bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Meta-Framework for Conducting an Integrated Mixed Methods Autoethnography
Authors: Onwuegbuzie Anthony J. , Abrams Madeline L. , Abrams Sandra Schamroth , CohenMiller Anna S. , Bambrola Anthony
Published: June 2024

This article is dedicated to the late Michael D. Fetters—a giant in the world of mixed methods research, an exceptional researcher and scholar, a professor of family medicine, a caring and beloved family physician, a lifelong learner, a colleague, a mentor, a steadfast advocate, a son, a sibling, a husband, a father, and, above all, a dear friend to everyone who knew him. Inspired by Professor Fetters’s innovation, we offer an expanded definition of autoethnography through the formal introduction of the 10 dimensions of autoethnography, as well as the debut of mixed methods autoethnography and of integrated mixed methods autoethnography. An autoethnographic narrative writing style honors both the research genre and the mixed methods researchers’ voices.
A new real-time optimal energy management strategy for range extended electric vehicles considering battery degradation and engine start-up
Authors: Wu Jinglai , Gao Wenhao , Zhang Yunqing
Published: June 2024

Range extended electric vehicles (REEVs) offer a solution to the limited range of pure electric vehicles by incorporating an additional energy source. Effectively managing the output power among these energy sources is the key to reduce operating cost. To enhance the economy of REEVs, this paper proposes a multi-objective optimal energy management strategy (MOEMS) that considers battery degradation. The powertrain of the REEV is comprehensively modeled by integrating the efficiency of the range extender, battery, and driving motor. MOEMS is designed to instantaneously minimize the total operating cost of the vehicle, including factors such as fuel consumption, electricity consumption, and battery degradation. To minimize the frequency of engine starts and stops, the cost associated with engine startup is integrated into the objective function. Two control coefficients are introduced into the objective function to regulate the battery state of charge. Additionally, another coefficient is employed to restrict variations of engine output power, thereby avoiding significant fluctuations of engine load. Simulation results show that compared to the adaptive equivalent consumption minimization strategy (AECMS) and rule-based energy management strategy (REMS), the total cost of MOEMS is reduced by 9.1% and 32.3% in WLTC driving cycles, and by 7.9% and 31.7% in CLTC driving cycles.
Elite Reproduction and Power in the Neoliberal Era: The Image-Making of King Carl XVI Gustaf as ‘Sweden’s Leader’
Authors: Holmqvist Mikael
Published: June 2024

One group of elites that often escapes attention among sociologists are royals, who seem to be regarded as uninteresting and irrelevant study objects for the analysis of elites’ reproduction and power in contemporary society. Still, as suggested by, for instance, the death of the British Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and the installation of the Danish King Frederik X in 2024, royals enjoy extraordinary attention among the general public and media, which testifies to their potentially important social, moral and political functions and roles. Based on an extensive examination of the longest reigning monarch in the world today, the Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, I suggest how he, through media, has been constructed as ‘Sweden’s leader’; by idealizing such neoliberal virtues as activity, entrepreneurship, positive thinking, self-management and similar expressions of ‘leadership’. A key concept for my analysis of the fabrication of the King is ‘image-making’, which derives from Ervin Goffman’s work on the ‘presentation of self’. Essentially, the King aspires to be seen as a role model in contemporary Sweden, a country that has become all the more market-oriented during the last 50 years, which is critical to understanding his legitimacy, and hence ability to exercise power.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy versus enteral stenting for gastric outlet obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Asghar Muhammad , Forcione David , Puli Srinivas Reddy
Published: June 2024

Background:

The symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction have traditionally been managed surgically or endoscopically. Enteral stenting (ES) is a less invasive endoscopic treatment strategy for this condition. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) has recently become a potential alternative technique.

Objectives:

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness and safety profile of EUS-GE compared with ES.

Design:

Meta-analysis and systematic review.

Data sources and methods:

We searched multiple databases from inception to August 2023 to identify studies that reported the effectiveness and safety of EUS-GE compared with ES. The outcomes of technical success, clinical success, and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated. Pooled proportions were calculated using both fixed and random effects models.

Results:

We included 13 studies with 1762 patients in our final analysis. The pooled rates of technical success for EUS-GE were 95.59% [95% confidence interval (CI), 94.01–97.44, I2 = 32] and 97.96% (95% CI, 96.06–99.25, I2 = 63) for ES. The pooled rate of clinical success for EUS-GE was 93.62% (95% CI, 90.76–95.98, I2 = 54) while for ES it was lower at 85.57% (95% CI, 79.63–90.63, I2 = 81). The pooled odds ratio (OR) of clinical success was higher for EUS-GE compared to ES at 2.71 (95% CI, 1.87–3.93). The pooled OR of clinical success for EUS-GE was higher compared to ES at 2.72 (95% CI, 1.86–3.97, I2 = 0). The pooled rates of re-intervention for EUS-GE were lower at 3.77% (95% CI, 1.77–6.46, I2 = 44) compared with ES, which was 25.13% (95% CI, 18.96–31.85, I2 = 69). The pooled OR of the rate of re-intervention in the ES group was higher at 7.96 (95% CI, 4.41–14.38, I2 = 13). Overall, the pooled rate for AEs for EUS-GE was 8.97% (95% CI, 6.88–11.30, I2 = 15), whereas that for ES was 19.63% (95% CI, 11.75–28.94, I2 = 89).

