bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Bayesian network and genetic algorithm enhanced Monte Carlo method in urban transportation infrastructure investment
Authors: Wang Maojiao , Yu Shanchuan
Published: January 2025

Traditional urban transportation infrastructure investment evaluation methods cannot fully consider future uncertainties and complex environmental factors, which affect resource allocation and decision-making accuracy. In order to optimize investment decision-making, this research aims to integrate Bayesian networks, genetic algorithms, and Monte Carlo methods to propose a more flexible and accurate investment evaluation method. By combining conditional probability modeling, optimization function, and randomness simulation, we strive to realize the scientific and rational decision-making of urban transportation infrastructure investment. In this paper, a Bayesian network of transportation infrastructure investment risk is constructed. Variable nodes and logical relationships are accurately defined, and a conditional probability table is formed to model uncertainty. The investment portfolio is optimized by genetic algorithm, and the fitness function and iterative selection are set to screen out the optimal solution. Monte Carlo simulation technology is used to verify the robustness of the optimization solution and conduct multiple random experiments. Combining these three, an optimization model is formed that can efficiently evaluate investment decisions and improve the accuracy and adaptability of results. The experimental results show that at a 95% confidence level, the VaR (value at risk), and CVaR (conditional value at risk) values of the vehicle-kilometer service fee method are 32.4512 million yuan and 89.1234 million yuan, respectively, which are significantly better than the 410.2392 million yuan and 691.5735 million yuan of the agreement ticket price law. At the same time, the standard deviation rate of the IRR (internal rate of return) of the vehicle-kilometer service fee method is 0.1548, and the probability that the IRR is not lower than the social average return is 95.49%. The potential return is higher; the risk management and stability are better; it is more suitable for decision makers who pursue stable returns. The study shows that the enhanced Monte Carlo method in this paper not only provides effective theoretical support and technical means for the investment evaluation of urban transportation infrastructure.
Motivations for paying regard to children’s right in relation to democracy and education: An analysis of Swedish and Italian policy investigations
Authors: Montà Chiara Carla , Bianchi Daniela , Edling Silvia , Biffi Elisabetta
Published: January 2025

Approaches to human and children’s right are in many European countries politically interlinked with human rights and democracy. Human rights are considered as an essential ethical tool to secure sustainable democracies through enhancing cultures where people protect the rights of others. However, the relationship between rights and democracy in education remains elusive. This paper addresses this gap by conducting a comparative analysis of the most recent political investigations on children’s right in Sweden and Italy, two countries with distinct cultural and political landscapes. The study employs a methodology of comparison and thematic content analysis to unravel themes on democracy and children’s right in policy documents. The paper contributes to the field by pioneering an international comparative analysis of these themes, shedding light on the nuanced approaches in the Italian and Swedish contexts. The findings reveal multifaceted themes emphasizing democracy as foundational to recognizing and upholding children’s rights. Both countries exhibit a commitment to democracy as a safeguard for children’s rights, yet challenges persist in translating formal recognition into active participation, highlighting the need for a pedagogical shift in perceiving children as active contributors to democratic processes.
An approach to automating the construction of 3D girihs (3D Islamic geometric patterns) on NURBS surfaces
Authors: Azizi Naserabad Ali , Ghanbaran Abdulhamid
Published: January 2025

Islamic geometric patterns known as “girihs” are typically seen as 2D designs. However, in traditional Iranian architecture, girihs have been used to decorate curved and 3D surfaces. While there have been many studies on 2D girihs and methods for creating them, there has been less focus on 3D girihs. Additionally, there isn’t a comprehensive digital technique for constructing 3D girihs. This paper aims to fill this gap by proposing an automated approach for constructing girihs on curved surfaces to create 3D girihs. We use the UV coordinate relative to the NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline) surfaces to identify the corresponding generative points of 2D girihs on 3D surfaces, then connect the points to construct 3D girihs. With this method, any geometric girih can be mapped onto a 3D surface, and under the right conditions, any 2D designs and motifs can also be mapped. We implement the proposed method in Grasshopper for Rhino 8 for Win, controlling the density and mapping quality of 3D girihs through parameters NMU and DL. By integrating this algorithm with a 2D girih generation algorithm, we provide the possibility of real-time customization and interactive construction of 3D girihs.
Live Music for Mental Health: A Pilot Study of How Concerts Influence Mental Health Stigma, Empathy, and Resource Utilization
Authors: Golden Tasha L. , Sandu Clara C. , Edwards Emily E.
Published: January 2025

