bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Concentrations of Sexual Violence and Abuse: A New Theory
Authors: Rayment-McHugh Susan
Published: July 2023

Sexual violence is unevenly distributed, with concentrations reported in some contexts and not others, on global, national, and local levels. To advance understanding of why concentrations develop in some settings and not others, existing theory and research is explored and critiqued, identifying a need for new theory generation. Building on existing knowledge, a new theory of contextual activation is proposed, explaining the social and contextual factors associated with the development of sexual violence and abuse concentrations, through the activation at scale of routine causal mechanisms. The paper concludes with a discussion of implications for enhanced prevention and next steps in testing the utility of this new theory.
Pandemic-Era Organizing
Authors: Fatima Nooreen , Josephson Jyl
Published: July 2023

Community organizations that have historically depended upon in-person organizing methods faced particular challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. We studied a U.S.-based network of community organizations to examine how they did their organizing work during the pandemic. Based on data collection of public information about the organizations and semi-structured interviews with key leaders, we studied the methods of organizing and the organizations’ use of various tools, digital and otherwise, and asked leaders about how the experience of organizing during the pandemic might change their future approach to organizing. We found that these organizations were able to continue their work in part because they already had established relationships among leaders and were able to adapt their familiar organizing tools to the new situation, effectively engaging in “reorganizing” during the pandemic.
Thermoelastic vibration of Timoshenko beam under the modified couple stress theory and the Moore–Gibson–Thompson heat conduction model
Authors: Singh Bhagwan , Mukhopadhyay Santwana
Published: July 2023

In modeling of micro/nanodevices, numerous approaches have been developed that take into account material length scale parameters to capture size effects. In this work, the variational formulation of the microstructure-dependent Timoshenko beam model is developed considering Hamilton’s principle and modified couple stress theory (MCST) which involves the material length scale parameter. The Moore–Gibson–Thompson (MGT) thermoelastic model is employed to present the governing equations of motion and boundary conditions. The numerical outcomes illustrated by classical and non-classical approaches reveal the behavior of both the deflection and thermal moment of the beam. In addition, the dissipation in the deflection and the thermal moment is visually depicted in standardized curves. Several peaks in graphical plots are then detected as a function of the dimensionless time, which bring to light some interesting features of MGT model in the prediction of thermoelastic vibration of the microstructure model of Timoshenko beam.
Explaining differences in autism detection timing: Age of diagnosis and associated individual and socio-familial factors in Chinese children
Authors: Leng Ling Li , Zhu Yue Wen , Zhou Lin Gang
Published: July 2023

The timing of autism spectrum disorder detection in research and clinical practice is characterised by substantial heterogeneity ranging from infancy to school age. In this study, we examined the age of diagnosis and its associated individual and socio-familial factors in Chinese children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. A sample of 1235 autism spectrum disorder children from 132 rehabilitation organisations in Shenzhen was investigated in 2021. We found a mean age of diagnosis of 31.4 ± 12.7 months and a median of 30.0 months. Although 71.7% of the children received their diagnosis between 25 and 36 months of age, and 13.3% were diagnosed early (⩽24 months), 15.1% did not have their symptoms detected until preschool or later years (>36 months). The diagnosis was likely delayed (>36 months) if the children were older, were less severe and presented with no intellectual impairment. The odds of delayed autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were more than 9 times higher among migrant autism spectrum disorder children than those with local household registrations. The study underscores the importance of identifying culturally sensitive socio-economic determinants in autism spectrum disorder detection in addition to clinical factors, as the former are likely to affect the quality of life of many autism spectrum disorder children and their families.

Lay Abstract

Timely detection is an issue of paramount importance in the care of children with autism spectrum disorder. Whether the delayed autism spectrum disorder diagnosis can be explained by children’s clinical presentations and socio-familial status in China is a question to be addressed. We investigated 1235 autism spectrum disorder children from 132 rehabilitation organisations in Shenzhen, China. These children were found to have a mean age of diagnosis of 31.4 ± 12.7 months and a median age of diagnosis of 30.0 months. The majority of these children were able to receive their diagnosis during toddlerhood. However, about one in six were not diagnosed until they entered preschool or later, thus missing the golden window of opportunity for early intervention. The age of diagnosis was likely to be late if the children were older, were less severe and presented with no intellectual impairment. The odds of having a delayed autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were more than 9 times higher among migrant autism spectrum disorder children than among those with local household registrations, thus underscoring the importance of identifying culturally sensitive socio-economic determinants in autism spectrum disorder detection, as these factors are likely to affect the quality of life of many autism spectrum disorder children and their families.
Critical reflections on the concept and impact of “scaling up” in Global Mental Health
Authors: Bayetti C. , Bakhshi P. , Davar B. , Khemka G. C. , Kothari P. , Kumar M. , Kwon W. , Mathias K. , Mills C. , Montenegro C. R. , Trani J. F. , Jain S.
Published: July 2023

