bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In the shadow of the tree: The diagrammatics of relatedness in genealogy, anthropology, and genetics as epistemic, cultural, and political practice
Authors: Sommer Marianne , Arni Caroline , Müller-Wille Staffan , Teuscher Simon
Published: July 2024

The preferred tool for conceptualizing, determining, and claiming relations of kinship, ancestry, and descent among humans are diagrams. For this reason, and at the same time to avoid a reduction to biology as transported by terms such as kinship, ancestry, and descent, we introduce the expression diagrammatics of relatedness. We seek to understand the enormous influence that especially tree diagrams have had as a way to express and engage with human relatedness, but hold that this success can only be adequately understood by attending to what in fact are broader diagrammatic practices. These practices bring to light that diagrams of relatedness do not simply make visible natural connections, but create or deny relations in particular ways and for particular reasons. In this special section, contributors investigate diagrams of relatedness in genealogy, heredity, as well as biological and social anthropology. Conceiving of diagrams as techniques that transcend such binaries as ‘thought and action’ and ‘image and text’, we aim at an understanding of how they were constructed and how they functioned in particular epistemic, cultural, and political contexts.
Prevalence of sarcopenia among people living with HIV defined by the revised European working group on sarcopenia in older people
Authors: Jäger Jasmin , Callensee Leonie , Albayrak-Rena Sarah , Esser Stefan , Witzke Oliver , Schönfeld Andreas
Published: July 2024

Background

Sarcopenia is a progressive and systemic skeletal muscle disorder associated with an increased risk of hospitalization and adverse effects on survival. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and related risk factors of sarcopenia in people living with HIV using the revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) definition.

Methods

This cross-sectional study comprising 379 patients with confirmed HIV infection evaluated the appendicular skeletal muscle mass by employing the bioelectrical impedance analysis method. Muscle strength and functional mobility were analyzed using the five-time sit-to-stand test and the timed “Up and Go” test.

Results

The prevalence rates of pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia among people living with HIV were 3.4 % and 2.1 % according to the revised EWGSOP2 definition. Advanced age (Odds Ratio 1.07, p = .03), lower body mass index (Odds Ratio 0.79, p = .012) and CD4+ T-cell count below 500/μl (Odds Ratio 2.22, p = .007) were identified as significant factors associated with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was also identified as a significant correlate of frailty ( p < .001).

Conclusion

This is the first study examining the prevalence of sarcopenia in people living with HIV according to the revised EWGSOP2 clinical algorithm. Advanced age, lower body mass index and a poor immune status are determined as promoting factors of sarcopenia. Sarcopenia significantly correlates with frailty. Standardized clinical algorithms are essential for reliable sarcopenia diagnosis in people living with HIV in order to promote intervention strategies and to prevent adverse health outcomes.
Analyzing gas and oil efficiency's role in environmental management: Does political risk matter?
Authors: Olanrewaju Victoria Olushola , Kirikkaleli Dervis
Published: July 2024

This study investigates how eco-innovation, gas efficiency, and oil efficiency can mitigate the environmental impacts of the United Kingdom's reliance on fossil fuels and natural resource consumption, aligning with the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Focusing specifically on the United Kingdom, the study assesses the effects of eco-innovation, gas efficiency, oil efficiency, and political risk on environmental management using quarterly data from 1995 to 2020. To achieve these objectives, a range of quantitative methods are employed, including quantile-on-quantile regression, quantile regression, and causality-in-quantile analysis. The results indicate that political risk positively influences CO2 emissions in the lower quantiles but negatively affects the middle and higher quantiles. Moreover, all independent variables—gas efficiency, political risk, eco-innovation, and oil efficiency—significantly predict CO2 emissions across different quantiles. These findings are crucial for formulating comprehensive policies to effectively promote the objectives of SDGs 7, 9, and 13 in the United Kingdom.
Dealing with discomfort: Affective dissonance in fathers’ narratives of violence
Authors: Guðjónsdóttir Rannveig Ágústa , Berggren Kalle
Published: July 2024

Researchers focusing on fathers’ violence and perpetrator programmes have expressed growing interest in the question of change. Yet, there has been little dialogue in relation to feminist affect theories on change. Drawing on the narratives of eight fathers in Iceland who had been violent against their female partner and/or children, we suggest that attending to comfort and discomfort is central to understanding violent fathers’ process of change. Inspired by feminist theories of affective dissonance, the analysis shows that, on the one hand, fathers avoided dealing with uncomfortable emotions, conversations, and situations in diverse ways, for example, by leaning on women's emotional labour. On the other hand, the fathers also attempted to deal with discomfort, and this was often as part of their decision to seek help, turn to self-reflection, or hold themselves accountable. By foregrounding discomfort in these narratives, this paper provides insights into the possibilities of and hindrances to fathers’ change from perpetrating domestic violence.
Restructuring regimes in and between two crises: A comparison of Sweden and the UK
Authors: Ahlstrand Roland , McLachlan Christopher J , MacKenzie Robert , Rydell Alexis , Stuart Mark
Published: July 2024

