bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanotechnology for Nanophytopathogens: From Detection to the Management of Plant Viruses
Authors: Singh Rachana , Kuddus Mohammad , Singh Pradhyumna Kumar , Choden Deki
Published: October 2022

Plant viruses are the most destructive pathogens which cause devastating losses to crops due to their diversity in the genome, rapid evolution, mutation or recombination in the genome, and lack of management options. It is important to develop a reliable remedy to improve the management of plant viral diseases in economically important crops. Some reports show the efficiency of metal nanoparticles and engineered nanomaterials and their wide range of applications in nanoagriculture. Currently, there are reports for the use of nanoparticles as an antibacterial and antifungal agent in plants and animals too, but few reports as plant antiviral. “Nanophytovirology” has been emerged as a new branch that covers nanobased management approaches to deal with devastating plant viruses. Varied nanoparticles have specific physicochemical properties that help them to interact in various unique and useful ways with viruses and their vectors along with the host plants. To explore the antiviral role of nanoparticles and for the effective management of plant viruses, it is imperative to understand all minute details such as the concentration/dosage of nanoparticles, time of application, application interval, and their mechanism of action. This review focused on different aspects of metal nanoparticles and metal oxides such as their interaction with plant viruses to explore the antiviral role and the multidimensional perspective of nanotechnology in plant viral disease detection, treatment, and management.
Optimal Control Strategy Model of Marketing Management Based on Consumer Psychology
Authors: Feng Jinfeng
Published: October 2022

This paper uses an optimal control strategy approach to conduct an in-depth study and analysis of consumer psychology and to design marketing management in this way. The process simulation enhances consumer participation in virtual CSR co-creation by enhancing task meaning perceptions, and the outcome simulation weakens consumer participation in virtual CSR co-creation by decreasing task meaning perceptions. Second, the proximity of the target distance positively moderates the relationship between psychological stimulation and task meaning perceptions, with process simulation having a stronger effect on task meaning perceptions at closer target distances than at longer target distances; the proximity of the target distance positively moderates the relationship between psychological simulation and consumer engagement in virtual CSR co-creation, with process simulation having a stronger effect on consumer engagement in virtual CSR co-creation at closer target distances than at longer target distances. The effect of simulation on consumers’ participation in virtual CSR co-creation is stronger at a closer target distance than at a farther target distance. A multi-input and multioutput block diagram structure is proposed in the frequency domain to describe the characteristics of the multisubject system with transfer functions. Males and females accounted for 58.6% and 41.4% of the total sample population, respectively. The entire multisubject system is decomposed according to matrix theory, and the consistency problem of the multisubject system is converted into the stability problem of multiple subsystems. The global stability domain of the distributed PID controller is obtained by finding the stability domain of the PID controller for each subsystem after decomposition and taking the intersection set. The product green preferences of consumers are incorporated into the demand model, and the correlation between the inventory strategy of products, green inputs, and the manufacturer’s confident preferences is investigated. The article considers two models of centralized inventory management and decentralized inventory management for manufacturers and conducts a cross-sectional comparison. The article finds through numerical experiments that the manufacturer’s assertive behavior in most cases makes its gains suffer but is often beneficial for the interests of retailers, overall supply chain efficiency, and environmental friendliness.
Clinicopathological Significance of STAT3 and p-STAT3 among 91 Patients with Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction
Authors: Ma Rui-Jie , Zheng Qi-Ming , Zhang Nan , Sun Zhi-Gang
Published: October 2022

Adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) has increased rapidly worldwide during the last few decades. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical and prognostic characteristics of signal transduction and activator of transcription factor 3(STAT3) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) expression in AEG patients. We retrospectively analyzed the immunohistochemical results of 61 AEG patients and followed up for 5 years, while Western blot was performed on tissues from another 30 AEG patients. The results showed that STAT3 and p-STAT3 were overexpressed in AEG tissues (

P
<
0.05

,

P
<
0.01

). The high expression of STAT3 was significantly associated with the pTNM stage (

P
<
0.05

), and the increased expression of p-STAT3 was significantly associated with depth of invasion (pT), lymph node metastasis (pN), and pTNM stage (

P
<
0.05

,

P
<
0.05

,

P
<
0.05

). The 5-year survival rate for AEG patients was 41.0% and was significantly associated with tumor differentiation, pN, pTNM, and p-STAT3 (

P
<
0.05

,

P
<
0.01

,

P
<
0.05

,

P
<
0.01

). Cox regression analysis confirmed that tumor differentiation, pN, and high expression of p-STAT3 were independent risk factors for the 5-year survival rate in patients with AEG (

P
<
0.05

,

P
<
0.01

,

P
<
0.05

). Our study showed that STAT3 and p-STAT3 play a critical role in AEG development.
Time to First Dressing Change after Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter (PICC) Insertion in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Zeng Yinghua , Li Wenji , Li Xiaojin , Ma Lanlan
Published: October 2022

