bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Відеоасистована резекція тонкої кишки у дітей з доброякісними кістами черевної порожнини
Authors: Сусак Я. М. , Руденко Є. О. , Левицький А. Ф. , Годік О. С.
Published: August 2023

Мета роботи: проаналізувати особливості клінічного перебігу, діагностичні та лікувальні підходи до кіст черевної порожнини, визначити роль міні-інвазивної хірургії в діагностиці та лікуванні кіст черевної порожнини.
Матеріали і методи. Ретроспективно проаналізовано історії хвороби 5 дітей з діагнозом “кістозне утворення черевної порожнини”, яким було надано допомогу в клініці в період від січня 2015 до грудня 2020 р. Середній термін спостереження склав (17±1,9) місяця.
Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Серед пацієнтів серії випадків було 2 (40,0 %) дівчинки та 3 (60,0 %) хлопчики. Вік на момент звернення в середньому склав (24±7,1) місяця. Четверо пацієнтів госпіталізовані в клініку в екстреному порядку, в трьох спостерігалася клінічна картина кишкової непрохідності, одна дитина звернулася зі скаргами на випорожнення чорного кольору, одна дитина звернулася планово. Візуалізацію всім пацієнтам проводили за допомогою УЗД, в усіх випадках були виявлені кісти черевної порожнини. Враховуючи наявність гострої хірургічної патології та неоднозначність результатів первинної візуалізації, дітям було виконано діагностичну лапароскопію. Після визначення об’єму ураження в чотирьох випадках виконано відеоасистовану резекцію сегмента кишки з кістою та анастомозом, в одному випадку застосовано конверсію на відкрите втручання. Гістологічно кістозне ураження являло собою лімфатичну мальформацію (n=2) та кістозне подвоєння кишечника (n=3). Ускладнень після операційних втручань не спостерігали.
Ефективність лікувальної тактики в пацієнтів із післяопераційним перитонітом
Authors: Шевчук І. М. , Дроняк М. М. , Дроняк В. М.
Published: August 2023

Мета роботи: покращити результати лікування пацієнтів із післяопераційним перитонітом шляхом застосування ефективної хірургічної тактики з пріоритетним застосуванням міні-інвазивних технологій.

Матеріали і методи. У клініці проліковано 198 пацієнтів на післяопераційний перитоніт, які знаходились на лікуванні у відділенні хірургії комунального неприбуткового підприємства Івано-Франківської обласної ради “Обласна клінічна лікарня” у період від 2016 до 2021 р.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Метод та обсяг операційного втручання у пацієнтів на післяопераційний перитоніт встановлювали індивідуально на підставі результатів об’єктивного обстеження, клінічних і лабораторних даних та оцінки результатів застосованих інструментальних методів дослідження. Перевагу віддавали міні-інвазивним технологіям. Міні-інвазивні повторні операційні втручання були виконані у 114 (57,6 %) пацієнтів на післяопераційний перитоніт. Із 114 пацієнтів, яким були виконані міні-інвазивні операційні втручання, у 55 (48,2 %) була застосована лапароскопічна санація і дренування абсцесу очеревинної порожнини. При цьому серед 34 (30,9 %) пацієнтів на післяопераційний перитоніт при міжпетельних абсцесах у 19 (55,9 %) хворих проведено лапароскопічну санацію та дренування гнійника. У 8 (23,5 %) пацієнтів операційне втручання розпочинали з лапароскопії, проте із-за неможливісті повноцінного доступу до абсцесу виконали конверсію в лапаротомію. У 11 (27,9 %) пацієнтів на при міжпетельних абсцесах виконали релапаротомію, санацію і дренування черевної порожнини. Померло 45 з 244 хворих на післяопераційний перитоніт з абдомінальним сепсисом, післяопераційна летальність  склала 18,4 %. Застосування хірургічного лікування в пацієнтів із післяопераційним перитонітом із пріоритетним застосуванням міні-інвазивних технологій із застосуванням лапароскопії та черезшкірного дренування гнійників стилет-катетером дозволило збільшити число міні-інвазивних втручань над відкритими у 4,2 раза, знизити відсоток релапаротомій на 32,3 % та зменшити післяопераційну летальність з 31,6 % до 18,4 %.
АСОЦІАЦІЯ ПОРУШЕНЬ СНУ З КОМПОНЕНТАМИ МЕТАБОЛІЧНОГО СИНДРОМУ В МЕДИЧНИХ СЕСТЕР ТЕРАПЕВТИЧНОГО ПРОФІЛЮ, ЯКІ ПРАЦЮЮТЬ ПОЗМІННО
Authors: Криницька І. Я. , Бекус І. Р. , Кирилів М. В. , Денефіль О. В. , Ярошенко Т. Я.
Published: August 2023

