is protected by various laws and declarations, and represents one of the fundamental human rights. Preserving human dignity is an essential aspect of nursing practice and a central element of care. Dignity is a highly subjective and personal concept; there may be variations in the way that patients perceive it and in the ways that nurses can guarantee it. A systematic review of the qualitative literature was conducted to obtain a comprehensive understanding of adult patients’ perceptions of dignity in a hospital setting. This review adhered to the PRISMA Statement for reporting systematic reviews, and the results were reported in accordance with the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. Major databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and PsycINFO) were consulted and resulted in the inclusion of 21 studies. Methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) Checklist for Qualitative Studies. Six main themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) The concept of dignity and its various dimensions; (2) The significance of maintaining one’s own privacy and confidentiality; (3) The hospital environment’s influence on patients’ dignity; (4) Healthcare professionals’ characteristics and behaviours that affect dignity; (5) The role of communication and the relationship with healthcare providers; and (6) The patient’s ability to make choices and be involved actively in their care. These findings underscore the importance of understanding caregivers’ perspectives on dignity to ensure that they provide respectful and dignified care and treatment that prioritizes the patient’s mental and physical needs.
Peer Influence and Factors Associated with Personal Network Size of Underage Drinkers Recruited Through Respondent-driven Sampling  in Dibrugarh District of Assam, India
Authors: Phukan Sanjib Kumar , Hazarika Jiten
Published: March 2024

Personal networks significantly contributed to initiating risky behaviours among emerging youth. The study aimed to assess the personal network characteristics and factors associated with the personal network size of underage alcohol users. 200 underage drinkers were recruited through respondent-driven sampling in Dibrugarh, Assam using five seeds. Transition probability matrices and homophily indices were used to describe underage drinkers’ network characteristics and network patterns. The weighted logistic regression model was performed to observe the association. Personal network size differed significantly with respect to demographic profile and alcohol consumption patterns of the respondents. A higher proportion of participants used cannabis (77.0%), drank for more than 3 years (40.7%) and liked to drink with peers (51.1%). The affiliation pattern of educational status shows a trend of homophily and interaction between new and older underage drinkers. Students (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.32, 7.62) who like to drink with peers (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.24, 9.62) were found significantly associated with larger personal network size in weighted multiple binary logistic regression. The findings will be helpful to understand the network pattern of underage drinkers. The study highlighted the need for effective prevention and intervention programmes for this population and suggested further research in this area.
Mixed Methods for Research on Support Networks of People Experiencing Chronic Illness and Social Marginalization
Authors: Nápoles Tessa M. , Ekl Emily A. , Nicklas Jeff , Gómez-Pathak Laura , Yen Irene H. , Carrillo Dani , de Leon Kathleen , Burke Nancy J. , Perry Brea L. , Shim Janet K.
Published: March 2024

Substantial research has focused on how social networks help individuals navigate the illness experience. Sociologists have begun to theorize beyond the binary of strong and weak social network ties (e.g., compartmental, elastic, and disposable ties), citing the social, economic, and health conditions that shape their formation. However, limited research has employed mixed social network methods, which we argue is especially critical for examining the “non-traditional” social support networks of marginalized individuals. We employ quantitative social network methods (i.e., the egocentric network approach) in addition to in-depth interviews and observations, with a novel tool for capturing network data about social groups, to surface these kinds of supportive relationships. Using the case of “nameless ties”—non-kin, non-provider ties who were unidentifiable by given name or were grouped by context or activity rather than individually distinguished—we show how mixed social network methods can illuminate supporters who are commonly overlooked when only using traditional social network analysis. We conclude with a proposal for mixed methods and group alter approaches to successfully observe liminal support ties that is ideal for research about individuals experiencing chronic disability, poverty, housing insecurity, and other forms of social marginalization.
Content Analysis, Construct Validity, and Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Technical and Professional Communication and Graduate Research Preparation
Authors: Deets Stuart , Baulch Caitlin , Obright Alison , Card Dan
Published: March 2024