Background. Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is the most commonly used infusion route for chemotherapy in Chinese breast cancer patients because of its convenience, ease of operation, and many maintenance sites. Objective. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the first dressing change time on the healing of puncture site and the economic and psychological impact in patients with breast cancer after PICC insertion. Methods. From April 2020 to October 2020, 120 patients with PICC intubation after breast cancer surgery were selected as the research objects and divided into test group and the control group with 60 cases in each group according to the random number table method. The time of the first dressing change in the control group was routinely performed within 24 hours after PICC catheter placement, while the first dressing change in test group was performed at 48 hours after catheter placement. The effect of the first dressing change time after PICC catheterization on patients after breast cancer surgery was compared between the two groups. Results. There were significant differences between the two groups in the degree of pain after the first dressing change, the degree of oozing at the puncture site within 1 week, the duration of oozing, and the frequency of maintenance within 3 weeks, cost, depression, and anxiety (

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. The first dressing change 48 hours after PICC cauterization in patients after breast cancer surgery reduces significantly puncture site bleeding, reduces the frequency of dressing change, and benefits the physical and mental health of patients.
Identifying Influencing Factors of Road Accidents in Emerging Road Accident Blackspots
Authors: Athiappan K. , Karthik C. , Rajalaskshmi M. , Subrata Chowdhury , Dastjerdi Hamidreza Rabiei , Liu Yang , Fernández-Campusano Christian , Gheisari Mehdi
Published: October 2022

This study deals with identifying the accident blackspots and the influencing factors causing accidents using factored analysis in a medium‐sized city (Tirunelveli) in India. From the literature review, the geospatial technique to identify the blackspots and the factors causing accidents was used for analysis. The most influencing factors driving the accidents were identified and ranked based on the repetitive occurrence of accidents in the blackspot area. The spearman ranking system showed the correlation among the factors causing accidents. The factor analysis technique was utilized to identify the key factors driving the repetitive accidents and group them. This study will help transportation planners understand the factors causing accidents and take appropriate measures to reduce the casualties in the road construction planning stage and existing conditions.
Efficacy and Safety of Scalp Microneedling in Male Pattern Hair Loss
Authors: Kakizaki Priscila , Contin Leticia Arsie , Barletta Marina , Machado Carla Jorge , Michalany Nilceo Schwery , Valente Neusa Yurico Sakai , Donati Aline
Published: October 2022

Introduction: There are few reports involving scalp microneedling in MPHL patients, and in most of them, physical stimulus is associated with other therapeutic agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and risks of isolated scalp microneedling in MPHL patients. Methods: Thirty patients were included in this randomized single-blinded study and submitted to 4 monthly scalp microneedling sessions. Two different microneedling devices were used: roller (n = 15) and tattoo cartridge (n = 15). Scalp coverage and hair density changes were measured 4 and 16 weeks after the last session. Adverse events were observed throughout the study, and scalp biopsies were performed before and after to investigate scarring changes. Results: Four of 12 participants in the roller group and 2 of 14 participants in the tattoo cartridge group showed an improvement in clinical pictures at the first follow-up visit. Only half of these patients sustained an improvement until the last follow-up visit. No benefit in hair density was observed in either group. No reports of adverse events were made. Neocollagenesis and elastolysis were noted in scalp biopsies. Discussion/Conclusion: Isolated scalp microneedling did not show improvement in scalp coverage or hair density of MPHL participants in this study.
Utilizing Liquid Biopsy for Treatment Management in Bone-Dominant Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Cheng Shirley , Nguyen Edward Tri , Fukui Jami Aya
Published: October 2022

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. In clinical practice, the standard method to confirm metastatic disease and tailor treatment is to biopsy a metastatic site. Bone is the most common metastatic site, occurring in up to 70% of patients with advanced breast cancer. Standard-of-care management includes a needle biopsy with histopathological analysis to confirm tumor status and to evaluate for mutations. However, bone biopsies can be technically challenging and are oftentimes painful for patients. Given the challenges in acquisition and analysis of bone samples in metastatic breast cancer (mBC), a liquid biopsy is a less invasive alternative that can reveal clinically relevant alterations. Here, we report two cases of bone-dominant hormone-positive (HR+) mBC, in which circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) was extracted from blood samples using two different next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms to identify molecular targets for FDA approved treatment. In both patients, PIK3CA mutations were detected and subsequently started on alpelisib along with aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant treatment. These cases demonstrate a feasible real-world clinical application to liquid biopsies.
Reducing Unnecessary Overuse of Medical Services in King Khalid General Hospital in Hafr Albatin Province: The Effect of Choosing Wisely Campaign 2020
Authors: Alsagheir Aeshah , Hassanein Muna Hassan , Helail Abdelkarim Salem , Arafat Marawan
Published: October 2022

