bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new species of Tillandsia (Tillandsioidae, Bromeliaceae) from the high Andean forests near Bogotá (Colombia)
Authors: AGUIRRE-SANTORO JULIÁN , HERNÁNDEZ-A. ÉRIKA , HERNÁNDEZ-RODRÍGUEZ DAVID E. , BETANCUR JULIO
Published: August 2023

A new species of Tillandsia from high elevation forests of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia is described here: Tillandsia chingacensis. This species is unique because of its floral parts densely covered with a resin-like substance, and exceptionally long fruits. Although this species has distichous flowers and bears petal appendages, it was not placed in Vriesea because it shows morphological affinities to species of Tillandsia subg. Allardtia, suggesting a better placement of this taxon in Tillandsia. The discovery of this species is the result of recent explorations to a former war zone in the proximity of Bogotá (Colombia). This novelty demonstrates that further scientific expeditions to these areas recently opened for exploration will bring numerous taxonomic discoveries for Colombia. Finally, the description of this new species is complemented with notes on its geographical distribution, habitat, conservation status and a discussion of its taxonomic affinities.
Notes on plant bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Miridae) from Madagascar with a description of new species of the cylapine tribe Fulviini and checklist of Madagascan mirids
Authors: MASŁOWSKI ADRIAN , BAŇAŘ PETR , CARAPEZZA ATTILIO , CHÉROT FRÉDÉRIC , JINDRA ZDENĚK , TASZAKOWSKI ARTUR , WOLSKI ANDRZEJ
Published: August 2023

A new species of Fulvius Stål—F. attenboroughi sp. nov.—is diagnosed and described. Schmitzofulvius bigibber Gorczyca, 1998 is redescribed. Photographic images of habitus and genital structures, as well as scanning electron micrographs of selected structures of both species, are provided. Fulvius kerzhneri Gorczyca, 2000 is diagnosed. New records of a few plant bugs species (Collaria elsae Matocq, 2021, C. cf improvisa Reuter, 1893, F. kerzhneri, Linnavuoricoris madagascariensis Chérot, 2013, Malagasycoelum dracula Kim & Jung, 2020 and S. bigibber) from Madagascar and the checklist of Madagascan Miridae are also presented.
Divergence time analysis of the Neotropical wasp genus Protopolybia Ducke, 1905 (Vespidae, Polistinae, Epiponini) using a Multilocus Phylogenetic Approach
Authors: JUNIOR JOSÉ N. A. DOS SANTOS , SILVEIRA ORLANDO T. , CARPENTER JAMES M. , CUNHA DIVINO B.
Published: August 2023

The genus Protopolybia Ducke was analyzed using a multilocus phylogenetic approach, which confirmed its monophyly. In contrast with the arrangements derived solely from morphological data, however, this analysis divides the genus into only two major clades. The study also presents divergence times for the origin and diversification of Protopolybia, which are related to possible vicariant events occurring in the Amazon biome.
A new genus and a new species of Trigonidiidae (Orthoptera: Grylloidea) from north Myanmar amber
Authors: YUAN WEI , MA LI-BIN , GU JUN-JIE
Published: August 2023

We present the description of a new genus and new species of Trigonidiidae, Qiongqi crinalis gen. et sp. nov., found in amber deposits at Noije Bum, near Tanai in the Hukawng Valley of northern Myanmar. Its lateralized eyes, short clypeus, exposed mandible, and extremely dense setae entirely covering the body, provides us with new knowledge on the morphology of Trigonidiidae. Additionally, a key to species of fossil Trigonidiidae in amber was provided.
Assimilation of GOES-16 ABI All-Sky Radiance Observations in RRFS Using EnVar: Methodology, System Development, and Impacts for a Severe Convective Event
Authors: Degelia Samuel K. , Wang Xuguang , Wang Yongming , Johnson Aaron
Published: August 2023

The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) aboard the GOES-16 and GOES-17 satellites provides high-resolution observations of cloud structures that could be highly beneficial for convective-scale DA. However, only clear-air radiance observations are typically assimilated at operational centers due to a variety of problems associated with cloudy radiance data. As such, many questions remain about how to best assimilate all-sky radiance data, especially when using hybrid DA systems such as EnVar wherein a nonlinear observation operator can lead to cost function gradient imbalance and slow minimization. Here, we develop new methods for assimilating all-sky radiance observations in EnVar using the novel Rapid Refresh Forecasting System (RRFS) that utilizes the Finite-Volume Cubed-Sphere (FV3) model. We first modify the EnVar solver by directly including brightness temperature (Tb) as a state variable. This modification improves the balance of the cost function gradient and speeds up minimization. Including Tb as a state variable also improves the model fit to observations and increases forecast skill compared to utilizing a standard state vector configuration. We also evaluate the impact of assimilating ABI all-sky radiances in RRFS for a severe convective event in the central Great Plains. Assimilating the radiance observations results in better spinup of a tornadic supercell. These data also aid in suppressing spurious convection by reducing the snow hydrometeor content near the tropopause and weakening spurious anvil clouds. The all-sky radiance observations pair well with reflectivity observations that remove primarily liquid hydrometeors (i.e., rain) closer to the surface. Additionally, the benefits of assimilating the ABI observations continue into the forecast period, especially for localized convective events.
Validation of the social provisions scale in a sample of undergraduate students of social work in Spain
Authors: González Casas David , Dorado Barbé Ana Isabel , Mercado García Esther , Gálvez Nieto José Luis
Published: August 2023

