bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opportunities of Antidiabetic Drugs in Cardiovascular Medicine
Authors: Yan Cen , Thijs Lutgarde , Cao Yu , Trenson Sander , Zhang Zhen-Yu , Janssens Stefan , Staessen Jan A. , Feng Ying-Mei
Published: March 2022

To identify potential application of GLP1-RAs (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) and SGLT2-Is (sodium-dependent glucose cotrasnsporter-2 inhibitors) in cardiovascular medicine, we performed PubMed search until March 31, 2020 and selected placebo-controlled randomized trials (RCTs) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Twenty-four hour ambulatory and office blood pressure (BP), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and changes in glycated hemoglobin and body weight were aggregated across RCTs using random-effect models. In 2238 patients (7 RCTs), SGLT2-Is lowered 24-hour systolic/diastolic BP by 4.4/1.9 mm Hg (95% CI, 3.4–5.5/1.2–2.6 mm Hg), whereas 2 GLP1-RAs RCTs produced contradictory BP results. Over 1.3 to 5.4 years of follow-up of 56 004 patients (7 RCTs), aggregate hazard ratios associated with GLP1-RA treatment were 0.88 (0.84–0.93) for MACE, 0.84 (0.74–0.89) for CKD, and ranged from 0.84 to 0.90 for individual MACE end points (
P
≤0.01). Across 5 SGLT2-Is RCTs, including 43 467 patients with 1.5 to 4.2 years follow-up, hazard ratios were 0.87 (0.82–0.93) for MACE, 0.68 (0.62–0.75) for HF, 0.82 (0.72–0.93) for cardiovascular death, 0.87 (0.79–0.96) for myocardial infarction, and 0.61 (0.56–0.67) for worsening CKD. The risk of HF and CKD, but not MACE, decreased with more BP lowering. Stricter glycemic control was associated with higher HF risk, but unrelated to MACE or CKD. The aggregate effect sizes on systolic BP, body weight, and glycated hemoglobin were −1.61 mm Hg, −2.40 kg, and −0.69% for GLP1-RAs, and −2.53 mm Hg, −1.15 kg and −0.24%, for SGLT2-Is (
P
<0.001). In conclusion, GLP1-RAs and SGLT2-Is reduced cardiovascular risk with differential benefit profiles.
TURKISH BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION STUDENTS’ ENTREPRENEURIAL VISION
Authors: FİDAN Yahya , ERCAN Sertaç
Published: March 2022

Entrepreneurial activities have a social aspect, such as providing solutions to social needs and problems, as well as macro-economic benefits like contributing to the country’s economy. Therefore, entrepreneurship attracts attention of not only individuals but also private and public sectors.
This study aims to investigate individuals’ views about their perspective on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial vision and to compare such views with their entrepreneurial tendency levels. The study mainly explores undergraduate business administration students’ views on entrepreneurship education and makes suggestions for the improvement of entrepreneurship education and for its more effective implementation. To this end, students studying business administration at 37 different universities in Turkey were reached using the simple random sampling method, and analyzes were carried out with 602 questionnaires.
The analysis results indicate that individuals with high entrepreneurial tendency need guidance to engage in efficient and productive activities while those with low entrepreneurial tendency need a right entrepreneurial vision. As a result, the study highlights the importance of entrepreneurship education to meet both needs.
FoMO PERCEPTION OF ACADEMIC STAFF IN COVID-19 PPOCESS: SCALE DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT
Authors: AYAZ Sezer , BATDI Veli
Published: March 2022

This research was performed methodically to develop a scale to determine the perception of FoMO (The Fear of Missing Outside) in the Covid-19 pandemic period and to carry out reliability and validity studies of this scale. The data were evaluated through the questionnaires obtained from a total of 1395 university academic staff via google form. In this search, the Descriptive Information Form and the FoMO Perception in the Covid-19 Pandemic Process Scale (FCS) were used as a five-point Likert type scale. The construct validity of this scale was evaluated by factor analysis. As a result of the explanatory factor analysis, the Cronbach Alpha internal consistency coefficient was found to be 0.776. The final form of the scale was tested with confirmatory factor analysis. Measurements revealed that the result has a high goodness of fit and can be used to measure FoMO perception during the Covid-19 pandemic. The relationship between the sub-scales of FCS showed that the factors were in a significant relationship with each other. In the light of the analysis, it was found that FCS is a valid and reliable measurement tool. It was concluded that researches with different groups using this scale would be useful.
Multiple paternity in the pueriparous North African fire salamander, Salamandra algira, supports polyandry as a successful mating strategy in low fecundity Salamandra lineages
Authors: Alarcón-Ríos Lucía , Velo-Antón Guillermo
Published: March 2022

Multiple paternity is widespread in nature and despite costs, it has many associated benefits like increased genetic diversity and fertilization success. It has been described in many viviparous systems, suggesting the existence of some fitness advantages counteracting the inherent costs of viviparity, such as fecundity reduction and high parental investment. Reproductively polymorphic species, like the urodele Salamandra algira, which shows two types of viviparity: larviparity (i.e., delivering aquatic larvae), and pueriparity (i.e., delivering terrestrial metamorphosed juveniles), are suitable systems to study the relationship between reproductive modes and polygamous mating. Here, multiple paternity is confirmed in a pueriparous lineage of S. algira, as previously verified for the pueriparous lineages of the reproductively polymorphic species S. salamandra, suggesting polyandry is a successful mating strategy in pueriparous systems with reduced brood sizes. We discuss the potential benefits of polyandry in the context of viviparity evolution in urodeles.
Yanukah
Authors: Cohen Tzachi
Published: March 2022

In many talmudic and mishnaic stories, the child is described as the possessor of unique and even contradictory traits. While he is invalid as a witness, exempt from observing the commandments, and not permitted to take part in the realm of commerce and acquisition, he is occasionally portrayed as the bearer of God’s word, and his ordinary sayings are understood as prophecy. In this paper, through an analysis of numerous sources—including tannaitic and talmudic material and various midrashim—which deal with children, we will attempt to identify the characteristic traits to which the sages refer in their descriptions of childhood. We will attempt to articulate the sages’ understanding of childhood, and specifically the traits which provide a basis for the portrayal of children as bearers of God’s word and sustainers of the world.
Group Dynamics in Beit Midrash Organizations: Revisiting the Legend of the Conflict between Rabbi Yohanan and Resh Laqish (Babylonian Talmud Bava Metzi’a 84a)
Authors: Mor Sagit
Published: March 2022

Stories in the Babylonian Talmud reveal the complex experience of studying in the rabbinic study house. One such story is the legend of R. Yohanan and Resh Lakish (B. B.M. 84a). Researchers have focused almost exclusively on the personae of the legend’s protagonists, while the manner in which the disciples of the sages pursued their calling has received little consideration. This article reflects on Group Dynamics in the Beit Midrash. It invokes theories from the field of organizational discourse, with special consideration of the psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan and his followers. It also makes use of concepts relating to group-dynamic processes of the psychoanalyst Wilfred R. Bion. Read through this lens, the legend reveals new understandings regarding the conditions and responsibilities required from all partners for the vitality and productivity of the organization.
The Conditional Marketing Authorisation of Covid-19 Vaccines: A Critical Assessment under EU Law
Authors: Donati Alessandra
Published: March 2022

The decision of the EU Commission, based on positive advice from the European Medicines Agency, to grant conditional marketing authorisation to Covid-19 vaccines should be qualified as a precautionary measure. Under the established case law of the CJEU, the conditions for the application of this principle are met. Such conditions are the existence of a risk to the environment and public health and uncertainty. Given this qualification as a precautionary measure, whether the Commission had complied with the procedural obligations that surround the implementation of this principle under EU law was assessed. Some shortcomings are identified concerning the risk assessment conducted by the European Medicines Agency and the risk management carried out by the Commission.
A Fall into the Pit
Authors: Bernard Chams Benoît , Chen Ruixuan
Published: March 2022

This paper argues that Tocharian B koṣko, koṣkīye does not mean ‘hut’, as was taken for granted, but ‘pit, hole’; and that it is not an inherited Indo-European word, but an Iranian loanword in Tocharian B. Although the possibility of a borrowing from an unknown Middle Iranian language cannot be excluded, an unattested (Pre-)Bactrian form *kōškā is demonstrated to be the most likely source of this loanword.
Human Rights and Interreligious Dialogue: The Role of Religious Leaders in Freedom of Expression—The Case of the North of Lebanon since 2014
Authors: Fahed Ziad , Abboud Stephanie
Published: March 2022

Although Lebanon’s North, home of Tripoli, the largest city in the region and the second-largest city in the country, has a controversial reputation for being a hub for extremism, it is actually an example of religious richness and greatly reflects the religious diversity in Lebanon. Nevertheless, even after the country had been enjoying since 2014 a relatively calmer internal security compared to the previous decade, the region repeatedly witnessed interreligious conflicts motivated by speech beyond the limits of freedom of expression and even translated into hate speech. To dissolve tensions and resolve conflicts, interreligious dialogue was used as a tool to encourage upholding freedom of expression and to protect groups from hate speech. The Sustainable Network of Religious Leaders in the North was thus founded, believing in the impact of interreligious dialogue, and these leaders initiated dialogue for influencing freedom of expression and overcoming hate speech in the region. In the recent debates about freedom of expression and sectarianism in Lebanon, the role of religious leaders in freedom of expression and in protecting that right has not been exhausted, although much has been discussed about the importance of this right and its protection, and about the influence of religion and religious leaders in everyday life. The purpose of this article is to analyze the role of religious leaders in promoting the widespread recognition of true freedom of speech or even in oppressing it in favour of hate speech. It sheds light on internationally-recognized limits of freedom of expression and their translation to hate speech, the role of the latter in interreligious conflicts, the impact of interreligious dialogue on freedom of expression and hate speech, and the importance of religious leaders in such tensions and dialogue. The article highlights that religious leaders can impact freedom of expression, both, negatively and positively, and that it is only through interreligious dialogue that they can influence society towards tolerant speech. Through the gathering of primary and secondary data, this research aims at contributing to an improved understanding of the role of religious leaders in particular aspects of societies and improved empirical analysis of their impact.
Print Culture, Islam and the Politics of Caution in Late Colonial Dar es Salaam: A History of Ramadhan Machado Plantan’s Zuhra, 1947–1960
Authors: Brennan James R.
Published: March 2022

