bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Arthroscopic Shaver Mincing and Platelet-Rich Plasma on Chondrocytes of Intraoperatively Harvested Human Cartilage
Authors: Gebhardt Sebastian , Zimmerer Alexander , Balcarek Peter , Wassilew Georgi I. , Schoon Janosch
Published: July 2023

Background:

Minced cartilage implantation (MCI) has seen a renaissance in recent years. In this evolved technique, human articular cartilage is harvested with an arthroscopic shaver, augmented with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and implanted with autologous thrombin. This modified technique combines the possibility of cell-based surgical cartilage repair with a minimally invasive autologous 1-step procedure. However, evidence on cell survival and preserved function after shaver-based mincing and PRP supplementation is limited.

Purpose:

To evaluate the effects of arthroscopic shaver mincing and augmentation with PRP on human cartilage tissue.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Standardized samples were taken from 12 donors during autologous MCI. A comparison of cell outgrowth, cell viability, proliferation capacity, and ability to produce extracellular matrix–specific proteoglycans after chondrogenic redifferentiation was made between cartilage taken by curettage from the border of the cartilage defect, cartilage tissue minced by an arthroscopic shaver, and cartilage tissue minced by an arthroscopic shaver that was additionally augmented with autologous PRP.

Results:

There was no difference between all 3 groups in terms of cell outgrowth or proliferation capacity. Metabolic activity relative to the cell number of chondrocytes isolated from shaver-minced cartilage was higher compared with chondrocytes isolated from cartilage that was derived by curettage or shaver-minced cartilage that was augmented with PRP. After chondrogenic stimulation, the normalized proteoglycan content was higher in spheroids of cells derived from shaver-minced cartilage augmented with PRP than in spheroids of cells derived from curettage. A high correlation of cell outgrowth, proliferation capacity, and viability between isolated cells from all 3 groups taken from an individual donor was observed.

Conclusion:

Chondrocytes isolated from human cartilage tissue that was harvested and minced with an arthroscopic shaver remained viable and proliferative. The augmentation of shaver-minced cartilage with PRP led to the enhanced proteoglycan production of chondrogenic spheroids in vitro, pointing toward the development of a cartilage-specific extracellular matrix. This in vitro study yields promising results regarding the use of an arthroscopic shaver and augmentation with PRP in the context of MCI.

Clinical Relevance:

Knowledge that shaver mincing and augmentation with PRP are feasible for processing articular cartilage during MCI is highly relevant for surgical cartilage repair.
Intensification of Labor and the Rate and Form of Exploitation
Authors: Basu Deepankar , Haas Cameron , Moraitis Thanos
Published: July 2023

Does the intensification of labor increase the rate of exploitation? Does it produce absolute surplus value or relative surplus value? This article develops a framework to answer these questions by incorporating intensity of labor in the widely used linear model of production, both in its one- and two-department forms. We show that (a) an intensification of labor always leads to an increase in the rate of exploitation, and (b) the increase in the rate of exploitation takes the form of the production of absolute surplus value in all realistic situations. We also highlight, in the case of any model with more than one industry or sector, an interesting difference in short- and long-run changes in the rate and form of surplus value.

JEL Classification: B51, C02
Health, harm, and habitus: Techniques of the body in COVID-19
Authors: Chao Sophie
Published: July 2023

This article revisits French sociologist Marcel Mauss’ notion of ‘techniques of the body’ to analyze the emergence of corporeal and behavioral norms instituted to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Centering its analysis on the early stages of COVID’s global spread, the article examines a range of everyday, micro-practices that reveal how the pandemic changed our awareness, uses, and assessments of our own and others’ bodies. In a context where to not touch was to care, people often struggled to find a balance between maintaining social civility and sustaining collective health. Failure to adapt the body to pandemic conditions, or instances of COVID faux-pas, resulted in discomfort, embarrassment, or annoyance on the part of those who perceived this behavior as irresponsible, dangerous, and selfish. Changing bodily practices thus became subject to judgment in ways that sometimes obscured the uneven distribution of risk and protection afforded to differently privileged or vulnerable human communities as they grappled with the uncertain phenomenologies of pandemic living and dying. COVID-19 corporealities, both fleshly and virtual, thus reveal the conjoined articulation of the social, biological, cultural, moral, and psychological in our bodily movements, expressions, and assessments. In contrast to Mauss’ theorization, many techniques of the body in the Covidscape were experienced as new, contextual, shifting, and improvised. They spoke to necessity and challenge of articulating a different relationship to the world and to others, enacted in the minute and mundane practices of everyday life, through which macro-level processes and forces are embodied and evaluated.
Work-learn balance – a new concept that could help bridge the divide between education and working life?
Authors: Lackéus Martin
Published: July 2023

