bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical education student teachers’ wellbeing during Covid-19: Resilience resources and challenges from school placement
Authors: O’ Brien Niamh , O’Brien Wesley , Costa João , Adamakis Manolis
Published: April 2022

The coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has given rise to significant global challenges across education, and specifically in the physical education teacher education (PETE) community. Students attending teacher education programmes during the Covid-19 pandemic have experienced an abrupt and unprecedented pedagogical transition from a face-to-face capacity to remote teaching, learning, and assessment environments. Crucially, student teachers’ school placement experiences faced increased challenges and practical implications from additional environmental and social changes. In the context of continued global and national challenges for initial teacher education (ITE) programmes, the present qualitative study, using a representative sample of 24 student physical education (PE) teachers from a PETE programme, investigates the perceived implications of the Covid-19 pandemic on student teachers’ practice and wellbeing during their final 2020/2021 academic year. Results indicate that student teachers maintain that exercise, connections with the university and school placement communities, alongside personal and professional organisation skills serve as resilience resources protecting their wellbeing. Conversely, student teachers express that school placement isolation, restricted PE delivery, increased workload, low teacher efficacy, and the responsibility to implement Covid-19 behaviour regulations presented as challenges that negatively affect their wellbeing. The paper concludes with practices that may further support PETE and ITE programmes and their student teachers to maintain a stable level of wellbeing throughout their careers.
Developing a research approach to explore therapeutic relationships with children and young people with complex needs: A critical reflection
Authors: Roman Tara
Published: April 2022

This article is a critical reflection on the development of a research approach to explore therapeutic relationships in psychodynamic music therapy with children and young people with complex needs. The article starts by positioning my research project within contemporary music therapy discourse, discussing literature from psychoanalysis, music therapy research and a broad range of related disciplines. This illustrates the development of a socially, culturally and politically contextualised understanding of the theory and practice of music therapy with people with complex needs and outlines the theoretical concepts which support and inform my research approach. Fricker’s Epistemic Injustice paradigm is used to provide a contextualised philosophical concept to explore why and how people with complex needs are frequently excluded from academic research. A critical disability study perspective is used to outline the need for inclusive research practice to develop epistemological frameworks and methodologies to include the voices of those marginalised in society. The article concludes with an outline of my current research project, discussing how the ideas previously described have informed the research approach and been integrated into the project design.
‘Autism is a way of being’: An ‘insider perspective’ on neurodiversity, music therapy and social justice
Authors: Davies Hilary
Published: April 2022

Neurodiversity (the idea that autism is a natural part of human diversity) is a concept that is only just beginning to be explored in music therapy research. The idea of neurodiversity can be viewed as an important part of the emerging discourse around diversity and social justice in British music therapy, with a potentially radical influence on both music therapy practice and the way in which autistic clients and colleagues are viewed. This article, written from the ‘insider perspective’ of an autistic Music Therapist, explores the origins of the concept of neurodiversity, the emerging strand of music therapy research concerning neurodiversity, the re-framing of autistic characteristics such as stimming within the concept of autistic culture, and the potential influence on music therapy practice and discourse of a wider paradigm shift towards the neurodiversity paradigm. These topics are considered within a social justice context, situating autistic / neurodivergent people as a minoritized identity within society and examining the potential influence of power dynamics, unconscious bias and privilege within the therapeutic relationship. The characteristics of a neurodiversity-affirmative style of music therapy are considered, and a need is identified for more music therapy research in order to elucidate this way of working.
Sore and tired. A qualitative study exploring the symptom experience of youth with bronchiectasis
Authors: Blamires Julie , Dickinson Annette , Byrnes Catherine A , Tautolo El Shadan
Published: April 2022

This qualitative study was conducted to explore the experiences of youth living with bronchiectasis in New Zealand (NZ). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with youth with bronchiectasis. Key themes were identified using an inductive approach through constant comparative analysis and guided by Thorne’s interpretive description (ID). Fifteen young people of mixed ethnicity (nine females and six males) aged between 13 and 23 years participated. Three key themes ‘sore and tired’, ‘life interrupted and ‘looking after self’ were identified. This paper will focus on ‘sore and tired’ and its three subthemes which describe the participants symptom experience. While there was variability in physical symptom patterns, cough, soreness and fatigue were prominent features impacting physical, emotional and social aspects of day-to-day life. All identified pervasive and profound fatigue as significant. The identification of prodromal symptoms provides opportunity for greater appreciation of the varied and personal symptom experience of young people with bronchiectasis. Early identification of these symptoms and inclusion within management plans for escalating treatment has the potential to improve outcomes, reducing delays in seeking additional medical management and preventing further exacerbation.
Multi-layer model for moving contact problems of functionally graded coatings with general variations in physical properties
Authors: Toktaş Selim E , Dag Serkan
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a multi-layer model for moving contact problems of functionally graded coatings whose physical properties have general spatial variations. The coating is assumed to be composed of an arbitrary number of layers and perfectly bonded to an elastic substrate. Wave equations for the layers and the substrate are derived in accordance with the plane theory of elastodynamics. The equations are solved by the application of Galilean and Fourier transformations. Flat and triangular punch profiles are considered, and the formulation is reduced to a singular integral equation of the second kind in both cases. The integral equations are solved by means of Jacobi expansion and collocation techniques. Proposed procedures are verified through comparisons to the results available for a special case in the literature. Parametric analyses are carried out for functionally graded coatings possessing ceramic-rich, metal-rich, and linear profiles. The results presented demonstrate the influences of factors such as punch speed, coefficient of friction, material property variation profile, and contact-length-to-thickness ratio on contact stresses, punch stress intensity factors, and required contact force. It is shown that the multi-layer model is required to account for general property distributions in a functionally graded coating subject to moving contact.
Towards an understanding of mobility in social policy research
Authors: Bruzelius Cecilia , Shutes Isabel
Published: April 2022

