bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technology addiction, abduction and adoption in higher education: Bird's eye view of the ICT4AD policy in Ghana 20 years on
Authors: Adarkwah Michael Agyemang , Huang Ronghuai 
Published: June 2023

AbstractTwenty years after its inauguration, the information communication and technology for accelerated development (ICT4AD) policy intended to transform Ghana into an information and technology‐driven high‐income economy through digital education has been unsuccessful. In this digital era, young adults' attachment to technological tools is anticipated to expedite technological adoption in the education sector. Still, there are less promising indicators of realizing this expectation because of situational factors that curtail technology usage and adoption in higher education (HE). It is estimated that the adoption of technology in HE will aid Ghana in using ICT as its engine of growth. This paper gauges the progress of the ICT4AD policy after two decades, presents an intricate account of why technology integration in HE in Ghana is still in its infancy and proposes interventions for sustaining and advancing the objectives of the ICT4AD policy. Drawing from an extensive review of literature on three conceptualized thematic themes relating to technology (ie, addiction, abduction and adoption), policymakers in education and stakeholders in HE will be able to identify their roles in guaranteeing the success of the promulgated ICT4AD policy. Viable areas of research are also discussed in the study.
Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic?

The promulgated information communication and technology for accelerated development (ICT4AD) policy of Ghana hopes to transform the country into a technology‐driven economy.

Technology integration in education and society is still in its infancy in Ghana in this information age.

What this paper adds?

It gauges the progress of the ICT4AD policy and presents an intricate account of why technology integration in HE in Ghana is still in its infancy and proposes interventions for sustaining and advancing the objectives of the ICT4AD policy.

It sounds the alarm that the ICT4AD policy is at its terminal stage and calls on policymakers in education to revisit and revise the policy.

It identifies the main factors curtailing effective technology integration in Ghana.

It suggests promising steps for Ghana to adopt technology as its engine of growth.

Implications of this study for practice and/or policy

It provides information to education practitioners and relevant school stakeholders on how to effectively adopt technology to develop 21st‐century skills among learners.

It explores the potential channels for policymakers in education to revisit and reinvest in the ICT4AD policy for the successful attainment of the policy objectives.

It calls on countries with similar contexts like Ghana to adopt a multifaceted approach to drive ICT initiatives.
Reproduction patterns among non‐Hodgkin lymphoma survivors by subtype in Sweden, Denmark and Norway: A population‐based matched cohort study
Authors: Entrop Joshua P. , Weibull Caroline E. , Smedby Karin E. , Jakobsen Lasse H. , Øvlisen Andreas K. , Glimelius Ingrid , Marklund Anna , Larsen Thomas S. , Holte Harald , Fosså Alexander , Smeland Knut B. , El‐Galaly Tarec C. , Eloranta Sandra 
Published: June 2023

