bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The mediatedness of interorganizational collaboration. How collaboration materializes through affordances, chains, and switches
Authors: Berglez Peter , Hedenmo Otto
Published: July 2023

In research into interorganizational collaboration (IOC), the number of contributions highlighting the constitutive role of communication constantly seems to increase. However, surprisingly few contributions are devoted to communication studies that concentrate on the use of different media. An advanced “mediatedness” perspective is increasingly required, not least in terms of theory, focusing on how different media, as objects, tools and agents altogether constitute collaboration through complex combinations and asymmetric usage patterns. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to develop a theoretical framework for analyzing IOCs as media-driven processes and practices, which is highly relational. Of particular importance are the diachronic transformations of meaning-making when discursive content (sketchy notes, brainstorming, digital threads, presentation program slides, etc.) is transferred and materialized into stable ideas, proposals or solutions; moving from one media context to another; and its impact on the collaborations’ outcome.
How diplomacy evolves: the global spread of honorific state awards
Authors: Nishikawa-Pacher Andreas
Published: July 2023

Almost every polity uses state awards as diplomatic tools. Their global spread, however, cannot be explained by dominant theories of International Relations (which focus on military or economic rationales) or of diplomatic practices (which lack criteria for what constitutes a functionally suitable practice). The success of such seemingly non-instrumental tools may be better explained with a combination of Modern Systems Theory with the evolutionary scheme of variation/selection/re-stabilization: the diplomatic system generates a variation of practices, enacts selection through the structural medium of peace, and stabilises the selected variant through legal formalization and global diffusion. Using this framework, this paper finds that state awards found worldwide ubiquity for two reasons: First, they satisfy the diplomatic system’s societal function related to peace and power, that is, the foregrounding of peace-and-amity while invisibilizing power-and-enmity. Second, state awards exhibit a high degree of generalizability, meaning that they are so flexible that any state can use them towards any other states for any reasons at any time. This paper carries implications for understanding seemingly trivial, noninstrumental features of diplomacy, and, more generally, for the value of Modern Systems Theory and evolutionary perspectives in International Relations.
Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to predict the behavioral intent of teledentistry utilization amongst United States adults
Authors: VanDeWiele Mercedes D , Hastings Angela M , Evans Michael D , O’Connell Megan S , Flynn Priscilla M
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Teledentistry is an innovative health care delivery platform that can potentially improve oral health access and outcomes. The purpose of this study was to predict teledentistry utilization intentions of U.S. adults using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as a framework.

Methods

This mixed-method, cross-sectional study surveyed 899 participants from two independent samples in August and September 2021. Convenience samples of Minnesota State Fair attendees and ResearchMatch volunteers completed electronic surveys to identify the behavioral intention (BI) for teledentistry use within the next 6 months. Independent variables were the UTAUT constructs of performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), and facilitating conditions (FC). Data were analyzed using univariate analysis and multiple linear regression adjusting for age, gender and educational level. Qualitative analysis used thematic analysis using UTAUT as a coding framework.

Results

Univariate analysis showed statistical significance between each construct with BI ( P < 0.0001). Adjusted multiple linear regression revealed statistical significance between PE and SI with BI ( P < 0.0001). Qualitative responses corroborated quantitative results and revealed a lack of teledentistry knowledge.

Conclusion

The majority of participants indicated an intention not to use teledentistry within the next 6 months. The lack of prior experience of telehealth or teledentistry use in addition to lack of knowledge regarding teledentistry may contribute to these results. Future interventions to improve the BI to use teledentistry may benefit from focusing on PE and SI constructs for educational and marketing strategies.
Outcomes for young people in out of home care accessing tiered mental health services in Sydney, Australia
Authors: Drever Saskia , Foord Rachael , Mendoza Diaz Antonio , Eapen Valsa , Jairam Rajeev
Published: July 2023

Young people in OOHC have complex mental health concerns, therefore the South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) has trialled a tiered model of mental health care. Under this model the OOHC mental health team (OOHC-MHT) provides specialist tier four service delivery for those with the most severe, intense mental health needs. OOHC consumers with a reduced level of severity access services at a tier three centre-based iCAMHS. This study aims to understand the characteristics of young people in OOHC accessing different service provision options in Sydney, Australia. Sixty-six OOHC consumers 8–17 years accessing mental health services across SWSLHD from January 2020–December 2021 participated in the study. Group differences in OOHC-MHT and iCAMHS outcome measures were compared. HoNOSCA scores were significantly worse for OOHC-MHT than iCAMHS, indicating more severe psychopathology for OOHC-MHT at baseline. In OOHC-MHT, HoNOSCA decreased significantly from admission to discharge and scores on the CGAS increased significantly, indicating significant improvements in psychopathology and functioning. In the iCAMHS group scores on the HoNOSCA significantly decreased indicating improved psychopathology over this period. These findings support a tiered model of service delivery for OOHC consumers, with this tailored level of care resulting in significantly improved outcomes across a range of complexity.
How do law enforcement agencies recruit diverse applicants? Analysis of digital recruiting materials
Authors: Rineer Jennifer R , Taniguchi Travis A , Aagaard Brian , Brinton Julia , Duhart-Clarke Sarah E , Presler-Jur Paige , Wire Sean
Published: July 2023

