bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of EEG signal using EACA based approach at SSVEP-BCI
Authors: R. Ashwini S. , Nagaraj H. C.
Published: August 2021

The brain-computer-interfaces (BCI) can also be referred towards a mindmachine interface that can provide a non-muscular communication channel in between the computer device and human brain. To measure the brain activity, electroencephalography (EEG) has been widely utilized in the applications of BCI to work system in real-time. It has been analyzed that the identification probability performed with other methodologies do not provide optimal classification accuracy. Therefore, it is required to focus on the process of feature extraction to achieve maximum classification accuracy. In this paper, a novel process of data-driven spatial has been proposed to improve the detection of steady state visually evoked potentials (SSVEPs) at BCI. Here, EACA has been proposed, which can develop the reproducibility of SSVEP across many trails. Further this can be utilized to improve the SSVEP from a noisy data signal by eliminating the activities of EEG background. In the simulation process, the SSVEP dataset recorded from given 11 subjects are considered. To validate the performance, the state-of-art method is considered to compare with the EDCA based proposed approach.
A framework to shape the recommender system features based on participatory design and artificial intelligence approaches
Authors: Razak Tajul Rosli , Ismail Mohammad Hafiz , Mohd Fauzi Shukor Sanim , JM Gining Ray Adderley , Maskat Ruhaila
Published: August 2021

A recommender system is an algorithm aiming at giving suggestions to users on relevant elements or items such as products to purchase, books to read, jobs to apply or anything else depending on industries or situations. Recently, there has been a surge in interest in developing a recommender system in a variety of areas. One of the most widely used approaches in recommender systems is collaborative filtering (CF). The CF is a strategy for automatically creating a filter based on a user's needs by extracting desires or recommendation information from a large number of users. The CF approach uses multiple correlation steps to do this. However, the occurrence of uncertainty in finding the best similarity measure is unavoidable. This paper outlines a method for improving the configuration of a recommender system that is tasked with recommending an appropriate study field and supervisor to a group of final-year project students. The framework we suggest is built on a participatory design methodology that allows students' individual opinions to be factored into the recommender system's design. The architecture of the recommender scheme was also illustrated using a real-world scenario, namely mapping the students' field of interest to a possible supervisor for the final year project.
Intrusion detection with deep learning on internet of things heterogeneous network
Authors: Sharipuddin Sharipuddin , Purnama Benni , Kurniabudi Kurniabudi , Winanto Eko Arip , Stiawan Deris , Hanapi Darmawijoyo , Idris Mohd. Yazid , Budiarto Rahmat
Published: August 2021

The difficulty of the intrusion detection system in heterogeneous networks is significantly affected by devices, protocols, and services, thus the network becomes complex and difficult to identify. Deep learning is one algorithm that can classify data with high accuracy. In this research, we proposed deep learning to intrusion detection system identification methods in heterogeneous networks to increase detection accuracy. In this paper, we provide an overview of the proposed algorithm, with an initial experiment of denial of services (DoS) attacks and results. The results of the evaluation showed that deep learning can improve detection accuracy in the heterogeneous internet of things (IoT).
Inflection rules for Marathi to English in rule based machine translation
Authors: Kharate Namrata G , Patil Varsha H
Published: August 2021

Machine translation is important application in natural language processing. Machine translation means translation from source language to target language to save the meaning of the sentence. A large amount of research is going on in the area of machine translation. However, research with machine translation remains highly localized to the particular source and target languages as they differ syntactically and morphologically. Appropriate inflections result correct translation. This paper elaborates the rules for inflecting the parts-of-speech and implements the inflection for Marathi to English translation. The inflection of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives are carried out on the basis of semantics of the sentence. The results are discussed with examples.
A spark-based parallel distributed posterior decoding algorithm for big data hidden Markov models decoding problem
Authors: Sassi Imad , Anter Samir , Bekkhoucha Abdelkrim
Published: August 2021

Hidden Markov models (HMMs) are one of machine learning algorithms which have been widely used and demonstrated their efficiency in many conventional applications. This paper proposes a modified posterior decoding algorithm to solve hidden Markov models decoding problem based on MapReduce paradigm and spark’s resilient distributed dataset (RDDs) concept, for large-scale data processing. The objective of this work is to improve the performances of HMM to deal with big data challenges. The proposed algorithm shows a great improvement in reducing time complexity and provides good results in terms of running time, speedup, and parallelization efficiency for a large amount of data, i.e., large states number and large sequences number.
The Teachers’ Responses to Curriculum Changes in Indonesia
Authors: Pratiwi Cindy Eka , Alsabila Rislianta , Febrianti Vilda Eka , Sari Evia Anita , Abdillah Moch Fery , Rozaq Dimas Abdul
Published: August 2021

