bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A heuristic algorithm for medical staff’s scheduling problems with multiskills and vacation control
Authors: You Peng-Sheng , Hsieh Yi-Chih
Published: October 2021

Introduction

The main issue related to the duty schedule is to allocate medical staff to each medical department by considering personnel skills and personal vocation preferences. However, how to effectively use staff’s multiskill characteristics and how to execute vocation control have not been well investigated.

Objectives

This article aims to develop duty scheduling and vacation permission decisions to minimize the sum of customers’ waiting costs, the overtime cost of medical staff, the cost of failing to meet medical staff’ vacation requirements, and the cost of mutual support between departments.

Methods

This study formulated the problem as a multiperiod mixed integer nonlinear programming model and developed a hybrid heuristic based on evolutionary mechanism of genetic algorithm and linear programming to efficiently solve the proposed model.

Results

Five types of problems were solved through Lingo optimization and the proposed approach. For small-scale problems, both methods can find the optimal solutions. For a slightly larger problem, the solutions found by the proposed approach are superior those of Lingo.

Conclusion

This research discusses the complex decision-making problem of on-duty arrangement and vacation control of medical staff in a multidepartmental medical center. This research formulates the medical staff’s scheduling and vacation control problems as constrained mixed integer quadratic programming problems. Computational results indicate that the proposed approach can efficiently produce compromise solutions that outperform the solutions of the Lingo optimization software.
Plant-women, senses, and ecological considerations: Rethinking ritual plants and their taboos among the Pangcah of Taiwan (1920–2020)
Authors: Liu Pi-Chen
Published: October 2021

Anthropologists have made strides in theorizing non-human subjectivity in cosmologies but, emphasizing animals, they underestimate the importance of botanical beings. Pangcah rituals and taboos cannot be separated from plants. Through ritual action, they divide plants into three categories: the first is cereals that have deities and soul, which are the center of animistic and shamanic rituals. These spirits will stick to people (like the substance of cereals) asking for food or aggressively make people ill. The second type is leaf vegetables forbidden to eat before and during rituals. They are regarded as unmarried females and have sexual connotations. The third includes ‘enveloped’ plants (beans and bamboo shoots) that are eaten only during rituals. From the important position of plants in the Pangcah lifeway and cosmology, this article explores the Pangcah ontology and analyzes the mediating role of sensory experience played in the people–plants–spirits encounter.
The Ideology of Development, the Marxist Theory of Dependency, and the Critique of the Popular-Democratic Strategy
Authors: Prado Fernando Correa
Published: October 2021

The various analyses guided by the concept of development as a utopian horizon and how to achieve it inform an ideology of development in that they tend to dehistoricize “development” and thus present as natural its relations of domination and exploitation through a system of ideas that treats particular historical processes as if they could be universalized and particular political projects as if they were universal. This perception leads to hypotheses about this ideology of development focusing on its contemporary presence, its origins, its roots, its unfolding, its hegemony, its tendency toward economicism, and possible ways of moving beyond it. A focus on its contemporary presence contributes to the current critique of it in connection with the construction of a socialist strategy in Our America.

As variadas análises orientadas pelo horizonte utópico do desenvolvimento e pautadas pela questão motora de “como se desenvolver” informam a ideologia do desenvolvimento, na medida em que tendem a desistoricizar o “desenvolvimento” e, desta forma, naturalizam as relações de dominação e exploração vigentes através de um sistema de ideias que apresenta determinados processos históricos particulares como passíveis de universalização e determinados projetos políticos particulares como sendo universais. Esta percepção traz consigo sete hipóteses sobre a ideologia do desenvolvimento, tratando de sua presença atual, origem, enraizamento, desdobramentos, hegemonia, tendência ao economicismo e, finalmente, possíveis formas de sua superação. O foco aqui se concentra na primeira hipótese, tendo em vista a relevância política atual da crítica à ideologia do desenvolvimento na construção de uma estratégia socialista em Nuestra América.
Convergence for the optimal control problems using collocation at Legendre-Gauss points
Authors: Mai Heng
Published: October 2021

The convergence of the novel Legendre-Gauss method is established for solving a continuous optimal control problem using collocation at Legendre-Gauss points. The method allows for changes in the number of Legendre-Gauss points to meet the error tolerance. The continuous optimal control problem is first discretized into a nonlinear programming problem at Gauss collocations by the Legendre-Gauss method. Subsequently, we prove the convergence of the Legendre-Gauss algorithm under the assumption that the continuous optimal control problem has a smooth solution. Compared with those of the shooting method, the single step method, and the general pseudospectral method, the numerical example shows that the Legendre-Gauss method has higher computational efficiency and accuracy in solving the optimal control problem.
Chronic Rhinosinusitis and the Risk of Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Dattilo Lillian W. , Workman Alan D. , Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: October 2021

