bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
11. Experience, Understanding and Intercultural Competence
Authors: Gibson Sarah-Jane 
Published: May 2024

Ethno is JM International’s program for folk, world and traditional music. Founded in 1990, it is aimed at young musicians (up to age 30) with a mission to revive and keep alive global cultural heritage. Originating in Sweden, but now present in over 40 countries, Ethno engages young people through a series of annual international music gatherings as well as workshops, concerts and tours, working together with schools, conservatories and other groups of youth to promote peace, tolerance and understanding (https://ethno.world/about/).
In this chapter, I consider the research questions to what extent should an intercultural music programme also focus on developing intercultural understanding and competency? Is it enough for participants to have an intercultural musical experience without allowing time for critical reflection to develop intercultural competencies? Further to this I consider how the nonformal approach of Ethno may support intercultural understanding and how this contrasts with intercultural programmes in formal HEI institutions. Research findings are drawn from a four-year international research project exploring the hypothesis that Ethno provides transformational socio-cultural and musical significances for participants (www.ethnoresearch.org ). Findings are based on ethnographic fieldwork at Ethno events and interviews with over 250 participants, organisers and ‘artistic mentors’ (on-site musical leaders).  The research was conducted by The International Centre for Community music (ICCM) in collaboration with JM International. I also draw upon my HEI teaching with a particular focus on ‘Ethno inspired’ workshops we ran as a means of contrasting the experience of intercultural learning in a formal institution to demonstrate how this research has broadened sociological and musical understandings of other cultures for my university students. Research findings suggest that those attending Ethno gatherings are ready to have intercultural dialogues, they are curious and open toward people that are different. Our research also highlights the importance participants place on being with ‘like-minded people’. The chapter ultimately considers whether there is value in facilitated time for critical reflection during intercultural music gatherings in order to develop intercultural competencies.
Treatment of Post-Tonsillectomy Hemorrhage With Nebulized Tranexamic Acid: Initial Investigation of a Novel Therapeutic Modality
Authors: Maksimoski Matthew , McCauley Matthew , Osoba Muyinat , Pirotte Matthew , Liddy Whitney 
Published: May 2024

Objectives: The use of nebulized tranexamic acid (TXA) in massive pulmonary hemorrhage is well-described. Published utilization in post-tonsillectomy bleeding (PTB) is limited to a single case. This study examines whether TXA resulted in change of operative intervention necessity and narcotic utilization. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study at a single, urban academic medical center in the United States. Chart review was conducted of all patients who presented to the hospital for post-tonsillectomy bleed (PTB) between 3/1/2018 and 7/1/2020. Demographic data, intervention modality, need for control under general anesthesia, and opioid use were collected and analyzed. Results: Twenty-one patients underwent a total of 23 visits for PTB over the study period. Control of hemorrhage without need for operating room intervention for PTB was 100% (6/6) for patients receiving TXA nebulizer and 53% (9/17) for those receiving other treatment modalities. Opioid usage in hospital and on discharge was also lower in patients receiving TXA nebulizers. All results were statistically significant. Conclusions: Our study supports nebulized TXA as an effective, non-invasive mode of hemostasis in patients presenting to the emergency department for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Nebulized TXA may prevent the need for general anesthesia and operative intervention. Otolaryngologists should consider addition of this novel treatment appropriation of TXA to their management options for postoperative tonsillar hemorrhage.
Does the BEER Predict the Indian Stock Market?
Authors: Seth Neha , Kumar Yogesh 
Published: May 2024

This article critically analyses the time series relationship between bonds and stock yield for the valuation of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. The relationship is known by different names, namely Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) model, bond equity earnings ratio (BEER) and gilt–equity yield ratio (GEYR) model. BEER gives the idea to the investors about stock market valuation. It supports the investor in designing a buying and selling strategy for securities. This study employs Johansen’s cointegration test, Granger causality and variance decomposition tests to check the long and short-run association. The results show that the model can predict short-run returns but is ineffective in the long run. Empirical results also show a bi-directional Granger causality relationship between the BEER and the Nifty 50 index. Our results also indicate that the Indian stock market is overpriced. JEL Codes: G11, G15, G17, G40, G41
To Answer or Not to Answer: What Determines Telephone Survey Response Rates in Times of Lockdown?
Authors: Deshmukh Neerad , Banerji Manjistha 
Published: May 2024

Surveys in low- and middle-income countries evoke much higher response than those in richer countries. This has led to a situation wherein there is much less interest by researchers on various factors that might be impacting survey response in the former. However, many factors, including increasing urbanisation and industrialisation and accompanying demographic and socio-economic changes in countries of the global South, may lead to a situation where the survey response is no longer high warranting researchers to pay greater attention to it. In this article, the authors undertake this exercise by drawing on the panel the Delhi Metropolitan Area Telephonic Survey (DMAS-T) that was conducted in the National Capital Region during the pandemic from April 2019 to June 2021 (this includes periods of the COVID-induced lockdown). The results indicate that underneath the initial high response to the survey, there is much heterogeneity by the lockdown phase, survey month, and other individual and socio-economic background characteristics of the respondents. The results reinforce the argument for paying greater attention to survey response as a means of understanding survey data as also of designing better surveys with the intention to reduce non-response and/or bias. JEL Code: C830
Rural Non-farm Sector Employment in the North-Eastern Region of India: Determinants and Implications for Well-being
Authors: Das Gautam Kumar , Deka Nijara 
Published: May 2024

The article analyses the causal relationship between rural non-farm employment (RNFE) and the well-being of the people in India’s North-Eastern Region (NER). When India experienced a decline in poverty, specifically during the post-liberalisation period, the reduction of poverty was lower in the NER, with a wide variation at the state level in the region than in the rest of the country. However, the structural shift in occupations and livelihoods in NER has been sharper than in other parts of the country. In this context, this article aims to contribute to an understanding of the issue of occupational diversification in NER. Based on data from three rounds of the National Sample Survey (NSS) Employment and Unemployment Survey and two rounds of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), that is, the PLFS of 2017–2018 and 2019–2020. The 2SLS regression analysis highlights the higher inclination of young persons with technical education, people belonging to large families, and females in rural NER towards seeking livelihoods in the non-farm sector. JEL Codes: P46, M51, I21, E24
Enhancing Emotion Regulation and Overcoming Craving in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome Through Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention
Authors: Riya  , Kumar Nimisha , Chandel Naresh 
Published: May 2024

Background: Alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) is a significant challenge for psychologists due to relapse and its impacts on well-being. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) has emerged as a potential solution, receiving increasing attention in the field of psychological interventions for ADS. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of MBRP, specifically on emotion regulation and alcohol craving as primary outcomes, alongside the secondary consideration of assessing changes in mindfulness levels. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study utilizing a pre-test/post-test design, 50 patients (aged 18–55) with ADS were enrolled in the intervention group (MBRP + usual care) and the usual care alone (UCA) group. The outcome assessment employed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-18 (DERS-18) and Alcohol Craving Questionnaire-Short Form Revised (ACQ-SF-R) at three time points: pre-intervention (T1), mid-intervention (T2, four weeks after MBRP initiation), and post-intervention (T3, MBRP completion). Post-intervention comparisons between the intervention and UCA groups utilized repeated measures ANOVA ( p < .05). Result: In the intervention group, significant within-group improvements were observed in mean scores of emotion regulation and craving at T1 (56.8 ± 7.6 and 41.6 ± 7.3), T2 (61.7 ± 10.5 and 41.5 ± 7.4), and T3 (61.5 ± 10.6 and 35.6 ± 5.4), with p values of .006 and .001, respectively. In comparison, the UCA group showed significant post-intervention differences in emotion regulation (46.9 ± 16.4) and craving (34 ± 11.82) scores, with a p value of .004. The effect sizes for emotion regulation (0.42) and craving (1.43) in the intervention group and for emotion regulation (0.50) and craving (0.47) in the UCA group further demonstrated more favorable outcomes in the intervention group, especially in reducing craving. Conclusion: Our research indicates that intervention and UCA yields moderate enhancements in emotion regulation; however, intervention demonstrates superior efficacy in diminishing craving, which is pivotal for relapse prevention. Incorporating MBRP with bespoke interventions might optimize the long-term treatment of ADS.
So Why Do They Not Engage? Grounded Theory Research to Understand and Explain Why Medical Students Disengage from Undergraduate Psychiatry Education in India
Authors: Allison Janet , DeSousa Avinash , Howlett Philip , Engward Hilary 
Published: May 2024

Background: For almost 60 years, Indian psychiatry literature has called for all medical students to learn psychiatry so that millions of mentally unwell people across India might receive appropriate treatment. Yet for almost 60 years, medical students have disengaged from psychiatry education, resulting in limited learning. The literature has repeatedly cited the solution as one that involves longer exposure on posting and more exam questions, with little impact. This research sought to understand why medical students disengage from psychiatry education so that meaningful change might occur. Methods: The research utilized constructivist grounded theory, initially in one medical college in Mumbai, followed by a quantitative survey to test the findings with a wider group of interns across 10 states of India. An iterative process of data gathering and analysis was undertaken using the constant comparison method and theoretical integration. Results: Findings identified that 98% of interns believe all MBBS (doctors) should “know” psychiatry, with “know” meaning practical skills—how to assess and treat people with mental illness. The majority of students attend psychiatry to learn those skills, but on finding faculty too overworked to teach, they disengage, saying : “there’s nothing in it for me.” The findings indicate that more exam questions would not increase engagement. Conclusion: Medical students want to learn skills to help those in mental distress. Faculty do not have time and, arguably, the training to teach them. To address the nation’s mental health needs, the government needs to prioritize teaching of psychiatry skills by releasing and enabling psychiatry faculty, alongside the certification of psychiatry skills.
Sleep Quality and Quality of Life in Remitted Bipolar Disorder Patients: A Cross-sectional Comparative Study
Authors: Vangal Kartik K , Soman Savitha , Bhandary Rajeshkrishna P , Praharaj Samir Kumar 
Published: May 2024

Background: Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder often have sleep-related problems, even when not in an episode. Poor sleep quality may be related to poor quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate sleep quality in remitted bipolar patients and compare it to controls, as well as to study the relationship between quality of sleep and quality of life in euthymic bipolar individuals. Methods: We studied sleep quality and quality of life in 86 remitted bipolar disorder patients and 86 matched healthy controls using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: There was significantly poorer sleep quality in euthymic bipolar patients compared to controls, especially in subjective sleep quality and sleep duration. WHOQOL-BREF domain scores were lower among patients than controls, with a large effect size. All domains on the PSQI correlated negatively with the domains on the WHOQOL-BREF, with the physical health domain being affected the most. Lack of generalizability of the results and the cross-sectional design that cannot determine causality are the limitations of our study. Conclusions: Poor sleep quality persists in bipolar patients even in the euthymic phase and correlates with a poor quality of life.
Sex-based differences in treatment approaches and outcomes among patients with mpox: Limitations of real-world data
Authors: Chastain Daniel B. , Krsak Martin , Henao-Martínez Andrés F. 
Published: May 2024

