bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leader age and international conflict: A regression discontinuity analysis
Authors: Bertoli Andrew , Dafoe Allan , Trager Robert
Published: December 2023

Does leader age matter for the likelihood of interstate conflict? Many studies in biology, psychology, and physiology have found that aggression tends to decline with age throughout the adult lifespan, particularly in males. Moreover, a number of major international conflicts have been attributed to young leaders, including the conquests of Alexander the Great and the ambitious military campaigns of Napoleon. However, the exact nature of the relationship between leader age and international conflict has been difficult to study because of the endogeneity problem. Leaders do not come to power randomly. Rather, many domestic and international factors influence who becomes the leader of a country, and some of these factors could correlate with the chances of interstate conflict. For instance, wary democratic publics might favor older leaders when future international conflict seems likely, inducing a relationship between older leaders and interstate conflict. This article overcomes such confounding by using a regression discontinuity design. Specifically, it looks at close elections of national leaders who had large differences in age. It finds that when older candidates barely defeated younger ones, countries were much less likely to engage in military conflict. Its sample is also fairly representative of democracies more broadly, meaning that the findings likely hold true for cases outside the sample. The results demonstrate the important role that individuals play in shaping world politics. They also illustrate the value of design-based inference for learning about important questions in the study of international relations and peace science.
Students’ Perceptions on the Effectiveness of a Computer-Delivered Alcohol Intervention
Authors: Taylor Pamela H. , Henry Beverly W. , Howell Steven M. , Smith Thomas J. , Milano Kim , Hodges Terence
Published: December 2023

Objective: Social adjustment, including alcohol use, directly affects the success of college students. Due to an increased reliance on computer-delivered alcohol interventions (CDIs) a need has emerged to further investigate alcohol use and web-based interventions. Methods: In-depth focus group interviews were conducted with 51 undergraduate students to elicit information from students on the shared experience of participating in a CDI. Results: Participants identified the influence of gender, culture, parents, and family on alcohol use behavior. A difference in personal factors, previous exposure, and experiences can affect the attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes of a CDI. Conclusion: Multiple approaches geared towards a wide variety of students from different backgrounds and environments are needed to be truly successful in preventing alcohol misuse.
Bogotá’s Librería Colombiana: Between Rural Haciendas and a Global World of Books, 1880s-1900s
Authors: Samur Daniela
Published: December 2023

This article uses the case of the bookstore Librería Colombiana and the broad investment portfolio of their owners—the partnership Camacho Roldán & Tamayo—to show how networks of commodity exchange shaped Bogotá’s space during the late nineteenth century and its articulation to the rural and the global. I examine the combined speculative investments of the partnership in books, cows, and land to explain how they turned Librería Colombiana into a landmark in the city and benefited from the credit it yielded to further their social standing and economic power. By siphoning off capital from their hacienda to buy foreign books and urban land during the whirlwind of speculation spurred by the urban renovations processes, Camacho Roldán & Tamayo helped connect Bogotá to a global world of books, altering social and spatial relations, and reinforcing the city’s domination over its hinterland.
Disability as a Symbol of Terror: Rereading the David Narrative in Light of Armed Conflicts in Africa
Authors: Ramantswana Hulisani
Published: December 2023

Armed conflict situations are more than just sites of violence, destruction, scars, torture, rape, and death; they are also sites of disability production through direct causes and indirectly through disruption of societal services, which would otherwise prevent disabilities. In this paper, the David Narrative in 2 Samuel is reread as an armed conflict text centered on power, disempowerment, and control issues. In this rereading, the imagery of disability is viewed as a symbol of terror to instill fear and deter rebels and traitors.
Fertility, Slavery, and Biblical Interpretation: John Chrysostom on the Story of Sarah and Hagar
Authors: de Wet Chris L.
Published: December 2023

Fertility is a complex and contentious topic in biblical theology, touching upon social, cultural, and gender identity issues in the ancient world. It intersects with factors like gender, age, disability, and socio-economic status, notably in the context of slavery. Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar’s story, particularly Genesis 16, highlights the link between slavery and fertility. This study examines John Chrysostom’s interpretation of their narrative (ca. 349–407 CE) to explore these intersections. Chrysostom views fertility and infertility as social, moral, and theological concepts linked to divine intervention. He portrays Abraham as the ideal husband, Sarah as the ideal wife, and Hagar as a deviant slave woman. Theologically, he transforms slavery from a social status to an ontological state and criticizes Jewish identity. Chrysostom’s interpretation supports late antique slaveholding values, making infertility discourse a complex tool with intersectional dynamics in his biblical reception framework.
The Ideal Meal: Masculinity and Disability among Host and Guests in Luke
Authors: Solevåg Anna Rebecca , Kartzow Marianne Bjelland
Published: December 2023

In the Gospel of Luke, the social gathering of the meal appears again and again. It is a setting for Jesus’ interactions as well as a topic of conversation. Drawing on theories of disability and masculinity, this article examines the various meal scenes in Luke 14. The focus is on Jesus’ advice to the host about who to invite and who not to invite when hosting a meal (vv. 12–14). This saying constructs a complex and intersecting web of potential guests. Those that should not be invited, belong to the social world of the privileged man: his brother, friend, relative and rich neighbor. Representing different levels of his radius of trust, they all have something to give back. The preferred guests in Jesus’ parable, however, are those who lack the resources to give anything back, due to bodily disability and lack of means: “The poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind” (Luke 14:14, NRSV). The article thus examines how health, economic ability, and gender intersect. The ideal meal in the Gospel of Luke negotiates the complex social web of the ancient world. We suggest that disability and masculinity are key issues and scrutinize these categories to rethink the social make-up of ideal communities as suggested by Luke.
Broad and Detailed Agreement: Public Preferences for German Immigration Policy
Authors: Helbling Marc , Jäger Felix , Maxwell Rahsaan , Traunmüller Richard
Published: December 2023

Immigration policy is often considered one of the most divisive issues in Western Europe and North America. We explore whether that debate has been oversimplified. We start from the position that immigration is a complex issue comprising many specific policy choices. We then investigate whether preferences are consistently open or closed across a range of immigration policy criteria. We analyze an original survey with a nationally representative sample of Germans. Our results suggest that preferences are not consistently open or closed on immigration, integration, and naturalization regulations. Overall, the German public would prefer to be open on some aspects of immigration policy and closed on others. In addition, population subsets who are either “pro-” or “anti-” immigration in general have the same preferences for whether to be open or closed on specific immigration policies. Our findings promote a more detailed approach to studying immigration preferences, which adds nuance to the idea of immigration as a grand societal conflict. In doing so, we highlight how future studies can refine expectations about when policy preferences are more permissive or restrictive.
A Bibliographic Review of Illusion of Knowledge in the Financial Field
Authors: Moreno César Alexander Franco , Rodríguez-Priego Nuria , Valdivieso Federico Galán
Published: December 2023

People tend to believe that more information will improve the accuracy of predicting outcomes in highly uncertain situations. This behaviour, known as ‘illusion of knowledge,’ is related to overconfidence in multiple areas of study, and attracts scientific attention. The aim of this research is to determine the academic evolution of the illusion of knowledge within the financial field. For this purpose, two different methodologies have been used to generate a more solid contribution. The first part is based on the ReSiste-CSH bibliographic framework raised for the study of social sciences, and the second part uses the Bibliometrix software to measure the performance of the subject over time. The Web of Science academic database was used as a reference source for the period 1987–2021, resulting in a sample of 1,202 papers in highly impactful academic journals. The results show a positive evolution over time in the number of publications, as well as a geographical concentration in journals of the Q1 category from the United States and the United Kingdom, together with a close relationship with areas of study such as psychology, business and economics, among others.

JEL Code: G41
Corporate power and the rise of intangibles: A study of Indian firms
Authors: Sirohi Rahul A
Published: December 2023

In the context of the developed economies, recent political economy scholarship has highlighted the growing role of intangible assets (brand equity, software, business processes, patents etc.) in corporate portfolios. Much of this literature has emphasized how intangible assets erect barriers to entry, produce artificial scarcity of key inputs, enhance the pricing power of firms and thus lead to greater and greater levels of concentration. Being as they are monopoly rights and privileges, intangible assets represent the relational power of their owner vis-à-vis those excluded from their ownership. While much of this literature has focused on the developed world, this paper turns its gaze to the case of a developing country and analyzes the patterns and trends of intangible assets for a sample of Indian firms for the period 2000–2022. The analysis reveals a substantial acceleration in the weight of net intangible assets relative to net physical assets, especially after 2008. It also suggests that the largest and most powerful corporations are the ones that have contributed to this spike. Ranked by assets, sales and ownership category, the results show that intangible asset accumulation has been the strongest in the highest echelons of the corporate hierarchy. Moreover, the patterns of intangible asset accumulation have been such that they have not been restricted to the traditional “rentier” sectors in the sense that their presence in the “productive” sectors has been as important if not more so. By focusing on firm-level patterns of intangible asset accumulation, the results show the internal and necessary connections between accumulation and value capture that undergirds modern day capitalism in the Southern peripheries.
When people adopted from severely depriving institutions become parents: The experiences of young adult mothers from the ERA study and their adoptive parents
Authors: Edwards Christopher , Kennedy Mark , Knights Nicky , Kovshoff Hanna , Kreppner Jana , Maughan Barbara , Sonuga-Barke Edmund JS
Published: December 2023

It has been reported that adult adoptees with histories of maltreatment face particular challenges when they become parents. Here we explore this issue using a qualitative analysis of the views of 14 adoptee mothers, who suffered severe institutional deprivation in the Romanian orphanages of the late 1980s before being adopted into the UK, and their adoptive parents. Following a thematic analysis, we report several perceived benefits of becoming a parent, as well as co-occurring difficulties and challenges. Benefits included a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment, feeling more motivated personally and professionally and the positive experience of having a relationship with a biological relative. Challenges related, in particular, to some adoptee parents’ abilities to appraise risk relating to their children and to difficulties in organising day-to-day activities. Practical and emotional support from adoptive grandparents was very often crucial for adoptee parents’ success and wellbeing. Implications for research and practice are discussed, emphasising that deprivation-related difficulties expand into adulthood and for some can impact their ability to parent.
Accounting for Traffic Dynamics in Pavement Maintenance Scheduling
Authors: Prajapati Abhishek Kumar , Sengupta Agnimitra , Guler Sukran Ilgin
Published: December 2023

Effective maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction (MR&R) of road pavements is crucial for ensuring a safe and efficient transportation network. Existing research has proposed various models to aid decision-making in MR&R planning. However, these models often overlook the impact of traffic dynamics, such as shockwaves and queue spillovers caused by reduced capacity during maintenance activities. To bridge this gap, we present a novel methodology that incorporates traffic dynamics into the selection and sequencing of MR&R activities over a planning horizon. Our approach combines numerical evaluation of traffic flow theory using the link transmission model (LTM) with a deterioration model, considering travel time cost, fuel cost, and agency cost, to assess the optimal sequence of MR&R activities. To solve this multi-objective problem, we employ a genetic algorithm (GA) to minimize the objective function. Through a numerical example, we demonstrate the methodology’s effectiveness and sensitivity to pavement deterioration. The results clearly indicate the effectiveness of using the proposed methodology over the widely used Bureau of Public Roads (BPR)-function-based methods for pavement maintenance scheduling problems.
Extraperitoneal Laparoscopic Simple Prostatectomy for large prostatic adenomas: A single-centre experience on 14 patients with significant lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: Sharma Amit , Biswal Deepak , Roy Kishor , RT Raghavendra , Yadav Pradhuman
Published: December 2023

Introduction and objectives:

There are various approaches available for surgical management of large prostatic adenomas – open, laparoscopic as well as laser enucleation – but there are no available clear cut consensus or guidelines. We present our experience in Extraperitoneal Laparoscopic Simple Prostatectomy on 14 patients with large prostatic adenoma (>100 g).

Materials and methods:

This is a retrospective analysis on 14 patients with large prostatic adenoma who underwent extraperitoneal laparoscopic prostatectomy (LSP) over a period of 2 years (2021–2023). All selected patients underwent extraperitoneal LSP. The case records were retrospectively reviewed and data were collected regarding age, clinical presentation, prostate size, median surgical time, intra-operative and post-operative events, pre-operative and post-operative assessment of IPSS score, Uroflowmetry and PVR values and duration of hospital stay.

Results:

A total of 14 patients underwent LSP. The median age was 64.2 years and the median prostatic size was 123.25 g. Median operative time was 150 min. None of the patients required blood transfusion; mean Post-operative day (POD) for drain removal was 2.5 days. The mean duration of hospital stay was 3.5 days. Only one patient had urinary leak and vesico-cutaneous fistula which was managed conservatively by prolonged catheterisation. At 3 months follow-up, there was significant improvement in IPSS Score (mean 7.8 vs 21.3 pre-operatively), uroflow values (mean Qmax of 27.3 vs 6.8 pre-operatively) and PVR (mean 30.5 vs 350 ml pre-operatively).

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic Simple Prostatectomy is a safe and feasible approach for large prostatic adenomas with lesser morbidity and complications and satisfactory outcome.
Single points of access to fill the “GAP” for unattached patients in primary care: What makes paediatric users more likely to require a medical appointment?
Authors: Bergeron Sebastien J. , Lamoureux-Lamarche Catherine , Milot David-Martin , Lanthier-Veilleux Mathieu , Berbiche Djamal , Breton Mylaine
Published: December 2023

Unattachment to a regular primary care professional can affect children’s and adolescents’ well-being, considering their unique health needs. Having no alternative, many turn to emergency departments for non-urgent conditions. To help unattached patients access healthcare services while on waitlists, Quebec’s government implemented single access points in each administrative region across the province. Our study aimed to describe the paediatric population using single access points and identify associations between their characteristics and need for a medical appointment. Clinical-administrative data of 1,323 paediatric access point users in the Montérégie region from November 2022 to March 2023 were utilized to conduct bivariate and multivariable regression analyses. Our study showed that young age, assessment trajectory, and specific reasons for calling were more likely to necessitate a medical appointment. While access points improve accessibility to doctors, questions remain regarding the relevance of medical consultations, inequities, and possible security issues resulting from the overall process.
Self-interest and high command rivalries in combined operations on Martinique and Guadeloupe, 1808–1811
Authors: Cavell S. A.
Published: December 2023

In 1808 the French Islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe represented the last threat to British colonial interests in the West Indies. Strategic concerns were not, however, the driving force behind British combined naval–military operations to capture them. Professional and financial gain were the primary motives for the officers in charge, Rear Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane and General Sir George Beckwith, as they debated fleet and troop dispositions for attacks on the islands. The chance to seize prizes, booty, and valuable appointments to colonial offices on captured territory played a large part in the formulation of plans, although changes to both the strategic situation in the region and the metropolitan–colonial relationship threatened their prospects. This article examines Cochrane and Beckwith's efforts to maintain autonomy in the face of stricter government oversight, sufficient to achieve their personal ambitions.
Paleogeographical reconstructions of the environment on the Karelian shore of the White Sea (Keret Area, Russia)
Authors: Shelekhova Tatyana , Lavrova Nadezhda , Lobanova Nadezhda , Tolstobrov Dmytry , Vashkov Andrey , Lazareva Oksana , Rodionov Grigorii
Published: December 2023

Archeological sites of ancient people have been identified on the Karelian coast of the White Sea, near the mouth of the Keret River. The aim of our studies was to determine the position of the sea shoreline, correlate archeological sites with it, date ancient settlements, and reconstruct the paleoclimatic conditions and habitats of ancient people. We analyzed the bottom sediments of five small lakes that became separated from the sea at various times during the Holocene, using a combination of Quaternary geological methods such as spore-pollen, diatoms, radiocarbon (14C), etc. New data have been obtained regarding the timing when the study area resurfaced and the possibility of its subsequent habitation by humans. We have generated q curve illustrating the relative displacement of the White Sea coastline, thus reconstructing the migration of the sea coastline. The article also presents parameters detailing the differentiated movements of various blocks of the crystalline basement along the Karelian coast of the White Sea. Additionally, we produced paleogeographic reconstructions describing the natural conditions of the habitat of ancient people and the development of the territory from the beginning of the Holocene to the present day. Our findings indicate that people likely began inhabiting this area no earlier than 6500 years ago. Furthermore, we propose that a potential catastrophic event, such as a tsunami)= resulting from an earthquake near Veliky Island and the Velikaya Salma Strait (Kandalaksha Bay), occurred no earlier than 2600–3000 years ago.
Exploring the role of student authors in the Journal of Librarianship and Information Science: Patterns, collaborations, and methodological insights
Authors: Shin Eun-Ja
Published: December 2023

Assessing student participation in research and publication is essential, but this area has experienced limited exploration due to data constraints, despite the presence of open researcher profiles. Prior research noted modest student contributions but lacked in-depth analysis. Notably, in the Library and Information Science field, research on student-authored publications is scarce. This study analyzes data from student-authored papers in the Journal of Librarianship and Information Science from 1993 to 2022. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed, with various tables presenting yearly figures and data grouped by decades, along with charts to visualize changing trends over the years. The analysis reveals a significant increase in student engagement in research and publication, with student-authored papers constituting approximately 20% of all publications, highlighting their active participation in academic endeavors. Furthermore, this study underscores a marked shift toward collaborative research, with a substantial 88% of student authors engaging in internal or external collaborations for their publications. Additionally, nearly half of the student authors (48%) assumed the role of main authors, affirming their substantial contributions to research. Moreover, this study sheds light on the impact of research methodologies on student participation, with quantitative analysis emerging as the predominant approach for student-authored papers. Nevertheless, qualitative analysis may pose challenges for student-led research due to skill requirements. For future studies, broadening the scope of data collection to encompass a wider range of academic journals and analyzing the publication activities of graduate students from specific programs would be beneficial endeavors. In conclusion, this study enhances understanding of student authorship and its implications for academic publishing in the Library and Information Science field. It provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of academic publishing and student involvement.
Epistemic Injustice and Epistemic Resistance: An Intersectional Study of Women’s Entrepreneurship Under Occupation and Patriarchy
Authors: Omran Wojdan , Yousafzai Shumaila
Published: December 2023

Women face unique challenges in their quest to achieve business success relative to men. Applying the theories of epistemic injustice and intersectionality, this study collectively analyzes the overlapping impacts of identities that complement gender at multiple levels in the context of the oppressive, interconnected power structures of occupation and patriarchy. Our findings explain how the impact of institutional oppressors, through structural and normative discrimination, may cause some Palestinian women entrepreneurs to internalize and accept injustice while others tap into available resources to engage in epistemic resistance.
Locally Aggressive Rib Hemangioma With Glomeruloid and Papillary Features – Expanding the Clinicopathologic spectrum of Bone Hemangiomas
Authors: Tan Gideon Ze Lin , Leow Lowell , Kuek Benjamin Jia Wei , Mok Yingting
Published: December 2023

Intra-osseous hemangiomas are uncommon tumors that can present diagnostic and treatment dilemmas. Bone hemangiomas with papillary and glomeruloid growth patterns are exceptionally rare. We present an example of an intra-osseous hemangioma of the rib displaying aggressive features on both radiology and histology. Morphologically, prominent papillary and glomeruloid architectural patterns were observed, in addition to features of cavernous and capillary hemangiomas. Extensive extra-osseous soft tissue involvement was seen. Awareness of the diverse histological features and locally aggressive behavior of bone hemangiomas is important in avoiding over-interpretation as a malignant lesion.
A joint fraction function regularization model for the structural damage identification
Authors: Li Rongpeng , Wang Yilin , Jiang Hongwei , Zhang Yanhong , Ma Lingjuan , Yang Fan , Song Xueli
Published: December 2023

The sparse regularization (SReg) model has been prove to be an effective tool for the structural damage identification. However, the SReg model overly penalizes the larger components in the damage parameter leading to extra estimation bias, and it ignores the similarity information among different measurements that is useful for improving the performance of damage identification. To further improve the accuracy of damage identification, this study proposes a joint fraction function regularization model by jointing multiple fraction function regularization models, where fraction function regularizers are utilized to overcome the excessive penalty drawback, and the similarity of different measurements is employed through a data fusion technique. The numerical and experimental study show that, compared with the previous SReg models, the damage identification errors of the proposed model are reduced by 4.15% and 2.12% on average, respectively.
Securing technology critical materials for Britain – the legal and regulatory conundrum
Authors: Čavoški Aleksandra , Ahuja Jyoti , Harper Gavin , Peck David
Published: December 2023

Concerns about climate change and energy security are driving a global shift towards renewable energy sources and green technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage and wind turbines. This commentary analyses the policy challenges raised by the growing demand for critical metals needed for this green transition to net zero. It is crucial that the UK's strategy looks beyond merely increasing primary supply or new mining, towards strategies to ensure better stewardship of secondary mineral resources already contained in a range of products. Furthermore, creating an enabling regulatory environment for procuring key technology metals will be key to addressing future supply threats for the UK, especially post-Brexit, and that failure to do so will put the UK at significant risk of falling behind in the global race to secure supplies.
Investigation of oil emission mechanisms in a marine medium-speed dual-fuel engine
Authors: Hochfellner Baptiste , Wirz Friedrich , Pryymak Konstantin , Preuß Ann-Christin , Matz Gerhard
Published: December 2023

Pilot-ignition Otto marine engines are known for greatly reduced emissions of air pollutants (sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxide, particulates) compared to marine diesel engines. However, lubricating oil emissions still are about one order of magnitude higher than in land-based systems. To identify reduction potentials, a better understanding of oil emission mechanisms has to be gained. For this purpose, mass spectrometric oil emission measurements and fluorescence lubricating film thickness measurements were performed on a medium-speed marine engine. With the fluorescence measuring system, the varying lubricating oil film on the cylinder wall can be visualised and analysed in sub-crank-angle resolution. By applying the developed calibration method to the measurement data, the oil film thickness can be determined in µm. It is shown that the oil film left by the piston rings on the liner as it moves down is almost halved after ignition compared to during intake stroke. The authors have further been able to detect and time operating point dependent ring rotation and investigations show a connection between ring rotation and cylinder liner temperature distribution. Aligning ring gaps allow blow-by to happen. This and other high intensity events such as engine knock, load shedding or the transition from diesel-mode to gas-mode, heavily disturb the oil layer and cause peaking oil emissions.
Reinforcement effect of shear thickening fluid on impact properties of aramid, basalt, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer using a split Hopkinson pressure bar
Authors: Huang Zhiping , Chen Junyu , Zhu Fang , Wei Minghai , Gu Wanjin
Published: December 2023

This study focuses on investigating the impact properties of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials impregnated with shear thickening fluid (STF) under high strain rates using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test. The study involves the preparation of three types of FRP materials, namely aramid FRP (AFRP), basalt FRP (BFRP), and carbon FRP (CFRP), which are subsequently impregnated with STF to develop FRP composite materials (referred to as FRP-STF). The STF used in the experiment is synthesized by dispersing 15.0 wt.% and 20.0 wt.% of 12 nm silica in Polyethylene glycol. The results of rheological tests show a significant shear thickening effect on viscosity for both STFs. Furthermore, the SHPB tests demonstrate a noteworthy improvement in the impact performance of AFRP, BFRP, and CFRP under high strain rates when impregnated with STF. However, the extent of this improvement varies among the different types of FRP materials. For instance, BFRP exhibits the highest increase in stress peak, reaching 58.9% under a strain rate of 3800 s⁻1 and an STF mass fraction of 20%. AFRP demonstrates the most significant increase in energy absorption, reaching 226.8%. When subjected to a strain rate of 6100 s⁻1, the AFRP-20% STF composite exhibits a highly favorable stress response, while the CFRP-20% STF composite shows an energy absorption of 710.5 J, approximately 3.3 times higher than that of pure CFRP. These trends are also evident in the energy absorption per unit density curve.
Radiogenomic landscape: Assessment of specific phagocytosis regulators in lower-grade gliomas
Authors: Maimaiti Aierpati , Abulaiti Aimitaji , Tang Bin , Dilixiati Yilidanna , Li Xueqi , Yakufu Suobinuer , Wang Yongxin , Jiang Lei , Shao Hua
Published: December 2023

Genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens have emerged as a powerful method for identifying key genes driving tumor growth. The aim of this study was to explore the phagocytosis regulators (PRs) specifically associated with lower-grade glioma (LGG) using the CRISPR-Cas9 screening database. Identifying these core PRs could lead to novel therapeutic targets and pave the way for a non-invasive radiogenomics approach to assess LGG patients’ prognosis and treatment response. We selected 24 PRs that were overexpressed and lethal in LGG for analysis. The identified PR subtypes (PRsClusters, geneClusters, and PRs-score models) effectively predicted clinical outcomes in LGG patients. Immune response markers, such as CTLA4, were found to be significantly associated with PR-score. Nine radiogenomics models using various machine learning classifiers were constructed to uncover survival risk. The area under the curve (AUC) values for these models in the test and training datasets were 0.686 and 0.868, respectively. The CRISPR-Cas9 screen identified novel prognostic radiogenomics biomarkers that correlated well with the expression status of specific PR-related genes in LGG patients. These biomarkers successfully stratified patient survival outcomes and treatment response using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. This study has important implications for the development of precise clinical treatment strategies and holds promise for more accurate therapeutic approaches for LGG patients in the future.
Prevalence of transthyretin amyloidosis in patients undergoing carpal tunnel surgery: a prospective cohort study and risk factor analysis
Authors: Brunet Jerome , Rabarin Fabrice , Maugendre Emmanuel , Cesari Bruno , Petit Alexandre , Bigorre Nicolas
Published: December 2023

Transthyretin amyloidosis is a frequent cause of heart failure, resulting from an accumulation of abnormal proteins in the myocardium. Recent research has highlighted the importance of early diagnosis to enhance the effectiveness of specific treatments. Extra-cardiac symptoms may precede several years before cardiac complications, with carpal tunnel syndrome often considered a red flag. The aim of this prospective, observational cohort study was to determine the incidence rate of positive synovial biopsies for transthyretin amyloidosis in patients aged 60–80 years undergoing carpal tunnel decompression, and to identify risk factors. The diagnosis of transthyretin amyloidosis was confirmed through the analysis of synovial tissue biopsies using Congo Red and immunohistochemical staining. The study included 254 patients, with an 18.5% prevalence of transthyretin amyloidosis. Risk factors for positive test results were identified as male sex, trigger finger, hearing disorders and valve disease. A predictive analysis using logistic regression yielded a probability model for individuals belonging to the positive group.

Level of evidence III
Knowledge, practices and adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures by community members in the Phalombe District Malawi: a cross-sectional qualitative study
Authors: Tshotetsi Lumbani , Hajison Precious , Jella Chimwemwe D. , Mpachika-Mfipa Felistas , Chimatiro Chancy S.
Published: December 2023

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained already struggling health systems in low- and middle-income countries such as Malawi. To slow the spread of the virus, the World Health Organization recommended non-pharmaceutical measures including frequent hand washing, wearing of face masks when in groups or social gatherings and maintaining physical distance. To ensure adequate uptake of these preventive measures, many communities intensified engagement, advocacy meetings and health promotion interventions. In this study, we investigated knowledge, practice and adherence towards COVID-19 preventive measures of people living in the rural community of Phalombe District of Malawi.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional, qualitative study, data were collected in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Participants were selected from six randomly selected villages under traditional authorities, namely Nazombe, Jenala and Nkhumba from Phalombe District. Data were thematically analysed to identify emerging themes.

Results:

Most participants knew about and were aware of, but reported poor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. Two major themes emerged, namely, perceived low-risk of COVID-19 and non-adherence to preventive measures. Various sub-themes emerged regarding the use of preventive measures when participating in social gatherings. These sub-themes included knowledge of preventive measures, use of face masks, observing physical distance and hand washing practices.

Conclusion:

People living in the rural district of Phalombe District of Malawi were able to identify COVID-19 preventive methods. Participants reported low adherence to preventive methods, which was associated with low perceived risk. Community perceptions and willingness need to be considered when mandating preventive measures for future pandemics.
Development of a Data-Centric Design Thinking Process for Innovative Care Delivery
Authors: Houssaini M. Squalli , Aboutajeddine A. , Toughrai I.
Published: December 2023

Objectives:

This work aims to improve the quality of care provided to patients by equipping caregivers with comprehensive set of problem-solving tools and competencies. This is achieved through the development of a customized health design process that incorporates both human-centric and data-centric tools.

Background:

To meet the growing complexity of today’s clinical practice, caregivers need to be empowered with the tools and competencies necessary to address the multifaceted challenges they encounter. This has emphasized the need to broaden the traditional role of caregivers as evidence-based practitioners to include being healthcare problem-solvers and innovators who utilize their creative and critical thinking skills.

Method:

While design thinking (DT) is a popular methodology that fosters caregivers’ empathy and creativity, it does not provide tools for evaluating the quality of obtained solutions. To address this gap, a problem-solving process that combines DT and data-centric tools of the Lean Six Sigma method was developed in this work.

Results:

The evaluation of this customized design process was based on targeted competencies derived from the six aims of healthcare. The potential benefits are then highlighted through mapping the possible outputs of every phase with the targeted set of caregivers’ skills. Additionally, an implementation plan was outlined for a local hospital, showcasing the potential impact this process can have in empowering caregivers with the necessary competencies to create effective and innovative solutions for care delivery.

Conclusion:

Overall, This unique approach has the potential to contribute to the ongoing effort to transform healthcare into an efficient system that meets the needs of both patients and caregivers.
Iris Heterochromia in Acquired Horner Syndrome Following Surgical Excision of Parapharyngeal Neuroblastoma
Authors: Eppley Sarah E. , Qureshi Azam
Published: December 2023

This report describes an infant who developed iris heterochromia 2 years after presenting at age 2 months with acquired Horner syndrome following excision of a parapharyngeal neuroblastoma. Iris heterochromia is classically associated with congenital, not acquired, Horner syndrome due to a disruption of the oculosympathetic pathway early in life that alters iris melanocyte migration, leading to an ipsilateral lighter colored iris compared to the fellow iris. In the case reported here, the disruption to the oculosympathetic pathway occurred so early in life that normal iris melanocyte migration was impacted on the affected side, leading to eventual iris heterochromia that was noted almost 2 years later.
Differences in Patient Experiences Among People From Ethnic Minority Backgrounds: A Comparative Analysis of HCAHPS Results
Authors: Adams Corey , Schembri Anthony , Chauhan Ashfaq , Walpola Ramesh , Harrison Reema
Published: December 2023

Patients from ethnic minority backgrounds often experience disparities in healthcare quality and outcomes. This study aimed to compare the patient-reported experiences of patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) to general patients in the Australian healthcare setting. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey was used to evaluate patient experiences from patients in a metropolitan public healthcare network, spanning three hospitals. Level of English proficiency was based on primary language spoken at home. To identify disparities in experience ratings between patients with LEP and the general cohort, independent t-tests were employed. Data was analysed from 2,291 patients, collected over a five-year period (2017–2022), with 490 patients identified as LEP (i.e. speaking a language other than English at home). Statistically significant differences were identified between the cohorts, with LEP patients rating their experiences higher in three areas: doctors listening carefully, doctors explaining in a way they could understand, and quietness at night. Conversely, patients with LEP scored lower in areas regarding nursing respect and responsiveness to call bells. Although patients with LEP had a more positive overall experience, this difference was not statistically significant. The findings indicate potential misalignment between the often poorer health outcomes among people from ethnic minority backgrounds and their experiences in hospital. Additional research is crucial to delve into the unique experiences of ethnic minority patients, including those with LEP, to understand the differences influencing perceptions of care and contributing to disparities in health outcomes.
From Cyberpunk to Afrofuturism: A Talk About American Science Fiction Movements
Authors: Jenkins Henry
Published: December 2023

In this talk, I want to introduce some important current American science fiction movements to a Chinese audience. After establishing a baseline understanding of the popular science fiction tradition, I will briefly review the development of Cyberpunk, Steampunk, Solarpunk, and Afrofuturism (and indigenous futurisms), as well as their manifestations across all mediums. These science fiction movements revolve around ideas and discussions regarding technology and its role in the modern world. Finally, I will touch upon the current state of Chinese science fiction narratives based on my observations and share my interpretation of punk.
Stem cell transplantation for ALL: you've always got a donor, why not always use it?
Authors: Shyr David , Davis Kara L. , Bertaina Alice
Published: December 2023

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents a consolidated therapeutic strategy for high-risk pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), offering the potential for curative treatment. This manuscript delves into the debate around the more universal application of HSCT for pediatric ALL in the modern era, considering the ubiquitous availability of suitable donors. In fact, despite significant advancements in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, a subset of pediatric patients with ALL with high-risk features or relapse continue to encounter poor prognostic outcomes. For this subgroup of patients, HSCT often remains the only potentially curative measure, leveraging the graft-versus- leukemia effect for long-term disease control. Nevertheless, the procedure's complexity and associated risks have traditionally curtailed its widespread use. However, the scenario is shifting with improvements in HLA matching, availability of alternative donor sources, less toxic conditioning regimens, and improved supportive care protocols. Concurrently, emerging therapies like CD19+ CAR T cells present new considerations for definitive therapy selection in relapsed/ refractory ALL. This article reviews critical current evidence and debates the potential of HSCT as a more universal treatment for ALL, reevaluating traditional treatment stratification in light of the constant availability of stem cell donors.
CAR T-cell therapy in aggressive lymphomas—identifying prognostic and predictive markers
Authors: Mussetti Alberto , Fabbri Nicole , Sureda Anna
Published: December 2023

We discuss different pre-infusion, post-infusion and post-CAR T-cell relapse prognostic factors influencing the outcomes of anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas. Despite the overall positive results of anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy, a significant percentage of patients relapse. We summarize the efforts made to identify predictive factors for response and durable remissions and survival. In the pre-infusion setting, the patient-related factors discussed include Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, age, and comorbidities. Disease-related factors like tumor burden, histology, and biological features are also considered. In addition, inflammation-related factors and CAR T-cell product-related factors are considered. After CAR T-cell infusion, factors such as disease response assessed by 18FDG-PET/CT scan, liquid biopsy monitoring, and CAR T-cell expansion become crucial in predicting survival outcomes. Response to 18FDG-PET/CT scan is a widely used test for confirming response and predicting survival. Liquid biopsy, in combination with 18FDG-PET/CT scan, has shown potential in predicting outcomes. CAR T-cell expansion and persistence have shown mixed effects on survival, with some studies indicating their association with response. In the setting of post-CAR T-cell relapse, prognostic factors include refractory disease, time of relapse, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels at CAR T-cell infusion. Enrollment in clinical trials is crucial for improving outcomes in these patients. Overall, we discuss a comprehensive overview of prognostic factors that can influence the outcomes of anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas, highlighting the need for personalized approaches in treatment decision-making.
MRD-directed therapy in CLL: ready for prime time?
Authors: Rhodes Joanna M. , Lopez Carlos A. , Barrientos Jacqueline C.
Published: December 2023

In recent years, the treatment paradigm for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has moved away from chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) toward the use of novel targeted agents. Commercially available drugs, including Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors and the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax, often used in combination with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, are now the mainstay of therapy both in the frontline and in relapsed settings. As the landscape for CLL management evolves, therapeutic endpoints need to be redefined. Detection of measurable residual disease (MRD) is a sensitive tool to identify disease burden following treatment with several therapeutic regimens in CLL (including CIT, venetoclax-based regimens, and cellular therapies), and it has demonstrated prognostic value. Despite recent advances, the utility of MRD-directed therapy and attempts to eradicate it in routine clinical practice remain debated. There is little comparative data from clinical trials on the best assay to determine undetectable MRD (U-MRD) and whether its monitoring can lead to changes in treatment strategies. Our review discusses the definitions of MRD, assays for its detection, and its impact on long-term survival outcomes for patients with a CLL diagnosis.
Hodgkin lymphoma treatment for older persons in the modern era
Authors: Evens Andrew M. , McKenna Marshall , Ryu Tiger Yun Kyoung , Upshaw Jenica N.
Published: December 2023

There has been a renewed effort globally in the study of older Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients, generating a multitude of new data. For prognostication, advancing age, comorbidities, altered functional status, Hispanic ethnicity, and lack of dose intensity (especially without anthracycline) portend inferior survival. Geriatric assessments (GA), including activities of daily living (ADL) and comorbidities, should be objectively measured in all patients. In addition, proactive multidisciplinary medical management is recommended (eg, geriatrics, cardiology, primary care), and pre-phase therapy should be considered for most patients. Treatment for fit older HL patients should be given with curative intent, including anthracyclines, and bleomycin should be minimized (or avoided). Brentuximab vedotin given sequentially before and after doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (AVD) chemotherapy for untreated patients is tolerable and effective, and frontline checkpoint inhibitor/AVD platforms are rapidly emerging. Therapy for patients who are unfit or frail, whether due to comorbidities and/or ADL loss, is less clear and should be individualized with consideration of attenuated anthracycline-based therapy versus lower-intensity regimens with inclusion of brentuximab vedotin +/- checkpoint inhibitors. For all patients, there should be clinical vigilance with close monitoring for treatment-related toxicities, including neurotoxicity, cardiopulmonary, and infectious complications. Finally, active surveillance for “postacute” complications 1 to 10 years post therapy, especially cardiac disease, is needed for cured patients. Altogether, therapy for older HL patients should include anthracycline-based therapy in most cases, and novel targeted agents should continue to be integrated into treatment paradigms, with more research needed on how best to utilize GAs for treatment decisions.