bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A generic numerical method for treating a system of Volterra integro-differential equations with multiple delays and variable bounds
Authors: Kürkçü Ömür Kıvanç , Sezer Mehmet
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to treat a novel system of Volterra integro-differential equations with multiple delays and variable bounds, constituting a generic numerical method based on the matrix equation and a combinatoric-parametric Charlier polynomials. The proposed method utilizes these polynomials for the matrix relations at the collocation points.

Design/methodology/approach

Thanks to the combinatorial eligibility of the method, the functional terms can be transformed into the generic matrix relations with low dimensions, and their resulting matrix equation. The obtained solutions are tested with regard to the parametric behaviour of the polynomials with $\alpha$, taking into account the condition number of an outcome matrix of the method. Residual error estimation improves those solutions without using any external method. A calculation of the residual error bound is also fulfilled.

Findings

All computations are carried out by a special programming module. The accuracy and productivity of the method are scrutinized via numerical and graphical results. Based on the discussions, one can point out that the method is very proper to solve a system in question.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a generic computational numerical method containing the matrix expansions of the combinatoric Charlier polynomials, in order to treat the system of Volterra integro-differential equations with multiple delays and variable bounds. Thus, the method enables to evaluate stiff differential and integral parts of the system in question. That is, these parts generates two novel components in terms of unknown terms with both differentiated and delay arguments. A rigorous error analysis is deployed via the residual function. Four benchmark problems are solved and interpreted. Their graphical and numerical results validate accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method. In fact, a generic method is, thereby, provided into the literature.
Making a feminist impact: mobilising knowledge through scholarly activism
Authors: Liu Helena , Taylor Helen
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This article reflects on our joint experiences co-creating impact through a project in knowledge mobilisation – a website that disseminated resources and facilitated developmental activities for scholar-activists. We examine this project from the perspectives of the first author who created and ran the website and the second author who participated as a community member from the project’s launch.

Design/methodology/approach

The website attracted a scholarly activist community primarily comprising former and current women academics, who collaboratively informed the first author’s creation of articles, newsletters and workshops, that sought to develop individual and institutional capacities for feminist leadership.

Findings

This project in co-creating impact revealed the yearning and potential academics had for support and belonging. They were drawn to the website because many struggled with overwork, burnout and violence within a system that they did not feel was built for them. They strove to build a community around the website and its associated activities and resources so that they could fill the perceived gaps and heal the felt harms of their institutions.

Originality/value

Our reflections consider the different ways impact may be collaboratively generated through knowledge mobilisation in community, including how feminist redefinitions of impact may be designed and demonstrated in future projects. At the same time, we also critically examine the limitations of attempting to redress institutional issues as individuals without formal authority in those institutions.
Determining factors and barriers to the uptake of climate change adaptation strategies of agriculture and aquaculture farm households in Myanmar
Authors: Tun Oo Aung , Cho Ame , Yan Naing Saw , Marin Giovanni
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Climate change is an undeniable reality that threatens people’s livelihoods. Flooding and saltwater intrusion, along with the rising sea levels, are affecting agricultural and aquaculture livelihoods in Myanmar’s coastal areas. Although climate change adaptation is gaining popularity as a resilience strategy to cope with the negative effects of climate change, both agriculture- and aquaculture-farmers are more often deterred from implementing climate change adaptation strategies due to practical availability and socioeconomic barriers to adaptation. This study aims to evaluate the barriers and factors that influence farm household’ choice of climate change adaptation measures.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted with 599 farm households (484 rice-farmers and 115 fish farmers) based in the coastal areas of Myanmar during 2021–2022 to explore the farmer’s choice of climate change adaptation measures and the determining factors. The multinomial logit regression (MLR) model was used to examine the factors influencing the farmers’ choice of climate change adaptation strategies.

Findings

The study found out that farm households use a variety of adaptation methods at the farm level, with building embankment strategy (23.4%) in agriculture and net-fencing measure (33.9%) in fish farming being the most popular adaptation strategies. Farmers’ decisions to adopt climate change adaptation strategies are influenced by factors such as distance to market, education level of the household head, remittance income and the availability of early warning information, among others. The study also discovered that COVID-19 has had an impact on the employment opportunities of household members and the income from farming as well had a consequential effect on the adoption of climate change adaptation measures. Furthermore, lack of credit (42.4%), labor shortage (52.8%), pest and disease infestation (58.9%), high input costs (81%) and lower agricultural product prices (73%) were identified as major barriers to the adoption of climate change adaptation measures by both agriculture and aquaculture farm households.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that the COVID-19 pandemic and farm-level barriers are the major factors influencing farm households’ choice of climate change adaptation measures, and that removing practical farm-level barriers and encouraging the adoption of adaptation techniques as potential COVID-19 recovery actions are required. This study also highlighted that the adaptive capacity of agriculture and aquaculture farm households should be strengthened through formal and informal training programs, awareness raising, the exchange of early warning information and the development of proper credit scheme programs.
Linguistic landscape of restaurants in a tourist city: do outdoor signs represent menus?
Authors: Hazaea Abduljalil Nasr , Alfaifi Abdullah , Al-Sofi Bakr Bagash Mansour Ahmed
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the language choices of outdoor signs and menus in addition to the functions of outdoor signs in restaurants in a Saudi tourist city, Abha. The primary focus is on identifying the extent to which outdoor signs accurately represent the language choices of restaurant menus.

Design/methodology/approach

The study developed a conceptual framework for the linguistic landscape (LL) of restaurants. It employed a quantitative approach to collect outdoor signs and menus of 75 sampled restaurants in Abha using online photos and a smartphone camera. Then it analyzed the frequency and percentage of language choices on outdoor signs and menus as well as the extent to which language choices of outdoor signs represent menus.

Findings

The findings indicate that more than half (58.66%) of the restaurants employ bilingual signage in both Arabic and English. Other languages like Spanish, French, Chinese and Turkish are sporadically used, with multilingualism observed only in isolated instances. The study also reveals that bi/multilingualism on outdoor signs primarily serves informational purposes, where more than one-third (36%) of the outdoor signs use languages other than Arabic to serve a symbolic function. Regarding menus, Arabic and English dominate, while Turkish appears on one menu. Spanish, French, and Chinese are absent from restaurant menus, indicating linguistic mismatch in terms of language choices.

Originality/value

This study contributes to LL studies of restaurants in tourist cities by showing language choices and functions of outdoor signs and their alignment with menus.
Co-creation and brand happiness: insights from a Korean perspective
Authors: Nobi Benjamin
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Extant literature has extensively explored the factors driving consumer emotions. This study aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse by elucidating the influence of co-creation on consumer emotions. Specifically, this investigation seeks to probe how co-creation activities, orchestrated by firms, impact consumers' emotional experiences, with a particular emphasis on brand happiness. By addressing this research gap, the author aims to shed light on the understudied domain of co-creation's effects on consumer emotions, notably brand happiness, a subject that warrants further investigation in prior scholarly works.

Design/methodology/approach

Using surveys as the primary data collection method, the author assesses consumer perceptions, emotions and brand social responsibility. The initial study aims to discern the mediating role of brand social responsibility in the link between co-creation and brand happiness. Subsequently, the second study evaluates the moderating effect of brand social responsibility in the relationship between co-creation and brand happiness. These systematic investigations enable us to uncover the intricate dynamics between co-creation, brand social responsibility and consumers' emotional experiences, culminating in a deeper understanding of the phenomena at play.

Findings

The empirical findings of this study unveil the substantial impact of co-creation on consumers' brand happiness. Engaging in co-creation with a brand leads to a notable elevation in consumers' perceptions of the brand's social responsibility. Importantly, this heightened perception of brand social responsibility positively influences their emotional affinity toward the brand, resulting in increased happiness. Furthermore, this investigation sheds light on an intriguing aspect – the role of an individual's personal expressiveness. It accentuates how personal expressiveness acts as an augmenting factor, strengthening the effect of co-creation on brand happiness.

Originality/value

This research addresses the relatively underexplored topic of brand happiness, which constitutes a fundamental aspect of consumers' experiences. By shedding light on the intricate interplay between co-creation, consumer emotions and happiness, this research introduces an essential theoretical framework that emphasizes the pivotal role of co-creation in driving consumer emotional experiences and overall happiness. As such, this study presents a comprehensive and valuable contribution to the growing body of knowledge in consumer behavior and marketing.
Islamic social finance system: an alternative tool for tackling educational setbacks in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Muhammad Tijjani , Al-Shaghdari Fahd
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to address educational setbacks and public spending using Islamic social finance tools such as waqf (Islamic endowment) and zakat (alms) to accelerate the educational sector from an underprivileged situation to prosperity in Northern Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows quantitative research techniques to achieve its objectives. The data for this research were compiled through a survey of 302 respondents following a convenience sampling approach using covariance-based structural equation modeling and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software to analyze the data.

Findings

The study shows that waqf and zakat are found to be positively related to enhance the education sector through direct and mediating variables.

Practical implications

The result of this study proposed an integrated model of waqf-zakat microfinance as a sustainable source of funding for accelerating and promoting the educational system in Northern Nigeria.

