bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective Management of Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction in MELAS Using Acotiamide: A Case Report
Authors: Kawano Yuri , Taniguchi Akira , Narita Yugo , Kagawa Ken , Harada Tetsuro , Shindo Akihiro
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is reported to be a secondary cause of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO). Although few case reports have described CIPO in MELAS, effective treatment for CIPO has not been established. Here, we present a case report of amelioration of CIPO symptoms using acotiamide in a patient with MELAS. Case Presentation: A 51-year-old Japanese female with a mitochondrial disorder with m.3243A>G mutation and a history of anorexia for 2 years presented to our hospital with a left temporal headache and acute paraphasia. A stroke-like episode of MELAS was suspected and combined therapy with arginine, edaravone, and levetiracetam was initiated. Although her symptoms improved, she presented with nausea and vomiting and abdominal distension 6 days following admission. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed dilatation from the stomach to the intestine, particularly marked the stomach, with neither obstruction nor impaired blood flow in the intestine. CIPO exacerbation with MELAS was suspected, and the patient’s symptoms gradually improved with acotiamide. Conclusion: Patients with MELAS could possibly experience stroke-like episodes during CIPO. Since acetylcholine possibly plays an important role in the pathophysiology of CIPO and acotiamide possesses prokinetic activity by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, acotiamide could possibly improve CIPO symptoms.
Comparing Small Gatherings in Their Urban Contexts
Authors: Becker Johannes
Published: September 2024

This article introduces small gatherings as a socio-spatial arena that enables a comparative perspective on the basis of detailed empirical research. Small gatherings allow for an analysis of sociality in the city which can be combined with the analysis of its concrete spatiality and intersecting socio-historical processes. The challenge of doing research on small gatherings lies in the fact that they are fuzzy and may, or may not, traverse established urban scales. This will be exemplified by the characterization of two types of small gatherings, represented by cases in Amman and in East Jerusalem – small gatherings of friends and small gatherings of neighbors. They share superficial similarities, but the analysis reveals their varying relations to the neighborhood and the city.
World Society, Cultural Diversity, and Gender Gap in Political Empowerment
Authors: Hekmatpour Peyman
Published: September 2024

This article studies the interactive effects of world society and cultural diversity on the gender gap in political empowerment. Focusing on the Women’s Share of Seats in National Parliaments (WSSNP) and the Gender Gap in Political Empowerment (GGPE) Index as two main outcome variables, the analyses use a growth curve approach to estimate nations’ trajectories of gender political inequality and explain them by time-invariant and time-varying independent variables. Overall, the results suggest that nations’ level of embeddedness in the world society, measured by the political globalization index of the KOF Swiss Economic Institute, closes the gender gap in political empowerment. Nevertheless, more culturally diverse societies, in terms of the level of religious fractionalization, are more susceptible to the equalizing impacts of globalization on the gender gap in political empowerment. Conversely, culturally homogenous nations appear to show some level of resistance to adopting the gender-equitable values prompted by world culture.
Environmentally Related Taxes and Forest Loss
Authors: Harper Marion C. , Sommer Jamie M. , Shandra John M.
Published: September 2024

In recent years, environmental state theory has argued that nations have implemented laws and regulations along with spending money on conservation to address environmental problems. However, questions remain about the effectiveness of such policies. The authors draw on environmental state theory to frame this study in which they examine if higher levels of environmentally related forestry taxes correspond with lower levels of forest loss in low- and middle- income nations. The authors test this hypothesis by using use two-stage least squares regression models for a sample of 81 low- and middle- income nations. The results indicate support for the hypothesis that higher levels of environmentally related taxes are associated with less forest loss in low- and middle-income nations.
The effect of exercise intensity on ischemia/reperfusion injury and myokine profile in diabetic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Akat F. , Tatar Y. , Çelik H. , Fıçıcılar H. , Dursun A.D. , Baştuğ M.
Published: September 2024

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterised by hyperglycaemia. The diabetic heart becomes more susceptible to ischemic injury. Although exercise induces a cardioprotective phenotype, the determination of accurate protocol is crucial. We compared two different exercise intensities in the diabetes model and evaluated the role of myokines in exercise-induced cardioprotection. Male, adult, Wistar albino rats were used (n = 20 each). First, animals were divided into two groups: Non-Diabetic (ND), Diabetic (DM); then groups were further divided into subgroups: Sedentary (S), Training-1 (T1 = 10 m/min, 0° inclination), and Training-2 (T2 = 20 m/min, 10° inclination). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (60 mg/kg; i.p.). Animals exercised on a treadmill 5 days/a week for 6 weeks. Then, hearts were attached to the Langendorff apparatus and baseline functional parameters were measured. After 30’/120’I/R protocol, infarct size was evaluated with tetrazolium chloride staining. Interleukin-6, FNDC5, and myonectin levels were measured both in the soleus and the left ventricle. We observed cardiac hypertrophy and impaired baseline LV function in diabetes. Infarct size was significantly larger in diabetics and only T1 decreased the infarct size whereas T2 further aggravated it. Moreover, post-ischemic recovery was worst in diabetic-T2 group. Irisin and myonectin levels were decreased in the soleus muscle of diabetic animals. T1 increased the myonectin levels in the left ventricle of non-diabetics, and this effect was blunted in diabetic-T1 animals. As a conclusion, light-intensity exercise is a better approach to prevent ischemic damage in diabetes besides moderate intensity may be hazardous in diabetic population.
Global postural re-education versus Egoscue exercises in upper cross syndrome on neck pain, forward head and rounded shoulder posture: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Aghav V. , Gurudut P. , Kage V. , Welling A.
Published: September 2024

