bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does hydropower growth threaten fish security under the pathway of sustainable development? Evidence from European Union economies
Authors: Alsaleh Mohd , Abdul-Rahim Abdul Samad
Published: October 2021

This research explores the impact of hydropower growth on fish supply in European Union Region nations from 1990 to 2019. Using the panel fully modified ordinary least squares, the outcome exhibits the reduced fish supply with the growth in hydropower production. Also, human population density and growth economics were found to be decreasing fish supply and their habitats. While institutional quality and expenditure were found to be increasing fish species and numbers, the finding implies that fish supply in the European Union Region could efficiently be minimized by boosting the quantity of hydropower production with operational procedures. This can ultimately add more burden on an already degraded natural resource and negative environmental impacts. The predicted outcomes are confirmed by dummy panel ordinary least squares and pooled ordinary least squares thus, thought to be valid. The research advised the European Union nations to develop the efficiency and productivity of hydropower in the energy mix to lessen the carbon dioxide releases. The authorities from these nations should further participate in the sustainability of hydropower industry growth by exploring the probability of the unified river managing structures to resolve conflicting economic, political, and ecological benefits. The government of the said nations can similarly stress the sustainability of the hydropower output to reach energy certainty and conservation of fish resources to achieve food security.
Occupational and Educational Mobility Among Indian Muslims: Primary Survey-Based Evidence
Authors: Ahmed Nawazuddin , Nauriyal Dinesh K.
Published: October 2021

Based on information obtained from 590 father–son pairs as part of the primary survey, this article discusses the issue of occupational and educational mobility among Indian Muslims. Intergenerational occupational and educational mobility and aggregate mobility measures have been analysed using mobility matrices. It uses a linear regression for education mobility and a multinomial logit model for occupational mobility to analyse the potential variables that are likely to influence sample households’ educational and occupational choices. The key finding is that educational mobility is much greater than occupational mobility and that half of the sons adhere to their fathers’ occupational categories. The results further show that the father’s occupation has a strong influence on the son’s educational achievement. It is recommended that the home, societal, peer pressure and the surroundings all be used to improve the educational outcome of the children. This study exhibits that Muslims’ perceptions of discrimination are substantially higher than their actual experiences, which stress the need for significantly improving communication between the government, NGOs, political parties and Muslim community leaders.
Long-term Morphological Changes of the Velum and the Nasopharynx in Patients With Cleft Palate
Authors: Harada Takeshi , Yamanishi Tadashi , Kurimoto Takayuki , Uematsu Setsuko , Yamamoto Yuri , Inoue Naoko , Nishio Juntaro
Published: October 2021

Objective

To investigate long-term morphological changes in the soft palate length and nasopharynx in patients with cleft palate. We hypothesized that there would be differences in the morphological development of the soft palate and nasopharynx between patients with and without cleft palate and that these developmental changes would negatively affect the soft palate length to pharyngeal depth ratio involved in velopharyngeal closure for patients with cleft palate.

Design

Retrospective, case-control study.

Setting

Institutional practice.

Patients

Ninety-two patients (Group F) with unilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate and 67 patients (Group CLA) with unilateral cleft lip and alveolus not requiring palatoplasty were included.

Main Outcome Measures

The soft palate length, nasopharyngeal size, and soft palate length to pharyngeal depth ratio were measured via lateral cephalograms obtained at three different periods.

Results

Group F showed a shorter soft palate length and smaller nasopharyngeal size than Group CLA at all periods. Both these parameters increased with age, but the increase in amount was significantly less in Group F compared with that in Group CLA. The soft palate length to pharyngeal depth ratio in Group F decreased with age.

Conclusions

In patients with cleft palate, the soft palate length to pharyngeal depth ratio, which is involved in velopharyngeal closure, can change with age. Less soft palate length growth and unfavorable relationship between the soft palate and nasopharynx may be masked in early childhood but can manifest later on with age.
Utility of GATA-3 and Cytokeratin 5/6 Immunostains in Separating Condyloma Acuminatum Arising in the Urinary Tract From Non-Invasive Papillary Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Montoya-Cerrillo Diego , Briski Laurence M. , Jorda Merce , Kryvenko Oleksandr N.
Published: October 2021

