bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intimate partner violence during pregnancy against adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review
Authors: Adjimi Nyemgah Caroline , Ranganathan Meghna , Stöckl Heidi
Published: January 2024

Background

Adolescent pregnancy and intimate partner violence (IPV) are major public health issues that are linked to poor health outcomes particularly during pregnancy. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), previous studies on IPV during pregnancy have primarily focused on adults. This review examines the available evidence on adolescents’ experience of IPV during pregnancy in SSA.

Design

Systematic review.

Methods

We searched multiple databases for articles that met our inclusion criteria. Included studies investigated IPV during pregnancy, including prevalence, risk factors and health outcomes among ever-pregnant adolescents aged 10–19 years old or younger in SSA. Studies were peer-reviewed studies from SSA, quantitative and/or qualitative; and published in English regardless of the year of publication.

Results

Nine studies out of 570 abstracts screened, published between 2007 and 2020, met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of IPV during pregnancy among adolescents in SSA ranged from 8.3% to 41%. Mental health symptoms, particularly depression, and anxiety, were associated with adolescent IPV during pregnancy and qualitatively linked to poor coping strategies when dealing with IPV.

Conclusion

This review found evidence of a linkage between pregnancy and IPV during pregnancy among adolescents. Given the long-term negative effects of IPV during pregnancy on adolescents and children, this conclusion points to the critical need for developing interventions to improve IPV detection during pregnancy in SSA among adolescents to interrupt its continuation into adulthood.
Multisite clinical cross-validation and variant interpretation of a next generation sequencing panel for lymphoid cancer prognostication
Authors: Sabatini Peter J.B. , Bridgers Josh , Huang Shujun , Downs Gregory , Zhang Tong , Sheen Clare , Park Nicole , Kridel Robert , Marra Marco A , Steidl Christian , Scott David W , Karsan Aly
Published: January 2024

Aims

Genomic sequencing of lymphomas is under-represented in routine clinical testing despite having prognostic and predictive value. Clinical implementation is challenging due to a lack of consensus on reportable targets and a paucity of reference samples. We organised a cross-validation study of a lymphoma-tailored next-generation sequencing panel between two College of American Pathologists (CAP)-accredited clinical laboratories to mitigate these challenges.

Methods

A consensus for the genomic targets was discussed between the two institutes based on recurrence in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and T-cell lymphomas. Using the same genomic targets, each laboratory ordered libraries independently and a cross-validation study was designed to exchange samples (8 cell lines and 22 clinical samples) and their FASTQ files.

Results

The sensitivity of the panel when comparing different library preparation and bioinformatic workflows was between 97% and 99% and specificity was 100% when a 5% limit of detection cut-off was applied. To evaluate how the current standards for variant classification of tumours apply to lymphomas, the Association for Molecular Pathology/American Society of Clinical Oncology/CAP and OncoKB classification systems were applied to the panel. The majority of variants were assigned a possibly actionable class or likely pathogenic due to more limited evidence in the literature.

Conclusions

The cross-validation study highlights the benefits of sample and data exchange for clinical validation and provided a framework for reporting the findings in lymphoid malignancies.
Advancing migration and health research by examining return migration
Authors: Serrano-Gallardo Pilar , Mas-Giralt Rosa , Castellani Simone , Juarez Sol P
Published: January 2024

This essay offers an analysis of research on return migration and health by adopting the social determinants of health (SDH) framework proposed by the WHO. Specifically, we argue that the SDH are implicated in the decision to migrate, stay or return, which in itself also contributes to social health inequities. Most theoretical frameworks developed to study migration have predominantly considered primary migration movements. The lack of a fluid consideration of the migration phenomenon has a direct impact on our understanding of the relationship between migration and health. In this essay, we, first, address the challenges of defining and studying return and its implications for health research. Second, we propose to use the WHO’s SDH framework to understand how social factors shape migrants’ health, influence the decision to return and can contribute to health inequalities. The conceptual approach developed in this paper can help design future studies on the health of return migrants, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to investigate how social factors are embodied, giving rise to health inequities in society that are intricately linked to the migration experience.
Evaluating bias with loss to follow-up in a community-based cohort: empirical investigation from the CARRS Study
Authors: Kondal Dimple , Awasthi Ashish , Patel Shivani Anil , Chang Howard H , Ali Mohammed K , Deepa Mohan , Mohan Sailesh , Mohan Viswanathan , Narayan K M Venkat , Tandon Nikhil , Prabhakaran Dorairaj
Published: January 2024

Background

Retention of participants is a challenge in community-based longitudinal cohort studies. We aim to evaluate the factors associated with loss to follow-up and estimate attrition bias.

Methods

Data are from an ongoing cohort study, Center for cArdiometabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia (CARRS) in India (Delhi and Chennai). Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify sociodemographic factors associated with partial (at least one follow-up) or no follow-up (loss to follow-up). We also examined the impact of participant attrition on the magnitude of observed associations using relative ORs (RORs) of hypertension and diabetes (prevalent cases) with baseline sociodemographic factors.

