bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The revival of the psychedelic experience scale: Revealing its extended-mystical, visual, and distressing experiential spectrum with LSD and psilocybin studies
Authors: Stocker Kurt , Hartmann Matthias , Ley Laura , Becker Anna M , Holze Friederike , Liechti Matthias E
Published: October 2023

Background:

Research with the Psychedelic Experience Questionnaire/Scale (PES) focuses on questions relating to mystical experience (Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ)). The psychometric potential of the non-MEQ items of the PES remains largely unexplored.

Aims:

We investigated whether the PES also yields subscales besides the MEQ30 subscales.

Methods:

Data from 239 PES measurements (140 healthy participants) from six studies with moderate to high doses of lysergic acid diethylamide and/or psilocybin were included. New subscales (with items other than MEQ30) were created and validated as follows: (1) theoretical derivation of candidate items; (2) removal of items with rare experiences; (3) exploratory factor analysis; and (4) confirmatory factor analysis. Correlations of subscales within the PES and between the PES and the 5-Dimensional Altered States of Consciousness Scale (5D-ASC) were performed. In addition, a cluster analysis using all items (except rare experiences) was performed.

Results:

The reliability of the four original factors of the MEQ30 was confirmed and four additional factors for the non-MEQ items were revealed: paradoxicality, connectedness, visual experience, and distressing experience. The first two additional factors were strongly correlated with the MEQ30 mystical subscale. Adding the new subscales to the MEQ30 subscales increased the explained variance with the 5D-ASC. The cluster analysis confirmed our main results and provided additional insights for future psychedelic psychometrics.

Conclusion:

The study yields a new validated 6-factor structure for extended mystical experience (MEQ40: MEQ30 + Paradoxicality + Connectedness) and covers psychedelic experience as a whole more comprehensively than has hitherto been possible within a single questionnaire (PES48). The entire PES (PES100) can also be used for further future psychedelic-psychometric research.
The matroid team surviving orienteers problem and its variants: Constrained routing of heterogeneous teams with risky traversal
Authors: Jorgensen Stefan , Pavone Marco
Published: October 2023

Consider deploying a team of robots in order to visit sites in a risky environment (i.e., where a robot might be lost during a traversal), subject to team-based operational constraints such as limits on team composition, traffic throughputs, and launch constraints. We formalize this problem using a graph to represent the environment, enforcing probabilistic survival constraints for each robot, and using a matroid (which generalizes linear independence to sets) to capture the team-based operational constraints. The resulting “Matroid Team Surviving Orienteers” (MTSO) problem has broad applications for robotics such as informative path planning, resource delivery, and search and rescue. We demonstrate that the objective for the MTSO problem has submodular structure, which leads us to develop two polynomial time algorithms which are guaranteed to find a solution with value within a constant factor of the optimum. The second of our algorithms is an extension of the accelerated continuous greedy algorithm, and can be applied to much broader classes of constraints while maintaining bounds on suboptimality. In addition to in-depth analysis, we demonstrate the efficiency of our approaches by applying them to a scenario where a team of robots must gather information while avoiding dangers in the Coral Triangle and characterize scaling and parameter selection using a synthetic dataset.
Flexible load control of new energy based on improved genetic algorithm
Authors: Liu Jiyan , Li Dong , Wang Zhelong , Wang Weishuai , Li Meng
Published: October 2023

In the medium and low voltage distribution network, the load form of users is complex and changeable. There are a large number of single-phase and two-phase loads connected to the distribution network, resulting in a three-phase unbalanced operation of the distribution network. With the development of the new energy, the high proportion of distributed new energy will further aggravate the three-phase imbalance of the distribution network. Therefore, this paper proposes a coordinated optimization framework of droop parameters based on the multi-converter droop control, which takes the minimum loss of the distribution network as the optimization objective, and optimizes the reference point and the slope of the VSC droop hierarchically. A small-signal stability optimization dispatching method for the VSC droop slope in the DC distribution network is proposed. By adding small-signal stability constraints to the slope optimization model, the optimal slope command and slope stability region which can ensure the small-signal stable operation of the system are obtained. Experiments show that the optimization model of the VSC small-signal stability slope can make the droop control instruction significantly improve the small-signal stability of the system to adapt to the intra-day source load power fluctuations with a small economic cost. The slope stability region pre-optimization model can provide a reliable stability slope upper limit for the slope optimization problem based on ensuring the system operation economy. The research in this paper can make full use of the flexible control ability of power electronic equipment, and then suppress the three-phase imbalance, which is of great significance to improve the security and economy of the distribution system operation.
Human–Machine Shared Steering Control Under High-Speed Emergency Obstacle Avoidance Scenarios
Authors: Wang Zhaoqing , Gong Xinle , Li Xueyun , Li Xingyu , Huang Jin
Published: October 2023

