bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiometabolic, Lifestyle, and Nutritional Factors in Relation to Varicose Veins: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Bruzelius Maria , Damrauer Scott M. , Larsson Susanna C.
Published: October 2021

Background

We conducted a 2‐sample Mendelian randomization study to assess the associations of cardiometabolic, lifestyle, and nutritional factors with varicose veins.

Methods and Results

Independent single‐nucleotide polymorphisms associated with height (positive control), body mass index, type 2 diabetes, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, smoking, alcohol and coffee consumption, 7 circulating vitamins (A, B6, B9, B12, C, 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, and E), and 5 circulating minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, and zinc) at the genome‐wide significance level were used as instrumental variables. Summary‐level data for the genetic associations with varicose veins were obtained from the UK Biobank (8763 cases and 352 431 noncases) and the FinnGen consortium (13 928 cases and 153 951 noncases). Genetically predicted higher height, body mass index, smoking, and circulating iron levels were associated with an increased risk of varicose veins. The odds ratios (ORs) per 1‐SD increase in the exposure were 1.34 (95% CI, 1.25–1.43) for height, 1.39 (95% CI, 1.27–1.52) for body mass index, 1.12 (95% CI, 1.04–1.22) for the prevalence of smoking initiation, and 1.24 (95% CI, 1.16–1.33) for iron. Higher genetically predicted systolic blood pressure and circulating calcium and zinc levels were associated with a reduced risk of varicose veins, whereas the association for systolic blood pressure did not persist after adjustment for genetically predicted height. The OR was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.62–0.92) per 1‐SD increase in calcium levels and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.95–0.98) for zinc.

Conclusions

This study identified several modifiable risk factors for varicose veins.
Plenodomus dezfulensis sp. nov. causing leaf spot of Rapeseed in Iran
Authors: SAFI ATENA , MEHRABI-KOUSHKI MEHDI , FAROKHINEJAD REZA
Published: October 2021

Rapeseed (Brassica napus subsp. napus) is one of the autumn crops in Iran. A new fungal species isolated from internal tissues associating a typical leaf spot of Rapeseed in Dezful (southwestern Iran) was described and illustrated. The sampling and isolation were performed in the late fall of 2019 (during December), which led to obtain the colonies with the similar morphology. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on a combined matrix of the internal transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 including the intervening 5.8S nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS), and partial regions of the β-tubulin (tub2) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) indicated that two isolated strains represent a new Plenodomus species in family Leptosphaeriaceae (Pleosporales). These novel strains formed a sister lineage with P. biglobosus in our phylogenetic analyses, while, observed morphology is distinguished the taxa from P. biglobosus by its pycnidia in having hyphal outgrowths and lacking cylindrical neck. Accordingly, P. dezfulensis sp. nov. was introduced and its pathogenicity was investigated. Pathogenicity test with both P. dezfulensis strains on three-week seedlings of Rapeseed reproduced leaf spot symptoms. These results approve P. dezfulensis as the causal agent of leaf spot observed on Rapeseed in Dezful.
Overview and Applications of the New York State Mesonet Profiler Network
Authors: Shrestha Bhupal , Brotzge J. A. , Wang J. , Bain N. , Thorncroft C. D. , Joseph E. , Freedman J. , Perez S.
Published: October 2021

Vertical profiles of atmospheric temperature, moisture, wind, and aerosols are essential information for weather monitoring and prediction. Their availability, however, is limited in space and time due to the significant resources required to observe them. To fill this gap, the New York State Mesonet (NYSM) Profiler Network has been deployed as a national testbed to facilitate the research, development and evaluation of ground-based profiling technologies and applications. The testbed comprises 17 profiler stations across the state, forming a long-term regional observational network. Each Profiler station is comprised of a ground-based Doppler lidar, a microwave radiometer (MWR) and an environmental Sky Imaging Radiometer (eSIR). Thermodynamic profiles (temperature and humidity) from the MWR; wind and aerosol profiles from the Doppler lidar; and solar radiance and optical depth parameters from the eSIR are collected, processed, disseminated, and archived every 10 minutes. This paper introduces the NYSM Profiler Network and reviews the network design and siting, instrumentation, network operations and maintenance, data and products, and some example applications highlighting the benefits of the network. Some sample applications include improved situational awareness and monitoring of the sea/land breeze, long-range wildfire smoke transport, air quality (PM2.5and AOD) and boundary layer height. Ground-based profiling systems promise a path forward for filling a critical gap in the nation’s observing system with the potential to improve analysis and prediction for many weather-sensitive sectors, such as aviation, ground transportation, health, and wind energy.
Gastrocardiac Fistula as a Complication of Prior Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Hlavaty Joel , Holley Tyler , Tymitz Kevin , Kerlakian George , Meister Katherine
Published: October 2021

