bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Care theft: Family impacts of employer control in Australia's retail industry
Authors: CORTIS NATASHA , BLAXLAND MEGAN , CHARLESWORTH SARA
Published: August 2023

Paid work promises pathways to financial security and wellbeing for families, yet variable scheduling and low pay can interfere with the routines and rhythms of family life, and contribute to caregiving challenges and stress. Using qualitative data from a survey of retail workers, this article shows how Australian employment policies have enabled flexibility practices to be strongly oriented around the needs of employers, reducing employees’ resources for care. We develop the concept of ‘care theft’ from employees’ accounts of the ways flexible scheduling and low pay converge to transform and deplete their temporal, financial and ethical resources for care. As an extension of ‘time theft’ and alternative to individualised notions of ‘work-family balance’, care theft helps make visible the ways employment practices strip resources for care from working people, and shift risk to low-income families and communities.
Is cats one word or two? L2 learners’ processing of number marking in English from the viewpoints of form–meaning mapping
Authors: Tamura Yu
Published: August 2023

This study examined number marking comprehension among Japanese learners of second language (L2) English, whose first language (L1) does not have an obligatory number marking system. The study conducted an online sentence comprehension experiment with 96 L1-Japanese learners and 32 native speakers of English, wherein participants engaged in a self-paced reading with Stroop-like number judgment tasks. Participants were required to determine the number of single words in stimuli (e.g. cat/ cats, one word; the cats/ the cat, two-word sets), and their judgment time was measured for singular and plural words. The results indicated that both groups took more time to judge single plural nouns, suggesting that Japanese L2 learners of English automatically activate plurality in online sentence comprehension as native speakers do. In contrast, neither group showed an interference effect of singularity in judging singular two-word noun sets ( the cat), unless the singularity is explicitly marked by indefinite article ( a cat). The lack of interference may be because of unmarkedness of singularity.
Incidence of nosocomial infection and causative microorganism during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adult patients, a single center study
Authors: Uçar Hüseyin , Yıldırım Süleyman , Köse Şükran , Kirakli Cenk
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an organ support whose use is increasing in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) cases where adequate gas exchange cannot be achieved despite mechanical ventilation. Patients who were followed up on ECMO are at risk for developing nosocomial infections. In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of nosocomial infection and define isolated pathogens from microbiological samples in a single center in Turkey.

Methods

Patients who were followed up on ECMO due to ARDS between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2021, were included in the study. Nosocomial infections that were diagnosed after the first 48 h of ECMO cannulation and after 48 h of ECMO decannulation were accepted as ECMO-related infections.

Results

A total of 50 patients with ARDS were followed up with ECMO. Mean age of patients was 46,8 ± 15,4 and 38 (78%) patients were male. A total of 30 patients (60%) had at least one nosocomial infection, for a rate of 37.6 per 1000 ECMO days. COVID-19, steroid treatment, and ECMO duration were found to be associated with nosocomial infections in patients who underwent ECMO support. In multivariate analysis, antibiotic use was found to be protective against nosocomial infection (OR:0.14, 95% CI: 0.03 – 0.70, p = .017). In addition, prolonged ECMO duration was associated with an increased risk of nosocomial infection in multivariate analysis (OR:1.13, 95% CI: 1.03 – 1.23, p = .010). Gram-negative pathogens were isolated dominantly in blood cultures and tracheal secretion samples, followed by fungi and Gram-positive bacteria.

Conclusion

Patients are prone to nosocomial infections during ECMO. Microorganisms causing nosocomial infections in ECMO patients seem similar to the flora of each center, and this should be taken into account in the choice of empirical antibiotics.
Effectiveness of self-management interventions during the peri-hospitalization period in patients with stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Prados-Román Esther , Cabrera-Martos Irene , Martín-Nuñez Javier , Valenza-Peña Geraldine , Granados-Santiago María , Valenza Marie Carmen
Published: August 2023

Objective

To synthesize the evidence of the effectiveness of self-management interventions during the peri-hospitalization period.

Data sources

Three databases (i.e. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were systematically searched.

Review methods

Full-text randomized controlled studies that assessed the effects of self-management interventions initiated during the peri-hospitalization period in patients with stroke were included. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction. A third reviewer was available for discrepancies. The methodological quality was evaluated using version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB-2). Data were pooled and a meta-analysis was performed.

Results

Eight studies comprising 1030 participants were included. The self-management interventions showed considerable heterogeneity in their protocols, although most of them included an individualized plan based on the patient's needs. The meta-analysis was performed with data from the self-efficacy domains. The pooled results showed a trend towards the self-management intervention on quality of life (1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52 to 1.63; P = 0.0002) but neither in dependence (0.80, 95% CI −0.14 to 1.74; P = 0.10) nor in self-efficacy (0.77, 95% CI −0.44 to 1.98; P = 0.21).

