bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Forecasting food price inflation during global crises
Authors: Toledo Patricia , Duncan Roberto 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we consider the forecasting of domestic food price inflation (DFPI) using global indicators, with emphasis on episodes of macroeconomic turbulence, namely, the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the COVID‐19 pandemic and its subsequent repercussions. Our monthly dataset covers about two decades for more than a hundred economies. We employ dynamic model averaging (DMA) to tackle both model uncertainty and parameter instability and produce pseudo out‐of‐sample forecasts. Thus, we are able to focus on the forecasting ability of the global predictors of DFPI before and during the global crises. We find evidence that the DMA specification tends to outperform statistical models frequently used in the literature such as random walks, autoregressive models, and time‐varying parameter models, especially during global crises. We also identify the most successful predictors during the crises using their posterior probabilities of inclusion. By comparing the distributions of such probabilities, we find that the international food price inflation is the most useful predictor of DFPI for numerous countries during both crises. Other indicators such as domestic CPI inflation as well as the international inflation of agricultural commodities, fertilizers, and other food categories improved their forecasting ability, particularly during the COVID‐19 period.
Health insurance and child mortality: Evidence from India
Authors: Aiyar Anaka , Sunder Naveen 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAlthough less than a third of the population in developing countries is covered by health insurance, the number has been on the rise. Many countries have implemented national insurance policies in the past decade. However, there is limited evidence on their impact on child mortality in low‐ and middle‐income contexts. Here we document the child mortality reducing effects of an at‐scale national level health insurance policy in India. The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), was rolled out across India between 2008 and 2013. Leveraging the temporal and spatial variation in program implementation, we demonstrate that it lowered infant mortality by 6% and child under five mortality by 5%. The effects are largely concentrated among urban poor households. In terms of mechanisms, we find that the program effects seem to be driven by increased usage of reproductive health services by mothers. We also demonstrate a rise in usage of complementary health services that were were not covered under the policy (such as child immunizations), which suggests that RSBY had significant positive spillover effects on health care usage.
Operative technique: Pectoralis major flap with rib
Authors: Lesh Randy W. , Hellums Ryan N. , Pichardo Priscilla , Gladfelter Madison , Purdy Nicholas C. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe osteomyocutaneous pectoralis major flap was first described in 1980 and provides a single stage reconstructive option for poor free flap or pectoralis major flap with reconstruction plate candidates requiring bony reconstruction. The flap provides good functional and cosmetic outcomes in appropriately selected patients. We describe the indications and operative techinique for harvesting this flap in written and video format.
Building a sustainable free flap program in a resource‐limited setting: A 12‐year humanitarian effort
Authors: Prasad Kavita , Peterson Nathaniel , Nolen David , Macharia Chege , Mannion Kyle , Rohde Sarah , Sinard Robert 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundWe present a sustainable complex reconstructive program built through 12 years of surgical outreach work at Kijabe Hospital in Kenya.MethodsRetrospective chart review and anecdotal experiences.ResultsIn 2011, surgeons from a US‐medical center performed Kijabe Hospital's first 3 successful free flap surgeries. Since then, they have returned 7 times, performing a total of 31 tumor excisions with microvascular reconstruction. One flap failure occurred that was reconstructed on a subsequent trip. In 2013, a US‐trained missionary surgeon and a Kenyan‐trained general surgeon began working with the visiting team with the goal of performing these surgeries independently. In 2016 they performed their first independent free flap reconstruction and have since performed 32 independent cases with only three flap losses. Establishing infrastructure, staff education, selective patient criteria, and continuous communication are the factors that enabled the success of this program.ConclusionsEstablishing a successful microvascular reconstruction program in a resource‐limited setting is feasible.
