bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the pathways to women’s empowerment in Northern Ghana and the relationship with small-scale irrigation
Authors: Bryan Elizabeth , Garner Elisabeth
Published: January 2022

Women’s empowerment is often an important goal of development interventions. This paper explores local perceptions of empowerment in the Upper East Region of Ghana and the pathways through which small-scale irrigation intervention targeted to men and women farmers contributes to women’s empowerment. Using qualitative data collected with 144 farmers and traders through 28 individual interviews and 16 focus group discussions, this paper innovates a framework to integrate the linkages between small-scale irrigation and three dimensions of women’s empowerment: resources, agency, and achievements. The relationship between the components of empowerment and small-scale irrigation are placed within a larger context of social change underlying these relationships. This shows that many women face serious constraints to participating in and benefitting from small-scale irrigation, including difficulties accessing land and water and gender norms that limit women’s ability to control farm assets. Despite these constraints, many women do benefit from participating in irrigated farming activities leading to an increase in their agency and well-being achievements. For some women, these benefits are indirect—these women allocate their time to more preferred activities when the household gains access to modern irrigation technology. The result is a new approach to understanding women’s empowerment in relation to irrigation technology.
A Trend Analysis of Condom use in Spanish Young People over the Two Past Decades, 1999–2020
Authors: Ballester-Arnal Rafael , Giménez-García Cristina , Ruiz-Palomino Estefanía , Castro-Calvo Jesús , Gil-Llario María Dolores
Published: January 2022

HIV exposure is one of the greatest sexual risks in young people, and condom use is the best protective measure. Despite the preventive efforts, trend in condom use is still unclear. This study examines the trend of condom use by gender in Spanish young people, in different sexual practices (vaginal, oral and anal), relationships (regular and casual) and having sex after drugs consumption during the two past decades (from 1999 to 2020). For this, 14,472 people who ranged from 17 to 40 years old (63.5% women) filled the AIDS Prevention Questionnaire in each year. In general, low condom use remains stable and even gets worse regardless of the type of sexual practice, relationship and the substance consumption. Regarding gender, this trend is worse in women who have been less likely to report condom use than men have. Moreover, older people have reported a minor frequency of condom use than the youngest people have done, except for anal sex. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze why, despite preventive efforts, condom use seems to decrease over time.
Dispersal patterns of oribatid mites across habitats and seasons
Authors: Cordes Peter Hans , Maraun Mark , Schaefer Ina
Published: January 2022

Oribatid mites are tiny arthropods that are common in all soils of the world; however, they also occur in microhabitats above the soil such as lichens, mosses, on the bark of trees and in suspended soils. For understanding oribatid mite community structure, it is important to know whether they are dispersal limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of oribatid mite dispersal using Malaise traps to exclude sole passive wind-dispersal. Oribatid mite communities were collected over a 3-year period from five habitat types (coniferous forests, deciduous forests, mixed forests, meadows, bog/heathlands sites) and three seasons (spring, summer, autumn) in Sweden. Mites entered traps either by walking or by phoresy, i.e., by being attached to flying insects. We hypothesized (1) that oribatid mite communities in the traps differ between habitats, indicating habitat-limited dispersal, and (2) that oribatid mite communities differ among seasons suggesting that dispersal varies due to changing environmental conditions such as moisture or resource availability. The majority of the collected species were not typically soil-living species but rather from habitats such as trees, lichens and mosses (e.g., Carabodes labyrinthicus, Cymbaeremaeus cymba, Diapterobates humeralis and Phauloppia lucorum) indicating that walking into the traps or entering them via phoresy are of greater importance for aboveground than for soil-living species. Overall, oribatid mite communities collected in the traps likely originated from the surrounding local habitat suggesting that long distance dispersal of oribatid mites is scarce. Significant differences among seasons indicate higher dispersal during warm and dry periods of the year. Notably, 16 species of oribatid mites collected in our study were sampled for the first time in Sweden. This study also demonstrates that Malaise traps are a meaningful tool to investigate spatial and temporal patterns of oribatid mite communities.
Increase in Depression and Anxiety Among Australian Gay and Bisexual Men During COVID-19 Restrictions: Findings from a Prospective Online Cohort Study
Authors: Bavinton Benjamin R. , Chan Curtis , Hammoud Mohamed A. , Maher Lisa , Haire Bridget , Degenhardt Louisa , Holt Martin , Lea Toby , Bath Nicky , Storer Daniel , Jin Fenyi , Grulich Andrew E. , Bourne Adam , Saxton Peter , Prestage Garrett P. ,   On behalf of the Flux Research Group, Murphy Dean , Mackie Brent , Batrouney Colin , Ellard Jeanne , Grierson Jeffrey , Pastorelli Marcus
Published: January 2022

