bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing development and operations from the project success perspective using the analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Nugraheni Sani Novi , Raharjo Teguh , Trisnawaty Ni Wayan
Published: October 2024

By merging development and operation disciplines, the approach known as development and operations (DevOps) can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of software development. Despite its potential benefits, successfully implementing DevOps within traditional project management frameworks presents significant challenges. This study explores the critical factors influencing the implementation of DevOps practices from the project management perspective, specifically focusing on software development projects in the Ministry of Finance. This study utilizes the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to prioritize the critical elements of project success criteria and DevOps factors necessary for effective implementation. The findings indicate that stakeholder satisfaction, quality, and value creation are the primary criteria for project success. Moreover, knowledge and skills, collaboration and communication, and robust infrastructure are pivotal factors for facilitating DevOps within project management. The study provides actionable insights for organizations aiming to improve their project outcomes by incorporating DevOps and offers a systematic approach to decision-making using AHP. This study recognizes limitations due to its focus on specific contexts and emphasizes the need for future research in diverse organizational environments to validate and expand these findings.
Technology adoption model for smart urban farming-a proposed conceptual model
Authors: Zhahir Amirul Asyraf , M Shuhud Mohd Ilias , Mohd Siti Munirah , Kamarudin Shafinah , Ahmad Azuan , Salleh Rossly , Md Norwawi Norita
Published: October 2024

Technological advancements have made their way into the heart of human civilization across numerous fields, namely healthcare, logistics, and agriculture. Amidst the sprouting issues and challenges in the agriculture sector, particularly, the growing trend of integrating agriculture and technologies is roaring. The public and private sectors work hand in hand with regard to addressing these complex issues and challenges that arise, aiming for efficient and sustainable possible solutions. This study is a continuation of a previous systematic literature review; hence, the main objective is to deliver a proposed conceptual model for technology adoption specifically for smart urban farming. Innovation diffusion theory (IDT) is used as the main foundation of the proposed conceptual model, supplemented with additional factors drawn from other exisiting technology adoption models both the originals and extended versions. The outcome of the study is expected to reveal valuable insights into the components affecting the technology adoption model in smart urban farming, which will be further laid out upon in the upcoming study, offering a robust framework for future studies and applications in smart urban farming.
Multicenter Hemodynamic Assessment of the LOT-CRT Strategy: When Does Combining Left Bundle Branch Pacing and Coronary Venous Pacing Enhance Resynchronization?: Primary Results of the CSPOT Study
Authors: Jastrzębski Marek , Foley Paul , Chandrasekaran Badrinathan , Whinnett Zachary , Vijayaraman Pugazhendhi , Upadhyay Gaurav A. , Schaller Robert D. , Gardas Rafał , Richardson Travis , Kudlik D’Anne , Stadler Robert W. , Zimmerman Patrick , Burrell James , Waxman Robert , Cornelussen Richard N. , Lyne Jonathan , Herweg Bengt
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:

Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) may be an alternative to biventricular pacing (BVP) for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We sought to compare the acute hemodynamic and ECG effects of LBBAP, BVP, and left bundle-optimized therapy CRT (LOT-CRT) in CRT candidates with advanced conduction disease.

METHODS:

In this multicenter study, 48 patients with either nonspecific interventricular conduction delay (n=29) or left bundle branch block (n=19) underwent acute hemodynamic testing to determine the change in left ventricular pressure maximal first derivative (LV d
P
/d
t
max
) from baseline atrial pacing to BVP, LBBAP, or LOT-CRT.

RESULTS:

Atrioventricular-optimized increases in LV d
P
/d
t
max
for LOT-CRT (mean, 25.8% [95% CI, 20.9%–30.7%]) and BVP (26.4% [95% CI, 20.2%–32.6%]) were greater than unipolar LBBAP (19.3% [95% CI, 15.0%–23.7%]) or bipolar LBBAP (16.4% [95% CI, 12.7%–20.0%];
P
≤0.005). QRS shortening was greater in LOT-CRT (29.5 [95% CI, 23.4–35.6] ms) than unipolar LBBAP (11.9 [95% CI, 6.1–17.7] ms), bipolar LBBAP (11.7 ms [95% CI, 6.4–17.0]), or BVP (18.5 [95% CI, 11.0–25.9] ms), all
P
≤0.005. Compared with patients with left bundle branch block, patients with interventricular conduction delay experienced less QRS reduction (
P
=0.026) but similar improvements in LV d
P
/d
t
max
(
P
=0.29). Bipolar LBBAP caused anodal capture in 54% of patients and resulted in less LV d
P
/d
t
max
improvement than unipolar LBBAP (18.6% versus 23.7%;
P
<0.001). Subclassification of LBBAP capture (European Heart Rhythm Association criteria) indicated LBBAP or LV septal pacing in 27 patients (56%) and deep septal pacing in 21 patients (44%). The hemodynamic benefit of adding left ventricular coronary vein pacing to LBBAP depended on baseline QRS duration (
P
=0.031) and success of LBBAP (
P
<0.004): LOT-CRT provided 14.5% (5.0%–24.1%) greater LV d
P
/d
t
max
improvement and 20.8 (12.8–28.8) ms greater QRS shortening than LBBAP in subjects with QRS ≥171 ms and deep septal pacing capture type.

