bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AdaMEC: Towards a Context-adaptive and Dynamically Combinable DNN Deployment Framework for Mobile Edge Computing
Authors: Pang Bowen , Liu Sicong , Wang Hongli , Guo Bin , Wang Yuzhan , Wang Hao , Sheng Zhenli , Wang Zhongyi , Yu Zhiwen
Published: October 2023

With the rapid development of deep learning, recent research on intelligent and interactive mobile applications (e.g., health monitoring, speech recognition) has attracted extensive attention. And these applications necessitate the mobile edge computing scheme, i.e., offloading partial computation from mobile devices to edge devices for inference acceleration and transmission load reduction. The current practices have relied on collaborative DNN partition and offloading to satisfy the predefined latency requirements, which is intractable to adapt to the dynamic deployment context at runtime. AdaMEC, a context-adaptive and dynamically combinable DNN deployment framework, is proposed to meet these requirements for mobile edge computing, which consists of three novel techniques. First,
once-for-all DNN pre-partition
divides DNN at the primitive operator level and stores partitioned modules into executable files, defined as pre-partitioned DNN atoms. Second,
context-adaptive DNN atom combination and offloading
introduces a graph-based decision algorithm to quickly search the suitable combination of atoms and adaptively make the offloading plan under dynamic deployment contexts. Third,
runtime latency predictor
provides timely latency feedback for DNN deployment considering both DNN configurations and dynamic contexts. Extensive experiments demonstrate that AdaMEC outperforms state-of-the-art baselines in terms of latency reduction by up to 62.14% and average memory saving by 55.21%.
The Obligations of Tenured Faculty in Restoring the Public's Faith in American Public Universities: Honoring Our Side of the Commitment
Authors: Joshi K.D.
Published: October 2023

This editorial delves into the critical role of tenured faculty in American public universities in restoring the public's faith in these institutions. This editorial emphasizes that preserving the founding ideals of American public universities is both an obligation and a lasting legacy. It calls upon tenured faculty to rekindle the public spirit and actively contribute to the preservation of the American dream for future generations.
Online Information Filtering: The Role of Contextual Cues in Electronic Networks of Practice
Authors: Fadel Kelly J. , Jensen Matthew L. , Meservy Thomas O.
Published: October 2023

Online forums sponsored by Electronic Networks of Practice are commonly used to exchange information related to problem solving, but the quality of solutions posted on forums can vary widely. To assist knowledge seekers, most forums offer contextual cues that signal solution quality, such as endorsements by the question poster, experts, or other community members. However, the influence of these cues on information-filtering decisions, particularly when presented simultaneously, remains poorly understood. This study draws on signaling theory to develop hypotheses about how four cue dimensions-source, valence, format, and volume-shape information filtering on an online forum. Results from three choice-based conjoint studies show that some sources are more influential than others and that positive cues weigh more heavily on filtering decisions than negative cues. Results also show that cues tend to be more influential when they employ a more granular format and reflect the input of a larger number of individuals.
A Taxonomy of SETA Methods and Linkage to Delivery Preferences
Authors: Kävrestad Joakim , Nohlberg Marcus , Furnell Steven
Published: October 2023

Cybersecurity threats targeting users are common in today's information systems. Threat actors exploit human behavior to gain unauthorized access to systems and data. The common suggestion for addressing this problem is to train users to behave better using SETA programs. The notion of training users is old, and several SETA methods are described in scientific literature. Yet, incidents stemming from insecure user behavior continue to happen and are reported as one of the most common types of incidents. Researchers argue that empirically proven SETA programs are needed and point out focus on knowledge rather than behavior, along with poor user adoption, as problems with existing programs. The present study aims to research user preferences regarding SETA methods, with the motivation that a user is more likely to adopt a program perceived positively. A qualitative approach is used to identify existing SETA methods, and a quantitative approach is used to measure user preferences regarding SETA delivery. We show that users prefer SETA methods to be effortless and flexible and outline how existing methods meet that preference. The results outline how SETA methods respond to user preferences and how different SETA methods can be implemented to maximize user perception, thereby supporting user adoption.
Improved Thermal Stability of Oxysulfide Glassy Solid-State Electrolytes
Authors: Gonzalez Malabet Hernando J. , Zhang Yubin , Salvador James R. , Schmidt Robert D. , Yersak Thomas A.
Published: October 2023