Results

There were 12 270 CARRS cohort members enrolled in Chennai and Delhi at baseline in 2010, and subsequently six follow-ups were conducted between 2011 and 2022. The median follow-up time was 9.5 years (IQR: 9.3–9.8) and 1048 deaths occurred. Approximately 3.1% of participants had no follow-up after the baseline visit. Younger (relative risk ratio (RRR): 1.14; 1.04 to 1.24), unmarried participants (RRR: 1.75; 1.45 to 2.11) and those with low household assets (RRR: 1.63; 1.44 to 1.85) had higher odds of being lost to follow-up. The RORs of sociodemographic factors with diabetes and hypertension did not statistically differ between baseline and sixth follow-up, suggesting minimal potential for bias in inference at follow-up.

Conclusion

In this representative cohort of urban Indians, we found low attrition and minimal bias due to the loss to follow-up. Our cohort’s inconsistent participation bias shows our retention strategies like open communication, providing health profiles, etc have potential benefits.
Identifying employee, workplace and population characteristics associated with COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace: a population-based study
Authors: Overton Christopher E , Abbey Rachel , Baird Tarrion , Christie Rachel , Daniel Owen , Day Julie , Gittins Matthew , Jones Owen , Paton Robert , Tang Maria , Ward Tom , Wilkinson Jack , Woodrow-Hill Camilla , Aldridge Timothy , Chen Yiqun
Published: January 2024

Objectives

To identify risk factors that contribute to outbreaks of COVID-19 in the workplace and quantify their effect on outbreak risk.

Methods

We identified outbreaks of COVID-19 cases in the workplace and investigated the characteristics of the individuals, the workplaces, the areas they work and the mode of commute to work, through data linkages based on Middle Layer Super Output Areas in England between 20 June 2021 and 20 February 2022. We estimated population-level associations between potential risk factors and workplace outbreaks, adjusting for plausible confounders identified using a directed acyclic graph.

Results

For most industries, increased physical proximity in the workplace was associated with increased risk of COVID-19 outbreaks, while increased vaccination was associated with reduced risk. Employee demographic risk factors varied across industry, but for the majority of industries, a higher proportion of black/African/Caribbean ethnicities and living in deprived areas, was associated with increased outbreak risk. A higher proportion of employees in the 60–64 age group was associated with reduced outbreak risk. There were significant associations between gender, work commute modes and staff contract type with outbreak risk, but these were highly variable across industries.

Conclusions

This study has used novel national data linkages to identify potential risk factors of workplace COVID-19 outbreaks, including possible protective effects of vaccination and increased physical distance at work. The same methodological approach can be applied to wider occupational and environmental health research.
Parasagittal needle placement approach for lumbar medial branch denervation: a brief technical report
Authors: Tran John , Lawson Arden , Agur Anne , Loh Eldon
Published: January 2024

Radiofrequency denervation of lumbar medial branches is a viable treatment option to manage chronic facetogenic low back pain. Traditionally, lumbar medial branch denervation involves placement of the electrode’s active tip at a 20-degree angulation away from the parasagittal plane. However, more recent anatomical studies have provided evidence supporting the feasibility of an alternative parasagittal approach targeting the posterior half of the lateral neck of the superior articular process to capture the lumbar medial branches. Currently, there is a lack of clinical data on the effectiveness of the alternative parasagittal needle placement technique. Therefore, in this brief technical report, the parasagittal needle placement technique and the pain relief outcomes in four consecutive patients following treatment with the parasagittal approach are described.
Messages about climate, pollution and social justice harms of tobacco as motivators to quit: an untapped communication opportunity?
Authors: Tabbakh Tamara , Mitsopoulos Eve , Nuss Tegan , Durkin Sarah J
Published: January 2024

Background

Campaigns highlighting the health harms of smoking have demonstrated success in motivating people who smoke to quit. Tobacco production and use also exert a toll on the environment, sustainable development and human rights. However, messages highlighting these harms of tobacco have been relatively unexplored as a cessation motivation strategy. In this study, we examined the extent to which a range of messages about climate, pollution and social justice harms of tobacco are perceived as motivating among people who smoke, overall and by sociodemographics.

Data and methods

Australian adults who smoke (n=395) aged 18–59 years reported the ‘extent to which each of the following motivated them to quit smoking’ and were then presented with messages aboutclimate(four items),pollution(three items) andsocial justice(three items) harms of tobacco, which they rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 ‘Not at all’ to 5 ‘Very much so’ in this online cross-sectional survey. Differences by age, education, gender, socioeconomic status (SES) and geographical region were examined using prevalence ratios from generalised linear models with log-link (Poisson regression).

