bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexist Discrimination and Women’s Use of Intimate Partner Aggression: Results From a Nationally Representative Sample of Women
Authors: Miles-McLean Haley A. , Maldonado Ana I. , Murphy Christopher M.
Published: December 2020

Women’s use of intimate partner aggression remains a controversial research topic. Studies suggest that experiences of racism and heterosexism are associated with the use of intimate partner aggression among people impacted by these forms of oppression. Women also have unique experiences of discrimination that may be associated with their use of intimate partner aggression. The current study examined the direct association between women’s experiences of sexist discrimination and intimate partner aggression as well as the indirect relationship through mental health symptoms. All measures were gathered during Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), with data provided by 13,928 women. Structural equation modeling identified a significant direct relationship between women’s experiences of sexist discrimination and their use of intimate partner aggression, β = .04, z = 3.07, p = .002, and a significant indirect path through mental health symptoms (depression and anxiety; ab = .04, 95% CI [0.03, 0.05]). Women who experienced greater sexist discrimination reported greater mental health symptoms and more intimate partner aggression. The findings support the novel hypothesis that women’s intimate partner aggression may, in part, result from experiences of sexist discrimination and the emotional and mental distress associated with these experiences. These results offer important implications for practitioners, researchers, and policy makers by highlighting the need for gender-responsive interventions for women’s intimate partner aggression that consider how sexist experiences and mental health symptoms are associated with women’s relationship behaviors.
Active surveillance for bilateral renal oncocytomas already resected on one side: a case report
Authors: Mario S Mangano , Elisa Cicerello , Gian D Cova , Matteo Ciaccia , Biagio Tomasi
Published: December 2020

Introduction:

To report our experience of active surveillance of new bilateral masses after left laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for oncocytoma.

Method:

A 67-year old man underwent left laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for a renal mass and histology confirmed oncocytoma. At follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed new renal bilateral masses: hence, sonogram-guided percutaneous core renal biopsies were performed confirming the presence of oncocytoma in both kidneys. A re-biopsy was required because of an increasing of the left mass while a histological was also consistent with oncocytoma.

Result:

At follow of 8 years the patient is well and shows a normal renal function.

Conclusion:

Oncocytomas show minimal growth rate or progression. MRI has an important role in the appropriate follow-up of renal oncocytomas. Patients with biopsy proven oncocytoma may be managed conservatively by active surveillance (AS).
A pig slurry feast/famine feeding regime strategy to improve mesophilic anaerobic digestion efficiency and digestate hygienisation
Authors: Silva I , Jorge C , Brito L , Duarte E
Published: December 2020

The increasing concentration of livestock farms results in large amounts of waste production and the need for their management. The study of anaerobic digestion (AD) technology, under mesophilic conditions, applied to pig slurry is of the upmost importance for biogas recovery and sanitised digestate, contributing to a circular economy. The assessment of the effects of a feast/famine regime on biogas and biomethane (bio-CH4) yield with different feeding frequencies was performed. The evaluation was made in regards to three scenarios: the first is based on daily feeding (FR1); in the second, the feeding occurs once every two days (FR2); and in the third, the feeding happens once every three days (FR3). The results demonstrate that the biogas and methane yield increased by 34% and 37% between FR1 and FR3. The stability inside the reactor was maintained since specific loading energetic rate values did not exceed the recommended limit (0.4 d−1). It was also possible to conclude that the AD technology was efficient to sanitise the pig slurry, with the count of Escherichia coli going from 1 × 105 colony-forming units (CFU) g−1 to less than 100 CFU g−1, meeting the legal requirements for agricultural valorisation. The total anaerobic mesophile plate counts were significantly ( p < 0.1) reduced from feeding to digestate, and the plate counts of Clostridia were significantly ( p < 0.05) increased, reflecting the changes in the composition of the microbiota. The increasing yield in bio-CH4 in accordance with Clostridium counts suggests this genus as a positive microbiological key indicator of the AD performance.
The Rational Planning Approach in Public Art Production: Evaluating the Quality of Urban Sculpture Plans in Shanghai
Authors: Zheng Jane
Published: December 2020

This paper proposes a theoretical framework for public art plan quality evaluation and critically examines its limitations. The argument is twofold. First, the proposed framework embodies a rational planning approach to public art planning, which caters to both traditional and utilitarian types of public art, and advocates creating an environment conducive to social practice art. This framework largely applies to countries with strong rational planning systems like China. Second, while China’s urban sculpture planning system possesses strengths in terms of policies, it is weak when it comes to addressing public participation, implementation, and interorganizational coordination. That said, the plans as realized are highly influenced by individual planners and some of them excel in these areas of broader systemic weakness.
Elder Abuse and Depressive Symptoms: Which is Cause and Effect? Bidirectional Longitudinal Studies From the JAGES
Authors: Koga Chie , Tsuji Taishi , Hanazato Masamichi , Suzuki Norimichi , Kondo Katsunori
Published: December 2020