This paper compares responses to crises through analysis of labour market policy in Sweden and the UK between the Global Financial Crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic. In drawing on ‘restructuring regimes’, we offer insights into the dynamics of change in the two countries, focussing on the development of short-time working schemes. We argue that Sweden learned lessons from the GFC that helped prepare for future crises, whereas the UK’s muted response left it ill-prepared for the COVID-19 crisis. The paper contributes to debates around restructuring regimes through an analysis of the journey between two crises in which we characterise Sweden’s approach as proactive and pre-emptive and the UK’s as reactive and ad hoc. By locating analysis in traditions of self-regulation and voluntarism in Sweden and the UK, respectively, we expand upon the role that industrial relations play in maintaining the stability, or not, of national restructuring regimes.
Type I interferon gene expression signature as a marker to predict response to cyclophosphamide based treatment in proliferative lupus nephritis
Authors: Bulusu Sree Nethra , Mariaselvam Christina Mary , Shah Sanket , Kommoju Vallayyachari , Kavadichanda Chengappa , Harichandrakumar Kotten Thazhath , Thabah Molly , Negi Vir Singh
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To assess the longitudinal effect of cyclophosphamide (CYC) treatment on type-I interferon (IFN) signature in proliferative lupus nephritis (LN) and its role in predicting treatment response.

Methods

Fifty-four biopsy proven proliferative LN patients scheduled to receive high-dose (HD) or low-dose (LD) CYC were recruited and followed up for six months. At six months, patients were classified as clinical responders (CR) or non-responders (NR) to treatment, using the EULAR/EDTA criteria. An IFN-gene based score (IGS) was developed from the mean log-transformed gene expression of MX1, OAS1, IFIT1, OASL, IFIT4, LY6E, IRF7 at baseline, three and six months. Longitudinal changes of IGS within and between groups were assessed and ΔIGS, which is the difference in IGS between baseline and three months was calculated. Independent predictors of non-response were identified and an ROC analysis was performed to evaluate their utility to predict NR.

Results

There was a dynamic change in IGS within the HD, LD, CR, and NR groups. Compared to baseline, there was a significant decrease in IGS at three months in HD and LD groups (HD group: 2.01 to 1.14, p = .001; LD group = 2.01 to 0.81, p < .001), followed by a significant increase from three to six months in LD group (LD: 0.81 to 1.51, p = .03; HD: 1.14 to 1.54, p = .300). A decrease in IGS from baseline to three months was seen in both CR (2.13 to 0.79, p < .001) and NR groups (1.83 to 1.27, p = .046), and a significant increase from three to six months was observed only in the CR group (CR: 0.79 to 1.57, p = .006; NR: 1.27 to 1.46, p = 1). ΔIGS (baseline to three months) was higher in CR compared to NR group (−1.339 vs −0.563, p = .017). ROC analysis showed that the model comprising of 0.81 fold decrease in IGS from baseline to three months, endocapillary hypercellularity and interstitial inflammation on renal histopathology predicted non-response with a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 71.4%.

Conclusion

In proliferative LN, treated with HD or LD-CYC, combined model comprising of decrease in IGS score by 0.81 fold from baseline to three months, along with important histopathological features such as endocapillary hypercellularity and interstitial inflammation had better predictive capability for non-response.
Characteristics and prognosis of elderly-onset antiphospholipid syndrome: An observational cohort study
Authors: Luo Liang , Cai Qingmeng , Liu Xiangjun , Yun Zelin , Li Xuerong , Yan Rui , Li Chun
Published: July 2024

Objective

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease mainly affecting young individuals. Testing for antiphospholipid antibodies is recommended for young patients who are suspected to have APS. Yet, it is hard to differentiate APS from other acquired thrombophilia disorders in elderly-onset APS patients. This study aim to investigate the characteristics and prognosis of elderly-onset APS.

Methods

This is an observational cohort study. Thrombotic APS patients who underwent follow-ups between 2009 and 2022 were included. Elderly-onset APS patients (onset age ≥60 years) were compared to non-elderly-onset APS patients (onset age <60 years) and matched cases of elderly non-APS patients (age ≥60 years with thrombosis).

Results

A total of 161 APS patients were included in this study, 45 (28.0%) were elderly-onset APS. Stroke (35.6% vs. 18.1%, p = .018) was more common at disease onset in elderly-onset APS patients. Compared to non-elderly-onset patients, elderly-onset APS patients were associated with a higher number of cardiovascular risk factors. Elderly-onset APS patients showed significantly lower positive rate (51.1% vs. 71.6%, p = .014) and ratios [1.24 (1.01–1.38) vs. 1.37 (1.16–1.77), p = .004] of lupus anticoagulant. Elderly-onset APS patients had a significantly higher 10-years cumulative all-cause mortality ( p < .001) and APS-related mortality than non-elderly-onset patients ( p = .002) and elderly non-APS patients ( p = .040).

