bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opinion of Advocate General Saugmandsgaard Øe in Anie and Others v. Italy – End of the Road for intra-EU ECT Arbitration?
Authors: Negret Auriane
Published: March 2022

On 29 October 2020, Court of Justice of the European Union (cjeu) Advocate General (ag) Saugmandsgaard Øe delivered his opinion on Joined Cases C- 798/ 18 and C- 799/ 18 regarding the compatibility of Italian measures reducing incentives in the renewable energy sector with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter) and the Energy Charter Treaty (the ect). These cases emerged from two questions referred by the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio, Italy to the cjeu. In his opinion, the ag suggests that the Italian measures are compatible with both the Charter and the ect and recommends that the cjeu issue a preliminary ruling to that effect. In a noteworthy footnote, the ag also expresses his opinion on the consequences of the 2018 Achmea decision for ect arbitration between EU Member States (intra- eu ect arbitration). This case note recalls and comments on the arguments of the ag, with a focus on its significance in the debate on the future of intra- EU investment disputes based on the ect.
States’ and Investors’ Views on ISDS Reforms – Closer than One Would Expect
Authors: Rao Giammarco , Croft Caroline
Published: March 2022

The ISDS regime has received a number of criticisms in the last 15 years, which has led to the current reform efforts under the uncitral Working Group III. Unfortunately, investors do not have any concrete representation in that process, hence the need to fill this gap. In this context, in 2020 the School of International Arbitration at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London (QM), conducted a survey on investors’ views on the reform process (QM survey). This article uses the findings of the QM survey to compare States’ and investors’ views on the reform process. Despite being often represented as two conflicting and irreconcilable views, they are closer than one would expect. In light of this, it concludes by suggesting how one can use the QM survey results to focus reform efforts and achieve better results for all stakeholders.
Impatiens glauca Hook. f. et Thomson—A little known Himalayan species with augmented description and a new spurless variety
Authors: SINGH HARSH , SHARMA ASHUTOSH , ADAMOWSKI WOJCIECH
Published: March 2022

Augmented description of Impatiens glauca based on observations of living material is given, as well as description of a new spurless variety. Global distribution, ecology, photographs and conservation status are also provided in detail. Abortive inflorescences are illustrated for first time.
A Process-Conditioned and Spatially Consistent Method for Reducing Systematic Biases in Modeled Streamflow
Authors: Bennett Andrew , Stein Adi , Cheng Yifan , Nijssen Bart , McGuire Marketa
Published: March 2022

Water resources planning often uses streamflow predictions made by hydrologic models. These simulated predictions have systematic errors that limit their usefulness as input to water management models. To account for these errors, streamflow predictions are bias corrected through statistical methods that adjust model predictions based on comparisons to reference datasets (such as observed streamflow). Existing bias correction methods have several shortcomings when used to correct spatially distributed streamflow predictions. First, existing bias correction methods destroy the spatiotemporal consistency of the streamflow predictions when these methods are applied independently at multiple sites across a river network. Second, bias correction techniques are usually built on time-invariant mappings between reference and simulated streamflow without accounting for the processes that underpin the systematic errors. We describe improved bias correction techniques that account for the river network topology and allow for corrections that account for other processes. Further, we present a workflow that allows the user to select whether to apply these techniques separately or in conjunction. We evaluate four different bias correction methods implemented with our workflow in the Yakima River basin in the northwestern United States. We find that all four methods reduce systematic bias in the simulated streamflow. The spatially consistent bias correction methods produce spatially distributed streamflow as well as bias-corrected incremental streamflow, which is suitable for input to water management models. We demonstrate how the spatially consistent method avoids creating flows that are inconsistent between upstream and downstream locations, while performing similar to existing methods. We also find that conditioning on daily minimum temperature, which we use as a proxy for snowmelt processes, improves the timing of the corrected streamflow.

Significance Statement

To make streamflow predictions from hydrologic models more informative and useful for water resources management they are often postprocessed by a statistical procedure known as bias correction. In this work we develop and demonstrate bias correction techniques that are specifically tailored to streamflow prediction. These new techniques will make modeled streamflow predictions more useful in complex river systems undergoing climate change.
A new wrinkle in Montgomery? The surgeon faces the unexpected
Authors: Samuels Alec
Published: March 2022

The surgeon is consulted by the patient, the situation is fully explained to the patient, the patient agrees to the operation. The patient is anaesthetised. An unexpected situation arises, things are not as the surgeon had imagined. Should he carry on and hope for the best? Or call the whole thing off? The law.
Male genital self-mutilation due to tomophobia – case report and review of literature
Authors: Padubidri Jagadish Rao , Akshath K.S , Singh Tanya , Manoj Matthew Antony
Published: March 2022

Self-mutilation is defined as a “deliberate destruction or alteration of body tissue without conscious suicidal intent”. The prevalence of self-mutilation is about 1%, however the voluntary cutting of the genital organs remains extremely rare with fewer than 100 cases of genital self-mutilation reported in both sexes in the English literature to date. Genital self-mutilation is most often associated with psychiatric disorders, but it has also been reported in nonpsychotic individuals owing to various reasons. Here, we present the case of a 45-year-old man who was found deceased in his home in a pool of blood with a knife and a pair of scissors lying next to him. In addition to this, parts of the intestine were found next to the body. The patient was diagnosed with hydrocoele and had a known history of tomophobia which caused him to take matters into his own hands by incising his scrotum which led to his demise. Self-orchidectomy is an extremely rare phenomenon and is most often associated with psychiatric illness.
Static hand gesture recognition based on hierarchical decision and classification of finger features
Authors: Li Yunfeng , Zhang Pengyue
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Considering that the distinctions among static hand gestures are the difference between fingers sticking out, a method of grouping and classifying hand gestures step by step by using the information of the quantity, direction, position and shape of the outstretched fingers was proposed this paper. Firstly, the gesture region was segmented by using the skin color information of the hand, and the gesture direction was normalized by using the direction information of the gesture contour lines. Secondly, the finger was segmented one by one by using convex decomposition in the hand gesture image based on the convex characteristic of the gesture shape. Thirdly, the features of quantity, direction, position and shape of the segmented fingers were extracted. Lastly, a hierarchical decision classifier embedded with deep sparse autoencoders was constructed. The quantity of fingers was used to divide the gesture images into groups first, then the direction, position and shape features of the fingers were used to subdivide and recognize gestures within each group. The experimental results show that the proposed method is robust as lighting, direction and scale changes and significantly superior to the traditional method both in the recognition rate and the recognition stability.
Imperfect detection of spills: A case study in U.S. onshore oil drilling
Authors: Jablonowski Christopher J.
Published: March 2022

This paper specifies and estimates regression models to test several hypotheses about the operational and managerial drivers of pollution in a multi-rig onshore drilling organization. In addition to conventional models, detection-controlled models are also specified to explicitly control for the potential for imperfect reporting. The results suggest that continuity in operations and supervision act to reduce the likelihood of pollution. Additional variables such as site complexity are also significant. The results are largely consistent with related research on personal safety incidents. While the analysis was completed for one organization in one geographic area, the results may be applicable to similar regions and organizations. The results can be used to drive decisions regarding operating practices and managerial policies.
Tormented Selves: The social imaginary of the tortured artist and the identity work of creative workers
Authors: Alacovska Ana , Kärreman Dan
Published: March 2022

This article examines identity work in the creative industries as a type of identity formation that has been underexplored in the literature on identity work to date. Based on interviews with performing artists in music and theatre, we show how creative workers feel compelled to perform negative (tortured and despondent) identity work in order to attain a positive (coherent, self-sustaining and self-affirming) sense of artistic self. We argue that the dubious link between mental illness and creativity, propagated not only by popular media and pseudo-scientific accounts but also by art history and the creative industries themselves, has served to undergird a social imaginary of the artist as a ‘tortured’ creator. This imaginary in turn provides discursive resources, behavioral cues and affective stimulation for the performance of occupationally desirable yet perilous tormented creative selves. We identify three distinct identity work strategies undertaken by creative workers, namely self-analysis, self-diagnosis and self-medication, in which social imaginaries purporting an overlap between mental illness and creativity in artistic work play a constitutive role. Our findings contribute to the emergent interdisciplinary literature on identity work in the creative industries and the arts. Moreover, we caution that the negative forms of identity-building practised by our interviewees, underpinned as they are by social imaginaries of the artist as anguished, dejected and agonized, may in fact be dangerously counterproductive for creative workers coping with the higher rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse found in precarious creative professions.
Designing and Aligning Interprofessional Relations: Third-party ties and partnership formation in the silk industry of 18th-century Lyon
Authors: Dupin Laura , Wang Tao , Wezel Filippo Carlo
Published: March 2022

New occupations are pervasive and constantly alter fields. This paper studies how occupational newcomers and dominant incumbents confront the opportunities and constraints of field-level uncertainty by engaging in interprofessional coalition building. Using resource dependence theory to ground our arguments, we highlight that this type of uncertainty makes third-party ties the channel through which mutual dependence is assessed and power imbalance is regulated. We also claim that when dominant incumbents perceive field-level uncertainty around a new occupation, ties that regulate power imbalance overshadow mutual dependence considerations. Conversely, once occupational boundaries and norms are established through professionalization, the difference across types of third-party ties declines. Empirically, the paper uses the case of silk designers emerging as an independent occupation adjacent to the 18th-century silk guild in Lyon. Using archival data of 676 silk designers (1700–1788), we test the role of third-party ties in affecting the likelihood of a partnership forming between a designer and a merchant.
Aging related impairment of brain microvascular bioenergetics involves oxidative phosphorylation and glycolytic pathways
Authors: Sakamuri Siva SVP , Sure Venkata N , Kolli Lahari , Evans Wesley R , Sperling Jared A , Bix Gregory J , Wang Xiaoying , Atochin Dmitriy N , Murfee Walter L , Mostany Ricardo , Katakam Prasad VG
Published: March 2022

