bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Equity Investors Care about Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Disclosure Performance? Evidence from India
Authors: Mulchandani Ketan , Mulchandani Kalyani , Iyer Geetha , Lonare Alaknanda
Published: October 2022

Sustainability reporting is an essential feature for firms looking for business opportunities. We investigated whether and how environmental, social and governance performance disclosures impact the cost of equity capital, individually and in aggregate. Data for 89 Indian firms listed on exchange during 2017–2020 is considered for the study. Fixed-effect panel regression is applied to data for examining the relationship between ESG and the cost of equity capital. Results of the study show that ESG performance disclosure negatively impacts cost of equity capital, providing the firm with capital at a lower cost. ESG disclosures create long-term value for investors and reduce information asymmetry, thereby building investors’ confidence.
Management of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia and use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients with soft tissue or bone sarcoma
Authors: Mazzaro Raphaele Teixeira , Vaz Mahanna Vanzeler , Badin Rebeka Caribé , Bernardina Eliza Dalla , Manaças Liliane Rosa Alves
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Febrile neutropenia, an oncological complication related to myelosuppressive chemotherapy, can lead to unplanned hospitalization, morbidity, mortality, and changes in the oncological therapeutic plan. The present study aimed (1) to determine the prevalence of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia requiring hospitalization and the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and (2) to evaluate its consequences for the oncological treatment of patients with soft tissue or bone sarcomas.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study (January 2018 to December 2019) carried out in a reference oncology hospital in the Brazilian public health system. Inpatients diagnosed with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia, older than the age of 18 years, and treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor were included in the study.

Results

Twenty-nine chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia events were identified, involving 25 patients. Among the febrile neutropenia events, 90% were grade 4, and 59% occurred during palliative chemotherapy. Among patients with febrile neutropenia, 31% had arterial hypertension or/and diabetes mellitus comorbidities, 34% had infectious skin sites, such as compression ulcers and tumor wounds, and 31% had infections with defined etiologic agents. Treatment of hospitalized patients was performed with cefepime in combinations or alone (97%) and filgrastim. The outcomes related to chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia were chemotherapy dose reduction (31%), chemotherapy cycle delays (21%), chemotherapy treatment suspension (17%), deaths (7%), and other associated complications (10%). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis was prescribed in 72.41% of febrile neutropenia events. The frequency of febrile neutropenia concerning total chemotherapy cycles was 2.15%.

Conclusion

Even with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis, an overall prevalence of 2.15% of febrile neutropenia associated with hospitalization was observed, causing negative outcomes in chemotherapy treatment of patients.
Air-based contactless wafer precision positioning system: Contactless sensing using charge coupled devices
Authors: Hooijschuur Rico H.T. , Saikumar Niranjan , HosseinNia S. Hassan , van Ostayen Ron A.J.
Published: October 2022

This paper presents the development of a contactless sensing system and the dynamic evaluation of an air-bearing based precision wafer positioning system. The contactless positioning stage is a response to the trend seen in the high-tech industry, where the substrates are becoming thinner and larger to reduce the cost and increase the yield. Using contactless handling it is possible to avoid damage and contamination. The system works by floating the substrate on a thin film of air. A viscous traction force is created on the substrate by steering the airflow. A cascaded control design structure has been implemented to the contactless positioning system, where the Inner Loop Controller (ILC) controls the actuator which steers the airflow and the Outer Loop Controller (OLC) controls the position of the substrate by controlling the reference of the ILC. The dynamics of the ILC are evaluated and optimized for the performance of the positioning of the substrate. The vibration disturbances are also handled by the ILC. The bandwidth of the system has been improved to 300  Hz. For the OLC a linear charge-coupled device has been implemented as a contactless sensor. The performance of the sensing system has been analyzed. During control in steady state, this resulted in a position error of the substrate of 12.9  [Formula: see text]m RMS, which is a little more as two times the resolution. The bandwidth of the OLC is approaching 10  Hz.
How important are borders for tourism? The case of Europe
Authors: Carril-Caccia Federico , Martín Martín José María , Sáez-Fernández Francisco Javier
Published: October 2022

Using a bilateral dataset of trips for 32 European countries for the period 2012–2019, we aim to gauge the size and evolution of the border effect on tourism: the extent to which domestic tourism is greater (or lesser) than international tourism. We found that the tourism flow within countries was 24 times greater than between countries. Also, we show that, relative to 2012, the border effect diminished by 13% in 2019. Our results suggest that the size (and evolution) of the border effect is the same for trips that last between one and three nights (short trips) and those that last four nights or more (long trips). Nonetheless, our findings show that bilateral determinants that represent travel and transaction costs are more important when explaining short trips than long ones.
Keeping the conversation going: How progressivity is prioritised in co-remembering talk between couples impacted by dementia
Authors: Slocombe Felicity , Peel Elizabeth , Pilnick Alison , Albert Saul
Published: October 2022