Introduction: A Choosing Wisely campaign (CWC) was implemented at King Khalid General Hospital in the Hafr Albatin region of Saudi Arabia to reduce unnecessary overuse of medical services. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the campaign on reducing three specifically targeted services. Methods: The study followed a quasi-experimental pre-post design at the King Khalid General Hospital. The population included all hospital encounters with patients visiting the hospital from October 2019 to January 2020 (preintervention phase) and those visiting during February 2020 (postintervention phase). The collected variables included: the number of patient encounters where creatine kinase-myocardial band analyses was performed, the results of creatine kinase-myocardial band analyses performed, the number of patient encounters where brain computed tomography scans was performed, results of the performed brain computed tomography scans, and the number of patient encounters where amoxicillin clavulanic acid was prescribed. Relative risks were calculated to compare the proportions of the pre- and postintervention periods. Results: Our results showed a reduction in the use of three unnecessary services following the implementation of the CWC coupled with improved diagnostic yield. Postintervention, the proportion of patient encounters where creatine kinase-myocardial band analyses were performed declined from 7.1% to 6% (relative risk: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.78–0.91), and the proportion of creatine kinase-myocardial band analyses that yielded a result suggestive of acute myocardial infarction increased from 27.2% to 45.5% (relative risk: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.5–1.8). The proportion of patient encounters where brain computed tomography scans were performed declined from 12.4% to 9.3% (relative risk: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67–0.83), and the proportion of brain computed tomography scans that yielded abnormal results increased from 22.4% to 37.1% (relative risk: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.4–1.9). The proportion of patient encounters where amoxicillin clavulanic acid was prescribed declined from 79.5% to 54.6% (relative risk: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.67–0.69). Discussion/Conclusions: There was a reduction in the use of three unnecessary services following the implementation of CWC coupled with improved diagnostic yield. Based on these preliminary results, we recommend continuing with the CWC and conducting more robust studies to overcome the limitations of this current study and to assess the long-term effects of the CWC.
Pembrolizumab-Induced Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Authors: Borg Luca , Buhagiar Malcolm , La Ferla Elisa , Pisani David , Said Janabel , Boffa Michael J.
Published: October 2022

Immunotherapy has nowadays become part of the mainstay of treatment for several cancers. In this report, we present a case of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) occurring as a relatively rare complication of pembrolizumab, which is a humanized monoclonal anti-programmed cell death-1 (anti-PD1) IgG4 antibody that targets tumours expressing PDL-1. In our case, this monoclonal antibody (MAB) was being used for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, before being withheld because of this potentially life-threatening reaction. There are no guidelines on the optimal management of TEN, with varying reports on the efficacy on steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and cyclosporin. In this report, we describe a case of TEN following the second dose of three-weekly pembrolizumab in a 50-year-old man, comparing it to four similar cases reported in the literature. It is important that oncologists are aware of this potentially life-threatening adverse reaction of pembrolizumab, as early recognition and treatment of TEN are essential to improve clinical outcome.
Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy Using Metal Artifact Reduction Computed Tomography in a Patient with Prostate Cancer with Bilateral Hip Prostheses: A Case Report
Authors: Takakusagi Yosuke , Takayama Yoshiki , Kusano Yohsuke , Koge Hiroaki , Kano Kio , Shima Satoshi , Tsuchida Keisuke , Mizoguchi Nobutaka , Yoshida Daisaku , Kamada Tadashi , Miyakawa Shin , Imura Koh , Katoh Hiroyuki
Published: October 2022

Carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for prostate cancer is both safe and efficacious; beam range calculations use relative stopping power ratio, which is derived from computed tomography (CT) values. However, hip prostheses are made of high atomic number materials and show severe artifacts on CT images. Therefore, it is not possible to accurately calculate dose distribution for CIRT in patients with prostate cancer with hip prostheses. Here, we describe the management of a 77-year-old man with prostate cancer who had previously undergone bilateral hip replacement. CIRT, in combination with androgen deprivation therapy, was recommended as definitive treatment for prostate cancer. Planning CT, magnetic resonance (MRI), and CT images with metal artifact reduction (MAR) were acquired for CIRT planning. MRI and MAR images were superimposed on the planning CT to delineate target volume and organs at risk. The radiation treatment plan consisted of a total dose of 51.6 Gy (relative biological effect) to be delivered in 12 fractions over 3 weeks, and the patient was irradiated in the supine and prone positions with a vertical beam, on alternating days. CIRT was completed as scheduled. No adverse events were observed during treatment or at 3 months after treatment initiation. While we show that CIRT may be a treatment option for patients with prostate cancer with bilateral hip prostheses, further studies are needed to evaluate treatment efficacy and late toxicity and to determine how CIRT can be administered to patients with prostate cancer with bilateral hip prostheses.
Rineloricaria quilombola: a new species of whiptail catfish (Siluriformes, Loricariidae, Loricariinae) from upper and middle Tocantins River basin, Brazil
Authors: CHAMON CARINE C. , FICHBERG ILANA
Published: October 2022

