bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of A new Strategy to Prevent Prescribing Errors Involving COVID-19 Patients in Community Pharmacies
Authors: Abdel-Qader Derar H. , Al Meslamani Ahmad Z. , Albassam Abdullah , Al Mazrouei Nadia , El-Shara Asma A. , El Sharu Husam , Ebaed Samah Bahy Mohammed , Ibrahim Osama Mohamed
Published: April 2022

Background: Because COVID-19 patients are vulnerable to prescribing errors (PEs) and adverse drug events, designing and implementing a new approach to prevent prescribing errors (PEs) involving COVID-19 patients has become a priority in pharmacotherapy research. Objectives: To investigate whether using WhatsApp to deliver prescribing error (PE)-related clinical scenarios to community pharmacists could enhance their ability to detect PEs and conduct successful pharmaceutical interventions (PIs). Methods: In this study, 110 community pharmacies were recruited from different regions across Jordan and equally allocated to 2 groups. Over the course of 4 weeks, WhatsApp was used to send PEs-related clinical case scenarios to the active group. The second group was controlled with no clinical scenarios. After completion of the 4-week phase, pharmacists from both groups were asked to document PEs in COVID-19 patients and their interventions using a data-collection form. Results: The incidence of PEs in COVID-19 patients documented in the active group (18.54%) was higher than that reported in the control group (3.09%) ( P = .001). Of the 6598 and 968 PIs conducted by participants working in the active and control group pharmacies, 6013 (91.13%) and 651 (67.25%) were accepted, respectively. The proportions of wrong drug (contraindication), wrong drug (unnecessary drug prescribed/no proof of its benefits), and omission of a drug between the active and control groups were 15.30% versus 7.21% ( P = .001), 11.85% versus 6.29% ( P = .03), and 17.78% versus 10.50% (0.01), respectively. Additionally, the proportions of lethal, serious, and significant errors were 0.74% versus 0.35% ( P = .04), 10.52% versus 2.57% (0.002), and 47.88% versus 9.57% (0.001), respectively. Addition of drug therapy interventions (AOR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.21-0.84) and errors with significant clinical seriousness (AOR = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.16-0.64). Conclusions PEs involving COVID-19 patients in community settings are common and clinically significant. The intervention assessed in this study could be promising for designing a feasible and time-efficient interventional tool to encourage pharmacists’ involvement in identifying and correcting PEs in light of COVID-19.
The impacts of armed conflict on child health: Evidence from 56 developing countries
Authors: Le Kien , Nguyen My
Published: April 2022

This article evaluates the extent to which armed conflicts influence early childhood health for 56 developing countries over nearly 30 years. Exploiting both spatial and temporal variations in conflict exposure within a difference-in-differences framework, the article uncovers detrimental ramifications of armed conflicts on the health outcomes of children under five years old. Particularly, children exposed to armed conflicts have lower height-for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age z-scores by 0.08, 0.05, and 0.10 standard deviations, respectively. Taking the average corresponding anthropometric z-scores of unexposed children as the benchmarks, exposure to armed conflicts makes children 6.6% shorter for their age, 11% thinner for their height, and 9% thinner for their age. Exposure to armed conflicts further makes children 2.2, 0.8, and 2.6 percentage points more likely to be stunted, wasted, and underweight, respectively (i.e. 7.3%, 7.9%, and 10.2% increases compared to the benchmark averages of those unexposed to armed conflicts). In addition, the heterogeneity analyses suggest that children born to low-education mothers, children from relatively poor households, and children living in rural areas tend to bear the larger health setbacks. Given the long-lasting impacts of poor health in early childhood on adult outcomes, delivering nutrition interventions to children in conflict zones is of utmost importance, and extra attention should be given to children of disadvantaged backgrounds.

JEL codes: I10, I15, J13, O15
Dismantling Carceral Logics in the Urban Early Literacy Classroom: Towards Liberatory Literacy Pedagogies with/for Multiply-Marginalized Young Children
Authors: Beneke Margaret R. , Machado Emily , Taitingfong Jordan
Published: April 2022

Although literacy can be a space for joy and criticality, urban early literacy classrooms are imbued with carceral logics, criminalizing young children along lines of race, disability, and language. To support teachers in enacting liberatory early literacy pedagogies, teacher educators must contend with the harm dominant literacy approaches can produce for multiply-marginalized young children. We describe how early literacy routines are (1) constructed for an imagined “normal child” through white, nondisabled, English-dominant perceiving practices; and (2) enforced through carceral logics. Teacher educators can cultivate urban teachers’ liberatory pedagogical tools, centering multiply-marginalized young children's power and agency so they might flourish.
Modelling of South African Hypertension: Comparative Analysis of the Classical and Bayesian Quantile Regression Approaches
Authors: Kuhudzai Anesu Gelfand , Van Hal Guido , Van Dongen Stefan , Hoque Muhammad
Published: April 2022

