bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validity, reliability, and acceptability of the Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM) competence measure
Authors: Belita Emily , Fisher Kathryn , Yost Jennifer , Squires Janet E. , Ganann Rebecca , Dobbins Maureen
Published: August 2022

Valid, reliable, and acceptable tools for assessing self-reported competence in evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) are required to provide insight into the current status of EIDM knowledge, skills, attitudes/beliefs, and behaviours for registered nurses working in public health. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity, reliability, and acceptability of the EIDM Competence Measure. A psychometric study design was employed guided by the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing and general measurement development principles. All registered nurses working across 16 public health units in Ontario, Canada were invited to complete the newly developed EIDM Competence Measure via an online survey. The EIDM Competence Measure is a self-reported tool consisting of four EIDM subscales: 1) knowledge; 2) skills; 3) attitudes/beliefs; and 4) behaviours. Acceptability was measured by completion time and percentage of missing data of the original 40-item tool. The internal structure of the tool was first assessed through item-subscale total and item-item correlations within subscales for potential item reduction of the original 40-item tool. Following item reduction which resulted in a revised 27-item EIDM Competence Measure, a principal component analysis using an oblique rotation was performed to confirm the four subscale structure. Validity based on relationships to other variables was assessed by exploring associations between EIDM competence attributes and individual factors (e.g., years of nursing experience, education) and organizational factors (e.g., resource allocation). Internal reliability within each subscale was analyzed using Cronbach’s alphas. Across 16 participating public health units, 201 nurses (mean years as a registered nurse = 18.1, predominantly female n = 197; 98%) completed the EIDM Competence Measure. Overall missing data were minimal as 93% of participants completed the entire original 40-item tool (i.e., no missing data), with 7% of participants having one or more items with missing data. Only one participant (0.5%) had >10% of missing data (i.e., more than 4 out of 40 items with data missing). Mean completion time was 7 minutes and 20 seconds for the 40-item tool. Extraction of a four-factor model based on the 27-item version of the scale showed substantial factor loadings (>0.4) that aligned with the four EIDM subscales of knowledge, skills, attitudes/beliefs, and behaviours. Significant relationships between EIDM competence subscale scores and education, EIDM training, EIDM project involvement, and supportive organizational culture were observed. Cronbach’s alphas exceeded minimum standards for all subscales: knowledge (α = 0.96); skills (α = 0.93); attitudes/beliefs (α = 0.80); and behaviours (α = 0.94).
Health insurance and financial hardship in cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Williams Courtney P. , Rocque Gabrielle B. , Caston Nicole E. , Gallagher Kathleen D. , Angove Rebekah S. M. , Anderson Eric , de Moor Janet S. , Halpern Michael T. , Offodile Anaeze C. , Gidwani Risha
Published: August 2022

Uninsured or underinsured individuals with cancer are likely to experience financial hardship, including forgoing healthcare or non-healthcare needs such as food, housing, or utilities. This study evaluates the association between health insurance coverage and financial hardship among cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional analysis used Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) survey data from May to July 2020. Cancer survivors who previously received case management or financial aid from PAF self-reported challenges paying for healthcare and non-healthcare needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Associations between insurance coverage and payment challenges were estimated using Poisson regression with robust standard errors, which allowed for estimation of adjusted relative risks (aRR). Of 1,437 respondents, 74% had annual household incomes <$48,000. Most respondents were enrolled in Medicare (48%), 22% in employer-sponsored insurance, 13% in Medicaid, 6% in an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan, and 3% were uninsured. Approximately 31% of respondents reported trouble paying for healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents who were uninsured (aRR 2.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.83–3.64), enrolled in an ACA plan (aRR 1.86, 95% CI 1.28–2.72), employer-sponsored insurance (aRR 1.70, 95% CI 1.23–2.34), or Medicare (aRR 1.49, 95% CI 1.09–2.03) had higher risk of trouble paying for healthcare compared to Medicaid enrollees. Challenges paying for non-healthcare needs were reported by 57% of respondents, with 40% reporting trouble paying for food, 31% housing, 28% transportation, and 20% internet. In adjusted models, Medicare and employer-sponsored insurance enrollees were less likely to have difficulties paying for non-healthcare needs compared to Medicaid beneficiaries. Despite 97% of our cancer survivor sample being insured, 31% and 57% reported trouble paying for healthcare and non-healthcare needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. Greater attention to both medical and non-medical financial burden is needed given the economic pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bedaquiline-based treatment for extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in South Africa: A cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Fekadu Ginenus , Yao Jiaqi , You Joyce H. S.
Published: August 2022

Background

The treatment success rate of conventional anti-tuberculosis (TB) regimens for extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is low, resulting in high morbidity and healthcare cost especially in the high TB burden countries. Recent clinical findings reported improved treatment outcomes of XDR-TB with the bedaquiline (BDQ)-based regimens. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of BDQ-based treatment for XDR-TB from the perspective of the South Africa national healthcare provider.

