bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of polyester fabrics with tungsten bronze nanorods and a silane coupling agent for improved thermal storage and washing durability
Authors: Woo Ye-eun , Oh Kyung Wha
Published: January 2023

The thermal storage and washing durability of polyester fabrics treated with tungsten bronze nanorods(TBNRs) were analyzed to determine the optimal concentration for the photothermal effect in this study. TBNRs with an average length of 34.0 ± 2.5 nm and a diameter of 2.3 ± 0.4 nm were synthesized by the thermal decomposition of Ammonium metatungstate hydrate(AMT) in oleylamine (OA) to generate TBNRs that are capable of emitting heat by efficiently absorbing light in the near-infrared region. The effect of TBNR concentration and the silane coupling agent on the photothermal effect and washing durability of the PET fabric were evaluated with a solar simulator. As a result, as the concentration of TBNRs increased, the photothermal effect increased, and the maximum photothermal effect was shown at 5 wt%. In addition, washing durability were further improved by adding 0.5 wt% silane counpling agent. Overall, the post-processing treatment effectively increased the photothermal effect without a significant change in the physical properties and color of the polyester.
Intravitreal sirolimus with adjunct aflibercept versus aflibercept monotherapy for persistent, exudative age-related macular degeneration: a pilot study
Authors: Rowe Lucas W. , Minturn Robert J. , Burgett Lauren A. , Bracha Peter , Maturi Raj K.
Published: January 2023

Background

To determine the safety and efficacy of intravitreal sirolimus and adjunct aflibercept in subjects with persistent, exudative age-related macular degeneration despite previous intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment.

Methods

This institutional review board approved, registered (NCT02732899), prospective, subject-masked, single center, randomized controlled trial in subjects with persistent, exudative age-related macular degeneration compared alternating monthly intravitreal sirolimus and aflibercept (combination) versus aflibercept monotherapy (control) every 2 months over the course of 36 weeks. The primary measure of efficacy in the study was the mean change in central subfield thickness.

Results

20 subjects were enrolled in the study, with 10 subjects assigned to each treatment group. Subjects had an average of 38 previous anti-VEGF injections. Mean central subfield thickness decreased in the combination group by 54.0 μm compared to 0.1 μm in the control group (p = 0.28). Mean visual acuity improved in the combination group by 2.5 ETDRS letters versus 0.8 ETDRS letters in the control group (p = 0.42). There were no serious ocular adverse events in either group; however, there were three serious systemic events in the combination group, including hospitalizations due to pancreatitis, pneumonia, and worsening hypertension.

Conclusion

There was no statistically significant difference in the mean central subfield thickness change between the combination and control groups. However, intravitreal sirolimus with adjunct aflibercept did appear to have potential anatomical benefits as a treatment for persistent, exudative age-related macular degeneration and requires further investigation with a larger cohort to better understand the potential risks and benefits.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02732899. Registered 11 March 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02732899. This trial was approved by the institutional review board at Advarra. Funding was provided by an investigator-initiated grant from Santen. Santen played no role in the design or implementation of this study.
Sustainable metal-free leather manufacture via synergistic effects of triazine derivative and vegetable tannins
Authors: Xiao Yuanhang , Zhou Jiajing , Wang Chunhua , Zhang Jinwei , Radnaeva Vera D. , Lin Wei
Published: January 2023

Restrictions on heavy metals, especially chromium, have encouraged alternative tanning systems that can reduce environmental and human health risks from conventional chrome-based tanning. In this work, metal-free combination tanning was developed by using vegetable tannins and a triazine-based syntan containing active chlorine groups (SACC). Specifically, the relationship between leather performance (e.g., hydrothermal stability and organoleptic properties) and technical protocols (e.g., types and dose of tannins) was systematically established. The optimized protocol involving a unique procedure (i.e., 10% SACC pre-tanning, shaving, and 25% wattle tanning) endowed the leather with high shrinkage temperature (~ 92 °C) and met the Chinese standards for shoe upper leather (QB/T 1873-2010). Our method not only produces zero chrome-containing solid wastes, but also uses ~ 75% less tannin for leather manufacture. The excellent leather performance was ascribed to the synergistic effects, where SACC and wattle diffused into collagen fibrils and may bind to collagen via covalent, hydrogen and ionic bonding, locking the hierarchical structure of collagen from microfibrils to fiber bundles. Moreover, we summarized these findings and proposed a diffusion-binding-locking mechanism, providing new insights for current tanning theory. Together with the biodegradable spent tanning liquor, this approach will underpin the development of sustainable leather manufacture.

Graphical Abstract
Pleotropic effects of statins: the dilemma of wider utilization of statin
Authors: Choudhary Ambika , Rawat Ujjawal , Kumar Piyush , Mittal Piyush
Published: January 2023

Background

Apart from reducing the circulating LDL-c and the number of cardiovascular cases as well as fatalities, statins have auxiliary non–lipid-related or cholesterol independent effects, the pleiotropic effects. The aim of the present review is to understand the pleotropic effects of statins.

