bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legal Person- or Agenthood of Artificial Intelligence Technologies
Authors:   Tallinn University of Technology, Kerikmäe Tanel , Müürsepp Peeter ,   Tallinn University of Technology, Pihl Henri Mart ,   Tallinn University of Technology, Ondrej Hamuľák Ondrej ,   Palacký University Olomouc, Kocharyan Hovsep ,   Palacký University Olomouc
Published: December 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing rapidly. There are technologies available that fulfil several tasks better than humans can and even behave like humans to some extent. Thus, the situation prompts the question whether AI should be granted legal person- and/or agenthood? There have been similar situations in history where the legal status of slaves or indigenous peoples was discussed. Still, in those historical questions, the subjects under study were always natural persons, i.e., they were living beings belonging to the species Homo sapiens. We analyse the situation from moral-ethical and practical perspectives. The final conclusion is that the currently existing AIs are still so far removed from humans that there is simply no need to think seriously about legal person- or agenthood. Doing so would mean imposing obligations on the AI to follow. This, in turn, would mean that certain rights in relation to those obligations would have to be granted as well. By all evidence, this is something that humans are not ready to do yet and might never get that far.
RYR2 Channel Inhibition Is the Principal Mechanism of Flecainide Action in CPVT
Authors: Kryshtal Dmytro O. , Blackwell Daniel J. , Egly Christian L. , Smith Abigail N. , Batiste Suzanne M. , Johnston Jeffrey N. , Laver Derek R. , Knollmann Bjorn C.
Published: December 2020

Rationale:

The class Ic antiarrhythmic drug flecainide prevents ventricular tachyarrhythmia in patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), a disease caused by hyperactive RyR2 (cardiac ryanodine receptor) mediated calcium (Ca) release. Although flecainide inhibits single RyR2 channels in vitro, reports have claimed that RyR2 inhibition by flecainide is not relevant for its mechanism of antiarrhythmic action and concluded that sodium channel block alone is responsible for flecainide’s efficacy in CPVT.

Objective:

To determine whether RyR2 block independently contributes to flecainide’s efficacy for suppressing spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca release and for preventing ventricular tachycardia in vivo.

Methods and Results:

We synthesized N-methylated flecainide analogues (QX-flecainide and
N
-methyl flecainide) and showed that
N
-methylation reduces flecainide’s inhibitory potency on RyR2 channels incorporated into artificial lipid bilayers.
N
-methylation did not alter flecainide’s inhibitory activity on human cardiac sodium channels expressed in HEK293T cells. Antiarrhythmic efficacy was tested utilizing a Casq2 (cardiac calsequestrin) knockout (Casq2−/−) CPVT mouse model. In membrane-permeabilized Casq2−/− cardiomyocytes—lacking intact sarcolemma and devoid of sodium channel contribution—flecainide, but not its analogues, suppressed RyR2-mediated Ca release at clinically relevant concentrations. In voltage-clamped, intact Casq2−/− cardiomyocytes pretreated with tetrodotoxin to inhibit sodium channels and isolate the effect of flecainide on RyR2, flecainide significantly reduced the frequency of spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca release, while QX-flecainide and
N
-methyl flecainide did not. In vivo, flecainide effectively suppressed catecholamine-induced ventricular tachyarrhythmias in Casq2−/− mice, whereas
N
-methyl flecainide had no significant effect on arrhythmia burden, despite comparable sodium channel block.

Conclusions:

Flecainide remains an effective inhibitor of RyR2-mediated arrhythmogenic Ca release even when cardiac sodium channels are blocked. In mice with CPVT, sodium channel block alone did not prevent ventricular tachycardia. Hence, RyR2 channel inhibition likely constitutes the principal mechanism of antiarrhythmic action of flecainide in CPVT.
Are Dalit Women Healers Allowed to Claim “Tradition”?
Authors: Ram Kalpana
Published: December 2020

This essay uses Dalit women’s mediumship as a healing tradition that provides something of a “limit situation” from which to review basic assumptions about the varied ways in which we can understand what it is to “have” tradition—as an acquisition and inheritance that Dalit women enjoy like everyone else, but also as formal claims to value and recognition that are largely denied to Dalit women. Comparing Dalit women healers with male performers in ritual theater and more privileged healers in rural Tamil Nadu, the essay addresses dimensions of inequality comparatively neglected in studies of tradition as either constructed or invented within modernity. The essay moves us away from discussions of tradition that center on conscious claims to a consideration of the elements that mean that some traditions may never reach the level of being articulated as claims, let alone achieve recognition.
The Longer Theology of Aristotle in al-Andalus
Authors: Treiger Alexander
Published: December 2020