Background Limited data on females with mpox restricts understanding of potential sex-based disparities in treatment and outcomes. This study aims to investigate these differences using administrative claims and clinical data repositories. Methods We retrospectively analyzed adults diagnosed with mpox using TriNetX, stratifying cohorts by sex. The primary outcome included urgent care, emergency room, and hospitalization visits, with secondary outcomes including clinical findings, vaccination, and treatment. Results Among 2011 cases, 90% were male. Males were older, more likely to identify as Hispanic or Latino, and had higher HIV prevalence and sexually transmitted infection rates. Hospitalization rates were low for both groups, with similar healthcare utilization. However, males received fewer opioid analgesics, glucocorticoids, and antiemetics versus females. Vaccination and tecovirimat use were minimal in both groups. Conclusion Addressing sex disparities in mpox treatment and outcomes is crucial, but existing data sources like administrative claims and clinical data repositories pose limitations.
Strong association between reduction of late-stage cancers and reduction of cancer-specific mortality in meta-regression of randomized screening trials across multiple cancer types
Authors: Dai James Y , Georg Luebeck E , Chang Ellen T , Clarke Christina A , Hubbell Earl A , Zhang Nan , Duffy Stephen W 
Published: May 2024

Background Late-stage cancer incidence has been proposed as an early surrogate for mortality in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of cancer screening; however, its validity has not been systematically evaluated across screening RCTs of different cancers. Methods We conducted a meta-regression analysis of cancer screening RCTs that reported both late-stage cancer incidence and cancer mortality. Based on a systematic literature review, we included 33 RCTs of screening programs targeting seven cancer types, including lung ( n = 12), colorectal ( n = 8), breast ( n = 5), and prostate ( n = 4), among others. We regressed the relative reduction of cancer mortality on the relative reduction of late-stage cancer incidence, inversely weighted for each RCT by the variance of estimated mortality reduction. Results Across cancer types, the relative reduction of late-stage cancer incidence was linearly associated with the relative reduction of cancer mortality. Specifically, we observed this association for lung ( R2 = 0.79 and 0.996 in three recent large trials), breast ( R2 = 0.94), prostate ( R2 = 0.98), and colorectal cancer ( R2 = 0.75 for stage III/IV cancers and 0.93 for stage IV cancers). Trials with a 20% or greater reduction in late-stage cancers were more likely to achieve a significant reduction in cancer mortality. Our results also showed that no reduction of late-stage cancer incidence was associated with no or minimal reduction in cancer mortality. Conclusions Meta-regression of historical screening RCTs showed a strong linear association between reductions in late-stage cancer incidence and cancer mortality.
Extraction, Purification, and in vitro Antioxidant Activity Assessment of Total Flavonoids from the Aerial Parts of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum
Authors: Sun Chong-lu , Zhang Yu-jiong , Yu Song-lin , Li Shi-min , Hu Xiao-yu , Xu Jin-long 
Published: May 2024

Background The effective extractives of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum ( T. hemsleyanum) are useful, but this plant was not fully utilized in rural China. In this study, flavonoids from the aerial parts of T. hemsleyanum were extracted, and the purification method and the antioxidant capability were explored. Purpose This study is to explore the optimized purification method and the biological capability of the total flavonoids extracted from T. hemsleyanum. Materials and Methods The optimal extraction conditions were determined by single-factor and Box-Behnken design experiments. The antioxidant activities were assessed by analyzing their capability to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and OH free radicals. Results and Discussion The optimal conditions for the extraction of the total flavonoids were as follows: ethanol volume fraction 60%, liquid-to-material ratios 35:1 mL/g, temperature 45℃, and time 85 min. The extraction rate of the total flavonoids was (3.59 ± 0.03)%. NKA-9 is an ideal macroporous resin for purification. The optimized purification process conditions of flavonoids were mass concentration of adsorption solution 1.50 mg/mL, pH value of adsorption solution 4.0, sample loading flow rate 2 BV/h, ethanol volume fraction in desorption process 60%, desorption flow rate 2 BV/h and elution volume 4 BV. After crude extracts were purified by NKA-9 macroporous resin, the content of the total flavonoids enhanced from (21.76 ± 0.18)% to (58.92 ± 0.22)%. The results of the experiments for antioxidant activity showed that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of the purified flavonoids extracted were 33.1and 42.7 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion The results of this study indicated that the flavonoids in T. hemsleyanum have good antioxidant activity in vitro and deserve exploring in further pharmacological studies.
Schisandrol A Relaxes the Rat Trachea Via L-Type Ca2+ Channels and KV Channels
Authors: Xu Zhiying , Lin Chengcheng , Sun Jinghui , Li He , Zhuang Wenyue , Chen Jianguang , Wang Chunmei , Wang Haili 
Published: May 2024