Main body

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is presently the major cause of patient misery as well as mortality among non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the world. Despite the fact that statins are the most extensively affirmed, prescribed and evidence-based lipid-lowering medicine worldwide that curtail low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels and the number of cardiovascular cases as well as deaths, statins also elicit auxiliary non–lipid-related or cholesterol independent effects, the pleiotropic effects. Improved endothelial function, significantly lowered oxidative stress, atherosclerotic plaque stabilization, immunomodulatory, cessation of vascular smooth muscle proliferation, effects on bone metabolism, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic effects, and reduced risk of dementia are among these pleotropic effects. Statins have also been explored for its uses in life threatening diseases like cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. They have been demonstrated to revamp vascular tone. Many research and review articles have been thoroughly studied for this systematic review.

Conclusions

Statins have not only shown to be benefitial in lowering the levels of LDL-C but have also been established to be advantageous in the treatment of cancer, neurological conditions like dementia, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease. Future high-quality trials are needed to include statins in the treatment of these conditions as per guidelines.
HRAS Mutations Define a Distinct Subgroup in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Coleman Niamh , Marcelo Kathrina L. , Hopkins Julia F. , Khan Nusrat Israr , Du Robyn , Hong Lingzhi , Park Edward , Balsara Binaifer , Leoni Mollie , Pickering Curtis , Myers Jeffrey , Heymach John , Albacker Lee A. , Hong David , Gillison Maura , Le Xiuning
Published: January 2023

PURPOSE

In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), HRAS mutation is a new actionable oncogene driver. We aimed to evaluate HRAS mutational variants, comutation profile, and survival outcomes of this molecularly defined population.

METHODS

We leveraged four deidentified patient data sets with HRAS-mutant HNSCC, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Kura Oncology, Inc trial, Foundation Medicine, and American Association for Cancer Research GENIE v.12. Patient demographic information and clinical courses were extracted, when available, in addition to HRAS mutation type and co-occurring mutations. Survival outcomes were analyzed (Kaplan-Meier method).

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-nine patients with HRAS-mutant HNSCC were identified from the four data sets. Median age ranged from 55 to 65 years, with a higher frequency in male patients (64%); the majority of HRAS-mutant HNSCC occurred in human papillomavirus–negative HNSCC. HRAS mutation patterns were similar across data sets; G12S was the most common (29%). Treatment responses to tipifarnib were not codon-specific. Compared with wild-type, significantly co-occurring mutations with HRAS were Casp8 (Fisher's exact test, P < .00013), TERT ( P < .0085), and NOTCH1 ( P < .00013). Analysis of clinical courses from the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Kura Oncology, Inc data sets demonstrated poor clinical outcomes with a high rate of recurrence following primary definitive treatment (50%-67% relapse < 6 months) and short disease-free survival (4.0 months; 95% CI, 1.0 to 36.0) and overall survival (OS; 15.0 months; 95% CI, 6.0 to 52.0). Use of tipifarnib in this data set demonstrated improved OS (25.5 months; 95% CI, 18.0 to 48.0).

CONCLUSION

Oncogenic mutations in HRAS occur in 3%-4% of HNSCC, with G12S being the most frequent. Without targeted therapy, patients with HRAS-mutant HNSCC had poor clinic outcomes; observable trend toward improvement in OS has been noted in cohorts receiving treatments such as tipifarnib. The comutation pattern of HRAS-mutant in HNSCC is distinct, which may provide insight to future therapeutic combination strategies.
Analytical coordinate time at first post-Newtonian order
Authors: De Falco Vittorio , Battista Emmanuele , Antoniadis John
Published: January 2023

In this letter, we exploit the Damour-Deruelle solution to derive the analytical expression of the coordinate time in terms of the polar angle. This formula has advantageous applications in both pulsar timing and gravitational-wave theory.
Transitions in development – an interview with Daniel Grimes
Authors: Eve Alex
Published: January 2023

Daniel Grimes is an Assistant Professor in the Institute of Molecular Biology at the University of Oregon, USA, and a recipient of the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of General Medical Sciences) MIRA Outstanding Research Award. His lab studies the consequences of ciliary mutations including left-right patterning defects and scoliosis, primarily in zebrafish. We spoke to Daniel over Zoom to hear more about his career path, his experience of becoming a group leader and the influence of Jurassic Park.
String/Cdc25 phosphatase is a suppressor of Tau-associated neurodegeneration
Authors: Oliveira Andreia C. , Santos Madalena , Pinho Mafalda , Lopes Carla S.
Published: January 2023

