bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and analysis of partially randomized preference trials with propensity score stratification
Authors: Wang Yumin , Li Fan , Blaha Ondrej , Meng Can , Esserman Denise
Published: April 2022

While the two-stage randomized design allows us to unbiasedly evaluate the impact of patients’ treatment preference on the outcome of interest, it may not always be practical to implement in clinical practice; patients with a strong preference may not be willing to be randomized. The more pragmatic, partially randomized preference design (PRPD) allows patients who are unwilling to be randomized, but willing to state their preference, to receive their preferred treatment in lieu of the first-stage randomization in the two-stage design, at the cost of potentially introducing bias in estimating the effects of interest. In this article, we consider the application of propensity score stratification (PSS) in a PRPD to recreate a conditional first-stage randomization based on observed covariates, enabling the estimation and inference of the overall treatment, selection and preference effects with minimum bias. We additionally derive a set of closed-form sample size formulas for detecting all three effects of interest in a PSS-PRPD. Simulation studies demonstrate the bias reduction properties of the PSS-PRPD, and validate the accuracy of the proposed sample size formulas. Our results show that 5 to 10 propensity score strata may be needed to correct for biases in effect estimates, and the exact number of strata needed to achieve the best match between the empirical power and formula prediction may depend on the degree of effect heterogeneity. Finally, we demonstrate our proposed formulas by estimating the required sample sizes to detect treatment, selection and preference effects in the context of the Harapan Study.
Newly Generated 3D Schwann-Like Cell Spheroids From Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Using a Modified Protocol
Authors: Chen Shuhai , Ikemoto Tetsuya , Tokunaga Takuya , Okikawa Shouhei , Miyazaki Katsuki , Yamada Shinichiro , Saito Yu , Morine Yuji , Shimada Mitsuo
Published: April 2022

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a relatively frequent type of trauma that results in the suffering of many patients worldwide every year. Schwann cells (SCs) are expected to be applied in cell therapy because of their ability to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. However, the lack of clinically renewable sources of SCs hinders the application of SC-based therapies. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have generated great interest in recent years because of their multipotency and ease of harvest, and they have already been verified to differentiate into Schwann-like cells (SLCs) in vitro. However, the efficiency of differentiation and the functions of SLCs remain unsatisfactory. We newly generated three-dimensional (3D) SLC spheroids from ADSCs using a modified protocol with human recombinant peptide (RCP) petaloid μ-piece. Morphological analysis, gene expression analysis by qRT-PCR, ELISA measurement of the secretion capabilities of neurotrophic factors, and neurite formation assay were performed to evaluate the functions of these 3D SLCs in vitro. Motor function recovery was measured in a sciatic nerve injury mouse model to analyze the nerve regeneration-promoting effect of 3D SLCs in vivo. The differentiation efficiency and the secretion of neurotrophic factors were enhanced in 3D SLCs compared with conventional SLCs. 3D SLCs could more effectively promote neurite growth and longer neurite extension in a neuron-like SH-SY5Y model. Additionally, 3D SLCs had a better therapeutic effect on nerve regeneration after transplantation into the sciatic nerve injury mouse model. These findings demonstrated that the potential of ADSC-derived SLCs to promote nerve regeneration could be significantly increased using our modified differentiation protocol and by assembling cells into a 3D sphere conformation. Therefore, these cells have great potential and can be used in the clinical treatment of PNI.
A research agenda for trust and distrust in a multilevel judicial system
Authors: Popelier Patricia , Glavina Monika , Baldan Federica , van Zimmeren Esther
Published: April 2022

While public trust in the judicial system has been extensively explored in the US, this has been less common in Europe. The purpose of this paper is therefore to launch a research agenda on trust in courts. This is based on an overview of the empirical studies on trust/distrust in courts in Europe, which are assessed critically in light of the trust literature. We connect the concept of multilevel governance in which the EU operates to the concept of multilevel trust, which concerns the interrelations between interpersonal trust, interorganizational trust and system trust. Furthermore, we add structure to the existing literature on trust in and within courts in Europe by categorizing it into two main categories: (i) studies that focus on trust in courts within one (national or European) legal system and (ii) those that explore the interaction of trust in and between courts at different levels of governance (multilevel governance). We further examine whether different relational and institutional aspects of trust in courts, their drivers, dynamics and effect, as well as the recent trend of specialization in court systems have been sufficiently covered in the literature.
Parenting the Successor: It Starts at Home and Leaves an Enduring Impact on the Family Business
Authors: Shanine Kristen K. , Madison Kristen , Combs James G. , Eddleston Kimberly A.
Published: April 2022

Transferring leadership across generations is a defining characteristic of family businesses. Yet many successors underperform, and little is known about why. We extend parental control theory to develop a model of parenting effects in family businesses. Primary dyadic data from successors and subordinates in 119 family businesses, supplemented with 24 interviews with family business leaders, shows that predecessors’ parenting style affects successors’ psychological functioning, which impacts employees’ citizenship and counterproductive behaviors. Among firms that make it to the second generation, the seeds of success are partially sown long before succession takes place, drawing attention to the important role of parenting.
Factors Associated With Advance Care Planning by Race
Authors: Fennell Gillian , Hoe Deborah , Zelinski Elizabeth , Enguídanos Susan
Published: April 2022

Objective

This study aims to quantify and interpret Black-White differences in the factors associated with advance care planning (ACP), with specific attention to self-reported presence of chronic conditions and healthcare stereotype threat (HCST) in medical settings.