Over recent years, there has been increasing attention to migration in social policy research. Uniting this research has been a focus on cross-national migration, and predominantly immigration. In the meantime, the relationship between human mobility and social policy at other scales and sites has gained much less attention. This is in spite of the salience of multiple forms of mobility and measures for restricting, facilitating or promoting mobility not confined to the territorial borders of the nation-state. This article proposes an alternative mobility perspective for social policy research that moves us beyond the limitations of current migration approaches. To do so, we draw on interdisciplinary mobilities theory and research. Empirically, we apply a mobility perspective to examine how systems of social provision are shaped by and shape mobility and immobility, in restricting, facilitating or promoting the movement of people. We argue that such an approach allows us to frame and address questions that place mobility and immobility as central to the social relations of welfare, advancing our understanding of how social policies can reduce or reinforce the inequalities of mobility.
Intelligent fault diagnosis of rotating machinery using composite multivariate-based multi-scale symbolic dynamic entropy with multi-source monitoring data
Authors: Wei Yu , Wang Xianzhi , Xu Yuanbo , Fan Fan
Published: April 2022

Fault diagnosis of rotating machinery plays a significant role in the reliability and safety of modern industrial systems, which generally requires collaborative fault diagnosis by features extracted from multiple sensors since the multi-channel vibration signals carry a wealth of fault information. However, there is a remaining obstacle for fault diagnosis of multi-source monitoring data: integration of multisensory data. Hence, a novel framework is proposed for fault diagnosis of multi-source monitoring data. First, composite multivariate multi-scale symbolic dynamic entropy is proposed to extract fault features. Second, Laplacian score is introduced to select the distinguishing features with better clustering ability. Finally, the selected features are fed into a logistic regression classifier so that various faults of machinery are diagnosed. The simulation and two case studies using gearbox and pump data are performed to validate and demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method.
Travel distance and travel time using Stata: New features and major improvements in georoute
Authors: Weber Sylvain , Péclat Martin , Warren August
Published: April 2022

The community-contributed command georoute is designed to calculate travel distance and travel time between two addresses or two geographical points identified by their coordinates. Since its conception and description by Weber and Péclat (2017, Stata Journal 17: 962–971), the command has been gradually maintained and enriched. The new version of georoute presented in this article encompasses major improvements, such as the possibility to specify transport mode and departure time. The new features open the way to a multitude of more sophisticated research applications.
Effect sizes for contrasts of estimated marginal effects
Authors: Shaw Brian P.
Published: April 2022

The statistical literature is replete with calls to report standardized measures of effect size alongside traditional p-values and null hypothesis tests. While effect-size measures such as Cohen’s d and Hedges’s g are straightforward to calculate for t tests, this is not the case for parameters in more complex linear models, where traditional effect-size measures such as η 2 and ω 2 face limitations. After a review of effect sizes and their implementation in Stata, I introduce the community-contributed command mces. This postestimation command reports standardized effect-size statistics for dichotomous comparisons of marginal-effect contrasts obtained from margins and mimrgns, including with complex samples, for continuous outcome variables. mces provides Stata users the ability to report straightforward estimates of effect size in many modeling applications.
Promise, Provision, and Potential: A Hopeful Trajectory for Spiritual Care in Long-Term Care
Authors: Kuepfer Jane , Schmidt Angela , O’Connor Thomas St. James , James Melanie
Published: April 2022

This Canadian study aimed to better understand the provision of spiritual care in long-term care homes, its purpose/importance, the role of a spiritual care provider (SCP)/chaplain, effective practices, and challenges. Online survey responses revealed the need for spiritual care and the robust role of SCPs. Recommendations are made for more consistent employ and integration of SCPs, supported by sector-specific training and a system to connect LTC homes with skilled SCPs.
Event-related Oscillations to Emotional Faces are Related to a History of Internalizing Disorders
Authors: Ehlers Cindy L. , Wills Derek , Karriker-Jaffe Katherine J. , Phillips Evelyn , Kim Corrine , Gilder David A.
Published: April 2022

