bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practical psychiatry: Providing temporary psychiatric cover
Authors: Looi Jeffrey CL , Allison Stephen , Woon Luke
Published: July 2023

Objective

Psychiatric cover for healthcare staffing shortfalls is increasingly common post-pandemic. We aim to provide comprehensive practical advice on providing temporary inpatient or outpatient cover as a psychiatrist, based on the authors’ clinical experience and the existing research literature.

Conclusions

There is limited peer-reviewed advice available on providing safe and effective temporary psychiatric consultant cover for patient care. We suggest a framework for reviewing the potential hazards and benefits of a temporary post, and planning for the role, guided by consideration of the following: caring for patients, supporting staff, working with peers, and understanding local healthcare systems and the local regulatory environment. Application of this reflective framework is informed by the psychiatrist’s assessment of the temporary role, and consideration of the local service conditions.
Optimal and politically opportune language policies for the vitality of minority languages
Authors: Wickström Bengt-Arne
Published: July 2023

Language policies for the purpose of (re)vitalizing a minority language are analyzed as a dynamic cost-effectiveness problem. We focus on policy measures with two types of cost structures: costs largely proportional to the number of beneficiaries (a rival measure) and costs independent of the number of beneficiaries (a non-rival measure). An example of the former is home nursing in the minority language and an example of the latter is street signs in the minority language. Both types of measures are assumed to contribute positively to the vitality of the minority language. We stylize the analysis, letting the rival measure have an immediate direct effect on the vitality and the non-rival one a protracted indirect effect on the language’s status.

Two problems are addressed. Firstly, we study how the optimal combination of the two types of measure changes as the policy is implemented and the vitality of the minority language increases and show that a policy with fixed budget shares as a rule is sub-optimal. Secondly, we compare the opportune policy of a policy maker planning with a fixed time horizon with the optimal policy as the time horizon approaches infinity. The policy maker has incentives to plan for a sub-optimal policy with a reduction in the protracted measure for the whole planning period and making it equal to zero at the time horizon.

All effects are illustrated in numeric examples.
Touching the Other’s Life in Turkey: Empathy-Focused Group Work as a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kara Yunus , Serpen Ayşe Sezen
Published: July 2023

Purpose: This study evaluated the possible effects of empathy-focused group work on the participants, which is designed by bringing together cisgender heterosexual and LGBTQ+ people. Method: The study group of the research consists of 28 people (14 people in each of the experimental and control groups) who receive social service from a municipality in Istanbul, Turkey. The empathy-focused group work lasted 8 weeks, and pretest and posttest measurements were performed using the Affective and Cognitive Measure of Empathy (ACME) Scale and the Social Dominance Orientation Scale. Results: The result of this study showed that the participants were able to experience positive contact experiences in group work with heterogeneous groups, and an increase in the emotional and cognitive empathy levels of the participants and a decrease in their social dominance orientation. Conclusions: Implications for future research and professional practice are discussed.
Million Dollar Question: What is the Most Effective and Equitable Way to Deliver Services to Advanced Learners?
Authors: Mammadov Sakhavat , Hertzog Nancy B.
Published: July 2023

School district administrators must address structural racism and inequitable access to advanced learning opportunities in their school districts. District administrators in one large district in the northwestern part of the United States sought research-based advice by asking the authors to provide the answer to the “million-dollar” question, “ What is the most effective and equitable way to deliver services to advanced learners?” This paper shares the response provided to the school district and discusses the complexity of the question. Based on a systematic literature review of best practices in the field of gifted education, we share our findings in three categories: (1) administrative structures, (2) pedagogy of gifted education, and (3) social and emotional considerations for advanced learners. We conclude by offering recommendations drawn from this review to develop a holistic view of programming and serving all students with advanced academic needs.
School Factors Associated With Past 30-Day E-Cigarette Use Among Hispanic Youth
Authors: Yockey R. Andrew , Chaliawala Kruti , Vidourek Rebecca A. , King Keith
Published: July 2023

E-cigarettes are a popular type of nicotine product among youth in the United States. Hispanic youth, one of the fastest growing populations in the United States, are second only to white youth for e-cigarette use. Analysis of the Parents’ Resource Institute for Drug Education data was conducted to determine past 30-day e-cigarette use among Hispanic youth ( n = 4,602) and also examined school factors related to such use. Findings indicated that 13.8% of Hispanic youth used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined several school factors (e.g., poor grades, grade level) related to e-cigarette use. School-based prevention programs are needed to reduce and eliminate e-cigarette use among Hispanic youth.
Pulmonary Histoplasmosis Complicated by Nonvalvular Right Ventricular Wall Histoplasma capsulatum Endocarditis
Authors: Shaker Nada , Amadi Chiemezie C. , Ganapathi Asvin M. , Satturwar Swati , Shilo Konstantin
Published: July 2023

