bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teat sinus and duct adenomatous hyperplasia in dogs
Authors: Schulman F. Yvonne , Goldschmidt Michael H. , Hardcastle Michael , Zappulli Valentina E. G.
Published: November 2021

Seventeen lesions diagnosed as teat sinus and duct adenomatous hyperplasia were identified in 10 dogs. All of the dogs were small breeds. Six were spayed female and 4 were male, 3 castrated and 1 intact. In 5 cases, the lesions involved multiple teats. They were pink to black, flattened to round, and sometimes crusted. Histologically, the lesions were usually pigmented (16/17), plaque-like to nodular masses composed of polygonal cells arranged in anastomosing trabeculae and bilayered ducts and/or cysts, with a fibrous to mucinous (Alcian blue-positive) stroma and squamous cysts (12/17). Scattered epithelial cells contained single, discrete, clear cytoplasmic vacuoles. Atypia was mild, and the mitotic count per 2.37 mm2 varied from 0 to 15 (average 2.7). Immunohistochemistry was performed on 14 of the lesions from 8 dogs. Epithelial cells were 100% panCK+ and included basally located CK14+/CK5_6+/p63+/calponin− cells and nonbasal CK19+/CK7+ cells. Cells manifesting squamous differentiation were usually panCK+/CK14+/CK5_6+/CK19−/CK7−/p63±/calponin−. In addition to fibroblasts, vimentin positivity was found in disseminated, round to stellate stromal and intraepithelial cells that often had black, granular, cytoplasmic pigment (consistent with dendritic/phagocytic cells and/or melanocytes). Of the 8 dogs for which clinical follow-up information was available, all were still alive and well, with no significant teat changes, development of mammary lesions or other masses 4 to 22 months (median 12.5) after biopsy. The histologic, immunohistochemical, and clinical findings were consistent with teat duct and sinus adenomatous hyperplasia. This is an uncommon, benign proliferative lesion that can involve multiple teats of female and male, small breed dogs.
Influence of SARS-CoV-2 on airway mucus production: A review and proposed model
Authors: Meyerholz David K. , Reznikov Leah R.
Published: November 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a worldwide pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that has affected millions of lives. Individuals who survive severe COVID-19 can experience sustained respiratory symptoms that persist for months after initial infection. In other airway diseases, abnormal airway mucus contributes to sustained airway symptoms. However, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on airway mucus has received limited attention. In the current review, we assess literature describing the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on airway pathophysiology with specific emphasis on mucus production. Accumulating evidence suggests that the 2 major secreted airway mucin glycoproteins, MUC5AC and MUC5B, are abnormal in some patients with COVID-19. Aberrations in MUC5AC or MUC5B in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection are likely due to inflammation, though the responsible mechanisms have yet to be determined. Thus, we also provide a proposed model highlighting mechanisms that can contribute to acute and sustained mucus abnormalities in SARS-CoV-2, with an emphasis on inflammatory cells and mediators, including mast cells and histamine. Last, we bring to light the challenges of studying abnormal mucus production in SARS-CoV-2 infections and discuss the strengths and limitations of model systems commonly used to study COVID-19. The evidence to date suggests that ferrets, nonhuman primates, and cats may have advantages over other models to investigate mucus in COVID-19.
Notes on exhaustionism, the latest moment of the global organic crisis
Authors: Stewart Blake
Published: November 2021

This essay seeks to build on the concept of exterminism developed by E. P. Thompson in his 1980 New Left Review essay ‘Notes on exterminism, the last state of civilization’. Thompson’s polemical focus on weapons systems in his analysis was the product of a particular moment in history; one where the most precipitous threat to human security was the Cold War. The concept of exhaustionism developed in this piece describes the governance ideologies and frameworks found within advanced capitalist state/societal complexes in response to the present ‘organic crisis’ of post-Cold War global capitalism; one accelerated by the 2008 financial crisis and Covid-19 pandemic. The exhaustionism of political leadership within the contemporary world order has contributed to widely held assumptions that the collapse of civilisation and the planet is either occurring or imminent. Moreover, it is also implied that it is too late for a novel or fundamental transformation in governing ideology, global governance and political economy to reverse the current predicament. This exhaustionism in many ways mirrors the absurdity and cynicism of the Cold War military technicians and nuclear regimes described by Thompson’s concept of exterminism, but with notable differences related to the host of actors involved, temporal horizon, and emphasis on class, imperialism and supremacism.
Determination of mechanical properties from sharp dynamic indentation
Authors: Si Bowen , Li Zhiqiang , Xiao Gesheng , Shu Xuefeng
Published: November 2021

