bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incorporation of Real-Time Earthquake Magnitudes Estimated via Peak Ground Displacement Scaling in the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System
Authors: Murray Jessica R. , Crowell Brendan W. , Murray Mark H. , Ulberg Carl W. , McGuire Jeffrey J. , Aranha Mario A. , Hagerty Mike T.
Published: February 2023

The United States earthquake early warning (EEW) system, ShakeAlert®, currently employs two algorithms based on seismic data alone to characterize the earthquake source, reporting the weighted average of their magnitude estimates. Nonsaturating magnitude estimates derived in real time from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data using peak ground displacement (PGD) scaling relationships offer complementary information with the potential to improve EEW reliability for large earthquakes. We have adapted a method that estimates magnitude from PGD (Crowell et al., 2016) for possible production use by ShakeAlert. To evaluate the potential contribution of the modified algorithm, we installed it on the ShakeAlert development system for real-time operation and for retrospective analyses using a suite of GNSS data that we compiled. Because of the colored noise structure of typical real-time GNSS positions, observed PGD values drift over time periods relevant to EEW. To mitigate this effect, we implemented logic within the modified algorithm to control when it issues initial and updated PGD-derived magnitude estimates (MPGD), and to quantify MPGD uncertainty for use in combining it with estimates from other ShakeAlert algorithms running in parallel. Our analysis suggests that, with these strategies, spuriously large MPGD will seldom be incorporated in ShakeAlert’s magnitude estimate. Retrospective analysis of data from moderate-to-great earthquakes demonstrates that the modified algorithm can contribute to better magnitude estimates for Mw>7.0 events. GNSS station distribution throughout the ShakeAlert region limits how soon the modified algorithm can begin estimating magnitude in some locations. Furthermore, both the station density and the GNSS noise levels limit the minimum magnitude for which the modified algorithm is likely to contribute to the weighted average. This might be addressed by alternative GNSS processing strategies that reduce noise.
Sculpture has Left the Building
Authors:   , Morrison Sandra , Yau Pamela , Coleman Laura-Edythe
Published: February 2023

The emergence of outdoor sculpture parks in the 1960s and 1970s began to address the shift in contemporary sculpture exhibitions towards presenting industrial, minimalistic, abstract, and often monumental works. In no small way it was also in direct contrast to the traditional white cube indoor gallery environment. By freeing sculpture from the confines of white walls, ceiling and floor, and artificial lighting to an open-air environment, a convivial marriage of art and nature started to take place. Place and space took on a whole new meaning with site-specific works being merged into the great outdoors. My thesis, Sculpture has Left the Building: The Emerging Popularity of Outdoor Sculpture Parks explored the phenomenon of outdoor sculpture parks today. Four nonprofit art organizations: Storm King, Grounds For Sculpture, Michener Art Museum, and New Hope Arts, served as case studies as each boasts its own distinctive outdoor sculpture program. Specific to the popularity of these programs was the unique position outdoor sculpture parks found themselves in as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and most art organizations, following their state guidelines, found their operations either put on hold or greatly reduced in 2020. Inherent to sculpture parks was the ability to accommodate the COVID-19 social distancing mandates which limited how many people could occupy a public space, while also feeding the public need to get outside for some fresh air and exercise. Through onsite observations, interviews with the executive management and curatorial staff, and an exploration of both academic and anecdotal writings on the theme of art in nature, this research study surveyed the growing popularity of outdoor sculpture parks in the United States. Besides the research which focused on the overall phenomenon of outdoor art exhibitions and sculpture parks there were two main findings. There was the evidence-based concept of nature supporting well-being and there were reports and observations on how sculpture parks are less intimidating places to visit than traditional museums and galleries.
Creative Placemaking as a Tool for Social Justice in Performing Arts Organizations
Authors:   , Oosthuizen Elisabeth Galassini , Yau Pamala
Published: February 2023

Performing arts organizations have used public spaces to bolster audience development and perform under COVID-19 guidelines for audience safety-but can the use of space be explored as a tool for social justice? This paper explores how performing arts organizations can use creative placemaking as a tool to advance social justice through existing literature and in-depth case studies of performing arts organizations in the Greater Philadelphia Area. These case studies explore three growing fiscally sponsored organizations: Jazz in Fairmount, Artcinia, and Theatre in the X. Performing arts organizations can expand equitable access to the arts using creative placemaking, and equitable access is a form of social justice. If access to arts programming disrupts or displaces the existing culture or community, however, it could create a culture of dis-belonging in the existing community and further marginalize historically disenfranchised community members.
Mobilizing Memory to Movement
Authors:   , Raney Cheyenne Leigh , Yau Pamela
Published: February 2023

