bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“We must help them despite who they are…”: healthcare providers’ attitudes and perspectives on care for young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Mwaniki Samuel Waweru , Kaberia Peter Mwenda , Mugo Peter Mwangi , Palanee-Phillips Thesla
Published: October 2023

Background

Compared to young heterosexual men, young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YMSM) face a disproportionate burden of sexual health conditions. This disparity is occasioned by factors such as criminalization and stigmatization of same-sex practices, YMSM’s limited access to non-judgmental and non-discriminatory health services, and challenges associated with healthcare delivery. We explored the attitudes and perspectives of tertiary academic institution-based healthcare providers (HCPs) toward provision of services to YMSM in Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods

In September 2021, six in-person focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with 36 HCPs drawn from six public tertiary academic institutions within the Nairobi metropolis. HCPs were drawn from six cadres: front office staff, nurses, clinicians, counsellors, laboratory technologists, and pharmaceutical technologists. Discussions were conducted in English, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using NVivo version 12.

Results

Analysis showed that despite expressing disapproval of same-sex practices, HCPs recognized their professional duty to provide care to YMSM, voiced challenges they experienced when providing care to YMSM, and suggested possible strategies for improving care for YMSM. Disapproval of same-sex practices mainly stemmed from HCPs’ personal values, societal norms and religious beliefs, though some HCPs identified religious principles such as the golden rule of “treating others as one would want to be treated” as motivation to providing care to YMSM. HCPs did not perceive criminalization of same-sex practices as a barrier to providing care to YMSM. Healthcare delivery challenges included inadequate knowledge and skills, a desire to “convert” YMSM’s perceived deviant homosexual to the normative heterosexual orientation, secondary stigma from other HCPs, and healthcare settings that did not support YMSM to disclose same-sex practices. Suggestions for improving care comprised sensitization and training of HCPs, encouraging more HCP-YMSM interaction, providing YMSM-friendly and inclusive services, and advocacy for YMSM services.

Conclusion

There is need for interventions to improve HCPs’ knowledge of YMSM’s health needs, build skills to respond to these needs, and foster affirming attitudes toward same-sex practices. By so doing, YMSM can hopefully be able to access services that meet their needs, and are non-discriminatory, non-stigmatizing and non-judgmental.
The public health response to a Plasmodium malariae outbreak in Penampang district, Sabah during a COVID-19 movement control order
Authors: Naserrudin Nurul Athirah , Jiee Sam Froze , Habil Bobby , Jantim Anisah , Mohamed Ahmad Firdaus Bin , Dony Jiloris Julian Frederick , Ibrahim Siti Syarifah Akma , Fornace Kimberly M. , Hassan Mohd Rohaizat , Jeffree Mohammad Saffree , Hod Rozita , Culleton Richard , Ahmed Kamruddin
Published: October 2023

Background

Since 2018, no indigenous human malaria cases has been reported in Malaysia. However, during the recent COVID-19 pandemic the World Health Organization is concerned that the pandemic might erode the success of malaria control as there are reports of increase malaria cases in resource limited countries. Little is known how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted malaria in middle-income countries like Malaysia. Here the public health response to a Plasmodium malariae outbreak occurred in a village in Sabah state, Malaysia, during a COVID-19 movement control order is reported.

Methods

An outbreak was declared following the detection of P. malariae in July 2020 and active case detection for malaria was performed by collecting blood samples from residents residing within 2 km radius of Moyog village. Vector prevalence and the efficacy of residual insecticides were determined. Health awareness programmes were implemented to prevent future outbreaks. A survey was conducted among villagers to understand risk behaviour and beliefs concerning malaria.

Results

A total of 5254 blood samples collected from 19 villages. Among them, 19 P. malariae cases were identified, including the index case, which originated from a man who returned from Indonesia. His return from Indonesia and healthcare facilities visit coincided with the movement control order during COVID-19 pandemic when the healthcare facilities stretched its capacity and only serious cases were given priority. Despite the index case being a returnee from a malaria endemic area presenting with mild fever, no malaria test was performed at local healthcare facilities. All cases were symptomatic and uncomplicated except for a pregnant woman with severe malaria. There were no deaths; all patients recovered following treatment with artemether-lumefantrine combination therapy. Anopheles balabacensis and Anopheles barbirostris were detected in ponds, puddles and riverbeds. The survey revealed that fishing and hunting during night, and self-treatment for mild symptoms contributed to the outbreak. Despite the index case being a returnee from a malaria-endemic area presenting with mild fever, no malaria test was performed at local healthcare facilities.