Background Condyloma acuminatum is a squamous epithelial lesion which uncommonly involves the urinary tract. In this location, non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinoma constitutes one of the main differential diagnoses with significant prognostic and therapeutic implications. To date, no ancillary immunohistochemical stain has been described to differentiate these two entities. We assess the utility of cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6) and GATA-3 immunohistochemistry in distinguishing condyloma acuminatum from non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinoma. Design We reviewed 9 condylomata acuminata involving the urinary tract, 12 low-grade and 8 high-grade non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinomas. CK5/6 immunostaining was performed in all cases. GATA-3 immunostaining and low-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) chromogenic in situ hybridization was performed in all condyloma cases and 2 urothelial carcinomas with squamous differentiation. Results 8/9 condylomata acuminata were positive for low-risk HPV. All condylomata acuminata exhibited strong full-thickness cytoplasmic staining for CK5/6. In 10 of 12 low-grade non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinomas, CK5/6 expression was continuous and limited to the basal cell layer, while it was patchy and limited to the basal cell layer in all 8 high-grade non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinomas. Two low-grade non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinomas showed focal full-thickness CK5/6 expression in the areas of squamous differentiation. These 2 cases were negative for low-risk HPV. GATA-3 immunostaining was positive in all condylomata acuminata. Conclusions CK5/6 immunostaining is a useful and simple tool that can help separate low-grade and high-grade non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinomas from condyloma acuminatum involving the urothelium-lined organs. GATA-3 has no discriminatory role between condyloma acuminatum and papillary urothelial carcinomas.
The LIVES Daily Hassles Scale and Its Relation to Life Satisfaction
Authors: Udayar Shagini , Urbanaviciute Ieva , Morselli Davide , Bollmann Grégoire , Rossier Jérome , Spini Dario
Published: October 2021

Although daily hassles have been of interest since the 1980s, only a few tools have been developed to assess them. Most of them are checklists or open-ended questions that are demanding for participants in panel surveys. Therefore, to facilitate daily hassles integration into large surveys, the aim of this study was to present a new tool assessing daily hassles, the LIVES–Daily Hassles Scale (LIVES-DHS), and to examine its relation to life satisfaction, in a sample of 1,170 French- and German-speaking adults living in Switzerland. In a first random subsample, we conducted a principal axis factor analysis, and the results suggested a five-factor solution. Furthermore, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis on a second random subsample, and it supported the hierarchical factor structure of the scale. The LIVES-DHS consists of 18 items represented by five factors that describe five sources of daily hassles: financial, physical, relational, environmental, and professional. The bivariate correlations showed that the LIVES-DHS could differentiate the concept of daily hassles from associated concepts. Finally, the hierarchical regression showed that daily hassles negatively predicted life satisfaction and added a significant incremental variance beyond that accounted for by age, gender, household income, education level, and personality traits.
Sustained erythrocytosis due to the use of Lenvatinib
Authors: Kaur Jaspreet , Tuler Shahaf , Dasanu Constantin A
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have become the mainstay of treatment for many malignancies, but their use can be accompanied by unusual and often puzzling side effects.

Case report

We describe herein a 64-year-old patient who developed a robust and sustained erythrocytosis shortly after starting treatment with lenvatinib. Our patient also experienced elevated blood pressure, mucositis, and hand-foot syndrome that are not uncommonly seen with this agent. The clinico-laboratory work-up suggested that lenvatinib was the likely culprit in this case.

Management & Outcome

Lenvatinib had to be discontinued due to suboptimal tolerance and a short-lived response. With the discontinuation of lenvatinib, hemoglobin trended downwards and subsequently resolved. A score of 6 on the Naranjo nomogram supported a probable causality relationship between lenvatinib and the observed erythrocytosis.

Discussion

Erythrocytosis has previously been described with sunitinub, sorafenib and pazopanib. The exact mechanism of this phenomenon is not known. It might increase the risk of venous and arterial thromboses in cancer patients that are already in a hypercoagulable state due to cancer itself. In addition, laboratory work-up for polycythemia may prove extensive and costly. Therefore, clinicians need to be aware of this important side effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Team Composition Revisited: A Team Member Attribute Alignment Approach
Authors: Emich Kyle J. , Lu Li , Ferguson Amanda , Peterson Randall S. , McCourt Michael
Published: October 2021

Research methods for studying team composition tend to employ either a variable-centered or person-centered approach. The variable-centered approach allows scholars to consider how patterns of attributes between team members influence teams, while the person-centered approach allows scholars to consider how variation in multiple attributes within team members influences subgroup formation and its effects. Team composition theory, however, is becoming increasingly sophisticated, assuming variation on multiple attributes both within and between team members—for example, in predicting how a team functions differently when its most assertive members are also optimistic rather than pessimistic. To support this new theory, we propose an attribute alignment approach, which complements the variable-centered and person-centered approaches by modeling teams as matrices of their members and their members’ attributes. We first demonstrate how to calculate attribute alignment by determining the vector norm and vector angle between team members’ attributes. Then, we demonstrate how the alignment of team member personality attributes (neuroticism and agreeableness) affects team relationship conflict. Finally, we discuss the potential of using the attribute alignment approach to enrich broader team research.
Using the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Building Block Approach to Implement System Evaluation Theory (SET)
Authors: Renger Ralph , Renger Jessica , Basson Marc D. , Van Eck Richard N. , Renger Jirina , Souvannasacd Eric , Hart Gary
Published: October 2021