The field of Global Mental Health (GMH) aims to address the global burden of mental illness by focusing on closing the “treatment gap” faced by many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To increase access to services, GMH prioritizes “scaling up” mental health services, primarily advocating for the export of Western centred and developed biomedical and psychosocial “evidence-based” approaches to the Global South. While this emphasis on scalability has resulted in the increased availability of mental health services in some LMICs, there have been few critical discussions of this strategy. This commentary critically appraises the scalability of GMH by questioning the validity and sustainability of its approach. We argue that the current approach emphasizes the development of mental health services and interventions in “silos,” focusing on the treatment of mental illnesses at the exclusion of a holistic and contextualized approach to people's needs. We also question the opportunities that the current approach to GMH offers for the growth of mental health programmes of local NGOs and investigate the potential pitfalls that scalability may have on NGOs’ impact and ability to innovate. This commentary argues that any “scaling up” of mental health services must place sustainability at the core of its mission by favouring the growth and development of local solutions and wider forms of support that prioritize social inclusion and long-lasting mental health recovery.
Performing nationalism – Sámi culture and diversity in early education in Norway
Authors: Danielsen Hilde , Olsen Torjer , Eide Helene Marie Kjærgård
Published: July 2023

Kindergartens are institutional arenas for raising the nation through educating children in an every-day setting. With the implementation of the Framework Plan of 2017 (FP), the notion of “Sàmi culture” became part of the mandatory curriculum in all Norwegian kindergartens for the first time. All kindergartens are now expected to ensure that children develop respect for, and solidarity with, the diversity of Sàmi culture. This paper based on policy analysis and interviews in kindergartens investigates how the notion of “Sàmi culture” is part of the national Framework Plan (FP) for kindergartens and how it is understood and implemented in kindergartens. The concept of everyday nationalism sheds light on tensions involved in including indigenous rights and perspectives in a national Framework Plan. Including indigenous rights and cultures as part of a national Framework Plan can widen the content of what it means to belong in a national state as well as sharpen the lines and maintain boundaries. Conceptions of diversity are an integral part of the messiness involved in drawing boundaries and in the making of the everyday nationalism, suggesting that the relationship between diversity and everyday nationalism deserves more interrogation.
Photogrammetry of “Wet” Pathology Museum Specimens: A Pilot Project
Authors: Rajaram Ajay , Fiset Pierre Olivier , Fraser Richard
Published: July 2023

Medical museums around the world have many specimens of historical and teaching value in their collections. Some of these are bones that have been prepared to illustrate normal anatomy. Others consist of organs preserved in liquid fixative (“wet” specimens) and mounted in glass or plexiglass containers that demonstrate the pathology of disease. Digitization of these specimens has the advantage of making them available for viewing by more students or website visitors than is possible in the museum itself. Photogrammetry is one method for doing this that enables the reconstruction of high-quality 3D models using standard specimen photographs. However, although relatively easy to perform on bones, its use with “wet” objects is more difficult and special steps are required to achieve optimal results. Using specimens from the Sir William Osler aortic aneurysm collection at the Maude Abbott Medical Museum, we developed a relatively simple and cost-effective photogrammetry process that gave good reconstructions of most specimens. We expect that future developments, such as the use of artificial intelligence-based techniques, may improve this result.
What Makes Groups Emotional?
Authors: Goldenberg Amit
Published: July 2023

When people experience emotions in a group, their emotions tend to have stronger intensity and to last longer. Why is that? This question has occupied thinkers throughout history, and with the use of digital media it is even more pressing today. Historically, attention has mainly focused on processes driven by the way emotions are shared between people via emotional interactions. Although interactions are a major driver of group emotionality, I review empirical findings that suggest that understanding group emotionality requires a broader view that integrates two additional processes: how emotions unfold within the social infrastructure in which they are shared and how these processes are affected by people’s cognition about emotions. I propose to summarize the literature using an infrastructure-cognition-interaction framework that contributes to a broader understanding of group emotionality, which should improve our ability to predict group emotionality and to change these emotions when they are undesired.
Golf coaching wisdom: Practical lessons, stories and insights from the protégé of the legendary John Jacobs
Authors: Green Peter , Jenkins Simon
Published: July 2023

