bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecological and Evolutionary Insights About Emerging Infectious Diseases from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kilpatrick A. Marm
Published: August 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic challenged the workings of human society, but in doing so, it advanced our understanding of the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases. Fluctuating transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) demonstrated the highly dynamic nature of human social behavior, often without government intervention. Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in the first two years following spillover resulted primarily in increased transmissibility, while in the third year, the globally dominant virus variants had all evolved substantial immune evasion. The combination of viral evolution and the buildup of host immunity through vaccination and infection greatly decreased the realized virulence of SARS-CoV-2 due to the age dependence of disease severity. The COVID-19 pandemic was exacerbated by presymptomatic, asymptomatic, and highly heterogeneous transmission, as well as highly variable disease severity and the broad host range of SARS-CoV-2. Insights and tools developed during the COVID-19 pandemic could provide a stronger scientific basis for preventing, mitigating, and controlling future pandemics.
Update on the Porphyrias
Authors: Dickey Amy K. , Leaf Rebecca Karp , Balwani Manisha
Published: August 2023

The porphyrias are a group of rare diseases, each resulting from a defect in a different enzymatic step of the heme biosynthetic pathway. They can be broadly divided into two categories, hepatic and erythropoietic porphyrias, depending on the primary site of accumulation of heme intermediates. These disorders are multisystemic with variable symptoms that can be encountered by physicians in any specialty. Here, we review the porphyrias and describe their clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management. We discuss novel therapies that are approved or in development. Early diagnosis is key for the appropriate management and prevention of long-term complications in these rare disorders.
Rational Construction of V2O5 with Functionalized MWCNTs: An Efficient Electron Transfer Electrode Material for Facile Detection of N-acetyl-p-aminophenol
Authors: Srinithi Subburaj , Boominathan Catherin Meena , Chen Shen-Ming , Tamilalagan Elayappan , Balakumar Vellaichamy
Published: August 2023

N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, commonly known as paracetamol (PAL), is a widely prescribed drug for the treatment of fever and moderate pain. The presence of PAL at trace levels has been detected in hospital wastewater, drinking water, and sewage water, primarily due to its excretion from human and animal urine. Therefore, this work intends to improve the detection of PAL in human urine, thereby boosting its monitoring and analysis in environmental samples. Here in we developed a rational construction of the nanoflake structured vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) particles with functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube [V2O5@f-MWCNT (1–4)] and evaluated their electrocatalytic performance for the detection of PAL. The synthesized materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) with elemental mapping analysis. The electrocatalytic performance of different electrocatalysts on the GCE surface was studied through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). It was observed that the optimized V2O5@f-MWCNT-3 nanocomposite exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity towards PAL, resulting in a wide linear range of detection. The respectable limit of detection (LOD) of the V2O5@f-MWCNT-3 modified GCE was found to be 0.00185 μM and utilized for analyzing PAL in real samples.
PANI and PPy-Based Biosensing of Salt Stress in Plants: An Electrochemical Approach
Authors: M Sneha , Ravindranath Nair Afijith , Sriram S. , Rao J. S. Brahmaji , Keshari Ajay Kumar , Jayaraman V.
Published: August 2023

Organic electrochemical transistor (OECT)-based biosensors fabricated from two different conducting polymer composite materials, carbon black/polyaniline and carbon black/polypyrrole have been demonstrated for direct, real-time, in-vivo monitoring of salt stress in plants. Similar in-vivo monitoring of salt stress in plants was also done by means of OECT-based biosensor fabricated from the conducting polymer Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) and a comparison has been drawn between the three types of biosensor. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy studies were done for each biosensor in order to understand the dependence of its channel current on its control voltage and also to electrically model its channel. When a plant was subjected to salt stress, changes in ionic concentration in its sap were found to modulate channel current of the transistor-based device integrated in the plant. This current modulation was observed at the output of all the three devices, demonstrating the ability of all of them to monitor salt stress.
Dynamic Behaviours and Bifurcation Analysis of a Filippov Ecosystem with Fear Effect
Authors: Chu Ben , Tang Guangyao , Xiang Changcheng
Published: August 2023

Evidences of the fear effect of the prey are well documented, which can greatly affect the dynamics of the predator-prey system. In this study, considering that the fear effect of the prey is triggered on as the density of the predator reaches and exceeds a threshold value, we develop a Filippov system of predator-prey model with the fear effect. In addition, we also include a modify factor of the growth rate of the prey when they adopt the antipredator behaviours due to the fear effect. We initially analyze the dynamics of the two subsystems, including the existence and stability of the equilibria. Utilizing the theory of the Filippov system, we discuss the sliding dynamics, i.e., the existence of sliding region and sliding equilibria. By choosing the threshold as the bifurcation parameter, we investigate the bifurcations near the regular equilibria. The solution curve has three cases: crossing the threshold curve, sliding on the threshold curve, and approaching the pseudoequilibrium. Finally, we numerically verified the existence of the global sliding bifurcation near the regular equilibrium and also the touching bifurcation.
Neoantigen Targetability in Progressive Advanced Melanoma
Authors: van den Bulk Jitske , Verdegaal Els M.E. , van der Ploeg Manon , Visser Marten , Nunes Joana B. , de Ru Arnoud H. , Tjokrodirijo Rayman T.N. , Ijsselsteijn Marieke E. , Janssen Natasja I. , van der Breggen Ruud , de Bruin Linda , de Kok Pita , Janssen George M.C. , Ruano Dina , Kapiteijn Ellen H.W. , van Veelen Peter A. , de Miranda Noel F.C.C. , van der Burg Sjoerd H.
Published: August 2023

