bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching Shante Curtelia Dominique Ophelia Brown Johnson : an Autoethnography of a Black Male, Seventh-day Adventist, Jazz Avant-Garde Artist
Authors:   ,   Andrews University, Gayle Michael
Published: September 2023

Leadership is part and parcel of societies and cultures. Leadership research can provide understanding that in turn provides knowledge, resources and growth opportunities for leaders. Leadership may be understood from a personal perspective as being bound up with identity. As I examine myself as a person and as a leader, I realize that several identities are prominent: Black male identity, Christian identity, jazz avant-garde artistic identity. Each of those identities have features that contribute to leadership. The purpose of this study is to describe and explore leadership experiences of a Black male, from the Seventh-day Adventist Christian tradition who is a musical artist in the jazz avant-garde. The research is submitted for improvement of my own leadership and to contribute to the field of leadership. In particular, this study seeks to resonate and amplify voices of Black leaders by employing creative methods to understand practice in the contexts of society and culture. The methodological frame for the study is qualitative. More specifically, I use autoethnography to facilitate personal narrative inquiry into leadership and identities in social contexts. The study examines multifaceted, intersecting identities through layered accounts of my experience, poetry, and music. This research represents the complexities of identity in culture in ways that are at the same time personally reflexive and accessible for wider audiences, especially those that might otherwise see themselves as undervalued, if not devalued, in traditional academic discourses. The findings are artistic articulations and performances that serve as a reflective chamber for self examination and leadership growth. Those articulations are invitations to reflexive scholarship in broad terms and specifically for leaders. Leaders can find in this study creative research methods and ways of thinking about identity and culture that prompt positive possibilities for leadership growth in education and in all fields.
РОЛЬ ФІНАНСОВИХ ТЕХНОЛОГІЙ У ФОРМУВАННІ СТРАТЕГІЇ РОЗВИТКУ НАЦІОНАЛЬНОЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ В УМОВАХ ГЛОБАЛІЗАЦІЇ
Authors: Бобришев Є.С. , Бобришев Є.С.
Published: September 2023

У статті розглядається роль фінансових технологій (FinTech) у формуванні стратегії розвитку національної економіки в умовах глобалізації. Основна увага приділена впливу FinTech на традиційний фінансовий сектор, а також можливостям та викликам, які виникають у зв'язку з швидким розвитком цієї сфери. Стаття аналізує переваги, такі як зниження вартості фінансових послуг, підвищення доступності та інноваційність, а також розглядає потенційні ризики, зокрема у сфері регулювання, безпеки даних та стабільності ринку. Висновки дослідження підкреслюють важливість адаптації, освіти та співпраці для ефективного використання можливостей FinTech в інтересах стабільного та динамічного розвитку національних економік в умовах глобалізації. Стаття також акцентує увагу на взаємодії між традиційними фінансовими установами та новітніми FinTech-стартапами, розглядаючи це як ключовий фактор успішної інтеграції інноваційних рішень у фінансову інфраструктуру. Окрім того, розглядаються екологічні аспекти та їх вплив на фінансовий сектор, а також можливості, які FinTech пропонує для "зеленої" трансформації економіки. В контексті глобальних викликів, таких як пандемії та геополітичні кризи, стаття підкреслює роль FinTech як інструменту для адаптації та відновлення економічної активності. У підсумку, дослідження підтверджує, що FinTech має великий потенціал для підвищення ефективності, конкурентоспроможності та стійкості національних економік, але це також вимагає відповідального підходу, глибокого аналізу та стратегічного планування з боку усіх зацікавлених сторін. Крім того, в статті розглядається роль держави у регулюванні та підтримці розвитку FinTech. Враховуючи швидкі зміни в цій сфері, державні органи повинні бути готові реагувати оперативно, створюючи сприятливе середовище для інновацій, а також захищаючи права споживачів та інтереси економіки в цілому. Наголошується також на глобальному характері FinTech. Ця галузь не знає кордонів, і це створює як унікальні можливості для міжнародної співпраці, так і нові виклики, пов'язані з міжнародним регулюванням, конкуренцією та кібербезпекою.
ІНТЕГРАЦІЙНИЙ РОЗВИТОК ПІДПРИЄМНИЦТВА ДЛЯ РОЗВИТКУ СТАЛОГО ТУРИЗМУ В УКРАЇНІ
Authors:   National Academy of Management, Kostynets Iuliia , Shevchenko Oleh ,   Kyiv National University of Technology and Design, Zhukov Ihor ,   Mukachevo State University
Published: September 2023

