bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global burden of type 1 diabetes in adults aged 65 years and older, 1990-2019: population based study
Authors: Yang Kaijie , Yang Xue , Jin Chenye , Ding Shuangning , Liu Tingting , Ma Bing , Sun Hao , Zhang Jing , Li Yongze
Published: June 2024

Objectives

To estimate the burden, trends, and inequalities of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) among older adults at global, regional, and national level from 1990 to 2019.

Design

Population based study.

Population

Adults aged ≥65 years from 21 regions and 204 countries and territories (Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors Study 2019)

from 1990 to 2019.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcomes were T1DM related age standardised prevalence, mortality, disability adjusted life years (DALYs), and average annual percentage change.

Results

The global age standardised prevalence of T1DM among adults aged ≥65 years increased from 400 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 332 to 476) per 100 000 population in 1990 to 514 (417 to 624) per 100 000 population in 2019, with an average annual trend of 0.86% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79% to 0.93%); while mortality decreased from 4.74 (95% UI 3.44 to 5.9) per 100 000 population to 3.54 (2.91 to 4.59) per 100 000 population, with an average annual trend of −1.00% (95% CI −1.09% to −0.91%), and age standardised DALYs decreased from 113 (95% UI 89 to 137) per 100 000 population to 103 (85 to 127) per 100 000 population, with an average annual trend of −0.33% (95% CI −0.41% to −0.25%). The most significant decrease in DALYs was observed among those aged <79 years: 65-69 (−0.44% per year (95% CI −0.53% to −0.34%)), 70-74 (−0.34% per year (−0.41% to −0.27%)), and 75-79 years (−0.42% per year (−0.58% to −0.26%)). Mortality fell 13 times faster in countries with a high sociodemographic index versus countries with a low-middle sociodemographic index (−2.17% per year (95% CI −2.31% to −2.02%)
v
−0.16% per year (−0.45% to 0.12%)). While the highest prevalence remained in high income North America, Australasia, and western Europe, the highest DALY rates were found in southern sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, and the Caribbean. A high fasting plasma glucose level remained the highest risk factor for DALYs among older adults during 1990-2019.

Conclusions

The life expectancy of older people with T1DM has increased since the 1990s along with a considerable decrease in associated mortality and DALYs. T1DM related mortality and DALYs were lower in women aged ≥65 years, those living in regions with a high sociodemographic index, and those aged <79 years. Management of high fasting plasma glucose remains a major challenge for older people with T1DM, and targeted clinical guidelines are needed.
Fine-grained Courier Delivery Behavior Recovery with a Digital Twin Based Iterative Calibration Framework
Authors: Yu Fudan , Zhang Guozhen , Wang Haotian , Jin Depeng , Li Yong
Published: June 2024

Recovering the fine-grained working process of couriers is becoming one of the essential problems for improving the express delivery systems because knowing the detailed process of how couriers accomplish their daily work facilitates the analyzing, understanding, and optimizing of the working procedure. Although coarse-grained courier trajectories and waybill delivery time data can be collected, this problem is still challenging due to noisy data with spatio-temporal biases, lacking ground truth of couriers’ fine-grained behaviors, and complex correlations between behaviors. Existing works typically focus on a single dimension of the process such as inferring the delivery time and can only yield results of low spatio-temporal resolution, which cannot address the problem well. To bridge the gap, we propose a digital-twin-based iterative calibration system (DTRec) for fine-grained courier working process recovery. We first propose a spatio-temporal bias correction algorithm, which systematically improves existing methods in correcting waybill addresses and trajectory stay points. Second, to model the complex correlations among behaviors and inherent physical constraints, we propose an agent-based model to build the digital twin of couriers. Third, to further improve recovery performance, we design a digital-twin-based iterative calibration framework, which leverages the inconsistency between the deduction results of the digital twin and the recovery results from real-world data to improve both the agent-based model and the recovery results. Experiments show that DTRec outperforms state-of-the-art baselines by 10.8% in terms of fine-grained accuracy on real-world datasets. The system is deployed in the industrial practices in JD Logistics with promising applications. The code is available at
https://github.com/tsinghua-fib-lab/Courier-DTRec
.
Construction of g-C3N4/SnSe2/H-TiO2 Ternary Heterojunction for High-Performance Photodetectors
Authors: Zhao Xianfeng , Yan Xiaoxu , Shao Xinxin , Li Kangpeng , Sun Minghong , Ji Xinpeng , Lu Huidan , Liu Yongping
Published: June 2024

