bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-Palestinian racism and the criminalisation of international solidarity in Europe
Authors: Fekete Liz
Published: May 2024

In this polemic against state policies and sections of the mainstream media in France, Germany, Italy and the UK since 7 October 2023 in relation to Israel/Palestine, the author exposes the ways in which a concerted anti-Palestinian racism interacts with civilisational racism and the criminalisation of international solidarity. The piece, based on speeches and briefings by the author in 2023–24, foregrounds the attack on the Palestinian diaspora in Europe. It focuses on the way a moral panic around shows of solidarity with Palestine have been fomented; the suppression of the works of artists, academics and public figures, including prominent Jewish anti-Zionists, who question official narratives; the equation of solidarity with terrorism and antisemitism and hence a reframing of what constitutes ‘hate crimes’; and the restrictions on the right to protest.
The case for metacognition support in a flipped STEM course
Authors: Clark Renee M. , Guldiken Rasim , Kaw Autar , Uyanik Ozge
Published: May 2024

The metacognitive strategies of planning, monitoring, and evaluating can be promoted through systematic reflection to drive self-directed, lifelong learning. This article reports on a three-year study on systematic written reflection within an undergraduate Fluid Mechanics course to promote planning, monitoring, and evaluation. Students were prompted weekly to reflect on their in-class problem-solving, classroom and exam preparation, performance, behaviors, and learning in a flipped classroom at a large southeastern U.S. university. In addition, they received intentional instruction on how to plan, monitor, and evaluate their problem-solving during class. To enable a comparative assessment, a flipped classroom without these interventions was also implemented as a non-experimental cohort. The cohorts were compared using a final exam, concept inventory, and the Metacognitive Activities Inventory (MCAI). The MCAI indicated a significantly higher positive change (pre- to post-course) in self-regulatory behavior for the experimental cohort ( p = 0.037). The weekly reflections were studied using an inductive content analysis to assess students’ self-regulatory behaviors. They were also used to investigate statistical associations between reflection content and course outcomes. This revealed that academic self-discipline via planning, monitoring one's work, or being careful and diligent may be as aligned with course performance in STEM as is practice with the problem-solving itself. The effects for the final exam in the experimental cohort were positive overall as well as statistically or practically significant for various demographic strata. These results provided evidence for the potential enhancement of course performance with metacognition support. A positive shift in students’ perspectives regarding the value of the reflection questions was observed throughout the study. Therefore, as an implementation guide for other educators, the reflection questions and any changes made in posing them to students are discussed chronologically. Overall, the study points to the desirability of providing metacognition support in a STEM course.
Jeremiah as the model city: ‘Iron pillar’ as temple language in Jeremiah 1.18
Authors: Seth Houston Joshua
Published: May 2024

Scholars debate the originality and meaning of the phrase ולעמוד ברזל in Jeremiah 1.18. Whereas some suggest the phrase is not original to the Hebrew text and thereby dismiss the issue, others suggest the phrase signifies Jeremiah’s ability to stand strong in the face of trouble. Neither option adequately places the trifold description of Jeremiah’s ministry in its historical and narrative contexts. Thus, this article argues that Jeremiah’s description as an ‘iron pillar’ serves as an allusion to the temple, imagining Jeremiah as the ideal city in comparison to Jerusalem—God’s original ideal city.
Evacuation Efficiency under Different Departure Time and Destination Choice Preferences
Authors: Lee Jooyong , Kockelman Kara M.
Published: May 2024

This paper presents a microsimulation analysis of interdependent evacuation decisions concerning departure times and destination choices in the hurricane-vulnerable coastal area of Houston, TX. Utilizing cumulative prospect theory (CPT), two predominant behaviors were identified: those of risk-conscious- and time-cautious evacuees. Risk-conscious evacuees predominantly departed early, leading to clustered departures, whereas time-cautious evacuees displayed a more evenly spread departure pattern, presumably avoiding the final stretch of the allocated 6-h window to prevent late arrivals. Time-cautious evacuations emphasized the early departure of residents from high-risk coastal zones such as Galveston Island, steering them toward safer inland refuges. On the other hand, risk-conscious evacuees tended to elect closer destinations to avoid extended travel, experiencing longer travel times, but arriving at destinations earlier owing to their early departures. Interestingly, a hybrid scenario with an equal blend of both behaviors yielded the best traffic outcomes, highlighting the potential advantages of diversified behavior. When comparing CPT with multinomial logit (MNL) outcomes, the MNL model led to a wider dispersion of departure times and exacerbated traffic conditions. A noteworthy observation was the lack of a staggered evacuation strategy in the time-cautious MNL configurations. However, the results were based on simulation data, and further validation will be needed with real-world evacuation data.
Polymer foam fabricated via surfactant foaming method enables high-performance solar interfacial evaporation
Authors: Li Hao , Cao Xulei , Tao Naili , Wang Yaoyao , Dong Weixiong , Meng Guihua , Wu Jianning
Published: May 2024

