bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rationalisation of the Durbar Move: A Step Towards Good Governance in Jammu and Kashmir
Authors: Wani Aijaz Ashraf , Parray Janan Ahmad
Published: November 2023

Digitisation of records and the subsequent implementation of e-Office 1 software in various Durbar Move 2 offices of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has changed the concept and nature of governance significantly. With the implementation of e-Office software in various departments of the Civil Secretariat, there has been a significant impact on the governance efficiency and service delivery in the UT. The present paper attempts to understand, examine, and analyse the impact of e-Office software on the delivery of governance services in J&K. It is an endeavour to understand how the new system of e-Office enables the administrative apparatus and enables the governance to be more responsive, accountable, transparent, and citizen-friendly.
The political integration of the Tunisian Ennahdha party in the light of the notions of civil state and civil party
Authors: GANA Alia , SIGILLÒ Ester
Published: November 2023

This article investigates the notions of ‘civil state’ and ‘civil party’ as constructed by the Tunisian Islamist party Ennahdha through its process of ‘specialization’ in partisan action and its interactions with both ‘secular’ forces and the different groups composing – or are associated with it. The various conceptualizations of these notions reveal a multilayered political group, seeking to adapt to the new political environment by recombining the links between religious and political activities. Analyzing the debates that led in 2014 to the constitutionalization of the civil nature of the state and the controversies surrounding religiously inspired bills, as well as interviews with the various actors involved, we show how the reconfiguration of the Islamist movement into two components, a civil party specialized in politics and a faith-based civil society, does not imply a clear separation of state and religion, but rather the affirmation of a civil state inspired by Islamic values.
ENAS-B: Combining ENAS With Bayesian Optimization for Automatic Design of Optimal CNN Architectures for Breast Lesion Classification From Ultrasound Images
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed , Du Hongbo , AlZoubi Alaa
Published: November 2023

Efficient Neural Architecture Search (ENAS) is a recent development in searching for optimal cell structures for Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) design. It has been successfully used in various applications including ultrasound image classification for breast lesions. However, the existing ENAS approach only optimizes cell structures rather than the whole CNN architecture nor its trainable hyperparameters. This paper presents a novel framework for automatic design of CNN architectures by combining strengths of ENAS and Bayesian Optimization in two-folds. Firstly, we use ENAS to search for optimal normal and reduction cells. Secondly, with the optimal cells and a suitable hyperparameter search space, we adopt Bayesian Optimization to find the optimal depth of the network and optimal configuration of the trainable hyperparameters. To test the validity of the proposed framework, a dataset of 1522 breast lesion ultrasound images is used for the searching and modeling. We then evaluate the robustness of the proposed approach by testing the optimized CNN model on three external datasets consisting of 727 benign and 506 malignant lesion images. We further compare the CNN model with the default ENAS-based CNN model, and then with CNN models based on the state-of-the-art architectures. The results (error rate of no more than 20.6% on internal tests and 17.3% on average of external tests) show that the proposed framework generates robust and light CNN models.
Hegel’s master-slave dialectic and the Haiti revolt (1791–1804): Transatlantic print chronicles of race in an age of colonial market exchange
Authors: Bowman Jonathan
Published: November 2023

This work contributes to recent transdisciplinary efforts to view the Haitian slave revolt (1791–1804) as the historical inspiration for Hegel’s master-slave dialectic. Reconstructions offered by contemporary postcolonial scholars argue that the Haitian revolt was chronicled in Minerva as Hegel raced to finish his Phenomenology. Benhabib recently recognized the Hegel-Haiti thesis as entailing the sort of inclusive dialogical learning process necessary to validate subaltern experiences. The thesis has also drawn its share of sceptical scrutiny as Badiou claims that it risks forcing an unnecessary moral dissymmetry, neglects objectionable features of enslavement and imposes a mismatch between apolitical subject and revolutionary. In reply, we appeal to the pioneering work of Tavares to show that the asymmetrical construction of classification schemes for persons of mixed-racial statuses accords with decades of documented literary exchanges between Hegel and Gregoire. We then turn to the work of James on the role of mixed-race merchants in the testimonial accounts of late 18th century French historians to show that European literate publics were well aware of the extremely coercive forms of commodified labour found in Saint-Domingue. We then invoke the archival work of Du Bois on French, British and American parliamentary proceedings that show the provisional colonial identities ascribed to Caribbean subjects did not hinder their self-conscious exercise of political agency. Viewing Hegel in terms of the historiographic records of the racial ontologies of early modern transatlantic literary exchanges helps explain how he adapted these tropes concerning mixed-race subjects in a manner that better explains many of the anomalous features of the dialectic. However, conferring the Haitian revolution its proper world-historical warrant as inspiration for his infamous master-slave dialectic need not lead us to overlook Hegel’s complicity with many of the epistemic and ontological flaws of colonial tropes held in early modern transatlantic print.
Performance Evaluation of Urban Emergency Governance: Conceptual Connotations and Empirical Research Based on the Crisis Life Cycle Theory
Authors: Wang Min , Wang Jiaxing
Published: November 2023