Methods

A 2-year decision-analytic model was designed to evaluate the clinical and economic outcomes of a hypothetical cohort of adult XDR-TB patients with (1) BDQ-based regimen and (2) injectable-based conventional regimen. The model inputs were retrieved from literature and public data. Base-case analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed. The primary model outputs included TB-related direct medical cost and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).

Results

In the base-case analysis, the BDQ group reduced 4.4152 DALYs with an incremental cost of USD1,606 when compared to the conventional group. The incremental cost per DALY averted (ICER) by the BDQ group was 364 USD/DALY averted. No influential factor was identified in the sensitivity analysis. In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, the BDQ group was accepted as cost-effective in 97.82% of the 10,000 simulations at a willingness-to-pay threshold of 5,656 USD/DALY averted (1× gross domestic product per capita in South Africa).

Conclusion

The BDQ-based therapy appeared to be cost-effective and showed a high probability to be accepted as the preferred cost-effective option for active XDR-TB treatment.
Monitoring the independence of the media regulatory body as an effective enforcement mechanism for the implementation of the AVMSD
Authors: Polyák Gábor
Published: August 2022

The revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) has brought about the long-awaited policy shift towards making the independence of regulatory bodies an explicit European legal requirement. At the same time, even on the points that it does regulate in detail, the AVMSD leaves many issues unresolved. Ultimately, it does not put the European Commission in a position either to verify whether national authorities are taking truly unbiased and impartial decisions or to enforce that they do.
Characterization of highly stable extracellular lipase from the extremely halophilic archaeon Halolamina sp.
Authors: Okay Sezer , Adem Şevki , Aslıhan Kurt-Kizildoğan
Published: August 2022

Enzymes of the archaea living in extreme environments are resistant to the challenging conditions. Lipase is among the important enzymes used in the industry and agriculture. In this study, the extracellular lipase from extremely halophilic archaeon Halolamina sp. was characterized for the first time. Optimum temperature for the enzyme activity was determined as 70oC, optimum pH was 7.0, and the optimum salt concentration was 3.6 M. Additionally, more than 70% of the enzyme activity was remained between pH 3.0-10.0 for 48 h as well as incubation of the enzyme at 70oC for 30 min increased its activity for 44%, and no activity loss was observed after incubation at 80oC. Also, presence of the metals increased the enzyme activity up to 88%. The enzyme was highly resistant to the organic solvents acetone, methanol, and DMSO while strong inhibition was caused by n-butanol. Among the detergents, the enzyme kept its activity substantially in the presence of SDS; however, other detergents caused inhibition of the enzyme activity. This characterization study showed that the lipase from the haloarchaeon Halolamina sp. is highly stable at the wide ranges of temperature and pH values as well as in the presence of diverse inhibitors. This enzyme is promising to be used in biotechnological applications.
Productive characteristics of sunflower genotypes irrigated with different levels of saline water
Authors: Dantas Travassos Kaline , Hans Raj Gheyi  , Helder Morais Mendes Barros  , Neyton de Oliveira Miranda  , Claudio Augusto Uyeda  , Nildo da Silva Dias  , Marcelo Tavares Gurgel  , René Chipana-Rivera  , Rafael Oliveira Batista  , Francisco Valfísio da Silva
Published: August 2022

