bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective COX-2 Inhibitor Is Beneficial in Suppressing Chronic Postsurgical Pain in Esophageal Cancer Patients and May Prolong Patient Survival
Authors: Fan Xiaoqing , Wang Shan , Pan Kunyun , Wang Delong , Wang Ruiting
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is a common complication after surgical procedures. Radical resection of esophageal cancer is a complex procedure, one of the most extensive and traumatic surgical procedures in oncological surgery, and the incidence of postoperative chronic pain is high, seriously affecting patients’ postoperative recovery. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the incidence of CPSP in patients with esophageal cancer and to analyze the risk factors associated with its occurrence in order to provide certain prevention and treatment ideas for clinical prevention and reduction of CPSP. Methods: Patients with radical esophageal cancer resection were selected as the study subjects, and the clinical data regarding to patients’ preoperative comorbidities, ASA grading, surgical method, use of selective COX-2 inhibitors, postoperative analgesic pump use, and patients’ postoperative tumor recurrence time were collected. The differences in clinical data between the CPSP group and no-CPSP group were compared to analyze the risk factors for the occurrence of CPSP. Results: A total of 262 patients were included; 57 (21.76%) developed CPSP, and there were statistical differences between the two groups in terms of selective COX-2 inhibitor and postoperative analgesic pump use rates and surgical modality (p < 0.05), and logistic regression analysis showed that age and length of surgery increased the risk of CPSP, perioperative selective COX-2 inhibitor use decreased the risk of CPSP occurrence (p < 0.05), the extent of tumor infiltration and regional lymph node metastasis were risk factors for shortening tumor-free survival (TFS), and age and use of selective COX-2 inhibitor were influential factors for prolonging TFS (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with esophageal cancer have a high incidence of postoperative chronic pain, with youth and length of surgery being risk factors for CPSP, and perioperative pain management with selective COX-2 inhibitors can reduce the incidence of CPSP and is associated with prolonged TFS.
The Pathology according to p53 Pathway
Authors: Hatano Yuichiro
Published: November 2023

Background: Observations play a pivotal role in the progress of science, including in pathology. The cause of a disease such as cancer is analyzed by breaking it down into smaller organs, tissues, cells, and molecules. The current standard cancer diagnostic procedure, microscopic observation, relies on preserved morphological characteristics. In contrast, molecular analyses explore oncogenic pathway activation that leads to genetic mutations and aberrant protein expression. Such molecular analyses could potentially identify therapeutic targets and has gained considerable attention in clinical oncology. Summary: This review summarizes the cardinal biomarkers of the p53 pathway, p53, p16, and mouse double minute 2 (MDM2), in the context of traditional surgical pathology and emerging genomic oncology. The p53 pathway, which is dysregulated in more than a half of all cancers, can be applied in several diagnostic settings. A four-classification model of immunophenotype for p53 pathway gene status, tumor types with a high frequency of abnormalities for each p53 pathway gene, and a minimal p53 pathway immunohistochemical panel is also described. Key Messages: Immunohistochemistry of oncogenic signals should be interpreted according to molecular findings based on genomic oncology, in addition to the microscopic findings of diagnostic pathology.
The Timurid Regions and Moghulistan through the Eyes of a Ming Diplomat: An Annotated Translation of the Xiyu fanguo zhi and Selected Poems by Chen Cheng (1415)
Authors: Fan Carol
Published: November 2023

The article investigates the fifteenth-century Ming diplomat Chen Cheng’s travel accounts by situating them against the backdrop of Islamic and Mongol history. The first part of the article presents Chen Cheng’s travels and his reports in the context of Ming-Timurid relations and comprehensively studies the existing editions of Chen’s writings. The second part of the article provides a complete, critical, and annotated translation of Chen’s travel narrative, the Xiyu fanguo zhi, and a selection of his poems that describe the Timurid and eastern Chaghatayid regions through which the ambassador traveled. The translation is based on the text from Chen’s personal literary collection, the Chen Zhushan wenji, which has not yet been adequately utilized in English scholarship. Incorporating information from contemporary sources, the annotated translation contextualizes Chen’s accounts in Islamic history of Western and Central Asia. Finally, the article supplements the translation with a biography of Chen Cheng and information extracted from his itinerary.
Micromeria tenensis (Lamiaceae), a new species from Tenerife, Canary Islands
Authors: PUPPO PAMELA , PAZ PEDRO LUIS PÉREZ DE , CURTO MANUEL , MEIMBERG HARALD
Published: November 2023

Based on molecular and morphological evidence, a new species of Micromeria is described for Tenerife, Canary Islands. Micromeria tenensis is endemic to the massif of Teno, occurring between 100–1000 m elevation. It is characterized by having more or less pendulous branches, tomentose stems and leaves, hispid calyx, and calyx apices triangular to lanceolate, densely white hispid.
Low infrared emissivity epoxy resin/Ag composite coating with outstanding mechanical properties and saltwater resistance
Authors: Zhang Weigang , Lv Yuping , Lv Dandan , Pan Lulu , Sun Ziti
Published: November 2023