The allocation of controlling and driving authority is an important and difficult aspect of human–machine shared steering control (SSC). This paper addresses the SSC problem in high-speed emergency obstacle avoidance scenarios. A parallel SSC framework containing a dynamic driving authority allocation model and a path tracking controller is developed, where the human driver and controller can control the vehicle simultaneously. First, fuzzy logic is adopted in the SSC framework to actively adjust the driving authority between the human driver and the controller. The driver steering state and path tracking error are considered to reduce the negative impact of a driver’s mis-operation and weaken any human–machine conflict. Subsequently, the path tracking controller in the proposed SSC system is designed based on a nonlinear vehicle lateral model to improve the accuracy of the controller, particularly when the vehicle is facing large lateral acceleration. To address the nonlinear control problem, the Udwadia–Kalaba approach is employed and the Lyapunov stability of the controller is proved. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed SSC system is proved through simulation results, which show that the vehicle has excellent path tracking performance in high-speed obstacle avoidance scenarios. In addition, the system can resolve the human–machine conflict problem.
Experiences of Non-Family Paid Helpers Providing Palliative Care to Stroke Patients: The Toll of Professional Informal Caregiving in a Job Lacking Recognition
Authors: Su Jing Jing , Abu-Odah Hammoda , Bayuo Jonathan , Lin Rose Sin Yi , Luo Xiaoling , Molassiotis Alex
Published: October 2023

Background: Employing non-family paid helpers has become a prevalent practice across North America, Europe, and Asia, which families adopt to alleviate the stroke care burden, allowing family to take a break from their obligations and perform other social activities. However, paid helpers’ experiences of providing palliative care to stroke patients are under-explored. This study aimed to explore the caregiving experiences of non-family paid helpers providing palliative care to stroke patients. Method: A qualitative descriptive study was undertaken using purposive sampling and semi-structured individual in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Results: Seventeen participants (mean age: 51.23 years) were included, predominantly being female (88%), and their caregiving experiences with patients ranged from four to 26 years. Participants shared that monetary compensation offset the exhaustion, familial and health sacrifices of palliative caregiving. They emphasized emotional self-management through accepting and coping or avoiding and distancing, and appreciated rewarding appraisals from stroke patients and family members. They also expressed a lack of recognition from the public, being invisible to the healthcare system/professionals, and insecurity in employment rights. Conclusions: Findings support the need for governmental initiatives to subsidize families in employing helpers to provide palliative care. Helpers perceived monetary compensation and a reciprocal caregiving relationship as the primary motives for providing care. Public recognition of this role as a helper in caregiving, contractual employment rights, and being recognized by the healthcare system and healthcare professionals are considerations in promoting quality care and alleviating a health care burden. The findings may contribute to further understanding of the experiences of non-family paid helpers in a job lacking recognition when delivering palliative care in a hospital for stroke patients. Evidence-based interventions that enhance reciprocity and recognition should be considered as part of the global initiatives to support paid helpers in palliative care.
Privacy Preferences and the Drive to Disclose
Authors: Carbone Erin , Loewenstein George
Published: October 2023

The literature on privacy-related behaviors and preferences often frames disclosure as strategic—the result of a weighing of costs and benefits and a pursuit of instrumental benefits rather than as a goal in and of itself. In the present article, we summarize evidence supporting the view that disclosure can exhibit drive-like qualities and that this “drive to disclose” can, at times, overwhelm the motive to maintain privacy. We discuss implications of this perspective, highlighting ways in which recognizing the existence of a drive to disclose can inform privacy research and policy making.
Metabolic and Pharmacokinetic Investigation of Ilexsaponin A1 in Normal and Antibiotic-treated Rats
Authors: Cao Di , Wang Zhengjiao , Shen Xiuting , Song Xiaojun , Zhao Zhongxiang
Published: October 2023

Background

Ilexsaponin A1 (IA1) is a bioactive triterpene saponin derived from natural medicinal plants. IA1 exhibits anti-inflammatory and proangiogenic activities and improves intestinal barrier function. It has been reported that IA1 could be metabolized into a dominant metabolite, ilexgenin A (IA) by β-glucosidase enzymes in intestinal microflora.

Materials and Methods

Herein, an accurate, sensitive, and selective method based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was established to simultaneously profile the metabolism and pharmacokinetic behaviors of IA1 in normal and antibiotic-treated rat plasma after intragastric administration of IA1. The precursor-to-product ion pairs of IA and IA1 were m/ z 501.32↓439.32 and m/ z 663.38↓501.32, respectively. For method validation, the specificity, matrix effect, accuracy, precision, and stability of the pharmacokinetic study were measured, and a calibration curve was created. The collaborative pharmacological target pathways of IA1 and its metabolite IA were investigated using network pharmacology tools.

