bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
85 Mental health service utilization and cost amongst parents post NICU discharge: A descriptive analysis
Authors: Diamond Laura , Moretti Myla E , Esser Kayla , Cohen Eyal , O'Brien Karel , Ungar Wendy J , Orkin Julia
Published: October 2022

Background

While mental health disorders are common in the postpartum period, the mental health of parents of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may be further compromised. Previous research demonstrates that up to 40% of NICU parents exhibit elevated levels of depression and anxiety, and endorse trauma symptoms shortly after their baby’s birth.

Objectives

To describe the parental and infant characteristics and costs associated with MHS use in parents of infants recently discharged from seven Canadian level III NICUs.

Design/Methods

The study was nested in an ongoing clinical trial of parents of high-risk infants across seven Canadian level III NICUs. Parent and infant characteristics were obtained at enrollment and summarized. Information pertaining to MHS use was obtained from the Resource Use Questionnaire administered to parents at 4 months post-enrollment (RUQ-4m). A pricing table allocating standard costs for services was created to estimate MHS costs for the services reported across the follow-up interval.

Results

A total of n=213 families completed the RUQ-4m. Of these, 33 individual parents (8%; n=25 female, n=8 male) across 28 families (13%) used MHS following infant discharge from the NICU. Therapy, including psychotherapy and social work, was the most utilized service (46%), followed by psychology (24%) and psychiatry (12%). Using the pricing table to estimate costs, an average of $541 per month was spent on MHS per family. Of these costs, 34% were paid directly by a government program, while 31% were paid at least in part out-of-pocket.

Three-quarters (72%) of MHS users were born in Canada compared to 47% of non-users, 72% were on a leave from work compared to 59% of non-users, and 79% were first-time parents compared to 62% of non-users. The average length of hospital admission for infants of MHS users was 100 days compared to 143 days for non-MHS users. Finally, 20% of MHS users reported past or current depression compared to 8% of non-users.

Conclusion

We found that just over one-tenth of families used MHS post-discharge, that those who used MHS primarily used therapy, and that mental health services cost an estimated $540 per family per month. This is the first pan-Canadian study to describe MHS utilization and cost amongst parents post-NICU discharge. Given the high rates of mental health conditions in this population, the rates of MHS use reported were lower than expected. This preliminary data may represent those who were able to access care, rather than all participants who may have required MHS.
87 Big shoes to fill: Realities of Rural Pediatricians in British Columbia
Authors: Ward Valerie , Retallack Jennifer , Miller Kirsten
Published: October 2022

Background

Recruitment and retention of paediatricians remains a challenge in rural settings across Canada. In British Columbia, paediatricians are specialty physicians who provide consultation for children and neonates who are acutely unwell or with complex medical conditions. Little is known about the state of rural paediatrics in British Columbia (BC) and the reality of the province's rural paediatricians.

Objectives

Using a survey, this study aimed to understand rural paediatrics in BC, in terms of physician workload and burnout, recruitment, and participation in medical education.

Design/Methods

For the purposes of this survey, those communities with a rural practice subsidiary agreement (RSA) were considered rural. There are 12 RSA communities with paediatricians in BC, served by 32 paediatricians. Surveys were sent to the 28 paediatricians with available contact information and responses were received from 96% (27/28) of those paediatricians.

Results

Only one community has more than 5 paediatricians, and 11/12 communities are supported by a single or pair of paediatricians. Sixty-three percent of respondents have been in practice for 10 or more years, and all of the solo paediatricians have been in practice for more than 10 years. This data supports previous studies, which have identified aging of paediatricians, fewer new graduates choosing to practice in rural settings, and difficulty retaining those currently practicing as key factors contributing to the challenges in providing rural paediatric care. Over 75% of respondents reported some degree of burnout, and no respondents were looking to increase their workload. The workload challenges did not seem to be affected by the number of paediatricians in a community. Recruitment was a significant concern for over 80% of respondents, and only 7% felt their community had effective recruitment strategies. When asked what recruitment strategies have previously been effective, mentoring by local paediatricians was a frequent response, indicating that physicians are taking it upon themselves to actively recruit others. Approximately 80% of respondents reported participating in the education of medical students or residents, which has been shown to increase job satisfaction when balanced with workload.

Conclusion

This survey will contribute to the understanding of the current state of rural paediatrics in BC, a will form the basis for the development of new initiatives, and allow for their evaluation as they are implemented.
91 The impact of non-pharmaceutical public health interventions on hospital admissions and mortality from common causes of pediatric respiratory distress: a single center perspective
Authors: Parker Madeline , Griffin Olivia , Lévesque Félix , Kurji Ayisha , Woods Erin
Published: October 2022

Background

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, jurisdictions around the world implemented policies to reduce COVID-19 transmission through public masking, travel restrictions, and closure of non-essential businesses. Collectively known as non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI), these strategies reliably reduce the spread of COVID-19. International data suggests NPI also reduce hospitalizations for pediatric respiratory infections and their consequences, particularly asthma exacerbation. However, few Canadian studies have examined the impact of NPI on hospitalizations for common causes of pediatric respiratory distress.