Conclusion

The outbreak occurred during a COVID-19 movement control order, which strained healthcare facilities, prioritizing only serious cases. Healthcare workers need to be more aware of the risk of malaria from individuals who return from malaria endemic areas. To achieve malaria elimination and prevention of disease reintroduction, new strategies that include multisectoral agencies and active community participation are essential for a more sustainable malaria control programme.
Exploring activities and behaviours potentially increases school-age children’s vulnerability to malaria infections in south-eastern Tanzania
Authors: Kihwele Fadhila , Gavana Tegemeo , Makungu Christina , Msuya Hajirani M. , Mlacha Yeromin P. , Govella Nicodem James , Chaki Prosper Pius , Sunguya Bruno Fokas
Published: October 2023

Background

Strengthening malaria control activities in Tanzania has dramatically declined human malaria infections. However, there is an increasing epidemiological shift in the burden on school-age children. The underlying causes for such an epidemiological shift remain unknown in this context. This study explored activities and behaviours that could increase the vulnerability of school-age children to transmission risk to provide insight into protection gap with existing interventions and opportunities for supplementary interventions.

Methods

This cross-sectional study conducted twenty-four focus group discussions (FGDs) in three districts of Rufiji, Kibiti and Kilwa in south-eastern Tanzania. Sixteen FGDs worked with school-age children (13 to 18 years) separating girls and boys and eight FGDs with their parents in mixed-gender groups. A total of 205 community members participated in FGDs across the study area. Of them, 72 participants were parents, while 133 were school-age children (65 boys and 68 girls).

Results

Routine domestic activities such as fetching water, washing kitchen utensils, cooking, and recreational activities such as playing and watching television and studying were the reported activities that kept school-age children outdoors early evening to night hours (between 18:00 and 23:00). Likewise, the social and cultural events including initiation ceremonies and livelihood activities also kept this age group outdoors from late evening to early night and sometimes past midnight hours. Parents migrating to farms from December to June, leaving behind school-age children unsupervised affecting their net use behaviour plus spending more time outdoors at night, and the behaviour of children sprawling legs and hands while sleeping inside treated bed nets were identified as potential risks to infectious mosquito bites.

Conclusion

The risky activities, behaviours, and social events mostly occurring outdoors might increase school-age children’s vulnerability to malaria infections. The findings provide preliminary insight on potential risk factors for persisting transmission. Further studies to quantify the risk behaviour and activities are recommended to establish the magnitude and anticipated impact on supplementary control strategies to control infection in school-age children.
Lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles: a custom-tailored next-generation approach for cancer therapeutics
Authors: Gajbhiye Kavita R. , Salve Rajesh , Narwade Mahavir , Sheikh Afsana , Kesharwani Prashant , Gajbhiye Virendra
Published: October 2023

Lipid-based polymeric nanoparticles are the highly popular carrier systems for cancer drug therapy. But presently, detailed investigations have revealed their flaws as drug delivery carriers. Lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNPs) are advanced core–shell nanoconstructs with a polymeric core region enclosed by a lipidic layer, presumed to be derived from both liposomes and polymeric nanounits. This unique concept is of utmost importance as a combinable drug delivery platform in oncology due to its dual structured character. To add advantage and restrict one’s limitation by other, LPHNPs have been designed so to gain number of advantages such as stability, high loading of cargo, increased biocompatibility, rate-limiting controlled release, and elevated drug half-lives as well as therapeutic effectiveness while minimizing their drawbacks. The outer shell, in particular, can be functionalized in a variety of ways with stimuli-responsive moieties and ligands to provide intelligent holding and for active targeting of antineoplastic medicines, transport of genes, and theragnostic. This review comprehensively provides insight into recent substantial advancements in developing strategies for treating various cancer using LPHNPs. The bioactivity assessment factors have also been highlighted with a discussion of LPHNPs future clinical prospects.

Graphical Abstract
Time-varying effect of postoperative cholesterol profile on long-term outcomes of isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Ayati Aryan , Akbari Kasra , Shafiee Akbar , Zoroufian Arezou , Jalali Arash , Samimi Sahar , Pashang Mina , Hosseini Kaveh , Bagheri Jamshid , Masoudkabir Farzad
Published: October 2023

Background

Controlling cholesterol levels is one of the primary goals of preventing atherosclerotic plaque progression in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This study aimed to investigate the impact of serum cholesterol profile at multiple time points following isolated CABG surgery on long-term patient outcomes.

Method

This retrospective cohort study was conducted on the admission and follow-up data of isolated CABG patients from the Tehran Heart Center registry between 2009 and 2016. The association of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and their ratio as an atherogenic index with major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and all-cause mortality were evaluated using time-varying survival analysis methods.

Result

A total of 18657 patients were included in this analysis. After adjusting for known confounding factors, no significant difference in all-cause mortality and MACCE was observed at different LDL levels. The incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with LDL > 100 mg/dl and LDL < 50 mg/dl was significantly higher than in the control group (P-value = 0.004 and 0.04, respectively). The incidence of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) at LDL > 100 mg/dl was also significantly higher compared to the control group (P -value = 0.033). Lower HDL levels were significantly associated with a higher MACCE (P -value < 0.001), all-cause mortality (P -value < 0.001), ACS (P -value = 0.00), and CVA (P -value = 0.014). The atherogenic index was also directly related to MACCE and all its components (all P-values < 0.001).