SummaryPrevious studies concerning reproductive patterns among non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) survivors are scarce and those available have reported conflicting results. Treatment regimens vary considerably between aggressive and indolent NHL and studies of reproductive patterns by subtypes are warranted. In this matched cohort study, we identified all NHL patients aged 18–40 years and diagnosed between 2000 and 2018 from the Swedish and Danish lymphoma registers, and the clinical database at Oslo University Hospital (n = 2090). Population comparators were matched on sex, birth year and country (n = 19 427). Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using Cox regression. Males and females diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma subtypes had lower childbirth rates (HRfemale: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.31–0.59, HRmale: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.47–0.78) than comparators during the first 3 years after diagnosis. For indolent lymphomas, childbirth rates were not significantly different from comparators (HRfemale: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.48–1.04, HRmale: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.70–1.27) during the same period. Childbirth rates reached those of comparators for all subtypes after 3 years but the cumulative incidence of childbirths was decreased throughout the 10‐year follow‐up for aggressive NHL. Children of NHL patients were more likely to be born following assisted reproductive technology than those of comparators, except for male indolent lymphoma patients. In conclusion, fertility counselling is particularly important for patients with aggressive NHL.
Latent polydrug use patterns and the provision of injection initiation assistance among people who inject drugs in three North American settings
Authors: Rammohan Indhu , Jain Sonia , Sun Shelly , Marks Charles , Milloy M.‐J. , Hayashi Kanna , DeBeck Kora , González‐Zúñiga Patricia , Strathdee Steffanie , Werb Dan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIntroductionWe sought to identify latent profiles of polysubstance use patterns among people who inject drugs in three distinct North American settings, and then determine whether profile membership was associated with providing injection initiation assistance to injection‐naïve persons.MethodsCross‐sectional data from three linked cohorts in Vancouver, Canada; Tijuana, Mexico; and San Diego, USA were used to conduct separate latent profile analyses based on recent (i.e., past 6 months) injection and non‐injection drug use frequency. We then assessed the association between polysubstance use patterns and recent injection initiation assistance provision using logistic regression analyses.ResultsA 6‐class model for Vancouver participants, a 4‐class model for Tijuana participants and a 4‐class model for San Diego participants were selected based on statistical indices of fit and interpretability. In all settings, at least one profile included high‐frequency polysubstance use of crystal methamphetamine and heroin. In Vancouver, several profiles were associated with a greater likelihood of providing recent injection initiation assistance compared to the referent profile (low‐frequency use of all drugs) in unadjusted and adjusted analyses, however, the inclusion of latent profile membership in the multivariable model did not significantly improve model fit.Discussion and ConclusionsWe identified commonalities and differences in polysubstance use patterns among people who inject drugs in three settings disproportionately impacted by injection drug use. Our results also suggest that other factors may be of greater priority when tailoring interventions to reduce the incidence of injection initiation. These findings can aid in efforts to identify and support specific higher‐risk subpopulations of people who inject drugs.
Crovalimab treatment in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria: Long‐term results from the phase I/II COMPOSER trial
Authors: Röth Alexander , Ichikawa Satoshi , Ito Yoshikazu , Kim Jin Seok , Nagy Zsolt , Obara Naoshi , Panse Jens , Schrezenmeier Hubert , Sica Simona , Soret Juliette , Usuki Kensuke , Yoon Sung‐Soo , Balachandran Nadiesh , Buri Muriel , Lundberg Pontus , Patel Himika , Shinomiya Kenji , Sostelly Alexandre , Nishimura Jun‐ichi 
Published: June 2023