Gastrocardiac fistula is a rare, typically fatal, diagnosis which has been reported infrequently in post-esophagectomy patients and, to a much lesser extent, patients with history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This case describes a patient with a history of an eroded adjustable gastric band and subsequent removal with conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass that initially presented with an upper gastrointestinal bleed. She was found to have a transdiaphragmatic fistula between the gastric lumen and left ventricle.
Localization of social science research in selected academic disciplines in South Korea
Authors: Shin Jung Cheol , Huang Jae Woon , Lee Jin-kwon , An Youngeun
Published: October 2021

Social science contributes to social development when theory and research topic are linked to its social context. However, in practice most social scientists in South Korea tend to explain their social issues and problems through mainstream theoretical perspectives that were primarily developed in the West. This study investigates how much social science research is localized in four selected social science disciplines (sociology, political science, public administration, and education) in South Korea. The study analyzes articles published in one representative domestic journal in each discipline to assess the localization of knowledge production during the last three decades (1988–2017). It was found that the local knowledge-base of Korean social science research is relatively weak though it has been continuously increasing during the last three decades. It was also found that knowledge production in social sciences is reliant on Western theory even though the research topics are locally embedded. In addition, the findings revealed that there are noticeable differences between the applied fields (public administration and education) and the pure fields (sociology and political science). Applied fields of public administration and education are more locally embedded than pure fields of sociology and political science. This study proposes that social science research in South Korea should draw more on indigenous knowledge and be less reliant on Western theory in the future.
Coming to Know and Knowing Differently: Implications of Educational Leadership
Authors: Dei (Nana Adusei Sefa Tweneboah) George J. S. , Adhami Asna
Published: October 2021

Our paper will examine the question of counter-hegemonic knowledge production in the Western academy and the responsibilities of the Racialized scholar coming to know and producing knowing to challenge the particularity of Western science knowledge that masquerades as universal knowledge in academia. We engage the topic from a stance examining the coloniality of knowledge in educational leadership by centering Indigenous knowledge systems in the academy as a means to disrupt Euro-colonial hegemonic knowledging. We ask: How do we challenge the “grammar of coloniality” of Western knowledge and affirm the possibilities of a reimagining of “new geographies” and cartographies of knowledge as varied and intersecting ontologies and epistemologies that inform our human condition as “learning experiences, research, and knowledge generation” practices? The paper highlights epistemic possibilities of multicentricity, that is, multiple ways of knowledge as critical to understanding the complete history of ideas and events that have shaped and continue to shape human growth and development. The paper highlights Indigeneity as a salient entry point to producing counter-hegemonic knowing. The paper concludes pointing to implications for educational “re-search” and African educational futurity.
A mental health framework from the voices of refugees
Authors: Kanagaratnam Pushpa , Pandalangat Nalini , Silver Ivan , Toner Brenda
Published: October 2021

Background:

Refugee groups fleeing war and violence and resettling in the West are one of the population groups that are poorly understood. Understanding their mental health challenges and providing effective and evidence-based interventions continue to be formidable challenges.

Aim:

This study presents a refugee mental health framework [RMHF] that was developed to address the gaps in understanding and responding to the needs of refugee populations by prioritizing their voices, and incorporating lessons learned from working with these refugee communities into the development of the framework.

Method:

A RMHF was developed, presented and refined with input from refugee communities, multiple stakeholders and an expert panel.

Results/conclusions:

This paper presents the process and finalized framework, and discusses its utility as a mapping, planning and intervention tool in supporting refugee communities with their resettlement and promoting mental wellbeing.
Robust H∞ control of an uncertain bilateral teleoperation system using dilated LMIs
Authors: Gormus Bilal , Yazici Hakan , Küçükdemiral İbrahim Beklan
Published: October 2021

A robust state-feedback [Formula: see text] controller is proposed for an uncertain bilateral teleoperation system having norm-bounded parametric uncertainties on mass and damping coefficients of the considered master/slave system. The proposed method ensures robust stability and successful reference tracking and force reflection performance. While Lyapunov stability is used to ensures asymptotic stability, the [Formula: see text] norm from exogenous input to the controlled output is utilized in satisfying the reference tracking and force reflection. As two performance objectives and robust stability requirement are conflicting with each other, the proposed controller reduces the associated conservatism with dilated linear matrix inequalities. Standard and dilated linear matrix inequality-based robust [Formula: see text] state-feedback controllers are performed with a one degree of freedom uncertain master/slave system under reference signal and environmental-induced exogenous force. Numerical simulation results show that the dilated linear matrix inequality-based [Formula: see text] control satisfies lower [Formula: see text] norm than a standard [Formula: see text] control. Moreover, the proposed controller demonstrates a very successful performance in achieving performance objectives despite the stringent norm-bounded parameter uncertainties.
Bipartite consensus-based formation control of high-order multi-robot systems with time-varying delays
Authors: Lu Wei , Zong Chengguo , Li Jinliang , Liu Dejian
Published: October 2021

