bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paying Attention: Female ADHD Students Learning in Graduate School
Authors: Devol Tiffany M. , Sun Qi
Published: December 2023

Adults with ADHD maintain some success in higher education but underperform their non-ADHD peers despite having normal intelligence. This study explored the essence of the lived experiences of female graduate students with ADHD navigating their academic journeys in graduate school. Using a phenomenological approach through the lens of Merleau-Ponty's concepts of world, body, others, and time, with open-ended questions via Zoom interviews, nine female graduate students with ADHD participated in the study. Three themes emerged: A little bit extra, I always felt I was going to fail, and they don’t understand. Findings revealed unknown struggles about what it's like to be a female graduate student with ADHD, including that graduate school overloads their ability to cope, causing emotional distress, educational impairment, poor life quality, and fears of seeking support and understanding for their holistic wellbeing. Implications illustrate for higher education how adult learners with ADHD can complete graduate education.
Using Design Experiment Processes to Adjust Money Habits of Adults with Disabilities
Authors: Rodriguez Anthony M. , Palmer Susan B. , Duff Frances R.
Published: December 2023

As more adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities move into inclusive settings in the community, it is essential to address budgeting and finance issues to avoid real concerns of financial exploitation. Adults with intellectual and developmental disability often comprise the “working poor”, even if they are among the 20% who are fortunate enough to have access to community-based, paid employment at above minimum wage. Those fortunate enough to be placed on government assistance (1 in 4 are still waiting for funded services) soon realize that this benefit comes with restrictions on their income and savings. These restrictions impact work options, pay range, and benefits. Each person’s budget leaves little for saving and discretionary spending. Our present situation of rising inflation compounds these already significant concerns.
Elevating Student Voices and Addressing Their Needs: Using Youth Participatory Action Research to Improve School Climate During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Renick Jennifer , Reich Stephanie M.
Published: December 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic and shifts to virtual learning drastically altered school environments, often leaving students without a say in the many changes happening in their lives. To understand how diverse adolescents experienced their school’s climate during the COVID-19 pandemic and elevate youth voice in school decisions, we conducted a youth-participatory action research project in collaboration with a Title 1 middle school in California. Fourteen students participated in this YPAR study—mostly students of color. This mixed-methods study utilized both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative sources included meeting transcripts and chat logs, field notes, and responses to open-ended survey questions, all of which were coded inductively. Quantitative data sources included pre- and post-surveys on students’ feelings of belonging, mattering, empowerment, and perceptions of school climate, which were compared via paired sample t-tests. Students sought to improve one of the few shared experiences of school during the pandemic, the school lunch, and showed increased feelings of empowerment and mattering over the course of the project. These findings provide insight into students’ experiences of school climate during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as offer implications for both practitioners and researchers on the importance of including youth voice in the issues that impact their lives.
Defining Co-Production: A Review of the Planning Literature
Authors: Lee Dahae , Feiertag Patricia , Unger Lena
Published: December 2023

Co-production is a concept that is becoming increasingly popular across various fields including planning. This article reviews planning literature on co-production and reveals that the term has not been well defined. The existing definitions are inconsistent and ambiguous, requiring more conceptual clarity to avoid contention. Based on the systematic literature review, and aided by bibliometric analysis, the article identifies seven dimensions within the current definitions of co-production: (1) actor, (2) reason, (3) input, (4) output, (5) phase, (6) means, and (7) context. This article concludes by proposing a conceptual and analytical framework for defining co-production in planning theory and practice.
Barriers to the uptake of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis among young key populations in Nigeria
Authors: Olakunde Babayemi O , Ujam Chukwugozie , Ndukwe Chinwedu D. , Falola-Anoemuah Yinka , Olaifa Yewande , Oladele Tolulope T. , Yahaya Hidayat B , Ogundipe Alex
Published: December 2023

Background

Young key populations (YKP) contribute to the burden of HIV in Nigeria and are a priority population for oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, their uptake of PrEP remains low. We assessed the main barriers to PrEP uptake and the variation among YKP (15–24 years) in Nigeria.

Methods

This study was a secondary data analysis of the 2020 Integrated Biological & Behavioural Surveillance Survey conducted among key populations (KP), including female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), and transgender people (TG), in 12 states in Nigeria. A closed-ended question asking the main reason for not taking PrEP among KP who had never taken PrEP was included in the surveillance questionnaire. We collapsed the responses into six barrier themes. Using multinomial logistic regression analysis, we examined the association between the barriers (dependent variable) and KP group (independent variable), controlling for age, educational attainment, religion, marital status, employment status, and geopolitical zone.