Two-dimensional layered materials have been widely used in the field of photodetectors because of their unique photoelectric properties. Among them, the multi-heterojunction based on two-dimensional materials with high carrier separation efficiency is expected to be designed as a high-performance photodetector (PD). This work focuses on the fabrication of g-C3N4/SnSe2/H-TiO2 ternary heterojunctions for photodetectors, obtained by depositing SnSe2 and g-C3N4 nanosheets onto TiO2 nanotube arrays using chemical vapor deposition and impregnation methods, respectively. The formation of the g-C3N4/SnSe2/H-TiO2 ternary heterojunction enhances and broadens absorption in the ultraviolet-visible range. Photoelectrochemical measurements have confirmed that the fabricated g-C3N4/SnSe2/H-TiO2 ternary heterojunction photodetector exhibits remarkable light detection capabilities at 370, 450, and 520 nm, meaning broadband photodetection behavior. Notably, under light illumination of 370 nm wavelength, it demonstrates a high responsivity of 2.742 A W−1, an impressive detectivity of 5.84 × 1010 Jones, an external quantum efficiency of 9.21 × 102 %, and excellent stability. This high performance can be attributed to the effective separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers within the ternary heterojunction, significantly enhancing the photoresponse. The construction of the novel broadband-responsive ternary g-C3N4/SnSe2/TiO2 heterojunction holds promise for driving the future development of wideband, high-performance, and highly integrated photodetectors.
A Common Source 3D FeFET with Disturb Inhibition Program and Erase Method
Authors: Yan Zijin , Zhu Huilong , Huang Weixing , Yang Hong , Wang Qi , Lu Shunshun , Yang Shuai , Li Junjie , Zhou Na , Zhang Yue , Shi Yunfei , Xiang Liang , Liu Wenliang , Wang Binghui , Zhang Yongkui , Li Junfeng , Luo Jun , Ye T. C.
Published: June 2024

A common source p-type single-crystal channel three-dimensional ferroelectric field-effect transistor (3D FeFET) in a 2 × 2 × 3 array is proposed. Two programming and erasing conditions are introduced. A large memory window (>1.2 V), good retention (>10 years), and high speed (<100 ns) was presented under high voltage (±6 V) conditions. The endurance, >103, was observed under relatively low voltage (±3 V) conditions. Based on these two conditions, a novel asymmetric bias program and erase method is proposed to obtain good disturb inhibition. A more than 0.5 V threshold voltage shift in target cell was achieved while threshold voltage shift in unselected cell was limited, and analysis of long term disturb in novel method is proposed, showing good disturb inhibition. Additional investigation in word line disturbance shows causation and efficiency of disturb. Building upon the proposed structure of the 3D FeFET array, a vector matrix multiplication able to calculate 2-bit weights was designed and demonstrated. This work provides a potential solution for increasing integration density with 3D FeFET array.
Structural, Optical, and Morphological Study of Manganese Substituted Cobalt Ferrite and Its Effect on the Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of PVA Composites
Authors: Saeed Noor A. , Hussain Wafaa A. , Ismail Mukhlis M.
Published: June 2024

Nanopowders of Mn-substituted CoFe2O4 were prepared in different proportions using the sol-gel auto-combustion method and were structurally and morphologically studied. In another step, composites based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with Mn-substituted CoFe2O4 fillers were prepared, and the effect of the Mn-substituted CoFe2O4 on the optical, magnetic, and dielectric properties was studied. X-ray analysis revealed the formation of polycrystalline Mn-substituted CoFe2O4. The results showed a decrease in the lattice constant with Mn2+ substituted and incorporated into the crystal structure of CoFe2O4. The Fourier confirmed the spinel structure of the Mn-substituted CoFe2O4 transform infrared spectrum where absorption bands appeared at 569–561 and 446–407 cm-1, which are attributed to tetrahedral and octahedral groups. The magnetic properties were affected when Mn ions were substituted with CoFe2O4, as shown by the results of VSM. It was observed that the saturation magnetization, remnant magnetization, and coercivity decreased with increasing Mn content. The dielectric constant and loss tangent of PVA/MnxCo1−xFe2O4 were also studied. The difference in the diameters of the substituted and host ions causes the dielectric constant to increase following the substitution of Mn ions.
Effectiveness of buzz session teaching and perception among medical students: an academic interventional study
Authors: Gangwar Vibha , Ramakant Pooja , Venkatesh Vimala , Singh Saumyendra Vikram , Singh Amita
Published: June 2024

In this current interventional study, we assessed the effectiveness of a buzz session as a novel teaching tool for large-group physiology instruction in first-year undergraduate medical students. Furthermore, we assessed student responses to see how the buzz session was perceived. Experimental evidence indicates that the buzz sessions led to greater retention after 15 days than the didactic lecture approach for physiology teaching in a preclinical context.
Diffusion tensor MRI is sensitive to fibrotic injury in a mouse model of oxalate-induced chronic kidney disease
Authors: Virgincar Rohan S. , Wong Aaron K. , Barck Kai H. , Webster Joshua D. , Hung Jeffrey , Caplazi Patrick , Choy Man Kin , Forrest William F. , Bell Laura C. , de Crespigny Alex J. , Dunlap Debra , Jones Charles , Kim Dong Eun , Weimer Robby M. , Shaw Andrey S. , Brightbill Hans D. , Xie Luke
Published: June 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the kidney. Although standard of care methods have been limited in scope, safety, and spatial distribution, MRI diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has emerged as a promising noninvasive technology to evaluate renal fibrosis in vivo. In this study, we performed DTI in an oxalate mouse model of CKD to systematically identify local kidney injury. DTI parameters strongly correlated with histology, blood biomarkers, hydroxyproline, and gene expression.
Air speed and direction affect metabolic and thermoregulatory responses during walking and running in a temperate environment
Authors: Yamashita Naoyuki , Ly Cynthia L. , Smallcombe James W. , Hodder Simon , Havenith George
Published: June 2024