Conclusions

Elderly-onset APS patients have unique disease characteristics with higher 10-years cumulative all-cause mortality and APS-related mortality. Early recognition and control of comorbidities may reduce the recurrence of thrombosis and mortality in elderly-onset APS patients.
Organ Donation and Transplantation Coordinators' Experience and needs for ethics education
Authors: You Jayoung , Kim Myoungsoo , Son Sunyoung , Lee Ilhak
Published: July 2024

Background

Transplant coordinators face ethical conflicts in various situations, such as deciding who should receive organ donations and how to consider patient costs and such conflicts are expected to be more frequent in Korea, as organ transplant coordinators in the country perform both organ acquisition and transplantation.

Research Aim

This study aims to develop an ethics education program to enhance organ transplant coordinators’ ethical competence and address the ethical conflicts faced by them during clinical practice.

Research design

A descriptive study.

Participants and research context

An online survey was conducted from March 22 to May 28, 2021. The study was conducted among 160 registered members of the Korea Organ Transplant Coordinators Association. Ultimately, 87 participants agreed to participate in the study.

Ethical considerations

Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board.

Results

The study revealed variations in the degree of ethical conflict based on the participants' general characteristics. Furthermore, organ transplant coordinators exhibited high levels of ethical competence and expressed a need for ethics education. The findings also indicated a positive correlation between higher ethical competence and greater demand for ethics education.

Conclusions

Based on the findings, developing standardized ethics education programs tailored to organ transplant coordinators is recommended. These programs should focus on improving ethical decision-making skills and establishing professional ethics. The education provided should be practical, applicable in the clinical setting, and responsive to the participants’ awareness and concerns regarding ethics education.
The rabbit model for spinal tuberculosis: An overview
Authors: Jia Jingwen , Zhang Mingtao , Cao Zhenyu , Hu Xuchang , Lei Shuanhu , Zhang Yizhi , Kang Xuewen
Published: July 2024

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection has emerged as a global public health issue, predominantly manifesting as pulmonary tuberculosis. Bone and joint tuberculosis, with spinal tuberculosis accounting for approximately 50%, represents a significant form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Over the past years, there has been a rise in the incidence of spinal tuberculosis, and research concerning this area has gained significant attention. At present, animal models provide a means to investigate the pathogenesis, drug resistance, and novel treatment approaches for spinal tuberculosis. New Zealand rabbits, possessing a comparable anatomical structure to humans and capable of reproducing typical pathological features of human tuberculosis, are extensively employed in spinal tuberculosis research using animal models. This article comprehensively evaluates the strengths, considerations in strain selection, various modelling approaches, and practical applications of the rabbit model in studying spinal tuberculosis based on pertinent literature to guide fundamental research in this field by providing valuable insights into appropriate animal model selection.
Managing a story of hope through the President’s Letter: The case of Petrobras from 1964 to 1985
Authors: Oliveira Lídia , Caria Ana , Almeida Janaína
Published: July 2024

This research investigates the historical role of the president's letter, and in particular how impression management was used by the Brazilian company Petrobras, during the military dictatorship (1964–1985), to build up and legitimise the company and the regime. Following an interpretative approach, and through a framework that includes both impression management tactics and presentational methods, the study analyses both narrative and visual images of the letters. The adoption of assertive impression management tactics helped to propagate Petrobras in the ascendancy and with it the Brazilian nation. Reinforcement, rhetorical manipulation and visual emphasis were adopted to convey a message of ascendancy and optimism, even in periods of crisis and shocks to legitimacy. Simultaneously, the omission tactic allowed it to keep invisible damaging events. As a recurrent, voluntary accounting narrative, the president's letters provided valuable storytelling and impression management opportunities which were used to promote Petrobras and as a legitimate façade for the government.
A sovereign citizen by any other name? Risks in the terrorism high-risk offender context
Authors: Singh Teresa
Published: July 2024

While the nuisance that ‘sovereign citizens’ pose to courts and authorities across Australia continues to gain media attention, there is much less known about the controversial New South Wales government scheme which seeks to preventatively supervise and detain these individuals. This article argues that use of this scheme to quell the risk posed by sovereign citizens would be at its most problematic and potentially misguided if set upon members of First Nations communities, who are reportedly showing signs of increased receptiveness to sovereign citizen rhetoric.
Unrevealing the interplay between internal and external factors leading to career decidedness: A three-wave study
Authors: Sartori Riccardo , Tommasi Francesco , Abu Hamam Fatima , Ceschi Andrea
Published: July 2024