Results

A total of 1776 YKP were included in this study. The most cited barriers by KP group were: lack of access (28.3%) and fear of side effects (28.3%) by FSW; lack of interest (37.1%) by MSM; low risk perception (65.5%) by PWID; and lack of access (34.4%) by TG. The odds of reporting fear of side effects, lack of access, lack of interest, and nonspecific/others reasons were significantly different by KP group.

Conclusions

The barriers limiting the uptake of PrEP among YKP vary by KP group. Our results highlight the need for KP-specific interventions to improve the uptake of PrEP among YKP in Nigeria.
Regional Variation in Social Norms and Domestic Anti-Immigrant Hostility
Authors: Kim Harris Hyun-Soo
Published: December 2023

Why are some ingroup members (i.e., natives) more tolerant of, or hostile toward, outgroup others (i.e., immigrants)? A large volume of evidence exists attempting to address this issue. The bulk of findings from observational and experimental research focuses on the dual concept of ‘realistic’ and ‘symbolic’ threat, operationalized in terms of migrant stock or percentage of foreign-born population. According to the literature, a higher stock generally indicates a higher threat, which in turn implies greater xenophobic sentiment. Against this backdrop, the present study shifts the analytic emphasis to a novel explanatory mechanism in the US context: strength of social norms at the state level. Specifically, by drawing on the concept of cultural tightness-looseness, it asks whether American citizens in a geographic region characterized by strong social norms and stringent sanctioning of deviance are, on average, more xenophobic. Results from mixed effects models provide substantial support. Based on nationally representative data collected by the Pew Research Center (2018) during the height of Trump administration, the analysis reveals that cultural tightness has a contextual effect: net of controls, residency in a state with a higher index score is associated with greater levels of anti-immigrant prejudice and stronger preference for anti-immigration policy.
Identification of modal parameters and relaxation parameter for exponential non-viscous damping system using stochastic subspace method
Authors: Shen Renjie , Qian Xiangdong , Zhou Jianfang , Lee Chin-Long
Published: December 2023

Non-viscous damping parameters can be identified approximately based on the frequency response function of structures. However, it is difficult or expensive to perform vibration test and layout enough amount measured points for structures. The stochastic subspace method can identify modal damping parameters only using responses data from partial measured points. This paper extends the stochastic subspace method from the viscous damping system to non-viscous damping system. In addition, the eigenvalues of the second-order form equation of motion are proved equally to the state space formulation. The identified procedure of the proposed method is given in detail. Finally, the method is validated using three numerical examples for assessing its accuracy.
Evaluation of real-world versus clinical trial outcomes of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Collins James B , Muluneh Benyam , Profitt Sarah
Published: December 2023

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the mainstay of treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Patients enrolled in clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of TKIs in CML are generally younger, have fewer comorbidities, and are monitored differently than patients treated in the real world. This narrative literature review summarizes efficacy outcomes (complete cytogenetic response, major molecular response, and disease progression) and safety outcomes (duration of TKI therapy, TKI discontinuation rates, dosage changes, and frequently reported adverse events) from landmark clinical trials as well as real-world studies. Patients with CML treated with TKIs in a real-world setting may achieve different rates of specific response milestones than those treated on clinical trials. While real-world studies reported similar overall incidences of adverse events as clinical trials, real-world patients with CML were more likely to discontinue TKIs due to adverse events.
Management and health-related quality of life among patients with prostate cancer in a Kenyan tertiary health facility
Authors: Karaihira Wairimu , Karimi Peter N , Weru Irene W
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Advances made in the screening, diagnosis and management of prostate cancer have improved the survival rates of the patients. However, many of these treatments including surgery, radiotherapy, and pharmacotherapy, have an impact on the subsequent health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of these patients. Since it is an important prognostic factor of survival, failure to evaluate the HRQoL and its predictors in these patients typically results in long-term deficits in their overall well-being, that is, their physical, social, emotional, and mental health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the management and HRQoL among patients with prostate cancer at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Methods

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample size of 62 patients who met the eligibility criteria was selected through simple random sampling on the respective clinic days of the cancer treatment centre and urology clinic. Data was collected through a pre-tested structured questionnaire and HRQoL tools which are EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-PR25 and analysed using STATA version 13 software. Descriptive analysis was used to summarise the continuous and categorical variables. Spearman's rho (rs) correlation was used to determine the predictors of HRQoL based on the strength and significance of association at 0.05 level of significance.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 70.5 (±7.35) years. The majority (52, 83.9%) of the patients had a prostate specific antigen (PSA) above 20 ng/ml. Twenty-one (33.9%) were graded as Gleason group 5 and 41 (66.1%) had stage IV disease at diagnosis. Fifty (80.9%) participants were on hormonal therapy, with most of them being on combined androgen blockade. The overall HRQoL was 65.1. Fatigue, one of the major complaints among these patients, was negatively associated with physical functioning (p = 0.0005), role functioning (p = 0.0026), social functioning (p = 0.0001), financial difficulties (p = 0.0077) and quality of life (p = 0.0050).

