bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated Neutrophil Counts, Triglycerides, Monocyte/High-Density Lipoprotein Ratios, and Lower High-Density Lipoprotein in Patients with Retinal Vein Occlusion
Authors: Pan Meng , Zhou Pengyi , Guo Ju , An Guangqi , Liu Zhenhui , Du Liping , Jin Xuemin
Published: October 2022

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate associations of peripheral blood immune cells and blood lipid profile levels with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods: This retrospective study included 127 patients with RVO and 108 controls. Patients with RVO were divided into branch RVO (BRVO), central RVO (CRVO), ischemic RVO, or nonischemic RVO groups. Medical records were collected and analyzed. Results: The RVO group had higher mean neutrophil, triglyceride (TG), and monocyte/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (MHR) levels and lower HDL levels (p = 0.037, p < 0.001, p = 0.004, and p = 0.002, respectively). TG and MHR levels were significantly higher in the BRVO and CRVO groups compared with the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.016, respectively), but there was no difference in BRVO and CRVO group (p = 0.972 and p = 0.916, respectively). Mean HDL levels were significantly lower in the BRVO and CRVO groups than in the control group (p = 0.005), but the difference between the BRVO group and CRVO group was not significant (p = 0.290). Neutrophils, TG, and MHR were independent risk factors for RVO. HDL was an independent protective factor for RVO. Age was an independent risk factor for ischemic RVO. Conclusions: Lower HDL, and higher neutrophil, TG, and MHR levels are associated with RVO. Age is an independent risk factor for ischemic RVO.
Significados de familia para familias contemporáneas
Authors: Veloza-Morales Martha Cecilia , Forero Beltrán Elcy , Rodríguez-González Jenny Carmiña
Published: October 2022

(analytical)Given the existence of different types of families, and with the aim of understanding the meaning that human beings give to the diverse expressions of family that currently exist, a qualitative narrative study using semi-structured interviews was carried out. Members of 3 different types of families participated: homoparental, families with children who are the result of artificial insemination and families that adopted their children. Five categories emerged from the interviews: the meaning of family, acceptance, parenting, social life and attitudes to the family environment. The study finds that human give meaning to their families based on their experiences without differentiating gender, functions or roles. They demand equal rights for the conformation of the different family types and models, demonstrating the need to broaden perspectives on meanings attributed to family.
Keywords: Family; diverse families; life experiences; parenting.
Plano de metas e diretrizes para o audiovisual: uma análise dos resultados das políticas públicas para o audiovisual no Brasil (2001-2015)
Authors: Santana Sandro Luiz Cardoso
Published: October 2022

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a política cultural para o audiovisual construída neste século à luz das diretrizes, metas e indicadores disponibilizados pelo Plano de Metas e Diretrizes para o Audiovisual. Partindo da hipótese de que, pela primeira vez na história das políticas públicas voltadas para o campo cinematográfico, é proposta uma política cultural que contempla todos os elos da cadeia de valor do audiovisual, o artigo foi construído e delineado tendo como a principal interrogação norteadora: a política cultural desenvolvida para o audiovisual no Brasil, entre os anos de 2001 e 2015, foi capaz de estimular a produção e promover a difusão destes bens culturais? A missão é analisar os acertos e equívocos desta política, tomando como eixo de análise os resultados apresentados pelo PDMA nos elos de produção, distribuição e difusão.
El uso y no uso del condón en mujeres trans de Colombia: un análisis cualitativo desde el modelo IMB
Authors: Quevedo Jorge Eduardo Moncayo , Pérez-Arizabaleta María Del Mar , Sevillano Wilmar Hernán Reyes
Published: October 2022

OBJETIVO Analizar las razones del uso y no uso del condón que tienen las mujeres trans de Colombia desde el modelo de información, motivación y habilidades conductuales (IMB por sus siglas en inglés). MÉTODO Estudio cualitativo en el cual se llevó a cabo el análisis de proceso iterativo. Se realizó un grupo focal de manera presencial y entrevistas a profundidad de manera virtual. RESULTADOS Primer estudio llevado a cabo en Colombia sobre el uso del preservativo en mujeres trans bajo el modelo IMB. En el componente información se identifica que la educación sexual tradicional no tiene un impacto positivo. Respecto a lo motivacional, se destaca la importancia del apoyo y acompañamiento familiar y de las organizaciones de base comunitaria para motivar al cuidado de la salud sexual y el uso del preservativo. Con relación a las habilidades conductuales, se analiza que la desconfianza hacia la pareja sexual y la adquisición de los preservativos promueven su uso. CONCLUSIONES Se hace importante la creación de espacios de educación sexual realizados por y para la población LGBTIQ, acompañados por el saber médico de los centros de salud, para impactar de manera positiva la salud sexual de mujeres trans; se motiva a la realización de estudios con parejas sexuales de mujeres trans para conocer las razones por las cuales solicitan el no uso del preservativo.
Gender gap among highly cited researchers, 2014–2021
Authors: Meho Lokman I.
Published: October 2022