This article explores how partners keep the conversation going with people living with dementia (PLWD) when speaking about shared memories. Remembering is important for PLWD and their families. Indeed, memory loss is often equated with identity loss. In conversation, references to shared past events (co-rememberings) can occasion interactional trouble if memories cannot be mutually recalled. This article analyses partners’ interactional practices that enable progressivity in conversations about shared memories with a PLWD. In previous research, both informal and formal carers have reported that they can find interacting with PLWD difficult. Identifying practices used by partners is one way to begin addressing those difficulties. Analytical findings are based on over 26 hours of video data from domestic settings where partners have recorded their interactions with their spouse/close friend who is living with dementia. The focus is on 14 sequences of conversation about shared memories. We show how particular practices (candidate answers, tag questions and single-party memory of a shared event) structure the interaction to facilitate conversational progression. When partners facilitate conversational progressivity, PLWD are less likely to experience stalls in conversation. Our findings suggest the actual recall of memory is less relevant than the sense of shared connection resulting from the conversational activity of co-remembering, aiding maintenance of individual and shared identities. These findings have relevance for wider care settings.
Filipino migrants in Germany and their diasporic (irony) chronotopes in Facebook
Authors: Umel Audris
Published: October 2022

This article explores Facebook's role in how Filipino migrants negotiate their diasporic chronotopes, that is, spatio-temporal constructions of their past/homeland and present/hostland. Specifically, focus group and digital ethnographic data with Filipino migrants in Germany are analysed using ethnography and discursive psychology approaches. Findings illustrate how Facebook enables Filipinos to re-enact and challenge past/homeland practices, which in turn help create a more meaningful present/hostland life. Facebook further facilitates the capture of conflicting yet socially consequential chronotopes – or irony chronotopes – that traverse and impact both offline and online dimensions of diaspora relations. Capturing such spatio-temporal interplays in migrant realities through social media provides a nuanced and dialogical view into migrants’ lifeworlds, looks beyond the communication role that social media play therein, and contributes to the digital media and temporal turns in diaspora studies.
Examining effects of students’ innovative behaviour and problem-solving skills on crisis management self-efficacy: Policy implications for higher education
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc N , Le Tinh TT , Thi Nguyen Bich-Phuong , Nguyen Andy
Published: October 2022

COVID-19 has caused unprecedented challenges for the higher education community worldwide, one of which is that students have had to maintain their learning while dealing with the crisis conditions. However, a systematic understanding of students’ individual crisis management still remains absent despite its importance. The newly emerged and ongoing phenomenon has leveraged the role of crisis management in the context of education, which is even more essential with the forthcoming uncertain future. This study investigates factors related to students’ crisis management self-efficacy in higher education during the pandemic. Particularly, survey data were collected from 387 undergraduate students to investigate the effects of innovative behaviour and problem-solving skills on crisis self-efficacy. Structural Equation Modelling was applied to conceptualise and empirically test a model that examines the relationship between crisis self-efficacy and related factors. Moreover, the study aimed to assess the role of technology abilities in students’ crisis management self-efficacy and academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research results provided some compelling evidence for the positive effects of innovative behaviour and problem-solving skills on crisis management self-efficacy. This study also discusses some feasible implications for higher education policy and future research directions.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired With Rehabilitation for Upper Limb Motor Impairment and Function After Chronic Ischemic Stroke: Subgroup Analysis of the Randomized, Blinded, Pivotal, VNS-REHAB Device Trial
Authors: Dawson Jesse , Engineer Navzer D. , Cramer Steven C. , Wolf Steven L. , Ali Rushna , O’Dell Michael W. , Pierce David , Prudente Cecília N. , Redgrave Jessica , Feng Wuwei , Liu Charles Y. , Francisco Gerard E. , Brown Benjamin L. , Dixit Anand , Alexander Jen , DeMark Louis , Krishna Vibor , Kautz Steven A. , Majid Arshad , Tarver Brent , Turner Duncan L. , Kimberley Teresa J.
Published: October 2022

Background

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation improved upper extremity impairment and function in a recent pivotal, randomized, triple-blind, sham-controlled trial in people with chronic arm weakness after stroke.

Objective

We aimed to determine whether treatment effects varied across candidate subgroups, such as younger age or less injury.

Methods

Participants were randomized to receive rehabilitation paired with active VNS or rehabilitation paired with sham stimulation (Control). The primary outcome was the change in impairment measured by the Fugl–Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) score on the first day after completion of 6-weeks in-clinic therapy. We explored the effect of VNS treatment by sex, age (≥62 years), time from stroke (>2 years), severity (baseline FMA-UE score >34), paretic side of body, country of enrollment (USA vs UK) and presence of cortical involvement of the index infarction. We assessed whether there was any interaction with treatment.

