bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Childhood Trauma, Emotional Regulation, Alexithymia, and Psychological Symptoms Among Adolescents: A Mediational Analysis
Authors: Sharma Prerna , Sen Mahadev Singh , Sinha Uday Kumar , Kumar Deepak
Published: August 2024

Background:

Adolescents’ mental health is influenced by childhood trauma, emotional regulation, and psychological symptoms. This study aimed to explore these interconnections among adolescents attending a child and adolescent clinic.

Method:

Adolescents aged 13-19 from a city were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20. Adolescents with severe mental or physical illnesses were excluded.

Results:

A total of 100 participants were recruited aged 13-19. The CTQ scores positively correlated with DERS Scores ( r = 0.246, P < .05) and Internalizing scores ( r = 0.325, P < .01). DERS Scores strongly correlated with alexithymia ( r = 0.624, P < .001) and Internalizing scores( r = 0.556, P < .001). Regression analyses revealed CTQ, Alexithymia, and DERS scores significantly predicted Internalizing scores ( R2 = 0.37). Mediation analysis showed that emotional regulation partially mediated the relationship between child trauma and Internalizing scores ( B = 0.059, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.011 to 0.133, t = 1.92, P = .01), as well as the relationship between Alexithymia and Internalizing scores( B = 0.255, 95% CI = 0.129 to 0.465, t = 3.31, P < .001).

Conclusion:

Findings highlight the importance of emotional regulation as a mediator in the connections between childhood trauma, alexithymia, and psychological symptoms among adolescents. This complementary mediation underscores the dual impact of direct and indirect effects on psychological well-being. The findings reveal intricate links between childhood trauma, emotional regulation, and alexithymia in adolescents with psychological symptoms. Emotional regulation proved to have a pivotal role in influencing psychological well-being. These results emphasize the importance of considering emotional regulation when assessing and maintaining mental health in adolescents, further contributing to understanding treatment needs.
Deconstructing discourse to reconstruct career possibilities for gifted learners
Authors: Peila-Shuster Jacqueline J , Vespia Nicholas
Published: August 2024

In examining dominant discourses affecting their career development, this article explores the deconstruction and reconstruction of career narratives for gifted learners. Leveraging career construction theory and especially the associated intervention of deconstruction, this article emphasizes childhood career development with holistic approaches to develop gifted individuals’ narratives, and proposes practices to enhance their career adaptability. Furthermore, this article calls for reconceptualizing career success for gifted individuals to facilitate their ability to construct authentic and fulfilling career paths.
Reducing Administrative Burdens for Vulnerable Groups: The Role of Job Security and Organizational Commitment
Authors: Johnson Donavon , Neshkova Milena
Published: August 2024

Citizens experience onerous encounters with the bureaucracy for various reasons, often political. Administrative burden reduction (ABR) has been pursued to improve citizen-state interactions, especially for vulnerable populations who are disproportionately impacted by burdens. This study seeks to explain the degree of ABR by bureaucrats when the burdens are deployed by their political superiors. We conceptualize it as a function of client vulnerability and bureaucrats’ sense of job security and organizational commitment. We examine these linkages in the context of a COVID-19 rental assistance program for two vulnerable groups—elderly and Blacks. The findings from the two single factorial experiments show that clients’ vulnerability increases the degree of ABR, but only for the elderly. Moreover, bureaucrats who make decisions based on their organizational commitment approach ABR more slowly and only in the context of age vulnerability.
On the Possibilities of Efficient Air Traffic Monitoring through Complex Network Clustering Based Airspace Sub-Sectorization: A Multi-Objective Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization Approach
Authors: Chandra Aitichya , Hazra Sayan , Verma Ashish , Sooraj K.P.
Published: August 2024

This study models the airspace sub-sectorization problem as a multi-objective complex network clustering problem. A decomposition-based discrete particle swarm optimization (DPSO) algorithm is then used to solve the problem, followed by applying the minimum bounding geometry method to design convex and compact boundaries. An Indian airspace sector was considered to validate the proposed framework. The waypoints and routes within the sector were represented as a network graph, and discretized traffic loads were randomly allotted to the vertices to guide the DPSO. The maximum number of generations or iterations was set as the termination criteria. The proposed approach generates clusters that result in all sub-sectors having a medium traffic load, ensuring equity that is difficult to achieve. This framework offers enough flexibility to avoid several strict constraints, thereby reducing the problem’s complexity. Moreover, the proposed framework improves the adaptability of sub-sectors to network evolution and traffic conditions, recognizing the hierarchical characteristics of air transport networks. The present research also motivates several research opportunities and possibilities for future air traffic management systems.
The call for testimonials: Exploring the self-production of sanitary masks during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Calvignac Cédric , Cochoy Franck , Gaglio Gérald
Published: August 2024

