bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate change, gender and rural development: Making sense of coping strategies in the Shivalik Hills
Authors: Kvanneid Aase J.
Published: March 2022

The lower Shivalik Hills of North India is a region that is experiencing rapid socio-environmental challenges from interrelated changes in climate, market and society. While decades of governmental development efforts in the rural region have brought increased access to education, sanitation and improved infrastructure in the lower Shivalik Hills, the region is still characterised by poverty, illiteracy, a severely eschewed sex ratio and increased male out-migration to the larger cities. The article draws on empirical cases intended to provide an insight into gendered consequences of the contemporary rural coping strategies.

These cases are drawn from anthropological fieldwork conducted in 2013.1 Although the joint households of the villages in the rural Shivalik Hills might seem to be resilient towards climate and market changes as men migrate for work, an overt focus on migration as a practice overlooks gender equality and social mobility, especially for young women, who are left behind to shoulder an extra burden.
Book review: Manisha Rao, ed. 2021. Reframing the Environment: Resources, Risk and Resistance in Neoliberal India
Authors: Rani Shweta
Published: March 2022

Manisha Rao, ed. 2021. Reframing the Environment: Resources, Risk and Resistance in Neoliberal India. Oxford: Routledge. xx + 220 pp. References, index. ₹995 (hardback)
Introduction: What might we mean by the Anthropocene?
Authors: Brara Rita
Published: March 2022

‘[T]here is no power relation without the correlative constitution of a field of knowledge, nor any knowledge that does not presuppose and constitute at the same time power relations.’

(Michel Foucault 1977: 27)
Book review: Lesley Green (with a foreword by Isabelle Stengers). 2020. Rock | Water | Life: Ecology and Humanities for a Decolonial South Africa
Authors: Anusha Chandana
Published: March 2022

Lesley Green (with a foreword by Isabelle Stengers). 2020. Rock | Water | Life: Ecology and Humanities for a Decolonial South Africa. Durham and London: Duke University Press. xxv + 296 pp. Maps, notes, figures, illustrations, bibliography, index. $27.95 (eBook).
Race and Ethnicity Differences in Police Contact and Perceptions of and Attitudes Toward the Police Among Youth
Authors: Foster Kathryn , Jones Melissa S. , Pierce Hayley
Published: March 2022

While investigations examining the effects of direct and vicarious police stops on youth attitudes toward the police have been limited, even less research has explored how these processes vary by race/ethnicity. Thus, this study uses the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) to examine how race/ethnicity shapes: (1) the relationship between direct and vicarious police stops and youth attitudes toward police and (2) how the contextual nature of these stops (intrusiveness) influence youth perceptions of police. The results suggest that direct and/or vicarious police contact can generate negative attitudes toward police among black, Hispanic, and in some cases, white youth, though these effects vary across type of police stop and type of attitude. When a direct stop involved more officer intrusiveness, black youth reported less respect and more negative perceptions of procedural justice. As such, policymakers and criminologists should consider how race/ethnicity influences youth attitudinal responses to police encounters.
Determinants of nutritional status among under-five children receiving Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in India
Authors: Pradhan Manas Ranjan , Shete Mahesh Rajendra
Published: March 2022

Background: Undernutrition is a significant public health problem and the leading risk factor for India's disease burden. Aim: To understand the determinants of nutritional status among under-five children receiving Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in India. Methods: The study used the National Family Health Survey–4 (2015–16) data. The analysis was carried out for under-five children who have availed of any ICDS services in the 12 months preceding the survey ( n = 1,27,813). Stunting, wasting, and underweight were estimated following the World Health Organization guideline and used as the outcome variables. The binary logistic regression was conducted to examine the association of ICDS utilization and socioeconomic-demographic predictors with under-five children's nutritional status. STATA (V 13) was used for statistical analyses. Results: A sizable proportion of under-five children receiving any ICDS services suffer from undernutrition. The undernutrition prevalence varied considerably by socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Logistic regression found an insignificant association of ICDS utilization with the nutritional status of under-five children. Children not immunized in ICDS centers were less likely to be stunted (OR: 0.93; P < 0.01), wasted (OR: 0.93; P < 0.01), and underweight (OR: 0.90; P < 0.01) than their counterparts. The child's age and gender, maternal education and nutrition status, wealth index, social group, region, residence, and region were significant determinants of undernutrition among ICDS beneficiaries. Conclusion: The study suggests the need to ensure all available services to children enrolled in the Anganwadi Center (AWC). The program should also emphasize feeding practices and educate parents about improving child health and nutrition.
A Model for incorporating information literacy and collaboration in a project-based learning pedagogical exercise with application to a fluid mechanics course
Authors: Cioc Carmen , Haughton Noela , Cioc Sorin , Napp John
Published: March 2022

This paper describes the implementation and the results of an online project-based learning (PBL) pedagogy in an advanced fluid mechanics course in a mechanical engineering technology program. This work is a close collaboration between engineering and education faculty and the engineering librarian, and aligns with the new research areas identified by the National Engineering Education Research Colloquies and the ABET Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Technology Programs Criterion 3 (student outcomes, SLO 1 to 5) and Criterion 5 (curriculum, discipline specific content C, D and E).