Purpose:

The availability of (neo)antigens and the infiltration of tumors by (neo)antigen-specific T cells are crucial factors in cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the targetability of (neo)antigens in advanced progessive melanoma and explore the potential for continued T-cell–based immunotherapy.

Experimental Design:

We examined a cohort of eight patients with melanoma who had sequential metastases resected at early and later time points. Antigen-presenting capacity was assessed using IHC and flow cytometry. T-cell infiltration was quantified through multiplex immunofluorescence. Whole-exome and RNA sequencing were conducted to identify neoantigens and assess the expression of neoantigens and tumor-associated antigens. Mass spectrometry was used to evaluate antigen presentation. Tumor recognition by autologous T cells was assessed by coculture assays with cell lines derived from the metastatic lesions.

Results:

We observed similar T-cell infiltration in paired early and later metastatic (LM) lesions. Although elements of the antigen-presenting machinery were affected in some LM lesions, both the early and later metastasis-derived cell lines were recognized by autologous T cells. At the genomic level, the (neo)antigen landscape was dynamic, but the (neo)antigen load was stable between paired lesions.

Conclusions:

Our findings indicate that subsequently isolated tumors from patients with late-stage melanoma retain sufficient antigen-presenting capacity, T-cell infiltration, and a stable (neo)antigen load, allowing recognition of tumor cells by T cells. This indicates a continuous availability of T-cell targets in metastases occurring at different time points and supports further exploration of (neo)antigen-specific T-cell–based therapeutic approaches for advanced melanoma.
Data from Clinical Activity and Exploratory Resistance Mechanism of Milademetan, an MDM2 Inhibitor, in Intimal Sarcoma with MDM2 Amplification: An Open-Label Phase Ib/II Study
Authors: Koyama Takafumi , Shimizu Toshio , Kojima Yuki , Sudo Kazuki , Okuma Hitomi Sumiyoshi , Shimoi Tatsunori , Ichikawa Hitoshi , Kohsaka Shinji , Sadachi Ryo , Hirakawa Akihiro , Yoshida Akihiko , Ando Reiko Makihara , Ueno Toshihide , Yanagaki Mitsuru , Matsui Naoko , Nakamura Kenichi , Yamamoto Noboru , Yonemori Kan
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Intimal sarcoma is an extremely rare, life-threatening malignant neoplasm. Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) amplification is observed in >70% of intimal sarcomas. Milademetan, an MDM2 inhibitor, may provide clinical benefit in this patient population. We conducted a phase Ib/II study in patients with MDM2-amplified, wild-type TP53 intimal sarcoma as a substudy of a large nationwide registry for rare cancers in Japan. Milademetan (260 mg) was administered orally once daily for 3 days every 14 days, twice in a 28-day cycle. Of 11 patients enrolled, 10 were included in the efficacy analysis. Two patients (20%) showed durable responses for >15 months. Antitumor activity correlated with TWIST1 amplification (P = 0.028) and negatively with CDKN2A loss (P = 0.071). Acquired TP53 mutations were detected in sequential liquid biopsies as a novel exploratory resistance mechanism to milademetan. These results suggest that milademetan could be a potential therapeutic strategy for intimal sarcoma.
Significance:
Strategies to optimize outcomes could include the use of new biomarkers (TWIST1 amplification and CDKN2A loss) to select patients with MDM2-amplified intimal sarcoma who might benefit from milademetan and combination with other targeted treatments. Sequential liquid biopsy of TP53 can be used to evaluate disease status during treatment with milademetan.