Results

For each of the 10 messages, between one-half and two-thirds of the overall sample perceived them as motivating (49–65%), particularly messages highlighting harms to human or animal life and welfare (all ≥60%). Across all message themes, younger adults (18–35 years) and those who completed tertiary education were more likely to perceive some messages as motivating. Perceived motivation did not vary significantly by gender, SES or geographical region.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that value-based messaging featuring the environmental and social justice footprint of tobacco is perceived as motivating for smoking cessation, especially among younger people and those with higher education who may be more engaged with these issues. Inclusion of such messages as part of a comprehensive antitobacco communication strategy may provide an untapped opportunity by potentially providing people who smoke with additional compelling reasons to quit.
Diagnosis of cystic lung diseases: a position statement from the UK Cystic Lung Disease Rare Disease Collaborative Network
Authors: Johnson Simon R , Shaw Dominick E , Avoseh Michael , Soomro Irshad , Pointon Kate S , Kokosi Maria , Nicholson Andrew G , Desai Sujal R , George Peter M
Published: January 2024

Background

Rare cystic lung diseases are increasingly recognised due the wider application of CT scanning making cystic lung disease management a growing part of respiratory care. Cystic lung diseases tend to have extrapulmonary features that can both be diagnostic but also require surveillance and treatment in their own right. As some of these diseases now have specific treatments, making a precise diagnosis is crucial. While Langerhans cell histiocytosis, Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia and lymphangioleiomyomatosis are becoming relatively well-known diseases to respiratory physicians, a targeted and thorough workup improves diagnostic accuracy and may suggest other ultrarare diseases such as light chain deposition disease, cystic pulmonary amyloidosis, low-grade metastatic neoplasms or infections. In many cases, diagnostic information is overlooked leaving uncertainty over the disease course and treatments.

Aims

This position statement from the Rare Disease Collaborative Network for cystic lung diseases will review how clinical, radiological and physiological features can be used to differentiate between these diseases.

Narrative

We highlight that in many cases a multidisciplinary diagnosis can be made without the need for lung biopsy and discuss where tissue sampling is necessary when non-invasive methods leave diagnostic doubt. We suggest an initial workup focusing on points in the history which identify key disease features, underlying systemic and familial diseases and a clinical examination to search for connective tissue disease and features of genetic causes of lung cysts. All patients should have a CT of the thorax and abdomen to characterise the pattern and burden of lung cysts and extrapulmonary features and also spirometry, gas transfer and a 6 min walk test. Discussion with a rare cystic lung disease centre is suggested before a surgical biopsy is undertaken.

Conclusions

We suggest that this focused workup should be performed in all people with multiple lung cysts and would streamline referral pathways, help guide early treatment, management decisions, improve patient experience and reduce overall care costs. It could also potentially catalyse a national research database to describe these less well-understood and unidentified diseases, categorise disease phenotypes and outcomes, potentially leading to better prognostic data and generating a stronger platform to understand specific disease biology.
Tractability of approximation by general shallow networks
Authors: Mhaskar Hrushikesh N. , Mao Tong
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we present a sharper version of the results in the paper [H. N. Mhaskar, Dimension independent bounds for general shallow networks, Neural Netw. 123 (2020) 142–152]. Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be compact metric spaces. We consider approximation of functions of the form [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], by [Formula: see text]-networks of the form [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Defining the dimensions of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in terms of covering numbers, we obtain dimension independent bounds on the degree of approximation in terms of [Formula: see text], where also the constants involved are all dependent at most polynomially on the dimensions. Applications include approximation by power rectified linear unit networks, zonal function networks, certain radial basis function networks as well as the important problem of function extension to higher-dimensional spaces.
Approximation analysis of CNNs from a feature extraction view
Authors: Li Jianfei , Feng Han , Zhou Ding-Xuan
Published: January 2024

Deep learning based on deep neural networks has been very successful in many practical applications, but it lacks enough theoretical understanding due to the network architectures and structures. In this paper, we establish some analysis for linear feature extraction by a deep multi-channel convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which demonstrates the power of deep learning over traditional linear transformations, like Fourier, wavelets, redundant dictionary coding methods. Moreover, we give an exact construction presenting how linear features extraction can be conducted efficiently with multi-channel CNNs. It can be applied to lower the essential dimension for approximating a high-dimensional function. Rates of function approximation by such deep networks implemented with channels and followed by fully connected layers are investigated as well. Harmonic analysis for factorizing linear features into multi-resolution convolutions plays an essential role in our work. Nevertheless, a dedicate vectorization of matrices is constructed, which bridges 1D CNN and 2D CNN and allows us to have corresponding 2D analysis.
State of Health Prediction of Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Combined Machine Learning Model Based on Nonlinear Constraint Optimization
Authors: Liang Yawen , Wang Shunli , Fan Yongcun , Hao Xueyi , Liu Donglei , Fernandez Carlos
Published: January 2024