Curriculum changes in Indonesia are made to adapt to the times. In the 21st century, the quality of learning must be related to students' analytical skills. This study aimed to analyze teacher responses to curriculum changes in Indonesia. The method used was a survey. Research subjects or respondents consisted of school principals, two students in each school, and teachers. Interviews were conducted with principals, vice-principals, teachers, and students, while the teacher also fills in a closed questionnaire prepared previously. The analysis used is descriptive, which is assisted by a percentage. The results show that the teacher's response does not match the characteristics of the new curriculum. The characteristics of the new curriculum consist of aspects of learning methods. In this aspect the majority of teachers use the lecture method, while the new curriculum recommends the discovery method. In the media aspect, the majority of teachers do not use learning media optimally. In learning outcomes, students' abilities can only be measured in aspects of remembering and understanding. The teacher cannot respond directly to curriculum changes. The teacher's methods and media must follow the new curriculum's character so that students' analytical skills in the curriculum can be measured optimally.
Analysis of the Critical Thinking Initial Ability about Static Fluid Material in Class XI of SMA Negeri 7 Surakarta
Authors: Nasution Akhyani , Sunarno Widha , Budiawanti Sri
Published: August 2021

This research aims to describe the initial ability of critical thinking, of high school students in Surakarta on static fluid. This study is part of the learning tools development study to improve critical thinking ability. The critical thinking skills test is compiled into ten questions. The analyzed critical thinking skills are students' critical thinking abilities before a model is applied that is expected to develop a student's critical thinking skills. This research includes descriptive research. The subjects of this study were 35 students of Class XI in SMA Negeri 7 Surakarta. The data collection methods used are test methods. Data analysis techniques use quantitative descriptive analysis. The results showed that the achievement of critical thinking in the analysis aspect with sub-skills of detecting arguments and analyzing arguments was 41,75%. The inference aspect with sub-skills of making a logical conclusion was 29,25%. The interpretation aspect with sub-skills of classifying the meaning was 44,1 %. The explanation aspect with sub-skills of stating re-sults, justifying procedures, and presenting arguments was 57,7%. And the evaluation aspect with sub-skills of assess the credibility and assess the quality of arguments was 24,65%. These results show that students' critical thinking skills are still low, especially in evaluation aspects.
The Effect of Learning Strategy and Cognitive Style on Students’ Narrative Writing Ability
Authors: Tambi Tata , Murtadho Fathiaty , Rafli Zainal
Published: August 2021

In the class, most of the teacher use a single teaching strategy to students who have different cognitive styles when teaching narrative essays in the class. Therefore, it is necessary to improve teaching strategies in the teaching and learning process. The teaching strategies that fit with the cognitive style of students in order that the learning objective is improved. This paper investigates the effect of learning strategy and cognitive style on student’s narrative writing ability. This study was conducted on the VII grade students at Madrasah Tsanawiyah Ibnu Taimiyah Bogor, West Java. Treatment by level design and two-factorial ANOVA analysis with α = 0.05 were applied in this experimental study. The sample was 40 students grouped into experiment classes and 40 students was grouped into control classes. There was a different ability in narrative writing in Bahasa Indonesia between students having field independent cognitive style (A1) and students having field dependent cognitive style (A2). Results of two-way interrow analysis of variance showed that Fcalculated (4.123) was higher than Ftable (3.97) at a significant level of α = 0.05. The findings showed the ability to write a narrative writing in Bahasa Indonesia of students having a field independent cognitive style was higher than that of students having a field dependent cognitive style.
The Uniqueness of Japanese Passive Voice-A New Approach to Understanding Japanese Passive Voice
Authors: Sarjani Andi Irma
Published: August 2021

Japanese passive sentences structurally include “direct passive sen-tences” which have their equivalent in active sentences, and “indirect passive sentences” which have no equivalent in active sentences. Direct passive is expressed by the prefix “di-“ in Indonesian passive sentence, but indirect passive cannot be expressed by the prefix “di-“ and it seems difficult for Indonesian Japanese learners. Indirect passive does not exist in many languages, including in English and somehow in the Indonesian language, too. This paper aims to know why do Japanese people use passive voice to convey events or inci-dents, what functions does the passive distraction voice have different from the active voice, and to clarify about the differences and similarities between Japanese and Indonesian passive sentences. These points may be obvious to Japanese native speakers in some sense, but it will be such a great difficulty for Indonesian learners of Japanese to learn and use. Through this paper result, in which using a descriptive-qualitative method, there are four main conditions in Japanese direct passive sentences, namely the speaker’s point of view, conditions for changing conditions, conditions for specificity, and conditions for losses. In Japanese, if one of the four conditions has been fulfilled (or two or more conditions), then the passive voice can be accepted. Also, Japanese learners must understand that sentences with the Indonesian prefix “di-“ do not automatically become passive sentences in Japanese. If these important points are not well known or understood, this can lead to misunderstandings in the use of Japanese passive voice.
Semi-Systematic Review of the Perceived Cost of Mobile Payment in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Coffie Cephas Paa Kwasi , Zhao Hongjiang
Published: August 2021

