bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fatigue analysis of wind turbine composite blade using finite element method
Authors: Boudounit Hicham , Tarfaoui Mostapha , Saifaoui Dennoun
Published: February 2023

In the past 30 years, wind turbine blades (WTB) have undergone significant development, increasing their size and introducing composites into manufacturing processes and using numerical simulation to assess their strength and structural integrity, helped increasing the number of installed wind turbine units as well as reducing the cost of wind generated energy. In this paper a DLoad subroutine was developed to assess monitor and evaluate the structural integrity of a large wind turbine blade under numerous static load scenarios. The fatigue study was carried using the finite element method, and the DLoad subroutine developed was used with ABAQUS finite Element analysis Software, and performed perfectly. The results show that the proposed layup parameters and the chosen composite materials gives to the wind turbine the desired structural strength. Furthermore, the DLoad subroutine for the fatigue study shows that the higher is the applied force the faster the blade fail. While, Hashin Criterion shows that the distribution of damage for the matrix and the fiber is all over the blade, but the failure only occurs after reaching an energy threshold which depends on the composite materials and the layup parameters used. Therefore, the chosen layup model will allow the wind turbine blade to withstand the extreme climatic conditions in the sea.
Advance Care Planning for Spanish-Language Speakers: Patient, Family, and Interpreter Perspectives
Authors: Puerto Geraldine , Chiriboga Germán , DeSanto-Madeya Susan , Duodu Vennesa , Cruz-Oliver Dulce M. , Tjia Jennifer
Published: February 2023

Language access barriers for individuals with limited-English proficiency are a challenge to advance care planning (ACP). Whether Spanish-language translations of ACP resources are broadly acceptable by US Spanish-language speakers from diverse countries is unclear. This ethnographic qualitative study ascertained challenges and facilitators to ACP with respect to Spanish-language translation of ACP resources. We conducted focus groups with a heterogeneous sample of 29 Spanish-speaking persons who had experience with ACP as a patient, family member, and/or medical interpreter. We conducted thematic analysis with axial coding. Themes include: (1). ACP translations are confusing; (2). ACP understanding is affected by country of origin; (3). ACP understanding is affected by local healthcare provider culture and practice; and (4). ACP needs to be normalized into local communities. ACP is both a cultural and clinical practice. Recommendations for increasing ACP uptake extend beyond language translation to acknowledging users’ culture of origin and local healthcare culture.
Prevalence of Research Design in Special Education: A Survey of Peer-Reviewed Journals
Authors: King Seth , Wang Lanqi , Nylen Brendon , Enders Olivia
Published: February 2023

Special education policy and scholarship have increasingly emphasized the use of research that encompasses interdependent methodological approaches designed to address specific questions. Consequently, the knowledge available to practitioners, policymakers, and other consumers is a function of the research designs featured in the literature. This study describes the prevalence of methodological approaches appearing in special education journals ( n = 33). An assessment of a sample of articles ( n = 12,669) published from 1999 to 2019 found that much of the published research ( n = 9,543) emphasizes nonexperimental, quantitative inquiry (57.86%). Experimental research is comparatively less common (25.51%) and encompasses both single-case (14.22%) and group experimental designs (11.29%). Qualitative studies (9.38%) appear far less frequently. Patterns of publication vary based on journal emphasis. A description of results is followed by a discussion of implications for the consumption and generation of evidence in special education.
“What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?”: Paternal Military Conscription During WWII, Economic Hardship and Family Violence in Childhood, and Health in Late Life in Japan
Authors: Fujiwara Takeo , Koyama Yuna , Isumi Aya , Matsuyama Yusuke , Tani Yukako , Ichida Yukinobu , Kondo Katsunori , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: February 2023

Childhood adversity is a risk factor for poor health in late life and includes economic hardship and family violence, whose prevalence is high among offspring of military conscripted father. We assessed the association between paternal military conscription (PMC) and paternal war death (PWD) during Second World War and self-rated health (SRH) among older adults in Japan. Data were obtained from a population-based cohort of functionally independent people aged 65 years or older from 39 municipalities across Japan in 2016. Information on PMC and SRH was obtained through a self-report questionnaire. A total of 20,286 participants were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression to investigate the association between PMC, PWD, and poor health. Causal mediation analysis was performed to see whether childhood economic hardship and family violence mediated the association. Among participants, 19.7% reported PMC (including 3.3% PWD). In the age- and sex-adjusted model, older people with PMC showed higher risk of poor health (odds ratio [OR]: 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.06, 1.28]), while those with PWD were not associated (OR: 0.96, 95% CI [0.77, 1.20]). Causal mediation showed a mediation effect of childhood family violence exposure on the association between PMC and poor health (proportion mediated: 6.9%). Economic hardship did not mediate the association. PMC, but not PWD, increased the risk of poor health in older age, which was partially explained by the exposure to family violence in childhood. There appears to be a transgenerational health impact of war which continues to affect the health of offspring as they age.
Making the Myths of Dating Violence Visible: Developing a New Scale and Testing Its Psychometrics Through Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Evidence
Authors: Toplu-Demirtaş Ezgi , Soysal Demet Esra , Aracı-İyiaydın Ayşegül , Mesut Cansel
Published: February 2023