Accurate State of Health (SOH) estimation of battery systems is critical to vehicle operation safety. However, it’s difficult to guarantee the performance of a single model due to the unstable quality of raw data obtained from lithium-ion battery aging and the complexity of operating conditions in actual vehicle operation. Therefore, this paper combines a long short-term memory (LSTM) network with strong temporality, and support vector regression (SVR) with nonlinear mapping and small sample learning. A novel LSTM-SVR combined model with strong input features, less computational burden and multiple advantage combinations is proposed for accurate and robust SOH estimation. The nonlinear constraint optimization is used to assign weights to individual models in terms of minimizing the sum of squared errors of the combined models, which can combine strengths while compensating for weaknesses. Furthermore, voltage, current and temperature change curves during the battery charging were analyzed, and indirect health features (IHFs) with a strong correlation with capacity decline were extracted as model inputs using correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). The NASA dataset was used for validation, and the results show that the LSTM-SVR combined model has good SOH estimation performance, with MAE and RMSE all less than 0.75% and 0.97%.
Beneficial Effects of Oxide-Based Additives on Li-and Mn-rich Cathode Active Materials
Authors: Hartmann Louis , Ching Cheuck Hin , Zünd Tanja , Gasteiger Hubert A.
Published: January 2024

Li- and Mn-rich layered oxides such as Li1.14(Ni0.26Co0.14Mn0.60)0.86O2 (LMR-NCM) are potential next-generation cathode active materials (CAMs) for lithium ion-batteries, promising an increased energy density at lower materials costs compared to state-of-the-art CAMs. However, its commercial viability is still inhibited by its strong gassing, poor cycling stability, and voltage fading, so various approaches such as post-treatments or additives are being investigated. Here, it will be shown that the cycling performance of LMR-NCM//graphite coin-cells is drastically improved when assembled with 300 °C dried glassfiber (GF) separators (“GF-cells”) compared to cells with Celgard (CG) separators dried at 70 °C (“CG-cells”). The origin of this phenomenon is investigated by online electrochemical mass spectrometry (OEMS), TGA-MS, water absorption, and XPS measurements. These reveal that the superior performance of the GF-cells can be ascribed to the bulk water absorption capability of the 300 °C dried glassfiber material as well as its ability to scavenge HF, whereby H2O and HF are produced by the (electro)chemical oxidation of the electrolyte and the decomposition of the LiPF6 salt. Similar performance enhancements can be observed for 300 °C dried SiO2 nanoparticles added to the LMR-NCM cathodes or for an HF/H+ scavenging electrolyte additive.
Air-stepping in the neonatal mouse: a powerful tool for analyzing early stages of rhythmic limb movement development
Authors: Mistretta Olivia C. , Wood Ryan L. , English Arthur W. , Alvarez Francisco J.
Published: January 2024

We present novel methods to study neonatal air-stepping in newborn mice. These methods allow analyses at the onset of limb coordination during the period in which altricial species like rats, mice, and humans “learn” to walk. The methods will be useful to test a large variety of mutations that serve as models of motor disease in newborns or that are used to probe for specific circuit mechanisms that generate coordinated limb motor output.
Thermodynamic Behavior of Pyrite and Arsenopyrite in Preoxidation for Chlorination Leaching of Refractory Gold Concentrate
Authors: Kim Chang Sok , Han Un Chol , Sin Hyok , Hwang Su Rim , Wang Jong Min
Published: January 2024

Recently, preoxidation is an effective pretreatment method of refractory gold ore, which has been widely used due to the high desulfurization, arsenic removal, low environmental pollution, and rapid reaction rate. In this paper, we describe the thermodynamic considerations of preoxidation of pyrite and arsenopyrite, the main minerals of the refractory gold ore, and the effect of the pressure oxidation, one of the preoxidation processes on the chlorination leaching. The thermodynamic results indicated that arsenopyrite under acidic conditions is easier to oxidize compared to pyrite and the oxidation decomposition of pyrite and arsenopyrite-type gold ore can be considered mainly for pyrite. The experiment has shown that the arsenic removal rate was higher than the desulfurization rate; it is confirmed that the thermodynamic conclusion of the oxidation of pyrite and arsenopyrite was correct. Comparing the XRD, SEM, and EDX analyses of gold concentrate and pressurized oxidation residue, it can be seen that the surface of pressurized oxidation residue is a fine porous structure and the dense and durable structure of sulfide ore is mainly destroyed.
Severe Enamel Defects in Wild Japanese Macaques
Authors: Towle Ian , Loch Carolina , Martínez de Pinillos Marina , Modesto-Mata Mario , Hlusko Leslea J.
Published: January 2024