There is a deep divide between the worlds of education and working life. Differences comprise culture, values, processes, tools and more. This divide hinders many people from reaching their fullest potential, instead often demotivating them. Collaboration across the divide can be facilitated by semantic concepts that both sides can relate to. This article attempts to propose a new unifying concept – “work-learn balance” – that the two worlds can appreciate and use when working together. It is defined as when people on a weekly basis combine new value creation for others (“work”) and own personal development (“learn”). It was inductively articulated through action research. Extant research has shown that many people with a good work-learn balance get more motivated and feel a deeper sense of meaning in life, making them work harder and achieve more. Examples are provided from entrepreneurship, innovation, vocational education and entrepreneurial education. Work-learn balance could be used as a visionary organising principle informing leadership strategy. This could facilitate collaboration and unleash the human potential of more students and employees. Work-learn balance as a concept is novel and unexplored, but not previously unheard of. This could be the first attempt to define, describe, substantiate and sense-make it.
Understanding the Relationship between Science and Religion Using Bayes’ Theorem
Authors: Bulbulia Joseph A.
Published: July 2023

This article examines the benefits of incorporating religious reflection into the psychology of religion and vice versa. By applying Bayes’ theorem, we discover that scientists and theologians can collaborate without sharing prior beliefs. Instead, rationality requires updating our beliefs before data collection in response to the degree of surprise generated by the data. Moreover, although people who start with different beliefs may become more aligned after data collection, rationality does not entail a convergence to identical beliefs. To illustrate the potential for growth in understanding from greater collaboration between theologians and scientists, I examine a longitudinal investigation of religion after a natural disaster. This case study illustrates how conversations between theological and psychological perspectives on religion can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of virtue cultivation, benefiting both science and theology.
Impact of recovered silicon particles incorporation on tribo-characteristics of a poly ether ether ketone polymer composite
Authors: Perumal Anbarasu , Kaliyamoorthy Rajkumar , Kumar Vishal
Published: July 2023

The tribological behaviour of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) polymer filled with various concentrations of recovered silicon particles (0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 wt%) fabricated by the hot press technique was investigated in this research work. The hardness and wear properties of the prepared composite materials were evaluated through the Shore D hardness and the pin-on-disc methods. The Shore D hardness of the PEEK composite containing 10% silicon was about 95. This was due to the silicon's better dispersion influencing hardness enhancement. The current study found that adding 10% recycled silicon to PEEK decreased the rate of wear to 0.77*10−6 mm3/Nm and the coefficient of friction (COF) to 0.06. PEEK composites are filled with 10% silicon particles. Silicon particles were responsible for elevating wear resistance and anti-friction behaviour compared to pure virgin PEEK. The wear-behaviour of the PEEK/Silicon composite was greatly influenced by the formation of a transfer film, which avoids direct contact between countersurface steel asperities and the composite. The lubricity effect was obtained by incorporating silicon particles in the PEEK matrix as sliding surfaces with a steel counter surface that tend to form iron oxide and passive hydration mixed transfer films, decreasing COF and wear considerably. The tribofilm firmly adheres to the counter disc through the mechanical interlocking of silicon particles, enabling higher tribofilm bond strength.
Artificial Neural Network prediction of forming limit diagram for directionally-rolled, size scaled copper strips
Authors: Sivam SP Sundar Singh , Harshavardhana N , Rajendran R
Published: July 2023

Estimating the forming limit diagram (FLD) is tedious and cost-intensive. Methods driven by data and artificial intelligence are used to determine the relationship between scaled thickness and the forming rates of various cups drawn out of ETP copper sheets. Machine learning (ML) techniques have a good chance of predicting the FLD of copper alloys, and they are being used increasingly in sensitive electronic and structural applications. The current research aims to create ML-based artificial neural network (ANN) tools to model the relationship between scaled thickness and forming rates as a function of formability. The FLD is measured for copper strips of initial dimensions of 1500 mm long, 750 mm wide, and 6 mm thick, whose thickness was reduced successively by 50% in nine incremental steps. Thus, 3, 1.5, 0.75, 0.38, and 0.19 mm sheets were obtained and used to determine FLD through the Nakajima approach. An FEA model of the drawing was made in Altair Inspire Form, and the simulation results were used to train a two-step ML. A Bayesian regularization (BR) and Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm (LM) were used in the first step to predict strains’ maximum and minimum points. In the second step, the minor strains predicted in the first step are used as inputs. Using the same feature set, the BR and LM algorithms predict the major strain, showing a linear trend until the middle and then a nonlinear trend. The trained ML model was used to predict unknown intermediate values for estimating the over-learning and over-fitting problems here for 2 and 0.25 mm thick sheets and are validated experimentally. The variation between the FLDs of predicted and experimentally verified data falls between 2% and 5%. Such small changes in the FLD values show that the proposed ML model could be used to predict the FLDs of copper strips.
Numerical investigation of H2/Air fueled micro combustion characteristics with trapezoidal ribs for micro thermophotovoltaic applications: Effect of rib height
Authors: Lachraf Abdelbasset , Si Ameur Mohamed
Published: July 2023