Students’ career decision is a relevant topic in career development with scholars and practitioners aiming at understanding which factors can contribute to students decision-making to support them in their career path. In this study, we argue that facilitating conditions can positively influence the career decisions of students. This relationship is mediated by career self-efficacy and moderated by optimism. To test our hypotheses, we conducted a longitudinal study. In total, 789 high school students from different educational streams took part in our three-way study. Results showed that career decision-making self-efficacy mediates the relationship between facilitating conditions for school motivations and career decision-making. While the direct effect of facilitating conditions for school motivations on career decidedness is negative, the relationship linking facilitating conditions for school motivations to career decision-making self-efficacy, as well as that linking career decision-making self-efficacy and career decidedness, is positive. These results provide insights for better-targeting counselling programmes.
The RANZCP Workforce Report: Action is needed, now
Authors: Looi Jeffrey C.L. , Wilkes Fiona , Allison Stephen , Maguire Paul A. , Kisely Steve , Bastiampillai Tarun
Published: July 2024

Objective

The RANZCP conducted an anonymous survey of 7200 members (trainees and psychiatrists) in December 2023, receiving 1269 responses, representing the views of roughly 1 in 6 members, and of the respondents, three quarters reported experiencing burnout in the last 3 years. We provide a commentary, citing evidence from relevant previous research, discussing the implications and proposing potential interventions.

Conclusions

Members of the RANZCP reported worsening workforce shortages, with 9 in 10 respondents stating that these negatively impacted patient care, and 7 in 10 experiencing symptoms of burnout. Eighty per cent identified workforce shortages as the top contributing factor to such burnout. The aetiology of workforce shortages and burnout is likely due to operational and structural shortfalls in psychiatric services. However, public and private sector employment information was not included in the report. There are a range of strategic, evidence-based interventions to address the psychiatrist and trainee workforce challenges, comprising general healthcare service as well as specific initiatives. Based on the findings of the report, such interventions are needed, now.
Development and Validation of the Psychological Motivations for Playing Video Games scale (PMPVGs)
Authors: Gursesli Mustafa Can , Martucci Alessia , Mattiassi Alan D.A. , Duradoni Mirko , Guazzini Andrea
Published: July 2024

Background

The gaming industry is experiencing rapid growth, and videogames in various forms have become an integral part of our daily routines. While research has delved into motivations for playing specific types of videogames, such as online multiplayer games, there is still a need for exploration of the broader concept of video game engagement, irrespective of the genre.

Aim

The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate a gaming motivation scale that focuses on the intrinsic reasons and psychological aspects of video game motivation. Additionally, the goal was to create a scale that does not rely on game genres to assess gamers’ motivational profiles.

Research methods

The study was conducted in two phases, involving a total of 2641 Italian participants. In the first phase, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed with data from Italian 543 participants ( M = 28.92; sd = 8.26). In the second phase, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted with data collected from 2098 participants ( M = 31.60, sd = 8.81), showing an adequate fit to the theorized model (𝑥2 (878) =3843.28; CFI = .95, TLI = .95, RMSEA = .040, and SRMR = .042).

Key Findings and Discussion

In the first part of the study, EFA confirmed 14 dimensions out of the original 18. While CFA demonstrated that the scale had good reliability, with values ranging from .77 to .94. Furthermore, significant correlations were found between the Psychological Motivations for playing Video Games (PMPVGs) scale and dimensions from the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ) and Gaming Motivation Scale (GAMS) scales. The final version of the scale comprises 12 dimensions with 45 items in total and it holds potential to explore the players’ psychological needs satisfied through the gaming activity.
Exploring Congruency of Death Location Preferences Versus Expectations: Findings from the General Public in Brazil, Italy, Japan, and the U.S.
Authors: Clem Sarah E. , Zhang Peiyuan , Cagle John G.
Published: July 2024

Honoring an individual's preference in death location is a crucial indicator of quality end-of-life care. Though studies have explored congruency in death location preferences and actual death location in terminal samples, more research is needed to understand perceptions of death locations with samples of the general public. Using national probability samples from Brazil, Italy, Japan, and the U.S., this study explored individual's perceptions of preferred death locations and perceived likely death locations. Congruency in death locations was assessed using Pearson's Chi-squared tests. Explanatory predictors of discrepant death location perceptions were explored using weighted logistic regression. Among the total sample, 45% of participants reported that they were not likely to die in their preferred location. While most participants across the total sample reported a preference to die at home, most felt that they were most likely to die in a hospital. Understanding death location perceptions can support proactive end-of-life planning discussions.
Estimated Time of Arrival: Impact of Healthcare Disparities on Access to and Outcomes of Multidisciplinary Cleft Lip and Palate Care
Authors: Asadourian Paul , Valenti Alyssa B. , Michalowski Alexandra , Truong Albert Y. , Borys Nell , LaValley Myles , Modi Vikash , Imahiyerobo Thomas A.
Published: July 2024

Objective

To determine the impact of sociodemographic and clinical factors on patient presentation into the cleft care pathway and determine how delayed interventions may affect post-surgical outcomes.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Multidisciplinary craniofacial clinics of two university hospitals.