Financial technology offers convenience, security, and affordability. In sub-Saharan Africa, mobile money is the flagship offering hypothesized to promote financial inclusion. Nonetheless, the persistent complaints from end-users about the cost associated with mobile money usage in the sub-region have gone under the radar. Therefore, using the semi-systematic review of news articles and blogs’ in direct content analysis, we explore the cost of mobile money usage in the sub-region. We examine the state of mobile charges and how it potentially reverses the original purpose of FinTech. Results indicate that governments and other stakeholders find mobile money charges to be high. The imposition of mobile money tax and the regressive structure of mobile money charges affect the poor. The effort of policymakers to reduce the cost of mobile money in the sub-region is ineffective because the FinTech market is dominated by few foreign-owned telecommunication companies. Thus, the creation and promotion of a domestic FinTech market are necessary to promote greater financial inclusion.
Assessing the Sustainability of Urban Water Supply Systems in Shillong, India
Authors: Kharmylliem Bankerlang , Kipgen Ngamjahao
Published: August 2021

This article examines urban water supply systems by using indicators such as quantity, quality, accessibility, and reliability. Shillong city is divided into numerous localities, each governed by both formal (municipal) and informal (non-municipal) institutions. This study focuses on domestic water aspects in non-municipal areas and argues that water inequity is more prominent and widespread, and the role of local institutions in water governance is greater and more significant. The article underscores the complementarity between water distribution and water governance rendered by the local institutions.
Students’ Perceptions Concerning Emergency Remote Teaching During COVID-19
Authors: Fuchs Kevin
Published: August 2021

The sudden shift from physical classroom education towards emergency remote teaching (ERT) in higher education during the unprecedented global pandemic SARS-CoV-2, or more commonly known as COVID-19, caused an abrupt change in the learning environment for students and educators alike. The disruptive overnight change to convert entire courses to emergency remote teaching caused distress for not only educators, but also students as they had little time to adapt to the new circumstances. While the embedment of technologies in the classroom is not a new concept, this quantitative research examined the impact on perceived student engagement as a result of the sudden change, and how students in higher education in Finland (n = 121) and Thailand (n = 137) responded to this change. One of the primary findings of the research was that students in Thailand indicated difficulties completing group assignments digitally, while, contrary to that finding, students in Finland consented to ease in digital collaboration concerning their group works. As a logical next step, it is recommended to conduct qualitative research to gain a more comprehensive insight into how the views on this particular statement differed significantly between both focus groups of students.
Social Distancing During the Sars-Cov2 (COVID-19) Pandemic: Interpretations and Implication in the African Context
Authors: Kajiita Robert Mutemi , Kang’ethe Simon Murote
Published: August 2021

In absence of vaccine or a well-known treatment at onset of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), public health measures such as social distancing, washing hands, and wearing face masks were implemented as the most effective strategies to combat the spread of the virus. This article explores the perceptions and interpretations of COVID-19-related regulations and implications of the disease to human life in different contexts. The article adopted a qualitative research methodology, where twenty participants were selected purposively and interviewed, then data analyzed inductively. The analysis of interviews revealed varied conceptualizations and interpretations about the disease and social distancing. Notably, COVID-19 regulations such social distancing and face masking were perceived as imported policy, a misconception that would be attributed to non-adherence to COVID-19 protocols. Further, the study underscore that the disease and policies related to it disrupted ways of social life; infringed on people’s social-cultural rights; and had adverse health consequences. The study recommends a strategic and deliberate reconstruction of the society to restore its sociological functions post COVID-19 pandemic.
Usage-Based Contact Linguistics: Effects of Frequency and Similarity in Language Contact
Authors: Hakimov Nikolay , Backus Ad
Published: August 2021

The influence of usage frequency, and particularly of linguistic similarity on human linguistic behavior and linguistic change in situations of language contact are well documented in contact linguistics literature. However, a theoretical framework capable of unifying the various explanations, which are usually couched in either structuralist, sociolinguistic, or psycholinguistic parlance, is still lacking. In this introductory article we argue that a usage-based approach to language organization and linguistic behavior suits this purpose well and that the study of language contact phenomena will benefit from the adoption of this theoretical perspective. The article sketches an outline of usage-based linguistics, proposes ways to analyze language contact phenomena in this framework, and summarizes the major findings of the individual contributions to the special issue, which not only demonstrate that contact phenomena are usefully studied from the usage-based perspective, but document that taking a usage-based approach reveals new aspects of old phenomena.
A Speech Planning Account of Guarani Grammatical Borrowings in Paraguayan Spanish
Authors: Estigarribia Bruno
Published: August 2021