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a common disease associated with reductions in quality of life across a range of measures, including sexual health. We conducted a case‐control study assessing chronic rhinosinusitis prevalence among men with and without clinically significant erectile dysfunction. We found that chronic rhinosinusitis was significantly associated with erectile dysfunction (odds ratio = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.8‐2.4, P <. 001) and that this association remained significant even when the interval between chronic rhinosinusitis diagnosis and erectile dysfunction treatment was restricted. This study adds to a growing body of literature demonstrating an association between chronic rhinosinusitis and sexual dysfunction.
Couple, parent, and infant characteristics and perceptions of conflictual coparenting over the transition to parenthood
Authors: Schoppe-Sullivan Sarah J. , Nuttall Amy K. , Berrigan Miranda N.
Published: October 2021

This study examined trajectories of new parents’ perceptions of conflictual coparenting and predictors thereof. Partners in 182 dual-earner different-gender U.S. couples reported their prenatal marital conflict and individual characteristics (conflictual coparenting in the family of origin, parenting self-efficacy expectations, and parenting role beliefs) during the third trimester of pregnancy, their infant’s characteristics (negative affectivity and gender) at 3 months postpartum, and their perceptions of undermining coparenting and exposure to conflict at 3, 6, and 9 months postpartum. Results of latent growth curve models indicated that new parents’ perceptions of undermining, but not exposure to conflict, increased similarly from 3 to 9 months. Fathers perceived higher initial undermining than mothers, but there were no gender differences in exposure to conflict. For mothers, greater prenatal marital conflict and greater infant negative affectivity were associated with elevated levels of perceived undermining and exposure to conflict. For fathers, more egalitarian role beliefs were associated with lower undermining and less exposure to conflict, whereas greater prenatal marital conflict, higher conflictual coparenting in the family of origin, and greater infant negative affectivity were associated with greater exposure to conflict. Fathers also perceived greater undermining and exposure to conflict when mothers reported higher prenatal marital conflict, whereas mothers’ greater conflictual coparenting in the family of origin was related to fathers’ lower exposure to conflict. These findings provide valuable information to strengthen programs focused on improving coparenting.
Gauging the impact of literacy and educational background on receptive vocabulary test scores
Authors: Deygers Bart , Vanbuel Marieke
Published: October 2021

The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) is a widely used test of receptive vocabulary, but no researchers to date have examined the performance of low-educated, low-literate L2 adults, or compared these individuals’ performances to their more highly educated peers. In this study, we used many-facet Rasch analysis and mixed-effects linear regression to determine the impact of educational background and other demographic variables on PPVT test performance. The analyses rely on the performance data of 1,014 adult learners of Dutch as a second language on the Dutch version of the PPVT (PPVT-III-NL). The results show that a substantial proportion of score variance can be attributed to educational background variables and to the educational tracks the participants followed. These tracks, which cater to the needs of different L2 learner profiles, appear to exacerbate rather than mediate any performance differences. Although this study provides evidence of performance differences and differential item functioning resulting from linguistic, demographic, and educational variables, it offers no data to invalidate the use of the PPVT on low-educated L2 adults.
Hong Kong secondary students’ perspectives on selecting test difficulty level and learner washback: Effects of a graded approach to assessment
Authors: Tsang Chi Lai , Isaacs Talia
Published: October 2021

This sequential mixed-methods study investigates washback on learning in a high-stakes school exit examination by examining learner perceptions and reported behaviours in relation to learners’ beliefs and language learning experience, the role of other stakeholders in the washback mechanism, and socio-educational forces. The focus is the graded approach of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education English Language Examination (HKDSE-English), incorporated in 2012, that allows test-takers to choose between easier and more difficult sections for reading and listening-integrated skills papers. Inductive coding of focus groups involving 12 secondary students fed into the development of the Washback on Students’ Learning questionnaire, which was administered to another 150 learners. Exploratory factor analyses of identified washback effects revealed four major types straddling different settings (classrooms, tutorial schools, learners’ personal environment), and seven categories of mediating variables pertaining to learners themselves, other stakeholders, and societal influences. Simultaneous multiple regressions identified influential clusters of mediating variables and showed the strongest predictors for each macro-level washback type varied. At least one intrinsic and one extrinsic factor category significantly contributed to all types, reaffirming learner washback as a socially situated, negotiated construct. Implications related to the consequences, use, and fairness of the graded approach are discussed.
Research data management and sharing awareness, attitude, and behavior of academic researchers
Authors: Rafiq Muhammad , Ameen Kanwal
Published: October 2021

This study assesses the research data management (RDM) awareness, attitude, practices, and behaviors of Pakistan's academic researchers. By using an internationally designed structured questionnaire as a data collection instrument. Quantitative survey research method was opted to meet the research objectives and data was collected from academicians and researchers of four premier universities of Pakistan. The study reveals used and produced data file formats, data acquisition sources, data storage patterns, metadata and tagging practices, data sharing patterns, RDM awareness, attitude, and behavior of the respondents by investigating the self-opinion of respondents on extensive sets of structured questionnaire items. It is a comprehensive assessment of the phenomenon from a developing country's perspective where research data management policies are absent at national and institutional level. The findings have theoretical implications for researchers and practical implications for policymakers, university administrators, university library administrators, and educational trainers.
Parametric Evaluation of Internet of Things Applications to Freight Transportation Using Model-Based Systems Engineering
Authors: Fabregas Aldo D. , Crawford Paul , Mesa Rodrigo , Calatayud Agustina
Published: October 2021