CONCLUSIONS:

In a CRT cohort with advanced conduction disease, LOT-CRT and BVP provided greater acute hemodynamic benefit than LBBAP. Subjects with wider QRS or deep septal pacing are more likely to benefit from the addition of a left ventricular coronary vein lead to implement LOT-CRT.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT04905290.
Identity Politics and Ethnic Marginalisation in Post-1991 Ethiopia
Authors: Beyazen Kefale , Ayalew Sisay Tamrat
Published: October 2024

This paper examines identity politics and marginalisation in post-1991 Ethiopia, focusing on the genesis of ethnicity as a political mobilising mechanism during the ‘nationalities questions’ in the 1960s. Despite the presence of Marxism in the political culture of that era, ethnicity eventually became the dominant political reality in post-1991 Ethiopia, now enshrined in the constitution. The study analyses theoretical perspectives and employs a qualitative approach using secondary data to explore contemporary political culture. The study analyses the theoretical perspectives of instrumentalism, primordialism, and constructionism to explore the contemporary political culture of Ethiopia based on identity. The study recognises the role of the politicisation of ethnicity in ongoing ethnic conflicts and political violence. Finally, it concludes with lessons learned regarding the politicisation of ethnicity in a multi-national, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual state like Ethiopia, emphasising the importance of organising civic programmatic political parties over the proliferation of ethnic non-programmatic parties.
Islamism in Transition
Authors: Mohiuddin Asif , Borham Abd Hadi Bin
Published: October 2024

This article examines the political inclusion of Islamist groups in the Middle East, beginning with a general overview of Islamism’s typologies. It is argued that Islamist movements are multifaceted not just conceptually and practically, but also in terms of moderation, dogmatism and their adaptation to contemporary trends for self-preservation and the desire for political power, for example. The essential Islamic teachings, subject to various interpretations, are a foundation for the diversity of these movements. Islamic groups have proven they are capable of developing effective political strategies for social and political activities. Nonetheless, certain organisations have utilised the disparity in authority between civil and religious institutions to their advantage. The article examines how Islamist parties may succeed in achieving their political objectives and how this might affect strategic possibilities and constraints. It concludes with a discussion of the integration of Islamist groups into mainstream politics and their future prospects.
The Aquatic Within
Authors: Hebel Clara
Published: October 2024

Whether in terrestrial or aquatic habitats, the material qualities of water make it an exquisite and drastic connector. Water is in relation and creates relation, rendering the planetary water cycle inescapable when being on earth. Accordingly, human-water relations are both, a matter of more-than-human kinship relations and of transcultural connections. This paper analyses Nnedi Okorafor’s Lagoon (2014), a novel presenting an imagination that puts absolute attention on more-than-human entanglements and emphasises water as a crucial agent of such entanglements. As an angry swordfish stabs a hole into an oil hose, aliens land in the waters of Lagos, and human characters transform into mermaids, Lagoon deals with concepts such as petroculture and planetary health and suggests an organic chaos of relationality as a relief to an artificial order of separation. Lagos, notorious in fiction and reality alike, transcends the role of mere setting in Lagoon, and instead appears as a huge being, formed by the intra-actions of its inhabitants. While emphasising the local, the diversity of its perspectives and the strong focus on relationality give Lagoon a planetary sense, but with a decidedly African twist. As part of Okorafor’s Africanfuturist vision, it is Lagos, Nigeria where the future emerges.
Abiotic stress response of medicinally potential Curcuma spp. in changing climate: Do we have enough clues?
Authors: Bharali Pritimani , Bhattacharyya Nabanita
Published: October 2024

Changing climate imposes abiotic stress factors, including salinity, flood, drought, high and low temperature, and light as well as heavy metals on medicinal plants. Plants respond to stress in terms of growth and biosynthesis of metabolites. The rhizomatous genus Curcuma has been extensively used in traditional or folk medicine worldwide and its therapeutic potential relies on its phyto-constituents. A discrete array of literature depicts negative effects on growth and alterations in yield of secondary metabolites under abiotic stress. However, one complete and precise document on the response of Curcuma spp. towards abiotic stress and their molecular mechanism is lacking. Hence, this review has been prepared by pulling together the published information on the abiotic stress response as well as the future research prospects on the Curcuma spp. along with other related rhizomatous plants of the family Zingiberaceae, to obtain prospective clues on possible responses of these medicinally potential species in the verge of changing climate. We have also highlighted the stress mitigation strategies employed by these plants in the light of available literature and by comparing with information on related species of Zingiberaceae family. We have focused on the urgency of multiomics approaches to find out the genetic and biochemical strategies of Curcuma spp. to cope with stress as well as emphasized for conservation of rare and endangered species of Curcuma. This review will be helpful for plant physiologists, farmers, pharmaceutical industries, and policy makers, to implement better plans and policies regarding uninterrupted commercial yield of Curcuma secondary metabolites in changing climate.
The Fijian genus Nesobasis Selys, 1891 Part 2: Revision in comparison to Nikoulabasis Ferguson et al., 2023 with particular emphasis on Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Koro and erection of 10 new species and one subspecies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)
Authors: DONNELLY THOMAS W. , MARINOV MILEN
Published: October 2024

