bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geometry and bone mineral density determinants of femoral neck strength changes following exercise
Authors: O’Rourke Dermot , Beck Belinda R. , Harding Amy T. , Watson Steven L. , Pivonka Peter , Martelli Saulo
Published: October 2022

Physical exercise induces spatially heterogeneous adaptation in bone. However, it remains unclear where the changes in BMD and geometry have the greatest impact on femoral neck strength. The aim of this study was to determine the principal BMD-and-geometry changes induced by exercise that have the greatest effect on femoral neck strength. Pre- and post-exercise 3D-DXA images of the proximal femur were collected of male participants from the LIFTMOR-M exercise intervention trial. Meshes with element-by-element correspondence were generated by morphing a template mesh to each bone to calculate changes in BMD and geometry. Finite element (FE) models predicted femoral neck strength changes under single-leg stance and sideways fall load. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were developed with BMD-only, geometry-only, and BMD-and-geometry changes to determine the principal modes that explained the greatest variation in neck strength changes. The PLSR models explained over 90% of the strength variation with 3 PLS components using BMD-only (R2 > 0.92, RMSE < 0.06 N) and 8 PLS components with geometry-only (R2 > 0.93, RMSE < 0.06 N). Changes in the superior neck and distal cortex were most important during single-leg stance while the superior neck, medial head, and lateral trochanter were most important during a sideways fall. Local changes in femoral neck and head geometry could differentiate the exercise groups from the control group. Exercise interventions may target BMD changes in the superior neck, inferior neck, and greater trochanter for improved femoral neck strength in single-leg stance and sideways fall.
Individual and country-level factors associated with self-reported and accelerometer-based physical activity in old age: a cross-national analysis of European countries
Authors: Kekäläinen Tiia , Luchetti Martina , Aschwanden Damaris , Sutin Angelina R. , Terracciano Antonio
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to investigate associations between individual-level (personality traits, quality of life) and country-level (gross domestic product per capita, number of policies and action plans for physical activity) factors with self-reported and accelerometer-based physical activity and cross-level interactions among European countries. Based on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) from 2019–2020, self-reported physical activity (N = 46,617 from 27 countries) and accelerometer-based average acceleration and intensity gradient (N = 855 from 10 countries) were analyzed. Mixed-model regressions with two levels (individuals nested within countries) were used for analyses. Between countries differences accounted for relatively small portions of the variability in self-reported physical activity (intraclass correlation, ICC = 7.5%), average acceleration (ICC = 3.5%), and intensity gradient (ICC = 1.9%). There were more associations between individual- and country-level factors and self-reported physical activity than with accelerometer-based physical activity. The association between individual-level variables and accelerometer-based physical activity did not differ between countries. Cross-level interactions suggested that associations between some personality traits and self-reported physical activity were stronger in countries with lower GDP. Both individual- and country-level factors are related to participation in more intensive physical activities. Adults with less resilient personality traits living in countries with lower resources are at the highest risk for physical inactivity.
From inshore to offshore: distribution of microplastics in three Italian seawaters
Authors: Sbrana Alice , Valente Tommaso , Bianchi Jessica , Franceschini Simone , Piermarini Raffaella , Saccomandi Flavia , de Lucia Andrea Giuseppe , Camedda Andrea , Matiddi Marco , Silvestri Cecilia
Published: October 2022

A comprehensive understanding of the concentration of microplastics (MPs) in seawaters is essential to implement monitoring programs and understand the impacts on ecosystems, as required by the European legislation to protect the marine environment. In this context, the purpose of this study is to investigate the composition, quantity, and spatial distribution of microplastics from coastal to offshore areas in three Italian seawaters. In addition, the distribution of microplastics between surface and subsurface water layers was analyzed in order to better understand the dynamics of MPs in the upper layers of the water column. A total number of 6069 MPs (mean total concentration of 0.029 microplastics · m−2) were found to be heterogeneous in type, shape, and color. In general, MPs concentrations decrease with coastal distance, except when environmental forcings are predominant (such as sea currents). Moreover, the amount of surface MPs was almost four times that of subsurface microplastics, which consisted mostly of fibers. In light of these results, it becomes clear how critical it is to plan remediation actions and programs to minimize microplastic accumulations in the sea.
Entrepreneurial behaviors that shape performance in small family and non-family hotels during times of crisis
Authors: Kusa Rafał , Suder Marcin , Barbosa Belem , Glinka Beata , Duda Joanna
Published: October 2022