Conclusion:

EUS-GE and ES are comparable in terms of their technical effectiveness. However, EUS-GE has demonstrated improved clinical effectiveness, a lower need for re-intervention, and a better safety profile compared to ES for palliation of gastric outlet obstruction.
Current Evidence: Application of Metabolomic Approaches to Reveal Toxic Effect of Chemicals and Herbal Medicines
Authors: Li Xia , Ren Junling , Li Taiping , Han Ying , Dong Hui , Sun Hui , Yan Guangli , Wang Xijun
Published: June 2024

Humans are often exposed to a variety of toxic substances (including some drugs, herbs, environmental pollutants); all these heterologous substances can result in metabolic changes in organism. Clarifying their metabolic details will help to understand the beneficial and toxic effects of those heterologous substances. Traditional toxicology research tends to focus on toxic doses and time rather than on mechanisms and detoxification methods. Compared with other omics methods, metabolomics has unique, dynamic, and phenotypic characteristics. Similarly, metabolomics can link the interaction between genes and the environment; it represents both the downstream output of the genome and the upstream input of the environment, and reflects the interactions between biological system and environmental stimulation. It highlighting not only biological mechanisms but also closely related to the phenotype of biological events, which is widely employed in toxicology studies presently. Therefore, strengthening toxicological research based on metabolomics can help better understand the mechanisms of action and toxicological effects of toxic substances. Thus, present review systematically summarized and discussed the current application status of metabolomics approaches in toxicology, which might contribute to provide a deeper understanding of the processes and mechanisms of toxicity caused by related chemicals and herbal medicines, thereby reducing the occurrence of damage and providing technical reference for toxicity research.
The God of the Gut: Examining the Role God Image Plays in Spiritual Formation
Authors: Wagnon Nathan C.
Published: June 2024

There is a significant gap in prevailing theories of change and resulting discipleship methodologies. This gap is the result of the dominate assumption that people are primarily thinking and doing beings and that spiritual maturity is largely a function of biblical knowledge and ministry activism. This way of being does not account for a person’s interior life, specifically the aspect of an internal working model which drives how a person experiences or emotionally relates to God, something known as a ‘‘god image.’’ This article addresses the critical factors that play into how each person develops a representation of God, and how wounded god images function as a ceiling of sorts that keep so many from substantive and deep formation into Christlikeness through the Spirit. After exploring the role a person’s god image plays in the process of spiritual formation, the article will examine how the Spirit is at work in the deepest parts of human persons to open them up to experience the love of God in new, transformative ways.
Doing justice: Moving from the pain and trauma of injustice to healing
Authors: Bies Robert J. , Barclay Laurie J.
Published: June 2024

Injustice lies at the heart of many societal challenges. By adopting the lens of injustice, we argue that critical insights and interventions can be illuminated. We highlight the importance of healing for addressing the pain and trauma of injustice as well as the role of justice in the healing process, where it can serve as a motivating force (e.g., when people desire justice), healing salve (e.g., when people “do justice”), and desired end state (e.g., working towards a just society). In doing so, we outline how to facilitate healing from injustice and enable the transition from injustice to justice. We provide an agenda for future research that showcases the importance of further understanding the pain and trauma of injustice. We conclude with a call for scholars and practitioners to engage in courageous action to recognize the toll of injustice, promote healing, and work towards a more just society.
Imagine moving behavioral science findings languishing in scholarly journals to public consumption
Authors: Latham Gary P. , Alonso Alex
Published: June 2024

Where has our reach and impact gone? As behavioral scientists, it is incumbent upon us to extend the reach of our work. Doing so is never easy unless you follow a few approaches. This manuscript underscores the imperative for behavioral scientists to communicate their research findings beyond traditional academic confines, targeting non-scientific audiences. We outline strategic steps that scholars can adopt to enhance the visibility, accessibility, and impact of their research. These include (1) translating scientific jargon into comprehensible language; (2) leveraging digital platforms like blogs, podcasts, and social media; (3) collaborating with media professionals for broader outreach; (4) engaging in public talks and community forums; and (5) developing buy-in from the audiences needed for organizational success. Implementing these strategies not only reinforces the societal relevance of social behavioral science, but also fosters a more informed and engaged public, bridging the gap between academia and the broader community.
Developing, Testing, or Extending Theory with Meta-analyses
Authors: Pletzer Jan L. , Joseph Dana L. , Buengeler Claudia , Reiter-Palmon Roni
Published: June 2024

