bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antifungal and antibiofilm activities of chromones against nine
Candida
species
Authors: Lee Jin-Hyung , Kim Yong-Guy , Kim Yeseul , Lee Jintae
Published: October 2023

Candida
species are the most common cause of fungal infections, and thus the emergence of antifungal-resistant species and biofilm formation by
Candida
further threatens the limited availability of antifungal agents. We investigated the antifungal and antibiofilm activities of 27 chromones against nine
Candida
species, including
Candida albicans, Candida glabrata
,
Candida parapsilosis
, and
Candida auris
. Four chromone-3-carbonitriles exhibited good antifungal activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations from 5 to 50 µg/mL and significantly inhibited biofilm formation by
C. albicans
. Furthermore, these four chromone-3-carbonitriles markedly inhibited cell aggregation and hypha formation, which are virulence factors and prerequisites for
C. albicans
biofilm formation. Transcriptomic analyses showed that the most active 6-bromochromone-3-carbonitrile downregulated the expressions of hypha-forming and biofilm-related genes (
TEC1
and
UME6
) but upregulated the hyphal regulator
UCF1
. Toxicity assays conducted using plant and nematode models showed that the four chromone-3-carbonitriles were non-to-mildly toxic. This study suggests that chromones bearing the 3-carbonitrile motif should be considered potential antifungal agents against
Candida
species.

IMPORTANCE

The persistence of
Candida
infections is due to its ability to form biofilms that enable it to resist antifungals and host immune systems. Hence, inhibitions of the biofilm formation and virulence characteristics of
Candida
sp. provide potential means of addressing these infections. Among various chromone derivatives tested, four chromone-3-carbonitriles showed antifungal, antibiofilm, and antivirulence activities against several
Candida
species. Their mode of action has been partially revealed, and their toxicity is reported here using nematode and plant models.
Prevalence of neural tube defects in England prior to the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Broughan Jennifer M , Martin Danielle , Higgins Thomas , Swan Gillian , Cullum Adrienne , Kurinczuk Jennifer J , Draper Elizabeth S , Luyt Karen , Wellesley Diana G , Stevens Sarah , Tedstone Alison , Rankin Judith
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To determine the baseline trends in the total birth prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in England (2000–2019) to enable the impact of folic acid fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour to be monitored.

Design

Population-based, observational study using congenital anomaly (CA) registration data for England curated by the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service (NCARDRS).

Setting

Regions of England with active registration in the time period.

Participants

Babies that were liveborn or stillborn and pregnancies that resulted in a termination of pregnancy or a late miscarriage (20–23 weeks’ gestation) with an NTD.

Main outcome measures

Total birth prevalence of anencephaly, spina bifida and all NTDs in England. Poisson regression analysis was used to evaluate time trends with regional register as a random effect. The progress of national registration across England was assessed.

Results

There were 4541 NTD pregnancies out of 3 637 842 births in England; 1982 anencephaly and 2127 spina bifida. NTD prevalence was 12.5 (95% CI 12.1 to 12.9) per 10 000 total births. NTD prevalence per 10 000 total births was significantly higher in 2015–2019 (13.6, 95% CI 12.9 to 14.4) compared with 2010–2014 (12.1, 95% CI 11.7 to 12.5). An increasing trend in NTDs overall was detected (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.01, 1.00 to 1.02), although further analysis determined this effect was confined to 2015–2019 (compared against 2000–2004, IRR 1.14, 1.04 to 1.24). The birth prevalence of anencephaly reflected this pattern. The prevalence of spina bifida remained relatively stable over time.

Conclusions

Baseline NTD prevalence for England has been established. National and standardised CA registration is in place, facilitating the systematic and consistent monitoring of pre-fortification and post-fortification NTD trends and evaluating the impact of fortification on NTD prevalence.
Refractory status epilepticus arrested by vagus nerve stimulation
Authors: Mehboob Sadaf , Sureshkumar Soorya Mukkadayil , Fernandes Linford , Wright Elizabeth , Ray Munni , Goodden John , Maguire Melissa
Published: October 2023

A 54-year-old man developed altered mental state and generalised tonic-clonic seizures after 1 week of upper respiratory tract symptoms and diarrhoea, having been previously well. His MR scan of brain showed multifocal progressive T2 cortical signal changes. He was diagnosed with new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE), initially treated as being secondary to autoimmune/paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis, although subsequent investigations were negative. His seizures and electrographic epileptiform activity continued despite escalating doses of antiseizure medications, immunosuppression with corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, plasma exchange and rituximab, and thereafter anaesthetic agents. A vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) was implanted 6 weeks after admission and its voltage rapidly increased over 4 days; his seizure activity resolved in the third week after VNS implantation. This case highlights the role of VNS in the early management of NORSE.
A hypoplastic model for cemented sand under monotonic and cyclic loading
Authors: Liao D. , Yang Z.X. , Wang S. , Wu W.
Published: October 2023