The intended purpose of an intelligent transportation systems (ITS) project is to automate operations through device-to-device connectivity. These devices generally represent stakeholder’s endpoints and expose interfaces to automated operations. Current trends in communication allow more applications and devices to perform functions traditionally allocated to the transportation ITS infrastructure. This connected environment of industrial internet of things presents design challenges because of the diversity of stakeholders, interfaces, and the messages among them. This may require new ways in which ITS planning can handle the scale and complexity of these highly connected systems. This work focuses on the modeling of the architecture of a freight-focused ITS application, including maritime ports. The proposed model integrates stakeholders, behaviors, and messages using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML). The key contribution of this work is to demonstrate the creation of an executable SysML model for an ITS application without sacrificing the typical Systems Engineering Management Plan artifacts (e.g., requirements traceability matrices and interface control documents). At the same time, the proposed model provides a re-usable pattern to support parametric analysis of candidate architectures with respect to any measure of effectiveness. This allows establishing a single source of architecture definition and having multiple architecture specializations depending on the measure of effectiveness being evaluated. Recommendations for implementation and integration with existing ITS tools are provided.
Exploring the racial habitus through John’s story: On race, class and adaptation
Authors: Singh Amit
Published: October 2021

This article puts Pierre Bourdieu’s conceptual tool habitus to work alongside Sara Ahmed’s theory of racialization to conceptualize a racial habitus that is durable but not totally determining. The racial habitus is applied to the narrative account of John, a Black-Caribbean man from North East London, who finds himself a ‘fish out of water’ within a racist society, which confronts him with the reality that he must actively acquire new dispositions, sensibilities and cultural capital, in order to survive. This article explores the cost of this adaptation for people such as John and the uneven processes that enabled his constrained adaptation. It is argued that people such as John are forced to ‘carve’ themselves out against the backdrop of dominant racist discourse in complex and creative ways that highlight the constrained but non-essential nature of racial subjectivities. In doing so, this article argues against perceptions that Pierre Bourdieu is a structural determinist through offering empirically-driven insights that highlight his oft-ignored complex positions on agency.
Pre and postoperative imaging in patients undergoing pyeloplasty: A survey of current adult and paediatric practice
Authors: Bianco Marta , Castagnetti Marco , Masieri Lorenzo , Mele Ermelinda , Gennaro Mario DE ,   Working Group on Pediatric Urology and Italian Society of Urology
Published: October 2021

Background:

Imaging to be used during the workup and follow-up of patients undergoing pyeloplasty is still controversial. Present survey aimed at assessing variations in pre- and post-operative imaging between adults and paediatric specialists in patients undergoing pyeloplasty.

Methods:

A survey of members of the ‘Italian Society of Urology’ (SIU) and the ‘Italian Society of Paediatric Urology’ (SIUP) was conducted using an online platform.

Results:

Respondents included 87 (74.4%) adult and 30 (25.6%) paediatric specialists. Adult specialists were significantly more likely to use a CT scan during preoperative workup ( p = 0.001) and postoperative follow-up ( p < 0.001). In contrast, paediatric specialists were significantly more likely to recommend voiding cystourethrography during the workup ( p < 0.001) and an MRI in cases requiring additional diagnostic study (<0.001). Adult specialists reported to deal significantly more commonly with symptomatic or complicated hydronephroses ( p < 0.001). The majority of respondents recommend an ultrasound scan at 1–3 months as first postoperative investigation. Two-third also recommended a nuclear scintigraphy, but 67.8% of adult specialists recommended to perform it within 6 months of surgery whereas 76.7% of paediatric specialists between 6 and 12 months ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Present survey suggests quite a significant variation between adult and paediatric specialists in pre- and post-operative assessment of patients requiring pyeloplasty. This may just reflect different attitudes that could be improved with appropriate studies, or essential differences in the condition or the characteristics of treated patients. In any case, such differences are important and should be taken into account.
Association between the use of exchange devices for peritoneal dialysis fluids and peritonitis incidence: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Hasegawa Takeshi , Noma Hisashi , Hamano Takayuki , Abe Masanori , Wada Atsushi , Honda Hirokazu , Ito Yasuhiko , Masakane Ikuto , Nitta Kosaku
Published: October 2021

Background:

The use of exchange devices for peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluids is a common practice in Japan. Evidence on the effectiveness of exchange devices in preventing PD-related peritonitis is scarce. We evaluated the association between the use of exchange devices for PD fluids and peritonitis incidence.