Recent economic and public health crises have posed important challenges to family businesses – particularly those in the hospitality sector. While sustaining a business, performance becomes critical; there is insufficient knowledge on the use of entrepreneurial behaviors in mitigating the impact of a crisis by family businesses. To help fill this gap, this study explores the configurations of entrepreneurial behaviors that lead to improved performance in small firms under crisis market conditions – particularly, risk-taking, innovativeness, proactiveness, flexibility, and digitalization. This study employs fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The sample consists of 117 one- and two-star Polish hotels that are comprised of both family and non-family businesses. The data was collected in November and December 2021. The results confirm the core role of risk-taking, proactiveness, and flexibility in increasing the performance of these small firms. However, performance outcomes depend on the configurations of the firms; differences between family and non-family businesses stood out. In family hotels, risk-taking is accompanied by flexibility as a core factor, and digitalization does not play an important role in achieving higher performance. Overall, these results contribute to the literature on organizational entrepreneurship (especially entrepreneurial orientation) as well as family business crisis management in the tourism sector. These findings offer implications for managers by indicating combinations of entrepreneurial behaviors that can help foster business performance.
Verausgabung auf „Strava“ und mit „Powermeter“: über technologisch vermittelte Selbstbewertung beim Radsport und eine energiesoziologische Perspektive
Authors: Laser Stefan
Published: October 2022

Digitale Technologien verändern soziale Praktiken und durchziehen die soziale Ordnungsbildung in diffuser Form. Plattformen werden zu Alltagsbegleitern und stellen die Soziologie vor grundlegende konzeptionelle und methodologische Herausforderungen. Der Beitrag beleuchtet die soziotechnische Konfiguration des Sports und stellt die Frage, wie eine technologische Vermittlung des Radfahrens (Selbst‑)Bewertung mitgestaltet und Intensitätsqualitäten sportlicher Aktivität prägt. Als Grundlage des Artikels dient autoethnographische Forschung zum digitalisierten Rennradfahren, durchgeführt mit unterschiedlicher Sensortechnik und geleitet durch die digitale Plattform „Strava“, einem populären sozialen Netzwerk für Hobby- und Profi-Athlet_innen. Der Artikel beleuchtet die menschliche und maschinelle Bedeutung von Datenpraktiken und widmet sich einem Desiderat der sozialwissenschaftlichen Forschung zu Selbstoptimierung und Self-Tracking. Es geht um die Frage, wie eine technologische Vermittlung des Radfahrens (Selbst‑)Bewertung mitgestaltet und Intensitätsqualitäten sportlicher Aktivität prägt. Konzeptionell macht der Artikel den innovativen Vorschlag, sich dem Diskurs der neueren energetischen Soziologie zuzuwenden, die argumentiert, dass Energiequellen mit dem Sozialen verwoben sind und Möglichkeiten des Denkens und Handelns beeinflussen. Mithilfe des Begriffs der „Verausgabung“ (George Bataille) wird die autoethnographische Erfahrung der Soziotechnik des Radfahrens diskutiert und ein Vergleich unterschiedlicher Messinstrumente durchgeführt, mit einem Fokus auf dem Vergleich eines Herzfrequenzsensors mit einem „Powermeter“, einem Leistungsmesser. Die Autoethnographie fußt auf qualitativer Datenanalyse und aktiver Teilnahme, die in einer ethnographischen Erzählung ausgeführt und analytisch fruchtbar gemacht wird. Der Beitrag differenziert schließlich zwischen Modi der Verausgabung, arbeitet die Prominenz des Werts der Energieeffizienz heraus, zeigt auf praktische Unzulänglichkeiten dieses Werts und skizziert die Vorzüge einer energiesoziologischen Perspektive. Dies schärft das Bewusstsein für die Bedeutung ineffizienter Praktiken im digitalisierten Sport.
Robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic rectal surgery in obese and morbidly obese patients: ACS-NSQIP analysis
Authors: Albayati Sinan , Hitos Kerry , Berney Christophe R. , Morgan Matthew J. , Pathma-Nathan Nimalan , El-Khoury Toufic , Richardson Arthur , Chu Daniel I. , Cannon Jamie , Kennedy Greg , Toh James Wei Tatt
Published: October 2022