In recent decades, meta-analyses have become an increasingly popular method to summarize empirical evidence. In this editorial, we outline what we expect from meta-analyses and which meta-analyses are (not) likely to published in Organizational Psychology Review. Most importantly, we describe how meta-analyses can be used to develop, test, or extend theories, which is crucial given the centrality of theories to move the entire field forward. In addition, meta-analyses provide a unique opportunity to develop a detailed agenda for future research by pinpointing gaps in or additions to theory, and by identifying methodological deficiencies that prevent the development, testing, or extension of theories. At last, we provide suggestions for appropriate meta-analytic methods that can help to make a substantial theoretical contribution and briefly outline methodological expectations for meta-analyses submitted to Organizational Psychology Review.
Investing in India’s electric revolution: A case study of OLA electric
Authors: Simon Aneeta Elsa , Lakshmanan Ganesh , Paul Vinuth
Published: June 2024

Subject Area: Entrepreneurship, Strategy. Study Level/Applicability: The case is best suited for a course on Entrepreneurial Finance while introducing the sources of finance and a course on Private Equity and Venture capital, while discussing target screening. It exemplifies how new-age ventures can position themselves to attract investments and how venture capital firms use environmental scanning to identify potential investment opportunities. Designed for second-year MBA students, the case assumes familiarity with strategic management concepts like Porter’s Five Force and Resource-Based View. Case Overview: Amala Menon is a seasoned venture capitalist, strategist, sustainability enthusiast, and founder of Samrithi VentureCaptial and has been actively looking out for investment opportunities in the Electronic Vehicle (EV) space. Believing in the huge potential and the push received by supportive government policies in India, Amala is assessing Ola Electric Mobility Pvt. Ltd (Ola Electric) as an investable option among a list of growing players in the space. A wholly owned subsidiary of ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd, the parent company of Ola Cabs, Ola Electric, valued at USD 5 billion as of 2022, was founded in 2017 to facilitate mass electric mobility and hence reduce emission and fuel dependency. Though crunching financial metrics and valuation numbers come in during assessing an investment option, she strongly emphasizes evaluating the organization’s readiness to obtain further funding in terms of its management team, the potential of the business model and several other crucial parameters. Ultimately, valuation exercise, according to her, aids founders and investors in confirming the strategic positioning of the venture and the business model’s validity. Hence, at this point, Amala, considering qualitative and quantitative aspects, is focused on assessing whether Ola is a wise investable option compared to its peers. Expected Learning Outcomes: This case study enables participants to: (1) Critically appraise investment prospects in new-age EV startups like Ola Electric considering industry-specific and organization-specific factors. (2) Explore both financial and non-financial factors crucial for evaluating Ola Electric’s potential as a promising investment. (3) Evaluate Ola Electric as a potential investment option by leveraging strategic frameworks such as Resource-Based View, Internal and External Factor Evaluation to formulate an investment recommendation. (4) Apply the insights gained from the environmental scan to guide Amala’s investment decision regarding Ola Electric.
A bird's-eye view of phubbing: How adult observations of phone use impact judgments, epistemic trust, and interpersonal trust
Authors: Pesch Annelise , Todaro Rachael , Piper Douglas , Evans Natalie S. , Pasek Josh , Golinkoff Roberta M. , Hirsh-Pasek Kathy
Published: June 2024

Research demonstrates that phubbing—the act of snubbing someone in a social setting by looking at one's mobile phone—interferes with the quality and satisfaction of social interactions. This article examined how observations of an adult's phone use during a social interaction impact different social judgments. Adult participants (n = 331) watched a 3-min video showing four speakers having a discussion around a table. One speaker looked at their phone intermittently during the meeting (five times for 2–3 s each) while not interacting with the other speakers. Participants were asked to rate characteristics (e.g., attentiveness) of all four speakers and evaluate who they could trust both epistemically (e.g., for knowledge) and interpersonally (e.g., for social connection). Participants also provided information about their own technology use. Results indicated that participants’ judgments, ratings of interpersonal trust, and epistemic trust toward the phone user were significantly lower when compared to their ratings toward the non-phone users in the video, especially among female participants. Additionally, the more participants reported using their own phones during group interactions, the more leniently they rated the phone user in the video. This research provides evidence that overseeing acts of co-present mobile phone use are negatively evaluated. This has implications for how adults view technology use during social engagements.
Incidence of mortality and risk factors among adult stroke patients in public hospitals Jigjiga town Somali region, Ethiopia: Cohort study design
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed Mohammed , Abdi Abdirasak Abdulahi , Yusuf Ramadan Budul , Osman Mohamed Omar , Muse Abdilahi Ibrahim , Wadajo Girma Tadesse , Hailu Afework , Roble Abdurahman Kedir , Issack Mohamed Ali , Mahamed Ali Ahmed
Published: June 2024

Background:

A stroke is a sudden loss of blood supply to the brain, leading to permanent tissue damage caused by embolism, thrombosis, or hemorrhagic events. Almost 85% of strokes are ischemic strokes.