AbstractObjectivesThis study reports long‐term outcomes from the open‐label extension (OLE) period of the Phase I/II COMPOSER trial (NCT03157635) that evaluated crovalimab in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria, who were treatment‐naive or switched from eculizumab at enrolment.MethodsCOMPOSER consists of four sequential parts followed by the OLE. The primary OLE objective was to assess long‐term crovalimab safety, with a secondary objective to assess crovalimab pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Exploratory efficacy endpoints included change in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), transfusion avoidance, haemoglobin stabilisation and breakthrough haemolysis (BTH).ResultsA total 43 of 44 patients entered the OLE after completing the primary treatment period. Overall, 14 of 44 (32%) experienced treatment‐related adverse events. Steady state exposure levels of crovalimab and terminal complement inhibition were maintained over the OLE. During the OLE, mean normalised LDH was generally maintained at ≤1.5× upper limit of normal, transfusion avoidance was achieved in 83%–92% of patients and haemoglobin stabilisation was reached in 79%–88% of patients across each 24‐week interval. Five BTH events occurred with none leading to withdrawal.ConclusionsOver a 3‐year median treatment duration, crovalimab was well tolerated and sustained C5 inhibition was achieved. Intravascular haemolysis control, haemoglobin stabilisation and transfusion avoidance were maintained, signifying long‐term crovalimab efficacy.
Sex steroid hormones and epilepsy: Effects of hormonal replacement therapy on seizure frequency of postmenopausal women with epilepsy—A systematic review
Authors: Carvalho Vanessa , Colonna Isabella , Curia Giulia , Ferretti Maria Teresa , Arabia Gennarina , Molnar Maria Judit , Lebedeva Elena R. , Moro Elena , de Visser Marianne , Bui Esther ,   the Gender and Diversity Issues in Neurology Task Force of the European Academy of Neurology
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackground and purposeHormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is used for symptomatic treatment of menopause. Some evidence suggests a proconvulsant effect of estrogen and an anticonvulsant role of progesterone. Thus, the use of exogenous sex steroid hormones might influence the course of epilepsy in peri‐ and postmenopausal women with epilepsy (WWE). We conducted a systematic review on the impact of HRT on the frequency of seizures of WWE.MethodsPubMed and Scopus were searched for articles published from inception until August 2022. Abstracts from the past 5 years from the European Academy of Neurology and European Epilepsy Congresses were also reviewed. Article reference lists were screened, and relevant articles were retrieved for consultation. Interventional and observational studies on WWE and animal models of estrogen deficiency were included. Critical appraisal was performed using the revised Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool for randomized trials and ROBINS‐E tool.ResultsOf 497 articles screened, 13 studies were included, including three human studies. One cross‐sectional study showed a decrease in seizure frequency in WWE using combined HRT, a case–control study showed an increase in comparison with controls, and a randomized clinical trial found a dose‐dependent increase in seizure frequency in women with focal epilepsy taking combined HRT. Ten studies addressing the impact of HRT in rat models were also included, which showed conflicting results.ConclusionsThere is scarce evidence of the impact of HRT in WWE. Further studies should evaluate the harmful potential, and prospective registries are needed for monitoring this population.
Tropical forest loss and geographic location drive the functional genomic diversity of an endangered palm tree
Authors: Santos Alesandro Souza , Cazetta Eliana , Faria Deborah , Lima Thâmara Moura , Lopes Maria Teresa Gomes , Carvalho Carolina da Silva , Alves‐Pereira Alessandro , Morante‐Filho José Carlos , Gaiotto Fernanda Amato 
Published: June 2023

