bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pancreatitis in children: practical management from the BSPGHAN Pancreatitis Working Group
Authors: Giamouris Vangelis J , Davenport Mark , Davies Ieuan Havard , Geaney Gillian , Banerjee Tushar , Bakewell Christopher , Henderson Paul , Grammatikopoulos Tassos
Published: December 2024

Pancreatitis, a condition characterised by inflammation of the pancreas, has multiple aetiologies. Improving clinical proficiency in prompt diagnosis and effective management leads to better outcomes for children with acute pancreatitis, acute recurrent pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. Establishing consensus guidance via the British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition Pancreatitis Working Group has ensured further focus on these patients who are often cared for in a multidisciplinary framework and may prompt future research in this area. Initial assessment includes serum amylase/lipase, triglyceride levels, full blood count, C reactive protein, renal and liver function profile, glucose, calcium and capillary blood gas. Fasted transabdominal ultrasound for all children and young people with suspected pancreatitis is recommended to identify pancreatic parenchyma and pancreatobiliary ductal changes, and complications. For fluid resuscitation, use crystalloids or Ringer’s lactate: initial bolus of 10 to 20 mL/kg, 1.5–2 times maintenance volume, with hourly monitoring of urine output over the initial 24–48 hours. Initiate oral intake within the first 24 hours after fluid resuscitation; fat restriction is not recommended. For suspected autoimmune pancreatitis, workup includes immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgG subclasses), complement components and autoantibody profile to confirm diagnosis. Significant interventional management for pancreatitis and related complications is performed via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or endoscopic ultrasound; referral to a specialised paediatric hepatobiliary surgical team is highly recommended. Close collaboration with a specialist centre can improve diagnostic and management pathways and outcomes for children.
Multiple soliton and singular wave solutions with bifurcation analysis for a strain wave equation arising in microcrystalline materials
Authors: Chou Dean , Boulaaras Salah Mahmoud , Ur Rehman Hamood , Iqbal Ifrah , Ma Wen-Xiu
Published: December 2024

A microcrystalline material refers to a crystallized substance or rock comprised of tiny crystals that can only be observed under a microscope. The strain wave equation is a fourth-order nonlinear partial differential equation encountered in the examination of non-dissipative strain wave propagation within microstructured solids. In this paper, the transmission of waves in microcrystalline materials is dictated by the non-dissipative case of strain wave equation’s structure, accounting for multiple dimensions within microcrystalline structures. The simplest equation method is employed to extract multi-soliton solutions, while the modified Sardar subequation method is applied to identify additional soliton solutions, including bright, combined dark–bright, combined dark-singular, periodic singular, and singular solitons. Furthermore, the dynamical system bifurcation theory approach is utilized to investigate the phase diagrams of the governing equation. Further elaboration on the physical dynamical representation of the presented solutions is provided through profile illustrations. A comparison with the existing literature is also provided, highlighting the efficacy of our work. The significance of the acquired outcomes lies in their capacity to portray a wide array of intricate and diverse phenomena observed in both mathematical and physical systems.
Retrieval of optical soliton patterns for time-fractional nonlinear Schrödinger equation integrating Kudryashov’s law of refractive index with dual form of nonlocal nonlinearity
Authors: Raza Nauman , Chahlaoui Younes , Waqas H. M. , Shah Nehad Ali , Bekir Ahmet
Published: December 2024

The Schrödinger model, which describes the mobility of a single wave in an optical fiber, is crucial to communication systems. By using the quadrupled-power law and the dual form of nonlocal nonlinearity, this study concentrates on establishing optical solitary solutions for Kudryashov’s law of nonlinear refractive index. The unified Riccati equation method and the new extended auxiliary equation approach are used to derive numerous ranges of Jacobi elliptic, trigonometric, hyperbolic, and dual-wave solitary solution patterns. These findings will eventually lead to the discovery of bright, singular, kink, dark–bright, and singular-periodic soliton solutions, whose 3D, 2D, and density depictions are provided with the help of mathematical software, Mathematica. Moreover, we provide 2D graphical representations for different values of the fractional and time parameters to show how these novel optical solutions behave. Different features of these solitons arise in many physical contexts such as nonlinear optics, fluid dynamics, and laser physics. The derived results show that the proposed framework presents a rich and varied spectrum of wave phenomena and that the methods for solving nonlinear partial differential equations arising in mathematical physics are effective, useful, and dependable for further exploration in the vast field of optical and mathematical physics.
Early-life sodium restriction programs autonomic dysfunction and salt sensitivity in male C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Ziegler Alisha A. , Lawton Samuel B. R. , Fekete Eva M. , Brozoski Daniel T. , Wagner Valerie A. , Grobe Connie C. , Sigmund Curt D. , Nakagawa Pablo , Grobe Justin L. , Segar Jeffrey L.
Published: December 2024

