Using AI as a predicting tool for orthokeratology (Ortho-K) decentration

Modern orthokeratology (ortho-k) designs are intended for use in: Myopia management Myopia control A central base curve that is flatter than the cornea, and a peripheral curve aligns with the cornea. Ortho-k lens decentration is common when fitting rotationally symmetrical designs, resulting in HOAs and astigmatism being induced with the magnitude related to the amount of decentration. AI-based algorithms can effectively predict decentration, potentially allowing for much better control over ortho-k fitting. It is time to use AI-assistive contact lens design tools

Biopsychosocial Approaches for the Management of Female Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Systematic Review.

Background/objectiveCurrent guidelines recommend biopsychosocial-informed treatment for chronic pelvic pain (CPP). The objective of this systematic review was to describe the available biopsychosocial approaches for the treatment of CPP, and the outcomes reported, to understand how guideline-recommended treatments can be applied.Search strategyMEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Emcare, AMED and Cochrane trial registries were searched (inception to 17 November 2023).Selection criteriaCPP Studies in women where the principal treatment modality was a biopsychosocial approach were included. Prospero registration: CRD42022374256.Data collection/analysisData extraction included study setting, population, study design, intervention characteristics and outcome measures and is described via a narrative synthesis.ResultsThe review included 14 RCTs (871 patients) and identified four broad intervention categories (Acceptance Commitment Therapy n = 2, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy n = 6, Mindfulness-based approaches n = 2, and Physiotherapy-based interventions n = 4). Pain science education (PSE) and, exposure/engagement with valued activity were recognised as important aspects of treatment regardless of intervention type. The most utilised outcomes were pain reduction and emotional functioning, with all studies reporting improvements in these domains. Heterogeneity in outcomes prevented efficacy comparison. High risk of bias was identified in six studies (1/4 physiotherapy-based approaches, 2/6 CBT, 1/2 ACT and 2/2 mindfulness-based interventions).ConclusionsCBT and ACT-based biopsychosocial approaches were found effective in reducing pain and improving psychometric outcomes for CPP. Evaluation indicated PSE, and exposure/engagement in valued activity are important components of biopsychosocial management. Outcome heterogeneity needs to be addressed in future trials

Professional Development of Expatriate Higher EducationFaculty Through Informal and Incidental Learning onSocial Media

ABSTRACTWhile formal, digital‐technology‐based professional development for higher education faculty has been extensively studied, informal and incidental learning (IIL) within this area remain underexplored. Integrating the Broaden‐and‐Build Theory with the Informal and Incidental Learning framework, this study examines how positive emotions influence faculty's social media engagement and trigger work‐related IIL, which subsequently enhances professional learning. Interviews were conducted with nine expatriate faculty at a Sino‐British transnational university. The narrative analysis reveals how social media engagement, facilitated by positive emotions, connects personal interests with professional needs to generate self‐directed professional development. This study highlights the value of social‐media‐based learning by distinguishing nuances between informal learning and incidental learning. Findings suggest that social‐media‐based IIL addresses individualised, real‐world challenges like cross‐cultural competencies. Implications for higher education policymakers emphasise the need for building a holistic professional learning environment where faculty's self‐initiated IIL is possible through digital platforms to meet their diverse, tailored needs for professional growth.</jats:p

Ten years of Nutri-Score front-of-pack nutrition labelling in Europe.

Recognizing front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPL) as an important tool for promoting healthier diets, the European Commission announced in 2020 that it would propose legislation for mandatory, harmonized FOPL as of 2022. Among existing FOPL schemes that could be used to that end, Nutri-Score (a summary, colour-coded system) stands out as the most widely adopted since 2017, with studies documenting its effectiveness in various contexts. Here we argue that stakeholders with conflicts of interest used contestable lobbying tactics and instrumentalized evidence against Nutri-Score, contributing to the European Commission's failure to propose legislation. We call for an EU-wide FOPL scheme to be chosen on the basis of evidence-based, transparent policy processes that readdress power imbalances and create the trust required for genuine democratic debate

The Romanian Radical Right, 1924–1931

A new wave of radical right organizations emerged in Romania during the early 1920s. They exploited networks of sympathizers that antisemites had been developing since the 1880s, taking advantage of the wave of postwar nationalism, the introduction of universal male suffrage, the excitement created by Mussolini’s rise to power in Italy, and the wave of antisemitic student protests that began in 1922. The largest nationalist organization in the early 1920s was the National Romanian Fascists (FNR), which enjoyed significant, albeit short-lived success. Despite claiming tens of thousands of members in 1923, by 1924 FNR had almost disappeared after Ion I. C. Brătianu’s Liberal government banned the movement. Many of its more antisemitic members joined A.C. Cuza’s National Christian Defense League (LANC). Attempts by the Romanian police to keep track of right-wing organizing were assembled from a variety of local sources, often making the final reports speculative and ill-informed