This article presents a method rarely used in sociology – the Call For Testimonials (CFT) – which consists of collecting written accounts of the experience of a large number of actors about a given social fact. This method provides a profuse amount of qualitative data, whose characteristics (spontaneous versus solicited, objective versus subjective, guided versus freely oriented) need to be described in order to make the best use of them through mixed analytical treatments. After characterizing the data collected, the article presents the mixed and combined analytic treatments to which they lend themselves. The example of the self-production of masks at the beginning of the COVID crisis helps to illustrate the potential of such treatments.
The voyage of the London whaler Lusitania, 1826–1829
Authors: Howard Mark
Published: August 2024

The British whaling ship Lusitania left London in 1826 on a three-year voyage to the South Seas. During the course of its long voyage, the vessel spent much of its time in the waters off the Indonesian archipelago and among the islands of western Melanesia. British whalers had been driven to this challenging region because sperm whales had been severely depleted in other less difficult whaling grounds. In those tropical waters, the hot climate, endemic diseases and high death rate among the crew, as well as the routine dangers of the trade, were to try the Lusitania and her crew to the utmost. One of them kept a journal during the voyage. It chronicles the many challenges faced by this and other vessels working this whaling ground, which until recent times has been poorly documented.
Prevalence and Classification of Pediatric Neuromuscular Disorders in the Central Region of Portugal
Authors: Machado Rita , Costa Carmen , Fineza Isabel , Ribeiro Joana Afonso
Published: August 2024

Neuromuscular disorders are a group of rare heterogenous diseases with profound impact on quality of life, for which overall pediatric prevalence has rarely been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the point prevalence of pediatric neuromuscular disorders and its subcategories in the central region of Portugal. Retrospective case identification was carried out in children with neuromuscular disorders seen between 1998 and 2020 from multiple data sources. Demographics, clinical and molecular diagnoses were registered. On January 1, 2020, the point overall prevalence in the population <18 years of age was 41.20/100 000 (95% confidence interval 34.51-49.19) for all neuromuscular disorders. The main case proportion were genetic disorders (95.7%). We found a relatively higher occurrence of limb-girdle muscular dystrophies, congenital myopathies, and spinal muscular atrophy and a slightly lower occurrence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, hereditary spastic paraparesis, and acquired neuropathies compared to previous studies in other countries. Molecular confirmation was available in 69.5% of pediatric neuromuscular patients in our cohort.

Total prevalence is high in comparison with the data reported in the only previous study on the prevalence of pediatric neuromuscular disorders in our country. Our high definitive diagnostic rate underscores the importance of advances in investigative genetic techniques, particularly new sequencing technologies, in the diagnostic workup of neuromuscular patients.
Diagnostic Value of Hepcidin in Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jingxiao , Zheng Zhifang , Ren Lei , Wang Chenhong , Li Yue , Hu Xidan , Zhang Jie , Jing Xiaoqing , Jin Yuzi
Published: August 2024

Objectives: To investigate the diagnostic value of hepcidin for sepsis diagnosis. Methods: The relevant literature on hepcidin for sepsis diagnosis published up to October 20, 2023, was systematically searched in the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and China Knowledge Network databases. Two researchers screened the literature and extracted relevant data according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Study quality was evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. Meta-analysis and calculation of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio were performed using State16 and Review Manager 5.3 software. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted, and the respective area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to assess the accuracy of hepcidin. Publication bias was evaluated using Deeks’ funnel plot asymmetry test. Results: Overall, 1047 patients from 8 studies were included (625 patients with sepsis and 422 controls). The quality of the literature was relatively moderate. Meta-analysis demonstrated the presence of heterogeneity in the data ( I2  > 50%, P < .05), and a randomized model was employed to combine the diagnostic indicators. Regarding its accuracy for sepsis diagnosis, hepcidin demonstrated a pooled sensitivity of 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76-0.94) and specificity of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.76-0.97). The diagnostic odds ratio was 69.00 (95% CI: 19.00-253.00), and the ROC curve revealed an AUC of 0.95. Additionally, Deeks’ funnel plot asymmetry test demonstrated absence of publication bias. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggested that hepcidin has a high diagnostic value in sepsis and may be a valuable diagnostic tool.
Double helix tale: An autoethnography about a pre-service teacher's vulnerability in CALD classrooms in a socio-economically disadvantaged school
Authors: Ji Shengjun , Yip Sun Yee , Gindidis Maria , Saito Eisuke
Published: August 2024

With the development of Australian schools and secondary education, there is an expectation by the public and authorities that students will receive a high-quality education. However, in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, schools are unable to sufficiently develop learning experiences for students from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds due to problems with funding, management, and stakeholders. Further, school leaders are unable to provide high-quality educational resources for students. The aim of this autoethnographic study is to reveal the vulnerability that a pre-service teacher, Author1—who is also from a CALD background—experienced during his placement in a school in a socio-economically disadvantaged area with many students from CALD backgrounds. The negative situations these students faced and the hardship of changing the educational structure, which has been ongoing for years, were disheartening.
Learning-based model predictive control for safe path planning and control
Authors: Ren Hongbin , Li Yunong , Wang Yang , Chen Chih-Keng , Yang Lin , Zhao Yuzhuang
Published: August 2024