Results

The validated analytical method was successfully utilized to investigate the pharmacokinetics of IA1 in normal and antibiotic-treated rats. The bioavailability of IA1 and conversion from IA1 to IA were significantly inhibited by antibiotic-treated rats after oral administration of IA1. Fragment ions at m/z 483.3155, 455.3159, 439.3233, 421.3136, 395.3362, 152.9952, 113.0256, and 71.0531 were characteristic of the IA1 moiety. IA1 was metabolized in rat plasma by biotransformation routes involving deglycosylation, decarboxylation, isomerization, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, and oxidation. Considering database analysis, IA and IA1 play synergistic role in common pharmacological pathways, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

The experiments illustrated that β-glucosidase activity inhibited by antibiotics suppressed the hydrolysis reaction of IA1 in the intestinal tract. IA1 and IA play a synergistic role in exerting effects.
From indecent work to sustainable livelihoods in the age of the Anthropocene
Authors: Hopner Veronica
Published: October 2023

Humanity teeters on a critical precipice for future survival. Human activities especially our proliferating consumption levels are destroying our planet and increasing the misery of precarity, inequality, and exploitation of millions of people worldwide. Forced labour, modern slavery, and human trafficking are at least indecent and at worst obscene work, which takes place in fragile ecosystems facing irreversible devastation. The Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals offer a pathway for human beings to enable decent work harmonious with environmental protections – sustainable livelihoods. Sustainable business models that are embodied in organisational values, codes of conduct, and daily practice are quintessential to ensuring both people, and the planet thrives and prosper. Industrial/organisational psychologists and vocational practitioners are key actors in ensuring sustainable livelihoods as a human right, and the basic norm in the world of work.
Innovative behaviors and eudaimonic well-being: The contribution of human capital sustainability leadership to sustainable career, decent work, decent lives, and healthy lives
Authors: Peiró José M , Svicher Andrea , Di Fabio Annamaria
Published: October 2023

To cope with the challenges of 21st-century careers, the research on psychology of sustainability and sustainable development complements the psychology of work perspective with an emphasis on factors that foster the workers’ well-being, decent work, and decent lives in healthy organizations. In this framework, individual eudaimonic well-being (EWB) is among the most relevant factors that may enhance decent and sustainable life projects and careers. Human capital sustainability leadership (HCSL) constitutes a resource for positive relatedness in organizations being linked to EWB. Innovative behaviors (IBs) are crucial for the sustainable development of organizations. This study investigated the relationships between IBs and EWB, testing the mediating role of HCSL in 353 Italian workers, controlling for participants’ age and gender. HCSL fully mediated these relationships and emerged as a promising resource in linking IBs and EWB, supporting workers to achieve sustainable careers, decent work, and decent and healthy lives.
Stories of Astrobiology, SETI, and UAPs: Science and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life in German News Media From 2009 to 2022
Authors: Schwarz Andreas , Seidl Eva
Published: October 2023

The search for extraterrestrial intelligent (SETI) and non-intelligent extraterrestrial life has recently received considerable attention in academia and international news media. Since media frames of scientific space exploration potentially influence public support and perceptions of science, the German news media’s coverage of extraterrestrial life was analyzed. The three dominant frames from 2009 to 2022 were beneficial space exploration, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP)/extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI), and SETI risk. Two frames relied primarily on scientific sources, mainly universities/research centers, NASA, the SETI Institute, and Stephen Hawking. The European Space Agency (ESA), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and astrobiology as a discipline were rarely cited. Implications for science and risk communication are discussed.
Ao-Naga environmental ethics in dialogue with deep ecology
Authors: Karilemla
Published: October 2023

The environmental ethics of the Ao-Naga, a major tribe from Mokokchung in the state of Nagaland, northeast India, are examined to create a theoretical space to engage with deep ecology. The first section shows that Ao-Naga ecology resists modern instrumental rationality. Anthropocentric reasoning is certainly not the core of their conception of ecology. Ao-Naga worldview is rooted in non-anthropocentric reasoning and the full measure of its radicalism becomes evident due to an antimodernist stance. The second section argues that deep ecology as developed by Arne Naess shares certain common features with the Ao-Naga ecology. Narrative, poetry, place, ritual and self fit into the conceptual framework that forms Ao-Naga ecology, which deepen the ethics and ontology of deep ecology. The concluding section suggests that identification with nature not only results in an adequate moral theory—the practice of non-violence, but the moral theory is itself based upon strong ethical reasoning.
Nascent activism in times of disillusionment: struggles between Indigenous self-determination and state co-optation in plurinational Bolivia
Authors: Ranta Eija
Published: October 2023