The present article reports the discovery of previously unknown quotations from the Longer Theology of Aristotle (LThA), preserved in Lisān al-Dīn Ibn al-Khaṭīb’s (d. 776/1374) philosophical-mystical treatise Rawḍat al-taʿrīf bi-l-ḥubb al-sharīf (composed in Granada ca. 1366). The first of these quotations contains the famous ekstasis passage, which is not preserved in Judeo-Arabic. The second quotation has a close parallel in the Epistles of the Brethren of Purity (Ikhwān al-ṣafāʾ). An analysis of these quotations provides additional evidence to the transmission of LThA in Arabic characters. The Appendix provides an up-to-date inventory of the Judeo-Arabic manuscripts of LThA, complete quire analysis of manuscripts A and C, and a table of correspondences between the unpublished “MS Fenton,” Borisov’s references to LThA, and modern pagination.
Wide-nosed pygmy grasshoppers (Cladonotinae: Cladonotini, Xerophyllini) of India and Sri Lanka: catalogue with an identification key and description of a new species of the genus Tettilobus
Authors: BHASKAR DHANEESH , STERMŠEK SARA , EASA P.S. , FRANJEVIĆ DAMJAN , SKEJO JOSIP
Published: December 2020

Wide nosed pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae: Cladonotinae) are grasshoppers in which the frontal costa bifurcates into strongly divergent facial carinae, between which there is wide scutellum. Altogether seven genera and thirteen species inhabit India and Sri Lanka. Tribe Cladonotini is represented in this region by five genera and nine species (Cladonotus—4 spp., Deltonotus—2 spp., Gignotettix—1 sp., Hancockella—1 sp., and Yunnantettix—1 sp.), while the tribe Xerophyllini by two genera, Tettilobus (3 sp.) and Potua (1 sp.). For this Potua species it is not clear if it belongs to this genus. A simple identification key to Cladonotinae of India and Sri Lanka is provided. New synonyms are: Deltonotus humilis syn. nov., Epitettix tamilus syn. nov. and Potua aptera syn. nov., synonymous with Deltonotus gibbiceps. Deltonotus cristatus should be regarded nomen nudum. A new species, assigned to the genus Tettilobus is described from the Western Ghats of Kerala, Tettilobus trishula Skejo, Bhaskar et Stermšek sp. n. Furthermore, we present the first records of D. subcucullatus from India (Kerala).
Ultrastructure of the egg of Coquillettidia venezuelensis (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: DE MELLO CECILIA FERREIRA , ALENCAR JERONIMO
Published: December 2020

This study examined the ultrastructural characteristics of the egg of Coquillettidia venezuelensis (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae) with the aid of scanning electron microscopy. The eggs are elliptical and blackish, measuring on average 525.3 ± 12.8 μm in length and 94.9 ± 5.14 μm in width, with a length to width ratio of 5.54 ± 0.18. The anterior region of the egg is tubuliform, with a well-developed micropylar collar measuring approximately 2.54 ± 0.33 μm in thickness, the inner side of which is uniformly and deeply excavated, with a depression around the outer margin of the micropylar disc, which has a diameter of 29.4 ± 1.7 μm, an area of 234.4 μm2 ± 401.3 μm2 and a slightly elevated central region measuring 1.7 ± 0.5 μm in diameter that bears the central micropyle.
Revisiting the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation as Seen in ERA5. Part I: Description and Momentum Budget
Authors: Pahlavan Hamid A. , Fu Qiang , Wallace John M. , Kiladis George N.
Published: December 2020

The dynamics and momentum budget of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) are examined in ERA5. Because of ERA5’s higher spatial resolution compared to its predecessors, it is capable of resolving a broader spectrum of atmospheric waves and allows for a better representation of the wave–mean flow interactions, both of which are of crucial importance for QBO studies. It is shown that the QBO-induced mean meridional circulation, which is mainly confined to the winter hemisphere, is strong enough to interrupt the tropical upwelling during the descent of the westerly shear zones. Since the momentum advection tends to damp the QBO, the wave forcing is responsible for both the downward propagation and for the maintenance of the QBO. It is shown that half the required wave forcing is provided by resolved waves during the descent of both westerly and easterly regimes. Planetary-scale waves account for most of the resolved wave forcing of the descent of westerly shear zones and small-scale gravity (SSG) waves with wavelengths shorter than 2000 km account for the remainder. SSG waves account for most of the resolved forcing of the descent of the easterly shear zones. The representation of the mean fields in the QBO is very similar in ERA5 and ERA-Interim but the resolved wave forcing is substantially stronger in ERA5. The contributions of the various equatorially trapped wave modes to the QBO forcing are documented in Part II.
Evaluation of GPM Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) Rainfall Products Using the Rain Gauge Network over China
Authors: Gao Yang , Wu Tongwen , Wang Jun , Tang Shihao
Published: December 2020

The Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) on board the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission core satellite provides the new-generation global observation of rain since 2014. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the suitability and limitation of GPM-DPR level-2 products over China. The DPR rain rate products are compared with rain gauge data during the summers of 5 years (2014–18). The ground observation network is composed of more than 50 000 rain gauges. The DPR precipitation products for all scans (DPR_NS, DPR_MS, and DPR_HS) generally underestimate rain rates. However, DPR_MS agrees better with gauge estimates than DPR_NS and DPR_HS, yielding the lowest mean error, systematic deviation, and highest Pearson correlation coefficient. In addition, all three swath types show obvious overestimation over gauge estimates between 0.5 and 1 mm h−1 and underestimation when gauge estimates are larger than 1 mm h−1. The DPR_HS and DPR_MS agree better with gauge estimates below and above 2.5 mm h−1, respectively. A deeper investigation was carried out to analyze the variation of DPR_MS’s performance with respect to terrains over China. An obvious underestimation, relative to gauge estimates, occurs in Tibetan Plateau while a slight overestimation occurs in the North China Plain. Furthermore, our comprehensive analysis suggests that in Sichuan Basin, the DPR_MS exhibit the best agreement with gauge estimates.
Choosing a Candidate: Traits, Issues, and Electability
Authors: Peacock Cynthia , Dugger Hannah , Fanelli J. Knox , Harris A. Jackson , McLelland J. Bert , Richardson Lauren A.
Published: December 2020

This research investigates the roles of issues, traits, and electability in the 2020 U.S. presidential nominating contest. These analyses utilize survey data gathered at political rallies in Iowa leading up to the caucuses and state and national news coverage. First, we identified the traits and issues respondents used to describe their support for a particular Democratic candidate over others. Next, we determined how issues, traits, and electability differed among the candidates. Finally, an analysis of news coverage uncovered how each candidate’s electability was framed. We found supporters of moderate candidates were more likely to mention candidate traits as reasons for their support, whereas supporters of progressive candidates were more likely to mention issues. Despite the media focus on electability, respondents did not indicate that as a primary reason for supporting a candidate. State and national news coverage treated the electability of Democrats vying for the party nomination quite differently, depending on the candidate’s gender and ideology.
Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Predicting Residual Breast Cancer After Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy
Authors: Zheng Sun , Qi Liu , Guang-Qiang Zhang , Ming-Ming Shi , Chun-Hong Xu
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting residual breast cancer in patients after vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB).

Methods

Between 2012 and 2019, 26 patients with breast cancer who underwent VABB were enrolled. Breast MRI was conducted after VABB. Imaging findings were then compared with the histopathological results. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated.

Results

Residual cancer was confirmed histologically in 8 of the 26 patients after VABB. The overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of MRI for diagnosing residual cancer were 79.9%, 73.0%, 87.1%, 61.3%, and 77.8%, respectively. The sensitivity and NPV improved to 100%, when the number of biopsy specimens was larger than five.

Conclusion

Breast MRI showed high sensitivity and NPV in detecting residual breast tumor after VABB.
Clinical and Financial Implications of Consulting Physicians in the Management of Surgical Patients
Authors: Reza Joseph A. , Steve Eubanks W. , de la Fuente Sebastian G.
Published: December 2020

Background

The present study was designed to evaluate the immediate consequences that the number of consulting physicians has on length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, 30-day readmission rates, direct health care costs, and contribution margins.

Methods

A retrospective review of administrative databases for the years 2013 and 2014 was performed at the Florida Hospital Adventist Healthcare System.

Results

11 274 patients were included in the analysis. Total and variable costs increased by $1347 and $592, respectively, with each consulting physician service per patient. The contribution margin decreased by $354 per patient/consulting physician. Each consulting physician increased LOS by .72 days and increased odds ratio of mortality and 30-day readmission by 5% and 3%, respectively.

Conclusions

Our research suggests that each consulting physician added to the care of an individual surgical patient negatively affected LOS, readmission rates, in-hospital mortality, and costs.
A Handoff Protocol for Pediatric Trauma Patients at a Rural Level One Trauma Center Reduces Length of Stay
Authors: Coile Evelyn , Bailey Kathryn , Clayton Eric J. , Eversley Kelso Tatiana R. , MacNew Heather
Published: December 2020

Background

The management of the pediatric trauma patient is variable among trauma centers. In some institutions, the trauma surgeon maintains control of the patient throughout the hospital stay, while others transfer to a pediatric specialist after the initial evaluation and resuscitation period. We hypothesized that handoff to the pediatric surgeon would decrease the length of stay by more efficient coordination with pediatric subspecialists and ancillary staff.

Methods

A retrospective review from October 2014 to October 2018 was conducted at our rural level 1 trauma center analyzing the length of stay across all demographics and trauma triage levels before and after institution of a handoff protocol from adult specialized trauma surgeons to pediatric surgeons within a 24-hour window. Further analysis included emergency department (ED) disposition to include the effect of handoff on the length of stay in the setting of a higher post-ED acuity, that is, disposition of monitored beds.

Results

1267 patient charts were analyzed and the mean length of stay was reduced by .38 days ( t = 5.92, P < .0005) across all demographics, trauma triage levels, post-ED dispositions, and mechanisms of injury after institution of our handoff protocol.

