bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Machine Learning Algorithms For Beck Depression Inventory Measured Depression Status Classification
Authors: Ballı M. , Okan A. , Gürsan N. Ö. , Gülgöz S. , Yapici Eser H.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Depression is a psychiatric disorder characterized by low mood and anhedonia. The diagnosis of depression and the initiation of treatment is important for improving quality of life and avoiding disability. Machine learning (ML), can be used for solving classification and regression problems.In this study, scores of multiple psychiatric scales were used to detect depression and different ML algorithms were used to study if they can help for diagnosing depression accurately.

Objectives

The purpose of the study is to detect with high accuracy whether people are depressed or not by using widely used ML algorithms. It is also aimed to compare the algorithms used to predict depression with each other.

Methods

Data were collected from 96 university students. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory, Neo Personality Inventory, Chronic Stress Scale (CSS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PTSD), SHAPS, Relationship Scales Questionnaire and Dissociative Events Scale were applied. 14 points from the BDI was accepted as the cut-off value as depressed. Total scores of each scale was used as the dependent variable in the Xgboost (XGB) to classify the depression. By XGB, the most important 4 of these surveys and scales were selected to use in the Non-Linear (NL) models such as XGB, Decision Trees (DT), Support Vector Machines (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN). Lastly, a linear model as a Logistic Regression (LR) model was also used to compare with the NL algorithms. The success of the models was measured with the Cross Validation method, which is the gold standard in ML.

Results

In the model in which all measurements are used as Independent Variables (IV), the XGB highlighted 4 scale scores: these are CSS, PSS, SHAPS and PTSD. All scale scores were used as IV, both XGB and DT classified depression with a success of 87.5%, while this score increased to 89.6% in both models when 4 prominent scales’ scores were used as IV. In the KNN, the classification made with prominent scales increased the success from 83% to 86%. The variance explanation rate of the LR model using 4 prominent scales remained at 58%.

Conclusions

With ML’s ability to solve NL relationships and dimensional reduction ability, models in which a large number of variables are input and there is no high correlation between dependent variables and IV can be classified with high success. Also, the success of the models was increased by choosing the most importants of the many IV and the variables that contributed negatively to the model could be excluded. The use of ML can yield promising results in fields such as psychiatry where linear relationships cannot be observed much.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Childhood maltreatment is associated with cortical thinning in people with eating disorders
Authors: Battipaglia M. , Attianese N. , Donato S. , Ceres R. , Cascino G.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is recognized as non-specific risk factor for the onset of various psychiatric disorders and is associated with a greater severity in their clinical presentation and poorer treatment outcome. These data suggest that maltreated people with eating disorders (ED) may be biologically other than clinically different from non-maltreated people.

Objectives

Aim of the present study was to investigate cortical thickness (CT), a possible biomarker of neurodevelopment, in people with ED with or without history of CM and in healthy women.

Methods

Study participation was proposed to patients consecutively admitted to the adult ED outpatient centre of the University of Salerno. Twenty-four healthy women, 26 with anorexia nervosa (AN) and 24 with bulimia nervosa (BN) underwent a 3T MRI scan. All the participants completed the short form of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). All neuroimaging data were processed by FreeSurfer. Maps of CT were computed in order to perform a vertex-by-vertex analysis. CT maps underwent a general linear model analysis to evaluate differences among groups. Age and body mass index (BMI) were included as nuisance covariates.

Results

Based on CTQ cut-off scores, 12 participants with AN and 12 with BN were identified as maltreated and 14 participants with AN and 12 with BN as non-maltreatment. All healthy women were “non-maltreated”. Therefore, participants were split in 3 groups: 26 maltreated participants with ED, 24 non-maltreatment participants with ED and healthy control (HC). Compared to HC, maltreated people with ED showed lower CT values in the left rostral anterior cingulate gyrus, while compared to non-maltreatment people with ED showed lower CT values in the left superior frontal, in right caudal middle frontal and in right superior parietal gyri. No significant differences emerged in CT measures between HC and non-maltreatment people with ED.

Conclusions

Present findings show for the first time that in adult people with ED childhood maltreatment is associated with cortical thinning in areas implicated in the modulation of brain processes that are acknowledged to play a role in the psychopathology of ED.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Are clinical severity and real-world functioning associated to committing crimes in people with severe mental illness? Results from a cross-sectional study on three cohorts of forensic and non-forensic patients
Authors: Calzavara Pinton I. , Stanga V. , Di Noto M. , Butti Lemmi Gigli E. , Cerati C. , Savorelli A. , Necchini N. , Nibbio G. , Deste G. , Barlati S. , Turrina C. , Vita A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

In Italy, subjects with severe mental illness (SMI) considered “in danger of posing a threat to others” are hospitalized into structures known as “REMS–Residenze per l’Esecuzione delle Misure di Sicurezza”, designed to provide rehabilitating programs. There are also specialized forensic teams to support Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) in helping patients who committed crimes. A better characterization of clinical and real-world functioning of forensic patients represents a topic of clinical interest (Caruso R et al. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2021; 7 29; Barlati et al. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022, in press; Fazel et al. Br J Psychiatry. 213 609-614).

