bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trying to do Socially Just Educational Research: Doing Things Differently
Authors: Maguire Meg 
Published: April 2022

In this paper I want to think about some of the issues involved in trying to do inclusive and socially just education research. I draw on two education research projects that I am involved with. The first project is a small-scale exploratory study with twelve Education academics who are ‘staying on’ post retirement. The second is a major investigation that explores how England’s vocational education and training (VET) system could better support the transitions into further education, training and work of those young people aged 16-20 not taking the university route. Drawing on these two studies, the intention is to ask questions about what is meant by socially just research – that is, research that is both socially just in the way it is carried out (for example, doing research with participants instead of to them and including marginalized voices) and that seeks to contribute to more socially just educational practices in the future.
There is some danger in claiming that education research should always have some practical utility; there is also a danger in thinking that more socially just research, without any wider political commitment to social change, will ‘make education better’. But trying to do ‘research differently’ and promoting a more deliberate socially just perspective in our research methods and design may be part of a prefigurative politics where we start to contribute towards more equitable social change.
The Elusiveness of Equal Access to Educational Opportunity: Scotland, After a Decade of Inclusive Policies.
Authors: Adam Janet , I’Anson John 
Published: April 2022

The achievement of equal access to educational opportunity is an international policy imperative that remains as elusive as it is desirable. Despite a plethora of inclusive policies and initiatives in Scotland such as Getting it Right for Every Child (2008 & 2012), Curriculum for Excellence (2009) and the Scottish Attainment Challenge (2015), significant numbers of young people cannot be said to experience equal access to educational opportunity. This paper draws upon complementary sociological and philosophical perspectives to explore why such barriers to equality of educational opportunity persist, before suggesting ways in which serious engagement with such theory might counter deficit assumptions in play and offer possible new ways forward.
The point of departure is Bourdieu’s typology of various forms of social capital which highlights how possession of capital is advantageous to upper and middle class families, whereas lack of such capital serves to restrict educational opportunities for young people from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Such an analysis argues that reproduction of social conditions, styles of thinking and decision-making, coupled with oppressive societal structures, all serve to disempower young people and impact negatively upon their educational attainment.
This paper explores a variety of ways in which theory might challenge and interrupt assumptions informing discourses associated with inequality and their associated remedies. Through engaging a series of problematics within current framings of inequality, the paper argues that a more sustained engagement with theory offers the possibility of more nuanced understandings of inequality and a provocation to imagine otherwise. Engaging in such imaginative work might, moreover, enable the barriers to equality of educational opportunity to be better addressed.
A Critical Analysis of the European Reference Framework of Key Competences for Lifelong Learning: The Limitations of the Human Capital Theory
Authors: Loumpourdi Maria 
Published: April 2022

Lifelong learning has been the subject of international policy debates and incremental developments over the past century. The purpose of this paper is to critically reflect on the neoliberal discourse of key competences for lifelong learning, which is promoted by the European Union as a self-sufficient policy solution that can cure a wide range of educational, economic, political, and social ills.
Drawing on Nussbaum’s human capabilities theory, this paper seeks to query the neoliberal assumptions behind the aims of the European Reference Framework, namely employability, personal fulfilment, active citizenship, and social inclusion, and unveil the limitations of the proposed policy solutions. This paper argues that the current neoliberal discourse of the European Reference Framework decontextualizes the learner, reducing the need to form broader policy solutions that could address the structural roots of unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion. The individualisation of these issues does not allow for their structural roots, which stem from the asymmetrical socio-economic system, to be addressed. This paper argues that the aims of the European Reference Framework could be better served through the development of a wider policy intervention involving a synergy between the education system, labour market, and welfare state.
Correlation of D-dimer and Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Nemec Hannah M. , Ferenczy Allison , Christie Benjamin D. , Ashley Dennis W. , Montgomery Anne 
Published: April 2022