We examined depression and anxiety prior to and during COVID-19 restrictions in Australian gay and bisexual men (GBM). In an online cohort, a COVID-19-focused survey was conducted in April 2020. During 2019 and in April 2020, 664 GBM completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, measuring depression) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7, measuring anxiety). Increased depression and anxiety were defined as a ≥ 5 point increase on the respective scales. Mean PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores increased between 2019 and 2020 (PHQ-9: from 5.11 in 2019 to 6.55 in 2020; GAD-7: from 3.80 in 2019 to 4.95 in 2020). The proportion of participants with moderate-severe depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) increased from 18.8% (n = 125) to 25.5% (n = 169), while the proportion of participants with moderate-severe anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 10) increased from 12.7% (n = 84) to 17.3% (n = 115). Almost one-quarter of participants (n = 158, 23.8%) had increased depression; in these men, mean PHQ-9 increased from 2.49 in 2019 to 11.65 in 2020 (p < 0.001). One-in-five (20.6%) participants (n = 137) had increased anxiety; among these men, mean GAD-7 increased from 2.05 in 2019 to 10.22 in 2020 (p < 0.001). Increases were associated with concerns about job security, reduction in social and sexual connections and opportunities, and being personally concerned about COVID-19 itself. COVID-19 appeared to have a sudden and pronounced impact on depression and anxiety in Australian GBM, with a significant minority showing sharp increases. Ongoing monitoring is required to determine longer-term impacts and GBM need access to appropriate and sensitive supports both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
User intent estimation during robot learning using physical human robot interaction primitives
Authors: Lai Yujun , Paul Gavin , Cui Yunduan , Matsubara Takamitsu
Published: January 2022

As robotic systems transition from traditional setups to collaborative work spaces, the prevalence of physical Human Robot Interaction has risen in both industrial and domestic environments. A popular representation for robot behavior is movement primitives which learn, imitate, and generalize from expert demonstrations. While there are existing works in context-aware movement primitives, they are usually limited to contact-free human robot interactions. This paper presents physical Human Robot Interaction Primitives (pHRIP), which utilize only the interaction forces between the human user and robot to estimate user intent and generate the appropriate robot response during physical human robot interactions. The efficacy of pHRIP is evaluated through multiple experiments based on target-directed reaching and obstacle avoidance tasks using a real seven degree of freedom robot arm. The results are validated against Interaction Primitives which use observations of robotic trajectories, with discussions of future pHRI applications utilizing pHRIP.
In-plane capacity of existing post-WWII beam-and-clay block floor systems
Authors: Marini Alessandra , Belleri Andrea , Passoni Chiara , Feroldi Francesca , Giuriani Ezio
Published: January 2022

A growing attention has been paid to the deep renovation of RC buildings, particularly focusing on their structural vulnerability and on the development of retrofit strategies; however, the issue of the in-plane diaphragm action and the capacity of existing floors has rarely been addressed. Although floor capacity does not seem critical for the seismic capacity of existing structures, commonly affected by greater vulnerabilities, it may become critical when an additional lateral force resisting system is introduced. This paper investigates the in-plane capacity of beam and hollow-clay-block floor system, typical of the European post-WWII RC buildings. Considering the diaphragm action as associated with an in-plane tied-arch mechanism developing within the floor thickness, the main failure mechanisms are discussed, and some simplified equations are provided to preliminary estimate the maximum capacity of floors. Experimental and numerical analyses are than carried out to validate the simplified analytical model. The relevant influence of possible staircase openings on the in-plane load paths and on diaphragm flexibility and capacity are also considered. Finally, the influence of the floor capacity on the seismic vulnerability assessment and in the conceptual design of a seismic retrofit intervention is discussed. This preliminary study shows that only some of the beam-and-block floor systems have a reliable in-plane capacity, while other typologies cannot serve as floor diaphragms. When the diaphragm action can be relied upon, the diaphragms often exhibit a fairly stiff behaviour up to a brittle failure, which is commonly associated with the ultimate capacity at the tied-arch supports.
Density functional theory, chemical reactivity, and the Fukui functions
Authors: Pucci R. , Angilella G. G. N.
Published: January 2022

We review the early works which were precursors of the Conceptual Density Functional Theory. Starting from Thomas–Fermi approximation and from the exact formulation of Density Functional Theory by Hohenberg and Kohn’s theorem, we will introduce electronegativity and the theory of hard and soft acids and bases. We will also present a general introduction to the Fukui functions, and their relation with nucleophilicity and electrophilicity, with an emphasis towards the importance of these concepts for chemical reactivity.
Mode II fracture characterization of toughened epoxy resin composites
Authors: Barcikowski Michał , Rybkowska Katarzyna
Published: January 2022

