bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in ACGME Accreditation of Orthopedic Surgery Fellowship Training
Authors: Silvestre Jason , Nelson Charles L. , Thompson Terry L. , Kang James D.
Published: May 2023

Currently, most surgeons pursue subspecialty fellowship training. This study answers the following questions: (1) How does the rate of fellowship training in orthopedic surgery compare with that in other surgical specialties? (2) To what extent did adoption of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accreditation change from 2013 to 2021? Orthopedic subspecialties were analyzed for total number of fellowship programs and positions in the 2013 and 2021 Match. Rates of ACGME accreditation were analyzed via chi-square tests. In 2021, orthopedic surgery had the highest rate of fellowship selection (94%) relative to general surgery (77%), ophthalmology (66%), plastic surgery (63%), and otolaryngology (55%). Across all orthopedic subspecialties, the percentage of ACGME accreditation decreased among fellowship programs (53% in 2013 to 48% in 2021,
P
=.166) and positions (58% in 2013 to 50% in 2021,
P
<.001). Orthopedic sports medicine had the highest adoption of ACGME accreditation (100%), followed by hand surgery (99%), musculoskeletal oncology (67%), and pediatric orthopedics (56%). Significant increases in the adoption of ACGME accreditation were noted for orthopedic sports medicine (93% in 2013 to 100% in 2021,
P
=.016) and hand surgery (81% in 2013 to 99% in 2021,
P
<.001). There was a significant decrease in ACGME accreditation for adult reconstructive orthopedics (40% in 2013 to 24% in 2021,
P
=.042), driven by the increase in unaccredited fellowship programs. Accreditation of orthopedic subspecialty fellowship training has decreased with respect to the proportion of accredited training positions. More research is needed to understand the benefits of ACGME accreditation for fellowship training in orthopedic surgery. [
Orthopedics
. 2024;47(1):57–63.]
L’Antiquité grecque et romaine chez les fondateurs des colonies anglaises d’Amérique au xviie siècle
Authors: Faelli Nicolas
Published: May 2023

Les fondations coloniales anglaises en Amérique du nord s’accompagnèrent d’une quantité de textes visant à décrire la colonisation, à justifier ses buts ou à décrire l’environnement et les populations locales de façon compréhensible. Les premiers colons recoururent notamment à un lexique hérité de l’Antiquité classique dans leurs œuvres. Si ces ouvrages résultent la plupart du temps d’une logique auto-justificatrice, certains auteurs s’inscrivirent dans une démarche plus critique à l’encontre de la colonisation.
Saïtapharnès et sa fausse tiare dans la culture française de la Belle Époque
Authors: Castelli Thibaut
Published: May 2023

La mystification de la tiare de Saïtapharnès a été diffusée largement par de nombreux médias aboutissant à une connaissance de la tiare au sein de l’opinion publique de la France de manière durable à partir de 1903. Cette diffusion a été soutenue par les antidreyfusards dans leur combat politique, mais elle a bénéficié d’un intérêt plus large du fait des institutions et personnalités impliquées et du raffinement de l’œuvre.
Pietro Cirneo et Anton Pietro Filippini : deux interprétations de l’histoire ancienne de la Corse
Authors: Santoni François
Published: May 2023

Cette contribution présente les interprétations historiques relatives à la Corse romaine issues de deux auteurs insulaires des xve et xvie siècles, Pietro Cirneo et Anton Pietro Filippini. Le premier de ces auteurs avait à cœur de combattre les clichés sur ses compatriotes véhiculés en Italie par les textes de Strabon ou Sénèque. Le second, sans avoir un tel dessein, a permis à des érudits du xixe siècle de créer de toutes pièces une bataille des campi Mirtei pour projeter le topos de leur temps sur l’Antiquité.
À leur façon de s’habiller ce sont des barbares. Les Carthaginois stigmatisés par leurs ennemis dans la tradition classique
Authors: Ben Mansour Manel
Published: May 2023

Le monde savant moderne n’a pas manqué de noter que l’habit sert à construire l’identité. Conscients à leur tour que les identités s’expriment, entre autres, à travers les apparences, Plaute et Timée focalisent alors sur le goût vestimentaire punique afin de stigmatiser les Carthaginois et les dépeindre comme un peuple barbare et indolent. Il s’avère que le souci de barbariser les Carthaginois à travers l’accoutrement était un souci partagé. Ainsi, rien de surprenant si Diodore de Sicile insiste sur l’habillement en lambeaux porté par Himilcon après sa défaite devant les murailles de Syracuse ; détail qui n’est pas sans rappeler l’image de Xerxès I de retour à Suse dans les Perses d’Eschyle. Quant à Polybe, et sur un ton inhabituel chez lui, il préfère plutôt décrire la chlamyde de pourpre bariolée portée par le dernier dirigeant carthaginois Hasdrubal. Ainsi, et par de petites touches, il dépeint un général carthaginois efféminé exerçant un pouvoir absolu sur une cité endeuillée.
La fin tragique de Carthage ou le goût du pathos chez Appien
Authors: Tahar Mohamed
Published: May 2023