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic has impacted daily life and medical practices around the world. Hospitals are continually making observations about this unique population as it relates to laboratory data and outcomes. Plasma D-dimer levels have been shown to be promising as a prognostic factor for outcomes in COVID-19 patients. This single institution retrospective study investigates the correlation between D-dimer and patient outcomes in our inpatient COVID-19 patient population. Methods COVID-19 confirmed positive patients who were admitted between March 2020 and May 2020 at our hospital were identified. Admission and peak D-dimer values and patient outcomes, including intubation and mortality, were retrospectively analyzed. Results Ninety-seven patients met criteria for inclusion in the study Mean age was 63.2 years, median admission D-dimer 2.35ug/mL, and median peak D-dimer 2.74ug/mL. Average time to peak D-dimer was 3.2 days. Patient’s requiring intubation had higher admission D-dimers (3.79ug/mL vs. 1.62 ug/mL) Discussion Higher admission and peak D-dimer values were associated with worsening clinical outcomes, specifically with higher rates of intubation and mortality. Noting D-dimer trends early in a patients’ COVID course, regardless of patients’ clinical condition, may allow opportunities for physicians to provide early intervention to prevent these outcomes.
A Cohort Study of an Enhanced Recovery Pathway for Pancreatic Surgery at a Community Hospital
Authors: Grosh Kent M. , Folkert Kyra N. , Chou Jesse , Shebrain Saad A. , Munene Gitonga M. 
Published: April 2022

Background Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been shown to improve pancreatic surgery outcomes, though feasibility in a community hospital remain unclear. We hypothesized that an ERAS protocol would reduce hospital length of stay (LOS) without increased morbidity. Methods An ERAS pathway was initiated for patients undergoing pancreatic surgery at a community cancer center and compared to a historical cohort. The primary outcome was hospital LOS. Secondary outcomes included 30-day readmission rates, comprehensive complication index (CCI®), textbook outcomes (TO), and mortality. Results A total of 144 patients were included, with 63 patients in the ERAS group and 81 in the control group. The mean LOS decreased significantly in the ERAS group (6.85 [± 4.8]) vs 9.96 [±6.8] days, P = .001), without an increase in 30-day admission rates or CCI. Conclusions Implementation of an ERAS protocol in a community setting reduced LOS without a corresponding increase in readmission rates or morbidity.
Comparison of Care Settings for Pediatric External Auditory Canal Foreign Bodies: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: White Ana C. , Shih Michael C. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Carol Liu Yi-Chun 
Published: April 2022

Objective: To compare the success and complication rates of pediatric external auditory canal foreign body (EAC FB) removal between Emergency Departments (ED), Primary Care Providers (PCP), and Otolaryngologists (ENT). Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched through January 13, 2022. Studies mentioning EAC FB removal success rates and types of healthcare settings were included. Pooled measures included abrasions/lacerations, TM perforations, and success rate stratified by healthcare setting. Results: Thirteen studies and 3891 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Most comparisons between EAC FB removal success rates for EDs versus PCPs versus ENTs were statistically significant. The highest FB removal success rate was in patients who presented to ENTs without previous removal attempts (92.9% [95% CI 84.6-98.2]). EDs had the lowest success rates (64.0% [95% CI 48.3-78.3]). For patients that had a previous attempt at FB removal, ENTs had a success rate of 64.1% [95% CI 42.0-83.5]. Conclusions: For ENTs treating pediatric EAC FB, removal success rates decrease if a different healthcare provider previously attempted EAC FB removal. This effect likely is due to decreased patient cooperativeness or increased FB complications (eg, canal edema and bleeding limiting visualization) after previous removal attempts. Individual institutions should identify conditions that increase EAC FB removal failure rates and necessitate ENT referral. Therefore, the communication and concerted efforts between EDs, PCPs, and ENTs are critical for the improved outcomes of pediatric EAC FBs.
Modified transcervical lipofilling of the base of the tongue under local anaesthesia: Case series
Authors: Chu Francesco , De Benedetto Luigi , Zurlo Valeria , Mossinelli Chiara , Zorzi Stefano , Tagliabue Marta , De Berardinis Rita , Bandi Francesco , Pietrobon Giacomo , Ansarin Mohssen 
Published: April 2022