Previous studies view the use of Guarani grammatical morphemes in Paraguayan Spanish simply as grammatical borrowings (if one focuses on the morphosyntactic status of mixed forms) or as an ill-defined “interference”. But so far there has been no examination of the bilingual planning mechanisms that license and constrain these language mixes. In this paper, I explore the idea that the emergence of grammatical borrowings can be explained by message conceptualization procedures that are influenced by asymmetries in each language’s cognitive dominance. This work thus contributes to our understanding of language contact by applying what we know about language processing and utterance planning to explaining the outcomes observed in language mixing. In so doing, I hope to facilitate a tighter integration between the psycholinguistic planning and language contact literatures.
Exploring a Loan Translation and Its Consequences in an Oral Bilingual Corpus
Authors: Bullock Barbara E. , Serigos Jacqueline , Toribio Almeida Jacqueline
Published: August 2021

This work applies computational tools that have been used to model loanwords in newspaper corpora to an analysis of a loan translation in an oral bilingual corpus. The explicit goal of the contribution is to argue that a specific collocation found in a corpus of Spanish spoken in Texas, agarrar+NP (e.g., agarrar ayuda), is a loan translation that is calqued on English get+np support verb constructions (e.g., get help). We base our argument on the frequency and the linguistic distribution of the nonconventional usage within and between corpora and on the factors that favor its use. Our findings show that the overall frequency of agarrar is the same in Spanish in Texas as it is in the benchmark monolingual corpus of Mexican Spanish but that it is used differently in the two varieties, a difference that has grammatical, as well as semantic, ramifications.
Lexical Frequency and Frequency of Co-Occurrence Predict the Use of Embedded-Language Islands in Bilingual Speech: Adjective-Modified Nominal Constituents in Russian-German Code-Mixing
Authors: Hakimov Nikolay
Published: August 2021

This article explores the role of usage frequency in the structure of language mixing by the application of corpus-linguistic and statistical methods. The goal of the study is to reveal that the frequency of a lexical item and the frequency with which it occurs with other items account for its use in bilingual speech. To achieve this goal, I analyze German monolingual and German-Russian mixed adjective-modified nominal constituents in otherwise Russian discourse in a corpus of Russian-German bilingual speech collected from fluent bilinguals in Russian-speaking communities in Germany. My findings show that many of German nominal constituents, also called embedded-language islands, are recurrent A-N combinations. However, in the absence of sequential associations between the involved words, the adjectives may be realized in Russian or in German. In light of this evidence, I suggest two mechanisms underlying the production of embedded-language islands: retrieval of a multiword chunk and co-activation.
Uncertainty, Trade and Growth: An Indian Experience
Authors: Sheikh Mehraj Ahmad , Malik Mushtaq Ahmad , Masood Rana Zehra
Published: August 2021

Over the years, emerging economies have extensively followed a liberal trade regime and witnessed unprecedented economic growth. At the same time, global uncertainty has also reached to the pinnacle and has gripped almost every country within its ambit. Trade openness though seems to be channelising negative spillover effects of global uncertainty, yet continues to flourish. Therefore, the economic implications of uncertainty in presence of unprecedented trade openness remain a moot question which lays the basis of this study. Using autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) approach, the empirical estimates suggest that macroeconomic effects of uncertainty are effectively mitigated by trade openness.

JEL Codes: C22, F14, C22
The Firm-Specific Factors Influencing the Tax Haven Operations of Indian Multinationals
Authors: Vineeth P. , Nidheesh K. B.
Published: August 2021

The present study measures the role of firm-specific factors influencing the likelihood of establishing a subsidiary in tax haven countries. The panel data of Indian companies, which have business operations in foreign countries, are used for the study. The firm-level data for the period from 2007 to 2018 are analysed by using binary logistic regression model. The result shows that the intangible assets, long-term debt, number of subsidiaries and service sector dummy have significant and positive impact on tax haven operations of multinational companies, but the experience of the firm and return on equity are insignificant, and a firm’s size deters the likelihood of setting a tax haven subsidiary. The results also show that firms from high-technology manufacturing and knowledge-intensive sector have more influence on the likelihood of owning a tax haven subsidiary by Indian multinationals.

JEL Codes: F21, F23, H25, H26
Non-pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia in Southeast Europe: An expert survey
Authors: Stevović Lidija Injac , Repišti Selman , Radojičić Tamara , Sartorius Norman , Tomori Sonila , Džubur Kulenović Alma , Popova Ana , Kuzman Martina Rojnić , Vlachos Ilias I , Statovci Shukrije , Bandati Alexei , Novotni Antoni , Bajraktarov Stojan , Panfil Anca-Livia , Maric Nadja P. , Delić Mirjana , Jovanović Nikolina
Published: August 2021

Background:

Non-pharmacological treatment for schizophrenia includes educational, psychotherapeutic, social, and physical interventions. Despite growing importance of these interventions in the holistic treatment of individuals with schizophrenia, very little is known about their availability in South-East European countries (SEE).