Event-related oscillations (EROs) may represent sensitive biomarkers or endophenotypes for disorders that underlie risk behaviors such as suicidal thoughts and actions. In this study, young adults of American Indian (AI) (n = 821) and Mexican American (MA) (n = 721) ancestry (age 18-30 yrs) were clinically assessed for internalizing and externalizing disorders, and an internalizing scale was generated by extracting core diagnostic items from 6 lifetime DSM5-compatible diagnoses (social phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive episode) and symptoms of suicidality. EROs were generated to sad, happy and neutral faces, and energy and phase locking of delta ERO oscillations were assessed in frontal areas. An increase in delta ERO energy was found in the frontal lead (FZ) following presentation of the sad facial expressions in those with a history of 10 or more internalizing symptoms compared to those with no symptoms. Increases in delta ERO energy in FZ were also associated with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD), but not with anxiety disorders or antisocial personality disorder/conduct disorders (ASP). Major depression was also associated with increases in cross-cortical phase-locking (FZ-PZ). A decrease in the percentage of correctly identified neutral faces also was seen among those with 10 or more internalizing symptoms compared to those without internalizing symptoms, and in those with anxiety disorders, but not in those with ASP or MDD as compared to their controls. These findings suggest ERO measures may represent important potential biomarkers of depressive disorders as well as risk indicators for suicidal behaviors.
A Systematic Review of Propensity Score Matching in the Orthopedic Literature
Authors: Arguelles Gabriel R. , Shin Max , Lebrun Drake G. , DeFrancesco Christopher J. , Fabricant Peter D. , Baldwin Keith D.
Published: April 2022

Background:

Propensity score matching (PSM) is a statistical technique used to reduce bias in observational studies by controlling for measured confounders. Given its complexity and popularity, it is imperative that researchers comprehensively report their methodologies to ensure accurate interpretation and reproducibility.

Purpose:

This systematic review sought to define how often PSM has been used in recent orthopedic research and to describe how such studies reported their methods. Secondary aims included analyzing study reproducibility, bibliometric factors associated with reproducibility, and associations between methodology and the reporting of statistically significant results.

Methods:

PubMed and Embase databases were queried for studies containing “propensity score” and “match*” published in 20 orthopedic journals prior to 2020. All studies meeting inclusion criteria were used for trend analysis. Articles published between 2017 and 2019 were used for analysis of reporting quality and reproducibility.

Results:

In all, 261 studies were included for trend analysis, and 162 studies underwent full-text review. The proportion of orthopedic studies using PSM significantly increased over time. Seventy-one (41%) articles did not provide justification for covariate selection. The majority of studies illustrated covariate balance through P values. We found that 19% of the studies were fully reproducible. Most studies failed to report the use of replacement (67.3%) or independent or paired statistical methods (34.0%). Studies reporting standardized mean differences to illustrate covariate balance were less likely to report statistically significant results.

Conclusion:

Despite the increased use of PSM in orthopedic research, observational studies employing PSM have largely failed to adequately report their methodology.
A Physical Activity Program to Promote Mental Health
Authors: Powell Lisa D. , Gill Diane L. , Reifsteck Erin J. , Brown Pam K.
Published: April 2022

College students are at risk for adverse mental and physical health. Physical activity (PA) can reduce risks and promote positive mental health; however, less than half of college students meet PA recommendations. Further, few students seek ancillary help such as counseling services. Therefore, in this study we implemented a 5-week evidence-based PA program (#ubwell) in collaboration with counseling services designed to promote students’ PA participation and motivation, as well as positive mood states and mental health. Results showed participants increased in positive feelings and arousal levels during all PA sessions. Additionally, intrinsic motivation significantly increased from pre to post, but PA participation and mood states did not change significantly. The increased motivation and positive affect are promising, and additional research with larger samples and additional campus recreation activities (e.g., fitness classes, intramurals) may provide greater insight into the benefits of PA programs for mental health and wellness.
The Relationship Between Sense of Community and Job Satisfaction Among Campus Recreation Center Employees
Authors: Woo Mina , Jang Incheol , Chang Yun
Published: April 2022

Research on the experience of campus recreation participants has been studied extensively. However, scholars have paid relatively little attention to employees of campus recreation. This study examined the relationship between Sense of Community (SOC) and job satisfaction of employees in Campus Recreation Center (CRC), and the impact of demographic information, including job classification and tenure, on the levels of their SOC and job satisfaction. Survey data were collected from CRC employees, including student employees, graduate assistants, part-time and full-time employees. Results indicated a positive relationship between SOC and job satisfaction that employees experienced. Even though results did not suggest the influence of employee's job classification and tenure on the levels of SOC and job satisfaction, it was found that job classification influenced three of nine factors of job satisfaction (e.g., fringe benefits, operating conditions, and coworker).
Characterizing Fast and Slow Progressors in Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes
Authors: Mohammaden Mahmoud H , Haussen Diogo C , Pisani Leonardo , Al-Bayati Alhamza R , Bhatt Nirav R , Jillella Dinesh V , Bianchi Nicolas A , Belagaje Samir R , Frankel Michael R , Nogueira Raul G
Published: April 2022

Background and Purpose

Infarct growth rate (IGR) in acute ischemic stroke is highly variable. We sought to evaluate impact of symptom-reperfusion time on outcomes in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

Methods

A prospectively maintained database from January,2012-August,2020 was reviewed. All patients with isolated MCA-M1 occlusion who achieved complete reperfusion(mTICI2C-3), had a witnessed symptom onset and follow-up MRI were included. IGR was calculated as final infarct volume (FIV)(ml)/symptom onset to reperfusion time(hours) and was dichotomized according to the median value into slow-(SP) versus fast-progressors (FP). The primary analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of symptom-reperfusion time on 90-day mRS in SP and FP. Secondary analysis was performed to identify predictors of IGR.