Conclusion

Fatigue was the most common predictor of poor HRQoL in several scales of measurement. For those on management, frequent assessment of HRQoL should be carried out and interventions instituted immediately.
Job preferences of Chinese primary health care workers: A discrete choice experiment
Authors: Lin Yingxi , Xie Jinfeng , Wu Dan , Wang Yingyu , Cai Yiyuan , Zhao Qing , Zhang Lanping , Li Jiaqi , He Wenjun , Xu Dong (Roman)
Published: December 2023

Objective

Primary health workers (PHWs) are a critical pillar of health systems but primary health care centers often struggle to attract and retain talented staff. To better understand why this is, we investigated the job preference of PHWs in a Chinese urban setting.

Methods

In a discrete choice experiment, PHWs from 15 primary health care centers in Guangzhou, China, made trade-offs between several hypothetical job scenario combinations of salary, type of health institution, bianzhi (permanent post), work years required for promotion, career development and training opportunities, educational opportunities for children, and community respect. Based on the estimate of the mixed logit model, willingness to pay and policy simulations were applied to estimate the utility of each attribute.

Results

Data were collected from 446 PHWs. The PHWs were willing to forgo Chinese Renminbi 2806.1 (US$ 438.5) per month to obtain better education opportunities for their children, making it the most important non-monetary factor. Their preferences were also influenced relatively more by salary, bianzhi, and community respect, than with the other attributes we tested for, work years required for promotion, career development and training opportunities, and type of health institution.

Conclusion

Salary is a robust predictive factor, while three non-monetary factors (opportunities for children’s education, bianzhi, and community respect) are essential in retaining health workers in primary care.
Study on seismic behavior of prefabricated shear walls with steel double tube connections
Authors: Wang Peijun , Li Shuo , Wang Ning , Liu Jingwang , Bai Yunyan , Wu Lei , Cheng Tianxi
Published: December 2023

The joints are crucial for influencing the overall mechanical performance of precast shear wall constructions under seismic actions. The existing joint connections are complex and not efficient enough. To maximize the potential of prefabricated structures, this study proposed innovative prefabricated shear walls with steel double tube connections. Two pseudo-static tests were conducted to investigate the influence of axial compression ratio on the seismic behavior of the innovative shear walls. The failure modes were all bending failures, and it had been discovered that increasing the axial compression ratio can improve the carrying capacity and energy dissipation capacity. Seven models with different axial pressure ratios were established to conduct nonlinear finite element analysis. The result showed that as the axial compression ratios raised, the carrying capacity and stiffness of the models increased, but the decreasing trend of force–displacement curves were also more distinct. Therefore the recommended axial pressure ratio of the models did not exceed 0.4. Finally, the calculation method of the loading capacity of novel shear walls was proposed, which provided the basis for the design of innovative shear walls.
Influence of ageing temperature on the tribological characteristics of LM25/Al2O3/SiC hybrid metal matrix composite for lightweight applications
Authors: Shankar Karthik V , Fathi Reham , Saleh Bassiouny , Shankar Balakrishnan , Santhosh Arjun , Amith KV , Srihari C M , Nair Jyothis B , Naikade Omkar Prakash
Published: December 2023

The demand for hybrid composites has lately increased due to their extraordinary qualities, which include unique mechanical, tribological, and physical capabilities not found in other materials. These composites improve performance and utility by mixing different reinforcing components, making them highly sought after. However, there is a study gap on the effects of long-term ageing on the tribological characteristics of LM25 (Al–6.6Si–0.2Mg)/Al2O3/SiC metal matrix composites (MMCs). As a result, extensive studies on the influence of ageing temperature on the tribological properties of LM25/Al2O3/SiC MMCs via long-term ageing effects still need to be included. Therefore, this study investigated the metallurgical and hardness properties of stir-cast LM25 alloy reinforced with Al2O3 and SiC particulates with varying ageing temperatures. Furthermore, dry sliding wear behaviour is also examined. The investigation concluded that adding micron-sized Al2O3 and SiC particles to LM25 improves hardness and tribological properties. As the ageing temperature increased, the eutectic particles became coarser. Furthermore, the result illustrates that the coefficient of friction (COF) values also enhanced with wear rates. Higher loads increased the wear rate and COF, whereas higher sliding speeds decreased the COF and wear rate.
Classroom Connections: A Social Network Analysis of STEM Students at a Regional University
Authors: Ramsey Laura R. , Yu Wanchunzi , Kling Thomas , Kling Audrey
Published: December 2023