The control performance of model predictive control (MPC) strongly depends on the accuracy of the model description. To better capture and predict the dynamic behaviors of the controlled plant, a non-parametric model which is regressed by the Gaussian Process (GP) is proposed in this paper to evaluate the unknown deviation between the nominal model and the physical system. Firstly, an efficient MPC formulation that integrates a nominal model with GP model which evaluates the unmodeled dynamics is designed for safe and robust maneuver planning. Secondly, the geometric hard constraints for collision avoidance between ego cars and obstacles are softened by using a relaxed barrier function for optimization efficiency. A configuration space convexification algorithm is designed for convexifying the corridor constraints in path pre-selection and re-planned for obstacle avoidance. The control performance of the learning-based MPC is demonstrated and compared with the standard MPC strategy under two typical scenarios. Numerical simulation as well as experiment results indicate that the proposed method could keep the safety, stability, and maneuverability of the ego vehicle during obstacle avoidance.
Impact of varying injection pressure on CI engine characteristics fuelled with Ceiba pentandra biodiesel and NOx reduction strategy
Authors: Saravanan B , Asokan MA
Published: August 2024

The novelty of the present work deals with the experimental investigation on the effects of varying injection pressure (IP) on CI engine characteristics using a novel Ceiba pentandra biodiesel at 20% by volume (B20). The key objective of this study is to enhance the engine characteristics by increasing the IP of the fuel blends without any major engine modifications This strategy could improve the performance of the engine as higher IP resulted in improved atomization and better air-fuel mixing. From the experimentation it was found that combined strategy of biodiesel blend (B20) and higher IP (260 bar) resulted in increased BTE (9%), CP (8.5%), HRR (2%) and reduced BSFC (9%), CO (14%), HC (16%), and Smoke (16%) than diesel (B0) at a standard IP of 200 bar. To overcome the challenges of higher NOx emission at higher IP, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technique is also implemented at lower rates. With the effect of 15% EGR, there was a subsequent 29% reduction in NOx emission achieved without affecting other emissions trade-offs.
Organizational silence and hidden threats to patients’ dignity with schizophrenia: A qualitative study
Authors: Amiri Elham , Ebrahimi Hossein , Habibzadeh Hossein , Baghaei Rahim
Published: August 2024

Background

Maintaining patients’ dignity is a key ethical requirement in healthcare and is emphasized in nursing standards. This issue is particularly significant for patients with schizophrenia because they face unique challenges such as physical and psychological difficulties, dependence on others, and social isolation, making them more vulnerable. Organizational factors can either threaten or preserve their dignity. However, there is little knowledge in this domain within the sociocultural context of Iran.

Research Objective

This study aimed to explore the role of the healthcare organization in the dignity of patients with schizophrenia, based on the opinions of patients, healthcare personnel, and family caregivers.

Research Design

This qualitative study was conducted with 26 participants (16 patients, 4 family caregivers, 2 nurses, 3 psychologists, and 1 service worker) who were selected using a purposeful sampling method. The data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth face-to-face interviews until data saturation was reached. The data were analyzed via Graneheim and Lundman’s method.

Ethical Considerations

The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Urmia University of Medical Sciences (IR.UMSU.REC.1401.099).

Findings

Based on data analysis, participants reported the three following challenges as organizational hidden threats to patients’ dignity: “Lack of facilities,” “premature management,” and “ineffective communication.”

Conclusion

The study findings indicated that the healthcare organization does not support the dignity of patients. Management inefficiency and lack of facilities are evident in psychiatric hospitals, and healthcare centers are not monitored based on standard criteria. Limited interactions between healthcare personnel and patients were identified as the main reasons for the neglect of patients with schizophrenia and the violation of their dignity. The results of this study can help healthcare policymakers in designing and implementing effective programs to preserve the dignity of patients with schizophrenia.
Transformative Learning with Wangari Maathai: Fostering Environmental Education and Sustainability Through the Green Picturebook Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace
Authors: Karmakar Goutam
Published: August 2024

Picturebooks that focus on environmental issues offer children the chance to connect with natural settings, promoting emotional and mental health, while also developing ethical principles and an authentic concern for the environment. This genre possesses the capacity to emotionally captivate children through its combination of text and visuals, potentially resulting in a shift in their perspectives towards the topics and issues being portrayed. In addition to this, picturebooks are educational because they use words and images to choose, arrange, and understand data and statistics, thereby making knowledge accessible to those who are generally interested and engaging readers on an emotional and intellectual level. This essay examines how the picturebook Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace (2010) effectively communicates Wangari Maathai’s environmental advocacy. For this purpose, the article offers a brief examination of the influence of Maathai’s Green Belt Movement and the holistic ecological connotations that the visual representations seek to emphasize. The article contends that this ‘green informational picturebook’ acts as a catalyst for transformative learning by enhancing ecological literacy in children and serving as a platform for environmental education and sustainability in the public as a whole.
Experiential Learning in Upper Elementary Science Classrooms: Influence on Students’ Problem-Solving and Affect in Science
Authors: AlJurdi Neyoulla T. , Salloum Sara
Published: August 2024

Background: Youths’ declining interest and engagement in science due to traditional content-driven curricula and teaching methods remains a concern. Thus, innovative pedagogical approaches and curricula are needed, specifically at upper elementary and middle school, to counter learners’ disengagement and negative attitudes toward science. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of an experiential learning (EL) curriculum on students’ ability to solve problems in new contexts and their attitudes and affective engagement with science. Methodology/Approach: A multimethod case study approach was used. Quantitative data included a science attitude survey and a feedback loop reasoning pre and posttest given to the regular and EL classrooms. Qualitative data included classroom observations and student focus group interviews. We conducted a thematic analysis to systematically analyze classroom observation data. Also, internal reliability for the attitude survey pretests data was established via Cronbach's alpha. Findings/Conclusion: The results revealed that the EL group's average on the attitude scale somewhat increased, whereas the average of the regular class decreased significantly. The problem-solving pre- and posttests revealed a sizable increase in learning progression levels of the EL group compared to the regular group. Class observations showed mostly manifestations of positive affective engagement in the EL class, with some challenges connected to a competitive culture. Implications: EL provides opportunities to enhance students’ solving problems skills and positive engagement and attitudes toward science.
Online Retailing Operations: Is It Wise to Offer Free Sample Trial and Money-Back Guarantee Together?
Authors: Lin Jiaxin , Choi Tsan-Ming , Kuo Yong-Hong
Published: August 2024

In retail operations, free sample trial (FST) and product return with money-back guarantee (MBG) both serve as important strategies to reduce consumers’ worries and valuation uncertainty. This paper is the first study which analytically examines when and whether an online retailer should provide both strategies simultaneously, and when one strategy outperforms the other. We consider an online retailer selling to consumers who are uncertain about the product values when making purchasing decisions. The retailer decides whether to offer MBG or FST. We develop analytical models to examine four strategies: strategy NN (both FST and MBG are not provided), strategy NS (FST is provided and MBG is not offered), strategy MN (FST is not provided and MBG is provided), and strategy MS (both FST and MBG are offered). Comparing among these four strategies, we find that when only FST is offered, the retailer surprisingly should decrease the price if the product cost is low. If the retailer only provides MBG, he will charge a higher price compared with the situation when MBG is not provided. When the size of free sample is very small, strategy NS (MS) is the optimal strategy if the product's cost is low (high). When the size of free sample is large, strategy MN is the optimal strategy. Then, we extend our model to consider three situations, namely: (a) the retailer offers coupons to consumers to experience the free sample, (b) consumer returns incur a cost, and (c) the size of free sample is endogenous. We find the main conclusion remains robust. Our findings may help explain some real-world practices, such as why some retailers (e.g., Amazon and Walmart) provide consumers with low volume toners to decrease the free sample cost; skincare product retailers such as Lancôme, Estee Lauder, and Guerlain implement both MBG and FST. We also interestingly show that a bigger size of free sample may not necessarily benefit consumers.
Furloughing Employees with Uncertain Return? Management of Labor Frictions and Inventory Under Demand Shock
Authors: Tanrisever Fehmi , Joglekar Nitindra
Published: August 2024

We assess how a retailer can manage inventories and labor under an extreme condition such as a temporary negative demand shock due to a pandemic or an economic turmoil. This analysis incorporates labor market frictions whereby firms incur deadweight costs associated with hiring and firing employees, as well as the option to furlough labor. We examine the impact of these frictions on a retail firm's optimal operating policies around inventory level, furlough, and layoffs. We find that labor market frictions condition the inventory and the level of employment in two ways. First, they lead to underinvestment in inventories, which limits recovery and employment in the postshock period. Second, high labor market frictions motivate the firm to conservatively downsize workforce during the negative demand period leading to higher employment, when compared to downsizing without friction. A significant contribution of our study lies in delineating the optimal furlough decisions and quantifying the impact of the furlough option on inventory and labor decisions. We demonstrate the conditions under which it is optimal for the retailer to either (i) fully downsize labor and leverage the furlough option in the labor market, or (ii) maintain excess labor while also opting to furlough a portion of the workforce. During an extreme event such as a temporary negative demand shock, our results highlight the need for a coordinated effort when implementing governmental subsidy policies on alleviating labor and inventory reductions by accounting for labor market frictions and furlough support.
Proton pump inhibitors decrease efficacy of palbociclib in patients with metastatic breast
Authors: Álvarez Criado Javier , Zamora Auñon Pilar , Martínez Marín Virginia , GarcíaTrevijano Cabetas Macarena , Collada Sánchez Victoria Lucía , Espinosa Arranz Enrique , Romero-Garrido José Antonio , Benedi-González Juana , Díaz Almirón Mariana , Herrero Ambrosio Alicia
Published: August 2024

Objectives

The objective of this investigation was to assess the impact of concurrent proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC) who received palbociclib as first-line or successives therapy.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted, enrolling patients diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative mBC, and eligible for palbociclib treatment. Patients were categorized as “concurrent PPIs” if they received PPIs for at least two-thirds of the palbociclib therapy duration, and as “no concurrent PPIs” if they did not receive PPIs during the course of palbociclib treatment.

Results

A total of 165 patients were included in the study. Among first-line patients treated with palbociclib, those using concurrent PPIs exhibited a PFS of 8.88 months, while patients using palbociclib without concurrent PPIs had a PFS of 67.81 months (p < 0.0001). In second-line or subsequent treatments, patients on palbociclib with concurrent PPIs had a PFS of 7.46 months, whereas those using palbociclib without concurrent PPIs had a PFS of 17.29 months (p = 0.122).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the concurrent use of PPIs in mBC patients receiving palbociclib negatively affects PFS, particularly in the first-line setting. Nevertheless, further investigation is warranted to explore the impact of PPIs on cycle-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors.
Macular thickness and visual acuity are characterized by a quadratic nonlinear relation in previously treated neovascular AMD eyes
Authors: Borrelli Enrico , Boscia Giacomo , Gelormini Francesco , Ricardi Federico , Ghilardi Andrea , Marolo Paola , Parisi Guglielmo , Fallico Matteo , Lupidi Marco , Mariotti Cesare , Bandello Francesco , Sadda SriniVas , Reibaldi Michele
Published: August 2024

Purpose

To assess the associations between visual acuity (VA) and retinal thickness in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) eyes treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.

Methods

Sixty-eight patients with neovascular AMD (68 eyes) undergoing anti-VEGF therapy with two years of follow-up imaging data after the initiation of treatment were retrospectively included. Linear and nonlinear regression analyses with curve fitting estimation were performed to explore the relationship between visual acuity and OCT-based parameters at the 3-month and 24-month follow-up visits. Regression analyses were also performed between visual acuity and the retinal thickness deviation which was calculated as the absolute value of the difference between measured and normative retinal thickness values.

Results

The VA was not associated with either foveal (R2 = 0.011 and p = .401 at 3 months; R2 = 0.032 and p = .142 at 24 months) or parafoveal (R2 = 0.045 and p = .081 at 3 months; R2 = 0.050 and p = .055 at 24 months) retinal thicknesses. Compared with the linear models, a quadratic function yielded a relative increase in the R2 coefficients. Conversely, the VA was linearly associated with foveal retinal thickness deviation (R2 = 0.041 and p = .037 at 24 months) and parafoveal retinal thickness deviation (R2 = 0.062 and p = .040 at 3 months; R2 = 0.088 and p = .014 at 24 months) values.

Conclusions

Although there was no linear relationship between retinal thickness and VA, a weak but statistically significant linear relationship could be observed when a retinal thickness deviation was considered. This suggests that deviation-based parameters may be beneficial for structure-function correlations in the context of anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular AMD.
Mendelian randomization supports causal effects of inflammatory biomarkers on myopic refractive errors
Authors: Kang Yu-Ting , Zhuang Zhen-Huang , He Xi , Huang Ying , Wang Ning-Li , Huang Tao , Li Shi-Ming
Published: August 2024

Aims

To determine whether inflammatory biomarkers are causal risk factors for more myopic refractive errors.

Methods

Northern Sweden Population Health Study (NSPHS), providing inflammatory biomarkers data; UK Biobank, providing refractive errors data. 95,619 European men and women aged 40 to 69 years with available information of refractive errors and inflammatory biomakers. Inflammatory biomarkers including ADA, CCL23, CCL25, CD6, CD40, CDCP-1, CST5, CXCL-5, CXCL-6, CXCL-10, IL-10RB, IL-12B, IL-15RA, IL-18R1, MCP-2, MMP-1, TGF-β1, TNF-β, TWEAK and VEGF-A were exposures, and spherical equivalent (SE) using the formula SE = sphere + (cylinder/2) was outcome.

Results

Mendelian randomization analyses showed that each unit increase in VEGF-A, CD6, MCP-2 were causally related to a more myopic refractive errors of 0.040 D/pg.mL-1 (95% confidence interval 0.019 to 0.062; P = 2.031 × 10-4), 0.042 D/pg.mL-1 (0.027 to 0.057; P = 7.361 × 10-8) and 0.016 D/pg.mL-1 (0.004 to 0.028; P = 0.009), and each unit increase in TWEAK was causally related to a less myopic refractive errors of 0.104 D/pg.mL-1 (−0.152 to −0.055; P = 2.878 × 10-5). Tested by the MR-Egger, weighted median, MR-PRESSO, Leave-one-out methods, our results were robust to horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity in VEGF-A, MCP-2, CD6, but not in TWEAK.

Conclusions

Our Mendelian Randomization analysis supported the causal effects of VEGF-A, MCP-2, CD6 and TWEAK on myopic refractive errors. These findings are important for providing new indicators for early intervention of myopia to make myopic eyesight threatening consequences less inevitable.
Social media marketing and its influence on the hotel performance: Mediating role of customer relationship management capabilities
Authors: Khaki Aijaz Ahmad , Khan Tawseeq Ali
Published: August 2024

The current study aims to identify the determinants that inspire hotels based in Jammu & Kashmir to employ social media marketing (SMA) to improve their performance in addition to the mediating influence of customer relationship management capabilities (CRMC). The study adopts a quantitative approach where data is gathered from 389 hotel managers/owners. Empirical validation of the theoretical model employing structural equation modelling with Smart-PLS4 is accomplished. The findings show that a hotel's adoption of SMA is influenced by perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, cost-effectiveness, institutional pressure and structural assurance. Hotels’ acceptance of SMA improves their performance significantly, with CRMC having a partial mediating effect.
Exploring healthy lifestyle with health locus of control and sociodemographic variables in Türkiye
Authors: Baskici Cigdem , Gokmen Yunus
Published: August 2024

In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of Internal/Chance/Powerful Others Health Locus of Control (IHLC/CHLC/PHLC) on the healthy lifestyle and to assess the sensitivity of the healthy lifestyle to sociodemographic variables. To achieve this goal, we collected data by performing online and hand-delivered surveys ( n = 950) with individuals aged 18 or older in Türkiye. The results showed that IHLC and PHLC had positive and significant effects on Healthy Lifestyle Index (HLI). However, the results expressed that CHLC had no negative and significant effect on HLI. Our assessment of a healthy lifestyle in terms of health locus of control (HLC) and sociodemographic variables revealed important findings, which may contribute to the development of public health strategies in several ways; for example, they can be used as a framework to conduct public health interventions that promote a healthy lifestyle.
Interrogating the incel-o-sphere: The state of the subaltern counterpublic sphere in the digital age of extremism
Authors: Copeland Olivia M.
Published: August 2024

In critique of Habermas's public sphere, Nancy Fraser offered the ‘subaltern counterpublic’ – arenas of refuge from and counter-organizing against the wider public. But does this (re)configuration of the public sphere hold in the age of extremism on the internet? I examine the trajectory of incel as a community, interrogating whether this extremist contingent follows Fraser's subaltern counterpublic or if they exemplify a new counterpublic – the ultra altern, or ‘ultern’, counterpublic. I explore the ways that the ultern counterpublic differs from the subaltern and its relationship to the general public sphere, particularly within the critical intervention of the internet. I finally offer a brief analysis of another movement – the KKK – within my new framing, to further detail the differences between the ultern and subaltern counterpublic.
Risk-based asset management framework for highway retaining wall systems using wireless structural health monitoring data
Authors: Admassu Kidus A , Lynch Jerome , Athanasopoulos-Zekkos Adda , Zekkos Dimitrios , Benhamida Brahim
Published: August 2024

Retaining walls are important structural systems used in the construction of highways. With asset management methods for retaining wall inventories lagging those developed for highway bridges, there is a need to develop risk management methods for these critical structural systems. A major challenge is the vast inventories of retaining walls that asset managers must manage and the inherent limitations of visual inspections. This study proposes an asset management framework for retaining walls based on risk assessments using structural monitoring data. First, a long-term wireless monitoring solution is proposed to measure wall tilt and strain over long periods of time. Second, an analytical framework is developed to separate wall thermal responses from lateral earth pressures responses with the latter used to extract estimated lateral earth pressure distributions. A statistical distribution of lateral earth pressures are used in a reliability assessment of the wall to provide a measure of failure probability that can be combined with failure consequences to estimate asset risk. To illustrate the proposed methodology, a reinforced concrete cantilever retaining wall panel is selected for long-term structural health monitoring. A wireless structural health monitoring system is installed to measure the tilt, strain, and temperature response of the wall continuously over 15 months. The study reveals the wall exhibits strong diurnal and seasonal variations offering insight into wall behavior under operational conditions. Hypothesized levels of corrosion in the steel reinforcement at the base of the wall are explored to estimate the wall reliability. Even under the assumption of 20% reinforcement section loss, the monitored wall was found to have a reliability index well above 3.0.
Performance analysis of range hoods with different exhaust air volumes
Authors: Cao Huizhe , Huang Zhengkun , Wang Hao , Dong Jiankai
Published: August 2024

This study investigated the effect of exhaust air volumes on the performance of range hoods at different angles in residential kitchens in removing grease pollutants, during the pollutant emission stage (whilst cooking) and the pollutant attenuation stage (after cooking). Experiments were conducted, and introduced indexes such as capture efficiency, exposure rate, attenuation rate, power and multi-indicator analysis were used to analyze the performance of the range hood with different exhaust air volumes and angles. The experimental results showed the capture efficiency was increased with an increase in exhaust air volume whilst cooking. Considering the energy consumption of the range hood and noise, the exhaust air volume of the range hood should be set at 600 m3/h to 800 m3/h. In the pollutant attenuation stage, the attenuation rate K of PM2.5 mass concentration was increased with the incremental increase in the exhaust air volume. When cooking was finished, grease pollutants remained in the kitchen. If the range hood continued to be turned on and a large exhaust air volume was set, the concentration of indoor grease pollutants could be quickly reduced to below the standard value. Our findings can provide a reference for the airflow regulation of residential kitchen range hoods.
The Complex Pattern Mismatch Negativity as a Potential Indicator of Psychosis Across all Phases of Illness: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Francis Ashley M. , Slaunwhite-Hay Sydney , Dempster Kara , Jaworska Natalia , Tibbo Philip G. , Fisher Derek J.
Published: August 2024

Over the past decade, there has been extensive research on the mismatch negativity (MMN) and its promise as a biomarker of illness in people with schizophrenia (SZ). Nevertheless, when attempting to assess the early stages of illness progression, the utility of MMN has been inconsistent. Recently, researchers have been investigating a more advanced MMN paradigm (the complex MMN [cMMN]) which is believed to index higher-order cognitive processing and has been suggested to be a more effective indicator of the early phases of SZ. The cMMN is defined as a paradigm that relies on alterations within a pre-established pattern of stimuli. In this meta-analysis, we investigated cMMN deficits in individuals with SZ, including an analysis involving those in the first 5 years of illness. Our search also included individuals with bipolar disorder who experience psychosis; however, no related papers were found and thus, no findings are reported. Our findings indicate a small/moderate effect (d = 0.47), suggesting that individuals with SZ exhibit reduced cMMN amplitudes compared to individuals without SZ. Interestingly, this effect seems to be more pronounced in individuals within the first 5 years of their illness (d = 0.58), suggesting that cMMN might be a more sensitive biomarker in the early phases of SZ compared to traditional paradigms.
The INMSG Survey on the Loss of Signal Management on the First Side During Planned Bilateral Thyroid Surgery
Authors: Huang Tzu-Yen , Tseng Hsin-Yi , Frattini Francesco , Russell Marika D. , Ahmed Amr H. Abdelhamid , Weber Frank , Wierzbicka Paulina , Lu I-Cheng , Jung Kwang Yoon , Makay Özer , Chai Young Jun , Chiang Feng-Yu , Schneider Rick , Barczyński Marcin , Dralle Henning , Randolph Gregory W. , Wu Che-Wei , Dionigi Gianlorenzo
Published: August 2024

Background

The aim of this study is to describe the management and associated follow-up strategies adopted by thyroid surgeons with different surgical volumes when loss of signal (LOS) occurred on the first side of planned bilateral thyroid surgery, and to further define the consensus on intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) applications.

Methods

The International Neural Monitoring Study Group (INMSG) web-based survey was sent to 950 thyroid surgeons worldwide. The survey included information on the participants, IONM team/equipment/procedure, intraoperative/postoperative management of LOS, and management of LOS on the first side of thyroidectomy for benign and malignant disease.

Results

Out of 950, 318 (33.5%) respondents completed the survey. Subgroup analyses were performed based on thyroid surgery volume: <50 cases/year (n = 108, 34%); 50 to 100 cases/year (n = 69, 22%); and >100 cases/year (n = 141, 44.3%). High-volume surgeons were significantly ( P < .05) more likely to perform the standard procedures (L1-V1-R1-S1-S2-R2-V2-L2), to differentiate true/false LOS, and to verify the LOS lesion/injury type. When LOS occurs, most surgeons arrange otolaryngologists or speech consultation. When first-side LOS occurs, not all respondents decided to perform stage contralateral surgery, especially for malignant patients with severe disease (eg, extrathyroid invasion and poorly differentiated thyroid cancer).

Conclusions

Respondents felt that IONM was optimized when conducted under a collaborative team-based approach, and completed IONM standard procedures and management algorithm for LOS, especially those with high volume. In cases of first-site LOS, surgeons can determine the optimal management of disease-related, patient-related, and surgical factors. Surgeons need additional education on LOS management standards and guidelines to master their decision-making process involving the application of IONM.
Safety and efficacy of flow redirection endoluminal device (FRED) for treatment of intracranial aneurysm; A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Habibi Mohammad Amin , Mirjani Mohammad Sina , Ahmadzadeh Amir Mahmoud , Akbari Javar Mohammad Taha , Karami Shaghayegh , Ahmadvand Muhammad Hussain
Published: August 2024

Background

Previous research has shown promising results for treating intracranial aneurysms (IAs) with a flow redirection endoluminal device (FRED). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of this device by providing pooled estimates using the data from previous studies.