Conclusion

Most of the studies reviewed suggest that self-management interventions had an impact on dependency, quality of life and self-efficacy when compared with usual care, written materials about stroke, or post-discharge rehabilitation recommended by a physician. However, the evidence in this review neither supports nor refutes self-management interventions used in addition to usual care, or other interventions, to improve dependency, quality of life and/or self-efficacy in patients’ post-stroke.
The Impact of Young Children’s Persistent Challenging Behavior on Child Care Providers: “It’s Like Floating in a Sea With No Paddle”
Authors: Doubet Sharon , Ostrosky Michaelene M. , Quesenberry Amanda C.
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this descriptive study was to highlight the experiences of 11 child care providers whose classrooms included preschoolers who engaged in persistent challenging behavior, thus expanding the limited literature on this topic. This qualitative study included two interviews with each provider. The results center around the effect of challenging behavior on the classroom experiences of providers. Findings indicate that children’s challenging behavior impacts the physical and social environment, as well as relationships among providers, children, families, and program administrators. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Second recurrence of aggressive vulvar angiomyxoma: a case report
Authors: Aminimoghaddam Soheila , Sarchami Niloufar , Mahboub Sarah Sadat
Published: August 2023

Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare benign tumor with diverse clinical and radiologic presentations, making its differential diagnosis challenging. Here we report the second recurrence of an aggressive angiomyxoma of the vulva in a 33-year-old woman who presented with pain and swelling. Clinical examination revealed a well-circumscribed large palpable mass extending from the inferior part of the right labia major into the right side of the gluteus. A second recurrence of aggressive angiomyxoma was suspected based on the patient’s history, clinical examination, and magnetic resonance imaging report, and the patient underwent surgical resection with a negative margin. Histological evaluation of the extracted lesion confirmed the diagnosis of aggressive angiomyxoma. At the 1-year follow-up, the patient was recurrence-free. The present report urges more awareness regarding the aggressiveness of angiomyxoma of the vulva. Closer attention should be given to margin-free removal of such tumors, and patients should be routinely followed up for at least 2 years postoperatively for early diagnosis of recurrence, thereby reducing the risk of morbidity.
Galcanezumab treatment changes visual related EEG connectivity patterns in migraine patients
Authors: La Rocca Marianna , Laporta Anna , Clemente Livio , Ammendola Elena , Delussi Marianna Diletta , Ricci Katia , Tancredi Giusy , Stramaglia Sebastiano , de Tommaso Marina
Published: August 2023

Background

Monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP) are innovative therapies for migraine treatment. Although they are clinically effective, how anti-CGRP treatment reduces migraine attacks still remains unclear.

Objective

In this observational case–control study, we aimed to apply graph theory to EEG data from 20 migraine patients and 10 controls to investigate the effects of 3 months of galcanezumab on brain connectivity.

Methods

We analyzed EEG rhythms during black-white pattern reversal stimulation with 0.5 cycle per degree spatial frequency before (T0) galcanezumab injection, as well as after 3 months (T2). EEG recordings made 1 hour after galcanezumab administration served as the control session (T1). Patients’ connectivity patterns obtained at T0, T1 and T2 were compared with normal controls.

Results

We found that galcanezumab increased network integration (with a 5% significance level corrected with the false discovery rate), changing the intensity of connections between the occipital through the frontal areas. At 3 months follow up, patients with persistent high headache intensity had a minor effect on the strength of connections (evaluated using Kendall’s rank correlation test and p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The potent anti-nociceptive action that galcanezumab exerts at a peripheral level could restore cortical connections and possibly factors predisposing to attack onset.
Exploring the Influence of Signal Countdown Timers on Driver Behavior: An Analysis of Pedestrian–Vehicle Conflicts at Signalized Intersections
Authors: Sheykhfard Abbas , Haghighi Farshidreza , Papadimitriou Eleonora , Das Subasish , Van Gelder Pieter
Published: August 2023

Although signal countdown timers (SCTs) are likely to enhance efficiency at signalized intersections, there is little research on how they affect road users’ behavior. The present study explores factors associated with driver behavior through two approaches to examine how SCTs influence drivers’ actions toward pedestrians violating red lights. In the first approach, through an on-road questionnaire survey, the self-reported behavior of 369 drivers when crossing an intersection enabled with SCTs was analyzed. In the second approach, the drivers’ behavior was studied through naturalistic driving studies at two signalized intersections equipped with SCTs in Babol, Iran. Analyzing vehicle–pedestrian conflicts indicated that the presence of SCTs had a significant influence on driving behavior. Also, the ending seconds of green lights, as critical times of the SCTs, led to changes in driving behavior. Increasing the vehicle speed, changing lanes, and concurrent increases of speed and changing lanes were the common driver actions affected by critical times of the SCTs. Finally, the effect of critical times on drivers’ actions during conflicts was modeled by using the binary and multinomial logistic methods. The results show that SCTs are an external factor that can lead to risky driver behavior, such as errors and violations that might increase the potential for pedestrian accidents.
Use of Area Deprivation Index to Predict Minimal Clinically Important Difference for Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
Authors: Shaikh Hashim J.F. , Anderson Devon E. , Chait Alexander R. , Ramirez Gabriel , Bronstein Robert D. , Goldblatt John P. , Giordano Brian D. , Maloney Michael D. , Nicandri Gregg T. , Voloshin Ilya , Mannava Sandeep
Published: August 2023

Background:

Socioeconomic disparities correlate with worse outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. However, use of a surrogate to describe socioeconomic disadvantage has been a challenge. The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) is a tool that encompasses 17 socioeconomic variables into a single metric based on census location.