Histoplasmosis is commonly a self-limited fungal disease that primarily affects the lung and reticuloendothelial system. Cardiac involvement by histoplasmosis is uncommon. In this report, we provide a detailed description of severe pulmonary histoplasmosis complicated by the disease involvement of the free wall of the right ventricle. A 55-year-old female presented with cough, fevers, dyspnea, and 30-pound unintentional weight loss in 6 months. Her past medical history was significant for supraventricular tachycardia with permanent pacemaker implantation. Imaging studies revealed an intracardiac mass accompanied by mediastinal lymphadenopathy and bilateral lung nodules. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration of station 4R lymph nodes revealed numerous yeast forms, morphologically consistent with Histoplasma capsulatum. The diagnosis was further corroborated by the elevated titers of serum antibodies against Histoplasma capsulatum. The right ventricular mass debulking with biopsy showed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation involving nonvalvular endocardium and myocardium of the free wall of the right ventricle. The report documents an unusual presentation of pulmonary histoplasmosis accompanied by nonvalvular endocarditis and suggests a possible association between the site of the cardiac infection and the presence of a permanent intravascular pacer device.
In-flight estimation of quadrotor mass and inertia using all-accelerometer
Authors: Al-Rawashdeh Yazan M. , Elshafei Moustafa , Ouakad Hassen M.
Published: July 2023

In this paper, an on-line closed-loop identification of mainly mass and inertia of an under-actuated aerial vehicle, namely a quadrotor acting as an aerial manipulator, is presented. Being treated as a rigid body, only one set of eighteen- or six tri-axial linear accelerometers is used to facilitate such estimation. Force and torque disturbances acting upon the vehicle during identification are also estimated which will refine the overall estimation quality of the unknown parameters. Namely, recursive linear and nonlinear least squares methods are used to obtain initial and refined estimations, respectively. Random disturbances are introduced to the closed-loop system to ensure enough excitation of the overall system. Issues related to identifiability, stability and performance are discussed. Since the proposed method depends on general kinematical and dynamical analyses of motion, it is claimed that the presented method will be also applicable to a wider range of, mainly, aerial vehicles.
Asymptotic behavior of the Rao–Nakra sandwich beam model with Kelvin–Voigt damping
Authors: Quispe Méndez Teófanes , Cabanillas Zannini Victor , Feng Baowei
Published: July 2023

The Rao–Nakra sandwich beam is a coupled system consisting of two wave equations for the longitudinal displacements of the top and bottom layers and an Euler–Bernoulli beam equation for the transversal displacement. This paper concerns the system’s stability when the Kelvin–Voigt damping terms act on the first and third equations. Using the semigroup theory of linear operators, we prove the global well-posedness of the associated initial boundary value problem. And then, we prove the lack of exponential stability of the system. Because of this lack of exponential stability, we study the polynomial stability and prove that the system decays with rate [Formula: see text]. We further prove that this decay rate is optimal.
Production of fermented milk analogs using subcritical water extraction of rice by-products and investigation of its physicochemical, microbial, rheological, and sensory properties
Authors: Ardali Fatemeh Raiesi , Sharifan Anousheh , Mosavi Seyed M E , Mortazavian Amir M , Jannat Behrooz
Published: July 2023

Rice milling by-products extract and Persian grape syrup (Persian grape molasses), as the proper alternatives for milk ingredients and sucrose, respectively, can be considered a promising way to produce functional milk analogs. In this study, we studied the production of rice milling by-product extracts via the subcritical water extraction method, as a green method. The optimum extract was then fermented by Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum, and the different physicochemical, sensory, and rheological properties and the viability of these lactic acid bacteria were assessed during fermentation and certain intervals of 28-day storage. Considering rheological properties, the optimum rice milling by-product extract was recognized based on DOE analysis and the rheological curves of fermented drinks and Persian grape molasses were fitted by Herschel–Bulkley and Bingham models, respectively. The extract and also milk analog had excellent fitness with Herschel–Bulkley model, and this fermented milk analog showed a drop in the consistency index, flow behavior, and yield stress during the 28-day storage. According to the results, the viable cell count of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei remained at 106–108 colony forming unit/mL after 28-day storage, which showed a combination of rice milling by-product ingredients and inulin had a positive effect on the survival rate of lactic acid bacteria. An increase in values of total phenolic compounds, as well as antioxidant activity observed during fermentation; however, these compounds dropped considerably during storage as a result of degradation and interaction with other compounds. Moreover, in terms of sensory evaluation, Lactobacillus plantarum drinks provided the highest overall acceptability among other samples on the 28th day.
Bevacizumab as adjunctive therapy in anterior persistent fetal vasculature
Authors: Elhusseiny Abdelrahman M , Hennein Lauren , VanderVeen Deborah K
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Surgical removal of a vascularized pupillary membrane may be challenging with the risk of intraoperative bleeding and postoperative recurrence. We present a case of a 4-week-old who presented with anterior persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) and dense vascularized pupillary membrane in which the use of intracameral and intravitreal bevacizumab may have contributed to successful treatment.