Myths refer to misperceptions, overgeneralizations, or ideas that most people believe in but do not necessarily reflect the truth. To date, research on the myths surrounding dating violence (DV) has not received much attention, most probably due to the lack of a validated measure. Thus, we developed a standardized measure to gauge DV myths and test its psychometrics. The instrument’s design is based on three studies utilizing cross-sectional and longitudinal sets of data. In Study 1, in a sample of 259 emerging adults, predominantly college students, the explanatory factor analysis revealed a solid three-factor structure. In Study 2, in a separate sample of 330 emerging adults, primarily college students, we cross-validated the factor structure via confirmatory factor analysis. We also provided evidence for concurrent validity. In Study 3, we revealed that our newly developed scale had predictive validity among dating and non-dating emerging adults, mostly college students, via longitudinal data. Based on the findings from three studies, we can buoyantly announce that the Dating Violence Myths scale is a promising novel and standardized tool for measuring beliefs about DV. The cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence alludes to a need for DV myths to be debunked to reduce psychological DV attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors among emerging adults.
Wear performance analysis and optimization of process parameters of novel AA7178/nTiO2 using ANN-GRA method
Authors: Bharat Nikhil , Bose P.S.C.
Published: February 2023

The current research investigates the microstructural and wear behaviour of nano TiO2 particles with concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%, which were reinforced with an AA7178 metal matrix composite using a stir casting method. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) methods were used to model the wear characteristics and attain the optimal values of the input process parameters such as load, sliding speed, nanoparticles’ weight percentage, and sliding distance. An L16 orthogonal array was used for the design of the experiment. An investigation of the variance of grey relationship grade revealed that the wt.% of nano-size TiO2 particle had a substantial impact on both the friction coefficient and wear rate i.e.,70.30%. Analysis of the nano-composite's wear behaviour was carried out effectively using an ANN model. The main reason for the worn-out surface was micro-cutting and micro-ploughing, as evidenced by scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs obtained at load (40 N), weight percentage of nano TiO2 (3 wt.%), sliding speed (1 m/s) and sliding distance (2000 m).
Machining performance on AISI 304 steel in the milling machine with mechanical and hydraulic spindle
Authors: Shirazi Mehdi , Hojjati Najafabadi Akbar , Amini Saeid
Published: February 2023

Milling machines are widely used for producing a range of products used across various industries such as mold and dies, consumer products, automotive, etc. One of the main components of a milling machine is the spindle drive. The spindle essentially provides the rotational movement of the cutting tool and the power required for material cutting. Commonly, a servo or gearbox electric motor is used for powering the spindle. An alternative method is to use a hydraulic-powered motor. In this study, a hydraulic-powered spindle is developed and installed on a milling machine. Analysis of the milling process with the hydraulic spindle as well as the determination of machining parameters is compared with the conventional mechanical spindle. Mechanical spindles have disadvantages such as unstable spindle speeds under different operating conditions, mechanical impedance in gears, and thermal stress problems, which can have negative effects on part surface quality and cutting forces. On the other hand, the hydraulic spindle has advantages, such as higher stability, higher performance accuracy, and thermal stress removal, which may be the main factors in this study. Milling experiments were performed using AISI 304 stainless steel to compare the performance of the hydraulic spindle with the mechanical spindle in terms of surface roughness and cutting forces. Three factors including spindle rotational speed, feed rate, and depth of cut were selected as input parameters. The results showed that surface roughness and cutting force in hydraulic spindle milling improved significantly compared to that from the mechanical spindle.
How Children Develop Healthy Behavioral Choices to Promote Illness Prevention
Authors: LoBue Vanessa , Bonawitz Elizabeth , Leotti Lauren , Fefferman Nina
Published: February 2023

Children’s understanding of contagion has been a fruitful area for studying children’s learning. However, despite a large literature on children’s conceptual understanding of illness, there is very little research on the impact of children’s knowledge about illness transmission on adaptive behavior. This is important because how children behave when faced with a sick individual or a contaminated object is what is most relevant to whether children get sick and pass along that illness to other people. Here, we will bring together various theories of how children learn to behave adaptively when faced with the possibility of getting sick (a) to better illuminate the different ways by which children might acquire health-related behaviors and (b) to help develop recommendations for designing interventions aimed at teaching children about contagion and illness prevention in a way that produces the most adaptive health behaviors.
Who and What is Driving Remote Working Research? A Bibliometric Study
Authors: Šímová Tereza , Zychová Kristýna
Published: February 2023

In the light of the recent pandemic, remote working has become an inseparable part of our lives and a critical factor for many organizations. The article aims to review the last 10 years (2010–2020) of remote working research publications (in Business and Management Studies). We used a bibliometric analysis of 1,996 publications from the Web of Science. We created a conceptual structure map to describe core concepts of remote working research. We used the historical direct citation network to show the most important research. Based on our results, the USA, the United Kingdom and China are the leading countries. Results identified two historical areas of research—the first cluster connected by the topic of the multicultural dimension and the second cluster addressing issues of trust and communication, knowledge sharing, virtualness and leadership. The identified core concepts are organization and remote working capabilities, behaviour in remote working, consequences of remote working, management issues, home and gender. We conclude by summarizing the results of the bibliometric study into a theoretical framework for adaptation to remote working that will provide direction for future research and practical insights for policy and organizations.
The Role of Latina Peer Mentors in the Implementation of the Alma Program for Women With Perinatal Depression
Authors: McKimmy Caitlin , Levy Joseph , Collado Anahi , Pinela Kenia , Dimidjian Sona
Published: February 2023

This study examines the role that compañeras (peer mentors) play in the implementation of a program, Alma, which was designed to support Latina mothers who are experiencing depression during pregnancy or early parenting and implemented in the rural mountain West of the United States. Drawing from the fields of dissemination and implementation and Latina mujerista (feminist) scholarship, this ethnographic analysis demonstrates how the Alma compañeras facilitate the delivery of Alma by creating and inhabiting intimate mujerista spaces with other mothers and create relationships of mutual and collective healing in the context of relationships de confianza (of trust and confidence). We argue that these Latina women, in their capacity as compañeras, draw upon their cultural funds of knowledge to bring Alma to life in ways that prioritizes flexibility and responsiveness to the community. Shedding light on contextualized processes by which Latina women facilitate the implementation of Alma illustrates how the task-sharing model is well suited to the delivery of mental health services for Latina immigrant mothers and how lay mental health providers can be agents of healing.
The HEXACO Adjective Scales and Its Psychometric Properties
Authors: Romano Daniele , Costantini Giulio , Richetin Juliette , Perugini Marco
Published: February 2023

The HEXACO model divides the space of personality into six main dimensions: Honesty–Humility, Emotionality, eXtraversion, Agreeableness (vs. anger), Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience. Despite the lexical foundation, no validated adjective-based instruments are available yet. This contribution describes the newly developed HEXACO Adjective Scales (HAS), a 60 adjectives instrument to measure the six main personality dimensions. Study 1 ( N=368) proceeds to the first pruning of a large set of adjectives to identify potential markers. Study 2 ( N=811) delineates the final list of 60 adjectives and provides benchmarks for the new scales’ internal consistency, convergent/discriminant, and criterion validity. Study 3 ( N=411) confirms the HAS factorial structure, internal consistency, and criterion validity. The study also provides evidence of temporal stability (test–retest reliability) and convergence between raters (peer/self-evaluation). The HAS shows excellent psychometric properties and constitutes a valuable tool for assessing the HEXACO personality dimensions using adjectives.
Emotion Regulation Difficulties Moderate the Association Between Typical Drinking and Sexual Assault Victimization Among Sexual and Gender Minority University Students
Authors: Kirwan Mitchell , Leone Ruschelle M. , Davis Kelly Cue , Orchowski Lindsay M. , Gilmore Amanda K.
Published: February 2023

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) students report higher alcohol consumption, emotion regulation difficulties, and sexual assault victimization severity than cisgender, heterosexual individuals. A sample of 754 undergraduate students completed an online survey assessing alcohol use, emotion regulation, and sexual victimization. Regression analyses indicated that, among SGM students with higher emotion regulation difficulties, typical weekly drinking was positively associated with sexual assault victimization severity, but among cisgender, heterosexual students and SGM students with lower emotion regulation difficulties, there was no association between drinking and victimization severity. Thus, SGM students benefit from interventions targeting alcohol use and emotion regulation difficulties.
Building a Gender Equality Agenda for Mexico Focused on Men
Authors: Ramirez-Rodriguez Juan Carlos , Gutiérrez-de-la-Torre Norma Celina
Published: February 2023

The aim of this work is to show the elements required for building a public policy agenda that will incorporate men in the construction of gender equality. It is based on multimethod and multi-stage research, with the participation of professionals from academia, civil society and in public service working on subjects connected to men and masculinities in Mexico, and proposes a structure for the agenda with five thematic axes (violence, health, shared responsibility, cultural norms and vulnerability), two transverse axes (social inequality and development), and two principles (human rights and social justice).
Online teaching and learning in physical education teacher education: A mixed studies review of literature
Authors: Murtagh Elaine M , Calderón Antonio , Scanlon Dylan , MacPhail Ann
Published: February 2023

Delivering physical education teacher education (PETE) programmes through online platforms has been proposed as an alternative (or complementary) to traditional in-person modes of learning. Focusing on empirical studies, this mixed studies review explores the use of online teaching and learning in PETE and synthesises literature published between 2010 and 2020. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. A data-based convergent synthesis design is adopted. Pedagogies and technologies commonly used are examined. Studies using a blended approach to teaching and learning provide more detail about the pedagogies and technologies used than those studies using a fully online model. There is scant information regarding the principles underpinning the development and delivery of online PETE courses. We provide extensive insights into the key learning from the experiences of faculty and pre-service teachers who engage with online teaching and learning in PETE. Our findings suggest online instruction may suit particular students and facilitate a shift to independent learning. Teaching and learning in the online space can impact the development of relationships, both positively and negatively. Furthermore, constructivist pedagogies should be prioritised, alongside support for students and teacher educators to develop online learning competence. Our review highlights considerations for teacher educators engaging in online teaching and learning in PETE and implications for future research.
‘Go on keep going’: The instruction of sustained embodied activities
Authors: Szczepek Reed Beatrice
Published: February 2023

This study investigates the instruction of sustained embodied activities, that is, activities that require a continuous, sustained embodied effort. The context is horse-riding lessons. Riding instructors are shown to teach sustained embodied activities in orientation to four temporalities. Most fundamentally, they co-construct these activities as an ongoing and continuing timeline, for example, by giving action-continuing directives and by projecting continuation prosodically. In addition, instructors attend to the temporal organization of individual component actions of the activity. They situate actions in the past, present, or future along the timeline of the sustained activity; they co-construct the duration of individual actions as flexible; and they orient to individual actions as brief and transient. The analysis reveals practices that do not initiate or respond to specific actions but that accompany an activity as such, treating progression itself as a target for instruction and calling into question the often-assumed sequential adjacency of action pairs.
Ethical challenges in participatory research with children and youth
Authors: Loveridge Judith , Wood Bronwyn Elisabeth , Davis-Rae Eddy , McRae Hiria
Published: February 2023

The growth of relational, participatory, collaborative and emergent research approaches in recent years has brought new ethical challenges for research with children and youth. These approaches require greater consideration of the specific social and cultural contexts of the research, along with the greater emphasis on researcher–participant relationships that often occur over sustained periods of time. Very few tools are available to help researchers think through the everyday ethical dilemmas such research can raise. In this article, we review the theoretical underpinnings of feminist and indigenous research methodologies that have encouraged these emerging approaches. Through examining an 18-month Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) project case study, we critically review ethical moments relating to negotiating consent over a sustained period of time, enhancing co-design and navigating power issues between adult and youth researchers. We conclude with a number of questions to ‘think with’ when reflecting on ethical research with children and youth.
Proximity effects in the electron ionisation mass spectra of substituted cinnamamides
Authors: Michalik Adam R , Fenwick Nathan W , Telford Richard , Johnson Archie W , Martin William HC , Bowen Richard D
Published: February 2023

The electron ionisation mass spectra of an extensive set of 53 ionised monosubstituted and disubstituted cinnamamides [XC6H4CH=CHCONH2, X = H, F, Cl, Br, I, CH3, CH3O, CF3, NO2, CH3CH2, (CH3)2CH and (CH3)3C; and XYC6H3CH=CHCONH2, X = Y = Cl; and X, Y = F, Cl or Br] are reported and discussed. Particular attention is paid to the significance of loss of the substituent, X, from the 2-position, via a rearrangement that is sometimes known as a proximity effect, which has been reported for a range of radical-cations, but is shown in this work to be especially important for ionised cinnamamides. When X is in the 2-position of the aromatic ring, [M – X]+ is formed to a far greater extent than [M – H]+; in contrast, when X is in the 3-position or 4-position, [M – H]+ is generally much more important than [M – X]+. Parallel trends are found in the spectra of XYC6H3CH=CHCONH2: the signal for [M – X]+ dominates that for [M – Y]+ when X is in the 2-position and Y in the 4-position or 5-position, irrespective of the nature of X and Y. Further insight is obtained by studying the competition between expulsion of X· and alternative fragmentations that may be described as simple cleavages. Loss of ·NH2 results in the formation of a substituted cinnamoyl cation, [XC6H4CH=CHCO]+ or [XYC6H3CH=CHCO]+; this process competes far less effectively with the proximity effect when X is in the 2-position than when it is in the 3-position or 4-position. Additional information has been obtained by investigating the competition between formation of [M – H]+ by the proximity effect and loss of CH3· by cleavage of a 4-alkyl group to give a benzylic cation, [R1R2CC6H4CH=CHCONH2]+ (R1, R2 = H, CH3).
Fitting anger and patient wrongdoing
Authors: Tully Ian
Published: February 2023

As a result of the stress of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers have been expressing a great deal of frustration and anger, sometimes directed at patients who have chosen not to get vaccinated. This paper examines the moral status of such anger in light of philosophical treatments of anger's purpose, benefits, and drawbacks. A theory of appropriate anger is sketched, after which healthcare workers’ anger toward perceived patient wrongdoing is assessed in light of philosophical considerations for and against anger. Ultimately, it is argued that it would be better for nurses and doctors not to experience this kind of anger, and this conclusion is used to motivate a moral case for additional support for overtaxed healthcare workers.
Video-Assisted-Thoracoscopic-Surgery Pleural Decorticator for Emergency Empyema Surgery
Authors: Ariyaratnam Priyadharshanan , Tcherveniakov Peter , Milton Richard , Lodhia Joshil , Chaudhuri Nilanjan
Published: February 2023

Background/need

Pleural empyemas carry a high morbidity and mortality. Some can be managed with medical treatment but most require some form of surgery with the goals to remove the infected material from the pleural space and to help re-expand the collapsed lung. Keyhole surgery by Video Assisted Thoracoscopy Surgery (VATS) is rapidly becoming a common approach to deal with early stage empyemas to avoid larger, more painful thoracotomies that hinder recovery. However, the ability to achieve those aforementioned goals is often hindered by VATS surgery due to the instruments available.

Methodology and device description

We have developed a simple instrument called the “VATS Pleural Debrider” to achieve those goals in empyema surgery that can be used in keyhole surgery.

Preliminary results

We have used this device in over 90 patients with no peri-operative mortality and a low re-operation rate.

Current status

Used in routine urgent/emergency pleural empyema surgery across 2 cardiothoracic surgery centres.
Retrograde Percutaneous Tracheostomy. Early Experience With a Cadaveric Case Report
Authors: Omar Amr S.
Published: February 2023

Despite the many accomplishments since the introduction of percutaneous dilational (PDT) tracheostomy, we continue to observe emerging complications as we forge ahead in intensive care practice. As a result of this, we provide a new technique that could avoid some complications, notably posterior tracheal wall injury, bronchoscopic or endotracheal tube puncture, and false track. The new technology was evaluated on a 75-year-old Caucasian male cadaver was selected for a novel PDT technique. A wire with a sharp terminal end passed through the bronchoscopic channel and punctured the trachea from inside towards the skin. The wire was pulled and directed towards the mediastinum. The rest of the technique was carried out like a routine procedure. The procedure was technically feasible; further clinical trials are required to confirm the validity of this technique.
Transformative Inclusion: Differentiating Qualitative Research Methods to Support Participation for Individuals With Complex Communication or Cognitive Profiles
Authors: Kenny Neil , Doyle Alison , Horgan Finbar
Published: February 2023

Recent decades have seen an increase in the use of qualitative research methods within disability research, often seeking to include the voices of individuals with disabilities in research informing policy and service provision. However, such cohorts of participants often present with diverse communication profiles, leading to negative assumptions about their capacity to participate in traditionally common forms of qualitative data collection, such as interviews or focus groups. This effectively marginalises them from participating in research relevant to their lives and social inclusion. The current paper argues that, despite the existence of a range of participatory methods, there remain barriers across methodological approaches to the inclusion of participants with complex profiles within qualitative research. In particular, there is a lacuna within the literature regarding how to specifically differentiate or appropriately adapt qualitative methods to support access. An additional lack of guidance regarding the selection of methods and planning of research is also an issue. Drawing from a transformative perspective, this paper proposes adopting Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to guide researchers in in how to differentiate the planning, designing, and conduct of research with participants with disabilities presenting with complex communication profiles. While UDL is not being proposed as an alternative to existing research methodologies, its principles provide a framework for researchers to select from existing methods or approaches in a flexible manner depending on the profile of participants they will be working with. A range of existing approaches and methods are discussed with examples that illustrate how they have been used to support participation and inclusion within qualitative research studies.
The PDP feedback control design and exponential stability for a star-shaped network of open channels
Authors: Zhao Dongxia , Pang Yuting , Guo Yaping , Wang Junmin
Published: February 2023

This paper investigates the stability of a star-shaped network of open channels under the position and delayed position (PDP) feedback controller. Firstly, we deal with the special case of a single channel, and the well-posedness and exponential stability of the closed-loop system are established by using the semi-group theory and a strict Lyapunov function. The explicit dissipative conditions for system parameters and time-delay are presented. Then, we analyze the delay-independent stability of the closed-loop system by the method of characteristic. Next, we extend the PDP control design to the star-shaped network of [Formula: see text] channels with [Formula: see text] inlet channels and one outlet channel, and the exponential stability can be obtained similarly. Finally, we give some numerical simulations for the special case of three channels.
Reconstruction of the accessory renal artery with autogenous vessels in aortic hybrid surgery: A case report
Authors: Zhou Kun , Duan Hui , Hu Hankui , Guo Qiang , Zhao Jichun
Published: February 2023

Objective

Accessory renal artery (ARA) is a common variant of renal vessels. Currently, there are some controversies about reconstruction strategy and few cases reported in the literature. Individualized treatment should be carried out according to preoperative renal function evaluation and technical level.