Laryngeal carcinoma represents one-third of all head and neck cancers and is burdened by significant morbidity and mortality for advanced-stage disease. Surgical treatments, including Open Partial Horizontal Laryngectomy (OPHL), are often followed by long-lasting swallowing rehabilitation and more rarely, persistent dysphagia. Some authors reported single cases, successfully treated with fat injection of the base of tongue, but nowadays, a standardized technique has never been described so far. We provide a step-by-step technique description of the trans-cervical lipofilling of the base of the tongue (BOT) under local anaesthesia in a case series of three patients. The functional results have been evaluated with a videofluoroscopic study of deglutition and Penetration-Aspiration Score. The procedure was well tolerated; all patients were discharged after 24 hours without any majorcomplications. After six months, all patients had a steady improvement in swallowing. During follow-up, the videofluoroscopic study of deglutition confirmed a sensitive amelioration of the Penetration-Aspiration Score and an empowered base of tongue retropulsion. Finally, the lipofilling of the BOT under local anaesthesia showed to be a feasible, and reproducible procedure, for dysphagia after OPHLs.
Waste to wealth: Recycling of steel slag as flux for the submerged arc welding process and its effect on mechanical and metallurgical properties of welds
Authors: Saini Sumit , Singh Kulwant 
Published: April 2022

A novel technology has been developed to recycle steel slag as a flux for the submerged arc welding process. The chemical, mechanical, and metallurgical properties of welds produced using recycled slag have been evaluated and compared with that of fresh flux available in the market. The tensile strengths of weld metal prepared with recycled slag and fresh flux are 462.25 MPa and 471.49 MPa, which are comparable. The impact strength of welds produced using recycled slag is 83.66 J which is acceptable in accordance with AWS SFA 5.17 specifications. The welds produced were subjected to non-destructive tests such as radiography and also dye-penetration test apart from visual inspection to ascertain the soundness of welds produced. Metallurgical investigations were carried out, and a favorable microstructure containing acicular ferrite was obtained in welds deposited using recycled slag. Similar trends of microhardness survey have been observed in both the welds produced.
Static and dynamic effects of train-track-bridge system subject to environment-induced deformation of long-span railway bridge
Authors: Han Zhaoling , Zhu Shengyang , Zhai Wanming , Zhu Bin 
Published: April 2022

Laying ballastless tracks on a long-span railway bridge with a main span greater than 300 m is a challenge in engineering practice and has aroused significant concerns. Influenced by complicated environmental factors, long-span railway bridges in service deform with large amplitudes and complex shapes, which may result in damage to the track structure and threaten the running safety and ride comfort of trains. In this study, we investigate some typical statics and dynamics problems under the actual conditions of a long-span cable-stayed high-speed railway bridge with a main span of 400 m and laying ballastless track. The track-bridge finite element model and dynamic interaction model of the train-track-bridge system are first established. Furthermore, the influences of the complicated environment-induced bridge deformations are comprehensively investigated using the curvature method that reveals the deformation compatibility of the bridge-track system and indicates the dynamic interaction behavior of the train-track-bridge system subject to train running speeds and bridge deformations. Results indicate that excellent dynamic performance of the train-track-bridge system can be achieved by setting an elastic cushion of 0.1 N/mm3 under the track bed. Interface damage between track layers will not occur directly because of the complex deformations of the bridge decks. The bridge deformations induced by the environmental temperature and the concrete creep are qualified. The dynamic responses of the train-track-bridge system are also excellent under the excitations of bridge deformations. Dynamic simulations of the train-track-bridge system are proposed to evaluate long-span bridge deformations subject to complicated service situations in comparison with an oversimplified statics evaluation.
Anal cytology screening in men who have sex with men with HIV at a university hospital in Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Ordoñez-Blanco I. Tatiana , Martínez-Vernaza Samuel , Blair Kevin J , Quiroga Camilo , Lowenstein Ellen , Lombana Amaya Luis J , Clark Jesse , Lake Jordan E , Valderrama-Beltrán Sandra Liliana 
Published: April 2022