Mental illness, affecting one in eight people worldwide, is often exacerbated by stigma—which can result in self-stigmatization, isolation, and loneliness and negatively impact access to health care, education, and social connection. Previous research has found that stigma is best reduced through a combination of education about the stigmatized population and intentional contact with individuals from that population. Studies also note the benefits of community-based, culturally-relevant interventions and cultural experiences such as live music. Thus, this study posited that community-centered sources of contact and education, such as live music concerts, could offer effective, sustainable opportunities to reduce stigma and increase empathy about mental illness. To explore this approach, researchers evaluated Sound Mind Live’s “Road to Recovery” (RtR) program, which addresses mental health stigma by training musicians to discuss the topic from stage, and by providing concert attendees with resources to improve education, awareness, and access to mental health supports. This pilot study evaluated RtR’s impacts on stigma, empathy, knowledge, and actions related to mental illness. Using a pre-/post-survey design at two concerts in New York City, researchers measured changes in participants’ attitudes, behaviors, and understanding of mental health issues. Findings indicate that concert attendance reduced stigma and negative behavioral assumptions related to mental illness, increased affective empathy, improved knowledge about mental illness, and increased attendees’ likelihood of seeking support. This study informs further use of community-based arts experiences to address stigma, cultivate empathy and social connection, and improve care access.
Concurrent validity of single- and dual-beam timing systems for linear and change of direction speed testing in youth soccer players
Authors: Skala Filip , Horníková Henrieta , Vrablanský Marek , Zemková Erika
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the concurrent validity of the Sportreact single-beam timing system with a standard dual-beam system for the evaluation of linear and change of direction speed. Forty-two youth soccer players (age = 12.9 ± 1.1 years) performed linear sprints (10 and 30 m splits) and 505 Agility Test. The times were measured by both systems simultaneously. The single-beam timing system was set at a height of 64 cm from the ground, while the dual-beam system was set at 67 and 90 cm for the lower and upper beam, respectively. The results showed very high intraclass correlation coefficients for the 10 m sprint (ICC (95% CI); 0.95 (0.93–0.98)), 30 m sprint (0.99 (0.98–0.99)), and 505 Agility Test (0.98 (0.98–0.99)), with a low typical error of estimates (TEEs (%) = 2.16%, 1.12%, and 1.05%, respectively). However, TEE of 0.046 s in the 10 m sprint test overlapped the smallest worthwhile change (≈0.030 s). Bland-Altman analyses showed 95% LoA ranging from −0.086 to 0.093 s for the 10 m sprint, −0.115 to 0.106 s for the 30 m sprint, and −0.055 to 0.049 for 505 agility tests. The Sportreact single-beam timing system provides a useful tool for linear sprint (≥30 m) and change of direction speed tests only when considering heterogeneous groups but not individual athletes. However, this system should not be used interchangeably with a dual-beam systems for the assessment of linear and change of direction sprint tests in youth team sport players.
A multi-country cohort database study to assess pregnancy and infant outcomes after potential maternal or paternal exposure to cladribine tablets in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: the CLEAR study methods and status update
Authors: Hellwig Kerstin , Magyari Melinda , MacDonald Thomas M. , Cesta Carolyn E. , Wergeland Stig , Leinonen Maarit K. , Ornoy Asher , Vukusic Sandra , Lauer Alexandra , Zhou Xiaolei , Kawai Alison , Weinrib Rachel , Arana Alejandro , Boumenna Tahani
Published: January 2025

Background:

Cladribine tablets are contraindicated during pregnancy; therefore, safety data on pregnancies exposed to this treatment are limited. CLEAR collects and describes pregnancy outcomes in this understudied population.

Objectives:

To describe the main features of the CLEAR study design, including the data sources and the methodological approach, and provide a status update.

Design:

CLEAR is a non-interventional, multi-database, comparative cohort study. Four cohorts are included: pregnancies of women with multiple sclerosis (MS) exposed to cladribine tablets (maternal cohort exposed); pregnancies of women with MS unexposed to any disease-modifying therapy (DMT; maternal cohort unexposed); pregnancies fathered by men with MS exposed to cladribine tablets; and pregnancies fathered by men with MS unexposed to any DMT.

Methods:

A staggered methodological approach, using data from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Scotland, and Sweden, will be applied to analyze the occurrence of major congenital anomalies (primary outcome) and selected pregnancy outcomes. The first interim analysis (performed using German pregnancy cohorts) was conducted when ⩾75 pregnant women (including 25 women from the maternal cohort exposed) were cumulatively reached across all participating countries. The end of the study period will be established once pregnancy counts reach 149 in the maternal cohort exposed and 298 in the maternal cohort unexposed in all countries combined, or 5 years after pregnancy counts are first assessed (whichever occurs first).

Results:

As of January 2024, data on pregnancies of women exposed to cladribine tablets ( n = 28–36 (numbers are approximate due to masking of some counts)), and pregnancies of women unexposed to cladribine tablets ( n = 2834) were available from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Scotland, and Sweden.

Conclusion:

The CLEAR study, using a staggered methodological approach, aims to provide further insight into the safety outcome data for cladribine tablets in pregnant women, as a regulatory commitment with the European Medicines Agency.

