bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comprehensive Bioinformatics Approach to Identify Molecular Signatures and Key Pathways for the Huntington Disease
Authors: Meem Tahera Mahnaz , Khan Umama , Mredul Md Bazlur Rahman , Awal Md Abdul , Rahman Md Habibur , Khan Md Salauddin
Published: November 2023

Huntington disease (HD) is a degenerative brain disease caused by the expansion of CAG (cytosine-adenine-guanine) repeats, which is inherited as a dominant trait and progressively worsens over time possessing threat. Although HD is monogenetic, the specific pathophysiology and biomarkers are yet unknown specifically, also, complex to diagnose at an early stage, and identification is restricted in accuracy and precision. This study combined bioinformatics analysis and network-based system biology approaches to discover the biomarker, pathways, and drug targets related to molecular mechanism of HD etiology. The gene expression profile data sets GSE64810 and GSE95343 were analyzed to predict the molecular markers in HD where 162 mutual differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected. Ten hub genes among them ( DUSP1, NKX2-5, GLI1, KLF4, SCNN1B, NPHS1, SGK2, PITX2, S100A4, and MSX1) were identified from protein-protein interaction (PPI) network which were mostly expressed as down-regulated. Following that, transcription factors (TFs)-DEGs interactions (FOXC1, GATA2, etc), TF-microRNA (miRNA) interactions (hsa-miR-340, hsa-miR-34a, etc), protein-drug interactions, and disorders associated with DEGs were predicted. Furthermore, we used gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to emphasize relevant gene ontology terms (eg, TF activity, sequence-specific DNA binding) linked to DEGs in HD. Disease interactions revealed the diseases that are linked to HD, and the prospective small drug molecules like cytarabine and arsenite was predicted against HD. This study reveals molecular biomarkers at the RNA and protein levels that may be beneficial to improve the understanding of molecular mechanisms, early diagnosis, as well as prospective pharmacologic targets for designing beneficial HD treatment.
Next-Generation Microfluidics for Biomedical Research and Healthcare Applications
Authors: Deliorman Muhammedin , Ali Dima Samer , Qasaimeh Mohammad A
Published: November 2023

Microfluidic systems offer versatile biomedical tools and methods to enhance human convenience and health. Advances in these systems enables next-generation microfluidics that integrates automation, manipulation, and smart readout systems, as well as design and three-dimensional (3D) printing for precise production of microchannels and other microstructures rapidly and with great flexibility. These 3D-printed microfluidic platforms not only control the complex fluid behavior for various biomedical applications, but also serve as microconduits for building 3D tissue constructs—an integral component of advanced drug development, toxicity assessment, and accurate disease modeling. Furthermore, the integration of other emerging technologies, such as advanced microscopy and robotics, enables the spatiotemporal manipulation and high-throughput screening of cell physiology within precisely controlled microenvironments. Notably, the portability and high precision automation capabilities in these integrated systems facilitate rapid experimentation and data acquisition to help deepen our understanding of complex biological systems and their behaviors. While certain challenges, including material compatibility, scaling, and standardization still exist, the integration with artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, smart materials, and miniaturization holds tremendous promise in reshaping traditional microfluidic approaches. This transformative potential, when integrated with advanced technologies, has the potential to revolutionize biomedical research and healthcare applications, ultimately benefiting human health. This review highlights the advances in the field and emphasizes the critical role of the next generation microfluidic systems in advancing biomedical research, point-of-care diagnostics, and healthcare systems.
I saw myself as an important piece of a jigsaw puzzle: Parents experiences of their child’s anaesthesia induction
Authors: Almerud Österberg Sofia , Andersson Lisbet
Published: November 2023

Anxiety in children, as well as their parents, is common in high-tech environments such as an operating room. This study aimed to describe parents’ experiences of being present when their child is being anaesthetised. Twenty-four parents were interviewed and data were analysed using a descriptive phenomenological approach. Findings show that being present at a child's anaesthesia and surgery is a long, continuous process that begins at home. Parents struggle to face strong emotions in a special and frightening environment, focussing on their child's well-being while trying to remain control in this situation. Security and trust are vital, but it’s challenging to relinquish control in an uncertain situation. Professional caregivers can promote trust and participation, but an awareness that something can go wrong affects parents on a deep level. In conclusion, parental presence at induction of anaesthesia is important but can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing for some parents. Parents should be seen as a resource rather than a disturbance. Overall, the healthcare system should prioritise parents' involvement and seek to create an environment where they feel supported and included.
Penal hybridization: State influence and local resistance at a community-based reentry organization
Authors: Mackey Benjamin J
Published: November 2023