In this numerical study, the impact of equidistant trapezoidal ribs on the characteristics of premixed H2-air micro-combustion was investigated, with a specific focus on the rib height. The study comprehensively examined flame structure, flame front position, flame speed, and combustion efficiency. A comparative analysis was performed between a backward-facing step micro combustor (MCSD) and micro combustors with varying rib heights: MCRD1 (0.5 mm), MCRD2 (0.6 mm), and MCRD3 (0.7 mm). The incorporation of trapezoidal ribs resulted in the creation of elongated and evenly distributed recirculation zones, significantly enhancing mixing and promoting flame stability, particularly at higher rib heights. The recirculation zones played a critical role in influencing the chemical reaction rate and the species distribution, leading to higher flame speed and greater combustion intensity. The findings highlight the outcomes of incorporating ribs in terms of combustion efficiency. The combustion efficiency values for MCRD1, MCRD2, and MCRD3 were recorded as 96.95%, 96.75%, and 96.61%, respectively, while the MCSD had a combustion efficiency of 97.14%. Hence, the recommended range of rib height is considered advantageous in ensuring an optimal balance between improved flame stabilization and maintaining a satisfactory level of combustion efficiency. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing micro-thermophotovoltaic systems.
Regional Legacy Effects on Radically Innovative New Ventures’ Risks
Authors: Loporcaro Claudio , Albino Vito , Natalicchio Angelo
Published: July 2023

Innovative new ventures (INVs) cope with the lack of legitimacy and liability of newness that may hinder their likelihood of survival. Those risks increase with the novelty introduced by the INV. Radically INVs are the ones that have the highest degree of novelty, and, consequently, face the highest risks. Understanding the elements and mechanisms that sustain radically INVs is of paramount importance due to the great benefits they bring to society. This article explores how the regional legacy, defined as the combined effect of regional business and industrial practices and culture, supports those ventures in facing those risks. The regional culture and tradition create a sense of familiarity in stakeholders that facilitates the understanding of the radically INV, lowering the lack of legitimacy. Meanwhile, the shared culture within a region favours the creation of a collaborative climate that allows the radically INVs to access relevant resources and, finally, reduce the liability of newness.
Identifying and Managing Affective Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Nebhinani Naresh
Published: July 2023

Affective disorders in children and adolescents generally have a severe course of the illness, higher suicidal behavior, and adverse effect on overall development and life course. Presentation of pediatric depression and bipolar is usually different from adults, leading to longer delays in help-seeking and effective management. This narrative review highlights the magnitude, clinical presentation, comorbidity, differential diagnosis, and management approach of depression and bipolar in children and adolescents. Better awareness and expertise are essential for timely identification, comprehensive assessment, and holistic treatment.
Effect of Novel Placental Transfusion Technique—Gravity-Aided Cord Blood Transfusion at Birth on Hemoglobin Levels in Preterm Infants Born Less than 30 Weeks: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Raja Adusumilli Venkata Naga , Balakrishnan Umamaheswari , Amboiram Prakash , Abiramalatha Thangaraj
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Delayed cord clamping (DCC) is considered standard of practice in very preterm deliveries but could not be practiced in more than 50%, as they need resuscitation measures. We studied the effect of a novel technique of placental transfusion, gravity aided cord blood transfusion (GCT) in comparison to standard care in preterm <30 weeks of gestation on hemoglobin levels at 24 hours of life.

Methods

This randomized noninferiority trial was conducted in a tertiary care unit from September 2020 to June 2021 in South India. Preterm infants with gestational age (GA) <30 weeks were randomized to either GCT or standard care. GCT was performed by clamping the cord with maximal length immediately after birth, shifting the baby to radiant warmer and holding the whole length of the umbilical cord attached to the baby vertically upwards, allowing blood to drain by gravity while the steps of resuscitation were being performed simultaneously. Standard care was either DCC in vigorous babies and immediate cord clamping (ICC) in nonvigorous babies. Primary outcome was hemoglobin levels at 24 hours of birth. The study was terminated in view of slow recruitment due to covid pandemic.

Results

Twenty two babies were included. Nine babies were in the GCT group. The median (IQR) hemoglobin at 24 hours of life was 16.9 (16.3-18.9) in the GCT group and 16.4 (14.8-17.8) in standard care; the difference was not statistically significant ( P = .4). Higher hemoglobin at 24 hours of life was observed in GCT group with median (IQR) of 16.9 (16.3-18.9) compared to the ICC group with median (IQR) of 15.55 (14.5-17.1), though not statistically significant ( P = .095).

