bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived Body Size in Relation to 10-Year Weight Change in the Swedish Obese Subjects Intervention Study
Authors: Parzer Verena , Taube Magdalena , Ludvik Bernhard , Peltonen Markku , Svensson Per-Arne , Brix Johanna Maria , Sjöholm Kajsa
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Body size underestimation in patients with obesity may be associated with long-term weight increase. In the current report, we analyse changes in body size perception in patients with obesity undergoing either bariatric surgery or usual obesity care, and in subgroups of patients who gain weight or maintain their body weight over 10 years. Materials and Methods: A total of 2,504 patients with obesity from the prospective, controlled Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) intervention study were included in this report, 1,370 patients underwent bariatric surgery and 1,134 patients were usual care controls. Weight was measured and body size was self-estimated using the Stunkard’s figure rating scale at baseline and after 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10 years of follow-up. A body perception index (BPI) was calculated as estimated/measured BMI. Weight (re)gain was defined as ≥10% increase between 1 and 10 years of follow-up. Results: Body size was underestimated by 12% in the surgery and 14% in the control group (i.e., >5 BMI units) at baseline and underestimation largely persisted over 10 years in both intervention groups. When stratified by long-term weight development, weight regainers from the surgery group underestimated their body size to a larger degree compared to weight maintainers (12 vs. 9%, p < 0.001) after 10 years. Likewise weight gainers in the control group also underestimated their body size to a larger degree (17% vs. 13%, p < 0.001). In both groups, the change in BPI was significantly different between weight regainers and maintainers during follow-up (time-BPI interactions both p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with obesity underestimate their body size and this underestimation remains long-term even after major weight loss induced by bariatric surgery. In patients with obesity who maintain their weight, regardless of treatment, underestimation of body size persists but body size perception is slightly more accurate compared to patients who gain or regain weight long-term.
Concepção vitalista de Samuel Hahnemann. 2ª ed. rev.
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina, Teixeira Marcus Zulian
Published: November 2023

Estando a homeopatia fundamentada no modelo médico vitalista, conceitos como força vital, mente, alma, espírito, etc., referentes à natureza imaterial humana, são frequentemente citados, tornando-se indispensável sua compreensão. Fundamentado nas obras de Samuel Hahnemann, fundador da homeopatia, incluindo seus escritos menores e cartas, essa obra busca esclarecer essas concepções, no intuito de dissolver confusões doutrinárias. No referido estudo, fica claro o conceito de 'força vital instintiva e irracional', análoga à 'vis medicatrix naturae' hipocrática, formando um composto substancial com o corpo físico e de natureza distinta do espírito inteligente. Como outra entidade distinta das anteriores, Hahnemann também cita a mente, sede da alma, como 'órgãos físicos quase não-materiais, de mais alta hierarquia', atribuindo ao psiquismo humano a maior influência no binômio saúde-doença, referindo-se à moral e à ética como fatores preventivos e curativos das enfermidades que afetam a humanidade. Critica a escolástica e o excesso de especulações metafísicas, afastando-se de qualquer corrente filosófica ou religiosa, brindando-nos com conceitos espiritualistas universalistas dentro dos princípios morais e éticos, engrandecendo ainda mais sua obra e demonstrando ser um observador livre de preconceitos. Para Hahnemann, o corpo físico forma uma unidade substancial com o princípio vital, e não com a alma, sendo comandado pelo espírito inteligente que nele habita. A mente, como órgão psíquico, assume importante papel na relação entre essas entidades que compõe o ser humano.
Single-use plastic in Brazil: context and environmental impacts
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Gonçalves-Dias Sylmara Lopes Francelino , Vallin Isabella de Carvalho ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Energia e Ambiente, Carvalho Isabela Ribeiro Borges de ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Energia e Ambiente, Dias Beatriz Magalhães ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Corrêa Carolina Berti de Souza ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Salles Guilherme dos Santos ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Silva Júlia Valle ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades
Published: November 2023

The production of plastic in the world has been higher than any other type of material in recent decades. Estimates predict that the consumption and disposal model will triple by 2050. These data reinforce the importance of studies on the subject, so that strategies can be formulated to reduce consumption and improve the recycling of plastics. In this sense, the first volume presents the data and context of plastic waste in Brazil and its main environmental impacts. This book is part of "NOSS Repensando o Plástico" collection.
A presença feminina na literatura medauariana: “O facão” e os temores da mulher não canonizada
Authors: Rosa Rebeca Silva , Silva Cristiano Augusto da
Published: November 2023