AbstractHuman activity has diminished forests in different terrestrial ecosystems. This is well illustrated in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, which still hosts high levels of species richness and endemism, even with only 28% of its original extent remaining. The consequences of such forest loss in remaining populations can be investigated with several approaches, including the genomic perspective, which allows a broader understanding of how human disturbance influences the genetic variability in natural populations. In this context, our study investigated the genomic responses of Euterpe edulis Martius, an endangered palm tree, in forest remnants located in landscapes presenting different forest cover amount and composed by distinct bird assemblage that disperse its seeds. We sampled 22 areas of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest in four regions using SNP markers inserted into transcribed regions of the genome of E. edulis, distinguishing neutral loci from those putatively under natural selection (outlier). We demonstrate that populations show patterns of structure and genetic variability that differ between regions, as a possible reflection of deforestation and biogeographic histories. Deforested landscapes still maintain high neutral genetic diversity due to gene flow over short distances. Overall, we not only support previous evidence with microsatellite markers, but also show that deforestation can influence the genetic variability outlier, in the scenario of selective pressures imposed by these stressful environments. Based on our findings, we suggest that, to protect genetic diversity in the long term, it is necessary to reforest and enrich deforested areas, using seeds from populations in the same management target region.
Pacemaking and placemaking on the UK canals
Authors: Kaaristo Maarja 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis paper focuses on the complex relationship between pace and place, offering a novel lens for understanding mobility within the context of canal boating. Drawing on fieldwork on the canals in north‐west England, the paper focuses on mobile placemaking practices. Canal boats act as physical and material but also ideological pacemakers, guiding the boaters towards subscribing to the idea of slow living, where certain canal‐based pace‐myths play an important role. Pacemaking on the canals is therefore a form of placemaking, realised through the mobility of the vessel, materialities of the infrastructure, tempos and temporalities, representations and stories about canal life as well as the bodies on board and on towpaths as canal boaters modulate and manage their experience and performance of pace. The investigation of the interplay between the slow pace, rhythms, embodied practices, canal infrastructure, and the prevalent pace‐myths offers valuable insights into the ways places are shaped by the pace of mobility, thus expanding the concept of placemaking. By foregrounding pace as a key concept in mobility studies, the paper demonstrates the need for a more nuanced understanding of the temporalities associated with different modes of movement.
Disaster reparations? Rethinking disaster recovery through the politics of affect
Authors: O'Grady Nathaniel , Shaw Duncan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractDisaster recovery holds an ambiguous status in debates on disaster politics. Whilst some scholars have documented recovery's tendency to reproduce and exacerbate the historical conditions that underpin disasters and guide their uneven effects, others emphasise its potential to instigate attempts to transform these conditions and initiate new development pathways premised on a commitment to building more just, equitable worlds. In this paper, we extend understanding of the politics of disaster recovery through interviews with governmental organisations planning recovery from COVID‐19 across the world. The research sought to gather insight on the ramifications COVID was bearing on local communities and the arrangements that different agencies were making to mitigate these effects. But our inquiry also explored how COVID had sparked reappraisal of the current configuration and distribution of basic infrastructures that support collective life too. From these interviews, we elaborate on the notion of ‘disaster reparations’ as a potential ethos that could underpin future forms of disaster recovery. Departing from renditions that reduce its significance to monetary matters, reparations first addresses ways of making sense of disasters through the different affects that arise from lived encounters with their real‐time unfolding. Drawing on the work of Lauren Berlant, we argue that these affects signal the pervasiveness of a mode of critique concerned with ‘feeling historical’ about disasters that situates their occurrence within broader historical processes and conditions said to constitute our general contemporary moment. Secondly, we elaborate upon how these reparative affects instigate and connect with debates about how disaster recovery might be mobilised to attend to these conditions and thus address broader inequities. Overall, the paper extends scholarly understanding of the onto‐epistemologies that organise disaster recovery and the political responsibilities that might be integrated into recovery practices in the future.
CDKN2A/CDK4 status in Brazilian patients meeting clinical criteria for hereditary melanoma: a cross‐sectional descriptive trial
Authors: Arnaut Joyce R. M. B. , Guimarães Isabella dos S. , dos Santos Anna Cláudia E. , Rodrigues Elizângela M. , Machado Jorge R. da S. , de Melo Andreia C. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundMelanoma is the most lethal skin cancer, and its incidence has increased worldwide. About 10% of cases are classified as hereditary melanoma (HM). CDKN2A and CDK4 are the major high‐risk genes. Families are also more prone to develop pancreatic cancer, and different forms of oncological surveillance are recommended.ObjectivesDescribe the prevalence of CDKN2A/CDK4 germline mutations in melanoma‐prone patients and their phenotypic and histopathological features.MethodsA total of 69 patients meeting the clinical criteria for HM were included in this cross‐sectional descriptive study. Amplification by PCR and genomic sequencing were used. The variants were classified according to American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) criteria.ResultsThe mean age at first diagnosis of melanoma was 44.8 years (SD ± 17.83). Most patients had phototype II (44.9%), more than 50 melanocytic nevi (76.8%), atypical nevus syndrome (72.5%), history of sunburn (76.8%), and multiple primary melanomas without a family history of this tumor (74.3%). Two hundred melanomas were observed. Most tumors had a Breslow index ≤1.0 mm (84.5%), location in the trunk (60.5%), and superficial spreading histological subtype (22.5%). Four variants were found in CDKN2A exons in seven patients (c.305C>A, c.26T>A, c.361G>A e c.442G>A), two variants in the 5′UTR region in five patients (c.‐25C>T and c.‐33G>C), and two variants in the 3′UTR region in 21 patients (c.*29C>G and c.*69C>T). One likely pathogenic variant (c.305C>A) was identified in one patient (1.4%). No variant was found in CDK4.ConclusionThe prevalence of CDKN2A mutations was 1.4% in Brazilian patients meeting clinical criteria for HM.
Development and characterisation of barley‐based non‐conventional pasta supplemented with chickpea flour
Authors: Singh Gurpreet , Singh Baljit , Singh Arashdeep , Kumar Vikas , Surasani Vijay Kumar Reddy 
Published: June 2023