Students were required to work in teams to design and dimension a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) duct system, a real-world expression of engineering thinking. Students applied information literacy skills to identify relevant engineering codes and standards, such as ASHRAE, and used previously learned content knowledge from various courses to finalize the project.

The PBL exercise was chosen as a culminating experience and in support of engineering competencies development. The results showed improvements in the flow of air in ducts content knowledge, professional communication skills, and the ability to collaborate as part of a team, including improving one's ability to work with other students on assignments, listening to the ideas of others, learning from the ideas of others, and evaluating the ideas of others. The students unanimously agreed that the project improved their heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) knowledge beyond the classroom as well as their information seeking skills. Based on the students end of semester course evaluation, this PBL exercise improved their readiness for the workforce.
Developing Enhanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Sensing System for Practical Bridge Inspections Using Field Experiments
Authors: Nasimi Roya , Moreu Fernando , Nasimi Mitra , Wood Richard
Published: March 2022

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have transitioned from a futuristic research concept to becoming a reality for practical, safe, cost-effective bridge inspections. Several studies have used UAVs to capture images from bridges and infrastructure to assess their condition. However, measuring the dynamic responses of bridges using a UAV involves the integration of UAV, sensors, and the use of dynamic equations. Measurement of dynamic transverse displacement especially is a difficult task in the field given the actual constraints of bridges, flights, and sensing under loading events. If transverse displacements could be measured easily, bridge owners could prioritize maintenance operations more cost-effectively by selecting to repair those bridges that move the most under trains. This paper discusses new requirements and solutions for fabricating an enhanced UAV to obtain dynamic transverse displacement benefiting from experiences gained from several field tests. This work follows the regulations of railroad bridge inspection guidelines and considers the aspects for an implementable system in its development. The paper first introduces the preliminary system that has been developed to this end and discusses potential improvements to this system that are identified through multiple field tests. The preliminary UAV system was developed using an algorithm combining the signals from sensors mounted on the UAV to measure dynamic displacements. This paper explains the step-by-step improvement of the existing system which resulted in a successful field test on a real bridge. Subsequently, some modifications and enhancements for the algorithm are proposed which are compatible with the new system data.
Arthroscopic Characterization, Treatment, and Outcomes of Glenoid Labral Articular Disruption Lesions
Authors: Ernat Justin J. , Rakowski Dylan R. , Ruzbarsky Joseph J. , Johnson Donovon W. , Casp Aaron J. , Peebles Annalise M. , Hanson Jared , Katthagan J. Christoph , Horan Marilee P. , Provencher CAPT Matthew T. , Millett Peter J.
Published: March 2022

Background:

The pathoanatomy of glenoid labral articular disruption (GLAD) lesions has been inconsistently and poorly defined in the literature.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose was to characterize GLAD lesions as they pertain to the pathoanatomy of labrum, cartilage, and bony structures, and to correlate findings with patient-reported outcomes (PROs). We hypothesized that greater degrees of bony and cartilaginous involvement would correlate with worse outcomes.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

All patients with a diagnosis of a GLAD lesion or a reverse GLAD (RGLAD) lesion at the time of diagnostic arthroscopy (January 2006–February 2019) were included in this study. Patients with ≥13.5% bone loss or previous ipsilateral shoulder surgery were excluded. Patient charts and operative reports/photos were used to identify the location of injury, extent of injury (labral, chondral, and bony), associated injuries, demographic factors, and treatment performed. Three injury patterns were identified: small (type 1), with no chondral defect after labral repair; large (type 2), with residual chondral defect after labral repair; and bony (type 3), with associated glenoid bone loss amenable to labral repair. Characterizations were cross-referenced to PROs at a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 2.6-10.5 years): American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, shortened version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, and patient satisfaction.

Results:

In total, 50 patients were included, with 40 having GLAD and 10 having RGLAD lesions (mean age, 34.7 and 33.2 years, respectively). There were 14 (35%) type 1, 22 (55%) type 2, and 4 (10%) type 3 GLAD injuries. All PROs improved without any differences in the 3 subgroups postoperatively (ASES, 95.1 vs 91.3 vs 98.8, type 1, 2, and 3, respectively). RGLAD injuries were majority type 2 (7/10; 70%) with the remainder being type 1 (3/10; 30%).