Although scholars have discussed in depth about the evaluation content and the construction of evaluation index system of emergency management and crisis management, a unified and standardized interpretation of system construction concepts and empirical research on the performance evaluation of urban emergency management is still lacking. In view of this, this paper is based on the theory of the  crisis life cycle, with the four phases of urban emergency management and the content of the task as a clue, constructed a performance evaluation index system containing 12 primary indicators and 44 secondary indicators, and centered on the emergency management work situation of S city. The study reveals that emergency management underperforms in S city, with a score of 5.948, qualifying as the “defined level”. The “prevention and preparedness stage” receives poor evaluation, indicating a significant bias for crisis response instead of prevention. The report suggests the improvement of emergency material stockpile planning, the formation of grassroots emergency response teams, the emergency management publicity, and special emergency drill plans, etc., with a view to providing reference for city managers to comprehensively review and evaluate the emergency management system, and to promote the construction of a more systematic, complete and scientific urban emergency management system.
Aggressive End-of-Life Care and Caregiver Satisfaction for Patients With Advanced Cancer
Authors: Park Sumin , Douglas Sara L. , Boveington-Molter Barbara , Lipson Amy R.
Published: November 2023

Aggressive end-of-life care in patients with advanced cancer is associated with poor experiences and outcomes. The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of aggressive end-of-life care on caregiver satisfaction for caregivers of bereaved advanced cancer patients. Data of 101 caregivers were gathered using a longitudinal, descriptive correlational design study. Postdeath interviews were conducted 2 months after the patient’s death. The most common end-of-life care indicators were patient not enrolled in hospice or enrolled within 3 days of death, >1 hospitalization, and intensive care unit admission. More than one-third of patients received at least one of the aggressive end-of-life care indicators in the last 30 days of life. From the multiple linear regression analyses, patient intensive care unit admission and having more than one hospitalization significantly affected caregiver satisfaction with care. Understanding caregiver satisfaction with care may improve the clinical practice of nurses who have crucial role in patients’ end-of-life care.
Process of Maintaining Self in Individuals Living With Systemic Sclerosis: A Grounded Theory Study of American Women
Authors: Miller Donald , Doering Jennifer
Published: November 2023

Background:

People with chronic illnesses may struggle to adapt psychologically to the illness experience and have feelings of identity loss, self-diminishment, and biographical disruption. This may limit people’s ability to engage in optimal self-management. Systemic sclerosis is a debilitating, stigmatizing, and life-limiting progressive chronic illness with significant disfiguring effects. Little is known about the identity management process in people with disfiguring and debilitating conditions such as systemic sclerosis.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to generate a grounded theory explicating the process of maintaining a sense of self in people living with systemic sclerosis.

Methods:

Fifteen women with systemic sclerosis were recruited to ensure representation of a range of illness duration and progression. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed using open, selective, and theoretical coding.

Results:

A basic social process of “maintaining self” was generated from the data that explained the women’s experience of living with systemic sclerosis and how they tried to hold on to their identity. Three core categories were identified. Adapting to changes are the behaviors that participants struggled through to carry on with their everyday lives. Dismantling of self was a distressing internal process where participants lost their sense of self and purpose. Restoring self was a transformative process that allowed participants to rewrite and rebuild their biographies.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest that the management of identity was important for understanding how people adapt to life with systemic sclerosis. This study can help nurses better understand how to support patients holistically with the management of systemic sclerosis.
Didactic transposition in music education: Exploring didactical suitability in three Navarrese schools
Authors: Angel-Alvarado Rolando , Belletich Olga , Wilhelmi Miguel R
Published: November 2023

Didactic transposition occurs when scholarly knowledge is transformed into knowledge to be taught in order to reach didactical suitability. In this study, we explore didactic transposition implemented in music lessons from the perspective of didactical suitability. Utilising Design-Based Research, the current study collected qualitative and quantitative data from three urban schools in the Chartered Community of Navarre, Spain. Findings reveal that didactic transposition depends on the teacher’s beliefs because, while one-to-one teaching and academicism are preferred by educators who prioritise music theory, collective teaching and creativity are promoted by teachers who favour holistic development. In conclusion, didactic transposition enables the aspiration to didactical suitability, explaining the characteristics of didactic contracts. Lastly, some pedagogical implications are provided.
Social justice in higher education: The forgotten needs of students with visual impairments in Bangladesh
Authors: Mozadded Hossen Md , Chen Roy K , Salimi Nahal , Nichols Jane L
Published: November 2023