See related commentary by Italiano, p. 1765.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1749
Data from Sex-biased T cell exhaustion drives differential immune responses in glioblastoma
Authors: Lee Juyeun , Nicosia Michael , Hong Ellen S. , Silver Daniel J. , Li Cathy , Bayik Defne , Watson Dionysios C. , Lauko Adam , Kay Kristen E. , Wang Sabrina Z. , Johnson Sadie , McGraw Mary , Grabowski Matthew M. , Kish Danielle D. , Desai Amar B. , Goodman Wendy A. , Cameron Scott J. , Okada Hideho , Valujskikh Anna , Fairchild Robert L. , Ahluwalia Manmeet S. , Lathia Justin D.
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Sex differences in glioblastoma (GBM) incidence and outcome are well recognized, and emerging evidence suggests that these extend to genetic/epigenetic and cellular differences, including immune responses. However, the mechanisms driving immunological sex differences are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate T cells play a critical role in driving GBM sex differences. Male mice exhibited accelerated tumor growth, with decreased frequency and increased exhaustion of CD8+ T cells in tumor. Furthermore, a higher frequency of progenitor exhausted T cells was found in males, with improved responsiveness to anti-PD1 treatment. Moreover, increased T cell exhaustion was observed in male GBM patients. Bone marrow chimera and adoptive transfer models indicated that T cell-mediated tumor control was predominantly regulated in a cell-intrinsic manner, partially mediated by X chromosome inactivation escape gene Kdm6a. These findings demonstrate sex-biased pre-determined behavior of T cells is critical for inducing sex differences in GBM progression and immunotherapy response.
Targeting MDM2 in Soft-Tissue Sarcomas (and Other Solid Tumors): The Revival?
Authors: Italiano Antoine
Published: August 2023

Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors represent an opportunity to target p53 in solid tumors with wild-type TP53 and particularly in some sarcomas characterized by a consistent amplification of the MDM2 gene. In this issue of Cancer Discovery, LoRusso and colleagues and Koyama and colleagues report the results of two early-phase studies investigating two different TP53–MDM2 antagonists in patients with soft-tissue sarcomas and other solid tumors.

See related article by LoRusso et al., p. 1802 (5) .

See related article by Koyama et al., p. 1814 (8) .
Percurso artístico coletivo: o caso da revista Guapa
Authors: Araujo Germana G. de , Grassano Fabiana
Published: August 2023

Durante o período pandêmico decorrente da Covid-19 (2020-2022), pessoas de distintos lugares do Brasil puderam se reunir de maneira remota para dialogar, refletir e produzir livros de artista no curso on-line “Dobras de si”. A primeira versão do curso foi tão estimulante que, após o término das aulas, alguns participantes resolveram continuar juntos para pesquisar e produzir livros de artista. Surgia o grupo Guapa, que, para manter a vivacidade da produção criativa, criou uma revista de artista com periodicidade semestral. Em um amistoso banquete de ideias, os artistas oferecem um diálogo produtivo e coletivo que potencializa as percepções individuais. Para o desenvolvimento deste artigo, acessaram-se os documentos de registro do processo criativo para a manufatura das páginas da revista que os artistas compartilham entre o grupo, com o propósito de agregar informação à metodologia de produção. Assim, corrobora-se o pensamento de Salles de que o processo faz parte da história da obra e, por isso, deve ser contemplado, mesmo que seja transitório. Textos de outros estudiosos do processo criativo, como Ostrower, também foram consultados. A discussão final é sobre o resultado de um percurso coletivo que preserva a produção artística individual, mas, sobretudo, o aproveitamento de um processo criativo realizado em conjunto e em diálogo, elementos fundamentais para a concretização da revista.
Algumas variantes adiáforas em Esaú e Jacó, de Machado de Assis
Authors: Nunes Ariadne
Published: August 2023

No arquivo da Academia Brasileira de Letras, existem testemunhos autógrafos dos romances de Machado de Assis, Esaú e Jacó e Memorial de Aires. Do ponto de vista codicológico, são manuscritos muito semelhantes, que se mostram como versões próximas das publicadas em vida de Machado, as edições da Garnier, em 1904 e 1908. Destes romances existem também edições críticas, preparadas pela Comissão Machado de Assis, instituída em 1958, para elaborar o texto definitivo das obras deste autor. A edição de Esaú e Jacob é de 1976 e a de Memorial de Aires de 1977. Uma leitura atenta dos manuscritos, o seu confronto com as edições publicadas em vida de Machado e com os textos fixados pela Comissão Machado de Assis, permite descobrir lições até agora ignoradas. Neste texto, apresentarei e discutirei quatro casos de Esaú e Jacó, em que o autógrafo e a 1ª edição contêm o que pode ser designado como variantes adiáforas, examinando as opções tomadas pela Comissão de Machado de Assis e por editores mais recentes, propondo uma leitura e fixação para cada um dos casos, apenas possibilitadas pelo regresso ao estudo do autógrafo.
Piece of Mind: Mobilizing Scientific and Experiential Knowledge of Dementia through the Arts
Authors: Kuhlmann Naila , Lécuyer Jennifer , Thomas Aliki , Blain-Moraes Stefanie
Published: August 2023

While peer-reviewed articles and conferences are appropriate for disseminating research findings within academia, they are less effective for translating scientific knowledge into meaningful and practical applications. Moreover, exchanging knowledge with nonacademic stakeholders is a crucial yet often overlooked step in ensuring that research aligns with the needs and reality of knowledge users. This is particularly problematic in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease research, where social stigma and the reliance on quantitative and self-report methods hamper meaningful dialogue between academic researchers, nonacademic stakeholders, and the broader community. The authors’ project Piece of Mind uses performing arts to create common ground for knowledge exchange, facilitate empathy through creative collaboration, and improve public awareness of dementia.
First data on ontogeny of the oribatid mite family Caloppiidae (Acari, Oribatida), with description of juvenile instars of the representative of the genus Zetorchella
Authors: ERMILOV SERGEY G.
Published: August 2023