Law enforcement agencies across the country are struggling to recruit qualified candidates and this problem is pronounced when recruiting demographically diverse officers. Women demonstrate competencies important for effective policing: restoring trust in police, obtaining high case clearance rates, and using less force. The goal of this study was to understand how agencies use online recruiting materials to recruit women officers. We assessed the frequency of text, images, and videos depicting women and racially and ethnically diverse individuals, and content related to hiring and the job itself. We conducted thematic analysis to understand how policing, the agency, and diversity were portrayed. Characteristics known to discourage women applicants were highlighted prominently in materials. Agencies did not provide consistent messaging about diversity, resources for women, or support for work–life balance. We found differences between agencies with higher and lower percentages of women, but they were inconsistent and often in unexpected directions.
Investigation of the performance of the structure and energy absorption in sandwich panels of PLA/TPU manufactured by the FFF technique
Authors: Hashemi Mehdi , Hatami Omid , Tajbakhsh Mohammad Reza
Published: July 2023

Sandwich structures are often used in the automotive, marine, aerospace, and many other industrial sectors due to their desirable performance properties, energy absorption, and ability to reduce the weight of parts. Multilayer composite materials also provide various design possibilities, making it simple for producers to fabricate intricate parts. One of the most popular additive manufacturing technologies for producing complicated objects is fused filament fabrication (FFF). In this study, sandwich samples with a dual-core of polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were fabricated by FFF technique in three different configurations, including cylindrical, honeycomb, and tetrahedral truss cells. Their properties were determined and investigated through tensile, three-point bending, Izod impact, microhardness tests, and scanning electron microscopy. The results were compared with samples manufactured with monolithic PLA. The results demonstrated that sandwich structures with TPU cores had a high-energy absorption capability. In comparison to monolithic PLA samples, these materials’ ultimate elongation and impact strength were dramatically enhanced. However, TPU cores had lower flexural and tensile strengths than samples with PLA cores. The structure's shape significantly influences both its strength and energy absorption characteristics. Firstly, tetrahedral truss core samples revealed that the samples’ elongation climbed considerably and exceeded three times with the deposition of TPU as the inner core compared to monolithic PLA. Last but not least, in flexural testing, sandwich panels with honeycomb manufactured of PLA/TPU showed the ultimate strain unit to be about 0.08, twice as much as samples made of monolithic PLA. The lowest impact resistance and the amount of energy absorbed before collapsing were demonstrated by monolithic PLA with a honeycomb inner core. Regarding energy absorption, dual sandwich panels with PLA/TPU, including cylindrical and tetrahedral truss cores, showed the best results.
Logico-semantic relations between spoken text and slides’ visual elements in student presentations conducted online in the English as a Foreign Language context
Authors: Lindenberg Dennis
Published: July 2023

Student presentations conducted with the help of PowerPoint represent communicative events that are inherently multimodal by incorporating visuals on slides accompanied by spoken commentary. However, despite their ubiquity in higher education, few studies have investigated the rhetorical relations between their auditory and visual modes. This study attempts to address this gap by applying theoretical frameworks for logico-semantics and image–text relations to student presentations conducted online at a private university in Japan. Analysis of over 5 hours of recorded data revealed how clauses in students’ spoken commentary related to visible entities on the screen primarily through exposition and, to a lesser extent, specification, summary, extension and enhancement. A further comparison of different stages within the presentations showed that summary and expansion played a bigger role whenever students provided background information or concluded the presentation. Further, qualitative discussion on selected excerpts sheds light on how the reading path alternated between exposition of visual text through repetition or synonymy and embellishment through specification or enhancement. However, comparing students also indicated that genre-specifics are not yet established for all students. The selection and configuration of logico-semantic relations influenced how slides compensated for verbal deficiencies, which has implications for the English as a Foreign Language context.
A Bayesian semiparametric mixed effects proportional hazards model for clustered partly interval-censored data
Authors: Pan Chun , Cai Bo
Published: July 2023