Providing validated instruments in higher education on social support perceived by students allows research and improvement of university policies aimed at developing the psychosocial well-being of future social workers. The objective of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the social provisions scale (SPS) in a sample of uniiversity students of social work in Spain. The results obtained through structural equation modeling confirmed the structure of six correlated factors and adequate levels of reliability; and factorial invariance analysis indicates that the SPS remains stable up to the level of metric invariance for the sex variable.
Effect of solution-blown nanofibrous web on quasi-static punch shear test results and quasi-static indentation behavior of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites
Authors: Ayten Ali Imran , Polat Yusuf , Sahbaz Mehmet , Seyhan Aybeniz
Published: August 2023

This study investigated the effects of the nanofiber interlayer in carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites on quasi-static loading behaviors such as quasi-static punch shear (QS-PST), quasi-static indentation (QSI), and short-beam shear (SBS) loading. The solution-blowing technique was used to produce polyamide-6 (PA6) nanofiber with 1 g/m2 areal density. A 2×2 twill weave carbon fiber fabric with an areal density of 200 g/m2 was covered with solution-blown nanofibers. The vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) method was used to manufacture nanofiber interlayered composites and non-interlayered composites. QS-PS experiments were conducted at three different span to punch ratios (SPR), namely 1.1, 2, and 4. The PA6 nanofiber had a synergetic effect on the composite structure. In the QS-PST experiments, it increased the amount of work achieved by the specimen at rates of 29.5%, 13.5%, and 5.66% for SPR 1.1, 2, and 4, respectively while it provided increases in the maximum force at rates of 15.3%, 15%, and 5.7%, respectively. Additionally, the PA6 nanofiber contributed to the composite material properties determined based on the QSI test including the maximum force, punch crush strength, crush stiffness, and through-thickness modulus at rates of 7.5%, 7.56%, 2.72%, and 5.76%, respectively. Finally, an increase at a rate of 11.43% was determined in the SBS strength of the nanofiber interlayered composite, while it showed an increase in maximum force observed during the SBS experiment at a rate of 12.28%. The enhancements of mechanical properties of structural composites make them more reliable for high technology applications like aerospace, and automotive.
Rainy Friday: Religious Participation and Protests
Authors: Kikuta Kyosuke
Published: August 2023

What are the effects of religious participation on collective action such as protests? Until recently, conflict scholars have focused on the macro-level characteristics of religion, while assuming, but rarely analyzing, individual-level mechanisms. I fill in this gap by incorporating insights from the field of American Politics, which has long emphasized the roles of individual-level mechanisms such as attendance at religious gatherings. I hypothesize that attendance at religious gatherings can address problems of collective action and thus lead to protests. I test these hypotheses by exploiting exogenous variation in the attendance at Islamic religious gatherings: rain on the day of Friday Prayer. I apply the design both to macro-level event data and an individual-level survey. The analyses indicate that rainy Fridays decrease the frequency of Muslim religious attendance and lower the likelihood of Muslim protests in Africa. These results imply a core role of communal gatherings in religious mobilization.
Personal safety habits and security measures of police officers in relation to their household composition. A qualitative study
Authors: Rakhmatullaev Bobur
Published: August 2023

What differentiates personal safety habits of police officers who live with family and officers who live alone? The current explorative, qualitative study explores the personal safety habits and security measures of police officers in relation to their household composition. 30 police officers answered an online study and described their personal safety habits and security measures, which are then analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five personal safety habits and two security measures are identified that aim to improve officer and household safety, and the failure to differentiate the personal safety habits and security measures between the officer groups are analyzed.
Early Death Incidence and Prediction Among Patients With Hypopharynx Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Li Yujiao , Hu Chaosu
Published: August 2023

Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence and associated factors for early death (ED) in hypopharynx squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) patients. Materials and Methods: Patients were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database between 2004 and 2014. The ED (survival time ≤3 months) rate was calculated, and associated risk factors were evaluated by the logistic regression models. Results: A total of 2659 patients were analyzed and 307 (11.5%) patients died within 3 months after cancer diagnosis, among whom 243 (79.2%) patients died from cancer-specific cause. In univariate analyses, advanced age, divorced/single/widowed (DSW), non-Caucasian, advanced T classification, distant metastasis, and no surgery were significantly associated with ED ( P < .05, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed that advanced age, DSW, advanced T classification, distant metastasis, and no surgery were significantly associated with all-cause and cancer-specific ED. Conclusion: Our results showed that a total of 11.5% patients with hypopharynx SCC suffered ED, among whom 79.2% patients died from cancer-specific cause. Predictors of ED are primarily related to age ≥62 years, advanced T classification, distant metastasis, and no surgery but also include unmarried status; better prognostic and predictive tools for select ED patients in larger sample size are needed.
Student Interview-Informed Behavior Contracts for High School Students Identified as at Risk
Authors: Schrieber Stefanie R. , Ware Mary E. , Dart Evan H.
Published: August 2023

Addressing the challenging behavior of students requires evidence-based interventions that can be implemented in school settings; however, there is a relative lack of literature investigating effective strategies for high school students in secondary settings. Behavior contracts have been used to address challenging behavior in elementary and middle settings but less so in high school settings. Furthermore, the extent to which they have involved student input at the high school level has been unclear despite research indicating that collaborative intervention development processes may be associated with several additional benefits beyond effectiveness. Despite these empirical shortcomings, behavior contracts may be well suited to address individual high school students’ challenging behavior given their flexibility, collaborative nature, and use of goal setting and clearly stated contingencies (i.e., rules) to promote behavior change. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and effectiveness of a structured interview-informed behavior contract intervention to address the disruptive behavior of high school students. Specifically, we used a multiple baseline design across three students and found that the interview-informed behavior contracts were effective in increasing their academically engaged behavior (Tau = .62) and decreasing disruptive and passive off-task behavior. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Dynamics of knowledge sharing in professional service teams: The case of auditing teams in Vietnam
Authors: Phan Anh TT , Nguyen Ngoc L
Published: August 2023

This study aims at examining how team knowledge sharing changes through stages of professional service teams. While knowledge sharing within a team is a dynamic process, it has primarily been explained through static models. Based on the data from qualitative interviews with 36 auditors from 12 auditing teams in Vietnam, a theory on team knowledge sharing dynamics is developed. The key findings are three knowledge sharing modes utilized as a professional project moves through stages, from Transferring to Integrating to Role-Modeling. Each mode reflects a different combination of knowledge types, sharing motivations, and mechanisms. The study implies that it is important for managers to recognize the dynamic and multidimensional nature of team knowledge sharing.
Clinical Features and a Prediction Nomogram for Prognosis in Children with Escherichia coli Meningitis
Authors: Zhang Lingyu , Li Wenjie , Peng Xiaoling , Jiang Li , Hu Yue
Published: August 2023

Background

We aimed to build a prediction nomogram for early prediction of poor prognosis in children with Escherichia coli meningitis and analyzed the course of treatment and discharge criteria.

Methods

Eighty-seven pediatric patients with E coli meningitis were retrospectively recruited from the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between June 2012 and November 2021. Univariate analysis and binary logistic analysis were used to evaluate the risk factors, and the prediction model was built.

Results

E coli meningitis is more common in children <3 months old in our study (86.2%). Common complications were subdural effusion (39.1%), followed by hydrocephalus (13.8%) and repeated convulsions (12.6%). The mortality rate and sequelae rate of E coli meningitis in children was ∼10.9% and ∼6.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that 13 clinical indicators were associated with poor prognosis of E coli meningitis in children. In binary logistic analysis, risk factors were seizures ( P = .032) and the last cerebrospinal fluid glucose content before discharge ( P = .002). A graphical nomogram was designed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.913. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model was a good fit ( P = .648). Internal validation proved the reliability of the prediction nomogram.

Conclusions

E coli meningitis is more common in children <3 months old in our study. The rate of complications and sequelae are high. The prediction nomogram could be used to assess the risk of poor prognosis in children with E coli meningitis by clinicians.
Self-Relevance Predicts the Aesthetic Appeal of Real and Synthetic Artworks Generated via Neural Style Transfer
Authors: Vessel Edward A. , Pasqualette Laura , Uran Cem , Koldehoff Sarah , Bignardi Giacomo , Vinck Martin
Published: August 2023