Juvenile instars of Zetorchella arsiensis (Oribatida, Caloppiidae) are described, based on specimens collected from mosses on the swamp at the top of the mountain in Arsi Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. It is the first data on ontogeny for the family Caloppiidae. Main morphological differences between juveniles of Caloppiidae with other families in Oripodoidea are presented.
Ontogenetic instars of the oribatid mite Spatiodamaeus kalugaensis sp. nov. (Acari, Oribatida, Damaeidae) from Russia
Authors: ERMILOV SERGEY G. , MIKO LADISLAV , KOLESNIKOV VASILIY B. , SALAVATULIN VLADIMIR M.
Published: August 2023

A new species of the genus Spatiodamaeus (Oribatida, Damaeidae) is described from Russia, based on adult and juvenile instars collected from bark of Acer platanoides and soil-litter of mixed and broadleaf forests in European part of Russia and Western Siberia. The adult of Spatiodamaeus kalugaensis sp. nov. is similar to S. nortoni (Bayartogtokh, 2004) comb. nov. in having epimeral neotrichy but differs from the latter by the presence of the parastigmatic tubercle Sa, the form of the parastigmatic tubercle Sp and the notogastral setae c1, c2, and the barbulation of the rostral, epimeral, anogenital, and notogastral setae of p-series. Comparisons between juvenile instars of the new species and the known juveniles of Spatiodamaeus and Epidamaeus are presented.
Increasing Public Participation to Ensure Holistic View in Educational Policies/Action Plans
Authors: Sharma Rashi , Kumar Rajnish
Published: August 2023

The transition from government to governance demands that numerous stakeholders participate in the policymaking and call for a strategy that could effectively help the process. Stakeholders’ engagement is extensively used in all types of public organisations, giving different stakeholders the chance to have a say in how decisions are made. The public policy process has also accepted and embraced this principle as a method, both formal and informal, for policy formation, monitoring and evaluation, owing to the interconnected interests of the two domains and the stakeholders’ expanding involvement in the process. This has enabled better alignment of public policy with the needs and aspirations of society.

Stakeholders’ participation has also become an important phenomenon in recent years in India. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the conceptualisation of Students’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement through Quality Education (SARTHAQ) and the National Curriculum Framework are the results of massive stakeholders’ participation and a bottom-up approach. Involving stakeholders in the formulation of educational policies increases the quality of the educational system. This kind of wide and intensive consultation process and development of policies through a bottom-up approach ensures that diverse views are taken into consideration and citizens are significant contributors in the entire process. This essentially shows that collaboration and responsibility-sharing among stakeholders are key to achieving educational goals.
Control structure design with constraints for a slung load quadrotor system
Authors: Ergezer Halit , Leblebicioğlu Kemal
Published: August 2023

We propose a control structure for a quadrotor carrying a slung load with swing-angle constraints. This quadrotor is supposed to pass through the waypoints at specified speeds. First, a cascaded PID autopilot is designed, which adaptively gives attention to position and speed requirements as a function of their errors. Its parameters are found from an optimization problem solved using the PSO algorithm. Second, this controller’s performance is improved by adding the Complementary Controller employing an ANN. 5. Training data for the ANN is created by solving optimal control problems. The ANN is activated when the swing angle constraint is about to be violated. It is trained using optimal control values corresponding to the cases where the swing angle falls in a particular band about the upper swing angle constraint. Simulations are performed in a MATLAB environment. Finally, some of the simulation results are validated on a physical system.
Guardians of Trust: How Review Platforms Can Fight Fakery and Build Consumer Trust
Authors: Beck Ben B. , Wuyts Stefan , Jap Sandy
Published: August 2023

As customers increasingly rely on online reviews for making consumption decisions, the dangers arising from misinformation and fakery have become an acute source of concern for consumers, firms, and society at large. Many online review platforms claim a role as guardians of trust in the information exchange process. Yet, little is known about the practices firms can utilize to design platforms that build and safeguard consumer trust. The authors draw on governance and identity disclosure literature streams to propose five practices that mitigate fakery and build trust in the platform: monitoring, exposure, community building, status endowment, and identity disclosure. Five studies (1) establish the individual and joint effects these practices have on platform trust, (2) identify the mediating processes by which the practices build trust, (3) verify the ecological value of the conceptual framework, (4) provide support of the salience of the practices, and (5) show how the practices build trust above and beyond review content–level characteristics. Interaction effects suggest that exposure, community building, and status endowment obviate the need for identity disclosure in building platform trust, a finding that mitigates related privacy concerns. Collectively, the findings can improve platform design, enabling review platforms to fulfill their promise of mitigating fakery and increasing trust.
The Nexus of Judiciary Power and Corruption in Albania: Strategies of Defiance and Evasions
Authors: Jusufi Islam
Published: August 2023