Elder abuse is a serious public health concern that increases the risks of negative health outcomes globally. It is well known that abuse in older adults is associated with depression; however, longitudinal studies investigating the causal relationship between these events are scarce. Because the cause precedes the result over time, the temporal relationships between abuse and depression should be verified from each direction. This longitudinal study, therefore, investigated and clarified whether depression causes or results from elder abuse among older Japanese adults. Two longitudinal analyses were conducted using data derived from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study. The data were collected in 2010 and 2013 through a mail survey of 1,737 people (983 females, 754 males) across Japan. Of those who did not experience abuse in 2010, 38 (5.0%) males and 53 (5.4%) females newly experienced abuse in 2013. Among respondents who did not have depressive symptoms in 2010, 60 (8.0%) males and 61 (6.2%) females newly reported depressive symptoms in 2013. After adjusting for demographic factors in Analysis 1, people who experienced abuse were 2.28-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.68–3.09) more likely to have depressive symptoms three years later than those who were not abused. In Analysis 2, respondents who had mild or severe depression in 2010 were 2.23-fold (95% CI = 1.61–3.10) more likely to have experienced abuse after three years than those who did not have depression. After adjusting for several demographic factors, the results showed that abuse can lead to depression and that depression can be a cause of abuse. Therefore, preventing abuse should be considered from both directions.
The Relationship Between the Big Five Personality Factors, Anger-hostility, and Alcohol and Violence in Men and Women: A Nationally Representative Cohort of 15,701 Young Adults
Authors: Jones Roland M. , Van Den Bree Marianne , Zammit Stanley , Taylor Pamela J.
Published: December 2020

Alcohol consumption is known to have a disinhibiting effect and is associated with a higher likelihood of aggressive behavior, especially among men. People with certain personality traits maybe more likely to behave aggressively when intoxicated, and there may also be variation by gender. We aimed to investigate whether the reason why men and women with certain personality traits are more likely to engage in violence may be because of their alcohol use.

The Big Five personality traits and anger-hostility, alcohol consumption, and violence were measured by questionnaire in 15,701 nationally representative participants in the United States. We tested the extent to which alcohol mediates the relationship between personality factors and violence in men and women.

We found that agreeableness was inversely associated with violence in both genders. Alcohol mediated approximately 11% of the effect in males, but there was no evidence of an effect in females. Anger-hostility was associated with violence in both sexes, but alcohol mediated the effect only in males. We also found that Extraversion was associated with violence and alcohol use in males and females. Alcohol accounted for 15% of the effect of extraversion on violence in males and 29% in females.

The mechanism by which personality traits relate to violence may be different in men and women. Agreeableness and anger-hostility underpin the relationship between alcohol and violence in men, but not in women. Reducing alcohol consumption in men with disagreeable and angry/hostile traits would have a small but significant effect in reducing violence, whereas in women, reducing alcohol consumption among the extraverted, would have a greater effect.
Prison Culture as Rape Supportive: Applying Importation and Deprivation Models to Examine Inmate Beliefs
Authors: Fowler Shannon K. , Blackburn Ashley G. , Smith Wesley T. , Mullings Janet L.
Published: December 2020

While research examining sexual violence in prison has increased over the past 15 years, relatively scant attention has been paid to rape supportive beliefs and the factors influencing inmate adherence to these beliefs. Given the demonstrated role from studies outside the prison context that rape supportive beliefs have on sexual violence, important parallels can be drawn from studying the inmate population. Importation and deprivation models have been used to explain how inmates adapt to prison life—whether attitudes and behaviors are imported from their lives outside prison or are developed in prison due to the conditions of incarceration. Using a sample of male and female inmates ( n = 875) from a large state prison system in the southern United States, the researchers explored the degree to which inmate rape supportive beliefs (IRSB) were influenced by variables indicative of importation or deprivation models of prison adaption. Findings revealed greater support for importation variables among both male and female inmates. With some variation, measures such as gender, age, ethnicity, and education were significant in explaining IRSB, similar to findings of studies on rape supportive beliefs among noninmate samples. Because these beliefs can manifest in problematic attitudes and behaviors among inmates, such as prison sexual violence and the underreporting of such violence, it is important that correctional administrators understand this relationship and take steps to lessen IRSB. Since IRSB largely correlate with factors unrelated to conditions of confinement, efforts to educate and sensitize inmates to prison sexual violence can replicate best practices based on populations outside of prisons.
Aggregate-level Lead Exposure and Child Maltreatment
Authors: Helton Jesse J. , Nelson Erik J. , Boutwell Brian B. , Lewis Roger D. , Rosenfeld Richard , Seon Jisuk
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the possible ecological association between aggregate blood lead levels (BLL) and rates of child maltreatment. To this end, we employed an ecologic study design, analyzing results from 59,645 child BLL tests between the years 1996 and 2007, and 6,640 substantiated maltreatment investigations from 2006 to 2016 in a large Midwest city. Separate Bayesian spatial Poisson conditional autoregressive (CAR) and Bayesian spatial zero-inflated Poisson CAR models were used to predict the occurrence of maltreatment.