Objectives

This study describes the impact of NPI on admissions for bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and asthma at a Canadian pediatric tertiary care centre.

Design/Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted including all pediatric patients <18 years admitted to the general pediatric and pediatric intensive care units with bronchiolitis, pneumonia, or asthma. Data regarding diagnosis, length of hospitalization, and mortality were collected before (September 2016-March 2020) and in the 6 months after provincial NPI implementation (March 2020-September 2020). NPI were present throughout this period, however, specific measures varied due to evolving public health orders. Chi-squared testing was conducted to describe the impact of NPI on number of admissions, length of hospitalization, and mortality.

Results

Participants (n=1631) included 111 (6.8%) patients <1 month, 878 (53.8%) patients 1-23 months, 331 (20.3%) patients 24 months-4 years, and 311 (19.1%) patients ≥5 years. A mean of 205 patients were admitted every 6 months with respiratory distress (bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and/or asthma) prior to NPI implementation. During this timeframe, the 6-month mean admissions due to asthma, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis were 48, 56, and 101, respectively. In the 6 months following NPI implementation, there were 56 admissions for respiratory distress, including 15 for asthma, 19 for pneumonia, and 22 for bronchiolitis. Mean length of stay increased following the implementation of NPI from 8.49 to 11.68 days, whereas 6-month mean mortality decreased from two to zero deaths. Results did not attain statistical significance (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Results suggest NPI reduce hospitalizations and mortality from bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and asthma. Given the similar seasonality of these conditions, periodic use of NPI beyond the COVID-19 pandemic may reduce pediatric morbidity and mortality from common causes of respiratory distress. However, additional research is needed to describe the relationship between NPI and length of hospitalization. Future studies should also examine the impact of NPI on other pediatric infectious diseases to better characterize their utility.
92 Confirmatory genetic testing for all CF screen positive newborns: a 12-year analysis
Authors: Zhang Steven , Fleischer Erin , Mullowney Tara , Ho Stephanie , Price April
Published: October 2022

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease that can present with multisystem manifestations based on mutations in the CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene. Screening for CF was added to the Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO) program in 2008 using immunoreactive trypsinogen and genetic testing with a panel of 39 + 3 polymorphisms. From 2008-2020, our centre had all referred screen positive individuals undergo confirmatory genetic testing with an expanded panel of 70 + 4 polymorphisms, occasionally identifying a second mutation of varying clinical consequence. If an individual had a second mutation identified on our panel, prospective follow-up was offered.

Objectives

The aim of the study is to evaluate the utility of our expanded panel and subsequent identification of individuals with possible CFTR dysfunction.

Design/Methods

We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of our database of screen positive individuals, focusing on the subset who had a second mutation identified through expanded panel and whom we have offered clinical follow-up for 12 years.

Results

From 2008 to 2020, 718 screen positive individuals were referred to our CF Canada-accredited centre. 566 had one mutation identified by NSO. 94 of these had a second mutation identified on expanded panel. Of these, 13 had a sweat chloride between 30-60 mmol/L and 7 had a positive sweat test. Of those with borderline or negative sweats, 9 individuals continued to be followed. Two have converted to positive sweats, with 1 of these individuals requiring antibiotics for pulmonary exacerbations and the other remaining asymptomatic. Another 2 individuals are trending toward positive sweats (> 50 mmol/L). All spirometry values (FEV1, FVC) have been normal to date, and none have grown Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Conclusion

Use of a confirmatory expanded panel identified a second mutation in 94 newborns referred with a positive screen. Offering follow-up has allowed us to monitor clinical progression, including conversion to positive sweats in 2 individuals. While spirometry and cultures have been unremarkable, more sensitive measures such as lung clearance index could be considered for future study. As of 2020, NSO moved to the use of extended sequencing and analysis of this change is ongoing.
In vivo study on heparin/poly-l-lysine-copper coating for surface functionalization of ureteral stent
Authors: Awonusi Bukola O , Li Jianzhong , Li Hongwei , Wang Zhenyu , Hu Jiyuan , Yang Ke , Zhao Jing
Published: October 2022

Polyurethane (PU) ureteral stents are used in clinics to maintain the ureteral patency. Due to biofilm formation and encrustation complications, long-term clinical usage has been limited. It is therefore necessary to develop an effective response to this unmet medical need. A heparin/poly-l-lysine/copper (NPs) coating was developed in our previous work that showed the effect of preventing infection and encrustation in vitro. In this work, a further study was conducted by grafting NPs on clinical ureteral stents that then were implanted into the infectious bladders of Wistar rats to investigate the effects of nanoparticles on bacterial growth and crystal deposition in vivo. It was found that decreased numbers of adherent microbes, urease amount splitting by bacteria, and deposited crystals were observed on the NPs stents with significant differences in comparison with PU stents. Besides, histological analysis showed that the NPs stents decreased the host tissue inflammation in close relation to the decrease biofilm formation and encrustation after 28 days of implantation.
Agenda-Manipulation in Ranking
Authors: Curello Gregorio , Sinander Ludvig
Published: October 2022