The article aims to study the actions of the network of elite members of a society in diverting financial flows. It is about the way the judiciary elite of a postcommunist and transitional society of Albania has practiced corruption. Prior and during the vetting or reevaluation process of the judges and prosecutors for integrity, ethics, and competence launched in 2017, it has uncovered the scale and luxury involved in the corruptive practices of judges and prosecutors. More than half of reevaluated judges and prosecutors have been dismissed due to past corruptive behavior. The vetting process has shown that over the last three decades of the transition history of Albania, a particular corruption scheme has emerged, catering to the needs of the corrupt judges and prosecutors. Based on fieldwork, this article examines the stories of the corruptive practices by judges and prosecutors of Albania. The article examines the complex mix of legal and illegal dynamics that were combined to produce defiance regime for the corruption within the judiciary of Albania. The article aims to conceptualize how this corruption regime was constructed and maintained. It also examines how interventions undertaken in fighting the corruption failed to deal with the defiance phenomenon within the Albanian judiciary.
Infidelity and Anger within Incarcerated Couples: A Brief Report
Authors: Tadros Eman , Pedersen Shannon
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Incarcerated couples face a variety of concerns and barriers in their relationships, with infidelity being a major problem. This study sought to research incarcerated individuals’ intimate relationships and experiences of anger and fidelity for both partners.

Methods

Using data from the Multi-site Family Study on Incarceration, Parenting, and Partnering we utilized Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling (APIM) to examine fidelity and anger management for incarcerated men and their non-incarcerated female partners.

Results

The findings showed that the actor effect was not statistically significant, but the partner effect was statistically significant for both the incarcerated male partner and non-incarcerated female partner. There was no statistical significance for the control variable of education, which is contrary to previous correlational studies of anger management and education levels.

Discussion

Based on these results, it is recommended that incarcerated individuals receive anger management training to strengthen fidelity.
Modeling Railway Track Mechanical Behavior with Under Tie Pads and Under Ballast Mats
Authors: Liu Shushu , Sussmann Ted , Riding Kyle , Stuart Cameron
Published: August 2023

Under tie pads (UTPs) and under ballast mats (UBMs) are used in rail track construction to reduce track stiffness and increase the size of the ballast contact area where it meets track support elements either above the ballast (ties) or below the ballast (e.g., subgrade, bridge deck, or tunnel invert). Limited information on the in-track performance of UTPs or UBMs is available. The University of Florida recently completed a research program to monitor track performance and track support changes using a UBM and UTPs in the Virginia Avenue Tunnel in Washington, DC. Researchers measured parameters to estimate the effect of a UBM and UTPs on tunnel invert pressure, tie bottom pressure, and track deflection. A control condition without a UBM or UTPs was not available for testing; however, Volpe developed a finite element track model for estimating track behavior without a UBM or UTPs. The modeling results highlighted the individual contributions of both a UBM and UTPs to stress reduction on the ties and tunnel floor. The model included features that simulate the load chains that can develop in clean granular materials leading to high peak stresses and ballast and structure degradation. The modeling results revealed that a UBM and UTPs might reduce the average stress on the ties and tunnel floor by 5% to 20% when the ballast was well compacted. The peak stresses from ballast load chains, or edges, may be reduced by 50% or more.
Emotion Regulation in Dementia Caregiving: The Role of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Attachment Orientation
Authors: Brandão Tânia , Brites Rute , Hipólito João , Nunes Odete , Tomé Pires Catarina
Published: August 2023

Family caregivers are usually the main source of support for persons living with dementia, being exposed to a loved one’s suffering, which can lead to experiencing strong and negative emotions. This study aimed to identify factors capable of explaining individual differences in the way caregivers regulate their emotions. This cross-sectional study included 78 informal caregivers (M = 64.84 years; SD = 13.32) and 84 controls (non-caregivers) (M = 77 years; SD = 7.59). Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), attachment orientations, and emotion regulation were measured using self-report scales. Caregivers of persons living with dementia used more expressive suppression in comparison to non-caregivers. NPS and attachment avoidance were associated with expressive suppression. Moderation analyses showed that NPS only predicted expressive suppression when attachment avoidance was low or medium. The present study showed that caregivers are more likely to suppress their emotions in the presence of NPS, especially those with lower/middle levels of attachment avoidance. Psychological interventions targeting emotion regulation should be offered especially to caregivers that face NPS of persons living with dementia and present lower/middle levels of attachment avoidance.
Living through changing climates: Temperature and seasonality correlate with population fluctuations among Holocene hunter-fisher-gatherers on the west coast of Norway
Authors: Lundström Victor
Published: August 2023