Hypertension has become a major public health challenge and a crucial area of research due to its high prevalence across the world including the sub-Saharan Africa. No previous study in South Africa has investigated the impact of blood pressure risk factors on different specific conditional quantile functions of systolic and diastolic blood pressure using Bayesian quantile regression. Therefore, this study presents a comparative analysis of the classical and Bayesian inference techniques to quantile regression. Both classical and Bayesian inference techniques were demonstrated on a sample of secondary data obtained from South African National Income Dynamics Study (2017–2018). Age, BMI, gender male, cigarette consumption and exercises presented statistically significant associations with both SBP and DBP across all the upper quantiles [Formula: see text]. The white noise phenomenon was observed on the diagnostic tests of convergence used in the study. Results suggested that the Bayesian approach to quantile regression reveals more precise estimates than the frequentist approach due to narrower width of the 95% credible intervals than the width of the 95% confidence intervals. It is therefore suggested that Bayesian approach to quantile regression modelling to be used to estimate hypertension.
Ocean Weaves: Reconfigurations of Climate Justice in Oceania
Authors: Hamilton Faris Jaimey
Published: April 2022

This article engages weaving as a model of feminist decolonial climate justice methodology in Oceania. In particular, it looks to three weaver-activists who use their practices to reclaim the matrixial power of the ocean (as maternal womb and network of relation) in the face of ongoing US occupation in the Pacific: Marshallese poet and climate activist Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner; Hawai‘i-based settler-ally weaver and installation artist Mary Babcock; and Kānaka Maoli sculptor Kaili Chun, also based in Hawai‘i. Each artist begins from a particular positionality in the ongoing open weave of the ocean and uses specific cultural ontologies of weaving and netting to address knots and gaps in climate change imaginaries. These weavers help to articulate important nuances in recent calls for working in solidarity networks at the cultural interface of climate justice activism. Their processes directly address the need for greater emotional and relational capacity across cultural and national divides, across Indigenous and non-Indigenous feminist critiques of colonial-capitalist systems and through inter-connected waters.
An Unscented Kalman Filter–based iterative learning controller for multibody rotating scan optical spacecraft
Authors: Zhao Xian , Geng Yunhai , Yuan Chao , Wu Baolin
Published: April 2022

In this paper, to address the periodic control problem facing high-precision observation for multibody rotating scan optical spacecraft connected with active magnetic bearing (AMB), the Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF)–based iterative learning controller (UILC) is proposed. In the UILC, an adaptive backstepping controller (ABC) is deployed in the main loop to make the system state converge, and an UKF module is substituted for the memory module to use feedback information in real time and eliminate error propagation between adjacent periods. In the paper, the 9 degrees of freedom (DOF) error discrete dynamics are first derived to facilitate the convergence proved in the discrete domain. Then, the convergence analysis of the closed-loop system is investigated, and the state error supremum of closed-loop system in the mean square is indicated. Finally, for a comparison with the classical iterative learning controller (ILC), a series of numerical simulations are performed. As indicated by the simulation results, the UILC is capable of eliminating periodic deviation and error propagation during the adjacent periods.
Fixed-time consensus disturbance rejection for high-order nonlinear multi-agent systems with input saturation
Authors: Ai Xiaolin
Published: April 2022

This study is devoted to investigating the fixed-time consensus disturbance rejection problem for a class of high-order nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) with input saturation. A distributed fixed-time state observer (FTSO) is first proposed to reconstruct the leader’s states for each follower. Based on the estimated values, a fixed-time consensus protocol is designed via backstepping, where a fixed-time disturbance observer (FTDO) is used to provide the robustness against the external disturbances. The violation of the input saturation is prevented by introducing an auxiliary variable and the problem of “explosion of terms” suffered by the conventional backstepping design is also successfully avoided by a fixed-time differentiator. Detailed convergence results are presented by leveraging Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is numerically validated through simulation results.
Cutting Through Complexity: Segment Disclosure and Pricing Efficiency
Authors: Chichernea Doina C. , Schaberl Philipp D. , Thevenot Maya A.
Published: April 2022

In 1997, Statement of Financial Reporting Standards (SFAS) 131 introduced a substantial change in how segment information is reported in US-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial statements. We seek to examine whether this change in financial reporting policy increases investors’ ability to process information relevant to conglomerate firms (i.e., those operating in multiple industries) more quickly, and whether this increased efficiency in information processing varies cross-sectionally based on firm complexity and the direction of industry news. Our results indicate that SFAS 131 has increased the speed with which stock prices capture information about conglomerates, relative to focused firms, although we find that some frictions remain with regard to disclosing bad news. This study documents an example of how a change in disclosure policy can enhance pricing efficiency, and hence, it may be of interest to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in its ongoing initiative to consider potential changes to SFAS 131.
Regional Differences in Okun’s Law and Explanatory Factors: Some Insights From Europe
Authors: Maza Adolfo
Published: April 2022

Okun’s law is one of the best-known stylized facts in the economic literature, as well as one of the most widely used policy tools. The aim of this paper, which utilizes a comprehensive sample of 265 European regions by using annual observations covering the period from 2000 to 2019, is to deepen our knowledge of Okun’s law from two perspectives: on one hand, by checking the existence and intensity of regional differences, and on the other hand, by assessing the factors that explain them. To this end, in the first part, we apply a heterogeneous panel approach that deals with cross-sectional dependence, which allows us to obtain an average coefficient as well as region-specific coefficients. In the second part, a cross-sectional spatial model is used to uncover explanatory factors. Our findings reveal quite remarkable regional differences, as well as a somewhat geographical pattern in them. Moreover, they point out the importance of demographic factors (such as gender and age), labor market variables (share of employment in industry and construction, as well as self-employment and part-time employment and the severity of long-term unemployment), R&D expenditure, and some national institutional factors when it comes to explaining differences across regions.
Help-Seeking Tendencies and Subjective Well-Being: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the United States and Japan
Authors: Lua Verity Y. Q. , Majeed Nadyanna M. , Hartanto Andree , Leung Angela K.-y.
Published: April 2022

Help-seeking is commonly conceived as an instrumental behavior that improves people’s subjective well-being. However, most findings supporting a positive association between help-seeking and subjective well-being are observed in independence-preferring countries. Drawing from research demonstrating that the pathways to subjective well-being are culturally divergent, we posit that help-seeking tendencies may be detrimental to subjective well-being for members in interdependence-preferring countries where norms for preserving relational harmony and face concerns are prevalent. This study tested the moderating role of country in the relationship between help-seeking tendencies and subjective well-being using data from 5,068 American and Japanese participants. Results revealed that although help-seeking tendencies were associated with greater life satisfaction, higher positive affect, and lower negative affect among Americans, help-seeking tendencies were associated with poorer life satisfaction and lower positive affect among Japanese. We discuss the importance of adopting culturally sensitive perspectives when examining antecedents of subjective well-being.
Associations between body image, eating behavior, and diet quality
Authors: Jackson Alexandra Malia , Parker Louise , Sano Yoshie , Cox Anne E , Lanigan Jane
Published: April 2022

Background: Weight-neutral interventions that promote adaptive eating behaviors are becoming a growing area of practice. Understanding whether adaptive eating behaviors are associated with improved diet quality is essential. Body image may be an important factor in this relationship given its close connection to eating behaviors. Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the relationships between positive and negative body image, adaptive and maladaptive eating behaviors, and diet quality. Methods: We recruited 288 adults 18 years and older who were living in the US using Prolific Academic. Participants completed an online survey including measures of positive and negative body image, adaptive and maladaptive eating behaviors, and a dietary screener questionnaire (DSQ). We ran a hierarchical linear regression and tested whether body image and diet quality were mediated by eating behavior. Results: Body image and maladaptive eating behaviors were not associated with diet quality. Body-food choice congruence (B-FCC), an adaptive eating behavior, was associated with diet quality. B-FCC mediated the relationship of positive and negative body image to diet quality. Conclusions: Our findings provide additional support for weight-neutral or adaptive eating interventions as a mechanism to promote diet quality. Additional research may benefit from exploring indirect effects of body image on diet intake, the relationship between eating behavior and diet quality using qualitative data, and the comparison of weight-neutral or non-diet interventions with traditional behavior change interventions.
Exploring the risk factors of child malnutrition in Sub-Sahara Africa: A scoping review
Authors: Simwanza Niza Rean , Kalungwe Mwamba , Karonga Thamary , Mtambo Catherine M Mumba , Ekpenyong Mandu S , Nyashanu Mathew
Published: April 2022

Background: Malnutrition prevents children from reaching their full physical and mental potential. Health and physical consequences of prolonged states of malnourishment among children are: delay in their physical growth and motor development; lower intellectual quotient (IQ), greater behavioural problems and deficient social skills; susceptibility to contracting diseases. According to the 2015 Millennium development goal (MDG) report, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounts for one third of all undernourished children globally, highlighting that malnutrition still remains a major health concern for children under 5 years in the sub-region, thus buttressing the need for urgent intervention. Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the risk factors of child malnutrition in sub–Saharan Africa through a scoping review. Methods: The scoping review was conducted using the following specific subject databases: EBSCOhost, google scholar, Pub med, demographic research and research gate. Attention was paid to keywords during navigation to ensure consistency of searches in each database. Two limiters were applied in all five databases. These included the use of the English language and articles published on child malnutrition in sub Saharan Africa. Results: The researchers identified eight themes for inclusion in the findings. The themes fell into four major categories being maternal related, family related, child related as well as context related factors. These themes reflect factors associated with child malnutrition. Conclusion: This scoping review revealed that there are quite a number of risk factors that lead to child malnutrition. Therefore, there is an urgency for strategic interventions aimed at improving child nutrition through female education if the 2030 end malnutrition SDG 2.2 are to be achieved.
Exploring States’ Variations in Prevalence and Eligibility Criteria for Students With Visual Impairments Including Blindness
Authors: Schles Rachel Anne , McCarthy Tessa
Published: April 2022