Trial registration:

EU PAS Register number, EUPAS25027.
Continuous, subcutaneous apomorphine infusion for Parkinson disease motor fluctuations: Results from the phase 3, long-term, open-label United States InfusON study
Authors: Isaacson Stuart H , Espay Alberto J , Pahwa Rajesh , Agarwal Pinky , Shill Holly A , Hui Jennifer , Dashtipour Khashayar , Lew Mark , Qin Peibing , Formella Andrea E , Ceresoli-Borroni Gianpiera , LeWitt Peter A ,   on behalf of the InfusON Study Group
Published: January 2025

Background

Continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion (CSAI) has been used globally since the 1980s for Parkinson disease (PD) motor fluctuations but has not been available in the United States (US).

Objective

Evaluate CSAI for motor fluctuations in the US setting.

Methods

This open-label study (NCT02339064) enrolled patients with PD experiencing ≥3 hours (h) daily OFF time despite optimized levodopa and current/prior use of at least one other adjunctive therapy. CSAI was initiated with a 1–2 mg bolus followed by 1 mg/h infusion titrated to optimal efficacy and tolerability. Following titration, patients entered a 52-week maintenance period.

Results

Of 99 patients treated, 85 completed the titration period, 69 completed maintenance week 12 and 48 completed maintenance week 52. Common treatment-related adverse events included infusion site nodules and erythema, dyskinesia, nausea, and somnolence, each of which occurred more frequently during the titration period. Reduction in OFF time began at CSAI initiation and reached a mean of 3.0 ± 3.18 h/day by maintenance week 12 (primary efficacy endpoint), with a corresponding increase in Good ON time of 3.1 ± 3.35 h/day. By maintenance week 12, 68% of patients rated themselves as much or very much improved, 62% had at least a 2-h reduction in daily OFF time, and mean concomitant oral levodopa and levodopa equivalent doses (excluding CSAI) had been reduced by 198 mg/day and 283 mg/day, respectively. Improvements were maintained through week 52.

Conclusions

This study supports the clinical utility of CSAI to reduce OFF time and increase Good ON time in patients with motor fluctuations inadequately controlled with oral therapy.
Accumulation, extraction, purification, and antioxidants characteristics of proanthocyanidins from Chinese dwarf cherry (Cerasus humilis)
Authors: Li Ping , Zhang Yushi , Li Zongshuo , Li Weidong
Published: January 2025

Background

Cerasus humilis is rich in proanthocyanidins (PAs), which confer antioxidant activity. However, little is known about PAs in C. humilis fruits.

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the accumulation characteristics, extraction, purification, and antioxidant activities of C. humilis PAs.

Methods

The total proanthocyanidins content (TPAC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) of fruits of three C. humilis varieties (Jing-Ou 1, Jing-Ou 2, and Nong-Da 4) were determined. PA extraction was optimized using an orthogonal experimental design. The purification process of macroporous resin method was optimized and the purified PAs of C. humilis fruit was further refined by gelatin precipitation methods. The antioxidant capacity of C. humilis PAs before and after purification was by 2,2-biphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay in vitro.

Results

TPAC and TAOC showed a positive correlation and decreased in all three varieties as fruits ripened . After ripening, Jing-Ou 2 had the highest PAs content. The optimal solvent extraction method yielded a TPAC of 883.0 mg/100 g FW. The purity of PAs reached 47.52% using the macroporous resin method and 98.14% using gelatin precipitation. IC50 values of the purified PAs were comparable to those of vitamin C at the same mass concentration.

Conclusions

In this study, C. humilis PAs were systematically investigated for the first time. Not only its dynamic changes during fruit development were analyzed, but also the extraction and purification methods were optimized. Meanwhile, its antioxidant activity was verified, which provided a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of C. humilis PAs as antioxidants in functional foods and pharmaceutical formulations and sheds light on the health benefits of the species.
Systematic Review: Effectiveness of Carbon Dioxide Lasers for Treatment of Adult Laryngeal Hemangioma
Authors: Do Kenny , Kawana Eric , Shah Suparna , Salinas Jonathan , Bigcas Jo-Lawrence
Published: January 2025

Importance

Adult laryngeal hemangiomas are rare and may cause symptoms such as dysphonia, dysphagia, and dyspnea. Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers offer an alternative approach to managing this rare condition.

Objective

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of CO2 lasers in treating adult hemangioma and to identify potential side effects associated with this treatment modality.

Design/Methods

The study utilizes the PRISMA model to systematically collect articles available in the current literature. The numbers obtained from each academic manuscript were then used to calculate the effectiveness of CO2 laser therapy in patients with laryngeal hemangiomas. Articles from 1949 to 2023 were gathered using the PRISMA systematic review method.