The use of archaeological proxy records representative of population dynamics is paramount for a richer understanding of prehistoric cultural change, but its use require a dialectic assessment between proximate climatic drivers and ultimate cultural responses. Focusing on the Stone Age archaeological record of Western Norway (11,500–4300 cal. BP), this paper presents an exhaustive empirical curation and statistical testing between changing climates and demographic responses among coastal hunter-fisher-gatherers. The results connect long-term demographic fluctuations with changes in annual mean temperatures and seasonality and the results are discussed in relation changes in technology, subsistence and mobility. The paper also highlights the process of population decline and cultural loss towards the end of the Late Mesolithic (ca. 7000–6000 cal. BP) and emerging cultural novelties and population re-growth during the Early and Middle Neolithic (ca. 6000–4300 cal. BP). However, despite its strong correlation, the archaeological record of Western Norway lacks sufficient detail to ascribe an exclusive explanatory role to climate change, especially in episodes of significant population decline. This helps to emphasise that changing climates, while evidently central, form but a part of a larger system of interactions leading to demographic fluctuations and cultural change, the substantiation of which requires significant empirical improvements to the archaeological record.
Effect of R&D and Advertisement on the Market Value of Firm: Evidences from Indian Firms
Authors: Kamal Jai , Singh Sanjay Kumar
Published: August 2023

A strand of literature on Innovation suggests that discretionary expenses, such as research and development (R&D), and advertisement expenses have mixed effects on the value of the firm. To provide recent evidence from a developing country context, specifically the Indian context, this article explores the relationship between discretionary expenses and the value of a firm. With the help of the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy prowess database for 680 Indian firms belonging to 41 industries over a 15-year period covering 5,171 firm years, we find that both R&D and Advertisement Expenditure have a positive effect on the market value of a firm. Our results suggest that the effect of R&D on the value of firms is more in smaller and younger firms when compared to large and mature firms, respectively. We also find that the return to R&D investment is more in non-manufacturing firms.

JEL Codes: G10, L2, O31, O32
Employee’s Intentions to Use HR Analytics: Technology Acceptance Model with Job Relevance and Self-Efficacy
Authors: Dhiman Neeraj , Kumar Sachin , Nagpal Tanya
Published: August 2023

The current examination aims to measure the determinants of adoption intentions of employees in the context of human resource analytics. In this view, a technology acceptance model was applied with four additional constructs namely, social influence, job relevance, self-efficacy and perceived enjoyment. The responses were collected from 345 service sector employees. Keeping in view the proposed relationships, partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed. It is found that perceived usefulness is significantly influenced by social influence and job relevance. However, the perceived enjoyment did not find significant with perceived ease of use. The present study has implications for theory, managers and international human resource managers. The novel contribution of this study is that it integrates job relevance, self-efficacy, social influence and perceived enjoyment to measure the adoption intentions of HR analytics.
Does Time Frame of IPO Proceeds Predict Survival of Firms? Evidence from the Malaysian Market
Authors: Alyasa-Gan Siti Sarah , Che-Yahya Norliza , Low Rand Kwong Yew
Published: August 2023

Initial public offering (IPO) information disclosures such as the IPO proceeds’ strategic uses and the time frame have the potential to signal the listing firms’ post-IPO survival. We investigate the impact of IPO proceeds on 423 firms’ ability to maintain survival in business in Malaysia from 2000 to 2014. With a median survival span of approximately 104 months, our examination of survival data reveals that more than 40% of the firms in our sample had trouble surviving after their seventh year of listing. Our findings indicate that the share of IPO proceeds and the firms’ time horizon may be used to forecast whether or not they will survive, with meeting financial obligations serving as the primary motivating factor. A major fraction of IPO proceeds used for growth motives and financial obligations lead to shorter survival, while a longer time frame to meet the obligations leads to longer post-IPO survival. Our findings offer empirical support for regulators to safeguard investors’ interests and enhance firms’ survival in an environment with developing markets; information disclosure requirements include both the use of IPO proceeds and the time frame for its utilization.
Recent Updates on Prevention and Intervention in Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Biological Perspective
Authors: Somaiya Mansi , Dani Allauki , Patkar Prajakta , Shelke Swati , Dave Malay , Shah Henal
Published: August 2023

Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents have a varied and heterogeneous presentation. Many risk factors play a role in the emergence of the disorder. Newer molecules have been tried for comorbidities in ASD and ADHD. Many have shown efficacy but need more robust evidence for clinical use. Oxytocin in ASD has shown efficacy however is not yet in clinical use. Viloxazine in ADHD has been FDA-approved and has shown efficacy in ADHD. Neuromodulation is tried in almost all disorders; however, studies are limited. Computer-based cognitive training has proven to be helpful in psychotic disorders. More trials are warranted to consolidate the evidence. Digital interventions and virtual reality can be a new way forward. Studies are limited.
Harnessing the Benefits of Remittances via a Health Account
Authors: Amega Komla
Published: August 2023