Laparoscopic rectal surgery within the confines of a narrow pelvis may be associated with a high rate of open conversion. In the obese and morbidly obese patient, the complexity of laparoscopic surgery increases substantially. Robotic technology is known to reduce the risk of conversion, but it is unclear if it can overcome the technical challenges associated with obesity. The ACS NSQIP database was used to identify obese patients who underwent elective laparoscopic or robotic-assisted rectal resection from 2015 to 2016. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2. Morbid obesity was defined as a BMI greater than or equal to 35 kg/m2. The primary outcome was unplanned conversions to open. Other outcomes measures assessed included anastomotic leak, operative time, surgical site infections, length of hospital stay, readmissions and mortality. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0 (IBM SPSS, USA). 1490 patients had robotic-assisted and 4967 patients had laparoscopic rectal resections between 2015 and 2016. Of those patients, 561 obese patients had robotic-assisted rectal resections and 1824 patients underwent laparoscopic rectal surgery. In the obese cohort, the rate of unplanned conversion to open in the robotic group was 14% compared to 24% in the laparoscopic group (P < 0.0001). Median operative time was significantly longer in the robotic group (248 min vs. 215 min, P < 0.0001). There was no difference in anastomotic leak or systemic sepsis between the laparoscopic and robotic rectal surgery groups. In morbidly obese patients (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2), the rate of unplanned conversion to open in the robotic group was 19% compared to 26% in the laparoscopic group (P < 0.027). There was no difference in anastomotic leak, systemic sepsis or surgical site infection rates between robotic and laparoscopic rectal resection. Multivariate analysis showed that robotic-assisted surgery was associated with fewer unplanned conversions to open (OR 0.28, P < 0.0001). Robotic-assisted surgery is associated with a decreased risk of conversion to open in obese and morbidly obese patients when compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery. However, robotic surgery was associated with longer operative time and despite improvement in the rate of conversion to open, there was no difference in complications or length of stay. Our findings are limited by the retrospective non-randomised nature of the study, demographic differences between the two groups, and the likely difference in surgeon experience between the two groups. Large randomised controlled studies are needed to further explore the role of robotic rectal surgery in obese and morbidly obese patients.
Alterations in Stem Cell Populations in IGF-1 Deficient Pediatric Patients Subjected to Mecasermin (Increlex) Treatment
Authors: Kamil Grubczak , Karolina Stożek , Aleksandra Starosz , Filip Bossowski , Marta Pasławska , Artur Bossowski , Marcin Moniuszko
Published: October 2022

Pathway involving insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) plays significant role in growth and development. Crucial role of IGF-1 was discovered inter alia through studies involving deficient patients with short stature, including Laron syndrome individuals. Noteworthy, despite disturbances in proper growth, elevated values for selected stem cell populations were found in IGF-1 deficient patients. Therefore, here we focused on investigating role of these cells—very small embryonic-like (VSEL) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), in the pathology. For the first time we performed long-term observation of these populations in response to rhIGF-1 (mecasermin) therapy. Enrolled pediatric subjects with IGF-1 deficiency syndrome were monitored for 4–5 years of rhIGF-1 treatment. Selected stem cells were analyzed in peripheral blood flow cytometrically, together with chemoattractant SDF-1 using immunoenzymatic method. Patients’ data were collected for correlation of experimental results with clinical outcome. IGF-1 deficient patients were found to demonstrate initially higher levels of VSEL and HSC compared to healthy controls, with their gradual decrease in response to therapy. These changes were significantly associated with SDF-1 plasma levels. Correlations of VSEL and HSC were also reported in reference to growth-related parameters, and IGF-1 and IGFBP3 values. Noteworthy, rhIGF-1 was shown to efficiently induce development of Laron patients achieving at least proper rate of growth (compared to healthy group) in 80% of subjects. In conclusion, here we provided novel insight into stem cells participation in IGF-1 deficiency in patients. Thus, we demonstrated basis for future studies in context of stem cells and IGF-1 role in growth disturbances.

Graphical abstract
Timing of additional neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and total mesorectal excision
Authors: He Fang , Chen Mo , Liu Yan-ping , Sun Jiachun , Zheng Jian
Published: October 2022

Background

In locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), the optimal sequence of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in relation to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and before total mesorectal excision is unknown.

Methods

A total of 426 LARC patients, treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision, between January 2010 and December 2018, were studied retrospectively. Patients were divided into induction and consolidation chemotherapy groups. Overall, disease-free, locoregional relapse-free, and distant metastasis-free survival rates for the 2 groups were compared. Multivariate analysis hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to identify survival predictors.

Results

Median follow-up was 37 (range, 7–162) months. The 3-year overall, disease-free, locoregional relapse-free, and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 93.8%, 71.6%, 93.5%, and 74.4%, respectively. For those receiving either induction or consolidation chemotherapy, 3-year disease-free survival rates were 82.5% and 67.7%, respectively (P = 0.021), distant metastasis-free rates were 85.4% and 70.8%, respectively (P = 0.024), and both overall and locoregional relapse-free survival rates did not differ significantly. Absence of neural invasion was an independent predictor of disease-free (HR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.25–0.97, P = 0.04) and distant metastasis-free (HR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.25–0.98, P = 0.04) survival. Both ypTN stage III (vs.0-II) and consolidation (vs. induction) chemotherapy were independent predictors of disease relapse (HR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.47–2.58, P < 0.001; HR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.01–2.79, P = 0.046; respectively) and distant metastasis (HR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.51–2.76, P < 0.001; HR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.03–2.99, P = 0.04; respectively).