Objective:

To assess the incidence of mortality and risk factors among adult stroke patients in public hospitals of Jigjiga town, Somali Region, Ethiopia.

Methods:

An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted from 25 May to 15 June 2022 at Sheikh Hassen Yabare Referral Hospital and Karamara Hospital. Data were entered using Epi-Data version 4.3 and exported to be analyzed using SPSS 20 statistical software. Kaplan-Meier was used to estimate mean survival time, and a predictor with a p-value < 0.05 was considered to have a significant in multivariate Cox regression.

Results:

About 480 stroke patients’ charts were included in this study; among those, 229 (53.3%) were male stroke patients, and 259 (60.2%) had an ischemic stroke. The overall incidence rate was 7.15 deaths per 1000 person-day observations. The overall median survival time for adult stroke patients was 120 days. GCS level b/n 3–8 has a lower survival time with a mean survival time of 57 days (95% CI: 48.8–66.7) as compared to those who had GCS level 9–12 with a mean survival time of 103 days (95% CI: 93.4–112.9). Age ⩾ 71 (AHR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.02–3.45), presence of pneumonia (AHR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.52–4.63), and history of hypertension (AHR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.08–3.89) were the predictors of mortality among stroke patients.

Conclusion:

According to the findings of this study, the incidence of mortality was high, at 7.15 per 1000 person-years. The presence of pneumonia, decreased GCS, age ⩾ 7, and history of hypertension were predictors of mortality in adult stroke patients.
Assessing usability of intelligent guidance chatbots in Chinese hospitals: Cross-sectional study
Authors: Yang Yanni , Liu Siyang , Lei Ping , Huang Zhengwei , Liu Lu , Tan Yiting
Published: June 2024

Objective

This study aimed to assessing usability of intelligent guidance chatbots (IGCs) in Chinese hospitals.

Methods

A cross-sectional study based on expert survey was conducted between August to December 2023. The survey assessed the usability of chatbots in 590 Chinese hospitals. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the impact of the number of functions, human-like characteristics, number of outpatients, and staff size on the usability of the IGCs.

Results

The results indicate that there are 273 (46.27%) hospitals scoring above 45 points. In terms of function development, 581(98.47%) hospitals have set the number of functions between 1 and 5. Besides, 350 hospitals have excellent function implementation, accounting for 59.32%. In terms of the IGC's human-like characteristic, 220 hospitals have both an avatar and a nickname. Results of One-way ANOVA show that, the number of functions( F = 202.667, P < 0.001), human-like characteristics( F = 372.29, P < 0.001), staff size( F = 9.846, P < 0.001), and the number of outpatients( F = 5.709, P = 0.004) have significant impact on the usability of hospital IGCs.

Conclusions

This study found that the differences in the usability of hospital IGCs at various levels of the number of functions, human-like characteristics, number of outpatients, and staff size. These findings provide insights for deploying hospital IGCs and can inform improvements in patient's experience and adoption of chatbots.
Navigating Organizational Justice and Ethical Leadership: Empirical Evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alhaidani Homoud , Halbusi Hussam Al , Alharbi Khalid K. , Alshaer Waleed
Published: June 2024

Organizational justice is influenced by interpersonal relationships in the workplace. This study investigates the moderating role of ethical leadership on the relationship between justice dimensions (distributive justice, procedural justice, interpersonal justice, and informational justice) and employees’ ethical behavior. We identified a sample of 545 supervisor–subordinate dyads from the banking industry in Saudi Arabia and found that ethical leadership positively and significantly moderates the relationship between organizational justice and employees’ ethical behavior. Nevertheless, the interaction between interpersonal justice and ethical leadership was insignificant. Our findings show the important role played by managerial ethical leadership in increasing the positive impact of organizational justice dimensions on employees’ ethical behavior.
The Effect of the Ratio of Common Items and the Separation of Grade Distributions on the Precision of Vertical Scaling
Authors: Li Guangming , Liang Zhengyan
Published: June 2024