Remittances remain a vital financial inflow into the economies of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Many studies have outlined its role in indicators such as health, education, poverty reduction, economic growth, financial development, among others. This stimulates the need to harness the benefits associated with this financial inflow. The study proposes an idea to utilize remittances in Sub-Saharan Africa and advances recommendations to augment existing initiatives. A descriptive approach was used. The study recommends the creation of a health account to encourage savings purposely for the healthcare financing of remittance recipients in SSA. It further outlines processes via which such an account could work and the prospective benefits be reaped.
The Effect of Paternal Economic Hardship on Nonresident Father Involvement and Co-parenting Among Racially/Ethnically Diverse Fathers
Authors: O’Gara Jaimie L.
Published: August 2023

The present study utilized structural equation modeling with secondary Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study data ( N = 1,267) to examine the relations between paternal economic hardship, nonresident father involvement, and co-parenting. Findings showed that paternal economic hardship (Year 5) was associated with higher child-reported father–child closeness ( p < .05), but lower father-reported co-parenting ( p < .05), at Year 9. Higher mother-reported co-parenting (Year 9) was associated with increased mother-reported father involvement ( p < .001) at Year 9. Findings underscore the importance of including multiple perspectives, and practical implications include the need for practitioners to foster healthy co-parenting relationships to concurrently increase nonresident father involvement among racially/ethnically diverse and low-income fathers.
Comparison of procedure-related pain and patient satisfaction according to catheter size and insertion site in peripheral intravenous catheterization
Authors: Kaplan Ali , Korkut Sevda , Avsarogullari Omer Levent
Published: August 2023

Background:

Peripheral intravenous catheterization is a painful and uncomfortable procedure and is the most commonly used invasive procedure in healthcare institutions. Compare procedure-related pain and patient satisfaction according to catheter size and insertion site in peripheral intravenous catheterization.

Methods:

The study was comparative prospective randomized study. Individual Information Form, Visual Analog Scale, and Patient Satisfaction Scale about Catheterization were used for data collection.

Results:

The highest pain score and the lowest patient satisfaction were determined in 20 gage insertion in the dorsum of the hand. It was less painful to perform the procedure in the forearm than in the dorsum of the hand. Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation between the level of pain experienced due to peripheral intravenous catheterization and patient satisfaction with catheterization.

Conclusions:

A smaller peripheral intravenous catheter inserted in the forearm resulted in less pain sensation and higher patient satisfaction.
Effect of Puberty, Menstruation, Pregnancy, Lactation, and Menopause on Chronic Urticaria Activity
Authors: Ornek Sinem Ayse , Suroji Alkilinc Alisa , Kızıltac Utkan , Kızıltac Kubra , Kocaturk Emek
Published: August 2023

Background

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a systemic disorder which is characterized by recurrent wheals and/or angioedema lasting more than 6 weeks. Sex hormones have been suggested to play a role in CU pathogenesis, however, their clinical implications have not been adequately described in the literature.

Objective

To determine whether conditions that change sex hormone levels such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause affect the course of CU.

Methods

This cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted on female CU patients at Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital UCARE Center between 2016 and 2017. The open-ended questionnaire consisted of questions evaluating the effects of hormonal changes on disease course.

Results

A total of 111 female CU patients were included in the analysis. During the perimenstrual period, CU symptoms worsened in 29% of patients but improved in 4.8%. The disease course did not change in the majority of patients during puberty, pregnancy, lactation, or menopause (100%, 96%, 83.8%, and 95.6%, respectively).

Conclusions

Contrary to expectations, a change in sex hormone levels had no effect on the course of CU in the majority of cases. However, disease activity increased in one-third of CU patients during the perimenstrual period.
Breaking Cyclic Intergenerational Literacy Deficits: Describing Linguistic Interactions Between Adolescent Mothers and Their Young Children
Authors: Abarca Diana L. , Towson Jacqueline , López Castillo Humberto
Published: August 2023

Adolescent mothers (AMs) often experience limited academic and financial attainment and higher rates of mental health disorders, which may affect their relationships with their children. Although children of AMs are at higher risk for developmental delays, there is no clear evidence of the relationships between mother characteristics and child outcomes. This descriptive study explored AMs’ and their children’s sociodemographic characteristics and language skills, home literacy environment, and the quality of mother–child interactions. Eight AM–child dyads were recruited from local school districts. Data were collected through questionnaires, standardized measures of language, and mother–child interactions. Most AMs demonstrated below-average language skills and most children had language scores that fell within the average range. AMs demonstrated strong affectionate behaviors, and emerging responsive, encouraging, and teaching behaviors when interacting with their children. This study provides unique data on AMs’ language characteristics that have not been clearly published in the literature.
Inference on the stress-strength reliability of multi-component systems based on progressive first failure censored samples
Authors: Kohansal Akram , Pérez-González Carlos J , Fernández Arturo J
Published: August 2023

This paper studies the statistical estimation of the stress-strength reliability of multi-component systems under the progressive first failure censoring samples, where the lifetime distribution of each component follows the modified Kumaraswamy distribution. Both the point and interval estimations of the parameters in the reliability function are considered. To this aim, some estimations such as maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), asymptotic confidence intervals, uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimation (UMVUE), approximate Bayes estimation, and highest posterior density (HPD) intervals are obtained. By employing the Monte Carlo simulation, comparison of the performance between different estimates is provided. The paper then analyzes a case study for illustration of the proposed method.
The Necessity of Monastic Asceticism: A Case for Retrieval in Contemporary Evangelicalism
Authors: Peters Greg
Published: August 2023