Objective:

To explore mental health care experts’ opinions of the availability of non-pharmacological treatment for people with schizophrenia in SEE.

Methods:

An online survey containing 11 questions was completed by one mental health expert from each of the following SEE countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo†, Montenegro, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Data were collected on estimated rates of received non-pharmacological interventions, type of services delivering these interventions, and expert views of availability barriers.

Results:

In eight countries, the estimated percentage of people with schizophrenia who receive non-pharmacological treatments was below 35%. The primary explanations for the low availability of non-pharmacological treatments were: lack of human and financial resources, lack of training for clinicians, and pharmacotherapy dominance in the treatment for schizophrenia.

Conclusion:

Lack of personal and institutional resources and state support were identified as primary obstacles to staff training and delivering non-pharmacological treatments to people with schizophrenia on individual and systemic levels, respectively. This evidence can be used to improve holistic, evidence-based treatment for schizophrenia in the SEE countries.
Educating for Eupsychia: Maslow’s Unfinished Agenda and Aldous Huxley’s Role in Its Advancement
Authors: Hoffman Edward , Bey Tass
Published: August 2021

Although Abraham Maslow never specified how eupsychia (his paradigm for the best possible human society) might be achieved, he was inspired in the 1960s by Aldous Huxley’s notions that major changes in education were vital for its attainment: in Maslow’s view, spurring personality growth and fulfillment and ultimately leading to self-actualization on a societal level. In this light, Maslow’s scattered writings on the necessity for revisioning education provide meaningful direction for realizing the eupsychian ideal. Drawing particularly on his enthusiasm for revamped pedagogy as presented in Huxley’s utopian novel Island and related writings, we highlight three elements that Maslow deemed crucial: valuing children’s constitutional and temperamental differences, incorporating somatic and movement education including dance, and, related to peak experiences, fostering a sense of wonder. We also add a fourth element that Maslow was beginning to embrace at the time of his death—eudaimonic education comprising aspects such as volunteerism, mentoring, and civic engagement.
The Savage Organizational Scoring System for the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test: Norms and New Data From Veterans in a Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic
Authors: Mangum Ryan W. , Tolle-Fu Kathryn A. , Hale Andrew C. , Gradwohl Brian D. , Spencer Robert J.
Published: August 2021

The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) permits quantifying diverse cognitive abilities, including executive function (EF). We evaluated the psychometric properties of a scoring procedure for the RCFT, the Savage Organizational Scoring System (SOSS), that awards points for drawing the largest structural elements of the figures as continuous wholes. This was a two-phase study: first, we conducted a systematic literature search for studies using the SOSS, and aggregated previously published data for healthy controls to create a normative database; second, we observed performances from veterans evaluated for traumatic brain injury (TBI), examining the reliability of their SOSS scores, the SOSS correlations with two EF measures and the participants’ self-reported cognitive functioning, and then compared their mean scores to normative expectations. Across our literature-derived normative database, the aggregated mean SOSS score was 4.12 ( SD = 1.72), which was marginally higher than that of our veteran participants evaluated for TBI, 3.72 ( SD = 1.79). The SOSS had modest internal consistency (α = .59). Unlike the criterion EF measures, the SOSS was not significantly related to self-reported cognitive functioning. The SOSS shared a small, significant correlation with Trails B and Shipley Abstraction; but RCFT Copy scores were more strongly related to these tests, and the SOSS added no significant incremental predictive value beyond the RCFT Copy score. However, SOSS scores did predict RCFT Recall beyond RCFT Copy scores. We conclude that the SOSS has modest reliability and is predictive of RCFT Recall scores, but it is not strongly correlated with other EF measures, and it is only minimally affected by mild TBI.
Psychological Maltreatment and Loneliness in Adolescents: Social Ostracism and Affective Experiences
Authors: Arslan Gökmen , Yıldırım Murat
Published: August 2021

Psychological maltreatment is an important public health concern that has been linked with a variety of negative psychosocial consequences and adjustment problems in childhood to adulthood. The purpose of the current study sought to explore the direct and indirect associations between psychological maltreatment, social ostracism, affective experiences, and loneliness among high school Turkish adolescents. Participants were comprised of 791 adolescents attending three public high schools in Turkey. Students were mostly male with a mean age of 16.35 ( SD = 1.09) years. Findings from the analyses indicated that social ostracism mediated the relationship between psychological maltreatment and both positive and negative affective experiences. Social ostracism and affective experiences mediated the effect of psychological maltreatment on adolescent feelings of loneliness. Results of the present study suggest that social ostracism and affective experiences are important mechanisms that may help to understand the impacts of psychological maltreatment on adolescent feelings of loneliness.
Linking Work Values Profiles to Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration
Authors: Busque-Carrier Mathieu , Ratelle Catherine F. , Le Corff Yann
Published: August 2021