Sunflower is suitable for family farmers from Northeast Brazil who are benefited by the production of grain and oil and is adequate for crop rotation and for honey production. The need for irrigation in this region leads to the realization of this study for evaluating the production components of four sunflower genotypes irrigated with different levels of water salinity. The study was carried out in the municipality of Remigio, Paraíba, Brazil, using a randomized block with split plots experimental design in a 5 x 4 factorial arrangement. Treatments consisted of five electrical conductivity levels of the irrigation water at 25 °C (L1 - 0.14 (reservoir water), L2 - 1.50, L3 - 2.50, L4 - 3.50, and L5 - 4.50 dS m- 1), and four sunflower genotypes (C1 - Embrapa 122-V2000, C2 - Olisun 03, C3 - AG 963, and C4 - Multissol) with three replicates. The irrigation water salinity levels tested did not influence the variables studied. Different values of the variables among sunflower genotypes were due to characteristics inherent to each genotype. Sunflower genotype Olisun 03 presented the highest oil content, while the lowest content was observed in Multissol.
Influence of ceramic primers on microshear bond strength to zirconia
Authors: Raymundy Lago Carlo Theodoro , Tozatti Lago Bruna Luiza , João Paulo De Carli  , Farina Ana Paula
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of two ceramic primers on the microshear bond strength (µSBS) of yttria-stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP) to two types of self-adhesive resin cement and one BisGMA-based resin cement. Zirconia specimens were sandblasted with 27-µm aluminum oxide and composite cylinders were cemented with resin cement with or without the prior use of ceramic primers. Nine groups (n=12) were randomly distributed according to the cement (self-adhesive RelyX U200/3M ESPE, self-adhesive Maxcem Elite/Kerr, and BisGMA-based dual-cure RelyX ARC/3M ESPE) and ceramic primer (Z-Primer Plus/Bisco and Porcelain Liner M/Sun Medical Co.). After luting, the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours and then submitted to the µSBS test. The data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA followed by the Scheffe post hoc test (p<0.05). There were significant differences between RelyX U200 and other groups. There were also significant differences between the RelyX U200 group without ceramic primer and other groups without ceramic primers (p<0.05). Self-adhesive resin cement (RelyX U200 and MaxCem) presented higher microshear bond strength (6.17 and 2.32 MPa) than the conventional resin cement (RelyX ARC) when a porcelain primer was not used (0.43 MPa). When using Porcelain Liner M, the results of RelyX ARC (2.94 MPa) were equivalent to the results of self-adhesive cement (3.93 and 2.11 MPa). When using Z-Prime Plus, the results of MaxCem (5.36 MPa) were lower than those of RelyX U200 (9.59 MPa) but equivalent to those of RelyX ARC (6.07 MPa). When using the RelyX ARC, the use of both ceramic primers improved bond strength to zirconia. When using self-adhesive resin cement, Z-Prime Plus improved microshear bond strength values. It can be concluded that, after 24 hours, the highest µSBS results were obtained when using Z-Prime Plus and RelyX U200 self-adhesive cement.
Quality of life and adherence to dental treatment in adolescents: a longitudinal analytical study
Authors: Bulgareli Jaqueline Vilela , Cortellazzi Karine Laura , Guerra Luciane Miranda , Ambrosano Gláucia Maria Bovi , Freddo Sílvia Letícia , Cunha Inara Pereira da , Pereira Antonio Carlos
Published: August 2022

The study aimed to analyze the quality of life, oral health impact on daily activities and its association with adherence to dental treatment, and other factors, among vulnerable adolescents. It is a longitudinal analytical study performed with 15- to 19-year-old adolescents in the city of Piracicaba, São Paulo, from 2014 to 2015. The sample consisted of 476 adolescents referred for the treatment of caries and/or periodontal disease in family health units (initial phase). After 18 months, 325 individuals were assessed to investigate the dental treatment provided (final phase). The response variables considered in the final phase were the Quality of Life (WHOQOL-bref) and the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) questionnaires. The independent variables analyzed were sex, age, treatment adherence, and family cohesion and adaptability. A multiple regression model was used. The data on the physical (p<0.0001), social (p=0.0003), environmental (p<0.0001), and psychological (p<0.0001) domains of the WHOQOL collected in the initial phase had a positive relationship with the same domains assessed in the final phase. The WHOQOL data of the initial phase were associated with the WHOQOL data of the final phase (p=0.0341). The OIDP data of the initial phase were associated with the OIDP data of the final phase (p<0.0001). The OIDP of volunteers who did not adhere to dental treatment showed a higher impact (p=0.0234). The quality of life and impacts on daily performances of adolescents improved between the evaluation periods.
Rehabilitation of patients with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sivertseva S. A. , Anfilofyeva K. S. , Zotova A. V. , Belkin A. A. , Sherman M. A.
Published: August 2022

Rehabilitation has an important place in the treatment and management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Currently, active research is being carried out in the field of telerehabilitation, extended rehabilitation and staged rehabilitation.Objective: to study the results of staged motor rehabilitation, which is a combination of methods of inpatient rehabilitation, telerehabilitation and home rehabilitation, as links in a chain to maintain rehabilitation potential for a longer period and, if possible, maintain the level of physical activity and quality of life of patients.Patients and methods. The study included 53 patients with progressive forms of MS, who were divided into the main (n=28) and control (n=25) groups. Intensive rehabilitation was carried out, supplemented by telerehabilitation and home rehabilitation. The condition of all patients was assessed using validated scales: the Beck questionnaire, the suicide scale, the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Questionnaire (MsQol-54), the Rankin scale, the Rivermead mobility index, the Barthel index. Physical activity tests were performed – Berg's balance test, 25-foot and 6-minute walk test, five squats, nine-hole peg tests. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA test), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT).Results and discussion. Statistically significant improvement 12 weeks after the end of intensive rehabilitation was noted in the nine-hole peg test, the five squats test, the Berg balance test, the Rivermead mobility index, and the pain level on the visual analog scale. Conclusion. The obtained results suggest that the staged rehabilitation of patients with progressive forms of MS helps to maintain the rehabilitation potential for a long time.
An Empirical Assessment of Success Factors Boosting Zimbabwean Banking Consumer Confidence
Authors: Mwatetsera Andrew , Sandada Maxwell , Chuchu Tinashe , Maziriri Eugine Tafadzwa
Published: August 2022