Observation

A 4-week-old-month-old otherwise healthy girl was referred to Boston Children's Hospital for evaluation of cataract. Ocular examination revealed right microcornea and vascularized pupillary membrane. The left eye exam was unremarkable. Only three weeks after surgical excision of the pupillary membrane and cataract extraction, recurrence of a vascular pupillary membrane was noted. Repeat membranectomy with pupilloplasty and use of intracameral bevacizumab was performed. The pupillary opening was further opened 5 months later, after repeat (intravitreal) bevacizumab, and the pupil has remained open and stable with >6 months’ follow-up.

Conclusion and importance

This case suggests a role for bevacizumab in the management of PFV, however, a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be proven. Further prospective comparative studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Multimodal imaging in early onset non-neovascular pigment epithelial detachments
Authors: Goudot Mathilde M , Rothschild Pierre-Raphael , Bauters Gautier , Vagge Aldo , Miere Alexandra , Souied Eric H , Behar-Cohen Francine , Bernabei Federico
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To describe multimodal imaging of two cases of bilateral non-vascularized pigment epithelial detachments (PED) in young patients with a long-term follow-up.

Methods

A complete ophthalmological examination was performed at each follow-up visit including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, slit lamp examination, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, OCT angiography.

Results

Multimodal imaging of two women presenting avascular PED, aged 43 and 57, respectively, was described. In both patients, SD-OCT revealed a high central macular hyporeflective elevation corresponding with PED. Both patients showed a choroidal layer thicker than 420 μm. Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography didn’t show any choroidal neovascularization either at early or late frames. Cross-sectional and en face optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) didn’t show any flow beneath the PED. During the follow up period one eye showed a retinal pigment epithelium tear and all eyes showed the presence of apical sub-retinal fluid and hyperreflective material on the top of the PED. None of the two patients showed any sign of atrophy during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

The peculiar characteristics of the presented cases suggest that specific pathogenetic mechanisms, not necessarily related to age related macular degeneration, may play a key role in the development of these lesions. Whether early onset of such drusenoid PED is a specific entity resulting from a genetic deficit of lipid transporters in the RPE is unknown. Further genetic and metabolic studies should be conducted.
A Retrospective Analysis of Denosumab for the Treatment of Bone Metastases in Chinese Patients With Breast Cancer
Authors: Li Wei , Wu Xinyu , Yu Heng , Zhu Zekai , Li Wenjie , Huang Xiang
Published: July 2023

Background:

Denosumab entered the Chinese market for the first time in 2020. Since it is a short period of time, there is a lack of data on its effectiveness and safety in Chinese people. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of denosumab in delaying skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with breast cancer metastatic to bone.

Methods:

The study retrospectively analyzed data from breast cancer patients with bone metastases (BM) who were treated with denosumab in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2020 to January 2022. The primary endpoint was SRE incidence at 1 year after receiving denosumab treatment. The secondary endpoints included time to first on-study SRE and safety. Descriptive analysis was utilized to display clinicopathological features. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the median time to first on-study SRE in total population and subgroups. Logistic regression analysis and χ2 test were employed to determine the potential factors influencing the occurrence of SREs.

Results:

Fifty breast cancer patients with BM were enrolled in our study, and 54.0% of the patients had 5 or more metastatic bone lesions. After a median follow-up of 17.00 months, 24% of the patients developed SREs at 1 year after receiving denosumab treatment, and the median time to first on-study SREs was not reached. Five or more metastatic bone lesions were an independent risk factor for SRE occurrence (odds ratio = 6.06, 95% CI: 1.09-33.54, P = .039). The adverse events (AEs) associated with denosumab mainly included hypocalcemia (68.0%), periodontitis (28.0%), and myalgia (14.0%). Only 3 cases of grade III/IV AEs were reported, and no serious AEs occurred.