This paper considers a multi-robot formation control scheme for high-order bipartite consensus under time-varying delays. First, a third-order bipartite consensus protocol under time-varying delays is presented, and then a high-order bipartite consensus protocol is extended from it. Then, necessary and sufficient conditions for third-order and high-order multi-agent systems without time-delays are given to attain bipartite consensus following the protocols. Communication time-delays are added to the protocols, and the theory of Lyapunov asymptotic stability is used to obtain sufficient conditions for the multi-agent systems with communication delays to ultimately attain a bipartite consensus. Furthermore, the given protocol is employed for the formation control of multi-robot systems, and a formation control scheme for multi-robot systems with time-varying delays is proposed. Finally, a few simulations are implemented to demonstrate the rationality and availability of the method.
Helpful or Harmful? The Role of Personality Traits in Student Experiences of the COVID-19 Crisis and School Closure
Authors: Iterbeke Kaat , De Witte Kristof
Published: October 2021

Little is known about the individual differences in student experiences and expectations of the COVID-19 crisis and the resulting school closures. Yet, as the crisis may have uniquely impacted students, knowledge about their personalities is highly relevant. In a sample of 347 Flemish students, this study explored the association between personality traits and differences in responses to the crisis. The Big Five personality traits of students were assessed in January 2020, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Students were reassessed in June 2020 with a set of items related to well-being, remote learning, and family and social life. The results suggested that more conscientious students (showing a better perception of remote learning) and more open students (considering the period as an opportunity to learn new skills) adjusted well to the changes induced by the crisis. On the contrary, students high in neuroticism (showing higher stress levels) were harmed.
Long-term outcomes of arthroscopic debridement of the knee in adults with Kashin–Beck disease: an 18-year follow-up
Authors: Jin Zhan-Kui , Xu Cui-Xiang , Dong Xiang-Hui , Ling Ming , Chen Ming , Yi Zhi , Liu Shi-Zhang , Wu Xue-Yuan , Sun Zheng-Ming , Chang Yan-Hai
Published: October 2021

Objective

Kashin–Beck disease (KBD) is an endemic degenerative joint disease with a high disability rate. We retrospectively evaluated the 18-year clinical follow-up outcomes of adult patients with KBD who underwent arthroscopic debridement for knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

Thirty-one patients with KBD (31 knees) underwent arthroscopy for knee osteoarthritis. The visual analog scale (VAS) score, walking distance, knee mobility, and patients’ self-evaluated improvement in clinical symptoms were retrospectively evaluated before and 18 years after the operation.

Results

The patients’ self-evaluated clinical symptoms showed considerable improvement at 2, 6, and 8 years after surgery but deteriorated at 10 and 18 years after surgery. Knee mobility was greater after than before arthroscopy but decreased from 6 to 18 years postoperatively. The VAS score for knee pain was high before the operation, decreased at 2 years postoperatively, increased at 6 years postoperatively, and was significantly lower at 18 years postoperatively than before surgery. The walking distance was significantly longer at 2, 6, and 8 years postoperatively than preoperatively.

Conclusions

Arthroscopic treatment may be an effective therapy for adult patients with KBD who develop knee osteoarthritis. In this study, arthroscopy had a long-term effect on patients with KBD who had Kellgren–Lawrence grade <IV osteoarthritis.
Fiber reinforced thermoplastics compounds for electromagnetic interference shielding applications
Authors: Martins Luís C , Pontes António J
Published: October 2021

Market demands for lightweight and lower cost products drive manufacturers to improve current product portfolios. In the case of electronic devices, the most significant weight originates from the enclosure, traditionally in steel or aluminum, that ensures excellent mechanical and electromagnetic shielding performance. The use of thermoplastics filled with electrically conductive fibers, such as carbon or stainless steel, was investigated as a lightweight and cost-effective alternative to steel sheet for creating electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding enclosures for electronic devices. This paper presents an EMI shielding analysis workflow for the development of plastic enclosures for an electronic device. The workflow starts by measuring the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic compounds shielding effectiveness (SE) with an experimental method in the 30 MHz–3 GHz frequency band. This analysis helps to filter a vast list of materials with a wide range of shielding performance, 20–100 dB, and allows to obtain empirical data for the second phase of the workflow, computer simulations. Simulations with experimentally adjusted material properties were used to validate the design concept of an enclosure in its early development phase. Results from this study showed that the selected material has better EMI SE performance than a steel sheet venting grid.
Public Interest as a Basis for Planning Standards in Urban Development: State-Socialist and Post-socialist Cases in Serbia
Authors: Čolić Nataša , Nedović-Budić Zorica
Published: October 2021