This qualitative study explores non-profit organizations that are members of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC) and investigates how their program models and community engagement activities are impacted by their membership and involvement in the ICSC. In pursuit of this research, the project engages with working field professionals who are employed by member organizations of the ICSC and have the knowledge and skills to speak to their organizations' programming philosophies, community outreach methods and interpretation models. This project includes a series of case studies featuring four different ICSC member organizations: Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, The Tenement Museum, The Whitney Plantation and the Museum of Tolerance. Additionally, the project features an interview with a representative from the ICSC, lending insight from the perspective of a Coalition staff member. These interviews gathered information about the member organizations' philosophies, considerations, and their successes and challenges within programming and interpretation, while illuminating the relationships between the ICSC and its member organizations as well as the member sites' connections to each other. Overall, the ICSC and its member organizations are all unique and individual institutions with varying thematic topics and resources, however it is clear that these organizations share commonalities due to their relationship with the ICSC. The aim of this research is to gain insight into how organizations representing sites of remembrance connect with their communities, and to explore what it means to be a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.
Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis in the Adult Population of Catalonia, Spain: A Large-Scale, Retrospective, Population-Based Study
Authors: Mora T , Sánchez-Collado I , Mullol J , Muñoz-Cano R , Ribó P , Valero A
Published: February 2023

Background: Studies on the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults in general populations are scarce worldwide. We performed a retrospective population-based observational cohort study of 537 098 adult patients diagnosed with AD in Catalonia, Spain, a larger population than in previous studies. Objectives: To study the prevalence of AD by age, sex, disease severity, multimorbidity, serum total immunoglobin E (tIgE), and appropriate medical treatment (AMT) for the population of Catalonia. Methodology: The study population comprised adult individuals (≥18 years) diagnosed with AD according to medical records at different health care levels (primary, hospital, emergency) in the Catalan Health System. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate sociodemographic characteristics, prevalence, multimorbidity, serum tIgE, and AMT. Results: The prevalence of AD in the adult Catalan population was 8.7%, being higher for nonsevere disease (8.5%) than for severe disease (0.2%) and in females (10.1%) than in males (7.3%). Topical corticosteroids were the most prescribed drug (66.5%), and treatment was prescribed more frequently in severe AD patients, especially systemic corticosteroids (63.8%) and immunosuppressants (60.7%). More than half of severe AD patients (52.2%) had serum tIgE ≥100 kU/L, and higher values were observed for those with multimorbidity. The most frequent comorbid respiratory diseases were acute bronchitis (13.7%), allergic rhinitis (12.1%), and asthma (8.6%). Conclusions: We provide new and robust evidence of the prevalence of AD and related characteristics in adults using a large-scale population-based study and a more significant cohort of individuals.
Effects of bisphenol A, phthalates and triclosan on gut microbiome and its impact on host pathophysiology across different species
Authors: Joshi Shreya N. , Bhatt Purvi
Published: February 2023

Environmental pollutants like endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), unhealthy lifestyle and genetic predisposition have a major impact on the gut microbiota leading to dysbiosis, thus causing chronic diseases. This narrative review highlights the impact of three most common EDCs, bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates and triclosan in terms of increase in opportunistic pathogens, alterations in host metabolic profiles and immune response and associated pathophysiological changes across different species. BPA exposure led to a significant increase in Bacteroides, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Akkermansia spp. in all species (mice, zebra fish, rabbits, humans and rats). Phthalates exposure showed diverse changes in gut microbiota. Infants showed increased abundance of Firmicutes and events of antibiotic resistance after triclosan exposure. Changes in amino acid metabolism and biosynthesis of purines, pyrimidines and serotonin were found irrespective of the EDC type. Associated pathophysiological changes included increase in inflammatory cytokines, disruption of intestinal barrier, colonic inflammation, etc. The evidence from this review reveals that EDCs cause dysbiosis in all species. Any of these species could be used as models to test potential preventive and therapeutic interventions. Overall, gut microbiome profile should be considered as part of screening for chronic diseases among susceptible individuals and aim towards restoring healthy microbiome.
Hexafluoro-2-propanol represses colorectal cancer proliferation by regulating transaminases
Authors: Shao Zhongxin , Sun Lu , Lin Wenxin
Published: February 2023

Hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) is a metabolite of sevoflurane used as part of the general anaesthesia technique. This study aims to investigate the effect of HFIP in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the regulation of associated genes. The differential expressed genes (DEGs) with HFIP treatment were analysed based on GEO dataset GSE56256. Due to the restricted number of studies performing RNA-Seq in CRC with HFIP treatment, we selected a CRC patient cohort (GSE23878) to obtain DEGs that were compared with DEGs from GSE56256. The DEGs with opposite expression patterns in these two GEO datasets indicate that the genes mediate the function of HFIP, thereby repress the progression of CRC. The DEGs from these two GEO datasets were analysed independently. We obtained 10 up-regulated genes in GSE23878 (CRC patient cohort) were also down-regulated in GSE56256 (HFIP cohort), therefore, these 10 genes may function as tumor suppressors in CRC and may be involved in the function of HFIP. STRING analysis demonstrated an interaction in GPT2, PSAT1 and SLC7A11. The high expression of GPT2, PSAT1 and SLC7A11 were confirmed in TCGA-COAD datasets and in CRC cells. HFIP treatment repressed GPT2, PSAT1 and SLC7A11, which resulted in an inhibited proliferation and colony formation ability of DLD-1 and HCT-116 cells. Silencing GPT2, PSAT1 and SLC7A11 showed similar effect compared to HFIP treatment. Overexpression of GPT2, PSAT1 and SLC7A11 abrogated the effect of HFIP. In conclusion, the sevoflurane metabolite HFIP plays a cancer suppression role depending on cell proliferation in colorectal cancer through the down-regulation of GPT2, PSAT1 and SLC7A11 expression.
Nature of God From A Logical Lense
Authors: Sharma G.N. , Chary B.K.
Published: February 2023