This study examines the extent to which women are represented among the world’s highly cited researchers (HCRs) and explores their representation over time and across fields, regions, and countries. The study identifies 11,842 HCRs in all fields and uses Gender-API, Genderize.Io, Namsor, and the web to identify their gender. Women’s share of HCRs grew from 13.1% in 2014 to 14.0% in 2021; however, the increase is slower than that of women’s representation among the general population of authors. The data show that women’s share of HCRs would need to increase by 100% in health and social sciences, 200% in agriculture, biology, earth, and environmental sciences, 300% in mathematics and physics, and 500% in chemistry, computer science, and engineering to close the gap with men. Women’s representation among all HCRs in North America, Europe, and Oceania ranges from 15% to 18%, compared to a world average of 13.7%. Among countries with the highest number of HCRs, the gender gap is least evident in Switzerland, Brazil, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States and most noticeable in Asian countries. The study reviews factors that can be seen to influence the gender gap among HCRs and makes recommendations for improvement.
Notes on the itinerary, fleet, and collectors of botanical specimens during the 1822–1826 expedition of William Fitz William Owen to South and East Africa, and beyond
Authors: FIGUEIREDO ESTRELA , SMITH GIDEON F.
Published: October 2022

Capt. William Fitz William Owen (1774–1857) was in charge of a British expedition that inter alia surveyed parts of the southern and eastern coasts of Africa from 1822 to 1826. Owen’s fleet had two botanists, successively John Forbes (1798–1823) and Karl Theodor Hilsenberg (1802–1824), on board, but both died early during the expedition. The itinerary of Owen’s expedition was complex and it has been presented differently in botanical literature because of conflicting interpretations of available sources of information. Confusion arose especially because of: (1) a lack of awareness of the existence of three ships—four different ones but three at any one time—in the fleet of Owen; (2) an under appreciation that these ships often sailed separately; (3) a misinterpretation of ‘Mozambique’ which referred to the Island of Mozambique, and not to the present-day country Mozambique; and (4) the unavailability of, and lack of access to, several sources of information. We here complement and correct previously published information. Further details concerning the collectors and the specimens obtained during the expedition are provided.
Biosynthesis of Silver Nano-Drug by Bacillus thuringiensis and Its Potential Application Against Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Producing E. coli
Authors: Gad El-Rab Sanaa M. F. , Halawani Eman M. , Abo-Amer Aly E. , Mohamed Nadia H. , Asiri Ahlam M.
Published: October 2022

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESβL) producing E. coli pose a significant medical challenge. It has spread worldwide, making it as the source of a variety of urinary tract and wound infections. Recently, nanosilver has been widely utilized in the medicinal
applications. We aimed at fabricating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and observing how they affected the ESβL-producing E. coli isolated from different human anatomical regions. Under optimal circumstances, AgNPs were biosynthesized using Bacillus thuringiensis isolated
from raw milk and they were wholly characterized. The AgNPs were occurred to be crystalline and have a stable structure. AgNPs are hexagonal and spherical in form with no considerable agglomeration, according to TEM-results. The particle diameters varied between 13.2 and 36.8 nm. AgNPs and
AgNPs-cotton clothing for wound treatment and self-sterilizing coats were displayed to have an antimicrobial action versus ESβL-producing E. coli. AgNPs, and their application i.e., AgNPs-wound dressing, shown a considerable antibacterial efficiency against ESL-producing
E. coli. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of AgNPs against ESβL-producing E. coli ranged from 7 to 9 μg mL−1, while the MIC of AgNPs with ampicillin was 1.25–4 g mL−1. This is mostly due to the AgNPs plus ampicillin have a synergistic
efficiency, increasing the antibacterial effectiveness of AgNPs by 2–4 times. Our findings implied that the generated AgNPs might be applied as a nano-drug individually or combined with ampicillin against ESβL-producing E. coli.
Advancements of Lutein Extraction from Microalgae Biomass: A Review
Authors: Chen Huiqin , Lu Weidong
Published: October 2022

The demand of lutein is increasing rapidly in the recent years. Apart from marigold flowers, microalgae is widely regarded as sustainable and promising feedstock for lutein production. However, high production cost in microalgae lutein extraction and purification process, is the major
obstacle to the commercialization of microalgae based lutein. In the present work, the typical microalgae species for lutein production and their cell wall structure as well as chemical composition are comprehensively summarized. Furthermore, an extensive overview of the extraction solvents,
intensification technologies and mechanisms of lutein extraction by using deep eutectic solvents are systematically presented and critically compared. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects of microalgae lutein extraction are critically discussed. This review can serve as a useful
and informative reference for the microalgae lutein extraction, aiming to provide a reference for the commercialization of microalgae lutein production.
Benefits of Chemometric and Raman Spectroscopy Applied to the Kinetics of Setting and Early Age Hydration of Cement Paste
Authors: Marchetti Mario , Mechling Jean-Michel , Janvier-Badosa Sarah , Offroy Marc
Published: October 2022

