Opportune Time Research Articles

Participating in Cultural Witness

The creation of a Centre for Cultural Witness at Lambeth Palace, to serve the Church of England within an ecumenical partnership that already stretches across Europe, offers an opportune time to reflect upon the place—even the meaning—of “culture” in witness of the church. The analysis presented here identifies three senses in which that term might be applied to witness: as that from which the witness comes, that through which it comes, and that to which it comes. At least in theory, a strong cultural emphasis might (or might not) be placed on each of these dimensions independently. However, while this may prove to be a useful distinction, it risks perpetuating an assumption that churches, and Christians, stand outside the culture of those they address, speaking as if from beyond it. In the second half of this paper, I work, instead, from the recognition that the Christian speaks from a position of a shared creaturehood, shared humanity, and—in myriad ways—a shared culture. Approached that way, the mission of the church can fruitfully be seen as witness to a theologically specific understanding of that which is shared. I conclude with the suggestion that this can be ably resourced from the broad tradition of a Platonic “Christian humanism”.

COVID-19 and management education: From pandemic to endemic

The disruption in management education caused by COVID-19 was significant, creating a noteworthy impetus for new research. Given that COVID-19 has transitioned from pandemic to endemic, it is an opportune time to retrospect the contributions of related research to shape the future of management education. Using the SPAR-4-SLR protocol, a systematic literature review was conducted on management education research relating to COVID-19 published between 2020 and 2022. A total of 56 relevant articles were found in and retrieved from the Web of Science database and subsequently analyzed using descriptive and content analyses. The descriptive analysis revealed a steep increase in research on the impact of COVID-19 on management education over time, with most research appearing in The International Journal of Management Education. The contributions came from various countries, with the top five being the USA, the UK, Australia, India, and China. The content analysis showed that most research adopted empirical methodologies while self-determination theory emerged as the most popular theoretical lens for study. The related research revolved around five major themes—i.e., digital teaching and learning, collaboration and partnership, embracing uncertainty and building resilience, transformation and innovation, and developing an entrepreneurial mindset—and provided implications for management education in the new normal, wherein the priority is focused on enhancing education quality and preparing future business leaders for profound challenges in the new normal, thereby necessitating the development of innovative pedagogies and leadership competencies.

Nutritional and exercise interventions in individuals with sarcopenic obesity around retirement age: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Retirement is an opportune time for people to establish new healthy routines. Exercise and nutritional interventions are promising in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenic obesity. This systematic review aimed. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL databases were searched in September 2021 for randomized controlled trials; a manual search was also conducted. The search yielded 261 studies, of which 11 were eligible for inclusion. Studies of community-dwelling individuals with sarcopenic obesity receiving any nutritional or exercise intervention ≥ 8 weeks with the mean age ± standard deviation between 50 and 70 years were included. Primary endpoint was body composition, and secondary endpoints were body mass index, muscle strength, and physical function. The literature review, study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment were performed by two reviewers independently. Data were pooled for meta-analysis when possible. Meta-analysis was only possible for the exposure "resistance training" and the exposure "training (resistance or aerobic)" in combination with the exposure "added protein" as compared with "no intervention" or "training alone." Resistance training led to a significant body fat reduction of -1.53% (95%CI, -2.91 to -0.15), an increase in muscle mass of 2.72% (95%CI, 1.23-4.22), an increase in muscle strength of 4.42 kg (95%CI, 2.44-6.04), and a slight improvement in gait speed of 0.17 m/s (95%CI, 0.01-0.34). Protein combined with an exercise intervention significantly reduces fat mass (-0.80 kg; 95%CI, -1.32 to -0.28). Some individual studies of dietary or food supplement interventions for which data could not be pooled showed positive effects on body composition. Resistance training is an effective treatment for persons of retirement age with sarcopenic obesity. Increased protein intake combined with exercise may increase reductions in fat mass. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021276461.

