bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting ‘resilience’ in light of racism, ‘othering’ and resistance
Authors: Sims-Schouten Wendy , Gilbert Patricia
Published: May 2022

In this commentary the authors analyse how the concept of resilience can be and has been applied to Black, Asian and minority ethnic families and communities in ways that are biased, stigmatising and pathologising. They argue that current definitions of resilience need to be redefined and reconceptualised, particularly in settings dominated by White middle-class voices that define what ‘positive emotions’, ‘successful traits’ and ‘coping mechanisms’ entail. Here, through racism and flawed perceptions and interpretations of resilience and ‘othering’, members from ethnic minority communities are defined as in need of resilience support, whilst at the same time their experience of structural racism, e.g., in relation to mental health support, social/health care practices and school exclusions, is being erased. Instead, the authors argue that resilience can also mean ‘resistance’, i.e., resisting bad treatment and racism, as well as reflecting agency, identity and ownership of one’s own life and choices within this. Reframing resilience thus means taking account of multifaceted and interactive effects of personal, material, institutional and political factors that impact on behaviour, wellbeing and resilience, as well as acknowledging that the way in which ‘behaviour’ is received is by default flawed, if this is largely informed by an oppressive White middle-class viewpoint.
Medial Collateral Ligament Reconstruction for Anteromedial Instability of the Knee: A Biomechanical Study In Vitro
Authors: Miyaji Nobuaki , Holthof Sander R. , Ball Simon V. , Williams Andy , Amis Andrew A.
Published: May 2022

Background:

Although a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury is associated with anteromedial rotatory instability (AMRI) and often with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, there has been little work to develop anteromedial (AM) reconstruction to address this laxity.

Purpose:

To measure the ability of a novel “anatomic” AM reconstruction technique to restore native knee laxity for isolated AM insufficiency and combined AM plus posteromedial insufficiency.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 12 cadaveric knees were mounted in a kinematic testing rig that allowed the tibia to be loaded while the knee flexed-extended 0° to 100° with 88-N anteroposterior translation, 5-N·m internal rotation–external rotation (ER), 8-N·m valgus, and combined anterior translation plus ER to simulate AMRI. Joint motion was measured using optical trackers with the knee intact, after superficial MCL (sMCL) and deep MCL (dMCL) transection, and after AM reconstruction of the sMCL and dMCL with semitendinosus autografts. The posteromedial capsule (PMC)/posterior oblique ligament (POL) was then transected to induce a grade 3 medial injury, and kinematic measurements were repeated afterward and again after removing the grafts. Laxity changes were examined using repeated-measures analysis of variance and post-testing.

Results:

sMCL and dMCL deficiency increased valgus, ER, and AMRI laxities. These laxities did not differ from native values after AM reconstruction. Additional PMC/POL deficiency did not increase these laxities significantly but did increase internal rotation laxity near knee extension; this was not controlled by AM reconstruction.

Conclusion:

AM reconstruction eliminated AMRI after transection of the dMCL and sMCL, and also eliminated AMRI after additional PMC/POL transection.

Clinical Relevance:

Many MCL injuries occur in combination with ACL injuries, causing AMRI. These injuries may rupture the AM capsule and dMCL. Unaddressed MCL deficiency leads to an increased ACL reconstruction failure rate. A dMCL construct oriented anterodistally across the medial joint line, along with an sMCL graft, can restore native knee ER laxity. PMC/POL lesions did not contribute to AMRI.
Two high toughness and flame retardant DOPO-containing polybenzoxazines based on polyether-urea
Authors: Zhu Linlin , Yang Xiangyang , Si Yongbin , Zhang Liyuan , Li Xi , Hou Lingling
Published: May 2022

In this current work, two new-style DOPO-containing benzoxazines based on polyether-urea were successfully synthesized by a modified version via three-step procedures, and the corresponding polybenzoxazines with high toughness and flame retardancy were obtained by thermal activated polymerization. The single and double DOPO-containing benzoxazines were named as BzD1 and BzD2, respectively. The corresponding polymers followed were named as PBzD1 and PBzD2, respectively. The curing behaviors of the two new benzoxazines were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The thermal and mechanical properties of the materials were evaluated by TGA and dynamic mechanical analysis. The flame retardant properties were elucidated via limiting oxygen index (LOI). The toughness properties were expressed by bending tests. The results showed that the Yc for PBzD1 and PBzD2 were approximately 22.2% and 24%, respectively, distinctively higher than the value 2.57% of pristine polybenzoxazine PBz1, at 800 °C in N2 atmosphere. The Tgs of PBzD1 and PBzD2 distinctly increased by 42.8 °C and 20 °C, respectively, in comparison to −35 °C for pristine PBz1. The LOI values of PBzD1 and PBzD2 were 28.5 and 31, respectively. The length and weight-loss of PBzD1 and PBzD2 samples were significantly less than that of PBz1 when they were burned in the air environmental condition. The burning behavior demonstrated that the flame retardant properties was obviously improved as DOPO was introduced. All of the three specimens of PBz1, PBzD1 and PBzD2 presented excellent flexible property.
Optimization of ultrasonic vibration assisted friction stir process to improve mechanical properties of AA7075-nano B4C surface composite
Authors: Swathi I Bhavya , Raju L Suvarna , Rao K Venkata
Published: May 2022