Tau pathology is defined by the intracellular accumulation of abnormally phosphorylated Tau (MAPT) and is prevalent in several neurodegenerative disorders. The identification of modulators of Tau abnormal phosphorylation and aggregation is key to understanding disease progression and developing targeted therapeutic approaches. In this study, we identified String (Stg)/Cdc25 phosphatase as a suppressor of abnormal Tau phosphorylation and associated toxicity. Using a Drosophila model of tauopathy, we showed that Tau dephosphorylation by Stg/Cdc25 correlates with reduced Tau oligomerization, brain vacuolization and locomotor deficits in flies. Moreover, using a disease mimetic model, we provided evidence that Stg/Cdc25 reduces Tau phosphorylation levels independently of Tau aggregation status and delays neurodegeneration progression in the fly. These findings uncover a role for Stg/Cdc25 phosphatases as regulators of Tau biology that extends beyond their well-characterized function as cell-cycle regulators during cell proliferation, and indicate Stg/Cdc25-based approaches as promising entry points to target abnormal Tau phosphorylation.
The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on hospices: A systematic integrated review and synthesis of recommendations for policy and practice
Authors: van Langen-Datta Shalene , Wesson Helen , Fleming Joanna , Eccles Abi , Grimley Catherine , Dale Jeremy , Almack Kathryn , Mayland Catriona , Mitchell Sarah , Driscoll Ruth , Tatnell Lynn , Roberts Lesley , MacArtney John I.
Published: January 2023

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the development of numerous recommendations for practice and policy for specialist palliative care provided by hospices in United Kingdom (UK), as hospices were significantly affected by the pandemic and protections put in place. The aim of this review is to identify and synthesise recommendations or implications for policy and practice that have been generated for adult hospice specialist palliative care during the first 24 months of the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: AMED, BNI, CINAHL, EMBASE, EMCARE, HMIC, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed databases were searched for peer-reviewed papers, as well as hand searches for grey literature. Literature relating to hospices and Covid-19 in the UK were included and a thematic synthesis of recommendations for hospice policy and practice was undertaken. Results: 858 articles were identified with 12 meeting the inclusion criteria. Fifty-eight recommendations or implications were identified: 31 for policy, 27 for practice, and 10 covering both. Recommendations were organised under ten themes. There were several recommendations seeking to secure hospice resources to mitigate the short-term impact of the pandemic, as well as those focused on longer-term implications such as core funding. The impact of the pandemic on the quality of hospice care was the focus for numerous recommendations around improving integration of hospice care in the community, provision of bereavement support and better use of Advance Care Plans (ACP). However, there were significant gaps related to carer visitation in hospices, inequities of palliative care, or hospice-at-home services. Conclusion: The Covid-19 pandemic and protections exposed several ongoing policy and practice needs, especially around hospice resources, while generating novel issues for hospices to address. Significant policy gaps remain to be addressed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the quality of hospice specialist palliative care.
Implementing a community specialist team to support the delivery of integrated diabetes care: experiences in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Riordan Fiona , O'Mahony Lauren , Sheehan Cormac , Murphy Katie , O'Donnell Maire , Hurley Lorna , Dinneen Sean , McHugh Sheena M.
Published: January 2023

Background: While models of integrated care for people with chronic conditions have demonstrated promising results, there are still knowledge gaps about how these models are implemented in different contexts and which strategies may best support implementation. We aimed to evaluate the implementation of a multidisciplinary diabetes Community Specialist Team (CST) to support delivery of integrated type 2 diabetes care during COVID-19 in two health networks.

Methods: A mixed methods approach was used. Quantitative data included administrative data on CST activity and caseload, and questionnaires with GPs, practice nurses (PN) and people with type 2 diabetes. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews and focus groups about the service from CST members, GPs, PNs and people with type 2 diabetes. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research framework to explain what influences implementation and to integrate different stakeholder perspectives.

Results: Over a 6-month period (Dec 2020-May 2021), 516 patients were seen by podiatrists, 435 by dieticians, and 545 by CNS. Of patients who had their first CST appointment within the previous 6 months (n=29), 69% (n=20) waited less than 4 weeks to see the HCP. During initial implementation, CST members used virtual meetings to build ‘rapport’ with general practice staff, supporting ‘upskilling’ and referrals to the CST. Leadership from the local project team and change manager provided guidance on how to work as a team and ‘iron out’ issues. Where available, shared space enhanced networking between CST members and facilitated joint appointments. Lack of administrative support for the CST impacted on clinical time.

Conclusions: This study illustrates how the CST benefited from shared space, enhanced networking, and leadership. When developing strategies to support implementation of integrated care, the need for administrative support, the practicalities of co-location to facilitate joint appointments, and relative advantages of different delivery models should be considered.
Revisiting the case of ‘blood-brothers’: A constructivist approach in North Korea-China relations
Authors: Mukhia Anmol
Published: January 2023