What determines the aesthetic appeal of artworks? Recent work suggests that aesthetic appeal can, to some extent, be predicted from a visual artwork’s image features. Yet a large fraction of variance in aesthetic ratings remains unexplained and may relate to individual preferences. We hypothesized that an artwork’s aesthetic appeal depends strongly on self-relevance. In a first study ( N = 33 adults, online replication N = 208), rated aesthetic appeal for real artworks was positively predicted by rated self-relevance. In a second experiment ( N = 45 online), we created synthetic, self-relevant artworks using deep neural networks that transferred the style of existing artworks to photographs. Style transfer was applied to self-relevant photographs selected to reflect participant-specific attributes such as autobiographical memories. Self-relevant, synthetic artworks were rated as more aesthetically appealing than matched control images, at a level similar to human-made artworks. Thus, self-relevance is a key determinant of aesthetic appeal, independent of artistic skill and image features.
Evaluating the impacts of imported cultural goods on carbon emission: Cross-country evidence
Authors: Qayyum Muhammad , Li Shijie , Jian Gao , Yu Yuyuan
Published: August 2023

Low attention has been paid to the environmental effects of imported cultural commodities, which serve as a medium for cultural engagement and information sharing around the globe. Using the generalized method of moment (GMM) approach, this article empirically assesses the effects of imported cultural products on carbon emissions using cross-country panel data from 2004 to 2017 for 121 countries. The empirical findings reveal that the environmental consequences of imported cultural commodities vary among income level country groups. Overall, a 1% increase in the imports of total cultural goods imports would decrease carbon emissions significantly by 0.002%. After dissecting the sample into two groups, we find that a 1% increase in total cultural goods imports would lead to a significant decrease in carbon emissions of higher-income countries by 0.008%, but a significant increase in the emissions of carbon dioxide of lower-income countries by 0.002%, thus showing the importance of worldwide cultural interaction to carbon emissions. In addition, we find that performance & celebration goods and audiovisual & interactive media goods are primarily responsible for the inhibiting effects of imported cultural goods on the carbon emissions of higher-income countries. Imports of the majority of cultural products (with the exception of heritage items) would result in a significant rise in carbon emissions for low-income nations, a conclusion that is consistent with that of overall cultural goods imports. Gross domestic product per capita and economic complexity index have consistently negative effects on carbon emissions across several models for both nation groups, although energy consumption is the most significant contributor to carbon emissions. In addition, using Lasso Poisson regressions, we undertake robustness tests to assess the dependability of our empirical results based on the GMM methodology. The Lasso Poisson estimation results are consistent with our earlier findings.
Hungary’s illiberal border politics and the exploitation of social, spatial and temporal distinctions
Authors: Scott James W
Published: August 2023

Previous research on Hungarian right-wing populism has documented how the present government has identified different groups and individuals as threats to innate national interests and values, drawing distinctions between the ‘nation’, illegal migrants, non-heteronormative persons, liberal enemies in Brussels, George Soros and others. At the same time, the Orbán government has exploited the country’s internal divisions which, for example, reflect long-standing contestations between liberal and conservative understandings of national identity and purpose. Employing a critical border studies perspective, this article explores Hungary’s illiberal practices of socio-cultural, spatial and temporal border-making. These are central to Hungary’s project of ‘illiberal democracy’ and the forging of a political environment that marginalizes alternative viewpoints and that extends into the organization of civil society and everyday life. European dimensions of the Hungarian regime’s border politics are also briefly discussed in terms of evoking liberal-conservative divides and Hungary’s claims for greater national recognition as a defender of Europe’s Christian heritage. In the concluding section, the potential significance of Hungarian illiberal politics in terms of an erosion of social cohesion both nationally and within the European Union will be considered.
The Search for Some General Psychological Principles for Improving Intercultural Living in Plural Societies
Authors: Berry John W.
Published: August 2023

The dramatic increase of intercultural encounters that have resulted from international migration and globalisation has presented challenges for societies, their institutions and their residents. The assumption is usually made that most culturally plural societies and their members seek to engage in positive encounters, rather than having conflictual ones. There are many factors (political, economic and historical) that can promote or limit the attainment of this goal of positive intercultural relations. Beyond these societal-level factors, another set of factors are psychological; these are based on the presence of some shared underlying psychological processes that enable mutual understanding and acceptance. For over 50 years, I have searched for some of these shared psychological principles, guided by some assertions contained in the Canadian policy of multiculturalism. These assertions are the promotion of: feelings of security in a group’s and a person’s place in the society; the presence of social contacts that are mutually respectful; and the existence of multiple identities and ways of living in the diverse population. This article reviews the evidence for these principles, using data from Canadian and international studies. I conclude that this psychological research has provided support for these general principles that are derived from public policy. As a result, they are ripe for possible use in many plural societies now seeking ways to manage and improve their intercultural relations. The journey has been from policy to research, and back to policy formulation and implementation.
Fatal Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) graft
Authors: Fraga Dias Bruno , Oliveira João , Freitas Cristina , Castro Ana , Queirós José , Almeida Paulo
Published: August 2023