Method

Black and White individuals aged 50 and older (N = 499) were recruited from community centers and assisted living facilities in southern California and on Amazon Mechanical Turk. Six sequential logistic regressions assessed the effect of age, presence of chronic conditions, income, and HCST on predicting 3 components of ACP by race.

Results

Findings suggest that the awareness of ongoing chronic conditions predicts all 3 aspects of ACP for Whites, but not for Blacks. HCST positively predicts the appointment of a durable power of attorney, but only for Black respondents.

Discussion

These findings offer a novel perspective on racial disparities in ACP that may inform health care providers and community practices.
Occlusal Evaluation Using Modified Huddart and Bodenham Scoring System Following 2-Stage Palatoplasty With Hotz Plate: A Comparison Among 3 Different Surgical Protocols
Authors: Estacio Salazar Andrea Rei , Kodama Yasumitsu , Yuki Ryutaro , Ominato Rei , Nagai Takahiro , Watanabe Momoko , Yamada Akane , Kobayashi Ryota , Ichikawa Kaya , Nihara Jun , Iida Akihiko , Ono Kazuhiro , Saito Isao , Takagi Ritsuo
Published: April 2022

Objective

This study aimed to determine if the change in technique of soft palate closure or timing of hard palatal repair induced occlusal changes in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP).

Design

Retrospective study.

Settings

A medical and dental hospital in Japan.

Subjects

A total of 96 patients with CUCLP treated with 2-stage palatoplasty were included in the study and categorized into 3 groups (G1, G2, and G3) according to the protocol used.

Interventions

G1 underwent soft palate repair using Perko method at 1.5 years of age and hard palate repair using vomer flap procedure at 5.5 years of age. Furlow method was used for soft palate repair in G2 at 1.5 years of age and hard palate repair using vomer flap procedure at 5.5 years of age. The Furlow method was used to repair the soft palate in G3 at 1.5 years of age and vomer flap procedure was used to repair the hard palate at 4 years of age.

Main Outcome Measures

Two evaluators assessed the dental arch relationship using the modified Huddart/Bodenham (mHB) index on 2 separate occasions.

Results

Intra- (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.962) and inter-examiner (ICC: 0.950) reliability showed very good agreement. The frequency of crossbite present in the major and minor segments gradually decreased with each change in protocol. Mean segmental scores showed no significant difference between 3 protocols ( P > .05). Good inter-arch alignment occurred with all 3 surgical protocols (G1:82.6%, G2:89.8%, and G3:91.7%).

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in the dental arch relationship outcomes between the 3 surgical protocols. The dentition status was comparable with all surgical protocols, even after the changes.
Orthodontic Treatment of Patients With Clefts: Satisfaction and Psychological Aspects
Authors: Forer Olga , Cohen Erica , Ben-Bassat Yocheved , Zini Avraham , Shalish Miriam
Published: April 2022

To assess parents’ satisfaction with cleft child's facial appearance and function; compare these findings with orthodontist (expert) satisfaction and evaluate influence of various factors on satisfaction.

Cross-sectional study.

Sixty-three parents of non-syndromic patients with clefts (ages 7-20 years), and an orthodontist, completed the Cleft Hearing, Appearance and Speech Questionnaire. Two scores were produced: cleft-associated, and non-cleft-associated features. Additional open questions were presented to the parents.

Both parents and orthodontist gave high satisfaction scores (mean: 8.4 & 8.2, respectively), significantly correlated, for the cleft-associated features ( P < .001). Parents were least satisfied with appearance of teeth, then nose, then lips. Scores did not vary significantly with age and sex of patients. Higher parents’ satisfaction was found in the unilateral cleft lip + alveolus (UCL + alveolus) group, compared with the unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), regarding cleft-associated features, and compared with cleft palate (CP), regarding non-cleft-associated features ( P < .05). Greater parents and orthodontist satisfaction were found when parents’ education was >12 years. Parents of Jewish ethnicity showed higher satisfaction, compared with parents of non-Jewish ethnicity. Patients requiring future surgery received lower scores. Parents satisfaction was directly correlated to socioeconomic status.