Results

A total of 137 patients were eligible for analysis. Mean age was 63 ± 15.4 years and median IGR was 5.13ml/hour. SP(n = 69) had higher median ASPECTS, lower median rCBF<30% lesion volume, higher proportion of favorable collaterals and hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR)<0.4, higher minimal mean arterial blood pressure before reperfusion, and lower rates of general anesthesia compared to FP(n = 68). Symptom-reperfusion time was comparable between both groups. SP had higher rates of 90-day mRS0-2(71.9%vs.38.9%,aOR;7.226,95%CI[2.431–21.482],p < 0.001) and lower median FIV. Symptom-reperfusion time was associated with 90-day mRS0-2 in FP (aOR;0.541,95%CI[0.309–0.946],p = 0.03) but not in SP (aOR;0.874,95%CI[0.742–1.056],p = 0.16). On multivariable analysis, high ASPECTS and favorable collaterals in the NCCT/CTA model, and low rCBF<30% and HIR<0.4 in the CTP model were independent predictors of SP.

Conclusions

The impact of symptom-reperfusion time on outcomes significantly varies across slow-versus fast-progressors. ASPECTS, collateral score, rCBF<30%, and HIR define stroke progression profile.
WEB vs coiling in ruptured aneurysms: A propensity score matched comparison of safety and efficacy
Authors: Nania Alberto , Gatt Simon , Banerjee Rohan , Syed Maaz BJ , Tiefenbach Jakov , Dobbs Nicholas , Du Plessis Johannes , Keston Peter , Downer Johnathan
Published: April 2022

Background

We aim to compare the safety and efficacy of WEB with coiling for acutely ruptured aneurysms. METHODS: All consecutive ruptured aneurysms with width suitable for WEB (2–10 mm) treated over 5 years (1/1/2015 to 31/12/2019) were included. We recorded WFNS, Fisher grade, patient demographics and aneurysm characteristics (size, location, D/W and aspect ratio, lobulation). Primary endpoints were mRS status at 3 months, aneurysm occlusion on latest available imaging follow-up, retreatment rate and procedural complications. We applied propensity score matching using aneurysm morphology (size, D/N ratio, ASPECT ratio and lobulation) to optimise matching for WEB versus coil comparison and minimise the effects of confounding.

Result

A total of 493 patients were identified, 97 treated with the WEB device. 1:1 propensity score matching was used to establish a matched group of 97 patients treated with coiling. The WEB arm showed 3% procedural complication rate, with no haemorrhagic complications and use of adjunctive device in 4%. Satisfactory occlusion on follow-up (mean 14 months) was 79%, with 19% retreatment rate. The coil arm had 8% complication rate, with use of an adjunctive device in 52% of cases (balloon 44%, stent 8%). Satisfactory occlusion on follow-up (mean 22 months) was 90%, with 8% retreatment rate.

Conclusion

Treatment of ruptured wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms with WEB has a lower complication rate than coiling with high rate of satisfactory occlusion. However, there was a higher retreatment rate when compared with patients treated with coiling. An adjunct device (balloon or stent), was used in over 50% of aneurysms in the coiling group.
Chemotherapy regimen choice and patient outcomes in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Ghafouri Sanaz N. , Nayeri Rebecca W. , McAndrew Nicholas P. , Hurvitz Sara A.
Published: April 2022

Background:

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with a poor prognosis when compared to hormone receptor–positive breast cancers. Anthracycline-based regimens (ABRs) are mainstay for treatment of non-metastatic TNBC. However, anthracyclines are associated with an increased risk of potentially life-threatening adverse effects. We sought to evaluate outcomes in patients with early TNBC treated with ABRs versus those treated with anthracycline-sparing regimens (ASRs).

Methods:

All patients treated for stage I–III TNBC who had undergone curative-intent surgery at a large academic medical center between January 2013 and May 2018 were included in this retrospective study. Event-free survival (EFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were the primary endpoints, with overall survival (OS) as a secondary endpoint and were defined as per standardized STEEP criteria. Kaplan–Meier, multivariable Cox regression, and log-rank tests were used to define key survival and treatment-related differences between subjects treated with ABRs versus ASRs.