Consumer confidence is a crucial factor determining a bank's performance. This study examines the key success factors for increasing bank customer confidence in Zimbabwe. Three research objectives were set and explored using a quantitative survey approach with a sample of 426 bank employees and customers to establish the critical success factors for restoring consumer confidence in Zimbabwe. The critical success factors to restore consumer confidence in the banking sector in Zimbabwe are found in this current study using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The results indicated that the essential factors of success to be implemented to restore consumer confidence in banks in Zimbabwe are customer satisfaction, location and convenience, product range or size of the bank, digitalization of the processes, service culture, bank relationships, and market position of the bank. The study recommended that the banking and financial services sectors in Zimbabwe should offer more customer satisfaction-driven products, improve the product range, be available in different locations and offer convenient services to the customers. These should be coupled with prompt handling of customers' complaints through different channels and digitalization of the banking processes to enhance banking relationships and restore consumer confidence.
Political Connection, Foreign Ownership, and Tax Avoidance: Does Executive Gender Moderate the Relationship?
Authors: Yudanto Limpat Akbar , Damayanti Theresia Woro
Published: August 2022

Tax revenue is a vital source of income to support the economic development of acountry. Therefore, this study aims to provide empirical evidence of the influence ofpolitical connections and foreign ownership on tax avoidance. This study also analyzes the moderating role of executive gender on the influence of politicalconnections and foreign ownership on tax avoidance. This study used secondary panelÂ data from a survey conducted by the World Bank Open from 2006-2018. This study'sÂ data was around 50,454 companies from all over the world. The hypothesis testingÂ was performed using multinomial logistic regression. The results showed thatpolitical connection positively affected tax avoidance, but foreign ownership had nosignificant effect on tax avoidance. Furthermore, male executives strengthened therelationship between political connections and tax avoidance, but it did not moderatethe effect of foreign ownership on tax avoidance. The findings suggested that theDirectorate General of Taxation should scrutinize companies with political connections to optimize government tax revenue.
Tax Incentives and Taxpayer Compliance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: The Moderating Role of Tax Literacy
Authors: Naitili Selviana Lelan , Hatta Hambali Atika Jauharia , Nurofik Nurofik
Published: August 2022

The government's tax incentives for MSMEs during this pandemic are expected to increase taxpayer compliance. This study aims to provide empirical evidence of the effect of tax incentives during the COVID-19 pandemic on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) taxpayer compliance. This study also assesses the moderating influence of tax literacy on the relationship between tax incentives and taxpayer compliance. Using a sample of 108 MSME actors registered in the Yogyakarta Special Region of Cooperatives and MSMEs, the results indicate that tax incentives during the COVID-19 pandemic positively affect MSME taxpayer compliance. Meanwhile, tax literacy as a moderating variable weakens the impact of using tax incentives during the COVID-19 pandemic on MSME taxpayer compliance. The lack of tax literacy of MSME actors has resulted in the use of tax incentives being not optimal, so the government must increase the socialization of tax regulations to the public,Â especially among MSME actors.
Some properties of graded generalized 2-absorbing submodules
Authors: Alghueiri Shatha , Al-Zoubi Khaldoun
Published: August 2022

Let

G

G

be an abelian group with identity

e

e

. Let

R

R

be a

G

G

-graded commutative ring and

M

M

a graded

R

R

-module. In this paper, we will obtain some results concerning the graded generalized 2-absorbing submodules and their homogeneous components. Special attention has been paid, when graded rings are graded gr-Noetherian, to find extra properties of these graded submodules.
Research on novel single-mode polarization maintaining photonic crystal fiber
Authors: Li Li , Qiang Zhang , Hong-jie Li
Published: August 2022

A PCF (photonic crystal fiber) with high birefringence and single-mode polarization retention over a wide wavelength range is designed and studied. The birefringence and polarization retention characteristics of the PCF base mode were studied using FVFEM (full vector finite element method) and APML (anisotropic perfect matching layer) as boundary conditions. The simulation results show that by rotating the elliptical air hole parallel to the horizontal axis by 45°, and then rotating the elliptical air hole parallel to the longitudinal axis by 45°, the birefringence of the PCF obtained is as high as 4.7 × 10−2, and it has good single model ability, which can be used for various optical devices.
Clarifying the taxonomic status of Crocidura cantabra Cabrera, 1908 (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae: Crocidurinae)
Authors: Román Jacinto , Calzada Javier , Godoy José Antonio , Biedma Luis
Published: August 2022

At the beginning of the 20th century Crocidura cantabra was described based on one specimen from Basque Provinces, North of Spain. Later, some authors considered it a junior synonym of Crocidura suaveolens, without any data to support this statement, so the eight existing specimens were registered as records of that species. Our objective was to clarify the taxonomic status of C. cantabra. Since DNA could not be obtained from the existing specimens and the coloration was originally poorly described, an attempt was made to make an assignment based on the original biometric data of two individuals, the only ones identified by Cabrera for which there is biometric information: the holotype and a specimen from Colindres, Cantabria. The body measurements were surely altered by conservation techniques, rendering any identification uncertain, whereas the skull biometry assigns the specimens to C. russula. We propose that C. cantabra should be treated as junior synonym of Crocidura russula.
Angularly selective thermal emitters for deep subfreezing daytime radiative cooling
Authors: Chamoli Sandeep Kumar , Li Wei , Guo Chunlei , ElKabbash Mohamed
Published: August 2022

