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High cervical solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) ? A case report, and mini-bibliometric analysis
No full textWe present a case report of a 53-year-old left-handed gentleman who presented with 8 months of right-sided neck pain and radiating arm pain. MRI spine showed suspicion of an intradural, extramedullary lesion initially thought to be a schwannoma. Single-level laminectomy and resection was carried out and noticeable residuum cauterized. Histopathology showed World Health Organization Grade I solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) with Ki-67 of 6%. No major complications post-operatively. Follow-up MRI spine showed gross total resection in the spinal canal with small residual arising from the nerve root. Solitary fibrous tumour are rare mesenchymal tumour especially in the cervical spine. Higher World Health Organization grade and subtotal resection has been associated with higher recurrence rate and metastases. No high-quality evidence available comparing different standards of treatment and follow-up protocol/treatment. Hence, no consensus available with regards to the optimal management, adjuvant therapy, and follow-up protocol. But regular follow-ups recommended especially for higher-grade tumours
Finding Out about Science through the News: How Specialist and Non-Specialist Science Journalists’ Epistemic Aims and Practices Vary
No full textPeople resort to the news to find out about science, but the evolving media landscape has transformed how science is reported. Due to media’s infrastructural challenges, specialist journalists and non-specialist science journalists report on science. Given that journalists hold an epistemic function by disseminating knowledge claims, this exploratory study sought to understand how epistemic and non-epistemic aims and epistemic practices compare between specialist and non-specialist journalists reporting on science. We adopted a case study analysis and analyzed two focus group with distinct samples (specialist/non-specialist journalists). Both groups mentioned epistemic aims, but these differed: non-specialist journalists aimed for objectivity and fairness, while specialist journalists aimed at explaining science. Non-specialist journalists also verbalized financial incentives and speed as non-epistemic aims. The epistemic practices between the groups also varied extensively; only making science personally relevant applied to both groups. The study holds implications for journalism instruction and curricula for science reporting
Toroidal ordering of artificial magnetic systems by spontaneous symmetry breaking
No full textA magnetization protocol is proposed for structures with magnetic ferrotoroidal order as the ground state. First the structures should be magnetized by an out-of-plane magnetic field until saturation, then the out-of-plane magnetic field should be slowly turned off. During the demagnetization process from saturation, a series of spontaneous symmetry-breaking events occur. These symmetry-breaking events create new metastable states at lower fields. The ferrotoroidal state is stable after the first spontaneous symmetry breaking and it remains the lowest-energy state during the switching off of the external magnetic field. The out-of-plane field thus not only lowers the barriers among states, but also destabilizes the higher-energy metastable states of the artificial crystal unit cell, qualitatively changing the free-energy map of the system. This protocol is studied analytically within the macrospin model, numerically on a realistic structure, and is realized experimentally. Switching from nontoroidal to toroidal order is demonstrated on isolated magnetic submicrometer structures as well as on arrays of such structures
Diagnostic related groups-based reimbursement in Kazakhstan: Have we learned enough?