In this study, the crystallization kinetics of (oxy)sulfide 70Li2S·(30-x)P2S5·xP2O5 (x = 0, 2, 5) solid-state electrolytes are reported. It was found that 5 mol% P2O5 glass co-former slowed the crystallization rate of the Li7P3S11−x/4Ox/4 ceramic phase by a factor of 10. After 10 min at 230 °C, a 70Li2S·30P2S5 sulfide glass was 92% devitrified whereas a 70Li2S·25P2S5·5P2O5 oxysulfide glass was only 8% devitrified. The improved thermal stability of oxysulfide glasses was then utilized to demonstrate the fabrication of a standalone, reinforced SSE separator by hot pressing. More importantly, it was recognized that the microstructure of 70Li2S·25P2S5·5P2O5 oxysulfide SSE separators could be modified by hot pressing without changing ionic conductivity. This result was achieved because the precipitation of a superionically conductive Li7P3S11−x/4Ox/4 ceramic phase was limited. A study was then conducted to determine what effect microstructure has on the susceptibility of SSE separators to shorting by lithium metal penetration. Hot-pressed separators were found to be more susceptible to shorting than cold-pressed separators. X-ray Computer Tomography (XCT) of post-mortem samples showed that hot-pressed samples failed by transverse microcrack pathways, which underscores the importance of low defect density in dense SSE separators.
Numerical Study on Optimization of Piled Raft Foundation on Stratified Soil under Static Load
Authors: Yirsaw Getasew Mare , Ashango Argaw Asha
Published: October 2023

Piled raft foundation (PRF) is a combination of pile and raft that provides adequate bearing capacity under the allowable settlement. This research aims to optimize the PRF design for a 48-story Commercial Bank headquarters building in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by conducting parametric study on various pile configuration using FLAC3D (Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua in three Dimensions) software. We analyzed 28 piled raft configurations and found that increasing the distance between piles increases the raft load sharing distribution by 11.5% while reducing settlement. Despite variations in pile length and diameter, a close load sharing between the pile and raft is accomplished at a separation of seven times the pile diameter (7D). The largest settlement decrease achieved was 9% for a 2-m pile diameter by doubling the pile length from 10 to 20 m, indicating that increasing pile length is ineffective for settlement reduction. We also proposed two new pile configurations that share load equally among pile and raft, and slightly increase total settlement below 10-cm limit. The results show that the first configuration exceeds differential settlement limit, but the second configuration reduces it by 95% and saves 40% of piles. This study provides a useful reference for designing PRF for high-rise buildings in similar soil conditions.
Analysis on the Prewarning Distance of Expressway Traffic Based on Lane-Selection Cell Transmission Model
Authors: Chen Yunteng , Zhao Liang , Zhang Yong , Zhou Jiexin , Yao Liang , Lou Hongwei
Published: October 2023

Lane-changing prewarning is an active management measure used to mitigate the impact of incidents on expressways. This measure affects the operational efficiency and safety of traffic flow upstream of the incident location. To evaluate the effectiveness of this measure in mitigating incident-induced congestion and enhancing traffic safety, it is essential to model and simulate traffic flow on expressways, followed by analyzing the simulation results. In this study, we use the lane-changing selection cell transmission model (ls-CTM) to investigate the impact of setting lane-changing prewarning information on expressway traffic flow. By enhancing the composition of flow within the diverging cell in CTM, traffic can determine its downstream direction based on lane-changing probability rather than the path. A case study was conducted to investigate the impact of prewarning distances of 50, 100, and 150 m on road operational efficiency and traffic safety under different traffic volumes. The effectiveness and applicability of three measures to improve traffic safety were also summarized. The research results can provide more rigorous and effective decision-making support for expressway traffic management and control.
Comparison between Microsurgical Varicocelectomy with and without Testicular Delivery for Treatment of Varicocele: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Yulong , Song Yuxuan , Qin Caipeng , Zhang Chunlong , Du Yiqing , Xu Tao
Published: October 2023

Dilated testicular gubernacular veins after varicocelectomy were reported to be the cause of varicocele recurrence. The gubernacular veins start at the tail of the testicular and merges into the posterior scrotal veins. The gubernacular veins could be ligated only after testicular delivery (TD) anatomically. TD and ligation of the gubernacular veins during microsurgical varicocelectomy might reduce the varicocele recurrence but this method is still under debate. Therefore, we performed this systematic review and meta-analysis and assessed varicocele recurrence, complications as well as clinical outcomes after microsurgical varicocelectomy with TD. Relevant researches were searched on the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases to perform an updated meta-analysis. Standardized mean differences, relative risks (RRs), and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied to evaluate result indicators. This updated meta-analysis included 17 publications with 10 randomized controlled trials and 7 cohort studies. A total of 2,254 participants, including 1,024 subjects with TD and 1,230 without TD, were involved. The pooled results demonstrated that microsurgical varicocelectomy with TD might lead to higher incidences of postoperative scrotal edema (RR = 4.20, 95% CI = 2.60–6.81,

p
<
0.001

), testicular hydrocele (RR = 6.58, 95% CI = 1.19–36.20,

p
=
0.030

), and orchiepididymitis (RR = 6.33, 95% CI = 2.08–19.31,

p
=
0.001

) than the group without TD. Similar findings were also found in subgroup analysis of varicocele grade II and III. By contrast, we failed to find significant differences between them in semen parameters, varicocele recurrence, serum testosterone, and natural pregnancy (

p
>
0.05

). Sensitivity analysis revealed the pooled results were stable and no publication bias was detected. TD during microsurgical varicocelectomy may lead to more postoperative complications and may not be beneficial for semen parameters, recurrence of varicocele, and natural pregnancy. Therefore, varicocele patients may not benefit more from TD.
Neuro-Gastro-Cannabinology: A Novel Paradigm for Regulating Mood and Digestive Health
Authors: Turco Fabio , Brugnatelli Viola , Abalo Raquel
Published: October 2023