Conclusions

LARC patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and total mesorectal excision had better disease-free and distant metastasis-free survival, with induction rather than consolidation neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Social network interventions in the space of topological relationships between communities
Authors: Corcoran Padraig , Reinecke Philipp , Innes Martin
Published: October 2022

A social network intervention is a process of intentionally altering a social network to achieve an objective. The objective in question may concern accelerating behaviour change or improving organisational performance. In this work we propose a novel model of social network interventions which considers topological properties of relationships existing between communities. Broadly speaking, topological properties of such relationships include properties described by natural language descriptions such as contains, partial overlap and disjoint. The proposed model provides an abstraction which in many cases is useful for solving problems involving social network interventions. We demonstrate this by simulating interventions on a number of hypothetical and real social networks in the domains of health and security.
Gender differences in reading and numeracy achievement across the school years
Authors: Thomas Damon P. , Hopwood Belinda , Hatisaru Vesife , Hicks David
Published: October 2022

Developing students’ reading and numeracy skills remain key goals of contemporary schooling. In Australia, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests have assessed these skills since 2008. Previous research found a significant gender gap in favour of females for the NAPLAN writing test, yet no study has examined whether gender gaps exist for reading and numeracy or their developmental pattern across the school years. Given the educational and public interest in NAPLAN and its considerable costs, it is important to understand what these tests reveal about student outcomes. The paper presents the first investigation of patterns of male and female student achievement on the NAPLAN reading and numeracy tests from 2008 to 2021. It applies the equivalent year level technique to explain the pedagogical significance of NAPLAN achievement and compares the findings with the writing gender gap to present a fuller picture of male and female achievement.
Novel preclinical gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasia models demonstrate the feasibility of mutation-based targeted therapy
Authors: Viol Fabrice , Sipos Bence , Fahl Martina , Clauditz Till S. , Amin Tania , Kriegs Malte , Nieser Maike , Izbicki Jakob R. , Huber Samuel , Lohse Ansgar W. , Schrader Jörg
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NEN) form a rare and remarkably heterogeneous group of tumors. Therefore, establishing personalized therapies is eminently challenging. To achieve progress in preclinical drug development, there is an urgent need for relevant tumor models.

Methods

We successfully established three gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEP-NET) cell lines (NT-18P, NT-18LM, NT-36) and two gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (GEP-NEC) cell lines (NT-32 and NT-38). We performed a comprehensive characterization of morphology, NET differentiation, proliferation and intracellular signaling pathways of these five cell lines and, in addition, of the NT-3 GEP-NET cell line. Additionally, we conducted panel sequencing to identify genomic alterations suitable for mutation-based targeted therapy.

Results

We found that the GEP-NEN cell lines exhibit a stable neuroendocrine phenotype. Functional kinome profiling revealed a higher activity of serine/threonine kinases (STK) as well as protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) in the GEP-NET cell lines NT-3 and NT-18LM compared to the GEP-NEC cell lines NT-32 and NT-38. Panel sequencing revealed a mutation in Death Domain Associated Protein (DAXX), sensitizing NT-18LM to the Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR) inhibitor Berzosertib, and a mutation in AT-Rich Interaction Domain 1A (ARID1A), sensitizing NT-38 to the Aurora kinase A inhibitor Alisertib. Small interfering RNA-mediated knock down of DAXX in the DAXX wild type cell line NT-3 sensitized these cells to Berzosertib.

Conclusions

The newly established GEP-NET and GEP-NEC cell lines represent comprehensive preclinical in vitro models suitable to decipher GEP-NEN biology and pathogenesis. Additionally, we present the first results of a GEP-NEN-specific mutation-based targeted therapy. These findings open up new potentialities for personalized therapies in GEP-NEN.
Effect of Vanadium Nitride (VN) Particles on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extruded AZ31 Mg Alloy
Authors: Qiu Wei , Xie Wen , Li Qi-Feng , Huang Wei-Ying , Zhou Li-Bo , Chen Wei , Chen Jian , Ren Yan-Jie , Yao Mao-Hai , Xiong Ai-Hu , Zeng Zhuo-Ran
Published: October 2022

The effect of vanadium nitride (VN) particles additives on microstructure and mechanical properties of the extruded AZ31 Mg alloy was systematically investigated. The experimental results revealed that the addition of 0.5 wt% VN decreased the average grain size of AZ31 Mg alloy from 6.4 to 4.9 µm. With the increase in VN content, the refining effect would weaken because excessive VN particles would negatively affect the dynamic recrystallization process of the alloys. The scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy indicated that AlN, VN and Al–V–N particles with different morphologies were distributed in the streamline along the extrusion direction during the extrusion process. The mechanical properties of AZ31 Mg alloy vary with the addition of VN. The extruded AZ31 + 0.5 wt% VN Mg alloy possesses an excellent combination of high strength and ductility. The yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the extruded AZ31 + 0.5 wt% VN Mg alloy were increased without sacrificing ductility. This is mainly due to the grain refinement caused by double-heterogeneous nucleation particles. With a further increase in VN content, the presence of excessive VN particles increases the stress concentration, and the initiation source of microcracks in the alloy during alloy deformation makes the cracks more easily propagated and results in a decrease in the ductility of the extruded alloy.
Informing care through lived experiences: perspectives of consumers and carers regarding dietetic care for eating disorders in Australia
Authors: Heafala Alana , Mitchell Lana J. , Ball Lauren
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Dietitians are important members of eating disorder treatment teams. Previous research indicates little is known about the experience of receiving nutrition care for eating disorders. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of consumers and carers regarding the care received from primary care dietitians for eating disorders.

