bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can We Integrate Spatial Verification Methods into Neural Network Loss Functions for Atmospheric Science?
Authors: Lagerquist Ryan , Ebert-Uphoff Imme
Published: September 2022

In the last decade, much work in atmospheric science has focused on spatial verification (SV) methods for gridded prediction, which overcome serious disadvantages of pixelwise verification. However, neural networks (NN) in atmospheric science are almost always trained to optimize pixelwise loss functions, even when ultimately assessed with SV methods. This establishes a disconnect between model verification during versus after training. To address this issue, we develop spatially enhanced loss functions (SELF) and demonstrate their use for a real-world problem: predicting the occurrence of thunderstorms (henceforth, “convection”) with NNs. In each SELF we use either a neighborhood filter, which highlights convection at scales larger than a threshold, or a spectral filter (employing Fourier or wavelet decomposition), which is more flexible and highlights convection at scales between two thresholds. We use these filters to spatially enhance common verification scores, such as the Brier score. We train each NN with a different SELF and compare their performance at many scales of convection, from discrete storm cells to tropical cyclones. Among our many findings are that (i) for a low or high risk threshold, the ideal SELF focuses on small or large scales, respectively; (ii) models trained with a pixelwise loss function perform surprisingly well; and (iii) nevertheless, models trained with a spectral filter produce much better-calibrated probabilities than a pixelwise model. We provide a general guide to using SELFs, including technical challenges and the final Python code, as well as demonstrating their use for the convection problem. To our knowledge this is the most in-depth guide to SELFs in the geosciences.

Significance Statement

Gridded predictions, in which a quantity is predicted at every pixel in space, should be verified with spatially aware methods rather than pixel by pixel. Neural networks (NN), which are often used for gridded prediction, are trained to minimize an error value called the loss function. NN loss functions in atmospheric science are almost always pixelwise, which causes the predictions to miss rare events and contain unrealistic spatial patterns. We use spatial filters to enhance NN loss functions, and we test our novel spatially enhanced loss functions (SELF) on thunderstorm prediction. We find that different SELFs work better for different scales (i.e., different-sized thunderstorm complexes) and that spectral filters, one of the two filter types, produce unexpectedly well calibrated thunderstorm probabilities.
Understanding Responses of Summer Continental Daily Temperature Variance to Perturbations in the Land Surface Evaporative Resistance
Authors: Kong Wenwen , McKinnon Karen A. , Simpson Isla R. , Laguë Marysa M.
Published: September 2022

Understanding the roles of land surface conditions and atmospheric circulation on continental daily temperature variance is key to improving predictions of temperature extremes. Evaporative resistance (rs, hereafter), a function of the land cover type, reflects the ease with which water can be evaporated or transpired and is a strong control on land–atmosphere interactions. This study explores the effects of rs perturbations on summer daily temperature variance using the Simple Land Interface Model (SLIM) by mimicking, for rs only, a global land cover conversion from forest to crop/grassland. Decreasing rs causes a global cooling. The cooling is larger in wetter areas and weaker in drier areas, and primarily results from perturbations in shortwave radiation (SW) and latent heat flux (LH). Decreasing rs enhances cloud cover due to greater land surface evaporation and thus reduces incoming SW over most land areas. When rs decreases, wetter areas experience strong evaporative cooling, while drier areas become more moisture-limited and thus experience less cooling. Thermal advection further shapes the temperature response by damping the combined impacts of SW and LH. Temperature variance increases in drier areas and decreases in wetter areas as rs decreases. The temperature variance changes can be largely explained from changes in the combined variance of SW and LH, including an important contribution of changes in the covariance of SW and LH. In contrast, the effects of changes in thermal advection variance mainly affect the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes.

Significance Statement

This study aims to better understand processes governing daily near-surface air temperature variance over land. We use an idealized modeling framework to explore the effects of land surface evaporative resistance (a parameter that controls how hard it is to evaporate water from the surface) on summer daily temperature variance. We find that a uniform decrease of evaporative resistance across the global land surface causes changes in the temperature variance that can be predicted from changes in the combined variance of shortwave radiation and latent heat flux. The variance of horizontal advection is important in altering the temperature variance in the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes. Our findings shed light on predicting the characteristics of temperature variability as a function of surface conditions.
Identifying Alternative Occupations for Truck Drivers Displaced Due to Autonomous Vehicles by Leveraging the O*NET Database
Authors: Van Fossen Jenna A. , Chang Chu-Hsiang , Ford J. Kevin , Mack Elizabeth A. , Cotten Shelia R.
Published: September 2022