Conclusion:

With GLAD and RGLAD injuries, 3 distinct injury patterns can be observed correlating with the presence/absence of chondral loss after labral repair or the presence of associated bone loss. This descriptive characterization can facilitate arthroscopic treatment decisions. Future large studies are needed to determine if this is prognostic in nature.
International Taxation and the Global Structure of Capitalism: The Influence of the OECD in the Design of the International Tax System
Authors: Blanco Andrés
Published: March 2022

This article offers a Marxian interpretation of international taxation in the context of a global structure of capitalism that has evolved toward a core/periphery division, driven by the process of accumulation of capital and a moving away from the rate of profit’s tendency to fall. Taxation played an active role in this, deploying its functions of money regulator and enabling the realization of surplus value and the accumulation of capital. International taxation projects such functions onto the global capitalist system, aligning tax revenue with the holding of money. The analysis of taxation tendencies focuses on OECD proposals and OECD countries. Although improbable given the functions of taxation within capitalism, I propose certain tax reforms as an alternative to the current structure and tendencies of taxation.

JEL Classification: F01, H29
Acute Quadriplegia in a Lactating Woman With Mastitis and Breast Abscess
Authors: Ameli Giada , Maier Josefine Theresia , Abu Daher Gada , Mihajlov Valentin , Hellmeyer Lars
Published: March 2022

Background:

Puerperal mastitis, as well as breast abscess, are common complications that can arise during the breastfeeding period. Acute-onset quadriplegia has been described as a complication of bacterial or viral infections. Here we report a case of puerperal breast abscess with transient acute-onset staphylococcal mediated quadriplegia.

Main Issue:

A 28-year-old lactating Caucasian woman presented at our tertiary perinatal center 31 days postpartum with weakness of all four limbs, the signs and symptoms of mastitis in her left breast and a possible breast abscess with redness, a painful breast lump, and fever. A few hours after admission, the participant developed a proximal quadriplegia.

Management:

The participant was admitted to the intensive care unit for monitoring. The neurologists treated her as a possible case of Guillain-Barré syndrome and administered intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for 5 days. The breast abscess was diagnosed via ultrasound and treated by regular aspiration of pus and intravenous antibiotic therapy with ampicillin and sulbactam as Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from breast abscess fluid. Fifteen days after the first symptoms the participant recovered completely and could breastfeed her son exclusively, even though she developed a galactocele on the affected side.

Conclusion:

We report a possible association between mastitis and abscess formation, common breastfeeding issues, and transient acute onset staphylococcal mediated quadriplegia. To the best of our knowledge this is the only case in the medical literature. Independent of the systemic complications, antibiotic treatment and regular abscess aspirations have proven to be a key strategy to the resolution of puerperal mastitis and breast abscess.
Novel generation method of tooth surface points for variable transmission ratio gears
Authors: Shuai Xin , Jianlei Li , Ziru Niu , Liangliang Zou , Yuhua Li , Jin Yuan
Published: March 2022

Variable transmission ratio gears have shown considerable potential as key components of variable speed transmission steering boxes that balance steering portability and sensitivity. The objective of this study is to develop a novel method for designing variable transmission ratio tooth surfaces to circumvent the shortcomings of the meshing theory method. The involute rack of the variable transmission ratio pinion-and-rack pair is considered as a set of countless and infinitely close transverse sections, each of which is referred to as a gear element. Assuming evenly distributed circles in the physical domain of the variable transmission ratio tooth surfaces of the pinion, the problem of generating a tooth surface point is transformed into solving the specific geometric feature intersection point of each circle and corresponding gear element during variable transmission ratio meshing. Thereafter, a mathematical model and algorithm are developed to generate tooth surface points in an approximately even pattern. The normal deviations of the gear-element–generated tooth surface points and the corresponding tooth surface points calculated using meshing theory show that the proposed design method has a sufficiently high accuracy. Finite element models are employed analyzing the contact pattern, contact stress, bending stress, and transmission ratio error. The results indicate that the layout of approximately even tooth surface points using the gear element method is beneficial for improving the fitting precision of tooth surfaces and reducing the contact stress and transmission ratio error. Further, the same derived law of the flank and fillet tooth surfaces is conducive to the continuity of the tooth surfaces, which contributes toward reducing the bending stress. Finally, a prototype is manufactured via CNC end milling. The major contributions lie in a robust and efficient modeling method for variable transmission ratio tooth surfaces, which combined forms a solid foundation for their application.
Local cultural context as a moderator of the impact of childcare on maternal employment: Evidence from a natural experiment
Authors: Fervers Lukas , Kurowska Anna
Published: March 2022