Methods:

We retrospectively enrolled 3845 patients, aged ≥20 years, receiving PD for ≥3 months, with available data on the exchange procedure for PD fluids and peritonitis incidence that was obtained from the Japan Renal Data Registry, a nationwide annual survey. The patients were grouped according to whether the manual or device PD fluid exchange method was used. The onset of peritonitis was defined as a leukocyte count of >100/µL (neutrophils ≥50%) in PD effluents. We applied quasi-Poisson regression analyses to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR). Age, sex, PD vintage, body mass index, automated PD use, residual kidney function, comorbidities, haemoglobin and serum albumin were adjusted as potential confounders.

Results:

Older age, automated PD use, diabetes as comorbidity and lower haemoglobin levels were associated with the use of exchange devices for PD fluids. Patients using devices for PD fluid exchange (69.2%) had an increased risk of peritonitis of 37% (IRR: 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07–1.75) and 28% (IRR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.00–1.63) in the crude and multivariate adjustment models, respectively.

Conclusions:

The use of exchange devices for PD fluids and peritonitis incidence showed no favourable association. There may remain possible residual confounding by indication.
Orthodontic Inclined Plane Application Using a Visible Light Cure Acrylic Material for Treatment of Linguoverted Mandibular Canine Teeth
Authors: Haggerty Kevin , Block Katherine , Battig Jean
Published: October 2021

Malocclusion is a common problem in dogs. Linguoverted canine teeth (class I malocclusion) can cause palatal defects, oronasal fistulae, dental wear, and periodontal disease. Mandibular distoclusion (class II malocclusion), in which the mandibular arch occludes caudal to its normal position relative to the maxillary arch, can further contribute to lingual displacement of mandibular canine teeth. Traditionally, a flowable self-curing bisacrylic composite material has been used. The method described here uses a light cure acrylic denture base material utilizing multiple customized segments to construct the appliance to the desired shape and size necessary to achieve a functional incline plane.
Study on the tribological properties and fault mechanisms of copper-based alloy journal bearing under different working conditions
Authors: Ding Ning , Li Hulin , Zhong Ning , Xin Qi , Jiang Dan
Published: October 2021

This paper experimentally investigates the influence of working conditions on the friction properties, wear behaviors, and seizure limit of journal bearing friction pairs including the aluminum bronze shafts and the steel bearings. The tribological tests were conducted by the journal bearing friction and lubrication characteristic test-rig under different relative clearances, applied loads, rotational speeds, and inlet oil temperatures. The worn surfaces were measured by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and laser microscopic 3D profile device to obtain the fault mechanisms. The results showed that the seizure limit value could be improved with the increase of relative clearance. The main wear mechanism of friction pairs is adhesive wear for a small relative clearance, and the main wear mechanism is transformed into abrasive wear with the increase of the bearing relative clearance.
A semiparametric mixed-effects model for censored longitudinal data
Authors: Mattos Thalita B , Avila Matos Larissa , Lachos Victor H
Published: October 2021

In longitudinal studies involving laboratory-based outcomes, repeated measurements can be censored due to assay detection limits. Linear mixed-effects (LMEs) models are a powerful tool to model the relationship between a response variable and covariates in longitudinal studies. However, the linear parametric form of linear mixed-effect models is often too restrictive to characterize the complex relationship between a response variable and covariates. More general and robust modeling tools, such as nonparametric and semiparametric regression models, have become increasingly popular in the last decade. In this article, we use semiparametric mixed models to analyze censored longitudinal data with irregularly observed repeated measures. The proposed model extends the censored linear mixed-effect model and provides more flexible modeling schemes by allowing the time effect to vary nonparametrically over time. We develop an Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm for maximum penalized likelihood estimation of model parameters and the nonparametric component. Further, as a byproduct of the EM algorithm, the smoothing parameter is estimated using a modified linear mixed-effects model, which is faster than alternative methods such as the restricted maximum likelihood approach. Finally, the performance of the proposed approaches is evaluated through extensive simulation studies as well as applications to data sets from acquired immune deficiency syndrome studies.
The effects of the metal pigment, adsorbent, extractant and their feeding methods on the properties of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene composites
Authors: Liu Xiaolin , Zhou Lei , Chen Jian
Published: October 2021

The aim of the present work is to upgrade the functionality and applicability of polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) blends by means of a blending technique. Metallic glossy PC/ABS composites with low odour were prepared by adding metallic pigment, adsorbent and extractant into the PC/ABS composite matrix. The effects of the metal pigment, extractant, adsorbent and processing technology on the volatile organic compounds (VOC), condensable substances (FOG) and odour of PC/ABS composites were studied systematically. It was found that upon increasing the content of the metallic pigments, the VOC, FOG and odour of the PC/ABS composites increase rapidly. The adsorbent and extractant can effectively improve the VOC, FOG and odour. When the extractant and adsorbent were used at the same time, the method of adding extractant and adsorbent from the main and the secondary feeding port, respectively, was significantly superior to the method of adding the extractant and adsorbent from the main feeding port together in reducing the VOC, FOG and odour of PC/ABS composites, which displayed a good synergistic effect. When the adsorbent and extractant content are 1.5 and 5.0 parts per hundreds of resin (phr), respectively, the obtained composites have good metallic lustre and environmental friendliness (odour level = 2.0, VOC and FOG: not detected).
Structural, transport, morphological, and thermal studies of nano barium titanate–incorporated magnesium ion conducting solid polymer electrolytes
Authors: S Jayanthi , K Kalapriya
Published: October 2021