Conclusion

LDL/HDL ratio is suggested as a better marker for secondary prevention goals compared to LDL alone in patients undergoing CABG surgery.
Cerium oxide nanoparticles-carrying human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells counteract oxidative damage and facilitate tendon regeneration
Authors: Ren Xunshan , Zhuang Huangming , Zhang Yuelong , Zhou Panghu
Published: October 2023

Background

Tendon injuries have a high incidence and limited treatment options. Stem cell transplantation is essential for several medical conditions like tendon injuries. However, high local concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibit the activity of transplanted stem cells and hinder tendon repair. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONPs) have emerged as antioxidant agents with reproducible reducibility.

Results

In this study, we synthesized polyethylene glycol-packed CeONPs (PEG-CeONPs), which were loaded into the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) to counteract oxidative damage. H2O2 treatment was performed to evaluate the ROS scavenging ability of PEG-CeONPs in hUCMSCs. A rat model of patellar tendon defect was established to assess the effect of PEG-CeONPs-carrying hUCMSCs in vivo. The results showed that PEG-CeONPs exhibited excellent antioxidant activity both inside and outside the hUCMSCs. PEG-CeONPs protect hUCMSCs from senescence and apoptosis under excessive oxidative stress. Transplantation of hUCMSCs loaded with PEG-CeONPs reduced ROS levels in the tendon injury area and facilitated tendon healing. Mechanistically, NFκB activator tumor necrosis factor α and MAPK activator dehydrocrenatine, reversed the therapeutic effect of PEG-CeONPs in hUCMSCs, indicating that PEG-CeONPs act by inhibiting the NFκB and MAPK signaling pathways.

Conclusions

The carriage of the metal antioxidant oxidase PEG-CeONPs maintained the ability of hUCMSCs in the injured area, reduced the ROS levels in the microenvironment, and facilitated tendon regeneration. The data presented herein provide a novel therapeutic strategy for tendon healing and new insights into the use of stem cells for disease treatment.

Graphical Abstract
Bayesian phylodynamic analysis reveals the evolutionary history and the dispersal patterns of citrus tristeza virus in China based on the p25 gene
Authors: Wang Changning , Chen Chaoyun , Chen Yiqun , Zhong Ke , Yi Long
Published: October 2023

Background

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is one of the most serious threats to the citrus industry, and is present in both wild and cultivated citrus. The origin and dispersal patterns of CTV is still poorly understood in China.

Methods

In this study, 524 CTV suspected citrus samples from China were collected, including 354 cultivated citrus samples and 174 wild citrus samples. Finally, 126 CTV coat protein sequences were obtained with time-stamped from 10 citrus origins in China. Bayesian phylodynamic inference were performed for CTV origin and dispersal patterns study in China.

Result

We found that CTV was mainly distributed in southern and coastal areas of China. The substitution rate of CTV was 4.70 × 10− 4 subs/site/year (95% credibility interval: 1.10 × 10− 4 subs/site/year ~ 9.10 × 10− 4 subs/site/year), with a slight increasing trend in CTV populations between 1990 and 2006. The CTV isolates in China shared a most common recent ancestor around 1875 (95% credibility interval: 1676.57 ~ 1961.02). The CTV in China was originated from wild citrus in Hunan and Jiangxi, and then spread from the wild citrus to cultivated citrus in the growing regions of Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Fujian, Zhejiang, Guangxi and Guangdong provinces.

Conclusions

This study has proved that CTV in China was originated from wild citrus in Hunan and Jiangxi. The spatial-temporal distribution and dispersal patterns has uncovered the population and pandemic history of CTV, providing hints toward a better understanding of the spread and origin of CTV in China.
Automating high-throughput screening for anthracnose resistance in common bean using allele specific PCR
Authors: Zaleski-Cox Marysia , Miklas Phillip N. , Soler-Garzón Alvaro , Hoyos-Villegas Valerio
Published: October 2023

Background

Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) provide important protein and calories globally. Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. & Magnus) Briosi & Cavara, 1889) is a major disease in common bean and causes significant yield losses in bean production areas. Screening for markers linked to known disease resistance genes provides useful information for plant breeders to develop improved common bean varieties. The Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) assay is an affordable genetic screening technique that can be used to accelerate breeding programs, but manual DNA extraction and KASP assay preparation are time-consuming. Several KASP markers have been developed for genes involved in resistance to bean anthracnose, which can reduce yield by up to 100%, but their usefulness is hindered by the labor required to screen a significant number of bean lines. Our research objective was to develop publicly available protocols for DNA extraction and KASP assaying using a liquid handling robot (LHR) which would facilitate high-throughput genetic screening with less active human time required. Anthracnose resistance markers were used to compare manual and automated results.

Results

The 12 bean anthracnose differential cultivars were screened for four anthracnose KASP markers linked to the resistance genes Co-1, Co-3 and Co-42 both by hand and with the use of an LHR. A protocol was written for DNA extraction and KASP assay thermocycling to implement the LHR. The LHR protocol reduced the active human screening time of 24 samples from 3h44 to 1h23. KASP calls were consistent across replicates but not always accurate for their known linked resistance genes, suggesting more specific markers still need to be developed. Using an LHR, information from KASP assays can be accumulated with little active human time.