Conclusion

The novel placental transfusion strategy, namely GCT, is feasible in preterm neonates. Hemoglobin level at 24 hours was not significantly different between GCT and standard care groups. There is a need for large RCT to assess the effect of GCT on other important clinical outcomes in preterm neonates.
Diagnosing Ethiopia’s Tigray War: Reverberations in the Horn of Africa
Authors: Afriyie Frederick Appiah , Ayangbah Shirley , Effah Kwaku Obeng
Published: July 2023

The flare-up of hostilities in Ethiopia’s Tigray district in November 2020 is simply the aftereffect of a forced battle between so-called reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s central government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). This previous revolutionary development ruled Ethiopian legislative issues for over 25 years before Abiy’s rise to control of power in 2018. Numerous Ethiopians considered the TPLF’s rule authoritative, and misconducts executed under its authority stirred up scorn in several groups. The fight additionally displays ethnic strains in the country, which have been exacerbated as of late as the nation goes through political and financial modifications. The advancing battle has effectively brought about outrage, expanded the flow of refugees, and stressed territorial relations. This research article provides an account of the origins of the TPLF and the Tigrayans, Eritrea’s involvement in the conflict, the sources of tension, and the paths to war. Finally, the repercussions of Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict and its corollaries on the Horn of Africa. Specifically, the article draws on the Protracted Social Conflict Theory to explain Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict. The answer stipulates a hint at addressing the current problem.
Global Capitalism and the Underdevelopment of African Political Economy: Where Will Our Help Come From?
Authors: Onah Celestine Chijioke , Amujiri Benjamin
Published: July 2023

The global capitalist system created and sustained by the West has eaten deep into the global economy, serving as the ideological and economic hegemony upon which it revolves. Against this backdrop, this article explores the trends and partners of accumulation in the global political economy of capitalism and interrogates how it benefits the West and oppresses Africa through forced integration and unequal power relations. A key finding of the analysis is that global integration of the world economy that runs on capitalism has not benefited Africa significantly, as claimed by capitalist bourgeoisie scholars.
Party Reputation, Moral Expectations and Voting Behaviour in South Korea
Authors: Ki Youn , Chung Eunbin
Published: July 2023

Do voters punish political parties for unsatisfactory performance on issues and traits the parties are expected to excel at? Issue and trait ownership theories stipulate that parties establish reputations regarding policy issues and attributes; voters then reward or punish the party depending on how much voter expectations were met. However, reactions to politicians’ performances may vary depending on voters’ moral intuitions and party affiliations. Analyzing survey and news data on the 2021 mayoral byelection in Seoul, South Korea, we find that party reputation and the expectation gap affected votes. Also, as moral foundations theory (MFT) suggests, differing moral priorities of liberal and conservative voters explain variation in responses to ethical violations. Our findings suggest the applicability of the party ownership framework and MFT in a newer, non-Western democracy. This study contributes to our understanding of voting behaviour in South Korea, with an emphasis on reputation, expectation gaps and moral intuitions.
Rotational ankle instability: A current concept review
Authors: Aicale Rocco , Maffulli Nicola
Published: July 2023

Ankle sprains are extremely common. It is important to have a clear insight of the course of recovery after such injury to evaluate the effective strategies to guide management decisions, and understand the potential risk factors involved in the development of chronic problems and recurrent ankle sprains. When a prompt diagnosis is not formulated, ligament tears can remain untreated, and chronic ankle instability can result after acute lateral or medial ankle sprain. When the medial ligament complex (MLC), in particular the anterior fascicle of the deltoid ligament, is involved, rotational ankle instability (RAI) can develop. Generally, a tear of the anterior fibres of the MCL accompanied by anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) insufficiency has been associated with RAI, while injury of the intermediate fibres of the MLC has been associated with medial ankle instability (MAI). Conservative management is the first line of treatment, with surgery reserved for special cases or if rehabilitation has failed. Regarding surgery, several options are available, including anatomic repair, anatomic reconstruction, and tenodesis procedures. Ankle arthroscopy is increasingly used to address ligament insufficiency and to identify and treat intra-articular pathologies. Repair of MLC tears by an arthroscopic all-inside procedure is effective in both MAI and RAI.
Environmental Sustainability and Internationalization in Higher Education: A New Frontier in Research, Policy and Practice
Authors: Proctor Douglas , Rumbley Laura E.
Published: July 2023

Ensuring environmental sustainability has gained global attention in recent years due to the effects of climate change and growing concerns about environmental degradation. A wide range of stakeholders have contributed to the urgent call for action, with recent analyses indicating both progress and alarming shortcomings in implementing needed changes. The field of international education has also begun focusing on environmental sustainability, with research exploring the intersections between internationalization and environmental impact. This special issue of the Journal of Studies in International Education presents timely perspectives on this complex topic, highlighting research on carbon footprints, air travel, sustainability rankings, and the role of professional associations. The issue also addresses the need for individual and collective action, and the importance of social justice and equity in achieving environmental sustainability. While the coverage is extensive, there is a notable absence of voices from certain regions and a lack of focus on student perspectives.
Single-stage Repair of Bilateral Cleft Lip and Bilateral Transverse Facial Cleft in Goldenhar Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Kim Ju Hee , Lim So Young
Published: July 2023