Previous research has established that peer relationships are important for student success, yet little research has examined connections made in the classroom, as opposed to residence life or extracurricular activities. This project utilized social network analysis in two cohorts of science and mathematics majors to investigate the degree to which students take multiple courses with the same peers. Results showed (1) wide variability in student networks, (2) course selection by students included more repeated connections than random course selection, (3) networks did not vary much by demographic variables (gender, race, first-generation status, and income), and (4) student networks significantly predicted graduation and grades. This correlational research provides a foundation for future experimental research testing the causal impact of classroom-based student networks. This research also serves as a model for how other institutions may analyze institutional data to understand patterns of peer connections and course enrollment at their institution.
The Glorious Becoming of Dr. Tami Spry
Authors: Pelias Ronald J.
Published: December 2023

This brief tribute speaks to the profound and multiple contributions of Dr. Tami Spry to performance studies and qualitative inquiry by calling upon the poetic to make its case. It argues that Dr. Spry will have a lasting and continuing impact on her field of study.
Exploring Play Interactions of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Pets
Authors: Lisk Caitlin , Mische Lawson Lisa , Sugiura Bri , Humpherys Devin , Rao Gabbi
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this secondary qualitative analysis was to explore the play interactions of children with autism ( n = 10) and their pets in the home environment. Researchers coded 115 minutes of video of children playing with their pets at home and transcripts from eight caregiver interviews. Thematic analysis revealed six codes which represented three themes, including children with ASD play with pets in a variety of ways, playing with pets supports child development, and playing with pets yields benefits for children with ASD. Findings suggest playing with pets may be beneficial for developing responsibility and social skills of children with ASD, particularly in how they interact with animals. Future research should examine perspectives of families who do not own or who have relinquished pets and perspectives of adults with ASD to better understand positive and negative aspects of pet play.
Occupation-Based Assessments in Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice
Authors: Skuthan Alysha , Stav Wendy
Published: December 2023

In pediatric occupational therapy, there is insufficient evidence examining assessment tool selection by occupational therapists and how assessment tools contribute to occupation-based practice. To examine the perceptions of occupation-based assessment tool selection by pediatric occupational therapists, a phenomenological research study was conducted with six pediatric occupational therapy practitioners. Three themes emerged from participants’ perspectives: the centrality of occupation, selecting the just right tool, and practice implications. Participants recognized the need to integrate occupation-based assessments into practice but reported decreased opportunities secondary to training, available supplies, lack of awareness of foundational constructs, and organizational expectations. The use of occupation-based assessments positively enhances pediatric occupational therapists’ clinical practice by upholding the core occupational beliefs of the profession throughout all phases of service delivery.
Multispecies Occupations Involving Equines: An Action-Oriented Inquiry to Inform Occupational Therapy Practitioners
Authors: Pugh Heather K. , Heatwole Shank Kendra S.
Published: December 2023

Research related to human–animal engagement often fails to address the complexity and nuance present in occupations and occupational therapy services that incorporate animals. The goal of this research was to develop a basic understanding of multispecies occupations (MSO) involving humans and equines, focusing on the action-oriented processes and transactions during socialization in outdoor, non-therapeutic contexts. We employed a multi-modal qualitative design with interviews and videography with n = 6 horse–human dyads, creating opportunities to understand and represent engagement beyond anthropocentric norms. Findings included a variety of dyad-specific features of occupation, including processes of embodied communication, the presence of behavioral synchrony, and perceptions of attunement arising from these processes. Examining MSO via a multi-modal inquiry offers new perspectives about the nature and experience of such occupations and supports a deeper understanding of potential mechanisms of change when animals are incorporated in occupational therapy interventions and practice.
What is the place of abandonment in planetary rural geographies?
Authors: Vorbrugg Alexander
Published: December 2023

Millions of hectares of farmland have been abandoned over the past decades globally. Yet abandonment remains a neglected ‘outside’ of both the planetary urbanization debate and the emerging field of planetary rural geographies. Engaging with abandonment can benefit both these debates and help overcome persistent and new binaries between the rural and the urban.
Thoughts on ‘planetary rural geographies’: Commonalties of capitalist development, authoritarian populisms, and energy transition
Authors: McCarthy James
Published: December 2023

