bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Frequency-Domain and Time-Domain Baseline Correction Approaches for Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy of Mixtures Containing Up to 464 Components
Authors: Okada Haruna , Sanders Scott T.
Published: February 2024

Many baseline correction approaches have been developed to address baseline artifacts observed in measured infrared (IR) absorption spectra during post-processing. These approaches offer distinct advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of which one to employ depends on the complexity of baseline artifacts present in a particular application. In this paper, we compare the performance of two baseline correction approaches: a frequency-domain polynomial fitting approach and a time-domain modified free induction decay approach, under various baseline scenarios, spectral resolutions, and noise levels for mixtures containing up to 464 species. Our results showed that the frequency-domain approach outperformed the time-domain approach by a factor of up to 16 when the baseline was represented by a sine wave with fewer than two cycles over the full spectral range. On the other hand, the time-domain approach performed up to 12 times better when the baseline featured two cycles of a sine wave. Additionally, we observed that the time-domain approach exhibited higher sensitivity to spectral resolution and underperformed when the noise level was high. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of numerically testing a few candidate approaches for a given application, taking into consideration baseline characteristics, as well as the spectral resolution and noise constraints of the application.
Attitudes and Subjective Norms Regarding Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Among Individuals in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in the Greater St. Louis Area
Authors: Filiatreau Lindsey M. , Szlyk Hannah S. , Kasson Erin , Dickson Megan F. , Banks Devin , Winograd Rachel , Marotta Phillip , Cavazos-Rehg Patricia
Published: February 2024

Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is safe and efficacious for treating opioid use disorder (OUD), yet there is limited understanding of how attitudes and subjective norms regarding MOUD among individuals with OUD may impede treatment uptake. Thus, the current study describes attitudes and subjective norms in a sample of individuals with OUD in the St. Louis area ( N = 183) and compares outcomes among those who were and were not actively taking MOUD. Most endorsed positive views regarding pharmacologic treatment for OUD overall, but concerns about physical side effects, the daily nature of some MOUD options, and uncertainty about the relative risks and benefits of MOUD remained prevalent. Individuals reporting current MOUD use had more accepting attitudes and perceived subjective norms regarding MOUD compared to others, suggesting that interventions targeting improvements in the knowledge of, attitudes toward, and normalization of MOUD are needed to further improve uptake and retention in pharmacotherapy for OUD.
So, Sue Me…If You Can! How Legal Changes Diminishing Managers’ Risk of Being Held Liable by Shareholders Affect Firms’ Likelihood to Recall Products
Authors: Hoffmann Arvid O.I. , Cheong Chee S. , Phan Hoàng-Long , Zurbruegg Ralf
Published: February 2024

Research examining the antecedents of recalls, instead of their consequences, is relatively sparse and has not considered whether firms’ likelihood to recall products is influenced by legal changes that could induce managerial opportunism, such as those reducing shareholder litigation risk. To examine this question, the authors exploit the staggered adoption of universal demand (UD) laws across several U.S. states as a quasi-natural experiment. UD laws aim to prevent frivolous litigation from disrupting a firm's normal business operations by making it more difficult for shareholders to sue managers for neglecting their fiduciary duties and hold them personally liable. Although UD laws are well-intended, the reduced threat of shareholder litigation disciplining a firm's managers could have unintended negative consequences. Indeed, using a difference-in-differences analysis, the authors find that following the adoption of UD laws, affected firms become less likely to recall products. This effect is weaker in the presence of organizational mechanisms constraining managers’ self-interest-seeking behavior, such as a corporate culture focused on customer needs and interests or the exercise of normative control through monitoring by institutional investors. The authors do not find support for a potential alternative explanation of operational improvement and therefore higher product quality driving their findings.
Revisiting young masculinities through a sound art installation: What really counts?
Authors: Thomson Rachel , Peverett Alex , Holland Janet
Published: February 2024

What Really Counts? was a sound art installation created in 2019 through a collaboration between a sociologist and a multidisciplinary artist, working with in-depth interviews with young men recorded as part of a British feminist social research project in 1990, exploring sexualities and the threat of HIV/AIDS. In this article, we describe the evolution and staging of the sound art installation project, situating it within interdisciplinary literatures on the use of sociological archives and reanimation of analogue media in a digital age. Working within a fractured tradition of curated sociology, we consider the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration for refreshing sociological analytic practice, revealing the unrealised potential of archived data sets and utilising temporal displacement as a generative analytic strategy for feeling history. We are working with a 30-year time span characterised by a stretching of intergenerational experience in relation to expectations for and mediation of sex/gender. The project attempts to realise the potential for an experimental sociological practice through the staging of open-ended past–present encounters.
Effects on temporomandibular disorder in the treatment of tension-type headache with acupuncture and therapeutic exercises. A secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Schiller Joerg , Büttner Alina , Niederer Daniel , Bökel Andrea , Korallus Christoph , Sturm Christian , Vogt Lutz , Gutenbrunner Christoph , Karst Matthias , Fink Matthias , Egen Christoph
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To examine the effects of acupuncture and therapeutic exercise alone and in combination on temporomandibular joint symptoms in tension-type headache and to evaluate the potential interaction of existing temporomandibular dysfunction on the success of headache treatment.

