bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NORMATIVE POWER POLICY IN EUROPEAN UNION-AFRİCA RELATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COTONOU AGREEMENT AND THE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS AND ITS IMPACTS ON EMPOWERING AFRICA
Authors: ALTIN Omca
Published: September 2022

This study analyzes the normative power policy of the European Union (EU) in its relationships with Africa through the Cotonou Agreement, which includes normative provisions and conditionality, and the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). The study also tries to evaluate how effective the EU's normative power policy towards the continent and these agreements developed within the framework of the normative values are in the strengthening of the region. In the study, which was conducted by using the literature review method, current articles, books, and reports on the subject have been examined. The results of the study revealed that the normative power policy of the EU in its relations with Africa has been based on a realistic strategy rather than an idealist approach, and this policy has been used to realize the EU's political and economic interests, which have been the basis of its relations with the countries in the continent where the EU has a colonial past. In other words, the study argues that the normative power used by the EU in its relations with Africa is based on the economic interests of the EU. Therefore, it has been argued that the normative power policy of the EU towards the continent, the Cotonou Agreement developed within the framework of normative values, and the EPA has not been effective in improving and developing Africa. In particular, the EU practices cannot be implemented in compliance with the normative values it has set forth as part of the economic and commercial cooperation. The promotion of the values, the strengthening, and development of the continent might be kept relatively in the second place by the Union by prioritizing its own interests in economy and commercial cooperation. In this context, considering the structure and basic needs of the continent rather than the interests of the member states in the EU's normative approach to the continent will both ensure consistency in the normative approach of the EU by preventing the interests of the Union and its member states from getting ahead of EU norms and will be extremely important in the development and strengthening of the continent.
Jerusalem/Zion: a Counter-Imperial Trope in Third Isaiah
Authors: Sam Philip P.
Published: September 2022

The Third Isaianic discourse revolves around the theme of Jerusalem/Zion. Researchers have dwelt upon the theme from either a historical plane or an eschatological plane, however, its role as a counter-imperial motif has not been explored. In view of the imperil milieu of the prophetic discourse, this paper argues that Jerusalem is presented as a strategic trope to counter the imperial discourse. Jerusalem in the biblical discourse represents a theological as well as a national symbol. It also symbolizes the colonized self of the Yehud community reeling under the Persian empire. At the same time, Jerusalem and the temple display the narrow nationalistic agenda of the Jerusalem establishment. The prophetic discourse of Trito Isaiah carves out an alternative space, a hybrid space that not only breaks the imperial supremacy but also disrupts the nationalistic hegemony of the Jerusalem establishment. The prophetic discourse imagines an alternative world that undercuts imperial definitions of life. In view of the unity of the book, the paper also brings out that the counter-imperial texture of the theme of Jerusalem in Third Isaianic discourse can be located in the complex growth and the final shaping of the book of Isaiah.
Life cycle and population dynamics of Bursaphelenchus willibaldi (Nematoda: Rhabditida: Aphelenchoididae) in vitro
Authors: Ryss Alexander Y. , Polyanina Kristina S.
Published: September 2022

To develop models of forest ecosystem functioning, it is necessary to estimate parameters of the population dynamics of nematode species. Parameters of ontogenesis of Bursaphelenchus willibaldi from oak in culture of the fungus Botrytis cinerea were determined in vitro: oviposition began 2.7 (1-3) days after inoculation with adult nematodes; timelines of juvenile formation were: second-stage juveniles: 3.2 (3-4) days, third-stage juveniles: 3.6 (3-5) days, fourth-stage juveniles: 4.8 (3-6) days, first generation (1G) ended with a J4 moulting to adult after 5.8 (4-6) days. One day after the formation of the first generation, nematodes left the 2% potato-sugar agar (PSA) medium with the feed fungus and moved upwards, forming a migratory group (MG). In PSA the total nematode abundance reached peaks on day 11 (2G) and in the MG on day 27 (4.5G). The fecundity of females during population growth was determined as 3.4 (2.1-5.9) eggs day−1 and a model of exponential population growth was developed for total nematodes , ; and for females , . Under conditions of unrestricted reproduction and temperature of 21-23°C, the nematode and fungus can colonise 1 m3 of PSA-like medium in 36.8 days. The survival stage in the propagative generation was presumably J4. The female lifespan consists of a feeding and reproductive phase in the PSA (6 days) and a survival phase in the MG (1 month to 1 year). In MG, nematodes formed swarming groups of 20-200 individuals.
Witnessing and Testimony in Hermeneutic Phenomenology
Authors: van der Heiden Gert-Jan
Published: September 2022