Mechanisms by which preterm birth increases the risk of adult-onset cardiometabolic diseases are not well understood. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been implicated in the programming of adult disease, although contributors to RAS dysregulation remain to be identified. Findings from this study suggest that failure to maintain postnatal sodium homeostasis during a critical developmental window may contribute to RAS dysregulation and the risk of salt sensitivity of autonomic and cardiovascular function.
Lemierre’s Syndrome Due to Klebsiella pneumoniae Results in Pulmonary Abscess Complications in a Patient With Diabetes: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Ngo Trung Dinh , Nguyen Cuong Thai , Ho Nam
Published: December 2024

Background: Lemierre’s syndrome (LS), first described by Andre Lemierre in the early 20th century, is a rare but potentially life‐threatening condition typically caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum. However, recent literature has reported cases of LS caused by various other bacteria, including Klebsiella pneumoniae. In this report, we present a rare case of LS in a patient with diabetes caused by K. pneumoniae.

Case Report: A 62‐year‐old Vietnamese male with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, presented with an 8‐day history of progressive left neck swelling, fever, dysphagia, odynophagia, and reduced appetite. Despite initial antibiotic therapy, his condition deteriorated, leading to pulmonary abscesses and septic shock. Abscess content culture revealed K. pneumoniae. The patient required intubation, mechanical ventilation, and surgical drainage of the neck abscess. Treatment with meropenem, along with glycemic control, led to clinical improvement. The patient was subsequently extubated, achieved complete wound healing, and was discharged with normal biochemical parameters.

Conclusion: This case highlights that LS can be caused by pathogens not initially outlined by Andre Lemierre, such as K. pneumoniae. Clinicians should consider a broader spectrum of causative organisms when there is a strong clinical suspicion of LS and adjust antimicrobial coverage accordingly. The association between K. pneumoniae‐related LS and diabetes mellitus warrants further investigation, as current evidence suggests that diabetes may predispose patients to this particular pathogen.
Combined Solid Organ Transplant and Transfusion‐Associated Graft‐Versus‐Host Disease in a Lung Transplant Recipient: An Uncertain Culprit With Lethal Complications
Authors: Sindu Devika , Franz Brian J. , Scott Ian , Ayyad Hashem , Gaines Kristina , McAnally Kendra , Tokman Sofya
Published: December 2024