In order to investigate the influence of separation of grade distributions and ratio of common items on the precision of vertical scaling, this simulation study chooses common item design and first grade as base grade. There are four grades with 1,000 students each to take part in a test which has 100 items. Monte Carlo simulation method is used to simulate the response matrices by self-made program in R 3.0. As the items are scored by 0/1, we select two-parameter logistic model of Item Response Theory and use BILOG-MG for concurrent calibration with EAP method. The Bias and RMSE are calculated as precision indicators. The results show that: (1) Estimation precision of item and ability parameters differs in different grades. For discrimination and difficulty parameters, estimation precision is higher as closer to the base grade and is lower with the increase of effect size. For the ability parameters, the estimation precision is high generally except for fourth grade which is much lower. The precision is best at 0.5 of effect size in general. (2) There is an interaction between the ratio of common items to total test and effect size. When the effect size is 0.5 and 1.0, estimation precision of each grade is most accurate at 30% of common-item ratio. When the effect size is 1.5, the estimation precision of difficulty parameters is best for first, second, and third grade at 30% of common-item ratio while grade 4 at 15% of common-item ratio. The ability parameters of all grades are all best estimated at 15% of common item ratio. There must be a trade-off between the estimation precision of ability parameters and item parameter if the common item ratio is at the range of 15% to 30%. (3) The choice of base grade affects the accuracy of vertical scaling. When the lower grade is selected as the base grade, if the number of consecutive cumulative conversions from the upper grade test score to the lower grade exceeds 2, there will be a large deviation. Therefore if the senior grade changes to the junior grade, it is suggested that the gap of grades should not exceed 2 grades. As a whole, the proportion of anchor items for vertical scaling is set at 30%, but it is better to set the proportion of anchor items as “variable” value (15%–30%) when considering the separation of grade distributions.
Translating Cultural References and Sensitive Elements Between Arabic and English: Netflix Subtitles as a Case Study
Authors: El-Farahaty Hanem , Alwazna Rafat Y.
Published: June 2024

The present paper explores all the cultural references (CRs) and sensitive elements (SEs) found in the English and Arabic subtitles of the two films available on Netflix, entitled: “ عسل أسود” ( Bittersweet) and “ Holidate,” examining the subtitling strategies adopted for translating them and analyzing the translation issues associated with their translations. The paper uses a mixed method, conducting both quantitative and qualitative analyses. The paper claims that different CRs and SEs found in the two films under study have been translated, using diverse subtitling strategies. Their translations in both the two films have caused translation loss, particularly in the cultural references attached thereto. Such loss is mainly due to the inappropriate use of the subtitling strategies adopted for the translation of CRs and SEs. Certain translations of CRs and SEs are justifiable due to different factors, such as multimodality, time and space restrictions, cultural religious sensitivity, translator ethics, and so on.
The Impact of Using Animated Movies in Learning English Language Vocabulary: An Empirical Study of Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Younas Muhammad , Dong Yan
Published: June 2024

This study examines the effectiveness of animated movies (AM) in increasing students’ vocabulary and determines what students think about English language learning in Pakistan. Particularly in the education field, vocabulary is an essential factor for foreign language learning in academic achievements. This research aimed to determine whether using animated images/movies aid students in learning new vocabulary by helping them to make connections between the words they know and real-world occurrences. The research used pre-tests and post-tests to examine the impact of AM on vocabulary acquisition. Total participants ( N = 64) were 12th-grade students in Lahore, Pakistan, separated into controlled and experimental groups to make a judgment. In the second semester of college, half the students ( N = 32) utilized AM to acquire English vocabulary, while the control group employed the conventional technique. The results were evaluated using a t-test for an independent sample to detect significant differences between the groups. The vocabulary exam was constructed and verified as a pre and post-test. The findings revealed a statistically significant difference in receptive vocabulary, productive vocabulary, and overall score in favor of the experimental group owing to the use of (AM). It added to the growing body of information by investigating how animated videos might support EFL education.
Brand Communication Through Social Media Influencers: Trust Building and Trust Transfer Mechanisms
Authors: Wang Rang , Chan-Olmsted Sylvia
Published: June 2024

By leveraging the trust they have instilled in followers, social media influencers open up new brand communication opportunities. Drawing on interpersonal and brand trust theories, this study conceptualizes influencer trust as a relational, multidimensional concept, and adopts the trust transfer theory to explain how this trust helps with brand communication outcomes. Using a national survey, the study shows that influencer ability, benevolence, integrity, authenticity, interactivity, relatability, and past experience quality contribute to trust in influencer, which then contributes to brand trust and consequently purchase and word-of-mouth intentions. Influencer-brand congruence also plays a moderating role in the model. Relatability and interactivity consistently contribute to all dimensions of trust (i.e., cognitive, affective, and behavioral trust), while other factors only predict certain dimensions. All trust dimensions could transfer from influencers to brands, with cognitive and behavioral trust being the most transferable. The moderating role of influencer-brand congruence only applies to cognitive trust.
Practical Strategies for Co-design: The Case of Engaging Patients in Developing Patient-Facing Shared-Decision Making Materials for Lung Cancer Screening
Authors: Fix Gemmae M. , Kaitz Jenesse , Herbst Abigail N. , Wiener Renda Soylemez , Crocker Dave , Miano Dani , Barker Anna M.
Published: June 2024