The restructuring of the Bolivian state as plurinational raised high hopes for Indigenous self-determination. In practice, however, attempts by the governing political party to co-opt Indigenous representation have compromised the autonomy and diversity of Indigenous peoples. This article investigates the emergence, forms, and rationale of nascent Indigenous activism in times of disillusionment in the plurinational state of Bolivia, where the politics of the governing left regime are becoming more centralized and the threats related to the rise of the ultra-right wing have become pronounced. The methodology is based on interviews conducted in the city of La Paz among Indigenous activists, scholars, and state officials. By scrutinizing nascent activism and the challenges to it posed by state co-optation and right-wing racism, as well as histories of contested Indigenous identities, the article sheds light on the complex and nuanced relationships between progressive politics and indigeneity, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous self-determination.
Impact of an Educational Intervention on Hospital Pharmacists’ Knowledge and Application of Substance Withdrawal Management
Authors: Brust-Sisti Lindsay A , Khieu Tiffany , Plotkin Slava , Sturgill Marc G , Moreau Sandy
Published: October 2023

Background:

Patients with substance use disorders are often encountered in an acute care setting and withdrawal management is important. Available literature reveals inadequate acute management of substance withdrawal due to lack of experience and knowledge of medications.

Methods:

A quality improvement project was implemented to improve hospital pharmacists’ knowledge, application, and practice of inpatient opioid and alcohol withdrawal management through provision of didactic and case-based education and implementation of practice based prospective drug utilization review (PDUR). Pharmacists’ knowledge of the management of alcohol and opioid withdrawal was assessed by a 10-item survey pre-and post-intervention.

Results:

Twenty-one pharmacists completed the education and pre- and post-surveys. Scores for the 21 pharmacists improved significantly, with pre- and post-intervention scores of 7.33 ± 1.98 and 8.86 ± 0.91, respectively ( P = .0035). Most pharmacists completed their required PDUR submission, and several pharmacist interventions were made and accepted post-education. Pharmacists indicated that the education increased their confidence and enabled them to learn new information that could be directly applied to their pharmacy practice.

Conclusion:

Providing education and requiring a PDUR improved pharmacists’ knowledge, application, and practice of inpatient opioid and alcohol withdrawal management. Re-education or expanded education may be warranted to further increase pharmacists’ competence.
AACSB’s failures in guarding the ethical henhouse of business schools
Authors: Arend Richard J
Published: October 2023

This essay is written to provoke a reaction against the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. When a business school’s administration is criminally convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud and yet it retains its accreditations, something is wrong. Accreditors expect that we enforce ethical standards like “no cheating” on our students but do not enforce those standards on deans, even in cases of publicly-admitted years-long submissions of misrepresentative rankings data. That inconsistency is not lost on us, given the explicit statements such accreditors have about quality, social responsibility, and serving students—all of which are violated in their inactions when their paying members (or their graduates) are involved in harmful behaviors. Management learning is negatively affected as a result; whatever we state in the classroom about ethics is effectively drowned out by what standards are actually enforced in the real world by those who claim to provide legitimacy to our programs and give us a license to operate. So, it is time to address that. An implementable solution is proposed, one which if not adopted should lead to serious consideration of the dissolution of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and any other accreditor who fails to provide the public service expected of it.
Culture fit and employee engagement in foreign subsidiaries: Evidence from Chinese multinational enterprises in the United States
Authors: Feng Jing Betty , Liu Leigh Anne
Published: October 2023

Engaging local employees in foreign subsidiaries has emerged as a critical concern for Chinese multinational enterprises (MNEs). This study employs the theoretical framework of culture fit to conduct an inductive multiple-case study of Chinese subsidiaries in the United States. We examine how culture fit between the organizational and societal levels is manifested through human resource management practices at the foreign subsidiaries of Chinese MNEs. Particularly, we demonstrate how culture fit or misfit influences the intellectual, social, and affective engagement outcomes of local employees at the individual level. This study extends the understanding of culture fit across multiple levels and its direct impact on employee engagement. The findings provide valuable managerial implications for global human resource managers to effectively engage their culturally diverse workforces.
Reflections on the thoughts of Norman Denzin: His connections to the once and future social work qualitative research
Authors: Gilgun Jane F
Published: October 2023

Social work qualitative research and the work of Norman Denzin have much in common.  Norman’s work was values-based, built on notions of justice, care, dignity, worth, equality, and self-determination with the purpose of identifying and describing problematic social conditions and, in turn, taking action to bring about social change and transformation. This statement fits social work perfectly. In this article, I describe the work of Norman Denzin, show how he promoted qualitative social work research, and how his suggestions for social work researchers to incorporate critical perspectives in our work was calling us back to ourselves. Most of all, he affirmed what we were already doing and want to do better.
Investigation of acoustic radiation from a sphere vibrating on the free surface of a finite depth water using a boundary element method
Authors: Üstündağ Burak , Uğurlu Bahadir , Ergin Ahmet
Published: October 2023