In contrast to the urban-centric framing of planetary urbanization, the concept of ‘planetary rural geographies’ emphasizes the ongoing importance and distinctiveness of pluriversal rural spaces and identities, including their continued centrality to the global economy. It also argues that rural spaces are especially defined by diverse relationships between the human and non-human that must be understood volumetrically, rather than through largely two-dimensional territorial imaginaries. These themes are developed and illustrated via consideration of contemporary rural geographies as spaces of crisis, spaces of conflict, and spaces of hope. The concept of planetary rural geographies could be enhanced by greater attention to key analytical commonalties among admittedly diverse rural geographies, particularly with respect to broader dynamics of capitalist development and climate change, an effort that could be supported via greater engagement between the literatures on specifically rural geographies, and those on rural populisms, climate adaptation and mitigation, and energy geographies.
A retrospective study of endogenous endophthalmitis-related pyogenic liver abscess: An increasing complication in North Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Long Cong , Pham Thuy Thi-Ngoc , Luu Diep Thi-Minh , Nguyen Tinh Nghe , Nguyen Ngoc Minh , Pham Hung Ngoc , Doan Ha Thi-Ngoc , Nguyen Son Truong , Nguyen Hieu Van
Published: December 2023

Introduction:

Endogenous endophthalmitis-related Klebsiella pyogenic liver abscess is a rare complication of metastatic infection. In most cases, visual acuity results are often impaired, even blind, and even with aggressive treatment with topical antibiotics, the final results are unsatisfactory. The objective of this study is to retrospectively based on medical records to describe clinical features, risk factors, and visual outcomes of patients with endogenous endophthalmitis-related pyogenic liver abscesses.

Methods:

We reported a case series of 12 endogenous endophthalmitis-related pyogenic liver abscess patients from March 2021 to 2023. All cases of endogenous endophthalmitis were diagnosed at admission or during the hospital stay.

Results:

From the medical records of 588 pyogenic liver abscess patients, we found 12 cases of endogenous endophthalmitis with 2.0%. The result showed a mean age of 61.5 ± 12.0 (41–78), diabetes mellitus (7 of 12), right lobe (7 of 12), single abscess (9 of 12), and the mean largest abscess diameter of 5.8 ± 1.7 cm (3.3–9). All patients had ocular symptoms such as eye pain (9 of 12), pus discharge (3 of 12), hypopyon (1 of 12), swollen eyelids (2 of 12), and corneal edema (2 of 12), pyogenic liver abscess before endogenous endophthalmitis (10 of 12), the median interval between endogenous endophthalmitis and pyogenic liver abscess 6.1 ± 1.9 days, ocular symptoms before diagnosis endogenous endophthalmitis 4.4 ± 2.3 days. All affected eyes were injected intravitreously with ceftazidime, amikacin, and vancomycin. Two patients underwent evisceration.

Conclusions:

Endogenous endophthalmitis has permanent morbidity, reducing visual acuity, poor quality of life, and lacks the warning signs, so it is essential for early detection of symptoms and referral to ophthalmologists.
Service-learning as anti-oppressive practice: Promoting partnerships to advance the Christian mission to serve the least of these
Authors: Hagues Rachel Joy
Published: December 2023

Service-learning, especially from a critical perspective, is a method of education that aims to bring students into relationships with community members to foster mutual understanding and give opportunity for shared learning and service. Universities that are compelled by their faith to seek justice may be the most effective at implementing service-learning programs when they are grounded in the justice and love of God. Herein, I report on a service-learning program that aims to advance the Christian mission by serving the least of these. I discuss lessons learned along the way and give examples from our partners.
Sustainable Luxury and Consumer Purchase Intention: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Zhao Luming , Peng Jiaxi , Yu Shubin
Published: December 2023