Solar interfacial evaporation is considered as a low energy consumption, low cost, and sustainable desalination technology. However, its practical application is still limited by complex preparation processes and low photothermal conversion efficiency. In this work, we report novel polymer foam (Agar/SA/GO-Ag composite foam). It is prepared by simple and convenient surfactant foaming and in-situ reduction methods and consists of graphene oxide (GO) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) (photothermal conversion medium) as well as Agar and sodium alginate (SA) (basic skeleton) for use in solar-powered interfacial evaporation systems. The prepared foam has excellent wettability and achieves 96.7% light absorption in the full spectrum range. A high evaporation rate of 2.55 kg·m−2·h−1 and a high evaporation efficiency of 97.3% were obtained under the conditions of simulated sunlight (1.0 kW·m−2). Moreover, the foam exhibits good reusability in a 10-cycle test without obvious attenuation in evaporation performance. Foam is used for seawater desalination and wastewater purification, and the treated water meets the water quality standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). In short, this work demonstrates a sustainable strategy for low-cost and efficient solar-powered clean water production.
Experimental investigation on energy absorption capability of 3D printed onyx nested rings under lateral loading
Authors: Yalçın Muhammet Muaz
Published: May 2024

This study presents a focused experimental exploration into the energy absorption characteristics and failure mechanisms of nested circular rings under lateral loading. The rings were 3D printed using the fuse deposition modeling method with an onyx material containing chopped carbon fiber. The dimensions of the rings were determined to be the same in width and thickness, while the diameter had four different values. The samples of nested rings consist of at least two and up to five individual rings. These samples were obtained by using individual rings in various different sequences and orders. Two different configurations for each nested sample type were also studied to observe the effect of the ring sequences and orders on the energy absorption capability. It is concluded from the results that even though the single ring with the smallest diameter has the highest force values, the highest energy absorption and specific energy absorption values were obtained in another single ring. The alignment of the single rings has a superior effect on the energy absorption capacity of the nested samples. Also, a gain in absorbed energy was observed in nested samples due to the interaction between the single rings. This interaction showed that the algebraic summation of the energy values of single rings used in a nested sample was lower than the energy value of the same nested sample. In the nested samples, the absorbed energy increased proportionally to the number of single rings. However, the crashworthiness parameters were affected quite differently from the energy absorption capacity. While the highest energy absorption values are obtained in nested samples with five single rings, other nested samples reached the highest values in terms of some of the crashworthiness parameters. The NR5-A sample absorbed 52% and 88% higher energy compared to the same combination of nested samples, which contain four and three single rings, respectively. Additionally, the specific energy absorption value of this sample is 32% and 47% higher than the same nested samples mentioned above. Considering these results, it can be expressed that the NR5-A sample is the best design in terms of an ideal energy absorption structure.
Establishing Methods to Assess Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Compliance Using the Global Standards and Women’s Self-Reported Experiences
Authors: Lokeesan Laavanya , Martin Elizabeth , Miller Yvette D.
Published: May 2024

The World Health Organization recommends assessing compliance with key clinical practices of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI; Steps 3–9) using birthing women’s self-reports. Globally, compliance is mainly assessed using health staff reports, and the use of women’s self-reports in selected countries has deviated from the Global Standards for the BFHI. Therefore, we aimed to provide insight into the appropriate method of incorporating women’s self-reports in assessing compliance with Steps 3–9 of the BFHI. We developed questions and coding algorithms for assessing compliance with Steps 3–9 based on Global Standards for BFHI compliance, and implemented them via a cross-sectional survey of 302 women who gave birth to a live baby in Sri Lankan hospitals. Compliance with specific practices within each of Steps 3–9 and overall compliance with each step were described as percentages. Compliance with specific practices and each BFHI Step ranged from 15.9%–100% and 7.0%–100%, respectively. Our findings particularly emphasize the potentially enhanced usefulness and robustness of assessing all specific practices within BFHI key clinical steps and not focusing only on one practice within a step, to derive more useful health service guidance globally for capturing BFHI compliance and its impact on breastfeeding outcomes. This method could be translated across multiple settings globally. It would enable more specific identification of care advancements required by health services to improve the effectiveness of breastfeeding support and address the prevailing undervaluing and under-use of women’s experiential data to evaluate and guide health service improvement.
My experience as an Executive-in-Residence in a College of Education
Authors: Hub Kevin F.
Published: May 2024

There has been very little written about the experiences of an Executive-in-Residence in a College of Education (School/Department in the UK context). This first-person reflection examines the role, expectations, benefits, and frustrations of this “middle leader” position. Further research in this area is recommended to explore whether the long-term advantages of appointing retired school superintendents to this position exist.
The specter of authenticity: Social science after the deconstruction of Romanticism
Authors: Watts Galen , Houtman Dick
Published: May 2024