Epoxy resin used commonly as a matrix for polymer composite materials has good handling properties, but is too brittle. That is why various modifiers are used to increase the flexibility of products based on epoxy resin. This leads to two issues: how to efficiently increase the toughness of the resin without impacting significantly other properties, as well as how to measure the toughness in composite materials. The work aimed to show how the addition of a reactive rubber modifier will affect the fracture toughness of the obtained laminates during the longitudinal shear test (Mode II fracture). In total, three epoxy-glass laminates with different matrices were made and subjected to the End-Notched Flexure test according to ASTM D7905/D7905M standard: (1) the basic matrix of Epidian 6 resin, (2) Epidian 6 modified with the addition of 10% of Albipox 1000 reactive liquid rubber and (3) Epidian 6 modified with the addition of 10% of Hypro 1300X16 ATBN reactive liquid rubber. Based on the obtained results, it can be seen that the modulus of elasticity for the modified laminates was decreased compared to the laminate of pure epoxy resin (by ~ 25%). However, the addition of reactive rubbers increased the fracture toughness of the modified epoxy-glass laminates in the Mode II longitudinal shear test (GIIc) by ~ 40–60%. Thus the benefits of modification outweigh the drawbacks if fracture toughness is an important designing consideration in a given application. The applicability of ENF method is successfully tested, but potential drawbacks are indicated—careful control of specimen thickness is necessary.
Prism adaptation test before strabismus surgery in patients with decompensated esophoria and decompensated microesotropia
Authors: Gietzelt Caroline , Fricke Julia , Neugebauer Antje , Hedergott Andrea
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of Prism adaptation test (PAT) on the angle of squint in decompensated esophoria (decEPH) and decompensated microesotropia (decMET).

Methods

In this single-center retrospective study we reviewed the medical records of patients with the diagnosis of decEPH or decMET, aged at least 12 years, who were treated by strabismus surgery for the first time. The maximum Angle of squint (AOS) for far (F) and near (N) fixation and PAT results before surgery, as well as AOS (F) and AOS (N) after surgery and results of binocular function tests were considered. PAT included wearing a prism based on the largest angle for over 60 min.

Results

100 patients (mean age 37 ± 17 years) were included in the decEPH group, 82 patients (mean age 30 ± 13 years) in the decMET group. For decEPH, before surgery AOS was 25.5 ± 8.8 pdpt (F) and 23.5 ± 9.8 pdpt (N). During PAT the AOS increased significantly by 2.7 ± 4.3 to 28.2 ± 8.6 pdpt (F) and by 4.9 ± 4.5 to 28.3 ± 9.5 pdpt (N). Altogether, in 82% of decEPH patients AOS (F) and/ or AOS (N) in- or decreased by at least 3 pdpt. For decMET, before surgery AOS was 28.6 ± 10.8 pdpt for far (F) and 30.9 ± 11.8 pdpt for near fixation (N). During PAT the AOS increased significantly by 4.2 ± 5.8 to 32.5 ± 9.5 pdpt (F) and by 3.7 ± 6.1 to 34.4 ± 9.5 pdpt (N). Altogether, in 51% of decMET patients, AOS (F) and/ or AOS (N) increased by at least 10 pdpt, therefore more than 5° which would have been maximally expected from mictrotropia, or decreased by at least 3 pdpt.

Conclusions

The Prism adaptation test (PAT) showed remarkable changes in AOS in both decEPH and decMET. In patients with decEPH, the preoperative assessment of the “true AOS” under PAT reflects a pivotal requirement for successful strabismus surgery, as 82% had dose relevant angle changes ≥ 3 pdpt. For patients with decMET the preoperative prism adaptation test is especially of diagnostic value, but also 51% of decMET patients had changes in AOS beyond the expected microtropic angle (≥ 10 pdpt) or even a dose relevant angle decrease (≥ 3pdpt).
Global characteristics of ambient seismic noise
Authors: Li Xiaomeng , Xu Yan , Xie Chaodi , Sun Shanshan
Published: January 2022

Ambient seismic noise becomes more and more important and helpful on assisting velocity model inversion, earthquake detection, and ground motion prediction. Based on the analysis of continuous seismic data and ocean wave height, we find that the ocean wave height and winter storms have a controlling factor on the DF microseismic energy level and its frequency extent in time scale. It shows that high and low DF microseismic energy accompanied with wide and narrow frequency range consistent with the high wave height period (when the ocean is stormier) and low wave height period, respectively. Since DF microseism is dominated by Rayleigh waves, its energy attenuates very quickly when it travels through shoreline to the continent crust. Our observations give a quality factor Q of about 83 for DF energy traveling from the middle of the Atlantic to the central of Europe. We observe a lower energy level of SPDF (short period DF) than that of LPDF (long period DF) for the continent stations, however a reversed situation for the island stations. It suggests that short period DF energy decays faster than the long period one. High-frequency ambient noise is called microtremor. The microtremor for the island station with low elevation has a semidiurnal modulation in phase with ocean tide. The microtremor for the station at other locations are from the anthropogenic activities which have diurnal, weekly, and annually variations.
Characterisation of Honest Times and Optional Semimartingales of Class-$$(\Sigma )$$
Authors: Li Libo
Published: January 2022