Every living being struggles for existence which but natural. However, Man is a thinking animal and therefore more than surviving on the basis of instincts he goes on analysing a situation and tries to confirm the cause of every phenomenon. To live is to struggle and to struggle does not mean any sort of misfortune. However, the fact that remains is that there are varieties in struggle. On the physical plane it is really unfortunate if the body constitution is not being normal and witnessed by others. But then when it comes to the mental plane, it is behind the screen and only those closely acquainted experience the effect of the shortcomings. Overall scenario is of some deficiency realized by one and all, with rare exceptions, if any. Those who are evolved beings do claim to be unaffected by the worldly affairs but then they are also not spared with regard to the uneasiness. In short, human existence is accompanied by sufferings and it can go without any debate. At the most we may claim that the tender or sensitive souls suffer more than any other type. By birth itself human beings are bound to experience the very need of companionship and a caretaker. As one advances in life, the need remains same but picks up a different configuration. With every phase somehow what remains common is the trust in God expecting him to be always accompanying us. Furthermore, as an add on effect, we also expect him to do justice by monitoring more of our intentions and subsequently actions. A naive mind goes with the available scriptures, word by word, expecting their performance to be cent percent. Much of the harm is done by the societal norms or conventions which have never undergone any revision. Only a meagre percentage of our population that claims to be atheistic is supposed to be exempted from such tensions. The genuine problem with people is not about the existence of God but nature of his functioning. This is because, at any rate, it does not coincide with our rather forced assumptions. Therefore it is wise to get into the historical details right from the creation so that the genuine concept can be understood and placed before the upcoming generation. This paper attempts to cover important philosophies related to this subject.
Oral Lichen Planus in Childhood with Unique Histological Finding: A Case Report
Authors: GAMAL-ABDELNASER Ayat
Published: February 2023

Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease that targets adults. Over the years, few reports documented solitary cases of children being affected by oral lichen planus. In this report, a case of an 8-year-old, medically uncompromised boy who complained of a severe burning sensation in the tongue with a history of one year of remission and exacerbation was presented. When examined, the tongue showed a large irregular superficial non-indurated ulcer occupying the whole anterior 2/3 of the tongue sparing the tip and was surrounded by white radiating lines. The ulcerative lesion showed a peculiar butterfly pattern. Histopathological examination of the incisional biopsy showed intraepithelial civatte bodies and dense subepithelial lymphocytic infiltrate arranged in a pseudo-lymphomatous shape. Although the clinical and histological pictures suggest lichen planus, the atypical arrangement of lymphocytes brought up a question mark. This report demonstrates a peculiar clinical picture of a rare disease combined with a unique histopathologic finding.
Lojalność urzędnika w świetle prawa i etyki
Authors: Kasiński Michał
Published: February 2023

Officials in a democratic state should be its society's loyal servants, bound to respect the law. They are also bound to be loyal for the supervisors, and obedient to their orders. The Author analyzes legal regulation concerning conflicts which arise from that „double loyalty” of the officials, especially when the orders they are given contradict legal regulation or principles of ethic they find binding.
Sena koncepcja rozwoju jako wolności a idea "sustainable development"
Authors: Płachciak Adam
Published: February 2023

Contemporary world on one hand is a place of unknown never before abundance but on the other hand it is
a place where so much poverty, unsatisfied people’s needs, destabilization of natural and socio – economical systems has been happening. Neglecting human rights and basic political needs are the most important threats for development. The idea of sustainable development, playing one of the meaningful answer developmental threats requires such development which would satisfy needs of present generations without depriving future generations abilities and satisfactions of their needs. A. Sen’s concept of development, being treated as a process of widening basic civil rights and freedoms, effective-ness of social security networks play fundamental role for intellectual reflection on the idea of sustainable development.
Przedsiębiorstwo w nauczaniu społecznym Kościoła katolickiego
Authors: Stępniak Ks. Marek
Published: February 2023

Post-Vaticanum Secundum teaching of the Catholic Church emphasizes the role of different forms of social life for integral development of a human person. Communities, beginning with the natural one such as a family to the most complex ones determine quality of social life. Theological basis for the interest of various forms of social life are the truths about: social nature of a human being, common calling to salvation and the model of the Church as a community of people of God.
The essential role of enterprises in contemporary economic life and their influence on lives of employees cause that social teaching of the Church has developed certain postulates relating to that specific form of social life. In the ethical reflection on an enterprise present in the Catholic social teaching, there are three clearly-cut planes: enterprises as communities of people, enterprises as a meeting place of capital and work, and important influence of contemporary (particularly international) enterprises on culture, on a family and economy, in a global dimension as well. Anthropological and deeply humanistic concept of an enterprise presented by the Church does not undermine its economic aspects, but puts a human person, a creator of social life in the center.
Korelacja etyki z gospodarką w doktrynie Herberta Spencera
Authors: Górecki Olgierd
Published: February 2023