Conclusion

Results suggest that LHRs can be used to expedite time-consuming and tedious lab work such as DNA extraction or PCR plate filling. Notably, LHRs can be used to prepare KASP assays for large sample sizes, facilitating higher throughput use of genetic marker screening tools.
Violence against health care workers in a crisis context: a mixed cross-sectional study in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Makali Samuel Lwamushi , Lembebu Jean Corneille , Boroto Raïssa , Zalinga Christian Chiribagula , Bugugu Daniella , Lurhangire Emmanuel , Rosine Bigirinama , Chimanuka Christine , Mwene-Batu Pacifique , Molima Christian , Mendoza Jessica Ramirez , Ferrari Giovanfrancesco , Merten Sonja , Bisimwa Ghislain
Published: October 2023

Background

Health Care Workers (HCWs) in conflict zones face high levels of violence while also playing a crucial role in assisting the population in distress. For more than two decades, the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), have been wracked by conflict. This study aims to describe the state of violence against HCWs and the potential prevention mechanisms in eastern DRC.

Methods

In North and South Kivu, between February 5 and 21, 2021, we conducted a mixed cross-sectional convergent study in health facilities (health centers and hospitals). An anonymized self-administered questionnaire was sent to HCWs about their experience of violence in the 12 months prior to the study. In-depth individual interviews with HCWs, present on the day of the investigation, were also done to explore their experience of violence. A descriptive analysis of the quantitative data and a thematic analysis of the qualitative data was carried out.

Results

Of a total of 590 participants, 276 (45.9%) reported having experienced violence in the 12 months before the study. In North Kivu, aggressors were more frequently the patients (43.7% vs. 26.5%) and armed group members (14.3% vs. 7.9%) than in South Kivu. Most respondents (93.5%) reported verbal aggression (insults, intimidation, death threats). Other forms of physical aggression including with bare hands (11.2%), firearm (1.81%), and stabbing (4.7%). Only nearly one-tenth of the attacks were officially reported, and among those reported a higher proportion of sanctions was observed in South Kivu (8.5%) than in North Kivu (2.4%). The mechanisms proposed to prevent violence against HCWs were community initiatives and actions to strength the health system.

Conclusions

In Eastern DRC, HCWs face multiple and severe forms of aggression from a variety of individuals. The effects of such levels violence on HCWs and the communities they served could be devastating on the already pressured health system. Policy framework that defines the roles and responsibilities for the protection of HCWs and for the development and implementation of preparedness measures such as training on management of violence are possible solutions to this problem.
CEGA: a method for inferring natural selection by comparative population genomic analysis across species
Authors: Zhao Shilei , Chi Lianjiang , Chen Hua
Published: October 2023

We developed maximum likelihood method for detecting positive selection or balancing selection using multilocus or genomic polymorphism and divergence data from two species. The method is especially useful for investigating natural selection in noncoding regions. Simulations demonstrate that the method outperforms existing methods in detecting both positive and balancing selection. We apply the method to population genomic data from human and chimpanzee. The list of genes identified under selection in the noncoding regions is prominently enriched in pathways related to the brain and nervous system. Therefore, our method will serve as a useful tool for comparative population genomic analysis.
Growth-coupled anaerobic production of isobutanol from glucose in minimal medium with Escherichia coli
Authors: Boecker Simon , Schulze Peter , Klamt Steffen
Published: October 2023

Background

The microbial production of isobutanol holds promise to become a sustainable alternative to fossil-based synthesis routes for this important chemical. Escherichia coli has been considered as one production host, however, due to redox imbalance, growth-coupled anaerobic production of isobutanol from glucose in E. coli is only possible if complex media additives or small amounts of oxygen are provided. These strategies have a negative impact on product yield, productivity, reproducibility, and production costs.

Results

In this study, we propose a strategy based on acetate as co-substrate for resolving the redox imbalance. We constructed the E. coli background strain SB001 (ΔldhA ΔfrdA ΔpflB) with blocked pathways from glucose to alternative fermentation products but with an enabled pathway for acetate uptake and subsequent conversion to ethanol via acetyl-CoA. This strain, if equipped with the isobutanol production plasmid pIBA4, showed robust exponential growth (µ = 0.05 h−1) under anaerobic conditions in minimal glucose medium supplemented with small amounts of acetate. In small-scale batch cultivations, the strain reached a glucose uptake rate of 4.8 mmol gDW−1 h−1, a titer of 74 mM and 89% of the theoretical maximal isobutanol/glucose yield, while secreting only small amounts of ethanol synthesized from acetate. Furthermore, we show that the strain keeps a high metabolic activity also in a pulsed fed-batch bioreactor cultivation, even if cell growth is impaired by the accumulation of isobutanol in the medium.