Given a finite honest time, we first show that the associated Azéma optional supermartingale can be expressed as the drawdown and the relative drawdown of some local optional supermartingales with continuous running supremum. The relative drawdown representation then allows us to provide a characterisation of finite honest times using a family of non-negative local optional supermartingales with continuous running supremum which converges to zero at infinity. Then we extend the notion of semimartingales of class-$$(\Sigma )$$

(
Σ
)

by allowing for jumps in its finite variation part of the semimartingale decomposition. This enables one to establish the Madan–Roynette–Yor option pricing formula for a larger class of processes, and finally, we apply the extended formula to the construction of finite honest times.
Accidentally Killing on Purpose: Transferred Malice and Missing Victims
Authors: Tomlin Patrick
Published: January 2022

Transferred malice, or transferred intent, is the criminal doctrine that states that if D tries to kill A, and accidentally kills B, the intent to kill transfers from A to B, and so D is guilty of murdering B. This is widely viewed as a useful legal fiction. One of the finest essays on this topic was written by our honorand, Douglas N. Husak. Husak views both the potential usefulness of, and his preferred alternative to, transferred malice through the lens of sentencing – how much hard treatment the offender will receive. In this essay, I take a step back and ask in what ways transferred malice might be useful. I find its potential usefulness is not restricted to sentencing, but thinking about other ways in which it might be useful actually brings other potential drawbacks into focus – in particular, I argue, transferred malice mislabels the crimes the offender committed, and does so in a way that erases one of the victims from the moral description of the crime.
Local Ranking of Geological Conceptual Models in Non-stationary Settings Using Multi-point Geostatistics
Authors: Selia Sangga Rima Roman , Tolosana-Delgado Raimon , Boogaart K. Gerald van den
Published: January 2022

In geomodeling, it is commonly accepted that the distribution of physical properties is controlled by the architecture of geological objects. However, insufficient data and the complexity of earth processes create an ill-posed problem where many architectures are plausible. Consequently, several geologists will produce different geological models for the same location. This contribution proposes a way to objectivize the ranking of those conceptual models by comparing them with hard data, both globally for the whole study region and locally for certain of its sectors. The idea is to extend the multi-point geostatistics direct sampling algorithm to be able to extract data events from different training images, representing several competing geological models, and to record the training image origin of values pasted on simulation grid cells. By tracking the frequency with which every training image is visited, we can rank the likelihood of each geological model. Histograms of the frequency of usage of each training image will provide a global ranking of the several conceptual models, while maps of these frequencies can be used to produce the local rankings. We demonstrate this method in two synthetic fluvial depositional environments where three distinct geological concepts are being proposed, with different abundances of hard data. Results indicate that the proposed method could be a useful tool in defining which geological concept dominates at a particular region and which is the frequency ranking for each training image on that region.
La fantasma de Valencia y las comedias de Fiestas del jardín de Alonso de Castillo Solórzano: hipótesis de datación y circunstancias de representación
Authors: Monzó Ribes Clara , Blanco Campos Félix
Published: January 2022

Alonso de Castillo Solórzano, prolific cultivator of the novelistic genre, gathered and published his work in miscellaneous volumes or colectáneas all along the XVII century. In these volumes, mainly formed by novels assembled in a narrative framework, dramatic pieces appear from time to time. This is the case of Fiestas del Jardín (1634), which alternates four plays written in prose and three comedies. We know about the last ones that they were brought to the stage by renowned authors of the time. However, the date of their composition remains unknown as well as the circumstances in which they were staged. It is our goal to shed light on these questions following the study of La fantasma de Valencia, one of the three aforementioned comedies.
Cross-Border Higher Education: The Expansion of International Branch Campuses
Authors: Paniagua Jordi , Villó Cristina , Escrivà-Beltran Maria
Published: January 2022

The international expansion of higher education has intensified in recent decades with a rapidly growing number of international branch campuses appearing on the scene. This study investigates the economic, cultural and institutional, and educational determinants of transnational higher education on both the extensive margin (number of international branch campuses), and the intensive margin (the total number of educational programmes offered). Using the gravity equation, we applied fixed-effect empirical methods to a panel dataset that combined and extended the raw data from campuses and master’s programmes in 33 source countries and 76 host countries in the period from 1948 to 2016. Estimates reveal that although cultural, economic and institutional ties foster cross-border educational relationships, their effect differs significantly from one margin to another. The study highlights the relevance of globalisation, research activities, and aggregate demand in international higher education.
Coronal Density Measurements Using Giant Radio Pulses of the Crab Pulsar at the Cycle 24/25 Minimum
Authors: Tokumaru Munetoshi , Maeda Ryuya , Tawara Kaito , Takefuji Kazuhiro , Terasawa Toshio
Published: January 2022