We study the susceptibility of committee governance (e.g. by boards of directors), modelled as the collective determination of a ranking of a set of alternatives, to manipulation of the order in which pairs of alternatives are voted on—agenda-manipulation. We exhibit an agenda strategy called insertion sort that allows a self-interested committee chair with no knowledge of how votes will be cast to do as well as if she had complete knowledge. Strategies with this “regret-freeness” property are characterized by their efficiency, and by their avoidance of two intuitive errors. What distinguishes regret-free strategies from each other is how they prioritize among alternatives; insertion sort prioritizes lexicographically.
Strategies to Reduce Diagnostic Blood Loss and Anemia in Hospitalized Patients: A Scoping Review
Authors: François Tine , Charlier Julien , Balandier Sylvain , Pincivy Alix , Tucci Marisa , Lacroix Jacques , Du Pont-Thibodeau Geneviève
Published: October 2022

OBJECTIVES:

Blood sampling is a recognized contributor to hospital-acquired anemia. We aimed to bundle all published neonatal, pediatric, and adult data regarding clinical interventions to reduce diagnostic blood loss.

DATA SOURCES:

Four electronic databases were searched for eligible studies from inception until May 2021.

STUDY SELECTION:

Two reviewers independently selected studies, using predefined criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION:

One author extracted data, including study design, population, period, intervention type and comparator, and outcome variables (diagnostic blood volume and frequency, anemia, and transfusion).

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Of 16,132 articles identified, we included 39 trials; 12 (31%) were randomized controlled trials. Among six types of interventions, 27 (69%) studies were conducted in adult patients, six (15%) in children, and six (15%) in neonates. Overall results were heterogeneous. Most studies targeted a transfusion reduction (n= 28; 72%), followed by reduced blood loss (n= 24; 62%) and test frequency (n= 15; 38%). Small volume blood tubes (n= 7) and blood conservation devices (n= 9) lead to a significant reduction of blood loss in adults (8/9) and less transfusion of adults (5/8) and neonates (1/1). Point-of-care testing (n= 6) effectively reduced blood loss (4/4) and transfusion (4/6) in neonates and adults. Bundles including staff education and protocols reduced blood test frequency and volume in adults (7/7) and children (5/5).

CONCLUSIONS:

Evidence on interventions to reduce diagnostic blood loss and associated complications is highly heterogeneous. Blood conservation devices and smaller tubes appear effective in adults, whereas point-of-care testing and bundled interventions including protocols and teaching seem promising in adults and children.
Sex-related differences in experimental pain sensitivity in subjects with painful or painless neuropathy after surgical repair of traumatic nerve injuries
Authors: Miclescu Adriana Ana , Gkatziani Panagiota , Granlund Pontus , Butler Stephen , Gordh Torsten
Published: October 2022

Introduction:

Sex-related influences represent a contributor to greater pain sensitivity and have a higher prevalence of many chronic pain conditions, including neuropathic pain (NP), among women.

Objectives:

The aim was to analyze how differences in ongoing pain, experimental pain intensity, and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) relate to sex in subjects with neuropathy after traumatic nerve injuries.

Methods:

Endogenous pain modulation was compared between male (n = 77) and female (n = 55) subjects and between subjects with NP (female = 31, male = 39) and pain-free subjects with posttraumatic neuropathy (female = 24, male = 38). Conditioned pain modulation was assessed by pain ratings to pressure stimuli before and after a noxious conditioning stimulus (CS) conducted with one arm submerged in cold water (4°C) for 1 minute. Time of recovery (Time off) of pain intensity from peak VASmaxc after CS was recorded and compared between male and female patients.

Results:

Greater ongoing pain intensity was found among female patients compared with male patients and more experimental pain after pressure and cold induced pain. Summing all groups together, women had 0.8 times higher odds (20%) of recovering sooner than men after CS (95% CI = 0.65–2.9). No differences in CPM, time off, and psychosocial variables were seen between female and male patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Our hypothesis for sex differences in endogenous pain modulation was only supported by a shorter after-sensation time after cold CS in female patients. No sex differences in the magnitude of CPM effect were identified. Increased pain intensity for experimental pain, in both neuropathic pain and neuropathy without pain, was found in female patients.
Zarconia navalis gen. nov., sp. nov., Romeriopsis navalis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Romeriopsis marina sp. nov., isolated from inter- and subtidal environments from northern Portugal
Authors: Hentschke Guilherme S. , Ramos Vitor , Pinheiro Ângela , Barreiro Aldo , Costa M. Sofia , Rego Adriana , Brule Sébastien , Vasconcelos Vitor M. , Leão Pedro N.
Published: October 2022