Departing from two diverging lines of inquiry of testimony that characterize philosophy today, this article aims to show what a hermeneutic phenomenology of witnessing and testimony is and how this approach to testimony offers a new framework to understand witnessing and testimony, which also repositions the present-day main lines of inquiry of testimony. The first section offers a critical assessment of the state of the art in the philosophy of testimony today and the second section reinterprets the two main diverging lines of inquiry as a conflict. The major part of this article is devoted to a hermeneutic-phenomenological account of witnessing and testimony. The third and fourth sections describe several relations between subject matter, witness, acts of bearing witness, and addressee, to develop this hermeneutic-phenomenological framework and in the process also shows which place is awarded to the two main lines of the present-day inquiry within this framework.
Paul Sbath’s Manuscript Library
Authors: Gianni Celeste
Published: September 2022

This article concerns the manuscript collection of the Syrian Catholic priest Paul Sbath (Aleppo, 1887–1945), who is regarded by some as one of the twentieth century’s most controversial collectors. This is primarily due to the mysterious circumstances under which he obtained and consolidated his collection of 1,325 manuscripts, part of which he sold to the Vatican Library in 1927. Through a close study of the negotiations around the acquisition of Sbath’s manuscripts by the Vatican, this article explores the different, and sometimes conflicting, conceptualizations of a manuscript library in the early post-Ottoman period. Physically displaced following the historical events that were drastically transforming the Middle East in the early 20th century, Sbath’s collection has been a moving library—during his life and after—from Aleppo to Jerusalem, then from Cairo to the Vatican, and back to Aleppo. Using previously unresearched archival sources at the Vatican, this article explores how Sbath’s goal was to create a modern Western waqf (endowment) of books: a hybrid library reflecting the continuation of the Middle Eastern manuscript tradition in dialogue with the Western perception of a manuscript library, as well as representing Sbath’s identity as an Arab Catholic priest living through the contemporary challenges of war, plague, displacement, and migration in the Middle East in the interwar period.
‮التملّكات في مخطوط ”المنزع البديع في تجنيس أساليب البديع“ لأبي محمد القاسم السجلماسي (بعد ‭٧٠٤‬هـ)‬‎
Authors: ‮السعيدي‬‎ ‮أحمد‬‎
Published: September 2022

‮المستخلص‬‎

‮حاول المقال إنجاز دراسة كوديكولوجية في مخطوط موجود بمكتبة برلين هو ”المنزع البديع في تجنيس أساليب البديع“ لأبي محمد القاسم السجلماسي (توفي بعد ‭٧٠٤‬هـ)، من خلال دراسة ظهرية المخطوط والتركيز أساسا على خوراج النص والتملكات، وعددها ستة منها الواضح والمبتور والمطموس بسبب ترميم يدوي بلصق الورق أو بسبب التشطيب على المكتوب. لقد بيّنت الدراسة نصوص التملكات ورحلة المخطوط بين دمشق والقاهرة وتونس وبرلين، وطبيعة المتملكين وهم من العلماء أمثال حسن العطار وخالد الزهاني ومحمد بيرم الرابع التونسي.‬‎
A Missed Opportunity: The European Union’s New Powers over Digital Platforms
Authors: Davies John , Meunier Valérie , Calanchi Gianmarco , Stenimachitis Angelos
Published: September 2022

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Union assumes that all large “core platform service” providers pose similar threats to competition and to fairness and thus imposes identical obligations on all of them. The alternative “New Competition Tool,” that would have allowed the European Commission (EC) to conduct fact-intensive investigations of markets to design bespoke remedies, has been largely abandoned. The approach adopted contradicts the basic principle that competition policy should be concerned with evidence of adverse effects. The proponents of the adopted form of the DMA argue that ex ante action is required to forestall irreversible harm to competition, but that same logic also implies assessing the risk of harm from excessive regulation—and the DMA contains no mechanism to do so. Given the different underlying economics of different kinds of platform services, including the way some support digital ecosystems involving many firms, a different approach is needed. The EC missed the opportunity to introduce a market investigation tool. The rigid and static framework of the DMA seems like the wrong solution, given the economics of digital markets.
Societal, systemic, school and family drivers for and barriers to inclusive education
Authors: Carrington Suzanne , Lassig Carly , Maia-Pike Lara , Mann Glenys , Mavropoulou Sofia , Saggers Beth
Published: September 2022

Inclusive education is central to achieving high-quality education for all students and is a recognised commitment of the Australian government under international human rights law. However, Australia’s lack of commitment to move away from segregation is reflected in its persistence in maintaining and funding segregated (special) settings. Queensland led the way with the introduction of an inclusive education policy in 2018; nonetheless, this does not go far enough, as there is no commitment to diminish segregated schooling for students with disability. This lack of action works against the effective implementation of the policy. Using the Framework of Drivers for and Barriers to the Closure of Special Schools, we conducted a thematic analysis focussing on societal, systemic, school and family drivers for and barriers to educational desegregation. Our findings indicate where and why discrimination, segregation and exclusion remain strongly embedded in our society and education system. We provide recommendations for future reforms to the Disability Standards for Education in Australia.
Extended Stability of Isoproterenol Hydrochloride Injection in Polyvinyl Chloride Bags Stored in Amber Ultraviolet Light Blocking Bags
Authors: Van Matre Edward T. , Rice Peter J. , Wempe Michael F. , Lyda Clark , Kiser Tyree H.
Published: September 2022