Patients, Participant

135 patients with cleft lip and/or palate.

Interventions

Primary cheiloplasty, primary palatoplasty.

Main Outcome Measures

Age at initial presentation, age at first surgery, lag time, delayed surgery, rate of return to the emergency department (ED), readmission rate, reoperations, and oronasal fistula development.

Results

Patients referred by OBGYN who underwent cheiloplasty had an earlier age at initial presentation (p < 0.01), earlier age at first surgery (p = 0.01), and a shorter lag time (p < 0.01) compared to children from other referral pathways. African American children had an older age at first surgery (p = 0.01) and a longer lag time (p = 0.02) when compared to non-African American children. Children with syndromes had an older age at first surgery (p < 0.01) and a longer lag time (p < 0.01) than children without syndromes. Patient race, cleft type, and syndromic status increased the odds of receiving delayed surgery. Patients who received delayed palatoplasty returned to the ED at a higher rate than patients who received non-delayed palatoplasty (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that referral source, race, and syndromic status influence the timeliness of cleft care. Surgeons should develop strong referral networks with local OBGYNs and hospitals to allow for an early entry into the cleft care pathway.
Perceptions of Local Political Corruption
Authors: Holbrook Thomas M. , Heideman Amanda , Weinschenk Aaron
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we explore the roots of perceptions of local corruption in U.S. cities, using survey data collected from 39 cities during 40 different mayoral election campaigns. We examine the impact of the city-level corruption context alongside measures of political information, partisan and racial/ethnic representation in local government, evaluations of personal and policy satisfaction, and other individual-level attitudinal and demographic characteristics. We find that perceptions of local corruption are responsive to the local corruption context—though this relationship is heavily conditioned by political knowledge—satisfaction with local conditions, other attitudinal measures, and, to a lesser extent, co-ethnic representation in local government.
Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Sacubitril/Valsartan and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in Patients With Reduced Ejection Fraction Combined With Moderate-to-Severe Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Zhang Zhaowei , Chen Shenjue , Xu Xuchun , Luo Guangwen , Huang Jian
Published: July 2024

Background and Objectives: The efficacy and safety of a lower target dose of sacubitril/valsartan (angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor [ARNI]) for treating heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain unknown. We performed a retrospective study to compare the efficacy of ARNI with that of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in patients with HFrEF and moderate-to-severe CKD. Methods: This retrospective study included 129 patients. An inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was performed to compare the baseline characteristics and outcomes between the 2 groups. The incidence of death due to cardiovascular disease, rehospitalization due to heart failure after treatment, and improvement in cardiac function symptoms (New York Heart Association [NYHA]) were assessed after 12 months. Improvements of ejection fraction (EF), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) were compared. Results: Compared with the ACEI/ARB group, the ARNI group, with 90.77% (59/65) in the lower target dose group, showed a lower rate of death due to cardiovascular disease (6.6% vs 0.9% after IPTW) and a lower incidence of rehospitalization (46.5% vs 30.4% after IPTW). NYHA class, estimated glomerular filtration rate, EF, NT-ProBNP levels, LVEDD, and LVESD improved in the ARNI group. None of the patients withdrew from treatment because of adverse drug reactions. Conclusion: Our study showed that ARNI resulted in a greater improvement in heart failure than ACEIs/ARBs in patients with HFrEF and moderate-to-severe CKD.
Dynamic modeling and piezoelectric active vibration control of a thin-walled hull for autonomous underwater vehicles
Authors: Li Chong , Bai Xin , Wang Pingchang , Fang Jiwen , Lv Mingming
Published: July 2024

To solve the vibration problem of the thin-walled hull of AUVs, a piezoelectric active control method is used to suppress the vibration of the hull. Adopting improved Donnell–Mushtari theory, the thin-walled cylindrical hull of the AUV was theoretically modeled, and the natural frequency of the system was solved by numerical analysis. Based on the established dynamic equations, the PID controller and fuzzy PID controller were designed. An experimental platform for vibration control was set up to test the active vibration control of a thin-walled hull under transient, sinusoidal, and random excitations. The results show that the minimum natural frequency of the selected experimental hull is 588.1 Hz, and the error between the theoretically calculated and the simulated frequency of the first six orders is less than 1%. Under the fuzzy PID control, the stability time of the hull vibration with transient excitation is reduced by 43%, whereas the active vibration control effect can reach 31.4% with the sinusoidal excitation of 10 Hz. The results of the study provide theoretical basis and experimental support for the vibration control of AUVs.
Optimization and quality evaluation of functional pasta made from germinated finger millet, buckwheat, and black gram
Authors: Kushwaha Vijay Shankar , Srivastava Shubhangi , Said Prashant Pandharinath
Published: July 2024