Co-design provides a meaningful way to engage patients in research. However, there is limited practical guidance. We used our co-design project to identify strategies for other researchers. An ethnographic case study design was used. Data included participant observation of co-design meetings, meeting minutes, analytic fieldnotes, qualitative patient interviews, and research team member self-reflections. Additionally, we got external feedback. We analyzed data iteratively. Our team included 5 patients and 6 researchers. We identified 3 strategies to include patients in co-design: (1) Deliberately build the team, from recruiting patients to specifying roles. (2) Tailor the meeting format to thoughtfully use patients’ time and expertise. (3) Disrupt traditional hierarchies, to empower patients to actively participate. Researchers seeking to include patients as team members should consider: team composition and roles, leveraging meeting formats to optimize contributions and purposefully creating a culture of collaboration, so patient expertise informs the end product. Our work provides practical guidance for researchers to incorporate patient expertise in the co-design process and meaningfully involve them in their work.
An Assessment of Clinical Research Self-Efficacy among Researchers at the Largest Healthcare Institute in Qatar: Recommendations and Future Actions
Authors: Qussini Seba , Shahbal Saad , MacDonald Ross , Hammoudeh Samer , Al-Ghoul Zeina , Dierickx Kris
Published: June 2024

OBJECTIVES

Clinical research professionals must be equipped with adequate training in sound scientific methods and appropriate ethics. In this study, we aimed to assess the current clinical research self-efficacy of researchers at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). We also evaluated the effects of training courses on researchers’ self-efficacy.

METHODS

Utilizing a cross-sectional design, we used the shortened Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory (CRAI-12) through an online survey to assess the current clinical research self-efficacy of 600 researchers at HMC, Doha, Qatar. After conducting descriptive analyses, unpaired t test and ANOVA were used to determine significant mean percentages between variables. Pearson correlation coefficients were also calculated to measure the association among the interval variables. All tests were 2-sided, and significance was defined as P < .05.

RESULTS

For all questions, except those related to “funding,” most participants scored on the upper half of the scale (>5), reflecting higher self-efficacy for the topics covered in CRAI. Gender differences were significant across all factors, with males reporting higher levels of self-assessed efficacy and in clinical research. Other factors such as higher education degrees and previous (external) clinical research training were also associated with higher self-reported clinical research efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study indicate that researchers at HMC possess high clinical research self-efficacy overall, but lower self-efficacy in securing funding. Gender and education level positively influence self-efficacy across CRAI factors. Notably, clinical research training boosts self-efficacy, especially when obtained outside HMC. In conclusion, healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to engage in effective clinical research training courses, both within and outside of their healthcare institutions, to improve their clinical research efficacy and enhance clinical practice.
Predictive value of thrombus enhancement sign for stroke subtype and recanalization in acute basilar-artery occlusion
Authors: He Guangchen , Guo Sheng , Fang Hui , Xu Haoyang , Ling Runjianya , Lu Haitao , Zhu Yueqi
Published: June 2024

Background:

Thrombus enhancement sign (TES) is associated with cardioembolic stroke and first-pass angiographic failure in anterior ischemic stroke. However, the relationship between TES and stroke subtype and recanalization status after endovascular treatment (EVT) in basilar artery occlusion (BAO) remains unknown.

Methods:

This retrospective study included consecutive patients with acute BAO who underwent EVT between January 2020 and September 2023. Each patient underwent baseline non-contrast computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography. Two independent readers assessed the presence of TES. Stroke types were classified according to the Trial of ORG 10172 for Acute Stroke Treatment. Successful recanalization was defined as a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b–3 after EVT. Clinical and interventional parameters, along with histopathological thrombi examination results, were compared between the TES-positive and TES-negative groups. The associations between TES and stroke subtype and recanalization status were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results:

A total of 151 patients were included in the analysis, among whom 116 (77%) exhibited TES. TES showed a significant correlation with cardioembolic and cryptogenic strokes (odds ratio [OR]: 8.56; 95% confidence interval: 3.49–22.4; p < 0.001), whereas the TES-positive thrombi were characterized by a higher fibrin/platelet proportion ( p = 0.002) and lower erythrocyte proportion ( p = 0.044). The TES-positive group demonstrated favorable outcomes compared to the TES-negative group, including a shorter procedure time ( p < 0.001), lower number of thrombectomy attempts ( p = 0.010), higher incidence of first pass success ( p = 0.022), and lower rate of requiring rescue angioplasty and/or stenting ( p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, TES remained independently associated with successful recanalization (OR: 9.63; 95% CI: 2.33, 47.7; p = 0.003) after adjusting for baseline confounders.