Methods

In this paper, a 50-year-old male patient was reported, who developed a dissecting aneurysm after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and needed further intervention. Imaging showed that the left kidney was supplied by bilateral renal artery (false lumens), and there were left renal malperfusion complicated with abnormal renal function.

Results

Autologous blood vessels were used to successfully reconstruct ARA with during hybrid surgery. Renal perfusion and renal function recovered rapidly after operation. There was no abnormality in renal indexes after 3 months follow-up.

Conclusion

It is beneficial and necessary to reconstruct ARA for patients with renal malperfusion or abnormal renal function before operation.
A retrospective case–control study for the comparison of 5-year survival rates: the role of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in craniofacial bone sarcoma in adults
Authors: Hofmann Elena , Preissner Saskia , Hertel Moritz , Preissner Robert , Rendenbach Carsten , Flörcken Anne , Heiland Max
Published: February 2023

Background:

The impact of adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of craniofacial bone sarcomas has not been clarified. This study aimed to assess whether survival outcomes differed between patients who underwent adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods:

A retrospective search for adult patients diagnosed with malignant neoplasms of the craniofacial bones (International Classification of Diseases 10 codes C41.0–C41.1), within the past 20 years from the access date 28 April 2022, was conducted using the TriNetX network (TriNetX, Cambridge, MA, USA). Cohort I included patients who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and cohort II included patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A refined search for individuals that received common chemotherapeutic agents, such as methotrexate, doxorubicin, cisplatin, and/or ifosfamide, was conducted and patients were assigned to cohort A (adjuvant chemotherapy) and cohort B (neoadjuvant chemotherapy). Following matching for age and sex, Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed, and risk ratio, odds ratio (OR), and hazard ratio were calculated.

Results:

Patients were assigned to two cohorts, with 181 patients each after matching. In cohorts I and II, 55 and 41 patients died, respectively. No significant differences were found between the two cohorts regarding the 5-year survival probability (I: 59.87% versus II: 68.45%; p = 0.076; log-rank test), or the risk of dying (I: 0.304 versus II: 0.227; risk difference: 0.077; p = 0.096). The risk analysis before matching for age and sex showed a significant survival benefit in cohort II (OR: 1.586; p = 0.0295; risk difference: 0.093). After a refined query to identify patients treated with methotrexate, doxorubicin, cisplatin, and/or ifosfamide, the two cohorts included 47 patients, respectively. In cohort A (adjuvant chemotherapy), 19 patients died, whereas 12 patients died in cohort B (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) within 5 years after diagnosis. Further analysis indicated a greater survival in cohort B, but the survival probability between the cohorts did not differ significantly (A: 43.55% versus B: 54.49%; p = 0.171).

Conclusion:

The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy may improve survival rates in patients with surgically treated craniofacial bone sarcomas. Due to the retrospective nature of this study, randomized controlled studies are required to derive treatment recommendations.
Prognostic role of soluble PD-1 and BTN2A1 in overweight melanoma patients treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab: finding the missing links in the symbiotic immune-metabolic interplay
Authors: Incorvaia Lorena , Rinaldi Gaetana , Badalamenti Giuseppe , Cucinella Alessandra , Brando Chiara , Madonia Giorgio , Fiorino Alessia , Pipitone Angela , Perez Alessandro , Li Pomi Federica , Galvano Antonio , Gristina Valerio , Barraco Nadia , Bono Marco , Bazan Russo Tancredi Didier , Toia Francesca , Cordova Adriana , Fanale Daniele , Russo Antonio , Bazan Viviana
Published: February 2023

