bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemsex cultures: Subcultural reproduction and queer survival
Authors: Florêncio João
Published: January 2021

“Chemsex” emerged in the 21st century as the gay and bisexual male practice of taking drugs during sexual encounters in order to modulate pleasures, promote endurance, and expand the temporalities of sex. Yet, while the term has come to prominence at a historical juncture when the introduction of antiretroviral drugs, locative dating apps, online pornography, and gentrification all contributed to the popularisation and mediation of the practice, the history of sex on drugs among gay men is longer than that. In this article, I draw from that history, as well as from wider critical histories and anthropologies of drug use in order to explore the subcultural significance of sexualised drug use amongst queer folk. If, as Bourdieu argued, the hegemony of the ruling classes is sustained by forms of economic, social, and cultural capital accumulation and reproduction, I build on scholarship on subcultural and post-subcultural studies to frame chemsex as a practice of subcultural reproduction that connects contemporary gay and bisexual men across generations, ensuring the survival of their cultures and subjectivities. In so doing, I focus on chemsex’s potential as a life-affirming cultural practice, one that can ensure the symbolic and even material survival not only of the men who engage in it, but also of the subcultures and subcultural histories within which they locate themselves every time they decide to “party and play.”
Friendship and solidarity
Authors: Blatterer Harry
Published: January 2021

This article explores a particular connection between friendship and social solidarity and seeks to contribute to understanding the societal significance of non-institutionalised relationships. Commonly the benefits of friendship are assumed to accrue to friends only. But this is only part of the story. Friendship, as instantiation of intimacy and site of moral learning, is conducive to solidarity understood as felt concern for unknown others. That potentiality rests on a specific characteristic: friendship’s loose institutional anchorage. Beginning with an explanation of friendship’s institutional deficit, the article elaborates Durkheim’s ‘positive solidarity’ juxtaposed with Honneth’s recent take on solidarity. It then discusses the contribution (partial) personal relationships make to (impartial) morality, before turning to the specifics of moral learning in friendship. Finally, the article argues that although undesirable as social organising principle, friendship’s institutional deficit renders it conducive to the relational acquisition of a comprehensive understanding of solidarity.
Acoustic and prosodic information for home monitoring of bipolar disorder
Authors: Farrús Mireia , Codina-Filbà Joan , Escudero Joan
Published: January 2021

Epidemiological studies suggest that bipolar disorder has a prevalence of about 1% in European countries, becoming one of the most disabling illnesses in working age adults, and often long-term and persistent with complex management and treatment. Therefore, the capacity of home monitoring for patients with this disorder is crucial for their quality of life. The current paper introduces the use of speech-based information as an easy-to-record, ubiquitous and non-intrusive health sensor suitable for home monitoring, and its application in the framework on the NYMPHA-MD project. Some preliminary results also show the potential of acoustic and prosodic features to detect and classify bipolar disorder, by predicting the values of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) from speech.
Recommending healthy meal plans by optimising nature-inspired many-objective diet problem
Authors: Türkmenoğlu Cumali , Etaner Uyar A Şima , Kiraz Berna
Published: January 2021

Healthy eating is an important issue affecting a large part of the world population, so human diets are becoming increasingly popular, especially with the devastating consequences of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19). A realistic and sustainable diet plan can help us to have a healthy eating habit since it considers most of the expectations from a diet without any restriction. In this study, the classical diet problem has been extended in terms of modelling, data sets and solution approach. Inspired by animals’ hunting strategies, it was re-modelled as a many-objective optimisation problem. In order to have realistic and applicable diet plans, cooked dishes are used. A well-known many-objective evolutionary algorithm is used to solve the diet problem. Results show that our approach can optimise specialised daily menus for different user types, depending on their preferences, age, gender and body index. Our approach can be easily adapted for users with health issues by adding new constraints and objectives. Our approach can be used individually or by dietitians as a decision support mechanism.
Structuring electronic dental records through deep learning for a clinical decision support system
Authors: Chen Qingxiao , Zhou Xuesi , Wu Ji , Zhou Yongsheng
Published: January 2021