Clustered partly interval-censored survival data naturally arise from many medical and epidemiological studies. We propose a Bayesian semiparametric approach for fitting a mixed effects proportional hazards (PH) model to clustered partly interval-censored data. The proposed method allows for not only a random intercept as most frailty models do for clustered survival data, but also random effects of covariates. We assume a normal prior for each random intercept/random effect, seeing the instability of a gamma prior for a frailty in this situation. Simulation studies with data generated from both mixed effects PH model and mixed effects accelerated failure times model are conducted, to evaluate the performance of the proposed method and compare it with the three methods currently available in the literature. The application of the proposed approach is illustrated through analyzing the progression-free survival data derived from a phase III metastatic colorectal cancer clinical trial.
Multi-objective optimization design of shaftless rim-driven thruster
Authors: Tao Bian , Liangliang Liu , Wenhao Cai , Wen Jiang , Zhiwen Liu
Published: July 2023

This paper proposes a multi-objective optimization design method for shaftless rim-driven thruster (RDT) based on the ISIGHT platform. The pitch ratio, the blade area ratio and the advance coefficient of RDT were considered as the design optimization variables, the thrust and efficiency of the RDT were the optimization objectives. The multi-objective optimization design method was based on the surrogate module and the optimization module in the ISIGHT platform. Two analytical methods (response surface methodology (RSM) and radial basis function Model (RBF)) were used to build the surrogate model. The Muti-Island GA optimization algorithm was adopted in the optimization module. The paper indicates that both RSM model and RBF model are feasible to build the surrogate model, the RBF model has better accuracy and reliability than RSM model. The blade obtained by RBF method has larger thrust and smaller torque than that of the blade obtained by RSM method. For the large advance coefficient ( J > 0.6), the efficiency of the blade obtained by RBF method is slightly higher than that of the blade obtained by RSM method.
The Link Between Intimate Partner Violence and Food Insecurity: A Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Studies
Authors: Waterman Emily A. , McLain McKennly , Zulfiqar Hafsa , Ahmar Qadeer Taha , Ciavoi Sergiu-Mihai
Published: July 2023

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and food insecurity are global health issues that affect millions of people worldwide. Numerous studies show that IPV and food insecurity are linked; however, there is a lack of synthesis of this research. Using a systematic search and review, we examined the international quantitative and qualitative research published on the link between IPV and food insecurity. We searched for peer-reviewed, English-language articles with participants above the age of 16 in 4 large online databases. Fifty-six studies were included from around the world that discussed the link between food insecurity and IPV perpetration and/or victimization. We found evidence in both qualitative and quantitative studies for a meaningful connection between these two global health isues. We also reviewed the literature on moderators and mediators (e.g., mental health). Our findings indicate the importance of implementing IPV prevention strategies which also address household food insecurity, and the potential for food insecurity resources to provide IPV resources. Future research should focus more frequently on IPV perpetration as opposed to victimization, and further examine the moderating and mediating mechanisms that inform the link between IPV and food insecurity.
Machina ex Dea, Dea ex Machina: Gaia/GAIA/All-Mother and Lugones’ “World”—Traveling in Horizon Zero Dawn (2017)
Authors: Swain Natalie J.
Published: July 2023

This paper demonstrates that through video game mechanics and internal narrative elements, Horizon Zero Dawn employs Greek mythology to encourage a perspective shift in the player who comes to inhabit the protagonist, Aloy's, worldview. While inhabiting Aloy, an outcast within her own storyworld, Horizon Zero Dawn subtly subscribes to the tenets of standpoint theory which privilege the perspective of the marginalized, and encourages the player to employ Lugones’ “world”-traveling, a skill in which marginalized knowers particularly excel. Horizon Zero Dawn thus engages with Greek mythology and uses the connection that is built between player and avatar to encourage the transcendence of the player situation and to employ Lugones’ “world”-travel in order to respectfully and lovingly engage with others, both within and without the game's storyworld.
Interposition Arthroplasty versus Dual Cup Mobility Prosthesis in Treatment of Trapeziometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Guzzini Matteo , Arioli Leopoldo , Annibaldi Alessandro , Pecchia Stefano , Latini Francesca , Ferretti Andrea
Published: July 2023

Background:

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint is a common cause of pain and functional disability of the hand and is the second most frequent site in the hand of OA. This prospective randomized study analyses and compares the outcomes and global assessment of 2 different surgical techniques for rhizarthrosis treatment: trapeziectomy with tendon interposition arthroplasty and total joint replacement with Touch® (KeriMedical; Geneva, Switzerland) TMC prosthesis.

Methods:

The enrolled patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: group A included 71 patients (75 hands) treated with tendon interposition arthroplasty, while group B included 65 patients (72 hands) treated with total joint replacement. Clinical and radiological outcomes were collected before surgery and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up.

Results:

Although the values of all clinical tests performed during follow-up demonstrated statistically significant improvement over preoperative ones in both groups, patients treated with prosthesis showed faster improvement, especially in tests of strength and range of motion, which showed better results than patients treated with trapeziectomy and tendon interposition arthroplasty throughout the follow-up.