Bivariate results showed that aggregate rates of maltreatment increased as aggregate BLL increased. Multivariate results showed that medium-exposure BLL census tracts (OR = 1.38) and high-exposure BLL tracts (OR = 1.38) had increased odds of substantiated investigations for any maltreatment compared to low BLL census tracts even after controlling for crime rates, age of the housing stock, and concentrated disadvantage. Our findings, considered with prior research, continue to reveal a confluence of deleterious outcomes in areas where exposure to lead seems elevated. In this case, child maltreatment also appears to represent a macro-level correlate of aggregate lead exposure. Yet our results preclude any causal inference, and further research on the intersection of child maltreatment with environmental toxins is needed to determine if contaminant abatement should be considered as a possible maltreatment prevention strategy.
Study on the fluidity, mechanical and fracture behavior of ABS/TPU/CNT nanocomposites
Authors: Heidari Farshad , Aghalari Milad , Tehran Ata Chalabi , Shelesh-Nezhad Karim
Published: December 2020

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene has relatively good mechanical performances, but its low melt fluidity limits the production of thin parts. In this research, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/thermoplastic polyurethane (ABS/TPU) blends and ABS/TPU/CNT nanocomposites were prepared by employing melt-mixing process. The melt fluidity, mechanical and fracture behavior of different samples were evaluated. The morphology of fracture surfaces was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The addition of TPU into ABS substantially elevated the melt flow index, but noticeably weakened the notched impact toughness. The presence of carbon nanotubes in ABS/TPU blend promoted the mechanical performances and developed a rough fracture surface morphology. The notched impact resistance and essential work of fracture in nanocomposite containing 0.1 wt.% CNT showed about 95 and 50% increases respectively as compared to ABS/TPU (90/10) blend. In the presence of 0.3 wt.% CNT, the plane stress condition favorably dominated the toughness behavior, enhancing the non-essential work of fracture and crack propagation energy. The appropriate dispersion of carbon nanotubes and their adhesion to ABS/TPU polymer matrix were considered as the prominent factors affecting the fracture resistance of ABS/TPU/CNT nanocomposites.
The Relation Between Income and Donations as a Proportion of Income Revisited: Literature Review and Empirical Application
Authors: Neumayr Michaela , Pennerstorfer Astrid
Published: December 2020

Previous research addressing the relation between income and donations as a proportion of income has revealed predominantly inconsistent results. In this article, we argue that this can partly be explained by the great variance of methodological approaches. Providing a literature review covering 26 studies, we systematically identify how methodological issues such as data, variables, and methods have affected former findings. In addition, we apply different methodological approaches to Austrian income tax data ( n = 20,000), demonstrating how different methods lead to a variation in results. Overall, we show that existing studies are hardly comparable as their designs vary strongly. We point out that it is particularly important to use samples with sufficient cases of all income groups and methods that adequately account for the non-linear relation between the two variables, not restricting it to a U-shape. Our findings enable a better understanding and interpretation of diverging findings in philanthropic research.
Layered fracture prediction of QStE700 medium-thickness steel plate under tensile loading
Authors: Zhu Chuanmin , Gu Peng , Yu Yiqing , Tao Zhan , Zhang Heng
Published: December 2020

Layered fracture frequently occurs in the deforming process of QStE700 medium-thickness steel plates under tensile loading. In this study, the morphology of a layered fracture was observed via scanning electron microscopy, and the mechanism of the layered fracture was also analyzed. Based on the three-dimensional digital image correlation technique, a section analysis method was adopted for determining the true stress–strain curve including the necking process. A modified Bridgeman’s equation was adopted to transform the true stress–strain curve into the equivalent stress–strain curve. At the time of layered fracture occurrence, the equivalent strain and stress triaxiality of differently shaped specimens were obtained and fitted to a linear exponential relationship equation. The equation was the layered fracture criterion function and combined with the finite element method (FEM) simulations for determining the damage criterion of the layered fracture of a certain specimen. The FEM-simulated equivalent strain was consistent with the experimental equivalent strain of the layered fracture. Summarizing, the proposed method to predict the layered fracture of a QStE700 medium-thickness steel plate is effective and can be adopted in the study and control of layered fracture.
Tooth flank modification to reduce transmission error and mesh-in impact force in consideration of contact ratio for helical gears
Authors: Jia Chao , Fang Zongde , Yao Ligang , Zhang Jun
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a new tooth modification method considering the contact ratio of gears and a new method for calculating the mesh-in impact force of modified helical gears are proposed. The new method for calculating the mesh-in impact force is based on tooth contact analysis and loaded tooth contact analysis. The mesh-in impact position can be calculated accurately via the new method. First, the procedures for creating the new tooth modification and the details of calculation method of the mesh-in impact force are exhibited. Second, the optimal modification of the tooth flank is achieved by solving the optimization problem. Third, a dynamic model of the gear system considering the loaded transmission error and the mesh-in impact force is used to study the dynamic characteristics. Ultimately, numerical examples are presented and the simulation results suggest that the amplitude of the loaded transmission error and the mesh-in impact force can be reduced more effectively based on the introduced new tooth modification method. And the mesh-in impact effects should not be neglected in gear dynamic analysis, regardless of whether the tooth modified or not, especially for high-speed gears.
Singularity analysis and avoidance of a planar parallel mechanism with kinematic redundancy under a fixed orientation
Authors: Qu Haibo , Hu Lanqing , Guo Sheng
Published: December 2020

In this paper, the singularity of a planar mechanism with kinematic redundancy is studied. First, the architecture of the mechanism and the concept schematic diagram for singularity avoidance are stated. Next, inverse kinematics model of the planar parallel mechanism with kinematic redundancy is established. For determining the unique inverse solution of the mechanism under certain initial installation configuration, a comparison analysis based on the strategy tree and the virtual prototype is performed. Then, based on the obtained Jacobian matrices and the singular condition, the workspace-singularity map and two singular configurations of the mechanism are drawn. Finally, with the obtained workspace-singularity map, a singularity-free transition layer and an aisle can be found to perform to singularity avoidance, even if the initial designed trajectory passing through the second kind of singularity. Three tasks are carried out to illustrate that the workspace boundary and singular configuration can be changed by adjusting the kinematic redundant actuated parameter.
Effects of different droplet dispersion modeling methods on diesel spray simulation in Eulerian-Lagrangian framework
Authors: Yang Mian , Chen Yuanpei , Shao Yiming
Published: December 2020

The realistic prediction of spray dynamics and dispersion is one of the main tasks of the combustion simulations in diesel engines. Usually, droplet dispersion modeling accuracy can be improved by the development of turbulence models and stochastic dispersion models. Although droplet dispersion due to turbulence is an important phenomenon in high-velocity fuel sprays, studies on the effect of these models are relatively few. Among these studies, the influence of a common used stochastic dispersion model on spray dynamics is not well understood and the application of hybrid turbulence models to fuel spray simulation in the Eulerian-Lagrangian framework with two-way coupling is still at starting stage. In the present study, a better understanding of the effect of the stochastic model on spray dynamics can be obtained by using a statistical analysis of stochastic dispersion time and velocity of dispersed droplets. In order to assess the ability of the hybrid model to improve the radial spread and the inhomogenous distribution of small droplets produced by a high-pressure injector, a partially averaged Navier-Stokes (PANS) model is implemented in an open-source code OpenFOAM and is compared with an unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) model and a large eddy simulation (LES) model. The results show the importance of resolving large-scale turbulent structures on droplet dispersion modeling in high-velocity fuel spray simulation. The common stochastic dispersion model used in RANS developed for homogenous, isotropic turbulent flows leads to the non-physical dynamics and distribution of droplets and hence is not applicable to the droplet dispersion which is dominated by the non-stochastic motion of large-scale structures in free shear layers. Using PANS instead of RANS should improve the droplet dispersion modeling accuracy of high-velocity fuel sprays in the development of diesel engines with an advanced injection system.
Time-marching solution of transonic flows at axial turbomachinery meanline
Authors: Taddei Simone Rosa
Published: December 2020

A new blade force model is coupled to quasi-one dimensional Euler equations for a variable geometry flowpath. After analytical inclusion of the blade force, the flow equations take a strictly one-dimensional form with specific expressions of the convective flux and blade load source terms. Regardless of the flow turning, that is simply achieved by the load source term as an explicit function of the blade camber, the new form describes a perfect analogy between the average flow inside a blade passage and strictly one-dimensional flows, especially concerning wave propagation. This property allows capture of passage choking and shocks. Other types of shock more important for turbomachinery analysis, like leading edge strong shocks in compressors and trailing edge weak shocks in choked turbines, are modelled by properly matching the new set of equations inside blade regions with the standard quasi-one dimensional equations outside. Upon specification of viscous losses and subsonic deviations fitted from experimental results, the model predicts the choke mass flow of a transonic compressor stage (NASA stage 37) at a 0.1% to 0.4% accuracy both in the absence and in the presence of the leading edge shock. This result supports the effectiveness of the leading edge shock model. The accuracy on choke mass flow would decrease to around 1% if empirical input was specified from open-literature experimental correlations. The model captures the typical trend of exit angle with total pressure ratio for a choked turbine (NASA Lewis two-stage). This result involves satisfactory prediction of not only choke mass flow, but also trailing edge shock loss and supersonic deviation. The complete turbine operational map in terms of shaft torque and pressure ratio is also re-obtained with noticeable accuracy except in strong off-design conditions, where experimental correlations likely fail.
A detailed finite element model of a mid-sized male for the investigation of traffic pedestrian accidents
Authors: Grindle Daniel , Pak Wansoo , Guleyupoglu Berkan , Koya Bharath , Gayzik F Scott , Song Eric , Untaroiu Costin
Published: December 2020

The pedestrian is one of the most vulnerable road users and comprises approximately 23% of the road crash-related fatalities in the world. To protect pedestrians during Car-to-Pedestrian Collisions (CPC), subsystem impact tests are used in regulations. These tests provide insight but cannot characterize the complex vehicle-pedestrian interaction. The main purpose of this study was to develop and validate a detailed pedestrian Finite Element (FE) model corresponding to a 50th percentile male to predict CPC induced injuries. The model geometry was reconstructed using a multi-modality protocol from medical images and exterior scan data corresponding to a mid-sized male volunteer. To investigate injury response, this model included internal organs, muscles and vessels. The lower extremity, shoulder and upper body of the model were validated against Post Mortem Human Surrogate (PMHS) test data in valgus bending, and lateral/anterior-lateral blunt impacts, respectively. The whole-body pedestrian model was validated in CPC simulations using a mid-sized sedan and simplified generic vehicles bucks and previously unpublished PMHS coronal knee angle data. In the component validations, the responses of the FE model were mostly within PMHS test corridors and in whole body validations the kinematic and injury responses predicted by the model showed similar trends to PMHS test data. Overall, the detailed model showed higher biofidelity, especially in the upper body regions, compared to a previously reported simplified pedestrian model, which recommends using it in future pedestrian automotive safety research.
Characterizing substance use among men who have sex with men presenting to a sexually transmitted infection clinic
Authors: Murphy Matthew , Tao Jun , Goedell William C , Berk Justin , Chu Christina T , Nunn Amy , Sosnowy Collette , Chan Philip
Published: December 2020

Illicit substance use poses a significant public health challenge in the United States. Certain populations are disproportionately impacted by substance use disorders. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have been shown to be three to four times more likely to report substance use compared to the general population. MSM also make up a disproportionate number of new cases of STIs. The impact of substance use disorders on STI and HIV infection risk has been well documented among this vulnerable population. Understanding the intersection of substance use and sexual risk is important to design effective interventions to reduce substance use and risk of STIs. However, little is known about the relationship between venues used to arrange sexual encounters including hook-up apps and substance use. This study describes the demographics and social network characteristics of MSM who presented to an STI clinic in Rhode Island including reported substance use and the primary hook-up venues used for meeting sexual partners. The results show that individuals using online venues to meet sexual partners were more likely to report substance use, indicating the possible utility of interventions using social media to address the unique vulnerability of STI and HIV infection for substance using MSM.
HIV viral load trajectories of women living with HIV in Metro Vancouver, Canada
Authors: Duff Putu , Shannon Kate , Braschel Melissa , Ranville Flo , Kestler Mary , Elwood Martin Ruth , Krüsi Andrea , Deering Kathleen
Published: December 2020

This study describes long-term viral load (VL) trajectories and their predictors among women living with HIV (WLWH), using data from Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS: Women’s Longitudinal Needs Assessment (SHAWNA), an open prospective cohort study with linkages to the HIV/AIDS Drug Treatment Program. Using Latent Class Growth Analysis (LCGA) on a sample of 153 WLWH (1088 observations), three distinct trajectories of detectable VL (≥50 copies/ml) were identified: ‘sustained low probability of detectable VL’, characterized by high probability of long-term VL undetectability (51% of participants); ‘ high probability of delayed viral undetectability’, characterized by a high probability VL detectability at baseline that decreases over time (43% of participants); and ‘ high probability of detectable VL’, characterized by a high probability of long-term VL detectability (7% of participants). In multivariable analysis, incarceration (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.24; 95%CI:1.34–7.82), younger age (AOR = 0.96; 95%CI:0.92–1.00), and lower CD4 count (AOR = 0.82; 95%CI:0.72–0.93) were associated with ‘ high probability of delayed viral undetectability’ compared to ‘sustained low probability of detectable VL.’ This study reveals the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of WLWH’s long-term VL patterns, and highlights the need for early engagement in HIV care among young WLWH and programs to mitigate the destabilizing impact of incarceration on WLWH’s HIV treatment outcomes.
The concept of care: Insights, challenges and research avenues in COVID-19 times
Authors: Daly Mary
Published: December 2020

This review focuses on the concept of care, a concept that has never been more popular as a focus of study. It undertakes a critical review, motivated by the breadth of the field and the lack of coherence and linkages across a diverse literature. The review concentrates first on organizing and reviewing the literature in terms of key focus and, second, drawing out the strengths and weaknesses of existing work and making suggestions for how future work might proceed in COVID-19 times. While the existing literature offers many insights, some quite basic things need to be reconsidered, not least definition and conceptualization. Defining care as based on the meeting of perceived welfare-related need, I develop it as comprising need, relations/actors, resources and ideas and values. Each of these dimensions has an inherent disposition towards the study of inequality and it is possible, either by looking at them individually or all together, to identify care as situated in relations of relative power and inequality. The framework allows a set of critical questions to be posed in relation to COVID-19 and the policies and resources that have been mustered in response.
“I want to look as if I am my child’s big sister”: Self-satisfaction and the yummy mummy in Taiwan
Authors: Keyser-Verreault Amélie
Published: December 2020

This paper explores the trend of stay-fit maternity in Taiwan and extends the feminist analysis of the yummy mummy under neoliberalism to a non-Western context. Drawing insight from Foucault’s critique of the theory of human capital and his emphasis on “psychic return,” it examines a process of continuous interaction between outer appearance and the inner world of these Taiwanese women during and after pregnancy. Thus, by using the perspective of the flux of psychic return in order to understand these women’s continuous aesthetic labour, I emphasize the importance of self-satisfaction as a determinant gain of the valorization of appearance in this process of maximizing self-appreciation and diminishing self-depreciation. I underline not only the importance of the functioning of an economy of affects which supports and overdetermines their beauty practices but also, in some circumstances, that the immaterial return in the quest for beauty takes priority over material earnings and the influences of social pressures. As well, my analysis finds complex and overlapping relations between self-satisfaction and neoliberal rationality such that self-appreciation constitutes the pleasure of embodying a recognized ideal of the maternal, the joy of overcoming undisciplined flesh, and the confidence-enhancement of being mistakenly seen as a young girl.
Towards rethinking the primacy of foundationalism: Epistemology, dialogue, and ethics in psychopathology
Authors: Borges Florsheim David , Simão Lívia Mathias
Published: December 2020

Why is the dialogue among professionals who adopt different perspectives regarding psychopathology so difficult? In this article, we point out that the way we justify the knowledge we use influences to what extent we are open to dialogue. We believe that Cartesian foundationalism, broadly used in psychopathology and in science in general, fosters the appearance and maintenance of sectarianisms that exclude alterity. As a main alternative to foundationalism one can adopt coherentism as a justification for knowledge. This conception is based on the idea that truth is never definite, and that the validity of an item of knowledge occurs through its relation to other items. We present the concept of dialogue of Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics, because, as we believe, the adoption of this concept can contribute to a better interaction between professionals. In conclusion, we emphasize the importance of pluralism as an alternative to the imposition of power and authority.
It Takes All Kinds (of Information) to Learn a Language: Investigating the Language Comprehension of Typical Children and Children With Autism
Authors: Naigles Letitia R.
Published: December 2020

What factors influence children’s understanding of language in both typical and atypical development? In this article, I summarize findings from the Longitudinal Study of Early Language (LSEL), which has been following the talk, understanding, and interactions of typically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorder. The LSEL has found not only group similarities in syntactic understanding and word-learning strategies but also within-group variability that correlates with other aspects of the children’s behavior. In particular, early linguistic knowledge and social abilities have both been shown to play independent roles in later talk and understanding. Thus, theoretical perspectives that highlight social compared with linguistic underpinnings to language development should be viewed as complementary rather than competing.
On Strachan
Authors: Roberts Adam
Published: December 2020

The work of Hew Strachan as Chichele Professor of the History of War at Oxford University in 2002–2015 encompassed many distinct aspects, of which three are considered here. First, as co-founder, and then Director, of the notably interdisciplinary Oxford University research programme on the Changing Character of War. Second, as contributor to public and governmental debate, by authoring and editing a wide range of books and other publications on contemporary wars and the history of strategic thought, and also by serving on public and governmental bodies concerned with the problem of war – including the UK Defence Academy Advisory Board. Thirdly, as a university teacher, facing the familiar problem that Oxford University has everything needed for the study of war except for posts.
Eyes on target: ‘Stay-behind’ forces during the Cold War
Authors: Sinai Tamir
Published: December 2020

This article examines the concept of ‘stay-behind’ as a war-fighting tactic used by North Atlantic Treaty Organization to maximize its defensive efforts against a possible Soviet onslaught during the Cold War. It outlines how the concept developed, describes the military and clandestine units involved and what the division of tasks was between them, the way they operated, and how North Atlantic Treaty Organization was involved in coordinating these efforts. By providing a holistic look at military and clandestine stay-behind doctrine, it fills a gap in Cold War intelligence research.
Religion as Financial Asset: State Investments in Chinese Buddhism
Authors: Bruntz Courtney
Published: December 2020

This study uncovers reasons why Buddhist sites in China since the time of Mao have received government patronage, and it argues that economic development at Buddhist sacred sites has resulted in religious revivalism—a perhaps unintended consequence of state support. The focus of the work is at Mount Putuo—the home of the Bodhisattva Guanyin—and data collected come from fieldwork during the summers of 2012 and 2013. The first portion of the study examines the various ways individuals have sponsored Buddhist sites through Chinese history and identifies the upholding of miracle tales, the financing of temples and the creation of religious commodities as particularly significant. The second portion of the study examines and evaluates contemporary financing, especially the processes of commodification that shape sacred sites like Mount Putuo. At the conclusion of this article, the author argues that Buddhist practice today has not been hindered by economic development but instead revived.
Microfinance and Entrepreneurship: Linking Women’s Motivations to Skill, Knowledge, and Capabilities
Authors: Mummidi Thanuja
Published: December 2020

The rapid growth of the microfinance sector has attracted a considerable amount of research claiming controversial results, whereby some support, and others not, the assumption that microfinance can promote income-generating activities (IGAs). This article advocates looking beyond microfinance in making such correlations. It attempts to demonstrate that the livelihood framework can be useful in such assessment. The article proposes this framework, given its scope for exploring and drawing attention to women’s strategies, their motivations, skills, knowledge, and capabilities, which the article argues are the focal points in understanding women’s role in generating income. Using qualitative data (life experiences of six women) from two villages in Tamil Nadu, South India, the article demonstrates the significance of paying attention to socioeconomic dynamics through this approach.
Investigating the Role of Regional Economic Integration on Growth: Fresh Insights from South Asia
Authors: Shah Muhammad Ibrahim
Published: December 2020

Regional economic integration is the key to achieving prosperity and stability. However, intra-regional trade in South Asia accounts for not more than 5%–6% of their total trade. This study aims to examine the role played by regional economic integration in determining the economic growth of South Asian countries over the period 1980–2015. Since shocks in one country may affect another country in the region, this is taken into account in the article by employing methodologies that are robust to cross sectional dependence. Specifically, continuously-updated and bias-corrected (CupBC) of Bai et al. (2009) and Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel causality test (2012) have been employed to estimate long-run coefficients and determine the direction of relationship among the variables, respectively. The findings suggest that economic integration increases economic growth significantly in this region. However, contrary to popular belief, both democracy and human capital are negatively related to economic growth. Bidirectional causality is found between economic integration and democracy, regional integration and human capital, democracy and human capital and, democracy and labor. This study also presents several policy implications for South Asian countries.
CD8+ T-cell lymphocytes infiltration predict clinical outcomes in Wilms’ tumor
Authors: Mardanpour Keykhosro , Rahbar Mahtab , Mardanpour Sourena , Mardanpour Nyousha , Rezaei Mansour
Published: December 2020

The abundance and location of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes demonstrate important facets of the anticancer immune response. CD8-expressing lymphocytes have been used in immunotherapy for multiple cancers. This study aims to determine the association between the abundance and localization of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and clinical outcomes of Wilms’ tumor. This retrospective study employed 42 pediatric patients diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor. CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte counts were calculated based on the mean percentage of stroma occupied by CD8+ lymphocytes at the center and the invasive border of the tumor using immunohistochemistry. CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in the center and the invasive border of the early-stage tumor samples. CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the invasive border and tumor center positively correlated with tumor invasion, regional lymph node invasion, histological type, metastasis, and stage of the tumor. A high CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte scores at the invasive margin of the tumor correlated with low tumor recurrence. Low CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte scores in the two tumor regions correlated with poor prognosis and shorter disease-free survival. Overall, these findings show that patients with high CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with better clinical outcomes. Therefore, measuring the abundance of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes may be useful in predicting response to cancer immunotherapies.
Psychological and Livelihood Impacts of COVID-19 on Bangladeshi Lower Income People
Authors: Paul Alak , Nath Tapan Kumar , Mahanta Janardan , Sultana Naznin Nahar , Kayes A. S. M. Imrul , Noon Sharifa Jahan , Jabed Md. Akib , Podder Sumana , Paul Sujat
Published: December 2020

The objective of this research is to understand the psychological and livelihood-related impacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Bangladeshi lower income group people who depend on daily earnings for their living. Following the convenience sampling method, 576 respondents were interviewed for quantitative data and 30 in-depth interviews for qualitative information in several districts of Bangladesh. To 94.1% respondents, livelihood has been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak with an overall score of 3.20 ± 0.77 on a 4-point Likert-type scale. In comparison to unemployed respondents, daily workers have been hardly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak (odds ratio [OR] = 7.957; P < .01), and so they are going outside more frequently in search of jobs (OR = 9.984, P < .01). Due to fear of COVID-19 infection and lack of livelihood means, respondents (76.6%) have been stressed out (overall score 3.19 ± 0.81 on a 4-point Likert-type scale), and those working in industries (OR = 5.818, P < .01), farmers (OR = 3.029, P < .05), and day laborers (OR = 2.651, P < .05) have been highly stressed.
The Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Hospital Accessibility in Otorhinolaryngological Disease in Korea
Authors: Hong Seung-No , Kim Joon Kon , Kim Dae Woo
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to investigate the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on otorhinolaryngology disease severity status diagnosed at the first hospital visit. We conducted a retrospective study over 20 years (2000-2019). Otorhinolaryngological diseases included chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), oral ulcer, and malignant neoplasms. A logistic regression model was employed to assess the effect of SES on the severity of each disease at the first hospital visit. The severity of CRS increased in patients with lower SES ( P = .028). The severities of SNHL ( P = .032) and oral ulcer ( P < .001) also associated with SES. In contrast, between the low- and high-SES groups observed no differences in cancer stage ( P = .845). Patients with SNHL, oral ulcer, and CRS had a more severe disease status in the low-SES group than in the high-SES group at the first hospital visit. Efforts to increase hospital accessibility for low-SES otorhinolaryngological patients should be made.
Tobacco dependence management in a smoke-free inpatient drug and alcohol unit
Authors: Kwon Ivy , Montebello Mark , Bittoun Renee
Published: December 2020

Objective:

Various smoke-free policies and practices (carbon monoxide monitoring, nicotine replacement therapy, pharmacotherapy, behavioural interventions) have been introduced to manage tobacco dependence in inpatient drug and alcohol facilities. Since the introduction of a smoke-free policy to our inpatient drug and alcohol facility, there has been no objective evaluation of its practices or patients’ views.

Methods:

We administered a questionnaire to 42 inpatients identified as smokers. A retrospective record review was performed on those patients for demographic data, substance use, psychiatric conditions and tobacco dependence assessment and management. Descriptive analyses and tests of association were conducted. Open-ended questions were subjected to content analysis.

Results:

Tobacco dependence assessment was mostly completed with daily cigarette consumption documented for 41 (98%), time to first cigarette for 39 (93%) and CO monitoring performed for 42 (100%) patients. Patients’ views of the various management strategies were positive, although many were underutilised. Those with high tobacco dependence were more likely to approve of nicotine replacement therapy patches than those with low tobacco dependence ( p = 0.009).

Conclusion:

The results demonstrate that while the various interventions provided were reported to be helpful, many were underutilised. Future research could consider why certain strategies were not utilised and help improve uptake.
Rapid response calls in inpatient psychiatric units
Authors: Nguyen Lucia , Sharma Binita , Newton Richard
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To assess the rates of serious medical issues on psychiatry wards by determining the rate, indication and outcomes of rapid response calls.

Method:

Using retrospective file review, information regarding rapid response calls during an 8-month period was analysed.

Results:

Seventy-two rapid response calls were recorded; 7.5% of the admissions involved a rapid response call. Of patients who required a rapid response call, 88.6% had medical comorbidities. Also, 29.2% of rapid response calls required transfer to another ward.

Conclusions:

Patients on psychiatry wards frequently require urgent medical intervention. Improved collaboration and service planning between general medical and psychiatric service is required to improve clinical care and outcomes for this high-risk group.
Effects of Virtual Reality on Pain During Venous Port Access in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Semerci Remziye , Akgün Kostak Melahat , Eren Tuba , Avci Gülcan
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

Needle procedures are one of the most distressing practices for pediatric oncology patients. Virtual reality (VR) is a distraction method which offers an extremely realistic and interactive virtual environment and helps reduce needle-related pain and distress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of VR method on pain during venous port access in pediatric oncology patients aged 7 to 18 years.

Method:

Children who had cancer and were between the ages of 7 and 18 years and undergoing a port-a-cath access were randomly assigned through blocked randomization to either the VR intervention group or control group. A commercially available VR headset was fitted to children in the intervention group. Immediately after the port access, pain scores were obtained from children’s self-reports and parents’ proxy reports, using the Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale.

Results:

Descriptive characteristics of the children ( n = 71) showed a homogeneous distribution between groups. During the procedure, children in the control group ( n = 36; 5.03 ± 3.35) experienced more pain than the children in VR group ( n = 35; 2.34 ± 2.76; p < .001). Proxy reports of the parents in the experimental group (1.77 ± 2.46) were found to be lower than those in the control group (4.67 ± 2.56; p < .001).

Conclusions/Implications for Practice:

VR method is effective for reducing pain during venous port access in pediatric oncology patients. VR should be used as a distraction method during venous port access.