Вступ. Попередження розвитку метаболічного синдрому в медичних сестер стаціонарів, які працюють позмінно, є справжнім викликом для сучасної системи охорони здоров’я, адже позмінна робота і робота в нічний час є вагомими негативними факторами ризику для здоров’я працівників. Мета дослідження – проаналізувати частоту виявлення порушень сну та компонентів метаболічного синдрому і встановити ймовірні асоціації між досліджуваними показниками в медичних сестер терапевтичного профілю, які працюють позмінно. Методи дослідження. У дослідженні взяли участь 56 медичних сестер терапевтичного профілю, які працюють позмінно у стаціонарних терапевтичних відділеннях м. Тернополя. Для клінічної оцінки вираження інсомнії ми використали анкету суб’єктивного оцінювання сну. Артеріальний тиск вимірювали згідно зі стандартним протоколом за методом Короткова. Рівень глюкози у сироватці крові визначали за допомогою стандартного набору реагентів на автоматичному біохімічному аналізаторі “COBAS INTEGRA®400” (“Roche Diagnostics”, США), рівень триацилгліцеролів та холестеролу ліпопротеїнів високої щільності – із застосуванням стандартного набору реагентів на автоматичному біохімічному аналізаторі “Cobas 6000” (“Roche Hitachi”, Німеччина). Статистичну обробку даних проводили, використовуючи стандартні програмні продукти обробки інформації STATISTICA 8.0. Результати й обговорення. У 35,7 % медичних сестер терапевтичного профілю, які працюють позмінно, спостерігали порушення сну. Зокрема, порушення ініціації сну відзначено в 44,6 % респондентів, порушення підтримки сну – в 19,6 %, порушення пробудження – в 35,7 %, денну сонливість – у 23,2 %. Порівнюючи частоту виявлення компонентів метаболічного синдрому в медичних сестер терапевтичного профілю з наявними порушеннями сну відносно медичних сестер, в яких відсутні порушення сну, відмітили вірогідні відмінності щодо двох параметрів – рівня артеріального тиску ≥130/85 мм рт. ст. та глікемії натще, частота виявлення яких переважала в медичних сестер з інсомнією. Аналізуючи кореляційні зв’язки між компонентами метаболічного синдрому та порушеннями сну в медичних сестер з інсомнією, встановили вірогідний прямий кореляційний зв’язок високої сили між рівнем артеріального тиску ≥130/85 мм рт. ст. та інтрасомнічними порушеннями сну і денною сонливістю. Висновки. Більша частота виявлення компонентів метаболічного синдрому, зокрема рівня артеріального тиску ≥130/85 мм рт. ст. і рівня глюкози у сироватці крові натще ≥5,6 ммоль/л, у медичних сестер терапевтичного профілю, які мають порушення сну, вказує на необхідність розробки та реалізації низки профілактичних засобів для медичних працівників, які працюють позмінно, для покращення якості сну і запобігання виникненню кардіометаболічних розладів, наприклад артеріальної гіпертензії, цукрового діабету та/або метаболічного синдрому.
ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ МАРКЕРІВ КІСТКОВОГО МЕТАБОЛІЗМУ В КРОВІ ТА СЕЧІ ПАЦІЄНТІВ ІЗ СИСТЕМНИМ ОСТЕОПОРОЗОМ ПЕРЕД ХІРУРГІЧНИМ ЕТАПОМ ДЕНТАЛЬНОЇ ІМПЛАНТАЦІЇ
Authors: Даценко М. А.
Published: August 2023

Вступ. Системний остеопороз – це захворювання скелетної системи, що характеризується зменшенням маси та щільності кісток скелета. Воно може впливати на результати дентальної імплантації, яка на сьогодні є одним з найбільш ефективних методів відновлення втрачених зубів і забезпечує повернення пацієнтам функції та естетики їх ушкоджених зубів. До ключових факторів, що впливають на успіх дентальної імплантації, належить стан кісткової тканини. Маркери кісткового метаболізму можуть допомогти встановити точний стан кісткової тканини пацієнта і спрогнозувати успіх дентальної ­імплантації в подальшому.

Мета дослідження – дослідити маркери кісткового метаболізму в крові та сечі пацієнтів із системним остеопорозом, які потребували дентальної імплантації.

Методи дослідження. У крові та сечі 87 пацієнтів, які потребували дентальної імплантації, було досліджено маркери кісткового метаболізму. Активність лужної фосфатази у крові визначали за допомогою гетерогенного імуноферментного аналізу ELISA на автоаналізаторі “Spektrum” Series 2 фірми “Abbott” (США), активність тартратрезистентної кислої фосфатази у крові – методом імуноферментного аналізу з використанням набору “Bone TRACP Assay”. Методика визначення вмісту оксипроліну в сечі пацієнтів досліджуваних груп ґрунтувалася на окисненні в лужному середовищі гідроксипроліну пероксидом водню до піролу за наявності іонів міді.

Результати й обговорення. Найбільш виражений дисбаланс маркерів ремоделювання кісткової тканини спостерігали в жінок із системним остеопорозом, дещо менш виражену тенденцію – у чоловіків із системним остеопорозом стосовно біохімічних параметрів, які вивчали в осіб без порушень мінеральної щільності кісткової тканини. Так, у жінок із системним остеопорозом відзначили підвищення активності тартратрезистентної кислої фосфатази  у крові на 11,19 %, вмісту оксипроліну в сечі – на 31,75 % на тлі зниження активності лужної фосфатази в 3,0 рази (р,р1<0,01).

Висновки. Отже, метаболічні порушення при системному остеопорозі негативно впливають на структури порожнини рота, що може обумовлювати причину низької ефективності застосування дентальних імплантатів і вказувати на необхідність удосконалення ортопедичного та хірургічного лікування шляхом розробки адекватної гендерної остеотропної терапії.
ОЦІНКА ВПЛИВУ ПОВЕРХНЕВО-АКТИВНИХ РЕЧОВИН НА ОРГАНІЗМ ЩУРІВ ЗА ПОКАЗНИКАМИ БІЛКОВОГО І ВУГЛЕВОДНОГО ОБМІНУ В ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТІ
Authors: Кліщ І. М. , Лотоцький В. В. , Крицька Г. А. , Смачило О. М.
Published: August 2023

Вступ. До найбільш розповсюджених і небезпечних речовин, що забруднюють поверхневі, ґрунтові та стічні води, належать поверхнево-активні речовини. До них відносять і стеарат калію, який використовують у виробництві мила, кремів для рук, піни для гоління та інших косметичних засобів.