Results:

One hundred thirty-two patients met inclusion criteria with a median follow-up of 55.9 months. Twenty-seven patients (20%) had disease recurrence and 20 (15%) died. Patients in the ABR group were more likely to have nodal involvement (chi-square p = 0.011). Patients treated with ABRs ( n = 26, 20%) compared with ASRs ( n = 106, 80%) had significantly shorter median EFS (32.4 months vs not reached (NR), p < 0.001), DFS (26.2 months vs NR, p < 0.001), and OS (49.2 months vs NR, p < 0.001). The shorter survival observed in the ABR group persisted after adjusting for nodal status and on multivariate analysis. Of the 26 ABR-treated patients, 9 (35%) had an anthracycline added after suboptimal response to an ASR. Regardless of reason for anthracycline inclusion, the survival outcomes were similar. No cardiac or secondary leukemic events were observed in either group.

Conclusion:

ABRs were associated with shorter EFS, DFS, and OS, even after adjusting for certain high-risk clinical features.
Finding consensus for hamstring surgery in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy using the Delphi method
Authors: Kay Robert M , McCarthy James , Narayanan Unni , Rhodes Jason , Rutz Erich , Shilt Jeffrey , Shore Benjamin J , Veerkamp Matthew , Shrader M Wade , Theologis Tim , Van Campenhout Anja , Pierz Kristan , Chambers Henry , Davids Jon R , Dreher Thomas , Novacheck Tom F , Graham Kerr
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

There is marked variation in indications and techniques for hamstring surgery in children with cerebral palsy. There is particular uncertainty regarding the indications for hamstring transfer compared to traditional hamstring lengthening. The purpose of this study was for an international panel of experts to use the Delphi method to establish consensus indications for hamstring surgery in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.

Methods:

The panel used a five-level Likert-type scale to record agreement or disagreement with statements regarding hamstring surgery, including surgical indications and techniques, post-operative care, and outcome measures. Consensus was defined as at least 80% of responses being in the highest or lowest two of the five Likert-type ratings. General agreement was defined as 60%–79% falling into the highest or lowest two ratings. There was no agreement if neither of these thresholds was reached.

Results:

The panel reached consensus or general agreement for 38 (84%) of 45 statements regarding hamstring surgery. The panel noted the importance of assessing pelvic tilt during gait when considering hamstring surgery, and also that lateral hamstring lengthening is rarely needed, particularly at the index surgery. They noted that repeat hamstring lengthening often has poor outcomes. The panel was divided regarding hamstring transfer surgery, with only half performing such surgery.

Conclusion:

The results of this study can help pediatric orthopedic surgeons optimize decision-making in their choice and practice of hamstring surgery for ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. This has the potential to reduce practice variation and significantly improve outcomes for ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.

Level of evidence:

level V.
Morscher’s femoral neck lengthening osteotomy through surgical hip dislocation approach for preservation of Perthes and Perthes-like deformities
Authors: Baraka Mostafa M , Hefny Hany M , Thakeb Mootaz F , Mahran Mahmoud A , El Ghazawy Ahmed K , Fayyad Tamer A
Published: April 2022

Background:

Typical sequelae of Perthes disease and Perthes-like deformities comprise a short femoral neck, aspherical femoral head, and greater trochanteric overgrowth. Morscher’s osteotomy aims at restoring the normal extra-articular anatomy, but incapable of restoring a normal head-neck contour with residual impingement. Femoral neck lengthening osteotomy combined with osteochondroplasty through surgical hip dislocation approach was not previously described in the literature. We hypothesized that this technique is capable of near-normal restoration of the proximal femoral anatomy, increasing limb length, restoring abductor power, and simultaneous management of intra-articular chondro-labral disease.

Methods:

A prospective series of 21 consecutive patients with sequelae of Perthes disease and Perthes-like deformity (Stulberg II and III) were treated by Morscher’s osteotomy through surgical hip dislocation approach. The mean age was 14.9 years (9–30 years) and the mean follow-up was 4.5 years (2–8 years).

Results:

The mean Harris hip score improved significantly from 66.5 to 89.5 points (p < 0.001), and the mean limb length discrepancy improved from 2.5 to 0.6 cm (p < 0.001). The mean alpha angle improved from 81.8° to 49.5°, the mean neck-shaft angle increased from 117.8° to 129.8°, and the articulo-trochanteric distance has improved from −6.7 to 20.8 mm. Six out of 21 patients required staged periacetabular osteotomy for residual acetabular dysplasia. No cases of chondrolysis or osteonecrosis were identified.

Conclusion:

Femoral neck lengthening osteotomy through surgical hip dislocation appraoch has proven to be safe and effective for preservation of symptomatic hips with Perthes and Perthes-like deformities and mild to moderate femoral head deformities (Stulberg II and III). A staged periacetabular osteotomy may be required in those patients with significant acetabular dysplasia.