No full textBackground: Kazakhstan implemented a diagnosis-related group (DRG)-based payment system in 2012, transitioning from a fee-for-service remuneration model for public hospitals. The reform aimed to enhance hospital efficiency and cost control. A national rollout was preceded by a pilot phase involving 21 hospitals in 2011. While DRG systems are increasingly adopted and adapted globally, evidence on their effects remains limited in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: To assess whether the introduction of the DRG-based system is associated with changes in hospital activity and the quality of care. Design and methods: A controlled interrupted time series design was employed, using matched control hospitals to estimate the causal impact of the payment reform. The analysis was based on weekly hospital discharge data from the 2011/2012 to 2012/2013 fiscal years, obtained from the Ministry of Health. Result: Findings suggest that the impact of the reform on hospital activity varied by hospital levels, with pilot hospitals showing a quicker response to nationwide implementation. No significant effects were observed on quality of care, as measured by standardised in-hospital mortality rates. Conclusions: The introduction of the DRG-based payment system was associated with heterogenous effects on hospital activity but did not yield measurable short-term improvements in care quality. These findings underscore the importance of implementation context and highlight the need for further research to assess long-term and system-wide effects. JEL classification: H51, I1, P3
Pupil perceptions, practices and levels of participation in an Eco-School
No full textEco-schools aim to promote pupil agency and embed sustainability in the life of a school. This article draws on research examining pupil participation in an Eco-School. Social practice theory involves looking at meanings, materials and competency and is used as a lens for exploring how sustainability practices are carried out in the school. The study used an ethnographic approach and included observation and interviews with children and staff at the Eco-School. Environmental awareness varied within the school and perceptions of agency and the power to contribute to decision-making raised questions about the success of the programme. Although shared practices were observed and described by participants, there were also anomalies that indicated that commitment to the practices was inconsistent. The authors argue that to increase environmental awareness and sustainable practices for the benefit of their own future, pupils should be afforded more opportunities to participate meaningfully in everyday school practices
Lighting the way: the LANTERN system for children’s autism referrals to enhance triage effectiveness and navigate frontline timely support
No full textObjectives: To evaluate the implementation and outcomes of the Layered Assessment of Neurodevelopmental Needs, Evaluation of Referrals and Navigation of support (LANTERN) triage system developed to improve referral quality, reduce unnecessary delays and enhance support for children referred for autism diagnostic assessment. Design: Service improvement informed by action-based methodology and clinical audit, employing descriptive analysis of administrative and outcome data. Setting: A UK National Health Service community paediatric service covering 59 000 children aged 4–16. Participants: All referrals to the neurodevelopmental pathway for autism assessment from April 2019 to March 2025. Intervention: The LANTERN system incorporates senior diagnostician-led triage, expanded evidence review and detailed guidance for families and referrers. Main outcome measures: Referral volume and acceptance rates, rates per 1000 population, patient experience via friends and family test and cost-effectiveness. Results: Referral rates fell 25% over 5 years, and acceptance rates dropped from 79.6% (2019–2020) to 61% (2024–2025), compared with 92% in the wider region. LANTERN achieved a local referral rate of 4 per 1000 versus 33 system-wide. ‘Good’ or ‘very good’ family satisfaction rose from 35% to 95%. The system incurred an annual cost of £58 695 but avoided £96 025 in assessments not indicated, yielding a net saving of ~£37 330. Conclusions: The LANTERN system reduced assessments not indicated while improving family satisfaction and support for children, families and referrers. A senior-led, evidence-informed triage can enhance quality and efficiency in the autism diagnostic pathway
An investigation into differences in general intelligence and coaches' subjective assessment of players' decision-making skills across different playing positions in EPPP association football academies
No full textWith developments in tactical complexity in association football (soccer) general intelligence and decision-making are becoming increasingly important attributes for players at all levels. However, an absence of evidence regarding general intelligence and decision-making across different positions within English Academy soccer indicates that it is unknown how specific intelligence in soccer needs to be for successful performance. This study aimed to 1) examine differences in general intelligence scores between different playing positions, 2) investigate differences in coach assessed decision-making ability between different playing positions and 3) assess differences between general intelligence test score ranks and decision-making ranks awarded by coaches to each player per position. One hundred and one participants, aged 16–18 years were recruited from eight clubs in the English Football League. Participants completed an established psychometric test of general intelligence and the lead development phase coach at each club ranked players' decision-making ability. There were 99 outfield players who participated: 37 defenders, 34 midfielders and 28 attackers. No difference was found in general intelligence scores between playing positions. However, a significant difference was found in decision-making ranks, with coaches determining attacker's decision-making to be lower than midfielders and defenders. Likewise, no difference was found between general intelligence and decision-making ranks for either defenders or midfielders, but a difference was observed between attackers' general intelligence and decision-making ranks. In conclusion, attacker's game intelligence appears to be underestimated by coaches. Consequently, utilisation of a psychometric test of general intelligence could enhance identification of talented players in Academy soccer
Beyond profits: exploring the role of religion in shaping financial decision-making on global dividend policies
No full textPurpose
This study investigates how an informal institution in the shape of religion shapes corporate dividend policies across countries. It examines both the direct influence of dominant religious affiliations and the moderating roles of national culture and legal origin.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a comprehensive panel of 45,899 listed firms from 90 countries over the period 1987–2019 (344,014 firm-year observations), we employ Logit models to analyse dividend payment propensity and Tobit models to estimate dividend size. Religion is measured at the national level by the dominant religious affiliation, while Hofstede's cultural dimensions and legal origin (common vs. civil law) are incorporated as moderators. Robustness tests include cultural interactions, legal traditions and dynamic panel estimations with lagged dividends to address potential endogeneity.
Findings
We find robust evidence that religion influences dividend policy. Catholic, Hindu, Indigenous, Jewish, Islamic and Orthodox contexts are positively associated with dividend payments and sizes, while Atheist, Buddhist and Protestant contexts exhibit negative associations. The moderation results show that Hofstede's Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) amplifies Catholic and Islamic tendencies toward higher payouts while reinforcing Protestant restraint. Legal origin further conditions these effects: in Common Law systems, results align with the outcome hypothesis, where strong shareholder rights discipline payouts; in Civil Law systems, findings support the substitute hypothesis, with higher dividends used to compensate for weaker investor protection.
Research limitations/implications
This research provides evidence that religious background significantly shapes corporate dividend policy, implying that religious affiliations may be as important as the personal traits of executives in shaping corporate financial decisions. This highlights how religious contexts can moderate traditional influences, such as legal origin and national culture, thereby affecting how companies set their dividend policies.
Originality/value
This study makes three contributions. First, it extends the scope of prior literature by analysing nine major world religions, rather than focussing narrowly on Protestant, Catholic or Islamic contexts. Second, it demonstrates how religion interacts with broader institutional environments, national culture and legal systems to shape financial outcomes, thereby advancing theoretical integration between finance and sociology. Third, by employing a uniquely large and diverse cross-country dataset over 3 decades, it offers one of the most comprehensive examinations of the intersection between religion and corporate payout policy
Chatbot Memory: Uncovering How Mental Effort and Chabot Interactions Affect Short-Term Learning
Get PDFDevelopments in artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming everyday tasks, including accessing information, learning, and decision making. Generative AI is representative of these changes as it can generate content traditionally reserved for humans with increased efficiency and reduced effort. This includes technologies like ChatGPT and other tools that exploit large language models, typically taking the form of conversational agents (chatbots). These technologies can be useful for self-regulated learning as is the case for Web browsing. It is, however, unclear whether learning with chatbots may be efficient as opposed to other Web-based approaches given the reduced effort related to chatbot interactions. This study assessed how interacting with a chatbot may affect short-term learning and the role of mental effort. Memory performance was equivalent across participants who either interacted with a chatbot or browsed the Internet to find information for answering essay questions. Differences in self-reported workload were, however, found across conditions
Interventions for maintenance of surgically induced remission in Crohn’s disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
No full textObjectives Approximately 50% of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) undergo surgery, and a significant proportion suffer from a post-surgical recurrence. We conducted a network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of various interventions.
Design Systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Data sources MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched from inception up to February 2025.
Eligibility criteria Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), reported in any language, comparing treatments used for maintaining surgically induced remission in CD were included. The primary outcomes were clinical relapse, endoscopic relapse and withdrawal due to adverse events.
Data extraction and synthesis Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Certainty of evidence was rated with GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation), and SUCRA (surface under the cumulative ranking curve) was used to rank treatments.
Results There were 34 RCTs (n=3197). For clinical relapse, adalimumab reduced the risk of relapse compared with placebo (moderate certainty), risk ratio (RR) 0.31 (95% CI 0.16 to 0.60), moderate effect size. Two treatments may reduce the risk of clinical relapse (low certainty): 5-aminosalicylic acid (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.94; trivial effect size) and purine analogues (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.96; trivial effect size). All other treatments were of very low certainty. For endoscopic relapse, vedolizumab probably reduced the risk of relapse (moderate certainty), RR 0.37 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.80), large effect size. Adalimumab may reduce the risk of endoscopic relapse (low certainty), RR 0.47 (95% CI 0.27 to 0.80), large effect size. All other treatments were of very low certainty.
Conclusions Adalimumab and vedolizumab reduce endoscopic relapse with moderate to large effects supported by moderate to low certainty evidence. Adalimumab also prevents clinical relapse with moderate certainty. Other therapies either had evidence of trivial effect size or very low certainty evidence. Postoperative maintenance should be individualised based on patient risk and treatment profile