Este ensaio estuda a presença feminina na literatura medauariana no conto “O facão” (MEDAUAR, 1975). Para tanto, analisa como Medauar tematiza a violência contra mulher a fim de compreender as ideologias patriarcais ancoradas na sociedade sul-baiana do século XX. Assim, estabelece um contraponto entre a representação feminina no enredo medauariano e na narrativa sul-baiana tradicional. O estudo de natureza bibliográfica toma como aparato teórico o conceito de “descentramento” (GINZBURG, 2012a) e as concepções de gênero (CAMPOS, 1992; SACRAMENTO, 2001), bem como os estudos sobre elementos narrativos (CORTÁZAR, 2004; CHIAPPINI, 2002) e “a literatura sobre uma região” (ARENDT, 215). A conclusão é de que Medauar moderniza a presença feminina no imaginário social da época pela representação de uma mulher não canonizada, a qual é protagonizada por Lurdinha, personagem estranha aos estereótipos corroborados pelo centro do poder econômico e simbólico da região Sul da Bahia.
estamos aqui em conjunto agora: ativação de ligações através da partilha de memórias
Authors: Setúbal Marta Gutierres Nobre Ramos
Published: November 2023

A partilha de memórias pessoais provoca uma série de ligações afetivas que põem em movimento um diálogo potencialmente transformador. Este ensaio visual pretende tornar visíveis os momentos de ligação entre cinco participantes de um arquivo comunitário, do ponto de vista da investigadora-participante. O resultado é uma colagem narrativa, feita a partir de material depositado no arquivo.
Memória e representação do passado recente: o patrimônio industrial português reconvertido em Évora e Guimarães
Authors: Lima Evelyn Furquim Werneck , Bezelga Isabel Maria Gonçalves , Lyra Carolina
Published: November 2023

O artigo investiga exemplos do patrimônio industrial português que recuperam a memória do lugar e a representação de atividades fabris do passado recente. Analisam-se o Polo dos Leões, antiga fábrica de massas em Évora, readaptada para o ensino das artes e da arquitetura e dois curtumes de Guimarães reconvertidos, um como Instituto de Design da Universidade do Minho e outro, como centro de ciências.
Unraveling the Role of Sex in Endothelial Cell Dysfunction: Evidence From Lineage Tracing Mice and Cultured Cells
Authors: Shin Junchul , Hong Junyoung , Edwards-Glenn Jonnelle , Krukovets Irene , Tkachenko Svyatoslav , Adelus Maria L. , Romanoski Casey E. , Rajagopalan Sanjay , Podrez Eugene , Byzova Tatiana V. , Stenina-Adongravi Olga , Cherepanova Olga A.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

Biological sex differences play a vital role in cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. The endothelium is a critical contributor to cardiovascular pathologies since endothelial cells (ECs) regulate vascular tone, redox balance, and inflammatory reactions. Although EC activation and dysfunction play an essential role in the early and late stages of atherosclerosis development, little is known about sex-dependent differences in EC.

METHODS:

We used human and mouse aortic EC as well as EC-lineage tracing (
Cdh5
-CreERT2 Rosa-YFP [yellow fluorescence protein]) atherosclerotic
Apoe

–/–

mice to investigate the biological sexual dimorphism of the EC functions in vitro and in vivo. Bioinformatics analyses were performed on male and female mouse aortic EC and human lung and aortic EC.

RESULTS:

In vitro, female human and mouse aortic ECs showed more apoptosis and higher cellular reactive oxygen species levels than male EC. In addition, female mouse aortic EC had lower mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), lower TFAM (mitochondrial transcription factor A) levels, and decreased angiogenic potential (tube formation, cell viability, and proliferation) compared with male mouse aortic EC. In vivo, female mice had significantly higher lipid accumulation within the aortas, impaired glucose tolerance, and lower endothelial-mediated vasorelaxation than males. Using the EC-lineage tracing approach, we found that female lesions had significantly lower rates of intraplaque neovascularization and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition within advanced atherosclerotic lesions but higher incidents of missing EC lumen coverage and higher levels of oxidative products and apoptosis. RNA-seq analyses revealed that both mouse and human female EC had higher expression of genes associated with inflammation and apoptosis and lower expression of genes related to angiogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation than male EC.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study delineates critical sex-specific differences in EC relevant to proinflammatory, pro-oxidant, and angiogenic characteristics, which are entirely consistent with a vulnerable phenotype in females. Our results provide a biological basis for sex-specific proatherosclerotic mechanisms.
Stempellinella Brundin, 1947 (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East, with the description of new species
Authors: OREL OKSANA V.
Published: November 2023

Two new species of the genus Stempellinella Brundin, 1947, S. bazovae sp. nov. and S. chirka sp. nov., from Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East are described. Illustrated redescriptions of males for further three species, S. coronata Inoue, Kawai et Imabayashi, 2004, S. edwardsi Spies et Saether, 2004, S. tamaseptima (Sasa, 1980) are given. Stempellinella ministylus Ree, 2015 is a new synonym Stempellinella coronata Inoue, Kawai et Imabayashi, 2004. Key to the males and pupae of the Russian Far East and Eastern Siberia Stempellinella species is provided.
Effects of Different Durations and Frequencies of Vestibular Rehabilitation in Patients With Residual Symptoms After Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Repositioning
Authors: Cui Qingjia , Wen Cheng , Yan Jin , Wang Rui , Han Renjie , Huang Lihui
Published: November 2023

Objectives:

This study aimed to explore the effects of different duration and daily frequency of vestibular rehabilitation (VR) in patients with residual symptoms after benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) successful repositioning.