This article shares lessons learned in applying system evaluation theory (SET) to evaluate a Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTR) funded by the National Institutes of Health. After describing how CTR support cores are intended to work interdependently as a system, the case is made for SET as the best fit for evaluating this evaluand. The article then details how the evaluation was also challenged to facilitate a CTR culture shift, helping support cores to move from working autonomously to working together and understanding how the cores’ individual operating processes impact each other. This was achieved by incorporating the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) building block approach to implement SET. Each of the seven HSEEP building blocks is examined for alignment with each of SET’s three steps and the ability to systematically support the goal of moving CTR cores toward working interdependently. The implications of using HSEEP to support SET implementation for future evaluations are discussed.
Integrating Big Data Into Evaluation: R Code for Topic Identification and Modeling
Authors: Cintron Dakota W. , Montrosse-Moorhead Bianca
Published: October 2021

Despite the rising popularity of big data, there is speculation that evaluators have been slow adopters of these new statistical approaches. Several possible reasons have been offered for why this is the case: ethical concerns, institutional capacity, and evaluator capacity and values. In this method note, we address one of these barriers and aim to build evaluator capacity to integrate big data analytics into their studies. We focus our efforts on a specific topic modeling technique referred to as latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) because of the ubiquitousness of qualitative textual data in evaluation. Given current equity debates, both within evaluation and the communities in which we practice, we analyze 1,796 tweets that use the hashtag #equity with the R packages topicmodels and ldatuning to illustrate the use of LDA. Furthermore, a freely available workbook for implementing LDA topic modeling is provided as Supplemental Material Online.
The visual evoked potential can save sight in patients with radiation-induced optic neuropathy
Authors: Nouraeinejad Ali
Published: October 2021

Radiation-induced optic neuropathy (RION) is a late complication of radiation therapy for brain and skull base tumors. RION leads to the devastating total vision loss in one or both eyes. Therefore, the early detection of RION is vital. Since visual symptoms and clinical signs of RION are not present at early stages of the radiation injury, it is essential to apply a diagnostic test to detect RION as early as possible in order to start therapeutic interventions. The author proposes to apply visual evoked potential (VEP) as a diagnostic test in the interval time after radiation therapy.
She-Coronavirus: How cartoonists reflected women health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Domínguez Martí , Sapiña Lucía
Published: October 2021

Women account for 70% of healthcare workers, so their role has been – and still is – fundamental in addressing and managing the current pandemic event caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Far from being an opportunity to highlight the importance of women in the field, the healthcare crisis, together with lockdown policies and care responsibilities, have contributed to increase the gender gap. To study the depiction of women healthcare professionals, this paper analyses 401 cartoons on the COVID-19 pandemic that depict healthcare workers. Most represent doctors as men and nurses as women, in roles subordinate to men. The representation of women is also impacted by stereotypes that do not contribute to better reflect the roles and professional skills of women in the healthcare field today.
Ways to write an academic life: Queering the academic curriculum vitae
Authors: Lipton Briony
Published: October 2021

The curriculum vitae (CV) is a short account of one’s career and qualifications typically prepared for a position or promotion. In academia, the CV chronicles a representation of the academic self in terms of scholarly activities such as publications, research grants and projects, conference participation and teaching awards. Far from being a neutral record, the CV (re)produces gendered norms and highlights continued gender inequalities in academic careers. This article explores how the CV is made possible (and consequently measured and valued) through material practices as well as via discourses of productivity, employability and success. It does this by embracing Jack Halberstam’s concept of ‘queer failure’ and Karen Barad’s theory of ‘intra-action’ in an experimental auto-ethico-ethnography of the academic CV. Using a diffractive approach, this article also calls into question the separation of the body and the materiality of the CV, our emotional relationship with the CV, as well as gendered academic labour. In theorising the CV through the lens of performativity, attention is reoriented towards the assemblage of relations and intra-actions between academic, writing, the career, the body and representation and reveals them to be complexly located within and through each other.
Effect of family stress on life satisfaction among female workers during the COVID-19 epidemic in China: Exploring the roles of anxiety symptoms and age
Authors: Mei Songli , Yuan Tongshuang , Liang Leilei , Ren Hui , Hu Yueyang , Qin Zeying , Fei Junsong , Cao Ruilin , Li Chuanen , Hu Yuanchao
Published: October 2021