À la lecture de l’œuvre d’Appien, on remarque que l’auteur excelle dans l’art de la description. Intelligemment insérée dans la narration et loin d’être un simple artifice de rhétorique, l’ekphrasis permet de dépeindre une situation et de rendre l’émotion du moment. La fin tragique de la grande métropole africaine chez l’auteur alexandrin s’apparente à une mise en forme tragique d’une narration historique. Le recours à un programme narratif où foisonne un vocabulaire qui renvoie directement à l’univers du théâtre tragique en apporte la confirmation. En dépit du problème lancinant des sources de l’œuvre, la présente contribution se propose de dégager les ressorts de la description des différentes manifestations frénétiques du peuple de Carthage face à la décision romaine de détruire la ville afin de mettre en saillie le parallèle entre ces manifestations dans un récit à vrai dire protéiforme mais qui se veut historique et les mêmes thèmes omniprésents dans les œuvres tragiques.
« Uberrima, fateor, mundi pars est Africa » : la saveur des Carthaginois dans l’Africa de Pétrarque
Authors: Cazeaux Mathilde
Published: May 2023

Par le titre même d’Africa qu’il choisit pour son épopée à la gloire de Scipion, Pétrarque attire l’attention de son lectorat sur ses représentations de la terre d’Afrique, qui s’y manifeste surtout par ses habitants. À côté d’une représentation collective négative des Carthaginois, héritée des auteurs anciens, il façonne des personnages complexes, Hannibal, Sophonisbe, Magon et Hasdrubal le Chevreau. Ceux-ci sont plus que de simples faire-valoir de Scipion : ils donnent leur saveur au texte en incarnant l’humanité dans ses passions.
Les Ibères à l’école de l’Orient… mais quel Orient ? Quelques notes autour de la question phénicienne
Authors: Reimond Grégory
Published: May 2023

Entre la fin du xixe et le début du xxe siècle, la découverte d’une nouvelle culture méditerranéenne, celle des Ibères, est avant tout le fait d’hommes de science pétris de culture classique. Qu’il s’agisse d’étudier leur grande sculpture en pierre ou leurs productions céramiques, les débats s’attachent d’abord à en démêler l’origine en partant du principe qu’un peuple « barbare » ne peut avoir donné naissance à lui seul à une culture matérielle originale. Il a nécessairement été éduqué par des voisins plus « civilisés ». Les discussions tournent en partie autour de la part qu’il convient de réserver aux influences grecques et phénico-puniques. Un tel dossier permet donc de saisir le regard que portent les érudits d’alors sur les mondes phéniciens et carthaginois, sur leur art et, partant, sur leur goût. Leurs discours s’élaborent dans un contexte bien particulier qui se reflète avec force dans la production historiographique d’alors : celui de La France juive d’Édouard Drumont et de l’affaire Dreyfus.
Building a Road to Recovery
Authors: Peter Dimity
Published: May 2023

Persons with a mental health diagnosis can lead full and productive lives. This chapter explores some of the factors that contribute to recovery, where a person with a mental health diagnosis undertakes a journey to find a meaningful life that is aligned with their values, skills, and interests. Hope, focusing on one's strengths, and personal empowerment by taking an active role in one's recovery journey are critical factors in the recovery process. The role of families and peer support are discussed. Finding purpose and meaning is also considered a significant factor in recovery. Research suggests that education and employment are important vehicles for achieving quality of life and good mental health. A range of supports and services available to facilitate recovery is provided.
A Policy of Mental Health Protection in the Example of Europe
Authors: Chitadze Nika
Published: May 2023

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including: biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry; life experiences, such as trauma or abuse; family history of mental health problems. Taking into account about mental health problems in Europe, according to a 2021 webinar report by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, research shows that health and care professionals are experiencing higher levels of anxiety (13% versus 8.5%) and depression (12.2% versus 9.5%) compared to professionals from other areas.
Postnatal Mental Distress
Authors: Komalasari Rita
Published: May 2023

This chapter represents a discussion about the potential alternative therapies and resources for postnatal mental distress. This chapter is based on stories of individual experiences and navigating the health care system. Particular attention was paid to professional understandings of postpartum depression when interacting with mothers (PND), whether they influence practice, and the hurdles and facilitators women face when seeking help for PND. By combining the perspectives of experts with different roles and responsibilities, we may better understand the situation in which women seek aid. The goal is that this information will shed light on effective strategies used by experts and show where more help needs to be given.
Health Monitoring of Polymer Matrix Composites Using Vibration Technique
Authors: T. G. Sreekanth , M. Senthilkumar , S. Manikanta Reddy
Published: May 2023