Students with disabilities face myriad barriers and hurdles to success in higher education settings. Institutions in developing nations often lack the necessary resources to provide accessible instruction, and the absence of clearly defined policies further impedes upholding the educational rights of such a special population. The purpose of this study was to examine how undergraduate students with visual impairments in Bangladesh felt about their experiences related to social justice and challenges in learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. A convenience sample of 133 students was recruited from two public universities. The authors developed two instruments, namely, the Social Justice Experiences in Higher Education Scale and the Social Justice Challenges in Higher Education Scale, to measure how the participants felt. The results showed that most of the participants experienced some sort of difficulty in receiving social justice in higher education. However, the differences in the group mean score on social justice experiences and challenges in higher education were not statistically significant between the male and female participants of this study. The outcomes of the study and their implications for rehabilitation research and practice have also been addressed in this paper.
The trends in venous thromboembolism occurrence and prevention after minimally invasive varicose vein surgery
Authors: Lobastov Kirill , Shaldina Maria , Matveeva Athena , Kovalchuk Anna , Borsuk Denis , Schastlivtsev Ilya , Laberko Leonid , Fokin Alexey
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To assess the trends of VTE occurrence and prevention in varicose vein surgery.

Method

The registry-based CAPSIVS trial (NCT03041805) analysis includes results in 1878 lower limbs. The primary outcome is a 28-day symptomatic or asymptomatic DVT revealed with duplex ultrasound.

Results

Any DVT, including EHIT, was observed in 3.4%, while symptomatic in 0.5%. Prophylactic anticoagulation was administrated in 20.4% with LMWH (13.2%) or DOAC (7.1%) for patients with higher VTE risk but did not reduce the events rate. With propensity score matching DOACs were superior to LMWHs (1.5% vs 9.8%). Duration of anticoagulation was essential: the lowest incidence (4.2%) was associated with prophylaxis for up to 7 days, while a single LMWH injection resulted in a DVT rate of 8.8%. With individual VTE history, any anticoagulation duration appeared insufficient.

Conclusions

Prophylactic anticoagulation after varicose vein surgery should be based on the individual VTE risk and provided for ≥7–30 days.
Indigenous Traditional Knowledge on Wild Edible Mushrooms: Cultural Significance, Extraction Practices, and Factors Leading to Changes in Their Abundance in Central Mexico
Authors: Eribel Bello-Cervantes , Irma Trejo , Fernanda Figueroa , Joaquín Cifuentes Blanco
Published: November 2023

Wild edible mushrooms (WEM) constitute a relevant component of indigenous cultures worldwide; their use is part of forest management practices that promote conservation by local communities. However, global biocultural diversity is threatened by socioeconomic, political, and cultural changes. Through participatory research, this study analyzes the cultural significance of selected mushroom species, local traditional knowledge about conditions and processes affecting WEM communities, and traditional practices employed in their extraction in an indigenous community in Central Mexico. We carried out ethnomycological hikes and participatory mapping to characterize collection sites and conducted semi-structured interviews with people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds about the importance of WEM, extraction and conservation sustainable practices, and anthropogenic and environmental factors affecting them. Fifty species of WEM were registered. We developed an index of the cultural importance of WEM that led us to establish the species of the highest cultural relevance. Vegetation type, rainfall, soil composition, selected logging by outsiders, fires, and the use of traditional harvesting techniques were recognized as factors affecting mushroom production. Traditional harvesting techniques locally perceived as adequate include leaving part of the stipe in place, collecting only mushrooms of large size while leaving those of smaller size, and cleaning and shaking them at the place of collection. Results suggest that the prevalence of biocultural knowledge about WEM is influenced by age, main economic activity, and household's distance to the forest. Integrating traditional knowledge and the community context by combining ethnographic and quantitative methods, resulted in a complementary approach to spatial, temporal, and environmental characterization of mushroom collection sites; it also allowed understanding factors influencing WEM cultural significance, and traditional local knowledge of WEM communities and their management.
Multiplicity and ‘The International’ as Critique – A Forum
Authors: Rosenberg Justin , Wæver Ole , Morozov Viacheslav , Epstein Charlotte , Walker R.B.J. , Tickner Arlene B , Kurki Milja
Published: November 2023

This forum reconsiders the standing of ‘the international’ in relation to ‘critique’. Is this relation best understood in ways reminiscent of the ‘Fourth Great Debate’, where the international, associated with political realism, was targeted for deconstruction by critical approaches drawn from outside International Relations? Or is the international, on the contrary, itself a source of potential critique needing to be excavated and utilized, as recent debates on ‘societal multiplicity’ and Uneven and Combined Development have suggested? In this forum, seven international theorists debate the latter question from a range of intellectual perspectives.