In a long-forgotten essay, Alvin Gouldner defended the distinctive contributions of Romantic social science. Today, half a century later, very few would risk making a similar plea. Owing to its deconstruction, the discourse of Romanticism has increasingly fallen out of favor in the social sciences, meaning social scientists have progressively come to see Romanticism as less a resource for critique than a bourgeois ideology warranting critical scrutiny. Yet the truth is quite a bit more complicated. For despite its disapproval at the level of social science's explicit culture, Romanticism continues to serve, at the level of implicit culture, as a potent resource for social analysis. We start with a clarification of what we mean by Romanticism. While Romanticism may be an amorphous and multifaceted structure of thought and feeling, like Gouldner, we do not think it lacks coherence. Thus, we outline what we take to be the core dimensions of the ‘Romantic syndrome’, and then survey some of its key figures in Western social thought. Next, we move to a discussion of three select studies about the infiltration of Romanticism into the capitalist heartland—the sphere of work. We demonstrate how, consistent with our argument that Romanticism has become increasingly symbolically polluted within social science, each of these studies critiques the Romantic turn at work, while nevertheless anchoring their critiques in Romanticism, albeit in increasingly implicit fashion. We conclude by offering some reflections on why Romanticism continues to haunt contemporary social science—and why this matters.
Optimization and comparative analysis of an AISD suspension system with inerter element for enhanced ride and handling
Authors: Rizal Reda , Keshavarzi Ahmad , Armansyah  , Harmanto Dani , Kolahdooz Amin
Published: May 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the modeling and optimization of an advanced suspension system, known as the Air Springs Inerter-Spring-Damper (AISD) system, incorporating an inerter element. A linear quarter car model is utilized to analyze the vibrational behavior of the AISD system when subjected to harmonic road disturbances. The steady-state response of the system is investigated by deriving the root mean square (RMS) values of the absolute relative displacement and acceleration of the sprung mass. To optimize the quarter car model, a criterion based on minimizing the absolute acceleration RMS while considering the relative displacement RMS is employed to calculate the inerter coefficient. The performance of the AISD suspension system is compared to that of both conventional quarter car systems and traditional air quarter car systems, with a focus on ride comfort and handling. The results demonstrate that the proposed AISD system outperforms the other two suspension systems, exhibiting a significant improvement in ride quality. Specifically, the AISD system achieves a 45% enhancement over the air suspension and an 82% improvement over the classic suspension system.
Estimation of optimal process parameters for minimum wear in the application of SiC/RHA reinforced Al7075 hybrid composites using ANN, ANFIS, and GA
Authors: PS Sivasakthivel , R Sudhakaran
Published: May 2024

Increasing demand for high-performance materials has led to the exploration of composite materials for enhanced mechanical properties. In this study, a composite of silicon carbide particulate and rice husk ash (RHA) in varying proportions was utilized to reinforce an aluminum alloy (Al7075) hybrid composite fabricated through the stir casting technique. Microstructure examination via an optical microscope ensured the homogeneous distribution of reinforced particles. Wear was evaluated using a pin-on-disc apparatus, considering material factors (% of SiC and % of RHA) and mechanical wear factors (load applied, speed of rotation, and sliding distance). Experimental data were used to develop artificial neural network and adaptive neural fuzzy inference system models, which demonstrated high predictive accuracy. An objective function, formulated to minimize wear via regression analysis, guided the application of a genetic algorithm to determine optimal process parameters. The optimal combination, resulting in a minimum wear of 34.5 µm, comprised 12% SiC, 7% RHA, a sliding speed of 1.9 m/s, an applied load of 11.5 N, and a sliding distance of 715 mm. This study concludes with recommendations for further research and implications for composite material design and optimization.
Impact of Metacognitive Ability on the Performance of Employees Working in Teams and the Moderating Role of Team Characteristics
Authors: Bajaj Bhavna , Jain Shilpa , Singh Aarushi , Bajaj Aakash
Published: May 2024

Employee performance is affected by both individual- and team-level factors. The current work investigates the impact of an individual’s metacognitive ability on their performance at the workplace while accounting for the impact of team characteristics on employee performance. The responses for the study were collected from 180 work teams consisting of 1,216 employees. The respondent teams were classified as one of the 36 distinct types of teams conceptualized in the study. Multi-level modelling was used to explore employee performance, both in conjunction with and independent of team characteristics. The analysis was done on only accurately calibrated responses ( n = 852). The results demonstrated a 33.8% variance in employee performance that can be explained by metacognitive ability alone. The findings also suggest that metacognitive ability positively impacts the performance of employees across a wide variety of work teams, such that most team characteristics fail to significantly impact employee performance once the impact of metacognitive ability is accounted for. Though team tasks and team size continue to impact employee performance, their incremental contribution to explaining the variance in employee performance becomes quite small. The results strongly support the influence of metacognitive ability on employee performance. The implications of the study are discussed.
Migrant Vulnerabilities: ‘Guest Workers’ in Kerala
Authors: Cherian Anand Panamthottam , Rajan S. Irudaya
Published: May 2024