The addition of water is used to past by internal post-curing of hardening cement. Hydration and curing of cementitious are widely identified by non-destructive 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of transverse relaxation time and self-diffusion. However, those non-destructive analytical methodologies do not give a truly chemical characterization of the cement matrix during the hydration and curing process. Indeed, the NMR studies only the water dynamics of hydrating cement with internal post-curing. Recent research indicated chemometrics coupled with Raman spectroscopy allows for a better understanding of chemical processes. Recent advances in computing gave industries and research centers the opportunity to generate cost effective data. In this work, an original method is presented, which uses both a data analysis and a non-invasive, non-destructive Raman monitoring of the hydration reaction of a Portland cement. Data was then analyzed by means of chemometrics methods (principal components analysis (PCA), independent components analysis (ICA), and multivariate curve resolution-alternated least-squares (MCR-ALS) with SIMPLe-to-use Interactive Self-modelling Mixture Analysi (SIMPLISMA) and Orthogonal Projection Approach (OP initialization). Results were compared to the ones obtained with thermogravimetric analysis of this cement paste. Besides the consistency of results from both analytical measurements, chemometrics coupled to Raman spectroscopy accurately revealed the details of the setting without any samples collection. The acquisition frequency allowed a proper identification of the occurrence of each of the various phases involved in the hydration and setting process.
Analysis of Intravenous Insulin Dosing Requirements for Treatment of Severe Hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: White Brittany Noelle , Carter Breanna L. , Bradford Jennifer Lacie
Published: October 2022

Purpose: Insulin infusion therapy is commonly utilized for treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia, however, data supporting a standardized dosing approach is lacking. This study aimed to determine the average initial insulin dose utilized for treatment of hypertriglyceridemia and the associated reduction in serum triglycerides. Methods: This single-center, retrospective, descriptive analysis conducted at an academic medical center included adult hospitalized patients with serum triglyceride levels greater than 1000 mg/dL receiving treatment with an intravenous insulin infusion between November 2017 and August 2020. Data was extracted from the electronic medical record. The primary outcome was the mean weight-based intravenous insulin dose resulting in resolution of hypertriglyceridemia. Secondary outcomes included time to resolution of hypertriglyceridemia, adverse events associated with insulin treatment, incidence of rebound hypertriglyceridemia, and use of additional lipid-lowering therapies. Results: Data from 32 hospital encounters was analyzed. The mean initial triglyceride level was 3229 mg/dL. The average insulin doses observed on days 1 and 2 of therapy were 0.07 and 0.05 units/kg/hour, respectively. The mean percent triglyceride reduction at 48 hours was 40%. Mean time to resolution of hypertriglyceridemia, discontinuation of insulin infusion, or discharge was 5.7 days. Hypoglycemia and hypokalemia were observed in 9% and 29% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study provide new guidance for insulin dosing for hypertriglyceridemia. Serum potassium levels and blood glucose should be monitored closely during therapy.
Response Preparation Affects Cognitive Motor Control
Authors: Andujar Marta , Marc Isabel Beatrice , Giuffrida Valentina , Ferraina Stefano , Brunamonti Emiliano , Pani Pierpaolo
Published: October 2022

Objective

We investigated how the ability to control whether or not to inhibit an action is affected by the response preparation.

Background

The ability to control actions is a central skill to properly behave in complex environments. Increased levels of response preparation are associated with reduced response times, but how they directly affect the ability to control actions is not well explored. We investigated how the response preparation affects the ability to control the generation of actions in the context of a stop selective task.

Method

Participants performed a visuo-motor stop selective task.

Results

We found that an increased level of response preparation reduced the ability to control actions. In the condition with high preparation, we observed shorter response times and increased probability of wrong responses to a request to stop, compared to a condition with a lower level of preparation.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that high response preparation hinders action control.

Application

Understanding the cognitive factors that affect the ability to properly control actions is crucial to develop devices that can be exploited in different contexts such as the aviation, industrial, and military. We demonstrated that subjects’ response preparation is a key factor influencing their ability to flexibly control their reaction to different stimuli. This study offers a suitable paradigm that can be used to investigate which system features in a controlled task promote an optimal balance between response speed and error rate.
Leaving out of necessity or out of ambition? The impact of socio-economic development on factors of youth emigration from countries of South Eastern Europe
Authors: Naterer Andrej , Lavrič Miran
Published: October 2022

Based on survey data from representative national samples of young people, we compared the impact of nine different factors of emigration desire among young people from 10 countries of Southeast Europe. The results show that (1) the impact of factors of necessity decreases with higher levels of Human Development Index (HDI), while factors of ambition tend to have stronger impact. We also found that across all 10 countries, (2) the experience of having been abroad is the strongest predictor of higher emigration desire, and that (3) the emigration desire of young people tends to decrease with higher levels of HDI.
Perceived causes, diagnosis methods and treatment practices of mental illness among traditional healers of the Berta community in Assosa, Ethiopia
Authors: Gutema Boki Tolasa , Mengstie Missaye Mulatie
Published: October 2022

Introduction:

Mental illness is a non-communicable disease that is increasingly contributing to the global burden of diseases and disability. It affects a person’s feelings, thinking, behavior, and daily life functioning.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to explore perceived causes of mental illness, techniques for identifying mental illness, and treatment methods used by traditional healers in the Berta community.

Methods:

The study employed a qualitative research method. Data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews with seven traditional healers who were selected purposefully. We used thematic analysis to present and analyze the data.

Results:

The findings of this study indicated that witchcraft, supernatural power, hereditary, substance use, and food poising as the main perceived causes of mental illness among traditional healers in the Berta community. The traditional healers identify mental illness using different techniques such as patient observation, interviews with a patient’s family, use of religious books, and use of herbals. The traditional healers in the Berta community identify mental illness based on behavioral symptoms like talking about things that don’t make sense, laughing alone, taking off clothes in public places, collecting and carrying dirty materials, eating dirty foods, and harming or intention to harm others.

Conclusions:

The traditional healers in the Berta community use herbals, religious books, and bone divination to guide their treatment of persons with mental illnesses. Some of these traditional healing practices options are peculiar to the Berta Community that are used to diagnosize and treat mental illnesses.

Recommendations:

The traditional healing practices of the Berta community should be recognized, licensed, and supported by the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Food and Drug Administration and Control Authority.
Pandemic Procedures: Adapting Problem-Solving Court (PSC) Operations and Treatment Protocols During COVID-19
Authors: Smith Lindsay R. , Faragó Fanni , Witte James C. , Blue Thomas , Gordon Michael S. , Taxman Faye S.
Published: October 2022

With an ongoing pandemic claiming hundreds of lives a day, it is unclear how COVID-19 has affected court operations, particularly problem-solving courts (PSCs) which have goals rooted in rehabilitation for participants in their programs. Even with practical recommendations from national organizations directing courts on how to manage COVID-19, whether and how PSCs met the needs of PSC participants during this time is underexplored. This study, drawn from a larger national study using a survey of PSC coordinators, examines the COVID-19 responses of PSCs to remain safely operational for participants. A sub-sample of survey respondents (n = 82 PSC coordinators) detailed how the COVID-19 pandemic led to changes to their court and treatment operations amidst the constraints of the pandemic. The courts’ shifts in policy and practice have important impacts for court participants’ treatment retention and success in the PSC program, and these shifts need more in-depth research in the future.
Virtual Reality in Biomedical Education in the sense of the 3Rs
Authors: Lemos Martin , Bell Laura , Deutsch Susanne , Zieglowski Leonie , Ernst Lisa , Fink Daniel , Tolba R. , Bleilevens Christian , Steitz Julia
Published: October 2022

Article 23(2) of EU Directive 2010/63 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes requires staff involved in the care and use of animals to be adequately educated and trained before carrying out procedures. Therefore, the 3Rs (refinement, reduction, and replacement) and knowledge of alternative methods should be part of the education and training itself. For this purpose, the digital learning concept “Virtual Reality (VR) in Biomedical Education” evolved, which successfully combines VR components with classical learning content. Procedures, such as anesthesia induction, substance application, and blood sampling in rats, as well as aspects of the laboratory environment were recorded in 360° videos. The generated VR teaching/learning modules (VR modules) were used to better prepare participants for hands-on training (refinement) or as a complete replacement for a live demonstration; thus, reducing the number of animals used for hands-on skills training (reduction). The current study evaluated users’ experience of the VR modules. Despite little previous VR experience, participants strongly appreciated the VR modules and indicated that they believed VR has the potential to enhance delivery of procedures and demonstrations. Interestingly, participants with previous experience of laboratory animal science were more convinced about VR’s potential to support the 3Rs principle, and endorsed its use for further educational purposes. In conclusion, VR appeared to be highly accepted as a learning/teaching method, indicating its great potential to further replace and reduce the use of animals in experimental animal courses.
Understanding Bereavement Experiences and Coping Among Bereaved Family Caregivers in Singapore: Positive Meaning Reconstruction in the Dual Process Model
Authors: Tey Mei Qi , Lee Geok Ling
Published: October 2022

The aim of this retrospective qualitative study was to examine the bereavement experiences and coping of family caregivers, with the Dual Process Model (DPM) as the theoretical framework. A purposive sample of 15 bereaved family caregivers, who had lived with and/or cared for their dying spouse or parent, were recruited from a local hospice. Using the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach, all one-to-one interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and entered into NVivo 12 Plus software for analysis. The major themes in this study mirrored well-established components of the DPM, including the concept of overload from the revised model. The cognitive processes of meaning making, an integral component of the DPM, were also discovered and put forth as a fifth theme to illustrate reconstruction of positive meaning. This is posited as an adaptive outcome to successful oscillation between loss-oriented and restoration-oriented grieving processes and, hence, leading to implications for bereavement care and support.
Understanding Barriers to Parent Involvement Through a Postcolonial lens: A Case Study of Bahamian Schools
Authors: Bowe Anica G. , Johnson Chenson L.
Published: October 2022

We used the emerging postcolonial frame of plantation pedagogy to understand parent involvement within urban Bahamian schools. We report on survey (parents, n = 377; teachers, n = 96), interviews (n = 33), and forum (n = 17) data to identify barriers and solutions to involvement. Findings demonstrate pervasive plantation ideologies and practices that shape interactions between parents and schools. We discuss our findings in relation to social and economic issues within Bahamian society, school and ministerial bureaucracy, and the metaphor of the inner planation. We make recommendations to teacher education programs.
Understanding the perceived psychosocial impact of father absence on adult women
Authors: Ramatsetse Tshegofatso Pearl , Ross Eleanor
Published: October 2022

Given South Africa’s social, historical, political, and economic landscape which has contributed towards a relatively high prevalence of father absence, particularly in Black families, and the risk of adverse implications for children’s psychosocial development, the issue of absent fathers is an important area for research. However, the differential impact of father absence on the girl child remains relatively under-researched. Hence, the study explored the perceived psychosocial impact of father absence during childhood and adolescence on adult women. A case study research design located within a qualitative research approach was employed and nine adult women aged 18 to 35 years were purposefully recruited from Grobler Park, Johannesburg West for participation in the study. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, three participants were interviewed telephonically and seven face-to-face. The research was guided by Mkhize’s sociocultural psychological tradition and Erikson’s psychosocial development theory. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the collected data. Among the key findings was that the women perceived the experience of father absence to have adversely affected their feelings of belonging and sense of identity, with some participants having suffered emotional and financial challenges. Participants acknowledged a lack of healthy relationships with other men associated with having grown up with an absent father. While most of the women adopted positive coping strategies, a small number resorted to negative coping. There was also recognition of the important roles that social fathers assume in child-rearing. These findings have important implications for promoting positive father-daughter relations.
Illustrating a Pauline Imperative (Phlm. 17): Προσλαμβάνω in P.Mur. 2.115
Authors: Cole Zachary J.
Published: October 2022

This article draws attention to a neglected extrabiblical use of the verb προσλαμβάνω in a documentary text, a Jewish deed of marriage from the early second century CE (P.Mur. 2.115), and suggests its significance for understanding Paul’s appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. Προσλαμβάνω is Paul’s first imperative in his letter to Philemon (Phlm. 17), and many commentators understand it as part of a commercial idiom (‘to take as a business partner’), whether literally or metaphorically. It is argued here that such a reading is unlikely given three factors: the newly attested context of προσλαμβάνω, the predominance of kinship language in Philemon, and the underlying theme of reconciliation.
Fuzzy adaptive observer–based resilient formation control for heterogeneous multiple unmanned aerial vehicles with false data injection attacks and prescribed performance
Authors: Han Bing , Jiang Ju , Yu Chaojun
Published: October 2022

This paper addresses the resilient formation control problem for heterogeneous multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (multi-UAV) under false data injection (FDI) attacks and prescribed performance constraints. The case of both actuator and sensor attacks is considered simultaneously, and the multi-UAV can exchange the information through a directed communication network. A fuzzy adaptive observer (FAO) is first proposed to estimate the FDI attacks and the unmeasurable velocity information for each UAV. In order to transform the formation control of heterogeneous multi-UAV into a trajectory tracking control problem of individual UAVs, a bank of distributed estimators is designed to achieve the leader’s states by only using local information among neighboring UAVs. Then, by incorporating a novel tracking error transform method and fractional-order sliding mode control technique, a resilient prescribed performance tracking controller without velocity measurements is constructed. Furthermore, it is proved that all signals of the closed-loop formation control systems are uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) stable under FDI attacks. Finally, the simulation results are given to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed control strategy.
The Gurkha Knife in Polish Second World War Memoirs
Authors: Stanik Paulina
Published: October 2022

The Second World War created numerous opportunities for intercultural encounters, including contacts between soldiers of the 2nd Polish Corps and the Gurkhas of the British Indian Army. This article focuses on a prominent single element highlighted in Polish war memoirs, the Gurkha khukuri knife. Used as a multi-purpose tool in Nepal, it contributes to the image of fierce Gurkha soldiers, thanks to its reputation as a lethal weapon. The Gurkha knife attracted much attention during the war and seems to have become the most-remembered element of the representation of Nepalis in the Polish Second World War memoirs.
Cognitive and personality variables as predictors of sexism against women in Spanish adolescents
Authors: Oliver Amparo , Navarro-Perez Jose-Javier , Tomás José M , Rodrigo Maria F
Published: October 2022

Previous research on the antecedents of sexism against women have not considered simultaneously the effects of sex, personality, and cognitive variables (need for closure and critical thinking disposition) in relation to sexism. We evaluated whether in adolescence, these indicators could predict sexist attitudes towards women using structural models. The sample comprised 709 Spanish high-school students (mean age = 16.79). 51.5% were female. Sex (being male), need for closure and critical thinking were the most relevant predictors of sexism. The disposition to think critically is as relevant as the motivational dimension of cognition (need for closure) to predict sexism. Multi-group structural models by sex were estimated, and a moderator effect was found between openness to experience and sexism. We suggest future lines of research to disentangle the effects of personality and cognition on sexism and to guide intervention programs to reduce sexist attitudes among adolescents.
Prediction of prognosis and outcome of patients with pulmonary embolism in the emergency department using early warning scores and qSOFA score
Authors: Yolcu Sadiye , Kaya Adem , Yilmaz Nurettin
Published: October 2022

Objective

To determine the prediction ability of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS), National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), and quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score for the prognosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) in the emergency department.

Methods

This retrospective study involved 245 patients with PE. The NEWS, NEWS2, and qSOFA scores were compared according to the hospitalization clinic (ward vs. intensive care unit), hospitalization length (<10 vs. >10 days), severity of embolism (massive vs. submassive), and outcome (discharged vs. died).

Results

The areas under the curve of the NEWS, NEWS2, and qSOFA score for 1-week mortality were 0.854 (sensitivity, 78%; specificity, 73%; cutoff, 7.5; confidence interval, 0.807–0.902), 0.870 (sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 73%; cutoff, 5.5; confidence interval, 0.825–0.915), and 0.789 (sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 51%; cutoff, 0.5; confidence interval, 0.720–0.858), respectively.

Conclusion

The NEWS2 more accurately predicts 1-week mortality than do the NEWS and qSOFA score in patients with PE.
Carceral islands: the rise of the Danish deportation archipelago
Authors: Corry Sigrid
Published: October 2022

This article investigates recent plans for the offshoring and externalisation of the Danish border. It traces a series of proposals launched by the Danish government to establish deportation centres on Danish islands for ‘rejected asylum seekers’ facing criminal charges, as well as the Danish People’s Party’s call for their relocation to Greenland. It reads these plans in conjunction with recent legislation enabling the full externalisation of asylum processing to Rwanda (and/or elsewhere), launched with the stated goal of ‘zero asylum-seeking’ in Denmark. These plans, to expel an unwanted population as far as possible and prevent new arrivals, extend an increasingly carceral and exclusionary border regime.
Gender Stereotypes and Perceptions of Stranger Violence: Attributions of Blame and Motivation
Authors: Phillips Amber , de Roos Melissa S.
Published: October 2022

Violence is a harmful, complex and gendered act that impacts individuals and communities financially, physically, socially and psychologically. Many studies have investigated how and why gender impacts perceptions of intimate partner violence (IPV), but little research has investigated its effect on stranger violence, despite being publicly perceived as causing greater fear and harm. Th is study examines the effects of gender attitudes and stereotypes on perceptions of stranger violence, specifically attributions of blame, affective response, alleged motivations and attitudes regarding the acceptability of violence (in general). Data was collected from 265 United Kingdom (UK) adults using an online survey posted on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Results indicate that like IPV, gender affects perceptions of stranger violence. Male and female perpetrators of stranger violence are perceived differently, and gender differences are evident between male and female participants. Practical implications of the findings are discussed.
The impact of Covid-19 restrictions in Ireland on symptom severity in mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Dolan Claire , McDermott Adam
Published: October 2022

Introduction:

The COVID pandemic and public health restrictions significantly impacted those living with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease due to the curtailment of therapies. Patients attending a single centre movement disorders clinic reported reduced physical activity and quality of life during the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the impact of pandemic restrictions on Parkinson’s Disease symptom severity in people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s Disease.

Method:

A cross-sectional study design with a convenience sample of 20 people living with mild to moderate Parkinson’s Disease was adopted. A telephone survey questionnaire was completed to measure changes in symptom severity on the 14 most common Parkinson’s Disease symptoms. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results:

Nineteen participants completed the survey. Participants frequently reported a decline in nine symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease; bradykinesia, rigidity, walking, sleep, mood, memory, quality of life and fatigue. Nil changes in freezing were reported. No change was reported in the nonmotor symptoms of constipation, speech and pain in 75, 65 and 95% of participants, respectively.

Conclusion:

Findings of this study acknowledge the negative impact of restrictions on the motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Flexibility to access and delivery of service should be considered to mitigate any future potential restrictions.
Recent Legal Developments: Criminal Justice Decisions of the United States Supreme Court, 2021 Term
Authors: Hemmens Craig , Raza Arifa , Mellinger Hillary
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we review and analyze the criminal justice-related decisions of the 2021 term of the United States Supreme Court. We also provide a summary of the Court's voting patterns and opinion authorship. 18 of the Court's 58 decisions touched on criminal justice. There were significant decisions involving the Second Amendment, the Eighth Amendment, and federal criminal statutes. Each of these is discussed in turn.
Deficits in German news coverage of economic and financial crises: A case study of the Italian Sovereign debt crisis
Authors: Teschendorf Victoria Sophie , Otto Kim
Published: October 2022

The German press plays a crucial role in communicating Germany’s economic policy orientation, especially in relevant European discussions. The coverage of the Italian debt crisis in German newspapers/magazine is examined for predefined quality criteria. Findings show deficits in balance, neutrality and analytical quality: German press coverage focusses on few topics, journalists incorporate their value judgments and opinions into news and reports. From the German perspective, there is an obvious bias against the Italian government’s position.
Strategic litigation before the European Committee of Social Rights: Fit for purpose?
Authors: Papadopoulos Nikolaos A.
Published: October 2022

This article examines the structural elements of the Collective Complaints Procedure, seen as an avenue of socio-economic rights strategic litigation, that potentially enable or impede NGOs and trade unions in addressing violations of the European Social Charter before the European Committee of Social Rights. The findings show that the procedure is a unique form of collective redress in the human rights system, with exceptional structural characteristics, which render it an avenue of strategic litigation by its nature. Its main strength lies in that it enables the participation of organisations and vulnerable groups of people that are denied access in political or judicial fora, either at the domestic or supranational level, to deliberate on social policy issues and put pressure on States to address social issues on the basis of economic and social rights.
Shape of U: The Nonmonotonic Relationship Between Object–Location Memory and Expectedness
Authors: Quent Jörn Alexander , Greve Andrea , Henson Richard N.
Published: October 2022

The schema-linked interactions between medial prefrontal and medial temporal lobe (SLIMM) model predicts that memory for object locations is a U-shaped function of the expectancy of those locations. Using immersive virtual reality, we presented participants with 20 objects in locations that varied in their congruency with a kitchen schema. Bayes factors across four experiments (137 adults in total) confirmed the (preregistered) prediction of better memory for highly expected and unexpected locations relative to neutral locations. This U shape was found in location recall and in forced-choice recognition in which the foil locations were matched for expectancy, controlling for the bias toward guessing expected locations. A second prediction was that the two ends of the U shape are associated with different expressions of memory: recollection of unexpected locations and familiarity for expected locations. BFs, propagated across experiments, provided evidence against this second prediction; recollection was associated with both ends of the U shape. These findings further constrain theories about the role of schema in episodic memory.
The effect of extreme temperature on electricity consumption, air pollution, and gross domestic product
Authors: Huang Kuei-Ying , Chiu Yung-ho , Chang Tzu-Han , Lin Tai-Yu
Published: October 2022

The Report: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) set a goal global warming of 1.5°C on global temperature change. Extreme climate changes have increased the demand for electricity consumption by people and enterprises. In fact, China's total power generation in 2019 exceeded 25% of the world's amount, and its thermal power generation accounted for more than 70%. Although past research on electricity efficiency seldom discusses the issue of climate change, the topic still remains important. This research thus considers extreme temperature days (climate change variable) as exogenous variable and uses the Two-Stage Meta Under exogenous undesirable EBM model to examine power efficiency in China. The results are as follows. (1) In the west only Qinghai's GDP, CO2, PM2.5, and electricity consumption have technology gap ratio (TGR) efficiency values of 1 in the 5 years. (2) China's electricity consumption has the same trend with the TGR efficiency of CO2 and is higher than PM2.5. (3) The national overall efficiency, meta overall efficiency, and TGR overall efficiency are the worst in China's west region.
Identification and analysis of the predictive urinary exosomal miR-195-5p in lupus nephritis based on renal miRNA-mRNA co-expression network
Authors: Cheng Chen , Guo Fangfang , Yang Hao , Ma Jietao , Li Honglian , Yin Lele , Li Minmin , Liu Shuwen
Published: October 2022

Objective

Lupus nephritis (LN) is the main complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), causing huge financial burden and poor quality of life. Due to the low compliance of renal biopsy, we aim to find a non-invasive biomarker of LN to optimize its predictive, preventive, and personalized medical service or management.

Method

Herein, we provided a bioinformatic screen combined clinical validation strategy for rapidly mining exosomal miRNAs for LN diagnosis and management. We screened out differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs) in LN database and performed a miRNA-mRNA integrated analysis to select out reliable changed miRNAs in LN tissues by using R and Cytoscape. Urinary exosomes were collected by ultracentrifugation and analyzed by nano-tracking analysis and western blotting. Detection of aquaporin-2 showed the tubular source of urinary exosomes. Urinary exosomal miRNAs were detected by RT-qPCR and the target of miR-195-5p was verified by using bioinformatic, dual-luciferase, and western blotting.

Result

15 miRNAs and their 60 target mRNAs were contained in miRNA-mRNA integrated map. Bioinformatic analysis showed these miRNAs were involved in various cellular biological process. Exosomal miR-195-5p, miR-25-3p, miR-429, and miR-218-5p were verified in a small clinical group (n = 47). Urinary exosomal miR-195-5p, miR-25-3p, and miR-429 were downregulated in patients and miR-195-5p could recognize LN patients from SLE with good sensitivity and specificity, showing good potential in LN disease monitoring and diagnosis.

Conclusion

We analyzed and obtained a series of differential miRNAs in LN kidney tissues and suggested that urinary exosomal miR-195-5p could serve as a novel biomarker in LN. Further, miR-195-5p-CXCL10 axis could be a therapeutic target of LN.
Prevention of Financial Risk: Cash and Inventory as a Catalyst for Working Capital Management for Lifelong Learning of Small-Scale Operators
Authors: Anorue Honesta Chidiebere , Ugwoke Ernest O.
Published: October 2022

Financial risk prevention in businesses entails the ability to discover, analyse and manage any form of financial risks that could affect corporate operations by identifying possible challenges with cash flow, inventories and other resources. This level of protection against these financial risks can be achieved by adopting cash and inventory management strategies. The study was conducted to ascertain cash and inventory as a catalyst for working capital management for prevention of financial risk of small-scale operators. The study employed survey research design with a total of 426 respondents, comprising 336 small-scale enterprise (SSE) operators, 20 accounting lecturers and 70 professional accountants in Imo State using Slovin’s formula and quota sampling technique. To answer the study objectives, mean ([Formula: see text]) and standard deviation were employed to analyse the data, whereas ANOVA was used to test the two null hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The study found that small-scale operators optimise their cash flows by implementing cash and inventory management controls, which assists in predicting and minimising unforeseen expenditures. Based on the findings, it was suggested that small-scale operators should update their knowledge of new technologies and training in order to enhance their competence in managing business cash flow for optimum sustainability.
Solar Energy Policies for Commercial Buildings in India: Perspective of Government Officials
Authors: Jain Meenal , Mital Meenakshi , Syal Matt
Published: October 2022

India is a developing nation with urban populations growing exponentially and rural villages being electrified. Thus, India is expected to have a high growth rate in energy demand over the coming years for which the nation is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Solar energy presents an attractive solution to growing energy challenges as it is abundant, inexhaustible and environment friendly. Many programmes and policies have been initiated at both the national and state level for promoting solar energy across all sectors. This article comprehensively assesses various government initiatives for off-grid solar photovoltaic (SPV)/solar water heating (SWH) systems for commercial establishments and brings forth the government perspective in terms of implementation of these initiatives, need for improvements and the lacunas in availing the incentives. The article also presents suggestions given by government officials for better acceptance and implementation of such initiatives.
Superficial CD34 Positive Fibroblastic Tumour with Myxoid Stroma
Authors: Bruce-Brand Cassandra , Conradie Wilhelmina , Schneider Johann W
Published: October 2022

Superficial CD34 positive fibroblastic tumor is a rare low-grade neoplasm of the skin and subcutis with indolent behavior. This entity has been included in the current World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of soft tissue tumors. Pathological diagnosis can be challenging due to significant morphological overlap with other entities and the large spectrum of CD34 positive tumors. We report a case in a twenty-five male which showed characteristic diagnostic features, but in addition showed myxoid stroma. The presence of myxoid stroma has not been previously emphasized in this entity and broadens the histologic differential diagnosis significantly to include myxoid soft tissue tumors. A subset of these tumors harbor PRDM10-rearrangements, but a defining molecular feature has not yet been described, highlighting the need for further molecular characterization of this potentially genetically heterogenous tumor. Awareness of this entity among surgeons and pathologists is important to prevent misclassification as an aggressive sarcoma and avoid over-treatment.