The morphology, 16S rRNA gene phylogeny and 16S–23S rRNA gene ITS secondary structures of three strains of marine Cyanobacteria, isolated from inter- and subtidal environments from north Portugal were studied, resulting in the description of Zarconia navalis gen. nov., sp. nov. (Oscillatoriales incertae sedis), Romeriopsis navalis gen. nov., sp. nov. (Leptolyngbyaceae) and Romeriopsis marina sp. nov., named under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. No diacritical morphological characters were found for the new genera and species. The 16S rRNA gene maximum-likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies supported that the genus Zarconia is a member of the Oscillatoriales, morphologically similar to the genera

Microcoleus

and Phormidium, but distant from them. The genus Romeriopsis is positioned within the Leptolyngbyaceae (Synechococcales) and is closely related to

Alkalinema

. The secondary structures of the D1-D1′, Box B, V2 and V3 helices corroborate the phylogenetic results. Furthermore, our study supports previous observations of polyphyletic Oscillatoriales families and reinforces the need for their taxonomic revision.
ImAge: an imaging approach to quantitate aging and rejuvenation
Authors: Alvarez-Kuglen Martin , Rodriguez Delany , Qin Haodong , Ninomiya Kenta , Fiengo Lorenzo , Farhy Chen , Hsu Wei-Mien , Havas Aaron , Feng Gen-Sheng , Roberts Amanda J. , Anderson Rozalyn M. , Serrano Manuel , Adams Peter D. , Sharpee Tatyana O. , Terskikh Alexey V.
Published: October 2022

Biomarkers of biological age that predict the risk of disease and expected lifespan better than chronological age are key to efficient and cost-effective healthcare1–3. To advance a personalized approach to healthcare, such biomarkers must perform on the individual rather than population level, demonstrate single cell resolution, and provide scalable and cost-effective measurements. We developed a novel approach – image-based chromatin and epigenetic age (ImAge), that utilizes image texture features based on the patterns of chromatin and epigenetic marks in single nuclei. We observed the emergence of intrinsic trajectories of ImAge using dimensionality reduction without regression on chronological age. ImAge was correlated with chronological age in all tissues and organs examined and was consistent with the expected acceleration and/or deceleration of biological age in chronologically identical mice treated with chemotherapy or following a caloric restriction regimen, respectively. ImAge from chronologically identical mice inversely correlated with their locomotor activity (greater activity for younger ImAge), consistent with the essential role of locomotion as an aging biomarker. Finally, we demonstrated that ImAge is reduced upon partial reprogramming in vivo following transient expression of OSKM cassette in the liver and skeletal muscles of old mice and validated the power of ImAge to assess the heterogeneity of reprogramming. We propose that ImAge represents the first-in-class individual-level biomarker of aging and rejuvenation with single-cell resolution.
Selection and validation of internal control genes for quantitative real-time RT–qPCR normalization ofPhlebopus portentosusgene expression under different conditions
Authors: Hu Chen-Menghui , Wan Jia-Ning , Guo Ting , Ji Guang-Yan , Luo Shun-Zhen , Ji Kai-Ping , Cao Yang , Tan Qi , Bao Da-Peng , Yang Rui-Heng
Published: October 2022

Phlebopus portentosus(Berk. and Broome) Boedijin is an attractive edible mushroom and considered as the unique bolete to have achieved artificial cultivationin vitro. Gene expression analysis has become widely used in researches of edible fungi and is important to uncover the functions of genes involved in complex biological processes. Selecting appropriate reference genes is crucial to ensuring reliable results of gene expression analysis by RT–qPCR. In our study, a total of 12 candidate control genes were selected from 25 traditional housekeeping genes based on the expression stability in 9 transcriptomes of 3 developmental stages. These genes were further evaluated usinggeNorm, NormFinderandRefFinderunder different conditions and developmental stages. The results revealed that MSF1-domain-containing protein (MSF1), synaptobrevin (SYB), mitogen-activated protein kinase genes (MAPK), TATA binding protein 1 (TBP1) and SPRY domain protein (SPRY) were the most stable reference genes in all sample treatments, while elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1),Actinand ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (UBCE) were the most unstably expressed. The geneSYBwas selected based on the transcriptome results and was identified as a novel reference gene inP. portentosus. This is the first detailed study for identification reference genes in this fungus and may provide new insights into selecting genes and quantifying gene expression.
Magnetic neutron scattering from spherical nanoparticles with Néel surface anisotropy: atomistic simulations
Authors: Adams Michael P. , Michels Andreas , Kachkachi Hamid
Published: October 2022