Methods

A systematic literature search of Web of Sciences, PubMed, Scopus, and Embase was performed until October 8th, 2023. After selecting the final articles, relevant data were extracted. Parameters relating to safety and efficacy were pooled using STATA software. Heterogeneity was assessed using I-squared and Cochran’s Q. Funnel plots and Egger’s regression methods were used to evaluate publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was also performed using the leave-one-out method.

Results

The data of 37 studies were used for meta-analysis. The rates of immediate adequate occlusion and complete occlusion were 0.51 (95% CI: 0.31–0.71) and 0.34 (95% CI: 0.16–0.53), respectively, while the rates of the adequate and complete occlusion at the latest follow-up were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.84–0.94) and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.65–0.84), respectively. The periprocedural complications rate was 0.04 (95% CI: 0.03–0.06), and the overall complications rate was 0.12 (95% CI: 0.09–0.15). The rate of good functional outcome was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.99–1.00) and the successful implantation rate was 1.00 (95% CI: 1.00–1.00). There was substantial heterogeneity among the reports for most of the evaluated parameters.

Conclusion

FRED had high safety and efficacy in treating IAs, as evidenced by its high occlusion and low complication rates.
From the comments section: Analyzing online public discourse on the first 2020 presidential debate
Authors: Eaton John
Published: August 2024

This study explores the analysis of public reactions to presidential debates using a largely untapped social media data source—YouTube comments. My findings reveal a striking consistency in topics across YouTube channels, pointing to a shared perspective among viewers that goes beyond ideological differences. These results question the assumption that online behavior mirrors traditional media preferences, suggesting that viewers may not apply ideological biases in their selection of YouTube content, instead influenced by accessibility or algorithmic recommendations. My findings also highlight the potential of leveraging social media for identifying significant voter issues and concerns. Lastly, I highlight the distinctive nature of YouTube data and the potential of researchers to utilize it, especially in light of the limited availability of Twitter data.
Perception of Chord Sequences Modeled with Prediction by Partial Matching, Voice-Leading Distance, and Spectral Pitch-Class Similarity: A New Approach for Testing Individual Differences in Harmony Perception
Authors: Eitel Matthew , Ruth Nicolas , Harrison Peter , Frieler Klaus , Müllensiefen Daniel
Published: August 2024

The perception of harmony has been the subject of many studies in the research literature, though little is known regarding how individuals vary in their ability to discriminate between different chord sequences. The aim of the current study was to construct an individual-differences test for the processing of harmonic information. A stimulus database of 5076 harmonic sequences was constructed and several harmonic features were computed from these stimulus items. Participants were tasked with selecting which chord differed between two similar four-chord sequences, and their response data were modeled with explanatory item response models using the computational harmonic features as predictors. The final model suggests that participants’ responses can be modeled using transitional probabilities between chords, voice-leading distance, and spectral pitch-class distance cues, with participant ability correlated to three subscales from Goldsmiths Musical Sophistication Index. The item response model was used to create an adaptive test of harmonic progression discrimination ability (HPT) and validated in a second study showing substantial correlations with other tests of musical perception ability, self-reported musical abilities, and a working memory task. The HPT is a new free and open-source tool for assessing individual differences in harmonic sequence discrimination. Initial data suggest this harmonic discrimination ability relies heavily on transitional probabilities within harmonic progressions.
Environmental Debates in the Media: The Case of Hardrock Mining in Arizona and Energy Transition Dilemmas
Authors: Brooks Catherine F. , Juanals Brigitte , Minel Jean-Luc
Published: August 2024

This article delves into the debates, both in print and digital media, surrounding copper mining and its associated concerns, particularly those related to hardrock mining. Guided by agenda-building, pragma-dialectics, and stakeholder theories, this research employs topic modeling to scrutinize the media strategies and arguments employed by key stakeholders involved in an environmental movement. The aim is to unveil implicit communication activities that contribute to the emergence of public debates, shedding light on the nuanced dynamics within stakeholder discourses. The analysis shows that by referring to authoritative arguments, the local press distributes the places of power while representing conflicting standpoints and arguments. With digital media, the opponents build a pro-environmentalist network to publicize the issues relative to the mining project and the importance of defending southwestern habitats and landscape. Mining proponents similarly rely on business communities to underscore the importance of hardrock mining for things like decarbonized energy and modern living. Across groups, stakeholder communication situates differing conceptions of the relationship between humans and their natural environment. Our findings reveal that, consistently across various groups, the discourse maintains a degree of stability as topics and arguments persist over time. On one side, discussions highlight the destructive impacts of mining, while the opposing perspective underscores the significance of sustainable and resilient mining practices. This analysis of stakeholder discourses in the media helps uncover the various ways primary actors maintain their positionality and power in this particular case.