Setting

Not applicable

Participants

Adult patients with laryngeal hemangioma who were treated with CO2 lasers.

Intervention or Exposures

Surgical management with CO2 lasers.

Main Outcome Measures

Number of patients with at least a 50% reduction in laryngeal hemangioma size.

Results

Two case reports, 4 case series, and 2 observational studies were included in this systematic review. For the case reports and series, only 1 out of the 19 patients experienced recurrence following CO2 laser treatment. However, some studies did not have adequate follow-up time. In the 2 observational studies, efficacy rates of 100% and 90.9% were reported by the authors respectively.

Conclusion and Relevance

Adult laryngeal hemangioma can be safely and successfully treated with CO2 laser microsurgery in well-selected cases. More studies, as well as longer patient follow-ups, are needed to truly assess the efficacy of CO2 laser in treating laryngeal hemangioma. This method provides a minimally invasive technique for adult patients with this rare disease.
Surveying Why Students Opt In or Out of Honors Education—A Validity Study Using Cognitive Interviews
Authors: Frazier Andrea Dawn , Ticknor Cindy S. , Lilly Kristin Seamon
Published: January 2025

Despite the utility of cognitive interviews, very few studies report on the practical application of this survey design procedure. Likewise, very few studies querying perceptions of honors education incorporate valid survey items that reflect the views of students of color who are eligible yet opt out of participation. We respond to these areas of inquiry by describing the development of survey items that explore why students would opt out of honors education in collegiate settings and may identify unintentional institutional barriers that prevent the participation of marginalized groups. We report on the process and outcomes of cognitive interviews used to refine our survey tool and the categorical principal components analysis (CATPCA) that not only provided additional refinements but also revealed the underlying two-component structure of the instrument.
Investigating “Xinshuixiao” Serum's Impact on dDAVP-Induced AQP2 Expression and Mechanisms in IMCD3 Cells
Authors: Wei Qian , Li Yang , Wang Yanxin , Luan Cheng , Zhang TianYang
Published: January 2025

Objective

To investigate the impact of “Xinshuixiao” drug-containing serum on dDAVP-induced AQP2 expression in IMCD3 cells and to preliminarily explore its underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Rats were orally administered with “Xinshuixiao granules” containing medicinal compounds. The CCK-8 assay was employed to determine the appropriate drug serum concentration and its effect on IMCD3 cell viability. Additionally, we assessed the influence of “Xinshuixiao” drug-containing serum on IMCD3 cell activity following dDAVP intervention. Cells were divided into blank, model, low, medium, and high-dose “Xinshuixiao” drug serum groups, as well as a Tolvaptan group. After 24 h of drug treatment, ELISA was used to measure the levels of arginine vasopressin (AVP), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and protein kinase A (PKA) in the cell supernatant. Western blotting was employed to evaluate AQP2 protein expression, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to assess AQP2 mRNA expression levels.

Results

In comparison to the blank group, the model group exhibited elevated expression of AVP, cAMP, PKA ( P<0.05), as well as increased AQP2 mRNA and protein expression ( P<0.05). When compared to the model group, all treatment groups displayed varying degrees of reductions in AVP, cAMP, and PKA expression ( P<0.05), along with decreased AQP2 mRNA and protein expression, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05).

Conclusion

“Xinshuixiao” drug-containing serum exerts an inhibitory effect on the overexpression of AQP2 induced by dDAVP in IMCD3 cells, which may be associated with its suppression of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.
Porphyric encephalopathy in a 15-year-old girl: A case report
Authors: Dukkipati Saihari S , Terschluse Jordan , Thodeson Drew , Beavers Angela , Muff-Luett Melissa , Ives Claire , Koh Sookyong
Published: January 2025

A 15-year-old girl presented with new onset tonic-clonic seizures, encephalopathy, abdominal pain, and hypertension with a history of weight loss and emesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging scans showed diffuse, bilateral cortical and subcortical gray and white matter signal abnormalities. Electroencephalography showed background slowing and disorganization. Extensive evaluation for infection, toxic metabolic, autoimmune disorders, and vasculitis were negative. She was noted to have dark red-colored urine with no red blood cells. Her urine porphobilinogen level was markedly elevated, consistent with the diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria. She was treated with intravenous hemin with resolution of her neurologic and gastrointestinal symptoms. A hydroxymethylbilane synthase (porphobilinogen deaminase) pathogenic variant was found in porphyria gene panel confirming the diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria. This case demonstrates a diagnostic challenge posited by a presentation of new onset seizure and encephalopathy due to acute intermittent porphyria, a rare and often overlooked condition in pediatrics.
After visibility: Data as a factor of production in Douyin e-commerce
Authors: Wang Shuaishuai
Published: January 2025