The present monograph reviews all the available material collected as specimens presently classified under two genera Nesobasis Selys, 1891 and Nikoulabasis Ferguson et al., 2023. It was initially planned as a second part of the taxonomic study published by Donnelly (1990) on Nesobasis from the so-called Southern islands of Fiji (Viti Levu, Ovalau and Kadavu), however, the time passed between the two parts resulted in many new additions to the fauna of the whole of the archipelago. The taxonomic and nomenclature changes required us to incorporate old records from the first part in Donnelly (1990), add unpublished data and summarize all available information in the present monograph.
Our results suggest that is it plausible to erect 10 new hypotheses at species level (Nesobasis albistigma sp. nov., Nesobasis auricularis sp. nov., Nesobasis latistyla sp. nov., Nesobasis polhemusi sp. nov., Nesobasis rubra sp. nov., Nesobasis seidenbuschi sp. nov., Nesobasis tillyardi sp. nov., Nesobasis viridis sp. nov., Nikoulabasis crassa sp. nov., Nikoulabasis furcifer sp. nov.) and one at subspecies level (Nikoulabasis furcifer perlmani ssp. nov.) which brings the total of the known species (all members are endemic to Fiji) up to 28 (Nesobasis) and 10 (Nikoulabasis).
Further we describe (by opposition) the opposite sexes of Nesobasis pedata Donnelly, 1990 and N. caerulecaudata Donnelly, 1990 (both females), suggest a probable new ergotaxonomy for the two genera and propose future studies to evaluate the status of taxa hypothesized at the moment as separate: N. caerulecaudata—N. longistyla Selys, 1891 as well as Nikoulabasis comosa (Tillyard, 1924)—N. heteroneura (Tillyard, 1924).
Cytospora azadirachtae sp. nov.—A new species associated with dieback disease in Azadirachta indica from southern India
Authors: JOY JOSNA , MAHESH MADAPPA , MAHADEVAKUMAR SHIVANNEGOWDA , MAHARACHCHIKUMBURA SAJEEWA S. N. , SRIDHAR KANDIKERE R , CHANDRANAYAKA SIDDAIAH , PATRO THANUKU SAMUEL SAMPATH KUMAR
Published: October 2024

Stem cankers associated with dieback disease of neem (Azadirachta indica) shoots were collected from Manasagangotri and Doddamaragowdanahalli, Mysore, Karnataka (India) and based on microscopic, cultural and initial blast results of ITS-rDNA identified the isolated fungus to the genus Cytospora. The phylogenetic analysis based on nrITS-rDNA-tef1-α-tub2 sequence data showed it represents a new species and is described as Cytospora azadirachtae. The concatenated phylogeny revealed that Cytospora azadirachtae is phylogenetically distinct and closely related to Cytospora shoreae and C. rhizophorae. Cytospora rhizophorae differs from C. azadirachtae in that it has shorter conidia and conidiogenous cells. Further, C. rhizophorae is halotolerant and saprobic and shows host-specificity usually associated with Rhizophora sp. (R. mangle and R. mucronata). Similarly, C. shoreae differs from C. azadirachtae in having larger flask-shaped conidiomata and larger conidia. Based on multi-locus sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the canker and dieback disease symptoms, the present study introduces C. azadirachtae as a new species.
New species of the genus Shelfordina Hebard with taxonomic and ecological notes and a key to the known Australian species (Blattodea: Ectobiidae: Pseudophyllodromiinae)
Authors: RENTZ DAVID CF , FIELD ASHLEY RAYMOND , SU YOU NING
Published: October 2024

Three species in the ectobiid genus Shelfordina are highlighted with two described as new. The Orchid Cockroach, S. orchidae (Asahina) is included because of its occurrence in living orchid collections. A key to the known Australian species is included.
Youth suicidality risk relative to ambient temperature and heatwaves across climate zones: A time series analysis of emergency department presentations in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Dey Cybele , Wu Jianyun , Uesi John , Sara Grant , Dudley Michael , Knight Katherine , Scott James G , Jay Ollie , Bowden Michael , Perkes Iain E
Published: October 2024

Objective:

Youth suicidality prevalence continues to rise alongside hot weather severity. Links between these two variables are underexplored. We examined associations between daily temperature and emergency department suicidality presentations by young people. We assessed these associations for five regions covering New South Wales as determined by ‘climate zone’ and analysed for heatwave effects as well as based on demographic subgroups.