Automation continues to be a disruptive force in the workforce. In particular, new automated technologies are projected to replace many mid-skill jobs, potentially displacing millions of workers. Career planning agencies and other organizations can help support workers if they are able to effectively identify optimal transition occupations for displaced workers. We drew upon the 24.2 Occupational Information Network (O*NET) Database to conduct two related studies that identify alternate occupations for truck drivers, who are at risk of job loss due to the adoption of autonomous vehicles. In Study 1, we statistically compared the jobs that we identified based on different search methods using O*NET classifications based on their similarity to the knowledge, skills, values, and interests held by truck drivers. In Study 2, we conducted a survey of truck drivers to evaluate their perceptions of the occupations identified as objectively similar to their occupation. Results indicate that optimal transition occupations may be identified by searching for occupations that share skills as well as the same work activities/industry as a given occupation. These findings hold further implications for career planning organizations and policymakers to ease workforce disruption due to automation.
Constructing What Counts as Human at Work: Enigma, Emotion, and Error in Connective Labor
Authors: Pugh Allison J.
Published: September 2022

The rationalization of human life in work, feeling, and relationships is amplified by artificial intelligence (AI), apps and automation, challenging interpersonal workers not only in how and whether they do their work, but also how they understand themselves as human. Given these trends, how do interpersonal workers interpret the humanness of their work? To answer this question, I focus on the interactive service work I call “connective labor,” relying on 80+ in-depth interviews and 300+ hours of ethnographic observations with teachers, therapists and primary care physicians in the San Francisco Bay Area and mid-Atlantic United States, as well as with less advantaged practitioners such as sex workers, hairdressers, and home health care aides. I found that these interpersonal workers differentiated themselves from AI, automated agents, and robots in three ways: (1) by describing and defending their work as not rote, (2) taking pains to prove that they were not robots, and (3) justifying their judgments as safe, unique, and worthwhile. Much of their case rested on the unpredictability of humans, in terms of feelings, secrets, and mistakes. These findings have implications for race, class, and gender inequality, as advantage shaped how people were able to demand, perform, or experience their humanness in the ways that the proliferation of algorithmic technologies made salient.
Bleeding After Hemorrhoidectomy in Patients on Anticoagulation Medications
Authors: Kolbeinsson Hordur M. , Otto Maxwell , Kogelschatz Benjamin , Virk Usman , Luchtefeld Martin A. , Ogilvie James W.
Published: September 2022

Background

Post-hemorrhoidectomy bleeding is a serious complication after hemorrhoidectomy. In the setting of a new wave of anticoagulants, we aimed to investigate the relationship of post-operative anticoagulation timing and delayed bleeding.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing hemorrhoidectomy at a single institution over a 10-year period. Fisher’s exact and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were utilized to test for association between delayed bleeding and anticoagulation use.

Results

Between January 2011 and October 2020, 1469 hemorrhoidectomies were performed. A total of 216 (14.7%) were taking platelet inhibitors and 56 (3.8%) other anticoagulants. Delayed bleeding occurred in 5.2% (n = 76) of which 47% (n = 36) required operative intervention. Mean time to bleeding was 8.7 days (SD ±5.9). Time to bleeding was longer in those taking antiplatelet inhibitors vs. non-platelet inhibitors vs. none (11 vs. 8 vs. 7 days, P = .05). Among anticoagulants (n = 56), novel oral anticoagulants were more common than warfarin (57% vs 43%) and had a nonsignificant increase in delayed bleeding (31% vs 16%, P = .21). Later restart (>3 days) of novel anticoagulants after surgery was associated with increased bleeding (10.5% vs 61.5%, P=.005). On multivariable analysis, only anticoagulation use (OR 4.5, 95% CI: 2.1–10.0), male sex (OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–2.9), and operative oversewing (OR 3.5, 95% CI: 1.8–6.9) were associated with delayed bleeding.

Conclusion

Post-hemorrhoidectomy bleeding is more likely to occur with patients on anticoagulation. Later restart times within the first week after surgery was not associated with a decrease in bleeding.
Factors influencing the derivation and clinical application of blood calcium adjustment equations
Authors: Conrich-Wilks Georgia , Ivison Fiona , Kilpatrick Eric S
Published: September 2022

Background

Laboratories are recommended to use patient data to derive their local adjusted calcium (adjCa) equation, using numerous criteria to exclude patients with potential calcium metabolism abnormalities. It is not known which, if any, of the exclusions influence the final equation formula, or to what extent. This study investigated the effect using fewer exclusions has on adjCa equations and on patient results when compared to a reference equation.

Methods

A reference ACB adjCa equation was derived from the total calcium and albumin pairs of 1305 individuals who, from an initial 22,906 adults, met recommended criteria (excluding abnormalities in either calcium, albumin, creatinine, magnesium, ALP or ALT, and specific clinical areas). This reference equation was compared to seven alternatives derived using fewer criteria, including one with no exclusions. All equations were applied to a validation cohort ( n=19,640) to determine their effect on adjCa results and on categorizing patients into hypo-, normo- or hypercalcaemia.

Results

Most alternative adjCa equations, including the one without any exclusions, showed no statistical ( p < 0.05) difference in their slope or intercept compared to the ACB reference. Nor did any of the validation cohort have a clinically significantly different adjCa result (>5% and >0.1 mmol/L different) when applying an alternative rather than the reference equation. Additionally, no alternative equation changed the kappa categorization of the validation population’s calcium status.

Conclusions

When deriving adjCa equations, most exclusion criteria have little influence on the equation or patient results, including using none at all. This knowledge could simplify deployment of local equations.
General Equilibrium Trade Policy Analysis among One Belt One Road Nations Using Structural Gravity Framework
Authors: Manzoor Hajra , Mir Parvez Ahmad
Published: September 2022

Currently, the world is witnessing one of China’s most significant economic integration initiatives–One Belt One Road (OBOR). This article aims to evaluate the general equilibrium (GE) effects of this initiative on member nations. The structural gravity model is used in this study to perform the counterfactual analysis while analysing the conditional and general equilibrium effects of the trade policy of border removal on international trade flow among the member countries. The estimates suggest varied strade gains for the member countries in response to the trade policy changes. Most Asian countries are witnessing an increase in producers’ prices and therefore gaining more from globalisation. We also deduced that the member countries had reached half of their potential to trade gains, with most developing countries witnessing a decrease in multilateral trade resistance (MTR). The findings of this study implicate a debate for the policymakers over continuing support for further trade integration.

JEL Codes: C21, F15, F17
A phenomenological study of addiction recovery at a model drug abuse center, Social Welfare Department, Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Tariq Khan Khadija , Jabeen Tahira
Published: September 2022

This article attempts to provide an insight into the experiences of drug addicts at a rehabilitation center, run by the provincial Social Welfare Department in Lahore, Pakistan, through a qualitative approach. The menace of drugs is increasing worldwide, including Pakistan. Effective treatment and rehabilitative services can lower the prevalence rate of drug addiction. The aim of this research was to understand/explore the experiences of research participants about the phenomenon of drug addiction and rehabilitation services provided in the field of social welfare. This research extends the current knowledge of individuals’ drug addiction by revealing the complexities and intricacies of this behavior.
Lobbying and Product Recalls: A Study of the U.S. Automobile Industry
Authors: Singh Khimendra , Grewal Rajdeep
Published: September 2022

Noting the proliferation of product recalls and extensive use of lobbying in some critical product markets (e.g., automobiles, medical equipment), the authors examine the relationship between lobbying and product recalls. Lobbying does not alter product quality, so an efficiency perspective would suggest no relationship. However, a legitimacy-based institutional theory perspective and associated regulation models suggest that lobbying reduces voluntary firm-initiated and mandatory regulator-initiated recalls. To provide insights into these questions, the current study explores nine years of multisource data from the automotive industry, related to recalls and lobbying. The results, obtained with an instrumental variable approach, support dual impacts of lobbying for reducing both voluntary and mandatory recalls. Defect severity and media coverage moderate the effects, and the data support full indirect moderation, such that the interaction between media coverage and lobbying mediates the interaction between defect severity and lobbying. In terms of effect sizes, approximately $404,367 ($1.66 million) more in lobbying expenditures is associated with one fewer voluntary (mandatory) recall, assuming a typical average recall of 235,638 vehicles. This study highlights lobbying as an important (marketing) tool that automotive companies use to manage their regulatory environment, with deep implications for policy making, research, and practice.
An Examination of the Effects of Job Insecurity on Counterproductive Work Behavior Through Organizational Cynicism: Moderating Roles of Perceived Organizational Support and Quality of Leader-Member Exchange
Authors: Kim Su Min , Jo Sung Jun
Published: September 2022

Job insecurity can trigger cynical attitudes and ultimately lead to harmful behaviors in organizations under the current fast-changing business environment. Drawing on psychological contract theory, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between job insecurity and counterproductive work behavior (CWB) by focusing on the mediating role of organizational cynicism and moderating roles of perceived organizational support (POS) and leader-member exchange (LMX). The data used for the analysis came from a survey that targeted tourism-related industries in South Korea, and 296 responses were finally analyzed. We analyzed reliability, correlation, and mediation, and conducted confirmatory factor analysis, regression analysis, and moderation analysis using SPSS PROCESS macro v. 3.5, with AMOS v. 25.0. The key findings of this study are as follows. First, we found that job insecurity was positively related to CWB. Second, organizational cynicism mediated the relationship between job insecurity and CWB. Third, POS and LMX intensified the negative effects of job insecurity and organizational cynicism, affecting CWB. These results imply that employees with a high level of POS and LMX are likely to have opportunistic behaviors (e.g., abuse, absences, sabotage) by abusing the support and trust from their organizations. The implications for research and practice, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
Revisiting Praise as Feedback in L2 Writing: Where are we Going?
Authors: Zhou Yu , Yu Shulin , Wu Peisha
Published: September 2022

While a plethora of studies have been conducted on corrective feedback in L2 writing, praise as feedback has received less attention in L2 writing despite its well-acknowledged motivating functions in education and psychology (For economy of expression, the word “praise” will be used consistently throughout this paper to denote “praise as feedback”). To fill this gap, this review article aims to provide a bird's eye view of praise in L2 writing. This paper reports praise givers’ perceptions and practices, praise receivers’ perceptions and the effect of praise from reviewed studies. Specifically, this paper highlights the issue of ill-defined praise in L2 writing, the mismatch between teachers’ positive perceptions and their practices, inconsistent findings regarding the effectiveness of praise as well as motivating functions of praise. Based on these findings, this article argues that more attention should be given to unleashing the potential of praise through teachers’ giving balanced and quality praise and more investigations of praise with longitudinal research design and multiple data sources so as to advance our understandings of feedback in student L2 writing development.
Little Kids Rock and modern band in US schools: A punk problematic
Authors: Smith Gareth Dylan , Powell Bryan , Knapp David
Published: September 2022

The pervasive Eurocentric model of music education in the United States is hegemonic, pursuing a model of performance excellence in large ensembles that, by the time young people reach high school, excludes most from music making opportunities in school. Despite numerous efforts to challenge the dominant paradigm since the 1960s, little change has happened from within the music education profession. Since 2002, nonprofit organization Little Kids Rock (Music Will) has leveraged outsider perspectives and philanthropic resources to galvanize momentum nationally towards adoption of curricula and musicking practices that focus more on popular musics and lifelong learning. Through a programme of professional development, curriculum provision and instrument donations, Little Kids Rock has both engaged in active resistance against, and established strategic partnerships with, state governments, university departments, school districts, major industry players including the National Association of Music Merchants, and education brands such as Berklee College of Music. Little Kids Rock promotes a new stream of music making called “modern band” as a disruptive phenomenon that emphasizes creativity, cultural relevance and student-centred learning while reinforcing entrenched hegemonic structures. Drawing on the history of Little Kids Rock and the modern band movement, the authors use Kahn-Egan’s (1998) five tenets of punk to frame a critical examination of the modern band phenomenon and the ways which Little Kids Rock operates at various points along punk’s ideological spectrum in attempting to “transform lives through restoring, expanding and innovating music education” in US schools.
An electromagnetic wave-transparent model based on plain fabric structural features
Authors: Yin Jianjun , Ma Wensuo , Gao Zuobin , Jia Chenhui , Lei Xianqing
Published: September 2022

Plain fabric structure was analyzed and a predictive model of electromagnetic wave transmission was firstly constructed based on the weighted average method and equations of yarn curved surface, which can be used to predict the wave-transparency of plain fabrics. This model explains that the pitch, porosity, yarn cross-section and thickness of plain fabrics have a mathematical relationship with electromagnetic wave transmission. Five different parameters of S-2 glass fiber plain fabrics were tested in the range of 1∼18 GHz. Wave transmissions were positively correlated with the pitch, porosity and yarn cross-section. Wave transmissions were negatively correlated with thickness. The transmission trends of simulation and measurement were consistent with theoretical results, which proved the correctness of the proposed model.
Mechanisms Linking Attachment Orientation to Sleep Quality in Married Couples
Authors: Xie Yuxi , Chin Brian N. , Feeney Brooke C.
Published: September 2022

There is emerging evidence for links between relationship factors and sleep quality. Existing research linking attachment orientation to sleep quality has yielded inconsistent effects, has focused on younger samples, and has not considered underlying mechanisms of action. This research addressed these gaps in two studies that investigated the links between attachment orientation and sleep quality in both younger/middle-aged (Study 1) and older (Study 2) adult couples using Actor–Partner Interdependence Models. We also tested mediating effects of relationship-specific security and negative affect. In both studies, participants completed surveys assessing their attachment orientation, sleep quality, and the proposed mediators. Both studies revealed that relationship-specific security and negative affect mediated the negative association between insecure attachment and one’s own sleep quality. This research enhances our understanding of how attachment orientation affects sleep quality, provides a foundation for future research on relationship influences on sleep, and suggests avenues for improving sleep quality.
Early Life Family Care for and With Migrants: The Development of a Transcultural Transition Mentoring Competence Profile
Authors: Jentsch Birgit , Klein Regina , Sandner Eva , Bignami Filippo , Paulus Mareike
Published: September 2022

Early Life Family Care (ELFC) has so far neglected the needs of migrant families, partly due to professionals’ lack of transcultural knowledge required to address these specific needs. Simultaneously, migrants face employment barriers, including the non-recognition of qualifications and competences. The EU-funded project addressed both these issues by developing an ELFC mentoring training scheme for migrants, who can use their existing and acquired competences to co-operate with parents in challenging transition phases (e.g. becoming new parents). The article discusses one key pillar of the project: the development of a ‘competence profile’. This involved identifying both, ELFC needs of families, which can be addressed by mentoring, as well as the corresponding competences required by mentors. For this purpose, 25 semi-structured interviews with ELFC professionals and migrant parents were conducted. The results show migrant families’ need for skilled support in the management of administrative, interface, relationship, participation and boundary issues.
Do people with musculoskeletal pain differ from healthy cohorts in terms of global measures of strength? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Verdini Enrico , Maestroni Luca , Clark Michael , Turner Anthony , Huber Jörg
Published: September 2022

Objective

It is currently unknown if people with musculoskeletal pain display different multi-joint strength capacities than healthy cohorts. The aim was to investigate whether people with musculoskeletal pain show differences in global measures of strength in comparison to healthy cohorts.

Data sources

A systematic review was conducted using three databases (Medline, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Review methods

Studies involving participants with painful musculoskeletal conditions and multi-joint strength assessment measured at baseline were included. A meta-analysis was also performed to compute standardized mean differences (± 95% confidence intervals), using Hedge's g, and examined the differences in multi-joint strength at baseline between participants with painful musculoskeletal conditions and healthy participants.

Results

In total, 5043 articles were identified, of which 20 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis. The available evidence revealed that multi-joint strength values were limited to knee osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, and rheumatoid arthritis. Only four studies were included in the quantitative synthesis and revealed that only small differences in both chest press ( g = −0.34, 95% CI [−0.64, −0.03]) and leg press ( g = −0.25, 95% CI [−0.49, −0.02]) existed between adult women with fibromyalgia and active community women.

Conclusion

There is a paucity of multi-joint strength values in participants with musculoskeletal pain. Quantitative comparison with healthy cohorts was limited, except for those with fibromyalgia. Adult women with fibromyalgia displayed reduced multi-joint strength values in comparison to active community women.
Evaluation of Orthodontic Treatment Need—An Ethnic and Gender Prospective
Authors: Yadav Rajiv , Ranabhat Mukti , Yadav Anil Kumar
Published: September 2022

Introduction:

Index for Orthodontic Treatment Need is a widely used index to assess the orthodontic treatment need among various populations.

Aim:

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare orthodontic treatment needs of Nepali among gender and ethnicity.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 800 children (400 males and 400 females) above 14 years of age were selected from different schools of Kathmandu using multistage sampling technique. The study sample was grouped into 2 ethnic groups: Indo-Aryan and Janajati. Two trained and calibrated examiners examined school-going children using Index for Orthodontic Treatment Need tool. Statistical comparison of the study variables by gender and ethnicity was done.

Results:

Dental Health Component showed 36.75% male and 34.5% female, and 39% Indo-Aryan and 29.76% Janajati had great treatment need. The Aesthetic Component (AC) showed 13.75% male and 12.25% female, and 12.5% Indo-Aryan 14.58% Janajati had great/severe need.

Conclusions:

Males had great/severe need of treatment for both Dental Health Component and Aesthetic Component (AC). Indo-Aryan showed higher degree of great/severe need for Dental Health Component and lesser degree of great/severe need for Aesthetic Component (AC) than Janajati.
The Ongoing Process of HIV-Stigma (Re)Production
Authors: Campbell Chadwick K.
Published: September 2022

HIV stigma negatively affects the social experiences of people living with HIV (PLWH) and remains a challenge to HIV prevention, treatment, and care. Research has overwhelmingly focused on individual cognitive measures of HIV stigma (e.g., internalized, anticipated, and experienced). However, little research explores the interactions and societal structures through which HIV stigma is produced. Data from qualitative interviews with 30 black gay and bisexual men living with HIV in the U.S. Deep South revealed an interconnected and interdependent set of processes that produce and reproduce HIV stigma. These included social interactions (silence, euphemism, and gossip), witnessed acts of marginalization, word-of-mouth transmission of HIV misinformation, and laws and policies carried out within the education and criminal justice systems. Efforts to reduce stigma that focus on individual beliefs and attitudes are critical to improving the well-being of PLWH. However, reducing HIV stigma requires intervening on the social interactions and structures through which HIV stigma is produced and reproduced.
College Students’ Engagement in Violence Prevention Discussions with Peers
Authors: Hoxmeier Jill C. , Connor Rachel A. , McMahon Sarah
Published: September 2022

The bystander intervention (BI) model recognizes a range of prosocial helping behaviors individuals can perform to support sexual and dating violence (S/DV) prevention efforts. Individuals can demonstrate a commitment to ending violence through proactive BI, such as participating in prevention initiatives or talking with peers about ways to keep safe, which are different than reactive BI behaviors when violence is underway. Given the anchoring of the BI model in Diffusion of Innovation Theory, which articulates the uptake of new behaviors throughout a population or community and the role of change agent aids in that process, investigating demographic, and other individual-level correlates, of proactive behaviors may help identify those students who are particularly positioned to help diffuse and normalize anti-violence behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine (1) the occurrence of students’ engagement in peer discussions about violence prevention in the past year and (2) the correlates of reporting to have those discussions among university students in a cross-sectional study implemented on two campuses in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. Results showed that the most common discussion was talking to friends about being safe in dating relationships and the least common was talking with friends about participating in violence-prevention-related activities, with 66.2% and 22.5% having done so, respectively. Women, younger students, and those reporting to know a survivor of either DV or SV were more likely to report having discussions, compared to men, older students, and those not knowing a survivor. Additional relationships were detected between other individual characteristics, knowledge about violence/victimization, and climate-related variables but differed depending on whether participants participated in the DV or SV-related survey module. Findings suggest the need for BI training initiatives to emphasize proactive engagement and peer discussions, and that gender continues to be a robust indicator of violence-prevention actions.
A Culturally Tailored Narrative Decreased Resistance to COVID-19 Vaccination Among Latinas
Authors: Phelps Ashley , Rodriguez-Hernandez Yulissa , Murphy Sheila T. , Valente Thomas W.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study tested the relative efficacy of a culturally tailored dramatic narrative promoting COVID-19 vaccination in changing attitudes and behavioral intent among unvaccinated Latinas compared to a nonnarrative control containing similar information.

Design

A pretest-posttest experimental study with unvaccinated Latinas randomly assigned to watch either a dramatic narrative featuring Latina characters countering prevalent myths about COVID-19 vaccines or a nonnarrative film containing similar information (control condition).

Setting

The experiment was hosted online with the films embedded in the survey.

Participants

Three-hundred-ninety adult Latinas living in the United States (mean age = 33.4 years; SD = 11.2) who had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 despite being eligible. At pretest, 57.7% were hesitant and 42.3% were resistant (refusing) to get vaccinated.

Measures

Self-reported measures of engagement with the film, COVID-19 vaccine attitudes, and intent to get vaccinated within 30 days at pretest and posttest.

Results

Resistant women were significantly more engaged in the dramatic narrative than the nonnarrative control film ( P = .03). Being engaged in a film predicted more positive post-viewing attitudes toward the vaccine (b = .28; P < .001) and higher intent to get vaccinated (b = 2.34, P < .001).

Conclusion

Using culturally tailored stories to promote healthy behaviors such as vaccination can be an effective way of reaching resistant audiences.
A Standard Method for Intraoral Dental Radiography With Dental Photo-Stimulative Phosphor (PSP) Plates in Big Cats
Authors: Kopp Eva , Stelzer Peter , Lendl Christine , Meyer-Lindenberg Andrea , Fahrenkrug Peter
Published: September 2022

In recent years, dentistry has steadily gained more prominence in veterinary medicine, including exotic and wild animal medicine. It is known that dental diseases are among the most common diseases in captured big cats. However, so far, there is no standardized method for dental radiography in these animals. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a standardized procedure for the systematic radiographic examination of the teeth in big cats. In total, 34 big cats, including 21 lions and 13 tigers, of different ages were examined. Animals that needed treatment for known dental diseases and those that had to be anesthetized for other medically necessary procedures and dental health status examinations were included. Intraoral dental radiographs were captured with digital imaging plates designed for intraoral dental radiography in horses. Based on the intraoral dental radiography procedures used in domestic cats, both the bisecting angle technique and parallel technique were used. A hemisphere model originally developed for horses was used to describe the path and position of the x-ray beam as accurately as possible. The results demonstrated that it was possible to completely image all the teeth of big cat dentition on seven radiographs using the described method. This method can be used to acquire high-quality intraoral dental radiographs in big cats, aiding in the quick and reliable diagnosis of dental diseases.
Unveiling the asymmetric energy-growth nexus in top oil-importing and exporting countries: The common correlated effects approach
Authors: Sim Khang Yi , Sek Siok Kun
Published: September 2022

Conventional panel models that overlook nonlinearity, nonstationarity, heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependency when analysing the energy-growth nexus might produce misleading conclusions. In addressing these issues, this study extends the examination of the nexus by applying nonstationary panel models with common correlated effects (CCE). They involve two estimators, namely CCE mean group (CCEMG) and augmented mean group (AMG) estimators. The main objective is to examine the effects of total and renewable energy consumption on the gross domestic product (GDP) by comparing the top oil-importing and top oil-exporting countries. The datasets are in annual frequency, ranging from 1992 to 2015. The results are compared to ordinary least squares (OLS)-type models that serve as benchmarks. This study innovates the models by incorporating the asymmetric effects of energy consumption into the estimations. The findings reveal a positive correlation between total energy consumption and GDP for both panel groups, and capital input is one of the determinants in all cases. The results disclose evidence of the asymmetric effects of total and renewable energy consumption. The positive impact of total/renewable energy consumption decreases for the top oil-exporting group is more apparent than its increases, signifying the importance of energy conservation. For top oil-importing nations, increased renewable energy consumption impedes the GDP, but the increase in total energy consumption accelerates it. Energy efficiency policies should be implemented in oil-importing countries since the positive impact of total energy consumption is smaller than in the other group.
Impact of United States energy and climate policies on China’s energy industry: Comparison of Biden and Trump period
Authors: Zebang Xia , Yi Zhang
Published: September 2022

As an important field, energy trade significantly impacts China and the United States. Energy and climate policies in the U.S. impact China’s energy industry differently. Climate and energy policies have also changed in tandem with changes in the U.S. regime. By comparing the energy policies of the Biden and Trump administrations, the impact of different U.S. energy and climate policies on China’s energy industry was discussed, and the industry's development status was analyzed. In addition, corresponding strategies for China's energy industry's rapid and stable development are proposed. The current research results show that: (i) China has become an importer of traditional fossil energy in the United States since the Trump period, and U.S. energy and climate policies have had different impacts on China’s energy industry; (ii) China's natural gas imports from United States in China rose from 2.19 million tons (Trump period) to 8.98 million tons (Biden period); however, China's oil imports from United States continued to decline, from a maximum of 8.427 million tons (Trump period) to 1.147 million tons (Biden period); (iii) China’s photovoltaic solar cell exports under Biden period increased by 43.7% compared to the Trump period (2020). In addition, United States energy and climate policies will lead to increased demand for photovoltaic solar cells in the global market, which has a positive impact on China's new energy industry represented by solar photovoltaics.
Melatonin Protects Against Cyclophosphamide-induced Premature Ovarian Failure in Rats
Authors: Xu Hongxia , Bao Xiuming , Kong Hanxin , Yang Junya , Li Yan , Sun Zhiwei
Published: September 2022

This study was designed to understand the efficacy and molecular cues of melatonin in cyclophosphamide(CTX)-induced premature ovarian failure (POF) in rats. Female SD rats were used to evaluate the potential effects of melatonin on the ovarian hormonal status, follicular development, and granulosa cells in CTX-treated rats. Here, we found that pretreatment with melatonin before CTX administration preserved the normal sex hormone levels, improved follicular morphology, and granulosa cell proliferation, and reduced apoptosis, as compared to the CTX treatment alone. Additionally, melatonin also up-regulated CYR6 and CTGF at the mRNA and protein levels. A potential mechanism is that melatonin inhibits LATS1, Mps1-One binder (MOB1), and YAP phosphorylation, thereby activating the Hippo signal pathway to promote its downstream targets, CYR61 and CTGF. In conclusion, pretreatment with melatonin effectively protected the ovaries against CTX-induced damage by activating the Hippo pathway. This study lay the foundation for the clinical application of melatonin for cancer patients with CTX treatment.
Economic Development, Sociocultural Change and Quality of Life in Korea: Analysis of Three Generations Growing up in Colonial, Industrial and Digital Age
Authors: Kim Uichol , Kim Jisun
Published: September 2022

The article reviews key questions that are central to developing countries and provide a case study of South Korea (abbreviated as Korea): How could one of the poorest country in the world transform to become the 10th largest economy in the world? What are the psychological, relational, social and cultural impact of rapid economic development in Korea? How do these factors influence the subjective well-being, quality of life and happiness among three generations of Koreans? The first part of this article reviews the cultural history of Korea. The second part of this article reviews the rapid economic development that lifted Korea out of poverty into prosperity. The third part of this articles reviews the social and cultural changes that impacted the family, incentive structure and lifestyle of three generation of Koreans. The fourth part of this article reviews the impact of digital revolution on the psychological, economic and cultural life of Millennials and Gen Z (abbreviated as the MZ generation), and examine how they are different from their parent and grandparent generation. The fifth part of the articles reviews quality of life and social problems in Korea. In contrast to the economic prosperity that Koreans enjoy, the country is facing serious social problems with low marriage and fertility rate, high unemployment, divorce and suicide rate, and a bleak economic future for the MZ generation. The current situation in Korea is an example of Innovator’s Dilemma ( Christensen, 2016 ), where the economic and political model that accelerated economic growth is serving as an obstacle to innovation and change. The fifth part of this article reviews empirical studies conducted in Korea during the past 20 years focusing on subjective well-being, quality of life and happiness. The results indicate that social support received from close relationships and self, relational and social efficacy predict high subjective well-being, quality of life and happiness. In contrast, income and socio-economic status had very little impact on subjective well-being, quality of life and happiness. For the MZ generation, friends have become much more important than their parents in promoting happiness and online social support is emerging as an important factor. The information, knowledge and skills that they obtain from the online community are changing how they view the world, relate to others and live. The MZ generation represents the most educated, globally connected and socially conscious generation. They are starting a quiet revolution, demanding changes to social inequalities, discrimination and climate change that were create by and for the baby boomer generation.
The Systems Theory Framework of career development: News of difference and a journey towards acceptance
Authors: McMahon Mary , Patton Wendy
Published: September 2022

This 30th-year anniversary edition of the Australian Journal of Career Development (AJCD) represents a milestone for the Systems Theory Framework (STF) of career development, the genesis of which was published in the 1992 first edition. Beginning as a contextual model of adolescent career decision-making, subsequent research and refinement resulted in the first publication of the STF in 1995 in the AJCD. At a time when constructivist and social constructionist ideas were only just beginning to influence career development, the STF introduced news of difference to the field. In subsequent decades, the STF has consolidated its place as an important theoretical contribution to career development as attested by the fourth edition of its seminal textbook. The STF's history is marked by a continual integration of theory, research, and practice. This article briefly overviews the STF, its applications and contributions, and offers suggestions for its future directions.
Buildings and welfare
Authors: Ekman Mats
Published: September 2022

If welfare stigma depends upon social attitudes, only the neediest apply for welfare when they can more easily be seen to do so. Using GoogleMaps' ‘StreetView' feature, this article finds that the approval rate of applications for social assistance is higher in welfare offices with building characteristics that enhance the visibility of entry. A fitting explanation for this finding is that persons looking for social assistance dislike being thought of as ‘welfare cases', and apply more conservatively when others can see it. The effects decline in the rate of poverty, suggesting that the self-reliance norm weakens as poverty increases.
Reaching a Tipping Point: A Qualitative Exploration of Quality of Life and Treatment Decision-Making in People Living With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Husted Margaret , Gray Debra , Golding Sarah E. , Hindley Richard
Published: September 2022

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition amongst older men and is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction; these symptoms can be burdensome and negatively affect quality of life. Various surgical and pharmaceutical treatment options exist but there is a paucity of qualitative research exploring men’s decision-making when seeking BPH treatment. This study qualitatively explored men’s experience of living with BPH and seeking treatment for BPH. Twenty men (aged 52–75) were recruited from outpatient urology clinics at a hospital trust in Southern England. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews (via video or telephone call) and were audio-recorded; transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Four themes were generated: ‘Impacts are about more than just physical symptoms’, ‘The path towards treatment’, ‘The process of information gathering’ and ‘Navigating hopes, fears and uncertainty’. Results indicate most men appear to seek treatment for BPH following a gradual, and sometimes lengthy, period of deterioration in symptoms; for some men, however, treatment seeking follows an acute episode of sudden or severe symptoms. The decision to proceed with surgical or minimally invasive treatment options appears to be dependent on men reaching a tipping point; they no longer perceive their symptoms as tolerable and feel their ability to cope with symptoms is reduced. Men each bring their own set of concerns and preferences about side effects and risk-benefit profiles of different treatments. Clinicians need to be sensitive to these individual differences and incorporate them into shared decision-making for choosing between treatment options for BPH.
Decentralization and Progressive Taxation
Authors: Berset Simon , Schelker Mark
Published: September 2022

The traditional literature on fiscal federalism prescribes centralization of redistributive tasks to avoid welfare- or tax-induced migration. More recent work shows that even if the redistributive part of taxation, namely progressivity, is set by an upper-layer government and lower-layer governments only compete via a tax multiplier, income sorting can flatten effective tax progressivity. We argue that upper-layer governments anticipate the impact of local income sorting and strategically adjust their statutory tax schedules. The mobility of the income tax base sets limits to such strategic behavior. We apply causal machine learning methods to identify the effects of decentralization on the statutory tax structure in Switzerland. More decentralized cantons implement more redistributive statutory tax schedules for the least-mobile household types.