Since 2020, Douyin, an app known for its interactive entertainment and vibrant youth cultures, has risen to dominance in the retail sector. Douyin stands out by making paid traffic a significant revenue stream alongside commissions. This strategy, which restricts organic growth, compels sellers to make additional investments in traffic. Drawing from Douyin walkthroughs and the company's business development presentations, this article analyzes how audience attention and platform traffic are manufactured and integrated with retail in the context of China's recent national policy that positions data as a factor of production equal to labor, land, technology, and capital. In contrast to Instagram, traffic conversion into sales takes precedence over product visibility on Douyin. In this process, Douyin actively uses user data to manufacture high-traffic keywords with buying intent. This involves measurements employing surveillance technologies that span image and speech recognition, keywords, performance metrics, and pricing algorithms. The article argues that Douyin e-commerce cannot be fully explained by the current visibility research paradigm centered on metrics such as likes, shares, and comments, which are considered indications of interests and preferences. It is suggested that Douyin uses historical data to invoke momentary interests and produce desired user actions for conversion. Traffic investment alone cannot result in the conversion of momentary interests into sales; it needs to be combined with pricing that incorporates discounts, coupons, and reductions. The integration of traffic investment with pricing strategy has emerged as a dominant e-commerce practice that fosters retail growth.
Single-Stage Midline Unifocalization Is Associated With Excellent Outcomes in Infants of All Ages
Authors: Martin Elisabeth , Ma Michael , Zhang Yulin , Asija Ritu , Shek Jennifer , Ramamoorthy Chandra , Hanley Frank L. , McElhinney Doff B.
Published: January 2025

Objective

Tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries are a complex congenital heart defect. For years, our program has recommended early single-stage midline unifocalization at three to six months of age. However, many patients are referred beyond six months. Thus, we sought to evaluate surgical outcomes according to age at repair.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent unifocalization from age 3 to 12 months. These patients had not undergone prior surgery at our institution or elsewhere and were also not protocoled into early surgery. Patients were divided in the following groups: 3.0 to 4.9 (n = 61), 5.0 to 5.9 (n = 56), 6.0 to 7.9 (n = 56), and 8.0 to 11.9 (n = 47) months. Competing risk regression analyses were performed.

Results

We included 220 patients from 2001 to 2020. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different among the four groups. Overall, single-stage complete repair with bilateral unifocalization, ventricular septal defect closure, atrial septal defect closure, and right ventricular–pulmonary artery (PA) conduit placement was achieved at the index operation in 174 (79%) patients and did not differ across age groups. Early mortality was 4% (n = 9). At one year, 91% (200/220) of the entire cohort was fully septated. Comparing with group 1, group 4 was significantly less likely to undergo any PA reinterventions [hazard ratio (HR) 0.44, 95% CI 0.21-0.92, P = .028] or surgical PA reinterventions [HR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02-0.95, P = .044] following complete repair.

Conclusions

Given the excellent outcomes across all ages, surgical timing for single-stage unifocalization should be dictated by clinical and anatomic details, with potential advantage in select clinically appropriate older infants who appear to be at a lower probability of PA reinterventions following full septation.
Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) As a Preoperative Screening Tool in Predicting Clinical Outcomes of Postoperative Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Patients
Authors: Kaur Satbir , Pandya Himani , Bhatt Gargee , Prajapati Deepal , Patel Dhruvini , Sirandas Aparna , Pujara Jigisha
Published: January 2025

Objective

The authors sought to evaluate the role of nutritional indices such as Onodera's prognostic nutrition index (PNI), World Health Organization (WHO)-based anthropometric measurements such as weight for age (w/a), height for age, weight for height, and perioperative serum albumin levels in the determination of postoperative clinical outcomes in pediatric patients who undergo surgery for congenital cardiac defects and surgical complexity (risk-adjusted congenital heart surgery score) and its correlation with postoperative course.

Material and Methods

In this prospective observational study, 108 post-pediatric cardiac surgery patients under the age of 18 months were enrolled between January 2023 and August 2023. Through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis we have found the cutoff value for PNI is ≤66.5 and >66.5. The above mentioned parameters were analyzed for postoperative clinical outcomes such as length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, length of hospital stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation.

Results

Significant negative correlation was found between length of ICU stay and hospital stay with lower PNI ( P = .019 and <.001, respectively.). Analysis of low versus high PNI groups was suggestive of a remarkable increase in mechanical ventilation time ( P = .03), length of ICU stay (0.01), and hospital stay ( P ≤ .001) in the low PNI group. Lower WHO-based w/a Z score was found to be significantly associated with low PNI (<66.5), after adjusting for preoperative albumin, postoperative albumin drop, and C-reactive protein (odds ratio = 1.411 per unit 0.28 increment in W/azs, P = .004).

Conclusion

Preoperative Onoderas PNI is an effective and efficient tool for predicting postoperative clinical morbidity in pediatric patients undergoing congenital heart surgery.
Comparative Study on the Efficiency of Islamic Banks and Conventional Banks During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Lassoued Naima , Khanchel Imen , Saidani Wiem
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the efficiency of Islamic and conventional banks, focusing on Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries. Analyzing a sample of 134 banks across 10 MENA nations from 2011 to 2021, we evaluate technical efficiency scores (including global technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency, and scale efficiency) utilizing Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) followed by Tobit random effect regression. Our results show that conventional banks exhibited superior technical efficiency compared to Islamic banks during the COVID-19 crisis. Furthermore, these findings were consistently validated through various robustness tests, confirming the reliability of the results.
Impact of Financial Market uncertainty and Financial Crises on Dynamic Stock—Foreign Exchange Market Correlations: A New Perspective
Authors: Irani Farid , Al.Al. Hadood Abobaker , Gökmenoğlu Korhan K. , Athari Seyed Alireza
Published: January 2025

This study explores how uncertainties in domestic financial markets, including stocks, bonds, and exchange rates, as well as global crises like the subprime mortgage and European sovereign debt crises, affect the dynamic correlation between the Australian stock market index (ASX 300) and foreign exchange rates. Using quantile regression estimation and analyzing high-frequency data from 1999 to 2021, we uncover distinct relationships influenced by currency-specific uncertainties. Our findings reveal that Australian stock market concerns impact co-movements with financial instruments, showing different effects on the correlations with the Euro, British Pound, US Dollar, Japanese Yen, and Chinese Yuan. Surprisingly, uncertainties in the Australian bond market have a negative impact on co-movement with the Euro and British Pound but a positive impact with the US Dollar, Japanese Yen, and Chinese Yuan. Additionally, we observe that volatility in the Australian currency’s exchange rate with various currencies positively influences dynamic co-movements. However, the strength of this connection varies based on the volatility of the Australian dollar against the Japanese Yen. Global financial crises, especially the subprime mortgage crisis, significantly impact dynamic co-movements, supporting both Flow and Stock-oriented theories. In summary, our research sheds light on the diverse impacts of domestic financial market uncertainties on co-movement, providing valuable insights for portfolio managers and foreign investors aiming to understand the intricate relationship between the Australian stock market and exchange rates.

JEL Classification: C32, F31, G01, G15
Cognitive Biases in Online Opinion Platforms: A Review and Mapping
Authors: Bedeley Rudolph T. , Hao Hui , Ghoshal Torupallab
Published: January 2025

Raising users’ awareness about cognitive biases in online platforms can result in better decisions. However, despite scholarly efforts to examine cognitive biases, there is still a lack of research that systematically analyzes, summarizes, and categorizes the current state of online cognitive biases. To this end, we conducted this systematic review by synthesizing the extant literature to reveal the current state of research on the prevalence and influence of online cognitive biases in the IS discipline. We described the mechanisms of the common cognitive biases, showed how they are studied, and mapped such biases in a six-level information processing model. Our findings from the mapping process revealed that the identified cognitive biases mapped in each of the six-level information processing models were not evenly distributed. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the differences among such biases in a theoretically convergent way. We suggest that future research can be conducted in a broader range of online platforms covering more cognitive bias types.
The (Un)canniness in Identities Among Biracial Taiwanese-Vietnamese Students
Authors: Nguyen Chi Hong
Published: January 2025

The identities of Taiwanese-Vietnamese students’ academic and social lives are not well-informed in the current body of research on international students in Vietnam, plus identities are often reported to be dynamic. Aiming to bridge this gap and add nuance to understanding dynamism in identities, this study explores the sense-making of these biracial students’ identities. The concepts of canniness and uncanniness in Heidegger’s phenomenology and interpretivism were used to unpack the fluidity of identities as ambiguous. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 Taiwanese-Vietnamese students studying at nine universities in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, offspring of the major Vietnamese bride-sending location during the 2000s. This study revealed that these biracial students hold an intersection of Taiwanese national, Taiwanese racial, and Vietnamese ethnic identities. This intersection makes them feel uncanny when they encounter ambivalence in racial, ethnic, and national identities that creates the ambiguity of their identities in legal status and social interactions. This study raises and calls for debates over a new term in the findings: quasi-international students—those with ambiguous and ambivalent racial, ethnic, and national identities—as the point of departure for future research on international student mobility and international education. Because Heidegger’s phenomenology centers around individuals’ sense-making of social processes, it is suggested that future studies focus on the influences of societal and cultural structures on biracial students’ ambiguous identities.
Influence of Preoperative Depression on Cervical Spine Surgery Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Javeed Saad , Yakdan Salim , Benedict Braeden , Saleem Samia , Kaleem Muhammad , Zhang Justin K. , Frumkin Madelyn R. , Hardi Angela , Neuman Brian , Kelly Michael P. , Goodin Burel R. , Rodebaugh Thomas L. , Ray Wilson Z. , Greenberg Jacob K.
Published: January 2025

Study Design

Systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Objectives

To quantify the association of preoperative depression on patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) after cervical spine surgery.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, PsychInfo, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov until September 14, 2023. Studies including adults undergoing cervical spine surgery and comparing PROMs between depressed and non-depressed patients were included. The primary outcome was the postoperative change in disability, pain, and physical function. Secondary outcomes included absolute disease severity before and after surgery. We conducted random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

After screening 3813 articles, 20 studies were included, encompassing 3964 patients (mean age 57, 51% males) with median follow-up duration of 12 months. There was significant heterogeneity in estimates of the primary outcome ( I 2 = 81%). While patients with depression had a greater magnitude of improvement compared with patients without depression, it was not statistically significant (SMD = 0.04, [95% CI: −0.07, 0.16], I 2 = 80%; P = 0.48). However, patients with depression exhibited worse absolute disease severity preoperatively (SMD = −0.31, [-0.44, −0.19], I 2 = 84%; P < 0.001) and postoperatively (SMD = −0.31, [−0.48, −0.15], I 2 = 89%; P < 0.002). Sensitivity analyses with meta-regression found that older age, sex (male-to-female ratio), percentage of comorbidities, study quality, follow-up duration, number of adjusted factors in the analysis, and surgical approach were significant sources of heterogeneity.

Conclusions

Patients with depression experienced similar improvements in disability, pain, and physical function after cervical surgery compared to patients without depression. However, patients with depression exhibited worse disease severity before and after surgery.
Are Randomized Trials Better? Comparison of Baseline Covariate Balance of a Propensity Score-Balanced Lumbar Spine IDE Trial and Comparable RCTs
Authors: Maislin Greg , Keenan Brendan T , Alamin Todd F. , Fielding Louis C , Scherman Ashley , Hachadoorian Robert , Pierre Clifford , Sasso Rick C , Lavelle William F , Chapman Jens
Published: January 2025

Study Design

Prospective Observational Propensity Score.

Objectives

Randomization may lead to bias when the treatment is unblinded and there is a strong patient preference for treatment arms (such as in spinal device trials). This report describes the rationale and methods utilized to develop a propensity score (PS) model for an investigational device exemption (IDE) trial (NCT03115983) to evaluate decompression and stabilization with an investigational dynamic sagittal tether (DST) vs decompression and Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) for patients with symptomatic grade I lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis.

Methods

Twenty-five baseline covariates were selected for their expected relationship to patient outcomes or enrollment bias. Subclassification by PS quintiles was used to design a sample of investigational DST patients and TLIF controls with excellent covariate balance in which to estimate causal treatment effects. Additionally, balance in PS covariates was compared to available matching covariates from seven randomized spine IDE trials.

Results

The PS subclassification design resulted in excellent balance across baseline covariates, as evidenced by small standardized mean differences and no significant between group differences after accounting for the PS design (all P ≥ 0.768). Differences in SMDs among covariates of randomized spine IDE trials were not significant ( P = 0.396).

Conclusion

The PS subclassification design achieved excellent covariate balance between DST investigational and TLIF control participants. This PS designed sample shows covariate balance similar to that observed in published studies in which patients were randomized to investigational or control arms. Clinical trial registered with https://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03115983).
A Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy-sponsored International Workshop Report on Endocrine and Bone Issues in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: An Ever-changing Landscape
Authors: Ward Leanne M , Weber David R , Wong Sze Choong , Apkon Susan , Clemens Paula R , Cripe Linda H , McMillan Hugh J , Mercuri Eugenio , Nasomyont Nat , Phung Kim , Renthal Nora E , Rutter Meilan M , Tian Cuixia , Wood Claire L , Zeitler Philip S , Buccella Filippo , Kinnett Kathi , Furlong Pat ,   on behalf the International OPTIMIZE DMD Consortium
Published: January 2025

In April 2023, over 30 experts and advocates from four countries met in Rome, Italy to discuss unmet needs in endocrine and bone health care for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Despite recent advances in muscle-targeted therapy, long-term glucocorticoids (GC) remain the backbone of treatment for the foreseeable future. This affirms the need to intensify efforts that will mitigate serious complications of GC therapy, including unexpected mortality due to fat embolism syndrome following bone injury and also unrecognized adrenal suppression, early loss of ambulation linked to excess weight and/or fragility fracture, adverse cardiometabolic effects of GC, the psychosocial impact of profound growth and pubertal delay/hypogonadism, and the burden to families arising from monitoring and treating endocrine and skeletal complications of GC therapy. Delegates discussed: 1. The impact of GC therapy on the heart, 2. Predictors of fragility fractures and experience with intravenous and oral bisphosphonates plus teriparatide, 3. The effect of hormonal therapy on muscle-bone health, 4. Adrenal suppression, 5. Weight management, 6. Puberty, sexuality, fertility and gender identity, 7. The impact of early GC initiation, 8. Emerging knowledge about vamorolone (a novel dissociative steroid) and its effects on muscle, bone and endocrine health, and 9. Experiences implementing an endocrine-bone health management strategy nation-wide (in the UK). At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that an endocrine-bone working group should be struck to continue the narrative, following which the International OPTIMIZE DMD Consortium was ignited to move the dial in these important areas.
Association Between Autograft Choice and Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport After ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Brinkman Joseph C. , Hassebrock Jeffrey D. , Tummala Sailesh V. , Richman Evan H. , Haglin Jack M. , Makovicka Justin L. , Poon Steven K. , Economopoulos Kostas J.
Published: January 2025

Background:

It has been demonstrated that an athlete’s psychological readiness contributes to one’s ability to successfully return to sport (RTS) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, the effect of graft choice on psychological readiness is not yet understood.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between graft choice and an athlete’s psychological readiness to RTS. It was hypothesized that similar ACL-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scores would be achieved among patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with quadriceps autograft (QA), hamstring tendon autograft (HA), and bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) autograft.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction at a single institution between January 2017 and December 2018 were placed into separate cohorts depending on graft type (HA, BTB, or QA; n = 30 patients in each group), and the ACL-RSI, International Knee Documentation Committee subjective form, and Lysholm scores were compared between the different graft cohorts at 6 months postoperatively, at RTS, and at 2 years postoperatively. Also, the rate of patients who achieved an ACL-RSI score of ≥65 (predictive of return to preinjury sport at 2 years postoperatively) was calculated, as was the RTS rate and time.

Results:

The QA group demonstrated significantly higher ACL-RSI scores than both the HA and BTB groups at 6 months postoperatively ( P < .0001) and RTS ( P = .011). The QA group also had a higher rate of achieving ≥65 on ACL-RSI than the other groups at 6 months postoperatively ( P = .002) and RTS ( P = .024). There was no significant difference in the RTS rate between the 3 groups, although the QA group demonstrated a significantly quicker return (QA, 8.1 months; BTB, 9.6 months; HA, 10.5 months; P < .001).

Conclusion:

Athletes undergoing primary ACL reconstruction with QA achieved a higher mean ACL-RSI score and more often achieved a score of ≥65 at the 6-month and RTS time points compared with the HA and BTB groups. QA may afford an advantage over other grafts in terms of improved psychological readiness to RTS.
Evaluating Differences in Baseline Knee Hyperextension and Postoperative Stiffness Between Patients With Tibial Spine Fracture Versus ACL Tear
Authors: England Patrick , Yellin Joseph L. , Carter Michael V. , Guzek Ryan , Williams Brendan A. , Lawrence John T. , Ganley Theodore J. , Maguire Kathleen
Published: January 2025

Background:

While generalized ligamentous laxity is a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction failure, there is a paucity of literature evaluating underlying dynamic risk factors predisposing pediatric and adolescent patients to ACL tears or tibial spine fractures.

Purpose:

To (1) evaluate differences in baseline knee hyperextension and postoperative knee stiffness between patients who sustained tibial spine fractures versus ACL tears and (2) determine whether there were other demographic and dynamic injury differences between these patients.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We evaluated patients aged between 9 and 17 years old who were treated at a tertiary pediatric hospital between 2012 and 2020 for a tibial spine fracture or an ACL tear. Patients in each injury group were matched based on age and physeal closure status. The demographic characteristics and pre- and postoperative clinical variables were recorded, and bivariate analysis and binomial logistic regression were performed to compare the proportion of patients with knee hyperextension— denoted as uninjured knee hyperextension >3°—between injury types and evaluate additional risk factors for injury, respectively.

Results:

Overall, 405 patients were included, 81 with tibial spine fractures and 324 with ACL tears. Patients with ACL tears were more likely to have increased knee hyperextension compared with those with tibial spine fractures (36% [115/324] vs 24% [19/81]; P = .047). This was also observed when controlling for age and physeal closure status. In patients aged ≤14 years with open physes, 39% with ACL tears had hyperextension versus 18% with tibial spine fractures ( P = .003). No difference was observed in the proportion of patients who developed postoperative stiffness (2.5% for ACL tears vs 6% for tibial spine fractures; P = .091). Patients with ACL tears were more likely to have sustained a noncontact mechanism of injury compared with patients with tibial spine fractures (62% [202/324] vs 39% [32/81]; P = .0002).

Conclusion:

Patients with ACL tears were more likely to have increased knee hyperextension and to have sustained a noncontact injury compared with those with tibial spine fractures. Postoperative knee stiffness after tibial spine fixation may be related to this baseline reduced knee extension rather than the injury itself.