Objectives

Aims were to compare clinical and psychosocial functioning characteristics in three cohorts of SMI patients.

Methods

A total of 29 patients hospitalized in REMS facilities were included into this study; starting from this first group an equal number of individuals matched for sex, age, and diagnosis were included in other two groups of outpatients cared for by the forensic team and of non-forensic outpatients treated by CMHC. Clinical severity was measured through the Clinical Global Impression scale – Severity (CGI-S) and real-world functioning was measured through the Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP). Analyses included Chi-Square test for categorical variables and Kruskall-Wallis test for continuous variables with Mann-Withney U test for post/hoc comparisons. P values < 0.05 were considered significant.

Results

Significant between-groups differences emerged regarding psychosocial functioning (p=0.013): that was more compromised in the REMS group (mean:34.0) when compared to the forensic team subjects (mean:41.3) and to the subjects in the CMHC group (mean:47.7).

Results concerning clinical severity point in the opposite direction: more severe symptoms were observed in the CMHC group (mean:4.7) compared to the REMS group (mean: 4.3) and the forensic outpatients (mean:3.5). The difference in the CGI-S mean scores is significant for the forensic outpatients when compared to the REMS group (p=0.011) and to the CMHC group (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Specialized teams are central in the managing of forensic patients: of particular interest are the data regarding clinical symptoms severity, which could also be read with a de-stigmatizing focus, highlighting that a worse clinical severity is not associated with being more dangerous to other people and to the society in general.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Chronic diseases among paramedics and their impact on mental health
Authors: Sellami I. , Feki A. , Remadi N. , Kotti N. , Masmoudi M. L. , Jmal Hammami K. , Hajjaji M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Working in a care setting is characterised by an increased mental and physical load. During their professional life, personnel in this sector can develop essentially degenerative pathologies, which could influence their professional career as well as their psychological balance.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the impact of chronic pathologies on the prevalence of anxiety and depression among this group.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in hospitals in Sfax using a self-administered questionnaire. This questionnaire evaluated socio-demographic, professional, and clinical characteristics as well as an evaluation of the degree of anxiety and depression by the HAD questionnaire.

Results

Our population consisted of 120 participants. The average age was 37 years, with a female predominance (a sex ratio of 0.69). The chronic pathologies found in the participants were mainly diabetes (18%), high blood pressure (4%), and rheumatic disease (6.7%). The average anxiety score was 8.18± 3.5 and that of depression was 9.02± 3.5. Certain depressive and anxious signs were found in 28.4% and 23.6% of participants, respectively. Although the average scores for anxiety and depression were higher in the subgroup of personnel with chronic pathologies (respectively, 9.8 versus 9.04 and 9.3 versus 8.46), these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Physical and mental health are both important to ensure a balanced life. Having good control of somatic illness can improve mental health.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Predictors of therapeutic response in schizophrenia – preliminary results
Authors: Kamenova I. , Onchev G.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Schizophrenia is a heterogenous disease and there is wide variation in the therapeutic response in patients, with some being good responders and others - severely disabled and defined as treatment resistant.

Objectives

To identify specific socio-demographic and clinical characteristics as prognostic factors for therapeutic response in the search of course prognosis and disease outcome.

Methods

The study has naturalistic, non-interventional design and includes one-year prospective follow-up. Schizophrenic patients are being evaluated in three time points – at admission (T1), by discharge (T2), and one year after the hospitalization (T3). Psychopathology is evaluated by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), as well as negative symptoms – by the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), aggression by the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) and functioning by the GlobalAssessment of Functioning (GAF). Statistical analyses are performed using Descriptive methods, Student’s t-test, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, as well as multiple regression. An ethical approval of the study has been obtained.