Method:

Patients with successful BPPV repositioning (n = 118) were divided into 3 groups according to VR duration and frequency: group A (n = 30; 15 minutes, 3 times/day), group B (n = 30; 30 minutes, 3 times/day), group C (n = 28; 15 minutes, 6 times/day), and control group D (n = 30; no VR). All patients completed the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) and vestibular rehabilitation benefit questionnaire (VRBQ) at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks.

Results:

The emotional scores and the proportion of severe dizziness disability in the DHI scores were significant differences between VR groups A to C and control group D after 2 and 4 weeks (all P < .05). There were significant differences in total DHI and VRBQ scores among the VR groups A to C after 2 and 4 weeks (all P < .05). Interestingly, emotion scores were not significantly different in group A ( P = .385), group B ( P = .569), and group C ( P = .340) between 2 and 4 weeks. Meanwhile at 2 weeks, the difference in motion-provoked dizziness score between group A and B was statistically significant ( P = .02).

Conclusions:

A total VR duration over 4 weeks can reduce dizziness and improve VR benefits in routine therapy in patients with residual dizziness after successful BPPV repositioning. Emotional improvement can be observed after 2 weeks. VR may help to relieve motion-provoked dizziness earlier if patients are willing to consider increasing the duration to more than 15 minutes.
Relationships between COVID-related health literacy, mental health and workload of school leaders
Authors: Kristensen Rune Müller , Dadaczynski Kevin , Okan Orkan , Simovska Venka
Published: November 2023

Objective:

Studies have shown that school leaders’ health literacy is key to supporting health development in school. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of school leaders’ health literacy became evident, as school leadership was characterised with uncertainty and demanded high levels of alertness to the need to implement rapidly changing health-related measures at short notice. This study sought to explore school leaders’ health literacy, mental health and work-related characteristics in Danish public primary and lower secondary schools during the pandemic.

Methods:

Selecting schools from the national Danish register of institutions a sample of 220 complete responses was achieved in a cross-sectional survey. School leaders or a member of the school management team completed a self-administered version of the COVID-HL: School Principals Survey, which assessed health literacy, three domains of mental health, sense of coherence and workload. Data were analysed using chi-square tests and logistic regression.

Results:

The majority of school leaders (71.4%) demonstrated a sufficient level of health literacy. However, there was a significant difference in workload increase between those with sufficient (66.0%) and insufficient (81.6%) health literacy. A high general workload was associated with lower well-being, while an increase in workload during the COVID-19 pandemic was linked to psychosomatic complaints. Sense of coherence explained variations in well-being, emotional exhaustion and psychosomatic complaints.

Conclusion:

This study highlights the importance of enhancing the health literacy of Danish school leaders, enabling them to deal effectively with complex health-related information and make informed decisions during health crises. Strengthening health literacy is crucial to promoting overall health and well-being in schools under normal circumstances, as well as navigating health crises.
Make Microfinance Great Again: Can Flexibility in Repayments Improve Business Outcomes in North India?
Authors: Sangwan Navjot
Published: November 2023

Classic microfinance loan contracts characterised by rigid weekly repayment schedules used by most microfinance institutions (MFIs) offer little flexibility—and little benefit—to borrowers who are poor and have seasonal income. Previous research has also shown that such contracts can negatively affect the economic well-being of poor borrowers leading to underinvestment of capital, selling of productive assets, over-indebtedness through cross-financing from informal sources, reductions in consumption and income, and in some cases, a deterioration in borrowersʼ mental health arising from stress and worry. If lenders offered more flexibility in loan repayment schedules, would it help to overcome some of these problems? To explore this, we tested whether clientsʼ business outcomes were sensitive to various repayment schedules using primary data collected from the clients of three MFIs, a cooperative society and a few local traders specialising in business lending in a village in North India. We analysed alternatives to the rigid contract model, focussing on the degree of flexibility and the length of gap between repayments in the loan schedule. This study finds that clients repaying their loans monthly invested more in their businesses and earned higher income, compared both to those who repaid weekly and to those with an irregular payment schedule.

JEL Codes: G12, D12, O16, O12
Robust planning for distributed energy storage systems considering location marginal prices of distribution networks
Authors: Sun Yue , Wang Luohao , Zhao Shengnan , Cheng Xingong , Li Qiqiang
Published: November 2023

Energy storage plays an important role in integrating renewable energy sources and power systems, thus how to deploy growing distributed energy storage systems (DESSs) while meeting technical requirements of distribution networks is a challenging problem. This paper proposes an area-to-bus planning path with network constraints for DESSs under uncertainty. First, a distribution location marginal price (DLMP) formulation with maximum fluctuation boundaries of uncertainties is designed to select vulnerable areas exceeding voltage limits and higher line losses that occur in distribution networks. Different from simple multi-scenario power flow calculation and sensitivity analysis, DLMP with time and regional characteristics could be more intuitive to reflect line losses and voltage limits of distribution networks through price signals. After that, a two-stage stochastic robust optimization based planning method is developed to determine locations and capacities of DESSs in vulnerable areas. To make the uncertainty problem more tractable, stochastic scenarios are used to portray upper and lower boundaries of uncertainties, which avoids too-conservative decisions for robust optimization. Finally, numerical tests are implemented to testify the reasonability and validity of the proposed area-to-bus planning path under uncertainty. Compared with the DESSs planning framework without DLMP, the costs of DESSs are observably reduced with DLMP. With same budgets of uncertainty, investment costs of DESSs for the stochastic robust optimization with 30 and 50 scenarios are 3.91% and 4.45% lower than classical adaptive robust optimization (ARO).
Articulatory Insights into the L2 Acquisition of English-/l/ Allophony
Authors: Colantoni Laura , Kochetov Alexei , Steele Jeffrey
Published: November 2023

In many English varieties, /l/ is produced differently in onsets and codas. Compared with “light” syllable-initial realizations, “dark” syllable-final variants involve reduced tongue tip-alveolar ridge contact and a raised/retracted tongue dorsum. We investigate whether native French and Spanish speakers whose L1 lacks such positionally conditioned variation can acquire English-/l/ allophony, testing the hypotheses that (1) the allophonic pattern will be acquired by both groups but (2) learners will differ from native speakers in their phonetic implementation, particularly in codas; and (3) French-speaking learners will outperform their Spanish-speaking counterparts. The production of syllable-initial and -final /l/ (singletons and clusters) in words read in isolation and a carrier sentence by 4 French- and 3 Spanish-speaking learners as well as three native English speakers was analyzed via electropalatography and acoustic analysis. While some learners produced distinct onset and coda variants and all learners had moved away to some extent from their L1 production, they differed from the native speakers in certain ways. Moreover, between- and within-group variability was observed including greater target-like anterior and posterior contact reduction in codas in the L1 French versus L1 Spanish group and generally higher F2 values in both learner groups compared with their native speaker peers. A comparison of the learners’ L1 and L2 production revealed L1-based patterns of positional reduction of the tongue tip and dorsum gestures. We conclude by addressing the contributions of EPG to our understanding of L2 speech and highlight avenues for future research including the study of both linguistic and speaker variables.
Finding Silver Linings in the Covid-19 Pandemic: A 2-Wave Study in the UK
Authors: Bacon Alison M. , Charlesford Jaysan , Hyland Michael , Puskas Tilla , Hughes Poppy
Published: November 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread anxiety, fear and depression, yet focussing only on these negative issues may obscure the opportunity to promote positivity and resilience. Traumatic events can often result in positive life changes (adversarial growth) though there is little evidence in the context of pandemics, and no previous studies in Covid-19 with the general public. The present research investigated whether adversarial growth was perceived in Covid-19 and whether this could account for variance in wellbeing, over and above effects of personality traits. Participants recruited from the UK public ( N = 183) completed the Big Five Personality Inventory, the WHO-5 Wellbeing Scale and the Silver Lining Questionnaire (SLQ) measure of adversarial growth. Questionnaires were completed online, at two timepoints, nine months apart. At Time 1, wellbeing was negatively associated with trait Neuroticism and positively associated with Openness to experience. Both associations were positively mediated by SLQ score. At Time 2, SLQ score again mediated the effects of Openness on wellbeing, and also the influence of wellbeing at Time 1 on that at Time 2. Reported Silver Linings included strengthened personal relationships at Time 1, and improved ability to handle life events at Time 2. This suggests a shift from an appreciation of relationships to an awareness of personal development once life returned to some semblance of normality. Overall, results suggest that perceived adversarial growth supported wellbeing during the pandemic and highlight a focus for therapeutic intervention.
Preparation of hygroscopic fabric with a uniform and slow exothermic effect and its thermoregulation evaluation
Authors: Cui Yi , Gao Shuyi , Zhang Ruiyun , Feng Ji , Cheng Longdi , Yu Jianyong
Published: November 2023

Hygroscopic-exothermic textiles dissipate heat by absorbing moisture around the skin, which makes humans feel warm in a cold environment. However, the local rapid temperature rising and heat concentration due to uneven sweat distribution can cause a heat sensation that is unfavorable to personal thermal comfort in a relatively short period of time. Herein, hygroscopic fabric with a uniform and slow exothermic effect was prepared to achieve thermal-wet comfort of garments. The hierarchical structure textile consists of an inner layer with moisture diffusion and transport performance, a middle layer with moisture absorption and storage properties and an outer layer with moisture absorption and heat generation characteristics, which achieved the effect of slow and uniform heat dissipation during the moisture absorption by controlling the moisture transmission within the fabric. Based on the study of the uniform and slow exothermic effect of fabrics, five indexes, namely the average temperature value, the maximum temperature value, the temperature distribution uniformity index, the percentage of the heating area distribution at the maximum temperature point on the fabric surface and the initial heating rate, were proposed to evaluate the uniformity and the slowness of moisture absorption and heat dissipation in textiles. The result showed that the initial heating rate of multi-layer fabric could be reduced by 0.11–0.25°C/min compared to the single-layer hygroscopic-exothermic fabric and there was an up to 29.93% increase in the heat dissipation area at the maximum temperature point. The uniformity of temperature distribution after moisture absorption of fabrics increased by 41.6–58%.
Level dyeing property and aggregation morphology of reactive black 5 on cotton fabric in a salt-free and less-water dyeing system
Authors: Hu Qiushuang , Pei Liujun , Shen Jifang , Sun Simin , Wang Jiping
Published: November 2023

In a traditional water-based dyeing system, large amounts of salts and water are consumed. However, a non-aqueous media dyeing system achieves salt-free and less-water dyeing. In a non-aqueous media dyeing system, a small amount of water is used, which may affect the aggregation morphology of the dyes. The molecular dynamics of reactive dyes on the surface of cotton fibers were investigated. The results showed that the color depth of dyed cotton fabric did not change much when the dosage of salt was below 5.2% o.w.f. However, continuing to increase the amount of salt could influence the dyeing level of dyed fabric. The diffusion coefficient of dye was 0.3044 × 10−5 cm−2/s when there was no salt in dyeing system. But it was decreased by 14.03% and 16.62% when the salt concentration was increased from zero to 5.2% and 13% o.w.f., respectively. When the concentration of sodium sulfate was zero, the dye molecules in the solution displayed in the form of unimolecular molecules and dimers. However, reactive dyes mainly existed in the form of trimers and polymers when the concentration of sodium sulfate was above 5.2%. When there was no salt in the less-water dyeing system, the van der Waal energy between fiber and dye was 131.29 kJ/mol, but it was increased to 382.92 kJ/mol when the dosage of sodium sulfate was 5.2%. Therefore, with the increase of sodium sulfate dosage, the color depth of the dyed fabric changed little, but the level of dyeing property became poorer.
Housing the homeless: Shifting sites of managing the poor in the Netherlands
Authors: Boesveldt Nienke Fredrika , Loomans Dolly
Published: November 2023

Contemporary approaches to counter homelessness push for a housing-led model that is seen as more progressive and less punitive than traditional approaches. Few studies have however investigated its translation on the ground. In this paper we aim to do so by studying the implementation of a housing-led approach in the Netherlands; in a context of housing shortages and health care austerity. By building on qualitative interviews with people (previously) experiencing homelessness and professional stakeholders, we argue that while a regular home is a much-needed improvement to emergency shelters and institutions, housing contracts are often conditional and used as disciplinary instruments restricting what people are allowed to do in their own home. Care and screening services are increasingly executed by housing associations and the local police, further entwining housing, care and punishment. Intersecting with local housing shortages and insufficient health care this becomes a barrier to a more effective and humane approach to homelessness. These findings contribute to theories on urban governance by showing how the management of the poor is extended to the private domain.
Fences, seeds and bees: The more-than-human politics of community gardening in Rotterdam
Authors: Jhagroe Shivant
Published: November 2023

This paper explores the more-than-human politics of a community garden in Rotterdam, as an expression of sustainable and resilient city making. Challenging the anthropocentrism underlying most research on the politics of urban sustainability/resilience and urban gardening, the paper proposes a more-than-human assemblage approach to urban gardening politics. I argue that urban gardens can be understood as more-than-human configurations and conceptualised as urban garden assemblages. Such assemblages are processes with different temporalities and types of agencies (insects, plants, soil and fences) and can be analytically understood as more-than-human: (1) relations and performances; (2) power hierarchies/resistances; and (3) ethical co-becomings. Building on participatory ethnography, interviews and (online) documents, the paper then presents an empirical account of the Gandhi-garden, a community garden in Rotterdam, embedded in the global Transition Towns movement. The empirical case shows how mundane acts of pulling weeds and using permacultural planting methods are more-than-human place-making practices. It also highlights how, for example, human–soil, human–seed and human–bee entanglements challenge urban neoliberalism while gardeners experiment with sustainable food and a non-violent economy. The paper illustrates the ethico-political expressions of more-than-human community gardening through solidarity bonds with Palestine via olive trees and non-violence thinking, as well as some human/non-human ambivalences when dealing with dog waste and potentially harvest-stealing birds. Finally, the paper presents some reflections and contributions regarding scholarship in the fields of urban gardening, and sustainable/resilient city making.
Spillover Effects of Sanctions on Airlines
Authors: Corbet Shaen , Nicolau Juan L. , Oxley Les
Published: November 2023

To counter the escalating threat of direct conflict with rogue nations, the use of sanctions packages has become a preferred tactical response. However, although targeted, there are significantly elevated spillover effects that can generate sectoral damage. While the literature on sanctions has focused on analyzing the effectiveness and the impact on the sanctioned and sanctioning country, spillover effects have not been addressed in the tourism and travel industry. Based on behavioral decision theory and modern portfolio theory, this study states hypotheses and confronts two potential results derived from each theory regarding the way negative consequences of sanctions spill over into airlines. Using the aviation sanctions packages derived from the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 in different regions worldwide, the results indicate greater spillovers flow into airlines than other aviation-related corporations, into big firms than small firms, and with significant differential effects on each analyzed region.
In Defense of Shirking in Capitalist Firms: Worker Resistance vs. Managerial Power
Authors: Aytac Ugur
Published: November 2023

Shirking, the act of avoiding the demands of one’s job, is generally seen as unethical. Drawing on empirical evidence from the sociology of work, I develop a normative conception of shirking as a form of worker resistance against illegitimate managerial power. In doing so, I present a new approach to the political theory of the firm, which is more adversarial and agent-centered than available alternatives. It is more adversarial as it recognizes the political value of counterproductive and disruptive behavior in capitalist firms. It is more agent-centered because it theorizes the firm from the perspective of workers, asking what pro tanto reasons they have to shirk. I show that shirking under the structural domination of capitalism has diagnostic, agential, and epistemic values. The paper contributes to the wider methodological ambition to tailor political theorizing to the positionality of social actors by shifting attention from the institutional design of the firm to the methods of worker resistance.
A revised morphing algorithm for creating future weather for building performance evaluation
Authors: Eames Matthew E , Xie Hailun , Mylona Anastasia , Shilston Ruth , Hacker Jake
Published: November 2023

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges the building industry faces. Engineers and architects require representative future weather data if they would like to see how their buildings and designs will fare under a changing climate. The most common method used to create future weather involves manipulating observations commonly known as morphing, but the most used algorithms can create implausible weather conditions due to their unbounded nature. Here, bounded morphing algorithms will be described and their effectiveness proved mathematically. The improved bounded method applies two additional conditions on the morphed distribution to the maximum and minimum values, in addition to the mean values. The benefits over the standard approach will also be illustrated considering the changes in the distribution of temperature and solar irradiation due to climate change. The improved algorithms outperform the standard morphing procedures in terms of preserving the underlying climate signal while not creating unrealistic or implausible weather conditions. This method should give engineers confidence that the generated future weather series are more robust and representative of potential future weather. Practical application: The use of future weather to inform building design is now commonplace within the industry. Reliable weather files are crucial to support and deliver strategies for decarbonisation and adaptation to climate change in the built environment and the wider industry. This article provides support for the use of revised morphing algorithms which result in improved future weather time series which can be used in building simulation. For example, when applied to the temperature, it can be used to produce more accurate representations of future temperature profiles due to climate change, and for building performance assessment, such as energy consumption and overheating. It plays an important role in producing reliable and realistic weather data for future-proof building design.
A Pterygopalatine Fossa Abscess Caused by Streptococcus Constellatus With Ptosis as Initial Presentation: Case Report
Authors: Wu Yuting , Ye Jing , Xiao Mang
Published: November 2023

Pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) abscess is an exceedingly rare occurrence. Typically, it has been reported in association with odontogenic infections or hematogenous dissemination. In this report, we present the first case of PPF abscess where no obvious underlying cause or primary infection was evident. The patient initially presented with a 2-week history of left ptosis and persistent headaches, which were subsequently accompanied by fever and limited mouth opening. Based on elevated inflammatory markers and imaging findings, the diagnosis of a PPF abscess was established. Successful treatment was achieved through surgical drainage using an external cervical approach. Cultures from the aspirated pus identified Streptococcus constellatus as the causative agent. This case highlights the importance of considering PPF abscess in patients presenting with ptosis as an initial symptom. When diagnosed, surgical drainage should be considered as a viable therapeutic option.
Optical Coherence Tomography as a Tool for Imaging the Sinonasal Mucosa in Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Badash Ido , Raskin Jonathan , Applegate Brian , Wrobel Bozena , Hur Kevin
Published: November 2023

Objectives: To summarize the current applications and potential uses of optical coherence tomography (OCT), a noninvasive imaging modality that uses near-infrared light to produce cross-sectional, high-resolution images of biologic tissues, for evaluating the sinonasal mucosa in patients. Methods: Original articles utilizing OCT to image the sinonasal mucosa in patients were identified from the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using the search phrase: “Optical Coherence Tomography” AND (sinonasal OR intranasal OR sinus OR nose OR sinusitis OR rhinitis OR olfactory). Strength of evidence, quality of evidence, and risk of bias were measured using validated scales. Study results were qualitatively assessed. Results: Out of 1662 original records identified through database searching, 9 studies were included in the systematic review. Levels of evidence ranged from III to IV and quality of evidence ranged from moderate to very low. Endoscopic OCT systems as well as OCT systems integrated with surgical microscopes were described in the literature. Applications of OCT for imaging the sinonasal mucosa included identifying morphological patterns unique to individual diseases, detecting mucosal structural changes after medical therapies and procedures, and evaluating mucociliary clearance. Conclusions: Most studies investigating OCT imaging of the sinonasal mucosa featured small sample sizes and lacked control groups. While OCT imaging could be a useful adjunct for diagnosing sinonasal disorders and monitoring response to treatment in the future, additional high-quality studies are necessary to determine if the use of OCT imaging can lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and health outcomes for patients with sinonasal pathologies.
Bilateral Deafness Due to Relapsing Polychondritis with Semicircular Canal Calcification Treated With Cochlear Implantation: A Case Report
Authors: Arashi Kenichiro , Nishiyama Takanori , Hosoya Makoto , Tsuzuki Nobuyoshi , Wakabayashi Takeshi , Ozawa Hiroyuki , Oishi Naoki
Published: November 2023

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent inflammation of cartilages throughout the body, with treatment-resistant dizziness and hearing loss in 40%-50% of patients with RP. Although rare, severe binaural hearing loss in RP is an indication for cochlear implantation (CI). Therefore, there are only a few reports on CI insertion in cases of RP. This report describes a 68-year-old woman who developed binaural hearing loss due to RP. She was treated with steroids and immunosuppressive drugs; however, her hearing did not improve significantly, and she relied on written communication for conversation. Subsequently, the patient underwent CI in the right ear. The patient showed improvement in speech perception; at 14 months postoperatively, she was able to speak with lipreading, and at 2 years postoperatively, she was able to speak without lipreading. Previous case reports on CI in patients with RP have shown varying degrees of postoperative hearing improvement. Our case demonstrates the effectiveness of CI in improving hearing and speech recognition in patients with RP having semicircular canal calcification. However, previous reports have shown that speech recognition declines 13 years after CI for RP. Therefore, continuous long-term follow-up is necessary.
Definitions of and Evaluation Procedures for Emotional Disturbance: A Tale of 50 States
Authors: Sallese Mary Rose , Garwood Justin D. , Vannest Kimberly J. , Kolbe Tammy , Carlson Alex
Published: November 2023

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act allows states some autonomy in altering the disability category terminology and definitions, given that the changes do not exclude students eligible under the federal language. Several states have used this flexibility for the emotional disturbance category historically. This study provides a contemporary analysis of the interstate variation in the emotional disturbance category through a comprehensive evaluation of state department education policy documents for differences in terminology, definition, and disability-specific evaluation procedures and guidance. The work is contextualized by previous reviews of similar but different purposes relevant to the time periods in which they occurred. Data from the current study show continued convergence toward the language in the federal definition. Results present notable differences related to cultural considerations, the social maladjustment exclusionary clause, and the provision of mental health services. Implications for research and policy are discussed.
Can the professional study of a musical instrument be associated with the development of cognitive processes? A meta-analytic study
Authors: Pérez-Eizaguirre Miren , Vergara-Moragues Esperanza , Privado Jesús
Published: November 2023

The objective of this work was to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis to understand the effect that formal music training has on cognitive development, specifically on executive functions, memory, and intelligence. Of the 84 studies identified in the meta-analysis, 16 met the inclusion criteria. The cognitive processes analyzed were divided into three different cognitive domains: executive function, memory, and intelligence, with two moderating variables, age and professional experience. The results indicated that professional musicians score higher in the three cognitive domains: executive function, memory and intelligence. Taking into account age and musical experience, these differences lessen for executive function and increase for memory and intelligence, but always with higher scores for professional musicians. This data indicates that formal music training might go along with cognitive development, and thus be indicative of the development of cognitive processes, which remains over time.
Does culture have transformative power to make the Olympic Games sustainable?
Authors: Doustaly Cécile
Published: November 2023

Public aspirations for more sustainable mega-projects not only ensuring economic returns but also comprehensive local legacies have increased in recent years. The Olympic Games in particular have been criticized as commercial ventures lacking in proportional impacts for local communities, while largely financed by public funds. With associated corruption and gentrification concerns, such projects met with increased opposition. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), struggling to attract candidate cities, adapted its strategies and frameworks, while host cities’ priorities were better heeded. Cultural policy, associated with transformative urban powers since the 1990s, became instrumental to sustainable legacies. This article explores the increased use of cultural value, from heritage to creation, as part of the Olympic Games, to reach more sustainable cultural, socio-economic, political, and environmental objectives. Can cultural planning and programming (notably Cultural Olympiads) help provide a more sustainable legacy to the redeveloped areas and their communities? Can culture also impact the Olympic project through its use of sustainable management methods (consultation, participation, co-creation, etc.)? After discussing evolving theories and practices around sustainability, legacy, and cultural policy in the Olympic context, this article analyzes the cases of London 2012 and Paris 2024 and their Athletes’ village areas (Stratford and Plaine Commune).
The material geographies of Bitfury in Georgia: Integrating cryptoasset firms into global financial networks
Authors: Wyeth Ryan , Rella Ludovico , Atkins Ed
Published: November 2023

Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, have garnered significant attention in scholarship and beyond. Geographical work on cryptocurrencies has focussed on how their energy demand interacts with local communities and economies. Less is said about the organization of cryptoasset firms and their associated demands. This paper illuminates the complex geographies of one such firm, Bitfury Group, to investigate the global and national forms and structures such companies take and the factors encouraging them to concentrate operations in certain areas. To investigate the latter, we adopt the case study of Bitfury’s operations in Georgia, a South-Caucasian country where its presence is significant. We adapt Haberly et al.’s analytical framework to explore Bitfury’s geographical dimensions. We highlight how cheap electricity, regulatory and taxation regimes, personal encounters and personalities, and the materialities of hardware and energy-saving technology define these geographies and illuminate how Bitfury actively curates advantageous regulatory spaces. We encourage future work exploring Blockchain and Bitcoin technologies to understand the companies involved as simultaneously material and virtual, and as centrepieces in global networks interweaving production and finance.
Comparative Analysis of Discrete Choice Approaches for Modeling Destination Choices of Urban Home-Based Trips to Work
Authors: Mauad Sílvia Vitali Santos , Isler Cassiano Augusto
Published: November 2023

Discrete choice models based on the Random Utility Maximization (RUM) approach are alternatives to traditional aggregated trip distribution models. However, the Random Regret Minimization (RRM) approach has emerged as an alternative to RUM for analyzing behavioral phenomena. This study compares the RUM and RRM approaches to model the destination choice of urban home-based trips to work, with a case study in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The attributes of distance between traffic analysis zones (TAZs), total number of jobs, and number of jobs per type (industry and services) were considered, and the attributes referring to TAZs in commercial areas were tested in different models. We combined a method to estimate the optimal choice set size and a stratified sampling method to choose alternatives from available choices for a destination-choice problem with many alternatives. The RUM and RRM models produced similar results with respect to the final log-likelihood, [Formula: see text], Akaike information criterion, and Bayesian information criterion for the studied case. However, the RRM models required 52 min to be estimated on average, whereas estimation of the RUM models took only 31 s on average. Models derived from the RUM approach including the total number of jobs and distance produced higher accuracy, requiring less computational time to estimate the parameters.
Enhancing the Spatial Transferability of Direct Demand Models for Estimating Pedestrian Volumes at Intersections
Authors: Tito Pereira Sobreira Lucas , Hellinga Bruce
Published: November 2023

Direct demand (DD) models are an important tool for estimating annual average daily pedestrian traffic (AADPT) for all intersections in a jurisdiction. These models associate socioeconomic and land-use variables with pedestrian exposure and allow the estimation of AADPT for sites where pedestrian counts are not (readily) available. However, some jurisdictions lack pedestrian volume counts from a sufficiently large number of intersections to develop their own DD model or do not have the institutional resources to carry out the model development. Under these circumstances, a cost-effective alternative is to use DD models that were developed in other jurisdictions. Previous research evaluated the spatial transferability of DD models in scenarios where no pedestrian counts are available (i.e., naïve transferability) and showed that this resulted in large estimation errors. This paper examines methods to improve the estimation accuracy of spatially transferred DD models by using AADPT that is readily accessible to jurisdictions (we call this local calibration). Five local calibration models were proposed and evaluated using observed field counts and synthesized counts from three jurisdictions. The best model to use is a function of the number of local jurisdiction sites for which pedestrian counts are available. When pedestrian volume is available for 10% of the sites, Model C presented the best results for the synthetic approach: an average improvement of 8.7% when comparing the locally calibrated and naïve estimates. Using real AADPTs and very limited samples for local calibration, Model C also presented the best performance: an average improvement of 35.0%.
Performance and Professional Identity Construal in Inter-industry Networking Using Four Identity Categories
Authors: Militello Jacqueline
Published: November 2023

‘What do you do?’ is a stereotypical networking question. How professionals answer acquaintancing questions like this when first meeting sheds light on how identity is construed. Using data from a naturally occurring networking event for elite professional services in Hong Kong, this paper uses a close study of interaction and follow-up interviews to identify and examine proximal networking mechanisms and processes. Consistently, participants used some amalgam of emblems, things that convey a social persona, from four different categories: industry (e.g., finance), professional role (e.g., FX trader), organizational affiliation (e.g., Morgan Stanley), and hierarchical position (e.g., associate). These generate evaluations of projected/absent instrumental gain, holistic eliteness, ‘interestingness’, and social proficiency (based on how they are deployed), resulting in symbolic capital transforming into (un)realized and projectible material outcomes. Theoretically, these findings contribute to our understanding of networking mechanisms. Practically, they can improve self-presentation, inform organizations of exclusionary effects, and enhance networking strategies.