Plane-form enamel hypoplasia (PFEH) is a severe dental defect in which large areas of the crown are devoid of enamel. This condition is rare in humans and even rarer in wild primates. The etiology of PFEH has been linked to exposure to severe disease, malnutrition, and environmental toxins and associated with systemic conditions. In this study, we examined the prevalence of enamel hypoplasia in several populations of wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) with the aim of providing context for severe defects observed in macaques from Yakushima Island. We found that 10 of 21 individuals (48%) from Yakushima Island displayed uniform and significant PFEH; all 10 specimens were from two adjacent locations in the south of the island. In contrast, macaques from other islands and from mainland Japan have a low prevalence of the more common types of enamel hypoplasia and none exhibit PFEH. In Yakushima macaques, every tooth type was affected to varying degrees except for first molars and primary teeth, and the mineral content of the remaining enamel in teeth with PFEH was normal (i.e., no hypo- or hypermineralization). The aetiology of PFEH might be linked to extreme weather events or high rates of environmental fluoride-causing enamel breakdown. However, given that the affected individuals underwent dental development during a period of substantial human-related habitat change, an anthropogenic-related etiology seems most likely. Further research on living primate populations is needed to better understand the causes of PFEH in wild primates.
Disproportionality Analysis of Stomatitis Associated with Anticancer Drugs Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database
Authors: Hosonaka Kousuke , Yamaoka Kenta , Ikeda Naoe , Uchida Mayako , Uesawa Yoshihiro , Takahashi Kazushige , Shimizu Tadashi
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Anticancer drug-induced stomatitis can affect a patient’s quality of life and the continuation of drug treatment. Although there have been reports of the occurrence of stomatitis associated with anticancer agents in clinical trials, few Japanese participants have been enrolled in clinical trials and have not been sufficiently investigated. In addition, there has been little attention on research on anticancer drugs associated with stomatitis by patient stratification with different carcinogenic sites. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the disproportionality associated with stomatitis for various types of anticancer drugs in different types of cancer patients using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. Methods: The aim of this study was to identify the disproportionality of stomatitis by analyzing the type of anticancer drug and cancer patients using the Japanese Pharmacovigilance Database. Data obtained from spontaneous reports of adverse events with more than 10 stomatitis outbreaks reported in the JADER database between April 2004 and March 2023 were analyzed. The safety signal for an adverse event was defined as the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval of the reported odds ratio of >1. Results: There were 6,178 reports of drugs associated with stomatitis. Among these, 41 drugs were suggested to be associated with stomatitis, and 41 drugs were detected as signals. These drugs were classified based on their efficacy: antipyrimidines (six drugs), folate metabolism antagonists (three drugs), alkylating agents (four drugs), platinum (three drugs), topoisomerase inhibitors (three drugs), microtubule inhibitors (three drugs), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors (two drugs), kinase inhibitors (seven drugs), anti-growth factor antibodies (five drugs) immune checkpoint inhibitors (one drug), and others (four drugs). Conclusion: The drugs that may be associated with stomatitis were cell cycle-dependent drugs, epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and mTOR inhibitors. Moreover, this study suggested that anti-growth factor antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors may be associated with stomatitis development.
Joint Linkage and Association Analysis Using GENEHUNTER-MODSCORE with an Application to Familial Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Brugger Markus , Lutz Manuel , Müller-Nurasyid Martina , Lichtner Peter , Slater Emily P. , Matthäi Elvira , Bartsch Detlef K. , Strauch Konstantin
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Joint linkage and association (JLA) analysis combines two disease gene mapping strategies: linkage information contained in families and association information contained in populations. Such a JLA analysis can increase mapping power, especially when the evidence for both linkage and association is low to moderate. Similarly, an association analysis based on haplotypes instead of single markers can increase mapping power when the association pattern is complex. Methods: In this paper, we present an extension to the GENEHUNTER-MODSCORE software package that enables a JLA analysis based on haplotypes and uses information from arbitrary pedigree types and unrelated individuals. Our new JLA method is an extension of the MOD score approach for linkage analysis, which allows the estimation of trait-model and linkage disequilibrium (LD) parameters, i.e., penetrance, disease-allele frequency, and haplotype frequencies. LD is modeled between alleles at a single diallelic disease locus and up to three diallelic test markers. Linkage information is contributed by additional multi-allelic flanking markers. We investigated the statistical properties of our JLA implementation using extensive simulations, and we compared our approach to another commonly used single-marker JLA test. To demonstrate the applicability of our new method in practice, we analyzed pedigree data from the German National Case Collection for Familial Pancreatic Cancer (FaPaCa). Results: Based on the simulated data, we demonstrated the validity of our JLA-MOD score analysis implementation and identified scenarios in which haplotype-based tests outperformed the single-marker test. The estimated trait-model and LD parameters were in good accordance with the simulated values. Our method outperformed another commonly used JLA single-marker test when the LD pattern was complex. The exploratory analysis of the FaPaCa families led to the identification of a promising genetic region on chromosome 22q13.33, which can serve as a starting point for future mutation analysis and molecular research in pancreatic cancer. Conclusion: Our newly proposed JLA-MOD score method proves to be a valuable gene mapping and characterization tool, especially when either linkage or association information alone provide insufficient power to identify the disease-causing genetic variants.
Key to sessile gnesiotrochan rotifers: Families, monospecific species in Flosculariidae, species of Atrochidae, Conochilidae, and Limnias
Authors: DAVIES NATALIE , LAFLEUR ALEXANDRE , HOCHBERG RICK , WALSH ELIZABETH J. , WALLACE ROBERT L.
Published: January 2024