Background: Risk of anal squamous cell carcinoma (anal cancer) is greater among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We describe the frequency of and factors associated with abnormal anal cytology results in Colombian MSM living with HIV. Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study included MSM ≥18 years old living with HIV screened with anal cytology at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogotá, Colombia between January 2019 and February 2020. A multivariable log-binomial regression model estimated associations with abnormal anal cytology. Results: A total of 211 patients were included. Mean age was 35.6 years. Sixty-eight (32.3%) had an abnormal anal cytology result: ASC-US 33.8% ( n = 23); LSIL 60.3% ( n = 41); and HSIL 5.9% ( n = 4). MSM with an STI diagnosis in the previous 12 months (RR 1.48, [95% CI 1.03–2.12], p = 0.032) or with a CD4+ T cell count <200 (RR 2.08 [95% CI 1.16–3.73], p = 0.014) were significantly more likely to have abnormal anal cytology. Conclusions: These data provide crucial information to guide scale up of anal cancer screening at select centers in Colombia. Our results also suggest STI prevention efforts and improved virological control among MSM living with HIV may have the secondary benefit of reducing the risk of anal cancer.
Urinary Pesticide Residual Levels and Acute Respiratory Infections in Children Under 5 Years of Age: Findings From the Offinso North Farm Health Study
Authors: Akyeampong Enoch , Bend John R , Luginaah Isaac , Oscar Yawson David , Jerry Cobbina Samuel , Ato Armah Frederick , Osei Adu Michael , Kofi Essumang David , Iddi Samuel , Botwe Paul K , Quansah Reginald 
Published: April 2022

Background: Several environmental factors are associated with the risk of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) and upper respiratory infections (URIs) in children under 5 years of age (YOA). Evidence implicating chemical pesticides remains equivocal. There are also no data on this subject in these children in Ghana. This study investigated the association between urinary pesticide residual levels and the risk for ALRIs/URIs in children under 5 YOA. Methods: The participants for this study were from the Offinso North Farm Health Study, a population-based cross-sectional study. Two hundred and fifty four parents/guardians who had answered affirmatively to the question “Has your child ever accompanied you to the farm?” were interviewed on household socio-demographic and environmental factors, being breastfed, child education, age, gender, and respiratory infection. One hundred fifty children were randomly selected to provide the first void urine. Results: The proportion of children with ALRI was 22.1% and those with URI was 35.8%. We observed a statistically significant exposure-response relation of p,p′-DDE (tertile) with ALRI (1.7-3.2 µg/L urine: prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.22 [1.05-1.70], ⩾3.2 µg/L urine: 1.50 [1.07-3.53] [ P-for trend = .0297]). This observation was in children older than two YOA ( P-for trend = .0404). Delta-HCH and beta-HCH (2-levels) were significantly associated with ALRI but not URI. The risk of ALRI increased with deltamethrin levels in an exposure-response manner (2.5-9.5 µg/L urine: 2.10 [1.37-3.24], ⩾9.5 µg/L urine: 4.38 [1.87-10.32] [ P-for trend = .0011]) and this was also observed in children older than two YOA. Similar observation was noted for URI. Bifenthrin (>0.5 µg/L urine) was positively associated with ALRI and URI whereas permethrin (⩾1.2 µg/L urine) was not associated only with URI. Conclusions: The present study supports the hypothesis that exposure to chemical pesticides is associated with respiratory infections in children under 5 YOA.
Incidence of appendicitis during COVID-19 lockdown: A nationwide population-based study
Authors: Jantzen Amalie T. , Bang-Nielsen Anders , Bertelsen Claus A. , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Kleif Jakob 
Published: April 2022