The article is devoted to highlighting the issues of integrative development of entrepreneurship in the tourism sphere to ensure the sustainable development of tourism in Ukraine. Theoretical aspects of the integrative development of entrepreneurship and economic integration in the form of a cluster are considered. The issue of the development of regional tourist clusters and the internal market of tourist services of Ukraine was studied. The structural and logical scheme of the cluster management mechanism is presented as the basis of the integrated development of entrepreneurship in the market of tourist services to ensure the sustainable development of tourism in Ukraine. Conclusions were made regarding the need for integrated development of entrepreneurship in the field of tourism and economic integration in the form of a cluster in the market of tourist services for the sustainable development of tourism in Ukraine in the post-war recovery of Ukraine's economy
A new view at the problem of finding the center of stability of the spine
Authors: Orel A. M. , Semenova O. K.
Published: September 2023

Introduction. The realization of the whole variety of spine motor activity cannot be explained from the standpoint of the gravitational concept only. A reliable explanation of spine functioning is possible in the frame of tensegrity model. However, evidence for all components of the spine tensegrity model has not yet been provided. There is no description of the most stable spine zone and its center localization. In spine tensegrity model the stability center also plays the role of compression center. The purpose of the work — to determine the localization of spine zone, with the least angular variability for vertebrae, that is, the most stable spine zone. Materials and methods. Digital spine radiographs of 141 patients aged from 21 to 88 years (57 male and 84 female) applied for dorsopathies were randomly selected. The inclusion criteria in the study cohort were the availability of digital radiographs for all spine parts made simultaneously in accordance with required radiography standards. The exclusion criteria were gross violations of spinal statics in the scoliosis form of the III–IV degree due to congenital anomalies in vertebral development. On the basis of the available spine radiographs, general digital radiological images were formed models of entire spine in sagittal projection for each patient. Then for each of 141 general images the occipital vertical and anteroposterior axes of the rCIII rLV (rLVI) vertebrae were drawn. The perpendicular was restored from intersection point of each r axis with the occipital vertical, and the angle between occipital vertical and the perpendicular was measured. The measured angles characterized the angular position of each vertebra relative to occipital vertical. Results. When studying the average values of anteroposterior axis angles r and their average deviations, it was found that minimal variations in angular position of vertebrae was located at zone of TXI and TXII vertebrae. A study of variation range of anteroposterior axis angles r showed that the minimum values were determined for the vertebrae TXI, TXII and LI . It was found that apex of physiological thoracic kyphosis as well as apex of lumbar lordosis was never detected at the level of TXI and TXII vertebrae. Conclusion. The study showed that there was a zone in the spine, with minimal changes of vertebra angular positions throughout life. The center of the zone was located at the junction of TXI and TXII vertebrae. This zone has a special anatomical structure, refl ecting the mechanisms of spine self-stabilization, ensuring the stability of physiological curvature in thoracolumbar junction. The presence of such a zone proves the functioning of a spine tensegrity model, with the center of stability located between TXI and TXII vertebrae.
Beyond “implementation”: digital health innovation and service design
Authors: Shaw James , Agarwal Payal , Desveaux Laura , Palma Daniel Cornejo , Stamenova Vess , Jamieson Trevor , Yang Rebecca , Bhatia R. Sacha , Bhattacharyya Onil
Published: September 2023

Digital tools have shown great potential to enhance health services’ capacity to achieve the goals of the triple aim (enhance patient experience, improve health outcomes, and control or reduce costs), but their actual impact remains variable. In this commentary, we suggest that shifting from a perspective focused on “implementing” new digital tools in health care settings toward one focused on “service design” will help teams execute more successful digital technology adoption projects. We present value proposition design (VPD) as a service design strategy requiring that stakeholders are brutally honest in determining the value of a new digital tool for their everyday work. Incorporating a perspective focused on how the value proposition of a technology is understood by each team member, and implications for their work routines, will help project teams to better understand how services can be reinvented during technology adoption initiatives. We present the simple heuristic [Tool+Team+Routine] as a reminder of the central considerations that make up a service design initiative, and present an illustrative case scenario of designing the use of a digital care coordination platform in an actual digital technology adoption project. We conclude by outlining two important challenges that need to be addressed to advance service design approaches to technology adoption in health care.

 
Mailed Letter Versus Phone Call to Increase Diabetic-Related Retinopathy Screening Engagement by Patients in a Team-Based Primary Care Practice: Prospective, Single-Masked, Randomized Trial
Authors: Stamenova Vess , Nguyen Megan , Onabajo Nike , Merritt Rebecca , Sutakovic Olivera , Mossman Kathryn , Wong Ivy , Ives-Baine Lori , Bhatia R. Sacha , Brent Michael H. , Bhattacharyya Onil
Published: September 2023

Background: Vision loss from diabetic-related retinopathy (DR) is preventable through regular screening.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test different patient engagement approaches to expand a teleophthalmology program at a primary care clinic in the city of Toronto, Canada.

Methods: A teleophthalmology program was set up in a large, urban, academic, team-based primary care practice. Patients older than 18 years with type 1 or type 2 diabetes were randomized to one of the following 4 engagement strategies: phone call, mail, mail plus phone call, or usual care. Outreach was conducted by administrative staff within the clinic. The primary outcome was booking an appointment for DR screening.

Results: A total of 23 patients in the phone, 28 in the mail, 32 in the mail plus phone call, and 27 in the control (usual care) group were included in the analysis. After the intervention and after excluding patients who said they were screened, 88% (15/17) of patients in the phone, 11% (2/18) in the mail, and 100% (21/21) in the mail and phone group booked an appointment with the teleophthalmology program compared to 0% (0/12) in the control group. Phoning patients positively predicted patients booking a teleophthalmology appointment (P<.001), whereas mailing a letter had no effect.

Conclusions: Patient engagement to book DR screening via teleophthalmology in an urban, academic, team-based primary care practice using telephone calls was much more effective than patient engagement using letters or usual care. Practices that have access to a local DR screening program and have resources for such engagement strategies should consider using them as a means to improve their DR screening rates.
Uptake and patient and provider communication modality preferences of virtual visits in primary care: a retrospective cohort study in Canada
Authors: Stamenova Vess , Agarwal Payal , Kelley Leah , Fujioka Jamie , Nguyen Megan , Phung Michelle , Wong Ivy , Onabajo Nike , Bhatia R. Sacha , Bhattacharyya Onil
Published: September 2023

 

Objectives To evaluate the uptake of a platform for virtual visits in primary care, examine patient and physician preferences for virtual communication methods and report on characteristics of visits and patients experience of care.

Design A retrospective cohort study.

Setting Primary care practices within five regions in Ontario, Canada after 18 months of access to virtual care services.

Participants 326 primary care providers and 14 291 registered patients.

Interventions Providers used a platform that allowed them to connect with their patients through synchronous (audio/video) and/or asynchronous (secure messaging) communication.

Main outcome measures User-level data from the platforms including patient demographics, practice characteristics, communication modality used, visit characteristics and patients’ satisfaction.

Results Among the participants, 44% of registered patients and 60% of registered providers used the platform at least once. Among patient users, 51% completed at least one virtual visit. The majority of virtual visits (94%) involved secure messaging. The most common patient requests were for medication prescriptions (24%) and follow-up from previous appointment (22%). The most common provider request was to follow-up on test results (59%). Providers indicated that 81% of virtual visits required no follow-up for that issue and 99% of patients reported that they would use virtual care services again.

Conclusions While there are a growing number of primary care video visit services, our study found that both patients and providers in rostered practices prefer secure messaging over video. Despite fears that virtual visits would be overused by patients, when patients connected with their own primary care provider, many virtual visits appeared to replace in-person visits, and patients did not overwhelm physicians with requests. This approach may improve access and continuity in primary care.
Evaluating the Implementation of a Remote-Monitoring Program for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Qualitative Methods from a Service Design Perspective
Authors: Lieshout Florence van , Yang Rebecca , Stamenova Vess , Agarwal Payal , Palma Daniel Cornejo , Sidhu Aman , Engel Katrina , Erwood Adam , Bhatia R. Sacha , Bhattacharyya Onil , Shaw James
Published: September 2023

Background: Implementing digital health technologies is complex but can be facilitated by considering the features of the tool that is being implemented, the team that will use it, and the routines that will be affected.

Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the implementation of a remote-monitoring initiative for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Ontario, Canada using the Tool+Team+Routine framework and to refine this approach to conceptualize the adoption of technologies in health care.

Methods: This study was a qualitative research project that took place alongside a randomized controlled trial comparing a technology-enabled self-monitoring program with a technology-enabled self- and remote-monitoring program in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and with standard care. This study included interviews with 5 remote-monitoring patients, 3 self-monitoring patients, 2 caregivers, 5 health care providers, and 3 hospital administrators. The interview questions were structured around the 3 main concepts of the Tool+Team+Routine framework.

Results: Findings emphasized that (1) technologies can alter relationships between providers and patients, and that these relationships drove the development of a new service arising from the technology, in our case, and (2) technologies can create additional work that is not visible to management as a result of not being considered within the scope of the service.

Conclusions: Literature on the implementation of digital health technologies has still not reconciled the importance of interpersonal relationships to conventional implementation strategies. By acknowledging the centrality of such relationships, implementation teams can better plan for the adaptations required in order to make new technologies work for patients and health care providers. Further work will need to address how specific individuals administering a remote-monitoring program work to build relationships, and how these relationships and other sources of activity might lead to technological scope creep-an unanticipated expanding scope of work activities in relation to the function of the tool.
Channel management in virtual care
Authors: Desruisseaux Matt , Stamenova Vess , Bhatia R. Sacha , Bhattacharyya Onil
Published: September 2023

Many virtual care initiatives focus heavily on video visits, essentially mimicking face-to-face visits. Meanwhile, clinicians in established settings continue to use the oldest modality, phone calls, and some use the most ubiquitous, asynchronous messaging. The latter, along with live chat and chatbots, could be transformative if workflows were redesigned to incorporate it. With multiple modalities now available for use in virtual care, the central problem is to direct patient-provider interactions to the channels generating the most value. Marketers call this channel management and use sophisticated approaches to implement it. We propose an adaptation of channel management to virtual care and discuss anticipated challenges to its implementation. 
Rural Telemedicine Use Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Repeated Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Chu Cherry , Cram Peter , Pang Andrea , Stamenova Vess , Tadrous Mina , Bhatia R. Sacha
Published: September 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a notable increase in telemedicine adoption. However, the impact of the pandemic on telemedicine use at a population level in rural and remote settings remains unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate changes in the rate of telemedicine use among rural populations and identify patient characteristics associated with telemedicine use prior to and during the pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study on all monthly and quarterly rural telemedicine visits from January 2012 to June 2020, using administrative data from Ontario, Canada. We compared the changes in telemedicine use among residents of rural and urban regions of Ontario prior to and during the pandemic.

Results: Before the pandemic, telemedicine use was steadily low in 2012-2019 for both rural and urban populations but slightly higher overall for rural patients (11 visits per 1000 patients vs 7 visits per 1000 patients in December 2019, P<.001). The rate of telemedicine visits among rural patients significantly increased to 147 visits per 1000 patients in June 2020. A similar but steeper increase (P=.15) was observed among urban patients (220 visits per 1000 urban patients). Telemedicine use increased across all age groups, with the highest rates reported among older adults aged ≥65 years (77 visits per 100 patients in 2020). The proportions of patients with at least 1 telemedicine visit were similar across the adult age groups (n=82,246/290,401, 28.3% for patients aged 18-49 years, n=79,339/290,401, 27.3% for patients aged 50-64 years, and n=80,833/290,401, 27.8% for patients aged 65-79 years), but lower among younger patients <18 years (n=23,699/290,401, 8.2%) and older patients ≥80 years (n=24,284/290,401, 8.4%) in 2020 (P<.001). There were more female users than male users of telemedicine (n=158,643/290,401, 54.6% vs n=131,758/290,401, 45.4%, respectively, in 2020; P<.001). There was a significantly higher proportion of telemedicine users residing in relatively less rural than in more rural regions (n=261,814/290,401, 90.2% vs n=28,587/290,401, 9.8%, respectively, in 2020; P<.001).

Conclusions: Telemedicine adoption increased in rural and remote areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, but its use increased in urban and less rural populations. Future studies should investigate the potential barriers to telemedicine use among rural patients and the impact of rural telemedicine on patient health care utilization and outcomes.
Technology-Enabled Self-Monitoring of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease With or Without Asynchronous Remote Monitoring: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Stamenova Vess , Yang Rebecca , Engel Katrina , Liang Kyle , Lieshout Florence van , Lalingo Elizabeth , Cheung Angelica , Erwood Adam , Radina Maria , Greenwald Allen , Agarwal Payal , Sidhu Aman , Bhatia R. Sacha , Shaw James , Shafai Roshan , Bhattacharyya Onil
Published: September 2023

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of mortality worldwide. Reducing the number of COPD exacerbations is an important patient outcome and a major cost-saving approach. Both technology-enabled self-monitoring (SM) and remote monitoring (RM) programs have the potential to reduce exacerbations, but they have not been directly compared with each other. As RM is a more resource-intensive strategy, it is important to understand whether it is more effective than SM.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of SM and RM on self-management behaviors, COPD disease knowledge, and respiratory status relative to standard care (SC).

Methods: This was a 3-arm open-label randomized controlled trial comparing SM, RM, and SC completed in an outpatient COPD clinic in a community hospital. Patients in the SM and RM groups recorded their vital signs (oxygen, blood pressure, temperature, and weight) and symptoms with the Cloud DX platform every day and were provided with a COPD action plan. Patients in the RM group also received access to a respiratory therapist (RT). The RT monitored their vital signs intermittently and contacted them when their vitals varied outside of predetermined thresholds. The RT also contacted patients once a week irrespective of their vital signs or symptoms. All patients were randomized to 1 of the 3 groups and assessed at baseline and 3 and 6 months after program initiation. The primary outcome was the Partners in Health scale, which measures self-management skills. Secondary outcomes included the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire, COPD Assessment Test, and modified-Medical Research Council Breathlessness Scale. Patients were also asked to self-report on health system usage.

Results: A total of 122 patients participated in the study, 40 in the SC, 41 in the SM, and 41 in the RM groups. Out of those patients, 7 in the SC, 5 in the SM, and 6 in the RM groups did not complete the study. There were no significant differences in the rates of study completion among the groups (P=.80).

Conclusions: Both SM and RM have shown promise in reducing acute care utilization and exacerbation frequencies. As far as we are aware, no studies to date have directly compared technology-enabled self-management with RM programs in COPD patients. We believe that this study will be an important contribution to the literature.
Virtual care use during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on healthcare utilization in patients with chronic disease: A population-based repeated cross-sectional study
Authors: Stamenova Vess , Chu Cherry , Pang Andrea , Fang Jiming , Shakeri Ahmad , Cram Peter , Bhattacharyya Onil , Bhatia R. Sacha , Tadrous Mina
Published: September 2023

Purpose: It is currently unclear how the shift towards virtual care during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may have impacted chronic disease management at a population level. The goals of our study were to provide a description of the levels of use of virtual care services relative to in-person care in patients with chronic disease across Ontario, Canada and to describe levels of healthcare utilization in low versus high virtual care users.

Methods: We used linked health administrative data to conduct a population-based, repeated cross-sectional study of all ambulatory patient visits in Ontario, Canada (January 1, 2018 to January 16, 2021). Further stratifications were also completed to examine patients with COPD, heart failure, asthma, hypertension, diabetes, mental illness, and angina. Patients were classified as low (max 1 virtual care visit) vs. high virtual care users. A time-series analysis was done using interventional autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modelling on weekly hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and diagnostic tests.

Results: The use of virtual care increased across all chronic disease patient populations. Virtual care constituted at least half of the total care in all conditions. Both low and high virtual care user groups experienced a statistically significant reduction in hospitalizations and laboratory testing at the start of the pandemic. Hospitalization volumes increased again only among the high users, while testing increased in both groups. Outpatient visits among high users remained unaffected by the pandemic but dropped in low users.

Conclusion: The decrease of in-person care during the pandemic was accompanied by an increase in virtual care, which ultimately allowed patients with chronic disease to return to the same visit rate as they had before the onset of the pandemic. Virtual care was adopted across various chronic conditions, but the relative adoption of virtual care varied by condition with highest rates seen in mental health.
The Use of Telemedicine in Older-Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Weekly Cross-Sectional Analysis in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Stamenova Vess
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic led to rapid adoption of telemedicine for health-care service delivery. There are concerns that older adults, the highest users of the health-care system, would be left behind because of this shift. It remains unclear how the pandemic impacted telemedicine and other health-care service use in this group. We conducted a population-based, weekly cross-sectional study using administrative data from Ontario, Canada. Telemedicine use was measured for the overall older-adult population aged 65+ and across sociodemographic groups from January 2018 to March 2021. We also assessed the use of key health-care services between high and low patient users of telemedicine who were diagnosed with dementia. We found that telemedicine visits outnumbered in-person visits in older adults during the pandemic (average of 74 vs. 62 visits per 1000 per week). Of all specialties, psychiatrists delivered the most telemedicine visits, reaching 90% of visits in a week. Higher rates of telemedicine use during COVID-19 were found for patients who resided in urban regions (84 visits per 1000 per week), but no differences were found across income quintiles. Among dementia patients, high telemedicine users had higher health-care utilization than low telemedicine users (i.e., 21,108 vs. 3,276 outpatient visits per week) during the pandemic. Findings suggest that telemedicine was crucial in helping older adults, a group most vulnerable to COVID-19, maintain access to care during the pandemic. Telemedicine presents an important opportunity for older adults; however, future research should focus on barriers to equitable access and quality of care provided through telemedicine.
Feature-Based Question Routing in Community Question Answering Platforms
Authors: Sorkhani Soroosh
Published: September 2023

Community question answering (CQA) platforms became popular and indispensable sources of information in diﬀerent domains. The success of these platforms relies heavily on the timely contribution of their expert users who would answer questions. There are many questions that remain unanswered for a long time, if not ever, on CQA platforms. In this dissertation, the problem of question routing on CQA platforms is addressed, which aims to connect experts to the right questions. We introduce and semantically classify 67 features and then train a learn to rank framework over ﬁve different CQA datasets. Results show that features based on tags, topics, user characteristics and user temporality are eﬀective for question routing. Also the proposed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art neural matchmaking methods, that lack the interpretation of features, without compromising interpretability. The interpretation of features’ inﬂuence helps future research in this ﬁeld to address the question routing problem more eﬀectively.
Siemens’ Evolving Approach to Internalizing Organization-wide Compliance Learning in the Wake of its Corruption Scandal – Theoretical & Practical Insights Based on a Study of Siemens Canada (2007-2017)
Authors: Khan Zaker
Published: September 2023

This exploratory case study applies concepts from organizational learning literature, specifically organizational routines, to study the implementation, operation, governance and evolution of compliance practices at Siemens Canada between 2007 and 2017. These routines – which took the form of new institutional arrangements, rule instruments and processes – were implemented across Siemens' divisions and its numerous subsidiaries around the world after the company’s corruption scandal was exposed in late 2006. 

Siemens' compliance-oriented response to its scandal signified a major organizational learning effort to align the company with a growing international consensus against the use of bribery and other types of corrupt practices by public and private organizations. "Inside-out" studies that examine the complexities and nuances of organizational governance are rare, particularly in the case of a subsidiary of a large multinational corporation (MNC). Hence, based on a series of interviews with a diverse group of employees at Siemens Canada, this study aims to contribute both practical and theoretical insights to organizational learning literature. 
Effects of lithium chloride on chondrocyte primary cilia in 3D culture
Authors: Soave Arianna
Published: September 2023

Articular cartilage is unique and distinguishable amongst other tissue types due to its limited self-healing capacity, driving the need to investigate novel methods capable of replacing or repairing damaged or diseased tissue. In order to create tissue engineered constructs to repair cartilage defects, large populations of chondrocytes are needed, thereby requiring the expansion of primary cells. However, routine methods of cell expansion (e.g. monolayer expansion) tend to result in the loss of chondrogenic phenotype and insensitivity to mechanical stimuli. It has been suggested that the chondrocyte’s primary cilium is one factor responsible in transducing mechanical signals between the cell and its surrounding environment. Thus, this work focused on restoring primary cilia (length and incidence) and mechanoreceptive characteristics using lithium chloride (LiCl). Overall, results revealed that primary cilia length and incidence increased with LiCl concentration, pre-culture duration, and passage number. However, the mechanosensitivity of chondrocytes, as determined by changes in cartilaginous matrix synthesis after exposure to mechanical stimuli, appeared to be dependent on the degree of prior cell passaging. Thus, these results suggest that although the primary cilium acts as a transducer of mechanical signals, the effects of passaging might impact its functionality.
Development of Anthropomorphic Fetal MRI phantom
Authors: Cho Eunyoung
Published: September 2023

The accuracy of MRI in obstetric settings is often limited by motion artifacts from frequent and spontaneous fetal gross body movement. Development of new MR sequences that avoid these artifacts pivots on extensive testing. Development of an MRI phantom that simulates fetal tissue properties, anatomical structures, and gross body motion will allow for rapid testing, along with reproducible data that will shorten the development time of such MR sequences. This thesis proposes an anthropomorphic MRI phantom of fetal gross body and brain that simulates MR imaging properties, dielectric properties, and the anatomical shape. Various experiments, including relaxometry, dielectric, and mechanical tests, were performed to determine the most appropriate tissue-mimicking material for simulating properties of tissues of interest. For simulating the anatomical shape, MRI data of a 35-week fetus was used to reconstruct a 3D model applied for designing and 3D printing of the phantom molds.
3D Opto-Acoustic Image Reconstruction and Motion Tracking Using Convex Optimization Algorithms
Authors: Zalev Jason
Published: September 2023

This work involves developing techniques for improved opto-acoustic imaging (OA), with the goal of enabling enhanced visualization of vascular structures in biological tissue. This has potential application for diagnosis and detection of cancer and other diseases where blood vessels have structural and functional differences from healthy tissue. In OA systems,acoustic waves are generated by absorption of optical energy. Since hemoglobin absorbs more light than other molecules in tissue, images of the tissue’s blood distribution can be reconstructed by processing measured acoustic signals. Moreover, the wavelength-speciﬁc optical absorption of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin permits OA to image the blood’s oxygen saturation level. However, OA image quality is limited by the ability to localize acoustic sources in tissue, and by the ability to collect sufﬁcient data to accurately reconstruct tissue properties. ToimproveOAimagequality,thisworkinvestigatesusingconvexmathematicaloptimizationto perform image reconstruction from transducer measurements. The proposed technique iteratively solves an inverse problem by ﬁtting the measured data onto simulated OA signals. To accelerate computational performance, mathematical simpliﬁcations for 3D simulation and reconstruction are developed. Using multiple acquisitions to provide 3D volumetric information, a method is developedtodeterminetransducermotion from OAdataduring imagereconstruction. In addition, the ability to visualize blood oxygen saturation is characterized for a clinical OA breast imaging device, and image quality is studied using biologically-relevant tissue phantoms. Results demonstrate that reconstruction with mathematical optimization can achieve higher contrast-to-backgroundratio (CBR) andpeak-signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) comparedto approaches involving backprojection. In addition, using a separable model for the system’s response reduces computational complexity by a factor of n in a 3D volume with n3 voxels. This potentially enables faster and more accurate image reconstruction in OA systems.
Filial Piety Discrepancy and Well-Being among Older Chinese Canadian Immigrants
Authors: Huang Vivian
Published: September 2023

Filial piety discrepancy has been identified as an important determinant of well-being among older Chinese immigrants. However, past studies have largely examined the influence of filial piety discrepancy on psychological well-being, while the relationship between filial piety discrepancy and other domains of well-being has not been examined. Further, little is known about the potential moderating role of other key sociocultural factors in the relationship between filial piety discrepancy and well-being among older Chinese immigrants. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation was to examine the association between filial piety discrepancy and three domains of well-being, and to determine the moderating role of acculturation, living arrangement and ethnic group density in the aforementioned relationship among older Chinese Canadian immigrants. In the first manuscript, the Perceived Receipt of Filial Piety Scale (PRFPS) was found to be a reliable and valid to measure perceived filial piety receipt among middle-aged and older Chinese parents, which was used in the subsequent manuscripts to measure filial piety receipt. In the second manuscript, greater filial piety discrepancy was associated with poorer psychological, social, and physical well-being. Further, lower acculturation level was found to exacerbate the negative association of filial piety discrepancy on psychological well-being. Living arrangement did not moderate the association between filial piety discrepancy and wellbeing across all three domains. Finally, the third manuscript revealed that the negative relationship between filial piety discrepancy and social well-being was largest among for older Chinese immigrants residing in cities with small and medium sized Chinese communities. Qualitative findings did not reveal substantial ethnic group density differences in the practice and experience of filial piety discrepancy, living arrangement, acculturation, or their impact on wellbeing; however, differences in the availability of local community-based services were found. Taken together, these results suggest that the deleterious effect of filial piety discrepancy extends beyond psychological well-being, influencing social and physical domains of well-being. These findings further highlight the importance of evaluating the synergistic effects between culturally relevant factors that contribute to well-being among older Chinese Canadian immigrants.
Social Acknowledgment, Individual Posttraumatic Cognitions, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and their associations following Trauma Exposure
Authors: Ennis Naomi
Published: September 2023

Lack of social acknowledgment for one’s experience as a trauma survivor, including perceptions of disapproval from society and family and friends, has consistently been found to be associated with PTSD severity. However, the directionality of this relationship (whether lack of social acknowledgment contributes to PTSD severity or vice versa) and mediators of this relationship have yet to be studied. Theory holds that negative social interactions may influence posttraumatic cognitions that may in turn, influence PTSD severity. This theory has yet to be examined empirically. The aim of the current study was to examine the dynamic relationships among perceived lack of social acknowledgment, PTSD severity, and posttraumatic cognitions over 12 months in adults (N = 153) recently exposed to a traumatic event. Every 4 months for 1 year participants were assessed with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, Social Acknowledgment as a Victim Questionnaire, and Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory. Bivariate latent difference score modelling indicated that PTSD severity decreased over time and greater endorsement of perceived general disapproval at earlier time points predicted diminished reductions in PTSD severity between each assessment. Similarly, greater endorsement of dysfunctional posttraumatic cognitions predicted diminished reduction in PTSD severity across each assessment. Contrary to hypothesis, greater endorsement of posttraumatic cognitions predicted diminished reduction in general disapproval and family/friends’ disapproval but not vice versa. Thus, the hypothesis that posttraumatic cognitions mediate the relationship between perceived lack of social acknowledgment and PTSD severity was not supported. Findings suggest that perceived general disapproval and dysfunctional posttraumatic cognitions may impede trauma recovery. Future research is needed to better understand the constructs of perceived lack of social acknowledgment and dysfunctional posttraumatic cognitions. 
Naturalistic Assessment of Social Comparison Behaviours Across Dimensions of Perfectionism
Authors: Uy Danielle
Published: September 2023

There is some research to suggest a relationship between perfectionism and social comparison. However, this research is limited in scope, and speaks little to how these relationships manifest in day-to-day life. For instance, little is known about how different dimensions of perfectionism relate to different types of social comparisons, and whether these relationships can be observed in how frequently individuals engage in these comparisons, how they feel following these comparisons, and to whom they choose to compare themselves. The current study aimed to fill this gap in knowledge by observing how undergraduate students with varying levels of perfectionism engage in social comparisons, using a 2-week diary design. Results generally did not support the study’s hypotheses. Findings are discussed in the context of improving future studies. These discussions touch on contexts and affective outcomes in which social comparisons may be more relevant, participant compliance, and perfectionism’s relationship with non-upward social comparisons.
The Emotional Enhancement of Memory in Schizophrenia: The Role of Encoding Strategy
Authors: Courtenay Kesia
Published: September 2023

Memory is better for emotionally salient events or materials (emotional enhancement of memory; EEM). Evidence suggests that this memory benefit remains intact in schizophrenia (SCZ), but some inconsistent findings present the need for further study of how and when this process occurs. Here, I examined whether different encoding methods influence the EEM for socially relevant materials in SCZ: emotional facial expressions. SCZ patients and healthy adults encoded faces in two conditions that manipulated attentional focus to promote direct (emotion judgment) or indirect (sex discrimination) processing of emotional content. Based on perception literature, I hypothesized that SCZ patients would show greater EEM effects for faces encoded indirectly. This hypothesis was not supported, and the SCZ group instead showed similar intact EEM to healthy participants in both encoding conditions. Overall, both groups had better memory for angry and fearful faces. These findings have important implications for improving emotional memory function in SCZ.
Infants’ ability to recognize and respond to negative emotional expressions
Authors: Vyas Shruti
Published: September 2023

Perceiving others’ emotional facial and vocal expressions is nearly effortless for adults, and most discrete emotions are universally recognizable. Although the ability to accurately detect and distinguish emotions is present in adulthood, it is still unclear how this ability develops early in life. Both behavioral and neurocognitive studies suggest that in the first year of life, infants can differentiate discrete emotions; however, this is only evidenced by differential processing of emotions that belong to contrasting valence categories (positive vs. negative); it remains unclear whether infants demonstrate differential processing of emotions that belong to the same valence category (i.e., negative emotions). I considered the limitations of classic paradigms used to investigate emotion processing in infancy and the gaps left in the literature as a consequence, and conducted two experiments that explore new avenues to measure infants’ ability to differentiate negative emotions. These studies investigated how infants integrate sensory information and differentially respond to facial expressions to understand how infants distinguish between negative emotions. 
A tool to predict physical workload and task times from workstation layout design data
Authors: Greig Michael , Village Judy , Salustri Filippo , Zolfaghari Saeed , Neumann Patrick
Published: September 2023

This paper presents the development and proof of concept of a tool to predict worker and system performance using inputs of work element descriptions and hand locations from a seated, light assembly workstation layout. Tool inputs can be obtained in the design stage. Tool outputs include human factors (shoulder load, hand movement, reach zone acceptability) and system (element time and cycle time) information. Shoulder loads are predicted from two dimensional shoulder models created from a digital human model. The tool is demonstrated on a previous observation based assessment of a workstation redesign. Results reflected the findings of the observation assessment, but also provided more work cycle information as well as cumulative, work shift information. The tool enables prediction of workload and task performance times from design stage parameters without the need of an ergonomist. It can be used to predict critical components of the layout and plan workflow based on worker, workstation, and task information. The tool is available for free download at: www.researchgate.net/project/Workstation-Efficiency-Evaluator-WEE-Tool.
A határon átnyúló európai uniós fejlesztési források szerepe Vajdaság gazdasági fejlődésében
Authors: Ricz András
Published: September 2023

Szerbia számára, a kétezres évek közepétől érhetőek el az uniós fejlesztési források. Vajdaság az ország északi tartománya, kiemelt résztvállal e támogatások lehívásában. Munkámban, a non profit szervezetek számára legszélesebb körben elérhetőhatáron átnyúló programokat, emellett pedig a mezőgazdasági termelők számára előlátott Ipard források lehívását vizsgáltam, melyek az egyedüli olyan pályázatok, amelyek keretében profitorientált szervezetek is részt vehetnek, a támogatások lehívásában, azzal a céllal, hogy megállapítsam, hogy volt-e az uniós programoknak hatása a gazdaság fejlődésére. A kutatás során megállapítást nyert, hogy az Európai Unió forrásai attól függetlenül, hogy több esetben is gazdaságfejlesztési céllal kerültek kifizetésre, nem hozták meg a várt eredményt.
Media Power Relations in Politics: Critical Analysis Perspective
Authors: Mahmud Amran , Jumadi  , Tahir Heri , Kasmawati Andi , Kamaruddin Syamsu Andi
Published: September 2023

The development of mass media as a channel of public information has experienced many shifts in its function. Critical knowledge works in powers that cannot be controlled. The purpose of this research is to reveal the power relations of knowledge and media working in politics in South Sulawesi. This research uses a critical analytic descriptive method with a critical paradigm as its approach. Researchers used two data sources to support the results of the study, namely, primary data and secondary data. Data collection in this study was carried out through three approaches, namely observation, interviews, and documentation. The data analysis technique used in this research is descriptive critical analytics. The qualitative content analysis method is carried out with the help of Nvivo software. NVivo is a qualitative data analysis software developed by Qualitative Solution and Research (QSR) International. The results of this study confirm that: (1) the South Sulawesi People's daily media has strong knowledge power in politics in South Sulawesi, with a central role in shaping political narratives, choosing issues that are reported, and influencing the image of political actors. This indicates the influence of political power, economics, and the interests of media owners who influence political news in the area. (2) Social media practices in politics in South Sulawesi have a significant impact on increasing political participation and strengthening communication between politicians, political parties, and the community. (3) South Sulawesi People's Daily has a role in politics in South Sulawesi as a means to convey messages and influence public opinion. In the political media strategy in South Sulawesi, politicians and political parties utilize it to gain support, build a positive image, and influence public perceptions of political issues.