Review Period Research Articles

Analyzing the Effectiveness of Carbon Pricing Instruments in Reducing Carbon Emissions in Major Asian Economies

Carbon Pricing Instruments (CPIs), such as Carbon Taxes and Emission Trading Schemes (ETSs), have been launched in several countries, primarily in Europe and North America, as a means of limiting the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) which have been known to cause climate change. The adoption of these measures in Asia has been controversial, with many arguing that they would limit economic development in the region. We review the CPIs of 18 Asian economies, 7 of which have adopted a CPI during our review period from 1990 to 2021. We perform a comparative analysis of the economies in Asia, applying the Kaya Identity to decompose the variables affecting carbon emissions and the Nearest Neighbor Matching technique to compare the effect that CPIs have on countries adopting these policies relative to other jurisdictions. We found a positive and significant effect of CPIs on reducing carbon emissions in the Asian countries compared in our study. This offers crucial insights for policymakers, stressing the effectiveness of CPIs in balancing environmental sustainability with economic development in the region.

Energy-Efficient Adaptive Dynamic Building Facades: A Review of Their Energy Efficiency and Operating Loads

Energy-efficient, adaptive, affordable and durable curtain wall systems have always attracted great interest among the scientific and technical communities. In this regard, the purpose of this work was to conduct a comprehensive review of the issues related to energy-efficient adaptive dynamic facades, taking into account their operating loads, revealing the diversity of the studies conducted in this area. The review of the literature was carried out in three stages. For all stages, the review period was 2001–2024. In the first stage, a review of traditional curtain facade systems was conducted, which emphasized the relevance of this area, identifying a total of 4338 sources. In the second stage, a review of specific issues, such as adaptive dynamic facade systems, yielded 2838 sources, from which the 87 most suitable sources were selected. In the third stage, a review focusing on the issue of operating loads yielded 741 works, from which 43 suitable sources were selected. At the same time, pie charts reflecting the most active international scientific journals were compiled for each area. The conducted review of energy-efficient adaptive dynamic building facades, taking into account their operating loads, could provide significant assistance in further research on the specified issues. As researchers mainly focus on environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness, they often neglect issues such as the systems’ resistance to operating loads, which represents a serious deficiency. In this regard, this review identified a gap in the research on the development of energy-efficient facades with an air layer; on this basis, the further development of adaptive facade systems is required. The review of the selected studies also showed that issues related to energy efficiency and sustainability, taking into account operational loads, have not been addressed in combination; rather, they have only been addressed individually. At the same time, this review shows that the proposed development of an adaptive system of external fencing could be relevant, both nationally and internationally, depending on the natural and climatic conditions of the territory for which the buildings are designed.

Geopolitical Risks and Stock Market Volatility in the SAARC Region

Abstract This study examined the stock market volatility of the member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and geopolitical risk (GPR). The analysis period covered January 2014 to March 2024, and the time–frequency wavelet method was used to process the data. The time-varying parameter vector autoregression and spatial autoregressive models helped determine the dynamic connectedness of volatility in the analyzed states. The findings revealed similar stock market connections in Bangladesh and India. In addition, a comparative analysis of stocks in India and Pakistan led to the identification of common elements. The connection between geopolitical concerns and Sri Lankan stocks was the strongest and increased in intensity after 2019. GPR and Nepal’s stock market maintained a continuous but low-intensity relationship. The dynamic connectedness between member states’ stock markets was limited during the review period. The study results could encourage SAARC governments to bridge their political differences to ensure that South Asia becomes a strong partner in the global economy. Equally, our results can benefit investors, financial institutions, regulatory authorities, and governments.

Prevalence and prophylactic management of premolars with dens evaginatus in singaporean school children: a retrospective cohort study.