Within the contemporary evangelical church, there is often little discussion of asceticism despite an emphasis on spiritual disciplines and formation. This article argues that not only does the evangelical church need to embrace and adopt ascetic practices, but these should be based in monastic asceticism, based around the practices of poverty, chastity and obedience. The article first puts forward suggestions as to why the evangelical church does not embrace asceticism, in spite of it being part of its heritage, but then moves to a constructive argument, using an array of ecumenical sources, demonstrating that a monastic asceticism is a biblical asceticism and should be a fundamental feature in evangelical faith and practice.
Creating and Capturing Value in Innovation Ecosystems: A Systematic Literature Review Between 2010 and 2021
Authors: dos Santos Carlos Alberto Frantz , Zen Aurora Carneiro
Published: August 2023

Value creation and capture in innovation ecosystems has been researched from two different perspectives: territorial (analysing city/regions) and platforms (analysing hub companies/firms). However, there is a gap in relation to the similarities and differences of value creation and capture for each of these perspectives of innovation ecosystems. Thus, our objective is to identify, through a systematic review, what are the contributions of the platform and territorial perspectives to the literature on value creation and capture in innovation ecosystems. We used Web of Science database and analysed 42 articles in English issued between 2010 and 2021. Our results identified similarities in the dimensions strategies, mechanisms of value creation and procedural view, as well as differences in relation to mechanisms of value capture, critical factors of success and value dimensions for each of the perspectives. At the end, we suggested an investigation agenda for future studies in these field.
Learning Burmese (Saung Gauk) Music: Pathway Through World Music Pedagogy
Authors: Aung Ne Myo , Campbell Patricia Shehan
Published: August 2023

The Burmese arched harp, known as Saung Gauk, is the national icon of the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar (once called Burma). It is both ancient and contemporary, and its music frequently carries stories that are threaded with long-standing philosophical principles of the Burmese. The music of the Saung Gauk consists of five primary pitches (and two ornamental extras) that provide intriguing melodies, and a bronze bell and wood clapper provide the accompanying rhythm in traditional practice, even while Burmese-style piano and tuned drums may fill out an ensemble in which Saung Gauk is featured. A learning pathway will detail ways to approach this extraordinary music and the special place of this harp in Burmese identity.
Cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis and occlusive retinal vasculitis without retinitis in a patient on immunomodulatory therapy
Authors: Fabozzi Lorenzo , Testi Ilaria , De Benito-Llopis Laura , Pavesio Carlos
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To describe unusual clinical features and therapeutic management of a case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) ocular disease in a patient on immunomodulatory therapy.

Setting/venue

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

Methods

Medical history, clinical findings, investigation results, and multimodal imaging were retrospectively collected.

Results

A 61-year-old, South-East Asian man, developed CMV-related endotheliitis and occlusive retinal vasculitis, diagnosed by wide-angle fluorescein angiography. No retinitis was present on the fundus examination. Suspicion of CMV etiology was based on anterior segment findings, especially the presence of coin-shaped endothelial lesions. The diagnosis was confirmed by aqueous polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis which was positive for CMV DNA. The combined use of topical and systemic valganciclovir resulted in significant improvement of the picture.

Conclusions

CMV can manifest in the eye as occlusive retinal vasculitis without the presence of typical retinitis.
Optimized bisulfite sequencing analysis reveals the lack of 5-methylcytosine in mammalian mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Shao Zhenyu , Han Yang , Zhou Dan
Published: August 2023

Background

DNA methylation is one of the best characterized epigenetic modifications in the mammalian nuclear genome and is known to play a significant role in various biological processes. Nonetheless, the presence of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) in mitochondrial DNA remains controversial, as data ranging from the lack of 5mC to very extensive 5mC have been reported.

Results

By conducting comprehensive bioinformatic analyses of both published and our own data, we reveal that previous observations of extensive and strand-biased mtDNA-5mC are likely artifacts due to a combination of factors including inefficient bisulfite conversion, extremely low sequencing reads in the L strand, and interference from nuclear mitochondrial DNA sequences (NUMTs). To reduce false positive mtDNA-5mC signals, we establish an optimized procedure for library preparation and data analysis of bisulfite sequencing. Leveraging our modified workflow, we demonstrate an even distribution of 5mC signals across the mtDNA and an average methylation level ranging from 0.19% to 0.67% in both cell lines and primary cells, which is indistinguishable from the background noise.

Conclusions

We have developed a framework for analyzing mtDNA-5mC through bisulfite sequencing, which enables us to present multiple lines of evidence for the lack of extensive 5mC in mammalian mtDNA. We assert that the data available to date do not support the reported presence of mtDNA-5mC.