The association between work values and key motivational variables has been repeatedly supported in previous studies. However, little attention has been devoted to understanding intraindividual patterns of work values and how combinations of work values relate to other motivational variables. This study aimed to identify profiles of work values based on a four-factor model (i.e., intrinsic, extrinsic, social, and status). It also investigated how profile membership relates to basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration at work using a self-determination perspective. A sample of French Canadian adults (N = 476) participated in this study by filling out an online questionnaire. Latent profile analyses revealed five distinct work values profiles. Results showed that participants in more positive profiles (i.e., high level of intrinsic, social, and status work values) generally reported higher level of need satisfaction and lower level of need frustration at work than participants belonging to more negative profiles (i.e., low level of intrinsic, social, and status work values). These results support the importance of considering work values in organizational and career development interventions, and to do so using a person-centered approach, to better understand need satisfaction and frustration at work.
Fostering bidirectional trainee-led partnerships through a technology-assisted journal club – The GASOC experience
Authors: Ravi Krithi , Nkuliza Delphine , Patel Reema , Niyitegeka Joseph , Davidson Sarah , Aruparayil Noel
Published: August 2021

Since 2017, the Global Anaesthesia Surgery and Obstetric Collaboration (GASOC) has been hosting journal clubs to promote critical appraisal of global surgery publications. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a transition to an online-only journal club format. Attendees have rated the online GASOC journal clubs highly in terms of relevance for their learning and development, and the ability to engage with discussions. This transition has allowed more trainees in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to register for journal clubs, but barriers have continued to restrict their participation. Feedback submitted by participants has allowed GASOC to identify and address these barriers in order to promote bidirectional partnerships between high-income country and LMIC trainees.
Do Professor–Student Rapport and Mattering Predict College Student Outcomes?
Authors: Schriver Jennifer L. , Harr Kulynych Ryan
Published: August 2021

Background

Professor–student rapport and a sense of mattering to others are associated with several college student outcomes, but no study has examined the relation between these two variables.

Objective

This study sought to examine associations between professor–student rapport, mattering, and college student outcomes including grade data and students’ ratings of a course and an instructor.

Method

149 college students completed the Professor–Student Rapport Scale (PSRS), the General Mattering Index, and the Interpersonal Mattering Scale. Students’ ratings of the course and the instructor were collected as well as institutionally-reported GPA.

Results

Professor–student rapport was related to mattering to the psychology instructor. Professor–student rapport was predictive of students’ ratings of the course and the instructor but was not associated with grades. Measures of mattering were not related to student outcomes. The brief version of the PSRS was not more predictive of student outcomes as compared to the full PSRS.

Conclusion

Professor–student rapport and mattering are related, but only rapport is associated with some student academic outcomes. Studies that go beyond students’ perceptions and focus on more objective student outcomes are needed in this area. Additionally, experimental studies that examine methods of fostering rapport are warranted to more fully understand the influence of faculty behaviors and qualities on students.
Roses: A Social Hypothesis
Authors: Simmel Georg
Published: August 2021

First published in 1897 in the avant-garde journal Jugend, Simmel’s fairy tale tells the story of the emergence of a sense of grievance about differences in the ability to grow roses which became constructed as a ‘terrible inequality’. Although moves were made to address this inequality so that everyone became able to grow roses, differences remained in how well different rose gardens grew, which in turn came to be perceived as an equally oppressive form of inequality. A translator’s note outlines the significance of the text for the sociological analysis of inequality and the pursuit of equality, placing it in the context of related theories of inequality, recognition, distinction, the narcissism of minor differences, and ressentiment.
Compressive strain measurements in porous materials using micro-FE and digital volume correlation
Authors: Kunnoth Sriram , Mahajan Puneet , Ahmad Suhail , Bhatnagar Naresh
Published: August 2021

A local Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) based measurement of displacements and strains of synthetic bone samples under an ex-situ compression using the time-lapsed imaging procedure was performed in the present study. Micro Finite Element (µFE) model was used to simulate the compression of synthetic bone samples with experimental-based ( ExBC), and DVC interpolated displacement boundary conditions ( IPBC). The obtained µFE nodal displacement data compared with DVC. A good match of displacement patterns and correlation values of R2 = 0.85–0.99 and RMSE ≤ 12 µm was observed for the IPBC predicted displacements against DVC displacements. However, the ExBC provided a good correlation of transverse displacements only (U: R2 = 0.85–0.99 and V: R2 = 0.77–0.99). The average axial displacement of ExBC matched well with DVC, and a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the axial displacement was possible with ExBC. A moderate agreement of axial strain patterns was observed between DVC and IPBC, even though a good agreement on displacement was observed. The ExBC showed a higher axial strain compared to DVC in all samples. The transverse strains varied between the same extreme values for both boundary conditions and within the DVC range.
ADAMA-II wind farm performance assessment in comparison to feasibility study
Authors: Debru Abeba , Bayray Mulu , Molinas Marta
Published: August 2021