Dens evaginatus (DE) is characterised by the presence of a tubercle projection, which when fractured may lead to pulpal pathology. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of DE in the local population and the long-term outcomes of asymptomatic DE premolars managed with tubercle grinding and composite overlay. This is a retrospective cohort study of 9-year-old Singaporean children. The primary outcome was the success of prophylactic management of asymptomatic DE premolars with a single session of tubercle grinding and composite overlay, as determined by the absence of clinical signs or symptoms. The factors associated with survival of DE premolars treated were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression. The prevalence of DE among Singaporean children was 7.1% (12,677/178,801). DE premolars were more prevalent among females (56.1%) and those of Chinese ethnicity (87.1%). At the tooth level, 26,875 asymptomatic DE premolars were prophylactically managed with tubercle grinding and composite overlay and 2471 DE premolars did not receive any intervention. The mean review period was 46.2 ± 20.2 months. The success rate for DE premolars that received the intervention was significantly higher (p < 0.001) at 98.9% versus 94.1% in untreated DE premolars. Cox proportional hazard regression revealed that mandibular second premolars (p < 0.001), DE premolars with fractured tubercles at the time of diagnosis (p < 0.001) and children of Chinese ethnicity (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with a higher risk of failures. The prophylactic management of asymptomatic DE premolars with a single-session tubercle grinding and composite overlay is a successful treatment option.

A Retrospective Review of Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Dysphagia in Patients with Dermatomyositis.

Dermatomyositis is a rare autoimmune-mediated disease characterised by distinctive rash and progressive muscle weakness. Patients with dermatomyositis may develop swallowing disorders (dysphagia) due to the inflammation of muscles involved in swallowing which may lead to serious health consequences. However, to date, the clinical characteristics of and risk factors for dysphagia in dermatomyositis remain poorly understood. This retrospective study aimed to identify the characteristics and risk factors for dysphagia in dermatomyositis. All patients with clinical diagnosis of dermatomyositis (ICD-9-CM 701.3) were identified and retrieved retrospectively via hospital electronic record over a 10-year period for review. A total of 231 patients were identified with 149 fulfilled the inclusion criteria (median age [range] = 54.5 [3-92] years; 51 males) were recruited. The incidence of dysphagia was 18.8%, with predominantly pharyngeal phase impairments. Six patients had silent aspiration. Dysphagia was positively correlated with the age of diagnosis (r[148] = 0.187, p = 0.023), mortality (r[149] = 0.186, p = 0.023), presence of underlying malignancy (r[149] = 0.222, p = 0.007), methylprednisolone use (r[149] = 0.166, p = 0.042) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg; r[149] = 0.217, p = 0.008), and negatively correlated with disease duration (r[147]=-0.273, p < 0.001). Moreover, it was more likely to have symptomatic dysphagia in patients prescribing systemic corticosteroid (OR[95%CI] = 4.43[1.02, 19.27], p = 0.047) and IVIg (OR[95%CI] = 6.39[1.14, 35.68], p = 0.035). Dysphagia was associated with advanced age, increased mortality and malignancy in patients with dermatomyositis. Routine screening of dysphagia is recommended at initial diagnosis and severe disease activity requiring high dose systemic steroid and IVIg use.

Formula protein versus human milk protein and the effects on growth in preterm born infants

Purpose of review This review aims to evaluate the latest available evidence on the differences between human milk proteins versus infant formula proteins and its effects on growth and development in preterm infants. Recent findings High protein intake supports initial growth in preterm infants, although the long-term benefits remain unclear. Human milk requires adequate fortification to meet nutritional needs of preterm born infants. Formula feeding, with its higher protein content, may accelerate early weight gain but also increases the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. Current evidence showed no significant advantages of human milk-derived fortifiers over bovine milk-derived fortifiers. Furthermore, studies published during the review period do not provide new evidence that alters the existing understanding of differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes between infants fed human milk and those fed formula. Summary Both fortified human milk and preterm formula support growth in preterm infants, but human milk offers additional protective benefits, such as reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, making it the preferred option. Balancing immediate growth needs with potential long-term developmental outcomes remains crucial, highlighting the need for further research to determine the optimal protein intake for preterm infants.