Purpose:Evaluate the stability of isoproterenol hydrochloride injection in 0.9% sodium chloride in polyvinyl chloride bags for up to 90 days. Methods: Dilutions of isoproterenol hydrochloride injection to a concentration of 4 μg/mL were performed under aseptic conditions. The bags were stored in amber ultraviolet light blocking bags at room temperature (23°C-25°C) or under refrigeration (3°C-5°C). Three samples of each preparation and storage environment were analyzed on days 0, 2, 14, 30, 45, 60, and 90. Physical stability was performed by visual examination. The pH was assessed at baseline, each analysis day, and upon final degradation evaluation. Sterility of the samples was not assessed. Chemical stability of isoproterenol hydrochloride was evaluated using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Samples were considered stable if there was <10% degradation of the initial concentration. Results: Isoproterenol hydrochloride diluted to 4 μg/mL with 0.9% sodium chloride injection was physically stable throughout the study. No precipitation was observed. At days 2, 14, 30, 45, 60, and 90 all bags diluted to 4 μg/mL had <10% degradation when stored under refrigeration (3°C-5°C) or stored at room temperature (23°C-25°C). Conclusion: Isoproterenol hydrochloride diluted to a concentration of 4 μg/mL with 0.9% sodium chloride for injection in ultraviolet light blocking bags was stable for 90 days at room temperature and under refrigeration.
Evaluating the Use of Parenteral Naloxone in the Emergency Department of a Community Hospital
Authors: Watts Ryan P. , Pardo Winifred P. , Martinez Sanchez Eduardo , Degelorm Anthony P. , Jalice Ada P. , Amofah Sarah
Published: September 2022

Background:Thousands of patients die every year from opioid overdose. Naloxone is a lifesaving medication FDA approved for opioid overdose reversal. Many patients may present to the emergency department (ED) and require naloxone administration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate parenteral naloxone usage in the ED. It assessed parenteral naloxone indication of use and the patient population requiring its administration in order to support the need of a take home naloxone distribution program. Methods: This study was a retrospective, randomized, single center, chart review that took place at a community hospital ED. A computerized report was generated to identify all patients 18 years of age or older who were administered naloxone in the ED from June 2020 to June 2021. The charts of 100 patients randomly selected from the generated report were reviewed to collect the following information: gender, age, indication for use, dosing, drug being reversed, risk factors for overdose, ED revisits within 1 year. Results: Out of the 100 patients randomly reviewed, 55 (55%) patients were administered parenteral naloxone for overdose indication. Eighteen (32%) of overdose patients revisited the hospital within 1 year for overdose. Thirty-six (65%) of patients administered naloxone for overdose had history of substance abuse with 45 (82%) being under the age of 65 years. Conclusion: These results support the need for a take home naloxone distribution program to be implemented for patients at risk for opioid overdose or individuals at risk of witnessing a drug overdose.
Assessing impacts of COVID-19 and their responses among smallholder farmers in Brazil, Madagascar and Tanzania
Authors: Löhr Katharina , Mugabe Paschal , Turetta Ana Paula Dias , Steinke Jonathan , Lozano Camilo , Bonatti Michelle , Eufemia Luca , Ito Larissa Hery , Konzack Alexandra , Kroll Stefan , Mgeni Charles Peter , Andrasana Dina Ramanank’ , Tadesse Sophia , Yazdanpanah Masoud , Sieber Stefan
Published: September 2022

This study investigates the impacts of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on smallholder farmers and their coping strategies in three contrasting Low- and Middle-Income Countries. The case studies include Brazil (South region), Madagascar (Atsimo Atsinanana region), and Tanzania (Morogoro/Eastern Tanzania). These countries were chosen because i) the economies are strongly influenced by the agricultural sector; ii) their national food security is strongly affected by smallholder production, and, iii) they represent a set of contrasting government responses to COVID-19 including the denial of the pandemic. Data were collected through semi-structured household interviews in all three countries in rural areas. COVID-19 induced effects were found in all three countries, including in Brazil and Tanzania where both national governments initially neglected the existence of COVID-19 and introduced few containment measures only. Here, mobility and trade restrictions of other countries impact also on agricultural trade and production in countries in which governments took less action to COVID-19 and also people remained home and practiced social distancing even if no official government policy was issued. The findings in all three countries suggest that the COVID-19 crisis had negatively affected smallholders’ agricultural production, leading to a vicious cycle of low production, low incomes, and higher food insecurity. Results of this study raise the thorny issue of how best to balance containment of pandemic and future shocks against the well-being of the vulnerable rural population in lower- and middle-income countries; especially considering also the degree of global interconnected and the potential of polices to effect people beyond the national scale.
Evaluation of Predictive Motor Control With Two Touchscreen Tablet-Based Tests: Reliability and Validity in School-Aged Children
Authors: Psotta Rudolf , Dostál Daniel , Sarvestan Javad , Prycl David , Kašpar Ondřej , Křížová Ivana
Published: September 2022