Level of evidence:

Level IV.
Obituary Christopher Harding (1951–2021)
Authors: Banach-Gutierrez Joanna Beata
Published: April 2022

Chris Harding, as he called himself, was a researcher, writer, teacher, reviewer, and academic strategist, long-affiliated with Aberystwyth University, and most recently Emeritus Professor of Law there. He was a teacher and researcher at Aberystwyth since the 1970s, and a Professor of Law since 1995. He was the author of several books, academic papers, reviews, reports, and other pieces on legal, criminological, and historical subjects.
New India, Hindutva Constitutionalism, and Muslim Political Attitudes
Authors: Ahmed Hilal
Published: April 2022

This article explores Muslim political attitudes in contemporary India. It contextualizes the political responses of Muslim communities in the backdrop of two crucial legal-constitutional changes introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government: the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. These changes, I suggest, stem from the official doctrine of New India and its operative mechanism, Hindutva constitutionalism. Analysing the nature of Muslim participation in the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests and Muslim electoral responses in two subsequent elections (Delhi Assembly Election, 2020 and the Bihar Assembly Election, 2020), I argue that political engagement of Muslims could be interpreted as an ever-evolving discourse, which not merely responds to Hindutva politics but also asserts its relative autonomy.
The Social Bridging Project: Intergenerational Phone-Based Connections With Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Noble Louise W. , Olson Emma , Woodall Tasha , Jones Jeff , Smythe Thomas , Whitlock Cathy , Silver Meredith , Hewitt Lyndi , Lanou Amy J.
Published: April 2022

Millions of Americans aged 65+ are socially isolated and millions more report feeling lonely. Social isolation and loneliness in older adults were compounded by stay-at-home orders and other COVID-19 prevention measures. Although many Americans experienced no difficulties transitioning to the use of electronic devices as their primary means of communication and connection, some older adults were not similarly able to espouse this shift. Our aim was to reduce the impact of social isolation on older adults, increase their comfort in expressing feelings of loneliness, and assist them in acquiring technology skills and accessing telehealth and community supports. Participants received wellness calls for conversation, resource access and technology-based support. Most participants reported decreased loneliness and increased connectedness after the calls; half reported increased ease in expressing their feelings. Programs that provide phone-based support for older adults may reduce loneliness and increase social connectedness.
Performing in Heritage Squares: Case Study of Macao
Authors: Leong Kelvin Ka Hou
Published: April 2022

Revitalization (adaptive reuse) of heritage buildings is an established trend in Macao. Although various heritage squares in Macao are suitable for conducting performing arts, no well-established regulatory framework has been developed for the best use of such spaces; consequently, it is difficult to carry out performances at heritage buildings, enhance the quality of performance and promote the heritage. This research thus aims to examine the programming process of integrating performing arts with heritage squares. The research has been carried out in 2020, with an objective to frame a programme and administrative polices for heritage and art institutions. Through research, interviews and observation, a mechanism will be formulated, aiming to provide all-round guidelines and instructions to curators and artists for their management in the future. It can be summarized in three main steps: (a) preliminary research, (b) programming considerations and (c) regulatory requirements and administrative processes. In the hope of establishing revitalization guidelines and integrating heritage and performing arts, endless opportunities for heritage conservation of Macao can be further identified.
Scientific expertise and volunteer power in the Cook County forest preserves
Authors: Vena Natalie Bump
Published: April 2022

Through a historical case study, this paper explores the political potential of volunteerism in urban natural resources management. As governments continue to rely on unpaid labor to perform essential services, volunteerism has proliferated in urban protected lands during the neoliberal era. It is therefore worthwhile to study the power that volunteers may wield at their service sites, alongside the scholarly attention already paid to the inefficacy and the inadequacy of volunteer labor. By drawing on science and technology studies literature, especially concerning the role of citizen science in activist movements, this article analyzes how volunteer stewards influenced natural resources policy in the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. A local agency, the district is responsible for nearly 70,000 acres in the county that encompasses Chicago, IL. For most of the twentieth century, forestation constituted the district's official land management policy, as leaders sought to match its ecologically diverse holdings to the agency's name. In the late 1970s, volunteers won permission from the district to begin restoring prairies in the forest preserves. Working autonomously, volunteer stewards cultivated expert credibility in the science of ecological restoration. Over several decades, they drew on their scientific authority to convince forest preserve leaders to adopt ecological restoration as the district's primary land management policy, a process culminating in the early twenty-first century. The paper also explores the fragility of volunteer authority rooted in scientific expertise, by tracking how an anti-restoration movement and, later, forest preserve staff members successfully undercut volunteer expertise in ecological restoration.
Norwegian and Swedish post-compulsory school students’ perspectives on the purpose of school mathematics: An exploratory study
Authors: Nosrati Mona , Andrews Paul
Published: April 2022

Many countries’ educational aspirations are reflected in government-produced national curricula that specify, with varying degrees of prescription, what should be taught, when it should be taught, and even how it should be taught. These systemic ambitions are typically located in culturally constructed images of the ideal citizen dependent on, for example, whether cultures privilege the individual or the collective, or whether knowledge, particularly mathematics, is construed as practical or abstract. Despite such differences, little research has examined students’ awareness of the systemic expectations that underpin their experiences of school mathematics. In this paper, drawing on data from 35 group interviews involving 92 students from post-compulsory schools, we present an exploratory study of Norwegian and Swedish students’ perspectives on the purpose of school mathematics. Constant comparison analyses yielded six themes, or purposes, concerning the role of mathematics in support of everyday shopping, future employment, the learning of other subjects, logical thinking and problem-solving, the development of an esthetic appreciation, and the management of personal finances. However, despite extensive emphases in both the Norwegian and the Swedish curricula on the role of mathematical knowledge in the creation of just and equitable societies, no students discussed such societal goals. Some implications are discussed.
Cytokine pathway variants modulate platelet production:IFNA16is a thrombocytosis susceptibility locus in humans
Authors: Gnatenko Dmitri V. , Liu Zhaoyan , Hearing Patrick , Sohn Sook-Young , Hu Yetao , Falanga Anna , Wu Song , Malone Lisa E. , Zhu Wei , Bahou Wadie F.
Published: April 2022