Accurate measurements of the coronal plasma density profile, which varies with the solar cycle (SC), are necessary to elucidate the solar wind acceleration. In this study, the Crab pulsar is observed using the 327 MHz radio telescope at the Toyokawa Observatory of the Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research of Nagoya University to investigate the coronal plasma density profile for radial distances between 5 and 60 solar radii at the SC24/25 minimum. We derive the dispersion measures (DMs) that represent the integration of plasma density along the line of sight (LOS) for giant radio pulses of the Crab pulsar. We find that the observed DMs increased above the interstellar background level when the LOS for the Crab pulsar approached the Sun in mid-June 2018 and 2019. This increase in DM is attributed to the effect of the coronal plasma. We determine the plasma density distribution by fitting a spherically symmetric model to the observed DM data. The flat radial slopes of the best-fit model are consistent with pulsar observations in the low-activity periods of past SCs, and they are attributed to the effect of the coronal hole over the south pole of the Sun. Our results show that the density level near the Sun is similar to those observed in the low activity periods of past SCs, implying recovery of the coronal plasma density from a significant reduction at the SC23/24 minimum.
The Brothers Karamazov and the theology of suffering
Authors: Namli Elena
Published: January 2022

This article offers a reflection upon The Brothers Karamazov, interpreted as a theological and philosophical contribution to the debate over humanity’s practical relationship to suffering and vulnerability. The relationship is practical insofar as the questions with which Dostoevsky struggles all relate to human agency: How should we live in the continual presence of suffering? The article reconstructs a theology of suffering in The Brothers Karamazov as a form of anti-theodicy. Further, the theology of suffering in The Brothers Karamazov is counterposed to Leo Tolstoy’s novella Hadji Murat. How does Dostoevsky’s “theology of suffering” fare in a comparison with one of the most perceptive portraits of power and powerlessness in world literature? In the proposed reading of the story, the elderly Tolstoy seeks to challenge the Christian theology that views responsibility for suffering and injustice primarily as an individual struggle with the metaphysical conditions of existence.
Privacy-preserving kNN query processing algorithms via secure two-party computation over encrypted database in cloud computing
Authors: Kim Hyeong-Jin , Lee Hyunjo , Kim Yong-Ki , Chang Jae-Woo
Published: January 2022

Since studies on privacy-preserving database outsourcing have been spotlighted in a cloud computing, databases need to be encrypted before being outsourced to the cloud. Therefore, a couple of privacy-preserving kNN query processing algorithms have been proposed over the encrypted database. However, the existing algorithms are either insecure or inefficient. Therefore, in this paper we propose a privacy-preserving kNN query processing algorithm via secure two-party computation on the encrypted database. Our algorithm preserves both data privacy and query privacy while hiding data access patterns. For this, we propose efficient and secure protocols based on Yao’s garbled circuit. To achieve a high degree of efficiency in query processing, we also propose a parallel kNN query processing algorithm using encrypted random value pool. Through our performance analysis, we verify that our proposed algorithms outperform the existing ones in terms of a query processing cost.
Age-dependent frequency of unconventional T cells in a healthy adult Caucasian population: a combinational study of invariant natural killer T cells, γδ T cells, and mucosa-associated invariant T cells
Authors: Singh Parvind , Szaraz-Szeles Marianna , Mezei Zoltan , Barath Sandor , Hevessy Zsuzsanna
Published: January 2022

Unconventional T cells show distinct and unique features during antigen recognition as well as other immune responses. Their decrease in frequency is associated with various autoimmune disorders, allergy, inflammation, and cancer. The landscape frequency of the unconventional T cells altogether (iNKT, γδ T, and MAIT) is largely unestablished leading to various challenges affecting diagnosis and research in this field. In this study, we have established the age group–wise frequency of iNKT, γδ T, and MAIT cells altogether on a total of 203 healthy adult samples of the Caucasian population. The results revealed that iNKT cells were 0.095%, γδ T cells were 2.175%, and MAIT cells were 2.99% of the total T cell population. γδ and MAIT cell frequency is higher in younger age groups than elderly; however, there is no statistically significant difference in the frequency of iNKT cells. Furthermore, γδ and MAIT cells were negatively correlating with age, supporting immunosenescence, unlike iNKT cells. Our finding could be used for further age-wise investigation of various pathological conditions such as cancer and their prognosis, autoimmune diseases and their pathogenicity.
Having a stimulating lifestyle is associated with maintenance of white matter integrity with age
Authors: Ducharme-Laliberté Gabriel , Mellah Samira , Belleville Sylvie
Published: January 2022

Brain maintenance refers to the fact that some older adults experience few age-related changes in the brain, which helps maintain their cognition. The goal of this study was to assess maintenance of white matter integrity by testing whether reserve proxies, measuring factors associated to a stimulating lifestyle, affect the maintenance of white matter integrity. Another goal was to measure whether maintenance of white matter integrity explains inter-individual differences in working memory (WM). Forty-one cognitively healthy older adults received a structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination to measure white matter lesions. They completed an n-back WM task with different loads (1- & 2-back), along with a questionnaire on their lifestyle. There was a positive association between age and volume of white matter lesions. This association was no longer found in those with higher scores on reserve proxies. In addition, smaller volumes of white matter lesions were associated with better performance than expected for age in the 1-back WM task. Better WM is associated with the maintenance of white matter integrity in older adults, which in turn is linked to measures reflecting a stimulating lifestyle throughout life.
Play, art, music and exercise therapy impact on children with diabetes
Authors: Bacus Ioana Patricia , Mahomed Husnain , Murphy Anne-Marie , Connolly Muiriosa , Neylon Orla , O’Gorman Clodagh
Published: January 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global public health issue. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is the predominant diabetes type in children and always requires insulin therapy. The incidence rate of newly diagnosed T1D in children continues to increase in Ireland Roche et al. (Eur J Pediatr 175(12):1913-1919, 2016) and worldwide Patterson et al. (Diabetologia 62(3):408-417, 2019). The objective of this study was to conduct a literature review of the effects of various non-pharmacological therapeutic modalities on the control of diabetes in children. A literature review was performed using PubMed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane library to evaluate play, art, music and exercise therapy in the treatment of DM using the keywords: “paediatric”, “diabetes”, “play therapy”, “art therapy”, “music therapy” and “exercise therapy”. These search terms initially returned 270 cases, which resulted in a total of 11 papers being reviewed after eliminating duplicate or irrelevant papers. Literature review showed that all therapies have a positive impact on the child, but there is limited research looking at the impact of therapy on quantitative measures such as HbA1c or ‘time in range’.
The cost of cancer care: how far would you go for a trial?
Authors: Fitzpatrick Orla M. , Murphy Catherine , Duignan Erica , Egan Keith , Hennessy Bryan T. , Grogan Liam , Murphy Adrian , Breathnach Oscar S. , Naidoo Jarushka , Morris Patrick G.
Published: January 2022

Background

Clinical trials are often considered the gold standard in cancer care. However, patients face barriers in trial participation including distances to cancer centres and personal costs including changing employment status, cost of medications, inpatient admissions, and parking tariffs.

Aim

Our aim was to compare the distances patients travelled for clinical trials compared to those receiving standard systemic anticancer therapy (SACT). We also investigated the additional costs associated with this.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of electronic patient medical records. The distance from the patients’ home address to Beaumont was calculated as a one-way journey in kilometres. Patients attending for clinical trials were compared to those receiving standard of care SACT.

Results

A total of 271 patients receiving standard SACT over a 5-day period and 111 patients enrolled on 24 clinical trials were included. The median one-way distance travelled by patients enrolled in clinical trials was 41.4 km, compared to 14 km in those patients’ receiving standard of care SACT. The median estimated cost was €13 vs €4.20 for those enrolled on clinical trials compared to those receiving standard of care treatment, respectively.

Conclusion

Patients enrolled on clinical trials often travel more than twice as far to receive their anti-cancer treatment compared to those receiving standard of care SACT and incur an increased cost of travel expenses.
Driving innovation management to create shared value and sustainable growth
Authors: Rubio-Andrés Mercedes , del Mar Ramos-González Mª , Sastre-Castillo Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2022

Creating shared value (CSV) is an opportunity for sustainable growth for small and medium-sized enterprises that entails jointly achieving both social and business value. Currently there are few practical approaches that underpin the importance of CSV and that explore which variables have a positive impact on SMEs. Our paper seeks to shed light on this issue by proposing a measuring and governance model to assess the benefits of CSV in SMEs, using a sample of Spanish SMEs for the empirical analysis, and PLS-SEM as the analysis technique. We first highlight innovation management as a key variable for CSV. It is essential to take innovative strategic decisions to identify which initiatives generate shared value. Our findings confirm that innovative business management helps cultural transformation processes to be implemented with high shared value, which is a source of opportunities in a global economy and, consequently, lead to sustainable growth. Secondly, we aim to highlight how innovative firms enhance their reputation, which in turn has an impact on the creation of social and business value. We also find that if SMEs emphasise social value, they boost the creation of business value, with their role as mediators proving to be vital. We present a strategic management model based on variables such as innovation management, social value and reputation, due to their impact on business value.
Irisin: circulating levels in serum and its relation to gonadal axis
Authors: Luo Yunyao , Qiao Xiaoyong , Xu Liangzhi , Huang Guoning
Published: January 2022

Irisin is an exercise-induced myokine/adipokine in mice and humans that plays an important role in ‘browning’ of white adipose tissue and has shown great potential as a treatment for some metabolic diseases, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation. The circulating irisin level is reported to be associated with exercise, obesity, diet, diseases, and exposure to different pharmacological agents. Several studies have attempted to characterize the role of irisin in PCOS and other reproductive diseases, but contradictory results have been reported. Our previous study showed that irisin may serve further functions in folliculogenesis and fertility. In this review, we present the current knowledge on the physiology of irisin and its role in gonadal axis. Firstly, we describe irisin circulating levels and speculate on the potential mechanisms involved in irisin secretion and regulation. Then, we focus on the irisin levels in PCOS, and explore the relationships between, BMI, insulin resistance, and hyperandrogenism. Finally, we present the results from animal interventional studies and in vitro experiments to investigate the relationship between irisin and gonadal axis, indicating its novel effects on reproduction and fertility.
Prenatal testosterone and sexually differentiated childhood play preferences: a meta-analysis of amniotic fluid studies
Authors: Richards Gareth , Browne Wendy V.
Published: January 2022

Sexually differentiated behaviour appears to emerge from a complex interaction of biological and socio-cultural factors, with prenatal exposure to steroid hormones such as testosterone thought to play a key role. Due to large sex differences being present from a very early age, much research has focussed on the influence these hormones may have on play preferences during childhood. We present an overview of the literature and a random-effects meta-analysis linking amniotic testosterone with sexually differentiated play preferences (k = 9, n = 493). The overall effect size estimate was in the theory-consistent direction (i.e., with higher levels of testosterone associated with more male-typical play preferences), though not statistically significant (r = 0.082, p = 0.274). However, after three hypothesised missing studies were imputed via the trim and fill procedure, a significant correlation emerged (r = 0.166, p = 0.014). Nevertheless, one sample was observed to exert a particularly large influence on the outcome of the analysis. Notably this was the second biggest sample and related to the largest effect size estimate. Though far from conclusive, the overall findings are consistent with the idea that individual differences in prenatal testosterone within the typical range predict sexually differentiated play preferences in early life. However, these effects may be small in magnitude and appear to vary considerably across studies.
Innovations in geomatics teaching during the COVID-19 emergency
Authors: Botto Matteo , Federici Bianca , Ferrando Ilaria , Gagliolo Sara , Sguerso Domenico
Published: January 2022

The approach in the teaching process is changing, thanks to the increased awareness that a higher students’ involvement leads to a better quality of their learning. The aim is to make the students more participative, avoiding a unidirectional lesson and encouraging their wish to keep updated on the course advancements. However, innovative teaching methodologies are not yet widespread, mainly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. At the University of Genoa, the experimentation of innovative teaching techniques has been significant and worthy especially because it was planned before the COVID-19 emergency and applied in the scenario of forced remote teaching. Thanks to the introduction of novel technological instruments, several techniques have been exploited to realize interactive lessons and promoting students’ involvement. The present work discloses the employed techniques and frames them within the state of the art of innovative teaching, highlighting their contribution in the teaching activities related to the Geomatics field of knowledge. The acquired experiences in Geomatics dissemination and a critical analysis, including teachers’ and students’ perception about the tested innovative teaching/learning tools, are also reported. In general, the innovations introduced in teaching and learning processes during the COVID-19 sanitary emergency were warmly received by the entire community, including teachers, students, and teaching assistants.
Principles for urban nature-based solutions
Authors: Kabisch Nadja , Frantzeskaki Niki , Hansen Rieke
Published: January 2022

Nature-based solutions (NBS) were introduced as integrated, multifunctional and multi-beneficial solutions to a wide array of socio-ecological challenges. Although principles for a common understanding and implementation of NBS were already developed on a landscape scale, specific principles are needed with regard to an application in urban areas. Urban areas come with particular challenges including (i) spatial conflicts with urban system nestedness, (ii) specific urban biodiversity, fragmentation and altered environments, (iii) value plurality, multi-actor interdependencies and environmental injustices, (iv) path-dependencies with cultural and planning legacies and (v) a potential misconception of cities as being artificial landscapes disconnected from nature. Given these challenges, in this perspective paper, we build upon and integrate knowledge from the most recent academic work on NBS in urban areas and introduce five distinct, integrated principles for urban NBS design, planning and implementation. Our five principles should help to transcend governance gaps and advance the scientific discourse of urban NBS towards a more effective and sustainable urban development. To contribute to resilient urban futures, the design, planning, policy and governance of NBS should (1) consider the need for a systemic understanding, (2) contribute to benefiting people and biodiversity, (3) contribute to inclusive solutions for the long-term, (4) consider context conditions and (5) foster communication and learning.
The role of athlete commissions in addressing sport-related human rights abuses: a case study of the Commonwealth Games Federation Athletes Advisory Commission
Authors: Naidoo Urvasi , Grevemberg David
Published: January 2022