Although graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is a common complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, it is rare after solid organ transplantation (SOT) or blood transfusion. We present a rare case of SOT‐derived and/or transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease (TA‐GVHD) in a 66‐year‐old man with interstitial lung disease who underwent bilateral lung transplantation (LT) from a 12‐year‐old female donor and required three units of packed red blood cells intraoperatively. He presented with signs and symptoms consistent with GVHD, and a bone marrow biopsy revealed an XX karyotype. He died 3 months after bilateral LT, and postmortem chimerism testing using next‐generation sequencing identified three sources of DNA within his bone marrow, including the recipient, the lung donor, and a third donor, thereby suggesting the presence of solid organ transplant graft‐versus‐host disease (SOT‐GVHD), TA‐GVHD, or a combination of both.
The Role of Moisturizer Containing Anti‐inflammatory on Skin Hydration in Mild‐Moderate Atopic Dermatitis Patients
Authors: Prakoeswa Cita Rosita Sigit , Damayanti  , Anggraeni Sylvia , Umborowati Menul Ayu , Sari Maylita , Hendaria Made Putri , Thahir Tanziela Firdausi
Published: December 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition characterized by eczema lesions and dry, itchy skin. Recent guidelines for the management of AD emphasize the importance of using moisturizers in the management of AD. This study is a double‐blind clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of moisturizers containing anti‐inflammatory ingredients compared with moisturizers without anti‐inflammatory ingredients for skin hydration in mild to moderate adult AD patients for 14 days at the Dermatology and Venereology Outpatient Clinic at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) at the baseline and day 14 skin hydration values in the experiment group with anti‐inflammatory ingredients (35.97 ± 6.04–66.06 ± 15.84) and the control group without anti‐inflammatory ingredients (40.74 ± 10.94–56.12 ± 8.34). After comparison, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the skin hydration value between the experiment group and the control group on the 14th day. There was also a significant difference in the improvement of skin hydration outcomes between both groups (p < 0.05). The severity of the disease using Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the experiment group and the control group after 2 weeks of intervention. The addition of anti‐inflammatory ingredients in the moisturizer, namely, shea butter, bacterial lysate, allantoin, bisabolol, Phragmites kharka extract, Poria cocos, and Mirabilis jalapa in a moisturizer containing occlusive (dimethicone), humectants (glycerin, saccharide, butylene glycol, and hyaluronic acid), and emollient (shea butter and squalane) was shown to be significantly better in improving skin hydration in patients with mild to moderate AD.
Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulant Dabigatran as a Bridging Therapy while Optimizing Warfarin Dosage for Cardioembolic Stroke
Authors: Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Kusuma Yohanna , Yeo Leonard Leong Litt , Chan Bernard
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Parenteral heparin is widely used as bridging therapy while optimizing oral anticoagulation (OAC). Newer direct-acting OACs (DOACs) attain therapeutic effect very quickly. We report the use of dabigatran as bridging therapy during warfarin optimization for cardioembolic stroke in two patients who opted to receive warfarin for long-term anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention. Case Presentations: Patient A was a 60-year-old man with hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and gout who was admitted with a sudden onset of left-sided weakness. Clinically, he was alert but had right gaze preference and left-sided hemiplegia. The clinical diagnosis was of a right cortical stroke. He underwent intravenous tPA augmented with sonothrombolysis – the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score fell from 7 to 0. Repeat brain scan showed infarcts in the right frontal and parietal lobes. He was found to have atrial fibrillation (AF) and advised anticoagulation. He opted for warfarin with dabigatran bridging which was started on day 2 of his hospital admission. His International Normalized Ratio (INR) exceeded 2 by day 6 of anticoagulation, at which time the bridging dabigatran was stopped, fixed-dose warfarin was continued, and he was discharged well. On subsequent reviews in the clinic, his INR was in the therapeutic range of 2.0–3.0. He had no bleeding or recurrent ischaemic events during follow-up. Patient B was a 78-year-old man with a hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and diabetes mellitus. He was admitted after he developed difficulty talking and mild right-sided weakness. Clinically, he was alert but had expressive aphasia and mild right-sided upper limb weakness (NIHSS 6). The clinical diagnosis was of a left cortical stroke. The brain scan showed a left posterior frontal and parietal infarct. He was out of the time window for recanalization therapy and was treated conservatively. He was found to have AF and advised anticoagulation. He opted for warfarin with dabigatran bridging which was started on day 1 of his hospital admission. His INR was almost 2 by day 5 of anticoagulation, at which time the bridging dabigatran was stopped and fixed-dose warfarin continued. He declined daily blood taking – his INR 4 days later was in the therapeutic range of 2.0–3.0. He had no bleeding or recurrent ischaemic events. He underwent rehabilitation uneventfully and was discharged well. Conclusions: The use of DOACs such as dabigatran as bridging therapy during optimization of OAC is feasible. Compared to heparin as bridging therapy, DOAC has the advantage of oral administration, lower cost, and possibly lower bleeding risks. This novel practice may be applicable in thrombosis in arterial and venous circulations, e.g., ischaemic stroke, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism.
Imaginarios de ciudadanía comunitaria en infancias y juventudes de Cerro Navia, Chile
Authors: Castilla-García Claudia , Reyes-Bahamondes Julián , Cornejo-Díaz Diana , Valenzuela Catalina
Published: December 2024

(analytical)
The Cerro Navia commune, located in Chile’s capital city, has had historically high levels of rights violations and social inequality. The research study focused on understanding the symbolic explanatory content related to citizenship based on the perspectives of children and young people, seeking to identify how social inequalities impact their sense of citizenship. The study was designed using a qualitative methodology with a descriptive scope, combining Participatory Action Research with ethnography. The results analyse how children understand citizenship, reveal tensions they experience within the territory they inhabit and highlight the possibility of community as an expression of integration.
Mission Impossible
Authors: Zamani Masoud , Kiani Amirabbas , Mohammadi Aghil
Published: December 2024

Imagine, as part of its ongoing investigations into the situation in Ukraine, the icc prosecutor finally seizes on the opportunity to make a case for prosecuting the war crime of attacking the environment as formulated under Article 8(2)(b)(iv) and cite, inter alia, the Nova Kakhovka Dam’s destruction as the principal incident triggering the application of the article. In the event of such a possibility, what restraints and difficulties punctuate the application of Article 8(2)(b)(iv), and what do such limits tell us about the juridical value of this provision? This essay argues that many technical nuances such as the meaning of ‘attack’ under international humanitarian law, incomplete information on who is responsible for the attack, and high thresholds of responsibility for environmental damage established under the Rome Statute will create insurmountable barriers to establishing responsibility for even the gravest damage to the environment, such as those witnessed in the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam.
Global Distributions of Atmospheric Turbulence Estimated Using Operational High Vertical-Resolution Radiosonde Data
Authors: Ko Han-Chang , Chun Hye-Yeong , Geller Marvin A. , Ingleby Bruce
Published: December 2024