Glass and carbon fiber-reinforced plastics have become increasingly popular in engineering applications as relatively new materials, and it is expected that this trend will continue. E-glass laminates have become more common in aviation components such as wings, fuselages, and stabilizers as stronger, more durable, and tougher resins such as epoxies have evolved. A sudden breakdown of an engineering component like aircraft usually results in a significant financial loss, as well as posing a risk to human life. Vibration-based detection is one type of global damage identification method. Changes in physical qualities like damping, mass, and stiffness bring noticeable changes in the modal parameters in vibration-based damage detection approaches. This chapter demonstrates how vibration-based analysis can be used to forecast the severity and position of delamination in composites. The position and area of delamination in composite beams are determined using a supervised feed-forward multilayer back-propagation artificial neural network (ANN) in the MATLAB neural network toolbox.
Digital Twins
Authors: Yu Poshan , Song Jiarui , Sampat Michael , Hanes Emanuela
Published: May 2023

This chapter takes the Tsinghua University Suzhou Automotive Research Institute, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, and Guizhou “Intelligent Transportation Cloud” as examples to discuss the roles of digital twins in accelerating the transformation of transportation digitalization and the impact of digitalization on relevant enterprises. This chapter will focus on the models of how digital transformation can help stakeholders in the transportation industry create a better-connected experience. In addition, CiteSpace will be used in this chapter to visualize and analyze the digital twins/transportation/digital transformation documents in the database of the web of science (WOS) from 2017 to 2022. The authors also conducted a survey to analyze how the digital twins of China's transportation industry promote its digital transformation. This chapter will provide suggestions for the problems in the digital transformation of the transportation industry.
Future of Public Sector Enterprises in the Metaverse
Authors: Anane-Simon Richmond , Atiku Sulaiman Olusegun
Published: May 2023

This chapter explores the future of public sector enterprises in the contemporary metaverse technological sphere. A literature review approach was adopted to explore customer expectations, sustainable governance forms, and innovations in the metaverse ecosystem. Findings indicate that most of the technologies that make up the metaverse's building blocks already exist or are in an advanced stage of development. Furthermore, there was a rise in the use of metaverse technology like virtual and augmented reality (AR), particularly in the healthcare sector during the pandemic. Digital currency adoption, including the use of cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies, was also noted. Public sector enterprises should rely on a variety of interdependent players rather than assuming they have a monopoly on knowledge or resources to govern. A process of co-evolution between non-government and governmental entities is a sine qua non for effective social innovation by public sector enterprises in the metaverse ecosystem.
Review and Analysis of Carbon Pricing for Mitigating Climate Change Problems
Authors: Kumar Manish
Published: May 2023

Carbon emission is the most significant driver of pollution and climate change problems. So, this chapter tries to study a recently developed concept to tackle the carbon emission and climate change problem. This chapter has chronologically reviewed the carbon pricing scheme in a supply chain context. This chapter has discussed the carbon pricing scheme in detail and tried to find the applicability and effectiveness of this scheme in the supply chain. With the help of the literature review, this study also tried to explore different ways of effectively operationalizing the scheme in the supply chain. The result of this study shows that carbon pricing is an effective and advanced scheme to tackle the carbon emission and climate change problem. The results further emphasized creating awareness, labelling carbon footprints, setting environmental regulations, implementing a two-part tariff, using data for strategizing, and remanufacturing used products for better implementation of carbon pricing in the supply chain.
Enhancing Self-Directed Learning in Higher Education Through Intentional Education Practice Theory
Authors: El-Amin Abeni
Published: May 2023

Like most disciplines, higher education (HE) and adult and community education (ACE) must adapt to current challenges. In doing so, HE and ACE practitioners and proponents must develop new strategies, theories, initiatives, and programs that elevate liberal, behaviorist, progressive, humanistic, radical adult educational philosophies. Further, outcome-based metrics strengthen strategic development and programming to measure the extent of change in instruction. As a result, new strategies must address extant issues, provide instructors and stakeholders with pertinent information to advance solutions, and build on strengths and opportunities. Likewise, instructors must demonstrate adaptability by working with adult learners in consideration of cultural context, learning styles, and preferences. Instructors must intentionally develop requisite skills, knowledge, perspectives of students to self-reflect, dialogue, and act based on classroom experiences.
Self-Directed Learning and the Collective Approach of Ubuntu Pedagogy
Authors: Ngubane Nomalungelo Radebe
Published: May 2023

This chapter departs from the problem that higher education in South Africa and globally is continuously perpetuating traditional learning methods that promote memorization of facts, individualistic learning styles, and passive learning. The chapter then argues that universities require an urgent shift into pedagogical approaches that will assist students learning how to learn and to thrive collectively, thus developing self and others. This chapter argues that an integration of two learning approaches—self-directed learning and Ubuntu pedagogy—has a potential to assist students in taking the initiative and ownership of their own learning while also supporting the learning of others, ‘I am because we are'. Drawing from Collective Fingers Theory, the chapter examines the benefits of integrating self-directed learning and Ubuntu pedagogy. Themes emerging from the chapter are self-directed learning, self-directed learning and collective learning approaches, Ubuntu pedagogy, and benefits of integrating self-directed learning and Ubuntu pedagogy.
Recognizing the Importance of Educator Behavior in SDL
Authors: Brits Charlene Du Toit , Blignaut Jean Henry
Published: May 2023