North Korea and China’s relations have, from time to time, been addressed by the international media as ‘symbolic brothers’, and often come into the academic discussion in the context of the ‘Korean War’ (1950-1953). It is captured in the larger debate, with North Korea as a by-product or satellite state of China, but the socio-political view of a created society has not been addressed much. The major development that took place during the time was the symbolic production of terminology such as ‘blood-brothers’ or as close as ‘lips and teeth relations’ which has reciprocal leverage in each-other’s politics. In this case, social constructivism asserts that knowledge undergoes construction through human activity and individuals create meaning through their interactions. The paper takes a constructivist approach as a socio-political view on the Korean War, emphasizing the role of social factors such as identity in the construction of interest and action. It argues that it was the social construction of inter-subjective belief and shared understanding that shaped North Korea-China relations.
Demographic and socioeconomic predictors of religious/spiritual beliefs and behaviours in a prospective cohort study (ALSPAC) in Southwest England: Results from the parental generation
Authors: Major-Smith Daniel , Morgan Jimmy , Halstead Isaac , Tohidinik Hamid Reza , Iles-Caven Yasmin , Golding Jean , Northstone Kate
Published: January 2023

Background: We explored associations between possible demographic and socioeconomic causes of religious/spiritual beliefs and behaviours (RSBB) in the parental generation of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

Methods: We used a prospective birth cohort study (ALSPAC) in Southwest England with 14,157 enrolled mothers and 14,154 associated partners. Three RSBB outcome measures collected during pregnancy were examined: religious belief (belief in God/a divine power; yes/not sure/no), religious affiliation (Christian/none/other) and religious attendance (frequency of attendance at a place of worship). Multiple demographic and socioeconomic exposures were assessed (23 in mothers and 22 in partners). We explored age-adjusted associations between each exposure and outcome using multinomial regression, in addition to exposure-age interactions.

Results: Many demographic and socioeconomic factors were associated with RSBB, including age, ethnicity, marital status, education, income and deprivation. Overall, higher socioeconomic position was associated with increased levels of RSBB, particularly regarding religious attendance. For instance, compared to mothers with the lowest level of educational attainment, a degree-level education was associated with a six-fold increase in the relative risk ratio of religious attendance at least once a week, relative to not attending at all (RRR=5.90; 95% CI=[4.44; 7.86]). The magnitude of these associations often varied by outcome, e.g., income was associated with religious attendance, but only weakly with religious affiliation. Although results were demographically and socially patterned, overall effect sizes were relatively small, with a largest pseudo-R2 value of 2.4%. Patterns of association were similar for mothers and partners.

Conclusion: The observed positive association between socioeconomic position and RSBB is contrary to much previous theoretical and empirical work. Potential reasons for these differences are discussed, including cross-cultural variation in religiosity and state support, and differences between RSBB measures. This descriptive paper can also help inform future studies using these data regarding the consideration of appropriate confounders.
Maximising impactful, locally relevant global mental health research conducted in low and middle income country settings: ethical considerations
Authors: Calia Clara , Chakrabarti Amit , Sarabwe Emmanuel , Chiumento Anna
Published: January 2023

Background:Achieving ethical and meaningful mental health research in diverse global settings requires approaches to research design, conduct, and dissemination that prioritise a contextualised approach to impact and local relevance.

Method:Through three case studies presented at the 2021 Global Forum on Bioethics in Research meeting on the ethical issues arising in research with people with mental health conditions, we consider the nuances to achieving ethical and meaningful mental health research in three diverse settings. The case studies include research with refugees Rwanda and Uganda; a neurodevelopmental cohort study in a low resource setting in India, and research with Syrian refugees displaced across the Middle East.

Results:Key considerations highlighted across the case studies include how mental health is understood and experienced in diverse contexts to ensure respectful engagement with communities, and to inform the selection of contextually-appropriate and feasible research methods and tools to achieve meaningful data collection.  Related to this is a need to consider how communities understand and engage with research to avoid therapeutic misconception, exacerbating stigma, or creating undue inducement for research participation, whilst also ensuring meaningful benefit for research participation. Central to achieving these is the meaningful integration of the views and perspectives of local stakeholders to inform research design, conduct, and legacy. The case studies foreground the potential tensions between meeting local community needs through the implementation of an intervention, and attaining standards of scientific rigor in research design and methods; and between adherence to procedural ethical requirements such as ethical review and documenting informed consent, and ethical practice through attention to the needs of the local research team.

Conclusions:We conclude that engagement with how to achieve local relevance and social, practice, and academic impact offer productive ways for researchers to promote ethical research that prioritises values of solidarity, inclusion, and mutual respect.
Orientación filosófica y meditación. Teoría y práctica: explorando un camino hacia la justicia.
Authors: Acharya Nayha
Published: January 2023