Revisiting classical work by Pugh and Davies on the metabolic effects of air speed and direction, shortcomings in the original studies were addressed. Using more participants, less turbulent wind, and avoiding confounding effects of work-induced core temperature increases, new equations describing the impact of air speed/direction were developed. This study observed a lower impact of headwind and a larger impact of tailwind in the absence of an exercise-induced core temperature increase.
Mitochondrial function in lungs of rats with different susceptibilities to hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Taheri Pardis , Dave Devanshi D. , Dash Ranjan K. , Sharma Guru P. , Clough Anne V. , Jacobs Elizabeth R. , Audi Said H.
Published: June 2024

We assessed lung tissue mitochondrial bioenergetics in rats with tolerance (H-T) or susceptibility (H-S) to hyperoxia-induced ARDS. Results from studies in isolated mitochondria, tissue homogenate, and isolated perfused lungs show that mitochondrial bioenergetics are differentially altered in H-T and H-S lungs suggesting a potential role for mitochondrial bioenergetics in hyperoxia-induced ARDS. Results are clinically relevant since hyperoxia exposure is a primary therapy for patients with ARDS, and differential sensitivity to hyperoxia surely occurs in humans.
Inclusion Impact of Jack Mackerel Meal in the Red Sea Bream (Pagrus major) Feeds Replacing Various Animal Protein Sources for Fish Meal
Authors: Kwon Tae Woong , Baek Seong Il , Cho Sung Hwoan
Published: June 2024

This study aims to elucidate manipulation impacts of jack mackerel meal (JMM) in the red sea bream (Pagrus major) feeds replacing various animal protein sources for different levels of fish meal (FM) on growth and feed availability. Two‐way ANOVA experimental design was applied with three substitution sources: animal protein sources (tuna byproduct meal (TBM), chicken byproduct meal (CBM), and meat meal (MM)) and two FM substitution levels (25% and 50%). The control (Con) diet contained 60% FM. In the Con diet, 25% and 50% of FM were replaced with TBM, CBM, and MM, respectively, and then 24% jack mackerel meal (JMM) was included at the expense of FM, named as the TBM25, TBM50, CBM25, CBM50, MM25, and MM50 diets, respectively. Red sea bream juveniles averaging 11.8 g were distributed in 21 flow‐through tanks (20 fish per tank) with triplicate. Fish were carefully hand‐fed to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8‐week feeding experiment, the TBM‐substituted diets produced significantly (P < 0.0001 for all) greater weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and feed consumption of fish than the CBM‐ and MM‐substituted diets. Furthermore, dietary substitution of 25% FM achieved significantly (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.0003, respectively) greater weight gain, SGR, and feed consumption than dietary substitution of 50% FM based on two‐way ANOVA analysis. Fish fed the TBM50 diet achieved the greatest weight gain, SGR, and feed consumption. Protein retention, biological indices, plasma and serum parameters, and the whole body chemical composition and amino acid (AA) profiles of red sea bream were not significantly influenced by dietary treatments. The TBM‐substituted diets achieved significantly (P < 0.0001) greater economic profit index (EPI) than the CBM‐ and MM‐substituted diets. Furthermore, dietary substitution of 25% FM achieved significantly (P < 0.002) greater EPI than dietary substitution of 50% FM. The TBM50 diet produced the greatest EPI. In conclusion, TBM and MM and CBM could replace 50% and 25% FM in the feeds with 24% JMM inclusion, respectively, without compromising the growth, feed utilization, plasma and serum parameters, chemical composition and AA profiles of red sea bream, and EPI. The TBM50 diet was the most desirable treatment in terms of the greatest growth performance of red sea bream and the highest economic return to farmer.
Quality of Life in Cervicofacial Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: Assessment with the Skin Cancer Index
Authors: Hora Evânia Curvelo , Carvalho Marcelo Prado de , Pereira Débora Silva , Barretto Julia Santos de Almeida , Mellara Gabriel Guimarães , Cisneiros Mirelly Grace Ramos , Barreto Natália Araújo , Silva Cassandra Luiza de Sá , Lima Carlos Anselmo
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of patients with cervicofacial nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) using the Brazilian Portuguese‐adapted and validated version of the skin cancer index (SCI). After collecting demographic and clinical data from 182 patients with cervicofacial NMSC, the Brazilian versions of the SCI and the Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) were applied preoperatively (T0) and 4 months postoperatively (T1). Assessments were carried out using the Shapiro–Wilk test, Student’s t‐test, Mann–Whitney test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman’s correlation. The QoL was evaluated using the Student’s t‐test in paired samples at T0 and T1. Significant results were observed, with an increase in scores on the SCI scale in all its dimensions and a decrease in scores on the DLQI scale, demonstrating better postoperative QoL. The variables that presented significant results on the total scale, which indicated better QoL, were men, without children, income above four minimum wages, from the private sector, did not report pruritus, and scalp lesions. The QoL measurement indicated a change from the baseline and improvement after 4 months postoperatively in all subscales, indicating that surgical treatment increased the QoL of these patients from an emotional, social, and physical appearance point of view. The multivariate analysis produced several statistically significant findings in relation to emotional, social, appearance, and total scores.
A Phase II Study of Potentiation of Pembrolizumab with Binimetinib and Bevacizumab in Refractory Microsatellite-Stable Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Lentz Robert W. , Friedrich Tyler J. , Blatchford Patrick J. , Jordan Kimberly R. , Pitts Todd M. , Robinson Hannah R. , Davis S. Lindsey , Kim Sunnie S. , Leal Alexis D. , Lee Mathew R. , Waring Meredith R.N. , Martin Anne C. , Dominguez Adrian T.A. , Bagby Stacey M. , Hartman Sarah J. , Eckhardt S. Gail , Messersmith Wells A. , Lieu Christopher H.
Published: June 2024