Conclusions:

Our study suggests that joint replacement should be preferred to interposition arthroplasty as the treatment of rhizarthrosis, choosing the latter in case of prosthetic replacement complications or scaphoid-trapezium-trapezoid OA.
Contempt in Seneca's Dialogue “On the Firmness of the Wise”
Authors: Junghanß Antje
Published: July 2023

For Seneca, the firmness of the Wise is shown in his ability to remain calm against attacks, as he explains in his treatise of that name. Attacks can come in the form of injustice, iniuria, and disparagement, contumelia; Seneca proves that neither of them affects the wise man. Contumelia is linked to contemptus in definition and conceptualization so that the remarks on how to deal with disparagement contain clues as to what contemptus means for Seneca. The article argues that Seneca understands the term in a double sense: First, contemptus denotes a reprehensible attitude. Second, it designates a kind of indifference which is to be understood in the context of Stoic apatheia.
The Wages of Contempt
Authors: Darwall Stephen
Published: July 2023

This article analyzes the wages (costs) of contempt. It argues that the social and political division and dysfunction caused by contempt and imagined content undermines political discussion and creates terrible costs for contemned and contemner in the burdens of shame and guilt they must bear.
Therapeutic plasma exchange in the management of stiff person syndrome spectrum disorders: a case series and review of the literature
Authors: Mercure-Corriveau Nicolas , Roy Shuvro , Hu Chen , Crowe Elizabeth P. , Zhu Xianming , Obando Danielle , Patel Eshan U. , Tobian Aaron A. R. , Wang Yujie , Bloch Evan M. , Newsome Scott D.
Published: July 2023

Background:

Stiff person syndrome spectrum disorders (SPSD) are a rare group of disabling neuroimmunological disorders. SPSD often requires immune therapies, especially in the setting of inadequate response to symptomatic treatments. The safety and efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in SPSD remains uncertain.

Objectives:

To describe the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of TPE in patients with SPSD.

Design:

A retrospective observational study.

Methods:

A retrospective review of SPSD patients seen at Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) from 1997 to 2021 was performed. Patient demographics/history, examination/diagnostic findings, treatment response, and TPE-related complications were recorded. Assessment for any associations between clinical characteristics, including age, sex, clinical phenotype, and time on immunotherapy, and response to TPE 3 months after treatment was performed. A subgroup of 18 patients treated with TPE at JHH and 6 patients treated with TPE at outside institutions were evaluated for any change in usage of symptomatic medications 3 months after the TPE treatment. Literature review of SPSD and TPE was also conducted.

Results:

Thirty-nine SPSD patients were treated with TPE (21 at JHH and 18 at outside institutions); median age 48 years, 77% female, median modified Rankin Scale 3; mean initial anti-GAD65 antibody titer was 23,508 U/mL. Twenty-four patients (62%) had classic SPS, 10 (26%) had SPS-plus, 2 (5%) had progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus, and 3 (8%) had pure cerebellar ataxia. All patients were on symptomatic treatments, 30 (77%) previously received IVIg, and 3 (8%) previously received rituximab. Four patients (10%) had a TPE-related adverse event. One developed asymptomatic hypotension, another had both line thrombosis and infection, and two had non-life-threatening bleeding events. Twenty-three (59%) patients reported improvement in symptoms after TPE. Of the subgroup of 24 patients evaluated for any change in usage of symptomatic medications 3 months after the TPE treatment, 14 (58%) required fewer GABAergic symptomatic medications. Literature review identified 57 additional patients with SPSD; 43 (75%) reported temporary improvement after TPE.

Conclusion:

The majority of patients treated with TPE had improvement. Moreover, most patients evaluated for any change in usage of symptomatic medications after the TPE treatment no longer required as much symptomatic medications months after TPE. TPE appears safe and well-tolerated in SPSD. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term efficacy of TPE in SPSD and identify which patients may benefit the most from TPE.
Regime Consolidation Through Deinstitutionalisation: A Case Study of the 2019 Elections in Thailand
Authors: Nethipo Viengrat , Kuhonta Erik Martinez , Horatanakun Akanit
Published: July 2023

Studies of elections held by autocrats often assume that institutions are strengthened in order to increase the leverage of the dictator. Yet, it can also be the case that institutions are purposely weakened when autocrats allow for elections. This is what happened in the 2019 Thai elections. These elections were notable not for advancing “national reform” or democratisation, but for the deinstitutionalisation of the party system. Through three mechanisms – constitutional engineering, electoral manipulation, and legal rulings – Thailand's royalist elites were able to deinstitutionalise the opposition and undermine a fair, democratic process. This paper outlines these mechanisms of deinstitutionalisation that distorted the outcome of the 2019 elections.
Designing the Continuous Glucose Monitor Experience: An App Design Process Overview
Authors: Kanter Doug , Henzler Phil , Jackson Andrea , Diener Alex
Published: July 2023

Users of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) experience the product in part through software. Smartphone and watch apps empower people affected by diabetes to make real-time treatment decisions based on glucose readings and aggregate data such as medication, nutrition, and activity information. As CGMs evolve and gain greater market adoption, there’s opportunity for these apps to play a greater role in users’ lives and diabetes management. To do so, designers should follow the best practices established by the broader technology community and apply them to the needs of this community. The process of thorough discovery research, clear problem definition, iterative design, and testing can lower barriers toward broader adoption, and favorably influence the health of users through their mobile apps.
Real-world data in patients with congenital hemophilia and inhibitors: final data from the FEIBA Global Outcome (FEIBA GO) study
Authors: Ettingshausen Carmen Escuriola , Hermans Cedric , Holme Pål A. , Cid Ana R. , Khair Kate , Oldenburg Johannes , Négrier Claude , Botha Jaco , Lelli Aurelia , Windyga Jerzy
Published: July 2023

Background:

The bypassing agent, activated prothrombin complex concentrate [aPCC, FEIBA (factor VIII inhibitor bypass activity); Baxalta US Inc, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA], is indicated for the treatment of bleeding episodes, perioperative management, and routine prophylaxis in patients with hemophilia A or B with inhibitors. In certain countries, aPCC is also indicated for the treatment of bleeding episodes and perioperative management in patients with acquired hemophilia A.

Objectives:

To describe long-term, real-world effectiveness, safety, and quality-of-life outcomes for patients with congenital hemophilia A or B and high-responding inhibitors receiving aPCC treatment in routine clinical practice.

Design:

FEIBA Global Outcome (FEIBA GO; EUPAS6691) was a prospective, observational study.

Methods:

Investigators determined the treatment regimen and clinical monitoring frequency. The planned patient observation period was 4 years. Data are from the safety analysis set (patients who received ⩾1 aPCC infusion).

Results:

Overall, 50 patients received either aPCC prophylaxis ( n = 37) or on-demand therapy ( n = 13) at screening [hemophilia A, n = 49; hemophilia B, n = 1; median (range) age, 16.5 [2–71] years). Mean ± standard deviation overall annualized bleeding rate and annualized joint bleeding rate for patients receiving prophylaxis were 6.82 ± 11.52 and 3.77 ± 5.71, respectively, and for patients receiving on-demand therapy were 10.94 ± 11.27 and 6.94 ± 7.39, respectively. Overall, 177 and 31 adverse events (AEs) were reported in 28 of 40 and 10 of 13 patients receiving prophylaxis or on-demand therapy, respectively. Two serious AEs were considered possibly related to aPCC: acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery embolism in one patient receiving prophylaxis. No thrombotic microangiopathy was reported. No AEs resulted in death.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated the long-term, real-world effectiveness and consistent safety profile of aPCC as on-demand therapy and prophylactic treatment in patients with hemophilia and high-responding inhibitors.

Trial registry:

FEIBA Global Outcome Study; EUPAS6691 https://www.encepp.eu/encepp/viewResource.htm?id=32774
Funding and financial sustainability of pharmacovigilance: suggested models for funding pharmacovigilance in resource-limited African countries
Authors: Isah Ambrose O. , Opadeyi Abimbola O. , Tumwijukye Henry , Cobelens Frank , Smith Diede , Ndomondo-Sigonda Margareth , Harmark Linda , Tanui Paul , Tiemersma Edine , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Mahlangu Gugu , Ayinbuomwan Stephen A. , Soulaymani Rachida , Pandit Jayesh M.
Published: July 2023

Background:

An important factor hindering the growth of pharmacovigilance (PV) in resource-limited settings is the lack of adequate funds to establish a functional National Pharmacovigilance System. Consequently, the crucial function of monitoring and ensuring the availability of safe medicines in these settings cannot be guaranteed considering the peculiarities of diseases and medicines used.

Objectives:

The objective of this paper is to provide an overview as to the availability of potential sources of funds, which could be explored to ensure Medicine Safety and to proffer a potential framework likely to ensure sustainable funding of PV in Africa.

Methods/processes:

The process of developing this framework entailed a review of PV financing in some developed economies, a landscape study of funding of PV in some African countries, an in-depth understanding of the PV system and the organisational structure and nexus between the regulatory agencies and National Pharmacovigilance Centre. Critical points for consideration included the sources of funds, revenue pool, the disbursement of funds, budgeting and expenditure profile and the legal framework. Consultative meetings, webinars and interviews with experts were carried out.

Results:

The findings showed that most of the PV systems were mainly integrated into the regulatory agencies regarding operational and fiscal governance with few facilities being independent of the regulatory agencies. The main source of funding was from the government with significant donor funding which is ad hoc and non-sustainable. Several potential sources were identified but yet to be exploited. There were no legal provisions for PV financing. A framework likely to ensure sustainable PV financing is suggested to capture all available sources of funding, mine the potential sources providing a sizeable pool of revenue to address its activities and enabling legal framework which will engender autonomy. Furthermore, it will address the nexus between the regulatory agencies and the PV outfits, thus enabling appropriate share of resources and blockage of diversions.

