Isoprophylaxis is neither homeoprophylaxis nor homeopathic immunization, but isopathic immunization unsupported by the homeopathic epistemological model: A response to Golden

Homeopathy might be employed for the prevention of epidemic diseases (homeoprophylaxis) provided remedies are selected on an individual basis in compliance with the ‘principle of symptom-based similitude’ and according to the totality of symptoms peculiar to a given epidemic (remedy of the ‘epidemic genius’ or ‘genus epidemicus), as countless examples in the literature show. The use of nosodes for the prevention of epidemic diseases (isoprophylaxis), i.e., selected based on the ‘principle of etiological identity’ with full neglect of symptom-based individualization and pathogenetic trials, is not supported by the homeopathic epistemological model. As long as there are no reliable scientific evidences attesting to its efficacy and safety, ‘isopathic immunization’ might not be indicated as a regular replacement of classical immunization, as it would mean a transgression of the bioethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. Although many homeopathic practitioners systematically indicate that practice, it is condemned by homeopathic institutions worldwide. In this article, I elaborate on epistemological, ethical and scientific features of these disparate approaches to prophylaxis, which I had summarily addressed in a previous review.

Review on NSM CFRP Strengthened RC Concrete Beams in Shear

The use of NSM FRP strengthening of concrete structures has become an attractive option to retrofit the existing structures against shear and flexure. This paper reviews only the utilization of NSM for shear in previous review articles. A database of tests of NSM strengthened beams in shear is presented to evaluate the existing design formulations of calculating the NSM contribution in shear. These formulations were in agreement with the experimental results in the database. Further research topics are also identified such as the shape of NSM FRP bars, combined effects of existing steel stirrups, and NSM FRP reinforcement and analytical formulations.

Ropivacaine as the drug of choice for regional anesthesia: why so?

While writing the article, we analyzed all the studies related to ropivacaine for the first half of 2021, which were published in PubMed. Previous review articles on ropivacaine were also analyzed. Purpose: collection and analysis of the latest research results on ropivacaine. Assessment of the place of ropivacaine in modern regional anesthesia.

Three decades of interventions for the unemployed – review of practices between 1990 and 2020 and their effects on (re) employment competencies

PurposeThis paper provides evidence of the outcomes proposed by the reviewed programmes and their level of effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachArticles were screened by title and abstract to ensure correspondence with exclusion/inclusion criteria. Themes were analysed through collective coding and scoring. Size effects were calculated.FindingsThree expected outcomes: psychological, technical and (re) employment. The most frequent and significant results are found in psychological. The review could not find consistent results in effectiveness of the type of training, because of the diversity of propositions and socio-cultural origins of interventions.Research limitations/implicationsSocio-cultural context acts as variable; thus, deep interdisciplinary analysis on context where trainings were developed is suggested in order to understand the impact of trainings according to their population defining effectiveness.Originality/valueThere is no previous review of type of interventions for the unemployed focusing on last 30 years.

Parental Antecedents of Locus of Control of Reinforcement: A Qualitative Review

The construct of locus of control of reinforcement has generated thousands of studies since its introduction as a psychological concept by Julian Rotter (1966). Although evidence indicates its importance for a wide range of outcomes, comparatively little research has been directed toward identification of potential developmental antecedents of internal/external expectancies. A previous review of antecedent findings (Carton and Nowicki, 1994) called for more research to be completed, particularly using observational and/or longitudinal methodologies. The current paper summarizes and evaluates antecedent research published in the intervening years since Carton and Nowicki’s review. Results largely were consistent with expectations based on Rotter’s social learning theory, although there is still a need for researchers to use observational, rather than self-report methodologies, and to include data from non-western cultures.

Recent Advances in Transition-Metal-Free (4+3)-Annulations

Abstract(4+3)-Annulations are incredibly versatile reactions which combine a 4-atom synthon and a 3-atom synthon to form both 7-membered carbocycles as well as heterocycles. We have previously reviewed transition-metal-catalyzed (4+3)-annulations. In this review, we will cover examples involving bases, NHCs, phosphines, Lewis and Brønsted acids as well as some rare examples of boronic acid catalysis and photocatalysis. In analogy to our previous review, we exclude annulations involving cyclic dienes like furan, pyrrole, cyclohexadiene or cyclopentadiene, as Chiu, Harmata, Fernándes and others have recently published reviews encompassing such substrates. We will however discuss the recent additions (2010–2020) to the literature on (4+3)-annulations involving other types of 4-atom-synthons.1 Introduction2 Bases3 Annulations Using N-Heterocyclic Carbenes3.1 N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs)3.2 N-Heterocyclic Carbenes and Base Dual-Activation4 Phosphines5 Acids5.1 Lewis Acids5.2 Brønsted Acids6 Boronic Acid Catalysis and Photocatalysis7 Conclusion

Has the Flood Entered the Basement? A Systematic Literature Review about Machine Learning in Laboratory Medicine

This article presents a systematic literature review that expands and updates a previous review on the application of machine learning to laboratory medicine. We used Scopus and PubMed to collect, select and analyse the papers published from 2017 to the present in order to highlight the main studies that have applied machine learning techniques to haematochemical parameters and to review their diagnostic and prognostic performance. In doing so, we aim to address the question we asked three years ago about the potential of these techniques in laboratory medicine and the need to leverage a tool that was still under-utilised at that time.

Observing Stigmatization Attitudes Towards Ex-Combatants in Colombia's Postconflict

The authors propose a working definition of stigmatization towards ex-combatants from organized armed groups outside the law in Colombia's internal conflict and empirically validate a questionnaire to assess stigmatization. First, they offer a brief review of different concepts of stigmatization, mainly stemming from psychology and sociology. Second, based on the previous review, they will offer a specific definition of stigmatization directed towards ex-combatants in the Colombian internal conflict. This definition encompasses social distance, label attribution, and emotional reactions towards the stigmatized group. Further, they present the validated scale to measure these attitudes in a non-representative sample of 289 people in 34 Colombian counties. Finally, they describe the psychometric properties of this scale as a way to measure stigmatization against ex-combatants in the Colombian internal conflict to be used in interventions aimed at attenuating this stigmatization and favoring their return to civilian society.

A Methodological Review of Machine Learning in Applied Linguistics

The traditional linear regression in applied linguistics (AL) suffers from the drawbacks arising from the strict assumptions namely: linearity, and normality, etc. More advanced methods are needed to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional method and grapple with intricate linguistic problems. However, there is no previous review on the applications of machine learning (ML) in AL, the introduction of interpretable ML, and related practical software. This paper addresses these gaps by reviewing the representative algorithms of ML in AL. The result shows that ML is applicable in AL and enjoys a promising future. It goes further to discuss the applications of interpretable ML for reporting the results in AL. Finally, it ends with the recommendations of the practical programming languages, software, and platforms to implement ML for researchers in AL to foster the interdisciplinary studies between AL and ML.