Athlete commissions have an important role to play in addressing sport-related human rights abuses. This article will explore this by examining the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) which made constitutional changes and created its first athlete representation body in 2017—the CGF Athletes Advisory Commission (AAC). These governance and legal changes empowered athletes to be part of the CGF leadership. Under the new governance structure, the Chair of the AAC is a voting member of the CGF Executive Board. The AAC met for the first time in 2018. In 2020, they launched their strategy (CGF Media Release 13 May 2020. https://thecgf.com/news/cgf-athletes-advisory-commission-launch-new-strategy. Accessed 28 October 2021) which seeks to uphold and live the Commonwealth Sport values of humanity, equality and destiny. The strategy identifies the Commonwealth athletes as agents of change, advocates for integrity and ambassadors for respect, impartiality and non-discrimination. How realistic is this ambition? The CGF itself, Commonwealth Sports Ministers and Commonwealth Member Countries have all adopted zero tolerance policies towards human rights violations (See The Commonwealth Consensus Statement on Promoting Human Rights in and through Sport 27 October 2020. https://thecommonwealth.org/sites/default/files/inline/CW%20Consensus%20Statement-ADOPTED%20v2.pdf. Accessed 28 October 2021 and The CGF Transformation 2022 Refresh 3 September 2019 Page 31. https://thecgf.com/sites/default/files/2019-10/CGF_TRANSFORMATION%2022_BROCHURE_FINAL_16-08-19_LOW%20RES.pdf. Accessed 28 October 2021). The authors will speak to the current Chair of the AAC and the previous Chair of the AAC to ask some pertinent questions around what impact the 2020 AAC strategy can have in safeguarding participants from sport related human rights abuses. The interview will explore policy change, governance reforms and long terms strategies which can maximize the role of athletes in protecting, respecting and fulfilling the human rights of not just athletes but all involved in the delivery of the Commonwealth Sport movement.
Conceptualising and Teaching Biomedical Uncertainty to Medical Students: an Exploratory Qualitative Study
Authors: Lukšaitė Eva , Fricker Rosemary A. , McKinley Robert K. , Dikomitis Lisa
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Certainty/uncertainty in medicine is a topic of popular debate. This study aims to understand how biomedical uncertainty is conceptualised by academic medical educators and how it is taught in a medical school in the UK.

Methods

This is an exploratory qualitative study grounded in ethnographic principles. This study is based on 10 observations of teaching sessions and seven semi-structured qualitative interviews with medical educators from various biomedical disciplines in a UK medical school. The data set was analysed via a thematic analysis.

Results

Four main themes were identified after analysis: (1) ubiquity of biomedical uncertainty, (2) constraints to teaching biomedical uncertainty, (3) the ‘medic filter’ and (4) fluid distinction: core versus additional knowledge. While medical educators had differing understandings of how biomedical uncertainty is articulated in their disciplines, its presence was ubiquitous. This ubiquity did not translate into teaching due to time constraints and assessment strategies. The ‘medic filter’ emerged as a strategy that educators employed to decide what to include in their teaching. They made distinctions between core and additional knowledge which were defined in varied ways across disciplines. Additional knowledge often encapsulated biomedical uncertainty.

Discussion

Even though the perspective that knowledge is socially constructed is not novel in medical education, it is neither universally valued nor universally applied. Moving beyond situativity theories and into broader debates in social sciences provides new opportunities to discuss the nature of scientific knowledge in medical education. We invite a move away from situated learning to situated knowledge.
Single-Parent Families and Adolescent Crime: Unpacking the Role of Parental Separation, Parental Decease, and Being Born to a Single-Parent Family
Authors: Kroese Janique , Bernasco Wim , Liefbroer Aart C. , Rouwendal Jan
Published: January 2022

Addressing a gap in the extant literature on single-parent families and juvenile delinquency, we distinguish between different types of single-parent families. Using Dutch population register data on nearly 1.3 million children, we performed logistic regressions to assess the relation between growing up in a single-parent family before age 12 and the likelihood to engage in juvenile delinquency during adolescence. Our findings suggest that the likelihood of juvenile delinquency increases (1) when children are born to a single parent, followed by children with separated parents and children experiencing parental death, compared to children growing up with both biological parents; (2) when the single-parent family started at a younger age; and (3) when children grow up with only a biological mother, for both sons and daughters, compared to only a biological father. The relationship between growing up in single-parent families and juvenile delinquency is much more complex than often assumed. Future research should pay more attention to diversity in the composition of single-parent families.
Ample simplicial complexes
Authors: Even-Zohar Chaim , Farber Michael , Mead Lewis
Published: January 2022

Motivated by potential applications in network theory, engineering and computer science, we study r-ample simplicial complexes. These complexes can be viewed as finite approximations to the Rado complex which has a remarkable property of indestructibility, in the sense that removing any finite number of its simplexes leaves a complex isomorphic to itself. We prove that an r-ample simplicial complex is simply connected and 2-connected for r large. The number n of vertexes of an r-ample simplicial complex satisfies $$\exp \bigl (\Omega \bigl (\frac{2^r}{\sqrt{r}}\bigr )\bigr )$$

exp

(

Ω

(

2
r

r

)

)

. We use the probabilistic method to establish the existence of r-ample simplicial complexes with n vertexes for any $$n>r 2^r 2^{2^r}$$

n
>
r

2
r

2

2
r

. Finally, we introduce the iterated Paley simplicial complexes, which are explicitly constructed r-ample simplicial complexes with nearly optimal number of vertexes.