In this study, a dynamic indentation test method based on the split Hopkinson pressure bar is proposed to obtain the dynamic parameters of Ludwik power law constitutive, namely, Young’s modulus E, strength coefficient K, and strain hardening index n by analyzing dynamic indentation load-indentation depth curve obtained from the theories relating to the Hopkinson pressure bar. The important parameters, namely, loading curvature C and transformation factor [Formula: see text], are invoked to examine the dynamic indentation response results in a wide range of target material parameters. Finite element calculation results are processed through simulation of dynamic indentation response with broad material parameters. Furthermore, the analytical method is used to fit simulation results to obtain the analytical equations for elastic–plastic parameters and curvature parameters for the subsequent analysis. The analytical equation of forward model to predict dynamic indentation response parameter–loading curvature C of a known material is proposed. Then, the elastic–plastic parameters of unknown materials (according to Ludwik power law) are obtained by substituting the dynamic indentation response parameters into an inverse analytical equation under the two types of half-cone angle indenters. The method is verified by other typical materials, which shows that the dynamic indentation test based on the split Hopkinson pressure bar can obtain sufficient conditions to obtain dynamic mechanical properties of target materials.
Survivorship Rate and Clinical Outcomes 10 Years After Arthroscopic Correction of Symptomatic Femoroacetabular Impingement
Authors: Carton Patrick , Filan David , Mullins Karen
Published: November 2021

Background:

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common mechanical hip condition, prevalent in both the athletic and the general population. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment option that improves both symptoms and function in short- to medium-term follow-up. Few studies within the literature have reported the longer-term success of arthroscopic surgery.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to quantify the 10-year survivorship and clinical outcome for patients treated arthroscopically for symptomatic FAI.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Patients from our hip registry (n = 119) completed patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at a minimum of 10 years after arthroscopy (range, 10-12 years). Results were compared with baseline scores using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The associations among several prognostic factors, which included age, sex, Tönnis grade, and labral treatment, and subsequent conversion to total hip replacement (THR) or repeat hip arthroscopy (RHA) were analyzed using the chi-square analysis. Relationships between range of motion and radiological findings with clinical outcome were also examined using Pearson correlation analysis. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was calculated using a distribution method (0.5 standard deviation of the change score), and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) was determined using an anchor method. Finally, receiver operating characteristic curves with subsequent Youden index were used to determine cutoffs for PROMs, which equated to a Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS).

Results:

A total of 8.4% of cases required conversion to THR, and 5.9% required RHA. Statistically significant improvements in mHHS, SF-36, and WOMAC scores, with high satisfaction (90%), were observed 10 years after surgery. No significant change was seen in activity level (UCLA score) despite patients being 10 years older. A high percentage of patients achieved MCID for mHHS (88%), SF-36 (84%), and WOMAC (60%). The majority of patients also achieved PASS (62% for mHHS, 85% for UCLA, 78% for SF-36, and 84% for WOMAC) and SCB (74% for mHHS, 58% for UCLA, 52% for SF-36, and 56% for WOMAC).

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic intervention is a safe and viable treatment option for patients with symptomatic FAI, and patients can expect long-term improvements and high satisfaction. Results indicated a high satisfaction (90%) and survivorship rate (91.6%), with excellent clinical outcome, 10 years after the initial procedure.
DAPK1 may be a potential biomarker for arterial aneurysm in clinical treatment and activated inflammation levels in arterial aneurysm through NLRP3 inflammasome by Beclin1
Authors: Wu Senyan , Lu Wei , Cheng Guobing , Wu Jiawen , Liao Sheng , Hu Qiang , Li Xiaoyang , Jiang Buping
Published: November 2021

Background

Death-associated protein kinase (DAPK1) is one of the positive regulators of apoptosis, and it is widely involved in apoptosis induced by multiple pathways. We examined that the function of DAPK1 in Clinical treatment of arterial aneurysm and its underlying mechanisms. Arterial aneurysm is a common cerebrovascular disease with high disability and fatality rate.

Objectives

Male C57BL/6 mice or DAPK1−/− mice were injected with 50 mg/kg pentobarbital sodium and then were injected with angiotensin II (AngII) infusion for vivo model. hASMCs (Human artery smooth muscle cell) were treated with murine recombinant IL-6 (20  ng ml−1; Cell Signaling) for vitro model.

Results

DAPK1 gene, mRNA expression, and protein expression were induced in mice of arterial aneurysm. DAPK1 mRNA expression was increased and Area Under Curve was 0.9075 in patients with arterial aneurysm. Knockout of DAPK1 decreased inflammation and vascular injury in mice model of arterial aneurysm. Beclin1/NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3) signal pathway is a critical downstream effector of DAPK1 by TAP production. The regulation of Beclin1 participated in the effects of DAPK1 on inflammation of arterial aneurysm by ATP-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome. The regulation of NLRP3 participated in the effects of DAPK1 on inflammation of arterial aneurysm.