Goldenhar syndrome (GS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by multiple facial anomalies. This case report describes a GS presenting with bilateral cleft lip and palate and bilateral transverse facial cleft. We performed a single-stage surgery to repair the bilateral cleft lip and bilateral transverse facial cleft when the patient was 4-months-old. Bilateral cleft lip repair using the Mulliken method was performed first, and then the bilateral transverse facial cleft was corrected. Orbicularis oris muscle repair was done at each clefts. Anatomical approximation technique was used and the final oral commissure was determined considering symmetry. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved without complications.
Translation and Multilingual Proficiency Between Pedagogy and Ideology in Higher Education: The English Alternative in a Postcolonial French-Tethered Morocco
Authors: Ennam Abdelghanie
Published: July 2023

This study investigates the possibilities of an English-oriented reform in Moroccan universities as far as the development of an English-dominated proficiency is manifest in translation classes. Two-hundred seventy-six students were surveyed to determine their attitudes and achievements in translating from and into English. The paper claims that this pursuit has been vulnerable to the premises of postcolonial pedagogy and language policies adopted in/by the Moroccan higher education system since 1960s. It concludes that the insufficiency of reading rates, limitedness of writing skills, and the postcolonial linguistic compulsions emanating from the French/English connection hinder faster education reform achievability in Morocco.
Analytical, numerical, and experimental methods to study thermo-elastic coupling inherent and vibration characteristics of a flexible rotor system
Authors: Chiu Yi-Jui , Zhao Ya-Zheng , Chen Ding , Yang Chia-Hao
Published: July 2023

The thermal deformation of a flexible rotor system in a high-temperature environment causes changes in the inherent and vibration characteristics. A theoretical model of the flexible rotor was established based on the theory of thermal deformation, the assumed mode method, and the Lagrangian principle. The mode natural frequencies and shapes were explored in detail when the temperature of different nickel-based alloy rotor blades increased gradually (from 0 to 1200°C). The changes in the unstable speed points as the temperature gradually increased were studied based on the rotation speed–frequency diagram. In addition, experimental methods were performed. Mode and steady-state speed tests in a supported state were conducted. Mode experiments were completed on a five-blade rotor test rig with a thermal insulation device, and the acceleration frequency-domain signal showed that the natural frequency decreased with increasing temperature. Through steady-state speed experiments, it was found that the position of the unstable speed points moved forward, and the displacement amplitude increased after local heating.
Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Girls With Central Precocious Puberty
Authors: Lee Jeewon , Lee Soyoung Irene , Lee Yoo Min , Hong Yong Hee
Published: July 2023

Objective:

The purpose of the current study was to examine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in girls with central precocious puberty.

Method:

Girls with central precocious puberty were prospectively recruited from the pediatric clinic. Screening was done with ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Those who screened positive on ADHD-RS were referred for the diagnostic evaluation which included a Computerized Performance Test (CPT) and a clinical interview conducted by a child adolescent psychiatrist.

Results:

Among the 81 girls (mean age = 8.97 ± 0.91) who completed the study, 11 girls (13.58%) were diagnosed with ADHD: 5 of them were inattentive type and 6 of them were combined type.

Conclusion:

The present exploratory study showed that the prevalence of ADHD in girls with central precocious was higher than the known worldwide prevalence of ADHD in children
Use of School-Based Interventions for ADHD, Professional Support, and Burnout Symptoms among Teachers in Iceland
Authors: Karlsdóttir Erla , Gudmundsdottir Bergljot Gyda , Sveinbjörnsdóttir Berglind
Published: July 2023

Objective:

Effective school-based interventions for youth with ADHD are critical to their success. We examined whether teacher application of such interventions and perceptions of professional support related to greater well-being, including fewer burnout symptoms.

Method:

Teachers in primary schools in Iceland were invited to participate in an online survey, including questions about professional support and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The sample comprised N = 592 (88.5% female) participants.

Results:

Regression analyses indicated that use of recommended ADHD interventions was positively associated with MBI-Personal Achievement (PA). Greater satisfaction with professional support related to lower MBI-Emotional Exhaustion and MBI-Depersonalization, and higher MBI-PA. Level of professional support was positively associated with use of recommended interventions.