Evidence-Base Update of Psychosocial and Combination Treatments for Child and Adolescent Depression

ABSTRACT Objective This evidence-based update (EBU) builds on three previous reviews (1998, 2008, 2017) sponsored by the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology with the aim of evaluating the empirical support for psychosocial interventions for depression in youth. Method In the current review period (2014–2022), 25 randomized controlled trials (RCT) were identified: four in children and 21 in adolescents. Descriptive effect sizes and number-needed-to-treat (NNT) ratios were calculated for primary outcomes. Results were integrated with prior reviews, and cumulative evidence used to classify treatments as well-established, probably efficacious, possibly efficacious, or experimental. Published secondary analyses of predictors, moderators, and mediators were examined. Results For adolescents, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-A), CBT in combination with antidepressant medication, and collaborative care programs were all classified as well-established. The evidence was considerably weaker for children, with no treatments achieving well-established or probably efficacious status. New developments include greater exploration of parent- and family-mediated treatment models and increasing evidence on technology-assisted interventions. Data on predictors, moderators, and mediators continued to be focused on adolescent depression samples and drawn from a limited number of RCT datasets. Conclusion Since the prior EBU, there has been incremental progress in youth depression treatment research. There is an urgent need to: (a) develop innovative approaches to substantially improve on the modest effects seen in most RCTs, (b) expand the evidence base for children and other underserved groups, (c) craft evidence-based guidelines for choosing between interventions when multiple efficacious treatments do exist, and (d) address issues of treatment effectiveness and scalability to ameliorate the wide prevalence and high impact of depression in youth.

Extending the window in clinical decision making: the role for Impella 5.5 in cardiogenic shock

Abstract Background Acute decompensated heart failure (HF) refractory to medical management deteriorates quickly to cardiogenic shock, ultimately requiring mechanical circulatory support (MCS). These devices aim to provide circulatory support as a bridge to advanced therapies. We report patient outcomes with the latest minimally invasive temporary MCS device: Impella 5.5 with SmartAssist. Methods All patients who underwent Impella 5.5 implantation between January 2020 and December 2023 were analyzed. Duration of Impella support and peri-implant parameters were collected from electronic medical records. ANOVA was performed and utilized a p-value of &amp;lt;0.05 as significant for statistical analysis. Results During our review period, a total of 99 patients were supported with Impella 5.5 in the setting of cardiogenic shock. 92 were bridged to heart transplant (BTT), of which 17 also received combined kidney transplantation. Two underwent durable VAD implantation (BTVAD), and 3 had native heart recovery (BTR) and explant. Two patients died, yielding a survival rate of 98%. For BTT group, the median age was 60 years (52-65) at implant and a median BMI of 27 kg/m² (24-31) with a mean support duration of 29 days (SD ±24). Baseline GFR was 49 mL/min/1.73m² (35-65). In the BTVAD group, the median BMI was 43 kg/m² (39-46) with an average duration of support of 22 days (SD ±8) with a GFR of 55 mL/min/1.73m² (38-73). The BTR group had a median BMI of 29 kg/m² (27-30) with an average duration of support of 15 days (SD ±7) and a lower baseline GFR of 36 mL/min/1.73m² (26 – 37) compared to BTT or BTVAD. The two patients that died were supported for an average of 42 days (SD ±9.2) and expired due to non-candidacy in the setting of newly detected prostate cancer in one patient and multi-organ failure in another. All BTVAD and BTT patients did not have a stroke or major vascular complications before terminal therapy. Conclusion Our center highlights the role of early Impella 5.5 placement in the stabilization of patients in cardiogenic shock, thereby providing both patients and providers time for decision-making while optimizing end-organ perfusion beyond the accepted duration of 14 days.Impella Data - Entire CohortImpella Data - Stratified by Outcome

The provision of dental extractions in patients with established or a history of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Patients with existing or a history of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) are considered to be at a higher risk of further developing MRONJ, particularly if dental extractions are necessary. It is assumed that their underlying risk factors predispose them to developing MRONJ and they are allocated into an 'elevated risk group'. There is no evidence to quantify this risk level; however, it has led to an avoidance of dental extractions in this cohort. However, avoidance of dental extractions is not a realistic treatment option to prevent MRONJ and there is emerging evidence that inflammatory dental disease, such as peri-apical pathology or periodontal disease, can trigger the pathogenesis of MRONJ. The current case series retrospectively reviewed 28 patients with existing or a history of MRONJ who underwent dental extractions (n = 65) via our departmental protocol, which includes elective circumferential socket alveoplasty and primary closure. Our outcomes show that MRONJ did not develop at the new extraction site, with a post-operative review period of at least six months. These results provide promising evidence that dental extractions can be performed in this group of patients with <1% risk of developing MRONJ at the new surgical site, if appropriate measures are undertaken.