Atmospheric turbulence plays a key role in the mixing of trace gases and diffusion of heat and momentum, as well as in aircraft operations. Although numerous observational turbulence studies have been conducted using campaign experiments and operational data, understanding the turbulence characteristics particularly in the free atmosphere remains challenging due to its small-scale, intermittent, and sporadic nature, along with limited observational data. To address this, turbulence in the free atmosphere is estimated herein based on the Thorpe method by using operational high vertical-resolution radiosonde data (HVRRD) with vertical resolutions of about 5 or 10 m across near-global regions, provided by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) via the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) for 6 years (October 2017–September 2023). Globally, turbulence is stronger in the troposphere than in the stratosphere, with maximum turbulence occurring about 6 km below the tropopause, followed by a sharp decrease above. Seasonal variations show strong tropospheric turbulence in summer and weak turbulence in winter for both hemispheres, while the stratosphere exhibits strong turbulence during spring. Regional analyses identify strong turbulence regions over the South Pacific and South Africa in the troposphere and over East Asia and South Africa in the stratosphere. Notably, turbulence information can be provided in regions and high altitudes that are not covered by commercial aircraft, suggesting its potential utility for both present and future high-altitude aircraft operations.
Defending the fortress: How asset ownership shapes the desire to resist foreign aggression
Authors: Weckman Albert , Brännlund Anton
Published: December 2024

In recent years, security policy attitudes have surged to the forefront of public discourse, especially amidst geopolitical shifts like Russia’s incursions into Ukraine and China’s assertiveness in the South Asian Sea. Yet, despite its significance, scholarly focus on these attitudes, particularly concerning the will to resist foreign aggression, remains scant. This research endeavors to fill this gap by exploring the correlation between economic resources, primarily tangible asset ownership, and defense-related attitudes. Drawing on multiyear survey data from Finland – a nation uniquely positioned given its mandatory military service for males and its proximity to Russia’s sphere of interest – we find a strong association between tangible asset ownership and an increased willingness among citizens to resist foreign incursions. This relationship becomes even more pronounced during times of geopolitical uncertainty, underscoring the importance of the prevailing security environment in shaping these attitudes. While we do not refute previous arguments regarding increased economic opportunities leading to decreased war proclivity, we emphasize the conditional nature of this relationship, contingent upon the immediate threat to one’s material possessions. In essence, citizens are more inclined to defend what they have when the specter of war looms large.
Improved Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy systems stability criterion of sampled-data with packet loss and uncertainty
Authors: Li Yujia , Wang Hong , Qu Ping , Ge Chao
Published: December 2024

In this paper, the exponential stability problem of sampled-data Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy control systems with packet loss and uncertainty is investigated. An input delay approach is adopted to model the sample-and-hold behavior. In addition, a switching system method is proposed that combines the sampled-data T–S fuzzy control system with lost packets. Some new piecewise time-varying Lyapunov functionals are proposed by considering state information. Some free-weight matrices are used to obtain sufficient conditions for the exponential stability of sampled-data T–S fuzzy systems. The sufficient conditions are expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Furthermore, the sampled-data controller is designed according to the stability criteria. All final solutions are expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, two illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Introducing the RefCFRI: A continuous indicator comparing referendum campaign finance regulation in 143 countries
Authors: Paulissen Toine , Horncastle William
Published: December 2024

As referendums become an increasingly defining feature of global democratic practice, a normative debate centres around the importance of campaign finance regulations in ensuring fair and democratic procedures that avoid biasing their outcome. Understanding how different countries approach this issue can shed light on the impact of varied regulatory approaches, as well as whether they reach their intended policy goals. Scholarly work has therefore attempted to capture this cross-national variation in comparative measures, and this study attempts to build on these efforts by expanding their scope and depth to provide a global, inclusive and methodologically robust comparative measure of referendum political finance regimes. As such, it focuses on the design and compilation of the Referendum Campaign Finance Regulation Index (RefCFRI). We depart from a novel dataset detailing the presence/absence of 39 referendum campaign finance regulations in 143 countries as of April 2024. Using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), we deliver empirical evidence for the existence of a singular dimension along which countries can be compared, namely the ‘level of regulation’. This dimension forms the RefCFRI, a continuous indicator that, together with our dataset, has the potential to contribute to political finance and referendum studies, as well as informed decision-making by policy-makers.
Ushering a Witness: A Psychosocial Theory of Maternal Intrafamily Trauma Communication in the Refugee Family System
Authors: Hoffman Sarah J. , Fredkove Windy M. , Vukovich Maria M. , Hsieh Elaine , Moo Hsa , Josiah Kaziah , Dini Zamzam
Published: December 2024