This chapter analyzes how teachers' conduct affects students' self-directed learning. Positive, supportive educator conduct is crucial for students' self-direction because it influences how students or children learn. Educators' assumptions about students may damage their self-concept and intrinsic drive to study, while educators' attitudes and instructional approaches may foster self-directed learning. Students' conduct relies not only on how they classify themselves in class but also on the educator's support, a feeling of belonging, and self-concept. All these characteristics are started and maintained by the educator's conduct throughout teaching and learning. Complementary educator conduct may uncover new dimensions of self-directed learning. However, it is disputed with several important routes to explore. If teachers could learn to improve their teaching and learning, the world's perception of learning might shift radically. This chapter aimed to provide a better understanding of how educators' conduct affects students' self-directed learning.
An Investigation Into the Growth and Internationalization Potential of Namibian Wine
Authors: April Wilfred Amazing Isak , Dana Leo Paul , Itenge Daniel Ileni
Published: May 2023

Namibian wine or the production thereof is not widely known and. although it is found on the shelves of a few local retailers and some restaurants consumption, is relatively low. There is relatively little evidence on the level of cooperation and competition among the Namibian wine makers, as there is diminutive or no clear evidence of clusters. This chapter examines the growth potential of Namibian wine in local markets and the potential to access lucrative foreign markets. It also aims to investigate the level of cooperation and competition among the Namibian wine makers, which is a great factor in ensuring the promotion and internationalisation of Namibian wine. The purpose of this study is to establish the presence and volume of Namibian wines on shelves of local retailers and international markets and to investigate and present strategies that Namibian wine makers can implement. Data were collected through the use of a questionnaire with the Erongo Mountain Winery in order to understand the drivers and barriers to internationalisation of their businesses.
Lessons Learned and Expectations From Namibia's National Employment Policy
Authors: Itenge Daniel Ileni
Published: May 2023

Namibia continues to face many economic and social hurdles such as high unemployment rate, poverty, and inequalities. The National Employment Policy (NEP) is one of the government's policy interventions to address these issues. Namibia is in the process of developing a third National Employment Policy, as the preceding two policies were deemed to have failed. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the NEP. The objectives of this study were to analyse failures of the preceding policies, examine the lessons learned that can be used for future policy success, explore the expectations of young and indigenous entrepreneurs in Windhoek, Namibia, and to recommend measures for successful future policy implementation. The study collected data through survey, face-to-face interviews, and analysis of literature. The study revealed that the preceding NEPs failed due to flaws in implementation. It is recommended that future policies should be aligned to NDPs, targets should be measurable, there is a need to establish a steering body, and there is a need for the adequate publication of the policy.
Innovation Spontaneity in the Portuguese Molds Sector
Authors: Brito Sílvio Manuel da Rocha , Gonçalves Miguel Freitas
Published: May 2023

Knowledge and innovation are sources of sustainable competitive advantage in today's complex and turbulent environment, motivated, in essence, by globalization. The spontaneity of innovation is assumed as a fundamental part of a strategy that involves several characteristics, which the authors highlight in this work. The management and coordination of this characteristic enhance organizational excellence. Effectively managing spontaneity allows for differentiating, innovating, and creating a competitive advantage. This finding was analyzed through a case study carried out with two institutional actors in the Portuguese mould industry. To observe this characteristic and to understand how the two actors studied codify, create, and transfer, the dyadic relationship was studied, that is, the cooperation between the National Association of the Mold Industry (CEFAMOL) and the Technological Center Industry of Molds, Special Tools, and Plastics (CENTIMFE). In total, two in-depth interviews were conducted. The study shows that cooperation is the key to gaining added value through spontaneous innovation.
Teaching Revolutions
Authors: Rischard Mattius W.
Published: May 2023

The Russian and Mexican Revolutions resulted in distinct socioeconomic programs during the 20th century; yet they produce comparable trajectories of political leadership and cultural discourse on adult educational reform. Using Soviet and Mexican educational materials from the revolutionary era, it is possible to compare the policies and practices produced in revolutionary contexts to the U.S. andragogy established through study of Mexico and Russia. The adult outcomes of schooling became a site of negotiating cultural hegemony that revolutionary groups used to design radically productive and disruptive teaching and learning theory, while at the same time indirectly modeling the progressive reforms employed in the U.S. Yet, since the dawn of the 21st century, both have struggled to refine their approach to adult learning in the context of the digital turn because of how the networked flow of information works to both support and undermine the institutionalized tenets of the revolutionary ethos.
Transformational and Andragogical Leadership and Its Impact on Resilience and Workplace Stress
Authors: Lambert Steve
Published: May 2023

There has been a 36.5% rise in reported cases of work-related stress between 2018/19 and 2019/20 to over 822,000 individual cases. Marcatto et al. found that in Europe stress-related absence was second only to musculoskeletal disorders while the EU-OSHA estimated that work-related stress cost European companies 20 billion euros per year and accounted for nearly 60% of lost working days. This chapter focuses on the under-researched area of stress amongst middle leaders in education. While it is widely reported that teachers face high levels of stress, as a result of organisational pressures, there is a paucity of research on middle leaders. This chapter considers whether there will be a significant negative relationship between self-reported levels of resilience and self-reported levels of stress amongst middle leaders.
Effectiveness of Zero Tolerance Policies and Suggestions for Improvement to Reduce School Violence
Authors: Lacorazza Danielle Marie Carkin , Siaba Michel-Ange
Published: May 2023