Conclusion:

Effective interventions and support for students with ADHD may enhance teacher well-being. Icelandic teachers require further training and professional support in best practices for ADHD, to help promote teacher and student success.
A Transdisciplinary Analysis of Domestic Violence Homicides in Harris County, Texas (2016-2020)
Authors: Lin Hsiu-Fen , Spearman Kathryn J. , Ross Jennifer L. , Blackburn Emily , Messing Jill T. , Campbell Jacquelyn C. , AbiNader Millan A. , Grimm Kevin J.
Published: July 2023

A transdisciplinary, community-engaged approach enables researchers to connect knowledge generation with domestic violence homicide prevention. This case study utilizes medical examiner data from Harris County, Texas (2016–2020, n = 2,517) to identify and examine correlates of domestic violence homicides. The research team identified more than double the number of domestic violence homicides than had been flagged in the original data. Geospatial analysis identified unequal distribution of homicide across communities and significant gender-based disparities in domestic violence homicides. Transdisciplinary approaches can be used to accurately identify domestic violence homicides and provide a foundation to develop multi-level interventions.
Pharmaceutical Industry Perspective on the Non-Clinical Evaluation of Novel Excipients: Results From an Industry Survey Conducted by the IQ Novel Excipient Working Group
Authors: Giffen Paul S. , Buckley Lorrene A. , Pinkstaff Jason
Published: July 2023

Excipients are essential components within drug products that contribute significantly to their overall quality, effectiveness, and safety. There is a lack of global, harmonized guidance relating to the non-clinical testing of novel excipients which is perceived to create uncertainty and strategic risk, potentially hindering innovation and disincentivizing their use. To test these perceptions, the IQ Novel Excipient Working Group surveyed member companies regarding their main concerns and prior experience regarding the non-clinical evaluation of excipients. Of the 19 respondents, 13 provided, collectively, 33 non-clinical program examples supporting the development of novel excipients. Programs were distributed across a range of therapeutic areas and included a variety of drug modalities and administration routes. Package designs were variable, but where possible, employed the use of existing data, supplemented with new toxicology studies as appropriate. Of the programs which had submitted data to regional health authorities, only three received feedback requesting additional studies or that demonstrated differences in regional opinion. In addition, companies provided recommendations on how the current (or new) guidance related to non-clinical excipient evaluation (and other areas, such as Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls and databases) may be improved.
A Closer Look at the Alleged “War on Cops”: Post-Ferguson Trends in Ideologically-Motivated Homicides of Police Officers, 2008–2021
Authors: Norris Jesse J.
Published: July 2023

Some proponents of the “war on cops” thesis have suggested that the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement encourages people to murder police officers and is responsible for many civilian-on-police homicides. To evaluate such claims, this study examines all homicides of on-duty police officers by civilians from 2008 to 2021 ( n = 595) for ideological motives, and uses interrupted times series analysis to test for post-Ferguson trends. Ideological motivations were present in 12% of civilian-on-police homicides, and only 3% constituted terrorism. Right-wing motivations were far more common (6%) than left-wing motives (3%). Most analyses showed no significant increase in ideological civilian-on-police homicides after Ferguson. Although homicides with left-wing motives unconnected to personal revenge significantly increased after Ferguson, this only accounts for a small proportion of post-Ferguson homicides (4%). In short, there is no evidence that BLM unleashed a “war on cops” in which officers are increasingly targeted in ideological homicides.
Short and Locked Down: The Impact of COVID-19 on a Person With Dwarfism
Authors: Harvey Clare
Published: July 2023

Living with a visible physical disability—specifically dwarfism—brings situational, psychosocial, and cultural challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, and its restrictions, amplifies these dwarfism-related complexities, exposing the politics of visibility and exclusion, as well as spatial injustices. This autoethnographic paper deliberates these heightened disabling encounters in their various contextual layers—physical, social, and psychological. Fundamentally, people with dwarfism have become further disabled and disadvantaged because of the pandemic’s psychosocial stresses, contextual traumas, and physical exclusions. The paper intimately addresses the embodied, psychological, cultural, and spatial inequalities short-statured individuals endure because of the pandemic. Drawing on theoretical models of disability, critical disability literature, geographies of disability, as well as the conceptual paradigm of biopolitical power, the paper begins to make sense of these experiences so that shifts may occur in different spaces. Arguably, the experiences of COVID-19 that are shared here are also applicable to people with other disabilities.
Dissolving Ableism: Could Disabled People Flourish During the First Aotearoa New Zealand COVID-19 Lockdown?
Authors: Bourke John , Young Tim , Grace Cate , Caldwell Josh , Martin Rachelle A.
Published: July 2023

Societal culture, space, and structure have been unprecedentedly disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic creating disproportionate vulnerability for disabled people. However, the upheaval of many societal conditions has presented enabling opportunities for disabled people. We report on interviews with 30 disabled people during the first four-week Aotearoa New Zealand COVID-19 lockdown. Three key themes were interpreted: “I am experiencing less disability on a daily basis,” encapsulating the experience of reduced disabling barriers for participants; “Working from home: the flexibility I have been asking for,” summarizing the benefits of functioning in an enabling home/work space; and “Social connection opportunities are the same for everyone,” overviewing participants reports that online opportunities presented a greater sense of belonging than before lockdown. Study findings highlight that despite a constant fear of the negative impact posed by COVID-19, there were numerous opportunities to reduce ablism through applying empowering factors inherent in novel cultural spaces.
The Chronicity of Home-Making: Women Caregivers in Dis/Abling Spaces
Authors: Williamson K. Eliza , Engel Cíntia , Fietz Helena
Published: July 2023