We theoretically analyze the impact of angular selectivity on the radiative cooling performance of thermal emitters. We investigate the effect of spectral selectivity, environmental conditions, and parasitic heating on the minimum possible equilibrium temperature of the thermal emitter. We show that combining angular and spectral selectivity is necessary to reach deep subfreezing temperatures. We also show that angularly selective thermal emitters increase the cooling performance in humid environments, however, they require management of nonradiative heat transfer processes. We introduce a general scheme to realize angularly and spectrally selective absorption/emission using a thin film stack consisting of an angle dependent transmission filter overlayed on a selective thermal emitter. The thermal emitter total thickness is ∼16 μm, an order of magnitude less than previously proposed angular selective thermal emitters/absorbers and operates under s- and p-polarized light without using anisotropic layers. Under realistic conditions and reasonable parasitic heating, the proposed emitter can be cooled down to ΔT = −46 °C below ambient temperature. Our work highlights the advantages and drawbacks of angular selective thermal emitters towards practical and efficient radiative cooling devices.
Three birds with one stone: oxygen self-supply engineering palladium nanocluster/titanium carbide hybrid for single-NIR laser-triggered synergistic photodynamic-photothermal therapy
Authors: Dang Shanshan , Mo Yanmei , Zeng Junqing , Xu Yunjie , Xie Zhongjian , Zhang Han , Zhang Bin , Nie Guohui
Published: August 2022

As a key branch of the cross-discipline biophotonics, phototherapy, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), and photothermal therapy (PTT), is promising in biomedicine and visible light-driving PDT has been applied to clinical treatment. However, extensive applications of phototherapy are limited by the hypoxic microenvironment, laser penetration depth, and potential complexity for combined PDT/PTT. Thus, NIR-responsive oxygen self-supply nanocomposites functionalized with photosensitizers for achieving simultaneous in-depth PDT/PTT are urgently required. Herein, a multifunctional platform has been fabricated by co-immobilizing monodispersed ultrasmall Pd nanoclusters and a photosensitizer 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis (4-Aminophenyl)-21H,23H Porphyrin (Thp) on the surface of Ti3C2T
x
MXene nanosheets, generating the Pd-Thp-Ti3C2T
x
nanocomposite. Material characterization demonstrated that Pd nanoclusters and Thp were well-distributed on the MXene surface while MXene maintained its photothermal conversion efficiency and broad absorption. In this nanoplatform, irradiated by the single 808 nm laser, Pd selectively catalyzed the decomposition of H2O2 to O2, and O2 was continuously supplied to Thp for enhanced NIR-driving PDT. The in vivo fluorescence and photothermal imaging demonstrated the pronounced accumulation of nanocomposites in the tumor site. Both in vitro and in vivo results clearly demonstrated the nanocomposite had good biocompatibility, and that the synergistic PTT and enhanced PDT made apoptosis of the tumor cell achievable. This work not only proves this Pd-Thp-Ti3C2T
x
nanocomposite serves a promising solution for tumor hypoxia by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells with synergistic PTT and PDT, but also broadens the application of promising optical materials in biomedical field.
Preliminary trials of the gold nanoparticles conjugated chrysin: An assessment of anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and in vitro cytotoxic activities of a nanoformulated flavonoid
Authors: Jasim Ahmed J. , Sulaiman Ghassan M. , Ay Hilal , Mohammed Salman A. A. , Mohammed Hamdoon A. , Jabir Majid S. , Khan Riaz A.
Published: August 2022

Chrysin (CHR), a dihydroxy flavone, exhibits several bioactivities, i.e., anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer, and is known to possess limited aqueous solubility causing lowered bioavailability, and compromised therapeutic efficacy. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) conjugated chrysin (CHR–AuNPs) were prepared and characterized by UV-Vis, Fourier transform infra-red, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and zeta potential analyses. The nanoformulated CHR–AuNPs were primarily examined on trial scale for their cytotoxic, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial activity in comparison to the unformulated CHR. The CHR–AuNPs effectively scavenged the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radicals, also in comparison to CHR and AuNPs. The CHR–AuNPs also exhibited potential cytotoxic effects in a dose-dependent manner and demonstrated significant reduction (P = 0.05) of the cells proliferation, and growth of the human breast cancer cell lines, AMJ13, which were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazal-z-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium, and crystal violet assays, respectively. When compared with the pure CHR and free-AuNPs, the CHR–AuNPs exerted highest anti-microbial bioactivity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The strong anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, as well as cytotoxic activity of the CHR–AuNPs preparation has the potential for clinical use after considerable appropriate developments.
The effect of stimulation frequency on transcranial evoked potentials
Authors: Leodori Giorgio , Rocchi Lorenzo , Mancuso Marco , De Bartolo Maria Ilenia , Baione Viola , Costanzo Matteo , Belvisi Daniele , Conte Antonella , Defazio Giovanni , Berardelli Alfredo
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked electroencephalography potentials (TEPs) have been used to study motor cortical excitability in healthy subjects and several neurological conditions. However, optimal recording parameters for TEPs are still debated. Stimulation rates could affect TEP amplitude due to plasticity effects, thus confounding the assessment of cortical excitability. We tested whether short interpulse intervals (IPIs) affect TEP amplitude.