The following factors appear to lower parents’ satisfaction: [1] cleft severity, [2] hearing or speech of CP/BCLP patients, [3] requirement for further surgery, and [4] low socioeconomic status.

Severe cases may require additional explanation to parents in order to lower expectations. A more thorough explanation may be required in patients of lower socioeconomic status.
New and emerging therapies for the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Moore Donald C. , Peery Matthew R. , Tobon Katherine A. , Raheem Farah , Hwang Grace S. , Alhennawi Lin , Hughes Mitchell E.
Published: April 2022

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Approximately 40% of patients with DLBCL will experience disease relapse or will be refractory to first line chemoimmunotherapy, necessitating second-line salvage therapy. This has historically consisted of platinum-based chemotherapy regimens followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with curative intent for transplant-eligible patients or palliative chemotherapy for transplant-ineligible patients. In recent years there have been several new therapeutic agents approved for the treatment of relapsed/refractory DLBCL, thereby expanding the therapeutic landscape. These agents include polatuzumab vedotin, tafasitamab, loncastuximab tesirine, selinexor, and anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies such as axicabtagene ciloleucel, tisagenlecleucel, and lisocabtagene maraleucel. This review summarizes the pharmacology, efficacy, safety, dosing, and administration of new agents recently approved for the treatment of relapsed/refractory DLBCL.
Processing of ketchup by a pilot-scale ultrasonication system: Effects on quality properties and microbial inactivation
Authors: Akdemir Evrendilek Gulsun , Bodruk Anıl , Eker Merve Eda , Acar Furkan
Published: April 2022

Ultrasonication (US) processing of ketchup, changes in its quality parameters and microbial inactivation, and joint optimization of treatment parameters (22–57.5 °C treatment temperature, 90 and 100% amplitude, and 3 and 5 min treatment times) were investigated. Increased temperature and amplitude changed properties of ketchup. Total initial mold and yeast count of 2.40 ± 0.23 log CFU/mL became undetectable with all US treatments. Total initial lactic acid bacteria of 3.91 ± 0.23 log CFU/mL became undetectable at 55 °C with 100% amplitude for 5 min and 57.5 °C with 100% amplitude for 3 and 5 min ( P < 0.05). Optimum settings were 57.39 °C, 100% amplitude, and 3.53 min (composite desirability = 0.81). The pilot-scale US treatment with a moderate temperature appeared promising to process ketchup.
Closure-related complications after median sternotomy in cats: 26 cases (2010–2020)
Authors: Hennet Julie , Pilot Mariette A , Anderson Davina M , Rossanese Matteo , Chrysopoulos Angelos , de la Puerta Benito , Mullins Ronan A , Chanoit Guillaume
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine closure-related complications and outcome after median sternotomy (MS) in cats.

Methods

This was a retrospective, multicentric study. The medical records of cats undergoing MS from six referral hospitals were reviewed (2010–2020). Data retrieved included signalment, history, presenting complaints, surgery, patient outcomes and complications. Follow-up was performed via patient records and email/telephone contact with both owners and referring veterinarians. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results

Data on 36 cats were collected; four were excluded due to insufficient follow-up and six died less than 5 days after surgery. Twenty-six cats survived to discharge (survival rate 81%). Three cats had a full sternotomy (FS) performed and 23 cats a partial sternotomy (PS). Of the cats that underwent a PS, six included the manubrium (PSM) and three included the xyphoid process. For 14 cats, the length of sternotomy was unknown. Sternotomy closure was performed with suture in all cats. Two cats (7.7%) developed closure-related complications, both after PSM, during the long-term follow-up, one mild, slightly displaced sternal fracture and one severe, sternal dehiscence (without skin wound dehiscence) requiring revision surgery. No seroma, surgical site infection or wound dehiscence occurred. The most common reason for MS was the presence of a thoracic mass (17/26; 65%), with thymoma being the most common (11/17; 65%).

Conclusions and relevance

MS has a low closure-related complication risk in cats when compared with dogs. Complications in cats present differently to what has been previously described in dogs.
Artificial intelligence based detection of age-related macular degeneration using optical coherence tomography with unique image preprocessing
Authors: Celebi Ali Riza Cenk , Bulut Erkan , Sezer Aysun
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of the study is to improve the accuracy of age related macular degeneration (AMD) disease in its earlier phases with proposed Capsule Network (CapsNet) architecture trained on speckle noise reduced spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images based on an optimized Bayesian non-local mean (OBNLM) filter augmentation techniques.

Methods

A total of 726 local SD-OCT images were collected and labelled as 159 drusen, 145 dry AMD, 156 wet AMD and 266 normal. Region of interest (ROI) was identified. Speckle noise in SD-OCT images were reduced based on OBNLM filter. The processed images were fed to proposed CapsNet architecture to clasify SD-OCT images. Accuracy rates were calculated in both public and local dataset.

