bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strengths and weaknesses of the South-South Learning Exchange: a qualitative analysis of experts’ perspectives
Authors: Triulzi Isotta , Kabra Rita , Allagh Komal Preet , Kiarie James
Published: August 2023

Background: 

South-South learning exchange (SSLE) refers to an interactive learning process where peers exchange knowledge and experience to work towards a beneficial change. Despite organizations having recently increased the opportunity to run SSLEs, the SSLE support mechanisms and processes are not well documented in the scientific literature. This study explored experts’ perspective on SSLEs, strengths, weaknesses and mechanisms leading to outcomes. 

Methods: 

We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews on experience of participants and organizers of SSLEs. Data were collected between 1st September 2021 to 26th November 2021. All data were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed. In the analysis, we adopted an inductive approach derived from thematic analysis. 

Results: 

Sixteen experts who have participated in or facilitated one or more SSLE were interviewed. Experts’ accounts demonstrated an appreciation of participants’ empowerment, positive peer-to-peer “mind change” and convincing and powerful hands-on learning of this approach as strengths in the successful implementation of the SSLE. Being resource heavy, participant reluctance and absence of a validated methodology emerged as main weaknesses of the South-South learning approach, which could impair the effectiveness of this scheme.  

Conclusions: 

The SSLE is a promising approach to exchange knowledge and experience to work toward a desired change. This study suggested that this approach could gain robustness and credibility adopting a validated and systematic methodology. Furthermore, national and international funds improve availability of and accessibility to learning on the SSLE.
Impact of Vortioxetine with antiepileptic drugs combined administration on non- convulsive behaviour in kindled rats
Authors: Ostapenko I.
Published: August 2023

Epilepsy is a prolonged, progressively advancing nervous and psychiatric disorder of various etiologies, characterized by paroxysmal and relatively persistent psychological disturbances. A significant burden of comorbid pathology is attributed to psychiatric disorders. Depressive disorders are among the most common behavioral comorbidities in patients with epilepsy, often remaining undiagnosed and untreated. The approach to treating depression in epilepsy patients is currently underdeveloped. To fully understand the prospects of the experimental framework for minimizing and/or eliminating depressive behavioral manifestations during the interictal period under conditions of chronic epileptogenesis, we conducted a series of studies to determine the effectiveness of comprehensive correction of non-seizure behavior in kindling animals. The aim of this study is to delineate alterations in the expression of non-seizure behavior in rats due to the combined administration of Vortioxetine with antiepileptic drugs in the dynamic context of chronic kindling-induced seizure activity. It has been established that in rats during the development of Picrotoxin-induced chronic epileptic syndrome, disruptions in late-tonic, emotional, and swimming types of behavior are observed, which are manifestations of non-seizure behavior. It has been proven that the combined administration of Valproic acid and Vortioxetine results in successful correction of the tested forms of behavior. Less effectiveness is observed with vortioxetine alone, and the least effectiveness is noted in a smaller number of investigated behavior types after valproic acid administration. The data demonstrate balancing systemic-antisynergistic relationships, the imbalance of which during the development of picrotoxin-induced chronic epileptic syndrome allows the development of non-seizure behavior forms during interictal periods. The obtained data and their analysis provide experimental groundwork for the appropriateness of clinically testing the combined administration of Vortioxetine with Valproic acid as part of complex therapy in epilepsy patients with the presence of a depressive behavioral component.
A ATUAÇÃO DO PROFESSOR CANÇADO TRINDADE NA CONSTRUÇÃO DO CARÁTER AUTÔNOMO DAS MEDIDAS PROVISÓRIAS DE PROTEÇÃO NO SISTEMA INTERAMERICANO - DOI: 10.12818/P.0304-2340.2022v81p339
Authors: Jorge Philocreon de Castro Lima Mario , Silva Rêgo Hiolanda
Published: August 2023

O objetivo deste trabalho é demonstrar como a doutrina do professor e jurista Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade contribuiu para o amadurecimento da aplicação das medidas provisórias de proteção no âmbito do Sistema Interamericano de Direitos Humanos. O tipo de pesquisa utilizado foi o descritivo, por meio do método de pesquisa bibliográfico e de estudo de casos. A análise explora as circunstâncias em que incide este instituto com o objetivo de evidenciar a repercussão inestimável das referidas medidas no plano prático processual internacional. A conclusão é no sentido de que as medidas provisórias, com o propósito de evitar que a demora de um provimento decisório acarrete danos irreparáveis a Direitos Humanos, representam importante ferramenta para o aprimoramento da jurisprudência da Corte Interamericana com viés transcendental de seu conteúdo.
JUS GENTIUM DO SÉCULO XXI: AS CONTRIBUIÇÕES DE CANÇADO TRINDADE - DOI: 10.12818/P.0304-2340.2022v81p359
Authors: Mascarenhas simões Bentes Natalia , Teixeira sena Daibes Resque Rafaela , Elizabeth Cavalcante Koury Suzy
Published: August 2023