This article examines the history of Ramadhan Machado Plantan’s newspaper Zuhra, an independent African weekly newspaper that served as both an advocate for Dar es Salaam’s Muslim African community, as well as a kind of spiritual advisor and diviner. The content of Zuhra engages with a host of issues that were germane to its reading public, some of which were conventionally nationalist (segregation, land rights) and others which seem particularly religion (cemeteries, dream interpretations, religious counsel). Plantan’s Zuhra was often out of step with the rising nationalist movement embodied in the Tanganyika African Nationalist Union (tanu), which ultimately led to its estrangement and opposition to the country’s victorious nationalist party. Finally, this article explores how these disjunctions between Zuhra and tanu played out, first as a matter of a changing newspaper political economy, and second as a mouthpiece for a new Muslim opposition party.
Muhammad Bello’s Curriculum of Study, as Detailed in Ḥāshiya ʿalā muqaddimat Īdāʿ al-nusūkh and Shifāʾ al-asqām: the Books and Teachers of Sokoto’s Second Ruler
Authors: Naylor Paul
Published: March 2022

In Muslim West Africa it is common practice for scholars to make a note of their teachers and the books they studied with them. Such bibliographical records both certify academic credentials and, in the nineteenth century, were a vital part of political legitimacy as a series of scholar-warriors took power across the Sahel region. Muhammad Bello, who ruled Sokoto between 1817 and his death in 1837, is one such example. However, a precise record of Bello’s education is not widely known. This article features the first English translation and critical edition of Bello’s own bibliography, Ḥāshiya ʿalā muqaddimat Īdāʿ al-nusūkh (A Commentary to the Preface of the Repository of Texts), as well a second, later account he gave in a text entitled Shifāʾ al-asqām. These documents add to our understanding of educational practices in nineteenth century West Africa, while shedding light on several important events in Sokoto’s early history.
Money In-between the Fields: Performances and Expectations
Authors: Wu Wen-Yu
Published: March 2022

Drawn on the sketches of the ethnographic fieldwork I undertook in Lebanon and Jordan in 2018–2019, this article hopes to shed light on the ethical questions about earning and spending involved in between the institutional field and the field site. It traverses from the “dance” of hospitality in which multiple social expectations are in action and require constant negotiation, to the talks of money in which research relationship and its “give and take” dynamic and inequality stand out among the multiple social relations and entangled expectations. Essentially, the article examines the performance I made in the research relationship in order to meet the multiple, and at times conflicting, expectations produced in both the “field” and our academic “field”.
Clinical characteristics of transformation obsessions in obsessive-compulsive disorder: A psychopathological study
Authors: Bettess Zoe , Albertella Lucy , Destree Louise , Rosário Maria C , Ferrão Ygor Arzeno , Miguel Euripedes C , Fontenelle Leonardo F
Published: March 2022

Background:

The obsession of turning into another person (transformation obsessions [TO]), and its related compulsions have been initially conceptualised as a form of mental contamination. Nevertheless, it has remained understudied in the current obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) literature. In parallel, disturbances of the self have been identified as markers of prodromal psychosis in patients with schizophrenia. Based on the later association, this study aimed to investigate the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of TO.

Methods:

In all, 1001 OCD outpatients from the Brazilian OCD Research Consortium were included in this study. Several semi-structured and structured instruments were used to compare 48 OCD patients with TO with 953 OCD patients without TO. A repression model investigated the relationships between the presence of current TO and statistically significant univariate test outcomes.

Results:

Participants with TO presented an overall younger age, a longer period of time between the onset of the OCD symptoms and an OCD diagnosis, greater severity of the sexual/religious dimension and increased suicidality symptoms.

Conclusions:

These results indicate that TO may be better conceptualised as a form of forbidden/taboo thoughts rather than contamination. While no significant associations with psychotic features (e.g. decreased insight) were observed, TO patients displayed increased suicidality, overall younger age and a significantly larger disparity between seeking treatment and OCD diagnosis. This demonstrates that further clinical awareness and research into TO as an OCD symptom is most needed.
Development as freedom? Insights from a farmer-led sustainable agriculture non-governmental organisation in the Philippines
Authors: Jack Gavin , Plahe Jagjit , Wright Sarah
Published: March 2022

This study addresses freedom, work and organisation by problematising Amartya Sen’s pluralistic notion of (development as) freedom through a fieldwork study of a Filipino non-governmental organisation that promotes sustainable agriculture. In this context, peasant farmers face increasing threat from intersecting agrarian and climate crises, exacerbated by mainstream economic paradigms for agricultural development. For Sen, development encompasses the process of expanding the ‘substantive freedoms’ of people (freedom to), and removing sources of ‘unfreedom’ (freedom from). However, it is not clear in Sen’s work how such freedoms are relationally constituted and thus the manner of the ‘labour of agential becoming’ at the core of Sen’s thought. We therefore ask: how do agroecological work and organisational practices of grassroots development promote freedom for small-scale farmers under climate threat in the Global South? Our analysis identifies a novel form of freedom – labelled ‘freedom with’ – defined as a set of relational, multi-actor capabilities and organising practices that constitute alternative, future-oriented ways of doing and being. ‘Freedom with’ enables us to better understand how and why the labour of agential becoming works, offering a theoretical extension of Sen’s notion of freedom with implications for debates in our field on sustainability and beyond-capitalist organising.
Graduate Admissions in Psychology: Using Quantitative and Qualitative Measures to Understand the Frequency and Fatality of Applicant Errors
Authors: Landrum R. Eric , Cramblet Alvarez Leslie D. , Jones K. Nicole , Burton Laura
Published: March 2022

Background

Graduate admissions in psychology continue to be a popular and competitive venture, with the demand for new graduate student opportunities exceeding the annual supply.

Objective

Our present work was a partial replication and extension of Appleby and Appleby (2006). We added closed- and open-ended questions regarding social media to gauge how graduate admissions committees utilize social media to evaluate applicants.

Method

We asked U.S. graduate admissions directors to answer six open-ended questions and then rate the frequency and fatality/harmfulness of 17 potential applicant errors. From the population of 467 graduate admissions directors, 56 provided complete responses (12.0% response rate).

Results

We examine the closed-ended quantitative results presenting descriptive data and combining the frequency and fatality scales into a scatterplot; outcomes from the open-ended qualitative results provide rich and nuanced advice about graduate admissions errors.

Conclusion

Poorly written application materials are to be avoided (obviously), but the evidence-informed advice offered here is much more nuanced and complex.

Teaching Implications

Mentors and faculty advisors can use information from this study to provide data-informed advice to students interested in improving their chances for admission to graduate programs in psychology, offering specific tips on the most harmful/fatal mistakes to avoid.
A compensation sliding mode control for machining robotic manipulators based on nonlinear disturbance observer
Authors: Yin Fangchen , Wen Congwei , Ji Qinzhi , Zhang Hongyuan , Shao Hui
Published: March 2022

The machining robotic manipulators (MRMs) find a broad range of applications due to their high efficiency, wide range of processing, and strong flexibility. High tracking accuracy and strong anti-interference ability are required to trajectory tracking control of machining robot during processing. In view of the above characteristics, this paper proposes a compensation sliding mode control (CSMC) based on nonlinear disturbance observer (NBO-CSMC) for MRM. First, we deduced the dynamic model of MRM considering the uncertainties and disturbances. Then, for improving the trajectory tracking accuracy, a compensation sliding mode controller is designed based on the traditional sliding mode control (TSMC) strategy. Finally, in order to reduce the chattering in sliding mode control, the NBO-CSMC is designed for MRM, NBO is used to estimate the external composite uncertain interference existing in the system, and compensate the system control input in real time. The Lyapunov’s theory proved the stability of the proposed algorithm, and simulation experiments verified the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Just an ‘optional extra’ in the ‘victim toolkit’?: The culture, mechanisms and approaches of criminal justice organisations delivering restorative justice in England and Wales
Authors: Banwell-Moore Rebecca
Published: March 2022

Despite policy and guidance stating that all victims of crime should have ‘equal access’ to restorative justice in England and Wales, victim participation remains low. Here, the ways in which criminal justice agents – responsible for providing victim services, including restorative justice – offer restorative justice to victims are explored. Drawing upon empirical data collected from criminal justice organisations in two police force areas, this article outlines what factors lie behind the inconsistencies found across police forces in terms of structure and delivery of restorative justice. Work pressures, differing views of the suitability or effectiveness of restorative justice and a lack of systematic guidance that underpins the work culture of criminal justice organisations all impede victims’ access to restorative justice. This paper concludes with recommendations for embedding a culture of restorative justice within criminal justice organisations based upon the principles of inclusivity and engagement.
Enhancement of the direct power control by using backstepping approach for a doubly fed induction generator
Authors: Yessef Mourad , Bossoufi Badre , Taoussi Mohammed , Lagrioui Ahmed
Published: March 2022

In this paper, an improved direct power command strategy based on backstepping was designed to ensure the proper operation of DFIG during the electrical grid faults and to control the stator powers through the injection of the reactive power into the electrical grid to guarantee the voltage return. This strategy contributes to the elimination of high peak currents and stabilizes the active power at its desired optimal value. The backstepping controller used to develop this command is based on the lyapunov function in order to guarantee the stability and robustness of the aero-generator. A Matlab/Simulink simulation and a comparative study were carried out to prove the robustness and efficiency of our developed command. Moreover, despite the variable wind speed, the obtained results prove the validation of the developed command with a total harmonic distortion (THD) that does not exceed 0.33%.
Respite Service Use Among Dementia and Nondementia Caregivers: Findings From the National Caregiving in the U.S. 2015 Survey
Authors: Lee Yura , Choi Wonchan , Park Min Sook
Published: March 2022

This study examined factors related to respite service use among caregivers and further tested the moderating effect of dementia caregiver status in these relationships using nationally representative U.S. data. Logistic regression analyses were conducted among 1203 caregivers (276 dementia and 927 nondementia caregivers). Caregivers’ race and ethnicity as a predisposing factor, caregivers’ self-rated health as an enabling factor, and care recipients’ living arrangement and functional limitations as need factors were significantly related to respite service use. Moreover, dementia caregiver status moderated the association between enabling factors (i.e., household income, work status, and self-rated health) and respite service use. Our findings imply that dementia caregivers may be more in need of respite service use than nondementia caregivers when they have limited enabling factors (e.g., lower household income, nonworking status, poorer health). Policy and practice efforts that specifically support enabling factors are suggested to promote more respite service use among dementia caregivers.
Ionic liquid-modified polyimide membranes with in-situ-grown polydopamine for separation of oil–water emulsions
Authors: Qi Peng , Jia Hongge , Wang Qingji , Su Guiming , Xu Shuangping , Zhang Mingyu , Qu Yanqing , Pei Fuying
Published: March 2022

Leakage of oily industrial waste is not only a serious environmental and ecological hazard but also poses a significant health risk to people. Membrane separation, which is cost-effective and efficient, is one of the best solutions for reducing pollution discharge through oil–water separation. In this study, polydopamine (PDA) was incorporated into electrostatically spun ionic liquid-capped polyimide (IL-PI) membranes through an in situ growth method; the membranes exhibited the strong adsorption properties of PDA. The polyimide fibers were hydrophilically modified with an IL, which contains several hydrophilic groups, and PDA. Adjusting the polymerization time resulted in the formation of a composite membrane, which could effectively separate oil–water emulsions. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that with an increase in the PDA coating time, the PDA content in and on the surface of the composite membrane fibers significantly increased. In addition, the surface contact angle of the membrane decreased from 72.87° to 12.06° with the addition of the PDA coating, while the wettability was significantly improved. The PDA-modified fibrous membranes showed good separation of the emulsified oil–water mixtures. The maximum membrane flux and separation efficiency achieved was 280 L·m−2·h−1 and >99%, respectively. After 10 repeated cycles, the separation efficiency was maintained at >92%. This approach can be used for the design of future wastewater treatment solutions.
The finite element method-based pattern recognition approach for the classification of patient-specific gunshot injury
Authors: Pekedis Mahmut , Ozan Firat , Koyuncu Semmi , Yildiz Hasan
Published: March 2022

Violence related injuries and deaths mostly caused by firearms are a major problem throughout the world. Understanding the factors that control the extent of hard-soft tissue wound patterns using computer imaging techniques, numerical methods, and machine learning algorithms may help physicians to diagnose and treat those injuries more properly. Here, we investigate the use of computational results coupled with the pattern recognition algorithms to develop an approach for forensic applications. Initially, computer tomography (CT) images of the patient whose leg was shot by a 9 × 19 parabellum bullet are used to construct the FE models of that patient’s femoral bone and the surrounding soft tissues. Then, Hounsfield units-based material properties are assigned to elements of the bone. To simulate the full range of loading conditions encountered in ballistic events, a constitutive model that captures the strain-rate dependent response is implemented. The entrance pathway vector of the bullet is directed in accordance with the patient’s wound and the simulations are deployed for the cases having various inlet velocities such as 150, 200, 250, 300, and 350 m/s. Once the FE results for each case are obtained, they are processed with supervised machine learning algorithms to classify the wound and inlet velocity correspondence. The results demonstrate that they can be diagnosed with a percent accuracy of 97.3, 97.5, and 98.3 for the decision tree (DT), k-nearest neighbors (kNN) and support vector machine (SVM) classifier, respectively. This approach may provide a useful framework in classifying the wound type, predicting the bullet impact velocity and its firing distance.
Epidemiological drivers of mother to child HIV transmission in West Bengal, India: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ganguly Suman , Chakraborty Debjit , Debnath Falguni , Biswas Subrata , Majumdar Agniva , Saha Malay Kumar , Dutta Shanta
Published: March 2022

Background

HIV transmission through vertical route can be reduced to a large extent with combination of medical interventions. Apart from maternal HIV status several other epidemiological attributes determine this transmission dynamics. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify various associated factors that determine and modify the risk of HIV transmission from a mother living with HIV to her child. Materials and method: A retrospective cohort-study was conducted with 518 HIV-positive pregnant women with delivering live babies between April 2016 – September 2018. The HIV status of the children was ascertained with polymerase chain reaction. A number of socio-demographic and medical attributes were compared between HIV-positive (41) and HIV-negative babies (477) using bivariate and multivariate methods to identify disease modifying factors.

Results

Maternal HIV detection during the postnatal period (AOR = 11.2; 5.2 – 23.8), low birth weight (AOR = 2.7; 1.2 – 5.9), and vaginal delivery (AOR = 2.8; 1.01 – 7.7) were significantly associated with vertical transmission of HIV. Lower duration of maternal antiretroviral treatment and higher maternal age (>25 years) were also associated in bivariate analysis.

Conclusion

The battery of PPTCT (Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission) interventions should be tailored in such a way to address all the epidemiological attributes influencing vertical transmission.
Agricultural Research in Zimbabwe: An Author-level Bibliometric Analysis of Publication Outlets and Research Collaboration
Authors: Boshoff Nelius , Ngwenya Similo
Published: March 2022

What can be learnt from an application of author-level bibliometrics to the field of agricultural research in Zimbabwe for the period 2012–2016? The study addressed the question by integrating data from three sources: Scopus, the Web of Science and the National Research Database of Zimbabwe. A set of fifteen bibliometric indicators was constructed for 2,873 Zimbabwean authors, of which 248 (9%) were in agricultural sciences and 295 (10%) in multidisciplinary agricultural sciences. The indicators represented three dimensions: volume of article output, scholarly publication outlet and research collaboration. Results are discussed in terms of the Zimbabwean government’s policy for agriculture. Part of the lessons learnt calls for author-level bibliometric studies to connect more closely with the local, regional and global politics of knowledge production.
Global and Local Research Excellence in Africa: New Perspectives on Performance Assessment and Funding
Authors: Tijssen Robert , Winnink Jos
Published: March 2022

The concept ‘research excellence’ remains ill-defined in performance assessment and science funding frameworks. This article introduces a framework that distinguishes ‘global excellence’ and ‘local excellence’, which enable a better understanding of ‘research excellence’ in African science. Where global excellence is primarily determined by acknowledged visibility and partially measurable reputation within the (inter)national scholarly community, its local counterpart relates to utilisation of knowledge and know-how among non-scholarly users and communities. Our empirical study of global excellence, based on a citation impact analysis of ‘basic research’ publications during the past 15 years, with one or more African-based authors, shows a large degree of dependence on and cooperation with non-African international partners. More detailed analysis of research-active universities in the African Research Universities Alliance also highlights their large dependency on international resources and funding in their highly cited ‘globally excellent’ research. Our analysis of local excellence focusses on the research objectives of the centres of excellence at universities in sub-Saharan Africa, showing a mix of local and global components. The notion of local excellence is in need of appropriate definitions and further operationalisation. The distinction between global and local excellence, within science funding and research assessment frameworks, offers a more comprehensive view and better understanding of high-end research performance of universities in Africa. Developing quality criteria and performance indicators of local excellence may incentivise researchers to contribute to socio-economic development and innovation.
A magnetically coupled two-degrees-of-freedom piezoelectric energy harvester using torsional spring
Authors: Wang Sijia , Chen Zhiwen , Wang Zhiguo , Xie Zhengqiu , Gong Yun , Gao Yuhan , Huang Wenbin
Published: March 2022

Two-degrees-of-freedom magnetically coupled energy harvesters have been presented by several researches to achieve a broader response bandwidth. However, most two-degrees-of-freedom systems are composed of two piezoelectric beams, while in the low frequency operating environment with limited space, the dimension of the piezoelectric beam is limited which leads to high stiffness of the generated beam. Therefore, the output of dual-beam system is relatively low under low frequency and amplitude vibrations. This paper presents a magnetically coupled two-degrees-of-freedom energy harvester by using torsional spring. The proposed harvester consists of a piezoelectric beam with a tip magnet and an interacting magnet mounted on a rotatable bar with a torsional spring. The shape of the potential well changes with the rotation of the bar, facilitating the occurrence of the snap-through motion under low amplitude and wideband vibration excitation. What’s more, the stiffness of the torsional spring can be easily adjusted to make the designed harvester suitable for low frequency vibrations. Compared with the conventional bi-stable harvester, the presented harvester could easily overcome the potential barrier and generate larger power under low excitation intensity. Analytical, simulation, and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed energy harvester is capable of harvesting low frequency wideband vibration energy.
Experiences of Conducting Research With Vulnerable and Disempowered Participants in a Developing Country: Perspectives From a Novice Researcher
Authors: Kabir Humayun
Published: March 2022

Sensitive, emotionally laden research requires mental strength, emotional fortitude, and logistic supports for novice researchers. Little is known about the challenges that the novice researcher faces while conducting sensitive, emotionally laden research. This is exacerbated where participants of such studies have little/no idea about expressing the value of a particular research study (i.e., where the first question to arise from the participants is “what would be my benefit if I participate in your research?”). Based on the student researcher’s self-reflections, this article focuses on the inherent challenges that a researcher faced while conducting in-depth interviews among a group of emotionally vulnerable people–survivors of the disastrous Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh. It suggests how the challenges can be reduced or mitigated, and the researcher’s self-care can be ensured. It also raises important methodological questions, including whether in-depth narrative interviews are appropriate in relation to those living with significantly different cultural norms.
Analytical buckling load formulas for cylindrical shell structures with variable thickness under non-uniform external pressure
Authors: Yang Licai
Published: March 2022

The novel contribution of this paper is to develop a quadratic perturbation method to derive general analytical buckling load formulas for cylindrical shell structures with varying wall thickness under non-uniform lateral pressure loads for the first time. Arbitrary thickness and lateral pressure loads are skillfully described and governing differential equations are derived. A quadratic perturbation method is developed to derive buckling load formulas, which establishes the relation among buckling loads, thickness, and load functions. The presented formulas are adequately validated by comparing with recent results for variable wall thickness or non-uniform external pressure, and exhibit a great advantage in determining buckling loads. For the purpose of engineering application, buckling of a cylinder with linear thickness under linear liquid pressure and wind load is deeply studied by the presented formulas. This study can provide a highly efficient method for buckling load computation, and a guide to design the thickness of the shell under non-uniform lateral loads.
An analytical stress field for bi-material V-notches with end hole: New solution and effects of higher order terms
Authors: Alavi Seyed Karen , Ayatollahi Majid R , Bahrami Bahador , Nejati Morteza
Published: March 2022

Current manuscript develops an analytical stress solution for the bi-material V-notches with an end hole (VO). To do so, based on the Kolosov-Muskhelishvili’s approach, while appropriate potential functions are employed, the boundary conditions of the problem are imposed to the solution to reduce the number of unknown parameters. Subsequently, the analytical stress field is derived as an asymptotic series solution, where each term possessing a constant coefficient and an order of singularity. The order of singularity for each term is obtained from the characteristic equations of the problem which is dependent on the notch geometry and material combinations. The so-called least square method (LSM) is then used to compute the constant coefficients of the asymptotic series for several case studies. Special attention is given to the bi-material notch stress intensity factors (BNSIFs) and the coefficients of the higher order terms (HOTs) in the stress series expansion. The accuracy of the presented stress solution is verified by benchmarking the results with numerical values obtained from finite element (FE) method. In this process, several notch opening angles and notch radii are simulated using the three-point bend (3PB) specimen. The developed asymptotic stress solution is demonstrated to be capable of accurately evaluating the stress field around bi-material VO-notched structures.
What Really Explains ESG Performance? Disentangling the Asymmetrical Drivers of the Triple Bottom Line
Authors: Crace Logan , Gehman Joel
Published: March 2022

Why is there such great heterogeneity in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance between firms? Drawing inspiration from the locus of performance literature, we use variance partitioning methods to analyze the extent to which CEO, firm, industry, year, and state effects explain variation in ESG performance over recent decades. Our findings show that internal effects (i.e., CEO and firm) are the strongest determinants. Yet, disaggregation of the multidimensional ESG construct shifts the salience of the factors significantly, revealing the importance of the external environment (i.e., industry and year) in explaining ESG concerns. Our research extends the locus of performance literature to our understanding of the triple bottom line and contributes to understanding the complex determinants of firm-level ESG performance across an array of positive and negative ESG indicators.
Evaluation Design for The Two Georgias Initiative: Assessing Progress Toward Health Equity in the Rural South
Authors: Kegler Michelle C. , Hermstad April , Haardörfer Regine , Arriola Kimberly Jacob , Gauthreaux Nicole , Tucker Samantha , Nelson Gary
Published: March 2022

As persistent inequities in health gained increased attention nationally due to COVID-19 and racial justice protests in 2020, it has become increasingly important to evaluate both the process and outcomes associated with coalition-based efforts to address health inequities. The Two Georgias Initiative supports coalitions in 11 rural counties to (1) achieve greater health equity, (2) improve health and health care, (3) build healthier rural communities and improve social conditions that impact the health of rural populations, and (4) build community, organizational, and individual leadership capacity for health equity. Rural communities suffer significant health disparities relative to urban areas, and also experience internal inequities by race and poverty level. The evaluation framework for The Two Georgias Initiative provides a comprehensive mixed methods approach to evaluating both processes and outcomes. Early results related to community readiness and capacity to address health inequities, measured through a coalition member survey ( n = 236) conducted at the end of the planning phase, suggest coalitions were in the preparation stage, with higher levels of readiness among coalition members and organizations/groups similar to the coalition members’ own, lower levels among public officials and other leaders, and the lowest levels among county residents. In addition, coalition members reported more experience with downstream drivers (e.g., access to care) of health than upstream drivers (e.g., affordable housing, environmental or racial justice). By providing a logic model, evaluation questions and associated indicators, as well as a range of data collection methods, this evaluation approach may prove practical to others aiming to evaluate their efforts to address health equity.
A Mixed-Methods and Prospective Approach to Understanding Coping Behaviors, Depression, Hopelessness, and Acute Stress in a U.S. Convenience Sample During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wootton Angie R. , Rice Dylan R. , McKowen Anna Laura W. , Veldhuis Cindy
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increases in U.S. residents’ stressors while limiting many of the resources previously available to cope with stress. Coping behaviors may contribute to the prevention or proliferation of psychological distress during and after the pandemic. Understanding these coping behaviors and associated psychological outcomes can help health educators develop programs that encourage effective coping and promote mental health. This study used a sequential mixed-methods approach informed by Roth and Cohen’s conceptualization of coping to understand the use of approach coping behaviors— which are active and directed toward the perceived threat—and avoidance coping behaviors—which include activity directed away from perceived threat during the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. residents ( N = 2,987) were surveyed online in April 2020 and again in September 2021. Open-ended responses at baseline were thematically analyzed to illustrate coping behaviors in participants’ own words. At baseline, more than half (56%) of the sample met criteria for probable depression, 51% for acute stress symptoms, and 42% for moderate to severe hopelessness. At follow-up, 45% meet criteria for probable depression and 23% for acute stress. However, the proportion of the sample who reported moderate to severe hopelessness increased to 48%. We used mixed-effects general linear models to examine changes over time and found that increases in approach coping behaviors were associated with decreases in depressive symptoms and hopelessness; increases in avoidance coping were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and higher levels of hopelessness. Increases in both types of coping were associated with increases in acute stress symptoms related to COVID-19. Although there was some attenuation in distress in our sample between April 2020 and September 2021, our findings suggest a need for interventions that encourage the use of approach coping behaviors and that both increase access to and decrease stigma for mental health support.
Enhancing scalability of a matrix-free eigensolver for studying many-body localization
Authors: Van Beeumen Roel , Ibrahim Khaled Z. , Kahanamoku–Meyer Gregory D. , Yao Norman Y. , Yang Chao
Published: March 2022

We propose several techniques to enhance the parallel scalability of a matrix-free eigensolver designed for studying many-body localization (MBL) of quantum spin chain models with nearest-neighbor interactions and on-site disorder. This type of problem is computationally challenging because the dimension of the associated Hamiltonian matrix grows exponentially with respect to the number of spins L, and we need to average over different realizations of the random disorder to obtain relevant statistical behavior. For each disorder realization, we need to compute eigenvalues from different regions of the spectrum and their corresponding eigenvectors. In previous work, the interior eigenstates for a single eigenvalue problem are computed via the shift-and-invert Lanczos algorithm. Due to the extremely high memory footprint of the LU factorizations, this technique is not well suited for large L’s. For example, we need thousands of compute nodes on modern high performance computing infrastructures to go beyond L = 24. The matrix-free approach does not suffer from this memory bottleneck, however, its scalability is limited by a computation and communication load imbalance. To reduce this imbalance and to significantly enhance the scalability of the matrix-free eigensolver, we reorder the matrix and leverage the consistent space runtime, CSPACER. We also show its efficiency in managing irregular communication patterns at scale compared to optimized MPI non-blocking two-sided and one-sided RMA implementation variants. This effort enables us to study MBL for spin chains with a larger number of spins. The efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by computing eigenstates on a massively parallel many-core high performance computer.
Reuse of Treated Domestic Wastewater by Employing Artificial Wetlands in Panama
Authors: Miller Gil Liz , Fábrega Duque José
Published: March 2022

Reuse of treated wastewater in irrigation is an alternative to achieve greater water availability and benefits to the soil due to its nutrient content. It represents a solution to challenges in water management, climate change and water scarcity in dry seasons. In Panama’s Dry Arch, the lack of water is critical during dry season months, which makes it essential to look for sustainable alternatives as water source. This paper describes the use of artificial wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow, and we are going to use partially treated domestic wastewater. The aquatic plant types employed were Echinochloa polystachya (German grass) and Brachiaria arrecta (Tanner grass) with the objective of improve the quality of the effluent from the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Chitre for the irrigation of forages. This study was carried out from August to December 2019. Fine Gravel was used in this study as a substrate. The parameters analyzed were pH, Total dissolved solids, Electrical Conductivity, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Turbidity, Chlorides, Sulfates, Iron, Chromium+6, Copper; nutrients such as Total nitrogen and Total phosphorus. Fecal coliforms were also analyzed. Results showed that treated wastewater is a viable alternative for irrigation due to its high nutrient content, but it must be managed safely so as not to generate risks to public health.