Inflammatory stimuli have divergent effects on peripheral platelet counts, although the mechanisms of thrombocytopenic and thrombocytotic responses remain poorly understood. A candidate gene approach targeting 326 polymorphic genes enriched in thrombopoietic and cytokine signaling pathways was applied to identify single nucleotide variants (SNVs) implicated in enhanced platelet responses in cohorts with reactive thrombocytosis (RT) or essential (myeloproliferative neoplasm [MPN]) thrombocytosis (ET). Cytokine profiles incorporating a 15-member subset, pathway topology, and functional interactive networks were distinct between ET and RT, consistent with distinct regulatory pathways of exaggerated thrombopoiesis. Genetic studies using aggregate (ET + RT) or ET-restricted cohorts identified associations with 2 IFNA16 (interferon-α16) SNVs, and the ET associations were validated in a second independent cohort (P = .0002). Odds ratio of the combined ET cohort (n = 105) was 4.92, restricted to the JAK2V617F-negative subset (odds ratio, 5.01). ET substratification analysis by variant IFNA16 exhibited a statistically significant increase in IFN-α16 levels (P = .002) among 16 quantifiable cytokines. Recombinantly expressed variant IFN-α16 encompassing 3 linked non-synonymous SNVs (E65H95P133) retained comparable antiviral and pSTAT signaling profiles as native IFN-α16 (V65D95A133) or IFN-α2, although both native and variant IFN-α16 showed stage-restricted differences (compared with IFN-α2) of IFN-regulated genes in CD34+-stimulated megakaryocytes. These data implicate IFNA16 (IFN-α16 gene product) as a putative susceptibility locus (driver) within the broader disrupted cytokine network evident in MPNs, and they provide a framework for dissecting functional interactive networks regulating stress or MPN thrombopoiesis.
Longitudinal study of 2 patients with cyclic thrombocytopenia, STAT3 and MPL mutations
Authors: Zhang Haiyu , Chien May , Hou Yu , Shomali William , Brar Rondeep S. , Ho Chandler , Han Panpan , Xu Danfei , Zhang Bing M. , Guo Xiangqian , Tolentino Lorna L. , Wu Nancy C. , Tsai Albert G. , Jin Jing , Witteles Wesley H. , Chen Zhenping , Abidi Parveen , Jangam Diwash , Krieger Madison S. , Craig Morgan , Bussel James B. , Gotlib Jason R. , Zehnder James L.
Published: April 2022

Cyclic thrombocytopenia (CTP) is a rare disease of periodic platelet count oscillations. The pathogenesis of CTP remains elusive. To study the underlying pathophysiology and genetic and cellular associations with CTP, we applied systems biology approaches to 2 patients with stable platelet cycling and reciprocal thrombopoietin (TPO) cycling at multiple time points through 2 cycles. Blood transcriptome analysis revealed cycling of platelet-specific genes, which are in parallel with and precede platelet count oscillation, indicating that cyclical platelet production leads platelet count cycling in both patients. Additionally, neutrophil and erythrocyte-specific genes also showed fluctuations correlating with platelet count changes, consistent with TPO effects on hematopoietic progenitors. Moreover, we found novel genetic associations with CTP. One patient had a novel germline heterozygous loss-of-function (LOF) thrombopoietin receptor (MPL) c.1210G>A mutation, and both had pathogenic somatic gain-of-function (GOF) variants in signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). In addition, both patients had clonal T-cell populations that remained stable throughout platelet count cycles. These mutations and clonal T cells may potentially involve in the pathogenic baseline in these patients, rendering exaggerated persistent thrombopoiesis oscillations of their intrinsic rhythm upon homeostatic perturbations. This work provides new insights into the pathophysiology of CTP and possible therapies.
Dynamic Accuracy Analysis of a 5PSS/UPU Parallel Mechanism Based on Rigid-Flexible Coupled Modeling
Authors: Li Yanbiao , Wang Zesheng , Chen Chaoqun , Xu Taotao , Chen Bo
Published: April 2022

In order to improve the low output accuracy caused by the elastic deformations of the branch chains, a finite element-based dynamic accuracy analysis method for parallel mechanisms is proposed in this paper. First, taking a 5-prismatic-spherical-spherical (PSS)/universal-prismatic-universal (UPU) parallel mechanism as an example, the error model is established by a closed vector chain method, while its influence on the dynamic accuracy of the parallel mechanism is analyzed through numerical simulation. According to the structural and error characteristics of the parallel mechanism, a vector calibration algorithm is proposed to reduce the position and pose errors along the whole motion trajectory. Then, considering the elastic deformation of the rod, the rigid-flexible coupling dynamic equations of each component are established by combining the finite element method with the Lagrange method. The elastodynamic model of the whole machine is obtained based on the constraint condition of each moving part, and the correctness of the model is verified by simulation. Moreover, the effect of component flexibility on the dimensionless root mean square error of the displacement, velocity and acceleration of the moving platform is investigated by using a Newmark method, and the mapping relationship of these dimensionless root mean square errors to dynamic accuracy is further studied. The research work provides a theoretical basis for the design of the parameter size of the prototype.
Motion Characteristics Analysis of a Novel Spherical Two-degree-of-freedom Parallel Mechanism
Authors: Chen Ziming , Chen Xuechan , Gao Min , Zhao Chen , Zhao Kun , Li Yanwen
Published: April 2022

Current research on spherical parallel mechanisms (SPMs) mainly focus on surgical robots, exoskeleton robots, entertainment equipment, and other fields. However, compared with the SPM, the structure types and research contents of the SPM are not abundant enough. In this paper, a novel two-degree-of-freedom (2DOF) SPM with symmetrical structure is proposed and analyzed. First, the models of forward kinematics and inverse kinematics are established based on D-H parameters, and the Jacobian matrix of the mechanism is obtained and verified. Second, the workspace of the mechanism is obtained according to inverse kinematics and link interference conditions. Next, rotational characteristics analysis shows that the end effector can achieve continuous rotation about an axis located in the mid-plane and passing through the rotation center of the mechanism. Moreover, the rotational characteristics of the mechanism are proved, and motion planning is carried out. A numerical example is given to verify the kinematics analysis and motion planning. Finally, some variant mechanisms can be synthesized. This work lays the foundation for the motion control and practical application of this 2DOF SPM.
ICSI outcomes for infertile men with severe or complete asthenozoospermia
Authors: Chen Tong , Fan Demin , Wang Xianlong , Mao Changlin , Chu Yaru , Zhang Haobo , Liu Wen , Ding Sentai , Liu Qingyong , Yuan Mingzhen , Lu Jiaju
Published: April 2022

Background

Severe or complete asthenozoospermia is a rare entity that can lead to male infertility. In this study, we explored whether different extents of severe or complete asthenozoospermia could affect intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes and compared the ICSI outcomes using testicular spermatozoa with those using ejaculated spermatozoa in couples with complete asthenozoospermia.

Results

Ninety-seven couples with severe or complete asthenozoospermia who underwent ICSI between January 2014 and December 2018 were included. According to the sperm category used in ICSI, patients were categorized into four groups: ejaculated progressive motile sperm group (Ep-group), ejaculated non-progressive motile sperm group (En-group), ejaculated immotile sperm group (Ei-group), and testicular sperm group (TESE-group). We compared the baseline characteristics, hormone profile, semen parameters, normal fertilization, good-quality embryos on day 3, transferred embryos, and ICSI outcomes in the four groups. The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly increased in the Ep-group (65.4%, P = 0.019) and TESE-group (63.6%, P = 0.035) compared with that in the Ei-group (23.1%). The ongoing pregnancy rate in the Ei-group was significantly lower than that in the Ep-group (23.1% vs. 61.5%, P = 0.041). Moreover, the biochemical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, and live birth rate were much lower in the Ei-group than in the TESE-group (30.8% vs. 63.6%, 23.1% vs. 40.4% and 23.1% vs. 40.4%, respectively).

Conclusions

In couples with complete asthenozoospermia, testicular spermatozoa should be preferred to ejaculated spermatozoa for obtaining a better ICSI outcome. With the appropriate selection of testicular spermatozoa, the extent of severe or complete asthenozoospermia may not affect the ICSI outcomes. Future studies with a larger sample size are warranted to validate these findings.
Panakeia - a universal tool for bacterial pangenome analysis
Authors: Beier Sina , Thomson Nicholas R
Published: April 2022

Background

Development of new pan-genome analysis tools is important, as the pangenome of a microbial species has become an important method to define the diversity of a selected taxon, most commonly a species, in the last years. This enables comparison of strains from different ecological niches and can be used to define the functional potential in a bacterial population. It gives us a much better view of microbial genomics than can be gained from singular genomes which after all are just single representatives of a much more varied population.

Results

We present Panakeia, a tool which strives to be easy to use and providing a detailed view of the pangenome structure which can efficiently be utilised for discovery, or further in-depth analysis, of features of interest. It analyses synteny and multiple structural patterns of the pangenome, giving insights into the biological diversity and evolution of the studied taxon. Panakeia hence provides both broad and detailed information on the structure of a pangenome, for diverse and highly clonal populations of bacteria.

Conclusions

Previously published pangenome tools often reduce the information to a presence/absence matrix of unconnected genes or generate massive hard to interpret output graphs. However, Panakeia includes synteny and structural information and presents it in a way that can readily be used for further analysis. Panakeia can be downloaded athttps://github.com/BioSina/Panakeiatogether with a detailed User Guide.