A dilute ensemble of randomly oriented non-interacting spherical nanomagnets is considered, and its magnetization structure and ensuing neutron scattering response are investigated by numerically solving the Landau–Lifshitz equation. Taking into account the isotropic exchange interaction, an external magnetic field, a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy for the particle core, and in particular the Néel surface anisotropy, the magnetic small-angle neutron scattering cross section and pair-distance distribution function are calculated from the obtained equilibrium spin structures. The numerical results are compared with the well known analytical expressions for uniformly magnetized particles and provide guidance to the experimentalist. In addition, the effect of a particle-size distribution function is modelled.
On the determination of dense coincidence site lattice planes
Authors: Morawiec Adam
Published: October 2022

The concept of coincidence site lattice (CSL) is used in descriptions of geometry of some intercrystalline boundaries. In face-centered cubic and body-centered cubic metals, atoms are located at the nodes of lattices, and results concerning lattice nodes are applicable to atomic sites. One of the criteria for special boundary configurations is that the boundary passes through a plane with a high density of coinciding atomic sites. Hence, there is an issue of identification of such planes. This paper describes a simple and reliable method for determining the planes with high densities of coinciding lattice nodes. The key elements of the procedure are the Hermite normal form of an integer matrix and Niggli reduction of the CSL basis. In its general form, the method is applicable to arbitrary three-dimensional lattices possessing a common three-dimensional sublattice. The densest and second-densest planes are determined for low-Σ CSLs of cubic lattices.
Is auditor tolerant of earnings management in socially responsible firms? Evidence from China
Authors: Hoang Huy Viet , Ha Son Tung , Tran Manh Linh , Nguyen Thi Thu Trang
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study examines the effect of audit quality on earnings management to beat earnings targets among Chinese listed firms, taking into account the firms’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of all A-shares listed in the Chinese stock market from 2001 to 2019, except firms in the financial industry. Probit estimator is employed to observe the effect of audit quality, proxied by a binary variable indicating whether a firm is audited by a Big 4 audit firm, on the behavior of earnings management to beat earnings targets. Industry and year fixed effects are incorporated into the models to control for differences among industries and time periods.

Findings

The result of this study reveals that audit quality disciplines earnings management to beat earnings targets in Chinese firms. This result holds across different specification and endogeneity tests. The authors further find that auditors seem to be more tolerant to earnings-managed firms that actively disclose CSR activities. However, this moderating effect of CSR disclosure only exists among firms that manage earnings less aggressively.

Practical implications

The findings of this study suggest that market participants should be mindful of the earnings management phenomenon and make their investment decisions after carefully dissecting and confirming the truthfulness of firms’ financial reporting. Regulators should raise the requirement on the capacity of auditing services to ensure the quality of the audit outcome.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate the effect of audit quality on earnings management to beat earnings targets in Chinese firms. Moreover, this study pioneers in observing the moderating effect of CSR disclosure on the relationship between audit quality and earnings management.
Location factors and agglomeration economies in the hotel industry: the case of Spain
Authors: Valenzuela-Ortiz Andrea , Chica-Olmo Jorge , Castañeda José-Alberto
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This research investigates the effect of accessibility to points of tourist interest (buffer) and direct and indirect spatial spillover effects of agglomeration economies on tourism industry revenues in Spain.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from the Bureau van Dijk's (BvD) Orbis global database. The data were analysed using a spatial econometric model and the Cobb–Douglas production function.

Findings

This study reveals that hotels located inside the buffer zone of points of tourist interest achieve better economic outcomes than hotels located outside the buffer. Furthermore, the results show that there is a direct and indirect spatial spillover effect in the hotel industry.

Practical implications

The results provide valuable information for identifying areas where the agglomeration of hotels will produce a spillover effect on hotel revenue and the area of influence of location characteristics. This information is relevant for hotels already established in a destination or when seeking a location for a new hotel.

Social implications

The results of this study can help city planners in influencing the distribution of hotels to fit desired patterns and improve an area's spatial beauty.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights into how investment, structural characteristics, reputation and location affect hotel revenue.
A critical assessment of the structural dimensions of gender-based violence
Authors: Zibin Tamara , Mitib Altakhaineh Abdel Rahman , Zibin Aseel
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Despite the fact that the gender-based violence (GBV) term has different interpretations, leading to the assumption that all types of harmful acts against all gender identities and either sex will be addressed under the GBV umbrella, in reality, GBV remains to be synonymous with violence against women (VAW). Thus, this paper aims to assess the accountability and transparency of GBV policies and interventions in addressing the suffering of GBV victims other than women.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents two main arguments; firstly, the authors explore the understanding and the capacities of humanitarians and protection International Non-Governmental Organizations staff in GBV response and prevention, and the reliability of the data that is mobilized to build policies and frameworks for addressing GBV. Secondly, they argue that in addition to gender being a main factor in violence, age, disabilities and other factors of vulnerability can also cause being subjected to different types of violence.

Findings

The adaptation of such holistic approach when addressing the causes behind violence will result in protecting the most vulnerable from all ages, genders and people with disabilities by applying an inclusive, cross-cutting response to GBV survivors in general.