The prevalence of students with visual impairments (VI) varies across the United States, yet no analysis exists on how individual state factors may correlate with the number of students receiving services. This study presents the results of an analysis of variations in eligibility criteria for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) category “visual impairments including blindness” and a series of statistical models exploring correlations between prevalence rates for students with VI and state-level variables during the 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 school years. Multiple regression analyses indicated that requiring specific assessments as part of the eligibility process may strongly correlate to states’ number of students with visual impairments reported in Child Count and explain the degree of difference between Child Count and total population reports. Child Count prevalence rates were higher in states that housed a preparation program for teachers of students with visual impairments. Implications for policy makers, administrators, and practitioners were discussed.
Compassionate use of Pulmonary Vasodilators in Acute Severe Hypoxic Respiratory Failure due to COVID-19
Authors: Matthews Lewis , Baker Laurence , Ferrari Matteo , Sanchez Weronika , Pappachan John , Grocott Mike PW , Dushianthan Ahilanandan ,   The REACT COVID-19 investigators
Published: April 2022

Background

There have been over 200 million cases and 4.4 million deaths from COVID-19 worldwide. Despite the lack of robust evidence one potential treatment for COVID-19 associated severe hypoxaemia is inhaled pulmonary vasodilator (IPVD) therapy, using either nitric oxide (iNO) or prostaglandins. We describe the implementation of, and outcomes from, a protocol using IPVDs in a cohort of patients with severe COVID-19 associated respiratory failure receiving maximal conventional support.

Methods

Prospectively collected data from adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at a large teaching hospital were analysed for the period 14th March 2020 - 11th February 2021. An IPVD was considered if the PaO2/FiO2 (PF) ratio was less than 13.3kPa despite maximal conventional therapy. Nitric oxide was commenced at 20ppm and titrated to response. If oxygenation improved Iloprost nebulisers were commenced and iNO weaned. The primary outcome was percentage changes in PF ratio and Alveolar-arterial (A-a) gradient.

Results

Fifty-nine patients received IPVD therapy during the study period. The median PF ratio before IPVD therapy was commenced was 11.33kPa (9.93-12.91). Patients receiving an IPVD had a lower PF ratio (14.37 vs. 16.37kPa, p = 0.002) and higher APACHE-II score (17 vs. 13, p = 0.028) at ICU admission. At 72 hours after initiating an IPVD the median improvement in PF ratio was 33.9% (-4.3-84.1). At 72 hours changes in PF ratio (70.8 vs. −4.1%, p < 0.001) and reduction in A-a gradient (44.7 vs. 14.8%, p < 0.001) differed significantly between survivors (n = 33) and non-survivors (n = 26).

Conclusions

The response to IPVDs in patients with COVID-19 associated acute hypoxic respiratory failure differed significantly between survivors and non-survivors. Both iNO and prostaglandins may offer therapeutic options for patients with severe refractory hypoxaemia due to COVID-19. The use of inhaled prostaglandins, and iNO where feasible, should be studied in adequately powered prospective randomised trials.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a novel lidocaine-loaded cubosomal gel for prolonged local anesthesia
Authors: Jiang Junwen , Wu Huihua , Zou Zhenmin
Published: April 2022

Marketed lidocaine dosage forms (such as ointment, gels, and injections) used to manage acute and chronic pain showed a short duration of action (<2 h). In this study, a lidocaine-loaded cubosomal gel was prepared to sustain the release of lidocaine to prolong the local anesthetic effect (high drug retention in the skin). Lidocaine-loaded cubosomal gels were prepared by melt emulsification and sonication using Pluronic F127 and DL-α-monoolein (at different levels). The cubosomal gels were characterized by morphology, size, zeta potential, entrapment efficacy, assay, viscosity, pH, and texture profiles. Ex vivo lidocaine permeation and retention studies were performed using Sprague–Dawley rat skin. Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the bi-continuous liquid crystalline phase with a honeycomb cubosome structure. The cubosomal particle size (103–227 nm), viscosity (13,524–15,627cp), and entrapment efficacy (78.4–94.7%) increase with the level of monoolein. The ex-vivo permeation study showed a biphasic release pattern, with lidocaine cleared from ointment within 4 h (97.9% cumulative release), while cubosomal gels showed sustained release up to 24 h (53.33–98.86% cumulative release). A skin retention study demonstrated that cubosomes can increase (up to 28-fold) the lidocaine content in the skin (4.56 mg) compared to ointment (0.19 mg). A rabbit skin irritation study showed no sign of irritation after the application of cubosomal gel. In the radiant heat tail-flick study, the local anesthetic effect of lidocaine from the cubosomal gel was sustained for up to 16 h with 1.43-fold higher efficacy than marketed ointment. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the potential of cubosomal nanoparticle-laden gel to sustain the release of lidocaine for prolonging local anesthetic effects for pain management.
High School Students’ Perceptions of School Personnel’s Intentions to Help Prevent Teen Sexual and Dating Violence: Associations with Attitudes and Intended Behaviors
Authors: Waterman Emily A. , Banyard Victoria L. , Mitchell Kimberly J. , Edwards Katie M
Published: April 2022

Adolescents are at high risk for sexual and dating violence (SDV) at school, indicating need for both adolescents and school personnel to engage in bystander behavior to prevent SDV. Adolescents’ perceptions of social norms about bystander behavior, including their perceptions about social norms among school personnel, may impact adolescents’ own SDV attitudes and intended bystander behavior. Based on social norms theory, the current research examines adolescents who underestimate, accurately perceive, and overestimate school personnel’s reactive (responding to a current situation) and proactive (spreading messaging about prevention) bystander behaviors. High school students ( N = 3,404; mean age = 15.7; 87.2% White; 87% heterosexual) and school personnel ( N = 1,150) from 25 schools completed surveys. Adolescents who underestimated school personnel’s reactive and proactive bystander behavior had more accepting attitudes towards violence and less bystander behavior intentions. Correcting misperceived norms about bystander behavior may improve students’ own bystander behavior.
Perspectives on the Form, Magnitude, Certainty, Target, and Frequency of Financial Incentives in a Weight Loss Program
Authors: Krukowski Rebecca A. , Harvey Jean R. , Naud Shelly , Finkelstein Eric A. , West Delia S.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Financial incentives are a promising approach to enhance weight loss outcomes; however, little guidance exists on the optimal incentive structure.

Design

Mixed methods.

Setting

An online weight management trial, combining outcome (i.e., weight loss) and behavioral (i.e., self-weighing, dietary self-monitoring, and steps) incentives over 12 months (up to $665).

Subjects

116 participants who completed the incentive preference assessment at the 18-month follow-up visit.

Method

Response distributions on the form, magnitude, certainty, and target of the incentives and content analysis of the qualitative responses.

Results

Nearly all (96.6%) participants indicated they liked receiving electronic Amazon gift cards, more so than the alternatives presented. Most participants (81.0%) thought they would have lost a similar amount of weight if the incentives were smaller. Few (18.1%) indicated they would have preferred a lottery structure, but 50.8% indicated the variable incentive schedule was beneficial during the maintenance period. Most (77.6%) felt incentives were most helpful when starting to lose weight. In both phases, most participants (85.3% and 72.4%, respectively) indicated appropriate behaviors were incentivized. Participants had mixed views on whether outcome or behavioral incentives were most motivating.

Conclusion

There was notable variation in preferences for the magnitude, duration, and timing of incentives; it will be important to examine in future research whether incentive design should be tailored to individual preferences.
Relationship Between Nurses’ Compassion Level and Emotional Intelligence During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Case of City Hospitals
Authors: Kılıç Züleyha , Aydınlı Ayşe , Günaydin Yurdagül , Aytekin Aydın Tülay , Günaydın Ümit
Published: April 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study is to determine the relationship between nurses’ compassion level and emotional intelligence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from a sample of 218 nurses who volunteered to participate. Data were collected using the descriptive information form, the compassion scale (CS), and the revised Schutte emotional intelligence scale (RSEIS). Findings: The nurses’ total CS score was 97.51 ± 1, and their total RSEIS score was 152.1 ± 14.8. In our study, a moderate, positive, and significant relationship was found between nurses’ compassion level and emotional intelligence levels. Conclusions: It was determined that nurses within the scope of the study had a high level of compassion and a medium–high level of emotional intelligence during the COVID-19 pandemic process. Initiatives should be planned to develop emotional intelligence, which helps to minimize the negative effects of the pandemic on nurses and prevent negative emotions.
Cattaneo–Christov model for triple diffusive natural convection flows over horizontal plate with entropy analysis embedded in porous regime
Authors: Mabood F. , Yusuf T. A. , Shehzad S. A. , Badruddin I. A.
Published: April 2022

This research interprets the features of triple diffusion in naturally convected viscous material flow through a horizontal plate embedded in a porous regime. The heat and mass transmission process is evaluated by the implication of Cattaneo and Christov (CC) models of energy and mass diffusions. Entropy analysis is executed with the help of the second law of thermodynamics. The homogeneous and local thermal equilibrium is assumed for porous medium. The physically modeled expressions are reframed into an ordinary differential system. This re-structured system of expressions is computed numerically by the implication of the Runge–Kutta Fehlberg method. The computed solutions are visualized graphically and in numeric forms. The validation of present solutions is reported by the comparative benchmark with already available results in a limiting sense. It is evident that the opposing and assisting flows show higher entropy generation at the convective wall. An increment in surface entropy generation rate is achieved for higher thermal and solutal relaxation times.
Phenotypic frailty in people living with HIV is not correlated with age or immunosenescence
Authors: Klotz Stephen A. , Egurrola Cesar , Love Maria , Miller Mary N. , Bradley Nicole , Smith Shannon N. , Najafi Bijan , Ahmad Nafees
Published: April 2022

Background

It has been hypothesized that HIV-1 infection prematurely “ages” individuals phenotypically and immunologically. We measured phenotypic frailty and immune “aging” markers on T-cells of people living with HIV on long term, suppressive anti-retroviral therapy (ART) to determine if there is an association between frailty and immunosenescence.

Methods

Thirty-seven (37) community-dwelling people living with HIV were measured for frailty using a sensor-based frailty meter that quantifies weakness, slowness, rigidity, and exhaustion. An immunological profile of the patients’ CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell expression of cell surface proteins and cytokines was performed ( n = 20).

Results

Phenotypic frailty prevalence was 19% (7/37) and correlated weakly with the number of past medical events accrued by the patient (r = 0.34, p = .04). There was no correlation of frailty with age, sex, prior AIDS diagnosis or HIV-1 viral load, or IFN-γ expression by CD4+ or CD8+ T-cells. There were more immune competent (CD28+ CD57−) cells than exhausted/senescent (CD28− CD57+) T cells.

Conclusion

Frailty in people living with HIV on long term, suppressive ART did not correlate with aging or T cell markers of exhaustion or immunosenescence.
Lay Advisers in Family law Settings: The Role and Quality of Advice Provided on Social media
Authors: Grieshofer Tatiana
Published: April 2022

The study explores the quality of advice offered by lay advisers on social media groups and online forums. The focus is on the online advice provision in relation to child-related cases, which are part of private or public family law proceedings in the context of England and Wales. Since many addressees of such advice are self-represented litigants, it is crucial to understand what kind of support is offered by law advisers, whose professional motivation or level of expertise are underexplored. By drawing on content analysis and discourse analysis, the study reflects on the substantive content and linguistic framing of the advice offered online. The article contextualises the role of lay advisers in light of (1) the challenges self-represented litigants experience when accessing the justice system and (2) the growing popularity of using online resources and social platforms for obtaining legal information and advice.
How Does National Culture Affect Corporate Investment Efficiency?
Authors: Tran Quoc Trung , Tran Quoc Dat
Published: April 2022

Corporate investment efficiency may be determined by changes in overinvestment and/or underinvestment. Prior studies showed that national culture dimensions affect firm investment efficiency. However, they failed to address whether overinvestment or underinvestment is the effective mechanism to transmit these effects. With a research data of 280,092 year-firms from 44 countries, we find that national culture affects corporate investment efficiency through underinvestment. Individualism and masculinity are positively related to investment efficiency while uncertainty avoidance and power distance are negatively related to investment efficiency.
Intra Parietal Sulcus Area 1–2 and Angular Gyrus Differentiates Visual Short-Term Memory and Sustained Attention Activities
Authors: Derbie Abiot Y. , Dejenie Meseret A.
Published: April 2022

Background:

Visual short-term memory (VSTM) and attention were found to modulate neural activity predominantly in a superior parietal lobule. This is thought to be the selective attention importance for encoding and manipulation in VSTM. The major area of investigation mainly rested with the differences in the neural substrates and networks mediating these cognitive processes in near and far cortical structures.

Based on previous investigations, the dynamic temporal window route of attention and time locked associated cognitive processes and sub-processes are sketched and its implication in VSTM study is discussed. Imaging cortical structures to isolate closely linked cognitive tasks require circumscribing to certain time-windows in which the paradigm should support to tap time-locked associated processes and sub-processes.

Key Messages:

The neural activities in intraparietal sulcus area 1–2 and angular gyrus during VSTM encoding are beyond the modulatory effects of selective and sustained attention.
Influence of internal stresses on stability of multilayer micropolar tubes
Authors: Sheydakov Denis N
Published: April 2022

Within the nonlinear Cosserat continuum, the stability of a compressed multilayer tube under internal and external hydrostatic pressures is studied. The tube is formed by attaching to each other N hollow cylinders that have been subjected to preliminary deformations of axial extension-compression and contains internal stresses. For the model of a physically linear micropolar material, the system of linearized equilibrium equations is derived, which describes the behavior of a multilayer cylindrical tube in a perturbed state. Using a special substitution, the stability analysis is reduced to solving a linear homogeneous boundary-value problem for a system of 6 N ordinary differential equations. In the case of a three-layer tube made of dense polyurethane foam, the stability regions were constructed in the planes of loading parameters (the relative axial compression and the relative external or internal pressure) for different preliminary deformations of inner and outer layers (coatings). According to the results obtained, the preliminary extension of both the outer and inner coatings generally stabilizes the considered deformations of the three-layer tube, while the effect of their preliminary compression is negative. It should be noted here that the pre-stressed outer coating has a more significant influence on the tube stability than the pre-stressed inner coating. In addition, the described effects of preliminary deformations are more pronounced for tubes with thicker coatings.
Case Report: Corneal perforation secondary to orbital cellulitis caused by Streptococcus pseudoporcinus infection
Authors: Dong Yuli , Tian Mingxia
Published: April 2022

Introduction

This report described a rare case of corneal perforation secondary to orbital cellulitis caused by Streptococcus pseudoporcinus (S. pseudoporcinus) infection. To the best of our knowledge, only six cases of S. pseudoporcinus infection have been reported. This case report suggested that S. pseudoporcinus infection was contagious and potentially life threatening. The report emphasized the value of managing infections early to avoid serious consequences.

Case description

A patient with orbital cellulitis, which progressed to corneal perforation was admitted to the hospital for right facial swelling, pain, and decreased vision in his right eye. S. pseudoporcinus infection was found after bacterial culture of pus puncture. After aggressive anti-infection and surgical treatment, the infection was eliminated, and the patient was discharged. However, the patient had sustained permanent vision loss.

Conclusions

This case suggested the potential risk of corneal perforation and orbital cellulitis caused by S. pseudoporcinus infection in humans. The specific biological changes and mode of action of S. pseudoporcinus are unclear and need further investigation.
Surgical outcomes in only eye cataract surgery
Authors: Doyle Jennifer MM , Haq Aaminah S , Aslam Sher A
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Performing cataract surgery in the setting of only one seeing-eye has significant benefits but also potential negative consequences for both patient and surgeon. This study investigates the surgical outcomes in patients undergoing cataract surgery on their only seeing-eye.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted in a single tertiary centre of all adult patients who had undergone cataract surgery on their only eye, where the fellow eye had a vision of 1.0 LogMAR or worse. Complication rates and visual outcomes were compared against data from the National Ophthalmology Database (NOD) Audit.

Results

918 patients underwent cataract surgery on their only seeing-eye and had their postoperative visual acuity recorded. The overall unadjusted complication rate was 4.0% (versus 2.5% from NOD data) with the rate of posterior capsule rupture (PCR) being 1.9% (versus 1.14% from NOD data). 72.5% (versus 91.5% from NOD data) of patients attained a post-operative visual acuity of 0.3 LogMAR or better. The grade of surgeon performing the surgery did not have a statistically significant effect on the risk of complications.

Discussion

In this cohort of only-eye patients undergoing cataract surgery, there was a small increased risk of operative complications including an increased, unadjusted risk of PCR, and fewer eyes achieved 0.3 LogMAR vision post-operatively compared to the NOD audit data. Grade of surgeon did not have an impact on the complication rate, indicating that with appropriate supervision, trainee surgeons may gain experience in only-eye surgery without additional risk to the patient. Further multicentre studies are recommended to assess reproducibility across units.
Understanding augmented reality marketing in world cultural heritage site, the lens of authenticity perspective
Authors: Zhu Chris , Io Man-U. , Ngan Henrique Fátima Boyol , Peralta Rachel Luna
Published: April 2022

With the development of the AR tourism experience, destination managers are starting to pay attention to the essential role of AR in tourism marketing, while at the same time, tourists’ demand for authenticity in AR is also increasing. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationships between Objective Authenticity, Constructive Authenticity and Existential Authenticity and their impact on tourist experience and behavioral intention during AR-based World Cultural Heritage site tourism experience. Results indicated that Constructive and Existential Authenticity positively predicted tourist satisfaction, and hence tourist intention to visit. However, Objective Authenticity has no significant impact on tourist satisfaction in the AR tourism experience. Theoretical and managerial implications are presented.
Deconstructing institutional racism and the social construction of whiteness: A strategy for professional competence training in culture and migration mental health
Authors: Lazaridou Felicia , Fernando Suman
Published: April 2022

The position presented in this article draws on the professional insights of the authors, reflecting on issues of global political importance in culture and migration mental health. As institutional theory perspectives continue to develop, solutions to complex social problems such as racism require embodied knowledge if the lines of authority and basic occupational routines are to be meaningfully renegotiated. Embodied knowledge is socially situated and self-reflexive and reflects cumulative and marginalized experiences that contribute to a better understanding of institutional racism and the social construction of whiteness. The authors foreground the development of critical consciousness and emotional literacy in order to be more professionally competent in institutional contexts of mental health training, education and practice. To this end, elements of due process, transparency, inclusiveness, community engagement and accountability are at the center of a political and intellectual movement towards epistemological justice to promote antiracism and social justice in culture and migration mental health. The authors define decolonial intersectionality as a clear philosophical vision outlining how best to respond to those at risk of experiencing racism and the associated mental health burdens.
Mommy influencers: Helpful or harmful? The relationship between exposure to mommy influencers and perceived parental self-efficacy among mothers and primigravida
Authors: Ouvrein Gaëlle
Published: April 2022

Questions are raised about the potential effects of (future) mothers’ regular exposure to the perfect representations of motherhood by mommy influencers. Due to the regular exposure, mothers might see these images as the norm but are not always able to meet with these standards themselves. Based on a survey among mothers and primigravida this study analyzed the association between visiting mommy influencer profiles on Instagram, comparing oneself with these online mothers and perceived parental self-efficacy. For mothers, it was found that both exposure to the content and comparison with the mommy influencers were related to lower perceived parental self-efficacy. For primigravida, the direction of the relationship was different: Regular exposure to mommy influencer content was related to higher parental self-efficacy, meaning that this exposure was helpful. The implications of this study for (future) mothers, mommy influencers, and practitioners who guide mothers through the transition to motherhood will be discussed.
Contextualising nationalism
Authors: Triandafyllidou Anna
Published: April 2022

This paper seeks to relate the scholarly analysis of nationalism – and of the ways in which nation-states relate to minorities and migrants – with the actual socio-political context within which such analysis takes place. Looking back into the theories of nationalism as they have developed since World War II, the focus of nationalism theorists has shifted from the effort to explain why nations emerged and when they emerged, looking at the wider processes of industrialisation and print capitalism; to the effort to analyse nationalism from the ground up through the lived experiences of citizens; to, more recently, the effort to explain why and how nationalism persists and whether and how it evolves in more plural or more exclusionary ways. I am arguing in this paper that it is important to adopt a self-reflexive approach so as not only to link our understanding of nations and nationalism in their contemporary socio-economic and political context, but that we also need to adopt such self-reflexivity in relation to our own work and ask: why do we focus on a particular perspective or evolution? How does this relate to our wider context and positionality as scholars? In this paper, I am proposing a periodisation of nationalism studies from the post-WW II period to this day, arguing that the focus of nationalism theories was guided interactively by the wider socio-economic developments of each period. I conclude with a critical reflection on nationalism in a (post-)pandemic world.
Reweighted-Kurtogram with sub-bands rearranged and ensemble dual-tree complex wavelet packet transform for bearing fault diagnosis
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Zhongqiang , Wang Jiaxu , Liu Zhiwen , Wang Lei
Published: April 2022

The Fast Kurtogram (FK) is a widely used resonance demodulation technique for bearing fault diagnosis. In this paper, a novel method termed Reweighted-Kurtogram with sub-bands rearranged and ensemble dual-tree complex wavelet packet transform (SRE-DTCWPT) is proposed to improve the performance of the FK from the aspects of band division and optimal band selection indicator. To obtain an excellent band division, the SRE-DTCWPT is first developed. It retains the main advantages of DTCWPT and meanwhile addresses the two key issues of frequency sub-bands disorder and frequency bands leakage. Then, a new robust evaluating indicator called reweighted kurtosis is defined. It solves the problem of kurtosis being sensitive to strong impulse interferences. Furthermore, the proposed method involves a set of envelope analysis approaches developed on different cases of fault signals to realize the enhanced identification of the bearing diagnostic information. Two simulated signals and actual bearing signals regarding different practical cases are employed to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed method. In addition, the proposed method is compared with the FK, and the results verify that the proposed method shows high potentials for extracting bearing diagnostic information from complex vibration signals.
The Patients Changing Things Together (PATCHATT) ethics pack: A tool to support inclusive ethical decision-making in the development of a community-based palliative care intervention
Authors: Roberts Amanda Jane
Published: April 2022

The Patients Changing Things Together (PATCHATT) programme supports individuals with a life-limiting illness to lead a change that matters to them. Individuals join a facilitated online peer support group to identify an issue they feel strongly about, plan for change and take action to bring that change about. The programme is developed and guided by a Programme Advisory Group with clinical and lay membership. This article charts the trialling of the patients changing thing together ethics pack, designed to support all members of the Programme Advisory Group in taking an equal role in ethical decision-making as they guide the programme's ongoing development. As a trial of its efficacy, the pack was used by the author to consider an ethical dilemma at the heart of the development of the Patients Changing Things Together programme, that is, is it ethical to offer a community palliative care programme which has the potential to bring participants harm as well as good? The author reports a strong ethical argument for offering this programme, while concluding the need for the Programme Advisory Group to make the final decision, using the Patients Changing Things Together ethics pack to consider the results of the evaluation of the programme's pilot. The article concludes that this pack provides an effective tool to guide ethical novices through the ethical complexities of developing a community-based palliative care intervention programme. It raises the issue that such inclusivity is achieved through a normative decision-making process which denies the fluidity and creativity which may inform the best ethical decision-making practice.