The ways that families communicate about traumatic experiences is a critical social process. Intrafamily trauma communication encompasses approaches through which family members share and respond to difficult past experiences. We examined the embedded communication processes and actions of war-affected Karen maternal caregivers living post-resettlement in the United States, as they described disclosures of torture and war trauma experiences to their children. Using a modified approach to a constructivist-oriented grounded theory, we analyzed 33 in-depth qualitative interviews. Narrative experiences of mothers and synthesized storylines shaped a psychosocial theory of maternal intrafamily trauma communication, Ushering a Witness. The core category was depicted by the coalescence of three distinct conceptual, temporal phases and corresponding properties: (a) Appraising: Communication decision-making, (b) (Co-)Constructing: Act of communicating, and (c) Amending: Developing awareness and reevaluating purpose, response, and approach to communication. Findings will facilitate further exploration of the relationships between the intergenerational effects of trauma and intergenerational communication.
Bioprinting in bioart and art-based research practices
Authors: Burnusuz Alexandra , Moshchenskaia Mariia , Prizova Veronika , Shalepo Mikhail , Bobko Ruslan , Lobanov Dmitry , Markelov Ippolit , Kadyrov Dmitrii
Published: December 2024

Bioprinting is increasingly recognised for its substantial potential in facilitating customised artistic creations. This field, inherently interdisciplinary, enables the exploration and utilisation of novel materials, techniques, and conceptual frameworks, leading to the emergence of innovative and intellectually engaging art forms. The article refers to ‘MetabolA.I.’ and other interdisciplinary projects as examples of how theoretical and artistic reflections on possible biological or techno-biological forms of life sprout into reality through a mediation of technologies, such as bioprinting. The work on the project and subsequent research in this domain led to the development of two bioprinter prototypes, based on the philosophy of open source. The advent of do-it-yourself (DIY) bioprinting has significantly contributed to its incorporation into educational curricula and artistic endeavours. The democratisation of advanced tools foster a conducive environment for research and experimentation within the arts. It also allows students to experience the methods which will define the future of research. Art projects involving bioprinting also prompt a reassessment of reproducibility in art, since inherent biological variability makes each ‘print’ fundamentally irreproducible. This breathes new life into the discourse on the ‘aura’ of artworks in the technological age, when control over the creative process seems unlimited. The posthumanist perspective on this trend brings us back to the question of whether the creative process is exclusively a human prerogative.
A randomized, controlled trial study of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on depression and physical problems in depressed elderly individuals
Authors: Javadzade Nima , Omranifard Victoria , Zargar Fatemeh , Marzban Arash , Esmaeili Sayed Vahid
Published: December 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on depression and physical problems in depressed elderly individuals. This randomized controlled trial was conducted on two groups of 30 depressed elderly individuals over 60 years old using purposive sampling. The GDS and the PE-PSI questionnaires were administered to both groups before and after the intervention. A standardized 8-week MBSR training program was held for the experimental group weekly for 1.5 hours. The results showed that between the beginning and 8 weeks of MBSR therapeutic intervention, the level of depression in the elderly individuals significantly decreased ( p < 0.001). However, significant improvements in changes in physical problems measured by PE-PSI were not found ( p > 0.05). This study provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of MBSR as a suitable treatment for the elderly individuals, which caregivers and psychologists in nursing homes can use to improve the mental well-being of the elderly individuals.
Digital Marketing Outsourcing Relationships Between SMEs and Service Providers: An Agency Theory Perspective
Authors: Sutherland Karen , Mulcahy Rory , Burgess Jacqueline , Lawley Meredith , Fox David
Published: December 2024

Digital marketing has become a necessity for small to medium enterprises (SME), exacerbated by the pandemic. Given the sometimes-limited knowledge and resources for digital marketing, SMEs often outsource digital marketing to service providers. A review of B2B literature demonstrates a predominant focus on how businesses internally adopt and use digital marketing with limited insight as to how digital marketing has been outsourced nor the subsequent relationship between client and service provider. This is a gap in scholarly and practitioner knowledge with increasing disputes in the SME and digital marketing service provider (DMSP) relationship. To address this gap the current research, informed by agency theory, adopts an exploratory research design utilising interviews with both SME owners ( n = 13) and DMSPs ( n = 7). Results uncover the importance of considering relationship expectations, transparency and organisational compatibility and how they relate to goal conflict or convergence in the SME and DMSP relationship.
Multiple archives of modernity: Colonialism, capitalism, and identity in Iceland’s transatlantic 19th century
Authors: Hicks Megan , Edwald Maxwell Ágústa
Published: December 2024