The investigation was conducted to optimize process variables to manufacture functional pasta from composite flour. The selected grains were steeped, germinated, dried, and milled to produce flour. The flours were mixed at optimized proportions (57.31% buckwheat flour, 12.68% finger millet flour, and 30% paheli dal flour) to produce composite flour. The full factorial experimental design opted for optimization of process variables namely, moisture content (mc) (28, 30, 32, and 34%) and mixing speed (60, 80, 100, and 120 rpm). The optimized multi-grain pasta showed shorter processing time, in-range cooking loss, and higher cooking weight and water absorption capacity (WAC). The highest overall acceptability was recorded for multi-grain pasta processed at 60 rpm with an initial mc of 32%. Proximate analysis of optimized multi-grain pasta showed that pasta contained protein (13.95%), crude fiber (5.05%), ash (2.05%), a lower amount of fat (0.74%), and carbohydrates (71.71%).
Microbiological, sensory, and chemical properties of high-quality tempeh made with instant Mosaccha tempeh inoculum powder
Authors: Rizal Samsul , Kustyawati Maria Erna , Murhadi  , Sari Reka Kumala , Hidayat Rahmat
Published: July 2024

The combination of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhizopus oligosporus liquid inoculum has been successfully used to ferment soybeans into tempeh that contains β-glucan. However, using the liquid inoculum of these two microbes as a starter is impractical; so, developing an instant tempeh dry inoculum in powdered form, called the Mosaccha inoculum powder, for ease of use is necessary. This study aimed to determine the best concentration of instant Mosaccha inoculum powder to produce high-quality Mosaccha tempeh. The study used a Complete Randomized Block Design with seven different levels of instant Mosaccha inoculum powder percentage, ranging from 0.3% to 1.8% (w/w). A commercial tempeh inoculum, RAPRIMA, amounting to 0.2%, was used as control. Then, the microbiological (total mold and total yeast) and sensory (color, aroma, texture, and taste) properties were evaluated. The data obtained was analyzed statistically using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) tests at the 5% level. The results showed that the percentage of instant Mosaccha inoculum powder significantly affected the microbiological and sensory properties of Mosaccha tempeh. A concentration of Mosaccha inoculum powder between 0.6% to 1.8% could produce good quality Mosaccha tempeh, but the best Mosaccha tempeh was produced with 1.5% instant Mosaccha inoculum powder, which met the Indonesian National Standards (SNI) 3144:2015, had a very favorable taste, and contained 0.49% β-glucan. Therefore, Mosaccha inoculum in powdered form can be developed and used as a starter in making high-quality tempeh that contains β-glucan.
Effect of corn silk powder on the baking and quality dynamics of muffins
Authors: Paick Soutrick , Das Rahul , Alam Masud , Sharma Anamika
Published: July 2024

Corn silk, often considered as a waste material in sweet corn processing, is typically discarded by most food manufacturing industries. This study aims to maximize the utilization of corn silk by evaluating its phytochemical, physicochemical and sensory characteristics. The development of food products with enhanced nutritional value is a pressing concern for both scientists and food producers in the industry. Therefore, this research focuses on the creation of highly nutritious muffins incorporating underutilized corn silk powder (CSP). In the muffin preparation, CSP was used to partially replace refined wheat flour at levels of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. As the proportion of CSP increased, the protein and crude fiber content of the muffins gradually increased. Additionally, the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the muffins significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) with the inclusion of CSP, reaching their maximum values when CSP was used to replace 40% of the refined wheat flour. The incorporation of CSP led to a decrease in the L* (lightness) value, resulting in lower a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values in the muffins. Texture analysis revealed that the cohesiveness, chewiness and gumminess of the muffins increased as the amount of CSP in the recipe was raised. A sensory evaluation was conducted to assess the acceptability of the corn silk muffins. The addition of CSP in muffins improved the sensory characteristics including colour, aroma, mouthfeel, texture and overall acceptability. These findings indicate that CSP has the potential to be used in the development of bakery food products, instant mixes, infant food formulas and value-added items.
Communicative-Kvmecegeam Evaluation in Education Within a Mapuche Context: Proposal of an Approach
Authors: Del Pino Miguel , Vásquez Ramírez María Paz
Published: July 2024