In the last decade, the relationship between sustainable luxury and consumer purchase intention has been gradually noticed by researchers. However, a systematic review of the literature on this topic has not been conducted. The purpose of this study was to collect literature and analyze the current state of research related to sustainable luxury and consumer purchase intention. Based on the Scopus and Web of Science database, this systematic review used a multistep process to ensure the traceability and reliability of the findings. A content analysis shows that sustainable luxury can be presented through four perspectives (raw materials, recycling and reproduction, social media and advertising (AD) strategies, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) and brand promise) in contrast with common luxury goods. In addition to consumer purchase intention, consumer attitude and word-of-mouth (WoM) advertisements were also evaluated as dependent variables. The relationship between the effect of sustainable luxury and consumer purchase intention is multifaceted, and five types of factors are summarized. The results of this review indicate that the related epistemology has been strongly advanced, and luxury brands should approach the topic of manufacturing and retail sustainability on a case-by-case basis and measure whether it translates into better purchasing behavior. The practical implications for luxury retail are discussed.
A Study of Ghanaian Inclusive Basic School Teachers’ Perspectives and Uses of Research Evidence in Pedagogical Practice
Authors: Agbenyega Joseph Seyram , Tamakloe Deborah , Klibthong Sunanta , Jibar Hamdah Abdi Ibrahim
Published: December 2023

International research findings offer inclusive education teachers various pedagogical tools to support student diversity in inclusive classrooms to counter educational disadvantages. However, according to previous research, embedding research evidence in pedagogical practice at the classroom level is rare in schools. Our study explored Ghanaian teachers’ perspectives in 10 purposively selected inclusive Basic Schools in Ghana. The study focused on teachers’ frequency of use of Research-Based Information (RBI), the type of use of RBI, opinions about RBI, awareness of useful activities that facilitate the use of RBI, individual expertise, or skills necessary for RBI use in everyday practice, organizational factors that influence the use of RBI. The study identified non-use and minimal to moderate use of RBI in professional practice. Sources of RBI were mostly from non-scholarly journals because the schools did not subscribe to peer-reviewed journals, and teachers were not willing to use their financial resources to access close-ended journal articles. An independent t-test was not significant between female and male participants. However, a Pearson product-moment correlation to assess the relationship between the various factors about RBI use found positive associations between organizational factors and expertise and between awareness factors and expertise to use RBI. Education must promote increased adoption of RBI in professional practice to enhance educational quality for all students. This can be accomplished by building ongoing solid school-university partnerships to develop context-specific frameworks that support inclusive teachers to conduct and use more research in their practice.
New Trends in Performing Arts in Korea: The Convergence of Pansori and Korean Contemporary Dance
Authors: Seo Yesol , You Hwihyun , Kang Austin
Published: December 2023

Pansori, traditional Korean music, has recently been expanding its boundaries and increasing its sustainability through collaboration with other genres. The present study aimed to evaluate panelists’ perceptions of new trends in performing arts in Korea, focusing on the convergence of Pansori and Korean contemporary dance. This study analyzed panelists’ perceptions of the convergence of Pansori and Korean contemporary dance using the Delphi technique. Thus, 20 panelists on Pansori and Korean contemporary dance were recruited to propose a facilitation strategy for converging the two performing arts. This study was conducted over 3 months, from November 2021 to January 2022. A total of three Delphi rounds were held, and the panel reached a consensus in five areas. The panel suggested various facilitation strategies: development of performing arts content for convergence of Pansori and Korean contemporary dance; reinforcing manpower exchanges between Pansori and Korean contemporary dance; improving the treatment of performers; reasonable ticket prices; and reinforcing government support policies. As a result, this study shows that the fusion performance of traditional and contemporary elements, Pansori and Korean contemporary dance, needs to explore blending disciplines and styles, breaking traditional boundaries, and exploring new creative expressions.
Unraveling the Path to Success: Exploring Self-Regulated Language Learning among Chinese College EFL Learners
Authors: Su Li , Noordin Nooreen , Yang Du
Published: December 2023

Self-regulated language learning (SRLL) plays a crucial role in the language development of Chinese college English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. This study presents a systematic literature review aimed at identifying the key variables associated with SRLL among Chinese college EFL learners. By conducting an extensive search of the Web of Science and Scopus databases, 88 relevant research articles were analyzed to gain insights into the effectiveness of SRLL in this context. Through a meticulous analysis of the target articles, this review uncovers the essential variables that shape the landscape of SRLL in the context of China’s tertiary education. To examine the interrelationship among these variables, this study utilized Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for a comprehensive quantitative analysis. PLS-SEM enables a robust examination of multiple variables simultaneously, making it an ideal statistical technique for analyzing the complex dynamics of SRLL. By identifying the crucial factors that drive the SRLL process, researchers and educators can develop targeted interventions to enhance language learning outcomes among Chinese college EFL learners. Moreover, this research will shed light on the existing gaps in the literature and pave the way for future investigations in areas such as technology-assisted learning, individual differences, and the relationship between self-regulation and language proficiency. By unraveling the complexities of SRLL among Chinese college EFL learners, this study strives to empower educators and researchers with valuable insights to foster successful language acquisition and proficiency.
Informal institutionalization in modern Ukraine
Authors: Haponenko Vira , Rykhlik Volodymyr , Shulga Marina , Bulbeniuk Svitlana , Naumenko Olha
Published: December 2023