In this study, a low infrared emissivity coating with good mechanical properties and salt water resistance was prepared by the glass rod coating method, using epoxy resin, flake Ag powder, and graphene as a functional pigment, binder, and interface modifier, respectively. The study systematically investigated the impact of Ag powder particle size, as well as the addition of silver powder and graphene, on the coating properties. The larger particle size of the Ag powder led to a significant decrease in emissivity and enhancement of the mechanical properties of the coating. The coating had optimal emissivity and mechanical properties at an Ag particle size of 10μm. The emissivity and glossiness of the coating can be significantly reduced with the increase in added Ag powder, and the mechanical properties will be significantly improved. The increase in added graphene significantly reduced the glossiness and improved the flexibility of the coating. With a graphene content of 8 wt%, the coating has the best emissivity, glossiness, and mechanical properties at the same time. The epoxy resin/Ag composite coating, modified by graphene, showed good salt water resistance. After being corroded by salt water for 21 days, the emissivity, glossiness, adhesion strength, flexibility, and impact strength of the coating reached 0.535, 14.7, grade 1, 2 mm, and 50 kg · cm, respectively.
Study on monitoring nucleic acid contamination in laboratory and its application
Authors: Cai Yanyu , Wen Kaizhen
Published: November 2023

Monitoring nucleic acid contamination in laboratories is essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay results. Compared to traditional chemical reagent-based extraction, magnetic bead extraction is a targeted adsorption method for extracting
DNA, offering greater efficiency and minor hazard. However, the effectiveness of this method in detecting nucleic acid contaminations in laboratory remains unclear. This study aimed to develop a PCR-based laboratory environmental monitoring method to investigate the effectiveness of magnetic
bead extraction for detecting nucleic acid contamination. To mimic nucleic acid contamination, Staphylococcus aureus was aerosolized in a PCR laboratory. Following sampling, nucleic acid extraction was performed using the magnetic bead extraction method. Samples were analyzed using
quantitative real-time fluorescence PCR (qPCR), and the concordance between the magnetic bead extraction results and theoretical results was assessed. This study presents a PCR laboratory nucleic acid contamination monitoring protocol. The results demonstrated that the nucleic acid detection
outcomes obtained using the magnetic bead extraction method were consistent with the theoretical results across all regions tested using this protocol. The magnetic bead extraction method demonstrated comparable detection outcomes to the theoretical results in monitoring laboratory environments.
This approach provides a more efficient and environmental friendly method of monitoring the laboratory environment.
Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of novel mixed-ligand Schiff base/8-hydroxyquinoline metal complexes
Authors: Younes Ayman A. O.
Published: November 2023

Five manufactured mixed ligands chelate of Schiff base (HL) in the presence of 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ) with Chromium(III), Cobalt(II), Silver(I) tin(II), and mercury(II) was produced and described. The molecular structure of complexes was examined using physicochemical analysis, thermogravimetric
analysis, and spectroscopic methods. Measurements of morphological properties confirm the nano-crystalline particles of the fabricated chelates. FT-IR analysis revealed that HL and HQ chelated with metal ions as NO bi-dentate ligands. The synthesized complexes have distorted octahedral (Cr(III)
and Co(II)) and tetrahedral (Ag(I), Sn(II), and Hg(II) forms, according to magnetic and electronic spectrum data. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis indicates that the formation complexes were stable. The antimicrobial and antiviral effectiveness of ligands and their metal complexes has also
been investigated. The results indicated that the newly prepared complexes were greater in activity in contrast to their free ligands, and Studies on molecular docking have been performed out in order to determine the optimal engagement location as well as its inhibitory activity.
The Influence of Midlevel Shear and Horizontal Rotors on Supercell Updraft Dynamics
Authors: Muehr Andrew J. , Ruppert James H. , Flournoy Matthew D. , Peters John M.
Published: November 2023

Large midlevel (3–6 km AGL) shear is commonly observed in supercell environments. However, any possible influence of midlevel shear on an updraft has been relatively unexplored until now. To investigate, we ran 10 simulations of supercells in a range of environments with varying midlevel shear magnitudes. In most cases, larger midlevel shear results in a storm motion that is faster relative to the low-level hodograph, meaning that larger midlevel shear leads to stronger low-level storm-relative flow. Because they are physically connected, we present an analysis of the effects of both midlevel shear and low-level storm-relative flow on supercell updraft dynamics. Larger midlevel shear does not lead to an increase in cohesive updraft rotation. The tilting of midlevel environmental vorticity does lead to localized areas of larger vertical vorticity on the southern edge of the updraft, but any dynamical influence of this is overshadowed by that of much larger horizontal vorticity in the same area associated with rotor-like circulations. This storm-generated horizontal vorticity is the primary driver behind lower nonlinear dynamic pressure on the southern flank of the midlevel updraft when midlevel shear and low-level storm-relative flow are larger, which leads to a larger nonlinear dynamic pressure acceleration in those cases. Storm-generated horizontal vorticity is responsible for the lowest nonlinear dynamic pressure anywhere in the midlevel updraft, unless the mesocyclone becomes particularly intense. These results clarify the influence of midlevel shear on a supercell thunderstorm, and provide additional insight on the role of low-level storm-relative flow on updraft dynamics.