Results

Accuracy rate of local SD-OCT image dataset classification was achieved to a value of 96.39% after performing data augmentation and speckle noise reduction with OBNLM. The performance of proposed CapsNet was also evaluated on the public Kaggle dataset under the same processing procedures and the accuracy rate was calculated as 98.07%. The sensitivity and specificity rates were 96.72% and 99.98%, respectively.

Conclusions

The classification success of proposed CapsNet may be improved with robust pre-processing steps like; determination of ROI and denoised SD-OCT images based on OBNLM. These impactful image preprocessing steps yielded higher accuracy rates for determining different types of AMD including its precursor lesion on the both local and public dataset with proposed CapsNet architecture.
Metastatic spondylodiscitis in central venous catheter related bloodstream infections in hemodialysis patients: Risk factors and prognosis
Authors: Yildirim Saliha , Yilmaz Beyza , Yilmaz Eren , Derici Ulver Boztepe
Published: April 2022

Background:

Infection is one of the most common causes of death in hemodialysis patients. Catheter infections are among the most common infections in this patient group. Spondylodiscitis which has a high incidence in ESRD is more commonly encountered in patients with CVCs compared to AVF. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency and risk factors of spondylodiscitis in catheter-related bloodstream infections in hemodialysis patients.

Methods:

In total, 1620 patients were screened and 42 male and 35 female patients with central catheter infection with a mean age of 65.8 ± 14.9 years were included in this study. Patients with metastatic infections secondary to CVC related bloodstream infections were determined. The diagnosis of spondylodiscitis was based on clinical information, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and vertebral cultures.

Results:

Metastatic infection due to catheter infection was observed in 15 patients (19.5%). In the regression analysis, CRP level and RRT time were found to be significantly correlated with the development of metastatic infection. Spondylodiscitis was the most common subtype of metastatic infections (8/15). The presence of lumbar hernia was associated with increased risk of metastatic spondylodiscitis in case of catheter infection in hemodialysis patients. The only factor associated with resistance to medical treatment was the time from admission to diagnosis.

Conclusion:

Patients with long RRT time and high blood CRP levels on admission should be closely monitored for metastatic infection in patients with CVC related bloodstream infections. Screening for spondylodiscitis with CT or MRI should be performed in patients with symptoms, since early diagnosis may prevent the development of possible neurological deficits and treatment resistance.
Chase for lucky numbers and take positive actions
Authors: Luo Peng , Xu Yukuan , Law Rob
Published: April 2022

Number 8 is regarded as a lucky number in Chinese culture and is preferred over other numbers, especially in financial and retail market. To explore the impact of lucky numbers in room prices, we collect data from a room-sharing platform (Mayi) in China. The results indicate that a room with the lucky number in its price receives more bookings and higher customer ratings than other rooms without that price feature. Moreover, a host setting price with the lucky number 8 will receive more positive ratings. This study contributes to the existing literature and provides practical insights for room hosts and operators in room-sharing platforms.
What’s behind that screenshot? Digital windows and capturing data on screen
Authors: Cramer Emily M , Jenkins Bryan M , Sang Yoonmo
Published: April 2022

The number of digital tools able to capture and manipulate online information poses implications for how users manage content connected to online life. Blending media convergence and networked sociality frameworks, an exploratory content analysis of reasons for taking screenshots led to the development of the digital window, a four-quadrant conceptual model depicting where individuals’ online information – captured by screenshot – resides at any given time. Results indicated that most participants used screenshots either to bookmark or contain information needed to navigate the practicalities of both online and offline life. Screenshots were also used in communication with others, specifically to disclose or reframe information to another audience. In addition to elucidating more data on how social practices shape information and communication technologies like screenshots, the digital window establishes a working visual model for understanding possibilities for networked sociality across convergent architectures.
Loss associated with subtractive health service change: The case of specialist cancer centralization in England
Authors: Black Georgia B , Wood Victoria J , Ramsay Angus I G , Vindrola-Padros Cecilia , Perry Catherine , Clarke Caroline S , Levermore Claire , Pritchard-Jones Kathy , Bex Axel , Tran Maxine G B , Shackley David C , Hines John , Mughal Muntzer M , Fulop Naomi J
Published: April 2022

Objective

Major system change can be stressful for staff involved and can result in ‘subtractive change’ – that is, when a part of the work environment is removed or ceases to exist. Little is known about the response to loss of activity resulting from such changes. Our aim was to understand perceptions of loss in response to centralization of cancer services in England, where 12 sites offering specialist surgery were reduced to four, and to understand the impact of leadership and management on enabling or hampering coping strategies associated with that loss.

Methods

We analysed 115 interviews with clinical, nursing and managerial staff from oesophago-gastric, prostate/bladder and renal cancer services in London and West Essex. In addition, we used 134 hours of observational data and analysis from over 100 documents to contextualize and to interpret the interview data. We performed a thematic analysis drawing on stress-coping theory and organizational change.