Herbert Spencer is one of the most distinguished representatives of Nineteenth-Century liberalism. Originality of his doctrine is based on combined concepts of social evolutionism with postulates of conservative liberalism. Ethics of an individual were the conceptual point of his philosophical reflection. Thus he believed that a free market economy is the economic foundation of ethical and material development of every individual.
Material development may be summarized as achieving ever improving results of performed actions.
According to Spencer, the free market critically assesses the quality of goods through increasing demand for goods of better quality. In this manner effective producers develop, because they achieve greater gain from their work. Moral development of an individual is in turn focused on continuous self-improvement. Through developing his skills a man increases the quality of actions carried out by him or of objects that he creates.
The “law of equal freedom” – also described by Spencer – is in direct connection with the aforementioned issues. This rule states that every man has the right to do anything, as long as his actions do not infringe upon the freedom of another man which is defined in exactly the same manner. Thus the law of equal freedom can be characterized as a negative freedom if juxtaposed with relations that occur between individuals themselves or between individuals and the state.
Combining of ethical and economic topics leads to the presentation of inhibitions that, according to Spencer, should be placed upon the activity of the State in the field of economy. Spencer believed that the State should not interfere with the economy, since all individuals should be granted full freedom of participating in comply with their own interests.
Kwestie etyczne w prawie giełdowym okresu zaborów i pierwszych lat niepodległości Polski (do 1921 r.)
Authors: Marks Bogusław Piotr
Published: February 2023

The object of the article are the questions concerning the „ethical aspects” of functioning of stock exchange law during partitions of Poland and in the first years of independent Poland. The analysis covers the period from 1817 (when in Warsaw the first official stock exchange on Polish territory was created) to 1921 when the first in independent Poland Act about the Organization of Stock Exchanges was passed.
In the 19th century, several stock exchanges were created on Polish territory, from which the most essential were those in: Warsaw, Lvov and Lodz.
The stock exchange was (and still is) regarded as one of the key institutions of market economy. Already, even on this account, the stock exchange law constituted the essential reference to economic law. On its basis the important institutions functioned, not only in the area of economy.
In this article, the basic records of laws and exchange charters were traced, as well as different – essential for stock exchanges – documents (for instance, ministerial instructions), which set the principles of functioning of those institutions. The principles were considered from ethical norms’ point of view, which established ethics of economic life of that time. I have especially focused my attention on the principles of functioning of stock
exchanges, which related to: the main stock organs, members of exchanges, as well as the so-called clientele. The stock exchange law also related to realities of that time, where-for different reasons – common cases of disobedience of the law occured.
It should be stressed here, that stock exchange law was shaped on basis of economic legislation of the partitioners and that it was subject to changes along with political, economic and social transformations, which took place on Polish territory in the discussed period.
Koncepcja odpowiedzialności społecznej firm farmaceutycznych
Authors: Makowska Marta
Published: February 2023

The burden of social responsibility is on the pharmaceutical industry. It is producing drugs and medical equipment which have to fulfill high quality standards, because they are very important from society point of view. The main business activity of pharmaceutical companies can be assessed as doing something good. However, a lot of drug producers are also involved in other ways of working for public wellness. There are using
a great range of the instruments and programs to manage the corporate social responsibility.
The article describes the results of 31 in-depth interviews with the pharmaceutical sales representatives conducted between the June – November 2007. It shows what problems can be created during organizing: charity action, white Sundays, conferences for physicians and other pro bono events. It explains how such actions can meet with public opinion accusations.
The main aim of this paper is to answer the questions: What are the advantages of realizing CSR for pharmaceutical companies? Is it true that this conception is used as a marketing tool by drug producers? What the pharmaceutical sales representatives think about charity actions that are conducted in their companies?
Aportes para la revisión curricular desde la perspectiva intercultural
Authors: Méndez Jose Mario
Published: February 2023

Los instrumentos curriculares suelen ser objeto de luchas políticas; están atravesados por opciones, renuncias y escogencias. No son nunca neutros. Estas páginas quieren ser una contribución a la urgente tarea de revisión curricular desde una perspectiva intercultural. En este artículo se presenta el currículo como “un camino” en el que las personas ‘aprendientes’ pueden encontrarse, dialogar y aprender gracias a su diversidad, y en el que es posible promover el diálogo de saberes y culturas. No se trata solamente de prestar atención a la diversidad cultural (lo cual sería ya un paso importante), sino de convertir los procesos educativos en un espacio para la convivencia en la diversidad y para la justicia cultural.
Uzaktan Eğitim Sürecinde Eğitim Fakültesi Öğrencilerinin Genel Öz-Yeterlilik Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi
Authors: KIRBAÇ Metin , KAYA Fatih , ÖZKUL Ramazan
Published: February 2023