The genus Rineloricaria comprises 69 valid species and has been considered monophyletic by some authors. The taxonomic history of Rineloricaria is quite complex, especially concerning its wide distribution and morphological plasticity that make it difficult to diagnose and describe new species. Even with the great species-richness of the genus and the huge diversity of the system, the Tocantins-Araguaia River basin hosts only three formally described species of Rineloricaria: R. hasemani, R. lanceolata, and R. osvaldoi, the former is known from lower Tocantins River, R. lanceolata widespread along Amazon basin and the last one restricts to the Araguaia River basin. Recent field expeditions and collection examination revealed an undescribed species of the genus from the upper and middle Tocantins River drainage. The new species is diagnosed among its congeners by having a greater number of premaxillary and dentary teeth (both with up to 15 vs. up to 10 in most congeners). From R. hasemani it is also distinguished by having the edge of snout straight in lateral view and absence of filaments on lower lip. It is also diagnosed from R. lanceolata by having wider cleithral width and a quite different color pattern, lacking a hyalin spot on the base of pectoral and pelvic fins; and from R. osvaldoi by having a lower head depth, triangular head in dorsal view, shorter snout length and other features.
Two species of the genus Anchistrocheles (Bairdioidea: Ostracoda: Crustacea) from Japan and their developmental characteristics for adaptation to interstitial environments
Authors: ITO MISUMI , TSUKAGOSHI AKIRA
Published: October 2022

A new species and an already known species of the genus Anchistrocheles Brady & Norman, 1889 from the Pacific coast of Japan, are described in detail using scanning electron microscopy of the carapaces and soft-part anatomy of the appendages. The new species, Anchistrocheles hayatotanakai sp. nov., is only the second to be described in the genus Anchistrocheles from Japan, and this study is also the first to describe the appendages of A. yamaguchii Yajima, 1987, previously only known as a fossil from Pleistocene strata of the Atsumi Formation in central Japan. The two species are considered to be closely related because they share many common characters in their appendages, but they are distinguishable from each other based on the male and female copulatory organs, furcal chaetotaxy, brush-shaped organs, number of lateral pore systems, and outlines of the carapaces in dorsal view. Ontogenetic changes of carapace sizes were compared between three interstitial species (Anchistrocheles hayatotanakai sp. nov., A. yamaguchii, and Neonesidea sp. I) and an epifaunal species (N. sp. S). The reduction in carapace width was found to be the primary reason for the reduction in the cross-sectional area and is probably related to the adaptation to interstitial environments. The brush-shaped organs located between the 6th pair of limbs are also shown. This study is the first to report the anatomically precise position of these organs.
Atmospheric Boundary Layers over an Oceanic Eddy
Authors: Sullivan Peter P. , McWilliams James C.
Published: October 2022

Imagery and numerical modeling show an abundance of submesoscale oceanic eddies in the upper ocean. Large-eddy simulation (LES) is used to elucidate eddy impacts on the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) forced by winds, convection, and an eddy with varying radius; the maximum azimuthal eddy speed is 1 m s−1. Simulations span the unstable regime −1/L = [0, ∞], where L is the Monin–Obukhov (M–O) stability parameter. A linearized Ekman model and the LES couple ABL winds to an eddy through rough-wall M–O boundary conditions. The eddy currents cause a surface stress anomaly that induces Ekman pumping in a dipole horizontal pattern. The dipole is understood as a consequence of surface winds aligned or opposing surface currents. In free convection a vigorous updraft is found above the eddy center and persists over the ABL depth. Heterogeneity in surface temperature flux is responsible for the full ABL impact. With winds and convection, current stress coupling generates a dipole in surface temperature flux even with constant sea surface temperature. Wind, pressure, and temperature anomalies are sensitive to an eddy under light winds. The eddy impact on ABL secondary circulations is on the order of the convective velocity scale but grows with increasing current speed, decreasing wind, or increasing convection. Flow past an isolated eddy develops a coherent ABL “wake” and secondary circulations for at least five eddy radii downwind. Kinetic energy exchanges by wind work indicate an eddy-killing effect on the oceanic eddy current, but only a spatial rearrangement of the atmospheric wind work.
Comparison of Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation Score Outcomes After Autologous Cartilage Grafts and Latera Nasal Implants
Authors: Clark Christine M. , Hakimi Amir A. , Parsa Keon M. , Tanenbaum Zachary , Wang Haijun , Chu Eugenia , Reilly Michael J.
Published: October 2022

Objective:

To compare quantitative Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores for ACG and Latera implants for nasal valve repair.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent ACG or Latera placement between January 2016 through May 2019 by a single surgeon. Patients who had completed NOSE surveys pre- and post-operatively were identified and eligible for inclusion. Data regarding baseline demographic characteristics, adjunctive surgical procedures, NOSE scores at 1, 3, and 6-month post-operative visits, complications, and total operative time were collected. Unpaired t-tests and linear mixed models were performed to analyze differences between study groups.

Results:

There were 24 and 39 patients who underwent ACG and Latera, respectively, who met eligibility criteria. There were no differences in demographic characteristics or pre-operative baseline NOSE scores (ACG: 65.1 and Latera: 64.4; P = .92) between groups. Mean operative times were not significantly different between groups (ACG: 113 minutes and Latera: 102 minutes; P = .76). Within each group, NOSE scores were significantly improved at each post-operative visit compared to pre-operative baselines. Between groups, mean NOSE scores were lower at each post-operative visit for ACG compared to Latera (1-month ACG: 21.7 and Latera: 45.9, P = .002 ; 3-month ACG: 14.5 and Latera: 39.9, P = .034; 6-month ACG: 8.4 and Latera: 44.2, P = .003).

Conclusions:

Both ACG and Latera offer significant improvements in patient-reported nasal obstruction severity; however, ACG may yield more favorable subjective symptom scores.
Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy in Reflection Configuration for Inorganic and Mineral Pigment Identification
Authors: Artesani Alessia , Lamuraglia Raffaella , Menegazzo Federica , Bonetti Stefano , Traviglia Arianna
Published: October 2022

This work demonstrates terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) in reflection configuration on a class of inorganic and mineral pigments. The technique is validated for pictorial materials against the limitations imposed by the back-reflection of the THz signal, such as weak signal intensity, multiple signal losses and distortion, as well as the current scarce databases. This work provides a detailed description of the experimental procedure and method used for the determination of material absorption coefficient of a group of 10 pigments known to be used in ancient frescoes, that are, Cu-based (azurite, malachite, and Egyptian blue), Pb-based (minium and massicot), Fe-based (iron oxide yellow, dark ochre, hematite, and Pompeii red) pigments and mercury sulfide (cinnabar), and classified the vibrational modes of the molecular oxides and sulfides for material identification. The results of this work showed that the mild signal in reflection configuration does not limit the application of THz-TDS on inorganic and mineral pigments as long as (i) the THz signal is normalized with a highly reflective reference sample, (ii) the secondary reflected signals from inner interfaces are removed with a filtering procedure, and (iii) the limitations at high frequencies imposed by the dynamic range of the instrument are considered. Under these assumptions, we were able to differentiate molecular phases of the same metal and identify azurite, Egyptian blue, minium, and cinnabar, isolating the molecular vibrations up to 125 cm−1. The established approach demonstrated to be reliable, and it can be extended for the study of other materials, well beyond the reach of the heritage domain.
Lessons learned from a gender-specific educational programme supporting young women with experience of domestic abuse
Authors: Warwick-Booth Louise , Coan Susan
Published: October 2022

Background:

Domestic abuse is a public health issue, and increasing evidence suggests that young women are more likely to suffer than older women, yet limited evidence exists in England about educational and intervention programmes for young women at risk.

Study’s objectives:

To evaluate a gender-specific (women-only) programme aimed at educating young women aged 13–25 years about abuse and staying safe in one English city.

Setting:

A third sector (charitable) organisation, aiming to improve women’s health in one English city delivered the programme over a 3-year period, funded by the Big Lottery Fund. Young women received both peer and one-to-one support, to educationally inform them, develop their skills and improve their capabilities in responding to abuse.

Method:

This qualitative evaluation captured the perspectives of young women accessing the programme ( n = 33), exploring the positive difference that it made to their lives. We also captured the views of internal stakeholders in 2018 ( n = 2), then followed up in 2020 ( n = 3), and external stakeholders referring young women to the programme ( n = 8).

Results:

The programme met its aims. Self-reported changes in young women’s lives included increased knowledge about staying safe and being happier. Some young women gained or retained custody of their children, and others exited harmful relationships. Young women identified a range of mechanisms of success including a non-judgemental approach from workers, peer support and a trusted space in which to meet and learn. The programme increased young women’s skills to stay safe while improving their mental wellbeing.

Conclusion:

The programme worked well for young women who accessed it. However, it could not reach all those in need, was only funded in the short-term and tended to individualise the responsibility for staying safe. Further research is needed in other community-based educational programmes to provide evidence of their effectiveness as well as transferrable models for workers in other contexts.
Identification work: Ambivalence, qualms and resistance in social workers’ identification of trafficking victims
Authors: Brunovskis Anette
Published: October 2022

Social workers play a pivotal part in the implementation of human trafficking policies, not least in identification of victims. When assessing who is and who is not a trafficking victim, boundaries are drawn between different groups of people and the human trafficking definition is operationalised. However, the actual practice of trafficking identification has not been sufficiently explored. Based on 12 qualitative interviews with social workers in Norway and taking an institutional ethnographic approach, I argue that a framing of identification as identification work underlines the ongoing assessments and actions that comprise identification, as well as ethical tensions in social workers’ identification practice.
Toward smart composites: Small-scale, untethered prediction and control for soft sensor/actuator systems
Authors: Manzano Sarah A , Sundaram Vani , Xu Artemis , Ly Khoi , Rentschler Mark , Shepherd Robert , Correll Nikolaus
Published: October 2022

We present formulation and open-source tools to achieve in-material model predictive control of sensor/actuator systems using learned forward kinematics and on-device computation. Microcontroller units that compute the prediction and control task while colocated with the sensors and actuators enable in-material untethered behaviors. In this approach, small parameter size neural network models learn forward kinematics offline. Our open-source compiler, nn4mc, generates code to offload these predictions onto MCUs. A Newton-Raphson solver then computes the control input in real time. We first benchmark this nonlinear control approach against a PID controller on a mass-spring-damper simulation. We then study experimental results on two experimental rigs with different sensing, actuation and computational hardware: a tendon-based platform with embedded LightLace sensors and a HASEL-based platform with magnetic sensors. Experimental results indicate effective high-bandwidth tracking of reference paths (≥120 Hz) with a small memory footprint (≤6.4% of flash memory). The measured path following error does not exceed 2mm in the tendon-based platform. The simulated path following error does not exceed 1mm in the HASEL-based platform. The mean power consumption of this approach in an ARM Cortex-M4f device is 45.4 mW. This control approach is also compatible with Tensorflow Lite models and equivalent on-device code. In-material intelligence enables a new class of composites that infuse autonomy into structures and systems with refined artificial proprioception.
Are positive farmers more productive? Investigating the relationship between positivity ratio and agricultural productivity
Authors: Bukchin-Peles Shira
Published: October 2022

Lagging agricultural productivity performance in developing countries is a significant barrier to economic development and achieving food security. Rather than focusing on commonly researched socioeconomic and physical factors hindering productivity enhancement, we follow a new perspective, investigating intangible and non-material dimensions of agriculture that are generally missing from the literature. We suggest a relation between farmers’ positivity level (ratio of positive to negative emotions) and agricultural productivity. This hypothesis's theoretical roots lie in the broaden-and-build theory, which argues that the positivity level is at the core of psychological flourishing and significantly impacts social and intellectual abilities. Several existing models link positive emotions to productivity in other sectors, mainly in the developed world. Through a comprehensive literature review, we first set the theoretical framework for suggesting that this relationship is also relevant for small-scale agriculture development. We then put this hypothesis to an empirical test in a field study in Nepal. We used a face-to-face questionnaire to collect data from 262 smallholders in the Jhapa district. Productivity measures included annual income from agriculture per area, total annual income from agriculture, vegetable harvest per area, and subjective perception of relative farming level- ranked by the farmer. Four regression models of the collected data revealed a link between a high positivity ratio and all four productivity measures. Besides its theoretical and empirical contribution, this study's importance lies in its practical implications and potential to have a social impact.
Artificial Intelligence and the Political Legitimacy of Global Governance
Authors: Erman Eva , Furendal Markus
Published: October 2022

Although the concept of “AI governance” is frequently used in the debate, it is still rather undertheorized. Often it seems to refer to the mechanisms and structures needed to avoid “bad” outcomes and achieve “good” outcomes with regard to the ethical problems artificial intelligence is thought to actualize. In this article we argue that, although this outcome-focused view captures one important aspect of “good governance,” its emphasis on effects runs the risk of overlooking important procedural aspects of good AI governance. One of the most important properties of good AI governance is political legitimacy. Starting out from the assumptions that AI governance should be seen as global in scope and that political legitimacy requires at least a democratic minimum, this article has a twofold aim: to develop a theoretical framework for theorizing the political legitimacy of global AI governance, and to demonstrate how it can be used as a compass for critially assessing the legitimacy of actual instances of global AI governance. Elaborating on a distinction between “governance by AI” and “governance of AI” in relation to different kinds of authority and different kinds of decision-making leads us to the conclusions that much of the existing global AI governance lacks important properties necessary for political legitimacy, and that political legitimacy would be negatively impacted if we handed over certain forms of decision-making to artificial intelligence systems.
Prevalence, risk factors and effectiveness of falls prevention interventions for adults living with Mild Cognitive Impairment in the community: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hopkins Jane , Hill Keith , Jacques Angela , Burton Elissa
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To identify falls prevalence, falls risk factors and evaluate the effectiveness of falls prevention interventions for community-dwelling people with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Data sources

Peer-reviewed articles (inception to 4 August 2022) from PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, EMBASE, Scopus, SportDiscus and the Cochrane library.

Review methods

All types of methodological approaches were considered. Inclusion criteria were community-dwelling; diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment; aged 50+ years. Interventions needed to include falls prevention programs aiming to reduce falls and/or risk of falls. Outcomes of interest included number and/or rate of falls, falls prevalence and falls risk factors. For controlled trials, any control group was included. Quality assessment was completed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias Tool for randomized controlled trials and the Standard Quality Assessment Criteria for Evaluating Primary Research Papers from a Variety of Fields for all other studies. Where statistical data pooling was not possible, narrative synthesis was used to present data in tables and figures.

Results

Forty-seven studies were included. Prevalence of falls was 43% when data were gathered prospectively for 12 months. Confirmed falls risk factors included slow gait, dual-tasking, postural control and non-amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment. Few studies evaluated interventions to reduce falls. Six meta-analyses were conducted, no significant reduction in falls was found.

Conclusions

Until further high-quality, adequately powered studies are available to guide practice, best practice guidelines recommend balance training as a core component of falls prevention programs for older people generally, as well as people with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
Traditional Midwifery Contribution to Safe Birth in Cultural Safety: Narrative Evaluation of an Intervention in Guerrero, Mexico
Authors: Sarmiento Iván , Paredes-Solís Sergio , De Jesús-García Abraham , Maciel-Paulino Nadia , Meneses-Rentería Alba , Amaya Carolina , Cockcroft Anne , Andersson Neil
Published: October 2022

A 2017 randomised controlled trial in Guerrero State, Mexico, showed supporting Indigenous traditional midwives on their own terms improved traditional childbirths without inferior maternal health outcomes. This narrative evaluation complements the trial to document participant experience of safer birth in cultural safety, transformative dynamics and implementation issues of the intervention. Stories came from 26 traditional midwives, 28 apprentices, 12 intercultural brokers and 20 Indigenous women who experienced the intervention. Their accounts indicate the intervention revitalised traditional midwifery and consolidated local skills through traditional midwife apprentices and intercultural brokers to support safe birth. According to the stories, communities reintroduced traditional perinatal care and reported positive health impacts for mothers, children, and other adults, which contributed to early collaboration with official health services. Challenges included remuneration and disinterest of younger apprentices and brokers. The intervention seems to have improved interaction between traditional and Western services, setting the stage for further intercultural dialogue.
Socially Responsible Marketing: Toward Aligning Dharma (Duties), Karma (Actions), and Eudaimonia (Well-Being)
Authors: Sheth Jagdish N. , Parvatiyar Atul
Published: October 2022

Laczniak and Shultz, in their recent article in the Journal of Macromarketing, provide a robust framework and a comprehensive definition of socially responsible marketing (SRM) anchored on macro-normative ethical perspectives. The explicit purpose of offering this framework and definition is to provide a roadmap to create a better world. Recognizing that marketing has a vital role in enabling the societal goal of achieving well-being and thriving, we offer some additional perspectives in this commentary. Essentially, we suggest how the SRM doctrine can be enriched and enlarged by explicitly aligning societal goals of eudaimonia (well-being) with marketing's moral duties and actions. To do so, we reconcile ethical ideas in Asian and Western philosophies as to how they may help us clarify the requisite SRM behavior. We also look at the developments in evolutionary psychology and developmental biology as to the proper criteria for evaluating the success of SRM behavior.
Precarious Employment during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Disability-Related Discrimination, and Mental Health
Authors: Brown Robyn Lewis , Ciciurkaite Gabriele
Published: October 2022

Drawing on separate strands of research documenting the psychological consequences of (a) precarious employment and other challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and (b) ableism, this study incorporates both into an examination of disability-based differences in the joint significance of discrimination and work precarity during the pandemic for mental health. Analyses utilizing data from a regional survey of people with and without disabilities in the Intermountain West (N = 2,012) provide evidence that precarious employment, greater discrimination, and disability independently predict depressive symptoms. Further, in the context of greater discrimination, more precarious employment is found to have greater significance for people with disabilities compared to those who are not currently disabled. These findings challenge us to think about how we engage in research concerning ableism and macro-level stressors, and underscore the role of power structures and positionality in shaping the psychological impact of employment challenges experienced during the pandemic.
Creating a Dementia Friendly Community in an African American Neighborhood: Perspectives of People Living with Dementia, Care Partners, Stakeholders, and Community Residents
Authors: Bergeron Caroline D. , Robinson Maisha T. , Willis Floyd B. , Albertie Monica L. , Wainwright Jolita D. , Fudge Michelle R. , Parfitt Francine C. , Lucas John A.
Published: October 2022

A dementia friendly community allows people with dementia and their care partners to remain engaged in their community well into the disease. This study presents the results of primary research aimed at exploring perceptions regarding building a dementia friendly community in an African American neighborhood in northeast Florida. Twelve focus groups and five interviews were conducted with people living with dementia, informal and formal care partners, community stakeholders and neighborhood residents, and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Three main themes emerged from the analyses, including (1) perceived needs, (2) facilitators and barriers to being dementia friendly, and (3) opportunities for the community to become more dementia friendly. Study findings highlight the unique needs of a single African American neighborhood and the importance of culturally tailoring the dementia friendly model to diverse communities.
Identification and selection of suitable landfill sites using GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis in the Peshawar District, Pakistan
Authors: Ali Iftikhar , Islam Aneeza , Ali Syeda Maria , Adnan Syed
Published: October 2022

Managing municipal solid waste (MSW) is indispensable for public health and quality living standards in urban and rural environments. Suitable landfill site selection (LSS) requires the consideration of many diverse criteria. This study uses various environmental, social and economic criteria in a sophisticated multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) within the geographical information system (GIS) and aims to provide a scientific basis for the identification of suitable landfill sites which can efficiently be used for MSW in one of the most urbanized cities (Peshawar district) in Pakistan. The methodology involves pairwise comparisons of the selected and ranked criteria using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). A weighted linear combination (WLC) was applied to generate the most suitable landfill site for MSW disposal within the study area. The results show that approximately 11.4% (14,485.15 ha) and 16.6% (21,211.95 ha) of the total study area are either very highly suitable or highly suitable, 20.8% (26,525.56 ha) area is unsuitable and the remaining areas are either low (27.3%; 34,834.84 ha) or moderately suitable (23.8%; 30,356.84 ha) for the construction of landfill sites. It is recommended that using the proposed landfill sites would have the least consequences of public health risks and environmental degradation.
Dimethyl ether (DME)
Authors:   Workplace Environmental Exposure Level (WEEL) Committee,   Occupational Alliance for Risk Science (OARS),   Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment (TERA)
Published: October 2022

The WEEL guide for dimethyl ether (DME) was originally established in 1996 and updated in 2010. Literature searches to identify new toxicity information were performed in November 2020 and evaluated by the WEEL Revisions Subcommittee. No new studies or data relevant to the WEEL guide were identified. DME has very low acute inhalation toxicity with a 4 h LC50 in rats of 164,000 ppm, and a cardiac sensitization threshold in dogs of >200,000 ppm. In repeated inhalation studies of up to 2 years in the rat, DME was not carcinogenic and produced minimal toxicity at 25,000 and 10,000 ppm: the NOAEC was 2000 ppm. DME was not teratogenic in pregnant rats up to 40,000 ppm; slight maternal and fetal toxicity were observed at >5000 ppm. DME was not mutagenic in vitro or in vivo. The primary finding with inhalation exposure was a reversible CNS depression. Based on a clear NOAEC of 2000 ppm for all effects in a lifetime inhalation study in rats, and the general low level of toxicity found in acute and subchronic toxicity studies, a WEEL of 1000 ppm (v/v; 8-h time-weighted average) was reaffirmed in 2021 and should provide an adequate margin of safety.
Child Sexual Abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in France: Prevalence and Comparison With Other Social Spheres
Authors: Bajos Nathalie , Ancian Julie , Tricou Josselin , Valendru Axelle , Pousson Jeanna-Eve , Moreau Caroline
Published: October 2022

This study aims to estimate and compare Roman Catholic Church-related child sexual abuse (CSA) prevalence and characteristics to CSA in other social spheres in France since 1950. Using a cross-sectional representative web-based survey of 28,026 adults in 2021, the weighted prevalence of CSA was estimated according to six social spheres of perpetration: family, Church, school, sports club, artistic activities, and summer camps. Altogether, 14.60%, 95% confidence interval [CI: 13.41; 15.80] of female respondents and 6.38% [5.73; 7.03] of male respondents had experienced CSA. Family was the most common social sphere of perpetration (3.55% [3.18; 3.92]), followed by the Church (0.81% [0.62; 0.99] of respondents exposed) and public schools (0.32% [0.23; 0.40] of respondents exposed). Altogether, we estimate 213,000, 95% CI [147,000; 278,000] people were victims of Church CSA since 1950 in France. Church CSA was more common among men than women (1.28% [0.93; 1.64] vs. 0.34% [0.20; 0.48]) while the opposite was true for other social spheres. CSA was overwhelmingly perpetrated by men ranging from 93.37% in the Church to 97.65% in schools. Many victims spoke with someone about these abuses: 41.81% of the Catholic Church compared to 41.25% of school CSA victims and 51.68% of family CSA victims. Results suggest structural factors including gender norms, but also the spiritual authority of the priest and the culture of secrecy contribute to clerical CSA.
Electrical conductivity and tensile properties of carbon nanotube reinforced styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites
Authors: Zhu Ping , Chow Wen Shyang , Rusli Arjulizan
Published: October 2022

In this study, nanocomposites based on styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) filled with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were produced using twin-screw extrusion. Two types of pre-mixing methods were applied to assess the dispersion-ability of the MWCNT. In Method A, the SEBS, MWCNT, and paraffinic process oil were mixed together in one step and fed simultaneously into the hopper for melt extrusion. In Method B, the MWCNT were first mixed with paraffinic process oil before being added to SEBS. The dispersion of MWCNT in SEBS TPE was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The effects of the MWCNT on the electrical resistivity and tensile properties of the SEBS TPE were determined. A balance of tensile properties and electrical properties can be achieved by adding 3 wt% MWCNT into SEBS TPE, especially using Method B. Pre-mixing of MWCNT with paraffinic process oil promotes better dispersibility, higher electrical conductivity, and better tensile properties.