Results

Staff perceived that, during centralization, sites were devalued as the sites lost surgical activity, skills and experienced teams. Staff members believed that there were long-term implications for this loss, such as in retaining high-calibre staff, attracting trainees and maintaining autonomy. Emotional repercussions for staff included perceived loss of status and motivation. To mitigate these losses, leaders in the centralization process put in place some instrumental measures, such as joint contracting, surgical skill development opportunities and trainee rotation. However, these measures were undermined by patchy implementation and negative impacts on some individuals (e.g. increased workload or travel time). Relatively little emotional support was perceived to be offered. Leaders sometimes characterized adverse emotional reactions to the centralization as resistance, to be overcome through persuasion and appeals to the success of the new system.

Conclusions

Large-scale reorganizations are likely to provoke a high degree of emotion and perceptions of loss. Resources to foster coping and resilience should be made available to all organizations within the system as they go through major change.
Longitudinal development of language and fine motor skills is correlated, but not coupled, in a childhood atypical cohort
Authors: Deserno Marie K , Fuhrmann Delia , Begeer Sander , Borsboom Denny , Geurts Hilde M , Kievit Rogier A
Published: April 2022

Autism is often associated with early developmental delays in language and motor skills. However, little is known about the complex dynamic processes that drive the co-development of such early difficulties. The aim of the present study was to model the parallel growth of language and motor skills in a cohort of infants and to explore differences between infants with typical development and those with atypical development. Receptive and expressive language and fine motor skills were repeatedly assessed in a group of 239 infants (7 months at t1 and 36 months at t4) from the British Autism Study of Infant Siblings sample. Latent Growth Curve Analysis was applied to investigate the mutualistic coupling of longitudinal changes in these domains. Our results showed highly correlated slopes but we did not find an association between baseline scores in one domain and rates of change in the other (i.e. coupling). In the later diagnosed group, we found that scores at baseline and rates of change were more variable.

Lay abstract

More and more members of the autistic community and the research field are moving away from the idea that there will be a single biological or cognitive explanation for autistic characteristics. However, little is known about the complex dynamic processes that could explain why early difficulties in the language and motor domain often go hand-in-hand. We here study how language and motor skills develop simultaneously in the British Autism Study of Infant Siblings cohort of infants, and compare the way they are linked between children with and without developmental delays. Our results suggest that improvements in one domain go hand-in-hand with improvements in the other in both groups and show no compelling evidence for group differences in how motor skills relate to language and vice versa. We did observe a larger diversity in motor and language skills at 6 months, and because we found the motor and language development to be tightly linked, this suggests that even very small early impairments can result in larger developmental delays in later childhood. Greater variability at baseline, combined with very strong correlations between the slopes, suggests that dynamic processes may amplify small differences between individuals at 6months to result into large individual differences in autism symptomatology at 36 months.
Bond behavior of basalt fiber reinforced polymer bars in seawater sea-sand concrete exposed to daily temperature variations
Authors: Xiong Zhe , Zhou Keting , Ye Zhiwei , He Shaohua , Li Lijuan , Li Yinglei , Zeng Yin , Liu Feng
Published: April 2022

Application of basalt fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP) bar reinforced seawater sea-sand concrete structures in marine and coastal buildings could bring both environmental and economic benefits. As BFRP bar reinforced seawater sea-sand concrete members are likely to be exposed to temperature variations during their service life, the bond durability between BFRP bar and seawater sea-sand concrete should be well understood. This paper investigated the effects of thermal cycling, such as target temperature (i.e. amplitude of variation) and cycling times, bar diameter and concrete strength on the bonding behavior of BFRP bars in seawater sea-sand concrete by pullout test. It is found that target temperature and cycling times lead to a significant reduction of BFRP bar-to-seawater sea-sand concrete bonding, which is mainly attributed by the degradation of BFRP under thermal cycles. Through the method of scanning electron microscopy, microstructure of BFRP is examined and the bond mechanism considering the effect of temperature variations is clarified. Finally, theoretical model is proposed to predict the bond stress-slip relationship of BFRP bars in seawater sea-sand concrete. Accuracy of the predictions is validated by the experimental results.
Overview of recent cases before the Court of Justice of the European Union (January-march 2022)
Authors: Melin Pauline , Sivonennn Susanne
Published: April 2022