Extracting information from unstructured clinical text is a fundamental and challenging task in medical informatics. Our study aims to construct a natural language processing (NLP) workflow to extract information from Chinese electronic dental records (EDRs) for clinical decision support systems (CDSSs). We extracted attributes, attribute values, and tooth positions based on an existing ontology from EDRs. A workflow integrating deep learning with keywords was constructed, in which vectors representing texts were unsupervised learned. Specifically, we implemented Sentence2vec to learn sentence vectors and Word2vec to learn word vectors. For attribute recognition, we calculated similarity values among sentence vectors and extracted attributes based on our selection strategy. For attribute value recognition, we expanded the keyword database by calculating similarity values among word vectors to select keywords. Performance of our workflow with the hybrid method was evaluated and compared with keyword-based method and deep learning method. In both attribute and value recognition, the hybrid method outperforms the other two methods in achieving high precision (0.94, 0.94), recall (0.74, 0.82), and F score (0.83, 0.88). Our NLP workflow can efficiently structure narrative text from EDRs, providing accurate input information and a solid foundation for further data-based CDSSs.
Patients’ moral attitudes toward electronic health records: Survey study with vignettes and statements
Authors: Moerenhout Tania , Devisch Ignaas , Cooreman Laetitia , Bernaerdt Jodie , De Sutter An , Provoost Veerle
Published: January 2021

Patient access to electronic health records gives rise to ethical questions related to the patient-doctor-computer relationship. Our study aims to examine patients’ moral attitudes toward a shared EHR, with a focus on autonomy, information access, and responsibility. A de novo self-administered questionnaire containing three vignettes and 15 statements was distributed among patients in four different settings. A total of 1688 valid questionnaires were collected. Patients’ mean age was 51 years, 61% was female, 50% had a higher degree (college or university), and almost 50% suffered from a chronic illness. Respondents were hesitant to hide sensitive information electronically from their care providers. They also strongly believed hiding information could negatively affect the quality of care provided. Participants preferred to be informed about negative test results in a face-to-face conversation, or would have every patient decide individually how they want to receive results. Patients generally had little experience using patient portal systems and expressed a need for more information on EHRs in this survey. They tended to be hesitant to take up control over their medical data in the EHR and deemed patients share a responsibility for the accuracy of information in their record.
The effects of a physical activity intervention based on a fatness and fitness smartphone app for University students
Authors: Muntaner-Mas Adrià , Sanchez-Azanza Victor A , Ortega Francisco B , Vidal-Conti Josep , Borràs Pere Antoni , Cantallops Jaume , Palou Pere
Published: January 2021

Since the 2012 Lancet Series on physical activity, progress regarding this topic has been negligible at global level. Thus, improving physical activity levels in specific populations through new methodologies is positioned as a priority. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a physical activity intervention on body fatness composition, and measured and self-reported physical fitness components based on the use of a smartphone app. The investigation included 100 Spanish university students, cluster-randomized into the smartphone app intervention group or a control group ( n = 35 and n = 31 respectively, after applying exclusion criteria). The physical activity intervention comprised a 9-week programme designed to promote a healthy physical activity pattern using a smartphone app. Specifically, an mHealth approach was taken containing five BCTs. The results showed that the intervention group improved their physical fitness ( F = 8.1, p = .006) and reported better general scores in self-reported physical fitness ( F = 7.4, p = .008) over time, in comparison to the control group. However, the intervention group did not show any changes to their fatness. Further research is needed to disentangle which BCTs are more effective to achieve physical health improvements when using physical activity apps.
Vibration suppression of the horizontal flexible plate using proportional– integral–derivative controller tuned by particle swarm optimization
Authors: Hadi M Sukri , Darus Intan ZM , Ab.Talib Mat H , Yatim Hanim M , Tokhi M Osman
Published: January 2021

This paper presents the development of an active vibration control for vibration suppression of the horizontal flexible plate structure using proportional–integral–derivative controller tuned by a conventional method via Ziegler–Nichols and an intelligent method known as particle swarm optimization algorithm. Initially, the experimental rig was designed and fabricated with all edges clamped at the horizontal position of the flexible plate. Data acquisition and instrumentation systems were designed and integrated into the experimental rig to collect input–output vibration data of the flexible plate. The vibration data obtained through experimental study was used to model the system using system identification technique based on auto-regressive with exogenous input structure. The plate system was modeled using particle swarm optimization algorithm and validated using mean squared error, one-step ahead prediction, and correlation tests. The stability of the model was assessed using pole zero diagram stability. The fitness function of particle swarm optimization algorithm is defined as the mean squared error between the measured and estimated output of the horizontal flexible plate system. Next, the developed model was used in the development of an active vibration control for vibration suppression on the horizontal flexible plate system using a proportional–integral–derivative controller. The proportional–integral–derivative gains are optimally determined using two different ways, the conventional method tuned by Ziegler–Nichols tuning rules and the intelligent method tuned by particle swarm optimization algorithm. The performances of developed controllers were assessed and validated. Proportional–integral–derivative-particle swarm optimization controller achieved the highest attenuation value for first mode of vibration by achieving 47.28 dB attenuation as compared to proportional–integral–derivative-Ziegler–Nichols controller which only achieved 34.21 dB attenuation.
Children’s participation in early childhood education: A theoretical overview
Authors: Correia Nadine , Aguiar Cecília , Amaro Fausto
Published: January 2021