Why go local? Developing the research agenda for “local political theory”

This methodological article explores “the local” as a distinct context for political theorizing, and considers its role in normative labor. In doing so, we examine how political theorists can “go local”; arguing that engagement with the local dimension of politics can play at least three distinct roles in political theorizing. First, the local can represent a distinct object of analysis, where local politics are the starting point for the construction and revision of normative theories. Second, the local can represent a distinct object of normative concern, where political theorists consider whether local actors, institutions, experiences, relationships, and ways of life carry specific normative values or normative obligations. Finally, the local can represent a distinct object of application, where political theorists apply normative insights to help interpret, and inform, real-world local politics. By drawing upon normative literature interested in local questions we demonstrate how such interest in the local dimension supports a more nuanced and comprehensive theoretical understanding of our complex and multidimensional political world.</jats:p

“Latent archangels”: The archangel Michael in Romanian fascism

This open access book explores the various manifestations of the archangel Michael in history, politics, and popular culture. One of the most venerated intermediate beings of the belief systems of all Christian traditions, the archangel Michael has assumed multiple roles that go far beyond the ways in which he has been defined by his major cults. Chapters explore how the archangel Michael has often accompanied processes of Christianization as well as being the divine messenger par excellence. Covering a broad variety of academic perspectives and historical contexts, the book explores how the archangel Michael has subsumed ancient cults, been endowed with magical and ritual powers and guided religious and secular leaders in their exploits. The figure of the archangel Michael is shown to have even inspired educational systems, and in more recent times become a “commercial brand” of blessings and protections. Going beyond orthodoxies, this book reveals how the history and interpretations of the Archangel’s manifestations have been redefined by Christians of Adventist beliefs, by politicians using religious apocalypse in their rhetoric, and by New Age leaders in highly innovative and individualistic manners. The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by the University of Bergen, University of Oslo, Austrian Academy of Sciences, University College Cork, University of Liverpool and Fundatia Noua Europa

Estimating coefficient-by-coefficient breaks in panel data models

When estimating structural breaks, existing econometric methods adopt an a approach in which either all parameters change simultaneously, or they remain the same. In this paper, we consider the estimation of panel data models when an unknown subset of coefficients is subject to breaks. The challenge lies in estimating the breaks for each coefficient. To tackle this, we propose a new estimator for panel data, the “Coefficient-by-Coefficient Lasso” break estimator. This estimator is derived by penalizing the coefficients with a fused penalty and using component-wise adaptive weights. We present this estimator for two scenarios: those with homogeneous breaks and those with heterogeneous breaks. We show that the method identifies the number and dates of breaks for all coefficients with high probability and that the post-selection estimator is asymptotically normal. We examine the small-sample properties of the method through a Monte Carlo study and further apply it to analyze the influence of socioeconomic factors on crime

The COMBAT Project: study protocol for the development of a core outcome set for morbidity following surgery in paediatric brain tumour patients.

BackgroundCentral nervous system tumours affecting the brain and spine are the most common solid tumour site in the paediatric population and the most common causes of cancer death in children and young people. They are associated with high morbidity both from the tumour and the interventions used to treat them. Postoperative morbidity reporting following surgery for paediatric brain tumours is poor. This is due to variability of outcomes measured and reported and the lack of a common language when reporting adverse outcomes. One solution is to develop a core outcome set which will stipulate the minimum postoperative outcomes that should be reported. The COMBAT (Core Postoperative Morbidity Set for Paediatric Brain Tumours) Project will develop a core set of adverse outcomes that can be applied to paediatric brain tumour patients undergoing surgery.Methods and analysisThis protocol has been developed using the COS-STAD (Core Outcome Set-Standards for Development) recommendations and the COS-STAP (Core Outcome Set-STAndardised Protocol Items) statement. A systematic review will identify adverse outcomes reported in the literature and how they are measured. Outcomes of importance to patients and their carers will be identified from semi-structured qualitative interviews with patients and their carers from Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK. Consensus on the most important harms will be sought using a two-round eDelphi survey completed by national and international participants including health professionals, researchers, patients and their carers. Results of the eDelphi survey will be assessed against a pre-defined definition of consensus and discussed at an international consensus meeting attended by participants of the eDelphi survey.DiscussionThere is a clear need for a common language to harmonise measurement and reporting of morbidity following surgery for paediatric brain tumour patients. This project will define postoperative adverse outcomes that are of critical importance to key stakeholders. It will standardise surgical morbidity outcome measurement and reporting in both research studies and routine clinical practice, enabling comparison across different trials, studies and clinical services. It will lay the groundwork for future research in paediatric brain tumour surgical morbidity.Study registrationThis study is registered with the COMET database as Study 1968 ( https://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/1968 ), registration date: 26/10/2021