Conclusion

Collectively, our data indicated that DAPK1 may be a potential biomarker for arterial aneurysm in clinical treatment and activated inflammation levels in arterial aneurysm through NLRP3 inflammasome by Beclin1. DAPK1 might be a key pathogenic event underlying excess inflammation of arterial aneurysm.
Exposure to a “safe” dose of environmental pollutant bisphenol A elevates oxidative stress and modulates vasoactive system in hypertensive rats
Authors: Nagarajan Manigandan , Raja Boobalan , Manivannan Jeganathan
Published: November 2021

Due to the prevalence of hypertension (one of the major risk factors of CVD) in the population, it is necessary to explore the adverse effects of daily tolerable and “safe” dose of bisphenol A (BPA) under hypertensive conditions. The current study exposed the Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 40 mg/kg b.w/day) induced hypertensive Wistar rats to BPA (50 μg/kg b.w/day) by oral administration along with appropriate controls for 30 days period. The results illustrate that a ‘safe’ dose of BPA does not influence the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and levels of circulatory biomarkers of tissue damage. On the other hand, BPA exposure significantly ( p < 0.05) elevates the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content in plasma and tissues (heart, aorta, liver and kidney) in hypertensive rats when compared with respective control (BPA alone exposed) rats. Similarly, a significant modulation of ROS generation in RBC, plasma nitric oxide (NO) level and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was observed only under hypertensive milieu. In conclusion, the observed adverse effects during ‘safe’ dose of BPA exposure are specific to the hypertensive condition. Therefore, a precise investigation to explore the effects of BPA exposure in vulnerable hypertensive populations is highly suggested.
Prevalence and risk factors for serositis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A case-control study
Authors: Gimeno-Torres Laura , Carrión-Barberà Irene , Durán Xavier , Villegas Eduardo , Monfort Jordi , Salman-Monte Tarek Carlos
Published: November 2021

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune multisystemic disease with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. One of its symptoms, associated to high morbidity, is serositis. Its prevalence ranges between 11% and 54%, and little is known about factors associated to this manifestation. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of serositis in SLE patients visited at the outpatient Lupus Unit of the Hospital del Mar and identify risk factors that can be used as predictors of this manifestation.

Methods

A retrospective case-control study was performed based on the review of 297 medical records of SLE patients. Twenty-eight patients were identified to have suffered serositis (cases) and were age- and sex-matched with 2 controls with SLE without serositis.

Results

The overall prevalence of serositis in our cohort was 9.42%, being higher in men than in women, 30% versus 7.9% ( p = 0.001, 95% CI: 1.7–42.4%). In 40.7%, it was the first manifestation of the disease. When looking for serositis-associated factors, an association was found with anti-dsDNA antibodies measured by the Crithidia method ( p = 0.016), and different measures of corticosteroids, where cases had required higher maximum doses and more pulses than controls throughout the disease, although this last correlation was lost when adjusting for confounding variables as nephritis and arthritis. Cases also received more mycophenolic acid ( p = 0.021) and, marginally, more belimumab ( p = 0.056).

Conclusion

The overall prevalence of serositis was 9.42%, being significantly higher in men (30%). Therefore, male gender constitutes a risk factor for serositis, and almost one third of men will develop this manifestation, so greater awareness is required in SLE men. CrithidiaDNA+ was also identified as a risk factor, and it should be determined in all SLE patients. Cases significantly received more corticosteroid pulses and higher maximum doses in relation to other SLE severe manifestations, which could imply a more aggressive form of SLE in patients with serositis.
A Study of Buyer Motivations at the Bottom of Pyramid in Urban India
Authors: Srivastava Ritu , Srivastava Vibhava
Published: November 2021

The Indian bottom of pyramid (BoP) segment contributes around 85% of the total national household market. This study attempts to ascertain the purchase behaviour of customers at the Indian urban BoP. It endeavours to appreciate the viewpoint of the urban BoP consumers in the purchase process with reference to their purchase basket comprising of products mainly across categories such as grocery, perishables and basic consumer durables. The study starts with qualitative grounded theory followed by quantitative survey-based approach. It presents and validates emergent themes to give insights about purchase behaviour of consumers at urban BoP. The empirical findings of the study discovered five consumer motivations through factor analysis. The subsequent result of the cluster analysis showed that the urban BOP market is heterogeneous. Since the size of cluster is substantial, companies must make marketing efforts to target them on a priority basis. The study proposes a conceptual model of consumer motivation supported by the self-determination Theory for the urban BoP market in India.
Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Between Ceramic-Based Total Ankle Arthroplasty with Ceramic Total Talar Prosthesis and Ceramic-Based Total Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: Yamamoto Tetsuya , Nagai Kanto , Kanzaki Noriyuki , Kataoka Kiminari , Nukuto Koji , Hoshino Yuichi , Matsushita Takehiko , Kuroda Ryosuke
Published: November 2021

Background:

Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) has become one of the standard surgical treatments for patients with end-stage ankle osteoarthritis (OA). In recent years, TAA with total talar prosthesis (combined TAA) has been used for ankle OA patients with talar osteonecrosis, with severe talar collapse, or with subtalar joint OA. The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional and clinical outcomes of combined TAA, compared with conventional TAA.