Methods

We investigated possible changes in TEP amplitude and global mean field amplitude (GMFA) obtained with stimulation of the primary motor cortex at IPIs of 1.1–1.4 s in a group of healthy subjects.

Results

We found no differences in TEP amplitude or GMFA between the first, second and last third of trials.

Discussion

Short IPIs do not affect TEP size and can be used without the risk of confounding effects due to short-term plasticity.
Trusted Network Difference Data Mining Algorithm Based on Artificial Bee Colony Optimization
Authors: Li Junmei , Chen Huafeng , Li Suruo
Published: August 2022

Trusted network is characterized by a large amount of data, abnormal dispersion, and high complexity. Traditional methods are easily affected by trusted network environment, resulting in unreliable mining results. Therefore, a new real-time mining method of trusted network difference data is proposed. Real-time collection of trusted network difference data through history system is performed on the basis of determining the principle of trusted network difference data mining and collecting and extracting the characteristics of difference data. The process of trusted network differential data mining is designed through the artificial bee colony algorithm. According to the process, differential data mining is carried out from three aspects: constructing a trusted network differential data transmission path, updating pheromone, and establishing a differential data transmission path set. The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively realize the real-time mining of difference data, and the mining accuracy is more accurate.
Research Preparation and Properties of Geopolymer-Based Rapid Repair Materials
Authors: Wei Jing , Liu Jiesheng , Feng Bowen , Chen Yaohua , Zhang Yidi , Zhang Tongtong , Fu Wanwan , Tan Xiaoming , Zhu Guojun
Published: August 2022

Metakaolin (MK)-geopolymer has rapid coagulation at higher curing temperature, excellent durability, and mechanical properties. The aim of this research was to develop rapid repair materials of MK-based geopolymer cured at room temperature. In this study, portland cement was added to MK to prepare geopolymer. The influences of cement on the water requirement of normal consistency, setting time, bulk density, flowability, consistency, mechanical properties, and reaction mechanism of the geopolymer system were studied. The results showed that the consistency, flowability, bulk density, and mechanical properties of geopolymer were improved, and the setting time is prolonged by mixing a proper amount of cement into MK-geopolymer. When the cement content was 40 %, the strength of the geopolymer was the highest. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared analysis showed that the calcium silicate hydrate gel and sodium aluminosilicate hydrate gel structures overlapped each other and formed compact skeleton structure in the modified MK-geopolymer. The appropriate content of cement can give the geopolymer excellent performance under room temperature, which will contribute to the on-site construction of geopolymer.
Populism, Anti-establishment Politics, and Dimensions of Political Competition
Authors: Dvořák Tomáš
Published: August 2022

This article analyzes the nature of populism in the Czech Republic, which was until recently described as centrist and moderate. It uses an approach that views populism as associated with empty policy space: that is, with (previously) secondary issues on which the established parties have unclear positions. The empirical analyses presented in this article show that in the Czech Republic, where political conflict has traditionally been based on disputes over economic distribution, the migration crisis that started in 2014 increased the salience of ethnicity and gave rise to an ethnopopulist reaction that led to a transformation of the party system and the dimensionality of political conflict in the country. Ethnicity thus became linked with populism and, as a result, transformed the dimensionality of political conflict by adding another (ethnic) layer to the political conflict in the country. This article contributes to the discussion of populism in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) by describing the transformation of the nature of populism based on the dimensionality of political conflict.
Seed traits inform the germination niche for biodiverse ecological restoration
Authors: Dalziell Emma L. , Lewandrowski Wolfgang , Commander Lucy E. , Elliott Carole P. , Erickson Todd E. , Tudor Emily P. , Turner Shane R. , Merritt David J.
Published: August 2022

Seeds are a primary source for generating plants for large-scale restoration and understanding the requirements for seed germination and establishment is fundamental to ecological restoration. Seed germination traits are central to defining the germination niche and identifying traits
that may limit seedling establishment provides insights into how seeds may interact with the abiotic environment and the soil substrates specific to each restoration site and informs seed management practices. In this paper we review seed trait data derived from research to improve restoration
practice across diverse ecosystems within Western Australia. We compile and evaluate seed trait data for up to 300 seed collections of 287 species that are used in restoration programmes to identify species, lifeform, and region-specific variation in seed dormancy, maximum germination, germination
speed, base water potential, and germination niche breadth. Through a synthesis of this data, we outline our ecologically-guided approach to identifying key seed traits that support plant regeneration to improve the success of seed-based restoration across the biodiverse Western Australian
landscape.
Congrats-You're Having a Teen!
Authors: Ginsburg Kenneth R.
Published: August 2022