The Communicative-Kvmecegeam evaluation approach in education is the result of extensive research and reflections within the Mapuche context in the south-central and southern regions of Chile. This approach is inspired by recognition and participation as dimensions to overcome socio-educational inequality seen in this context and is consistent with the transformative paradigm of evaluation. This approach first accounts for an educational evaluation based on territorial, cultural, social and linguistic components. Second, it integrates evaluation cycles that account for orientations, methodologies and participatory evaluation procedures with various people—teachers, family members, Elders—who offer their knowledge to guide the evaluation. Finally, the article presents some lessons learned to date, such as the transition from a traditional concept in evaluation to a more processual and formative one within the framework of social justice.
Using Implementation Science to Improve Evidence-Based Policing: An Introduction for Researchers and Practitioners
Authors: del Pozo Brandon , Belenko Steven , Pivovarova Ekaterina , Ray Bradley , Martins Kaitlin F. , Taxman Faye S.
Published: July 2024

As “the scientific study of methods to promote the systematic uptake of research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice,” implementation science (IS) offers the potential to translate effective innovations in policing across agencies and local contexts with fidelity and sustainability in support of a commitment to evidence-based policing (EBP). Despite this potential, and its widespread use in adjacent fields facing similar challenges, implementation science remains almost completely unstudied and unutilized in police settings. To fill these gaps in research and practice, this paper provides an orientation to IS for police researchers and practitioners. It recounts EBP’s historical roots in an evidence-based approach to health care, demonstrates the commonalities that make IS as natural to policing as medicine, and surveys the existing literature on the employment of IS in policing. It adapts a conceptual model of IS to policing, presents two well-developed frameworks, and introduces three types of hybrid implementation/effectiveness trials suitable for use in dynamic police settings. It then provides illustrative cases in policing where the use of IS would be apt, and highlights the importance of the de-implementation of substandard or problematic practices as a key but often overlooked aspect of IS. It concludes by discussing how police practices that fully embrace evidence will nonetheless be guided by contestable values and norms, and how IS provides a way to address this concern. The paper provides research and practice agendas for integrating IS into EBP as police seek to adopt evidence-informed practices that deliver public safety, respect rights, and increase community satisfaction and trust.
Marketing Strategies Used by Tobacco Companies Targeting the Queer Community
Authors: Lewis Kendra , Cunningham Diamond , Valera Pamela
Published: July 2024

Background: This study described the marketing strategies tobacco companies use to advertise tobacco products to the Queer community.

Methods: In this secondary qualitative analysis, 15 Queer participants were interviewed to explore their life experiences with tobacco product advertisements during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: Participants self-reported as male (n = 5), followed by female (n = 4), gender non-binary (n = 4) and, transgender (n = 2). In addition, most participants identified as Black/African American (n = 7) or White (n = 7). Many participants identified as Bisexual (n = 5) or Queer (n = 4). Using narrative analysis, the themes for this study were: (1) tobacco and vaping companies target minoritized and Queer people; (2) tobacco and vape companies maintain their presence by sponsoring local Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual, and other community (LGBTQIA+) bars and Pride events, often through giveaways and coupons; and (3) the use of social media influencers represents a new social marketing technique. As a result, Queer participants were more likely to encounter many different types of advertisements from tobacco companies and, most recently, social media influencers.

Conclusion: Social media influencers are a new factor that needs further study to understand the new tobacco advertising landscape.
MRI-informed machine learning-driven brain age models for classifying mild cognitive impairment converters
Authors: Lu Hanna , Li Jing
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Brain age model, including estimated brain age and brain-predicted age difference (brain-PAD), has shown great potentials for serving as imaging markers for monitoring normal ageing, as well as for identifying the individuals in the pre-diagnostic phase of neurodegenerative diseases.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the brain age models in normal ageing and mild cognitive impairments (MCI) converters and their values in classifying MCI conversion.

METHODS

Pre-trained brain age model was constructed using the structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN) project (N = 609). The tested brain age model was built using the baseline, 1-year and 3-year follow-up MRI data from normal ageing (NA) adults (n = 32) and MCI converters (n = 22) drew from the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies (OASIS-2). The quantitative measures of morphometry included total intracranial volume (TIV), gray matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness. Brain age models were calculated based on the individual’s morphometric features using the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm.