Originality/value

This paper paves the way to research studies that shed light on violence against men and boys at war zones and conflict areas especially in the Middle East where this type of violence is strongly stigmatized, and the survivors have limited access to needed services.
Strategic approach to analyze the effect of Covid-19 on the stock market volatility and uncertainty: a first and second wave perspective
Authors: Chowdhury Emon Kalyan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the impact of Covid-19 on the stock market volatility and uncertainty during the first and second waves.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has applied event study and autoregressive integrated moving average models using daily data of confirmed and death cases of Covid-19, US S&P 500, volatility index, economic policy uncertainty and S&P 500 of Bombay Stock Exchange to attain the purpose.

Findings

It is observed that, during the first wave, the confirmed cases and the fiscal measure have a significant impact, while the vaccination initiative and the abnormal hike of confirmed cases have a significant impact on the US stock returns during the second wave. It is further observed that the volatility of Indian and US stock markets spillovers during the sample period. Moreover, a perpetual correlation between the Covid-19 and the stock market variables has been noticed.

Research limitations/implications

At present, the world is experiencing the third wave of Covid-19. This paper has considered the first and second waves.

Practical implications

It is expected that business leaders, stock market regulators and the policymakers will be highly benefitted from the research outcomes of this study.

Originality/value

This paper briefly highlights the drawbacks of existing policies and suggests appropriate guidelines to successfully implement the forthcoming initiatives to reduce the catastrophic impact of Covid-19 on the stock market volatility and uncertainty.
Luxury experience and consumer behavior: a literature review
Authors: Gupta Damini Goyal , Shin Hyunju , Jain Varsha
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The luxury experience is a growing and crucial component of luxury marketing. Experiences inspire consumers to engage with luxury brands. Although several research studies have shed light on the origin, development, and prominence of luxury experiences among consumers, there is a scarcity of research that analyzes the current knowledge holistically. As a result, this study uses a systematic literature review technique to better understand the trends in the luxury experience and consumer behavior literature and suggests future research directions to further develop the subject area.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the theory-context-characteristics-methodology (TCCM) framework, this study examines 130 articles on the luxury experience and consumer behavior.

Findings

Most research on luxury experiences has focused on the luxury service experience in the context of hospitality and tourism. Future researchers should explore avenues for providing luxury experience to consumers in the luxury products industry. In addition, more research is needed into the influences of the recent COVID-19 outbreak and technological advancements on consumers' luxury experiences.

Originality/value

The study is unique as it (1) presents a state-of-the-art understanding of the luxury experience and consumer behavior literature by analyzing the applied theories, research contexts, study characteristics, and methods used in the past studies and (2) suggests future research opportunities to advance the field. The findings will also assist luxury brand managers in designing a consumer's exceptional luxury experience.
The shifting importance of abiotic and biotic factors across the life cycles of wild pollinators
Authors: Ogilvie Jane E. , CaraDonna Paul J.
Published: October 2022

Organisms living in seasonal environments are exposed to different environmental conditions as they transition from one life stage to the next across their life cycle. How different life stages respond to these varying conditions, and the extent to which different life stages are linked, are fundamental components of the ecology of an organism. Nevertheless, the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on different parts of an organism's life cycle is often not accounted for, which limits our understanding of the ecological consequences of environmental change.

We investigated the relative importance of climate conditions, food availability, and previous life‐stage abundance in an assemblage of seven wild bumble bee species, asking: how do these three factors directly influence bee abundance at each life stage? To do so, we used a 7‐year dataset where we monitored climate conditions, floral resources, and abundances of bees in each life stage across the active colony life cycle in a highly seasonal subalpine ecosystem in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, USA.

Bee abundance at different life stages responded to abiotic and biotic conditions in a broadly consistent manner across the seven species: the survival and recruitment stage of the life cycle (overwintered queens) responded negatively to longer winters; the growth stage (workers) responded positively to floral resource availability; and the reproductive stage (males) was positively related to the abundance of the previous life stage (workers). Most species also exhibited some idiosyncratic responses.

Our long‐term examination of annual bumble bees reveals a general set of responses in the abundance of each life stage to climate conditions, floral resource availability, and previous life stage. Across species, these three factors each directly influenced a distinct life stage, illustrating how their relative importance can shift throughout the life cycle. The life‐cycle approach that we have taken highlights that important details about demography can be overlooked without considering life‐stage‐specific responses. Ultimately, it is these life‐stage‐specific responses that shape population outcomes, not only for animal pollinators but also for many organisms living in seasonal environments.
Variability, skipped breeding and heavy‐tailed dynamics in an Antarctic seabird
Authors: Talis Emma J. , Che‐Castaldo Christian , Şen Bilgecan , Krumhardt Kristen , Lynch Heather J.
Published: October 2022

The population dynamics of many colonially breeding seabirds are characterized by large interannual fluctuations that cannot be explained by environmental conditions alone. This variation may be particularly confounded by the use of skipped breeding by seabirds as a life‐history strategy, which directly impacts the number of breeding pairs and may affect the accuracy of breeding abundance as a metric of population health. Additionally, large fluctuations in time series may suggest that the underlying population dynamics are heavy tailed, allowing for a higher likelihood of extreme events than expected under Gaussian dynamics.