Conclusion:

Denosumab was effective and well tolerated in Chinese breast cancer patients with BM.
Eco-friendly sustainable machining with MoS2-based solid lubricant
Authors: Borgaonkar Avinash , Syed Ismail
Published: July 2023

Machining is one of the basic and inevitable operations in the manufacturing industry. The machining performance is estimated based on various parameters like cutting forces, surface roughness, tool–chip interface temperature, and specific energy. In the traditional approach, cutting fluids are greatly utilized to dissipate the generated heat during machining, but their utilization causes a threat to nature and human being’s health. Therefore, there emerges a necessity to determine user-friendly, sustainable, and eco-friendly substitutes for traditional cutting fluids. The field of advanced tribology has proposed the usage of solid lubricants due to their inherent properties, such as excellent tribological performance, reduced machining zone temperature due to lowered friction, and enhanced tool life. Therefore, in the present study, pure MoS2 and composite MoS2–TiO2 solid lubricants have been employed in the milling process of AISI 52100 steel with HSS end mill cutter. The machining was carried out in different conditions such as uncoated tool without use of lubricant, uncoated tool with use of lubricant, coated tool without use of lubricant, and coated tool with use of lubricant that were employed to analyze their effect on machining performance. The experimental results showed substantial improvement regarding reduced cutting forces, reduced temperature at tool–chip interface, improved surface finish, and average tool wear with the application of solid lubricants. Among the various lubricating conditions, composite MoS2–TiO2-coated tool with composite MoS2–TiO2 lubricant exhibits excellent machining performance.
Transient tribo-dynamic performance of journal bearings considering wear behavior during start-up
Authors: Wei Chunjie , Liao Guiwen , Wang Wei , Xu Jimin , Liu Kun
Published: July 2023

The transient tribo-dynamics and wear model are coupled to study the mixed lubrication-wear behavior during start-up. The coupled numerical model involves the film thickness equation with wear depth and a time-varying wear coefficient to account for the impact of transient mixed lubrication behavior on wear. In this study, the evolution of wear and mixed lubrication performance distribution over time is predicted, and the impact of acceleration mode, acceleration time, external load, lubricant viscosity, and start-up time on the numerical predictions is evaluated. The findings demonstrate that wear behavior, particularly in the analysis of the effects of acceleration mode and acceleration time, has a significant impact on the evaluation of the bearing-rotor system's start-up performance and even changes the determination of optimal parameters. Furthermore, the parametric study demonstrates that wear and mixed lubrication performance are sensitive to the external load and lubricant viscosity. Finally, studies on the effect of start-up times show that proper wear geometry promotes hydrodynamic effects, but severely worn bearing surfaces have a negative effect on start-up.
Victim as a relative status
Authors: Marshall Hannah
Published: July 2023

This article advances a theory of the ‘relative’ nature of victim status, demonstrating that whether an individual is identified as a victim is, in part, conditional on their relationships with others. Using the example of victim identification in cases of child criminal exploitation, this article demonstrates that youth justice practitioners’ perceptions of young people's peer relationships and their relationships with their families had a significant impact on whether young people were identified as victims of child criminal exploitation. To explain this dynamic, this article then further explores the conceptual nature of victim status, focusing on its transient and finite qualities. In doing so, this article begins to address the relational gap in the study of processes of victim identification.
Equal treatment as an instrument of integration. The CJEU's case law on social rights for third-country nationals under the EU migration directives
Authors: Verschueren Herwig
Published: July 2023

There is a growing tendency for the EU Member States to introduce conditions relating to the right to social benefits that are mostly disadvantageous to third-country nationals. These conditions are at risk of conflicting with provisions on the right to equal treatment with the nationals of the host country, as set down in a number of EU migration directives. This is all the more the case now that the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has recently given a broad interpretation of these provisions. Consequently, the Member States are to take these provisions as well as the CJEU's case law into account when seeking to limit access to social benefits for third-country nationals. This article examines the content and meaning of these provisions and the relevant case law of the CJEU. It concludes that it is apparent from this case law that the main objective of the right to equal treatment in these directives is to promote the integration of said third-country nationals into the host country and, therefore, the Member States may not make this right dependent on a prior sufficient level of integration in that host country.
Ultrasound-guided closure of the femoral artery during venoarterial decannulation using a large-bore closure device
Authors: Rahman Tasnia , Herajärvi Johanna , Ahonen Henri , Jormalainen Mikko , Syrjälä Simo , Järvinen Tommi , Juvonen Tatu , Dahlbacka Sebastian
Published: July 2023

Background:

Peripheral femoro-femoral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is viable for fast hemodynamic assistance during cardiogenic shock. Ultrasound-guided closure with a large-bore device (MANTA®) is a feasible option potentially replacing surgical arteriotomy closure in peripheral VA-ECMO decannulation.