O presente artigo visa, a partir do trabalho argumentativo de Cançado Trindade, em sede de votos individuais, em opiniões consultivas e em sentenças na Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos (CorteIDH) e na Corte Internacional de Justiça (CorteICJ), a destacar a sua contribuição para a inclusão do debate sobre a extensão do jus cogens nas questões analisadas pelas Cortes e, posteriormente, pelo posicionamento que vieram a desenvolver sobre esse tema em sua jurisprudência. A pergunta que norteia o artigo é: como o autor Cançado Trindade contribuiu para consolidar o novo jus gentium do Século XXI? A fim de alcançar esse desiderato, busca-se traçar um panorama acerca do direito internacional tradicional do Século XX, com o objetivo de traçar a sua evolução, para, em um segundo momento, enfrentar-se a ampliação do jus cogens pela Corte IDH e pela Corte CIJ, finalizando com a análise das contribuições mais relevantes do autor para que se alcance o novo jus gentium do Século XXI. A metodologia utilizada foi a da pesquisa empírica em ciências sociais para o estudo das informações necessárias sobre a utilização do jus cogens pela CorteIDH. Os recursos metodológicos utilizados para desen volver o método aplicado foram o da pesquisa documental e jurisprudencial em sentenças, votos dissidentes, votos separados e opiniões consultivas das cortes. Os resultados indicaram a expressiva contribuição do autor para a consolidação da visão universalista e humanista do Direito Internacional.
Is Personalized Pricing Profitable When Firms Can Differentiate?
Authors: Li Xi , Wang Xin (Shane) , Nault Barrie R.
Published: August 2023

We consider the role of personalized pricing (PP) on product differentiation when PP is costly to implement. Using a stylized yet commonly used formulation, we find that when firms decide on positioning before deciding on PP implementation, PP implementation cost affects not only the amount of differentiation firms choose in their positioning, firm profits, consumer surplus, and social welfare, but also whether firms implement PP. When PP implementation cost is low, firms cannot help but to implement PP and engage in direct price competition. Moreover, firms implementing PP reduce their differentiation, further intensifying price competition, and are worse off. When PP implementation cost is moderate, firms position to reduce their differentiation to commit to not implementing PP, again aggravating price competition. In contrast, when PP implementation cost is higher, firms increase their differentiation due to the threat of PP but do not implement PP. As a result, the availability of PP improves firm profits, even though firms do not implement PP. However, if differentiation is restricted, then PP availability cannot improve firm profits. If an information seller sets the PP implementation cost, then it sets the cost low. Consequently, firms implement PP and are worse off. We also find that when firms decide whether to implement PP before deciding on positioning, they never implement PP. This is the case when PP implementation is complex, and differentiation can be affected by short-run advertising and promotion. Finally, we show that banning PP can benefit consumers when accounting for changes in firm positioning.

This paper was accepted by D. J. Wu, information systems.

Funding: This work was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Hong Kong Research Grants Council [Grant 21500920].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.02740 .
Validity and reliability of the Thai Adaptation of Naming Test-Revised (TANT-Revised)
Authors:   Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand., Sinakluan Warangkana , Makarabhirom Kalyanee ,   Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand., Thadanipon Kunlawat ,   Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Published: August 2023

Background: The Thai Adaptation of Naming Test (TANT) is useful for assessing naming ability among Thais with naming deficits. However, the TANT was developed in 2004, meaning some words have become less common. Consequently, the TANT was revised for modernity and suitability for the current Thai cultural context and to measure the psychological properties. Objectives: To assess the validity and reliability of the Thai Adaptation of Naming Test-Revised (TANT-Revised). Materials and methods: The TANT was revised by adjusting certain items for suitability to the current Thai cultural context, consisting of 2 parts: Pictures of words and semantic cues. Subsequently, the TANT-Revised was assessed for content validity index (CVI), content validity for the item (I-CVI), and content validity Index for scale (S-CVI) test by five expert speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Afterward, the TANT-Revised was examined for test-retest reliability by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in an aphasia group and a normal group, with 13 people per group. Results: The results of testing for the validity of TANT-Revised by expert SLPs revealed that the validity for pictures (CVI = 0.96, S-CVI = 0.99, and I-CVI = 1) and semantic cues (CVI = 0.95, S-CVI = 0.99, and I-CVI = 1) have high reliability in the normal group at 0.79 and the aphasia group at 0.96. Conclusion: This study assessed the psychological properties of the TANT-Revised instrument used to test naming ability. The validity of the revision test was high, and the TANT-Revised was deemed acceptable by experts. In addition, the test-retest reliability of TANT-Revised was high in both the normal and aphasia groups, implying the TANT-Revised is an efficient instrument for confrontation naming ability. However, this study was a preliminary test revision, and insufficient norm data and factors are affecting the test score.
Potential donors’ gender and prosocial behaviour: a brand anthropomorphism lens
Authors: Verbeek Jade , van der Westhuizen Liezl-Marié , Wiese Melanie
Published: August 2023