Conclusion:

In all, addressing the various elements identified in this study and providing the legal provisions which guarantees some degree of autonomy will provide a sustainable mechanism for PV funding in the resource-limited setting of Africa.
Who controls the infrastructure of social reproduction? Finance, reproduction, and resistance in educational landscapes
Authors: Cohen Dan
Published: July 2023

This commentary explores the dynamics of financialization in relation to educational infrastructures of social reproduction, an area McFadden identifies as a ‘generative avenue’ for future research. This exploration is accomplished through a discussion of how financialization is currently reshaping schooling in the US context in two ways: (a) through troubling the longstanding reproduction/resistance dialectic in education; and (b) through reorienting the built infrastructures of schooling into private revenue streams for investors. In doing so I argue that studying new modes of financial accumulation which directly touch upon the practices and infrastructures of schooling is critical to understanding the contemporary infrastructures of urban social reproduction that McFadden identifies.
A qualitative study of university students’ perspectives of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Keshoofy Aria , Lisnyj Konrad , Pearl David L , Thaivalappil Abhinand , Papadopoulos Andrew
Published: July 2023

Background:

Students in higher education commonly experience mental health problems. There is an ongoing need to explore potential intervention targets to focus on mental health promotion among students. Hopefulness may alleviate or be protective against various negative mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, suicide, and trauma-related disorders.

Objective:

To explore postsecondary students’ meanings and experiences of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify factors affecting hopefulness during crises.

Methods:

Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants for online semi-structured interviews in a university located in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results:

In total, 12 participants were interviewed, and 4 themes were generated: (1) hope is a complex concept with an associated set of behaviors, (2) cognitive framing of hope as a means of student resilience, (3) COVID-19 as an antagonist which amplifies preexisting student concerns and issues, and (4) the social and physical environments serve as barriers and enablers to hope and well-being. Hope was perceived as a positive mental trait, external events and the environment were reported to impact hope, and those who were generally more hopeful adjusted better mentally when unexpected circumstances arose.

Conclusions:

Findings shed light on the interconnectedness and complex nature of hope, its sources, and enablers. Novel findings include the ways in which hope was affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations for individual- and community-based interventions include targeting enablers to hopefulness by promoting social support systems, offering virtual extracurricular activities, and delivering alternative approaches to teaching and learning.
Toward a meta-vaccine future: Promoting vaccine confidence in the metaverse
Authors: Nawaz Faisal A , Mekki Yosra Magdi , Tharwani Zoaib Habib , Khan Hira Anas , Shaeen Sean Kaisser , Boillat Thomas , Zary Nabil , Zughaier Susu M
Published: July 2023

The metaverse has a promising role to serve as a global platform and tackle one of the most intractable public health challenges; vaccine hesitancy. Active efforts in this field can enhance vaccine acceptance thus leading to better community health protection. By embracing digital health innovations, the metaverse potentially creates an interactive environment for interdisciplinary collaborations that can foster novel approaches in tackling vaccine hesitancy as well as future pandemics. This paper aims to highlight the unique areas where the metaverse can enhance vaccination confidence, educate about vaccine working principles, and offer collaborative healthcare initiatives in this virtual community.
Role of Energy Consumption on the Environmental Impact of Sectoral Growth in Malaysia
Authors: Ehigiamusoe Kizito Uyi , Ramakrishnan Suresh , Lean Hooi Hooi , Somasundram Sotheeswari
Published: July 2023

Although some studies have posited that sectoral growth could influence environmental pollution through energy consumption, the issue has not been explicitly and empirically investigated in the carbon-neutrality literature. Hence, this analysis fills the gap in the extant literature by employing the interaction models to ascertain the moderating role of energy consumption on the environmental impacts of the industrial, agricultural, financial, and service sectors in Malaysia. It also analyzes the marginal effects of sectoral growth on environmental pollution (i.e., ecological footprint and carbon emissions) at various levels of energy consumption. The Autoregressive Distributed lag technique utilized in this study found that the variables are cointegrated. The empirical estimations reveal that energy consumption plays a harmful moderating role on the impacts of the industrial and financial sectors on environmental pollution but does not aggravate the environmental impacts of the agricultural and service sectors. Besides, the marginal effects of the industrial and financial sectors on environmental pollution increase as the level of energy consumption rises in Malaysia. Based on the findings, this study highlights the policy implications and options.

JEL Classification: Q53, O13, O14
Reduced Incidence of Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Internal Brace Augmentation
Authors: Daniel Adam V. , Wijdicks Coen A. , Smith Patrick A.
Published: July 2023

Background:

Revision rates and outcome measures after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with suture tape as an internal brace is not well-documented because of the emerging nature of the technique.