A new series of nanocomposite polymer electrolytes (NCPEs) was prepared using poly(vinylidene fluoride–co–hexafluoro propylene) P(VdF-HFP) as polymer, magnesium triflate (MgTr) as salt and nano-sized barium titanate (BaTiO3) (<100 nm) as nanofiller via traditional solution casting technique. Decrease in crystalline nature of the samples due to the incorporation of nano BaTiO3 was revealed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. From AC impedance spectroscopy, maximum conductivity of 4.11 × 10−4 Scm−1 was attained for the addition of 6 wt% of nano BaTiO3 to the P(VdF-HFP)/MgTr matrix. Dielectric studies were found to be in accordance with the ionic conductivity studies. For the most highly conducting sample, a greater number of mountain valley pattern was observed from Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis. Thermal stability of the sample, P(VdF-HFP)/MgTr/BaTiO3 (6 wt%) (which possessed maximum ionic conductivity) was observed through TG/differential thermal analysis studies. All these results suggested that these materials are favorable and find application in practical electrochemical devices.
Nexus of Bank Income Structure and Risk: Evidence from Balkans
Authors: Ranisavljevic Dusko , Vukovic Darko B. , Maiti Moinak
Published: October 2021

In this study, we analysed the income structure of the 30 largest banks in seven Balkan countries in the period before, during and after the global economic crisis. Considering that the structure of income primarily consists of interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing income, we analysed whether the crisis has affected the change in the structure of banks’ income in the Balkans. To analyse this, we used panel and quantile regressions models. The study additionally implemented quantile regression for checking the robustness. The results show that there is a more significant correlation between non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing income, while the correlation with net profit is more moderate. According to our results, the interest income grew in the period when reference interest rates fell and when the negative effects of the economic crisis were most pronounced. The banks in the region of the Balkans built their profits more on interest-incomes in the period before and after the economic crisis.
National Identity, Othering and Resistance: Host Country Manager’s Experience at a Japanese Multinational Enterprise in India
Authors: Ashta Ashok
Published: October 2021

National identity has been found to be a basis for othering and resistance in host country managers at multinational enterprises overseas’ affiliates. An original model of employee’s resistance using national identity has developed a nuanced understanding of how resistance manifests. This research tests this original model in a multinational enterprise’s office in the emerging market and power distance accepting India. A case study design was adopted. Interpretive analysis of the data indicates that the newly developed model could apply to Indian situations, and collateral inductive reasoning proposes a further refinement to this model. Thus, besides verbal othering, it is found that the use of space and rituals can also be used in the acts of resistance and further it is proposed that such acts are not necessarily continuous, but can manifest intermittently. Hence, the practising international human resources manager now has a broader lens to assess resistance manifestation, facilitating sooner remedial countermeasures.

The cross-cultural study is among the pioneers in studying national identity as a means of resistance in a power distance accepting context in general, and the under-researched advanced economy, emerging market Japan–India international business dyad specifically. It contributes to cross-cultural management (CCM) literature by surfacing the darker side of globalization—the power retained by the parent company and concomitant subordination of the host country manager that results in resistance. This study adds to the under-researched India–Japan global business scholarship.
The Relationship Between Telework, Job Performance, Work–Life Balance and Family Supportive Supervisor Behaviours in the Context of COVID-19
Authors: Campo Angela María De Valdenebro , Avolio Beatrice , Carlier Sandra Idrovo
Published: October 2021

Telework has become a very popular arrangement that has grown rapidly worldwide, most recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to deepen our knowledge about the performance of companies and employees in the context of telework because the results of previous studies are contradictory. The present study examines the relationship among telework, job performance, work–life balance (WLB) and family supportive supervisor behaviour (FSSB) in the context of COVID-19. The data ( N = 519), which are collected from large private service companies in Colombia during the COVID-19 pandemic, are analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results do not indicate a correlation between telework and job performance or WLB in the context of the pandemic. However, positive relationships are found between job performance and both FSSB and WLB, and between FSSB and WLB. The findings help us to understand both the importance of WLB and FSSB for teleworkers and the way these factors impact job performance. The present results could help companies design strategies for the implementation of telework after COVID-19.
International Academic Affiliations: Destination or Journey? An Oman-Based Study of Policy, Practice and Potential
Authors: Trevor-Roper Susan
Published: October 2021