Here, we investigated the effect of demography on time series for abundance of the Adélie penguin Pygoscelis adeliae and explored the occurrence of heavy‐tailed dynamics in observed Adélie time series. We focus this study on the Adélie penguin as it is an important bellwether species long used to track the impacts of climate change and fishing on the Southern Ocean ecosystem and shares life‐history traits with many colonial seabirds.

We quantified the impacts of demographic rates, including skipped breeding, on time series of Adélie abundance simulated using an age‐structured model. We also used observed time series of Adélie breeding abundance at all known Antarctic colonies to classify distributions for abundance as Gaussian or non‐Gaussian heavy tailed. We then identified the cause of such heavy‐tailed dynamics in simulated time series and linked these to spatial patterns in Adélie food resource variability.

We found that breeding propensity drives observed breeding fluctuations more than any other vital rate, with high variability in skipped breeding decoupling true abundance from observed breeding abundance. We also found several Antarctic regions characterized by heavy‐tailed dynamics in abundance. These regions were often also characterized by high variability in zooplankton availability. In simulated time series, heavy‐tailed dynamics were strongly linked to high variability in adult survival.

Our results illustrate that stochastic variability in abundance dynamics, particularly the presence of variable rates of skipped breeding, can challenge our interpretation of fluctuations in abundance through time and obscure the relationship between key environmental drivers and population abundance.
Tree species is more effective than season dynamics on topsoil function andCO2emissions in the temperate forests
Authors: Mahmoodi Mohammad Bagher , Kooch Yahya , Alberti Giorgio
Published: October 2022

Soil respiration is one of the most important operations controlling carbon (C) erosion from territorial ecosystems and a useful index of whole underground allocation of C and stand efficiency. However, how tree species effects root (i.e., autotrophic respiration) and soil microbial respiration (i.e., heterotrophic respiration), based on precise experiential schemes, are still restricted, even though crucial to guide the selection of species for reforestation and C management purposes. This research was done to study how tree species effect soil characteristics and function at stand level and which are the main drivers of soil CO2emission in mixed temperate forests in northern Iran (Mazandaran province). Four most common tree species at the experimental site (Parrotia persica,Ulmus minor,Quercus castaneifolia, andPopulus caspica) that surrounded by same species, were selected. Around each selected tree, four replicates of soil and litter samples were taken from (30 × 30 × 15 cm) and mixed to characterize soil physicochemical characteristics (i.e., bulk density, texture, water content, pH, electrical conductivity, N, organic carbon, and available P, K, Mg, and Ca), basal respiration and substrate (i.e., D‐manitol, D‐glucose, L‐asparagine, L‐arginine, gluconic acid, quinic acid, succinic acid, malonic acid, D‐glucosamine, L‐glutamine) induced respiration. In the litter characteristics, total N, C (OC), and C/N ratio were measured. Our results confirmed that soil chemical properties are more sensitive to species composition than soil physical ones. Moreover, individual tree species in mixed deciduous forests strongly influence induced microbial respiration, independently of the used substrates. On the contrary, season was the major factor explaining variations of basal respiration.
The impact of COVID‐19 on teachers' transition practices for students with disabilities in Illinois, USA
Authors: ElSaheli‐Elhage Rasha
Published: October 2022

Transition services are central in preparing youth with disabilities for opportunities in postsecondary education, employment and independent living. The life skills education acquired in school may be the only resources they receive to help them with this transition. With COVID‐19, educational systems were interrupted, including the access of students with disabilities to service provision and transition services. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID‐19 on teachers' transition practices for students with disabilities in the State of Illinois, United States and to identify factors associated with the differences in teachers' practices across eight domains of transition. Results indicated statistical significant differences in transition practices before and during COVID‐19 in all eight domains. Gender, Race, School Closings & Type of School did not show significant associations with any of the eight domains. Emotional Disability was found to have a significant association with all eight domains, whereas Intellectual Disability did not show significant association with any of the eight domains. Grade level and teachers' educational level showed significant associations with certain domains. Future investigations into how COVID‐19 changed teachers' transition practices for students with disabilities and the long‐term impact that these changes will have on students' post‐secondary outcomes are needed.
Hope and everyday crisis: Young adult experiences in COVID‐free Tasmania
Authors: Burton Alexander Luke , Harwood Andrew
Published: October 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic is characterised by more than mass viral spread. Interviews with young adults in the Australian island‐state of Tasmania narrate how COVID‐19 is shared socially, economically, and biologically, but not equally. During the time interviews were done, border policies separated Tasmania from mass infections experienced elsewhere, giving us an opportunity to understand how separation does not equate with a lack of socio‐material and emotional impact from the pandemic. Recognising spatially diverse impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic means becoming more reflexively aware of the structural inequalities informing how it has been experienced, particularly in the early period of the pandemic. We warn against exclusionary narratives of the pandemic that do not value impacts on those without high physical risk or exposure to the virus. Responding to such exclusionary narratives involves promoting a form of hope that is reflexive, self‐aware, and critical. We develop on these aims by reference to the themes of COVID‐19 as a syndemic, the temporal narrative of a boom‐bust cycle, and COVID‐19 as a crisis in everyday life.
CEO cultural background and corporate cash holdings
Authors: Loi Fai Lim , Chen Jean Jinghan , Qiao Zhuo
Published: October 2022

This paper examines whether the cultural background of chief executive officers (CEOs) affects corporate cash holdings. Using UK data from 2000 to 2018, we find that CEOs with a cultural background that emphasises power distance and uncertainty avoidance are positively associated with corporate cash holdings, while CEOs with a cultural background that emphasises masculinity are negatively associated with corporate cash holdings. Our results are robust to various robustness tests. Further analyses show that the impact is more pronounced when power is concentrated among top executives, when the CEOs have a degree of discretion in pursuing their own goals, and when information asymmetry is high.
Popular Economies In, Against, and Through the Platform
Authors: Magalhães Felipe N.C.
Published: October 2022

Behind the conjunctural growth of popular economies in Brazilian cities lies a set of entangled disputes over urban density with important political consequences. While popular economic agents are repressed by local governments, informal work hired through digital platforms grows exponentially and engenders new precarious forms of assembling labour relations in, and extracting value from, global South cities. The contrasts and indirect relations between digital platforms and popular economic agents are important in understanding the growth of platforms, which hinges on accessing low‐wage workers whose attempts to make an independent living are otherwise prohibited. This dynamic has resulted in the political mobilisation of popular economy agents and their alliances with urban social movements. Through this paper, I examine how their networking and particular disputes for a right to the city hold potential for the emergence of other economies.
Class, Caste, Gender, and the Materiality of Cement Houses in India
Authors: Menon Siddharth
Published: October 2022

Recently, large parts of India and the global South have experienced a rapid transformation from mud to cement houses, which has been promoted by governments and cement companies for its positive impacts on household socioeconomic status and gender inequalities. But we know little else about how different communities are participating in house transformation. In this paper, I study the embodied and affective dimensions of house transformation in Himachal Pradesh, India. I argue that house transformation is also the transformation of traditional gender and caste identities into new middle‐class identities which benefits some social groups, like upper‐caste women and Dalit men, but not others like Dalit women along intersectional lines. My work extends literature in infrastructure studies and urban political ecology by highlighting how the materiality of infrastructures interacts with everyday dimensions of difference to reproduce the marginalisation of historically oppressed groups along intersectional lines of class, caste, and gender.
Middle‐size molecule clearance as measured by β2‐microglobulin in high‐flux versus low‐flux dialysis and hemodiafiltration: A prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yu Shaobin , Yang Hongliu , Chen Wenwen , Yuan Huaihong , Xiong Xiaohong , Fu Ping , Zeng Xiaoxi
Published: October 2022

Background

Whereas most studies to date have mainly concentrated on the comparison between high‐flux hemodialysis (HFHD) and hemodiafiltration (HDF), or HFHD and low‐flux hemodialysis (LFHD) in relation to the clearance of β2‐microglobulin (β2M) in HD patients, there have been few related to combined HFHD and HDF therapy. To compare the clearance of middle‐sized molecules as measured by β2M in HFHD versus LFHD and HDF.

Methods

A prospective, single‐center, open‐label, observer‐blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University in China. Patients received either HFHD or LFHD and HDF 3 times a week with follow‐ups at one and 3 months. The primary endpoint was the clearance of β2M at 3 months. The secondary endpoints included hemodialysis‐related adverse events, changes in anemia, states of nutrition, and inflammatory indices.

Results

After 3 months of treatment, the HFHD+HDF group achieved a higher satisfaction level than the LFHD+HDF group, with decreased serum β2M concentrations (34.493 ± 7.257 vs. 43.593 ± 9.036 mg/L, p < 0.001) and elevated red blood cell counts (3.959 ± 0.742 vs. 3.602 ± 0.578 × 1012/L, p = 0.015). Compared with baseline, both kinds of treatment led to increases in serum urea (t = −3.623, p = 0.001 vs. t = −4.240, p < 0.001), cholesterol (t = −2.511, p = 0.016 vs. t = −4.472, p < 0.001), and magnesium (t = −2.648, p = 0.011 vs. t = −3.561, p = 0.001). An elevated level of serum albumin (t = −2.683, p = 0.010) was observed only in the HFHD+HDF group.

Conclusions

Combined therapy with HFHD and HDF has a beneficial effect on improving β2M clearance, red blood cell management, and nutrition status in HD patients.