As predictive motor control is an important index of neuromotor development and maturation, we developed two touchscreen tablet-based tests of this function. Our aim was to investigate the reliability and validity of both a rapid manual interception test and a pursuit tracking test, using a sample of 124 children (62 boys and 62 girls) from two age groups (7-8-year-oldss and 9–10-year-olds). Participants performed both tablet tests with a stylus (sample rate 100 Hz) with both a visible and a temporarily invisible moving target. Confirmatory factor analyses and omega coefficients showed that both tests were univariate methods that provided a reliable assessment of the latent factor related to predictive visuomotor control. As would be expected, compared to younger children, older children performed better on both manual interception and pursuit tracking. The correlations between the latent factors of the two tests at 95% confidence intervals (−.276, −.608) suggested shared variance. Thus, the touchscreen-tablet based tests of rapid manual interception and manual pursuit tracking appear psychometrically suitable for assessing the neuromotor ability of predictive control in 7-10-year-old children.
Correlative effect between sac regression and patient longevity following endovascular solution for abdominal aortic aneurysms: an international analysis
Authors: Jubouri Matti , Surkhi Abdelaziz O , Tan Sven ZCP , Bailey Damian M , Williams Ian M , Bashir Mohamad
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Since the introduction of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) it has become the mainstay treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Several EVAR devices exist commercially, yet, the Terumo Aortic Fenestrated Anaconda™ endograft has demonstrated outstanding results. Evidence in the literature suggests that sac regression could be linked to patient survival and longevity. The main scope of this study is to evaluate sac regression and survival achieved using the Fenestrated Anaconda™ endograft and to discuss relevant literature.

Materials and methods

The current study represents a nine-year cross-sectional international analysis of custom-made Fenestrated Anaconda™ device. For the statistical analysis, SPSS 28 for Windows and R were utilised. Pearson chi-square analysis was used to assess differences in cumulative distribution frequencies between select variables. Statistical significance for all two-tailed tests was set at p < 0.05.

Results

A total of 5,058 patients received the Fenestrated Anaconda™ in this study, either due to unsuitable/complex anatomy for competitor devices ( n = 3,891) or based on surgeon preference ( n = 1,167). A sac regression of 0–30% was observed in 4,772 (94.3%) over the first four years post-EVAR. Here, 99.6% of patients receiving the Fenestrated Anaconda™ due to unsuitable/complex anatomy for competitor devices and 76.8% based on surgeon preference had 0–30% sac regression. During years 5–9 of follow-up, all patients had 20–45% sac regression. Patient survival during the first six years post-EVAR was 100% but dropped to 77.1% in years 7–9. Survival differed between categorical patient subsets based on the indication.

Discussion

The Fenestrated Anaconda™ has been proven to be a highly effective EVAR endograft. Evidence in the literature clearly demonstrates that sac regression is an accurate prognostic factor for patient survival and longevity.
Value, time and outcomes of elevated lactate levels in adult patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Trejnowska Ewa , Skoczyński Szymon , Swinarew Andrzej S , Tarczyńska – Słomian Magda , Armatowicz Paul , Cyprys Paweł , Cieśla Daniel , Zembala Michał O , Knapik Piotr , Hryniewicz Katarzyna
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Lactate levels have been recognized as a reliable tool for monitoring critically ill patients requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) or venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) but the reasons behind the overproduction of lactate are different and the influance for survival remains controversial. We analyzed the lactate values and lactate clearance in adult patients in these two forms of extracorporeal support.

Methods

Patient demographics, ECMO duration, 30-day mortality, lactate values and lactate clearance at 24, 48 and 72 h from ECMO initiation of patients supported with VV and VA ECMO at Silesian Centre for Heart Deasese, between January 2011 and April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The changes in lactate levels were analyzed using the non-parametric U Mann-Whitney tests and Chi-square test. The ROC curves were draw and the area under the curve was calculated.

Results

The study comprised 91 adult patients, Mortality in the first 30 days from initiation of VV and VA ECMO was 39% and 66%, respectively. Lactate levels were significantly higher in non-survivors that received VV and VA ECMO ( p < .001), while lactate clearance was similar ( p = .256 and p = 1.000, respectively). Survival curves for patients with elevated (>2.0 mmol/L) vs normal (≤2.0 mmol/L) lactate levels at 72 h were significantly different for VV ECMO ( p = .007) and VA ECMO ( p = .037) but in both groups of ECMO, lactate levels above 2.0 mmol/L at 72 h from ECMO initiation predicted 30 day-mortality.

Conclusion

This results emphasized the importance of lactate levels below 2.0 mmol/L at 72 h from both VV and VA ECMO initiation.
Laryngeal injury following endotracheal intubation: Have you considered reflux?
Authors: Menon Rahul , Vasani Sarju S , Widdicombe Neil J , Lipman Jeffrey
Published: September 2022

Laryngotracheal injury is an increasingly common complication of intubation and mechanical ventilation, with an estimated 87% of intubated and ventilated patients developing a laryngotracheal injury often preventing their rehabilitation from acute illness. Laryngotracheal injuries encompass a diverse set of pathologies including inflammation and oedema in addition to vocal cord ulceration and paralysis, granuloma, stenosis, and scarring. The existing literature has identified several factors including intubation duration, endotracheal tube size, type and cuff pressures, and technical factors including the skill and experience of the endoscopist. Despite these associations, a key aspect in the sequelae of laryngotracheal injuries is due to reflux and is not clearly related to iatrogenic and mechanical factors.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux is a type of reflux that contaminates the upper aerodigestive tract. The combination of patient positioning and continuous nasogastric tube feeding act to affect the upper aerodigestive tract with acidic and non-acidic refluxate that causes direct and indirect mucosal injury impeding healing.

Despite laryngopharyngeal reflux being an established and recognised causative factor of upper aerodigestive tract inflammatory pathology and laryngotracheal injury, it is very understudied in critical care. Further, there is yet to be an agreed pathway to assess, manage and prevent laryngotracheal injury in intubated and ventilated patients. The incidence of laryngopharyngeal reflux in the intubated and mechanically ventilated patient in the intensive care unit is currently unknown. Prospective studies may allow us to understand further potential mechanisms of upper aerodigestive tract injury due to laryngopharyngeal reflux and herald the development of preventative and management strategies of laryngopharyngeal reflux–mediated upper aerodigestive tract injury in critically ill patients.
Association Between Markers of Vulnerability for Cannabis-Related Harms and Source of Supply: Secondary Analysis of a Representative Population Survey
Authors: Drouin Sarah , Rizkallah Élie , Conus Florence , Larney Sarah , Kaur Navdeep , Djignefa Djade Codjo , Jutras-Aswad Didier
Published: September 2022

Objective

In 2018, the sale of non-medical cannabis was authorized in the province of Quebec in Canada, within a public monopoly under the Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQDC). The objective of this study was to offer a description of the cannabis-using population regarding the sources of cannabis supply and to explore whether at-risk individuals are purchasing cannabis at SQDC.

Method

We used data from a cross-sectional, representative population survey (age >18 years, n = 1799), the Enquête Québécoise sur le Cannabis, which was completed between February and June 2019. Analyses involved adjusted binary logistic regressions, incorporating population weights, to assess 7 potential indicators of harm.

Results

The vulnerability profiles of SQDC consumers (47.8%) and those acquiring their cannabis elsewhere (52.2%) were similar in terms of frequency of cannabis use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.12-1.67), motivation to use (aOR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.16-2.46), concomitant consumption of other substances (aOR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.14-4.75), cannabis-impaired driving behaviours (aOR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.26-3.36), psychological distress (aOR = 0.99; 95% CI = 0.26-3.79), and problematic cannabis use (aOR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.13-1.64). However, SQDC consumers were more likely to be aware of the cannabinoid content of the product purchased compared to those who acquired their cannabis from other sources (aOR = 4.12; 95% CI = 1.10-15.40).

Conclusions

No association was detected between the source of cannabis supply and potential vulnerability indicators of cannabis-related harms, but SQDC consumers were more aware of the cannabinoid content of the products purchased. These results suggest that the regulated government supply in Quebec is reaching a substantial portion of those with potential high vulnerability to harm. Whether this knowledge translates into a reduction in the negative consequences related to consumption is still to be determined.
Government Regulation and the Political Activities of Nonprofits
Authors: Carroll Deborah A. , Myser Suzette , An Seongho
Published: September 2022

We propose a conceptual model of the political activities of nonprofits that qualify for exemption under subsections of the Internal Revenue Code other than 501(c)(3), including social welfare organizations, civic leagues, social clubs, and so on, which considers three categories of explanatory factors: organizational capacity, financial strategy, and operating environment. Using a Heckman selection model with longitudinal IRS 990 data, we find government regulation to be an obstacle for nonprofits to engage in the policy process. Political activities of non-501(c)(3) organizations are also negatively associated with government support, suggesting these organizations perceive government intervention differently from 501(c)(3) organizations when engaging in political activities.
‘Ugly and smelly or useful insect hunters?’ Perceptions of and attitudes towards bats in the turn of the twentieth-century public sphere in Barcelona
Authors: Carandell Baruzzi Miquel
Published: September 2022