Cross‐cultural adaptation and clinical application of the Perth Empathy Scale
Authors: Ye Qingying , Liu Yang , Zhang Siyu , Ni Ke , Fu Sufen , Dou Wenjie , Wei Wei , Li Bao‐Ming , Preece David A. , Cai Xin‐Lu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveAlterations of empathy have been observed in patients with various mental disorders. The Perth Empathy Scale (PES) was recently developed to measure a multidimensional construct of empathy across positive and negative emotions. However, its psychometric properties and clinical applications have not been examined in the Chinese context.MethodsThe Chinese version of the PES was developed and administered to a large Chinese sample (n = 1090). Factor structure, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and convergent, discriminant, as well as concurrent validity were examined. Moreover, 50 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 50 healthy controls were recruited to explore the clinical utility of the PES.ResultsConfirmatory factor analyses supported a theoretically congruent three‐factor structure of empathy, namely Cognitive Empathy, Negative Affective Empathy and Positive Affective Empathy. The PES showed good to excellent internal consistency reliability, good convergent and discriminant validity, acceptable concurrent validity, and moderate to high test–retest reliability. Patients with MDD had significantly lower PES scores compared to healthy controls. Linear discriminant function comprised of the three factors correctly differentiated 71% of participants, which further verified the clinical utility of the PES.ConclusionsOur findings indicated that the Chinese version of the PES is a reliable and valid instrument to measure cognitive and affective empathy across negative and positive emotions, and could therefore be used in both research and clinical practice.
Characterization of antibody‐dependent cellular phagocytosis in patients infected with hepatitis C virus with different clinical outcomes
Authors: Adhikari Anurag , Abayasingam Arunasingam , Brasher Nicholas A. , Kim Ha Na , Lord Megan , Agapiou David , Maher Lisa , Rodrigo Chaturaka , Lloyd Andrew R. , Bull Rowena A. , Tedla Nicodemus 
Published: January 2024

AbstractEarly neutralizing antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and CD8 + T cell effector responses can lead to viral clearance. However, these functions alone are not sufficient to protect patients against HCV infection, thus undefined additional antiviral immune mechanisms are required. In recent years, Fc‐receptor‐dependent antibody effector functions, particularly, antibody‐dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) were shown to offer immune protection against several RNA viruses. However, its development and clinical role in patients with HCV infection remain unknown. In this study, we found that patients with chronic GT1a or GT3a HCV infection had significantly higher concentrations of anti‐envelope 2 (E2) antibodies, predominantly IgG1 subclass, than patients that cleared the viruses while the latter had antibodies with higher affinities. 97% of the patients with HCV had measurable ADCP of whom patients with chronic disease showed significantly higher ADCP than those who naturally cleared the virus. Epitope mapping studies showed that patients with antibodies that target antigenic domains on the HCV E2 protein that are known to associate with neutralization function are also strongly associated with ADCP, suggesting antibodies with overlapping/dual functions. Correlation studies showed that ADCP significantly correlated with plasma anti‐E2 antibody levels and neutralization function regardless of clinical outcome and genotype of infecting virus, while a significant correlation between ADCP and affinity was only evident in patients that cleared the virus. These results suggest ADCP was mostly driven by antibody titer in patients with chronic disease while maintained in clearers due to the quality (affinity) of their anti‐E2 antibodies despite having lower antibody titers.