Design

Pre-planned secondary analysis of a randomized controlled, non-blinded trial.

Setting

Outpatient clinic of a German university hospital.

Subjects

Ninety-six Participants with frequent episodic or chronic tension-type headache were randomized to one of four treatment groups.

Interventions

Six weeks of acupuncture or therapeutic exercise either as monotherapies or in combination, or usual care. Follow-up at 3 and 6 months.

Main measures

Subjective temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms were measured using the Functional Questionnaire Masticatory Organ, and the influence of this sum score and objective initial dental examination on the efficacy of headache treatment interventions was analyzed.

Results

Temporomandibular dysfunction score improved in all intervention groups at 3-month follow-up (usual care: 0.05 [SD 1.435]; acupuncture: −5 [SD 1.436]; therapeutic exercise: −4 [SD 1.798]; combination: −3 [SD 1.504]; P = 0.03). After 6 months, only acupuncture (−6 [SD 1.736]) showed a significant improvement compared to the usual care group ( P < 0.01). Subjective temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms had no overall influence on headache treatment.

Conclusions

Only acupuncture had long-lasting positive effects on the symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction. Significant dental findings seem to inhibit the efficacy of acupuncture for tension-type headache.
Crossmodal associations between naturally occurring tactile and sound textures
Authors: Bulusu Vanalata , Lazar Leslee
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the crossmodal associations between naturally occurring sound textures and tactile textures. Previous research has demonstrated the association between low-level sensory features of sound and touch, as well as higher-level, cognitively mediated associations involving language, emotions, and metaphors. However, stimuli like textures, which are found in both modalities have received less attention. In this study, we conducted two experiments: a free association task and a two alternate forced choice task using everyday tactile textures and sound textures selected from natural sound categories. The results revealed consistent crossmodal associations reported by participants between the textures of the two modalities. They tended to associate more sound textures (e.g., wood shavings and sandpaper) with tactile surfaces that were rated as harder, rougher, and intermediate on the sticky-slippery scale. While some participants based the auditory-tactile association on sensory features, others made the associations based on semantic relationships, co-occurrence in nature, and emotional mediation. Interestingly, the statistical features of the sound textures (mean, variance, kurtosis, power, autocorrelation, and correlation) did not show significant correlations with the crossmodal associations, indicating a higher-level association. This study provides insights into auditory-tactile associations by highlighting the role of sensory and emotional (or cognitive) factors in prompting these associations.
Moderation of the Antisocial Cognition-Offending Relationship by Neighborhood Disorder: A Multilevel Analysis of Adolescents from Eight Western European Countries
Authors: Walters Glenn D.
Published: February 2024

In an effort to gauge the effect of perceived neighborhood disorder on the antisocial cognition–delinquency relationship, this study subjected data from the Second International Self-Reported Delinquency study (ISRD2) to multilevel analysis. The sample for this study was composed of 20,700 participants (10,219 males and 10,474 females) from 502 public schools in eight Western European countries. The public school the child was attending served as the clustering variable and participants rated their neighborhoods on measures of physical and psychological disorder. Averaging these ratings across all participants attending a particular school, the mean ratings became the Level 2 variable (neighborhood disorder) in a multilevel analysis. A model composed of control variables, offending variety, moral neutralization, and cognitive impulsivity at Level 1 and neighborhood disorder at Level 2 produced a significant cross-level interaction in which the slope of the moral neutralization–delinquency regression line was significantly steeper when neighborhood disorder was high rather than when it was low. There was no effect for cognitive impulsivity, however, when it was assessed in conjunction with moral neutralization. Taken as a whole, these findings suggest that significantly more offending occurs when an individual-level variable, moral neutralization, and a group-level variable, neighborhood disorder, are both elevated.
Circadian Rhythms in Skin Barrier Function in Atopic Dermatitis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Iwanaszko Marta , Waldeck Nathan , Anafi Ron , Paller Amy S. , Zee Phyllis C. , Fishbein Anna B.
Published: February 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is symptomatically worse in the evening, but the mechanism driving nocturnal eczema remains elusive. Our objective was to determine the circadian rhythm of skin barrier function measured by transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in AD patients and explore the molecular underpinnings. A pilot study was performed on a diverse group of AD ( n = 4) and control ( n = 2) young patients. We used an inpatient tightly controlled, modified, constant routine protocol. TEWL was measured at least every 90 min in the antecubital fossa (lesional) and forearm, while whole blood samples were collected every 4 h. Results show a significant difference in the antecubital fossa TEWL in the AD group versus controls. TEWL in control skin decreases starting a few hours prior to bedtime, both in the antecubital fossa and in the forearm, while in the AD forearm skin, pre-bedtime TEWL increases. We identified 1576 differentially expressed genes using a time-dependent model. The top 20 upregulated gene ontology pathways included neuronal pathways, while the downregulated functional terms included innate immune signaling and viral response. Similar pathways positively correlated with forearm TEWL in controls and inversely with the AD group. Upregulation in sensory perception pathways correlated with increases in lesional (antecubital fossa) TEWL in the evening. Results show skin barrier function worsens in the evening in the AD group, at a time when barrier is normally rejuvenating in healthy skin. This timing and the detection of transcriptomic signatures of sensory perception and diminished viral response might correspond to the nocturnal itch. Larger studies are needed to evaluate these associations in the skin.
Reintubation Rate and Mortality After Emergent Airway Management Outside the Operating Room
Authors: Yoon Uzung , Mojica Jeffrey , Wiltshire Matthew , Torjman Marc
Published: February 2024