Hypothesis:

Higher ADI would result in a worse minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and have less improvement in range of motion (ROM) following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR).

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Method:

A retrospective review was performed for patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Patients in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged quartile (ADIHigh) were compared with the least disadvantaged quartile (ADILow) in the ability to reach MCID. Demographic and surgical features were assessed for attainment of MCID.

Results:

In total 1382 patients were identified who underwent ARCR, of which a total of 306 patients met final inclusion criteria. A higher percentage of patients within the ADIHigh cohort identified as “Black” or “other” race and had government-issued insurance compared with the ADILow cohort ( P < .05). The ADIHigh cohort had significantly worse postoperative forward flexion compared with the ADILow cohort (145.0°± 32.5° vs 156.3°± 23.4°; P = .001) despite starting with comparable preoperative ROM ( P = .17). Logistic regression showed that ADI was the only variable significant for predicting achievement of MCID for all 3 PROMIS domains, with the ADIHigh cohort having significantly worse odds of achieving MCID Physical Function (odds ratio [OR], 0.31; P = .001), Pain Interference (OR, 0.21; P = .001), and Depression (OR, 0.28; P = .001). Meanwhile, age, sex, body mass index, and smoking history were nonsignificant. Moreover, “other” for race and Medicare insurance were significant for achievement of MCID Depression but not Physical Function or Pain Interference. Finally, ADI was the main feature for predictive logistic regression modeling.

Conclusion:

ADI served as the only significant predictor for achieving MCID for all 3 PROMIS domains after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Patients who face high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage have lower rates of achieving MCID. In addition, patients with greater neighborhood disadvantage demonstrated significantly worse improvement in active forward flexion. Further investigation is required to understand the role of ADI on physical therapy compliance and to identify the barriers that prevent equitable postoperative care.
Efficacy of Intra-articular Triamcinolone and Hyaluronic Acid in a Frozen Shoulder Rat Model
Authors: Ahn Yongjin , Moon Yong Suk , Park Gi-Young , Cho Sung Cheol , Lee Yoon-Jin , Kwon Dong Rak , Lee Sang Chul
Published: August 2023

Background:

Intra-articular corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid (HA) is commonly prescribed for frozen shoulder. However, few studies have investigated histological and molecular changes after injection.

Purpose:

To compare the effectiveness of intra-articular injections of triamcinolone and HA in a frozen shoulder rat model and verify a greater effect of triamcinolone in passive shoulder abduction compared with HA.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n = 5 in each): control group, which did not receive cast immobilization or injection, and 3 experimental groups, which received 3 weeks of unilateral shoulder immobilization followed by intra-articular injections (normal saline, triamcinolone, or HA) at the immobilized shoulder. Passive shoulder abduction angle, histological and immunohistochemical staining, and Western blotting results were assessed 2 weeks after injection. The intensity and extent of staining were converted to semiquantitative scores for further analysis.

Results:

Shoulder abduction angles before sacrifice were 153.0°± 2.7° (control group), 107.0°± 5.7° (saline group), 139.0°± 9.6° (triamcinoline group), and 110.0°± 10.6° (HA group), showing significant differences between control and saline groups, control and HA groups, saline and triamcinoline groups, and triamcinoline and HA groups ( P < .001) but not between control and triamcinoline groups ( P = .053). Histologic evaluation revealed an increase in synovial folds and thickening of the capsular membrane in the saline and HA groups; this change was not evident in the triamcinolone group. A comparison of semiquantitative scores revealed greater expression levels of proteins involved in fibrosis and angiogenesis in the saline and HA groups compared with the control and triamcinolone groups. In Western blotting, the expression of inflammatory cytokines and the receptor for advanced glycation end products was significantly lower in the triamcinolone and HA groups than in the saline group.

Conclusion:

Triamcinolone injection was more effective than normal saline or HA injection in improving range of motion and reversing fibrotic and angiogenic features of frozen shoulder. Both triamcinolone and HA injections elicited anti-inflammatory effects.

Clinical Relevance:

The antifibrotic and antiangiogenic properties of triamcinolone and the anti-inflammatory properties of both triamcinolone and HA should be considered when performing injections in clinical settings.
Exploring the Determinants of Citizens’ Compliance with COVID-19 Regulations: Legitimacy Versus Fear
Authors: Gurinskaya Anna , Nalla Mahesh K. , Paek Seung Y.
Published: August 2023

This paper explores factors shaping citizens’ obligation to comply with COVID-19 prevention strategies, such as mandatory mask-wearing and recommended social distancing, contact limitation, and stay-at-home measures. The central focus is to assess the relationship between dimensions of state authorities’ legitimacy (normative alignment, obligation to obey, and support for COVID-19 mitigation mandates) and fear factors (risk of sanctions and infection) on citizens’ willingness to comply with COVID-19 mandates. Data for the study came from 508 respondents from Russia's second-largest city, St. Petersburg—in May 2020, when the COVID-19 regional legislation that mandated citizens to wear masks in public went into effect. Overall, our findings suggest that normative alignment and obligation to obey do not directly influence compliance but have an impact through support for regulations. Additionally, fear factors of perceived police sanctions, COVID-19 infection, and self-morality were positively related to compliance.
Peritumoural Radiomics for Identification of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Promoter Mutation in Patients With Glioblastoma Based on Preoperative MRI
Authors: Zhang Hongbo , Zhou Beibei , Zhang Hanwen , Zhang Yuze , Lei Yi , Huang Biao
Published: August 2023

Purpose: To evaluate the value of intra- and peritumoural deep learning (DL) features based on multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for identifying telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation in glioblastoma (GBM). Methods: In this study, we included 229 patients with GBM who underwent preoperative MRI in two hospitals between November 2016 and September 2022. We used four 2D Convolutional Neural Networks (GoogLeNet, DenseNet121, VGG16, and MobileNetV3-Large) to extract intra- and peritumoural DL features. The Mann–Whitney U test, Pearson correlation analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and logistic regression analysis were used for feature selection and construction of DL radiomics (DLR) signatures in different regions. These multi-parametric and multi-region signatures were combined to identify TERT promoter mutation. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the effects of the signatures. Results: The signatures based on the DL features from the peritumoural regions with expansion distances of 2 mm, 8 mm, and 10 mm using the GoogLeNet architecture correlated with the optimal AUC values (test set: .823, .753, and .768) in the T2-weighted, T1-weighted contrast-enhanced, and T1-weighted images. Using the stacking fusion method, DLR with multi-parameter and multi-region fusion achieved the best discrimination with AUC values of .948 and .902 in the training and test sets, respectively. Conclusions: The radiomics model based on the fusion of multi-parameter MRI intra- and peritumoural DLR signatures may help to identify TERT promoter mutation in patients with GBM.
“Did I Hear That Right?”: A CRT Analysis of Racial Microaggressions in K-12 Schools
Authors: Daftary Ashley-Marie Hanna , Ortega Debora , Samimi Ceema , Ball Annahita
Published: August 2023

Microaggressions are well-documented in education literature, yet they are typically explored on the interpersonal level and less often contextualized within a broader educational context. In this study, we used a critical qualitative approach, pairing a Critical Race Theory framework with a feminist critique, to explore K-12 faculty and staff perceptions of racial microaggressions in U.S. public schools. Twenty-five faculty and staff with anti-oppressive orientations shared their perceptions of pathologizing cultural values or communication styles, a specific type of microaggression. A flexible coding approach, including three coding cycles, was used to analyze the data. Participant narratives indicated how Black, Indigenous, and Latinx students, families, faculty, and staff are regularly pathologized in the K-12 education setting. Findings highlight how microaggressions are a form of institutionalized racism that negatively impacts the educational environment, thus norming and reenforcing the dehumanization of People of Color. Implications for future research and social work practice are discussed.
Synthesis and characterization of cyano-terminated bisphenol AF-type polyarylene ether nitrile
Authors: Xiong Xuhai , Liu Donghui , Ren Rong , Wang Jing
Published: August 2023

Four novel phthalonitrile-capped polyarylene ether nitrile oligomers containing trifluoromethyl groups (FPEN-Ph) with different molecular weight were designed and synthesized by adjusting the ratio of bisphenol AF (BPAF) and 2,6-dicholorobenzonitrile (DCBN). The molecular structure of FPEN-Ph oligomers were characterized and analyzed by FTIR, 1HNMR and Gel permeation chromatography. Their curing behaviors were studied by Differential scanning calorimetry and rheological tests, and curing kinetics were also discussed by gel method in detail. The glass fiber cloth reinforced FPEN-Ph composites (FPEN-Ph/GF) had flexural strengths of 415.9–497.5 MPa, shear strengths of 34.5–50.5 MPa, and glass transition temperatures ( Tgs) in the range of 211.3°C–416.6°C. The initial thermal decomposition temperatures ( T5%) of various FPEN-Ph cured products were higher than 500°C under nitrogen. Meanwhile, Fracture morphologies showed that the GF/FPEN-Ph composites had excellent interfacial adhesion between FPEN-Ph matrix and GF reinforcement. Herein, the FPEN-Ph resin could be a good candidate for high-performance polymeric composites and the advanced FPEN-Ph/GF composites can be used under high temperature environment.
Tuning the pin configuration on cold plate for better thermal management of lithium-ion battery
Authors: Kanchan Brajesh Kumar , Bhowmick Debayan , Randive Pitambar
Published: August 2023

Enhancing cooling performance with the lowest pressure drop characteristics is a persistent problem in battery thermal management systems. The present investigation discusses the design of cooling plate pin configuration, especially for the fast charging–discharging operation of lithium-ion batteries. At first, the effect of pin geometrical configurations, viz. triangular, square, circular and elliptical, are studied for thermohydraulic characteristics. Further, orientation of the pin is investigated for normal and thermal runaway conditions. Furthermore, the effect of discharge rate and flow direction on thermal runaway behavior is also analyzed. Our results reveal that introducing pin on the cooling plate is desirable for better battery thermal management and keeping the battery surface temperature within safety guidelines. Further, the elliptical pin on the cooling plate is found to result in the least pressure drop (+80.46%) among pin configurations considered. The temperature of battery surface is found to be minimum when the pins are oriented at an angle of 90° to a flow direction of 180°, which is recommended particularly for the operation of the battery under thermal runaway. Furthermore, the pin configuration maintained cell surface temperature below 22°C and 75°C during normal and thermal runaway conditions, respectively. Moreover, the maximum pressure drop is found to be 225 and 136 kPa during normal and thermal runaway conditions, respectively.
Three zone kinetic model for characteristic analysis of heat loss parameters in a downdraft gasifier
Authors: Palange Rupesh , Krishnan Murugesan
Published: August 2023

The article is focused on demostrating the combined effects of reaction and insulation parameters on syngas compostion during gasification process. A kinetic model is developed and implemented using FORTRAN program to simulate a downdraft gasifier using rubber wood as feedstock. The gasifier model consists of three zones: the pyrolysis, oxidation zone, and reduction zone; the gas composition and temperature distribution are estimated for each zone taking into account equilibrium ratios and reaction kinetics. To study the effect of heat loss, a novel expression in terms of insulation parameters is included for each zone. The properties of biomass composition and oxidant along with reaction constants is supplied as input parameter to the model.The results obtained from the model have been validated with experimental values. The effect of air supply and moisture content, coupled with properties of thermal insulation on final syngas composition and temperture is discussed. The analysis is useful for understanding the effects of energy interaction and it's losses, chemical reactions and operating conditions to maximize the energy output of the gasification process.
Clinical and Radiological Comparison of Single and Double Intra-articular Injection of Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction for Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Fujita Masahiro , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Sobajima Satoshi , Tsubosaka Masanori , Matsushita Takehiko , Iwaguro Hideki , Kuroda Ryosuke
Published: August 2023

The aim of the article is to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes between single and double stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cell injections in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). We included 54 patients treated for varus knee OA with intra-articular SVF cell injection. They were divided into two groups: those who received one injection and those who received two. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, knee range of motion, and knee muscle force were assessed at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the first injection. The preoperative hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle was evaluated using plain radiographs, and T2 mapping values were assessed. The total WOMAC score improved significantly in the single injection group from 3 to 24 months, but the total WOMAC score in the double injection group improved significantly at 24 months. The T2 mapping values in both the groups improved, with a significant difference at 12 months. The preoperative mean HKA angle and the correlation coefficients between the HKA angle and the total WOMAC score and between the HKA angle and the T2 mapping value of the medial femur were significant. In conclusion, double injections may provide more satisfactory treatment outcomes in patients with severe varus knee alignment. This clinical trial is registered in the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (URL: https://saiseiiryo.mhlw.go.jp/published_plan/index/2 ) with the registration name “Cell transplantation therapy for osteoarthritis using autologous subcutaneous adipose tissue-derived regenerative (stem) cells (ADRCs),” and the registration number was “PB5160012.”
Multiscale Price Discovery in the Global Futures Markets: Evidence from Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Zainudin Ahmad Danial , Mohamad Azhar
Published: August 2023

The sharp increase in liquidity has exacerbated volatility in futures markets. The shocks in volatility patterns have triggered the urgent need to re-examine the efficiency of futures markets, but this time on a time scale. In this study, we examine the effectiveness of global futures markets as a reference for future prices. We perform spectrogram analysis to determine the signal sensitivity of both markets, as expressed by the association between the spot and futures markets. We also observe the correlation pattern of spot and futures co-movements in the time-frequency domain. Our study shows that agricultural and energy markets are inefficient in the short term. The low short-term positive correlation leads to a temporary divergence in spot and futures prices, which provides a profit opportunity for futures contract speculators.
The Protective Effect of Ginkgolide K on Astrocytes Exposed to Myelin Debris in vitro and Demyelination in vivo
Authors: Li Xiao-Hui , Liu Ke-Xin , Ding Zhi-Bin , Wang Qing , Song Li-Juan , Yu Jie-Zhong , Ma Dong , Xiao Bao-Guo , Ma Cun-Gen
Published: August 2023

Background

Ginkgolide K ( GK) has a protective effect on neurons and myelin sheath, and the function of astrocytes in phagocytizing myelin debris has attracted extensive attention in remyelination.

Objectives

This study focuses on the impact of GK on the phagocytosis of myelin debris by astrocytes and explores the possibility of treating demyelination.

Materials and Methods

Male C57BL/6 mice were used to establish a cuprizone (CPZ)-induced demyelination model. After being fed a normal or CPZ diet for 4 weeks, mice were intraperitoneally injected with PEG400 or GK for 14 consecutive days. GL261 and primary astrocytes were exposed to myelin debris. Immunohistochemistry/immunocytochemistry staining, western blot, RT-PCR, and other methods were used to detect the relevant indicators.

Results

Astrocytes engulfed myelin debris, leading to astrocyte reactivity with increased p-NF-kB/p65 and ATF6 expression and decreased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression, which was reversed by GK. Subsequently, astrocytes stimulated by myelin debris underwent self-apoptosis with increased expression of caspase-3 and BCL2-associated X (Bax), which was inhibited by GK. Simultaneously, GK efficiently promoted astrocytes to increase the production of neurotrophic ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), speculating that increased CNTF/bFGF, decreased p-NF-kB/p65/ATF6, and up-regulated Nrf2 should participate in the protection of astrocyte apoptosis and build a beneficial microenvironment for myelin regeneration.

Conclusion

The results suggest that GK may have the potential to treat demyelination by promoting debris clearance and improving the brain microenvironment. However, further studies are needed to understand the physiological and pathological consequences of astrocytic phagocytosis and to investigate the possibility of using GK as a therapeutic application.
Fungal Endocarditis as a Rare Cause of Late-Onset Persistent Cyanosis in a Preterm Neonate: A Case Report
Authors: Kumar Basant , Dalal Jagjit Singh , Saxena Anita , Lohchab Shamsher Singh , Rana Nisha , Rani Vijay
Published: August 2023

Persistent cyanosis in newborn occurs commonly due to congenital heart diseases, most of them present with cyanosis in early neonatal period. Herein we report a rare case of late onset persistent cyanosis in a neonate due to a large mass in right atrium caused by fungal endocarditis.
Extrauterine Growth Retardation—Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prediction Model in Tertiary Care Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in North India
Authors: Kukreja Bhavya , Mandhan Gaurav , Sidana Poonam , Sikka Gurleen
Published: August 2023

Background

With the increasing survival of preterm infants, their nutrition becomes an enormous challenge. Adequate nutrition plays an important role in good neurodevelopmental outcomes. Extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) is defined as discharge weight below 10th percentile of the weight expected for that gestation after plotting on postnatal growth charts.

Aims and Objective

This study was conducted to assess the incidence of EUGR in preterm babies and its associated risk factors.

Material and Methods

This was a retrospective medical chart review of neonates admitted from January 2017 to November 2021 to a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Delhi, India. Eligible neonates were all preterm babies born at <35 completed weeks’ gestation admitted in NICU within 24 hours of birth and survived for at least 7 days. Neonates who died during hospitalization or were born with a major congenital anomaly requiring surgery in immediate neonatal period or with any genetic syndrome were excluded.

Results

A total of 250 babies were enrolled in the study, out of which 45.2% neonates were EUGR. Factors significantly associated with EUGR status were long duration of hospital stay, lower birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA) at birth, male sex, persistent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, broncho-pulmonary dysplasia, use of total parenteral nutrition, long duration of mechanical ventilation, longer time to reach full feeds, and interruption of feeds. SGA was associated with highest odds of developing EUGR [OR-80.45 (16.96-1441.09), P<0.001 followed by use of TPN [OR-2.86 (1.61-5.08), p<0.001]. Risk of EUGR increased manifold as the number of risk factors increased.

Future plans

Strategies for prevention of EUGR should focus on prevention of various neonatal morbidities and risk factor reduction during the hospital stay.
Preschool-Based Program on Parenting and Child Behavior for Working Parents: Cluster RCT
Authors: Leung Cynthia , Lu Huijing , Wong Charlotte , Chun Kam Yiu , Szeto Heidi
Published: August 2023

Purpose: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an eight-session universal parent training program for working parents using a parallel cluster randomized controlled trial design. The program was facilitated by preschool-based social workers in preschools. Method: Participants included 242 parents of children attending 16 preschools under the Pilot Scheme on Social Work Service for Pre-Primary Institutions, with 150 (seven preschools) randomly allocated to the intervention group and 92 (nine preschools) to the waitlist control group, with no blinding. Participants completed questionnaires on their parenting stress, parenting practices and emotion coaching (primary outcomes), and children's behavior problems (secondary outcomes). The study was registered with the ISRCTN registry (39415). Results: Mixed effects regression analysis (intention-to-treat) with preschool as a random factor indicated a significant decrease in over-reactivity, and an improvement in emotion coaching. Conclusions: The results provided promising research on the effectiveness of a preschool-based parenting program for working parents.
The Karmic Debt of Pollution Haven Hypothesis: Subnational Environmental Regulatory Pressure and Foreign Divestment from an Emerging Market
Authors: Niu Teng , Wang Peng
Published: August 2023

The pollution haven hypothesis is widely used to explain the predatory relocation of foreign investors to emerging markets. However, the long-term effect of the pollution haven hypothesis remains a mystery, given the natural evolution of environmental regulations. This study proposes that the likelihood of foreign divestment in the emerging market increases when the regional environmental regulatory pressure becomes more stringent. Empirical support is obtained through a Cox proportional hazard model of 402 international joint ventures established in China in 2000, whose foreign divestment status is traced until 2017. The findings support the karmic debt of the pollution haven hypothesis; that is, foreign investors’ focus on avoiding environmental regulatory costs by relocating to emerging markets in the short run will backfire in the long run unless they bring something of value to the host market.
Evidence-Based Assessment of DSM-5 Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders
Authors: Burke Jeffrey D. , Butler Emilie J. , Shaughnessy Shannon , Karlovich Ashley R. , Evans Spencer C.
Published: August 2023

The assessment of oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder—the Disruptive, Impulse Control and Conduct Disorders—can be affected by biases in clinical judgment, including overestimating concerns about distinguishing symptoms from normative behavior and stigma associated with diagnosing antisocial behavior. Recent nosological changes call for special attention during assessment to symptom dimensions of limited prosocial emotions and chronic irritability. The present review summarizes best practices for evidence-based assessment of these disorders and discusses tools to identify their symptoms. Despite the focus on disruptive behavior disorders, their high degree of overlap with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder can complicate assessment. Thus, the latter disorder is also included for discussion here. Good practice in the assessment of disruptive behavior disorders involves using several means of information gathering (e.g., clinical interview, standardized rating scales or checklists), ideally via multiple informants (e.g., parent-, teacher-, and self-report). A commitment to providing a full and accurate diagnostic assessment, with careful and attentive reference to diagnostic guidelines, will mitigate concerns regarding biases.
The Unified Narcissism Scale–Revised: Expanding Measurement and Understanding of Narcissism Across Cultures
Authors: Sivanathan Danushika , Bizumic Boris , Li Wangtianxi , Chen Junwen
Published: August 2023

The study of narcissism has been hindered by conceptual, theoretical, and measurement in-consistencies. In this article, we report two studies that tested a novel unified conceptualization and theoretical approach to narcissism using the Unified Narcissism Scale–Revised. Study 1 revised the recently developed Unified Narcissism Scale to construct a preliminary 40-item measure in a sample of 395 American participants ( Mage= 41). We confirmed the five-factor first-order model, the two-factor second-order model, and the one-factor third-order model. Study 2 considered the cross-cultural performance of the revised scale in the Chinese language in China ( N = 326, Mage= 25.5 years) and in the English language in Sri Lanka ( N = 354 Mage= 28.7 years) and constructed a final 35-item measure. In conducting these studies, we have demonstrated the cross-cultural importance of entitlement and self-esteem to the conceptualization of narcissism and suggest that the negative relationship between narcissism and agreeableness may be culture-specific to Western samples (as evidenced by the absence of this relationship in non-Western samples). In this article, we have constructed a measure of narcissism that has refined our understanding of the construct and created a tool to capture this understanding.
Measuring Thrombus Stability at High Shear, Together With Thrombus Formation and Endogenous Fibrinolysis: First Experience Using the Global Thrombosis Test 3 (GTT-3)
Authors: Kanji Rahim , Leader Joshua , Memtsas Vassilios , Gorog Diana A
Published: August 2023

Thrombus formation in a severely stenosed artery is initiated by high shear activation of platelets, with soluble platelet agonists, such as ADP and thromboxane, playing only a secondary role in the growth and stability of the thrombus. Conventional platelet function tests, however, assess only the soluble agonist-dependent pathway of platelet aggregation. As the thrombus evolves, its stability and ability to withstand dislodgement by arterial flow will determine whether complete and persistent vessel occlusion will occur. The Global Thrombosis Test (GTT), an automated point-of-care technique, simulates the formation of thrombus in whole blood under high shear flow (shear rate >12 000 s−1) and measures the time for occlusive thrombus formation and spontaneous, endogenous thrombolysis/fibrinolysis. The latest GTT-3 model subjects the growing thrombus to upstream pressure, resembling that in a medium-sized artery, and provides an additional assessment of thrombus stability and fibrinolysis rate. It can be used in 3 programs, including a new “hypershear” mode, whereby repetitive cycles of pressure are applied to the growing thrombus, increasing shear rate to ∼22 000 s−1, such as that in patients on mechanical circulatory support. In addition to assessing the risk of arterial thrombosis, the GTT-3 could be used to assess the impact of antithrombotic medications on thrombus stability at high shear. Although current antiplatelet medications target the biochemical axis of platelet aggregation (soluble agonists) and also increase bleeding risk, novel shear-selective antiplatelet therapies may prevent thrombosis while preserving hemostasis. Future studies are needed to assess the usefulness of assessing thrombus stability on cardiovascular and pharmacological evaluation.
Indigenous land-based education in Mexico: practices to perpetuate communal knowledge of territory
Authors: Briseño-Roa Julieta
Published: August 2023

The text analyzes school practices based on territory, Indigenous knowledge and communal life carried out by teachers, students and elders in Indigenous schools in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Based on ethnographic data from 2014 and 2022 in Indigenous middle schools at the North Sierra of Oaxaca is presented the centrality of territory, relationality, respect and reciprocity in school life; mainly through walks through the community, drawings and texts created by the students and interviews with elders. The intention is to discuss the possibilities of land-based education as a way of perpetuating communal knowledge of territory as a form of Indigenous peoples’ resistance.
People with mental illness stigmatize mental illness less: A comparison study between a hospital-based sample of people with mental illness and a non-clinical general population sample in urban India
Authors: Trani Jean-Francois , Yen Bing-Jie , Duncan Alexis , Bakhshi Parul , Palmo Trinley , Jadhav Sushrut , Deshpande Smita
Published: August 2023

Evidence shows that stigma negatively influences the quality of life of persons with severe mental illness. Nonetheless, stigma towards mental illness is lower among persons with a lived experience of mental illness compared to the rest of the population. Understanding the association between stigma of mental illness and the mental status of individuals living in urban India and whether this association is moderated by demographic factors opens a new avenue for prevention of social exclusion. Persons diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe unipolar depression (cases, n  =  647) were recruited from among hospital patients in New Delhi between November 2011 and June 2012 and matched with non-psychiatric urban dwellers by age, sex, and location of residence (controls, n  =  649). Propensity score matching with multivariable linear regression was used to test whether stigma towards mental illness, measured by a 13-item Stigma Questionnaire, differed between cases and controls. Cases reported significantly lower stigma scores than controls (b  =  -0.50, p < 0.0001). The strength of the association between mental illness and stigma was not affected after controlling for age, caste, sex, education, and employment status, while wealth marginally reduced the strength of the association. These findings suggest individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, in New Delhi, India, may be more tolerant towards mental illness and support the need to involve persons with lived experience in the development and implementation of health promotional campaigns and programs aimed at reducing stigma towards mental illness.
‘When it comes to the true crime community, Taylor is a legend’: Social and symbolic capital among murderabilia fans
Authors: Fathallah Judith
Published: August 2023

This article explores and clarifies the usage of social and symbolic capital as applied to fan studies. It illustrates the author's definitions with a case study from the neglected arena of dark fandom. I argue that ‘social capital’ should be used to refer to the network of friends and associates agents possess within a subculture, whether dyadic, triadic or multidirectional, but that to qualify as social capital, there must be mutual recognition of the tie. I illustrate this argument through a case study of the online presence and persona of Taylor James, the owner and proprietor of leading murderabilia auction site CultCollectibles.org. ‘Murderabilia’ refers to items formerly possessed by or associated with celebrity criminals, particularly serial killers. I further establish that contra Thornton, we do not observe mainstream condemnation generating subcultural capital within this sphere, but rather, mainstream media attention can be negotiated by appeals to traditional forms of expertise.
Multi-objective optimization of energy, thermal and visual comfort for dormitory buildings in the cold climate of China
Authors: Zheng Chi , Xu Wei , Wang Ling , Cao Xu , Li Meng , Zhang Anxiao
Published: August 2023

The dormitory building design is a comprehensive procedure that requires the integration of multiple objectives to meet the demands of occupants and society. However, building energy consumption and thermal and visual comfort are often contradictory during the preliminary design process. This study proposes a multi-objective optimization framework based on Pareto front solutions to optimize the energy, thermal and visual performance of dormitory buildings in a cold climate. Three typical spatial layouts and important design variables of dormitory buildings, including orientation, geometric dimension, window-to-wall ratio, U-value and solar heat gain coefficient of glazing, shading type, openable window area ratio and green roof are systematically discussed. The results show that compared to the reference design, the multi-objective optimization method can simultaneously reduce energy use density by 27%–46% and summer thermal discomfort time by 6%–10% and improve Useful Daylight Illuminance by 0%–5%. The potential for energy saving and thermal comfort of the double-sided corridor layout is the greatest, while the single-sided open corridor layout has the greatest daylighting potential. Furthermore, optimal ranges of design variables for different spatial layout types are recommended. Architects can choose appropriate space layout types and corresponding design variable values according to actual engineering needs towards a sustainable indoor built environment.