In recent years, historians and sociologists of science have shown how turn of the century natural history research and its public communication in Barcelona was intrinsically attached to certain political orientations and the historical context. Likewise, the way society perceived bats and promoted their ecological services has been increasingly researched by the community of bat researchers. In this article, I describe attitudes towards and perceptions of bats in the ‘public sphere’ of Barcelona in that period and examine them using public communication of science and history of science analytical tools. I performed an exhaustive search of the available newspaper and magazine articles using the Catalan and Spanish words for ‘bat’ in the online search engines of the national Catalan and Spanish libraries from 1888 to 1929. I compiled and reviewed a wide range of periodicals, covering different political orientations and representing several different types of publication. The articles were classified into four different categories. First, bats were commonly used as a symbol to represent the city and right-wing, conservative politics. Second, bats were often linked to negative adjectives that portrayed them as ugly, disgusting or diabolic. Third, many articles made an active effort to stop children chasing and killing bats. And fourth, I also identified a non-organised group of popularisers across the whole media spectrum who promoted what we call today the ecological services provided by bats, and especially their role as agricultural pest controllers. This study provides a better understanding of science popularisation, and specifically, perceptions of and attitudes towards bats during the studied period. This approach illustrates how historical accounts can be used today to improve perceptions of bats and suggest a more complex context of science popularisation.
Flexoelectric vibration control of parabolic shells
Authors: Zhang Jie , Fan Mu , Tzou Hornsen
Published: September 2022

The presented work focuses on the spatially distributed actuation behavior of flexoelectric actuators on a parabolic cylindrical shell panel with simply supported boundary conditions. A flexoelectric actuator with significant electric field gradients could generate actuation forces and control moments to drive or control system oscillations. For an engineering structure with initial excitations, flexoelectric actuators could be employed to achieve vibration control with designed electric inputs. The dynamic equations of the parabolic cylindrical panel laminated with an arbitrary flexoelectric actuator are defined first. The transverse displacement excited by an external mechanical loading and flexoelectric actuators is calculated. Actuation effects and vibration control efficiency contributed by various design parameters including flexoelectric patch thickness and atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe radius are studied. As the purpose of this study is to accelerate the vibration attenuation, the open-loop control usually causes insufficient control or over-actuation effects. Using displacement feedback, velocity feedback, and acceleration feedback, the effectiveness of these three closed-loop control methods is analyzed and evaluated by the modal response. Analyses suggest that the velocity feedback could effectively attenuate oscillations with the lowest voltage input than in the other two cases. Specifically, the system damping ratio can be adjusted with velocity feedback. Lower voltage input could benefit system design and release stress concentrations caused by high electric field gradients. This research provides a basis for vibration control based on flexoelectric parabolic shell structures and provides an optimal choice for the design of flexoelectric drive closed-loop control for parabolic shell structures.
An Introspection Into Instructional Challenges at a University in Zimbabwe During the COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Siziba Liqhwa P.
Published: September 2022

At the inception of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe, all institutions of learning were ordered to close and allow learners to receive learning from their homes from the 24th of March 2020 after which universities resorted to remote instruction. This paper is interested in assessing the challenges that were being faced in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at a university in Zimbabwe when conducting instruction during the lockdown. Data was collected through semi-structured telephone interviews with 28 research participants who comprised four lecturers from each of the seven departments in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The results of the study showed that the only possible way of teaching during lockdown was utilization of internet communication. Conclusions of the study showed that while online teaching emerged as the only strategy for remote teaching, there was need to do an intensive pre-assessment of available resources for enabling remote instruction.
Diagnostic Value of Nestin Expression in Adult Gliomas
Authors: An Soyeon , Song In Hye , Woo Chang Gok
Published: September 2022

Introduction. Nestin, a type VI intermediate filament, is expressed in neuroepithelial cells during embryogenesis and has been expressed in various human tumors. Recent studies reported that the expression was associated with poor prognosis in brain tumors, but the results were inconclusive. In this study, we evaluated usefulness of nestin expression as a prognostic biomarker in consideration of IDH mutation and the World Health Organization (WHO) classification fifth edition. Methods. To investigate nestin expression, immunohistochemistry was performed on 92 adult brain gliomas using tissue microarrays. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes according to nestin expression and examined whether nestin expression alone affects the prognosis, independent of IDH mutation. Results. Sixty patients (65.2%) were nestin-positive (weak and strong). Nestin expression and intensity were significantly correlated with pathologic diagnosis and IDH mutation. The patients with high-grade gliomas showed a higher frequency and stronger intensity of nestin expression than those with low-grade gliomas ( P < .001). The majority (93.6%) of gliomas with IDH mutation showed no expression or weak positivity. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis for overall survival demonstrated that nestin expression (weak, hazard ratio [HR] 5.39, P = .036; strong, HR 8.43, P = .007) was an independent prognostic factor. Moreover, patients with nestin-expressing glioma showed shorter survival ( P < .001). Conclusions. Nestin seems to be strongly expressed in the vast majority of glioblastomas, IDH-wildtype and rarely in IDH-mutant gliomas. Clear correlation between nestin expression and pathologic diagnosis makes an accurate patient diagnosis. Expression and intensity of nestin were significantly correlated with worse survival.
Grading Writing: A Poetic (Auto) Ethnography
Authors: Nicholes Justin , Lukowski Alison , Reimer Cody
Published: September 2022

Grading has long been the source of negative emotions in Writing Studies for teachers and students alike; these negative emotions and experiences especially affect women-identifying professors and professors of color. This poetic research study presents the found poems of writing instructors in one predominantly White Midwest US university English department; poems came from restories from participants’ interviews about how they developed as assessors of writing. The aim is to foreground lived experiences of college professors who teach undergraduate writing for a living as the field continues to explore ethical and humane ways of assessment for all involved.
Aging out: Place and sexuality
Authors: Gambold Liesl L
Published: September 2022

This paper explores LGBT retirees as agents of change who are renegotiating the terms of healthy aging in place and expanding our understanding of lifestyle and retirement migration. For the first time in history, a generation of self-identified lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender individuals have entered retirement. However, their subjective experiences have largely been glossed over in popular discourses of successful aging and migration in heteronormative society. This article explores why and how older LGBT people are choosing housing options to age “out of place” in order to support their sexual lives and identities. Examining the everyday experiences of these seniors—members of a double minority, both aged and LGBT—allows us to disrupt the idea of what healthy “aging in place” means and when it might actually be unhealthy. Employing standpoint theory pushes the analysis of marginalized voices to the fore and allows us to ask about these seniors’ subjective realities. What results is a reimagining of the aging landscape. Interview data from LGBT seniors who have migrated to LGBT naturally occurring retirement communities or LGBT-focused housing complexes in France, Sweden, and Germany are used to stretch our notions of wellbeing and aging in place for these diverse retirees. One finding is that for these LGBT seniors, disrupting social norms by aging out of place is not escapist or amenity-seeking, but is key to honoring their sexuality and aging process in a safe and supportive environment.
Technical Aspects of Percutaneous Deep Venous Arterialization Using Off-the-Shelf Devices
Authors: Huang Ivan , Nakama Tatsuya , Ichihashi Shigeo , Pua Uei
Published: September 2022

Purpose:

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) represents the clinical end stage of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Although conventional open and endovascular revascularization options are available, some CLTI patients do not respond to these treatments, generally due to small vessel occlusive disease, with only limited or no clinical improvement achieved. This article aims to provide insights related to pertinent venous anatomy of the leg and below the ankle and a technical review of percutaneous deep venous arterialization (pDVA) creation using commonly-available devices.

Technique:

For patients with “no-option” CLTI, the risk of major amputation and mortality remains high. Although arterial revascularization remains the optimal treatment of CLTI, some patients with severely-diseased or gracile distal arteries have poor outcome. Deep venous arterialization (DVA), in a subset of patients with tibial anatomy amenable to DVA creation, represents the last-ditch attempt before these patients are deemed to have “no-hope” at limb salvage, and major amputation becomes necessary. Refinement in technique and advancement in device development have been shown to allow pDVA to be created with respectable outcomes for the “no-option” CLTI patient population.

Conclusion:

The pDVA has garnered increasing interest among endovascular specialists to further understand the anatomical and technical key points of this procedure, and it may yet prove to be a useful addition in the armamentarium in our battle against CLTI.

Clinical Impact

Percutaneous deep venous arterialisation provides another option in the treatment of challenging “no-option” CLTI patients, and off-the-shelf devices will allow this procedure to be performed in centers where dedicated devices are not available.
Current Trends in Use of Epinephrine in Hand Surgery
Authors: Bhogal Sumail , Mull Aaron , Dalton Jonathan , Ramraj Raghav , Lalonde Donald , Fowler John R. , Baratz Mark E.
Published: September 2022

Background:

Epinephrine use during hand surgery has been stigmatized due to a fear of digital necrosis. Clinical experience in the past 2 decades has shown epinephrine in local anesthetic to be safe. We sought to analyze the use of epinephrine among hand surgeons and identify variables associated with it.

Methods:

A deidentified 21-question survey was distributed via email to the 914 and 415 members of the American Association for Hand Surgery and the Canadian Society for Surgery of the Hand, respectively. Questions included residency type, years of practice, practice setup/ownership, practice leadership, usage of epinephrine, availability of reversal agents, and reasons for or against usage.

Results:

Of 188 responders, 170 (90%) used epinephrine in local anesthetic for hand surgery procedures. By nationality, 100% (43) of Canadian surgeons and 89% (108) of US surgeons use epinephrine ( P = .01). Among surgeons with practice ownership, 88% (102) used epinephrine compared with 93% (85) of those surgeons that we employed ( P = .28). Comparing surgeons with teaching responsibilities versus those without training responsibilities showed that surgeons who did not teach used epinephrine at a higher rate (87% vs 98%, P = .04). In addition, plastic surgery–trained surgeons (111) used epinephrine in 97.2% of cases while orthopedic surgery–trained surgeons (57) used epinephrine in 80.2% of cases ( P = .0003). No difference was found when examining the use of epinephrine and surgeon age ( P = .28).

Conclusions:

Most respondents believe that epinephrine is safe. Training background, location, and practice setup are significant factors in the use of epinephrine, whereas practice ownership and physician age are not major factors.
‘FLARE’ of tumor marker in advanced gastric cancer treated with first-line systemic therapy
Authors: Zhang Fangyuan , Zhai Menglan , Yang Jinru , Zhao Lei , Lin Zhenyu , Wang Jing , Zhang Tao , Yu Dandan
Published: September 2022

Background:

Transient tumor marker elevations caused by chemotherapy were defined as ‘Flare’ and have been demonstrated in some solid tumors. In clinical practice, we observed that some patients were accompanied by elevated tumor markers during treatment, but subsequent imaging proved that the treatment they received was effective.

Objectives:

We aimed to study the Flare and the prognosis in advanced gastric cancer.

Design:

This is an observational retrospective study. A total of 167 patients were enrolled in this study. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and CA125 values were obtained before the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cycles of treatment, respectively.

Methods:

Imaging for the first efficacy assessment was reviewed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) criteria. Kaplan–Meier analyses and log-rank tests were performed for overall survival (OS) analyses. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were used to determine the prognostic factor for OS and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results:

37.1% of patients were accompanied with at least one tumor marker Flare during the course of treatment. The median time to tumor marker peak was 24–30 days and the Flare duration lasted 49–53 days. Patients with tumor markers Flare had a worse OS. Flare may be associated with the use of 5-fluorouracil. Baseline CEA and CA125 levels were the independent prognostic factors for OS and baseline CA125 level was the independent prognostic factor for PFS.

Conclusion:

Initial elevation of tumor markers during treatment is not an indication of tumor progression. Patients with tumor markers ‘Flare’ may had a worse OS.
Association between bone trace elements and osteoporosis in older adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lin Shangjin , Yang Fengjian , Ling Ming , Fan Yongqian
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

Metal micronutrients deficiency may be one of the risk factors for the development of osteoporosis. This study aimed to measure the trace element contents in human bone tissue to analyze the relationship between micronutrients and osteoporosis.

Design:

A cross-sectional survey was performed on data from 51 elderly patients with proximal femoral fracture.

Methods:

The concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc in bone tissue samples from 51 elderly patients with proximal femoral fracture were determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDX). Subjects were divided into osteoporosis and non-osteoporosis groups according to their bone mineral density (BMD) T-score values. The difference in metal elements concentrations in bone tissue between the two groups was compared, and the role of metal elements in osteoporosis was discussed.

Results:

There was no statistical difference in age, sex, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, biochemical blood indices, and bone turnover markers between the two groups. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the difference in metal elements concentrations in bone tissue samples between the two groups. The results showed that manganese, copper, and zinc concentrations in the cancellous bone were significantly higher in the non-osteoporosis group than in the osteoporosis group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that high bone zinc concentration [odds ratio = 0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.075–0.928, p = 0.038] was negatively correlated with osteoporosis.

Conclusion:

Manganese, copper, and zinc play an essential role in bone mineralization and metabolism. Among them, zinc may be most closely related to osteoporosis and play a key role in bone development and maintenance of bone mass. Therefore, we believe that the design of zinc-rich compounds or nutrients as a new complementary factor to increase the intake of zinc for the elderly could be able to prevent and intervene in the occurrence of osteoporosis in the early stage.
Gender and Geographic Trends Among Foot and Ankle Surgeons: Where Are We and Where Do We Need to Improve?
Authors: Shazadeh Safavi Kiya , Okereke Robyn , Rezvani Aryan , Kocjan Kristine , Jupiter Daniel C. , Janney Cory F.
Published: September 2022

Introduction:

Women have historically been underrepresented in orthopaedics. This study analyzes the geographic distribution of female orthopaedic foot and ankle (OFA) surgeons, as well as geographic patterns between their training locations and current practices.

Methods:

American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) data regarding fellowship completion from 1988 to 2021 were analyzed. Internet searches were then performed to identify medical school, residency, and current practice locations of individual surgeons. States were categorized into regions and divisions based on US Census Bureau guidelines.

Results:

Of the 1088 OFA surgeons analyzed, 166 (15.26%) were women and 922 (84.74%) were men. The South has a higher number of female OFA surgeons; however, this region and the Midwest have the lowest percentages of female representation. The West and Northeast had significantly higher percentages of female representation and higher retention rates for women. There was high variability in the number and percentage of female OFA surgeons in divisions both within and between regions.

Conclusion:

Although the number of female OFA surgeons has increased, their representation remains low. Geographically, the East South Central division of the United States consistently had the least number of OFA surgeons, whereas the South Atlantic division had the highest. Level of Evidence: Not applicable.