In this study, a hypoplastic model is developed to describe the mechanical behaviors of cemented sand under both monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. A state variable is proposed to qualify the bonding strength, and it is incorporated into the model to reflect the influence of cementation on the strength, stiffness, and dilatancy of sand. To reflect the bonding degradation, this variable evolves during the shearing following a simple evolution rule and may vanish after large deformation. The critical void ratio and friction angle are related to the initial cemented content to consider the variation of the critical state induced by the cementation. The model is subsequently extended to account for cyclic loading by incorporating the intergranular strain, fabric change effect, and semifluidized state. The capability of the model is demonstrated by simulating the behavior of cemented sand under both monotonic and cyclic loading conditions.
Revisiting $$\Xi _{Q}-\Xi _{Q}^{\prime }$$ mixing in QCD sum rules
Authors: Sun Xiao-Yu , Zhang Fu-Wei , Shi Yu-Ji , Zhao Zhen-Xing
Published: October 2023

In this work, we perform a QCD sum rules analysis on $$\Xi _{Q}-\Xi _{Q}^{\prime }$$

Ξ
Q

-

Ξ

Q

′

mixing. Contributions from up to dimension-6 four-quark operators are considered. However, it turns out that only dimension-4 and dimension-5 operators contribute, which reveals the non-perturbative nature of mixing. In particular, we observe that only the diagrams with the two light quarks participating in gluon exchange contribute to the mixing. Our results indicate that the mixing angle $$\theta _{c}=(1.2\sim 2.8)^{\circ }$$

θ
c

=

(
1.2
∼
2.8
)

∘

for the $$Q=c$$

Q
=
c

case and $$\theta _{b}=(0.28\sim 0.34)^{\circ }$$

θ
b

=

(
0.28
∼
0.34
)

∘

for the $$Q=b$$

Q
=
b

case. Our prediction of $$\theta _{c}$$

θ
c

is consistent with the most recent Lattice QCD result within error. Such a small mixing angle seems unlikely to resolve the tension between the recent experimental measurement from Belle and Lattice QCD calculation for the semileptonic decay $$\Xi _{c}^{0}\rightarrow \Xi ^{-} e^{+}\nu _{e}$$

Ξ

c

0

→

Ξ
-

e
+

ν
e

.
Pauli-term-induced fixed points in d-dimensional QED
Authors: Gies Holger , Tam Kevin K. K. , Ziebell Jobst
Published: October 2023

We explore the fixed-point structure of QED-like theories upon the inclusion of a Pauli spin-field coupling. We concentrate on the fate of UV-stable fixed points recently discovered in $$d=4$$

d
=
4

spacetime dimensions upon generalizations to lower as well as higher dimensions for an arbitrary number of fermion flavors $$N_{\text {f}}.$$

N
f

.

As an overall trend, we observe that going away from $$d=4$$

d
=
4

dimensions and increasing the flavor number tends to destabilize the non-Gaussian fixed points discovered in four spacetime dimensions. A notable exception is a non-Gaussian fixed point at finite Pauli spin-field coupling but vanishing gauge coupling, which also remains stable down to $$d=3$$

d
=
3

dimensions and for small flavor numbers. This includes also the range of degrees of freedom used in effective theories of layered condensed-matter systems. As an application, we construct renormalization group trajectories that emanate from the non-Gaussian fixed point and approach a long-range regime in the conventional QED$${}_3$$

3

universality class that is governed by the interacting (quasi) fixed point in the gauge coupling.
The evolution of the Mesozoic lithosphere of northwestern Neotethys: a petrogenetic and geodynamic perspective
Authors: Slovenec Damir , Šegvić Branimir
Published: October 2023

A complex and chaotic assemblage of the north Croatian inselbergs, considered a geological conundrum, is marked by omnipresent ophiolite mélange. This is a vestige of the unbroken formation of the lithosphere in the northwestern segment of Neotethys during the Mesozoic, spanning from the late Anisian to the late Tithonian. In this contribution, we present detailed mineralogical, petrological, geochemical and isotopic data on the mélange collected from 1991 to 2023. These data include the entire normal ophiolite sequence, from mantle tectonites and cumulate ultramafic rocks through cumulate and isotropic gabbro and sheeted dyke complex to massive and pillow lavas with interbedded radiolarian cherts. We found that the continuous development of oceanic lithosphere during the Mesozoic is recorded by seven geochemical groups of ophiolitic rocks, each representing a distinct basalt–gabbro suite. Based on their geochemical and isotopic characteristics, a sequence of petrogenetic processes and tectonomagmatic events has been reconstructed. Proposed geodynamic models that shed light on the Mesozoic evolution of the northwestern segment of Neotethys are consistent with the current geodynamic understanding of the broader Mediterranean region. The similarities in the tectonomagmatic and geodynamic history of NW Neotethyan ophiolites and ophiolites from the Dinaridic–Albanide–Hellenide belts suggest that they evolved together, probably within a single branch of the Neotethys Ocean during Triassic to Jurassic time.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Ophiolites, melanges and blueschists collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/ophiolites-melanges-and-blueschists
Study of Structural and Electrical Properties of CeO2 Added Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 Ceramic for Lithium-Ion Battery Application
Authors: Bansod Swati G. , Deshpande A. V.
Published: October 2023