Conclusion

Handoff from adult specialized trauma surgeons to pediatric surgeons within a 24-hour window at a rural level 1 trauma center significantly improved the length of stay by .38 ( t = 5.92, P < .0005) among pediatric trauma patients in all demographics, trauma triage activations levels, mechanisms of injury, and post-ED dispositions acuity levels.
Racial and Sex Disparities in Trauma Outcomes Based on Geographical Region
Authors: Duong William Q. , Grigorian Areg , Farzaneh Cyrus , Nahmias Jeffry , Chin Theresa , Schubl Sebastian , Dolich Matthew , Lekawa Michael
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Disparities in outcomes among trauma patients have been shown to be associated with race and sex. The purpose of this study was to analyze racial and sex mortality disparities in different regions of the United States, hypothesizing that the risk of mortality among black and Asian trauma patients, compared to white trauma patients, will be similar within all regions in the United States.

Methods

The Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2010-2016) was queried for adult trauma patients, separating by U.S. Census regions. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed for each region, controlling for known predictors of morbidity and mortality in trauma.

Results

Most trauma patients were treated in the South (n = 522 388, 40.7%). After risk adjustment, black trauma patients had a higher associated risk of death in all regions, except the Northeast, compared to white trauma patients. The highest associated risk of death for blacks (vs. whites) was in the Midwest (odds ratio [OR] 1.30, P < .001). Asian trauma patients only had a higher associated risk of death in the West (OR 1.39, P < .001). Male trauma patients, compared to women, had an increased associated risk of mortality in all four regions.

Discussion

This study found major differences in outcomes among different races within different regions of the United States. There was also both an increased rate and associated risk of mortality for male patients in all regions. Future prospective studies are needed to identify what regional differences in trauma systems including population density, transport times, hospital access, and other trauma resources explain these findings.
Risk Factors for Appendiceal Cancer After Appendectomy
Authors: Stopenski Stephen J. , Grigorian Areg , Carmichael Joseph , Mills Steven , Brady Matthew , Dolich Matthew , Kuza Catherine M. , Nguyen Ninh T. , Nahmias Jeffry
Published: December 2020

Background

Appendiceal cancer (AC) is a rare malignancy usually diagnosed incidentally after appendectomy. Risk factors for AC are poorly understood. We sought to provide a descriptive analysis for patients with AC discovered after appendectomy for acute appendicitis (AA).

Methods

The 2016-2017 American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Procedure-Targeted Appendectomy database was queried for adult patients who underwent appendectomy for image-suspected AA. Patients with pathology consistent with AA were compared to patients found to have AC. A multivariable logistic regression model was used for analysis.

Results

From 21 058 patients, 203 (1.0%) were found to have AC on pathology. Compared to patients with AA, patients with AC were older (median, 48 vs. 40 years old, P < .001). The AA group had a similar rate of perforated appendix compared to the AC group (16.3% vs. 13.4% P = .32). After adjusting for covariates, associated risk factors for AC were: age ≥65 years old (odds ratio (OR) 2.25, 1.5-3.38, P < .001), absence of leukocytosis (OR 1.58, 1.16-2.17, P = .004), and operative time ≥1 hour (OR 1.57, 1.14-2.16, P = .006). Gender, race, and history of smoking were not independent associated risk factors for AC.

Conclusion

The incidence of AC after appendectomy for suspected AA is approximately 1% in a large national analysis. These factors may be used to help identify patients at higher risk for AC after appendectomy.
Evaluation of Pelvic Anastomosis by Endoscopic and Contrast Studies Prior to Ileostomy Closure: Are Both Necessary? A Single Institution Review
Authors: Farzaneh Cyrus A. , Jafari Mehraneh D. , Duong William Q. , Grigorian Areg , Carmichael Joseph C. , Mills Steven D. , Brady Matthew T. , Pigazzi Alessio
Published: December 2020

Contrast enema is the gold standard technique for evaluating a pelvic anastomosis (PA) prior to ileostomy closure. With the increasing use of flexible endoscopic modalities, the need for contrast studies may be unnecessary. The objective of this study is to compare flexible endoscopy and contrast studies for anastomotic inspection prior to defunctioning stoma reversal. Patients with a protected PA undergoing ileostomy closure between July 2014 and June 2019 at our institution were retrospectively identified. Demographics and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing preoperative evaluation with endoscopic and/or contrast studies were analyzed. We identified 207 patients undergoing ileostomy closure. According to surgeon’s preference, 91 patients underwent only flexible endoscopy (FE) and 100 patients underwent both endoscopic and contrast evaluation (FE + CE) prior to reversal. There was no significant difference in pelvic anastomotic leak (2.2% vs. 1%), anastomotic stricture (1.1% vs. 6%), pelvic abscess (2.2% vs. 3.0%), or postoperative anastomotic complications (4.4% vs. 9%) between groups FE and FE + CE ( P > .05). Flexible endoscopy alone appears to be an acceptable technique for anastomotic evaluation prior to ileostomy closure. Further studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of different diagnostic modalities for pelvic anastomotic inspection.
Hernia Size and Mesh Placement in Primary Umbilical Hernia Repair
Authors: Tao Zoe , Ordonez Javier , Huerta Sergio
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Umbilical hernia repair (UHR) using mesh has been demonstrated to significantly reduce recurrence. However, many surgical centers still perform tissue repair for UH. In the present study, we assessed a cohort of veteran patients undergoing a standard open tissue repair for primary UH to determine at which size recurrence may preclude tissue repair. A systematic review of the literature on hernia size recommendations to guide mesh placement was performed.