This study explores the role of potential donors’ gender in prosocial behaviour, using an anthropomorphic lens. Its findings could aid non-profit organisations (NPOs) in eliciting individual charitable donations and thus accessing additional funding. A gender-neutral brand spokes-character was used as the stimulus in a survey questionnaire distributed via an online panel of 200 respondents, from which actual donation behaviour towards a South African NPO was captured. The data was analysed using multi-group moderation structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings indicated that potential donors’ gender plays a role in the relationships between brand anthropomorphism and prosocial behaviour in South Africa, highlighting the importance of context-specific considerations when exploring gender differences. Thus, contributions are made to understanding the role of gender in prosocial behaviour through a brand anthropomorphism lens. Practical context-specific insights related to actual donation behaviour in a developing country are also provided.
Daring to ask about violence? A critical examination of social services’ policies on asking about gender-based violence
Authors: Goicolea Isabel , Bäckström Hanna , Lauri Marcus , Carbin Maria , Linander Ida
Published: August 2023

This article critically analyses the assumptions and effects of the ‘daring to ask approach’ to gender based violence (GBV), as expressed in the policies that govern social services’ work in Sweden. We show how GBV is constituted as a sensitive issue connected with shame and as something that will not be brought up spontaneously; GBV is something that women who had experienced it carry with them as an ‘untouched truth’ waiting to be discovered by social workers while women’s worries about the consequences of telling are not made intelligible. The very speaking as such is seen as emancipatory, and the social worker is understood as a facilitator. With this approach follows standardised questions, aiming for neutrality and equity. However, these are so wide and unspecific, that the risk is that no one thinks the questions are directed to her. By making the assumptions and effects of a seemingly self-evident strategy visible, we demonstrate areas in need of further research and policy development, such as barriers to help-seeking (beyond stigmatisation) and effects of standardisation. This is an important undertaking since without critical scrutiny of the policies there is a risk that stakeholders assume that merely asking will resolve the problem of GBV.
Fast modal reconstruction of large plane wavefronts from sparse measurements using Shack–Hartmann sensors
Authors: Berlakovich Nikolaus , Csencsics Ernst , Senoner Damian , Schitter Georg
Published: August 2023

A concept for the fast measurement and reconstruction of optical
wavefronts using Shack–Hartmann sensors (SHSs) is presented. For
wavefronts with a diameter at the scale of several tens of
millimeters, hundreds of measurements with an SHS may be necessary to
cover the wavefront. In the proposed concept, a few SHSs are used to
measure about 2% of the entire wavefront, providing sufficient
measurement data for its successful reconstruction. The small number
of SHSs mounted in parallel makes the concept suitable for
time-critical applications. A simulation analysis is performed, and an
experimental validation of the concept is presented, demonstrating
that the wavefront can be reconstructed with an RMS error of about
100 nm.
Modeling and performance analysis of underwater wireless optical absorption, scattering, and turbulence channels employing Monte Carlo-multiple phase screens
Authors: Wen Hao , Yin Hongxi , Ji Xiuyang , Huang An
Published: August 2023

The absorption, scattering, and turbulence effects have a significant impact on the performance of underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC). Therefore, it is crucial to consider seawater’s optical parameters comprehensively when designing UWOC systems. So far, most studies on the UWOC channel have separately modeled the absorption and scattering, and turbulence of seawater, and furthermore, the continuous phase perturbations caused by turbulence are neglected to simplify the model when modeling turbulence channels. Hence, this paper simultaneously considers the absorption, scattering, and turbulence effects of seawater and proposes a UWOC channel modeling method that combines Monte Carlo simulation with multiple phase screen approaches. Subsequently, the impacts of different systems and channel conditions on system performance are explored, and simulation results indicate that as the turbidities and turbulence intensities of the seawater increase, the probability density function of received light signal intensity becomes more dispersed. The turbulence introduces an increase in path loss of approximately 5 dB compared to its absence. Furthermore, the channel impulse response (CIR) is obtained, where the turbulence effects cause a 50% decrease in the CIR peak and the noticeable temporal spread.
All-fiberized linearly polarized superfluorescent fiber source with 5  kW power output
Authors: Chen Qi , Ren Shuai , Liu Wei , Chen Yisha , Ma Pengfei , Pan Zhiyong , Chen Zilun , Wang Zefeng
Published: August 2023

A superfluorescent fiber source (SFS) is a special fiber source that commonly possesses high temporal stability and a wide spectral linewidth. In this work, an all-fiberized linearly polarized SFS with, to our knowledge, record output power and near-diffraction-limited beam quality is presented. Up to 5.03 kW SFS is achieved at a pump power of 6.18 kW with a corresponding conversion efficiency of ∼81.1%. At maximum output power, the signal-to-noise ratio to background spectral noise is over 50 dB, the polarization extinction ratio is ∼17dB, and the beam quality factor is M
x
2=1.49, M
y
2=1.44. Further comparisons confirm the power scalability of fiber amplifiers employing SFSs as seed lasers. Overall, this work could provide a good reference for potential exploration of high-power fiber laser systems.
Design of the dual-band shared-aperture asynchronous zoom optical system using focus tunable lenses
Authors: Li Jingchen , Zhang Kun , Yang Fan , Yu Siyang , Zhang Xi , Sun Si , Chen Qingrong , Yan Wei
Published: August 2023