In spite of increasing levels of female employment, having a child below school age often goes along with a substantial decrease in employment engagement for women. Consequently, previous family policy research suggests that increasing childcare availability might be a promising tool to facilitate maternal employment as it increases the economic incentive to take up work. Another line of reasoning highlights that cultural attitudes towards maternal employment are equally important in shaping the employment decisions of mothers. In this article, we combine insights of both approaches and argue that culture, in addition to its direct effect on maternal employment, moderates the impact of childcare policies. In particular, we argue that the positive effect of childcare may be weaker in more conservative cultural contexts. To assess this question empirically, we exploit the implementation of a centralised childcare reform in Poland as a natural experiment by means of a regression discontinuity design. Relying on individual-level data on employment and regional-level information on the influence of conservatism in a certain region, we run multilevel regressions with cross-level interaction terms to estimate the effect of the reform depending on the local cultural context. Consistent with our theoretical expectations, the impact of the reform is rather strong in less conservative areas but fades away in increasingly conservative contexts. Supplementary analyses reveal that the effect also differs with regard to household composition, with smaller families displaying larger gains in maternal employment. These findings confirm that conservative cultural attitudes appear to suppress the positive effect of increasing childcare availability.
CFO: Calibration-free odds design for phase I/II clinical trials
Authors: Jin Huaqing , Yin Guosheng
Published: March 2022

Recent revolution in oncology treatment has witnessed emergence and fast development of the targeted therapy and immunotherapy. In contrast to traditional cytotoxic agents, these types of treatment tend to be more tolerable and thus efficacy is of more concern. As a result, seamless phase I/II trials have gained enormous popularity, which aim to identify the optimal biological dose (OBD) rather than the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). To enhance the accuracy and robustness for identification of OBD, we develop a calibration-free odds (CFO) design. For toxicity monitoring, the CFO design casts the current dose in competition with its two neighboring doses to obtain an admissible set. For efficacy monitoring, CFO selects the dose that has the largest posterior probability to achieve the highest efficacy under the Bayesian paradigm. In contrast to most of the existing designs, the prominent merit of CFO is that its main dose-finding component is model-free and calibration-free, which can greatly ease the burden on artificial input of design parameters and thus enhance the robustness and objectivity of the design. Extensive simulation studies demonstrate that the CFO design strikes a good balance between efficiency and safety for MTD identification under phase I trials, and yields comparable or sometimes slightly better performance for OBD identification than the competing methods under phase I/II trials.
Supporting Children’s Language and Literacy Through Collaborative Shared Book Reading
Authors: Murphy Kimberly A. , Pentimonti Jill M. , Chow, PhD Jason C.
Published: March 2022

Language and literacy skills are critical for academic success. Shared book reading is an evidence-based practice for improving a range of language and literacy skills in young children, including those with or at risk for learning disabilities. This article describes how teachers and speech-language pathologists (SLP) can collaborate to support young children’s learning through shared book reading. An overview of shared book reading is presented, followed by a description of the collaboration, implementation of the shared book reading sessions, as well as instruction that can take place after the reading. By collaborating through shared book reading, teachers and SLPs can enhance their overall instructional quality to more effectively support the language and literacy needs of children with or at risk for learning disabilities.
Improving Literacy in Uganda: Why Pedagogical Reforms and Intervention Programs are Underperforming
Authors: Ssenkande George Wilson , Mugyenyi Patrick , Achola Dinah
Published: March 2022

Pedagogical reforms, specifically, the Thematic Curriculum and the Local Language Policy, have failed to improve literacy in Uganda despite a concerted effort from the Government of Uganda and its international development partners. This paper distills the major literacy programs used to scale up the reforms nationwide and summarizes what they did and their effects on the different components of reading. It concludes with a discussion on why the reforms and their intervention programs underperformed. It argues for a reform approach that ensures that the system has sufficient capacity to deliver the new content and pedagogy before implementation.
Virtual Professional Learning Communities: A Case Study in Rural Music Teacher Professional Development
Authors: Rolandson David M. , Ross-Hekkel Lana E.
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this study was to explore how a Virtual Professional Learning Community (VPLC) might serve as effective professional development for large ensemble teachers in rural communities interested in improving their pedagogy. We used a case study approach to investigate four rural music teachers who actively participated in an online professional learning community focused on implementing the Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance model of planning and instruction into one of their large ensemble classes. Based on our findings, we concluded that a VPLC provided rural music teachers with meaningful, content-specific professional development while also reducing feelings of professional isolation. However, we also identified challenges that impacted the effectiveness of the VPLC. The implications for music teacher educators are discussed.
A unified Jacobi–Ritz approach for the FGP annular plate with arbitrary boundary conditions based on a higher-order shear deformation theory
Authors: Zhao Yiming , Qin Bin , Wang Qingshan , Liang XiFeng
Published: March 2022

In this paper, a unified method for free and forced vibration of functionally graded porous annular and circular plate is proposed, incorporating the Jacobi–Ritz method and the higher-order shear deformation theory. In order to improve the accuracy of calculation, the segment strategy is adopted. Meanwhile, the artificial spring is used to express the connection between each truncated plates and arbitrary boundary conditions. The convergency study and validation are implemented, and parametric study of both free and transient forced vibration are conducted. The present method shows a fast convergence property and high accuracy for thick plate. It has been found that boundary conditions are the dominant influencing factor of the central deflection of functionally graded porous annular plate, and the porous material with vertical gradient change in the plate leads to a better impedance effect than the uniformly distributed porous material.
“I Can’t Just Pull a Woman Out of a Hat”: A Mixed-Methods Study on Journalistic Drivers of Women’s Representation in Political News
Authors: Riedl Andreas A. , Rohrbach Tobias , Krakovsky Christina
Published: March 2022