The study aimed to investigate the level of life satisfaction (LS) among Chinese female workers after resuming work during the COVID-19 epidemic, and to further explore the potential mediating and moderating roles in the association between family stress and LS. Self-reported questionnaires were completed by 10,175 participants. Results showed that the level of LS decreased. The family stress had a negative effect on LS, and the effect was mediated by anxiety symptoms. Additionally, age moderated the direct and indirect effects within this relationship. Interventions aiming to improve LS should consider these aspects and younger workers should be given special attention.
Staying with discomfort: Early childhood teachers’ emotional themes in relation to children's peer-culture aggression
Authors: Akpovo Samara Madrid , Neessen Sarah , Nganga Lydiah , Sorrells Cassie
Published: October 2021

This research examines one lead teacher's and two assistant teachers’ emotional discomfort as they participated in an eight-month collaborative ethnography of 19 children's peer-culture aggression in an early care and education classroom in the USA. Two questions guided this analysis: (1) What are the emotional themes of teachers in relation to children's peer-culture aggression? (2) How did the teachers utilize an ethic of discomfort when responding to children's peer-culture aggression? Collaborative ethnographic procedures, along with a post-structural account of teacher emotion, were used in a qualitative thematic analysis to determine salient themes and patterns. The data consisted of participant observation, field notes, video recordings of children's play, audio-recorded teacher team meetings, classroom artifacts, informal discussions, and a data-revisiting journal. Over the course of the study, the three teachers moved from resistance to emotional discomfort with children's peer-culture aggression, to a less resistant and more reflexive position toward emotional discomfort and child aggression. This shift occurred as the teachers began to release the goal of certainty and instead acknowledge and accept the unknowing and complexities associated with an ethic of discomfort. The implications center on the importance of teachers’ openness to “staying with” emotional discomfort, as well as making time and space to uncover a range of teacher and child emotions.
The Effect of Al and Ti Transition Metals on the Wear Resistance of Ceramic Based CrN Coatings; Investigation under Ambient Air and Vacuum Conditions
Authors: Sert Yaşar , Küçükömeroğlu Tevfik , Asl Hojjat Ghahramanzadeh , Göz Onur
Published: October 2021

In the present study, CrN, CrAlN and CrAlTiN coatings were deposited using the cathodic arc evaporation technique. The structural investigations of these CrN based coatings were performed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffractometer. The hardness and adhesion strength values of coatings were determined via Vickers type microhardness tester and progressive load scratch tester, respectively. The wear performance of samples was established at ambient air and vacuum condition. All coatings grew in the “T zone” growth model and had a dense and columnar structure. The XRD patterns presented predominantly (220), (110), and (111) reflections. It was demonstrated that the quaternary coating had a higher texture parameter as 0.68, which was related to the highest thickness and hardness. Also, CrAlTiN coatings with the smallest mean crystallite size of ∼87 nm showed the best hardness, and this ensured relatively high scratch resistance. CrN and CrAlTiN coatings improved wear performance under ambient air condition but were not striking as under vacuum condition. The quaternary coating had a superior performance in the vacuum condition, but due to the high sensitivity of Ti to oxygen, it fell behind the CrN coating under ambient air condition.
Assessment of the Operational Characteristics of Research Ethics Committees in Ghana
Authors: Owusu Samuel Asiedu , Addison Grace , Redman Barbara , Kearns Lisa , Amuna Paul , Laar Amos
Published: October 2021

There were eighteen Research Ethics Committees (RECs) operating in Ghana as of December 2019 but no empirical assessment of their operational characteristics had been conducted. We assessed the characteristics of Ghanaian RECs using an existing Self-Assessment Tool for RECs in Developing Countries. We present results from nine RECs that participated in this nation-wide assessment. Our results indicate that the RECs are generally adherent to the recommendations in the Tool including being composed of members with diverse expertise. They also reviewed and approved research protocols as well as had access to some limited funding for their activities. There is no national policy on research human protections or an ethics authority to regulate the activities of the RECs. We recommend the establishment of this authority in Ghana while encouraging institutions to sustain efforts aimed at making their RECs operate independently.
Risk Factors for Periprosthetic Femoral Fracture in Non-cemented Total Hip Arthroplasty Through the Direct Anterior Approach
Authors: Berliner Zachary , Yau Cameron , Jahng Kenneth , Bas Marcel A. , Cooper H. John , Rodriguez José A.
Published: October 2021