The relevance of the research lies in the observation that, while Ukraine has established formal democratic institutions since its independence, many democratization issues remain unresolved. These formal structures lack effectiveness and support, with informal, often non-democratic political processes and secret agreements continuing to prevail. The study aims to conclude a theoretical study, conceptualization, and generalization of the problems of the existence of informal institutions, as well as a comprehensive analysis of practical technologies of informal institutionalization in modern Ukraine. The authors used such general scientific methods as analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, abstraction, the ascent from the abstract to the concrete. The authors considered such informal institutions that exist in the political reality of Ukraine, such as lobbying, corruption, populism, non-conventional forms of political participation of citizens, party agreements, clientelism, and political bargaining. The effective technologies for the informal institutionalization of modern Ukraine, including technologies for eliminating authoritarian practices, technologies of party structuring, technologies of political participation and technologies for the formation of democratic political consciousness have been proposed. These technologies are aimed at the political modernization of Ukraine, ensuring the institutional functioning of democracy at the proper level and minimizing the negative effects of informal institutions.
Factors Affecting Achieving Learning Outcomes in Basic Years in Medical School at King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Amoudi Aliaa Amr , AlShawwa Lana Adey
Published: December 2023

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted as part of a curricular reform process in Faculty of Medicine (FOM), King Abdul Aziz University Jeddah Saudi Arabia. It explored the perspective of FOM stakeholders on the challenges and factors in the teaching and learning domains that are affecting achieving learning outcomes.

METHODS

Faculty teaching in the second and third year, students in third and fourth year, and administrative personnel were included. An electronic survey was created. Chi-Squared test for independence was used to test the association between the correspondent group and different statements. Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA was used to examine the differences in medians among the questions utilizing ranks to evaluate different questions, followed by post hoc pairwise comparison with Bonferroni-corrected alpha.

RESULTS

A strong association was seen between the correspondent level and perspective on time allocated for modules and vertical integration of the curriculum. Among the most highly ranked challenges for using various teaching strategies were the loaded curricula content and the limitation of time, with an overall median rank of 8. Student readiness and motivation were also significant factors, however, students considered motivation less of a challenge.

CONCLUSION

Continuous assessment of factors affecting teaching and learning will bridge gaps in curriculum.
Assemblages, cosmopolitics and controversies: Capturing the territorial and knowledge dimensions of infrastructural politics in Lebanon
Authors: Farah Jihad
Published: December 2023

Drawing upon Actor-Network Theory literature and a specific strand of urban assemblage literature, the cosmopolitical ontology offers a fresh and innovative perspective on urban politics. It positions the interactions between human and non-human entities as the central factor shaping politics. In this article, I have adopted this cosmopolitical ontology and proposed to analyze environmental and infrastructural controversies as a crucial methodological approach. This analysis sheds light on how territoriality and knowledge, key elements of urban politics, can be understood from this perspective. I use a diversity of methods including reports and press review, interviews, focus groups and surveys to map and analyze two controversies in Lebanon around the Deir Ammar electricity plant and Saida waste management plant. I show how “rogue” material non-human actants - in the form of fumes and particles, chemical compositions of waste and composts, bacteria, fuel leaks – destabilize the territorial assemblages brought together by these infrastructures. Polluted spaces become focal points for contesting established narratives of territorial solidarity and considerably weaken institutional and political governances. Expert discourses of State institutions and technical firms are put in question. While efforts to build a “localized” knowledge empowers local actors. However, as the case studies show, when controversies become protracted, interest in the complexity of infrastructural politics dwindles and more entrenched political actors are capable of recuperating these controversies to their advantage. This is why maintaining the “territorialization” of controversies through the development of localized knowledge is essential for these cosmopolitics to bring social and political change.
Realisation of the principle of normalisation in the adoption of ICTs in a women's prison: A Finnish qualitative study
Authors: Järveläinen Eeva , Rantanen Teemu
Published: December 2023