Anthropological and archaeological studies of the North Atlantic increasingly contribute to debates around the formation of the colonial Atlantic World. Despite contemporary myths of Iceland as a remote wilderness, the island society was integrated into interregional economies from its ninth-century settlement onward. Here we focus on mapping 19th-century Icelanders’ navigation of colonial networks as they altered their relative position in the Atlantic’s uneven social geographies and emerged from Danish colonial rule. We leverage diverse archives from our parallel interdisciplinary archaeological research projects in Northern Iceland, where shifting rural politics and Icelandic emigration to the settler colonies of Canada and Brazil engendered material and social transformations. We integrate understandings of Iceland’s modernization and nationalism with their ascendance in new colonial networks via material negotiations and strategic engagements with shifting colonial identities.
What if we focus on developing commonalities? Implications of a relational concept for transcultural management
Authors: Grünfelder Tobias , Baumann Montecinos Julika
Published: December 2024

Organisations such as multinational enterprises (MNEs) coexist and constantly compete and cooperate in complex networks of value creation that cross geographical and cultural borders. To address the corresponding management implications, traditional theoretical concepts have often focused on national cultures, thus simplifying cultural complexity and the realities of cross-cultural cooperation. This is reflected in a prevailing problem-focused view of culture and solutions such as adaptation, adjustment, and the development of intercultural skills at an individual level. Against this backdrop, this article explores the conceptual implications of a transcultural approach to management that focuses on developing commonalities rather than on managing cultural differences. Such an approach is in line with the “relational turn” in the social sciences, which proposes a conceptual shift away from a focus on entities (e.g., nations, individuals, leaders, groups or organisations) towards a focus on continuously unfolding relations. Accordingly, transculturality emphasises the relational nature of culture itself and pursues the continuity of cooperation as its main goal. Specifically, this article develops a total of four models of transcultural management: it introduces the relational event as the unit of analysis, describes an experience-based and commonality-focused transcultural learning model, develops an approach to identify and foster cooperation corridors, and finally presents the Transcultural Management System to productively relate the global and local level of MNEs.
The Trade-Off Between Political Trust and Political Participation
Authors: Häggblom Erasmus
Published: December 2024

This article explores the possibility of a trade-off between citizens’ trust in government and their rates of political participation. Trust and political participation are both of interest in political science, but the relationship between the two remains unclear. Drawing on political trust and political participation literature, the article utilises data from rounds 1–9 of the European Social Survey to investigate whether a trade-off between political trust and political participation can be found. The results suggest that although greater trust in government is variably predictive of either higher or lower rates of political participation, rates of participation reach a peak at a particular level of trust, followed by a decline. This drop-off effect suggests that citizens may become complacent and disengaged as they reach high levels of trust. The trust-participation trade-off illustrates one way in which policy choices may have unexpected consequences which policymakers should consider.
Optimization of PCB printing ink and textile substrates for enhanced e-textile performance and reliability
Authors: Zaman Shahood Uz , Imran Aqsa , Ijaz Mohammad , Rasheed Abher
Published: December 2024

Smart and electronic textiles are rapidly advancing with technological progress. Numerous studies have explored the synthesis and application of carbon and graphene-based inks on various substrates. However, there remains a critical need to examine the parameters affecting the fabrication of carbon-based printed designs for e-textiles. This study investigates the effects of weave structure, ink type, and flow rate on the electric resistance and surface characteristics of textile fabrics used as substrates. Two fabric types, plain weave and twill weave, were used with three various types of inks including carbon, graphene-based, and textile reference inks. The best six samples from each weave type were washed and re-evaluated for electric resistance and surface properties, with plain weaves showing superior results. ANOVA statistical analysis revealed that ink type significantly impacts the electrical resistance of printed circuits. A printed patch from a reference ink sample was stitched onto a casual knitted t-shirt, demonstrating the potential for smart textile applications in embodied sensors, piezoelectric materials, and energy harvesting. These printed patches may be used in various smart and e-textile applications for various fields ranging from health, sports, leisure, etc.
“I’ll Show You!”: Reflections on Disabled Children’s Points of View and the Use of Action Cameras in Inclusive, Critical, Qualitative Research
Authors: Boyd Kassi A. , Leo Jennifer , Spencer Nancy L. I. , Phelan Shanon K.
Published: December 2024

Disabled children are often excluded from research about their own lives due to researchers’ reliance on inaccessible methods and ableist assumptions about their capabilities. Inclusive research approaches that prioritize accessibility, meaningful engagement, dignity, and ethics create space for research with and by disabled children. Accessible methods for data generation play a central role in inclusive research. For example, action cameras have the potential to shine light on disabled children’s perspectives from both socio-spatial and socio-cultural standpoints, providing unique access to disabled children’s points of view. While the use of action cameras has become increasingly popular across the social sciences, there is a paucity of literature that discusses the use of action cameras in data generation with disabled children. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the possibilities and challenges of using action cameras as a tool for data generation with disabled children. Drawing on lessons learned during a research project about disabled children’s and their families’ experiences of inclusion at a playground labelled as “inclusive”, we reflect on the use of action cameras and situate our experiences within a broader dialogue about reflexive, methodological, and ethical considerations for conducting inclusive, critical, qualitative research with disabled children.
Assessment via finite element analysis: Cable cart system elements manufacturing feasibility
Authors: Hoyos Elizabeth , Serna María Camila , Gutiérrez Sebastián , Montoya Yesid , Córdoba Jorge Hernán , Palacio Mauricio Enrico , Álvarez Iván
Published: December 2024

Urban transportation systems, such as Metro de Medellín’s aerial cableways, play a key role in improving city connectivity. This study presents a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of critical mechanical components that connect cable cars to ropeways, specifically focusing on the Connection and Suspension assembly, referred to as the J-H assembly. The primary aim was to identify potential operational vulnerabilities. The analysis follows the BS EN 13796-1:2017 standard, which provides design guidelines for cable car structural components, and evaluates cases 8, 9 and 10 as benchmarks. FEA results indicate safety factors ranging from 1.62 to 2.24, with case 9 exhibiting a 31.3% deviation from the standard’s reference values. Stress concentrations were consistently found at the J-H assembly connection across all cases.
Unpacking mentalizing: The roles of age and executive functioning in self-other appraisal and perspective taking
Authors: Poznyak Elena , Rochat Lucien , Badoud Deborah , Meuleman Ben , Debbané Martin
Published: December 2024

Mentalizing involves a number of psychological processes designed to appraise self and others from different points of view. Factors affecting the flexibility in the ability to switch between self-other representations and perspectives remain yet unclear. In this study, we sought to (a) assess individual variability in processing and switching between self and other-oriented mental representations and perspectives in a sample of typically developing youths and (b) examine how age and executive functioning may affect this switching process. A total of 88 adolescents and 163 young adults completed the Self-Other Switching Task, a new computerised personality trait attribution paradigm. Measures of sustained attention, working memory, and inhibition were used to assess executive functioning. Linear mixed models showed that participants were faster at making attributions from the self-perspective and when referring to the self. They were also slower to disengage/switch from the self-perspective and the self-representation. Whereas there were no age differences in self-other switching efficiency per se, adolescents were slower than adults on trials involving appraisals of the other from the self-perspective. Importantly, higher verbal working memory scores were associated with better performance on incongruent trials and with switching scores. This study demonstrates the utility of a new experimental task permitting to tease apart the effects of self-other appraisal and perspective switching within a single paradigm. Our behavioural results highlight a self-cost observed in switching between representations and perspectives and emphasise the roles of age and working memory in the simultaneous processing of self- and other-oriented information.
Efficacy of behavioral cough suppression therapy for refractory chronic cough or unexplained chronic cough: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Yi Baiyi , Wang Shengyuan , Xu Xianghuai , Yu Li
Published: December 2024

Background:

The efficacy of behavioral cough suppression therapy (BCST) for refractory chronic cough (RCC) and unexplained chronic cough (UCC) remains unclear due to limited evidence from small-scale single-center studies.

Objective:

To compile and assess the quality of evidence from randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of BCST.

Design:

This study included randomized controlled studies and self-controlled studies related to BCST involving adult patients with RCC or UCC.

Data sources and methods:

We conducted an extensive search of various English and Chinese databases (e.g., PubMed, CNKI, CBM, VIP, and Wanfang Data Journal Full-text Database) and the Clinical Trial Registration website up to April 2024. The selected studies underwent meta-analysis to investigate the impact of BCST on the patient’s quality of life and cough frequency.

Results:

The included 12 studies showed that BCST significantly improved the Leicester Cough Questionnaire scores of the patients (MD = 4.50, 95% CI (4.03, 4.97), p < 0.001) compared to the simple verbal education group. In addition, a significant reduction in objective cough frequency was observed in patients compared to before BCST, with a statistically significant difference (MD = −8.06, 95% CI (−9.71, −6.41), p < 0.001). Other measures of cough symptoms, such as symptom scores, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, and Cough Severity Index (CSI) also showed improvement.

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis revealed positive therapeutic effects of BCST in patients with RCC/UCC, potentially advancing its application in broader clinical settings.

Trial registration:

This study was registered on PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42024530746.
Social Truth Queries as a Novel Method for Combating Misinformation: Evidence From Kenya
Authors: Wack Morgan , Jalbert Madeline
Published: December 2024

The global reach of misinformation has exacerbated harms in low- and middle-income countries faced with deficiencies in funding, platform engagement, and media literacy. These challenges have reiterated the need for the development of strategies capable of addressing misinformation that cannot be countered using popular fact-checking methods. Focusing on Kenya’s contentious 2022 election, we evaluate a novel method for democratizing debunking efforts termed “social truth queries” (STQs), which use questions posed by everyday users to draw reader attention to the veracity of the targeted misinformation in the aim of minimizing its impact. In an online survey of Kenyan participants ( N ~ 4,000), we test the efficacy of STQs in reducing the influence of electoral misinformation which could not have been plausibly fact-checked using existing methods. We find that STQs reduce the perceived accuracy of misinformation while also reducing trust in prominent disseminators of misinformation, with null results for sharing propensities. While effect sizes are small across conditions, assessments of the respondents most susceptible to misinformation reveal larger potential effects if targeted at vulnerable users. These findings collectively illustrate the potential of STQs to expand the reach of debunking efforts to a wider array of actors and misinformation clusters.
Feasibility and Acceptability of a Mobile-Assisted Screening and Brief Intervention for Multiple Health Behaviors in Medical Settings
Authors: Forcier Camille , Constant Aymery , Grisard Florine , Clair Elise , Val-Laillet David , Thibault Ronan , Moirand Romain
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Leveraging every interaction between patients and healthcare professionals constitutes an opportunity to foster behavior change. We developed a mobile Screening and Brief Intervention (mSBI) designed to screen for and intervene with multiple health behaviors, based on a personalized feedback. The objectives of the present study were to assess its feasibility during consultations for chronic conditions, collect users’ opinions, and to investigate patients’ behaviors and intention to change.

Methods:

Research counselors provided the mSBI to patients from 2 departments at University Hospital. Socio-demographic, behavioral, and acceptability data were collected from patients together with feasibility data from counselors’ reporting.

Results:

A total of 259 participants were analyzed, aged 51 ± 17 years, with a majority of women (53%). The m-SBI averaged 20 min and most patients (92%) could complete the screening with minimal assistance. Medical doctors’ involvement facilitated referral to and uptake of the m-SBI, and limited adverse events. On average, patients adhered to 11 of the 18 guidelines screened. A majority of patients rated the personalized feedback as comprehensible and useful. Nearly half of them intended to change behavior.

Conclusions:

The m-SBI seems well-accepted and useful, but doctor referral, adapting the screening tool to patients with low health literacy, and app’s ability to send the feedback to patients/doctors are essential for feasibility.
Stress by Design: A Scoping Review of Structural Stress of Emergency Telecommunicators
Authors: Oliver Tomeika S. , Flanigan Chelsea , Holmes Megan R.
Published: December 2024

Background:

Most agree that occupational stress is caused by workplace strains, tensions, and demands that originate from characteristics of the work. The accumulation of multiple types of stress has been found to have calamitous effects on health and well-being. One such occupation, emergency telecommunicators, experiences a multitude of stressors within their day-to-day work environment. Structural stressors are the sources of stress that are embedded in the way the work is designed and reinforced through workplace policies, practices, and procedures. This scoping review aimed to analyze occupational stressors directly promulgated by the structure and work design that impact emergency telecommunicators and to identify recommended organizational interventions.

Methods:

This scoping review utilized the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley which examined research literature, identified gaps in the literature, and mapped key concepts. Electronic databases of CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, PychNET, PubMed, Social Index, and Academic Search Complete were used to identify relevant literature on occupational stress of emergency telecommunicators.

Results:

Across 17 included articles, four key themes related to workplace stressors of emergency telecommunicators were identified: (a) staffing problems, (b) poor physical work environment, (c) career development issues, and (d) inequity. The four themes were derived from literature to extract stressors related to workplace policies, procedures, and practices. Implications for stakeholders to reduce stress were interwoven in the themes. This review aimed to expand on existing literature pertaining to structural stressors that have an impact on emergency telecommunicators.