Purpose:

In this single-institution phase II investigator-initiated study, we assessed the ability of MAPK and VEGF pathway blockade to overcome resistance to immunotherapy in microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer (MSS mCRC).

Patients and Methods:

Patients with MSS, BRAF wild-type mCRC who progressed on ≥2 prior lines of therapy received pembrolizumab, binimetinib, and bevacizumab until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After a safety run-in, patients were randomized to a 7-day run-in of binimetinib or simultaneous initiation of all study drugs, to explore whether MEK inhibition may increase tumor immunogenicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) in all patients combined (by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1).

Results:

Fifty patients received study drug treatment; 54% were male with a median age of 55 years (range, 31–79). The primary endpoint, ORR, was 12.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.5%–24.3%], which was not statistically different than the historical control data of 5% (P = 0.038, exceeding prespecified threshold of 0.025). The disease control rate was 70.0% (95% CI, 55.4%–82.1%), the median progression-free survival 5.9 months (95% CI, 4.2–8.7 months), and the median overall survival 9.3 months (95% CI, 6.7–12.2 months). No difference in efficacy was observed between the randomized cohorts. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events were observed in 56% and 8% of patients, respectively; the most common were rash (12%) and increased aspartate aminotransferase (12%).

Conclusions:

Pembrolizumab, binimetinib, and bevacizumab failed to meet its primary endpoint of higher ORR compared with historical control data, demonstrated a high disease control rate, and demonstrated acceptable tolerability in refractory MSS mCRC.
Supplementary Figure S3 from Nucleolar Localization of the RNA Helicase DDX21 Predicts Survival Outcomes in Gynecologic Cancers
Authors: Aljardali Marwa W. , Kremer Kevin M. , Parker Jessica E. , Fleming Elaine , Chen Hao , Lea Jayanthi S. , Kraus W. Lee , Camacho Cristel V.
Published: June 2024

Niraparib decreases cell growth in endometrial and ovarian cancer cell lines
Karakteristik Klinis Pasien Low Vision Anak di Pusat Mata Nasional Rumah Sakit Mata Cicendo pada Tahun 2021
Authors: Rahma Amelia Nafisah , Sirait Susanti Natalya , Gustianty Elsa
Published: June 2024

Background: In Indonesia, low vision poses a significant public health issue, especially to children, which could lead to challenges in performing daily activities and diminished quality of life. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with low vision diagnosis in Cicendo Eye Hospital Bandung.
Methods: All medical records of low vision patients aged 0-17 at Cicendo Eye Hospital Bandung during 2021 were reviewed. Data collected were patient’s age, gender, area of origin, main diagnosis of low vision cause, visual acuity, and low vision aids and/or rehabilitation given.
Result: From 172 medical records reviewed, majority of patients were male (54.07%). The age group of 10-17 years had the largest proportion (38.95%). Majority of patients lived in Bandung and its surroundings (51.16%). A total of 52.33% patient experienced moderate visual impairment and 34.3% experienced severe visual impairment. Most common anatomical cause of low vision was posterior segment abnormality, with Retinopathy of Prematurity as the main cause (13.37%), followed by retinal dystrophy (12.79%). Low vision aid that was most commonly prescribed were glasses, followed by telescope.
Conclusion: Pediatric low vision patients at Cicendo Eye Hospital were mostly male, in the age group of 10-17 years, and lived in Bandung and its surrounding. The most common classification of low vision cause was posterior segment abnormality, with Retinopathy of Prematurity as the main diagnosis. The most widely used low vision aids were glasses.
Keyword: Characteristic, low vision, visual impairment
Free-living marine nematodes of the family Sphaerolaimidae (Chromadoria, Monhysterida) from the mangroves of the Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf
Authors: TCHESUNOV ALEXEI V. , ESKANDARI ALI , HOSSEINVAND MANOUCHEHR , HAJIALIZADEH PARIMA
Published: June 2024