RESULTS

With comparable chronological age, MCI converters showed significant increased TIV-based (Baseline: P = 0.021; 1-year follow-up: P = 0.037; 3-year follow-up: P = 0.001) and left GMV-based brain age than NA adults at all time points. Higher brain-PAD scores were associated with worse global cognition. Acceptable classification performance of TIV-based (AUC = 0.698) and left GMV-based brain age (AUC = 0.703) was found, which could differentiate the MCI converters from NA adults at the baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first demonstration that MRI-informed brain age models exhibit feature-specific patterns. The greater GMV-based brain age observed in MCI converters may provide new evidence for identifying the individuals at the early stage of neurodegeneration. Our findings added value to existing quantitative imaging markers and might help to improve disease monitoring and accelerate personalized treatments in clinical practice.
Examining the impact of Halal tourism industry sustainability on stock returns
Authors: Chowdhury Mohammad Ashraful Ferdous , Abdullah Mohammad , Sulong Zunaidah
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the relationship between sustainable industry performance and stock returns of the Halal tourism sector. We use a comprehensive dataset comprising 192 Halal tourism firms from 38 countries over the period of 2010–2020. Our baseline analysis reveals a significant positive impact of sustainable industry performance on Halal tourism stock returns. To control endogeneity issues, we employ advanced econometric techniques, including dynamic Generalized Method of Moments and confirms the robustness of our initial results. Furthermore, we document the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Halal tourism stocks, underscoring the vulnerability of the industry to external shocks. Additionally, our subsample analysis highlights that firms with lower levels of sustainability experience negative repercussions on their stock returns. The findings offer valuable insights for investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of sustainable strategies in enhancing both financial outcomes and resilience in the ever-evolving landscape of Halal tourism.
Phallic metaphors and metonyms: Emerging meanings of Viagra and masculinity in news media
Authors: Birk Jensen Mie
Published: July 2024

When Viagra was first introduced, it was presented as a new pharmaceutical with potentially revolutionizing effects in various forms of media across the globe. While it is no longer a new pharmaceutical, it still continues to find its way into news media. This article explores the continuous circulation of Viagra in news media over time, pointing to a global impact of the relationship between pharmaceutical advertising and news media, which play into reconfigurations of masculinity. Through an analysis of Danish news articles mentioning Viagra in different times, it is argued that Viagra is not only made news-worthy as a pharmaceutical; it has penetrated our language as a phallic metaphor and metonymic concept through which human and non-human actors become valorized as im/potent in different ways. This is further discussed as a potential indication of how gendered processes of medicalization can affect our understanding of the capabilities of the human body, and by extension the language we make use of to grasp the world we live in, as well as ourselves.
“We are in a very precarious position”: Exploring the resilience of Khawaja Sara and Hijra communities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
Authors: Alamgir Alamgir , Gray Emily , Kelly Peter , Brown Seth
Published: July 2024

This paper draws upon empirical data in order to offer insights to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of Khawaja Sara and Hijra communities in Peshawar City, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan. The paper also considers the resilience that the community developed during this time. Drawing on Butler’s concept of precarity and liveability, we in this article demonstrate how the precarious positionalities of Khawaja Sara and Hijra were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and thereafter in Pakistan. 10 members of Khawaja Sara and Hijra communities were engaged in face-to-face interviews, and the paper demonstrates how community is made and maintained by Khawaja Sara and Hijra, who are amongst the most vulnerable, marginalized, oppressed, and isolated people in South Asian communities. Whilst not shying away from the violence that characterises the lives of participants, who face familial rejection, community, and social pressure to conform to strict cultural gender norms, and sexual and physical violence, the paper also works to highlight the ongoing adaptability and resilience of these ancient communities through engaging with the ways in which participants supported each other through the pandemic.
Chemsex as wild self-care
Authors: Clay Simon
Published: July 2024

Chemsex has received increasing scholarly attention over the past few years and is frequently defined as the sexualised use of synthetic drugs. There is an emerging binary within the literature on chemsex that portrays it as either inherently risky or liberatory. This binary assumes that chemsex is a stable category of sex and always involves integrating ‘dangerous’ synthetic substances into sex. Drawing from interviews with 16 gay/queer men and individuals who identified with the gay community from Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, I critique the underpinning assumptions of this binary and show how these individuals used chemsex as a technique of ‘wild self-care’. This unique model of self-care recuperates ‘dangerous’ practices in emancipatory and life-affirming ways. It shows how chemsex is both risky and liberatory in ever-changing and unexpected ways.
Evaluation of airborne transmission of respiratory contaminants in a passenger car cabin with window opening
Authors: Yan Yiwen , Hu Jun , Zhong Ke , Jia Hongwei
Published: July 2024

Exhaled aerosols can be suspended in the air for long periods, facilitating the transmission of highly infectious respiratory diseases. The risk of exposure to occupants varies due to different usage conditions and driving scenarios of moving vehicles. Therefore, the present study investigates the airborne transmission of contaminants generated by coughing in a moving vehicle and explores the relationship between aerosol dispersion and fluid exchange between the interior and exterior domains of the car under the influence of window opening configurations, seating layouts and driving speeds. The results show that the cross-opening configurations provide a superior contaminant removal efficiency. The effect of seating layout on removal efficiency is significant, although it has a slight effect on air change rate (ACH). The best removal efficiency can be obtained when the passenger sits in the front seat with the right front window opening. Furthermore, the in-cabin ACH is almost linearly correlated with the driving speed. Higher speeds reduce contaminant concentrations faster. However, the risk of driver exposure does not depend solely on ACH, the peak cumulative contaminant concentration and residence time also need to be considered. This study offers data for the prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases.