bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Four new species of Arixyleborus Hopkins, 1915, ambrosia beetles from Thailand (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini)
Authors: SITTICHAYA WISUT , BEAVER ROGER A. , SMITH SARAH M.
Published: April 2024

Four new species, Arixyleborus halabala Sittichaya, Beaver & Smith sp. nov., Arixyleborus longicauda Sittichaya, Beaver & Smith sp. nov., Arixyleborus vellus Sittichaya, Beaver & Smith sp. nov. are described from Thailand, and Arixyleborus liratus Sittichaya, Beaver & Smith sp. nov. from Thailand and East Malaysia (Sabah). With the inclusion of the species described here, the diversity of Arixyleborus is increased to 46 species, of which 20 occur in Thailand. A synoptic list with distributions and habitat types is provided.
New taxa of Afrotropical Toktokkies (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Molurina) from the Natural History Museum of Basel
Authors: KAMIŃSKI MARCIN JAN
Published: April 2024

Investigation of the darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) specimens from the Natural History Museum Basel (Switzerland) resulted in the discovery of two new species of Afrotropical toktokkies (tribe Sepidiini). Both taxa provided novel morphological data which, in the light of previously acquired molecular evidence, challenged the taxonomic coherence of the genus Dichtha. To accommodate this information a new genus Bouchardium gen. nov. is hereby proposed. The three following species were assigned to this new genus: Bouchardium chillygonzalesi sp. nov. (type species), B. cubicum (Guérin-Méneville, 1845) comb. nov. (transferred from Dichtha), B. mariae sp. nov. The placement of Bouchardium within the subtribe Molurina is briefly discussed. Additionally, a new species of the genus Toktokkus (T. zofiae sp. nov.) is described from South Africa.
New species and new records of Brueelia Kéler, 1936 (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) from South Africa
Authors: GUSTAFSSON DANIEL R. , GROSSI ALEXANDRA A. , HALAJIAN ALI , ENGELBRECHT DEREK
Published: April 2024

Three species of the genus Brueelia Kéler, 1936 are reported from South Africa for the first time: Brueelia cyclothorax (Burmeister, 1838) ex Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758), Brueelia queleae Sychra & Barlev [in Sychra et al.], 2010a ex Quelea quelea lathami (Smith, 1836), and Brueelia coryliventer Gustafsson & Bush, 2015, ex Creatophora cinerea (Meuschen, 1787). In addition, two new species of Brueelia are described from South African ploceids: Brueelia oschadlei n. sp. ex Ploceus capensis (Linnaeus, 1766), and Brueelia inusta n. sp. ex Ploceus velatus tahatali Smith, 1836. Also, we discuss the “African pied Brueelia” species-group—to which the two new species belong—in particular the variation in pigmentation patterns on the subgenital plates of both sexes.
A new species of the genus Biemna Gray, 1867 (Porifera: Biemnidae) from shallow waters of the Northwestern Iberian coasts
Authors: CRISTOBO JAVIER , ALMÓN BRUNO , PÉREZ JACINTO , RÍOS PILAR
Published: April 2024

The genus Biemna currently includes fifty-eight valid species distributed worldwide with a wide depth range. In this paper, we describe a new species of this genus, Biemna begonae sp. nov., collected by scuba diving in two different locations on the Galician coast (NW Spain). The typical skeleton of this group is composed by megascleres arranged in a plumose or plumoreticulate fashion, with ectosomal skeleton constituted by brushes of choanosomal tracts and microscleres, including sigmata, commata and raphides. The habitus of the new species is a hemispherical cushion-shaped with numerous tubular projections emerging from the base, ending in oscules, and a general burgundy-red or whitish cream colour in live specimens. Spicules are styles, rare rhabdostyles, four size classes of sigmata, and raphides. The new species is compared morphologically with the other European representatives of the genus.
Key to species of the genus Fistulatus Zhang, 1997 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Drabescini) with description of two new species from China
Authors: YANG YANQIONG , DAI RENHUAI , YOU SIYING
Published: April 2024

The leafhopper genus Fistulatus Zhang, 1997 (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Drabescini: Paraboloponina) is reviewed with descriptions of two new species, Fistulatus biconjugara sp. nov., from Guizhou Province, China and F. brevimarginalis sp. nov., from Yunnan Province, China. A checklist with distributions and a key to males of this genus are provided. The specimens studied are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China (GUGC).
Early and Late Complications of Mandibulectomy Free Flap Reconstruction: Does the Selective Use of Soft Tissue Only Flaps Reduce Complications?
Authors: McBee Dylan B. , DiLeo Michael J. , Keehn Caroline C. , Huang Andrew T. , Haskins Angela D. , Hernandez David J.
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

This study aims to evaluate the factors most associated with early and late complications following microvascular free tissue transfer (MVFTT) after mandibulectomy.

Methods:

A retrospective review of patients undergoing MVFTT after segmental mandibulectomy from September 2016 to February 2021 was performed across a single academic institution. Surgical variables were collected, including the location of the resultant mandibular defect (anterior vs posterior) and flap type (osseous or non-osseous). The primary outcome variables included postoperative complications (early, <90 days; and late, >90 days) and the patients’ functional status (return to oral intake). Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Fischer’s exact test, and 2-sample t tests were used to analyze differences among variables.

Results:

We analyzed a cohort of 114 consecutive patients with mandibular defects, comprising 57 anterior and 57 posterior defects. Bony free flaps with hardware were used to reconstruct 98% of anterior defects compared to 58% of posterior defects ( P < .001). All soft tissue only flaps did not utilize any hardware during the reconstruction. Anterior defects demonstrated more late complications requiring additional surgery (30% vs 9%, P = .04). A secondary analysis of posterior mandibular reconstructions compared soft tissue only flaps and bony free flaps with hardware and showed equivalent rates of early (12% vs 13%, P > .99) and late (9% vs 8%, P > .99) complications requiring additional surgery while demonstrating a similar return to full oral competence (55% vs 46%, P = .52) and recovery of a 100% oral diet (67% vs 54%, P = .53).

Conclusion:

Osseous free tissue transfer for segmental mandibular defects remains the gold standard in reconstruction. In our patient cohort, anterior mandibular defects are associated with greater late (>90 day) complications requiring additional surgery. Comparable outcomes may be achieved with soft tissue only versus osseous free flap reconstruction of posterior mandibular defects.
Contesting social responsibilities of business: Centring context, experience, and relationality
Authors: D’Cruz Premilla , Delannon Nolywé , Kourula Arno , McCarthy Lauren , Moon Jeremy , Spence Laura J
Published: April 2024

This introduction, and the special issue on ‘Contesting social responsibilities of business: Experiences in context’ it frames, addresses the neglected question of the experience of contestation in the terrain of the social responsibilities of business. It re-conceptualises the social responsibilities of business by advancing research grounded in a relational perspective, exploring and highlighting different forms of contestation of these social responsibilities, and centring the role of context by focusing especially on contestation in overlooked geographical settings and sites of marginalisation. Contextualising contestation in this way centres silenced and/or ignored voices, generates meaningful theory, and offers an innovative critical lens on business–society relations.
Trust and social movements: A new research agenda
Authors: Weipert-Fenner Irene , Rossi Federico M , Sika Nadine , Wolff Jonas
Published: April 2024

Social movement studies clearly suggest that trust matters for processes of social mobilization: When engaging in costly, and potentially risky, contentious collective action on a common goal, activists and groups rely on the expectation that fellow protestors and allies will not fail them. To date, however, we lack research that explains which types of trust shape the emergence and evolution of social movements. Trust, we argue, is not simply an independent variable influencing mobilization, but is itself shaped—built, stabilized, weakened, or even destroyed—over the course of collective contentious action. To set the stage for a corresponding research agenda, this introduction to the special issue “Trust and Social Movements” bridges the gap between research on trust and social movement studies and clarifies the complex conceptual relationship between various types of trust and the dynamics of social mobilization. Furthermore, we identify overarching research questions, summarize the contributions to the special issue, and discuss key findings.
Nitrogen alloyed austenitic Ni-free stainless steel for additive manufacturing
Authors: Antikainen Atte , Jokiaho Tuomas , Lagerbom Juha , Lindroos Tomi
Published: April 2024

Nitrogen alloyed austenitic nickel-free stainless steel (ANFSS) is one of the most promising group of materials for consumer and healthcare products. They can be used to substitute not only conventional AISI 316L, but also more expensive titanium and Co-Cr alloys. Previously the utilization of nitrogen alloyed materials has been limited due to poor machinability resulting from high strength and ductility, and difficulties in manufacturing the nitrogen alloyed raw materials. Recent developments in powder metallurgy, for example, additive manufacturing (AM), offer feasible net shape manufacturing routes to go around machining and material related challenges. The present study investigates and introduces a viable processing route for an ANFSS by gas atomization, direct energy deposition (DED), and sintering. Special attention is paid to control the nitrogen content in different processing steps by investigating a Fe-16Mn-14Cr-0.27C-0.35N alloy with experimental and computational methods. The results show that the nitrogen content can be computationally estimated and maintained at desired level by proper selection of processing parameters, and thereby controlling the final nitrogen content of the ANFSS alloy.
Job Loss Due to COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study of Mental Health, Protective and Risk Factors
Authors: Arena Andrew F. , Collins Daniel , Mackinnon Andrew , Mobbs Sophia , Lavender Isobel , Harvey Samuel B. , Deady Mark
Published: April 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on unemployment, which—compounded by the additional stressors associated with the pandemic—had considerable mental health impact. The current study examined the trajectory of mental health amongst those experiencing pandemic-related job loss, alongside the impact of risk and protective factors. Data were obtained from 374 Australian participants who were allocated to a waitlist control arm of a randomised control trial. The outcome variables assessed at baseline and six-month follow-up consisted of depression, anxiety, and suicidality. The assessed risk and protective factors were age, gender, relationship status, education, exercise frequency, COVID-related stress, dispositional resilience, and coping self-efficacy. Re-employment by follow-up was used as a covariate. Overall, there were decreases in depression and anxiety symptoms, and partial evidence of decreased suicidality, demonstrating an apparent capacity for individuals to better cope with their circumstances over time. Demographics and exercise had no effect on changes in mental health. Those with high COVID-related stress, low resilience, and low coping self-efficacy had worse mental health at baseline, although exhibited significantly greater improvements in mental health over time. Obtaining re-employment by follow-up did not predict changes in mental health. The present results offer an optimistic picture of recovery for those experiencing pandemic-related job loss, even for those with the most substantial risk and severity. The likely protective role played by Australian social welfare policies over the course of the study is explored. Stress around one’s broader sociocultural or economic circumstances, perceived resilience, and coping self-efficacy are valuable targets for intervention.
Simulation on dynamic passive control of structures using corrugated viscoelastic damping treatments
Authors: Moreira Rui A S , Marques André P
Published: April 2024

Passive damping treatments using viscoelastic materials (VEMs) are widely applied as addon solutions to control the dynamic response of light structures. These surface treatments are simple, reliable, and can be optimized by using proper design rules and simulation tools. In this work, a new treatment configuration is proposed, simulated, and assessed, being compared with the most effective configuration currently used. The novelty resides in the VEM layer’s geometry, which in the proposed configuration assumes a waved shape. This waved shape is imposed to the viscoelastic layer due to indentations created in the inner faces of the host structure and the constraining layer. The results demonstrate that the wavy configuration, designated as corrugated viscoelastic layer (CVL), outperforms the typical damping treatments for relatively thick host structures and when using thick VEM layers. In addition, this new configuration reduces the stiffness decoupling effect due to the soft VEM layer, restoring the flexural stiffness of the original undamped structure.
Guilt and Beyond: A Class Cultural Analysis of Evolving Emotional Responses to Maternal Foodwork
Authors: Karademir Hazır Irmak
Published: April 2024

Based on a longitudinal and ethnographic study, this research examines how women experience the emotional aspects of their maternal foodwork in England across social classes. Maternal foodwork is linked to guilt and anxiety due to intense gendered and class-related ideals of proper feeding within the context of responsibilising discourses. This article contributes to the literature by introducing a temporal perspective, exploring how emotions beyond anxiety transform as caregiving arrangements evolve over time. It reveals that middle-class mothers adopt a downscaling strategy to counter maternal guilt when maintaining the standards set by intensive feeding ideology proves to be challenging with time. Working-class mothers adopt the same strategy to counteract feelings of inadequacy tied to persistent institutional surveillance and the challenge of embodying middle-class dispositions. The study underscores women’s capacity to cultivate agentic responses, albeit within the boundaries of their class habitus, crafting pockets of resistance against intensive feeding ideals.
Establishment and effectiveness of an evaluation method for load-bearing performance of cotton sized warp yarn
Authors: Guo Min , Wang Jingan , Gao Weidong
Published: April 2024

The excellent load-bearing performance of sized warp yarns can reduce the end-breakage rate and enable them to complete weaving smoothly. Evaluating the load-bearing performance of sized warp yarn can guide the sizing process and weaving production. For this purpose, the study evaluated the load-bearing performance of cotton sized warp yarn. First, based on the JN-01 tester, a weaving load simulation tester of sized warp yarn, the test sample capacity for the load-bearing life was determined to be 50 ends using a U-test. Second, by testing three cotton sized warp yarns with different linear densities, the universality of the parameter conditions of the tester was verified. Third, with the JN-01 tester, the breaking strength and hairiness under different load-bearing cycles were measured, and it was found that the breaking strength of the sized yarn was linearly related to the load-bearing cycles. In contrast, the hairiness of the sized yarn was logarithmically related to the load-bearing cycles. According to regression analyses, evaluation indicators were extracted to characterize the strength loss resistance and anti-fuzzing performance of sized warp yarns, which were the residual enhancement rate and hairiness after friction. The evaluation results of sized warp yarns, with different linear densities and different sizing ratios, showed the effectiveness of the evaluation indicators. Finally, by verifying the effectiveness of samples from three factories, based on the evaluation indicators in this paper, the results revealed that the constructed evaluation method effectively evaluated the load-bearing performance of cotton sized warp yarn.
Telemedicine Utilization Patterns and Implications Amidst COVID-19 Outbreaks in Thailand Under Public Universal Coverage Scheme
Authors: Zayar Nyi-Nyi , Kittiratchakool Nitichen , Saeraneesopon Thanayut , Butchon Rukmanee , Dabak Saudamini Vishwanath , Namahoot Patiphak , Kaewchompoo Tanasak , Kingkaew Pritaporn , Teerawattananon Yot , Isaranuwatchai Wanrudee
Published: April 2024

During COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine was a strategy to facilitate healthcare service delivery minimizing the risk of direct exposure among people. In Thailand, the National Health Security Office has included telemedicine services under the Universal Coverage Scheme to support social distancing policies to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the patterns of telemedicine service use during major COVID-19 outbreaks including Alpha, Delta, and Omicron in Thailand. We retrospectively analyzed a dataset of telemedicine e-claims from the National Health Security Office, which covers services reimbursed under the Universal Coverage Scheme between December 2020 and August 2022. An interrupted time-series analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and binary logistic regression were performed. Almost 70% of the patients using telemedicine services were over 40 years old. Most patients used services for mental health problems (25.6%) and major noncommunicable diseases, including essential hypertension (12.6%) and diabetes mellitus (9.2%). The daily number of using telemedicine service was strongly correlated with the number of COVID-19 new cases detected. An immediate change in the trend of using telemedicine was detected at the onset of outbreaks along with the surge of infection. The follow-up use of telemedicine services was not substantial among female, older adults patients and those with non-communicable diseases except mental health problems, and infectious diseases. Strategies need to be developed to reinforced healthcare resources for telemedicine during the surge of outbreaks and sustain the use of telemedicine services for chronic and infectious diseases, regardless of the pandemic, and promote the efficiency of healthcare systems.
Value Inquiry and Constructing the Good in Organizations
Authors: Espedal Gry , Carlsen Arne
Published: April 2024

Research has taken important steps towards establishing values work in organizations as a performative phenomenon situated in practice. Yet, researchers have said little about the critical and creative nature of such work, including how it may build its agentic powers more so from what is ethically absent than from what is established. We approach this void by drawing from Dewey’s Pragmatism in a comparative analysis of how three value-laden issues tied to companionate love are handled in a faith-based hospital. We develop the notion of value inquiry, which we understand as a discovery-oriented and transformative constructing of the good that takes its originating creative desires from troublesome situations. Our findings suggest that ethically fruitful value inquiry involves opening such situations in a way that critically examines previous practice, enlists people in co-defining needs and engages them in sustained experimental action. By theorizing value inquiry, we relocate ethical agency as a responsive relational capacity emerging with coactive power in evolving situations. Such emergence highlights the relational processes of work on values in organizations. When inquiring together, people move beyond attending to the use of prescriptive value conceptions and into a creative mode of actively searching for and co-constructing the good.
“It Kills Your Soul”: A Mixed Methods Study of Ethical Sensitivity of Critical Care Nurses
Authors: Waterfield Denise , Barnason Susan
Published: April 2024

Background:

Critically ill patients often experience distressful and impactful symptoms and conditions that include pain, agitation/sedation, delirium, immobility, and sleep disturbances (PADIS). The presence of PADIS can affect recovery and long-term patient outcomes. An integral part of critical care nursing is PADIS prevention, assessment, and management. Ethical sensitivity of everyday nursing practice related to PADIS is an imperative part of implementing evidence-based care for patients.

Objective:

The first 2 aims of this study were to determine the measured level of ethical awareness as an attribute of ethical sensitivity among the critical care nurse participants and to explore the ethical sensitivity of critical care nurses related to the implementation of PADIS care. The third aim was to examine how the measured level of ethical awareness and ethical sensitivity exploration results converge, diverge, and/or relate to each other to produce a more complete understanding of PADIS ethical sensitivity by critical care nurses.

Methods:

This was a convergent parallel mixed methods study (QUAL + quant). Ethical sensitivity was explored by conducting an ethnography of critical care nurses. The participants were 19 critical care nurses who were observed during patient care, interviewed individually, participated in a focus group (QUAL), and were administered the Ethical Awareness Scale (quant).

Findings:

Despite high levels of individual ethical awareness among nurses, themes of ambiguous beneficence, heedless autonomy, and moral distress were found to be related to PADIS care.

Conclusions:

More effort is needed to establish moral community, ethical leadership, and individual ethical guidance for nurses to establish patient-centered decision-making and PADIS care.
Complex dynamic systems theory as a foundation for process-oriented research on second language development
Authors: van Dijk Marijn , Lowie Wander , Smit Nienke , Verspoor Marjolijn , van Geert Paul
Published: April 2024

In the past decades, complex dynamic systems theory (CDST) has been used as an important framework for studying second language development. CDST is a metatheory of change and focuses on processes. Even though it has been broadly accepted as an inspiring dimension of research in psychology, sociology and second language development, some scholars have raised questions about the methodologies used, the interpretation of the data, and the nature of its claims. Specifically, Pallotti questioned whether CDST generates testable hypotheses, and criticized its position towards reductionism and generalizability, based on philosophical argumentations. The present article evaluates the issues addressed, reviews the work that has already been done, and looks ahead at future CDST applications to research in second language development, by exploring recent methodological developments in the field.
Anticoagulation during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A narrative review
Authors: Priest John R , Hebert David , Jutras Camille
Published: April 2024

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a technology that offers organ support for critically ill patients with respiratory and/or cardiac failure. Despite improvements in recent years in technology and the biocompatibility of circuits, patients on ECMO remain at high risk of hematologic complications, such as bleeding or thrombosis. Anticoagulation is required in most cases to limit the risk of clotting, but questions persist regarding the optimal anticoagulation strategy. More precisely, there is still debate around the best anticoagulation agent and monitoring tools as well as on the transfusion thresholds and appropriate corrective measures when faced with complications. This narrative review provides an overview of hemostasis on ECMO and the impact of circuit size and coating. The benefits and downsides of unfractionated heparin (UHF) and Direct Thrombin Inhibitors (DTIs) as anticoagulation agents are reviewed. Finally, commonly available coagulation tests (activated clotting time, activated partial thrombin time, anti-Xa, and viscoelastic tests) and their limitations are addressed. In conclusion, future research is needed to determine the best anticoagulation strategy for patients on ECMO.
Unveiling potential adverse events associated with escitalopram oxalate: A real-world analysis based FDA adverse event reporting system database
Authors: Jiang Ying , Cheng Yusi , Du Zhiqiang , Shen Yuan , Zhou Qin , Ji Yingying , Zhu Haohao
Published: April 2024

Objective:

The study aimed to conduct a multidimensional evaluation of potential adverse events (AEs) of escitalopram oxalate based on the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) database.

Methods:

This study utilized the reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and multi-item gamma-poisson shrinker (MGPS) to mine and analyze data from the FAERS database from the first quarter of 2004 to the second quarter of 2023.

Results:

There was a total of 19,854 AE reports related to escitalopram oxalate, extracting 625 preferred terms (PTs), and covering 27 system organ classes (SOCs). The results showed that the number of reports by females was significantly higher than males, accounting for 57.68%. The reporting number was higher in 2018 and 2019, accounting for 9.50% and 10.18% of the total reports, respectively. The main reporters were consumers and other health professionals, accounting for 26.99% and 26.75% respectively. The majority of the reports were primarily from the United States. Newly emerging AE signals such as intentional overdose ( n = 691, ROR 8.51, PRR 8.45, IC 3.05, Empirical Bayesian Geometric Mean (EBGM) 8.35), suicide attempt ( n = 665, ROR 8.58, PRR 8.52, IC 3.06, EBGM 8.42), serum serotonin ( n = 5, ROR 1044.78, PRR 1044.71, IC 2.56, EBGM 392.39), anti-actin antibody positive ( n = 5, ROR 626.87, PRR 626.83, IC 2.56, EBGM 313.91), among others, were not mentioned in the drug’s label.

Conclusion:

While escitalopram oxalate has clear benefits in the treatment of depression and other mental health disorders, the presence of AEs also suggests risks associated with its use. Particularly concerning are risks of suicide and changes in serum serotonin levels.
PROACT 2.0: A new open-source tool to improve patient-doctor communication in clinical trials
Authors: Agnelli Luca , Villa Andrea , Butt Fouziah , Duca Matteo , Guidi Alessandro , Carapezza Marcello , Addante Michele , Lenoci Gaetano , O’Regan Paul , Russo Laura , Cresta Sara , Castano Alessandra , Ebrahem Elisabella , Alfieri Sara , Patil Akshita , Carter Louise , Dive Caroline , De Braud Filippo Guglielmo , Damian Silvia
Published: April 2024

The use of Digital Healthcare Products is leading to significant improvements in clinical practice. Herein, we discuss the development of PROACT 2.0 (Patient Reported Opinions About Clinical Tolerability v2.0), a novel open-source mobile and web application developed at Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milan. It was developed in collaboration with The Christie, Manchester, in the context of work package 2 of the UpSMART Accelerator project, involving a consortium of referral cancer centers from the UK, Spain and Italy. PROACT 2.0 enhances communication between patients and healthcare providers in cancer clinical trials, allowing patients to report adverse events and side effects, and healthcare teams to collect valuable patient-reported outcome measures for treatment management. PROACT 2.0 supports text, audio, and video messaging, offering a secure, non-urgent communication channel that integrates with, or replaces, traditional methods. Its user-friendly and multilingual interface provides a new route for patient engagement and streamlines the handling of logistical information. Positive feedback from initial testing warrants future enhancements for broader applicability in cancer research and treatment.
Forensic Aftercare Facilities and Their Impact on the Releasability of Persons Who Committed Sexual Offenses: A Three Group Comparison
Authors: Sauter Julia , Mauzaite Agne , Voß Tatjana , Vogel Joanna
Published: April 2024

Partly due to a lack of release options for individuals who committed sexual offenses, forensic follow-up treatment has been strengthened latest since 2007. The current study investigates whether the foundation of a professionalized follow-up-treatment has actually improved release options for individuals who committed sexual offenses. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the difference in criminogenic needs and recidivism relevant characteristics (e.g., index offense, criminal history, psychiatric diagnoses and risk assessment) between three groups who had been released from forensic psychiatry at different times or under different outpatient follow-up modalities: (1) individuals released prior the foundation of professionalized follow-up-treatment, (2) individuals released after the foundation and received treatment, and (3) individuals released after the foundation but not receiving this special treatment. It was found that with the availability of professionalized forensic followup treatment, persons with higher scores in common risk assessment tools and a longer duration of implacement had been released. Indeed, this indicates an increased risk tolerance among decision makers. However, it was not those who were released after the foundation of the professionalized forensic follow-up treatment but without this specific treatment who showed the lowest initial risk, but those who were released prior to the foundation. Results are discussed in terms of possible explanations and methodological issues.
Constructing explanations in economic geography: An invitation
Authors: Fields Desiree , Peck Jamie , Poon Jessie
Published: April 2024

This editorial introduction launches an ongoing section in the journal’s Exchanges section, concerned with methods, methodology and the construction of explanations in economic geography, broadly defined.
New regulations on platform work: Fragmented responses to issues of work fragmentation
Authors: Martin-Caballero Angel
Published: April 2024

There has been considerable discussion regarding the regulation of platform-mediated forms of work, yet less attention has been paid to the actual impact of regulations already enacted. In this brief analysis, I examine the cases of Spain and Chile, policy benchmarks in their respective regions. While Spain has introduced a presumption of employment, Chile’s legislation leaves this point open but implicitly encourages classifying workers as self-employed. Nevertheless, both countries have encountered significant complications in implementing these laws, stemming either from the narrow scope of the legislation or from corporate strategies aimed at circumventing it, leading to ever more fragmented and prolonged regulatory battles. Looking ahead, trade unions and workers’ organisations should engage more strategically in the regulatory conflict, considering the enforcement problems emerging and, more importantly, preventing regulation from concealing the radical potential of these movements against precarious work more generally.
Retail investors, COVID and the quality of the New Zealand Stock Exchange
Authors: Gilbert Aaron , Tourani-Rad Alireza
Published: April 2024

In this article, we investigate the impact of the influx of retail investors during the COVID-19 lockdowns on the New Zealand Stock Exchange on the efficiency of the market. On one hand, these investors bring added liquidity to the market, which generally improves market efficiency, and on the other hand, many of these investors were inexperienced retail traders who are often viewed as noise traders harming market efficiency. This natural experiment allows us to investigate the impact of retail investors. Using a sample of 99 New Zealand Exchange listed companies, we collect intraday price and quote data from 1 January 2019 to 24 March 2021. We compute a range of market quality measures across three categories: trading costs, price efficiency and speed of information incorporation. Our results clearly indicate that the influx of retail investors has reduced market quality; in particular, we observe more price predictability and information being impounded into prices more slowly.

JEL Classification: C10, G14, G20
Improving Maternal Health and Birth Outcomes Through FreshRx: A Food-Is-Medicine Intervention
Authors: Ferris Dan , Roll Stephen , Huang Jin , Mathews Katherine , Ragain Trina , Simpson Katie , Jabbari Jason , Gilbert Kourtney , Frank Tyler
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Food insecurity has far-reaching consequences for health and well-being, especially during pregnancy and postpartum periods. This study examines a food-is-medicine approach that aimed to reduce food insecurity, maternal stress, depression, anxiety, preterm labor, and low birthweight.

Design

Pre-post interventional study of FreshRx: Nourishing Healthy Starts, a pregnancy focused food-is-medicine program led by a local hunger relief organization and obstetrics department.

Setting

St. Louis, Missouri, a Midwestern U.S. city with higher-than-average infant mortality, low birthweight, and preterm birth rates.

Sample

Participants (N = 125) recruited from a local obstetrics clinic had pregnancies earlier than 24 weeks gestation; spoke English; and were enrolled in Medicaid. At baseline, 67.0% reported very low food security and none reported high food security, while 34.7% indicated depressive symptoms.

Intervention

FreshRx included weekly deliveries of fresh food meal kits, nutrition counseling and education, care coordination, and supportive services.

Measures

18-Question U.S. Household Food Security Survey, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, birthweight, gestational age.

Analysis

Single arm pre-post analysis.

Results

Average gestational age of 38.2 weeks (n = 84) and birthweight of 6.7 pounds (n = 81) were higher than rates for the general population in the area. For study participants who completed a sixty-day post-partum assessment, 13% (n = 45) indicated maternal depression ( P < .01).

Conclusion

Food-is-medicine interventions may be an efficient, effective, and equitable tool for improving birth and maternal health outcomes.
Observer-based adaptive tracking control of robotic manipulators with predefined time-guaranteed performance: Theory and experiment
Authors: Zhang Yue , Fang Lijin , Song Tangzhong , Zhang Ming
Published: April 2024

This paper investigates the challenging problem of fixed time trajectory tracking for robotic manipulators under the presence of unavailable model perturbation, external disturbance and from different initial states. Firstly, a novel fixed-time extended state observer (FESO) is designed to estimate and compensate the lumped disturbance, which is analyzed and proved to be stable in the sense of fixed time bounded stability. Secondly, a new type of fixed-time prescribed performance control (FPPC) is constructed to guarantee the system convergences to stable state within a predefined time and enhance transient performance. Furthermore, a novel continuous fixed time nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode variable is established, which addresses singularity obstacle in terminal sliding mode. Together with FESO and FPPC, a new fixed-time adaptive nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode controller (FANFTSMC) is developed. Meanwhile, an adaptive terminal sliding mode reaching law adopted in FANFTSMC promotes the robustness and decreases the chattering phenomenon. Then, the Lyapunov approach is given to clarify the advantages of FANFTSMC in terms of predefined time stabilization and which is demonstrated on a 2-DOF robotic manipulators. Thirdly, theoretical analysis and experiments are presented to illustrate the formulated control strategy owns fine performance and stronger robustness.
Classifying the walking pattern of humans on different surfaces using convolutional features and shallow machine learning classifiers
Authors: Chauhan Preeti , Singh Amit Kumar , Raghuwanshi Naresh K
Published: April 2024

This study presents a methodology that combines convolution features with shallow classifiers for classifying the walking pattern on different surfaces. At first, convolution features are extracted from six different inertial measurement units (IMU) sensors mounted on the human body. The shallow classifiers namely quadratic SVM, wide neural network, fine KNN, and linear discriminant analysis are trained using convolution features that successfully pass through the global pooling layer of the CNN model. The proposed methodology is also evaluated on the features extracted from both individual IMU sensor and combined IMU sensors. It is observed that proposed methodology performs better for convolution features extracted from all IMU sensors combined together. The proposed methodology is also compared to the CNN model to demonstrate its efficacy. The obtained results show that the shallow classifier (quadratic SVM) achieves the maximum accuracy of 98.2%, whereas the CNN model achieves the accuracy of 90.73% only. Thus, the proposed methodology can be successfully utilised for classifying different walking surfaces based on the gait cycle data. The proposed approach can benefit in automatic gait adjustment of prosthetic foot based on the walking surfaces.
Enterprise digital transformation and ESG performance
Authors: Liu Hu , Duan Haipeng , Li Miaoyu
Published: April 2024

This article empirically tests the impact of enterprise digital transformation on ESG performance and its channel mechanism. Based on the data of Chinese listed enterprises from 2009 to 2019, this article uses crawler technology to capture the key words of “digital transformation” in the annual reports of enterprises and the collection of policies supporting enterprises’ digitalization in China to describe the intensity of enterprises’ digital transformation. We find that enterprise digital transformation significantly improves ESG performance. The intermediary mechanism shows that the improvement of enterprises’ digital transformation can improve enterprises’ ESG performance from three aspects: first, it can strengthen the effect of external supervision by improving information symmetry; second, it can promote the improvement of enterprises’ innovation output and innovation efficiency; third, it can optimize enterprises’ internal governance and reduce agency costs. Industry heterogeneity analysis shows that in industries with high degree of digital peers and monopoly, the improvement effect of enterprise digital transformation on ESG performance is more obvious. Based on the above findings, we put forward corresponding policy recommendations.
Perceptions of data literacy and data literacy education
Authors: Ghodoosi Bahareh , Torrisi-Steele Geraldine , West Tracey , Heidari Maryam
Published: April 2024

In the era of digital transformation, data literacy has emerged as a critical competency for organisations, driving a demand for skilled professionals. Despite a shortage of data-literate talent, universities struggle to align their curricula with industry needs, prompting a call for improved data literacy education. Recognising the contextual nuances of this skill set, a one-size-fits-all approach falls short. To address this gap, the authors advocate for a comprehensive exploration of perspectives from key stakeholders such as business advisors, students, teachers, and researchers. Understanding diverse needs and expectations of stakeholders is crucial in identifying deficiencies in data literacy education, paving the way for enhancements in university programmes. The reported study is the preliminary phase of a larger ongoing project in which grounded theory methodology is used to explore the question of ‘how can data literacy education be improved?’. The authors report on a small-scale study (eight interviews) aimed at exploring the perspectives on data literacy definition, competencies, and challenges with two representatives of each of four groups of stakeholders in data literacy education: students, business advisors, educators, and researchers. One common challenge identified among participants is the lack of data literacy and critical thinking skills, as well as a lack of awareness of the importance of data analysis. Although participants were aware that different businesses may need different data literacy skills, they were not able to articulate what those differences might be. The study underscores the need for the development of frameworks to help guide and advance data literacy education.
Temporarily Reversing Warfarin With Low-Dose 4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate in Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients Undergoing an Invasive Procedure
Authors: Stevenson Byron , Roberts A. Joshua , Dager William E.
Published: April 2024

Background:

American Association for Thoracic Surgery and The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (AATS/ISHLT) guidelines recommend warfarin in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) to reduce the risk of device thrombosis and systemic embolization. Left ventricular assist device patients often undergo elective and emergent procedures that require interrupted anticoagulation. Data and experience vary on the optimal strategy to rapidly reverse warfarin in LVAD patients when an emergent procedure is planned.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to describe the use of 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC4) for warfarin reversal in patients with LVADs undergoing elective and emergent procedures.