La multiplicité et « l’international » en tant que critique
Optimized Flexible Lane Assignment Using Simulation and Metaheuristic Algorithms
Authors: Azadi Farzaneh , Mitrovic Nikola , Stevanovic Aleksandar Z.
Published: November 2023

Technological advances with connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) have opened opportunities to increase the efficiency of transportation networks. A novel control framework called combined flexible lane assignment and reservation-based intersection control (CFLARIC) system has been recently proposed for better management of directionally unrestricted CAVs traffic flows in an urban environment. CFLARIC offers a full spectrum of lane assignment possibilities in combination with the appropriate reservation-based intersection control. In CFLARIC, vehicles position themselves in a proper lane before they reach the downstream intersection, which enables resolution of vehicular conflicts both between intersections and within the intersection boxes. Although CFLARIC has shown promising results, only a limited number of lane assignment scenarios have been designed and tested using some preset rules and based on the previous research objectives. Therefore, the optimality of their performance has never been studied. The objective of this study is to address the flexible traffic lane assignment in such a system as a network optimization problem, in which an optimal lane assignment schema is achieved using metaheuristic optimization algorithms. To this end, a combination of NetLogo and the BehaviorSearch tool is utilized for the simulation modeling and optimization process using random search and brute-force as the search algorithms. The output of the optimization process is the lane assignment that leads to a minimum total travel time for a given network geometry and traffic volumes. Results indicate that a flexible control concept such as optimized CFLARIC has great potential to improve the efficiency of traffic control strategies with CAVs.
Evaluating the Short-term Performance of Spray-on Rejuvenators using a Modified Bending Beam Rheometer Test Methodology
Authors: Vaddy Poornachandra , Islam Tanzila , Kutay Mohammed Emin , Vrtis Michael , Haider Syed Waqar , Cetin Bora
Published: November 2023

Spray-on rejuvenation is a preventive maintenance strategy that highway agencies use to prolong the service life of asphalt pavements. This process involves applying rejuvenators on the surface of asphalt pavement to reverse the stiffening caused by aging. However, with several rejuvenators available on the market, it can be challenging to select specific products without understanding their effects at the mixture level. In this study, 12 different spray-on rejuvenators were applied on two different test sections (each with multiple test cells) at the Minnesota Road Research Facility. To assess the short-term (1–2 months) performance of rejuvenators, bending beam rheometer (BBR) test beams were prepared from the surface of the field-extracted cores, and a creep stiffness test was performed. The creep stiffness was measured at three different temperatures to evaluate the effectiveness of rejuvenators at these temperatures. The BBR test was not used to assess the low-temperature cracking resistance; instead, it was simply used to measure the beams’ linear viscoelastic property (i.e., the creep stiffness). Results indicated that the effect of rejuvenation is more evident at higher temperatures (20°C in this case). Besides, specific unexpected effects of rejuvenator products were observed. One of the test sections included extensive microcracks visible on the surface (presumably because of construction-related issues). Some of the rejuvenators closed these microcracks, leading to a “bridging” effect and increasing the stiffness of the BBR beams. This study provides a reference for evaluating the effect of spray-on treatments at the asphalt mixture level, which can assist roadway agencies in decision-making.
Study on Induced Passenger Flow Forecast for Intercity High-Speed Rail
Authors: Qian Cheng , Siyuan Qu , Qizhou Hu
Published: November 2023

To forecast the induced passenger flow of intercity high-speed rail, two related multinomial logit models are applied to describe travelers’ travel choice behavior under changes in the travel environment. The first model describes different choices of travel mode by travelers between origin–destination pairs, while the second model describes the choice of travel frequency by different travelers. By introducing the consumption surplus variable of travelers, the two selected models are correlated and the model is calibrated using data from a behavioral survey and an intention survey. The results show that the polynomial logit model is applicable for forecasting induced passenger flow after changes in the travel environment. The consumption surplus of travelers is the key factor influencing changes in travel frequency, and the social characteristics of travelers and the economic development features of origin and destination cities have significant impacts on travel frequency. In-transit time is the key factor affecting the demand elasticity of travel frequency. The range of demand elasticity for short-distance business and non-business travel is between −0.61 and −0.79. The results of the demand elasticity analysis were applied to predict that the travel frequency of people from Nanjing to Huai’an, Suqian, Lianyungang, and Yancheng will increase by about 45% after the opening of the Nanjing-Huai’an intercity high-speed railway.
Characterizing Caregiver Roles and Conflict in Health Management Support to Older People With Multiple Chronic Conditions
Authors: Russell Andrea M. , Bonham Morgan , Lovett Rebecca , Pack Allison , Wolf Michael S. , O’Conor Rachel
Published: November 2023