Conclusions:

Visualization of TES serves as a reliable and easily accessible marker for identifying cardioembolic and cryptogenic strokes and predicting recanalization success in thrombectomy for basilar artery occlusion.
Producing Multifunctional Chitosan/Viscose Fabric by β-Thujaplicin and Harmaline Finishing
Authors: Jahanpanah Maryam , Davodiroknabadi Abolfazl , Sayedmir Mohammadreza , Shirgholami Mohammadali , Shahvaziyan Mohammad
Published: June 2024

This article introduces the fabrication of multifunctional viscose fabric with chitosan, β-thujaplicin, and harmaline. The scanning electron microscope of the produced sample shows excellent distribution of used materials on surface of viscose fabric. After 10, 20, and 30 washing cycles the bactericidal properties and durability were investigated, and the results indicate that the durability of bactericidal action against Shigella and Bacillus cereus was very good. Moreover, abrasion resistance after 500, 700, and 900 cycles rubbing tests was studied, and the results were analyzed in detail. On the contrary, the ultraviolet blocking properties and durability after 10, 20, and 30 washing cycles were investigated. The outcome indicates that the treated fabrics have excellent ultraviolet blocking even after 30 washing cycles. Consequently, the produced multifunctional fabric has excellent physical and chemical properties, such as increased tensile strength and abrasion resistance, antibacterial activity, and ultraviolet blocking.
“How to Make it Out Alive”: A Strengths-Based Analysis of Latinas’ Adolescent Sexual Health Experiences
Authors: Lilly Jenn M. , Emerick Maddox C. , Tice-Brown Derek , Pace Susan R.
Published: June 2024

Background

Ample evidence demonstrates Latina adolescents’ elevated risk for sexual health disparities, but knowledge of how they manage their sexual health during this critical period of sexual development is limited. Countering the overfocus on Latina adolescents as “at-risk” girls in extant research, this study uses a strengths-based perspective to explore this topic.

Methods

This study used a narrative research design to gather and analyze the stories of 18 Latina young people who attended school in New York. We employed holistic-content and categorical-content approaches to identify themes and interpret findings through a strengths-based view of sexual health.

Results

We identified three major themes across participants’ narratives: (1) agency in gaining sexual health information; (2) self-protection; and (3) obtaining sexual healthcare despite barriers.

Conclusions

Findings underscore the need for more inclusive, culturally relevant sexual health education initiatives, youth-centered services, and interventions that capitalize on the strengths of Latina adolescents.
Site-specific selection of conditional spectrum-based motions through modified stochastic ground motion modeling
Authors: Senthil Naveen , Lin Ting
Published: June 2024

Despite the utilization of the prominent ground motion selection and modification (GMSM) method—the exact conditional spectrum (CS-exact)—for site-specific ground motion selection, limited ground motion availability may result in records that may not fully represent regional site characteristics or capture the underlying distribution of causal parameters. In this article, we explore an alternative record selection approach, termed conditional spectrum utilizing stochastic ground motion modeling (CS-SGMM), to select site-specific CS-based ground motions by leveraging an illustrative site-based stochastic ground motion model, specifically aimed at addressing the challenges caused by data limitations. This approach involves modifying the parameters of the stochastic ground motion model through constrained optimization to match the target CS within the desired period range of interest while aligning with regional trends. This involves incorporating causative parameters to select site-specific ground motions matching the target CS. Subsequently, we implement a redistribution procedure to ensure that the selected ground motions effectively represent the distribution of causal scenarios, thereby achieving higher hazard consistency in CS-based selection. Illustrative examples from a site in the Western United States demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach across different structural periods and ground motion intensity levels. Finally, we evaluate the viability of our approach by comparing the selected set of ground motions with those chosen using contemporary GMSM methods, such as CS-exact and generalized conditional intensity measure (GCIM), which select records based on spectral shape and both spectral shape and duration, respectively.
A modern view of LGL leukemia
Authors: Marchand Tony , Lamy Thierry , Loughran Thomas P.
Published: June 2024

Large granular lymphocytic leukemia (LGLL) is a rare lymphoproliferative chronic disorder characterized by expansion of either T or natural killer (NK) cytotoxic cells. In contrast to Epstein-Barr virus–induced aggressive NK-LGLL, chronic T-LGLL and NK-LGLL are indolent diseases affecting older patients with a median age of 66.5 years. LGLL is frequently associated with autoimmune disorders, most frequently rheumatoid arthritis. An auto-/alloantigen is tentatively implicated in disease initiation. Large granular lymphocyte expansion is then triggered by proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-15, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 (MIP-1), and RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed, and secreted). This proinflammatory environment contributes to deregulation of proliferative and apoptotic pathways. After the initial description of the JAK-STAT pathway signaling activation in the majority of patients, recurrent STAT3 gain-of-function mutations have been reported. The JAK-STAT pathway plays a key role in LGL pathogenesis by promoting survival, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. Several recent advances have been made toward understanding the molecular landscapes of T- and NK-LGLL, identifying multiple recurrent mutations affecting the epigenome, such as TET2 or KMT2D, and cross talk with the immune microenvironment, such as CCL22. Despite an indolent course, published series suggest that the majority of patients eventually need treatment. However, it is noteworthy that many patients may have a long-term observation period without ever requiring therapy. Treatments rely upon immunosuppressive drugs, namely cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and cyclosporine. Recent advances have led to the development of targeted approaches, including JAK-STAT inhibitors, cytokine targeting, and hypomethylating agents, opening new developments in a still-incurable disease.
A moonlighting job for α-globin in blood vessels
Authors: Abbineni Prabhodh S. , Baid Srishti , Weiss Mitchell J.
Published: June 2024