The objective of this paper was to assess the performance of the Adama-II Wind Farm in comparison to the feasibility study. Using 1-year mast data, the site potential was reassessed by WAsP software and the performance of wind turbine generators was assessed by 2 years of SCADA data. The obtained mean annual wind speed and power density were 7.75 m/s, and 462 W/m2 while in the feasibility study, 9.55 m/s, and 634.6 W/m2, which resulted in 18.8%, and 27.1% deviations respectively. The prevailing and secondary wind directions obtained were ENE and NE with 35.7% and 19.1% while, in the feasibility study, ENE with 36.5% and E with 17.3%. From the SCADA data, the Capacity factor, Annual Energy Production (AEP), and Availability of wind turbines were determined as 30.5%, 398 GWh, and 95.1%. The reasons for the deviation were difference in long-term correction data and weather conditions during study period.
Comparison outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in prone and flank position in obese patients: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Reza , Fatahi Behrouz , Fakhr Yasseri Ali Mohammad
Published: August 2021

Background:

The aim of this study was to compare the complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) surgery in Flank and Prone positions in patients with a BMI above 30.

Methods:

In this randomized clinical trial patients were randomly assigned to PCNL treatment in one of two groups undergoing PCNL under fluoroscopic guidance in Flank or Prone positions. Patient demographic information, stone number, size and location, stent duration, hospital stay, blood loss, Creatinine, hemoglobin, hematocrit changes, and arterial blood gas changes and acid-base hemostasis were collected.

Results:

In this study, 60 patients were examined, which were divided into two groups of 29 people, prone and 31 people. Mean stone size was 3.16 ± 0.82 cm. arterial blood gases did not differ significantly between two groups. The SFR (stone free rate) in the prone and flank groups was 91.02% and 86.89%, respectively. However, SFR and Complications in the prone and flank groups were not significantly different ( p value of 0.081 and 0.13, respectively).

Conclusions:

According to the results of this study, PCNL complications and acid-base changes is not significantly different in flank and prone positions in obese patients. However, SFR is slightly lower in flank group. Thus, PCNL in flank position is not superior to prone position in obese Patients. It is recommended to choose each of these surgical methods according to the surgeon’s facilities and skills.
Socioeconomic Factors and Patterns of Intimate Partner Violence among Ever-Married Women in Uganda: Pathways and Actions for Multicomponent Violence Prevention Strategies
Authors: Okumu Moses , Orwenyo Evalyne , Nyoni Thabani , Mengo Cecilia , Steiner Jordan J. , Tonui Betty C.
Published: August 2021

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a severe public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with harmful effects on the physical, psychological, and socioeconomic wellbeing of survivors and their families. In SSA, IPV is associated with mental health disorders, high-risk behaviors, and HIV vulnerability, especially among women. In Uganda, poor socioeconomic status increases women’s vulnerability to IPV. Yet there is limited evidence on the association between socioeconomic factors and IPV severity in Uganda. Our study used population-based data to (a) establish different patterns describing the severity of IPV experiences, (b) explore associations between socioeconomic factors and severity of IPV experiences among Ugandan ever-married women, and (c) examine direct and indirect pathways from socioeconomic factors to severity of IPV experiences. Data were drawn from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey’s sample of 7,536 ever-married women aged 15–49 years. A latent class analysis examined distinct patterns of IPV severity among this sample, yielding a four-class solution: low violence ( n = 5,059; 67.1%); high physical violence, low sexual violence ( n = 1,501; 19.9%); high sexual violence, moderate physical violence ( n = 535; 7.1%); and high sexual and severe physical violence ( n = 441; 5.9%). Using the low violence group as the reference category, we conducted a multinomial logistic regression that found significant associations between secondary education (a OR 2.35, 95% CI: [1.06, 5.24]), poorest on the wealth index (a OR 2.00, 95% CI: [1.13, 3.54]), and severe IPV experiences. Decision-making (a OR 0.81, 95% CI: [0.68, 0.96]) played a protective role against membership in the high sexual and physical violence class compared to the reference category. Using path analysis, we found that labor force participation partially mediated the path from wealth index and education to IPV severity. Findings indicate the need for interventions that aim to keep girls in school and target schools, communities, and media platforms to address gender norms, economic vulnerability, and comprehensive screening for multiple forms of violence.
Early Trauma and Later Sexual Victimization in College Women: A Multiple Mediation Examination of Alexithymia, Impulsivity, and Alcohol Use
Authors: Mullet Natira , Hawkins Lindsey G. , Tuliao Antover P. , Snyder Hailey , Holyoak Derek , McGuire Kimberly C. , Earl Alicia K. , McChargue Dennis
Published: August 2021

Childhood abuse and sexual violence against women are prevalent in the United States. However, researchers have not fully explored the intersection among important predisposing factors that predict recent sexual violence experienced by women who are also survivors of childhood abuse. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among early childhood trauma, alexithymia, impulsivity, alcohol use severity, and sexual victimization in later life among female college students from the United States ( n = 1,178). Participants were part of a larger cross-cultural study, conducted between 2012 to 2014, which examined sexual aggression and victimization in the context of alcohol use. The current study aimed to examine if: (a) early trauma, impulsivity, alexithymia, and alcohol use severity impact sexual victimization in later life, and (b) if impulsivity, alexithymia, and alcohol use severity mediate the relationship between early trauma and victimization in later life. It was hypothesized that impulsivity, alexithymia, and alcohol use severity would significantly mediate the relationship between early trauma and sexual victimization in later life. Using a multiple mediation path analysis, results indicated that early childhood trauma was significantly linked with impulsivity, alcohol use severity, and sexual victimization in later life. A partial mediation through impulsivity and alcohol use severity was observed. Alexithymia did not produce mediation effects. These findings align with previous research examining how early childhood trauma influences the occurrence of sexual victimization in later life and provides further recommendations for helping professionals as they attempt to stifle the sexual victimization rates among female college students.
Challenging the Ordinality of Police Use-of-Force Policy
Authors: Mourtgos Scott M. , Adams Ian T. , Baty Samuel R.
Published: August 2021

Most use-of-force policies utilized by U.S. police agencies make fundamental ordinal assumptions about officers’ force responses to subject resistance. These policies consist of varying levels of force and resistance along an ordinally ranked continuum of severity. We empirically tested the ordinal assumptions that are ubiquitous to police use-of-force continua within the United States using 1 year’s use-of-force data from a municipal police department. Applying a quantitative technique known as categorical regression with optimal scaling, we found the assumptions of ordinality within the studied department’s use-of-force continuum (which is similar to many police use-of-force continua within the United States) are not met. Specifying physical force as a “lower” force option than less-lethal tools is associated with increased officer injury and decreased subject injury. Our findings call into question use-of-force continua featuring ordinal rankings for varying categories of less-lethal force.
Analysis of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy With Concomitant Use of Interacting Antiretroviral Agents
Authors: Brazeale Hayley S. , Fuentes Amaris , Adeola Mobolaji
Published: August 2021

Background: A theoretical interaction exists between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antiretroviral (ARV) agents and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), although the clinical significance is unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess characteristics, prescribing patterns, and outcomes associated with concomitant therapy. Methods: A single-center, retrospective review was performed on patients older than 18 years prescribed a DOAC for any indication with concurrent interacting ARV(s) from June 2016 through June 2019. The primary endpoint was to assess prescribing and population characteristics. Secondary endpoints were to evaluate safety outcomes, DOAC level monitoring, readmissions, outpatient follow-up, and DOAC modification interventions. Results: Thirty-six patients (72 hospital admissions) were identified. The most common DOAC was apixaban (83.3%) and ARV was ritonavir (50%). Of the 72 encounters, 26 (36.1%) DOACs were dosed appropriately per guideline recommendations. Twenty pharmacy interventions for therapy modification were recognized. Eleven (30.6%) patients experienced bleeding and 2 (5.6%) thrombosis. Of the adverse events, all patients had renal impairment. Conclusions: As DOAC utilization grows, increasing use in HIV could be expected. More frequent adjustment or avoidance is recommended per guidelines. Our data suggest the majority of patients receive CYP3A4-inhibiting regimens. Caution should be employed with renal insufficiencies. Further studies are warranted to assess safety and efficacy within this population.
A Longitudinal Study of Cognitive and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Disablement Among the Oldest Mexican Americans
Authors: Kim Jiwon , Angel Jacqueline L. , Rote Sunshine M.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Mexican Americans live longer on average than other ethnic groups, but often with protracted cognitive and physical disability. Little is known, however, about the role of cognitive decline for transitions in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability and tertiary outcomes of the IADL disablement for the oldest old (after 80 years old). Methods We employ the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (2010–2011, 2012–2013, and 2016, N = 1,078) to investigate the longitudinal patterns of IADL decline using latent transition analysis. Results Three IADL groups were identified: independent (developing mobility limitations), emerging dependence (limited mobility and community activities), and dependent (limited mobility and household and community activities). Declines in cognitive function were a consistent predictor of greater IADL disablement, and loneliness was a particularly salient distal outcome for emerging dependence. Discussion These results highlight the social consequences of cognitive decline and dependency as well as underscore important areas of intervention at each stage of the disablement process.