Hypothesis:

ACLR with internal bracing (IB) would lead to decreased revision ACLR compared with traditional ACLR while exhibiting comparable patient outcomes.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 200 patients were included in this study. Patients aged between 13 and 39 years at the time of surgery who underwent primary autograft ACLR with IB between 2010 and 2020 and were enrolled in our institution’s registry with a minimum of 2-year follow-up were identified and matched 1 to 1 with a non-internal brace (no-IB) group based on concomitant procedures and patient characteristics. Pre- and postoperatively, patients completed the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Marx activity rating scale, Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey, and visual analog scale for pain. Knee laxity measurements via the KT-1000 arthrometer were included in the pre- and postoperative objective clinical assessments.

Results:

A total of 100 IB patients were matched with 100 no-IB patients based primarily on concomitant procedures and secondarily on patient characteristics. The IB group underwent significantly fewer revision ACLRs (1% vs 8%; P = .017). Even though the no-IB group had a significantly longer mean final follow-up time (48.6 months [95% CI, 45.4-51.7] vs 33.4 months [95% CI, 30.3-36.5]; P < .001), the time elapsed from the original ACLR to the revision did not differ significantly between groups, and the mean ages for the IB and no-IB groups were comparable (19 vs 19.9 years). All postoperative patient-reported outcome scores between the 2 groups were comparable and significantly improved postoperatively except for the Marx score, which significantly decreased stepwise for both groups postoperatively. KT-1000 measurements significantly improved in both groups after surgery with the IB and no-IB cohorts yielding comparable results at the manual maximum pull (0.97 vs 0.65 mm).

Conclusion:

ACLR with IB resulted in a significantly decreased risk of revision ACLRs while maintaining comparable patient-reported outcomes. Therefore, incorporating an internal brace into ACLR appears to be safe and effective within these study parameters.
Republication of “A Novel Casting Technique for Tongue-Type Calcaneus Fractures With Soft Tissue Compromise”
Authors: Heintzman Sara E. , Lund Erik A. , Bubla James W. , Whiting Paul S.
Published: July 2023

Displaced calcaneal fractures encompass a spectrum of fracture patterns, many of which are associated with soft tissue complications. Displaced tongue-type calcaneal fractures often cause pressure on the posterior heel skin, particularly when treatment is delayed. Resultant partial- or full-thickness skin necrosis presents significant challenges to the treating surgeon. In this article, the authors report on a case of full-thickness skin necrosis associated with a displaced tongue-type calcaneus fracture. The authors describe the use of a specialized heel window casting technique, which eliminates posterior heel pressure and greatly facilitates soft tissue surveillance and local wound care. The article also reviews the literature on soft tissue complications associated with displaced calcaneus fractures.
Republication of “How Accurate Is Clinical Evaluation in Hindfoot Coronal Alignment?”
Authors: Slullitel Gastón , Álvarez Victoria , Lopez Valeria , Calvi Juan Pablo , Calvo Ana Belén
Published: July 2023

Background:

Hindfoot coronal alignment is an important factor in the assessment of patients with many different foot and ankle complaints. A number of clinical and radiographic techniques have been described to measure hindfoot coronal alignment, but none of them are widely accepted. The purpose of the present study was to assess the correlation between clinical and radiographic hindfoot alignment measures and to evaluate the reproducibility of each.

Methods:

We evaluated 85 patients with foot and/or ankle symptoms. Hindfoot clinical alignment was measured from photographs. Each patient was placed at a distance of 1 m from the observer, with both feet placed parallel. Four photographs were taken, at a height of 40 cm: a posterior view of both lower limbs including knees, a posterior view focalized on the studied hindfoot, an anterior view of the foot, and the last view of the medial aspect of the foot. Radiographic alignment was quantified on long axial view radiographs. Patients were lying over the film cassette with a focus distance of 1 m and the beam pointed to the ankle joint. The inclination angle of the beam was 45 degrees to the floor. Measurements were independently made by 2 observers, who were asked to classify pictures into 3 categories: varus, neutral, and valgus. Radiographic measurements were made using the angle measurement tool on the radiograph viewer. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the ICC were used to quantify the inter- and intraobserver reliability for clinical assessment. Radiographic parameters were correlated by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient (r).

Results:

The intraobserver ICC for clinical analysis was good for both observers, while the interobserver ICC was moderate for both measurements. Regarding radiographic assessment, there was significant intra- and interobserver reliability. The correlation between both methods was weak for both observers.