Mitochondrial and glycolytic energy pathways regulate the vascular functions. Aging impairs the cerebrovascular function and increases the risk of stroke and cognitive dysfunction. The goal of our study is to characterize the impact of aging on brain microvascular energetics. We measured the oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rates of freshly isolated brain microvessels (BMVs) from young (2–4 months) and aged (20–22 months) C57Bl/6 male mice. Cellular ATP production in BMVs was predominantly dependent on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) with glucose as the preferred energy substrate. Aged BMVs exhibit lower ATP production rate with diminished OXPHOS and glycolytic rate accompanied by increased utilization of glutamine. Impairments of glycolysis displayed by aged BMVs included reduced compensatory glycolysis whereas impairments of mitochondrial respiration involved reduction of spare respiratory capacity and proton leak. Aged BMVs showed reduced levels of key glycolysis proteins including glucose transporter 1 and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 but normal lactate dehydrogenase activity. Mitochondrial protein levels were mostly unchanged whereas citrate synthase activity was reduced, and glutamate dehydrogenase was increased in aged BMVs. Thus, for the first time, we identified the dominant role of mitochondria in bioenergetics of BMVs and the alterations of the energy pathways that make the aged BMVs vulnerable to injury.
The effect of contrast agents on the anticoagulant properties of oral factor Xa inhibitors
Authors: Cavlan Burcu , Ari Selma , Ari Hasan , Çamci Sencer , Melek Mehmet , Bozat Tahsin
Published: March 2022

Background

Contrast agents may affect the anticoagulant properties of novel oral anticoagulants.

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of iohexol as a contrast agent on the anticoagulant activity of oral factor Xa inhibitors.

Material and Methods

The study included 65 individuals who underwent contrast computed tomography(CT). Group 1 comprised 20 patients using rivaroxaban, Group 2, 20 patients using apixaban, and Group 3, 20 patients using edoxaban. Group 4 was the control group of five healthy volunteers. Iohexol (60 mL) was used as a contrast agent. Blood samples of 2 mL were withdrawn into two tubes at 4 h after the drug dose and 1 h after the contrast CT (CT was performed 3 h after the drug was taken) from all the patients, and for the control group, at any time before and 1 h after contrast CT. The anticoagulant properties of rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban were evaluated using anti-factor Xa levels.

Results

The anti-factor Xa level was increased after using the contrast agent in the rivaroxaban group (0.66 ± 0.32 U/mL vs. 0.67 ± 0.32 U/mL; P = 0.01) and the edoxaban group (0.74 ± 0.35 U/mL vs. 0.76 ± 0.36 U/mL; P = 0.006). No significant difference was observed in the apixaban group (0.66 ± 0.33 U/mL vs. 0.66 ± 0.32 U/mL; P = 0.21) and control group (0.02 ± 0.01 U/mL vs. 0.03 ± 0.01 U/mL; P = 0.33).

Conclusion

The anticoagulant properties of rivaroxaban and edoxaban tended to increase significantly, but there was no statistically significant difference in the anticoagulant properties of apixaban after the administration of contrast agent. To determine whether the small laboratory difference has a clinical effect, there is a need for larger clinical trials (NCT04611386).
Evaluation of Accuracy of Tanaka-Johnston Mixed Dentition Analysis in North Karnataka Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bangi Sayeeda Laeque , Kondody Rony T. , Sana Safiya , Fatima Asma , Hussain Arshad
Published: March 2022

Objectives:

Estimating the mesiodistal dimensions of unerupted canines and premolars in early mixed dentition is a critical tool in space management. According to previous studies, tooth size varies by ethnicity which could affect diagnosis and treatment planning. The aim of the study was to know whether the Tanaka-Johnston method is valid for the North Karnataka population.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 4,600 school children (2,300 boys and 2,300 girls) (age 11-16 years) with no craniofacial skeletal abnormalities, with no history of orthodontic and orthopedic treatment or maxillofacial surgeries, from 2013 June to 2019 June were taken for mixed dentition analysis by the Tanaka-Johnston method. Pearson correlation test was used to identify the correlation between various variables.

Results:

The findings revealed a sexual dimorphism in the widths of canine and premolar widths in the maxillary and mandibular teeth. A statistically significant difference was found between the width of the sum of incisor widths and the actual widths of canine and premolars for maxillary and mandibular arches, regardless of gender.

Conclusion:

The Tanaka-Johnston analysis was not precise enough to be used for the North Karnataka population in its original form, so new regression equations were developed.
Relationships between musical behaviors and emotional states, humor styles, and coping humor
Authors: Burak Sabahat , Atabek Oğuzhan , Orhon Günseli
Published: March 2022

Learning and performing music affect the brain and cognition and have a positive impact on emotional states. Negative emotional states such as stress, anxiety, and depression are harmful for teaching. Alternative certification teachers in particular are extremely vulnerable to and suffer greatly from negative emotional states. In addition, humor and coping humor are cognitive processes depending on neural networks of the brain. Therefore, the relationships between alternative certification pre-service teachers’ musical behaviors, negative emotional states, humor styles, and coping humor were examined in order to produce knowledge that can be used to increase effectiveness in education regarding negative emotional states, humor styles, and humor. The participants were 112 pre-service teachers enrolled in the alternative certification program of a public university in Turkey ( N = 112). Responses to six psychometric scales and a musical behaviors questionnaire were collected. Results demonstrated that having music and instrument education, duration of those educations, playing a musical instrument, and being member of a musical group were related to various emotional states, humor styles, and coping humor. The findings obtained from the analyses of the relationships between 11 musical variables and negative emotional states, humor styles, and coping humor are discussed in light of the related literature.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and musical behaviour: The significance of context
Authors: Wilde Eva Margaret , Welch Graham Frederick
Published: March 2022

Recent estimates indicate that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is prevalent in about 2.5% of adults and 5.9% of young people. Negative impacts of ADHD are often reported in academic performance, emotional and cognitive functioning, and peer relationships, but little is known about ADHD and music. Using a detailed case study approach, structured observations in contrasting settings over a period of several school terms were made of one Primary and one Secondary school-aged boy, each with a formal assessment of ADHD. Analyses of video-based observations every 30 s ( n = 5,961 in total) were related to (1) the particular core ADHD symptoms attributed to inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, together with their observed severity; and (2) tutors’ and pupils’ actions during their focus music sessions. These quantitative data enriched the qualitative analyses. The research findings indicate that, notwithstanding their ADHD-related symptoms, the affected individuals could engage successfully in music and acquire musical skills. ADHD was not a static condition, but variable according to pedagogical and musical context. Habitual ADHD symptoms were either reduced or entirely absent when participants were engaged in playing and performing music. Analyses suggest that an effective, context-sensitive and inclusive pedagogy can integrate pupils into successful individual and collective music making.
A vicious cycle: Fiscal intervention, pension underfunding, and instability in (re)making racialized geographies
Authors: Kass Amanda , Crosby Andrew , Parker Brenda
Published: March 2022

The 2008 financial crisis had profound impacts on government finances across the United States, including a lasting decrease in public pension funding levels. Today state and local governments in the United States have trillions of dollars in unfunded public pension liabilities, and the financial condition of pension systems has material impacts on borrowing costs, service delivery, and taxation, as well as retirement security. Local governments have been tasked with shoring up their pension systems while also grappling with sluggish revenue recovery, a situation that compounds already existing fiscal issues. Building on extant scholarship on crisis, austerity urbanism, and pragmatic municipalism, we examine the practice of “shorting” pension systems among Illinois municipalities and a state law meant to strengthen the fiscal health of local pension systems by curbing that practice. Using the case of the City of Harvey, a suburb of Chicago, we show how municipal finance and seemingly neutral policies aimed at ensuring fiscal health can trigger austerity actions that deepen fiscal stress for racialized communities. By examining Illinois’ pension fund landscape and proposing avenues for further research, we contribute to larger conversations about how governance, property, and pensions are inextricably intertwined with persistent racial inequality.
Disposal of leftover and expired medicines by community pharmacies and their clients in Ghana
Authors: Opare-Addo Mercy Naa Aduele , Marfo Afia Frimpomaa Asare , Owusu-Daaku Frances Thelma
Published: March 2022

Improper and unsafe disposal of expired and unwanted medicines could cause harm to both people and the environment and therefore it is of public health importance. The objective of the study was to determine the methods employed by community pharmacist and their clients in the disposal of unwanted and expired medicines. Furthermore, the role of the pharmacists in the assessment of clients left over medicines was also explored. A cross sectional study design was employed with a sample of 120 pharmacy staff and 200 clients. Semi structured questionnaires were developed and administered to the two groups. Ethical approval was obtained. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v.24). Two hundred and eighty medicines were assessed from 131 respondents (65.5%) who brought their unused or left-over medicines to the pharmacy. These included analgesics 102(36.4%), antibiotics 50 (17.9%) and antacids 22 (7.9%). Disposal of expired and left-over medicines cited by respondents were the general-purpose bin 58(77.0%) and down the sink 11(14.3%). The majority 99(82.9%) of community pharmacies also disposed of solid dosage forms through the general-purpose bin. In addition, 90(75%) community pharmacies disposed of liquid waste in general purpose bin. Lack of enforcement of legislation was cited by community pharmacy staff as a barrier to the proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste. The predominant method of disposal of expired/unwanted medicines by community pharmacies and their clients was via the general-purpose bin. Implementation of interventions such as take back programmes that will enhance proper disposal of expired and left over medicines should be initiated.
Serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine level is associated with the severity of chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Nakayama Takashin , Morimoto Kohkichi , Uchiyama Kiyotaka , Kusahana Ei , Washida Naoki , Azegami Tatsuhiko , Kanda Takeshi , Yoshida Tadashi , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: March 2022

Background:

Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), which induces a Th2-dominated inflammation, is a well-known biomarker that reflects the severity of atopic dermatitis. The present study aimed to evaluate TARC as a Th2-associated marker with chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods:

This single-centre cross-sectional study included patients who underwent PD in our hospital between August 2020 and July 2021. The severity and impaired quality of life (QOL) of CKD-aP were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Japanese version of the 5-D itch scale (5D-J), respectively.

Results:

A total of 48 patients with PD were included in the present study. Age and dialysis vintage were (mean ± SD) 64.8 ± 12.0 year and (median (IQR)) 38.5 (11.5–91.5) month, respectively. VAS and 5D-J scores were 3.3 ± 2.0 and 10.5 (9.0–12.0), respectively. Serum TARC level was 481.5 (278.9–603.4) pg/mL (upper limits of normal 450 pg/mL) and significantly correlated with VAS ( r = 0.39, p = 0.006) and 5D-J score ( r = 0.37, p = 0.009). Multivariate linear analysis revealed that higher serum TARC level was significantly associated with VAS ( p < 0.001) and 5D-J score ( p < 0.001). Furthermore, the serum brain natriuretic peptide level tended to be associated with VAS ( p = 0.060) and 5D-J score ( p = 0.029).

Conclusion:

Serum TARC level is an independent predictor of the severity and impaired QOL of CKD-aP in patients with PD, and TARC might be involved in the pathogenesis of CKD-aP.
On consistency of least squares algorithm for ARMAX time-delay models
Authors: Bedoui Saïda , Abderrahim Kamel
Published: March 2022

Jointly identification of the sample delay and the parameters of time-delay discrete-time ARMAX models are addressed in this article. Like any identified problem, the proposed approach is based on the solution of an optimization problem. It consists then of two main steps: the first is the problem formulation and the second is the problem resolution. The problem formulation defines the criterion to be minimized according to an unknown parameter vector consisting of the sample delay and the parameters with their corresponding observation vector. Since the sample delay is of integer type, the obtained optimization problem cannot be efficiently solved using a real optimization algorithm. To overcome this difficulty, the rounding properties are used to transform the obtained problem into a real optimization problem. The solution is then done using the least square approach. Consistency of the estimates with their convergence rates is established under the persistent excitation condition. Finally, some numerical simulation and experimental results are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed method.
Manifold semi-supervised learning for aluminum electrolysis temperature identification based on regularized hierarchical extreme learning machine
Authors: Lei Yongxiang , Liu Fang , Karimi Hamid Reza , Chen Xiaofang
Published: March 2022

The aim of this article is to develop a soft approach for a real-time cell temperature prediction in the aluminum electrolysis reduction. Under the limited labeled data constraint, Laplacian semi-supervised learning methods, which can fully utilize the underlying structure of the data distribution and further extract information contained in all available data, has recently received extensive attention in the field of soft sensor modeling. Since the Laplacian underlying manifold is a constant, it remains a challenging task to improve the extrapolating ability for the case that only a few labeled samples are available. This study presents a soft modeling method based on a semi-supervised deep learning structure, which was developed from the hierarchical autoencoders with extreme learning machine. Furthermore, a Laplacian–Hessian semi-supervised extreme learning machine is built to learn all the geometric distribution information. The Laplacian–Hessian semi-supervised extreme learning machine method is applied to estimate the cell temperature in an aluminum reduction process. The experimental results demonstrate the performance and robustness of the proposed algorithm are superior to those of the existing state-of-the-art methods.
Capturing computational thinking in public libraries: An examination of assessment strategies, audience, and mindset
Authors: Subramaniam Mega , Koren Nitzan , Morehouse Shandra , Weintrop David
Published: March 2022

This study examines the current state of assessment of computational thinking (CT) programming in public libraries in the United States. In particular, this study identifies the assessment tools and strategies that public library staff use to evaluate the success of CT youth programming, as well as how they share these assessment results, what they share, and with whom. This work also examines the perceptions of library staff on assessment of CT learning in libraries. Through our work, we highlight the need for a change of mindset in the perception of library staff toward assessment of CT learning in libraries. We also demonstrate the need for suitable assessment strategies to measure learning in CT programming in libraries beyond attendance and retention, that communicate to library staff on how they can revise their programs and to share their program impact with library stakeholders who make decisions on budget and resource allocations.
Can Upheaval of COVID-19 be Managed by Change in HR Practices? A Study on Indian Working Professionals
Authors: Sharma Sourabh , Sharma Megha
Published: March 2022

In present scenario, pandemic has compelled organizations to make changes in their human resource (HR) policies and practices. The ‘new normal’ work culture has been adopted by the organizations, which is definitely ‘new’ but not ‘normal’. New normal is the shift from physical world to digital world. This new normal is one of the weapons of organization to battle with the storm of COVID-19, which has created upheaval and further leads to anxiety and stress among the working professionals. In this research, change in HR practices and policies for reducing stress has examined. Two scales were developed for ‘change in HR practices’ and ‘stress’. These scales were further validated and tested for reliability. Sample was collected from 306 respondents, divided into 194 male and 112 female working professionals. Hierarchical multiple regression method was used to identify the relationship between change in HR practices and stress among Indian working professionals. Further moderation effect of gender on the relationship between change in HR practices and stress was analysed. This research has concluded that change in HR practices has distinct impact on the stress level of male and female working professionals.
Differences in Pre- and Post-Natal Expenditure across Female- and Male- Headed Households in India: A Non-Parametric Analysis
Authors: Rajaram Ramaprasad , Asrani Radhika Prakash , Subramanian S. V.
Published: March 2022

This article investigates whether pre- and post-natal expenses are different across male- and female-headed households in India, using data from the 71st round of National Sample Survey. Results from fractional logit models provide evidence that female-headed households, compared to male-headed households, had 30 per cent increased likelihood of spending on postnatal care as a proportion of overall consumption expenditure, while no significant results were observed for prenatal expenditure. Results from Heckman two-part model also show that the decision on how much to spend on pre- or post-natal expenses is related to the gender of the household head. Overall, our results suggest that the gender of the household head may provide additional context in understanding expenditure patterns related to pre- and post-natal expenses in India.
Metabolic Bone Disease of Prematurity: Discerning Calcium Versus Phosphorus Deficiency and Role of Calcitriol in Its Management
Authors: Lee Yee Lin , Hassan Hasyma Abu , Vasanwala Rashida Farhad
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Metabolic bone disease of prematurity (MBDP) is prevalent among preterm infants despite major advances in neonatal care. Initial and ongoing assessment of complete bone metabolic markers help direct correct therapeutic mineral replacement.

Case Presentation:

A preterm infant of 30 weeks gestation and birth weight 1 kg sustained multiple spontaneous metaphyseal fractures at 5 months of age. The infant had multiple comorbidities including perforated necrotizing enterocolitis, chronic lung disease, short gut syndrome, and total parenteral nutrition-related cholestasis. Initial metabolic bone profile showed a rising trend of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with normal calcium and declining phosphorus levels despite ongoing phosphorus supplements. Further workup showed elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH), low tubular reabsorption of phosphate (TRP), and low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, suggesting calcium/vitamin D deficiency with secondary hyperparathyroidism rather than inadequate phosphorus intake. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation were commenced and optimized, resulting in a decline in PTH, but ALP remained elevated. Treatment with calcitriol at dose range of 0.07 mcg/kg/day to 0.12 mcg/kg/day for 4.5 months duration led to a fall in ALP and PTH to near normal levels.

Conclusion:

Early nutrition with focus on calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D is crucial to prevent MBDP. MBDP assessment should include serum PTH, TRP, and 25(OH)D levels to determine the specific mineral deficiency so that calcium, phosphorus, or vitamin D can be supplemented appropriately. Calcitriol is an effective treatment modality for calcipenic rickets where targeted mineral supplementation has been optimized.
Accounting and work in the charities: The case of an Italian institution in the nineteenth century
Authors: Nicoliello Mario , Aliabadi Farzaneh Jalali
Published: March 2022

This research examines the processes of transformation of accounting systems as well as the activity and work of an ancient Italian charity titled the Congrega of the Apostolic Charity (the Congrega) from 1860 to 1886. During this period, various events occurred, such as changes in institutional activities as well as changes in the actors and accounting practices. The results of this study highlight the transition in accounting practices and reports caused by changes in the business of charities, and also how new rules and routines are institutionalised. We show that the changes in the composition of human resource – and the associated costs and reporting – are institutionalised following the changes in activities of the Congrega. We argue that the accounting transition in the Congrega, led by social and political changes, can be explained using an institutional framework, by the changes that occurred in the context.
Leadership as Agency
Authors: Chen-Levi Tamar , Buskila Yaffa , Schechter Chen
Published: March 2022

The concept of agency has become widely used in education, social sciences, psychology, and more. This article explores the concept of agency and provides a critical review from two main bodies of work: The social cognitive theory and the structure agency theory. The two are not the same. Structure agency theory was used to illuminate agency from an organizational perspective. Social-cognitive theory was used to better understand leader agency from a social perspective. In order to understand the relationship between structure agency and leader agency, both of these theories are reviewed through the same lens: agency within the workplace, mainly in school structure and school leadership. Conclusions are drawn to a better understanding of how to develop a school leadership agency. We can summarize that the implications of agency in school are the key to effective school leadership.
“The True Kabbalah”: A Note on Martin Luther's Interpretation of Galatians 3:13
Authors: Yeago David S.
Published: March 2022

Luther's striking 1535 interpretation of Galatians 3:13 is not a theological effusion hung loosely on the text but a careful exegetical exercise in “Scripture interpreting Scripture” in which each key move is authorized by the pressure of other texts within the canon. For Luther, therefore, the “literal sense” of Galatians is not accessible apart from its entanglement in a canonical interpretive network. Further, the reality of which the text speaks is discovered only by entering into this complex intra-canonical web of hermeneutical interactions. Scripture's words therefore relate to theological reality not by extrinsic reference but quasi-sacramentally, following the pattern of Luther's theology of the means of grace.
Management of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)
Authors: Nurgat Zubeir , Lawrence Myer
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To provide up to date guidance, practice recommendations and highlight barriers to medication adherence in the long-term management of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

Aim

Current drug therapy for MPN is not curative and has not been shown to prolong survival. The main indication for treatment is the prevention of thrombosis and medication adherence remains a challenge in this group of patients. Identifying potentially modifiable barriers to medication adherence including primary nonadherence and non-persistent adherence enables timely interventions to be put in place and improve overall medication adherence.

Methods

A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature and expert opinions was performed using electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science) that were searched for articles reporting MPN and medication adherence. Discussions A case vignette is discussed throughout the article and expert opinion with international peer reviewed guidelines that are authored to support clinical decision making at the point of care were utilised. The evidence base was combined with more practical/clinical (data based) insight from real world clinical practice. Adoption of a broad range of digital health care activities and services in the health care system (telehealth applications) by the advanced practice providers (Non-Medical Prescribers-NMPs) in MPN clinics included medication prescribing and management, oral drug compliance and adherence evaluations, interventions, chronic care management, counselling and patient education on treatments.

Conclusion

Current drug therapy for MPN is neither curative nor has it been shown to prolong survival, and medication adherence remains a challenge in this group of patients. The longevity of the patients’ disease course may contribute to the high risk of non-adherence in this patient cohort. Poor adherence to long-term therapies severely compromises the effectiveness of treatment. Adherence interventions should be tailored to the needs of the patient in order to achieve maximum impact. Interventions aimed at improving adherence provide the best experience and outcome for the patient and their families and can have a profound impact on the quality of life and mitigation of disease consequences.
Sliding frictional contact problem of a layer indented by a rigid punch in couple stress elasticity
Authors: Çömez Isa , El-Borgi Sami
Published: March 2022

This paper investigates the frictional contact problem of a layer indented by a rigid punch within the framework of the couple stress elasticity. It is assumed that the layer is homogeneous, isotropic, and fully bonded to a rigid substrate. The mixed-boundary value problem is converted using Fourier transform into a singular integral equation in which the unknown is the contact pressure between the layer and the punch. The integral equation is further derived for the flat and cylindrical punch case profiles, normalized and then solved numerically using the Gauss–Jacobi integration formula. The obtained results are first validated based on those published for the case of a frictionless contact problem of a half-plane indented by a rigid punch and solved within the context of couple stress theory. An extensive parametric study is then conducted to investigate the effect of several parameters on the contact stresses for the both the flat and cylindrical punch profiles. These parameters include the characteristic material length, the layer height, the friction coefficient, the indentation load, and the shear modulus.
A comprehensive molecular genetic analysis of keratoconus patients from assam, a northeastern state of India
Authors: Chakravarty Mrigyanka , Ponnam Surya Prakash Goud , Bardoloi Narayan , Kumar Subhash , Saikia Prasanta
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Keratoconus (KC, OMIM: 148300) is a progressive corneal ectatic disorder characterized by thinning and protrusion of cornea resulting in visual decrement.

Materials and Methods

In the current study, we recruited a total of 50 KC patients and 100 case-controls domiciles of Assam, based on preset inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the important and relevant signs and symptoms were recorded. Amsler-Krumeich's (AK) classification was followed to grade KC corneas. We screened for the novel as well as reported sequence variations in five candidate genes namely Lysyl oxidase (LOX), Visual system homeobox 1 (VSX1), MicroRNA 184 (MIR184), Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and exons 4 and 12 of Transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFβ-I).

Results

We report a novel double variant p.(Pro32Arg) and p.(Gln67Glu) in the LOX gene in a sporadic male patient with Grade I (OD) and Grade II (OS) of KC. A recurrent variant p.(His244Arg) in the VSX1 gene was also observed in a sporadic female patient with Grade I of KC in both eyes. These variants were absent in 100 unrelated ethnically matched case controls.

Discussion

Ours is the first study on molecular genetic analysis of Keratoconus patients from Assam. The novel variants p.(Pro32Arg) and p.(Gln67Glu) observed further expand the mutational spectrum of the LOX gene associated with KC. We are also the first group to report the recurrent p.(His244Arg) variant in the VSX1 gene from India. The observed variant p.(His244Arg) in the VSX1 gene could be the result of a founder effect and may be investigated further.
Digital hostility: contemporary crisis, disrupted belonging and self-care practices
Authors: Cover Rob
Published: March 2022

Digital hostility has verifiably increased over the past decades among adult users of social media and online forums. Both an extension of, and different from, cyberbullying, digital hostility has become a framing factor in the reduction of quality of public debate at a social level and, at an individual level, has been cited as responsible for withdrawal, disconnection and negative impact on health and mental health. This paper draws on digital ethnographic and in-depth survey research to present new approaches to understanding the cause, form and impact of digital hostility among adults. Participants in the study generated valuable discussion which, when analysed from the perspective of media and cultural theory, presented three significant findings: Firstly, that digital hostility is increasingly recognised not as a behavioural problem among individual perpetrators but as a ‘crisis’ that both arises from within and disrupts digital culture. Secondly, participants discussed the impact of their own experiences of online adversity on their health and wellbeing. Analysed through critical and cultural frameworks, their experiences can be understood as being positioned as ungrievable subjects or, in extreme cases, bare life—particularly when digital hostility is experienced through cross-platform trolling and spills over into stalking. Finally, participants discussed the experience of self-care in the absence of adequate support mechanisms by platform hosts. Self-care manifested not as individualised self-protection but as mutually-supportive, using alternative platforms to share strategies and support; care was also oriented towards care for digital culture more broadly. This paper provides initial insights into the perception and understanding of digital hostility as an everyday cultural experience.
Adaptation and testing of the factorial structure of the Achievement Emotional Questionnaire-Short to the Spanish context of physical education classes
Authors: Trigueros Rubén , Aguilar-Parra José M
Published: March 2022

The aim of the present study is to adapt and test the factor structure of the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire-Short version (AEQ-S) in the Spanish context of physical education, in order to assess students’ emotions toward the area of physical education (AEQ-S PE). A total of 1495 secondary school students with an average age of 15.66 years took part in the study. The scale was adapted using the Hambleton method and with the support of a group of expert psychologists and teachers. To analyze the psychometric properties of the questionnaire, several analyses were carried out, such as exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, and criterion validity analysis. The results showed that the factor structure of the questionnaire is in accordance with the original one, supporting the structure of eight emotions. Reliability analyses were above .70 for the subscales. Additionally, the levels of temporal stability were adequate. In addition, criterion validity reflected the positive association of positive emotions with academic performance. In contrast, negative emotions showed a negative association with academic performance. The results of this study provide evidence of reliability and factorial validity of the AEQ-S PE in the Spanish context.
How do transnational public spheres emerge? Comparing news and social media networks during the Madrid climate talks
Authors: Neff Timothy , Jemielniak Dariusz
Published: March 2022

In this study, we explore two parallel networks of discourse during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations of 2019 in Madrid (25th Conference of the Parties, COP25): one produced by news media coverage of the talks; the other by Twitter users who shared news content about the talks. Findings show that transnational public spheres can emerge out of relatively homogeneous moments internal to networks and external to networks (i.e. across multiple networks) at the intersection of certain actors and topics, cultural practices, and commercial and non-commercial (state) institutions. Yet there are persistent divisions along language, geographic, and other lines that encourage the formation of distinct micro-spheres of networked actors (internal heterogeneity), as well as distinct media practices that work to differentiate mass media networks from networks produced by a different set of publics on social media (external heterogeneity).