Zero tolerance policies are ineffective at reducing violence in the school system; thus, the chapter will demonstrate the ways in which the punitive approach does more harm than good, particularly for marginalized youth. One of the concerns of the chapter is to exemplify the lack of evidence suggesting the effectiveness of zero tolerance policies as a means of less disruption, but rather as creating a criminogenic and more destructive impact on youth. Additionally, the chapter addresses overarching concern of how these policies impede the academic achievement of youth punitively punished. The chapter documents the disparities in treatment among youth through the implementation of zero tolerance policies, particularly youth of color, youth with disabilities, and youth with mental illness. The chapter concludes by offering alternatives for managing student behaviors through policy and programming that are deemed more effective and less harmful for youths.
School Resource Officers' Impact on Violence and Crime
Authors: Brown Angelo Kevin
Published: May 2023

School resource officers (SRO) have been involved in the American school system for about 70 years. SRO programs began in the early 1950s beginning within a school district in Flint, Michigan. Since the start of SRO programs, police officers were predominately placed in schools with a high percentage of African American students and in low-income communities. School administration had implemented a program to station law enforcement officers in the school because of crime, drugs, and violence within the school. The community in the Flint School District had a lot of racial discrimination and elevated levels of racial inequality and segregation. As school administrators and community leaders in this era often blamed minority youth for juvenile delinquency and school-related security issues they pushed for law enforcement to combat these problems.
Bullying Victimization Among Disabled Students
Authors: Sobba Kristen N. , Shin Songyon , Radu Monica Bixby , Shadwick Joshua T.
Published: May 2023

Bullying victimization has caused devastating effects, from physical and mental health issues to suicides and school shootings. There is a plethora of research on this topic; however, a certain population is often mistreated more than others, disabled students. Disabled students tend to get bullied more often than non-disabled students and are less likely to be able to defend themselves. Investigation on this topic is imperative so that researchers can create methods to combat bullying against these vulnerable individuals. The following chapter addresses bullying victimization among disabled students which includes but is not limited to research on victimization, perpetration, theoretical frameworks, and prevention.
A Framework for Narrative Forensic Interviewing of School Shooting Survivors
Authors: Mudd-Fegett Kimberly
Published: May 2023

This chapter will present a framework for narrative forensic interviewing that lessens trauma on survivors. To construct the framework, this author interviewed survivors in four states, dating back 25 years. The trauma of those impacted by school shootings has not changed. The pain, the agony, the loss, the sheer fear of having your life destroyed in seconds remains the same. Narrative forensic interviews provide support throughout the interview process. The author's proposed interview framework is a survivor centered approach that considers the need of survivors, conducting the interview in a compassionate manner. Recognizing that healing is a complicated process, involving multiple layers of victimization, guides the transformational interviewing process. By creating partnerships with those impacted by school violence, their voices and experiences become a crucial foundation in in the development of interventions that do not heighten the trauma of survivors.
Green Financing Strategies Adopted in Zimbabwe Towards Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Dzingirai Mufaro , Zvitambo Kudakwashe , Masukume Herbert
Published: May 2023

The issue of green financing has increasingly become more relevant in the 21st century. Accordingly, scholars, researchers, and policymakers are now interested in how green finance can accelerate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the world. Surprisingly, there is scant evidence in the development mainstream literature that addresses the issues of green financing strategies, particularly in African countries. This study established eight green financing strategies that have been employed in Zimbabwe towards attaining SDGs, namely the national climate change fund strategy, IDBZ climate finance facility strategy, domestic public finance strategy, domestic private finance, public-private partnerships (PPPs) financing strategy, foreign investment strategy, and development finance strategy. These results can help the Zimbabwean government, NGOs, financial institutions, and society at large as well as educators and researchers.
Sustainability as a Catalyst of Financial Development
Authors: Singhal Soumya , Gulati Khushboo , Chhabra Isha
Published: May 2023

Sustainable development is a worldwide priority and the main objective of all countries. The sustainability concept focuses on economic, social, and ecological pillars. Every nation tries to bring sustainability to the economy, and financial development plays a major role. The financial sector actively promotes technological advancements in power production to lower emissions, significantly reducing energy pollution. The prior studies have shown mixed results on the interconnection between financial development and carbon dioxide emissions. The results also differ in developed and developing nations. The study shows that seventeen sustainability goals developed by the United Nations to achieve in the year 2030 have been affected due to COVID-19 and the Ukraine War. Hence, it has become imperative for nations to emphasize sustainable development.
Financial Market Innovation, Blockchain, and Sustainability
Authors: Panwar Manawati
Published: May 2023

The word 'blockchain' was introduced years ago, but the meaning has changed over time. Initially it was developed only as the tool for bitcoin cryptocurrency transactions. Developed countries like US and China show the positive relationship between blockchain and financial market innovation. In the present era of initialization where people are more concerned about the safety and security of transaction, blockchain is seen as a solution in the financial market sustainability. The Indian government in association with RBI has planned to launch virtual currency for the development of the Indian financial market and economy. This study reveals the relationship between blockchain and financial market innovation in the Indian context and the factors that impact the significance and relationship. The purpose of the study is to estimate the conceptual framework of blockchain in the field of financial market innovation and sustainability. Thus, this study tries to reveal the key factors of blockchain technology that impact the innovation in the field of financial markets.
Business Models in Financial Technologies
Authors: Ebrahimi Mona
Published: May 2023

The world of finance has been transforming alongside the rapid growth of technology significantly. FinTech companies have emerged as a consequence of technological developments in the financial sector. Despite the upward trends in the growth of FinTech, they definitely need a business model to survive and grow in the competitive market. A FinTech business model includes operating strategy, revenue sources, and intended customer base. FinTech organizations need to adopt approaches to ensure their services and products are available to their customers across different platforms and are not necessarily reliant on a convoluted sign-up process. This chapter reviews the main considerations in FinTech business models, and the success factors of a business model, and provides a guide to having a business model that wins in the market.
The Criminal Side of Cryptocurrency
Authors: Brown Angelo Kevin
Published: May 2023

As cryptocurrency (crypto) has become more and more popular, so has crypto-related crime. There has been a lack of academic research on crypto-related crime, but it is becoming more prevalent in the last couple of years. Crypto-related crime became especially significant in the impact it had on victims and the awareness of these crimes in the media and the government in late 2019 and early 2020 as various criminal organizations and criminal opportunities opened up as cryptocurrency became mainstream. The common crimes related to cryptocurrency include fraud, theft, and money laundering. In 2021 estimates of crypto-related crime were estimated to be as high as $14 billion, which is a small fraction of a percent of the cryptocurrency transactions that were around $15.8 trillion in 2021. The purpose of the chapter is to provide a detailed account of the common crypto-related crimes and scams that have occurred and to evaluate the effectiveness of enforcement of these crimes.
Age-Dependent Normalization Functions for T Lymphocytes in Healthy Individuals
Authors:   EPIICAL Consortium, Schröter Juliane , Borghans José A M , Bitter W Marieke , van Dongen Jacques J M , de Boer Rob J
Published: May 2023

Lymphocyte numbers naturally change through age. Normalization functions to account for this are sparse and mostly disregard measurements from children in which these changes are most prominent. In this study, we analyze cross-sectional numbers of mainly T lymphocytes (CD3+, CD3+CD4+, and CD3+CD8+) and their subpopulations (naive and memory) from 673 healthy Dutch individuals ranging from infancy to adulthood (0–62 y). We fitted the data by a delayed exponential function and estimated parameters for each lymphocyte subset. Our modeling approach follows general laboratory measurement procedures in which absolute cell counts of T lymphocyte subsets are calculated from observed percentages within a reference population that is truly counted (typically the total lymphocyte count). Consequently, we obtain one set of parameter estimates per T cell subset representing both the trajectories of their counts and percentages. We allow for an initial time delay of half a year before the total lymphocyte counts per microliter of blood start to change exponentially, and we find that T lymphocyte trajectories tend to increase during the first half a year of life. Thus, our study provides functions describing the general trajectories of T lymphocyte counts and percentages of the Dutch population. These functions provide important references to study T lymphocyte dynamics in disease, and they allow one to quantify losses and gains in longitudinal data, such as the CD4+ T cell decline in HIV-infected children and/or the rate of T cell recovery after the onset of treatment.
Deficiencies and Dysregulation of STAT Pathways That Drive Inborn Errors of Immunity: Lessons from Patients and Mouse Models of Disease
Authors: Toth Kelsey A , Schmitt Erica G , Cooper Megan A
Published: May 2023

The STAT family proteins provide critical signals for immune cell development, differentiation, and proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are caused by single gene defects leading to immune deficiency and/or dysregulation, and they have provided opportunities to identify genes important for regulating the human immune response. Studies of patients with IEIs due to altered STAT signaling, and mouse models of these diseases, have helped to shape current understanding of the mechanisms whereby STAT signaling and protein interactions regulate immunity. Although many STAT signaling pathways are shared, clinical and immune phenotypes in patients with monogenic defects of STAT signaling highlight both redundant and nonredundant pathways. In this review, we provide an overview of the shared and unique signaling pathways used by STATs, phenotypes of IEIs with altered STAT signaling, and recent discoveries that have provided insight into the human immune response and treatment of disease.
Objective evaluation of the resistance forces of 22-gauge EUS-FNA and fine-needle biopsy needles
Authors: Matsunami Yukitoshi , Itoi Takao , Tsuchiya Takayoshi , Ishii Kentaro , Tanaka Reina , Tonozuka Ryosuke , Mukai Shuntaro , Nagai Kazumasa , Yamamoto Kenjiro , Asai Yasutsugu , Kurosawa Takashi , Kojima Hiroyuki , Minami Hirohito , Homma Toshihiro , Joyama Eri , Sofuni Atsushi
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives:

EUS-guided tissue acquisition is routinely performed for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract and adjacent organ lesions. Recently, various types of needles have been developed. However, how the shape of the needle tip and echoendoscope tip angle affect puncturability, has not been clarified. The aim of this experimental study was to compare the puncturability of several 22-gauge EUS-FNA and EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) needles, and to evaluate the effects of the needle tip shape and echoendoscope tip angle on tissue puncturability.