In Bezirkshauptmannschaft Hartberg-Fürstenfeld (C-205/20) , the Court of Justice was asked to clarify whether a provision under Directive 2014/67 on the proportionality of penalties in the context of posting of workers has direct effect. In CJ v TGSS (C-389/20), the Spanish social security legislation excluding domestic workers from unemployment benefits was under scrutiny in light of the principle of non-discrimination on grounds of sex enshrined in Directive 79/7. In HR Rail (C-485/20), the Court of Justice interpreted the obligation for employers to provide for ‘reasonable accommodation’ for workers with disabilities, including trainees, under Article 5 of Directive 2000/78. In Koch Personaldienstleistungen GmbH (C-514/20), the Court determined whether for the purposes of calculating working time and overtime pay, account should be taken only of the hours actually worked or also of the hours from annual paid leave. Continuing on the importance of the right to annual leave, the Court ruled, in Staatssecretaris van Financiën (C-217/20), on the remuneration of annual leave in situations of permanent incapacity of a worker due to illness. In VB (C-262/20), the Court considered the compatibility of Bulgarian law on the duration of night work for civil servants such as firefighters with Directive 2003/88 and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Finally, in MIUR et Ufficio Scolastico Regionale per la Campania (C-282/19), the Court assessed whether the systematic use of successive fixed-term contracts for Catholic education teachers in Italy could be justified by ‘objective reasons’ within the meaning of Clause 5(1) of the framework agreement.
Review on the advancements and relevance of emerging joining techniques for aluminium to polymers/carbon fibre-reinforced polymer lightweight hybrid structures
Authors: SJ Adarsh , Natarajan Arivazhagan
Published: April 2022

The demand for higher fuel efficiency and low fuel pollution rates leads to the development of lightweight hybrid structures. The predominant aim is to develop innovative light products with extreme versatility with bionomic and economic balance. Lightweight materials in the structures have successfully solved these problems in many industries, especially automobiles and aerospace. There is an emerging scope in producing automotive components by joining Al and Mg-based alloys with materials such as thermoplastics, ceramics and fibre-reinforced composites. Developing hybrid structures by employing metal–polymer joining is still a significant challenge. There are as many joining techniques available for joining metal with a polymer. Owing to certain drawbacks, some methods are ineffective, such as high processing time for adhesive bonding and mechanical fastening due to increased weight. The friction-based welding technique benefits hybrid joining due to its low heat-affected zone with less metallurgical damages. The study provides an overview of many emerging technologies for joining aluminium to thermoplastic/carbon fibre-reinforced polymer for lightweight structures. The paper compares different joint configurations and the effect of process variables on the microstructural and mechanical properties of hybrid joints. In addition, attempts are made to comprehend contemporary developments in the finite element simulation studies of hybrid structures. The paper also highlights recently developed strategies and gaps in areas where future studies might be focussed. Thus, the paper gives an overview of the advancements and relevance of the emerging joining technique for aluminium to polymers/carbon fibre-reinforced polymer hybrid structures.
Managing Tourist Risk, Grief and Distrust Post COVID-19
Authors: O’Malley Lisa , C Harris Lloyd , Story Vicky
Published: April 2022

Tourism is one of the most important sectors for many countries and is also one of the most vulnerable to the impact of disasters. However, while tourism has proved resilient to localized or regional crisis, COVID-19 has had a universal impact on tourists, with pervasive, profound, and enduring implications. Our main objective is to explore and elucidate how such recent changes to tourism, triggered by the pandemic, affected the future travel intentions of tourists. Our exploration of these issues through in-depth interviews, finds that tourists were emotionally and psychologically affected by the sudden curb to their lives and that these emotions broadly equate to stages of grief. Furthermore, we uncover not only a general reduction in trust, but, concomitantly, an elevation in distrust towards destinations, manifest at the level of government, healthcare and tourist institutions, activities, and risk mitigation practices. Finally, we offer a discussion of the contributions and implications of our study in terms of tourism and hospitality research and practice.
Making the invisible visible: Young Chinese heritage language learners’ reading process through retrospective miscue analysis
Authors: Liu Xiaoming
Published: April 2022

This study intends to examine the reading process in Chinese of two young heritage language learners through the use of retrospective miscue analysis (RMA). Retrospective miscue analysis involves both the author and the reader in reflectively discussing the reader’s oral reading miscues—responses that differ from the actual text. This study confirms the notion that reading is an active sense-making process where the graphophonic, syntactic, and semantic cues as well as translanguaging skills function interdependently to assist heritage language readers with meaning construction. Strategies of sampling, predicting, substituting, and correcting are also evident in their reading. These active but “invisible” reading behaviors are not available through asking comprehension questions. Instead, they are obtained from the reflective conversations between the researcher and the students. Retrospective miscue analysis helps readers gain a deeper understanding of the reading process and enhances their metacognitive skills. This study also includes language and reading behaviors that are unique to Chinese heritage language learners as well as implications for parents and teachers.
International School Teachers in Iran and Their Intercultural Communicative Competence: Does Sociocultural Background Make a Difference?
Authors: Estaji Masoomeh , Tabrizi Sarvenaz
Published: April 2022