Ultrasonic Vibration assisted Friction Stir Processing is one of the advanced surface modification techniques developed for ductile materials like aluminium to improve their surface properties. The present study is aimed to improve mechanical properties of the AA7075-T651 surface composite by reinforcing the nano B4C particles with optimum working condition. Experiments are conducted at different levels of tool rotation speed, tool processing speed and volume percentage of nano B4C particles with and without ultrasonic vibrations and the experimental results for ultimate tensile strength, impact strength, yield strength, percentage of elongation and hardness are measured. Jaya Algorithm (JA) is used and found best optimum condition such as 1112 r/min of tool rotational speed, 43.96 mm/min of tool traverse speed and 4.02 vol % of B4C nano particles. Mechanical properties and microstructure are investigated using optical Microscope, Field emission scanning electron microscope and Transmission electron microscopy analysis. A fine grain structure and uniform distribution of reinforcement are found in the matrix with the ultrasonic vibrations and the mechanical properties of the AA7075 alloy are improved. The microstructure of the surface composite is correlated with the mechanical properties.
Librarians’ support in improving health literacy: A systematic literature review
Authors: Vassilakaki Evgenia , Moniarou-Papaconstaninou Valentini
Published: May 2022

The last couple of decades health literacy has gained significant momentum among the issues listed as priority within the public health sphere. In addition, the advances of Information and Communications Technology, the adoption of digital technology to perform basic tasks in our daily lives and thus the re-orientation of health care has led to the introduction of e-health literacy and digital health literacy. Hence, different groups of users needs to develop and acquire the additional digital skills and competences to search, retrieve, access and use health information. This study aims to review the literature concerning librarians’ involvement in health literacy that published between 2010 and 2020 using the principles of systematic literature review. Specifically, search terms such as “health literacy,” “information professional/s,” “librarian/s,” and “library” were run on ACM Digital Library, Scopus, Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA), Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA), Citeseer, Google Scholar, e-prints in Library and Information Science (e-LiS), Digital Library of Information Science and Technology (DLIST), PubMed and Science Direct. The searches were performed during October–November 2020 and were repeated in January–February 2021; and after considering a series of inclusion and exclusion criteria 57 peer-reviewed papers were considered. Six broad areas of interest emerged through a thorough analysis of the identified, relevant literature namely “role of librarians in relation to health literacy development,” “user studies related to health literacy,” “health literacy programs,” “health literacy and LIS education,” “ health literacy initiatives” and “tools used by librarians in health literacy projects.” Main findings showcase that libraries as secure and trusted places can play a key role in developing and promoting health literacy to different groups; new job titles emerge for librarians (consumer health librarian, health information services librarians, health literacy librarian); whereas collaboration is a key element for developing and offering health literacy training programs to diverse group of users as well as the public.
Estimating and testing the influence of early diagnosis on cancer survival via point effects of diagnoses and treatments
Authors: Wang Xiaoqin , Blom Johannes , Ye Weimin , Yin Li
Published: May 2022

A cancer diagnosis is part of a complex stochastic process, which involves patient's characteristics, diagnosing methods, an initial assessment of cancer progression, treatments and a certain outcome of interest. To evaluate the performance of diagnoses, one needs not only a consistent estimation of the causal effect under a specified regime of diagnoses and treatments but also reliable confidence interval, P-value and hypothesis testing of the causal effect. In this article, we identify causal effects under various regimes of diagnoses and treatments by the point effects of diagnoses and treatments and thus are able to estimate and test these causal effects by estimating and testing point effects in the familiar framework of single-point causal inference. Specifically, using data from a Swedish prognosis study of stomach cancer, we estimate and test the causal effects on cancer survival under various regimes of diagnosing and treating hospitals including the optimal regime. We also estimate and test the modification of the causal effect by age. With its simple setting, one can readily extend the example to a large variety of settings in the area of cancer diagnosis: different personal characteristics such as family history, different diagnosing procedures such as multistage screening, and different cancer outcomes such as cancer progression.
Connecting the Dots: Linking Entrepreneurial Leadership and Strategic Agility towards SME Competitiveness
Authors: Sari Synthia Atas , Ahmad Noor Hazlina
Published: May 2022

This study attempted to investigate the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through strategic agility in the context of a developing nation. As SMEs are currently operating in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous business landscape, enhancing strategic agility and the competitiveness of SMEs are highly pivotal. The study examined the integrative relationships between the individual, the firm and institutional factors in explaining SMEs competitiveness. This study specifically conjectured that entrepreneurial leadership and government support could influence SMEs’ strategic agility and competitiveness. Data collected from 190 SMEs in Indonesia were subjected to partial least square (PLS) analysis using Smart-PLS version 3.0. The findings showed that entrepreneurial leadership and government support significantly influenced the strategic agility of SMEs that subsequently enhanced their competitiveness. Thus, this study will be beneficial to policymakers, managers and owner of SMEs to focus on empowering SME leaders who have entrepreneurial traits and behaviours that can explicitly address the values of government support that are most needed for SMEs as well as transform challenge into business opportunity to win competition.
Comparing Variations in Advance Directives Timing among Older Adults with End-Stage Renal Disease versus Cancer
Authors: Wang Yu-Hsuan , Enguidanos Susan
Published: May 2022