This article explores numerous socio-economic facets of internal migrants from West Bengal, including their subjective conceptions of their social standing and social class, and analyses how these facets are intimately tied to growth in Kerala. In Kerala, a sizeable portion of internal migrants come from North India. With approximately 2.5 million internal migrants in 2013 and a population growth of 235,000 annually, Kerala is a preferred destination state for migrant labourers in India. Migrant workers from outside have grown to be a significant and essential component of the Kerala economy as a result of the state’s demographic shifts and high rates of educated unemployment, which has led to a severe labour shortage for low-wage frontline jobs. Due to the extreme labour scarcity, the state’s unorganised industries are seeing exceptionally high pay rates. Most migrants come from impoverished and marginalised communities and are employed in the state’s unorganised sector. These migrants frequently find themselves on the periphery of society despite being essential to the economy. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to job losses worsening the situation for migrant workers. The article examines the position of migrants in West Bengal, the source state, and Kerala, the destination state. Further, the article explores the governance of labour migration within the context of migration policies adopted in Kerala and examines how the term ‘guest workers’, which is used to describe internal migrants, can be seen as a distinct, complicated social dynamic in and of itself.
Transferability and Generalization in Qualitative Research
Authors: Drisko James W.
Published: May 2024

This article examines the development of the concept of transferability in qualitative research and how it is similar to and different from generalization. Transferability is a process of abstraction used to apply information drawn from specific persons, settings, and eras to others that have not been directly studied. The concept of transferability has been minimally discussed in the social science and social work literature. The more widely used term, generalization, is poorly distinguished from transferability. This article explores the development of the concept of transferability in qualitative research, clarifying how it differs from universal generalization. Issues of who makes such transfers are examined. Several methods for conceptualizing transfers are detailed. Some types of generalization identified in the literature seem more accurately described as transfers when conceptualized fully.
Developmental Trajectories Leading to Hostility Toward Women: A Structural Equation Modeling Study
Authors: Deli Caroline , Garant Etienne , Gauthier Alexandre , Proulx Jean
Published: May 2024

Hostility toward women is frequently examined as a risk factor for violence against women, but research on its antecedents is sparse. The aim of this study was to explore the developmental and psychological antecedents associated with hostility toward women in a Canadian sample of sexual aggressors of women. Drawing on Malamuth’s confluence model of sexual aggression, we developed a multifactorial model of hostility toward women, using structural equation modeling. The results indicate the presence of three trajectories, all starting from childhood victimization and leading to hostility toward women, involving antisocial characteristics, emotional negativity, anxiety, and depression.
Farmers’ use of Indigenous knowledge on climate change adaptation across farming systems and agroecological zones of Sierra Leone
Authors: Oladele Oladimeji Idowu , Amara Augustine
Published: May 2024

The qualitative analysis of farmers’ use of Indigenous knowledge on climate change adaptation across farming systems and agroecological zones of Sierra Leone was conducted using a combination of interpretive phenomenological analysis, Focus Group Discussions, and participant observation, which was analyzed with a qualitative interpretative approach. Farmers respond to climate change through the use of wind and cloud patterns, animal and bird behavior, moon shape, and position of the sun to predict changes in temperature, intensity, drying up of rivers, and frequency of rainfall, as well as the incidence of pests and diseases. Other Indigenous knowledge used by farmers were rotational grazing, migration, crop-livestock integration, and the use of manure for composting with herbal and biological treatment for disease management. The study recommended that in the current context of climate change, the promotion of adaptation strategies should explore the interdependency of different knowledge systems and knowledge hybridity in agriculture.
Evaluation of Online Shoulder Instability-Related Patient Education Materials
Authors: Arif Haad A. , Morales Jose A. , Howard Roland , Silva Michael A. , Sebt Seena , Edmonds Eric W.
Published: May 2024