Based on interviews/conversations by the second author with Peter Green, this stimulus article is presented as a collection of anecdotes and short stories in the style of the best-selling ‘Harvey Penick's Little Red Book’. It captures the golf coaching knowledge, with its jargon and lingo, of the legendary John Jacobs who had a strong influence on the philosophy and methods of arguably the three most famous golf coaches in the last 30 years (Hank Haney, Butch Harmon and David Leadbetter). Green spent more time learning directly from Jacobs than any other golf coach. Working both with Jacobs and on his own, Green has helped not only some of the greatest golfers in history, but also tens of thousands of golfers who play for fun.
Contesting public forgetting: Memory and policy learning in the era of Covid-19
Authors: Goggins Sydney
Published: July 2023

This article examines scholarship on public forgetting and its implications for post-disaster recovery and policy learning to theorize how tendencies toward structural amnesia risk limit policy learning as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to unfold and as the climate crisis exacerbates the risk of new global health crises. This article will contribute to memory studies by advancing a theory of how public forgetting leads to a cascade of impacts on policy and social well-being. Building on Beiner’s work on social memory, scholarship on the politics of memory, and research on post-disaster policy learning, I show that institutional forgetting implicitly places individual and collective memories outside the public sphere in which policymaking occurs. This discourages commemorative practices that constitute the traumatic past and present of the pandemic as creating responsibilities on the part of policymakers and governments for increased protections in the present and policy learning in the future. Constituting the Covid-19 pandemic as a necessary subject of public memory, in contrast, allows individuals and communities to assert rights to restitution and accountability for the policy failures that led to profound racial and socioeconomic disparities in risks of infection, severe illness, and death. Through engaging with the memory advocacy by the nonprofit groups the We Must Count Coalition, Marked by Covid, and the Covid-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project, I illustrate how commemorative practices by social movements illuminate the policy implications of contesting how collective traumas will be remembered.
Non-operative management of terrible triad injuries of the elbow; not so terrible?
Authors: Baker Megan , Eyre-Brook Alistair , Gokaraju Kishan , Jones Valerie , Thyagarajan David , Ali Amjid , Booker Simon
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Terrible triad injuries (TTIs) of the elbow have traditionally been reported to have poor outcomes, hence requiring surgical stabilisation. We identified and reviewed patients with TTIs treated non-operatively within our department.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with TTI treated non-operatively with standardised elbow-instability rehabilitation from 2010 to 2020. We used Mason and Morrey classifications for radial head and coronoid fractures, respectively. Non-operative indications included a congruent joint on CT, significant co-morbidities pre-disposing to high-risk surgery and/or patient preference. Outcomes included Oxford Elbow Score (OES), ROM and complications.

Results

Nineteen patients were included (mean age 49; 37% female). At an average of 6 years (range 2–11 years) post-treatment, mean OES was 46 ± 7. At last clinic review, mean 6 months (2–15), average ROM was 131 ± 11° flexion, 8 ± 10° extension, 85 ± 12° supination and 85 ± 13° pronation. One patient required arthrolysis and another had an incongruent ulnohumeral joint which developed clicking with a functional ROM.

Conclusion

Our report suggests non-operatively managed and appropriately rehabilitated TTI injuries can achieve good function and ROM. We recommend conservative management as a viable option in cases with joint congruency and no mechanical block in patients with significant co-morbidities or those refusing surgery but patients must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Polycythemia vera disease profile in an African population—experience from a tertiary facility in Ghana
Authors: Gyabaah Solomon , Ahmed Eunice Agyemang , Adu-Gyamfi Adwoa Agyemang , Gyabaah Frederick Nkrumah , Bonsu Afia Serwaa , Addo Ameyaw Prince , Opare Sem Ohene Kwaku
Published: July 2023

Objectives:

The study describes the clinical and laboratory profile of the patients with polycythemia vera at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana.

Methods and design:

This was a retrospective hospital-based cohort study conducted from September 2020 to August 2022. Hematology clinic entry book was used to identify the patient’s unique hospital code. Using these unique codes, retrospective data were collected using an Excel spreadsheet from the Hospital Lightwave health information management system (LHIMS) database.

Results:

A total of 20 participants were recruited over the period of 2 years. The overall mean age was 51.53 ± 16.39 years. The hematological profile of the male participants revealed a mean hemoglobin of 18.25 ± 1.373 g/dl, mean hematocrit of 52 ± 3.47%, and a mean platelet of 345.5 ± 180.82. Comparatively, the mean hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet for the female participants were higher with figures of 19.26 ± 1.43 g/dl, 53 ± 3.61%, and 816 ± 935.32, respectively. Headache, tiredness, numbness, splenomegaly, and abnormal labs were the most common reasons why participants sought medical attention. Majority (60%) of the study participants had Janus Kinase 2 mutation. New-onset hypertension was identified in 45% of the study participants during follow-up. Thromboembolism was seen in 10% of the study population.