As mass incarceration and supervision decline in the U.S., subtler forms of “invisible punishment” continue to affect individuals with a history of legal system involvement. Increasingly, the state recedes from direct involvement in invisible punishment, instead devolving responsibility—and potentially controlling at a distance—community-based organizations. In the process, punishment in the community is shaped by both the state and various segments of civil society. The present ethnography examines how staffers at a community-based reentry organization are subject to and resistant to state influence, and how this resistance generates new forms of invisible punishment. While state influence directs staffers to provide services focused on altering clients’ internal dispositions, staffers resist state influence by encouraging members to be their own advocates against the penal system. This agonistic process of resistance generates a hybridized form of invisible punishment, commingling the organizational goals and routines of penal state authorities with those of reentry staffers who see advocating against structures of punishment as a core mission. The final, hybridized form of this mode of penalty requires the client not only to look inward to effect dispositional changes, but also to look outward to be an active agent advocating against the exclusionary penal structures affecting them.
Characterisation of Gaina cocoon foam: A promising and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials
Authors: Bahuguna Vivek , Rakesh Pawan Kumar , Mandal Apurba , Kumar Deepak
Published: November 2023

Increasing demand for polymeric foams, usually made of petroleum-based polymers, has raised concern about solid waste and its environmental impact, forcing scientists and researchers to find some biodegradable alternatives. However, these alternatives have limitations such as high density, more handling and processing costs, water and humidity-based degradation in cell structure, and inability to perform at elevated temperatures. This study discovers and examines a naturally occurring cellular material, the ‘Gaina’ cocoon, which is readily accessible in Uttarakhand hills and is inexpensive and biodegradable. Giana cocoon was found to have a density of 0.064 g/cc, which is lower than other natural biodegradable materials and very close to that of manufactured PLA foam. The morphological analysis revealed that the material has a cellular structure with irregularly shaped and sized cells. It has a semi-crystalline structure and is composed chiefly of carbon. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy showed that the Gaina cocoon foam has carbon and hydrogen as prime and major contributors. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed various functional groups inside the cocoon, which will help understand its bonding with various matrices or materials. The differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) peak at 145°C was the largest (from 100°C to 181°C), showing a maximum heat transfer of about 278.325 J/g. The material is also thermally stable up to 260°C and has a lower density than other biodegradable foams on the market. Overall, these discoveries provide light on the features of this natural cellular material, which has potential uses in various industries, like packaging, insulation, and building.
Anishinaabek Giikendaaswin and Dùthchas nan Gàidheal: concepts to (re)center place-based knowledges, governance, and land in times of crisis
Authors: Chiblow Susan , Meighan Paul J
Published: November 2023

Land is not a commodity, and dominant western society is unsustainable. Examples of unsustainability include severance of peoples from lands and waters; separation of peoples from centers of decision-making; and dispossession of the lands, and traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). IPLCs at the frontlines of the climate crisis are often excluded on vital decisions regarding land management and protection. Taking an emic interpretation by means of lived experiences and auto-ethnographic responses to question prompts, this paper explores the international implications of Anishinaabek Giikendaaswin and Dùthchas nan Gàidheal as concepts that can (re)center IPLC place-based knowledges, sustainable governance, and lands in times of climate crisis. Anishinaabek Giikendaaswin is about the learning from the lands, N’ibi (the waters), and the sky world. It is a lived knowledge that has guided and continues to guide Anishinaabek Peoples. G’giikendaaswinmin informs Anishinaabek interconnectedness and interrelationality to the lands, all beings, and the sky world. Dùthchas is a millenia-old kincentric concept, informing a Gàidheal (Gael) way of life and traditional land governance that predate the formation of the United Kingdom. Dùthchas transmits a sense of belonging to, not possession of the land, and stresses an interconnectedness and ecological balance among all entities. The authors (Anishinaabe and Gàidheal) respond to critical questions, such as How do Giikendaaswin and Dùthchas center knowledges that can ensure collective continuance of life? Through a common theme of interconnectedness and what this means for reconstitutive real-life practice, they demonstrate how Indigenous concepts and science based on the expertise of IPLCs can address continued colonial atrocities and current crises. Giikendaaswin and Dùthchas have international and transnational implications as discourses of resistance not only to the Anthropocene, but also to ongoing processes of dispossession.
Entanglement of support and governance in digital curriculum instruments: The case of educational reform in Norway
Authors: Bernotaite Simona , Ottesen Eli
Published: November 2023