Accurate identification of species is key to understanding their ecological roles and evolutionary history. It is also essential in cataloging biodiversity for comparisons among habitat types, responses to climate change, effective management practices, and more. The paucity of taxonomic expertise is increasing and with it the ability to competently identify species, this is particularly true for small taxa including rotifers. In an effort to improve this situation, we collated information on morphological characters from the literature on all valid species of sessile Gnesiotrocha (phylum Rotifera) currently assigned to two orders and four families. We review Order Collothecaceae, which comprises families Atrochidae (3 spp.) and Collothecidae (50 spp.) and Order Flosculariaceae, which includes families Conochilidae (7 spp.) and Flosculariidae (71 species). Based on that information, we provide dichotomous keys to the Families, monospecific species in Flosculariidae, and species of Atrochidae, Conochilidae, and Limnias. These keys will aid researchers to identify species in these families and lead to a better understanding of freshwater biodiversity and eco-evolutionary processes.
Enneothrips Hood: a Neotropical genus of leaf-feeding thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) with generic diagnosis and four new species
Authors: VIEIRA DANIEL ELIZEU , O’DONNELL CHERYLE A. , LIMA ÉLISON FABRÍCIO B.
Published: January 2024

Enneothrips is a lineage of leaf-feeding thrips conventionally placed in the Anaphothrips genus-group (Thripinae) and exclusively found in the Neotropics. Here we describe E. amazonicus sp. n., E. fulbrightae sp. n. and E. manauara sp. n. from the Brazilian Amazon and E. atlanticus sp. n. from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, together with an illustrated key to all ten species now recognized in the genus.
Cassidinidea andamanensis sp. nov., a new species of intertidal Sphaeromatidae (Crustacea: Isopoda) from the Andaman Islands, northern Indian Ocean
Authors: ANIL PATHAN , BRUCE NIEL L. , SAMSON ROKKARUKALA , JAYARAJ KADEPARAMBIL ARJUNAN
Published: January 2024

Cassidinidea andamanensis sp. nov. was collected from intertidal habitats on the coast of South Andaman, Andaman Islands, India and is described and illustrated in detail. Cassidinidea andamanensis sp. nov. the second definitive record of the genus from India, is characterized by: smooth body surface, prominently convex epistome anterior margin, pleotelson dorsal smooth surface and the posterior margin is subtruncate and weakly convex with small setae, the appendix masculina posterior margin is narrowly rounded.
An elusive quest for a region: Darbhanga Raj, caste and language in late colonial India
Authors: Chakravartty Aryendra
Published: January 2024

This essay is an exploration of the contingent nature of identity formation in late colonial India. In the wake of the 1912 separation of Bihar and Orissa from Bengal, two distinct conceptions of the region of Mithila and Maithila identity gained prominence. First, the Darbhanga Maharaja viewed Mithila as a bastion of brahmanical orthodoxy, and this underpinned the claims for Mithila to be converted to a native state with its own ruling chief. Second, by the 1930s we see the consolidation of a movement which proposed the Maithili language as the marker of a Maithila people, one that did not make brahmanical orthodoxy or Hinduism a prerequisite to belonging. Both these discourses accepted the mythic conception of Mithila, and its traditional puranic geography, yet the Darbhanga Maharaja embraced all-India markers of belonging by emphasising Hinduism and presenting himself as the leader of brahmanical orthodoxy in India. The local, in this discourse, found validation by embracing national markers, even as the nation itself remained colonised. On the other hand, the Maithili language movement, which gained momentum in the twilight of colonial rule and in post-independence India, emphasised and embraced the local. This essay therefore charts the gradual shift in the conception of Maithila identity where language displaces religion and brahmanical orthodoxy, as championed by the Darbhanga Maharaja, to become the marker of local identity.
The Kuwaiti Government’s Twitter Discourse During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Toward a Crisis Communication Model Using SCCT and CERC
Authors: Nashmi Eisa Al , Bashir Manaf
Published: January 2024

In an effort to de-Westernise crisis communication literature, this study explores the Kuwaiti government’s COVID-19 discourse over Twitter by using criteria from Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication model (CERC) and Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT). The Kuwaiti government mostly used instructing strategies, complying with crisis communication principles. However, contrary to recommendations from literature, reputation strategies were prioritised over adjusting strategies, confirming the influence of politics during crises. The results also revealed that the public interacted with instructing and adjusting strategies more than reputation strategies demonstrating the public’s need for information rather than reputation. Regarding Twitter use, the results indicated that the government lacked the necessary skills to communicate proficiently over the platform. The implications of the findings are discussed in relation to theory development in crisis communication and governmental use of social media.
Using co-creation to address monitoring and evaluation challenges: The experience of South Africa’s evaluation hackathon
Authors: Hazell Eleanor , Goldman Ian , Rabie Babette , Norins Jen , Chirau Takunda , Gupta Taruna
Published: January 2024

In 2021, the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association facilitated an evaluation hackathon that engaged diverse stakeholders in co-creation processes to develop practical solutions to address complex problems facing the monitoring and evaluation sector. The event catalysed broad-based ownership and enabled the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association to coordinate the creative energy, commitment and resources of its members, government and other partners to achieve outcomes that would not be possible to achieve otherwise. The article analyses the co-creation approach adopted for the hackathon across four phases, namely initiation, process design/planning, co-design and development and application/follow-up. A retrospective analysis of the process and results identified eight key elements that enabled or impeded the successful completion of hackathon outputs and their conversion into useful products. These elements are facilitative leadership, purposive stakeholder selection, a well-delimited task, preparation, process facilitation, a valued product, voluntary contributions and further capacity. The lessons learnt provide useful insight for future efforts to generate localised, contextualised responses to evaluation problems.
Impact of urban construction on pedestrian level wind environment in complex building group
Authors: Yu Jianhan , Tang Jia , Li Mingshui
Published: January 2024

The impact of urban construction on pedestrian level wind (PLW) has been extensively studied, which has mainly focused on ideal structures rather than real multiplex building layouts. Therefore, a series of wind tunnel tests were conducted on a real building complex to investigate the impacts of a newly built nearby high-rise building, added floors, passage width and a novelty zigzag building shape on the PLW. The findings showed that in converging layouts, PLW velocity can be increased up to 2.75 times by a nearby 230 m high-rise building, and it is reduced by 30% with a 30 m passage compared to a 10 m passage. Adding 38 m to a 65 m high building would increase PLW velocity by 1.95 times when compared to an isolated building and 2.4 times when compared to a building surrounded by others. Additionally, a modest impact on PLW velocity was observed with zigzag building shapes. This study highlights the PLW velocity that can be increased to a large extent with newly built high-rise buildings and adding floors, while increasing the passage width has the opposite effect. This study also offers insights into urban planning and building design to enhance wind comfort.
Examining the Role of Intergenerational Relations in Food Systems: Evidence from Western India
Authors: Shukla Anuprita
Published: January 2024

Food systems and their normative goal of achieving food security remain a robust global agenda. However, with the shifts toward a sustainable food system, there is an increasing interest in consolidating evidence on multiple dimensions of the food system. This article is an empirically grounded argument for using intergenerational relations to expand understanding of food systems by looking beyond the usual security outcomes and emphasising social welfare outcomes. Drawing on ethnographic research in an indigenous village in western India, I examine a rural, local food system and the transformations therein because of various socio-economic drivers, including changing livelihood opportunities. Evidence shows growing generational solidarity, with some positive effects for environmental sustainability and for revaluing indigenous culture, including traditional food systems, and generating new local livelihoods. Simultaneously, though, tensions are being created around intergenerational autonomy and cultural expressions. Moreover, the food transition has resulted in a decline in the nutritional content of local diets, which has health implications. This article raises questions whether trends towards sustainability and resilience are necessarily mutually reinforcing for natural resource-dependent indigenous communities and our natural environment.
Shades of Homogeneity: Redefining Japan’s Narrative Through Refugee Acceptance
Authors: Ullah A. K. M. Ahsan , Chattoraj Diotima , Zulkifili Siti Nurbazilah
Published: January 2024

Due to the long-standing labour shortage in Japan, the issue of migration has recently come to the forefront of public and private discourse. This article examines a hitherto under-researched area, namely, how Japan has maintained its traditional homogeneity and Japan’s reluctance to accept migrants and refugees. To this end, we have attempted to examine why there is a reluctance to accept refugees. We assume that homogeneity fosters a culture of rejection. Using snowballing, we interviewed 12 Japanese (students and professionals) and 15 foreigners (professionals and students) who have lived in Japan for at least ten years. Our arguments were supported by empirical information and underpinned by the theory of ethnic demarcation and homogeneity. This research has critical policy implications for refugee regimes and host countries.
Testing the Forecasting Prowess of Bitcoin Uncertainty in the Predictability of Stock Returns
Authors: Isah Kazeem O. , Ekeocha Patterson C.
Published: January 2024

Motivated by the theoretical prediction of a weak link between the cryptocurrency market and stock markets, most empirical literature contends that Bitcoin is a safe hedge for the stock market. Opposing this position is the view that portrays Bitcoin as a regular, high-risk asset, such that when stock prices rise, so does Bitcoin, and vice versa. To test the validity or otherwise of this competing view, we construct a bivariate predictive model to examine the predictive power of Bitcoin uncertainty on stock returns. In contrast to the extant literature, we rely on the novel measure of uncertainty (i.e., the Bitcoin uncertainty indices, hereinafter URCY) and specify a forecasting model. The objectives of this study are to examine (i) the predictive power of UCRY indices on stock returns and (ii) the extent to which UCRY can make accurate out-of-sample forecasts. Using data for the G7 countries, among other things, our findings show that Bitcoin uncertainty indices are negative predictors of stock returns across the countries under investigation. Results also reveal that the indices are accurate and reliable predictors of stock returns in the short-to-medium term. These results are robust to accounting for structural breaks (i.e., the COVID-19 pandemic) and some macroeconomic variables. The policy implications of these results are discussed.
Workplace Stressors and Their Consequences on Frontliners’ Performance: A Conservation of Resources Perspective
Authors: Rahman Md Mostafizur , Hossain Md Alamgir
Published: January 2024

The present study aims to examine the effects of two workplace stressors (abusive supervision and co-worker incivility) on work performance among frontline employees (FLEs) based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory. The intervening effects of work stress and proactive personality are also investigated in the relationships. Self-administered structured questionnaires and structural equation models are utilized to analyse data collected from 330 FLEs. Both stressors are better suited to determine work-related stress, but stress is not a significant predictor of performance. Abusive supervision is significantly connected to a proactive personality, and that proactive personality is connected significantly to work performance. Abusive supervision predicts a significant negative relationship with work performance, however co-worker incivility with work performance reverses. This endeavour integrates the association among variables with COR theory. The research findings will guide the supervisors of FLEs to work for any emerging economy.
Interplay Among Responsible Leadership, Corporate Social Responsibility Perspective and Organizational Citizenship Behaviour Towards Environment: A Study of the Indian IT Sector
Authors: Bisla Meenakshi , Prakash Deepti , Bamel Umesh
Published: January 2024

The environmental degradation and consequent scarcity of resources have compelled organizations to implement strategies and policies that prioritize the attainment of a sustainable environment. The significance of employees’ pro-environment behaviour is increasingly recognized and is being promoted by organizations that focus on preserving the environment. Considering the importance of pro-environment behaviour, this study investigates the relationship among responsible leadership, corporate social responsibility (CSR) perspective and organizational citizenship behaviour towards environment (OCBE). This employee-level study adopted social cognitive theory to examine the context–behaviour framework. The data are collected from information technology (IT) professionals using a stratified sampling technique. The analysis of 503 respondents using PLS-SEM concludes that responsible leadership and CSR perspective have a positive relationship with OCBE. The study also confirms the partial mediating role of the CSR perspective in the relationship between responsible leadership and OCBE. The study identifies organizational-level contextual factors such as responsible leadership and CSR perspective that promote an environment-friendly behaviour among employees, i.e., OCBE. The paper extends the context–behaviour framework literature and highlights the benefits of OCBE in the organization.
Artificial Intelligence, Digital Trends and Globalization: Future Research Trends
Authors: Ratten Vanessa
Published: January 2024

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing businesses based on digital trends and globalization. The aim of this article is to focus on emerging research trends regarding artificial intelligence that will influence global business management. This is significant as there have been rapid changes recently regarding artificial intelligence, including the surge in interest in generative forms. This article summarizes the trends taking place in the adoption process of artificial intelligence and what business managers need to do in order to increase their competitiveness. A brief history of how artificial intelligence has developed is stated, along with the main international business uses for artificial intelligence. Implications at the managerial and policy levels are stated that highlight the relevance and interesting nature of artificial intelligence in international business.
Environmental regulation effect study of the environmental protection tax law during strict epidemic control: based on heavy pollution enterprises sample data test
Authors: Zong-hang Wang , Jian-ya Zhou , Ming-jun Chen
Published: January 2024

The implementation of the Environmental Protection Tax Law was seriously affected by strict pandemic control. The Environmental Protection Tax Law imposed environmental taxes on enterprises based on measuring their pollution emissions to restrain their bad environmental behaviour and stimulate their green technological innovation ability. However, during the pandemic control period, the green technological innovation ability of enterprises was not developed. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the environmental regulation effect of the environmental protection tax. This study is based on sample data covering heavily polluting enterprises in China collected from December 20, 2022, to January 7, 2023. It finds that the follow cost effect existed, but the value compensation effect obviously declined, which leading to a decline in the green technological innovation ability of heavily polluting enterprises. The study shows that although strict pandemic control maintained the environmental protection function of the environmental protection tax, it weakened the economic driving function, which will not only damage the long-term economic development potential but also make the environmental protection function unsustainable.

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