Population aging and prolonged time on dialysis pose challenges to vascular access for nephrologists and vascular surgeons. HeRO grafts are an option used for patients with central venous obstruction and without the possibility of other vascular access on upper limbs. Some long-term complications, namely access thrombosis, infection, and limb ischemia, have already been reported. There are few data on thromboembolic complications associated with this device. We report the first case in the literature of Budd-Chiari Syndrome associated with the HeRO graft.
Megaloblastic Anemia in Bardet-Biedl Syndrome: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Hassan Subtain , Khan Qaisar Ali , Saravanan Priyadharshini , Iram Sumaira , Rohail Samia , Belay Naod F , Afzal Muhammad , Hadi Faiza Amatul , Pande Harshawardhan
Published: August 2023

Background:

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) also known as Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome one of the rarely reported genetic disorder characterized by an intellectual disability, limb, kidney abnormalities, obesity, and Rod-cone dystrophy. Other associated condition includes diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypogonadism, facial dysmorphism, and congenital heart defects. This case highlights megaloblastic anemia associated with BBS.

Case presentation:

A 16-year-old female patient who had a moon face, truncal obesity, polydactyly, low IQ, and visual impairment presented with the complaint of shortness of breath and easy fatiguability. She had bilateral retinal pigmentosa in her eyes and her laboratory evaluation and bone marrow biopsy revealed megaloblastic anemia secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency. She received injectable vitamin B12, folate, and red cell contrate transfusion. Her symptoms improved and she was discharged with oral medication.

Conclusion:

Megaloblastic anemia in BBS is rarely reported, further research is needed to find the exact cause that is necessary for proper management and better outcome.
Structural selection of liquid hydrogen lubricated herringbone spiral-grooved thrust bearing considering viscous dissipative heat
Authors: Yan Shaohang , Lai Tianwei , Gao Yingke , Liu Mingzhe , Hou Yu
Published: August 2023

Spiral-grooved thrust bearing (SGTB) is one of the important kinds of supporting component in high-speed rotating devices. The high shearing rate of SGTB can produce a large amount of viscous dissipative heat, which causes a temperature rise. Dynamic pressure effect induces pressure variation in the herringbone SGTB (HSGTB). When liquid hydrogen (LH2) is used as a lubricant, cavitation caused by lower pressure and higher temperature can result in lubrication failure. Especially, the cavitation of LH2 is more prone to occur because of its small temperature difference between the triple point and critical point, and the smaller supercooling degree. The influence of thermal properties on the phase transition process of LH2 is more significant. In this paper, the thermal and mechanical performance of three different structures of LH2 lubricated SGTB is compared by considering viscous dissipative heat. Herringbone SGTB is proposed for better performance and feasibility of its application in LH2 lubrication. The static performances of HSGTB such as load capacity, friction torque, cavitation rate, average temperature, and heat flux have been evaluated numerically by introducing the cryogenic cavitation model. The orthogonal sampling method and range analysis are used to optimize the HSGTB structure. Compared with the original HSGTB, cavitation rate and temperature rise are significantly suppressed in the optimized HSGTB. In addition, the load capacity is also improved effectively at high rotational speed, which is expected to be applied to high-speed centrifugal pumps.
Party theory of parliamentary debate and the endogenous nature of parliamentary institutions: Theoretical implications from Japan’s diet
Authors: Nonaka Naoto , Miwa Hirofumi
Published: August 2023

We add new insights to the party theory of parliamentary debate proposed in Proksch and Slapin’s The Politics of Parliamentary Debate by combining a quantitative replication analysis of floor speeches with a qualitative explanation of the endogenous transformation of two institutions mediating elections and parliamentary speech in the Japanese Diet. Although the House of Representatives in Japan used a single non-transferable vote system with particularly strong personal vote-seeking incentives, our analysis based on a new dataset shows that, contrary to the theory’s predictions, the pattern of speech activities among party leaders and backbenchers is close to that of Germany, which has a party-centered proportional representation system. Such seemingly contradictory results, however, can be consistently understood within the scope of the theory if we consider the patterns of endogenous change in the parliamentary system and party organization. These results highlight the potential for further development of the theory.
Medical social worker support for elderly patients in a tertiary care hospital in Japan
Authors: Nakao Shunichiro , Fukumori Yuji , Takahashi Yumi , Ogura Hiroshi , Oda Jun
Published: August 2023

When elderly patients are admitted to a hospital, they may require support from medical social workers during hospitalization. This study examined the association between patient characteristics and support provided by medical social workers in applications for social welfare benefits during hospitalization. We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients aged 65 years or older between October 2018 and September 2021 who had involvement by a medical social worker during their hospitalization at a tertiary care hospital in Japan. We evaluated associations between background factors and support in applying for social welfare benefits by medical social workers using logistic regression analysis.

Findings

Among 485 eligible patients, 79 (16.3%) received support from a medical social worker in an application for social welfare benefits. Early elderly age (65–74 years) and living alone were independently associated with receiving support from medical social workers (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–3.37, P = .012; 3.86, 95% CI 2.26–6.62, P < .001, respectively), regardless of sex, activities of daily living before admission, and presence of a regular doctor.