Digital instruments developed to support education practices add new dimensions to education governance. Among such developments is the digitisation of the national curriculum through instruments that govern teachers’ planning practices. In this article, a semiotics of configurations approach is applied to analyse a digital instrument, the Curriculum Planning Tool (CPT), developed with a renewal of the Norwegian curriculum to close the gap between the national curriculum and local enactment. The findings demonstrate how the CPT produces a structured vision of the teaching planning process through a template-like arrangement of planning components. Simultaneously, through enabled forms of action, the instrument controls the teaching planning process while leaving a place for pedagogic autonomy to determine teaching and assessment forms within the limits of the national curriculum. Finally, the CPT operationalises the intentions of curriculum renewal by creating expectations for teacher collaboration which can also contribute to increased process control where teachers control each others’ practice. This article contributes to the understanding of the potential of digital curriculum support instruments to shape relations between hard and soft modes of governance.
Outcomes After Open Surgical, Hybrid, and Endovascular Revascularization for Acute Limb Ischemia
Authors: Konstantinou Nikolaos , Argyriou Angeliki , Dammer Felicitas , Bisdas Theodosios , Chlouverakis Gregory , Torsello Giovanni , Tsilimparis Nikolaos , Stavroulakis Konstantinos
Published: November 2023

Purpose:

To report the performance of surgical treatment (ST), hybrid treatment (HT), and endovascular treatment (ET) for patients with acute limb ischemia (ALI).

Methods:

This is a retrospective, comparative study of all consecutive patients with ALI treated in 2 tertiary centers between April 2010 and April 2020. Amputation and/or death (amputation-free survival; AFS) was the primary composite endpoint. Mortality, major amputation, and reintervention during follow-up were additionally analyzed. Proportional hazards modeling was used to identify confounders, results are presented as hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results:

In total, 395 patients (mean age=71.1±13.6 years; 51.1% female) were treated during the study period. Surgical treatment was preferred in 150 patients (38%), while 98 were treated by HT (24.8%) and 147 by ET (37.2%). Rutherford class IIa was the most common clinical presentation in the ET group (50.3%), whereas Rutherford IIb was most common in the ST (54%) and HT (48%) groups (p<0.001). Significantly, more patients presented with a de novo lesion in the ST and HT groups (79.3% and 64.3%, respectively) compared with ET (53.7%; p<0.001). Median follow-up was 20 months (range=0–111 months). In the multivariate analysis, ET showed significantly better AFS during follow-up compared with ST (HR=1.89, 95% CI=1.2–2.9, p<0.001) and HT (HR=1.73, 95% CI=1.1–3.1, p<0.001). Mortality during follow-up was also significantly lower after ET compared with ST (HR=2.21, 95% CI=1.31–3.74, p=0.003) and HT (HR=2.04, 95% CI=1.17–3.56, p=0.012). Endovascular treatment was associated with lower amputation rate compared with ST (HR=2.27, 95% CI=1.19–4.35, p=0.013) but was comparable with HT (HR=2.00, 95% CI=0.98–4.06, p=0.055). Reintervention rates did not differ significantly between the groups (ET vs ST: HR=1.52, 95% CI=0.99–2.31, p=0.053; ET vs HT: HR=1.3, 95% CI=0.81–2.07, p=0.27).

Conclusion:

Endovascular treatment for ALI was associated with improved AFS and comparable reintervention rates compared with open surgical and hybrid therapy.

Clinical Impact

Treatment of acute lower limb ischemia remains a challenge for clinicians with high morbidity and mortality rates. Endovascular revascularization is considered first line treatment for many and hybrid treatments are becoming more common, however data is limited to either old trials, small series or with short follow-up. We present herein our 10-year experience with all available devices and techniques for open surgical, endovascular and hybrid acute limb ischemia treatments and compare their outcomes.
Study Protocol for the Breathe Easier Trial: A Pilot RCT of a Dyad-Based, Multiple-Behavior Intervention for Improving Physical and Emotional Health in Survivors Facing Lung Cancer
Authors: McDonnell Karen Kane , Andrews Jeannette O. , Yang Chih-Hsiang , Newsome Brandi R. , Weinkle Ella , Davis Jean Elizabeth , Dunsiger Shira
Published: November 2023

Background:

Research targeting survivors of lung cancer has yet to adequately address the management of physical deconditioning and unresolved symptoms (dyspnea, fatigue). The objective of the Breathe Easier trial is to test the feasibility and preliminary effects of a theory-based, multiple-behavior intervention (physical activity, smoking reduction for current smokers, stress management) targeting survivors of localized non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC, stages I-III) and their supportive partners.

Methods:

This pilot RCT will enroll 30 dyads (60 participants). Each dyad will consist of one survivor and one partner (defined as a family member or friend) Dyads will be randomized to the Intervention Group (IG) or the Attention Control Group (AC). IG members will receive the 12-week, home-based intervention based on the individual and family self-management theory, which targets improvements in self-efficacy, social support, and self-regulation. Improvement in lifestyle behaviors is a proximal outcome. Improvements in physical and emotional health are distal outcomes. Breathe Easier (IG) includes educational content written in plain language as well as breathing exercises and meditations; SMART goal setting; daily text messaging; and weekly telephone calls with trained staff. The AC program includes relevant National Institutes of Health publications plus weekly telephone chats. Members who currently smoke will also receive an evidence-based smoking cessation resource.