Significance Statement

Persistent rotation in supercell thunderstorms results from the tilting of horizontal spin into the vertical direction. This initially horizontal spin is the result of shear, which is a change in wind speed and/or direction with height. More shear in the layer 0–3 km above ground level is well understood to lead to stronger rotation within the storm, but the influence of shear in the 3–6-km layer is unclear and is investigated here. We find that horizontal spin originating in the 3–6-km layer has little impact on vertically oriented thunderstorm rotation. Instead, intense regions of horizontal spin that are generated by the storm itself (rather than having originated from the background environment) dominate storm dynamics at midlevels.
Holy Shit: Lutheran Carnality and Thinking like a Tree
Authors: Dahill Lisa E
Published: November 2023

This article begins with my experience of a Ponderosa pine and centers on an ecological reading of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s vision of God and the world as “one reality” in his Ethics. A non-dualistic spirituality embraces aspects of reality Christians typically shun, such as the scatological dimension of our animal lives. I engage these questions through attention to the literal, ethical, socio-economic, and symbolic realities of shit, drawing on the work of Donna Haraway and tracing Martin Luther’s carnal sacramentality as well as his scatological repudiation of capitalism. The article honors Bonhoeffer’s vision of one reality in attempting to think like a tree: to value the holy plant food our bodies produce and to inhabit ritual practices that make such interspecies valuing and shared life possible.
Factors affecting farmers’ acceptance and adoption of biofortified crops: A systematic review
Authors: Samuel Lidya , de Barcellos Marcia Dutra , Watabaji Mulugeta D , De Steur Hans
Published: November 2023

Biofortified crops offer a promising solutions to combat micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in developing nations. This study undertakes a systematic review of farmer-level acceptance and adoption of biofortified crops, including the key determinants, methodologies, indicators and measures, and findings related to acceptance and adoption of biofortified crops among farmers. The review identified 24 biofortification studies with farmers conducted across Africa and Asia, primarily in countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania. These studies focus on biofortified crops like rice, banana, cassava, and sweet potato. Notably, a majority of the reviewed studies followed a quantitative approach and employed a cross-sectional design. The key outcome indicators encompassed farmers’ willingness-to-pay, perceptions, beliefs, willingness-to-plant in the next growing season, and the actual adoption itself. These indicators were typically measured using a 5-point Likert scale or a dummy variable. The primary determinants driving farmers to cultivate biofortified crops were classified into four categories: socioeconomic, institutional, agronomic, and psychological and cognitive factors. Given the complex nature of challenges like hidden hunger, an all-encompassing approach is imperative in seeking effective solutions. Understanding the intricate interplay between these factors, which shape the acceptance and adoption of biofortified crops, becomes pivotal in formulating strategies that effectively address this multifaceted issue. To address challenges like hidden hunger, comprehensive solutions are essential. Understanding the factors shaping the adoption of biofortified crops is crucial for effective strategies.
‘Sometimes I feel like dancing afterwards’: Exploring experiences of Pilates as a ‘return to sport’ intervention after the COVID-19 lockdown in UK adults with visual impairment
Authors: Strongman Clare , Lindsay Rosie K , Riches Andie , Cavallerio Francesca , Gordon Dan , Morrison Andrew
Published: November 2023

Objectives:

People with visual impairment participate in less physical activity than sighted people, and may have been further affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing and lockdown measures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of mat-based group Pilates as a possible ‘return to sport’ intervention for adults with visual impairment.

Methods:

A 10-month intervention of community-based instructor-led mat-based group Pilates sessions was conducted with 14 participants with visual impairment. Measures of quality of life and balance confidence were collected at the start and end of the intervention. In addition, qualitative surveys and participant interviews were conducted pre- and post-intervention to gather data about the participants views and lived experiences of participating in the session.

Results:

There were no statistically significant changes to overall quality of life or balance confidence over the 10-month intervention period, but participants started with good scores with limited scope for improvement. Participants scored lower on the environmental domain ( p = .042) after the intervention, which may be due to services struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels. Reflexive thematic analysis identified themes relating to becoming a community, (re)gaining competence, and developing independence with the intervention having a positive effect on both physical and mental health.

Conclusions:

Despite no quantifiable positive changes in balance confidence or quality of life, the qualitative analysis identified that the participants valued and benefitted from the intervention and found it helpful to their overall function as well as wellbeing and mental health. This suggests that mat-based group Pilates classes as a physical activity intervention is useful in this population and warrants further research.
Facies and trace fossils of the Upper Cretaceous Sillakudi Formation (Cauvery Basin, S. India) and their palaeoenvironmental significance
Authors: Paranjape Amruta R. , Kulkarni Kantimati G. , Kale Anand S.
Published: November 2023

The Sillakudi Formation is a sandstone-dominated succession bounded by unconformities. It represents the oldest unit of the Ariyalur Group deposited during the Campanian under fully established passive margin depositional conditions. The present study is an attempt to interpret the depositional palaeoenvironment of Sillakudi Formation based on its trace fossil content, supported by sedimentological evidences. Detailed sedimentological and ichnological observations were undertaken in multiple traverses and spot locations across the Sillakudi Formation. The Sillakudi Formation is subdivided into four facies associations, each represented by a distinct ichnology and environment of deposition. Unit 1 comprises conglomerates grading upwards into pebbly sandstones almost devoid of trace fossils except a few Planolites isp. indicating a high-energy foreshore-to-shoreface environment. Unit 2 consists of glauconitic sandstones with Ophiomorpha nodosa, O. annulata, Thalassinoides isp. and Skolithos linearis, belonging to the Skolithos ichnofacies indicating deposition in shoreface to offshore transition environments. Unit 3 comprises pebbly to very coarse-grained massive sandstones, characterised by an almost monospecific Skolithos ichnofacies indicating rapid colonisation of beds in a delta-front associated debris flows and calcareous sandstones alternating with claystones containing a diverse Cruziana ichnofacies with an ichnoassemblage comprising of Trichichnus isp., Scolicia prisca var. laminites, S. ?prisca, S. vertebralis, Palaeophycus tubularis, Planolites beverleyensis, P. montanus, Taenidium isp., Thalassinoides suevicus, Ophiomorpha isp., Chondrites isp. and Phycodes isp., pointing towards deposition in calmer, possibly dysoxic outer shelf prodeltaic environments. Unit 4 has pebbly to gritty cross-bedded sandstones exhibiting the development of networks of Thalassinoides isp. and Ophiomorpha isp., indicating shallow sub-tidal to intertidal conditions of deposition. The overall succession is interpreted to show initial deepening followed by shallowing.
What makes work better or worse? An analytical framework
Authors: Murray Gregor , Gesualdi-Fecteau Dalia , Lévesque Christian , Roby Nicolas
Published: November 2023

This article seeks to advance our thinking about better and worse work by developing a novel framework for assessing the quality of work and its implications. It does so in terms of the wider literature on job quality, while addressing the need to embrace a broader agenda and a more dynamic understanding of how to make worse work better. To this end it presents a three-dimensional framework: risk, autonomy and expressiveness. The framework assesses better and worse work and the ways in which workers navigate between these different dimensions of their lives at work. We explore implications for actor strategies and for researchers to take a better-work agenda forward.
Enhancing morality through charity accounting during the Swedish famine of 1867–1869
Authors: Rahnert Katharina
Published: November 2023

The objective of this article is to describe instances of charity accounting relating to a natural disaster in Sweden and to analyse the relationship between charity accounting and dimensions of moral conception prevailing in Sweden in the second half of the nineteenth century. Drawing on accounts of the Stockholm Relief Committee for Norrland, a temporary charity organisation established during the Swedish Famine of 1867–1869, the study shows that moral conceptions affected not only the distribution of relief but also what was accounted for. There are also indications that accounting was used to enhance the morality of the propertied class to act in the interest of those in need. In this way, the broader social implications of accounting history are considered, and previous conceptions of accounting as a one-sided technology exclusively favouring propertied interests and enhancing the morality of the poor are challenged.
Predisposing Factors of Intercultural Sensitivity Among Nursing Students: A Predictive Correlational Design
Authors: Ayaz-Alkaya Sultan , Simones Joyce
Published: November 2023

Introduction:

Intercultural sensitivity in health care improves health care quality due to effective communication, intervention, and increased satisfaction. The present study aimed to compare the intercultural sensitivity of undergraduate nursing students in two different countries and identify predisposing factors of intercultural sensitivity.

Methods:

A predictive correlational study was conducted with 980 undergraduate nursing students at a university in Turkey and the United States. A questionnaire and the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale were used for data collection.

Results:

Multiple linear regression revealed that the country in which nursing students were studying, and speaking a second language were found as significant predictors of intercultural sensitivity in the current study. The findings of the two-way variance analysis indicated that the interaction effect between nursing students in two schools and sociodemographic variables was not statistically significant ( p > .05).

Discussion:

Nursing students from both universities presented a moderate level of intercultural sensitivity. This level is low compared with previous results reported in the literature. The study findings may help faculty administrators make new arrangements in the nursing curriculum and contribute to providing equal, and non-discriminatory health services to people. Intercultural education programs within the curriculum should be offered as independent courses and/or integrated within courses to develop culturally competent knowledge, awareness, and skills throughout undergraduate nursing education.
Giving Meaning to the Dark Triad: Comparison of Different Factor Structures of the Dirty Dozen Through Eight Regions of the World
Authors: Postigo Álvaro , García-Fernández Jaime , Cuesta Marcelino , Recio Patricia , Barría-González Javier , Lozano Luis Manuel
Published: November 2023

The traits of the dark triad (narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism) capture the individual differences in the aversive personality. The dark triad has shown significant relations with behaviors that affect people’s lives. One of the best-known instruments to assess the dark triad is the Dirty Dozen. However, controversy continues over the use of one general dark triad score or, conversely, three different scores. This study aimed to investigate the factor structure of the Dirty Dozen across eight global regions. There were 11,477 participants in 49 countries grouped into eight regions. Different factor structures were studied using confirmatory factor analyses. Both the three-dimensional models and the bifactor models (symmetrical or traditional and non-symmetrical or bifactor-[S – 1]) showed a good fit to the data. The bifactor-(S – 1) models (with psychopathy or Machiavellianism as the reference factors) show adequate fit to the data, supported by the coherence of the factorial loadings and the bifactor indices. Regarding measurement invariance for both models, configural, metric, and scalar invariance were satisfied. The results indicate that it is not clear whether a psychopathy or Machiavellianism reference factor predominates in the Dirty Dozen. For both models, templates are provided to obtain standardized scores for applied researchers in the eight studied world regions until future studies offer a greater amount of validity evidence for this instrument.
The Prognostic Significance of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Adult Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhuang Yuan , Yang Hua
Published: November 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate the oncological and prognostic significance of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) in patients with adult granulosa cell tumors of the ovary (AOGCT).

Methods

We searched the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Clinical Trials, Wanfang Database, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE electronic databases for articles published up to May 2023. Reference lists of the enrolled studies, Google Scholar, and scientific meeting reports were also manually searched.

Results

We enrolled 5641 patients with AOGCT from 33 eligible studies, including 1674 (29.7%) and 3967 (70.3%) patients in the CT and non-CT groups, respectively. Based on the cumulative results, adjuvant CT did not affect the risk of recurrence or progression (R/P) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–2.78, I2 = 63%, P = .05) and 5-year overall survival (OR: .86, 95% CI: .70–1.04, I2 = 0%, P = .12) of patients with AOGCT. However, adjuvant CT might reduce the 5-year disease-free survival (OR: 2.90, 95% CI: 1.19–7.08, I2 = 55%, P = .02). Sub-group analysis revealed that adjuvant CT did not affect the risk of R/P in patients with early-stage AOGCT (OR: .78, 95% CI: .43–1.43, I2 = 2%, P = .43) and advanced or recurrent AOGCT (OR: .78, 95% CI: .43–1.43, I2 = 2%, P = .43).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggests that patients with AOGCT might not benefit from adjuvant CT, even those with advanced or recurrent disease. The results should be interpreted with caution because of the inherent limitations of retrospective studies.
Identification of pressure pulsation spectrum in a hydraulic system with a vibrating proportional valve
Authors: Stosiak Michał , Karpenko Mykola , Skačkauskas Paulius , Deptuła Adam
Published: November 2023

In this paper, attention was focused on identifying the components of the amplitude-frequency spectrum of pressure pulsations in a hydraulic system in which an external low-frequency mechanical vibration was subjected to a proportional hydraulic directional control valve. It was observed that an operating machine or device equipped with hydraulic valves is a source of mechanical vibrations with a wide frequency spectrum. The influence of these vibrations on the pressure pulsation spectrum was analyzed, identifying the components resulting from the forcing of the directional control valve spool. In addition, it was noted that the pressure pulsation spectrum includes components resulting from the pulsation of the displacement pump output feeding the hydraulic system. A description of these spectrum components was also made and, using the solution superposition method, the components of the pressure pulsation spectrum over a wide frequency range were identified.
The Power of Resilience While Working to Change the Structures that Determine Health and Well-Being
Authors: Batheja Cyrus
Published: November 2023

This article explores the power of resilience in helping nurse executive leaders who are working to effect change in structural determinants of health at direct care, interprofessional, organizational, and policy levels. It leverages research, literature, and personal experiences to outline techniques that can help leaders in health care overcome challenges. Specifically, it considers self-care, building relationships, seeking support, maintaining a positive attitude, and practicing mindfulness as critical to driving meaningful change.
Bilateral retinal vasculitis due to presumed sarcoidosis with rickettsial retinitis
Authors: Mahendradas Padmamalini , Acharya Isha , Mishra Sai Bhakti , Sanjay Srinivasan , Kawali Ankush , Shetty Rohit , Ghosh Arkasubhra , Sethu Swaminathan
Published: November 2023

Objective

To describe a case of bilateral retinal vasculitis due to presumed sarcoidosis and rickettsial retinitis complicated with neovascularization with tear biomarker analysis.

Methods

A retrospective case report.

Results

A 16-year-old male presented with bilateral retinal vasculitis and retinitis in both eyes with inferotemporal quadrant neovascularization in the right eye. Multimodal imaging revealed the presence of active inflammation in both eyes. Weil Felix test was positive with raised ACE levels. This patient was treated with local and systemic steroids, doxycycline, and laser photocoagulation followed by oral methotrexate therapy which resulted in clinical resolution with recovery of visual acuity. Tear biomarker analysis showed raised sICAM-1 and MMP-9 levels in both eyes which significantly reduced following treatment.

Conclusion

Ocular sarcoidosis with rickettsial infection is a rare association. Tear biomarkers correlated well with clinical and imaging manifestations. High index of suspicion and aggressive anti-inflammatory therapy can help control inflammation and restore good vision.
Music teacher mothers’ career navigation during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Koops Lisa Huisman , Giotta Kelsey Kordella , Steuver Jessica L G , Ballantyne Julie
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this narrative case study was to re-present and re-story the experiences, particularly related to career navigation, of music teacher mothers in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. We explored how music teacher mothers had to adjust the balance between work, family, and personal life during the pandemic, in what ways the pandemic may have changed the way music teacher mothers parent, and how the pandemic may have affected, or already changed, music teacher mothers’ long-term career goals. Three participants, selected based on the diversity of their family structures, teaching backgrounds, and locations, shared their stories through a series of two interviews conducted via Zoom. Participants’ stories illuminated the relational, vocational, financial, and health-related struggles brought about by the nexus of teaching music during the pandemic. We explore resonances between their stories related to priorities, boundaries, career decisions, and financial considerations.
Robust adaptive control of dynamic positioning ship under thruster faults and unknown disturbances
Authors: Gong Qingtao , Liu Zhipeng , Hu Xin , Teng Yao , Han Yanqing , Han Guojie
Published: November 2023

The robust adaptive anti-disturbance fault-tolerant control strategy for the dynamic positioning (DP) system of ships is built on the disturbance observer, the adaptive fault observer with the vectorial backstepping approach. The disturbance observer is constructed to estimate the first-order Markov disturbances. The adaptive fault observer with the projection algorithm is designed to estimate partial thruster faults. By employing the vectorial backstepping method, the robust adaptive anti-disturbance fault-tolerant control law is developed to simultaneously achieve the disturbance compensation and the partial thruster fault tolerant. It is demonstrated using the Lyapunov functions that the robust adaptive anti-disturbance fault-tolerant controller can maintain the DP of the ship’s position and heading to achieve the desired value, while guaranteeing the global stability of all signals in the DP closed-loop control system. Finally, different cases in the unknown ocean disturbance environment demonstrate the effectiveness of the robust adaptive anti-disturbance fault-tolerant control strategy.
Bladder-Induced Compression of the External Iliac Veins: Recognition and Implications for Treatment
Authors: Cornman-Homonoff Joshua , Deshmukh Ashwin P. , Perez Lozada Juan Carlos , Mojibian Hamid
Published: November 2023

The effect of changes in bladder volume on the caliber of adjacent veins is underappreciated but essential to recognize to avoid complications such as unnecessary stenting or clot migration causing pulmonary embolism. Here the authors illustrate the importance of this finding in 3 cases using venographic and endovascular sonographic imaging: the first in which BPH-induced chronic bladder outlet obstruction resulted in DVT formation, the second in which the cause was unrecognized and unnecessary stenting performed, and the third in which inappropriate treatment was avoided by decompressing the bladder.
Fear of Monsters: Toward an Understanding of the Threat of the Computational Monster Read Through the Theoretical Lens of Game-Play
Authors: Juel Larsen Lasse , Kampmann Walther Bo
Published: November 2023

This article analyzes the configuration of fear generated by the computational monster in computer games. We view the monster as a computational entity, which we approach through our theory of game-play coupled with the concepts of loss aversion and endowment effect. Of particular interest is player perception of the threat posed by monsters as they perturb the experience of progression and the sensation of control within the game. We scrutinize this aspect from a situational as well as an existential perspective. Furthermore, we advance an analytical scheme of the threat of the computational monster, which is radically different from the traditional academic approach with its emphasis on the representation of monsters. Overall, we argue that the threat players perceive when facing monsters in computer games springs more from the computational nature of monsters—how they upset progression and the feeling of control—and less from the representation of the monster(s).
Family favouring effects across intent and outcome-based moral judgements and decisions
Authors: Marcel Tahamata Valentino , Tseng Philip
Published: November 2023

Doing harm is a moral violation, but helping a family member is morally obligatory. In this study, participants encountered this ethical dilemma through stories featuring their sibling (i.e., brother) as either the perpetrator or victim in various moral scenarios. Subsequently, they provided their moral judgements (i.e., moral acceptability and perceived transgression) and made decisions (i.e., willingness and difficulty to disclose what the agent did to the police) regarding the perpetrator. The manipulation of family membership was integrated into the moral scenarios, which were crafted based on whether the perpetrator had malicious intent and whether those intentions resulted in a harmful outcome (i.e., intentional harm, failed attempts to harm, accidental harm, and a harmless/baseline). While we initially expected that individuals would exhibit favouritism towards their brother when harmful intent or outcomes were absent, our findings revealed that both agent/victim identities (brother/stranger) and intent-outcome-based moral scenarios had an additive effect on both measures of moral judgement. This suggests that the family favouring effect was observed across all intent-outcome scenarios, with a slightly more pronounced effect when the brother accidentally harmed a stranger compared to a stranger accidentally harming the brother. Regarding moral decisions, participants demonstrated a willingness to disclose what they witnessed regardless of their familial relationship with the agent or victim, but it was universally perceived as a difficult decision to make. Together, our results underscore the context-specific nature of moral judgements and decisions, emphasising the significant impact of family members when they are involved as moral characters.
Researching the Gap: Women in Latin American Political Science
Authors: Goldfrank Benjamin , Welp Yanina
Published: November 2023

This paper maps the gender balance in the discipline of political science in Latin America by examining data from 16 countries where we could find the number of female professors in political science departments (over 100 departments) as well as from 69 journals publishing political science research in Latin America and from 16 Latin Americanist journals in Canada, the United States, and Europe. We compare the proportion of female political science faculty members to the proportion of women serving as editors and as members of editorial and advisory committees for relevant academic journals. We find that a significant gender gap remains, both in political science departments and in journals, and that the gender gap is worse in journals based in Latin America than in those based outside the region.
The Legacy of Clóvis Moura: A Marxist Critique of Race in Brazil
Authors: Góes Weber Lopes
Published: November 2023

Clóvis Moura (1925–2003) was a working class intellectual who immersed himself in the study of Brazilian history and contemporary reality, producing historiographical and theoretical works of great importance. Moura’s primordial contribution was to identify the nature of the capitalist mode of production in Brazil that combined slavery and the elaboration of a particular ideology of racism in the transition to wage labor. Moura identified the conservative character of the Brazilian bourgeoisie that had been forged in the colonial path and which, after the abolition of slavery, articulated and implemented an Aryanization policy, with far-reaching consequences for the evolution of the Brazilian social formation in the twentieth century. Moura provided rigorous critiques of the ideologues of the Brazilian bourgeoisie, at the same time as he illuminated the struggles of the descendants of African slaves at the margins of a developing capitalist economy. His contributions remain fundamental to the analysis of the contemporary Brazilian reality.
Accuracy of Medical Student Measurements of CT Right-to-Left Ventricular Diameter in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Durant Edward J. , Fetterolf Sarah M. , Engelhart Darcy C. , Farshidpour Leyla S. , Shan Judy , Hung Yun-Yi , Chang Joshua C. , Roudsari Bahman S. , Vinson David R.
Published: November 2023

Objectives: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common disease, necessitating risk stratification to determine management. A right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle (LV) diameter ratio ≥1.0 on computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) suggests RV strain, which may indicate a worse prognosis. Two prior studies showed that residents with brief training by a radiologist could accurately measure RV/LV ratio. We assessed whether medical students could accurately measure RV dilatation. Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of a retrospective cohort study of adults undergoing management for acute PE at 21 community emergency departments across Kaiser Permanente Northern California from 2013 to 2015. We created a sample, stratified to contain an equal number of patients from each of the 5 PE Severity Index classes. Four medical students measured RV and LV diameter on CTPA after training from an emergency medicine physician and an interventional radiologist. We used Cohen's kappa statistics, Bland-Altman plots, and Pearson correlation coefficients to assess interrater reliability. Results: Of the 108 CTPAs reviewed, 79 (73%) showed RV dilatation and 29 (27%) did not. The kappa statistic for the presence of RV dilatation of the medical students compared to the radiologist showed moderate agreement for 3 medical students (kappa (95% CI): 0.46 (0.21-0.70), 0.49 (0.31-0.68), 0.50 (0.32-0.68)) and fair agreement for 1 medical student (kappa (95% CI): 0.29 (0.10-0.47)). The average interrater differences in RV/LV ratio between a radiologist and each of the 4 medical students were −0.04, −0.05, 0.04, and 0.24. Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.87, 0.80, 0.74, and 0.78, respectively, indicating moderate correlation ( P < .001 for all). Conclusion: Medical students were able to identify RV dilatation on CTPA in moderate agreement with that of a radiologist. Further study is needed to determine whether medical student accuracy could improve with additional training.
Micro-entrepreneurial Voices in Kalimpong Hills: An Inquiry Through Narrative
Authors: Tamang Rosan
Published: November 2023