Materials and Methods:

The following six major FNA and FNB needles were evaluated: SonoTip® ProControl, EZ Shot 3 Plus, Expect™ Standard Handle, SonoTip® TopGain, Acquire™, and SharkCore™. The mean maximum resistance force against needle advancement was evaluated and compared under several conditions using an echoendoscope.

Results:

The mean maximum resistance force of the needle alone was higher for the FNB needles than for the FNA needles. The mean maximum resistance force of the needle in the echoendoscope with free angle demonstrated that the resistance forces were between 2.10 and 2.34 Newton (N). The mean maximum resistance force increased upon increases in angle of the tip of echoendoscope, particularly in the FNA needles. Among the FNB needles, SharkCore™ had the lowest resistance force (2.23 N). The mean maximum resistance force of the needle alone, the needle in the echoendoscope with free angle, and the needle in the echoendoscope with full-up angle for SonoTip® TopGain were all similar to that of Acquire™.

Conclusion:

SonoTip® TopGain had similar puncturability to Acquire™ in all tested situations. Regarding the puncturability, SharkCore™ is most suitable for insertion into target lesions, when tight echoendoscope tip angle is necessary.
Pancreatic duct imaging during aging
Authors: Möller Kathleen , Jenssen Christian , Ignee André , Hocke Michael , Faiss Siegbert , Iglesias-Garcia Julio , Sun Siyu , Dong Yi , Dietrich Christoph F.
Published: May 2023

As part of the aging process, fibrotic changes, fatty infiltration, and parenchymal atrophy develop in the pancreas. The pancreatic duct also becomes wider with age. This article provides an overview of the diameter of the pancreatic duct in different age groups and different examination methods. Knowledge of these data is useful to avoid misinterpretations regarding the differential diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, obstructive tumors, and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia (IPMN).
Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Campylobacter Infections and Child Growth in South Asia: Analyzing Data from the Global Enteric Multicenter Study
Authors: Hossain Md. Iqbal , Nasrin Sabiha , Das Rina , Palit Parag , Sultana Al-Afroza , Sobi Rukaeya Amin , Khan Soroar Hossain , Dash Sampa , Chisti Mohammod Jobayer , Ahmed Tahmeed , Faruque Abu Syed Golam
Published: May 2023

Campylobacter is a major cause of food-borne gastrointestinal illnesses worldwide, predominantly affecting children under 5 years of age. This study examined potential associations of symptomatic (with diarrhea) and asymptomatic (without diarrhea) Campylobacter infections with child growth among children under 5 years of age in South Asia. The Global Enteric Multicenter Study was conducted from 2007 to 2011 with a case-control design. Children were followed for 60 days after enrollment. Stool culture was performed to isolate Campylobacter spp. Among the 22,567 enrolled children, 9,439 were symptomatic, with 786 (8.28%) testing positive for Campylobacter. Conversely, 13,128 asymptomatic healthy controls were included, with 1,057 (8.05%) testing positive for Campylobacter. Growth faltering was observed in the symptomatic group, particularly among children aged 0–11 months (−0.19 height-for-age z score [HAZ]; 95% CI: −0.36, −0.03; P = 0.018) and 24–59 months (−0.16 HAZ; 95% CI: −0.28, −0.04; P = 0.010). However, in the asymptomatic group, growth faltering was observed only in the 24- to 59-month age group, in terms of HAZ (−0.15 HAZ; 95% CI: −0.24, −0.05; P = 0.002) and weight-for-height z score (−0.16; 95% CI: −0.26, −0.06; P = 0.001). These findings underscore the importance of immediate and enhanced introduction of preventive modalities to reduce the burden of Campylobacter infections and reduce their long-term sequelae.
COVID-19 Screening Score for Patients without Acute Respiratory Symptoms Undergoing Emergency Medical Procedures in Indonesia
Authors: Nainggolan Leonard , Dewi Beti Ernawati , Harianja Gerald Abraham , Saharman Yulia Rosa , Sanjaya Nadira Prajnasari , Sinto Robert , van Gorp Eric C. M.
Published: May 2023