Background Schisandra chinensis is widely applied in the prevention and treatment of asthma in China, but the material basis for the anti-asthmatic effect of S. chinensis is unclear. Our previous studies found that the lignans from S. chinensis can relax tracheal smooth muscle in rats. Schisandrol A (SCA) is a representative monomer of S. chinensis lignans with high content and activity. Purpose This study was aimed at further exploring the relaxation effect of SCA and its mechanism on the isolated tracheal smooth muscle of rats through tracheal perfusion experiments. Materials and Methods The isolated rat tracheal ring was precontracted with acetylcholine (ACh). Then, the impact of SCA on the tension of precontracted tracheal ring was studied. Verapamil (L-type calcium channel blocker) and four potassium channel blockers, including glibenclamide, tetraethylamine, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and barium chloride (BaCl2), as well as propranolol (β-adrenergic receptor antagonist), were respectively used to precontract the tracheal ring for investigation. Results SCA could dose-dependently reduce the ACh-induced contraction of the tracheal ring, and the verapamil and 4-AP could weaken this effect, while BaCl2, glibenclamide, tetraethylamine, and propranolol did not show this effect. Conclusion SCA can significantly relax the effect of tracheal smooth muscle of rats, and the underlying mechanism might be involved in the blocking of L-type Ca2+ channels and activating the voltage-dependent potassium channels (KV).
Authoritarian populist turn and market capture in Turkey: The political economy of public procurement
Authors: Kutlay Mustafa , Yıldırım Kerem 
Published: May 2024

The state’s economic role has become more visible, beyond regulatory features, since the 2008 global financial crisis. In several cases, the new interventionist turn goes parallel to the authoritarian populist turn in international politics. Although the two processes have their own dynamics, they are still interrelated. Rather than abolishing the façade of the market economy, right-wing authoritarian populist leaders are more likely to capture the market through politically loyal economic actors. To this end, public procurement is one of the fundamental mechanisms to allocate resources. In this paper, we tested this argument in the case of Turkey by examining all public procurement deals (867,260 in total) between 2010 and 2019. We found that over a relatively short period of 10 years, the level of competitiveness, measured by the effective number of companies that receive public procurement, has decreased substantively. We also showed that the decrease in competitiveness was not limited only to the highest level of procurement deals. Across all deciles of procurement deals, competition has decreased, especially after 2013 – and this trend has continued since then.
Using Grounded Theory to Develop a Substantive Theory for Grandparent-Caregiving in Uganda: The GRACE Model
Authors: Matovu Schola N. , Watt Melissa , Young Heather M. , Nakasujja Noeline , Ellington Lee 
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Few studies have focused on developing theories to explain caregiving as performed by grandparents who provide care for their grandchildren in any setting. Theory development that is grounded in the experiences and cultural context of those being studied is needed to inform research, subsequent care, and overall well-being, especially of populations that are understudied. Methods: This manuscript was informed by Constructivist Grounded Theory, semi-structured in-depth and individual interviews. Also, three methodological phases were followed: (a) concurrent data collection and analysis procedures, (b) developing categories and relationships among them, and (c) defining the core category and building the substantive theory. Results: The methodological steps involved in generating a substantive theory, the GRAndparent-CarEgiving (GRACE) model, are reported. Discussion: Research, and subsequently the well-being and health care of grandparent-caregivers, needs to be informed by culturally congruent theories that are founded in the experiences and cultural context of the individuals being investigated.