Application

The findings suggest that early elderly individuals who live alone may not be able to utilize the available welfare benefits and not have adequate support from family members when admitted to a tertiary care hospital, even if they have adequate activities of daily living and a regular doctor. Early intervention to improve social vulnerability may be required for early elderly individuals who live alone.
‘We Need to Tackle Their Well Being First’: Understanding and Supporting Care-Experienced Girls in the Youth Justice System
Authors: Staines Jo , Fitzpatrick Claire , Shaw Julie , Hunter Katie
Published: August 2023

Despite some positive developments within policy and practice, the over-representation of care-experienced children in the youth justice system remains of significant concern globally. Moreover, there is a relative lack of research or policy focusing specifically on the needs of care-experienced girls who become involved in offending behaviour. This article presents novel findings from interviews with 17 girls and young women and eight Youth Offending Team (YOT) staff, highlighting how being in care can affect offending behaviour and how YOTs may provide support to care-experienced girls who have been inadequately supported elsewhere. Reviewing research and practice through a gendered lens helps to demonstrate how and why care-experienced girls may be escalated through justice systems at a greater rate than boys. The provision of gender-specific, trauma-informed interventions by YOTs demonstrates how focusing on care-experienced girls’ well-being first is essential if their involvement in the youth justice system is to be reduced. Nonetheless, while YOTs can plug the gaps by providing valuable support within an unsatisfactory system, youth justice intervention must not be a default option for girls in care who exhibit ‘challenging’ behaviour.
Leadville is for Locals?
Authors: Avery Eileen
Published: August 2023

Looking inside rural gentrification.
Postgame Analysis: Qatar 2022 and the Social Significance of Global Sport
Authors: Hartmann Douglas , Manning Alex , Green Kyle
Published: August 2023

Douglas Hartmann, Alex Manning, and Kyle Green on the social significance of global sport.
College Enrollments Are Still Falling
Authors: Brint Steven
Published: August 2023

Steven Brint on the costs of a know-less society.
Ethical Considerations for Engaging Youth Living with HIV in Research: Perspectives from Youth, Their Caregivers and Subject Matter Experts in Kenya
Authors: Chory Ashley , Nyandiko Winstone , Gillette Emma , Scanlon Michael , Aluoch Josephine , Koros Hillary , Munyoro Dennis , Ashimosi Celestine , Beigon Whitney , Lidweye Janet , Nyagaya Jack , DeLong Allison , Kantor Rami , Vreeman Rachel , Naanyu Violet
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Engaging youth living with HIV (YLWH) in research is critical to improving HIV-related outcomes, but their involvement raises unaddressed bioethical questions. Methods: This study used qualitative inquiry with Kenyan YLWH, caregivers, and subject matter experts (SMEs) to evaluate ethical considerations and strategies for research involving YLWH. Results: Interviews were conducted with 99 participants: 40 YLWH (median age 17.5, 50% female), 20 caregivers (70% female), and 39 SMEs (44% female). All participant groups discussed the need for HIV disclosure status assessment, confidentiality, and engagement of caregivers. Youth participants discussed the importance of clear protocol explanations and developing good rapport. All participant groups perceived youth under 18 to be harder to recruit due to a number of identified barriers. Clinic settings were the most acceptable place for recruitment. Conclusion: Participants provided perspectives on engaging YLWH in research that can be incorporated into protocols and regulatory guidelines.
Compartmentalized primary cultures of dorsal root ganglion neurons to model peripheral pathophysiological conditions
Authors: Giorgi Simona , Lamberti Angela , Butrón Laura , Gross-Amat Olivia , Alarcón-Alarcón David , Rodríguez-Cañas Enrique , Fernández-Carvajal Asia , Ferrer-Montiel Antonio
Published: August 2023

Neurosensory disorders such as pain and pruritus remain a major health problem greatly impacting the quality of life, and often increasing the risk of mortality. Current pre-clinical models to investigate dysfunction of sensory neurons have shown a limited clinical translation, in part, by failing to mimic the compartmentalized nociceptor anatomy that exhibits a central compartment containing the soma and a peripheral one harboring the axon endings with distinct molecular and cellular environmental composition. Thus, there is a need to validate compartmentalized preclinical neurosensory models for investigating the pathophysiology of peripheral sensory disorders and to test drug candidates. Here, we have addressed this issue and developed a microfluidic-based preclinical nociceptor model and validated it for investigating inflammatory and neuropathic peripheral disorders. We show that this model reproduces the peripheral sensitization and resolution produced by an inflammatory soup and by the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel. Furthermore, compartmentalized nociceptor primary cultures were amenable to co-culture with keratinocytes in the axonal compartment. Interaction of axonal endings with keratinocytes modulated neuronal responses, consistent with a crosstalk between both cell types. These findings pave the way towards translational pre-clinical sensory models for skin pathophysiological research and drug development.
When phonological neighbours cooperate during spoken sentence processing
Authors: Dufour Sophie , Mirault Jonathan , Grainger Jonathan
Published: August 2023