Findings

The primary outcome increased by 5.0 points (SD 4.4) in the VNS group and by 2.4 points (SD 3.8) in the Control group ( P = .001, between group difference 2.6, 95% CI 1.03-4.2). The between group difference was similar across all subgroups and there were no significant treatment interactions. There was no important difference in rates of adverse events across subgroups.

Conclusion

The response was similar across subgroups examined. The findings suggest that the effects of paired VNS observed in the VNS-REHAB trial are likely to be consistent in wide range of stroke survivors with moderate to severe upper extremity impairment.
Whose Information? What Knowledge? Collaborative Work and a Plea for Referenced Collection Databases
Authors: Boden Gertrud
Published: October 2022

In this article, I attempt to trace and reflect on how and what knowledge emerged when I discussed historical artifacts with members of the community of origin. The information coming up during our collaborative work sessions does not easily fit into existing standard categories of collection databases. Rather than issues such as protagonists, dates, locations, etc. of photo shoots, or materials, methods of production and uses, etc. of objects, our conversations were about relations between people, life circumstances, uncertainties, legitimate informants, and social meanings. The emergent knowledge, as I argue, did not simply reflect different concerns or perspectives of community members as compared to those of scholars and provided for in database fields but was co-produced from all participants’ prior knowledges through concerted doings. Without presenting a ready-made solution, I further argue that we need to find ways of accommodating references into our collection databases revealing authors and ways of knowledge production.
Effect of Comorbidities on Outcomes of Infrapopliteal Angioplasty in Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia
Authors: Vivekanand Vivekanand , Motukuru Vishnu , Kolalu Sumanthraj , Rangaswamy Girija Kempaiah , Jain Piyushkumar
Published: October 2022

Objective:

This subgroup analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of comorbidities on infrapopliteal angioplasty outcomes in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

Methods:

This was an observational study evaluating eligible CLTI patients aged >18 years who underwent infrapopliteal angioplasty between April 2014 and May 2017 at a tertiary care center. Subgroup analyses were based on (1) baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c ≤6.5% vs >6.5%), (2) presence/absence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and (3) control of lipid parameters.

Results:

A total of 231 patients with 332 infrapopliteal vessels were treated. While diabetes was prevalent in all participants, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and CKD were reported in 76.6%, 46.3%, and 25.5% of patients at baseline, respectively. The overall technical success rate was 84.4%, and the patency rate at 6 months was 82.04%. Patency at 6 months, wound healing, in-line flow, and complete plantar arch formation were numerically higher in patients with HbA1c ≤6.5% versus >6.5%, but all comparisons were nonsignificant. According to multivariable analysis, the odds of wounds not healing was 2.38 times higher (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2 to 4.5) and developing plantar arch was 5.88 times higher (OR = 5.9, 95% CI: 1.3 to 25) among patients with CKD compared with patients without CKD.

Conclusions:

The 6-month outcomes of infrapopliteal angioplasty may be better in patients with controlled versus uncontrolled glycemic levels. Control of lipid parameters may not have a significant influence on outcomes, especially in patients on statin therapy. The short-term outcomes may be similar in patients with and without CKD.
Prediction, detection, and suppression of regenerative chatter in milling
Authors: Liu Bo , Liu Changfu , Yu Xinli , Zhou Yang , Wang Daohai
Published: October 2022

In metal cutting processing, especially in the processing of low-rigidity workpieces, chatter is a key factor affecting many aspects such as surface quality, processing efficiency and tool life. The academic research on chatter mainly focuses on three directions: chatter prediction, real-time detecting, and chatter suppression. With the continuous development of machining toward intelligence, the hot spots and trends of chatter research are also constantly changing. Therefore, an in-depth and systematic summary of the current situation of chatter research is urgently needed. On this basis, it is of great significance to realize the prediction of the hot spots and trends of chatter research. This article summarizes the research status from three aspects of chatter prediction, detecting and suppression, and points out the advantages and limitations of current chatter research. After in-depth discussion, this article also looks forward to the trend of chatter research. The hot spots of chatter research will focus on the following points: (1) Chatter research methods and means based on data-driven. (2) Integrated data collection, processing and decision-making methods. (3) Chatter detecting unit and chatter suppression unit are integrated in the smart spindle. (4) The chatter mechanism and detecting research of robot milling.
Shedding some light on in-game formation changes in the German Bundesliga: Frequency, contextual factors, and differences between offensive and defensive formations
Authors: Forcher Leon , Preine Leon , Forcher Leander , Wäsche Hagen , Jekauc Darko , Woll Alexander , Gross Timo , Altmann Stefan
Published: October 2022