Discussion:

Breathe Easier focuses on changes in multiple behaviors in dyads coping with a diagnosis of NSCLC (stages I-III) with the overall purpose of improving physical and emotional health. Findings will provide additional evidence of the feasibility and preliminary effects of this intervention.

Trial Registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05956782; This trial was registered retrospectively.
Does Contingent Reward Leadership Enhance or Diminish Team Creativity? It Depends on Leader (Un-) Predictability
Authors: Ghosh Debjani , Buss Martin , Shivhare Amita
Published: November 2023

Although prior research has shown that reward provision might sometimes increase creativity, little is known about how leadership that clarifies effort-reward contingencies (i.e., contingent reward leadership) is related to team creativity. Drawing on the theory of learned industriousness, we argue that contingent reward leadership can enhance team knowledge exchange and, in turn, team creative performance. However, we propose that this relationship is moderated by leader unpredictability, which can create uncertainty about resource allocation, thereby undermining the otherwise positive effect of contingent reward leadership. In a two-source, lagged design (three-wave) field study with data from 60 organizational teams, we found a conditional indirect (moderated mediation) effect of contingent reward leadership on team creative performance through team knowledge exchange. This conditional indirect effect was positive when leader unpredictability was low, and negative when leader unpredictability was high. Our research provides leaders with clear and actionable advice by showing that contingent reward leadership promotes team creative performance only when leaders act in predictable and consistent ways.
Experience in Videogame Display: An Extension of the Matrix Model
Authors: Harrington Carl
Published: November 2023

Niklas Nylund argued that videogames lacked a coherent descriptive framework required to understand their complex position as museum artifacts. He proposed a matrix model consisting of three overlapping aspects of games display: objects, context, and experience. Although a starting point for exploring the role of videogames in museums, this required further detailed analysis. The present article extends the matrix model by exploring the area of ‘experience’, separating this aspect of display into three sub-categories: (a) playable experience, (b) collective experience, and (c) situational experience. These sub-categories of experience are discussed regarding videogame display in European museums. It is argued that this extended view of experience, rather than distracting from contextual information, is central to videogame display. Extending this category beyond playable games enables exhibitions to use the area of experience within a wider framework.
The Mukokuseki Strategy and the Application of Pivot Translation in the Localization of Japanese Games
Authors: Zhang Xiaochun , Song Huawei
Published: November 2023

This article investigates the impact of using pivot language on the quality of game localization via a case study on the Japanese game Dark Souls 3. It first discusses the indirectness of the source text and the complexity of the target text in game localization by highlighting the “born translated” nature of the game narrative design. It then explicates the intricacy of having game audio voiced over in English only and including both direct and indirect translations in the localization workflow. It demonstrates the complication in evaluating localization quality from players’ perspectives and suggests that using English as a pivot language has certain advantages in ensuring multimodal cohesiveness in game localization. The rationale behind the localization approach is then explored through the lens of the mukokuseki strategy, which suggests that the application of pivot translation is driven by market globalization and, ultimately, the pursuit of economic gain.
Effect of multiple weld repairs on fatigue strength of bogie frame of railroad vehicle
Authors: Seo Jung-Won , Hur Hyun-Moo , Kwon Seok-Jin , Moon Kyung-Ho
Published: November 2023

In the welded structure of railroad vehicles, the bogie frame requires a service life more than 25 years, cracks occur in the weld zone owing to the application of repetitive fatigue loading during operation. When cracks occur and propagate in the weld zone, they are removed through gouging, and gas metal arc welding is performed for repair. After the first weld repair, the second weld repair process is performed if crack is visible in the same area. In this study, the effects of repetitive repair welding on the fatigue characteristics were investigated using materials applied in railway vehicle structures. Three types of specimens (weld specimen, first weld repairs specimen, and second weld repairs specimen) were prepared, and fatigue and residual stress tests were performed. The results indicated that the weld specimen had the longest fatigue life, and the first weld repairs specimen had the shortest fatigue life. The fatigue life of the second weld repairs specimen was longer than that of the first weld repairs specimen. Residual stress tests and finite-element analysis results indicated that the first weld repairs specimen had the shortest fatigue life among the specimens tested, because the highest residual stress was generated.
It is time to use the F word about Trump: Fascism, populism and the rebirth of history
Authors: Tourish Dennis
Published: November 2023