Three species of the family Sphaerolaimidae were found and are described for the first time along the coast of the Qeshm Island. Sphaerolaimus qeshmensis sp. n. is characterized by large body, position of the amphideal fovea at the level of gymnostoma, rather long spicules and presence of dorso-caudal apophysis of the gubernaculum. The new species differs from related S. kleini, S. limosus, S. makrolasius and S. micropapillatus by body length, subcephalic setae length, and other fine details. Sphaerolaimus pumilus sp. n. is characterized by minute body, position of the amphideal fovea posterior to the stegostoma, and short spicules without a gubernaculum. The new species differs from the close S. paragracilis by slightly smaller subcephalic setae arranged in eight groups and total absence of even a vestigial gubernaculum. Parasphaerolaimus brevisetosus found first in mangroves of North Vietnam is redescribed with addition of some important details missed in the original diagnosis. Genera diagnoses of Sphaerolaimus and Parasphaerolaimus are emended and amended. Data on diet of the three studied species are given.
A new genus and species of Eusiridae (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Amphilochidea) from bathyal sediments off the southwestern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: ORTIZ M. , WINFIELD I. , CHAZARO-OLVERA S.
Published: June 2024

A new monotypic genus of eusirid amphipod, Pseudorhachotropis gen. nov., is described and illustrated from a male specimen collected from bathyal soft bottoms (2321 m depth) in the southern Gulf of Mexico. The new genus is morphologically close to the genus Rhachotropis, previously documented from bathyal and abyssal deep–water worldwide. The new eusirid differs from other genera in having antenna 1 with 5–articulate accessory flagellum, mandibular molar smooth conical protuberance with large robust setae, pereonal segments smooth, pleonal segments 1–3 posterodistal notched, urosomal segments 1–2 with large posterodorsal processes, coxa 1 quadrangular unproduced anteriorly, uropod 1 interramal robust seta, epimeron 3 with three teeth posteroventral corner, telson as long as wide, “V” inverted shape incised 0.3 x posterior margin, each lobe 1–2 robust setae, besides the most important character to distinguish such genus includes molar palp article 1 long, subequal in length to article 2. A comparative table showing primarily features of the 14 known genera of eusirid amphipods, is also given.
An Overlooked Component of the Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Spall Michael A.
Published: June 2024

Upwelling along the western boundary of the major ocean basin subtropical gyres has been diagnosed in a wide range of ocean models and state estimates. This vertical transport is O(5 × 106) m3 s−1, which is on the same order of magnitude as the downward Ekman pumping across the subtropical gyres and zonally integrated meridional overturning circulation. Two approaches are used here to understand the reason for this upwelling and how it depends on oceanic parameters. First, a kinematic model that imposes a density gradient along the western boundary demonstrates that there must be upwelling with a maximum vertical transport at middepths in order to maintain geostrophic balance in the western boundary current. The second approach considers the vorticity budget near the western boundary in an idealized primitive equation model of the wind- and buoyancy-forced subtropical and subpolar gyres. It is shown that a pressure gradient along the western boundary results in bottom pressure torque that injects vorticity into the fluid. This is balanced on the boundary by lateral viscous fluxes that redistribute this vorticity across the boundary current. The viscous fluxes in the interior are balanced primarily by the vertical stretching of planetary vorticity, giving rise to upwelling within the boundary current. This process is found to be nearly adiabatic. Nonlinear terms and advection of planetary vorticity are also important locally but are not the ultimate drivers of the upwelling. Additional numerical model calculations demonstrate that the upwelling is a nonlocal consequence of buoyancy loss at high latitudes and thus represents an integral component of the meridional overturning circulation in depth space but not in density space.

Significance Statement

The purpose of this study is to better understand what is forcing water to upwell along the western boundary at midlatitudes of the major ocean basins. This is a potentially important process since upwelling can bring heat and nutrients closer to the surface, where they can be exchanged with the atmosphere. Also, since ocean currents vary with depth, pathways followed in the upper ocean are different from those found for the deeper ocean, so the amount and location of upwelling influence where these waters go. Idealized numerical models and theory are used to demonstrate that the upwelling is ultimately driven by density changes along the western boundary of the basin that result from heat loss at high latitudes.
Jazz Musicians and Their Disabilities: Django Reinhardt, Les Paul, and Michel Petrucciani
Authors: Nakayama Don K.
Published: June 2024

Musicians with physical disabilities who achieved stardom are part of the lore of popular music. Guitarist Django Reinhardt contrived alternate fingering patterns necessitated by burn contractures of his left hand. Les Paul, a legend in the development of the solid body electric guitar and multitrack recording, mangled his right arm in a car wreck so severely that his elbow was set permanently at 90° so he could continue to play guitar. Michel Petrucciani suffered from osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that stunted his growth to the point where he used a special attachment to reach the sustaining pedals of his piano. Their stories show the force of human genius in music.
Wage Disparities across Immigrant Generations: Education, Segregation, or Unequal Pay?
Authors: Han JooHee , Hermansen Are Skeie
Published: June 2024

Immigrants and their native-born children often face considerable wage penalties relative to natives, but less is known about whether this inequality arises through differences in educational qualifications, segregation across occupations and establishments, or unequal pay for the same work. Using linked employer–employee data from Norway, the authors ask whether immigrant–native wage disparities 1) reflect differences in detailed educational qualifications, labor market segregation, or within-job pay differences; 2) differ by immigrant generation; and 3) vary across different segments of the labor market. They find that immigrant–native wage disparities primarily reflect sorting into lower-paying jobs, and that wage disadvantages are considerably reduced across immigrant generations. When doing the same work for the same employer, immigrant-background workers, especially children of immigrants, earn similar wages to natives. Sorting into jobs seems more meritocratic for university graduates, for professionals, and in the public sector, but within-job pay differences are strikingly similar across market segments.
Democratic Values and Democratic Support in Rapidly Consolidated Democracies: The Case of Taiwan, 1995–2020
Authors: Tsai Tsung-han , Tsai Chia-Hung
Published: June 2024