Methods:

This retrospective, single-center, cohort review describes the use of PCC4 in patients with LVADs who require warfarin reversal for elective or emergent procedures. The primary outcome was a composite incidence of pump thrombosis, venous thromboembolism, and ischemic stroke within 30 days of PCC4 administration.

Results:

In total, 14 patients received 17 administrations of PCC4. One patient received 3 administrations, and 1 other patient received 2 administrations during separate encounters. The median dose was 500 units or 6.6 units/kg (range = 4.2-14.1 units/kg). Of the PCC4 administrations, 82% (14/17) were for low bleed risk procedures and 76% (13/17) were for elective procedures. There were no cases of pump thrombosis, venous thromboembolism, or stroke within 30 days of the procedure.

Conclusions and Relevance:

Low-dose PCC4 appears to be a safe and effective temporary reversal strategy for patients with LVADs undergoing low-bleed risk elective procedures.
Maternal Postpartum Work Resumption Stress: Questionnaire Development and Validation
Authors: Okorn Ana , van Hooff Madelon L. M. , Cillessen Antonius H. N. , Beijers Roseriet
Published: April 2024

Transitioning back to work after maternity leave is increasingly common. While differences exist, for many mothers this transition represents a stressor. This study aimed to define the construct of maternal postpartum work resumption stress and develop and validate a self-report measure in a low-risk sample of Dutch mothers. First, the item pool ( N = 71) and face and content validity of the questionnaire were established. Next, two independent samples of mothers returning to work ( N = 298, N = 291) were recruited to identify factor structure, reduce the number of items, and assess the dimensionality, reliability, convergent and discriminant validity of the questionnaire. Based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the reliable and valid REturn to Work INventory (REWINd) with 30 items across three factors was established. While further validation is needed, REWINd can be used to further study the nature and consequences of maternal postpartum work resumption stress.
Fault detection based on a residual intervals multigenerator for nonlinear systems
Authors: Tahri Fida , Ben Atia Samah , Anis Messaoud , Ridha Ben Abdennour
Published: April 2024

This paper is devoted to sensor fault detection for nonlinear systems using an interval multiobserver based on uncoupled multimodel. This proposed interval multiobserver is used to detect the faults through residual intervals multigenerator. The [Formula: see text] performance technique is introduced to improve the accuracy of the sensor fault detection. The stability analysis of the fault detection system is carried out using Lyapunov approach under LMI(s) formulation. A numerical simulation example is used to highlight the efficiency of the proposed residual intervals multigenerator and the robustness of the fault detection strategy.
Caffeine and Sleep in Preventing Post-spinal Headache: Which One is More Effective?
Authors: Yayla Ayşegül , Karaman Özlü Zeynep , Uymaz Aras Gülistan
Published: April 2024

Objective

The study aimed to determine the effects of caffeine consumption and sleep on post-spinal headache after spinal anesthesia.

Background

Post-spinal headache is among the most well-known and common complications of spinal anesthesia. Although caffeine consumption is recommended to prevent headache after spinal anesthesia, caffeine does not prevent headache and causes sleep-related problems. No study in the literature found a correlation between sleep and caffeine consumption after spinal anesthesia and post-spinal headache.

Methods

The research is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study sample comprised 425 patients who underwent elective surgery in a research hospital. The research data were collected by face-to-face interviews between April 2021 and December 2023. The “Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics Form,” “Richard-Campbell Sleep Scale,” “Insomnia Severity Index,” and “Visual Analog Scale” were used in data collection. Factors affecting post-spinal headache were determined using binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

According to the binary logistic regression, the insomnia severity score (OR = 1.234; p < .001), sleep quality score (OR = .992; p < .01), postoperative sleep duration (OR = .619; p < .05), and not consuming coffee (OR = .035; p < .001) are statistically significant predictors of post-spinal headache and explain 57.7% of the variance. A one-unit increase in patients’ insomnia severity increased the probability of experiencing a post-spinal headache by 23.4%. With a one-unit increase in sleep quality, there was an 8% decrease in the probability of experiencing spinal headache, and a 3.81% decrease in the probability of experiencing post-spinal headache with an increase in sleep duration after surgery. The probability of experiencing post-spinal headache was 0.35 times higher in individuals who did not consume caffeine after surgery than in those who consumed it.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that insomnia severity and sleep quality were more effective than caffeine consumption in preventing post-spinal headache. Insomnia and decreased sleep quality may cause a significant burden in developing post-spinal headache in patients and may cause post-spinal headache to be observed more frequently. Therefore, the use of caffeine in preventing or reducing post-spinal headache may adversely affect the duration and quality of sleep and increase the severity of insomnia.