Donald Trump and the movement that he represents pose grave dangers for democracy in America, and throughout the world. I argue that it is now appropriate to describe Trumpism as a form of fascism. The events of January 6th, 2021, when an attempted insurrection sought to prevent the certification of Joe Biden as President, and the agenda that Trump and his supporters are developing for a proposed second term, are viewed as turning points that have transformed Trumpism from populism into an increasingly open form of fascism. I therefore analyse Trump’s rise to power, before discussing the nature of fascism in-depth and considering how Trumpism measures up to the criteria commonly identified as characterising fascism. It also means recognising that without the person of Donald Trump at the helm the MAGA movement will remain a potent threat for the foreseeable future. But it can be defeated. Thus, I identify some of the factors that enabled fascist movements to take state power in the 1920s and 1930s. Its victories were not inevitable then and are not inevitable now. Readily available lessons from the past point to how Trumpism can be defeated in the present.
Intellectual deficits and restoration to competency to stand trial: An examination of IQ cut off scores
Authors: Grabowski Karen , Morgan Robert , Scanlon Faith
Published: November 2023

Intellectual functioning impacts defendants’ competence to stand trial, though research on this population remains limited. This study replicated and advanced prior work, focusing on defendants’ demographic, clinical, cognitive, and criminal justice variables and their association with length of hospitalization and restoration determinations. Participants were 74 male and female criminal defendants in a midwestern state who were adjudicated incompetent to stand trial, had a diagnosis related to intellectual deficits, and completed competency restoration. Most defendants (83.7%) were restored to competency. Demographic factors were unrelated to restoration outcomes; violence of alleged offense predicted shorter hospitalization. Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve analyses determined an IQ score cut-off of 63.5 for which participants were of greater likelihood to be determined restored, providing guidance on the likelihood of restoration for defendants with intellectual disability related diagnoses. Specifically, this score can be used with clinical data to inform competency determinations for defendants with cognitive deficits.
Dealing with de-selection from youth international football: A case study of English Premier League academies
Authors: Edwards Dom , Brannagan Paul Michael
Published: November 2023

This study investigated the perceptions of players and football club staff regarding de-selection from the youth international football environment. Prior research into youth football de-selection focuses on players’ experiences of being released from their club environment; however, research is yet to understand the effect of de-selection from international football. The authors completed semi-structured interviews with 11 current youth international footballers and nine members of leadership staff from English Premier League youth academies, including academy directors, technical directors and heads of coaching. It was found that players had a strong identity as an international footballer and that once de-selected, it could be difficult to adapt to a change in status within their group at the club. The club staff also suggested that clubs do little to support the player once de-selected as although they perceive the player as being part of their development programme, they viewed international football as an area that was not their responsibility. Practical applications are discussed, including the need for clear justifications of de-selection and ‘after-care’ solutions.
Snapshot of a quantized body: Learning from the Daoist body
Authors: Voelkner Nadine
Published: November 2023

In Snapshots from Home, Karin Fierke calls for radically repositioning the apparatus through which we interpret the world, inviting us to bridge the seemingly insurmountable chasm between quantum science and ancient Asian thought and practice to think about a more Global International Relations. Specifically, we are daringly tasked to consider how the ‘weird’ mathematics of quantum physics and science is paralleled by deeply relational ancient non-Western systems of knowledge. Fierke’s starting point is Bohr’s wholistic quantum physics but her main interest and focus is a deep reflection on its broad similarities with Buddhism, Hinduism and Daoism. Considering the parallels Fierke draws between the relational frames of quantum science and Daoism in the context of a raving pandemic, I feel challenged to bring the body into the conversation. How does Fierke’s apparatus prompt us to think and act ethically in relation to the emerging postgenomic body arising from recent advances in microbiology including quantum microbiology ? It is a permeable body that is deeply quantum entangled in and with the natural and social-cultural environment and/or context. What can we learn from the relational strategies and actions attached to the Daoist body to thinking about the contemporary quantized bodies and the governance of their health?
Safety and efficacy of growth-friendly instrumentation for early-onset scoliosis in patients with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 in the disease-modifying treatment era
Authors: Cetik Riza Mert , Ovadia Dror , Mladenov Kiril , Kruyt Moyo C , Helenius Ilkka , Ahonen Matti , Studer Daniel , Yazici Muharrem
Published: November 2023

Purpose:

To evaluate the safety of growth-friendly instrumentation for early-onset scoliosis (EOS) in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 who received disease-modifying treatment (DMT) and analyze short-term efficacy.

Methods:

Retrospective search was conducted between 2017 and 2023. Patients with genetically confirmed SMA type 1 who were surgically treated for spinal deformity and receiving DMTs (nusinersen, risdiplam, or onasemnogene abeparvovec) were included. SMA types 2 and 3 and patients who do not receive DMTs were excluded. Clinical and radiographic data were collected at preoperative, postoperative, and latest follow-up visits.

Results:

Twenty-eight patients (mean follow-up: 16 months (range 2–41)) were included. The mean age at surgery was 60 months (range 29–96). Fifteen were treated with dual magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR), four with unilateral MCGR and a contralateral guided growth system, three with Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR®) implants, five with self-distracting systems, and one with traditional dual growing rods. The mean amount of correction was 57% (44°± 17) for scoliosis and 83% (13°± 11) for pelvic obliquity. The mean T1-12 height gain during surgery was 31 mm (±16 mm), while the mean T1 S1 height gain was 51 mm (±24 mm), and instrumented growth was observed during follow-up. Five patients (18%) developed six serious adverse events: three surgical site infections, two anchor failures, and one rod fracture, and all required unplanned reoperations. No neurologic complication, difficulty during nusinersen injections, or respiratory decline was recorded.

Conclusion:

We report that spinal deformity in this population can be safely treated with growth-friendly instrumentation, with similar complication rates when compared with SMA type 2.
Enduring Hypocrisy as ASEAN's Organisational Problem?
Authors: Bae Ki-Hyun
Published: November 2023

This paper complements the limited scholarly interest in the case of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s consistent practice of word–deed gaps, or “hypocrisy” according to some scholars, by employing the insights of organisational sociology. Specifically, it introduces a claim that the gap between ASEAN's words and deeds can be understood as an organisational response to its material and political vulnerability in relation to its major external stakeholders, aiming to ensure its survival and adaptability. Accommodating multiple, or sometimes even conflicting, demands from various external actors, ASEAN may be able to secure its material and diplomatic engagement in developmental and political regionalism within Southeast Asia. However, ASEAN also wants to protect its local identity and practices; or it may want to avoid forced internal reforms at an undesirable scale and pace. In this context, organised hypocrisy would likely become a vital consideration for the complex institution. For ASEAN, this paper notes, these word–deed gaps reflect the way it wants to manage conflicting external demands as an international social agency.
Preparation of cellulose-based composite hydrogels for the removal of methylene blue
Authors: Aymara Lizbeth , Herrera Nora Gabriela , Lezama Hélmer Helí , Villacrés Nelson Adrián
Published: November 2023

The discharge of dyes, including methylene blue (MB), contributes to environmental pollution. Adsorption is one of the most widely used techniques for removing colorants from water, with hydrogels being the materials that have attracted the most attention due to their excellent adsorption capacity. In this work, hydrogels composed of cellulose/pectin/starch were synthesized to remove MB dissolved in water. For the characterization of the hydrogel, Fourier-Transform Infrared, Thermogravimetry/Differential Thermal Analysis, XRD, and Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques were applied. At pH 9, the maximum swelling capacity (326.1%) of the hydrogel and the maximum MB removal percentage (37.05%) were obtained. The Weber-Morris diffusion kinetic model indicated that other adsorption mechanisms exist in addition to the diffusion process of MB through the hydrogel pores. Temkin's model better described the adsorption process, therefore an interaction between the adsorbate and the adsorbent surface is assumed, while the MB adsorption kinetics at pH 5 followed a pseudo-first-order model; and at pH 7 and pH 9, they followed a pseudo-second-order model.
Tactile perception of randomness: Effect of varying stimulus size and participants age
Authors: Ziat Mounia , Pacic Kayla , Buentello Ian , Varney Joseph , Newell Fiona N.
Published: November 2023

We investigated participants’ ability to differentiate between random and organized two-dimensional tactile tiles with embossed dots and examined how this ability varies with size and participant age. Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of these variations on participants’ capacity to utilize touch in identifying which of two stimuli exhibited greater randomness. Participants were instructed to explore embossed tiles using both hands. The tiles had varying levels of randomness from organized to random sets. In Experiments 1, 2, and 4, the sets were of equal size, while in Experiment 3, they differed in size. Results revealed a significant difference between the random and organized sets, with random stimuli being more easily discernible. These findings suggest that touch can be utilized to discern random patterns on tactile maps or displays. However, older participants encountered difficulties making this distinction, indicating similarities between vision and touch in perceiving randomness.
Relationship between muscle mass and muscle strength with physical performance in older adults: A systematic review
Authors: Riviati Nur , Indra Bima
Published: November 2023

Background:

Declining muscle mass is not always accompanied by declining muscle strength in older adults, challenging the notion that low muscle mass is the sole criterion for diagnosing sarcopenia.

Objective:

This review aims to find out the relationships between muscle mass and muscle strength with physical performance in older adults.

Design:

This article was a systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

Data Sources and Methods:

We do a systematic search of observational studies that are published between 2013 and August 2023 in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Sage journal, Tripdatabase, Cochrane Library, Embase, and CINAHL. Two reviewers selected and extracted data independently and an association measure was recorded from included studies.

Results:

The review analyzed 17 observational studies conducted between 2013 and September 2023. The findings suggest that while declining muscle mass is often associated with sarcopenia, it may not always correspond to declining muscle strength in older individuals. The most common method used to measure muscle mass was bioelectrical impedance analysis, while handgrip strength was the predominant measure of muscle strength. Tests such as timed up and go and gait speed were used to assess physical performance.

Conclusions:

Physical performance in older adults is significantly related to muscle strength, whereas the relationship between muscle mass and physical performance is either weak or negligible. Therefore, when evaluating physical performance in older individuals, focusing on muscle strength is more important than muscle mass alone.
Across 40 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Chinese English Scholarship (1980–2020)
Authors: Qin Melissa Xiaohui
Published: November 2023

This study documents the dynamic evolution of Chinese English Scholarship spanning 40 years from its birth to the present. In an attempt to investigate the current status (synchronically) and developmental trajectory (diachronically) of Chinese English scholarship in 1980 to 2020, this study surveyed the bibliographical, theoretical, methodological, and thematic state of Chinese English literature manifested in an analytical framework of six parameters (geographic distribution, publication outlets, citations, research approaches, research methods and research strands) by adopting a thorough bibliometric analysis subsequent to careful and meticulous coding in terms of the six parameters of Chinese English scholarship. The results showed that Chinese English scholarship has displayed distinctive distribution patterns and chronological trends in the bibliographical, theoretical, methodological, and thematic dimensions of literature, based on which, the study sketched a few directions for advancement of future research agendas such as a more globalized researcher profile, a wider range of hosting disciplines, greater heterogeneity of theoretical approaches, stronger methodological rigor and a much balanced scenario of research strands. The study is useful in portraying an overarching disciplinary landscape for Chinese English research and providing the basic reference statistics for possible comparisons to be conducted across regionalized varieties and for more general conclusions to be made about the state of scholarship on world Englishes.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of General Population Toward Utilizing ChatGPT: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Bodani Nikita , Lal Abhishek , Maqsood Afsheen , Altamash Sara , Ahmed Naseer , Heboyan Artak
Published: November 2023

ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence-based program, has been used by numerous users in various fields. This study aimed to determine to knowledge, attitude, and practices of the general population toward the use of ChatGPT. We invited the general population residing in Karachi, Pakistan from January to March 2023 in the study. The invitees participated in this study by filling out an online questionnaire through various social media platforms. The questionnaire assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the general population toward ChatGPT. We recruited a total of 525 participants for the study. The average age of the participants was 27.7 ± 0.46. The results indicated that 400 (76.2%) of the participants were familiar with ChatGPT. Although 51.4% of the participants did not use ChatGPT frequently, 50.1% believed that utilizing ChatGPT could potentially diminish their cognitive abilities. Nevertheless, a significant number of participants (40.0%) did not express concern about encountering privacy and security issues while using ChatGPT. The gender and education level were statistically significant predictors of the ChatGPT practices, while age and occupation did not had a significant impact. In conclusion, the study showed that a majority of participants were familiar with ChatGPT and believed in its ability to understand and respond to user queries. They also had confidence in the accuracy of information provided by ChatGPT, indicating a moderate level of trust. Interestingly, some participants expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on cognitive abilities when relying too heavily on ChatGPT.
A case-study comparison of qualitative and quantitative techniques for assessing surgeon ergonomics
Authors: Johnson Evan R. , Husain Syed A. , Lavender Steven A. , Sommerich Carolyn M.
Published: November 2023

Surgeons are often exposed to many ergonomic risk factors during open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted surgical procedures, which lead to pain or discomfort in alarmingly high percentages of surgeons. Ergonomic risk factors specific to colon and rectal surgery subspecialty have been hypothesized, but little research has been done on this topic. To investigate this, an ergonomics-centered case study was performed with an experienced colon and rectal surgeon at a teaching hospital to investigate their experiences with surgery, ergonomics, and musculoskeletal pain. Specifically, a semi-structured interview was performed with the participant, and skin surface electromyography electrodes were placed on the participant to record muscle activity data as they performed rectal surgeries using open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted surgical techniques. The results of this case study indicate that for this participant, robotic surgery may provide the most relief from current pain and discomfort; however, the relationship between muscle activation and surgical modality is complex, and both qualitative and quantitative methods are needed to provide a complete ergonomic analysis of colon and rectal surgery in a teaching hospital setting.
Finding a Natural Fit: A Thematic Analysis of Amputees’ Prosthesis Setting Preferences during User-Guided Auto-Tuning
Authors: Yuan Jing , Bai Xiaolu , Alili Abbas , Liu Ming , Feng Jing , Huang He
Published: November 2023

Amputees’ preferences for prosthesis settings are critical not only for their psychological well-being but also for long-term adherence to device adoption and health. Although active lower-limb prostheses can provide enhanced functionality than passive devices, little is known about the mechanism of preferences for settings in active devices. Therefore, a think-aloud study was conducted on three amputees to unravel their preferences for a powered robotic knee prosthesis during user-guided auto-tuning. The inductive thematic analysis revealed that amputee patients were more likely to use their own passive device rather than the intact leg as the reference for the natural walking that they were looking for in the powered device. There were large individual differences in factors influencing naturalness. The mental optimization of preference decisions was mostly based on the noticeableness of the differences between knee profiles. The implications on future design and research in active prostheses were discussed.
Six-Month Survivorship Prediction in Spinal Metastatic Patients by Oncologists Shows Reliable Prognostication
Authors: Cox Kofi , Ahmed Hassam , Saha Priyanshu , Liu Wing Kin , Aitken Katharine , Bernard Jason , Bishop Timothy , Minhas Pawan , Papadopoulos Marios , Johnston Francis , Piggott Alicia , Pereira Erlick , Lui Darren , Afshar Mehran
Published: November 2023

Study Design

A retrospective analysis of oncologist-provided prognoses vs actual survival outcomes of patients referred with Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) to a supra-regional multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Objectives

Prognostic scoring systems, such as the revised Tokuhashi, are commonly used to help guide the treatment of MSCC. However, scoring systems do not accommodate for the improved outcomes of contemporary cancer therapy. Oncologist-provided prognoses play an important role in real world rapid decision making. There is a paucity of evidence assessing the accuracy of the oncologist-provided prognosis. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate this.

Methods

Data was captured between January 2015 and December 2018. Patients were split into 2 groups: Group 1 (prognosis estimated <6 months) and Group 2 (prognosis estimated >6 months). Median overall survival (mOS) and hazard ratio for death (HR) was assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the accuracy of the oncologist’s prognosis.

Results

829 patients were included. mOS in Group 1 was 5.8 months (95% CI 4.2-7.4 m), and in Group 2 mOS was not reached. Log rank test gave a Chi 2 of 131 ( P < .001). Cox regression analysis revealed a HR of .30 ( P < .001). Area under the ROC curve was 78%.

Conclusions

Oncologist-provided prognosis is accurate in this cohort of unselected, consecutive MSCC patients. It reduced reliance on scoring systems that can become outdated. Given the rapid progress in cancer treatment, the oncologist’s prognostic prediction is integral in efficient and effective MSCC management to help rapidly determine surgical candidacy.
Research Globally, Learn Globally: An Innovative Course-Based Research Project Through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Among Nutrition Students From American and Mexican Universities
Authors: Goto Keiko , Gutierrez-Gomez Yareni
Published: November 2023

The current article describes a 12-week course-based research project through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) among nutrition students from American and Mexican universities. Students were divided into small research teams, developed questionnaires, and conducted online surveys with college students in their home institutions. After a data collection period, each research team analyzed data and compared results between American and Mexican participants. Based on their study results, each research team developed a proposed 6-month nutrition intervention project for college students. Post-COIL project survey results demonstrate that students rated high in the areas of overall COIL experience, the duration and time of interaction in the COIL project, technologies, interaction with peers and professors, global and cultural competency, and overall satisfaction of the project. This research also highlights the importance of a course-based research project in student critical thinking skills and science literacy. Future research is needed to effectively evaluate the synergistic effects of COIL and a course-based research project on student learning across the globe.
Implementation Leadership in the Point of Care Nursing Context: A Systematic Review Comparing Two Measurement Tools
Authors: Castiglione Sonia Angela , Frechette Julie , Agnihotram V. Ramanakumar
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Implementation leadership (IL) are effective point of care (POC) nursing leadership behaviors that facilitate contexts conducive to the successful implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs). However, no systematic evaluation of IL tools validated for the nursing context existed.

Aims

The purpose of this systematic review was to compare iterations of two IL measurement tools, the Implementation Leadership Scale (ILS) and the iLEAD, for application in a nursing context; and to critically appraise and summarize the methodological quality of studies assessing their psychometric properties.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted in four databases. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, reviewed full-text articles, and performed extraction into data tables. Statisticians appraised the quality control aspects. Findings were narratively summarized.

Results

A total of 247 records were included, where 10 for the ILS (including different versions) and one for the iLEAD met the inclusion criteria. Three studies evaluated the psychometric properties of the ILS in nursing, and its translations into Chinese and Greek. Content validity was deemed to be doubtful for both tools, but the ILS had adequate rating for comprehensiveness; methodological quality was very good for structural validity, internal consistency, hypothesis testing, and responsiveness where applicable for both scales, with the exception of cross-cultural validity which had ratings of adequate and inadequate for versions of the scales. Several study findings met the criteria for good measurement properties. No studies for either tool formally assessed feasibility.

Conclusion

Applying validated and contextually relevant tools to evaluate the capacity of nursing leadership to engage in IL in real-world contexts are needed. The ILS shows promise but requires further validation for contexts with diverse and multiple nursing leaders at the POC. Feasibility needs to be further studied.