Background

Little is known about reintubations outside of the operating room. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reintubation rate and mortality after emergent airway management outside operating room (OR), including intensive care unit (ICU) and nonICU settings.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome measures were reintubation rate and mortality. Secondary outcome measures were location and indication for intubation, time until reintubation, total intubated days, ICU-stay, hospital-stay, 30-day in-hospital mortality, and overall in-hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 336 outside-OR intubations were performed in 275 patients. Of those 275 patients, 51 (18.5%) were reintubated during the same hospital admission. (41%) of the reintubations occurred in a non-ICU setting. Reintubations occurred after up to 30-days after extubation. Most frequently between 7 and 30 days (32.8%, n = 20). Most of the reintubated patients were reintubated just once (56.9%; n = 29), but some were reintubated 2 times (29.4%; n = 15) or over 3 times (13.7%; n = 7). Reintubated patients had significant longer total ICU-stay (24 ± 3 days vs 12 ± 1 day, p < .001), hospital stay (37 ± 3 vs18 ± 1, p < .001), and total intubation days (8 ± 1 vs 7 ± 0.6, P < .02). The 30-day in-hospital mortality in reintubated patients was 13.7% (n = 7) compared to nonreintubated patients 35.9% (n = 80; P = .002).

Conclusion

Reintubation was associated with a significant increase in hospital and ICU stay. The higher mortality rate among nonreintubated patients may indicate survival bias, in that severely sick patients did not survive long enough to attempt extubation.
Path tracking control for autonomous vehicles using hybrid fault-tolerant approach
Authors: Chen Ruinan , Hu Jie , Zhang Minchao , Zhu Linglei , Zhong Xinkai
Published: February 2024

Signal delay, execution deviation and reference model mismatch are common faults in autonomous vehicles, resulting in reduced path tracking control performance. To improve the path tracking performance of autonomous vehicles under fault conditions, this paper proposes a hybrid fault-tolerant (HFT) path tracking control approach, in which passive fault-tolerant path tracking control and fault observer-based hybrid active fault-tolerant path tracking control are introduced. The probable usual errors in path tracking are first examined and analyzed, together with the vehicle kinematic model and a typical autonomous driving system. Then, a slide-mode-based passive fault-tolerant path tracking controller is designed and integrated with a fault observer to create a hybrid active fault-tolerant controller. Finally, simulations and experiments are conducted, and the results demonstrate that our proposal is effective. After convergence of the fault observations, the lateral tracking error is less than 0.2m and the root mean square of the tracking error is 44% smaller than the LQR approach.
Elastostatic stiffness modeling and performance evaluation of a 2RPU-UPU parallel mechanism with two operation modes
Authors: Ye Wei , Gong Chaoxin , Hu Lihuan , Jiang Ziyu , Chen Zhihong
Published: February 2024

This article presents a parallel mechanism (PM) that is consists of a UPU and two RPU limbs (U, P, R denote universal joint, prismatic joint, and revolute joint, respectively). It can switch into two different configurations with three degrees of freedom (DOFs), in which one configuration outputs two rotations and one translation, and the other outputs two translations and one rotation. Four joints should be actuated to fully control the PM. Inverse position analysis is carried out. Taking the compliances of links into consideration, wrench analysis of the RU chain is conducted by using screw theory. Stiffness matrix and compliance matrix of the limb are derived through the strain energy method. The PM’s overall stiffness matrix is then obtained according to the deformation compatibility equations. The theoretical results are compared with simulation results obtained in ANSYS, which shows a maximum deviation less than 0.6%. Static stiffness performance evaluation is carried out using the virtual work stiffness index. Performance distributions of the PM in two operation modes under external loads are obtained. The proposed stiffness modeling and performance evaluation could be helpful for optimal design and application investigation of the PM.
The effects of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube to the performance of a refrigeration system
Authors: Cassim Sania Bibi , Hairuddin Abdul Aziz , Cut Vira
Published: February 2024