Background: Younger patients are more likely than older patients to experience shoulder instability and to rely on online educational resources. Although the Internet has increased patient access to medical information, this may not translate to increased health literacy. Purpose: We sought to analyze the quality and readability of online information on shoulder instability. Methods: We conducted a Google search using 6 terms related to shoulder instability. We collected the first 20 non-sponsored results for each term. Readability was evaluated using the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), and Gunning Fox Index (GFI) instruments. Quality was assessed using a Quality Grading Sheet (QGS) and the validated DISCERN instrument. Results: A total of 64 of 120 patient educational materials (PEMs) met the inclusion criteria. The mean FKGL, FRE, and GFI scores were 9.45 ± 0.552, 50.51 ± 3.4, and 11.5 ± 0.6, respectively. The mean DISCERN score and QGS rating were 33.09 ± 2.02 and 10.52 ± 1.28, respectively. While 49 (76.6%) articles discussed operative treatment for persistent shoulder instability, only 4 (6.3%) mentioned risks associated with surgery. Non-institutional sources had higher DISCERN scores than those from medical institutions. Conclusions: This review of online shoulder instability-related PEMs suggests that many do not meet current recommendations, with an average quality rating of “poor” and a mean ninth-grade reading level. Surgeons should be aware of the relative paucity of information on the risks and outcomes associated with operative treatment of shoulder instability contained in these PEMs.
Processing and characterization of high-performance thermoplastic composites manufactured by laser-assisted automated fiber placement in-situ consolidation and hot-press
Authors: Liu Jia , Wang Suping , Yang Haitao , Zhu Dalei , Guangquan Yue
Published: May 2024

Due to the short dwell time of processing temperature and pressure, the quality of the composite manufactured by AFP was not equal to the traditional processing method like autoclave or hot-press. Deeply understanding the mechanism of differences was conducive to improving the performance of the composite manufactured by AFP. In this study, the properties of high-performance carbon fiber reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (CF/PPS) thermoplastic composites manufactured by laser-assisted automated fiber placement (LAFP) in-situ consolidation and hot-press was characterized and compared. The temperature history of LAFP in situ consolidation indicated that the heating and cooling process occurred during a few seconds. And the crystallinity was only 21.6% for the laminate from LATP, while the void content was 2.75%. Due to the low crystallinity, high void content and low interlaminar bonding, the ILSS of the laminate from LAFP in situ consolidation was 34.9% lower than that of hot-press. However, the mode Ⅰ fracture toughness was 103.7% higher than hot-press.
Case report: Deep vein arterialization for limb salvage in a patient with subacute limb ischemia
Authors: Chim Michelle Si Min , How Guo Yuan , Hong Qian Tai , Lo Zhiwen Joseph , Pua Uei
Published: May 2024

Background

Successful revascularization of the lower extremity is key to avoiding amputation in patients with subacute limb ischemia. Percutaneous deep vein arterialization (DVA) is a novel endovascular technique which allows the shunting of blood through an arteriovenous fistula and native vein into the lower limb, typically employed in no-option chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

Method

We present a case illustrating the unconventional use of DVA for limb salvage in a patient presenting with subacute limb ischemia refractive to surgical treatment, endovascular revascularization, and medical therapy.

Result and Conclusion

The arteriovenous anastomosis allowed for the reconstitution of arterial inflow to the patient’s foot, thereby avoiding major limb amputation.

Conclusion

The conventional knowledge that DVA neo-conduits require maturation limiting its role in the treatment of subacute limb ischemia is challenged. However, further research is needed to establish its role and effectiveness for subacute limb ischemia.
Impact of rifaximin use in infections and mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Idalsoaga Francisco , Robles Camila , Ortiz Andrea , Corsi Oscar , Fuentes-López Eduardo , Díaz Luis Antonio , Ayares Gustavo , Arrese Marco , Arab Juan Pablo
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

Infections in patients with cirrhosis are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Rifaximin is an antibiotic used to treat and prevent hepatic encephalopathy (HE); however, it has been suggested that it may play a crucial role in reducing infections in these populations.

Aim:

To evaluate the role of rifaximin in preventing frequent cirrhosis-related infections [spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), and bacteremia], Clostridioides difficile infection, and all-cause mortality, as well as determining adverse effects and adherence to the drug.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on decompensated cirrhotic patients with history of HE between January 2017 and November 2022 at a university center. Patients with cirrhosis, regardless of their etiology and severity, were included in the study, encompassing both hospitalized and outpatient cases. The statistical analysis included adjusted general linear models, Poisson regressions, and propensity score matching.

Results:

We included 153 patients. The mean age in the cohort was 60.2 ± 12.3 years and 67 (43.8%) were women. The main cause of cirrhosis was metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease 52 (38%), and the median Model of End-Stage Liver Disease sodium was 16.5 (7–32). In the cohort, 65 (45%) patients used rifaximin. The mean follow-up was 32 months. Eighty-five patients with infectious events were recorded, and a total of 164 infectious events were registered. The main infectious events were UTIs (62, 37.8%) and pneumonia (38, 23.2%). The use of rifaximin was associated with lower infection rates, displaying an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) (0.47–0.89); p = 0.008]. However, no discernible impact on mortality outcome was observed [IRR 1.9, 95% CI (0.9–4.0); p = 0.09]. There were no reported adverse effects, and no patient discontinued the therapy due to adverse effects.