Care for disabled family members in Brazil has historically been concentrated in the home, but the Covid-19 pandemic has intensified domestic care labor by limiting infrastructures of care. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork with women caring for disabled others at different stages of life in three regions of Brazil, we advance two interconnected concepts that emerged in our interlocutors’ narratives. We contend that the Covid-19 pandemic has engendered a chronification of home-making, which intensified a long-standing pattern of unequally gendered labor in maintaining arrangements of spaces, people, and things. In the context of the progressive loss of social safety nets and deepening social inequality, this chronicified process of home-making also gives rise to dis/abling care—care that simultaneously enables others and disables caregivers. Our work demonstrates how the pandemic is re-entrenching historical inequalities in Brazil and how disability is produced in pandemic times.
Delivering person-centred dementia care: Perceptions of radiography practitioners within diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy departments
Authors: Higgins Robert , Spacey Adam , Innes Anthea
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Despite abundant literature on the diagnosis of dementia, limited research has explored the lived experiences of radiography practitioners when providing care to people living with dementia in the department.

Objectives

This qualitative study explored the perceptions and compatibility of current professional guidance by both diagnostic imaging and radiotherapeutic radiography practitioners as well as the key stakeholders involved with developing the Society and College of Radiographers clinical practice guidelines for caring for people with dementia.

Methods

This was a two-phase multi-method study. Fifteen diagnostic imaging and two therapeutic radiography practitioners from across the UK participated with online focus group discussions. Four key stakeholders involved with the development of the Society and College of Radiographers guidelines took part with individual semi-structured interviews. Data analysis included narrative and thematic analysis.

Results

Participants from both phases identified enablers and barriers to providing person-centred dementia care. Three superordinate themes were identified linked to (1) Working with care partners, (2) Departmental environmental design, and (3) Communication and interprofessional infrastructure.

Discussion

Many radiography practitioners still feel unprepared when caring for people living with dementia despite the clinical practice guidelines. Care partners were identified as having the potential to help alleviate some of the challenges radiographers faced. Participants were also aware of the impact of the departmental environment and recognised that poor way finding designs could lead to frustration. Radiography practitioners were not always aware that a patient was living with dementia prior to their attendance in the department making it difficult for practitioners to make appropriate accommodations such as additional time at appointments or the departmental environment. Our findings suggest there is a need for profession specific education and training for radiography practitioners to support the provision of person-centred dementia care. There is also a need to support the design of dementia friendly diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy departments.
World humanities - Towards an ontology of policy
Authors: Gibson Andrew G , Bengtsen Søren SE
Published: July 2023

The border-crossing nature of science is well recognised, and has long been a focus of policy-makers with an interest in governing this space. The international aspect of the humanities is less clearly understood, and the extent to which it has been a focus of policy is similarly not well conceptualised. UNESCO’s efforts in this area provide a useful corpus of texts through which international humanities policy can be explored. Drawing on Theodor Adorno’s negative dialectics, this paper considers what UNESCO’s attempts at developing international humanities policy have to say about the ontological status of the humanities, and of policy itself. In setting out an ontology of policy, it generates a concept of ‘world humanities’ as a means of reconstituting the humanities its own specific mode of inquiry and form of knowledge.
Technical Feasibility and Safety of a Snare-Less, EVAR–First Technique for Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis
Authors: Chen Julia Fayanne , Loh Sarah Ann , Fischer Uwe , Nassiri Naiem
Published: July 2023

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility, safety, and early outcomes of a snare-less, endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR)-first technique (SET) for iliac branch endoprosthesis (IBE) placement.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed all patients who received IBEs between July 2018 and March 2022. Patients were divided into 2 categories based on method of IBE deployment: SET or Standard. Primary endpoints were technical success, major adverse events, mortality, reintervention, internal iliac artery (IIA) patency, and freedom from IIA branch instability. Technical success was defined by successful deployment of both the EVAR and the IBE with maintained patency of the IIA and no stent graft migration.