In this study, a boundary element method (BEM) is applied to investigate acoustic radiation from a sphere vibrating in pulsating mode on the free surface of finite or infinite depth water. Effect of the free surface is introduced by employing a half-space Green’s function. A modified version of the Helmholtz integral equation (HIE) is used to calculate acoustic radiation from the sphere vibrating in pulsating mode on the free surface. Free-terms of the HIE are calculated using two different forms of integrals and “dummy” boundary elements. Moreover, to simulate finite depth fluid medium, a chain image-source method is used to derive a waveguide Green’s function. To demonstrate applicability of the method presented, calculated acoustic pressures are compared with those by finite element method (FEM) and analytical calculations. Additionally, the effects of submergence depth and vibration frequency on acoustic radiation are investigated for infinitely deep water together with those of water depth and field point distance on acoustic radiation for finite water depth medium. The calculations show that there is a good agreement between BEM, FEM and analytical solutions. Also, it is observed that field point distance significantly affects the convergence behavior of waveguide Green’s function. Furthermore, it is noted that submergence depth, domain depth and vibration frequency have pronounce influence on radiated pressure amplitude and pressure field pattern.
Virtual Workshops as an Effective and Engaging Policy Implementation Strategy: Lessons From the National Youth Sports Strategy
Authors: Vaux-Bjerke Alison , Polster Malorie , Swanson Lewissa , Armbruster Sonja , Piercy Katrina L.
Published: October 2023

Background.

Implementation is an important piece of effective policymaking, but connecting local organizations with federal policy can be challenging. A virtual workshop structure can help engage implementation partners, especially when in-person events are not possible. The workshops described here leveraged virtual outreach and facilitation methods to foster community engagement, forge connections, and build relationships at the regional, state, and local levels.

Methods.

This article focuses on five virtual workshops. The planning phase consisted of selecting the geographic scope of each workshop, developing outreach and facilitation materials, and supporting event logistics. The execution and summary phase included tailoring materials, hosting the events, and producing follow-up materials. Networking, resource sharing, collaboration, and active facilitation were employed to promote engagement.

Results.

Registration for the virtual workshops included 223 individuals representing organizations in 28 states. Participants shared 133 resources. In a post-event evaluation, 93% of respondents indicated they could identify at least one new resource to support their efforts to increase youth sports participation in their community, and 94% indicated they plan to follow up and explore potential partnerships/collaborations with others they met or heard from at the workshop. Networking and resource sharing were identified as the most useful aspects of the workshops.

Conclusions.

With careful planning and collaboration, virtual workshops represent a useful community engagement mechanism to bring policy into practice. Creating events focused on the participant experience supports health promotion professionals, engages communities, and takes a policy off the page and out to the people.
Development and Experimental Study of a Polytetrafluoroethylene-Tipped Microcatheter Poorly Adhesive to n-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate
Authors: Nakai Motoki , Saguchi Toru , Yunaiyama Daisuke , Takara Yuki , Tanaka Taro , Okada Yukinori , Saito Kazuhiro
Published: October 2023

Purpose:

We have developed a new microcatheter (designated “NSX”) with an outer layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) at its tip. We compared the adhesion of the new NSX microcatheter and a conventional microcatheter with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in vitro and in swine blood vessels.

Materials and Methods:

The 3 cm tip of the NSX microcatheter is composed of PTFE, which can be identified by double platinum markers. The tips of the NSX and conventional microcatheters were inserted into a vascular model filled with porcine blood with no flow, and NBCA mixed with lipiodol (1:2) was injected from the microcatheters. Two minutes after the injection of NBCA, the microcatheter was withdrawn and the degree of its adhesion to NBCA was evaluated by measuring the resistance value (N) during catheter removal with a digital force gauge. These measurements were repeated with 20 catheters of each type. Similarly, 5 injections were performed with both the NSX and conventional microcatheters in swine vessels. The degree of adhesion of the catheter and blood vessel was evaluated by 2 radiologists under X-ray fluoroscopy on a 3-point scale: 1, no adhesion; 2, mild adhesion; 3, strong adhesion.

Results:

The mean resistance values (N) for the NSX and conventional microcatheters were 0.503±0.186 and 1.051±0.367 (N), respectively (p<0.001). The NSX adhered negligibly to the NBCA and was easily removed, whereas the conventional microcatheter adhered strongly to the NBCA in the blood vessels and was difficult to remove from the swine vessels (p=0.008).

Conclusions:

The new NSX microcatheter with a PTFE tip exhibits poorer adhesion to NBCA than do conventional microcatheters and allows for safer injection of NBCA than conventional microcatheters, without requiring immediate catheter retrieval.