Conclusion:

The use of rifaximin significantly reduces infections in patients with cirrhosis and HE. Despite rifaximin was associated with a decreased all-cause mortality, this impact was not statistically significant in the adjusted analysis.
Phenotypic characterization of nonautoimmune diabetes in adult Ugandans with low body mass index
Authors: Kibirige Davis , Sekitoleko Isaac , Lumu William , Thomas Nihal , Hawkins Meredith , Jones Angus G. , Hattersley Andrew T. , Smeeth Liam , Nyirenda Moffat J.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Type 2 diabetes is common in relatively lean individuals in sub-Saharan Africa. It is unclear whether phenotypic differences exist between underweight and normal-weight African patients with type 2 diabetes. This study compared specific characteristics between underweight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m2) and normal-weight (body mass index of 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) adult Ugandans with new-onset nonautoimmune diabetes.

Methods:

We collected the demographic, clinical, anthropometric, and metabolic characteristics of 160 participants with nonobese new-onset type 2 diabetes (defined as diabetes diagnosed <3 months, body mass index <25 kg/m2, and absence of islet-cell autoimmunity). These participants were categorized as underweight and normal weight, and their phenotypic characteristics were compared.

Results:

Of the 160 participants with nonobese new-onset type 2 diabetes, 18 participants (11.3%) were underweight. Compared with those with normal weight, underweight participants presented with less co-existing hypertension (5.6% versus 28.2%, p = 0.04) and lower median visceral fat levels [2 (1–3) versus 6 (4–7), p < 0.001], as assessed by bioimpedance analysis. Pathophysiologically, they presented with a lower median 120-min post-glucose load C-peptide level [0.29 (0.13–0.58) versus 0.82 (0.39–1.50) nmol/l, p = 0.04] and a higher prevalence of insulin deficiency (66.7% versus 31.4%, p = 0.003).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that nonautoimmune diabetes occurs in underweight individuals in sub-Saharan Africa and is characterized by the absence of visceral adiposity, reduced late-phase insulin secretion, and greater insulin deficiency. These findings necessitate further studies to inform how the prevention, identification, and management of diabetes in such individuals can be individualized.
Mohammad Nakhshab’s concept of dialectical Tawhid: Vitalism and the question of monotheism
Authors: Rahimi Babak
Published: May 2024

This article examines the philosophical thoughts of Mohammad Nakhshab (1923-1970), the co-founder of the Movement of God-Worshipping Socialists ( Nazhat Khoda Parastan-e Sosialist) in Iran. It argues that Nakhshab articulates an innovative reconceptualization of Islam through the critical appropriation of socialism and its political and technoscientific implications for world progress. Divided into two sections, the paper first contextualizes Nakhshab’s writings and offers a close analysis of the philosophical aspects of his essays. I argue that Nakhshab’s preoccupation with the tawhidi (monotheistic) worldview, though in part a critical response to the growing popularity of materialist philosophy, is based on an inventive reconstruction of the Marxist-Leninist conception of nature and society as a conflict-ridden historical process oriented toward moral salvation. Against the ontology of dialectical materialism, Nakhshab advances a vitalistic idealism based on the notion of “vitality of will” ( nirou-ye eradi), realized through a collective force of movement as praxis in the world. In his conception of dialectical tawhid, Nakhshab envisages an Iranian society as a thoroughgoing socialist project grounded in the monotheistic worldview and ultimately aimed at an alternative modernity of spiritual force.
Multidisciplinary treatment of esophageal cancer with hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Jiang Mingming , Li Linyun , Liu Hongjie , Xie Hua
Published: May 2024

Cancer remains a major cause of death globally. Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive malignancies and has limited treatment options, thus resulting in high morbidity and mortality. We reported the case of a 65-year-old patient who came to the hospital for abdominal distension and loss of appetite. The patient’s endoscopy before admission indicated the possibility of esophageal cancer. After admission, an enhanced c﻿omputed t﻿omography (CT) scan of the chest and abdomen revealed esophageal stenosis and a liver tumor. The patient’s final diagnosis was esophageal cancer concurrent with liver cancer, and a series of treatments were administered. However, esophageal cancer with liver cancer is rare. The patient was treated with targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization simultaneously. Then, regular follow-up was performed at 1 month, and at 3 months, the patient was discharged after immunotherapy. We hope that through this case, we can improve the clinical understanding of these two types of tumors and thereby contribute to their treatment. Research and collaboration among health-care professionals are essential for improving tumor diagnosis and treatment.
Efficacy of nature killer cell combination chemotherapy for post-radical gastric cancer metastases: Case report
Authors: Yue Yongting , Zi Mengmeng , Feng Jianing , Wang Wenbang , Ren Zhaoqi , Wu Chuntao , Yang Zhaoyong
Published: May 2024