Caregivers provide critical support for older adults managing multiple chronic conditions (MCCs), but few studies describe the assistance caregivers provide or identify factors influencing their provision of support. We conducted qualitative interviews with 25 caregivers to older adults with MCCs to describe caregivers’ roles and identify the factors that influence caregivers’ ability to carry out these roles. Transcripts were analyzed using the Framework Method. Caregivers supported the management of MCCs in several ways, including monitoring conditions, communicating with clinicians, and tracking health information. Disagreement, or conflicted relationships, between caregivers and older adults over health and behaviors influenced the provision of support, resulting in less involved and less effective caregivers. Caregivers in conflicted relationships were more challenged by resistance from older adults. Greater agreement, or collaboration, between caregivers and older adults resulted in more involved and effective caregivers. Addressing health-related conflict may enhance caregivers’ capacity to support older adults with MCCs.
A Productive Mix? Urban Manufacturing in Planned Industrial Zones and Mixed-Use Districts
Authors: Grodach Carl , Martin Declan
Published: November 2023

This study contributes to planning debates around industrial rezoning and the changing nature of urban manufacturing. Drawing on interviews with food and beverage manufacturers in Melbourne, Australia, we examine the relationship between zoning and firm operations, comparing experiences in planned industrial zones with those in mixed-use districts. We found that industrial zones more effectively shield manufacturers from competing and conflicting uses. However, they may not accommodate the growing set of enterprises that combine production and service functions. We also found variation in industrial zones with some performing as de facto mixed-use environments that provide proximity benefits alongside regulatory protection.
Where are all the women? A cross-cultural analysis of women in online news
Authors: Mostafa Taha Basma , Fahmy Shahira S.
Published: November 2023

This comparative study analyzes the representation of women in online news in three countries that rank differently along the gender equality continuum: the United States, Sweden, and Egypt. Based on a content analysis of 420 news articles, a total of 2,210 news subjects were analyzed from six news websites. Results suggest that women continue to be underrepresented in the news of the three countries examined and that stereotypical patterns continue to be dominant in the online digital environment although significant differences in gender portrayal among the three countries were noted.
Applying critical leadership to advance 2SLGBTQIA+ health equity: A complex adaptive systems approach
Authors: McGibbon Elizabeth
Published: November 2023

Health inequities are increasing in Canada and across the globe. They pose a substantial threat to the health and well‐being of millions of people. Organizational leadership, if it is to effectively contribute to tackling these inequities, must become more systematically infused with competencies that address power and the structural determinants of health. Health equity contexts for 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Plus) remain a neglected area of focus in organizational leadership. The goals of this article are to provide: (1) a concise description of critical perspectives and critical leadership studies, (2) describe the urgency of theoretical and applied leadership approaches that more fulsomely integrate critical perspectives, and (3) illustrate an integration of a complex adaptive systems approach to support critical perspectives in advancing health equity for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Cinematic Rendering of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours: A Review of Current Possibilities and Future Developments
Authors: Barat Maxime , Pellat Anna , Terris Benoit , Dohan Anthony , Coriat Romain , Fishman Elliot K. , Rowe Steven P. , Chu Linda , Soyer Philippe
Published: November 2023

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are defined as CD117-positive primary, spindled or epithelioid, mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract, omentum, or mesentery. While computed tomography (CT) is the recommended imaging modality for GISTs, overlap in imaging features between GISTs and other gastrointestinal tumours often make radiological diagnosis and subsequent selection of the optimal therapeutic approach challenging. Cinematic rendering is a novel CT post-processing technique that generates highly photorealistic anatomic images based on a unique lighting model. The global lighting model produces high degrees of surface detail and shadowing effects that generate depth in the final three-dimensional display. Early studies have shown that cinematic rendering produces high-quality images with enhanced detail by comparison with other three-dimensional visualization techniques. Cinematic rendering shows promise in improving the visualization of enhancement patterns and internal architecture of abdominal lesions, local tumour extension, and global disease burden, which may be helpful for lesion characterization and pretreatment planning. This article discusses and illustrates the application of cinematic rendering in the evaluation of GISTs and the unique benefit of using cinematic rendering in the workup of GIST with a specific emphasis on tumour characterization and preoperative planning.
Experimental characteristics of 316L stainless steel thin wall processed in wire-based arc additive manufacturing process
Authors: Gowthaman P. S. , Jeyakumar S. , Sarathchandra D. T
Published: November 2023