Methods:

Forty-six ankles (44 patients, 32 women/12 men) that underwent conventional TAA with mean follow-up of 42 months, and 26 ankles (25 patients, 18 women/7 men) that underwent combined TAA with mean follow-up of 46 months were included. Clinical outcomes, which included ankle range of motion (ROM), the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) ankle-hindfoot scale, the Self-Administered Foot Evaluation Questionnaire (SAFE-Q), and complications were compared between the groups.

Results:

The preoperative ROM was significantly worse in combined TAA for both dorsiflexion and plantarflexion; however, in the final ROM, there was no significant difference between the groups. There was no significant difference in JSSF scale and SAFE-Q between the groups. Revision rate was 10.9% in conventional TAA and 0% in combined TAA.

Conclusion:

In this small series, at an average of 3.5 years, we found no significant difference in clinical results between conventional TAA and combined TAA; however, the revision rate was higher in conventional TAA.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective cohort study.
Relevance of Routine Abdominopelvic Ultrasound in Suspected Child Abuse in Children Under 2 years of Age: Review of 15 years of Experience
Authors: Martin-Champetier Antoine , Caujolle Anaïs , Bosdure Emmanuelle , Bresson Violaine , Aschero Audrey , Desvignes Catherine , Colavolpe Nathalie , Pico Harmony , Seiler Charlotte , Panuel Michel , Chaumoitre Kathia , Petit Philippe , Dabadie Alexia
Published: November 2021

In France, the current recommendation is to perform a routine abdominopelvic ultrasound in any child under 2 years of age who is suspected to have been abused. We retrospectively studied the relevance of this practice in our center over the past fifteen years. This was a descriptive, retrospective study of all children under 2 years of age who had been subject to suspected abuse. Abdominal images and reports were reviewed and cross-referenced with possible clinical and biological signs. Four hundred and five children were included between 2006 and 2020, of whom 296 underwent abdominal imaging (2 initial abdominopelvic CT scans, 4 ultrasounds followed by CT scans, and 290 ultrasounds alone). Four examinations revealed traumatic abnormalities related to abuse. These four children all had clinical or biological anomalies. In the absence of clinical or biological signs, no imagery showed any abnormality related to abuse.
Factors Associated With Psychosocial Illness Impact Among Black/African American and Hispanic Older Women Living With HIV
Authors: Iriarte Evelyn , Cianelli Rosina , Villegas Natalia , De Oliveira Giovanna , Toledo Christine , Smith Lindsay , Castro Jose Guillermo
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND:

In 2018, one in six newly diagnosed individuals with HIV in the United States were adults aged 50 years and older, 24% were women, and 60% were Black/African American and Hispanic (42% and 18%, respectively).

AIMS:

This study aims to examine the factors associated with HIV psychosocial illness impact among Black/African American and Hispanic older women living with HIV.

METHOD:

Guided by the socioecological model, a secondary data analysis design with cross-sectional data that included 138 Black/African American and Hispanic women aged 50 years and older was conducted.

RESULTS:

Higher levels of avoidant coping, depressive symptoms, negative self-perception of health, and decreased social support were significant factors associated with HIV psychosocial illness impact among this sample.

CONCLUSIONS:

Findings from this study can contribute to identifying solutions to prevent and decrease these negative factors associated with HIV psychosocial illness impact among Black/African American and Hispanic older women.
Long-term outcomes following thrombolysis of arteriovenous grafts
Authors: Li Ben , Abdelmasih Monica , Eisenberg Naomi , Lok Charmaine , Roche-Nagle Graham
Published: November 2021

Background:

Thrombolysis for arteriovenous grafts (AVG) yields high technical success rates, however, long-term outcomes are unclear. We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study to analyze 5-year patency rates following AVG thrombolysis.

Methods:

All patients who underwent AVG thrombolysis between 2005 and 2015 at three academic hospitals were included. Prospectively maintained institutional nephrology and radiology databases were used to record demographic, clinical, and AVG characteristics. The primary outcome was primary patency, defined as AVG access survival without re-intervention including angioplasty ± stent with/without re-thrombolysis. Secondary outcomes were assisted primary patency and cumulative patency, defined as AVG access survival until re-thrombosis requiring re-thrombolysis or abandonment, respectively. Technical success was defined as restoration of flow with <30% residual stenosis. Patients were followed until 2017. Patency rates were assessed using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards were calculated to determine associations between covariates and patency loss.