Мета дослідження – вивчити вплив стеарату калію в різних дозах на показники білкового і вуглеводного обміну в піддослідних тварин. 

Методи дослідження. Дослід проводили на 90 білих щурах-самцях масою 180–200 г, яких поділили на п’ять груп по 18 тварин у кожній: 1-ша (контрольна) – щури, які споживали питну воду з міського водогону; в шлунок тварин чотирьох наступних груп щоденно протягом 30 діб вводили водний розчин стеарату калію в таких дозах: 2-га група – 1/10 від ЛД50 (або 800,0 мг/кг), 3-тя – 1/50 від ЛД50 (160,0 мг/кг), 4-та – 1/250 від ЛД50 (32,0 мг/кг), 5-та – 1/1250 від ЛД50 (6,4 мг/кг). Через 10, 20 і 30 діб з кожної групи відбирали по 6 тварин для визначення вмісту білка і сечовини у сироватці крові. За допомогою напівавтоматичного біохімічного аналізатора “Humalyzer 2000” у сироватці крові визначали рівень загального білка, сечовини,  піровиноградної і молочної кислот.

Результати й обговорення. Стеарат калію в дозі 800,0 мг/кг при надходженні в організм білих щурів негативно впливав на білковий і вуглеводний обмін. Через 10 діб його введення відмічено достовірне зниження вмісту білка і сечовини у сироватці крові. При зниженні дози до 160,0 мг/кг прояви негативного впливу також зменшилися. При введенні стеарату калію в дозі 800,0 мг/кг вміст піровиноградної кислоти у сироватці крові збільшився на 90 % (р<0,05), в дозі 160,0 мг/кг – на 51 % (р<0,05). Рівень молочної кислоти зріс недостовірно. При введенні стеарату калію в дозах 32,0 та 6,4 мг/кг змін з боку білкового і вуглеводного обміну практично не спостерігали.

Висновок. Зазначені зміни, які відбуваються внаслідок впливу поверхнево-активних речовин, є однією з причин і відображенням дисметаболічних явищ, характерних для клітин організму за умов токсичної дії ксенобіотиків.
Reflexões teórico-práticas preliminares sobre o uso do ChatGPT como ferramenta criativa na publicidade
Authors: Ferreira Filho Renato Gonçalves
Published: August 2023

Este artigo tem como objetivo desenvolver reflexões teórico-práticas, a partir da empiria, sobre o uso do ChatGPT como ferramenta de criação de campanhas. Calibrando nossa perspectiva de investigação, inicialmente discutimos as bases dos processos de criação publicitária e destrinchamos as lógicas da inteligência artificial generativa. Caminhando para a experiência, usamos o ChatGPT para o desenho de campanhas de Natal para a Coca-Cola. Como resultados, destacamos algumas das principais limitações e as potencialidades da plataforma para a criatividade publicitária.
O que dizem as perspectivas brasileiras contemporâneas da publicidade sobre o publicitário?
Authors: Piedras Elisa Reinhardt , Scherer Anderson Alves
Published: August 2023

O objetivo da pesquisa é identificar a presença/ ausência e a natureza do papel do publicitário em dez das “perspectivas brasileiras contemporâneas sobre o fenômeno publicitário”. A metodologia é qualitativa e os procedimentos são orientados pela pesquisa bibliográfica. Os resultados apontam que a presença do publicitário é sutil nas abordagens brasileiras recentes sobre o fenômeno publicitário, dado que em poucas delas o profissional da produção é mencionado como um protagonista do processo, enquanto na maioria das perspectivas o publicitário é visto como um coprodutor junto do consumidor, no contexto de comunicação e cibercultura.
Nas margens do silêncio: João Cabral de ponta a ponta, de Antonio Carlos Secchin
Authors: Ramos Cristiano Santiago
Published: August 2023

Resenha da obra João Cabral de ponta a ponta, de Antonio Carlos Secchin (Pernambuco: Cepe Editora, 2020).
The Incorporation of the fpic Principle in South African Policy on Mining-Induced Displacements
Authors: Mathiba Gaopalelwe
Published: August 2023

The persistence of intense conflicts over land belonging to indigenous communities is a pressing issue in South Africa. This would resonate even more with the lived experiences of mine communities that are often having to grapple with the collateral socio-economic hardships and impoverishment effects. Matters can get even worse when the State has weak legal and institutional frameworks to regulate the use and possession of such highly contested lands. This paper explores the principle of free, prior and informed consent (fpic); its relevance and significance to South African extractive sector; its possible bottlenecks and implementation challenges; and suggestions for practical interventions and policy advances to facilitate its incorporation into law and policy. Displacement is the limited context within which this exploration is undertaken. The paper argues that the fpic – as an envisaged future for the country’s extractive policy – is more desirable than a mere duty to consult as currently framed in the empowering legislation namely, the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Act (mprda).
Another Brick in the Building of the EU Rule of Law: Anti-Corruption
Authors: Peirone Franco
Published: August 2023