İçinde bulunduğumuz çağ bilimsel, ekonomik, sosyal ve kültürel pek çok alanda önemli gelişmelere sahne olmuştur. Önemli gelişmelerin yaşanmasında, teknolojik gelişmelerin normal seyrinden daha hızlı ilerlemesi ve dünyanın karşı konulamaz bir biçimde değişmesinin büyük payı vardır. Özellikle Covid-19 salgınının da etkisiyle eğitim sistemleri de bu değişimden etkilenmiş ve uzaktan eğitim süreci büyük önem kazanmıştır. Eğitim sistemindeki bu gelişmeden de hareketle çalışmanın amacı "eğitim fakültesi öğrencilerinin uzaktan eğitim sürecinde genel öz yeterlilik düzeylerinin incelenmesi" olarak belirlenmiştir. Bu kapsamda araştırmada; nicel yöntemli ve nedensel karşılaştırmalı bir model tercih edilmiştir. Araştırmanın evrenini "İnönü Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Öğrencileri", örneklemini ise evrenden seçkisiz tabakalı örnekleme yöntemi ile belirlenen 584 katılımcı oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada veriler, “Genel Öz Yeterlik Ölçeği” ile toplanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler, bağımsız gruplar t-testi, tek yönlü ANOVA ve betimsel istatistik testlerine tabi tutulmuştur. Araştırma sonucunda ortaya çıkan bulgular; öğrencilerin "öz yeterlilik düzeylerinin" yüksek olduğunu ve uzaktan eğitimi yüz yüze eğitime tercih ettiklerini ortaya koymuştur. Bu sonuçtan hareketle çalışma kapsamında bir takım öneriler sunulmuştur: Uzaktan eğitimde en çok sorun yaşanan konuların başında internet alt yapısının yetersizliği ve kırsal alanlarda internet alt yapısının olmamasıdır. Bu sonuç bu bağlamda herkesçe beklenen bir durumdur. Bu durumun aşılması için alt yapıya ihtiyaç duymadan doğrudan uydu üzerinden ya da şebekelerin güçlendirilmesi yöntemiyle bazı çalışmalar yetkililerce yapılabilir. Ayrıca kırsal bölgelerde yaşayan tüm öğrenciler için Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı'na bağlı okullarda kullanılan internet alt yapısının güçlendirilmesi ve tüm kademelerde öğrencilerin kullanımına açılması sağlanabilir.
Slovenska različica paradigme Deese–Roediger–McDermott: Normativna in eksploratorna študija
Authors: Černe Jaša , Kordeš Urban
Published: February 2023

Raziskave s paradigmo Deese–Roediger–McDermott (DRM) so zbrale številne dokaze za zanesljiv medkulturni učinek lažnega spomina. Toda svojo različico paradigme DRM in pripadajoče normativne podatke je prejel le omejen nabor jezikov. V tej študiji smo uporabili 728 udeležencev (594 žensk) za izdelavo prve slovenske različice paradigme DRM in dodatnih 90 udeležencev (66 žensk) za preizkus njene učinkovitosti pri induciranju lažnih spominov in izvedbo eksploratornih analiz. Smo prvi, ki smo normativno študijo DRM izvedli v celoti po spletu, in med redkimi, ki so poleg pogosto uporabljenih mer natančnosti merili reakcijske čase (RČ). Gledano v celoti so udeleženci priklicali 69 % besed s seznama in 14 % kritičnih besed ter dodatno prepoznali 79 % besed s seznama in 45 % kritičnih besed. Udeleženci so priklicali in prepoznali besede s seznama z enako hitrostjo kot kritične besede, za nepovezane besede pa so potrebovali znatno več časa. Študija kaže, da je lažne spomine mogoče učinkovito raziskovati s spletno obliko paradigme DRM. Prihodnje študije bi morale podrobneje raziskati razmerje med RČ in merami natančnosti, razmerje med priklicem in prepoznavo ter vpliv eksperimentalnega okolja na rezultate študij DRM. Upamo, da bodo predloženo gradivo in rezultati analiz prispevali k napredku raziskovanja lažnih spominov, zlasti v slovenskem jezikovnem okolju.
How Much of Aging Is Simply a Trash Collection Problem?
Authors: Renteln Michael
Published: February 2023

Aging kills 100,000 people a day - more than any other cause of death combined. The exact causes of aging have been much discussed, but the most pressing issue with regard to aging appears to me to be lipofuscin accumulation. That is, the accumulation of indigestible cellular garbage that needs to be removed from our cells, then the body. In this piece, I will explain why I think “getting rid of the garbage” should be at least one of our main goals with regard to longevity research for now.
Estimating Prevalence of Bereavement, Its Contribution to Risk for Binge Drinking, and Other High-Risk Health States in a State Population Survey, 2019 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey
Authors: Miles Toni , Li Changle , Khan M. Mahmud , Bayakly Rana , Carr Deborah
Published: February 2023

Binge drinking is a pattern of alcohol abuse. Its prevalence and associated risk factors are not well documented. Heavy drinking, on the other hand, has a well-studied association with bereavement . This report uses a cross-sectional, population-based survey to estimate prevalence of bingeing and its association with new bereavement. Bingeing is defined as 4 or more drinks (women) or 5 or more drinks (men) in a 2-to-4-hour setting. For the first time, the Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) included a bereavement item, ‘Have you experienced the death of a family member or close friend in the years 2018 or 2019?’. Methods: Georgia BRFSS is a complex sampling survey administered annually. It is designed to represent the 8.1 million persons in the U.S. state of Georgia aged 18 years and older. Alcohol consumption patterns are routinely measured in the common core. In the 2019 field survey, the state added a new item probing for bereavement in the prior 24 months predating the pandemic of COVID-19. Imputation and weighting techniques were applied to yield population prevalence rates of new bereavement, bingeing, and their co-occurrence with other high-risk health states. Models, adjusted for age, gender, and race were used to estimate the risk for other unhealthy behaviors posed by the co-occurrence of bereavement and bingeing. Results: In Georgia, bereavement is common (45.8 %), and alcohol consumption is common (48.8 %). Bereavement and alcohol use co-occurred among 1,796,817 persons (45 % of all drinkers). The subset of co-occurring bereavement and binging totaled 608,282 persons. Within this group, the highest rates of bereavement were associated with death of a friend / neighbor (30.7%) or 3 plus deaths (31.8%). Conclusions: While bingeing is a known risk to public health, its co-occurrence with recent bereavement is a new observation. Public health surveillance systems need to monitor this co-occurrence to protect both individual and societal health. In a time of global bereavement, documenting its influence on binge drinking can support the work towards Sustainable Goal #3 – Good health and Well-Being. Keywords: BRFSS, Binge Drinking, Population Survey, Bereavement, SDG#3. Mental Health
PENGHAPUSAN TENAGA HONORER DALAM PERSPEKTIF HUKUM SEBAGAI SARANA PEMBAHARUAN SOSIAL UNTUK MEWUJUDKAN ASN PROFESIONAL
Authors: Sekhuti Luhur
Published: February 2023

Dalam rangka meningkatkan profesionalisme Aparatur Sipil Negara (ASN), Pemerintah Indonesia akan menghapus tenaga honorer pada Tahun 2023. Berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 5 Tahun 2014 Tentang Aparatur Sipil Negara hanya terdapat dua jenis pegawai ASN yaitu Pegawai Negeri Sipil (PNS) dan Pegawai Pemerintah dengan perjanjian Kerja (PPPK). Tenaga honorer tidak termasuk di dalamnya. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode yuridis empiris yang mendasarkan pada teori hukum. Law as a tool of sosial engineering adalah teori hukum yang dicetuskan oleh Roscoe Pound, yang berarti hukum sebagai alat rekayasa sosial yang relevan dengan kebijakan pemerintah tersebut. Dalam tulisan ini akan dikaitkan antara kebijakan pemerintah dengan teori hukum dari Roscoe Pound dan Mochtar Kusumaatmadja tersebut. Di Indonesia Mochtar Kusumaatmadja menyempurnakan teori tersebut sesuai kondisi dinamika pembangunan masyarakat Indonesia dengan hasil pemikiran “hukum merupakan sarana pembaharuan masyarakat”. Hukum sebagai sarana pembaharuan bisa diartikan hukum dapat digunakan oleh pemerintah untuk mengubah konsep-konsep sosial yang lama mengakar di masyarakat menjadi konsep baru yang lebih teratur dan lebih berkepastian dalam usaha mencapai tujuannya. Setiap perubahan atau pembaharuan tata kelola suatu bidang akan menimbulkan dampak sosial. Dalam proses tersebut akan muncul dampak sosial yang bersifat positif dan negatif, tergantung dari perspektif personal/individu. Hukum sebagai pembaharuan sosial yang ideal tidak hanya mengakomodir tujuan pemerintah yang dalam konteks tulisan ini memiliki tujuan untuk peningkatan profesionalisme ASN, namun juga harus mampu mewujudkan tujuan bersama yaitu keadilan dan kemakmuran sosial. 
Effectiveness of a Road Traffic Injury Prevention Intervention in Reducing Pedestrian Injuries, Barcelona, Spain, 2002–2019
Authors: Pérez Katherine , Santamariña-Rubio Elena , Ferrando Josep , López Maria José , Badiella Llorenç
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) intervention in Barcelona, Spain, at reducing the number of road traffic collisions and injuries in the school environment. It was a pre–post, quasi-experimental evaluation with a matched comparison group. Road traffic injuries were significantly reduced in the intervention schools—especially among school-age pedestrians—but not in the comparison schools. The SRTS program significantly improved road safety among children. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(5):495–499. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307216 )
Fibrocartilaginous Bed Injury of the Posterior Tibial Tendon Sheath
Authors: Shoji Haruka , Sugimoto Kazuya , Isomoto Shinji , Miura Kimio , Tanaka Yasuhito
Published: February 2023

Cases:

Three athletes (2 female gymnasts and 1 male rugby player) complained of persistent posteromedial ankle pain after an ankle injury. Arthroscopy of the ankle and tendoscopy of the posterior tibial tendon (PTT) were performed in 2 patients with prolonged symptoms and in 1 patient with acute severe pain. A small rupture at the fibrocartilaginous bed of the PTT with pinhole communication between the PTT sheath and the ankle joint cavity was detected, and open repair of the fibrocartilaginous bed was performed.

Conclusion:

All patients returned to their respective sports without any residual symptoms after open repair of the fibrocartilaginous bed.
Symptomatic Ischial Stress Fractures in Elite Athletes Treated With Percutaneous Screws
Authors: Schultz Blake J. , Mansour Alfred , Eastman Jonathan A. , Routt Milton “Chip”
Published: February 2023

Cases:

Two high-level athletes with symptomatic gluteal pain with explosive movements that had failed nonoperative management were eventually diagnosed with ischial stress fractures. These were treated with percutaneous posterior column screws. Both patients healed their fractures and made full return to sport.

Conclusion:

Ischial stress fractures should be considered in the differential for athletes with persistent gluteal pain. Percutaneous fixation is a minimally invasive and effective method of treating symptomatic ischial stress fractures that have failed nonoperative treatment.
Effect of Heterogeneity on the Failure of Rock with an Initial Crack under Uniaxial Compressions: A Numerical Study
Authors: Guo Qifeng , Hong Wei , Xi Xun , Pan Jiliang , Zhang Ying
Published: February 2023

Failure mechanisms of rock are intrinsically intertwined with heterogeneity and natural fracture. However, the effects of heterogeneity on the failure of rock with natural cracks are still far from clear. By simultaneously considering rock heterogeneity and natural fractures, this paper investigated the effects of heterogeneity on the failure of rock with a single initial crack under uniaxial compressions. The RFPA method with consideration of materials properties heterogeneity was employed, and numerical models with different crack angles were developed. The stress-strain curve, crack development, failure pattern, and AE characteristics were obtained. The numerical results were also compared with experimental results. Further, the effects of initial crack angle and heterogeneity on the strength, failure pattern, and acoustic emission (AE) characteristics were investigated by parametric studies. It has been found that, for a small homogeneity, rock failure is dominated by numerous microcracks within the crack bands that are smeared from the initial crack tips to the loading ends. Rock failure is dominated by macrocracks propagated from the initial crack tips to the loading ends for a large homogeneity. A logarithmic function is proposed to describe the relationship between the uniaxial compressive strength and the homogeneity. The AE characteristics and overall damage evolution are also significantly affected by the heterogeneity.
An Energy Efficient Model for Node Ranking and Routing path Computation using Optimal Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Controller
Authors: R Mamatha C , Ramakrishna M
Published: February 2023

The mobile ad hoc network (MANET) network is mainly formed by interconnected wireless mobile devices with restricted residual battery power which necessitates the need for an energy-efficient design. The MANET routing protocol mainly improves the network lifetime through efficient energy utilization. To improve the network lifetime, an optimized link-state routing (OLSR) protocol is formed by integrating the Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Controller and Modified Dingo optimization (MDO) (IT2FLC-MDO) algorithm. The IT2FLC-MDO algorithm designed for the OLSR protocol formulates the routing issue as an optimization problem. The heterogeneous nature of the mobile nodes also affects the efficiency of the routing scheme. The energy-aware Quality of Service (EQoS) features are incorporated by the IT2FLC-MDO algorithm to enhance the OLSR protocol efficiency. The different EQoS features are the node speed, queue length, distance, lifetime, remaining battery capacity, etc. A multicriteria node Rank Metric (MCNR) is computed for the EQoS features to minimize the overhead complexity associated with broadcasting different EQoS features separately. The experiments are conducted using the ns2 simulator via different performance metrics such as end-to-end delay, packet delivery ratio, normalized control overhead, energy computation, and message success rate. The simulation results show that the proposed IT2FLC-MDO protocol improves the MANETS lifetime and also the consistency in data delivery.
The effect of machine learning tools for evidence synthesis on resource use and time-to-completion: protocol for a retrospective pilot study
Authors: Muller Ashley Elizabeth , Berg Rigor C , Meneses-Eschavez Jose Francisco , Ames Heather M. R. , Borge Tiril C. , Jardim Patricia Sofia Jacobsen , Cooper Chris , Rose Christopher James
Published: February 2023

Background
Machine learning (ML) tools exist that can reduce or replace human activities in repetitive or complex tasks. Yet ML is underutilized within evidence synthesis, despite the steadily growing rate of primary study publication and need to periodically update reviews to reflect new evidence. Underutilization may be partially explained by a paucity of evidence on how ML tools can reduce resource use and time-to-completion of reviews.
Methods
This protocol describes how we will answer two research questions using a retrospective study design: Is there a difference in resources used to produce reviews using recommended ML versus not using ML, and is there a difference in time-to-completion? We will also compare recommended ML use to non-recommended ML use. We will retrospectively include all reviews conducted at our institute from 1 August 2020, corresponding to the commission of the first review in our institute that used ML. We will use the results from this study to design a rigorous, multi-institutional, prospective study that will additionally explore review quality.
Conclusion
We invite other evidence synthesis groups to adopt and adapt this protocol and to collaborate with us.
Endophthalmitis Management Study- a prospective randomized clinical trial on postoperative endophthalmitis management in India: An interim analysis. EMS Report # 3
Authors: Das Taraprasad , Belenje Akash , Pandey Suchita , Behera Umesh , Joseph Joveeta , Dave Vivek
Published: February 2023

Purpose

An interim analysis of Endophthalmitis Management Study - a multi-center study of acute postoperative endophthalmitis to examine the outcome of inflammation score (IS)- based treatment and identify an antibiotic alternate to ceftazidime with higher susceptibility to gram-negative bacilli.