Conclusions

This study showcases the beneficial utilization of acetate as a co-substrate and redox sink to facilitate growth-coupled production of isobutanol under anaerobic conditions. This approach holds potential for other applications with different production hosts and/or substrate–product combinations.
A Hierarchical Optimized Resource Utilization based Content Placement (HORCP) model for cloud Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
Authors: Sasikumar M. , Jayarin P. Jesu , Vinnarasi F. Sangeetha Francelin
Published: October 2023

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) have grown in popularity as a result of the ongoing development of the Internet and its applications. The workload on streaming media service systems can be significantly decreased with the help of the cooperative edge-cloud computing architecture. In the traditional works, a different types of content placement and routing algorithms are developed for improving the content delivery of cloud systems with reduced delay and cost. But, the majority of existing algorithms facing complexities in terms of increased resource usage, ineffective delivery, and high system designing complexity. Therefore, the proposed work aims to develop a new framework, named as, Hierarchical Optimized Resource Utilization based Content Placement (HORCP) model for cloud CDNs. Here, the Chaotic Krill Herd Optimization (CKHO) method is used to optimize the resource usage for content placement. Then, a Hierarchical Probability Routing (HPR) model is employed to enable a dependable end-to-end data transmission with an optimized routing path. The performance of the proposed HORCP model is validated and compared by using several performance metrics. The obtained results are also compared with current state-of-the-art methodologies in order to show the superiority of the proposed HORCP model. By using the HORCP mechanism, the overall memory usage of the network is reduced to 80%, CPU usage is reduced to 20%, response is minimized to 2 s, and total congestion cost with respect to the network load level is reduced to 100.
A dashboard for the evaluation of the effect of school closures on wellbeing of children and parents
Authors: Brackx Febe , De Smedt Bert , Molenberghs Geert
Published: October 2023

Background

We present a dashboard for the evaluation of the impact of school closures on children and parents during the first wave of the COVID pandemic in 2020 on the various components of wellbeing.

Methods

Starting from an explorative literature search by a team of experts from diverse fields (e.g., epidemiology, virology, psychology, education, sociology), we developed a dashboard that allows for the quick evaluation of the general effect of school closures on various indicators of well-being in different groups and for the quality of the available research, at a time where a crisis is ongoing.

Results

It is concluded that there is evidence that the school closures reduced the transmission of COVID in the first wave in springtime 2020. Nevertheless, a multitude of studies show that the school closures also had a negative impact on different components of wellbeing such as academic achievement, time spent on learning and mental health. Furthermore, the school closures affected not only the children and adolescents, but also the parents that were forced to provide more childcare and help with schoolwork. Longitudinal studies on large representative samples with repeated assessments of wellbeing are necessary to understand the long-term effects of the school closures.

Conclusions

The dashboard provides a first visual overview of the effects of school closures on wellbeing, and can serve as the basis for a future more systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of school closures on wellbeing. It can be considered as a paradigm for rapid obtention of scientific evidence, during a quickly unfolding crisis, also in view of underpinning policy advice.
The Meaning and Purpose Scales (MAPS): development and multi-study validation of short measures of meaningfulness, crisis of meaning, and sources of purpose
Authors: Schnell Tatjana , Danbolt Lars Johan
Published: October 2023

Background

Meaning in life is multidimensional. It encompasses different qualities of meaning, such as meaningfulness, crisis of meaning, or existential indifference, as well as the sources from which people draw meaning, or purpose. For both research and practice, it is of high value to know not only the extent of meaningfulness, or its absence, but also its sources. How do these relate to meaningfulness and mental health? Are they accessible to people of different sociodemographic and economic backgrounds alike? For therapeutic and counseling practice, knowledge of experiences and sources of meaning is needed to support a clearer self-understanding in patients or clients and to encourage them to make authentic life choices. The Meaning and Purpose Scales (MAPS) presented here enable researchers and practitioners to gain insights into these dimensions of meaning in life, and, with only 23 items, to do so in a short time.

Methods

Using five independent and two follow-up samples with a total N of 7,500, this paper examined the MAPS’ internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent, divergent, criterion, factorial, and predictive validity.

Results

Principal axis factoring identified two meaning scales, Meaningfulness and Crisis of Meaning, and five purpose scales, Sustainability, Faith, Security, Community, and Personal Growth. The scales proved consistent, stable over four weeks and two months, and valid in multiple respects. In a representative German population sample, Personal Growth, Sustainability, and Community exhibited large, Faith and Security medium positive relationships with Meaningfulness, whereas Crisis of Meaning showed small to moderate negative correlations. Meaningfulness was positively, and Crisis of Meaning negatively predicted by age, partnership, parenthood, and religious affiliation. Financial hardship correlated positively with Crisis of Meaning and negatively with Meaningfulness, Community, and Personal Growth. Meaningfulness and Crisis of Meaning explained 21%, the sources of purpose 6% of additional variance in general mental distress (PHQ-4), beyond sociodemographics. Except for Faith (unrelated), all sources exhibited moderate negative correlations with the PHQ-4.