The maintenance of homeostasis in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is ensured by the presence of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates important physiological activities, such as motility, permeability, fluid secretion, immunity, and visceral pain sensation. Beside its direct effects on the GI system, the ECS in the central nervous system indirectly regulates GI functions, such as food intake and energy balance. Mounting evidence suggests that the ECS may play an important role in modulating central neurotransmission which affects GI functioning. It has also been found that the interaction between the ECS and microbiota affects brain and gut activity in a bidirectional manner, and a number of studies demonstrate that there is a strong relationship between GI dysfunctions and mood disorders. Thus, microbiota can regulate the tone of the ECS. Conversely, changes in intestinal ECS tone may influence microbiota composition. In this mini-review, we propose the concept of neuro-gastro-cannabinology as a novel and alternative paradigm for studying and treating GI disorders that affect mood, as well as mood disorders that imbalance GI physiology. This concept suggests the use of prebiotics or probiotics for improving the tone of the ECS, as well as the use of phytocannabinoids or endocannabinoid-like molecules, such as palmitoylethanolamide, to restore the normal intestinal microbiota. This approach may be effective in ameliorating the negative effects of GI dysfunctions on mood and/or the effects of mood disorders on digestive health.
What Do Children in India Talk About? Personal Narratives of Typically Developing Hindi-Speaking Children
Authors: Srivastava Vasundhara , Chan Angel , Westerveld Marleen F.
Published: October 2023

Background: The recent development of the Global TALES Protocol provides a unique opportunity to conduct systematic cross-linguistic and cross-cultural comparisons of children’s personal narratives. This protocol contains 6 scripted prompts to elicit personal narratives in school-age children about times when they experienced feeling happy/excited, worried, annoyed, proud, being in a problem situation, something important. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to examine the topics of the children’s narratives when they responded to the 6 prompts and draw comparisons with the topics of narratives spoken by children from 10 other countries speaking 8 other languages as described in the original feasibility paper. Methods: We translated the Global TALES Protocol into Hindi and collected personal narratives of thirty Hindi-speaking children (aged 6–9 years), residing in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. All personal narrative samples were elicited in person and audio recorded for manual coding of the topics. Results: Although we observed many similarities in the topics of children’s personal narratives between this dataset and the dataset reported on in the initial feasibility study, we also documented some novel topics, such as “welcoming guests” in response to the “excited” prompt; “financial problems” in response to the “worried” prompt; “helping someone by actions or by advising someone morally” in response to the “problem” prompt; and “mishap/personal loss” and “exams” in response to the “important” prompt. Conclusion: Some of these novel topics likely reflected the Indian culture. Because our study involved a group of children who are linguistically and culturally different from previous studies using the Global TALES protocol and, at ages 6–9 years, slightly younger than the 10-year-olds in prior studies, this study adds to the evidence that the Global TALES protocol can be used to elicit personal narratives of children from diverse languages and cultures, as young as age 6.
Longitudinal Analysis of Prophylactic Anticoagulation in Primary Nephrotic Syndrome: Low Incidence of Thromboembolic Complications
Authors: McDonnell Thomas , Hartemink John , Ragy Omar , Parker Kathrine , Shukkur Meshaal , Thachil Jecko , Kanigicherla Durga
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Thromboembolic events (TEEs) are a serious and potentially fatal complication of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Despite this, there is a lack of evidence examining the benefits of prophylactic anticoagulation (PAC) in NS. It was our objective to review the risk factors, rates of TEEs, and patterns of PAC in patients with primary NS, with the aim to provide a pragmatic approach to PAC in primary NS. Methods: This is a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of adult patients with primary NS. Included were as follows: biopsy-proven minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (described as a combined podocytopathy cohort) plus membranous nephropathy (MN) over an 8-year period from a single centre. Anticoagulation practice, TEEs, and longer term outcomes were recorded. Results: Fifty-four patients with MN and 48 patients with podocytopathies were included. Baseline demographics and severity of NS were comparable. Those with MN were more likely to develop TEE 12 (22%) versus 4 (8%) (p = 0.027) though this difference was predominantly seen at index diagnosis. Only 2 patients developed TEEs during active incident NS. Rates of PAC were similar when comparing MN (53%) and podocytopathies (58%). Those with a serum albumin <20 g/L and HAS-BLED score <3 were most likely to receive PAC (22/30, 73% in MN vs. 21/30, 70% in podocytopathy). Warfarin was the most common agent used in MN cohort 18/26 (69%) versus prophylactic dose low-molecular-weight heparin in the podocytopathy cohort 12/28 (43%). Discussion/Conclusion: PAC practices applied in this cohort of patients were pragmatic and effective, with low TEE rates during active NS.
Combing Genome-Wide Association Studies and Single-Cell Analysis to Elucidate the Mechanisms of Kidney Disease: Proceedings of the Henry Shavelle Professorship
Authors: Levinsohn Jonathan , Li Shen , Ha Eunji , Susztak Katalin
Published: October 2023