Clinical Impact

The NSX microcatheter with a PTFE tip adheres less strongly to NBCA than do conventional microcatheters and allows the safe injection of NBCA. The NSX microcatheter has double platinum markers on its tip, which make it easy to distinguish the PTFE-covered region. As the NSX does not adhere firmly to the arterial wall, it is less likely to cause vascular injury during removal of the catheter compared with conventional microcatheters, so there is no need to remove the NSX immediately after injecting NBCA. Even operators unfamiliar with NBCA can use NBCA safely with this new NSX microcatheter without requiring special training or skill.
“Hey Amir, How Are You REALLY Doing?”: Participant Perspectives of a Peer-Based Suicide Prevention Campaign for Men
Authors: Sharp Paul , Zhu Patricia , Ogrodniczuk John S. , Seidler Zac E. , Wilson Michael J. , Fisher Krista , Oliffe John L.
Published: October 2023

Suicide is a major public health concern and leading cause of death among men in Canada. This study reports the feasibility and acceptability of Buddy Up, a peer-based suicide prevention campaign for men. A mixed-methods approach was used to analyze respondent survey questionnaires ( n = 48) and individual participant interviews ( n = 19) collected from campaign users. Survey respondents reported that they enjoyed their involvement in the campaign (92%), were more confident to talk with men about mental health and suicide (95%), and would recommend Buddy Up to others (95%). Qualitative interviews were thematically analyzed to develop three inductively derived themes: (a) Engaging men with relatable masculine content and design: “Buddy Up really spoke to them in their language,” highlighting the importance of understanding and working with gendered practices and motivations to legitimize and motivate involvement in suicide prevention; (b) Leveraging campaign participation to initiate conversations and promote mental health: “It gives men language and license to start asking questions,” revealing ways in which participants utilized Buddy Up to negotiate and norm checking-in to promote men’s mental health; and (c) Driving new masculine cultures: “We start every meeting with a mental health moment,” identifying how participants fostered healthy milieus for disclosing mental health challenges with teamwork and preventive action under the banner of Buddy Up. The study findings support the feasibility of Buddy Up and highlight the acceptability of peer-based approaches to mental health promotion. The findings can also empirically guide future efforts for systematically building men’s peer-based suicide prevention programs.
Optimizing treatment persistence in epilepsy: a comparative analysis of combined antiseizure medications with different mechanisms of action
Authors: Chang Chun-Wei , Tseng Wei-En Johnny , Lin Wey-Ran , Ko Po-Chuan , Liu Chun-Jing , Lim Siew-Na
Published: October 2023

Background:

Combination therapy with antiseizure medications (ASMs) is a rational strategy if monotherapy cannot effectively control seizures, thereby aiming to improve tolerance and treatment persistence.

Objectives:

To compare the efficacy of different ASM combinations among patients.

Design:

Patients with epilepsy on monotherapy who had a second ASM added as concomitant two-drug therapy from January 2009 to May 2019 in the Chang Gung Research Database, Taiwan, were included in the analysis.

Methods:

ASM combinations were compared based on their primary mechanism of action (MoA) which are as follows: gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor (G), sodium channel blocker (SC), synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2), calcium channel blocker (C), and multiple mechanisms (M). Treatment persistence was compared, and the predictors of persistence were analyzed.

Results:

In total, 3033 patients were enrolled in this study. Combined ASMs with different MoAs had significantly longer treatment persistence than ASMs with similar MoAs, specifically SC and M combinations. Patients receiving combined ASMs with different MoAs were less likely to discontinue treatment [adjusted hazards ratio: 0.83 (95% CI: 0.75–0.93), p < 0.001]. Among all combinations, the SC + SV2 combination had the longest treatment persistence (mean ± SD: 912.7 ± 841.6 days). Meanwhile, patients receiving the G combination had a higher risk of treatment discontinuation than those receiving the SC + SV2 combination. Underlying malignancies were associated with an increased risk of treatment discontinuation across all MoA categories. Male patients receiving the SC, SV2, and M combinations were more likely to discontinue treatment than female patients. Moreover, patients with renal disease were more likely to discontinue treatment with the SV2 combinations.

Conclusion:

ASM combinations with different MoAs had superior efficacy and tolerability to ASM combinations with similar MoAs, particularly SC and M combinations. In our cohort, factors associated with treatment discontinuation included underlying malignancy, male sex, and renal disease. These findings may provide valuable insights into the use of ASM combinations if monotherapy cannot adequately control seizures.
How do people with antisocial personality disorder with or without psychopathic personality disorder activate and regulate emotions? Neurovegetative responses during an autobiographical task
Authors: Degouis Fanny , Pham Thierry , Saloppé Xavier , Gandolphe Marie-Charlotte , Lavallée Audrey , Ott Laurent , Darsonville Ann , Nandrino Jean-Louis
Published: October 2023