Methods:

Daily emergency department presentations for suicidality by people aged 12–24 years across New South Wales, Australia, during warmer months (November to March) from 2012 to 2019 were examined in relation to daily mean temperature and heatwaves (⩾3 consecutive days ⩾ 95th percentile of long-term daily mean temperature) and by climate zone, using a generalised additive model with negative binomial distribution. Risks for age- and sex-based subgroups were also calculated.

Results:

New South Wales youth suicidality presentation rates were significantly higher on hotter days. For every 1°C rise above average daily mean temperature, youth suicidality presentations to New South Wales emergency departments increased by 1.3%. Heatwaves did not increase presentation rates beyond single-day daily mean temperature effects. These findings were predominantly replicated across climate zones and demographic subgroups, though the association between suicidality and ambient temperature was weaker in coastal regions including Eastern Sydney.

Conclusion:

There is a positive linear association between ambient temperature and youth suicidality presentations to emergency departments. Risks are increased on single hot days, not only during heatwaves. Public health, broader societal approaches to heat and health system planning should consider impacts on youth suicidality of predicted increases in hot weather severity and frequency.
Improvement in the psychological resilience of rural left-behind children: The influence of social services from 15 social organisations
Authors: Liang Jiachun , Hamidi Mashitah , Abd Wahab Haris , Ong Siew Kian
Published: October 2024

This study explores improvements in psychological resilience among rural left-behind children in China through social services provided by social organisations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with leaders and social workers from 15 social organisations. The results revealed that left-behind children’s academic adaptation improved significantly. However, there were cases of failure to enhance physiological and psychological adaptation. This study provides guidelines for policymakers to formulate targeted support policies, for social organisations to assess their service quality and for service providers to change their role to collaborators, thereby jointly helping rural left-behind children improve their psychological resilience.
Targeting telecommunications: Why do rebel groups target information and communication technology infrastructure?
Authors: Arslan Mehmet Erdem
Published: October 2024

Although there has been much interest in how communication technology can shape conflict, the deliberate targeting of the telecommunication infrastructure by rebel groups has been largely overlooked. This article demonstrates that while some rebel groups systematically target telecommunications, others do not. It is argued that this reflects deliberate choices, and that rebel groups adapt their strategies based on cost–benefit analyses. Given the aim of avoiding detection and being targeted themselves, rebels may be more likely to target the telecommunication infrastructure when faced with a government with a technologically sophisticated military. However, a further increase in the opponent’s technological capabilities beyond a certain tipping point may compel rebels to employ preventive measures other than targeting telecommunications. Marxist-socialist or religious groups are expected to be more likely to target telecommunications to maintain a homogeneous propaganda space directed at their constituency, facilitating indoctrination and propaganda. These expectations were evaluated in an analysis of all rebel groups for the period 1970–2013. The results showed a non-linear relationship between rebel targeting of telecommunication infrastructure and the technological capabilities of the government forces, while Marxist-socialist and ethno-religious groups were more likely to target telecommunications compared with other groups.
Mental Health Among First-Year Students Transitioning to University in Australia: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Farrer Louise M. , Jackson Hayley M. , Gulliver Amelia , Calear Alison L. , Batterham Philip J.
Published: October 2024

Objectives: Young people attending university for the first time may be at heightened risk of experiencing mental health problems. However, limited research has examined the mental health experiences of this cohort using longitudinal methods. This study aimed to examine mental health symptoms prior to commencing university, estimate changes in symptoms over the course of the first semester of study, and identify factors associated with initial symptom levels and changes. Methods: Australian first-year undergraduate students ( N = 340) were recruited via social media and participated in a four-wave online longitudinal study conducted between February and June 2021. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress were assessed at each wave, along with psychosocial and lifestyle factors. Demographic characteristics were assessed at baseline. Results: Latent growth curve models indicated no significant linear change over time for depression ( p = .26) or anxiety ( p = .83) symptoms. However, a significant effect of time was observed for psychological distress ( p = .03), indicating higher distress levels at wave 3 compared to baseline ( p = .004). Financial stress, pressure to succeed, difficulty coping, greater loneliness, and more negative social interactions were each significantly associated with higher baseline depression, anxiety, and distress scores. Only greater loneliness and more negative social interactions were found to be associated with a greater increase in depression over time. Conclusion: The findings indicate that transition to university was not generally associated with an increase in poor mental health. However, several factors were associated with poorer mental health immediately prior to university commencement. Assisting students to manage financial distress, facilitating the development of social connections among students with limited social networks and skills training targeting coping and the development of realistic academic expectations may help support student mental health and promote improved wellbeing during transition to university.
Real-World Survival Impact and Utilization of Adjuvant Radiation in Advanced Laryngeal Cancer
Authors: Cooper Dylan J. , Davies Camron , Putnam Paul , Tansey James B. , Gleysteen John , Sansoni Eugene R. , Schwartz David L. , Wood Carey Burton
Published: October 2024