Results:

There were 20 patients (90% male, median age 72 [65.4-74.5] years) who underwent IBE placement. Among these, 5 (33.3%) underwent SET to treat 5 common iliac artery (CIA)/IIA aneurysms, while the remaining 15 (66.7%) underwent standard IBE deployment with through-and-through femoral access (n=13) or trans-brachial access (n=2) to treat 19 CIA/IIA aneurysms. Overall median renal to iliac bifurcation length was 169 (152-177) mm, with 9 patients falling short of the minimum of 165 mm for on-label IBE placement. Median contrast used was 148 (120-201) mL, fluoroscopy time 42.8 (35.0-49.8) minutes, estimated blood loss 200 (100-275) mL, and procedure time 192 (167-246) minutes, with no significant differences between the 2 groups. Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases. At 30 days, there were no mortalities or major adverse events in either group; there were 100% IIA patency, no IIA instability, and no reinterventions in both groups. Median follow-up in the SET group was 5.7 (5.5-6.2) months, with 1 death at 6 months and 1 type 1B endoleak at 6 months requiring reintervention. Median follow-up for the Standard group was 1.6 (0.8-2.1) years with 2 non–aneurysm-related deaths and no reinterventions at 1 year.

Conclusions:

SET for IBE is a safe and effective approach that decreases technical complexity and mitigates anatomic barriers to IBE placement.

Clinical Impact

SET for IBE is a safe and effective approach to IBE placement that decreases technical complexity. A critical component to this technique is a large bore sheath with a stiff steerable tip. Importantly, this approach also mitigates anatomic barriers to IBE placement, expanding applicability of IBE technology to patients who may be otherwise ineligible.
Research Participants’ Preferences for Individual Results of Pharmacogenomics Research: A Case of a Ugandan HIV Research Institute
Authors: Nabukenya Sylvia , Waitt Catriona , Senyonga Ronald , Castelnuovo Barbara , Munabi Ian Guyton , Kyaddondo David , Mwaka Erisa S.
Published: July 2023

Little is known about whether people living with HIV would like to receive their results from pharmacogenomics research. This study explored the factors influencing participants’ preferences and the reasons for their desire to receive individual results from pharmacogenomics research. We employed a convergent parallel mixed methods study design comprising a survey of 225 research participants and 5 deliberative focus group discussions with 30 purposively selected research participants. Almost all (98%) participants wanted to receive individual pharmacogenomics research results. Reasons for the desire to receive results were reciprocity for valuable time and effort, preparing for future eventualities, and the right to information about their health. Overall, participants desire to receive feedback from pharmacogenomics research, particularly if results are well established and clinically actionable.
The Case of Contradictions: How Prolonged Engagement, Reflexive Journaling, and Observations can Contradict Qualitative Methods
Authors: Dado Meikah , Spence Jessica R. , Elliot Jack
Published: July 2023

Interviews and focus groups are common methods for conducting qualitative research. They provide in-depth descriptions of a phenomenon by listening to and analyzing participants' words. Yet, when a researcher immerses themself in an environment for a prolonged period participants are able to act and think naturalistically rather than in a formal interview setting. Prolonged engagement allows the researcher to blend into the participants' environment, therefore increasing the likelihood that the activities that occur in the presence of the researcher do not differ from the activities that occur without the researcher present. This prolonged interaction can provide more in-depth data including observations and address questions of credibility, rather than only conducting an interview or focus group. However, the observations can also bring forward contradictions participants display that differ from the interview or focus group conversation. By spending 3 months in Ghana with the International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program conducting monitoring and evaluation efforts, using a mixed-methods approach, contradictions arose from observations and reflexive journaling that would not have been found without the prolonged engagement. The purpose of this study is to provide methodological insight by examining how contradictions from interviews and focus groups arise when the researcher is immersed in the participants' environment and highlight the importance of prolonged engagement, observations, and reflexive journaling to qualitative credibility.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with chronic conditions in Vietnam: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Vo Thi Ha , Nguyen Thanh Huyen , Nguyen Huy Chuong , Nguyen Thanh Hiep
Published: July 2023

Objectives

We assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health, treatment adherence and expectations of patients with chronic diseases in Vietnam.

Methods

We conducted a national cross-sectional study using a questionnaire survey, distributed through social networks and presented on Google Forms. The survey was performed during two months of the most stringent social distancing in Vietnam (between 21 July and 21 September 2021).

Results

Most of the participants said that the COVID-19 epidemic had affected their daily activities (91.9%), health (53.6%), sleep behavior (52.3%), and mental health (79.8%). During social distancing in Vietnam, three-quarter could not go to hospitals for periodic health examination; nearly half of respondents did not do daily physical activity; a quarter of respondents did not adhere to recommended diet plan. Factors associated with the effect of the COVID-19 epidemic on patient's health included those living in Ho Chi Minh City ( p = 0.015), lived alone ( p = 0.027), uncontrolled chronic conditions ( p < 0.001), treatment dissatisfaction or experienced anxiety/stress ( p < 0.001). Factors associated with medication adherence included the elderly ( p = 0.015), having periodic health examination ( p = 0.012), direct consultation ( p = 0.003), and telemedicine ( p = 0.007).

Conclusion

This study highlights the urgent need for better chronic management strategies for the new post-COVID era in the future.