Methods

This study qualitatively explored the perceptions of individuals aged ≥ 15 years, who (i) identified as having an eating disorder or (ii) had cared for someone with an eating disorder, and had received care from a dietitian in a primary care setting. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes from interview transcripts. Synthesized member checking was utilized to assess whether the identified themes resonated with participants’ experiences. Twenty-four individuals (21 consumers, 3 carers) participated in a semi-structured interview. Seventeen participants completed member checking and all supported the identified themes and subthemes.

Results

Three themes emerged inductively from the data: (1) valuing a person-centered approach to dietetic care; (2) the therapeutic alliance is central to engaging in dietetic care; and (3) sharing the complex journey.

Conclusions

This study advances the understanding of the aspects of dietetic care perceived as most helpful by consumers and carers. These insights highlight the importance of person-centeredness, empathy, trust and collaboration within eating disorder care. The findings can be used by dietitians and health professionals to inform practice. Further research is needed to understand how dietitians can be supported to provide optimal nutrition care to people and families impacted by eating disorders.

Level of evidence

V. Qualitative study.
No elevated levels of orthorexic eating behavior in a sample of adults with allergies and food intolerances
Authors: Barthels Friederike , Bamberg Leonie , Pietrowsky Reinhard
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To compare orthorexic eating behavior in a sample of adults with and without self-reported allergies and food intolerances.

Methods

N = 52 individuals with and n = 102 individuals without self-reported allergies and food intolerances (80% with medical diagnosis; in total 74.6% female, 23.7% male; age: M = 28.13, SD = 11.96 years) completed an online survey with the Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale and answered several questions regarding their allergies/intolerances.

Results

The groups did not differ in their orthorexic eating behavior. In the sample of individuals with allergies/intolerances, orthorexic eating behavior correlated with the perceived severity of the allergic symptoms and the number of consequences that the allergies had for eating behavior.

Conclusions

In line with previous findings, orthorexic eating behavior does not seem to be elevated in individuals with allergies/intolerances. However, focusing on a healthy diet despite adverse food reactions and experiencing a number of allergy-related consequences for one’s eating behavior might be associated with orthorexic eating behavior.

Level of evidence

III, case–control analytic study.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia in patients with adrenal tumors: a population-based case–control study
Authors: Sahlander F. , Patrova J. , Mannheimer B. , Lindh J. D. , Falhammar H.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) has been associated with adrenal tumors (ATs) but the relationship is still unclear. The aim was to investigate if CAH was more common in patients with adrenal tumors and their characteristics.

Methods

Using national registers all patients with an AT diagnosis (cases) and selected matched controls without AT diagnosis were included from 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2019. The patients with a CAH diagnosis were scrutinized in detail.

Results

ATs were diagnosed in 26,573 individuals and in none of 144,124 controls. In 20 patients with ATs and 1 control, a CAH diagnosis was present. The odds for having CAH in patients with ATs was 109 (95% CI 15–809; P < 0.0001). Among cases, 5 had a CAH diagnosis before the discovery of ATs and 15 afterwards. Half were females and two had been screened for CAH neonatally. The mean age when the ATs was discovered was 55.6 years. Adrenalectomy was performed in seven patients. Five patients had unilateral adrenalectomy before the CAH diagnosis and did not have any glucocorticoid protection. After the CAH diagnosis, 15 were initiated on glucocorticoids and 6 on mineralocorticoids. The majority diagnosed with CAH before index date had classic CAH. In individual diagnosed after index date, only three had classic CAH. The rest had nonclassical CAH. During the follow-up time of 9 years, six deceased, two of them in an adrenal crisis.

Conclusions

The prevalence of CAH was greater in patients with ATs than in patients without. In all patients with ATs, CAH should be considered.
The Gender Gaps in Time-Use Within Italian Households During 2002–2014
Authors: Barigozzi Francesca , Di Timoteo Cesare , Monfardini Chiara
Published: October 2022

How are Italian parents sharing family duties when they are both working full-time? We estimate gender gaps in the allocation of time by young Italian couples with children and document their trends over the years 2002–2014, disentangling time use on weekdays and weekend days. We show that the gaps in time devoted to Market work and Household work have narrowed over the years 2002–2014, while the gap in Basic childcare and Leisure remained almost constant. But the negative gap (females-males) in Market work shrunk much more than the positive gap in Household work (46% against 25%) The best-case scenario for gender parity is the one in which partners share similar work responsibilities and are relatively young; however, we show that family duties remain heavily unbalanced across gender in this sample. In 2014, full-time working mothers devote to Total work (paid and unpaid) 11 h per week more and to Leisure 9.7 h per week less than their partners. On the positive side, the gender gap in Quality childcare exhibits a reversed sign, which is driven by fathers’ engagement on weekend days.
“Reading Enjoyment” is Ready for School: Foregrounding Affect and Sociality in Children’s Reading for Pleasure
Authors: Boyask Ruth , Harrington Celeste , Milne John , Smith Bradley
Published: October 2022