E-Cigarette Screening in Primary Care

Primary care visits present an opportune time to assess behaviors that contribute to patient health. Smoking, alcohol use, and illicit drugs are routinely documented in electronic health records, but less is known about screening for E-cigarette use and the prevalence of E-cigarette use in primary care settings. Data include 134,931 adult patients who visited 1 of 41 primary care clinics within a 12-month period (June 1, 2021-June 1, 2022). Data on demographics, combustible tobacco, alcohol, illicit drug, and E-cigarette use were extracted from electronic medical records. Logistic regression was utilized to examine the variables associated with differential odds of being screened for E-cigarette use. Rates of E-cigarette screening (n=46,997; 34.8%) were significantly lower than that of tobacco (n=134,196; 99.5%), alcohol (n=129,766; 96.2%), and illicit drug (n=129,766; 92.6%) use. Of those assessed for E-cigarette use, 3.6% (n=1,669) reported current use. Of those with documented nicotine use (n=7,032), 17.2% (n=1,207) used mono E-cigarettes exclusively, 76.3% (n=5,364) used combustible tobacco exclusively, and 6.6% (n=461) reported dual use (both E-cigarette use and combustible tobacco use). Those who used combustible tobacco or illicit substances as well as younger patients were more likely to have been screened for E-cigarette use. Overall rates of E-cigarette screening were significantly lower than those of other substances. The use of combustible tobacco or illicit substances was associated with an increased likelihood of being screened. This finding may be because of the relatively recent proliferation of E-cigarettes, the recent addition of E-cigarette documentation to the electronic health record, or a lack of training on screening for E-cigarette use.

Optimal control in stochastic thermodynamics

We review recent progress in optimal control in stochastic thermodynamics. Theoretical advances provide in-depth insight into minimum-dissipation control with either full or limited (parametric) control, and spanning the limits from slow to fast driving and from weak to strong driving. Known exact solutions give a window into the properties of minimum-dissipation control, which are reproduced by approximate methods in the relevant limits. Connections between optimal-transport theory and minimum-dissipation protocols under full control give deep insight into the properties of optimal control and place bounds on the dissipation of thermodynamic processes. Since minimum-dissipation protocols are relatively well understood and advanced approximation methods and numerical techniques for estimating minimum-dissipation protocols have been developed, now is an opportune time for application to chemical and biological systems.

Ukrainian Universities at a Time of Global Crisis and New Opportunities: How to Secure and Develop Human Capital

Crisis periods have always been accelerators for new phases of country development. The Russian war in Ukraine and the granting of European Union candidate status are opening a space for new cooperation with European countries, reforms and opportunities for Ukraine in the education sector (exchange programs, alignment with European standards, quality improvement). At the beginning of the new academic year of 2022, two major issues are present: how to maintain the learning process during war and attacks, and how to improve the educational system for EU accession and strengthen the human capital of the state. In this study, the experience of Balkan countries (with special focus on the Yugoslav successor states) in the postwar period since the 1990s is investigated and some practical examples of innovative reforms are proposed. Major topics include academic freedom, brain-drain prevention and the involvement of EU investments and initiatives. Besides this, the pandemic benefitted society with tools of online learning, which became one of the measures to secure students’ education in the current conflict and let them continue studies as much as possible. Ukraine has the potential to improve in all spheres, although at the same time human capital is endangered because of the war.

Cellular Therapies: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.

Cellular therapy (CT) can be defined as the transference into a person of healthy cells to correct defective functions. Yesterday (1950-2010), CT consisted mostly of hematopoietic transplants for the treatment of a variety of hematological disorders. Interestingly, during that period of time other cell types with therapeutic potential-including certain lymphoid populations and other nonhematopoietic cells-were discovered and characterized; thus, CT became a promising discipline for the treatment of a broader diversity of diseases. Today (2011-2023), CT has significantly grownup through preclinical studies and clinical trials, and it is currently progressing toward its consolidation as one of the pillars of medicine in the 21st century. Indeed, different types of stem cells (e.g., hematopoietic, mesenchymal, neural, and pluripotent), as well as different lymphoid and myeloid cell populations (e.g., TILs, CAR-Ts, CAR-NKs, and DUOC-01) are being used in clinical settings or are being tested in clinical trials. For the past decade, several CT modalities have been developed, and today, many of them are being used in the clinic. Tomorrow (2024-2040), already established CT modalities will surely be improved and applied more frequently, and novel therapies (that will include cell types such as iPSCs) will enter and expand within the clinical ground. It is noteworthy, however, that despite significant advancements and achievements, problems still need to be solved and obstacles need to be overcome. Technical, ethical, and economic issues persist and they need to be addressed. Undoubtedly, exciting times of challenges and opportunities are coming ahead in the CT arena.