Red blood cells express high levels of hemoglobin A tetramer (α2β2) to facilitate oxygen transport. Hemoglobin subunits and related proteins are also expressed at lower levels in other tissues across the animal kingdom. Physiological functions for most nonerythroid globins likely derive from their ability to catalyze reduction–oxidation (redox) reactions via electron transfer through heme-associated iron. An interesting example is illustrated by the recent discovery that α-globin without β-globin is expressed in some arteriolar endothelial cells (ECs). α-globin binds EC nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) and degrades its enzymatic product NO, a potent vasodilator. Thus, depletion of α-globin in ECs or inhibition of its association with eNOS causes arteriolar relaxation and lowering of blood pressure in mice. Some of these findings have been replicated in isolated human blood vessels, and genetic studies are tractable in populations in which α-thalassemia alleles are prevalent. Two small studies identified associations between loss of α-globin genes in humans and NO-regulated vascular responses elicited by local hypoxia-induced blood flow or thermal stimulation. In a few larger population-based studies, no associations were detected between loss of α-globin genes and blood pressure, ischemic stroke, or pulmonary hypertension. In contrast, a significant positive association between α-globin gene copy number and kidney disease was detected in an African American cohort. Further studies are required to define comprehensively the expression of α-globin in different vascular beds and ascertain their overall impact on normal and pathological vascular physiology.
How I Treat Low-risk Polycythemia Vera Patients who Require Cytoreduction
Authors: McMullin Mary Frances , Harrison Claire N.
Published: June 2024

Polycythemia vera (PV) was first described by Vaquez in 1892. This is a chronic hematological malignancy which affects both older and young patients. Perhaps due to lack of a curative treatment and the perceived toxicities of prior therapies our focus in the past was to intensify treatment only for patients at higher risk of thrombosis. Recent triggers to challenge this approach include: a recognition that low-risk PV is not "no-risk", our ability to better recognize patients who would benefit from more intensive therapy from the perspective of thrombosis, and data showing that some treatments may reduce risk of transformation to myelofibrosis. Furthermore, there is emergent evidence that molecular monitoring may identify an improvement in disease state translating to improved overall survival. Here we describe clinical situations that would trigger the use of cytoreductive treatment for low-risk PV patients as well as our approach to choosing a specific cytoreductive agent and how to effectively monitor treatment.
NGS-based stratification refines the risk stratification in T-ALL and identifies a very-high-risk subgroup of patients
Authors: Simonin Mathieu , Vasseur Loïc , Lengliné Etienne , Lhermitte Ludovic , Cabannes-Hamy Aurélie , Balsat Marie , Schmidt Aline , Dourthe Marie-Emilie , Touzart Aurore , Graux Carlos , Grardel Nathalie , Cayuela Jean-Michel , Arnoux Isabelle , Gandemer Virginie , Huguet Françoise , Ducassou Stéphane , Lhéritier Véronique , Chalandon Yves , Ifrah Norbert , Dombret Hervé , Macintyre Elizabeth , Petit Arnaud , Rousselot Philippe , Lambert Jérôme , Baruchel André , Boissel Nicolas , Asnafi Vahid
Published: June 2024

We previously reported a better outcome in adult and pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) harboring NOTCH1 and/or FBXW7 mutations without alterations of K-N-RAS and PTEN genes. Availability of high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) strategies led us to refine the outcome prediction in T-ALL. Targeted whole-exome sequencing of 72 T-ALL–related oncogenes was performed in 198 adults with T-ALLs in first remission from the GRAALL-2003/2005 protocols and 242 pediatric patients with T-ALLs from the FRALLE2000T. This approach enabled the identification of, to our knowledge, the first NGS-based classifier in T-ALL, categorizing low-risk patients as those with N/F, PHF6, or EP300 mutations, excluding N-K-RAS, PI3K pathway (PTEN, PIK3CA, and PIK3R1), TP53, DNMT3A, IDH1/2, and IKZF1 alterations, with a 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) estimated at 21%. Conversely, the remaining patients were classified as high risk, exhibiting a 5-year CIR estimated at 47%. We externally validated this stratification in the pediatric cohort. NGS-based classifier was highly prognostic independently of minimal residual disease (MRD) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, in both adult and pediatric cohorts. Integration of the NGS-based classifier into a comprehensive risk-stratification model, including WBC count at diagnosis and MRD at the end of induction, enabled the identification of an adverse-risk subgroup (25%) with a 5-year CIR estimated at 51%, and a favorable-risk group (32%) with a 5-year CIR estimated at 12%. NGS-based stratification combined with WBC and MRD sharpens the prognostic classification in T-ALL and identifies a new subgroup of patients who may benefit from innovative therapeutic approaches. The GRAALL-2003/2005 studies were registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT00222027 and #NCT00327678.