To meet the increasing demand of the current market and the diversity of application scenarios, combine the zoom system and the multi-band shared-aperture system, and fully harness their respective advantages, this paper proposes a dual-band shared-aperture asynchronous zoom optical system using focus tunable lenses (FTLs). To address the lack of available patents for such systems, we designed a sub-system simultaneous iterative optimization algorithm to calculate the initial structure parameters. This synchronous iterative optimization approach can strengthen the connection between sub-systems and compensate for the shortcomings of current mainstream design methods. The initial structure constructed in this way has a good performance in terms of structural stability and optimization potential. Based on these methods, we successfully designed an optical system that can work in both VIS and NIR bands, and the two sub-systems can zoom independently. The design results possess good performance in terms of distortion control, aberration correction, and volume control.
Dual-band metasurface generating multiple OAM beams independently in full polarizations
Authors: Xu Peng , Zhang Kunyi , Liu Haixia , Li Ruijie , Li Long
Published: August 2023

In this paper, a dual-band metasurface (MS) generating multiple orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams independently in full polarizations is proposed. First, the design principle of controlling full polarizations independently is analyzed. Second, the frequency selective surface is introduced to the meta-atom design that ensures the meta-atom operates at Ku- and Ka-band independently, while, at each band, sixteen optimized meta-atoms realize the high reflection amplitude and enough phase coverage. Next, the optimized dual-band meta-atom controlling full polarizations independently is utilized to design the MS, which could generate eight independent OAM beams including the x-polarized, y-polarized, left hand circularly polarized, and right hand circularly polarized OAM beams at dual-band. Finally, the MS is designed, fabricated, and measured. Both simulated and measured results verify that the proposed MS could generate multiple OAM beams in full polarizations at dual-band, showing the perspective in the OAM-based area, such as the wireless communication, target detection, and security encryption.
Airy-Gaussian vector beam and its application in generating flexible optical chains
Authors: Zhang Guang-Bo , Gao Xu-Zhen , Sun Xue-Feng , Ma Rende , Wang Yinghua , Pan Yue
Published: August 2023

In recent years, the manipulation of structured optical beam has become an attractive and promising area. The Gaussian beam is the most common beam as the output beam of the laser, and the Airy beam is recently proposed with fascinating properties and applications. In this paper, for the first time to our knowledge, the polarization is used as a tool to design a new kind of Airy-Gaussian vector beam by connecting the Gaussian and Airy functions, which opens a new avenue in designing new beams based on the existed beams. We realize the Airy-Gaussian vector beam with space-variant polarization distribution in theory and experiment, and find that the vector beam can autofocus twice during propagation. The optical chains with flexible intensity peaks are achieved with the Airy-Gaussian vector beam, which can be applied in trapping and delivering particles including biological cells and Rydberg atoms. Such optical chains can significantly improve the trapping efficiency, reduce the heat accumulation, and sweep away the impurity particles.
Demonstrating low Raman background in UV-written SiO2 waveguides
Authors: Jensen Mathias Novik , Gates James C. , Flint Alex I. , Hellesø Olav Gaute
Published: August 2023

Raman spectroscopy can give a chemical ’fingerprint’ from both inorganic and organic samples, and has become a viable method of measuring the chemical composition of single biological particles. In parallel, integration of waveguides and microfluidics allows for the creation of miniaturized optical sensors in lab-on-a-chip devices. The prospect of combining integrated optics and Raman spectroscopy for Raman-on-chip offers new opportunities for optical sensing. A major limitation for this is the Raman background of the waveguide. This background is very low for optical fibers but remains a challenge for planar waveguides. In this work, we demonstrate that UV-written SiO2 waveguides, designed to mimic the performance of optical fibers, offer a significantly lower background than competing waveguide materials such as Si3N4. The Raman scattering in the waveguides is measured in absolute units and compared to that of optical fibers and Si3N4 waveguides. A limited study of the sensitivity of the Raman scattering to changes in pump wavelength and in waveguide design is also conducted. It is revealed that UV-written SiO2 waveguides offer a Raman background lower than −107.4 dB relative to a 785 nm pump and −106.5 dB relative to a 660 nm pump. Furthermore, the UV-written SiO2 waveguide demonstrates a 15 dB lower Raman background than a Si3N4 waveguide and is only 8.7 − 10.3 dB higher than optical fibers. Comparison with a polystyrene bead (in free space, diameter 7 µm) reveal an achievable peak SNR of 10.4 dB, showing the potential of UV-SiO2 as a platform for a Raman-on-chip device capable of measuring single particles.
A pathogen-specific isotope tracing approach reveals metabolic activities and fluxes of intracellular Salmonella
Authors: Mitosch Karin , Beyß Martin , Phapale Prasad , Drotleff Bernhard , Nöh Katharina , Alexandrov Theodore , Patil Kiran R. , Typas Athanasios
Published: August 2023