Background: Optimal treatment of locally advanced cancer of the larynx is controversial. In this study, we aim to compare outcomes in patients with T3-4N0-1 cancer of the larynx who underwent surgery alone versus surgery followed by radiation therapy (RT). Materials and Methods: A total of 1820 patients with advanced laryngeal cancer were identified from the national Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database and stratified based on postoperative RT status, and clinical outcomes were compared between these 2 groups. Propensity score matching was conducted to balance baseline characteristics. Results: The majority of patients (53.4%) received adjuvant RT. N0 patients who received laryngectomy and who did not undergo adjuvant radiation had a 47% higher risk of cancer-specific death than patients receiving adjuvant RT (adj. HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.18-1.84). N1 patients who did not undergo adjuvant radiation had a 90% higher risk of cancer-specific death than patients receiving RT after surgery (adj. HR 1.90, 95% CI 1.27-2.84). After adjusting for propensity scores, adjuvant RT carried a significant overall survival benefit (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.60-0.87). Conclusions: This study provides real-world support for adjuvant radiation in patients with T3-4N0-1 laryngeal carcinoma. Nearly half of patients did not receive RT, indicating a need for national provider education and process improvement strategies to improve utilization.
Neither student nor teacher? Possible selves in the development of faculty identity during the practicum / ¿Ni estudiante ni profesora? Yoes posibles en el desarrollo de la identidad del profesorado durante el prácticum
Authors: Weise Crista , Rojos Sasso Paulina
Published: October 2024

The process of becoming a teacher is complex and involves enormous challenges for student teachers. Without a doubt, among the most decisive ones is the initiation into professional practice during the practicum. This qualitative interpretive study analyses the practicum reports (narratives) of 15 primary education students from the Dialogical Self Theory. The study seeks to identify the voices that nourish their professional identity, the I-positions (I-p) that arise when coping with critical incidents (CI) experienced during the practicum, and analyse how the different I-ps contribute to an agential transition of the identity from student to teacher. The results point out that the significant voices that nourish the identity of the students in training come from teachers and family members. When confronting CIs, the I-p of I-student predominated, and difficulties are experienced in deploying other professional I-ps. These also highlight the contribution of different I-ps towards the development of the students’ identity-agency, particularly of the I-p of I-future-teacher (possible self). The study offers relevant information for understanding how the student–teacher transition occurs and for reorienting practices towards identity development.
All-Inside Endoscopic Classic Bröstrom-Gould Technique: Medium-term Results
Authors: Hong Choon Chiet , Charpail Christel , Kon Kam King Charles , Guillo Stephane
Published: October 2024

Background:

Short-term results after arthroscopic/endoscopic lateral ligament repair for chronic lateral ankle instability have been satisfactory, although medium- to longer-term results are lacking.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to report the medium-term results of an all-inside endoscopic classic Bröstrom-Gould procedure where both the both lateral ligaments and the inferior extensor retinaculum can be approached directly, interchanging between arthroscopy for intracapsular structures and endoscopy for extracapsular structures. It was hypothesized that the all-inside endoscopic classic Bröstrom-Gould procedure would produce sustainable good outcomes at a medium term of 5 years.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4

Methods:

A prospective database for 43 patients who underwent an all-inside endoscopic classic Bröstrom-Gould repair of the anterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament with inferior extensor retinaculum augmentation was reviewed. Patient details, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score, Karlsson score, ankle activity score (AAS), and patient satisfaction were collected and analyzed.

Results:

The study cohort of 43 patients with a mean age of 29.4 years (SD, 11.9 years) were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 63.1 months (SD, 8.5 months). The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society scores showed significant improvement from a mean of 69.6 (SD, 13.9) to 93.7 (SD, 10.7), while the Karlsson score improved from 59.7 (SD, 14.5) to 91.5 (SD, 14.5) at the final follow-up. The AAS showed that 32 (74.4%) patients maintained or had improvement in the AAS, from a mean of 5.38 (SD, 2.8) to 5.41 (SD, 2.8), with a mean satisfaction rate of 9.1 (SD, 1.3). Although the remaining 11 patients had a reduced AAS, at a mean of 4.6 (SD, 2.6), they reported a mean satisfaction rate of 7.4 (SD, 2.9). There were no surgical complications or reoperations reported in this cohort, although there were 3 patients with recurrent instability at their last follow-up, resulting in a failure rate of 7%.