LATP ceramic electrolytes have been prepared by sintering combinations of LATP powder and CeO2 nano-powder. The phase formation of LiTi2(PO4)3 (LTP) and the secondary phase formation of the fine CePO4 particles scattered in LATP ceramics were confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction. The morphology of ceramic sample was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The elemental distribution was investigated using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The CeO2 addition improves the electrical conductivity. CeO2 nano-powder added LATP ceramics with 3 wt% CeO2 sintered at 800 °C for 1 h have a high ionic conductivity of 0.56 mS.cm−1 at room temperature with an activation energy of 0.15 eV.
Electrical-Tree Resistant Characteristics of SEBS and Nano-SiO2 Modified Polypropylene Composites
Authors: Gao Mingze , Li Zhongyuan , Lv Honglei , Liu Heqian , Yu Guanghao , Gao Zhihan
Published: October 2023

Polypropylene (PP) composite materials with both high mechanical toughness and electrical insulation performance are prepared by incorporating styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymer as a toughening agent and nanoscale silica (SiO2) as a inorganic modifier to enhance electrical-tree and breakdown resistances. The effects and mechanisms of SEBS toughening agent and SiO2 nanofiller on the thermal-mechanical properties and electrical insulation performances of PP material are investigated through the mechanical tests as well as the accelerated electrical-tree aging and alternative current (AC) breakdown experiments. The elastic modulus of SiO2/SEBS/PP composite is slightly lower than that of pure PP material, while the thermal elongation rate remains superior to cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), which is competent in mechanical performances for main insulation materials in high-voltage cables. The addition of styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) facilitates electrical-tree growth in PP matrix and thus leads to the reduction in dielectric breakdown strength of PP material. In contrast, the incorporation of nano-SiO2 can effectively improve the electrical-tree resistance and dielectric breakdown strength of PP material, making the SiO2/SEBS/PP composite a promising candidate for high-voltage cable insulation. The tests and analyses of thermal stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) reveal that the SEBS toughing additive introduces the shallow charge traps in PP matrix, making it easier for the trapped charges to transition into charge carriers, thus leading to a considerable decrease in electrical-tree resistance and insulation strength of PP material. Meanwhile, the SiO2 nanofiller can introduce deeper charge traps into PP matrix than the structural-defect intrinsic charge traps, resulting in a significant amelioration in the electrical-tree resistant and insulation performances for SEBS/PP composite. The present study demonstrates that SiO2/SEBS/PP composite possesses sufficiently high electrical-tree resistance and dielectric breakdown strength as well as suitable thermal-mechanical properties, offering a potential application in main insulation of high-voltage cables and providing an effective pathway for developing novel recyclable AC high-voltage cables.
Wnt signaling regulates ion channel expression to promote smooth muscle and cartilage formation in developing mouse trachea
Authors: Russell Nicholas X. , Burra Kaulini , Shah Ronak M. , Bottasso-Arias Natalia , Mohanakrishnan Megha , Snowball John , Ediga Harshavardhana H. , Madala Satish K. , Sinner Debora
Published: October 2023

Ion channels play critical roles in the physiology and function of the nervous system and contractile tissue; however, their role in noncontractile tissue and embryonic development has yet to be understood. In this study, we focused on the role of ion channels in the differentiation and patterning of the large airways of the developing respiratory tract. We identify a mechanism by which Wnt-beta-catenin signaling controls levels of ion channel-encoding genes to promote tracheal differentiation.
The Lived Experience of Persons with Spinal Cord Injuries Engaging in Remote Work: A South African Perspective
Authors: Swart Alicia , Fredericks Jerome Peter , Jacobs-Nzuzi Khuabi Lee-Ann Juliana
Published: October 2023

In South Africa, traumatic SCI cases are disproportionately high in comparison to other countries. Low retention and maintenance of work for persons with SCIs are further exasperated by structural barriers and societal stigma. Persons with SCIs have the ability to contribute to the labour market, and doing so could lead to the improvement of their quality of life and socioeconomic status. Addressing engagement in work as a meaningful occupation for persons with SCIs is essential to mitigate occupational risk factor and uphold occupational justice. Currently, there is a paucity of literature on remote work practices for persons with SCIs. This study seeks to add to this body of knowledge to increase occupational therapists’ awareness of the possibility of remote work to facilitate the inclusion of persons with SCIs in the open labour market. This phenomenological study explored the facilitators and barriers of engaging in remote work in the open labour market for paid employment, as experienced by persons with SCI within the Gauteng metropole, South Africa. Data was collected via semistructured interviews from four participants and analysed thematically. Four themes were generated from the data: (1) intrinsic facilitators of remote work, (2) extrinsic facilitators of remote work, (3) intrinsic barriers to remote work, and (4) extrinsic barriers to remote work. Remote work can be utilised to include persons with SCIs in their chosen occupation of work and is a holistic and client-centred approach. Remote work should not be seen as the sole method of inclusion but can also be used in conjunction with traditional office work to accommodate persons with SCIs in the workplace.
Existence Theorems for Hybrid Fractional Differential Equations with
ψ
-Weighted Caputo–Fabrizio Derivatives
Authors: Alshammari Mohammad , Alshammari Saleh , Abdo Mohammed S.
Published: October 2023