A novel approach for evaluation of CMIP6 GCMs in simulating temperature and precipitation extremes of Pakistan
Authors: Ali Zulfiqar , Hamed Mohammad Magdy , Muhammad Mohd Khairul Idlan , Shahid Shamsuddin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe study used a hybrid approach to evaluate the performance of 20 global climate models (GCMs) from CMIP6 in reproducing 20 extreme temperature and precipitation indices over Pakistan. This study first analysed the future simulations of extremes and discarded the GCMs whose projections fell outside the 95% confidence interval. The remaining GCMs' performance was evaluated using the Kling Gupta Efficiency‐based criteria. The changes in extreme climatic events in Pakistan were projected using the multi‐model ensemble (MME) median of the selected GCMs for four shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) in two future periods, 2020–2059 and 2060–2099. Four GCMs' showed inconsistency in projecting future climatic extremes and were discarded initially. The past performance of the remaining GCMs revealed EC‐Earth3‐Veg‐LR, GFDL‐ESM4, MRI‐ESM2‐0 and NOR‐ESM2‐MM to be effective in reproducing extreme indices for the historical period. The MME median of the selected GCMs showed a gradual increase in most of the temperature and precipitation extreme indices in the future periods for all SSPs across the country. Specifically, it showed a higher increase in daily maximum temperature (TXx) by 4.5–5°C, daily minimum temperature (TNn) by more than 4.5°C, consecutive days with a temperature higher than the 95th percentile (WSDI) by >160 days, one‐day maximum rainfall by 9–15 mm and days with precipitation above the 95th percentile by >50 mm in northern high‐elevated areas during 2060–2099 for SSP585. Similarly, a higher increase in TXx by 4.5–5°C, TNn by >4.5°C, WSDI by 140 days and tropical nights by 40–60 days was also found in the western arid region during 2060–2099 for SSP585. The study highlights that northern high‐elevated and western arid regions are at a higher risk of extreme temperatures and precipitation due to climate change.
International tourists' perceptions of Myanmar as a tourist destination in the crisis: A comparative study among three continents
Authors: Kang Soon Hwa , Lee Gyu Tae , Huh Chang , Lee Myong Jae 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMyanmar has emerged as a popular tourist destination following its recent political transformation, with the Travel and Tourism sector contributing significantly to the country's GDP. However, the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic posed numerous challenges for the global tourism industry and Myanmar, including travel restrictions, border closures, and health concerns. This study examines the levels of satisfaction and inconvenience experienced by tourists from Asia, Europe, and America who visited Myanmar during the early stages of the pandemic. A sample of 202 tourists was collected from Yangon and Myeik, two prominent tourist destinations in Myanmar. Various statistical tests were employed to analyze international tourists' perceptions of Myanmar tourism. The findings revealed that tourists from all three regions expressed satisfaction with the natural scenery, historical sites and architectural design, and traditional costumes offered by Myanmar. The implications of the study are discussed.
Impacts of supply and demand shocks on abnormal fluctuation of stock price: An analysis of US–China trade friction
Authors: Li Jinwei , Wei Qian , Jiang Tianshu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis paper aims to study the impact of supply and demand shocks on abnormal fluctuation of stock price. We use event study and regression analysis methods to explain why the supply and demand shocks caused by US–China trade friction in targeting industries can affect the whole Chinese securities market. Our findings reveal a direct effect of shocks that can affect the stock prices of targeted companies. Additionally, there is a network effect in which the supply side and demand side shocks propagate upstream and downstream through the network, in turn affecting the stock prices of nontargeted companies.
Longitudinal associations between child discipline methods and physical growth patterns across preschool years
Authors: Wong Rosa S. , Tung Keith T. S. , Ho Frederick K. W. , Rao Nirmala , Chan Ko Ling , Ip Patrick 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveResearch has documented the associations of child maltreatment with a range of physical health problems, but little is known about the physical growth patterns of children who experience maltreatment in early childhood. This study aimed to examine the association between various discipline approaches and physical growth in preschool‐aged children.MethodsIn the first year of preschool, parents of 661 Chinese preschool‐aged children completed a questionnaire with items pertaining to the frequency of using physical maltreatment, psychological aggression, neglect, and nonviolent discipline toward the child. Children's weight and height were assessed annually using direct assessment in the first and two subsequent years. Longitudinal analyses were performed using multiple regression models.ResultsMore frequent neglect and psychological aggression during the first year of preschool were associated with a higher likelihood of a decreased BMI z score in subsequent years. Conversely, increased experience of physical maltreatment in the first year was associated with an increased likelihood of having overweight or obesity in the third year.ConclusionsResults indicate that early maltreatment experience can impact physical growth. This highlights the importance of preventing abusive parenting and encouraging healthy habits in young children who have experienced maltreatment to decrease their future risk for weight problems.
A Single Center Description of Adult and Pediatric Endoscopic Posterior Costal Cartilage Grafting
Authors: Richard Kelsey , Gelbard Alexander , Daniero James , Wootten Christopher T. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectivePosterior glottis impairment alters breathing, voicing, and swallowing. Bilateral vocal fold movement impairment (BVFMI) occurs when the vocal cords are fixed/remain midline. Studies inadequately assessed endoscopic posterior costal cartilage grafting (enPCCG) for BVFMI across broad ages. We aim to assess decannulation and prosthesis free airway in children and adults who have undergone enPCCG.Study DesignRetrospective cohort.SettingReferral center.MethodsThis study included adults and children who received enPCCG for BVFMI (2010‐2018) and were followed for 35 months on average. The main outcome was successful decannulation of patients, or airway improvement in those without tracheostomy. Data on comorbidities, surgical complications, and interventions following surgery were collected.ResultsTen children and 11 adults underwent enPCCG for BVFMI. Eighty‐one percent of patients had a tracheostomy at surgery; adults were more likely to have a tracheostomy at surgery (P = 0.035), and to undergo double‐staged procedure (P = 0.035) and stent (P = 0.008). Average stent duration was 29.7 days. Overall decannulation rate was 76% (90% for children; 70% for adults). Children were more likely to receive postoperative intensive care unit care (P = 0.004). Adults had mean 4.4 post‐enPCCG interventions per patient compared to children's mean 3.91 interventions. The most common interventions were steroid injection (17.6%) and balloon dilation (16%). Preliminary analysis suggests postoperative dysphonia was reported in 66.7% of patients; postoperative dysphagia was rare.ConclusionEnPCCG was more successful at achieving decannulation in children. Adults required additional interventions. A double‐staged operation with prolonged stenting is recommended for adult patients. A majority of patients were decannulated at last follow‐up.
Network pharmacology combined with molecular docking simulations reveal the mechanism of action of Glycyrrhiza for treating pneumonia
Authors: Yang Dongxin , Li Zhehong , Peng Yongrui , Zhu Xiaofeng , Gong Jun , Chen Cuilian 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA well‐established mechanism of action for managing pneumonia using Glycyrrhiza is unknown. Using network pharmacology and molecular docking simulations, we investigated the mechanism of action of Glycyrrhiza against pneumonia. To identify the targets of the active components of Glycyrrhiza from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database, oral bioavailability and drug likeness were utilized as indicators. Pneumonia‐associated genes were identified and screened from the databases. Integrated analysis was conducted to elucidate the relationship between the active components of Glycyrrhiza and intersecting genes; a comprehensive Glycyrrhiza active component‐target gene relationship map was constructed. Intersecting genes underwent Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses to examine their biological functions. A protein–protein interaction network map was constructed to identify hub genes. Molecular docking simulations were performed to investigate binding interactions between hub genes and their corresponding active components. Of the 96 overlapping genes, topological analysis revealed 10 hub genes. Glycyrrhiza exerts therapeutic effects through a multi‐target and multipathway approach, suggesting a synergistic treatment for pneumonia. MAPK14 showed a favorable binding affinity with most of the active compounds, indicating that MAPK14 and related compounds in Glycyrrhiza have development potential.
Synthesis and post‐polymerization modification of poly(diglycidyl fumarate)s and their thermal properties
Authors: Mori Yasuyuki , Tada Ryu , Okano Ippei , Tamaso Ken‐ichi , Ogawa Ryo , Shinozuka Toyofumi , Furusho Yoshio , Endo Takeshi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe radical polymerization of diglycidyl fumarates was performed to give the poly(fumarate)s bearing epoxy groups in the side chains. Their post‐polymerization modification with carbon dioxide afforded the poly(fumarate)s containing the five‐membered cyclic carbonate structures by the reaction of epoxy groups in the polymer side chains with carbon dioxide. Besides, the thermal stability and behavior of the obtained poly(fumarate)s were examined by thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analyses.