Background: Kidney diseases pose a significant global health burden; there is an urgent need to deepen our understanding of their underlying mechanisms. Summary: This review focuses on new innovative approaches that merge genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and single-cell omics (including transcriptomics) in kidney disease research. We begin by detailing how GWAS has identified numerous genetic risk factors, offering valuable insight into disease susceptibility. Then, we explore the application of scRNA-seq, highlighting its ability to unravel how genetic variants influence cellular phenotypes. Through a synthesis of recent studies, we illuminate the synergy between these two powerful methodologies, demonstrating their potential in elucidating the complex etiology of kidney diseases. Moreover, we discuss how this integrative approach could pave the way for precise diagnostics and personalized treatments. Key Message: This review underscores the transformative potential of combining GWAS and scRNA-seq in the journey toward a deeper understanding of kidney diseases.
Next Generation, Modifiable Cardiometabolic Biomarkers: Mitochondrial Adaptation and Metabolic Resilience: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Mietus-Snyder Michele , Perak Amanda M. , Cheng Susan , Hayman Laura L. , Haynes Norrisa , Meikle Peter J. , Shah Svati H. , Suglia Shakira F. ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Obesity in the Young Committee of the Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young; Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; and Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing
Published: October 2023

Cardiometabolic risk is increasing in prevalence across the life span with disproportionate ramifications for youth at socioeconomic disadvantage. Established risk factors and associated disease progression are harder to reverse as they become entrenched over time; if current trends are unchecked, the consequences for individual and societal wellness will become untenable. Interrelated root causes of ectopic adiposity and insulin resistance are understood but identified late in the trajectory of systemic metabolic dysregulation when traditional cardiometabolic risk factors cross current diagnostic thresholds of disease. Thus, children at cardiometabolic risk are often exposed to suboptimal metabolism over years before they present with clinical symptoms, at which point life-long reliance on pharmacotherapy may only mitigate but not reverse the risk. Leading-edge indicators are needed to detect the earliest departure from healthy metabolism, so that targeted, primordial, and primary prevention of cardiometabolic risk is possible. Better understanding of biomarkers that reflect the earliest transitions to dysmetabolism, beginning in utero, ideally biomarkers that are also mechanistic/causal and modifiable, is critically needed. This scientific statement explores emerging biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk across rapidly evolving and interrelated “omic” fields of research (the epigenome, microbiome, metabolome, lipidome, and inflammasome). Connections in each domain to mitochondrial function are identified that may mediate the favorable responses of each of the omic biomarkers featured to a heart-healthy lifestyle, notably to nutritional interventions. Fuller implementation of evidence-based nutrition must address environmental and socioeconomic disparities that can either facilitate or impede response to therapy.
Amblytropidia paranaensis n. sp., a new species of grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Gomphocerinae) from Paraná State, Brazil, including new records, a distribution map and a key to the Brazilian’s species
Authors: COSTA MARIA KÁTIA MATIOTTI DA , NOGUEIRA THAYLA MELISSA GIMENEZ , PRASNIEWSKI VICTOR MATEUS , ZEFA EDISON , SZINWELSKI NEUCIR
Published: October 2023

A new species of Amblytropidia Stål, 1873 (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Gomphocerinae), named Amblytropidia paranaensis n. sp., is delineated from the Três Barras do Paraná municipality, Paraná State, Brazil. Detailed morphological delineations, accompanied by illustrations highlighting key diagnostic traits of both male and female external genitalia, are provided. Amblytropidia paranaensis n. sp. is distinguished from its congeners by distinctive body coloration, particularly evident in the head and thorax regions, as well as larger-sized anchorae compared to anterior projections, and uniquely trilobated and sclerotized lophi. Moreover, this study offers insights into the species’ habitat preferences, documented occurrences, a distribution map, and an updated taxonomy key specific to Brazilian Amblytropidia species.
A new tiny-spotted species of Hypostomus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Rio Tocantins basin, Goiás State, Brazil
Authors: PENIDO IAGO DE SOUZA , PESSALI TIAGO CASARIM , ZAWADZKI CLÁUDIO HENRIQUE
Published: October 2023

Scientific visits to ichthyological collections revealed a potentially new species of Hypostomus from the Rio Tocantins basin. From there, subsequent ichthyological surveys led us to capture the taxon in the upper portion of this basin and address it to the H. punctatus group. Here, we present it as a new species to science. The new species is distinguished from its congeners, except those from the H. punctatus group, by having bicuspid teeth with elliptic medial cusps, moderate keels on the head and flanks, small spots on the body, and caudal peduncle that are long and low. From the H. punctatus group, except H. subcarinatus and H. commersoni, it differs by having extremely small dark spots; from H. subcarinatus, it differs by having a beige-brown dorsal-fin background color versus blue in live specimens; and from H. commersoni, it differs by having a short to moderate dorsal fin versus a long dorsal fin.
Association of Early Rib Plating on Clinical and Financial Outcomes: A National Analysis
Authors: Tran Zachary , Cho Nam Yong , De Polo Nicole , Mukherjee Kaushik , Benharash Peyman , Burruss Sigrid
Published: October 2023

Background

With reported improvements in patient outcomes, surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) has been increasingly adopted. While institutional series have sought to define the role of early SSRF, large scale analysis remains lacking. The present study evaluated clinical and financial outcomes of SSRF in a nationally representative cohort.

Methods

Patients (≥16 years) admitted with multiple rib fractures were identified using the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample. Those who underwent rib plating >14 days following admission were omitted. Using restricted cubic spline analysis, patients who underwent SSRF within 2 days of hospitalization were classified as Expedited while fixation >2 days were deemed Routine. Multivariable regressions were used to evaluate the association of operative timing on outcomes of interest.

Results

Of 8150 patients meeting final inclusion criteria, 4090 (50.2%) were Expedited. Compared to Routine, Expedited tended to be older but were of comparable race, primary payer, and income quartile. Traumatic mechanism was also similar but rates of concomitant sternal fracture as well as intra-abdominal and cardiac injuries were higher in Routine. After adjustment, Expedited was associated with lower odds of respiratory complications, which included need for mechanical ventilation, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and pneumonia, compared to Routine. Expedited was associated with similar hospitalization duration but had lower incremental costs (β: -$19.1 K, 95% CI: -24.1 to -14.2).

Discussion

Early SSRF was associated with lower likelihood of a number of respiratory complications and in-hospital costs. While patient selection criteria may limit our findings, expeditious fixation may limit morbidity while enhancing value of care.
Incompleteness, Imperial Legacies, and Anglican Fudge: How Concerns about Gender and Sexuality Affect How Anglicans Do Theology
Authors: Cornwall Susannah
Published: October 2023

Gender and sexuality are potent flashpoints showing up deep fissures in Anglican ecclesiology and identity. There has been growing attention to the power imbalances within Anglican hierarchies. Whether in African leaders’ public disavowals of what they consider Western Christian backsliding, or in social media discussions about the Anglican churches’ positions on their clergy’s and ordinands’ sex lives, old orders of authority are no longer operating unchallenged. Here, Anglican self-understanding of itself as a tradition characterized by comprehensiveness and broadness is assessed through the lens of decolonial theology, interrogating norms of power. In a context of continued dismantling of imperial structures of power and decreased toleration of the maintenance of old hierarchies associated with empire, the concept of unity as a good in itself is likely, where this is perceived to stem from a desire to uphold imperial control, to be challenged.
Do Sustainability Signals Diverge? An Analysis of Labeling Schemes for Socially Responsible Investments
Authors: Brito-Ramos Sofia , Cortez Maria Céu , Silva Florinda
Published: October 2023

This article investigates whether sustainability labels for mutual funds in Europe provide consistent signals regarding funds’ sustainable characteristics. Specifically, we assess the alignment of signals conveyed by third-party and self-declared labels. Among the first typology, we consider labels sponsored by government and nonprofit organizations (GNPOs) alongside Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings from commercial data vendors. The latter category includes the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) classification and an ESG-related name. Our findings indicate that equity funds with GNPO labels are more likely to exhibit top-tier ESG ratings and alignment with self-declared sustainability signals, namely Article 9 of SFDR and fund names. Furthermore, holding government and multiple GNPO labels is linked to other signals indicating higher sustainability standards. In addition, funds tend to experience an improvement in Morningstar globes after receiving a GNPO label, consistent with GNPO labels signaling funds of the high-quality type. The results regarding label alignment in fixed-income funds are less conclusive. Our findings underscore the need for credible signals in view of the growing number of sustainability labels available to investors.
Response Model Selection in Small Area Estimation Under not Missing at Random Nonresponse
Authors: Sverchkov Michael , Pfeffermann Danny
Published: October 2023

Sverchkov and Pfeffermann[ 16 ] consider Small Area Estimation (SAE) under informative probability sampling of areas and within the sampled areas, and not missing at random (NMAR) nonresponse. To account for the nonresponse, the authors assume a given response model, which contains the outcome values as one of the covariates and estimate the corresponding response probabilities by application of the Missing Information Principle, which consists of defining the likelihood as if there was complete response and then integrating out the unobserved outcomes from the likelihood by employing the relationship between the distributions of the observed and the missing data. A key condition for the success of this approach is the ‘correct’ specification of the response model. In this article, we consider the likelihood ratio test and information criteria based on the appropriate likelihood and show how they can be used for the selection of the response model. We illustrate the approach by a small simulation study.

AMS Subject Classification: 62D05, 62D10, 62F10
Item Parameter Recovery: Sensitivity to Prior Distribution
Authors: DeMars Christine E. , Satkus Paulius
Published: October 2023

Marginal maximum likelihood, a common estimation method for item response theory models, is not inherently a Bayesian procedure. However, due to estimation difficulties, Bayesian priors are often applied to the likelihood when estimating 3PL models, especially with small samples. Little focus has been placed on choosing the priors for marginal maximum estimation. In this study, using sample sizes of 1,000 or smaller, not using priors often led to extreme, implausible parameter estimates. Applying prior distributions to the c-parameters alleviated the estimation problems with samples of 500 or more; for the samples of 100, priors on both the a-parameters and c-parameters were needed. Estimates were biased when the center of the prior did not match the true parameter value, but the degree of the bias did not depend on the strength of the prior unless it was extremely informative. The root mean squared error (RMSE) of the a-parameters and b-parameters did not depend greatly on either the center or the strength of the prior unless it was extremely informative. The RMSE of the c-parameters, like the bias, depended on the mode of the prior for c.
Trust is personal and professional: The role of trust in the rise and fall of a South African civil society coalition
Authors: Piper Laurence , Anciano Fiona , Bidla Babongile
Published: October 2023

This article explores trust dynamics among a coalition of civil society organizations called Unite Behind that formed in Cape Town, South Africa, in late 2017. Unite Behind was established to demand more accountability from a state marred by corruption—and specifically for the resignation of then President Jacob Zuma. When Zuma resigned, the coalition attempted to transition to a social movement campaigning for social justice but declined as a coalition into an organization of sorts. Taking trust as a positive belief in the reliability, truth or ability of an actor or entity, this article argues that conceptions of political and social/generalized trust are of less importance in explaining the rise and fall of Unite Behind than a combination of personal trust in particular leaders, and a form of particularized trust, namely, trust in other organizations. This notion of organizational trust as a form of particularized trust is of potential wider importance to the analysis of civil society network co-ordination.
Populist Protests and the Dynamic Zero-COVID Policy: (Re)emerging Pragmatic Populism in China
Authors: Reghunadhan Ramnath
Published: October 2023

Populist protests in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have recently emerged as a reaction against the Chinese authorities’ stringent measures under its dynamic zero-COVID policy. Besides the vehement criticism and protests against the dynamic zero-COVID policy, during some protests, there have been ensuing calls across the country for President Xi Jinping to step down. The article argues that this scenario can further deteriorate the overall political legitimacy of the Communist Party of China on a long-term basis. According to the article, the protests indicate the re-emergence of populism in the PRC, which incidentally and historically has parallels to the protests at Tiananmen Square, and the 1919 May Fourth Movement. The article theorizes John Dewey’s concept of ‘pragmatic populism’ and the aspect of protests during the period, which inherently provides many ideational and relational facets with the recent protests in China.
The Reliability and Validity Study of Turkish Version of the Death Depression Scale-Revised Among Nurses
Authors: Ödek Ömer , Savas Mümin , Özkan Filiz , Zincir Handan
Published: October 2023

The study aimed to establish the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Death Depression Scale-Revised (DDS-R) with a sample of 284 nurses. Cronbach’s coefficient for the whole scale was .909 and the sub-dimension values were calculated as .934, .798, .715, and .537. The test-retest reliability coefficient was found to be .880. The content validity index (CVI) of the scale was calculated as .86. The results of the exploratory factor analysis showed that 62.254% variance was explained in 4 sub-dimensions of the scale (existential vacuum, death emptiness, other death, death sadness). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a four-dimensional structure yielded a good fit (X2/df = 3.124, RMSEA = .087). TDDS-R was found to be a valid and reliable measurement tool in determining the death depression levels of nurses.
A Thematic Analysis of the Effectiveness of The Assisting Rehabilitation through Collaboration (ARC) Programme
Authors: Reeson Niamh , Smith Lauren , Hogue Todd E
Published: October 2023

This paper evaluates the perceptions of effectiveness, from those working within ARC (Assisting Rehabilitation through Collaboration); the National Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Programme in Lincolnshire. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 professionals from either the ARC core team, partner agencies, or police inspectors external to ARC. The data was analysed using Thematic Analysis. Participants identified six key themes relating to the perceived effectiveness of ARC; the ARC Cohort; ARC staff; barriers; outcomes; partnerships; and the wider policing staff. The barriers faced by the ARC implementation are also faced by other IOM programmes. The core features identified to strengthen IOM implementation are better access to housing and improving mental health provision.
Implementing Extensive Graded Reading in English as a Foreign Language Teaching Through Newsela
Authors: Yu Hong , Wen Ju
Published: October 2023

Previous studies have shown that extensive graded reading (EGR) has an important role to play in second language acquisition. As educational websites for EGR become increasingly prevalent, their pedagogical potentials in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching have been noted. Newsela is a fast-growing online platform that provides high-quality graded reading materials and supports real-time assessment for reading comprehension. In this review, we first provide an overview of Newsela's affordances, and then discuss the possible benefits it offers for EFL teaching. Finally, the challenges teachers may face are considered.
Translating Authentic Selves into Authentic Applications: Private College Consulting and Selective College Admissions
Authors: Huang Tiffany J.
Published: October 2023

Stratification in selective college admissions persists even as colleges’ criteria for evaluating merit have multiplied in efforts to increase socioeconomic and racial diversity. Middle-class and affluent families increasingly turn to privatized services, such as private college consulting, to navigate what they perceive to be a complicated and opaque application process. How independent educational consultants (IECs) advise students can thus serve as a lens for understanding how the rules of college admissions are interpreted and taught to students. Through 50 in-depth interviews with IECs, I find that IECs encourage students to be authentic by being true to themselves but that demonstrating authenticity requires attention to how one’s authentic self will be perceived. Translating an authentic self into an authentic application also involves class-based and racialized considerations, particularly for Asian American students who are susceptible to being stereotyped as inauthentic. These findings suggest that efforts to improve diversity must be carefully implemented, or they risk reproducing inequality.
A Para-Social Perspective: The Influence of Idol Worship on Fans’ Tourism Decision-Making
Authors: Li Chunxiao , Yang Tiantian , Liu Hongxu , Li Xiaoyi
Published: October 2023

Fans’ relationships with celebrities are termed “para-social.” Such one-way relationships with celebrities, often based on social media, might have a special impact on people’s behavior, including travel activities. Scholars have not yet explored the decision-making and behavior of pop culture tourists from the perspective of para-social relationships. In this study, informed by self-construal theory, in-depth interview and questionnaire-based survey were used to explore the impact of different self-construal on fans’ perceptions of the nature of their “fan-celebrity” para-social relationship and their pop culture tourism decision-making. Results indicate that fans whose self-construal is “independent” prefer idols’ habitual residential environment and placed-mediated experiences, while “interdependent” fans prefer interactive experiences, are celebrity oriented, and go where their favorite celebrity was gone.
South African fathers’ experiences with healthcare providers during their partners’ medically high-risk pregnancy and childbirth
Authors: Richardson Pascal , Andipatin Michelle
Published: October 2023

Obstetric research in sub-Saharan Africa largely focuses on the material, physical, and psychosocial aspects of pregnancy and childbirth in relation to mothers. This research aimed to address a research gap in terms of fathers’ experiences of pregnancy and childbirth, particularly in the context of a medically high-risk pregnancy. Specifically, this article focuses on fathers’ interactions with the healthcare system and healthcare professionals throughout the antenatal and neonatal periods. This study was exploratory and qualitative in nature. Eight fathers whose partners had experienced at least one medically high-risk pregnancy participated in semi-structured interviews that were examined using interpretive phenomenological analysis. The findings indicate that fathers’ experiences vacillated between healthcare providers being supportive and informative versus them being uncompassionate and not conveying adequate information. Importantly, the distinctions were largely attributed to the type of healthcare facility (i.e. public or private) that was attended. This research offers recommendations to healthcare workers to enhance fathers’ experiences during pregnancy and childbirth, especially in potentially traumatic situations.
The Role of Awareness of Age-Related Change in the Longitudinal Association between Pain and Physical Activity
Authors: Turner Shelbie G. , Brooker Helen , Ballard Clive , Corbett Anne , Hampshire Adam , Sabatini Serena
Published: October 2023

We examined how physical pain impacts the developmental construct of Awareness of Age-Related Change (AARC-gains and AARC-losses) and, in turn, how AARC mediates and moderates the association between pain and subsequent physical activity. We used longitudinal data from 434 participants of the UK PROTECT Study (mean age = 65.5 years; SD = 6.94 years). We found that pain in 2019 predicted higher AARC-losses ( β = .07; p = .036) and less physical activity ( β = −.13; p-value = .001) in 2020. Additionally, we found that AARC-losses partially mediated, but did not moderate, the association of pain in 2019 and physical activity in 2020. AARC-losses may explain physical inactivity in middle-aged and older adults experiencing pain. Incorporating developmental constructs such as AARC into theories and empirical studies on pain and pain management may be necessary to more fully capture people's responses to pain.
Web Scraping for Migration, Mobility, and Migrant Integration Studies: Introduction, Application, and Potential Use Cases
Authors: Tjaden Jasper
Published: October 2023

Web scraping, a technique for extracting data from web pages, has been in use for decades, yet its utilization in the field of migration, mobility, and migrant integration studies has been limited. The field faces notorious limitations regarding data access and availability, particularly in low-income settings. Web scraping has the potential to provide new datasets for further qualitative and quantitative analysis. Web scraping requires no financial resources, is agnostic to epistemic divides in the field, reduces researcher bias, and increases transparency and replicability of data collection. As large providers of digital data such as Facebook or Twitter increasingly restrict access to their data for researchers, web scraping will become more important in the future and deserves its place in the toolbox of migration and mobility scholars. This short and nontechnical methods note introduces the fundamental concepts of web scraping, provides guidance on how to learn the technique, showcases practical applications of web scraping in the study of migrant populations, and discusses potential future use cases.
Better together than alone? Investigating dyadic compassion meditation in an experimental study
Authors: Schültke Leonie , Warth Marco , Alpers Georg W. , Ditzen Beate , Aguilar-Raab Corina
Published: October 2023

While meditation is commonly practiced by individuals on their own, several programmes have incorporated dyadic forms, too. However, the setting – meditating alone or in dyads – and its impact on the effects of meditation have not yet been examined. We expected that dyadic compassion meditation (CM) may improve perceived social closeness more compared to closely-matched individual CM. N = 50 couples were randomly assigned to do a brief 15-min CM induction either together with their partner or individually. Social closeness was rated by both partners. Secondary outcomes were positive and negative affect as well as parasympathetic response, indicated by heart rate variability (HRV). Due to the dyadic data structure, multilevel models were tested. We found no difference between dyadic and individual CM in self-report. After both forms social closeness and positive affect were improved, while negative affect decreased. Only HRV differed between the two conditions over time: while HRV significantly decreased in the individual condition, there was no such change in the dyadic condition. The accompanying physiological profile suggests that CM may involve effort at least in the individual CM. Done individually or with a partner, brief CM can foster social closeness and improve affect and can be employed to improve socio-emotional well-being.
The CELI corpus: Design and linguistic annotation of a new online learner corpus
Authors: Spina Stefania , Fioravanti Irene , Forti Luciana , Zanda Fabio
Published: October 2023

This article introduces the CELI corpus, a new learner corpus of written Italian consisting of ca. 600,000 tokens, evenly distributed among CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) proficiency levels B1, B2, C1 and C2. The collected texts derive from the language certification exams administered by the University for Foreigners of Perugia all around the world. The corpus contains rich metadata pertaining to text-related and learner-related variables. It expands the domain of learner corpora by being, among other things, both freely available online to the research community, and by focusing on a target language other than English. The article also presents and evaluates the POS-tagging procedure, thus contributing to best practices in learner corpus annotation.
A comparison of the efficacy and safety between anticoagulation alone and combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis for treatment of pulmonary embolism on outcome: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Bing , Chen Rui Rui
Published: October 2023

Background

Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) is one of the newest treatment options for submassive pulmonary embolism (sPE). This study will compare the efficacy and safety of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) combine with anticoagulation versus anticoagulation alone (AC) in patients with PE.

Methods

A database search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov for trials that compared CDT with AC in patients with pulmonary embolism. The primary outcomes was1-year mortality. The secondary outcomes were in-hospital, 30 days, 90 days mortality, in-hospital major and minor bleeding (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) classification), length of hospital stay (LOS), reduction of pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) and RV/LV diameter ratio.

Results

A total of 16 articles (3 RCTs and 13 non-RCTs) and 10595 patients were included in this study. 2237 patients were in the CDT group and 8358 patients were in the AC group. CDT group was associated with significantly lower in-hospital mortality (2.1% vs 6.2%,OR:0.36, 95%CI:0.26-0.51, p < .00001,I2 = 0%), 30 days mortality (3.1% vs 8.6%,OR:0.39,95%CI:0.23-0.66, p = .0005, I2 = 0%), 90 days mortality (3.8% vs 7.7%,OR:0.49,95%CI:0.29-0.80, p = .005,I2 = 7%), 1-year mortality (6.1% vs 11%, OR:0.51, 95%CI:0.35-0.76, p = .0008,I2 = 36%) compared to AC group, especially in ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis (USAT) subgroup. There were no differences on major bleeding between two groups (1.8% vs 2.2%, OR:1.10, 95%CI:0.61-1.98, p = .75, I2 = 0%). Minor bleeding was significantly higher in CDT group than AC group (6.2% vs 3.8%, OR:1.93,95%CI:1.27-2.94.66, p = .002, I2 = 1%). CDT group significantly reduced PASP (WMD:11.90,95%CI:6.45-17.35, p < .0001, I2 = 72%) and RV/LV (WMD:0.17,95%CI:0.04-0.30, p = .009, I2 = 69%) rapidly than AC group after treatment. LOS was similar between two groups (WMD:0.02,95%CI: -0.68-0.73, p = .95, I2 = 51%).

Conclusion

Results thus confirmed that CDT reduced in-hospital, 30 days, 90 days and 1-year all-cause mortality in patients with sPE compared to AC, particularly in USAT subgroup. Nonetheless, CDT group was associated with a higher risk of minor bleeding.