Methods:

This retrospective study included patients weaning from percutaneously inserted femoro-femoral VA-ECMO at the Helsinki University Hospital, Finland in 2012–2020. The primary endpoints were access-site complications, a composite of hematomas/seromas/surgical site infections (SSIs), and the safety endpoint of vascular complications (VCs).

Results:

A total of 100 consecutive percutaneously implanted and weaned VA-ECMO patients were stratified into two groups by decannulation strategy: percutaneous ultrasound-guided MANTA device ( n = 21, 21.0%) or surgical approach ( n = 79, 79.0%). The mean age of the cohort was 51 ± 13 years and females represented 25.0%. The technical success rate of the percutaneous ultrasound-guided MANTA technique was 95.2%. In multivariate analysis, surgical closure was associated with a higher incidence of combined access site hematomas/seromas/SSIs compared to percutaneous ultrasound-guided deployment of MANTA device (44.3% versus 9.5%, odds ratio (OR): 7.162, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.544–33.222; p = 0.012). Similarly, access-site complications necessitating interventions were more frequent in the surgical closure group compared to US-MANTA (ultrasound-guided MANTA) group (26.6% versus 0.0%, p = 0.005). VCs were infrequent in both groups without any significant intergroup difference ( p > 0.99).

Conclusions:

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided MANTA closure of the femoral artery after VA-ECMO decannulation was associated with high technical success rate and low incidence of VCs. Compared to surgical closure, access-site complications were significantly less frequent, along with access-site complications necessitating interventions.
Striking a paradoxical balance: Shakespearean insights for hospitality management
Authors: Shahidul Islam Mohammad
Published: July 2023

This paper examines how Shakespeare’s thoughts on hospitality still resonate with modern-day hotel guests. Focusing on three plays - Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and The Tempest - we analyze the nuances of hospitality as depicted by Shakespeare and explore the implications of his insights for modern hotel managers. Shakespeare’s portrayal of hospitality as paradoxical highlights the importance of balancing customer expectations and corporate goals to enhance guest satisfaction and loyalty. Drawing from the mentioned plays, we propose practical strategies for creating a hospitable environment and building positive guest-employee reciprocity and relationships. This paper provides significant conceptual implications for the hospitality industry and offers actionable insights by proposing a business model for hotel managers to adapt Shakespearean hospitality concepts into practice.
Unsupervised deep learning framework for ultrasonic-based distributed damage detection in concrete: integration of a deep auto-encoder and Isolation Forest for anomaly detection
Authors: Toufigh Vahab , Ranjbar Iman
Published: July 2023

This study presented an unsupervised anomaly detection-based framework for distributed damage detection in concrete using ultrasonic response signals. A deep fully connected auto-encoder was employed to reconstruct the ultrasonic response signals. This model was trained on the intact specimen’s responses. The auto-encoder demonstrated a relatively high prediction error encountering the damaged specimen’s responses. Two time-domain features (mean squared error and reconstructed-to-original signal ratio) and one frequency-domain feature (fundamental amplitude ratio) were defined to measure the reconstruction error of the auto-encoder (the damage-sensitive features). Finally, the Isolation Forest algorithm was implemented for anomaly (damage) detection. The beauty of this framework is that it requires a few numbers of data only from the intact specimen for training the auto-encoder and collecting the binary decision trees of the Isolation Forest. The framework was successfully implemented for damage detection in five geopolymer concrete specimens with different mix proportions. Using all three introduced damage-sensitive features, the framework demonstrated an average prediction accuracy of 95.0% and 93.0% for damaged and intact stages, respectively.
Applying Artificial Intelligence to Predict Complications After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Long Becky , Cremat Danielle L , Serpa Eduardo , Qian Sinong , Blebea John
Published: July 2023

Objective: Complications after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) can be fatal. Patient follow-up for surveillance imaging is becoming more challenging as fewer patients are seen, particularly after the first year. The aim of this study was to develop an artificial intelligence model to predict the complication probability of individual patients to better identify those needing more intensive post-operative surveillance. Methods: Pre-operative CTA 3D reconstruction images of AAA from 273 patients who underwent EVAR from 2011-2020 were collected. Of these, 48 patients had post-operative complications including endoleak, AAA rupture, graft limb occlusion, renal artery occlusion, and neck dilation. A deep convolutional neural network model (VascAI©) was developed which utilized pre-operative 3D CT images to predict risk of complications after EVAR. The model was built with TensorFlow software and run on the Google Colab Platform. An initial training subset of 40 randomly selected patients with complications and 189 without were used to train the AI model while the remaining 8 positive and 36 negative cases tested its performance and prediction accuracy. Data down-sampling was used to alleviate data imbalance and data augmentation methodology to further boost model performance. Results: Successful training was completed on the 229 cases in the training set and then applied to predict the complication probability of each individual in the held-out performance testing cases. The model provided a complication sensitivity of 100% and identified all the patients who later developed complications after EVAR. Of 36 patients without complications, 16 (44%) were falsely predicted to develop complications. The results therefore demonstrated excellent sensitivity for identifying patients who would benefit from more stringent surveillance and decrease the frequency of surveillance in 56% of patients unlike to develop complications. Conclusion: AI models can be developed to predict the risk of post-operative complications with high accuracy. Compared to existing methods, the model developed in this study did not require any expert-annotated data but only the AAA CTA images as inputs. This model can play an assistive role in identifying patients at high risk for post-EVAR complications and the need for greater compliance in surveillance.
Speculative Fictions of Legal Personhood: Reimagining Jurisdiction in N.K. Jemisin’s The City We Became
Authors: Jerng Mark C.
Published: July 2023

N.K. Jemisin’s speculative tropes in The City We Became capture a significant legal reality: the entanglement of legal personhood with jurisdiction and how the powers of jurisdiction are often exercised in racial directions. This article juxtaposes her novel with canonical case law, re-reading Dred Scott v. Sandford, Plessy v. Ferguson, and Parents Involved in Cmty. Sch. v. Seattle Sch. Dist. No. 1 in order to show how speculative imaginings intertwine jurisdiction with the racialized legitimation of certain selves. The City We Became critiques the ways in which we overlook these entanglements of personhood and jurisdiction and offers new ways of envisioning collectivity.
The Strengths and Weaknesses of Crowds to Address Global Problems
Authors: Broomell Stephen B. , Davis-Stober Clintin P.
Published: July 2023

Global climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the spread of misinformation on social media are just a handful of highly consequential problems affecting society. We argue that the rough contours of many societal problems can be framed within a “wisdom of crowds” perspective. Such a framing allows researchers to recast complex problems within a simple conceptual framework and leverage known results on crowd wisdom. To this end, we present a simple “toy” model of the strengths and weaknesses of crowd wisdom that easily maps to many societal problems. Our model treats the judgments of individuals as random draws from a distribution intended to represent a heterogeneous population. We use a weighted mean of these individuals to represent the crowd’s collective judgment. Using this setup, we show that subgroups have the potential to produce substantively different judgments and we investigate their effect on a crowd’s ability to generate accurate judgments about societal problems. We argue that future work on societal problems can benefit from more sophisticated, domain-specific theory and models based on the wisdom of crowds.
The Impact of School Closures on Learning and Mental Health of Children: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mazrekaj Deni , De Witte Kristof
Published: July 2023

To curb the spread of the coronavirus, almost all countries implemented nationwide school closures. Suddenly, students experienced a serious disruption to their school and social lives. In this article, we argue that psychological research offers crucial insights for guiding policy about school closures during crises. To this end, we review the existing literature on the impact of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s learning and mental health. We find that the unprecedented scale and length of school closures resulted in a substantial deficit in children’s learning and a deterioration in children’s mental health. We then provide policy recommendations on how to ensure children’s learning and psychosocial development in the future. Specifically, we recommend that more attention should be paid to students from marginalized groups who are most in need of intervention, evidence-informed and personality-tailored mental-health and social- and emotional-learning programs should be implemented in schools, and generational labels should be avoided.
How Do National Laws Filter Down to the Local? Tobacco Control Regulations and Smoke Free Areas in a Decentralised Indonesia
Authors: Kramer Elisabeth , Masduki  , Rosemary Rizanna , Maryani Eni , Nurhajati Lestari , Redjeki Anastasia Maria Sri
Published: July 2023

The proliferation of provinces and districts in Indonesia since 1998 has led to an array of new local laws across the country. This study focuses on how laws made at the national level become enacted at the local level. We offer a cross-comparison of three case studies of the implementation of smoke-free area regulations, as mandated by Government Regulation No. 109/2012. We investigate this process in Aceh province and the cities of Bandung and Malang, exploring the process of law creation and the context that influences it. We find that local political dynamics shaped unique regulations and outline how these differences manifested, both in the law-making process and in its outcomes. We also reflect on the decentralised law-making system, arguing that top-down diffusion of policy is problematic, with the case studies raising concerns in terms of inconsistencies due to localised variations, as well as inefficiencies and tobacco industry influence.
Postpartum Sciatic Neuropathy After Uncomplicated Vaginal Delivery
Authors: Boutros Nader , Saba Dina , Trikamji Bhavesh
Published: July 2023

Postpartum neuropathies are common, including femoral neuropathy, peroneal neuropathy, lumbosacral trunk plexopathy, and lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy. Sciatic mononeuropathy in the peripartum period is rare. Postpartum sciatic neuropathy (PSN) in the setting of cesarean section has been reported before. We present a case series of 2 sciatic mononeuropathies after vaginal delivery.