Conclusion:

The current study is the first to report the medium-term outcomes of an all-inside endoscopic classic Bröstrom-Gould procedure. Overall, 93% of the patients had good functional outcomes, but approximately 25% of patients had decreased ankle activity levels at a mean of 5 years postoperatively, albeit with good satisfaction rates.
Reversal of Denervation Changes in Infraspinatus Muscle After Operative Management of Paralabral Cysts: An MRI-Based Study
Authors: Mun Ji Weon , Oh Sang Yun , Kim Yong Tae , Kim Sae Hoon
Published: October 2024

Background:

Paralabral cysts at the spinoglenoid notch are rare disorders that can potentially lead to compressive suprascapular neuropathy. Given their infrequency, a standard treatment protocol has not yet been established.

Hypothesis/Purpose:

This study aimed to assess changes in the infraspinatus muscle using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to compare the outcomes of 2 different surgical methods. It was hypothesized that surgical intervention could alleviate compressive neuropathy, with comparable outcomes between the 2 surgical approaches.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

This retrospective review encompassed 43 patients undergoing arthroscopic labral repair for a paralabral cyst at the spinoglenoid notch, with cyst decompression (27 patients; labral repair with cyst decompression [LRCD] group) or without cyst decompression (16 patients; labral repair only [LRO] group). Preoperative MRI focused on evaluating the condition of the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles. Electromyography (EMG) was conducted on 36 patients (21 in LRCD and 15 in LRO) to assess suprascapular nerve function. Postoperative evaluations were performed in 35 patients at postoperative 1 year, excluding those lost to follow-up. Postoperative MRI findings (24 patients in LRCD and 11 patients in LRO) and functional outcome scores including recovery of external rotation power were compared with preoperative status in both groups.

Results:

Preoperative MRI revealed denervation changes or atrophy of the infraspinatus in 26 of the 43 patients (60.4%). Among the 36 patients who underwent preoperative EMG, 21 patients (58.3%; 13 patients in LRCD and 8 patients in LRO) showed evidence of suprascapular neuropathy. A discrepancy between EMG and MRI findings was noted in 10 patients, with 5 patients showing suprascapular neuropathy according to EMG despite normal muscle status on MRI scans, and the remaining 5 vice versa. Notable atrophy of the infraspinatus was seen in 6 patients and teres minor hypertrophy in 5 patients, all of whom exhibited concurrent infraspinatus atrophy. Postoperatively, cyst disappearance was observed in all cases in both LRCD (24 patients) and LRO (11 patients) groups. Denervation changes in the infraspinatus were resolved in all patients. In patients with infraspinatus atrophy, some improvement was noted. Teres minor hypertrophy persisted in 2 of 4 patients. Improvements were similar in both groups (all P > .05). External rotation power improved postoperatively in both groups (from 39.1 ± 18.6 to 50.6 ± 17.7 N in LRCD, P < .001; from 45.1 ± 16.0 to 54.2 ± 10.7 N in LRO, P = .025).

Conclusion:

Both LRCD and LRO surgical approaches appear to be effective for paralabral cysts at the spinoglenoid notch. Suprascapular neuropathy can be successfully addressed by both methods. However, conditions with severe infraspinatus atrophy and teres minor hypertrophy warrant further investigation in larger series.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Imperialism
Authors: Seretis Stergios A. , Mavroudeas Stavros D. , Aksu Tanık Feride , Benos Alexios , Kondilis Elias
Published: October 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed and exacerbated the global inequalities regarding the availability and access to vaccines. Many terms have appeared in the academic literature (“vaccine colonialism,” “vaccine nationalism,” “vaccine apartheid”) trying to capture and interpret these inequalities, failing in most cases to realistically explain the upstream causes of the observed injustices. A Marxist perspective on the contrary emphasizes the structural causes of inequalities in capitalism and attributes them to the existence of economic exploitation. “Vaccine imperialism,” which refers to the control that advanced industrialized countries exert on the development, production, and distribution of vaccines at the expense of less-developed economies, can describe and explain in a more realistic way the observed inequalities during the pandemic. Our study proposes a circuit of vaccine imperialism that explains how economic imperialist exploitation takes place via transfers of value from less-developed economies (vaccine recipient countries) to imperialist economies (vaccine producing and patent holder countries) using four different channels: (a) protection of intellectual property (IP) rights (patents), (b) earnings from royalty payments for the use of vaccines (monopolistic prices and profits), (c) exercise of monopoly power on the production and distribution of vaccines (control over the quantity of vaccines supplied, exclusion of competitors through vaccine licensing), and (d) public debt servicing.