Children’s right to participate in all matters and decisions affecting them has gained recognition in society. Its promotion is recommended from an early age – namely, in early childhood education settings – and it is described as benefiting children, adults and the community in general. Given the complex and polysemic meaning of participation, different conceptualizations, models and perspectives have emerged. In this article, the authors provide a theoretical overview, describing relevant models, concepts and contributions from distinct perspectives and fields of knowledge – sociological, educational, developmental and sociocultural – as well as contributions from social policy. This overview is particularly relevant to inform research and practice about children’s participation in early childhood education.
Meshing impact analysis of planetary transmission system considering the influence of multiple errors and its effect on the load sharing and dynamic load factor characteristics of the system
Authors: Hu Shengyang , Fang Zongde , Xu Yingqiang , Guan Yabin , Shen Rui
Published: January 2021

The meshing impact on transmission system and internal meshing gear pair and its impact on the load sharing and dynamic characteristics of the system are not well understood yet. In this paper, the meshing impact models of internal gear pairs and planetary transmission system were successfully constructed, and the meshing impact point, meshing impact time and meshing impact force were accurately obtained. Meshing impact in gear transmission system is obviously affected by eccentricity error, installation error, and other errors. Due to the difference in error of each component, the internal and external gears of each branch lead to different meshing positions, which causes the constant change in meshing impact point, meshing impact time and meshing impact force. This creates difficulties in the analysis of meshing impact characteristics of gear transmission system. Load Tooth Contact Analysis (LTCA) method can be used to accurately analyse the change in position of gear tooth under load condition. Through the dynamic model of planetary transmission system, the influence in component errors on the contact position of tooth surface is obtained. Combining the loaded transmission error of the tooth surface under load and the geometric transmission errors under the influence of component errors, the model of meshing impact for accurately solving the system is deduced, and the influence of meshing impact on the system's load sharing coefficient and dynamic load factor coefficient is analysed. By comparing the planetary transmission system before and after considering the meshing impact of the system, it is found that the system's load-sharing coefficient increases slightly, dynamic load factor coefficient fluctuates significantly, and meshing force becomes more clutter after considering meshing impact.
Analytical and numerical investigation of wrinkling limit diagram in deep drawing of two-layer sheets with experimental verification
Authors: Bamdad AH , Hashemi R
Published: January 2021

Wrinkling, which is primarily caused by insufficient blank holder force, is a significant issue that induces inconsistencies in forming parts, particularly in the deep drawing process. In this article, an investigation of the wrinkling in the deep drawing process of two-layer sheets is performed through an analytical approach, numerical method, and experimental tests. Increasing in the blank holder force, the process is under control by the proposed algorithm. Consequently, it aims to find the minimum required blank holder force to avoid wrinkling. The energy technique is utilized to predict the wrinkling in the analytical approach. Similarly, finite element simulations are implemented to investigate the effect of forming parameters on wrinkling. The experimental tests are performed to verify the analytical and numerical results. The impact of the material properties and stacking sequences (lay-up) on blank holder force and forming force are studied. Results show that the optimum blank holder force is dependent on the material properties, blank geometry, and layer stacking sequences. Also, a good agreement between analytical, numerical, and experimental results is achieved.
Mechanical and microstructural characterization of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels and its nanocomposites
Authors: Dusunceli Necmi , Sanporean Catalina Gabriela , Drozdov Aleksey D , de Claville Christiansen Jesper , Comanici Florina-Elena
Published: January 2021

Mechanical behavior dependency of the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel related to the amount of initiator, crosslinker, and nanoparticles was investigated. An experimental approach has been undertaken to observe these dependencies and assess the amount of initiator (ammonium persulfate), crosslinker (N, N′-methylene-bisacrylamide), and nanoparticles (graphene oxide) on the macroscopic responses of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). Different amounts of initiator, crosslinker, and nanoparticle were used to manufacture specimens for the compression test. The specimens were subjected to compressive loading up to breakage to investigate the breaking behavior of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). The responses of these specimens indicated that the mechanical behavior of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) was highly nonlinear and depends on these ingredients. The mechanical responses of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) were simulated using the ideal network model. The simulation results of the mathematical model substantially complied with the experimental data of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). In addition, a more in-depth microstructural analysis was performed on these specimens. The analysis results allowed us to correlate the dependent amounts of the ingredients on the nonlinear, mechanical behavior of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide).
Visual polarisation: Examining the interplay of visual cues and media trust on the evaluation of political candidates
Authors: von Sikorski Christian
Published: January 2021