People with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD-nonPPD) are described as insensitive to others and as relentlessly pursuing their goals. A severe form of antisociality is observed in psychopathic personality disorder (ASPD-PPD). In the spectrum of emotional reactivity, people with ASPD-nonPPD present more emotional dysregulation, whereas people with ASPD-PPD exhibit a reduced or nonexistent emotional response. To personally engage people with ASPD-nonPPD and ASPD-PPD, we used emotionally charged autobiographical stimuli, specifically their self-defining memories (SDMs). As these participants exhibit high control over voluntary responses, we measured neurophysiological indicators (heart rate variability (HRV) and electrodermal activity (EDA)). In the resting task and the SDM task, people with ASPD-PPD had significantly higher HRV, suggesting higher emotion regulation abilities. Conversely, the EDA of people with ASPD-nonPPD and ASPD-PPD reflects less activation during the SDM task than when resting. We suggest that people with ASPD-PPD are more adaptive to stimuli that provide less emotional activation. Furthermore, the correlation analysis results suggested that the higher people with ASPD-PPD score on Factor 1 of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), the less emotional activation they exhibit. This low activation (EDA) associated with good emotion regulation abilities (HRV) is thought to be the signature of psychopathy.
The mask of hidden knowledge behind advanced technologies: A case of distress, unlearning and knowledge transfer
Authors: Selvi A Jenifer Arokia , B Aiswarya , Rajan Y Poondy , Geetha M
Published: October 2023

This case study delves into a novel concept termed ‘knowledge hiding’, which refers to the deliberate act of concealing information within the context of contemporary workplace technology usage. It investigates the obstacles related to the transfer of knowledge among employees, often obstructed by self-interest and time constraints. The narrative centres around an employee named Pradeep Dhev, who heavily relies on a colleague for guidance and assistance in his application process responsibilities. This behaviour adversely impacts organisational operational efficiency. In this account, we explore the potential ramifications of technology knowledge gaps, particularly in the context of a custom application process known as ‘PRIAG’, exclusively developed for a specific organisation to boost productivity and optimise return on investment. However, the anticipated outcomes have not materialised as expected due to employees’ unethical reluctance to share their knowledge, driven by ambitions for advancement within the organisation. This situation creates substantial psychological pressure for mid-career employees like Dhev, who holds a G3 level position, leading to feelings of inferiority, psychological distress and the challenges of unlearning certain behaviours. The concept of knowledge hiding encompasses three interrelated components: ‘evasive hiding, rationalised hiding and playing dumb’. This study investigates the predictors of knowledge hiding and contributes to existing literature by emphasising the importance of employee training and development. It also raises awareness about the adverse effects of avoiding knowledge sharing on overall productivity and an employee’s mental well-being. To address this issue, the study suggests the application of theories such as the Interdependence Theory (IT) and Social Identity Theory (SIT), which provide valuable insights and strategies to mitigate challenges related to knowledge transfer and technology learning in the workplace. Additionally, organisations can consider maintaining a knowledge transfer database through blockchain or cloud computing to enhance overall performance and productivity.
De Novo Fibrinogen A Alpha Chain Amyloidosis in a Kidney Transplant Patient: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Khaja Taqui , Truong Luan , Nassar George
Published: October 2023

Rationale:

De Novo transplant amyloidosis denotes the condition when a patient develops amyloidosis after transplantation but had not been diagnosed with the disease prior to transplantation. The incidence of de novo amyloidosis in kidney transplants is rare, but few published case reports have described the occurrence of de novo Amyloid A protein (AA) and Light Chain (AL) amyloidosis. However, de novo hereditary fibrinogen A alpha chain (AFib) has not been previously reported.

Patient Presentation:

We present a 72-year-old man, a kidney transplant recipient, who developed progressive rise in his creatinine about 3 years after transplantation. He has long-standing diabetes mellitus type 2, obesity, and hypertension, so he did not have a kidney biopsy of his native kidneys prior to transplantation.

Diagnosis:

A kidney transplant biopsy was done that showed amyloidosis. Mass spectrophotometry confirmed it as AFib amyloidosis. Genetic testing of the patient revealed that he has fibrinogen A alpha gene (FGA) point mutation with a p.E545V variant.

Interventions:

Cardiac evaluation showed normal transthoracic echocardiogram. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no involvement by amyloidosis. A peripheral nerve biopsy showed diabetic neuropathy. Thus, the kidney was the only organ involved by the disease. The kidney transplant was managed conservatively with blood pressure and diabetes control in addition to his usual immunosuppression regimen which was not altered. He is being treated with diuretics, angiotensin receptor inhibitors, and sodium glucose transport 2 inhibitors.

Outcomes:

Kidney transplant function exhibited only slow progression over 18 months since the diagnosis was confirmed. This slow progression is likely because the p.E545V point mutation variant is less aggressive than other gene deletion mutations and because our patient was judged to have been diagnosed early in the course of his disease.