JEL Classification: I14, I18, D43, F54, F55, H51
Experimental study on the quasi-static tensile mechanical response of PTFE from 77 K to 293 K
Authors: Zhang Fan , Guo Fei , Shan Lei , Huang Le , Jia Xiaohong
Published: October 2024

PTFE’s exceptional low-temperature resistance makes it an ideal material for cryogenic aerospace fuel seals. However, the current understanding of its mechanical behaviors at low temperatures remains limited, posing potential design vulnerabilities. This study investigates the quasi-static mechanical properties of PTFE over a temperature range from 77 K to room temperature, with a particular focus on the effects of temperature and strain rate, which are key variables in sealing applications. The experimental conditions are categorized into ambient temperature (293 K), conventional low temperatures (233 K–293 K), and cryogenic temperatures (77 K–223 K). Testing was conducted at crosshead speeds of 1, 10, and 100 mm/min to evaluate their influence. The results reveal significant phase transition characteristics in PTFE’s low-temperature mechanical properties, with the effects of phase transitions far outweighing those of strain rate, leading to dramatic changes in the stress response, from elasticity through plasticity to fracture. Further analysis indicates that these effects are concentrated around the transition state temperature zone, with slower changes observed at other temperatures. This study highlights the critical importance of considering phase transitions in the low-temperature design of PTFE structures.
Assessment of ethical sensitivity in nursing students: Tools, trends, and implications
Authors: Lyu Yaning , Liang Xifeng , Li Jing , Chi Cheng
Published: October 2024

Background

Rapid advances in medical technology, changing healthcare policies, and increasing patient diversity have exacerbated the ethical challenges. As nursing students are an integral part of the future nursing workforce, ethical sensitivity has a critical impact on their future careers.

Purpose

This study aims to promote research in related fields by systematically reviewing the origin and development of the concept of ethical sensitivity in nursing students, comparing currently available tools for assessing ethical sensitivity in nursing students, and exploring their applicability and reliability.

Methods

A literature review method was used in this study. A literature search was conducted for assessment tools published between 1995 and 2024. A total of six articles focusing on assessment tools they developed to measure ethical or moral sensitivity were included and analyzed.

Results

Our analysis revealed significant variations in the reliability and applicability of these assessment tools, particularly when used in diverse cultural settings. The study also identified a need for localized modifications of these tools to ensure their accuracy and relevance in different regions.

Conclusion

The findings provide valuable guidance for nursing educators in selecting appropriate assessment tools and offer a foundation for developing new tools that are more contextually relevant. This study contributes to the advancement of ethical sensitivity education for nursing students worldwide, ultimately enhancing patient care and professional development.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale in LGBTQIA+ Parents
Authors: Rodriguez Violeta J. , Liu Qimin
Published: October 2024

In LGBTQIA+ adults, 36% are parents, but there are a limited number of parenting scales that have undergone psychometric evaluation in LGBTQIA+ parents. This study assessed the Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale (MAPS) in LGBTQIA+ parents, addressing a gap in parenting scales considering both positive and negative aspects for this group. Our study includes two racially and ethnically diverse national samples of parents ( n = 2,299, mean age = 37.05 years, 32.84% LGBTQIA+). We explored measurement invariance between LGBTQIA+ and non-LGBTQIA+ parents. The analysis revealed a modest fit for configural and metric invariance, indicating the MAPS structure and item loadings were consistent across groups, although scalar invariance was only partially supported. Subscales showed good internal consistency for both parent groups. Importantly, following false discovery rate corrections, interactions between LGBTQIA+ status and specific MAPS subscales (supportiveness, physical control) were significantly, but differentially, related to various child psychopathology dimensions, suggesting parenting impacts may differ for LGBTQIA+ families. These findings underscore the importance of including LGBTQIA+ perspectives in parenting research to develop tailored interventions that address their unique strengths and challenges. Acknowledging and supporting the diverse experiences of LGBTQIA+ parents can enhance targeted resources and interventions, contributing to better outcomes for all families.
‘Big Lies’: understanding the role of political actors and mainstream journalists in the spread of disinformation
Authors: Harrington Stephen , Bruns Axel , Matich Phoebe , Angus Daniel , Hurcombe Edward , Jude Nadia
Published: October 2024

Much of the scholarly attention on disinformation has focussed on the role of social media, thus overlooking the political actors who themselves propagate disinformation and the mainstream news outlets that report on them. In this article we argue that disinformation has now become so widespread because outright lies are an effective way for political actors to attract and manage public attention. Political strategists have likewise worked out that cognitive biases and social factors are strong enough to overcome the ‘rational’ impulses of citizens who should, notionally, reject obvious lies. And, finally, journalists, who should be a bulwark against such behaviour, have mostly failed to address this problem because of an overly cosy relationship with those in power, and because of a lingering fealty to ‘objectivity’. We conclude the article by arguing that journalism needs to significantly re-think how it approaches the political field.
Alternative organization without vertical hierarchies of spatial scale?
Authors: Sage Daniel
Published: October 2024