This research study examined international school teachers’ perceptions of Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC), and whether or not the teachers’ sociocultural background could predict their ICC level. To collect data, 55 international school teachers participated in the quantitative phase of the study, out of which nine were selected for a semi-structured interview in the qualitative phase. Participants were requested to complete two questionnaires, one to gather demographic information and one to assess their perceptions and level of ICC (Yildiz, 2016; Zhou, 2011). The results of data analysis showed that, in the context of teachers working in international schools in Tehran, sociocultural factors such as age, number of countries visited and duration of the visits, and number of languages spoken, could not predict teachers’ perception of ICC; gender was the exception. The quantitative findings revealed the lack of connection between prior international experience of the teachers and their ICC perception. Teacher participants found ICC as a way of respecting other cultures and accepting cultural differences. They also believed that attending international schools would positively affect students and teachers’ cultural identity.
Contact delamination detection of anisotropic composite plates using non-elliptical probability imaging of nonlinear ultrasonic guided waves
Authors: Liu Yuan , Hong Xiaobin , Zhang Bin
Published: April 2022

Contact delamination damage easily occurs inside the composite. The extension and accumulation of the damage occupy most of the time from damage appearance to failure. However, the anisotropy of materials and the small size of early damage make accurate detection difficult. In this paper, a non-elliptical probability imaging (NEPI) method based on nonlinear ultrasonic guided waves is proposed for the delamination damage detection in anisotropic composites. Firstly, the anisotropic characteristics of the composite are analyzed theoretically, and the velocity in all directions is obtained by numerical simulation. Secondly, the arrival time is obtained by the intersection of the upper and lower envelope fitting lines, and nonlinear coefficient is calculated based on the smooth pseudo Wigner–Ville distribution (SPWVD). Then, the time coefficient ( CT) and nonlinear damage index (NDI) are defined and applied in the NEPI. By comparison with a reference point, the problem that the damage location of anisotropic composite cannot be solved analytically is avoided skillfully. Finally, the NEPI method is used to present the damage. The experiment results show that the NEPI method can accurately display the damage location. The sensitivity and reliability of NDI based on SPWVD are further verified by comparison with damage index of scattered signal and time–frequency analysis methods such as fast Fourier transform, short-time Fourier transform, and S-transform. The proposed NEPI method based on nonlinear ultrasonic guided waves can detect the delamination damage with good location accuracy and high damage sensitivity.
Using spectral sensors to determine photosynthetic photon flux density in daylight – A theoretical approach
Authors: Hegemann T , Balasus J , Trinh QV , Herzog A , Khanh TQ
Published: April 2022

Precise determination of the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) is important for illumination in modern horticultural systems. This paper presents two methods to calculate the PPFD of daylight spectra using low cost optic sensors. The first method uses the spectral sensitivity functions of spectral sensors to recreate the quantum sensitivity curve of quantum sensors. Two sets of spectral sensitivity functions are compared. The second method calculates the PPFD based on the calculated correlated colour temperature and a spectral reconstruction using the CIE daylight model. It is demonstrated that all methods offer a useful estimation of the PPFD with correspondingly similar daylight spectra, but the supposedly simpler method, which is based on weighting of the individual channels, is more stable against deviations from the CIE daylight model.
A critical perspective on the administrative approach to crime prevention: The case of labour trafficking
Authors: Malik Hanna M. , Vanto Johanna , Lähteenmäki Liisa , Vatjus-Anttila Jalo , Davies Jon
Published: April 2022