Within the broader discourse regarding the nature, evolution, and health of the rule of law in the EU the recent emphasis of the EU institutions on the topic of anti-corruption has gone unnoticed for a long time. Still, hidden by the technicalities and the apparent non-binding nature of the EU indications on how to fight corruption in Member treatys, this is quite a prolific trend, as it further develops the EU with the necessary anti-corruption tools. In particular, the EU proclaims that a key element of the rule of law is an impartial application and effective enforcement of the law, as ensured by an adequate anti-corruption framework.
Factors Associated with the Downshear Reformation of Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Rivera-Torres Nathalie G. , Corbosiero Kristen L. , Tang Brian H.
Published: August 2023

The conditions associated with tropical cyclones undergoing downshear reformation are explored for the North Atlantic basin from 1998 to 2020. These storms were compared to analog tropical cyclones with similar intensity, vertical wind shear, and maximum potential intensity, but did not undergo downshear reformation. Storm-centered, shear-relative composites were generated using ERA5 and GridSat-B1 data. Downshear reformation predominately occurs for tropical cyclones of tropical storm intensity embedded in moderate vertical wind shear. A comparison between composites suggests that reformed storms are characterized by greater low-level and midtropospheric relative humidity downshear, larger surface latent heat fluxes downshear and left of shear, and larger low-level equivalent potential temperatures and CAPE right of shear. These factors increase thermodynamic favorability, building a reservoir of potential energy and decreasing dry air entrainment, promoting sustained convection downshear, and favoring the development of a new center.

Significance Statement

The development of a new low-level circulation center in tropical cyclones that replaces the original center, called downshear reformation, can affect the structure and intensity of storms, representing a challenge in forecasting tropical cyclones. While there have been a handful of case studies on downshear reformation, this study aims to more comprehensively understand the conditions that favor downshear reformation by comparing a large set of North Atlantic tropical cyclones that underwent reformation with a similar set of tropical cyclones that did not undergo reformation. Tropical cyclones that undergo reformation have a moister environment, larger surface evaporation, and higher low-level instability in specific regions that help sustain deep, downshear convection that favors the development of a new center.
Everyday utopias and social reproduction
Authors: Salmenniemi Suvi , Ylöstalo Hanna
Published: August 2023

This article analyses reproductive labour in everyday utopias. Everyday utopias refer to spaces and practices that experiment with alternative forms of life and create new social imaginaries. Drawing on ethnographic research in three everyday utopias in Finland, the article argues that labour plays a key role in transformative politics by prefiguring socially and ecologically sustainable forms of life not conducive to capitalist logic. The article brings together feminist social reproduction theory and utopian studies to shed light on different forms of reproductive labour in everyday utopias. It identifies four forms of labour: manual, affective, mnemonic and experimental. In particular, experimental labour foregrounds the importance of everyday utopias as sites of political imagination in which novel forms of life are actively developed and tried out. The article concludes by suggesting that everyday utopias subvert conventional understandings and practices of labour and social reproduction.
Gender dynamics in the biofortified bean value chain in Burundi
Authors: Nchanji Eileen , Nduwarugira Eric , Ndabashinze Blaise , Ntukamazina Nepomuscene , Toywa Johnworker , Cosmas Lutomia
Published: August 2023

Biofortified beans are being promoted in Burundi to solve malnutrition issues among rural households. The study was conducted in Muyinga and Gasorwe communes, where biofortified bean varieties were disseminated. This study aims to understand gender roles and practices in households and farms and how these roles and practices influence participation and uptake of biofortified beans. Lastly, it looks at the role of extension in increasing the uptake of agricultural technologies like biofortified bean varieties. Data were collected using a mixed-method approach—focus group discussions, key informant interviews and questionnaires and analyzed using content analysis, descriptive statistics, and a probit model on STATA software. Descriptive results indicated increasing joint farm management and decision-making on bean production, with men taking the lead in markets and income accrued from the sale of crops. Despite the promotion of various improved bean varieties, only two biofortified bean varieties, MAC44 and RWR2245, were adopted by smallholder farmers. The probit results indicated that utilization of hired labor, the source of biofortified improved bean seed, total cultivated land area, decision-maker on land use, years after the first adoption, and the type of extension services sought were significant factors that influenced farmers’ use of biofortified beans varieties. Based on the study's findings, more effort is required to promote access to inclusive extension services, market and decision-making on income accrued from the sale of farm produce.
Empowering English Teachers to be Grammar ‘Experts’ and Coursebook Analysts via Perusall
Authors: Tavares Nicole Judith
Published: August 2023

Perusall, a web-based collaborative reading platform characterised by its social annotation functionalities, was introduced in a postgraduate teacher-training language-awareness course in Hong Kong during the shift to online teaching and learning brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Tasks were designed on Perusall to engage the participants in reading the literature and references on grammar and lexis teaching and in analyses of coursebook materials and classroom-teaching excerpts. In this article, I discuss why Perusall was adopted, the pedagogic innovations at different stages, the impact this had on sharpening participants’ teacher language awareness, and the implications this has for both teacher education and language learning. I aim to highlight how autonomy can be fostered via effective task design and student-centred pedagogies. I maintain that it is not just the platform that matters but how Perusall is utilised with a strategic blend of synchronous and asynchronous classroom activities and instructor intervention to promote teacher language-awareness gains and the empowerment of teachers as grammar specialists and critical coursebook analysts and users.
Animals and diplomacy: on the prospect for interspecies diplomacy
Authors: Fougner Tore
Published: August 2023