Case 1 is a 25-year-old woman who presented with a left foot drop after normal vaginal delivery after being in labor for 3 hours. Case 2 is a 24-year-old woman who presented with a right foot drop after normal vaginal delivery and being in labor for 31 hours. Both cases noted foot drops in the immediate postpartum period. Neurologic examinations revealed flail foot, 4/5 hamstring muscle strength on MRC scale and intact hip abduction. They had paresthesia on the posterolateral aspect of the leg, dorsal and plantar aspect of the foot with absent ankle reflex. MRI did not show evidence of spinal cord, nerve root or plexus involvement. Electrodiagnostic studies revealed evidence of sciatic mononeuropathy proximal to the short head of biceps femoris. They were discharged home with an ankle brace and therapy. At 3 months follow up, they had complete resolution of weakness.

There have been a few reported cases of PSN secondary to cesarean section. Sciatic involvement after vaginal delivery is extremely rare. We report 2 cases of PSN after vaginal delivery to highlight that sciatic mononeuropathy can occur not only after cesarean section, but also after uncomplicated vaginal delivery and should raise awareness of this risk to clinicians.
Cigarette Smoke Mediates Nasal Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction via TNF-α
Authors: Guo Ju , Meng Xuan , Zheng Yao-Ming , Zhao Shan-Kun , Qiang Chen , Zhou Li-Bo
Published: July 2023

Background

Extensive data suggest that exposure to cigarette smoke can induce pulmonary epithelial barrier dysfunction. However, the effects of cigarette smoke on the nasal epithelial barrier are still unclear. Here, we investigated the consequence and mechanism of cigarette smoke on the nasal epithelial barrier.

Methods

Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 or 6 months, and changes in inflammatory markers and nasal barrier function were evaluated. Moreover, underlying mechanisms were explored. Finally, normal human bronchial epithelial cells were cultured with or without tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in vitro, and the levels of continuity and tight junction–associated proteins were measured.

Results

In vivo experiments showed that the nasal mucosal barrier function of rats exposed to cigarette smoke was disturbed. Indeed, proteins associated with tight junctions were decreased, and the levels of inflammatory factors, such as IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α, were dramatically increased in comparison to those of control animals. In vitro, TNF-α was shown to disrupt the continuity of proteins associated with tight junctions and to downregulate the expression of these proteins in bronchial epithelial cells.

Conclusions

We found that cigarette smoke disrupted the nasal mucosal barrier, and the extent of the damage was correlated with the duration of cigarette smoke exposure. We showed that TNF-α can disrupt the continuity and attenuate the expression of tight junction proteins in human bronchial epithelial cells. Therefore, cigarette smoke may induce nasal epithelial barrier dysfunction through TNF-α.
Algorithmic constructions of risk: Anticipating uncertain futures in child protection services
Authors: Ratner Helene Friis , Elmholdt Kasper
Published: July 2023

This paper examines how predictive algorithms construct risk by calculating and anticipating children's uncertain futures. Theoretically, we analyze algorithmic risk construction by attending to (a) the problematizations justifying algorithmic prediction, (b) their underpinning data infrastructures, and (c) the configurations of agencies across humans and machines. Empirically, we examine two experiments in Danish child protection services that developed algorithmic models to predict children's maltreatment. Our analysis highlights how algorithmic predictions can create different notions of risk. The first case used predictive algorithms to supplement human risk assessments with data from child protection services, while the second case aimed to detect risk early by constructing parents as risk factors, requiring data from other welfare sectors. By comparing these cases, we highlight two distinct risk constructions: one that uses algorithmic prediction to manage uncertainty and another that seeks to eliminate undesired futures by preempting risk. These different constructions have implications for how the present is viewed as a moment of intervention and for how families are constructed as “risk objects.”
The Effect of Transformational and Transactional Leadership Styles on Organizational Readiness for Change Among Health Professionals
Authors: Mekonnen Mathewos , Bayissa Zelalem
Published: July 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of transformational and transactional leadership styles on organizational readiness for change among health professionals in the case of selected public hospitals in the North Showa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

Methods

The institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed for one month in April 2021. The data were collected from a sample of 212 subordinate health professional staffs. Multi-factor leadership surveys and organizational readiness for change questionnaires were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis, run on the SPSS 23 version. Pearson correlation and multiple regressions were used. Multiple regression results were expressed using the statistical values R2 and β-coefficient. Statistical significance was declared at a P-value of <.05.

Result

The Pearson product correlation of organizational readiness for change was found to be low positive and statistically significant for both transformational leadership behavior ( r = .49, P < .01) and transactional leadership behavior ( r = .39, P < .01). Both transformational leadership behavior ( t = 5.32, P = .00) and transactional leadership behavior ( t = 2.08, P = .034) were found to be significant contributors to the variance of organizational readiness for change among health professionals, according to the findings. However, transformational leadership behavior style appears to make a more significant contribution (β = 0.39) than transactional leadership style (β = 0.15) in predicting organizational readiness for change among health professionals.

Conclusion

The study revealed that whenever transformational and/or transactional leadership behaviors are exhibited by the administrative staff, readiness for organizational change (commitment and efficacy) increases among health professionals. The study also concluded that a quarter of the readiness for organizational change can be affected by the two leadership styles.
Health Promotion Behaviors and Psychosocial Factors Among Middle-Aged Women in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ashgar Rnda I. , Krishnasamy Thilagavathi
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Middle-aged women experience several changes that can affect their biological and psychosocial health. A healthy lifestyle is a fundamental requirement for achieving optimal health.

Objectives

To examine the impact of psychosocial factors on health promotion behaviors among middle-aged women in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study design was used. One hundred and eighteen middle-aged women completed the demographic questionnaire, Stunkard Figure Rating Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II from September 2, 2020 to February 15, 2021. Multiple regression analysis was performed to estimate the impact of psychosocial factors on health promotion behaviors.

Results

Participants “sometimes” engaged in health promotion behaviors. Spiritual growth scored the highest, whereas physical exercise scored the lowest. Most of the participants were dissatisfied with their body image and reported moderate levels of perceived stress. The participants were more likely to report a preferred body image that was smaller than their perceived body image. Perceived stress and body image were significantly correlated with the total score for health promotion behaviors. Perceived stress level, age, and menopause status were significant predictors of health promotion behaviors. The model significantly predicted all the health promotion behavior subscales, excluding nutrition.

Conclusion

There were relationships between certain psychosocial predictors and health-promoting behaviors. This study can guide healthcare professionals in promoting middle adult women's adoption of health-promoting behaviors. More research can be conducted in Saudi Arabia to understand the health promotion behaviors of middle-aged women.
Feedback Methods in the Music Classroom: A Review of Literature
Authors: Cardenas Ramon
Published: July 2023

Feedback is widely recognized as an effective instructional tool. Different feedback types and the efficacy of their role in the classroom have been researched extensively because all forms of feedback are impressionable to students. Research findings have indicated ways that feedback has been implemented into the classroom successfully. In this review, I summarize previous literature on feedback according to the following themes: (a) feedback types and (b) the role of feedback in the classroom. Based on these findings, I provide suggestions for music educators and their use of feedback applicable in the classroom, studio, or rehearsal. I also give implications for further research regarding burgeoning feedback frameworks.
The 29-nucleotide deletion in SARS-CoV: truncated versions of ORF8 are under purifying selection
Authors: Bykova Anastassia , Saura Andreu , Glazko Galina V. , Roche-Lima Abiel , Yurchenko Vyacheslav , Rogozin Igor B.
Published: July 2023

Background

Accessory proteins have diverse roles in coronavirus pathobiology. One of them in SARS-CoV (the causative agent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2002–2003) is encoded by the open reading frame 8 (ORF8). Among the most dramatic genomic changes observed in SARS-CoV isolated from patients during the peak of the pandemic in 2003 was the acquisition of a characteristic 29-nucleotide deletion in ORF8. This deletion cause splitting of ORF8 into two smaller ORFs, namely ORF8a and ORF8b. Functional consequences of this event are not entirely clear.

Results

Here, we performed evolutionary analyses of ORF8a and ORF8b genes and documented that in both cases the frequency of synonymous mutations was greater than that of nonsynonymous ones. These results suggest that ORF8a and ORF8b are under purifying selection, thus proteins translated from these ORFs are likely to be functionally important. Comparisons with several other SARS-CoV genes revealed that another accessory gene, ORF7a, has a similar ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous mutations suggesting that ORF8a, ORF8b, and ORF7a are under similar selection pressure.

Conclusions

Our results for SARS-CoV echo the known excess of deletions in the ORF7a-ORF7b-ORF8 complex of accessory genes in SARS-CoV-2. A high frequency of deletions in this gene complex might reflect recurrent searches in “functional space” of various accessory protein combinations that may eventually produce more advantageous configurations of accessory proteins similar to the fixed deletion in the SARS-CoV ORF8 gene.