By incorporating nanofluid technology and nanolubricants into compressors, the performance can be enhanced while also lowering worldwide fuel consumption and aiming at developing cleaner, more efficient energy sources and uses. The globe is being confronted with energy security issues and heating, cooling and HVAC systems highly contribute to it. Hence, it is critical to save energy and improve the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle. This study presents experimental and theoretical findings in order to investigate the effect of Polyester (POE)-oil based multiwalled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) nanolubricant on the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of a refrigeration system. The objectives of this study is to analyze the stability of MWCNT nanofluids, to obtain the COP of a refrigeration cycle run with pure POE oil and MWCNT nanofluids with different concentrations respectively. The experiment was conducted by preparing 0.55, 0.65 and 0.70 g/l MWCNT nanofluid by using the two step method. The most effective concentration used in the refrigeration system was referred to the one that resulted in the highest COP. It was determined from the experiment that 0.55 g/l MWCNT nanofluid resulted in a higher COP of 5.766 as compared to the other two concentrations. Besides, it showed an improvement of 34.6% in COP as compared to the COP of using pure POE oil in the refrigeration system, which was found to be 4.285. The 0.65 g/l and 0.70 g/l concentration of MWCNT resulted in a COP of 5.618 and 5.617, respectively. The compressor work was also analyzed and was found to be reduced noticeably after adding MWCNT nanoparticles. Hence it can be concluded that the increment of MWCNT concentration in nanofluids increases the COP of the refrigeration system but only up to a certain limit of concentration.
Universal accuracy model for three different types of precision bearings with three basic structures under quasi-static conditions
Authors: Zhang Penghai , Chen Yaolong
Published: February 2024

A universal accuracy model is established under quasi-static conditions to predict motion accuracies and directly compare error averaging abilities among three different types of precision bearings (including fluid hydrostatic, porous air, and cylindrical roller bearings) with three basic structures (including linear (i.e., guideway), journal, and thrust bearing structures) used widely in precision and ultra-precision machine tools. To introduce the universal accuracy model, three types of precision guideways are taken as examples. Uniform generalized coordinate systems are used to evaluate error motions and uniform averaging coefficients are defined to assess error averaging abilities. It is found that the total error averaging abilities consist of basic and layout error averaging abilities characterized by corresponding averaging coefficients. The total averaging coefficients are the products of basic and layout averaging coefficients which are independent of each other. The porous air bearings have strongest basic error averaging abilities, followed by the fluid hydrostatic bearings, and finally followed by the cylindrical roller bearings. The layout averaging coefficients are related to the number and layout of pads or rollers which are working like some structural filters for a certain kind of error motion. A summary of accuracy experiments based on previous studies provides evidence of the existence of layout error averaging abilities. The content discussed in this paper is of significant importance for the selection and design of precision bearings.
Some studies on optimization of process parameters for wire ARC additive manufacturing of Hastelloy C276 using GRA-GWO hybrid techniques
Authors: Rajkumar V. , Ajay Vasanth X. , Rajesh Kannan A. , Siva Shanmugam N.
Published: February 2024

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has become an inevitable manufacturing technology in the present decade. This article discusses optimizing process variables for fabricating Hastelloy C276 alloy via WAAM. The controlling parameters are gas flow rate (GFR), deposition speed, and welding current, while the depth of penetration, top reinforcement, and bead width are the output parameters considered for optimization. The magnitude of interaction effects between control parameters is equal to that of individual impact on the weld bead characteristics evident from analysis of variance results. Grey relational analysis revealed the optimal parameters (trial 1 with I = 120 A, S = 200 mm/min, GFR = 15 L/min) chosen through its robust optimization procedure. S/N ratio analysis revealed the most influencing parameters at the factor level (current level 1, speed level 1). The Grey Wolf optimizer (GWO) algorithm was used as a precision and confirmation experiment. The GWO optimization results further confirmed that the GFR of 15 L/min, speed of 200 mm/min, and current of 120 A were the optimized parameters used in this design space. Further, normal probability plots with minimal error of around 1% reinforce that the parameters chosen in this design space are well within the optimal limits. The surface plots reported the relationship and variation between control and resulting factors.
Global impact of geopolitical oil price uncertainty and associated commodity prices on clean energy stocks
Authors: Ozkan Oktay , Saleem Asima , Khan Nasir , Alola Andrew Adewale
Published: February 2024