Micro-entrepreneurship has historically played an important role in the country’s economic growth, environmental sustainability and employment generation. More specifically, it is vital in regions where large-scale industries are not viable due to geographical barriers, as it plays a significant driving force in promoting regional balance, reducing disparities between plains and hills, and preserving the traditional material culture of the diverse ethnic groups and tribes of different regions. Based on fieldwork conducted in different areas of the Kalimpong hills, this work will attempt to underscore the micro-entrepreneurs life experiences and perceptions towards the challenges concerning entrepreneurial practice through a narrative inquiry. It is an attempt to reconceptualise the significance of ‘micro entrepreneurs’ in the sub-Himalayan hills. The findings point out include: (a) structural constraints, (b) behavioural constraints and (c) political activities that contributed to distorting the entrepreneurial environment at the micro level in hills.
Enabling Collaborative Research in Project Management by Creating Gioia Data Structures as a Boundary Object
Authors: Sankaran Shankar , Clegg Stewart R. , Killen Catherine P. , Smyth Hedley , Scales Jeffrey
Published: November 2023

This process article reports on the use of Gioia data structures as a visual boundary object in project management research. Gioia data structures work as effective boundary objects that span a research team’s geographical distance in a virtual setting as an artifact for promoting visual collaboration in project management research. We demonstrate the use of boundary objects as generative tools for cross-disciplinary teams to share a common design method. While boundary objects have been used in project management studies, we extend their use to support collaborative research in project management.
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) prognostic effects on heart failure; a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Vakhshoori Mehrbod , Nemati Sepehr , Sabouhi Sadeq , Yavari Behzad , Shakarami Mehrnaz , Bondariyan Niloofar , Emami Sayed Ali , Shafie Davood
Published: November 2023

Background

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), as a recent inflammatory index, has been reported to be a prognostic tool in different diseases. However, implication of this ratio in heart failure (HF) is less investigated. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the potential impact of NLR on HF clinical outcomes.

Methods

Relevant English published records in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were screened up to July 2023. Articles reporting clinical outcomes (follow-up or in-hospital mortality, readmission, HF prediction, extended hospital stay length, pulmonary vascular resistance, atrial fibrillation, renal disease and functional capacity) in HF sufferers were collected for further analysis with addition of NLR difference stratified by death/survived and HF status.

Results

Thirty-six articles (n = 18231) were finally selected which reported NLR in HF sufferers (mean: 4.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.02–4.73). We found 25 articles reported NLR and total mortality (either follow-up death (N = 19): 4.52 (95% CI: 4.03–5.01) or in-hospital death (N = 10): 5.33 (95% CI: 4.08–6.57)) with mean NLR of 4.74 (95% CI: 4.28–5.20). NLR was higher among deceased patients compared to survived ones (standard mean difference: 0.67 (95% CI: 0.48–0.87),P < 0.001)). NLR was found to be related with higher mortality risk (continuous variable: hazard ratio (HR): 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02–1.23,P = 0.013), categorical variable: HR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.27–2.46,P = 0.001, T2 vs. T1: HR:1.56, 95%CI: 1.21–2.00,P = 0.001, T3 vs. T1: HR:2.49, 95%CI: 1.85–3.35,P < 0.001). Other aforementioned variables were not feasible to analyze due to presence of few studies.

Conclusions

NLR is a simple and acceptable prognostic tool for risk stratification and prioritizing high risk patients in clinical settings, especially in resource limited nations.
Factors associated with patency of self-expandable metal stents in malignant biliary obstruction
Authors: Suksai Nottawan , Kamalaporn Patarapong , Chirnaksorn Supphamat , Siriyotha Sukanya
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Endoscopic self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement is the key endoscopic treatment for unresectable malignant biliary obstruction. The benefit of covered SEMS over uncovered SEMS remains unknown as are risk factors for SEMS dysfunction. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with patency of SEMS.

Methods

Patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction who underwent endoscopic SEMS placement at Ramathibodi Hospital, during January 2012 to March 2021 were included. Patient characteristics, clinical outcomes and patency of SEMS were collected. The primary outcome were stent patency and factors associated with patency of SEMS. The factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Median days of stent patency, median time of patient survival, rate of reintervention and complications after SEMS placement were collected.

Results

One hundred and fourteen patients were included. SEMS dysfunction was found in 37 patients (32.5%). Size of cancer (Hazard ratio (HR), 1.20, (95% CI 1.02, 1.40), p 0.025), presence of stones or sludge during SEMS placement (Hazard ratio (HR), 3.91, (95% CI 1.74, 8.75), p 0.001), length of SEMS, 8 cm (HR 2.96, (95% CI 1.06, 8.3), p 0.039), and total bilirubin level above 2 mg/dL at one month after SEMS placement (HR 1.14, (95% CI 1.06, 1.22), p < 0.001) were associated with SEMS dysfunction. The median stent patency was 97 days. The median patient survival was 133 days, (95% CI 75–165). The rate of reintervention was 86% in patients with SEMS dysfunction.

Conclusion

The size of cancer, presence of stones or sludge during SEMS placement, the length of SEMS, and total bilirubin level above 2 mg/dL at 1 month after SEMS placement were associated with SEMS dysfunction. The median time of stent patency were not statistically different in each type of stent, covered stent, partially covered stent and uncovered stent. Median survival time of patients did not associate with SEMS patency or dysfunction.