Conclusion:

Polycythemia vera is an uncommon disease in Ghana mostly found in older males above 50 years. It is important to recognize it early to initiate therapy aimed at preventing common complications such as hypertension and thromboembolism. Polycythemia vera should be considered a differential diagnosis for patients with secondary hypertension.
Drumming Action and Perception: How the Movements of a Professional Drummer Influence Experiences of Tempo, Time, and Expressivity
Authors: Burger Birgitta , Wöllner Clemens
Published: July 2023

The present study approached drumming motion from a three-fold perspective: computational movement feature analysis, perceptual evaluations of movement animations, and both in combination. We motion-captured a professional drummer performing two rhythms at two tempi with varying combinations of dynamics and amount of movement. Movement feature analysis indicated that the drummer varied their movement such that movement fluidity was higher in slow tempo compared to fast tempo, in particular for experimental conditions involving more movement and softer dynamics. Movement complexity was highest when playing slowly in the “much movement” condition. Subsequently, a perceptual online experiment was conducted using the drummer's animations with and without audio, asking observers ( n = 114) to judge perceived passage of time, expressivity, and tempo. Results indicate that passage of time ratings were related to movement instructions, with much-movement performances being perceived to pass more quickly than little-movement ones. Furthermore, fast tempo stimuli were perceived to pass more quickly than slow tempo stimuli. Expressivity ratings were associated with the stimulus tempo as well, with fast tempo stimuli being rated as more expressive than slow tempo stimuli. Moreover, much-movement performances received higher ratings for expressivity, reinforcing the link between expressivity and movement. Including the movement features in the statistical model revealed that increased movement complexity and amount of movement related to higher perceived expressivity. While movement could be well distinguished between the different drumming conditions, the analysis regarding the other perceptual judgments (passage of time and tempo) indicated less influence of the movement characteristics, implying that participants rather focussed on other aspects when rating these. The outcomes suggest systematic links between bodily implementation of drumming and its perception related to time, tempo, and expressivity.
Drinking Water Injustice: Racial Disparity in Regulatory Enforcement of Safe Drinking Water Act Violations
Authors: Bae Junghwan , Kang Soyoung , Lynch Michael J.
Published: July 2023

This study assessed regulatory enforcement of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) within the political-economic context that examined the impacts of community characteristics on length of time a water system remains in noncompliance with SDWA regulations. Our findings indicate that noncompliant water systems in counties with higher proportion of both Black and Hispanic residents take longer to be returned to compliance with the SDWA. Conversely, water systems serving a larger percentage of White residents are in noncompliance for shorter time period, and as the percent White in an area increases, time to compliance decreases. The findings indicate that minority communities are not given equal attention with respect to managing compliance with the SDWA. This study suggests that the legacy of racialized urban planning and long-term disinvestment in water infrastructure are responsible for the longer duration of water system noncompliance in areas with higher percentage of minority population.
Immunize Thy Children—Paving the Way for Their Success: Micro-level Evidence from India
Authors: Chatterjee Poulami , Dey Subhasish
Published: July 2023

Childhood interventions like nutrition and immunizations have immediate as well as far-reaching impacts including potential labour market outcomes. However, there are insufficient studies on the association between immunization and children’s future cognitive abilities, which might directly impact labour market outcomes. Cross-sectional data cannot do justice to this programme evaluation as the children eligible for immunization are too young to be tested for any cognitive abilities. Using individual-level panel data from the Indian Human Development Survey (IHDS) round I (2004–2005, N = 3,208, age = 12–23 months with 50.6% male) and round II (2011–2012, N = 2,534, age = 96–107 months with 50.8% male), we are trying to assess the linkage between childhood care and child’s cognitive development. We also addressed the potential endogenous relation between parents’ decision for full immunization and kids’ cognitive achievement by using a quasi-experimental regression technique: propensity score matching. Our study finds a significant effect of childhood immunization on the cognitive development of grown-up children through better reading, writing and mathematics skills.
Sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring dynamic capabilities in innovative firms: Why does strategic leadership make a difference?
Authors: Bornay-Barrachina Mar , López-Cabrales Álvaro , Salas-Vallina Andrés
Published: July 2023

Despite existing evidence indicating that organizational learning positively influences dynamic capabilities, the complex and dynamic interplay of leadership in this process still remains incomplete. Organizational learning models note that leadership is embedded in the development of dynamic capabilities, and this research empirically investigates the interplay of organizational learning (exploitative and exploratory learning) and strategic leadership (transformational and transactional leadership) in developing dynamic capabilities (sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring). A survey questionnaire on a sample of 106 firms is carried out, and results of hierarchical linear regressions indeed reveal that organizational learning shows a direct or indirect influence on dynamic capabilities through transactional or transformational leadership, depending on the type of department. This study is an innovative attempt to distinguish different antecedents for each type of dynamic capability on the basis of the type of learning and strategic leadership involved.

JEL classification: M12
Scars from a Previous Epidemic: Social Proximity to Zika and Fertility Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Marteleto Leticia J. , Dondero Molly , Koepp Andrew
Published: July 2023

We examine whether women’s social proximity to Zika during the Zika epidemic predicts intentions to avoid a pregnancy because of the COVID-19 pandemic either directly or indirectly via subjective assessments of the pandemic. We apply path models on unique microdata from Brazil, the country most affected by Zika and an epicenter of COVID-19, to understand whether a novel infectious disease outbreak left lasting imprints shaping fertility intentions during a subsequent novel infectious disease outbreak. Findings show that Zika social proximity is associated with fertility intentions through an indirect path related to subjective assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings emerged regardless of whether a woman herself had or suspected she had Zika and speak to the transformative consequences of novel infectious disease outbreaks that go beyond mortality and health.
Explanatory factors relating to medication error reporting among emergency medicine clinicians: A qualitative study
Authors: Bakhshi Fatemeh , Nasrabadi Alireza Nikbakht , Mitchell Rebecca , Bagherabadi Mehdi , Saghafi Fatemeh , Varaei Shokoh
Published: July 2023

Objectives

We used an in-depth qualitative approach to investigate the factors that contribute to medication error (ME) reporting among emergency department (ED) clinicians. More specifically, we explored the explanatory factors relating to underreporting by the different staff involved in ED medication management, the underlying processes involved in clinician and manager responses to MEs, and programmatic factors that impede and facilitate ME reporting.

Methods

We applied a purposive maximum variation sampling to recruit interview participants in nursing, medical, and pharmacy roles. We conducted semistructured interviews based on an interview guide. We performed a thematic analysis of all data and developed a general content model.

Results

The developed model shows how the series of extracted themes—norms of reporting, reporting culture, and evaluation and feedback—affect one another. The theme norms of reporting were mainly influenced by clinicians’ knowledge and attitudes. The theme of reporting culture directly affected ME reporting. Evaluation and feedback affected all factors that contributed to ME reporting. Participants’ intention to report was mainly affected by the extent to which the reporting led to an obvious outcome.

Conclusions

The comprehensive model of ME reporting provides guidance for healthcare leaders who strive to increase such reporting. The model encompasses broad concepts that are not limited to ME reporting and may be applicable to improving reporting for all kinds of medical errors.
A machine learning approach to improve implementation monitoring of family-based preventive interventions in primary care
Authors: Berkel Cady , Knox Dillon C. , Flemotomos Nikolaos , Martinez Victor R. , Atkins David C. , Narayanan Shrikanth S. , Rodriguez Lizeth Alonso , Gallo Carlos G. , Smith Justin D.
Published: July 2023

Background

Evidence-based parenting programs effectively prevent the onset and escalation of child and adolescent behavioral health problems. When programs have been taken to scale, declines in the quality of implementation diminish intervention effects. Gold-standard methods of implementation monitoring are cost-prohibitive and impractical in resource-scarce delivery systems. Technological developments using computational linguistics and machine learning offer an opportunity to assess fidelity in a low burden, timely, and comprehensive manner.

Methods

In this study, we test two natural language processing (NLP) methods [i.e., Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF) and Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT)] to assess the delivery of the Family Check-Up 4 Health (FCU4Health) program in a type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial conducted in primary care settings that serve primarily Latino families. We trained and evaluated models using 116 English and 81 Spanish-language transcripts from the 113 families who initiated FCU4Health services. We evaluated the concurrent validity of the TF-IDF and BERT models using observer ratings of program sessions using the COACH measure of competent adherence. Following the Implementation Cascade model, we assessed predictive validity using multiple indicators of parent engagement, which have been demonstrated to predict improvements in parenting and child outcomes.

Results

Both TF-IDF and BERT ratings were significantly associated with observer ratings and engagement outcomes. Using mean squared error, results demonstrated improvement over baseline for observer ratings from a range of 0.83–1.02 to 0.62–0.76, resulting in an average improvement of 24%. Similarly, results demonstrated improvement over baseline for parent engagement indicators from a range of 0.81–27.3 to 0.62–19.50, resulting in an approximate average improvement of 18%.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate the potential for NLP methods to assess implementation in evidence-based parenting programs delivered at scale. Future directions are presented.

Trial registration

NCT03013309 ClinicalTrials.gov.
Patterns of Knowledge Acquisition by Emerging Asian Firms in the Biotechnology: an analysis of their business partners
Authors: Malik Tariq , Kabiraj Sajal
Published: July 2023

Presently Asians firms are emerging in high technological arena. The exploratory evidence on alliances between the firm from emerging economies and technology suppliers from industrialized economies suggests that most of emerging economies are building explorative (upstream discoveries) alliances to acquire the new technology. At the same time, large emerging economies, that is, India and China form exploitative (downstream) alliances by providing market opportunities to their foreign technology partners. Individual alliance countries provide some interesting insight in the context of knowledge flow from the industrialized to emerging economies and newly industrialized economies of Asia. However, little attention is directed at biotechnology sectors in emerging economies, Asia. It is important to understand their evolution by understanding their business activity-based technology partners from the advanced economies. So keeping this in view, this paper explores how Emerging Asian biotechnology systems are shaping their resource partners in the industrialized economies
An Integrated Framework for Environment Management System for Indian Food Packaging Industry
Authors: Shekhawat Archana , Rao N.V.M
Published: July 2023

Industrialization and Globalization has proved that traditional regulatory approaches regarding environment protection has become incapable to attain the decided objectives. Environment management practices in India have been limited to acquiring accreditations and present themselves as green in the market without actually knowing the term “Environment Management”. Moreover India has weak norms and regulation as far as environment is concerned. This paper attempts to present research gaps in the area of Environment Management System (EMS) through the process of literature survey and also identifies the critical variables and develop an integrated framework for EMS in Indian Food Packaging Industry, in particular.
Enhancement of Production through Strategic Decision Making: A Case Study of Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW)
Authors: Mohan Ashutosh , Raman Lakshmi
Published: July 2023

This paper aims to summarize the strategic decisions taken to double the production level of DLW in four years of time. The paper enumerates the possibilities up to which strategic and radical decisions can be taken in a government-owned industrial setup in India. Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) manufactures diesel electric locomotives primarily for Indian Railways. To increase the output, strategic decisions are taken to purchase/outsource large number of items which used to be manufactured in-house. Achievement of loco production targets is the result of concerted efforts by all departments. Each department improved their working to dovetail their efforts to the loco production targets. Staff and unions of DLW are very supportive in implementing strategic decisions. The strategic decisions have transformed DLW, from an integrated locomotive manufacturer, to more of an assembler of locomotives.
3G Technology in India: Critical Success Factors
Authors: Jee Chandan , Jindal Deepika , Shah Mrinalini
Published: July 2023

Presently, the primary telecommunication technology being used in India is 2G technology. However, with the advent, 3G technology was launched in India in February, 2009. 3G has not shown consistent success in all the previous countries it has been launched. Thus, it would be difficult to conclusively comment on the 3G implementation in India. The paper focuses on both supply and demand side factors of 3G implementation which are likely to impact the performance. The strategy adopted is to study 3G implementation in various countries and draw a comparative sketch followed by a study of the consumer purchasing behavior. Factor analysis is used to identify the most critical factors for success of 3G technology in India.
Saving and Investment Relationship in India: A Vector Error Correction Modelling
Authors: Mishra P K
Published: July 2023

The study of the relationship between saving and investment has a wide relevance for developed as well as developing nations. Economists often claim that higher savings contribute to increased investment and growth of Gross Domestic Product in an economy and thus, savings and investment are key factors for the sustainable development of a country. So, the objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between savings and investment in the context of the Indian economy over the period 1950-51 to 2008-09. The use of the annual data in their natural logarithms in co integration test provides the evidence of existence of long-run equilibrium relationship between saving and investment. And, the vector error correction modelling suggests that there exists long-run unidirectional causality between the variables running from saving to investment. The Granger causality test supports the existence of short-run unidirectional causality running in the same direction too. This result disproves the classical theory, and establishes the Keynes view on saving-investment relationship. In addition, since higher economic growth warrants a balance between savings and investment, the policy makers should bring a trade off between monetary and fiscal policies.
Social and Economic Impact of Microfinance on Urban Poor Women: An Empirical Study of Ahmedabad City (India
Authors: Patel Ritesh , Patel Nikunj
Published: July 2023

Microfinance is considered as a tool to improve the living standard on the social and economic terms. The objective of present study is to find the social and economic Impacts of microfinance on the poor urban Women in Ahmedabad city. 384 women respondents have been selected using the judgmental sampling method. The study uses theoretical and empirical literature to propose a framework to improve women’s living standard through micro-financing. Exploratory factor analysis was done on the 20 statements. Three factors were extracted from factor analysis, namely Development in Personality, Enhancement in Monthly income, spending and saving and enhanced the decision making ability. Multiple regression was performed and found Enhancement in Monthly expenditure, income and saving as a significant factor in up gradation of the social and economic status of Women. Paired t-test was done to check the improvement in the economic level of Women after joining the SHG where the result revealed positive impact. Overall, it was found that microfinance activities have a positive influence on the social and economic status of urban poor Women. The study has practical implication that it can be used to improve the living standard of the poor women. Further, the microfinance is a tool to reduce the poverty level and improve the purchasing power of poor.
It is worth the weight: obesity and the transition from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to multiple myeloma
Authors: Choa Ruth , Panaroni Cristina , Bhatia Roma , Raje Noopur
Published: July 2023

The overweight/obesity epidemic is a serious public health concern that affects >40% of adults globally and increases the risk of numerous chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a lymphohematopoietic cancer caused by the uncontrolled clonal expansion of plasma cells. Recent studies have shown that obesity is a risk factor not only for MM but also monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a precursor disease state of MM. Furthermore, obesity may promote the transition from MGUS to MM. Thus, in this review, we summarize the epidemiological evidence regarding the role of obesity in MM and MGUS, discuss the biologic mechanisms that drive these disease processes, and detail the obesity-targeted pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions that may reduce the risk of progression from MGUS to MM.
Enabling endpoint development for interventional clinical trials in individuals with Angelman syndrome: a prospective, longitudinal, observational clinical study (FREESIAS)
Authors: Tjeertes Jorrit , Bacino Carlos A. , Bichell Terry Jo , Bird Lynne M. , Bustamante Mariana , Crean Rebecca , Jeste Shafali , Komorowski Robert W. , Krishnan Michelle L. , Miller Meghan T. , Nobbs David , Ochoa-Lubinoff Cesar , Parkerson Kimberly A. , Rotenberg Alexander , Sadhwani Anjali , Shen Mark D. , Squassante Lisa , Tan Wen-Hann , Vincenzi Brenda , Wheeler Anne C. , Hipp Joerg F. , Berry-Kravis Elizabeth
Published: July 2023

Background

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the absence of a functional UBE3A gene, which causes developmental, behavioral, and medical challenges. While currently untreatable, comprehensive data could help identify appropriate endpoints assessing meaningful improvements in clinical trials. Herein are reported the results from the FREESIAS study assessing the feasibility and utility of in-clinic and at-home measures of key AS symptoms.

Methods

Fifty-five individuals with AS (aged < 5 years: n = 16, 5–12 years: n = 27, ≥ 18 years: n = 12; deletion genotype: n = 40, nondeletion genotype: n = 15) and 20 typically developing children (aged 1–12 years) were enrolled across six USA sites. Several clinical outcome assessments and digital health technologies were tested, together with overnight 19-lead electroencephalography (EEG) and additional polysomnography (PSG) sensors. Participants were assessed at baseline (Clinic Visit 1), 12 months later (Clinic Visit 2), and during intermittent home visits.

Results

The participants achieved high completion rates for the clinical outcome assessments (adherence: 89–100% [Clinic Visit 1]; 76–91% [Clinic Visit 2]) and varied feasibility of and adherence to digital health technologies. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted participants’ uptake of and/or adherence to some measures. It also potentially impacted the at-home PSG/EEG recordings, which were otherwise feasible. Participants achieved Bayley-III results comparable to the available natural history data, showing similar scores between individuals aged ≥ 18 and 5–12 years. Also, participants without a deletion generally scored higher on most clinical outcome assessments than participants with a deletion. Furthermore, the observed AS EEG phenotype of excess delta-band power was consistent with prior reports.

Conclusions

Although feasible clinical outcome assessments and digital health technologies are reported herein, further improved assessments of meaningful AS change are needed. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, remote assessments facilitated high adherence levels and the results suggested that at-home PSG/EEG might be a feasible alternative to the in-clinic EEG assessments. Taken altogether, the combination of in-clinic/at-home clinical outcome assessments, digital health technologies, and PSG/EEG may improve protocol adherence, reduce patient burden, and optimize study outcomes in AS and other rare disease populations.
Using pre-selected variants from large-scale whole-genome sequence data for single-step genomic predictions in pigs
Authors: Jang Sungbong , Ros-Freixedes Roger , Hickey John M. , Chen Ching-Yi , Holl Justin , Herring William O. , Misztal Ignacy , Lourenco Daniela
Published: July 2023

Background

Whole-genome sequence (WGS) data harbor causative variants that may not be present in standard single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip data. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of using preselected variants from WGS for single-step genomic predictions in maternal and terminal pig lines with up to 1.8k sequenced and 104k sequence imputed animals per line.

Methods

Two maternal and four terminal lines were investigated for eight and seven traits, respectively. The number of sequenced animals ranged from 1365 to 1491 for the maternal lines and 381 to 1865 for the terminal lines. Imputation to sequence occurred within each line for 66k to 76k animals for the maternal lines and 29k to 104k animals for the terminal lines. Two preselected SNP sets were generated based on a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Top40k included the SNPs with the lowest p-value in each of the 40k genomic windows, and ChipPlusSign included significant variants integrated into the porcine SNP chip used for routine genotyping. We compared the performance of single-step genomic predictions between using preselected SNP sets assuming equal or different variances and the standard porcine SNP chip.