Methods

Inflammation Score was measured on a 0 to 4 scale from presenting signs in four cardinal ocular tissues. The eyes with IS < 10 received vitreous biopsy + intravitreal antibiotics; eyes with IS ≥ 10 received vitrectomy + intravitreal antibiotics. These eyes were randomized to two intravitreal antibiotics combinations: vancomycin + ceftazidime and vancomycin + imipenem. Microbiology workup of undiluted vitreous included microscopy, culture-susceptibility, Sangers, and targeted next-generation sequencing.

Results

In three years, the EMS recruited 56.85% (248 of 436) patients, microbiology work-up was completed in 54.6% (238 of 436) people, and 94.4% (n = 234 of 248) had received cataract surgery. A 90-day follow-up was completed in 90.8% (168 of 185) of eligible people. In eyes with IS ≥ 20, the time to symptoms was shorter (5.8 ± 6.7 vs. 8.5 ± 9.1 days; p = 0.015), the need for additional treatment was higher (95.8% vs. 53.1%; p = 0.0267) and more often included vitreous procedures (44% vs. 6%; p = 0.012). Microbiology positivity was 55.9%; eyes with IS < 10 had a higher yield of gram-positive cocci (33.9% vs. 4.8%; p = 0.013). Vancomycin had good susceptibility to gram-positive cocci (95.7%); colistin had a better susceptibility to gram-negative bacilli (89.2%) than ceftazidime or imipenem (62.2% each).

Conclusion

Inflammation score could be a better guide to acute postoperative endophthalmitis treatment.
Clinical Trial Registration. Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2019/02/017876)
Trade Policy and Productivity Growth: Why Do Sudanese Manufacturing Firms Export Less
Authors: Elryah Yagoub , Siddeg Amal
Published: February 2023

This paper aims to study the role of trade policy on industrial development and productivity growth. We analyze the relationship between trade policy and productivity growth of manufacturing firms in Sudan. For this work, we evaluate the previous trade policy instruments that implemented between 2000 and 2015. The study finds that Sudan trade policy has significant positive effects on manufacturing firms’ productivity. The study finds also reveals that manufacturing firms offer the largest scope for productivity gains through trade policies aiming at enhancing economic growth. The study also found there was a weak support for investment promotion and tariff protection. This study recommends that building a proper trade policy to support manufacturing firms to adapt new technologies and focusing on labor intensive industries is the key success to sustain productivity and exports.
Labor & Delivery Operating Room Staffing and Operating Efficiency Using Queueing Theory
Authors: Lim Grace , Lim Annamarie J. , Quinn Beth , MBBCh Brendan Carvalho , Zakowski Mark , Lynde Grant C.
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Strategies to achieve efficiency in non-operating room locations have been described, but emergencies and competing priorities in a birth unit can make setting optimal staffing and operation benchmarks challenging. This study used Queuing Theory Analysis (QTA) to identify optimal birth center operating room (OR) and staffing resources using real-world data.
Methods: Data from a Level 4 Maternity Center (9,626 births/year, cesarean delivery (CD) rate 32%) were abstracted for all labor and delivery operating room activity from July 2019 - June 2020. QTA has two variables: Mean Arrival Rate, λ and Mean Service Rate µ. QTA formulas computed probabilities: P0 = 1-(λ/ µ) and Pn = P0 (λ/µ)n where n = number of patients. P0…n is the probability there are zero patients in the queue at a given time. Multiphase multichannel analysis was used to gain insights on optimal staff and space utilization assuming a priori safety parameters (i.e., 30 min decision to incision in unscheduled CD; ≤5 min for emergent CD; no greater than 8 hours for nil per os time). To achieve these safety targets, a < 0.5% probability that a patient would need to wait was assumed.
Results: There were 4,017 total activities in the operating room and 3,092 CD in the study period. Arrival rate λ was 0.45 (patients per hour) at peak hours 07:00–19:00 while λ was 0.34 over all 24 hours. The service rate per OR team (µ) was 0.87 (patients per hour) regardless of peak or overall hours. The number of server teams (s) dedicated to OR activity was varied between two and five. Over 24 hours, the probability of no patients in the system was P0 = 0.61, while the probability of 1 patient in the system was P1 = 0.23, and the probability of 2 or more patients in the system was P≥ 2 = 0.05 (P3 = 0.006). However, between peak hours 07:00–19:00, λ = 0.45, µ = 0.87, s = 3, P0 = 0.48; P1 = 0.25; and P≥ 2 = 0.07 (P3 = 0.01, P4 = 0.002, P5 = 0.0003).
Conclusion: QTA is a useful tool to inform birth center OR efficiency while upholding assumed safety standards and factoring peaks and troughs of daily activity. Our findings suggest QTA is feasible to guide staffing for maternity centers of all volumes through varying model parameters. QTA can inform individual hospital-level decisions in setting staffing and space requirements to achieve safe and efficient maternity perioperative care.