Este artículo demostrará cómo la orientación filosófica contribuiría valiosamente al campo de la resolución de conflictos a través de la mediación y la justicia civil en general. La mediación es un proceso de resolución de conflictos que involucra a un tercero que facilita a las partes en disputa llegar a una resolución autónoma. Este proceso se está incorporando a los sistemas de justicia civil a nivel mundial, pero la forma en que se debe llevar a cabo la mediación para lograr resultados verdaderamente justos requiere una atención inmediata y reflexiva. En el mejor de los casos, la mediación empodera a las partes para crear conjuntamente una resolución justa de su conflicto a través de una exploración dialógica de los intereses, necesidades y normas y valores relevantes.3 Esto es radicalmente diferente al proceso judicativo en el que las partes se basan en marcos legales y decisiones judiciales autorizadas para resolver conflictos. En la mediación, las partes deben reconocer y pensar críticamente sobre sus visiones del mundo y sus valores. La orientación filosófica puede proporcionar a los mediadores un método empático y dialógico para ayudar a las partes a pensar crítica y racionalmente y a cultivar la claridad, profundidad y coherencia en su visión del mundo y en su sistema de valores.4 Permitir una autocomprensión tan profunda permitiría a los participantes integrarse en un diálogo auténtico y crítico que, en mi opinión, es esencial para una mediación legítima que conduzca a resultados justos. Este documento demostrará cómo varios principios esenciales de la orientación filosófica se alinean precisamente con los valores, objetivos y necesidades de la mediación justa (incluyendo una profunda autocomprensión, conciencia crítica de las cosmovisiones/valores y propensión al diálogo racional). Este documento establece una base introductoria, que, en última instancia, exige un enfoque interdisciplinario/interprofesional que utilizaría los conocimientos de la orientación filosófica para brindar beneficios significativos al desarrollo de programas de mediación y a los sistemas de justicia civil en todo el mundo.
Hugo Kołłątaj jako duchowny
Authors: Maroszek Piotr
Published: January 2023

The dissertation examines Fr. Hugo Kołłątaj’s involvement in pastoral work, and church and patriotic activity, while also tackling the question of his faithfulness to the Catholic doctrine. The author relies on extensive material which comprises 70 unpublished and 84 published primary sources. The study aims to determine the scope of Fr. Kołłątaj’s pastoral activity and his involvement in Church affairs, focusing on his struggle to obtain benefices, his care for the parishes he was responsible for, his pastoral methods, and his proposals for church reforms. The source analysis takes into account the comparative prosopographic and chronological points of view.
Discriminatory Trade Promotions in Consumer Search Markets
Authors: Janssen Maarten , Reshidi Edona
Published: January 2023

The paper shows that, in consumer search markets, discriminatory trade promotions create more profits for manufacturers than uniform pricing.
Looking into Crystal Balls: A Laboratory Experiment on Reputational Cheap Talk
Authors: Meloso Debrah , Nunnari Salvatore , Ottaviani Marco
Published: January 2023

We experimentally study information transmission by experts motivated by their reputation for being well-informed. In our game of reputational cheap talk, a reporter privately observes information about a state of the world and sends a message to an evaluator; the evaluator uses the message and the realized state of the world to assess the reporter’s informativeness. We manipulate the key driver of misreporting incentives: the uncertainty about the phenomenon to forecast. We highlight three findings. First, misreporting information is pervasive even when truthful information transmission can be an equilibrium strategy. Second, consistent with the theory, reporters are more likely to transmit information truthfully when there is more uncertainty on the state. Third, evaluators have difficulty learning reporters’ strategies and, contrary to the theory, assessments react more strongly to message accuracy when reporters are more likely to misreport. In a simpler environment with computerized evaluators, reporters learn to best reply to evaluators’ behavior and, when the state is highly uncertain and evaluators are credulous, to transmit information truthfully.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Funding: Financial support from the H2020 European Research Council [Grant 295835 (EVALIDEA)] is gratefully acknowledged.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4629 .
Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality Assessment of So2 and No2 in Suburban Schools in Imphal, Manipur
Authors: Khumukcham Rajukumar , Khoiyangbam Raju Singh
Published: January 2023

Air quality assessments for NO2 and SO2 levels in indoor and outdoor environments were conducted in three suburban schools in Imphal. Season-wise, the highest NO2 and SO2 concentrations were observed during winter, while the lowest occurred during the monsoon. The concentration of SO2 in the indoor air was comparatively cleaner than in the outdoor air. Similarly, indoor air was found to be cleaner than outdoor air with respect to NO2. The overall concentration obtained for the entire study period for SO2 was 4.9±1.5 µg m-3, and for NO2, it was 9.2±3.0 µg m-3. The concentrations of the two gases obtained during the study were below the NAAQs and WHO permissible limits. Seasonal variation of SO2 concentrations between the pre-monsoon period and monsoon months and also between the monsoon period and winter months (at p<0.001) was significant. For NO2, seasonal variation in the concentrations between the monsoon and winter (at p<0.001) was found significant. The estimated I/O ratios for the two studied gases, which were below one, plus the positive correlation between the classroom and campus environment concentrations of NO2 (r=0.96), and SO2 (r=0.96), reflected the influence of the indoor air quality by outdoor pollution sources. Data on similar studies for the country’s northeastern region, in particular, is scanty, and that’s why it may provide valuable insights to the scientific world.
Patient satisfaction with a virtual multidisciplinary team balance clinic: a pilot study
Authors: Chew Dylan , Stavrakas Marios , Mowforth Louise , Ray Jaydip
Published: January 2023

Background/Aims

The COVID-19 pandemic led to many services being conducted remotely, including ear, nose and throat services. Although much in-person activity has now resumed, some services are still being provided remotely. This pilot study explored patients' satisfaction with the virtual multidisciplinary team balance clinics established at the authors' practice, looking at the feasibility of continuing this model of service delivery in the future.