In this study, two classes of hybrid boundary value problems involving

ψ

-weighted Caputo–Fabrizio fractional derivatives are considered. Based on the properties of the given operator, we construct the hybrid fractional integral equations corresponding to the hybrid fractional differential equations. Then, we establish and extend the existence theory for given problems in the class of continuous functions by Dhage’s fixed point theory. Furthermore, as special cases, we offer further analogous and comparable conclusions. Finally, we give two examples as applications to illustrate and validate the results.
Hypoxia-Responsive CAR-T Cells Exhibit Reduced Exhaustion and Enhanced Efficacy in Solid Tumors
Authors: Zhu Xiuxiu , Chen Jun , Li Wuling , Xu Yanmin , Shan Juanjuan , Hong Juan , Zhao Yongchun , Xu Huailong , Ma Jiabin , Shen Junjie , Qian Cheng
Published: October 2023

Expanding the utility of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells in solid tumors requires improving their efficacy and safety. Hypoxia is a feature of most solid tumors that could be used to help CAR-T cells discriminate tumors from normal tissues. In this study, we developed hypoxia-responsive CAR-T cells by engineering the CAR to be under regulation of hypoxia-responsive elements and selected the optimal structure (5H1P-CEA CAR), which can be activated in the tumor hypoxic microenvironment to induce CAR-T cells with high polyfunctionality. Hypoxia-responsive CAR T cells were in a “resting” state with low CAR expression under normoxic conditions. Compared with conventional CAR-T cells, hypoxia-responsive CAR-T cells maintained lower differentiation and displayed enhanced oxidative metabolism and proliferation during cultivation, and they sowed a capacity to alleviate the negative effects of hypoxia on T-cell proliferation and metabolism. Furthermore, 5H1P-CEA CAR-T cells exhibited decreased T-cell exhaustion and improved T-cell phenotype in vivo. In patient-derived xenograft models, hypoxia-responsive CAR-T cells induced more durable antitumor activity than their conventional counterparts. Overall, this study provides an approach to limit CAR expression to the hypoxic tumor microenvironment that could help to enhance CAR T-cell efficacy and safety in solid tumors.

Significance:

Engineering CAR-T cells to upregulate CAR expression under hypoxic conditions induces metabolic reprogramming, reduces differentiation, and increases proliferation to enhance their antitumor activity, providing a strategy to improve efficacy and safety.
Sigma1 Regulates Lipid Droplet–Mediated Redox Homeostasis Required for Prostate Cancer Proliferation
Authors: Oyer Halley M. , Steck Alexandra R. , Longen Charles G. , Venkat Sanjana , Bayrak Konuralp , Munger Eleanor B. , Fu Dan , Castagnino Paola A. , Sanders Christina M. , Tancler Nathalia A. , Mai My T. , Myers Justin P. , Schiewer Matthew J. , Chen Nan , Mostaghel Elahe A. , Kim Felix J.
Published: October 2023

Lipid droplets (LD) are dynamic organelles that serve as hubs of cellular metabolic processes. Emerging evidence shows that LDs also play a critical role in maintaining redox homeostasis and can mitigate lipid oxidative stress. In multiple cancers, including prostate cancer, LD accumulation is associated with cancer aggressiveness, therapy resistance, and poor clinical outcome. Prostate cancer arises as an androgen receptor (AR)-driven disease. Among its myriad roles, AR mediates the biosynthesis of LDs, induces autophagy, and modulates cellular oxidative stress in a tightly regulated cycle that promotes cell proliferation. The factors regulating the interplay of these metabolic processes downstream of AR remain unclear. Here, we show that Sigma1/SIGMAR1, a unique ligand-operated scaffolding protein, regulates LD metabolism in prostate cancer cells. Sigma1 inhibition triggers lipophagy, an LD selective form of autophagy, to prevent accumulation of LDs which normally act to sequester toxic levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This disrupts the interplay between LDs, autophagy, buffering of oxidative stress and redox homeostasis, and results in the suppression of cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Consistent with these experimental results, SIGMAR1 transcripts are strongly associated with lipid metabolism and ROS pathways in prostate tumors. Altogether, these data reveal a novel, pharmacologically responsive role for Sigma1 in regulating the redox homeostasis required by oncogenic metabolic programs that drive prostate cancer proliferation.