While debate on declines in children’s literacy is ongoing in Aotearoa New Zealand, very little attention in research and policy is paid to reading enjoyment and its capacity to support the reading development of children. Developed alongside a series of studies on children’s reading for pleasure this article makes a theoretically informed argument to place reading enjoyment at the centre of literacy education in schools. Our argument is underpinned by a psycho-social conceptualisation of enjoyment that emphasises the fundamental sociality of emotion. Foregrounding affect and sociality in children and young people’s reading speaks to the potential of teachers being with childrenandtheir whānau together reading for pleasure. When children are at school they can participate in the sociality of reading for pleasure, sharing its enjoyment with other class members and teachers without coming into conflict with the priorities of life outside of school. If schools embed reading enjoyment in their programmes, they might then have greater capacity to follow the literacy and communication strategy and work towards sharing the collective enjoyment of reading with families, whānau, and communities.
A second demographic transition in Indonesia?
Authors: Utomo Ariane , Ananta Aris , Setyonaluri Diahhadi , Aryaputra Calvin
Published: October 2022

As a predominantly Muslim and ethnically diverse new democracy in Asia, Indonesia is a timely case to study how the contending forces of development and social change are reflected in changing norms and practices around family formation. This paper examines the extent to which the second demographic transition (SDT) theory can provide a primary framework to understand contemporary patterns of fertility, marriage and family change in Indonesia. Against the backdrop of socio-political change followingReformasi in1998, we found emerging demographic features typically associated with societies in later stages of fertility transition. These include fertility below replacement in some regions; increasing age at first marriage, non-marriage, and divorce rates; and growing diversity in household/family forms. As the vast regions of Indonesia is economically, culturally, and demographically heterogeneous, these key features of SDT are not likely to emerge and unfold in a uniform manner. Further, these demographic shifts are taking place amidst multiple tensions and contradictions in the nature and direction of ideational change pertaining to marriage and the family. We argue that the prevailingideational changedriving the shifts in marriage, fertility, and the family within Indonesia is neither unilinear nor singular in nature. Emerging ideational change embodying individualism, secularism, and post-materialism—originally proposed in SDT theory to be the primary drivers of fertility decline in post-industrial Western Europe—can overlap with popular values promoting de-secularization and the strengthening of familial institutions. As a demographic framework, the SDT theory is an important and useful starting point. But it needs to be reevaluated by considering the complex socio-political and increasingly precarious economic terrains behind fertility transition, as well as marriage and family change in post-ReformasiIndonesia.
Regulatory Reform Outcomes and Accelerated Regulatory Pathways for New Prescription Medicines in Australia
Authors: Yoffe Alina , Liu Johnson , Smith Greg , Chisholm Orin
Published: October 2022

National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) globally are facing the challenge of evaluating pharmaceutical products in a speedy manner, whilst simultaneously ensuring adequate efficacy, safety and quality of approved products. Additionally, common expectations include that the evaluation process is competent, flexible, commensurate with risk, efficient and rapid. In 2014, the Australian regulatory system was out of step with global regulatory developments which led to a comprehensive regulatory review and reform process. As part of the reforms, two Facilitated Regulatory Pathways (FRP) were developed for prescription medicines: Priority Review (PR) and Provisional Approval (PA). Furthermore, regulatory reliance and recognition arrangements have been expanded with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) making increased use of evaluation reports by trusted NRAs. The new pathways have been utilised by the pharmaceutical industry in Australia since 2017, with the number of medicines going through these pathways gradually increasing. Additional facilitated pathways have been developed following the review, providing alternatives to the standard pathway for registration of prescription medicines in Australia. The reform is timely, helping to position Australia well in the current global regulatory climate.
Connect the last mile - textual entailment identify efforts in bridging the digital divide
Authors: Fan Zhuangyuan , Zhang Fan
Published: October 2022

With many people’s life and work more and more Internet-dependent, we yet have to face the persistent digital divide. In the U.S., funding programs in the past allocated resources to incumbent Internet Service Providers (ISP) who failed to connect the rural and low-income communities. This is largely due to an information mismatch - the financially strong ISPs do not necessarily have the vision to connect the marginalized community. This project sets out to build a multidimensional profile database of ISPs that emphasizes the potential of serving the underserved or unserved areas. By applying the Textual Entailment Natural Language Processing algorithm, we infer the vision, goals, and identity of more than 1,000 ISPs using a large number of self-description texts from their websites. Then we created an ISP typology based on the socio-economic profiles of the service areas of these ISPs and their business vision. Deviating from the traditional bifurcating definition of “for-profit” and “non-profits” business, this ISP typology illustrates evident geographical, social, and service quality level division of the current Internet services in the U.S. Planners and policymakers could use this typology to create specific funding programs that effectively address the current digital divide.
Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on antimicrobial stewardship programs in Colorado hospitals
Authors: Matteson Caleb L. , Czaja Christopher A. , Kronman Matthew P. , Ziniel Sonja , Parker Sarah K. , Dodson Daniel S.
Published: October 2022