Methods

Self-administered questionnaires were posted to the 56 patients who had received a virtual consultation with the service between March and September 2020, of which 22 were returned. The questionnaire presented respondents with 14 items, with which they rated their agreement on a 6-point Likert scale. Correlations between the final item (which measured overall satisfaction) and the other items were analysed using Spearman's rho.

Results

Overall, respondents were satisfied with the virtual consultations. Respondents either agreed or strongly agreed with 13 of the 14 items; the only exception was ‘I obtained better access to healthcare services by use of telemedicine’. Most respondents were happy with the quality of communication and valued the time saved on travel, although one pointed out that this may not be an appropriate mode of service delivery for patients who are deaf.

Conclusions

Virtual clinics can be an acceptable adjunct to traditional clinical consultations in an ear, nose and throat outpatient department for balance disorders and should be continued in future.
How should we measure platelet count before central neuraxial blockade in parturients with thrombocytopenia?
Authors: Smith Jennifer
Published: January 2023

Patients with low platelet counts are a concern to the obstetric anaesthetist as, although rare, there is a risk of a spinal epidural haematoma following central neuraxial blockade. Although conventional plasma-based tests are frequently used to guide central neuraxial blockade in patients with thrombocytopenia, interest in the use of viscoelastic haemostatic assays is increasing.
Comparative assessment of current robotic-assisted systems in primary total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Walgrave Simon , Oussedik Sam
Published: January 2023

Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has proven higher accuracy, fewer alignment outliers, and improved short-term clinical outcomes when compared to conventional TKA. However, evidence of cost-effectiveness and individual superiority of one system over another is the subject of further research. Despite its growing adoption rate, published results are still limited and comparative studies are scarce. This review compares characteristics and performance of five currently available systems, focusing on the information and feedback each system provides to the surgeon, what the systems allow the surgeon to modify during the operation, and how each system then aids execution of the surgical plan. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(1):13–18.
Disaffiliierende Bewertungen und Haltungsbekundungen in Er-zählaktivitäten – eine multimodale Analyse
Authors: Bröker Sophie , Zima Elisabeth
Published: January 2023

This paper deals with multimodal displays of non-affiliative stances and assessments in face-to-face triadic storytelling activities. Building on conversational analytical research that has highlighted the co-constructed nature of storytelling activities and the intersubjective nature of stance-taking, this paper takes a multimodal perspective and focusses on how interactants use language, prosody, gaze, and gestures to express stances that are non-affiliative to different degrees. The paper addresses two issues: We first concentrate on the ways that disaffiliative assessments and stances are communicated as multimodal packages before zooming in on the ways that storytellers and recipients deal with displays of disaffiliation. This includes both verbal and nonverbal strategies to highlight disaffiliation and interactional work to jointly mitigate it. By its focus on multimodal stance-taking in storytelling activities, the paper ties in with both the recently growing interest in the multimodal nature of stance-taking as well as recent pleas to revisit interactional storytelling from a multimodal perspective.
Resurfacing Egg-shell Patellar Defect in a Single-staged Primary total Knee Arthroplasty – A Case Report
Authors: Supreeth Sam , Yukata Kiminori , Suetomi Yutaka , Yamazaki Kazuhizo , Sakai Takashi , Fujii Hiroshi
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Patellofemoral biomechanics are a very critical factor for patient satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty. Patellar defects in a primary total knee arthroplasty are rare. We present a rare case of valgus deformed knee with an eroded egg-shell like patella managed with primary knee arthroplasty. Case Report: A 58-year-old female with bilateral knee pain for 35-years presented to us with a bilateral valgus knee. The knee range of movement was restricted more on the left side and severely restricting her activities of daily living. She had an egg-shell like eroded patellar defect in an osteoarthritic knee for which, she underwent primary total knee arthroplasty and patellar resurfacing with autologous bone graft harvested from the tibial cut bone. Conclusion: We have presented a rare case of a combination of patellar defect in an Osteoarthritic knee which was managed by modified gap-balancing technique of TKA with a novel method of patellar resurfacing in a single stage with good functional results at 1-year postoperatively. This case improves our understanding of the management of such complex scenarios and, more importantly raises the questions our understanding and need of classification of such patellar defects in a primary arthritic knee.
Metaphyseal Dysplasia, Spahr Type; A Case Report of Variable Expressivity in Non-Consanguineous Filipino Siblings
Authors: Panchapakesan Kailash , Roper Brennan , Mowrey Kate , Hillman Paul , Younas Shiraz
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Metaphyseal dysplasia describes a heterogenous group of skeletal dysplasias with varying inheritance patterns, which preferentially demonstrate dysplastic changes within the metaphyseal region of long bones. The clinical consequences of these dysplastic changes are highly variable, but most uniformly include decreased stature, increased upper-to-lower segment proportions, genu varus, and knee pain. Metaphyseal dysplasia, Spahr type (MDST) [MIM: 250400] is a rare primary bone dysplasia that was first clinically described in 1961 in four of five siblings with moderate short stature, metaphyseal dysplasia, mild genu vara, and no biochemical signs of rickets. For many decades, MDST was a clinical diagnosis, but the underlying genetic etiology was determined to be due to biallelic pathogenic variants in matrix metalloproteinases 13 [MIM: 600108] in 2014. Clinical case reports of this disease are limited; this paper aims to present the clinical manifestations and treatment for 3 Filipino siblings with a confirmed of MDST. Case Report: Patient 1 presented at age 8 for medial ankle pain and bilateral lower extremity bowing of several years. Radiographs showed bilateral metaphyseal irregularities, and the patient underwent bilateral lateral distal femoral and proximal tibial physeal tethering at 9 years 11 months. At 16 months post tethering, she reports reduced pain although varus deformity persists. Patient 2 presented to clinic at age 6 for concern of bilateral bowing. He has had no reported pain and demonstrates milder metaphyseal irregularities than patient 1 on radiographs. To date, patient 2 has no significant changes or gross deformity. Patient 3 examined at 19 months without observable deformity. Conclusion: Suspicion for MDST should be elevated in the setting of short-stature, upper-to-lower segment disproportionality, focal metaphyseal irregularities, and normal biochemical presentation. At present, no standard of care exists for treatment of patients with these deformities. Further, identification and evaluation of impacted patients are needed to progressively optimize management.
Missed Perilunate Dislocation in a Post-Traumatic Head Injury Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Meleppuram Jimmy Joseph , Jacob Bobby
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Perilunate injuries are rare, complex, and high velocity trauma associated injuries accounting to <10% of wrist joint trauma. Volar peri-lunate dislocations account for <3% of these injuries. Perilunate injuries should, therefore, be focused and ruled out while examining a patient complaining wrist pain after high-energy accidents which are often missed. Case Report: We report a case of, missed dislocation in a patient who presented delayed with wrist pain, post 4 months road traffic accident associated with heterotrophic ossified mass in a united scapular fracture. He underwent open reduction through a combined approach and internal fixation with K-wires. Aggressive wrist physiotherapy retrieved near-normal range of motion at the wrist by the end of 5 months as well as neither revealed recurrence of the dislocation nor signs of avascular necrosis. Conclusion: Successful results in perilunate injuries can be obtained with open reduction, ligament reconstruction with K-wires fixation through a single combined approach in delayed presentation resulting in achieving near normal range of movements.
Isolated Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury of the Knee in a Judo Athlete: A Surgical Case Report
Authors: Soda Yoshinori , Ohkawa Shingo , Kano Toshiya , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Adachi Nobuo
Published: January 2023

Introduction: We report a rare case of surgical treatment for an isolated lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury of the knee that was difficult to correctly diagnose considering physical findings alone of a judo athlete. Case Report: The 27-year-old man complained of pain on the lateral side of the right knee and discomfort and balance instability when climbing and descending stairs. During a judo match, he stepped on his right foot to prevent his opponent’s waza (techniques), causing forced varus on his knee in a slight flexion position. His right knee showed no apparent sway in the manual test, but pain around the fibular head was induced in the figure-of-four position, and the LCL could not be palpated. Joint instability was not detected on varus stress roentgenography, but magnetic resonance imaging showed signal changes and an abnormal course in the fibula head insertion at the distal part of the LCL. Although no instability was observed objectively, clinical findings diagnosed LCL as an isolated injury, and surgical treatment was performed. Six months after the operation, his symptoms improved, and he resumed competing in judo. Conclusion: To correctly diagnose an isolated LCL injury of the knee, it is important to consider patient history and physical findings. Repair of the injury could improve subjective symptoms, such as pain, discomfort, and balance instability, even if objective instability is not observed.
Theorising fatherhood: challenges and suggestions
Authors: Johansson Thomas
Published: January 2023

During the 1990s, the sociology of the family was vitalised by new and groundbreaking theories of modernity, identity, and the family. At this time the family was put forward as an example of how modern institutions and identities were transforming and changing. Concepts such as individualisation, choice biographies, and reflexivity brought new perspectives to family research. Parallel to this Raewyn Connell’s book Masculinities raised important questions about men’s lives and generated a renewed interest in theories of masculinities. Overall, these parallel theoretical tracks also brought new life to issues on fatherhood. Specifically, a collaborative approach gradually developed between critical studies on men and masculinities and research on fatherhood and fathering. Following a development from functionalist to contemporary theories on fatherhood, possibilities to theorise and redefine fatherhood will be explored. Using a multidimensional theoretical approach to fatherhood will facilitate making connections between the phenomenological (the body, subjectivity), and the sociocultural (welfare regimes, hegemonic structures) aspects of fatherhood. The article also argues that we might have to develop a new theoretical language that does not define acts, performativity and attitudes in terms of fathering/mothering.
Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy of the spine: improved breach detection with angulated fibers
Authors: Losch Merle S. , Kardux Famke , Dankelman Jenny , Hendriks Benno H. W.
Published: January 2023

Accuracy in spinal fusion varies greatly depending on the experience of
the physician. Real-time tissue feedback with diffuse reflectance
spectroscopy has been shown to provide cortical breach detection using
a conventional probe with two parallel fibers. In this study, Monte
Carlo simulations and optical phantom experiments were conducted to
investigate how angulation of the emitting fiber affects the probed
volume to allow for the detection of acute breaches. Difference in
intensity magnitude between cancellous and cortical spectra increased
with the fiber angle, suggesting that outward angulated fibers are
beneficial in acute breach scenarios. Proximity to the cortical bone
could be detected best with fibers angulated at

θ
f

=

45
∘

for impending breaches between

θ
p

=

0
∘

and

θ
p

=

45
∘

. An orthopedic surgical device
comprising a third fiber perpendicular to the device axis could thus
cover the full impending breach range from

θ
p

=

0
∘

to

θ
p

=

90
∘

.
Tri-band terahertz vortex beam generator based on a completely independent geometric phase metasurface
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Cheng Yongzhi , Chen Fu , Luo Hui , Li Xiangcheng
Published: January 2023

A vortex beam carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) is an effective way to increase wireless communication capacity. The existing terahertz (THz) metasurface (MS)-based vortex beam generator is limited to operating at a single or two frequency points, and also has wavelength-dependent behavior, thus limiting its application. Here, a transmissive MS is proposed to generate THz vortex beams carrying OAM with different topological charges

l
=
−

1

,

−

2

, and

−

3

(

l
=
+

1

,

+

2

, and

+

3

) under left/right-handed circular polarization (CP) incidence at three different frequencies. The mode purity of the generated vortex beam with topological charges of all orders is greater than 60% under CP wave incidence at 0.6 THz, 0.857 THz, and 1.892 THz, respectively. Both theoretical prediction and simulation results verify that the designed MS can independently manipulate CP waves at three different THz frequencies. The proposed unit-cell structure is preferable for increasing the number of operation frequencies while guaranteeing the manipulation of electromagnetic waves. The compact system of unit-cell structure provides ideas for the fabrication of multifunctional THz MS-based devices with higher integration and smaller size.
Photonics-assisted compressed sensing of radio frequencies with a rate-doubled bipolar random sequence
Authors: Li Runcheng , Chi Hao , Yang Bo , Yang Shuna , Jin Tao
Published: January 2023

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, photonics-assisted scheme for compressed sensing (CS) of sparse RF signals is proposed. An architecture with time-delayed dual-channel modulation of a pseudo-random binary sequence in combination with differential detection enables the generation of a rate-doubled bipolar random sequence, which largely increases the bandwidth of the CS system. In addition, the bipolarity of the random sequence ensures a zero-mean measurement matrix, which helps improve the signal recovery performance. Experimental results are presented to verify the performance improvement of the approach in comparison with the conventional single-ended photonic CS system.
Completely spin-decoupled geometric phase of a metasurface
Authors: Fu Xinmin , Yang Jie , Wang Jiafu , Han Yajuan , Ding Chang , Qiu Tianshuo , Qu Bingyue , Li Lei , Li Yongfeng , Qu Shaobo
Published: January 2023

Metasurfaces have provided an unprecedented degree of freedom (DOF) in the manipulation of electromagnetic waves. A geometric phase can be readily obtained by rotating the meta-atoms of a metasurface. Nevertheless, such geometric phases are usually spin-coupled, with the same magnitude but opposite signs for left- and right-handed circularly polarized (LCP and RCP) waves. To achieve independent control of LCP and RCP waves, it is crucial to obtain spin-decoupled geometric phases. In this paper, we propose to obtain completely spin-decoupled geometric phases by engineering the surface current paths on meta-atoms. Based on the rotational Doppler effect, the rotation manner is first analyzed, and it is found that the generation of a geometric phase lies in the rotation of the surface current paths on meta-atoms. Since the induced surface current paths under the LCP and RCP waves always start oppositely and are mirror-symmetrical with each other, it is natural that the geometric phases have the same magnitude and opposite signs when the meta-atoms are rotated. To obtain spin-decoupled geometric phases, the induced surface current under one spin should be rotated by one angle while the current under the other spin is rotated by a different angles. In this way, LCP and RCP waves can acquire different geometric phase changes. Proof-of-principle prototypes were designed, fabricated, and measured. Both the simulation and experiment results verify spin-decoupled geometric phases. This work provides a robust means to obtain a spin-dependent geometric phase and can be readily extended to higher frequency bands such as the terahertz, IR, and optical regimes.