If diplomacy is considered an alternative to war, can the ongoing human ‘war against animals’ be replaced with diplomacy between humans and other animals? While many scholars and practitioners of diplomacy can be expected to dismiss such an idea out of hand, this essay encourages us to think more seriously and thoroughly about what it might imply to engage diplomatically with nonhuman animals. Doing so requires a somewhat unconventional conception of diplomacy, and some scholars have already done much to rethink diplomacy in suitable ways (despite the persistent anthropocentrism). Combining such work with political science scholarship on human-animal relations, indigenous peoples’ relations with animals, various notions of animal ambassadorship and the study of animal behaviour in natural settings, the essay argues that interspecies diplomacy is possible and urges scholars to further explore this and how the possibility in question can be translated into reality.
Instrumental Rationality in the Social Sciences
Authors: Nieswandt Katharina
Published: August 2023

This paper draws some bold conclusions from modest premises. My topic is an old one, the Neohumean view of practical rationality. First, I show that this view consists of two independent claims, instrumentalism and subjectivism. Most critics run these together. Instrumentalism is entailed by many theories beyond Neohumeanism, viz., by any theory that says rational actions maximize something. Second, I give a new argument against instrumentalism, using simple counterexamples. This argument systematically undermines consequentialism and rational choice theory, I show, using detailed examples of their many social science applications. There is no obvious fix.
Lessons from Anti-Poverty Action in Ireland: Flexibility, Failure and the Pitfalls of a ‘Fourth Branch’ Model
Authors: Carolan Eoin
Published: August 2023

This article reviews the experience of Ireland’s Combat Poverty Agency and asks what lessons it may have for fourth branch scholarship. The lesson of the Agency is, in part, one about the pitfalls for novel institutions operating within a traditional tripartite model of constitutional government. The article also suggests, however, that the Combat Poverty Agency’s history may point to the positive potential for the design and operational strategies of non-traditional bodies charged with the promotion of specific social or economic goals. In so doing some reservations about both the specific implications and overall utility of framing these bodies in ‘fourth branch’ terms are also raised. These include concerns regarding the distinctiveness and (relatedly) authority of some conceptions of a ‘fourth branch’. In particular, however, the article queries whether the elevation of independent agencies to ‘branch’ status is always beneficial; and whether, in fact, the location of anti-poverty agencies at a sub-constitutional level may, under certain conditions at least, offer advantages in terms of flexibility and practical problem-solving power.
The Profiles, Predictors, and Intergroup Outcomes of Cultural Attachment
Authors: Liu Yuanze , Hou Yubo , Hong Ying-yi
Published: August 2023

The recent backlash against cultural globalization has raised a conundrum regarding how individuals should navigate their relationship with their cultural groups to both meet their basic need for belongingness and embrace diversity to fully leverage the benefits of globalization. Here we take an attachment perspective to tackle this issue. Employing both person- and variable-centered approaches in two studies ( n1 = 328; n2 = 1,317), we verify that people can develop different cultural attachment styles toward their cultural groups (i.e., secure, preoccupied, dismissing, and fearful), which are influenced by various societal, interpersonal and intrapersonal factors. People who securely attach to their cultures will perceive less out-group threat, exhibit more identity inclusiveness, hold less intergroup biases and excessive collective self-esteem, display a greater willingness to engage in intergroup contact, and demonstrate better psychological functioning. All these effects of cultural attachment are independent from and incremental to those of general and place attachment.
Foster Caregiver Experiences: Implications for Retention and Satisfaction
Authors: Mallette Jacquelyn K. , Elmore-Li Cherish R.
Published: August 2023

Foster homes promote optimal outcomes among youth who experience difficulties in their original families. However, foster caregivers often face various challenges and difficulties. Guided by ecological framework, the current study examined how multiple factors from foster caregivers’ surrounding environments impact satisfaction and retention among 462 foster caregivers in the United States. Regression analyses suggested that certain demographics, parenting characteristics, and agency characteristics were associated with foster care retention, levels of satisfaction, and overall foster care experience. To probe these findings further, results from latent profile analyses suggested that foster caregivers fell into two profiles—those who experienced a large amount of challenges or few challenges during their time as foster caregivers. On average, those who experienced few challenges reported significantly more satisfaction with foster caregiving, greater intention to continue fostering, and a better overall fostering experience compared with those who experienced more challenges. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Grandparents’ Retirement and Mother’s Employment Quality: The Mediating Role of Intergenerational Caregiving
Authors: Shangguan Yiwen , Han Chuanfeng , Zhao Jing
Published: August 2023

The grandparents’ retirement behavior has important support on mother’s employment quality. This paper aims to estimate the influence of grandparents’ retirement behavior on mother’s employment quality, based on the China Family Panel Studies of 2018. The findings reveal a significant enhancement in mother’s employment quality resulting from grandparents’ retirement behavior. The mediating effect of grandparents’ intergenerational caregiving explains approximately 68.77% of this improvement. Furthermore, the positive effect of grandparents’ retirement behavior on mother’s employment quality is more pronounced in families where the grandchild is older and in better health. Notably, the involvement of paternal grandparents yields more favorable outcomes compared to maternal grandparents. Findings from this study suggest that grandparent’s retirement behavior play an important role in mother’s employment quality through the provision of childcare assistance. Moreover, these findings highlight that the effectiveness of such support varies depending on the characteristics of both grandchildren and grandparents.
Effects of Behaviour Change Communication on Knowledge and Prevention of Malaria Among Women in Ghana
Authors: Orkoh Emmanuel , Efobi Uchenna
Published: August 2023