Digitalisation offers prisons versatile opportunities to promote the rehabilitation of incarcerated people during their imprisonment, on their return to society, and in communicating with relatives and service providers such as social welfare and health care services, housing services, and employment services. This study focuses on the Hämeenlinna prison, which is Finland's first closed women's prison using personal in-cell laptops for each incarcerated person. We ask (1) how is the principle of normalisation realised in the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in a women's prison and (2) how do cultural factors hinder the adoption of ICTs in prison. Research material was collected through ethnographic fieldwork and research interviews (22 prison employees and 15 incarcerated women). According to the results, the use of ICTs diversified and enhanced internal communication in the prison and offered a new tool for interacting in prison. The prison offered a limited opportunity for video-mediated motherhood, and efforts were made to respond to women's multi-problematic service needs in prison, and through utilising various digital services. However, the study shows that the realisation of the principle of normalisation in the adoption of ICT in a women's prison poses many challenges. Furthermore, security-oriented thinking and passive resistance appeared as key cultural factors that slow down the adoption of ICTs and new practices. As a conclusion, it can be stated that the adoption of ICTs and the construction of a new prison culture that utilises technology is a long-term process that requires a change in practices, culture and policies that emphasise security.
The evolution of forecasting for decision-making in dynamic environments
Authors: Tilman Andrew R , Vasconcelos Vítor V , Akçay Erol , Plotkin Joshua B
Published: December 2023

Climate change and technological advances are reshaping ecosystems and societies. Strategic choices that were best yesterday may be sub-optimal tomorrow; and environmental conditions that were once taken for granted may soon cease to exist. In dynamic settings, how people choose behavioral strategies has important consequences for environmental dynamics. Economic and evolutionary theories make similar predictions for strategic behavior in a static environment, even though one approach assumes perfect rationality and the other assumes no cognition whatsoever; but predictions differ in a dynamic environment. Here we explore a middle ground between economic rationality and evolutionary myopia. Starting from a population of myopic agents, we study the evolutionary viability of a new type that forms environmental forecasts when making strategic decisions. We show that forecasting types can have an advantage in changing environments, even when the act of forecasting is costly. Forecasting types can invade but rarely overtake the population, producing a stable coexistence with myopic types. Moreover, forecasting fosters collective intelligence by providing a public good which reduces the amplitude of environmental oscillations and often increases mean payoffs to forecasting and myopic types alike. We interpret our results for understanding the evolution of different modes of decision-making such as forecasting. And we discuss implications for the management of environmental systems of societal importance.
Design of A Novel Wheel-Legged Robot with Rim Shape Changeable Wheels
Authors: Fu Ze , Xu Hao , Li Yinghui , Guo Weizhong
Published: December 2023

The wheel-legged hybrid structure has been utilized by ground mobile platforms in recent years to achieve good mobility on both flat surfaces and rough terrain. However, most of the wheel-legged robots only have one-directional obstacle-crossing ability. During the motion, most of the wheel-legged robots’ centroid fluctuates violently, which damages the stability of the load. What’s more, many designs of the obstacle-crossing part and transformation-driving part of this structure are highly coupled, which limits its optimal performance in both aspects. This paper presents a novel wheel-legged robot with a rim-shaped changeable wheel, which has a bi-directional and smooth obstacle-crossing ability. Based on the kinematic model, the geometric parameters of the wheel structure and the design variables of the driving four-bar mechanism are optimized separately. The kinetostatics model of the mobile platform when climbing stairs is established to determine the body length and angular velocity of the driving wheels. A prototype is made according to the optimal parameters. Experiments show that the prototype installed with the novel transformable wheels can overcome steps with a height of 1.52 times of its wheel radius with less fluctuation of its centroid and performs good locomotion capabilities in different environments.
Gravity-Based Kinetostatic Modeling of Parallel Manipulators Using Screw Theory
Authors: Yang Chao , Huang Fengli , Ye Wei , Chen Qiaohong
Published: December 2023

The pose accuracy of parallel manipulators (PMs) is a key index to measure their performance. Establishing the gravity-based kinetostatic model of a parallel robot provides an important basis for its error composition and accuracy improvement. In this paper, a kinetostatic modeling approach that takes real gravity distribution into consideration is proposed to analyze the influence of gravity on the infinitesimal twist and actuator forces of PMs. First, the duality of the twist screw and constraint wrenches are used to derive the gravity-attached constraint wrenches independent of the external load and the limb stiffness matrix corresponding to the kinematics-based constraint wrenches. Second, the gravity model of the mechanism is established based on the screw theory and the principle of virtual work. Finally, the analytical formulas of the infinitesimal twist and the actuator force of PMs are obtained, and the influences of the external load, platform gravity, and rod gravity on the stiffness of the mechanism are decoupled. The non-overconstrained 3RPS and overconstrained 2PRU-UPR PMs are taken as examples to verify the proposed method. This research proposes a methodology to analyze the infinitesimal deformation of the mechanism under the influence of gravity.