This study examined for the first time the impact of the presence of a phonological neighbour on word recognition when the target word and its neighbour co-occur in a spoken sentence. To do so, we developed a new task, the verb detection task, in which participants were instructed to respond as soon as they detected a verb in a sequence of words, thus allowing us to probe spoken word recognition processes in real time. We found that participants were faster at detecting a verb when it was phonologically related to the preceding noun than when it was phonologically unrelated. This effect was found with both correct sentences (Experiment 1) and with ungrammatical sequences of words (Experiment 2). The effect was also found in Experiment 3 where adjacent phonologically related words were included in the non-verb condition (i.e., word sequences not containing a verb), thus ruling out any strategic influences. These results suggest that activation persists across different words during spoken sentence processing such that processing of a word at position n  + 1 benefits from the sublexical phonology activated during processing of the word at position n. We discuss how different models of spoken word recognition might be able (or not) to account for these findings.
Performance-related feedback as a strategy to overcome spontaneous occupational stereotypes
Authors: Finnegan Eimear , Garnham Alan , Oakhill Jane
Published: August 2023

This article investigates the use of performance-related feedback as a strategy for overcoming spontaneous occupational stereotyping when certain social role nouns and professional terms are read. Across two studies participants were presented with two terms: a role noun (e.g., surgeon) and a kinship term (e.g., mother) and asked to quickly decide whether both terms could refer to the same person. The feedback training involved telling participants whether their responses were correct or incorrect and providing them with their cumulative percentage correct score. In the absence of feedback, responding to stereotype-incongruent pairings was typically slower and less accurate than in stereotype-congruent and neutral conditions. However, the results demonstrated that performance significantly improved to stimuli on which participants received the feedback training (Experiment 1), and to a novel set of stimuli (Experiment 2). In addition, the effects were still evident 1 week later (Experiment 2). It is concluded that performance-related feedback is a valuable strategy for overcoming spontaneous activation of occupational stereotypes and can result in lower levels of stereotype use.
Affective Sciences: A Missing Link to Delivering the 2030 Agenda
Authors: Mishaud Edward , Bonaccorsi Eleonora , Galicia Cruz Alma
Published: August 2023

At its mid-point of implementation, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development—and broader sustainability—is challenged by multiple crises facing the international community. Despite the unprecedented adoption of the 2030 Agenda by UN Member States in 2015, there are clear signals that there is inadequate progress on achieving the Agenda's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This article aims to encourage discussion, from an affective research angle, on potential emotional barriers to SDG implementation. It equally strives to spur greater insight into how the field of affective sciences can help overcome these and other hurdles and provide invaluable insights and recommendations to bridge the gap between policy and practice.
Nanomaterials: Potential Broad Spectrum Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Chidre Prabhurajeshwar , Chavan Ashajyothi , Hulikunte Mallikarjunaiah Navya , Chandrakanth Revanasiddappa Kelmani
Published: August 2023

Nanotechnology is a promising science with new aspects to fight and prevent various diseases using nanomaterials. The capability to expose the structure and functions of biosystems at the nanoscale level supports research leading to development in biology, biotechnology, medicine, and healthcare. This is predominantly advantageous in treating microbial infections as an alternative to antibiotics. However, widespread production, use, and misuse of antibiotics have input to the next-generation alarm for the emergence of multiple-drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Due to infectious diseases from these drug-resistant pathogenic strains, human mortality rates have consistently increased and are becoming an epidemic in our society. Consequently, there is a strong demand for developing novel strategies and new materials that can cope with these problems. The emergence of nanotechnology has created many new antimicrobial options. The small size of these nanomaterials is suitable for carrying out biological operations. Several metals and metal oxides, such as silver, copper, gold, zinc oxide, and iron oxide nanoparticle types have shown toxicity toward several pathogenic microbes. Metal-based nanoparticles have been broadly examined for a set of biomedical applications. According to the World Health Organization, the reduced size and selectivity of metal-based nanoparticles for bacteria have established them to be effective against pathogens causing concern. Metal-based nanoparticles are known to have nonspecific bacterial toxicity mechanisms, which not only make the development of resistance by bacteria difficult, but also widen the spectrum of antibacterial activity. Metal-based nanoparticle efficiency studies achieved so far have revealed promising results against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Here we discuss the potential nanomaterials to either treat microbial resistance or induce development of resistance. However, fundamental research is required to focus on the molecular mechanism causing the antimicrobial activity of nanomaterials.
Could Spatial Awareness Affect Situation Awareness: A Conceptual Examination
Authors: Yekita Hamed , Pati Debajyoti , Hamilton D. Kirk
Published: August 2023

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between situation awareness (SA) and the physical environment in patient rooms through building a conceptual model.