Originality/value

Zakat and waqf in Northern Nigeria were only given to needy individuals; no standard organization or model was developed based on waqf and zakat for the society. This study investigates the efficiency of waqf and zakat and proposes a model for developing a sustainable educational sector and public spending in Northern Nigeria.
The impact of Islamic tourism on the satisfaction of local tourists
Authors: Poan Roy , Verin Cyntia Yulia
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of Islamic tourism intention on local tourists.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used quantitative methods. Online questionnaires were distributed and collected from those who know about Islamic tourism, have visited Islamic tourism in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia, and people who have the intention to visit Padang City as an Islamic destination. A total of 405 valid responses were gathered using non-probability purposive sampling and snowball sampling methods.

Findings

The results show that reputation significantly affects brand equity in terms of Islamic tourism for the satisfaction of local tourist. In addition, reputation significantly affects trust, intention significantly affects reputation and intention significantly affects trust regarding the impact of Islamic tourism on local tourist satisfaction.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the originality of this research is that it is the first to integrate the dimensions of brand equity (awareness, image, quality, value and loyalty) mediated by trust and reputation towards Islamic tourism intention.
Motion optimization based on hierarchical iterative parameter learning for complicated trajectory
Authors: Guo Yi , Huang TianYi , Huang Haohui , Zhao Huangting , Liu Weitao
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an accurate and practical imitation learning for robotics. The modified dynamic movement primitives (DMPs), global fitting DMPs (GLDMPs), is presented. Framework design, theoretical derivation and stability proof of GLDMPs are discussed in the paper.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the DMPs, the hierarchical iterative parameter adaptive framework is developed as the hierarchical iteration stage of the GLDMPs to tune the designed parameters adaptively to extract richer features. Inspired by spatial transformations, the coupling analytical module which can be regarded as a reversible transformation is proposed to analyze the high-dimensional coupling information and transfer it to trajectory.

Findings

With the proposed framework and module, DMPs derive majority features of the demonstration and cope with three-dimensional rotations. Moreover, GLDMPs achieve favorable performance without specialized knowledge. The modified method has been demonstrated to be stable and convergent through inference.

Originality/value

GLDMPs have an advantage in accuracy, adaptability and practicality for it is capable of adaptively computing parameters to extract richer features and handling variations in coupling information. With demonstration and simple parameter settings, GLDMPs can exhibit excellent and stable performance, accomplish learning and generalize in other regions. The proposed framework and module in the paper are useful for imitation learning in robotics and could be intuitive for similar imitation learning methods.
NEIGHBOURHOODS AGAINST THE STATE: Reversing Territorial Stigma in Casablanca and Beyond
Authors: Portelli Stefano
Published: June 2024

Neoliberal urban interventions are perceived as authoritarian by the people affected—regardless of whether they are implemented by an autocrat, a dynastic king or an elected government—because they are supported by narratives designed and imposed from outside which contrast with local perceptions of space and social life. Fieldwork reports from two displacement processes implemented by an authoritarian state—Morocco—are compared with similar observations in two allegedly ‘democratic’ countries—Italy and Spain. In all cases, the residents respond with counter‐narratives that highlight the importance of local social structures based on strong personal ties and the collective use of resources that enable them to survive neglect and stigmatization. A common trope is the idea of a ‘big family’ of neighbours struggling against a state that refuses to acknowledge the dignity and value of local social life, thus betraying and alienating its own citizens.
Dietary intake and quality among adults with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review
Authors: Thornton Ruby R. , Linke Isabelle V. , Utter Jennifer , van Geelen Katie
Published: June 2024

Aims

This systematic review aims to describe the dietary quality, dietary intake and related behaviours of adults diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in four databases (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, CENTRAL); studies were included if they addressed dietary intake, diet quality or eating behaviours among adults (≥15 years) living with cystic fibrosis and were published from January 2000 to November 2022. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the risk of bias and quality of included studies. Findings were synthesised narratively.

Results

Nineteen observational studies (n = 2236) were included and considered high to moderate quality. Most (13/19) studies reported that individuals with cystic fibrosis were consuming high‐energy diets; where studies reported energy intake as a proportion of requirements met, energy intake was high, even when using individualised or cystic fibrosis‐specific referents. In addition, fat intakes as a proportion of energy appeared high (29%–39% of total energy), particularly as current guidelines recommend macronutrient profile similar to the general population (<30% of total energy). There was considerable variation in the reporting of fatty acid profiles and other nutrients. Five studies reported on concerns regarding diet and eating in this population.