National policy requires private colleges in Oman to have an academic affiliation with a foreign university. How this policy is received and acted on was investigated through an interview-based study involving colleges with affiliates based in England, Scotland, India, Malaysia and Jordan. The study draws on social practice theory, Bourdieu's concept of capital and ecological systems theory and finds examples of affiliate partnerships that are evolving constructively in response to the ongoing development of the local institutions, the accumulation of capital and the agency of local actors, and the dynamics of the environment. These partnerships are perceived and experienced by local HE colleges as an ongoing journey. This evolution of partnerships, which is facilitated by historically loose policy requirements, offers a promising and contrasting narrative to that of relatively static transnational education (TNE) arrangements in which receiving nations and institutions are perceived as likely victims of educational and cultural imperialism.
Predictors of Complication Following Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery in a Low-Resource Setting: A Prospective Outcomes Study in Nicaragua
Authors: Swanson Marco A. , Auslander Allyn , Morales Tatiana , Jedrzejewski Breanna , Magee William P. , Siu Armando , Ayala Ruben , Swanson Jordan W.
Published: October 2021

Background

Higher rates of postoperative complication following cleft lip or palate repair have been documented in low resource settings, but their causes remain unclear. This study sought to delineate patient, surgeon, and care environment factors in cleft complications in a low-income country.

Design

Prospective outcomes study.

Setting

Comprehensive Cleft Care Center.

Patients

Candidate patients presenting for cleft lip or palate repair or revision.

Interventions

Patient anthropometric, nutritional, environmental and peri- and post-operative care factors were collected. Post-operative evaluation occurred at standard 1-week and 2-month postoperative intervals.

Main Outcome Measures

Complication was defined as fistula, dehiscence and/or infection.

Results

Among 408 patients enrolled, 380 (93%) underwent surgery, of which 208 (55%) underwent lip repair (124) or revision (84), and 178 (47%) underwent palate repair (96) or revision (82). 322 (85%) were evaluated 1 week and 166 (44%) 2 months postoperatively. 50(16%) complications were identified, including: 25(8%) fistulas, 24(7%) dehiscences, 17(5%) infections. Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) ≤12.5 cm was associated with dehiscence after primary lip repair (OR = 28, p = 0.02). Leukocytosis ≥11,500 on pre-operative evaluation was associated with dehiscence (OR = 2.51, p = 0.04) or palate revision fistula (OR = 64, p < 0.001). Surgeons who performed fewer previous-year palate repairs had higher likelihood of palate complications, (OR = 3.03, p = 0.01) although there was no difference in complication rate with years of surgeon experience or duration of surgery.

Conclusions

Multiple patient, surgeon, and perioperative factors are associated with higher rates of complication in a low-resource setting, and are potentially modifiable to reduce complications following cleft surgery.
What Are the Challenges of School Nurses in South Korea in Managing Obese Children From Low-Income Households?
Authors: Cho Jeonghyun , Park Jiyoung , Park Chongwon , Lee Jinah , Oh Jina , Hwang Gahui
Published: October 2021

Given that the obesity rate among school-age children is increasing, school nurses can play a vital role in managing obesity and encouraging healthy living in school settings. Obese children from low-income backgrounds are more vulnerable than other students and require more careful attention and intervention. This qualitative study aimed to explore and understand the barriers recognized by school nurses in managing obesity in low-income household children. A focus group interview was conducted with 17 school nurses working at an elementary school. Children, home, school, political and structural, and social areas were revealed as intricate factors in obesity management. This study can help understand school nurses’ obstacles in managing obese children from low-income families and can help them prepare practical measures to overcome these obstacles.
Awareness, Knowledge, and Screening for Intimate Partner Violence Among Orthopedic Surgeons in Israel
Authors: Masarwa Rawan , Ben Natan Merav , Yonai Yaniv , Steinfeld Yaniv , Berkovich Yaron
Published: October 2021

This study examines factors associated with screening of female patients for intimate partner violence (IPV) by orthosurgeons in a sample of 100 Israeli orthosurgeons. Findings reveal positive attitudes toward screening female patients but a significant lack of knowledge. Arab orthosurgeons held slightly more negative attitudes toward screening for IPV and had a more prominent lack of knowledge regarding screening for IPV, compared to their Jewish counterparts. Nationality and feeling uncomfortable asking female patients about IPV predicted screening for IPV. The importance of training orthosurgeons on the assessment and treatment of IPV cannot be overemphasized, especially among Arab orthosurgeons.
Effects of piperacillin/tazobactam or cefepime on folinate dose in patients receiving high-dose methotrexate: A retrospective cohort study using Japanese administrative claims data
Authors: Kadomura Shota , Imai Shungo , Momo Kenji , Sato Yuki , Kashiwagi Hitoshi , Itoh Tatsuya , Sugawara Mitsuru , Takekuma Yoh
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Delayed methotrexate (MTX) clearance with the co-administration of piperacillin/tazobactam (PIPC/TAZ) has been reported. Penicillins have been associated with reduced MTX clearance but the evidence is limited. There are no cases described with cefepime but penicillins are listed as interacting with MTX. We aimed to reveal whether the co-administration of PIPC/TAZ or CFPM affects MTX clearance using data from an administrative database.