Significance:

To proliferate, cancer cells must maintain productive metabolic and oxidative stress (eustress) while mitigating destructive, uncontrolled oxidative stress (distress). LDs are metabolic hubs that enable adaptive responses to promote eustress. Targeting the unique Sigma1 protein can trigger distress by disrupting the LD-mediated homeostasis required for proliferation.
3. Research Quality: Understanding Definitions of and Challenges to Quality in the Knowledge Production Process
Authors: Starkey Jesse C. , Koerber Amy , Ardon-Dryer Karin , Cummins R. Glenn , Eko Lyombe , Kee Kerk F.
Published: October 2023

In Chapter 3, ‘Research Quality,’ Jesse C. Starkey addresses the deceptively simple notion of quality in scholarly research. This was an important subject addressed by participants in our interview study, and a variety of definitions emerged through these interviews. Some interviewees emphasized the quality or ‘rigor’ of the research methods, referring primarily to technical aspects of the researcher, whereas others emphasized the quality of the writing, as indicated, for example, through the transparency of reporting the methods used or results discovered. Additionally, many participants focused on the morals and values of ethical research as an indicator of quality, suggesting a multifaceted approach to conceptualizing quality might be necessary. Participants were also quite adept at pointing out where quality was lacking—or where there were challenges to ensuring and protecting quality in the knowledge production process. For example, the peer review process was simultaneously lauded as the hallmark of scientific knowledge production and criticized as falling short in ensuring the quality of published content. This chapter offers a deep dive into the various components of scholarly knowledge production, the ways stakeholders conceptualize quality in those areas, and the challenges they face in protecting the integrity of scientific knowledge as it moves through the stages of graduate student training, conducting research, vetting the research, and finally publishing it in an increasingly perilous world of publishing.
5. Avoiding the Pitfalls of Predatory Publishing: Guidance for Graduate Students and Junior Scholars
Authors: Ardon-Dryer Karin , Koerber Amy , Starkey Jesse C. , Cummins R. Glenn , Eko Lyombe , Kee Kerk F.
Published: October 2023

In Chapter 5, ‘Training and Mentoring of Graduate Students and Junior Scholars,’ Karin Ardon-Dryer explores the important question of how emerging scholars become enculturated into the world of scholarly publishing. It has perhaps always been the case that more established scholars are faced with the task of training the new generation of scholars, but at the same time, this new generation is facing challenges never faced, or even imagined, by their senior colleagues. This is one of the ‘paradoxes’ inherent in the predatory paradox that is the book’s central focus. But we argue in this chapter that this situation is intensified today, with so many new publishing trends emerging and the pace of scholarly research increasing so rapidly. There has simply been no other era in which so many changes have occurred so quickly. Our goal in this chapter is to report what our interview research taught us about what it takes to be an effective mentor of junior scholars in this rapidly changing environment and, hopefully, provide both senior and junior scholars with a toolset that serves as a starting place for this challenging endeavor.
7. Predatory Paradoxes: What Comes Next?
Authors: Koerber Amy , Starkey Jesse C. , Ardon-Dryer Karin , Cummins R. Glenn , Eko Lyombe , Kee Kerk F.
Published: October 2023

In Chapter 7, ‘Predatory Paradoxes: What Comes Next?’ Amy Koerber and Jesse C. Starkey conclude the book by summarizing the many complexities that surround the term predatory. The authors offer insights and case studies based on our interviews with forty-eight individuals who are stakeholders of various sorts in the game of scholarly publishing—ranging from real-life stories of authors who have fallen ‘prey’ to predatory publishing practices to people involved in the publishing industry who feel their publications have been wrongly accused of being ‘predatory’ in some capacity. They examine the misunderstandings and misperceptions that many people have about predatory publishing, and they provide readers with accurate and complete information to combat these misunderstandings and misperceptions. They advocate a view of predatory publishing that emphasizes gray areas and individual responsibility rather than lists or hard and fast distinctions between journals or publishers that are predatory and those that are not. In this final chapter, we hope to leave readers with a set of tools and knowledge that makes them prepared to succeed in the game of scholarly publishing and to mentor those who come after them to be similarly prepared and equipped.
Characteristics and Presentations of Hospitalized Children Due to 3 Predominate COVID-19 Variants Within a Health Care Network
Authors: Bhavsar Sejal M. , Clouser Katharine N. , Connolly Hailey , Gadhavi Jasmine , Kaur Ranbir , Lozy Tara , Naganathan Srividya , Pierre Margarette , Riollano Cruz Mariawy , Shah Pooja , Siu Anita , Swenson Carly , Ballance Cathleen
Published: October 2023

Objective of this article is to describe differences in the demographic and clinical characteristics, severity of illness, and outcomes in pediatric patients with different SARS-CoV-2 variants. We conducted a retrospective study of pediatric patients admitted with COVID-19 during the 3 large waves of infection within a health network in New Jersey. We included demographic characteristics, clinical features, and outcomes and compared the data with respect to the different variants. Of 351 total patients included in this study, 74 were admitted during wave 1, 94 during wave 2, and 181 during wave 3. The median age of patients decreased from wave 1 (11.5 years) to wave 3 (3 years) ( P = .0034). 87.7% of the patients were unvaccinated. The overall incidence of admissions due to pneumonia related to COVID-19 decreased in wave 3. COVID-19 bronchiolitis or croup admissions occurred mostly in wave 3. There was no significant difference in the number of patients requiring intensive care in any particular wave. Length of stay decreased across the waves ( P < .0001). Treatments required did not vary between the waves except for a decrease in antibiotic use with each subsequent wave ( P < .0001). The impact of COVID-19 on the pediatric population differs from the adult population, and the overall number of hospitalized children has mirrored the peak in cases observed during each infection wave. Our study illustrates the changes in clinical presentation and severity observed with the different coronavirus variants.
Reconnecting to the social: Ontological foundations for a repurposed and rescaled SIA
Authors: Howitt Richard , Jolly Dyanna
Published: October 2023

Social Impact Assessment’s incorporation into neoliberal management systems did not enhance their capacity to actually respond to social impacts. Efforts to integrate ‘social’ and ‘environmental’ assessments largely assumed that Social Impact Assessment rightfully belonged to key practitioners (professionals, academics, and corporate and government decision-makers). This article advocates rethinking ontological foundations for a different sort of Social Impact Assessment. It starts from an understanding that the social domain is always and inescapably connected across scales from the microbial, through the global to the cosmological. Building from experience working with Indigenous peoples, it recognizes that although ontological separation of social, environmental and other categories of impact assessment may well facilitate project approval, it also renders industrial systems deaf and blind to many of the most pressing risks facing coupled human and natural systems at multiple scales.
Streamlining social impact assessment and disaster risk assessment for the 21st century – Perspectives from South Africa
Authors: Kruger Leandri , Sandham Luke , van Niekerk Dewald
Published: October 2023

Despite considerable improvements in social impact assessment practice, the shortfalls and neglected status of social impact assessment persist. Integrated impact assessments have been suggested to address some of these shortcomings. Due to its transdisciplinary nature, disaster risk assessment has been identified as an emerging area that could assist social impact assessment in managing social changes and risks and improving community resilience. Emerging research from South Africa and abroad have shown that social impact assessment–disaster risk assessment integration offers opportunities for streamlining and improved practice across four areas, that is, theoretical discourses, legislative and statutory provisions, practitioner perspectives and combined methodologies. The resulting streamlined social impact assessment and disaster risk assessment will be more suitable for 21st-century challenges, allowing for enriched social impact assessment practice, contributions to social sustainability and strengthening of the social resilience of at-risk communities. From observations of the South African context, we suggest that streamlined social impact assessment and disaster risk assessment will optimally address the challenges of developing sustainably and enhancing the resilience of at-risk societies in the 21st century in South Africa, the global south and also the rest of the world.
Revising and evaluating falls prevention education for older adults in hospital
Authors: Francis-Coad Jacqueline , Farlie Melanie K , Haines Terry , Black Linda , Weselman Tammy , Cummings Philippa , Hill Anne-Marie
Published: October 2023

Objective:

Partnering with patients and staff to develop and evaluate falls prevention education could better enable patient learning and engagement. This study aimed to create a revised version of the Safe Recovery falls prevention education programme in partnership with older patients and hospital staff, to improve patient engagement in undertaking falls preventive strategies in hospital.

Design:

Two-phase sequential mixed methods participatory design.

Setting:

Hospital rehabilitation wards in Western Australia.

Method:

Phase 1: older patients ( n = 10) and staff ( n = 10) were surveyed before and after original programme delivery to ascertain their reaction and learning. Consumer-focused discussions were undertaken with staff and patients online to inform programme revision. A patient video and workbook were co-produced, and staff were trained to deliver the revised programme. Phase 2: older patients ( n = 10) and staff ( n = 10) were surveyed before and after receiving the revised programme to gain reactions and learning. Deductive content analysis and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to analyse the qualitative and quantitative data.

Results:

Patients and staff perceived the original programme to be outdated and expressed low levels of satisfaction with the original resources. In contrast, both patients and staff were highly satisfied with the revised programme. Both original and revised Safe Recovery programme patient groups demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge and awareness to reduce their risk of falling after receiving the education ( p = .008, p = .005, respectively). However, patients receiving the revised programme were significantly more likely to intend to take action ( p = .024) and have a clear action plan ( p = .010). Staff perceived that the revised resources showed significant improvements in aesthetic appeal ( p = .007) and ability to engage patients in learning ( p = .007).

Conclusion:

Patients and staff contributed to successfully revising the Safe Recovery programme with positive reactions to the co-produced resources. Participating in falls education significantly improved older patients’ knowledge and attitudes regarding falls prevention.
Healthy eating in preschool children: Perceptions of parents and caregivers in Sri Lanka
Authors: Sirasa Fathima , Mitchell Lana , Harris Neil
Published: October 2023

Objective:

Modifying the unhealthy dietary habits of children in low- and middle-income countries is important to overcome the increasing prevalence of childhood under- and overnutrition. Dietary habit formation is multifactorial, with parental influence fundamental in determining children’s food environment and intake. Therefore, understanding parents’ perspectives regarding healthy eating in their preschool-aged children in low- and middle-income countries is necessary to tailor programmes and interventions. However, limited research exists. This study therefore explored parents’ and caregivers’ understanding of healthy eating and perceived barriers and strategies to support their preschool children’s healthy eating in a middle-income country, Sri Lanka.

Design:

Qualitative study employing focus group discussions.

Setting:

Preschools in an urban area of north-western Sri Lanka.

Method:

Thirteen focus groups, each comprising 6–10 participants, were conducted with 110 parents/caregivers of children aged 2–6 years in Kurunegala (an urban area), in north-west Sri Lanka. Group discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English, coded and underwent inductive content analysis.

Results:

Participants’ understanding of healthy eating was largely consistent with dietary guidelines. Perceived barriers to healthy eating were predominantly intrapersonal (‘pester power’ and ‘picky eating’ of children), and family and peer-related (inadequate family support and peer influence). Suggested strategies included changes in household food availability, preparation and rewards, and creating more supportive environments (family, preschool and community).

Conclusion:

To optimise nutrition intervention outcomes, strategies targeting the identified intrapersonal, family and peer barriers should be incorporated.
Vicarious Empowerment as a Novel Mechanism for Empowering High Power Distance Employees
Authors: Sumpter Dana McDaniel , Gibson Cristina B. , Phan Phan Wei Ming Jonathan , Porath Christine
Published: October 2023

Prior research has questioned the utility of empowerment for high power distance employees. Rather than abandon empowerment in these contexts, we test the plausibility of empowering high power distance employees vicariously through observation, normalization and legitimization of empowered behavior. Extending theories of empowerment and social cognition to account for cultural norms, we provide evidence for the effectiveness of vicarious empowerment among those with high power distance. From a sample of 3,383 employees in 10 companies across six countries, we find a positive association between vicarious empowerment and subjective unit performance, that this relationship is mediated by empowerment climate, and that the indirect effect is moderated by power distance orientation. These relationships contrast with prior research which examines more traditional forms of empowerment across cultures. We explain how our findings inform theory on cross-cultural organizational psychology and workplace empowerment.
Rock out the Rubric: Self-Regulated Strategy Development to Revise Science Writing
Authors: Drew Sally Valentino , Thomas Jeff D. , Nagle Corey
Published: October 2023

Co-teaching teams of special educators and science educators can collaboratively plan and implement the Rock Out the Rubric revising strategy to improve students’ writing in science class. The strategy is implemented as part of the evidence-based writing practice of Self-regulated Strategy Development (SRSD). In this article, first we describe how secondary students with exceptionalities struggle with discipline-specific elements of writing in science class. Then, we briefly review how teachers can use primary-trait rubrics to develop students’ self-regulation, to monitor students’ progress with writing processes and products, and to focus teacher-student and peer conferences as part of the revising phase of writing-to-learn instruction in inclusive secondary science classrooms. Step-by-step instructions are provided for implementing the Rock Out the Rubric strategy.
Efficient purification of high-salt rural groundwater in the areas along the Yellow River in Henan Province, China, by hollow fiber membrane distillation process
Authors: Li Hongbin , Li Linmao , Fan Mengjie , Shi Wenying , Liu Jie
Published: October 2023

The vast rural drinking water sources along the Yellow River basin in Henan Province mainly come from the local high-salinity groundwater, which cannot be directly drunk. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-71/polyvinylidene fluoride hollow fiber composite membrane was applied to treat rural groundwater through membrane distillation technology. The variations of water quality parameters from 12 different rural regions after membrane distillation treatment were well analyzed and compared. Membrane separation performance for water samples from different regions during the membrane distillation process was investigated, including water flux and salt rejection. During a continuous 24-h membrane distillation process for the treatment of these water samples, hollow fiber membrane exhibits high solute retention rates (>99%) for salt ions, suspended solids and total dissolved solids, which are within the limits of national standards (GB 5749-2006), meanwhile membrane permeation water flux can remain stable. After the acid-cleaning for 180 min, all hollow fiber membranes can recover water flux well with a flux recovery rate above 98%. Even if the concentration ratio continued to increase, the water production rate of membrane distillation was basically maintained between 50% and 60%, which was obviously higher than the 30% of the reverse osmosis process. The economic analysis confirmed that the water production cost varied between US$0.45 and US$0.29/m3. With the extension of membrane service life, the specific membrane cost decreased rapidly in the first 6 years and then leveled off. The proposed vacuum membrane distillation process proved to be a promising water purification method for treating rural high-salinity groundwater.
The Influence of Source Credibility and Inspiration on Tourists’ Travel Planning Through Travel Vlogs
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Minh Binh , Pham Xuan Lan , Truong Giang Nu To
Published: October 2023

This study investigated the effects of viewing travel vlog experiences on online tourists’ travel planning behavior. Based on integrating cognitive emotion theory (CET) and the source credibility model (SCM), this study illuminates the mechanics of inspiration formation and its mediation role between credible vlogger characteristics and travel planning behavior. The study surveyed 423 online tourists in Vietnam who use travel vlogs to plan their travels. The study found that sincerity, professionalism, and attraction all positively affect inspiration, but attraction had the biggest effect. Inspiration partially mediated the relationship between sincerity and travel planning behavior, while the influence of professionalism and attraction on travel planning behavior was fully mediated by inspiration. The study suggests that travel vloggers need to create products that clearly portray their ethos and can connect emotionally with online tourists. Hospitality and tourism businesses should collaborate with travel vloggers to enhance their brand image.
Falling for Tourist Scams: An Examination of Scam Compliance Factors
Authors: Xu Ding , Murphy Laurie , Chen Tingzhen
Published: October 2023

Understanding how tourists respond to and comply with scams sheds light on tourist self-protection. In this study, a quasi-experimental design was employed to examine external (scam-operation) and internal (personal) factors of scam compliance. Twelve (3 × 4) scenarios were developed from real-world tourist scam cases and presented in the form of videos in an online tourist survey to elicit and observe decisions. A total of 609 participants from Australia and China completed the task, and the data were analyzed through multiple statistical techniques. The results suggested that the external factors of scam compliance did not exert a significant impact. Three internal factors, sensation-seeking, travel experiences, and risk perception, are stronger predictors of scam compliance. This study offers theoretical insights into tourist behavior, and contributes to new understandings of the antecedents of scam compliance.
Intraparty and Interparty Political Disagreement as Predictors of Affective Polarization and Willingness to Engage in Interparty Contact: The Moderating Role of Political Difference Management Styles
Authors: Suzuki Tatsuya , Velasquez Alcides , Zhang Yan Bing
Published: October 2023

Interpersonal political discussion is a normatively valued practice in a democracy, shaping polarizing attitudes and influencing future contact intentions in divided political landscapes. Applying social identity, intergroup contact, and conflict management styles theories, in this article, we investigate the associations between political disagreement with in-party and out-party members, affective polarization, and willingness to engage in interparty contact. Additionally, we examine how these associations are contingent upon individuals’ styles for managing political disagreement. Using cross-sectional survey data ( N = 732), we found that better quality of disagreement with out-party members and more frequent disagreement with in-party members are related to improved intergroup attitudes. Furthermore, these relationships vary depending on the competing disagreement management style.
An Asian American Feminist Manifesto: Asian American Women Heads of Schools Embodying Culturally Responsive School Leadership
Authors: Cai Lilia
Published: October 2023

Background:

Within more than 1,600 preK–12 member schools in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in the United States, there were only seven Asian American women heads of schools in 2019, representing 6% of all heads of color, 1% of all women heads, and 0.4% of all heads of schools. There has been limited research on intersectionality in educational leadership, particularly in the context of independent schools.

Purpose of Study:

This article sets out to address the research gap in current literature as it pertains to examining the intersectional impact of race, gender, culture, and epistemology on the leadership experiences of Asian American women heads of independent schools, and to deconstruct mainstream leadership narratives by unearthing and complicating critical narratives of a small group of educational leaders who are women of color.

Research Design:

This qualitative study employs intersectionality theory as the conceptual framework, culturally responsive school leadership as the leadership framework, and elements of portraiture, critical Indigenous studies, and critical race theory as the research methodologies and analytical tools.

Data Collection and Analysis:

A background information survey was emailed to all seven Asian American women heads of schools to collect contextual and demographic information. The goal of the survey was to find commonalities among the heads and their schools so that a portrait of these seven individuals and their schools could be drawn as an intelligible whole before delineating specific experiences of the research participants. Perceptual information was collected via interviews. The interview protocols were designed to gather information around participants’ pathways to leadership, and their epistemological foundation and its impact on their leadership journeys and styles. Elements of portraiture were used to analyze participants’ experiences based on interviews in this qualitative study.

Findings:

This study connects culture and epistemologies to leadership practices and shines a light on how these Asian American women heads of schools—despite experiencing stereotype threats, microaggressions, and oppositions—negotiate between the transactional nature of independent schools and the transformational power of educational leadership, and make powerful contributions toward reimagining schools as places with radical possibilities.

Conclusions:

Asian Americans are a historically disadvantaged racial minority group, and Asian American women in education and academia have faced a long history of discrimination grounded in racism, xenophobia, and misogyny. The NAIS leadership team should better understand what challenges Asian American women face on their pathways to leadership and develop a better support system for all women of color aspiring leaders.
Does interdisciplinarity attract more social media attention?
Authors: Chen Shiji , Ren Xuyan
Published: October 2023

The impact of interdisciplinarity is a popular research topic, but most studies on this subject focus mainly on scientific impact. In recent years, social media platforms have become useful tools for assessing broader effects beyond scientific or academic impacts. Thus, exploring the effect of interdisciplinarity on social media platforms may yield interesting results. In order to examine the relationship between interdisciplinarity and social media attention, we analysed all publications in the Scopus database for the years 2018 and 2019. Three social media platforms with the highest coverage of research articles, Mendeley, Twitter and Facebook, and three common interdisciplinarity indicators, Leinster-Cobbold diversity indices (LCDiv), Rao-Stirling diversity (RS) and DIV, were applied to cross-validate our findings. It appears that interdisciplinarity does increase social media attention on Mendeley, Twitter and Facebook alike. The results indicate that interdisciplinary research indeed can attract more social media attention.