Building on empirical data from Finnish enforcement agencies, we reflect on the challenges of the administrative approach to crime prevention. At the operational level, we identify explicit legal and implicit extra-legal limitations for using the administrative approach, that we call (1) ‘tunnel view’, (2) ‘structural siloes’, (3) ‘double role’, and (4) ‘blurred lines’. At the conceptual level, we consider the challenges of using the administrative approach in the context of labour trafficking. We argue that the initial set-up of the administrative approach that stresses the serious and organised crime paradigm limits understanding of the habitual and pervasive nature of labour trafficking . Nevertheless, administrative cooperation has the potential to contribute to full ‘labour justice’ as a governance framework that coordinates the efforts of public authorities and their multidimensional strategies to account for the entire labour exploitation spectrum.
Evaluation of physician–patient relationship and bioethical principles in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Gómez Guerrero Irma Eloísa , Arroyo-Valerio América , Reding-Bernal Arturo , Aguiñaga Chiñas Nuria , García Ana Isabel , Cantú Quintanilla Guillermo Rafael
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted medical care in many ways; previously, a patient would enter a hospital and had an approximate idea of what would happen upon his admission, the physician informed them about it, but in the last two years this scenario has changed. Therefore, our aim was to identify if bioethical principles are present in the physician–patient relationship and the effect of these in the health care provided, through an observational and descriptive study where patients answered the validated ReMePaB questionnaire that measures the presence of bioethical principles in the physician–patient relationship, on the seventh day of their hospital stay and 24 h after discharge, during the period from 1 August to 5 November 2020. In autonomy, an improvement in the score was observed in the second application compared to the first measurement; in the principle of non-vulnerability, the same scenario was observed for the first and second measurements, respectively. In the principles of beneficence, dignity, and justice, no statistically significant differences were observed. Considering the presence or absence of bioethical aspects in health care in this pandemic creates an area of opportunity to know the feelings of the patient during the care received and to maintain what is done well and improve those aspects that can be improved.
The COVID Season: U.S. Collegiate Esports Programs’ Material Challenges and Opportunities During the 2020–21 Pandemic
Authors: Cote Amanda C. , Can Onder , Foxman Maxwell , Harris Brandon C. , Hansen Jared , Rahman Md Waseq Ur , Fickle Tara
Published: April 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, universities were among the first institutions to shift to an online model. As they did so, nascent collegiate esports program lost access to campus spaces and in-person connections, potentially destabilizing this rising industry. Conversely, universities also worked to provide students remote access to resources, and many components of esports already occur online. Therefore, collegiate esports may have adjusted to distancing measures, potentially strengthening their footholds on US campuses. This paper draws on in-depth interviews with collegiate esports players, student employees, program directors, and administrators to address different programs’ reactions to the pandemic, specifically the challenges and opportunities they faced. Overall, interviews reveal how COVID-19 shifted the understandings of and practices around gaming and esports, highlighted the intermittent relationship of online and offline spheres, and presented various possibilities and challenges for different stakeholders during the global pandemic.
Importance of Social Videogaming for Connection with Others During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ballard Mary E. , Spencer Michael T.
Published: April 2022

This study focused on the importance of social videogame play for remaining connected to others early in the COVID-19 pandemic. While social isolation and loneliness negatively affect well-being, social interaction is important for positive outcomes. During the pandemic, online videogame play has offered a safe outlet for socialization. Participants ( n = 45) completed a survey rating the importance of gaming for feeling connected to family, friends, and co-workers, before, during, and after stay-at-home orders. As expected, the results indicate that social videogame play and its importance increased significantly during the stay-at-home period and decreased afterward. The importance of gaming with friends and co-workers increased significantly during the stay-at-home period but did not decrease significantly afterward. Social gaming was more important for remaining connected with friends and co-workers than family. Participants likely had more direct interaction with family members, while more effort was necessary to maintain contact with non-family members.
A new era in the treatment of wide necked bifurcation aneurysms: Intrasaccular flow disruption
Authors: Heiferman Daniel M. , Goyal Nitin , Inoa Violiza , Nickele Christopher M. , Arthur Adam S.
Published: April 2022

Wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs) are challenging lesions to treat via both open surgical and endovascular techniques. Presently, there are 3 intrasaccular devices available to address many of the limitations of prior techniques, all of which are at different phases of approval for human use around the world. These devices include the Woven EndoBridge (WEB®) made by MicroVention, the Artisse™ Embolization Device made by Medtronic, and the Contour Neurovascular System™ made by Cerus Endovascular. Although heterogenous in design, these devices rely on the principle of using fine mesh overlying the aneurysm neck to slow blood inflow, promoting stagnation and thrombosis that ultimately leads to healing across the neck and exclusion from the circulation. While our understanding improves as long-term occlusion rates from these devices continue to be studied, the safety profiles and short-term success rates demonstrated in recent studies provide optimism for these innovative intrasaccular devices for the treatment of WNBAs. In this paper, we review these 3 intra-saccular flow disruption devices for use in WNBAs and summarize recent literature and studies of their effectiveness and safety.
Data-driven global sensitivity indices for the load-carrying capacity of large-diameter stiffened cylindrical shells
Authors: Wang Zhixiang , Lei Yongjun , Zhang Dapeng , Liu Guanri , Wang Jie
Published: April 2022

The influence of input parameters on the load-carrying capacity of the large-diameter stiffened cylindrical shell has not been satisfactory understood. To obtain the global sensitivity indices for the load-carrying capacity of large-diameter stiffened cylindrical shells, a novel data-driven sensitivity analysis method is presented for the efficient calculation of Sobol’s indices. In the work, the analytical expressions to compute Sobol’s indices are derived in detail based on the Radial Basis Function (RBF) metamodel. Then, the collapse mode of stiffened cylindrical shells with different sections of stringers are simulated, and the sensitivity of the load-carrying performance to geometric parameters are analyzed. The results show that for the considered stiffened cylindrical shell: (1) The coupled flexural-torsional induced deformation becomes the main factor leading to the overall collapse of the large-diameter and heavy-load stiffened cylindrical shells. (2) The flange thickness of stringers has the strongest influence on the load-bearing capacity, followed by the web thickness of stringers. (3) The interaction influences between stringers and other components in stiffened cylindrical shells are insignificant and negligible compared to the individual influence of stringers.