Using a mixed-methods approach, we assessed the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in Colorado hospitals. ASP leaders reported decreased time and resources, reduced rigor of stewardship interventions, inability to complete new initiatives, and interpersonal challenges. Stewardship activities may be threatened during times of acute resource pressure.
Why marry early? Parental influence, agency and gendered conflict in Tanzanian marriages
Authors: Baraka Jitihada , Lawson David W , Schaffnit Susan B , Wamoyi Joyce , Urassa Mark
Published: October 2022

Global health interventions increasingly target the abolishment of ‘child marriage’ (marriage under 18 years, hereafter referred to as ‘early marriage’). Guided by human behavioural ecology theory, and drawing on focus groups and in-depth interviews in an urbanising Tanzanian community where female early marriage is normative, we examine the common assumption that it is driven by the interests and coercive actions of parents and/or men. We find limited support for parent–offspring conflict. Parents often encouraged early marriages, but were motivated by the promise of social and economic security for daughters, rather than bridewealth transfers alone. Moreover, forced marriage appears rare, and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) were active agents in the transition to marriage, sometimes marrying against parental wishes. Support for gendered conflict was stronger. AGYW were described as being lured into unstable relationships by men misrepresenting their long-term intentions. Community members voiced concerns over these marriages. Overall, early marriage appears rooted in limited options, encouraging strategic, but risky choices on the marriage market. Our results highlight plurality and context dependency in drivers of early marriage, even within a single community. We conclude that engaging with the importance of context is fundamental in forging culturally sensitive policies and programs on early marriage.
The transition to aeration in turbulent two-phase mixing in stirred vessels
Authors: Kahouadji Lyes , Liang Fuyue , Valdes Juan P. , Shin Seungwon , Chergui Jalel , Juric Damir , Craster Richard V. , Matar Omar K.
Published: October 2022

We consider the mixing dynamics of an air–liquid system driven by the rotation of a pitched blade turbine (PBT) inside an open, cylindrical tank. To examine the flow and interfacial dynamics, we use a highly parallelised implementation of a hybrid front-tracking/level-set method that employs a domain-decomposition parallelisation strategy. Our numerical technique is designed to capture faithfully complex interfacial deformation, and changes of topology, including interface rupture and dispersed phase coalescence. As shown via transient, a three-dimensional (3-D) LES (large eddy simulation) using a Smagorinsky–Lilly turbulence model, the impeller induces the formation of primary vortices that arise in many idealised rotating flows as well as several secondary vortical structures resembling Kelvin–Helmholtz, vortex breakdown, blade tip vortices and end-wall corner vortices. As the rotation rate increases, a transition to ‘aeration’ is observed when the interface reaches the rotating blades leading to the entrainment of air bubbles into the viscous fluid and the creation of a bubbly, rotating, free surface flow. The mechanisms underlying the aeration transition are probed as are the routes leading to it, which are shown to exhibit a strong dependence on flow history.
Cohomology of algebraic varieties over non-archimedean fields
Authors: Cubides Kovacsics Pablo , Edmundo Mário J. , Ye Jinhe
Published: October 2022

We develop a sheaf cohomology theory of algebraic varieties over an algebraically closed nontrivially valued nonarchimedean field K based on Hrushovski-Loeser’s stable completion. In parallel, we develop a sheaf cohomology of definable subsets in o-minimal expansions of the tropical semi-group

$\Gamma _{\infty }$

, where

$\Gamma $

denotes the value group of K. For quasi-projective varieties, both cohomologies are strongly related by a deformation retraction of the stable completion homeomorphic to a definable subset of

$\Gamma _{\infty }$

. In both contexts, we show that the corresponding cohomology theory satisfies the Eilenberg-Steenrod axioms, finiteness and invariance, and we provide natural bounds of cohomological dimension in each case. As an application, we show that there are finitely many isomorphism types of cohomology groups in definable families. Moreover, due to the strong relation between the stable completion of an algebraic variety and its analytification in the sense of V. Berkovich, we recover and extend results on the singular cohomology of the analytification of algebraic varieties concerning finiteness and invariance.
The US-Mexico War, la Frontera, and Their Afterlives
Authors: Sánchez María Carla
Published: October 2022

This essay reviews the following works:

North American Borders in Comparative Perspective. Edited by Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera and Victor Konrad. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2020. Pp. xiv, 408. $40.00 paperback. ISBN: 9780816539529.