Background:

Nurses work in very complicated and dynamic environments where having high levels of SA could be critical for their performance. Studies have also shown that nurses’ awareness of the physical environment and patient room is a part of their awareness of dynamic situations in which nurses’ spatial awareness may play a role in SA. Despite literature outlining the importance of SA, there is a lack of studies exploring the relationship between the two.

Method:

A literature review was conducted for the study from nursing and psychology databases. Thirty-three articles, books, and dissertations from a scoping review were included for in-depth review.

Results:

An in-depth review of the harvested literature indicated that there is in fact a relationship between these two phenomena. Founded on Endsley’s model of SA, the literature review in this study offers a conceptual model that articulates a plausible causal pathway between the physical environment and SA.

Conclusions:

There are a lot of studies focusing on SA and various aspects of it related to nursing, but almost none mention the physical environment and its impact on SA. The current inquiry suggests that spatial awareness plays a prominent role in SA.
Use of focused computerized cognitive training (Neuroflex) to improve symptoms in women with persistent chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment
Authors: Vega Jennifer N. , Newhouse Paul A. , Conley Alexander C. , Szymkowicz Sarah M. , Gong Xuewen , Cote Sarah , Mayer Ingrid , Taylor Warren D. , Morimoto Sarah Shizuko
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a distressing and increasingly recognized long-term sequela reported by breast cancer patients following cancer treatment. There is an urgent but unmet clinical need for treatments that improve CRCI. In this context, we proposed the use of a novel cognitive enhancement strategy called Neuroflex to target CRCI experienced by breast cancer survivors.

Methods

The primary aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of Neuroflex, a novel digital cognitive enhancement strategy, in breast and gynecologic cancer survivors with CRCI. Secondary analyses focused on whether improvements in performance on Neuroflex were associated with improvement in subjective cognitive complaints and objective cognitive performance measures.

Results

Participants ( N = 21) completed an average of 7.42 hours of Neuroflex training per week, an average of 44.5 (±1.01) hours total, and had a 100% completion rate. Participants exhibited significant improvement in self-reported cognitive function as well as significant improvement on tasks of verbal learning and memory and auditory working memory. Participants also exhibited improvement in mood, as well as improvement on a disability assessment.

Conclusions

Results demonstrate feasibility and that breast cancer survivors are capable of completing a lengthy and challenging cognitive training program. Secondly, Neuroflex may confer specific cognitive benefits to both self-reported and objective performance. Results strongly support further investigation of Neuroflex in a larger controlled trial to establish efficacy for CRCI symptoms. Further studies may also result in optimization of this digital intervention for women with CRCI.
Chronic disease IMPACT (chronic disease early detection and improved management in primary care project): An Australian stepped wedge cluster randomised trial
Authors: Jones Julia L , Simons Koen , Manski-Nankervis Jo-Anne , Lumsden Natalie G , Fernando Sanduni , de Courten Maximilian P , Cox Nicholas , Hamblin Peter Shane , Janus Edward D , Nelson Craig L
Published: August 2023

Background

Interrelated chronic vascular diseases (chronic kidney disease (CKD), type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD)) are common with high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess if an electronic-technology-based quality improvement intervention in primary care could improve detection and management of people with and at risk of these diseases.

Methods

Stepped-wedge trial with practices randomised to commence intervention in one of five 16-week periods. Intervention included (1) electronic-technology tool extracting data from general practice electronic medical records and generating graphs and lists for audit; (2) education regarding chronic disease and the electronic-technology tool; (3) assistance with quality improvement audit plan development, benchmarking, monitoring and support. De-identified data analysis using R 3.5.1 conducted using Bayesian generalised linear mixed model with practice and time-specific random intercepts.

Results

At baseline, eight included practices had 37,946 active patients (attending practice ≥3 times within 2 years) aged ≥18 years. Intervention was associated with increased OR (95% CI) for: kidney health checks (estimated glomerular filtration rate, urine albumin:creatinine ratio (uACR) and blood pressure) in those at risk 1.34 (1.26–1.42); coded diagnosis of CKD 1.18 (1.09–1.27); T2D diagnostic testing (fasting glucose or HbA1c) in those at risk 1.15 (1.08–1.23); uACR in patients with T2D 1.78 (1.56–2.05). Documented eye checks within recommended frequency in patients with T2D decreased 0.85 (0.77–0.96). There were no significant changes in other assessed variables.

Conclusions

This electronic-technology-based intervention in primary care has potential to help translate guidelines into practice but requires further refining to achieve widespread improvements across the interrelated chronic vascular diseases.