How public interest is constituted in planning practice varies according to the local context. Using state-socialist and post-socialist cases in Belgrade, Serbia, we explore the shift in the realization of public interest as a basis for planning standards regarding provision of public land use and services. The research looks at trends for planning standards on two case studies, and reveals the underlying norms of this local interpretation of public interest via interviews with planning professionals and residents. The results suggest not only the persistence of the top-down unitary approach to public interest in planning but also a deterioration in prescribed standards.
Institutional Deficiencies in Market-Led Residential Redevelopment in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Li Xiang , Wu Hao , Han Sun Sheng
Published: October 2021

Continuous reform efforts in urban China have scaled back direct government intervention by introducing freer land market trials. Anecdotal evidence reveals, however, that the liberal approach has yielded little advantageous result in Shenzhen, where such experiments are pioneered. By building on new institutionalist concepts and analyzing primary and secondary data, this paper demonstrates that deficiencies of formal rules created a policy vacuum, while informal constraints increased project uncertainty. Understanding the interwoven formal and informal institutional deficiencies adds new insights to the literature in explaining project outcomes and urban policy innovations in China’s urban transformation.
Estimating the sample mean and standard deviation from order statistics and sample size in meta-analysis
Authors: Cai Siyu , Zhou Jie , Pan Jianxin
Published: October 2021

In recent years, a growing number of researchers have attempted to overcome the constraints of size and scope in different medical studies to find out the overall treatment effects. As a widespread technique to combine results of multiple studies, commonly used meta-analytic approaches for continuous outcomes demand sample means and standard deviations of primary studies, which are absent sometimes, especially when the outcome is skewed. Instead, the median, the extrema, and/or the quartiles are reported. One feasible solution is to convert the preceding order statistics to demanded statistics to keep effect measures consistent. In this article, we propose new methods based on maximum likelihood estimation for known distributions with unknown parameters. For unknown underlying distributions, the Box–Cox transformation is applied to the reported order statistics so that the techniques for normal distribution can be utilized. Two approaches for estimating the power parameter in Box–Cox transformation are provided. Both simulation studies and real data analysis indicate that in most cases, the proposed methods outperform the existing methods in estimation accuracy.
India @ 75: Science, Technology and Innovation Policies for Development
Authors: Krishna V. V.
Published: October 2021

India was perhaps the only country among the developing world with a colonial past to have organised and established national science community much before it attained its independence. Nehruvian science and technology (S&T) policy in India’s formative years left a distinct imprint in the post-colonial and post-independent India. With a huge population of nearly 1.35 billion people, India is not dependent on food on outside countries since the 1960s. Green and White Revolutions have made immense contribution to develop scientific and technical capacities in agriculture. India’s innovation system, including higher education, has given her some comparative advantage through ‘human capital’ in information technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, space research and so on. In export promotion and economic competitiveness in technology-based industries, we lag compared with East Asian ‘Dragons’. India’s informal sector poses a formidable challenge with more than 95% of the total labour force, about 550 million, 90% of which is 8th class dropouts. When we begin to assess our national innovation system, one feature that stands out to research observers is few islands of excellence and vast ‘hinterlands’ of underdeveloped research potential. There is clearly a gap between theory and practice of science policy in India. Our gross expenditure on research and development as a proportion of gross domestic product remained relatively stagnant and, in fact, receded from 0.8% in the 1990s to 0.7% in 2020. In this period, our neighbour, China, left us far behind in S&T for development.
National Survey of Routine Bathing and Antisepsis Practices in Neonatal Intensive Care Units of India
Authors: Garegrat Reema A. , Banait Nishant , Pareek Prince , Gupta Rajat , Suryawanshi Pradeep
Published: October 2021

Neonatal skin is immature and fragile especially during the first few days of life. Premature and sick babies admitted to neonatal intensive care units are more prone to skin injuries and infections, warranting utmost care of their skin, and appropriate antisepsis measures. This comprehensive survey conducted at national level elucidates the variable practices in neonatal skin care and use of antiseptics in Indian neonatal intensive care units. The survey calls attention to the inconsistencies in these practices and highlights the need of evidence-based practice guidelines focusing on the skin care and use of antisepsis measures in Indian neonatal intensive care units.
Investigating the Relationship Between Export Diversification and River Water Pollution: A Time Series Analysis of the Indian Experience
Authors: Sheikh Aisha , Hassan Owais Ibni
Published: October 2021

This article attempts to test the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) for export diversification and river water pollution (proxied by biochemical oxygen demand) for India during the period from 1986 to 2019. Over the past decade, India’s merchandise exports have been dominated by pollution-intensive industries such as mineral fuels, pharmaceuticals, nuclear reactors, organic chemicals and electrical machinery, iron and steel, and textiles. Additionally, India’s export mix is weakly diversified or a small number of commodities form the merchandise export basket. River water pollution is one of the gravest ecological threats in this country. Although a host of reasons define this ecological devastation, this study attempts to investigate if the weakly diversified, pollution-intensive export basket has any link with biochemical oxygen demand.

Dickey–Fuller (ADF) and Philip–Perron (PP) tests are employed to determine the stationary properties of the variables and the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) cointegration test, as well as the bounds test to check the short- and long-run cointegration.

Findings suggest that (a) export diversification is strongly cointegrated with biochemical oxygen demand both in the short and in the long run, and (b) the conventional inverted U-shaped EKC was not validated. Furthermore, a weakly diversified export basket increases water pollution.

Suggested policy initiatives to combat industrial water pollution include the introduction of economic instruments. The water pollution abatement experience of industrial clusters suggests that radical institutional and governance reforms are paramount for successful policy reforms. Finally, there is a need to reduce the export commodity basket concentration not just to insulate the economy against global dynamics but also for achieving the goal of sustainable development.

JEL: F18, Q56, Q53. Q580
Knowledge and training preference of standard first aid among undergraduates in Hong Kong: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Ng Sze Nok , Tang Lok Kan , Leung Chi Kei , Cheng Chung Yi , Cheung Mei Shan , Lam Yuet Yee , Yeung Leong Ching , Tse Yung Ting , Tai Wing Han , Chau Patsy Pui Hing
Published: October 2021

Introduction:

The study aimed to assess the level of standard first aid knowledge among Hong Kong undergraduates and identify the associated factors, and to examine their attitudes, training preferences and obstacles in first aid training.

Methods:

This cross‐sectional study employed a structured online questionnaire covering demographic data, first aid knowledge assessment and attitude evaluation. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling from August to October 2020. Inclusion criteria included full‐time undergraduates studying for the first degree in Hong Kong and receiving primary and secondary education in Hong Kong. To contrast undergraduates studying medical and non‐medical degrees, a set ratio of 1:1 was employed, and estimated proportions were weighted according to the ratio of medical and non‐medical undergraduates in the population. Unweighted data were used in logistic regressions.

Results:

Among 385 respondents, the weighted proportion of good knowledge of standard first aid was 15.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.6%–18.8%) and that of good attitudes towards standard first aid was 71.3% (95% CI: 66.8%–75.8%). Holding valid or expired standard first aid certificates (valid: odds ratio (OR) = 9.897, p < 0.001; expired: OR = 4.816, p < 0.001) and studying medical‐related degrees (OR = 3.693, p < 0.001) were shown by multiple logistic regression to be associated with good knowledge of standard first aid. Only being a current or past member of first aid cadet teams was associated with a greater likelihood of having good attitudes towards first aid (OR = 2.336, p = 0.047). Respondents proposed standard first aid training should take form of credit‐bearing or non‐credit‐bearing courses in university curriculum, and academic workload should be taken into account when designing training schemes.

Conclusion:

The proportion of undergraduates in Hong Kong with good first aid knowledge was unsatisfactory, but the counterpart with a good attitude was encouraging. Standard first aid training should be proactively provided to all the local undergraduates, regardless of their enrollment in medical‐ or non‐medical‐related degrees.
Mermaids as market creators: Cultural entrepreneurship in an emerging practice
Authors: Strandvad Sara Malou , Davis Tracy C , Dunn Megan
Published: October 2021

With the example of the emergence of professional mermaids, this article shows how primarily young, female enterprising performers developed a new aesthetic category, generated employment from it, and in that way created a market for their services and products. To conceptualize this development, the article employs the Callonian program in market studies into research on cultural entrepreneurship, highlighting that markets are constantly in-the-making and innovation processes cannot be ascribed to the activities of singular “hero figures.” This adds to the existing literature on cultural entrepreneurship by calling attention to collective entrepreneurial practices taking place on the fringes of the cultural sector.
Is there a link between all-cause mortality and economic fluctuations?
Authors: Dadgar Iman , Norström Thor
Published: October 2021

Background: All-cause mortality is a global indicator of the overall health of the population, and its relation to the macro economy is thus of vital interest. The main aim was to estimate the short-term and the long-term impact of macroeconomic change on all-cause mortality. Variations in the unemployment rate were used as indicator of temporary fluctuations in the economy. Methods: We used time-series data for 21 OECD countries spanning the period 1960–2018. We used four outcomes: total mortality (0+), infant mortality (<1), mortality in the age-group 20–64, and old-age mortality (65+). Data on GDP/capita were obtained from the Maddison Project. Unemployment data (% unemployed in the work force) were sourced from Eurostat. We applied error correction modelling to estimate the short-term and the long-term impact of macroeconomic change on all-cause mortality. Results: We found that increases in unemployment were statistically significantly associated with decreases in all mortality outcomes except old-age mortality. Increases in GDP were associated with significant lowering long-term effects on mortality. Conclusions: Our findings, based on data from predominantly affluent countries, suggest that an increase in unemployment leads to a decrease in all-cause mortality. However, economic growth, as indicated by increased GDP, has a long-term protective health impact as indexed by lowered mortality.
Exploring faculty perception on the COVID-19 imposed shift in higher education of Bangladesh: A neoliberal analysis
Authors: Ahmed Sabrina
Published: October 2021

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, governments all around are producing new policy provisions to mitigate the learning gap. Based on the new policy provision, universities switched to online education because social distancing was necessary to stop community transmission of the virus (Crawford et al., 2020). This study aims to explore how faculties perceive the effect of higher education policy response on Bangladeshi students. The paper identifies cost-sharing approach, disregard of policy context, encouragement of global job market competition, decentralisation of management, digitization of education, and individual responsibility as neoliberal features of emergency response. The data were critically analysed to understand the effect of neoliberal features of the emergency response on the university students of Bangladesh from the faculty perspective. The paper argues that the policy response is failing to address the learning gap of the students. Moreover, the implementation of this policy is generating more challenges for students by strengthening the root of social inequality and hindering social mobility.
Exploring Audience Engagement and Critical Narrative Intervention With the Celling Sex Film
Authors: Kendrick Caterina , MacEntee Katie , Flicker Sarah
Published: October 2021

Young women who trade sex experience high rates of stigma that exacerbate existing health inequities. The products of participatory visual methodologies show promising potential for challenging stigma. In total, 15 young women who trade sex created individual brief videos to share their experiences. Following a participatory analysis, the videos were edited into one composite movie to highlight key messages. Eight facilitated screenings (cohosted by participant filmmakers and research team members) were organized with diverse community and health organizations. Audiences were led through a series of interactive writing, drawing, viewing, and discussion activities. Sessions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and inductively analyzed to assess the impacts of the film on audiences. Audience reactions were categorized into four overarching themes to describe main impacts: consciousness raising, commitments to practice and organizational change, effectiveness of the approach, and limitations. Audience responses demonstrated that facilitated screenings can challenge harmful stereotypes and help viewers consider pathways to enact positive change in their personal and professional lives. However, changing deep-rooted patterns of stigma takes time, dedication, and accountability.
Orienting Toward Possibility: Girls and Bisexuality at School
Authors: Mamo Laura , Fields Jessica , Gilbert Jen , Pereira David
Published: October 2021

While many more high school girls identify as bisexual than as lesbian, queer, or other marginalized sexual identities, girls who identify as bisexual remain peripheral to sexuality research and to many sexual health education programs. Nevertheless, research suggests that bisexuality is a distinct claim and experience for girls, marked by highly gendered discourses of sexuality and queerness. Based on the Beyond Bullying Project, a multimedia storytelling project that invited students, teachers, and community members in three U.S. high schools to enter a private booth and share stories of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning) sexuality and gender, this article explores the work the identity “bisexual” and the category “bisexuality” accomplish for girls when claimed for themselves or another or put into circulation at school. We consider the range of meanings and identifications mobilized by bisexuality and, drawing on insights of critical narrative intervention, explore how sexual health and sexuality educators might receive girls’ narratives of bisexuality as capacious and contradictory—as claims to identity, as uncertain gestures toward desire, and as assertions of possibility and resistance. We show that in the assertion of bisexuality, girls align themselves with the surprise of desire and position themselves to resist the disciplining expectations of heteronormative schooling. Critical narrative intervention, with its focus on using stories to challenge the status quo, allows educators and researchers to recognize in girls’ stories of bisexuality, the potential of new approaches to sexual health education and social belonging.
Yarn on yarn abrasion failure mechanism of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber
Authors: Sheng Chunfu , He Guifang , Hu Zhongxian , Chou Chiate , Shi Jiangao , Li Jun , Meng Qingjian , Ning Xin , Wang Liming , Ning Fanggang
Published: October 2021

Yarns of fiber assemblies such as ropes would abrade with each other during repeated stretching or bending. The yarn on yarn abrasion failure is a main reason for the final assembly failure as the result of the relative movement to each other. To explore the influencing factors and failure mechanism, this work, taking the Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber (UHMWPE) as the research object, discussed the influences of abrading frequency and the yarn tension on its abrasion life. Based on the observation and analysis of the rising temperatures from abrasion, the abrasion fragments, and morphology of failed yarns, the heating failure and crack propagation mechanisms were proposed, which provide insights into a variety of UHMWPE product designs and applications.
Worldwide anaesthesia use during endovascular treatment for medium vessel occlusion stroke
Authors: Kappelhof Manon , Ospel Johanna M , Cimflova Petra , Kashani Nima , Singh Nishita , McDonough Rosalie , Sehgal Arshia , Almekhlafi Mohammed A , Fiehler Jens , Chen Michael , Sakai Nobuyuki , Majoie Charles BLM , Goyal Mayank
Published: October 2021

Introduction

The optimal anaesthesia approach for endovascular treatment (EVT) in acute ischaemic stroke is currently unknown. In stroke due to medium vessel occlusions (MeVO), the occluded vessels are particularly small and more difficult to access, especially in restless or uncooperative patients. In these patients, general anaesthesia (GA) may be preferred by physicians to prevent complications due to patient movement. We investigated physicians’ approaches to anaesthesia during EVT for MeVO stroke.

Methods

In a worldwide, case-based, online survey, physicians’ preferred anaesthesia approach during EVT for MeVO stroke was categorized as “initial GA”, “initial GA if necessary” (depending on patient cooperation), “no initial GA, but conversion if necessary” (start with local anaesthesia or conscious sedation), and “no GA”. Preferred anaesthesia approaches were reported overall and stratified by physician and patient characteristics.

Results

A total of 366 survey participants provided 1464 responses to 4 primary MeVO EVT case-scenarios. One-third of responses (489/1464 [33%]) favoured no initial GA, but conversion if necessary. Both initial GA and initial GA if necessary were preferred in 368/1464 (25%) of responses respectively. No GA was favoured in 244/1464 (17%). Occlusion location, respondent specialization (interventional neuroradiology), higher age, and female respondent sex were significantly associated with GA preference. GA was more often used in Europe than in other parts of the world ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Anaesthesia approaches in MeVO EVT vary across world regions and patient and physician factors. Most physicians in this survey preferred to start with local anaesthesia or conscious sedation and convert to GA if necessary.
Transformative Research Methods to Increase Social Impact for Vulnerable Groups and Cultural Minorities
Authors: Mertens Donna M.
Published: October 2021

A transformative lens applied to research increases impact in the form of providing support for actions that increase social, economic, and environmental justice. Researchers who accept the role of supporting transformative change can enhance their abilities to do so through the use of a transformative lens that informs the design, implementation, and use of their research. The transformative ethical assumption informs methodological choices in that the research design consciously focuses on addressing inequities and providing a platform for transformative change. Engagement with members of marginalized and vulnerable communities is critical and needs to be approached in ways that value the knowledge they bring and addresses power inequities. Methodologies that are commensurate with a transformative approach include the use of mixed methods, viewing the role of the researcher as a social change agent, learning from social activism, and employing specific strategies for culturally responsive inclusion, addressing power differences, and planning for sustainability. Examples of research that increased social impact illustrate how these methodologies have been applied: social activism strategies to address structural racism for youth and for Black men in prison; culturally responsive strategies in research affecting members of sexual minorities in countries in which same-sex behaviors are prohibited by law and for incarcerated women; power inequities in research for people living in high poverty, including children in Nicaragua and Indigenous South Africans; and planning for sustainability with Indigenous youth in Canada and farmers in South Africa. The transformative approach to research asks researchers to critically examine their role in sustaining an oppressive status quo and to address the challenges of supporting increased justice.
The nature of perceptual units in Chinese character recognition
Authors: Isselé Joanna , Chetail Fabienne , Content Alain
Published: October 2021

Chinese character recognition is based on a limited set of recurrent stroke patterns. Most Chinese characters are a combination of two or more of these components. To test whether readers are sensitive to combinations of components (or multi-component units [MCUs]) within a character, we conducted two probe detection tasks where participants had to detect the presence of a component in a target character. Critically, some targets contained an MCU that can stand as a character on its own, with its own meaning and sound, while other targets contained an MCU that only exists embedded within other characters (no associated meaning and sound). Participants had more difficulty detecting component probes that were a part of an existing MCU, compared to component probes that belonged to a non-existing MCU. These findings suggest that existing MCUs are a perceptual unit in Chinese character recognition.
Synthesis, isomerization, and DFT studies of five-membered heterocyclic ketoximes
Authors: Su Biyun , Han Qiaoqiao , Li Xiaoteng , Hou Yifan , Wu Jindi , Wang Li , Ding Liqin
Published: October 2021

A homologous series of five-membered heterocyclic ketoximes is synthesized by condensation reactions of 2-acetylpyrrole, 2-acetylthiophene, and 2-acetylfuran with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. These compounds were fully characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, elemental analysis, 1H NMR, IR, UV-Vis, and fluorescence spectra. Interesting isomerization phenomena are observed for these heterocyclic ketoximes by different characterization methods. By means of 1H NMR and X-ray single-crystal diffraction, it was found that 2-acetylpyrrole oxime (1) exists as the Z-type geometric isomer, 2-acetylfuran oxime (3) exists as the E-isomer, while 2-acetylthiophene oxime (2) is identified as a mixture of Z- and E-isomers. To study the above phenomena further, quantum chemical calculations of total energy, dipole moment, EHOMO, ELUMO, and other parameters of each heterocyclic ketoxime were carried out by Density functional theory (DFT). The theoretical calculations were in good accordance with the experimental spectroscopic results.
“Let me tell you what we already know”: Collective memory between culture and interaction
Authors: Van de Putte Thomas
Published: October 2021

This article presents the results of a qualitative micro-study of a 3-minute conversation between a research participant and a researcher. The talk in the interaction concerns the past of the contemporary Polish town of Oświęcim, internationally better known as Auschwitz. Borrowing methods and concepts from interactional sociology and linguistic ethnography, the article demonstrates that people know different cultural narratives about the same past event and are able to move between those narratives when the interactional context requires them to. The combination of micro-discourse analysis with ethnographic detail provides an insight in the entanglement of general cultural meanings and specific interactional dynamics when people attribute meaning to the past. The findings and methodological framework presented in this article also engage in a dialogue with some fundamental critiques on the field of memory studies. These include, among others, the need to connect the micro, meso, and macro, and the individual with the social, and the urge to actively develop and think through methods in memory studies research.
Not on air, but Online: The Labor Conditions of the Digital Journalist in U.S. Local Television Newsrooms
Authors: Higgins-Dobney Carey L.
Published: October 2021

As American news preferences shift from broadcast to digital platforms, corporate-owned local television stations have hired digital teams to keep a growing array of mobile, social, web, and over-the-top platforms updated with revenue-generating and audience-friendly information. Yet, these workers are currently missing from the labor literature. Therefore, this exploratory study uses a political economy framework with a labor focus to begin to understand the day-to-day working conditions of these employees. Interviews outline workload issues including long hours of multitasking and nearly-constant connectivity even when off the clock, sped-up production expectations with a commodified information focus, and limited worker protections. The findings here aim to provide a starting point for digital journalism labor studies moving forward.
Inverting the Wollaston Illusion: Gaze Direction Attracts Perceived Head Orientation
Authors: Hecht Heiko , Wilhelm Ariane , von Castell Christoph
Published: October 2021

In the early 19th century, William H. Wollaston impressed the Royal Society of London with engravings of portraits. He manipulated facial features, such as the nose, and thereby dramatically changed the perceived gaze direction, although the eye region with iris and eye socket had remained unaltered. This Wollaston illusion can be thought of as head orientation attracting perceived gaze direction when the eye region is unchanged. In naturalistic viewing, the eye region changes with head orientation and typically produces a repulsion effect. Here we explore if there is a flip side to the illusion. Does the gaze direction also alter the perceived direction of the head? We used copies of the original drawings and a computer-rendered avatar as stimuli. Gaze direction does indeed alter perceived head orientation. Perceived head orientation is biased toward the direction of gaze.
The prevalence of difficult airway and its associated factors in pediatric patients who underwent surgery under general anesthesia: An observational study
Authors: Amaha Eleni , Haddis Lydia , Aweke Senait , Fenta Efrem
Published: October 2021

Background:

The airway of an anesthetized patient should be secured with an artificial airway for oxygenation or ventilation. Pediatrics are not small adults which means they are different from adults both anatomically and physiologically. This study aims to determine the prevalence of difficult airway and its associated factors in pediatric patients who underwent surgery under general anesthesia in referral hospitals of Addis Ababa.

Methods:

A multi-centered cross-sectional study design was employed. The bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to measure the association between the dependent variable (pediatrics difficult airway) and independent variables. p-value < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

Results:

A total of 290 pediatrics patients were included in this study. The prevalence of difficult airway in pediatrics patients who underwent surgery was 19.7%. In multivariate logistic regression, pediatrics patients less than 2 years of age (adjusted odds ratio = 6.768, 95% confidence interval = 2.024, 22.636), underweight pediatrics patients (adjusted odds ratio = 4.661, 95% confidence interval = 1.196, 18.154), pediatrics patients having anticipated difficult airway (adjusted odds ratio = 18.563, 95% confidence interval = 4.837, 71.248), history of the difficult airway (adjusted odds ratio = 8.351, 95% confidence interval = 2.033, 34.302), the experience of anesthetists less than 4 years of age (adjusted odds ratio = 9.652, 95% confidence interval = 2.910, 32.050) had a significant association with pediatrics difficult airway.

Conclusion:

Being pediatric patients less than 2 years of age, underweight pediatrics patients, having anticipated difficult airway, those anesthetists who do not perform enough pediatric cases were identified as the main factors associated with the greater occurrence of difficult airway in pediatric patients.