Pathogenic bacteria proliferating inside mammalian host cells need to rapidly adapt to the intracellular environment. How they achieve this and scavenge essential nutrients from the host has been an open question due to the difficulties in distinguishing between bacterial and host metabolites in situ. Here, we capitalized on the inability of mammalian cells to metabolize mannitol to develop a stable isotopic labeling approach to track Salmonella enterica metabolites during intracellular proliferation in host macrophage and epithelial cells. By measuring label incorporation into Salmonella metabolites with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), and combining it with metabolic modeling, we identify relevant carbon sources used by Salmonella, uncover routes of their metabolization, and quantify relative reaction rates in central carbon metabolism. Our results underline the importance of the Entner–Doudoroff pathway (EDP) and the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase for intracellularly proliferating Salmonella. More broadly, our metabolic labeling strategy opens novel avenues for understanding the metabolism of pathogens inside host cells.
GIRK2 potassium channels expressed by the AgRP neurons decrease adiposity and body weight in mice
Authors: Oh Youjin , Yoo Eun-Seon , Ju Sang Hyeon , Kim Eunha , Lee Seulgi , Kim Seyun , Wickman Kevin , Sohn Jong-Woo
Published: August 2023

It is well known that the neuropeptide Y (NPY)/agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons increase appetite and decrease thermogenesis. Previous studies demonstrated that optogenetic and/or chemogenetic manipulations of NPY/AgRP neuronal activity alter food intake and/or energy expenditure (EE). However, little is known about intrinsic molecules regulating NPY/AgRP neuronal excitability to affect long-term metabolic function. Here, we found that the G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels are key to stabilize NPY/AgRP neurons and that NPY/AgRP neuron-selective deletion of the GIRK2 subunit results in a persistently increased excitability of the NPY/AgRP neurons. Interestingly, increased body weight and adiposity observed in the NPY/AgRP neuron-selective GIRK2 knockout mice were due to decreased sympathetic activity and EE, while food intake remained unchanged. The conditional knockout mice also showed compromised adaptation to coldness. In summary, our study identified GIRK2 as a key determinant of NPY/AgRP neuronal excitability and driver of EE in physiological and stress conditions.
Regulation of chromatin accessibility and gene expression in the developing hippocampal primordium by LIM-HD transcription factor LHX2
Authors: Suresh Varun , Muralidharan Bhavana , Pradhan Saurabh J. , Bose Mahima , D’Souza Leora , Parichha Arpan , Reddy Puli Chandramouli , Galande Sanjeev , Tole Shubha
Published: August 2023

In the mammalian cerebral cortex, the hippocampal primordium (Hcp) occupies a discrete position in the dorsal telencephalic neuroepithelium adjacent to the neocortical primordium (Ncp). We examined transcriptomic and chromatin-level features that distinguish the Hcp from the Ncp in the mouse during the early neurogenic period, embryonic day (E)12.5. ATAC-seq revealed that the Hcp was more accessible than the Ncp at this stage. Motif analysis of the differentially accessible loci in these tissues revealed LHX2 as a candidate transcription factor for modulating gene regulatory networks (GRNs). We analyzed LHX2 occupancy profiles and compared these with transcriptomic data from control and Lhx2 mutant Hcp and Ncp at E12.5. Our results revealed that LHX2 directly regulates distinct genes in the Hcp and Ncp within a set of common pathways that control fundamental aspects of development namely pluripotency, axon pathfinding, Wnt, and Hippo signaling. Loss of Lhx2 caused a decrease in accessibility, specifically in hippocampal chromatin, suggesting that this factor may play a unique role in hippocampal development. We identified 14 genes that were preferentially enriched in the Hcp, for which LHX2 regulates both chromatin accessibility and mRNA expression, which have not thus far been examined in hippocampal development. Together, these results provide mechanistic insight into how LHX2 function in the Hcp may contribute to the process by which the hippocampus acquires features distinct from the neocortex.
Factors associated with status and self-perceived mental health changes in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil
Authors: Rosa Rander Junior , Araújo Juliana Soares Tenório de , Berra Thaís Zamboni , Ramos Antônio Carlos Vieira , Moura Heriederson Sávio Dias , Nascimento Murilo César do , Tártaro Ariela Fehr , Silva Ruan Victor dos Santos , Delpino Felipe Mendes , Fiorati Regina Célia , Teibo Titilade Kehinde Ayandeyi , Alves Yan Mathias , Paiva Juliana Queiroz Rocha de , Arcoverde Marcos Augusto Moraes , Scholze Alessandro Rolim , Arcêncio Ricardo Alexandre
Published: August 2023