Resilience of nursing students: A concept analysis study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify attributes of resilience among nursing students. DesignThe concept analysis method was used. Data sourcesLiterature reviews from the past 10 years were searched in Science Direct, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, and the Wiley online library. The literature search database and review period were determined after verification of validity by five experts (nursing professors). The inclusion criteria for the literature review were that the paper must be written in English, and the abstract or title of the paper should have included attributes of nursing students' resilience. Exclusion criteria were papers written in languages other than English, papers that did not include the attributes of resilience of nursing students, and duplicate papers. Seventeen studies were included in the analysis. ResultsResilience among nursing students comprised three attributes and 28 sub-attributes. The three attributes were individual, educational, and situational. Individual attributes included personal competency characteristics (e.g., self-confidence and self-efficacy) and consisted of 15 sub-attributes. Educational attributes included characteristics related to academic and clinical practicum (e.g., coping with academic work pressure) and consisted of seven sub-attributes. Situational attributes comprised characteristics that changed according to circumstances (e.g., coping with increased levels of patient acuity during the crisis), such as the COVID-19 pandemic and social support from significant others, and consisted of six sub-attributes. ConclusionsThis study identified resilience attributes reflecting the characteristics of nursing students and recent situational changes. Consequently, tools to assess resilience should be developed based on study findings and utilized in various studies aimed at enhancing the resilience of nursing students.

Quantitative Assessment of Green Inventory Management in Supply Chains: Simulation-Based Study of Economic and Environmental Outcomes Aligned with ISO 14083 Standard

This research employs numerical simulations and scenario analysis to assess a supply chain model’s economic and environmental performance operating under stochastic market demand, with inventory levels managed by a periodic review (R, s, S) inventory system. The inventory model in this research is designed to determine the minimal inventory levels required to achieve predefined fill rates across various operational constraints. The supply chain’s inventory model simulates optimal responses to normally distributed market demand within 365-day periods characterized by mean and two levels of demand variability through two fill rate levels, two workweek schedules, 15 review periods, and 16 lead times. By conducting an extensive analysis of the 192000 simulation experiments of the supply chain under periodic review (R, s, S) inventory system, complex influences between system variables and economic outcomes of supply chain operation measured by ordering, transportation, holding, penalty, and total costs along with greenhouse gas emissions arising from inventory-related transportation according to the ISO 14083 standard are analyzed. The insights from this research have significant practical implications, providing valuable guidance for supply chain managers, researchers, and freight companies offering guidance for improving economic and environmental performance.

Understanding medicine access strategies for innovator medicines registered in South Africa

BackgroundSouth Africa is composed of a two-tier healthcare system. One tier is a private healthcare system that is funded through medical insurance, and comprised of people who can afford to make monthly payments towards their medical insurance. Second tier is a government-funded public healthcare system, which covers the majority of the population. This study explored the perceived barriers and current strategies being utilised by the pharmaceutical industry to increase access to innovator medicines.ObjectivesThe objectives of the study were to: (1) quantify and classify innovator medicines registered between 2010 and 2020 by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA); (2) identify barriers to accessing innovator medicines in South Africa through interviews with market access managers from innovator companies; and (3) explore the current market access strategies used by the pharmaceutical industry.DesignThis study employed a quantitative and qualitative methodology. Whereby the former involved the extraction of a list of innovator medicines from the regulator database, and the latter involved 9 semi structured interviews. Purposive sampling was conducted through pharmaceutical association member companies. The interviews included seven market access managers and two medicine managers from one of the payers in South Africa. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data collected from the study.ResultsAccording to the regulator database during the review period, 238 innovator medicines were registered. Only 14.77% were available in the public sector in the form of tenders, whereas in the private sector (based on the products having a SEP), 76.92% were available. From the interviews six themes emerged: reimbursement of medicines, types of reimbursement, partnerships, technology, legislative challenges, and other factors (e.g., real-world evidence).ConclusionAccess to innovator medicines in South Africa is a challenge, as the price of these therapies is high. Therefore, various stakeholders in the health sector must collaborate to identify and implement solutions that are locally relevant. The government needs to proactively update policies that would allow for alternative reimbursement methods to be explored.

A multi-criteria measurement and assessment of human capital development in EU-27 countries: A 10-year perspective

In today's global economy and across various types of organizations, human capital is a fundamental resource that determines their existence and development. This is particularly important in the context of ongoing climate-technological transformation processes based on innovative solutions. The role and importance of personal resources are well understood in the EU-27 countries, which base their future on competent human capital. This paper addresses this critical and timely topic by assessing human capital in the EU-27 countries over the period 2013–2022. The research aims to evaluate these countries' human capital potential, distinguishing between the "new EU-13" and the "old EU-14" countries, and to measure the effectiveness of its development during the study period. A crucial part of the research was to determine the impact of human capital on selected indicators of economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development. To achieve these objectives, an original research methodology was developed, employing the COPRAS method to determine the human capital assessment index and the equal weights and CRITIC methods to establish the weights of indicators characterizing the studied human capital. The impact assessment of this capital, along with innovation and unemployment on economic growth, was conducted using an econometric model. Meanwhile, correlations between the human capital assessment index and the indicators characterizing innovation, economic growth, and sustainability were analyzed using Spearman's non-parametric tests. The results show significant variation in human capital between the EU-27 countries and between the "old EU-14" and "new EU-13" groups. The Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden achieved the best results in terms of human capital development, while Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria had the weakest outcomes. In contrast, Cyprus, Malta, and Portugal recorded the greatest progress during the review period. These results offer extensive opportunities for multidimensional inference and can be used to assess the current state of the EU-27 economy. They should also inform the development of strategies for individual countries and the EU-27 as a whole.

Internal CSR and the decline of organised labour: a possible elective affinity?

Purpose This paper aims to explore the potential relationship between internal corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the decline of organised labour in countries of the global North. Given the opposing trends since the late 20th century and the widespread adherence of internationally recognised labour standards in CSR codes, standards, and reporting frameworks, questions arise about the disparity between CSR rhetoric and practice regarding the collective rights of in-house employees. The paper further explores the tendency in CSR scholarship to overlook violations of collective rights for in-house employees in the global North. Design/methodology/approach To examine whether there is an elective affinity between the rise of CSR and the decline of organised labour, the paper uses a discursive institutionalism approach, providing a meta-theoretical analysis of academic literature on internal CSR. A scoping review methodology was used to identify relevant literature and compile it into an empirical corpus for a metatheoretical analysis. The empirical corpus, consisting of 38 articles, was generated through a Google Scholar (GS) search guided by the following questions: (1) What are the dominant conceptual framings of internal CSR? (2) What are the dominant roles and practical aspects of internal CSR? Findings The paper identifies two key disparities in the literature: (1) between rhetoric and practice regarding the collective rights of in-house employees in the global North and (2) between the extensive CSR research on violations of collective rights of value chain workers and the limited attention to in-house employees’ collective rights. The analysis highlights two factors contributing to these disparities: the integration of internal CSR into the corporate managerial toolbox and the distinction in CSR discourse between core labour standards and workplace issues. The analysis shows that internal CSR has an elective affinity with the decline of organised labour. Research limitations/implications While scoping reviews are often standalone studies, this paper used the methodology for its stated purpose. Limitations include the broad span of internal CSR across various academic fields and reliance solely on GS. Measures taken to enhance inclusivity were unlimited review period, refined inclusion criteria and keywords during the selection process and cross-checks of cited articles. Social implications Considering the implications of the decline of organised labour on workers’ collective voice, poverty and the distribution gap in wealth and income, this paper suggests that for CSR to play a significant role in advancing sustainable social justice, scholars and practitioners should look at ways to reduce the disparity between rhetoric and practice regarding employees’ voice and collective rights. Originality/value The paper lays the foundation for a better understanding of the potential links between internal CSR and the decline of organised labour. It addresses a gap in the literature on the interrelations between CSR and organised labour in the global North and proposes root causes of this gap. This contribution enriches the scarce literature exploring the potential elective affinity between CSR and transformations in the global economy and labour markets since the late 1980s. Finally, the paper deepens the understanding of the implications of CSR for employees’ collective rights and voice as well as for organised labour.

Impact of a University-Led COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Program.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic devastated societies and economies worldwide. Given the major disruptions to higher education, reflection on university responses to the COVID-19 pandemic may provide insights for future outbreaks. Here, we describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 on the Emory University campus during the 2020-2021 academic year and provide an evaluation of the performance of a university-led program with the purpose of describing the effectiveness of efforts to augment the public health authority's case investigation and contact tracing efforts during a public health emergency. Evaluation of a case investigation and contact tracing program regarding operations, timeliness, and performance. We analyzed quality metrics to determine the proportion of cases and contacts interviewed and the time to completion of each step from case diagnosis to testing of contacts. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 1267 COVID-19 cases among Emory students, faculty, and staff were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, with 1132 reported close contacts. Among cases, the median test turnaround time was 1 day (interquartile range: 1, 2). Among both cases and close contacts, 98% were successfully interviewed. The team called a majority of cases on the same day as their test result was reported to the program (87%; n =1052). Almost all (98%; n =1247) cases completed isolation or were advised to isolate during the review period. Close to half (46%; n =513) of contacts interviewed began quarantine before their interview. Among close contacts interviewed, 13% (n=145) subsequently converted to an index case. The impact and performance of Emory's program may provide useful and actionable data for future university-led infectious disease outbreak response programs. The program structure, performance metrics, and information collected via interviews provide practical implications and an organized structure to guide other programs during future outbreaks.

B - 112 Challenges and Opportunities for Training in a New Era in Neuropsychology: a Survey Study

Abstract Objective The field of neuropsychology is undergoing significant changes, especially as the Minnesota Update Conference (MUC) drafts are developed. In late 2023, a group of neuropsychology trainee-leaders, united through the Clinical Neuropsychology Trainee Forum (CNTF), surveyed trainees in the United States and Canada to better understand their needs and perception of the neuropsychology training climate. Method Survey items were written by a CNTF task force consisting of trainee-leaders from major neuropsychology organizations before being refined by four independent neuropsychologists, including two current neuropsychology postdoctoral fellowship training directors. The survey was distributed via listservs and social media. Results 220 respondents completed a majority of the survey, and they were primarily female (86%), White (71%), and training in the United States (92%). More than 75% of respondents reported satisfaction with their doctoral program, internship, and/or fellowship. Similarly, 90% and 73% of respondents, respectively, felt their opinions on the future of the field are listened to and/or valued in discussions with peers and supervisors/mentors. However, only 57% of respondents felt their opinions are valued by neuropsychology organizational leadership, and nearly 70% were uncertain or disagreed that trainees’ opinions were valued during the MUC draft development and review period. Conclusions Most neuropsychology trainees are satisfied with their training programs yet expressed concern about their opinions on the future of the field being heard by neuropsychology leadership. Trainee stakeholder engagement will be key to the vitality of neuropsychology in light of anticipated MUC Guidelines. Recommendations for supervisors, training directors, and neuropsychology organizational leadership will be discussed.

Co-movement of Oil and Stock Markets During COVID-19: Evidence from the Gulf Corporation Council

This study aims to document the impact of oil price variations on generating stock returns in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets during the COVID-19 era. It documents the pandemic era results from January 2020 to October 2022 by employing cointegration, Granger causality, and time-varying coefficient-vector autoregression techniques on daily data. The findings suggest two-way causality between all stock indices and the oil market. Time-dependent relationships were observed during the review period. The findings (based on regression and variance decomposition) indicate that although the reliance of the GCC stock markets was not on oil alone, oil had a significant impact during the study period. It is recommended that investors not consider diversifying portfolios in GCC stocks and oil markets to optimize benefits. The findings are expected to enhance the understanding of academics, market players, regulators, and investors regarding relationships among GCC stocks and oil markets. This study contributes to the literature by documenting the impact of the oil market on stocks during an abnormal period of the COVID-19 pandemic, considering time-varying parameters in a net oil exporting region.

Trends in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder research: Abibliometric review of original articles published between2000 and 2023.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disability globally. International organizations have highlighted an urgent need for improved prevention, diagnosis, and support. However, the evidence base needed to inform this is thought to be limited. We conducted two complementary reviews to (i) describe trends in the volume and characteristics of original FASD research articles (Review 1) and (ii) compare the volume of published research on FASD to that of other neurodevelopmental disorders (Review 2). In Review 1, we systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and PsycInfo for original studies with FASD terms in the title, published between 2000 and 2023. We summarised study characteristics including the article topic(s), sample population, country of origin, and publication year using quantitative content analysis and time-series plots. A total of 854 studies were eligible. Studies showed a relative focus on diagnosis and screening, compared to prevention and intervention. FASD research originated from 31 countries, however most countries (68%) had fewer than 10 articles published over the 23-year review period. In Review 2, we searched PubMed for records published between 2000 and 2023 with FASD, autism, or attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) terms in the title. We compared the volume of records for these conditions using descriptive statistics and time-series plots. Of the 64,069 records retrieved, 2% were for FASD, compared to 60% for autism and 38% for ADHD. FASD remains considerably under-researched. While there has been an increase in the number of original FASD research articles published annually over time, this is much lower than expected compared to publication trends for other neurodevelopmental conditions, and the wider scientific literature. Further research is needed to understand the impact of FASD across the lifespan, to inform evidence-based policy and support, and to advance progress in strength-based, stigma-reducing approaches to FASD research and practice.

Budget Deficit and Economic Growth in Nigeria: An Empirical Analysis

This study was expected to investigate the impact of Budget Deficit on economic growth of Nigeria between 1983 and 2023. Ex – post facto research design was accepted; annual time series data for analyses were collected from Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin of 2022. Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP) was used as the explained or dependent variable proxy for economic growth. budget deficit (BDF), inflation (INF) and money supply (MS) all represent explanatory or independent variables. The study employed Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model which was used to analyzed and evaluate the coefficients of the model’s parameters. Other diagnostic tests employed by this study include; unit root test, descriptive statistics, correlation coefficient matrix, Cointegration test and test of Normality, and they confirmed the validity and reliability of the model used; the inferential results showed that budget deficits impacted significantly on the economic growth of Nigeria under the review period. The paper recommended strongly that the country should display a high degree of transparency in its fiscal policies or operations by directing its fiscal deficits present towards investments that will increase productivity such as building roads, providing electricity and encouraging Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). The paper equally recommended inflation targeting in order to achieve a non-inflationary trend economy purposely to achieve the macroeconomic goal of price stability. The policy makers should direct capital and financial resources of government toward targeted programs like employment opportunity in productive ventures.

Ten-year statewide cross-sectional review of pediatric sinogenic intracranial abscess and empyema in Queensland, Australia: microbial profile before and after COVID-19.

Sinogenic intracranial infections in children, such as subdural empyema or intracranial abscess, are a rare disease process with significant associated morbidity. Recent literature has suggested that there may have been an increase in frequency of these infections following the COVID-19 pandemic, but the literature has been conflicting, perhaps related to the heterogenous management of COVID-19 lockdowns in various states and differences in data capture between methods. The collection of statewide Australian data overcomes these limitations by capturing a comprehensive sample though the public healthcare system of patients who were subject to a homogeneous statewide approach to public health policy during the COVID-19 pandemic (population 5.6 million, including 1.3 million children). The objective of this study was to present population-level data to address the question of whether the incidence of intracranial infections changed in pediatric patients before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors present a retrospective 10-year statewide description of sinogenic intracranial infections in Queensland, Australia. A comparison was made between the incidence and microbiological profile before and after the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns on March 22, 2020. Forty-four pediatric intracranial infections undergoing neurosurgical intervention were identified within the review period. After exclusion of postsurgical and cardioembolic causes, 33 sinogenic intracranial infections were included (16 before and 17 after 2020, with a mean annualized incidence of 0.25 vs 0.37 cases per 100,000 children, respectively; p > 0.05). The most frequent organisms identified were Streptococcus milleri (n = 19), polymicrobial (n = 4), and S. aureus (n = 3). No significant differences in antimicrobial profile, susceptibility, parenchymal involvement, or clinical outcome were identified between the pre- and post-COVID-19 groups. No statistically significant differences in the epidemiology of pediatric intracranial infection have occurred in the state of Queensland, Australia, before and after March 22, 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic.