bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental determination of thermophysical properties and figures-of-merit analysis of 80:20% water and ionic liquid mixture based MXene nanofluid
Authors: Sundar Lingala Syam , Shaik Feroz , Said Zafar
Published: January 2023

Novel material of MXene was synthesized and prepared their ionanofluids while dispersing them into 20:80% (by mass) of ionic liquid of 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium dimethyl phosphate [MMIM][DMP] and water mixture. The thermophysical properties were studied experimentally at different particle weight loadings from 0.2% to 1.0% and at different temperatures over 20°C to 60°C. By utilizing the evaluated thermophysical properties of ionanofluids their figures-of-merit were analyzed by using three models under turbulent flow conditions. It is understood from the results, the thermal conductivity of 1.0 wt% of ionanofluid is enhanced about 56.62% at a temperature of 60°C; whereas, the dynamic viscosity is enhanced to 17.66% at 20°C compared to base fluid alone. Moreover the density of ionanofluid is raised and specific heat ionanofluid is lowered with rise of particle weight concentrations. The obtained thermophysical properties were fitted into regression equations based on the multi-linear regression method. The evaluated three models figures-of-merit show all the prepared ionanofluids in the measured weight concentrations and temperatures are beneficial heat transfer fluids because their value is greater than 1.
Molecular evidence of toxoplasmosis in people living with HIV in Pakistan
Authors: Zafar Arsalan , Khan Muhammad Kasib , Abbas Rao Zahid , Saqib Muhammad , Javed Hasnain
Published: January 2023

Background

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotically important parasite infecting almost all vertebrates. The parasite can easily infect humans through the fecal-oral route, particularly immunocompromised individuals, and children. Due to lack of epidemiological data regarding the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii in people living with HIV in Pakistan, the present study was designed to estimate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in people living with HIV.

Methods

Briefly, 384 blood samples were randomly collected from people living with HIV registered under Punjab AIDS Control Program. DNA of all samples was extracted and the 18S rRNA gene of T. gondii was amplified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by using genus-specific primers. The amplicons were spread on 1.5% agar rose gel and visualized under gel documentation system. Then the amplicons were purified from the gel and subjected to sequence and phylogenetic analysis.

Results

Overall prevalence of T. gondii was observed as 23.96%. The prevalence of T. gondii was significantly ( p <0.05) higher in females and in middle age group (26–40 years). Similarly, the prevalence was significantly ( p <0.05) higher in people with poor socioeconomic status, symptomatic patients, drugs users and people using unfiltered water for drinking. Furthermore, bodyweight (46–70 kg) and dry seasons also significantly ( p <0.05) affected the prevalence of T. gondii.

Conclusions

Our findings illustrated a high infection rate of toxoplasmosis in people living with HIV which could be a significant cause of mortality. More studies need to be conducted for other opportunistic infections caused by parasites and other pathogens.
A comparative study of isolation performance of electric automobile seat’s suspension added by negative-stiffness structure models
Authors: Li Shiming , Li Haitao , Zhang Li , Wang Xiangjie
Published: January 2023

To evaluate the isolation performance of the negative-stiffness structure (NSS) used by the tuned-mass-damper (NSS-TMD) and the air pistons (NSS-AP) on improving the ride quality of the electrical automobile (EA), an EA’s dynamics model is built under the excitation of the road surface roughness and the in-wheel-motor. Based on the root mean square value of the driver’s seat acceleration response used to assess the driver’s ride quality, two models of the seat suspension added by NSS-AP and NSS-TMD are then simulated to compare the performance between NSS-TMD and NSS-AP in enhancing the ride quality of the EA. The study indicates that both NSS-TMD and NSS-AP added to the seat suspension improve the driver’s ride quality better than the seat suspension without the NSS. Particularly, the root mean square value of the driver’s seat acceleration with the NSS-AP is smaller than that of NSS-TMS by 17.2%. Additionally, when the EA is traveling on the road surfaces of ISO level A, level B, and level C with a high velocity of over 70 km/h, the root mean square value of the driver’s seat acceleration with the NSS-AP is also slowly increased and slower than that of the NSS-TMD. Moreover, the root mean square value of the driver’s seat acceleration with the NSS-AP is also reduced in comparison with the NSS-TMD under the change of the total mass of the in-wheel-motor and the rotor’s eccentricity. Thereby, the NSS-AP improves the EA’s ride quality better than the NSS-TMD; and the NSS-AP should be used on the seat suspension of the EA to further enhance the ride quality.
Influence of the spanwise grooves on aerodynamic characteristics of the compressor cascade and rotor under different reynolds numbers
Authors: Fu Wenguang , Yu Junyang , Sun Peng
Published: January 2023

In order to study the influence of the suction surface spanwise grooves under different Reynolds numbers ( Re) on the loss characteristics of highly loaded compressor cascade and rotor. In the present study, numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the effects of the number and position of the suction surface spanwise groove on aerodynamic performance of the cascade with the final aim to extend the findings to a highly loaded transonic compressor rotor. Besides, the influence mechanism for the performance change of compressor cascade and rotor by spanwise groove at different Re was clarified. The combination 1-2-3-4-gro was selected as an optimal structure in accordance with the data weighting criterion. The investigation illustrates that, at high Re operating conditions, the spanwise grooves force the transition of boundary layer from laminar to turbulent, which causes a large turbulent boundary layer loss and increases the overall loss. But at low Re operating conditions, the laminar separation bubble is suppressed by spanwise grooves and the aerodynamic performance is improved. At Re = [Formula: see text], the total pressure loss can be reduced by 4.63% at the angle of attack of 0°. When this group scheme was applied to the highly loaded axial compressor transonic rotor, the stability margin of the rotor can be increased by 5.62% at Re = [Formula: see text] condition. Moreover, at 20 km height condition, with the increase of rotating speed, the influence of 1-2-3-4-gro groove group on rotor stability margin is not great, but its efficiency improvement effect is gradually enhanced, which shows that 1-2-3-4-gro can effectively reduce rotor flow loss and increase its aerodynamic performance within this Re range.
Why force a square peg into a round hole? The ongoing (pseudo-)problem of psychological measurement
Authors: Slaney Kathleen L.
Published: January 2023

In this commentary on Borgstede and Eggert’s article “Squaring the Circle: From Latent Variables to Theory-Based Measurement,” (2023) three problematic areas of their proposed psychological measurement framework are identified. These pertain, respectively, to (a) confusions regarding the meaning of “meaning”; (b) vagueness and ambiguity in Borgstede and Eggert’s theory-based measurement framework; and (c) the decidedly thin promise of the aim of replacing ordinary “folk” psychological concepts with theoretically defined formalisms. The commentary concludes with the suggestion that building a psychological measurement framework on the model of the physical sciences may be likely to create more problems than it solves.
Going round in squares: Theory-based measurement requires a theory of measurement
Authors: Hasselman Fred
Published: January 2023

In their article on theory-based measurement, Borgstede and Eggert (2023) argue that a substantive formal psychological theory that is capable of predicting expected measurement outcomes for the theoretical objects of measurement it posits to exist is both necessary and sufficient for psychological measurement. They reveal that measurement in psychology mostly concerns the estimation of latent variables and compares unfavorably to the development of measurement in the history of physics. They, however, fail to include a comparison with the great advances in theory-based measurement achieved in modern physics. In this commentary, I describe how measurement is formalized in classical physics and examine what would be required to formalize the physical measurement of psychological phenomena. I conclude that, without an examination of the theoretical assumptions underlying current measurement procedures and a formal notion of psychological measurement, it is unlikely that psychological science will be able to generate the substantive theories suggested by Borgstede and Eggert.
On factors affecting users’ willingness to participate in the smart services of academic library
Authors: Yuan Jing , Yang Na
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study is to explore the factors affecting college users’ willingness to participate in smart services of academic library. The paper analyzes the factors affecting college users’ willingness to participate in library smart services, and constructs a conceptual model with 17 hypotheses proposed, based on the theory of Uses and Gratifications, Social Cognition Theory, Innovation Diffusion Theory, and Information Systems Success Model. The conceptual model was empirically tested using structural equation modeling technique through questionnaire survey data. The questionnaire was distributed online to college students and teachers in different provinces of China by using random sampling technique. College users’ willingness to participate in smart services of academic library is directly and positively affected by information need of users, innovative consciousness of users, service platform performance, user satisfaction, library publicity and guidance, and extrinsic incentives. Information quality, service platform performance, service quality, and service value have significant and positive impact on user satisfaction, and they all indirectly affect users’ willingness to participate in smart services of academic library through user satisfaction. The survey results also show that the purpose of college students and teachers’ participation in smart services is mainly to meet their information needs. And users’ participation willingness is not affected by self-efficacy of users and others’ influence, which is different from the participation motivation of users on social Q & A and short video platforms. Understanding of factors affecting users’ willingness to participate in smart services of academic library will likely demand rethink into a number of issues ignored by studies on smart library and smart services. Few studies focus on users’ participation behavior in smart services of library. This study focused on the factors affecting users’ willingness to participate in smart services of academic library, which would expand the understanding of users’ participation behavior in smart services and enrich the scope of studies on smart library and smart services.
Insurance technopolitics: Car theft, recovery, and tracking systems in São Paulo
Authors: Fromm Deborah
Published: January 2023

In response to high levels of car theft, insurance companies in São Paulo have developed new systems and technologies for tracking and recovering stolen vehicles. These interventions are driven by an insurance rationality that seeks to manage risk and ensure these companies’ profitability. However, this article draws on the notion of technopolitics to argue that the tracking devices and other technologies mobilized in this way also exercise their own agency. They help to mediate and reorganize the power dynamics and relations between diverse actors who operate within São Paulo’s stolen car market and vehicle recovery processes, presenting both challenges and opportunities for each as they pursue their respective aims. The notion of ‘insurance technopolitics’ emphasizes this conjunction between risk governance and the contingent, technologically mediated relationships and conflicts to which it may give rise.
Batswana Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Sex With Older Adults: Psychometric Properties of the Attitudes Toward Transactional Sex Scale
Authors: St. Lawrence Janet S. , Sun Christina J. , Seloilwe Esther S. , Magowe Mabel K. M. , Rampa Shathani , Dithole Kefalotse S.
Published: January 2023

A programmatic series of studies developed and evaluated the Attitudes toward Transactional Sex Scale (ATTS) to measure adolescents’ attitudes toward engaging in a sexual encounter initiated by an older adult offering desired objects such as cell phone, clothes, cash, or car rides in exchange for sex. Qualitative interviews informed the initial item generation followed by a series of studies assessing the psychometric properties of the measure. Study 1 evaluated the ATTS in a sample of 186 Batswana adolescents and assessed the factor structure, item-to-whole correlations, internal consistency, and convergent validity. In Study 2, the ATTS was administered to a cross-validation sample ( N = 387). Confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity, and internal consistency were consistent with the findings from the original sample. Discriminant validity was also assessed in Study 2. A subset of the sample ( N = 119) completed the measure on two occasions and yielded satisfactory test–retest reliability. The resulting instrument appears to have sound psychometric properties and can be used to measure adolescents’ attitudes toward accepting such adult sexual initiation that are implicated in the disproportionate burden of HIV among adolescents and young adults in sub-Saharan Africa. No existing measure with known psychometric properties has previously been available.
The Prevalence of Multi-Drug Resistant Salmonella typhi Isolated From Blood Sample
Authors: Mina Sohana Akter , Hasan Md Zahid , Hossain A. K. M. Zakir , Barua Anupam , Mirjada Md Rashed , Chowdhury A. M. Masudul Azad
Published: January 2023

Typhoid is a major public health concern. Even though antibiotics are usually used to treat typhoid fever, the spread of multi drug resistant Salmonella typhi is making antibiotics much less effective. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhi from the clinical samples. During this study, 154 blood samples of suspected typhoid patients were collected from the hospital and diagnostic center located in Chattogram City, Bangladesh. Isolation and identification of Salmonella typhi was done by both biochemical tests. PCR analysis was also done for the confirmation of biochemical result. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed according to the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method against ampicillin, chloramphenicol, cefepime, cotrimoxazole, ceptriaxone, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, and azithtomycin. Out of 154, 21 (13.64%) isolates were identified as Salmonella typhi and the prevalence of typhoid in Chattogram, Bangladesh was 13.64% (n = 21). It was also found that children under the age of 5 are the more vulnerable target of Salmonella typhi infection. Antibiotic resistance profiling revealed 85% isolates were Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) and highest resistance was found in case of Nalidixic acid. Although, most of the isolated Salmonella typhi were MDR, first generation antibiotics Co-trimoxazile, Chloramphenicol, and Ampicillin were found effective against Salmonella typhi.
Incomplete patient information exchange and unnecessary repeat diagnostics during oncological referrals in the Netherlands: exploring the role of information exchange
Authors: De Swart Merijn E , Zonderhuis Barbara M , Hellingman Tessa , Kuiper Babette I , Dickhoff Chris , Heineman David J , Hendrickx Jan J , Kouwenhoven Mathilde CM , Van Moorselaar R Jeroen A , Schuur Maaike , Tenhagen Mark , Van Der Velde Susanne , De Witt Hamer Philip C , Zijlstra Josée M , Kazemier Geert
Published: January 2023

Data management in transmural care is complex. Without digital innovations like Health Information Exchange (HIE), patient information is often dispersed and inaccessible across health information systems between hospitals. The extent of information loss and consequences remain unclear. We aimed to quantify patient information availability of referred oncological patients and to assess its impact on unnecessary repeat diagnostics by observing all oncological multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) in a tertiary hospital. During 84 multidisciplinary team meetings, 165 patients were included. Complete patient information was provided in 17.6% (29/165, CI = 12.3–24.4) of patients. Diagnostic imaging was shared completely in 52.5% (74/141, CI = 43.9–60.9), imaging reports in 77.5% (100/129, CI = 69.2–84.2), laboratory results in 55.2% (91/165, CI = 47.2–62.8), ancillary test reports in 58.0% (29/50, CI = 43.3–71.5), and pathology reports in 60.0% (57/95, CI = 49.4–69.8). A total of 266 tests were performed additionally, with the main motivation not previously performed followed by inconclusive or insufficient quality of previous tests. Diagnostics were repeated unnecessarily in 15.8% (26/165, CI = 10.7–22.4) of patients. In conclusion, patient information was provided incompletely in majority of referrals discussed in oncological multidisciplinary team meetings and led to unnecessary repeat diagnostics in a small number of patients. Additional research is needed to determine the benefit of Health Information Exchange to improve data transfer in oncological care.
The association between information technology sophistication and patient portal use: A cross sectional study in Eastern North Carolina
Authors: Asagbra O. Elijah , Burch Ashley , Chivela Fernando L
Published: January 2023

Even with the extolled benefits of patient portals, there has been some challenges to ensuring patient portal use. This study examines if a patient’s level of information technology (IT) sophistication, defined as the degree of use of diverse information technologies by an individual, is associated with their use of a patient portal. Patients previous experience and exposure to other similar technologies like desktop computer, laptop, internet, smart phone, or social media explains their willingness to use information technology for their health. Data on a cross-sectional survey of 565 individuals in Eastern NC was available for analysis. Multinomial regression analyses revealed that IT sophistication is important in determining whether patients will use a patient portal. It specifies that patients with low IT sophistication compared to those with high IT sophistication were more likely to have never activated their patient portals (RRR = 2.2155, p < 0.009), or to have activated but never used a patient portal (RRR = 3.5869, p < 0.010). The findings of this study should aid healthcare leaders as they strive to improve patient engagement. They should continue to promote the benefits of the patient portal and consider offering personalized support programs for patients with low IT sophistication.
Highlighting Trans Joy: A Call to Practitioners, Researchers, and Educators
Authors: Holloway Brendon T.
Published: January 2023

This practice note is a call to practitioners, researchers, and educators to reconsider how they approach work with trans and nonbinary communities. Drawing on previous work done by Tuck, and shuster and Westbrook, I encourage readers to move from a deficit-based lens to a lens where joy is part of the narrative, an aspect of trans and nonbinary lives that is often missing from much of the research on trans communities. Furthermore, I urge readers to move beyond seeing trans and nonbinary communities as primarily social and political issues to be addressed and to see and embrace the complex and nuanced humanity and lived experiences of trans and nonbinary people.
Adapting a communication coaching intervention for obstetric sonographers delivering unexpected news: A qualitative study
Authors: Kaur Essie , Arezina Jane , Bryant Louise , Pollak Kathryn I , Harrison Gill , Bender Atik Ruth , Coates Jen , Hardicre Natasha K. , Sicklen Roxanne , Horwood Karen , Lardner Teresa , Arnold Jon , Wallace Rebecca , Johnson Judith
Published: January 2023

Introduction:

Despite widespread recognition that communicating unexpected news during obstetric ultrasound examinations is challenging, there is a dearth of research investigating how to teach evidence-based communication to sonographers. Communication Coaching is a supportive, positive method that has previously been associated with improvements in communication, patient satisfaction, and reduced burnout in clinicians. However, to date, no study has coached sonographers. This study explored stakeholders’ views on a proposed Communication Coaching intervention and used these data to adapt the intervention for use with qualified obstetric sonographers.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people who have a vested interest in unexpected news delivery and thematic analysis was conducted on the data. Eight sonographers, six people with lived experience of receiving unexpected news and six representatives from third-sector organisations who support expectant parents were recruited (18 women; 2 men, aged between 21 and 75 years).

Results:

Participants viewed the planned Communication Coaching intervention favourably and suggested adaptations. The two main themes were (1) the practicalities of coaching, and (2) content. The first theme had four subthemes: (a) brief and flexible structure, (b) online modality, (c) sensitive and positive coach and (d) organisational awareness. The second theme had three subthemes: (a) specific language and behaviour recommendations, (b) adaptable to different service-users and situations and (c) confer relevant emotional skills and techniques.

Conclusions:

Communication Coaching could be a feasible and acceptable intervention for qualified sonographers if specific, limited adaptations are made as recommended by the stakeholders. Further evaluation of the intervention in practice is necessary.
Outcomes and prognostic factors for nerve grafting following high radial nerve injury
Authors: Zhu Shuai , Lei Gao-Wei , Pang Zhen , Gao Zheng-Run , Shen Yun-Dong , Xu Wen-Dong
Published: January 2023

In this study, we examined the prognostic factors affecting outcomes following nerve grafting in high radial nerve injuries. Thirty-three patients with radial nerve injuries at a level distal to the first branch to the triceps and proximal to the posterior interosseous nerve were retrospectively studied. After a follow-up of at least 1 year, 24 patients (73%) obtained M3+ wrist extension, 16 (48%) obtained M3+ finger extension and only ten (30%) obtained M3+ thumb extension. Univariate, multivariate and receiver operating characteristic analyses showed that a delay in the repair of less than 6 months, a defect length of less than 5 cm or when grafted with three or more donor nerve cables achieved better recovery. Number of cables used was related to muscle strength recovery but not time to reinnervation. Nerve grafting for high radial nerve injury achieved relatively good wrist extension but poor thumb extension and is affected by certain prognostic factors.       Level of evidence: IV
The position of the median nerve in relation to the palmaris longus tendon at the wrist: a study of 784 MR images
Authors: Hou Peng , Yu Weibin , Wang Chunyang , Qiu Shuo , Sun Luyuan , Zhang Wen
Published: January 2023

Iatrogenic injury of the median nerve has been reported after endoscopic carpal tunnel release and corticoid injection. In 784 MR images of the wrist, the position of the median nerve in relation to the palmaris longus tendon was analysed. The ulnar edge of the median nerve was found medial to the palmaris longus tendon in 14% and 36% of patients at the proximal wrist crease and entrance of the carpal tunnel, respectively, compared with 23% and 40% of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (88 patients). The position of the median nerve in relation to the palmaris longus tendon varies widely. It is suggested that the palmaris longus tendon may not be considered a safe landmark to locate the position of the median nerve and care should be taken when introducing an endoscopic instrument or during steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Level of evidence: IV
Complications and outcomes of operative treatment for acute perilunate injuries: a systematic review
Authors: Lee Chang-Hun , Lee Bong Gun , Kim Joo-Hak , Yoon Ha Seung , Han Kyeong-Jin , Choi Wan-Sun
Published: January 2023

We systematically reviewed the incidence of complications and outcomes of different surgical methods for acute perilunate injury in the MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane Library databases. Forty-three articles with 880 patients were included. The most common complications were arthritis (30%), carpal instability (15%), avascular necrosis of the lunate (12%), complex regional pain syndrome (11%), and nonunion or avascular necrosis of the scaphoid (9%). In the meta-analysis, the mean scapholunate gap was 1.7 mm in the closed surgery group and 2.3 mm in the open surgery group, which was a statistically significant difference. The mean flexion–extension arc of the wrist and modified Mayo wrist score were better in the closed surgery group than in the open surgery group. However, these findings may relate to different cohorts in terms of injury severity. Therefore, the causal relationship between closed surgery and better outcomes may be uncertain as less severe subluxations are more likely to be treated closed.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Return-to-Sport Decision-Making: A Scoping Review
Authors: Golberg Eric , Sommerfeldt Mark , Pinkoski Adam , Dennett Liz , Beaupre Lauren
Published: January 2023

Context:

Clinical guidelines support the use of testing batteries to assess athlete readiness for return to sport (RTS) and risk of reinjury after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACL-R). There is no consensus on the composition of the testing batteries. Test selection is based mainly on commonality in research, personal preference, and equipment availability. Including athletic performance assessments (APA) used in the athlete’s sport may assist RTS decision-making for stakeholders.

Objective:

To determine whether APA for speed, agility, strength, or cardiovascular endurance are (1) used in ACL-R RTS literature and (2) indicative of RTS or reinjury rates.

Data Sources:

A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

Study Selection:

Eligibility criteria were as follows: (1) athletes between 6 months and 2 years post-ACL-R, (2) commonly used APA, (3) peer-reviewed primary study with original published data.

Study Design:

Scoping Review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Data Extraction:

A total of 17 studies included 24 instances of APA with a high degree of heterogeneity for both tests and protocols.

Results:

Agility makes up 75% of the APA. Only 17.6% of studies reported RTS or reinjury rates, none of which reported a significant relationship between these rates and APA outcomes.

Conclusion:

Speed, strength, and cardiovascular endurance tests are underrepresented in ACL-R RTS literature. Compared with healthy controls, deficits in APA results for ACL-R athletes were common; however, many studies reported significant improvements in results for ACL-R athletes over time. There is some evidence that well-trained ACL-R athletes can match the performance of uninjured athletes in high-level sports.
Review of outcomes of combination therapy using yttrium 90 radioembolization and sorafenib/nivolumab for HCC with hepatic vein or IVC invasion
Authors: Chung Shiqi , Gogna Apoorva , Chandramohan Sivanathan , Lo Richard , Irani Farah Gillan , Venkatanarasimha Nanda
Published: January 2023

Background

A systematic review of the outcomes of combination therapy using Yttrium 90 radioembolization (Y90) and sorafenib/nivolumab for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with hepatic vein (HV) or inferior vena cava (IVC) invasion. The aim of this study is to summarise the results of different studies that used the combination therapy for HCC patients with tumor thrombosis involving the HV or IVC.

Method

A literature search was performed using keywords in Medline and Google Scholar limited to publications from 2010 to 2021. There were 173 articles identified during the initial literature search. During abstract screening, 81 articles were excluded. Another 83 did not contain information on hepatic vein or IVC invasion. Therefore, 9 articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the synthesis.

Results

In total, 37 patients with hepatic vein or IVC invasion were identified. There were 31 patients who were given sorafenib, 7 were given nivolumab and 1 was given both sorafenib and nivolumab. Among the 37 patients, 21 had hepatic vein invasion, 22 had IVC invasion and 6 had both HV and IVC invasion. The median OS was 20.55 months and median PFS was 8.18 months. For the results, 23 patients were evaluated via modified RECIST (mRECIST) criteria and 14 were evaluated via RECIST 1.1.

Conclusion

The combination of local and systemic therapies demonstrated potential results for increased response rates, OS and PFS benefits. Further studies are required to determine the long-term outcomes of the combination therapy for this group of patients.
Curating conversations in times of transformation: Convergence in how public relations and journalism are “Doing” communication
Authors: Weder Franzisca , Weaver C. Kay , Rademacher Lars
Published: January 2023

Purpose: In an era of networked production of the public sphere and with the arrival of new communicator roles such as citizen journalists, influencers and bloggers, the “old” roles and professions of “the journalist” and “public relations professional” are challenged. In this paper, avoiding the familiar debate about antagonisms between journalism and public relations, we provide empirical insights that identify specific characteristics of a convergence in the “doing” of public relations and journalism. Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper presents recent data from a series of comparative interviews, conducted in Central Europe (Austria, n = 10, Germany, n = 25), New Zealand ( n = 7), Australia ( n = 25), and the Pacific Islands ( n = 5). The conversational narrative interviews bring in self-reflections on skillsets, professions, normative frameworks and the doing of professional communication from a range of communicators, primarily public relations practitioners and journalists, but also activist campaigners, science communicators, bloggers, and social influencers. Findings: The findings show that while interviewees were likely to represent their roles as related to a singular, across those roles they presented what they did – the “doing” – as akin to that of an authorial “curator” of communication in the context of societal transformations and constantly changing and converging media environments. Across different communicator roles professional communication is increasingly perceived as a co-creational process of entering, initiating, sometimes managing, and, thus, driving public discourses and conversations. Originality/Value: The paper complements the debate around skills and professionalization in public relations and adds to broader discussions about role responsibility, agency, and authorship related to public conversations in an age of digital transformation and social change by bringing in the concept of curating as the co-operative ‘management of stories’ between, and across, professional roles.
Hydroxychloroquine for granuloma annulare: A case report on secondary hair growth in alopecia universalis
Authors: Osman Selena , Traboulsi Danya
Published: January 2023

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease resulting in non-scarring hair loss. Alopecia areata can progress to become alopecia totalis (loss of hair from the entire scalp) or alopecia universalis (loss of hair form the entire body), with the progression estimated to range from 7% to 30%. There are no universally proven therapies that both induce and sustain remission, and furthermore, the course of alopecia areata tends to be unpredictable, with ~80% of patients achieving spontaneous remission within 1 year. We herein present the case of a 61-year-old female who presented with a 20-year history of alopecia universalis, and biopsy confirmed widespread granuloma annulare. Hydroxychloroquine was initiated to treat her granuloma annulare, with subsequent significant hair regrowth on her scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and arms. A review of the literature is presented showing that hydroxychloroquine has variable success in treatment of alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis.
Misinformation on Misinformation: Conceptual and Methodological Challenges
Authors: Altay Sacha , Berriche Manon , Acerbi Alberto
Published: January 2023

Alarmist narratives about online misinformation continue to gain traction despite evidence that its prevalence and impact are overstated. Drawing on research examining the use of big data in social science and reception studies, we identify six misconceptions about misinformation and highlight the conceptual and methodological challenges they raise. The first set of misconceptions concerns the prevalence and circulation of misinformation. First, scientists focus on social media because it is methodologically convenient, but misinformation is not just a social media problem. Second, the internet is not rife with misinformation or news, but with memes and entertaining content. Third, falsehoods do not spread faster than the truth; how we define (mis)information influences our results and their practical implications. The second set of misconceptions concerns the impact and the reception of misinformation. Fourth, people do not believe everything they see on the internet: the sheer volume of engagement should not be conflated with belief. Fifth, people are more likely to be uninformed than misinformed; surveys overestimate misperceptions and say little about the causal influence of misinformation. Sixth, the influence of misinformation on people’s behavior is overblown as misinformation often “preaches to the choir.” To appropriately understand and fight misinformation, future research needs to address these challenges.
A Comparative Study on the Components of the Revised M.A. English Translation Curriculum in Asian Universities
Authors: Samir Aynaz , Motallebzadeh Khalil
Published: January 2023

The current master’s curriculum in English Translation major in Iranian universities has not satisfied the demands of the society in which it was developed. Translation students have complained that some essential skills are not considered in the curriculum. Therefore, this study is aimed at proposing some guidelines for curriculum reformers in Iran to update the curriculum. To investigate effective components for updating the curriculum, it is necessary to focus on the curricula of other universities in foreign countries and compare them with that of Iran. For this aim, a qualitative-comparative analysis is used to compare the revised master’s curriculum of English Translation in Iran with seven prominent Asian universities, to investigate the strength and weaknesses of the curriculum in Iran, and to recognize the effective components included in the curriculum of those seven prominent universities to be recommended to update the curriculum of Iranian universities. Hence, the curricula of eight universities have been compared with five criteria, including the title of the Master’s degree, the number of credits, the course structure, the instructional objectives, and the course content. Results show that to update the curriculum of Iranian universities, a list of courses and instructional objectives needs to be added to train translators who can work with technological tools. To achieve this objective, a course named “co-translator software” should be added to the curriculum. The other objective is to improve students’ interpretation skills, which are accessible by adding a course in interpretation. The findings provide novel information for Iranian curriculum reformers to work on updating the curriculum.
Firm Performance and Corporate Social Responsibility: Spatial Context and Effect Mechanism
Authors: Gu Jiafeng
Published: January 2023

This study investigates the effect of firm performance on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a specific spatial context. The results for a sample of 1,557 listed companies in China suggest that a firm’s CSR performance level is influenced by that of nearby firms. This study also confirms the indirect link between financial and CSR performance through the mediating role of institutional and executive shareholding rates. In addition, the empirical evidence in this study not only supports the spatial context-sensitive thesis but, more importantly, proposes a spatiotemporal context-sensitive thesis. It provides strong empirical support for the true relative value of the spatiotemporal context affecting CSR performance, which yields important theoretical, methodological, and policy implications.
How Social-Network Attention and Sentiment of Investors Affect Commodity Futures Market Returns: New Evidence From China
Authors: Liu Wenwen , Yang Jinyu , Chen Jingrui , Xu Lei
Published: January 2023

Using 34 products from China’s commodity futures market, this study examines the impact of social network attention and sentiment on its futures market returns. A machine learning text analysis algorithm was used to construct social network investor sentiment in consultation with three search volume indices. We find that: social network sentiment is a good predictor of commodity futures returns, investor attention has a significant positive impact on returns and absolute returns, and the Baidu index is better at forecasting returns than the Sogou and 360 indices. In addition, we examine how social network sentiment affects returns at different levels. We find that extremely high, market social network sentiments of investors changed the predicted results significantly; thus, the bases of the specified trading strategies of investors were altered. Regulators should therefore incorporate investor sentiment into regulatory targets and enhance retail investor education.
Experiences and Perceptions of Chinese University Students Toward Blood Donation: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Yao Xueli , Wu Yijin
Published: January 2023

To examine the perceptions and experiences of Chinese university students blood donors. A semi-structured, face-to-face interview was conducted with 19 university students blood donors and an inductive thematic analysis was performed to analyze the interview. Five themes were generated from data analysis, that is, participants’ attitudes toward blood donation, donation disincentives, ways of improving donation rate, participants’ feelings and perceptions at different stages of the donation, and the influence of traditional Chinese culture on blood donation. Although participants have positive attitude toward blood donation, many of them have relatively little knowledge concerning blood donation or the donation system in China. It also found that cultural beliefs played a two-sided role in blood donation. On the one hand, some principles in traditional Chinese culture may have a negative influence on blood donation; on the other hand, doctrines of benevolence and Love in Confucius philosophy worked as an incentive to blood donation among university students. Thus, it would be necessary to take effective measures to make more university students access to the knowledge of blood donation. Community approaches such as stakeholder management and peer education conducted by student voluntary blood donors might be of great help to achieve a higher donation rate, which could be beneficial to the development of voluntary blood donation in China.
Nurses’ Short-Term Sickness Absences Before and After the Implementation of a Brief Napping Opportunity During Night Shifts
Authors: Sagherian Knar , Derickson Debra , Geiger-Brown Jeanne , Springer Cary M. , Mason Janice J. , Hinds Pamela S.
Published: January 2023

Background

Nurses who work at night have used naps to alleviate their sleepiness and fatigue. Research has shown night shifts, sleepiness, and fatigue predict nurses’ missed workdays. Thus, nighttime napping may have a beneficial consequence of reducing nurses’ sickness absences. The purpose of this brief report was to describe the difference in rates of short-term sickness absence before and after implementation of a 30-min nap opportunity in one U.S. hospital for 12-hr shift nurses.