Methods

A single-institution single-surgeon retrospective review of all patients undergoing open tissue repair of primary UH (n = 344) was undertaken at the VA North Texas Health Care System between 2005 and 2019. Guidelines for the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis were undertaken for systematic review.

Results

A literature review yielded inconsistent guidance for a specific hernia size to proceed with tissue vs. mesh repair. Our institutional review yielded 17 (4.9%) recurrences. Univariable analysis demonstrated recurrence to be associated with hernia size (2.8 vs. 2.3 cm; P = .04). However, on multivariable analysis, hernia size was demonstrated as not an independent predictor of recurrence [OR 1.47 (95% CI; .97-2.21; P = .07)].

Conclusion

A review of the literature suggests mesh placement most commonly when the hernia size is > 2.0 cm; however, sources of evidence are heterogeneous in study design, patient population, and hernia types studied. Our institutional review demonstrated that primary UHs < 2.3 cm can successfully be treated via tissue repair. Larger, recurrent, incisional, and primary epigastric hernias may benefit from mesh placement.
Traumatic Avulsion of Right Upper Lobe Bronchus in a Three-Year-Old
Authors: Parikh Rajavi S. , Dehmer Jeffrey , Weiner Timothy
Published: December 2020

Major bronchial injury during blunt trauma is a life-threatening occurrence in children. We describe a 3-year-old female who presented with a near circumferential tear at the takeoff of the right upper lobe bronchus after an all-terrain vehicle accident. This is an unusual blunt traumatic injury in the pediatric population and highlights the need for evaluation when a large, persistent air leak occurs after chest tube placement.
Suicide mortality in the United States following the suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain
Authors: Sinyor Mark , Tran Ulrich S , Garcia David , Till Benedikt , Voracek Martin , Niederkrotenthaler Thomas
Published: December 2020

Objective:

The suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, two major American icons, in a span of days in June 2018 represent a unique and tragic natural experiment to characterize associations with actual suicides in the aftermath of celebrity suicides. The aim of this study was to identify changes in suicide counts after their deaths.

Methods:

Suicide data were obtained from the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s public-use mortality file. A time-series analysis was performed, examining monthly suicide data by age group (⩽19, 20–44, 45–64 and ⩾65 years), for both men and women, for all suicide methods and for hanging versus non-hanging methods, from January 1999 to December 2018. Seasonal autoregressive integrated moving-average models were fitted to the pre-June 2018 period, estimating suicides in subsequent months and identifying deviations from expected values. The volume of Twitter posts about Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain was used as a proxy of societal attention.

Results:

Tweets about the celebrities were mainly concentrated in June 2018 and faded quickly in July. Total suicides exceeded the 95% confidence interval for June and approximated the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval in July. Over this 2-month span, there were 418 (95% confidence interval = [184, 652]) more suicides than expected, including 275 (95% confidence interval = [79, 471]) excess suicides in men and 182 (95% confidence interval = [93, 271]) in women. These equate to 4.8%, 4.1% and 9.1% increases above expected counts. There were 392 (95% confidence interval = [271, 514]) excess suicides by hanging, a 14.5% increase, with no significant increase in all other methods combined.

Conclusion and Relevance:

These findings demonstrate that mortality following celebrity suicides can occur at a similar magnitude to that observed for other public health emergencies. They underscore the urgency for interventions to mitigate imitation effects after celebrity suicide reporting.
The Effects of Justice Judgments on Police Legitimacy Across Urban Neighborhoods: A Test of the Invariance Thesis
Authors: Reisig Michael D. , Flippin Michaela , Meško Gorazd , Trinkner Rick
Published: December 2020

The invariance thesis posits that the effects of procedural justice judgments on police legitimacy beliefs are consistent across a variety of contexts, including urban neighborhoods. An alternative argument, one steeped in the relational model of authority, holds that procedural justice effects are weaker in high-crime communities where residents do not identify with the police and where they place more weight on instrumental concerns. This study used survey data from 1,000 adults in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The regression models showed that the association between procedural justice and police legitimacy was stronger in low-risk neighborhoods. In high-risk areas, distributive justice was a stronger correlate of legitimacy. Overall, the findings highlight how neighborhood context can moderate the influence of fairness judgments on supportive beliefs.
Growth Mixture Modeling With Nonnormal Distributions: Implications for Data Transformation
Authors: Nam Yeji , Hong Sehee
Published: December 2020