Conclusion

Findings from the current review suggest dietary intakes of adults with cystic fibrosis appear to be less than optimal and concerns about diet, weight and food may be emerging in this population. Future research utilising consistent measures of dietary assessment and reporting, reporting of medical therapies, and exploring potential concerns about diet and eating is warranted.
Effect of oxidized starch on the storage stability of frozen raw noodles: Water distribution, protein structure, and quality attributes
Authors: Hou Lili , Jia Ziyang , Zhao Kaifeng , Xiao Shensheng , Fu Yang , Zhan Wanzhi , Wu Yan , Wang Xuedong
Published: June 2024

Freezing is a popular method of food preservation with multiple advantages. However, it may change the internal composition and quality of food. This study aimed to investigate the effect of modified starch on the storage stability of frozen raw noodles (FRNs) under refrigerated storage conditions. Oxidized starch (OS), a modified starch, is widely used in the food industry. In the present study, texture and cooking loss rate analyses showed that the hardness and chewiness of FRNs with added OS increased and the cooking loss rate decreased during the frozen storage process. Low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance characterization confirmed that the water‐holding capacity of FRNs with OS was enhanced. When 6% OS was added, the maximum freezable water content of FRNs was lower than the minimum freezable water content (51%) of FRNs without OS during freezing. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy showed that after the addition of OS, the secondary structures beneficial for structural maintenance were increased, forming a denser protein network and improving the microstructure of FRNs. In summary, the water state, protein structure, and quality characteristics of FRNs were improved by the addition of OS within an appropriate range.
Search with learning in the retail gasoline market
Authors: Wu Xiaosong , Lewis Matthew S. , Wolak Frank A.
Published: June 2024

This article estimates a model of optimal search where consumers learn the distribution of gasoline prices during their driving trips. Our model incorporates traffic information and leverages this ordered search environment to recover parameters of the search and learning process using only station‐level price and market share data. We find that learning is a crucial component of search in this market. Consumers' prior beliefs regularly deviate from the true price distribution but are updated quickly following each new price observation. Counterfactuals reveal how these learning dynamics generate asymmetric search patterns commonly associated with asymmetric cost pass‐through.
Paracoccus kondratievae produces poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) under elevated temperature conditions
Authors: Moanis Radwa , Geeraert Hannelore , Van den Brande Niko , Hennecke Ulrich , Peeters Eveline
Published: June 2024

As part of ongoing efforts to discover novel polyhydroxyalkanoate‐producing bacterial species, we embarked on characterizing the thermotolerant species, Paracoccus kondratievae, for biopolymer synthesis. Using traditional chemical and thermal characterization techniques, we found that P. kondratievae accumulates poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), reaching up to 46.8% of the cell's dry weight after a 24‐h incubation at 42°C. Although P. kondratievae is phylogenetically related to the prototypical polyhydroxyalkanoate producer, Paracoccus denitrificans, we observed significant differences in the PHB production dynamics between these two Paracoccus species. Notably, P. kondratievae can grow and produce PHB at elevated temperatures ranging from 42 to 47°C. Furthermore, P. kondratievae reaches its peak PHB content during the early stationary growth phase, specifically after 24 h of growth in a flask culture. This is then followed by a decline in the later stages of the stationary growth phase. The depolymerization observed in this growth phase is facilitated by the abundant presence of the PhaZ depolymerase enzyme associated with PHB granules. We observed the highest PHB levels when the cells were cultivated in a medium with glycerol as the sole carbon source and a carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratio of 10. Finally, we found that PHB production is induced as an osmotic stress response, similar to other polyhydroxyalkanoate‐producing species.
Comprehensive analysis of the prognostic role of laboratory indices in advanced lung cancer patients
Authors: Cavdar Eyyüp , Karaboyun Kubilay , Kara Kaan
Published: June 2024

Objective

Lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer‐related death, is diagnosed mostly in advanced stages, and 5‐year survival is approximately 5.8%. It is critical to identify reliable prognostic factors to optimize treatment responses, guide therapeutic strategies and pave the way to new research. In this study, we aimed to investigate the strongest prognostic factors for advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 278 patients with NSCLC. We evaluated the association between potential prognostic factors and overall survival (OS) times using Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis.

Results

The median OS in all patients was 15.3 months. In univariate analysis, gender, histologic type, performance status, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, hemoglobin level, serum albumin, sodium–globulin ratio (SGR), neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), hemoglobin–albumin–lymphocyte–platelet score (HALP), and advanced lung cancer index (ALI) were associated with survival. Models were established for multivariate analyses. In the models, NLR, SGR, HALP, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status showed independent prognostic features (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p = 0.010, and p = 0.025, respectively). In addition, in the subgroup analysis, prognostic indexes (NLR, SGR, and HALP) were found to have a prognostic effect on survival in multiple subgroups.

Conclusions

Pretreatment NLR, SGR, HALP, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and ECOG performance status are independent prognostic factors for advanced NSCLC patients. These prognostic factors can be used in clinical practice as easily accessible, simple, and useful tools for clinicians.
The association between sensory processing and stress in the adult population: A systematic review
Authors: Harrold Aine , Keating Kim , Larkin Fionnuala , Setti Annalisa
Published: June 2024

There is emerging empirical evidence indicating that differences in self‐reported sensory processing may be associated with differences in levels of stress in the adult populations. Understanding how sensory processing relates to stress is of clinical relevance, given the well‐established impact of stress on physical health, mental health and well‐being. Although several studies have examined the association between sensory processing and stress in adult populations, no published reviews have systematically summarised and synthesised these findings. We aimed to fill this gap by conducting a systematic review to synthesise the available evidence examining the association between self‐reported sensory processing and self‐reported measures of stress in the adult population. The review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA‐S) checklist. Twenty studies were included in the final review. Quality assessment was conducted with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Overall, the evidence is strong for an association between differences in sensory processing and self‐reported stress in adults. This association was found across a range of populations and measures of stress, in cross‐sectional studies. The most commonly used measure of sensory processing was the Highly Sensitive Person Scale, which was consistently moderately associated with a range of measures of stress. The quality of the included studies was generally good, with most meeting four or five out of five criteria. Longitudinal studies are lacking. There is strong evidence for a cross‐sectional association between sensory processing and stress in an adult population. Further research, in particular longitudinal studies and studies including clinical populations, would be of benefit in order to establish causality.
Sustainable supply chains – Designing a requisite holistic model
Authors: Perko Igor , del Gaudio Giovanna , Potocan Vojko
Published: June 2024

Our study explored the relationships between supply chain (SC) members and their local and global stakeholders in achieving sustainability goals based on requisite holistic analysis and system dynamics modeling, which goes beyond the previous attempts to improve SC sustainability. In this research, we first developed a model that addresses the basic holistic treatment of SC sustainability; in a second model of sustainable SC (SSC), we then considered requisite holistic interactions among its stakeholders. We used the theory‐based viable system model to diagnose the proposed holistic model of SSC. The results show that especially the low‐tier SC members require supporting frameworks to develop and maintain the capacity for sustainable interactions with nature and society. These supportive frameworks should be provided by the regulatory bodies, society, and nature representatives to surpass the limited SC profit‐oriented incentives and structures. The implications of the proposed models are aimed at developing supportive SC sustainable policies and improving the capacities of SC members to coexist with local social and natural environments. Regulators, society, and the natural environment representatives can apply the proposed models to establish new policies for sustainable interactions between SC members and other societal stakeholders.
A phase II trial of apalutamide for intermediate‐risk prostate cancer and molecular correlates
Authors: Hahn Andrew W. , Manyam Ganiraju C. , Chapin Brian F. , Zhang Miao , Yu Yao , Pettaway Curtis A. , Chery Lisly , Pisters Louis L. , Ward John F. , Gregg Justin R. , Papadopoulos John , Kamat Ashish M. , Lozano Marisa , Hoang Anh , Broom Bradley , Wang Xuemei , Huff Chad D. , Logothetis Christopher J. , Troncoso Patricia , Pilié Patrick G. , Davis John W.
Published: June 2024

Objectives

To determine whether 6 months of preoperative apalutamide for intermediate‐risk prostate cancer (IRPCa) reduces the aggregate postoperative radiotherapy risk and to evaluate associations of molecular perturbations with clinical outcomes in this study cohort.

Patients and Methods

Between May 2018 and February 2020, eligible patients with IRPCa (Gleason 3 + 4 or 4 + 3 and clinical T2b‐c or prostate‐specific antigen level of 10–20 ng/mL) were treated with apalutamide 240 mg/day for 6 months followed by radical prostatectomy (RP) in this single‐arm, phase II trial. The primary endpoint was presence of any adverse pathological feature at risk of pelvic radiation (pathological T stage after neoadjuvant therapy [yp]T3 or ypN1 or positive surgical margins). Translational studies, including germline and somatic DNA alterations and RNA and protein expression, were performed on post‐apalutamide RP specimens, and assessed for associations with clinical outcomes.

Results

A total of 40 patients underwent a RP, and only one patient discontinued apalutamide prior to 6 months. In all, 40% had adverse pathological features at time of RP, and the 3‐year biochemical recurrence (BCR) rate was 15%, with 27.5% being not evaluable. Genomic alterations frequently seen in metastatic PCas, such as androgen receptor (AR), tumour protein p53 (TP53), phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), or BReast CAncer associated gene (BRCA1/2) were underrepresented in this localised cohort. Adverse pathological features and BCR at 3‐years were associated with increased expression of select cell cycle (e.g., E2F targets: adjusted P value [Padj] < 0.001, normalised enrichment score [NES] 2.47) and oxidative phosphorylation (Padj < 0.001, NES 1.62) pathways.

Conclusions

Preoperative apalutamide did not reduce the aggregate postoperative radiation risk to the pre‐specified threshold in unselected men with IRPCa. However, transcriptomic analysis identified key dysregulated pathways in tumours associated with adverse pathological outcomes and BCR, which warrant future study. Further investigation of preoperative therapy is underway for men with high‐risk PCa.
The relationship between video games and social–emotional delay in Chinese rural preschoolers: A comparison of five types of media
Authors: Gou He , Yang Yinglong
Published: June 2024

Background

Recent studies have revealed a negative relationship between children's digital media use and social–emotional development. However, few studies distinguish between different digital devices and the different functions they provide that may lead to different outcomes.

Methods

This study explored the relationship between young children's time spent on various digital devices and their social–emotional delay based on a survey of 1182 preschoolers (3 to 6 years old) in rural China. Children's social–emotional delay was assessed through a validated screening tool (ASQ‐SE II).

Results

Children's time spent on television, computers, tablets, or smartphones was not associated with their social–emotional delay. However, their risk of social–emotional delay increased as their time spent on game consoles increased. This relationship was reflected in five of the seven behavioural areas of children's social–emotional development (i.e., self‐regulation, compliance, affect, social communications, and interactions with people). Moreover, it did not vary between children with different socioeconomic statuses.

Conclusions

This study suggests a possible relationship between children's social–emotional delay and video games, which might need to be paid more attention to than other media types.
Residential Status Disparities in Social Participation and Quality of Life Among Chinese Children: The Mediating Role of Social Skills and Smartphone Addiction
Authors: Xu Shuo , Li Chunkai
Published: June 2024

The relationship between social participation and quality of life (QoL) remains unclear, and scant investigation has been conducted to explore its underlying mechanisms. This study is aimed at elucidating this connection among Chinese children, emphasizing the mediating roles of social skills and smartphone addiction, alongside the moderating effect of residential status. Data was gathered from Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, comprising 639 children (53.7% girls), aged between 12 and 18 years (mean age = 15 years, SD = 1.65). Results indicated that social participation was positively associated with children's QoL, with both social skills and smartphone addiction mediating the link. Additionally, residential status moderated the relationship between social participation and QoL, exhibiting a stronger effect on children in urban areas than their rural counterparts. These findings highlight the necessity to enhance social participation among children and further promote balanced development between rural and urban areas in China.
The impact of the European Society of Cardiology guidelines and whole exome sequencing on genetic testing in hereditary cardiac diseases
Authors: Mio Catia , Zucco Jessica , Fabbro Dora , Bregant Elisa , Baldan Federica , Allegri Lorenzo , D'Elia Angela Valentina , Collini Valentino , Imazio Massimo , Damante Giuseppe , Faletra Flavio
Published: June 2024

In the last decade, an incredible improvement has been made in elucidating the genetic bases of cardiomyopathies. Here we report the impact of either the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines or the use of whole exome sequencing (WES) in terms of a number of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) and missed diagnoses in a series of 260 patients affected by inherited cardiac disorders. Samples were analyzed using a targeted gene panel of 128 cardiac‐related genes and/or WES in a subset of patients, with a three‐tier approach. Analyzing (i) only a subset of genes related to the clinical presentation, strictly following the ESC guidelines, 20.77% positive test were assessed. The incremental diagnostic rate for (ii) the whole gene panel, and (iii) the WES was 4.71% and 11.67%, respectively. The diverse analytical approaches increased the number of VUSs and incidental findings. Indeed, the use of WES highlights that there is a small percentage of syndromic conditions that standard analysis would not have detected. Moreover, the use of targeted sequencing coupled with “narrow” analytical approach prevents the detection of variants in actionable genes that could allow for preventive treatment. Our data suggest that genetic testing might aid clinicians in the diagnosis of inheritable cardiac disorders.
B‐cell immune deficiency in twin sisters expands the phenotype of MOPDI
Authors: Gauthier Lucas W. , Gossez Morgane , Malcus Christophe , Viel Sébastien , Monneret Guillaume , Bordonné Remy , Pons Linda , Cabet Sara , Delous Marion , Mazoyer Sylvie , Putoux Audrey , Edery Patrick
Published: June 2024

Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type I (MOPDI) is a very rare and severe autosomal recessive disorder characterized by marked intrauterine growth retardation, skeletal dysplasia, microcephaly and brain malformations. MOPDI is caused by biallelic mutations in RNU4ATAC, a non‐coding gene involved in U12‐type splicing of 1% of the introns in the genome, which are recognized by their specific splicing consensus sequences. Here, we describe a unique observation of immunodeficiency in twin sisters with mild MOPDI, who harbor a novel n.108_126del mutation, encompassing part of the U4atac snRNA 3′ stem‐loop and Sm protein binding site, and the previously reported n.111G>A mutation. Interestingly, both twin sisters show mild B‐cell anomalies, including low naive B‐cell counts and increased memory B‐cell and plasmablasts counts, suggesting partial and transitory blockage of B‐cell maturation and/or excessive activation of naive B‐cells. Hence, the localization of a mutation in stem II of U4atac snRNA, as observed in another RNU4ATAC‐opathy with immunodeficiency, that is, Roifman syndrome (RFMN), is not required for the occurrence of an immune deficiency. Finally, we emphasize the importance of considering immunodeficiency in MOPDI management to reduce the risk of serious infectious episodes.
‘It can be an abuse, even though both have consented’: Swedish preschool practitioners' discussions about teaching (sexual) consent to preschoolers
Authors: Hulth Magdalena
Published: June 2024

This article describes how (sexual) consent is constructed as an objective for teaching in Swedish preschool. An age‐critical analysis of focus‐group discussions with preschool practitioners shows how a didactic of consent is constructed and characterised: (1) The child should be trained to feel non‐ambivalence. (2) Prohibitions are created against acts not considered age‐appropriate. (3) Age‐appropriate prior knowledge is required for a child's consent to be considered valid. Finally, alternative didactics of consent is discussed, in which ambivalence and unpredictability are highlighted as important elements.
Planning for a future of changes: Prioritising areas for conservation of small mammals in the Caatinga, Brazil
Authors: da Costa‐Pinto Anna Ludmilla , Kujala Heini , Bovendorp Ricardo S. , Malhado Ana Cláudia , Ladle Richard J.
Published: June 2024

Aim

Human land‐use and climate change are two of the main threats affecting biodiversity, especially in arid/semiarid regions. The most effective way to protect the species in these ecosystems against these threats is through the delimitation of protected areas (PAs). However, such PAs need to be targeted cost‐efficiently and consider future climate change. We identify priority areas to preserve small mammal species in the Caatinga in the present and in a future of climate changes. We also evaluate how well these priority areas are protected by currently PAs and identify ways forward to improve their protection.

Location

The Caatinga Dry Forest, Northeast Brazil.

Methods

We use ecological niche models and Zonation spatial prioritisation software to identify the top 30% priority areas to preserve small mammal species under current climate and land use scenarios, besides considering optimistic and pessimistic scenarios of future climate change. We also evaluate how much these priority areas are covered by current PAs, identify ways to further improve their protection using hierarchical mask analysis, and by evaluating species mean distribution coverage.

Results

The consequences of climate change will not hugely impact the distribution of priority areas for species conservation in the Caatinga. Around 13% of the identified priority areas overlap with current PAs, and planning the expansion of PAs considering integral protection areas increases the coverage of priority areas to more than 18% and captures more than 72% of species suitable area.

Main Conclusions

Our prioritisations take into account climate change and provide low risk if conducted as a ‘no‐regrets’ conservation action. These priority areas are poorly supported by the Brazilian PA system, and need of further protection. One cost‐effective option could be to upgrade some sustainable use PAs into more restrictive ones. Securing these priority areas helps preserve the long‐term ecosystem functioning and to prevent biodiversity loss in a changing world.
Children's gender essentialism and prejudice: Testing causal links via an experimental manipulation
Authors: Gross E. B. , Fine Rachel D. , Gülgöz Selin , Olson Kristina R. , Gelman Susan A.
Published: June 2024

Despite increases in visibility, gender‐nonconforming young people continue to be at risk for bullying and discrimination. Prior work has established that gender essentialism in children correlates with prejudice against people who do not conform to gender norms, but to date no causal link has been established. The present study investigated this link more directly by testing whether children's gender essentialism and prejudice against gender nonconformity can be reduced by exposure to anti‐essentialist messaging. Children ages 6–10 years of age (N = 102) in the experimental condition viewed a short video describing similarities between boys and girls and variation within each gender; children in the control condition (N = 102) viewed a corresponding video describing similarities between two types of climate and variation within each. Children then received measures of gender essentialism and prejudice against gender nonconformity. Finally, to ask whether manipulating children's gender essentialism extends to another domain, we included assessments of racial essentialism and prejudice. We found positive correlations between gender essentialism and prejudice against gender nonconformity; both also correlated negatively with participant age. However, we observed no differences between children in the experimental versus control conditions in overall essentialism or prejudice, indicating that our video was largely ineffective in manipulating essentialism. Accordingly, we were unable to provide evidence of a causal relationship between essentialism and prejudice. We did, however, see a difference between conditions on the discreteness measure, which is most closely linked to the wording in the video. This finding suggests that specific aspects of essentialism in young children may be modifiable.

Research Highlights

Consistent with prior research, we found that greater gender essentialism was associated with greater prejudice against gender‐nonconforming children; both decreased with age.

We randomly assigned children to view either an anti‐essentialist video manipulation or a control video to test if this relation was causal in nature.

The anti‐essentialist video did not reduce overall essentialism as compared to the control, so we did not find support for a causal link.

We observed a reduction in the dimension of essentialism most closely linked to the anti‐essentialist video language, suggesting the potential utility of anti‐essentialist messaging.
Reliability of energy landscape analysis of resting‐state functional MRI data
Authors: Khanra Pitambar , Nakuci Johan , Muldoon Sarah , Watanabe Takamitsu , Masuda Naoki
Published: June 2024

Energy landscape analysis is a data‐driven method to analyse multidimensional time series, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. It has been shown to be a useful characterization of fMRI data in health and disease. It fits an Ising model to the data and captures the dynamics of the data as movement of a noisy ball constrained on the energy landscape derived from the estimated Ising model. In the present study, we examine test–retest reliability of the energy landscape analysis. To this end, we construct a permutation test that assesses whether or not indices characterizing the energy landscape are more consistent across different sets of scanning sessions from the same participant (i.e. within‐participant reliability) than across different sets of sessions from different participants (i.e. between‐participant reliability). We show that the energy landscape analysis has significantly higher within‐participant than between‐participant test–retest reliability with respect to four commonly used indices. We also show that a variational Bayesian method, which enables us to estimate energy landscapes tailored to each participant, displays comparable test–retest reliability to that using the conventional likelihood maximization method. The proposed methodology paves the way to perform individual‐level energy landscape analysis for given data sets with a statistically controlled reliability.
Trends in management of patients with new‐onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) from 2016 to 2023: An interim analysis
Authors: Hanin Aurelie , Jimenez Anthony D. , Gopaul Margaret , Asbell Hannah , Aydemir Seyhmus , Basha Maysaa Merhi , Batra Ayush , Damien Charlotte , Day Gregory S. , Eka Onome , Eschbach Krista , Fatima Safoora , Fields Madeline C. , Foreman Brandon , Gerard Elizabeth E. , Gofton Teneille E. , Haider Hiba A. , Hantus Stephen T. , Hocker Sara , Jongeling Amy , Kalkach Aparicio Mariel , Kandula Padmaja , Kang Peter , Kazazian Karnig , Kellogg Marissa A. , Kim Minjee , Lee Jong Woo , Marcuse Lara V. , McGraw Christopher M. , Mohamed Wazim , Orozco Janet , Pimentel Cederic M. , Punia Vineet , Ramirez Alexandra M. , Steriade Claude , Struck Aaron F. , Taraschenko Olga , Treister Andrew K. , Wainwright Mark S. , Yoo Ji Yeoun , Zafar Sahar , Zhou Daniel J. , Zutshi Deepti , Gaspard Nicolas , Hirsch Lawrence J.
Published: June 2024

In response to the evolving treatment landscape for new‐onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) and the publication of consensus recommendations in 2022, we conducted a comparative analysis of NORSE management over time. Seventy‐seven patients were enrolled by 32 centers, from July 2016 to August 2023, in the NORSE/FIRES biorepository at Yale. Immunotherapy was administered to 88% of patients after a median of 3 days, with 52% receiving second‐line immunotherapy after a median of 12 days (anakinra 29%, rituximab 25%, and tocilizumab 19%). There was an increase in the use of second‐line immunotherapies (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1–1.8) and ketogenic diet (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.3–2.6) over time. Specifically, patients from 2022 to 2023 more frequently received second‐line immunotherapy (69% vs 40%; OR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.3–8.9)—particularly anakinra (50% vs 13%; OR = 6.5; 95% CI = 2.3–21.0), and the ketogenic diet (OR = 6.8; 95% CI = 2.5–20.1)—than those before 2022. Among the 27 patients who received anakinra and/or tocilizumab, earlier administration after status epilepticus onset correlated with a shorter duration of status epilepticus (ρ = .519, p = .005). Our findings indicate an evolution in NORSE management, emphasizing the increasing use of second‐line immunotherapies and the ketogenic diet. Future research will clarify the impact of these treatments and their timing on patient outcomes.