Vertical hierarchies of spatial scale—where society in general, and organizations in particular, are differentiated into levels of spatial size—have often been criticized by those encouraging alternatives to capitalist organizing. These vertical scalings are said to promote authoritarianism, a monolithic capitalist economic system, uneven concentrations of social and organizational power and wealth, and ecologically destructive organizational growth. Consequently, so the argument goes, alternative organizing must scale horizontally whereby smaller organizations autonomously associate together into loose networks or federations. The aim of this contribution is to problematize such critiques of vertical hierarchies of scaling for alternative organization. To do so, I combine Management and Organization Studies (MOS) scholarship on scaling alternative organization with two theorizations of the politics of scale in human geography—namely those derived from Neo-Marxist Political Economy and Actor-Network Theories. My argument is that all those looking to understand and encourage the scaling of alternatives to capitalist organizing should engage with and not simply reject vertical scalar hierarchies.
Game Day Traffic and Sports: Evidence From Yankee Stadium in the Bronx
Authors: Hwang Hui , Humphreys Brad R. , Pyun Hyunwoong
Published: October 2024

This article investigates the impact of sports games on taxi trip times near a stadium in the Bronx. The traffic outcome variable comes from data on individual taxi trips in New York City. These trip-level data contain information on pick-up and drop-off times and locations, and trip distance. We analyze over 280,000 taxi trips on weekday evenings between March and September 2019. Under the assumption that taxi trips represent traffic conditions in the city, the results indicate that travel time increases on a game day. Travelers experience 1.3% longer travel times on game days. Game-related traffic increases travel time by 6.3% for the trips that pass through the stadium area, and by 17% for trips before the game starts. Local economic value of lost time from games amounts to about $2 million per year. Governments should consider these negative externalities when providing subsidies for new sports facility construction.
Individual differences in distributional statistical learning: Better frequency “discriminators” are better “estimators”
Authors: Growns Bethany , Martire Kristy A , Mattijssen Erwin J A T
Published: October 2024

People can easily extract and encode statistical information from their environment. However, research has primarily focused on conditional statistical learning (i.e., the ability to learn joint and conditional relationships between stimuli) and has largely neglected distributional statistical learning (i.e., the ability to learn the frequency and variability of distributions). For example, learning that “E” is more common in the English alphabet than “Z.” In this article, we investigate how distributional learning can be measured by exploring the relationship between, and psychometric properties of, four different measures of distributional learning—from the ability to discriminate relative frequencies to the ability to estimate frequencies. We identified moderate relationships between four distributional learning measures and these tasks accounted for a substantial portion of the variance in performance across tasks (44.3%). A measure of divergent validity (intrinsic motivation) did not significantly correlate with any statistical learning measure and accounted for a separate portion of the variance across tasks. Our results suggest that distributional statistical learning encompasses the ability to discriminate between relative frequencies and estimating them.
Advancing an account of hierarchical dual-task control: A focused review on abstract higher-level task representations in dual-task situations
Authors: Hirsch Patricia , Koch Iring
Published: October 2024

Dual tasks are a common phenomenon in everyday life. In dual-task contexts, we perform two-component tasks in temporal overlap, which usually results in impaired performance in one or both of these component tasks relative to single-task contexts. Numerous studies have examined dual-task interference at the level of response selection, but only a few studies have addressed the cognitive representation of a dual task and the cognitive mechanisms controlling these representations. The present review outlines recent empirical findings and theoretical developments concerning these two issues. In detail, the review focuses on different components of a cognitive dual-task representation, including the representation of component-task-specific information (i.e., information about the goal and stimulus-response mapping of a component task), the representation of component-task order information (i.e., information about the order in which the component tasks have to executed), and the representation of dual-task identity information (i.e., information about which two-component tasks have to be performed). A particular emphasis is placed on the cognitive representation of dual-task identity information, which is examined in a recent research line employing the task-pair switching logic as an empirical approach. By conceptualising a dual-task representation as a hierarchical multi-component representation, the review integrates the research line on the cognitive representation of dual-task identity information with the research lines on the representation of component-task-specific information and component-task order information. Based on this conceptualisation, the review provides a new theoretical contribution to dual-task research and highlights an integrative perspective on the different components of cognitive dual-task representations.
The battle over the past: The role of occupational groups in organizational memory
Authors: Kindsiko Eneli , Vadi Maaja , Reino Anne , Kiisla Aet
Published: October 2024

This article delves into the intricate processes of memory within occupational groups, with a specific focus on perceiving memory as a way of adapting to a changing environment. We are investigating how individuals from two occupational groups in the university (academic and non-academic) navigate the process of remembering and forgetting to adapt to a changed environment (leadership change). Using two university colleges as case studies, we examine this phenomenon over a 1.5-year period via qualitative interviews. Our findings underscore that distinct occupational groups employ varied approaches to draw upon the past, where the key is in how they “sense” the situation. This article contributes by operationalizing four manifestations of “senses” to elucidate how organizational memory, encompassing both forgetting and remembering, operates as a means of adaptation.