Critical Review of Shatakriyakala with Special Reference to Homeostasis and Pathogenesis

Expression of any disease is a chain of various processes starting from the encounter of etiological factors unto formation of that disease. In Ayurveda it is stated that Sharir Doshas i.e., Vata, Pitta and Kapha are accountable for all kind of functions in the body. At the same time if there is imbalance in these Doshas due to any reason, they can affect Dhatus (body tissues) and can cause various diseases. The causation of disease is attributed to Doshas hence it is essential to know the movement of these Doshas in our body at any given point of time. The word Kriyakala comprised of two words Kriya and Kala in which Kriya means treatment or action and Kala means time. Hence Kriyakala means the time of treatment or opportunities in the process of disease manifestation. Shatakriyakala i.e. six stages are mentioned by Aacharya Sushruta which gives an idea regarding the present condition of Doshadushti and also the progress of disease in the body. It also guides us when to start treatment and what should be the line of treatment. In modern medicine it is described that one has to maintain homeostasis so as to remain in healthy. Human homeostasis refers to the body's ability to physiologically regulate its inner environment to ensure its stability in response to fluctuations in the outside environment and weather. When body fails to maintain homeostasis it leads to pathogenesis and formation of disease. The pathogenesis of a disease is the biological mechanism (or mechanisms) that lead to the diseased state. The term can also describe the origin and development of the disease and whether it is acute, chronic, or recurrent. This article highlights correlation of the summery based on the Ayurvedic theory of Shatakriyakala with special reference to modern theory of homeostasis and pathogenesis.

Barriers to involvement in parenting activities in school-based preschools in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Canada

ABSTRACT Preschool is a particularly opportune time to introduce measures that promote parental school-based involvement, as this is when the initial contact with the school is made. In Québec, a French-speaking province in Canada, voluntary school-based preschools for 4-year-olds have been offered to families in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. A component for parents comprised of 10 activities was developed specifically to promote parent involvement from the beginning of their child’s schooling. However, some parents are more likely than others to encounter barriers that curtail their participation in these activities. Seventeen teachers working in preschools for 4-year-olds in targeted areas and 25 of their parents participated in this qualitative study. The study’s objective was to identify the barriers to participation among parents whose involvement in school activities during the school year was low. Based on Hornby and Lafaele’s conceptual model, a phronetic iterative analysis was used to describe the experiences reported by teachers and parents. Finally, the four main findings emerging from this study were formulated, and avenues for reflection by school-based preschool personnel were put forward.

Associations between maternal dietary scores during early pregnancy with placental outcomes.

Individual macronutrient and micronutrient effects on placental growth have been widely investigated. However, the influence of overall maternal diet is relatively unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine associations between a range of maternal dietary scores during early pregnancy with placental outcomes, and to investigate whether there is evidence of sexual dimorphism. This analysis of the Lifeways Cross-Generational Cohort includes 276 mother-child pairs. A validated 148-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire assessed maternal diet in early pregnancy. Dietary scores reflecting dietary quality [Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)], dietary inflammatory potential [Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and the energy adjusted DII (E-DII)], dietary antioxidant status [Dietary Antioxidant Quality (DAQ)], and glycemic and insulinemic loads/indices (GL/GI, IL/II) were calculated. Linear regression analyses assessed maternal dietary score relationships with untrimmed placental weight (PW) and birth weight:placental weight (BW:PW) ratio. In fully adjusted models, maternal E-DII and GI were positively associated, and HEI-2015 and DAQ were negatively associated with PW (B: 12.31, 95% CI: 0.41, 24.20, p = 0.04, B: 4.13, 95% CI: 0.10, 8.17, p = 0.04, B: -2.70, 95% CI: -5.03, -0.35, p = 0.02 and B: -15.03, 95% CI: -28.08, -1.98, p = 0.02, for E-DII, GI, HEI-2015 and DAQ respectively). Maternal DAQ associations with BW:PW ratio were attenuated. When stratified by sex, maternal GI and pregnancy-specific DAQ were associated with PW in female offspring (B: 5.61, 95% CI: 0.27, 10.96, p = 0.04 and B: -15.31, 95% CI: -30.35, -0.27, p = 0.046). Maternal E-DII and HEI-2015 were associated with PW in males (B: 24.31, 95% CI: 5.66, 42.96, p = 0.01 and B: -3.85, 95% CI: -7.47, -0.35, p = 0.03 respectively). The results of this novel investigation suggest that maternal diet may influence placental development. Female fetuses may be more sensitive to increased glucose levels whereas male fetuses may be more susceptible to in-utero stresses that are regulated by inflammatory pathways and overall diet quality. Hence, early pregnancy offers an opportune time for a mother to prioritize dietary changes that focus on reducing inflammatory and glycemic responses.

A commentary on cancer prevention and control in India: Priorities for realizing SDGs.

In India, cancers along with cardiovascular diseases contribute to significant mortality and morbidity. With less than 10 years remaining towards achieving Sustainable development Goals (SDGs), public health systems in India need to be critically assessed and strengthened, for addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in general and cancers in particular. Our Commentary address the public health response to cancer prevention and control, with specific pointers based on emerging evidence. The relevant issues are stratified as: emphasis on the critical appraisal of national programs, strengthening primary health care (PHC) systems, enhancing focus on client and community centricity, exploring integrative approaches to cancer management and stepping up implementation and multidisciplinary research. Ongoing surveillance is essential to assess the current and future trends of cancer as well as the outcomes of prevention and treatment measures. For revitalizing comprehensive PHC, much depends on our epidemiological capacity and surveillance systems which impart information for local planning. It is imperative to address the cultural barriers and societal norms, which limit the acceptability and participation in screening programs. SDG 3 has ushered the wellbeing agenda at an opportune time. There is a compelling need to conduct research on an integrated approach (ayurveda complimenting allopathic medication) for the treatment of cancer. The unique challenges posed by the rise in NCD morbidity in LMIC, requires horizontal integration of the health systems with new services focused on cancer control.

Impact of engagement in the Community Champions program on clinical nursing practice

Student organizations focused on community engagement are a way to prepare nursing students to meet the needs of diverse populations in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact that the Community Champions program, an example of a community engagement organization, has on clinical practice amongst alumnae who have participated in the program. A survey was distributed via email to alumnae of Community Champions who have graduated in the past 4 years. Respondents indicated that they were able to translate skills learned in the Community Champions program, such as community awareness, patient interaction, and teamwork, and were able to identify examples of how skills were used in practice. Those who do not currently participate in community engagement cited lack of time and knowledge of community opportunities as limitations for volunteering. These data support that student community engagement provides skills relevant to professional nursing practice and has implications for strategies to promote community engagement among nurses.

Neuroimaging the effects of smartphone (over-)use on brain function and structure-a review on the current state of MRI-based findings and a roadmap for future research.

The smartphone represents a transformative device that dramatically changed our daily lives, including how we communicate, work, entertain ourselves, and navigate through unknown territory. Given its ubiquitous availability and impact on nearly every aspect of our lives, debates on the potential impact of smartphone (over-)use on the brain and whether smartphone use can be "addictive" have increased over the last years. Several studies have used magnetic resonance imaging to characterize associations between individual differences in excessive smartphone use and variations in brain structure or function. Therefore, it is an opportune time to summarize and critically reflect on the available studies. Following this overview, we present a roadmap for future research to improve our understanding of how excessive smartphone use can affect the brain, mental health, and cognitive and affective functions.

Nature immersions: teaching reading through a real-world curriculum

AbstractDebates about teaching reading have long been a part of educational vernacular, frequently reduced to polarised views about phonics. This attention can unnecessarily divert from the cumulative skills required for learning to read and comprehensive research, which indicates the positive influence of systematic phonics instruction on students’ reading outcomes. Australian education has recently moved beyond these reading wars to include explicit phonics instruction in a reformed national English Curriculum. This provides an opportune time to engage preservice teachers entering the workforce with strategies that explicitly teach these skills while nurturing young people’s ecological consciousness through positive nature connections. With this focus in mind, a participatory action research project involving preservice teachers was undertaken, from which an Eco-Conceptual Framework ensued. The project put immersive activities in place, promoting transdisciplinary ways to develop learners’ connections with nature using images collected from participants’ real world when learning to read. Results indicate that action research energised preservice teachers’ perceived knowledge, self-efficacy about teaching early reading utilising place and skills in designing visual resources. It brings attention to the critical influence of preservice teachers’ dispositions and preferred natural spaces on what images are collected and offered when designing early reading activities utilising the natural world.

A History of Christianity in Wales

A History of Christianity in Wales

Renewing Nagasaki’s Citizen Diplomacy

ABSTRACT For three quarters of a century, the hibakusha (survivors of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki) have stood firm in their quest to save humanity from nuclear annihilation. Through their voice and action, the people of Nagasaki City have demonstrated the strength of citizen diplomacy. The voice of Nagasaki can be heard everywhere – strong in its call that Nagasaki must remain the last place to suffer an atomic bombing. Most significantly, the hibakusha’s compelling testimonies brought the world the historic Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in 2017. Despite this prohibition, the goal of a nuclear free world seems more elusive than ever, and the nuclear sceptre looms large. Today, the world faces a heightened risk of nuclear weapons use amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. What should we do in this time of danger and opportunity? In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of its founding, the Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, Nagasaki University and the Nagasaki Council for Nuclear Weapons Abolition organised a special public lecture on 29th October 2022, to examine current challenges in the path toward a nuclear weapons-free world and to re-evaluate the roles that the A-Bombed city should play in advancing this goal. This article, adapted from the public lecture, reaffirms the vital role that Nagasaki must continue to play through a renewal of its citizen diplomacy. It highlights lessons from the TPNW negotiations and the opportunities that its adoption has created for Nagasaki to strengthen and expand its citizen diplomacy.

Location-based marketing using mobile geofencing: lessons learned from a user-centred application development research

Location-based marketing (LBM) is becoming an integral element of the media mix for making highly personalised offers to the targeted audience at the most opportune time and place. Yet, the literature calls for more usability studies due to the lack of user-centred research. To fill this gap, this study explores the development of PushMapp - a geomarketing tool for launching LBM campaigns - through a user-centred, parallel-iterative approach. Usability analysis shows that this type of application is affected by issues related to security, privacy, advertisement relevancy, and notification overload. Meanwhile, only performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and hedonic motivation appeared to be the significant factors in an LBM mobile application. Experiences from this study provided valuable insights for marketers and business owners who plan to capitalise on LBM strategies by underscoring the importance of integrating users' input, ensuring usability compliance, and conforming to factors of mobile application utilisation.

Abstract A095: Enhancing minority patient participation in tobacco cessation by a personal pathway to success program