Background: Although total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed through the direct anterior (DA) approach is frequently marketed as superior to other approaches, there are concerns about increased risks of intraoperative and early postoperative femoral fracture. Purpose: We sought to assess patient-specific and radiographic risk factors for intraoperative and early postoperative (90-day) periprosthetic femoral fracture (PPFx) following DA approach THA. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1107 consecutive, primary, non-cemented DA THAs, performed between April 2009 and January 2015, for intraoperative and early postoperative PPFx. Patients lost to follow-up before 90 days (63), cemented or hybrid THA (52), or early femoral failure for another indication (3) were excluded, yielding 989 hips for analysis. Demographic variables and patient comorbidities were analyzed as risk factors for PPFx. Continuous variables were initially compared with 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and categorical variables with chi-square test. A demographic matched-paired radiographic analysis was performed for femoral stem canal fill and compared using univariate logistic regression. Results: The incidence of perioperative PPFx was 2.02%, including 10 intraoperative and 10 early postoperative fractures. Sustaining a postoperative PPFx was associated with being 70 years old or older with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 25, or with having either osteoporosis or Parkinson disease. Radiographs demonstrated that intraoperative PPFx was associated with stems that filled greater proximally rather than distally. Conclusion: Our cohort study found older age, age over 70 with BMI of less than 25, osteoporosis, and Parkinson disease were associated with increased risk for early postoperative PPFx following DA approach THA. Intraoperative fractures may occur with disproportionate proximal femoral canal fill. Further study can evaluate whether cemented femoral components may mitigate risk in these patient populations.
Preparation and moisture management performance of double guide bar warp-knitted fabric based on special covering structure
Authors: Liang Xinhua , Yu Xuliang , Dong Zhijia , Cong Honglian
Published: October 2021

This article provides a knitting method for warp-knitted fabrics with good moisture management performance. By adjusting of the warp knitting machine (mainly the bar), the design of lay-up method of the yarn, the selection of the yarn, and the warp let-off tension, the yarn covering relationship has been adjusted. By using two kinds of fineness polyester DTY, cotton yarn and spandex, designing two kinds of warp-knitting structures, six different warp-knitted fabrics have been knitted. The moisture management performance of these knitted samples was compared and evaluated. The study found that the greater the difference between the inner yarn and the outer yarn, the better the moisture management ability of the fabric. Polyester DTY with 50D/14F on the inner side and polyester DTY with 75D/288F on the outer side have the best moisture management performance. The polyester DTY with 50D/14F on the inside and 9.83Tex cotton yarn on the outside have higher wetting time and absorption rate.
Remembered together: Social interaction facilitates retrieval while reducing individuation of features within bound representations
Authors: Vestner Tim , Flavell Jonathan C , Cook Richard , Tipper Steven P
Published: October 2021

When encountering social scenes, there appears to be rapid and automatic detection of social interactions. Representations of interacting people appear to be bound together via a mechanism of joint attention, which results in enhanced memory, even when participants are unaware that memory is required. However, even though access is facilitated for socially bound representations, we predicted that the individual features of these representations are less efficiently encoded, and features can therefore migrate between the constituent interacting individuals. This was confirmed in Experiment 1, where overall memory for interacting compared with non-interacting dyads was facilitated but binding of features within an individual was weak, resulting in feature migration errors. Experiment 2 demonstrated the role of conscious strategic processing, where participants were aware that memory would be tested. With such awareness, attention can be focused on individual objects allowing the binding of features. The results support an account of two forms of processing: an initial automatic social binding process where interacting individuals are represented as one episode in memory facilitating access and a further stage where attention can be focused on each individual enabling the binding of features within individual objects.
Mock News: On the discourse of mocking in U.S. televised political discussions
Authors: Jenks Christopher
Published: October 2021

American televised political shows are under tremendous pressure to succeed within an economic model that requires maximizing viewership. In response to this growing financial pressure, political shows invite contentious guests to discuss current events and issues. Such discussions are often confrontational, making a mockery of the responsibility the news industry has in disseminating information in an impartial and insightful way. Although outrage is a common discourse feature of televised political shows, little is known about what this language looks like and how it is used to argue ideological positions. To this end, drawing from critical discourse analysis, this study investigates the multidimensional and multifunctional aspects of mocking, which is a type of outrage discourse. The findings show that mocking is an important argumentative tool for panel members, which occurs in the turn following an opposing viewpoint and is used to carry out a range of actions, including expressing disagreement, establishing a competing ideological position, and refuting an idea based on an opponent’s political identity, to name a few. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how mocking and mock news feed into partisan ideologies, creating both tribalism and skepticism within society.
Hospital Outdoor Spaces: User Experience and Implications for Design
Authors: Tseung Victrine , Verweel Lee , Harvey Martha , Pauley Tim , Walker Jan
Published: October 2021

Objectives:

This article aims to describe users’ perspectives about the impact of hospital outdoor spaces on the patient experience in a postacute setting.

Background:

Hospital outdoor space is an important element in healthcare facility design. There is growing evidence that access to green space within hospital outdoor spaces facilitates healing. However, limited studies have explored the users’ perspective regarding how hospital outdoor spaces impact the patient experience.

Methods:

As part of a hospital preoccupancy evaluation, users (patients, family, and staff) were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview to describe their experiences in the hospital’s outdoor spaces. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results:

Seventy-four individuals participated in this study: 24 inpatients, 15 outpatients, 11 family, 23 staff, and one volunteer. Three themes were identified: (1) outdoor space benefits healing by helping patients focus on life beyond their illness, (2) design of healthcare spaces facilitates patients’ access to outdoor space to benefit healing, and (3) programming in the outdoor space promotes healing and recovery.