Previous research in political communication has shown that visual news coverage can affect news consumers’ evaluations of political candidates. Yet, so far, the effects of subtle (positive/negative) visual background cues on candidate evaluation remain largely unclear. Also, the role of individuals’ media trust has not been explored in this context. That is, trusting individuals may interpret subtle visual cues in different ways compared with mistrusting individuals. Drawing from theory on visual communication, media trust, and the persuasion knowledge model a quota-based online experiment revealed that media trust moderates the relationship between the exposure to negative visual cues and candidate evaluation in the context of a political scandal. Mistrusting individuals showed more positive candidate evaluations, whereas trusting individuals showed more negative evaluations. Thus, visual background cues can have a polarising effect on citizens’ evaluations of political actors and influence the electorate in very different ways. Implications for journalism practice are discussed.
From magazines to blogs: The shifting boundaries of fashion journalism
Authors: Cheng Lydia , Tandoc Edson C
Published: January 2021

Current literature examining journalism’s boundary work has focused mostly on traditional, hard news journalism, while soft news journalism, such as lifestyle journalism, has largely been overlooked. Guided by the framework of boundary work, this paper examines how traditional fashion journalists and fashion bloggers define their own professionalism and what that says about the negotiation of fashion journalism’s boundaries. Through a textual analysis of the ‘About’ pages of 40 mainstream fashion magazine websites and fashion blogs, this paper shows that fashion magazines and fashion blogs demonstrate differences in four areas: mode of presentation, rituals of asserting authority, organisational structure, and relationship with the audience. For each theme, fashion magazine websites and fashion blogs display different approaches that help to shape their professional identities. These four areas serve as markers of the emerging – and perhaps blurring – boundaries between the two media actors. Findings from this study have implications not just on boundary work in journalism, but also on the very definitions of journalist and journalism, and on the evolving digital cultural industry, particularly in relation to lifestyle-centred content.
Farm shop diversification: Producer motivations and consumer attitudes
Authors: Lokier Jennifer , Morris Wyn , Thomas Dennis
Published: January 2021

The farm shop is an increasingly proliferate form of farm diversification, both as a single entity or part of a wider strategy encompassing concentric and conglomerate elements. In this context, our paper investigates whether farm shops are viable diversification options in the United Kingdom, by investigating farmer drivers to diversify via shops and consumer motives to purchase there. The research combines data collected from semi-structured interviews (9) with farm shop owners and quantitative consumer surveys (181). The findings show that the primary driver to diversify was identified as an additional income stream. Other factors recognised throughout the interviews were the employment of family members, channels to sell produce and farm location. The reoccurring diversification option linked to farm shops was the addition of a tearoom or cafe. The findings highlight quality of produce and associated presence of attractions as being key to successful diversification. Seasonality of produce, consumer awareness and shop identity are seen as barriers to the enterprise. The research adopts a novel approach by gathering insights into consumer attitudes as well as producer motivations and experiences, and the relationship between them. The research further extends previous analysis by explicitly examining consumer survey evidence on attitudes to direct purchasing of farm products and increases our understanding into farm shop diversifications potential for nurturing entrepreneurship and supporting farm business resilience. The paper raises important implications for farm businesses and policy approaches that might seek to promote an entrepreneurial stance while also extending the analysis.
Breaking the silence of travel agency employees: The moderating role of gender
Authors: Abou-Shouk Mohamed , Elbaz Ahmed Mohamed , Maher Azza
Published: January 2021

This study aims to examine the associations between employee voice, job satisfaction and intention to leave. In addition, it investigates the moderating role of employee gender on the link between job satisfaction and intention to leave. Using structural equation modelling, and based on a sample of 551 travel agency employees in Egypt, the results show that employee voice is a key predictor of employees’ intention to leave. Furthermore, it has been found that employee voice has a higher association with job satisfaction for male employees, while the association between job satisfaction and intention to leave is almost identical between males and females. The findings hold significant implications for theory and practice. Theoretically, the study makes a valuable contribution to the body of knowledge focusing on employee voice in the tourism industry. Practically, the findings help travel agency managers improve employee voice practices, which, given the tourism industry’s reputation for high turnover and poor job security, is critical in achieving greater job stability and employee retention. Among other recommendations, one of the most important proffered by this study is for tourism businesses to improve job satisfaction by increasing the communication flow between managers and employees.
Experimental research into the methods for controlling the thermal-mechanical characteristics of pulsating gas flows in the intake system of a turbocharged engine model
Authors: Plotnikov Leonid V
Published: January 2021