The tactical formation is considered an important factor in soccer, however, changes in tactical formation during matches (in-game) and the distinction between offensive and defensive formations has rarely been considered in previous studies analyzing match performance. Therefore, objectives of this study were to investigate the following research questions: (i) How frequently do in-game formation changes occur? (ii) What contextual factors are associated with these changes? (iii) How often do defensive and offensive formations differ? The sample consisted of 81 matches ( n = 162 single team cases) of the 2020/2021 German Bundesliga season. For each case, the starting formations (i.e. defensive and offensive) and in-game formation changes were recorded by observation of video data. For each in-game formation change, the contextual variables “point in time,” “substitutions,” and “goals” were recorded. In-game formation changes were found in 29.6% of the cases studied. Most in-game formation changes were discovered for the second half (95.2%), when the own team substituted at least one player (76.2%), and when the opposing team was leading the match (69.0%). In 25.3% of the investigated cases, the offensive and defensive formations of a team differed. Concluding, in-game formation changes are a relatively common phenomenon and, therefore, must be considered in the methodology of future research on tactical formation in soccer. The same applies to the distinction between offensive and defensive formation. Furthermore, coaches can use the findings to anticipate possible opposing team in-game formation changes earlier (e.g. in the second half, when the own team is leading and the opponent is substituting a player).
Cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness and health-related quality of life in primary school children in England: the mediating role of psychological correlates of physical activity
Authors: Solera-Sanchez A , Christian DL , Beltran-Valls MR , Adelantado-Renau M , Martin-Smith R , MacDonald MJ , Tyler R , Fairclough SJ
Published: October 2022

Aims:

The aims were (1) to analyse the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between children’s cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and (2) to examine whether these associations were mediated by physical activity self-efficacy and physical activity enjoyment.

Methods:

This study involved 383 children (10.0 ± 0.5 years) recruited from 20 primary schools in northwest England. Data were collected on two occasions 12 weeks apart. The number of laps completed in the 20-m Shuttle Run Test was used as the CRF indicator. HRQoL was assessed using the KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. Physical activity self-efficacy and enjoyment were assessed with the social-cognitive and Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale questionnaires, respectively. Linear mixed models with random intercepts (schools) assessed associations between CRF and HRQoL cross-sectionally, and longitudinally. Boot-strapped mediation procedures were performed, and indirect effects (IE) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) not including zero considered as statistically significant. Analyses were adjusted for sex, time of the year, socioeconomic status, waist-to-height ratio, maturation, and physical activity.

Results:

CRF was cross-sectionally associated with HRQoL (β = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.16; p = .015). In the longitudinal analysis, CRF at baseline was associated with HRQoL at 12 weeks after additionally controlling for baseline HRQoL (β = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.002; p = .15, p = .045). Cross-sectionally, physical activity self-efficacy and enjoyment acted individually as mediators in the relationship between CRF and HRQoL (IE = 0.069, 95% CI = 0.038; p = .105 and IE = 0.045, 95% CI = 0.016; p = .080, respectively). In the longitudinal analysis, physical activity self-efficacy showed a significant mediating effect (IE = 0.025, 95% CI = 0.004; p = .054).

Conclusion:

Our findings highlight the influence of CRF on children’s psychological correlates of physical activity and their overall HRQoL.
Identification of the Anti-Inflammatory Compound, Paeoniflorigenone, in Radix Paeoniae Alba for the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Through Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Authors: Li Juntong , Wang Gaoxiang , Chu Shufang , Liu Deliang , Zhao Hengxia , Li Huilin
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease that is characterized by chronic inflammation. Baishao (radix paeoniae alba, RPA), classified as a top-grade herbal medicine in TCM, has anti-inflammatory, immune adjustment, and anti-oxidative activities. RPA has been used to treat PCOS in clinical practice, but its potential mechanism of action is unclear. This study aimed at exploring the potential mechanism of RPA in PCOS treatment and to investigate the anti-inflammatory constituents of RPA. Methods: The TCMSP database was used to screen the potential active compounds of RPA. On the other hand, the possible target genes of PCOS were collected from the TTD, DrugBank, GeneCard, OMIM, and PharmGKB databases. The PPI network of RPA–PCOS target genes was established by STRING, and the visual network among RPA, ingredients, disease and potential target genes was constructed in Cytoscape. The bioactivity and potential mechanism of RPA in PCOS treatment were analyzed by GO and KEGG enrichment approaches. Furthermore, molecular docking was utilized to indicate the best compounds of RPA binding with TNF-α. Results: Fifty-four potential target genes were filtered and gathered from RPA and PCOS. Visual network indicated that 8 ingredients in RPA, β-sitosterol, ( + )-catechin, palbinone, sitosterol, mairin, kaempferol, paeoniflorigenone, and paeoniflorin, were closely correlated with 54 possible therapeutic target genes. The possible pathways relating the treatment of PCOS by RPA mainly contained the TNF, lipid atherosclerosis, C-type lectin receptor, and AGE-RAGE signal pathways. Paeoniflorigenone was the optimal anti-inflammatory compound of RPA to bind with TNF-α in molecular docking analysis. Conclusion: This study manifested that the most effective anti-inflammation compound of RPA was paeoniflorigenone and provided a potential therapeutic strategy for PCOS treatment.
What Becomes Possible When “Y/Our Slip is Showin?”: Practicing Reflexivity to Preserve Spirit
Authors: Hill Dominique C.
Published: October 2022

What pains and possibilities reside behind and emerge from mask wearing? This performative essay uses the Black idiom, “your slip is showin’” to ruminate upon masks, masking, mobilizing spirit, and their symbiotic possibilities. In Black vernacular, the metaphor of a showin’ slip, is an error, an unintended reveal. An undergarment believed to conceal what lies beneath clothing, it offers a boundary, usually between stockings and a skirt or dress. A slip ensures opacity. Organized around this metaphor, this essay presents four auto/ethnographic moments, from a larger emergent auto/performance text “When Crisis and Sprit Meet Inside a Seasoned Grl” to explore dialogics between physical masking, spiritual uncovering, and showin’ of the slip. Ultimately, this essay asserts the showin’ slip as a productive transgression for meditating upon and enlivening our interpersonal interactions during crisis.
Continuous EEG monitoring detects nonconvulsive seizure and Ictal-Interictal Continuum abnormalities in moderate to severe ICANS following systemic CAR-T therapy
Authors: Satyanarayan Sammita , Spiegel Jay , Hovsepian Dominic , Markert Matthew , Thomas Reena , Muffly Lori , Miklos David , Graber Kevin , Scott Brian J.
Published: October 2022

Background and Purpose

Immune Cell Effector Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS) is common amongst patients receiving CD19 targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. The purpose of this study is to characterize the incidence of seizures and ictal-interictal continuum (IIC) abnormalities in patients with ICANS.

Methods

Retrospective review of consecutive patients treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) for recurrent high-grade systemic lymphoma at Stanford Medical Center between 2/2016-6/2019. Electronic medical records (EMR) were reviewed for clinical features, treatment information, EEG data, CRS (cytokine release syndrome)/ICANS severity, and clinical outcomes.

Results

Fifty-six patients met inclusion criteria. 85.7% of patients developed CRS, and 58.9% developed ICANS. Twenty-eight patients had EEG monitoring, of whom 26 had ICANS. Median duration of EEG monitoring was 30 hours (range .5-126 hours). Four patients (7.1%) had seizures (1 patient had a clinical generalized seizure, 2 patients had clinical and nonconvulsive seizures, and 1 patient had an isolated non-convulsive seizure). Ictal-interictal continuum abnormalities were common, of which generalized periodic discharges (GPDs) with triphasic morphology and GPDs with epileptiform morphology were most frequently seen. Generalized periodic discharges with triphasic wave morphology were found across Grade 2-3 peak ICANS severity, however the majority (86%) of patients with epileptiform GPDs had Grade 3 peak ICANS severity.

Conclusions

Among patients receiving axi-cel, seizure occurred in 7.1% of the total cohort, representing 12% of patients with ICANS. Ictal-interictal continuum abnormalities are also seen in patients with ICANS, most commonly GPDs. 75% of patients with seizures had nonconvulsive seizures supporting the use of continuous video EEG monitoring in this population.
Recognition of Obesity and Perceptions of Weight Loss Management in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Chiu Michael , Moist Louise , Al-Jaishi Ahmed , Jain Arsh K.
Published: October 2022

Background:

Obesity is, directly and indirectly, linked to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, nephrologists’ recognition of obesity and willingness to address and manage obesity are unknown.

Objectives:

The aim of this article is to investigate if obesity is recognized and documented in the clinical encounter and to examine nephrologists’ perceptions of obesity and comfort with weight loss management.

Design:

We conducted a 2-part study. Part I used a retrospective chart review and part II used an anonymous online survey of practicing nephrologists (n = 14) in our center.

Setting:

The study took place in the Multi-care Kidney Clinic (MCKC) at London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ontario, Canada.

Patients:

In part I, we conducted a retrospective chart review of 10 random patients with advanced CKD and obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m2) from each of the nephrologists between January and December 2019.

Methods:

In part I, charts were assessed for documentation of obesity and/or a treatment plan (lifestyle counseling, pharmacologic intervention, and specialist referral). In part II, a survey completed by the nephrologists explored their current experience and perceptions of obesity and comfort with weight loss management. Responses were ranked on a 5-point Likert scale.

Results:

In all, 140 patient charts were reviewed. The median age was 69 (interquartile range [IQR] = 60-77) years, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 17 (IQR = 12-20) ml/min/1.73 m2, weight was 99 (IQR = 90-116) kg, and BMI was 36 (IQR = 33-40) kg/m2. Obesity with a BMI was documented in 36 (26%) charts, and only 2 (1%) documented a weight loss plan, which only included non-pharmacologic strategies. There were 13 survey responses (93% response rate). All nephrologists agreed that obesity negatively affects the health of patients with CKD. Twelve (92%) reported discussing obesity with patients, but none felt that they had time to treat it. All reported discussions of obesity would evoke a negative patient response, while 5 (38%) thought patients actually want to discuss obesity. Regarding treatment, 8 (62%) nephrologists felt comfortable with non-pharmacologic treatment, but only 1 respondent was comfortable with pharmacologic treatments. Twelve (92%) nephrologists thought patients should be referred to a specialist.

Limitations:

There was limited generalizability as this was a single center study. The BMI may reflect hypervolemia rather than body mass.

Conclusion:

In our study, nephrologists rarely document and manage obesity in patients with advanced CKD, despite their perception of treatment benefits. Improved outcomes of obesity management for patients with CKD will require increased knowledge and clinical tools to efficiently address obesity with patients.
Demonstration experiment of telemedicine using ultrasonography and telerehabilitation with 5G communication system in aging and depopulated mountainous area
Authors: Saeki Masaomi , Oyama Shintaro , Yoneda Hidemasa , Shimoda Shingo , Agata Tsukasa , Handa Yutaka , Kaneda Satoshi , Hirata Hitoshi
Published: October 2022

Objective

The challenges of an aging population worldwide are the increased number of people needing medical and nursing care and inadequate medical resources. Information and communication technologies have progressed remarkably, leading to innovations in various areas. 5G communication systems are capable of high-capacity, high-speed communication with low latency and are expected to transform medicine. We aimed to report a demonstration experiment of telerehabilitation and telemedicine using a mobile ultrasound system in a depopulated area in a mountainous terrain, where 32% of the population are 65 years or older.

Methods

At the core hospital, a physician or physical therapist remotely performed ultrasonography or rehabilitation on a subject in a clinic. Five general residents participated in the telerehabilitation as subjects. The delay time and video quality transmitted with 5G and long-term evolution (LTE) communication systems were compared. The physician or physical therapist subjectively evaluated the quality and delay of the transmitted images and subject acceptability.

Results

Of seven physical therapists, six and three responded that the video quality was “good” for telerehabilitation with 5G/4K resolution and LTE, respectively. Five physical therapists and one physical therapist reported that the delay time was “acceptable” with 5G/4K resolution and LTE, respectively. For telemedicine using a mobile ultrasound system, the responses for 5G were “the delay was acceptable” and “rather acceptable.” In contrast, both respondents’ responses for LTE were “not acceptable.”

Conclusions

Multiple high-definition images can be transmitted with lower latency in telerehabilitation and telemedicine using mobile ultrasound imaging systems with a 5G communication system. These differences affected the subjective evaluation of the doctors and physical therapists.
Professional political pollsters as a liberal democratic epistemic community: Revisiting transformations of Indonesian political pollsters in the last decade of the Soeharto and post-Soeharto eras
Authors: Ahmad Nyarwi , Eriyanto Eriyanto
Published: October 2022

This article proposes the notion of the professional political pollster as a liberal democratic epistemic community. It examines transformations of Indonesian political pollster organisations in the last decade of the Soeharto era and in the post-Soeharto era. The findings extracted from the academic and mainstream media reports and the in-depth interview data collected from seven political pollsters associated with prominent Indonesian polling organisations are as follows. In the last decade of the Soeharto era, professional political pollsters visibly evolved but played less significant roles in Indonesian politics. As the Soeharto regime collapsed, they gradually had more substantial roles in Indonesian electoral politics and took shape as a robust and convergent liberal democratic epistemic community. After Indonesia's 2004 presidential election, most of them not only turned into political consultants but also engaged in a pollster war. This made them take shape as not only a fragile but also a divergent liberal democratic epistemic community. A set of recommendations is proposed to tackle this problem.
An Observational Cross-Sectional Survey Exploring the Indications for and Responses to Medical Marijuana Use in Certified Patients in Pennsylvania
Authors: Kimless Debra , Caloura Matthew , Markos Virginia , Ryan Jennie , Abbonizio Sally , Janicki Sharon
Published: October 2022

Introduction/Objectives:

Medical cannabis programs across the country vary and differ in their qualifying conditions for medical cannabis use. This has led to a gap in knowledge regarding the specific needs of cannabis patients, including the most common reason patients seek medical cannabis. The purpose of this study was to examine the current needs of medical cannabis patients in order to better inform future research, and to evaluate potential needs in policy changes in states with more restrictive qualifying conditions for medical cannabis use.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey study was administered (n = 207) at a Laurel Harvest Labs dispensary in Pennsylvania. Participants were qualified medical cannabis users and were recruited as a convenience sample when entering the dispensary. The survey asked questions regarding participant demographics, medical cannabis qualifying conditions, usage, methods of administration, adverse effects, tolerance, and impact of medical cannabis on medication, alcohol, and tobacco use. Chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests were conducted for analyses involving categorical data.

Results:

The mean age of respondents was 36.7 years (SD = 12.8), and the majority were male (61.4%) and white (84.7%). Respondents self-reported that anxiety disorder was the most common qualifying medical condition and the most common comorbid condition (50.1%; 69.3%) for medical cannabis use. Additionally, approximately 95% of users reported having no adverse effects from using medical cannabis, and 90% of users preferred inhalation through vaporization as the preferred method of consumption. More than 50% of participants reported an improvement in their symptoms where only 20% of users reported being tolerant to their current dose. More than 70% of respondents reported that obtaining medical cannabis was “easy” and 54% of users reported that the cost of medical cannabis was not a barrier to access.

Conclusions:

Anxiety disorder is a prevalent condition for which medical cannabis is used; however, many states do not recognize anxiety disorder as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis. Further research on medical cannabis use for anxiety disorders is needed to evaluate proper dosing and responses to treatment.
School Counselor and Administrator Perceptions of Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kruczek Theresa , Geesa Rachel Louise , Mayes Renae D. , Odell Kaylee M.
Published: October 2022

Collaborative efforts by school counselors and school administrators that are grounded in social capital principles have the potential to better support students’ educational success, health, and well-being in the wake of challenging and adverse events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to assess perceptions of school counselors and administrators to determine the extent to which they had a shared vision of the challenges and strengths in their school’s initial response to the pandemic. We also explored their sense of the anticipated future needs within the context of social capital theory and trauma-informed practices. Participants included 381 current pre-K–12 school administrators and school counselors throughout the United States who completed a mixed-methods survey in spring 2020. Use of these findings can help school stakeholders continue to foster students’ social/emotional, academic, and career and college readiness development during continued and future mass trauma events.
Modeling the Quality Enablers of Supplier Chain Quality Management
Authors: Chen Jih-Kuang , Tseng Tseng-Chan
Published: October 2022

It is essential to effectively integrate supply chain management and quality management, but a quality chain of suppliers and customers is a complex system relationship that remains poorly understood. An improved DEMATEL (Decision making trial and evaluation laboratory) and ISM (Interpretive structural modeling) integration approach was proposed to establish a systematic causal and hierarchical relationship of the quality enablers of supplier chain quality management (SCQM). The MICMAC method (cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification) was also used to classify the quality enablers of SCQM based on driving force and dependence force. The results suggest that organizations that develop SCQM implementation strategies should focus on quality enablers with high driving force, particularly on the quality enablers of strategy and leadership, information system usage and analysis, and cooperation and synergy of suppliers.
The Impact of Knowledge Sharing and Participative Decision-Making on Employee Turnover Intention: The Mediating Role of Perceived Organizational Support
Authors: Fattah Jinan , Yesiltas Mehmet , Atan Tarik
Published: October 2022

In order for an organization to thrive and operate well, it is dependent on its ability to share knowledge. It is consequently well accepted that knowledge sharing in companies is a key success factor for enhancing company performance and sustainability. Therefore, knowledge sharing and employee participation in decision-making are positively associated with perceived organizational support, and turnover intention. Notwithstanding, the inherent advantages of knowledge sharing and participative decision making, promoting organizational support is a concern for many organizations. As such, the purpose of this study is to examines the interaction between knowledge sharing, participative decision-making, and turnover intention, mediated by perceived organizational support using a structural equation model. The result of the analysis of data collected from 323 staffs of telecommunication company in Iraq indicated that perceived organization support mediates the relationship between knowledge sharing, participative decision making, and turnover intention. Furthermore, knowledge sharing and participative decision making affect turnover intention. This study was able to infer that emolyees who are considered, recognized and treated positively benefit the organization, and this eliminates any intent to leave.
Reported dietary habits and lifestyle behaviors of students before and during COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional survey among university students from Ghana
Authors: Kanyiri Gaa Patience , Sulley Shafaw , Boahen Sylvia , Bogobiri Sumaya , Mogre Victor
Published: October 2022

Background:

COVID-19 lockdowns involved precautions and social rules that resulted in drastic changes to daily life activities in every setting. University students were not left out as their education was affected and they had to resort to online learning from their homes. The lockdowns did not only affect their education but also potentially affected their dietary habits and lifestyle behaviors. We evaluated the reported dietary habits and lifestyle behaviors of students from a Ghanaian University before and during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Materials and Methods:

Following a cross-sectional design, 220 students were recruited from the University for Development Studies in Ghana. Data was collected by means of an online questionnaire. Chi-square test ( χ2) analysis was used to examine associations among variables.

Results:

About 59% of the students skipped meals before COVID-19 whereas 47.8% skipped meals during the COVID-19 lockdown. While 64.1% consumed homemade meals before the COVID-19, 82.3% consumed homemade meals during the COVID-19 lockdown. In addition, there was a significant increase in the consumption of homemade food ( p < 0.001), level of healthy foods choices ( p = 0.029), and a reduced skipping of meals (0.014) during the COVID-19 lockdown. Again, 56.4% of the students engaged in exercise before the lockdown while 45% participated in exercise during the lockdown.

Conclusions:

The lockdown had an impact on some of the dietary and lifestyle habits of the students. University students should be supported with appropriate nutrition education and counseling programs to help them adopt healthy dietary and lifestyle habits.
Book review: S.M. Katre, Early Buddhist Ballads: Their Relation to the Older Upanishadic Literature
Authors: Roy Kumkum
Published: October 2022

S.M. Katre, Early Buddhist Ballads: Their Relation to the Older Upanishadic Literature (New Delhi: Aryan Books International), 2021, pp. xxviii + 138, ₹695 (hb).
Colonialism and Race: Blocking Indian Immigration in New Zealand, Early Twentieth Century
Authors: Basu Raj Sekhar
Published: October 2022

The article essentially deals with the legal tangles which stood in the way of Indian immigration to New Zealand in the early years of the twentieth century. The fear of intrusion of ‘Hindoo coolies’ led to the introduction of exclusionary laws by New Zealand. These primarily sought to preserve the element of ‘whiteness’ in the colonial settlement. The politicians of the Labour Party were equally active as the rest in campaigning for preserving both the race and the empire. There were lengthy discussions in the New Zealand Parliament over the civilising mission of the ‘white man’. Apprehensions arising out of the ‘coolie’ migration from Fiji and the other South West Pacific islands along with the transnational movement of a peripatetic Indian labour force were possibly the main reasons behind the drafting of racist legislation. The compulsory requirement of passing of an English language test practically closed the gates for Indian immigration in the first half of the twentieth century.
We the swarm—Methodological, theoretical, and societal (r)evolutions in collective decision-making research
Authors: Garnier Simon , Moussaïd Mehdi
Published: October 2022

Collective decision-making constitutes a core function of social systems and is, therefore, a central tenet of collective intelligence research. From fish schools to human crowds, we start by interrogating ourselves about the very definition of collective decision-making and the scope of the scientific research that falls under it. We then summarize its history through the lenses of social choice theory and swarm intelligence and their accelerating collaboration over the past 20 or so years. Finally, we offer our perspective on the future of collective decision-making research in 3 mutually inclusive directions. We argue (1) that the possibility to collect data of a new nature, including fine-grain tracking information, virtual reality, and brain imaging inputs, will enable a direct link between plastic individual cognitive processes and the ontogeny of collective behaviors; (2) that current theoretical frameworks are not well suited to describe the long-term consequences of individual plasticity on collective decision-making processes and that, therefore, new formalisms are necessary; and finally (3) that applying the results of collective decision-making research to real-world situations will require the development of practical tools, the implementation of monitoring processes that respect civil liberties, and, possibly, government regulations of social interventions by public and private actors.
A poetics of planetary water: The blue humanities after John Gillis
Authors: Mentz Steve
Published: October 2022

The blue humanities in the early 2020s appears on the cusp of transformation. What has over the past 20 years or so been primarily scholarship about oceans and transoceanic travel has begun to take stock of other kinds of planetary water, including the water in human bodies, glacial ice, and water vapor. This article returns to the influence of one of the sub-discipline’s important early figures, the late historian John Gillis. Thinking about Gillis’s scholarship, his legacy, and recent work that has emerged recently in dialogue with it, this article charts new courses for blue humanities scholars in coming years.
Injustices at the air–energy nexus
Authors: Bouzarovski Stefan , Robinson Caitlin
Published: October 2022

This article maps the socio-technical interconnections between atmospheric systems, on the one hand, and the infrastructural networks associated with the extraction, production, transport and consumption of energy resources, on the other hand. The exchanges, interdependencies and injustices that arise at this interface can broadly be understood as the ‘air–energy nexus’. Despite energy inequalities almost always being entangled with some form of atmospheric injustice, their intersection has rarely been articulated to date. With the aid of a critical literature review, we focus on the domestic air–energy nexus to explore the ability of air to act as a social and physical agent of deprivation and injustice in the case of energy vulnerability: a condition characterized by a household’s propensity to secure adequate levels of energy services in the home. We argue that an integrated and critical perspective on the air–energy nexus challenges existing understandings of the quality and nature of domestic energy and atmospheric services, such as space heating and cooling. We propose future research and policy directions focused on addressing energy vulnerability in the home by embracing the unruly and fluid character of air–energy interactions, and transcending the socio-material boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments.