Influential Role Research Articles

Interpretation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Status in Microscopic Tumor-Free Surgical Margins and Lymph Nodes in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Analysis of 125 Margins.

Squamous cell carcinomas are the most common type of oral cancer contributing for around 90%. The overall survival is below 50% for these patients. There is a requirement for a non-invasive marker to predict the prognosis. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) and their receptors (EGFR, ErbB-1) are not only documented to play a critical and an influential role in cell growth and differentiation in normal/healthy tissues, but may also plays an important role in malignant disease progression and tumorigenesis. This study was done to find the significance of EGF receptor expression on microscopic free tumour margins and lymph nodal margins to predict the survival of the patient in a 2-year follow-up. A prospective cohort study of 25 patients was performed in biopsy proven oral squamous cell carcinoma patients who reported to our department from July 2017 to June 2019. The data were collected from their histopathological report, they were- pTNM staging, surgical margins (superior and inferior, anterior, posterior), nodal status and scoring of EGFR expression on wax blocks was done. Total of 125 wax blocks were analysed for the study. Follow-up of 2years were recorded in the study to evaluate the survival of the patients. The expression of EGFR on microscopic tumour-free surgical margins and lymph nodes was p value 0.023 which was statistically significant. The level of significance between EGFR and status of patients after 2-year follow-up was having p value 0.031. Out of 25 patients, 5 patients were dead at a 2-year follow-up. Out of these 5 patients who were dead, 3 patients had a local recurrence and 2 patients had distant metastasis. This cohort study concludes that EGFR is an important prognostic marker and must be analysed in all microscopic tumour-free margins and lymph nodes in advanced oral squamous cell carcinomas to predict the local recurrences affecting the survival of the patients and the need for addition of anti-EGFR agents in adjuvant treatment. Since the sample size is small, large scale studied must be done to validate the need for adding anti-EGFR agents in adjuvant treatment to improve the survival of patients.

Stanowisko Niemiec wobec reformy Wspólnej Polityki Bezpieczeństwa i Obrony UE (2016-2022)

GERMANY’S POSITION TOWARDS THE REFORM OF THE EU’S COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY (2016-2022) The aim of this article is to analyze Germany’s position towards the development of CSDP between 2016 and 2023, that is, from the enactment of the EU Global Strategy to the publication of the Strategic Compass. For the CDU/CSU-SPD (2013-2017 and 2017-2021) and SPD-Green-FDP (2021-2022) coalition governments, deepening security and defense integration was a means to advance European integration. The reasons for Germany’s increased interest in developing CSDP from 2016 onwards, regardless of the international context (Brexit, Trump’s presidency), were linked to the political elite’s growing aspirations to develop a more influential international role for Germany. However, hesitation was evident. European defense was seen as an instrument for aiding European integration and as a factor for activating the Franco-German engine. However, France – in strong contrast to Germany – saw the development of a common defense as a means to achieve strong European autonomy in the sense of independence from the US. In Germany, it was feared that this would damage the traditional relationship with NATO. Acceptance of strategic autonomy was therefore limited by the primacy of the Atlantic orientation, which was even revitalized because of the war in Ukraine. Berlin’s ambivalent position on CSDP was also due to the lack of political will to act militarily, constitutional constraints, that is, the strong role of parliament and the influence of a restrained political-military culture.

Crucial points about international private foundations that founders sometimes wish they had paid more attention to

Abstract In this 20th anniversary issue of ‘Private Foundations: A World Review’, the Editor under the heading ‘Crucial points about international private foundations that founders sometimes wish they had paid more attention to’ highlights and provides an assessment of the most important issues that founders of international foundations should take into consideration before taking action: Purposes—Legal Personality—Retention of Founders Rights and International Recognition. She concludes that a bespoke founder’s role is of essence, as soon as a foundation has international connections, as an influential role of the founder may well jeopardize the integrity of a foundation.

Allergies and risk of head and neck cancer: a case–control study

Although the relationship between allergies and cancer has been investigated extensively, the role of allergies in head and neck cancer (HNC) appears less consistent. It is unclear whether allergies can independently influence the risk of HNC in the presence of substantial environmental risk factors, including consumption of alcohol, betel quid, and cigarettes. This study aims to find this association. We examined the relationship between allergies and HNC risk in a hospital-based case–control study with 300 cases and 375 matched controls. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals, controlling for age, sex, tobacco smoking and opium usage history, alcohol consumption, and socioeconomic status. Our study showed a significant reduction in the risk of HNC associated with allergy symptoms after adjusting for confounders. The risk of HNC was greatly reduced among those with any type of allergy (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.28, 0.65). The ORs were considerably reduced by 58–88% for different kinds of allergies. The risk of HNC reduction was higher in allergic women than in allergic men (71% vs. 49%). Allergies play an influential role in the risk of HNC development. Future studies investigating immune biomarkers, including cytokine profiles and genetic polymorphisms, are necessary to further delineate the relationship between allergies and HNC. Understanding the relationship between allergies and HNC may help to devise effective strategies to reduce and treat HNC.

Permafrost and Active Layer Temperature and Freeze/Thaw Timing Reflect Climatic Trends at Bayelva, Svalbard

AbstractPermafrost warming has been observed all around the Arctic, however, variations in temperature trends and their drivers remain poorly understood. We present a comprehensive analysis of climatic changes spanning 25 years (1998–2023) at Bayelva (78.92094°N, 11.83333°E) on Spitzbergen, Svalbard. The quality controlled hourly data set includes air temperature, radiation fluxes, snow depth, rainfall, active layer temperature and moisture, and, since 2009, permafrost temperature. Our Bayesian trend analysis reveals an annual air temperature increase of 0.9 ± 0.5°C/decade and strongest warming in September and October. We observed a significant shortening of the snow cover by −14 ± 8 days/decade, coupled with reduced winter snow depth. The active layer simultaneously warmed by 0.6 ± 0.7°C/decade at the top and 0.8 ± 0.5°C/decade at the bottom. While the soil surface got drier, in particular during summer, soil moisture below increased in accordance with the longer unfrozen period and higher winter temperatures. The thawed period prolonged by 10–15 days/decade at different depths. In contrast to earlier top‐soil warming, we observed stable temperatures since 2010 and only little permafrost warming (0.14 ± 0.13°C/decade). This is likely due to recently stable winter air temperature and continuously decreasing winter snow depth. This recent development highlights a complex interplay among climate and soil variables. Our distinctive long‐term data set underscores (a) the changes in seasonal warming patterns, (b) the influential role of snow cover decline, and (c) that air temperature alone is not a sufficient indicator of change in permafrost environments, thereby highlighting the importance of investigating a wider range of parameters, such as soil moisture and snow characteristics.

Reconstruction of the marine carbonate system at the Western Tropical Atlantic: trends and variabilities from 20 years of the PIRATA program

The Western Tropical Atlantic Ocean (WTAO) is crucial for understanding CO2 dynamics due to inputs from major rivers (Amazon and Orinoco), substantial rainfall from the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and CO2-rich waters from equatorial upwelling. This study, spanning 1998 to 2018, utilized sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface salinity (SSS) data from the PIRATA buoy at 8°N 38°W to reconstruct the surface marine carbonate system. Empirical models derived total alkalinity (TA) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) from SSS, with subsequent estimation of pH and fCO2 from TA, DIC, SSS, and SST data. Linear trend analysis showed statistically significant temporal trends: DIC and fCO2 increased at a rate of 0.7 µmol kg-1 year-1 and 1.539 µatm year-1, respectively, and pH decreased at a rate of -0.001 pH units year-1, although DIC did not show any trend after data was de-seasoned. Rainfall analysis revealed distinct dry (July to December) and wet (January to June) seasons, aligning with lower and higher freshwater influence on the ocean surface, respectively. TA, DIC, and pH correlated positively with SSS, exhibiting higher values during the dry season and lower values during the wet season. Conversely, fCO2 correlated positively with SST, showcasing higher values during the wet season and lower values during the dry season. This emphasizes the influential roles of SSS and SST variability in CO2 solubility within the region. Finally, we have analysed the difference between TA and DIC (TA-DIC) as an indicator for ocean acidification and found a decreasing trend of -0.93 ± 0.02 μmol kg-1 year-1, reinforcing the reduction in the surface ocean buffering capacity in this area. All trends found for the region agree with data from other stations in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean. In conclusion, the use of empirical models proposed in this study has proven to help filling the gaps in marine carbonate system data in the Western Tropical Atlantic.

Green horizons: Enabling the energy transition through climate change policies

In response to the goals set by the COP21 Summit, the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, this study aims to develop an effective policy framework to support the transition to sustainable energy. This framework considers key elements such as managing energy risks, leveraging green finance, navigating carbon markets, and evaluating three climate change policy indicators: the impact of climate change summits (CCS), government climate programs (CCGP), and climate change taxation (CCT). Utilizing the Quantile Vector Autoregressive (QVAR) approach and analyzing monthly data from the United States from August 1, 2014, to August 30, 2022, our research examines the influential role of these climate policy indicators. The results show that climate summits, governmental initiatives, and climate taxes are significant influencers, affecting both renewable and conventional energy sectors, carbon market movements, and green finance. The study underscores the importance of government initiatives and climate policies in driving the transition to renewable energy and fostering environmentally sustainable financial activities. Focused on advancing Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 13 (Climate Action), this research contributes to shaping effective policy frameworks and enriching policy debates on sustainable energy transition.

Exploring Well-being in College Students: The Influence of Resilience and Social Support

Resilience and social support are pivotal factors in fostering positive mental health outcomes and enhancing overall well-being among students. With this in mind, the present study sought to examine the impact of resilience and social support on subjective well-being among college students. Employing a quantitative research approach, the researchers utilized a descriptive- correlational technique to survey 255 college students. Standardized instruments, validated by experts and subjected to reliability testing, were employed for data collection. The statistical analysis revealed that students exhibited a high level of resilience and perceived social support. Moreover, students reported a high level of subjective well-being. Notably, correlation analysis highlighted a significant relationship between resilience, social support, and subjective well-being. Regression analysis further underscored the influential role of resilience and social support in shaping subjective well- being. This finding suggests that students with higher resilience levels are better equipped to manage stress and adversity, while those with robust social support networks benefit from emotional, informational, and practical assistance, thereby contributing to an enhanced sense of well-being.

Topicality boosts popularity: a comparative analysis of NYT articles and Reddit memes

This study sheds light on interconnected topic dynamics across traditional news sources and social media platforms, emphasizing the influential role of topicality in shaping content popularity in social media. Using the Latent Dirichlet Allocation and BERTopic models, we define sets of 120 New York Times (NYT) topics to compare with 899,766 image-with-text memes from Reddit, showing that social media content aligns with many of the same topical patterns observed in news outlets. Topicality is formalized based on the temporal distributions of topics over the past 5 years. Using these topicality features, the investigation reveals significant correlations between the rising popularity of NYT topics and increased average upvotes on Reddit, particularly evident in “innovator” memes posted during the early stages of a topic’s prevalence in the NYT. Furthermore, topicality features show significant predictive power over other content-based control features in a CatBoost classifier prediction of viral Reddit memes.

An international survey assessing the effects of the duration of attack-free period on health-related quality of life for patients with hereditary angioedema

BackgroundHereditary angioedema (HAE) is characterized by unpredictable and often severe cutaneous and mucosal swelling that affects the extremities, face, larynx, gastrointestinal tract, or genitourinary area. Introduction of novel long-term prophylactic treatment options (lanadelumab, berotralstat, and C1-esterase inhibitor SC [human]) into the treatment armamentarium has substantially reduced HAE attacks, allowing patients to be attack free for longer with improvements to their quality of life. Using data drawn from a wide-ranging survey of patients with HAE, we examined the relationship between duration of time attack free and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), exploring the possibility that there is an association between observed improvement in HRQoL and attack-free duration.MethodsA survey among patients with HAE on long-term prophylaxis (LTP) in six countries (the US, Australia, Canada, UK, Germany, and Japan) assessed the relationship between attack-free duration and mean Angioedema Quality of Life (AE-QoL) scores, quality of life benefits, and rescue medication used. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess the roles of LTP and attack-free period (< 1 month, 1– < 6 months, ≥ 6 months) on total AE-QoL scores. Results include descriptive p-values for strength of association, without control for multiplicity. Descriptive statistics were used to show the relationship between time attack free and quality of life benefits.ResultsLonger durations of time for which participants reported being attack free at the time of the survey correlated with better AE-QoL scores and less use of rescue medication. The mean total AE-QoL scores were 51.8, 33.2, and 19.9 for those who reported having been attack free for < 1 month, 1– < 6 months, and ≥ 6 months, respectively, with higher scores reflecting more impairment. The ANCOVA results showed a strong association between attack-free duration and AE-QoL total score.ConclusionThis study shows that longer attack-free duration has an influential role for better HRQoL in patients receiving LTP. Prolonging the attack-free period is an important goal of therapy and recent advances in LTP have increased attack-free duration. However, opportunities exist for new treatments to further increase attack-free duration and improve HRQoL for all patients with HAE.

Automatic lithology identification in meteorite impact craters using machine learning algorithms

Identifying lithologies in meteorite impact craters is an important task to unlock processes that have shaped the evolution of planetary bodies. Traditional methods for lithology identification rely on time-consuming manual analysis, which is costly and limits the efficiency of rapid decision-making. This paper utilizes different machine learning algorithms namely Random Forest, Decision Tree, K Nearest Neighbors, and Logistic Regression with Grid Search to classify rock lithologies using data from the Bosumtwi impact crater in Ghana. A repeated stratified k-fold cross-validation method is applied to Grid Search to select the best combination of hyperparameters. The findings demonstrate that the Random Forest algorithm achieves the most promising results in classifying lithologies in the meteorite impact crater with an accuracy score of 86.89%, a recall score of 84.88%, a precision score of 87.21%, and an F1 score of 85.48%. The findings also suggest that more high-quality data has the potential to further increase the accuracy scores of the machine learning algorithm. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the significant potential of machine learning techniques to revolutionize lithology identification in meteorite impact craters, thus paving the way for their influential role in future space exploration endeavors.

Changes in Inflation Dynamics in Korea: Global Factor, Country Factor and Their Propagation*

AbstractThis study examines the influence of global and country factors on inflation movements in Korea using a multi‐level factor model. Our results indicate that country factors showed a more pronounced alignment with inflation in Korea up to the mid‐2000s, having particularly strong impacts around the Asian financial crisis. Beyond the mid‐2000s, global factors played a more influential role in shaping inflation. This increased influence of global factors on inflation became particularly apparent during the notable inflationary surge following the COVID‐19 pandemic. We construct structural models to identify global and country shocks and find that the effect of global shocks persists for a longer period, whereas the immediate impact of country shocks is more pronounced. Global shocks have a greater influence on producer price index and import price index inflation compared to consumer price index (CPI) or core CPI inflation. We further find that energy prices closely correlate with global factors, while exchange rates are highly correlated with country factors in Korea.

To Live or Not to Live With It? Examining the Cultivation Effect of State Media on Support for the Zero-COVID Policy

Abstract This study delved into the influential role of state media in shaping public opinion and cultivating policy support. Focusing on the Chinese government’s insistence on the zero-COVID policy, we conducted a nationwide survey (N = 665) to examine the cultivation effect of state media on Chinese people’s support for the zero-COVID policy. We found that the more state media people were exposed to on social media, the more they supported the zero-COVID policy. State media exposure on social media was positively associated with trust in the government and fear of the virus among the audience, both of which mediated the effect of state media exposure on zero-COVID policy support. By applying the cultivation theory, this study contributed to our understanding of public opinion and information manipulation under authoritarian contexts in the digital age.

Machine Learning-Guided Prediction of Desalination Capacity and Rate of Porous Carbons for Capacitive Deionization.

Nowadays, capacitive deionization (CDI) has emerged as a prominent technology in the desalination field, typically utilizing porous carbons as electrodes. However, the precise significance of electrode properties and operational conditions in shaping desalination performance remains blurry, necessitating numerous time-consuming and resource-intensive CDI experiments. Machine learning (ML) presents an emerging solution, offering the prospect of predicting CDI performance with minimal investment in electrode material synthesis and testing. Herein, four ML models are used for predicting the CDI performance of porous carbons. Among them, the gradient boosting model delivers the best performance on test set with low root mean square error values of 2.13mg g-1 and 0.073mg g-1 min-1 for predicting desalination capacity and rate, respectively. Furthermore, SHapley Additive exPlanations is introduced to analyze the significance of electrode properties and operational conditions. It highlights that electrolyte concentration and specific surface area exert a substantially more influential role in determining desalination performance compared to other features. Ultimately, experimental validation employing metal-organic frameworks-derived porous carbons and biomass-derived porous carbons as CDI electrodes is conducted to affirm the prediction accuracy of ML models. This study pioneers ML techniques for predicting CDI performance, offering a compelling strategy for advancing CDI technology.

Exploring Social Responsibility in Sports Management: A Comprehensive Literature Review

This study examines the integration of social responsibility within sports management, highlighting its unique challenges compared to traditional corporations. Through a systematic literature review of 51 studies from 1993 to 2021, this paper identifies key challenges and opportunities in promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in sports. The analysis reveals diverse theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches, with stakeholder theory being most prominent. Findings emphasize the need for theoretical coherence and highlight three primary clusters of CSR in sports: societal impacts, ethical governance, and diversity inclusion. The review underscores the influential role of athletes and the complexities of addressing corruption and racism in sports management. It identifies the influence of celebrity status, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of sustainable practices as crucial factors in promoting positive societal change. It also addresses the complexities of ethical behavior, cultural diversity, and stakeholder management in sports. This study contributes to the discourse on sports management by offering insights into the multifaceted challenges and opportunities inherent in promoting sustainability and ethical conduct in the sports industry.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Most Cited Papers in Mohs Surgery.

Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized tissue-sparing technique used to treat skin cancers. By understanding the attributes that make a research paper one of the top 100 cited papers on Mohs surgery, we hope to illuminate seminal research in this field. The global literature about Mohs surgery published between 1900 and 2023 was searched on the Web of Science. Publication data for all results meeting the search criteria were exported and analyzed. In total, 4,961 publications with81,405 citations were identified. Dermatologic Surgery was the most cited journal, with 1,073 publications. Papers from the top 100 most cited that were published in the year 2000 or prior had an average of 22.1 citations in the first five years after publication, whereas papers published after 2001 had an average of 56.0 citations in the first five years. Analysis of the most cited papers on Mohs surgery demonstrates the influential role of the Dermatological Surgery journal in advancing the field. Noteworthy studies addressing cost, safety, and efficacy have received substantial citations, reflecting their significance within the literature. A trend towardmore citation in the first five years after publication over time was identified.

Charcot’s international visitors and pupils from Europe, the United States, and Russia

ABSTRACT The foundation by Jean-Martin Charcot (1825–1893) of the Salpêtrière School in Paris had an influential role in the development of neurology during the late-nineteenth century. The international aura of Charcot attracted neurologists from all parts of the world. We here present the most representative European, American, and Russian young physicians who learned from Charcot during their tutoring or visit in Paris or Charcot’s travels outside France. These include neurologists from Great Britain and Ireland, the United States, Germany and Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands, Scandinavia and Finland, Poland, Bohemia, Hungary, and Romania. Particularly emblematic among the renowned foreign scientists who met and/or learned from Charcot were Charles-Edouard Brown-Séquard, who had interactions with Paris University and contributed to the early development of British and American neurological schools; John Hughlings Jackson, who was admired by Charcot and influenced French neurology similarly as Charcot did on British neurology; Silas Weir Mitchell, the pioneer in American neurology; Sigmund Freud, who was trained by Charcot to study patients with hysteria and then, back in Vienna, founded a new discipline called psychoanalysis; Aleksej Yakovlevich Kozhevnikov and almost all the founders of the Russian institutes of neurology who were instructed in Paris; and Georges Marinesco, who established the Romanian school of neurology and did major contributions thanks to his valuable relation with Charcot and French neurology.

The disruptive potential of importance-performance eduruption and transforming consumerism in single-used plastic reduction initiatives

In an era demanding sustainable consumption, the challenge of single-used plastic (SUP) remains significant. This study delves into the transformative capacity of the Importance-Performance Eduruption method to reshape consumerism and encourage SUP reduction. Drawing on binary choice models, we elucidated the determinants influencing students' willingness to participate in SUP reduction initiatives. Beyond the quantitative metrics, the study highlighted the deep-seated influence of educational methods. Applied learning strategies like Problem-Based and Project-Based Learning emerged as influential touchpoints, aligning students with sustainable habits. Simultaneously, the importance-performance analysis revealed areas needing immediate intervention, notably research-oriented methods. Our findings spotlight the influential role education plays in driving sustainable consumer behavior. By integrating importance-performance insights into curriculum planning and broader policy frameworks, stakeholders can more effectively harness the disruptive potential of education to further the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 12 and create a more sustainable future.

The impact of computer-mediated task complexity on writing fluency: A comparative study of L1 and L2 writers’ fluency performance

Though many studies have been conducted on written language task complexity, much remains to be explored about its relationship with writers’ fluency. In this study, we examined the potential impact of cognitive task complexity on L1 and L2 learners’ writing and spelling fluency, and the writing fluency and spelling differences between two L2 learner groups when performing tasks of varied complexity. Ninety university students– 30 native English speakers, and 30 Hispanic and 30 Chinese English learners–participated in the study. We recorded the process performance of the three learner groups using computer keystroke logging software– Inputlog 7.0– while they completed two argumentative tasks of varied cognitive complexity. The participants’ writing performance was analyzed using multiple fluency measures. The results generally showed that task complexity plays an influential role in differentiating the participants’ writing fluency, and that task complexity interacts with the three learner groups’ writing and spelling fluency performance. This offers invaluable insights that can be harnessed by technology developers to tailor their tools, furnishing learners with the means to adeptly navigate the intricate terrain of task-induced fluency challenges. Such nuanced understanding holds the potential to refine technological solutions, ultimately empowering proficient TBLT-driven L2 writers.

Crisis and curfew: Lived experiences of community members seeking emergency maternal and neonatal care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic on Mfangano Island, Lake Victoria, Kenya

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, families in rural sub-Saharan Africa faced numerous well-documented barriers in accessing timely care during maternal and neonatal health emergencies. We are now beginning to further appreciate the complex impacts that global disruptions, like the COVID-19 pandemic, can have on access to maternal care across vulnerable health systems, particularly for mothers seeking care in remote settings. In 2021, we initiated a qualitative follow-up study to the MOMENTUM (Monitoring Maternal Emergency Navigation and Triage on Mfangano) cohort study conducted within the remote communities of Mfangano Island on Lake Victoria, in Western Kenya, in 2019 and early 2020. Given the timing of this follow-up study, we sought to further qualify the barriers previously identified during the initial MOMENTUM quantitative survey, as well as explore specific ways that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted these barriers. In September 2021, 4 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), with a total of 44 participants, were conducted among patients and families who had recently experienced maternal and neonatal emergencies. Additionally, 15 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted with community leaders and health-care providers to allow reflection more broadly on their local emergency health-care system. A grounded theory methodology was utilized to analyze respondent themes. The lived experiences reported here by FGD and KII participants substantiate and validate numerous challenges previously identified in our prior study. Importantly, participants also highlighted specific ways that the pandemic intensified each of these factors, through the spread of misinformation, restricted mobility due to government curfews and lockdowns, increased frequency of health worker strikes, and worsening financial and resource constraints across the health system. Participants also described creative ways in which contextually experienced providers (i.e., Mfangano Health Navigators) facilitated critical coordination to help patients access care during the chaotic circumstances generated by the pandemic. These findings suggest that trained community health workers can play an influential role in improving emergency care coordination, particularly during future pandemics and similar public health disruptions within extremely resource-limited environments.