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is an innovative technology for the fabrication of larger metal parts with complex geometry. It has a higher deposition rate, low wastage, production efficiency, and close tolerance. In this work, 316L stainless steel parts were manufactured by cold metal transfer-based WAAM process, and the effects of microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. Microstructure studies reveal the formation of columnar and equiaxed grain morphologies with the development of epitaxial growth along the building direction. The radiographic test confirms various defects such as pores and cracks associated with the 316L deposited part. However, the microhardness studies show a uniform distribution of hardness values. The average value of microhardness of the as-deposited part was 220 HV. Tensile studies show the horizontal samples were ultimate tensile stress (UTS): 576 MPa, yield stress (YS): 302 MPa, and elongation (EL): 35% in comparison with the vertical samples were UTS: 469 MPa, YS: 295 MPa and EL: 39% and the sample exhibits the anisotropy properties. Further, the fracture surface of the tensile sample exhibits a ductile fracture with enough dimples, voids, and plastic deformation. The result shows that fabricated WAAM stainless steel 316L parts exhibit the finer microstructure and improved mechanical properties, which is extremely better than 316L stainless steel casting, forging, and wrought counterparts.
Electrogastrography in patients with gastric motility disorders
Authors: Al Kafee Abdullah , Kayar Yusuf
Published: November 2023

Electrogastrography (EGG) is a novel diagnostic modality for assessing the gastrointestinal tract (GI) that generates spontaneous electrical activity and monitors gastric motility. The aim of this study was to compare patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and diabetic gastroparesis (D-GP) with healthy controls (CT) to use established findings on abnormalities of gastric motility based on EGG characteristics. In this study, 50 patients with FD, 50 D-GP patients, and 50 CT subjects were studied to compare EGG with discrete wavelet transform models (DWT) to extract signal characteristics using a variety of different qualitative and quantitative metrics from pre-prandial and postprandial states. As a result, higher statistically significant ( p < 0.05*) were found in the DWT models based on power spectral density (PSD) analysis in both states. We also present that the correlations between EGG metrics and the presence of FD, D-GP, and CT symptoms were inconsistent. This paper represents that EGG assessments of FD and D-GP patients differ from healthy controls in terms of abnormalities of gastric motility. Additionally, we demonstrate that diverse datasets showed adequate gastric motility responses to a meal. We anticipate that our method will provide a comprehensive understanding of gastric motility disorders for better treatment and monitoring in both clinical and research settings. In conclusion, we present potential future opportunities for precise gastrointestinal electrophysiological disorders.
A discursive study of parents’ identity construction in Chinese wedding ceremony
Authors: Wang Keyuan , Mao Yansheng
Published: November 2023

This paper aims to investigate the categories, strategies, and cultural driving forces behind identity constructions of parents in Chinese weddings, by examining naturally occurring wedding speeches in popular short video and audio-visual platforms. The results reveal that, first, parents as the speechmaker mainly construct the emotion-oriented personal identity, connection-built relational identity, and sociality-driven interactional identity; second, these identities are primarily constructed through the usage of vocatives, personal indexicals, metaphors, and speech acts (e.g. expressives, declaratives, directives, and commisives). Additionally, the identity construction of parents is deeply motivated by ‘ Li’ as a set of ethical norms in Chinese culture.
Pyrolysis recovery and product distribution of shrimp shell waste: Insights from thermogravimetric-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry characterization
Authors: Meng Lingbo , Foong Shin Ying , Yek Peter Nai Yuh , Liew Rock Keey , Karami Abdulnasser M , Verma Meenakshi , Ma Nyuk Ling , Sonne Christian , Lan John Chi-Wei , Lam Su Shiung
Published: November 2023

Shrimp consumption is increasing owing to its rich nutrition and delicious taste. As a result, the generation of shrimp shell waste is also increasing, while the current disposal method such as landfilling causes pollution and produces harmful leachate to living organisms and the environment. Therefore, a proper management strategy is needed to dispose of shrimp shell waste to mitigate the adverse effects caused to the environment. This study presents an in-depth approach to reveal the properties of shrimp shell waste and explore its potential for use in various applications. The shrimp shell waste was subjected to pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and thermogravimetric-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy pyrolysis to evaluate the gas composition from pyrolysis. Thermogravimetric-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis reveals that when the optimal temperature for pyrolysis is 400 °C–600 °C, the predominant functional group of gases produced are –CH, –OH, and –NH. On the other hand, the results of pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry indicate that hydrocarbon (51.86%) is the main product of shrimp shell waste pyrolysis at 900 °C, which can be used in paints, paint thinners, rubber, printing inks, adhesives (glue). Although it has a calorific value of 15.113 MJ/kg, it cannot be directly burned because of its high nitrogen concentration (10.85 wt.%) which may generate harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides. Overall, pyrolysis is recommended as a viable method for converting shrimp shell waste into versatile products.
Exploring the Links Between Racial Exclusion and Human Trafficking of Migrant Workers in Qatar
Authors: Offia Favour Ogbugo
Published: November 2023

Qatar has become a significant destination for migrant workers looking to escape unemployment in their home countries. However, highly active labour migration pathways create migration industries that exploit the increased supply of labour migrants, leading to trafficking. Human trafficking has been a longstanding concern in Qatar, especially with low-skilled migrant workers in the informal, domestic service and construction sectors. United Nations bodies and non-governamental organisations have criticised Qatar over the treatment of its migrant workforce, especially with concerns about trafficking for labour exploitation and forced labour. In addition to complaints of human trafficking, concerns have been raised concerning perceived racialised drivers of exploitation in Qatar. According to the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Ms Tendayi Achiume, Qatar battles with issues of structural racial discrimination concerning its migrant workforce. This article examines the links between race and the trafficking of migrant workers in Qatar.
Institutions and Entrepreneurship in Africa: Does Democracy Matter?
Authors: Ajide Folorunsho M.
Published: November 2023

Previous studies on the relationship between institutions and entrepreneurship do not cover the relevance of democracy in strengthening the two variables. It is not clear whether democratic regimes promote entrepreneurship in Africa. This study contributes to the debate by examining the impact of democracy on entrepreneurship in Africa. It also provides fresh insights by analysing how democracy can strengthen the relationship between institutional quality and entrepreneurship. Panel data from 23 African nations over the period 2006–2018 is used for the study. The results based on the panel-spatial correlation consistent technique augmented with least square dummy variables (PSCC-LSDV) show that a democratic regime is more favourable for promoting entrepreneurship. Findings reveal that good institutions promote entrepreneurship, and democratic regimes strengthen the relationship. It is also found that democracy and institutional quality perform complementary roles in promoting entrepreneurship in Africa. The findings suggest that an African nation with a truly democratic system of government can encourage entrepreneurial activities within its economy by using the opportunity presented by democracy to strengthen its institutional quality.
CEO Succession in Family Firm: An Integrated Framework and Future Research Insights
Authors: Bhardwaj Shikha , Chauhan Sumedha , Gupta Parul
Published: November 2023

The aim of the study is to empirically analyse the literature on CEO succession in family firms published in the last two decades. The analysis is conducted through bibliometric citation analysis using a sample of 325 studies. The researchers employ content analysis and citation mapping of 46 highly cited research articles to identify four main themes of discussion: Contextual, Conceptual, Configurational, and Procedural. Additionally, the study presents a multi-level conceptualisation that synthesises existing literature to establish a connection between drivers and outcomes of the CEO succession process in the family firm. Finally, the researchers provide future research directions and implications.
‘No Better Fund Without Me!’ Do Narcissistic Start-up Entrepreneurs Succeed in Venture Funding?
Authors: Brahmana Rayenda Khresna , Kontesa Maria
Published: November 2023

Unlike other narcissism research, this research uses a narcissism personality inventory (NPI) to capture the effect of startup entrepreneur’s narcissism in determining resource acquisition. Using Indonesian startup founders as the sample, the results demonstrate a positive association between narcissism and funding success, indicating that highly narcissistic startup entrepreneurs have a higher probability of success in their funding acquisition. The findings of this study are different from existing findings of the literature on narcissistic entrepreneurs that use unobtrusive measures and they support the upper-echelon theory. This research practically implies that a grandiose entrepreneur might be bad for the working environment but good for resource acquisition.
Breaking the Moonlighting Cycle: How Ethical Climate in Higher Education Can Curb Secondary Employment Intentions Among Teachers
Authors: Bommakanti Sai Manogna , TNVR Swamy
Published: November 2023

Moonlighting, the practice of taking on additional employment beyond one's primary job, is prevalent in higher education institutions. This study explored how the ethical climate of these institutions relates to teachers’ moonlighting intentions, considering gender as well. Surveying 189 teachers from various institutes, the research revealed a significant negative relationship between institutional ethical climate and moonlighting intentions. When the ethical climate is strong, moonlighting intentions decrease. Notably, gender showed no significant correlation with moonlighting intentions. These findings underscore the importance of a positive ethical climate in higher education to reduce moonlighting intentions among teachers.
The Global Shortage of School Nurses
Authors: Maughan Erin D. , Baltag Valentina
Published: November 2023

Calzolari and colleagues invited others to have an “open…professional dialogue” on how Italy can introduce school nurses into their system. This editorial is a response to that invitation. Although factors such as a broader nursing shortage and limited health resources definitely contribute to a global shortage of school nurses, three foundational reasons continue to challenge the demand for school nursing globally. The three reasons are traditional views and lack of understanding of the role of school nurses to address modern days challenges, inadequate system support and integration within education, and lack of data to illustrate value. These challenges must be addressed when discussing the inclusion of school nurses in education.
“Be that Light for the Next Generation”: Latino Men Find Agency During Their Undergraduate Experiences
Authors: Camacho Lazaro
Published: November 2023