Nature killer cell therapy has shown strong efficacy in the field of oncology in recent years and has been applied to patients with metastases with the aim of improving the prognosis of advanced gastric cancer. A 59-year-old male with gastric adenocarcinoma with pancreatic metastasis (T4N0M1) who underwent radical surgery for gastric cancer with tumor metastasis was treated with oxaliplatin and tegafur combined with cellular reinfusion in stages. Computed tomograpy scan and serum tumor markers were monitored continuously after the treatment course. After five courses of combined treatment, the patient was in disease control with no significant side effects. At the last follow-up, the alpha fetoprotein had returned to its normal value with a poor display of low-density shadows in the body of the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer is insidious in origin and has a high mortality rate. The report provides clinical evidence for cell therapy of pancreatic metastatic cancer with improved quality of life.
Secondary pneumonia from herpes simplex is not so simple: A case report
Authors: Patel Vashistha M , Patel Shreya V , Childers Hunter , Townsley Erin
Published: May 2024

A 33-year-old female was admitted for community-acquired pneumonia. On presentation, she was tachypneic and tachycardic and leukocytosis at 28,900/µL. Chest imaging showed dense consolidation on the right upper lobe. Due to refractory worsening respiratory failure, she was intubated with mechanical ventilation. Initial bronchoscopy with culture data was negative. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was pursued on the fourth day. Repeat bronchoscopy revealed targetoid ulcerative lesions with erythema in the right middle, lower lobes and left lower lobe. We describe a case of herpes simplex virus pneumonia in an immunocompetent patient that occurred in the setting of acute bacterial infection.
The gamification and development of a chatbot to promote oral self-care by adopting behavior change wheel for Taiwanese children
Authors: Chang Wen-Jen , Chang Pei-Ching , Chang Yen-Hsiang
Published: May 2024

Background

Oral health is closely related to general health and quality of life. School-aged children are at a critical stage for developing their self-care ability in oral health. Digital interventions can encourage and facilitate oral self-care in children.

Objective

This study aims to present the development of an educational chatbot for school-aged children to address their oral self-care and evaluate its usability.

Methods

The development and evaluation of the chatbot for oral self-care consisted of four stages: target behavior analysis, intervention design, system development, and the chatbot evaluation. The target behavior analysis identified barriers to children's engagement in oral self-care based on dentists’ clinical observations; hence, the requirements for achieving the desired behavior were categorized according to the capability-opportunity-motivation behavior model. Interventional functions were created following the behavior change wheel. A menu-driven chatbot was created and evaluated for usability as well as likeability.

Results

The barriers and requirements for achieving good behavior in school-aged children's oral self-care were identified by the dental professionals. Intervention strategy incorporated specific functions enriched with gamification features to support school-aged children in developing their abilities for engaging in oral self-care. The intervention functions consist of capability establishment, motivation enhancement, and opportunity creation, which were designed to support children in their oral self-care practices. The designed chatbot was piloted with a convenient sample of 30 school-aged children and their accompanying parents at the pediatric dental clinic. The results indicated good usability, with a mean usability score of 79.91, and high likeability with a mean score of 4.32 out of 5 for the designed chatbot.

Conclusions

The educational chatbot incorporated a combination of clinical dentistry practice and guidelines, aiming to promote oral self-care behavior in school-aged children. The designed chatbot achieved high scores for its usability and user likability.
Corporate Governance and Credit Rating of Islamic Banks: Moderating Role of Shariah Governance Attributes
Authors: Baig Muhammad Mansoor , Malik Qaisar Ali , Ellahi Nazima
Published: May 2024

Shariah governance is the mechanism to monitor and implicate shariah compliance in Islamic banks. The study’s goal of exploring the Islamic bank’s governance attributes and credit scores or rating relationship in the presence of shariah board attributes as moderators. The study collected time-variant data from 22 Asian banks (286 observations) from 2006 to 2018. Applied descriptive statistics, correlations, Likelihood Ratio (LR) test and the Ordered Logistic Regression model, a suitable technique for the ordinal dependent variable. The study findings provide evidence of shariah governance’s moderating role in the relationship between corporate governance attributes and credit rating. Moreover, shariah board characteristics strengthen the association between the corporate board and credit worthiness nexus. This research recommends that credit score evaluating agencies consider the shariah governance characteristics in evaluating Ib’s credit rating. The shariah governance attributes as part of credit rating can be an appropriate method for investors to measure the shariah compliance level of Ibs. Accordingly, Ibs can gain the confidence of investors or sukuk investors by improving shariah compliance and can access competitive fund sources. The study’s uniqueness is in determining the impact of shariah governance attributes as moderators on the board-rating nexus. This study suggested that credit rating agencies revise or amend their assessment procedures for Ibs. Abundant literature is available from the owner’s point of view. Nonetheless, this research explores governance and shariah governance attributes concerning Sukuk holders.
Moderating Role of Sustainable Leadership on the Relationship Between Sustainable Project Management and Success: An Empirical Test in Public Sector Development Program
Authors: Liaqat Mian Muhammad Zawar , Ali Amanat , Khattak Muhammad Sajid , Arfeen Muhammad Irfanullah , Chaudhary Muhammad Azam I. , Awais Muhammad , Azhar Abuzar
Published: May 2024

Sustainable project management (SPM) is pivotal for enhancing sustainable project success (SPS) and transforming organizations into sustainable practices. Many prior studies empirically found that SPM is positively associated with SPS. This association can be further enhanced through sustainable leadership. However, the role of sustainable leadership as a moderator on the association between SPM and SPS has not been fully grabbed in the prior studies, especially the public sector development program (PSDP) in Pakistan remained unexplored. The study aimed to investigate the moderating role of sustainable leadership on the association between SPM and SPS in the PSDP projects in Pakistan. Using a quantitative survey-based design and the data from 285 completed PSDP projects collected through a single informant strategy, the hypothesized relationships were tested with the PLS-SEM-based hierarchical component modeling approach. The results revealed that SPM is positively associated with SPS and sustainable leadership moderates the association between SPM and SPS in this context. The study provides important insights into the emerging trend of SPM and SPS and evocatively contributes to the existing literature. The study also contributes to the practice and assists project managers, decision-makers, and policy-makers in planning and developing PSDP projects more effectively to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). The findings are also beneficial for other countries operating in similar circumstances.
The Grand Park Hotel: Using Accountability and Inclusive Leadership to Save a Failing Business
Authors: O’Neil Tamara , Coakley Lori A.
Published: May 2024

When a business is not performing well, the biggest challenge of the leader is to determine the root cause of the issues and address each issue to turn performance around. This case study focuses on the deterioration of a hotel once considered one of the “grandest hotels in New England,” and the efforts undertaken by its new general manager, Barbara Jones, to return the hotel to its earlier stature of grandeur, superior customer service, and financial performance. The case study requires students to understand the role trust, accountability and inclusive leadership play to heighten employee engagement, manage conflict, and improve overall organizational performance.
An Exploration of Entrepreneurial Marketing Dimensions and Competitive Advantage in Small and Medium Enterprises
Authors: Hanaysha Jalal Rajeh , Abuowda Abdallatif , Gulseven Osman
Published: May 2024

The prime focus of this article was on investigating whether the dimensions of entrepreneurial marketing have any effect on an enterprise’s competitive advantage in small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs’) setting. It further aims to close existing theoretical gaps in the previous literature concerning the scarce empirical studies on entrepreneurial marketing in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. In order to respond to this gap, a structured survey was designed for obtaining the required data from several owners as well as managers of diverse SMEs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). After completing data collection, the software of SmartPLS4 was used for validating the hypotheses and drawing conclusions. Based on the analysis, the results exhibited that innovativeness, resource leveraging, and customer intensity positively impact competitive advantage. The analysis also supported that opportunity focus, customer proactiveness, as well as value creation all positively affect competitive advantage. However, risk-taking dimension was found to be an insignificant predictor of competitive advantage. By providing insights into SMEs in the UAE context, this article enhances the prevailing knowledge on the connection among the selected elements of entrepreneurial marketing and competitive advantage.
Psychometric Evaluation of Brief Reason for Living Inventory for Adolescents (BRFL-A) Instrument in the Indonesian Language
Authors: Pandia Veranita , Fitriana Efi , Afriandi Irvan , Purba Fredrick Dermawan , Danasasmita Febrianti Santiardi , Ichsan Abdullah , Pradana Kent , Santoso Alfonso Haris Setia , Engellia Rita , Mardhiyah Fithriani Salma
Published: May 2024

Objectives. The Brief Reason for Living Inventory for Adolescents (BRFL-A) is used to assess protective factors against suicide in non-clinical settings. This study aimed to validate the psychometric properties of BRFL-A in Bahasa Indonesia. Methods. A total of 728 high-school and university students filled BRFL-A questionnaire and the results were analyzed. The reliability, content, convergent, discriminant, and factorial or construct validity, were investigated using content validity index Cronbach’s Alpha, while content validity index (CVI), confirmatory factor analysis, and Pearson product-moment correlation were assesed with MSPSS, SIS, INQ-15, and DASS-18. Results. The results showed that the Indonesian version of BRFL-A had good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, as well as content and concurrent validity, supporting both the 1-factor and the 5-factor model of factorial validity. Conclusions. The Indonesian version of the BRFL-A was valid and reliable to measure protective factors against suicide risk among adolescents and young adults in non-clinical settings.