Abstract Background: Minority cancer patients (pts) who use tobacco often decline tobacco cessation programs due to variable personal barriers and priorities. We developed a Personal Pathway to Success (PPS) program to overcome barriers and improve patient (pt) engagement. PPS allowed pts to choose cessation components they were willing to initially use. Methods: City of Hope (COH) tobacco cessation program developed a comprehensive list of evidence-based cessation services. Pts completed tobacco use and a Lifestress Scale assessing societal determinants of distress. PPS was then tailored and offered to pts to create their iquit strategy. Pts could add or delete components at any time as engaged partners in cessation care. Pts were evaluated by demographic group. Since tobacco use is associated with adverse surgical outcomes, we tested the PPS program in the preoperative anesthesia testing clinic (PATC). Results were compared by Chi square statistics. Study data collection was 9/2021 to 2/2022. Results: The components of PPS were individual cessation counseling, individual motivational counseling, nicotine replacement and cessation medications, signed personal commitment agreement, English and Spanish cessation support groups, choosing a buddy partner (family, friends or support group), lung cancer screening, letter to primary care physicians requesting assistance for non-responding pts, SmokeFree Text support, Kick It California or Asian Smokers' Quitline support, rapid action plan for relapses, 5Ds cessation and 7 self-care skills, COH relaxation and/or hypnosis videos, guidance for cinnamon stick/bubble blowing, stress management and smoking cessation apps, Tobacco Cessation as Recovery Enhancement video and audios, educational brochures, advice on vaping, assistance with internet and digital devices, family education and support, and psycho-social or substance abuse referrals. Current results are based on the initial 53 evaluable pts. 100% viewed the educational video. Only 7 pts (13%) were passive-refusal despite 3 attempts and were referred back to their attending physician for added cessation referral. 26 patients (49%) agreed to cessation counseling. Of these 88% completed the counseling. 36% of pts were minority (47% were Latinx, 21% Black/African American, and 32% Asians). All minority pts had motivational counseling. 67% of Latinx and 75% of Black pts also had cessation counseling. Abstinence was achieved by 58% of minority pts, but only 24% of Caucasian pts (p=0.015). Abstinence was achieved by 50% of pts accepting cessation counseling, and even 35% of pts who received only video and brochure education (p=0.28). Overall program metrics showed cessation counseling was increased from 8.7% pre-PPS to 49% with PPS (p<.001). Conclusions: PPS activated pts to accept tobacco cessation. Findings suggest that minority pts were more successful in abstinence compared to Caucasian pts. Offering culturally responsive cessation pre-operatively may be an opportune time (teachable moment) for cessation success, especially among ethnic minority pts. Citation Format: Cary A. Presant, Kimlin Ashing, Sophia Yeung, Jonjon Macalintal, Brenda Gascon, Argiela Sandoval, Mary Cianfrocca, Ravi Salgia, Dan Raz, Loretta Erhunmwunsee, Yuman Fong, Steven Rosen. Enhancing minority patient participation in tobacco cessation by a personal pathway to success program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A095.

Uma ponte entre colonialismo e ambientalismo

Abstract Dr. Malcolm Ferdinand’s book “Decolonial Ecology: thinking from the Caribbean World” comes at an opportune time and fills a historical gap in the literature on colonialism and ecology. Provocative and daring, the sections masterfully address the themes of ethnic-racial relations, gender, and vulnerabilities. The book is a vital invitation to understand the interrelationships of gender, race, and class in the pursuit of justice and how these interrelationships manifest themselves. The compendium of information provided strengthens the multidimensional coalition of interests to better understand environmental injustice and widespread social inequality associated with a colonial ecology.

Plasmonic nanomaterials for solar-driven photocatalysis.

Plasmonic nanomaterials have spurred significant research interest in enhanced solar-driven photocatalysis due to their strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). As this rapid-developing research area has begun to raise and answer fundamental questions that determine the photocatalytic performance of plasmonic photocatalysts, it is an opportune time to evaluate the advancement and propose future trajectories. We first outline the fundamentals of LSPR, including its excitation, decay, and influencing factors. We then discuss three main enhancement mechanisms and their applicable scenarios for plasmonic photocatalysis. We then critically assess the recent works performed by our groups concerning plasmon-enhanced photocatalytic reactions. By introducing related works from other researchers, we demonstrate our contributions to the advancements of plasmonic photocatalysis. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and suggest future directions in three aspects: material development, mechanism exploration, and application extension. It is anticipated to delineate the state-of-the-art and direct future research in plasmon-enhanced value-added chemical transformations.