Background: Having an advance directive (AD) is associated with better care at end of life and better quality of death. However, AD completion rates among End-Stage Renal Disease patients are lower than among cancer patients. ESRD patients commonly experience cognitive impairment, reducing their ability to make their own care choices as their disease progresses. Thus, having an AD earlier in the disease trajectory is important. Little is known about differences in AD completion timing among ESRD and cancer patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to (1) investigate difference in AD completion and timing between ESRD and cancer patients; and, (2) identify factors associated with the early and late AD completion. Setting and Participants: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Data was drawn from the Health and Retirement Study, a United States representative longitudinal survey of older adults, using exit interviews conducted from 2006 to 2016 among 1886 proxy reporters of deceased participants with ESRD or cancer. Results: ESRD patients had lower rates of AD completion compared to those with cancer. Higher education and being older were negatively associated with late AD completion in the last 3 months of life. Additionally, decedents with a diagnosis of ESRD, older age, and with higher education had higher odds of completing ADs one year or more before death. Discussions/Conclusions: While ESRD patient were less likely to have ADs, those that had ADS were more likely than cancer patients to develop ADs earlier in the disease trajectory. Further studies are needed to determine effective strategies to increase the AD completion rate among patients with ESRD.
Vibration suppression and energy absorption of plates in subsonic airflow using an energy harvester enhanced nonlinear energy sink
Authors: Yao Guo , Qiao Yu
Published: May 2022

In this paper, a nonlinear energy sink (NES) and a giant magnetostrictive-piezoelectric (GMP) energy harvester (NES-GMP) are investigated to suppress the nonlinear aeroelastic responses and to absorb the mechanical energy of an embedded plate interacting with external subsonic airflow. The analytical model of the embedded plate attaching the NES-GMP is established by using the Hamilton’s principle based on the Kirchhoff plate theory and incompressible subsonic aerodynamic model. The natural frequencies of the plate with the NES-GMP and with the NES are analyzed by solving the generalized eigenvalue problems. The global amplitude-frequency responses of the pure plate, the plate with NES, and the plate with NES-GMP are compared to show the vibration suppression effects of the proposed method. Based on the energy analysis, the energy transfer mechanisms of the plate with the NES-GMP are studied. The results reveal that the input energy of the NES-GMP converts into the strain energy by the Terfenol-D layer and then transforms into the electric energy by the piezoelectric layer. Furthermore, numerical simulations also indicate that the maximum harvested energy is obtained when the airflow velocity approaches the critical divergence flow velocity of the plate, and the most effective harvesting installation position is in a specific annular region near the edge of the plate.
Experimental investigations on the semi-active control of a valve-driven secondary lateral damper for a high-speed rail vehicle
Authors: Wu Yi , Gan Feng , Shi Huailong , Zeng Jing , Chen Chunpeng , Feng Yonghua
Published: May 2022

Passive suspensions cannot sufficiently reduce vehicle vibrations on tracks with poor irregularities or when the vehicle was operated at higher speeds. This study proposes three semi-active control algorithms for a secondary lateral damper to enable the vehicle to be operated on high-speed dedicated railways at 350 km/h and conventional low-speed railways at 160 km/h. A high-speed rail vehicle dynamics model with controllable dampers is built to study the feasibility of those algorithms through numerical investigations. Then, both field tests on track and lab tests on a full-scale roller rig were performed to examine the functionality of the controller hardware system and the valve-driven semi-active damper. Furtherly, a time-delay compensation based on the signal amplitude is developed and verified. Results from the on-track and roller rig tests state that the proposed semi-active control algorithms and the designed control system can effectively improve the ride quality of the vehicle when it is put into operation in different track conditions and at various speeds.
Dialogue with The Life of the Mind
Authors: Zadeh Sophie , Zittoun Tania , Markova Ivana , Coultas Clare , Cabra Martina
Published: May 2022

The Life of the Mind is an intriguing unfinished book written by Hannah Arendt, known as a political philosopher, at the very end of her life in 1975. We devote this Special Issue of Culture & Psychology to this work, because we are convinced that it raises interesting and important questions for social and cultural psychology today. In this Introduction to the Special Issue, we first explain why we believe that this book deserves closer attention. Second, we present the context of its publication, and a short biography of Arendt, to show its position in her life. Published posthumously, the book was her last project, yet it is based on some of her lifelong concerns. Third, we summarise Arendt’s ideas about the psyche, and the main three faculties of mind – thinking, willing and judging – with which the book is concerned. We then address three difficulties the book raises for psychologists reading her work. Finally, we explain the context in which we developed this Special Issue, and summarise the topics that will be addressed in the papers assembled here.
Adherence to social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic in Italy: The role of autonomous motivation and defiance
Authors: Magrin Maria Elena , Guarischi Marta , Liga Francesca , Nicolotti Matilde , Pielich Ilenia
Published: May 2022