Behaviour change communication (BCC) remains a central component of the interventions used in the fight against malaria in Ghana. However, there is limited evidence of its effectiveness. This study evaluated the effects of BCC strategies on knowledge (symptoms, causes and prevention) and overall knowledge of malaria among Ghanaian women aged 15–49 years. The propensity score matching (PSM) approach and logistic regression were used to analyse data from the 2016 edition of the Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS). Women who participated in community-level education or heard/saw media messages on malaria, or both, had significantly more knowledge of the disease than women who lacked access to any of these mediums of communication. The effect of these strategies on women’s overall knowledge of malaria is about 2% to 4% and is higher on their knowledge of the symptoms (3% to 6%) and prevention (2% to 4%) than the causes (2%). The combined effects of both mediums of communication are relatively higher than the effect of either of them as a single medium of communication. Further analysis showed that improved knowledge of the disease is associated with higher preventive measures taken by women for themselves and for their children. The results are more significant in rural and poor households than in urban and non-poor households. These findings underscore the need for the Ministry of Health and its partner institutions to adopt an innovative approach which combines the two strategies in intensively educating Ghanaians, and women in particular, on the symptoms and prevention of malaria, giving due cognisance to households’ socioeconomic status and geographical location.
Autoimmune myasthenia gravis and COVID-19. A case report-based review
Authors: Croitoru Cristina Georgiana , Cuciureanu Dan Iulian , Hodorog Diana Nicoleta , Grosu Cristina , Cianga Petru
Published: August 2023

A potential relationship between COVID-19 infection and new onset myasthenia gravis (MG) has been suggested by the coexistence of these two diseases in a number of reports. This study aimed to assess their relationship by reviewing case studies of COVID-19 followed by new onset MG published between 01 December 2019 and 30 June 2023 identified by a search of PubMed/Medline database. In addition, we reviewed evidence in favour and against a potential cause and effect association, and described possible mechanisms that would underpin such a relationship. We identified 14 publications that reported 18 cases. Analysis showed the following features: age 19–83 years; 10 men/8 women; median time interval between COVID-19 and MG (17, 5–56 days); autoimmune comorbidities (4); generalised MG (14); ocular MG (4); thymoma (3); antiacetylcholine receptor antibody (16); antimuscle-specific kinase antibodies (2). All patients improved following treatment. Proof of direct causality between the two conditions can only be established in time by confirming epidemiological increase in the incidence of MG or elucidating pathogenic mechanisms to substantiate a possible cause-effect association, or both.
Authors Take a Stand on the Irish War: Virginia Woolf, Ford Madox Ford, and the Rediscovery of a Significant Document for the Politics of Modernism
Authors: Saunders Max
Published: August 2023

A virtually unknown petition signed by fifty prominent intellectuals protesting against the violent tactics of the Black and Tans in Ireland appeared in several newspapers in January 1921. Signatories included leading writers, scientists and academics of the day, such as Arnold Bennett, G. K. Chesterton, Walter de la Mare, Ford Madox Ford, E. M. Forster, Roger Fry, Jane Harrison, J. M. Keynes, Gilbert Murray, Arthur Quiller-Couch, Dorothy Richardson, Siegfried Sassoon, May Sinclair, R. H. Tawney and Virginia Woolf. The article discusses the origins of the petition, its political context and orientation, and its significance for the literary and political history of Modernism.
Effectively integrating research argumentation in syllabus learning: A case study of reading journal articles in four fourth-year engineering fluid mechanics courses
Authors: Gamez-Montero Pedro Javier , Rodero-de-Lamo Lourdes
Published: August 2023

In an emerging trend in engineering education students are engaged in the scientific discovery process through reading about research published in articles rather than textbooks. A research-based and curriculum-oriented intervention in an undergraduate course was designed to elucidate whether students can progressively gain reading skills when provided with selected articles explicitly related to fluid mechanics research. The aim was also to monitor student awareness of their own progress. A questionnaire was designed to evaluate how fourth-year fluid technology students perceived their reading skills during the teaching intervention. A progressive strategy was applied, including warm-up readings, in- and out-of-class assignments, and best practice lectures. Two parallel test exams and test readings were associated and quantitatively analyzed. Each cohort was randomly divided into two groups, and each group was assigned a different test reading before the lectures; the readings were then switched for the post-lecture assignment. The results demonstrate that the students acquired selective reading skills and awareness of accomplishment. The analyses indicated that learners gained an understanding of the core concepts and gave positive feedback on the teaching materials and schedule. These findings may serve as a guide for engineering educators to improve the preparation of undergraduate students.
A tale of three associate professors: A grassroots approach to supporting women in higher education
Authors: Thong Christine , Wheeler Melissa A , Mackelprang Jessica L , Shafiei Mahnaz , Scheepers Helana , Kilborn Virginia
Published: August 2023

In higher education, gender imbalances continue to persist, particularly at senior academic levels and in university leadership. To explore practical ways to address this disparity, a grassroots initiative was established at an Australian University in 2015 and has grown into an ecosystem of mentoring and support for career advancement of academic women. Challenges and successes of the initiative from 8 years of operation are presented through a teaching case accompanied by teaching notes, including different benefits of grassroots initiatives for gender equity to both organisation and individuals.