Methods

The study was a retrospective pre–post evaluation design. Eight units provided nap opportunities for the nurses. Full-time nurses were classified into night and rotating shifts based on their 2 years of scheduling patterns. Absence data were extracted from the hospital’s timekeeping system and annual absence rates were computed. A single linear mixed model with rank transformed data was conducted for each group. Median estimates, minimum and maximum, and p-values were reported.

Findings

The median absence rates for night shift nurses were 4.3% and 4.0% for the pre-napping and post-napping implementation periods, respectively; however, this difference was not statistically significant ( p = .241). The median absence rates for rotating shift nurses were 2.0% and 3.9% for the pre-napping and post-napping implementation periods, respectively; and the difference increase was statistically significant ( p < .001).

Conclusion/Application to practice

A nap policy which provides nurses with the opportunity to take nighttime naps did not benefit their sickness absence rates. Future research needs to examine the actual napping process on sickness absences, as well as explore other sickness management avenues.
Bovine hydroxyapatite-based scaffold accelerated the inflammatory phase and bone growth in rats with bone defect
Authors: Gani Maria Apriliani , Budiatin Aniek Setiya , Shinta Dewi Wara , Ardianto Chrismawan , Khotib Junaidi
Published: January 2023

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a biomaterial widely used to treat bone defect, such as due to traffic accident. The HA scaffold is obtained from synthetic HA or natural sources, such as bovine hydroxyapatite (BHA). This study aims to compare the characteristics and in vivo performance of BHA-based and HA-based scaffolds. For this purpose, the scaffold was formulated with gelatin (GEL) and characterised by SEM-EDX, FTIR and mini autograph. The defect model was carried out on the femur area of Wistar rats classified into three animal groups: defect, HA-GEL and BHA-GEL. Postoperatively (7, 14 and 28 days), the bone was radiologically evaluated, and stained with haematoxylin–eosin, anti-CD80 and anti-CD163. The BHA-GEL scaffold showed a regular surface and spherical particle shape, whereas the HA-GEL scaffold exhibited irregular surface. The BHA-GEL scaffold had higher pore size and compressive strength and lower calcium-to-phosphorus ratio than the HA-GEL scaffold. In vivo study showed that the expression of CD80 in the three experimental groups was not significantly different. However, the expression of CD163 differed significantly between the groups. The BHA-GEL group showed robust expression of CD163 on day 7, which rapidly decreased over time. It also showed increased osteoclasts, osteoblasts and osteocytes cell count that contributed to the integrity of the defect area. In conclusion, the BHA-based scaffold exhibited the desired physical and chemical characteristics that benefit in vivo performance versus the HA-based scaffold. Thus, the BHA-based scaffold may be used as a bone graft.
Fracture resistance of resin endocrowns with and without fiber reinforced composite base material: A preliminary study
Authors: Kaya Büyükbayram Işıl , Güven Mehmet Esad , Ayman Deniz , Şener Yamaner Işıl Damla , Cakan Engin Fırat
Published: January 2023

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fiber-reinforced composite base material on fracture resistance and fracture pattern of endodontically treated maxillary premolars restored with endocrowns using two different resin nanoceramic computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) restorative material.

Methods:

Forty extracted sound maxillary premolars with an occlusal reduction of 2 mm above the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) was performed following root canal treatment. Mesial interproximal box was prepared for each tooth at the margin of the CEJ and randomly distributed into four groups ( n = 10) as follows: Group A, no resin build-up in the pulp chamber; Group B, 2 mm of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) build-up (EverX Posterior, GC).; Group C, no resin build-up in pulp chamber; Group D, 2 mm of FRC build-up. Groups A and B were prepared with resin nanoceramic (RNC) consisting ceramic nanofillers (Lava Ultimate 3 M ESPE), while Group C and D were prepared with RNC consisting ceramic nanohybrid fillers (Cerasmart GC Corp). All samples were subjected to 1,200,000 chewing cycles (1.6 Hz, 50 N) and 5000 thermal cycles (5°C–55°C) for artificial aging on a chewing simulator with thermal cycles (CSTC). Samples that survived the CSTC test without being damaged were subjected to a load-to-fracture test.

Results:

The highest mean fracture strength was found in Group D (936.0 ± 354.7) and lowest in Group A (684.2 ± 466.9). Fracture strength was higher in groups where FRC was used as a base material than plain restorations. However, there were no significant differences between the Lava and Cerasmart groups with and without FRC ( p > 0.05). Most of the samples were irreparably fractured under CEJ.

Conclusion:

Using short FRCs as a resin base material did not significantly improve fracture resistance. Cerasmart and Lava blocks had similar fracture resistance and fracture pattern.