Dads and moms of adolescents are often warned about parenting teenagers by other well-meaning adults. But pediatrician Dr. Ginsburg is out to prove that these years are parents' best opportunity to effectively guide their children toward adulthood and should be celebrated! He shows how to help teens build confidence in their ability to handle the world on their own while laying the groundwork for a stronger relationship for life. Available for purchase at https://shop.aap.org/congrats-your-having-a-teen-paperback/
Genealogia como crítica
Authors: Cassiano Jefferson Martins
Published: August 2022

O presente artigo reflete sobre o tema da genealogia como crítica na filosofia de Michel Foucault. O argumento questiona a importância do procedimento crítico na fase genealógica. Para isso, a hipótese adota a microfísica do poder como objeto de análise para desenvolver os principais aspectos do pensamento crítico de Foucault. O texto apresenta as seguintes etapas: a) leituras oferecidas sobre a genealogia como crítica; b) a relação entre genealogia e crítica na pesquisa de Foucault; c) apontamentos sobre do que uma microfísica do poder é capaz; d) a importância das formas de problematização. O artigo observa a pouca atenção dada à crítica dentro do pensamento de Foucault, em relação aos comentários conhecidos. A conclusão defende que as tentativas de Foucault em fazer uma genealogia como crítica implicam na possibilidade de um pensamento crítico ser uma forma de pesquisa sobre o diagnóstico do presente.
Prevalence of gaming disorder in East Asia: A comprehensive meta-analysis
Authors: Liao Zhenjiang , Chen Xinxin , Huang Qiuping , Shen Hongxian
Published: August 2022

Background and aims

Asian countries are deemed to be high prevalence areas for gaming disorder (GD). This meta-analysis is the first to synthesize the overall prevalence of GD in East Asia and investigate characteristics that influence prevalence estimates.

Methods

Systematic and independent searches were conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library since their inception to January 27, 2021. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality scale was used for quality assessment. A random effect model was used to calculate the overall GD prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

In total, 22 articles (26 studies) comprising 51,525 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of GD in East Asia was 12%, 95% CI (10%–15%); this figure was adjusted to 6%, 95% CI (3%–9%) for a representative sample. Higher prevalence was observed in males than in females (16% vs. 8%, respectively, P < 0.05). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses revealed that studies among gamers or those without random sampling reported significantly higher prevalence rates. There were no significant differences between countries/regions, sample size, quality score, proportion of males, and scale used.

Discussion and conclusions

The prevalence of GD in East Asia is higher than that in other world regions. Future studies should extend such epidemiological research to other regions to calculate the accurate prevalence of GD to benefit the local identification, prevention, policy formulation, and treatment efforts. Considering its negative effects, effective preventive and treatment measures for GD in East Asia need greater attention.
Internet-based interventions for behavioral addictions: A systematic review
Authors: Boumparis Nikolaos , Haug Severin , Abend Stefanie , Billieux Joël , Riper Heleen , Schaub Michael P.
Published: August 2022

Background and aims

Behavioral addictions are a public health problem that causes harm to both individuals and society. Internet-based interventions offer potential benefits over face-to-face therapy for the treatment of behavioral addictions, including their accessibility, perceived anonymity, and low costs. We systematically reviewed the characteristics and effectiveness of these interventions.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in: PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. A standardized methodological quality assessment was performed on all identified studies via the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool.

Results

Twenty-nine studies were assessed in this systematic review. Between them, considerable heterogeneity was noted in various study characteristics, including screening tools, inclusion criteria, and outcome measures. Attrition rates also ranged widely (9–89%), as did study quality, with three of the 29 studies rated strong, 12 moderate, and 14 weak methodologically. Twenty-two studies focused on gambling disorder, most revealing significant within-group effects for the assessed intervention on gambling-related symptoms and four of these studies identified significant between-group effects. Behavioral addictions studied in the remaining studies included gaming disorder, internet use disorder, hoarding disorder, and pornography use disorder, revealing generally-promising, albeit limited results.

Conclusions

Internet-based interventions seem promising at reducing gambling problems, but too few studies have been published, to date, for conclusions to be drawn for other behavioral addictions. Internet-based interventions targeting other behavioral addictions – like gaming disorder, internet use disorder, hoarding disorder, and pornography use disorder – remain under-examined, warranting considerable additional research to assess their effectiveness.
Segregating sex
Authors: Turton Stephen
Published: August 2022