Most of the extant research on the relationship between democratic values and democratic support examine the issue from the perspective of the evolution of democratic culture and institutional learning. These studies conclude that it takes time for people to understand the essence of democracy and to support democracy. We argue that a certain value orientation is crucial to democratic support at some stages of democratic transition. To empirically examine the association between the different dimensions of democratic values and democratic support, we analyzed survey data from 1995 to 2020 in Taiwan. Based on item response theory, we found that, first, throughout that 25-year period, we can distinguish three dimensions of democratic values in Taiwan; second, Taiwanese considered fundamental human rights to be an essential democratic value; and finally, the curvilinear relationship between democratic support and separation of powers implies that Taiwanese people emphasize electoral democracy more than horizontal accountability after democratization is complete.
A Novel Framework for Internal Responses to Detection of Pathogens in Wastewater by Public Health Agencies
Authors: Sheth Komal , Domakonda Kaavya , Short Kirstin , Stadler Lauren , Ensor Katherine B. , Johnson Catherine D. , Williams Stephen L. , Persse David , Hopkins Loren
Published: June 2024

Objectives:

To build on the success of wastewater surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic, jurisdictions funded under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Wastewater Surveillance System are looking to expand their wastewater programs to detect more pathogens. However, many public health agencies do not know how to use the collected wastewater data to formulate public health responses, underscoring a need for guidance. To address this knowledge gap, the Houston Health Department (HHD) developed a novel response framework that outlines an internal action plan that is tailored by pathogen type after detection of various pathogens in wastewater.

Materials and Methods:

In July 2023, HHD met with subject matter experts (eg, bureau chiefs, program managers) in internal departments, including epidemiology, immunization, and health education, to discuss the general outline of the response framework and each department’s anticipated role after pathogen detection.

Results:

The internal framework established a flow for notifications and the actions to be taken by departments in HHD, with the goals of (1) ensuring timely and efficient responses to pathogen detections, (2) creating accountability within departments for taking their assigned actions, and (3) making certain that HHD was prepared for intervention implementation when a new pathogen was detected.

Practice Implications:

As more public health agencies expand their wastewater surveillance programs to target additional pathogens, development of internal action plans tailored to departmental capacity and programs is an important step for public health agencies. The information compiled in this response framework can be a model for other public health agencies to adopt when expanding the scope of their wastewater monitoring systems.
How the Church Can Heal: Healing Intergenerational Trauma Through Trauma-Informed Discipleship
Authors: Fraser Jasmine J. , Gonzalez Lelis Viera , Morton Dawn
Published: June 2024

Intergenerational (inherited) trauma is relational in nature. Basically, it is the transmission of physical, emotional, psychological, cultural, and historical wounds from one generation to another. Understanding the impact of intergenerational trauma on relationships, particularly parent–child relationships, has implications for promoting functional and positive intergenerational connections. The study will examine the effects of intergenerational trauma on an individual's well-being and suggest approaches for best practices in formal and nonformal contexts of teaching for discipleship.
Ambivalent Sexism and Tolerance of Violence Against Women in India
Authors: Sengupta Nikhil K. , Hammond Matthew D. , Deak Chris K. , Malhotra Ragini Saira
Published: June 2024

We examined associations between sexist beliefs and tolerance of violence against women in India using a nationally representative probability sample of adults ( n = 133,398). Research consistently indicates that hostile sexism fosters tolerance of violence against women. However, benevolent sexism is sometimes associated with higher tolerance and sometimes with lower tolerance of violence. We proposed that this inconsistency could be resolved by considering the source of violence: Is violence perpetrated by outsiders or intimate partners? Results of a multigroup structural equation model showed that endorsement of hostile sexism was related to greater tolerance of violence regardless of the source. In contrast, endorsement of benevolent sexism was associated with lower tolerance of violence from outsiders but was simultaneously associated with higher tolerance of spousal violence. These opposing processes indicate that although benevolent sexism promises women protection from violence, the very same ideology legitimizes spousal violence, thereby reinforcing men’s power within intimate relationships.
Interprofessional Comparisons in Patient Safety Culture at a Teaching Hospital Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Krishnasamy Karthikayini , Zakaria Mohd Idzwan , Narayanan Vairavan , Chinna Karuthan , Hasnan Nazirah , Tan Maw Pin
Published: June 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges with its impact on patient safety culture and staff well-being. This study was to identify potential changes in safety culture among health care workers from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to determine the differences across occupational groups. The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) was administered electronically in both English and Malay languages using the Google Forms platform in 2018 and was repeated in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparisons were made between 2018 and 2021 to determine changes in patient safety culture for the overall staff population and by occupational groups. A total of 3175 health care workers completed the questionnaire in 2021. Overall, a comparable percentage agreement was found for all SAQ domains in 2018 and 2021 with visible improvements for doctors and support staff. Safety Attitudes Questionnaire domain scores differed in teamwork, safety climate, perception of hospital management, and working condition domains across occupational groups. Self-isolation and COVID-19 were associated with poorer SAQ domain scores, while redeployment was associated with improvements in SAQ domain scores. Interventions targeting areas of weakness as well as utilizing positive experiences such as redeployment should be explored to enhance patient safety in hospitals settings postpandemic.
OP v. Commune d’Ans: When equality, intersectionality and state neutrality collide
Authors: Dube Nozizwe
Published: June 2024

In OP v. Commune d’Ans, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) held that exclusive neutrality policies in public administrations do not constitute indirect religious discrimination provided that the policies are appropriate, necessary and proportionate in light of the context and interests at stake. This is the first headscarf case concerning a public administration. Consequently, the state neutrality principle was of importance in this judgment. Additionally, OP v. Commune d’Ans reawakened the urgent question of intersectional discrimination as the CJEU was asked whether exclusive neutrality policies constitute indirect gender discrimination, seeing as they disproportionately affect women. In Parris, the CJEU rejected the possibility of acknowledging intersectional discrimination. Though headscarf cases raise the intersectionality question, the CJEU has not revisited it. This case note discusses how while the CJEU managed to accommodate different iterations of the state neutrality principle by introducing a margin of discretion for diverse neutrality policies in OP v. Commune d’Ans, it fell short in safeguarding the general framework for equal treatment by disregarding how the conceptualization of state neutrality also impacts gender equality. A different reading of Directive 2000/78 that foregrounds this instrument's connection to the EU's gender equality directives would have enabled such an intersectional approach.
Practical Considerations for Transitioning a Professional Short Course Online
Authors: Collins Andrew J. , Lynch Christopher , Leathrum Jim , Grigoryan Gayane , Cotter T. Stephen , Gore Ross , Butler Brandon
Published: June 2024

Higher education programs are rapidly transitioning online in support of a broader geographic base, working professionals, and, recently, emergency contingencies such as COVID-19. The flexibility of online courses makes them attractive to adult learners; as such, there is much academic discussion about online learning for adult learners and the conversion of courses to an online format. However, most of these discussions are based on traditional higher education courses. This article discusses some of the specific practical challenges in the conversion of professional short courses for adult learners. The challenges relate to instructor isolation, student preparedness, and student support. Proposed solutions to these challenges are drawn from direct instructor experience of converting a STEM professional short course to an online format. Solutions included increasing the number of instructors and providing pre-course sessions to help resolve some technical difficulties before each class began.
Associations of Symptoms of ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in Adolescence With Occupational Outcomes and Incomes in Adulthood
Authors: Seppä Sampo , Huikari Sanna , Korhonen Marko , Nordström Tanja , Hurtig Tuula , Halt Anu-Helmi
Published: June 2024

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of ADHD and ODD symptoms in adolescence with occupational outcomes and incomes in adulthood within the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (NFBC1986).

Method:

ADHD symptoms were evaluated at ages 15 to 16 years using the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD symptoms and Normal Behaviors (SWAN) scale. ODD symptoms were assessed using a 7-point scale, like the SWAN assessment.

Results:

Symptoms of ADHD and ADHD + ODD were associated with elevated rates of unemployment, increased sick days, and lower annual incomes compared to controls for both sexes. Symptoms of ODD were associated with higher unemployment and more sick days for males, although these associations did not reach statistical significance in their association with annual incomes.

Conclusion:

Symptoms of ADHD were associated with adverse occupational outcomes and lower incomes. Furthermore, symptoms of ODD were associated with occupational outcomes but not with incomes.
Rethinking Veganism in the Digital Age. Innovating Methodology and Typology to Explore a Decade of Facebook Discourses
Authors: Righetti Nicola , Bertuzzi Niccolò
Published: June 2024

In this article, we examine the expressions of veganism on Facebook, a main social media platform worldwide, through a combination of classic qualitative social science and computational methods. Building on a foundational typology proposed by Jessica Greenebaum, we adopt Weber’s ‘ideal types’ to analyze a broad range of online vegan expressions, using Max Reinert’s algorithm to identify distinct ‘lexical worlds’ of vegan discourses in 200,000 vegan-related messages published over a decade (2010–2020). Our analysis leads to a nuanced typology based on individual versus collective focus and inward versus outward orientation, uncovering four primary functions of social media in veganism: self-documentation and resource sharing, advocacy and education, identity and community formation, and support and mobilization. The research also advances methodological approaches in social media analysis by integrating traditional qualitative insights with computational Big Data techniques.
Unveiling failure patterns of start-ups in the life sciences industry
Authors: Khalemsky Anna , Hadasa Blank Tali
Published: June 2024