Upper crossed syndrome (UCS) is a condition that is caused due to alternating tightness and weakness in the opposite muscle groups of the neck, shoulders, and upper back which results in abnormal postural deviations. Global postural re-education (GPR) and Egoscue exercises (EE) aim to improve postural alignment and reduce musculoskeletal discomfort by maintaining certain postures. There is a lack of literature where these approaches are not compared and hence the need arises to evaluate their efficacy in the management of UCS. A randomised clinical trial was conducted on 34 individuals with UCS, where 17 individuals were randomly allocated into two groups, i.e. Group A (GPR) and Group B (EE). Both groups received conventional therapy (hot moist pack and interferential current therapy) 3 times/week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures like craniovertebral angle (CVA), pectoralis minor index (PMI), tragus to wall test (TTW), deep cervical flexors endurance, neck disability index (NDI), and patient satisfaction were assessed at baseline and on day 12 post-treatment. Within group analysis has shown statistical significant improvement in all the outcomes (). Between group analysis has shown both interventions to be equally effective in CVA (), PMI (), TTW (), deep cervical flexors endurance (), NDI () and patient satisfaction scale (PSS) () in individuals with UCS. In conclusion, both the interventions were equally effective and can be included in the protocol for the better outcomes in musculoskeletal dysfunctions.

This present trial was prospectively registered in the Clinical Trial Registry of India with registration number CTRI/2023/10/059361.
Disordered gut microbiota in postmenopausal stage amplifies intestinal tight junction damage to accelerate atherosclerosis
Authors: Meng Q. , Zhang S. , Zhang C. , Liu B. , Zhu W. , Wu L. , Zhang Q. , Li Y. , Wang X. , Bian H.
Published: September 2024

The causes and characteristics of gut microbiota abnormalities and whether microbiota manipulation can prevent atherosclerosis in the postmenopausal stage remain to be determined. Aortic oestrogen receptor expression, histological changes and gut microbiota in women before and after menopause were detected. Serum oestrogen levels, systemic inflammation, intestinal oestrogen receptor expression and histological changes, atherosclerosis, and gut microbiota in low density lipoprotein deletion (LDLR−∕−) female mice before and after ovariectomy were tested. This study examined aortic oestrogen receptor expression, histological changes, and gut microbiota in women before and after menopause, and tested serum oestrogen levels, systemic inflammation, intestinal oestrogen receptor expression, histological changes, atherosclerosis, and gut microbiota in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR−∕−) female mice before and after ovariectomy. We demonstrated that the downregulation of oestrogen and oestrogen receptors after menopause promotes gut microbiota disturbance in both women and female mice. We found that gut microbiota disturbance amplifies the intestinal barrier damage and aggravates systemic inflammation, thereby promoting atherosclerosis in female mice. Faecal microbiota transplantation and antibiotics inhibit the proinflammatory properties of gut microbiota and prevent atherosclerosis by reducing intestinal barrier damage in postmenopausal mice. Together, our study highlights the causes of gut microbiota disturbances and the role of microbiota manipulation in preventing atherosclerosis in postmenopausal stage.
In Pictures We Trust: Evaluating Digital Information and Disinformation with Phenomenon-based Learning in Secondary Schools
Authors: Reicho Michael , Otrel-Cass Kathrin
Published: September 2024

The existence of disinformation in online environments increases the risk that young people will be exposed to manipulated content. It is not surprising, then, researchers and educators are focusing on ways to build pupils’ multiliteracy competencies. In this article, we look at the role visual information plays when students assess the trustworthiness of online information and disinformation. The authors present data from Austrian classroom interventions, where eight teachers used a phenomenon-based learning (PhBL) approach to build their 107 pupils’ multiliteracy competencies. The authors undertook video-based and written classroom observations and conducted interviews (n = 44). They found that visual information plays a significant role in pupils’ decisions on whether to trust online information or not. Other factors that increase trust include human actors (e.g. teachers or other pupils) and easily accessible digital information (e.g. visuals or information provided by algorithms or ai). The phenomenon-based pedagogy approach meant that pupils were working in groups, giving a greater opportunity to engage in reflective dialogue, and being more critical about online information.
Experiences of Disabled and Neurodivergent Faculty in Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Sarchet Laura N.
Published: September 2024