Artificial intelligence tools are being increasingly used to do content analysis in technical and professional communication (TPC). The authors consider some of the affordances and constraints of these tools and suggest that construct validity is an underdiscussed form of validity within TPC research that will become more important as artificial intelligence research tools become increasingly prevalent. But construct validity is an important idea for graduate programming on research methods regardless of the type of method, technique, or tool used—whether qualitative or computational. Thus, training in construct validity is important for strengthening graduate research preparation in TPC.
No Country for Young Refugees: Barriers and Opportunities for Inclusive Refugee Education Practices
Authors: Demir Sebnem Manolya , Sahinyazan Feyza G , Kara Bahar Y , Buluc Elfe
Published: March 2024

The recent refugee crises in Ukraine (2022) and Syria (2011) have created millions of refugees, 40% of whom are children. The education systems of countries hosting refugees struggle to integrate such large populations. In addition, language barriers and the stigma associated with refugees hamper inclusive and equitable education opportunities for these children. There is thus a risk of “lost generations” distanced from education, who may eventually depend on social security systems and monetary aid in the long term. This study considers the following research question: How can a host country improve the inclusion of refugee children in the education system without overburdening its infrastructure? First, we document the availability and accessibility challenges and opportunities that refugee children face during the Syrian refugee crisis. We then develop an inclusive planning strategy aligned with existing capacity and resources and formulate two adaptations of the maximum covering problem (MCP): cooperative capacitated MCP with heterogeneity constraints (CCMCP-HC) to improve the current schooling access in Türkiye and Modular CCMCP-HC to guide early planning in the case of a future crisis. Our computational analyses illustrate that the proposed approach yields higher schooling rates and capacity utilization than existing approaches. Our results emphasize the importance of having a planning strategy in the initial phases of a crisis that considers future integration possibilities. This study analyzes Türkiye’s experience and lessons learned to provide a road map for other ongoing and future refugee crises.
Broadening the Scope of Operations and Supply Chain Management Scholarship on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Justice, Paradox, and Dialectical Lenses
Authors: Matthews Lee , Gold Stefan , Schleper Martin C
Published: March 2024

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has been gaining attention in operations and supply chain management (OSCM) research but is often narrowly framed and dominated by instrumental logic. We offer three lenses that potentially broaden the scope of this scholarship: justice, paradox, and dialectical. The justice logic frames DEI as primarily a moral concern of inequality in firms and supply chains. It goes against an instrumental, performance-driven approach to establishing DEI in OSCM. To understand the persistence of tensions in DEI implementation, we present a paradox lens and link it to OSCM through four major types of organizational paradoxes: performing, organizing, learning, and belonging. We employ a dialectical perspective to resolve these tensions and combine instrumental and justice logics to explore how the latter can help firms realize DEI's (often unfulfilled) performance potential. OSCM scholars are well placed to use justice, paradox, and dialectical lenses to assess pathways for realizing DEI's transformative potential through modeling, decision support, and empirical research. Such research can help managers pursue objectives that conflict with or go beyond instrumental DEI, thus contributing to substantive DEI implementation.
Testicular Primary Well-Differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumor: Clinicopathologic, Immunohistochemical, and Molecular Characterization of Two Patients
Authors: Jia Liwei , Zhang Bo , Shen Daniel , R. Koduru Prasad
Published: March 2024

Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor rarely occurs as a testicular primary tumor, accounting for less than 1% of all testicular cancers, and is rarely reported with sufficient molecular profiles. After searching our departmental database (2003-2023), two testicular primary well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors were identified in a 35-year-old man and a 23-year-old man, respectively, both of whom had normal serum level of tumor markers. Both tumors grossly exhibited solid, yellow-tan, and homogeneous appearance and histologically displayed a mixture of growth patterns, including organoid, tubular, cribriform, nests, cords, and single cells, were composed of eosinophilic tumor cells with salt-and-pepper chromatin and indistinct cell borders. Immunoreactivity for chromogranin and synaptophysin were detected, with Ki-67 labeling 9% and 2% of tumor cells on counting of 500 tumor cells, respectively. There was no germ cell neoplasia in situ in the background testicular parenchyma. Furthermore, fluorescence in situ hybridization failed to identify the presence of isochromosome 12p in both tumors. A panel-based next-generation sequencing was done in one of tumors and showed no reportable pathogenic variants with a mutation burden of 0.5 mutations per megabase. Although elevated mitotic figures (up to 6 per 10 high power fields), lymphovascular invasion and marked nuclear pleomorphism were present in this tumor, there was no evidence of disease detected in this patient via Dotatate positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan after the surgery. This report expands the spectrum of testicular primary well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. Considering its rarity, it may pose a diagnostic challenge or pitfall in certain clinical circumstances. In addition, the literature pertaining to this entity is herein reviewed.
Does the accumulation of creative capital influence the competitiveness of the tourism sector in European regions?
Authors: Gómez-Vega Mafalda , Boal Iván , Alonso-Villa Pablo
Published: March 2024

Recently, more countries have implemented policies aimed at enhancing the synergy between two strategic sectors: tourism and the creative industries. This article assesses this relationship for a sample of European regions (171 regions). Our main contribution lies in assessing how the accumulation of resources linked to the cultural and creative sectors helps to maximize tourism competitiveness—measured by means of an efficiency model. From a methodological point of view, we apply a two-stage model. First, we construct a tourism efficiency indicator and five synthetic indicators of creativity by means of data envelopment analysis. Secondly, we test the influence of the accumulation of creative industries on regions’ tourism competitiveness by means of a regression analysis. The results can be used to draw conclusions which are applicable in the field of management so that destinations can find competitive advantages for their tourism sector and thus enhance their cultural and creative capita.
Unmasking greenwashing – the role of the news media in giving voice to whistleblowers in sustainable finance
Authors: Cinceoglu Vesile , Strauß Nadine
Published: March 2024

Sustainable investing is on the rise within the financial sector. However, the honesty, reliability, and validity of the sustainable finance (SF) industry is currently facing increasing allegations and criticism, including from individuals within the sector. This paper aims to investigate how the news media give voice to whistleblowers in SF. To do so, a mixed methods approach was applied. First, expert interviews were conducted between March and April 2022 with individuals responsible for SF/ESG (‘environmental, social and governance’) investments in Europe as well as DWS whistleblower, Desiree Fixler. In parallel, the news coverage of two prominent whistleblowers in the ESG industry was examined using a qualitative, manual content analysis of articles from nine major financial news sites online. The findings of the interviews shed light on how the media provided whistleblowers a platform to expose organizational wrongdoings in the realm of SF. In addition, the content analysis showed that the financial news media provided a forum for information, criticism, and discussion about SF. The results provide innovative insights about whistleblower activities related to SF and greenwashing within the financial industry, and their portrayal in financial news media.
Questioning ‘voice’ and silence: Exploring creative and participatory approaches to researching with children through a Reggio Emilian lens
Authors: Chicken Sarah , Tur Porres Gisselle , Mannay Dawn , Parnell Jade , Tyrie Jacky
Published: March 2024

There has been much debate around the ‘voice’ of the child in qualitative research. This paper contributes to these discussions by drawing on the philosophy of Reggio Emilia, which emphasizes dialogical encounters that recognize the value of children's subjectivities. The paper critically reflects on a qualitative study of primary education during the COVID-19 pandemic that involved children aged 5–7 (n = 30), teachers (n = 6) and parents and carers (n = 18) in Wales. The study generated data using creative methodologies, field notes and qualitative interviews. The philosophy of Reggio Emilia was utilized to be reflexive about the processes of research design, fieldwork, data analysis and dissemination, questioning tensions between voice and silence and how research teams can face and respond to the challenging issues that complicate the intent of respecting children's subjectivities and perspectives. A key lesson from this process of reflection and questioning was the need to be attentive to and attuned with the subtleties of children's paralanguage and to maintain a level of flexibility in research design and processes that respected children's requirements and preferences. While the study focussed on children's experiences, the lessons learnt from evaluating the study in relation to the philosophy of Reggio Emilia have value for wider qualitative projects with diverse communities.
Centering Mothers in Feminist Criminology: A Critical Review of Literature on Mothers of Victims and Offenders
Authors: Gueta Keren , Condry Rachel
Published: March 2024

This article reviews the literature on mothers of victims and mothers of offenders through a feminist criminological lens. Results of our analysis of 52 articles from a twenty-year period indicated that, though situated on opposite sides of the criminal justice system, aspects of the experiences of mothers of victims and offenders were similar. Specifically, the mothers shared perceived accountability for their offspring’s involvement in crime, the burden of care for their offspring, and the negotiation strategies they employed. Our analysis makes visible these mothers as a unique sub-category in the study of crime and proposes a matricentric feminist criminology model.
Impact of Season Variation on Semen Quality: A Comprehensive Retrospective Analysis of Data From Patients at an Eastern Iranian Tertiary Care Fertility Center Over a Decade
Authors: Pakmanesh Hamid , Nazarirobati Nasrin , Dabiri Shahriar , Mirshekari Tooraj Reza , Eslami Nazanin , Torabinavid Parham , Rouientan Hamidreza , Narouie Behzad
Published: March 2024

Seasonal changes are assumed to affect various sperm characteristics based on photoperiods, temperature, and air pollution. According to the literature, most studies were performed on populations of Western countries, and there are limited studies performed in the Middle East with variable results. This study evaluated the seasonality of sperm characteristics among men of reproductive age in an andrology center in Kerman, Iran, where the seasonal temperature varies significantly, with average temperatures ranging from 50 °F (10 °C) to 75.2 °F (24 °C). We retrospectively evaluated the sperm analysis test record. Sperm samples were obtained from 2,948 men during 10 years, excluding those with azoospermia. Samples were assessed for volume, concentration, motility, and morphology according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. We performed a comprehensive comparative literature review of the studies investigating the association between seasonal variation and sperm quality. The mean semen volume was higher in the summer compared with other seasons ( p = .04). The mean percentage of sperm motility was higher in the spring and less in winter ( p = .03). Sperm morphology-related parameters, measured by the percent of normal morphology, were significantly better in winter ( p = .03). Our findings suggest seasonality of sperm characteristics among men of fertility age. Semen volume, motility, and morphology were affected by the photoperiod of reproductive seasons. Results might support the influential role of seasonal variations in the possibility of fertility, especially among those using assisted reproductive technologies and those with oligospermia.
What’sApp to Sunak
Authors: Grint Keith
Published: March 2024

This article features a leaked WhatsApp message to the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. It was written by Mark E Avelli, a political consultant who sets out what has happened recently in the UK and how he suggests Sunak should act if he wants to remain unsuccessful. That sounds counter-intuitive but not when framed by the revolutionary political theory embraced by the consultant: success is rooted in understanding that victory is not to be acquired by saying and doing the right thing, but the opposite. Only when we understand that nobody actually wants political power and the responsibility that inevitably comes with it, do the actions of politicians make any kind of sense. Or for those keen on a short consulting takeaway to use in teaching political leadership: ‘fail fast and keep failing’. The focus here is obviously on the UK, but for readers in other countries that are led or used to be led by similar leaders, this article provides an explanation for why we keep electing people who appear to have no idea what they’re doing.
Digital supply chain transformation: The role of smart technologies on operational performance in manufacturing industry
Authors: Lee Khai Loon , Teong Chi Xin , Alzoubi Haitham M , Alshurideh Muhammad Turki , Khatib Mounir El , Al-Gharaibeh Shehadeh Mofleh
Published: March 2024

This study aims to investigate the impact of digital supply chains and smart technology on the operational performance of the manufacturing industry. Due to the lack of knowledge and guidance in this area, the adoption of smart technology throughout the supply chain is limited, leading to poor operational performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate how smart technology and digital supply chain transformation can improve operational performance. To test hypotheses and accomplish study goals, the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory was combined with a quantitative research strategy. The study population of companies was obtained from a manufacturing directory, and a minimum sample size of 107 companies was determined using G*Power. Additionally, 600 online surveys were sent to the manufacturing companies, resulting in a response rate of 17.83%. Data analysis was conducted using Smart-PLS 4.0 software, and eight of the 10 hypotheses were supported. The findings showed that smart technologies completely mediate the link between digital transformation and relationship performance, emphasizing the need for manufacturing organizations to focus on incorporating smart technology into their supply chain to enhance operational performance. The study concludes by presenting theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and recommendations.