While the persisting issue of women’s underrepresentation in political news partly arises from biases in the social reality, journalism plays a crucial role in mediating these biases. This study proposes a multilayered framework of gendered influences in journalistic news production to understand how journalistic factors exacerbate or mitigate women’s media representation. Drawing from a mixed-methods design (content analysis, survey, interviews), journalists’ own gender emerges as the strongest predictor of gendered representations. Women’s underrepresentation is also influenced by professional roles but not by organizations’ gender guidelines. We explore how journalists perceive these influences and discuss conceptual and practical implications.
Enhancement of N-Nitrosodiethylamine-lnitiated Hepatocarcinogenesis by Phenytoin in Male F344/NCr Rats at a Dose Causing Maximal Induction of CYP2B
Authors: Diwan Bhalchandra A. , Henneman John R. , Nims Raymond W.
Published: March 2022

The effect of the clinically important anticonvulsant phenytoin (DPH) on hepatocarcinogenesis of male F344/NCr rats initiated with a single i.p. dose of N-nitrosodiethylamine (75 mg/kg b.w.) was studied. Beginning 2 weeks post-initiation, the rats received control diet or diet containing 500 or 1500 ppm DPH or 500 ppm phenobarbital. At 52 weeks age, the incidences (and multiplicities, in units of tumors per tumor-bearing rat) of hepatocellular adenomas were 0%, 17% (1 ± 0), 42% (1.8 ± 0.8), or 67% (2.5 ± 1.9) in rats exposed to N-nitrosodiethylamine alone, or the carcinogen followed by 500 ppm DPH, 1500 ppm DPH, or 500 ppm phenobarbital, respectively. Between 53 and 79 weeks of age, 39% of rats receiving N-nitrosodiethylamine alone developed multiple (1.5 ± 0.8) hepatocellular adenomas. A similar incidence (41%) occurred in the rats administered the carcinogen followed by 500 ppm DPH. The incidence of hepatocellular adenomas (88% and 89%) was significantly greater in rats exposed to N-nitrosodiethylamine followed by 1500 ppm DPH or 500 ppm phenobarbital, respectively. Multiplicities of hepatocellular adenomas were significantly greater than the control value in rats fed 1500 ppm DPH or 500 ppm phenobarbital (5.9 ± 4.8 and 10.1 ± 6.7, respectively), but not in the rats receiving 500 ppm DPH (2.3 ± 1.6). No rats exposed to N-nitrosodiethylamine alone or the carcinogen followed by 500 ppm DPH developed hepatocellular carcinomas, while hepatocellular carcinomas occurred in 29% or 67% of the rats given 1500 ppm DPH or 500 ppm phenobarbital, respectively, following initiation. Increases in hepatic CYP2B-mediated benzyloxyresorufin O-dealkylation activity in rats exposed to 500 and 1500 ppm DPH for 2 or 23 weeks were ∼50% and ∼100%, respectively, of the maximal induction caused by 500 ppm phenobarbital. Thus, in the rat model, DPH enhanced N-nitrosodiethyl-amine-initiated hepatocarcinogenesis when administered at a dose causing maximal CYP2B induction.
Rat and Rabbit Oral Developmental Toxicology Studies with two Perfluorinated Compounds
Authors: Case Marvin T. , York Raymond G. , Christian Mildred S.
Published: March 2022

Developmental toxicology (teratology) studies were done on two perfluorinated compounds—perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and 2-( N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamido)ethyl alcohol ( N-EtFOSE) in rats and rabbits. Dose selection for these oral developmental toxicity studies were based upon dose-range study results. Dose levels of 0,1,5,10, and 20 mg/kg/day were used for the rat N-EtFOSE study, and dose levels of 0, 0.1, 1.0, 2.5, and 3.75 mg/kg/day were used for both the PFOS and the N-EtFOSE rabbit studies. Although no compound-related deaths occurred in the dosed pregnant females on the developmental toxicity studies, maternal toxicity (reduced body weight gain and feed consumption) was present at higher dose levels in all three studies. At high maternally toxic doses, associated effects occurred in the conceptuses—increased abortions in PFOS and N-EtFOSE rabbits, reduced fetal weights in N-EtFOSE rats and PFOS rabbits, and increased late resorptions in N-EtFOSE rabbits. Detailed external gross, soft tissue, and skeletal fetal examinations failed to reveal any compound-related malformations in either species. Similar results, that is, only effects associated with maternal toxicity, had been found in previously conducted PFOS rat developmental toxicity studies. It was concluded that these perfluorinated compounds were not selective developmental toxicants in either rats or rabbits.
An Autopsy Case of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Revealing “FDC-Only Lymphoid Follicles” in Lymphoid Tissue: A Morphologic Correlate of Defective Immune Synapse
Authors: Jindal Ankur K. , Rastogi Pulkit , Anjani Gummadi , Rikhi Rashmi , Rawat Amit , Ahluwalia Jasmina
Published: March 2022

Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) is an inherited disorder characterized by the classical triad of eczema, micro-thrombocytopenia, and immune deficiency. This disease affects the hematopoietic cells to a variable extent. The spectrum of clinical and laboratory data for WAS has been well described in the literature though there is a paucity of its histopathologic and immunohistochemical correlates. The current case describes the autopsy findings of this rare entity in an 8-year old male child with specific recognition of altered histology noticed in the lymphoreticular tissues. The predominant morphological finding in lymphoid tissue was atretic hyalinized germinal centers labeled as “the follicular dendritic cell (FDC)-only lymphoid follicles.” Immunohistochemistry revealed a reduction in germinal-center B-cells, T-follicular helper cells, attenuated mantle zone, FDC proliferation, and paracortical plasmacytosis. This case highlights the crippled immune cell population in WAS, ultimately leading to the morphology of atretic follicles rich in FDCs.
The Feasibility and Acceptability of In-Home Saliva Collection for Stress in Persons With Dementia and Their Family Caregivers
Authors: Emami Azita , Hallinder Helena , Theorell Töres , Kim Hyejin , Engström Gabriella
Published: March 2022

Background

Although increasing attention is being paid to cortisol and the sulfated form of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S) as stress biomarkers, the feasibility of saliva collection of such biomarkers has yet to be investigated among dementia care dyads (persons with dementia [PWD] and family caregivers) living in a home setting. We explored the feasibility and acceptability of in-home saliva collection for cortisol and DHEA-S as stress biomarkers among dementia care dyads.

Methods

Dementia care dyads were recruited from a memory evaluation center. After pre-evaluation and education sessions, participants collected their saliva 3 times a day, 5 days a week, for 8 consecutive weeks. We calculated frequency counts and percentages to assess enrollment rate, retention rate, the completion rate of saliva collection, and valid samples of cortisol and DHEA-S. Independent samples t-tests were performed to compare mean differences in the total number of collected samples and valid samples between PWD and family caregivers at each time point of saliva collection.

Results

A total of 46 dyads were referred to this study; 32 dyads (69.6%) agreed to participate, and 26 started collecting saliva. Twenty-four dyads (75%) completed 8 weeks of saliva collection. There were no significant differences ( p > 0.05) in the number of collected samples and valid samples between PWD and caregiver participants.

Conclusion

This study supports the feasibility of in-home saliva collection for stress biomarker assay and the need for further investigation into self-administered collection of stress biomarkers with a particular focus on dementia care dyads living at home.
Political Trust in Early Adolescence and Its Association with Intended Political Participation: A Cross-sectional Study Situated in Flanders
Authors: Stals Linde , Isac Maria Magdalena , Claes Ellen
Published: March 2022

Empirical research on the relationship between political trust and political participation has rarely focused on adolescents. By acknowledging the important role of young people for the sustainability of representative democracies, this study considers a two-dimensional conceptualization of political trust—that is, distinguishing between trust in order institutions (e.g., the police) and trust in representative institutions (e.g., the parliament)—to examine how it relates to several intended acts of legal and illegal political participation among Flemish eight-grade adolescents. Using structural equation modelling on data from the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) 2016 ( n = 2,829), we find that Flemish adolescents with lower levels of trust in representative institutions are more likely to withdraw from political life as adults. Those with lower levels of trust in order institutions, however, have a stronger inclination to use a range of political participation modes, including illegal means.
Optimization of tribological process parameters of titanium carbide reinforced copper matrix composites
Authors: Ravichandran M. , Alagarsamy S.V. , Dhinakaran V. , Abdul Samad Mohammed , Katiyar Jitendra Kumar
Published: March 2022

Copper (Cu) matrix composites are developed by reinforcing Cu with Titanium Carbide (TiC) powder using the powder metallurgy (PM) method. Pin-on-disc tribo analysis is conducted to evaluate the tribological performance of the developed composites. Moreover, the influence of different parameters such as, concentration (wt.%) of TiC, applied load, sliding velocity and sliding distance on the wear rate and friction coefficient are studied using Taguchi L16 orthogonal array. The main effect plot reveals that the lowest wear rate is obtained at 12 wt.% of TiC, 10 N applied load, 4 m/s sliding velocity and 1750 m sliding distance. Similarly, the lowest friction coefficient is attained at 12 wt.% of TiC, 10 N applied load, 4 m/s sliding velocity and 750 m sliding distance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results shows that the wt.% of TiC powder is a more noteworthy parameter for obtaining the lowest wear rate and friction coefficient with a contribution of 94.54% and 94.17%, respectively. A regression model is also developed to predict the friction coefficient and wear rate for the developed composites.
Can tourism market diversification mitigate the adverse effects of a blockade on tourism? Evidence from Qatar
Authors: Yap Ghialy , Saha Shrabani , Ndubisi Nelson O , Alsowaidi Saif S , Saleh Ali S
Published: March 2022