JEL Classification: M14, J16
Long-Term Performance and Forensic Evaluation of an Asphalt Pavement with Cold Central Plant Recycled Asphalt
Authors: Bowers Benjamin F. , Lynn Tiana , Timm David H. , Diefenderfer Brian K. , Gatiganti Surendra C.
Published: August 2023

In 2012 Virginia Department of Transportation constructed two test sections at the National Center for Asphalt Technology Test Track containing asphalt processed via cold central plant recycling (CCPR) with identical asphalt overlays. One section contained a stabilized base beneath the CCPR layer (Section S12), similar to a full-depth reclamation layer; the other included an unstabilized aggregate base beneath the CCPR layer (Section N4). Both sections were subjected to trafficking by loaded trucks for a total of 30 million equivalent single axle loads. Minor cracking was observed at the surface of the section with the unstabilized base; the section with the stabilized foundation exhibited no surface cracking. Furthermore, strain, pressure, and deflection measurements showed better performance for the section with the stabilized foundation than the section with the unstabilized base. Because of the relatively unchanged performance of Section S12, it was taken out of service to conduct a forensic investigation. This paper presents the analysis of the instrumentation results, coring, trenching, and mechanistic testing and modeling, to better understand and compare the performance between sections. The stabilized base was found to greatly reduce bending action in the section, exhibited no substantial rutting, but also contained what appeared to be some shrinkage cracks. However, these cracks did not propagate to the surface, indicating that the CCPR layer may be an effective crack mitigator. Further, it was found that mechanistic modeling using AASHTOWare Pavement ME design software overestimated the rutting but predicted similar international roughness index and cracking to that observed in the field.
Child Maltreatment History, Deployment-Related Traumatic Events, and Past 12-Month Cannabis Use Among Veterans in Canada: Antécédents de maltraitance d'enfants, événements traumatisants liés au déploiement, et utilisation du cannabis dans les 12 derniers mois chez les anciens combattants du Canada
Authors: Afifi Tracie O. , Taillieu Tamara , Salmon Samantha , Stewart-Tufescu Ashley , Sareen Jitender , Enns Murray W. , Mota Natalie , Bolton Shay-Lee , Carleton R. Nicholas , Heber Alexandra , VanTil Linda
Published: August 2023

Objective

Cannabis use among veterans in Canada is an understudied public health priority. The current study examined cannabis use prevalence and the relationships between child maltreatment histories and deployment-related traumatic events (DRTEs) with past 12-month cannabis use including sex differences among Canadian veterans.

Method

Data were drawn from the 2018 Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans Mental Health Follow-up Survey (response rate 68.7%; veterans only n = 1,992). Five child maltreatment types and 9 types of DRTEs were assessed in relation to the past 12-month cannabis use.

Results

The prevalence of lifetime and past 12-month cannabis use was 49.4% and 16.7%, respectively. Females were less likely than males to report lifetime cannabis use (41.9% vs. 50.4%; odds ratio [OR] 0.71; 95% CI, – 0.59 to 0.86). No sex differences were noted for past 12-month cannabis use (14.1% vs. 17.0%; OR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.60 to 1.07). Physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, any child maltreatment, most individual DRTEs, and any DRTE were associated with increased odds of past 12-month cannabis use after adjusting for sociodemographic and military variables. Some models were attenuated and/or nonsignificant after further adjustments for mental disorders and chronic pain conditions. Sex did not statistically significantly moderate these relationships. Cumulative effects of having experienced both child maltreatment and DRTEs compared to DRTEs alone increased the odds of past 12-month cannabis use. Statistically significant interaction effects between child maltreatment history and DRTE on cannabis use were not found.

Conclusions

Child maltreatment histories and DRTEs increased the likelihood of past 12-month cannabis use among Canadian veterans. A history of child maltreatment, compared to DRTEs, indicated a more robust relationship. Understanding the links between child maltreatment, DRTEs, and cannabis use along with mental disorders and chronic pain conditions is important for developing interventions and improving health outcomes among veterans.
Ambient Temperature Effects on the Spring and Autumn Somatic Growth Trajectory Show Plasticity in the Photoneuroendocrine Response Pathway in the Tundra Vole
Authors: van Dalum Mattis Jayme , van Rosmalen Laura , Appenroth Daniel , Cazarez Marquez Fernando , Roodenrijs Renzo T. M. , de Wit Lauren , Hut Roelof A. , Hazlerigg David G.
Published: August 2023

Seasonal mammals register photoperiodic changes through the photoneuroendocrine system enabling them to time seasonal changes in growth, metabolism, and reproduction. To a varying extent, proximate environmental factors like ambient temperature (Ta) modulate timing of seasonal changes in physiology, conferring adaptive flexibility. While the molecular photoneuroendocrine pathway governing the seasonal responses is well defined, the mechanistic integration of nonphotoperiodic modulatory cues is poorly understood. Here, we explored the interaction between Ta and photoperiod in tundra voles, Microtus oeconomus, a boreal species in which the main impact of photoperiod is on postnatal somatic growth. We demonstrate that postweaning growth potential depends on both gestational and postweaning patterns of photoperiodic exposure, with the highest growth potential seen in voles experiencing short (8 h) gestational and long (16 h) postweaning photoperiods—corresponding to a spring growth program. Modulation by Ta was asymmetric: low Ta (10 °C) enhanced the growth potential of voles gestated on short photoperiods independent of postweaning photoperiod exposure, whereas in voles gestated on long photoperiods, showing a lower autumn-programmed growth potential, the effect of Ta was highly dependent on postweaning photoperiod. Analysis of the primary molecular elements involved in the expression of a neuroendocrine response to photoperiod, thyrotropin beta subunit ( tshβ) in the pars tuberalis, somatostatin ( srif) in the arcuate nucleus, and type 2/3 deiodinase ( dio2/ dio3) in the mediobasal hypothalamus identified dio2 as the most Ta-sensitive gene across the study, showing increased expression at higher Ta, while higher Ta reduced somatostatin expression. Contrastingly dio3 and tshβ were largely insensitive to Ta. Overall, these observations reveal a complex interplay between Ta and photoperiodic control of postnatal growth in M. oeconomus, and suggest that integration of Ta into the control of growth occurs downstream of the primary photoperiodic response cascade revealing potential adaptivity of small herbivores facing rising temperatures at high latitudes.
Accuracy of International Classification of Disease Coding Methods to Estimate Sepsis Epidemiology: A Scoping Review
Authors: Kumar Ashwani , Hammond Naomi , Grattan Sarah , Finfer Simon , Delaney Anthony
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To provide an overview of various sepsis International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding methods and their diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