It is a relevant objective in thermal physics and piston engine construction to develop technical solutions for controlling the gas dynamics and heat exchange of gas flows in the intake system of turbocharged engines in order to improve performance. The article presents other authors’ data on the improvement of processes in the gas exchange systems of piston engines. It also provides a description of experimental set-ups, instruments, measurement tools and research methods for establishing the thermal-mechanical characteristics of pulsating flows in the intake system of a turbocharged engine. The instantaneous values of the gas flow rate and the local heat transfer coefficient were determined using the measured results by applying a constant temperature hot-wire anemometer (H-WA). The article describes technical solutions for influencing the gas dynamics and heat exchange of gas flows by stabilising and turbulising the flow. The regularities of changes in the instantaneous values of the flow velocity, pressure and the local heat transfer coefficient in time for a pulsating gas flow with different intake system configurations are obtained. It is shown that the installation of a levelling grid in the compressor outlet channel leads to the stabilisation of the flow and the suppression of heat transfer in the engine intake system by an average of 15% compared to the base system. It was found that the presence of a channel with grooves in the intake system leads to flow turbulisation and the intensification of heat transfer in the intake system by an average of 25%.
Participatory action research with and for undocumented college students: Ethical challenges and methodological opportunities
Authors: Salazar Cinthya
Published: January 2021

Scholarship on undocumented college students has been growing for the past 10 years; yet, the engagement of students without documentation in the research process is typically limited to the role of participants. A participatory action research (PAR) methodology provides critical scholars with the opportunity to involve undocumented college students as co-researchers and producers of knowledge. At the same time, the risks associated with the immigration status of undocumented students can significantly challenge how scholars design and conduct ethically responsible PAR studies. In this article, the author examines the ethical challenges and methodological opportunities of conducting a PAR study with and for undocumented college students. In particular, the author discusses the ethical tensions she considered in relation to the principles of respect, beneficence, and justice when conducting a qualitative PAR study with students without documentation as co-researchers.
Beyond the written word: The role of text on preschool teachers’ book sharing styles
Authors: Schick Adina R , Scarola Lauren , Niño Silvia , Melzi Gigliana
Published: January 2021

Teachers’ sharing of picture books is a quintessential activity in early childhood classrooms, and has been found to be predictive of children’s language and literacy skill development. Although most research, to date, has focused on the manner in which preschool teachers share text-based books with their students, recent work has recommended that teachers include wordless books as part of their classroom book sharing routines. Yet, little is known about how the absence of text might influence teachers’ discourse styles. The present study, thus, explored the discourse styles used by preschool teachers of Latino dual-language learners when sharing both text-based and wordless picture books with their class. Results showed that, while there were common features across both book types, when sharing wordless books teachers tended to adopt a more co-constructive style, by asking questions and supporting children’s participation in the sharing of the story. At the same time, they were more likely to elicit predictions and analyses from the children. The findings highlight the importance of including wordless books in preschool classroom book sharing interactions, especially in classrooms serving dual-language learners.
Social network documentary and its aesthetic metamorphosis: reflections from a practice-led research
Authors: Zafra Norman
Published: January 2021

This article employs a practice-led methodology to offer a creative examination of the digital trends, online practices, and shifting aesthetics of political documentary as it migrates in the interstices of social media. At the centre of this research is the production and circulation of Facebook-native microdocumentaries, labelled under the rubric of compact cinematics and radical videos. As a networked platform, Facebook affords opportunities for media experimentation and allows filmmakers to innovate political and sociable contents. I argue that documentaries circulated on Facebook, particularly those with social change outreach, need to undergo an aesthetic adjustment to respond to ongoing ruptures in traditional storytelling and to address the shifting consumption modes of audiences online.
‘From lone-sailor to fleet’: Supporting educators through Wild Pedagogies
Authors: Winks Lewis , Warwick Paul
Published: January 2021