Conclusions:

We found only weak intra- and interobserver correlations between the clinical and radiographic assessment of hindfoot coronal alignment. It is therefore necessary to complement the clinical evaluation of hindfoot alignment with an objective measurement method such as a long axial view radiograph. Further studies comparing different measurement methods need to be performed to establish the most objective evaluation.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, diagnostic study.
Manpower Planning at SMMA Enterprises Ltd
Authors: B. V. Narendra Babu , Keerthi Ramya , Agarwal Vaishali
Published: July 2023

The case study provides insights into the nuances of manpower planning in the construction industry in a post-pandemic context. This case study was developed by collecting data from employee interviews, web pages of SMMA Enterprises Ltd and research articles in the field of manpower planning. The case deals with SMMA Enterprises Ltd which is one of the leading infrastructure development companies in India. SMMA Enterprises Ltd were at crossroads in terms of manpower planning and were trying to restructure the manpower to optimize the cost. The sudden lockdown and the subsequent project delay due to COVID-19 further exacerbated the challenges faced by the company. The protagonist, in this case, is the human resources manager at SMMA Enterprises Ltd. She has a problem in terms of how to deal with manpower planning going forward especially in the challenging times because of the pandemic. Additionally, she also has a manpower planning problem because of the extension of the project. This case study can be used by academicians for classroom teaching and also can be used by practitioners as a reference case.
Educators’ experiences and reflections on the implementation of evidence-based practices for autistic students in public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hernandez Alyssa M. , Michael Olivia , Canning Gabriella , Joshi Mahima , Osuna Anthony , Locke Jill
Published: July 2023

Introduction

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many schools to close their doors and transition to remote learning, disrupting how autistic students received school-based services and support. While school structure changes were challenging for all students, autistic students were uniquely affected, considering their reliance on predictability and routine; moreover, education settings are where most autistic children receive services. Much has been studied regarding the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for autistic students in traditional school settings, yet little is known about how educators use EBPs in remote learning environments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

In this study, we explore educators’ experiences with EBP implementation at the height of the pandemic and educators’ reflections of its impact on autistic students and their school systems. Qualitative data were collected from 81 educators (general educators, special educators, and paraeducators) in semi-structured interviews regarding EBP use at the onset of the pandemic.

Results

Four themes emerged from interviews: (1) pandemic and remote learning environment challenges to inclusion and EBP use; (2) EBP use adaptations for remote learning environments; (3) pandemic and remote learning environment benefits for EBP use; and (4) considerations for EBP use beyond the pandemic.

Conclusion

These findings elucidate educators’ experiences using EBPs during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight important areas of consideration for autism-focused EBP implementation as remote instruction continues to be a learning format. More research is needed to understand how to best implement EBPs for autistic students in this emerging instruction context.
Effects of sperm processing techniques on IVF pregnancy rates: a mini-review
Authors: Zhao Cong , Sun Lanming , Zhao Pin
Published: July 2023

Many factors associated with assisted reproductive technologies significantly influence the success of pregnancy after in vitro fertilization (IVF) either directly or indirectly. These factors include sperm processing techniques, egg retrieval, intrauterine artificial insemination, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and embryo transfer. Among these technologies, sperm quality is one of the most critical factors for a successful IVF pregnancy. The method used for sperm processing plays a crucial role in determining the quality of sperm. Several widely used sorting techniques, such as conventional swim-up, density gradient centrifugation, magnetic activated cell sorting, and hyaluronic acid, have been extensively compared in various studies. Previous studies have shown that each sperm processing method causes varying degrees of sperm damage, particularly in sperm motility, concentration, morphological features, viability, and DNA integrity. However, sperm processing techniques have been developed slowly, and the impact of these methods on pregnancy rates is still unclear. Further exploration is needed. In this review, we aim to compare the results of different sperm processing techniques concerning sperm quality and IVF pregnancy rates. We will also discuss possible clinical approaches, such as microfluidics and integrated approaches, for testing and improving sperm quality.
Lemierre syndrome: a hidden complication of sore throats
Authors: AlAmer Naheel A. , AlMarzouq Wasan F.
Published: July 2023

Background

Lemierre syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition characterized by septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, most commonly caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum.

Case presentation

A 46-year-old woman with no significant medical history presented with generalized neck swelling and fever. Despite seeking medical attention at multiple outpatient clinics for upper respiratory symptoms lasting 10 days, she only received symptomatic treatment for acute viral pharyngitis. A computed tomography (CT) scan of her neck revealed thrombophlebitis in the left internal jugular vein, and subsequent cultures indicated the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The patient’s oxygen saturation levels suddenly dropped, and the CT scan identified bilateral peripheral consolidation areas in both lungs, consistent with septic emboli. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of Lemierre syndrome. The patient was treated with 2 weeks of intravenous piperacillin/tazobactam and vancomycin, as well as anticoagulation therapy using heparin, and her symptoms resolved completely.

Conclusion

This report presents an unusual occurrence of Lemierre syndrome caused by K. pneumoniae, a less frequently encountered causative pathogen in patients without diabetes mellitus. The case highlights the significance of timely and appropriate antibiotic use to prevent potential complications.