Internationally, disabled and neurodivergent faculty members’ experiences in higher education often differ from the experiences of neurotypical and nondisabled faculty. This literature review discusses key themes including the experiences of disabled faculty with inequity and stigma, and the various ways in which disabled and neurodivergent faculty respond to these barriers, including hiding, fighting, advocating, self-accommodating, and challenging norms. Further research is needed to bridge the gap between disabled and neurodivergent faculty members’ experiences and the changes that higher education institutions could make in order to improve inclusion of neurodivergent and disabled faculty.
The 2020 #EndSARS Protests in Nigeria: Understanding How Perception Influences Government Approach to Civil Uprising in a Dictatorial State
Authors: Ugwueze Michael I.
Published: September 2024

Dictatorial regimes are known for their non-tolerance syndrome, including for peaceful protests. With manifest dictatorial tendencies, Nigeria, under the President Muhammadu Buhari, fiercely gagged the media and clamped on peaceful protests, believing them to be anti-government uprisings. Despite this repressive approach, the youths embarked on the #EndSARS protest to demand for police accountability. Although the movement could not achieve its desired objectives, it drew international attention to police brutality and unveiled how dictatorial perceptions deny even a democratic government an opportunity to retract its policy steps. This paper analyzes how the Nigerian state escalates its security problems through its perception of, and approach to, peaceful protests. Using data from field survey, acled and documentary media reports, this paper argues that Nigeria’s manifest dictatorial tendencies deny it the opportunity to take in protest demands to initiate pro-people policies that could address its security problems. The implication is that the security environment in the country continues to worsen.
Protest Wave Palestine: “We are All Palestnians”
Authors: Milton-Edwards Beverley
Published: September 2024

The attack of October 7 2023 by Hamas and other Palestinian Armed Groups (pag) on Israel and the retaliatory war on Palestinians since then have led to a massive wave of protest across the world. These protests have been variously received by governments and local authorities, particularly in Europe and North America, and by Israel’s allies as threats – even to national security – in and of themselves. These governments, authorities, along with the mainstream media largely fail to see the protests as part of a massive global siren call for ceasefire, or for ending acts which may constitute war crimes, including genocide and starvation. What I wish to address in this essay are the ways in which these protests have proven dynamic, unprecedented in size and sheer geographic spread, and as a vast repertoire of action. In this essay I also argue that, before we even speak of the import of this moment of global solidarity we need to acknowledge that, in so many ways, it is mimetic of a long history of Palestinian protest all-too frequently overlooked or deliberately ignored. For this reason part of this essay seeks to re-centre such protest.
If We Care, We Should Take Care of Them: Social Justice Pedagogy in Directness of Collaborative Learning
Authors: Ameen Maliha
Published: September 2024

This study argues that initiating education on social movements and justice in higher education with an understanding of students’ social vulnerabilities and alienation is crucial. Addressing feelings of disconnectedness and apathy, this pedagogical approach fosters an environment where students feel safe to express personal grievances, thus deepening their engagement with the curriculum and enhancing the relevance of social justice education. This foundation encourages a profound, empathetic interaction with the subject, promoting an inclusive and transformative learning experience. Moreover, maintaining student interest in these complex subjects necessitates innovative teaching strategies, including guest lectures, multimedia integration, and interactive sessions. Regular feedback mechanisms further allow for the dynamic tailoring of course content, ensuring responsive and effective teaching. This research offers critical insights and practical tools for educators to refine their creative pedagogical practices, contributing to more holistic and impactful educational outcomes.
Climate Change Mitigation through Civil Procedure? Justiciability in Two Nordic Climate Cases
Authors: Hellner Agnes
Published: September 2024

Although the phenomenon of climate change litigation has flourished in certain European countries, it has so far been limited in the Nordic countries. A reason might be that the Nordic countries do not have a strong tradition of judicial review or rights-based litigation. The role of the courts was long considered to be less about controlling that the legislature lived up to constitutional and international obligations, than ensuring the realisation in practice of the substantive law, by resolving concrete disputes. Through the analysis of issues of justiciability in one Norwegian and one Swedish climate case, this article discusses the role of the judiciary in climate cases. It is argued that the cases illustrate a tension between on the one hand the right to access to a court and judicial review, and on the other, a more limited and traditional understanding of the role of the court, which focuses on the resolution of concrete disputes. At the same time, the cases are considered to indicate that climate change litigation can bring about change in the judicial interpretation of procedural law.
Challenging Legal Standing in Climate Change Litigation
Authors: Castagno Davide
Published: September 2024