Theoretically, geopolitical risk and policy uncertainties can directly affect energy markets. Since fluctuations in it lead to cost the of clean energy sources as they compete with traditional energy. Regarding this, our study aims to scrutinize the impact of geopolitical oil price uncertainty on clean energy stocks by controlling the influences of economic policy uncertainty, gold, natural gas, and coal prices. For that purpose, the study utilized monthly data from July 2007 to September 2020 and employed a machine learning method, namely kernel-based regularized least squares approach. Empirical analysis reveals that geopolitical oil price uncertainty and coal prices have a nonlinear positive effect on clean energy stock prices. It is also found that the impact of global economic policy uncertainty, gold, and natural gas prices on clean energy stock prices is nonlinear and negative. The implication signifies that clean energy stock prices are hampered by economic policy uncertainty, and gold, and natural gas prices, thus hindering the development of clean energy sources. Similarly, for the robustness of the study, the quantile regression approach and findings reveal similar outcomes to that of the KRLS model. Based on these findings, policy implications that potentially aid renewable energy investments are put forward. The study also guides investors, financial advisors, and portfolio managers for better decision-making in consideration of uncertainties and associated fluctuations in energy markets and commodity prices.
Bibliometric analysis of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus from 2000 to 2022
Authors: Yu Hao , Xie Xintong , Wei Guangliang , Chen Huidong , Zhang Xue , He Youxian , Li Mengxiang , He Chengsong , He Yue , Chen Jie
Published: February 2024

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem autoimmune disorder. When SLE occurs in individuals under the age of 18, it is referred to as childhood-onset SLE (cSLE). Currently, there is a dearth of bibliometric research pertaining to cSLE.

Method

Relevant studies in the field of cSLE from 2000 to 2022 were screened from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were used to visualize the annual publications, countries, institutions, authors, journals, keywords, and references, after which the authors conducted the scientific analysis.

Results

A total of 2857 articles were included in this study, and the number of articles published in the past 20 years showed an overall upwards trend. The most prolific countries are the United States, China, and Brazil; however, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are clearly superior in terms of literary influence, and there is more cooperation between them and their institutions. LUPUS ( n = 389) contributed the most to the variance. Brunner, HI’s contribution in the field of cSLE is outstanding. The words related to ‘lupus nephritis’ and ‘antibodies’ are important words reflected in the keyword network diagram. The keywords included ‘evidence-based recommendation’, ‘validation’, ‘diagnosis’ and ‘adult’ from 2019, and ‘continuous bursts’ to the present.

Conclusion

This study examined the research status of cSLE patients, discussed and analysed the research hotspots and trends in this field, and provided a reference for further research in this field to promote the development of cSLE research.
Risk Behavior Among Emerging Adults: The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), Perceived Family and Interpersonal Environment
Authors: Thomas Shinto , Deb Sibnath , Alphonsa Jose K.
Published: February 2024

Background:

Evidence demonstrates that ambiance provided during childhood and the interactions of children with different social agents during childhood have an impact on their adult behaviour.

Objective:

The current research tries to explore the role of adverse childhood experiences and perceived family and interpersonal interactions in their resultant adult risk behaviour.

Method:

Around 613 emerging adults (18–24 years; Male 343 and Female 270) from the northern districts of Kerala, India took part in the study. The participants were selected using multistage sampling techniques. A Semi-structured Questionnaire was used to understand the perceived family and interpersonal environment. In addition, a checklist (adopted from the risk behaviour scale and youth risk behaviour survey) was also employed. The checklist assisted to understand the presence of actual risk behaviours.

Results:

Hierarchical Logistic Regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses. The results revealed that 87.2 % of the participants were engaged in at least one type of risk behaviour. Socio-demographic variables (gender and family type) and items of perceived family and interpersonal relationships and adverse childhood experiences were found to be significant predictors of emerging adult’ risk behaviour.

Conclusion:

The results further highlight the significance of childhood experiences and the current family environment of emerging adults in understanding their behaviour, and in designing evidence-based intervention program for emerging adults.
“When an Elephant Has Its Foot on the Tail of a Mouse…” Trauma-Focused Court Preparation Interventions for Sexually Abused Child Witnesses
Authors: Ramaswamy Sheila , Devgun Meetali , Seshadri Shekhar , Bunders-Aelen Joske
Published: February 2024

Background:

This paper addresses the issue of court preparation in a lower middle-income country with recently enacted child sexual abuse (CSA) legislation and almost no precedence of standard child witness training packages or protocols.

Aims & methods:

Taking into consideration the potential impact of the adversarial system on children and the legal system’s concerns regarding the risk of contamination of evidence and based on assessment and analysis of children’s mental health concerns and consequent capacities for testimony, it describes a set of court preparation interventions designed for a group of vulnerable, sexually abused children from a childcare institution.

Results:

In recognition of the heightened challenges to their competency to testify in court, the paper highlights the importance of developmental and trauma-focused considerations, particularly in the context of children with adverse childhood experiences, and consequently the role of child mental health service providers in the practice of child forensic psychiatry in the context of CSA.

Conclusions:

It concludes by challenging established assumptions that tend to underlie court preparation programs for child witnesses and by making recommendations for additional considerations to be incorporated into child witness training in order to enhance child witness competency and child mental health and well-being and to augment victim-oriented procedural justice aspects for vulnerable witnesses in the adversarial justice system.
Assessment of Quality of Life and Long-term Health-related Problems Among Children with Intracranial Tumor
Authors: Narnaware Trupti , Kaur Maninderdeep , Kaur Sukhpal , Madan Renu
Published: February 2024

Introduction:

The most prevalent type of solid tumor in children is the intracranial tumor. The treatment of pediatric intracranial tumors has acute and late side effects on the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social health of children, which negatively impact their HRQoL.

Objectives:

To assess the quality of life (QoL) and long-term health-related problems in children with intracranial tumors.

Method:

A descriptive study was conducted involving 70 children with intracranial tumors visiting OPD for their post-treatment follow-up. Ethical permission was granted from the Institutional Ethical Committee. Tools used to collect were Sociodemographic and clinical profile sheets of the children, Problem assessment proforma, and PedsQL TM Generic Core 4.0 Scale.

Results:

The age of children ranged from 4 to 18 years with a mean age of 11.31 + 4.28 years. Fatigue (57.1%) was the most common problem experienced by children followed by weakness (41.4%) and headache (25.7%). In neurocognitive dysfunction, decreased attention was seen in 30% of children followed by difficulty in thinking and reading/writing. Muscle power-related problems, endocrine problems, and psychological and behavioral problems were also seen in these children. The total score of QoL of children with intracranial tumors was 70.8 ± 24.6. The most affected domain of QoL was school functioning, followed by physical functioning.

Conclusion:

Children with intracranial tumor show average HRQoL and these children are at a higher risk for late consequences, which may influence several life domains.
Clinicopathologic evaluation of congenital idiopathic megaesophagus in a Gordon Setter puppy: a case report and development and application of peripherin immunohistochemistry for detection of ganglion cells
Authors: Becker Cecilie B. , Jensen Henrik E.
Published: February 2024

We examined a case of congenital idiopathic megaesophagus (CIM) in a 5-wk-old female Gordon Setter puppy by means of contrast radiography, autopsy, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Clinical and radiologic findings included weight stagnation and marked generalized esophageal dilation with ventral displacement of the heart and lungs. These findings were confirmed at autopsy, and segments of the thoracic esophagus were sampled for histopathology. On histopathology, diffuse esophageal muscular atrophy, mucosal erosions, mononuclear inflammation, and a marked reduction in the number of myenteric plexus structures and number of ganglion cells were present (aganglionosis). The latter was determined immunohistochemically using an anti-peripherin antibody as the primary reagent, which provides a strong tool for the histologic confirmation of CIM. The histologic findings share some similarities to lesions associated with megaesophagus in Friesian foals, as well as esophageal achalasia and Hirschsprung disease in humans.
Keeping One’s Options Open: Intermittent Exporting, Family Control, and Foreign Background
Authors: Kuiken Andrea , Naldi Lucia , Genedy Mohamed
Published: February 2024

Intermittent exporting (repeatedly exiting and reentering foreign markets) is often associated with the initial stages of internationalization. However, some small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including family firms, pursue an intermittent exporting strategy beyond the initial stages. Drawing on a refinement of the behavioral agency model (BAM) and real options reasoning, we theorize that a high level of family involvement in SMEs is positively associated with intermittent exporting. We also argue that this relationship is moderated by Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and board members with a foreign background. We test our hypotheses using a unique longitudinal dataset of Swedish SMEs in the manufacturing and retail industries.
Biased Calibration: Exacerbating Instead of Mitigating Entrepreneurial Overplacement with Reference Values
Authors: Blaseg Daniel , Schwienbacher Armin
Published: February 2024

Nascent entrepreneurs often believe that their chances of success are better than those of others due to imperfect information about the competencies and accomplishments of other entrepreneurs, leading to overplacement. Theory suggests that the provision of historical outcome data of comparable projects could help entrepreneurs develop more realistic plans and expectations by closing the information gap and enabling the calibration of their beliefs. However, effectively calibrating beliefs by incorporating new reference information requires effortful cognitive processing and rational integration of the data, which may be impeded by the same cognitive biases leading to overplacement initially. Drawing from a unique dataset that allows us to observe substantial parts of the planning process of 971 entrepreneurs, we investigate the effectiveness of providing reference values as a debiasing tool. Rather than rationally leveraging the information for honest self-assessment, our findings suggest that entrepreneurs use the information to differentiate themselves even more from the reference group after they see the historical values. This, in turn, results in an even higher level of overplacement.

JEL Classifications

G41, D91, L26, L25.
Application of the MicroNAPS Classification for Robin Sequence
Authors: Resnick Cory M. , Katz Eliot , Varidel Alistair
Published: February 2024

Objective

The only findings consistent among infants with Robin sequence (RS) are the presence of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and upper airway obstruction (UAO). Feeding and growth dysfunction are typical. The etiopathogenesis of these findings, however, is highly variable, ranging from sporadic to syndromic causes, with widely disparate levels of severity. This heterogeneity has created inconsistency within RS literature and debate about appropriate workup and treatment. Despite several attempts at stratification, no system has been broadly adopted.

Design

We recently presented a novel classification that is summarized by the acronym MicroNAPS. Each of 5 elements is scored: Micrognathia, Nutrition, Airway, Palate, Syndrome/comorbidities, and element scores are summarized into a “stage”.

Results

Testing of this system in a sample of 100 infants from our center found it to be clinically relevant and to predict important management decisions and outcomes.

Conclusions

We herein present an interactive website ( www.prscalculator.com ) and printable reference card for simple application of MicroNAPS, and we advocate for this classification system to be adopted for clinical care and research.
Seven Mantras for Board Chair Effectiveness—An Enlightened Approach for the 21st Century
Authors: Goyal Rita , Kakabadse Nada , Kakabadse Andrew , Talbot Danielle
Published: February 2024

Despite an increasing remit and recognition of the role of the board Chair, resources that effective Chairs of the 21st century deploy remain inadequately explored in the existing literature. This article addresses this gap through the innovative use of 57 face-to-face, elite interviews with board members and provides new insights into the best practices of Chairs of the largest listed companies in the United Kingdom. The findings of the study indicate that effective leadership of boards requires an enlightened approach, with seven Mantras of effective board leading being commonly employed. These Mantras are—support for the CEO, lead with values, exercise influence (not power), compose diverse boards, communicate inclusively, resolve conflicts intuitively and reflect and course correct. The article makes a three-fold contribution: to resource-based theory and enlightened leadership theory, to the literature on board Chair effectiveness and praxis of leading in the 21st century.
Does More Education Always Mean Higher Earnings? Evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Murshed Rubaiya
Published: February 2024

Essentially championed by the human capital theory, it is a widely accepted notion that the higher an individuals’ education level, the more likely they are to earn. However, is this true in the case of different groups of individuals across the type of education pursued, gender, and whether an individual grew up in a rural or urban area? This paper explores this question and tests whether there is a significant increase in earnings for every additional education level in the case of six particular groups of individuals: Individuals who studied in the general education stream, individuals who studied in the religious education stream, males, females, those who grew up in urban areas and those who grew up in rural areas. Using nationally representative data and ordinary least-squares estimation, this paper finds that individuals who studied in the religious stream and, in some cases, females, do not necessarily experience increased labor market earnings with an increase in their education level. Speculating on possible reasons behind these findings, I argue for criticalities and nuances to be better considered when assessing the change in earnings across education in a particular context.
Leadership and Environmental Sustainability: An Integrative Conceptual Model of Multilevel Antecedents and Consequences of Leader Green Behavior
Authors: Zacher Hannes , Kühner Clara , Katz Ian M. , Rudolph Cort W.
Published: February 2024

Environmental sustainability is a strategic and ethical imperative for organizations, and numerous studies have investigated associations between leadership and employee pro-environmental or “green” behavior. However, these studies have typically focused on leadership styles that conflate leader behavior with its assumed antecedents or consequences. Moreover, the literature on relations between leadership and environmental sustainability constructs is fragmented and in need of systematic integration to effectively guide future research and practice. Accordingly, we pursue three goals in this conceptual paper. First, after a brief review of key insights from extant theoretical and empirical research, we define leadership in the context of environmental sustainability and leader green behavior based on established theoretical frameworks. Second, based on a systematic integration and extension of the literature, we present an integrative conceptual model of multilevel antecedents and consequences of leader green behavior. We further develop eight propositions on multiple known and novel pathways toward leader and follower green behaviors, as well as multiple known and novel pathways toward consequences related to environmental sustainability at the leader, follower, and organizational levels. Finally, based on our integrative conceptual model and propositions, we outline several recommendations for future research on leadership and environmental sustainability, including theoretical and methodological considerations.
Palmar Nodular Fasciitis Harboring a Novel SREBF1::USP6 Fusion Gene
Authors: Mejbel Haider A. , Siegal Gene P. , Wei Shi
Published: February 2024

The diagnosis of low-grade fibroblastic/myofibroblastic tumors of acral sites can be challenging. These tumors encompass a diverse group of neoplasms with a spectrum of biologic potential ranges from benign to overtly malignant. They often demonstrate significant clinical, radiologic, and immunophenotypic overlap, in which the molecular phenotype may play an important diagnostic role to arrive at the final diagnosis. Herein, we report a case of soft tissue mass lesion presented on the palm of an adult patient for four months. Histologically, the tumor consisted of primarily low-grade spindle cells expressing smooth muscle actin. Molecular testing revealed a novel SREBF1::USP6 fusion gene, confirming the final diagnosis of nodular fasciitis and ultimately expanding its molecular profile. This case highlights the diagnostic value of single, cost-effective, targeted molecular panel to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and provide helpful therapeutic information.
Stereotypical Victims: Visibility of #MeToo Disclosures on Twitter
Authors: Groggel Anne , Kokoris Grace , Journet Starla
Published: February 2024

The #MeToo movement has brought greater visibility to the topic of sexual assault in public discourse. We analyzed a dataset of 1,070 Twitter #MeToo self-disclosures to examine the relationship between online visibility (retweets and favorites) and the content of victim-survivors’ self-disclosures such as victim's gender, relationship to the perpetrator, and the emotions expressed in the tweet. The visibility of sexual assault self-disclosures was shaped by the extent to which they align with stereotypical misconceptions of victimization. These findings carry significant implications for understanding patterns of victimization, and for identifying whose voices are being amplified or not on Twitter.
Nursing Students’ Experience of a Poverty Simulation and Its Impact on Empathy and Social Justice Awareness: A Descriptive Qualitative Study
Authors: Holland Tamara , Walter Laurie , Langevin Kerri , Bourgoin Adam , McKelvey Michele , Kirk Christine , Thomas Catherine
Published: February 2024

Holistic nursing practice requires an understanding of the constraints of poverty as one of the social determinants of health. Future nurses need to be change agents for social justice. A descriptive, qualitative study was conducted to explore students’ experience of the Missouri Association for Community Action Poverty Simulation© (CAPS) and its impact on empathy and social justice awareness among a purposive sample of 56 sophomore baccalaureate nursing students at a public university in the Northeastern United States. Inductive thematic analysis was applied to data collected from a postparticipation reflection paper. Five themes emerged: (a) emotions, (b) personal history of poverty, (c) empathy, (d) rising advocacy, and (e) lessons learned. The results support that the CAPS simulation provides an experiential opportunity which impacts empathy and foundational attitudes to be a change agent for social justice. Recommendations include structured education about social determinants of health prior to the CAPS simulation, continued education throughout nursing curricula, and experiential opportunities to apply social justice skills before graduation.
Confronting the Nursing Profession’s Workforce Challenges: Embracing Iceberg Demographics
Authors: Johnson James H. , Alexander G. Rumay
Published: February 2024

U.S. Supreme Court rulings on reproductive rights and affirmative action inadvertently present the nursing profession with a propitious opportunity to capitalize on the nation's rich mosaic of iceberg demographic identities—inherited and acquired traits that may not be visibly apparent—to address imminent challenges such as worker shortages and other perplexities within the workplace milieu.
Social Support and Physical Activity in College and University Students: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Xiaolin , Yang Xuezhen , Juzaily bin Mohd Nasiruddin Nasnoor , Wei Shasha , Dong Delong , bin Samsudin Shamsulariffin
Published: February 2024

Although physical activity (PA) has a profound impact on health, many college and university students are still physically inactive. There is some evidence to suggest that social support (SS) could impact the PA levels of students, but the internal relationship and specific effects are not very clear. The purpose of this review was to determine the strength of the relationship between SS and PA and examine whether any potential associations differed in terms of age, gender, and region among college and university students. Studies were identified using the following electronic databases: PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Sociological Abstracts. Moderator analyses investigating the effects of students’ age, gender, and region (nation) were performed. This review included 19 articles. The results showed total SS was significantly associated with PA ( r = 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.22, 0.37], p < .001). With respect to different types of support, friend support was more strongly associated with PA than family support. Gender factors had a significant moderating effect on the correlation between SS and PA (QM = 17.433, p < .001). Separate analyses examining the moderating effects of gender (percentage of females) found that the association between SS and PA was stronger with the increase in female percentage. In conclusion, SS is an important factor associated with PA levels and should foster SS within intervention programs according to types of SS and gender differences to increase PA levels among college and university students.