Feminist and postcolonial scholars have long contended that dictionaries, far from being objective linguistic records, are ideologically loaded texts that overtly or covertly encode sexist and ethnocentric attitudes (e.g. Rose 1979; Benson 2001). Queer linguists have also begun to explore how dictionaries reproduce heteronormativity and cisnormativity (Nossem 2018; Turton 2020), though much of this scholarship has so far limited itself to the construction of identity. This paper instead contributes to the recent queer turn towards embodiment by exploring representations of sexual acts in online general English dictionaries. It encourages greater engagement between queer lexicography and other strands of dictionary criticism by placing Rubin's (1984) concept of the ‘charmed circle’ of sex in dialogue with Benson's (2001) postcolonial model of the centre/periphery in lexicography. The paper argues that heteronormativity, cisnormativity and phallocentrism continue to shape contemporary definitions of sex and sexual intercourse by sidelining or silencing queer erotic acts and bodies.
#BoomerDoomer and #BoomerRemover
Authors: Plastina Anna Franca
Published: August 2022

A chronological-age ‘risk group’ has been singled out since the onset of the current pandemic due to the higher risk of serious illness and mortality from COVID-19 closely associated with ‘older age’. While this categorisation does not presuppose discrimination in itself, it appears to be a precondition for discursive discrimination. COVID-19 age-related risks have particularly exacerbated ageism on social media, fuelling discourses driven by intergenerational tension. Despite the importance of social media in contemporary communication, there is still scant research on the representation of ageism in these environments. This paper attempts to fill this void by exploring millennials’ use of the derogatory Twitter hashtags #BoomerDoomer and #BoomerRemover to discriminate ‘baby boomers’ as the COVID-19 risk group. Informed by Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) showing interest in discriminatory discourse in the media, the study aims at disclosing the main themes and discursive strategies used to construe ageist content in a sample of original tweets posted during the initial stage of the disease outbreak when the hashtags were trending. Framed by a CDA taxonomy of discriminatory discursive strategies, the combined thematic and discourse analysis highlights how the chosen topics and discursive strategies subtly perpetuate ageism, thus suggesting its resurgence in the COVID-19 era.
Young generation and accessibility to health dissemination
Authors: Zummo Marianna Lya
Published: August 2022

Social media interactions represent an accessible way for young people to get health information and provide a form of public discourse about health. It is against this backdrop that experts and other health professionals have turned to digital platforms (e.g., TikTok) to share educational content about timely or touchy topics, and to spread awareness, specifically among younger users. This paper aims to explore these digital platforms where professionals provide health information that is specifically tailored for a young audience and attempts to explore the discursive negotiation of healthcare and health accessibility in digital social settings. In light of a social media critical discourse perspective, this study explores the creative shifts in the process of accommodating a product to a target audience and questions what meanings, in terms of accessibility and/or discrimination, these products carry for their audience.
How mental health professionals perceive old(er) adults
Authors: Maglie Rosita , Grattagliano Ignazio
Published: August 2022

This multidisciplinary work mainly uses a discourse analytical approach (Fairclough 1995; Sarangi 2010a, 2010b) and fine tools (i.e., corpora and text analysis software, Baker 2010) in order to identify the possible presence of ageism (Butler 1969) from responses provided by psychologists who completed the Fraboni Scale of Ageism (Fraboni et al. 1990) used in the Italian validation (Donizzetti 2010) and further adapted to achieve the objective of this study. In fact, for each item (Tot=19) distributed along this 3-dimensional model (separation and avoidance; stereotypes and antilocution; affective attitudes and discrimination), 177 respondents were asked to express their (dis)agreement, not with numbers, as in the traditional scale, but with a text (D'Amico et al. 2020). With reference to the above-mentioned dimensions, some results unveiled the psychologists’ recurring belief system as follows: 38% of respondents believed that old people complain much more than other people, thus confirming their idea of a separate group from theirs; 35.7% thought that the elderly should be entrusted with the care of infants only when supervised, thus fitting the stereotype of the fixed age-identity category; and 80.6 % declared that they were unwilling to reciprocate if an old person initiated a conversation for external and/or context/personality-dependent reasons, thus justifying their discriminatory attitudes. Limited but not negligible results demonstrate a need for mental health education and training to be monitored in order to better understand the professionals’ belief system that emerges from their discourse on old age, because the reiteration of the same belief system, if cemented in social memory, has the strong effect of conferring an aura of objectivity to prevailing attitudes towards old(er) adults, and of inevitably affecting standard professional inter/actions with them.
COVID-19 interactions that feature ageism
Authors: Kojima Mugiho
Published: August 2022

This study investigates how ageism is displayed among Japanese women in their mid-twenties when they talk about their experiences with COVID-19. Ageism, which is discrimination, stereotypes and prejudice based on people's age, was reinforced by the outbreak of the disease. This study gathered data through virtual conversations recorded during the second wave of COVID-19 cases that hit Japan in August 2020. The conversation is examined using discourse analysis, focusing on how the participants position themselves and others through the narration of their personal experience. The analysis shows how participants co-construct the image of elderly people as others who are vulnerable to the virus but ignorant of their own risks. This image is created as the participants establish rapport-oriented interactions with friends that they align with as young and healthy citizens who are responsible for preventing the spread of the virus.