We undertook a systematic scoping review between 1991 and 2020 (search terms: sepsis, coding, and epidemiology) to include studies reporting the accuracy of a sepsis ICD coding method. Studies were grouped by ICD coding method, number of diagnostic accuracy parameters, ICD version, reference standard, design, country, setting, type of dataset and sepsis definition. ICD coding methods were categorised as explicit or implicit, with the explicit methods further divided into wide and narrow groups. Descriptive statistics were used to present data.

Results

We analysed 17 studies, of which 16 (94.1%) used retrospective medical chart review as the reference standard for clinical sepsis, and eight (47.1%) used hospital administrative data to identify sepsis. There were 53 assessments of various ICD coding methods, with 32 (60.4%) of them being explicit and 21 (39.6%) implicit methods. The coding methods had a median sensitivity of <75% but a median specificity of >85%. However, a wide variation was noted in the diagnostic accuracy parameters of all ICD coding methods. Most of the studies showed high methodological quality.

Conclusion

None of the current ICD coding methods is optimal for identifying sepsis.
Differences in Delirium Evaluation and Pharmacologic Management in Children With Developmental Delay: A Retrospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Kolmar Amanda R. , Paton Anneliese M. , Kramer Michael A. , Guilliams Kristin P.
Published: August 2023

Delirium is associated with increased mortality and cost, decreased neurocognition, and decreased quality of life in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) population. The Cornell Assessment for Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) is used in PICUs for delirium screening but lacks specificity in children with developmental delay (DD). Within a cohort of children receiving pharmacologic treatment for intensive care unit (ICU) delirium, we compared delirium scoring and medication management between children with and without DD. We hypothesized that CAPD scores and treatment decisions would differ between DD and neurotypical (NT) patients. In this retrospective case-control study, we queried the medical record of patients admitted to our PICU with respiratory failure from June 2018 to March 2022 who received antipsychotics typically used for ICU delirium. Antipsychotics prescribed for home use were excluded. Nonparametric statistics compared demographics, CAPD scores, medication choice, dosing (mg/kg), and medication continuation after discharge between those with and without DD based on the ICD-10 codes. Twenty-one DD admissions and 59 NT admissions were included. Groups did not significantly differ by demographics, LOS, drug, or initial dosage. DD patients had higher median CAPD scores at admission (17 vs 13; P = .02) and treatment initiation (18 vs 16.5; P = .05). Providers more frequently escalated doses in DD patients (13/21 vs 21/59; P = .04) and discharged them home on new antipsychotics (7/21 vs 5/59; P = .01). DD patients experience delirium screening and management differently than NT counterparts. Providers should be aware of baseline elevated scores in DD patients and carefully attend to indications for dosage escalation. Further work is needed to understand if prolonged duration, even after hospital discharge, benefits patients, or represents potential disparity in care.
Sweroside functionalized with Mesenchymal Stem cells derived exosomes attenuates sepsis-induced myocardial injury by modulating oxidative stress and apoptosis in rats
Authors: Wang Jianghai , Ma Xiaochen , Si Xuepeng , Han Wang
Published: August 2023

Sepsis is a life-threatening problem by organ dysfunction influenced by negative inflammatory responses and stimulated oxidative stress, which most of sepsis patients about 40–60% are accompanied with myocardial injury. Recently, stem cells derived exosomes could effectively apply in the numerous diseases by combined with natural therapeutic agents. In the present investigation, Sweroside functionalized with exosomes to control inflammatory responses by sepsis and significantly proved the function of depreciated myocardial injury-induced by LPS. The sweroside could have effectively delivered to cardiomyocytes cells via exosome carriers. The induced-SMI rats exhibited severe myocardial injury and apoptosis by in vivo experiments and treatment of sweroside-functionalized exosomes (SWO/EX) reassured the phenotypes. Importantly, SWO/EX significantly downregulated the ROS generation in the SMI rat models. The SOD and GSH activity were also suppressed in SMI rat models, and treated models with SWO/EXO could have effective liberating activity in the Rats. Meanwhile, SWO/EXO treated LPS-induced cardiomyocytes displayed that significant reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) levels and also increasing cell survival and prevented apoptosis. Thus, we demonstrate that MS-cells derived exosome with sweroside could have effectively impede sepsis-induced myocardial injury. SWO/EX formulations might be applied as a potent therapeutic agent for SMI therapy.
The operations of contemporary Han Chinese privilege
Authors: Hasmath Reza
Published: August 2023

This article discusses the conceptual underpinnings and performance of Han Chinese privilege in the People’s Republic of China. It suggests that Han Chinese privilege has gained salience from specific public policies and philosophies of governance. This is aptly viewed across a range of sites, including the labour market and media, and involves state institutions and micro-level everyday interactions between the Han Chinese and the ethnic minority populations. Finally, the article theorizes why a robust Han Chinese privilege discourse has not emerged, and remains largely an unacknowledged concept.