Results

The sample consists of 108 patients with mean age of 39 (SD±12.7) and 89.8 % (N=97) of them were prospectively assessed after one year. All symptom dimensions in the 5 -factor model – positive, negative, disorganized, manic, and depressive, measured by PANSS, as well as negative symptoms (objectified by SANS) and aggression (objectified by MOAS) are significantly lower after inpatient treatment. There is an improvement in functioning one year after admission (z=-8.01, p<.001), although both negative symptoms (z=-2,45, p=0.015) and aggressive behavior (z=-4.260, p<.001) are significantly higher one year after discharge. From the multiple regression, at T1, involuntary admission is a significant predictor for higher aggression and lower functioning (p<.001). The duration of hospitalization is longer with lower compliance (p=.022) and the treatment with atypical antipsychotics decreases the hospital stay (p=.021). One year after admission, employment serves as a positive predictive factor as it decreases the psychopathology (p=.001), negative symptoms (p<.001), and improves the functioning (p<.001). Good compliance is a predictor for lower psychopathology (p=.015), less aggression and higher functioning (p<.001).

Conclusions

The inpatient treatment is efficacious in terms of psychopathology, aggression and is linked to better functioning. The naturalistic design shows depletion of the positive effects of treatment in terms of negative symptoms and aggression probably due to incomplete medication compliance, which is a bad prognostic factor for functioning. This implies the need of continuous psychosocial services and better psychoeducation after discharge.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the population with a first psychotic episode attended in the mental health services of area 5 of Madrid (Spain)
Authors: Garde González J. , Herrero Ortega P. , Oliva Lozano A. , Louzao Rojas I. I. , Vidal-Villegas M. P. , Muñoz-Sanjosé A. , Sánchez-Castro M. P. , Lahera G. , Sánchez Quílez S. , Bravo-Ortiz M. F. ,   O. B. O. A.-M. Group
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Risk of functional impairment and progression to chronic illness in people with a first episode of psychosis (FEP) has motivated early intervention programs, showing promising results. Defining the characteristics of people with FEP at local level enables the clinicians to adjust interventional models to the reality of the population. The area 5 of Madrid (Spain) is referred to La Paz University Hospital and it serves a catchment area of roughly 527,000 people.

Objectives

We aim to identify sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients in the area 5 of Madrid (Spain) who meet the criteria of FEP.

Methods

A descriptive retrospective study including 179 people (age range 18-40 years) who were attended in mental health services of La Paz University Hospital (area 5 of Madrid, Spain), between January 2019 and May 2020, having suffered a psychotic episode in the last five years.

Results

The average age of people with FEP was 29.32 years, with a higher proportion of men (62%). The mean duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) was 3.64 months and 47% of patients consume cannabis. We found disparities in DUP among the different districts in the area and we also observed differences depending on the district for inclusion in rehabilitation programs or psychotherapy. The following averages were obtained for the aggregate sample: 1.01 hospitalization/year, 1.42 emergency room visits/year, 1.81 years of illness and a mean dosage equivalent to olanzapine 6.75 mg/day. The incidence of psychosis in our area has been 7.01 cases per 100000 inhabitants/year.

Conclusions

The incidence of psychosis has been as expected according to data recorded at previous studies in Spain. The results obtained in our sample have included a lower DUP and a higher use of cannabis than those described in the literature. We have also found differences when observing the inclusion of patients in different treatments (psychotherapy, rehabilitation), which may be related to the differences in the DUP by districts. Further exploration in this field is needed to draw causal conclusions.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety in Fort McMurray Vulnerable Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Shalaby R. , Eboreime E. , Nkire N. , Agyapong B. , Pazderka H. , Obuobi-Donkor G. , Adu M. , Mao W. , Owusu E. , Oluwasina F. , Agyapong V.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has produced negative mental health outcomes, which were more prominent in vulnerable communities, such as Fort McMurray (FMM), the community that experienced prior similar disasters.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the likelihood and correlates of anxiety symptoms among FMM residents, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey questionnaire was applied between 24 April and 2 June 2021, at FMM community to gather a set of data, including sociodemographic, COVID-19, and clinical information. Generalized anxiety disorder was the main outcome of the study, and was measured using GAD-7 scale.

Results

Overall, 186 individuals completed the survey (response rate 74.7%). Most of the respondents were females (159, 85.5%); above 40 years (98, 52.7%); employed (175, 94.1%); and in relationship (132, 71%). The prevalence of moderate-to-severe anxiety was (42.5%, 71) on GAD-7 self-reported scale. Subscribers who reported that they would like to receive mental health support; have received no family support since COVID-19 declaration; and have lost their job during the pandemic were all more likely to report moderate-to-severe anxiety (OR = 3.39; 95% CI: 1.29-8.88), (OR = 4.85; 95% CI: 1.56-15.03), and (OR = 4.40; 95% CI: 1.01-19.24), respectively.

Conclusions

Anxiety levels were high among FMM residents, compared to levels before COVID-19. Clinical and social factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly predicted likely anxiety among Fort McMurray population. It is imperative to mobilize resources to support vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
New research on media coverage of mental illness and suicide: implications for stigma, suicide mortality and social inclusion.
Authors: Calvo Satorres S.
Published: August 2023

Abstract: Introduction

The Werther effect is a phenomenon that has been demonstrated in the media. These media are being replaced by social media, the use of which has increased greatly over the decade especially among young people, allowing content to be streamed instantly and fostering connections around the world. At the same time, there is a deterioration in mental health among young people.

Objectives

To know if there is a Werther effect on social networks, as well as to understand the relationship between this effect and social media. It was also wanted to know if the posts follow the guidelines for dealing with suicide if there are differences between types of social media and if this effect is observed after the death of celebrities.

Methods

A systematic review was performed with analysis, data extraction and synthesis of the structured results following the PRISMA criteria.

Results

15 articles were included, 11 of which showed Werther effects on social media, while only 4 were unrelated. It was found that most publications did not follow the recommended guidelines. No differences were observed between social media, while a greater effect was observed when it was related to celebrity suicide.

Conclusions

Social media can act as a suicide support network, as it is a space where there is a risk of infection by normalizing suicide and treating it insecurely. However, it has also been shown that it can act as an agent of change and protection, as many public individuals on social media seek help and express their concerns. More studies are needed to know the magnitude of the Werther effect on social media and to know the potential benefits of talking about suicide if it is done safely.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Psychological impact of the covid 19 pandemic on health care workers
Authors: Ayed W. , Chebbi S. , Ayadi A. , Ayari S. , Hazem K. , Magroun I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The COVID 19 pandemic had a significant psychological impact worldwide. Health care workers (HCWs) were the most affected because of the pandemic burden and occupational exigencies.

Objectives

To describe epidemiological characteristics of HCWs with post COVID19 anxiodepressive disorders.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out. It included HCWs of a university hospital who consulted the Occupational Medicine Clinics for the three-month post-COVID‘s medical visit. The study was carried out during the period March 2020 to January 2022. The data was collected using a questionnaire including socio-occupational and medical characteristics. Psychometric evaluation was carried out using « the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale »

Results

We have collected 164 HCWs. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.29. The average age was 41±9.8 years. They belonged to the pneumology (27%), intensive care (11%) and biology laboratory (11%). The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 34% and 30% respectively. We found an association between sleep disorders and anxiety (p=0.000), OR=5 IC95%[2.4-10.3] and depression (p=0.000), OR= 4 IC 95%[2.0-9.3]. We found an association between anxiety and persistent fatigue (p=0,000), OR=4[2,0-8,6], anxiety and concentration and memory difficulties (p=0,000), OR=3 IC 95%[1,7-6,9]. Referral to psychiatric consultations were done in 16% of the cases.

Conclusions

Post-COVID anxiety disorders were frequent among HCWs and associated with neurocognitive disorders. Psychiatric support and early treatment are necessary to prevent mental deterioration.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The impact of COVID-19 on work-related mental health claims of healthcare workers in British Columbia: an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Banal M. A. , Puyat J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Healthcare workers (HCW) have been at the forefront of providing care since the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to physical demands, HCW are also vulnerable to mental health conditions due to the nature of their work. As a result, absenteeism among HCW is inevitable. In Canada, mental disorders caused by a stressor at work results in a work-related claim provided it meets the criteria of a governing worker’s compensation agency. While the literature points to varying prevalence rates of mental health illnesses among HCW, it remains unknown how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the number of work-related mental health claims in this population.

Objectives

To help fill this gap in knowledge, we will conduct this study that aims to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of work-related mental health claims among HCW.

Methods

We will utilize deidentified individual data from a worker’s compensation agency in all of British Columbia. Mental health claims will be identified using an indicator for mental health. Diagnoses for mental health conditions in these claims are ascertained by a psychologist or psychiatrist. Differences in the number of mental health claims between HCW and non-HCW before (January - February 2020) and after (March 2020 - December 2021) the pandemic will be estimated using interrupted time series analysis.

Results

The findings will inform disability case managers, healthcare providers, and employers the importance of identifying appropriate work accommodations, return to work programs and additional mental health supports for HCW under mental health claims. Healthcare unions in British Columbia can use the findings to advocate for better work accommodations and mental health support for HCW.

Conclusions

Further understanding the complications of long-term effects of COVID-19 on mental health of HCW will inform workforce planning and patient care.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Application of Design of Experiment in the Optimization of Apixaban-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: Ramadan Safaa E. , El-Gizawy Sanaa A. , Osman Mohamed A. , Arafa Mona F.
Published: August 2023

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLnPs) are usually utilized as lipid-based formulations for enhancing oral bioavailability of BCS class IV drugs. Accordingly, the objective of this work was to investigate the effect of formulation and processing variables on the properties of the developed SLnPs for oral delivery of apixaban. Randomized full factorial design (24) was employed for optimization of SLnPs. With two levels for each independent variable, four factors comprising both formulations and processing factors were chosen: the GMS content (A), the Tween 80 content (B), the homogenization time (C), and the content of poloxamer 188 used (D). The modified hot homogenization and sonication method was employed in the formulation of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with apixaban (APX-SLnPs). The size of APX-SLnPs formulations was measured to lie between 116.7 and 1866 nm, polydispersity index ranged from 0.385 to 1, and zeta potential was discovered to be in the range of − 12.6 to − 38.6 mV. The entrapping efficiency of APX-SLnPs formulations was found to be in the range of 22.8 to 96.7%. The optimized formulation was evaluated in vivo after oral administration to rats. Oral administration of APX-SLnPs resulted in significant prolongation in bleeding time compared with both positive and negative control. This indicates the ability of this system to enhance drug therapeutic effect either by increasing intestinal absorption or trans-lymphatic transport. So, this study highlighted the capability of SLnPs to boost the pharmacological effect of apixaban.

Graphical Abstract
The Pulse of the Earth
Authors: Bobbette Adam
Published: August 2023

In The Pulse of the Earth Adam Bobbette tells the story of how modern theories of the earth emerged from the slopes of Indonesia's volcanoes. Beginning in the late nineteenth century, scientists became concerned with protecting the colonial plantation economy from the unpredictable bursts and shudders of volcanoes. Bobbette follows Javanese knowledge traditions, colonial geologists, volcanologists, mystics, Theosophists, orientalists, and revolutionaries to show how the earth sciences originate from a fusion of Western and non-Western cosmology, theology, anthropology, and geology. Drawing on archival research, interviews, and fieldwork at Javanese volcanoes and in scientific observatories, he explores how Indonesian Islam shaped the theory of plate tectonics, how Dutch colonial volcanologists learned to see the earth in new ways from Javanese spiritual traditions, and how new scientific technologies radically recast notions of the human body, distance, and the earth. In this way, Bobbette decenters the significance of Western scientists to expand our understanding of the evolution of planetary thought and rethinks the politics of geological knowledge.
Import and quality control of peroxisomal proteins
Authors: Rudowitz Markus , Erdmann Ralf
Published: August 2023

Peroxisomes are involved in a multitude of metabolic and catabolic pathways, as well as the innate immune system. Their dysfunction is linked to severe peroxisome-specific diseases, as well as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. To ensure the ability of peroxisomes to fulfill their many roles in the organism, more than 100 different proteins are post-translationally imported into the peroxisomal membrane and matrix, and their functionality must be closely monitored. In this Review, we briefly discuss the import of peroxisomal membrane proteins, and we emphasize an updated view of both classical and alternative peroxisomal matrix protein import pathways. We highlight different quality control pathways that ensure the degradation of dysfunctional peroxisomal proteins. Finally, we compare peroxisomal matrix protein import with other systems that transport folded proteins across membranes, in particular the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system and the nuclear pore.
Development of an IntelliCage-based cognitive bias test for mice
Authors: Kahnau Pia , Jaap Anne , Urmersbach Birk , Diederich Kai , Lewejohann Lars
Published: August 2023

The cognitive bias test is used to measure the emotional state of animals with regard to future expectations. Thus, the test offers a unique possibility to assess animal welfare with regard to housing and testing conditions of laboratory animals. So far, however, performing such a test is time-consuming and requires the presence of an experimenter. Therefore, we developed an automated and home-cage based cognitive bias test based on the IntelliCage system. We present several developmental steps to improve the experimental design leading to a successful measurement of cognitive bias in group-housed female C57BL/6J mice. The automated and home-cage based test design allows to obtain individual data from group-housed mice, to test the mice in their familiar environment, and during their active phase. By connecting the test-cage to the home-cage via a gating system, the mice participated in the test on a self-chosen schedule, indicating high motivation to actively participate in the experiment. We propose that this should have a positive effect on the animals themselves as well as on the data. Unexpectedly, the mice showed an optimistic cognitive bias after enrichment was removed and additional restraining. An optimistic expectation of the future as a consequence of worsening environmental conditions, however, can also be interpreted as an active coping strategy in which a potential profit is sought to be maximized through a higher willingness to take risks.
The genome sequence of the spring stonefly, Protonemura montana (Kimmins, 1941)
Authors: Dixon Andrew , Macadam Craig R. ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: August 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Protonemura montana (spring stonefly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Plecoptera; Nemouridae). The genome sequence is 258.5 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 11 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.88 kilobases in length.
Editorial
Authors: Dutta Riya
Published: August 2023

Mapana J Sci, 15, 2 (2016)ISSN 0975-3303|http://dx.doi.org/10.12723/mjs.37.0EditorialThis issue of Mapana—Journal of Sciences is devoted to research articles from Chemical Sciences. Researchers from various universities have contributed to the present issue. The first article is on ‘Studies on Ruthenium and Rhodium Complexes Containing 1,2- bis(N-Methylbenzimidazolyl) Benzene and Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation’ by Hunasekatte G Bheemanna et al. The second article by Rita Bhattacharjee et al. is on ‘Synthesis and Characterization of Palladium(II) Complexes with Substituted Dihydrobenzoimidazoquinazoline Derivatives’. The third article on ‘Kinetic Study on Oxidation of Thiodipropionic Acid by Iron (III)-bipyridine Complex’ is authored by Selva Priya et al. The last article by Sumana V S et al. is about ‘Miscibility of Starch and Low Molecular Weight Poly(ethyleneglycol) Blends in Aqueous Medium’. All the articles were peer reviewed by experts in their respective fields. The suggestions given by them have been incorporated. We thank all the reviewers for spending their precious time in reviewing the articles and giving valuable suggestions. We also take this opportunity to thank all the authors for their valuable contributions. To improve the quality of our journal we expect the cooperation and expert guidance of the researchers. We have been continually striving to meet the global standards for journal publication. Thus support and cooperation from the academic community is of utmost importance in improving the quality of the journal.
Riya Datta
Issue Editor
Wettability Gradients on Soft Surfaces
Authors: S Raj Soorya , Ann Suresh Saya , T P Vinod
Published: August 2023

Properties, behaviors, and applications of soft materials depend decisively on the characteristics of their surfaces. Physical features and chemical functionality of the soft surfaces control their interactions with the surroundings thereby deciding their responses to various physical and chemical phenomena. A gradient of such surface features i.e, a gradual change in a chemical or physical characteristic across a surface will result in a gradual change in the response of the surface to its surroundings in the same direction. Chemical as well as physical (morphological) gradients on soft surface enable useful properties pertinent to a variety of fields such as microfluidics, surface coatings, sensing, optics, and biology. Numerous methods have been used for the preparation of chemical as well as morphological gradients. Practical applications of soft surface gradients require stable large-scale surfaces with precisely controlled directionality and resolution of the gradients. Wettability gradients are one of the prominent classes of gradients created on soft surfaces. These gradients are constituted by gradual increase or decrease of hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity across a surface. One-dimensional (1D) as well as two-dimensional (2D) wettability gradients are fabricated with different patterns. This short review will summarize the advancements in the preparation, properties, and applications of wettability gradients on soft surfaces. Qualitative description of the fabrication processes, properties, and practical applications of the gradients are included along with our comments about the future prospects of these systems.
Planet Nine – Primordial Black Hole or a Dark Matter Object: A Comparative Study
Authors: Kenath Arun , Othayoth Veetil Kiren , Chandra Sivaram
Published: August 2023

The study of Planet Nine has received a lot of attention of late. Recently it has been proposed that Planet Nine could be a Primordial Black Hole (PBH) lurking in our solar system. Earlier it was suggested by the present authors that Planet Nine could be degenerate object constituted mostly of dark matter (DM) particles, having their own distinct characteristic properties which were elaborated upon. Here we do a comparative study on whether the Planet Nine is a PBH or a DM Object, which would be relevant for future observations.
Investigations into the Trace element variations in Wheat grains by Hand held X-ray Fluorescence
Authors: Joseph Daisy
Published: August 2023

Wheat of different genotypes was analyzed for their micro and macronutrient contents using HHXRF. It was found that K and Ca was present in significant quantities and besides other trace elements Fe and Zn were present showing a positive trend for crop improvement programme.
Entrepreneurial Intentions of Business Students: A Benchmarking Study
Authors: Jain Sheenu
Published: August 2023

It is widely accepted that the educational system of universities has to provide an academic environment that may serve as a catalyst for high-technology start-ups. The academic tradition of entrepreneurship in India is very short. Until recently, fostering innovations and new product development through entrepreneurship has not been regarded as a primary task of universities. However, perspectives have changed in this respect, and there have been numerous attempts to enhance the role of B-school graduates as founders of innovative businesses. In this paper, an attempt has been made to compare the entrepreneurial intentions of students as two B-schools with the corresponding results for a leading instititution in this field: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). I found very distinct patterns of entrepreneurial spirit in these B-Schools. The results also suggest that the lower level of founding intentions amond students may be attributed to their less distinctive entrepreneurship education. This leaves a great deal of room for improvement.
Informal Enterprise for Establishing Deviant Ideology
Authors: Goyal Tanvi , Ram Padmini
Published: August 2023

The study aims to understand the act of leveraging informal mechanisms to initiate the process of establishing deviant, non-conformist ideologies. We often see the persistence of such mechanisms concerning political and business actions (kindly note here actions are being stated instead of ideology). For example, the involvement of non-registered political campaigners as influences with purposeful disassociation through informality, to have the power not to be held accountable. Similarly, in the business space, it can be seen in practices of Multinational Corporations (MNCs), who would hide their ‘questionable’actions through outsourcing to an informal enterprise. This study intends to trace this aspect in the form of ideological deviance, undertaken with the aim to re-establish the structural norms. Toarrive at a conclusion, the study has recognized Ragi Kana, a sustainable living Sunday Santhe, to trace the existence of the proposed mechanisms. The methodology of primary enquiry and assessment of secondary literature is taken to establish the proposed link. Under primary enquiry, the stakeholder’s motivations and incentives are understood, with regard to their ideological rationale. Also, the secondary sources recording the ideological rationale are leveraged. The study also aims to establish the result within the framework of conflict theory and labelling theory in deviance sociology.
A Study of Quality of Work Life of Nationalized and Non Nationalized Bank Employees
Authors: S Triveni , A. Amminabhavi Vijayalaxmi
Published: August 2023

The objective of the present study is to determine scientifically the level of quality-of-work-life (QWL) of nationalized and non-nationalized bank employees and also to find out the significance of difference between nationalized and non-nationalized bank employees in their QWL. To achieve this objective, The Quality of Work Life-Condition/ Feelings form was administered on a sample of 78 bank employees of which 39 are from nationalized and 39 from non-nationalized banks in Hubli—Dhaiwad Corporation area. The obtained responses were scored and subjected to t-test. The results revealed that the nationalized bank employees have significantly higher QWL than those of non-nationalized bank employees in the dimensions like- autonomy, Work speed and Routine, Work complexity as well as the composite QWL—Conditions. The incidental analyses in the study revealed that the bank employees who expressed higher life satisfaction have shown significantly higher QWL with regard to conditions than those who expressed moderate life satisfaction.
Dynamics of Rupee Convertibility
Authors: Xavier VK
Published: August 2023

Full convertibility of Indian Rupee involves many complex issues. The approach of Reserve Bank of India in this regard has been cautious. Risks associated with volatile inflow of foreign fund justify the precautionary approach followed so far. CapitalAccount Convertibility will promote greater financial efficiency, specialisation and innovation by exposing the domestic financial sector to global competition.
Customer Experience Management - the Mantra for Success
Authors: Raju J K , Walavalkar Deepali
Published: August 2023

The past decade has seen several changes in the business environment and markets are flooded with several me-too brands making the consumer perplexed and further increasing his search time. With new brands encroaching the mind space of the customers and displacing the existing ones, the only differentiator the brands can rely on for lasting advantage is the experience that lingers in the customer's head.

Providing a meaningful experience is a challenging task for companies and they need to incorporate a CEM (customer experience management) culture by managing their customer, brand and their operational processes. CEM would not be possible without managing employee experience because they act as an interface between the company and the customer. It is also important to gain insights regarding perceptions of customers through research, so that changes can be incorporated to improve experiences in the future. In order to achieve strategic advantage organisations need to adopt policies and strategies that promote and enhance the experience environment.
Changing Scenario of Indian Labour and New Labour Codes: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Chaudhary Tanya , Remesh Babu
Published: August 2023

The penetrating debate on Indian labour laws obstructing the flexibility of the labour market has taken centre stage in the last two decades, post the period of liberalisation of the economy. With the purpose of rationalizing and simplifying labour laws to facilitate `ease of doing business’, the Indian government has formulated new labour codes, which is considered the most important step towards reforming labour laws in the past three decades. On the other hand, it is emphatically stressed by the labour unions that the Indian labour market continues to be `flexible’ to the advantage of employers, despite the presence of allegedly `constricting labour laws’ and any further dilution of extant labour law framework will adversely affect the working class. In this context, this paper discusses the implications of the current shift in the labour-law paradigm in India, brought out by the new labour codes. The paper also highlights the need for duly addressing the most recent insecurities in the labour market, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, while moving towards a new framework of labour governance, as envisaged by the labour codes.
efficacy of vitamin D in multiple sclerosis: a review
Authors: Rodzajewska Anna , Kuryło Weronika
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, multifocal, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with an autoimmune basis. There is a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and the onset of multiple sclerosis and a more severe course of the disease and more severe comorbid symptoms. Many studies have investigated vitamin D supplementation to compensate for low 25(OH)D levels in MS patients.  

Methods of research: A literature review was conducted based on PubMed, Google Scholar databese. Articles were researched using following keywords: multiple sclerosis; vitamin D; multiple sclerosis prevention; vitamin D deficiency. 

The results: The results of these studies have provided important information on the safety and efficacy of vitamin D therapy in MS. Dietary vitamin D supplementation can therefore serve as a prevention of MS and as an adjunct to traditional MS therapy. However, it is important to emphasize the need to assess the risks and benefits individually for each patient.
Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the mental health in sport and among society
Authors: Kędra Kamila , Michalik Izabela , Zarańska Julia , Aab Arkadiusz , Bielak Maciej
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global mental health, affecting individuals of all age groups and various demographic backgrounds including athletes. Anxiety disorders have become more prevalent during the pandemic, attributed to factors such as quarantine, social isolation, fear of the virus, job insecurity, and the psychological impact of a pandemic. This narrative review aims to summarize the existing literature addressing mental health issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the associated risk factors and potential interventions. Additionally, the review explores the impact of COVID-19 on specific populations, including athletes, frontline healthcare workers, children and adolescents, and individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. In addition, the review explores the long-term consequences of the pandemic on mental health, including the potential for a surge in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders. Overall, this review underscores the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support and resources in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nutrients deficiencies in patients with autism spectrum disorder, role of folic acid and vitamin D3 - review of literature
Authors: Małachowska Dominika , Świercz Aleksandra , Żurek Urszula , Tołwiński Ignacy , Kędzierska Zofia , Antkowiak Klaudia , Dadas Klaudia , Ciecierski-Koźlarek Hubert , Shved Kateryna
Published: August 2023

Introduction and purpose: This article will discuss the relationship between nutrition deficiency, focusing on folic acid and vitamin D3 and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research suggests that nutrient deficiencies play a role in the development and progression of autism. This article will investigate causes of nutrient deficiencies in ASD, like dietary constraints, food choice, and environment exposure, and their impact on ASD and related symptoms. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the research examining the relationship between folic acid and vitamin d3 supplementation and autism.

Materials and methods: A broad search was conducted using the PubMed database in order to identify relevant studies published between 2010-2020 using keywords such as “folic acid”, “folinic acid”, "vitamin d3", "autism spectrum disorder".

A brief description of the current state of knowledge: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that in recent years has been increasingly diagnosed among children. Only between 2016 and 2014 measured prevalence in the United States has increased by 10%. [1] The exact etiology of ASD in not known. In this review we will examine a role of folic acid and vitamin D3. Research suggests that folic acid supplements can help improve verbal skills in people with ASD. Research also shows decreased levels of vitamin d3 in ASD patients. Clinical trials involving vitamin d3 present inconclusive data but lean towards positive impact of supplementation. Both folic acid and vitamin d3 supplementation is safe. Dietary changes and oral supplementation may be beneficial for patients.

Conclusions: Studies with larger participant numbers should be done to prove the significance of folic acid and vitamin D3 supplementation as it shows potential in being a safe and not expensive complementary therapeutic option.
Inventory as a Financial Instrument: Evidence from China’s Metal Industries
Authors: Hsu Vernon , Wu Jing
Published: August 2023

Classic inventory theory suggests that inventory plays a vital role in matching demand and supply. This paper provides both country- and firm-level evidence that inventory can be used as a financial instrument to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities in financial markets with limited capital mobility. Using data from China customs’ metal imports and firm-level inventory from metal processing industries, we show that firms can utilize the inventory of an imported product to carry lower cost capital into a country with strict capital controls and, thus, gain higher financial returns. Specifically, at the country level, we find that the level of imported metal commodities is positively associated with the expected returns from financial arbitrage. At the firm level, we find that a higher expected return from financial arbitrage will incentivize a firm to increase its inventory level through short-term borrowing. In addition, our evidence supports the notion that firms with higher liquidation value, larger size, and higher sales growth (i.e., firms with higher borrowing capacity) may be more active in using inventory as an instrument to seek higher financial gains. We also utilize a unique regulatory policy shock as a quasi-natural experiment to enhance the causality interpretation of our empirical findings.

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.

Funding: This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 72201230] and the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, University Grants Committee [Grant 14504621].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4873 .