Associations and private individuals, groups of young people and groups of senior women, farmers and workers, present and future generations, mayors and whole towns, trees and woods, water and rivers: the list of claimants in climate change litigation is wide and varied. Indeed, since everyone and no one in particular has the right to a healthy climate, determining claimants’ legal standing in climate disputes is of paramount importance. Rules of proceedings are sometimes of help, providing ad hoc standing for public interest litigations. In other cases, however, judges have to manage the claim according to the traditional rules of proceedings, which generally require claimants to demonstrate their direct and personal concern. Thus, since legal standing is one of the first hurdles that activists must overcome to succeed in climate disputes, procedural law may provide judges with the grounds for meaningful decisions as well as a way to avoid ‘political’ decisions.

In this paper, after analysing why civil litigation is proving to be the only suitable path for climate activists in the Italian legal order, I therefore intend to address four key ‘standing-orientated’ climate cases and namely the Dutch case of Urgenda, the Canadian case of ENvironnement JEUnesse, the Belgian case of Klimaatzaak, and the Swiss case of KlimaSeniorinnen. Having completed this analysis, and returning to the Italian case, the possible outcomes related to the claimants’ legal standing are then explored, both with respect to the associations and the individuals involved in the case.
Civil Litigation for Environmental Damages
Authors: Schumann Barragan Guillermo
Published: September 2024

This paper aims to analyse civil litigation for environmental damages and whether the so-called rights of nature are a viable alternative de lege ferenda. To this end, it examines (i) the participation of civil society in environmental protection through public enforcement mechanisms in the Spanish legal order; (ii) the cause of action for environmental damage claims; and (iii) whether rights of nature are a good option to enhance the protection of nature in civil justice.
The Bankruptcy of Foreign Companies
Authors: Trubacheva Anastasia
Published: September 2024

Until recently, in Russian jurisprudence prevailed a conservative approach. According to it, Russian courts did not consider themselves an appropriate forum for the bankruptcy of foreign companies. The situation started to change in April 2022, when the first judicial act opening bankruptcy proceedings in respect of a foreign company was rendered. This case reached the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and paved the way for subsequent similar cases. As a result, in February 2024 the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation issued a landmark ruling which set an important precedent regarding several fundamental questions of cross-border insolvency in Russia. This article tracks the development of case law and the shifts in the focus of judicial reasoning towards stronger and more effective protection of the creditors’ interests. It gives an overview of the applicable rules in the absence of special regulation of cross-border insolvency. The article identifies the criteria developed by courts and common features of foreign entities currently most affected by the changes in case law. These changes demonstrate how jurisprudence strategically adjusts to the challenges of our time and customizes international trends.
Vulnerable to Inadequate Representation?
Authors: Gollnast Paul
Published: September 2024

Collective redress mechanisms pose manifold challenges for the individualistic two-party paradigm of civil procedure. The EU Representative Actions Directive – transposed into German law with the Consumer Rights Enforcement Act (Verbraucherrechtedurchsetzungsgesetz – VDuG) – is built on a representative mechanism: Qualified entities (ie mostly consumer organisations) may bring actions on behalf of consumers for injunctive or redress measures against traders infringing consumer protection law. An often-neglected facet of collective redress is the vulnerability of absent plaintiffs, if collective judgments bind absent plaintiffs regardless of the adequacy of their representation. Consumers relying on their representatives could lose their actually well-founded claims as a result of inadequate representation by the representative consumer organisation and its attorneys. This article considers post-judgment safeguards against inadequate representation: As a procedural remedy, so-called collateral attacks would allow consumers to negate the binding effect of the collective judgment in cases of inadequate representation. Complementarily, the analysis turns to remedies in substantive law and considers the viability of liability actions against the representative consumer organisation or its attorneys.
Construction and Research of China's ESG Information Disclosure System
Authors: Wen Sun
Published: September 2024

With the rise of ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) concept in the world, ESG information disclosure has also received extensive attention. ESG information disclosure is an area to be studied in the future legal construction of capital market, especially in the process of improving the information disclosure system. It is necessary to establish a systematic ESG information disclosure system for listed companies in China. Various countries have established ESG information disclosure systems to guide enterprises to disclose, and China is also constantly exploring and improving its own systems. Currently, China has not formally released a comprehensive ESG information disclosure framework to guide enterprises to disclose non-financial information, which results in the uneven quality of ESG information disclosure at this stage, in addition to the Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Guidelines issued by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. There are still a few issues with the practice of disclosing ESG information. This paper reviews the development of ESG information disclosure standards at home and abroad, discusses the problems existing in ESG information disclosure in China, and puts forward corresponding suggestions, with a view to providing theoretical reference for the construction of ESG information disclosure system, and hoping to promote listed companies to actively fulfill their environmental, social and governance responsibilities, Contribute to the process of improving the sustainable development ability of listed companies through institutional advantages and promoting the establishment of a healthy and sustainable financial system with controllable risks.
Reading the Tea Leaves: Question Wording and Public Support for the Tea Party Movement
Authors: Summary Bryce D. , Mumford Camille
Published: September 2024

The emergence of the Tea Party in 2009 was a pivotal moment in American politics signaling a right-ward shift among Republican Party primary voters that would later help Donald J. Trump secure the Republican nomination for president in 2016. This article looks back in time analyzing public opinion data concerning the Tea Party movement from 2010 to 2011 examining how opinions changed over time. Specifically, two types of questions are used to plot views of the Tea Party over time: those gauging the favorability of, and support for, the movement. Findings show a decline in Tea Party support over time, with support peaking in November of 2010. This study also examines the influence of question wording on opinions of the Tea Party finding that support or favorability toward the Tea Party movement can vary significantly, depending on the options given to respondents. The implications of these results for the Tea Party movement, and the measurement of public opinion, are also explored.
Opioid Administration in the Trauma Bay for Minor Injuries Does Not Improve Disposition
Authors: Marchioli Michael D. , Baselice Holly E. , Kirk Sierra M. , Reichert Erin M. , Valdez Carrie L.
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Opioid usage in the trauma bay is a common practice for pain management. We evaluated the administration of opioids to patients with minimal injury to determine disposition and factors for opioid administration.

Methods

A retrospective study at a single institution was conducted utilizing records of trauma activations with an ISS of 3 or less between 1/1/2022 and 10/29/2022. Patients who are incarcerated, pregnant, or received an opioid prior to arrival were excluded. Categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square tests, and continuous variables were analyzed using t-tests.

Results

557 patients met inclusion criteria. One in five patients were administered an opioid (22%). The majority of patients who received opioids were between the ages of 25 and 44 (OR 1.218 [.693, 2.141]), black (OR 3.077 [2.066, 4.584]), and had Medicaid insurance (OR 1.390 [.883, 2.187]). Patients who received an opioid reported a higher pain level (8 [6, 9] v 5 [2, 8], P = .0001), despite no difference in ISS. No significant difference was found in patient dispositions ( P = .1759). When fentanyl was administered, doses greater than 50 mcg were administered to highest activation level trauma patients (40% v 10% P = .0001).

Conclusion

Opioid administration for patients with minor injuries does not improve patient disposition. The majority of patients with minor injuries being treated with opioids are young, black, and Medicaid patients. This research suggests consideration for establishing a non-opioid analgesic medication as first-line pain management for patients without evidence of significant injury on initial evaluation.
Comparison of Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events and Rapid Emergency Medicine Scores in In-Hospital Mortality of Patients Admitted to the Emergency Service and Diagnosed with Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Arslan Senol , Doru Halil İbrahim , Can Nazım Onur , Akpınar Furkan , Aydın Sidar Şiyar
Published: September 2024

Although there are many scoring systems for acute coronary syndromes, there is no suitable score for early risk stratification during initial medical contact with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. The present study compared the Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS), an easy-to-use scoring system in emergency departments, with the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score used for in-hospital mortality risk stratification of NSTEMI patients. The results were: (i) the REMS score outperformed the GRACE score in predicting the in-hospital mortality; (ii) in estimating in-hospital mortality, the sensitivity of the GRACE score was 88%, the specificity was 65%, while the sensitivity of the REMS score was 100% and the specificity was 76%; (iii) the AUC (Area Under Curve) value of the REMS score (AUC 0.89) was superior to the GRACE score (AUC 0.79) in the data obtained from Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) descriptive analysis, but not statistically significant ( P > .05). We suggest that the REMS score can be used to predict in-hospital mortality in patients with NSTEMI.
Associations between mental health profiles and later school outcomes
Authors: Sechague Monroy Neida , Brushe Mary , Sincovich Alanna , Boulton Zara , Gregory Tess
Published: September 2024

The dual-factor model of mental health proposes that high wellbeing and low distress are necessary to define mental health. This study used latent profile analysis to identify mental health profiles in a sample of 3,587 Australian grade 6 students and explored the association between mental health profiles and school outcomes measured in grades 7 and 9. Six mental health profiles were identified: complete mental health (i.e. high wellbeing and low distress; 30%), moderately mentally healthy (i.e. average wellbeing and low distress; 18%), symptomatic but content (i.e. high wellbeing and above-average distress; 19%), vulnerable (i.e. low wellbeing and below-average distress; 6%), moderately troubled (i.e. below-average wellbeing and high distress; 19%), and troubled (i.e. low wellbeing and high distress; 8%). After statistical adjustment for potential confounders (gender, language background, socio-economic status, and geographical remoteness), students with complete mental health showed significantly higher academic achievement and school engagement one and three years later compared with students with all other mental health profiles. Students with vulnerable and troubled profiles experienced the poorest school outcomes sustained over time (grade 7 and grade 9). Implications for school-based interventions to support the mental health and wellbeing of students are discussed.
If the Body Keeps the Score, What Happens When You Bring the Body to Work? Exploring the Health Effects of Trauma on Human Capital
Authors: Jones Christensen Lisa , Embry Elizabeth , Newman Arielle Badger , Godfrey Paul C.
Published: September 2024

Data reveal that the physical effects of trauma exposure increasingly surface in business, social, and other settings. Exposure to trauma at any point in life can cause employee health concerns, yet many firms do not acknowledge or address this. Herein, we combine trauma theory with human capital theory to explain how manifestations of trauma exposure— hyperarousal, intrusion, and constriction—impact employee health and performance. This article outlines how each manifestation affects human capital deployment, and thus employee performance. It further demonstrates how these human capital deployment issues have individual- and unit-level performance implications. This article offers a theory linking health effects of trauma to performance outcomes at work. It suggests how managerial awareness of trauma manifestations is a necessary step toward workplaces becoming supportive or healing. Our model offers new explanations related to why some individuals behave as they do at work and connects trauma to employee behavior and value creation.
Bad Guys Finish First? A Moral Emotional Perspective of Job Performance Outcomes for Abusive Supervisors
Authors: Priesemuth Manuela , Bigelow Bailey , Johnson Michael A.
Published: September 2024

Do abusive supervisors benefit from their own harmful behaviors, or do they experience the same repercussions as their victims do? This article extends a growing stream of research that aims to understand how bad actors process their own negative actions, when they are most impacted by their adverse behaviors, and how their job performance is influenced as a result. We ground this research in a moral emotions perspective to suggest that enacted abusive supervision elicits prominent moral responses (i.e., shame or guilt), which subsequently influence the supervisor’s own work conduct. Specifically, we suggest that feelings of guilt will prompt an abusive boss to compensate for their negative behaviors by increasing performance efforts, whereas supervisors with feelings of shame will withdraw and exhibit lower work performance. Multiple mediation results from Study 1 revealed that abusive supervisors predominantly experience shame and, in turn, reduced performance. In Study 2, we expand on these findings by considering the moderating role of supervisor core self-evaluations (CSE). We find that the negative relationship between enacted abuse and supervisor performance (through shame) is exacerbated when managers possess a fragile sense of self (i.e., low CSE). Overall, the current article adds to the argument that abusive supervisors do not profit from their own negative behaviors and that they, too, suffer performance setbacks.
Fine-tuned Parallel Piecewise Sequential Confidence Region and Point Estimation Strategies for the Regression Parameters in a Linear Model: Big Data Context
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Nitis , Zhang Chen
Published: September 2024

We introduced in our previous paper, fine-tuned parallel piecewise sequential sampling strategies for estimating the mean of a normal population. In this paper, we continue our explorations of sequential experimental designs for statistical inference in the context of big data. We develop fine-tuned parallel piecewise sequential methodologies for estimating the regression parameters in a linear model. Our proposed approaches achieve asymptotic unbiasedness of the stopping variable estimating the optimal fixed-sample size in addition to the operational efficiency with substantial time-savings when it comes to big data as a result of the parallel processing. We present a number of interesting illustrations of the theories and methodologies based on large-scale data analyses from simulated data as well as real data from a health study.

AMS Subject Classification: 62L1O, 62L05, 62L12, 62J05
Improving the Law Enforcement Response to Active Shooter Incidents: An Analysis of After-Action Reports
Authors: Arietti Rachael A. , Freilich Joshua D.
Published: September 2024

We examine all publicly available after-action reports (AARs) on active shooter incidents in the U.S. from 1999 through 2022 ( n = 31). We conduct a thematic analysis of recommendations provided in the AARs to identify common areas for improvement in the law enforcement response to these incidents. We find considerable overlap in the recommendations across AARs, with themes related to pre-incident planning, training, inter-agency coordination, incident command, and communication being the most common. Findings indicate recurring challenges for law enforcement, suggesting agencies may not be effectively learning from prior active shooter incidents. We discuss the potential of AARs to strengthen agency preparedness and promote organizational learning. We further provide recommendations to improve AARs and to centralize and disseminate their findings.
Evaluation of the Physical Compatibility of Intravenous Methocarbamol in Lactated Ringer’s, 0.45% Normal Saline, and Plasma-Lyte A
Authors: Twardzik Aaron T. , Reinert Justin P. , Baki Gabriella , Churchwell Mariann D. , Howard Mitchell S.
Published: September 2024

Background: The need to determine physical compatibility of intravenous admixtures is directly related to patient safety and patient outcomes. While the provision of multi-modal analgesic strategies has increased over the past decade, a paucity of data exists regarding physical compatibility of select medications. Objectives: To evaluate the physical compatibility of methocarbamol in Lactated Ringer’s (LR), 0.45% normal saline (0.45% NaCl), and Plasma-Lyte A (PLA) at concentrations of 4, 10, and 20 mg/mL. Methods: Admixtures were prepared and evaluated using previously validated methods under a laminar flow hood using aseptic technique. Samples were prepared in a triplicate manner, 3 mL aliquots were placed into polymethyl methacrylate cuvettes for evaluation at time points 0, 1, 5, 8, and 24 hours. Visual inspection of samples included assignment of a number: 0—no precipitation, 1—trace evidence of precipitation, 2—slight haze, 3—medium haze, and 4—heavy precipitation. Any evidence of precipitation was considered significant. A variable wavelength spectrophotometer set at 547 nanometers was used to measure absorbance. A change in absorbance of ±0.010 was considered significant. A change in pH of ±0.1 was considered significant. Results: No significant changes occurred relating to visual inspection or absorbance across all concentrations and time points for LR; however, there was a significant change in pH across all concentrations at hour 5. In 0.45% NaCl and PLA, no remarkable changes occurred across all concentrations and time points regarding visual observation, spectrophotometric absorbance, and pH analysis. Conclusions: Methocarbamol at concentrations of 4, 10, and 20 mg/mL is physically compatible for up to 1 hour in LR. Methocarbamol is physically compatible in 0.45% NaCl and PLA for up to 24 hours. Chemical stability tests are warranted to confirm these findings.
Deep encoder-decoder networks for belt longitudinal tear detection
Authors: You Lei , Luo Minghua , Zhu Xinglin , Zhou Bin
Published: September 2024

The belt conveyor is susceptible to longitudinal tearing, which poses a serious threat to the safety of coal mines. Traditional methods for detecting longitudinal tears have limitations such as poor image quality, limited applicability, and high hardware costs. An improved encoder-decoder network was proposed to solve the longitudinal tear detection problem. This method utilizes a line structured light system for image acquisition. The input images are downscaled using a sorting algorithm to extract the information of pixels with high grayscale values as the input feature map for the neural network. The reduced-dimensional encoder-decoder network then semantically segments the input feature map, and the resulting pixel segmentation is mapped to the location of the longitudinal tear. Finally, the position and length of the tear are calculated by back-projecting the semantic segmentation result to the world coordinate system. Experimental results demonstrate that this method effectively reduces hardware resource consumption and improves detection speed. The DICE and MIOU scores for the improved network are 97.69% and 95.47%, respectively, while the recall and precision for improved detection are 96.60% and 95.67%, respectively. Therefore, this method can successfully monitor longitudinal tear failures and ensure the safety of transportation.
Childhood trauma distribution and behavioural problems among Pakistani adolescents
Authors: Fatima Zaryab , Sadia Rayna , Khan Saira , Charkhabi Morteza
Published: September 2024

Background:

Childhood trauma adversely impacts adolescents, and consequently, they develop behavioural problems. Understanding the distribution of childhood traumas and their association with behavioural problems among adolescents is paramount for the preventive efforts.

Aim/Objective:

The present research aimed to investigate this association among adolescents.

Methods:

This association was investigated among adolescents ( N = 200) between 12 and 18 years. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire was used to assess the distribution of trauma and internalizing and externalizing behavioural problems among adolescents through purposive and convenience sampling technique.

Results:

The findings across trauma distribution indicated higher distribution of childhood abuse and neglect across males as compared to females. Males further significantly scored higher on sexual abuse and emotional neglect. Apparently, a large number of adolescents experienced all five sub types of childhood traumas (sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, emotional and physical neglect). Additionally, across the severity continuum of childhood traumas, male scored higher on the severe to extreme continuum for all subtypes except physical abuse, where females scored higher. Lastly, logistic regression analysis indicated higher peer problems among those adolescents who have experienced all types of childhood traumas.

Conclusion:

These findings could be beneficial for intervention-based programs and policies to help trauma-exposed adolescents cope with their lives.
Social and emotional well-being intervention to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression among Ukrainian refugees resettled in Massachusetts
Authors: Poudel-Tandukar Kalpana , Davis Caroline , Mosijchuk Yuliya , Poudel Krishna C
Published: September 2024

Background:

Mental health problems are high among refugees due to their traumatic experiences of fleeing war and witnessing disasters and deaths due to violence and conflict. Refugees are exposed to various socio-cultural stressors during their migration journey before, during, and after arriving at the host country, which may increase their risk of mental health problems. Strength-based interventions may be beneficial to address their socio-cultural and psychological stressors by strengthening individual’s strengths to address their problems.

Aims:

This study evaluated the effect of a Social and Emotional Wellbeing intervention on mental health (stress, anxiety, and depression) and emotional health outcomes (coping, self-efficacy, social support, and conflict resolution) among Ukrainian refugees in Massachusetts.

Methods:

We implemented intervention (once-weekly/5-week) among 31 Ukrainian refugees with pre-and post-assessment of mental and emotional health outcomes (2022–2023). The intervention consisted 5-module: managing stress and mind-body exercise, strengthening communication and social networking, problem-solving, and creating a healthy family environment. Validated scales were used to measure mental and emotional health outcomes, such as the Hopkins-Symptom-Checklist-25 for anxiety and depression and the Cohen-Perceived-Stress scale for stress. Paired t-test was used for data analysis.

Results:

The pre versus post-intervention proportion reduced for anxiety (61.29% vs. 22.58%) and depression (58.06% vs. 22.58%). The mean scores significantly decreased from pre- to post-intervention by 6.26 points for stress, by 7.07 points for anxiety, and by 6.29 points for depression (both p’s < .01). The mean scores significantly increased for coping (by 15.71), emotion-focused engagement (4.48), problem-focused engagement (4.80), social support (8.77), problem-focused coping self-efficacy (14.93), stop unpleasant emotions and thoughts (12.74), and friends networking (3.48; all p’s < .01).

Conclusions:

The stress, anxiety, and depression were reduced, and coping, self-efficacy, and social support networking skills were improved among Ukrainians after intervention. This program should be replicated in the larger community for a wider benefit.
Prevalence of disturbance of body image perception and engagement in risky behaviors for eating disorders motivated by the Korean wave
Authors: Belalcazar Vivas Valentina
Published: September 2024

Background:

the global expansion of the Korean wave (hallyu) has led to the idealization of Korean beauty standards among fans. Celebrities share extreme diets and exercise routines through social media that help them lose weight and adhere to this standard, which has been shown in some studies conducted in Asia to significantly influence negative body image perception and risk for eating disorders.

Aim:

to describe the prevalence of disturbance of body image perception and engagement in risky behaviors for eating disorders among Spanish-speaking fans residing in Western countries, motivated by the Korean wave.

Method:

this cross-sectional and descriptive study employed a quantitative method for data collection. The data were collected through an anonymous online survey created by the author on the Google Forms platform; the survey included demographic questions, information about exposure to hallyu, body perception, body image perception disturbance and engagement in risky behaviors motivated by the Korean wave. A total of 121 participants were recruited to answer through social network X Prevalence was then calculated for each category.

Results:

a total of 67.8% of the participants reported comparing their bodies to those of Korean celebrities, and 53.7% experienced a disturbance in their body image perception after exposure to hallyu. Risk behaviors related to exercise were more prevalent among participants than were those related to eating. The majority of participants engaging in these behaviors were females aged 18 years or younger.

Conclusion:

disturbance of the body image perception and engagement in risky behaviors for EDs motivated by the Korean wave are prevalent among its fans, especially female adolescents. More research is needed to understand the extent of this influence on body image perception and the risk of ED, which have a negative impact on physical and mental health.
Micromechanics-based multi-scale framework with strain-rate effects for the simulation of ballistic impact on composite laminates
Authors: Rekatsinas Christoforos , Theodosiou Theodosios , Siorikis Dimitrios , Tsiaktanis Konstantinos , Chrysochoidis Nikolaos , Nastos Christos , Saravanos Dimitris
Published: September 2024

The performance of composite materials and structures at high-velocity impacts reaching or exceeding their ballistic limit is crucial for assessing their strength and safety in aerospace applications. In this highly transient impact regime, composite materials are subject to multiple complex failure modes and their properties are susceptible to strain rate effects, making very challenging the simulation and understanding of their ballistic impact performance. This study presents: (1) a multi-scale computational framework for predicting the ballistic limit of composite plates, and (2) experimental results of ballistic impacts on carbon/epoxy plates. The multi-scale model uses a micromechanical approach to account for strain-rate dependency, to calculate micro-stress effects on the matrix and fiber properties, and to predict their coupled effect on effective composite properties. Intralaminar damage initiation and evolution are identified using the maximum stress criterion, but the degradation of properties in the matrix and fibers is predicted with the micromechanics model. Mixed-mode damage laws are implemented to simulate delamination, which guarantees accurate and reliable results. The proposed multi-scale model has been implemented and integrated into ABAQUS/Explicit (VUMAT). Experimental results from high-velocity steel ball impacts on woven IM-65 Carbon/RTM6 epoxy composite plates conducted on a high-speed impact test bench are also presented including non-destructive evaluation of the types of damage and failure. The experimental results are finally used to validate the model predictions for the ballistic limit and the predicted types of damage and failure.