A critical review of the significance of elitism and pluralism to disaster risk management
Authors: Chipangura Paul , Van Niekerk Dewald 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDisasters and disaster risks are social phenomena that take place in a political space shaped by different political ideologies. Despite this connection, the field of disaster risk management has been developed without a deliberate incorporation of political theories. Using a narrative literature review methodology, this paper sought to elucidate the significance of political theory in shaping both the policy and practice of disaster risk management. The review reveals notable intersections between political theories, such as elitism and pluralism, and established disaster risk management paradigms, specifically objectivism and constructivism. Notably, elitism and objectivism tend to promote expertise, marginalize citizen participation, and emphasize centralized disaster management, whereas pluralism and constructivism advocate for diversity, tolerance, and competition, aligning with the concept of disaster risk management. The paper argues that ignoring political theories in disaster risk management can conceal a deeper understanding of the power relations between different stakeholders, as well as the historical, economic, social, and political characteristics of a society. It advocates for future studies to examine the contributions of political theories explicitly and critically to disaster risk policies and practices. This call highlights the need for a deeper understanding of how political theories impact the effectiveness and equity of disaster risk management.
Combined exposure of nano‐titanium dioxide and polystyrene nanoplastics exacerbate oxidative stress‐induced liver injury in mice by regulating the Keap‐1/Nrf2/ARE pathway
Authors: Jia Tiantian , Nie Penghui , Xu Hengyi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIt is well known that polystyrene nanoplastics (PS‐NaP) and nano‐titanium dioxide (TiO2 NPs) are frequently co‐appeared in daily life and can cause liver injury when they accumulate in the liver. Nonetheless, the combined toxicological impacts and potential molecular mechanisms of PS‐NaP and TiO2 NPs in the hepatic system have not been revealed. Thus, we conducted experiments on C57BL/6 mice exposed to PS‐NaP or/and TiO2 NPs for 4 weeks. The findings suggested that PS‐NaP and TiO2 NPs co‐exposed significantly altered the hepatic function parameters, levels of antioxidant‐related enzymes and genes expression of Keap‐1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, as well as significantly increased the hepatic Ti contents, aggravated hepatic pathological and oxidative stress (OS) damage compared with individual exposure to PS‐NaP or TiO2 NPs. Using N‐Acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC), an OS inhibitor, we further demonstrated that OS played a pivotal role in coexposure‐induced liver injury. NAC reduced the levels of OS in mice, which mitigated co‐exposure‐induced liver injury. Taken together, we proposed that PS‐NaP and TiO2 NPs co‐exposed activated the Keap‐1, then inhibited the recognition of Nrf2 and ARE, consequently exacerbated liver injury. These findings shed light on the co‐toxicity and potential mechanism of nanoplastics and nanoparticles, which informed the risk assessment of human exposure to environmental pollutants.
Pharmaceutical emerging micropollutants potential in septic tanks: Its fate and transport study in Indonesia – A literature review
Authors: Wardhani Widhowati Kesoema , Soedjono Eddy Setiadi , Titah Harmin Sulistiyaning , Mardyanto Mas Agus 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMicropollutants also known as “emerging micropollutants” (EMPs) have gained significant attention in research, with a particular emphasis on the ocean, marine water, and river pollution. The interest arises from the impact of EMPs on aquatic ecosystems, often originating from sources such as wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and septic tanks leakage. However, EMPs pollution in surface water can also be caused by leakage of septic tanks. In Indonesia, where septic tanks maintenance is generally neglected, there is a potential risk of EMPs contamination. The outcome and transformation of EMPs, as well as their potential transport pathways, are influenced by sanitary conditions and the effectiveness of existing septic tanks. This concern has escalated to the point of causing fecal contamination in drinking water sources. Therefore, this research focuses on EMPs, specifically pharmaceutical EMPs, leakage from septic tanks, and their possible fate and transport. It also discusses related perspectives of previous research related to EMPs contamination due to leakage of septic tanks.