This research reveals failure patterns of firms within the life sciences industry, by utilizing a cluster analysis approach. We uncover hidden patterns in ceased firms and identify four distinct patterns: false start, false promise, realistic management, and walking dead. Each pattern represents a unique combination of firm characteristics that led to their downfall. The study sample consists of 230 ceased firms in the life sciences industry that are registered in the Israel Venture Capital database. By examining the similarities and dissimilarities between the patterns, the study aims to build a taxonomy of failures in the life sciences industry. The findings reveal that non-founder CEOs are more likely to halt their firm's operations during the R&D stage, despite having the highest performance compared to other patterns. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship by focusing on failed endeavors. The results shed light on the leadership dynamics within these specialized and uncertain domains, providing valuable insights for decision-makers. Overall, this research enhances our knowledge of the factors contributing to failure and offers practical implications.
Immediate Impacts of Air Pollution on the Performance of Football Players
Authors: Li Jianglong , Sun Shiqiang , Ho Mun Sing
Published: June 2024

Understanding the immediate impacts of air pollution is crucial, especially as non-health outcomes like player productivity are covert. This paper focuses on investigating the causal relationship between air pollution and player productivity, which is theoretically established by the health consequences of air pollution and the Grossman health production function. The dataset used comprises over 20,000 observations from 1,440 matches in the Chinese Football Association Super League from 2014 to 2019. The IV estimation results show that a 1% increase in air pollution results in a reduction of 0.101% in the number of passes, which is five times larger than the OLS estimation. Heterogeneity results suggest that possessing an advantage (physical fitness, technical skills, or playing at home) contributes to mitigating the adverse effects of air pollution. This study underscores the critical role of clean air in enabling football players to achieve high productivity in the game.
Emerging Queer Sister Studies: The Transmedia Futurity of Adult Lesbianism From the “Sister-Kid Literature” to the “Older Sister”-Centered TV in Post-2010 China
Authors: Zhao Jamie J.
Published: June 2024

This study explores a pronounced queer women-centered pop cultural imaginary in post-2010 China, namely, “older sister” (jie 姐﻿) fantasies that center around mature women. It contextualizes this imaginary in relation to Asian and Chinese-language girls’ love (GL) and queer women’s cultures. I trace this “older sister” trope on contemporary Chinese TV to the enduring popularity of an online 2012 autobiographical-styled queer women’s story known as the “sister-kid literature.” My analyses of the transmedia metamorphosis of the trope and the wide recitation of the story in contemporary Chinese media and pop cultural terrains reveal an evolving, heteronormativity-intervening temporal logic of adult female homoerotic narratives. By (re)considering the significance of reconstructing this “older sister” imaginary across divergent media to dismantle China’s heteronormative-patriarchal assertions of the (non-)futurity of adult lesbianism, I suggest transformative ways to understand queer women-driven (trans)media productions and cultural activities that are situated in largely LGBTQ-suffocating social and fantasy worlds.
A Novel Endoscopic Approach for Treating Breast Cancer: Haigui-1 Hole
Authors: Fan Pingming , Lyu Pengfei , Gao Fangfang , Li Jingtai , Wei Changyuan , Du Guankui
Published: June 2024

Objective

Endoscopic surgery is an effective technique for preserving the nipple and areola, as well as for sentinel lymph node biopsy and breast implant reconstruction. However, the technical challenges associated with endoscopic surgery have limited its widespread adoption.

Methods

In the normal single-port endoscopic surgery, the ultrasonic knife was accessed through the retractor. In our modified procedure, a tiny 5 mm incision was made at the lateral margin underneath the breast, serving as the second entry port for the ultrasonic scalpel, which was referred to as the “Haigui-1 hole”. Preoperative and postoperative indicators such as blood loss, operative time, and postoperative drainage volume were collected. Differences between parameters were compared using Student’s t test.

Results

Endoscopic surgery with the assistance of the “Haigui-1 hole” led to preserved breast aesthetics with minimal scarring. Moreover, “Haigui-1 hole” surgery significantly reduced the operation time, intraoperative bleeding, and postoperative drainage volume compared to normal single-port endoscopic surgery.

Conclusion

The “Haigui-1 hole” procedure, which involves the addition of a second entrance to improve the maneuverability of the ultrasonic knife, is worthy of further promotion.
Disappearances, dissident memory and magic: Sandya Ekneligoda’s struggle for justice
Authors: Kodikara Chulani
Published: June 2024

In January 2010, Prageeth Ekneligoda, a journalist based in Colombo, Sri Lanka was forcibly disappeared. Since then, his wife Sandya has been searching for truth and justice while organising periodic protests to keep his memory alive in the public sphere. In some of these protests, she invokes Kali, the Hindu mother goddess of death and destruction, beseeching her to punish the perpetrators. Foregrounding public cursing as a form of memory activism, with its own aesthetics, this article makes three interrelated arguments. First, I argue that protest performances that foreground impunity can be analysed as powerful enactments of ‘dissident memory’ that challenge ‘official political memory’ and its manifestations in the ‘memoryscape’ of a nation. Second, I locate Sandya’s protest performance within a broader local and global vein of gendered activism in contexts of mass disappearances that shifts the aesthetics and affective mood/register of the disappearance protest from grief and mourning to rage and vengeance, taps into memory differently, and intervenes in the postwar memoryscape from a different agentive location. Third, I argue that Sandya’s increasing reliance on cursing must be apprehended as a response to continued impunity, which decentres the victims and survivors in favour of insistently centring and remembering the perpetrators.