Results:

Seventy-four patients underwent AVG thrombolysis during the study period with a median follow-up period of 21.4 (IQR 8.3–42.8) months. The average age was 58.6 years with a high rate of comorbidities, including hypertension (82.4%) and diabetes (54.1%). Thrombolysis technical success was 96%. There were 147 re-interventions in 46 patients, of which 98 were re-thrombolysis (mean re-intervention rate of 1.27/patient/year). Primary patency at 1, 3, and 5 years were 43.2%, 20.2%, and 7.7%. Assisted primary patency at 1, 3, and 5 years were 47.5%, 20.2%, and 7.7%. Cumulative patency at 1, 3, and 5 years were 75.0%, 38.8%, and 22.6%. Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated no associations between demographic, clinical, and procedural characteristics and patency rates.

Conclusions:

Despite a high technical success rate, thrombolysis for AVG dysfunction is associated with poor long-term patency. Future studies are needed to determine risk factors for re-thrombosis to identify patients who will benefit from AVG thrombolysis in the long-term.
Plasma Phospholipids: A Promising Simple Biochemical Parameter to Evaluate COVID-19 Infection Severity
Authors: Hussein Mohammed Abdalla , Ismail Noor Eldin Mohamed , Mohamed Ahmed H , Borik Rita M , Ali Ali Abdelaziz , Mosaad Yasser O
Published: November 2021

Background:

Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic is a worldwide public health problem that has been known in China since December 25, 2019. Phospholipids are structural components of the mammalian cytoskeleton and cell membranes. They suppress viral attachment to the plasma membrane and subsequent replication in lung cells. In the virus-infected lung, phospholipids are highly prone to oxidation by reactive oxygen species, leading to the production of oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs).

Objective:

This study was carried out to explain the correlation between the level of plasma phospholipids in patients with COVID-19 infection and the levels of cytokine storms to assess the severity of the disease.

Methods:

Plasma samples from 34 enrolled patients with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 infection were collected. Complete blood count (CBC), plasma levels of D-dimer, ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), phospholipids, secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2)α2, and cytokine storms were estimated, and lung computed tomography (CT) imaging was detected.

Results:

The CBC picture showed the presence of leukopenia, lymphopenia, and eosinopenia in patients with COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, a significant increase was found in plasma levels of D-dimer, CRP, ferritin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-13 as well as sPLA2α2 activity compared to normal persons. However, plasma levels of phospholipids decreased in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 infection, as well as significantly decreased in levels of triacylglycerols and HDL-C in plasma from patients with severe infection only, compared to normal persons. Furthermore, a lung CT scan showed the presence of inflammation in a patient with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 infection.

Conclusions:

This study shows that there is a correlation between plasma phospholipid depletion and elevated cytokine storm in patients with COVID-19 infection. Depletion of plasma phospholipid levels in patients with COVID-19 infection is due to oxidative stress, induction of cytokine storm, and systemic inflammatory response after endothelial cell damage promote coagulation. According to current knowledge, patients with COVID-19 infection may need to administer surfactant replacement therapy and sPLA2 inhibitors to treat respiratory distress syndrome, which helps them to maintain the interconnected surfactant structures.
A three-legged stool: Teachers’ views of Junior Cycle Physical Education curriculum change
Authors: O'Sullivan Mary , Moody Brigitte , Parker Melissa , Carey Michael
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this paper was to examine Irish Physical Education teachers' views on curriculum change at the beginning of its implementation stage, with a particular focus on revision to the Physical Education curriculum and the new Wellbeing programme. In the light of these revisions, teachers were asked to make considerable changes to their beliefs and pedagogical approaches. Teacher change theory provided a lens through which to examine teachers' views. We reimaged the three aspects of teacher change as a triangle or ‘three-legged stool' where the three elements of curriculum materials/resources, pedagogy, and beliefs combine to offer a sense of security to sustain the impending changes. A survey and a series of semi-structured interviews provided data and in total 119 second level Physical Education teachers participated. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics of quantitative data and inductive and deductive analysis of qualitative data. Three themes were developed: A Learning Focus, Embracing Change, and Curriculum Enactment. Contrary to recent findings in the change literature, the teachers in this study welcomed curriculum changes as their beliefs aligned with the purpose of the reform of Physical Education. The results indicated that the new curriculum was catching up with teachers’ core beliefs about the purpose of Physical Education. However, in line with recent research, teachers were sceptical about ongoing support for resourcing and continued professional development. In conclusion, the ‘three-legged stool of sustained change has the potential to be unbalanced thereby maintaining teacher buy-in to the new reforms is potentially fragile.
Educational futures: Conflicting visions for Acirema “The Possible”
Authors: Rogers Richard H
Published: November 2021

The year is 2070, yes, the 50th anniversary of the Roaring Year 2020. The United States of Acirema (Williams, 1997) was dealing with political discord, a struggling economy, a pandemic, and social unrest. Schiro (2013) published a book titled Curriculum Theory: Conflicting Visions and Enduring Concerns, which focused on four curriculum ideologies/visions: scholar academic, social efficiency, learner centered, and social reconstruction. Aciremas became very adamant on the futures of education and society, and the country quickly became known as the Divided States of Acirema with citizens being divided by their beliefs/visions for education and society. The four visions are best understood through the lens of four former high school friends who each live in different states. To begin with, George treasures the cultural values and knowledge from the past, wants to end the political discord, and unite the United States of Acirema. In contrast, Wally is learning new skills based on society needs, which enables him to be marketable in a struggling economy and the age of artificial intelligence. Next, Covid, who is the narrator, loves his state and is able to learn and live based on his personal interests and beliefs; therefore, this allowed him to conduct an ethnographic study (Fetterman, 1998; Hammersley and Atkinson, 1995) during the pandemic with the goal of uniting Acirema. Last, Justice is committed to ending social unrest by focusing on equality in her state and improving society for all. As Schiro (2013) clearly states in his thesis, these ideologies have conflicting visions for educational futures and are struggling with the ideal of syncretism (Berner U, 2001; Ezenweke and Kanu, 2012). After taking the ideology survey (Schiro, 2013) and discovering your beliefs and values, Covid, the narrator, will ask you to join him by using the Public Values Model (Rogers, 2020) to create syncretism where we can all live together as the United States of Acirema.
International education governance in the francophone microcosm
Authors: Le Mouillour Isabelle
Published: November 2021

International cooperation is high on the agenda of policy makers in times of globalisation and shared challenges such as climate change, poverty, equity or digitalisation. The present paper investigates strategies and actors involved in international cooperation policy in the field of vocational education and training within the francophone area. Using a discursive institutionalism approach as an analysis frame, the article traces and identifies the development of ideas and discourses. It also examines the changes and tensions in the French public institutional set-up in that specific policy field. The analysis builds on analysis of policy documents, mission statements of actors involved (ministries, public and private actors, non-for-profit organisations, international and European actors).
Person Perception, Meet People Perception: Exploring the Social Vision of Groups
Authors: Alt Nicholas P. , Phillips L. Taylor
Published: November 2021

Groups, teams, and collectives —people—are incredibly important to human behavior. People live in families, work in teams, and celebrate and mourn together in groups. Despite the huge variety of human group activity and its fundamental importance to human life, social-psychological research on person perception has overwhelmingly focused on its namesake, the person, rather than expanding to consider people perception. By looking to two unexpected partners, the vision sciences and organization behavior, we find emerging work that presents a path forward, building a foundation for understanding how people perceive other people. And yet this nascent field is missing critical insights that scholars of social vision might offer: specifically, for example, the chance to connect perception to behavior through the mediators of cognition and motivational processes. Here, we review emerging work across the vision and social sciences to extract core principles of people perception: efficiency, capacity, and complexity. We then consider complexity in more detail, focusing on how people perception modifies person-perception processes and enables the perception of group emergent properties as well as group dynamics. Finally, we use these principles to discuss findings and outline areas fruitful for future work. We hope that fellow scholars take up this people-perception call.
Enhanced photoelectrochemical performance of NiO-doped TiO2 nanotubes prepared by an impregnation–calcination method
Authors: Wang Xueqin , Dai Man , Chen Qihui , Cheng Kai , Xu Helong , Zhang Jiaojing , Song Hua
Published: November 2021

To improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2, a series of NiO–TiO2 nanotubes (NTbs) is prepared by impregnating TiO2 nanotubes in a solution of NiCl2·6H2O at different concentrations. Self-organized TiO2 nanotubes are prepared by a two-step anodization process. Scanning electron microscopy images show that large particle agglomerates are formed for higher precursor concentrations, and X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy results indicate that the atomic percentages of Ni in the NiO–TiO2 NTbs prepared with precursor concentrations of 100 and 300 mM are 1.95% and 4.23%, respectively. Electronic lifetime measurements show that the recombination rate of photogenerated electron–hole pairs is lower for NiO–TiO2 NTbs compared to that of TiO2. Specifically, the recombination rate of the sample prepared at 50 mM is the lowest, which is associated with the longest electron lifetime. Compared to unmodified TiO2 nanotubes, NiO–TiO2 NTbs exhibit improved results for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B.
Closure in dystopia: Projecting memories of the end of crises in speculative fiction
Authors: Serrano-Muñoz Jordi
Published: November 2021

In this piece, I approach the relationship between the paradigm of imbricated crises pertaining to the second decade of the twenty-first century and its contemporaneous dystopian literature. I focus particularly on how dystopian literature forges a sense of closure that attempts to give meaning through the construction of imaginary memories of how crises came and went, or came and stayed. Dystopian tales provide the troubled reader of its time with a sense of narrative continuation and a substitute for closure. For my analysis, I draw on a corpus of literary works from around the world, which includes The Queue, by Basma Abdel Aziz; Station Eleven, by Emily St John Mandel; The Emissary, by Tawada Yōko; Severance: A Novel, by Ling Ma; China Dream, by Ma Jian; Ansibles, Profilers and Other Machines of Wonder, by Andrea Chapela; and The Ministry for the Future, by Kim Stanley Robinson.
Prevalence and risk factors of moderate to severe hepatic steatosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an ultrasonography cross-sectional case–control study
Authors: Erre Gian Luca , Castagna Floriana , Sauchella Assunta , Meloni Pierluigi , Mangoni Arduino Aleksander , Farina Giuseppina , Woodman Richard , Dore Maria Pina , Vidili Gianpaolo
Published: November 2021

Background:

The independent association between hepatic steatosis and rheumatoid arthritis is poorly defined.

Methods:

The presence of moderate to severe steatosis was assessed, using liver ultrasonography, in 364 consecutive non-diabetic subjects (223 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 141 age- and sex-matched healthy controls). Adjusted multiple regression analysis was performed to explore the association between rheumatoid arthritis and moderate to severe steatosis in the overall sample and identify independent risk factors in the rheumatoid arthritis subgroup.

Results:

The prevalence of moderate to severe steatosis in the overall sample was 31.3%, with a significantly higher prevalence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than healthy controls (38.7% versus 19.7%, p < 0.0001). After adjustment for sex, age, cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index, waist, hypertension and smoke, rheumatoid arthritis remained significantly associated with moderate to severe steatosis [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.24 (1.31, 3.84); p = 0.003]. In the rheumatoid arthritis group, male sex, higher body mass index, higher triglycerides concentrations and higher cumulative dosage of methotrexate [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.11 (1.01, 1.23); p = 0.026] were significantly associated with moderate to severe steatosis, while systemic inflammation, disease activity, use of steroids and biologics were not.

Conclusion:

Rheumatoid arthritis is independently associated with moderate to severe steatosis, with male sex, higher body mass index and cumulative dose of methotrexate being predisposing factors. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm our findings and to investigate the effect of steatosis on liver outcomes in the rheumatoid arthritis population.
The Children’s Hospital of the Future: A Vision That Meets All Needs
Authors: Więckowska Barbara , Byszek Katarzyna , Malenda Maciej
Published: November 2021

Objectives:

The objective of this article is twofold. First, to present a comprehensive internal assessment of the hospital by different groups of stakeholders and, second, to determine whether there are common needs and wishes that, if incorporated in the hospital vision, will enable future development.

Background:

The Children’s Memorial Health Center is the largest children’s hospital in Poland. The hospital began operations in 1977 with a vision to be a modern healthcare facility that provides comprehensive care for children. That vision has not changed over time but everything else did.

Methods:

Six design thinking sessions were conducted with 83 employees and 40 respondents who used health services in the hospital in the past, along with in-depth interviews with 25 representatives of management to gather data for the hospital assessment.

Results:

Sixty-three features influencing future development were identified. Seven groups of features were classified to be either transformation drivers (four groups) or enablers (three groups). We focused on features that were indicated by all groups of respondents to define a common vision for future development.

Conclusions:

Depending on the respondent’s role in the healthcare ecosystem, the list of variables within each of seven groups defining the “hospital of the future” was different while evaluating the healthcare services. Therefore, all stakeholders must be engaged in the ideation process to create a strategy for a future care model driven by innovation.
Reflections on an academic life
Authors: Harvey David
Published: November 2021

David Harvey traces his intellectual journey reflecting on what he calls “the central animating theme of his thinking” starting from his days as a positivist geographer and the publication of Explanation. Harvey clarifies that his transition from Explanations to Social Justice, which has often been touted as a radical-epistemological break in his work should actually be seen as a complimentary productive tension. In making this transition, Harvey decided to reject the scientific orthodoxy of positivist science and instead, use dialectics derived from Marx as alternative mode of scientific inquiry. Harvey narrates his Baltimore experience of combatting local racial discrimination as formative in his understandings of the motions of capital and dynamics of uneven development thus imbricating personal politics and Marx's theory of capitalism in his work ever after. Harvey also recalls how teaching of Capital furthered his exploration of the urban condition and accumulation of capital, ultimately leading to the concept of “spatial fix.” Conditions of Postmodernity contends Harvey, taught him the importance of gender and feminist perspective and Justice, Nature written under extreme physical, professional, intellectual duress was intended to bring the “metabolic relation to nature” at the forefront. Economic liberalism propelled Harvey to introspect on his many volumes on the global neoliberal conditions, which he argues is now imbricated with issues of identity and intersectionality involving Black Lives and Me too. Harvey concludes that his intellectual journey has been a preoccupation to understand “contradictory unity between social relations in constant transformation” through Marx's power of abstraction to imagine an “anti-capitalist” future.
Cardiovascular health and risk of hospitalization with COVID-19: A Mendelian Randomization study
Authors: Cecelja Marina , Lewis Cathryn M. , Shah Ajay M. , Chowienczyk Phil
Published: November 2021

Background

Susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 is associated with risk factors for and presence of cardiovascular disease.

Methods

We performed a 2-sample Mendelian randomization to determine whether blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), presence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are causally related to presentation with severe COVID-19. Variant-exposure instrumental variable associations were determined from most recently published genome-wide association and meta-analysis studies (GWAS) with publicly available summary-level GWAS data. Variant-outcome associations were obtained from a recent GWAS meta-analysis of laboratory confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 with severity determined according to need for hospitalization/death. We also examined reverse causality using exposure as diagnosis of severe COVID-19 causing cardiovascular disease.

Results

We found no evidence for a causal association of cardiovascular risk factors/disease with severe COVID-19 (compared to population controls), nor evidence of reverse causality. Causal odds ratios (OR, by inverse variance weighted regression) for BP (OR for COVID-19 diagnosis 1.00 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99–1.01, P = 0.604] per genetically predicted increase in BP) and T2DM (OR for COVID-19 diagnosis to that of genetically predicted T2DM 1.02 [95% CI: 0.9–1.05, P = 0.927], in particular, were close to unity with relatively narrow confidence intervals.

Conclusion

The association between cardiovascular risk factors/disease with that of hospitalization with COVID-19 reported in observational studies could be due to residual confounding by socioeconomic factors and /or those that influence the indication for hospital admission.
Fournier’s gangrene mimicking an acute epididymitis
Authors: Larsen Kalee , Paige Amy , Mutyala Monica , Weber Benjamin , Slim Jihad
Published: November 2021

Fournier’s gangrene is a urologic emergency secondary to a necrotizing soft tissue infection. Fournier’s gangrene is characterized by severe pain and features of Fournier’s gangrene may include edema, blisters and bullae, crepitus, subcutaneous gas, and systemic symptoms. Risk factors include male gender, alcohol abuse, immunocompromised state, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, obesity, and malignancy. The diagnosis is made clinically but is often supported by radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment consists of emergent hospitalization and surgery to debride the necrotic tissues. Morbidity and mortality for Fournier’s gangrene are very high if left untreated. Early surgical intervention is key to the successful treatment of Fournier’s gangrene. This case report presents a case of Fournier’s gangrene mimicking acute epididymitis and highlights the importance of a thorough physical examination with high clinical suspicion for Fournier’s gangrene.
Identifying mechanisms of Epimedii Folium against Alzheimer’s disease via a network pharmacology approach Epimedii Folium treats Alzheimer’s disease via PI3K-AKT
Authors: Yan Zhao , Liu Guangmei , Yang Yang , Chen Ling , Shang Ying , Hong Qian
Published: November 2021

To elucidate the mechanism of the multi-target action of Epimedii Folium on Alzheimer’s disease, this study focuses on the analysis of network pharmacology. Based on a bioinformatics approach, this study obtained the effective components of Epimedium through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, predicted the compound targets through the Pharmapper and Swiss target prediction database and then through Gene Expression Omnibus Datasets and Therapeutic Target Database. We collected and analysed of heral and disease targets, constructed the network. Through the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, Gene Ontology enrichment, then the key targets and pathways of Epimedii Folium to cope with Alzheimer’s disease have been identified. Twenty-three bioactive components and 477 potential target genes of Epimedii Folium were identified. A total of 1612 target diseases were identified. Through network module analysis, 30 hub target genes were identified. Through enrichment analysis of the KEGG pathway, hub target genes were largely enriched in the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Through the analysis of network pharmacology, it was found that Epimedii Folium might play the role of multi-compound and multi-target therapy through the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide helpful directions for future clinical studies.
Project Managers’ Competencies in International Development Projects: A Delphi Study
Authors: Bashir Rabia , Sajjad Aymen , Bashir Shahid , Latif Khawaja Fawad , Attiq Saman
Published: November 2021

Project Managers’ (PMs) competencies are critical issues for international development projects (IDPs), and the success of IDPs is largely dependent on how prudently and effectively a PM manages the IDPs operations. So far, the topic of PMs Competencies is mainly explored in the private sector context using a survey-based research approach, and very few attempts have been made to examine the competencies of PMs in the IDPs sector. Accordingly, this study examines the PMs’ competencies at each phase of the project life cycle (Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing) by drawing on the sample of 15 PMs from the IDPs’ sector by employing a Delphi method, which enables aggregation of experts’ opinions in a more structured and systematic manner. Findings of this study proposed five of the most critical competencies within each phase of the project life cycle and ranked based on their relative importance, for example, leadership, communication, planning, innovation, motivation, etc. The findings contribute to emerging literature and bring new insights on project managers’ competencies in the IDPs sector.