Conclusions:

This study describes the users’ perspective regarding the value of outdoor spaces and the design elements that influence the patient experience.
Evaluating the Impact of a Multisensory Environment on Target Behaviors of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Kim Min-Kyoung , Park Nam-Kyu
Published: October 2021

Background:

Worldwide, children are increasingly being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The case of South Korea is not exceptional. One of the core symptoms of children with ASD is sensory reactivity issues, such as an unusual interest in the sensory aspects of the environment. One promising development in sensory enrichment for individuals with ASD is a multisensory environment (MSE).

Objectives:

This study investigated the influence of MSE on the target behaviors of children with ASD with different sensory characteristics in the case of South Korea.

Methods:

A multiple treatment design {A-B-C-D (B + C) phases} was implemented to observe the six target behaviors of three children with ASD. The sensory environmental intervention focusing on visual and auditory stimuli was manipulated as a stimulating MSE or a relaxing MSE depending on the sensory profile of each participant. The analysis was undertaken using visual inspection with data patterns and graph slopes, which is a customary method of analyzing the single-subject design data. In addition, the means and standard deviations of the two target behaviors of each participant were analyzed together.

Results:

The findings reveal that MSE interventions positively affected the target behaviors of children with ASD with diverse sensory characteristics. The stimulating MSE created by the integration of visual and auditory stimuli was the most effective intervention for the participants with hypo-visual and hypo-auditory sensitivities in this study.

Conclusions:

The MSE could be meaningful as a nonpharmaceutical therapy that could influence the daily behaviors of children with ASD.
Autonomy Matters: Experiential and Individual Differences in Chosen and Unchosen Solitary Activities From Three Experience Sampling Studies
Authors: Tse Dwight C. K. , Lay Jennifer C. , Nakamura Jeanne
Published: October 2021

Solitude––the absence of social interaction––can bring both positive and negative experiences. Drawing on self-determination theory, we conducted three experience sampling studies to investigate quality of experience and dispositions associated with activities varying on two dimensions––chosenness (chosen/unchosen) and social context (solitary/interactive). Participants (total N = 283) completed surveys 6–7 times each day over a 7-day period (total: 8,769 surveys). Multilevel modeling confirmed that participants reported the lowest quality momentary experiences when engaged in unchosen (vs. chosen) solitary activities. Further, individuals who spent more time on unchosen solitary activities reported lower meaning in life and satisfaction with life. Extraversion was positively associated with time spent on chosen interactive activities but negatively with chosen solitary activities. Post hoc analyses revealed that people low (vs. high) in extraversion reported lower productivity only during unchosen interactive activities. Chosen (vs. unchosen) solitary activities seem to have a relatively benign impact on quality of experience and well-being.
Blast mitigation using polymeric 3D printed auxetic re-entrant honeycomb structures: A preliminary study
Authors: Critchley Richard , Hazael Rachael , Bhatti Kamran , Wood David , Peare Alan , Johnson Stephen , Temple Tracey
Published: October 2021

Protection of critical infrastructure in an urban environment is a challenging task, specifically against the vehicle bourne improvised explosive device threat. To design infrastructure to withstand this evolving threat, novel solutions and advanced materials need to be developed. One such material of interest are auxetics. This study experimentally analysed the mitigation of blast response of auxetic re-entrant honeycomb structures, with geometries varying between −ve 30° and +ve 30° using additive manufacturing (3D printing) techniques and non-explosive loading via shock tube. Re-entrant auxetic structures (−ve 15°) exhibited repeatable blast mitigation of 23% and reduced the transmitted pressure and impulse of the blast wave. Further highlighting their potential application as a protective measure to enhance a structures blast survivability.
“Let me know when I’m needed”: Exploring the gendered nature of digital technology use for health information seeking during the transition to parenting
Authors: Hiebert Bradley , Hall Jodi , Donelle Lorie , Facca Danica , Jackson Kim , Stoyanovich Ewelina
Published: October 2021

This paper presents results of a qualitative descriptive study conducted to understand parents’ experiences with digital technologies during their transition to parenting (i.e. the period from pre-conception through postpartum). Individuals in southwest Ontario who had become a new parent within the previous 24 months were recruited to participate in a focus group or individual interview. Participants were asked to describe the type of technologies they/their partner used during their transition to parenthood, and how such technologies were used to support their own and their family's health. Focus group and interview transcripts were then subjected to thematic analysis using inductive coding. Ten focus groups and three individual interviews were conducted with 26 heterosexual female participants. Participants primarily used digital technologies to: (1) seek health information for a variety of reproductive health issues, and (2) establish social and emotional connections. The nature of such health information work was markedly gendered and was categorized by 2 dominant themes. First, “‘Let me know when I’m needed’”, characterizes fathers’ apparent avoidance of health information seeking and resultant creation of mothers as lay information mediaries. Second, “Information Curation”, captures participants’ belief that gender biases built-in to popular parenting apps and resources reified the gendered nature of health and health information work during the transition to parenting. Overall, findings indicate that digital technology tailored to new and expecting parents actively reinforced gender norms regarding health information seeking, which creates undue burden on new mothers to become the sole health information seeker and interpreter for their family.
Financialised ethics, economic security and the promise of Islamic finance
Authors: Lai Jikon
Published: October 2021

The character and state of a financial system are important contributing factors to the performance, stability and security of any economy, something which has been repeatedly demonstrated during times of financial crisis. While assessments of earlier financial crises tended to focus on shortcomings in the governance of financial sectors, not least when crises occurred in the developing world, many have noted issues with the moral character of the industry, and the attendant processes of securitisation and financialisation, in the wake of the transatlantic financial crisis of 2007–2008. Against these recent criticisms, Islamic finance was pitched as a more ethical, stable and secure alternative. Although the ideas that inform the development of Islamic finance might hold the promise of a more ethical alternative to conventional finance, the industry itself has not been immune to processes of financialisation and securitisation, which have arguably undermined the market's initial promise.
To co-opt or coerce? State capacity, regime strategy, and organized religion in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam
Authors: Howe Adam E
Published: October 2021

This article explores the dynamic relationship between states, authoritarian regimes, and organized religion in the ostensibly Marxist-Leninist states of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Despite espousing an initial shared ideological commitment toward curbing the influence of domestic religion, actual regime policies toward these groups have varied considerably over time. I argue that the explanation for this difference can be found in unpacking the strength of each regime’s state apparatus. This article introduces a new typological theory for understanding how state capacity has shaped the divergent strategies Cambodian, Lao and Vietnamese regimes have employed to manage organized religion during the post-Vietnam War era (1975 to present). In brief, I argue that regime elites in Vietnam have successfully co-opted organized religion through the state bureaucracy. Conversely, Marxist-inspired regimes in Cambodia and Laos have oscillated between policies of coercive violence and strategic accommodation to dilute the power of domestic religious groups.
Collectivism and Altruistic Behavior: A Third-Person Effect Study of COVID-19 News Among Wuhan Residents
Authors: Zhu Yicheng , Wei Ran , Lo Ven-Hwei , Zhang Mingxin , Li Zongya
Published: October 2021

This study examines the third-person effects of COVID-19 news among Wuhan residents during the peak of the outbreaks in the city. Using data collected in a telephone survey of 1,071 Wuhan residents, results show that respondents believed others were more influenced by the COVID-19 news. However, the more the respondents systematically processed the news through elaboration and the more they were oriented toward collectivist values, the smaller the self-other perceptual gap. Finally, results suggest the moderating effect of collectivism on the relationship between perceived effects of COVID news and altruistic behavior—collectivism enhances the influence of perceived effects on others on adoption of altruistic behavior. The influence of culture in shaping risk perception and behavioral responses is discussed.
An Audit of Opportunistic Lung Cancer Screening in a Canadian Province
Authors: Linehan Victoria , Harris Scott , Bhatia Rick
Published: October 2021

Objectives:

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in Canada. Early detection can improve outcomes and despite recommendations from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care to screen patients who are 55 to 74 years old and have a 30+ pack-year history, formal screening programs are rare in Canada. Our goal was to determine if screening is being performed in a representative Canadian population, if recommendations are being followed, and how screening impacts lung cancer stage at diagnosis and prognosis.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients either screened for lung cancer or imaged due to lung cancer symptoms in Eastern Newfoundland between 2015 and 2018. Age, smoking history, screening modality, diagnosis, cancer stage, and mortality were recorded.

Results:

Under 6.0% of the eligible population were screened for lung cancer with only 28.13% meeting age and smoking criteria and being screened appropriately with low-dose CT. However, 70% of patients that had lung cancers found by screening met age and smoking screening criteria. While lung cancer detection rates were similar, screening detected cancer in patients at an earlier stage (50% Stage 1) compared to patients who were not screened (20% Stage 1). Patients who were screened had an improved prognosis.

Conclusions:

Physicians are opportunistically screening for lung cancer, but not consistently following screening guidelines. As screening is sensitive, leads to earlier stage diagnosis, and has a mortality benefit, implementation of an organized screening program could increase quality assurance and prevent many lung-cancer related deaths.
Combined Effects of Auditing and Discretionary Accruals on the Cost of Debt: Evidence From Spanish SMEs
Authors: Gandía Juan L. , Huguet David
Published: October 2021

Previous literature shows mixed evidence on the effect of discretionary accruals and auditing on the cost of debt. We hypothesize that, in the SMEs setting, auditing can act as a substitute for accruals quality, and thus audits may mitigate the effect of discretionary accruals on the cost of debt. Using a sample of Spanish SMEs, we find that auditing is negatively related with the cost of debt, while higher discretionary accruals are related with a lower cost of debt. Nonetheless, this effect is lower than that one observed for audits. When considering the combined effect of both variables, the effect of discretionary accruals is replaced by that of auditing. These results suggest that, among SMEs, discretionary accruals do not have a relevant effect on the cost of debt when companies are audited, supporting the hypothesis that there exists a substitution effect between discretionary accruals and auditing.

JEL Classification: M42; G32
Medication-Induced Gastroparesis: A Case Report
Authors: Kalas M Ammar , Galura Gian Marco , McCallum Richard W.
Published: October 2021

Gastroparesis is a commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder with a high prevalence globally and high disease burden to those afflicted with it. Etiologies are variable with idiopathic and diabetes being the most common causes of gastroparesis. Management of gastroparesis depends on the etiology, and accurate diagnosis is required for better targeted therapy. Medication-induced gastroparesis is reversible, and discontinuing the medication is generally curative. This case report discusses 2 cases of medication-induced gastroparesis which were initially diagnosed as diabetic gastroparesis, and thorough history taking revealed the cause to be medication induced. Repeat studies following medication discontinuation revealed improvement in symptoms and resolution of gastroparesis. Further research needs to be done to assess the frequency of misdiagnosing diabetic patients with gastroparesis due to medications, specifically glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists which are increasingly being used in diabetics.
Midterm Safety of Carbon Dioxide Insufflation of the Knee During Arthroscopic Cartilage–Based Procedures
Authors: Penton Judson L. , Flick Travis R. , Savoie Felix H. , Heard Wendell M. , Sherman William F.
Published: October 2021

Background:

When compared with fluid arthroscopy, carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation offers an increased scope of view and a more natural-appearing joint cavity, and it eliminates floating debris that may obscure the surgeon’s view. Despite the advantages of CO2 insufflation during knee arthroscopy and no reported cases of air emboli, the technique is not widely used because of concerns of hematogenous gas leakage and a lack of case series demonstrating safety.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

To investigate the safety profile of CO2 insufflation during arthroscopic osteochondral allograft transplantation of the knee and report the midterm clinical outcomes using this technique. We hypothesized that patients undergoing CO2 insufflation of the knee joint would have minimal systemic complications, allowing arthroscopic cartilage work in a dry field.

Study Design:

Case series; level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed of electronic medical records for patients who underwent arthroscopic osteochondral allograft transplantation of the knee with the use of CO2 insufflation. Included were patients aged 18 to 65 years who underwent knee arthroscopy with CO2 insufflation from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2021, and who had a minimum follow-up of 24 months. All procedures were performed by a single, fellowship-trained and board-certified sports medicine surgeon. The patients’ electronic medical records were reviewed in their entirety for relevant demographic and clinical outcomes.

Results:

We evaluated 27 patients (14 women and 13 men) with a mean age of 38 and a mean follow-up of 39.2 months. CO2 insufflation was used in 100% of cases during the placement of the osteochondral allograft. None of the patients sustained any systemic complications, including signs or symptoms of gas embolism or persistent subcutaneous emphysema.

Conclusion:

The results of this case series suggest CO2 insufflation during knee arthroscopy can be performed safely with minimal systemic complications and provide an alternative environment for treating osteochondral defects requiring a dry field in the knee.
The Hob Proteins: Putative, Novel Lipid Transfer Proteins at ER-PM Contact Sites
Authors: Neuman Sarah D. , Cavanagh Amy T. , Bashirullah Arash
Published: October 2021

Nonvesicular transfer of lipids at membrane contact sites (MCS) has recently emerged as a critical process for cellular function. Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) mediate this unique transport mechanism, and although several LTPs are known, the cellular complement of these proteins continues to expand. Our recent work has revealed the highly conserved but poorly characterized Hobbit/Hob proteins as novel, putative LTPs at endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane (ER-PM) contact sites. Using both S. cerevisiae and D. melanogaster model systems, we demonstrated that the Hob proteins localize to ER-PM contact sites via an N-terminal ER membrane anchor and conserved C-terminal sequences. These conserved C-terminal sequences bind to phosphoinositides (PIPs), and the distribution of PIPs is disrupted in hobbit mutant cells. Recently released structural models of the Hob proteins exhibit remarkable similarity to other bona fide LTPs, like VPS13A and ATG2, that function at MCS. Hobbit is required for viability in Drosophila, suggesting that the Hob proteins are essential genes that may mediate lipid transfer at MCS.