Results

In the maternal lines, ChipPlusSign and Top40k showed an average increase in accuracy of 0.6 and 4.9%, respectively, compared to the regular porcine SNP chip. The greatest increase was obtained with Top40k, particularly for fertility traits, for which the initial accuracy based on the standard SNP chip was low. However, in the terminal lines, Top40k resulted in an average loss of accuracy of 1%. ChipPlusSign provided a positive, although small, gain in accuracy (0.9%). Assigning different variances for the SNPs slightly improved accuracies when using variances obtained from BayesR. However, increases were inconsistent across the lines and traits.

Conclusions

The benefit of using sequence data depends on the line, the size of the genotyped population, and how the WGS variants are preselected. When WGS data are available on hundreds of thousands of animals, using sequence data presents an advantage but this remains limited in pigs.
Incidence and prevalence of heart failure in England: a descriptive analysis of linked primary and secondary care data – the PULSE study
Authors: Bellanca Leana , Linden Stephan , Farmer Ruth
Published: July 2023

Background

Heart failure (HF) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, yet data on HF subtype (HF with reduced ejection fraction [HFrEF] and preserved ejection fraction [HFpEF]) in broad populations are lacking. Additionally, it is unknown whether current HF incidence and prevalence rates are consistent with historical data. Here, we estimate the incidence and prevalence of HF in England and describe the characteristics of patients with HF, both overall and by subtype.

Methods

This was a non-interventional cohort study based on data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), linked to Hospital Episode Statistics data and Office for National Statistics mortality data. Patients aged ≥ 18 years who were registered in the CPRD Aurum database between 1st January 2015 and 31st December 2019 formed the base cohort, from which patients with a recorded chronic HF diagnosis (historical or incident) from 2015–2019 contributed to the incidence and prevalence calculations.

Results

The eligible denominator over the study period comprised 11,414,490 patients, from which 383,896 patients with HF were included as prevalent or incident HF cases. From 2015 to 2019, the incidence rate of newly diagnosed HF increased from 4.1/1,000 person-years to 4.9/1,000 person-years, and HF prevalence increased from 2.1% to 2.4%. Phenotype data were available for 100,224 (26.1%) patients, of which 68,780 patients had HFrEF and 31,444 had HFpEF (HFrEF/HFpEF ratio: 70.1%/29.9%). Comorbidity levels were high and broadly similar across HF subgroups.

Conclusions

Primary care recording of HF subtype is suboptimal, with more than 7/10 patients with HF lacking subtype data. In patients with a recorded subtype (n = 100,224), a HFrEF/HFpEF ratio of 70%/30% was observed. Comorbidity levels were high regardless of subtype. Between 2015 and 2019, we observed modest but consistent increases in the incidence and prevalence of chronic HF in adults, in line with historical data.
Increased 18 F-FDG uptake in denervated muscles in a case of Parsonage-Turner syndrome
Authors: Chiang Ping-I , Chen Chiung-Mei
Published: July 2023

Background

Parsonage-Turner Syndrome (PTS) is a rare brachial plexopathy characterized by the sudden onset of pain in the shoulder girdle followed by upper limb weakness. PTS is frequently under-recognized or misdiagnosed as other more common neurological disorders presenting in a similar fashion, such as cervical radiculopathy which may require surgical intervention. Accurate diagnosis and prompt management implicate a good prognosis. Although electrophysiological studies are considered the most important for evaluating peripheral nerve injuries, it usually takes time, up to 3 weeks after the initial insult of the nerve for electromyogram (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) to display abnormalities. In the cases of PTS, especially when initial EMG/NCS and magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) results are inconclusive, 18 F-FDG positron emission tomography and computed tomography (18 F-FDG PET-CT) may be useful in helping the early detection of muscle denervation.

Case presentation

A 60-year-old right-handed Taiwanese woman presented with sudden onset of intense and sharp left shoulder girdle pain without radiating to the arm, followed by muscle weakness of her left arm in abduction and elevation 3 days after the onset of pain. A detailed neurological examination and EMG and NCS suggested the clinical diagnosis of left brachial plexopathy. MRN imaging revealed no significant abnormality. 18 F-FDG PET-CT showed increased uptake in denervated muscles (supraspinatus, deltoid, and biceps muscles). Treatment with oral prednisolone and physiotherapy significantly improved pain and muscle weakness.

Conclusions

We present increased 18 F-FDG uptake in denervated muscles detected by 18 F-FDG PET-CT. 18 F-FDG PET-CT may serve as an adjunct examination to evaluate PTS, which has been suggested previously but rarely reported.