This qualitative phenomenological study used Harro’s (1997) Cycle of Socialization framework to explore how Latino men made meaning of their undergraduate experiences in relation to their sense of masculine gender identity. The findings center on the socialization of Latino masculine gender identity through familial norms and expectations, navigating student success challenges in relation to a learned aversion to asking for help, and developing a sense of liberation through an unlearning of masculine gender norms. This study provides implications for practice and research to advance support for undergraduate Latino men students through the study of the socializing role of the Latino family, a deeper integration of the Latino family into the undergraduate experiences of Latino men, and the support of Latino men through tailored peer-mentoring based programming.
Modified couple stress theory (MCST) and refined zigzag theory (RZT) for wave propagation of embedded smart sandwich plates with magnetorheological fluid core and viscoelastic FG-CNTRC magnetostrictive face sheets
Authors: Mosayyebi Mohammad , Ashenai Ghasemi Faramarz , Kolahchi Reza
Published: November 2023

This paper discusses the wave propagation of a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) micro sandwich plate with magnetostrictive face sheets embedded in the Kerr foundation. The face sheets are reinforced with functionally graded carbon nanotubes (FG-CNT). It was hypothesized that the distribution of carbon nanotubes would be functionally graded along the thickness of face sheets in various patterns such as uniform distribution (UD), and three type of functionally graded (FG), that is, FG-O, FG-X, and FG-AV. The properties of the magnetostrictive layer are considered viscoelastic based on the Kelvin-Voigt model. The refined zigzag theory (RZT) is utilized to simulate displacements of the plate due to the sandwich nature of the system. The modified couple stress theory (MCST) is utilized to predict the influence of small-scale parameter. The equations of motion for the micro sandwich plate are derived by Hamilton's principle, and analytical solutions are utilized to acquire the phase speed, escape, and cut-off frequencies. After model verification, extensive analytical results are presented in detail. They demonstrated that the wave characteristics of the system are influenced by the micro sandwich plate parameters. Consequently, the dimensionless phase speed rises 66% via increasing the magnetic field magnitude from 12.5 to 17.5 G.
Hypercalcemia associated with interaction between all trans retinoic acid and fluconazole in an acute promyelocytic leukemia and acquired hypoparathyroidism case
Authors: Akman Büşra Tuğçe , Arıca Deniz , Koca Ebru , Karakuş Sema
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is the most malignant form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with short survival without treatment. All trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a vitamin A metabolite and plays an important role in the treatment of APL. Hypercalcemia is a rare side effect of ATRA.

Case Report

A 67-year-old female patient was investigated due to widespread bruising and pancytopenia. The patient was diagnosed with APL and remission was achieved by administering idarubicin together with ATRA in the induction treatment. The patient has hypocalcemia due to acquired hypoparathyroidism, and it was observed that the calcium level increased with the initiation of fluconazole 200 mg/day for antifungal prophylaxis together with ATRA in the consolidation treatment. It was observed that the calcium value reached 13 mg/dL by increasing the fluconazole to 400 mg/day treatment dose due to oral mucositis.

Management and Outcome

The development of hypercalcemia has been reported in previous case reports when ATRA is used together with voriconazole, fosfluconazole, itraconazole, and posaconazole, which inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes. In this case, it is the first in the literature that a patient with hypocalcemia due to acquired hypoparathyroidism developed hypercalcemia after fluconazole and ATRA were used together.

Discussion

Since hypercalcemia may develop while azole drugs are administered during ATRA treatment, it is important to monitor calcium levels to prevent complications of hypercalcemia.
Addressing the Mental Health of Nursing Students During the Pandemic: The Evaluation of a Needs Assessment by a College of Nursing Mental Health Task Force
Authors: Vick Lori L. , Raynor Phyllis A. , Bush Rachel , Hutto April , Potts Maryellen , Inman Dianna , Schaller Stephanie , Nelson Cheryl , Ribar Alicia , Worthy Karen , McCormick Jessica , Baliko Beverly
Published: November 2023

Background:

A Mental Health Task Force (MHTF) was developed in a large public college of nursing in the Southeastern United States to address the urgent mental health needs expressed by growing numbers of nursing students related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to report on a needs assessment conducted by the MHTF.

Methods:

The needs assessment study design was a 16-item cross-sectional online survey and four “Town Hall” focus groups with nursing students, faculty, and staff ( n = 1–8 participants per group). Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and free-text questions from the survey and focus groups were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach.

Results:

Undergraduate and graduate students ( n = 115) ranging in age from 17 to 50 years completed the survey; 95% female, 94% full-time, 56% employed, 77% White, and 81% in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Eleven students participated in the focus groups. The analysis of the free-text survey questions identified the students’ perceived needs. Mental health care was the most frequently requested, followed by faculty check-ins, stress management, and peer support.

Conclusions:

The administration of the survey provided an opportunity for students to communicate concerns and make requests. To address the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing students, multi-modal needs assessments should be conducted periodically to identify priority mental health needs.