Individual response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is currently unpredictable in patients with melanoma. Recent findings highlight a striking improvement in the clinical outcomes of overweight/obese patients treated with ICIs, which seems driven, at least in part, by programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)-mediated T-cell dysfunction. A putative role of butyrophilins (BTNs) is under investigation as a novel mechanism of cancer immune evasion and obesity-associated inflammation. This study investigates the role of baseline plasma levels of soluble PD-1 (sPD-1), soluble programmed cell death ligand 1 (sPD-L1), BTN2A1 (sBTN2A1), BTN3A1 (sBTN3A1), along with body mass index (BMI), as predictive biomarkers of immunotherapy response in metastatic melanoma patients treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab as first-line treatment. In all, 41 patients were included in the study. The baseline plasma level of sPD-1 was significantly lower, and the sBTN2A1 was significantly higher, in long-responder patients to nivolumab or pembrolizumab (median sPD-1: 10.3 ng/ml versus 16.6 ng/ml, p = 0.001; median sBTN2A1: 4.4 ng/ml versus 3.77 ng/ml, p = 0.004). Lower levels of sPD-1 and higher levels of sBTN2A1 were also significantly associated with better overall response rate. Notably, when we further stratified the study cohort using BMI along with sPD-1, patients with BMI ⩾ 25 and sPD-1 < 11.24 ng/ml had longer time to treatment failure after PD-1 inhibitor than other subgroups of patients ( p < 0.001). Circulating sPD-1 and sBTN2A1 detection, along with BMI, could give more insights into the immune-metabolic interactions underlying the benefit observed in overweight/obese patients, improving the use of dynamic, noninvasive, biomarkers for patient selection.
Educational Vlogs: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hassan Ragia H.
Published: February 2023

This article presents a systematic review of the literature on the role of educational vlogging in enhancing learning and teaching outcomes. The researcher analyzed a total of 60 papers published from 2011 to 2021 using qualitative analysis with complementary quantitative analysis. The findings shed light on the vital role of vlogging in education over the last decade. This systematic review provides scholars and practitioners in the fields of education and educational technology with valuable information about how to improve learning and teaching through vlogging. The data was collected using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method. The findings indicated that students and teachers have a positive attitude toward vlogging. Vlogging in higher education is more extensive than in K-12. The main subject in which vlogging is used in K-12 was language, while the main subject in higher education (HE) was found to be reflective practices.
Factors Associated With the Use of Traditional Medicine in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Legesse Fitsum Meseret , Babanto Akalework Mengesha
Published: February 2023

Traditional medicine is widely used for the management of various health problems in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to explore factors influencing the use of traditional medicine in Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia. In conducting the study, the qualitative method was used, involving 45 in-depth interviews with traditional practitioners, patients and caregivers. Thematic analysis was conducted in analyzing data. The findings revealed that the use of traditional medicine was influenced by five major themes: perceived inefficacy of biomedicine, perceived incurability of some diseases via biomedicine, testimonies of effectiveness of traditional medicine, affordability of traditional medicine and feeling of embarrassment to present medical conditions to practitioners of biomedicine. It was also found that traditional medicine was an accepted medical practice and was likely to remain so despite the expansion of modern healthcare services. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the role and use of traditional medicine as an alternative medical practice and ensure its best possible contribution to the local healthcare system.
Perspectives of the Teachers on Challenges and Possibilities to Online System of Education amid COVID-19 Outbreak in Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors: Gul Rani , Tahir Tehseen , Ishfaq Umbreen
Published: February 2023

The study investigates the issues of access, quality, and other major challenges to the online system of education for students in Balochistan during this pandemic of Covid-19. Using the mixed-method design, 100 participants from schools and 7 curriculum experts responded to the survey and the interview questions. Survey results suggested that majority of the schools have enough digital devices, and teachers, to some extent, have skills to use technology in teaching, but limited electricity, funds, weak internet connections, and teacher training were some of the major challenges for them. In interviews, the participants showed disappointment in terms of responsiveness of the curriculum because the textbooks have manifold deficiencies in responding to online education. Considering these deficiencies, proposals were suggested to cope with the existing situation. The findings of the study call for the need on the part of the academia, educational stakeholders, and elected representatives to start joint efforts with national and international donor agencies, technology benefactors and telecommunication operators in developing digital infrastructure to provide students with access to education, quality, and lifelong learning through various pathways. The findings can be generalized to other underdeveloped regions both within and across the country, as the public schools are confronting the same issues and the online system of education has not yet been initiated.
Perioperative Complications Following Spine Surgery in Adult Patients with Achondroplasia
Authors: Chan Julie L. , Quintero-Consuegra Miguel D. , Kanim Linda E.A. , Kropf Michael A. , Bernstein Robert , Perry Tiffany G. , Walker Corey T. , Danielpour Moise , Tuchman Alexander
Published: February 2023

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study

Objectives

To describe the common types of complications and their risk factors during spine surgery in patients with achondroplasia.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of medical records of adult achondroplasia patients who underwent spine surgery at our institution between 2007 and 2021. Inclusion criteria were achondroplasia and age >16 years. Surgical encounters were evaluated for durotomy, postoperative neurologic deficit, wound compromise, medical complications, and return to the operating room. Statistical analysis included evaluation of relationships across complications and fisher exact test applied to bivariate/categorical variables and t-test/ANOVA for continuous variables. Multivariable analysis using logistic regression was performed to account for patient characteristics

Results

Fifty-five patients with achondroplasia underwent 95 surgeries. Forty-nine percent of the surgeries involved a complication. These included durotomy (33.7%), neurologic deficit (11.6%), wound compromise (6.3%), and other medical complications (6.3%). Thirteen percent of surgeries required return to the operating room. The greatest number of complications occurred in thoracolumbar region (60.0%) compared to cervicothoracic (18.2%) and craniocervical junction (33.3%). Chronologically later surgical encounters had decreased complications and durotomies only occurred in thoracolumbar surgeries (45.7%).

Conclusions

Adult patients with achondroplasia undergoing surgery chronologically later in this set of consecutive patients were at a decreased risk for complications. Thoracolumbar surgeries were at the greatest risk for durotomies. Male sex was a risk factor for durotomy, while age was a risk factor for neurologic deficit. The potential for adverse surgical events should be considered when evaluating patients with achondroplasia for spine surgery.
Telangiectatic Capillaries in Retinal Vascular Occlusions: Multimodal Imaging in a Case Series
Authors: De Oliveira Marcela R.V. , Mota Isabela , Higino Taciana MM , Ventura Camila V. , Japiassú RM , Gantois Michelle
Published: February 2023

Introduction: To report a cases series of retinal vascular occlusions with telangiectatic capillaries (TelCaps) seen on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and multimodal imaging. Methods: In this case series, a new finding (TelCaps) was seen on clinical examination, fundus evaluation, fluorescein angiography, ICGA, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results: This series comprised 3 patients with TelCaps findings on ICGA after retinal vascular occlusions. The patients’ ages ranged from 52 years to 71 years and the best-corrected visual acuity in the affected eye, from 20/25 to 20/80. Fundus evaluation showed small, hard exudates in the vascular termination close to the macula with a reduction of the foveal reflex. The OCT images showed marginal hyperreflectivity and inner hyporeflectivity that were suggestive of a TelCaps lesion, which was confirmed by hyperfluorescence in the late phase of ICGA. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of performing multimodal imaging evaluation, including ICGA, in eyes with retinal vein occlusions for early identification and management of the associated lesions.
Multimodal Imaging of Choroidal Lesions in an Elderly Man With Uveal Lymphoid Hyperplasia
Authors: Chancellor John R. , Weng Christina Y.
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To describe the case of an elderly man who was incidentally found to have multiple hypopigmented choroidal lesions in the left eye in the absence of intraocular inflammation. Methods: A case report was analyzed, including the laboratory workup and imaging results. Results: The workup for conditions, including birdshot chorioretinopathy, syphilis, and tuberculosis, were negative. Ancillary imaging confirmed a diagnosis of uveal lymphoid hyperplasia (ULH). The patient was stable under observation for more than 1 year. Conclusions: Careful examination and imaging findings can aid in differentiating between ULH and other diagnoses.
Effective removal of hexavalent chromium with magnetically reduced graphene oxide bentonite
Authors: Cao Shoufa , Guo Jingmao , Ma Jianchao , Chen Enqing , Pang Jin , Zhang Siyu , Hao Haidong , Wu Danlei , Wang Shaobin
Published: February 2023

Water pollution by hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is widespread and problematic. As a result, more research into economic Cr(VI) removal is needed. In this study, we created and employed an adsorption–reduction mechanism to remove Cr(VI). Magnetically reduced graphene oxide bentonite (MrGO-BT) is acid resistant and can undergo magnetic separation. The hydroxyl group of chitosan (CS) condensed with the functional groups on the surface of bentonite (BT), and the MrGO-BT sandwich has been fabricated and constructed from an Fe3O4 core layer sandwiched by reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and a BT shell, with CS acting as a crosslinker. Cr(VI) elimination by MrGO-BT was exothermic and spontaneous according to thermodynamic analyses. The adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms were characterized by the pseudo-second order kinetic theory and the Langmuir model, respectively. Regarding the elimination of Cr(VI), the greatest adsorption ability for Cr(VI) elimination achieved was 91.5 mg g–1. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggested that Cr(VI) was reduced by C–O–H on MrGO-BT to produce Cr(III) and H–C=O, and that Cr(III) chelated with amino groups or exchanged with BT after intercalation. In addition, the introduction of Cu2+ increased the positive charge of MrGO-BT and amplified the electrostatic interaction between Cr2O72− and HCrO4–, which is what caused Cr(VI) to be eliminated. Cu2+ and reduced Cr(III) combined with -NH2 on the surface of MrGO-BT to form -NH-Cr(III) or -NH-Cu2+, and Cr(VI) elimination via chelation and ion exchange was confirmed. MrGO-BT is shown to be an adsorbent with high acid resistance and good magnetic responsiveness and stability.