Enabling educators to meet new and challenging times requires fundamental shifts to ways of imagining and enacting their practice. A central yet often understated aspect of this educational change are the various ways in which educators receive training and development. From initial teacher training through to continuing professional development, cultures which underpin policy change in educational institutions emerge from the practices of educators. In this paper we examine educators’ experiences of a Wild Pedagogies gathering which took place over three days in central Devon in late spring 2019. Part workshop, part informal social gathering and mutual exchange, this continuing professional development event enabled conversations, sharing (and shaping) of practice, and imagination of the future of personal and institutional educational priorities. This paper positions itself as an account of a gathering of wild pedagogues – captured as reflection, discussion and activities – and brings the participants’ reflections into conversation with wider themes emerging from previous Wild Pedagogies gatherings. It makes the assertion that such dialogic continuing professional development, constructed on foundations of relational and place-responsive pedagogies, can underpin future practitioner development in the event of a policy shift toward greater availability of outdoor learning and nature connection in the UK. The paper ends with four principles for infusing new or existing environmental education continuing professional development with place-responsive and wild pedagogical approaches.
Early childhood curriculum policies and practices in Singapore: The case of glocalisation
Authors: Yang Weipeng , Li Hui , Ang Lynn
Published: January 2021

Globalisation has been transforming early childhood care and education worldwide since the turn of this millennium. The early childhood sector in Singapore is no exception. Its early childhood curriculum has inevitably been influenced by Eastern and Western cultures and has developed into a unique hybrid over the years. This special issue collects six articles covering topics on inclusive education, curriculum frameworks, infant–toddler care, curriculum-based teacher research, social-emotional learning, and bilingual language and literacy. A book review about early childhood curriculum in Chinese societies is also included. All these articles have jointly presented a snapshot of the ‘glocal’ situation of early childhood curriculum in Singapore, with a focus on the challenges and suggestions for policy and practical improvements.
Effort Praise Improves Resilience for College Students With High Fear of Failure
Authors: Vaughn Kalif E. , Srivatsa Neha , Graf Allyson S.
Published: January 2021

Research on praise, in support of a growth mindset, has overwhelmingly focused on children. We explored how praise influences performance in college students. Colleges are often challenged to respond to students’ established mindsets in the face of increasingly demanding coursework. Specifically, we examined how fear of failure may alter the effects of ability praise and effort praise. When the task was overly challenging, participants surrendered regardless of the type of praise (Experiment 1). When the task was more manageable, effort praise motivated students with a high fear of failure (Experiment 2). These results collectively have implications for responsive teaching with regards to course design, pedagogical style, and student retention.
Missed Opportunity for Diversity in Engineering: Black Women and Undergraduate Engineering Degree Attainment
Authors: Fletcher Trina L. , Jefferson Jay P. , Boyd Brittany N. , Cross Kelly J.
Published: January 2021

Efforts dedicated towards broadening participation for Black and other underrepresented groups in engineering at post-secondary institutions has intensified in recent decades. However, Black women have not yet reached parity in undergraduate engineering degree attainment. To elucidate this trend, data from the U.S. Department of Education was analyzed to investigate postsecondary completion for Black women in engineering. Results indicate that the percentage of degrees awarded to Black women has slightly decreased during the last five years when compared to women of all races. However, the percentage of Black women obtaining engineering degrees has increased when compared to the general Black engineering population, with a larger percentage of Black women obtaining engineering degrees compared to their male counterparts than any other ethnicity. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to provide recommendations for research avenues that may strengthen knowledge around the enrollment and retention of Black women in engineering at post-secondary institutions.
Addressing Organizational Barriers to Adolescent Access to High-Quality, Low-Cost, Confidential Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in a Community Health Center
Authors: Brandt Carolyn M. A. , Shire Meriel A. , Wilson Gina , Ito Kristin
Published: January 2021

Adolescents face a number of barriers to accessing high-quality, confidential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Although federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), a type of community health center (CHC), are a critical source of health care for medically underserved adolescents, they often lack the capacity and resources to provide specialized SRH services to adolescents. In this article, we describe the development and implementation of an initiative aimed at improving an FQHC’s capacity to provide high-quality confidential SRH services to adolescents. For this initiative, a team of clinical and quality improvement staff developed a set of six strategies to improve adolescent SRH services at an FQHC: (1) building community relationships and galvanizing internal organizational support to improve adolescent access to confidential SRH services, (2) developing a long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) program, (3) training clinic staff on SRH and adolescent health topics, (4) adapting the adolescent patient workflow to improve SRH service delivery during appointments, (5) updating and implementing a universal adolescent health assessment tool, and (6) developing billing and registration policies that allow adolescents to receive confidential SRH services. We identified several factors that we believe were key to the successful implementation of our approach in other CHC settings, including encouraging cross-sector collaboration and community focus, providing training as a tool to engage and empower staff as agents of change, involving interdisciplinary staff, piloting on a small scale, and establishing consistent meetings with a clinic champion and improvement team.
Effect of twist level on the mechanical performance of S-glass yarns and non-crimp cross-ply composites
Authors: Dalfi Hussein Kommur , Tausif Muhammad , yousaf Zeshan
Published: January 2021

High modulus/high strength continuous fibres are used extensively for manufacturing textile preforms, as a reinforcement, for composites due to their excellent specific properties. However, their brittle behaviour and tendency to separate easily into individual filaments or bundles can lead to damages during manufacturing processes such as weaving and braiding. Thus, the critical step in the development of an optimal yarn for textile-reinforced composites is to find an optimum twist, which results in a minimum loss of properties of the composite laminates, while maintaining good processability and sufficient strength for textile and/or composite manufacturing. In this study, twist level has been varied to improve the handling and tensile properties of S-glass yarns (i.e. tensile strength). Varying levels of yarn twist (15–40 twists metre−1) were employed to study its impact on the tensile properties (i.e. tensile strength, modulus, elongation at break etc.). Furthermore, the effect of twist on the tensile properties of non-crimp cross-ply composites produced via vacuum infusion process was studied. It was observed that mechanical performance (i.e. tensile strength properties) of twisted yarns is improved up to 30 twists metre−1 while it is deteriorated at 40 twists metre−1. At yarn level, the experimental results were compared with theoretical estimations utilizing existing models for twisted yarns properties. Discrepancies were observed between experimental and theoretical results especially for high level of twist. The tensile strength and elongation of S-glass cross-ply composites at all levels of twist were higher compared to the composite laminates manufactured by using non-twisted yarns. At composite level, the experimental results were also computed employing rule of mixture and good agreement was observed between experimental and predicted results.
Electrospun microfibers with embedded leuco dye-based thermochromic material for textile applications
Authors: Sahebkar Keon , Indrakar Sharan , Srinivasan Sesha , Thomas Sylvia , Stefanakos Elias
Published: January 2021

Electrospinning is an inexpensive and versatile technique for fabricating micro- and nano- scaled fibers. There have been limited attempts to employ it for the fabrication of thermochromic (TC) fibers, and the fabrication of a three-component (dye, developer, and solvent) TC material has required the use of a more complicated coaxial electrospinning technique. Herein, a simple and novel method for creating thermochromic fibers by electrospinning single strands of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with embedded thermochromic powder of a polymer encapsulated three-component system was employed. Unlike past leuco dye-based thermochromic fibers, an unmodified syringe tip can be used for the spinning process and only one flow rate needs to be determined. A solution of solvent (either N-dimethylformamide or chloroform), PMMA, and a commercially available black thermochromic powder was prepared and spun using a custom-made electrospinning apparatus. The spun fibers exhibited a clear color transition from grey to white and had average diameters of 2.53 µm and 1.96 µm for chloroform and N-dimethylformamide based fibers, respectively. The fibers were characterized by scanning electron and optical microscopy to determine their morphology, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to determine their chemical composition, and differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis to characterize their thermal properties.
Commercial Exergaming in Home-Based Pediatric Constraint-Induced Therapy: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Wang Tien-Ni , Chen Yu-Lun , Shieh Jeng-Yi , Chen Hao-Ling
Published: January 2021

Constraint-induced therapy (CIT) is highly effective yet not accessible to many families. Integrating commercial exergaming in home-based CIT may support the availability and attainability of the intervention. The study compared the effects of supplementary use of Nintendo Wii in home-based CIT with dose-equivalent conventional CIT. Eighteen children with cerebral palsy were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of CIT (CIT) or 4 weeks of CIT, followed by 4 weeks of Wii-augmented CIT (CIT-Wii). Outcome measures included the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (Manual Dexterity), the ABILHAND-Kids, the WeeFIM (Self-Care), the Test of Playfulness, the Engagement Questionnaire, and the Parenting Stress Index–Short Form. Both groups significantly improved motor outcomes and playfulness. The CIT group demonstrated greater improvement in self-care skills, whereas parental stress decreased only in the CIT-Wii group. CIT-Wii yields no significant difference in treatment effects from conventional CIT and may provide psychosocial benefits.
Teen Dating Violence and the Acceptability of a Safety Decision Aid: Perspectives of Puerto Rican Youth
Authors: Diaz-Ramos Noemy , Alvarez Carmen , Debnam Katrina
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

The purpose of this study was to describe Puerto Rican adolescents’ perspectives about an application “app” to prevent further injury from teen dating violence (TDV).

Methods:

We conducted three semistructured focus group interviews.

Results:

Participants ( N = 16) were 14–20 years old. Most (63%) were not currently in a relationship; three participants reported a history of TDV, and seven reported that they “did not know” whether they had ever experienced TDV. We identified four themes: (a) clarifying dating violence, (b) psychological abuse–the reality of TDV, (c) silence around dating violence, and (d) youth need a different tool. Adolescents thought that the app was beneficial for educating the user about dating violence behaviors. They also identified that the app should be modified to better suit adolescents, in part by, focusing more on psychological abuse and using other visuals to relay information rather than text. Adolescents also questioned the utility of the app as a bystander because TDV is often concealed and not discussed.

Conclusion:

Puerto Rican adolescents in our study expressed the need for information that could be presented in a more concise and dynamic format and highlighted the cultural barriers of silence around issues of dating violence.
Provider Perspectives on Latino Immigrants’ Access to Resources for Syndemic Health Issues
Authors: Giordano Kristin R. , Dsouza Nishita , McGhee-Hassrick Elizabeth , Martinez Omar , Martinez-Donate Ana P.
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

Latino immigrants to the United States experience disproportionate impacts from the syndemic formed by substance abuse, violence victimization, HIV/AIDS, and mental health (SAVAME). This study characterizes resource access for Latino immigrants living in Philadelphia, as perceived by staff at Latino-serving organizations.

Methods:

An online cross-sectional survey of staff at key Latino-serving Philadelphia organizations assessed access to their organization and citywide access to each type of service (substance use, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence [DV], and mental health) for Latino immigrants. Descriptive statistics for organizational access indicators and citywide access scores across four syndemic domains (availability, accessibility, adequacy, and quality) and by syndemic condition were computed.

Results:

Organizational access and citywide access across HIV/AIDS (mean = 1.94, SD = 0.83), mental health (mean = 1.37, SD = 0.95), substance use (mean = 1.11, SD = 0.74), and DV (mean = 1.49, SD = 0.97) services were perceived as far from optimal. Domain scores were highest for accessibility (mean = 1.66, SD = 1.03), followed by quality (mean = 1.44, SD = 0.79), availability (mean = 1.41, SD = .81), and adequacy (mean = 1.24, SD = .75).

Conclusion:

Based on findings from a survey of staff working at Latino-serving organizations, this study highlights the lack of support and resources for Latino immigrants, in particular those related to mental health and substance use. Programs and interventions are needed to improve service delivery in Latino immigrant communities.
Multiple Site Peripheral Arteriovenous Malformations: A Definitive Diagnosis Using Duplex Ultrasound
Authors: Pelingon Emmanuel C. , Zhou Yuheng , Lumibao April S. , Vijayan Vikram
Published: January 2021

We present a case of a 70-year-old woman with extensive, multiple, dystrophic, necrotic, and bleeding ulcers on her forearm stump, shoulder, and chest wall. She had previously undergone a mid-forearm amputation due to a bleeding fungating ulcer from an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) on the dorsum of her right hand. Considering her history, AVM was suspected as the cause of the lesions. Due to significant renal impairment, duplex ultrasound (DU) was crucial in diagnosing and subsequent surgical management of her multifocal AVMs.
Collectivistic Leadership in Context: An Examination of How and When Collective Charismatic Leadership Relates to Unit Functioning
Authors: Ziegert Jonathan C. , Mayer David M. , Piccolo Ronald F. , Graham Katrina A.
Published: January 2021

This research explores the nature of collective leadership by examining the boundary conditions of how and when it relates to unit functioning. Building from a contingency perspective that considers the impact of contextual factors, we propose that collective charismatic leadership will be associated with lowered unit conflict, and this relationship will be strengthened by the contingency elements of individual charismatic leadership, task complexity, and social inclusion. Furthermore, we propose that the interactions of collective charismatic leadership with these contextual factors will relate to performance and satisfaction through conflict. We examine our hypotheses across two unit-level field studies, and the results illustrated that high levels of these contextual factors enhanced the negative relationship between collective charismatic leadership and conflict, which generally mediated the relationships between these interactive effects and performance and satisfaction. The results also highlight the detrimental aspects of collective leadership and how it can relate to reduced unit functioning when it is not aligned with an appropriate context. Overall, these findings begin to provide a more complete picture of collective leadership from a contingency perspective through a greater understanding of when and how it is related to unit functioning.