Teaching Points:

In this case report, we illustrate the findings and testing that confirmed the diagnosis of AFib amyloidosis. We summarize the clinical aspects, outcomes of the disease, and treatment options. We believe this case report is interesting because it is the first reported case of AFib amyloidosis in a kidney transplant recipient who was not known to have the disease prior to kidney transplantation.
Design of a trusted shift of Coordination Forms: Supporting Collaboration to handle future non-human intelligent collaborators (NICs)
Authors: Stensrud Rune , Valaker Sigmund
Published: October 2023

We introduce principles for designing collaboration among special operation forces (SOF) and future non-human intelligent collaborators (NICs), focusing on interdependence and emergent dynamics of workflow. We discuss a dynamic mixed-initiative human-autonomy teaming (HAT) coordination concept, where multiple military SOF teams collaborate together with autonomous capabilities. We argue that effective tactical actions requires shift of coordination forms, i.e. who is enacting coordination functions, which in military command and control (C2) terminology is formalized as coordination authority. Coordination forms could shift according to a set of requirements and we discuss how to elicit experiences of such coordination from simulated missions where human teammates and/or NICs have had to make choices of coordination form. We formulate a set of hypotheses remaining to be empirically analyzed. We draw on collaboration research investigating socio-technical systems where machine teammates collaborate with human teammates to achieve a common goal.
Comparative Analysis of Rhetorical Moves in Student and Professional Project Proposal Abstracts
Authors: Permyakova Tatiana , Tulyakov Dmitriy , Balezina Ekaterina
Published: October 2023

Currently, the analysis of rhetorical moves is extensively applied to business genre conventions. This paper adopts a corpus-assisted genre approach to compare three major rhetorical moves in corpora of students’ and professionals’ project proposal abstracts to elicit evidence-based recommendations for the pedagogy of business communication. The findings indicate that, while overall features in the proposal abstracts written by actual business professionals and those by students of business vary quantitatively but not qualitatively, students focus more on the aim of the project, and professionals tend to evenly highlight all sides of the project and position it within the context.
The Changing Trajectory of Participation and Social Interaction at the Grassroots: Perception of Elected Dalit Representatives
Authors: Singh Karunakar
Published: October 2023

For formerly excluded and marginalised people at the grassroots level of politics, the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act has opened up previously unimaginable doors of opportunity. Because of the 73rd Amendment, scheduled castes have gained representation in panchayats; nonetheless, they were unable to participate in decision-making, which is reserved for upper and middle castes. The numerical or percentage representation of dalits at the grassroots level is the most frequently used criterion for assessing their political participation in India. This does not foster proper comprehension since representation, in and of itself, does not provide evidence of participation in a meaningful way. It is pointless for them to participate at the panchayat level unless the institutions in which they participate accept them openly and give them the authority to exercise influence over the outcome of the decision, thereby promoting their integration into mainstream society. Against this backdrop, the primary objective of this research is to identify the impact of political participation on the processes of changing the trajectories of social interaction among dalits at the grassroots level.
Digital Access Opportunities for Women’s Empowerment Collectives: A Theory of Change Based on Social Capital
Authors: Rice Eric , Barman-Adhikari Anamika , Chamberlain Sara , Hariharan Divya , Khanna Arjun , LeFevre Amnesty , Scott Kerry
Published: October 2023

The social and economic empowerment of women using digital technology is critical to global development. This article presents an expanded theory of change to explain how digital technology could augment pathways to women’s empowerment in self-help groups (SHGs), developed through an application of social capital theories to two existing theories of change. Drawing on the analysis of secondary data, it discusses SHGs in India, the determinants of mobile phone use among women in India, particularly patriarchal gender norms, and select theories of change for women’s empowerment in SHGs. The proposed enhanced theory of change has the potential to assist implementers, policymakers, researchers and SHGs themselves to more effectively leverage the empowering potential of digital technology to improve the economic and social opportunities for women in the context of global development strategies.
Sonographic Assessment of Intima-Media Thickness of Carotid Arteries in Hypertensive and Diabetic Volunteers
Authors: Kanwal Hafiza Iqra , Shahid Munaza , Bacha Raham
Published: October 2023

Objective:

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension are among the most common causes of arteriosclerotic diseases. Intima-media thickness is usually increased with arterial diseases and an increase in carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is associated with the presence and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study was designed to sonographically compare the cIMT in hypertensive and DM patient volunteers.

Materials and Methods:

A case-control stratified study was conducted at Lahore imaging center. Patients were invited to the study had to more than 30 years of age, DM, and hypertension. Individuals from the same age group without hypertension and DM were invited as study controls. Patients with an endarterectomy, or other arterial interventional procedure, as well as a previous history of cardiovascular disease and stroke, were excluded.

Results:

The mean cIMT, within the right carotid artery was 0.53 mm for the control group, 0.69 mm for the DM group, 0.67 mm for the hypertensive group, and 0.98 mm for the DM and hypertensive patients. The mean cIMT of the left carotid artery was 0.56 mm for the control group, 0.7 mm for DM group, 0.68 mm for hypertensive group, and 1.01 mm for the DM and hypertensive patients.

Conclusion:

There was a significant difference between the mean cIMT among DM and non-DM individuals. The control group and the DM or hypertension group also differed significantly. However, a more significant difference was found in the mean cIMT within the common carotid artery of control group as well as those with both DM and hypertension.