Fencing In Democracy: Border Walls, Necrocitizenship, and the Security State. By Miguel Díaz-Barriga and Margaret E. Dorsey. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2020. Pp. ix, 178. $24.95 paperback. ISBN: 9781478006930.

Border Optics: Surveillance Cultures on the US-Mexico Frontier. By Camilla Fojas. New York: New York University Press, 2021. Pp. 208. $28.00 paperback. ISBN: 9781479807017.

The Dead March: A History of the Mexican-American War. By Peter Guardino. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2017. Pp. 502. $39.95 hardcover. ISBN: 9780674972346.

Illusions of Empire: The Civil War and Reconstruction in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. By William S. Kiser. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2022. Pp. 262. $55.00 hardcover. ISBN: 9780812253511.

The Latino Continuum and the Nineteenth-Century Americas: Literature, Translation, and Historiography. By Carmen E. Lamas. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021. Pp. ix, 277. $80.00 hardcover. ISBN: 9780198871484.

Bad Mexicans: Race, Empire, and Revolution in the Borderlands. By Kelly Lytle Hernández. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 2022. Pp. 384. $30.00 hardcover. ISBN: 9781324004370.

Border Citizens: The Making of Indians, Mexicans, and Anglos in Arizona. By Eric V. Meeks. Revised edition. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2020. Pp. xi, 368. $32.95 paperback. ISBN: 9781477319659.

Refugiados climáticos: Un gran reto del siglo XXI. By Miguel Pajares. Barcelona: Rayo Verde Editorial, 2020. Pp. 280. $33.00 paperback. ISBN: 9788417925345.
“Our Roots Are the Same”: Hegemony and Power in Narratives of Chinese Linguistic Antiquity, 1900–1949
Authors: Tam Gina Anne
Published: October 2022

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, a frequent claim among speakers of local Chinese languages (called fangyan in Chinese) is that their native languages preserve the language of antiquity better than the Beijing-based national language, Mandarin. This paper explores the origin of these claims and probes their significance in the making of the Han ethnoracial collective identity. I argue that claims of linguistic proximity to the imagined ancient origins of Chinese civilization represent a form of “hegemonic Han-ness”—an idealized form of the Han collective identity that was both internally hegemonic, in that it was meant to supersede other expressions of Han-ness, and externally hegemonic, in that it was meant to uphold the superiority of the Han people over other ethnoracial groups. From Zhang Taiyan, whose work provided a model for drawing linguistic connections between contemporary local languages and the language spoken at the dawn of Chinese civilization, to local gazetteer authors, who used linguistic data to prove their mother tongues directly had preserved the language of antiquity without being adulterated by the languages of non-Han peoples, this paper explores how various groups drew upon the cultural power of an idealized Han-centered past to challenge the authority afforded to the national language by the state.
Vertical displacement oscillatory modes in tokamak plasmas
Authors: Barberis T. , Yolbarsop A. , Porcelli F.
Published: October 2022

Vertical displacement normal modes in shaped tokamak plasmas are studied analytically, based on the reduced ideal-magnetohydrodynamic model. With the help of quadratic forms, and using the appropriate eigenfunction for vertical displacements with toroidal mode number

$n=0$

and dominant elliptical-angle mode number

$m=1$

, a dispersion relation is derived, including the effects of ideal or resistive walls through a single parameter,

$D_w(\gamma )$

, which is, in general, a function of the complex eigenfrequency

$\gamma = -{\rm i}\omega$

. For the resistive-wall case, the dispersion relation is cubic in

$\gamma$

. One root corresponds to the well-known, non-rotating resistive-wall vertical mode, growing on the resistive-wall time scale. The other two roots are weakly damped by wall resistivity, but oscillate with a frequency below the poloidal Alfvén frequency, which makes them immune to continuum damping, but subject to possible instability due to resonant interaction with fast ions.
Re-examining the /eː-ɛː/ merger in Finland-Swedish: Regional and stylistic variation
Authors: Strandberg Janine A. E. , Gooskens Charlotte , Schüppert Anja
Published: October 2022

This article examines regional and stylistic variation in the merger of front vowels /eː/ and /ɛː/ in Finland-Swedish. The study investigates the merger by comparing formant data from 141 speakers from four Swedish-speaking regions in Finland. Additionally, intraspeaker variation is explored by incorporating samples from three contextual styles. The results indicate cross-regional differences between Finland-Swedish dialects, with a more distinct variant of /ɛː/ being used on the monolingually Swedish-speaking Åland Islands, compared to other regions. However, the findings show that speakers from mainland Finland also demonstrate significantly different formant values for the vowels, particularly in formal speech styles. These results challenge the assumption of a complete /eː-ɛː/ merger in Finland-Swedish, instead pointing to a near-merger, whereby two sounds sound the same to speakers, despite them being differentiated in production. The findings also shed new light on stylistic variation in the variety.