This study investigated the extent to which class-specific parameter estimates are biased by the within-class normality assumption in nonnormal growth mixture modeling (GMM). Monte Carlo simulations for nonnormal GMM were conducted to analyze and compare two strategies for obtaining unbiased parameter estimates: relaxing the within-class normality assumption and using data transformation on repeated measures. Based on unconditional GMM with two latent trajectories, data were generated under different sample sizes (300, 800, and 1500), skewness (0.7, 1.2, and 1.6) and kurtosis (2 and 4) of outcomes, numbers of time points (4 and 8), and class proportions (0.5:0.5 and 0.25:0.75). Of the four distributions, it was found that skew- t GMM had the highest accuracy in terms of parameter estimation. In GMM based on data transformations, the adjusted logarithmic method was more effective in obtaining unbiased parameter estimates than the use of van der Waerden quantile normal scores. Even though adjusted logarithmic transformation in nonnormal GMM reduced computation time, skew- t GMM produced much more accurate estimation and was more robust over a range of simulation conditions. This study is significant in that it considers different levels of kurtosis and class proportions, which has not been investigated in depth in previous studies. The present study is also meaningful in that investigated the applicability of data transformation to nonnormal GMM.
Mark 9:48 and the Worms of Hell
Authors: Robinson Will
Published: December 2020

In this paper, I consider whether the worms of Mark 9:48 are to be taken literally or figuratively. I conclude that a literal sense is preferable.
Price and Income Elasticity of Demand for Services in India: A Macro Analysis
Authors: Kothe Satyanarayan Kishan
Published: December 2020

India has a higher share of services and rapid growth in its services sector that have contributed to the overall economic growth phenomenally. The services revolution recently experienced have caused services-led growth in India. There have been questions raised on the sustainability of services-led growth achieved by India. Besides exports of services, domestic consumers and producers also consume services. Domestic demand for services equally contributes to India’s services-led growth paradigm. The New Economic Policy, 1991 has a significant role in taking India on a services-led growth paradigm. The present study is an attempt to provide a substantial theoretical explanation through demand-side to support services-led growth. The paper estimates the demand for services overall and also for disaggregated sub-sectoral services. The present study estimates the price and income elasticity of demand for services from 1951 to 2010. The study endeavours to find structural changes in demand for services during pre and post-liberalised periods (1951–1990 and 1991–2010) through the most important determinants of demand for any product/service, that is, price and income. The study finds a structural change in demand for services corresponding to income and price. The study finds that India’s services are income elastic and are very unresponsive for the increase in price. Hence, it substantiates that domestic demand for services will help to sustain the services-led growth.
Economic Efficiency Measurement of Power Sector Reforms in Haryana Using DEA
Authors: Chauhan Pradeep S. , Singh Geetanjali
Published: December 2020

Haryana power sector reforms were initiated as a part of the overall power sector reform process initiated in the country under the supervision of the World Bank. Haryana became the second state in the country that implemented the restructuring process at the state level after Orissa. Enhancing efficiency, productivity and quality are the goals behind these reforms. This article attempts to measure the economic efficiency of the power sector reforms in Haryana. A non-parametric technique—data envelopment analysis (DEA)—is used to measure the economic efficiency in the pre- and post-reform period of power sector reforms. Also, the specification of input and output has been carried out and an input-oriented approach has been selected. the result reveals that the power sector reforms have significantly improved efficiency in input utilisation, but as far as scale efficiency is concerned, the power sector has measurable failures on this front. The power sector in Haryana still operates with inappropriate size of scale. Therefore, a well-calibrated and robust permanent policy needs to be formulated to achieve the objectives of the power sector reforms.
The Perils of Laundering Control through Customers: A Study of Control and Resistance in the Ride-hail Industry
Authors: Maffie Michael David
Published: December 2020

Customer abuse of frontline service workers is widespread. Yet despite growing recognition of this problem, we know very little about the role that service companies play in potentially enabling customers’ abusive behaviors. This phenomenon deserves attention because one of the recent trends in service management is giving customers a direct role in managing and evaluating workers’ performance. In this article, the author explores how granting customers direct access to organizational power over workers, what the author develops conceptually as “laundering control through customers,” explains how customer abuse emerges. Drawing on a sample of 486 Uber and Lyft drivers, the author examines how the companies’ use of the “five-star” evaluation system enables customers to engage in a range of different forms of abuse and how workers resist this configuration of control. This study contributes to the customer triangle literature by bringing in evidence from the gig economy and uncovers new implications for the “dark side” of customer service work.
Social representation of abuse of persons with severe mental illness in Jakiri, Cameroon: A qualitative study
Authors: Tanyuy Colins B , Aguocha Chinyere M , Nwefoh Emeka C , Wankam Mispar G
Published: December 2020

Background:

People with mental illness are vulnerable to abuse in the community. Cultural and social practices may be contributory.

Aim:

To explore the social representation of abuse of persons with mental illness among the inhabitants of Jakiri municipality in Cameroon.

Method:

This was a qualitative study based on the Theory of Reasoned Action, conducted in 2018 among 11 inhabitants of Jakiri municipality, aged above 18 years and who had lived in the town for at least 2 years. In-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using the basic thematic approach.

Results:

The belief that mental illness is incurable, a curse from the gods, a result of witchcraft, and a punishment for violation of core social norms were identified as the reasons for physical violence against persons with mental illness. Beliefs that persons with mental illness were disorganized, destructive, physically aggressive, and dependent on others were identified as reasons for emotional abuse.

Conclusion:

A misconception of mental illness was the major underlying factor for the abuse of persons with mental illness.
Factors associated with mental health outcomes among health care workers in the Fangcang shelter hospital in China
Authors: Gu Yingqi , Zhu Yi , Xu Guangxing
Published: December 2020

Background:

Faced with surging infections and considering that 80% of cases were mild and moderate, the city government transformed stadiums and exhibition centers into the Fangcang shelter hospitals (temporary treatment centers) in Wuhan.

Aim:

The aims of this study were to evaluate psychological impact on health care workers in the Fangcang shelter hospitals and analyze potential risk factors associated with these symptoms, including PTSS, symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and perceived stress.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study used an online survey to assess mental health problems of 522 health care workers in a Jianghan Fangcang shelter from February 21 to February 28, 2020.

Results:

Overall, 25.3%, 25.3%, 51.0%, 58.0%, 14.8%, and 39.1% of all participants reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and perceived stress, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that, occupation and technical title were associated with all investigated outcomes. Nurses were more likely to endorse posttraumatic stress symptoms (OR, 4.63; 95% CI, 2.43–8.82; p < .001), anxiety symptom (OR, 4.58; 95% CI, 2.76–7.62; p < .001), depression symptom (OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 2.17–5.64; p < .001). Participants with senior technical title were associated with higher perceived stress and insomnia than other technical title.

Conclusion:

In this survey, participants reported high rates of symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and perceived stress. Combining with the special environment of the shelter hospitals and the psychological needs, the health care workers should be given more effective interventions to relieve their stress and improve mental symptoms.
Risk and protective factors for comorbidity of PTSD, depression, and anxiety among Somali refugees in Kenya
Authors: Im Hyojin , Swan Laura ET , Warsame Abdilkadir H , Isse Maimuna M
Published: December 2020

Background:

Comorbid common mental disorders (CMDs) are pervasive in refugee populations. However, limited research has explored psychosocial factors for mental disorder comorbidity in Somali refugee samples.

Aims:

This study aims to explore potential risk and protective factors for comorbid depression-anxiety and comorbid depression-PTSD by examining associations between trauma exposure, psychosocial factors, and mental health symptoms among a sample of Somali refugees displaced in urban Kenya.

Methods:

We used snowball sampling to recruit Somali youth aged 15 to 35years( N = 250, n = 143 female, n = 88 male, n = 19 unknown gender). We measured 16 common types of trauma exposure and three psychosocial factors (endorsing violence, willingness to share problems, and symptom awareness) and used the HSCL-25 and PCL-C to capture individual and comorbid CMD symptoms, using guided cutoff points and/or algorithms. We then ran a series of logistic regression analyses to examine relationships between trauma exposure, psychosocial factors, and individual and comorbid CMD symptoms.

Results:

Findings showed that increased trauma exposure predicted symptoms of individual and comorbid CMDs. Increased symptom awareness and endorsement of violence predicted comorbid depression-PTSD and comorbid anxiety-depression symptoms, respectively. Willingness to share problems buffered depressive symptoms but did not predict comorbidity.

Conclusions:

These findings revealed the high CMD comorbidity prevalence with differential effects of trauma and psychosocial factors on individual or comorbid mental disorders. This study suggests a need for transdiagnostic approaches that cut across Western diagnostic boundaries and consider culturally responsive and relevant items for mental health measures.
Phone-based outpatients’ follow-up in mental health centers during the COVID-19 quarantine
Authors: Gentile Alessandro , Torales Julio , O’Higgins Marcelo , Figueredo Pamela , Castaldelli-Maia Joao Mauricio , De Berardis Domenico , Petito Annamaria , Bellomo Antonello , Ventriglio Antonio
Published: December 2020

Background:

The current COVID-19 pandemic is affecting mental health of global population and, particularly, of people suffering from preexisting mental disorders.

Aims:

This study aims to report on findings from a phone-based clinical follow-up conducted in two large catchment areas in Italy and Paraguay, during the COVID-19 lockdown, in order to provide psychiatric assessments and measure the level of stress related to the quarantine in a large sample of psychiatric outpatients.

Methods:

A clinical phone-based follow-up has been conducted in two large catchment areas in the province of Chieti (Vasto, Italy) and City of Asunción (Paraguay), during the COVID-19 national lockdown. The following rating scales have been employed: Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A); Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D); 18-items Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS-18). The psychological distress related to the outbreak has been assessed employing the Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R).

Results:

A total of 110 outpatients were consecutively included and followed among those reporting a stable phase of illness before the COVID-19 lockdown. Findings confirmed a significant increase of general psychopathology, anxiety and fear as well as mild levels of stress related to the quarantine. Also, significant weight gain during the lockdown was detected among patients.

Conclusions:

This study confirmed the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on mental health of people suffering from psychiatric disorders and may also add evidence on the employment of digital psychiatry in the current pandemic.
High-stakes crisis management in the Low Countries: Comparing government responses to COVID-19
Authors: Pattyn Valérie , Matthys Joery , Hecke Steven Van
Published: December 2020

Like many Western European countries, Belgium and the Netherlands have been strongly hit by COVID-19. Almost simultaneously, the virus spread, caused a relatively high number of infections and severe lockdown measures were imposed; however, at the same time, the crisis management response has been sufficiently different to justify a systematic comparative analysis. We start with the premise that decisions made on the basis of incomplete information show the true nature of governments’ response to a crisis, which is conditioned by legacies arising from the past and organizational cultures, existing and new governance structures, and strategies used by specific actors. We show that the difference in crisis management echoes the countries’ different types of consociationalism, though also that Belgian federalism and Dutch decentralism impeded a truly coherent response. The cost of coordinating different government levels made a uniform approach difficult too. Actor strategies attempting to exploit the crisis seem to have influenced the response the least but did have an impact on perceptions of the response.

Points for practitioners

The article unravels how the governments in the Low Countries responded to the COVID-19 challenge in the first half of 2020. It allows practitioners to better understand that under circumstances of an imminent crisis, specific governance structures matter. It also reveals that the cost of coordination between the federated and the federal level turned out to be quite high in Belgium. In the Netherlands, a lot of autonomy was left to federated and local authorities. This too impeded a more coherent approach. COVID-19 certainly offers possibilities for policymakers to exploit the crisis but opportunities are not always taken.
Implementing Job Crafting Behaviors: Exploring the Effects of a Job Crafting Intervention Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Costantini Arianna , Demerouti Evangelia , Ceschi Andrea , Sartori Riccardo
Published: December 2020

This article presents a combined motivational and volitional intervention based on the theory of planned behavior aimed at promoting expansion-oriented job crafting behaviors. Participants were employees working in different companies, assigned to either an intervention ( n = 53) or a control group ( n = 55). Results of a field study (including premeasure, postmeasure, and weekly diaries) indicated that the intervention enhanced participants’ perceptions of behavioral control referred to job crafting and awareness regarding others’ engagement in job crafting. Latent change growth modeling showed that participation in the intervention led to participants shaping their job crafting intentions during the weeks, which translated into more frequent job crafting behaviors at the end of the study period. Besides, the intervention served to trigger weekly work-related flow experiences in terms of high absorption while working. Findings suggest that job crafting interventions can benefit from the inclusion of self-regulatory strategies complementing goal setting.
Top Management’s Communication and Employees’ Commitment to Change: The Role of Perceived Procedural Fairness and Past Change Experience
Authors: Faupel Stefanie , Helpap Sevda
Published: December 2020

Studies on the effects of communication strategies applied by top management during organizational change are scarce. While first research indicates that a participatory communication strategy is more effective in evoking employees’ commitment to change than a programmatic change communication strategy, how this effect occurs remains unclear. The present study addresses this gap by investigating perceived procedural fairness as mediating and past change experience as moderating factor in the relationship between communication strategy and commitment to change. Results of the quasi-experimental study indicate that participatory change communication strengthens fairness perceptions more than programmatic change communication does. Results indicate that perceived procedural fairness explains the effect of change communication strategy on commitment to change. No moderating but a direct effect of past change experiences was found. Results show the potential of participatory change communication, and the importance of procedural fairness early in change, which are valuable insights for managers who initiate change.
Taking the Pandemic by Its Horns: Using Work-Related Task Conflict to Transform Perceived Pandemic Threats Into Creativity
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Pereira Renato
Published: December 2020

This study investigates a pressing topic, related to the connection between employees’ perceptions that the COVID-19 pandemic represents a pertinent threat for their organization on one hand, and their exhibited creativity, a critical behavior through which they can change and improve the organizational status quo, on the other. This connection may depend on their work-related task conflict, or the extent to which they reach out to colleagues to discuss different perspectives on work-related issues, as well as their collectivistic orientation. Data were gathered from employees working in the real estate sector. The results inform organizational practitioners that they should leverage productive task conflict to channel work-related hardships, such as those created by the coronavirus pandemic, into creative work outcomes. This beneficial process may be particularly effective for firms that employ people who embrace collectivistic norms, so they prioritize the well-being of others.
Effect of extrudate swell on extrusion foam of polyethylene terephthalate
Authors: Tammaro D , Walker C , Lombardi L , Trommsdorff U
Published: December 2020

The effect of extrudate swell on extrusion foam of thermoplastic polymers is presented using an experimental approach supported by a modelling of the phenomenon. Its understanding is fundamental in designing the geometry of a die for extrusion foam and to predict foaming. The extrudate swell is the swelling of a viscoelastic material due to a fast elastic recovery after being subjected to stresses. We show that there exists a link between the extrudate swell and foaming, performing experiments with simple and complex extrusion dies to measure the expansion ratio. It was found that the expansion ratio is anisotropic and the anisotropy in the expansion of the foam is due to the extrudate swell that affects strongly the final shape of the product and it cannot be neglected in standard application for extrusion foam. A simple heuristic model was developed to predict the extrudate swell from geometrical parameters and rheological characterization of the fluid. It was found that the foaming mechanism of polyethylene terephthalate, blown with cyclopentane, changes as function of extrudate swell and the lowest density foam is achieved using the die that has the bigger extrudate swell.