The SARS-CoV-2-triggered Public Health Emergency of International Importance has significantly contributed to emotional and mental health issues. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with self-perceived mental health changes while facing the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study that collected data via a web survey using a validated instrument. The study included individuals over 18 years old residing in the 26 federal units and the Federal District from August 2020 to November 2022. The sample was recruited using the snowball technique. Two logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with the outcomes of interest. The first analysis considered individuals who rated their mental health condition as poor as the dependent variable, while the second analysis considered individuals who reported changes in their mental health during the pandemic as the dependent variable. The study found that individuals with complete college education and those using tranquilizers or antidepressants were more likely to perceive their mental health as poor (1.97 and 2.04 times higher likelihood, respectively). Increased consumption of ultra-processed foods during the pandemic was associated with a 2.49 higher likelihood of reporting mental health changes. Participants also reported more difficulty sleeping. The negative self-perception of mental health varied across Brazil’s regions and changed over time, with different patterns observed before and after the vaccination period. In 2022, most regions of Brazil classified their mental health as "poor." The study highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, with increased prevalence of mental disorders and emotional problems among the population. The results highlight the presence of mental disorders and increased reporting of emotional problems among the population due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the gut microbiome: An ecological perspective
Authors: Cickovski Trevor , Mathee Kalai , Aguirre Gloria , Tatke Gorakh , Hermida Alejandro , Narasimhan Giri , Stollstorff Melanie
Published: August 2023

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an increasingly prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. Symptoms emerge from underlying deficiencies in neurocircuitry, and recent research has suggested a role played by the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is an ecosystem of interdependent taxa involved in an exponentially complex web of interactions, plus host gene and reaction pathways, some of which involve neurotransmitters with roles in ADHD neurocircuitry. Studies have analyzed the ADHD gut microbiome using macroscale metrics such as diversity and differential abundance, and have proposed several taxa as elevated or reduced in ADHD compared to Control. Few studies have delved into the complex underlying dynamics ultimately responsible for the emergence of such metrics, leaving a largely incomplete, sometimes contradictory, and ultimately inconclusive picture. We aim to help complete this picture by venturing beyond taxaabundancesand into taxarelationships(i.e. cooperation and competition), using a publicly available gut microbiome dataset (targeted 16S, v3-4 region, qPCR) from an observational, case-control study of 30 Control (15 female, 15 male) and 28 ADHD (15 female, 13 male) undergraduate students. We first perform the same macroscale analyses prevalent in ADHD gut microbiome literature (diversity, differential abundance, and composition) to observe the degree of correspondence, or any new trends. We then estimate two-way ecological relationships by producing Control and ADHD Microbial Co-occurrence Networks (MCNs), using SparCC correlations (p≤ 0.01). We perform community detection to find clusters of taxa estimated to mutually cooperate along with their centroids, and centrality calculations to estimate taxa most vital to overall gut ecology. We finally summarize our results, providing conjectures on how they can guide future experiments, some methods for improving our experiments, and general implications for the field.
Health-related quality of life among critically ill patients after discharge from the ICU—A systematic review protocol
Authors: Li Yao , Fang Dan , Wu Qiao
Published: August 2023

The impact of critical illness on patients is profound, resulting in physical, mental, and social consequences and poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Several studies investigated HRQOL among patients discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU). However, few systematic reviews cover studies conducted in the last decade or using valid instruments for measuring HRQOL in general ICU survivor populations. Herein, we conduct a systematic review of these studies that followed PRISMA guidelines. We will search PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane Library, and Open Grey for papers. We will search for articles reporting the HRQOL of ICU survivors that were written in English and published from 01 January 2012 onward from the date of this protocol’s publication. We will also extract HRQOL data and analyze associate factors. The risk of bias will be measured with a standard quality assessment tool. The strength of the results will depend on the number of studies and the consistency of their results.

Trial registration number: PROSPERO CRD 42022304279.
Preventing sedentary lifestyles among young children born with congenital heart defects: A feasibility study of physical activity rehabilitation after surgical or catheterization intervention
Authors: Ramanan Neya , Lee Suzie , Maharajh Gyaandeo , Webster Richard , Longmuir Patricia E.
Published: August 2023

Background

Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) often have inactive lifestyles and motor skill deficits beginning in infancy. The least active infants continue to be the least active children at school age. Enhancing physical activity and motor development in infancy, at the time of CHD treatment, may prevent inactive lifestyle habits.

Methods

All children being treated, through surgery or catheterization, for congenital heart disease are eligible if they are 3 to 72 months of age at enrollment. The Peabody Motor Development Scales (Version 2) and 7-day accelerometry (Actigraph GT9X Link) assess motor skills and physical activity prior to treatment and 7 weeks, 6 months and 12 months post-treatment. Participants are randomized 3:1 to intervention:control. Until 7 weeks post-treatment, intervention activities focus on regaining pre-treatment mobility and midline crossing. From 7 weeks to 6 months post-treatment, the intervention is individualized to each child’s assessment results and is parent-led, delivered at home and play-based.