SummaryChickpea flour was supplemented (10%–40%) with barley flour for making pasta and evaluated for its quality attributes. Results showed that the increasing level of chickpea improved the pasting properties and showed a significant increase in WAC (155.28%–257.02%) and OAC (224.40%–263.17%). Increasing chickpea exhibits a reduced cooking time (5.56–5.09 min) with cooking loss below desired range. The increase in chickpea concentration produced pasta with increased protein (11.13%–15.77%) and fibre content (1.97%–3.19%). The overall colour attributes improved and texture was also improved in comparison to barley pasta. Total phenolics and flavonoids increased from 2.26 to 3.46 mg GAE g−1 and 1.73 to 2.48 mg QE g−1, respectively, with rising chickpea levels in pasta. The presence of characteristics peak in FTIR spectra with absorption band between 3200 and 3300 cm−1 confirms the presence of phenolics compounds. The SEM reveals that the addition of chickpea flour impacts the structural integrity of the pasta owing to the increased protein and fibre. Thus, Barley–chickpea has a great potential to be used for pasta production with enhanced nutritive and quality attributes.
Innovations advancing our understanding of microglia in Alzheimer's disease: From in vitro to in vivo models
Authors: Maksour Simon , Ooi Lezanne 
Published: June 2023

AbstractMicroglia have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis through the identification of risk factor genes that are specifically or predominantly expressed in this cell type. Additional evidence suggests that microglia undergo dramatic morphological and phenotypic state changes during AD progression, as observed in human post‐mortem tissue and animal model research. Although valuable, these studies are often hampered by either representing one time point in human tissue (end point) or because of the lack of conservation between species of microglial transcriptomes, proteomes and cell states. Thus, the development and application of novel human model systems have been beneficial in the study of microglia in neurodegeneration. Recent innovations include the use of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)‐derived microglia in 2D or 3D culture systems, the transdifferentiation of microglia from patient monocytes and the xenotransplantation of hPSC‐derived microglia into mouse brains. This review summarizes the recent innovations that have advanced our understanding of microglia in AD, through the use of single‐cell RNA sequencing, hPSC‐derived microglia culture within brain organoids and xenotransplantation into mouse brain. Through outlining the strengths and limitations of these approaches, we provide recommendations that will aid future endeavours in advancing our understanding of the complex role of microglia in AD onset and progression.image
MRI to differentiate multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease
Authors: Carnero Contentti Edgar , Okuda Darin T. , Rojas Juan I. , Chien Claudia , Paul Friedemman , Alonso Ricardo 
Published: June 2023

AbstractDifferentiating multiple sclerosis (MS) from other relapsing inflammatory autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody‐associated disease (MOGAD) is crucial in clinical practice. The differential diagnosis may be challenging but making the correct ultimate diagnosis is critical, since prognosis and treatments differ, and inappropriate therapy may promote disability. In the last two decades, significant advances have been made in MS, NMOSD, and MOGAD including new diagnostic criteria with better characterization of typical clinical symptoms and suggestive imaging (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) lesions. MRI is invaluable in making the ultimate diagnosis. An increasing amount of new evidence with respect to the specificity of observed lesions as well as the associated dynamic changes in the acute and follow‐up phase in each condition has been reported in distinct studies recently published. Additionally, differences in brain (including the optic nerve) and spinal cord lesion patterns between MS, aquaporin4‐antibody‐positive NMOSD, and MOGAD have been described. We therefore present a narrative review on the most relevant findings in brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve lesions on conventional MRI for distinguishing adult patients with MS from NMOSD and MOGAD in clinical practice. In this context, cortical and central vein sign lesions, brain and spinal cord lesions characteristic of MS, NMOSD, and MOGAD, optic nerve involvement, role of MRI at follow‐up, and new proposed diagnostic criteria to differentiate MS from NMOSD and MOGAD were discussed.