This study examines the effects of an unfavorable political event or environmental hostility, namely, a blockade affecting international tourist inflows, and how tourism market diversification (TMD) could mitigate the adverse effects in the case of Qatar. To quantify these effects, we adopted a standard tourism-demand model and augmented it with a Herfindahl index (HI) for the geographical diversification of tourism exports, a dummy variable for the blockade, and an interaction variable. We further analyzed the tourist inflows from various regions using regional dummies and their interaction terms to capture the different impacts of the blockade on Qatar’s inbound tourists from 46 source countries between 2006 and 2019. This study applied a panel-based differenced system-generalized method-of-moments estimation to reveal several interesting findings. First, there was a significant positive individual effect of TMD on inbound tourism. Second, during the blockade, Qatar witnessed growing tourist inflows from Asia and Australasia, the Americas, and Europe. However, the incident inevitably placed severe constraints on some tourist flows to Qatar, primarily from Middle Eastern and African countries. Moreover, although the HI has a positive impact on tourism growth, our study revealed that the interaction terms between the HI and the blockade are only statistically significant in some cases, implying that a diversification strategy cannot completely mitigate the harmful effects of a blockade on tourism due to the severity of blockade effect. Nevertheless, a TMD strategy appears to be successful at the individual level.
The misperception of the environment: A critical evaluation of the work of Tim Ingold and an alternative guide to the use of the senses in anthropological theory
Authors: Howes David
Published: March 2022

This article presents a critical evaluation of the work of Tim Ingold from the standpoint of social and sensory anthropology. It acknowledges the novelty of the emphasis on enskillment, movement, process, and growth in Ingold's work. However, it is critical of his abstraction of the senses, which are rendered ‘interchangeable’, and of persons, who are reduced to generic individuals. Ingold's anthropology is shown to be pre-cultural and post-social at once, with the result that it fails to address the sociality of sensation and cultural mediation of perception. Ingold's doctrine of ‘direct perception’ is exposed as particularly problematic. In place of his emphasis on ‘the life of lines’, this article foregrounds the life of the senses, and in lieu of his diminution of the social, it acknowledges the politics of perception that inform most every perceptual act. The article concludes with a series of reflections on how to go about sensualizing anthropological theory and practicing sensory ethnography (i.e. the methodology of participant sensation).
Chinese rural left-behind elderly: Their individualization, descending familism and difficulties
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wang Junxiu
Published: March 2022

China’s social changes have altered the family structure of rural villagers, leading to increasing numbers of rural left-behind elderly (RLBE). RLBE are considered victims of social changes, abandoned by their migrant children. However, this ethnographic work from two villages in southern China showed that the problems of RLBE are not related to being left behind but stem from institutional deficiencies faced by rural families. RLBE have been adapting to social changes and showed some signs of individualization; with improved economic status, they will have more opportunities to make personal choices. Nevertheless, migration is a family project; familism is still the core, yet descending. Descending familism was a re-embedment to regain a safety net when institutions were deficient. However, familism is not enough to cope with great risks. New ways to develop rural areas are key to solving the problems of RLBE and their families.
Neo-colonial hierarchies of knowledge in marketing: Toxic field and illusio
Authors: Yalkin Cagri , Özbilgin Mustafa F.
Published: March 2022

We explore the knowledge production experiences of marketing academics who currently work in countries that have previously colonized their home countries. Building on Bourdieu’s concepts of illusio and the field, we first demonstrate that participants are drawn to the appeal of the academic game which perpetuates itself as a toxic field of neo-colonial relations. Second, we illustrate that two dominant exploitative academic practices sustain this toxic field. Third, we demonstrate that there is a toxic illusio which prevents academics from developing a healthy sense of colonial relations in their knowledge production.
Fetal cerebral three-dimensional power Doppler vascularization indices and their relationships with maternal glucose levels in pregnancies complicated with gestational diabetes
Authors: Pérez-Martín Sara M , Quintero-Prado Rocío , Lara-Barea Almudena , López-Tinoco Cristina , Torrejón Rafael , Bugatto Fernando
Published: March 2022

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate fetal cerebral circulation using three-dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) vascular indices and to study their relationships with maternal lipid and glycaemic profiles.

Methods

Case–control study in women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at 28–32 weeks in which feto-maternal Doppler study and 3DPD cerebral vascularization indices (FI, VI and VFI) were determined. Maternal lipid and glycaemic profiles were also analysed. Both groups were compared and the correlations of the 3DPD indices with studied variables were analysed.

Results

There were significant differences between groups in cerebral FI ( p= 0.02), mean maternal Uterine artery PI ( p= 0.009) and glucose levels ( p= 0.001), being higher in the GDM group. Significant negative correlations were found in GDM group between VFI and MCA PI ( p = 0.02) and between VI and MCA PI ( p= 0.01). In the GDM group we found a negative significant correlation between FI, VI, VFI and maternal glucose (r= −0.52, p<0.001; r= −0.32, p=0.03 and r= −0.36, p= 0.01, respectively).

Conclusions

Fetal cerebral FI values were higher in GDM pregnancies. All 3DPD vascular indices showed an inverse correlation with maternal glucose levels. These findings support the view that GDM may also represent a fetal vascular disorder influencing fetal neurodevelopment.
Do Meta-Analyses of Intervention/Prevention Programs in the Field of Criminology Meet the Tests of Transparency and Reproducibility?
Authors: Wong Jennifer S. , Bouchard Jessica
Published: March 2022

While assessments of transparent reporting practices in meta-analyses are not uncommon in the field of health sciences interventions, they are limited in the social sciences and to our knowledge are non-existent in criminology. Modified PRISMA 2020 checklists were used to assess transparency and reproducibility of reporting for a sample of 33 meta-analyses of intervention/prevention evaluations published in scholarly journals between 2016 and 2021. Results indicate that the average rate of transparent reporting practices was 63%; adherence varied considerably across studies and subscales, with low rates of adherence for some core checklist items. Overwhelmingly, studies were not reproducible in their entirety; article word count was significantly correlated with reproducibility ( r = 0.4028, p < .03). These findings suggest that substantial changes to reporting practices are necessary to meet traditional meta-analytic claims of transparency and reproducibility. Study limitations include sample size, coding instruments, and coding subjectivity.
Spinal Cord Ischemia After Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms Endovascular Repair: From the Italian Multicenter Fenestrated/Branched Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Registry
Authors: Rinaldi Enrico , Melloni Andrea , Gallitto Enrico , Fargion Aaron , Isernia Giacomo , Kahlberg Andrea , Bertoglio Luca , Faggioli Gianluca , Lenti Massimo , Pratesi Carlo , Gargiulo Mauro , Melissano Germano , Chiesa Roberto , Luigi Baccani , Luca Bertoglio , Roberto Chiesa , Gianluca Faggioli , Aaron Fargion , Cecilia Fenelli , Enrico Gallitto , Mauro Gargiulo , Giacomo Isernia , Massimo Lenti , Antonino Logiacco , Andrea Kahlberg , Chiara Mascoli , Germano Melissano , Andrea Melloni , Rodolfo Pini , Carlo Pratesi , Enrico Rinaldi , Gioele Simonte , Sara Speziali
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to report an Italian multicenter experience analyzing the incidence and the risk factors associated with spinal cord ischemia (SCI) in a large cohort of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) treated by fenestrated-branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F-/B-EVAR).

Materials and Methods:

All consecutive patients undergoing F-/B-EVAR in 4 Italian university centers between 2008 and 2019 were prospectively recorded and retrospectively analyzed. Spinal cord ischemia, 30 day/in-hospital adverse events, and mortality were assessed as early outcomes. Risk factors for SCI were determined by multivariable analysis.

Results:

A total of 351 patients received F-/B-EVAR for a TAAA. Twenty-eight (8.0%) patients died within 30 postoperative days or during the hospitalization. Regarding SCI, 47 patients (13.4%) developed neurological symptoms related to spinal cord impaired perfusion. Among them, 17 (4.8%) had a major permanent impairment. The multivariable analysis identified that SCI was associated with Crawford extent I to III (odds ratio [OR]: 20.90, p=0.004, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.69–162.57), and with endovascular procedures performed for ruptured TAAA (OR: 5.74, p=0.010, 95% CI=1.53–21.57). Spinal cord ischemia was also significantly associated with a grade 3 bleeding during the visceral stage (OR: 4.34, p=0.005, 95% CI=1.55–12.16) and a grade 2 renal insufficiency at 30 days (OR: 7.45, p=0.002, 95% CI=2.12–26.18).

Conclusion:

The present study indicates that SCI is still an open issue after extent I to III TAAA endovascular repair, while its incidence in extent IV TAAA and pararenal/juxtarenal aneurysms is rare. Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms extension, urgent TAAA repair for rupture, severe bleeding, and 30 day renal insufficiency have been identified as significant risk factors for SCI. In the presence of such factors, adjunctive strategies may be considered to reduce SCI rates, while in low-risk patients invasive or potentially-risky maneuvers might not be justified.