To maintain social distancing in the long term, in the current COVID-19 scenario, people’s motivation must be strong and of high quality. Many governments adopted measures enforcing social distancing. Enforcement, however, can produce feelings of defiance and backfiring effects. The present work aims at investigating the relationship between autonomous motivation and intentions to maintain social distancing, through adherence to recommendations and feelings of defiance. A sample of 502 Italian residents, from different parts of Italy, completed an online survey assessing their present behavior, levels of autonomous motivation and feelings of defiance, as well as intentions to observe social distancing in the short and long term. Results support the hypotheses that autonomous motivation is related to stronger intentions to maintain social distancing, particularly in the long term, and that feelings of defiance mediate this relationship. These results underline importance of promoting understanding and internalizing reasons for social distancing, beyond norms.
Dynamic behavior analysis of spiral bevel gears of helicopter’s intermediate reducer with vibration error and lubrication
Authors: Cao Xuechen , Lu Fengxia , Bao Heyun , Zhu Rupeng
Published: May 2022

In the dynamic simulation of spiral bevel gears (SBGs), the modeling and contact analysis of the SBGs are extremely complicated; therefore, dynamic analysis of the SBGs generally simplifies the SBG model. The vibration in the meshing process will cause the meshing trajectory to deviate, resulting in changes in the meshing stiffness, oil film thickness, and load distribution between teeth. These changes cannot be realized using simplified models. To accurately calculate the dynamic behavior of the SBG pair of the intermediate reducer of a helicopter under the influence of vibration displacement, a load-tooth contact analysis(LTCA) of the SBG with error was performed based on the finite element method(FEM) and gear meshing principle. A calculation method for the meshing stiffness, considering the errors and elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) factors, is proposed. To establish the coupling nonlinear dynamic model of the tail drive thin-walled shaft Timoshenko beam element and SBG lumped mass methods, applied the Newmark conjugate gradient method. Changes in parameters such as vibration displacement, meshing trajectory, tooth side clearance, oil film thickness, and meshing stiffness were obtained. The results show that the contact stiffness after considering the oil film stiffness is reduced by 17.7% compared to that without considering the effect of the oil film, and the oil film stiffness fluctuates more because the coupled model takes into account the vibration effect of the time-varying system, and the amplitude increases by 18.5% compared to the commercial software. The coupled kinetic model calculates the dynamic meshing force, normal relative displacement, single tooth meshing period and oil film thickness, and finds that the amplitude of the relevant parameters increases. The obtained time-varying lubrication parameters provide a theoretical basis for studying the evolution of the transmission system under the loss of lubrication.
Modelling and analysis of passenger rail vehicle for the improvement of critical speed using MR damper based semi-active suspension
Authors: Singh Sultan , Kumar Anil
Published: May 2022

Developing economies focus to enhance train speed by introducing high speed corridors and upgrading existing rail infrastructure. Higher speed has adverse impact on vehicle stability and ride comfort. Therefore, in order to improve critical speed and ride comfort magneto-rheological (MR) based dampers are used. Here, the lateral dynamics of an Indian passenger rail vehicle is expressed with 17 degrees of freedom model and after validation, it is used to examine the effect of suspension parameters such as damping and stiffness on critical speed. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is performed and it is found that critical speed is the most sensitive to secondary lateral damping coefficient. Therefore, these dampers are replaced with MR fluid dampers to evaluate improvement in stability and critical speed. The modified Bouc-Wen model is formulated to characterise the behaviour of the MR damper. Herein, two distinct controllers: disturbance refusal and damper force tracking control algorithms are employed to govern the entire system. Measured random track irregularities are applied as an input to simulate the system. The results reveal that the semi-active suspension improves the critical speed by 19.38 km/h (9.89%) when compared to the existing passive suspension, and significantly reduces the vibration responses of the carbody in a wide frequency spectrum at higher speeds of the train.
Performance evaluation of multilayered ceramic composite armors: New design and advanced predictive method
Authors: Tria Djalel Eddine , Kouadria Attef , Małachowski Jerzy , Bouteghrine Yehya , Manaa Amar
Published: May 2022

Novel body armors are designed to protect against ballistic threats in the most vulnerable organs within the thorax and abdomen. Decreasing the armor weight without affecting its total integrity after the impact is one of the most challenging tasks. In this study, we combine advanced numerical simulations and experimental tests to investigate the ballistic performance of multilayered armor systems (MAS) consisting of laminated alumina (Al2O3) ceramic plates with multi-curve form and a hybrid composite backing. The ballistic trauma absorption and ceramic fracturing morphology are considered evaluation criteria. The investigation provides enough data on the measured trauma and the results are compared to advanced monolithic ceramics. The ballistic tests showed that bonding three or two ceramic plates with polymeric interlayer decreases considerably the eroded ceramic mass in comparison to monolithic ceramic tiles. Furthermore, the layup of two thin Al2O3 tiles with frontal confinement gives the same trauma-weight index as monolithic silicon carbide and reaction-bonded boron carbide plates. The combination of K129 and KM2 aramid weave fabrics decreases the composite backing weight by 33% and increases its ballistic performance in comparison to homogeneous aramid fabrics. Numerical simulations that involve the use of solid Lagrange and adaptive solid/smooth particles hydrodynamics (SPH) numerical approaches with detailed 3D models of the bullet and the MAS are presented in this work. Based on the statistical analysis, a better prediction of the back face deformation and bullet residual length is obtained by the adaptive solid/SPH method, which is found more suitable for the simulation of multilayered armor impact scenarios.
Exploring literacy engagement in a significant disability context
Authors: Bhattacharya Usree , Pradana Wisnu A
Published: May 2022

This study tackles the question: how is literacy engagement enacted in the context of significant disability? We delve into the complex literacy practices of Kalika, a three-year-old child with Rett syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder, to elucidate how she engages with printed text. Rett syndrome leads to near total loss of verbal communication and limited functional hand use, making it particularly challenging to participate in traditionally recognized forms of literacy engagement. Using in-depth qualitative data from both in- and out-of-school settings, we conduct a micro-level analysis of Kalika’s behaviours during story time rituals. In order to bring analytic coherence to the data, we classified her modalities of literacy engagement under two broad categories: 1) kinesics, which included a) corporal (entailing full body positioning and motion), b) oral (involving contact with mouth or expression), c) oculesics (relating to eye gaze), and d) haptic (relating to hands) elements as well as 2) vocalics (pertaining to vocal tone and vocalisation). Our analysis elucidates the sophisticated, complex multimodal practices that Kalika enacts to engage with texts. For far too long, students with significant disabilities have been viewed from deficit perspectives, neglected within the literature as well as in the classroom, and thought to require additional instruction to learn how to engage with texts. We suggest that perhaps it is a question, instead, of educators and scholars learning to expand their own frames of reference.
A Story by Academic Teachers About Distance Education in the Time of Lockdown
Authors: Szwabowski Oskar , Baron-Polańczyk Eunika , Cywiński Aleksander , Gliniecka Marta , Lib Waldemar , Łuszczek Krzysztof , Marek Lidia , Perzycka Elżbieta , Walat Wojciech , Warzocha Tomasz
Published: May 2022

This article was written as part of an academic project about the autoethnographs of the times of crisis that academic teachers from several universities in Poland took part in. From the collected stories about experiencing the pandemic, we singled out the thread of distance learning. We created a multivoiced narrative and then submitted it to a collective reflection. Collective autoethnography made it possible not only to recognize changes in the thinking about the self, academic culture, and teaching itself but also to pose questions about the possibility of transformation.
Community-Based Organizations and the Sustainability of Indigenous and Latinx Educators During COVID-19: Academia Cuauhtli Case Study
Authors: Unda María Del Carmen , Shook Lauren Mena , Lizárraga-Dueñas Lizeth I.
Published: May 2022

Schools often experience rapid turnover among teachers of color. Yet research and practice highlight the importance of teachers of color in the K–12 education system. As such, school and district-level administrators, educational leaders, and students need to conceptualize and develop new approaches aimed at sustaining Indigenous and Latinx public school teachers. This case study describes a community-based organization’s efforts to support and sustain new and established Indigenous and Latinx teachers during COVID-19. Recognizing the problem with retention about 7 years ago, two university professors decided to create Academia Cuauhtli, a community-based organization in Austin, Texas. In addition to serving as a cultural and language revitalization Saturday school program for students from third to fifth grade, the space also promotes the curricular recognition of alternative epistemologies and the development of culturally relevant pedagogies that foster students’ culture, language, and funds of knowledge via teacher professional development pláticas. Since its inception in 2014, Academia Cuauhtli has been able to successfully train and sustain more than 60 public school teachers. However, COVID-19 has created a new set of challenges for teachers and, in particular, for Indigenous and Latinx teachers.
Seeing the forest and the trees: Examining the impact of aggregate measures of recidivism on meta-analytic conclusions of intervention effects
Authors: Bouchard Jessica , Wong Jennifer S.
Published: May 2022

Recidivism is a multidimensional construct that is operationalized in a variety of ways. We explored the impact of using aggregated measures of recidivism (i.e. multiple measures combined) versus disaggregated measures (i.e. defined specifically as parole violation, arrest, conviction, incarceration) in meta-analytic analyses of correctional intervention effectiveness. Using a sample of 20 meta-analyses, we compared within-study findings between aggregated and disaggregated measures. Over half (60%) of the studies differed with respect to the statistical significance of their aggregated versus disaggregated findings, suggesting that aggregated measures of recidivism may give an incomplete picture of treatment effectiveness. Disaggregating measures of recidivism in meta-analysis is recommended for a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of intervention approaches. Policy implications are discussed.
Non-Financial Enterprise Financialization, Product Market Competition, and Total Factor Productivity of Enterprises
Authors: Miao Long , Zhuo Yue , Wang Haojun , Lyu Bei
Published: May 2022

At present, two big challenges have struck China’s economic development: economic containment “from the real to the virtual” and accomplishment in the goal of high-quality economic development. Taking China’s A-share public manufacturing enterprises from 2007 to 2020 as samples, this paper empirically analyzes the relationships among product market competition, non-financial enterprise financialization, and total factor productivity of enterprises. It is found that non-financial enterprise financialization significantly lowers down the total factor productivity of enterprises, that is, the total factor productivity of enterprises will drop by 1.7% as the non-financial enterprise financialization rises by 1 SD every time. After external regulation effects of product market competition are further taken into account, the furious product market competition, on the whole, mitigates the negative influences of non-financial enterprise financialization on total factor productivity of enterprises by strengthening the role of non-financial enterprise financialization as a “reservoir” and abating the “crowding-out” effect. Therefore, competition promotion policies combined with funds moving “from the virtual to the real” could more effectively elevate the enterprise productivity.
The Legacy of Nelson Werneck Sodré
Authors: Schincariol Vitor Eduardo
Published: May 2022

Nelson W. Sodré was one of the main Brazilian intellectuals of the last century, with a broad range of concerns—historical, economic, social, and cultural. Despite his focus on Brazilian history, Sodré’s work can also be regarded as having a broader interest for the so-called peripheral, neocolonial, or simply underdeveloped nations. Much of Sodré’s work can be considered an important cultural legacy and deserves to be revisited, given its ongoing relevance in many aspects, among them: his analysis of the nature of colonial economies and their superstructural manifestations; his effort to adapt Marxism to the study of colonial and neocolonial nations and his stress on the necessity of achieving intellectual independence in the periphery; and his definition of the “people” in Brazil. Despite limitations of some of Sodré’s research hypotheses, he will be remembered not only as a great Brazilian historian but also as a great example of struggles for social emancipation.
Treatment-free remission after ceasing venetoclax-based therapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Chua Chong Chyn , Hammond Danielle , Kent Andrew , Tiong Ing Soo , Konopleva Marina Y. , Pollyea Daniel A. , DiNardo Courtney D. , Wei Andrew H.
Published: May 2022

The clinical benefit of adding venetoclax (VEN) to hypomethylating agents or low-dose cytarabine in older and/or unfit patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been confirmed in phase 3 studies. With the increased uptake of VEN-based therapies for patients with AML, a pertinent question is whether treatment can be safely ceased among patients who have achieved sustained remission. We hypothesized that a proportion of patients opting to cease therapy may benefit from a treatment-free remission (TFR) period without indefinite treatment. We report the retrospective outcomes of 29 patients in remission for a minimum of 12 months on VEN-based therapy, with 55% continuing therapy until disease progression and 45% electively ceasing treatment (STOP). With follow-up exceeding 5 years, we observed a median TFR lasting 45.8 months among the STOP cohort, with >50% of patients still in sustained remission at the data cutoff. The risk of relapse and duration of relapse-free and overall survival were similar between the 2 cohorts. Factors favoring sustained TFR within the cohort included NPM1 and/or IDH2 mutation at diagnosis, complete remission without measurable residual disease, and at least 12 months of VEN-based combination therapy prior to treatment cessation.
Fifteen complete chloroplast genomes of Trapa species (Trapaceae): insight into genome structure, comparative analysis and phylogenetic relationships
Authors: Fan Xiangrong , Wang Wuchao , Wagutu Godfrey K. , Li Wei , Li Xiuling , Chen Yuanyuan
Published: May 2022

Background

Trapa L. is a floating-leaved aquatic plant with important economic and ecological values. However, the species identification and phylogenetic relationship within Trapa are still controversial, which necessitates the need for plastid genome information of Trapa. In this study, complete chloroplast genomes of 13 Trapa species/taxa were sequenced and annotated. Combined with released sequences, comparative analyses of chloroplast genomes were performed on the 15 Trapa species/taxa for the first time.

Results

The Trapa chloroplast genomes exhibited typical quadripartite structures with lengths from 155,453 to 155,559 bp. The gene orders and contents within Trapa were conservative, but several changes were found in the microstructure. The intron loss of rpl2, also detected in Lythraceae, was found in all Trapa species/taxa, suggesting close genetic relationship between Lythraceae and Trapaceae. Notably, two small-seed species (T. incisa and T. maximowiczii) showed the smallest genome size with 155,453 and 155,477 bp, respectively. Each cp genome contained the same 130 genes consisting of 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. Trapa species/taxa showed 37 (T. incisa and T. maximowiczii) to 41 (T. sibirica) long repeats, including forward, palindromic, reversed and complementary repeats. There were 110 (T. quadrispinosa) to 123 (T. incisa and T. maximowiczii) SSR (simple sequence repeat) loci in Trapa chloroplast genomes. Comparative analyses revealed that two hotspot regions (atpA—atpF and rps2—rpoC2) in Trapa chloroplast genomes could be served as potential molecular markers. Three phylogenetic analyses (ML, MP and BI) consistently showed that there were two clusters within Trapa, including large- and small-seed species/taxa, respectively; for the large-seed Trapa, they clustered according to their geographical origin and tubercle morphology on the surface of seeds.

Conclusion

In summary, we have acquired the sequences of 13 Trapa chloroplast genomes, and performed the comparative analyses within Trapa for the first time. The results have helped us better identify the Trapa species/taxa and deepen the understanding of genetic basis and phylogenetic relationship of Trapa, which will facilitate the effective management and utilization of the important genetic resources in the future.
RAD-seq as an effective strategy for heterogenous variety identification in plants—a case study in Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)
Authors: Yu Qingqing , Ling Yao , Xiong Yanli , Zhao Wenda , Xiong Yi , Dong Zhixiao , Yang Jian , Zhao Junming , Zhang Xinquan , Ma Xiao
Published: May 2022

The primary approach for variety distinction in Italian ryegrass is currently the DUS (distinctness, uniformity and stability) test based on phenotypic traits. Considering the diverse genetic background within the population and the complexity of the environment, however, it is challenging to accurately distinguish varieties based on DUS criteria alone. In this study, we proposed the application of high-throughput RAD-seq to distinguish 11 Italian ryegrass varieties with three bulks of 50 individuals per variety. Our findings revealed significant differences among the 11 tested varieties. The PCA, DAPC and STRUCTURE analysis indicated a heterogeneous genetic background for all of them, and the AMOVA analysis also showed large genetic variance among these varieties (ΦST = 0.373), which were clearly distinguished based on phylogenetic analysis. Further nucleotide diversity (Pi) analysis showed that the variety ‘Changjiang No.2’ had the best intra-variety consistency among 11 tested varieties. Our findings suggest that the RAD-seq could be an effectively alternative method for the variety distinction of Italian ryegrass, as well as a potential tool for open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) of other allogamous species.
Assessment of the appropriateness of cardiovascular preventive medication in older people: using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method
Authors: van der Ploeg Milly A. , Poortvliet Rosalinde K. E. , Achterberg Wilco P. , Mooijaart Simon P. , Gussekloo Jacobijn , Drewes Yvonne M.
Published: May 2022

Background

In clinical practice and science, there is debate for which older adults the benefits of cardiovascular preventive medications (CPM) still outweigh the risks in older age. Therefore, we aimed to assess how various clinical characteristics influence the judgement of appropriateness of CPM in older adults.

Method

We assessed the appropriateness of CPM for adults ≥75 years with regard to clinical characteristics (cardiovascular variables, complexity of health problems, age, side effects and life expectancy) using the RAND/ University of California at Los Angeles Appropriateness Method. A multidisciplinary panel, including 11 medical professionals and 3 older representatives of the target population, received an up-to-date overview of the literature. Using 9-point Likert scales (1 = extremely inappropriate; 9 = extremely appropriate), they assessed the appropriateness of starting and stopping cholesterol lowering medication, antihypertensives and platelet aggregation inhibitors, for various theoretical clinical scenarios. There were two rating rounds, with one face-to-face discussion in between. The overall appropriateness judgments were based on the median panel ratings of the second round and level of disagreement.

Results

The panelists emphasized the importance of the individual context of the patient for appropriateness of CPM. They judged that in general, a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease strongly adds to the appropriateness of CPM, while increasing complexity of health problems, presence of hindering or severe side effects, and life expectancy < 1 year all contribute to the inappropriateness of CPM. Age had only minor influence on the appropriateness judgments. The appropriateness judgments were different for the three types of CPM. The literature, time-to-benefit, remaining life expectancy, number needed to treat, and quality of life, were major themes in the panel discussions. The considerations to stop CPM were different from the considerations not to start CPM.

Conclusion

Next to the patients’ individual context, which was considered decisive in the final decision to start or stop CPM, there were general trends of how clinical characteristics influenced the appropriateness, according to the multidisciplinary panel. The decision to stop, and not start CPM, appeared to be two distinct concepts. Results of this study may be used in efforts to support clinical decision making about CPM in older adults.
Calcitriol supplementation accelerates the recovery of patients with tuberculosis who have vitamin D deficiency: a randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Wen Youli , Li Lian , Deng Zhiping
Published: May 2022

Background

This study aimed to evaluate whether calcitriol supplementation enhances CD4+ T cell count and prognosis in patients with tuberculosis and low 25(OH)D levels.

Methods

This randomized controlled clinical trial enrolled treatment-naïve patients with tuberculosis admitted to Zigong First People’s Hospital (June 2016 to April 2017). The patients were grouped as the serum 25(OH)D ≥ 75 nmol/L (Normal-25(OH)D) and 25(OH)D < 75 nmol/L (Low-25(OH)D) groups. The Low-Vit-D group was randomized to the Low-25(OH)D and Low-25(OH)D-Calcitriol groups. All patients were treated with the 2HRZE/4HR regimen. The patients in the Low-25(OH)D-Calcitriol group received calcitriol 0.25 µg bid. The main endpoints were CD4+ T cell count during treatment, time to sputum culture conversion, time to 50% lesion absorption, and a 6-month cure rate.

Results

This study included 30 patients in each group. Baseline 25-(OH) D levels and CD4+ T cell counts were higher in the Normal-25(OH)D group than in the Low-25(OH)D and Low-25(OH)D-Calcitriol groups (25(OH)D: 79.3 ± 3.4 vs. 37.8 ± 13.4 vs. 11.9 nmol/L, P < 0.05; 671 ± 287 vs. 200 ± 110 vs. 194 ± 119 cell/µL, P < 0.05). 25-(OH) D levels and CD4+ T cell counts increased in the Low-25(OH)D-Calcitriol group during treatment to reach higher levels than in the Low-25(OH)D group at 1, 4, 8, and 24 weeks (all P < 0.05). Compared with the Low-25(OH)D group, the Low-25(OH)D-Calcitriol group showed shorter time to sputum culture conversion (3.2 ± 1.4 vs. 5.9 ± 2.5 days, P < 0.001) and time to 50% lesion absorption (7.4 ± 1.5 vs. 10.9 ± 4.0 days, P = 0.014) and similar to those in the Normal-25(OH)D group (3.1 ± 1.2 and 7.3 ± 1.5 days, respectively. The cure rate was 86.7% in the Low-25(OH)D group and 96.7% in the two other groups.

Conclusions

Calcitriol supplementation can elevate CD4+ T cell levels, shorten the time to sputum culture conversion, and accelerate lesion absorption in patients with tuberculosis and 25(OH)D deficiency.

Trial registration The study is registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000039832)
The impact of multidisciplinary pre-dialysis care on the outcomes of incident peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Wang I-Kuan , Yu Tung-Min , Yen Tzung-Hai , Yip Hei-Tung , Lai Ping-Chin , Li Chi-Yuan , Sun Kuo-Ting , Sung Fung-Chang
Published: May 2022

Background

This study aims to evaluate the impact of multidisciplinary pre-dialysis care (MDPC) on the risks of peritonitis, technique failure and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods

Incident end-stage kidney disease patients who received peritoneal dialysis (PD) for more than 90 days were recruited in this study from 1 January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2018. Patients were classified into two groups, the MDPC group and the control group, that received the usual care by nephrologists. Risks of the first episode of peritonitis, technique failure and mortality were compared between the two groups.

Results

There were 126 patients under the usual care and 546 patients under the MDPC. Patients in the MDPC group initiated dialysis earlier than those in the non-MDPC group. There was no significant difference between these two groups in time to the first episode of peritonitis. Compared to the non-MDPC group, the MDPC group was at similar risks of technique failure (adjusted HR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.64–1.15) and mortality (adjusted HR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.42–1.02). Among patients with diabetes, the risk of mortality was significantly reduced in the MDPC group with an adjusted HR of 0.45 (95% CI = 0.25–0.80).

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in time to develop the first episode of peritonitis, and risks of technique failure and mortality between these two groups. Diabetic PD patients under MDPC had a lower risk of mortality than those under the usual care.
The moderating role of partners’ education on early antenatal care in northern Ghana
Authors: Apanga Paschal Awingura , Kumbeni Maxwell Tii , Sakeah James Kotuah , Olagoke Ayokunle A. , Ajumobi Olufemi
Published: May 2022

Background

Early antenatal care (ANC) is essential for improving maternal and child health outcomes. The primary aims of this study were to 1) estimate the association between partners’ education attainment and early ANC, and 2) determine whether partners’ level of education modified the relationship between mothers’ education, mothers’ age, planned pregnancy, employment status and early ANC.

Methods

Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study conducted from April to May 2021 among 519 mothers with a live birth in the past year in the Nabdam district in the Upper East Region in northern Ghana. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess whether partners’ level of education modified the relationship between mothers’ education, mothers’ age, planned pregnancy, employment status and early ANC. Effect modification was assessed on the additive and multiplicative scales using adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Mothers whose partners had secondary or higher education had a 26% higher prevalence of early ANC compared to mothers whose partners had less than a secondary level of education (aPR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.05,1.51). There was evidence of effect modification by partners’ education on the relationship between planned pregnancy and early ANC on both the additive (Relative excess risk due to interaction [RERI]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.07,0.99), and multiplicative (ratio of PRs: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.01,2.70) scales. Among mothers whose partners had less than secondary education, mothers who had teenage pregnancy (i.e., aged 18–19 years old during pregnancy) were less likely to have early ANC compared to those who did not have teenage pregnancy (aPR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53,0.97). Among mothers whose partners had a secondary or higher education, early ANC was more prevalent among employed mothers compared to those who were unemployed (aPR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.02,1.57).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that whilst mothers whose partners had a secondary or higher education were more likely to initiate early ANC, supporting such women to plan their pregnancies can further increase the coverage of early ANC.