Conclusion

As this series of studies demonstrates, the MAPS provide a highly economic and valid assessment of two qualities of meaning, Meaningfulness and Crisis of Meaning, and five sources of purpose: Sustainability, Faith, Security, Community, and Personal Growth.
Standards for structured reporting of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans: best practice recommendations by the Pan Arab Osteoporosis Society
Authors: El Miedany Yasser , El Gaafary Maha , Gadallah Naglaa , Sulimani Riad , AlAli Nadia S. , Alzoubi Ziad , Azim Atef Abdel , Abdulateef Nizar , Adib Gemma , Elwy Mohamed , Al Izzi Mustafa Khalid , El Maghraoui Abdellah , Mahran Safaa , Masri Basel K. , Al Emadi Samar , Abu-Zaid Mohammed Hassan , Saba Elias , Hassan Waleed , El Rakaawi Manal , Otom Ali , Elwakil Walaa
Published: October 2023

Background

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is an important diagnostic test for bone mass status. The aim of this work was to set the standards for structured reporting of DXA measurements in adults within the context of fracture and fall risk assessment.

Results

Two rounds of Delphi were completed. The first Delphi round had a 68% response rate, while round two had a 100% response rate. After round 2, a total of 28 items were obtained, which were classified into three domains. The percentage of people who agreed with the recommendations (ranks 9–7) ranged from 76.5 to 100%. The wording of all 19 clinical standards determined by the scientific committee was agreed upon (i.e., 75% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed).

Conclusion

The DXA scan report is an independent document that contains sufficient information to enable optimal osteoporosis management advised by an experienced healthcare professional. Setting up quality standards for DXA scans not only supports healthcare professionals reporting/interpreting bone densitometry but also meets the parameters outlined in national as well as international guidelines or recommendations for the optimal management of osteoporosis and subsequent prevention of low trauma fractures.
APT weighted imaging in diffuse gliomas
Authors: Nichelli Lucia , Zaiss Moritz , Casagranda Stefano
Published: October 2023

Amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) imaging is a non-invasive molecular MRI technique with a wide range of applications in neuroradiology and particularly neuro-oncology imaging. More than 15 years of pre-clinical experiments and clinical studies have demonstrated that APTw metrics are reproducible and reliable, leading to large-scale clinical acceptance. At present, major vendors of MRI scanners provide APTw sequences upon request. However, most neuroradiologists are unfamiliar with this advanced MRI contrast, its related metrics, and its established added value to patient care. In this manuscript, we present the APTw contrast and illustrate its clinical potential for glioma patients, before and after tumor therapy. We also show common artifacts of APTw imaging and discuss potential limitations and future refinements. Our goal is to suggest how this emerging technique can aid in diffuse gliomas work-up.
Relationship capital mediation in the internationalization
Authors: Deszczyński Bartosz , Dymitrowski Adam , Fonfara Krzysztof
Published: October 2023

Motivation: The cornerstone of this paper is the assumption that in order to accelerate the internationalization process, companies trying to enter foreign markets have to “borrow” relationship capital from one or several mediating agents. The concept of relationship mediating agents fits into the network approach to internationalization and explains why entities with a dense network of connections tend to be more successful than single players.Aim: To examine the phenomenon of relationship capital mediation by different actors (agents) in the internationalization process as to the availability of these agents and their impact on the success of internationalization process.Results: The network perspective on internationalization is refined through the concept of relationship capital mediation. The paper introduces a typology of RCMA and outlines the relationship resources they provide in different timeframes related to the internationalization process, before, during and after the actual business project.
Unstable government revenues in uncertain times: which taxes are especially volatile?
Authors: Karpowicz Andrzej
Published: October 2023

Motivation: External shocks affect the performance of economies. This is especially true recently after COVID-19 pandemics and ongoing war in Ukraine. States struggle to maintain their revenues in order to avoid skyrocketing public debts. Yet, especially now, governments face challenges connected with high uncertainty of inflows from the taxes.Aim: The aim of the article is improvement in understanding of the variability of government revenues sourced from selected taxes binding in the EU Member states as well as the potential reasons for their fluctuations.Results: The calculations are made based on empirical data for EU Members states for the period 1996–2021. There are ten taxes that were considered — both those of key importance for budgets in most jurisdictions as well as some sectoral or specific more niche levies. Study is executed with usage of statistical tools that include calculation of coefficient of variation, modified trend curve estimation with use of Hodrick–Prescott filter, correlation of such trend with empirical data, comparison of coefficient of variation for empirical data with numbers produces by Hodrick–Prescott filter and two-way ANOVA without replications, while controlling for the states. Corporate income taxes, Excise duty as well as most specific and sectoral taxes that include Taxes on capital transfers, Car registration taxes, Taxes on insurance premiums or Tax on lotteries, gambling and betting are generally characterized by greater variability in terms of revenues they provide than Payroll taxes, Real estate taxes or Value added taxes. Due to insufficient research in previous studies in this respect, findings presented in this article may provide for a useful hint for policymakers in further design of optimal tax system that would provide for stable and predictable sources of income to the government.
RECONSTRUCCIÓN PLANIMÉTRICA DE LA CASA DE LA CONTRATACIÓN DE SEVILLA Y DE SU ENTORNO URBANO
Authors: Díaz-Moreno Fernando
Published: October 2023

En este artículo se reconstruye el lugar que sirvió de nexo económico y social entre Europa y América durante los siglos XVI y XVII. El conocimiento de la distribución funcional de este importante edificio de Sevilla, de sus estancias principales, de sus fachadas y accesos, ha revelado el carácter orgánico de su evolución constructiva, adaptándose a las necesidades que requería la institución en cada momento, así como la naturaleza permeable de su relación con el entorno urbano, capaz de enlazar el edificio con el sistema de espacios públicos de la ciudad.
EMBLEMAS MUSICALES: CANON Y RESONANCIA
Authors: Galán Montemayor Carmen Fernández , Padilla Medina Karen Arantxa
Published: October 2023

La emblemática como tipo textual híbrido articula múltiples códigos visuales y escritos en una estructura tripartita establecida en Alciato. En este trabajo se presenta la teorización de un cuarto código que se integra al género tradicional: la música, y que se manifestó en la alquimia y en los libros de facistol. La emblemática musical eleva el funcionamiento de la redundancia y el doble anclaje semántico con la idea de resonancia. El canon como forma cíclica en un contexto ritual y pedagógico confiere al libro de facistol más de una función. Para explicar los itinerarios de lectura se toma el ejemplo de Juan del Vado en su obra para Carlos II.
JUAN DE HERRADOS BEZES, ESCULTOR, VECINO DE TRIANA (†1649)
Authors: Quiles García Fernando
Published: October 2023

Juan de Herrados es un escultor poco conocido, establecido en la collación de Triana, en un medio próspero, donde se asentaron muchos de quienes se vincularon de un modo u otro a la flota de Indias, y, además, tuvieron taller numerosos artistas.
CASA DEL ALMIRANTE EN CÁDIZ. NUEVAS APORTACIONES SOBRE SU PORTADA EN MÁRMOL Y LA ORNAMENTACIÓN ORIGINAL DE LOS PARAMENTOS
Authors: de-la-Sierra Juan Alonso
Published: October 2023

La Casa del Almirante es una de las construcciones más representativas de la arquitectura doméstica local de finales del siglo XVII y en su conjunto destaca la gran portada de mármol, considerada de origen genovés. Nuevos datos documentales y la relectura de otros conocidos, permiten confirmar que los autores de sus dos fases constructivas fueron maestros de obras y canteros españoles que trabajaron con mármoles procedentes mayoritariamente de canteras andaluzas. Asimismo, obras acometidas en el edificio para adaptarlo a hotel, han sacado a la luz algunas decoraciones ocultas que amplían la información sobre la ornamentación de los paramentos del patio y alguna zona de fachada
RETRATOS SOBRE EL PAPEL. NUEVOS DATOS SOBRE LAS RELACIONES ARTÍSTICAS DE FEDERICO DE MADRAZO CON LOS DUQUES DE MONTPENSIER
Authors: Sánchez del Peral y López Juan Ramón
Published: October 2023

Federico de Madrazo viajó a Sevilla a finales de 1858. Hoy se confirma a través de unas cartas inéditas conservadas en el Museo del Prado, que Madrazo acudió por el encargo de los duques de Montpensier de realizar un gran retrato ecuestre, familiar, historicista y cortesano, con unas circunstancias y un planteamiento muy particulares, puesto que se pretendía que la obra de Madrazo tomase como referencia una obra de Dominique Papety, discípulo de Ingres, para la que se buscaba un pendant. El encargo fue evolucionando hasta desaparecer, pero dejó un rastro de obras artísticas de diferente carácter cuya revisión se plantea aquí, a la luz de una interesante documentación, que contribuye a la mejor comprensión de esta relación artística.
LOS OTERO. UNA IMPORTANTE SAGA DE PLATEROS COMPOSTELANOS RECONSTRUIDA A TRAVÉS DE LA PRENSA HISTÓRICA
Authors: Pérez Varela Ana
Published: October 2023

Este artículo reconstruye la trayectoria y relación de los miembros de la saga de plateros compostelanos apellidados Otero, con origen en el siglo XIX y prolongada hasta la actualidad, demostrando la gran importancia que tuvieron en la ciudad. Gracias al vaciado de prensa histórica hemos hallado decenas de noticias que nos han permitido conocer, ubicar y atribuir piezas inéditas, mientras que el trabajo en el archivo municipal nos ha permitido reconstruir su árbol genealógico y ubicación de los obradores mencionados en el registro industrial, datos contrastados con entrevistas a sus sucesores. Este trabajo pretende contribuir al conocimiento contextual de una disciplina tan importante en la configuración artística de Compostela, pero paradójicamente olvidada por la historiografía.v
UN CRUCIFIJO INÉDITO DEL DESCONOCIDO ESCULTOR JOSÉ ANTONIO YNSOM
Authors: Moreno Arana José Manuel , Gómez López Carlos
Published: October 2023

Este artículo lo motiva el descubrimiento de un crucifijo inédito firmado en 1803 por José Antonio Ynsom, escultor tirolés afincado en Cádiz entre la segunda mitad del siglo XVIII y el primer tercio del siglo XIX. Se aportan además datos biográficos sobre este artista, hasta ahora desconocido.
COSMOVISIÓN E INCONSCIENTE COLECTIVO EN LA OBRA ARTÍSTICA DE ANTONIO AGUDO
Authors: Bastante Recuerda Miguel , Cabrera Rodríguez José Antonio
Published: October 2023

En el presente artículo, nos propondremos realizar una lectura hermenéutica de la obra Alejandro en Conil, como parte de la serie sobre los acantilados de Conil (Cádiz), a fin de acercarnos a una visión estética de la creación artística del pintor sevillano Antonio Agudo. Desde este prisma, abordaremos la influencia que tuvo en su arte la idea sobre la naturaleza caótica, surgida en su encuentro con América, así como la fuerza simbólica que, a través de la representación pictórica de su hijo, imprime el arquetipo junguiano del padre en la obra de nuestro autor. Con todo ello se evidenciaría hasta qué punto son significativos la cosmovisión y el trasfondo del inconsciente colectivo en el pensamiento estético de Antonio Agudo.
Equity and Efficiency in Dynamic Matching: Extreme Waitlist Policies
Authors: Nikzad Afshin , Strack Philipp
Published: October 2023

Waitlists are commonly used to allocate scarce resources, such as public housing or organs. Waitlist policies attempt to prioritize agents who wait longer by assigning them priority points (à la first come, first served). We show that such point systems can lead to severe inequality across the agents’ assignment probabilities unless they use randomization. In particular, deterministic point systems lead to a more unequal allocation than any other rule that prioritizes earlier arrivals, an axiom that ensures that agents who wait longer are treated (weakly) better. Among the policies abiding by this axiom, we show that service in random order (SIRO) leads to the most equal allocation. From a utilitarian perspective, we show that the planner faces no trade-off between equity and efficiency when the flow utility from waiting is nonnegative or negative and increasing over time. In these cases, SIRO is also the most efficient policy. However, when the flow cost of waiting increases over time, then the planner may face an efficiency–equity trade-off: SIRO remains the most equitable policy but may not be the most efficient one.

This paper was accepted by Omar Besbes, revenue management and market analytics.
Market Segment, Organizational Form, and Information Technology Fit
Authors: Bennett Victor Manuel , Black Ines , Hall Todd
Published: October 2023

Several literatures in strategy propose models of the displacement of incumbent firms by newer firms that adopt newer technologies. Although that pattern likely plays out often, it is also often the case that incumbents adopt new technologies less intensively than entrants and yet, are not displaced; the new and old firms coexist. We propose one explanation built on the fundamental notion in strategy of the importance of fit between activity system components. We combine three existing models from strategy in a way that allows us to generate novel predictions. When corroborated, these predictions suggest that the patterns we observe are likely the result of issues of multidimensional fit and cannot be explained by a simpler model. One model predicts that market segment choice is a function of the order of entry. A second suggests that organizational form must fit with market segment choice, and a third suggests that information technology adoption returns depend on organizational form. Jointly, these models produce a chain of logic explaining why early entrants might be less likely to adopt information technology. The combined model also yields a novel prediction about when we expect this pattern to emerge. Specifically, in settings without a sufficiently large scope for product customization or the possibility of variation in organizational form, we predict that the relationship between entry order and technology adoption is attenuated. We find patterns consistent with our predictions using rich employer-employee linked administrative data from Portugal.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/stsc.2022.0071 .
De pinha à fruta do conde: uma análise das múltiplas nobrezas do ultramar a partir da obra alegórica Frutas do Brasil. Pernambuco, início do século XVIII
Authors: Morais Ana Lunara
Published: October 2023

O ideário de nobreza sofreu várias mutações ao longo do Antigo Regime, sendo variável de acordo com o contexto e com a espacialidade, além de não haver um único entendimento sobre o tema. A pluralidade de nobrezas do ultramar pode ser verificada na obra Frutas do Brasil, especificamente no capítulo Do estado da nobreza, do frei Antônio do Rosário, o qual vivenciou a sociedade açucareira de Pernambuco por quinze anos, entre 1689 e 1704. Este trabalho busca compreender os diferentes significados de nobreza, em especial em Pernambuco do início do século XVIII, incidindo ainda sobre os diferentes modelos de ascensão e de legitimação social no Ultramar. Para tanto, esse artigo analisará parte da obra Frutas do Brasil, uma fonte rica sobre a hierarquia e a composição social daquela época, cruzando informações dos tratados jurídicos e de fontes do Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino, do Arquivo da Universidade de Coimbra e da Biblioteca Nacional de Lisboa.