Aim: To investigate how a nationwide lockdown influences the incidence of appendicitis. Background: Communitive infectious diseases may play a role in the pathogenesis of appendicitis as indicated by a seasonal variation in the incidence rate. The spread of communitive infectious diseases has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown; thus, we have an opportunity to study the incidence rate of appendicitis in an environment with less impact from common community infections. Methods: The study is a nationwide register-based cohort study of the entire Danish population of 5.8 million. The difference in the incidence of appendicitis in a population subjugated to a controlled lockdown with social distancing (study group) was compared to a population not subjugated to a controlled lockdown and social distancing (reference group). Results: The relative risk of appendicitis during the lockdown was 0.92 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82–1.03, p = 0.131). The relative risk of complicated appendicitis during the lockdown was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.49–0.93, p = 0.02). The incidence of uncomplicated appendicitis was not significantly different during the national lockdown. Conclusions: During the national lockdown of Denmark due to the COVID-19 pandemic the incidence of complicated appendicitis was reduced significantly compared to previous years, indicating that infectious disease might be a factor in the pathogenesis of appendicitis with complications. Trial Registration: The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04407117).
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs), Structural Characterization, and their Antibacterial Potential
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Yasmin Riffat , Asif Rizwan , Ambreen Ana , Mustafa Madiha , Umbreen Shehla 
Published: April 2022

Background In the field of nanotechnology, the metallic nanoparticles are of remarkable interest because of their unique electronic, magnetic, chemical, and mechanical properties. Purpose: In the present work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using bio-reduction method. Research Design: Silver nitrate was used as metallic precursor and the extract of Moringa oleifera leaves with different concentrations was used as reducing as well capping agent. The extract exhibited strong potential in rapid reduction of silver ions for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Results: The absorption SPR peaks appeared in the range of 415 to 439 nm. SEM analysis exhibited that particles were spherical in shape with size distribution range from 10 nm to 25 nm. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were pure crystalline in nature as confirmed by the XRD spectra with average crystallite size 7 nm. In vitro antibacterial activity of the prepared silver nanoparticles colloidal samples as well the extract was studied using different concentrations of AgNPs (C1 = 100 μg/ml, C2 = 50 μg/ml, C3 = 25 μg/ml) by well diffusion method against Gram negative Escherichia coli. The antibacterial performance was assessed by measuring the zone of inhibition (ZOI). Conclusions The results suggested that AgNPs prepared by green approach can be considered as an alternative antibacterial agent.
Association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with thirty-day mortality in acute peripheral arterial ischemia
Authors: Topcu Hatice , El Kılıc Helin 
Published: April 2022

Background Acute peripheral arterial ischemia (APAI) is an acute ischemic condition that develops as a result of embolism or thrombosis, and its morbidity and mortality are still high today. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on mortality in patients admitted with the diagnosis of APAI. Methods 178 patients who were diagnosed with acute peripheral arterial occlusion and underwent emergency embolectomy were evaluated retrospectively over a 7-year period. Patient demographics, clinical history, risk factors, comorbidity, and hemogram sub-parameters were documented. The endpoint of the patients was determined as death. Results A total of 178 patients were identified with a mean age 74.29±14.71 (range 28–111) years; among them, 105 (59%) were female. 18% patients (32/178) died within 30 days. Lower extremity involvement was present in 124 (69.7%) of the patients. A statistically significant difference was found between the mortality rates and blood parameters of the patients included in the study in terms of white blood count C-reactive protein (CRP), and age among those with normal distribution. Neutrophil, NLR, procalcitonin, lactate, aspartate aminotransferase, and urea; It was statistically significant in terms of mortality in our patients with APAI. NLR values of the deceased were determined as 7.98 ± 6.85. Conclusions APAI patients with high NLRs had significantly higher risks of 30-day mortality. The NLR can be used as a prognostic marker in these patients and warrants further investigation.