Methods

We used data from the JMDC database, a large insurance claims database constructed in Japan. We included patients who were prescribed PIPC/TAZ or CFPM between days 1 and 3 in high-dose MTX (HD-MTX). We compared one co-administration episode (with PIPC/TAZ or CFPM) to one control episode (without), as a match-control study of two different episodes in the same patient. The primary outcomes were the duration and cumulative dose of leucovorin (LV) as a surrogate indicator of delayed MTX clearance.

Results

Three patients who were co-administered PIPC/TAZ and 16 patients who were co-administered CFPM with HD-MTX were included. In the PIPC/TAZ group, the duration and the cumulative doses of LV were similar in co-administration and control episode (median 3.0 vs. 3.0 days and 288.0 vs. 219.0 mg). In the CFPM group, the duration and the cumulative doses of LV were not significantly different in co-administration and control episode (3.0 vs. 4.0 days and 169.5 vs. 258.0 mg).

Conclusions

Our findings revealed that PIPC/TAZ did not necessarily cause a delay in MTX clearance during HD-MTX therapy. Moreover, the co-administration of CFPM with HD-MTX did not affect MTX clearance.
Clinical pharmaceutical screening in critical situations in a radioiodine therapy management service
Authors: Fontes Lídia Freitas , do Nascimento Mariana Martins Gonzaga , Ramalho-de-Oliveira Djenane , Rezende Cristiane de Paula , Costa Célia Helena Fernandes da , Melo Rossana Corbo Ramalho de , Brunelli Pujatti Priscilla
Published: October 2021

Radioiodine therapy can be used in differentiated thyroid carcinoma and requires extensive evaluation to ensure effectiveness and safety. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate all health problems and medications used in the pre-radioiodine therapy period and comprehensive medication managementservices can serve as a screening tool in this context. The present study aims to describe critical clinical situations identified during the initial assessments of a comprehensive medication management service offered to differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients pre-radioiodine therapy, and the pharmaceutical interventions performed to solve them. A descriptive study with regard to the initial ten months of a comprehensive medication management service was carried out in a large oncology hospital (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Descriptive analysis was used to describe the critical clinical situations identified, as well as the correspondent drug therapy problems and the type, acceptability, and outcomes of the pharmaceutical interventions performed to solve them. Thirty patients with an average of 45.8 years and 5.1 medications were evaluated. Five critical clinical situations were identified; corresponding to drug therapy problems two(needs additional drug therapy – n = 4) and drug therapy problems four (dosage too low – n = 1). All pharmaceutical interventions were accepted. The comprehensive medication management service provision pre-radioiodine therapy is feasible and represents an important screening strategy.
Exploring Risk for Sexual Recidivism and Treatment Responsivity Through the Lens of Early Trauma
Authors: Willis Gwenda M. , Levenson Jill S.
Published: October 2021

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are common in the histories of individuals who have sexually offended. Many risk factors for sexual recidivism resemble symptoms of early trauma, and early trauma may present a responsivity barrier to engagement in offense-focused treatment. Using the ACE scale, the current study aimed to (i) examine relationships between ACE scores and static and dynamic risk assessment scores, (ii) examine whether ACE scores differ between treatment completers versus noncompleters, and finally (iii) examine whether ACE scores predict treatment noncompletion. ACE scores were retrospectively coded from files of adult men receiving community-based assessment and/or treatment in New Zealand for sexual offenses against children ( N = 491; n = 185–411 for individual analyses). Although effect sizes were generally small, static risk and general self-regulation dynamic risk factors correlated positively with ACE scores, ACE scores were higher for treatment noncompleters versus completers, and higher dynamic risk assessment scores and ACE scores increased the odds of treatment noncompletion. Implications for future research and enhancing treatment responsivity are discussed.
Motivational and Cognitive Factors in Pathways to Offending Amongst Women who Have Sexually Offended
Authors: Abulafia Judith , Epstein Robert
Published: October 2021

Data-driven models, addressing the internal motivations, pathways to offending, and supportive cognitions amongst women who have sexually offended have emerged in recent years, with significant consequences for understanding risk factors and developing treatment programmes. In the current research, recent empirically based models were explored in a national sample consisting of all women who had committed sexual offences and were assessed over a 12-year period ( n = 28). The utility of the motivational and cognitive models tested was supported, although not all cases could be easily coded, and new categories are suggested in order to better characterize the unique aspects of sex offending amongst women who have sexually offended. Key findings included fewer women than expected who reported being coerced by a male partner, frequent conjunction between sex and intimacy needs, and a lack of a clear relationship between offence-related cognitions and motivational pathways. The results support the importance of integrating and further developing gender-specific clinical factors within a gender-neutral treatment paradigm.
Evaluation of the Expression Profile of Antibiotic-Induced Thrombocytopenia Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database
Authors: Asai Yuki , Yamamoto Takanori , Abe Yasuharu
Published: October 2021

Drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) can be triggered by antibiotics; however, the details remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the expression profiles of DITP using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. We analyzed reports of DITP between April 2004 and January 2021 from the JADER database. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to detect DITP signals. Factors thought to affect DITP, such as male sex and an age of at least 60 years, were added as covariates. We evaluated the time-to-onset profile and hazard type using the Weibull shape parameter. The JADER database contained 1,048,576 reports. Twelve of 60 antibiotics showed signals for DITP; the RORs (95% CIs) for ampicillin/sulbactam, ceftazidime, cefozopran, ciprofloxacin, fluconazole, fos-fluconazole, linezolid, pazufloxacin, piperacillin/tazobactam, teicoplanin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and voriconazole were 1.75 (1.41-2.16), 1.77 (1.42-2.18), 1.35 (1.06-1.72), 2.56 (2.19-2.98), 1.93 (1.67-2.23), 2.08 (1.76-2.46), 5.29 (2.73-9.60), 1.92 (1.51-2.41), 1.54 (1.05-2.19), 1.47 (1.16-1.84), 1.92 (1.73-2.14), and 2.32 (1.59-3.30), respectively. In multiple logistic regression analysis, 7 and 6 antibiotics were detected for the factors age and male sex, respectively. The median times-to-onset of DITP for ciprofloxacin (oral treatment), fluconazole, linezolid, piperacillin/tazobactam, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were 91, 91, 11.5, 10, and 9 days, respectively. Furthermore, the 95% CI of the Weibull shape parameter β for these antibiotics was above and excluded 1, indicating that the antibiotics were the wear out failure type. We revealed the expression profiles of DITP following treatment with 12 antibiotics.
Preliminary study of CT features of intermediate- and high-grade alimentary lymphoma and adenocarcinoma in cats
Authors: Tanaka Toshiyuki , Noguchi Shunsuke , Wada Yusuke , Nishida Hidetaka , Akiyoshi Hideo
Published: October 2021

Case series summary

The ultrasonographic findings of many feline intestinal tumours are similar. This study evaluated the CT features of intermediate- and high-grade alimentary lymphoma and adenocarcinoma in cats. CT was performed on six cats with adenocarcinoma and 14 cats with lymphoma. Comparisons between tumour types were conducted, focusing on CT features, including obstruction (present or absent), growth patterns of lesions (symmetry or asymmetry), layering enhancement (present or absent), location of the lesion, number of lesions (solitary or multiple), lymphadenopathy (present or absent), location of lymphadenopathy, pulmonary metastasis (present or absent) and maximum thickness (mm) of the lesion. The cats with adenocarcinoma (n = 5/6 [83%]) experienced intestinal obstruction significantly more often than cats with lymphoma (n = 0/14 [0%]; P = 0.0004). Layering enhancement was observed significantly more often in cats with adenocarcinoma (n = 6/6 [100%]) than in cats with lymphoma (n = 1/14 [7%]; P = 0.0002). Lymphadenopathy was detected significantly more often in cats with lymphoma (n = 14/14 [100%]) than in cats with adenocarcinoma (n = 2/6 [33%]) ( P = 0.003). In cats with lymphoma, the intestine (12.1 ± 3.9 mm) was significantly thicker than that in cats with adenocarcinoma (6.4 ± 2.3 mm; P = 0.005).

Relevance and novel information

To the best of our knowledge, no reports have described the characteristics of feline intestinal tumours using CT. Layering enhancement was observed in cats with intestinal adenocarcinomas. No layering enhancement was observed in alimentary lymphoma in cats, but enlarged regional nodes were noted. Lesions with lymphoma were thicker than those with adenocarcinoma. These findings may help differentiate between adenocarcinomas and lymphomas.
Publishing more than reviewing? Some ethical musings on the sustainability of the peer review process
Authors: Lindebaum Dirk , Jordan Peter J
Published: October 2021

Based on our editorial experience, and acknowledging the regular editor grievances about reviewer disengagement at professional meeting and conferences, in this article we argue that the review system is in need of significant repair. We argue that this has emerged because an audit culture in academia and individual incentives (like reduced teaching loads or publication bonuses) have eroded the willingness of individuals to engage in the collective enterprise of peer-reviewing each others’ work on a quid pro quo basis. In response to this, we emphasise why it is unethical for potential reviewers to disengage from the review process, and outline the implications for our profession if colleagues publish more than they review. Designed as a political intervention in response to reviewer disengagement, we aim to ‘politicise’ the review process and its consequences for the sustainability of the scholarly community. We propose three pathways towards greater reviewer engagement: (i) senior scholars setting the right kind of ‘reviewer’ example; (ii) journals introducing recognition awards to foster a healthy reviewer progression path and (iii) universities and accreditation bodies moving to explicitly recognise reviewing in workload models and evaluations. While all three proposals have merit, the latter point is especially powerful in fostering reviewer engagement as it aligns individual and institutional goals in ‘measurable’ ways. In this way, ironically, the audit culture can be subverted to address the imbalance between individual and collective goals.