Conclusion

This feasibility study will provide essential data for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate play-based, parent-delivered interventions optimized to support age-appropriate physical activity and motor skills among young children with CHD. Preliminary intervention efficacy data will inform an evidence-based sample size calculation, optimize intervention timing, and identify hypotheses on the motor skill—physical activity connection and the impact of play-based, parent-led interventions during recovery from CHD treatment. Long-term, the goal is to optimize motor skill and active lifestyles among young children with CHD, enabling their healthy growth and development and enhancing childhood quality of life.

Trial registration

Clinical trials registration: NCT04619745.
When and why voice to higher-up? Declaring the psychological mechanisms of subordinate’s voice behavior in the public sector
Authors: Tasneem Khawaja Asif , Zhang Zonghe , Sun Sirui
Published: August 2023

Based on the leadership-member exchange perspective, this study proposes that subordinates are more likely to express their voice in a leader-supported work environment, and this relationship is stronger when they have close social ties with their supervisor. In the case of subordinates supported by supervisors, public service motivation serves as a psychological mechanism to promote them to express voice behavior. This study also explains the boundary effect of the supervisor-subordinate’s guanxi perspective in affecting supervisor support and subordinate’s voice behavior. A longitudinal survey of 136 front-line public officers has been conducted to check this theoretical model in China, and their data verified the moderated-mediation model results. Implications for management theory and practice are discussed.
Power pose effects on approach and avoidance decisions in response to social threat
Authors: Metzler Hannah , Vilarem Emma , Petschen Adrian , Grèzes Julie
Published: August 2023

Individuals’ opportunities for action in threatening social contexts largely depend on their social power. While powerful individuals can afford to confront aggressors and dangers, powerless individuals need others’ support and better avoid direct challenges. Here, we investigated if adopting expansive or contracted poses, which signal dominance and submission, impacts individuals’ approach and avoidance decisions in response to social threat signals using a within-subject design. Overall, participants more often chose to avoid rather than to approach angry individuals, but showed no clear approach or avoidance preference for fearful individuals. Crucially, contracted poses considerably increased the tendency to avoid angry individuals, whereas expansive poses induced no substantial changes. This suggests that adopting power-related poses may impact action decisions in response to social threat signals. The present results emphasize the social function of power poses, but should be replicated before drawing strong conclusions.
Internationalization tactics and enterprise value in the context of the "Belt and Road" initiative—Analysis from the perspective of host country institutional environment and enterprise digital transformation
Authors: Zhang Dongchao , Zheng Xiyue , Wang Fusheng
Published: August 2023

This paper analyzes the impact of internationalization tactics on the value of 1107 multinational enterprises investing in the "Belt and Road" countries (regions) based on the two dimensions: entry mode and the degree of internationalization (including the breadth and depth of internationalization). It is found that the choice of sole proprietorship in the "Belt and Road" countries has a positive effect on enterprise value than joint venture. The increase of internationalization breadth and depth can promote enterprise value. Further research shows that the institutional environment of the host country and the digital transformation of enterprises significantly affect the choice of internationalization tactics and enterprise value. Specifically, the better the institutional environment of the host country and the more adequate the digital transformation of enterprises, the more inclined enterprises are to choose the sole proprietorship in the "Belt and Road" countries (regions) to obtain higher enterprise value. A good institutional environment of the host country and the digital transformation of enterprises can positively regulate the relationship between the degree of internationalization and enterprise value. these findings have important for Chinese enterprises to implement internationalization tactics rationally and scientifically, and to continuously improve enterprise value.
Delayed diagnosis of congenital cataract in preterm infants: Findings from the IoLunder2 cohort study
Authors: Solebo Ameenat Lola , Rahi Jugnoo Sangeeta ,   on behalf of the British Congenital Cataract Interest Group
Published: August 2023

Background and objectives

Early detection is critical to achieving optimal outcomes in children with congenital cataract. We hypothesized that detection of congenital cataract in preterm infants would be delayed compared with term/post-term peers due to delayed delivery of whole population child health interventions.

Methods

Secondary analysis of data using a nested case-control study approach in a prospective population-based cohort study. Inclusion criteria comprised children diagnosed with congenital cataract requiring surgical intervention during the first two years of life in UK and Ireland in 2009 and 2010. Association between late detection (after eight weeks post-natal age, ie outside the neonatal and infant eye national screening programme) of cataract and preterm birth (gestational age less than 37 weeks) was assessed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Of 186 children with congenital cataract, 17 children were born preterm (9%, gestational age range 24–37weeks). Neonatal detection occurred in 64/186 (34%), and late detection in 64 children (34%). Late detection was independently associated with premature birth, specifically moderate/late preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio 3.0, 95%CI 1.1 to 8.5).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that, despite enhanced eye surveillance being recommended for those born moderate/late preterm (32+ weeks gestational age, ie not eligible for retinopathy of prematurity screening), congenital cataract is not being effectively detected through the routine screening programme for this vulnerable group. It is necessary to improve the effectiveness of the screening programme, and care must be taken to ensure that competing health care needs of preterm children do not prevent universal child health interventions.
The influence of lazy information disclosure on stock price crash risk: Empirical evidence from China
Authors: Shi Xiaofei , Cao Xuefen , Xu Wenxin , Hou Yangshi , Shang Liwei
Published: August 2023

Information disclosure is an important way for investors to obtain information, the annual report text carries a lot of information, lazy information disclosure is an important form of information disclosure of the annual report text. This paper takes China’s A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2022 as the research sample, takes the annual report text information disclosure form as the entry point, uses the computer text analysis technology to measure the text similarity of the annual report to measure the lazy information disclosure, and explores its impact on stock price crash risk. The results show that there is a positive correlation between the similarity of annual report text and the risk of stock price crash, that is, when the information of annual report text is presented in the form of lazy information disclosure, the risk of stock price crash increases. For companies audited by key auditing institutions, the positive correlation between the similarity of their annual reports and the risk of stock price crash is not significant, indicating that key auditing institutions will weaken the positive correlation between lazy information disclosure and the risk of stock price crash. Further, through external attention and analysis of the time delay of annual report disclosure, it is concluded that the management lacks the opportunity and time to hide the bad news, so it is clear that the lazy information disclosure comes from the business situation "the fact is so". The research conclusion of this paper provides evidence support for the influence of lazy information disclosure on stock price crash risk, and also provides useful reference for regulators to improve information disclosure policies and effectively prevents and resolves stock price crash risk.
Field studies on low and fast compressibility of cement-mixed gravel in railway embankment construction
Authors: Kim Ungjin , Kim Dae Sang
Published: August 2023

The cement-mixed gravel, which is used in the construction of railway embankment, is a relatively more expensive material compared to sandy soil. Having said that, it is used where small residual settlement is required for example, abutment transition zone, due to characteristic of higher strength than sandy soil. In this paper, the time-dependent settlement were evaluated using field data measured over a long period of time at two RSR (Reinforced Subgrade for Railways) construction sites using two different backfill materials (sandy soil and cement-mixed gravel). The embankment settlement with cement-mixed gravel as a backfill material was reduced by 78% compared to that with sandy soil. Further, the period for stabilizing the embankment before installation of the railway track was significantly reduced with cement-mixed gravel as a backfill material.
Collision-constrained deformable image registration framework for discontinuity management
Authors: Alscher Thomas , Erleben Kenny , Darkner Sune
Published: August 2023

Topological changes like sliding motion, sources and sinks are a significant challenge in image registration. This work proposes the use of the alternating direction method of multipliers as a general framework for constraining the registration of separate objects with individual deformation fields from overlapping in image registration. This constraint is enforced by introducing a collision detection algorithm from the field of computer graphics which results in a robust divide and conquer optimization strategy using Free-Form Deformations. A series of experiments demonstrate that the proposed framework performs superior with regards to the combination of intersection prevention and image registration including synthetic examples containing complex displacement patterns. The results show compliance with the non-intersection constraints while simultaneously preventing a decrease in registration accuracy. Furthermore, the application of the proposed algorithm to the DIR-Lab data set demonstrates that the framework generalizes to real data by validating it on a lung registration problem.
Investigation of sex expression profiles and the cantharidin biosynthesis genes in two blister beetles
Authors: Wu Yuan-Ming , Li Jia-Ran , Li Jiang , Guo Tao
Published: August 2023

Cantharidin (CTD) is a well-established defensive toxin synthesized by blister beetles, displaying both therapeutic potential and toxicity. Among these beetles, Hycleus cichorii and Hycleus phaleratus are the two most commercially significant species due to their capacity to produce CTD in males. In this investigation, we conducted a gene expression profiling analysis of male and female individuals of these two species, utilizing the Illumina Hiseq4000 platform. We identified 7,983 expressed genes, including 2,823 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) shared by both male and female blister beetles. Nineteen genes related to CTD biosynthesis in the terpenoid backbone biosynthesis pathway were identified, including hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR; EC:1.1.1.34), which demonstrated a significant correlation with CTD content. Furthermore, hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA synthase (HMGS; EC:2.3.3.10) and isopentenyl-diphosphate Delta-isomerase (IDI; EC:5.3.3.2) were also found to be significantly up-regulated in males. Comparative analysis revealed that NADP+-dependent farnesol dehydrogenase (FOHSDR; EC:1.1.1.216) and farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDPS; EC:2.5.1.1) had the highest copy number in these beetles, significantly higher than the copy number of the other four non-Meloidae insects. The analysis of the protein-protein interaction network of genes related to CTD biosynthesis revealed that the acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase (ACAT; EC:2.3.1.9) gene was the central gene, exhibiting greater expression in male blister beetles than in females. This study offers novel insights into the mechanisms of CTD biosynthesis in blister beetles and enhances our comprehensions of the association between particular genes and CTD content.