To rule out coronavirus disease–2019 (COVID-19) in patients scheduled to undergo emergency medical procedures, SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) must be performed. In developing countries, the use of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR has been limited by its unavailability and long processing time. Hence, a quick screening score to predict COVID-19 may help healthcare practitioners determine which patients without acute respiratory symptoms can safely undergo an emergency medical procedure. We conducted a cross-sectional study of adult patients without acute respiratory symptoms who were admitted to the emergency department and underwent an emergency medical procedure within 24 hours after admittance. We collected baseline demographic data, COVID-19 screening variables, and SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR as the gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed, and a scoring system was developed using statistically significant variables from the multivariate analysis. With data from 357 patients, multivariate backward stepwise logistic regression analysis resulted in two significant COVID-19 predictors: the presence of SARS-CoV-2–IgM antibody (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 7.02 [95% CI: 1.49–32.96]) and typical chest x-ray (aOR: 23.21 [95% CI: 10.01–53.78]). A scoring system was developed using these predictors with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.64–0.78). For a cutoff point of ≥ 2, the scoring system showed 42.5% sensitivity and 97.1% specificity but had poor calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test P value < 0.001). We believe that the development of this COVID-19 quick screening score may be helpful in a resource-limited clinical setting, but its moderate discrimination and poor calibration hinder its use as a replacement for the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test for COVID-19 screening.
Quantifying Factors Associated with Personal Hygiene as Measured by the qPHAT Methodology: Andilaye Trial, Ethiopia
Authors: Kann Rebecca S. , Snyder Jedidiah S. , Woreta Mulat , Zewudie Kassahun , Freeman Matthew C. , Delea Maryann G.
Published: May 2023

Many water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions target improvements in personal hygiene behaviors. Yet measuring personal hygiene behaviors is a challenge due to a lack of reliable, valid, objective, and simple-to-use approaches. The purpose of this study was to examine differences between two types of hygiene outcome measures and their ability to detect relationships between WASH-related behavioral factors and behaviors. We compared hygiene outcomes generated by the Quantitative Personal Hygiene Assessment Tool (qPHAT), which yields objective measures of cleanliness on an 11-point scale, and those generated by conventional, dichotomous indicators of cleanliness. We used cross-sectional data on hygiene outcomes related to facial and hand cleanliness collected during the Andilaye Trial, an impact evaluation of a community-based WASH intervention implemented in Amhara, Ethiopia. We fit multivariable models to examine associations between measures of children’s facial and hand cleanliness, via both qPHAT and dichotomous indicators, and 1) household WASH conditions, 2) psychosocial factors, and 3) reported personal hygiene practices. The qPHAT-generated outcomes were able to detect relationships between intermediate behavioral factors and hygiene outcomes that dichotomous indicators were not, including associations with water insecurity and various psychosocial factors. qPHAT-generated outcomes were negatively associated with reported face washing practices, suggesting a bias in reported behaviors. Our study highlights the limitations of reported practices and dichotomous hygiene indicators and indicates that using more quantitative hygiene outcome measures, such as those generated by qPHAT, may reveal important intermediate factors that influence hygiene behavior and support improved monitoring and evaluation of interventions.
Investigation of Four Cases of Stevens–Johnson Syndrome among Participants in a Mass Drug Administration Campaign with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine and Primaquine in Haiti, 2020
Authors: Chang Michelle A. , Fouché Bernadette , LaFortune Willy , Holmes Kathleen , Rigodon Jonas , Juin Stanley , Marseille Samson , Rogier Eric , Green Michael , Kheradmand Taba , Moore Samuel G. , Gaul David A. , Boncy Jacques , Telfort Marc-Aurele
Published: May 2023

In 2018, a mass drug administration (MDA) campaign for malaria elimination was piloted in Haiti. The pilot treated 36,338 people with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and primaquine; no severe adverse events were detected. In 2020, another MDA campaign using the same medications was implemented to mitigate an upsurge in malaria cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Four cases of Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) were identified among the 42,249 people who took the medications. Three of these individuals required hospitalization; all survived. In addition to SP ingestion, an investigation of potential causes for increased SJS cases identified that all four cases had human leukocyte antigens A*29 and/or B*44:03, another known risk factor for SJS. Additionally, three of the four case individuals had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, and the fourth may have been exposed around the same time. These findings raise the possibility that recent SARS-CoV-2 infection may have contributed to the increased risk for SJS associated with SP exposure during the 2020 campaign.
Restauração ecológica em sistemas agroflorestais sucessionais do Vale do Ribeira, São Paulo
Authors: Seoane Carlos Eduardo Sícoli , Bim Ocimar José Baptista , Lima Artur Dalton , Froufe Luís Cláudio Maranhão
Published: May 2023

From the last three decades, there has been a growing perception that the restoration of degraded ecosystems is necessary to guarantee a minimum life quality for future generations. The objective of this work was to evaluate the successional agroforestry systems of Vale do Ribeira, using ecological restoration indicators present in the Brazilian legislation and the in international concepts presented by the Society for Ecological Restoration, and to point out possible solutions to optimize its potential. The successional agroforestry systems in the Vale do Ribeira proved to be efficient, effective and engaged as ecological restoration practices, since they meet the ecological restoration indicators of the legislation and most of the concepts of restoration ecology. Public policies should be developed aiming regulatory incentives and technological solutions to increase income generation by these systems.